sarasota observer opinion

Liabilities: $515 million, with only $97 million of that current liabilities. July 25, 2023. Age can become a factor in those third terms. The districts surplus has grown from $14.4 million in 2014 to $39.4 million, highest ever. Sign up for Daily HeadlinesA daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key. The Charter Review Board is a great opportunity to be resident advocates with recommended reforms., Asked what needs to be changed in the charter, Palermo says: [It] needs to have an environmental referendum that addresses our waters, wetlands, conservation and open space and abide by it., District 5: Elaine Miller, Republican; Anthony Tony Dunbar, Democrat. Sarasota. East County graduates, and Observer columnist, have four years worth of memories to treasure. The Observer's 2020 general election recommendations Here are some insights and opinions to consider on the region's candidates. A Lakewood Ranch woman proves that she has an artistic eye when it comes to designing homes. Annual revenues more than doubled, from $500 million to more than $1.2 billion. Each of these public institutions is a billion-dollar enterprise, and together they directly employ 10,500 people. The Hunters started the paper in 1978. What voter actually is going to do the research to find out whether these judges are judging fairly and impartially? Lets be blunt: Shaw is an obstructionist to economic growth and has been a member of the majority in overseeing the citys financial mismanagement. Consider just a smattering of the recognition: And for the past three years, Sarasota Memorial has reported operating profit margins of 7.7%, 9.6% and 9.2% well above the median operating margin of 1.7% for not-for-profit hospital systems nationwide. The newest rankings from travel magazine Travel + Leisure place Longboat Key as No. President, Sarasota Citizens for Responsible Government He uses the term irresponsible growth and vows that because he hasnt accepted contributions from developers, he will be free of developer influence. Dont hate. News | Longboat Key | Your Observer More and more people are flocking to Florida. However, they did not call for separation of state and God. District 1: Incumbent Commissioner Willie Shaw; Kyle Scott Battie. Falling poll numbers of those who voted for a winning candidate are also predictable whenthose voters find that their winner misled them. Among those aspiring young leaders are two Republicans, Kevin Van Ostenbridge and Matt Bower though Bower is running as a Non-Party Affiliate. After stints at the Miami Herald, Florida Trend magazine and Forbes magazine, Walsh, his wife, her parents and a small group of investors purchased the Longboat Observer from its founders, Ralph and Claire Hunter in March 1995. News. A Bird Key home on Owl Way tops the week's sales at $1.88 million. Sarasota Sarasota Memorial scores well in CMS and nursing association rankings Sarasota Police report arrest after Classic Car Museum Porsche theft Sarasota-Manatee's malaria alert could. I would like to see the CRB take a more active role in community outreach and educating the public about the charter and the CRB.. After all, an elected officials performance in office is always a good gauge of whether re-election is deserved. The Sarasota interior design/furniture business has driven, and sometimes comical, Clive Daniel owner Daniel Lubner. Copyright 2023 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved, Our View: Who's playing politics now? He also served as an assistant professor of foreign language at the Air Force Academy; a commercial pilot for five years; and as deputy division chief of an Air Force reserve unit. The Sarasota Observer won the top Sweepstakes Award for winning the most awards overall. The 2011 parking revenues, totaling $22,482, were divided as follows: But so much for government "by the people." Shall the Board of County Commissioners of Sarasota County be authorized to grant, pursuant to s.3, Article VII of the State Constitution, property tax exemptions to new businesses and expansions of existing businesses that are expected to create new, full-time jobs in the county? He is not a politician. May 2, 2023. Just a tiny property tax, right? This appears on our coinage, which states In God We Trust, and on the walls in courthouses, which list the 10 Commandments. Miner has served his community well, but the board needs Foremans expertise. And during her past two terms, Ziegler has served as a countervailing voice to a majority board that showed its disdain for parents and taxpayers, and that backed a former superintendent who alienated the districts teachers. Shortly after, the company introduced the West Orange Times & Observer and the Southwest Orange Observer. None of them deserves re-election. Chief Financial Officer - Laura Keisacker, (Sarasota/Siesta