Neighborhood moves closer to possible improvements

Rubonia residents have waited and prayed for years — and on Tuesday, those prayers were answered, Agnes Brooks told commissioners.

“I want to thank the commission for what they are doing for Rubonia,” the Rubonia resident said. “We waited and we prayed and finally our prayers were answered. We want to thank you today, and continue to help us.”

Residents in the neighborhood tucked off U.S. 41 between Palmetto and Interstate 275 have been asking for sidewalks, improved drainage and other improvements for years. Those improvements became a step closer to reality when the county commission unanimously approved the Rubonia Neighborhood Action Plan on Tuesday.

The action plan, which will now be sent to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for review, has determined that Rubonia meets the state’s definition of a blighted area. Wade Trim consultants of Tampa were hired by the county to develop the action plan as a way for Rubonia to become eligible for federal Community Development Block Grants. Rubonia had been deemed ineligible for the funds after residents’ lack of response to the 2010 census, as well as increased development of mobile home parks around the Rubonia area.

After reviewing the Rubonia Neighborhood Action Plan, lifelong Rubonia resident Charles Miller Sr. said he "just had a big smile in my heart saying to myself maybe this time it's going to be done."

"It is a very good thing that we have been fighting fighting a long time," he said.

“I know that this commission is very excited to finally be seeing this happening,” Commission Chairwoman Vanessa Baugh said. “It is an honor for me to be able to sign the resolution as chairman of this board for Rubonia. It is a good day. Keep the prayers going. We still have a ways to go, but we are getting some good momentum.”

Commissioner Larry Bustle, who represents Rubonia, told the residents at Tuesday’s meeting that they’ve earned the right to keep going and to continue doing great things for the community.

“I encourage you to use all the resources at your command in Rubonia and get the people to be as excited as you’ve proven yourself to be,” he said. “Thank you for what you’ve done and what you will continue to do in the future.”

It is going to take time, money and effort for improvements to continue to come to Rubonia, Commissioner Betsy Benac said.

“We get that it is very frustrating and we know we are supposed to wait on the Lord, but sometimes we get very impatient,” she said. “We need to focus on the progress that has been made, and continue on the progress.”

Also on Tuesday, the commission:

• Accepted a $10,000 grant from the Manatee Community Foundation for Manatee County Animal Services to provide free spay/neuter surgeries.
• Authorized submitting a grant application to the Florida Department of State Division of Library and Information Services to expand the Braden River Library
• Authorized the installation of an interim multi-way stop at Ellenton-Gillette and Mendoza roads. A request had been made to install a fully operational traffic control signal at the intersection, according to agenda materials.
• Heard a presentation about the new Results First funding application and review process for nonprofit agencies.
• Voted to extend the time for residents in Sugar Mills’ phase one to install backflow preventers from 60 days to 120 days.

This story was originally published August 23, 2016 at 2:17 PM with the headline "Neighborhood moves closer to possible improvements."