#sarasota commissioner

[ncfcatalyst]

Sarasota County Commission cuts funding for social service hotline

Sarasota County’s 24-hour social service helpline, 211, was scheduled to shut down April 1 after the Sarasota County Commission cut funding for a multitude of social service programs. The 211 line provides callers with referrals to community resources for non-emergency crises, such as food pantries, subsidized housing and general legal aid. Its removal would have impacted residents’ access to…

[tomorrowusa]

If you were an academic, would you remain in a state which is willing to prosecute you if you deviate from the governor's political line?

With the start of the 2023-24 academic year only six weeks away, senior officials at New College of Florida (NCF) made a startling announcement in mid-July: 36 of the small honors college’s approximately 100 full-time teaching positions were vacant. The provost, Bradley Thiessen, described the number of faculty openings as “ridiculously high”, and the disclosure was the latest evidence of a brain drain afflicting colleges and universities throughout the Sunshine state. Governor Ron DeSantis opened 2023 with the appointment of six political allies to the college’s 13-member board of trustees who vowed to drastically alter the supposedly “woke”-friendly learning environment on its Sarasota campus. At its first meeting in late January, the revamped panel voted to fire the college president, Patricia Okker, without cause and appoint a former Republican state legislator and education commissioner in her place. Over the ensuing weeks, board members have dismissed the college’s head librarian and director of diversity programs and denied tenure to five professors who had been recommended for approval.

Essentially, the DeSantis education gestapo is killing off the institution — or at least making it very unattractive to students to the left of Mussolini. Of course it's not just NCF that's been affected.

The new laws have introduced a ban on the funding of diversity, equity and inclusion programs at Florida’s public colleges and universities, withdrawn a right to arbitration formerly guaranteed to faculty members who have been denied tenure or face dismissal, and prohibited the teaching of critical race theory, which contends that inherent racial bias pervades many laws and institutions in western society, among other changes. In the face of that and other legislation backed by DeSantis and Republican lawmakers that has rolled back the rights of Florida’s LGBTQ+ community, many scholars across the state are taking early retirement, voting with their feet by accepting job offers outside Florida or simply throwing in the towel with a letter of resignation. [ ... ]

The prevailing political climate in Florida has complicated efforts to recruit qualified scholars from outside the state to fill some vacancies. Kenneth Nunn served on a number of appointment committees during the more than 30 years he spent on the faculty of the University of Florida’s law school. He said the task of persuading highly qualified applicants of color to move to Gainesville has never been more difficult under a governor who, earlier this year, prohibited a new advanced placement course in African American studies from being taught in high schools. DeSantis came under renewed criticism this month when the state department of education issued guidelines recommending that middle school students be taught about the skills slaves acquired “for their personal benefit” during their lifetimes in bondage.

DeSantis is so fond of slavery that every public college and university in Florida is now an anti-woke plantation run by a DeSantis overseer.

Degrees from public educational institutions in the state may henceforth be looked upon like those from Trump University.

[foreverlogical]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The newly-installed conservative board of trustees at New College of Florida ousted its current president in favor of former state education commissioner Richard Corcoran Tuesday, launching the initial move in reshaping the campus under the vision of Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The decision came at the first board meeting since DeSantis appointed six new trustees with the idea of overhauling the liberal arts college in Sarasota into a more conservative-leaning institution. That track was accelerated Tuesday when the board paved the way for new leadership as students and parents protested the major changes that appear bound for New College.

“Some have said these recent appointments amount to a partisan takeover of the college. This is not correct,” said trustee Matthew Spalding, a constitutional government professor and vice president at Hillsdale College’s D.C. campus who was appointed by DeSantis. “It’s not a takeover — it’s a renewal.”

A leadership switch from President Patricia Okker to Corcoran as interim leader is one of several moves made Tuesday by the board, which also signaled its intent to abolish diversity, equity and inclusion programs on campus — all policies pushed by DeSantis. The changes are major developments at the school spurred by the new appointees, including Christopher Rufo, a conservative activist who has advised DeSantis on critical race theory, and Eddie Speir, the co-founder of Inspiration Academy, a Christian charter school in Bradenton, Fla.

Tuesday’s meeting was met with apprehension from dozens of students and parents who protested what they called a “hostile takeover” at New College. They urged Okker to stay on as president and push back against the new mandates from the DeSantis administration to model the school as a “Hillsdale of the South” in reference to the private conservative religious “classical“ college in Michigan.

Okker in an emotional address told the board — and the campus — that she couldn’t continue to serve as president amid accusations that the students are being inundated with liberal indoctrination.

“The reality is, and it’s a hard reality and it’s a sad reality, but the vision that we created together is not the vision I have been given as a mandate here,” Okker said.

In remaking the board at New College, the DeSantis administration said the school was “completely captured by a political ideology that puts trendy, truth-relative concepts above learning” and in need of change following downward enrollment trends. To move on from Okker, trustees agreed to a “generous” exit package that includes at least 12 months of paid professional development leave and benefits. Corcoran is unable to begin serving until March, leaving Okker’s chief of staff Bradley Thiessen in charge until then.

