« Back To SRQ Daily Archive

SRQ DAILY Oct 27, 2016

Freshly Squeezed Content Every Morning

Please allow images to view this email properly

Freshly Squeezed Content Every Morning

"Students in public charter schools have consistently outperformed their counterparts on standardized tests in almost every subject and at every grade level."

- Alex Miller, State House Candidate
 

[Politics]  Miller Looks to Close in District 72
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Alex Miller was preparing for a re-election bid to the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Board this year before the race for state House in District 72 became an open contest. Suddenly, she was thrust into one of the most competitive elections in Florida. The Republican today seems in an enviable position to win against an opponent who no longer has party support, but Miller is leaving nothing to chance. In an email exchange with SRQ, she defended her platform.

Positioned as a moderate, she both opposed right-wing efforts to stop a Medicaid expansion in Florida and to privatize public hospitals, but stands with Republicans on issues like school choice. The hospital issue, of course, remains close to her heart after four years on the hospital board. “The conversation about privatizing hospitals is nothing new—for-profit entities have been pushing to privatize hospital systems for years—and it will likely continue for years to come,” she says, but with strong performance at SMH verified by state audits, she doubts that will be a pressing matter. She is more concerned that Low Income Pool funding this year was cut from $1 billion to about $618 million last year and next year will be phased out entirely. “This is a paramount issue facing our state,” she says.

On the education front, she has supported the expansion of school choice and says greater competition will be what drives excellence in schools. “Students in public charter schools have consistently outperformed their counterparts on standardized tests in almost every subject and at every grade level,” she says. But she quibbled with some accountability measures in place. Miller says she wants to ensure local control of schools by “repealing Common Core” and “eliminating high-stakes testing.”

While her opponent, Democrat Ed James III, has critiqued state spending in terms of funding a constitutional amendment regarding purchase of public lands, Miller finds the legislature’s actions defensible based on the language of the voter directive. But the real issue, she suggests, is that the Legislature is forced to interpret such ballot measures rather than being able to legislate in chamber. “Frankly, the question exemplifies why Floridians should use extreme caution and restraint in choosing whether to amend the Florida Constitution. Our state constitution, like its federal counterpart, is a sacred document, which should be rarely amended,” she says.

Her race with James looks significantly different than it did a month ago. James has seen the Florida and Sarasota Democratic Party withdraw support after news surfaced that a woman accused him of sexual assault in June. While the woman did not pursue charges and James maintains his encounter with her was consensual, the news led to widespread condemnation. Miller feels voters should take the accusations seriously. “They completely disqualify him from representing our community in Tallahassee,” she says, while praising Democratic leaders for withdrawing support.

She most wants to continue the fiscally conservative direction of the Legislature under Gov. Rick Scott, who she noted has reduced taxes by $1 billion in the last two years without any budget shortfalls. She’d like to see more cuts, including a 6 percent corporate rent tax reducation.

Miller runs against James in District 72. The general election is scheduled for November 8. 

[Daily Shop]  Pungent Blooms
Taylor Young

Smell fragrant orchids and let inspiration strike with one gaze upon an array of delicate plants, whimsical pottery, garden accessories and more. As you walk through the doors of Awesome Orchids in Downtown Sarasota, shop around to find locally grown orchids at reasonable prices. Whether you're in need of large orchids for an intricate centerpiece or miniature stems for a shelf or console accent, a simple placement of these striking blooms will make any room exude beauty. Given adequate care, these flowers are virtually immortal, so sniff the effortlessly elegant scent of jasmine, lily and lemon and observe the many shades of pure white, lilac, chiffon and amaranth pink. Pick out the perfect flower for the special person in your life, and if not for love, then simply for the beautification of your home. 

Awesome Orchids, 330 South Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, 941-365-3500.

[Exec Moves]  Lemme Named Sales Manager for Enviro Water

Ronald Lemme has been named as the western regional sales manager for Enviro Water Products. As the western regional sales manager, Lemme will develop and execute a sales growth plan that achieves the company’s sales and profit objectives for the western states. Lemme will be responsible for sales growth with key wholesalers and plumbing contractors. With an extensive background in plumbing sales at Franke Consumer Products and Consolidated Supply, Lemme was most recently the regional sales director for the West Coast with Villeroy & Boch. 

Brooke Chase Associates Inc.

[Exec Moves]  Cumberland Advisors Adds to Team

William R. Hannan joined Cumberland Advisors with many decades of experience in the fixed income markets and institutional sales. Hannan serves as regional director of investments for Cumberland Advisors in the greater Northeast US Region. Timothy Lyle has joined Cumberland as a director of compliance. Lyle has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry with over 20 of those years working in compliance. In addition to managing the firm’s business development efforts for charitable accounts and foundations, Gabriel Hament, investment advisor representative, is now a portfolio analyst in the Fixed Income Department. Deborah Marquis has joined the firm’s Operations Department as a general clerk and Cynthia Wright has joined the Fixed Income Department as an administrative assistant.

  

Cumberland Advisors

[Recognition]  Sarasota Finance Department Honored with Awards

The City of Sarasota Finance Department was honored recently with two awards by the Government Finance Officers Association: Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting and Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting. Both awards represent the pinnacle of achievement in government accounting and financial reporting. This marks 35 consecutive years the City of Sarasota has been honored with the Certificate of Achievement for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, and its third consecutive year with the Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting recognition.  

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

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