Who was the dolt who scheduled roadwork on Gulf of Mexico Drive?

I am a seasonal resident of Lido Key and am wondering who is the dolt who scheduled line painting maintenance of Gulf of Mexico Drive on March 6 (the beginning of the tourist season). For those who did not experience this situation, Gulf of Mexico Drive (Route 789) just north of the intersection with Route 684 was closed to one lane about 10 a.m. Tuesday to restripe the road. The southbound backup was at least 2 miles long.

As a seasonal resident, I am irritated. If I were a “local,” I'd be pissed. It was gridlock. At a minimum, State Office of Maintenance Director Rudy Powell should be terminated. Additionally, where were Manatee County personnel, such as County Administrator Ed Hunzeker? Don't they have a stake in the scheduling of road maintenance? Perhaps the Manatee Board of County Commissioners should be “turned out” at the next election. Given the season lasts about three months, I strongly suggest future road maintenance be scheduled for one of the other nine months of the year when thousands have not yet descended on the area. It doesn't take a rocket scientist.

This story was originally published March 9, 2018 at 1:28 PM with the headline "Who was the dolt who scheduled roadwork on Gulf of Mexico Drive?."