As city leaders spoke to the Sarasota Legislative Delegation, a theme clearly emerged. The message? Let local government do its job. 

“Not all cities are the same,” said Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert.

“We truly need to have home rule,” said North Port Mayor Mayor Chris Hanks.

“Take a good look at if you want your aunts and uncles running your houses or if you want to run your own house,” said Vanessa Carusone for the Manasota League of Cities.

Pushback against preemption laws this year became a consistent request from local elected officials to those running state government.

Of course, the push comes as lawmakers consider ways to bring further accountability to local officials. State Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, plans again to file a bill putting major fines on cities that let wastewater system failures pollute waterways.

“I would list local governments as one of the worst polluters when you look at the sheer volume of human waste that gets dumped into our waterways,” he said.

Not all local lawmakers feel restrictions on municipalities will deliver the best approach. “We need to be more thoughtful,” said state Rep. Margaret Good, D-Sarasota. “We should be working with our local governments to find ways to solve issues, not looking for new ways to punish them.”

The annual Sarasota County Legislative Delegation meeting on Monday provided a place to air grievances and to submit dollar requests. Organizations pushed for local spending, with Gruters reminding that while hundreds of requests will come into the delegation, likely just a few will make it to the state budget. College leaders, school districts and countless nonprofits came to make the case nonetheless.

State Rep. James Buchanan, R-Venice, took on a local bill to offer enforcement powers to regulations in the Holiday Park district, and state Rep. Newt Newtown, D-St. Petersburg, agreed through a staff member to do the same with a similar local bill at Tri-Park Estates.

State Rep Tommy Gregory, R-Sarasota, said he will take on fresh transportation projects this year, and heads to the next Legislative Session especially focused on improving the area’s bridges.  

Photo by Jacob Ogles: State Rep. Margaret Good and state Sen. Joe Gruters speak to press after the Sarasota County Legislative Delegation meeting.

It seems veganites are perpetually limited in dining options and menu options when it comes to finding a quick bite to eat. And despite popular belief that those who choose a more restricted diet snack on “rabbit food” all day—the reality is that they too want to be sumptuously full after a meal. New Yorkers Dwight Spence and Tzirel Bleier get it. And they’re pretty punny about it. Fork My Life opened this past June to fill the vegan-friendly void in Sarasota, and does it with some self-deprecating flair. Founded on the belief that everyone should have easy access to fresh, healthy, plant-based, affordable foods, the boutique vegan cafe/bakery makes everything in-house, while its market side offers vegan meats and cheeses curated from artisanal cheesemongers and butchers.

While this may look like your typical chicken parm sandwich, it’s actually a vegan’s lunchbreak godsend. The breaded seitan “chicken,” is a popular vegan substitute made from wheat gluten and water, and has the same taste and texture of meat—making it an ideal source of protein and minerals like selenium and iron. The seitan comes lightly fried and smothered in a garlic basil tomato sauce, then covered in FML melted vegan parmesan and bubbling vegan mozzarella. The only element not deceivingly in disguise is the artisan hoagie roll. 

Vegan Chicken Parmesan Sandwich, $9, Fork My Life, 6538 Gateway Ave., Sarasota, 941-923-3511, @forkmylifellc 

Photo provided by Fork My Life.

At yesterday’s Sarasota County Legislative Delegation meeting at the Sarasota County Commission, Women’s Resource Center CEO Ashley Brown asked state legislators to support the creation of a bipartisan joint committee to address “benefit cliffs” in order to help individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency, reduce workforce disruptions and to decrease state social benefits costs. Social program benefit cliffs occur when a marginal increase in income results in a loss of public benefits.

Brown explained to the legislators that, each month, more than 250 women seek counseling and training from the Women’s Resource Center. She gave examples of women who work hard to receive a college degree or training credential only to realize they can’t afford to receive a pay increase because it results in a loss of benefits with a wage that is not livable. Brown further explained that the current Florida benefit system does not provide for a “glide path” off funded programs as workers earn more money. This causes many people to be economically worse off once they complete a credential and/or enter higher paying jobs.  It also causes high turnover and work disruption for employers as individuals quit or reduce their hours so as not to reach the “cliff.” 

Brown asked the legislators to create the joint committee by bringing together key stakeholders, including state university system personnel, to assess the impact of the current public benefit system and to identify policies which will allow for a gradual path out of poverty.  

Women's Resource Center

The fifth annual Remote Area Medical Free Clinic will take place at Manatee Technical College in Bradenton on October 12 and 13, but organizers say they need dental and eye care professionals to help. “Over the four years that our RAM Clinic has been held in Bradenton, we’ve delivered over 6,755 free dental, optical and medical procedures to 3,894 patients – and the only question we have ever asked is, ‘Where does it hurt?’” said Dr. Richard Conard, M.D., who has been the principal organizer of the event. “This year, we desperately need help. We have too few dental and optical professional volunteers to serve all the patients we know will be here.”

Volunteer dentists, oral surgeons, opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists are encouraged to contact Lori Dengler at lorijd4@gmail.com. Volunteer professional providers are offered free meals during the event. Lodging is also provided for medical professionals coming from a distance exceeding 100 miles. Because Florida’s Legislature does not permit out-of-state medical professionals to provide free medical care to Florida residents, only Florida-licensed professionals may volunteer. 

Remote Area Medical Free Clinic - Bradenton

Perrone Construction has announced the addition of Jacqueline Mazur as VP of business development and Kelly Milligan as office manager. Mazur joins the luxury homebuilder as the company reaches its 40th year in business and sets its sights on strategic growth. Prior to joining Perrone Construction, she was the Director of Marketing and Business Development at Berlin Patten Ebling, a prominent Florida real estate law firm. Originally from New York, Milligan has worked as an accountant and office manager for more than 20 years assisting executives in both the for-profit and nonprofit corporate environment with financial statement, budget and forecasting preparation. 

Perrone Construction

Join SRQ MEDIA on October 23, 2019 from 5:30-7pm to explore the options at local private and charter schools in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Hear from representatives from: The Out-Of-Door Academy, NewGate School, St. Martha Catholic School, Sarasota Christian School and the Island Village Montessori School.

Free admission. Light bites and refreshments. RSVP online at SRQMAG.COM/MOED. 

RSVP Here