Monday, September 12, 2016

The Tipping Point

While the newspaper points out that rapid, uncontrolled growth is the #1 issue on Sarasota voters' minds, and despite what happened to Carlos Beruff's boat channel, we have reason to take this cum grano salis, and to anticipate the November victory parties of Mike Moran. Eric Robinson, Greg (Got Gun?) Steube, and Joe Gruters. Unless we wake up soon. This week might offer some alarm clocks:

Monday, Sept. 12: Confused about local and state amendments? Wondering about the language about solar in primaries and general ballots? CONA Sarasota hosts an informed discussion of county and state amendments we'll see on the ballot in November -- Monday evening, 7 pm at the Garden Club.

Thursday, Sept. 15: Our esteemed Planning Commissioners -
~~including the aforementioned Moran~~ * - will meet to consider Pat Neal's humble request to violate or abolish every last feature of the 2050 Comprehensive Plan that he doesn't like. It would be politically, socially, and economically beneficial for folks to tell the Planning Commission what to do with Mr. Neal's request. 6:30 pm. County Commission Chamber, 1st floor, 1660 Ringling Blvd.

For more context, see "Pat Neal Grabs Land"

*NOTE: Mike Moran is no longer on the Planning Commission - after enabling Carlos Beruff to develop two parcels that abut an old, potentially toxic waste dump, he moved on to become a candidate for County Commission. He reports a PAC-stuffed war chest of $76,758.13, built by the usual suspects: Carlos Beruff, Pat Neal, Bob Medred, Bill Merrill III, John Ask, Lakewood Ranch Communities (Rex Jensen), and many, many more.

The current County Commission is the least independent, most developer-friendly Board folks here can remember. They've brought us to what might be Sarasota's tipping point. If Pat Neal and his buddies push these plans through, we can say goodbye to the place we've known, called home, and fought for. Please share this with everyone you know who cares about Sarasota County.

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Thursday, September 8, 2016

Development tops issue list for 3rd year straight

From the Herald Trib:

SARASOTA — As Sarasota County residents' anxiety about the economic downturn melts away, their concerns about population growth and development unequivocally top their list of the biggest issues facing the county.

It's the third year in a row that development has topped residents' list of concerns, this time with 28 percent of respondents citing the issue, according to the results of the latest annual public opinion survey conducted by the University of South Florida.

That number is 7 percentage points higher than when population growth and development first topped the list in 2014, unseating the concerns about the economy, which have steadily dropped after the downturn, said USF political science professor Susan MacManus, who lead the survey.

MORE . . .

Psst: Someone should tell Mr. Developer Dark Money Eric Robinson.

Beruff Boat Channel Blocked

Opponents of Carlos Beruff's plan for a boat channel in Sarasota Bay called a Judge's decision "a victory for the community":

Long Bar Pointe Developers Withdraw Mitigation Bank Permit

Dennis Maley•

Wednesday, Sep 07, 2016

BRADENTON — The ongoing saga of the Long Bar Pointe development was updated on Tuesday when developers Carlos Beruff and Larry Lieberman withdrew their application to the state for a controversial mitigation bank along the development's Sarasota Bay shoreline.

A wetland mitigation bank is a device that allows developers to use preservation, enhancement, restoration or creation of a wetland, stream, or habitat conservation area to offset or compensate for expected adverse impacts to similar nearby ecosystems.

Beruff and Lieberman had asked the state to designate the majority of their 522-acre property's shoreline as a bank, hence giving them credit to mitigate destroyed wetlands associated with the development.

A suit was brought against the developers and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection by Suncoast Waterkeeper, the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritageand TBT publisher and former Manatee County Commissioner Joe McClash, seeking to stop the permit. The withdrawal means there will be no administrative hearing on the matter.

The withdrawal follows Beruff and Lieberman's failed lawsuit challenging portions of the Manatee County Comp plan and whether parts related to dredging of canals, channels and marina basins and the construction of boat ramps and restrictions to protect our coastal wetlands, shorelines and submerged land were in violation of the Constitution. A judge ruled against the developers in January.

Beruff and Lieberman's federal application for a mitigation bank is still pending, and they could reapply with the state in the future. However, at least for now, the withdrawal looks like a win for the many environmental activists who've opposed the bank along with many other aspects of the controversial development along the last major portion of undeveloped Sarasota Bay coastline in Manatee County.

