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SRQ DAILY Oct 20, 2016

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"Many of the voters I talk to don't know what their representative did for them in the last two years."

- Manny Lopez, State House Candidate
 

[Politics]  Gonzalez, Lopez Face Off in South County
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Between work as a physician and an attorney, Republican Julio Gonzalez also represents South Sarasota County in the Florida Legislature, but Democratic challenger Manny Lopez says it’s that last job where not enough work has been done for the people. Two two men now face off in the general election.

The challenge comes as Gonzalez seeks a second term to a seat he won in 2014, and the incumbent has some specific priorities in Tallahassee that he would like the chance to address as the state deals with massive hikes in workman’s compensation. “It is having significant and painful effects on our area businesses and municipalities,” Gonzalez says. The hike comes as a result of Supreme Court rulings forcing changes in premiums. He feels revising fee schedules to address judicial concerns could help ease the pain significantly and avoid a crisis like that experienced in the state around 2000. Having an experienced lawmaker in Tallahassee will be important, he says, in dealing both with this sort of complex issue and in budgeting with potentially limited resources.

Lopez, though, feels frustrated that more work hasn’t been put into bringing resources here for projects like an extension of River Road and the location of a hospital in North Port. “Many of the voters I talk to don’t know what their representative did for them in the last two years,” Lopez says. He feels Gonzalez instead has focused too much on issues such as a “religious freedom” bill filed by Gonzalez last year that would have allowed certain business to deny customer service based on sexual orientation. Dubbed as the “discrimination” bill by Lopez, the Democrat says the issue showed Gonzalez was not representing and protecting all constituents on the Gulf Coast. “That’s a bill that would have been overturned by the courts had it gone through,” Lopez says. 

Gonzalez says that bill is a dead issue now. “You are resurrecting a discussion that has not been in the forefront for a year and a half,” Gonzalez says. That bill died in committee, but because of his involvement, Gonzalez says he got involved in more successful and widely supported measures like the Pastor Protection Act, which was signed into law this year and shields clergy from being forced to perform ceremonies violating their faith. As for River Road, he says he has worked with county officials trying to get the Florida Department of Transportation to put a higher priority on the project. He continues to argue the corridor, while not a state road, serves as valuable public service as a hurricane evacuation route and a driver of economic development.

Lopez realizes he has a tough fight ahead in a heavily Republican district, but hopes voters let him give voice to issues like opposing fracking in the state and fighting efforts to privatize public hospitals like Sarasota Memorial. He hopes a number of independent voters and Republican voters who want more moderate views represented in the Florida Legislature will vote for him this year. “If voters look at the issues, I’m their guy,” Lopez says. 

Gonzalez and Lopez are running for state House representative, District 74. The general election is scheduled for November 8. 

Pictured: Julio Gonzalez. Manny Lopez.

[Daily Shop]  Bejeweled Beauty
Taylor Young

A compelling combination of high-fashion and fine jewelry meet, creating a match made in jeweled heaven. See the stunning selections at Milan’s Jewelry where you’ll find pieces from Angelique de Paris—an award-winning designer featured in the latest O: Oprah Magazine and in Oprah’s Favorite Things—that will leave any onlooker in awe. Adorn a simple outfit with Angelique’s turquoise and black jewelry faceted with cubic zirconia embellishments. The two pieces look perfect when worn together for a polished layered look or apart for an equally lovely appearance. Even if you're not the typical jewelry fanatic, this bold set will leave you infatuated. 

Milan's Jewelry, 1666 Main St., Sarasota, 941-953-5871.

[Exec Moves]  Roberts Joins Coastal Orthopedics

Orthopedic spine specialist Dr. Timothy T. Roberts has joined the comprehensive and full-service practice of Coastal Orthopedics Sports Medicine & Pain Management, specializing in treating cervical and lumbar degenerative spinal conditions, athletic injuries to the spine, adult and pediatric spinal deformities, spine trauma, motion-preserving surgery and minimally invasive spine surgery. Roberts completed a combined neurosurgical and orthopedic spine surgical fellowship from the Cleveland Clinic following his orthopedic residency at Albany Medical College. He earned his Doctorate of Medicine from Tufts University School of Medicine. 

Coastal Orthopedics

[Synergy]  Halfacre Constructing Dental Care Alliance Building

Halfacre Construction Company is constructing the latest corporate building for Dental Care Alliance in Lakewood Ranch. The 12,000-square-foot, two-story building will house offices for corporate employees of the dental support organization, which has more than 245 dental practices in 13 states. Construction on the new corporate building began in mid-October with completion scheduled for June 2017. The building marks the first time Halfacre Construction and Dental Care Alliance have partnered on a construction project. 

Halfacre Construction

[Exec Moves]  School Board Names Bowden Superintendent

The School Board of Sarasota County voted in Todd Bowden, the district’s executive director of career, technical and adult education and the director of Suncoast Technical College, as the next superintendent of Sarasota County Schools. Before coming to work for Sarasota County Schools in 2007, Bowden served in various roles at the Hillsborough County School District, including principal of Gary Adult High School, principal of Aparicio-Levy Technical Center and assistant principal for curriculum at Bloomingdale High School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of South Florida, a master’s in business administration from Florida State University and a master’s and doctorate in educational leadership from the University of South Florida. 

School Board of Sarasota County

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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