I'll briefly address the shelter issue. You'll recall I spoke to this in the December meeting and challenged staff to better prioritize the Bishop project and avoid spreading themselves thin.
Prior to that meeting I toured the animal shelter in Palmetto and discussed the issue at length with Community & Veterans Services staff. It's an issue I certainly plan to stay on top of and I am sure other commissioners will as well.
Hi Tal - so excited about your service to Manatee County! Please add the animal shelter needs to your list of priorities. This is another KVO mess that needs to be undone. Thank you.
Tal - we have high hopes for District 3 and its new representative. It seems that there are a lot of people that are anxious over the lack of progress made to build a new shelter. I too am very concerned.
I would like the board to recommend bringing back the citizen’s advisory board. There are people willing to research and support the county in its endeavor to make the necessary improvements to our shelters.
Please get this on the agenda and let’s make Manatee County a shinning example of what can be done to improve conditions for our animals.
Hi Tal, thanks for writing this update. I too will chime in that the shelter should be a top priority, it's been a big issue in this cycle. And, getting rid of policy 2.1.2.8. There are already more developments coming with the presumption of expansion past the FDAB via that policy, it needs to be repealed A.S.A.P.
It is nice to see the board moving in a positive direction for a change! I think it is important for the Board to recognize the time and effort citizens put forth on various items only to have things reversed or staff not to follow through on. Citizens have been disappointed on the new animal shelter that was not built, the ban on pet sales which was reversed, the firing of 11 shelter volunteers for speaking out concerning the conditions at the Palmetto shelter, and the expansion of Bishop -along with a litany of other things not concerning animal welfare. We appreciate that you like hard data- it would be interesting to know exactly how many Code Enforcement complaints come in and the various complaints other citizens are having. Right now, the only time we hear from other citizens is during public comment- this is the only time we can learn what problems other citizens are facing. It would be nice as a citizen to be able to connect with others facing the same issues so that we could work together on solutions.
No mention of Bishop, which is in District 3. In March of 2023, The BoCC approved spending $8 million for 100+ new dog kennels to be located at the current Bishop property. Because of the horrendous conditions at the current Palmetto Shelter, the Board unanimously directed Administrator Bishop to expedite construction in order to get employees, volunteers and the animals out of an unhealthy environment. Last April, the Administration said the kennels would be finished by the end 2024. The truth is that the Administration didn't make this a priority until after the election on August 20. Not a shovel of dirt has been turned and the "new" projected completion is sometime in 2026. When advocates pointed out the delays and false timelines, we were said to have been making threats. While we wish this board would hold the Administration accountable for the delays (the hurricane and other excuses don't account for not even having a completed design as of November 14, 2024), we realize it's water under the bridge. Our hope is for an informed and persistent new District 3 commissioner who will make sure this project is completed asap.
Sure wish you cared about the animals stuck in the shelter (and outside in the heat and cold) as much as you do claiming you got a Chipotle. KVO bragged about that one too…. And he didn’t care about the animals either.
Stop rezoning past the FDAB and the development they want rezoned on 675! There are agricultural laws these developers buying these properties have to follow! We are done with the overdevelopment and the bowing down to developers!
Tal Siddique, thank you for your update. However I see no mention of your take on the Bishop Kennel disaster. This is a top of mind issue that has been advocated by Manatee citizens for a severely long time without any semblance of interest by the BOCC. Why should you not be an advocate of one of this community’s high priority concerns?
Hello all,
Thank you all for the feedback and comments.
I'll briefly address the shelter issue. You'll recall I spoke to this in the December meeting and challenged staff to better prioritize the Bishop project and avoid spreading themselves thin.
https://youtu.be/_b4sFteaRoU?si=LZYipxYSn2x-W20B&t=9070
Prior to that meeting I toured the animal shelter in Palmetto and discussed the issue at length with Community & Veterans Services staff. It's an issue I certainly plan to stay on top of and I am sure other commissioners will as well.
Hi Tal - so excited about your service to Manatee County! Please add the animal shelter needs to your list of priorities. This is another KVO mess that needs to be undone. Thank you.
Thank you!
Congratulations on the election. Please make the Bishop shelters a high priority!
Tal - we have high hopes for District 3 and its new representative. It seems that there are a lot of people that are anxious over the lack of progress made to build a new shelter. I too am very concerned.
I would like the board to recommend bringing back the citizen’s advisory board. There are people willing to research and support the county in its endeavor to make the necessary improvements to our shelters.
Please get this on the agenda and let’s make Manatee County a shinning example of what can be done to improve conditions for our animals.
Hi Tal, I also need to say that Bishop needs to be a priority. A lot of people in your district are animal advocates and need your support on this.
Hi Tal, thanks for writing this update. I too will chime in that the shelter should be a top priority, it's been a big issue in this cycle. And, getting rid of policy 2.1.2.8. There are already more developments coming with the presumption of expansion past the FDAB via that policy, it needs to be repealed A.S.A.P.
Wish you all the success in the future
Thank you!
Go get them!
It is nice to see the board moving in a positive direction for a change! I think it is important for the Board to recognize the time and effort citizens put forth on various items only to have things reversed or staff not to follow through on. Citizens have been disappointed on the new animal shelter that was not built, the ban on pet sales which was reversed, the firing of 11 shelter volunteers for speaking out concerning the conditions at the Palmetto shelter, and the expansion of Bishop -along with a litany of other things not concerning animal welfare. We appreciate that you like hard data- it would be interesting to know exactly how many Code Enforcement complaints come in and the various complaints other citizens are having. Right now, the only time we hear from other citizens is during public comment- this is the only time we can learn what problems other citizens are facing. It would be nice as a citizen to be able to connect with others facing the same issues so that we could work together on solutions.
No mention of Bishop, which is in District 3. In March of 2023, The BoCC approved spending $8 million for 100+ new dog kennels to be located at the current Bishop property. Because of the horrendous conditions at the current Palmetto Shelter, the Board unanimously directed Administrator Bishop to expedite construction in order to get employees, volunteers and the animals out of an unhealthy environment. Last April, the Administration said the kennels would be finished by the end 2024. The truth is that the Administration didn't make this a priority until after the election on August 20. Not a shovel of dirt has been turned and the "new" projected completion is sometime in 2026. When advocates pointed out the delays and false timelines, we were said to have been making threats. While we wish this board would hold the Administration accountable for the delays (the hurricane and other excuses don't account for not even having a completed design as of November 14, 2024), we realize it's water under the bridge. Our hope is for an informed and persistent new District 3 commissioner who will make sure this project is completed asap.
Sure wish you cared about the animals stuck in the shelter (and outside in the heat and cold) as much as you do claiming you got a Chipotle. KVO bragged about that one too…. And he didn’t care about the animals either.
Stop rezoning past the FDAB and the development they want rezoned on 675! There are agricultural laws these developers buying these properties have to follow! We are done with the overdevelopment and the bowing down to developers!
Tal Siddique, thank you for your update. However I see no mention of your take on the Bishop Kennel disaster. This is a top of mind issue that has been advocated by Manatee citizens for a severely long time without any semblance of interest by the BOCC. Why should you not be an advocate of one of this community’s high priority concerns?
Come on now!