Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival this weekend
BY LESLIE LAKE
SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
CORTEZ - The two-day 43rd Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival will bring local seafood, live music, local art and educational talks to the historic fishing village this weekend from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. New this year, Allen Garner will tell short history stories - “Cortez Tales” - on the Miller Dock. “Dock Talks” by the University of Florida IFAS Florida Sea Grant program will be held all day both days at the Fulford Fish House. In recognition of the village’s recovery following last year’s hurricanes, the theme of this year’s festival is “Swamped but Never Sunk.” Mindful of the continuing recovery efforts, the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) board asked for Cortez residents’ opinions
Enjoy the 43rd Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival the weekend of Feb. 15-16.
last November about holding the annual festival. Many residents agreed that a festival would be uplifting for residents following the hurricanes that swamped homes in the village.
All of the proceeds from the volunteer-run festival will benefit FISH and its mission to preserve the village of Cortez and continue the conservation
SEE FISH, PAGE 22
FEMA review may jeopardize flood insurance, buildings
Bradenton Beach property owners could lose flood insurance – and, in some cases, buildings – after FEMA reviews the former city building official’s post-hurricane decisions.
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – The city’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) insurance rate discounts, the ability to obtain flood insurance, and even some buildings may be in jeopardy after FEMA reviews the building department’s post-hurricane procedures, according to City Attorney Ricinda Perry.
“We’ve been flagged,” Perry said at a Feb. 6 city commission meeting.
Perry said she had a call from FEMA and the Florida Division of Emergency Management in which she was asked "why we are letting our city run afoul of all the regulations that FEMA puts out there in our floodplain requirements."
SEE FEMA, PAGE 17
Improved rating results in flood insurance discounts
Del Schwall’s long-term goal is to reduce Anna Maria property owners’ flood insurance premiums by 45%.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria property owners who carry flood insurance policies issued through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) will receive an additional 5% discount effective Oct. 1.
On Jan. 9, consultant and engineer Del Schwalls provided the commissioners with a detailed presentation about the city’s flood prevention and mitigation efforts. For the past five years or so, the Orlando-based Schwalls Consulting firm has
provided the city with services that support and improve the city’s Community Rating System (CRS) rating that provides significant flood insurance discounts for Anna Maria property owners.
“The Community Rating System is FEMA’s way of rewarding communities that go above and beyond the national minimum standard regulations – the bare minimum from FEMA you have to do based in the National Flood Insurance Program,” Schwalls said of city’s participation in the voluntary program. “For the actions you take as a community to reduce your flood damage, FEMA provides discounted flood insurance.”
Anna Maria currently has a class 6 CRS rating that provides a 20% discount for those carrying NFIP-
SEE CRS, PAGE 27
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
Two homes extensively damaged during Hurricane Helene remain standing at the corner of 12th Street South and Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach.
Inconsistent noise levels spark debate
The city commission was scheduled to discuss the noise ordinance and a property-specific 50-decibel noise threshold on Feb. 11.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – The daytime 50-decible noise limit restriction imposed on Jake Spooner’s pending Island Bazaar development remains a topic of debate at Holmes Beach City Hall.
On Dec. 17, city commissioners approved the major site plan application submitted by Spooner and architect Mark Smith. In addition to Spooner’s ground-level Island Bazaar retail space, the approved development project will include a miniature golf course, the Fudge Factory candy and ice cream shop, an arcade, a tour boat landing and a 125-seat second-story indoor/ outdoor restaurant.
When discussing the site plan application, Mayor Judy Titsworth suggested a lower daytime decibel
limit be imposed on that property because the mini-golf course’s ambient music will be played from opening to closing seven days a week. Commissioner Dan Diggins suggested the 50-decibel limit that Spooner agreed to and the commission approved.
The Jan. 15 issue of The Sun included a letter to the editor from Holmes Beach residents and frequent city meeting attendees Margie and Dick Motzer.
“The reduction to 50 decibels during the day in this resolution was noteworthy; it will be great for the mayor and her family who live nearby. That level of protection is now only in this one
geographic region. Considering that the 14th Amendment grants equal protection, we think the city needs to take action to apply that same daytime 50 decibel level city-wide,” the letter says.
The letter led to an impromptu noise ordinance discussion initiated by Planning Commissioner Lisa Pierce during the planning commission’s Jan. 15 meeting.
“I would say what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. That sounds like a good idea everywhere,” Pierce said of the
50-decibel threshold.
SUBMITTED
“I think 50 (decibels) is really low,” Planning Commissioner Richard Brown countered.
The planning commission requested that additional noise ordinance discussion be included on the agenda for their Feb. 5 meeting.
The impromptu planning board discussion prompted Titsworth to request a noise ordinance discussion during the Feb. 11 city commission work session, after the regular city commission meeting at 2 p.m.
That discussion occurred after press time for The Sun.
MINOR’S MEMO
The Feb. 3 memo that Director of Development Chad Minor sent the mayor and city commissioners says, “At the mayor’s request, staff was asked to research and provide examples of dBA (decibel) limits from other communities to how the city’s current ordinance compares.”
Minor’s memo notes the Holmes Beach noise control ordinance allows 65 decibels between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. and drops to 50 decibels between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Regarding the stipulation placed on the Island Bazaar development, the memo says, “Amplified outdoor music shall be limited to the outdoor miniature golf course/outdoor recreation area between the hours of noon and 10 p.m., not to exceed 50 dBA as measured per the city’s noise ordinance.”
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Margie Motzer believes noise ordinance protections should be consistent citywide.
The Island Bazaar in Holmes Beach will feature a retail store, a mini-golf course, the Fudge Factory, a restaurant and more.
ISLAND NEWS
IN BRIEF
Commission approves building department agreement
The city of Anna Maria and Joe Payne Inc. (JPI) have a new agreement in place that changes how the company is compensated for building department services provided to the city. When seeking city commission authorization of a recently negotiated agreement on Jan. 23, Mayor Mark Short said the new agreement eliminates hourly or weekly compensation rates and instead provides JPI with 50% of the building permit application fees generated each month. The executed agreement guarantees JPI is paid a monthly minimum of $35,000 if 50% of that month’s building permit fee revenues are less than $35,000. Short said the new compensation method would result in the contracted building department expense remaining about the same as it was previously. JPI provides the city with building official, building inspector, plan review, permit technician, floodplain management and city engineering services. The agreement states that on average the designated building official will spend 6-8 hours, one day a week, at city hall and provide the remaining building official services remotely. The agreement notes the city engineering services that assist the city-employed city planner will become fully remote. Short said the city will emphasize online permit application filing and permit fee payments using the Citizenserve program and cash payments for building permit application fees will no longer be accepted at city hall.
Citizen of the year to be announced Thursday
Gathering at a new time, the Anna Maria City Commission will meet on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. After general public comment on non-agenda items, the mayor will announce the winner of the city’s Distinguished Citizen of the Year award. The nominees include former mayor Dan Murphy, Duncan Real Estate, gRub Tropi cal BBQ owner/proprietor Ben Sato and The Anna Maria Island Sun’s longtime cartoon character, Foster Dribbles. The commission will extend the local emergency declarations still in place due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The commission will establish by city resolution the 2025-26 vacation rental registration fee schedule. The city’s general manager will provide a capital projects update and the mayor will provide a FEMA update. The mayor will seek commission authorization for a contract with West Florida Home Inspections regarding vacation rental inspections. The mayor and commission will continue their previous discussion about special event permit fees and special event permitting requirements. The city attorney will present on first reading an ordinance pertaining to the appointment of Planning and Zoning Board members. Thursday’s meeting can be accessed by phone by calling 1-929-205-6099 and entering the meeting ID: 85392000280.
Scan this code with your smartphone to go there.
