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SRQ DAILY Sep 26, 2015

"The promised transition to a more effective, robust, community-based mental health system never materialized. Our social safety net was slowly obliterated. The pendulum has swung too far."

- Thomas Barwin, Sarasota City Manager
 

[Government]  Lost Souls
Tom Barwin, Thomas.Barwin@sarasotagov.com

As a street cop in metro Detroit in the late 1970's, my fellow patrol officers and I would occasionally encounter clearly delusional individuals.

If the delusional individual appeared to be suffering from a serious episode of mental illness, had not committed a serious crime and had no family care options, we were directed to transport the individual to a regional psychiatric hospital for evaluation and assessment.    

The hospital employed mental health professionals to complete an emergency assessment of the individual. If a mental health concern was validated, the individual was usually admitted. The case was then assigned to a psychiatrist. If the recommended course of treatment required hospitalization or care beyond 72 hours, a probate judge was assigned to oversee the case and when possible the family was brought in.  Although not perfect, the system seemed to work fairly well. Sick people were not ignored.

Unfortunately, since the 1970s, as our country's population has grown by 52 percent (105 million people), approximately 400,000 mental health treatment beds have been shuttered. The math alone should tell us something.

Although the deinstitutionalization movement was well intended and reduced the type of institutional abuses as dramatized in One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, the promised transition to a more effective, robust, community-based mental health system never materialized. Our social safety net was slowly obliterated. The pendulum has swung too far.

After most of the state mental health hospitals throughout the country were closed, federal and state governments did not honor their commitment to fund community based mental health programs. Florida is 49th out of 50 states in per capita mental health funding, and it shows.

Today our frustrated police officers, judges and community have virtually no effective options or facilities for those uninsured  individuals we encounter who are suffering from some form of serious mental illness.  Most have few, if any, family ties. In my view and experience, the cumulative effects of this 30-year policy, of callously neglecting community mental health needs, are the primary reason many cities throughout America now experience high and disturbing levels of chronic homelessness and associated substance addictions.  The shortage of affordable housing is a secondary cause.  

We have too many lost souls revolving in and out of our jails, medical hospital emergency rooms and wandering around our streets. Unfortunately our streets, jails and parks now serve as de facto mental health facilities that are not organized, staffed, equipped or funded to manage this very real human health issue. As the Sarasota community strives to pull together resources to house the chronically homeless and fund additional sheltering/jail diversion facilities, the system must  address the gap in mental health programs and facilities.

Although all chronically homeless do not suffer from some form of mental illness, a significant number do. The homeless problem and human tragedy in our increasingly complex world will continue to be exacerbated and grow until the gaps in essential mental health treatment options are filled.

Thomas Barwin is Sarasota's city manager 

[The Detail]  Sunshine's State
Cathy Antunes, cathycantunes@gmail.com

The Citizens for Sunshine lawsuit against Susan Chapman focuses on a meeting of merchants who invited City Commissioners to attend a breakfast and hear concerns about the impact of the homeless on downtown. My perspective on the case is informed by my experience as a Sarasota Citizens for Responsible Government plaintiff in Sunshine and public records cases. The SCRG board believed the opaque nature of spring training negotiations created serious public harm due to lack of accountability in allocating millions in public assets.  The unenforced promise to build a Cal Ripken youth academy is just one example of public harm related to the case we litigated alongside Citizens for Sunshine.

What is the goal of Citizens for Sunshine in litigating a case where it is difficult to demonstrate public harm? The intention of the Sunshine Law, to prevent backroom deals and horse-trading, clearly has not happened here. Commissioners Susan Chapman and Suzanne Atwell, both originally named in the lawsuit, disagree to this day on approaches to addressing homelessness.  What backroom deal is being cured by this case? 

Claims that Commissioners Atwell and Chapman improperly discussed the homeless issue at the merchants’ meeting are ridiculous to those of us who have observed their behavior at numerous public meetings over the years. They consistently bend over backwards to avoid discussion of issues which could come before the Commission. Where is the evidence of illegal discussion? The claim that either Commissioner suddenly departed from their typical behavior and discussed homelessness, an ongoing City concern, is absurd.  

