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SRQ DAILY Aug 28, 2014

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"I'm the mayor and if I can do something to help promote the city, I'll do it."

- John Holic, Venice Mayor
 

[Government]  Fiscal Neutrality Change Clears Commission Hurdle
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Amid the most intense debate yet regarding an update to the Sarasota 2050 Plan, Sarasota County commissioners late Wednesday evening voted to transmit changes to fiscal neutrality rules for state officials to review. But the commission also demanded county planners continue working to clear up language so members of the public fully understand how regulations in the future will be enforced.

"This change is not intended to make the developer pay less," said County Commissioner Christine Robinson. "It's to make measurements more acceptable and more reliable, and to make the ability to develop more reliable."

Fiscal neutrality rules in the 2050 plan require developments east of Interstate-75 in designated areas to show that infrastructure costs associated with a development are covered by the developer instead of shifting the burden to taxpayers. But business leaders say the language as it is written today makes projects impossible to finance because it requires neutrality reporting by phase. The change in language would allow a development in early phases not to be neutral in cost if the plan over the duration of all phases is neutral.

Pete Theisen, a write-in candidate for County Commission this year, said the change was a "sereptitious elimination of fiscal neutrality" altogether. "It wouldn't exist at all," he said. "What astonishes me is you haven't the sense to be embarassed."

County Commissioner Nora Patterson voted against transmitting the change, but did say the language was on the right track and was hopeful when the issue comes back to commissioners for final approval in October that all problems could be fixed. "You need to know you can build things in a development that will make it worthwhile to pay for the infratsructure," she said.

A number of conservation candidates came out to speak against the changes, and several business leaders came out in favor of the change. Dan Bailey, an attorney for Neal Communities, said the change in language was needed so lenders could feel confident about a project's viability. But Cathy Antunes, with the Council of Neighborhood Associations, said proposed changes could impact needed urban services and place long-term burdens on taxpayers.

Ultimately, commissioners said changes were needed to ensure the clustered development patterns originally envisioned in the 2050 visioning process eventually come to fruition, as opposed to the allowed one-unit-per-five-acres development pattern allowed without 2050 in place.

"We should remember that development not following 2050 is not fiscally neutral," said County Commissioner Joe Barbetta. "Not even close. Development of five-acre ranchettes is on the back of all taxpayers." 

[Fundraiser]  Venice Dresses Up For Festival Fundraiser
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

Hundreds of residents from Venice and the surrounding area flocked to the Venice Community Center last night for the Blanche and Baby Jane Drag Queen Bingo benefit for the Sarasota Chalk Festival. Featuring fresh-grilled grub, a raffle and lots of bingo, the fundraiser, produced by the Sarasota Chalk Festival and local sponsors Venice Circus Arts Foundation, Venice Main Street, Venice Art Center and James Griffith Salon, to name a few, marked the debut event for the newly relocated festival, slated for Nov. 10-17 in Venice.

Although bingo was the game of the night, much of the talk revolved around Venice Mayor John Holic, Fins at Sharky’s owner Mike Pachota and Venice Gondolier vice president Bob Vedder, who all attended in drag, complete with heels, wigs and makeup. Pachota, whose name for the night was “Bippy Inkster” (Attendees were given stage names for the night, a combination of the name of their first pet and the street they grew up on.), hammed it up in a hot pink number while Holic pulled off a rather convincing redhead.

“I live in Venice, I believe in Venice,” said Holic, regarding this rather unconventional means of support. “I’m the mayor and if I can do something to help promote the city, I’ll do it.”

The three community leaders emerged decked from head to toe with balloons pinned to their outfits, mingling and posing for photographs while residents paid $10 each for the opportunity to pop a balloon, further exposing the wearer’s outfit and claiming a prize.

Balloon prizes ranged from $50 gift certificates to local businesses such as Café Venice and The Crow’s Nest to art books and pastel sets. Bingo and raffle prizes marked the big winners, awarding sizable gift baskets from places like Skin Studio Venice and Tervis, jewelry, glassware and cash prizes up to $1,000.