Public speaks out in favor of Drift-In reopening
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH
- Despite approval for the tiki hut construction at the Drift-In by recently-terminated Building
Official Darin Cushing, the city has put the project on hold and determined that a major development hearing is required for the structure.
That hearing is scheduled for Thursday, March 6, first with the Planning and Zoning Board followed by a city commission meeting later that evening.
At a Feb. 6 city commission meeting, employees and owners of the Drift-In spoke in support of its reopening and some criticized the city’s process.
“I’m the owner of the Drift-In. I bought that business not for the money, but I didn’t buy it to develop it, I didn’t buy it to tear it down. I experienced what these people are saying, it’s a family,” Derek Williams said. “We’re closed right now, if I open in April, season is over. I went to your building official from day one and I followed every step from Steve Gilbert to Darin Cushing. He wasn’t the only one looking at my stuff – your city planner, your code enforcement, your experts came in my building every single day.
“There was a comment two meetings ago that you had a comment that you had spoken to my general contractor and your minutes say ‘a general contractor’,” Williams said. “I’m going to challenge you to listen to the audio. You’ve never spoken to my general contractor. I’m not a cheat, I’m not a scapegoat and I’m not going to sit back and be smeared like this and it’s affecting my whole life and my family.”
Williams said he’s not looking for litigation, but instead is looking for ways to work with federal (FEMA) rules that the city is obligated to follow to preserve its flood insurance rating.
“But I did what your people told me to do and now I’m sitting here and I am bleeding,” Williams
said. “Every day that goes by it’s getting worse and worse. Give us a chance. I’ve reached out to the governor (See Letters to the Editor on page 6), I’ve talked to every legislator. I’ve talked to county commissioners, I’ve talked to senators, I’ve talked to city commissioners… I want to put a spotlight on Bradenton Beach and it’s time for us to fix this.”
Williams’ letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis reads in part: “We were given a permit and proceeded forward. What has unfolded since that time stinks of government overreach, corruption, property rights violations and the tarnish of my family’s good name.”
Doreen Flynn, manager of the Drift-In, read a letter she wrote to Mayor John Chappie.
“When I read The Sun, I was so disillusioned to read that everyone thought the city was trying to help get the businesses back open. To have this city back to what it was before hurricane.”
She said the Drift-In employees have been struggling to survive since September’s Hurricane Helene, which flooded most of Bradenton Beach.
“The employees of the Drift-In are struggling to pay their bills. They have rent, they have kids, they have car payments, they
have mortgages. They have maxed out their credit cards and can’t pay them,” Flynn said. “You cannot live on $275 a week unemployment.”
She said not only employees are impacted by the closure, but also musicians, beer and liquor salespeople, truck drivers and cleaning people.
“It’s very sad that you can’t depend on the city to help us, but I’m asking you to please help us get back open asap,” Flynn said.
“It is a sad situation what we’re going through,” Chappie said.
PUBLIC SUPPORTS DRIFT-IN
Mike McConnell, a musician who plays at the Drift-in, called the bar a special place that is a destination for a lot of people.
“I expect our government should help people. Let’s get their doors open quickly,” Gina Mariani said. “When hurricanes hit, I thought your job was to help alleviate the red tape and help our businesses open as quickly as possible. It seemed like the person that was hired by you was doing just that. Then it seems like he was overridden by you through no fault of the Drift-In. Please stop scrutinizing the little guy
LESLIE LAKE | SUN Bradenton Beach officials say the tiki hut at the Drift-In, above, is under review despite approval by recently-terminated Building Official Darin Cushing.
County staff inspects Annie's Bait and Tackle
Manatee County commissioners voted on Jan. 28 to direct staff to explore ways to bring Annie’s Bait and Tackle up to current building code.
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
CORTEZ – Just one day after Manatee County commissioners’ Jan. 28 vote to direct staff to explore ways to bring the hurricane-damaged Annie’s Bait and Tackle up to code, a contingent of county staff met Commissioner Tal Siddique to inspect the building.
Annie’s is part of the Seafood Shack parcel that the county recently purchased to create a public boating facility.
“Commissioner Bearden made a motion, within 30 days to present all options for a feasible rebuild to keep Annie’s here was the directive,” Siddique said. “We’re doing our due diligence.”
The inspections will be repeated six more times; in accordance with Sunshine Law, each commissioner will meet with county staff and tour the building separately.
“We’re here to tour the facility,” Siddique said. “We have our natural
administrator, all of our county leadership here, plus me as district commissioner. The fire marshal will be out here.”
Siddique said he met with Annie’s co-owner Bruce Shearer during the inspection.
“I feel for him. Just looking at these reports, looking at what the experts are telling me, the building officials and more, this isn’t just a matter of replacing some two-by-fours,” he said.
Shearer has said he would be able to repair the building at a cost of around $5,000 and is hoping to be allowed to do so.
“We have a responsibility to make sure we’re protecting the neighboring
communities and we’re upholding all the progress we made in the Community Rating System and we’re not putting that at risk,” Siddique said. "This has to be FEMA-compliant. If we break the law, everybody in Manatee County loses their flood insurance."
He said Annie’s will not be fenced off, allowing Shearer to access the building.
“I ran on preserving our small town feel here and I’m trying to do what we can to keep Annie’s here, but these old school
style of buildings, we know they’re not going to last with the way these hurricanes are going,” Siddique said.
Siddique said the dock repairs would require an emergency U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit.
“I don’t want to pre-suppose the board,” Siddique said. “I think what you’re going to see is the county come forward with all the pros and cons the proffers we’re making to Bruce (Shearer).”
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
Above left, Manatee County staff met with Commissioner Tal Siddique on Jan. 29 to inspect Annie's Bait and Tackle following a Jan. 28 vote to explore ways to bring the hurricane-damaged building, above, up to code.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
OPINION
The Anna Maria Island Sun Staff
Owner | CEO
Mike Field
Editor
Cindy Lane
General Manager
Bob Alexander
Reporters | Photographers
Joe Hendricks
Leslie Lake
Columnists
Louise Bolger
Rusty Chinnis
Contributors
Steve Borggren
Capt. Rick Grassett
Monica Simpson
Layout
Ricardo Fonseca
Digital Editor
Kristin Swain
Advertising Director
Shona Otto
Classified Ads
Bob Alexander
Graphics
Elaine Stroili
Ricardo Fonseca
Distribution
Bob Alexander
Connor Field
Tony McNulty
Brian Smith
Accounting
Leslie Ketchum
Co-founding publishers
Mike Field
Maggie McGinley Field
Phone: 941-778-3986 email: news@amisun.com | ads@amisun.com | classifieds@amisun.com
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Drift-In owners appeal to governor for help
Gov. DeSantis,
My wife and I own a small business in the city of Bradenton Beach located on Historic Bridge Street on Anna Maria Island in Manatee County. As we headed into 2025, we hoped to celebrate the business’ 100th anniversary with our loyal patrons and visitors to the area. Unfortunately, the hurricanes last fall had a huge impact on our area. Our building sustained some minor damage and together with the city’s building department we set out to repair and reopen expeditiously.
The business, known as “The Drift” or Drift-In AMI LLC, is a local Island dive bar once owned by New York Yankee George Herman “Babe” Ruth. The property/building and parking lot (two parcels) are also owned by us separately, 1715 Ventures LLC. My in-laws owned the business since the late 1990s but due to each of their recent cancer treatments, my wife and I stepped in and purchased the property in 2021 and business in 2022.
With the direction of city officials, we began the process of cleanup and repair immediately. Daily we consulted with the city’s Building Official and Code Enforcement as the process for permitting was dislocated temporarily. We were directed to create a “narrative” and scope of work. Using resources immedi-
ately available, we created concept drawings to review with officials and acquired engineered drawings. Most importantly, we were given a permit and proceeded forward.
