A straw poll that some candidates had hoped would provide a boost in the middle of campaign season will likely never see the light of day. But party leaders now hope to move forward and explore ways to improve the security of the informal election two years from now.

The Republican Party of Sarasota on Saturday hosted its Primary Election Grassroots Straw Poll at Robarts Arena, which attracted every major Republican candidate for statewide office this year. In addition, candidates for local office down to the Charter Review Committee gave speeches to the 1,200 people gathered at the rally. Joe Gruters, chairman of the Republican Party of Sarasota, says the event serves as a chance for the party to energize the base and get individual volunteers engaged. “We want to put people to work in our four offices in the county," he says.

But irregularities involving supporters of candidates in the governor’s race ultimately tainted the straw poll itself. Witnesses told the campaign for Adam Putnam that supporters of his primary opponent Ron DeSantis had gotten ballots out of turn and turned them in. Elizabeth Cuevas-Neunder, a supporter of DeSantis and member of the Republican Executive Committee said she got votes and handed them to people who she was sitting with, but said she did not vote more than once.

“This was a very poorly organized event,” says Cuevas-Neunder, who says she does not want her name besmirched by the incident. She is still demanding that the party release the results of the straw poll.

In addition to the ballot accusation, party leaders say a number of non-Republicans likely voted. A speech by Gov. Rick Scott, who is running for U.S. Senate this year, was disrupted by protesters at the event, and party officials say many ballots appear to have been filled out by those individuals.

Ballots this year were distributed when people got in line for free slices of pie. 

While the straw poll is informal and has no bearing on the actual Aug. 28 primary, it can be read as indicator of grassroots support for candidates, and campaigns often publicize when they win. But that won’t happen this year. “Decision made, let's move forward,” says Christian Ziegler, a county commission candidate and state committeeman for the party. “Just a fun straw poll that some take too seriously when we have much more important things to be doing.”

Gruters says he still considered the event a success, as candidates mingled with voters in a personal setting. “There is nothing like a live, in-person event to press the flesh and meet voters in person,” he says. 

Pickling your fancy are three lifelong friends who creatively joined forces to start a pickle company that represents their easy-going vibe and lifestyle. The fermented buddies grew up together in Sarasota, attending high school and venturing up to University of South Florida as a unit, and eventually planting roots close-by in Tampa. “We all have a passion for food, restaurants, cooking and entertainment. One day lunching out in Tampa together we scored a great burger, but were saddened to see the limp pickle accompanying it on the plate,” describes part owner James Dauenheimer. “We realized there was a need for a great pickle—perhaps we could fix that problem.” James compiled research and came up with the first batch of brined gourds to test and taste, “We tried them and agreed too much of this/not enough of this—but the crunch was amazing and we can work with that.” After much feedback from friends and local chefs, the team came up with some stellar pickles. “We were in love at first bite,” James jokes. 

Starting out in a rental kitchen five years ago, the artisan pickles soaked up all the vinegar it could salvage, before growing out of that space to fully operate out of custom-built and owned kitchen in the USF area. “We rely on our amazing team to help crank out our pickles and make sure that every jar is up to our high standards,” says James. These deliciously soaked cucumbers are made weekly with all-natural spices and herbs, so you will get that “fresh to mouth snap”. With absolutely no preservatives to be found on the ingredients label, and so many robust flavors to choose from, you’ll be hardened to go back to mainstream Kosher Dill Spears. “The godfather of it all is our Totally Original “OG” Pickles. These guys are our take on the classic dill, but they burst with flavor, crispiness and freshness,” James notes. Other top sellers include the Gnarly Garlic bites, boasting bountiful scoops of minced garlic cloves to ward away nearby vamps. The Seriously Spicy are a favorite, chock full of jalapenos and habaneros to kick your sandwich up a few notches. The Freedom Chips come in thick slices, perfect for any burger or Cuban to come alive. And the newest addition, Simply Sweet Pickles satisfy sweet tooths sans the high fructose or corn syrup. Get your saucy hands into other jarred selections like Kickin’ Carrots, Blazin’ Beans and Awesome Asparagus too, and for the real daredevil appetite—fork out a Ghost Pepper Garlic Pickle.  

The three amigos have teamed up with Troyer’s of South Florida to distribute all over Florida, including an impressive concentration of locally-owned businesses here in Sarasota, such as Lucky’s Market, Detwiler’s, Morton’s Siesta Market, The Butcher Block, Yoder’s Produce Market, Southern Steer Butcher and Geiers Sausage Kitchen, with many more to come. “If you have not tried these yet, you will not be disappointed. If you're not a pickle lover, try them because this is not a pickle—it's a Chill Dill.” 

Photo provided by The Chill Dill with logo by local Sarasota artist M47 Design.

The Chill Dill

Allegiant Private Advisors, an independent firm in Sarasota, has announced that its chief investment officer Benjamin W. Jones, CFP, AIF, has been named to the Forbes’ Top 1,000 Next-Generation Wealth Advisors list for 2018. Jones has been managing assets for private individuals, families, and charitable organizations for more than a decade. As a principal and chief investment officer of Allegiant Private Advisors, he leads the firm’s Investment Committee. Jones is responsible for establishing the firm’s overall investment strategy, security selection, portfolio management, and oversees research activities. Jones joined the Allegiant Private Advisors in 2005, and has been active in the community through local nonprofit organizations and professional associations including the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, Young Leaders Alliance, the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and Forty Carrots Family Center.

William Mehserle of Pinkerton Harkins & Mehserle Private Wealth has also been named to the Forbes Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors list. At 30 years old, Mehserle has been a Pinkerton team member since 2013 and a partner in Pinkerton Private Wealth since 2016. He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical and biomolecular engineering from Georgia Tech University and has a certificate in financial planning from Emory University.

The 2018 ranking of Forbes’ Top 1,000 Next-Generation Wealth Advisors recognizes advisors born in 1980 or later with a minimum of four years of experience. Advisors were rated based on a proprietary algorithm of qualitative and quantitative criteria: assets under management, revenues generated for their firms, client retention, industry experience, credentials and compliance records. SHOOK Research also employs an opinion-based weighting system that prioritizes its preferred “best practices,” which include business models, activities, processes and structure. Overall, 5,832 advisors were considered, and 1,000 (17 percent of candidates) were recognized. 

Forbes' 2018 Top 1,000 Next-Generation Wealth Advisors

Starting August 1st, two foundations have pledged to match all donations made to Girls Inc., dollar for dollar, up to $100,000 through the month of August. With the support of these two foundations, the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation and another anonymous foundation partner, Girls Inc. will continue its mission to serve girls who need them the most at its center on South Tuttle Avenue and further program expansion directly into area schools with a focus on south Sarasota. By expanding their outreach, more girls will have access to the Girls Inc. experience and receive critical, life-changing skills. Girls Inc. strives to provide an atmosphere where each girl can grow and thrive in a supportive environment. Multiple programs and services ensure that girls are exposed to activities and ideas that instill hope, inner awareness, and strength. Their mission is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Girls Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Girls Inc. fulfills its mission of empowering girls ages five and up to be self-confident, responsible, and well-rounded individuals by delivering research-based, age-appropriate, after-school and summer educational and sports programs designed specifically for girls. 

Girls Inc.