LAKEWOOD RANCH – Kathleen Grant, who is challenging BOCC Chair Vanessa Baugh in the District 5 Republican primary, filed a complaint with the Florida Elections Commission this week, alleging that Baugh had violated state statutes, while speaking at a recent citizens meeting.
Grant’s complaint alleges that Baugh violated F.S. 104.061(2), "Corruptly influencing voting." Baugh and Grant both attended a June 28 meeting hosted by the non-profit group Keep Woods Inc., which was formed to oppose a request by developer Pat Neal to rezone wetlands between the Braden River and the Braden Woods community in order to better suit a proposed development.
Grant said that at a previous town hall meeting in the district, Baugh told attendees that she could not speak on the issue, having been advised by county attorneys that she could not have ex parte communications on a quasi judicial matter currently before the board. Grant said Baugh reiterated those instructions at the June 28 meeting, but decided to speak anyway, assuring the roughly 50 citizens in attendance that she would not support the unpopular rezone.
The issue is scheduled to come before the Manatee County Planning Commission on July 14 and is tentatively scheduled to come before the board on August 4. Grant, who has been publicly opposed to the rezone throughout her campaign and is running on a pledge to fight back against developer influence over the BOCC, said that she is in no position to promise voters anything before the election and that Baugh seems to have used the opportunity to do so to her advantage.
"I am disappointed that Commissioner Baugh felt it necessary to violate the ethics rules in order to get votes," said Grant. "She could have simply voted as she saw fit when the application came before the commission. Therefore, it is clear that the only reason she came out in opposition to the rezoning application was to gain favor with voters. As the incumbent, Baugh should be able to run on her record–not on promises made in knowing violation of the ethical rules for a sitting Commissioner."
Commissioner Baugh did not immediately respond to a request to comment on the matter.
Because there are no other candidates in the race, the District 5 Republican primary will be open to all voters, regardless of party affiliation, with the August 30 winner getting the seat. Baugh currently has a huge lead in fundraising, having raised $65,907.20 through the end of May, to Grant’s $9,632.60–most of which she loaned her campaign, with the rest coming from small donations from local residents. Baugh’s chief source of support has been the development community, including generous donations from individuals and entities associated with Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, Benderson Development and Neal Homes.
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