What has unfolded since that time stinks of government overreach, corruption, property right violations and the tarnish of my family’s good name. As natives of Bradenton, Florida and lovers of the ‘Old Island Charm’ that once was AMI, we are highly disgusted by the actions of local government. From last minute meetings, vague agendas, guarding of questionable easements not used in decades to special titles given to the city’s independent contractor workforce so that contractor can be paid “FEMA dollars;” the same contracted city worker who set up a Florida not-for-profit corporation with the largest developer on Anna Maria Island, and to that same person presenting biased information to commissioners that rule on the fate of our business. We are fed up, sadly disappointed and frustrated to the extent that I write this letter to you for IMMEDIATE ACTION.
Please help us, as we have over 15 employees looking to get back to work. It looks to the public, the local media and patrons that our officials are covering their tracks and hastily running over anyone in their path. We love our state, our community and our businesses. We are asking for justice and transparency.
Ed. note: The Drift reopening has been stalled by ongoing permitting issues with the city that will be addressed during two city meetings on Thursday, March 6.
No rechristening for Gulf of Mexico
I am writing in reference to the article in the Feb. 5 issue titled, “A Gulf by any other name.”
The so-called president can wield his Sharpie and declare that it’s the Gulf of America, but it has been the Gulf of Mexico for over 400 years and in researching, there are 3,545 miles of shoreline, over half of which borders Mexico. The southernmost part of the Gulf wraps around Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula, which so far is not a part of America.
Renaming geographical place names is the work of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, which has the power to rename geographic places within the U.S... not the president. The board discourages name changes unless there is a compelling reason. Also, changes would not necessarily be binding on the states bordering the Gulf or for other countries. So, to the majority of Americans, in all of the countries around the world, it will remain in the Gulf of Mexico!
Kate Eglee Orleans, MA
Derek and Helena Williams Bradenton Beach
ANNA MARIA
10005 GULF DRIVE
FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130
Please visit www.cityofannamaria.com or contact city hall for more information.
Feb. 13, 10 a.m. – City Commission meeting
Feb. 17, all day – City offices closed, Presidents Day
Feb. 27, 1 p.m. – City Commission meeting
BRADENTON BEACH
107 GULF DRIVE N. FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005
Please visit www.cityofbradentonbeach.com or contact city hall for more information.
Feb. 17, all day – City offices closed, Presidents Day Feb. 19, 1 p.m. – Scenic WAVES meeting
Feb. 20, 9:30 a.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency meeting
Feb. 20, noon – City Commission meeting
HOLMES BEACH
5801 MARINA DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800
Please visit www.holmesbeachfl.org or contact city hall for more information.
Feb. 12, 9 a.m. – Clean Water Ad-hoc Committee meeting
Feb. 17, all day – City offices closed, Presidents Day
Feb. 25, 2 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session to follow
ISLAND-WIDE
Feb. 18, 6 p.m. – West Manatee Fire Rescue board meeting, administration building, 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 12
Mom’s Café, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m.
Coquina Beach Market, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Holy yoga, Roser Church, outdoor stage, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 11:30 a.m.
Mah-jongg for intermediate players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m.
One-on-one tech help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2-4 p.m.
Golfing for God, IMG Academy, 4350 El Conquistador Pkwy., Bradenton, 2:45 p.m., $22
Island Time Book Club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 6:30 p.m.
THURSDAY, FEB. 13
Galentine kayak adventure, Robinson Preserve kayak launch, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon
Roser Robics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m.
Toddler Playdough Fun, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.
AMI Chamber Business Luncheon, Wicked Cantina, 101 Seventh St. N., Bradenton Beach, 11:30 a.m., $20 for members or $32 for prospective members
Creative writing workshop, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, noon
Friends 2025 Lecture and Travel Series: Mote Marine, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.
Town Hall with Manatee County Commissioner Tal Siddique, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 6 p.m.
FRIDAY, FEB. 14
Anna Maria Island Garden Club meeting, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 10 a.m.
Coquina Beach Market, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tower Talk, Robinson Preserve tower, 1704 99th St. N.W., 10 a.m.
Forty Carrots toddler playtime, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.
Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.
SATURDAY, FEB. 15
Saturday Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic NEST, 840 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon
Author read-aloud for kids, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.
Family game night, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 3:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, FEB. 16
Coquina Beach Market, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
TUESDAY, FEB. 18
Anna Maria Community Farmers Market, The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Boggle our mind, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 9 a.m.
Roser Robics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m.
Family story time, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.
Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 19
Coquina Beach Market, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Holy yoga, Roser Church, outdoor stage, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 11:30 a.m.
Mah-jongg for intermediate players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m. One-on-One Tech Help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2-4 p.m. Town hall meeting with Commissioner George Kruse, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 6 p.m.
THURSDAY, FEB. 20
Seashell Shore Walk, Coquina Beach South, meeting under the Longboat Key Bridge, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 9 a.m. Roser Robics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m. TreeTots: Size Wise, Robinson Preserve Mosaic NEST, 840 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 10 a.m. Island Morning Book Club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10:15 a.m. Friends of the Island Library 2025 Lecture and Travel Series: Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.
Roque Pastorius remembered, celebrated
Former Monkey Bus owner/operator
Roque Pastorius, 61, passed away during the early morning hours on Jan. 30. His is survived by his wife of 43 years, Kathy, their adult daughters, Cassandra, Michelle and Stephanie, four grandchildren and one step-grandchild. According to Kathy, the cause of death was cardiac arrest and hypertension. Full story, www.amisun.com.
FACEBOOK | SUBMITTED
Roque Pastorius had a zest for life and he lived it to the fullest.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
The Longboat Pass Bridge raised just before tequila shots were shared in Roque’s memory. Left, Roque is survived by daughter, Stephanie Pastorius, wife, Kathy Pastorius, daughter, Cassandra Johnson and daughter, Michelle Pastorius Lapinski. Right, Roque and Kathy Pastorius enjoyed 43 years of marriage.
Chiles/Perry/Kaleta not-for-profit dissolved
City Attorney Ricinda Perry and developer Shawn Kaleta were associated with the not-for-profit organization.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – Bradenton resident Rhea (Ashley) Chiles has dissolved the short-lived Together as Bradenton Beach Inc. not-for-profit corporation she formed in November with Bradenton Beach City Attorney Ricinda Perry and developer Shawn Kaleta to provide hurricane relief.
Chiles, the daughter of Anna Maria Island businessman Ed Chiles, filed the articles of incorporation with the Florida Division of Corporations on Nov. 22. After having second thoughts about her involvement in the corporation, she filed the articles of dissolution on Feb. 3.
The articles of incorporation list Chiles as the incorporator and registered agent of the 501(c)(3) organization and Perry and Kaleta as officers and/or directors, with a South Carolina address listed for Perry and a Holmes Beach address listed for Kaleta.
Formed after hurricanes Helene and Milton struck Anna Maria Island, the articles of incorporation include this statement: “The specific purpose for which this corporation is organized is to establish a foundation that benefits our local community in times of need, support local businesses and families and encourage community engagement and participation.”
When contacted by The Sun on Dec. 4, Chiles said she had decided to dissolve the corporation. When contacted on Jan. 6 regarding the corporation still being listed as active, Chiles said she tried to dissolve it and would follow up on those efforts. On Jan. 25, Chiles said she tried but was unable to speak to someone at the Florida Division of Corporations by phone. On Feb. 3, she successfully filed the articles of dissolution form provided at the SunBiz.org website and Together as Bradenton Beach Inc. is now listed as inactive.
On Feb. 2, the still-active articles of incorporation were displayed in a satirical animated video titled, “Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?” Featuring the likenesses of Perry, Kaleta and Mayor John Chappie, the production is critical of some post-hurricane development and land acquisition activities in Bradenton Beach.
