Manatee County District 5 candidates

The Manatee County Commission District 5 seat is comprised of all eastern Manatee County south of State Road 64. Rough district boundaries run east from Lockwood Ridge Road to Manatee County’s eastern property line and south to University Parkway. The territory also includes a small section north of State Road 64 that includes the Tidewater community and other properties immediately west of Heritage Harbour, but east of the Braden River.

Lakewood Ranch resident Kathleen Grant is challenging incumbent Vanessa Baugh, who has served in her role since November 2012.

Vanessa Baugh

Age: 62

Hometown: Virginia Beach, Va.

Family: Husband, Don, of 24 years; four children; 10 grandchildren

Party: Republican

Occupation: Manatee County District 5 commissioner and president of Vanessa Fine Jewelry

About: Vanessa Baugh is a longtime business owner of Vanessa Fine Jewelry and has served on the County Commission since November 2012. In 2016, she received the Humanitarian Award from the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund.

Why are you running for office?

To complete the job that I promised to do in 2012, which is job creation, diversify the economy, better quality of life for all residents and communication. This includes traffic congestion, growth, etc. 

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

Law enforcement, schools, quality of life issues as well as traffic congestion. 

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing your district? 

We have many things that will help with the congestion that we are working on, such as the diverging diamond interchange at University and Interstate 75, which is under construction; Lorraine Road, Deer Drive and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard being extended out to Fruitville for a better grid; 44th Avenue from Cortez to Lorraine that is under construction, that will remove traffic from state roads 70 and 64, thus changing the traffic patterns as we know them today. The Florida Department of Transportation is doing a study for State Road 70 from Lorraine to 675 to be four lanes. Also, studies are being done for the island bridges and bridge between Palmetto and City of Bradenton. Also, we are looking at intermodal transportation such as bike paths, sidewalks, perhaps a ferry service to the islands.

I look at this as growing pains. Most of us were not born here, and, if anything, we should understand why so many want to be here.

Commissioners must be actively working with all government agencies, etc.  to move forward as quickly as possible during this fast growth period.

With growth, the increase of homes and businesses in our area increase traffic congestion. It is imperative that we have an excellent relationship with FDOT as state roads 70 and 64, two of the main roads in District 5 are owned and maintained by the state of Florida. Interstate 75 is maintained by FDOT. The first thing I did when elected was to engage FDOT along with State Rep. Greg Steube on the need to fast track the intersection of University and I-75 which, I am happy to say is now under construction. When I was elected, it was not scheduled to be built until 2035.

Also, we need to be proactive with the Manatee school system to make sure that we have the schools necessary for our children moving to District 5. With growth many issues are developed and we need to be on "top of our game,” to not only keep but keep improving our quality of life.

What are the biggest opportunities within your district?

Traffic congestion and growth. As East Manatee in District 5 grows, we have the opportunity to take what has worked and what has not worked in other areas to develop an area with the best quality of life available. We need to make sure we develop an environment to keep the diversification that we have today such as gated communities, rural living, farms, cattle ranches and business parks. We can develop a top-notch medical community, schools, law enforcement sub station, any amenities that increase the quality of life for our residents. Right now, East Manatee is a canvas that is just being painted.

What roads project, not currently being constructed, do you believe are important for the residents?

Connecting Lena Road from State Road 70 to State Road 64 and widening State Toad 70 to four lanes across the state of Florida.

How do you feel about a water park on S.R. 64?

It could be a good thing but not near Bennett Park. Farther out east would be a better location.

Do you think our fire and police are staffed well enough to meet the need?

Law Enforcement is in a better place after the recent additions to our budget for them, however, I believe we still have a long way to go. We need a substation out east for them. That is my next endeavor. We have a very well-financed fire department in Lakewood Ranch, however, Myakka is, in my opinion, in need of more money.

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

County budget has shortfalls that must be addressed and we are in the process of doing just that. Zika virus: we must be prepared for if and when it is in Manatee. Affordable housing for those that we depend on every day, also quality healthcare.  Obviously, issues change often and you must be ready to act.

