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SRQ DAILY Mar 23, 2024

Saturday Perspectives Edition

Saturday Perspectives Edition

"I'm just honored to be considered for this position."

- Tommy Gregory, State Rep, R-Lakewood Ranch.
 

[Under The Hood]  The Lawmaker to College President Pipeline
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Some college president searches bring extraordinary attention (think New College of Florida). Others receive almost no attention. The search for Carol Probstfeld’s successor as president at State College of Florida, Sarasota-Manatee definitely falls into the latter. But a development this week could change that. 

The college announced three finalists for SCF’s next president, including state Rep. Tommy Gregory, R-Lakewood Ranch. It’s in some senses an unconventional choice, and in another way exactly what we’ve come to expect in the Sunshine State.

Now, there’s two more standard choices: Martyn Clay, Hillsborough Community College’s Plant City campus president, and Anthony Iacono, president of New Jersey-based County College of Morris. Both have experience working the community college system in Florida or in other states. 

Speaking to Gregory, he made clear he takes the competition seriously. He also dismisses any idea his political connections played a role in making the finalist list. “I think people would only have that criticism if they didn’t know everything in my background,” Gregory said.

Gregory publicized his 20-year military career during campaigns, but as he competes for a college administration job, he talked up the education aspect of his time on duty. Most relevant, he served as general counsel for the Air Mobility Warfare Center, an education institution in the armed forces. Gregory served as a course director or and was an instructor for seven other courses. He was also a JAG officer, and said that involved education the enlisted on a number of legal issues.

“I’m just honored to be considered for this position,” Gregory told me. “Serving as president of State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota is a very important role because of the service the college provides to community, both for students and as the economic engine of the community, to give a workforce and talent pipeline that businesses in Sarasota, Manatee and surrounding counties depend on.”

But one can’t quite shake the idea there’s more at play than a sudden interest by a lawmaker in becoming a college president, which takes us back to New College.

That presidential transition drew national attention for being so highly politicized. A new set of trustees appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis arrived and promptly fired President Patricia Okker. A lobbying firm signaled Richard Corcoran, a former Florida Education Commissioner and state House Speaker, would be interim president before Okker was even shown the door. Over coming months, the university went through every step in its formal search process in full public view, but it always felt Corcoran’s hire was a fait accompli.

A search that gained less attention happened at a South Florida State College, when a search with finalists in hand was effectively rebooted. As every prior finalist withdrew, the college dropped a requirement of a doctorate, then state Rep. Fred Hawkins, R-St. Cloud, was announced as the lone finalist for the job.

Such upheaval certainly hasn’t been part of the search at SCF. Probstfeld announced her retirement after more than a decade on the job. Gregory, for what it’s worth, has a juris doctorate. Gregory acknowledged being nominated for the job, but already had interest. He declined to say if anyone urged him to apply. 

Time will tell if he’s fast-tracked into the job. Of course, it’s not terrible to have a lawmaker as college president, or unprecedented. Probstfeld was preceded as SCF president by former state Rep. Lars Hefner. And Corcoran, while remaining controversial among students and faculty, has demonstrated the financial boon possible for an institution when a president has a deep understanding of the state appropriations process and rolodex of friends in Tallahassee.

We’ll see where the process goes from here. There’s undoubtedly been an effort in recent years to put conservative leaders in head roles in higher education. If Gregory lands this gig, he would qualify. From there, we’ll just have to see what happens next.

Jacob Ogles is contributing senior editor for SRQ MEDIA. 

Photo courtesy Florida House: State Rep. Tommy Gregory, R-Lakewood Ranch.

[Higher Education]  Where are the Men? A Look at the Higher Ed Gender Gap.
Dr. Larry Thompson, lthompso@ringling.edu

As an educator for many years, I believe that to be successful as an educational community, we must fully include as many diverse human experiences and identities as possible. Any incongruity in our demographics should be investigated as a potential breakdown of inclusion and addressed proactively and accordingly.

Gender inequality, for instance, has long been a major problem in many industries and, of course, historically, in educational settings. Often, these settings suffer from the under-inclusion of those who identify as women. However, there has been a unique shift in recent years—particularly in the realm of higher education. Currently, colleges and universities across the country are facing a major drop in enrollment and graduation rates… of men. 

According to a Pew Research report in December 2023, there are 1 million fewer American men ages 18 to 24 enrolled in college than there were in 2011 (compared to 200,000 fewer women in the same age range). The biggest decline has occurred in four-year colleges in the U.S., where young men now account for only 42% of enrollees, down from 47% in 2011.

At Ringling College of Art and Design, the widening gap is even more obvious: Nearly 75% of our current student population self-reported as female, compared to only a quarter as male. Twenty years ago at our school, and for decades before, those numbers were virtually reversed, and the men attending heavily outnumbered the women. To be clear, such a significant imbalance is a problem—no matter which way it skews.