The video was posted on Facebook under the “Kevin-Kyle Kaczyinski Von Oswold” pseudonym and at the
TheRealKVO.com website, both of which are referenced in a civil lawsuit filed by former Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge and campaign consultant Anthony Pedicini.
The lawsuit alleges the unauthorized publication and commercial use of Van Ostenbridge’s and Pedicini’s names and likenesses and names Hawke Cates, Bradenton Times Publisher Joe McClash and unknown “Doe Defendants” as defendants.
CHILES STATEMENT
On Feb. 4, Chiles provided The Sun with a written statement that said, “On Nov. 22, I was invited by a mutual friend to Ricinda’s rental on 11th Street South in Bradenton Beach to discuss the annual Christmas on Bridge Street event. She asked if I would be willing to help co-chair the event as she was so overwhelmed, as were the Bridge Street merchants who were dealing with so much. I know this event to be a favorite of the
community and was happy to offer any assistance I could. At some point, the creation of an LLC was discussed. While I am not experienced, I offered to help look into and begin the filing process as I had the spare time. I have never created an LLC. While it was initially filed, it never received financial contributions of any kind. I also realized I was way over my head with the scope of what creating an LLC would take.”
Chiles confirmed in a text message that her Nov. 22 meeting with Perry occurred at 112 11th St. S. According to Bradenton Beach City Treasurer Shayne Thompson, that residential property holds a city-issued transient public lodging establishment (vacation rental) license issued to BB Bayfront LLC and attorney Louis Najmy.
According to the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s Office, that property and structure are owned by BB Bayfront LLC. According to the Florida Division of Corporations, BB Bayfront LLC lists Najmy as the corporation’s registered agent and Kaleta as its manager.
In her statement, Chiles said, “After that evening, I immediately started reaching out to business owners and community members and it became very clear to me that Bradenton Beach was just not ready for an event of this kind. So many people were still displaced; so many businesses were still rebuilding. I did not feel it would bring the community the unity and joy the event was intended to provide, nor
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Above left, Bradenton Beach City Attorney Ricinda Perry was listed as an officer/director for Together as Bradenton Beach Inc. Above right, the formation of Together as Bradenton Beach Inc. was discussed at this Shawn Kaleta-owned vacation rental home in Bradenton Beach.
Artists’ Guild reopens
The “Art Strong” Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island (AGAMI) gallery in Holmes Beach hosted a post-hurricane soft reopening on Jan. 25 that produced $1,000 in art sales. On Friday, Feb. 14, the guild will host an official reopening celebration from 5-7:30 p.m. in the gallery at 5414 Marina Drive. Friday’s reopening celebration will include the monthly AGAMI Night Market, a ribbon cutting ceremony by the AMI Chamber of Commerce, light refreshments, live music and lots of local art.
New school zone enforcement hours announced
Manatee County commissioners have unanimously approved new enforcement hours of school zone speeding cameras throughout the county. Enforcement hours are reduced from the duration of the school day to only during active times of student arrival and departure from school. Modified enforcement times will be 30 minutes before through 30 minutes after the start of a regularly scheduled school day and 30 minutes before through 30 minutes after the end of a regularly scheduled school
day. The change took effect on Feb. 5. The Florida Legislature passed the law in April 2023 authorizing counties to enforce speed limits in school zones using speed detection systems, according to a Manatee County press release. Drivers traveling more than 10 mph over the posted school zone speed limit during designated hours receive a $100 ticket in the mail. For a list of frequently asked questions, camera locations and other information, visit mymanatee.org/speedcams.
Spud barges trucked away
The spud barges requested by Manatee County, provided by the state and placed near the hurricane-damaged Anna Maria City Pier in hopes of being used as a temporary Gulf Islands Ferry landing have been removed. A tugboat recently pushed the multi-section spud barge to a temporary mooring spot in the Intracoastal Waterway en route to the N.E. Taylor Boatworks in Cortez, where a large crane lifted the dismantled barge sections out of the water and onto semi-trailers to be trucked away.
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ARTISTS’ GUILD | SUBMITTED The Artists’ Guild gallery reopens on Friday.
Slicker’s Eatery reopens following storm damage
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
CORTEZ – The doors to Slicker’s Eatery, 12012 Cortez Road W., reopened 128 days after the flooding from Hurricane Helene swamped the restaurant.
“It feels tremendous to be open,” Slicker said. “We’re all so relieved. After four months of money going out for the staff and myself, we’re just happy to put a Band-aid on it and start moving forward.”
Slicker had been unprepared for the sight that greeted him after the September hurricane, when he said he found tables, chairs and dishes askew and floating, freezers flipped over, a dumpster pushed into the middle of Cortez Road and an ice machine broken in two and wedged against the door.
“My staff was here every day. I needed them from the day of the hurricane to opening back up. As a team, I haven’t lost one employee,” he said. “They all wanted to come back.”
When the storm hit, Slicker said the restaurant had been projected to have its best year ever in its four years of business.
“Our restaurant was finally where it needed to be,” Slicker said. “We were going on our fourth anniversary, we were excited. Everything was starting to click. We thought the world was finally catching up to us. Well, it caught up to us a little quicker than we thought.”
He said the staff pitched in with cleanup and even helped to build new tables using YouTube videos. “We made all these tables
ourselves,” Slicker said. “They’re polyurethane over plywood. We redid the floors together. Basically, we rebuilt the entire place as a team. Everything had to be replaced.”
Slicker’s is currently serving a limited menu of sandwiches, salads and flatbreads, but the new menu will be rolled out slowly, he said.
“Our new hours aren’t out yet so we’re going to open every day at 4 o’clock,” he said. “In time, we’ll be able to do brunch again. Some of the music will start next week.”
While Slicker and his team were working on putting the restaurant back together, and he was repairing damage to his home, he found time to engage in charitable activities.
On Thanksgiving Day, hundreds gathered under tents in front of Slicker’s Eatery to enjoy a free
turkey dinner with all the trimmings.
The event was co-sponsored by Mark Hoffman, Slicker’s Eatery, Bring on the Ministry, the Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island and the Blessing Bags Project.
“I just know my whole life my mother taught me to be charitable,” Slicker said. “I’ll just put it this way, I’m surrounded by great people.”
Slicker was involved in Rotary initiatives to give away bicycles, donate cars and provide refrigerators to those impacted by the hurricanes.
“The restaurant itself, we had so many people come in here and
help clean up, help gut the place after the first storm,” Slicker said. “Not only that, but I have also so many people, I can say hey, man, I want to give some cars away and we were able to give a couple of cars away. Those kinds of things are what is truly humbling to me.”
Supporters donated $500 to buy a personalized bar chair to support Slicker’s recovery.
“One of my relatives bought a chair and they put my mom’s favorite saying on it, which was, ‘Down in front,’ ” he said.
Slicker’s Eatery was recently named 2025 Small Business of the Year by the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
The welcome home sign in front of Slicker’s Eatery says it all as the restaurant reopens following hurricane damage last September.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
Bob Slicker (standing), owner of Slicker’s Eatery, welcomes friends back to the newly-reopened restaurant.
Development updates added to city website
As requested by the Holmes Beach Planning Commission, the city’s website includes a new Pending Development Projects webpage that will list major and minor site plan applications as they are received by the city. On Feb. 9, the new web page noted there are currently no major or minor site plan applications in process. It also listed and provided status updates for several land development code updates in progress, including two ordinances to be presented to city commissioners for approval on Feb. 11. One ordinance pertains to the repeal of an existing city regulation regarding a one-year calculation period for the cumulative costs of repairing, reconstructing or rehabilitating an existing structure. The ordinance would prevent delays for property owners repairing hurricane-damaged structures. The second ordinance to be discussed Tuesday pertains to
the city’s site plan review and approval process. The Pending Development Projects web page can be found at www. holmesbeachfl.org/departments/ pending_development_projects.
php. For questions on specific permit applications or proposed code revisions email Chad Minor at cminor@holmesbeachfl.org or call 941-708-5833 ext. 223.
