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SRQ DAILY Aug 23, 2016

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"Immigration is not a crime; it's a human right and a part of natural law."

- CJ Czaia, Florida House candidate
 

[Politics]  Sarasota, Manatee Not Forgotten in District 70 Race
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

While the boundaries cut through four counties, all Democrats running in state House District 70 hail from St. Petersburg. But with voters from Memphis to Newtown casting a vote in the primary next week, the candidates have been busy building political connections on the Gulf Coast and promising voters in Sarasota and Manatee counties they will not be forgotten. Attorney Christopher John "CJ" Czaia, business owner Dan Fiorini and St. Petersburg Councilman Wengay “Newt” Newton are all running in the region’s only heavily Democratic district, and they are making sure to put up signs south of the Sunshine Skyway as well.

Czaia, who once served as president of the Manatee Democratic Party before moving his law practice and himself to St. Petersburg, has touted his own connections to the region while he campaigned here. “I’m the only candidate with a Manatee-Sarasota Connection,” says Czaia, who graduated from Riverview High. “This is the most gerrymandered seat in the state of Florida, which was done in my opinion to keep Democrats from voting in Sarasota and Manatee.” The district was drawn with a majority of minority voters, a practice that has guaranteed the election of a black representative here for two decades, but which also resulted in neighboring districts leaning more heavily Republican. Czaia incidentally would be the first Hispanic to represent the district if he were elected. A former public defender, he says he would represent all the socially and financially oppressed populations in the district. A founder of Unidos Now, he also wants to reframe issues impacting the immigrant population. “Immigration is not a crime; it’s a human right and a part of natural law,” he says. “When you don't stand up against hate and xenophobia, that is wrong. Likewise, Latinos need to stand up to racism against black people and help Black Lives Matter in their struggle with police, and to help LGBTQ people in their struggle.”

Newton acknowledges he holds few long-time connections to Bradenton and Sarasota, but promises to improve upon those. But voters only need to look at the work he’s done improving his district in St. Petersburg to see the role he would play in Tallahassee. “Most of the problems in Mid-Town in St. Petersburg are in Newtown in Sarasota,” he says. Newtown, a longtime leader in the Pinellas black community, has also recently attended NAACP forums with the Sarasota Police Department and attended a groundbreaking for the next phase of Janie’s Garden in Sarasota. He also picked up an endorsement from Sarasota Mayor Willie Shaw. The biggest racial demographic of voters in the district is black (49 percent), but Newton says he will promote policies that help all economically disadvantaged groups. Public housing has been a major issue during his eight years on the St. Petersburg council and he plans to study needs for housing authorities here when he represents the region in Tallahassee. “It will take a village,” he says. “But I was born and raised in this district. I didn’t show up and say, now send me to Tallahassee.”

Former House aide Fiorini hopes his experience in government and in business make him stand out. A staffer in the state House from 20 years ago, he also worked for the Secretary of the Air Force in Washington, DC. Today, he owns Tyrone Frame and Mirror in St. Petersburg. And while he hasn’t been involved in racial advocacy, he was a founding sponsor for St. Pete Pride and is a contributing member to the Human Rights Campaign. “I’m a member of the LGBT community, and I’m proud of that,” he says. “But everybody has the same concerns. We have the same issues as straight people do. I want to be able to do the laundry. A lot of gay parents just want to make sure their children are fed and clothed properly.” Fiorini says the way to deal with income inequality for all communities is to make sure companies provide a living wage. “Every taxpayer is subsidizing Wal-Mart, Kmart, McDonald’s and every low-wage employee in the US,” he says, noting minimum wage workers pull in $7,000 less than the poverty line even working 40 hours a week. “It’s just outrageous.

The Democratic primary is scheduled for August 30. The winner faces Sarasota Republican Cori Fournier in the November general election. Incumbent state Rep. Darryl Rouson is not seeking re-election and is running instead for state Senate. 

Pictured: CJ Czaia, Dan Fiorini, Newt Newton.

