Islanders gather to protest consolidation, parking garage
Barbara Ehren, president of the Anna Maria Island and West Manatee Democratic Club, speaks May 4 to a crowd at Holmes Beach City Field, adjacent to city hall at 5801 Marina Drive, during a rally to protest the potential consolidation or dissolution of the three island municipalities and the creation of a county parking garage in Holmes Beach. Ehren called for rallygoers to send their objections to state representatives and unseat Manatee County District 3 Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge in November’s election. Islander Photos: Ryan Paice
Diana Shoemaker, a Democratic candidate for Manatee County’s District 3 commission seat currently held by Kevin Van Ostenbridge, voices support May 4 for municipal home rule and calls for rallygoers’ votes to unseat the incumbent in November’s election. Shoemaker accused Van Ostenbridge of spurring on the state’s consolidation study and the county’s pursuit of a parking garage in Holmes Beach.
A rallygoer dressed May 4 as Kevin-Kyle Kaczynski-Von Oswald, a YouTube persona, holds a “Home Rule” QR code directing people to a series of animated videos criticizing Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge and other officials.
Volunteers guide rallygoers May 4 in signing prewritten letters of opposition against the potential consolidation of the island municipalities to Florida Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, and Rep. Will Robinson, R-Bradenton.
Holmes Beach City Commissioner Dan Diggins voices his opposition May 4 to the potential consolidation of the three island municipalities.