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VOL 22 No. 28
April 20, 2022
City to Mote: Fish or cut bait
Mote Marine’s interior buildout and exhibit installation was supposed to be completed in March. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Jack Dietrich enjoys spending time on his front porch.
Jack Dietrich reflects on a life well-lived
ANNA MARIA – Dr. Michael Crosby and his Mote Marine Laboratory associates have until Friday to present the final conceptual plans for an educational outreach center on the City Pier. Mote’s latest plans are expected to be presented during a special Anna Maria City Commission meeting on Friday, April 22 at 2 p.m. The commission is willing to abandon the project if Friday’s deadline is missed. On Sept. 30, Mote and the city of Anna Maria entered into a five-year, rent-free lease agreement that would allow Mote to occupy the larger city-owned building at the T-end of the City Pier. The smaller pier building is occupied by the City Pier Grill & Bait Shop. In September, Mote Marine staff member Kevin Cooper said he expected Mote to complete its interior buildout and exhibit installation by March and open the facility soon thereafter. SEE MOTE, PAGE 31
Third suspect arrested in Holmes Beach attack
BY JOE HENDRICKS
A third suspect wanted for the aggravated battery of Evan Purcell has been arrested by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.
SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
BY JASON SCHAFFER
Jack Dietrich spent decades working as a principal in Manatee County.
SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – Former Anna Maria Elementary Principal Jack Dietrich, 92, is living out his golden years surrounded by family members and friends at his Anna Maria home. These days, Jack can be found on his front porch, sitting in his favorite rocking chair reminiscing and talking with friends, family members and beachgoers. Those who know Jack and his late wife, Betty, who passed away at 82 in 2010, likely spent time on the Dietrich’s porch watching Florida State football games and attending other gatherings. Dietrich has dealt with some health issues in recent years, including a recent cancer diagnosis, but he continues to live at home with help from his son Greg Dietrich, who lives in Bradenton; his daughter Jan Smith, who lives in Bradenton; his daughter Beth Conner who lives in
INSIDE NEWS POLITICAL CARTOON OUTDOORS RESTAURANTS REAL ESTATE SPORTS CLASSIFIEDS
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Jack Dietrich receives frequent visits from his daughter Beth Conner, his son Greg Dietrich and his daughter Jan Smith. Richmond, Va. and visits regularly; his granddaughters and grandson; the nurses who assist him and longtime friends SEE JACK DIETRICH, PAGE 11
SEE ATTACK, PAGE 21
things matrimonial in The Sun’s Wedding Guide. 22-23 FIND ALL
Anna Maria Island, Florida
HOLMES BEACH - A third suspect in the violent beating of a 40-year-old man has been arrested. Cameron Evans, 18, of Sarasota, was arrested by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office on April 14 at 10:30 Bartholow a.m. after a warrant had been issued for the aggravated battery of Evan Purcell. John William Bartholow, 17, of Ellenton, was taken into custody by police on March 30 and an unidentified juvenile also has been charged and is in the custody of his parents. Evans
EGG HUNT brings hundreds
to Anna Maria. 4 SWIMMING POOL alarms
may be required for rentals. 5
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APRIL 20, 2022
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Tram operator asked to focus on beach parking spaces Visitors are encouraged to park at the nearby public beaches and ride the trams to their destinations on and around Bridge Street. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
BRADENTON BEACH – The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) members want the CRA-funded Old Town Trams to serve more people who park in the Manatee County-owned parking spaces at Cortez Beach and Coquina Beach. The unpaved Cortez Beach parking spaces are located along the west side of Gulf Drive South, just south of Bridge Street, from Fourth Street South to 13th Street South. The recently paved and soon-to-be-paved parking spaces at Coquina Beach are at the south end of the city. The Old Town Tram shuttle service pilot program is now in its second year and the current one-year contract with Joshua LaRose’s EASYParking Group expires in or around November. Before
The Old Town Tram concept is partially based on visitors parking at Cortez Beach, south of Bridge Street. The Old Town Trams operate seven days a week. that contract expires, CRA members must decide whether to continue the experimental pilot program, enter into a permanent contract with LaRose, seek another private operator to provide similar services at no expense to the CRA or simply abandon the publicly-funded tram shuttle concept. The CRA members’ long-term goal is to install a dedicated tram path along the Cortez Beach parking lot to alleviate the need for the trams to travel in the heavy traffic along Gulf Drive. County officials have expressed preliminary support for a dedicated
path and other tram-related amenities, but those plans can’t be pursued until an extensive utility improvement project that includes the Cortez Beach parking lot is completed. According to CRA member John Chappie, county officials have a definitive timetable as to when that project will start and end. The other long-term goal is for tram advertising revenues to provide all or most of the funds needed to cover the monthly operating costs.
CONCERNS AND SOLUTIONS
Each month, LaRose provides a report that details ridership, routes traveled and advertising revenues generated. During the April 6 CRA meeting, LaRose said the trams generated $5,475 in advertising revenues in March, which equates to 57% of the $9,665 monthly costs, with the CRA SEE TRAM, PAGE 15
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ISLAND NEWS
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APRIL 20, 2022
IN BRIEF
Eliminate single-use plastic for Earth Day Celebrate Earth Day this year by eliminating singleuse plastic items for the day. Just for one day, April 22, Holmes Beach Code Compliance officers are asking everyone to not use single-use plastic containers, including disposable bottles, grocery bags, disposable cutlery HOLMES BEACH CODE COMPLIANCE | SUBMITTED and food takeout containers. Officer James Thomas said the effort is to help bring awareness to how many plastic items are used one time before being thrown away and to reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in the Gulf of Mexico. To participate in the effort, suggestions include buying clothing made of natural fibers, avoiding skincare and cosmetics with microplastics, using cloth diapers, avoiding plastic cups and straws, using natural cleaning products and taking reusable shopping bags to the store.
Auditors approve 2021 finances Holmes Beach city leaders got good news from independent auditor Randy Dillingham and his team – the city’s financial statements received high praise during an annual audit. Dillingham presented the city commissioners with the audit findings during an April 12 meeting. For the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2021, he said city leaders received an unmodified opinion, the highest rating possible for an audit. Dillingham, as well as city leaders, thanked city treasurer Lori Hill and the rest of city staff for their efforts to provide documentation necessary to complete the financial audit.
BTR fees increasing in Holmes Beach The cost of doing business in Holmes Beach will soon be increasing if an ordinance increasing the city’s business tax receipts passes a second reading with commissioners. City commissioners voted unanimously on April 12 to increase BTR fees by 5% to accommodate the rising costs of processing and issuing the licenses. A valid BTR is required to operate a business in Holmes Beach, even homebased businesses, and requires an annual renewal. BTR fees vary depending on the type of business and how large the business is. For example, a restaurant with seating for up to 25 people has a lower fee than one that seats more than 100 people. If the ordinance passes a second reading, business owners can expect to see the 5% increase at their next renewal or on new BTR applications.
JASON SCHAFFER | SUN
Children make a mad dash for eggs on the beach at the Sandbar Restaurant’s 34th Annual Easter Egg Hunt. It took less than two minutes for hundreds of children to find all the eggs.
Egg hunt brings hundreds to Anna Maria The Sandbar Restaurant in Anna Maria hosted the 34th Annual Easter Egg Hunt and hundreds showed up to participate. BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA - The 34th Annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Sandbar Restaurant drew hundreds of children and their excited parents to the white sands of Anna Maria Island on April 16. This annual event is not only a treat for local children but for kids from around the world. There were families from across the United States, as well as Germany, the UK, Argentina, Canada, Australia and many more countries. “We are here from England. We saw this on one of the local Facebook groups we follow and knew the kids would love it,” said Linus Davies, whose three children scrambled for eggs in the hunt. “It was over so quickly; we were only able to get one quality photograph before the eggs were gone. Much more competitive than we anticipated.” Eggs had treats hidden inside
JASON SCHAFFER | SUN
The Roth and Cowgill families attend their first egg hunt at the Sandbar in Anna Maria. for the children to enjoy after the bring-your-own-basket event. There was also a bonnet contest with prizes, including lunch for four at the Sandbar, a gift certificate to Anna Maria Rocks and a chocolate bunny. For the adults, there was a Sandy Toes picnic experience, Sea-Renity Beach Spa massage and lunch for two at the Sandbar up for grabs. For most people, it seemed that just spending time on the beach as a family was the big prize. “It’s our first time on the Island,” Emily Roth said. “We’ve been to
Siesta Key twice and we’ve done Destin, but we really like the feel around here. We saw this event on the AMI Chamber of Commerce’s website.” The Roths and their friends, the Cowgills, who have vacationed on the Island previously, enjoy the laid-back charm of Anna Maria Island and its family-friendly atmosphere. Sponsors of this year’s egg hunt include the Sandbar, The Anna Maria Island Sun, Anna Maria Rocks, Sea-Renity Beach Spa and Courtesy Cleaners.
