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Comment:
Thanks for your comment. You're absolutely right about the need for insurance on properties that banks are paying for. But after more than 70 years without a hurricane (although the No Name Storm was one in reality if not in mae), it would be fun to calculate all the hurricane insurance money people have spent in that time without collecting anything. It must be in the billions. And there's got to be a way to avoid that cost. I just don't think insurance ought to be a knee-jerk thing, as so many insurance agents want it to be. I think folks in this area ought to take a more realistic look at the odds and decide whether they want to contnue throwing money away or take a gamble and insure themselves with savings accounts, using the very same money. |
| Posted by Joe Shea on March 9, 2010 at 12:54 am |
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I was thrilled to read this article on Bonnie...I'm a member at MUUF and feel that you really get what Unitarian/Iniversalism is all about .....Thank you for getting it right... |
| Posted by Zada riordan on March 8, 2010 at 11:32 pm |
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This is wrong on so many levels it is laughable. Due to the state mandated wind mitigation credits, over $1 billion has been been taken out of industry surplus. Rates have been artifically suppressed by the State by denying the true expected loss, not inflating the reserves. Ask about how the State neglected to shut down POE Insurance companies before they went insolvent due to inadequate rates and capital. How quickly the storms of 2004 and 2005 are forgotten. The insurance industry paid out over $60 billion in losses in Florida to repair or replace 20% of the homes in the state. |
| Posted by Rhys Bowen on March 8, 2010 at 9:32 am |
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Comment:
A couple things. First, there are many more than just 5 concerned community households. Second, the Sugg property was and is to be a community park shared by St. Stephens and the surrounding community. In this article is says "the board renounced its interest in the property, and so it went to the school." The property according to the will went to the school and surrounding community, and was to be kept in its natural wooded state. Dr. Sugg was all about the community. St. Stephens is exclusive, not community driven. They have always made us feel as though they were being magnanomous about allowing our use of the fields. Now we find out that it has been ours all along. They, St. Stephens that is, has now locked the gates and offered a few homes keys to use the property. Who are they to determine what few homes are part of the 'community' that should be allowed to use the non-existant park area. Ask St. Stephens to show a map of their property. There is no public park there. Ask them for a map of the park and they will point to some obscure area that is tennis courts and a baseball area. This is not was Dr. Sugg intended. I also believe that Dr. Sugg would be appalled that they so blatently have disregarded his wish to honor his parents and family members. This park was to be a memorial to them, and instead it has been absorbed, with no thought of community, by St. Stephens. Dr. Sugg was a founder of The West Coast Symphony, Desoto Park, Manatee Memorial, the theater, and much more. Shouldn't his wish to honor his family be respected? |
| Posted by Judi Stephens on March 7, 2010 at 9:41 am |
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Yes, I am up in arms. My family moved from St. Petersburg to Bradenton 18 months ago. We purchased and moved in to a home directly opposite the St. Stephens Episcopal School athletic fields/recreational field. Prior to purchasing the home, I enrolled my two daughters in St. Stephens. I was given verbal assurance at that time and several times following by the Head of School at St. Stephens that this field would never have lights or night games on the athletic field. This was confirmed by the owners of the home and the listing realtor. Due to the school?s reputation as being a quality academic institution and its location and relationship with Christ Episcopal Church, we believed in the integrity of the school?s name and its leadership. Needless to say, we are very disappointed in the latest happenings. I was told 2 weeks ago by the Head of School that she understood my concerns with regard to the newest expansion plans proposed in late December without community input, but that she had no part in this decision and that the Governing Board made the decision without her, first making her aware in December 2009. I ask myself how any of this happens. As Head of School, why would she not be made aware of significant changes to the school and its mission prior to being announced publicly?
