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SRQ DAILY Dec 10, 2016

"The truth is, I hate to think that we have beaten down someone's will and desire to serve this city."

- Susan Nilon, The Nilon Report
 

[Under The Hood]  A Choice For The People
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

After a November of disappointment and heartbreak, Democratic voters in Florida seems ready to toy with a strategy that served Republican counterparts in recent cycles. And Florida political press, already turning its attention toward the 2018 governor’s race, has focused on John Morgan, an Orlando known better for his ambulance chasing prowess than his political involvement.

Morgan has negatives, of course. happens to be disliked by many in the legal field, partly for turning Morgan & Morgan into the McDonald’s of Florida law firms by opening offices in every market and blitzing the air waves with his “For The People” ads, but also because of radio spots sowing doubts in the corporate clients Morgan tends to target in jury trials. The Chamber of Commerce surely would go after Morgan with a zeal never seen.

And he’s a famous drinker. Sarasota activist and blogger Rich Swier has heavily promoted Morgan’s 1997 arrest for driving under the influence and assaulting a Casselberry cop. Swier’s posts on the matter are the first to come up if you Google “John Morgan DUI” but plenty more will be written about this in 2017. Plus, anyone who tries to pinpoint the moment in 2014 when a medical marijuana referendum moved from certain-to-pass to bound-to-fail looks to an online video of an inebriated Morgan slurring expletives during a pitch to young voters in a Lakeland bar.

But in the age of Donald Trump, President of the United States, who gives a darn about a bad reputation? Morgan’s the rare Democrat who is also a household name in the Sunshine State, whether voters love him, loathe him or have him to thank for a big settlement check. 

Of course, don’t expect establishment Democrats to roll over. Gwen Graham, an outgoing Congressman from the Panhandle, announced earlier this year she would focus on the 2018 governor’s race instead of running in a redrawn Congressional district that would doom any Democrat, even the daughter of beloved ex-Gov. Bob Graham. Another outgoing Congressman, Patrick Murphy, just got wiped out statewide trying to oust Sen. Marco Rubio, but Florida has a history of giving statewide failures a second chance (see Jeb Bush, Bill Nelson) and Murphy seems poised to run.

But party regulars do seem more open than usual to a donor-turned-candidate, especially one with legal chops. Kevin Griffth, vice chair of the Sarasota Democratic Party, notes that whatever happened in 2014, Morgan also played a role in getting medical marijuana passed this year even as Democrats suffered at the ballot box in Florida. Few statewide candidates win 60 percent of the vote, the threshold for getting a constitional amendment ratified in Florida."The fact John Morgan was involved on a policy level with an amendment that was put on the ballot twice, that makes him very different," Griffith says.

Of course, Griffith readily heaps praise on all the candidates. Graham won in a tough district during a Republican wave in 2014. Murphy has statewide donors. And don't forget Bob Buckhorn, who boasts executive experience as mayor of Tampa.

It's crowded field, but that shouldn’t be a bad thing. That may be the biggest lesson Democrats must learn from past failures.

Morgan’s appeal for the moment may be a desire among Democrats to find their own private sector populist. Gov. Rick Scott surprised them with a narrow 2010 win despite a lack of elected experience. Donald Trump just did the same.

But more importantly, both Trump and Scott survived bruising primaries and won anyhow. Scott also shocked Republicans when he defeated Attorney General Bill McCollum in 2010, but Republicans who favored the long-time official rallied around the retired executive. Trump emerged from a 17-person field, rudely dispatching a couple of favorite Florida sons—Bush and Rubio—on his way to winning this critical swing state.

Meanwhile, Democrat Alex Sink in 2010 bullied her toughest primary opponents out of the race before voters could weigh in. Clinton seemed a foregone conclusion for the Democratic nominee, her primary opposition fueled by dislike for that inevitability as much as Bernie Sanders’ appeal. A real contest would quench the Democrats thirst for debate. If nothing else, Morgan’s celebrity and wealth means he can’t be brushed aside by the powers that be. His candidacy would guarantee a choice, one for the people.

Jacob Ogles is contributing senior editor to SRQ Media Group. 

[The Report]  A Commissioner Terms Herself Out
Susan Nilon, susan.nilon@gmail.com

Sarasota City Commissioner Suzanne Atwell announced she will not seek a third term in office, terming herself out for reasons that make me reflect on the years of her service. The first time I met her was when she and Adam Tebrugge were running for office at the same time and both came to an event I attended. Perky and enthusiastic, she carried the same persona as a cheerleader would when trying to entice the spectators to stand up and cheer for the team. And the term “Cheerleader” was one I used quite often—not always in respect—when someone would ask what I thought of her as a commissioner. In fact, I would readily admit I was one of the first who was critical in a loud fashion about her efforts in City Hall. I went on the air quite often railing about her and her efforts. Knowing this, never once did she shy away from me or turn down an interview. Not once did she resort to challenging me in disrespectful ways.

