Manatee County Commissioners halted work in May on a 185-foot public safety radio tower after residents complained they were blindsided by the $1 million project, reported the Bradenton Herald. The project “will give police, paramedics, firefighters and other first responders a far more reliable way to communicate during emergencies each day,” according to a Manatee County press release.
However, residents say they weren’t properly notified of the project before construction began, so they launched a petition drive and website called movethetower.com.
Gary Adams, the Crescent Lakes subdivision resident living closest to the tower site, noted on the website, “What is most appalling is that the county did not honor their own land development code laws and hold a public hearing before proceeding with the development of this project. Although the public hearing process takes more time than you may want to spend, our residents have a lawful right to have their voices heard. We know that this secrecy was not a mistake, but a deliberate act to squelch the voices of our community.”
Commissioners responded to the outcry by voting to stop the project. “I’m really disappointed but not surprised by what’s going on,” Commissioner Betsy Benac said. “I don’t say this very often, but I think this government dropped the ball.”
Now, Commissioners have scheduled a community meeting for late July to discuss the project with residents, the Herald reported. Paul Alexander, Manatee County’s information technology director, will be on hand to discuss the project and the research that went into choosing the location.
July 23, 2018
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