Mayor Shirley Bryant presents a cool and comfortable demeanor - a demeanor that belies the tough decision maker that is tasked with managing a $29 million city budget while striving to retain Palmetto's small-town appeal.

Larry Bustle is not in a playful mood. He's defending his seven years as mayor of Palmetto.

The cable company wants to know where they can bury their new line. No problem - except in Palmetto, where town officials have no idea where all the pipes and cables are buried.

She thought she had found that perfect job, and she was admired by the people who worked with her. But there was a problem. "I am not the only blonde that Frank likes to touch inappropriately," she alleged in an e-mail to Palmetto's Human Resources director.

It seemed like the perfect job. Come in late and leave early. It is another tough day at the office, and the gang at Palmetto Public Works is rockin'. Golf clubs are packed in city trucks, tee times have been reserved and brews are chilling. Life is good.

A poster advertising the 1998 movie "Palmetto" declares, "In a town this bad it's no use being good." That could describe 2002 to 2008 in the city of Palmetto.

To understand the rise and fall of the local economy, drive to Palmetto over the Manatee River at dusk and view the husks of the towering darkened condominiums.