She was a devoted listener to my radio program. When she first started telling me that, I used to think she was just trying to feed my ego and doing what politicians do—shoveling manure to make you think you are “really that important.” Then I thought she was just keeping an eye on me to make sure I was not disrespecting her on air. She would tell me the timing of my program was at the same time she was running on the Ringling Bridge. I would test her devotion to my program by talking directly to her on the air to see if she was telling the truth. Over time, I saw she was. She did hear my criticisms and she took it like an adult. I also realized over the years that it wasn’t about me that she tuned in all the time. It was her way to hear what my guests had to say about what was important to them. She was always listening. She was always learning. That was what she thought was the job of a commissioner.

I cut her no slack because she was a Democrat. Some of my closest friends took me to task for being too hard on her. And no, this is not where I backtrack and agree. I wasn’t. I was spot on. And I will be happy to continue the argument. But that’s not the point I want to make. Suzanne held her own. She did it with a dignity and grace others only wish to possess. For as much as I disagreed with her decisions, I saw someone through the years who was earnest about her role and her power. She was not using her position to promote her own interests. She was not using her seat as a stepping stone. Suzanne was just working hard at being a good commissioner for this city.

When she says “We are not elected to govern as delegates of often well-intentioned, but frequently single-issue activists, but as representatives expected to use our judgment on what is best for the entire city,” she is correct. For someone like myself who oft times fits that description, that knowledge is a little hard to swallow.

We expect to use our power and influence with people who know us well to get them to bend to our desires. It’s easy to forget your relationship with an elected official should not yield any more influence than other voters. Your argument, not your relationship, should be able to produce the desired result. It takes a person with a strong constitution to hold onto that philosophy.

When I read that someone like Suzanne has decided to not run for office again, I am truly disappointed. Yes, I confess that my ego will not let go of the idea that if I had just a little more time, I could convince her to vote the way I think she should vote. But the truth is, I hate to think that we have beaten down someone’s will and desire to serve this city. I would like to end by saying, Suzanne, in all honesty and humility, I thank you for your service. 

Susan Nilon of The Nilon Report. 

[Education]  Space, Time and Ignorance
Donal O'Shea, doshea@ncf.edu

A long article that appeared recently in The Wall Street Journal alleges that America has run out of big ideas, and that gains in science, medicine and technology have slowed. The article explores reasons such as excessive regulation, risk aversion, and the rising costs of capitalization.

 

In talking about regulation, however, it does not note that immigration policies make it difficult for foreign scientists to enter the United States. As a result, many conferences are no longer held in the United States. Nor does the article mention that despite the barrage of talk about STEM, we as a state and nation downplay, and even seem impatient with, basic science and research.

Let me illustrate both by looking at the most significant scientific achievement of the last decade. Last year, on September 14, 2015, a two-and-half-mile track in Livingston, Louisiana, 15 miles west of Baton Rouge, shrank by about the width of a proton. The same thing happened at an identical track in Hanford, Washington, about 175 miles southeast of Seattle. Both tracks bounced back. Three months later, on December 26, the same thing happened.

It was not just the tracks that contracted and expanded in one direction. So did the earth, the sun and our solar system. Some areas of our galaxy experienced the waves 70,000 years ago. Other areas will not experience it for 100,000 more years.

Those oscillations were the first time that gravitational waves had been observed. The first was due to the merger, in a galaxy far away and over a billion years ago, of two orbiting black holes, each 15 times more massive than our sun. The second was also due to the merger of two black holes: one 14 times the mass of the sun, the other 7.5 times.
The existence of such waves had been predicted as a simple of consequence of Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity, 100 ago in November 1915. We know the origin of these waves because a few mathematicians (mostly in Europe) managed to solve the Einstein equations for merging black holes.

These announcements in February of this year sent a ripple of excitement through the scientific community. With good reason—these discoveries have deep consequences and have opened up a whole new era of physics and astronomical observation. Sixty-five international conferences on results in general relativity were held in 2016. But even though the observations had been made in the US, only six of the conferences were in the United States. Organizing an international conference in some areas of physics is a fools’ errand. It is too difficult to get visas for leading researchers to visit.

A Floridian student who wanted to learn something about general relativity (which is central to modern physics) would have been out of luck. Apart from a single course at New College, there were no courses on general relativity offered anywhere on the west coast of Florida, even in Tampa. Nothing for 4 million people.

If we shut ourselves off from the world and fail to invest in educating the next generation, we can wring our hands all we want about barriers to monetizing research and packaging creativity: there will be no research to exploit and nothing on which to exercise creativity. No there there. Just more bloviation on a grand scale.

Donal O’Shea is president of New College of Florida. 



