Sarasota and Manatee lawmakers just re-elected to the Florida Legislature will head to Tallahassee now as part of supermajorities. With the legislative delegations for both counties made up exclusively of Republican members, a product of both electoral successes and changes from redistricting, all contribute to massive GOP numbers in the Florida Legislature.

But members say that may not matter much in terms of the local needs of the counties.

“The Sarasota-Manatee delegation has and continues to be incredibly strong,” said Rep. Fiona McFarland, R-Sarasota. “Regardless of party, we’ve agreed on the needs of our region and will continue to advocate for those issues.”

State Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, agreed and said the party dominance would make “no difference” as far as local issues go. Notably, Gruters serves still as chair of the Republican Party of Florida, and on Election Day released a lengthy statement that celebrated, among other big wins, that Republicans “will head to Tallahassee with a supermajority in both the State House and State Senate.” Voters elected 28 Republican state senators and 12 Democratic ones, and in the House elected 85 Republicans and 35 Democrats.

The once-a-decade redrawing of legislative districts also shifts the local delegation make-up. For example, state Rep. Michele Rayner, D-St. Petersburg, won re-election but will no longer represent any part of Manatee or Sarasota counties. Meanwhile, state Rep. Michael Grant, R-Punta Gorda, will now represent part of south Sarasota County and state Rep. Mike Beltran, R-Apollo Beach, will represent a portion of north Manatee.

State Sens. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, and Gruters both won GOP primaries and faced no Democratic opposition. State Rep. Will Robinson, R-Bradenton, won re-election uncontested, as did state Rep. James Buchanan, R-Venice. Meanwhile, state Reps. Tommy Gregory, R-Lakewood Ranch, and Fiona McFarland, R-Sarasota, both defeated Democratic challengers last week.

Even when Democrats have served on the delegation, though, McFarland said local lawmakers worked well together. 

“Even without the super majority, Boyd accomplished a ton for opioid crisis back when manatee was really struggling, Gruters got the clean waterways act and huge funding for red tide research, Gruters and I did the child welfare funding work when we learned how under funded our area was, and Joe did the smoking on the beach work,” she said. 

Screenshot via Florida Channel. Rep. Fiona McFarland presents a bill in committee.

JMX Brands is one of four companies returning to the winners’ circle in the top 10 companies listed. Winning companies were selected by a rigorous assessment of both employees’ and employers’ responses to survey questions. Benefit programs, corporate culture, communications, work environment, and training and development were analyzed and scored. This year, the recognition was expanded to be open to all companies whose primary business is furniture. JMX Brands currently employs 80 employees. The company recently opened a new DutchCrafters showroom in Alpharetta, Ga., adding six new employees. 

Avelo Airlines announced today that it will fly a new nonstop route from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) and open the airline’s fifth base at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) next February. The new base enables Avelo to significantly expand the affordable, convenient and reliable air service the airline introduced to North Carolina’s Research Triangle region last May. This will be Avelo’s second nonstop route from SRQ, joining New Haven, Connecticut. The route will operate three times weekly on Boeing Next-Generation (NG) 737 aircraft. Very low introductory one-way fares starting at $39* are available at AveloAir.com. 

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For most, the word “home” conjures feelings of safety, warmth, and security. The truth is, most mishaps at home can be easily prevented, which is why it's so important to take the necessary — and often fairly simple measures to do so. This is especially the case for families with young children or seniors. The last thing you want is to be confronted with a dangerous situation and find that it is too late to do something about it. Like many things, home safety begins with awareness. That is why Aqua Plumbing & Air, a local heating, air conditioning, water treatment and plumbing company, is proud to announce the creation of the Aqua Cares Foundation, a new 501(c)(3) organization that educates the community on how to keep you and your family healthy and safe through education, training and advocacy. While the company still prioritizes giving back to the community each year, the new Aqua Cares Foundation has a TV show that provides home safety tips, provides education workshops on home safety, and also has a children program hosted by Howie the Home Safety Hound.  “Importance of home safety is synonymous to the importance of practicing safety in its entirety. Keeping your home free of dangers and equipped with home safety education can prevent mundane accidents such as falls and can protect you from emergencies like fires. We are committed to improving the lives of our customers while also supporting our community and giving back.” said Chuck Jacobson, co-owner of Aqua Plumbing & Air. “The creation and structure of the Aqua Cares Foundation will help us create an even greater impact and allow us to plan and maximize the power of our community support.”  

Pictured: Skip Stanton and Chuck Jacobson, Co-Owners of Aqua Plumbing and Air.

Realtor Shirley A. Bahler has joined RE/MAX Platinum Realty as a Sales Associate with the Seaside Living Group. She has 36 years of residential real estate experience, specializing in coastal communities. Originally from Connecticut, Bahler lived in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, for 20 years, where she was a consistent top-producing agent. She received her Massachusetts real estate license in 1986 and her broker’s license in 1999. Prior to her real estate career, she worked in office management in both corporate and municipal settings, as well as in sales, marketing and graphic design. Her move to Florida in 2016 has allowed her to enjoy her favorite activities, including the arts, culture, gardening and the pleasures of seaside living. She will work from the Venice and Wellen Park offices, and can be reached at (508) 364-6734 or Shirley@AtHomeSeaside.com. 

Sarasota Orchestra released a public survey Wednesday afternoon to collect feedback about the organization, its planned music center and how the Orchestra might use this new project to better serve the community. In March, Sarasota Orchestra announced plans to build a music center on 32 acres at 5701 Fruitville Road between Honore Avenue and Cattlemen Road. The Orchestra will use survey results to inform a masterplan that reflects the community’s input. Aspirations for the music center currently include the region’s first acoustic concert hall, a recital hall, rehearsal spaces, practice rooms and administrative offices. The site will also include about 12 acres of publicly accessible green spaces, such as parks, walking trails and water features. Sarasota Orchestra is facing an urgent need for increased performance, education, rehearsal, storage, and administrative space to accommodate more concert dates and greater participation in Sarasota Orchestra’s youth programs. 

Click here for survey, open now until Friday, Nov. 18.

HIDDEN GEMS | Eight restaurants that transcend their environs to offer memorable cuisine and bring-you-back experiences.

Discover dining treasures Reyna's Taqueria, S.O.B. Burgers, Origin Craft Beer and Pizza, Sardinia, Baker and Wife, Post Kitchen & Bar, Bangkok, and Bourbon and Bones through this link, on our social media, or in the November edition of SRQ Magazine! 

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