What is your “platform”? What separates you from the other candidates?

I am fiscally responsible, experienced, conservative. My integrity is most important.  I have town hall meetings, neighborhood meetings and listen to the residents so that I can be a voice for citizens.  I make the tough decisions.  I understand that every time I make a decision there will be people on both sides of the issue, however, when a decision must be made  I listen to the people, look at the laws in place affecting the issue and react.    

 Kathleen Grant

Age: 66

Hometown: Greenwich, Conn.

Family: Single; three sisters and three nephews

Party affiliation: Republican

Occupation: Retired

About: Kathleen Grant retired to Manatee County in 2004 from New York City, where she  spent more than 25 years in financial and legal positions with major firms, including J.P. Morgan and MetLife. She has master’s degree in finance from New York University and law degree from Fordham University.  After two years in University Park, she moved to Lakewood Ranch, where she served seven years as treasurer on the Lakewood Ranch CDD2 board of supervisors.

Why are you running for office?

I’m running because I believe it’s time for a change in local government. It’s time to bring a level of knowledge and professionalism to this board that I believe has been sorely lacking. We need people on this board with the education and experience to do the research, ask the tough questions and challenge the status quo that has brought us four years of nothing but deficit spending and a stressed infrastructure.  I believe that I have that education and experience.

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

The biggest issue facing the county is the budget. A budget is an ordering of priorities — making the decisions as to what the needs are for the safety and welfare of the citizens, and maintaining and enhancing the quality of life, and then determining the amount of revenues to fund those needs, and the fairest, most efficient means of raising those revenues.

With expected growth, this challenge is only magnified. As new residents come to the county, there is a need for new infrastructure, as well as funds to maintain that infrastructure.

An infrastructure funding stream is needed, but my opponent has been here for four years, and the problem has only gotten worse. And there is no “plan B” should the voters not agree to the sales tax in November.

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing your district?

As commissioner, I would make decisions that affect all county residents, not just those in District 5.  That said, the biggest challenge facing District 5 is one of the biggest challenges facing the entire county — traffic.  What roadways should take priority in terms of both new roadways and repairs/upgrading?

What are the biggest opportunities within your district?

The biggest opportunity also represents the biggest challenge, again, for both District 5 and the county as a whole, and that is managing growth.  Much of east county is suburban, and that is what the people who live here have chosen.  But with that choice comes a cost, and the county needs to be careful to balance growth and the costs of that growth — not only fiscal, but also quality of life, e.g., impacts on the environment, infrastructure.  To the extent practicable, throughout the county, we should seek opportunities to encourage urban infill, but again, fully recognizing all costs.

What roads project, not currently being constructed, do you believe are important for the residents?

For the residents of East County, I think the most important road projects are the extension of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and Lorraine Roads to Fruitville.  They are not, to my knowledge, under construction to Fruitville.

Of course, these are in Sarasota County, but to the extent possible, Manatee County should provide incentives (or disincentives) such that these roads are completed sooner rather than later.  It’s been at least eight years since we were promised these roadways.

How do you feel about a water park on SR 64?

Based on the public information I have heard to date (including a meeting before the County Commission), there needs to be a lot more information provided before I would think that this project makes sense.

Do you think our fire and police are staffed well enough to meet the need?

I am not a professional in this area, but I do know that the sheriff’s budget requests have not been met for at least the last four years.  The County Commission did vote on Tuesday, Aug. 2 to provide additional sheriff deputies. They just didn’t find a way to pay for it, except to spend reserves.

What is your “platform” ? What separates you from the other candidates?

I have three principal goals: (1) to return a voice in county government to the people; (2) to institute responsible budgeting, and not continue deficit spending; and (3) to ensure smarter growth, that is compatible with and benefits the community, not growth that simply profits a few and only adds to infrastructure burdens, particularly traffic.

What separates me from my opponent is the breadth and depth of my education and experience; (2) I am not supported by or beholden to anyone but the voters — I have received no funding from developers; (3) I am not afraid to make the tough decisions — to determine priorities and balance budgets, which has not been done for the four years my opponent has been in office.