Sarasota County voters in 2018 elected to begin picking county commissioners through single-member district elections. In March, they will decide whether to stay that course.

A county-wide special election takes place on March 8. All registered voters regardless of party can vote on a charter amendment that, if passed, will reinstate county-wide elections for commissioners. 

Sarasota County Commissioner Christian Ziegler sees it a chance to correct an error. He won his seat in 2018 in the last county-wide commission election, on the same day the switch to single-member voting was approved. He feared then voters did not understand that they were giving up their voice.

“Everyone lost 80% of their representation and 80% of their accountability,” he said. “They lost the right to vote for four of five county commissioners, and you need a majority to get anything done.”

But Kindra Muntz, president of the Sarasota Alliance for Fair Elections, said voters understood the benefits of single-member districts in a growing county where it’s increasingly expensive to run countywide. She’s upset that less than four years after passing a charter amendment, commissioners have put the matter to a new vote— and with ballot language that doesn’t even mention the single-member voting change that just occurred.

“It is unnecessary and insulting to the people of Sarasota,” she said. “Almost 60% of all voters passed this in 2018 and now they are trying to overturn it in a quick special election.”

Sarasota now stands as Florida’s 15^th most populous county, and only four of the 17 largest hold county-wide elections, she said. The reason is that it’s simply costly to conduct a campaign in turf stretching from North Port to the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport and everywhere in between. And the result is county commissioners more beholden to wealthy industry donors like developers than they are to the people.

Ziegler disagreed, and said his own experience countywide informed him of voter opinions throughout the county. He noted that while River Road falls outside his District 2, he committed to voters to improve the road largely because he needed votes in south county. A majority of commissioners since has approved a road swap with the state and construction on improvements will soon begin. But the impact of that improvement may have little impact on his District 2 constituents.

He characterized single member voting as a Democratic plot to pick off a county commission seat in a GOP county— and based on a newly approved county map it may be his. District 2 is now a Democrat-leaning seat. While Ziegler said he’s confident he’ll win re-election anyway — Sarasota Mayor Hagen Brody announced he’s running as a Democrat against the Republican Ziegler — he said any scheme to get a big government liberal on the board in a conservative county should concern voters.

Muntz, though, said the accusation of partisanship was baseless. The groups backing the single-member initiative in 2018 and who want to keep the system in place today include Democrats, Republicans and independents, and the shift would not have been approved without broad political support.

Moreover, she points to the 2020 elections, the only time so far commissioners were elected in single-member elections since the 2018 charter amendment passed. The closest a candidate came to unseating a sitting county commissioner was actually Republican Mike Hutchinson, who came within 365 votes of incumbent Commissioner Mike Moran in a GOP primary.  

Image courtesy Pixabay

Every area of the country has its hidden gems, its secret treasures only accessible to those who live there. In Sarasota, the treasures are many but perhaps none as secretive as the different species of birds that populate the area. Specifically, the diverse array of native and migratory birds that can be found in Oscar Scherer State Park and the Celery Fields.

Peter Brown, a volunteer with the Sarasota Audubon Society leads guided walks of the Celery Fields and Oscar Scherer State park on a weekly basis. According to Brown, "Many folks that go on these walks know they can go to the beach and eat outside at nice restaurants, but the idea of seeing and connecting to nature is brand new for them.” 

The Celery Fields, which serve as the stormwater retention area for the Phillippi Creek Drainage Basin, are home to over ten miles of walking trails across the site’s ponds and wetlands. ‘Mount Celery’, the 55-foot high observation mound is one of the highest points of elevation in the county and the park contains boardwalks that jut into the marsh - a natural site for birds to nest, feed and roost. Exotic looking species such as the Roseate Spoonbills, cormorants, and herons often reside near the boardwalks.

“It’s a special characteristic of Florida to have such colorful and interesting birds all year long,” says Brown. In the winter, the Celery Fields are home to migratory species such as Ring-Necked Ducks, Northern Shoveler, Blue-Winged Teal, and many more.

Oscar Scherer State Park, which offers 15 miles of hiking trails, also hosts a multitude of migratory bird species including Great Horned Owls and Bald Eagles of which Brown recently found, a nest with two eaglets. The Florida Scrub Jay, an at-risk species native to the area, also populates the park.

“My favorite thing is not birding alone, but rather birding with a group,” says Brown. By leading the guided walks, Brown can not only spend time outside, but share with others what is often a new and interesting way to connect with the wildlife around them.

