Manatee County government lacks hurricane shelters

At a recent Board of County Commissioners’ meeting on the New River High School and other planned schools, the board questioned why they’re not to hurricane standards. It’s simple: M O N E Y. It would cost the school board between 7-10 percent more cost to upgrade the schools.

It’s time for our commissioners to step up to the plate and cover these expenses. The county, whose mission statement is to protect its citizens of Manatee County, has not. Manatee Government has not provided one building that it owns to the citizens of Manatee County for a hurricane shelter. They rely on the school system to provide for all the citizens of Manatee County. At the very least, they should provide for special needs and pets for our citizens. It has not. These costs to run these shelters should also be partially funded in the budget of the county. It has not.

Our local government give millions to organizations that might be able to help, perhaps its own building, Pittsburgh Pirates training center, Boys and Girls clubs and others who receive money or tax breaks need to be there for our citizens in need of protection. Why was the convention center not available to the citizens of Manatee County?

It’s time for our local government and county commissioners to fund the additional monies to the school board for the needed improvements to be designated as a hurricane shelter. It’s the least they can do. They have lacked vision to protect our community.

This story was originally published September 26, 2017 at 3:31 PM with the headline "Manatee County government lacks hurricane shelters."