SRQ DAILY Apr 15, 2024
Monday Business Edition
"This achievement reflects our team's hard work and dedication."
The races for the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board this year have already become the most expensive ever. Three candidates posted fundraising of $15,000 or more for the partisan elections.
That takes place as a clear division becomes clear, particularly in the Republican Primary, between two slates of candidates.
On one side is an anti-privatization slate, where most of the financial support has surfaced to date. Incumbents Sharon Wetzler DePeters (seat 1) and Sarah Lodge (Central district) are part of that group, along with Mote Marine executive Kevin Cooper (seat 2) and Sarasota Memorial executive Pam Beitlich (seat 3).
Meanwhile, a medical freedom slate demanding major changes at the district, potentially including its privatization, is led by Mary Flynn O’Neill (seat 3), sister to former Donald Trump national security advisor Michael Flynn. O’Neill is running with a slate including, Dr. Tamzin Rosenwasser (seat 1), Kendra Becker-Musante (seat 2) and Tonya Parus (Central district). Another candidate, Dr. Stephen Guffanti (seat 2) has also spoken for medical freedom and accused Sarasota Memorial of once holding him in COVID isolation against his will.
Beitlich, now Sarasota Memorial’s executive director of Women and Children’s Services, has amassed the most in contributions. In the first quarter of the year, she raised $18,145. That’s more than anyone has spent to win a seat on the board (Britt Riner in 2020 spent $15,000 to win a seat 3 post).
“I can’t thank the people of this community enough for rallying behind my campaign to ensure every Sarasota County resident continues to receive the very best health care that they have come to expect from SMH,” she said in a statement.
Cooper, Vice President of Communications and Strategic Initiatives for Mote Marine Laboratory, has raised nearly as much, reporting $16,128. “It just goes to show how important access to quality medical care is to the residents of this community,” he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Lodge put in $15,000 out of pocket to defend her seat and DePeters reported $5,100 raised to do the same.
Rossenwasser has raised the most of the medical freedom candidates, about $700. O’Neill has collected $200 and Parus reported $170. Neither Becker-Musante nor Guffanti has reported any donation to date.
Those candidates, sans Guffanti, have a collective website laying out a shared platform demanding trust and truth with the local hospital. “Our slate is committed to promoting innovative healthcare technologies, preventive care, and wellness education. We believe that when individuals are empowered to make informed healthcare decisions and have access to high-quality care, it creates a healthier environment for all Sarasota County residents,” the website said.
Looking beyond the primary, three Democrats have also filed for seats on the board. None is currently expected to face a primary. George Davis (seat 3) has been the most prolific fundraiser, reporting $3,375 in contributions, not as much as any of the anti-privatization Republicans but more than any medical freedom candidate. John Lutz (seat 2) has reported $100 in contributions. Alan Jerome Spitzer (seat 1) has reported no fundraising to date. 
Photo courtesy Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
Over half of women and almost one in three men suffer a sexual assault with violence in their lifetimes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Beyond the physical bruises and injuries, those assaults have long-term consequences for survivors, especially when they are too afraid or ashamed to seek help, said Elizabeth Kovach, a board-certified sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) who coordinates Sarasota Memorial’s forensic program and team of over 40 specialized forensic nurses who have been caring for patients throughout Sarasota County since 2015. The SMH team counsels and cares for survivors of sexual assault and other acts of violence at the health system’s three Emergency Care Centers, and provides ongoing support and resources to support them through the healing process. They are there to help patients who may have been exposed to sexually transmitted diseases or potential pregnancy concerns, or suffer from anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts. If criminal charges are filed, they work with authorities to provide expert testimony in the courtroom. The number of survivors the team has cared for has been increasing, from about 5-6 patients per month in 2016 to nearly 20 per month today. In 2023, the SMH team cared for 215 sexual assault patients, up from 200 the year before. With numbers on the rise, and a shortage of sexual assault nurse examiners locally and nationally, SMH’s forensics team has been collaborating with other agencies as it expands its outreach, training more than 100 other nurses in the community and other professionals who work with sexual assault survivors, with financial support from the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation. In 2023, the American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet Accreditation Committee commended SMH’s forensic nurses, highlighting their program as a “top exemplar” and model for other hospitals across the nation. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, specially trained nurses are available at Sarasota Memorial’s three emergency care centers in Sarasota, Venice and North Port. You can also call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673). For online help, including chat hotlines in English and Spanish, visit: www.rainn.org/resources.
Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman presented several awards during a recent ceremony recognizing the 2023 Employees of the Year. 911 Systems Analyst Randall Grosswiler has been named the 2023 Civilian Employee of the Year. Deputy William Rose has been named the 2023 Law Enforcement Deputy of the Year. Deputy William Sills has been named the 2023 Courts and Corrections Deputy of the Year. Communications Operator I Patryk Ziarnicki has received the 2023 Quality Assurance of the Year Award.
The Office of Angelina "Angel" Colonneso, Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, will hold its free biannual document shredding event on Saturday, April 20, from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at the Manatee County Fairgrounds. At the Clerk's Community Shred Day, residents may shred up to two standard-sized bankers' boxes (measuring 12 inches by 10 inches by 15 inches) of personal documents. Accepted items include documents of any color or type of paper, plastic credit cards and IDs. This event will also offer electronic recycling and hard drive destruction. Residents may recycle electronic devices such as computer monitors, towers/desktops, cell phones, tablets, laptops, printers, smartwatches, and CDs. Hard drives will be destroyed on-site. Please note that binders, junk mail, magazines, newspapers, speakers, cable boxes, and TVs will not be accepted. Paper clips, staples, rubber bands, labels, and file tabs do not need to be removed from documents. For the safety and efficiency of all event attendees, drop-offs are not permitted. Attendees are required to remain in their vehicles with their documents and electronics until a staff member or volunteer securely collects their items for shredding or recycling. Vital Records Control, a professional shredding company certified by the National Association for Information Destruction (AAA Certified), will provide the shredding, electronic recycling, and hard drive destruction services for this event. Since 2018, the Clerk’s Office has proudly offered free document shredding services to all residents of Manatee County. For more information and event details, please visit the Clerk’s website at https://www.manateeclerk.com/about-us/clerk-events/.
SCF’s 26 West Entrepreneurship Center is hosting a Food + Wine Festival featuring local entrepreneurs and small businesses from 4 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 18 at SCF Bradenton, Building 8, 5840 26th St. W., Bradenton. General admission tickets are $10 and limited VIP experiences are available for $30. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the SCF Hospitality & Tourism program to support student scholarships. Attendees can enjoy a Beer Garden sponsored by Lamborghini Sarasota, live music, and the opportunity to relish the flavors of our local food scene with samples from over 26 vendors. The festival also features wines, spirits, and craft beverages. The VIP Wine Lounge features a prosecco bubbly cart, curated light bites, swag bag and more. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit 26West.SCF.edu/FoodWine. For more information about the 26 West Entrepreneurship Center, visit 26West.SCF.edu.
SVN | Commercial Advisory Group is pleased to announce its outstanding performance in the recently released SVN International Q1 rankings, showcasing the top 10 performing offices and advisors nationwide. With a commitment to excellence and dedication to client satisfaction, SVN | Commercial Advisory Group has earned its place among the highest performing SVN offices in the country. With over 200 offices and 1,600 advisors nationwide, SVN’s Top 10 quarterly rankings highlight an elite group of top performers. SVN | Commercial Advisory Group is proud to have secured a coveted position within the top 10 offices in Q1, and looks forward to continuing this momentum throughout the year. In addition to the firm’s remarkable achievement, one SVN | Commercial Advisory Group Senior Advisor, Mike Migone, CCIM, has also been recognized among the top 10 advisors nationwide. This accolade underscores Migone’s dedication to excellence and his invaluable contributions to the firm’s success. In Q1 alone, SVN | Commercial Advisory Group closed over $43 million in deal volume, further solidifying its position as a leader in the commercial real estate industry, both locally and nationally. Notable transactions include: A $1.5 million, 10-year lease in Downtown Sarasota; An $8.8 million sale of an office building in Bradenton; An $8.4 million land sale in North Port, poised for the development of more than 300 multifamily units. “We are thrilled to be recognized among the top performers int he SVN network,” said Larry Starr, Executive Director of SVN | Commercial Advisory Group. “This achievement reflects our team’s hard work and dedication. We look forward to building on this success and continuing to exceed expectations in the commercial real estate market.”
2024 DECALS AND DONUTS | We are thrilled to recognize and celebrate the winners and honorees at the 3rd Annual Decals & Donuts hosted at SRQ Studios on Wednesday, April 17th from 8-1pm. Please join us for coffee and donuts to grab your window cling decal, magazines, and photo opportunities.
Calling all wine lovers and foodies to support the legacy of John and Mable Ringling and join us on our Wine Walk Around the World with Ringling. This year we will explore wines and food around the globe by indulging in a wine-tasting tour along the drive to the legendary home of the Ringlings overlooking Sarasota Bay with live music and entertainment. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit ringling.org.
