You’re off to a Smashing Start, Commissioners!

I’ve long assured both readers and those who hold elected office that I much prefer to write about the things government is doing right than bemoan its many shortcomings. This week provided an excellent opportunity.

As I noted earlier this week, the voice of a community and its electoral outcome saw the otherwise obdurate state legislative delegation reverse course on its ham-fisted move toward punishing the island cities by way of consolidation. 

On Tuesday, however, a special meeting of the Manatee County Commission gave residents every reason to believe that the new board they elected will represent a government that truly is of and for the people. 

Commissioner George Kruse, who was finally elected chair of the commission after being sidelined by the developer-bought wing, demonstrated tremendous promise in steering the ship in the coming year. Kruse laid out a number of priorities, including:

• Ensuring agendas are given to the public at least seven days in advance of a regular meeting and 10 days in advance of a quasi-judicial meeting.
• Increasing the time limit on public comment for quasi-judicial items from three to five minutes, moving proclamations toward the end of meetings, and extending the overall time allotted to public comment by adding time at the end.
• Putting a stop to last-minute agenda additions, particularly for items that are sure to evoke public interest.
• Requiring detailed information on all agenda items, including whether or not board action will be requested, in order to end the process of placing short and vague descriptions on last-minute additions that do not allow the public or board to prepare.
• Following Robert’s Rules of Order, including the requirement of a supermajority vote to call the question, so that a four-vote majority cannot circumvent public discussion.

This is as complete a wish list of how the meetings should be run as I can imagine. Bravo, Commissioner Kruse. 

Commissioner Robert McCann demonstrated his will and ability to be the no-nonsense, get-things-done commissioner he campaigned as.

Jason Bearden motioned months ago to begin the reversal of the board’s previous gutting of our wetland policies. The county attorney, staff, and some county commissioners hemmed and hawed about restarting the long process of another comp plan change.

McCann, who has a law degree, came to Tuesday’s meeting armed and ready with a motion to streamline the process by making it a reversal rather than a change, giving the people what they want in a far more timely manner than had been on the table.

Kudos, Dr. McCann.

Commissioner Carol Felts continues to demonstrate that she is much more than a folksy senior citizen from out east. Don’t let that accent and Southern charm fool you. She does her homework and doesn’t yield her ground.

No matter how badly Commissioner Jason Bearden may have embarrassed himself in his first two years on the board, you have to give him credit for doing everything imaginable (and even a few things that border on unimaginable) to reverse course. Keep it up, Commissioner Bearden.

Commissioner Amanda Ballard got off to a slow start even after all her buddies that were up for reelection got tossed, but she seems to be getting the message more and more with each meeting. Ballard always had tremendous potential when she wasn’t kowtowing to Beruff and company. Stay the course, Commissioner Ballard. You’ll sleep better at night knowing you will wind up on the right side of history.

For his part, Commissioner Mike Rahn’s feet are clearly dug in. Bully for you, Commissioner. I respect the fact that you are an elected official (I originally typed public servant, but let's not go too far) who is genuinely committed to something, even if it’s being a toady to your developer buddies at all costs. Enjoy your final two years in elected office, and hope they get you sorted out with a payday when the citizens of this county send you packing. 

Dennis "Mitch" Maley is an editor and columnist for The Bradenton Times and the host of our weekly podcast. With over two decades of experience as a journalist, he has covered Manatee County government since 2010. He is a graduate of Shippensburg University and later served as a Captain in the U.S. Army. Click here for his bio. Mitch is also the author of three novels and a short story collection available here.