County Commission — District 3: Matt Bower

Age: 42

Hometown: West Bradenton

Occupation: Financial Advisor, Edward Jones

Political party: No party affiliation 

About: Born and raised in Bradenton, Matt Bower served seven years in the U.S. Army, during which he earned more than 15 medals and accommodations. He has been married to LaVonne Bower for 15 years and has one son, with most of his immediate family still living in Bradenton. Bower hold a bachelors degree in business from St. Leo University. For nearly 15 years after his military service, Bower built and ran a local law firm before transitioning to running his own business as a financial advisor with Edward Jones. Along with several other community organizations he has supported, he also served as one of seven planning commissioners for Manatee County, promoting smart growth and protecting the county’s natural resources by asking the tough questions no one else is willing to ask. He have the passion and the drive to help the community he has called home all of his life — especially as it relates to west Manatee County.

Why are you running for office?

My greatest motivation to run for Manatee County Commission is to help the commission function more interactively, in a way that encourages greater input from both commissioners and citizens. I believe the county’s District 3 residents deserve a more vocal, visible leader. If you’re going to be a leader, then be a leader. Reach out, and speak up. I don’t think we have had those qualities, generally speaking, on the County Commission.

I am a native to this community. I have been the distinctive voice on the Planning Commission asking the tough questions. I know what it means to truly listen to people and I have the ability to navigate the heavy seas to get to an end result that benefits the entire community and not just special interest groups.

As a result of the hard work I have put into this community all my life and the last three years on the Planning Commission, I have earned the trust and endorsements of Sheriff Brad Steube, Commissioner Robin DiSabatino, several former county commissioners, all of Holmes Beach’s elected officials and Carol Carter of Anna Maria Island, the EMS Union and several other community leaders.

What do you believe will be the biggest issues that will arise due to expected growth in Manatee County?

Supporting smart growth that protects our natural resources, and guarding against careless, unnecessary development which serves the community’s greater good.

Uniting citizens and other stakeholders countywide in an unprecedented effort to find and implement solutions for traffic congestion.

Adequately funding our first responders in the Sheriff's Office and EMS.

Revitalizing west Manatee County through incentives to attract new and expanding businesses.

More effectively tackling the substance epidemic that is ravaging Manatee County.

 What are the biggest opportunities within your district?

We have a great opportunity to improve our quality of life by implementing sound, long-range traffic solutions. We need to work closely with developers of new areas in west Manatee to achieve this. If the BOCC, the developers and the community come together, we can take advantage of several opportunities that will (a) provide smart growth; (b) work to alleviate our current and future traffic problems; (c) protect our natural resources and coastal shoreline from needless harm; and (d) revitalize this community that continues to age and struggles to keep up with the times.

What are your thoughts on barrier islands receiving a larger share of potential surtax dollars?

The barrier islands make up a great deal of the county’s revenue. Because of the state’s TDC laws, the barrier islands are unable to keep up with the aging infrastructure. Further, as the key tourist component to this county, we must ensure the barrier islands are receiving its fair share of revenue to keep up with the growth of tourism and, more importantly, the residents that call the island home.

How will you work with “the Four Mayors” who have partnered to highlight barrier island issues?

I will not only work with the mayors and the island commissioners, I will be their voice and their advocate, helping us all achieve the goals we can set forth to make our community great again. I plan to be the kind of County Commissioner modeled by my time on the Planning Commission: to be the voice of the people, the voice that will ask the tough and important questions, the voice that isn’t worried about political consequences. Working with the elected officials of the barrier islands is crucial our success in getting the funds the island desperately needs.

Could you please talk about three issues you deem most important that you already haven't addressed in the questions above?

Our County Commission in general has been reactive rather than proactive, and defensive rather than welcoming of the public's criticism. These two negative qualities, together, have affected West Manatee County more than other parts of the county, because West Manatee faces greater struggles with traffic congestion than the rest of Manatee. Especially to tackle traffic problems, but in order to better tackle all of our problems, our county commissioners need to learn how to receive input and criticism in a way that help improve how they make decisions.

Our Commission also needs to be more transparent and accountable, in all of its workings but especially related to budget and spending.

Together, we can bring about the change to the community and it begins with electing me as your voice for District 3.