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Anna Maria to require pool alarms at rental properties The proposed pool safety ordinance will not apply to nonrental properties. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – The city is in the process of adopting a new pool safety ordinance that will require pool alarms at all residential rental properties. “We’ve had some near tragedies with regard to pools and little children,” City Commission Chair Carol Carter said before City Attorney Becky Vose presented the first reading of proposed ordinance 22-900 on April 14. Carter was referring in part to a recent incident at a vacation rental in the 100 block of Crescent Drive. “The child was in the pool maybe 30 seconds to a minute. His uncle saw him in the water and pulled him out. He was throwing up water and out of precaution was Bayflited to the hospital,” Manatee County Sheriff Office Sgt. Brett Getman said after the meeting. Carter was also referring to an incident in February when a 2-year-old boy nearly drowned before being rescued from a vacation rental swimming pool in the 200
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Pool alarms will soon be required at all rental properties, including short-term vacation rentals. block of South Bay Boulevard. “The victim was observed in the pool, pulled out and EMS performed life-saving measures. The victim was flown to a nearby hospital and he was alive,” Getman told The Sun soon after the February incident occurred. Getman told the commission that both vacation rental homes now have
functioning pool alarms. Pool alarms can be attached as door sensors that alert adults of a door being opened that leads to a swimming pool. Other pool alarm/motion sensors sound an alert when someone enters the pool water. Door sensor alarms can be purchased at Amazon.com for as little as $24 and water motion sensors range in price from $120 to $635.
The ordinance Vose originally presented on April 14 proposed requiring pool alarms at all properties with swimming pools. Based on pushback and feedback from the commission and concerns about targeting short-term rentals only, Vose was asked to revise the ordinance so it applies to short-term, long-term and annual rental properties, but not to permanent residences and other nonrental properties. Regarding enforcement, Mayor Dan Murphy said short-term vacation rentals are inspected every year as part of the city’s annual vacation rental licensing process and pool alarms will now be included in those annual inspections. He noted long-term and annual rentals are not inspected by the city. According to the proposed ordinance, “Where a portion of a building acts as part of the barrier for a pool, all doors and windows forming such barrier shall have an alarm installed with its actuator at least 54 inches above the standing surface immediately adjacent to the window or door. All doors must be self-closing and latching. “In lieu of the window and door alarms mentioned above, a floating alarm may SEE POOL, PAGE 10
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OPINION
The Anna Maria Island Sun newspaper 3909 East Bay Drive, Suite 210, Holmes Beach, FL, 34217 Phone: (941) 778-3986 email: news@amisun.com | ads@amisun.com | classifieds@amisun.com
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The Anna Maria Island Sun Staff Publishers Mike Field Maggie Field Editor/CEO Mike Field Layout Ricardo Fonseca Reporters Cindy Lane Joe Hendricks Kristin Swain Jason Schaffer Columnists Louise Bolger Outdoors Editor Rusty Chinnis Advertising director Shona Otto Ad assistant Pamela Lee Classified ads Bob Alexander Graphics Elaine Stroili Ricardo Fonseca Digital/Social Media Editor Cindy Lane Accounting Leslie Ketchum Distribution Bob Alexander Tony McNulty Connor Field Contributors Tom Vaught Steve Borggren Monica Simpson
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Save our bay
On April 21, the county commission is voting on the “peril of flood” in the bay. This is one more attempt by a developer to destroy the quality of our bay. The developer’s attorneys want to include language to build sea walls, like along the coast of the long bar. Please write to your county commissioners asking them to vote against the “peril of flood” matter. Commissioners are entrusted with protecting and preserving our bay and water quality. This developer, from the beginning of his project, has repeatedly tried to destroy the shoreline and the quality of our bay. As commissioners they should be aware, this is a very fragile area of our county and it is important that we protect its quality. We have lost seagrass and much of the sea life in this area over the years, and there has been an ongoing project
to try and bring it back. Now, once again, a developer wants to destroy what so many care about. Many people come to our area for fishing in the bay, the historic fishing village of Cortez, the Maritime Museum, and just plain enjoyment of the beautiful waters in our county. Please ask your county commissioners to vote to protect our bay, and vote “no” on this matter coming before the BOCC. Richard Motzer Holmes Beach
There’s always a solution I was glad to see that Holmes Beach Mayor Titsworth and Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy are coming up for re-election. I am hoping you see how hard these mayors work for those that elected them and hope they decide to jump into the race again. Working with all three Island mayors - Chappie, Murphy and
Titsworth - has been a pleasure with three different leadership styles. I can assure you that none of the three mayors hesitate to contact your county commissioners and have most of us on speed dial. It may appear that the differences of opinion between the county and Island cities are not repairable, but this is far from the truth. We can talk frankly to all three mayors without worrying that it will stop our relationships. It hasn’t. All elected officials must support the constituents that voted them into office and we all get that. I am currently working with the mayor of Bradenton regarding homeless housing in his city, and that is not easy. We must tackle the tough issues for all of our constituents’ benefit. Elected officials’ responsibility is to their voters and communities. There is always a solution if we want to find one. Carol Whitmore, Manatee County commissioner Holmes Beach resident
Drop us a line Got an opinion, a complaint or a compliment? Is there something you need to get off your chest? Send us a letter to the editor and have your say. There are a couple of ways to do it. The easiest and most direct is to email The Sun at news@amisun.com. Remember to put Letter to the Editor in the subject field. Or you can snail-mail a letter to us at The Anna Maria Island Sun,
P.O. Box 1189, Anna Maria, FL 34216. Letters should be kept to 300 words or less and must contain your name and the city in which you reside. Personal attacks and obscene language will not be printed. The Sun reserves the right to edit letters for length or content.
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ON THE AGENDA
ISLAND-WIDE
April 20, 2 p.m. – Coalition of Barrier Island Elected Officials meeting, Longboat Key Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
ANNA MARIA
10005 GULF DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130
Please visit www.cityofannamaria. com or contact city hall for more information. April 28, 6 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. April 20, 1 p.m. – Charter Review Committee meeting April 21, noon – City Commission meeting April 26, 1 p.m. – Charter Review Committee meeting April 27, 1 p.m. – Planning and Zoning board meeting May 4, 9:30 a.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency meeting May 4, 2 p.m. – Scenic WAVES meeting May 5, 6 p.m. – 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. April 20, 10 a.m. – Clean Water Ad-Hoc Committee meeting April 26, 10 a.m. – Code Compliance special magistrate hearing April 26, 5 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session to follow April 28, 11:30 a.m. – Police officers’ pension board meeting May 4, 10 a.m. – Parks and Beautification Committee meeting May 4, 5 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting MARK YOUR CALENDAR
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20
Macroalgae workshop, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon, $50. Reserve online parks.mymanatee. org/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/search. html?primarycode=110008 Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cool Beans AMI grand opening, 101 S. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 2:30 p.m. Tortoise Talk, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 3:30 p.m.
AMI Chamber ribbon cutting, Cool Beans AMI, 101 S. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 5:30 p.m.
THURSDAY, APRIL 21
RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations welcome. Island Library Book Club, “The Rent Collector” by Camron Wright, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10:15 a.m. Reserve online manateelibrary. libcal.com/event/9008197 Sunshine Stitchers knit and crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. Register online manateelibrary. libcal.com/event/8486579 Thursdays in Paradise Stroll featuring local art, music and food, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 5-8 p.m.
FRIDAY, APRIL 22
Manatee Audubon Society Birding Tour, Leffis Key, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 8 a.m. Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Forty Carrots, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Register online manateelibrary.libcal.com/ event/8486861
THE SUN
Mahjong Club – Experienced Players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m. Register online manateelibrary.libcal.com/ event/8486624
SATURDAY, APRIL 23
Manatee Audubon Society Birding Tour, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 7 a.m. Robinson Runners, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 8 a.m. Saturday mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon. Master Gardener Tour, Perico Preserve, 11700 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 9-11 a.m. Reasoner Tract Plant Walk, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. Music on the Porch, Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, 2 p.m. Cajun Crawfish Boil, The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, 5-8 p.m., $25 for adults, $5 for kids. Reserve online centerami.org/events
TUESDAY, APRIL 26
Farmer’s market, City Pier Park,
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103 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations welcome. Family story time, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Register online manateelibrary.libcal. com/event/8486822 Mahjong for Beginners, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m. Register online manateelibrary.libcal.com/ event/8486605 One-on-one tech help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2-3:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27
Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tortoise Talk, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 3:30 p.m.
THURSDAY, APRIL 28
RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations welcome. Seaside Quilters, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Reserve online manateelibrary. libcal.com/event/8486587 Green Explorers: Maze of Life, Manatee Beach, 10 a.m.
