20/20 Vision

New Manatee County Commission: New Opportunities

Now

that the voters have elected some new members of the Manatee County Commission, these are some of the things that we would like to see the commission accomplish for the people of Manatee County: ? Though much progress has already been made, there is more to do to create a building permit process that is more streamlined, efficient and fair to all concerned. There are simply too many steps and it takes too long to get a permit approved or disapproved. ? The precedent of public-private partnerships (such as the "North County Partnership? that expedited the improvements on U.S. 301) is a great model. We would like to see the commission actively pursue more of this kind of partnership between developers and the county and state to expedite the transportation component of development concurrence. The private sector and government working together can do it faster, better and cheaper than either acting alone. ? Let's get the Fort Hamer Bridge built as soon as possible. Remember the I-75 closure at U.S. 301 and the havoc it wreaked? I-75 was never meant to be a local road and our insistence on using it as such is not smart. Let's form a publicprivate partnership that will build the bridge right away and keep it free. It is too vital of a link between Parrish and Lakewood Ranch to be made into a toll road. ? The commission needs to create a mass transit, traffic and parking plan for the fast-developing I-75 and University Parkway area. With a new megamall and other commercial development sprouting up so quickly, we need to move ahead right now to create a plan that includes connections to Sarasota County and incorporates SMR's initiative for a shuttle from the mall to Lakewood Ranch. We also need the commission to have the vision to take the lead on a localized mass transit system using shuttles, people movers and parking structures so we don't follow Hillsborough's bad model and duplicate the gridlock around the Westfield Brandon Mall and along SR 60. ? We need far better east-west roads and mass transit routes, from Lakewood Ranch all the way to the islands, including a new bridge to the islands. ? We need a comprehensive light rail and commuter rail plan right now that will allow us to define and set aside rights of way today so we can build the system tomorrow when population grows and funds are available. (See the above three bullet points for perfect examples of what it needs to include.) ? We urge the commissioners to move at least some of their meetings around the county so more people and neighborhoods get to participate. ? The county needs the out east government center that former commissioner Jonathan Bruce planned with a citizens committee. Let's build it now to save trips downtown. YOUR VOTE COUNTS On another subject, the close margins in the last primary election among County Commission candidates and the tied-at-this-point national election provide us with a message: your vote counts. November 4th is only a month away. Please inform yourself about the candidates and issues and please plan to vote. Try www.factcheck.org and www.votesmart.org for solid, objective information. By Jeffrey R. Orenstein, Ph.D., Publisher and Executive Editor Editor's Note: Living Out East asks "What would our area look like in the year 2020 if we made the right choices now?? We're looking for answers that are visionary and courageous about what we need to create and can create/change/add/develop, etc. if we all commit our vision and leadership to motivate the community. We hope these ideas will cause you to think about trends, challenge parameters and transcend the conventional wisdom. This month, our editorial is by Jeffrey Orenstein, Ph.D., Living Out East? Publisher and retired political science professor. Joshua Kreithen, MD Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Personal & Business Tax Preparation ? Accounting (941) 744-0604 Fax (941) 755-9148 8792 SR 70 E, Suite B Bradenton, FL 34202 Info@AHuestonCPA.com www.AHuestonCPA.com 9 4 1 . 9 0 7. 8 1 7 4 www.LakewoodRanchPlasticSurgery.com Breast & Body Contouring Specialist BODY CONTOURING | BREAST AUGMENTATION | TUMMY TUCK | LIPOSUCTION | BODY LIFTS RESTYLANE ® | BOTOX ® | MICRODERMABRASION | HAIR REMOVAL | PERMANENT MAKE-UP Physician performed Botox ® and filler injections $12/unit Botox ® www.LivingOutEast.com 11

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