DRIFT-IN: Public speaks out in favor of reopening
FROM PAGE 4
while letting others on this Island get away with anything they want. We had a catastrophic event and instead of trying to bend a little you seem to throw roadblocks in,” Mariani said.
business?” Commissioner Ralph Cole asked following public comment.
WHERE‛S YOUR COMFORT ZONE?
Kelly Flynn said the entire community is affected by the Drift-In being closed.
“I’ve worked for the Drift for over a decade,” Heather McNeal said. “They do nothing but amazing things for the community. It’s very important that we get the doors open, for a small business to lose money daily this time of year, it’s not good at all. I know you’re going to do the right thing.”
“How do we get them back in
“The meeting has been set with Planning and Zoning and once that goes through, it will come to the city commission,” Mayor John Chappie said. “We have to follow our procedures, we have no choice. We have to follow the guidelines from FEMA.”
NOISE: Inconsistent levels spark debate
The memo includes the decibel limits imposed by six coastal cities on Florida’s east coast: Cocoa Beach, Flagler Beach, Ormond Beach, Indian Harbour Beach, Hollywood and Boca Raton. The daytime decibel limits in those cities’ residential areas ranged from 55-65 decibels during the day and evening, 50-60 decibels later at night and overnight and 60-80 decibels in commercial/non-residential zones. Minor’s memo does not reference any cities on the west coast of the state or elsewhere on Anna Maria Island.
MOTZER COMMENTS
The agenda for the Feb. 5 planning commission included a noise ordinance update from Minor. He noted the city commission would discuss the noise ordinance on Feb. 11 and staff was asked to provide examples of other cites’ decibel level allowances. When offering public input, Margie Motzer said, “We were thrust into the noise issue 10 years ago. Our quality of life eroded and over time we learned the city was receiving between 250 and 300 noise complaints annually. We also learned it was a contributing factor to residents leaving, so that concerned us. For years we were told that it was just splish-splashing
in a pool even though our residents had recordings to show otherwise. We were told by several city officials that we should expect it because we live in a resort zone. That was a defining moment for me because I knew I lived in a residential zone. The resort zone is between 52nd and 74th Street, along Gulf (Drive),” she said.
Reading verbatim from the city’s comprehensive plan regarding the resort zone, Motzer said, “Intended to limit the development of intense multi-family residential/seasonal tourist development to that area adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico, thus ensuring that such development will not intrude into or be incompatible with existing residential neighborhoods.”
Motzer said the stipulation imposed on Spooner’s development was meant to protect nearby residents but “creates fundamental inconsistencies because no one outside of that cherry-picked geographic region has that same level of protection.”
In closing, she said, “I would also suggest that it’s inconsistent with the comp plan if one business or geographic region in a C-3 (zoning district) has a lower and unique decibel level. The protections need to be consistent. The overriding issue is equal protection.”
OPEN CALL TO ALL SINGERS!
The Palm Sunday Community Cantata Choir rehearsals begin Thursday, February 13 from 6:45 - 8:00 PM in the Roser Sanctuary. Each singer will be given a musical score and recording so that they may rehearse individually. Please send an email to Craig Ramberger, Director of Music Ministries: craig@roserchurch.com or call the o ce 941-778-0414 if you are interested in joining us. RoserChurch.com/Palm-Sunday-Cantata
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2025 Anna Maria Island Sun Readers’ Choice
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RULES
Please read carefully. To vote in The Sun’s Readers’ Choice Awards you must use an official entry ballot published in The Sun. Copies and faxes will not be accepted. The ballots will appear in The Sun on Feb. 12, Feb. 19, Feb. 26. Only one ballot per person is allowed. At least 10 CATEGORIES must be filled in for the ballot to count and the entry form must be completed. Complete ballots may be dropped off at The Sun’s office, 3909 East Bay Drive Ste. 210, Holmes Beach. or the Anna Maria Chamber office at 5313 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Or you can mail it in to The Sun’s Newspaper, PO Box 1189, Anna Maria, FL 34216. All ballots must be in by Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 4pm. Prizes in the drawing may not be transferred. Winners are drawn at random from all entries and you don’t have to buy anything to win. Accepting the prizes means winners agree to the use of their names and photographs in subsequent ads and news stories. You must be 18 years or older to participate. Ballots which show signs of tampering will not be counted. We reserve the right to reject any ballot(s) or disqualify any contestant(s).
City addresses FEMA review
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – The city commission, in an attempt find solutions to fill the building department vacancy left by Darin Cushing’s termination, as well as to address a negative FEMA review of the city’s post-hurricane building practices, approved four options at a special emergency city commission work meeting on Feb. 6.
The four motions, all approved unanimously, were:
• To authorize City Attorney Ricinda Perry to prepare a Request For Proposal (RFP) for building services;
• To authorize and ratify an interlocal agreement between the city of Holmes Beach and the city of Bradenton Beach for building inspection services;
• To retain Joe Payne, PE, MBA – Joe Payne Inc. to assist with post-hurricane building services at a rate of $90 per hour as set forth in the sample agreement with JPI; and
• To continue to pursue a request to assist the Code Enforcement Department for active permit work or non-permitted work throughout the city of Bradenton Beach and for staff to provide for an alternative in the event the request is denied.
Later that day, at the Feb. 6 evening commission meeting, Perry announced that Payne said he is not prepared to move forward with negotiations.
“They drove through our city afterwards and realized there’s a lot going on. They realized there’s a lot of issues with the floodplain issues that are out there. There was concern and confusion with the interlocal agreement with Holmes Beach,” Perry said. “I told him there are major development applications that are coming forward, the 200 permits that had been issued that FEMA has now said may have substantial problems that need to be addressed. There’s the floodplain ordinance that is due in May to be updated.”
“We’re all going to be facing the reviews by FEMA,” Chappie said. “That’s coming and I will tell you in that meeting we had with FEMA, they kept repeating three or five times, the Lee County Five. And those are the five communities in Lee County, they pulled the plug on them. That changes everything. So, we want to do what we can do to get things upright. We couldn’t continue on the same path; we had to make changes and that’s why we’re here today. And it’s tough on everybody. It’s frightening.”
FEMA: Review may jeopardize flood insurance, buildings
FROM PAGE 1
“I did have a meeting with FEMA, and whether we like it or not, we have to deal with FEMA and it’s excruciating,” Perry said. “But they came in and they sat down, as they explored the city’s records, they discovered there are substantial problems here that under the prior building official, there were no standard operating procedures. That’s red flag number one. Red flag number two was they could not believe how much of the community was not determined to be substantially damaged.”
Perry said she was told there were major red flags on 76 properties.
“He also said that he drove around and saw way too much construction activity going on without placards, seeing materials and felt that there was no enforcement by the building department on unpermitted work,” she said.
After examining city building department records, FEMA is expected to review about 200 permits that were issued since Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated the city in September and October 2024, and any work that was verbally approved by the former building official will have to be reviewed, she said.
Building Official Darin Cushing was suspended by city commissioners and terminated earlier this month by his employer, M.T. Causley, which contracts with the city for building services.
The city is in the process of replacing him, Perry said.
“What it means, is, anything that we allowed that we should not have allowed, whether it was by mistake of the building official and something that he did in the field, whether it was by errors or omissions by not having an SOP (standard operating procedure), or following it to a ‘t,’ whether it was somebody doing something and we didn’t catch it, FEMA has the right to tell us we have to tear that structure down,” Perry said.