"The withdrawal of the permit is a victory for our community," said McClash. "We have a strong coalition of citizens and environmental organizations that rise up in unity to protect our environment. We must remain vigilant and fight to save our quality of life so many of us enjoy."

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Same Old Story

Stickney Point:

Benderson Marching Ahead - Wants More Density

SARASOTA COUNTY — Despite concerns from neighborhood residents and the state transportation agency, a Manatee County developer is marching ahead with plans for a mixed-use project at the busy U.S. 41-Stickney Point Road intersection.

Benderson Development Co. filed a formal application Aug. 26 to rezone a former mobile home park to allow construction of 501 condo and apartment units, a 150-room hotel and 140,000 square feet of retail space.

The company also filed for a "Critical Area Plan," or CAP, designation for the proposed "Siesta Promenade," which would allow the requested increase in density.

The Sarasota County Commission has scheduled a public hearing on Oct. 11 to consider the CAP boundary.

Pat Neal Wants More Density

The proposed policy includes locational criteria where a "Village Enclave" could be located and development standards for the "Village Enclave", such as the following:

1. allowing a reduction of open space,

2. allowing a reduction of Greenbelt Buffer widths,

3. excluding the affordable housing requirement, and

4. acquiring density without the use of the transfer of development rights from off-site sources, as well as

5. other standards found in Village development such as walkable neighborhoods.

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing for this privately-initiated Comprehensive Plan Amendment to discuss the standards and criteria on September 15 at 6:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as possible. The hearing will be held in the County Administration Center, Commission Chamber, 1660 Ringling Blvd. First Floor, Sarasota, Florida.

Pat Neal

Developers Want Last Site on Sarasota Bay

The Cassia Cay development comprises two adjoining parcels--18.27 acres is zoned Commercial General and they are proposing mixed used development, but they are asking for certain waivers and exceptions--one to increase the minimum height of at least one of the buildings and another to allow only apartments, instead of mixed use in another building. The second parcel of 13 acres is along the Bay and is zoned high density residential with 98 units, for a total a total of 158 residential units.

Whole Foods to destroy wetland

. . . critics said that decision violated the county's comprehensive plan, which calls for the preservation of wetlands.

The wetland sits at the northwest corner of Honore Avenue and University Parkway, in the middle of the site where developers want to place their commercial shopping center. The center will feature the grocery store, some restaurants, and a Wawa gas station/convenience store.

Friday, September 2, 2016

Hospital Board: 6 Questions for Jody Davenport

Jody Davenport

Site

1. What are the major pros and cons of privatizing Sarasota Memorial Hospital and what is your position?

I don't see any pros in privatizing our community hospital. It is essential to the health and well being of our community that our hospital remain publicly owned and operated. For profit corporations tend to eliminate services that aren't traditionally profitable such as pediatric care and labor and delivery services. Research shows that as access to quality Healthcare declines, so does the average life expectancy. Therefore, I would vehemently oppose privatization.

2. Regarding the expansion of Sarasota Memorial Hospital: please expand upon why you agree or disagree with the current expansion?

I am in favor of the current expansion to meet the needs of our citizens. As the population of the county continues to grow rapidly, it is critical to our lifestyles that we broaden our reach into our undeserved communities.

3. How would you like future expansion to proceed?

North Port is the largest city in the county and we need to focus our expansion efforts on where there are critical needs. Parents should not have to travel for hours to obtain quality Healthcare for their families.

4. The failure of the State of Florida to expand Medicaid increases the hospital's
uncompensated costs. What is your position on accepting the Federal Medicaid Funds?

The state has failed its taxpayers by choosing not to expand Medicaid. Children and the elderly are among our most vulnerable citizens and to prevent higher costs in the future we must ensure that we maximize funding now.

5. Moral and financial reasons for accepting Federal Medicaid Funds which were presented to the past Legislature did not work. How can the taxpayers encourage the Legislature to accept the federal Medicaid funds?

It is unimaginable to me that we live in the wealthiest country in the world, yet our legislators are not willing to help provide for the needs of the citizens of this State. This is not about providing charity, many of those in need are the working class. Having basic health care needs met should be a right, not based on one's financial abilities. If your home or apartment catches on fire, the fire department will do everything they can to put out the fire, without asking how you're going to pay for their service. Education is a right, police protection is a right and health care should be as well.

