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SRQ DAILY May 22, 2021

"Many of us who lead organizations have found ourselves leveraging both types of creative processes to get through the pandemic. "

- Dr. Larry Thompson, Ringling College of Art & Design
 

[Under The Hood]  Voters Know More Than You Think
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

More likely than not, voters in Sarasota County will soon vote again on the principle of single-member districts. Perhaps they should be happy county officials let an entire election cycle pass by before trying to reverse the will of voters— though they notably along the way showed the worst way the process could be corrupted.

The rationale for putting this measure up again will be that voters simply did not understand how single-member representation works. That’s the argument made by members of the County Commission and by the Charter Review Board. Always, this comes with anecdotal evidence that people ended up receiving their ballot at a later point and were shocked not to see every county commission race on the ballot.

Of course, from decades covering elections, I assure you there’s always people confused by something with the ballot. They see television ads for a House District race then realize they live in a separate jurisdiction. Sometimes voters don’t realize what county they live in until a sample ballot arrives, or that they live outside the limits of the city where they work and shop each day. But once it’s explained, people do in fact understand jurisdictions exist. They may wish they could vote on who their U.S. senator is every year, but understand they cannot.

There’s far more complicated issues, ones where ballot language certainly seemed more tricky, that have passed and stood up in court. And unlike a range of issues in Florida’s constitution from pig coop regulations to marijuana policy to whether Florida needs a high-speed train from Tampa to Daytona, the fundamentals of how county commissioners are elected and who they represent belong in the county charter.

I don’t know if voters will register a different opinion on single-member districts if the question gets posed a second time. It happened in Florida with high-speed rail. Indeed, it’s happened in Sarasota with this issue before. But I suspect since nearly 60% of voters in 2018 supported the change, it’s favored to pass.

Frankly, there’s not much reason for voters to change their mind. Both those who favored and those who disliked the measure the last time around hoped or feared this would fundamentally remake the commission. At least for now, that just hasn’t happened. The only county incumbents on the ballot were reelected in 2020. Term limits forced the only change, with Ron Cutsinger succeeding Charles Hines because a different charter amendment prevented Hines from running again.

The only fresh argument to be made against single-member districts would be the funny business county commissioners employed to undermine the measure. Redistricting two years early showed any incumbent worried about their electoral prospects, as County Commissioner Mike Moran had every reason to be, can simply vote for new lines and pick their voters. In that case, black neighborhoods were redrawn into a county commission seat not up for reelection. Once census numbers come in, expect them to be drawn right back into County Commission District 1.

Which gets to the bottom line here. Sarasota County simply hasn’t properly tried single-member voting out for size. With redistricting inevitable again this year, voters arguably won’t get the chance to elect commissioners without incumbent interference until 2024.

Maybe the charter amendment voters need to advance before then is one that denies county commissioners the chance to undermine democracy so thoroughly. Make district lines untouchable except during Census years. Then voters can send a clear message on representation.

And maybe it will be one commissioners can understand. 

Image from Pixabay

[Higher Education]  Creativity in a Post-COVID World
Dr. Larry Thompson, lthompso@ringling.edu

The last 18 months have challenged us like nothing before in our lifetimes. Creativity and innovation are often the outcome of adversity – they get leveraged heavily to help us solve our most challenging problems. There is a reason we say, “Necessity is the mother of all invention.” We have so much evidence to support this statement over the course of the pandemic. As I’ve written over these last months, we have seen healthcare, government, education, philanthropy, art and culture, and nearly every sector find creative ways to meet the needs presented by living and working in a physically distanced world.

Now, with just over half of the adult population in the United States having received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine, it seems we are at a place to really focus on shaping what our lives and communities will look like post-COVID. Will we seek a return to what was? Or, will we embrace the innovative spirit that has caused us to imagine and create something different?

Consider innovation for a moment. Traditionally, we think about innovation as identifying a problem and figuring out a new approach to solve it. We get smart, experienced, creative people in a room and brainstorm ideas for solving a problem. Sometimes we use the resources currently at our disposal, and sometimes we invest in or create a new product or service to meet the need. We’ve seen a lot of this kind of traditional innovation throughout the pandemic – clothing companies making face masks, healthcare providers leveraging or investing in telehealth technologies, and applying Zoom to far more activities than we had ever imagined or wanted, for example.

