Did I Get It Wrong?

Much has been written in the paper lately about the Manatee County Commission listening to business. The new strategy of "We Are Listening" is completely geared towards listening to business, streamlining regulations and giving developers a bigger slice of our county. There has only been one purpose to comments made by Rex Jensen (president and chief executive officer of Schroeder Manatee Ranch Inc. in Lakewood Ranch), local developer Pat Neal, and several other developers. They have spoken out solely in order to chastise the Commission, and Joe McClash in particular, as to their uncooperative attitude toward business. Commissioner Larry Bustle is now going on record that he thinks the county regulations are too "overly restrictive." I would ask Mr. Bustle to remember that he was elected by the residents to represent them and not business. His opponent in the last election was removed from office not because she was against development, but because the people in East County perceived her as being pro development. During the election many pieces of undeveloped property had her election signs posted on them. Properties that were orange groves and had been sold to developers had her signs on them. A golf course that had been sold to a developer had her signs on it. Residential properties that had been sold to developers had her signs on them. Properties that were cleared of all vegetation and left abandoned had her signs on them. Properties that were cleared of all vegetation and had a few houses on them had her signs on them. When Mr. Bustle was elected, the voters hoped to elect a commissioner without ties to developers. The developers have not been prohibited from building especially in East County, but have been asked to somewhat restrict their development in terms of density, layout, etc. The people have asked to have a voice regarding what developments in their neighborhoods look like. The restrictions on the developers have had absolutely no effect on the economic downturn of Manatee County. There are many approved developments standing bare except for the paved streets and treeless lots. Giving developers approval for additional developements with few restrictions will not increase the economy of our county.