Even in Manatee County, incumbency is not a license to rewrite history

County ommissioners turn on the political spin to hide their records

Incumbency comes with its privileges.

For instance, an incumbent county commissioner — say Kevin Van Ostenbridge, who is up for re-election in Manatee County next year — can use county government resources to send to residents/voters in his district an email newsletter touting all of his accomplishments under the guise of keeping his constituents informe…