« Back To SRQ Daily Archive

SRQ DAILY Feb 6, 2017

Monday Business Edition

Please allow images to view this email properly

Monday Business Edition

"I'm a person who has the courage to stand up to people who don't have the best interest of the city at heart."

- Susan Chapman
 

[Politics]  Chapman Campaigns on Record of Advocacy
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Editor's Note: This is the fourth in an eight-part weekly series profiling candidates for Sarasota City Commission. 

Since her entry into city politics, Susan Chapman has maintained a reputation as a fighter on neighborhood issues, a role that often has her critiquing decisions at City Hall. As she nears the end of her first term on the Sarasota City Commission, she finds her herself defending her record, which critics say was marred by that pugnaciousness. But she hopes a majority of voters see her tenure as a one of effective advocacy, and that they still want her in office fighting for them over the next four years. “I’m a person who has the courage to stand up to people who don’t have the best interest of the city at heart,” Chapman says.

Chapman is one of eight candidates running for two at-large seats on the commission, and the only incumbent seeking re-election this year. With important decisions on the horizon including the future of the Sarasota Bayfront, she believes her experience in office will be important moving forward. Chapman first rose to prominence in Sarasota after a major sewage spill in the Hudson Bayou when she mobilized the neighborhood around that issue. On the commission, she has often voiced strong opposition to expanding development in portions of town, such as her recent dissenting vote against a master plan for the former site of the Quay. “Allowing for nine 18-stories is overdevelopment in a gridlocked area,” she says. But she balks at suggestions that she opposes any growth, noting she supported creating an overlay district in the Rosemary area that allowed for high-density construction and has been credited with spurring redevelopment in a long-dormant area of town.

Since announcing her re-election bid, she also suffered through a recent scandal after emailing the city manager complaining about ambulances speeding through her neighborhood at night, suggesting the vehicles need to be ticketed. That resulted in a public apology from the commissioner, but she maintains she is a public official on first responders’ side. “There are always people that find one little problem and amplify it,” she says. But she has fought for firefighters on budget issues, she says: “I have always been there. I always listen and try to help them when needed.”

As she faces re-election, Chapman hopes voters see accomplishments such as pushing the city toward a Housing First approach to sheltering the homeless. A strong voice against county plans for a come-as-you-are shelter in the city, she says county officials today are paying closer attention to the city’s system. And she believes a push for partnership with police in the area spawned creativity within the department and resulted in a sharp reduction in crime. “We are now focusing on evidence-based solutions,” she says.

A citywide election is scheduled for March 14, with a runoff likely on May 9. Other candidates include: Tahiti Park neighborhood leader Jennifer Ahern-Koch; former Sarasota Mayor Fredd “Glossie” Atkins; former prosecutor Hagen Brody; Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association president Patrick Gannon; Gulf Business Systems owner Martin Hyde; pedestrian safety advocate Mikael Sandstrom; and former stockbroker Matt Sperling. 

[Exec Moves]  Brooke Chase Recruits Carpenter for ACPI

Executive search firm Brooke Chase Associates has announced the successful placement of Susan Carpenter as contracts manager with ACPI, a kitchen and bath cabinetry manufacturer and distributor. Carpenter will be responsible for interacting closely with sales, risk management, credit and customer service departments on producing final contracts. Her work will include the evaluation, negotiation, execution and implementation of ongoing customer contracts and purchase orders, both satisfying the customer and meeting the company goals, while practicing continuous improvement. With an extensive background in risk management and contract review at Masco Cabinetry, Carpenter has been responsible for managing non-delivery fleet licensing, business licensing and insurance and all contracts for Masco Cabinetry. Brooke Chase Associates is the premier executive search firm specializing in the recruitment of executive management professionals within the building materials and kitchen/bath industries. 

Brooke Chase Associates

[Recognition]  Fitch Ratings Reaffirms Manatee Financial Footing

Manatee County Government’s strong financial footing was reaffirmed this week by New York-based Fitch Ratings. Fitch rates Manatee’s long-term issuer default rating as AAA and its non-ad valorem revenue bonds at AA+. Fitch also noted that Manatee’s long term outlook is stable and that the county’s AAA rating reflects a strong revenue framework, solid expenditure flexibility, low long-term liability burden and significant gap-closing ability which provides for exceptional financial resilience through economic cycles. Fitch also noted that Manatee County finances are prudently managed. 