Key, Longboat, East County Observers, YourObserver.com), (Business Observer; BusinessObserverFL.com), Director of Legal Advertising - Kristen Boothroyd, Palm Coast and Ormond Beach Observers; observerlocalnews.com, (West Orange Times & Observer, West Orange Observer; OrangeObserver.com), Publisher & Executive Editor - Michael Eng, Multi Media Sales Manager - Cyndi Gustafson, (Jacksonville Daily Record, JaxDailyRecord.com), Legal Advertising Manager - Rhonda Fisher, Copyright 2023 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved. Its worth reading: VoteJim.us. Judging from the TV attack ads and petty campaign fights about signage and other irrelevancies, you can say the testiness is still there. With that as a crucial guide, it would be difficult to argue for the replacement of any of the four incumbents running for reelection and election to the Sarasota County Hospital Board. It has offices in Tampa, Clearwater, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat Key, Lakeland, Sarasota, Fort Myers, Naples, New Port Richey, Winter Garden, Port . You cant do your job if you dwell on something that youre not going to win. The Declaration represented a movement of a people. Last week, more than 350 Florida media executives gathered at the Westin for the Florida Media Conference to share ideas, learn new . In 2011, the company acquired the Pelican Press, a 40-year-old weekly community newspaper that primarily covered Siesta Key, one of the barrier islands of Sarasota County. Sarasota | Your Observer In addition to those cited above, four other accomplished Sarasotans are seeking a seat two well-known and accomplished Sarasota business figures, lawyer Thomas Dart and entrepreneur Brad Baker; 17-year EMT and flight paramedic Andre Hoefer; and healthcare consultant and marketing entrepreneur Nick Altier. Miller is the founder and owner of 15-year-old Suncoast Architect Inc. in Englewood, which was recognized in 2019 as the Englewood Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year. In 1998, the company launched the East County Observer to serve the fast-growing suburban areas of east Manatee and Sarasota counties. A first-time candidate for countywide office, Miller says on the Vote411.org voter guide: I value the continuity of todays charter policies and procedures. Yes, she has been doing this a long time. Too long. Rich Medford started the business Americas Wellness Group to combat obesity. Season magazine is the quarterly arts and social guide; LWR Life is a quarterly, coated-stock magazine distributed in Lakewood Ranch in partnership with Schroeder-Manatee Ranch;Ranch; Key Life is published three times a year and distributed to Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird, Siesta, and Casey Key residents and Baldwin Park Living Magazine is a monthly serving the affluent Baldwin Park community near downtown Orlando. [T]here should be mention of conservation of our environment inserted into our charter. Credit Florida lawmakers for going big with legislation that will change Florida for the better. And in 2015, Observer Media Group newspapers Palm Coast, Longboat and the Business Observer swept first place for General Excellence in the Florida Press Associations Better Weekly Newspaper Contest. With incumbent Vanessa Baugh, this foursome steamrolled over the other three commissioners Democrat Reggie Bellamy and more moderate Republican Misty Servia and liberal Republican Carol Whitmore. The 39-year-old commentator shared his. Since redesigning the JaxDailyRecord website, the company's online readership has grown from 13,000 unique readers a week to 38,000 a week. But most of us know that isnt so. And, as to be expected, they are fading into history as a prime example of what not to do. How do we know whether they should be retained? In the primary, we recommended Foreman, a CPA, noting that Foreman would bring much needed financial expertise to the board. He is recognized nationally as a consultant and trainer for school safety models and youth mentoring. Workshop on county administration workshop set for Tuesday | Your Observer Kurnov has children in the public schools skin in the game. Marinelli does not. It put a spark in me., Why ag commissioner? This is not an easy election for voters. Now overlay those three candidates on the Manatee School District. Opinion: What we do matters | Your Observer There are two prime examples from the 20th century of what happens in a godless state. District 4: Incumbent Misty Servia has taken plenty of buckshot in the back during this election cycle for her stance on masks and lockdowns during the pandemic. We need to ensure that the education ofour children meets the changing needs of our scientific and technological industries; we shouldnt cut more! CEO David Verinder and his team, under the eye of the Sarasota Hospital