This might be my favorite article yet! Thank you, Mitch, for your clear report and spot-on perspective. Also, kudos to Alice Newlon for being a fabulous advocate - I appreciate both of you greatly!
We don't need such facilities at all, when we have hundreds of dogs needing adoption. This also sends a bad message, while on the surface looks good, that we support selling dogs and cats for profit instead of adoption of those in need of homes. Also, why can't Manatee County be like other surrounding counties and just outlaw these facilities? Why are commissioners so intent on keeping these hurtful businesses in our county?
Having your signature not match what is on file is note a frivolous reason for having your ballot rejected. The election office checks each and every mail in ballot against the signature on file if it doesn’t match its rejected. That’s a safe guard against someone else getting your ballot and voting it for you. You should be grateful that we have these safe guards.
As a resident of Anna Maria on N Bay, seeing our beloved Rod and Reel destroyed was as painful as seeing our own home decimated by flooding. We support Oli’s efforts to rebuild and remain AMI STRONG ❤️
Commissioner Kruse continues to impress with his level of preparation and understanding that allows him to summarize not only the pros and cons of the question being decided, but also the underlying motivations of the developer asking for the board's approval. It is a unique and extremely valuable talent that County residents are fortunate to have representing our interests. He is not anti-development. But Developers are on notice that when they put lipstick on a pig, they can get every Commissioner to jump on board - except Kruse. Even Bearden - with his ever-changing, finger in the wind, (usually incorrect) imagined Constitutional role can't make a coherent, consistent statement to explain his unpredictable positions. When Kruse sides with a proposed development, we know he will be able to make a persuasive case for the long term interests of Manatee County. Although they are speaking in a different tone now - we must remember the disrespect, the insults, the snide remarks, and the 6-1 votes that Ballard, Rahn and Bearden participated in (with KVO leading the way). Kruse won't call it out. He will welcome the finger in the wind change of attitude - especially from unbalanced Bearden. But we must remember how he used to raise his voice and aggressively point his finger at Kruse. We must make continue the taking back of good government, which includes bringing in a Administrator with integrity. One that respects the public's right to public records, and understands that it's not OK to use your position to lean on municipal mayors to get personal preferential treatment. It probably never occurred to Bishop that he'd be cutting in front of a family that pays his salary.
Great topic, Mitch. I recently read a report by journalist Judd Legum titled "How insurance companies could stiff the victims of Hurricane Milton." Legum points out that State Farm and Castle Key (a subsidiary of Allstate) flatly denied 46% of all claims in 2023. Denying claims is part of their business model. There has been a long held perception that lawsuits are filed by people trying to take advantage of the system. But lawsuits are the only recourse against an insurance denial. In a 2022 special session, DeSantis and our Tallahassee "representatives" passed measures making it nearly impossible for the average person to sue insurance companies. This was supposed to lower premiums but it was a gift to insurance companies. Between 2018-2022, the insurance industry contributed $3.9 million to DeSantis and his PAC, Friends of Ron DeSantis. Recent legislation has protected insurance company profits and forced thousands of policy holders off Citizens and into more expensive private insurance policies. The Ben Sasse appointment at UF, the Corcoran appointment at NC, the Satcher appointment, the unreported gifts, the attempt to build pickleball courts in State parks, the $millions paid to attorneys to defend his culture war policies, the refusal to turn over public records...DeSantis, Boyd and Robinson are the Swamp.
I have similar stresses going on. While my condo in my retirement community was flooded, and a handful of the 57 received bad flooding, for 80% if ys it seemed very little and easy to clean up, small puddles inside everywhere. However, the insurance adjusters and contractors came in, because we have flood insurance, and now a whopping $12,500. deductible later, they are tearing 4ft out of my walls, and taking out baseboards, kitchen cabinets, toilets, even though I didn't see any watermarks on my baseboards. In fact, the puddles might have been 1/2 inch high at the most. I am now displaced, at 75 yrs. old, because they threatened that I had to leave home during the process, while others tell me there are thousands of Manatee citizens having the same done while they live in their homes. Ideally, I'd love to have another two bedroom condo to go to with my dog and all the furnishings, but even if I could find one, I don't have the funds. We are also facing a big deductible for Hurricane because 4/57 roofs were damaged. After evacuating out for Helene, back in, then out again for Milton, and back in, I was told by my board that I had 3 days to get out again for a week of mitigation. Also, I had to pack all things small and remove, and then furniture in middle of room. Good luck finding places with everyone looking for places to rent. until I can move back in, again., or especially afford. Now, I am in a temporary place for 5 days, before I have to move everything again. The cost for hiring someone to help me move out and in with everything and moving furniture to middle of room was a lot, especially given such short notice and limited time to do it. The majority of residents wish we had never enacted our insurance because of the huge upset and damage to our walls and cabinets that they are planning. We also had to sign a contract with the restoration people that all owners' attorneys said not to sign, or our work would not be done. Another threat. The insult on our persons make me feel like a more of a prisoner to the board, insurance company, and contractors.
