Welcome to 2025!

A New Year - a New Board - a New Substack

Welcome to 2025 Manatee County!

Happy New Year! We all worked very hard in 2024 and THIS is the year we start to see the fruits of our labor. A new Board of County Commissioners has been installed in Manatee County.

One that campaigned on a pledge of putting the focus of your government back on you, the people of our community.

And in 2025, as Chair of the BOCC, I intend to honor that pledge.

No longer will the board be working against you. No longer will it shut down the voice of the citizens of our county. No longer will it hide from discussions or stifle dissenting views. No longer will it avoid facts by allowing opposing opinions to die for a lack of a second.

It will now be a government…of the people, by the people, for the people.

This year will kick off on Tuesday, January 7 as your new board gathers for a Special Meeting to discuss our hopes, our priorities and our plans for the coming years. I will be starting it off with a “State of the Chair” to lay out my plans as Chair while discussing the positive changes that will be coming in the new year - changes that will put the people of Manatee County at the forefront.

I am excited to work with each of the six other commissioners on this board. I am hopeful for positive, community-focused changes to our government. I am optimistic that past mistakes will be corrected and future opportunities will be realized.

I am ready for 2025 and I hope you are as well. You’ve earned it!

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I am looking forward to Chairing this Board; one that is finally steering in the right direction. Even more so, I am looking forward to engaging with each and every one of you in 2025.

This rebranded Substack will continue as a source of detailed discussions on county topics and agenda items. It will further expand to shed light on issues at the state and federal levels that impact our community.

New this year, I have activated the chat feature to allow for more informal discussions on a broad range of items and to give you all more opportunity to engage on issues important to you and your neighbors. I have a few ideas on how I’m going to use this chat but you’ll have to be a subscriber to access it. You can find it at the link below.

Additionally, as promised, I will be continuing my monthly community meetings throughout each district. Below is the finalized Library Town Hall schedule for the first half of the new year.

Throughout this year, I will be working hard to ensure that you are heard and that the fundamental break in the mindset of the board, and the trust from the community, is mended.

So, enjoy your New Year’s, have fun with your family & friends and get ready - 2025 will be starting a new chapter in Manatee County. A chapter you helped write!

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By the way, I’m no longer the only commissioner with a Substack. Your new District 3 representative, Commissioner Tal Siddique, recently launched his own. Be sure to subscribe below. And don’t forget to subscribe to mine if you haven’t already.