On Tuesday, September 1, 2026, from 10 to 11 a.m., there was a public Zoom hearing to address Kelly Bauman’s motion to extend deadlines for discovery regarding the Manasota Beach Road project.
After the hearing, Kelly posted an update on Facebook: “Let me explain what happened. The economic stimulus working group—the intervener—filed a motion last Friday to dismiss my request for a continuation. They referenced the recent article in the Englewood REVIEW and even brought up our fundraiser. They used all of that to argue to the judge that I only wanted a delay because I’m trying to raise money for an attorney. I’ve told them over and over—we don’t have an attorney on the DOAH case.”
Kelly continues, “The SWFWMD attorney, Mr. Thornquest, reached out to our attorney who handles other parts of the road issue. I’ve answered their questions about this at least five times. Honestly, I had some technical problems with my computer during the hearing, but the session itself moved fast. I didn’t really realize until the end that the judge believed their argument about raising money for an attorney for this portion of the case.”
“We’re not doing that. We’ve raised funds for other parts of the project, not for this. Our attorney has spoken with Sarasota County Attorney Josh Moya, his office, and Mr. Thornquest. They led the judge to believe something that just isn’t true. Many of you already know what the fundraiser was for. I wanted to update you all directly.”
“Also, Mr. Pearce referenced the stormwater consultant—Ben Quartermaine. I feel for Ben’s illness, but I saw him at the Englewood CRA on the 10th, and he seemed fine. So that’s where things stand right now. Thanks for sticking with us.”
In an interview with the Englewood REVIEW, Kelly remains optimistic: “This is just a small setback. They denied my extension and accepted the argument that I wanted a delay just to raise funds.”
Kelly explains, “It’s a two-mile stretch of road crossing three towns. Naturally, there’s more going on here than just the stormwater issue. We’ve been open that our attorney is working on other aspects of the road, not this specific matter. We’re not seeking a continuance just to hire an attorney—though finding one is tough. The attorneys we’ve talked to have quoted us hundreds of thousands of dollars to take this on, and that’s not my goal. I just wanted someone to represent me, to be standing by my side when the opposition throws legal precedents at me.”
Kelly Bauman and the Oppose Manasota Beach Road group have been clear about what the fundraising is for, as this road requires attention on many fronts.
“I care most about my character here,” Kelly says. “I don’t want the judge to think I was trying to mislead her. I respect the grace she’s extended to me as a pro se petitioner. It’s the opposing counsel who misrepresented the facts, not me. Our attorney has spoken with both the SWFWMD and the county attorneys. Everyone involved knows there are different parts of the project he’s looking at.”
As for what comes next, Kelly lays it out: “By the end of the day Thursday, I have to file my witness list. I need to amend my discovery requests to the economic stimulus working group—thirty items instead of fifty. Then we head into the hearing on the twenty-first.”
The story continues, so stay tuned.
Click here for the link to the September 1, 2026, hearing.
