Angry public comments have become a feature of Sarasota County School Board meetings. Both incumbent School Board member Karen Rose and challenger Liz Barker say the district’s focus should instead remain on the classroom. But they differ on why angry dissent overtook discourse.

Rose, a 12-year teacher and former principal and administrator, said her priority remains school success.

“I have been laser-focused on academic achievement,” she said. She pushed for evidence-based, research-driven methods to improve metrics, especially third-grade reading scores. After years of stagnation, she notes those scores rose district-wide by 7% this year. 

“In every area of grading in 2024, we grew in our grade,” she said of Sarasota’s schools. “We also moved from 82% of schools being graded with an A or B to, under new superintendent Terrance Connor, 95% being A- or B-rated schools. That is huge.”

Rose argues that validates her most individually controversial action, pursuingt the ouster of former Superintendent Brennan Asplen. Immediately following the 2022 election, which installed a super-majority conservative board, Rose successfully pushed Asplen out.

Barker, a mother of four school-aged children, said that immediately set off alarms and put her on the path to challenge Rose.

“It felt dishonest, and I know I’m not the only one who felt that way,” she said. “That’s why there was such an outcry of people who said ‘This isn’t what we want, why are you doing this?’ It was interesting then to watch school boards in the rest of the state and country have superintendents removed by Moms For Liberty-type groups. The removal of highly effective superintendents was not just isolated to Sarasota County’s board but was a phenomenon happening on a wider scale.”

On education polict, Rose srdently supports universal school choice, and notes Southside, Brookside and Sarasota middle schools all had waiting lists while she was a principal or assistant principal there. “Competition makes you better,” she said. Barker, in contrast, said the board must address funding losses that hurt the operations at local schools. She considers support for Florida voucher expansion “actively supporting a political agenda that does not support public schools.”

After two years where streams of School Board meeting attendees spoke out against pandemic policies, board meetings instead attracted angry progressive activists. Rose feels especially upset at Equality Florida and the local Democratic LGBTQ caucus for organizing rallies outside of meetings. Often, speakers during public comment endorse Barker after decrying board actions, though Barker said she never expected or encouraged that.

Rose has also become a fixture at Republican functions, where she often denounces an “extreme gender ideology” she believes activists want in classrooms. She spoke at a GOP candidates rally at Robarts Arena weeks ago, where she told event-goers any Equality Florida-endorsed candidate, including her opponent, advocates for gender surgery on children and boys playing on girls’ sports teams. She supported a School Board resolution by the board saying the district will fight a Title IX interpretation by President Biden’s administration requiring discrimination protections to transgender students. 

“Speaking individually for myself, I was letting them know where we stand,” Rose told SRQ. “We are going to be with Gov. Ron DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moody, taking directives from the Florida Department of Education.”

Barker dismissed allegations she wants boys in girls’ restrooms or on girls’ sports teams. But she also rejected that parental rights means only respecting the opinions of one group. Schools should work with parents who strongly feel a child with a different gender identity needs access to certain facilities and activities.

“I don’t believe that one group of children — and we are talking about children here — is inherently dangerous to another group of children simply because they exist,” she said. 

Rose and Barker face each other in an Aug. 20 nonpartisan election open to all voters countywide. 

Photos: Karen Rose, Liz Barker.

In this engaging Q&A, Brian Walton, Executive Director of Save Our Seabirds in Sarasota, shares his insights and passion for avian conservation. Walton discusses his current reads and listens, shedding light on the urgent issues facing bird populations and the innovative fundraising efforts underway to expand their facilities. He also recounts the compelling origin story of the organization and underscores the critical role of community involvement in their mission to protect and rehabilitate injured birds. Read on to learn about Walton’s inspiring and informative dedication to saving seabirds and enhancing public awareness about avian conservation.

SRQ: What book are you reading now that expands on your business acumen?

Walton: I'm reading a book called A Wing and A Prayer: The Race to Save Our Vanishing Birds by Anders Gyllenhaal. That book has been great because we kind of take birds for granted and we think birds are everywhere but scientists are telling us that in the last 50 years, we've lost three billion birds. That means basically one-third of the bird population in North America has disappeared and so the book is just really talking about those issues.

SRQ: What podcast are you listening to that is inspiring you in your business life?

Walton: These days I'm spending a lot of time with a podcast called Capital Campaign Pro and it's just these two ladies who talk about all the ins and outs of conducting successful fundraising campaigns and capital campaigns because here at Save Our Seabirds, we're looking to rebuild our whole campus and build a new hospital. So, we are very much in a fundraising mode, getting our mission and our story out.

SRQ: Share one of your business bucket list items.

Walton: The biggest thing for us is we need to build a new state-of-the-art hospital. Our hospital right now is crammed into a very small footprint. We have a great veterinarian and great hospital staff and they have way more talents and abilities than what they can presently do in our existing hospital. We need newer equipment, but we don't really have any room for any new equipment. So our big bucket list item is to build a large new hospital that will expand what we can do here to treat birds.

SRQ: Share the story of how and why Save Our Seabirds began.

