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Letters to the Editor

Thank you, Karen Carpenter, for your service

Outgoing School Board of Manatee County board member Karen Carpenter (seated) is given a standing ovation Tuesday night by fellow board members. From left, Dave Miner, Gina Messenger, John Colon, Charlie Kennedy and Superintendent Diana Greene applaud Carpenter, who will be moving to Massachusetts to be closer to her family.
Outgoing School Board of Manatee County board member Karen Carpenter (seated) is given a standing ovation Tuesday night by fellow board members. From left, Dave Miner, Gina Messenger, John Colon, Charlie Kennedy and Superintendent Diana Greene applaud Carpenter, who will be moving to Massachusetts to be closer to her family. Ryan McKinnon rmckinnon@bradenton.com

Karen Carpenter, thanks for your service to the children of Manatee County and the Manatee community.

She worked to spotlight the problems of the district and get them brought into the sunshine. She didn’t just find the problems but she worked to develop solutions. As an advocate for Take Stock in Children, she is in a category of her own. She has chaired “Christmas in August” and will return to do her work this year because that exemplifies her devotion to children.

She is leaving to join her family and that is important. We wish her well as she leaves a community in a better place.

Enjoy the next phase of your life.

Elaine Graham

Bradenton

This story was originally published May 27, 2017 at 2:00 PM with the headline "Thank you, Karen Carpenter, for your service."

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