Tampa Bay, Fl
Opinion by: E. Eugene Webb PhD
Author: In Search of
Robin, So You Want
to Blog.
On August 18th, the Republican citizens of Manatee County have an awesome responsibility.
Only the Republican Party has nominated candidates for the
County Commission at large District 7 seat. What that means, is that whoever
wins the primary election becomes the new District 7 County commissioner at
large.
There are two candidates running for this office one is
George Kruse the other, Ed Hunzeker the former Manatee County Administrator, a
position he held for 12 years. Hunzeker retired, under a bit of duress actually,
from his position as County Administrator commenting that he wanted to spend
more time with his family.
Then he filed for the County Commission District 5 seat and
the current incumbent for District 7 was apparently encouraged not to run for
another term, and Hunzeker switched his seat and decided to run for the District
7 at-large position.
Hunzeker is supported by the big developers, builders and
those who do business with them. This entire effort appears to be an obvious
attempt to put the big developers in command of Manatee County.
Some may mistakenly think this is a battle between two Republicans
and who is the most conservative, but it is not.
It's a battle for the control of the Manatee County
Commission and whether or not the elected commissioners, and the currently
appointed County administrator will be responsible for what happens in Manatee County or Ed Hunzeker,
and the big developers will be totally in command.
Hunzeker still has many allies and supporters working in the Manatee
County government from his run as County Administrator. Loyalties will be
divided. The current administrator, who is not a strong or confident leader
will find her ability to lead quickly eroded as Hunzeker bypasses her to deal
directly with staff.
It will be difficult for her to maintain administrative
control of the Manatee County organizational structure with Ed Hunzeker on the
County Commission in the District 7 at-large seat. He will probably soon be
seated as the chair of the County Commission looking over her shoulder.
There will be no contest in the general election, the winner
of the primary on August 18th becomes the new District 7 commissioner at large.
There's only one person standing in Hunzeker’s way at this
point and that person is George Kruse. Kruse, whose basic career background is
in commercial real estate finance is the other candidate in the primary race.
While George Kruse is more than qualified to serve as the District
7 Manatee County commissioner at large, more importantly, Kruse’s election to
the District 7 seat will ensure that the separation of powers that make these
County governments work remains in place.
From the Kruse Campaign Facebook Page:
I will return
both transparency and your collective voice to our local government. Too many
people in Manatee County feel they have lost a voice in the decision-making
process. As a private citizen outside of government myself, I will ensure that
we bring discussions out in the public and that everyone in our community is
afforded a Bill of Rights to be heard and respected. I believe in open
dialogue, fair representation and opportunity for all through
If you are interested in who will be
running Manatee County if Ed Hunzeker wins the primary, check out my Post
149,469 Disenfranchised Voters in The Manatee County Commissioner At Large Race and scroll
down. Look at the campaign donors’ names and affiliations. Not sure about my
data? Go to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections site and
look at the campaign-finance reports for
yourself.
This County Commission election is too important to pass up.
Be sure you vote.
E-mail Doc at mail to: dr.gwebb@yahoo.com or send me a Facebook (E. Eugene Webb) Friend
request. Like or share on Facebook and follow me on TWITTER @DOC ON THE
BAY.
See Doc's Photo Gallery at Bay Post
Photos.
Disclosures: Registered Republican
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