Bejeweled beehives and multi-colored mohawks dotted the landscape, as participants competed for the “Best Wig” prize. Somewhere in the crowd a strapping young man clad in jockey shorts and a bowtie zigged and zagged, selling shots to delighted guests.

For Denise Kowal, founder and chair of the Sarasota Chalk Festival, the event, which didn’t just sell out but oversold, forcing organizers to open extra room in addition to the 47 tables and near 300 seats prepared, typifies what has been a rewarding and budding working relationship with the city of Venice.

“It’s been a great experience,” said Kowal. “The Venice Community is really engaged in the arts and they’re really engaged in volunteering and community, and so for us it’s been a really joyous thing to be here and work with the community.”

Never one to rest on her laurels, Kowal has big plans for the festival’s first year in Venice.

“We are looking into breaking a Guiness World Record this year with one of our pieces,” said Kowal coyly, not revealing quite what that will entail. “It’s something we might attempt to do this year.” 

[Real Estate]  Realtors Associations Consider Merger
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Leadership for the Sarasota Association of Realtors and the Manatee Association of Realtors voted Wednesday to merge the organizations. Members for both groups will decide in mid-September if such a move should take place. The membership vote will be held in each associations' offices on Sept. 16 at 1pm. 

"The reality today is that the perceived barrier between Sarasota and Manatee counties has eroded and we are now one regional marketplace," said Sherry Grooms, MAR president. "Merging the two associations allows us to eliminate duplication and operate more efficiently and cost-effectively."

"We are stronger together," said SAR president Peter Crowley. "By combining our more than 5,000 members, we will become a stronger voice for our profession, which allows us to be more effective in advocating for property rights. It also gives us increased representation, and therefore more clout, at the state and national levels of the organization."

Leaders said the merger has been discussed for two months. The move, according to board members for both associations, would both save on resources and boost the market prominence in MLS searched and within such associations as Florida Realtors and the National Association of Realtors.

If approved, the change would take place Jan. 1 and the merged association would be rebranded as the Suncoast Realtor Association. Such a change would also need the blessing of the National Association of Realtors for the new organization to be recognized as a new association. 

[Exec Moves]  SCF Tennis Head Coach Transition

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota named Clayton Taylor Jr. as new head tennis coach to serve under Betsy Nagelsen McCormack, who is transitioning to executive tennis coach. Taylor served as a volunteer assistant coach for the team during the 2013-14 academic year. As head coach, he will provide oversight of daily tennis operations, including the organization of practices, the team’s travel schedule and recruiting. 

State College of Florida

[Recognition]  Wailand Selected for Leadership Sarasota

Kerkering, Barberio and Company announced accountant Chris Wailand has been selected to participate in the 2014-2015 Leadership Sarasota County Program. Offered by The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Sarasota is part of a nationwide network of programs developed to encourage continuing stewardship and oversight of the community. 

Kerkering Barberio

[Expansion ]  Tommy Bahama to Open Additional Sarasota Store

Tommy Bahama is expanding throughout Florida, opening five new locations including one ‘island’ concept which features a restaurant, bar and retail store combination for guests to enjoy.  In Sarasota, a 4,400 sq. foot retail store has a grand opening planned for Oct. 16. Both larger and smaller store formats will display a rich assortment of men’s and women’s sportswear, footwear and accessories and all products and styles will be available for special order in house.   

Tommy Bahama



[SIGNATURE EVENT]  Bal Masque is the new Hot List
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Our inaugural signature soiree, Bal Masqué, is SRQ The Magazine’s biggest event of the year. Your all-inclusive ticket includes your donation to one of our event beneficiaries, cocktails, dinner and amazing performances. Introduce your palette to Venetian fare from Fête, cocktails from Siesta Key Rum and Tito’s Handmade Vodka before the performances from the Circus Arts Conservatory, Fuzión Dance Artists, and Sarasota Cuban Ballet School, begin at 10pm. Don formal attire with a Venetian masquerade twist and get excited for a magical evening at the Sarasota Opera House. Get your ticket and select your beneficiary from: the Circus Arts Conservatory, Child Protection Center Inc., Suncoast Charities for Children and Suncoast Science Center. This years Bal Masqué is dedicated to children. #srqbalmasque 

Get tickets

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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