6. Mental health services are currently poorly funded; the low income working poor and some elders could benefit from the expansion of the federal Medicaid funds. How do you feel the hospital can be instrumental in providing the proposed expansion of mental health services that may be funded under the Affordable Care Act?

As a nurse, I am a staunch advocate of patients rights. We must urge our elected officials to honor their duty to serve the needs of the public.

With SMH providing the only acute care services for mental health in our county, Administration and the Hospital Board must act locally and be vocal in emphasizing the need for our citizens. We currently have a major drug epidemic that could be devastating to an entire generation and their children if we don't act with intense purpose.

Hospital Board: 6 Questions for Sharon Wetzler DePeters

Sharon Wetzler DePeters, Nurse Practitioner

Sarasota County Public Hospital Board At Large, Seat 1

1. What are the major pros and cons of privatizing Sarasota Memorial Hospital and what is your position?

In my experience, having been a healthcare practitioner in both private and public hospitals, I found for every one advantage of privatizing there are several advantages for remaining public. Just to mention a few, our community private hospitals tend to be small, while SMH is accessible with over 800 beds in Sarasota as well as the clinics strategically located around the County. Insurance forms are regulated, and care tends to be more expensive in private hospitals while SMH proves to be more affordable and in fact will not turn anyone away needing care regardless of insurance and/or ability to pay. In comparison, SMH is obligated to invest all profits back into the public hospital whereas private hospitals have no obligation to do so. Consequently, there is no doubt that I am in favor of keeping SMH public.

2. Regarding the expansion of Sarasota Memorial Hospital: please expand upon why you agree or disagree with the current expansion?

I totally agree with the current plan for SMH to pursue a hospital in Venice in order to meet the growing populations medical needs. In a recent Herald Tribune article, community leaders voiced the need to have a hospital for a wide variety of reasons including the rapid growth population estimated at 10,000 new residents in the next decade. “SMH is a taxpayer-supported hospital, and residents deserve access to that care in South County just like in North County.”

3. How would you like future expansion to proceed?

With revenues and patient volumes increasing, I am confident that the administrators will move forward to provide our community with a low cost, high quality of care facility that focuses on meeting the needs of the people it serves. However, there is much planning and preparation required to proceed. With that being said, I would like to see final approval plans and ground breaking within the next few years.

4. The failure of the State of Florida to expand Medicaid increases the hospital's uncompensated costs. What is your position on accepting the Federal Medicaid Funds?

I stand in favor of accepting the Federal Medicaid Funds, however, I am not looking forward to the Federal Government’s involvement once we accept do accept the funds.

Unity begets power. It takes more than a few to speak out and be heard. State lawmakers must be in tune with the needs of each Florida communities that struggles with moral and financial issues while caring for the healthcare needs of their population. Let our voices be heard and don’t settle for less.

According to 2015 demographics in Sarasota County, 17.6% of respondents report having health status limitations because of physical, mental, or emotional problems. In addition, 12.2% of county population income is below 100% poverty level.

Last week, a Mental Health Forum was presented at SMH with a distinguished panel of experts discussing treatment options, personal challenges and triumphs of those living with mental illness, safety issues, and strategies for reducing stigma, mental health reform and more. It comes at a timely opportunity for Lawmakers to approve expansion of Federal Medicaid funds.

Hospital Board: 6 Questions for Jim Meister

Jim Meister

Hospital Board Northern District, Seat 1

1. What are the major pros and cons of privatizing Sarasota Memorial Hospital and what is your position?

For over 90 years SMH has been a tax payer funded and community owned not-for-profit hospital providing excellent care. It must remain not-for-profit! As a for-profit institution it would be owned by the shareholders who have a vested interest in revenue and earnings rather than servicing the community.

2. Regarding the expansion of Sarasota Memorial Hospital: please expand upon why you agree or disagree with the current expansion?

SMH must meet the needs of the people of our community and provide the services to meet these needs. Our expansion of the number of Urgent Care Centers, building a soon to be opened 45 bed Rehabilitation Pavilion on campus which will provide patient focused inpatient therapy to help people overcome the challenges and disabilities caused by illness or injury, our alliance with Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital to build a pediatric care center on the upper floor of our 24 hour Emergency Care Center in North Port, and our new partnership with Florida State University College of Medicine for a new internal residency training program which allows us to build a medical clinic in Newtown to provide more convenient services for that community are a few examples of the many ways we are meeting these changing needs.

