News Briefs

+ Harwood shares message of collaboration, shared vision
Speaking to a standing-room-only crowd at the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club, Rich Harwood, of the Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, shared a message of collaborative thinking and inspiring community change during a presentation Aug. 12.

During his speech, “Reclaiming Main Street,” which he delivers across the country, Harwood encouraged the audience to find common aspirations, listen and work together to achieve change.

Following the public event, about 70 local leaders participated in a three-day innovation lab on how to jointly meet community needs.

The presentation complemented the region’s Aspirations to Actions initiative, funded by the Sarasota-based Patterson Foundation.

+ Commission nominates Town Hall exec for MPO seat
The Manatee County Commission voted 4-3 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.

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

The MPO will either appoint Rey or reappoint Jeffrey Orenstein — a Lakewood Ranch resident and former Manatee County planning commissioner.

Commissioner Vanessa Baugh nominated Rey for the position because of more than 30 emails she received from East County homeowners 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.

The MPO will make the decision at its next meeting, Sept. 1.

+ Children’s Services Board seats are open
Manatee County is accepting applications to fill three seats on the Children’s Services Advisory Board.
Two seats are for advocates not affiliated with any agency receiving county funds and the other is for a member of the NAACP.

Members serve on a volunteer basis, must be residents of Manatee County and meet the qualifications of an elector.

The CSAB advises county commissioners on priorities and expenditures of the county’s dedicated millage for children’s services.

For more information, email [email protected].

Meetings &agendas
Primary Election Day — 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 26, at various sites. Visit votemanatee.com for polling locations.