« Back To SRQ Daily Archive

SRQ DAILY Apr 19, 2016

Freshly Squeezed Content Every Morning

Please allow images to view this email properly

Freshly Squeezed Content Every Morning

"It is not like there is a crisis situation or that we have to do this in November."

- Liz Alpert, Sarasota City Commissioner
 

[Politics]  City Elections Stay Put
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

City elections in Sarasota will stay at the same time on the calendar, at least for now. City Commissioners Monday night declined the chance to put to vote the rescheduling of city contests to coincide with state and federal elections, leaving in place the practice of voting on city matters in spring of odd-numbered years. “I do not want to give the voters the choice of a flawed process,” said City Commissioner Liz Alpert. “It is not like there is a crisis situation or that we have to do this in November.”

Amid concerns about low turnout in Spring elections, commissioners in January voted to pursue a referendum allowing voters to weigh in on moving elections to Fall in even-numbered years and to most likely eliminate a runoff election altogether. But Monday night, Vice Mayor Suzanne Atwell made a motion to move forward with this plan and the issued died for lack of a second. 

That doesn’t mean the issue dies entirely, but it makes the timing challenging to put the issue in front of voters on Nov. 8, when turnout is expected to be high for the presidential election.

The issue already on Monday stoked significant debate. Former Mayor Kelly Kirschner criticized the elimination of the runoff, noting two sitting commissioners—Atwell and Shelli Freeland Eddie—would have lost their first elections to office in a first race if a runoff had never occurred in 2009 and 2015 respectively. And former Mayor Mollie Cardamone said there are other ways to boost voter turnout like Saturday elections and same-day voter registration.

But other political figures spoke in favor of the change. Former City Commission candidate Matt Wooddall said the commission had a fiduciary responsibility to consider rescheduling elections, noting every election held in March or May costs about $60,000, but a Fall election in conjunction with other races would cost just $12,000. Former candidate Diana Hamilton noted the last time a city issue appeared on a November ballot, 76 percent of people who voted in the city that day voted on the matter, rejecting a special interest-supported change in city structure. She felt this showed that voters will turn out in November and won’t be swayed by special interests. 

Former Mayor Dick Clapp, who spoke in opposition Monday to the referendum out of fears of special interests altering the city dialogue, said the commission should at the very least allow a charter review committee to explore technical issues before the matter gets sent to voters. Alpert said she would like to take that approach now and would like to see a board appointed to study this topic.

Woodall, though, said the vast majority of citizens already favor the change in election schedule already. He wants citizens to file petitions with City Hall and force the issue onto the November ballot through a citizen-led effort. 

[Exec Moves]  Taylor Joins Alliance Group

Justin Taylor joined RE/MAX Alliance Group as a sales associate in the Bradenton office. He specializes in residential properties and acreage in the Bradenton, Palmetto, Lakewood Ranch, Parrish and Ellenton areas. Born and raised in Palmetto, Taylor is a fifth-generation Floridian.  

RE/MAX Alliance Group

[Exec Moves]  Burns Hired as Assistant Chief

William Burns has accepted a conditional offer to become the new assistant chief of operations of the Sarasota County Fire Department. Burns spent 25 years working in emergency services, most recently as assistant chief of operations and assistant chief of strategic programs in Brevard County. He is scheduled to start May 2. 

Sarasota County

[Opening]  MM Investing Buys Space

MM Investing purchased an 1,131-square-foot office condominium on Merchant Court in Sarasota from Whittaker Real Estate Investments for $144,500. Terry Eastman of Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT handled the transaction. 

Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT

[Recognition]  Ringling Students Win Advertising Competition

The Ringling College National Student Advertising Competition team won first place and Best Media Plan in the District 4 competition held this Saturday in Orlando. Ringling’s interdisciplinary team beat out eight other schools to take the win, including Florida State University, University of South Florida, University of Miami and University of West Florida. Over 150 schools across the country compete in the NSAC, sponsored by the American Advertising Federation. This year’s client was Snapple, and the case study asked students to develop an integrated campaign to increase purchase frequency. Ringling’s “Oddly Satisfying” campaign included TV commercials, in-store promotions, a mobile app, packaging and web designs as well as out-of-home, social media, Spotify, YouTube and experiential advertising to answer the challenge. 

Ringling College of Art and Design

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

Copyright © 2024 by SRQ Media Group, 331 South Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236.
Powered by Sarasota Web Design | Unsubscribe

Read More

Where Oil Meets Water

Where Oil Meets Water

Phil Lederer | Mar 1, 2024

Freedom to Wander

Freedom to Wander

Laura Paquette | Mar 1, 2024

Drive and Dine

Drive and Dine

Laura Paquette | Mar 1, 2024

A Mesmerizing Journey

A Mesmerizing Journey

Barbie Heit | Mar 1, 2024