Under the FEMA 50% rule, if 50% or more of the value of a building is damaged by a storm, it must be repaired in compliance with FEMA rules, which may require demolishing a ground-floor building and rebuilding it one story higher.
FLOOD INSURANCE AT RISK
The city could also be removed from the NFIP’s Community Rating System (CRS), SEE FEMA, PAGE 23
OUTDOORS
Become a citizen scientist
n Feb. 7, Suncoast Waterkeeper
Founder Justin Bloom, Board
Member Richard Moore and I took Professor John Bowden and three of his research students into Tampa Bay to help them collect samples for an ongoing study of PFAS chemicals in the surface waters of Tampa Bay.
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic chemicals that are resistant to heat, water and oil. They are also known as "forever chemicals" because they do not break down in the environment. PFAS chemicals are synthetic compounds used in many everyday items and products and are hazardous to humans. Used in over 15,000 applications, the chemicals have various
purposes because of their stainresistant properties. Items treated with PFAS chemicals include kitchen cooking utensils, outdoor furniture, carpets and clothing. The chemicals are convenient, but their hazardous makeup raises many human health and environmental concerns.
The Bowden Laboratory’s research at the University of Florida is centered around two basic questions: What effect do the chemicals have on the health of the environment and what effect does our environment have on our health? To unravel these questions, they perform interdisciplinary research, including
chemistry, engineering, marine science, toxicology and exposomics. Bowden’s lab is one of only a few capable of providing these comprehensive measurements. Exposomics is a method that detects both the chemicals of emerging concern and their corresponding healthrelated effects using biological markers. Anglers can help in this ongoing project as citizen scientists. The Bowden lab is conducting a study on emerging pollutants in saltwater fish. They are looking at contamination levels from a human consumption standpoint to find novel data about contamination levels in more than 60 species. They need just 3-4 grams of fillet from various species for their analysis. They would also like the length, weight and the general location where it was caught. Sample collection will continue until April 1. If you are interested in helping, contact Bowden at john.bowden@ufl.edu. For more information on the lab’s research, check out their website https://www. bowdenlaboratory.com/saltwater-fish. html.
Student researchers Isabella Coiffi and Tom Skidway collect sediment and water samples near Passage Key at the mouth of Tampa Bay.
RUSTY CHINNIS
Fly fishing school begins this month
CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, 1249 Stickney Point Road, Sarasota, will hold an Orvis-endorsed fly fishing schools on Saturday, Feb. 22. The course, designed for beginning and intermediate fly casters, will focus on basic fly casting principles, improving casting skills, correcting faults, fly line management and wind casting. Instructor Capt. Rick Grassett will also cover saltwater fly fishing techniques, leader construction and fly selection. The cost for the class, which will run from 8 a.m. to approximately noon, is $225 per person and includes the use of fly tackle and a workbook. Optional instructional guided fly fishing trips are also available for an additional fee. Contact CB’s Saltwater Outfitters at 941-349-4400 or info@cbsoutfitters.com to make reservations.
TOGETHER: Chiles/Perry/Kaleta not-for-profit dissolved
FROM PAGE 9
would it be very successful. I voiced my concerns to Ricinda. She wanted to proceed and I removed myself from any involvement in the event and did not personally attend. At that point, I began the dissolution process for the LLC. I was told by SunBiz (Florida Division of Corporations) it had been dissolved. It was later brought to my attention it was in fact still active, so I resubmitted everything.”
PERRY RESPONSE
On Dec. 4, The Sun sent an email to Perry regarding the formation and intent of Together as Bradenton Beach Inc. Mayor John Chappie was copied on that email.
Later that day, The Sun received an email from Perry that said, in part, “I don’t believe the charity is moving forward. I was out of town for Thanksgiving and didn’t know the non-profit was named. Ashley then took the steps to secure the name with SunBiz and I gave her my credit card to set up the name.”
Perry stated the corporation
FROM THE PREHISTORIC TO THE PRESENT,
On Nov. 22, I was invited by a mutual friend to Ricinda’s rental on 11th Street South in Bradenton Beach to discuss the annual Christmas on Bridge Street event.”
Ashley Chiles, Together as Bradenton Beach Inc. incorporator
could potentially be used to accept donations at the city-sponsored Christmas on Bridge Street event and the funds raised could potentially be distributed to Bradenton Beach residents, community members and organizations in need of posthurricane assistance.
“The involvement of Shawn (Kaleta) was that he wanted to make a contribution to a charity and had other people interested,” Perry stated.
She noted Kaleta wanted to donate to a charity specifically focused on Bradenton Beach.
Regarding any potential conflicts
of interest created by the city attorney and a prominent Bradenton Beach developer serving as officers/ directors for the same not-for-profit corporation, Perry stated, “I didn’t see a conflict because all I thought I would do was help her (Chiles) get a charity initiated and off the ground and I would donate to it. Just because I was named in a document that someone else created and I never saw, and was dissolved within a week once she realized I had another charity (for Christmas on Bridge Street), doesn’t mean I was on a board or participated in any meetings on a non-profit with Ashley or Shawn.”
REAL ESTATE
Insurance: The elephant in the room
With the hurricanes we experienced last year and the wildfires in California this year, there is a great deal of conversation locally and nationally about the insurance markets. Right now, Florida residents are still trying to get their insurance claims settled while many California residents haven’t even started.
Contrasting Florida’s insurance markets to other national regions is both similar and totally different. Coastal areas along the west coast of Florida face flooding and hurricanes, and in California, there is always the threat of wildfires. Whether it’s water or fire you’re facing, individual states and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are almost always on the hook for underinsured or uninsured homeowners to some degree, which means the U.S. taxpayer is the one paying.
Castles in the Sand
LOUISE BOLGER
Most states that are in the crosshairs of major natural disasters have an “insurer of last resort” similar to Citizens in
Florida. And if you recall, Citizens was in a lot of trouble starting in 2020 because of litigation costs forcing private companies to leave the Florida market when they couldn’t get reinsurance coverage. The tort reform enacted in Florida stopped the flood of frivolous lawsuits and stabilized the market, reducing Citizens’ exposure in the nick of time before last year’s storms. In addition, according to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, nine insurers have since entered the market and 60% of Florida’s top 10 carriers have expanded their business. As a result, rates are decreasing and Citizens was saved from going bankrupt. There is talk in Congress
of federalizing home insurance and even extending the National Flood Insurance Program to include other natural disasters. My opinion is that states should take steps to reform their insurance markets and save FEMA to supplement homeowners, when necessary, rather than further burden the American taxpayer.
There are measures that individual homeowners can take to verify they have enough insurance and what that insurance covers. Building costs are rising annually and policyholders should discuss this with their company or broker and inquire about the cost to increase coverage. Also think about the replacement cost of personal property like furniture and clothing to make sure you’re not underinsured.
Determining replacement cost can be tricky since insurers’ computer models won’t consider any recent upgrades to the property. Even policies that automatically increase coverage every year may still
not be enough to rebuild due to increases in replacement costs. You can purchase replacement cost coverage for the dwelling, but that will, of course, involve higher premiums. Remember you’re not insuring the market value of your property, only the structure and personal property, the land will still be there even if you experience a total loss.
Finally, if you own a condo, be sure that your condo association is properly insured and has the reserves to cover what is likely an ever-increasing insurance premium. Understand the extent of your responsibility and the responsibility of the condo association so you can make an informed decision about the amount of insurance you need.
Insurance has always been my least favorite thing to think about and talk about. Nevertheless, we all have to put our big boy and girl pants on and face the elephant in the room. Good luck with your insurance claims.
WMFR remembers Bishop
The West Manatee Fire Rescue District (WMFR) announced the death of Fire Commissioner David G. Bishop Jr. last week.
