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SRQ DAILY Sep 9, 2017

"Most Americans believe in science. We insist that science be taught to all students. We make sure that our young know of the scientific method and the role of hypothesis and experiment."

- Donal O'Shea, New College of Florida
 

[Under The Hood]  Irma Will be Defining Moment for Scott, Nelson
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Nothing quite shows the mettle of state officials like a hurricane. As Hurricane Irma sets its sights upon the Sunshine State, our leaders so far have been up to task. That holds some political significance for a pair of important politicians set to battle each other next year—politicians who must maintain a simpatico relationship today. Fortunately, Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican, and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, a Democrat, both appear committed to the public safety of Floridians right now. 

Could tensions between them rise? Let’s hope not. At the moment, the term-limited governor is widely expected to challenge the incumbent senator next fall. Neither candidate expects a primary opponent, so this is one race where the candidates can be expected to take pop shots at one another whenever the occasion arises.

And the men both face a tremendous test on their leadership right now. National media is recent weeks has looked to the way President Donald Trump faced the first national disasters of his presidency. Everyone’s aware a storm can undo an administration if it’s mishandled. Poor performance by FEMA in 2005 delivered a blow to President George W. Bush’s approval ratings from which he never recovered. And the sad truth for pols is that the benefits of a good job don’t deliver so great a yield.

Following Hurricane Harvey, there wasn’t much to note. Sure, partisans swiped at whether Trump hugged enough survivors (he made a return trip that was more focused on impacted citizens then government response). But we didn’t the sort of legendary snafus on the part of actual government response that marked Katrina. Besides, there’s a new national story every week to impact Trump’s standing positively or negatively.

For Nelson and Scott, this moment will prove more definitive. A good job means voters will hold a positive view. Missteps will mar their image. So what’s happened so far?

Scott’s certainly spend more time on the air. It’s his job to declare a state of the emergency, and he issued a call this week to close all schools and state universities in Florida, even areas unlikely to be hit, so that the facilities can be used as shelters. The governor early on encouraged evacuations for those most in danger, and stressed that those who’d made the decision to flee the state may as well go immediately to ease stress on the roads.

Nelson, the state’s senior US senator, meanwhile started groundwork on getting FEMA resources directed to Florida now. In a press conference this week, he joined with Republican Sen. Marco Rubio is requesting the president to issue a declaration of emergency in Florida before the storm made landfall; the president quickly complied. Nelson has also started a search for federal dollars, as so much FEMA funding already became depleted after Hurricane Harvey hit Texas.

Thus far, the governor and senator have worked in concert when occasion warranted. It’s best to assume that each one takes pride in their own public service and wants to do what they can for Floridians in a moment of vulnerability. To whatever extent political consequence makes a difference, both officials surely realize that working together and impressing citizens will be more beneficial to their campaigns next year that getting into any sort of outwardly petty squabbles.

The real test will come in the aftermath of the storm, wherever it hits. This is when the fight for federal funding will prove most consequential. It’s when response by state law enforcement and emergency personnel needs be the most expedient.

Let’s hope everything goes smoothly, and that our leaders continue to relish the chance to impress Florida before political expediency starts pressuring them to tear each other apart.

Jacob Ogles is contributing senior editor for SRQ Media Group. 

[]  Science, New College and the Public Square
Donal O'Shea, doshea@ncf.edu

Much has been written about how divided our country is. And some of it is true. So it is worth noting when we’re not.

On August 21, the solar eclipse pulled Americans together in a way that now seems difficult to remember. No one doubted that Charleston would go dark at 2:46pm or that at New College the eclipse would begin at 1:18:44pm and peak when the sun was 83 percent occluded at 2:50:50pm. As I write, individuals and organizations across Florida are carefully consulting the analyses of sophisticated meteorological models performed by governmental agencies and university groups to determine the probable path of incoming storms and are making decisions based on that information.

