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SRQ DAILY Nov 22, 2014

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"Even a recusal, and I would think there would have to be many, would cast doubt upon her credibility as a fair advocate for all citizens and groups."

- Mollie Cardamone, former Sarasota mayor
 

[The Detail]  Argused
Cathy Antunes, cathycantunes@gmail.com

When it comes to flouting standards, one consultant auditing Sarasota County procurement in 2012 opined “these people take the cake.”  The audacity level in local government has been kicked up a notch.  Commissioner Christine Robinson’s new gig as Argus Foundation executive director has Sarasota outpacing Washington, D.C. when it comes to catering to special interests.

Last week, Commissioner Robinson announced she will begin work as executive director of the Argus Foundation in January 2015.  The Argus Foundation represents the interests of over 170 members from development, legal, financial and other business sectors.  Many consider Robinson’s hire unacceptable, citing Argus’ (and its executive director’s) active lobbying of County government.  Coming under community criticism, Argus Board President Bill Merrill defended the decision, calling Argus “no different from the YMCA or the United Way.”  Really?

According to the Argus website:

“The Argus Foundation was established in 1985 as a liaison between city, county, state and federal governments to involve itself with the vital matters that have an impact on the quality of life in Southwest Florida... The Argus Foundation actively monitors the activities of the various governmental bodies and comments on relevant government proposals... The Argus Foundation is in a position to advise and assist public officials in those decisions that affect the life style, environment, and economic well-being of our area and to hold public officials accountable for performing their duties in an efficient and cost-effective manner. It does not, however, endorse political candidates. As a member of The Argus Foundation you will be associating with the president's and CEO's of some of Sarasota's largest and most well-established corporations. Representing more than 50 different industries, Argus has a base of professional knowledge in financial, legal, and technical backgrounds from which to draw expertise and advice on a wide variety of issues. Argus has actively helped shape Sarasota's past and is poised to exert that same leadership well into the 21st century.”

Argus lobbies and takes positions on County issues, including impact fees, land use decisions and SRQ Airport governance, as well as City issues like an elected mayor, strong City manager, Newton redevelopment, and Downtown development.  The executive director of Argus frequently weighs in with City and County Commissioners on these and other issues. When was the last time you saw the directors of the United Way or the YMCA lobbying the County Commission in this manner?

A January 2003 Argus newsletter states “We face a real challenge to embrace the need to move the urban service boundary east of I-75” and “we need to recognize that the counterpart to ‘growth’ is ‘death.’” The March 2008 newsletter calls for the Van Wezel “to be operated by either a non-profit or the private sector.”  The July 2012 Argus newsletter outlines why the City of Sarasota’s charter should restructure auditing and IT functions, creating a strong City Manager with an independent auditor. The same newsletter indicates prior Argus support for an elected mayor. Oh yes, the Argus newsletter is just like the YMCA’s. Maybe they can hook you up with a personal trainer. 

According to an Argus IRS 990 filing, the executive director was paid $134,550 in consultant fees in 2012.  As a Commissioner, Christine Robinson is paid $81,521 a year.  Sarasota County can rest easy knowing Executive Director of Argus Christine Robinson will be advising and holding accountable County Commissioner Christine Robinson, and she’ll be paid handsomely to do so. How cost effective! 

Robinson justifies her new employment with a memo from the County Attorney, who says because Argus doesn’t engage in business contracts with the County, Robinson’s new employment is okay. Sarasota’s ethically-challenged status remains intact.

At least in Washington, elected officials leave office before becoming paid lobbyists.   

SRQ Daily columnist Cathy Antunes serves on the boards of the Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations and Sarasota Citizens for Responsible Government. She blogs on local politics at www.thedetail.net

[From Mollie Cardamone]  Reconsider Argus Hire

Kerry Kirschner was director of Argus AFTER he left elected office in the City of Sarasota. He represented the needs of Argus and its members very well by appearing before various elected bodies and, most often, in front of the Board of County Commissioners.

Christine Robinson cannot represent both the citizens who elected her and the Argus members, the employers who are paying for her support and leadership in accomplishing their goals. Will she go out front to the podium and state the case for Argus like Kerry did and then run around to her commission seat and vote?  It is my opinion she cannot serve two masters!

I hope that Commissioner Robinson will reconsider her acceptance of a position that will cause citizens to question her votes on items of interest to Argus and its membership.  Even a recusal, and I would think there would have to be many, would cast doubt upon her credibility as a fair advocate for all citizens and groups.  And I would also hope that Argus members who risk jeopardizing their reputation will reconsider their decision to hire a sitting county commissioner. 

Mollie Cardamone is a former mayor of Sarasota

[From Frank Brenner]  The Demise of Shame

When I began the practice of law in 1951, it was a learned profession. Not so today. It has largely disintegrated into a business. In “the good old days,” shame existed as a brake on questionable conduct. Nothing was more important to lawyers than the high regard of their peers.

To gauge the decline, witness the fact that attorney Andrea Mogensen for years has given office space to and teamed up with Michael Barfield in the active pursuit of Sunshine Law violations and, specifically, the attorneys’ fees awarded to successful plaintiffs.