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APRIL 20, 2022
Speed bumps to be added to humpback bridges The new speed bumps should be in place within two weeks. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – Speed bumps will soon be installed at the humpback bridges on Crescent Drive and North Bay Boulevard. The speed bumps will be placed at both ends of each bridge and be accompanied by signs that alert motorists of the new traffic-slowing devices. Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy proposed the speed bumps during the city commission’s April 14 meeting. The total project cost is expected to be $1,939. Murphy said the temporary speed bumps are expected to last for at least five years and may eventually be replaced by permanent speed bumps. He said it will take a couple of weeks for the speed bump materials to arrive and be installed by the city’s Public Works Department. “We’ve had numerous complaints from residents who live by these bridges that people are speeding over the bridges,” Murphy told the commission.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Speed bumps will be placed at both ends of the humpback bridge on Crescent Drive. Speed bumps will also be installed at both ends of the humpback bridge on North Bay Boulevard. Regarding the North Bay Boulevard Bridge, the mayor said, “They blow the stop sign down by the pier and somebody’s going to get hit on a golf cart at some point coming out of the pier parking lot. This will slow people down.” Commissioner Jon Crane thinks speed bumps on Crescent Drive are “counter-intuitive” because he doesn’t see many vehicles speeding over that bridge. Crane said he’s more concerned about bicyclists using the vehicular travel lanes on the North Bay Boulevard bridge rather than using the nearby bike paths. Murphy said signs referencing the
bike path will be placed near the North Bay Boulevard bridge. Crane also said landscaping trucks and trailers parked near the bridge along Crescent Drive present a greater threat than speeding motorists. “They park right up to where the slope starts. They’re not in the right of way, they’re in the street. If you want to get by them you’ve got to go in the wrong lane uphill. That’s more dangerous,” Crane said, of the parked landscaping vehicles. Murphy agreed, saying that the city needs to address those concerns with temporary fencing that eliminates the parking there or by revising the city’s
parking ordinance in a manner that prohibits parking near the Crescent Drive bridge, or both. Commissioner Robert Kingan feels the blind nature of the Crescent Drive bridge presents serious safety concerns. “It’s very dangerous. It’s probably the most dangerous place in the city,” Kingan said. Commission Chair Carol Carter agreed that speed bumps are needed in both locations and the commission, despite Crane’s initial objections, unanimously supported the mayor’s request.
APRIL 20, 2022
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Giving Challenge returns for 2022 This year the annual Giving Challenge is returning after a year’s hiatus to assist Tampa Bay area nonprofits in raising money. The challenge takes place online from noon to noon April 26-27 at www. givingchallenge.org. Public nonprofits in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties are all eligible to register online to have their organization featured. Each year donations of up to $100 per donor per organization are matched dollar-for-dollar by The Patterson Foundation with the goal of raising as much money for these organizations as possible. There is no limit to the number of organizations an individual can donate to and still have the funds matched. All donations made through the Giving Challenge website are tax-deductible. The minimum donation is $25.
This year, several Anna Maria Island and local area nonprofits are participating in the challenge including: - The Anna Maria Island Historical Society - AMI Pup Rescue - Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra - The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island - The Center of Anna Maria Island - Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage - Friends of the Florida Maritime Museum - Friends of Manatee County Animal Services - Keep Manatee Beautiful - Palma Sola Botanical Park Foundation - Wildlife Inc. The challenge is hosted by The Community Foundation of Sarasota.
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POOL: Alarms required at AM rental properties FROM PAGE 5
be used. This alarm must be audible to the occupants inside of the residence as well as the adjacent properties. In addition, a ‘Kiddie Fence’ may be used in lieu of the previously mentioned items. All of the items may also be used in connection with each other,” the ordinance notes. “If a violation of this article is found at any location that rents real property to the public,
no rentals shall take place at such location during the period between five business days after a notice of violation was issued and the date the violation was cured. If rentals take place during the period of time when such rentals are prohibited, each day of such rental shall be deemed a separate offense, punishable by a fine of $500 per day,” according to the proposed ordinance.
Commissioner Jon Crane opposes the ordinance. “The responsibility is the parents and I hate to get into the business of regulating how parents deal with their kids,” he told the commission. The commission voted 4-1 in favor of Vose revising the ordinance to address rental properties only and bringing it back for second and final reading and adoption on Thursday, April 28.
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JACK DIETRICH: reflects on a life well-lived FROM PAGE 1
Rick Lewis, Dale Woodland and Pat and Annie Slowey. The Dietrich’s beachfront home on Mangrove Avenue was built by Betty’s parents, James Alexander Robbins and Alice Clark Robbins, in the 1920s and served as the family’s Island getaway. “This house was built with lumber my mom’s family milled at the Willow Mill,” Beth said. Betty’s father and uncle founded the sawmill in the town of Willow in 1926. Located in north Manatee County, near Parrish and the Hillsborough County line, Willow began fading from existence during The Great Depression and after the sawmill moved to Tampa in 1937. “Betty’s younger years were spent in Willow,” Beth said, noting her mom’s family later moved to Tampa and then to Bradenton. Jack was born and raised in Columbia City, Indiana. After high school, he attended college in California for two years before joining the United States Air Force. “I went to school in California so I could get two years of college to be a pilot. This was during the big band era. I could read music and I would sit in on the drums sometimes,” Jack said, noting he played with big band leader Les Brown when his drummer wasn’t available. “Around the time of the Korean War, I was in Las Vegas at the fighter pilots’ school and we were waiting to go to Korea. They said the war’s over, you’re going to Florida. The next thing I knew I was in Panama City and I flew jets there for about four years,” Jack said. While stationed in Panama City, Jack met Betty in 1954. “My mom went to Panama City to teach after she graduated from Florida State, which was a women’s college at the time,” Beth said.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
This wooden model of the jets Jack Dietrich used to fly sits in his living room. “She was there when they let in the first men, and the University of Florida was a men’s college,” Greg added. While dating Betty, Jack visited Anna Maria Island and Anna Maria for the first time. He said there were only about four homes on Mangrove Avenue at the time and Ernie Cagnina’s IGA store, which opened in 1946, was the place to go for groceries. Jack and Betty got married in 1955 in a Methodist Church in Fort Walton Beach. After Jack left the Air Force, they moved to North Webster, Indiana and bought a Crystal Flash gas station. “Then I bought Frank’s Pizzeria. In the summer, I made far more money in the pizza business than I did in the gas business,” Jack recalled. At the same time, Jack was earning his bachelor’s degree in education. “I took Betty from Florida to Indiana and we were there about six years. She was a Floridian and she froze while we lived there. During our last year there, I worked as a teacher at the North Webster school I graduated from. I taught fifth grade,” Jack said.
5346 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach (941) 778-5788 | hurricanehanks.com
AN EDUCATOR’S LIFE
The couple moved the family to the Anna Maria home in 1963 or 1964. “I taught fifth grade at Bayshore Elementary. The next year I went to Duette, out in the boondocks, and I was there for about a year. It had two rooms, but we called it a one-room schoolhouse. I was the teaching principal. I taught the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grades and I had 13 students – probably about four in each grade. You could get into a subject and everybody was interested in it so everybody learned at the same time. I had another teacher and she had first, second, third and fourth grades, and kindergarten twice a week. It was mostly farmers and ranchers who lived out there and every time I got in the car to come home there’d be vegetables in the back of my car,” Jack said. “It took me about 45 minutes to get from here to Duette,” Jack said of the commute he made in his Chevy Corvair. “Now it takes almost that long to get off the Island.” After working in Duette for about a year, Jack was transferred to Parrish Elementary where he taught and served as principal. “The Parrish kids were farm kids and they always behaved. I don’t think I ever
had any problems,” Jack said. Jack was part of the group of men who gathered regularly at the Rod & Reel Pier – a group that was a precursor to the Anna Maria Island Privateers. He and Betty and the kids usually spent their weekends on the beach and they often dined at Pete Reynard’s restaurant in Holmes Beach, which was known for its rotating salad bar. “Pete Reynard’s was the place to go. The old Sandbar was there too. There wasn’t much going on in those days,” Jack said. Greg and Beth mentioned Webb’s Drug Store and Key Sundries as other Island businesses they frequented as youths. In 1967, after about a year and a half in Parrish, Jack was transferred to Anna Maria Elementary in Holmes Beach, where he served as principal until 1970 or 71. “When I came to Anna Maria Elementary it was a different program with the Island kids. I paddled some of them on the butt, but we’re still friends,” Jack said. “Everybody on the Island knew me. On weekends, people would call and ask me to open up the school so their kid could get their violin because their grandparents wanted to hear them play, and stuff like that. After four years, they moved me to Ballard Elementary in town,” Jack said. In the mid-1970s, Jack left Ballard Elementary and, as principal, helped open H.S. Moody Elementary in Bradenton, where he worked until he retired in 1991.
FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Jan recalled growing up in the family home on Mangrove Avenue. “My mom would cook dinner at night and dad would have an aluminum rocking chair in the kitchen while mom was making dinner. We always knew there was love in our house. It was a loving and fun SEE JACK DIETRICH, PAGE 12
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JACK DIETRICH: A life well-lived FROM PAGE 11
family. I had friends who loved coming to our house because it was different than theirs. It was a great place to grow up and I couldn’t ask for better parents. They taught us love, how to have fun and to take responsibility for our actions,” Jan said. “I’m so grateful he’s my father. He’s a fun guy and we’ve had a blast being around him. He’s humble and he’s never met a stranger. He’s somebody I’ll always look up to and he’s taught me so many things. He was our principal when Greg and I went to Anna Maria Elementary. He was always fair. He loved the kids, he had a good sense of humor and he expected them to take responsibility for their actions,” Jan said. Regarding the annual football parties her parents hosted, Jan said, “The place was packed. We’d have chairs all the way to the back of the porch. Sometimes we had 20 people watching the Florida State-Florida and Florida State-Miami games. The porch was a fun place and everyone was welcome.” While sitting on Jack’s porch recently, Rick Lewis said, “I’ve known Jack since the early 70s, when I met Jan and Greg. I was an in-town kid. I grew up on 59th Street. Our bus driver, Ruby Bass, would pick up the Island kids and we were the first bus stop in town. A lot of us are still friends to this day. Jack’s got quite the crew and it gets quite busy here during football season. I’m a Florida fan and we can’t agree on our college teams but we all love our Bucs.” “He also had time to run the New York Marathon,” Lewis noted.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
A recent visit to Jack Dietrich’s front porch found him accompanied by his longtime friend Rick Lewis, his daughter, Beth Conner, and his son, Greg Dietrich. “I ran the New York Marathon when I was 58. I went there just to see the city from the streets and run through the five boroughs. That was one of the best things I’ve done in my life,” Jack said. “He was a deacon in the Island Baptist Church, which is now CrossPointe. He was in the Rotary club and served as president for one year. He was also a Gideon, with Anthony Rossi, the founder of Tropicana,” Beth said. “We put Bibles in hotels and motels and I used to talk to a lot of churches,” Jack said. “He was also in a play in the Island Players called ‘Sunday in New York.’ He played the pilot, one of the main characters,” Beth said. “Jim Zerby, the mayor of Holmes Beach at the time, never knew his lines and you never knew what he was going to say,” Jack added. Jack also raced sailboats. “I belonged to the Bradenton Yacht Club in Palmetto and I was in the races they had there,” he said. “One summer in the early 80s we sailed to the Bahamas
Roser Church
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with a couple other boats – mom, dad, Jan and I,” Greg said. “We had a lot of motor problems and spent a couple days on dry land sleeping in the boat at night.” When asked about his approach to work and life, Jack said, “I never had trouble with anybody and I was always friendly to everybody. I’m happy and not looking for problems.” “When he was a principal, his faculty just loved him. He used to have Christmas parties when he was at Moody and a lot of the young teachers would come out here. He always got along with everyone. People still walk by here all the time and wave to him and say hi,” Greg said. “He has a lot of friends,” Beth added. “He’s friends with the people who patrol the parking, he’s friendly with the people who park out front, he’s friends with the garbage men and people stop by to bring him food.” As for what the future holds, Jack said, “I’m 92 and I’m still going. Anytime the Lord wants me, I’m ready to go. I have a good life and I’m ready for the next one.”
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Roser Guild scholarships available The members of the Roser Women’s Guild are now accepting applications for scholarships for the 2022-23 school year. To qualify, students must be enrolled in six to 11 credit hours for part-time and 12 or more credit hours for full-time consideration. Selected part-time students will be awarded $375 per semester, with chosen full-time students receiving $750 per semester. Both scholarship tiers top out at $1,500 per year and are renewable for up to four years of undergraduate courses. Application forms can be found at roserchurch.com/roser-guild-scholarships and in the church office during business hours at Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave. in Anna Maria. The deadline to apply is May 27. All scholarships offered by the Guild are funded by sales at the organization’s Roser Guild Thrift Shop, which sells everything from housewares and linens to books, clothes and shoes. The thrift shop, located across from the church at 511 Pine Ave., is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
City leaders vote for land purchase HOLMES BEACH – City leaders are expanding Grassy Point Preserve’s footprint, this time by purchasing two residential lots located adjacent to the park’s main entrance on Avenue C. The lots are at 204 31st St., just behind East Bay Drive between Grassy Point and the Anna Maria Vacations office. Both lots are vacant. While the properties were offered to city leaders by owner Gerald Jones for $55,000 combined, Mayor Judy Titsworth said her offer of $45,000 plus closing costs was accepted. Commissioners voted unanimously to allow her to enter into a contract to purchase the properties on the city’s behalf. Combined, the two 50-foot lots make up about 0.1699 acres, or 7,400 square feet, according to records from the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s Office. The funds to purchase the properties are included in the current fiscal year budget. City leaders set aside $50,000 to purchase additional green space in the city for the 2021-22 fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30.
Commission to meet Thursday
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The Bradenton Beach City Commission will meet at noon on Thursday, April 21. After any general public comment on non-agenda items, city proclamations will be read regarding Suncoast Remake Learning Days and Municipal Clerks Week. The commission will be asked to approve a consent agenda which includes a $20,493 invoice from M.T. Causley for building official and city planner services, a $17,470 invoice from City Attorney Ricinda Perry, and a $10,412 invoice from Perry and a $10,826 invoice from Perry. Under old business, the commission will receive a report from Mayor John Chappie regarding an outstanding invoice from LTA Engineers on a potential Gulf Drive beautification project.
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TRAM: Operator asked to focus on beach parking spaces FROM PAGE 3
paying the remaining $4,190 balance. LaRose said 5,632 passengers rode the two electric trams in March, with tram drivers picking up 169 passengers at the south end of the Coquina Beach parking lot and 1,102 passengers along Cortez Beach. City attorney and CRA liaison Ricinda Perry noted the 169 passengers picked up from Coquina Beach equaled about five people per day. “I certainly wouldn’t recommend this board invest more funds into it if it’s not being used,” she said. Perry said there are more than 1,300 parking spaces available at the nearby county beaches compared to the dozen or so parking spaces near the Bradenton Beach Police Department, where the trams frequently travel. “The objective is to flip those numbers around. I need to know
why that’s not happening on the beachside,” she said. LaRose said his drivers tell him the heavy traffic presents challenges when traveling to the southern beach parking areas and a dedicated tram path would help. He committed to asking his drivers to get feedback from passengers as to why they don’t use the beach parking spaces. Chappie noted the Cortez Beach parking area is threequarters of a mile long and could be divided into three primary points to load and unload tram passengers. He said the tram drivers should be driving through the Cortez Beach parking lot rather than on Gulf Drive and should be looking for additional passengers along the way. “The last thing the (tram) driver wants to do is get in that traffic,” CRA member Ed Chiles added. Perry asked LaRose what else can be done to encourage people to use the Cortez Beach and
Coquina Beach parking spaces as originally intended. LaRose said he could conduct a test run in late April or early May with one of the two carts only traveling between Bridge Street and the beach parking areas. The operating hours have been added to banners that promote the free service and he suggested placing another banner at or near Coquina Beach. He also said digital QR codes have been created to share with the businesses in the CRA district. Accessed by cell phone, the QR codes will provide instant information about the tram service and how to hail a ride. To request a ride, call 941-404-6240. The Old Town Trams operate daily between the Cortez Bridge and Coquina Beach from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 5-10 p.m. For more information, including a route map, visit www.oldtowntram.com.
TOM VAUGHT | SUN
Full moon sunrise A different heavenly body lit up the sky for the Easter sunrise service on Sunday at the 57th annual beachfront service at Manatee Beach, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island. The weather was perfect as representatives of the Island churches preached the Gospel. Kiwanis Club President John Chappie said that Holmes Beach officials estimated 4,000 attended the service.
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Commissioners reconsider golf cart restrictions Golf cart usage may not sunset after all. BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – It looks like residents’ golf cart driving days aren’t numbered after all. At the first reading of a new golf cart ordinance on April 12, commissioners made a few eleventh-hour changes before approving the amended Parts & Services regulations with a unanimous vote. Available Most notable among those changes is the elimination of a sunset period for golf cart usage in the city. Commissioner Carol Soustek started the discussion, stating that she’d spoken to several residents who were unhappy with the provision in the new ordinance that didn’t allow for a replacement vehicle to be purchased and put in use on city streets once a resident’s golf cart died. “It’s very little that they’re asking for,” Soustek said. Her fellow commissioners all agreed. Under the new regulations, golf carts
SUN FILE PHOTO
Golf carts may only be able to be driven by residents, but commissioners are reconsidering their stance on phasing out the use of the vehicles completely. can only be operated in the city by residents. Another change made was to add a provision allowing annual
renters and other long-term residents as well as homesteaded residents to the list of people allowed to drive a golf
cart on city streets. If the ordinance passes a second and final vote at an upcoming commission meeting, residents will have three months to get their golf carts registered with the Holmes Beach Police Department. Golf carts will be required to have a sticker identifying them as a registered vehicle with the city and must be driven by a licensed driver. To register the vehicle, the owner must show proof of primary residency in Holmes Beach, such as an annual lease agreement or property homestead paperwork. An important distinction is that, while they may look alike, a golf cart and a low-speed vehicle are considered two different things under Florida law. A low-speed vehicle is one that has to be registered with the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles and can travel at speeds greater than 21 mph. A golf cart does not have a license plate, nor can it be registered with the DMV. Golf carts travel at speeds slower than 21 mph. Holmes Beach is the only Anna Maria Island city where golf carts can be legally driven on the road.
