Sarasota County Commission hopefuls are thinking smart
Uber-reporter/newsman Stan Zimmerman commented on yesterday’s blog that in fact, another Sarasota County Commission hopeful — Nora Patterson –(Republican) had also foregone the pay-for-placement-on-the-ballot route and qualified to be on the ballot already by obtaining official petitions from registered Sarasota County voters. (more…)
Sarasota County Commission Hopeful Mimics Meek’s Mighty Moves
I was impressed when Florida Democrat Kendrick Meek became the first U.S. Senate candidate to qualify for the Florida ballot by petition. Instead of dropping ten large to buy his way onto the ballot, Meek got his name in the running the old fashioned way — by collecting over 140,000 signatures, which wasn’t exactly an easy thing to do. Kudos to Meek and he’s got my attention; let’s see if he can hold it.
Now, local architect Mark Smith, Republican, is throwing his hat into the ring for Sarasota County Commissioner and is attempting to match Meek’s mighty moves by collecting enough signatures (I think he needs 2,000 by May 14) from registered Sarasota County voters to get his name on the ballot. (more…)
April Moon — full but furtive
I could not capture tonight’s moon — the Pink Moon — very well at all. It’s beautiful, though, and this is the best I could do.
I walked Einstein … not Boomer. Einstein was full of full-moon madness. 
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Screech Owl at MC’s Place
He’s been sitting outside all day long … at least I think he’s a Screech Owl. He’s really cute. But the Mockingbirds are having a fit.
Heidi Godman Signs off … with class and character
If you missed Heidi Godman’s sign off on Channel 7 (and their send-off to her) … check out this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQXkm5zMHWE&feature=player_embedded
MC Coolidge Best Blogger 2010 — Sarasota Magazine Readers’ Poll
Holy Cow! Back in early January I posted a short blog inviting readers to vote for me — if they felt like it — in Sarasota Magazine’s Annual “Best of” issue for 2010. Well, apparently, at least a few of you did just that because guess what? I won! (more…)
Heidi Godman’s replacement …
Well, I don’t know if she’s replacing Heidi or Monica (in my mind, she can do neither!), but here’s the very skinny skinny (I couldn’t find a whole lot about her except endless Internet comments about her being a “hottie”) on the woman most likely … to come on board at Channel 7 WWSB in Sarasota.
Sports Shake up at SNN 6 Local News?
Antawan Smith is leaving SNN 6 to head back up north … http://flnewscenter.com/?p=2076
So long, Heidi Godman … shame on you, Channel 7
I hear today’s Heidi Godman’s last day at Channel 7. 
It’s really, really a shame. I’ve heard from so many folks via email and in conversation who can’t believe how poorly Heidi and Monica Yadav have been treated. I hear Monica left last week. I like Scott and the weathermen and Linda Carson, but definitely this management behavior affects my desire to continue to view the programming.
Though honestly, I haven’t investigated this story much — so if anyone knows if I’m wrong on anything or has more information, please feel free to comment below.
For comments from the public already made, check out my earlier blog on this subject. http://www.mccoolidge.com/2010/04/16/is-channel-7-sarasota-absolutely-bonkers-cheap-or/
Frailty, thy name is Economic Development?
Does it seem like everything being done under the Sarasota sun lately is being done in the name of worshiping at the altar of “economic development”?
The ubiquitous use of the phrase bugs me nearly as much as phrases like “Vote for the children,” or “Vote for family values.” I’ve got nothing against looking after children’s best interests, or having values that support families — albeit, for me, families come in all shapes, sizes and sexual orientations. And I largely support the idea of developing a strong platform for attracting and supporting diverse businesses and industries in our community.
But just as I disdain knee-jerk, emotionally based stances on political issues, I don’t think economic issues should be approached with the same stars-in-our-eyes approach that Sarasota has used for way too long to way too little end. Sure, some people got rich off the gold-rush pursuits of the past (think real estate bubble), but many more crashed and burned (think real estate bust).
As a city we seem hell-bent on “economic development” — thrashing about wild-eyed for whatever might get us back into our McMansion/Nadel dreamscape of yesteryear. Hot topic du jour is the concept that the film industry will get us there. (more…)