But, what if we were to think about innovation and creativity in reverse? What if we were to start with a potential solution, not a problem, and then figure out how the solution could be used to address any number of problems that exist? Johnathan Cromwell, assistant professor in the Department of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Strategy and International Business at the University of San Francisco, and Blade Kotelly, an innovation consultant and senior lecturer at MIT and instructor for MIT Professional Education refer to this thinking as emergent innovation.  And, according to them, it creates the capacity for amazing opportunities to solve problems you never imagined you could, or would.

Let me give you an example. Dyson, long known for its being innovative, has been doing this kind of innovation for a long time. It started with its vacuum technology and asked the question: What else can we do with this? From that curiosity came hair dryers, hand sanitizers, and air purifiers. In the context of the pandemic, Dyson realized its vacuum technology could also be used for ventilators, which were in extremely high demand, especially early on.  

Many of us who lead organizations have found ourselves leveraging both types of creative processes to get through the pandemic. However, I feel that what’s really needed moving forward is to more fully embrace the notion of emergent innovation. We can take all those creative solutions we used to move successfully through the pandemic and figure out what other problems they could help solve. For example, we put concerts, art exhibits, medicine, government, and education, among others, online to protect society. But, maybe that innovation can solve the problem of bringing those experiences and services to people who are house-bound or of limited mobility.

As you determine what normal looks like for you or your organization moving out of the pandemic, I strongly encourage all of us to embrace our creativity. Embrace it not only to find innovative solutions to identified problems, but also to use those innovative solutions to address problems you hadn’t intended to solve.

Creativity and innovation of any kind involve risk. It requires comfort with ambiguity, as outcomes cannot be guaranteed. Failure is always a real possibility. And that is not comfortable. But, when it comes to creativity, failure is a welcome outcome, because out of failure come new ideas. There is a reason that CEOs consistently list creativity as one of the top skills needed for success in the future. People who are creative can solve problems. They know how to take risks. And, they understand that failure is simply a step in the process, not the end of it. And those are the kinds of people needed to lead and to shape our post-COVID world. After all, that post-COVID world is still evolving, and it will be very different from what it was eighteen months ago.

Dr. Larry Thompson is president of Ringling College of Art & Design. 



[SOON]  FOOD: Kitchen Takeover with Hobson's Choice BBQ , May 23, 5:45pm-9:45pm

Chef Kevin Hobson and his team will be taking over the kitchen at 99 Bottles for the night on May 23 from 5:45pm to 9:45pm. Hobson's Choice BBQ, doing what they do best - beef brisket, pulled pork, smoked brats, and more. Bring a friend, Come hungry. During a kitchen takeover event, the guest chef's menu is the only food that is being served. Everything is available a la carte. No reservations. seating is available on a first come, first served basis.

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Pups at Premier , June 5, 9am-12pm

Finally, an event truly designed for your dog. Join us on June 5 from 9am to 12pm for the first ever, Pups at Premier event in Lakewood Ranch. Come for fun, or to compete and try your pup’s paw at winning amazing prizes or raffles. Meet local rescue pups and shop at vendors catering to your pup’s needs and wants. There will be splash pools and an agility course – and so much more. And come hungry – we are bringing the best food trucks for you and your pup. Event entry is just $10 per vehicle. Pre-registration is not required but encouraged. Sponsored by Bayside Pet Resort. Main Stage Activities: Running of the Pups: Is your little pup the fastest of them all? Will they bee-line to the finish line? Low Rider Dachshund Rescue of Florida is hosting Lakewood Ranch’s first ever Running of the Pups. Pups must be under 20 pounds to compete. Doggie/Owner Ice Cream Eating Contest: You and your pup will team up against other owners and their pups in this fun ice cream eating contest! Ice cream donated by JB's Doggie Delights of South Florida. "Beauty and the Leash" Dog Pageant: Dress your pups up to compete for the title of Best Matching Owner/Pup, Best Florida Themed Pup, Overall Most Creative Costume. Prizes will be award to winners from each Main Stage category: a blue ribbon, bragging rights and a $25 value gift basket. There will also be a variety of super fun, pay-and-play as you go carnival-style activities. Carnival activities include: Bobbin’ for Bacon, Egg-on-a-Spoon-on-a-Leash Race, Longest Tail Waggin’, Best Pooch Smooch, Diggin in the Boneyard, Doggie Caricature Artist, Pawdicures, Splash Pools, Agility Course, and more. Come hungry. Food trucks for dogs and humans: Mouthole BBQ, Willy-Yums Hot Dogs, Big Blue Grilled Cheese, and The Carousels Icery.

