As a co-author of Manatee County’s Comprehensive Plan, I shared the pride of our then county commission and my then fellow planning commissioners when Manatee County received recognition from Gov. Graham for the best comprehensive plan submitted at that time. In the next 10 to 15 years I spent much time defending the plan against attempted actions to erode its integrity. My priority in recent years has been caring for my beloved, now departed, husband; yet I cringed every time I heard or read of another attempt to weaken the Comprehensive Plan.
Anyone labeling me as “opposed to development” needs to review my voting record. My decisions were based on fairness, economical benefits, orderliness, timeliness and consistency with the plan.
Today, I can predict every vote within the county commission when that vote relates to the comprehensive plan. That’s not good.
Voters of Manatee County should always have a say about its future planning. The entire concept of comprehensive plans began with “only” citizen input in a committee (commission appointees) from all areas of the county. The input went to the planning commission and with the guidance of trained planners using nationally acceptable planning strategy and the citizen’s and planning commission’s input, a comprehensive plan was formulated and eventually presented to county commissioners. The county commission then was required to hear citizen input, and ultimately the award-winning Comprehensive Plan was adopted.
Citizen input has not been heeded lately.
Today, the only way to get back to the original intent of comprehensive plans is to vote “yes” on Amendment 4.