“New leadership is the expectation and I think it makes sense,” Rufo said at the meeting. “I don’t think it’s a condemnation of Dr. Okker, scholarship or skills or character.”

DeSantis’ changes at New College follow other efforts to reshape higher education in Florida. Earlier Tuesday, the GOP governor proposed several changes to Florida’s university system, including pressing the GOP-led Legislature to cut all funding for diversity, equity and inclusion programs and to allow university leaders to launch tenure review of professors. Last year, DeSantis and state Republicans placed GOP allies in top university posts and pushed legislation that could limit how professors teach race.

New College is also now set to review its Office of Outreach & Inclusive Excellence at the request of Rufo as part of the state’s stance against diversity, equity and inclusion programs in schools. Rufo originally pushed to abolish the office outright, including four positions, and take other actions tied to diversity and equity, but decided to request further details on the program for a discussion in February.

Tuesday’s meeting was tense at times, with audience members frequently shouting over and at the new trustees as they spoke. Several parents and students addressed the board before they huddled, often criticizing their plans to retool the university and asking them to leave the college alone.

Some faculty said students felt “hopeless” about what could happen at the school, which is a unique college of under 700 undergraduates where students craft personalized education plans and don’t receive letter grades.

“Many students came here to feel safe and access the education that is their right as Floridians,” Diego Villada, Assistant Professor of Theater and Performance Studies, told the board. “And the impulse to make this a place where race, intersectionality and DEI are banned indicates to them that you want everyone to be the same – to be like you.”

Trustees, though, made it clear that the New College overhaul is fully underway, a message that came the same day DeSantis pledged to invest millions of dollars into recruiting faculty to the school.

“The campus needs a deep culture change. You sat up here, you called us racists, sexists, bigots, outsiders,” said trustee Mark Bauerlein, professor emeritus of English at Emory University who was appointed by DeSantis. “We are now in a position of authority in the college. And the accusations are telling us that something is wrong here.”

[lakelandg]

FL GOP Chair Accused Of Sexual Battery, Under Investigation: Report

The victim claims she was in a relationship with FL GOP chair Christian Ziegler, and his wife, a Moms for Liberty co-founder, a report said. Christian Ziegler, chairman of the Republican Party of Florida and former Sarasota County commissioner, is under investigation for sexual battery, according to a report from the Florida Center for Government Accountability. The woman claimed she had been…

[diasporaenresistencia]

Read it all here: https://www.facebook.com/137986626789472/posts/517300322191432?d=n&sfns=mo 12/02/2019 #RacistAlert update. Martin Hyde is reconsidering his withdrawal from the Sarasota Commissioner’s Seat. https://www.elnuevodia.com/corresponsalias/florida/nota/seguiraencarreraelrepublicanodesarasotaqueinsultoadosjovenesboricuas-2532636/ ____ 12/01/2019 #RacistAlert update https://www.facebook.com/137986626789472/posts/517448255509972?d=n&sfns=mo —— #RacistAlert ‪Puerto Rican junior tennis player berated at Sarasota Health Club where Celsius Tennis Academy rents space to train their tennis students. Candidate for a Commissioner seat, Martin Hyde, berated a young Puerto Rican tennis player for speaking Spanish inside the tennis courts area. See the video on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/alvinrcouto/status/1200490832941457408?s=21 Is important to note his background as Martin Hyde was fined last year for election laws violations as GOP and he is now running for public seat as a Sarasota Commissioner. https://www.yourobserver.com/article/sarasota-martin-hyde-files-city-commission-election?fbclid=IwAR32UYiC9smBBxFUvLGvx99i-G7ZcmAIbPos-2kSTjaQGCo6CXZeMGTlH3g The manager of the Bath and Racket Club told Latino Rebels that Martin Hyde was to be removed from the club yesterday afternoon but after David Begnaud reached out to Hyde, he says he has not been made aware of the removal. Perhaps the club needs to issue a public letter since they are dealing with a person running for a public seat. Health Club page: http://www.sarasota-health-club.com/#share_on_Twitter‬ @Latino Rebels full article here: https://www.latinorebels.com/2019/11/29/videoprivatefloridaclub/ El Nuevo Día: https://www.elnuevodia.com/corresponsalias/florida/nota/jovenboricuaesvictimadeincidenteracistaporhablarespanolencanchadetenisenflorida-2532272/ Other information here: https://twitter.com/diasporaresiste/status/1200757181374771200?s=21 #Powertothepeople #decolonizethisplace #wearediáspora #diásporaenresistencia #martinhyde #sarasota #commissioner https://www.instagram.com/p/B5k33zUhy38/?igshid=r1m1k7k7vbql

[wluera]

