SRQ DAILY Feb 13, 2017
Monday Business Edition
"This is what's possible when you have a blank canvas. We could have something iconic."
According to recent data from Florida Realtors Industry Data and Analysis department, Sarasota and Manatee counties wrapped up 2016 with fewer distressed sales, an increase in traditional closed sales, an expanding inventory and higher median prices as compared to the year before.
The combined 2016 closed sales of single-family homes and condos in Sarasota and Manatee County totaled 20,091, a 2.6 percent decrease from 2015, which was a record year. However, total sales in 2016 exceed each of the four years prior to 2015.
Condo sales in Manatee County bucked the trend, with 2,606 closed sales in 2016, a 7.7 percent increase over the previous year. Condo sales in Sarasota County decreased 4 percent, with total sales of 3,603. Single family sales in Manatee County decreased nearly 1 percent, for a total of 6,057, while Sarasota County showed 7,825 sales, a decrease of 6.3 percent.
Editor's Note: This is the fifth in an eight-part weekly series profiling candidates for Sarasota City Commission.
For all the talk of a a business agenda in Sarasota, Martin Hyde feels the City Commission notably lacks a successful, experienced business leader on the board. “We need at least one pragmatic, finance-based business manager who has actually been involved in a multi-million dollar business as opposed to one that does a few thousand a month,” Hyde says. He’d like to be that voice, and raised $43,922 as of the last campaign filing—more than any other campaign so far this year—to do so.
Hyde is one of eight candidates running for two at-large seats on the commission. A former professional soccer player in Great Britain, Hyde runs now on his background as owner of Gulf Business Systems, a company he purchased after moving to Sarasota in 1999. He’d like to see an evaluation of city services and leadership with a long-term vision at City Hall. “I talk about having 100,000 people in town every day and we have only 16 police on duty at any one time,” he says. “We have to at least plug that from regressing further.” He holds high hopes in a possible outcome of the current Bayfront visioning process, but only if the city can think big. He notes the power of the Sydney Opera House in defining an international vision of that city. “It’s not that I want an opera house but this is what’s possible when you have a blank canvas,” he says. “We could have something iconic.”
But more than any problem with the current direction of city government in Sarasota, Hyde feels frustrated about whether commissioners truly call the shots. When asked about whether he wants a strong mayor in town, Hyde says: “Frankly, it seems like we have one already.” Most people in town know who City Manager Tom Barwin is, by Hyde’s estimation, but aren’t so aware of the commission. It isn’t so much an issue of who holds the manager job, Hyde says, but the lack of strong direction has made for a commission that feels weak, and he wants to provide stronger policy direction if elected.
Some of the anxiety-producing issues in town, such as traffic, could likely be solved with some redirection of cars around the city core rather than through it, he says. He’d like the city to focus on some long-term issues like deficits produced by the current pension structure; if it doesn’t get addressed before the numbers grow to rival the city budget, the city could end up with “catastrophic” consequences.
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; incumbent City Commissioner Susan Chapman; Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association president Patrick Gannon; pedestrian safety advocate Mikael Sandstrom; and former stockbroker Matt Sperling.
Workshop proposals are now being accepted by the Montessori Foundation for its 21st International Annual Conference. Workshops should be aligned to the Montessori theme: broadening the mindset of children and adults, and honoring the diversity of our world. Submissions must be received by March 4, 2017. No submissions will be accepted after that date. Presenters may be contacted by the selection committee with additional questions. Speedy replies will be necessary. Those whose submission(s) are accepted will receive an email contract in April. The final list of presenters will be published on the www.montessori.org site when the process is completed. Submissions must be transmitted using the form at the link below. Each submission should be on a separate form, even if it’s a multi-part workshop.
Sarasota International Dance Festival (SIDAF) has introduced a new dance class for adults and seniors under the instruction of ballet veteran Robert de Warren. Meeting each Friday at Soul Studios, “Come Dance with Me” is a workout in various ballet styles to help adults improve balance, tone and posture. In between the hour-long class of dance movements and demonstrations, de Warren shares anecdotes and information about the history of dance and his own dance history. De Warren spent most of his dance career as an international ballet director in Iran and Europe, and for 13 years he was artistic director of the Sarasota Ballet.Classes are $65 per month or $15 to sample a class.
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
Join Southern Atelier featuring David Milano, Ph.D. in a new spring course about love, sex and, desire in the ancient world. Travel back to ancient Egypt, where the roles of male and female are considered in the land of the Nile and their approaches to love and sexuality. There is a seminar fee $35 or one ticket
Southern Atelier, 7226 E. 21st St., Sarasota
Join the Sarasota World Affairs Council for the next installment of their 2016–2017 lecture series, featuring Dr. Robert Gallucci, Director of the John W. Kluge Center at the Library of Congress and former Assistant Secretary of State. Dr. Gallucci explores the evolution of the US approach in dealing with nuclear weapons and their re-emergence as critical to Russian defense policy, Chinese force modernization and regional importance in the middle east. He will also address the threat posed by the prospect of a terrorist nuclear attack. Each SWAC lecture is followed by a members wine and cheese reception on Sarasota Bay where attendees speak face–to–face to those working directly in the field of international affairs.
Explore the street fairs of Paris and their carnival folk via stories and photographic postcards from the 1900s.
Kamlet Library of the Sarasota Opera House , 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota
An event designed to bring the background of Francis Poulenc’s opera “Dialogues of the Carmelites” to the foreground. The event features talks led by Dr. Jocelyn Vantuyl and Dr. Maribeth Clark, both of New College, and musical excerpts of the opera presented by artists of the Sarasota Opera. More information at www.sarasotaopera.org
Kamlet Library of the Sarasota Opera House , 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota
This fairytale musical is adventurous, romantic, and remarkably hip for any audience. Based on the 1998 book and the 2003 Tim Burton film, the show revolves around the relationship between a traveling salesman Edward Bloom and his estranged adult son, Will, who is looking to connect with the truths behind his father's tall tales. www.theplayers.org
The Players Theatre of Sarasota, 838 N. Taiami Trl., Sarasota
Part of Artist Series Concerts’ popular Lunch, Look & Listen series, the trio performs works by Poulenc, Mouquet, Mozart and Saint-Saëns. Ticket price includes lunch. Tickets and info at www.artistseriesconcerts.org.
Micheal's On East , 1212 S. 1212 East Ave., Sarasota
Featuring the work of photographer Grant Jefferies, the exhibition, which includes more than 20 photographs taken throughout Manatee County's preserves, will be on display in the second floor Rincon Gallery. The photos highlight the natural beauty of the landscapes and the wildlife that can be found in the area. Visitors may purchase tickets to the Museum online at SouthFloridaMuseum.org.
South Florida Museum , 201 W. 10th St., Bradenton
Featuring the work of photographer Grant Jefferies, the exhibition, which includes more than 20 photographs taken throughout Manatee County's preserves, will be on display in the second floor Rincon Gallery. The photos highlight the natural beauty of the landscapes and the wildlife that can be found in the area. Visitors may purchase tickets to the Museum online at SouthFloridaMuseum.org.
South Florida Museum , 201 W. 10th St., Brandenton
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