Walton: Back in the 80s, there was a man named Dale Shields. One day, Shields noticed an injured pelican and he stopped, picked it up and took it home where the bird was rehabbed in Dale’s bathtub. It’s like if you never see a purple car and then you go look for purple cars, you will start seeing purple cars everywhere. All of a sudden, Dale started noticing injured pelicans all over the place and pretty soon, he was rehabbing too many in his bathtub which caused him to become known as the Pelican Man. He negotiated with the City of Sarasota to start the facility that we’re at today. It was known as the Pelican Man Sanctuary and became quite successful– Dale even got an award from President Bush. When Dale passed away in 2003, the organization ended up closing until 2006 when one of our current board members funded the operation for Save Our Birds to be opened on the same site as the former Pelican Man Sanctuary. It was birthed out of the recent need. We have a beautiful, diverse wildlife population, especially birds and as Sarasota becomes more and more populated, more birds are being injured due to their proximity to humans. Our need exists to try and mitigate the impact that humans have on the wildlife around us.

SRQ: How do the stories of your "resident" birds, who cannot be released back into the wild, contribute to your educational efforts and public awareness about avian conservation and how can the SRQ community support your efforts?

Walton: None of these birds are coming here because they have a tummy ache. They’re coming because they got stuck in a fishing line or accidentally poisoned by rodenticides. We just hope that people being on our campus will help heighten their awareness so they can make a few changes that would help–don’t leave your fishing line out, just simple things. The way people can be involved is if you encounter a bird that's in distress you call us and we send out volunteers to rescue. From people who do heroic, very involved rescues to people who provide the transport of a bird in a box, we need volunteers for everything. We have people who give tours, people who help with the grounds and facilities and then of course, we have donation boxes on campus. We also have our website where we can accept donations, but unfortunately the 1200 birds that we treat here every year not one of them has health insurance. And so, we're able to do what we do because of the generosity of our community and so we're always happy to talk with new people and talk about how they can help.

For information about Save Our Seabirds, you can visit their website here. https://www.saveourseabirds.org/

Pictured: The inside of Save Our Seabirds habitat and conservation. Photo courtesy of Brian Walton.

Mid-year new home sales are up over 30% since a year ago at Wellen Park, continuing its reign as one of the top 10 best-selling master-planned communities in the U.S., as determined by prominent national real estate consultants RCLCO and John Burns. Wellen Park sold 573 new homes between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2024, a 33% increase over the same timeframe in 2023, ranking them the sixth fastest-selling master-planned community in the country. More homebuyers are choosing to call Wellen Park home thanks to the robust and varied lifestyle options available. As a result, Wellen Park has experienced a significant increase in sales year-over-year, moving up to sixth place.  Local and national homebuilders have greatly expanded Wellen Park’s residential offerings with the introduction of exciting new neighborhoods, including the first for active adults 55 and over, and home product options that range from paired villas, condos, coach homes and townhomes to traditional, custom and semi-custom single-family homes. Wellen Park neighborhoods appeal to a variety of residents, from move-up buyers and families of all sizes to empty nesters, retirees and those looking for low-maintenance living, as well as seasonal residents. Thoughtfully designed environments and curated amenity offerings throughout Wellen Park have also proven to wow homebuyers, with stunning surroundings nestled along wetlands, nature preserves and lakes. Wellen Park continues to elevate residents’ lifestyles with new amenities, parks and trails, including The Landing fishing pier, a community garden, Harvest Community Garden, for residents and future Oakheart Nature Trail. The community is also close to the area’s white-sand beaches in Venice and Manasota Key, as well as other beaches within a short drive. Resort-inspired swimming pools, relaxing spas warmed to just the right temperature, and playgrounds and pickleball courts impart a tropical vibe and a vacation-everyday lifestyle for residents of Wellen Park. Neighborhoods throughout Wellen Park offer an array of private amenities, evoking those active and leisurely lifestyles. Downtown Wellen is the region’s must-visit social and gathering spot offering restaurants, boutiques, beauty services, and medical and professional offices. The downtown’s unique outdoor experiences range from intimate parks, a natural playground and an outdoor living room shaded by a decades-old relocated live oak tree to larger gathering spaces like the Great Lawn for community festivals, markets, celebrations and events, and the lakefront fountain and splashpad. Solis Hall, an elegant rental venue, features an outdoor stage, a lakefront patio and an easy flow from inside spaces to neighboring alfresco areas.  The pedestrian-friendly downtown emphasizes connections to community and nature and celebrates a waterfront vibe with the 80-acre Grand Lake providing a scenic backdrop and opportunities for fishing and paddle sports. Visitors can enjoy time on the water and along downtown’s 3-mile lakefront trail with on-site bicycle, e-bike, kayak and paddleboard rentals at Kind Vibes Outfitters. The Yard offers a playful outdoor environment with a dining area, games and activities, and ultra-casual food and beverage choices served counter style from retrofitted shipping containers. 

Pictured: More homebuyers are choosing to call Wellen Park home thanks to the robust and varied lifestyle options available. Photo courtesy of Wellen Park.

