On September 10, 2026, the Englewood REVIEW published a story about Kelly Bauman and the Oppose Manasota Beach Road group.
Sometimes, the hardest move is stepping back, but that’s exactly what Kelly had to do. Just days before her Manasota Beach Road hearing, she made the tough call to withdraw her case. She faced a non-stop rush one weekend to review discovery, prep for trial, and get every document ready. The pressure was real. In her own words:
“At this point, I can’t properly represent myself or the other witnesses given the rushed timeline. I’d only have a single weekend to review everything and get all the paperwork together by the 14th.”
Taking a stand isn’t easy. But sometimes, it takes just as much guts to recognize when the system makes a fair fight impossible.
After the story ran, readers flooded us with one big question: “Is the fight over?”
Kelly’s answer is simple: “No, absolutely not. This effort is not over. We intend to continue pursuing the legal and administrative avenues available to us and holding both the County and those advancing this project accountable to the public record. Englewood residents who are concerned about the future of this community, we need you more than ever. Once this road is built, the impacts cannot be undone.”
Recently, the Oppose Manasota Beach Road group invited The Englewood REVIEW to sit in on a special meeting. They shared the complete story: how they started, why this land and community matters so much, and what comes next.
The timing meant something, too: exactly a year ago, this group met for the first time and took its first steps as an organization, at the very same location, Kelly Bauman’s living room on Manasota Beach Road.
As the REVIEW prepares to share the full story, here’s a glimpse from that roundtable with Kelly and quotes from the OMBR group. Here are some highlights from the members of OMBR:
“We hear it all the time, ‘You can’t fight this, you’re not going to win. It’s already a done deal.’ That’s what stops people from getting involved. We don’t buy into that. We’ve been at this for a year, and the process, which was supposed to be finished, hasn’t even broken ground. It’s not over.”
“We need the community to fight with us. Numbers matter. If only six of us show up at commissioners’ meetings, that’s one thing. But when 30, 40, 50 people show up to speak their minds, they can’t just ignore us. That kind of turnout gets noticed.”
“Our Facebook page has all the info—when the meetings are, what the hot topics are, and updates on everything. We want more people to join us, to be heard, to just show up.”
Worried about getting there? Let them know. OMBR has people who are always willing to give others a ride. “If you need a ride, don’t worry. We have enough people going that someone will pick you up. Elderly, can’t drive? Not a problem. We’ll come get you. If that’s what it takes, we’ll rent a bus!”
It’s about making your voice count. OMBR urges everyone, “Speak your mind now—leave something behind for the next generation. Let’s stop this road.”
OMBR and Kelly Bauman say this fight isn’t over. In fact, the most important chapter is still ahead. Stay tuned, as the Englewood REVIEW brings you the full interview with Kelly Bauman and the Oppose Manasota Beach Road group.
Kelly emphasizes, “Continuing this effort requires community participation and financial support. Anyone who would like more information, wants to review the supporting documents, or wants to help can contact Kelly or OMBR on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/opposemanasotabeachrd or 941-500-9356. GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-save-wetlands-wildlife-stop-pat-neal.”
Click here for the Oppose Manasota beach Road group Facebook page.
