The fight to stop the Manasota Beach Road extension continues, even after a recent setback.
On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, activists Kelly Bauman and Mary Beth Jones learned that Judge Van Wyk dismissed their case against Sarasota County, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, and the Economic Stimulus Working Group, LLC.*
This ruling came after last Thursday’s hearing, but it’s not the end, just a pause. The judge dismissed the case “without prejudice,” which gives Kelly 15 days to file updated petitions. She’s already asked the court to keep their case alive, aiming for the September hearing.
Kelly and her team at “Oppose Manasota Beach Rd.” aren’t giving up. Right now, they’re regrouping, figuring out their next steps, and pushing harder for a community voice. Here’s what Kelly Bauman has to say about the latest developments.
She’s noticed that among all the candidates, Mark Smith is the only one who’s actually stepped in and listened. “Mark Smith has been the only candidate who lent an honest ear,” Kelly says.
She also wants people to know that being at the center of this fight was never her plan. The past week has been non-stop. “Some people think I’m just being selfish. I’m not. My property is the farthest from the road. Honestly, the impact on us will probably be the smallest. Sure, flooding could hit our livestock and bees, and that would hurt, but our home sits way back. If anything, our land value might go up, but that’s not why I’m fighting. I care about what happens to our land, our way of life, and I want to protect the rest of the community. Maybe I have the best case, or maybe I just refuse to sit back. Others have reasons to fight too; they just don’t want to be the public face of this.”
Kelly disputes the commissioner’s claims of powerlessness. “These commissioners go, ‘There’s nothing we can do; this happened before us.’ That’s nonsense. Pat Neal can push to remove this road, but the county says their hands are tied? Decisions change when developers have money. That’s the message we send to our kids—if you have deep pockets, it doesn’t matter what commitments have been made. I grew up respecting Florida’s land and what it gives us, but now, money always talks. If you’re wealthy enough, you can carve up the wetlands, the wildlife, the water, like none of it matters.”
She makes it clear: “We’re not backing down.” Their attorney’s working on a meeting with the Sarasota County administrator, and they might address commissioners directly soon. Kelly will refile the petition.
Currently, the project cannot proceed because officials have not granted the permit, which allows for valuable time. Kelly points out that the Environmental Resource Permit (ERP), which the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the Department of Administration handle, is still pending. As long as this case sits before the administrative law judge, everything’s on hold.
But there’s more. The Community Development Districts (CDDs) play a major role. Kelly says, “The CDDs are the developers’ safe havens. Sarasota National CDD had to sign off for Pat Neal to get this road through—they’re co-applicants, and it doesn’t happen without them. If someone stopped the CDD’s involvement, the road wouldn’t go forward. And here’s the thing: Sarasota National residents don’t want the road. So why are you handing it to the developer?”
She explains the process: “The ERP matters because the road crosses wetland. Spencer Anderson with the county applied for the permit, but in March, it came out that Sarasota National CDD needed to co-apply because their land sits in the path. On March 3, Craig Wrathell signed as a representative, but the CDD board apparently did not know, as there were no meetings, no minutes. Wrathell, Hunt and Associates manage these districts, but there’s supposed to be transparency. Sarasota National residents shouldn’t blame me; they need to realize what’s being decided for them and what risks they’re taking on.”
Fighting this battle has cost Kelly a lot. Online, she gets called names like “selfish.” She shrugs it off. “I’m speaking up for what’s right and for nature. My home is at less risk than most. I’m just the one stepping up for people who will be deeply affected.”
On top of all this, Kelly’s pushing through unimaginable personal loss; her son died just last year. She hasn’t had space to grieve; protecting what makes Florida home has taken over. “I don’t want this fight, but when someone brings me information, I can’t ignore it. I have to act.”
Kelly understands some support the road for convenience. “Some want faster school runs. But think about it. Is that really worth wiping out 24 acres of natural land? Or 46 acres, if you go by county documents. They’ll clear all the vegetation and build retention ponds. But these are artificial lakes; they don’t replace what’s lost. They’re not natural wetlands. They’re pretending this is environmental mitigation, but the damage is real.”
If you want to help, the team needs more people, especially anyone with legal expertise. This isn’t a fight one person or one group can win alone. They’re counting on the community to pull together. Their message is simple: “We’re determined to see this through. Thank you for standing with us.”
Important links:
To join the cause, click here for more information on the Saturday, August 1, 2026, Rally.
Click here for a link to Oppose Manasota Beach Rd. GoFundMe page.
Click here for more information about Oppose Manasota Beach Rd.
*Informational links are provided for all businesses and organizations. There is no working website or business link for the Economic Stimulus Working Group, LLC.