Had a wonderful and informative Meet-n-Greet with @daniel_kuether who is running for County commissioner in Sarasota District 4. If you’re a voter in the district and are trying to figure out who to vote for, I recommend looking into Daniel. He is an amazingly kind and intelligent person and his platform reflects his values which I believe would benefit residents from all over Sarasota County. (at Seaward CrossFit) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgxV56VJiet/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[naturecoaster]

FWC approves changes for redfish in state waters

At its July meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved new management regions and regulation changes for redfish in state waters following the final rule hearing.  These regulation changes, which go into effect Sept. 1, 2022, will: - Establish nine redfish management regions. - Prohibit captain and crew from retaining a bag limit of redfish when on a for-hire trip. - Reduce the off-the-water transport limit from six to four fish per person. - Reduce the vessel limit in each of the management regions to be:- Panhandle, Big Bend, Northeast: four fish. - Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest, Southeast: two fish. - Allow only catch-and-release fishing for redfish in the Indian River Lagoon region. - Set the bag limit to one fish in the Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest, Southeast and Northeast regions.- This is a reduction to the bag limit in the Northeast region.  “With this new forward-thinking management approach, we’re trying to do what’s best for this fishery. This agency is committed to working proactively to conserve the redfish fishery in Florida for future generations while balancing stakeholder interests,” said FWC Commissioner Steven Hudson.  2022 FWC Zones for Redfish Management. Image courtesy of FWC The changes to redfish management regions and regulations, as part of FWC’s new management approach, will better capture regional differences and improve angler satisfaction. The new management approach includes annual reviews of the redfish fishery and redfish regulations may be changed each year in response to the reviews.  For more information, including the July 2022 Commission meeting presentation, visit MyFWC.com/Commission and click on “Commission Meetings.”  For current recreational redfish regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Marine and click on “Recreational Regulations” and “Redfish.” This page will be updated with the new regulations when they take effect.  Read the full article

[lakelandg]

Polk County Commissioners to consider making public county-owned parks smoke-free

Following in the footsteps of other Tampa Bay area cities and counties, Polk County may make public and county-owned parks smoke-free after a vote next week. Next Tuesday, following a public hearing, county commissioners will vote on whether to ban smoking and vaping at public parks. After a change in state law, which gave cities and counties the discretion to pass such an ordinance, Sarasota…

[sarasotahomes]

A New Mixed Use Development is Likely Coming to Sarasota

Sarasota housing inventory is alarmingly low. Purchasing a new home in 2021 has become extremely competitive, with many buyers feeling they need to make all cash offers in order to compete. County commissioners have recently voted unanimously to allow zoning changes that may allow a new mixed use development, bringing thousands of new homes and commercial/retail spaces to the market. Visit our blog to learn more!

[mostlysignssomeportents]

"Court guardians" kidnap old people, sell all their stuff, doom victims to pharmaceutical oblivion in institutions

Last March, a Nevada court indicted April Parks, proprietor of A Private Professional Guardian, which had secured court guardianship over four hundred elderly Nevadans, working with crooked doctors and social workers to find the identities of old people who had considerable assets, then using a streamlined court process with no checks and balances to have those people declared to be unable to care for themselves.

Parks's victims were then dragged out of their homes under threat of arrest. All their possessions were sold off and used to pay Park's sky-high fees (for example, she'd charge her victims' estates hundreds of dollars for a few minutes' worth of conversation with the victims' distraught children who were trying to find out where their parents had been taken), while the victims themselves were given assessments of dementia on the basis of an 11-question quiz administered by a "medical practitioner" whose training had consisted of watching a few hours' worth of video lectures. Thereafter the victims were medicated into oblivion while Parks's fees gobbled up their estates, until the money ran out and the victims would be dumped in paupers' wards where the medication regimes were upped and any pretense of care was removed.

Parks paid social workers and others to tip her off to the existence of rich, vulnerable old people. In at least one case she cold-called rehab centers looking for a woman said to have $700K in savings and no children; she then doctor-shopped until she found a friendly MD that would declare her victim to be incapable of caring for herself, and swooped in and had the woman kidnapped, stealing all her stuff.

Trustee hearings can last as little as 90 seconds. Almost all of the guardianship cases in Las Vegas have been heard by the Clark County guardianship commissioner, lawyer Jon Norheim, whose case-record shows numerous irregularities and lax standards. When Parks was finally indicted, Norheim kept his job, but was transferred to dependency court, "where he now oversees cases involving abused and neglected children."

Parks operated in Las Vegas, which advertises itself as a retirees' paradise, but which also has some of the nation's most lax standards for this kind of fraud and imprisonment. Many of these bad laws were seemingly written by Jared Shafer, the father of the guardianship racket, who had more than 3,000 "wards" and who is "still listed in the Clark County court system as a trustee and as an administrator in several open cases."

Worse, versions of this scam flourish all over the country, with "hotspots" in "Palm Beach, Sarasota, Naples, Albuquerque, San Antonio."

https://boingboing.net/2017/10/04/april-parks-jon-norheim-jared.html