As a 48-year resident of this great place, just wanted to say how proud I am that almost all our Islanders left during Hurricane Irma. A mandatory evacuation has only happened once before. That was when I served as mayor and many did not leave. The mayors and cities served us well during this event. Were there issues? Of course. I am sure the cities and county will all go around the table and see what all of us can do better. Can we learn? Yes. We all got back to our homes and back to some sense of normal. As I wrote this on Saturday, there were still many without electric or food on the Island and in Manatee County. Thank goodness we missed the big one.
Carol Whitmore
Holmes Beach resident
County commissioner