Senate candidate, developer Carlos Beruff’s political clout evident

Carlos Beruff, environmental protector?

Don’t kid yourselves, citizens of Manatee County. It appears Beruff is a developer-turned-politician running for the U.S. Senate who uses his money and connections in high places to achieve what he wants.

I agree with former Manatee County Commissioner Joe McClash that Beruff’s longtime political ties and contributions to Rick Scott’s campaigns have muscled his permit through to cut back mangroves for his Long Bar Pointe development so owners can, as Beruff stated, “have a view.”

Scott dismantled the Department of Community Affairs and now we have Department of Environmental Protection supervisors overriding a permit reviewer who had a lot of qualms about the proposed wetland mitigation bank that allows the mangrove cutting.

In 2013 Beruff said you’ll never be allowed to do something if it hurts the environment. Yes, it sounds like he’s another candidate who will say or do anything to further his priorities as he seeks a Senate seat to represent you and the environment in Washington. Please give that some careful thought!

This story was originally published August 10, 2016 at 11:20 AM with the headline "Senate candidate, developer Carlos Beruff’s political clout evident."