So you agree that since "Holding a BOCC meeting requires taxpayer funded mobilization of METV and deputies...[and] requires all staff that may be involved in each and every agenda item to be available and away from their jobs" then the BOCC used county resources earlier this year to promote the candidacy of Jason Bearden at the July 26, 2022, BOCC meeting. And since you have donated to Amanda Ballard's campaign, you must also believe BOCC members, in additional to juggling county issues, are responsible for crafting federal policies (which is what she is campaigning on).
So are you advocating for not having the meetings and informing the public? I don't think that is where you are going but it comes across that way. There are many problems that are not being addressed within the county. Seems the developer money is going into the campaign coffers of the BOCC. That is traced through not only the campaign but through the PACs. So I hope that the new ones will not be siding with them but with the Citizens. Otherwise, we will organize and vote them out. I saw where you were speaking about taking gov money which would allow denser building and reducing parking. I don't think you guys know how to plan for alternative transportation. You guys are still car centric. We don't have safe bike lanes in this county. We have wide lanes where people are going 20-30 miles over the speed limit to the point where parents won't let their kids play in the front yard. I challenge the commissioners to ride a bike (regular or electric) from east of 75 to Anna Maria Island. There are many riders in this county and more would ride thus alleviating some of the traffic but they need safer ways. Try looking at new/old concepts of getting this done. If you guys decide to take that ride challenge, I am sure that I can get a group to ride with you guys. It would be fun to see how you all handle it.
I used to train for Ironman triathlons in the area and ride with the Village Idiots. I've ridden most of these roads, including from east of 75 out to AMI and down LBK, and I completely agree with your assessment. I have always voted in favor of complete streets, traffic calming devices and wider shoulders/sidewalks. I've been pushing (hopefully successfully) for dedicated, protected bike lanes and the start of the east county greenway trail system to connect Legacy Trail to Hillsborough and eventually have connectors to the west. We also (successfully) passed a FareFree plan, effective Nov 1, to make all bus transit 100% free for 18 months as a test-run to determine if it will increase ridership and ease traffic. I've been a proponent of bus/emergency lanes on future bridges as they're rebuilt to allow for safer, quicker access to more congested areas. I'm probably the least "new roads" friendly commissioner on this board as studies show that wider roads and more lanes don't alleviate traffic in the long run and actually make travel less safe.
They do make roads less safe for pedestrians and other drivers. The wider the road the faster people feel they are able to drive comfortably. I have seen more bikers since the pandemic and people using e-bikes to get their groceries, etc. Elderly can and will use 3 will e-bikes if they felt safe to go to the store. Exercise and no driving. Win-Win.
So you agree that since "Holding a BOCC meeting requires taxpayer funded mobilization of METV and deputies...[and] requires all staff that may be involved in each and every agenda item to be available and away from their jobs" then the BOCC used county resources earlier this year to promote the candidacy of Jason Bearden at the July 26, 2022, BOCC meeting. And since you have donated to Amanda Ballard's campaign, you must also believe BOCC members, in additional to juggling county issues, are responsible for crafting federal policies (which is what she is campaigning on).
So are you advocating for not having the meetings and informing the public? I don't think that is where you are going but it comes across that way. There are many problems that are not being addressed within the county. Seems the developer money is going into the campaign coffers of the BOCC. That is traced through not only the campaign but through the PACs. So I hope that the new ones will not be siding with them but with the Citizens. Otherwise, we will organize and vote them out. I saw where you were speaking about taking gov money which would allow denser building and reducing parking. I don't think you guys know how to plan for alternative transportation. You guys are still car centric. We don't have safe bike lanes in this county. We have wide lanes where people are going 20-30 miles over the speed limit to the point where parents won't let their kids play in the front yard. I challenge the commissioners to ride a bike (regular or electric) from east of 75 to Anna Maria Island. There are many riders in this county and more would ride thus alleviating some of the traffic but they need safer ways. Try looking at new/old concepts of getting this done. If you guys decide to take that ride challenge, I am sure that I can get a group to ride with you guys. It would be fun to see how you all handle it.
I used to train for Ironman triathlons in the area and ride with the Village Idiots. I've ridden most of these roads, including from east of 75 out to AMI and down LBK, and I completely agree with your assessment. I have always voted in favor of complete streets, traffic calming devices and wider shoulders/sidewalks. I've been pushing (hopefully successfully) for dedicated, protected bike lanes and the start of the east county greenway trail system to connect Legacy Trail to Hillsborough and eventually have connectors to the west. We also (successfully) passed a FareFree plan, effective Nov 1, to make all bus transit 100% free for 18 months as a test-run to determine if it will increase ridership and ease traffic. I've been a proponent of bus/emergency lanes on future bridges as they're rebuilt to allow for safer, quicker access to more congested areas. I'm probably the least "new roads" friendly commissioner on this board as studies show that wider roads and more lanes don't alleviate traffic in the long run and actually make travel less safe.
They do make roads less safe for pedestrians and other drivers. The wider the road the faster people feel they are able to drive comfortably. I have seen more bikers since the pandemic and people using e-bikes to get their groceries, etc. Elderly can and will use 3 will e-bikes if they felt safe to go to the store. Exercise and no driving. Win-Win.
Unfortunately nobody wants the BCC out in their communities because the residents hate them for the destruction they provide for their own gains.