Port Manatee reports a 36-percent year-over-year increase in containerized cargo handled in the first half of its fiscal year. An increase in imports led the way with the number of imported 20-foot-equivalent container units (TEUs) up roughly 40 percent in the period from Oct. 1 through March 31.   

The chance to serve as a delegate at the Republican National Convention is something Christian Ziegler dreamed of his whole life. This July, he will get that opportunity as one of three party leaders representing this region of Florida, and it could happen during the most contentious convention of Ziegler’s lifetime. With it looking increasingly likely no presidential candidate will arrive at the convention with a secure majority of delegates pledged through primaries and caucuses, this could be the first open convention for the Grand Old Party since 1976. “It’s going to be a fascinating rest of the primary,” Ziegler said.

Party leaders for the Congressional district including Sarasota and Manatee counties this weekend selected Ziegler, state committeeman for Sarasota County, along with Republican Party of Sarasota Chairman Joe Gruters and Republican Party of Manatee Chairman Kathleen King to serve in Florida’s 99-member delegation in Cleveland. 

It’s an especially important sojourn for Gruters, who was selected as chairman for presidential candidate Donald Trump’s Florida campaign. In March, Trump won the primary here with 45 percent of the vote, but with a contested convention looming, Gruters expects his work is not done. “I will try and do everything I can to get a victory for Trump,” said Gruters, who remains hopeful Trump can win the target of 1,237 delegates through the primary and caucus process.

As for how an open convention would work, every state party has different rules. While the primaries and caucuses have locked in how most delegates must vote on a first vote at the convention, if no candidate wins a majority, an increasing number of delegates will be freed up to vote as they see fit with every subsequent tally. As of today, Trump leads the delegate battle with 743 pledged delegates compared to Texas. Sen. Ted Cruz’s 545 delegates and Ohio Gov. John Kasich’s 143 delegates. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, though he suspended his campaign after losing Florida to Trump, boasts 171 delegates. 

Florida delegates are bound to vote for Trump in the first three votes at the convention, but if a nomination hasn’t been settled by then, can vote as they choose on a fourth vote. If it reaches that point, Ziegler said he will select who to vote for based on a variety of factors. “Florida voters selected Trump during our Primary, so that must be taken into consideration by the delegates, but there's a lot of time between now and Cleveland, let alone how different the dynamics would be if we actually did make it to a fourth ballot,” Ziegler said. One thing Ziegler will actively resist is any attempt to put in an establishment selection who did not campaign during the primary season. “I oppose any effort by the Washington establishment and insiders to airdrop a candidate into the convention that is not an active candidate for President. That would be the worst possible situation for our country and our party.”

Gruters, for his part, is making the case Florida delegates need to respect the primary results. “All delegates should follow the will of the voters,” he said. Trump won handily here, with Rubio winning just 27 percent of the vote, well behind Trump but still far ahead of Cruz (17.1 percent) or Kasich (6.8 percent). “I certainly would hope delegates respect that,” Gruters said. “And if any stray, hopefully the voters will hold them accountable later on.”

The Republican National Convention is scheduled July 18-21 in Cleveland, Ohio. 

Sarasota County Commission: The board meets Tuesday to consider transmitting a comprehensive plan amendment to change the future land-use designation to Moderate Density Residential for property along South River Road. The meeting beings at 9am at the Robert L. Anderson Administration Center in Venice. 

Manatee County Commission: The board meets Tuesday to consider a change in sewer use regulations instituting new requirements on waste haulers regarding fats, oils and greases. The meeting begins at 9am at the Manatee County Government Administrative Center in Bradenton. 

Manatee County Commission

Robyn Faucy has been selected as the new executive director of Neuro Challenge Foundation. Faucy began as a case worker with the Head Start program, later holding leadership roles with American Cancer Society, Sylvan Learning Centers, Big Brothers Big Sisters and most recently the Education Foundation of Sarasota County. Faucy begins her new position on April 18. NCF provides education, programs and support to people in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte affected with Parkinson’s.  

Neuro Challenge Foundation

Doctors Hospital of Sarasota welcomed three new Board of Trustees members. Joe Hembree is the president and owner of Hembree & Associates, a commerical real estate veteran with over 25 years of experience, and is serving as the President of the Argus Foundation. Patricia Courtois is the CEO and president of C•Suite Communications. She has been affiliated with multiple successful companies and local brands in public relations including Tropicana, Sugar in the Raw and Southeastern Guide Dogs. Dr. Richard Duckworth is an internist with Intercoastal Medical Group and has been practicing medicine for more than 35 years in the Sarasota area. 

Doctors Hospital of Sarasota

WunderKraft, a Sarasota-based boutique branding, advertising and marketing studio, marked the debut of its first marketing campaign by relaunching an updated website. The campaign will be targeting a wide range of businesses in the culinary and beverage industry. To showcase the studio’s creative talent, Ben Nathan, founder of WunderKraft, has manufactured his own food product from packaging through to advertising. 

WunderKraft