For once in my life, I agree with Rick Scott: Florida’s beaches belong to everyone, not just those who can afford to buy waterfront property. Too often, wealthy interests—under the banner of “protecting the environment”—end up claiming some of the last pristine areas on the planet, leaving the average person shut out.
Imagine if our national parks were accessible only to the rich. That would be unthinkable. In much of Europe, there’s a buffer between private property and the shoreline, and many towns have a public beach promenade where anyone can see the ocean and enjoy the beach. Access to nature shouldn’t be a luxury.
It's likely that Pretti's previous interaction with ICE lead to his beat down and killing. Otherwise, where did the rage and quick killing of him come from. Prosecutors likely have a good case murder in the first due to premeditation from his killers.
Done. emails sent. I can’t believe I actually have to write an email telling representatives to say NO to renaming airports after trump. They are a pathetic bunch of kiss-ups. Their legacy will be one of shame.
Yes, both parties may have paved the way, but it’s the Republicans who allowed, and continue to allow, this to go way outside of the lines. Beyond the borders, if you will.
Nice self aggrandizing article. A lot of fluff trying to pretend that he and Will Robinson (not the lost in space character) aren't part of the developer problem in Manatee County. By voting out the developer supporters from the County Commission in the last election we are on the right track. Now we need to vote Senator Boyd and Will Robinson who have been carrying the water for the developers in Tallahassee.
Chairman Siddique is incompetent for mismanaging the January 28, 2026 meeting agenda. The overloaded agenda with known contentious items resulted in a 16 hour meeting. This is a disservice to citizens, commissioners and rezone applicants alike. This "sweatshop" mentality must not continue. Unnecessary overload and undo stress does not make for good deliberation or decision making. This was all completely avoidable. But, it is no wonder that Siddique does not understand "overdevelopment." LA and Miami urban densities must be what he likes.
DeSantis’ proposal highlights a fundamental and highly contentious restructuring of Florida's funding public services versus private educational options along with profound implications for local government sustainability and tax fairness. It is a major issue that requires a 60% vote for a constitutional amendment in 2026.
The reality is DeSantis is making a move to eliminate the ability of counties and cities to collect non-school property taxes that will strip local governments of an estimated $14.1 billion annually in revenue, and all the while still using state funds for private education vouchers that cost taxpayers $4 billion in 2025. It is about draining state funds from public districts while giving subsidies to those who are wealthy and can afford private schools.
Slashing property taxes will also lead to cuts within the fire department and emergency medical services, libraries, public transportation, road maintenance, sidewalks, water and sewer systems that fall today under those property taxes potentially forcing delays in critical local projects. If that happens, it will also force counties to become financially dependent on the state who would then have complete control as to what work will be paid for and in what specific area. Wouldn’t counties then become vulnerable to political leveraging?
Remember, the state’s money for disaster preparedness and hurricane recovery projects was used and directed at Alligator Alcatraz. If property taxes are slashed how will costs be covered when that facility already requires $450 million a year. DeSantis said FEMA would cover, but that money is frozen due to all the federal legal issues involved. This is a financial burden Floridians must carry. One they didn’t even get to vote on. The only viable way to make that up later is to increase sales tax, hurting low-income families and renters.
The state is already suffering from its emergency monies being used for Alligator Alcatraz. That financial uncertainty with DeSantis claiming it is a state detention property instead of federal, could put Floridians permanently “on the hook” over that additional yearly financial cost (triple the cost of a prison). If it is forced to be closed it will cost even more money. Taxpayers need to be concerned especially since he is doing this to build a lasting policy legacy outlined in Project 2025 and to maintain his national political image for a potential 2028 presidential run.
The safety of the staff and volunteers is VERY MUCH an issue with the prefabs. It's not so much about animal rights as it is about safety and what the community had been promised. The Bishop debacle is NOT a solution long term. The county must start planning and budgeting NOW for the replacement of the prefabs as they won't hold up for more than a few years. In the meantime, good taxpayer dollars after bad will be tossed down the drain trying to maintain these things. A private/public partnership is very much worth looking into in order for things to be done at least half right.
Well said! Drinking water is going to be the number 1 problem for future generation, in Florida and elsewhere. We need to start planning for drought and increased pressure on existing water supplies now.
Developers have destroyed much of Manatee County. Enough is enough!
"Commissioner and Manatee Port Authority Chairman Mike Rahn, who has proven himself more than willing to carry water for special interests, pushed hard to get the board to vote in favor of the change, hoping it would give the bill a better chance of passing were Conerly able to convince his fellow legislators that this was something the community he is said to represent was clamoring for. He was unsuccessful"
https://thebradentontimes.com/stories/port-bill-got-eighty-sixed-but-our-work-is-far-from-over,182691
I attended the Tallahassee Lobby Days delegation meeting and witnessed Bill Conerly refuse to withdraw a bill after I raised serious concerns about how the vote was represented. Conerly told our group he had received a phone call from Commissioner Tal Siddique and that the vote had “flipped” in favor of a takeover. That claimed change was never announced publicly, never placed on any Port meeting agenda, and was never officially recorded. In my view, treating an unannounced, unofficial phone call as a final 4–3 decision—without clear public process—undermines transparency and trust.
I asked Conerly to withdraw the bill. He refused. Several people in the room can confirm what I witnessed.
Our elected officials must be accountable and transparent. I urge voters to demand clarity, insist on public, recorded votes for matters that affect our community, and consider voting for new leadership who will respect proper procedure and open government. VOTE CONERLY OUT!
On October 15, 2025 the Planning Commission Chairman asked if this is a “sound issue?” Robin Singer, Planning Director, answered “No.”
Police officers testified that “Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen has been within sound ordinance limits.”
The issue then turned to Land Use. The Planning Director asserted that Cottonmouth was operating an “Auditorium.” This was bizarrely ironic as this meeting was taking place in an actual auditorium with no resemblance to Cottonmouth’s garden dining area.
The Planning Commissioners voted down the assertion that “Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen” is operating an Auditorium, with all five commissioners voting.
The same person who brought this to the Planning Commissioners is now appealing the Planning Commissioners decision. This time the appeal will be heard by The City Councilors. They will decide to uphold the Planning Commissioners ruling, or to over turn the Planning Commissioners October 15th decision. There are no further appeals.
As founding director of the 501 c-3 corporation overseeing the Village Revitalization, I can attest that we have had music for the last 26 years in this “Economic Overlay District”… every Art Walk, every festival, every holiday, and every weekend.
“The Economic Overlay” is an overlay covering the entire 18 block district since 1999. The new “Form Based Code” language about auditorium has absolutely no relevance, as the Economic Overlay supersedes and “overlays” the form based code.
Annie Russini
Founding Executive Director
phosphate mining should be severely,limited and the company MUST present an safe disposal of waste--if not then they should be prohibited from raping the land.
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