Pat Neal an asset to Manatee County as businessman, benefactor
OK, I've "bitten my tongue" until there were holes in it. Enough already with all of the negative comments about Pat Neal. His plans to build four family homes on Perico Island and his stance on such items as impact fees.
I have known Pat since 1974, probably a lot longer than many of his critics have lived in Manatee County. I don't always agree with him, but everyone is entitled to their opinion.
For over 10 years I worked with Pat Neal when he was in the Florida Legislature. I have never known anyone with more of a "statesman" philosophy than Pat. Many times his "statesman" position worked against his political future, but his thought process was for the benefit of the majority of Floridians, not a select few.
I truly believe many of his critics are "green," not environmental "green," but "green" with envy and jealousy.
He has worked very hard over the years to earn the money he has accumulated, and numerous people have benefitted from his ability. He happens to be one of the most intelligent business people I've ever worked with. He has always been a protector of the environment and was instrumental in creating some of the state's strong, early environmental protection regulations as former chairman of the state Senate Natural Resources Committee.
If it wasn't for the beautiful, successful developments that Neal Communities has created in Manatee County, we would probably all be paying higher property taxes to just cover the cost of inflation for roads and services in existing neighborhoods.
Pat Neal has contributed untold thousands of dollars to this community from his own pocket, without benefit of reward. I remember numerous times when someone would call the office and express concern about a family in need, or an organization that needed some help of some type. Pat would take money from his pocket to provide assistance. Back in "the old days" there was no press involved in his giving and in the mid to late 1970s he didn't have the financial wherewithal that he has today
I wish Pat, Charlene and their family well with the development of the "family compound." We should all be thankful for the property tax dollars his developed property will contribute to our city, county and school board budgets. I would venture to say that in three to five years no one will ever know that there was mitigation done at the site.
Diane S. Barcus
Bradenton
This story was originally published January 14, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Pat Neal an asset to Manatee County as businessman, benefactor ."