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Coffee Talk (Sara/Mana edition)
He may be eelected,i but he wonit be estrongi
The strong mayor initiative is rearing its head once again, but this time, itis called an ielected mayor,i and this time, itis coming from a totally different body. In March 2002, nearly 70% of city residents voted against the istrong mayori referendum backed heavily by groups like the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and the Argus Foundation. Opponents called it the iboss mayori amendment, saying it gave the proposed mayor dictatorial power without the appropriate checks and balances.
But now some of those boss-mayor-opponents are coming out in favor of an ielected mayori referendum, one that allows for a single elected mayor with all of the accompanying accountability, but also with the appropriate checks and balances in place. And this time, the cityis neighborhood groups are raising the issue; groups like the chamber and Argus plan to steer clear to give it a viable shot.
Ken Shelin, current planning board member and president of the Bayfront Condominium Association, has incorporated an elected mayor push in his run for an at-large city commission seat against incumbent Richard Martin. Shelin was a strong opponent of the strong mayor initiative two years ago o he says he sees a lot of grassroots support for it this time around. Watch for real organization of the effort to start in the next couple of months.
Hear that sucking sound?
The announcement of John Tyleeis resignation as executive director of the Downtown Partnership of Sarasota brought more than sadness to the downtown business community o it also may have opened the door for a new opportunity.
There are rumblings within the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce that it may like to bring the Downtown Partnership under its umbrella and make it a chamber entity. The DTP would give the chamber a solid presence in downtown matters, including economic development efforts for the city. In return, the chamberis resources, both financial and otherwise, would bring relief to the DTP, which is struggling through its first major fundraising campaign. Moreover, chamber sources say, the DTPis shift to becoming more of an advocacy group than an event-throwing entity may be better supported under the chamber.
But the DTP does not agree, at least not right now. The DTPis executive board has voted no on any such move at this juncture, voting to remain a separate, independent entity.
The DTP is instead soliciting for an executive director to replace Tylee. Interested candidates can check out the soon to be updated www.downtownsarasota.com.
Creative Sarasota
Finding your cultural creative side o itis not just for the Tampa Bay area anymore.
Following in the footsteps of Creative Tampa Bay, a committee has formed to look into making Sarasota a more inviting place for young professionals. Both groups were inspired by best-selling economic development guru Richard Florida, who preaches that cities with hip populations achieve greater prosperity.
The Sarasota committee, known as the Creative Services Cluster, has been meeting in conjunction with the countyis efforts to diversify the local economy.
One of the clusteris initiatives would change land-use regulations to permit a nightclub district in downtown Sarasota, away from the constant noise complaints of high-rise condominium dwellers. Another initiative is designed to attract Hollywood producers and directors to the county for film projects.
A Creative Summit is being planned for January 2006. The cluster is scheduled to hold its next meeting on Dec. 13 at Digital Three Studios, 1419 Boulevard of the Arts, beginning at 3 p.m.
No insurance against suit
It doesnit look to be a happy holiday season for one Bradenton company. Missouriis First Financial Planners Inc. is suing Bradenton-based IGIC Management Co. and its officers: Bernard and Connie Koyen of Bradenton and Gary Pridgen of Jacksonville. IGIC is accused in the suit of over-representing the Cumberland Investment Advisors Professional Liability Insurance policy they sold.
According to First Financial, IGICis marketing materials stated the Tampa-based Cumberland insurance would cover 50% of the risk to the financial company when in reality the policies were significantly less broad. The suit also accuses IGIC of failing to tell First Financial about problems with the Cumberland insurance program. The firm is accused of fraud and negligent misrepresentation.
iObviously we donit think they have a claim,i says Bernard Koyen, president and CEO of IGIC. iWe donit think we have done anything wrong. Since Cumberland has gone into receivership, they are left with losses and are looking for places to recover it.i
Koyen says his company wasnit aware of the risk cap and feels it was First Financialis responsibility to investigate since his company made no representations about it. iThe risk coverage exists,i he says.
IGIC is in process of shutting down.
Ice cream anyone?
Lee Delieto, with Michael Saunders & Co. Commercial Group, has an unusual job. Heis in charge of selling a giant ice cream cone. Well, actually itis a building that looks like a giant cone.
Delieto is marketing 3026 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Remember Twistee Treat?
iOur intention right now is to do a ground lease there,i Delieto says. iThe location speaks for itself. Itis a good destination for an ice cream or a fast-food operation. The land would probably accommodate a 4,000- to 5,000-square-foot building with parking.i
The ground lease is going for $5,000 a month.
As for the building, Delieto says no final decision has been made. iMaybe we will sell ... or maybe we will have a massive raffle,i he says.
Correction
The Gulf Coast Business Review incorrectly reported the name of the construction manager for John Cannon Homesi new headquarters in Lakewood Ranch in the Nov. 19-25 edition. The construction manager is Tom Wessel of Tom Wessel Construction Co. John Cannon Homes will act as its own general contractor.
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