I'm confused. Why would Mr. Levin write a public letter to Commissioner Ballard, when his property is clearly in District 4, Commissioner Rahn's district. Even prior to the redistricting (gerrymandering) a couple years ago, Mr. Levin's property was in District 4, which was then Misty Servia's district. Has he contacted anyone else with the County as it pertains to traffic and speeding? Perhaps reach out to Manatee County Sheriff's office for speeding issues? As a property owner, we often experience frustrations and feel issues are not being addressed, yet we should do our part to be better informed and to bring issues to the appropriate regulatory or enforcement persons or departments.
A Land Remembered by Patrick Smith and the The Singing River by Joe Warner are excellent books for the history of Manatee and Southern Florida. As you mentioned Fort Ogden and Fort Winder, there is a lot of history there in times and in people and the spread of the railroads, names that still exist in Manatee County. I once saw an archival picture of Pine Level when it was the County seat and the Law Offices lined Florida Avenue, with a school, and church.
Thank you for the reminder and to quote Henry Parrish, "If you want to get rid of people in this area, get rid of mosquito control and air conditioning."
KVO has over $200K in his coffers, but to save $5464.28 filing fee to be a candidate he wants to have the petition signed. He's also asking for a donation to help pay for the postage on the mail out and return postage for signed petition. I don't live in his district but the mailings might change if he decides to go for the at-large. To be honest, I usually just throw them away in the trash at the post office. There has to be some way to charge him with fraud or ethics for having the county address as the return address on the mail out envelope. The envelope to return the petition goes to Tampa. Can anyone tell me what happens to all money if he loses? Where does it go?
Reject plans to "manage" blooms, prevention is what is necessary. Blue-green algal blooms are more toxic to humans than red tides and need to be reported on by officials in the same fashion — but prevention of our feeding these blooms must be a statewide objective, our behavior is the basis of the problems. The fungicides being put into our drinking water are killing off the flora we need in our guts — keep the blooms from starting and there is no need for poisining ourselves in an attempt to deal with the result of our own action or failure to act.
The clean water amendment is starting over in order to get the proposal onto the 2026 ballot for the voters to be able to choose. It must be from scratch, all new petitions must be signed. Start now getting those petitions signed to get the huge number our mistakenly-elected officials have raised the required number to — get involved in making sure the voters can determine whether they want clean water. Voters must sign the petitons to get the question on the ballot — that is the only way voters will have a say about clean water. Ultimately, the voters determine whether they have this legal tool. What is your choice?
The good news is we get rid of one idiot but if Beruff has another in mind Theres no win here . Probably going to have to be a veteran, be able to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and Lords Prayer in order to vote. More lack of experience feel sorry for the staff as they do a good job and are objective.
ATF Director Steven Dettelbach said that “repeatedly selling guns for profit without running a criminal background check is not safe for innocent, abiding Americans, in fact, it’s doggone dangerous.” Thank goodness for this administration's common sense efforts for gun purchases, which do nothing negative against second amendments rights. Why does it take decades to make common sense efforts like this to protect our citizens? Love Biden's sense of decency and pragmatism.
As you cited percentages for party affiliations, nationally I am part of the dominate party but I don't vote a party line. I registered as a Democrat in 1975 (senior in high school) because my parents were. And where I moved from had a better chance for a civil service job. I moved to Florida 30 years ago (I admit I was not a fan of Gore even after voting for Clinton. My husband registered for the first time ever as an Independent just to vote for Ross Perot). Manatee County being predominately Republican, I can't tell you the number of elections that were decided at primary I couldn't vote in (2022 being one in primary. Everyone knows write-ins don't win). I am still contemplating switching to Republican so I can vote in the primary in August even though every county commissioner race will be going to election day in November. I have time so if KVO changes seat running for (has to be done by 6/14), I can still change July 22 to vote against him.
He voted to end the ethics Commission. He voted for every single one of DeSantis' book banning bills, many of which have been ruled unconstitutional. He voted for a younger age to buy guns. And open carry them. He voted to keep the consumer harming car dealer protections that give us the idiotic way we have to buy cars from dealers. Do you know anyone that likes buying a car? His votes resultedin LGBT kids being afraid to go to school.
Thanks for your article describing the Biden administration’s efforts vis-a-vis the Trump administration and Trump’s destructive political manipulation of the bi-partisan effort to improve the situation.
If anyone wants to understand the underlying reasons for illegal immigration, read the linked essay in the WSJ. The primary reason for illegals is economic, they want a better life and we need their labor. It is that simple and has not changed since I was a roommate of two legal immigrants from Mexico who taught me the reality of the illegal farm labor immigration in California in the 1970’s.
https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/border-crackdowns-wont-solve-americas-immigration-crisis-f21b0c4b?st=vtd8333uaolik8i&reflink=article_copyURL_share
For the first time in a long time, not a single county commission district race will be determined at the primary. Let's hope this trend continues two years from now. Now is the time to get to know where each candidate stands on the issues facing our county to make an informed decision not based on the negativity and overblown "accomplishments" we know will be coming from some of the candidates.
Mr Clausen - Your Opinion piece perhaps is most important and well-written. Your appreciation for the past and the value to the Community are immeasurable. I want to thank you for your perspective.
Steven Levin
(http://villaserenainn.com)
While I never personally would have an abortion except under extreme circumstances (****, incest, health of mother or baby) I think 6 weeks is too short. 16 weeks was reasonable to determine if you don't want to have a child. I am totally against late term abortions.
Wow...beautiful Kristina! Great you made note of the fine service you received. Despite the leadership at the top, great to know there are still County workers who care about citizens and respond politely and efficiently to issues in a timely fashion. Must be left over from the Coryea administration!! :)
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