New College was a renowned honors college of the state university system. It graduated more Fulbright Scholars relative to its student enrollment — than any other college or university in the entire USA. The honors college is being dismantled and remodled after a private religious college in another state that has no other claim than its stiffling of achieveing the capacity for critical thinking that used to be the objective of a 'Liberal Arts' education. Since the renowned honors college is being dismantled, it should be abandoned. Why have two similar state colleges next to one another? Let the name of New College retain its relationship to high academic achievement for those who are graduates and former professors — in past tense — so it still may be something to be proud of. A respectful memorial ceremony would be appropriate.
What an excellent opinion piece! Sad because you can’t even begin to cover all the damage, the bulk of which was committed in under 2 years, by this “corrupt 6 super majority” of commissioners. Except for Kruse, from the dais these 6 corrupt commissioners openly “hate” and have no desire to listen to citizen’s concerns or needs. Because of their lack of brain power and independent thought they resort to belittling, name-calling, and using the power of their self-created dictator government against the people they are supposed to represent. With the help of our community, citizens have the power to take back Manatee County, but this will only happen if people start talking to their friends and neighbors so that they become informed voters.
The "health care provider" argument is idiotic at best. Obviously a dentist can't advise someone about their cancer care, eye care needs, or any other health care needs outside of their specialty. The term health care provider inherently refers to a health care provider licensed to provide diagnosis in a specific area that they are allowed to legally do so.
The economic impact issue is also specious, If a current law is deemed unacceptable because of the amendment, that is exactly what the amendment is put in place for. Those laws need to be removed or amended to comply with the Florida constitutional change. These arguments are just attempts to subvert the will of the majority, another attack on democracy.
I found it ironic that an inland county, Orange County, increased the wetland buffers for most projects to 100 feet, 2 months after Manatee, a coastal county, removed their buffers. I had 26 years with the county, 23 years doing Floodplain management. I retired in 2022, having had enough of the crazy stuff happening with the BOCC and the major changes including the loss of many long term employees that I had worked or interacted with over the years. We were lied to about transparency, smaller government, fiscal responsibility. I was a Democrat when I moved here, but this year I have changed party affiliation to Republican so I can vote in the primary for the first time in a few election cycles. I wanted a vote that counts to try to bring some sanity back to Manatee County government.
Says the man who has violated the Supreme Court ruling against the forgiving of student loans!
Says the man who has obliterated his sovereign obligation to protect our borders, by allowing in 10 million+ unvetted immigrants,
Says the man who has initiated politically motivated charges vs. his opponent for the Presidency of the United States Of America.
Says the man who is being investigated by Congress for selling access to China and the Ukraine for large payouts!
Says the man who has totally weaponized the Justice Department and his Lackey, Attorney General Merritt Garland against Conservatives, Christians, Parents, and those awful MAGA folks.
Only The Bidens and the Democrats could demonize something as meaningful as, “Make America Great Again!”
Horrific. What's worse is that I know a list of women personally who have been assaulted in church or at a church function. This is not unusual, unfortunately. I myself had to throw an old man off of me in a basement hallway once.
It is repulsive to me that religious people point fingers outside of their own community and accuse innocent people of harming children in this way, when they should be policing their own population. Clean your own house first.
Biden's debate night was a disappointment, Trump's was a stream of lies and avoiding answering a direct question about .... his fingerprints eliminating abortion and necessary healthcare for U.S. women, January 6th ... and his golf handicap.
However, as bad as Biden's performance was on Thursday ... on Friday the State of the Union Biden showed up! I'm going to say that ANYONE can have a bad night, especially if they're sick with a cold/sore throat. But ... in a choice between democracy, freedom and the rule of law ... I'm going to stick with Biden.
Great piece! Thank you for the research.So true that buying and then owning County commissioners are insanely profitable investments for developers.I am hoping their greed bites them in the butt this election, but I'm not optimistic.Too many R primary voters care more about bullying lgbt kids and banning books than they do about getting screwed over by puppet commissioners (no offense to the Blue puppet). I've been hoping that the Florida political pendulum swings back toward the center but we keep going farther right into fascism.
Typical DeSantis in that he loathes legitimate medical advice unless it comes from our, “quack,” Florida Surgeon General. Rather than considering the advisement he would rather pander to the gun lobby and declare any gun rights initiative more important than Floridians’
health. Pitiful Ron. Jim Tierney
Solar panels are at all time low, some new panels are going for .16 cents a watt. 30 years ago is was $15.00 a watt
Every home that has a solar window that can put solar, should. Paybacks are typically less that 7 years. Why not get free energy from your rooftop than across transmission lines 20 or more miles away. We still have net metering, 30% tax credit and more so it's a win win for the homeowners.