February Event Calendar:
https://www.sarasotaaudubon.org/events/category/guided-walks/

Sarasota Audubon Society, 941-312-6533. 

Pictured: The Florida Scrub Jay. Courtesy of Oscar Scherer State Park.

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Samaritan Counseling Services was awarded a $20,000 grant from the COVID-19 Response Initiative of Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation to provide mental health counseling sessions for Sarasota County clients in need, with first priority given to those referred by nonprofit partners, including Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Samaritan Counseling’s team of highly trained, state licensed psychologists, social workers, mental health counselors and interns will work closely with uninsured and under-insured men, women and children on their therapeutic goals. Sessions will be provided for those experiencing anxiety, depression, alcohol and substance abuse, or other serious life challenges.  

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Impact100 SRQ’s annual Big Reveal event will announce how many members have joined the collective giving organization for 2022 on March 8 at the Nathan Benderson Finishing Tower. The open event welcomes everyone to join in this celebratory announcement where the community will learn about the funds going directly to nonprofit organizations in Sarasota and Manatee Counties for the 2022 Giving Year. In just three years since this local chapter’s inception, the women of Impact100 SRQ have funded nine grants and donated $974,000 to local nonprofits. Its collective giving model is simple – at least 100 women come together, each invests $1,000, and grants are funded in increments of no less than $100,000. As its membership grows, more grants can be funded and the impact of Impact100 SRQ will be magnified throughout our community. The grants are awarded by members within five focus areas: Arts & Culture, Education, Environment & Recreation, Family, and Health & Wellness. The Big Reveal event will take place from 5-8pm and offers a fun opportunity to bring family and friends together to enjoy activities such as local food trucks, a digital photo experience, networking with grant recipients and members, a DJ and more. RSVP for the event at this link: www.impact100srq.org. 

Parkwood Dental is hosting a community outreach event "Little Smiles, Lots of Fun" on Thursday, March 3, 2022. Dr. Hernandez and his team are opening their doors on Thursday afternoon to meet kids in Manatee County in an effort to improve dental health in the community. This event is open to families and they welcome children under the age of 12 to receive a free exam, cleaning, and fluoride treatment. Parental permission and supervision is required. Dr. Hernandez and his team believe early education for parents is important to help prevent cavities and allows them to address bad habit correction or improve dental alignment that may affect child’s development and speech. This 4th annual event is a follow-up to the ‘No Cavity November’ where dental hygienists from Parkwood Dental demonstrated good brushing and flossing skills while giving out toothbrushes and paste to Manatee County schools as a dental health awareness community outreach effort. On March 3rd local residents with kiddos are invited to join for a free kid’s dental cleaning and enjoy balloon animals, prizes from the Treasure Chest, Face Painting and more! Thursday's event will run from 2:00 pm. to 6:00 pm. at the EAST office located at 5315 4th Ave Cir East off SR64. Appointments are needed. Call or text (941)254-2595 to reserve a spot. Parkwood Dental specializes in preventive care, dental treatments, cosmetic dentistry and orthodontic services. The office is led by Dr. Oscar Hernandez, Jr.; a licensed general dentist with over 28 years experience creating healthy smiles for happy patients. Dr. Hernandez works hard to raise public awareness of the benefits of healthy eating and great dental hygiene starting at a young age. 

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Asolo Repertory Theatre has reached its goal for Phase I of the Staging Our Future Capital/Endowment Campaign and is well into construction. Phase I covers a new structure at the Robert and Beverly Koski Center on Tallevast Road, including the Margot and Warren Coville Rehearsal Hall and other new spaces vital to the Asolo Rep strategic plan for advancing artistic excellence, expanding educational and community enrichment programs, and evolving Asolo Rep revenue streams. New construction is set to be completed on schedule in June 2022. Details on a ribbon-cutting ceremony will follow shortly.Fundraising for Phase II of the campaign has begun, with $7 million remaining to complete the next leg of the project. Phase II will fund necessary renovations to the existing Koski Center buildings, providing comprehensive creative infrastructure that includes additional rehearsal space, classrooms, studios, physical therapy and medical support facilities, artistic offices, and a dedicated on-site suite for costume fitting, construction and storage. The total project budget for Staging Our Future is $21 million, including a $5 million endowment for operating expenses for the new and newly renovated spaces. Asolo Rep has currently raised 85% of this endowment goal. As of February 10, 2022, more than 90 generous donors have contributed to the Staging Our Future Campaign. 

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