pinion Letter to the Editor: Is The Developer

If a candidate like Betsy Benac, a life-long big development career woman with companies such as Benderson Development, WilsonMiller, Inc. and Stantec in her past and present, gets into office, then developer-rented commissioners in Manatee County government would have complete control. WilsonMiller, Inc. is a consultant for Neal Communities. Scenes such as the silencing of the citizen's voice, as executed so blatantly during the Mosaic mining vote, would only become more commonplace.

Benac is the same one who was seen in a video apparently persuading a sitting County Commissioner into changing her vote on the Robinson Farms density issue, against the recommendation of the County Attorney and Planning Director in October of 2010. In captured security camera footage, Benac can be seen conversing with former Commissioner Gwen Brown right before she changed her vote to pass the controversial ordinance after protestors left in what they thought was victory after the first vote.

The Robinson zoning issue would set the fate of the next well-planned contract for Neal Communities and spark many news stories. Elizabeth Benac was serving as a lobbyist for none other than the campaign donation heavyweight Pat Neal when speaking with Commissioner Brown.

No one needs to ask if the Neal family donated to Benac’s $48,073.60 campaign fund. Getting a lobbyist into the Manatee County Commission is exactly what the developers need to do build houses, shopping plazas and high-rises without first employing the proper infrastructure or seeking permission from the citizens in those communities. Developer-funded candidates already have a 4-3 majority on the board, but it seems like big development isn't taking any chances.

Marcile Powers

Bradenton, FL