It seems there are two primary issues at play in our current situation. One is that fewer men are following the traditional path of high school to higher education. And two, too many of those men who do enroll in four-year colleges still aren’t completing their degrees and graduating. But we don’t really know why.

We may never know for certain why these trends exist, and indeed there are likely many causes. Theories range from the economically positive (like the draw of career opportunities that aren’t directly tied to college education such as apprenticeship programs and trade schools) to the culturally problematic (like a rise in toxic masculinity and its aversion to education and emotional support).

Whatever the cause, we cannot simply lament these issues as “the way things are”—especially not when we, as a leading educational institution and community, are in a prime position to make a real difference. We need to address this gender discrepancy in college enrollment. And we must continue to support our male students throughout their educational journeys and their growth as human beings. Our opportunities shouldn’t just be open to men but should be equal; and the pursuit of higher education by men should be supported, encouraged and celebrated. This is especially true in the arts and other related fields. 

While ensuring that we embrace a broad range of students—including all genders, races and backgrounds—we must remain cognizant of workplace and industry inequality that still skews heavily in the other direction—in favor of men. Despite enrolling in and completing their degrees at a much higher rate, women who graduate from Ringling College and other four-year colleges still face career-long financial and leadership disadvantages in many industries. And this has to change. 

Neither of these issues is acceptable. We must take responsibility as leaders and as educators to do what we can to turn the tide and balance the scales.

Dr. Larry R. Thompson is President of Ringling College of Art and Design. 

Photo courtesy Ringling College: Ringling College students collaborate in the Alfred R. Goldstein Library..

[On Government]  North Port has Always Been Transparent
Jerome Fletcher

“Transparency” is government’s obligation to share information with citizens that is needed to make informed decisions and hold officials accountable for the conduct of the people’s business.

In the spirit of transparency, let’s make sure we give the readers of SRQ Daily the full truth and not just the version that fits a selective narrative. Claiming a government lacks transparency is an easy opportunity to build on people’s fear and mistrust. But just because you write it doesn’t make it true. 

In two separate guest columns in this publication, North Port has come under criticism from a member of the North Port Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors who is the executive director of a local nonprofit. In my 25 years of government experience, it’s highly unusual to be attacked online by a member of such groups, which we typically communicate with regularly to answer questions and share various partnerships.

North Port has been overly transparent the last few years. We hold multiple town halls during the budget process to share information and gain public feedback while creating our budget submissions to the City Commission. We travel the city on our North Port United Tour events, held in partnership with North Port Forward, which shares the same vision and purpose of ensuring government is communicating accurate information and holding itself accountable to residents. We don’t shy away from making ourselves available and accessible to anyone who seeks information from us or who wants to share ideas and feedback with us.

The latest accusation is that we are not being transparent about construction cost for a new North Port police station and how to pay for it. That’s simply not true. This project has been on our Capital Improvement Projects list for years and evolved over time. At one point, the CIP included a $50-million expansion of the existing station. However, last year a study by a firm that specializes in police headquarters advised it would be more cost effective to build a new station that will meet the future needs of the department and the city as we grow. The Commission agreed, and design planning began on a $100-million project that was included in this year’s budget as unfunded.

We are now in the process of trying to identify funding sources. Everything is on the table, including some combination of surtax dollars, selling City land, a millage increase and possible state and federal assistance through grants and appropriations.

That brings us to the writer’s criticism regarding surtax, or penny sales tax, funds. The Surtax IV extension approved by Sarasota County voters in 2022 includes certain parameters for how funds can be used; construction of a police headquarters certainly qualifies. My staff and I proposed we use $74 million of surtax funds ($50 million principal, $24 million interest) toward the police headquarters, even though it was not on the City’s original list of surtax projects, so we can lessen the potential increase needed to our millage rate.

We suggested the Commission move Phase 2 of the Price Boulevard Widening Project from the end of Surtax IV (in the years 2034-39) to the beginning of Surtax V in 2040 to free up available funds. It is true Surtax V has not yet been approved. But surtax extensions have been overwhelmingly supported by county voters since first approved 35 years ago. The extension in 2022 received 78% of the vote, the highest level for any tax measure in the state. There is no reason to believe 14 years from now it won’t be supported again.

Let’s be clear: We are talking about Phase 2 of Price widening, a long-term project not expected to begin for another decade. This is NOT Phase I, widening the stretch of Price between Sumter and Toledo Blade boulevards, which we all agree is much needed and has been delayed far too long. That project is now underway, with construction expected to begin this year. Unfortunately, the writer’s accusations misled many community members into thinking this critical project is being delayed.

