Manatee County Commission debate

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MANATEE COUNTY 

Two of the three Democratic candidates for the District 2 seat on the Manatee County Commission disagreed strongly Tuesday about whether progress is being made in improving some of the county’s lower-income neighborhoods.

Michael Gallen (Photo provided)

Michael Gallen (Photo provided)

Michael Gallen, the incumbent, and challenger Charles Smith, a Palmetto city commissioner, spoke at a luncheon of the Bradenton Kiwanis and Manatee Young Professionals. Corie Holmes, who is also a District 2 candidate in the Democratic primary, could not attend because of work commitments.

The winner of the Aug. 6 primary will face write-in contender Troy Thomas in the November general election.

District 2 spans the Manatee River and includes several of Bradenton’s and Palmetto’s older and lower-income areas.

Gallen contended that, since his election four years ago, conditions in District 2 have improved.

Gallen says he led the charge to close a Palmetto market that had long been a haven for drug dealers and, most

Charles Smith (Photo provided)

Charles Smith (Photo provided)

recently, a motorcyclist clubhouse in east Bradenton that functioned as an illegal bar.

The commissioner said more jobs are coming into the district, where federal money has gone into addressing a backlog of needed sidewalks, parks and other infrastructure in long-neglected areas.

“I want to continue that momentum,” Gallen said.

Gallen cited his background as an attorney as giving him the “skills set” to analyze issues, recommend solutions and persuade county officials to “do the right thing.”

“He’s a nice person but he’s over his head when it comes to representing District 2,” Smith said of Gallen.

Smith said his record as a city commissioner includes getting blacks hired as police officers, starting a housing authority, partnering with Habitat for Humanity on the rehabilitation of homes, and having the city offer incentives for new businesses.

He blamed Gallen for not getting the county to establish a community redevelopment area to address blight in the unincorporated part of Palmetto, as the city of Palmetto is doing with its CRA.

“You must have vision and clarity to say what you mean and mean what you say,” Smith said of the commission job.

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Last modified: July 29, 2014
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