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SRQ DAILY Sep 9, 2015

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"I don't know why we are regulating their affairs anyway."

- Liz Alpert, Sarasota City Commissioner
 

[Politics]  No Rules on Uber - or Taxis
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Sarasota Vice Mayor Suzanne Atwell was driven to City Hall by an Uber driver Tuesday night. And she made it clear she wanted the commuting option available in the future. “I came here hoping Uber wouldn’t be run out of town,” Atwell said. 

In the end, she wasn’t the only official who felt that way. Commissioners voted unanimously last night to scrap a proposal to regulate Uber and other similar ride-sharing services in the city. The move came despite months of lobbying by taxi drivers angry that Uber drivers were operating in town without the same licensing and insurance requirements as local cabs. But in order to be fair, Commissioners also took a first step toward deregulating cabs as well. 

“If we are not going to regulate Uber, we shouldn’t regulate taxis either,” said City Commissioner Susan Chapman. But Chapman did stress the public must now understand any protections provided by regulations will now be gone.

The change in stance at City Hall changed significantly in recent weeks as lobbying efforts in favor of Uber intensified. Uber attorneys have bristled at suggestions drivers can only operate in their own private cars after a city official inspects the vehicle. The way Uber and similar services like Lift operate is to request a vehicle using an app, then having the company dispatch someone working part-time and driving their own vehicle to pick up the customer and transport them. But as the service has grown in popularity, governments across the country have struggled to keep up.

Cab drivers operating in Sarasota today must be licensed with the city, have proper insurance and be subjected to vehicle inspections, but City Attorney Robert Fournier said there is no requirement under Florida law to regulate taxis. In fact, private cab service in unincorporated Sarasota County right now is unregulated. He suggested if the city was to abandon efforts to regulate Uber, it should relax rules on cabs. “I wouldn’t regulate one and not the other,” Fournier said. An ordinance repealing those regulations will be brought to the commission in the near future. 

[Good Bite]  Local Chef, National Love
Kaye Warr

Here in Sarasota, Paul Mattison has been a household name since the early '90s when he was the Executive Chef/Proprietor of Summerhouse Restaurant on Siesta Key. When my family came to America in 1996 and settled in Sarasota, we quickly became fans of both the gorgeous restaurant (sorely missed) and the exquisite food. When Chef Paul created the Mattison’s concept in late 2001 we followed en masse, and over the years we’ve watched him develop into one of Sarasota’s most beloved and successful restauranteurs. He’s also an integral part of our community—a philanthropist and an educator. Chef Paul and his team built a garden outside of Philippi Shores Elementary, where children learn about nutrition, meal-planning and cooking and enjoy the fresh fruits and vegetables that populate the garden. Whilst enjoying a tasty Kale and Quinoa Salad at Mattison’s Forty-One, we learned Chef Paul has now been recognized on a national level. Joining the ranks of such culinary luminaries as Charlie Trotter and Mario Batali, Paul Mattison has been invited as one of five top chefs in the country to participate in the Cakebread Cellars American Harvest Workshop in Napa Valley from Sept. 12-15. When Chef Paul returns from this once in a lifetime workshop he’ll be presenting a special six-course wine pairing dinner on Sept. 26 at 6:30pm featuring Cakebread Wines and a menu influenced by his time spent in Napa, reserve a seat quickly! 

Mattison's Forty-One, 7275 S. Tamiami Trail, 941-921-3400

[Merger]  Imprezzio Media Acquires Knight Marketing

Knight Marketing, an 18-year-old marketing firm based in Sarasota, became part of a global marketing group Imprezzio Media on Aug. 20 when it was acquired by the group’s Washington-based holding company, DaRK Capital. The company employs approximately 200 people in locations through North America and Europe. According to Knight Marketing’s managing director Tracy Knight, the Knight Marketing brand and its Sarasota headquarters will not change. She and vice president Ticia Mahler will also continue to manage the Sarasota operation. However, the firm will now have the full resources of Imprezzio Media including Imprezzio Marketing, AFS Web, Zoom CMS and Bad Kitty Studios. 

Knight Marketing

[Real Estate]  Concession Residences Near Sellout

The Concession Residences, a1,200-acre, low-density luxury community, announced only seven of its original 10 lots remain in the Jack Nicklaus Cove. Nestled in Birkdale neighborhood, the enclave features lush landscaping and classical architecture set amid half-acre home sites. Lots start at $355,000 and back up to vistas and shimmering lakes, with select properties also showcasing gorgeous golf course backdrops. Buyers can select from a stable of best-in-class custom builders. The Concession Residences are coming off a banner year in which 55 lots sold and 16 homes were completed. Year to date, 23 home sites have sold at an average price of $305,617, an 18 percent increase year-over-year. 

The Concession Residences

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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