Week in review: An AMI beach parking solution? + Manatee County's 'bad reputation' + no more red-light cameras? + Parrish man part of Pulitzer Prize + a rock and roll revival at the Bishop

Good morning! The price of regular unleaded gasoline in Bradenton-Sarasota hit a new record high on Friday, according to AAA.

But let’s talk about guns.

Manatee County faces some serious challenges — a lack of affordable housing, the effects of climate change, traffic congestion, etc. — requiring a serious sense of purpose from our political leadership.

Some in that leadership, however, act more like culture warriors trying to prove their ideological mettle or score points against their rivals than in solving those challenges. Last year, there was the distraction about whether to ban abortion clinics in a county with no abortion clinics.

And as of this week, the battle lines have shifted to whether county government employees should be allowed to carry a concealed gun while at work on taxpayers’ dime.

Manatee County commissioners and other officials enjoy dinner during a visit to Washington, D.C., this week. (Misty Servia via Facebook)

Read more about this below but first this …