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SRQ DAILY Mar 6, 2017

Monday Business Edition

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Monday Business Edition

"There is an executive nine-hole course that will not have 50 rounds on a perfect day like today."

- Matt Sperling, Sarasota City Commission candidate
 

[Politics]  Sperling Fired Up in City Race
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Editor's Note: This is the last in an eight-part weekly series profiling candidates for Sarasota City Commission.  

Perhaps no candidate running for Sarasota City Commission embodies the frustration of Matt Sperling, a retired Raymond James and Associates investment broker whose family has long-time roots in the city. He hates the burdens put on the city, and expresses extreme distaste with how City Hall has responded. At the start of his campaign, he quoted Network’s Howard Beale, saying he was mad at city leadership and he wasn’t going to take it anymore. Closer to election day, he’s been frustrated with media coverage, now asking interviews be done by email.

And if there’s frustration mixed into his message, it’s not because a lack of commitment to this community. The 59-year-old grew up hear, attending Southside Elementary and graduating from Sarasota High before going to Florida State to earn an economics degree and coming back to raise his kids here; both 28-year-old Ryan and 24-year-old Lauren were born at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Before retiring, he was a senior vice president of investments at Raymond James and Associates, specializing in municipal debt obligations.

Sperling, one of eight candidates seeking two at-large seats on the commission, envisions Bobby Jones Golf Club being transformed into affordable, walkable housing. “There is an executive nine-hole course that will not have 50 rounds on a perfect day like today,” he writes. “It is owned by the city. It is very close to railroad tracks which go from Payne Park past Robarts. Golf is even a worse business than newspapers.” So he would like the city to lease the land to a housing trust. Using no government capital, he says a housing issue could be tackled and free bus service could be provided to the hospital and downtown every five minutes. He also foresees creating a commuter bike trail and requiring just 1,000 parking spaces for 2,000 apartment units, discouraging reliance on cars.

Regardless of the homeless situation, Sperling remains frustrated the city has shouldered so much of a regional burden. “The City has allowed Resurrection House and 10th Street Salvation Army to operate non conforming to zoning laws under a special exception granted by the City Commission 24 years ago on a 3-2 vote,” he writes. “The exception is timed out after a year and the Sarasota County Commission and the cities of Longboat Key Venice and North Port will no doubt welcome these great organizations to do their work in their backyard.”

He sees ways to scale back certain city services (he suggests eliminating city departments as fast as possible) and sell off certain city assets at City Hall (Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota Auditorium, G. Wiz., et cetera) while hiring more police officers. “After the Water and Sewer Department, Planning, Inspection, sale of all city-owned properties to finally pay off $320-million pension deficit,” he says, “the police force will employ 75 percent of city employees vs. about 30 percent now.” 

A city-wide election is scheduled for March 14, with a runoff likely on May 9. Other candidates include: Tahiti Park neighborhood leader Jennifer Ahern-Koch; former Sarasota Mayor Fredd “Glossie” Atkins; former prosecutor Hagen Brody; incumbent City Commissioner Susan Chapman; Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association president Patrick Gannon; Gulf Business Systems owner Martin Hyde; and pedestrian safety advocate Mikael Sandstrom. 

[Synergy]  Williams Parker Publishes "Requisite VIII"

Williams Parker recently published its eighth edition of Requisite, the firm’s thought-leadership publication offering insights on legal issues. The current edition focuses on various issues and challenges encountered by business owners and senior executives within the private sector, including large nonprofit organizations, in managing their businesses and the associated risks, and includes an interview with the former CEO of The Walt Disney Company and of Paramount Pictures, Michael D. Eisner, in which he reflects on his global entertainment industry career. The publication also includes articles that explore board relations and responsibilities, protecting valuable business information and relationships, beneficiary designations, employee equity provisions, equity incentive compensation for management, and executive employment agreements and compensation plans. 

http://williamsparker.com/

[Synergy]  createSRQ Raises $200,000 for Education Foundation

The Education Foundation of Sarasota County hosted the createSRQ Gala Celebration February 26 at Michael’s on the Bay at Selby Botanical Gardens, raising more than $200,000 to support its mission and education initiatives including academics, arts, college and career readiness and technology and innovation. The signature fundraising event for the organization was known as Evening of Excellence for 21 years but was re-branded in 2017 as CreateSRQ to highlight the exciting changes made to the student art competition, auction format and event location.  

Education Foundation of Sarasota County

[Recognition]  ArtisTree Earns Three Awards at Parade of Homes

ArtisTree Landscape Maintenance & Design has garnered three awards recognizing excellence in landscaping at the annual Parade of Homes awards dinner hosted by the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association.  ArtisTree won “Best Landscaping/Curb Appeal” in three of the four categories it entered featuring landscape design for Lee Wetherington Homes, John Cannon Homes and Arthur Rutenberg/Nelson Homes. Founded in 1990, ArtisTree Landscape Maintenance & Design specializes in planned community/commercial maintenance and landscape design/installation.  Services include community maintenance, pest control, irrigation, tree service, landscape design and installation, hardscape installation and landscape lighting.  ArtisTree is a privately held, nationally ranked company serving Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties. 

ArtisTree Landscape Maintenance and Design



[TODAY]  SPORTS: Archie Griffin Celebrity Golf Classic , March 6 – March 7, 12:00pm-9:00pm 8:00am-5pm

Golf and mingle with two–time Heisman Trophy winner, Archie Griffin and a star–studded field of celebrity friends at the Archie Griffin Celebrity Golf Classic on March 6 and 7 at The Concession Golf Club. All proceeds will benefit The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County.