Experiencing an increase in demand during the summer can be exciting for small business owners, but finding the right hire to meet that demand can be challenging. In this webinar, we will dive into the fundamentals of hiring a seasonal worker and the strategies you can use to hire the right employee fast while staying compliant with regulations. From posting job listings to on-the-job training, we will cover everything you need to know about the hiring process. Free, online webinar. score.org/manasota.
For many business owners, succession planning and retirement planning are often placed on the back burner as an endless list of day-to-day obligations take precedence. However, a focus on long-term succession goals is a good business strategy as it provides a defined roadmap for the business. This webinar will highlight the need for having a formal succession plan in writing with examples of missteps. It will also provide a guide for business owners looking to formalize the often-overlooked aspect of succession planning and implement a robust succession strategy, ensuring continuity and success not only for themselves but also for their organization. Free, online webinar. score.org/manasota.
If you are a small business owner, chances are you have heard about QuickBooks. That is because QuickBooks is the most popular accounting software on the market. In this webinar, our expert presenter will walk you through the basic features of QuickBooks and explain how to use it to streamline your financial management. Whether you are new to QuickBooks or looking to enhance your existing skills, this webinar provided practical strategies to manage your business finances with QuickBooks effectively. Free, online webinar. score.org/manasota.
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new line of live online courses featuring the expertise of Dr. David Miano. In this six-part series, we will study the emergence of the first complex societies in the ancient Near East, beginning with the earliest settlements in the Epipaleolithic period and finishing with the development of the first empire in the mid-third millennium BCE. We will pay special attention to how societies grew across the expanse of time, from small hunter-gatherer villages to large consolidated states, taking a close look at the invention of agriculture, the wheel, bronze metallurgy, writing, literature, and the development of religion and government. To do this, we will rely on material remains, primary source documents, and art, which illuminate the unique features of ancient Near Eastern societies. Enroll now to take advantage of this exclusive opportunity to learn from one of the best, live on Zoom. To enroll and learn more, visit mianoacademy.org.
Prepare for an awe-inspiring journey into the world of birds. The prestigious Bird Photographer of the Year exhibition has landed at The Bishop, showcasing winning and finalist images that capture the beauty, drama, and intricate details of avian life. Travel to remote corners of the globe through stunning photographs: witness eagles soaring, hummingbirds hovering, and penguins waddling. Each image is a testament to the skill and passion of the photographer, offering a unique window into the lives and wonders of these feathered marvels. Beyond a visual feast, the exhibition is a powerful reminder of our interconnected planet and the importance of bird conservation. Prepare to be captivated, and inspired, and leave with a renewed appreciation for the birds that share our world. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit bishopscience.org.
Clyde Butcher: Nature Through the Lens will be on view through August 31, 2024 at the Historic Spanish Point campus. Selby Gardens is excited to present the extraordinary imagery of photographer and conservationist Clyde Butcher throughout the grounds of the Historic Spanish Point campus. Large-scale prints on aluminum of Butcher’s beautiful photographs of plants, animals, and habitats of Florida will be exhibited amid the natural landscape of the 30-acre waterfront preserve, enabling the public to engage with the artist’s work like never before. In the tradition of earlier landscape photographers like Ansel Adams, Butcher captures the beauty and majesty of America’s natural treasures in dramatic black and white. The unique environments of Florida have been subjects of particular interest to Butcher since the 1980s, when he was first introduced to the magic and mystery of sites such as Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park. Nature Through the Lens will include Butcher’s photographs of regional locales such as Myakka River State Park and Casey Key. This exhibition is presented in partnership with the Clyde Butcher Gallery & Studio in Venice, Florida. For more information, visit selby.org.
Join your friends, after-work buddies and the team at Geckos for our new Late Night Happy Hours. Every Friday and Saturday from 10 pm to Midnight, we will offer food, wine, cocktails and beer specials sure to prolong your weekend fun. Join us and ask your friendly barkeep or server about our Late Night Happy Hours. ONLY at Geckos on Hillview Street in Southside Village. GeckosGrill.com.
Enjoy the extraordinary opportunity to experience the work of contemporary artist Shinique Smith in conversation with the collection of European art at The Ringling. Unfolding across six galleries of the Museum of Art, the exhibition creates a series of unique stories that together form an abstract narrative of the parade as a metaphor for life. Well known for her monumental sculptures created from an array of materials, including luxurious textiles, personal clothing, dyed fabrics, ribbon, and wood, and for her abstract paintings of calligraphy and collage, Smiths work in this exhibition speaks to various facets of the European artistic tradition, such as classical drapery and religious iconography, while foregrounding notions of Black femininity and the history of the circus. Learn more at ringling.org.
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