It appears the primary issue in this case may be related to public notice of any meeting attended by Commissioners where topics likely to come before the Commission are discussed by others. Beyond public notice, exact adherence to Sunshine Law may require government minutes be taken, and such meetings are open to public and held in a venue which accommodates anyone who wants to attend. The thing is, the City of Sarasota is already complying with these standards. Is Citizens for Sunshine also working to ensure other Florida communities do the same? It can also be argued that rigid adherence to these requirements places unreasonable burdens on civic organizations. They must submit their meeting agendas to the City early enough for the City attorney to determine if the meeting requires public notice, and to arrange for someone from the City to attend and take minutes. Commissioners are now attending fewer civic meetings. Citizens for Sunshine may be creating barriers to public engagement rather than enhancing it. 

None of the board members of Citizens for Sunshine are residents of the City of Sarasota. As explained by a member of their legal team, issues for litigation are brought to the CFS board without identifying the officials involved. The CFS board makes decisions about litigation without the context typical of a watchdog organization—ongoing residency and participation in the community and personal knowledge of the issue.  

A member of the Citizens for Sunshine legal team posed a question to City police in addressing their treatment of the homeless: It may be legal, but is it morally correct?

Seems like the same question is relevant to this Sunshine case.

Cathy Antunes serves on the boards of the Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations and Sarasota Citizens for Responsible Government. 

The Detail

[Film]  Southern Gothic and the Florida Man
Vincent Dale

The Encyclopedia Britannica defines Southern Gothic as “a style of writing practiced by many writers of the American South whose stories set in that region are characterized by grotesque, macabre, or fantastic incidents.” Cultural critics have since furnished additional shades of detail, including: “deeply flawed, disturbing or eccentric characters, the religious and supernatural, perversion, drug addiction, sacrilege, decayed or derelict settings and other sinister events relating to or stemming from poverty, alienation, crime or violence.” While Florida as a whole isn’t widely considered a part of the South, the state has inherited enough aspects of Southern Culture to allow for the adaptation of the Southern Gothic model. The “grotesque, macabre or fantastic” is almost shorthand for describing the eccentric collection of characters one encounters in Sean Dunne’s groundbreaking, 50­minute 
documentary, Florida Man.

The world first started to pay attention to the idea of a certain archetypal Florida male with the explosive popularity of the “Florida Man” Twitter account (@_FloridaMan). The most powerful aspect of the cinematic medium is giving audiences an insight into the meaning of their own lives and attempting to answer the age­old question of, “How one ought to live?” The brilliance of Florida Man lies in the premise of giving a voice to the marginalized and offering viewers a non-judgmental portrait of other ways to live. Florida Man utilizes hand-held camera work, natural settings and long takes to craft a hyper­realistic portrayal of a shadow world thriving in the sunshine state. The documentary takes down the fourth wall in the first scene when an older Florida male explains, “Why do I get in so many fights? I like it, I swear to God I like it. You might be a big dude, but right there is where my momma got killed at.” The film proceeds to unravel Florida’s soul one painful confession and drunken sideways glance at a time while taking the viewer on a journey through an underbelly riddled with lyrical and visual poeticism.

Aspiring artists often experience frustration and failure when it comes to creating original content. Indeed, it’s easier to resort to cliches and contrivances than to step into the untested waters of original worlds. Florida stories can sculpt their characters from a diverse milieu of demographics found in the state, including but not limited to: large Hispanic and Haitian immigrant populations, African­Americans, families from other states who moved to Florida, Seminole Indians, a high ratio of felons per capita, the descendents of white crackers, a large homeless population and a constant stream of both national and foreign tourists. Our geography is as diverse as our population, ranging from swamp and forest, to jungle and beach. In addition, stories that exist in Florida’s history are dark and oftentimes criminal or violent. A casual investigation into Sarasota’s history yields such noteworthy items as The Sarasota Assasination Society, Christine Chubbuck and the first televised suicide and the mass killing of pelicans by Sarasota townsfolk during World War I. Casually skimming through the Florida Man Twitter account (that undoubtedly inspired Mr. Dunne’s documentary) results in a number of interesting plots: “Florida Man bites off neighbor's ear because he wouldn't give him a cigarette;” “Florida Man accused of catching and eating protected tortoises;” and “Florida Man proposes to girlfriend, ties ring to alligator.” The film stands as an almost anthropological record of a certain strain of Florida culture and one of the first recognizable examples of the Florida Gothic genre.

Vincent Dale is a Sarasota filmmaker and the director of No Real Than You Are and Paris Love Conspiracy. 

