The creation of reputable jobs in the region will be the focus of both candidates now running to represent District 1 on the Sarasota County Commission. Democrat Fredd Atkins and Republican Mike Moran both want to foster growth in sectors of the economy beyond development and hospitality. The details on how to achieve this though, will likely be debated intensely between now and November. 

Atkins, a former Sarasota City Commissioner, argues an overly agreeable county commission has focused too much on allowing housing development to expand into areas once off-limits. He fears that if there is too much focus on construction as an employer, the county will eventually run out of places to build and see a crash with all the related secondary industries. He would rather see more light industry and high-tech sector employers find their way to success here. “Sarasota County is a big enough county that we can have several industries,” Atkins said. He also feels the county is missing an opportunity to encourage companies built around supporting aging, and while efforts like the Institute for the Ages folded, the possibilities for success remain. “It wasn’t the dream people didn’t support. It was the people that initiated it,” he said. “The idea is still admirable.” 

Moran, former member of the Sarasota County Planning Commission, feels government leaders need to hear and then heed the advice of successful entrepreneurs who gravitate to this region. “It is not the government’s job to create jobs, but I feel they can create an environment that can be good or bad for the business community,” Moran said. The candidate also stressed the need for long-term careers, not just low-wage jobs, to be created here so that young people attending our schools and colleges don’t move elsewhere upon graduation. He wants to see a stronger relationship between county leaders and the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, and credited efforts by that agency in attracting the University of Florida to open its first Innovation State, an extension of the school’s College of Engineering here in Sarasota. “That was a humungous start, and at a minimum, it is spurring a conversation between county leaders, the EDC, philanthropists and the educational system,” he said.

Atkins has been actively collecting signatures to get placed on the ballot and is about three-quarters of the way toward qualifying. “It’s coming along very well,” he said. Moran has elected to pay the qualification fee, and is spending this time meeting with voters.”I’d like to spend this time getting my message out,” he said.

Right now, Moran and Atkins are the only candidates filed for Sarasota County Commission District 1. The countywide election is scheduled for Nov. 8. 

Maserati. Just the name sends a thrilling tingle down the spine. The Levante, the company's first stab at an SUV, incites the same reaction. Sleek lines and sumptuous details dominate the luxurious vehicle. Wilde Maserati of Sarasota unveiled the vehicle yesterday at an event that oozed class; a crowd of well-heeled Sarasotans sipped on fruity cocktails and indulged in crab cakes and chocolate-covered strawberries while the sounds of Frank Sinatra crooned in the background. The scene mirrored the car itself—distinctly Italian. The Levante is clearly associated with its sports-car counterparts, with Maserati design signatures visible on each side: the three iconic air vents on the front wings, the trapezoidal C-pillar with the "Saetta" logo and the large, frameless door windows. 

"The three pillars of Maserati are performance, design and exclusivity," said Maserati Regional Marketing Manager Vinny Russo. "This truck encompasses all of these better than any other of the cars. It's distinctively Maserati." He pointed out this SUV can go from 60 to zero miles per hour in 113 feet, outbraking a Ferrari F430 and a Lamborghini Gallardo. And Floridians can rejoice—the Levante features a door with no frame and a sealed rocker panel, meaning you won't get the bottom of your pants or dress wet when getting in and out of the car in the rain.  

Wilde Maserati of Sarasota, 4821 Clark Road, Sarasota, 941-924-3019

I’d like to take a moment to shine some light on the biggest resource we may have to tackle tough technological problems. It’s the people we meet every day—the people we work with and the bonds and relationships we make. How many times have you found yourself incredibly frustrated trying to find an answer to a technological problem? Of course there is always the Internet, and thanks to Google most answers are now at our fingertips. With a little ingenuity, you can easily use the Internet to research your idea or problem and to find potential answers or information.

As an adjunct faculty member at Ringling College of Art and Design, I have had the opportunity to meet some of the most kind, generous and hard-working students I’ve ever known. This new wave of future leaders and artists—digital “natives”—have grown up with technology and understand better than most of us its current and potential impact on our lives and in our work. Like most of us, they encounter a lot of the same problems using technology. However, because they’ve been surrounded with it since birth, they are incredibly adept at finding answers to their issues relatively quickly using online resources.

On the flip side, you may want to seek out assistance from people with special subject matter expertise. Pinpoint people in your office or in your life who have a specific skill set on a subject or technology issue and seek them out for their advice. The accountant who has done research on various online billing software or the project manager who is well-versed in the best ways to work with virtual teams. Or the administrative assistant who is responsible for online conferencing software. Take advantage of their perspectives on how they improved processes using technology. Instead of starting from ground zero, you may find they have deep problem-solving experience in the area where you need help.

For all its advances, one thing this technological era severely affects is our ability to be human-centered and enhance our relationships. Technology is a great tool, but our willingness to simply take a minute to reach out and talk to colleagues might be the best way to solve our technology issues.

Pedro Pérez is a founding partner of Nuevo Advertising Group and an adjunct professor of Global Brand Strategies at Ringling College of Art and Design. For over 17 years Pedro has offered clients his knowledge and expertise. Perez has always demonstrated a keen analytical sense combined with a good dose of common sense in crafting digital and online marketing strategies as part of an integrated marketing plan. 

Nuevo Advertising

The law firm of Adams and Reese, which has an office in Sarasota, earned a spot on BTI Consulting Group’s honor roll of “Innovative Movers and Shakers” in the group’s latest ranking report, BTI Brand Elite 2016: Client Perceptions of the Best-Branded Law Firms. The report presents rankings and data derived through hundreds of in-depth phone interviews with legal decision-makers at leading organizations with more than $1 billion in revenue. BTI’s research indicates the law firms that excel in branding and positioning according to corporate counsel and other key decision-makers. Adams and Reese previously earned spots on BTI’s “Innovation Honor Roll” in 2013 and 2014. 

Adams and Reese

Military Cut acquired Blue Shore Landscaping, a commercial and residential lawn company. Officials say the purchase fits into Military Cut’s strategy to manage and maintain commercial and residential properties in the lawn care industry. By purchasing the company, Military Cut will provide mowing, edging, hedge trimming, weed control and more to customers. 

Military Cut