[SOON]  BUSINESS: Sassy Sisters Monthly Happy Hour Social , May 25, 5:30pm-7:30pm

Join us on May 25 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at 6727 S Tamiami Trail and meet some new Sassy Sisters. If you are looking to amp up your networking then join us for this fun networking event. We are an informal group of sassy ( bold, lively, spirited, jaunty), savvy and successful women who are committed to building relationships, growing their businesses and helping others do the same. What better way to relax and catch up on each others joys and struggles than by kicking back and sharing a glass of wine at the end of the work day? Come laugh with us and meet a group of FUN, sharp and lively professional women. You might just meet your new best friend. Admission is FREE for members and $10 for guests (check or cash please).

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Big Cat Habitat: Liger Luau , June 12, 5:30pm-8:30pm

Join us on Saturday, June 12 from 5:30pm to 8:30pm for some summer fun at a luau style evening including special animal guests, Hawaiian inspired cuisine and wild entertainment. We are excited to host the Liger Luau, as the fourth event in our Sunset Safari Feast series! Enjoy the animals like never before in an evening setting. What To Expect: Special Animal Guests, Live Music, Hawaiian Inspired Cusine Buffet by Chef Jarek Dymek, Wild Entertainment, Beer/Win Bar, Silent Auction, Raffles & Games, And More. Tickets include admission, buffet meal, non-alcoholic beverages, special animal guests, entertainment and games. Tickets are $50 - $75.

[SOON]  BUSINESS: Sip & Strut Fashion Show , May 22, 11am-2pm

The Sip & Strut Fashion Show will take place on Saturday, May 22 from 11am to 2pm (fashion show starting at 1pm). Standard Admission is $15. VIP Admission is $40 (includes access to VIP lounge, 2 free drinks, a bag of goodies to take home, priority seating at the fashion show, and 20% off your Fixxation Boutique purchases). The Sip & Strut Fashion Show is a fun event for women of all ages who enjoy glamour, networking, and of course champagne. We will have a reserved area for our VIP guest which will feature craft cocktails, yummy bites, and a swag bag. Fixxation Boutique, Modern Soul Boutique, Blend Fashion House, Motel Therapy, Ivy Style Lounge, Mer Soeur Swim, Jennifer Matteo Event Planning, A Shore Thing Events, Sweet B’s Floral Truck, Braid Bar by Sammi K, Body Jewelry by Amanda W, and Deck’s Plate (vegan food) are involved. From Monday, May 10 to Sunday, May 16 guests can use code STAYFIXXATED for $10 off their VIP ticket purchases.

[SOON]  SCIENCE AND NATURE: Virtual: The Bishop: May KidSpace , May 22, 10:30am-11:30am

We unleash the awesome power of The Planetarium during KidSpace, where kids can become scientific masters of the universe. Join us on Saturday, May 22 from 10:30am to 11:30am as we take off from the Earth’s surface and fly to places humans have never been: the Sun, planets, other moons in our solar system, newly discovered solar systems in our galaxy and beyond. KidSpace is designed for grades 1-5 and their grown-ups, but everyone is welcome. Please note this program will be hosted via Zoom. Registration confirmation with Zoom meeting details will be sent to the email address provided at check out.

[SOON]  HEALTH: Olala Events: Girls Night Out x Paint, Nail Bar , May 22, 5:30pm-8:30pm

It's time to treat yourself. Come and mingle with us at Paint Nail studio on May 22 from 5:30pm to 8:30pm at PAINT, Nail Bar, 1417 1st Street, Sarasota for the last Olala Events of the season. Your favorite vendors will be here, Botox demonstration, Eyebrow shaping, floral arrangements and more. Come, Relax and Sip a flute of Champagne while taking care of yourself. Go home with your own made Floral Arrangement. Erika from the Roaming Petal will give you the best tips to make yourself a beautiful bouquet. Do not wait places are really limited.

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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