This post can also be read at SRQBacklot.com

SRQ Backlot

[Government]  CRA Just Corporate Welfare

I was involved in promoting the extension of the CRA over the years. I say hurray for the end of a form of corporate and wealthy welfare. In reality it should have never been done in the first place. Downtown property owners and residents, in one of the richest zip codes in America, failed to be competitive, cried on government’s shoulders to subsidize them and called them entitlements, all the while taking tax money while complaining about government waste and high taxes. As most of us bemoan the loss of any kind of welfare that benefits us, it would be a godsend to have a reality-based analysis of all the forms of welfare the government is involved in, i.e. Corporate, Tax breaks for the wealthy, etc. versus welfare for the needy. Nobody knows and nobody wants these facts factually presented because all of our oxes would be gored.

Bob Richardson, Sarasota 



[SOON]  Bal Masque: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

This Saturday October 3, venture into the garden for a stunning evening of mystery and Southern Gothic intrigue at SRQ's second annual masquerade gala, Bal Masqué: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Guests will don their most elegant formal attire and mysterious masks to be transported to the magical ambiance of the garden. Filled with hauntingly beautiful musical performances, aerialists dazzling from the vaulted ceilings, dancers lighting up the stage and sparkling superlative fashion delighting the senses. Delicious savory bites and amuse bouche alongside creative cocktails. 

SRQ Bal Masque: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

[SCOOP]  CYD's SRQVolunteen Middle School Training Starts Today

SRQVolunteen offers students a unique opportunity to learn valuable skills including teamwork, networking, communication, and critical thinking while also making a positive difference in the community. Students discover their strengths and passion and use their skills to design a community service project.  SRQVolunteen is FREE and open to 6th through 8th graders. CYD’s mission is to empower youth as leaders in service to their community. Apply today - space is limited. 

Community Youth Development

[CONTEST]  Real HousePets Of Sarasota County Calendar & Pet Photo Contest

The Humane Society of Sarasota County’s Calendar & Pet Photo Contest is a purrfect way for you to showcase your favorite four-legged friend while raising much needed funds for the shelter pets. The winner will be featured on the cover of our 2016 calendar and each of the top 13 finalists will star as a pet of the month. This is your chance to show the world just how amazing and adorable your pet truly is.Every entry made and every vote placed will save the lives of homeless pets in need. The Pet Photo Contest ends Saturday, October 10, 2015 at 11:59pm EST, so enter and vote today. 

The Humane Society of Sarasota County’s Calendar & Pet Photo Contest

[SCOOP]  Goodwill Offers Free Connected Warriors Yoga For Veterans

Say OM! Veterans can enjoy free Yoga classes thanks to Goodwill. These classes are provided by Garden of the Heart Yoga Center and taught by a registered Connected Warriors yoga instructor.  This is a specialty yoga designed specifically for veterans including those suffering from PTSD, combat stress, depression and traumatic brain injury. The class is FREE to veterans and their immediate family members and all props and mats are provided free of charge. Walk-ins are welcome. For class schedule and to register email harriet@gardenoftheheartyoga.com

 

Goodwill Manasota

[SCOOP]  SMHF Breast Health Center Grant

Sarasota Memorial’s Breast Health Grant Support Program was recently awarded a $100,000 grant from the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation.  This funding will enable SMH’s Breast Health Grant Support Program to continue providing qualifying residents of Sarasota County the breast health screening and diagnostic services they need but cannot afford.  To date the Healthcare Foundation along with Partner Saks fifth avenue have raised over $1,000,000 for Breast and other Women’s Cancers Programs. With this recent grant, Sarasota Memorial’s Breast Health Grant Support Program will be able to provide an estimated 665 mammograms (screening and diagnostic), 330 breast ultrasounds, and approximately 30 breast biopsies free-of-charge to qualifying Sarasota County residents.  Through SMH’s Breast Health Grant Support Program, any grant recipient diagnosed with breast cancer will be assisted in obtaining Medicaid through the Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program, and timely access to the medical surgery, treatment and care she needs.   

Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation.

[SCOOP]  Good Wellness

Goodwill Manasota recently launched an internal holistic wellness program  called “Good Wellness”.  A foundation of the program is a 48-page step-by-step resource book that guides team members through wellness related daily steps. The main focus of the program is to create a workplace of healthier, happier team members who proactively monitor their well-being through increased education and company-wide initiatives. Areas addressed include mental health, nutrition, family support, financial wellness and fitness, as well as providing additional resources and discounts for related programs, services and businesses within all of these areas. 

 

Goodwill Manasota

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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