Tales from the Mark Side: Republican all star team aligning for 2024 showdown
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Tales from the Mark Side: Republican all star team aligning for 2024 showdown

mark.young@manateeherald.com As you have no doubt heard me say several times, I am no fan of the primary season. I just don’t like to see Conservatives go at each other, but I understand the process. It’s kind of like the holidays when family comes together. You look forward to it. You get excited, but by…

Tales from the Mark Side: A breakup letter to liberals: It’s not me, it’s you
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Tales from the Mark Side: A breakup letter to liberals: It’s not me, it’s you

mark.young@manateeherald.com Irreconcilable differences. That’s ultimately what the court has to say when finalizing a divorce, and I think we’ve reached that point. I’m not proud to break up with you liberals via a letter, but let’s face it, our ability to communicate face to face has become nearly impossible. Everytime we try to have an…

New York New York: Get Me Out Of Here
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New York New York: Get Me Out Of Here

The most dangerous drive in America is I-95 Southbound. The interstate highway is packed with moving vans and automobiles filled with taxpayers and their belongings who are escaping the terrors of the tax-crazed politicians in the State of New York.  New York, for centuries, was the cocksure king of the pecking order of states. New…

Scott Hopes Accomplished Much In A Short Time
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Scott Hopes Accomplished Much In A Short Time

There was a shake-up in the county as Scott Hopes resigned his position as county administrator. It appears that certain county commissioners had become disenchanted with Hopes and were determined to terminate his contract. The position of county administrator is difficult on a good day as you are responsible for a billion dollar budget but…

Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh Named Chair of Statewide Transportation Planning Council
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Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh Named Chair of Statewide Transportation Planning Council

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (February 3, 2023) – Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh has been elected by her peers as the new chairwoman of the Florida Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council (MPOAC).  The MPOAC is a statewide transportation planning and policy organization created by the Florida Legislature to augment the role of individual Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO)…

Lee Washington Named Acting Manatee County Administrator
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Lee Washington Named Acting Manatee County Administrator

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (February 7, 2023) – The Board of County Commissioners unanimously appointed Lee Washington to Acting County Administrator for Manatee County this afternoon, following Dr. Scott Hopes’ resignation as County Administrator. Washington has served as the Director of Community and Veterans Services since February 2022. A native of Punta Gorda, Washington enlisted and served…

Tales From the Mark Side: When it comes to Scott Hopes: I told you so
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Tales From the Mark Side: When it comes to Scott Hopes: I told you so

mark.young@manateeherald.com I feel like saying, “I told you so,” is about as petty as one can sink. But I told you so. I have been pretty outspoken against Scott Hopes from the time he was initially being appointed as Manatee County Administrator and his ultimate hiring, much to the chagrin of a lot of Republicans…