Benderson Park stoops to punishing messenger
In an act of pure retribution to punish me for exercising my right to free speech, I was recently told that after 17 years of dedicated work, I would no longer be allowed to serve as a volunteer at Nathan Benderson Park.
So what changed between early May – when I volunteered as usual at a rowing regatta at Benderson Park – and June 8, when an official at the nonprofit that runs the park banned me from donating my time to this Sarasota County-owned facility?
Clearly, the only thing that has occurred is my ongoing public criticism of the plan by the Benderson Development Co. to renege on a promise to build a boathouse that could have finally allowed the public to easily access this premier watersports venue.
Instead, the company is pushing a plan that would use precious park space for land sports and cost $70 million – $30 million of which would be public money.
During a 40-minute phone conversation, a park official scornfully accused me of not caring about Benderson Park.
My answer was that I had served 17 years as a park volunteer.
I was scornfully accused of not living in Sarasota County.
My answer was that Manatee County has given millions of dollars to Benderson Park – and it will add $275,000 in both fiscal year 2026 and 2027.
I was scornfully accused of not being a rower.
My answer was that I haven’t been out on the water since Benderson Park became an expensive country club.
I was scornfully accused of being angry that I couldn’t row at the park “for free.”
My answer was that I have receipts showing that I had paid to row in the past.
I was scornfully accused of “just wanting (my) byline and photo in the paper.”
My answer was that having my name and photo in the paper were simply regrettable prices to pay to inform the public about what is going on at this park, which was created with their money.
When individuals and organizations don’t have the facts on their side, they commonly resort to attacking messengers rather than addressing the criticisms that the messengers might raise.
This is exactly what ended my volunteer service to Benderson Park.
Terry Galvin, Bradenton
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: I was a Benderson Park volunteer. Here’s why I’m now out. | Letter
Reporting by Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Sarasota Herald-Tribune | USA TODAY Network
