« Back To SRQ Daily Archive

SRQ DAILY Mar 23, 2016

Freshly Squeezed Content Every Morning

Please allow images to view this email properly

Freshly Squeezed Content Every Morning

"Jerry was a real force in keeping the theatrical impulse alive and it's going to be a challenge to find anyone who's capable of mustering up that kind of drive."

- Greg Leaming, FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training
 

[Politics]  Miller, James Contest to Watch
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

A successful political operative now faces a medical executive in the race to represent a swing district in Sarasota County. And with an incumbent now out of this contest, the District 72 contest promises both excitement and a new face representing the region in next year’s legislative session. Republican Alexandra Miller on Monday announced her candidacy for the race, where she is expected to face Democrat Ed James III in the November general election. The winner succeeds state Rep. Ray Pilon, R-Sarasota, who is running for state Senate. 

Miller, who on Friday submitted her resignation for her seat on the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board, promises to be a moderate voice in Tallahassee. Like Pilon, she supports a Medicaid expansion resisted by Gov. Rick Scott and most Republicans in the state House. “Not expanding Medicaid has been damaging,” she said. “I do think there is room for compromise. We need to come up with a modification of LIP [Low Income Pool] funding and a state generated exchange.” James, for his part, heavily supports a Medicaid expansion and plans to fight for that to happen. “Ultimately, we need to put politics aside,” he said. “We still have people using the Emergency Room as a primary care center.” That healthcare availability remains divided on socio-economic lines is unacceptable, he says.

The two candidates have different approaches to solving the Medicaid debate, though neither will be running on a dismantling of the Affordable Care Act. But while that separation on the issues will be nuanced, the two do have their own issues they bring to the debate reflecting different political perspectives. James plans to run on issues like providing universal prekindergarten education, and providing funding for environmentally sensitive lands that honors voters’ intent in passing a constitutional amendment demanding such spending. Miller is a supporter of charter schools—one of her sons attends Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences—and favors school vouchers, believing public funding should follow a student based on individual education needs.

Professionally, Miller is CEO for Mercedes Medical, a company her mother founded in 1991, and she served as vice chair of the hospital board until her departure. James, a professional campaign consultant, served as field director for U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, D-Panama City, who unseated a Republican incumbent in 2010 amid an otherwise bad year for Democrats. 

As far as the nature of the race, prognosticators today will likely have a hard time giving an edge either way. The district leans red, with 49,000 registered Republicans to 37,000 Democrats, according to LobbyTools, favoring Miller, but that’s a closer ratio than any district in this part of Florida enjoys. James for now has the money edge, having raised $76,500 as he prepared to take on an incumbent, and New Direction Florida, a political committee supporting him, has raised more than $166,600. Miller starts from scratch now, but was recruited into the race by local Republican leadership with a reputation for strong fundraising.

The general election is scheduled for Nov. 8. 

[Stage]  Remembering Jerry Finn
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

A Sarasotan since 1999, Jerry. M. Finn, founder and executive director of the Banyan Theater Company, for the last 14 years served the Suncoast side-by-side with wife Terri through his dedication to quality programming in the summer off-season, providing much-needed cultural stimulation at a time when many stages were left vacant. Through a thoughtfully curated typically trio of shows each summer, Finn and the Banyan Theater Company ensured Sarasota lived up to its Cultural Capital moniker year-round. After 14 seasons comprising 44 productions, Finn passed Monday at the age of 83.

“Jerry was a gentleman in the true sense of the word,” said Jeffery Kin, artistic director for The Players. “He was always supportive of other arts organizations and was always genuine when we spoke, met or interacted. Our local arts scene has lost one of its true theater legends.”

Undergoing a successful hip surgery in January, Finn completed weeks of physical therapy before returning home less than two weeks ago, when an unspecified medical crisis left him comatose. Now in his absence and approaching the company’s 15th season, the Banyan Theater Company board of directors has announced the decision to disband the troupe. “It was his baby, and without Jerry there is no Banyan,” David Finn, Jerry’s son and Banyan board member, said in a statement.

“Jerry was doggedly committed to keeping professional theater alive during the traditionally quiet summer and he did a beautiful job of that,” said Greg Leaming, director of the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. “He was committed to contemporary plays and had a passion for his work. Jerry was a real force in keeping the theatrical impulse alive and it’s going to be a challenge to find anyone who’s capable of mustering up that kind of drive.”

Finn is survived by his wife Terri; sons David, Lawrence and Brian; grandchildren Schuyler, Rose, Zackary and Jacob; and sister Edith Keller. A memorial service will be held this morning at 10am at Temple Sinai, 4631 S. Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota. All are welcome and, in lieu of flowers, are invited to make a donation in Finn’s honor to the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. 

[Good Bite]  New Florida Flavor, Old Florida Feel
Kaye Warr

I recently had the pleasure of accompanying my friend Christa Leonard, operations manager of Geraldson Community Farm, to dinner at Seafood Shack in Cortez. Seafood Shack has been a fixture since 1971, but Chef Gerard Jesse has infused both the menu and the staff with a new passion for innovative and elevated seafood dishes that celebrate all things seasonal and abundant. Chef Gerard wowed us with a baked oyster bread pudding studded with vegetables from Christa’s farm that had us almost in tears as we savored each morsel. The next dish, a perfectly cooked piece of salmon in a delicately spiced curry beurre blanc, cemented Chef Gerard as one of my favorite chefs in Sarasota. The atmosphere at Seafood Shack is laidback, the servers are friendly and engaging, and the food keeps getting better.  

Seafood Shack, 4110 127th Street W, Sarasota, 941-794-1235.

[Exec Moves]  Fergeson Skipper Announces Board

The law firm of Fergeson, Skipper, Shaw, Keyser, Baron & Tirabassi announced the following shareholders were elected to serve as officers on its board: President and Treasurer Matthew B. Mayper; Vice President and Secretary James O. Fergeson, Jr.; Vice Presidents J. Ronald Skipper, E. Ralph Tirabassi, Richard R. Gans, David S. Maglich, Douglas R. Bald, J. Allison Archbold, Michelle Lajoie Hermey and Brendan A. McQuaid. In addition, attorneys Mayper, Maglich and Hermey were appointed to the board’s management committee. 

Fergeson, Skipper, Shaw, Keyser, Baron & Tirabassi

[Expansion]  Rue Opens in Westfield Southgate

Rue, a Sarasota fashion boutique opened last year, has opened a satellite location at Westfield Southgate in Trebor Style, a collaborative of local retailers sharing space in the Sarasota mall. Rue ownership says the satellite location is already driving interested customers to check out the main location above Caragiulos and that the mall has also been a good place to sell high-end customers who still enjoy the mall. 

Rue

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

Copyright © 2024 by SRQ Media Group, 331 South Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236.
Powered by Sarasota Web Design | Unsubscribe

Read More

Where Oil Meets Water

Where Oil Meets Water

Phil Lederer | Mar 1, 2024

Freedom to Wander

Freedom to Wander

Laura Paquette | Mar 1, 2024

Drive and Dine

Drive and Dine

Laura Paquette | Mar 1, 2024

A Mesmerizing Journey

A Mesmerizing Journey

Barbie Heit | Mar 1, 2024