Speaker tells Manatee commissioners to protect county's oak trees and bougainvillea plants

Manatee commissioners have had their run-ins with county's botanical features this year.

Sarasota paralegal Michael Barfield, best known for challenging how Manatee County and other governing bodies manage their public records, had something else on his mind when he spoke during the Manatee County Commission meeting on Tuesday: The protection of oak trees and potted bougainvillea plants in Manatee County.

During his drollingly delivered remarks, Barfield named no names as he called for commissioners to hold a future meeting on how they county might protect oak trees from pickup trucks that might crash into them and potted bougainvillea plants from disappearing in the middle of the night — both of which happened at least once in Manatee County this year, because of two commissioners.

But for even the most casual observer of the commission and their off-hours activities involving oak trees and bougainvillea plants, it was a master class in political trolling.

Watch Barfield’s presentation here:

Commissioners did not indicate whether they would take Barfield up on his suggestion.

For those still lost in the trees — and the bougainvillea bushes, click below.

Sarasota Herald-Tribune @HeraldTribune

Nearly two months after Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse crashed his white Ford F-150 into a tree, the State Attorney's Office for the 12th Judicial Circuit says it is still deciding whether charges for driving under the influence will be filed.

heraldtribune.comTwo months later, Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse still under DUI investigationA DUI investigation is still ongoing nearly two months after George Kruse crashed his white F150 into a tree, the State Attorney’s Office says.

Mitch Maley @BradentonTimes

BOCC Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge is facing possible larceny charges. More on this story at the link below.

thebradentontimes.comManatee Commission Chair Facing Possible Larceny ChargesAnother of Manatee County’s commissioners may be facing legal consequences after being accused of stealing property from a constituent within their own district. District 3 commissioner and Manatee County Commission Chair is the suspect of a t

Marc R. Masferrer worked as a newspaper editor in Bradenton for more than 16 years. You can reach him at Marc.R.Masferrer@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @mrmasferrer. You can also like The Bradenton Journal on Facebook.