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SRQ DAILY Jun 27, 2016

Monday Business Edition

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Monday Business Edition

"Any time you have tremendous uncertainty, which is obviously going to be the norm for the next year or so in the US, it creates consumer anxiety and consumer concern about spending."

- Virginia Haley, Visit Sarasota County
 

[Real Estate]  Dollar Volume For Single-Family Home Purchases
Diana Morales

When it comes to single-family home purchases in Manatee County, Florida Realtors calculates the dollar volume per month, which is the sum of the sale prices for all sales that closed during the month. This chart shows the dollar volume of every month this year starting May 2015 and ending May 2016 as well as the percent change year over year. Calculated by multiplying closed sales by average sale price, this is a strong indicator of the health of the real estate industry in a market.  

[Tourism]  Bracing After Brexit
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

A vote in the United Kingdom to leave the European Union could have ramifications on this side of the pond. Almost immediately upon news of the vote outcome, which caused the value of the British pound to rapidly decline, tourism and real estate leaders were considering the impact to the Gulf Coast.

Virginia Haley, president of Visit Sarasota County, stayed glued to BBC broadcasts much of Friday. She recently attended IPW, a convention where US tourist destinations sell themselves to the world, and heard from three major British tour operators, all of whom worried Britain would vote to leave the EU. Now, she wonders what the impact of the decision will be here. “Any time you have tremendous uncertainty, which is obviously going to be the norm for the next year or so in the US, it creates consumer anxiety and consumer concern about spending, which obviously has an impact on travel,” Haley says. But on a positive note, hospitality providers in weeks before the vote have seen solid booking from UK travelers. Haley characterizes Great Britain as the biggest “long-haul” source of international travel to Southwest Florida—about 60,000 UK visitors come here every year making up 3 percent of total visitation in Sarasota County. There may be a delayed impact from the Brexit vote, but she expects many of those travelers will keep their plans.

In real estate, Patricia Tan, an agent with Caldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, specializes in international sales, but she isn’t that concerned about Brexit fallout. The value of the pound dropped to its lowest levels since 1985 on Friday, ending up equivalent to $1.37 US. But many of the people looking for a high-end home on the Gulf Coast aren’t just invested with British currency. The strength of the US dollar will drive Florida decisions. “The pound has been very weak against the dollar for 12 to 18 months,” she says. “But there has been no slowdown in business.” Sarasota remains the second biggest buying market for Brits looking to purchase property in Florida, behind only Orlando. 

[Politics]  Detert, Robinson, Wells, Others Elected Unopposed
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Nancy Detert won a seat on the Sarasota County Commission. Eric Robinson won a spot on the Sarasota County School Board. Rick Wells was just elected as Manatee County Sheriff. Ron Turner just won as Sarasota Supervisor of Elections. John Colon won a seat on the Manatee County School Board. Angel Colonneso was just elected as Manatee County Clerk of Court.  One thing all had in common? They did it without garnering a single vote.

The qualification period ended today at noon, and those candidates were the only ones to file for the seats they seek. Colon and Colonneso both were appointed to their seats to serve out the remainder of incumbents’ terms following untimely deaths. Colonneso was appointed last last July after long-time Clerk of Court Chips Shores sudden death, while Colon was appointed in September to replace Mary Cantrell, who died less than a year into her term. 

But several heavyweight candidates managed to win office unopposed without the benefit of incumbency. Detert announced earlier this year she would vacate her Senate seat to run for an open seat on the Sarasota County Commission. Robinson filed to challenge incumbent Frank Kovach, but Kovach chose not to seek re-election and no other challengers stuck it out through qualification. Wells was hired last year to the No. 2 position at the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and was ultimately the only candidate who filed to succeed sitting Sheriff Brad Steube. Turner, previously the DeSoto County Supervisor of Elections, also serves as sitting Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent’s right-hand, and was the only person who filed to succeed her.

Several incumbents were also re-elected, including: Manatee Supervisor of Elections Mike Bennett, Manatee County Judge Doug Henderson, Manatee Tax Collector Ken Burton, Sarasota Sheriff Tom Knight, Sarasota Property Appraiser Bill Furst, Sarasota County Commissioner Charles Hines, Public Defender Larry Eger, State Attorney Ed Brodsky, state Rep. Jim Boyd, state Sen. Bill Galvano, and Sarasota County Judges Phyllis Galen, MaryAnn Boehm and Erika Quartermaine. 

Pictured: Sarasota County Commissioner-elect Nancy Detert.

[Exec Moves]  Halfacre Improves Myrtle Street

The area’s oldest, most established locally owned and operated private commercial construction company, Halfacre Construction, has been working on improvements for the west phase of Myrtle Street. Beginning April 2016 and continuing through September, the updates include milling and resurfacing the south side of the corridor, improving site lighting and creating a new pedestrian sidewalk and bridge over Whitaker Bayou. 

Halfacre Construction

[Recognition]  William Parker Attorneys Make Legal Elite

William Parker attorneys Bailey, Gregoria, Ryskamp, Schwartz and Walker have been named by Florida Trend magazine to its 2016 Legal Elite list. Buffington, Diaz and Grosso were named to Florida Trend’s 2016 Up and Comer list. Chosen by their peers, attorneys given this recognition are recognized as top attorneys in the state and represent fewer than 2 percent of the active Florida Bar members who practice in Florida. 

Williams Parker

[Opening]  Stone River to Break Ground

Breaking ground Jun. 29 at 5610 Manor Hill Ln., Bradenton's Stone River Retirement Community will offer an all-inclusive experience where one price will take care of all residents' daily needs, including chef-prepared meals and entertainment options with a full calendar of activities. On-site staff will provide assistance through the 24/7 Emergency Call System, appointment transportation, a balanced and engaging activity program and valet parking. Residents will also enjoy the convenience of an in-house bank, pharmacy/gift shop and salon. 

Stone River Retirement Community

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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