Team Oliver Nix Push Big, Progressive Government and Centralized Control

On December 17, 2025, the true colors of Florida State Representative Vanessa Oliver and Danny Nix essentially – among people – stripped themselves of their titles as representatives of the people, as they grossly betrayed the very people they are supposed to represent. They do not represent the majority of the people of the City of Punta Gorda nor Charlotte County. They represent progressive, big government centralized control-freak elitists, as they, against the will and demands of the people who spoke vehemently against the progressive Bill known as the Punta Gorda Utility District Boundary Codification and Utility Transfer Act, which seeks to strip the City of Punta Gorda of its right to home rule.

Condescendingly and with absolute disregard for the expressed interest of the people, Vanessa Oliver and Danny Nix moved forward with the infamous Bill – their titles will not be used here for they honestly do not represent the people’s wish and do not deserve the title – after the Charlotte County Commission voted AGAINST the Bill,

At the 12/17/25 Charlotte County Special Meeting, Vanessa Oliver stated that a “small number of voices have sought to mischaracterize both the intend and the substance of this legislation,” which is the first lie that Ms. Oliver told, as an overwhelming number of people have spoken out against what some have rightfully called “a crap bill.”

FACT: While the City of Punta Gorda earlier had discussed their needs for the city with Ms. Oliver, she twisted it to mean that the City Council wanted centralization of government and control by big government. Nothing could be further from the truth, and that is why so many residents have spoken out against this attempt to take over the city in a very hostile manner.

Body Language and Word Are Linked

It’s important to notice not only what Ms. Oliver says in her presentation at this meeting, but HOW it is said. Body language reveals her contempt for the people who dared to criticize her. This is visible in her fake smile and stiff face expressions. She’s angry, and she does not handle it well. Notice how she stresses certain nouns and verbs weaponizing them rhetorically against the City Council. Note how she condescendingly says, “that the City, by its own admission”, stressing “City” and “admission” accusatorily. Notice how she, with fake smiles, tightens her jaw in an attempt to control her emotions. Such verbal attacks by Oliver clearly speak to her complete lack of support for the City of Punta Gorda. She is arrogant with a highly inflated self-image. It is clear that her ego has taken a hit, and she does not like that.

Vanessa Oliver’s tone of voice and body language expresses anger, contempt and annoyance. People who are used to getting their way and get applause for anything they do, those with an inflated self-image, cannot handle criticism. They nearly explode inside with anger. They may be trained to control it so-so but right under the surface, they’re boiling with annoyance and anger.

Instead of handling the opposition in a mature way, people like Vanessa Oliver – and now obviously also Danny Nix – do not take criticism constructively. They lack the ability to introspect and consider the wants and needs of those they are elected to serve. Instead, they consider it a personal attack and where they should apply themselves as professional and rational individuals representing a collective unit – that is the people – they in turn become defiant and obstinate, as is the case here.

As a result, the Oliver Nix Team decided to defy the opposition they were met with from the people, the City of Punta Gorda, and the Charlotte County Commission and instead the Oliver Nix Team moved forward with the progressive Punta Gorda Utility District Boundary Codification and Utility Transfer Act.

Oliver and Nix do not position themselves as representatives willing to listen. It is clear that they are upset that her Bill was met with resistance, criticism and objection. Oliver was visibly upset, a dent to her ego, that the Commissioners voted against it. Instead of stepping into the role for which she was (s)elected for and simply listen to the wants of the people, who came our strongly opposed to the hostile take-over, she let self-image get in the way of common sense.

When Elected Officials Don’t Fully Understand the Significance of the Pledge of Allegiance

It’s interesting that Vanessa Oliver opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance, for she evidently does not understand what the Republic stands for. To educate this lady in the U.S. Constitution, a republic is a system of government in which power ultimately resides with the people and is exercised on their behalf of the people by elected representatives, whose role is to deliberate, legislate, and govern in the public interest while remaining accountable to the citizens who elected them. The representative’s role IS NOT to overrule – like a king or queen – the expressed interest of the people.

Oliver did not effectively communicate, deliberate, negotiate, nor legislate WITH the City of Punta Gorda and much less with the people. She put on her crown, took it upon herself to send the bill for drafting to Legal and ran with it, thinking it would be met with applause, for in her mind, she was doing what she was supposed to do: rule, at any cost. She messed up. That is not how it works in the real world.

Sources state that Vanessa Oliver did not draft the bill herself. She sent it to Legal. When she spoke at the meeting presenting the infamous Bill, she appeared rehearsed, restrained yet rhetorically trained to deliver a Bill aimed at progressive interests. She might be registered Republican, but this bill does not represent republican or conservative values, such as the right to home rule. Some people question if Oliver is really a republican or if she is, under the surface, a progressive registered as republican? That question remains to be answered, though actions speak louder than words.

Vanessa Oliver, with support of Danny Nix (who might also need a lesson in the Constitution and the role of elected officials), clearly expressed that she wants “Charlotte County’s sovereign and home rule authority over county land” and to “prevent future disputes” and “situations where the county’s growth and economic development are subject to municipal control without accountability.”

