Manatee County Commission saves 'Christmas,' but gets grinchy in vote for port chairman

MANATEE -- Manatee County Board of Commissioners Chairman Larry Bustle refused to budge when Commissioner Robin DiSabatino suggested removing the word "Christmas" from an application to approve a county facility for the annual Christmas Tour of Lights.

Commissioner Carol Whitmore motioned to approve the application, but DiSabatino said using "Christmas" would offend too many people and asked for its removal.

Bustle said he would not vote in favor of a name change. After it was pointed out the name of the event on the application includes "Christmas," a motion to approve it with the name intact passed 5-1, with DiSabatino dissenting.

The spirit of Christmas didn't last long as commissioners rehashed hard feelings over last election cycle while electing new officers.

Commissioner Betsy Benac's nomination and subsequent election to succeed Bustle in January as chairwoman went smoothly, as

did District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh's election to vice chairwoman.

Commissioner John Chappie was elected second vice chairman and Commissioner Charles Smith was elected third vice chairman.

Political wounds, however, opened during the election of the commission's Port Authority chair.

Bustle nominated Baugh, who withdrew and nominated Whitmore, the current chairwoman.

"Carol has done a great job and has a lot going on this coming year," said Baugh.

DiSabatino, who came into conflict with Whitmore during the election for publicly supporting her opponent, nominated herself, but Bustle made a pre-emptive strike in calling for a vote on Whitmore's nomination.

The commission took a five-minute break while County Attorney Mitchell Palmer researched the procedure. He eventually referred to Robert's Rules of Order and determined the commission had to vote on whether to elect Whitmore or DiSabatino to the post.

In a 5-2 vote, Whitmore was re-elected, with Smith, the panel's lone Democrat, siding with DiSabatino.

DiSabatino took offense with the process.

"This is really the lowest of the low, with all five of you," she said. "This is ridiculous."

Whitmore subsequently nominated Baugh for vice chairwoman of the Port Authority and Smith nominated DiSabatino, who lost again despite Smith's plea the commissioners work together in "peace and harmony."

Chappie and Benac were the sole nominees for the second and third vice chairs, respectively, and Baugh was elected to represent the commission on the Manatee County Tourism Development Council.

"I hope there is some way to come together in 2015," said Baugh, who was interrupted by DiSabatino, who said: "You all had a way to stop this today and you didn't."

This story was originally published December 3, 2014 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Manatee County Commission saves 'Christmas,' but gets grinchy in vote for port chairman."