Bradenton the 'Unfriendliest' City? Readers Sound Off

An invitation by the Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau to have residents  vote on making Bradenton the "Friendliest Small Town in America" may have backfired.

Locals are being asked by the Visitors Bureau to visit Rand McNally's annual "Best of the Road" contest site. The "Friendly City" is in the running to be bestowed that honor.

But judging from comments left on the Bradenton Patch, many locals do not share that feeling. In fact, they say just the opposite.

Bradenton "is not Americas friendliest small town or place," wrote Charles McD. "I wish this was different but it is not."

John Fasrfro  offered this harsh assessment of the quality of life in Bradenton. "Now I have met really good outstanding people in this community, It is unfortunate that there are more thieves and scammers than anywhere else I have lived."

George wrote: "No way. Everyone here is from somewhere else and most people keep to themselves. Very little sense of community."

What do you think? Are the readers right? Is Bradenton's motto – "The Friendly City" – a relic of the past? Let us know in the comments below.