To access the local Manatee County Voter Guide published by the Manatee LWV follow this link - https://lwvmanatee.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024-Manatee-County-General-Election-Voters-Guide-Print-2.pdf
This man needs to be sentenced to maximum allowed by law and not just a slap on the hand. To tie his pet to a fence along the interstate and drive off in the middle of a hurricane is reprehensible. Bless the trooper who rescued him and the foster family who took him in. Animals are family. You are the only ones they know. My cat has evacuated with me every time (won't leave without him) or stayed by my side when we sheltered sat home.
Lesa Miller is a breath of fresh air! Her motivation for running is about ethics, principles and representing the residents! She is NOT a puppet for developers and big business interests! She has common sense, is caring and is commited to our environment and future of our area and to Florida for all, not just developers. I highly recommend that we all vote for Lesa and bring back some balance to our legislature. Ruth Lawler
Dear Patty,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
It's essential to clarify what MAGA represents. The Make America Great Again movement emphasizes a return to traditional values, economic revitalization, and strong national security.
Make America Great Again and America First movements require a commitment to the greater good of the community, rather than self-serving agendas. Individuals who prioritize their personal interests or advancement over the collective well-being of the nation cannot genuinely embody the spirit of MAGA or America First.
From this perspective, those who seek to exploit these slogans for personal gain or who engage in divisive behavior are pretenders or phonies. Such individuals are undermining the core values of unity, patriotism, and communal responsibility that the movements aim to promote.
A genuine commitment to making America better involves not only fostering national pride and economic opportunity but also working collaboratively for the benefit of all citizens. Therefore, when self-interest overrides the principles of shared sacrifice and community welfare, it raises questions about the authenticity of one's commitment to these ideologies. Authentic patriotism requires a recognition that individual successes are intertwined with the health and progress of the broader society.
Encourage you to read this article:
https://www.wmnf.org/florida-trident-report-tampa-campaign-consultant-anthony-pedicini-often-wins-big-shady-politics-shadier-money/
Paragraphs 6 and 7...
“It is a brass knuckle approach. The guy is not about community, he doesn’t care who he trashes,” Antunes, who has written an E-book on political dark money in Sarasota and Manatee counties, said. ”That’s Pedicini’s stock in trade. He’s just there to get results.”
Pedicini succeeds with a brutal political machine fueled by a seemingly endless amount of money from political committees he controls that is often used to fund disinformation campaigns against his client’s opponents. These campaigns regularly employ deception, such as false allegations or fake support from ideological enemies, to mislead voters. While Florida election code makes it illegal for a candidate to make “false or malicious charges against, or false statements about, opposing candidates,” it’s not clear those working for the candidate are governed by the same rules. Some of these attacks, though, approach the line regarding Federal Communications laws against political robotexting and robocalling without consent.
Pedicini is NOT MAGA
Thank you for sparking this dialogue, as it helps clarify our individual perspectives on these crucial matters.
Best regards,
Trent Wayman
And! as the clincher - Brown in best buddies with KVO! Come on, Bradenton. Enough with the good-ol boy favoritism. Ron Allen and NDC are the Carlos Beruff of the City. And how much raw sewage is enough for us to make a change? This is not new. In 2022, Suncoast Water Keepers sued, and won, a lawsuit over the city's failure to manage the sewage. From the record in that case: "“For the past five years, the city of Bradenton had illegally bypassed at least 160 million gallons of wastewater away from full treatment before discharging it into the Manatee River. Also, during that timeframe, the city discharged millions more gallons of reclaimed and raw sewage from its aging sewage system, which is plagued by structural deficiencies. The historic lack of investment in our infrastructure harms the health of our communities and waterways.” - Leadership MATTERS! VOTE FOR CHANGE! Vote Sanders.
There are no words for the degree of violation that formerly respected institution has endured. And, it's hypocrisy to cry out about "indoctrination" while conducting that offense simultaneously.
Where is the "good" that supposedly results from such religious leanings? It looks more to me like insecure men got some power and like to bully people. No, thank you.
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.
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