Nothing, nothing screams louder that this IS the voice of power grabbing, money hungry, and chilling big government control – one more step toward state-run dictatorship. But let’s take a closer look at what she just said, for this is the kind of thing Fidel Castro would have said.

“Charlotte County’s sovereign and home rule authority over county land” means stripping the City of its authority. It means becoming subservient to the county, loss of power to make their own decisions, and becoming dependent on the county. It means big brother government. If a city relinquishes its decision-making power, and if all municipalities do so to the county they’re in, it is a dangerous progression toward state control. That is the fundamentals of Marxist ideology and Agenda 2030, as outlined by the United Nations.

Take away local control, take away the money, take away utilities, health care, and education and give that power to state and federal government, and you get communist rule.

Oliver said, “prevent future disputes” which means she is advancing a power position that would allow the county or later the state to punish the City should it object to or complain about anything. It positions the county, in this instance, to refer to laws that essentially eliminates the voice of the people, a very dangerous path to go down.

Oliver said, shortly after “dispute”, “situations where the county’s growth and economic development are subject to municipal control without accountability.” This is an egregious attack on the City Council of Punta Gorda, stating that they are not capable of taking care of their own business. What an insult. It also violates their right to representation, as Oliver did not mention anything about giving the City a representative. Oliver might explain her position with something like these things would be details yet to be worked out, but everyone knows that when big government takes control of something, it usually ignores the voices at the lower level of government.

It is a tragic and repulsive direction that these two representatives have taken. They should resign immediately for betraying the people they are to represent.

Vanessa Oliver falsely claims to respect the opposition to the Bill from City of Punta Gorda and the County. If she respected their vote against the Bill, she would have dropped the Bill. She did not. She said, “However,” and the word ‘however’ strongly indicates dismissal of vote against the Bill. She continued, “opposition does not resolve problems.” Oliver’s complete disregard and contempt for democracy and the voice of the people is a disgraceful act of progressive politics.

In colloquial terms, she and Nix basically gave everyone the finger.

Oliver has disregarded the City of Punta Gorda and Charlotte County’s right to resolve their own challenges. Like a dictators, Team Oliver Nix have move to steal the authority of these two bodies of government and demanded control.

Underneath it all, one question remains: Who in the county government is really behind Team Oliver Nix and seeking to benefit from stealing authority from one government to the other?

Oliver claims that because of her Bill the City of Punta Gorda and Charlotte County have now agreed to talk. This reeks of haughty self-image and promotion. Tim Richie, who spoke both days on December 16 and 17, 2025, might very well right when he warned Oliver that she will never be reelected after pulling this stunt, but Danny Nix has now included himself in that political positioning. Danny Nix had no questions for Ms. Oliver’s presentation of the bill. He is clearly “in bed” (colloquially speaking) with this “crap” Bill.

After Oliver’s presentation of the Bill, Danny Nix opened the meeting for comments but asked people to be respectful – a politician’s way of warning that any negative and loud expressions or harsh criticism that the politician’s ears are too sensitive for or that could aggravate the politician – will be perceived as aggravated comments. They do not allow clapping or cheering, because God forbid people will applaud speakers who criticize the politicians. That is also indicative of those who greedily seek to power-grab and rule by iron fist. You should be very worried about these two career politicians.

Commissioner Joe Tiseo rightfully called on the state representatives to respectfully withdraw the Utility Bill.

City Attorney Steven Leskovich formally opposed the Bill again, clarifying that the bill is presented in a misleading way as a technical boundary, while in fact it is one that “authorizes a force and immediate transfer of utilities without the consent, negotiations or any due diligence and this is why the City is objecting to it.” Leskovich criticized Oliver for developing the Bill without consulting the City Council and open dialog. Instead, the City learned about this through the media.

This means that Oliver went behind the backs of the very people she is supposed to work with to develop bills that are in the interests of the people, not big government. She blind-sided everyone and someone leaked this to the media, if not herself leaking it. Leskovich said, “This directly contradicts the principles of transparency, collaboration, and home rule.”

Essentially, it means that the Oliver Nix Team, in support of the Bill, do not stand by the Pledge of Allegiance and the Republic for which it stands, as they claim to.

Tim Richie questioned Oliver and Nix if they remember anything about what this country was founded on; fighting tyranny and government abusing their rights. Good job, Tim, for bring that point up.

Resident of Punta Gorda Kathleen Davis appealed to the delegation – Oliver and Nix – to work for the people, not against their wishes. Davis stressed that moving forward with the Bill, completely disregarding the voice of the people, causes division and strife unnecessarily between the City and the County. Davis warns that moving forward can cause revolt against the Republican Party and asked them to withdraw the Bill.

Robert Davis stated that many people feel “ambushed” and “disrespected” by Oliver and asked her with withdraw it.

