Politics

Legislators faced uncertainty this past season from the pandemic. Local Representative Will Robinson shares his summary and highlights a few of the many accomplishments made including three important policy bills already signed by the Governor.

Florida is almost a month into Governor Ron DeSantis’s executive order that suspended local government mandates and restrictions based on the COVID-19 State of Emergency. Does this order include some of Manatee’s Constitutional Offices and their elected officials that tend to be less noticed by the public?

Manatee County hosted Kevin J. Thibault, Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to discuss the area’s growing transportation needs. The visit included a presentation starting at Port Manatee and continued by helicopter for an aerial view of the county’s current and future transportation needs.

County Attorney, William Clague, clearly outlined his position and recommended the county to pay the attorney fees and settlement to Van Ostenbridge and Satcher. The Manatee BOCC voted 7-0 in favor of approving payment of legal expenses incurred by Van Ostenbridge and Satcher in the Barfield lawsuit.

Van Ostenbridge plans on conversing with the acting County Administrator, Dr. Scott Hopes, and bring the topic of removing COVID restrictions placed at all County facilities at the next BOCC meeting.

Carol Ann Felts has officially tossed her hat into the ring challenging long time veteran, Carol Whitmore, for Manatee County Commissioner At-Large seat, also known as District 6, in the 2022 Election. Ms. Felts and Ms. Whitmore, both Republican Candidates, are currently the only individuals who have filed for this commissioner seat. Read more..