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Property swap moves forward BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – The voters approved it and now city commissioners have put their stamp of approval on the first reading of an ordinance validating a property swap. Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of a land swap granting a 25- by 100foot segment of right of way to residents John and Jessica Cooper in exchange for 2,911 square feet of seaward property. The city right of way for an unimproved segment of Fourth Avenue bisects the Coopers’ beachfront property. By exchanging the two pieces of land, the city’s land interests would be on the west side while the Cooper’s would be consolidated on the east side of the remaining 25- by 100-foot right of way. A 2019 charter amendment requires that any transfer of right of way or other land controlled or owned by the city must have voter
approval before it can move forward. The Coopers, represented by attorney Maggie Mooney, are the first to seek the vacation of a right of way under the new regulations. The land swap appeared on the Nov. 2, 2021 election ballot and received voter approval with 851 votes cast in favor of the exchange, or 69.64% of the votes cast on the issue. Holmes Beach had 2,757 voters as of the 2021 election. “I feel the residents spoke,” Commissioner Carol Soustek said. “If they’re okay with it then I’m okay with it.” In addition to the land being granted to the city with the swap, Mooney said the Coopers are donating $10,000 for an ecological project of city leaders’ choosing and have committed to not turning the property into a short-term rental for at least 10 years. If they should sell the property at 104 34th St., Mooney said the condition to not rent the property would transfer to the new owner.
SUBMITTED
Holmes Beach residents John and Jessica Cooper are in the home stretch of a land swap deal that would grant the green parcel on the left to the city and the red parcel to the Coopers.
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ATTACK: Third suspect arrested FROM PAGE 1
Purcell, a Holmes Beach resident, was walking his dog with his 10-year-old niece on the evening of March 23 when he came upon some teenagers breaking bottles, drinking alcohol and vandalizing Anna Maria Elementary School property, according to a police report. Purcell yelled at the group to stop what they were doing, which resulted in the teens becoming aggressive. Although Purcell waved a pocket knife as he feared for his safety, it was not a deterrent to the teens, who knocked him to the ground and beat him severely with a wooden object, possibly a skateboard. According to Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer, police arrived on the scene about 9 p.m. but the assailants were gone and Purcell was unconscious on the ground. He was taken to HCA Blake Hospital in stable condition, but suffering from multiple serious injuries. Although there was no video of the incident, the suspect vehicle was identified by the city’s license plate recognition camera as a white Kia Sportage. Tokajer said the suspects were not students of Anna Maria Elementary, and no one related to the school was believed to be involved. Since the incident, several security measures have been put in place at Anna Maria Elementary to deter loitering on school grounds after hours. Locking gates have been installed at all vehicle entrances and “No Beach Parking” signs have been posted to keep the lots clear during the day as well. Beach parking still will be allowed at the school on
SUBMITTED
Cameron Leron Evans, 18, of Sarasota was arrested April 14 for the aggravated battery of Evan Purcell. certain holiday weekends including Memorial Day, July Fourth and Labor Day, according to Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth. Purcell’s family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with his medical bills. As of April 10, the effort has raised $17,160 of their $25,000 goal. To donate, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/evan-purcells-hospital-bil ls?qid=40db156d552360e782ffcda4a507e9d6.
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Blooms By The Beach Your Island Florist Anna Maria Island's premiere choice for beautiful floral, helping families celebrate all of life's experiences! Some of our most dynamic designs are for weddings held throughout AMI and the surrounding area, offering unique, specially crafted wedding work to ensure your wedding is spectacular! Our one-of-a-kind design studio, is open to the public 5 days a week, Tuesday - Friday 9:30am - 4:30pm and Saturdays 9:30am - 2:00pm offering: daily deliveries and pick-up orders, customized floral for weddings and private events, weekly corporate accounts, support to local nonprofits with fundraising efforts/church services/thank you arrangements and so much more! Other services and products offered include: - Tropical Flowers - Succulent Gardens - Ceramic and Basket Dish Gardens - Potted Orchids - Air Plants - Hawaiian Leis - Balloons - Chocolates - Gourmet Gift Baskets - Cheesecakes - Gift Certificates (Both for our Shop and other Island Businesses) - Local Products and Special Requests - Wedding/Event Decor Rentals Our delivery area includes: Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, St. Armand's Circle/Lido Key/Bird Key, West Bradenton, North Sarasota Blooms By The Beach schedules all wedding and event consultations for either an in-person visit, via phone or as a Zoom call. For more information about our floral and event services, please visit our website at: www.bloomsbythebeach.com to schedule an appointment or call the shop at 941.778.2555.
APRIL 20, 2022
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DARA CAUDILL | WWW.ISLANDPHOTOGRAPHY.ORG
Debbie Sue Matthes and Paul Ferrari were married on April 2, 2022, on the beach at the Sandbar restaurant. Chuck Caudill sang and played ukulele for the ceremony. He also performed live and was DJ for the reception held at the Sandbar Grand Pavilion. Shawn Rhoton, of the Sandbar, coordinated the wedding and reception. James Pierce performed the ceremony. Flowers were by Ms Scarlett’s. Hair and makeup were by Dolled Up Brides. The cake was from A Slice of Heaven. The wedding party and guests stayed at the Tortuga Inn. Debbie Sue and Paul honeymooned on a catamaran from Key West to the Marquesas, and then to some uninhabited islands, before returning home to Bradenton, Florida.
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Cool Beans grand opening on Wednesday Cool Beans Coffee Shop will celebrate its grand opening on Wednesday, April 20 at 101 South Bay Blvd. in Anna Maria with live music from the Trevor Bystrom Band from
1:30-4:30 p.m. and Beach Vibes from 5-8 p.m., a ribbon cutting at 5:30 p.m. and snacks, wine and prizes. Cool Beans is a member of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce.
7 Is Your Lucky Number
Live Music on our Patio
Anna Maria's Favorite Hang Out
APRIL 20, 2022
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EVERY DAY IS EARTH DAY SAVING THE PLANET ME ANS
THE WORLD TO US.
Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22nd with organized cleaning and recycling events, educational experiHQFHV DQG DZDUHQHVV FDPSDLJQV 7KH ¿UVW R൶FLDO (DUWK 'D\ was recognized in 1970 and was born out of the air pollution and leaded gas debacle that was formerly seen as the “smell of prosperity”. Every year since then, the momentum builds as (DUWK 'D\ JDLQV LQ SRSXODULW\ DQG HGXFDWLRQ DERXW WKH EHQH¿WV of caring for the earth become more mainstream. /HDGHUV LQ WKHLU FRPPLWPHQW WR HQYLURQPHQWDO H൵RUWV and sustainable best practices, the Chiles Group has a passion for the environment that is at the heart of everything that the company stands for and does. Owners of three restaurants and DQ RUJDQLF IDUP WKH VWD൵ DQG OHDGHUVKLS UHFRJQL]H WKDW WKH IRRG chain is key to the sustainability of every life cycle as we know it. Understanding the need for locally grown crops, Gamble Creek Farms in Parrish, FL grows many of the fruits and vegetables for the dishes served at the three Chiles Group waterfront restaurants—the Sandbar, Beach House and Mar Vista. Leftover food from the restaurants is sent back to the farm and is used for compost. Even oyster and clam shells from the waterfront restaurants are recycled and used to help in the restoration of oyster and clam habitats through an initiative called the Gulf Coast Oyster Recycle & Restoration project. Participation in the Skip the Straw campaign has helped to limit the amount of waste that blows into the Gulf. Beach-friendly native landscaping, a parking lot water management system and sea turtle- friendly lighting are also important steps that the restaurants are doing for the environment. Fresh local seafood is served instead of imported. A commitment to high quality seafood produced in an environmentally sustainable way can boost coastal economies,
preserve, and strengthen working waterfronts, and improve coastal water quality and habitats. Open Blue Cobia is served at the restaurants, is responsibly raised, and holds numerous VXVWDLQDEOH FHUWL¿FDWLRQV )HDWXUHV RQ WKH PHQX LQFOXGH RIWHQ GLVFDUGHG ¿VK SDUWV D GHOLFDF\ DNLQ WR OHVVHU NQRZQ SDUWV RI IULHG FKLFNHQ WKDW DUH IXOO RI ÀDYRU DQG QXWULHQWV Corporate values of sustainability and eco-consciousness are front runners in community development as supporters of a new initiative called All Clams on Deck, a project aimed at restoring clam populations and seagrass meadows, improving water quality, nutrient reduction, and healthier habitats IRU FRPPHUFLDO DQG UHFUHDWLRQDO ¿VKHULHV LQ WKH WKUHH QDWLRQDO estuaries—Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, and Charlotte Harbor – that we are fortunate to live alongside. The All Clams on Deck project has been included in the upcoming state budget with $2.5 million designated to help with launching this innovative project. All Clams on Deck letters of support should be sent to WKH +RQRUDEOH *RYHUQRU 2൶FH RI *RYHUQRU 5RQ 'H6DQWLV State of Florida, The Capitol, 400 S. Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-001. And the list of partnerships and alliances doesn’t end there. 1% for the Planet, World Central Kitchen and many more local partnerships top the list of environmental work that the Chiles Group supports in their commitment to make every day Earth Day. It’s easy to do the right thing and take care of the community and environment at home. Now, when on vacation on the island, visit one of the Chiles Group of restaurants or the farm and help us take care of your favorite vacation destination. Content provided by: The Chiles Group
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REAL ESTATE
t’s so sad when eras end. We had the end of the hard-wired phone and even though you can still have one no one will admit it. We had the end of the standard-shift car. The end of the manual typewriter - ask a 12-year-old what that was - and now we have the end of the ultra-low mortgage rates. About a month ago, the Federal Reserve voted to lift interest rates. In addition, they sent the message that they would have six more increases by year’s end. This is the most aggressive increase in more than 15 years, all geared to slow inflation. And the feds weren’t kidding. Recently, a 30-year, fixed-rate home loan edged higher to 4.72% from 4.67% a week earlier and now stands at 5%. Freddie Mac said these weekly figures were the highest since December 2018. Over the past three months, the rate has increased by 1.5%, the quickest
APRIL 20, 2022
The end of an era Castles in the Sand LOUISE BOLGER three-month increase since May of 1994. At the start of this year, the rate for the typical home loan was 3.22% with a record low of 2.65% in January. For half of 2021, the rate remained under 3%. Unfortunately, these rate increases translate into real money for potential home buyers, especially those on the margin. Assuming a 4% mortgage rate - which you can’t even get now - a $375,000 home with an interest rate of 4% has a monthly mortgage payment $220. This is higher than the payment on a similar-priced home would have
been in December 2020 when the rates were near record lows. Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, said buyers are not giving up and they believe rising interest rates could be the last chance to get in the market. Nevertheless, higher rates eventually could lead to a 10% decline in home sales this year compared to 2021. We’re already seeing this in our local market based on February’s Manatee County sales statistics. He also points out, however, that a low supply of homes does not mean a decline in housing prices. Sale prices will likely continue to increase responding to the lack of inventory. Several months ago, I did some research on Freddie Mac’s website, where they listed the average mortgage rates starting in 1972. At that time, I pointed out that what we’re experiencing now is not only
historically low it never happened before 2012, when the rates started dipping below 4%. The point I’m making is things really aren’t that bad. It may look terrible to 30-somethings, but maybe they should have a conversation with their parents or grandparents who were living through 13% and 16% rates in the early 80s. Of course, nobody wants to go back to that, but I think the Feds have their eye on 6% before they're done. Let’s hope it levels off at that point, but who knows? Out of all the ends of eras I’ve experienced in my life, the one I don’t miss is the end of poodle skirts. But the poodles don’t compare to what we’re going through now, something that affects every homeowner in the country and those that want to be homeowners. We’re not even close to being done according to the Federal Reserve - the end of another era.
APRIL 20, 2022
BEACH BEAT HOLMES BEACH
4/6, 10:03 a.m., lost property, 106 75th St. The officer was dispatched in reference to a missing bicycle. The complainant said his daughter had a large group of friends visit the residence, and he wasn’t sure if it had been stolen or if one of the kids who visited took it by mistake. The rental company did not have a serial number for the bike. 4/6, 1 p.m., petit theft, 6802 Gulf Drive. The complainant stated that his rental bike was left by the side of the house on the previous night. The next morning the bike was gone and no one else was authorized to use the bike. There was no video of the scene and no further action was taken. 4/6, 1:57 p.m., no valid ID, 5800 Gulf Drive. While on patrol, an officer observed another officer talking to young males in a golf cart. No one on the cart was wearing a seatbelt and the driver did not have a license. The driver was cited for no license and not wearing a seatbelt.
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4/8, 2:20 p.m., petit theft, 302 58th St. The victim stated that two small coconut palm trees were missing from his front yard. The victim stated that the last time he saw the palms were sometime during the prior week. There are no suspects at this time. 4/8, 3:55 p.m., grand theft, 4000 Gulf Drive. The officer responded to a report of a stolen vehicle at Manatee Beach. The victim stated that he parked the vehicle in the parking lot in the morning and it was gone when he returned at 4 p.m. The victim said he left the doors unlocked and the keys under the seat because he had previously lost keys at the beach. Two iPads were also reported stolen in the vehicle along with a wallet containing $300 cash and multiple credit cards. A .38 handgun was also reported to be in the car. The vehicle was recovered but the missing contents have not. The case remains open. 4/10, 6:20 p.m., Marchman Act, 3000 Gulf Drive. The officer observed a female trying to push past a male who was trying to keep her from crossing Gulf Drive and possibly getting struck by a vehicle. The officer observed the female to be heavily intoxicated and unable to provide for her own safety. The officer requested EMS to transport her to HCA Florida Blake Hospital under the Marchman Act.
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Commissioners begin work on sign regulations More discussion is needed before commissioners finalize changes to the Holmes Beach sign ordinance. BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – Changes are coming to the city’s sign regulations but they’re still not quite completed. City commissioners began a discussion of what changes they’d like to see made to the sign ordinance, which regulates the use of signs in residential and commercial districts. Because of the complexity and length of the ordinance, Mayor Judy Titsworth said she expects the discussion will continue for at least a few upcoming work sessions before new regulations are ready to be voted on.
Commissioners made it about halfway through the more than 50page proposed update to the sign ordinance during an April 12 work session, though no final decisions were made. One of the ideas discussed was the removal of permanent signs in residential neighborhoods, which would include vacation rental signs. Titsworth acknowledged that the idea wouldn’t be favored by local real estate and property management companies. The idea behind the suggestion, commissioners said, was to eliminate the possibility of signs for home-based businesses springing up in residential neighborhoods. If enacted, commissioners agreed that the ban on residential neighborhood signs wouldn’t apply to short-term signs such as for sale, event and political signs; the latter are only allowed to be displayed for 45 days leading up to an election.
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THE SUN
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APRIL 20, 2022
Let A Local Be Your Guide • 25 Year Island Resident • Listing Agent Specialist • Ethical & Efficient
941.504.7821 DON WILSON | SUBMITTED
Golfers celebrate 100th consecutive outing Playing through wind, rain and the pandemic, the AMI Golfing League celebrated its 100th consecutive weekly match last Friday at the Pinebrook Ironwood Golf Club in Bradenton. The group includes Harry Ka, Ron Hemming, Dennis Goehler, Joe Cucculelli, Don Wilson, Dave Mulligan, Dale Apicelli, Johnny Nye, Rick Burnes, Doug Bidwell, Todd McIntyre, Jerry Hills and Scott Ricci, with group members Jim Sullivan and Jimmy Leary not shown.