[SCOOP ]  High Flying Holidays

This holiday season, give the gift of the circus as the Sailor Circus presents High Flying Holidays, a seasonal celebration for the whole family, running from December 26–29. Through the eyes of children, this all new performance highlights holidays from around the world, from the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving to International delights like Chinese New Year and Cinco de Mayo. Over 100 students ages 8-18 will dazzle and astound audiences as they perform a wide variety of acts, making this the must­–see family event of the season. Featured performances include aerial silks, Spanish web, unicycle, juggling, high wire, flying trapeze and much more, all in the iconic Sailor Circus Arena. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. 

Circus Arts Conservatory

[SCOOP ]  Adopt an Animal

Give your favorite animal lover the chance to support sea turtles, otters, manatees, sharks or other resident animals at Mote Aquarium. For $30, you can adopt an animal in your loved one’s name and give them a downloadable adoption certificate, a letter from the animal’s caregiver and a photo as special thanks from Mote. For $100, your loved one will receive a personalized adoption certificate, a letter from the animal’s caregiver, the animal’s photo and fact sheet, an Adopt and Animal window cling and a plush toy. All proceeds directly benefit Mote Aquarium and its resident animals. 

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium

[KUDOS ]  Hula for Heroes

The recent Hula for Heroes event benefited local veterans groups, including Goodwill Manasota’s Veterans Services Program. Through the Veterans Services Program, Goodwill Manasota helps returning servicemen and women reintegrate back into their families, communities and jobs. The tropical themed event featured performances by authentic Polynesian dancers and musicians and a complete five-course luau featuring an on-site pig roast. “Goodwill Manasota was honored to participate in the Hula for Heroes event with a valued community partner like A Perfect Event SRQ,” said Goodwill Manasota president and CEO Bob Rosinsky. “We work hard to provide much-needed programs and services for our returning heroes, who face many challenges upon their return home. We thank the community for coming out to enjoy this evening of entertainment benefiting veterans and letting them know we appreciate all they have done and continue to do for us.”  

Goodwill Manasota

[SCOOP ]  SMH Break-Through Treatment for Peripheral Artery Disease

Sarasota Memorial Hospital is the first hospital on Florida’s Gulf Coast and among the first in the nation to offer a break–through treatment for peripheral artery disease (PAD). Avinger’s Pantheris Lumivascular atherectomy system is an image-guided therapy that allows physicians, for the first time, to see and remove plaque simultaneously during atherectomy, a minimally invasive procedure used for years to cut plaque away from the artery and restore blood flow. In the past, physicians had to rely solely on X-ray as well as touch and feel to guide their tools while treating the complicated arterial disease. The Pantheris device has a small camera on the tip of the catheter, which enables doctors to see inside the artery as they shave and clean away the plaque. Recently approved by the FDA, the device minimizes risk of damage to the artery walls, and fundamentally alters how physicians can treat PAD.   

Sarasota Memorial Healthcare

[KUDOS ]  Expansion of Booker High College & Career Center

The Education Foundation of Sarasota County was the recipient of $60,000 in leveraged grants made possible through a partnership between Gulf Coast Community Foundation and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. These funds will be used to expand the College and Career Center at Booker High School, a program developed to provide students and their parents with free services to assist with planning for education beyond high school, including: SAT/ ACT testing preparation, resume and essay writing, college research and completing college applications and identifying scholarships and financial aid. The Education Foundation recognizes that schools, students, and families need additional support to create and sustain the skills necessary for life after high school graduation.  

Education Foundation of Sarasota County

[SCOOP ]  Thought Leadership

The Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association, (CWC-FPRA) is hosting “Building and Sustaining a Thought Leadership Platform”, a presentation by Joseph S. Grano, Jr, president and founder of Next-Mark, LLC. Grano will discuss thought leadership as a sustainable communications platform. With more than 25 years of comprehensive marketing, business development and public relations experience, Grano has held key executive management positions in healthcare, technology and financial services. The event will be held on January 18 at The Francis. Tickets, which include a buffet lunch, are $25 for FPRA members and $35 for guests.   

Florida Public Relations Association

[SCOOP ]  PMP Winter Residency Program

The Perlman Music Program (PMP) returns to the Suncoast on December 22 through January 7 for a 17–day intensive Winter Residency led by founder Toby Perlman, acclaimed violinist, conductor Itzhak Perlman and a world–renowned faculty. Presented by The Perlman Music Program Suncoast, the annual Winter Residency provides valuable mentoring and performance opportunities for young, international string musicians ages 12-22+ and provides a unique opportunity for audiences to experience the magic of musical mentoring. More than 20 musical events, including orchestra and chorus rehearsals, master classes and works-in-progress student recitals will be held in a heated performance tent located in the courtyard at USF Sarasota-Manatee. All events are free to attend.  

Perlman Music Program

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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