Dirty deeds are done dirt cheap in Manatee County. For District 3 Commissioner and Chairman Kevin Van Ostenbridge, using taxpayer dollars to the tune of over $1,600 was no big deal.
As reported in The Bradenton Times and Herald-Tribune, the commissioner purchased records using the county credit card on over 19,000 residents claiming it was for a newsletter. Only after hundreds of county residents called for his resignation and news reports did the commissioner repay the taxpayers. County residents deserve better than someone who became famous for his theft of private property and using the county’s pre-arrest diversion program to avoid jail.
During the July 24th work session Van Ostenbridge expressed grave concern over the release of resumes of applicants for the county administrator position - a public office where applicants consent to submit resumes into the public record. 19,000 residents did not consent to their positions on issues, religious affiliations, political ideology, GPS coordinates, and more to be shoved headfirst into public records. It is absurd to think 200 data points are needed from each resident for a newsletter.
Van Ostenbridge was temporarily forced out as chair for failing to share information with his colleagues. Now, he must face the music and demonstrate leadership by resigning as chair and commissioner for this theft of taxpayer dollars. If he does not, then we must be ready to vote for an ethical and responsible candidate to uphold the highest values of our community.
Talha Siddique
Manatee County
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David Daniels
We need an Independent (NPA) candidate to oppose our (I am in District 3) corrupt, condescending, immature, combative, non-forward thinking, environment-destroying, thief of a Commissioner. Maya Angelou said "when a person shows you who they are, believe them. I would hope that a candidate does not try to challenge as an R, where the vast majority of voters view the world through the lens of Fox News. A candidate should campaign to all of us, and make the election in November, not August - so all of us can vote.
Sunday, August 6, 2023 Report this
David Daniels
From David Daniels, Bradenton
We need an Independent (NPA) candidate to oppose our (I am in District 3) corrupt, condescending, immature, combative, non-forward thinking, environment-destroying, thief of a Commissioner. Maya Angelou said "when a person shows you who they are, believe them. I would hope that a candidate does not try to challenge as an R, where the vast majority of voters view the world through the lens of Fox News. A candidate should campaign to all of us, and make the election in November, not August - so all of us can vote.
Sunday, August 6, 2023 Report this
sandy
As long as we have closed primaries (because of the write-in loophole) about half the citizens will not be able to vote as we rarely have candidates other than Republicans and it is usually determined at the primary. Write-ins do not win in the general election.
Tuesday, August 8, 2023 Report this