28 Comments

The lone voice of reason on our idiotic Board of Corrupted County Commissioners

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Very well written. Go George. Hire someone to start your car. This Board has a strange way of eliminating opinions that oppose the will of the developers.

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Well stated Mr Kruse. I agree with you position against this garage. Other more pressing projects need to take priority. How can we as citizens defeat this project? Is it too late to bring this garage issue to a vote ? What can we do to stop wasting our tax dollars?

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I live not far from the island and unless you're visiting at peak times, parking is NOT a problem. Doesn't make sense to spend the $ on this project for so little return.

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I love this George Kruse. If we would have had this same George Kruse in 2020 and 2021, we would still have a home grown County Administrator with integrity. We would never have experience Scott Hopes and the gutting he did of what used to be a knowledgeable management team. That being said, Commissioner Kruse of 2022 and 2023 (and soon to be 2024-2028, hopefully) is up there with the best Commissioners we've had in the 36 years I've lived in Manatee County.

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Let's hope it continues!

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I agree - finally a voice of reason from an out of control BOCC. The only point I would add is we must put an end to the urban myth that wealthy AMI owners and vacation renters don’t want local Floridians on island. That is a false narrative pulling heart strings of childhood memories of family days at the beach. An opportunity stripped away by selfish AMI ... hence the strong legislative supporting vote. George, please hang in there and keep bringing forth reasonable observations. Parking is not an issue - it’s transportation. And we have significant costly issues of more pressing priority. This diversion from serious environmental and social issues must be set aside. Thank you.

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Oops. Well said...

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Well sadi. Thank you!

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Thank You for your comments yesterday and for posting this article today.

Well reasoned, well written and well said.

Greg Kerchner, Commissioner, City of Holmes Beach

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Please show up on Thursday for the wetlands ordinance, too.

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I was agree with the George, it’s a lot of money for additional parking. He makes sense. Thanks keep up the good work. And I am a beach goer from Bradenton. I feel impact fees should be higher to help pay for infrastructure improvements.

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KVO has never been on the beach during winter season, I have!

People are sitting on top of each other especially if they have children. They want to be able to see their children in the water.

The whole idea of the beach garage is not necessary. Which builder wants it to be built?

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Probably NDC

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Any commisioner who'll benefit financially, and Bradenton residents who've been gulled into believing their access is being denied!

KVO is seriously petty...

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Thank you for getting to the facts and looking out for our tax money. I was shocked at some comments made by the other commissioners. We may need some math tutoring.

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The larger problem on AMI is traffic, not parking, which has a 2 word solution...."Third Bridge".

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Good luck getting LBK to agree!

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Thank you for being the voice of reason is a sea of crazy. The garage just isn’t logical for the space and the money. Alternative means to get people to the beach without their cars makes more sense. Like a cool monorail from 75th street to public beach like Disney? Transportation and entertainment. 👍🏻

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Thank you for the finely written article. You so right. Guess the new water/garbage fees will put more money in the bank for the BOCC. I sure wouldn't let the same builder who built the BOCC admin building garage, now in "imminent need" build any more parking garages. They'll fall apart in twenty years like the admin building garage .The same developer's buildings fall apart every twenty years or so, so that he can build again. Meanwhile a twenty story condo is planned for Tallant Park/City Hall. He's building that too. He's just another builder padding campaign coffers while robbing tax dollars.

As well, the city of Bradenton community meetings regarding the sale and disposition of city hall violated open meetings law. Currently there is a criminal complaint regarding multiple violations in each of eleven open meetings during those same meetings at sitting at the state attorney office in Manatee, I'm told. If it's there it was hell getting it to the SAO..

I do wonder how handicap persons can reach the beach after parking, based on your parking lot photo. I wouldn't be able. Thanks again. I learned a lot.

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George Kruse. Thank you for emphasizing the importance of financial responsibility that our Commissioners are lacking. $$30mm for 600 PARKING SPACES not to mention that there will be a parking fee. How do those people sitting in traffic on the Fort Hamer Bridge feel about not being a priority. How much are the commissioners planning to increase our taxes? I hope they hear what you said!

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On spot-thank you!

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I totally agree that the garage is a huge misspending of our money. Of the 600 spots, how many will be used by Manatee County taxpayers? Tourists and neighboring county residents would benefit more than anyone. There was a lot of parking, along the streets of the island communities, that was eliminated in the name of Covid and now is permanently unavailable. Why doesn’t Manatee County have a pay for use mentally like our neighbors? Toll bridges and paid parking would generate a lot of revenue from non Manatee County taxpayers.

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