My husband Mark and I moved to Manatee County in 1999 to be closer to family, but also because this is such a gorgeous community. From Robinson Preserve to the beaches of Anna Maria Island, there’s natural beauty everywhere you turn. It’s little wonder we’re one of the fastest growing counties in the Sunshine State. But with the kind of population growth we’ve seen there’s a host of challenges we need to address. I’ve decided to run for County Commission to give District 3 residents a stronger voice on these and many other issues.
#electdianashoemaker
“My goal is to protect the investment you have made to live, work and
thrive in Manatee County."
Diana Shoemaker
Emerson Point Preserve
Our Commission has lost touch with our local residents by catering to the interests of a select few special interests. Over the past two years our local government has been beset by controversy and scandal. What we want from leaders of our community is integrity, open dialogue and attention to critical local issues necessary for creating fair and balanced policy.
EFFECTIVE AND TRANSPARENT
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
In Manatee and Sarasota counties, there’s a shortage of affordable housing for the workforce by more than 46,000 units. Roughly 40 percent of Manatee and Sarasota households spend more than 30 percent of their total annual salary on housing. Teachers, firefighters and police officers can hardly afford to live here.
My 12 years working with Habitat for Humanity and partnering on initiatives within our county and cities provided insight into the challenges and possibilities for housing in our community. However, our current housing trends which focus on a select few are doing little to meet the needs of our service professionals, working families or young professionals. What we need are balanced and focussed solutions that address our inevitable growth without jeopardizing the economic stability of our residents and ultimately our community.
ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Like many District 3 residents I’m deeply concerned and angered by County and State leaders' steps in 2023 to build a parking garage for 900 vehicles on Holmes Beach in spite of opposition from local officials and residents in this area of the county. Over and over again those most familiar with this problem tell us that traffic, not parking, is the issue. We need to listen to those voices and instead work together to find the most cost effective solutions that target the real problem and keep visitors coming to the island.
Improving traffic and pedestrian safety is enormously important to our residents. That’s why we should be working on creative solutions to eliminate dangerous incidents.
TRAFFIC AND SAFETY CONCERNS
Like many District 3 residents I’m deeply concerned and angered by County and State leaders' steps in 2023 to build a parking garage for 900 vehicles on Holmes Beach in spite of opposition from local officials and residents in this area of the county. Over and over again those most familiar with this problem tell us that traffic, not parking, is the issue. We need to listen to those voices and instead work together to find the most cost effective solutions that target the real problem and keep visitors coming to the island.
Improving traffic and pedestrian safety is enormously important to our residents. That’s why we should be working on creative solutions to eliminate dangerous incidents.
Wetlands are the heart of Manatee County’s natural beauty and allure. Wetlands are not only home for thousands of species plants and animals, they’re also natural water filters that absorb harmful nutrients before they reach our drinking water and water bodies. What’s more, wetlands help prevent flooding which is a common issue in low-lying coastal areas of District 3. Local leaders should be doing more, not less to protect our natural resources. Concerned residents have spoken loudly against diluting environmental protections to benefit development. We need to listen and take action that does more, not less to protect our most precious resource.