3. How would you like future expansion to proceed?

Expansion depends on meeting the changing medical service needs of our community and our ability to fund growth that does not jeopardize our strong financial ratings.

4. The failure of the State of Florida to expand Medicaid increases the hospital's uncompensated costs. What is your position on accepting the Federal Medicaid Funds?

I am in favor of taking the Medicaid expansion for two reasons. First, I believe that more members of our community with coverage is better for everyone. Second, I believe that Floridians already pay taxes for this but get no benefit because of the state’s refusal to accept Federal Medicaid Funds.

Actively urge and encourage the Legislature and the Executive Branch through lobbying, writing and meeting with local representatives to express our concerns for the people who have no or inadequate healthcare due the underfunding of Medicaid.

Our inability to fund and provide quality mental health services is a national disgrace. Our federal and state governments, with help from current providers and all concerned citizens need to come together to find a better way. What we have now is not working. The lack of a shared plan and resources results in unacceptable treatment and care for those in need!!

SMH Bayside Center for Behavioral Health is the only hospital in Sarasota County offering inpatient psychiatric services to patients of all ages, including children and adolescents at a time when many other providers have limited their services. We also are the only hospital to provide evaluation, and care in a specifically designed unit located in the Emergency Care Center for behavioral health patients with medical issues. More needs to done. SMH must address its aging Behavioral Health facility ng plant and increase the availability of Psychiatrist candidates and professional staff with expanded recruiting efforts. The county and city of Sarasota must together find the ways and means to provide housing and support services for homeless and community members with behavioral health needs.

Hospital Board: 6 Questions for Delores "Dee" McFarland

Delores “Dee” McFarland

Hospital Board Northern District, Seat 1

Site

1. What are the major pros and cons of privatizing Sarasota Memorial Hospital and what is your position?

I see no upside in privatizing SMH. SMH should remain a community non-profit hospital because it is publically funded, more affordable than private hospitals, and is not subject to a large corporate owner looking to make a profit for its owners/stockholders, often at the expense of quality care. And, SMH provides a safety net in the county for the underinsured and the uninsured. My position is to stand guard against any movement to privatize SMH. Despite its tremendous growth and all its honors, Sarasota County’s only publicly owned hospital remains the only not-for-profit hospital in the surrounding 4-county region and provider of safety net of care for the community.

2. Regarding the expansion of Sarasota Memorial Hospital: please expand upon why you agree or disagree with the current expansion?

Sarasota Memorial, founded in 1925, is one of more than 30 nonprofit community hospitals in Florida. I agree with the current expansion plans to create more beds in South County, including North Port and Venice. The current expansions to provide more medical services on St. Armand’s Circle and in Newtown are also good, however these expansions need to be closely monitored to assure that SMH does not overextend its budget. Also, fair and equitable contracts with physicians in these communities is also important.

3. How would you like future expansion to proceed?

Successful expansion into south county within the next 12-24 months with approved Certificates of Need and partnership with local physicians groups and citizens in the respective communities is key to successful future expansion.

4. The failure of the State of Florida to expand Medicaid increases the hospital's uncompensated costs. What is your position on accepting the Federal Medicaid Funds?

Florida Republicans' antipathy toward the Affordable Health Care Act is the only reason why the state has not accepted the Medicaid expansion that came in conjunction with this act. The Supreme Court said states could decide whether to participate. Traditionally Medicaid in Florida has covered low-income children, frail elderly and disabled adults, and pregnant women. Since 2013, the ACA would provide Florida an estimated $51 billion over the next 8-10 years to expand Medicaid coverage to about 1.1 million of the lowest-income uninsured. It is purely political that Florida does not accept this Medicaid expansion, which will continue to have serious impact on SMH’s uncompensated costs which increase significantly each year. We must convince the state legislature to accept this additional funding.

Taxpayers can write and petition their local state representatives and senators to let them know that we need to accept these funds. If citizens get enough traction on this issue, it can impact the outcome of the upcoming and future elections. Citizens should vote for candidates who support accepting these federal funds.

Recently a group of mental health professionals met at SMH. The panel discussion, “Mental Illness: Seeking Solutions for Sarasota County,” brought together nearly 200 county residents interested in developing better care, treatment and options for local individuals, hosted by the Sarasota chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI. The hospital can serve as a conduit for further community coalitions to bring about a paradigm shift in our community regarding the need for improved mental health services. SMH can promote its position to state legislators on expanding mental health services that may be funded by ACA.

