Small Rebrand; Large Refocus
Motion (and Conversation) Fails "For Lack of a Second"
I originally started up this Substack (although admittedly rarely used) to allow for long-form discussions on important Manatee County issues. It was never intended to be used for regular posts since I have historically been given the opportunity to be heard on the dais to relay information to all of you. For whatever reason, that has changed since the last election.
I motioned to bring back call-in comments (failed for lack of a second).
I motioned to conduct a study on our Facility Investment Fees to ensure we’re providing adequate future water capacity for the county (failed for lack of a second).
I motioned to remove, or at least modify, an extremely detrimental comprehensive plan policy allowing unintended excess development east of the FDAB line (failed for lack of a second).
Yesterday, I motioned to move forward with our promised housing for homeless and near-homeless U.S. Veterans (failed for lack of a second).
The Board has actively tried to minimize conversation or dissenting views, whether through cutting off call-ins; refusing public comment on agenda items; taking conveniently-timed recesses & lunches; calling the question; or refusing to second motions in order to disallow discussion.
While I may not always get the opportunity to lay out the facts and breakdown the issues for everyone on the dais, I can get a second chance once the meetings have ended.
These next few weeks and months will be packed with important issues facing Manatee County. And if I can guess from history, even more of these issues will continue to arise in 2024.
Just in the next 60 days, we can expect discussions on (i) parking garages, (ii) environmental restrictions, (iii) a new County Administrator, (iv) a final budget, (v) workforce housing policies associated with the Live Local Act, (vi) Comp Plan Policy 2.1.2.8, (vii) the rewrite of the comp plan itself, and (viii) everyone’s favorite topic, our impact fees.
And if I was a betting man, these may only be the tip of the iceberg.
Everyone in Manatee County deserves the facts so that you can have a voice. There are three ways you can follow along with the events unfolding in our County as I see them and get the facts.
First, you can follow me on Twitter (or X, I suppose). It’s the only social media account I use and all updates, news and comments can be found there.
Second, you can attend my town halls. These are held monthly throughout the County and open to all. No topic is off limits and we’ve had great, open discussions. We’ve collectively moved a number of items forward as a result. A new initiative will hopefully be forthcoming in 2024 as a result of a conversation last month.
My upcoming town hall is next Wednesday, August 16 at 6pm. It will be held at the Braden River Library. A full list of the monthly meetings for the remainder of 2023 is below. (If you’ve previously saved this, note that a couple of the months have adjusted due to conflict.)
The third way you can follow along and stay informed is right here. This Substack was previously just my views; expanding on what was already stated from the dais. Now, it will be a more frequent attempt to actually express these views and lay out the facts, many for the first time. For that reason, “Views from the Dais” is being rebranded as “For Lack of a Second”.
I would encourage you, if you haven’t already, to subscribe to get future posts delivered straight to your inbox. This subscription list is organically grown by voluntary sign-ups only so you have to click below to receive them.
If you have subscribed, I would encourage you to share this with friends, family or those that have an interest in how Manatee County is growing and how it is governed. You can share this post on social media, forward along an email you’ve received or share it through the button below.
The next few months and beyond will shape the future of our great county. How we grow, how we protect what we have and, most important, how we work together as a community for the benefit of everyone are all going to be on the agendas.
Whether you’re on the board, or one of our many concerned citizens, we are at a crossroads where upcoming items and decisions can lead to good choices or bad choices for Manatee County. The direction we collectively choose to go will make all the difference for our future.
As I’ve said in the past, the more informed you are, the more of a difference you can make.
It's frustrating. As you know because I've mentioned several times, I'm a homeschooling mom. This year our schedule is changing and I'm not going to be able to make it to nearly as many meetings as before. However, I could call in if that option is brought back!
Over and over the other commissioners have shown they see public comment as a distraction to their agenda, rather than an opportunity to communicate with their constituents to do the job they were elected to accomplish.
Thank you for continuing to care about Manatee County.
Well now you know how the residents have felt for the last couple of years…we are ignored and not heard.