RESTAURANTS

Bridgetender tale

Annie Laurie (Bennett) Joyner manned the gate that was installed in 1952 at the west end of the Cortez Bridge to Anna Maria Island, and was photographed by The Bradenton Herald getting her hair cut by Mrs. Lou Hayes while “still alert for approaching boats.” The story was recently shared by her nephew, Martin Bennett, on the Facebook page, “If you grew up in Manatee County, FL you remember...” While her father, John Bennett, was the bridgetender, Joyner lowered the gate to keep vehicles off the bridge when it was raised for boats. “Before that the bridgetender blocked traffic with chains and lanterns,” according to Martin Bennett. The Cortez Bridge, connecting the historic Cortez fishing village to Bradenton Beach, is scheduled for replacement, with funds for right-of-way acquisitions proposed for fiscal years 2021, 2024 and 2025.

PROPOSAL: Terminating county administrator

FROM PAGE 1

Van Ostenbridge also mentioned the purchase negotiations led by Utilities Department Director Mike Gore.

“I didn’t agree with the process, having Mr. Gore lead the negotiations. I didn’t feel he was qualified. Day-to-day operations are run by the administrator, so ultimately that falls on the administrator. I think tens of millions of tax dollars were wasted on that purchase. It’s the position of this commissioner that the $25 million in wasted tax money is a fireable offense,” Van Ostenbridge said.

The property is appraised at about $18.5 million, according to a June report obtained by The Sun and written by Hettema Saba Commercial Real Estate Valuation Advisory Services.

“Based on the known factors creating and affecting value, it is my opinion that the market value for the subject property in its ‘as is’ condition, as of June 18, was $18,448,000,” according to a letter signed by state certified general real estate appraiser Ronald Saba and addressed to Brandie Adams, the real property specialist for Manatee County’s Property Acquisition Division. ”The purpose of the appraisal is to provide an opinion of the market value. The report is intended to be used by the client to make a purchase price decision,” Saba wrote.

The $30,185,625 purchase price equates to $187,488 per acre, with the most recent comparable property in that vicinity at that time selling for $310,218 per acre, according to a staff presentation to county commissioners on Oct. 13. The price per acre in that vicinity over the past 10 years was $496,923.

COMMISSION DISCUSSION

After a recess during last Thursday’s meeting, Commissioner Carol Whitmore sought insight from Chief Assistant County Attorney Bill Clague.

“Miss Coryea’s service as county administrator is by agreement between her and the county. That agreement has provisions in it that govern the circumstances under which the board can dismiss her. They require that the board provide her with at least 15 days’ notice prior to conducting a meeting to make that decision. The most the board could do today would be to direct our office to provide her with that notice and schedule a meeting to consider that. I would advise the board to be careful in this meeting about going into the legalities or the details of those things,” Clague said.

Whitmore noted the land purchase was initiated by previous County Administrator Ed Hunzeker.

Whitmore referenced a Nov. 15 story published at the Bradenton Times website that included the headline, “Are Special Interests Gunning for County Administrator?” The story states developer Carlos Beruff and other members of the development community pushed for Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance President Dom Dimaio to succeed Hunzeker, rather than Coryea.

“I was called, you all were called, by a developer who didn’t want Cheri in the job,” Whitmore said, adding that Beruff supported Van Ostenbridge, Satcher and Kruse’s campaigns. “I was hoping you guys would at least give her a chance. You haven’t even been in office for three days. Shame on you for doing that. This is very upsetting.”

Regarding Van Ostenbridge’s stated desire that the county government operate more like a business, Whitmore said, “This is not a business.”

Commissioner Reggie Bellamy began his remarks by referencing something he learned in business school: “When you take over leadership, you don’t come in and make hasty decisions. This sounds like a hasty decision and it’s very unfortunate,” he said.

Bellamy said it’s one thing to be disappointed with someone for carrying out a commission decision, but to say it’s a fireable offense is something different. He also disagreed with Van Ostenbridge’s claim that the land purchase was rushed.

Bellamy said he asked Van Ostenbridge and Kruse during their campaigns if they planned to fire Coryea once they took office.

