In Southwest Florida’s most populous municipality, the question isn’t whether growth comes but how to make the most of it. North Port City Commissioner Jill Luke feels the city has policies in place to be welcoming, but also logical, in preparing the community. But Peter Bartolotta, a long-time business leader in the region, says the city needs to get aggressive about its economic development before opportunity flies by.

Bartolotta previously played a role in the Vision North Port plan, and he served as founding president of the North Port Economic Development Corporation. He feels it's time for the city to get in the driver’s seat when it comes to growth. “I see an economic engine at Warm Mineral Springs with a boutique resort and utilizing environmentally sensitive lands in a positive way with eco-tourism,” he says. Likewise, he sees a hospital serving the city in the next 20 years.

And if the city turns its attention the right way, he sees North Port becoming an entertainment hub attracting people from Tampa to Naples.

Luke, first elected to the commission a year and a half ago, certainly has played a role in drawing business. She served as tie-breaking vote on a deal to bring Atlanta Braves spring training to the city, for example, but she also feels proud of valuing the land. She supported a green corridor connecting Little Salt Spring to Myakkahatchee Creek. “Time will tell and show 50 years from now how important that decision was, just like how Central Park was for New York City,” she says.

And as for Warm Mineral Springs? She’s on board with the more conservation-focused plan at the city now, which involves restoring the historic buildings on site now, not developing the park with massive hotels.

Bartolotta wants the city to embrace an economic development plan that could bring $250 million in new construction and 1,700 new jobs, and fresh business investments to the city that will grow the tax base and diversify it as well. His plans include getting hi-speed internet at every home in the city. Along with cutting wasteful spending at City Hall, Bartolotta sees a way to boost the economy and keep taxes low.

“I see us participating in an industrious future. We have to bring business to North Port,” he says. “If you want government to be pretty much like it has been, you can go look at my opponent’s website.”

Luke, though, says the city will welcome economic development, but in a timely fashion. Bartolotta’s plans require private investment, something he can’t guarantee will come on its own. What the city needs to do is be prepared to work with new companies by providing the proper infrastructure at the right time.

“Our strategic planning and ideas are what is logical and what is natural growth to come,” she says.

Bartolotta and Luke are running for Seat 5 on the North Port City Commission on Nov. 6. All city voters may vote in the election. 

If time has escaped you and you’ve just now realized Halloween is less than a week away but you haven’t mummified your yard or gotten a bewitched costume yet, there are still endless treasures to covet for the low low at The Exchange. For bargain hunters and last minute shoppers—handle your boo’s this year with thrifty, nifty provisions at the non-profit consignment shop nestled in Burn’s Court. The Exchange is in full orange-black mode for the happily haunted holiday, with end caps at every aisle displaying random assortments of bloody good finds. If you haven’t decked out your inner or outer dwelling yet, give the neighbors pumpkin’ to talk about with the many goulish and fun decorations at every bend. Trick-or-treaters will geek out over the scary skull votives, spirited owl figurines, brass spider web lanterns, ghostly candle holders and rustic wall/door signs. There are also lots of baking supplies to make holiday-themed treats, as well as fall festive serving dishes, candy bags and stuffed animals for your little ones, scarecrow hangings, varying tall vases to hold your autumn sunflowers and even some awesome, fully-equipped costumes at discounted prices for your spontaneous house party plans this weekend. Then, at least you know you’re creepin’ it real by keepin’ it local. 

The Exchange, 539 South Orange Ave., Sarasota, 941-955-7859.

2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota

At a special event yesterday evening at The Met Fashion House on St Armands Circle, friends and supporters of Forty Carrots Family Center gathered to celebrate the incoming Wine, Women & Shoes event on November 8–10, and to witness the unveiling of this year’s special guest. Entering its 25th year, Forty Carrots looked to make a splash and succeeded, working with staff from Venus Med Spa and Merz Aesthetics to bring this special guest, who, though not appearing in Sarasota in person until November 9, was there in spirit and in the form of a giant portrait in the Met foyer—Christie Brinkley. Announced to great applause and the snapping of a thousand photographs, event organizers also took the opportunity to reveal several of the silent auction items that will be available at the event, as well as opportunities for those not able to attend to still join in the charitable festivities. Auction items at the event include a five-course dinner for eight, prepared by internationally recognized cookbook author Giuliano Hazan and served in his house with wine from his cellar, as well as a trip with private tours and tastings in Napa Valley and Sonoma Russian River Valley. Proxy bidding is available. There will also be a chance drawing for a wine fridge stocked full of 48 bottles of Veuve Clicquot, with tickets on sale now and no need to attend to win. The online auction features several weekend getaways, a jewelry chest full of treasure from 530 Burns Gallery, vineyard tours and various cosmetic experiences. 

Wine, Women & Shoes

The Sarasota County School District has officially released guidelines that serve as a framework for school leaders to ensure a safe and productive learning environment for all students—particularly LGBTQIA students. The guidelines function as an extension of the existing student anti-discrimination policy as set forth by the School Board and were thoughtfully created by a committee comprising school administrators, program specialists, students and community partners. The committee utilized best practices from other school districts, including Hillsborough and Broward counties and recent legal outcomes from St. Johns County to develop a unified practice throughout the school district. The guidelines emphasize the ability to recognize students who consistently assert a gender identity and meet the social and emotional needs of individual students. The guidelines are adaptable to provide each school community the ability to maintain student confidentiality and establish a level of trust among their student population. The guidelines also work to protect the civil rights of Sarasota County students and comply with Title VI, Title IX, Section 504 and ADA Title II discrimination policies. 

View the SCS Gender Diverse Student Guidelines in PDF form.

The Sarasota County Commission has unanimously approved a significant step forward in establishing a new Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA) on approximately 12 acres in the Nathan Benderson Park. Commissioners approved a term sheet developed by Mote and Sarasota County staff, which provides a path to formalize a full lease and conveyance agreement no later than the January 30, 2019, Sarasota County Commission meeting. Terms include due-diligence steps that Mote will take, such as providing a legal description of the property, ensuring cooperation with the other organizations using the park and surveying the land and undertaking environmental testing, before Mote may begin a two-year lease for preconstruction efforts such as land-use approvals and permits. Once all land-use approvals are complete and Mote has raised necessary funding, construction of Mote SEA will commence. The term sheet also outlines steps for eventual conveyance of the property to Mote by a deed. A separate meeting of the Sarasota County Commission, at a date to be determined, will address Mote’s request for a $20-million county investment of Tourist Development Tax funds for creation of Mote SEA.
Mote SEA will be a 110,000-square-foot facility containing more than 1 million gallons of exhibits featuring marine life and scientific displays from around the world, onsite diving programs, a STEM resource center, educational galleries, three K-12 STEM teaching labs, two STEM workforce training labs and more. 

Mote SEA