Dawn Kitterman
BRADENTON — This past Sunday, TBT reported on a recent Purchasing Card Audit Report published by the Office of Inspector General. The audit report included details related to an informational newsletter District 3 Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge produces and emails to some of his district constituents.
Following our story, several residents have contacted TBT to say that they are District 3 residents, but do not receive newsletters from the commissioner. Most said that they were unaware there even was a newsletter produced by their commissioner.
In response to requests from the public for more details about the newsletter, including the sort of information contained in prior mailings,
TBT is providing this follow-up story to
our previous reporting.
With the assistance of the public, TBT has collected nearly a dozen copies of previously emailed newsletters from the desk of Commissioner Van Ostenbridge.
The following PDF copies may not include all versions of the newsletter ever produced or emailed. TBT has submitted a public record request to the county for copies of any additional newsletter(s) for dates that are not included among those we already have collected. We will update this report if other versions become available.
TBT checked Van Ostenbridge’s official commissioner social media accounts, his commissioner webpage on the Manatee Government website, and the official social media pages for the Manatee County government looking for public announcements informing residents of the newsletter and how they could opt-in. We were unable to find any information referencing the District 3 Commissioner’s newsletter.
In response to an inquiry by our publication for instructions on how a resident can sign up to receive the newsletter, Van Ostenbridge’s aide advised TBT via email that "District 3 residents are encouraged to reach out to our office via email to be added to the newsletter list.”
Email addresses for Commissioner Van Ostenbrige and his aide can be located on the Manatee County Government website, or by
clicking here.
The following are copies of past-dated newsletters sent by Van Ostenbridge, provided to our publication by members of the public.
Topic(s): 2021 summary, tax cuts, road investments, G.T. Bray Park improvements, apartment fire fundraiser, county redistricting
Topic(s): beach parking poll, G.T. Bray Park improvements, Federal Legislative Priorities
Topic(s): Bishop Animal Shelter, All Clams on Deck, tax cuts
Topic(s): tax cuts, lane widening projects for 59th St W and 75th St W, CIP hub access instructions
Topic(s): Hurricane Ian shelters/evacuations
Topic(s): Post Hurricane Ian recovery/resources
Topic(s): Hurricane debris collection, Del Taco, Coquina boat ramp, newly elected commissioners
Topic(s): 75th St W widening project public meeting
Topic(s): Legislative priorities, West Bradenton town halls, train derailment, John Carlock Field
Topic(s): West Bradenton Median projects, Rubonia infrastructure improvements, John Carlock Field, Adopt-a-Palooza, DeSoto Parade
Topic(s): West Bradenton roadway improvements
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