A new mailer from the Republican Party of Florida looks to make immigration a central issue to a special election in Sarasota, but opponents are labeling the attack a scare tactic pushing an agenda not of interest to voters. 

The mailer hit mailboxes this week and includes an absentee ballot application for the Feb. 13 special election for State House in District 72, as well as the message: “Help Governor Rick Scott stop the liberals from making Sarasota and the rest of Florida a sanctuary from illegal aliens.” The mailer’s return address identifies the Republican Party of Sarasota as the source. 

Candidates to represent the district include Republican James Buchanan, Democrat Margaret Good and Libertarian Alison Foxall.

Buchanan campaign manager Nick Catroppo would not say if the campaign knew the mailer would be coming out but said voters care about this issue. “James and volunteers have heard from residents that illegal immigration and illegal aliens, especially those committing crimes, is an issue that needs to be addressed,” he says. “James will fight to make sanctuary cities illegal and stop the federal government from re-settling refugees from dangerous areas in Florida.” Republican Party of Sarasota Chairman Joe Gruters says the mailer highlights the importance of electing a conservative to represent Sarasota in Tallahassee. “James Buchanan will be a fighter to stop sanctuary cities in the state of Florida,” says Gruters. “Liberals in Tallahassee have consistently blocked Republican efforts to push that through.” And both said Good would contribute to the problem. “Margaret's bought and paid for by the liberal leadership in Tallahassee who oppose banning sanctuary cities like we saw this past legislative session,” Catroppo says.

Good responded to the mailer on Facebook with her own absentee ballot push. “Are you sick and tired of the Republicans in power using hate and fear to gain votes? I know I am,” she wrote, before encouraging voters to sign up online to receive a mail-in ballot. Good Campaign Manager Kevin Lata says voters in the district are more concerned with protecting the environment and expanding Medicaid. He wouldn’t address whether Good supported a strict ban on cities becoming sanctuary cities. But he did say Good would offer an alternative to hard-liners. “When it comes to immigration, you have a lot of people like Dreamers, who came to country when they were very young,” Lata says. “At the federal government level, these folks are being deported, Margaret doesn’t believe in that. She believes immigrants form the backbone and they are what makes Sarasota and what makes Florida a great place to live. What James Buchanan and Rick Scott are doing is using people’s economic anxiety and fear of others to win votes.”

For Foxall’s part, she says the immigration subject isn’t even relevant to a Florida legislative race because so much immigration policy is set at the federal level. She did say both parties are failing on the matter, with liberals favoring a welfare state that incentivizes immigrants to come here for entitlements while conservatives try and deny individuals equal opportunity for career advancement. “I am not for or against sanctuary cities and think the entire premise is out of order,” she says. “The problem is the government is running from the top down and it’s making both sides of the political divide pretty anxious.” She also said her campaign would not employ scare tactics on this or any issue over the course of the race.

This isn’t the first time Republicans have tried to stir turnout in a race through utilizing the sanctuary cities issue. Before Sarasota city elections in May, party leaders, in an effort to get voters to support Republic Martin Hyde, focused on a debate statement by Democrat Jennifer Ahearn-Koch saying if the issue came up, she’d research and consider Sarasota's options regarding becoming a sanctuary city. Ultimately, Ahearn-Koch beat Hyde comfortably, but in the Democratic bastion of the City of Sarasota. District 72 overlaps with the city, but mostly includes an area outside the city limits, and Republicans outnumber Democrats in the district. 

Photo of mailer provided by Margaret Good campaign.

Editor’s Note: This is part 52 of an ongoing series documenting the flights of active-duty US Navy Pilot Ryan Rankin on his journey to fly 52 planes in 52 weeks through the year 2017.

For Rankin’s final flights of the year, he reaches back into the history of aviation and comes forward with a pair of gliders—the German-made Grob G103 and the American-made Schweizer 2-33. Conceived before both the airplane and the helicopter, even Leonard da Vinci tried his hand. Though still debated whether or not da Vinci’s glider ever flew, examination of the designs led many to believe that its use would have a negative effect on keeping one’s head attached to one’s body. Flying modern gliders with Roger Hinote of the Coastal Soaring gliding club, Rankin had no such difficulties.

Without an engine, a glider needs a bit of help getting airborne. Typically, they’re towed by another plane. Even then, the glider pilot has to be aware and working the stick and rudder. “You are very much flying the airplane,” says Rankin. “It’s not hands-off.” Because both craft are barreling through the air, tow-line or not, the glider pilot must make tiny movements to stay in line with the aircraft doing the towing. It reminds Rankin of flying a helicopter, or flying formation. When the tow-plane hits the release, then it’s time to glide.