“Commissioner Bishop was a valued member of the WMFR Board of Commissioners for nearly 15 years, playing an instrumental role in shaping the department’s policies, supporting firefighters and ensuring the highest level of fire and emergency
cording to a WMFR press release.
Bishop
“Commissioner Bishop was known for his passion for public safety, fiscal responsibility, dedication to the fire service and steadfast advocacy for the department’s mission.”
“Commissioner Bishop was a
ers and the community,” West Manatee Fire Rescue Chief Ben Rigney said. “Commissioner Bishop’s leadership and commitment will be deeply missed, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.”
Details regarding a memorial service and opportunities to honor Bishop’s legacy will be shared as they become available.
Sotheby’s
AMI Horseshoes scores
Last week's action was short and sweet at AMI Horseshoes as there were two outright winners. On Feb. 5, from left, Adin Shank teamed up with Ron Gagon and the pair posted the only 3-0 record to win the day’s competition. On Feb. 8, Del Reese was too hot to handle and entered the winner's circle after going 3-0 as the walker. SUBMITTED
FISH: Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival this weekend
conservation of the 98-acre FISH Preserve to the east of the village.
The festival will be on 46th Avenue at the end of 123rd Street in front of A.P. Bell Fish Co. and Star Fish Co.
Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $5, with kids 12 and under free.
The Boy Scouts, in partnership with FISH, will offer on-site parking at the FISH Preserve, one block east of the village off Cortez Road, for a $5 donation. Bus and
golf cart transportation to the festival entrance at 123rd Street Court West will be provided. Off-site parking will be available at Cortez Road Baptist Church located between 99th and 100th Street and Cortez Road, with a free shuttle to the festival provided by The Monkey Bus. In previous years, MCAT bus service was available from G.T. Bray Park to the festival. Due to the construction on Cortez Road, that service will not be available this year.
Entertainment
SATURDAY, FEB. 15
10-11 a.m.
Shanty Singers
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sycamore Shade 1-2 p.m. Introduction and Fishermen’s Fashion Show
2-4 p.m. Eric Von Band
4:30-6 p.m. Karen and Jimmy Band (KJB)
SUNDAY, FEB. 16
10:30 a.m. to noon The Music on the Porch Gang Noon to 2 p.m. Soul-R-Coaster
2:30-4 p.m. Jason Haram
4:30-5:30 p.m. Eric Von
FEMA: Review may jeopardize flood insurance, buildings
which could affect insurance discounts and even the ability of city residents and business owners to obtain flood insurance.
Bradenton Beach is one of approximately 1,500 communities nationwide that participates in the CRS, a voluntary incentive program that recognizes floodplain management practices that exceed the minimum requirements of the NFIP. In communities that comply with CRS policies, flood insurance premiums can be discounted from 5% to 45%.
“What I want to avoid is going through an audit and that is what Lee County went through, and it did not go well for them,” Perry said. “It is something we cannot afford financially. Our staff cannot handle it. We do not have the budget for it, but more importantly, if we fail, our community will lose the ability to have flood insurance.”
Without flood insurance, some residential and commercial property owners with mortgages could be required by their lenders to pay off their mortgages early.
In November 2024, Lee County, Ft. Myers Beach, Estero, Cape Coral and Bonita Springs received FEMA letters following Hurricane Ian notifying those municipalities of potential probation from the NFIP based on the need to correct identified deficiencies or violations in their floodplain management programs.
“As a flood insurance policyholder, you are receiving this letter as an advanced notice that if your community is unable to correct the identified deficiencies or violations, if will be placed on probation from the NFIP,” the FEMA letter to the Lee County
municipalities states in part. “As of April 1, 2025, you will lose any discounts you are receiving through the CRS. If your community is placed on probation, it may not rejoin the CRS program for at least two years after being removed from probationary status. Further, if your community does not address identified deficiencies or violations, it will be subject to suspension from the program.”
Bradenton Beach could possibly face similar sanctions.
“FEMA’s review indicates the city of Bradenton Beach’s processes demonstrate potential serious program deficiencies that do not meet substantial damage administration requirements,” according to the FEMA Feb. 1 email.
“Addressing these areas will help ensure the city of Bradenton Beach’s substantial damage and post-disaster permitting process meet the NFIP’s minimum requirements,” the Feb. 1 FEMA email to the city states. “As the city of Bradenton Beach progresses with recovery and permitting efforts, please ensure the permitting documentation reflects the established validation process. This will promote the consistent application of the substantial damage and substantial improvement procedures and facilitate any future reviews of documentation. Rescinding higher standards, or failure to
enforce those adopted in your regulations, may reduce community rating systems, policy discounts and result in a CRS class downgrade.”
“The good news is if we take steps to correct it, they’re going to be satisfied and they are not going to come down and destroy our community, which they could, with the ability to get flood insurance,” Perry said.
Cushing told The Sun he was reserving comment at this time.
He posted the following in part on The Sun Facebook page, “I was 100% following FEMA Guidelines, and they are just that, guidelines. I also executed my authority as the Licensed Building Official of Record and Floodplain Manager for the Community. They have no idea what the FEMA guidelines even are. There is something else behind all this, and everyone knows it!”
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
City Attorney Ricinda Perry updates commissioners on a FEMA review which could impact flood insurance in Bradenton Beach.
BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN
Pool America, Sato Real Estate on top indoors
ANNA MARIA – Flag football action continued last week while the adult indoor soccer league played in The Center’s gymnasium. The Island’s soccer bunch plays indoors during the off-season, keeping the touches on the ball and laughs with friends going on Thursday nights.
Finishing week three of indoor action, two teams remain undefeated in the rankings: Pool America and Sato Real Estate. Both teams easily won their games against Bubble Binz and Solid Rock Construction, respectively.
Opening the night, Pool America won by 13 goals. Bubble Binz’s goalkeeper Eduardo Schlueter’s 14 saves indicate how many shots their opponents took in the game.
Gerardo Urbiola Bolanos was the top scorer for Pool America with five goals. Teammates Hugo Gallegos, Yori Pereira, Flavio Olvera and Chris Klotz shared the success, making the remaining 10 goals.
Working hard for Bubble Binz, Danny Free scored two points while Damir Glavan and Steve Oelfke each added to the scoreboard. Defensively, Klotz and Pereira saved 12 of the Bubble Binz shots for the win.
Winning 15-2, Sato Real Estate kept
one goal each for the Solid Rock team. Cabello spent a long stint as the team’s keeper, stopping 13 Sato shots.
Teammates Raul Loera and Alex Aviles saved six shots off the opponents’ boots, but it was not enough against the arsenal of shooters on the Sato team.
Murat Akay led the way with six points. Jack Gibson was close behind, scoring five times in the game. Dean Hinterstoisser and James Knowles put up four points to help seal the deal for the Sato Real Estate squad.
With both teams coming into Thursday night’s game looking for their first win, team Moss Builders closed out the night the victor. In the two-point game, Kevin Roman’s time in goal could have made the difference.
His 15 saves versus the nine by Hampton Painting’s Olaf Krouse statistically stands out. Putting the points on the scoreboard for the Moss squad were Ryan Moss and James Roadman, each with three. Helio Gomez and Roman scored a total of three points for the W.
Team Hampton Painting’s offense came close to pulling out the team’s first win. Ethan Hampton scored a hat trick. Scoring one point each, Daniel Hampton, Kali Richardson, Samuel Romero and Edwin Pichardo made the night’s final game a nail-biter.
