With the primary season closed, attention could focus on a routinely swingy state House district in Sarasota. State Rep. Fiona McFarland this year faces Democrat Derek Reich in House District 73.

McFarland won the seat in 2020, flipping the open seat red after taking 54.6% of the vote to Democrat Drake Buckman’s 45.4%. She’s confident the work done over her first two years in office warrants re-election.

“I’m looking forward to the campaign and hearing from my constituents about how I can best represent them next session,” McFarland said. “I have some new geography in my district due to redistricting, so their perspective and voices will be important to hear. The campaign in 2020 was so unique due to COVID, so for many folks this will be our first chance to talk in person.”

She’ll have plenty to talk about from her fight for data privacy to various business protections passed during the pandemic.

Of course, Reich plans to focus on other parts of the record for McFarland and the Republican-controlled Legislature. A teacher at Sarasota High School, Reich took particular offense as a House budget that at one point planned to deny $12 million for the Sarasota County Schools over a disagreement on a School Board mask mandate. But he sees a variety of stances taken by House leadership that fly in the face of the “free state of Florida” message espoused.

“This race is about one thing: freedom versus authoritarianism,” he said. “I am the freedom candidate. I am pro-freedom. I am proudly pro-choice and believe every woman has the freedom to control her own body.”

He plans to run against a 15-week abortion ban with no rape or incest exceptions passed by the Legislature with McFarland’s support. He will also run against legislation allowing outside individuals to challenge school instructional materials. “The Governor took away parental rights,” he said, again countering the characterization Gov. Ron DeSantis uses for his education policies. “He took away my mother’s ability to decide what her 16-year-old and 17-year-old at North Port High School will read.”

Democrats hope voters will be receptive. This is a district where Republicans Donald Trump barely came out ahead in the 2020 presidential election, winning 49.7% of the vote to Democrat Joe Biden’s 49.34%.

But it’s also a race where McFarland as an incumbent boasts far greater than Reich has collected thus far as a first-time candidate. Through Aug. 26, the Republican raised $187,515 to the Democrat’s $31,093.

Photo: Fiona McFarland, Derek Reich

The Blues Sound Better in Bradenton!

The 11th annual Bradenton Blues Festival Weekend, presented by NDC Construction Company, is back at the Bradenton Riverwalk Pavilion Friday, December 2 and Saturday, December 3, 2022, with an outstanding lineup of talented Blues musicians on the big stage. Musicians performing at this year’s Festival, include: Ana Popovich, Albert Castiglia, Mike Zito, Nora Jean Wallace, Dustin Arbuckle and the Damnations, Lady A, and more! While enjoying the amazing music, you can also purchase beer and wine, delicious food, local arts and crafts, and cool festival merchandise.

In addition to bringing people together and fostering a healthy economy, enriching the community is another goal of the Bradenton Blues Festival. Proceeds from the Bradenton Blues Festival support Realize Bradenton’s youth, art, and music programs that are free to the community, including our Blues in the Schools program. “Blues in the Schools” introduces high school students to successful Blues musicians in order to inspire their creativity and ignite their dreams.

The Bradenton Blues Festival is produced by Realize Bradenton, a nonprofit organization that brings people together to create a vibrant and prosperous downtown area for residents, visitors, and businesses.

Purchase tickets at BradentonBluesFestival.org. 

Click here to learn more

SVN Commercial Advisory Group announces the promotion of Jake LaFemina to the role of Advisor. A graduate of San Diego State University, LaFemina has advanced to this position less than two years after starting his commercial real estate career as an Associate Advisor. This marks only the second time in the firm’s history a person new to the industry has earned this promotion in such short order.

LaFemina attributes his rapid success to both a willingness to learn and the encouragement of his office colleagues. “I showed up every day, kept my ears open and had an open mind,” said LaFemina, who completed a real estate degree in 2020. “And from day one, everyone in the office has done nothing but lift me up and tell me I can do it.” Since starting with SVN Commercial Advisory Group, LaFemina has worked on the closing of more than two dozen deals, with several more set to close in the coming months.

A Sarasota native, LaFemina pursued his education in California and returned to Florida to participate in the office’s internship program. Every year, SVN Commercial Advisory Group selects four or five college students – often business and real estate majors – to spend time in the office and get acquainted with the business. 

Rapid Mortgage, a mortgage company based in Cincinnati, Ohio launches a Sarasota office.  Regional Manager Greg Nolte and Branch Manager Rick Vega have brought on Jamie Black as their Director of Business Development. Jamie is well known in the real estate and mortgage circles here locally as a mortgage advisor.   

Jamie Carson has been named Sarasota County's Director of Communications, a role that continues her 23 years in the communications field, including the past nine years with the county. In her most recent position as Communications Manager, Carson oversaw the department’s Creative Services and Media Relations divisions. She also served as a lead public information officer (PIO) for the county’s joint information center, coordinating emergency communications efforts with local and regional PIOs and developed and implemented a nationally recognized crisis communication plan for the county’s COVID-19 vaccine registration efforts.

As the Director of Communications, Carson will also be responsible for the county’s 311 and Welcome Center operations, as well as the department’s Public Records division. According to Sarasota County Administrator Jonathan Lewis, Carson’s experience and expertise help ensure a seamless transition for the county’s communications department, following the retirement of previous director Donn Patchen.

“Jamie is the natural choice to lead our Communications Department with the critical task of informing and engaging with the community,” Lewis said. “She has a passion for public service, which she’s demonstrated across her entire career.”