The surrounding neighborhood and its unified neighbors will be profoundly affected by the proposed changes. We have been told by other St. Stephens parents that the lights and night games were planned all along, and that they were just waiting for Bradenton Christian to gain permission which, as you know, was recently approved. Not only will the value of our homes decline, but our quality of life will be adversely affected due to 45+ proposed night games including football, track, soccer, and lacrosse, (not including any practices), increased traffic, noise from crowds and the proposed Jumbo Tron (larger than most major college scoreboards) to be located directly opposite residential homes. I know you have heard these arguments before because I have read the minutes from the Bradenton Christian hearing. In addition, being new to the area, I continue to hear that Bradenton?s good ol? boy network already has this paved with City Council. I have been told that everybody who is anybody has connections to St. Stephens and that they get their way no matter what, so we don?t stand a chance of opposing this. Perhaps I am naïve, but I cannot believe that the city council members making this decision will make a decision based solely on relationships. I would hope that they would truly try to put themselves on the other side of the issue. None of them have stood inside or outside our houses to fully comprehend what is being proposed and how affected we will be.
One of my children, who happens to still attend St. Stephens, has Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, a chronic disease that greatly affects her ability to sleep. St. Stephens is well aware of this as her pre-k teachers have had to address her physical challenges every day at school for the last 2 years. She is generally awakened between midnight and 2am in pain and therefore, the only hours she (and I) sleep are the ones between 7:30 (bedtime) and the time she awakes between midnight and 2am. If these night games are allowed to take place, the noise, traffic, lights, etc. will prohibit her from being able to sleep at all. While I realize the narrow street between us and the field separates us from the city and therefore we do not vote in city elections, we are still Bradenton residents who are asking for city councils full consideration of the direct impact this request will have. I fully acknowledge that we do not have the power or the money that St. Stephens has to address this. We have also not spent the last 2 years preparing for this latest special request because nobody shared this night game intent with us prior to late December 2009.
In closing, I do not understand how a wooded, recreational 8+ acres bequeathed in good faith by Dr. Sugg to be kept in perpetuity as such, and to be used by the public and the students of St. Stephens could be manipulated to this extent. The proposed special use request asks that the majority of the 150 mature oak trees on the property be removed for building construction to include a lighted football stadium complete with grandstands, concession stands, and a Jumbo Tron, baseball and softball fields, track, lacrosse, tennis, 2 story athletic center, and team locker building. While I fully understand St. Stephens is looking out for itself and the future of the school with regard to its ability to elevate the level of athletics at the school, it would seem that they might be a little more cognoscente of the effects these plans have on the rest of the people who were due to benefit from Dr. Sugg?s generous gift to the community.
Jacquie Hafner |
| Posted by Jacquie Hafner on March 7, 2010 at 9:37 am |
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Comment:
Manatee County Commissioners should put this issue on the Ballot in August or in November! This issue should be decided by the people who use and DRINK the water. If this issue ever is passed by our County Commissioners, they should be voted out of office and the wrong vote rescinded! What a stupid answer to bolstering our water supply by simply stating that chemically it's ok! As previously stated there are enough pollutants in our water supply already. Stop disenfranchising the voters in favor of GROWTH and Developers. Could our local politicians be worried that Ammendment 4 will stop all the nonsense? Could they be rushing this matter in fear of their constituents supporting Ammendment 4? |
| Posted by Victor Coveduck on March 5, 2010 at 4:20 pm |
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Perhaps those who argue that the cameras should be removed would feel differently if they were to lose a loved one to someone choosing not to stop. It's not about money at all, it's about lives. |
| Posted by George Schultz on March 5, 2010 at 10:58 am |
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Will the banks loan money for building property without insurance?
How much current and new building development makes sense without insurance? How many people can afford to live and do business on the Florida coastline without insurance and paying any rebuilding/repair expenses out of pocket?