With a few exceptions around evolution, anthropogenic climate change and the efficacy of vaccinations, most Americans believe in science. We insist that science be taught to all students. We make sure that our young know of the scientific method and the role of hypothesis and experiment. As I pointed out in last month’s column, the United States was founded on science.

In this context, the opening of the new $10-million wing of the Heiser Natural Sciences Complex is not just significant for New College, but for the entire region. The building completes, and ties together, the science facilities at New College. In addition to housing teaching labs, the new buildings contain research laboratories under the direction of faculty members. At a residential liberal arts college such as New College, research laboratories are powerful teaching venues. We have no graduate students or postdoctoral fellows in the physical sciences, so our undergraduates use all the equipment. In a well-functioning lab, the professor supervises up to a dozen students working on different, but related research projects. Seniors mentor the juniors, the juniors mentor the sophomores, and the sophomores help first-year students. Students learn science by doing science, and helping others learn deepens their understanding.

This sort of immersive education produces extraordinary results. New College is well known for students who go in to the humanities and law, but an astonishing 16 percent of graduates go onto to receive PhDs in science and engineering disciplines. In fact, on a per capita basis, New College produces more graduates who go on to receive PhDs in science and engineering than any other university in the country except for Caltech and Harvey Mudd. It is slightly ahead of fourth place MIT. No university in Florida is even remotely close, and tiny New College produces a significant fraction of Florida’s scientists. The new science building will allow New College to continue that record. It will enable the College to attract more scholars who will interact with their faculty peers and research scientists at other area institutions. And this, in turn, will help nourish the emerging entrepreneurial economy in our region.

The official dedication of the building is from 5-7pm on October 12. Please join us.

Dr. Donal O’Shea is president of New College of Florida. 



[SCOOP ]  SRQ Airport Fast Lane Parking Program

The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport has launched their new FastLane Parking Program (FastLane) in collaboration with Republic Parking System (RPS). FastLane parking is now available in the airport’s long-term parking lot and will provide patrons with fast entry and exit options, saving valuable time. The program will use convenient automated credit card payments at the existing long-term parking rates of $12 maximum for every 24 hours.  For more information and to sign up for free, call the RPS Manager at SRQ at (941) 359-2770, extension 4297. You will need to provide certain personal information, including a valid email address and a credit card number.  

Sarasota Bradenton International Airport

[SCOOP ]  Music in the Gardens

Music In the Gardens returns to Selby Gardens this fall from October 22-November 12 with four weeks of aural delights. As always, the series gives you a fantastic variety of talented artists from local and international artists, as well as beautiful views and relaxing walks through the Gardens. Michael’s on East will sell grilled goods; a perfect accessory to your Sunday. 

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

[SCOOP ]  Goodwill Manasota and CareerSource Office Sharing Partnership

Goodwill Manasota and fellow area nonprofit CareerSource Suncoast signed an office-sharing partnership at the Goodwill in North Port. Both nonprofits share comparable missions, visions and values, and they are dedicated to connecting unemployed, yet tenacious men and women with available jobs. Yet while CareerSource and Goodwill provide similar programs and services, there will be little or no duplication of efforts. The organization expects to begin serving the community at its new location by September 25.  

Goodwill Manasota

[SCOOP ]  2017 Ringling International Arts Festival

Experience the brilliance of internationally-acclaimed musicians, actors and dancers at the 2017 Ringling International Arts Festival Ocgtober 18-21. Kick off the Festival with a celebration in the West Courtyard featuring a performance of WANTED by eVenti Verticali. A special presentation will feature guest artists and a preview of what lies ahead. Hors d'oeuvres, complimantary beer, wine and soft drinks are included.  

 

The Ringling

[SCOOP ]  Adopt While You Shop

Meet adorable and adoptable shelter pets from the Humane Society of Sarasota County while shopping at Westfield Sarasota Square on select Saturdays from 11:00am–2:00pm. Staff will be onsite to answer all your questions about these furry felines and precious pooches looking for their forever homes. For a full list of upcoming Adopt While You Shop dates, visit www.hssc.org .  

Humane Society of Sarasota County

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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