“And the comment was, ‘No, I don’t know what you’re talking about,’” Bellamy said.

“It’s quite clear there’s been some premeditated comments and thoughts about this particular step with her. If the cause is for Lena Road, don’t fire her. Fire the commissioners that voted on it, twice. And that’s not your job, that’s the job of the constituents. Cheri did not make that decision. The board made that decision,” Bellamy said.

“I don’t think you, as a county commissioner, can learn in 72 hours enough to draw a conclusion that you’re going to fire anybody. There is no way in the world that we should be holding a conversation like this three days into it,” Bellamy said.

Speaking next, Commissioner Misty Servia said, “Kevin, this is a reckless move. You have been here actually 50 hours, it’s not even close to 72 hours. Here’s what this move does: The morale of our staff just dropped. Our ability to hire people that we so desperately need has dropped.”

Servia said Van Ostenbridge made a “poor move” when initiating that discussion without giving the public advance notice.

“You’ve just shut them out of this,” she said. “The art of the deal requires finesse. This is not finesse.”

Servia mentioned the performance evaluations submitted by six of the seven members of the previous commission, which were discussed at that commission’s final meeting on Nov. 10 – an evaluation process Baugh chose not to participate in.

“Our county administrator just received a glowing review because she has done everything this elected board has asked her to do in a timely and efficient manner,” Servia said.

Bellamy noted Coryea received a sixmonth evaluation and a 12-month evaluation.

“Not a three-day evaluation or a 50-hour evaluation,” he said. “It seems as though there are ulterior motives. It seems as though there’s something else out there.”

Bellamy told the new commissioners to consider how they would feel about being evaluated after just 50 hours on the job. Along those same lines, Servia said, “Fifty hours on the job? We need to be in a learning mode, not in a firing mode.”

Kruse said, “I think ‘premeditated’ is probably a strong word. I think we all came into this with a common view of government. Any level of premeditation was just a group of us saying let’s look at something a little more from a business standpoint. I’m not saying which direction I’m going. I’m OK with starting a clock, but if this is a vote to flat-out to do it today then that would be a different story.”

Baugh disputed any premeditation.

“I don’t know anything about premeditated. I don’t know anything about developers coming to anybody. None have come to me, but I can tell you this: the citizens do come to me and they’re the ones that are important. And by the way, I guess developers are citizens too,” Baugh said.

“I realize this isn’t a topic most people want to talk about. I don’t believe it is fair to make accusations to the new commissioners that have been out there for over a year working to get elected – who might know a little bit more than you think. Everybody take a breath, we’re not making the decision today,” Baugh said.

CLERK OF THE COURT WEIGHS IN

Aware of the discussion taking place, Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court Angelina Colonneso felt compelled to make the short drive from her downtown Bradenton office to the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto to address the commission.

When addressing Van Ostenbridge, Satcher and Kruse, she said, “To the three of you, please take my advice: a little humility doesn’t hurt. Take it from my experience, you’ve got a lot to learn. I am for the people’s records, the people business. There are no citizens here. Those people have not been afforded the opportunity to even weigh in on this.

“I think you should take a little time and see how things work. You haven’t even been to a (regular) meeting yet and you’re bringing this up. You haven’t had a chance to work with anybody in this county or see the interactions,” Colonneso said.

“In a way, I feel like I’m up here as that watchdog for the citizens – to tell you that whatever you decide, take a step back. You took an oath. You need to be humble and understand there’s so much to learn. Please, take your time here,” Colonneso said. “I didn’t expect to make a trip here today. I gave up another meeting when I saw this, it was so outlandish.”

FINAL COMMENTS

“This is not terminating Cheri today. I am not eliminating the public process. I’m going to make a motion to give 15 days’ notice of a vote. The public, community leaders, citizens of all types can reach out to us. I just want us to make some fundamental cultural changes,” Van Ostenbridge said.

Baugh seconded Van Ostenbridge's motion.