Board, have continued a transformation that began under his predecessor, Gwen MacKenzie. Scott believes in streamlining government, why does he want to add drug testing for so many job and social-service applicants? Arroyo is not ready yet. Longboat Key. Real Estate | Your Observer In that vein, it might be easy to conclude the five hospital board members on the Aug. 23 ballot deserve re-election. Dont worry. The Sarasota Observer is one of twelve community and business publications published by The Observer Group, which was formed in 1995, [1] [3] and whose headquarters are located in Sarasota, Florida. Likewise, most Charter Review Board members do not see their role as legislators or as activists whose job is tilt the charter to their political agendas. Sarasota. Overseeing one avenue of the amendment process is the Charter Review Board. It changed the world. You can say the same about Republican Florida Senate District 21 candidate, Jim Boyd. If Gov. In 2012, Observer Media Group started the Plant City Observer in Plant City. Sarasota, Longboat Key, East County and Siesta Key news, features, events and real estate from your hyperlocal, community newspapers. Although Battie might be inexperienced in the political arena, he will bring to the commission the DNA and work ethic of his family name that of his mother, a former longtime school teacher, and his entrepreneur father, proprietor of the 30-year-old Cravats Custom Clothiers. He constantly challenges how commissioners and board members spend taxpayers money. Bailey was the third member of his family to operate the 104-year-old business and legal daily. New AeroVanti CEO lays out survival plan | Business Observer Give Kurnov the benefit of the doubt. Nazi Germany with its Holocaust and Communist Russia. She is one of the leaders and co-founders of the regions Moms for Liberty, an organization dedicated to liberty and limited government. This one is no different. + Scotts low polls reflect back policies Real Estate | Sarasota | Your Observer Sorry. They are the final elections. Dear Editor: In 2015, LMA again named the Longboat Observer Newspaper of the Year for the third time and the Palm Coast Observer Newspaper of the Year in its respective circulation category. If you compare them side by side, youd have to say Manatee voters have two candidates who would serve them well. Bearden has many attractive qualities: combat Marine sargeant and Scout sniper in Iraq; son of a career Marine; steeped in the Constitution and history of the U.S.; father; husband; national vice president and local president of the Full Gospel Business Gatekeepers Organization; understands that leaders must prepare for what is to come. $3,086 Ringling Redskins Whats more, Democrats increasing leftward shift prompted our declaration a few years ago that we would not recommend Democratic Party candidates in any partisan race. The one state race that can be considered competitive is the one for Goods House District 72 seat. Two 30-year registered nurses/patient advocates who are dogged and passionate about patient care. For this election cycle, the incumbents have earned another term. On July 24, the board voted 5-0 to approve advertising for the new millage, which totals 6.18 mills, down from 6.272 the previous year. While some say artificial intelligence poses threats to the media, Florida newspapers remain strong with local journalism reporting human experiences and connections something AI will never do as we do. By Matt Walsh. In 2000, The Observer Media Group introduced Season, a quarterly guide to the Sarasota regions arts, entertainment and society. All of this is not to say the hospital board members are perfect. Siesta Key vacation rental business launches national company Are they good at what they do? The additional $4 goes to the Orioles. Its job, according to the charter, is to review and recommend changes to the charter for improvement of county government.. But heres what appears to be a key point for voters: Do Manatee County residents want a super stack of all like-minded commissioners? Alpert understands and favors economic growth and was on the side of projects that would move the city forward (e.g., Selby Gardens, the late Harvey Vengroffs affordable apartments, redevelopment of Bath & Racquet, supporting the move of the Sarasota Orchestra to Payne Park, to name a few). Here are the Republicans choices in this race: Vern Buchanan: businessman/entrepreneur, now career politician. Florida lawmakers altered the Florida Retirement System in ways that improved the system while also increasing the future burden on taxpayers. Proposed changes can come from Charter Review Board members or the public. Its not personal. 