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SRQ DAILY Oct 11, 2016

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"We have got to keep moving forward. We can't go back to the Manatee County that was in our childhood."

- Betsy Benac, Manatee County Commission candidate
 

[Politics]  Richardson, Benac Debate Manatee Growth
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Growth continues to dominate political discourse in Manatee County, and with the approval of major development and transportation efforts from Cortez to Parrish and Lakewood Ranch, there has been plenty to discuss in the countywide contest between incumbent Manatee County Commissioner Betsy Benac, a Republican, and challenger Jack Richardson, who is running without party affiliation. 

Days after the approval of a development plan for Peninsula Bay, Richardson says county commissioners, including Benac, were failing to properly manage growth. “Our departments are underfunded and this will greatly increase traffic without a solution in sight,” he says. He also criticized the approval of Tide’s End last week, and stressed that while he wasn’t against all development, he fears the county won’t be able to serve the public while accommodating so much new construction and so many new residents. “This increased density in a coastal high hazard area, and they did it anyway,” Richardson says.

Benac, though, says many don’t understand that existing state law leaves little room to deny projects in areas that are already served by roads. She says projects like Peninsula Bay, on large tracts of landing already surrounded by residential development, can’t reasonably be denied. “The idea we are somehow able to say no to development because there is road congestion requires a change in state law,” she says. The county has recently taken steps, though, to make sure growth will pay for itself moving forward. She and the board voted to phase impact fees back in this year, and the county has also moved ahead on bridge projects and road improvements. “We have got to keep moving forward,” she says. “We can’t go back to the Manatee County that was in our childhood.”

Benac also supports a proposed sales tax on the ballot to help pay for infrastructure in the region. “It is not going to new improvements and new capacity and will go to maintaining improvements made years ago,” she says. The fairest way to keep up infrastructure was a tax paid by all, she says. But Richardson doesn’t have faith in how revenues will be spent. A critic of the existing county administration, Richardson feels that unless waste is brought under control—he questioned the money spent on a bridge at Fort Hamer and major improvements to 44th Avenue East—he couldn’t support a tax. “It’s [Benac’s] job and the commissioners’ job to manage growth and manage our resources so we don’t have to raise taxes to satisfy services and have growth at the same time,” he says. “It will never be perfect but they haven’t even tried.”

Richardson and Benac are running for Manatee County Commission District 7 (At-Large). The general election will be held November 8. 

Pictured: Jack Richardson, Betsy Benac.

[Daily Shop]  Button Up for Fall
Taylor Young

This time of year is all about comfort—nothing is more cozy than cuddling up in your favorite softly worn-in flannel. If you don’t have one already, no worries, Sarasota’s own T.Georgiano’s has a selection not to be missed. Head over to find an exciting collaboration between the local boutique and retro-based brand American Fox. The in-store pop-up offers tons of colors and sizes, but if you can’t find one to suit your taste, bring an old shirt with your favorite sports team insignia or any logo and they will make a flannel custom-built just for you. Whether you decide to wear your flannel buttoned up with a pair of boyfriend jeans or tie it around your waist to show off your custom design, it may be just the right touch to add that special something to a fancier outfit or a great way to layer for relaxed street style. 

T.Georgiano�s, 1409-B 1st St., Sarasota, 941-870-3727.

[SRQ Story Project Partner Spotlight ]  State of Jobs Connects Students with Career Pathways

In just a few short weeks, 450-plus high school students from the Sarasota County school district area will explore potential local career pathways at the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s 2016 State of Jobs Conference. State of Jobs features over 50 local guest speakers from seven different career tracks working to inspire students to take control of their futures. The event plans to engage students in higher education opportunities in Sarasota-Bradenton, give them an inside look into great local businesses and encourage them to network with local executives. "We've already started witnessing the impact State of Jobs is having on our community," says Chris Laney, chair of the conference. "Students have changed careers because they were inspired by the guest speakers, received internships from relationships created and have pursued higher education because of what they learned at this conference. Our goal is to simply inspire students to do more and I believe that's happening."

Last year, during the second annual State of Jobs conference, the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce compiled a volume of data highlighting student perceptions of colleges and careers on the Suncoast. The majority of students indicated they were planning to attend a college in the state of Florida, but not in the Sarasota-Bradenton area. The event plans to ensure that local college-bound students are aware of both the academic post-secondary opportunities as well as the job market for young professionals. The survey also showed that students were interested in learning about careers locally through internships, job shadowing and higher education, but feel a disconnect from the specific opportunities available for them. 

For more on the State of Jobs conference, contact Chris Laney at cdlaney@gmail.com or visit their website online at StateofJobs.org

State of Jobs

[Research]  Quiet Mind Foundation Approves MindSpa Study of Veterans

A MindSpa research study designed to help veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been approved by the Quiet Mind Foundation’s Institutional Review Board (IRB). The IRB will review the goals and parameters of the study to enhance the integrity of the study protocol. PTSD is a major issue impacting veterans in the US with more than 22 suicides per day. The plan is to treat 36 veterans living in southwest Florida whose trauma is related to their combat experience. The researchers include Dr. George Lindenfeld, Dr. George Rozelle and Dr. Michael Sutherland. 

MindSpa Sarasota

[Presentation]  Wagner Presents to Association for Corporate Growth

E. John Wagner, II, a shareholder with Williams Parker, recently presented to the Association of Corporate Growth and the American Bar Association. Wagner focused on options available to business owners looking to retire or sell their company, including how and when to exit the business and private equity alternatives to selling a business. The seminar took place at the Sarasota Yacht Club and drew over 50 attendees from the area’s business community. 

Williams Parker Attorney

[Recognition]  Cedarberry Waterfront Sells for $3.5 Million

London Bay Homes’ Cedarberry waterfront model home on Bird Key sold nearly two months prior to completion for $3.5 million. The Cedarberry has more than 4,500 square feet of living space, four bedrooms, a formal dining room, study, four full baths and a powder room. The home design combines the kitchen and great room into a spacious entertaining area, and the second floor offers a private retreat for guests. The two-story Cedarberry emphasizes outdoor and waterfront features with expansive outdoor living areas intended for family enjoyment and entertaining year-round.  

London Bay Homes

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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