The Sarasota City Commission will soon have a very different look, following upsets in last evening’s city election. Two new candidates unseated commissioners appointed in January, delivering a blow against neighborhood groups who have traditionally been among the most powerful organizations in local politics.

Liz Alpert defeated incumbent Eileen Normile in the race for Sarasota City Commission District 2, while Shelli Freeland Eddie unseated incumbent Stan Zimmerman in the Sarasota City Commission District 3 contest. “The voters wanted to see a different vision on the City Commission,” said Alpert. “They wanted to start seeing things get done.” Alpert referenced issues such as the mishandling of homelessness and a growing divide between city and county commissioners as contributing factors to her win. Eddie said she prided her campaign on remaining focused on issues. “We ran a strong, clean campaign and we respected voters,” she said.

With all precincts reporting, Alpert had 2,124 votes in the District 2 contest to Normile's 1,822. Eddie had 894 in the District 3 contest to Zimmerman's 774. Both were helped in the run-up to Election Day by a concerted effort by the Sarasota Democratic Party and Democratic officials from outside the region, as well as spending from outside political committees. Normile and Zimmerman are both registered Republicans. Expect supporters to say a message was sent repudiating neighborhood policies, while critics credit outside spending by party leaders with Tuesday's night's results. Alpert dismissed the concern. “I had broad-based support,” she said. Successful efforts by Democrats to get a new set of voters to the fold should be celebrated, not scorned, she said.

Alpert and Normile both significantly increased their support on Tuesday as compared to a first election in March. In the earlier District 2 contest, which also featured eliminated candidate David Morgan, Alpert led with 1,656 votes to Normile's 1,449. Bringing another nearly 500 votes cinched her the win. Eddie's victory likely surprised more people, as she trailed Zimmerman in March with 584 votes to Zimmerman's 750; eliminated candidate Matt Wooddall ensured no one got a majority and forced the May runoff. But on Tuesday, Zimmerman barely saw any increase in his voter totals, and ended up losing by 120 votes. 

Two charter amendments also passed with overwhelming majorities. One requires a candidate live in a district for a year before they can be appointed (that is already a requirement to be a candidate for election). The other more firmly sets a timetable for gathering petitions to put a measure on the ballot. Interestingly, the former was prompted largely by Eddie, who hadn’t been in the district a year when appointments were made in November but applied arguing she would meet the requirement by the time of the election.

SRQ Media Group on May 26 will host a "Where The Votes Are" election analysis looking at the Tuesday election results. Doors at SRQ's corporate headquarters on Pinepple will open at 7:45am, followed by a presentation at 8am. 

Manatee County Superintendent of Schools Rick Mills will work only through Tuesday, following a decision by Manatee School Board members to buy out the last five months of his contract. The board voted 4-1 to fulfill the request from Mills, who previously announced he would retire at the end of July.

Mills has been at odds with the School Board over personel decisions, and strife worsened after School Board chairman Julie Aranibar, who supported Mills' work, was booted from office in a November election and replaced with Mary Cantrell. Mills was hired two years ago at an annual salary of $183,500. 

Michael's on East holds many events in Michael's Wine Cellar, from charity auctions to celebratory dinners. The space is a beautiful high-ceilinged wine room that feels like the setting for an elegant noir murder mystery dinner. The recent Made in America Wine Tasting featured exclusive domestically produced wines and a raw rye from Coppersea Distillery featured in several speakeasy-era cocktails around town. We noshed on a delectable spread of cheese, olives, meats, and fruit whilst sampling newly discovered personal favorites such as the Grieve Sauvignon Blanc and the Ponzi Pinot Noir. At $25 per person this kind of event in such a fabulous location is a can't miss. Tonight's tasting featuring Domaine Serene  should still have space, but do check www.bestfood.com or call Michael's on East to register. 

TableSeide Restaurant Group announced a grand opening date for Lbar, a speakeasy/gastropub-style establishment focused on craft bourbons and brews, custom cocktails and a killer menu. A grand opening "mustache and beard" event has been scheduled for June 5. Lbar is located within its sister establishment, Libby’s Cafe and Bar. Now folks can frequent our new side bar and gastropub, owners said. The establishment has been reimagined as a speakeasy-style space, with dark walls, thick curtains, antique furniture, wooden decor and antique elements including a vintage chess table. 

Lbar

Satterfield and Pontikes Construction has been awarded an $8.7-million contract by the Sarasota Housing Authority and Michael’s Development Company to build phase III of the Janie’s Garden apartment complex based on the construction firm’s cost-competitive and highly qualified proposal. The 4.63-acre construction site on Central Avenue in Sarasota, previously known as the Janie Poe public housing site, held several two-story buildings and paved parking that have since been demolished. Project work for phase III will begin in June and is expected to be completed next April.