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SRQ DAILY Oct 25, 2016

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Freshly Squeezed Content Every Morning

"When I filed to run, it was always about giving back to a community that has given so much to me, and ultimately the people will decide who will be their representative."

- Ed James III, state House candidate
 

[Politics]  James Continues Fight Despite Scandal
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

The race for state House District in District 72 looked to be one of top contests in the state, based almost entirely on the promise of candidate Ed James III, an experienced campaign worker for other successful underdogs. Now a sex scandal involving James has led to the Democratic Party’s full retreat and left James tarnished. Still, the candidate says he will remain in the contest, and hopes the supporters sticking with him will send him to Tallahassee.

James continues to campaign door-to-door and through phone calls, he says, to talk with voters about the issues they care about. He touts a standing endorsement from the Sierra Club and promises to oppose fracking in Florida. “The most common thing I hear is they want someone to stand up for the environment,” he says. He wants more money devoted to acquiring sensitive lands, pursuant to a voter-passed amendment mandating as much.

And he touts being a product of Sarasota’s public schools. Sarasota County School Board chairman Shirley Brown, who once held the House seat James seeks now, remains on his list of strong supporters. He also wants more low-income people taking advantage of free pre-K, a service funded universally for four-year-olds but of which many parents most in need of assistance remain unaware.

And he says his history working for members of legislative bodies will ensure he positively impacts legislation, even as a Democrat in a majority Republican district. “It’s not always about what parties you are in; it’s about being an effective legislator during the process and being able to use influence on committees,” he says. An experienced campaigner, he worked for successful campaigns for U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham and also in the private sector for Google.

But James now must deal with a massively damaging scandal. In mid-June, a woman accused James of sexual assault after the two were partying with a group in Downtown Sarasota. She told police she woke up to being sexually touched by James in a hotel room while her boyfriend slept nearby, but elected not to press charges and did not respond to follow-up by investigators. James maintained the situation started consensually, and that when he was told to stop, he did so. “I could have certainly done a better job of not putting myself in that situation,” he says. “When I filed to run, it was always about giving back to a community that has given so much to me, and ultimately the people will decide who will be their representative.”

Both the Sarasota and Florida Democratic Party backed out of the race after James was asked to withdraw and declined. James has resisted calls to end his candidacy. “This has been the election cycle of the bully,” he says, “and I will not be bullied out of this race.” The sudden “mudslinging,” he says, is something Sarasota voters have no appetite for, and he believes a commitment to running his race in a civil fashion is important. “I know the voters, not only in District 72 but the state of Florida, are intelligent and educated to make decisions on the issues.”

James runs against Republican Alex Miller in District 72. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 8. 

[Daily Shop]  Spooky Scenery
Taylor Young

The familiar smell of pumpkin is upon us, and with it arises the annual festivities of trick-or-treating, community events and everyone’s favorite: spooky Halloween parties. If you are hosting your own Halloween party this year, you may be in desperate need of Instagram-worthy decorations. Luckily, with Sarasota’s Sur La Table around the corner, everything needed to entertain guests for a frightfully fun evening is at your fingertips. Transform your home into a truly spooktacular scene with a haunted house table runner, festive pumpkin mugs, hocus pocus cauldrons or light up the skies with pumpkin string lights. Buy one—or all!—for a memorable October evening.


 

Sur La Table, 22 North Lemon Ave., Sarasota, 941-365-0380.

[Recognition]  Nixon Wins Ringling Towers Artist Award

SARTQ member artist Laine Nixon has won the 2016/2017 John Ringling Towers Fund Individual Artist Award. Nixon won the award for her Assent series, a series of constructed paintings made from watercolor and gouache on cut paper. The John Ringling Towers Fund Individual Artist Award was designed to recognize practicing, professional, creative artists residing in Sarasota County through monetary fellowship awards. The program provides support for artists of exceptional talent and demonstrated ability to continue to produce work. The award includes a significant cash reward as well as a three-week residency at The Hermitage Artist Retreat. 

Laine Nixon

[Synergy]  Selby Gardens Announces Milestone Gift, Strategic Plan

At a private event of supporters of its latest exhibition, executive leadership of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens announced the donation of one of the largest gifts ever made to the 40-year-old institution. Nat McCulloch, a 34-year volunteer at Selby Gardens and community philanthropist, was recognized by the Gardens’ Board of Trustees for her undisclosed, multi-figure gift made toward the construction of a future library facility for Selby Gardens. Selby Gardens also publicly launched its strategic plan, which addresses changes and improvements in its business model and physical infrastructure between now and 2021. 

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

[Synergy]  Child Protection Center Receives $5,400 Grant

The Child Protection Center has been awarded a $5,400 grant from the Caldwell Trust Company Foundation. These funds are designated to the Children and Families Supervised Visitation Program (CFSVP). This generous grant will provide for 138 hours of police security during supervised visits and safe exchanges. CFSVP provides a safe and positive way for children to visit with their parents as their families go through a difficult and transitional time that places the child at risk. 

Child Protection Center of 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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