Carson previously served in the U.S. Army as a public affairs specialist and photojournalist, earning multiple military commendations and awards for excellence in journalism. In Fort Lee, Va., she served at the U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command, known as the Army’s sustainment, think-tank, and premier learning institution. As a Public Affairs and Marketing Specialist at Beckley Battalion in Richmond, Va., Carson supervised activities and programs for more than 23 military offices across two states. 

Manatee County is teaming with the Florida Housing Coalition to help build affordable housing and provide opportunities for mission-based organizations and minority-owned or led businesses to participate in this process. County staffers are participating in a special training program—called Support and Connect—through the Coalition and Fifth Third Bank. The goal is to provide best practices in disposition of public land for affordable housing with an emphasis on supplier diversity. In this inaugural year of the program, participants are receiving the training and technical assistance at no cost.

“This is an important program, which will help Manatee County address the affordable housing crisis,” said Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes. “This will help ensure more robust participation, increasing the contribution of all stakeholders to meeting our local housing needs.”

Training and technical assistance will be provided over the next several months to provide systematic improvement in processes and procedures, increasing housing production while addressing barriers to participation often faced by minority developers and nonprofits. Ultimately, it is anticipated that more housing will be produced by local businesses, providing opportunities to residents and building wealth within the local community.

“It’s a win-win for Manatee County,” said Dr. Hopes. 

Sarasota Art Museum is pleased to announce the appointment of Christina Fraser as its Senior Director of Business Operations starting this Friday. “We welcome Christina as we continue evolving to achieve our mission,” said Virginia Shearer, executive director of Sarasota Art Museum. “Christina is a great team player with a powerful collaborative spirit and a deep interest and commitment to this community and to the future of Sarasota Art Museum.” With more than 13 years of professional experience at arts and higher education institutions including The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art and New College of Florida, Fraser has in-depth experience in managing resources, personnel, and operations, and leading cross-departmental teams to achieve common institutional goals. As a museum professional, she bridges creative, financial, and operational areas through her expertise in finance administration, marketing, public engagement and events, facilities management, and public safety. Fraser holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of South Florida. The Senior Director of Business Operations is a newly created leadership position responsible for managing the Museum’s operating budget and revenue generating programs, leading a variety of special projects including institutional publications, overseeing major digital infrastructure initiatives, and implementing long-term financial planning. 

Christina Fraser, Senior Director of Business Operations at Sarasota Art Museum. Daniel Perales, Sarasota Art Museum

For more info.

The Education Foundation of Sarasota County recently received a $15,000 grant from Bank of America to help fund programs that provide Sarasota County students with greater access to individualized resources and opportunities that help them prepare a plan for their lives after high school. The Education Foundation’s Student Success Program vision is to provide all students with the expert college and career advising, mentoring, and access to building relationships that will help them identify and successfully pursue education, career, and life goals after high school.

Jennifer Vigne, Education Foundation president and CEO, noted that the 1:378 ratio of school counselors to high school students in district schools makes it challenging for students, especially underserved students, to access the individualized advising that is vital in helping young people formulate life plans.

“Our aim is to expand our active outreach of low-income, minority, and first-generation college students in order to create life-changing educational opportunities and connections that will help bridge the gap and equip more students with the tools and resources they need to succeed. Bank of America’s grant will help us directly address this challenge in numerous ways, chiefly in helping us focus on the unique needs of underserved youth and provide direct support to help them develop a plan and access community relationships and resources that make a difference,” Vigne said.

The expanded initiative will be based at LaunchPad4U, the foundation’s innovative community resource site that also offers college-career advising, mentoring for at-risk students, and other focused student support services. 

Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center has been awarded a $30,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to provide mental health counseling services to its clients. In conjunction with Samaritan Counseling Services of the Gulf Coast, this new program will offer support for those who have significant vision loss or are blind. Services will include individual counseling along with small group sessions.

“Loss of eyesight can have a devastating effect on anyone,” said Lisa Howard, CEO of Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center. “Navigating a new world that includes impaired vision can lead to further feelings of helplessness and isolation. We welcome this new partnership with Samaritan and look forward to helping our clients cope with the challenges vision loss entails.”

“We are blessed to work with this population helping them find hope and peace in their lives,” said John Gregory, Community Care Director for Samaritan Counseling. “Our counselor reports clients are expressing positive comments and results. Some are moving forward by starting new things in their lives, resuming relationships, and exploring work opportunities. Many have expressed they are able to have a life again as they are learning to look at things from a different perspective.”

Funds for this initiative were granted through the Community Foundation’s Equity and Access program to support projects that promote equity and access to services amongst populations who face systemic barriers in our community. These grants are an opportunity for the Community Foundation to partner with organizations who are focusing on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access in local, direct service work. 

For more info.

Water’s Edge of Bradenton has announced that their 5th Annual Wellness Expo will be held on Thursday, October 20. The expo will be in the Town Hall at their recently renovated senior living community at 2015 32nd Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205. This interactive event is free to the public and with over 40 local Health & Wellness participating vendors! The event features free health screenings, hands-on demonstrations, informational wellness materials, local physicians & health resources, free gifts, shopping opportunities, lunch (donation), and much more. All proceeds benefit the Philanthropy Program at Water’s Edge of Bradenton, a non-profit organization. Thank you to our major sponsors, Southwest Florida Home Care and Home Helpers Home Care of Bradenton.

For more on Water's Edge.

LIFE IN MOTION | Sarasota raised and Los Angeles based artist Christian Sampson specializes in color-light projection.

Learn more about Sampson's life in motion through this link, our social media, or in the September edition of SRQ Magazine!