1 priority if elected would be protect the charter. We need only to see where the fees for these tests will end up. News. Even better. Share Culture Ben Shapiro Barbie Film Review Ben Shapiro set fire to Barbie dolls during a review in which he hit out at what he branded a "woke" movie. And for good reason: Sarasota County government is regarded as one of the best-run, best-functioning governments in Florida. Hey, whats 0.15 mills? In fact, she is justifiably called a RINO, Republican in name only. Bond Referendum: Water Quality Protection, Fish & Wildlife Habitat Preservation and Park Ad Valorem Tax and Bonds. The Observer Media Group is owned by its founders and principals, Matt and Lisa Walsh, and their daughter, Emily Walsh. I do not see the need for any immediate change to the charter., Lohr, who is running for a seat a second time, says: The CRB is currently lacking an advocate for the people of Sarasota and Sarasota Countys environment, and I will be that advocate if elected to the CRB. These two candidates also have strikingly similar goals: To return the board to putting students first; getting politics out of the board; restoring respect, collaboration and trust among board members and parents. Matt and Lisa Walsh began their newspaper careers at the Topeka Capital-Journal after graduating from the University of Missouri School of Journalism. Should they keep their jobs or be tossed? Keith Fitzgerald, a political science professor at New College, won the same House seat in 2006 and 2008. But in a primary, when candidates from the same parties are running against each other, often times there is not much difference in their philosophies or on the issues. Opinion | Sarasota | Your Observer None of the judges on the ballot has ever been under review. To be sure, this philosophy presents few pleasant choices in elections. These almost unanimous moves became newsworthy to the public and subsequently raised the question whether board members were becoming too complacent with management and less stringent with taxpayer money. The companys associated websites includeYourObserver.com, ObserverLocalNews.com,OrangeObserver.com, BusinessObserverFL.com and JaxDailyRecord.com. One candidate, Democrat Laurie Kreindler, also makes a case for the hospital system to upgrade its patient communications and scheduling technology. This year should be no different. Their approach would be akin to appointing activist judges who legislate from the bench. I dont smoke. The American dream is alive and well in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch. The main point? Opinion By Matt Walsh June 28, 2023 Greatest civil document The Declaration of Independence was much more than a secession from tyranny. James Golden is the incumbent. And when you talk to Clermont, 56, you quickly see he has a strong grasp of what needs fixing at City Hall and on the City Commission. One place to start is the website of the states Judicial Qualifications Commission, whose sole purpose is to investigate judges accused of misconduct. Sarasota Memorial opened a hospital in Venice. And, she and her husband have four children all of whom he she homeschooled until they reached fifth grade and entered Manatees public school system. Our Founding Fathers had good reason to separate church and state when they created this country back in the 18th century. Shall Justice Carlos G. Muniz be retained? Voters typically have a weakness for ballot questions that propose new taxes to preserve the environment, improve water quality and provide parks. To this end, the companys newspapers and websites have received national and statewide recognition. It would be dishonest and hypocritical to do so. Turner had his turn. Its philosophical. The company sold its interest in Plant City in 2018. We recommend: Bridget Ziegler, Lauren Kurnov and Timothy Enos. The school system has 42,000 students. Is the person trustworthy? By Observer Staff | 5:00 a.m. July 26, 2023 Sarasota Cops Corner Thursday, July 13 Paid the price 8:02 a.m., 4000 block of North Tamiami Trail Property damage: An apparent dating-app rendezvous. Even though these contests are called non-partisan, you can feel an undercurrent of national politics. Who are these people? Sarasota. Sarasota. We need that. Dear Editor: But heres the deal: Earnest as he is, Bearden needs seasoning. Martin Hyde: Sarasota businessman/entrepreneur who has run unsuccessfully twice for a seat on the Sarasota City Commission. If re-elected one more time, Whitmore would remain what she is another check and balance. This is part of the trim ad, or the part of the trim law, that gets to be a little bit confusing: that we are required to advertise this notice of tax increase, despite in reality lowering the millage, she said. By Observer Staff. Kurnov has raised more than $208,000 in contributions; Marinelli, $72,000. To be sure, parents dont want that either. Sarasota developer appeals rejection of plan to - Business Observer And she would join Ziegler as another in the next generation of Sarasota leaders coming to the fore. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands. Bennett, a former business owner and Navy veteran, has been in public office for 20 years two years in the Florida House; 10 years in the Senate; and now eight years as the Manatee supervisor of elections. Supreme Court Justice Carlos G. Muniz: 71% in favor of retention; 29% against. No new local malaria cases reported since July 13 | Your Observer Simpson has raised $782,000 to Shaws $50,000, $47,000 of which is his own money. Copyright 2023 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved, Little Free Libraries continue to grow in the Lakewood Ranch area, Magic of Manatee singing group names new director, Aggressive drivers on the road to disaster in East County, Love the Market at Lakewood Ranch? They were well aware of the injustices, which had taken place in Europe, where England, France and Spain had state religions. For information visit SarasotaCountySchools.net. Boyd served in the House with distinction from 2010-2018. It is sad and tragic, but we find so many examples of how the actions of leaders and followers in Christian, Judaism and Islam churches stray from the teachings of the founders of their religion. The buck for those outcomes typically stops at the CEO and the hospital systems leaders the people responsible for executing and guiding the business. Shaw knows his opponent establishment Republican and Senate President Wilton Simpson has him outgunned. Everyone has winced at this bickering, likely recalling that great Los Angeles riot philosopher, Rodney King: Cant we all just get along?. Opinion. None has glaring negatives. I couldnt disagree with your statements more. Over the years, we have favored new, younger candidates, with the belief they can bring fresh, innovative perspectives and ideas. The Selby Library is at 1331 First St. The . Meet James Shaw, Republican for commissioner of agriculture. Hydes voting, presumably, would align far more than Buchanans with strict limits on government and expanding individual rights and free enterprise, but, unfortunately, his behavior, alas, can be unpredictable, erratic and embarrassing. That strife cost the board dearly. Thats a prized position that can mean having heavy influence in how and where billions of federal dollars are allocated. While it is important to have one or more board members with classroom experience, which Cietek would bring, current board member Karen Rose fills that role. Further, I would like the threshold for land-use increases in density and intensity to be raised to a unanimous vote [by the County Commission], except for infrastructure and outdoor recreational facilities., Dupont is a board member of the Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida and chair of activism of the Environmental Caucus of Sarasota County Democrats, and she notes, in March 2019, she trained with Al Gore to be in his Climate Reality Leader Leadership Corps., District 3: David Samuel, Republican (current CRB member); Mary Ellen Palermo, Democrat. She said she is concerned about elements of the budget geared toward social-emotional learning, including the allocation of over $56 million toward that field, and said she did not believe it to be in compliance with state law. Bar members responses are categorized on the basis of those who Have considerable knowledge of the judges; those who Have limited knowledge; and a total of the two categories. Bonnie Penner, chief financial officer for the district, said property values have increased this year, therefore the district will levy a lower percentage with the millage, despite generating more revenue. (After no longer able to tolerate the spinelessness of Washington Republicans or the fact there is so little difference between Democrats and Republicans there, yours truly renounced the Republican Party and joined the Constitution Party.). None. Can the person vying for this job conduct fair, timely and accurate elections? The pandemic has also come into play. Only hospital in Florida to earn the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services highest five-star rating for overall quality and safety; One of 57 U.S. hospitals rated a high performer in all nine conditions and procedures evaluated by U.S. News & World Report; One of three cardiac programs in the U.S. and Canada to earn the top three-star rating from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons for patient care and outcomes in all five adult cardiac surgery procedures; and. A year later, the Observer entered into a partnership with the Tampa Bay Times to publish the Plant City Times & Observer. And if money is an indicator, the whos who of political contributors in Manatee are betting on the incumbents.

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