Six questions for Manatee County Commission candidate Carol Felts
Myakka City activist is challenging James Satcher in next year's GOP primary
Myakka City activist Carol Billberry Felts earlier this week filed to challenge Manatee County Commissioner James Satcher in next year’s Republican primary for the commission’s District 1 seat.
The Bradenton Journal had a few questions for Felts. (Her responses have been lightly edited for clarity and grammar.)
The Bradenton Journal: Why did you decide to challenge Mr. Satcher for the District 1 seat?
Felts: District 1 is the largest district in terms of land mass and is the fastest growing district in terms of new growth. It also contains not only our agricultural land that is a valuable American commodity, but also all facets of the phosphate mining industry.
I represent the average Manatee citizen with a broad spectrum of concerns for our county’s future, and have an innate familiarity with the area as a long-term resident that I believe can bring more balance and productivity in addressing those concerns.
The Bradenton Journal: What issues will you emphasize as a candidate and as a commissioner, if you are elected?
Felts: My focus has always been on citizen education, information and involvement, in whatever role I have undertaken. Regardless of the subject matter, the transparency, accountability and ethics we need in government cannot be achieved or measured without that foundation that starts, not just with the people we elect, but with the people who elect them. We can be much more productive in establishing attainable goals, planning for growth and resolving any differences with a strong understanding of policies, process and procedure by all parties.
I have been very focused on land-use issues, and balancing growth with respect to the challenges of sustaining the environment that has encouraged that growth.
I’d like to see Manatee County’s economic base become more diversified in the future, with sustainable industries that produce American products and services for American consumers.
I believe we need to evolve to performance-based budgeting, in order to ensure that our tax dollars are used wisely, with measurable goals and attainable intentions.
The Bradenton Journal: I know you are quite active in the community. What do people tell you about Mr. Satcher's performance as commissioner?
Felts: As I have found throughout the county, there is a disconnect between the citizens and their first line of representation in government, which is our county commissioners. That issue has been exacerbated by the recent redistricting, but the flaw lies with both the citizens casting their votes without vetting the candidates, or not supervising their “employees” once they are elected, and the elected officials who forget who they serve once they are elected. Once elected, the job is to serve all constituents to the best of their ability, regardless of personal or professional interests.
The Bradenton Journal: What's your sense of how eager residents in District 1 are for a change in their representation?
Felts: Manatee County is on the cusp of a half million in population, and long-term residents are becoming a minority, so “change” in representation is subjective to different viewpoints or comparisons because of that.
Every person in this county expresses some concerns on managing inevitable growth, and I believe they hold their representatives responsible for finding solutions. My sense is that District 1 citizens want a more focused and productive representative who knows and understands this area with a vested interest in its future.
The Bradenton Journal: What do you see as major issues of importance particular to District 1?
Felts: No. 1 is our location that shelters the two main factors for a sustainable civilization, water and food, that our entire country is dependent on. We cannot continue discounting the importance of our watersheds, wetlands, agriculture and natural spaces for the smaller short term benefits of continuing to build on them.
The unfettered and poorly planned growth in eastern reaches of the county has created a situation where infrastructure cannot keep up. The measures taken have been commendable but to put it in my vernacular, we can’t empty a water trough with a tea cup while simultaneously filling it with a fire hose. This is impeding the quality of life for our citizens, our school children and our respect for our elected officials in not recognizing the issue and taking a more pragmatic and common sense approach, even if that means we don’t grow as fast as certain factions want. We should grow, but in a reasonable way, and with far-sighted vision.
The Bradenton Journal: How will you use your campaign to raise awareness of issues facing rural communities in Manatee County, such as rapid development and environmental protection?
Felts: I’ve been an activist in those areas for many years, and more of a “silent activist” for many years before that. Although there are some challenges transitioning from an activist to a candidate, I don’t think my campaign will be that much different than what I’ve been doing all along or who I am. We have had groups of people who have made a tremendous effort and have achieved a much greater awareness amongst all citizens in District 1 of not only our rural issues, but our more urban challenges as well, and I’m very proud of my efforts in having been a part of that.
My campaign, like my past activism, will continue to be focused on increasing that awareness, not just in District 1, but county-wide as a commissioner on the board who understands the area, as well as the interdependencies between seven different districts.