Ms. Mogensen, of course, violates no law by embracing an individual who, by his own sworn testimony, has admitted to 68 (no typo) criminal convictions and who was characterized as “a con man’s con man” by the federal judge who sentenced him to 10 years in prison for conspiracy, obstruction of justice, perjury before a federal grand jury and two counts of wire fraud. The first three convictions involved the concocting of a corrupt scheme intended to force the recusal of a federal judge from a pending case. The latter two involved a promise by Barfield that for $50,000 he would obtain leniency for two felons awaiting sentencing. The money was paid.  The promise, of course, was a scam.  63 to go.

Michael Barfield, a high school dropout with a G.E.D., operating out of Ms. Mogensen’s office, has for years labeled himself a “legal consultant” and “paralegal.”  He is not an attorney. Nor is he a Florida registered paralegal. His felony convictions render him ineligible for registration, even assuming he could meet the education requirements.

Ms. Mogensen is aware of Mr. Barfield’s unsavory past.  She may justify her association with him by reliance on the cliché that “he has paid his debt to society.”  However, that cliché simply means that he has served his time.  Nothing more.  It does not mean that he left prison reformed. Indeed, 68 convictions suggest otherwise. Ms. Mogensen might well reassess her collaboration with Mr. Barfield in light of the adage “He who lies down with dogs rises with fleas.” 

Frank Brenner, Sarasota



[KUDOS]  Donte's Den Top Dog A Winner

Donte’s Den Foundation hosted its second annual Top Dog event that features a Westminster-like dog show to rave reviews. Marsha Panuce, founder of Donte’s Den, welcomed more than 250 guests, 75 dogs, and one very brave cat to the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium in October.  “We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and generosity we’ve received from so many Sarasota dog lovers, and while the Top Dog event was riotously fun, the mission it supports will continue to make a profound impact on a whole community of dogs and the owners who love them for years to come,” remarked Panuce. Janet Walter and her daughters Lucy and Reagan congratulated their Top Dog Grand Prize winner and winner of Best Dressed category: Buck, a spunky, five-year-old Golden Retriever, who charmed judges with his agility, showmanship and poise. Proceeds raised from Top Dog offset Donte’s Den construction and development expenses. The innovative facility, which opens in early 2015, is set to provide home-like shelter, care and space to run, swim and play for a community of 100 dogs on 50 acres of land in Myakka City, Florida.  

Donte's Den

[KUDOS]  Blue Light Award

The Florida Airports Council (FAC) recently presented the 2014 Honorary Mark Winkelmann Blue Light Award to Richard “Rich” Ott, Airfield Facilities Supervisor at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) at the FAC Facilities and Information Technology Conference in Lake Buena Vista, FL. Every year, the FAC Facilities Committee presents this award to a general aviation or commercial airport employee who has demonstrated exemplary services and skills, specifically in the field of airport facilities and maintenance. Under Ott’s direction and supervision, SRQ maintenance staff handles all airfield surface painting and markings work, which requires adherence to strict FAA airport safety regulations. Mr. Fredrick “Rick” Piccolo, SRQ President, CEO stated: “It is wonderful to see Richard being recognized by our industry for the exemplary work he does and this is a great reflection on the quality workforce we have here at the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority.” 

SRQ Airport

[SHARE]  CS&L CAREs November Food Drive

CS&L CPAs is holding its annual Holiday Food Drive during the month of November to benefit the Food Bank of Manatee. Donations can be brought to the CS&L Bradenton office (1001 3rd Avenue West, Suite 700) where a Food Bank donation bin is located in the lobby. The Food Drive is part of the CS&L CAREs initiative, in which a different non-profit is supported by the team every month. The Holiday Food Drive is an annual CS&L tradition - every year the team fills the food donation bin to provide meals to families in need in our community. 

CS&L CPAs

[ KUDOS]  Goodwill Manasota and SunTrust Team Up to Promote Financial Literacy

Goodwill Manasota recently received a grant from SunTrust to assist in expanding and exporting financial literacy training for local low- and moderate-income workers.  Goodwill is partnering with SunTrust to update and enhance three classes on basic financial literacy, including budgeting and debt reduction, while providing tools and resources to make sound financial decisions. Coursework will be developed by Goodwill Manasota and SunTrust, piloted through presentations to employees at local businesses.  The pilot program will require pre-registration and will be conducted on-site during lunch breaks; post-workshop evaluations and interviews will be conducted following the conclusion of the pilot program. Additionally, the program will be translated into Spanish and, once the curriculum is complete, Goodwill Manasota will partner with Goodwill Ambassadors – community members who are committed to supporting Goodwill’s mission – to make coursework available to employers throughout Goodwill’s four-county service area. 

Goodwill Manasota

[SOON]  Artistic Holiday Gift Mart

Every Child, Inc. is hosting a Holiday Gift Mart on Sunday, November 23  from 1 - 4pm at Starkeeper's Cafe in Sarasota.  The event is a joint effort to promote 18 local artists and to raise funds for the children of our community.  Come and purchase beautiful one of a kind gifts and help fill some holiday stockings for our community's neediest children.  For more information, call Judy Alexander at 941-376-2663. 

Every Child, Inc.

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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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