Every municipality in Sarasota County has its own policy for rearranging, adding and subtracting projects from its surtax project list. I am certain this same process was followed when our critic was a county commissioner, yet she now finds it to be unacceptable. This is not anything new or unique to North Port. A City resolution states our commissioners “may alter or amend the project list in the event that the City Commission finds that such a change is in the public interest.”

We have an obligation to solve the problems of our residents and business community, and that is what we are attempting to do. We provide real information in real time before decisions are made – the very definition of transparency in government. In the true spirit of transparency, anyone can reach me at jfletcher@northportFL.gov or on my cell phone at (941) 224-5402. In two-and-a-half years in this position, not once has this individual called me or attended public meetings on these or other topics. 

If you disagree with the decisions we make or don’t like the information you receive, that does not mean transparency doesn’t exist.

Jerome Fletcher is the North Port City Manager. 

Photo courtesy North Port Police Facebook page.

Fletcher is responding to a Mar. 16 column by Christine Robinson.



[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Fresh Harvest Farmers Market at Wellen Park , June 25 – May 31, 9 am to 1 pm

Visit Fresh Harvest, the newly launched weekly farmers market in Downtown Wellen. Fresh Harvest offers a selection of local goods from nearly 40 local vendors. Fresh Harvest takes place every Sunday in Downtown Wellen from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees can peruse different vendor booths and stock up on a variety of goods. Vendors will offer a wide variety of locally grown and produced food, including herbs, spices, cut flowers, teas, canned and preserved fruits and vegetables, syrups, baked goods, pickled foods, fresh seafood, meats, poultry, eggs, milk and prepared food and beverages. A limited selection of craft vendors also participate in the farmers market. For a listing of participating vendors and more information on Fresh Harvest Farmers Market, visit wellenpark.com/events/fresh-harvest-farmers-market. Downtown Wellen, 19745 Wellen Park Blvd., Venice.

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Sights and Sounds at Waterside Place , July 28 – May 31, 6 to 9 p.m.

Head out to Waterside Place for a rocking evening as part of the Lakewood Ranch Sights and Sounds Program. Enjoy a live concert in partnership with Easterseals and EveryoneRocks, featuring artists who are rocking their spectrum. This event is free and open to the public; there is limited seating at the Plaza, but attendees are welcome to bring their own seats. Food and beverages will be available from numerous Waterside Place merchants. For more information on shows, dates, and times, visit lakewoodranch.com/sights-sounds/. Waterside Place, 1560 Lakefront Dr., Sarasota.

[SOON]  BUSINESS: Business Networking and Cowork Session , August 22 – June 25, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Attention all business professionals. Join us for a productive and inspiring coworking event every Tuesday at Out and About Coffee in downtown Sarasota. Take advantage of this opportunity to network and collaborate with fellow professionals in a relaxed and comfortable environment. Limited spots available, so register now on Eventbrite. O and A Coffee Supply, 1316 Main St., Sarasota.

[SOON]  BUSINESS: Lets Connect at Oscura in Old Manatee , August 31 – December 26, 8:30-10am

Connect with local business owners at every Thursday at Oscura. Lets Connect is a community of collaborative business professionals from the Manatee and Sarasota County areas. RSVP on Eventbrite to attend, admission is free.

[SOON]  SCIENCE AND NATURE: Coffee with a Scientist , December 12 – March 26, 10am

Join us for our Coffee With A Scientist series, a free public event held on Tuesdays in Boca Grande and hosted by Mote Marine Laboratory. Hear from Mote scientists on January 16, February 13 and March 26 as they share with you the latest in their groundbreaking research and their plans for the future with a Q and A session to follow. On Visit mote.org/pages/coffee to sign up and for more information.

[SOON]  FOOD: Late Night Happy Hour at Geckos on Hillview Street , November 29 – May 31, 10pm-Midnight
Join your friends, after-work buddies and the team at Geckos for our new Late Night Happy Hours. Every Friday and Saturday from 10 pm to Midnight, we will offer food, wine, cocktails and beer specials sure to prolong your weekend fun. Join us and ask your friendly barkeep or server about our Late Night Happy Hours. ONLY at Geckos on Hillview Street in Southside Village. GeckosGrill.com.
[SOON]  MUSEUM: Shinique Smith, Parade , January 4 – January 5, Various times

Enjoy the extraordinary opportunity to experience the work of contemporary artist Shinique Smith in conversation with the collection of European art at The Ringling. Unfolding across six galleries of the Museum of Art, the exhibition creates a series of unique stories that together form an abstract narrative of the parade as a metaphor for life. Well known for her monumental sculptures created from an array of materials, including luxurious textiles, personal clothing, dyed fabrics, ribbon, and wood, and for her abstract paintings of calligraphy and collage, Smiths work in this exhibition speaks to various facets of the European artistic tradition, such as classical drapery and religious iconography, while foregrounding notions of Black femininity and the history of the circus. Learn more at ringling.org.

