Voters choose to name Florida park after Gov. DeSantis after candidate’s email push
Manatee County’s newest park could bear the governor’s name after a political candidate rallied his supporters to submit votes in honor of Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Commissioner Misty Servia called on residents to submit suggestions for a 17-acre park just west of Kinnan Elementary School, 3415 Tallevast Road. The vacant land, which sits in Servia’s District 4, is home to a controversial radio tower. The planned park features a walking trail, pickleball courts and a dog park.
More than 350 people turned in ideas to name the park, but one suggestion came out on top. By the end of the submission period, nearly 100 people voted to name the park after DeSantis, making it the most popular option among participants.
Other suggestions included “Snooty Park,” after the famous Bradenton manatee, and location-based names like “Tallevast Community Park” and “Prospect Preserve.” Some voters elected to name the park after local military personnel killed in the line of duty.
During Tuesday’s public meeting, Commissioner Vanessa Baugh asked board members to finalize the results of the survey, which ended in March.
“If you look at the survey that was done, there is definitely a name that had more votes than any other name. I will tell you that the people have spoken. It is time for us to move forward and name this park,” Baugh said. “They want to see it named after our governor. It’s not even close.”
Other commissioners said they were disappointed to see the board consider naming the park after a political figure who is still in office and seeking re-election. DeSantis, who was first elected governor in 2018, hopes to win a second term in November.
“I really love and respect Gov. DeSantis, but I’m looking for a pure process that isn’t politicized,” Servia said. “I love our governor and I think there is a way to honor him, but I’m not sure that a tiny neighborhood park is the right way to honor him.”
Reached for comment Wednesday morning, Christina Pushaw, the governor’s press secretary, said DeSantis thanked local residents for the distinction.
“The governor appreciates the kind recognition of the Manatee County Commission and the people of Manatee County for his work on behalf of Floridians,” Pushaw wrote in an email to the Bradenton Herald. “We look forward to being back in Manatee soon.”
Mike Rahn, a Republican candidate who is running for Servia’s seat on the board in the Republican primary election in August, spoke during Tuesday’s meeting as well.
In at least three emails to supporters, Rahn wrote he hoped to “take over” the survey with votes for DeSantis.
“As a citizen, I took action. Isn’t that what we’re supposed to do? It’s a great opportunity for our governor,” said Rahn, who also serves on the county’s Planning Commission. “I’m sure our governor will love having a park named after him because he’s a family man.”
County staff included a copy of the survey results as part of the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting, but the names and addresses of the people who submitted votes were redacted, making it impossible to tell how many votes came from local residents.
While most commissioners said they were proud to name the park after DeSantis, others questioned whether the neighborhood park would be the best choice.
“I’m wondering if you all are doing Gov. DeSantis a disservice,” said Commissioner Reggie Bellamy, the only Democrat on the board. “If you look at any governor that has had something named after him, it has been of a large magnitude.”
“It’s a bunch of weeds and a cell tower,” said Commissioner Carol Whitmore.
Servia said she wondered why Baugh didn’t consider naming a flagship project in her own district, such as the $20 million Lakewood Ranch Library, after DeSantis.
“I feel like this process has been hijacked by Commissioner Baugh for political reasons,” Servia alleged. “Ethically, it just doesn’t feel right to me.”
Commissioner George Kruse noted that even before Rahn called on supporters to send in votes, several submissions in favor of DeSantis had already been entered. Board members also accused their colleagues of holding a double standard when it comes to feedback from residents.
“I don’t think we should use different words for the same activity,” Satcher said. “We shouldn’t let somebody do something and say ‘Oh, that’s horrible. That’s manipulation. That’s collusion.’ But when somebody else does it, we say ‘That’s activism. That’s hard work. That’s called being involved in your local government process.’”
Construction on the park is set to begin later this summer. Officials hope to open the park in early 2023.
The board voted 6-1, with Bellamy voting in opposition, to direct the County Attorney’s Office to put together a resolution that would formally name the park after DeSantis. The board will take another vote to finalize the park name at a later date.
See all the names that were suggested here.
This story was originally published May 25, 2022 at 11:48 AM with the headline "Voters choose to name Florida park after Gov. DeSantis after candidate’s email push."
