The race for Sarasota County’s District 3 Commission pits two prominent local officials against one another, with County Commissioner Neil Rainford facing former Sheriff Tom Knight in an Aug, 20 Republican Primary.

Rainford was appointed to the seat last year by Gov. Ron DeSantis following the death of Sarasota County Commissioner Nancy Detert. At the time, Knight had also applied. Rainford believes he was the more natural fit, having already served on the county planning commission, and previously winning election to the county Charter Review Board.

“Being a sheriff is way different than being a county commission,” Rainford said. “You need three votes on anything you want to do. My colleagues listen to me because of the relationships I and build and because I am well-prepared for meetings.”

Knight won three terms as Sarasota Sheriff. He chose not to pursue re-election in 2020, but spoke with Detert about running to succeed her when she retired. The law enforcement professional said doesn’t like the direction the board has moved since her death, growing the budget and doing little to properly manage growth.

“When you get a board controlled by developers, you get commissioner who really don’t know how to govern,” Knight said. “They don’t understand millage or policies, and they make decisions contradictory to what the community wants.”

Rainford disputes that and said the commission has kept tax rates and spending low. He also said he has pushed for cost-savings measures, such as urging use of a different facility for a Clerk of Courts expansion that reduced costs from $20 million to about $8 million.

Knight notes he led the Sheriff’s Office during a recession, and believes many of cost-cutting measures then are appropriate now. He opposes the opening of a new $30-million Sheriff’s Office headquarters he considers unnecessary.

Notably, current Sheriff Kurt Hoffman, Knight’s former Chief Deputy, has endorsed Rainford and cut a TV ad criticizing his old boss. That’s been just one of the notable negative ads on air waves and political mailers.

Rainford through July 12 has raised nearly $290,000 and spent more than $144,000. Knight has collected more than $224,000 and spent upward of $150,000. And outside political committees have also spent on top of that.

“It’s a little more on steroids than we anticipated,” Knight said. “The direction from my opponent and his supporters didn’t surprise us, but we were surprised how early they started and by the nastiness they have created.”

But Knight has leveled plenty of criticisms at Rainford as well, painting him as a puppet of special interests. Knight voiced opposition to plans for high-rise hotels on Siesta Key.

Rainford noted he voted against a comprehensive plan amendment on Siesta last year, but could not discuss an upcoming vote on another amendment. But he rejects the pro-development characterization, saying he follows county code when appropriate but won’t allow added development entitlements if they are inappropriate.

“Applicants will want more density or more height want to stretch those rights,” he said. “I have looked and said that’s too much, that, yes you have a property rights I will never take away as a conservative, but I won’t give you additional capacity.”

But he’s also interested in ensuring the economy continues to produce high-paying jobs, and that it has infrastructure needs met. He touted a push for more hospitals in South County and adding lanes to Lorraine Road as progress. But he also said he’s pushed for the preservation of natural treasures like Warm Mineral Springs.

Knight and Rainford compete in an Aug. 20 Republican Primary, open to only Republicans in District 3, which includes Venice and parts of North Port and Nokomis. The winner advances to face Shari Thornton, who is running without party affiliation, and a write-in candidate. 

Photos: Tom Knight, Neil Rainford

Mark your calendars, the SRQ Women’s Expo is back! This highly anticipated beauty, wellness, and business exhibition provides guests with an exclusive, empowering experience on July 27 at the Ritz Carlton located at 1111 Ritz Carlton Drive in Sarasota.

Event founder and organizer Julianna Strout felt a need to strengthen community support for small, local businesses. She says, “The economies of Manatee and Sarasota County are primarily run by small businesses. Many of those are run by women and mothers, and you need to find them support.” Whether it’s by taking advantage of the expo’s free childcare or networking with the high-profile attendees in attendance, Strout wants everyone to have their self-care opportunity, however they see fit. “It’s that Instagram v. reality of what motherhood really entails,” says Strout, “(at the expo) there are going to be so many ways that you’re going to be able to find that support.”

Established in 2023, the SRQ Women’s Expo has developed exponentially. Last year, Strout was able to pull 47 businesses and 100 attendees in for the event. Since then, the number has grown to over 150 businesses and 600 attendees.

Heather Hiemstra, owner of Rockstar Blends, will be exhibiting their botanical formulas for the first time with the expo. Sharing Strout’s vision, Hiemstra looks to empower the women in her community. She says, “The Sarasota-Manatee area has a powerful community of female entrepreneurs. We hold each other up, and this expo is a perfect example of that.”

The exhibition boasts free or low-cost vendor-offered beauty services and products, a fashion show, and professional financial, beauty, and fashion advice from keynote speaker Barbara Palacios and panelist Hayley Paige. Born in Venezuela, Palacios won Miss Universe in 1986, and became the third woman from her country to do so. Paige is a fashion designer and Instagram influencer, perhaps known best for her work on the television show Say Yes to the Dress. The designer has also notably won back the rights to use her name and social media accounts from dressmaker and former collaborator JLM Couture. Strout notes that key conversations in the panel discussions will revolve around intellectual property, economic support and growth, and childcare.

The SRQ Women’s Expo will hold a cocktail reception for its guests at 6:30pm on July 27 at The Sarasota Studio, before doors open at the Ritz Carlton located at 1111 Ritz Carlton Drive in Sarasota at 11:30am on July 28th. Guests may purchase ‘Lunch & Learn Tickets’, which includes a 2-course lunch prepared by the Ritz-Carlton’s executive chef and access to workshops, panel discussions, and complimentary services for $100. Interested vendors may purchase a table, sell, and promote their brand with potential clients for $350-$450. Interested persons of all ages and genders are invited to take attend the SRQ Women’s Expo to connect and learn with their local community.