[SOON]  MUSIC: Music Mondays , January 8 – March 25, Various times

The 2024 season of Sarasota Institute of the Lifetime Learning Music Monday Series presents performances and lively conversations with renowned and emerging performers, January 8-March 25, on Mondays at 10:30 a.m. at Church of the Palms in Sarasota; and Mondays at 3 p.m. at Venice Presbyterian Church in Venice. https://sillsarasota.org/index.htm.

[SOON]  SEMINAR: Global Issues , January 9 – March 29, Various times
2024 marks the 53rd anniversary of Sarasota Institute of the Lifetime Learning Global Issues series. This hard-hitting series, which runs January 9-March 29, features 24 internationally renowned experts discussing a vast range of domestic and global issues. The lectures are presented on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Sarasota; Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m. and Fridays at 10 a.m. at the Venice Community Center in Venice; and Wednesdays at 11 a.m. and Thursdays at 5 p.m. at the Cornerstone Church in Lakewood Ranch. Lectures will also be available for purchase on video. https://sillsarasota.org/index.htm.
[SOON]  SCIENCE AND NATURE: Bird Photographer of the Year , February 13 – April 28, Various times
Prepare for an awe-inspiring journey into the world of birds. The prestigious Bird Photographer of the Year exhibition has landed at The Bishop, showcasing winning and finalist images that capture the beauty, drama, and intricate details of avian life. Travel to remote corners of the globe through stunning photographs: witness eagles soaring, hummingbirds hovering, and penguins waddling. Each image is a testament to the skill and passion of the photographer, offering a unique window into the lives and wonders of these feathered marvels. Beyond a visual feast, the exhibition is a powerful reminder of our interconnected planet and the importance of bird conservation. Prepare to be captivated, and inspired, and leave with a renewed appreciation for the birds that share our world. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit bishopscience.org.
[SOON]  GALLERY: Yayoi Kusama: A Letter to Georgia O Keeffe at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens , February 11 – June 30, n/a

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens will present Yayoi Kusama: A Letter to Georgia O Keeffe as the eighth iteration of its annual Jean and Alfred Goldstein Exhibition, which examines the work of major artists through the lens of their connection to nature. The exhibition, which will be on view from February 11 through June 30, 2024, at Selby Gardens Downtown Sarasota campus, will explore the unexpected yet profoundly impactful mentoring relationship that developed between iconic artists Yayoi Kusama and Georgia O Keeffe. The theme of the upcoming Goldstein Exhibition is the latest announcement of programming planned for Selby Gardens 50th anniversary season. For more information, visit selby.org.

[SOON]  GALLERY: Clyde Butcher: Nature Through the Lens , November 11 – August 31, N/a

Clyde Butcher: Nature Through the Lens will be on view through August 31, 2024 at the Historic Spanish Point campus. Selby Gardens is excited to present the extraordinary imagery of photographer and conservationist Clyde Butcher throughout the grounds of the Historic Spanish Point campus. Large-scale prints on aluminum of Butcher’s beautiful photographs of plants, animals, and habitats of Florida will be exhibited amid the natural landscape of the 30-acre waterfront preserve, enabling the public to engage with the artist’s work like never before. In the tradition of earlier landscape photographers like Ansel Adams, Butcher captures the beauty and majesty of America’s natural treasures in dramatic black and white. The unique environments of Florida have been subjects of particular interest to Butcher since the 1980s, when he was first introduced to the magic and mystery of sites such as Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park. Nature Through the Lens will include Butcher’s photographs of regional locales such as Myakka River State Park and Casey Key. This exhibition is presented in partnership with the Clyde Butcher Gallery & Studio in Venice, Florida. For more information, visit selby.org.

[SOON]  THEATER: Born with Teeth , February 21 – March 29, Various times
Do not miss the opportunity to witness the fascinating dynamic between Shakespeare and Marlowe as their secrets unravel on stage. Born with Teeth runs through March 29, 2024. Visit asolorep.org for a full performance schedule. Tickets start at $35 and are available now in person at the Asolo Rep Box Office at 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, by phone at 941-351-8000 or 800-361-8388, or online at asolorep.org.
[SOON]  THEATER: Ruby , February 28 – April 7, Various times

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is thrilled to finally bring to the stage the world-premiere musical, Ruby. The show is a musical retelling of the true story of the shocking killing of a White doctor in Live Oak, Fla., and the Black woman, Ruby McCollum, who was accused of his murder. Ruby is a fascinating, powerful story, one that has been touched upon in books and documentary films. Now it finally takes the stage live in what promises to be an emotional musical drama. Performances take place in the Donelly Theatre at 1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are $50/adults, $20/students and active military. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit westcoastblacktheatre.org or call the Box Office at 941-366-1505.

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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