Note: The overwhelming number of people who have spoken against this Bill should ring a bell for Vanessa Oliver and Danny Nix that the people do not want it. People are withdrawing support from these two politicians due to the betrayal they feel this Bill represents. Yet, Oliver and Nix appear completely indifferent to any negative comments. They have jumped on the big government train.

It’s interesting that there is next to no one in support of the Bill, and those who do support it, appear to have some kind of financial gain to achieve from it or may be paid to state support for the Bill.

A question was raised that the County experiences similar problems with water delivery. Certainly, many in this county know that the water quality is not great. Often, the water in Charlotte County has a cloudy look to it and there are days when it smells. Conclusively, what makes Oliver think that this Bill that transfers authority and decision-making power from the City of Punta Gorda, will make the water supply and quality better? If they County cannot take care of its own water quality supply, they are clearly not ready to take on a bigger mouthful.

Note also the division between the people and the power-position that Vanessa demands. It has clearly expanded from when she ran for office until now. Recall that Vanessa – and she is referred to here by first name – ran on the idea that she was equal to and standing with the people she would represent.

Yeah, right.

One year later, she demands to be addressed, not by her first name as an equal to the people, but by the title “Representative Oliver.” She feels ABOVE THE PEOPLE not WITH THE PEOPLE. She does not deserve the title as representative. She does not stand with the people who, regretfully, elected her… or was she selected, depending on whether you can rely on the election results the Vanessa Oliver’s friend Leah Valenti, Supervisor of Elections, delivered. Valenti ran for reelection in 2024, but as a candidate unlawfully was caught on camera handling the ballots, which a candidate is prohibited from doing. No charges were filed, which is cause for concern as to the validity of the election results.

As Cindy O’Hara stated on December 17, 2025, Vanessa Oliver does not have the experience to serve the office she was (s)elected for. When a person is in over their head, they are bound to make bad decisions, such as progressing this “ridiculous, pathetic” bill. O’Hara’s comment was met with a lifted finger by Danny Nix stating, “Let’s not be attacking.” A side note: grammatically, it is not called “let’s not be attacking.” A grammatically correct statement would be, “Let’s not attack.”

Danny Nix defended Vanessa Oliver, continuing to interrupt Cindy O’Hara, who should have reclaimed her minutes for rudely being interrupted, and instead allow her to speak her mind unfiltered, as per her 1^st Amendment right. Perhaps Nix and Oliver forget what rights the Bill of Rights provides. O’Hara called the Bill “a stunt” and essentially called for Oliver and Nix to resign.

From Representation to Rule: How State Power Becomes Tyranny

Let’s for a moment reflect on what is openly happening in Charlotte County, for this matter is bigger than the Punta Gorda Utility District Boundary Codification and Utility Transfer Act. When local and state elected officials become self-important, insulated, and openly dismissive of the people who put them in office, and in the case of Vanessa Oliver and Danny Nix it has only been about a year since they were (s)elected to office as State Representatives, governance at the most immediate level of citizens’ lives shifts from representation to tyranny, in direct defiance of the principles of accountability, consent of the governed, and limited authority enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.

At the state level especially, this behavior replaces service with control, erodes public trust, and advances a progression toward an increasingly centralized, progressive form of government that prioritizes ideology and political power – and opportunities for personal financial gains – over individual rights and the will of the people. That is what Vanessa Oliver and now Danny Nix’ bill speaks to. A constitutional republic cannot endure when state representatives act as rulers rather than stewards. When that line is crossed, the appropriate and lawful remedy is for those officials to be recalled by the citizens they serve or to resign their offices.

What You Can Do Next to Oppose the Actions of the State Representatives

Filing a Grievance or Complaint

If you want to formally complain about misconduct or ethical violations by a local or state elected official – including a state representative, Florida has several options depending on the nature of the concern:

1. Florida Commission on Ethics

• You can file a sworn complaint alleging a breach of the state’s ethics laws by a public officer or employee.
• The complaint must be on the official form and include specific facts you believe constitute wrongdoing.
• The Commission on Ethics reviews and investigates ethics violations when a complaint is properly filed. To file a complaint, go to the Florida Commission on Ethics on this link  https://ethics.state.fl.us/Complaints/Complaints.aspx?utm_source

2. Office of the Attorney General / Citizen Services

• For other types of general grievances (not necessarily ethics or elections), you can reach out to the Florida Attorney General’s Office – Office of Citizen Services for information, referral, or to report misconduct. Visit the website of the FL Attorney General on:  https://www.myfloridalegal.com/how-to-contact-us/file-a-complaint?utm_source

Please note that these grievance processes are complaint mechanisms. They are not removal procedures. However, and importantly so, they may trigger investigations or sanctions, but they do not automatically remove an elected official from office. Keep in mind though that a complaint against an elected official, such as a state representative, can raise the necessary concern and attention needed to prevent them from getting reelected, although they may still be reselected if the wrong people handle the ballots.

As of this writing on December 18, 2025, the video from the meeting was only available on Charlotte County’s Facebook page. We the People Club encourages you to view it and share this blog and the video widely. Follow the County on their Facebook page, as this case of government control-grabbing progresses.