Fitch Ratings

[Exec Moves]  Seigel Joins RE/MAX Alliance Group

Jay Seigel, Esquire, has joined RE/MAX Alliance Group as a Broker-Associate in the Sarasota office. He has 17 years of real estate experience, including seven years with Michael Saunders & Company, six years with a multi-state real estate law firm and five years with his own real estate brokerage, Seigel Real Estate Advisors. Specializing in buyer representation, Seigel brings strong contract negotiation and customer service skills. Seigel received his law degree from the Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, OR. He is a member of the Florida Bar Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section and volunteers with several animal organizations including the Humane Society of Manatee County. 

RE/MAX Alliance Group



[TODAY]  SEMINAR: SILL 2017 Speaker Series , January 9 – March 31

Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning (SILL) is kicking of its 46th season of popular global issue lectures and musical conversations beginning on January 9 and continuing through the end of March. This season will include 96 lectures and musical conversations from internationally renowned musicians, performers and acclaimed experts. SILL also provides delayed presentations to selected senior communities. Single tickets to SILL events are only $10 at the door, when available and a season ticket for 12 lecture series costs just $85. 

[TODAY]  FESTIVAL: First Responder Appreciation Month , January 1 – March 31

The Downtown Improvement District (D.I.D) kicks off the New Year with the first ever First Responders Appreciation month to honor firefighters, police officers and EMS professionals.  The D.I.D encourages you to show your gratitude for our first responders the entire month of January. Wear D.I.D sponsored First Responder Appreciation Month buttons, display D.I.D sponsored First Responder Appreciation Month flags, give a thumbs up to first responders, write a letter to a first responder, wear your red, whites and blues, or lunch on the D.I.D, in the D.I.D.

[SOON]  THEATER: Older Than Dirt , February 8 – June 11

A musical comedy providing a witty and heartfelt 360 degree view of aging. Featuring songs by Shel Silverstein, Adam Sandler, and Neil Young, this play takes the audience on a journey through the pitfalls and perks of aging, and is a part of the Sarasota Festival of New Plays.

Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 North Palm Ave.

[SOON]  DANCE: Dance Makers - 11th Annual Concert , February 9 – February 12, Thurs-Sat 7:30pm; Sun 2pm

Featuring imaginative dance pieces by nationally acclaimed contemporary choreographers—Michael Foley, Doug Gillespie, and Adele Myers. These works are selected by the artistic director to present the strength, power, charm, and diversity of the company and choreographers at Sarasota Contemporary Dance. 

Jane B. Cook Theatre, 5555 N Tamiami Trl Sarasota, 34243

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: 29th Annual Festival of the Arts , February 11 – February 12, 10am–5pm

Residents and visitors are invited to stroll amidst life-size sculptures, spectacular paintings, one-of-a-kind jewels, photography, ceramics and more from the 250 artists who are on-site to discuss their inspirations and processes for each hand-made work. Parking is free and pets on leashes are always welcomed. Free and open to the public.

[SOON]  MUSIC: French Connection with Edgar Moreau and Jessica Xylina Osborne , February 12, 3pm

Called the "rising star of the French cello," and a “young musketeer of the bow,” 22-year-old French-born Edgar Moreau consistently captivates audiences with his effortless virtuosity and dynamic performances. Moreau and pianist Jessica Xylina Osborne perform works by Poulenc, Beethoven and Brahms. Tickets and info at www.artistseriesconcerts.org.

Faith Lutheran Church, 7750 Beneva Rd., Sarasota

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Vote for the 9th Annual Best of SRQ Local , February 13, Online ballots can be completed up to midnight of February 13, 2017

Voting has opened for the 2017 "Best of SRQ Local" Readers' Competition. Every year our astute readers vote for local eats, shopping, arts, luminaries and hotspots culminating in the buzzworthy "Best of SRQ Local" competition published in the April 2017 edition of SRQ magazine. We invite you to share your personal local experiences—from stellar sushi to the most memorable on-stage productions. Go to SRQMAG.COM/BOSRQ to complete your ballot.

Vote Online at SRQMAG.COM/BESTOFSRQ, 331 S. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, FL

[SOON]  SEMINAR: Lecture: Marc Chagall's D'Azur with Dr. Carol Ockman , February 13, 11:30am

Dr. Carol Ockman, curator-at-large with Selby Gardens and the Robert Sterling Clark Professor of Art History at Williams College, Williamstown, Mass., discusses Selby Garden’s first-of-its-kind exhibition, “Marc Chagall, Flowers and the French Riviera: The Color of Dreams.” The event includes a plated lunch at Michael’s on the Bay at Selby Gardens. Tickets and info at www.selby.org.

Michael's on the Bay at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 811 South Palm Ave., 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

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