The Concession Golf Club, 7700 Lindrick Ln. Bradenton, FL 34202

[SOON]  THEATER: God of Carnage , March 8 – March 19

A playground altercation between 11-year-old boys bring together two sets of Brooklyn parents for a meeting to resolve the matter. Directed by Elliott Raines, tickets are $18. 

The Players Centre for Performing Arts, 838 N Tamiami Trail

[SOON]  THEATER: God of Carnage , March 8 – March 19

Directed by Elliot Raines This play focuses on a playground altercation between 11-year-old boys who bring together two sets of Brooklyn parents for a meeting to resolve the matter. At first, diplomatic niceties are observed, but as the meeting progresses, and the rum flows, tensions emerge and the gloves come off, leaving the couples with more than just their liberal principles in tatters. Single tickets are $18 per person. For more information and to purchase tickets please visit http://www.theplayers.org/shows/backstage-at-the-players/G

The Players Theatre of Sarasota, 838 N. Tamiami Trl., Sarasota

[SOON]  GALLERY: The "Light Chasers" - Plein Air Painters of the Suncoast , March 8, 9-11am

100 talented artists will be setting up their easels at the Farm House Market. Follow the red balloons and watch their works on canvas turn into masterpieces, which will be judged and awarded. Each painting will be available for purchase. 

Phillippi Estate Park, 5500 S. Tamiami Trl., Sarasota

[SOON]  BUSINESS: Modern Home Magazine Symposium , March 9, 5:30pm-7:30pm

Join SRQ MEDIA for the Modern Home Magazine Symposium on Thursday, March 9 from 5:30-7:30pm at SRQ Studios. Hear about the inspiration behind some of Sarasota's most iconic home designs.

$5 cover includes one glass of wine or beer and light bites. Please RSVP to rsvp@srqme.com.

SRQ Studios , 331 S Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236

[SOON]  THEATER: LipSchtick: One is a crowd , March 10, 7:30pm

LipSchtick is a one-man quick-change show, in which David Scarbie Mitchell evolves through seven characters and eleven costume changes without EVER leaving the stage. The audience sees the whole process, which is fast-paced, set to music and sometimes hysterically “out of control. For more information and to purchase tickets please visit http://www.theplayers.org/shows/snap/

The Players Theatre of Sarasota, 838 N. Tamiami Trl., Sarasota

[SOON]  MUSIC: Vibes and Voices with La Lucha , March 11, 8pm

Vocalist/Poet Ingrid Sertso and Karl Berger, vibraphone/piano will entertain with songs and poetry by Bob Dylan, Sonny Rollins, Ornette Coleman, Don Cherry, Kahlil Gibran, and originals. Known as the co-founders of the legendary Creative Music Studio (www.creativemusic.org), Ingrid and Karl are internationally active, award-winning performers.  Post-Bop, some might call it experimental or free jazz. Tampa's La Lucha fills out the orchestration.

Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota

[SOON]  GALA: Cat Depot Gala: Stop in the Name of Love , March 11, 6:30pm-10:30pm

Don’t miss an evening of Motown and soul at Cat Depot’s 2017 Gala: Stop in the Name of Love on March 11 at the Hyatt Regency. Enjoy an evening of dinner, dancing, silent auctions and a premium raffle. Entertainment will be provided by M-Town Connection: The Motown Review. 

The Hyatt Regency Sarasota, 1000 Blvd. of the Arts Sarasota, Florida 34236

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: 130 Years of Architecture Laurel Park with John McCarthy , March 11, 9-11am

Back by popular demand, this tour will re-visit the theme of CFAS’s first walking tour in 2015. Right in CFAS’ back yard, the Laurel Park neighborhood preserves over 130 years of architectural history, providing a fantastic opportunity to learn about a wide variety of architectural styles while strolling through one of downtown Sarasota’s most attractive neighborhoods. Space is limited, please register online at http://cfasrq.org/events/calendar/

Center for Architecture , 265 S. Orange Ave., Sarasota

[SOON]  SEMINAR: Stolen Legacy: Theft and the Quest for Justice , March 14, 7pm

How can we seek justice for Holocaust victims whose property was taken and lives were torn apart? In her new book, former BBC investigative journalist Dina Gold describes the Nazi seizure of her family’s stately six-story building and her extensive battle to reclaim it and rebuild their legacy. Join Gold and other guest speakers to learn about the ongoing challenges of restitution and the Museum’s resources that individuals like Gold have used to research the fate of family members and that others have used to build legal cases, including the Holocaust Survivors and Victims Database and the International Tracing Service archive. Register online or contact Museum Southeast@ushmm.org https://www.ushmm.org/online/calendar/eventDetails.php?event=SETLLSARASOTA0317

Temple Beth Sholom

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: New Stages , March 16 – March 19

With the Historic Asolo Theater under renovation Ringling’s New Stages is a work of art that promises to transform your role as a spectator into an active participant through alternate venues. Join Ringling on March 16-19 for Experiment #42.000 by the Institute for Psychogeographic Adventure. By yourself or in the company of a friend, you will be led through a series of performance encounters ranging from the intimate to the spectator. Each, an elaborate experiment that will uncover the psychogeographic qualities of The Ringling galleries and gardens. 

The Ringling , 5401 Bay Shore Rd. Sarasota, FL 34243

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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