[Tuesday Tech Talk]  Tracking Your Every Move
Pedro Perez, pedro@nuevoadvertising.com

If you own one of the millions of smartphones in the US today you probably know that everything you do online is being tracked. When you visit a website on your phone, open an app or simply travel with your phone in your pocket you are creating data—but did you know that your GPS data is also being collected?

This microdata or, better yet, empirical data is extraordinarily valuable to an advertiser. Empirical data can be used to help understand the habits not only for the individual consumer but also for a group of consumers. This greatly increases the potential of an advertisement achieving its goal.

Target is a great example of a retail brick and mortar business that is also reaching out digitally to its consumers. Target’s mobile app for smartphone, Cartwheel, allows consumers to choose or scan a product and save money based on your purchases. Cartwheel is unique as its focus is to get you to turn on the app while you are in the store and use it during your shopping. While utilizing this app, data is being collected—your purchases, things you scan but don’t purchase, even the path you walk through the store.

Similarly, when you visit Home Depot online and search for a specific product the result will show you the aisle in which the product is located. This provides the consumer with an easier shopping experience and the retailer with the data it craves.

As this technology progresses the data the advertisers collect will also allow our smartphones to create efficiency in our lives. Our schedules and routes to work and school will be integrated with errands we need to complete, places we frequent for coffee or to the gym to workout. Trips to the grocery store will be linked up with coupons for items we frequently purchase or items on our list. 

Nuevo Advertising

[Daily Shop]  Gala Glamour
Aviel Kanter, aviel.kanter@srqme.com

Looking for something to wear to the annual SRQ Good Gala on October 8? Up the wow-factor and turn heads as you make your entrance in this Grecian goddess-style stunner from Minuet. Glide down the steps of the Sarasota Opera House and mingle with other philanthropy enthusiasts, the rhinestone and bugle beading detail glimmering in the evening light and the inverted pleated skirt flowing weightlessly around your ankles. The tie back ensures the most flattering waistline and the satin underskirt protects from unwanted see-through faux pas. With a high neckline and a mildly plunging back, the midnight-black dress (conveniently located at i tesori boutique on 1st Street) brings out your best, no matter what age or size, and will effortlessly guide you through the gala season.

  

i tesori, 1405 1st St., Sarasota, 941-907-9296.

[Exec Moves]  Grair, Fancher Join Sarasota Opera

The Sarasota Opera has added two fresh faces to their artistic and administrative teams: Steven Grair and Stephen Fancher. Grair, the newest director of production, has 20 years experience in production at the San Antonio Opera. Fancher brings his past knowledge and experience of music and business to the team as the development officer. 

Sarasota Opera

[Recognition]  Ringling Moves on Up

Ringling College of Art and Design has once again been featured on The Hollywood Reporter’s ranking of the top 25 film schools across the nation. Last year, the school earned the 17th position on the list and has now moved to 16th overall for 2016.  

Ringling College

[Opening]  Event Planner Opens Shop

Jennifer Matteo, professional event planner, announced the opening of her new business, Jennifer Matteo Event Planning. Recognized for her keen attention to detail and elegance, Matteo will launch the company along with her website on October 4 at the Diamond Vault. 

Jennifer Matteo Event Planning

[From Chris Laney]  Pilon Will Listen As Senator
Chris Laney

I grew up on the Suncoast. I moved away for a couple years and when I returned I knew I wanted to get civically involved. I met with a variety of elected officials to listen to what they had to say and hopefully give an opportunity to share my thoughts on the community and initiatives I'm interested in. Through all my conversations, there was only one elected official that I felt really listen to me. Ray Pilon, our State Representative in District 72, seemed like he actually cared what I had to say.  

This year, as Rep. Pilon takes the next step in his public service to our community, I'm excited to endorse him as our next State Senate District 23 representative. He has a proven track record of success. He's constantly focusing on the people and not the politics. It's hard to run for office when the money from special interests are going to your opponents. Ray doesn't care. He does what's right by the people in his community and I know he will continue to do this as our next State Senator. 

If you believe we need sound leadership and people that's trustworthy representing us then vote for Ray. He won't disappoint you.

Chris Laney lives in Sarasota. 

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

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