Manatee Commission nominates Rey for MPO seat

The Manatee County Commission voted 4-3 Tuesday at a meeting in Bradenton to nominate Lakewood Ranch Town Hall Executive Director Eva Rey to fill a vacancy on an advisory board of the Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Rey will serve on a citizens panel that advises the regional agency that prioritizes federal and state funds that are earmarked for road, bridge and other transit projects.

The MPO will be charged with approving either Rey’s appointment or reappointing Jeffrey Orenstein.
Orenstein, a Lakewood Ranch resident and former Manatee County planning commissioner, applied for reappointment to his seat.

Commissioner Vanessa Baugh nominated Rey to the position, explaining she received more than 30 emails from East County homeowner associations and community development districts that support Rey’s appointment.

Along with Baugh, Commissioners John Chappie, Carol Whitmore and Robin DiSabatino voted to nominate Rey.

Commissioners Larry Bustle, Betsy Benac and Michael Gallen supported Orenstein’s nomination.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].