Candidate Profile 2024: Di Bartolomeo For Manatee County Commission

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — Business owner Joseph Di Bartolomeo is running for the Manatee County Commission District 5 seat. He faces two opponents in the race.

Patch sent a questionnaire to all District 5 candidates.

Find Di Bartolomeo responses below:

Name:

Joseph Di Bartolomeo

Age:

64

Occupation:

Business Owner/Partner

Political Party Affiliation:

NPA

Why are you running for office?

Manatee County requires a candidate with Civic Courage to push back against the influence of the special interest groups that are profiteering off the citizens of this county with policies and actions that favor big campaign donors. Rather than being a “bleacher screamer” and complaining about how the game on the field is played wrong, I am willing to suit up and get into game for the benefit of all Manatee County residents. I want to bring back civility, professionalism, fiscal responsibility and the voice of the people back to the BOCC.

What do you think are the top three issues the county is currently facing?

• Quality of life – Clean drinking water, excessive traffic, strained infrastructure, crowded schools, all of these should be addressed with prioritization, fiscal responsibility and feasibility with consideration given to of our current Comprehensive plan, FDAP, taxes and impact fees.

• Property Rights - The property rights of our residents are as important as the property rights of the developer community. Everyone should abide by the Comprehensive and FDAP plan. Special exceptions for developers and threats of Bert Harris Act should be addressed proactively rather than reactively.

• Environment - The compressing of the buffer zones, mangrove trimming and excessive pollutants reaching our streams, rivers and bay need immediate policy action to restore and protect our previously pristine environment.

Learn more about Di Bartolomeo at his campaign website and on his Facebook page.