SUN SCOREBOARD
FEB. 3
11- TO 14-YEAR-OLD DIVISION – WEEK 4
Solid Rock Air Conditioning (3-1) 31
Salty Printing (1-3) 6
Sandhoff Construction (1-3) 34
Shady Lady Horticultural Services (0-4) 6
Poppos Taqueria (2-2) 26
Jiffy Lube (3-1) 6
Moss Builders (3-1) 6 Win by OT Rule
Sato Real Estate (3-1) 6
14- TO 17-YEAR-OLD DIVISION – WEEK 4
Solid Rock Electrical (3-1) 15
Reel Coastal Properties (0-4) 0
HSH Design (3-2) 25
Solid Rock Air Conditioning (2-2)
FEB. 3 - STABLEFORD
First Place - Greg Jump, +7 Second Place - Jim Hitchen and Bill Shuman tied, +5 Third Place - Quentin Talbert, +4
FEB. 4 - LOW NET SCORE
Flight A
First Place - Judy Christensen, 29 Second Place - Roxanne Koche and Brenda Solleved tied, 30 Third Place - Jana Samuels and Mary Wilke tied, 32
Flight B
First Place - Connie Livanos, 28 Second Place - Annette Hall and Jan Turner tied, 32 Third Place - Marty Clark, 33
FEB. 6 - SCRAMBLE
First Place - Tony Bettis, Mike Clements, Rob Perkins and Nub Turner tied the team of Tony Donnelly, Rob Ellis, Bob O'Brien and Tom Solosky with 28, 4 under par.
Lawson
Above left, Key Royale Club held its annual club championship tournament (no handicap, scratch play) on Jan. 29 and Feb. 5. Playing 18 holes each day, the ladies had a close finish with Jenny Huibers, center, capturing first place with a score of 155 edging out Linda Dorsey, left, by one stroke. Finishing third was the defending champion Debi Wohlers, right, at 157. Above center, in the men's division, Eric Lawson, center, captured his fifth straight club championship title with a score of 139. Rob Perkins, left, placed second at 146 with Robert McSparren, right, one stroke behind at 147. Above right, on Feb. 6, playing hole #8 at 130 yards, Dale Miller scored his first career hole-in-one using a 9 -iron and treated all players at the club to their favorite refreshment.
FUN IN THE SUN
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THRIVE BEACH YOGA: All Levels Welcome! 100 Pine Ave on AMI. 8:30am every Saturday & Sunday, Wednesdays (Oct-May). $15 PreRegistration required at ThriveYogaFit.com
BOATS
"BOAT ARE SELLING
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24’ Walk around cabin. POLAR. $25,000 OBO. Depth recorded, Radar, ship to shore radio. Sleeps 2. Tandem trailer. Call 813215-1727 (Leave Message)
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PAINT! PAINT! AND MORE 28 years of experienced interior/exterior custom painting. Pressure cleaning, drywall repairs and texture finishes. Many Island references. Please call Neil for free estimates. 941-812-0507
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DONALD PERKINS ABRACADABRA PAINTING LLC fully insured. 30 years experience. Many Island references. Call 941-705-7096
PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reliable. Island Resident. Quality Workmanship. Interior/Exterior. Minor repairs & carpentry. Free estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315
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2BR/2BA BRIGHT RENOVATED CONDO - Perico Bay Club, minutes from AMI beach - pool/hot tub/tennis/gym/ parking/ Security gate. $2500/ month Starting January 25 Call 952-818-4685
ANNUAL RENTAL minutes to beaches 2BR/2BA Condo. Water/cable included, pool, washer/dryer. $1795/mo First Month Free. Call 941-713-6743
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HOLMES BEACH 209 83rd St.: 1BR/1BA efficiency apartment. Small but cute! $1700/ mo. 2BR/2BA private pool, large screened lanai! $3500/ mo. Water, trash, lawn care included. Also pool care. Annual, unfurnished. 1 Year lease. 1st, last & security. Call 941-809-2488
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TRANSPORTATION
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affiliated flood insurance policies.
Schwalls said the city was recently informed that its CRS rating is being changed to a class 5 rating that will provide a 25% discount for all NFIP-affiliated flood insurance policies, including automatic renewals, and the increased discount takes effect on Oct. 1.
Schwalls’ presentation notes that Anna Maria property owners collectively pay a little more than $1 million per year for flood insurance policies that provide more than $166 million in coverage. The city’s current 20% discount reduced those total premiums by $268,000 and a 25% discount will reduce those premiums by an estimated $335,000 in total discounts.
“That’s money that’s staying in residents’ pockets because the city is part of the CRS program,” he said.
According to Schwalls, FEMA designates the entire city as a flood zone and all buildings covered by an NFIP flood insurance policy, including those provided by private insurance companies, receive the flood insurance discount – unless the structure is on FEMA’s national violation tracker list.
Schwalls said the efforts of General Manager Dean Jones, City Planner Ashley Austin and other city staff members helped the earn the class 5 rating. He said the documentation of the city’s freeboard elevation requirements for new construction contributed significantly to the class 5 rating.
Anna Maria’s freeboard require ments are higher than FEMA’s minimum requirements and city regulations require the bottom of the support structure for the structure’s first elevated level to be at least 12 feet off the ground.
CRS GOALS
Schwalls said each CRS class equals a 5% discount. The goal is to get a class 4 rating next year while working toward the ultimate goal of a class 1 rating that would cut flood insurance premiums by 45%.
“There are currently only two class 1 communities in the entire nation: Roseville, California and Tulsa Oklahoma. The city of Anna Maria would be the third. This is a big deal. For years I’ve been told coastal communities can’t be a class 1,” Schwalls said, noting he hopes to prove the naysayers wrong.
Schwalls later told The Sun the creation and implementation of a watershed master plan
would help earn the city a class 4 rating. A watershed master plan addresses rainfall, tides, flooding, drainage and helps with the proactive management of watershed areas. Watershed areas include land from which water drains into a body of water or a man-made stormwater/ drainage system.
During the January meeting, Schwalls said flood mitigation projects and drainage and stormwater system improvements and maintenance play significant roles in the city’s CRS rating. He acknowledged flooding will still occur on a low-lying
CRS: Improved rating increasing flood insurance discounts
barrier Island but the goal is to maximize the city’s drainage capacities to remove floodwaters as fast as possible. Preserving and/or obtaining conservation areas, undeveloped open space, mangrove areas, beaches and other natural habitats also contributes to a lower CRS
“I know there isn’t a lot of open space in the city, but every little bit counts. A couple percentage points bring a huge return.
FEMA says if you don’t build something in a flood zone, it doesn’t get flooded,” he noted.
Community participation also earns CRS rating credits.
“We need the residents; we need stakeholders to be involved in the process. We need to hear from you. What are the problems, what are the solutions and what messaging works best? There’s a lot of credit for that because FEMA knows that when we get everybody at the table we find a better solution to the problems. That’s going to lead to a class 1 and I think it’s very feasible,” Schwalls said.
The city’s promotion of flood insurance availability also helps improve the city’s CRS rating and Schwalls said there were 557 flood insurance policies in effect in Anna Maria as of Jan. 2.
“Two years ago, there were 799. That’s not a good direction. I know flood insurance is going up, but we saw a lot people who got flooded who don’t have flood insurance. The best way to recover from a flood is to have flood insurance,” he said. “It’s not ‘if’ another hurricane and storm surge is going to come to the city, it’s ‘when.’ What does a resilient city of Anna Maria look like and what are the activities we can implement that will get us there and cut your flood insurance premiums almost in half?”
The city of Holmes Beach currently has a class 6 rating with a 20% discount that’s expected to soon change to a class 5 rating with a 25% discount; and city officials are developing a watershed plan that would lead to even greater discounts.
The city of Bradenton Beach currently has a class 6 CRS rating that provides a 20% discount but FEMA recently red-flagged the city for potential post-hurricane FEMA compliance concerns. If left uncorrected, those compliance issues could result in Bradenton Beach property owners losing their flood insurance discounts.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Del Schwalls spoke at the Jan. 9 city commission meeting.
