While it may feel like a long election season just drew to a close, elections officials already have an eye on coming races. Ron Turner, Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections, just got sworn into office after his own successful election but now turns attention toward municipal contests in Sarasota, North Port and Longboat Key. “Everything so far is positive and moving forward with these elections,” he says. “We’re doing our best to serve the voters.”

The biggest contest will be Sarasota, where voters registered in 18 precincts citywide will vote on who fills two Sarasota City Commission seats. As of close of business on Monday, eight candidates had filed for those seats, though candidates have until noon on Friday to qualify. The roster so far includes: Tahiti Park neighborhood leader Jennifer Ahearn-Koch; former Mayor Fredd “Glossie” Atkins; former prosecutor Hagen Brody; incumbent City Commissioner Susan Chapman; Planning Board member Pat Gannon; Gulf Business Systems owner Martin Hyde; pedestrian safety advocate Mikael Sandstrom; and stockbroker Matt Sperling. The other incumbent, City Commissioner Suzanne Atwell, said last year she would not seek re-election. All candidates will appear on the ballot on March 14, where voters can vote for two choices. Unless someone wins a majority of votes in March, the top three vote-getters proceed to a May 9 runoff, where the top two vote-getters in that election win seats on the board.

Elections will also be held on Longboat Key in March, where candidates have already qualified for three seats. While incumbent George Spoll was elected to a District 2 seat unopposed, Commissioner Jack Daly will be challenged in District 4 by conservation activist Larry Grossman, and former Commissioners Jim Brown and Gene Jaleski will be fighting to return to the board filling an at-large seat. That election will be handled by the Sarasota elections office on the south end of the town and by the Manatee Supervisor of Elections on the north end. Two citywide referenda will also appear on the ballot.

And in North Port, a series of actions in the fall has led to a special election to fill Jacqueline Moore’s seat on the North Port City Commission, who chose to run for a District 2 seat on the same board but had to resign her seat to do so. Moore was not successful in her candidacy but the state’s resign-to-run law meant she had to vacate her seat in November. Now, a special election has been scheduled, with a primary on March 14 and a likely runoff on May 9. Candidates for the Seat 4 election include: 20-year city employee Pete Emrich; Community Health Action Team health services chair Sam George; former North Port Chamber of Commerce president Jill Luke; and former state House candidate Jerry Nicastro. Qualification for the North Port race ends at noon Friday. Voters in 13 North Port precincts will vote.

The elections mean March 14 will require about a third of the number of precincts for a countywide election, Turner says. While campaign treasury documents and candidate qualification will be handled by respective city clerks in Sarasota, Longboat Key and North Port, all material will be viewable on the Sarasota County election supervisors’ website. In addition to running polls on election day, the county office will also man early voting stations at the Terrace Building in Sarasota, at Longboat Key Town Hall and at the Supervisor of Elections satellite office in Biscayne Plaza in North Port. 

All of a sudden—it's winter! Well, Florida winter, that is, since the temps have dipped under our tepid 70 degrees and even plunged to the mere 50s. As such, it's time to step up your loungewear game—notably, to those that can take you from couch cushion to bar stool. Raquel Allegra, a brand known for impossibly soft cottons and crepe silks, presents these easy pants in watermelon tie-dye. Made from light and supple jersey, the flattering front-pleated joggers have a hidden stretch waistband and two deep pockets, tapering down at the ankles. Both comfy and stylish, they are a no-brainer—pair with your favorite wool socks and cashmere sweater for lounging or a silk tank and high-heeled sandals for an effortless cocktail hour.  

Lotus Boutique, 1451 Main St., Sarasota, 941-906-7080.

Realtor Angeles Radford has joined the Sarasota office of RE/MAX Alliance Group. Radford is a Certified International Property Specialist and Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource specialist with 10 years of local real estate experience with Keller Williams and Coldwell Banker, serving an international clientele. Fluent in Spanish, she brings superior customer service skills, three times earning membership in the International Diamond Society in Coldwell Banker Manatee. She has experience with first-time buyers, new construction, short sales, and all types of residential properties. Radford also serves the community as a member of the Gulf Coast Latin Chamber of Commerce and as a volunteer with Sarasota Memorial Hospital and Church of the Redeemer. 

RE/MAX Alliance Group

Berlin Patten Ebling has announced that Elizabeth A. Wexler, Esq., a real estate attorney, has joined Berlin Patten Ebling’s team of lawyers in its Sarasota office. Wexler practices primarily in the areas of residential and commercial real estate transactions. Before obtaining her law degree, Wexler has had experience in a wide range of real estate positions and had held a variety of associated licenses; real estate license and mortgage brokers license. She was also involved in establishing a successful real estate company on Longboat Key and a real estate development company that built high-end residential homes on Bird Key, Lido Key and the mainland of Sarasota. Wexler has been on many boards in Sarasota, including serving as Chairman of the Board for Make-A-Wish, Sarasota and sitting on the Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida boards in Orlando. 

Berlin Patten Ebling

A pair of luxury condominiums by The Vandyk Group have just been exclusively listed by Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate sales associates Dyrk Dahl and Gwen Kruse. ONE88 and Orange Club, both located in the heart of downtown Sarasota, are selling quickly. ONE88, located on Golden Gate Point, is a building of eight residences, three of which are still available. Each residence includes a private boat slip and sweeping views of Sarasota Bay and the Ringling Bridge. Residents have access to a rooftop lounge overlooking the surroundings. Two units are complete, starting at $2.899 million, while the third unit will remain unfinished for a future owner to design according to their own specifications. The unfinished unit is located on the top floor of the building and is priced at $3.29 million. Orange Club at Burns Court will be complete in the summer of 2017. The boutique enclave consists of seven available townhomes and five available condos. The townhomes are spread over three levels of living space, each with a private rooftop terrace and elevator. The townhomes start at $999,900 and the condominiums start at $574,900. 

Coldwell Banker