Pictured: Strout with her daughter Vivian. Photo Courtesy of Julianna Strout.

For tickets, click here:

LWVSRQ (lwvsrq.org) has canceled their candidate forum for County Commission Districts 1 and 3 because only is one candidate, Alexandra Coe, has indicated her intention to participate.  Tom Knight declined and neither Neil Rainford nor Teresa Mast responded to our repeated invitations. “When candidates refuse to attend or participate, they lose the opportunity to express their views and explain their positions on key issues.  For voters, a candidate’s absence creates a vital information gap – and it also raises suspicions about the candidate’s reluctance to be heard,” states Shawn Bartelt, LWVSRQ President. The League thanks those candidates who responded to our vote411.org information request and agreed to participate in our Hospital Board and School Board forums.  Recordings of these forums are posted on our YouTube Channel for those who were not able to view them live or in person.   

Miromar Outlets is thrilled to announce the opening of 810 Billiards & Bowling, a premier entertainment venue described as a classic bowling alley with an upscale twist! In its new space located near Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse 810 offers its customers multiple bowling lanes, billiard tables, full-service bars, an arcade, axe throwing, virtual darts and sports simulators perfect for all skill levels and ages! Guests will enjoy a fun and casual atmosphere, an ideal spot for casual play or serious competition. 810 offers a diverse menu to satisfy all appetites, including appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, flatbread pizzas, wings, salads, comfort foods, and desserts, including over-the-top milkshakes from Mean Mugs Milkshake Bar featuring 12 signature milkshakes. These milkshakes are a feast for your eyes and tastebuds, featuring sprinkle rimmed mugs, topped with everything from donuts to churros and candied bacon!  Beyond bowling, visitors can enjoy a variety of arcade games, billiards, axe throwing virtual darts, golf simulators and more! At 810 Billiards & Bowling, the motto is simple: be social! Create lasting memories and enjoy an unforgettable time with friends and family. 810 Billiards & Bowling is now open for business at Miromar Outlets! Join us for the grand opening celebration on July 25, 2024. Bring your friends and family to experience Southwest Florida’s ultimate entertainment destination. For more information, visit miromaroutlets.com or call (230)766-8448.  

Manatee Memorial Hospital, a cornerstone of healthcare in our community for over seven decades, announces a strategic realignment of its network of healthcare services and access points. Comprised of Manatee Memorial Hospital, imaging, emergency, rehabilitation, home health, surgical and specialty care, Manatee Health represents the entire system of healthcare services. In the 70 years that Manatee Memorial Hospital (MMH) has served the community, the hospital has grown rapidly in every category. MMH has been a market leader in innovation and recognized by accrediting agencies for several service lines. During these periods of growth, the hospital has added both inpatient and outpatient services to accommodate the needs of our expanding population. According to Josh Moore, COO and interim CEO, “Manatee Health was conceived to bring awareness to the breadth and depth of our services by integrating them into a unified brand. This new entity, Manatee Health, represents the collection of our network and better communicates our comprehensive menu of services. It embraces our size and scale while highlighting each affiliate as part of our integrated network.” Manatee Memorial Hospital serves as the anchor brand and the inspiration for Manatee Health as the hospital was founded by the community in 1953. “We are proud of our heritage and look forward to continued growth and innovation under the Manatee Health network of care,” adds Moore. As part of the new brand launch, the entire network, including the hospital, benefitted from a unified refresh of the logo. Though subtle, Manatee Health has incorporated a more modern font and aligned a consistent icon of the three-quarter cross that has long been associated with the hospital. Welcome to Manatee Health, the next chapter in the future of healthcare. 

Sarasota County’s Land Acquisition and Management Program, which encompasses the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program (ESLPP) and the Neighborhood Parkland Acquisition Program (NPP), continues to preserve natural lands and acquire parklands throughout Sarasota County. The programs are voter-approved and taxpayer-funded and have been instrumental in acquiring and protecting more than 110 properties, totaling more than 41,000 acres since ESLPP began in 1999 and NPP began in 2005. The program enhances biodiversity, protects species and habitats, establishes wildlife corridors and provides nature-based recreational areas. Neighborhood parkland acquisitions have successfully provided community access, preserved natural and cultural resources, and increased recreational water and trail access opportunities throughout Sarasota County. Sarasota County encourages residents and visitors to participate in these efforts by nominating land for protection. A video explaining the program can be viewed here. Interested individuals can complete a land nomination form by visiting SarasotaCountyParks.com/LandAcquisitions. On July 9, the Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners approved a contract to purchase a property through ESLPP. The property is approximately 4.38 acres and is located at Lemon Bay Drive, Venice, in unincorporated Sarasota County. The habitat is predominantly mangrove swamp with some mesic hammocks and remnant scrub habitat. Native vegetation includes slash pine, saw palmetto, cabbage palm, live and laurel oak, and red, black and white mangroves. Species such as brown pelican, roseate spoonbill, little blue heron, green and brown anoles, and gopher tortoise call the property home.The acquisition is expected to be completed by December. For more information about Sarasota County’s land acquisition programs or to submit a land nomination, please call 311 or visit SarasotaCountyParks.com/LandAcquisitions.  

They say the building blocks of life are found in nature so what better place to look for cures than in the ocean, July/August 2024.

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