william@annamariaislandrealproperty.com instagram @annamariarealestateagent 941.779.0304
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APRIL 20, 2022
THE SUN
Top real estate producers for March 2022 A PARADISE
FRAN MAXON
Doug Walker - Listing Helen Ross Pollock - Selling
Stephanie Bell – Listing & Selling
AN ISLAND PLACE REALTY Sue Carlson - Listing Tanya McCormick - Selling
Kathleen White and Erin Leathem - Listing Gail Tutewiler and Jennifer Chatt– Selling
DUNCAN REAL ESTATE
MICHAEL SAUNDERS
ISLAND REAL ESTATE
REMAX ALLIANCE GROUP
Cindy Quinn – Listing & Selling
SALTY MERMAID REAL ESTATE Liz Blandford – Listing & Selling
Cindy Jones – Listing Joey Hutchinson - Selling
Becky Sirigotis – Listing & Selling
EDGEWATER REAL ESTATE
Marianne Norman-Ellis Listing & Selling
Lynn Zemmer - Listing & Selling
PREMIER SOTHEBY
Shellie Young - Listing
SATO REAL ESTATE
Jason Sato – Listing & Selling
MIKE NORMAN
WAGNER REAL ESTATE
Miguel Rosa - Selling & Listing
Cindy Jones-Burke ke Realtor/Staging Certified Residential Specialistt
Cindy@CJonesRE.com m Direct: 941.773.9770
310 Pine Avenue • Anna Maria, FL 34216
teamduncan.com
First impressions count when choosing your agent. PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE, DEMEANOR AND SERVICE ARE OUR HALLMARK
We are proud to be known for the most professional Sales Associates on the Suncoast. Our agents consistently elevate the standard in customer service and provide exceptional real estate experiences, and it all begins with making a positive, professional first impression. When it comes to your home buying and selling experience, you deserve expert guidance and professionalism from agents dedicated to providing unmatched service from start to finish. Michael Saunders & Company. Home of dedicated sales professionals. Connect with a local. 941.896.9981
Nowhere but here. 6000 Marina Drive 113, Holmes Beach, FL 34217 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM | Licensed Real Estate Broker
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APRIL 20, 2022
City asks governor to veto proposed legislation BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – The mayor and city commission are asking Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto Senate Bill 620, also referred to as the Local Business Protection Act. The commission took this action when adopting City Resolution 22-777 on April 14. As of April 18, DeSantis had not yet signed SB 620 into law, nor had he vetoed the proposed legislation. If signed into law, the Local Business Protection Act would authorize certain businesses to claim business damages from a county or municipality that enacts or amends certain ordinances or charter provisions that results in lost revenues. The proposed state law was sponsored by Sen. Travis Hutson and
supported by the majority of the Florida Senate and House of Representatives. Representing Manatee County, Sen. Jim Boyd and Rep. Will Robinson Jr. both voted in support of the legislation. Senate Bill 620 proposes: “A private, for-profit business may claim business damages from a county or municipality if the county or municipality enacts or amends an ordinance or a charter provision that has or will cause a reduction of at least 15 percent of the business’ profit as applied on a per location basis of a business operated within the jurisdiction; and the business has engaged in lawful business in the jurisdiction for the three years preceding the enactment of or amendment to the ordinance or charter.” According to the adopted city resolution first suggested by
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Anna Maria City Commission Chair Carol Carter has been at the forefront of the city’s opposition to SB 620. Commissioner Robert Kingan, “Senate Bill 620 allows businesses to threaten local governments with lawsuits paid for by taxpayers. Senate Bill 620 will lead to a number of financially motivated and malicious lawsuits,
costing local governments millions annually because local governments will be forced to increase taxes or reduce services to cover legal fees. Senate Bill 620 would hinder the governing body at the local level and would overall be detrimental to communities. Senate Bill 620 can provide national companies with the ability to exploit the bill for their advantage against local ordinances.” In closing, the city resolution says, “The city of Anna Maria hereby urges the Honorable Governor Ron DeSantis to veto Senate Bill 620.” The city’s ongoing opposition efforts also include a request for concerned citizens to email DeSantis using form letters provided on the “Take Action” page at the Home Rule Florida website, www.homerulefl.com.
Perico Bay Club—As Good As It Gets!!
Business As Usual…..Just A Li le Differently. If you’re looking to buy or sell in Perico Bay Club, or know someone who is, please give me a call!
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APRIL 20, 2022
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MOTE: City gives marine lab a deadline The commission unanimously agreed to give Mote until Friday to present its final plans.
FROM PAGE 1
As of Thursday, April 14, Mote officials and their contracted architect, Barron Schimberg, had not yet submitted their final plans for the longdelayed facility. Schimberg previously served as the city’s contracted architect for the pier replacement project completed in 2020. The original plans that Mote presented in early 2021 featured live marine exhibits. In January, Mote provided the city with an alternate plan that featured virtual exhibits instead. Murphy said then that the city commission would ultimately decide whether the Mote facility includes live exhibits, virtual exhibits or both.
PROJECT UPDATE
On Thursday, April 14, Murphy provided commissioners with a project update. “We’ve had numerous false starts. I anticipated having a proposal for you today. I also anticipated having a proposal for you two weeks ago and a month ago. None of those have happened. For various reasons, the goal post has been moved several times. We’re now at the point where there’s no more moving the goal post,” Murphy said. “I had a conversation with Dr. Crosby last night. I told Dr. Crosby how disappointed I was that we didn’t have a proposal ready. They have all the information necessary to put together a proposal. This latest delay was caused by the architect. He had all the information but didn’t have the time to put it together.” The mayor recalled that the
COUNTY SUPPORT
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
The proposed educational outreach center would be located in the vacant, city-owned pier building. lease the city signed with Mote in September gave Mote 180 days to present a proposal or ask for an extension. “I’m here today to give you two options,” he told commissioners. “You can enforce the contract as it is and decide to not extend it any further. This is the end of it and we tell Mote farewell and move on. The other option is that they have a proposal to us by Friday of next week. I propose to you that we’ve gone this far and that we go one more week.” Murphy expects Friday’s presentation to include visuals, live exhibit examples and nonnegotiable start and completion dates.
COMMISSION FEEDBACK
In September, Commissioner Mark Short opposed the commission’s 4-1 decision to pursue an educational outreach center rather than a full-service
restaurant or open-air cantina. During the April 14 meeting, Short said, “This Mote exhibit was supposed to be done now and we don’t even have the final plans yet. There’s been delay after delay. There’s nothing to show a year after the commission agreed to move forward with Mote and 180 days after the lease was signed. I’m fine giving them another week, but I just don’t think this is the right path to go down.” “It’s been an extreme disappointment,” Commissioner Deanie Sebring said. Sebring said the proposed shift to virtual exhibits seems to be an attempt by Mote to use the City Pier to advertise the new Mote Science Education Aquarium being built in Sarasota. “What they offered us was something that was going to be quite unique and incredible and it’s turned into nothing,”
she said. “It’s disheartening. I’m getting a bad taste in my mouth thinking they’re not going have any live exhibits.” Commissioner Robert Kingan said, “I completely agree. I think we should give them one more week, but that’s it. They’ve had ample time to make preparations.” “I kind of agree, but my vision is a little longer-range. I think this project has the potential to be fabulous. I’m happy to give them another week,” Commissioner Jon Crane said. “I agree with all of you. I’m disappointed that it’s taking so long, but I do think it will be a good project,” Commissioner Carol Carter said. Murphy told Mote officials the city doesn’t want virtual exhibits. “What we signed up for was live exhibits,” he said. “The commission has to decide: Do you fish or cut bait?”
In June 2021, the Manatee County Commission agreed to provide $500,000 for the design, interior buildout and installation of the Mote facility, with Mote covering the remaining $40,000$50,000 in estimated start-up costs. Mote also agreed to staff the facility at its own expense for the duration of the lease, with the city covering the utility expenses. County Commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge attended Thursday’s meeting. He left before the Mote discussion ensued, but he addressed the commission before departing. “I know there have been a significant number of delays. I share your frustration, but I think the project is a great project,” Van Ostenbridge said. “I advocated strongly for the project and I was able to get our board to unanimously approve a half-million dollars for the project. I think it will be worth the wait.” He added that he spoke with Dr. Crosby and was told that Mote has the information needed to proceed with the engineering for the project. “They want to make sure the pier can hold what they put out there and withstand the weight of the exhibits,” Van Ostenbridge said. “There will be aquariums. There will be live exhibits. It sounds like things are headed in the right direction.”
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SPORTS
APRIL 20, 2022
Youth soccer kicks off at The Center BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN
Little boots hit the field last Tuesday night, as another season of youth soccer kicked off at the Island’s community center, with volunteer coaches, parents, friends and family providing the guidance, cheers, lessons and support. Taking to the two small fields, Adrian Griffin Interiors and Grooms Auto squared off while Surfing Coconut AMI and Mac Parkman Foundation played on the adjacent field in the five-to seven-year-old league. Their younger counterparts start play this week, with the three- and four-year-olds ready for another season of soccer clinics and scrimmages. Both the eight- to 10-yearold and 11- to 13-year-old recreational soccer leagues started last week with preseason games. In the adult soccer league, Moss Builders finished the third week of action on top with a 3-0 record, defeating Salty Printing 5-2. The Salty squad is seeking its first win of the season Thursday night against Gulfview Windows & Doors. Gulfview tied Shady Lady 4-4 in a close one, bringing its record to 1-1-1. Shady Lady next faces Progressive Cabinetry. Currently tied for second place with a 2-1-0 record, Servis First Bank’s defense kept Progressive scoreless in a 5-0 win last Thursday night. The Gitt Team gave Sato Real Estate its first loss of the season, with the final score 4-3. Coming off the win, The Gitt Team goes up against a strong Servis First team. Looking to get back on the winning track, Sato Real Estate plays Moss Builders in the first game of week four Thursday. Hitting the halfway mark, each of the eight teams has the eye on the ultimate prize, a place on the Paul “Ace” Hayward Championship Cup.
SUN SCOREBOARD THURSDAY, APRIL 14 ADULT CO-ED SOCCER
MONICA SIMPSON | SUN
Center referee, Tuna McCracken, observes the Surfing Coconut AMI and team Mac Parkman Foundation five-to seven-year-old league action kick off week of youth soccer at The Center. While Coach Dhaval Patel watches the hard work of Surfing Coconut AMI’s Owen Serra as he takes the ball down the pitch with defenders Alex Czajkowski and Asher Card hot on his heels.