Those will be questions answered after the next series of storm(s) come rolling through Florida. |
| Posted by jake lando on March 5, 2010 at 9:54 am |
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In response to the comment posted by Ms. Sharold: The City is not proposing to introduce human sewage or feces in the watershed (although many pounds of feces are deposited every day from dogs, cattle, and other wildlife - without any documented health effects). The proposal is for highly-treated water - water from which all feces and waste has been removed through multiple and redundant processes. An Internet search does not support her allegation of the Michigan outbreak. Perhaps she is referring to a garden hose tap at a Michigan school that was contaminated with untreated human waste - probably from the hand of a child. That was an isolated incident that had nothing to do with the water treatment or the distribution of that water. |
| Posted by Claude Tankersley on March 5, 2010 at 8:35 am |
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Comment:
Surrounding my business there are 3 empty buildings which a short time ago were filled with real people, conducting real business which contributed to the overall health and economy of downtown Bradenton and manatee County. Sarasota Herald Tribune, Goodyear and Cisco Systems are gone, the remaining neighbors are a church, a parking garage and vacant lots. Taxing businesses in this economic climate makes as much sense as putting a killer whale in the tank with Snooty! |
| Posted by Gary A. Bogart on March 5, 2010 at 7:50 am |
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Comment:
Isn't running a red light a traffic violation and a danger to ourselves and others? If so it is a violation whether there is a law enforcement officer there or not, and a camera is another means of policing the intersection. If we choose to ignore the law, then we need to be prepared to pay the price and hope no one is hurt or killed. Easy answer to all of this is with compliance rather than compaints. |
| Posted by Jeff Phillips on March 5, 2010 at 7:09 am |
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Comment:
"Lawson said he's the owner of a small business with employees, and he pays all the taxes he's supposed to."
What in the world has paying his taxes got to do with red light cameras? and his family's "inside track" on the police's view. It's NOT the police's view, it's his family's view. What a case. Everyone has an opinion and his family has their's.
Don't run a red light and you won't be ticketed. Don't break the law and you have nothing to worry about. Some people just can't go through life doing what they're supposed to do. |
| Posted by Vic Tison on March 5, 2010 at 4:56 am |
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Comment:
Just a little late in reporting !!!!!! |
| Posted by John Sweeney on March 4, 2010 at 8:31 pm |
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Comment:
I manage commercial property and the store owners are struggling to make payroll and rent. The economy has slowed severely and a new tax and requirements are not the answer and will further more empty stores. This would be the opposite of business friendly. |
| Posted by James Bonfiglio on March 4, 2010 at 4:13 pm |
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Comment:
How unfortunate that a candidate for County Commissioner would not want her/his responses to prepared questions printed in the free press. If she/he gives written comment how could the answers be "turned around or taken out of context"? If she/he "have great ideas and intentions for Manatee County and I am working very hard on this campaign." how will she communicate these to the public? Is it possible that this person will only allow politically friendly/connected people to hear her thoughts? |
| Posted by Jessica Schmitt on March 4, 2010 at 3:03 pm |
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There is an old adage that says "don't s... where you eat". How can our city planners be so careless with our community health? It is beyond comprehension. There was an outbreak in Michigan of human feces mixed in drinking water that sickened thousands and killed many. |
| Posted by Barbara Sharold on March 4, 2010 at 12:23 pm |
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Comment:
Nooooo.... We need the fly! I hope he finds someone to continue in his sticky feet.... |
| Posted by Tami Vaughan on March 4, 2010 at 10:34 am |
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Comment:
I feel Red light cameras at intersections are great they need more of them they should put one at every intersection! If you are doing nothing wrong? You should have nothing to worry about they will SAVE LIVES! If you are diving the way you were licenced you should not have a problem and if someone hits you from behind better it there fault than yours for running a red light and possably killing your self or someone alance! God Bless and Drive Safely! |
| Posted by Tonya on March 4, 2010 at 10:05 am |
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I liked the Fly reports! |
