Mr. McCann has accepted an endorsement from Ret. Gen Mike Flynn who is a member of the Sarasota Republican Executive Committee which is defunct as a result of corruption. He is also a supporter of Trump. For these reasons I feel that he is more vulnerable to MAGA influence. The greedy developers will keep at him until he folds. We cannot risk this. Joe Di Bartolomeo has my vote.
For our first time we evacuated, to Freedom Elementary, about noon Thursday; it opened only that day and nearby.
It was almost vacation-like. All the County staff on site who volunteer, were so kind and helpful. Checking in so simple, with little information needed. Schools Hosts county evacuation sites, and volunteer school staff provided wrap-around support to the county. The principal kept everyone up to date by clearly audible PA messaging (and clearly well in command and control of us as her elementararians).
An outstanding, mostly Hispanic, cafeteria staff provided 3 square hot meals on trays, milk, juice, and coffee a day to 3 wristband groups. I'm told by a neighbor who is one that they're paid minimum wage only, and are also volunteering. That's not ok.
Custodial staff kept multiple facilities generously stocked and 24 hour power. The entire school was immaculate, welcoming, lots of space, and importantly, it was nice to feel safe.
MSO was present, laid back, helpful, protective and unintrusive. The Deputies were there for the duration. Also volunteering.
Our maybe 300 co-evacues were a big mix of our county residents; most were stoic and prepared, some were crying, some maybe were homeless and glad for the 'opportunity', some in wheelchair, some diabetics needing and getting juice, some seemed un or under prepared, like us. Some seemed pissed off to have this happen to them, there were coughing and farts; but not that many. Some infants, not audible, and only a few kids. Everyone seemed on best behavior possible under the circumstances.
Most everyone, I think, was afraid of their fate, and stoic. Sht happens and you can't always duck it. A tiny few were
maybe unaware of when it's proper to STFU.
Can't say that it was anyone else's experience, but I think it may have been, ours was made overall fully competent and worryfree thanks to the staff, officers and the Volunteers.
Won't say can't wait til next time, but it's what we'll do. But, did I mention there was a movie, POPCORN, no politicians, and, it was pet friendly!!
Great job Manatee.
Meanwhile, back home yesterday without damage and after having gathered a ton of yard debris for 2 days, the Bradenton city solid waste truck teams made 2 manual collections, and 2 more with their claw picker for the big stuff, and said its a process and they'llbeback til its gone. And we have 24hr city water and sewer service.
Nice work Bradenton!
PS, Hoping for FPL soon.
Mitch, well written and glad you are as safe as it sounds. Your documentation of this journey, allows the readers to be a part of your journey. Harrowing to say.
We are all set in East County preparing as best as we can for decades. If you navigate back to the 9.4.1, we will surely leave a light on for you to stop in.
Where is KVO? I know George Kruse has been out and about, communicating and very helpful. I see Rahn there, and Bishop, for a photo op. Where are our other Commissioners? They MAY be in the background assisting...yet their responsibility is to communicate and serve the residents. Ruth Lawler
Pam Coachman served with me in her first two years. She advocated for affordable housing and equal funding in all wards. I thought highly of Pam in her first two years and hoped she would be stronger in her position to move Ward 5 forward with more funding and projects that would serve her Ward. With the incoming new Mayor she seemed to move toward the good ole boy network to support more development and projects that took funds away from her Ward.
Her opponent, is new and has little experience but has an enormous passion to change the City. She seems to want to do good for her Ward and the entire City. I believe she is Honest and sincere. As a Mayor of the City I feel I can work well with either of them. However, I like to see change and I feel the change needs to happen for the good of the Ward to move it toward to a positive outcome in the upcoming election.
Bill Sanders for Mayor of Bradenton in 2024
Employees paycheck should not be decided by the millage, what company on earth runs their payroll on such a concept. NONE. I have 3 TAXES already on my property already. I should only pay when I use the resources of the school district, instead of getting bullied by the district for millage and taxes. Make due what you get. If I saw results on the reading level and other areas our students are failing, perhaps, but not under these circumstances. More taxes and bigger government is not the answer to the budget. Taxpayers should not pay for failure.
Thanks for writing about this. It's super important. Also a good idea for people to keep this article handy when they go house hunting so they remember to consider both when buying a home.
Carol Felts brings decades of knowledge and experience not only to our community but actually listening to the citizens of Manatee County for as long as well. This is Carol's third run at a commissioner position and it's time the voters give her a seat at the table, she has earned that right. Another big plus practically none of the other candidates have done is showing up for public comment at not only county commissioner meetings and numerous advisory boards as well. Carol has gone to many many meetings over the years almost as many as the Gadfly has. That speaks volumes to this citizen. Carol is the only choice in the WTF opinion. Carol’s slogan...UNBOUGHT & UNBOSSED!
The following is information from the League of Women Voters:
VOTE BY MAIL (VBM)
USPS has told the Manatee Supervisor of Elections (SOE) that they have delivered VBM Ballots where they were able to deliver.
VBM Ballots that could not be delivered are being held in the Palma Sola Post Office, 115 75th St W, Bradenton 34209.
To change your address for VBM, call the Supervisor of Elections office at (941) 741-3823. A number of voters have evacuated to a different address or have gone to another location to assist friends or relatives. A new VBM ballot will be mailed out to the temporary address requested.
Even if you requested a VBM, and you have not sent in your ballot, you can vote early or on election day without being in possession of the VBM ballot. You may vote at any early voting location, but if you vote election day, you must go to your precinct. To find that location, go to votemanatee.gov, and click on the "Where do I vote" icon.
Truth! We don’t care what the political hack has to say. We are interested in factual information regarding what the citizens need to know. Keep up the political antics-the citizens will remember when it is time to vote the rest of the remaining crooks out!
Recent Comments
mklimek@tampabay.rr.com writes:
For Manatee County Commission D5, We Recommend Dr. Robert McCann
NikkiforPalmetto writes:
For Manatee School Board D3, We Recommend Charlie Kennedy
aleerandall@msn.com writes:
For Manatee County Commission D7, We Recommend George Kruse
ivangroo@gmail.com writes:
Manatee County Continues Clean-Up Following Milton
NikkiforPalmetto writes:
Development Cranes in St. Pete Pose Significant Risk
lib224@gmail.com writes:
Who do you think performed better in Tuesday's Vice Presidential Debate?
mcems1986@gmail.com writes:
Hunkered Down in O-Town
lib224@gmail.com writes:
Officials debunk rumors that FEMA won’t have the resources to respond to Milton
ruthlawler@att.net writes:
Video: Hurricane Milton Press Conference: 10/7/24 1:30 p.m.
Libby23@aol.com writes:
Very Powerful Hurricane with More Surge than Helene Striking by Wednesday
iambillsanders@aol.com writes:
Race Analysis: Bradenton City Council Ward 5
WTF writes:
The School Millage Tax Renewal: Fulfilling a Constitutional Requirement
Mateo writes:
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kmskepton@yahoo.com writes:
Evacuation and Flood Zones: What's the Difference?
WTF writes:
Race Analysis: Manatee County School Board District 1
WTF writes:
Race Analysis: Manatee County Commission District 1
sandy writes:
Our Vote by Mail was Cancelled
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Episode 163: Glenn Pearson
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How To Deal With All That Sand
Buldog writes:
When it comes to natural disasters, pols should let the experts have the floor