What is it with the BOCC? They raise a big stink about Charlie the Corrupt and then they keep him on staff and pay for his attorney's fees. It's ridiculous. I am well aware of the shortage of honest politicians (I am sure that's an oxymoron these days) but someone has to be out there. Bradenton deserves better. Also, Bishop will be paid $750,000 a year. How many people in Bradenton make that? We are paying his salary and I am not okay with that!
That there exists a tax surplus is an illusion! No such thing as a tax surplus! As long as ther is one hungry, ill-housed family, one collapsing sewer in the infrastructure, zero sidewalks on city streets for kids walking to schools, no traffic lights where there ought to be some, and under paid public workers. Look around the city, the county... the need is there! We are not in need of tax cuts... we need better planning... better people in government!
A good purpose exists for every tax dollar we've taken in... upkeep on the old... preparing for the new growth sensibly. Some of that surplus tax money could be a set aside reserve fund for emergencies - storms, fires, acts of God, whatever, not to be touched for routine government purposes.
Good planning and budgeting is expected of "good" governing at all levels! Tax level should balance need level! Let's work on that!
Thanks for this report. It seems incompetence has no boundries and it exists in FWC. The Eagle Watch program which is such a popular way to promot a love of "natural" Florida and preserving as much of that as possible deserves much better support from our state government! Let's make sure those we elect to govern... whichever party... are feverent supporters of saving as much of our beautiful natural Florda environment and wildlife for the public and the future as we can!
When there are not rigorous audits every now, and then the whole system is compromised and checks and balances go out the window. That was just a small sample of the audit. You could hire someone for 100,000 a year and still be ahead at a game with the money they would find and save. For the really outrageous ones there should be prosecution to set an example and everything over a certain dollar amount should be Supervisor approved.
The Honorable Lisa Gonzalez-Moore has been a breath of fresh air for our District 4 community. Her attention to constituents' concerns and prompt follow-up is rare, even in local politics. Whether it's our recent FDOT Bridge Connection issue or attending our community meeting with Suncoast Waterkeepers, Lisa has been there for us and we couldn't be more grateful! Continued success as District 4 Councilwoman!
Linda Graumann
Braden Castle Park
"Thank you, Liz, for shining a light on this. As someone who has spent decades fighting for the soul of Manatee County, it is deeply concerning to see the legal system used as a 'muzzle' for community voices. Our residents deserve a transparent process where ideas are debated in the town square, not suppressed in a courtroom. We need to protect the right of every citizen to speak up without the fear of being sued into silence."
As a member of City of Bradenton's Tree and Land Preservation Board, I can attest to the City being committed to protecting and replacing trees. We lost 30% of our tree canopy in storms over the last few years. Every tree is important to our environment. Please protect, plant and appreciate our trees! Ruth Lawler
The Trump artwork is awful and can be rightly called "blasphemous" by sincere Christions... certainly offensive at minimum. But Trump's "real" supporters should by now know their man and expect this; and may even secretly applaud. For Trump supporters are not genuine followers of Jesus. They are the bloody superstitious, heretic burning, cretins of the past.
Very likely there are more cover-ups than revelations on both sides politically. I have a low opinion of the ethical standards of most, mostly "male" politicians. That's not to say women are not capable of the same ethical errors, but generally have less opportunity. ;)
The wistle blowing they want you to do not is report any reference of achievement by anyone that is not a white male or a shameful episode in hisory that is references at any Federal site to have it removed. Another piece of shameful history we will have to acknowledge in the future and hope never again.
Americans are dying, Americans are struggling financially, Iranians, Palestinians, Lebanese people are dying & displaced------and our "first lady" is more concerned with media and supposed connection with Epstein..WOW
So how does Bishop justify getting a substantial raise in when he originated becoming administrator...we were promised a shelter out east and a nationwide search for an administrator years ago....WE DIDN'T GET EITHER..BISHOP is as Bad as hopeless....some Commissioners will be one term only..HOW PATHETIC
Good call commissioners. Ms. Ballard, there are many other problems faced by this county that are more important and more pressing such as overdevelopment, education, emergency preparedness, water etc etc. Thanks to the many community leaders who spoke up.
.
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