Hospital Board: 6 Questions for Cheryl Brandi

Cheryl Brandi, DNSc, ARNP, NP-C

Hospital Board At Large, Seat 3

1. What are the major pros and cons of privatizing Sarasota Memorial Hospital and what is your position?

My position is to protect and maintain Sarasota Memorial Hospital as a community hospital and I will fight to keep it that way. It is fiscally sound—and profitable, it is the only community hospital for this entire region, it provides services such as obstetrics, behavioral health, neonatal ICU and services to the underinsured that no other local hospital can support, it is nationally recognized as a magnet hospital and has obtained the much desired CMS five star rating. People relocate here from other states because of the availability of the services this system offers. It is the also second largest employer in the county. Why would we want to sell off this jewel in our midst? I see no value in privatizing this hospital and would question any motives to do so as being simply for-profit motives at the expense of care and service to our local citizens.

2. Regarding the expansion of Sarasota Memorial Hospital: please expand upon why you agree or disagree with the current expansion?

The current expansion has been very valuable to the community—better pediatric services in Northport, a clinic in Newtown, a new rehabilitation center, a medical residency program—(to name a few)--all very needed community services.

3. How would you like future expansion to proceed?

We need south county hospitals—would like to see one in Venice and Northport. Northport is one of our fastest growing community segments and merits a hospital. Better access to the quality care that the SMH system is capable of providing in these regions is a common theme expressed by south county groups I have encountered, and I hear it often in may own clinical practice from individual clients and families. Our south county constituents pay taxes for SMH, and deserve a better share of services. I also support a better push for more preventive services, as well as expanded behavioral health services and services to our aging populations and their caregivers. However, with rapid growth also comes an obligation to maintain careful checks and balances in matching vision with resources, as well as maintaining and improving quality and safety.

4. The failure of the State of Florida to expand Medicaid increases the hospital's uncompensated costs. What is your position on accepting the Federal Medicaid Funds?

I cannot understand why this state is lacking in accepting the Federal Medicaid Funding as it would provide for better access to care for hardworking underinsured people caught in the “gap.” It would enable better access to care for people with behavioral health and neurodegenerative disorders. It would provide easier access to care for preventive care to women and obstetric care, particularly important with the current threats that the Zika virus presents to women of reproductive ages in particular.

The taxpayers can vote intelligently for those individuals who support the expansion. Continued lobbying is also important. Contacting region legislators works well—letters, visits, supporting PACs that support the issue helps. Voting for the people who sincerely want to represent the voice of this community is particularly important in this election!

Persistence is the key to this issue. I believe Medicaid expansion is inevitable, but we need people who are willing to research and lobby and rewrite proposals and white papers and to continue to pursue this issue with our officials in Tallahassee. It took almost 20 years for nurse practitioners in this state to get recognition for their ability to provide better access to care by practicing to their full scope of practice, so we know that persistence and diligence work in resolving issues at higher governmental levels.

Hospital Board: 6 Questions for Kevin Connelly

Kevin Connelly

Hospital Board At Large, Seat 1

1. What are the major pros and cons of privatizing Sarasota Memorial Hospital and what is your position?

The primary responsibility of the CEO of a private corporation is to maximize shareholder return( According to the Harvard School of Business). Medical decisions will be made to ensure a profit, that are not necessarily in the best interests of the patient. We must keep our SMH a community hospital that puts patient welfare first and serves all Sarasotans from Newtown to North Port.

2. Regarding the expansion of Sarasota Memorial Hospital: please expand upon why you agree or disagree with the current expansion?

I agree with expansion plans that include a Venice and North Port locations

3. How would you like future expansion to proceed?

Venice first while at the same time initiate studies to find a North Port location and commence the planning process.

4. The failure of the State of Florida to expand Medicaid increases the hospital's uncompensated costs. What is your position on accepting the Federal Medicaid Funds?

The State of Florida should accept Medicaid funding!

Unfortunately partisan politics is preventing Medicaid funding. We need to elect legislators that put peoples interests first—not special interests! Electing Democratic legislators would be a good start!

SMH should define the issues involved, define the requirements, prepare a budget to address these issues and go public to gain community support. Hold our elected officials accountable.