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Avelo Airlines continues its growth in Sarasota and Bradenton today with the airline’s announcement of the return of nonstop, seasonal service between Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) and Philadelphia / Delaware Valley region’s best airport – Wilmington Airport (ILG). Beginning November 23, 2024, Avelo will operate this route to Philadelphia / Wilmington twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays utilizing Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. Travelers can make reservations at AveloAir.com. Philadelphia / Delaware Valley will rejoin Avelo’s current nonstop service to Southern Connecticut’s Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN). Avelo Airlines Founder and CEO Andrew Levy said, “SRQ – We’re growing again. We’re excited to continue growth in the Sarasota / Bradenton region and bring back our nonstop, seasonal route to Philadelphia. Along with the return of Philadelphia and our successful New Haven route, we love showcasing Avelo’s low fares, travel-friendly convenience and industry-leading reliability to travelers in southwest Florida. This nonstop service will also make enjoying Sarasota / Bradenton’s famous beaches and high-flying attractions a fast and seamless journey for Delaware Valley travelers.” Sarasota Bradenton International Airport President and CEO Rick Piccolo said, “After a successful inaugural season, we are thrilled to see the return of nonstop service between Philadelphia/Wilmington, DE, and Sarasota/Bradenton, FL. Our passengers have shared their enjoyment with flying Avelo on this convenient, reliable, nonstop route.” 

The Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller announces the retirement of Crystal Waiters, the Director of the Child Support Program, and the appointment of Brea Styles as her successor. Waiters retired on August 2, 2024, after an outstanding 32-year career with the Clerk’s Office. Styles officially stepped into her new role as Director on August 5, 2024. Brea Styles previously served as the Deputy Director of the Child Support Program, where she excelled in recruiting, retaining, and developing staff to meet the division's operational demands. Styles is dedicated to continuing to support Manatee County families and delivering exceptional customer service in her new role. Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller Angel Colonneso expressed her gratitude and pride in both Waiters' and Styles' contributions. In addition, the Clerk’s Office welcomes back Lisa Bell to the Child Support Program as the new Deputy Director. Her return not only brings a wealth of experience but also ensures continuity and stability within the team. 

Tervis, the nationally loved and family-owned drinkware company founded in 1946, recently announced new merchandise and a website takeover in honor of the 50th anniversary of Peanuts™ Beagle Scouts this year and Snoopy’s birthday on August 10. In recognition of the milestone, Tervis is unveiling several new items, including a 50th anniversary four-pack set of 16-ounce tumblers featuring Peanuts Beagle Scouts patches; a 24-ounce Venture Lite with 2-in-1 VersaLid featuring a Beagle Scouts camping collage; and a 30-ounce Tervis Traveler® stainless steel tumbler with straw lid featuring a Beagle Scouts zig zag design. All of the new products are available now on Tervis.com. During the website takeover, visitors to Tervis.com will enjoy seeing Charles Schulz’s beloved Beagle Scouts, a scout troop comprised of Woodstock, his bird friends and their leader, Snoopy, as well as other favorite characters. The drinkware company will also offer 20 percent off on all Peanuts designs, valid August 10 only.
“We have had a wonderful partnership with Peanuts for 13 years now,” said Hosana Fieber, chief executive officer of Tervis. “Being that it’s one of our most popular licenses in our portfolio, we were very excited for the opportunity to work together for the 50th anniversary of Beagle Scouts. We think Peanuts fans will absolutely love these fun and nostalgic items.” In addition to the new items, Tervis has a variety of Peanuts products available on Tervis.com. 

Pictured: New Tervis Traveler stainless steel tumbler with straw lid featuring Beagle Scouts zig zag design and new Venture Lite with 2-in-1 VersaLid featuring Beagle Scouts camping collage.

Nautilus Homes, a Sarasota-based luxury building firm, was recently recognized with top honors at the 2024 Southeast Building Conference. Ryan Perrone, founder and president of Nautilus Homes, received four Grand Aurora awards, including “Best Custom Home” (5,000-10,000 square feet), “Best Kitchen” (for a custom, one-of-a-kind spec home), “Best Interior Detailing” (for a home priced over $1 million), and “Best Sustainability” for his company’s exceptional work on "Island Breeze," a 6,100-square-foot custom residence on Siesta Key. Ryan emphasizes that sustainability in luxury custom homes is a fundamental responsibility, ensuring that high-end living coexists with the well-being of our planet. In addition, Ryan’s father, Rich Perrone, founder and CEO of Perrone Construction, received Best Custom Home (over 10,000 square feet) for the “Cascade House,” a stylish landmark estate on Sarasota Bay in Harbor Acres, which sold for a record-breaking $20 million. The father son duo, who both specialize in ultra luxury custom home building in Sarasota, secured both the top awards for custom home in their respective square footage category. The event, held on July 26 in Orlando, celebrates the region’s most outstanding builders, architects, developers, and other housing-related professionals. 

Pictured: The exterior of Island Breeze, a Siesta Key custom home built by Nautilus Homes.