The emails keep coming in and the posts keep going up. I’m only going to comment on this once and then I will not be discussing it again in the foreseeable future.
I know a lot of you are upset with this potential development. I know a lot of you want to get answers that presently do not exist. You’re looking to find assurances from your local commissioners. Assurances that are not being given. Believe me, all of us on the BOCC have seen your emails, heard your public comments and noticed your posts.
However, that’s all we can do. And it’s in your best interest that it remains that way.
Right now, we have no timeline for this application or even a guarantee that it will even move forward. None of us know what’s being proposed. How big, how fast, how impactful? We have no idea.
What I do know is that this will take time. You can try to keep up the energy, but historically that energy wanes. You can try to flood our inboxes and fill all public comment time to distract from other business, you have that right, but it won’t expedite the process or get you any closer to a resolution or some peace of mind.
We don’t have any answers. Nothing has been presented to us. We have the same information you have. Many of you are insisting that members of this BOCC go “on the record” with our opinions on something that simply does not exist. You’re hoping to gather the promise of four future votes to win a battle while risking losing your proverbial war.
We cannot state an opinion on theoretical developments on private property. All applicants, whether a church, a day care or even a cruise terminal, are afforded a right to a fair hearing with an impartial board by Florida statute.
But pushed enough, all of us say things we shouldn’t through emotions. I’ve made statements about not voting for projects using 2.1.2.8 when I shouldn’t have. Other commissioners have made comments about blanket denials that they shouldn’t have. We say things we shouldn’t and those can come back to haunt us in the future, potentially to your detriment.
If you actually convince any members of this board to take a stance, you risk those members needing to recuse themselves if, and when, this comes before the board. If they refuse to stand down, their current comments will be the first exhibit in the future lawsuit if it’s denied. I can guarantee there are people watching every meeting, monitoring every post and doing record requests on every email to make record of any comments that can be presented as verification of a biased, pre-determined vote.
Honestly, I wouldn’t completely discount this development proposal being made so public and so early as a means of extracting the exact pressure that we’re seeing just to try to illicit the very responses you want from the board.
Holding work sessions with no information to put board members on record or insisting every member unequivocally state if they’re for or against a development with no facts prior to a hearing is detrimental to your cause. It could result in its future being decided in a court room without your input rather than the county chambers with your voice being heard.
I would actually question the sincerity of knowledgeable people so forcefully pushing for work sessions when they know the legal ramifications. I hope their intentions are pure and not counter to the very cause they claim to be assisting.
Regardless, you’ve all made your voices and your opinions heard. We know every T must be crossed and every I must be dotted in this process. The county staff are going to follow every rule and every law to the letter (as they always do).
One day, whenever that may be, this may come in front of the Board of County Commissioners. When it does, every one of you will have amble notice and be afforded amble time to speak up prior to this board voicing our final opinions “on the record” through a proper vote on the proposal…in an unbiased and fully-informed manner.
Until that day comes, and it may never come, we are all going to have to trust the process and know that stressing and suffering over what you cannot control is not productive.
Focus on the final outcome you want, not the little battles along the way.
I know many of you will continue advocating for your position, and you have my full support to voice your opinion, whatever that may be. That is a right you have. I will listen to your comments and read your emails.
But I am not intending to voice my opinion. And that is what you should want.
George Kruse is an at-large member of the Manatee County Commission and its District 7 commissioner. This article originally appeared on his Substack blog. Click here to subscribe.
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lib224
There is really no reason for you to not state that you are opposed to any development in this pristine nature area.
Friday, February 13 Report this
sandy
LIB224: As this property will come in front of the board for approval, to say he is against it before there is an actual application in front of him AT the board meeting would probably require for him to recuse himself. If he didn't, this opens up the county to a lawsuit. He needs to remain unbiased until the facts are presented at a meeting. His voicing an opinion at this time would be like a judge saying someone was guilty before the trial started presided by that judge. If a juror being questioned during voir dire stated they felt the defendant was guilty, they would be dismissed immediately. George is right by not giving an opinion.
Friday, February 13 Report this
Ladyred4Justice
I agree with Sandy. Kruse and all the Board members must remain neutral. This applies to both sides.
I am an environmentalist. I am also a realist. This proposed cruise port will be a major change for the county, but I am 95% certain it will happen in the time period the company proposed.
I read the proposal the first week it was issued. The companies seem determined to create the least damage possible while ensuring that Rattlesnake Key becomes a Wildlife Sanctuary. The cruise business is growing. The ships are growing. The new MEGA ships cannot port here because they do not fit under the Skyway.
I checked into a number of the new ports built and being built around the Gulf and Caribbean. Every Single Stop by the current 3500 passenger ships brings 1.3 million dollars to the local economy. The Mega ships will bring in more.
There is no need to build new developments to house them. There will be at least 1500 people working at the port making high wages. Small businesses will thrive, arts will thrive.
Because of the economical advantages the port will provide to the State and the County, including those of us who live locally, there will be major changes. More hotels, more restaurants, more attractions. Maybe even a water park, a Zipline Adventure across the Myakka Canopy and gators, the new industries will provide good paying jobs for our kids. They won't have to move to New York. Seattle, or Chicago for a good job.
Rather than ganging up and fighting something without understanding ALL the Pros and Cons, watch and see when the plans are presented.
Make sure it is done with the least amount of environmental damage. Be prepared for the need for better roadways before it opens, especially heading to Terra Cia. The area they are talking about is basically uninhabitable. The last two hurricanes flooded every home and business. Many have not rebuilt, the damage was too severe.
This port will not bring flooding to neighborhoods like the residential developments we have fought for years. They won't deplete our water supply like the agricultural industry. AI will not be taking the jobs of most port positions.
I am asking you all to take a deep breath and understand their are huge benefits to this proposal.
The Cruise industry is working very hard to go green. They do not dump trash in the oceans or discharge waste or fuel. They are working on the future of electric rather than petrol products.
All I am asking is that you look at both pros and cons and consider which way the scale leans before venting about how horrible it is.
Friday, February 13 Report this
san.gander
He could let his voters know what his position is - I sure they are letting him know their positions, publicly! And certainly he will know by the next election.
We still have free speech and we expect and demand honest speech from elect representatives - though that is becoming rarer these days!
Friday, February 13 Report this
kmskepton
Conceptually I understand the point, but wow, talk about condescending. Totally unnecessary.
Saturday, February 14 Report this