Before voting on the motion, Whitmore said, “I knew this was orchestrated. Kevin, I supported you. I am ashamed that I did. You’ve been in office 50 hours. This was premeditated. I’ve had the calls; every one of you has. I know what’s going on. There are employees crying right now because of what you’ve just done. Maybe you don’t care, but you should.”

In response, Van Ostenbridge said, “I agree with you, it’s a very difficult decision. It can be very emotional for people, but you cannot run a $1.5 billion business based on feelings and emotions. Unfortunately, it has to be run pragmatically, as a business.”

Servia said, “With all due respect, this is not a good way to do business because there are so many unintended consequences that amount to millions and millions of dollars; and things are shifting right now today because of this action. This is a very dangerous approach.”

Satcher said no one should be surprised about Van Ostenbridge’s positions.

“Everyone that was running for election had very public comments about what was going on at Lena Road. Of course, it’s expected. It was a major decision. I was tempted to read my Facebook post: ‘Five reasons why the Lena Road land deal is wrong for Manatee County.’ I should have said 32 million and 5 reasons why it was bad for Manatee County,” Satcher said, citing a figure that was higher than the $30,185,625 sale price listed on the signed contract.

Kruse said the Coryea decision is one of the most serious decisions this commission will make, and he noted it will have implications throughout the entire county and county government.

“If you’re a director and you work directly under Ms. Coryea, please reach out to me – Ms. Coryea included,” Kruse said. “This isn’t premeditated or a done deal. I am going to do my due diligence and my homework. Lena Road, while I disagree with it, that wouldn’t be my decision in and of itself, but there are bigger philosophical things.”

After the 4-3 vote to put Coryea on notice took place, the commission discussed scheduling that meeting on Dec. 15. Bellamy requested the discussion be delayed until after the holidays and the other members unanimously supported his request.

NOVEMBER 25, 2020 FUN IN THE SUN THE SUN 29

Across

1 Starbucks rival owned by a fast-food chain 7 Josh of "Frozen" 10 Spots for toddlers 14 Automatic reaction 15 Reproductive cells 16 Cookie shaped like two of its letters 17 Welcome words to a dishwasher 18 Moving wheels 19 *Wizard revealer 20 Classic 1779 hymn 23 Rock's __ Fighters 26 Lassitude 27 Dale's guy 28 *Electrically flexible 30 "The Jungle Book" python 31 Flight safety org. 33 "The Thin Man" author Hammett 35 20 fins 39 Plaza Hotel girl 40 *Aerie nesters 41 Red-and-white suit wearer 42 Proofer's find 44 "Sammy the Seal" writer Hoff 46 World games org. 47 Coupling device 48 Big club 51 Weeks in Oaxaca 54 Old atlas abbr. 55 1973 triple-platinum album by Wings ... and what each of three answers to starred clues is, literally 58 __ one's time 59 Tijuana aunt 60 Titans 64 Bow-toting god 65 USN VIP 66 Home of the Senators 67 Center of N.Y.C.? 68 Escape

Answers to 11-18-20 Crossword Puzzle.

69 Disc golf starting point

Down

1 Hosp. test in a tube 2 Hanna-Barbera collectible 3 Montreal Alouettes' org. 4 "The Aviator" (2004) Oscar nominee 5 Manhattan Project physicist born in Rome 6 Derek Jeter, e.g. 7 Spread quickly online 8 __-garde 9 "Blast!" 10 Middle-earth trilogy, to fans 11 Cheering loudly 12 Retailer offering sitting and walking services 13 Farm call 21 Enthusiasm 22 Tank top 23 Dims 24 City near Orlando 25 Eats way too much of, briefly 29 Debt vouchers 32 Sore 34 Parental "explanation" 36 Mishmashes 37 Some charity runs, informally 38 Aromatic compound 40 Gastropod on a brasserie menu 42 2007 National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee 43 "Say Anything..." actress Skye 45 Insurance that covers canines 48 Westminster attraction 49 City near the Heliopolis Palace 50 Home of the Ewoks 52 Crete's highest pt. 53 Posh hotel option 56 Newsroom post 57 "Mom" actor Corddry 61 Snooze 62 Former flier 63 Like one texting ":-("