Though technically his first time in a glider, Rankin could hardly be called inexperienced when it comes to gliding. In his time in the Navy, he has performed “engine out” landings before, simulating engine failure or fuel loss and gliding his aircraft to its landing. Still, it felt different knowing there was no engine, like a “one-way ticket,” though not the sinister kind. “All airplanes are,” explains Rankin, in that even the best pilots have to land eventually, “but in a glider, unless you can find lift, it’s just a matter of time until you meet the Earth again.”

Finding lift is an important part of staying airborne in a glider, and largely consists of soaring through and over thermals to let the rising warm air work its magic. Experienced gliders will check the forecast for maximum lift (mornings aren’t great; the ground needs time to heat up) and keep a mental map of reliable locations for thermals, like blacktop parking lots.

What surprises Rankin most, as they try a few aerobatics, is just how agile these gliders can be, though he notes the Grob handles considerably better than the “loose and almost sloppy” controls of the Schweizer. “Just imagine driving a moving truck and then getting into a Ferrari,” he says. “Both have four wheels and a steering wheel, but are way different.”

Back on the ground after a smooth landing, Rankin goes straight to the club and signs up, with plans to get his full glider rating soon. “It’s quiet and peaceful, just you and physics,” he says. “It’s about as pure as you can get when it comes to flying.”

For more about the flight in Rankin's own words and a video of the flight, follow the link below. 

Pictured: Ryan Rankin settling into the Grob G103. Photo courtesy of Ryan Rankin.

Ryan Flies

When you join the Marina Jack family on New Year’s Eve, you’ll have front-row-seats to Downtown Sarasota’s incredible display of fireworks to herald in the New Year. Get aboard the swanky Marina Jack II to ring in 2018 in style replete with dancing, entertainment and an elaborate buffet in this 90’ air-conditioned, cruise vessel.  Sipping champagne while you watch reflections of the fireworks ripple over the water with your friends and family is magical—boarding for the four-hour cruise begins at 8pm. Guests can reserve a table in the formal Marina Jack Dining Room on the second floor where the executive chef prepares grilled whole Maine lobster, their signature Bouillabaisse and steaks cooked to perfection at 2,500 degrees—there are two seatings, one at 4-7pm and the second at 8:45pm,— the cozy Deep Six Lounge and Piano Bar or out under the stars on the Blue Sunshine Patio. Each location includes special party favors and a bubbly toast for the countdown! Reserve your seating for dinner and explore live music times with performers and ticket prices online at Marina Jack NYE Fireworks

Marina Jack is a member of Nosh, the SRQ magazine content marketing program for local restaurants. 

Marina Jack, 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, 941 365-4232.

You are Here. Bring on the New Year.

Individual and limited tickets will be available beginning Monday, January 8, 2018, for the Ringling College Library Association (RCLA) Town Hall Lecture Series morning and evening lectures. The speakers appearing for the 38th annual lecture series represent a diverse group of leaders with a broad knowledge base about the relevant issues in the world today. On Monday, January 22, John Brennan will open the 2018 Town Hall series with his perspective on the role of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as director from 2013 to 2017, Brennan managed intelligence collection, analysis, covert action, counterintelligence and liaison relationships with foreign intelligence services.  Before becoming director, he served at the White House for four years as assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism. Next in the series is a talk by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jon Meacham on February 12. His latest Presidential biography, “Destiny and Power: The American Odyssey of George H. W. Bush,” debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestsellers list in 2015. Financial journalist and New York Times best-selling author Michael Lewis will appear on the Town Hall stage on Monday, March 5, followed by cancer physician, researcher and author Siddhartha Mukherjee on Monday, March 19. The series concludes on Monday, April 9, with founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, Reshma Saujani. Tickets prices are tiered based on seating: Gold $100, Silver $80, Bronze $70 and will be available on a first come first serve basis.  All morning lectures are scheduled for 10:30am. The evening lectures begin at 7:30pm. 

Ringling College Library Association

Thanks to community support, Loveland Center, Inc., a nonprofit that provides educational and vocational programs, as well as support services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, recently netted more than $150,000 during its 9th annual Loveland Christmas Barbecue. The Venice Community Center was filled with more than 550 guests and 30 volunteers for the barbecue bash, benefiting the legacy of the 55-year-old nonprofit. Scott Pinkerton, the managing partner of Pinkerton Wealth Management Group, and Amy Archer, the principal at Garden Elementary, served as the masters of ceremonies. The Frances and William Baxter Charitable Foundation pledged to match gifts to Loveland Center up to $50,000 that evening. The audience accepted the challenge, and the match was met and exceeded by $6,500 in less than two hours. 

Loveland Center, Inc.