| Posted by Jim Young - Atlanta, IN on March 4, 2010 at 9:04 am |
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Red light cameras are needed and the sooner the better. Saw three people run them yesterday. |
| Posted by Roy Raymer on March 4, 2010 at 8:14 am |
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I agree that there is no need to add bureaucracy here. |
| Posted by Adam on March 4, 2010 at 7:45 am |
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Comment:
I LIVED IN SAN DIEGO,CALIF. WHEN RED LIGHT CAMERAS WERE INSTALLED.THEY WERE CALLED CONSTITUTIONAL.IT WAS ONE FIGHT AFTER THE OTHER WITH THE ATTORNEYS MAKING MONEY.At one time they were taken down until timing issues were corrected.When I left in 2003 they were working and saving lives.I believe fines there were over 300 for running a light. |
| Posted by Daniel L. Patt on March 4, 2010 at 7:03 am |
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Comment:
My wife and I and many of our friends feel that cameras at intersections are greatly needed. When we moved from Chicago to Bradenton, we were amazed at the number of red light runners. We were even broadsided by a truck who just didn't bother to stop for a light that had been red for a considerable length of time. If you don't go through red lights, there should be no problem. The more cameras, the better. |
| Posted by Fred Hart on March 4, 2010 at 3:41 am |
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In terms of carbon footprint, raising lemurs in Myakka has less negative impact than doing the same work elsewhere: we don't use much energy heating enclosures since lemurs thrive in the climate here. 50% of the staff lives within 2 miles, so we don?t use much fuel getting to work, either. We are also in discussions with a carbon offset group to offset our work and that of many other businesses by planting trees in Madagascar. The task of saving species, in Florida or Madagascar, takes energy, but when the only alternative is extinction, careful decisions must be made. The LCF is far from a "backyard industry", we are a certified member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), participate in two Species Survival Plans (SSPs) and are a managing member of the Madagascar Fauna Group (MFG). We collaborate with colleagues around the world and in the forests of Madagascar, working toward our shared goal of saving these amazing creatures from extinction. And we?re doing our part to help Florida?s wildlife, too: The 100 acre Myakka City Lemur Reserve will never be developed for houses or farms, protecting excellent habitat for native birds, insects and small mammals. |
| Posted by Michael Stern on March 1, 2010 at 10:23 am |
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Comment:
What a surprise, the Manatee County Commissioners voting with the developers. People of the Cascades, better check out your neighbor, the candidate for Manatee County Commission. Her plea is front of the Commission was poor at best, just a grand standing political show for your votes. Go to votemanatee.com & check out who her financial contributors are before casting your vote. You may find you are voting for a wolf dressed in sheep's clothing. |
| Posted by David Howland on February 28, 2010 at 5:56 pm |
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This backyard industry has a big carbon footprint. Its board members engage in intercontinental travel and get tax write offs doing so, just as they do when jetting to sunny FL from their northern residences during high season on lemur business. Captive breeding of an exotic species in Myakka? Sounds like an environmentally inauthentic endeavor. Biodiversity in Malagascar is hip among the jet setting crowd, but they leave to others the roll-up-your-sleeves dirty work of protecting Florida?s own endangered animal species. |
| Posted by Carley Green on February 28, 2010 at 8:46 am |
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How about offering an early retirement package? |
| Posted by Valerie Westfall on February 27, 2010 at 6:37 pm |
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Good Luck Big Brother. Love Rose |
| Posted by Rose on February 27, 2010 at 11:22 am |
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Comment:
This candidate is head and shoulders above the other candidates.
He has an impressive education and the experience we need to move out city ahead. Let's hope that those who are better funded don't "over power" his chances to be our next commissioner. Any financial and volunteer help we can provide Norm Luppino's candidacy should be encouraged. |
| Posted by Robert C Thompson on February 27, 2010 at 7:46 am |
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Ive seen too many deaths in Bradenton due to dummies running red lights.
Something needs to be done and I am grateful for this new system.
Red light runners BEWARE!!! |
| Posted by Dan Plank on February 27, 2010 at 6:07 am |
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One of the primary goals of The Bradenton Times is to be a voice for the community of Bradenton and Manatee County. 