I originally changed my party affiliation because of Satcher being appointed SOE. I was determined this year I would have a vote that counted, not like 2020 and 2022. As a Democrat I couldn't vote in the county primaries because of write-ins. I'm in District 4 and I did not like Rahn because of his performance on the Planning Commission but because of a write-in I couldn't vote in the primary. Truthfully, I only registered in 1975 Democrat because of my parents and where I grew up Democrats were the dominant party. I have never voted a party line which would **** off my brother. My changing a party affiliation allows me to have a vote in the primary as Republicans are the dominant party in Manatee. In the general (which for the first time in a few years the decision will be made then for some of the races) I can vote for who I want no matter the party. In 2020 nobody really knew KVO and his sound bites sounded good. The first meeting he moved to removed Cheri Coryea. We know who he is now. Hopefully enough people in District 7 have also been paying attention. He is not for the citizens of the county and he needs to be voted out. Vote Kruse, Farrington, and Hackney in the primary.
As I owned property ON Rodman Reservoir for 14 years and lived there full time for seven years, I am very familiar with the Rodman Reservoir controversy. My property was nearly seven acres in Ocala National Forest, overlooking the Reservoir and bordering the Marjorie Harris Carr Greenway. There are several statements in the article that are totally incorrect. The water is NOT stagnant, as MILLIONS of gallons of water flows through at the dam daily. Manatees most assuredly CAN and do come into Rodman Resevoir through the Buckman Lock. The lock tenders, whom I have personally spoken with several, will OPEN the lock for any manatee that wants through either way, and literally scores of manatees inhabit the Reservoir and enjoy the lush aqautic vegetation. After nearly 60 years of this Reservoir being there, it has become a magnificient wildlife and lush environmental ecosystem. Eagles, Osprey, Red wing Blackbirds, and many, many mammels such as deer, bear, otters and more. I have kayaked the length of Ocklawaha from Silver Springs, up into and through the entire distance of Rodman and well past the dam. I am grateful to Marjorie Harris Carr lobbying successfully to stop the Cross Florida Barge canal, a true boondoggle. Yet the reservoir provides much more benefit than problems. I encourage all to visit the reservoir, and to read the non-positional book "Ditch of Dreams". Most who are against Rodman Reservoir have NEVER seen it or experienced this incredible ecosystem. It would take many decades, if ever, for full restoration to happen and millions of taxpayers dollars. Leave it alone!
To be honest, in 1975 I registered Democrat because my parents were and in the area I grew up you could have a better chance at a civil service job if Democrat. I didn't get one but was hired by a gentleman who besides being a business owner,was a rare Republican in the county legislature (that's what they were called). I never changed my party even though my brother accused me of being too conservative. Until I moved to Manatee County it wasn't an issue but with the county being Republican by majority and most candidates Republican I have continually been shut out of the primary because of a write-in candidate.This year I am determined to have a vote, so I have changed my party affiliation. I am not a die-hard for either party but will vote for who I feel is the most qualified. The write-in loophole needs to be eliminated so the primaries encompass all voters. Vote for Scott Farrington.
Recent Comments
Charles writes:
New College Foundation Adds Mike Rahn to Board
Dianna writes:
Republicans Need to Clean Up the Republican Mess We've Made in Manatee County
rayfusco68@gmail.com writes:
Panel seems poised to decide abortion amendment would lead to costly litigation
kmskepton@yahoo.com writes:
On Independence Day, Let's Celebrate Our Free Press
sandy writes:
Episode 147: Joe McClash
Islandman writes:
‘No kings in America’: Biden slams U.S. Supreme Court ruling granting Trump immunity
Cat L writes:
Palmetto Pastor Faces Additional Child Sex Abuse/Porn Charges
san.gander@gmail.com writes:
Four from Manatee County Receive Service Academy Appointments
gwtenery@gmail.com writes:
Golf, abortion, Jan. 6 and felonies: Biden and Trump’s memorable debate moments
kmskepton@yahoo.com writes:
DeSantis Neuters Ethics Commission
kmskepton@yahoo.com writes:
County Demands $250,000 for Attorney Fees in Aborted Wetland Policy Challenge
kmskepton@yahoo.com writes:
County Announces Hurricane Preparedness Event at the EOC
David Daniels writes:
The Six Million Dollar Man
jimandlope@aol.com writes:
‘We will not comply’ DeSantis says of U.S. surgeon general’s advisory on gun violence
GLEN GADFLY GIBELLINA writes:
While FL politicians push expensive fossil fuels, utilities are building lots of solar farms
sandy writes:
Attention, Democrats and Independents: Cleanup in Republican Aisle KVO
ruthlawler@att.net writes:
DeSantis’ veto of Ocklawaha River rehabilitation study marks a first for the issue
pattybeenutty@gmail.com writes:
Algal Bloom May Effect Taste/Odor in Lake Manatee Reservoir
tjet62@gmail.com writes:
Culbreath's Campaign Highlights Law Enforcement Background, But Omits History of Disciplinary Actions
sandy writes:
A Tale of Two SOE Candidates