MONICA SIMPSON | SUN
Progressive Cabinetry (1-2-0) Servis First Bank (2-1-0)
0 5
Gulfview Windows & Doors (1-1-1) Shady Lady (0-1-2)
4 4
The Gitt Team (1-1-1) Sato Real Estate (2-1-0)
4 3
Salty Printing (0-3-0) Moss Builders (3-0-0)
2 5
Mac Parkman Foundation’s Asher Card moves the soccer ball down field while feeling the heat of Surfing Coconut AMI’s Holden Maverick and Chandler LaPensee at The Center last Thursday night.
MONICA SIMPSON | SUN
Chandler LaPensee, for Surfing Coconut AMI, has only Alexander Czajkowski to beat as he moves toward the goal. Holden Bittle and Maverick Champ give their teammate support on offense, as Asher Card and Bria Pietsch are on defense for Mac Parkman Foundation.
APRIL 20, 2022
FUN IN THE SUN
Across 1 Surprise with cheese and wine, perhaps 11 Craft fare 15 Traveler's question 16 Mother of Judah 17 Pieces for a wannabe conductor? 18 Afterthought preceder 19 U.S.'s leading employer of mathematicians, it's said 20 How some agents travel 22 What looks can't do? 25 Wind 26 Arranges 30 Took off 32 Give false hope 33 __ wedge: golf club with maximum loft 35 Evil 37 Sunday morning server Answers to 04-13-22 Crossword Puzzle.
38 Blank spaces 41 Underwater beginnings 42 First-aid product prefix 44 Cone's counterpart 45 Long and hard, as a stare 47 Trig calculation 49 Metaphors for high esteem 51 Home of the 75-feettall Golden Driller statue 53 Controversial late Russian painter Glazunov 54 Tiger, perhaps 57 Only team with a gold at every Summer Olympics: Abbr. 60 Bush advisor 61 Weather record 65 Lumberjack 66 Cleaning product claim
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67 Lawn care brand 68 Corridor Down 1 Leg, slangily 2 Pressing need? 3 Mulder and Scully, briefly 4 Fine-tuned 5 "The Fresh Prince of __-Air" 6 NFL passing stat 7 Ear-piercing 8 New Jersey public university with a campus in China 9 Swedish company that invented Bluetooth 10 Mortise mate 11 Shut out 12 Place for pets at an airport 13 Right way? 14 "Yay!" 21 __ pal 23 Role model 24 Like some probes 26 Blighted area 27 Dwarf planet between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter 28 "Give me that!" 29 Get past 31 Online flame thrower? 34 Swiss cultural city 36 2019 and 2020 Grammys host, or what she plays
39 Get time off? 40 Maker marketplace 43 Not yet delivered 46 Knickknack stand 48 Director Roth 50 Signs of repetition
52 Hawk tickets 54 Q.E.D. part 55 Amorous letters 56 Trees with splitresistant wood 58 Squandered
59 Parks of Alabama 62 Words with bit and way 63 Plant activity: Abbr. 64 Word that sounds like its last letter
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CLASSIFIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS BEACH YOGA ON Wednesdays, Saturdays & Sundays at 8:30am at the end of Pine Ave by the Sandbar Restaurant by donation. Classes on Tuesdays & Fridays at 8:30 at 100 Broadway St. on LBK. www.thriveyogafit. com THE BEST VOLUNTEER position on the island. The AMI Historical Museum needs docents and bread makers. Call Kathy Primeau at 989-560-6381. ROSER FOOD BANK needs donations of cash and nonperishable food, PAPER & PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS. Donations boxes are located at the Church, Moose Club, and Walgreen’s.
AUTOMOTIVE FOR SALE 2002 MITSUBISHI CONVERTIBLE SPYDER/ ECLIPSE 94,000 miles. Runs great, body is great! $2500. Call or email 647-771-3288 or karenmackay@hotmail. com
COMMERCIAL SALES, RENT & LEASE HAVE YOU BEEN thinking of selling? We NEED properties to List for SALE!!! Duplexes, multi family, small resorts? Call BIG Alan Galletto of Island Real Estate to get it SOLD 941-232-2216
CLEANING SERVICE THC CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Rentals, VRBO. Professional and Reliable. Call 941-7564570 or 941-565-3931
EMPLOYMENT CASHIERS – We have immediate openings for full-time and part-time cashiers. Experience a plus, but not required. Very attractive starting pay. No evening hours! Email your resume to hometruevaluehardware @gmail.com or apply in person at Home True Value Hardware, 5324 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
Call us today! 941-778-3986
The award-winning ANNA MARIA ISLAND SUN, a weekly newspaper on Florida’s Gulf Coast, is looking for a freelance reporter/photographer to cover events on this tourism-driven island. The ideal candidate will have reporting and photography experience at a community newspaper and have some experience writing for a news website. Local residents or those with previous local knowledge and willing to relocate here a plus. Resumes and cover letters may be mailed to The Anna Maria Island Sun, P.O Box 1189, Anna Maria, FL 34216, Attention: Mike Field, publisher.
ESTATE SALE ESTATE SALE THURSDAY April 21. 10am-3pm (Due to community rules sale must be by appointment only) Please call 941-792-8401 for appointments on Tuesday night. Broyhill King Bed sets, sofas, 4 poster bed set, Tommy Bahama furniture including desk, pine dining room set. Bakers card table with 4 chairs, armoire, pool table, exercise, weight lifting equipment, refrigerator, books, kitchen ware, tools, linens, large rug, decorative accessories. Sale conducted by Palma Sola Sales. Pics available Wednesday. ESTATE SALE FRIDAY April 22 9:30am-2pm. 106 Tuna, City of Anna Maria. Please park on one side of street. Pay attention to signs (parking difficult). GULF FRONT HOME Oriental style including screens, dining room set, bed sets, china, brass, bric-a-brac, and decorative accessories. Please see pics at estatesale.net on Wednesday. Sale conducted by Palma Sola Sales. Numbers given out at 8am .
FISHING CHARTERS CAPT. MAC GREGORY Fishing Charters. Full Day, Half Day, Night, Inshore & Near Shore. 941-809-5783 U.S.C.G. Certified/Insured
FOR SALE TOURING BICYCLE: LYNSKEY, TITANIUM, 'Sportive' 21gear., custom components: Shimano, Bontrager 'Race' carbon fork FSA, ASOO flat spoke wheels: virtually new, $4200 OBO. Call David 941-778-9315
CLASSIC BRITISH SEAGULL (1988), QBSeries, Curlew, pristine, no corrosion (used once), 4hp, Original Manual, $950 OBO. Call David in Holmes Beach: 941-778-9315 TITCHER COLLECTION 130 PIECES. Best Offer. Call 941-773-7694
HEALTH CARE HOME CARE PROVIDER with Dennis Church a nursing assistant. 8+ years of experience. Licensed in Florida. SAFER at HOME. Call 815-519-3993
HOME IMPROVEMENTS TILE! TILE! TILE! All variations of tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship. Prompt, reliable, many Island references. Free estimates. Neil 941726-3077 RENOVATION SPECALIST ALL carpentry repairs, Wash Family Construction, locally owned and operated CBC 1258250 Call 941-7250073. KERN CONSTRUCTION NEW Homes & Remodel. Design/Build. Since 1968. License # CBC 1261150. Call Mike Kern 941-7781115 JSAN CORPORATION Renovations Construction & Handyman Services 941-243-0995 Lic# CRC1332505 jsancorporation@ gmail.com Flooring, Drywall, Painting, Repairs, Kitchen and Bathrooms, Trim & Doors. Free Estimates. Credit Cards Accepted. API’S DRYWALL REPAIR 15+ years experience. Free estimates. No job too small. Love to help you. Call 941-524-8067. HOME IMPROVEMENT Michigan General Contractor 30+ yrs. experience. Large or small projects. Budget minded knowledgeable tradesman will complete your project start to finish: On Time/On Budget. Call Mike 616204-8822.
APRIL 20, 2022
HOME SERVICES CONCRETE FUSION, CRACK REPAIR sidewalks/ driveways. Why fix 95% of concrete when only 5% bad? Number 1 in concrete repair. Insured. Free estimate. Call Bobby 941-374-7670. Decluttering and Organizing for your home or office. Packing/ Unpacking & room revitalization to create comfortable and enjoyable environments. 765-4046608 Free Estimates!
LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE R. GAROFALO’S Interlocking brick pavers, driveways, patios, pool decks. Free estimates. Licensed & Insured. Call Rafael 941778-4823 or Veronik 941526-7941 ISLAND RESIDENT. TREE/ BUSH Trimming, removal. Sweeping, blowing, weeding. Weekly, bimonthly or monthly schedule. Pressure washing. Call Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315. SHELL DRIVEWAYS & LANDSCAPE. Specializing in Old Florida Seashell driveways and scapes. Also Rock, Mulch, & Soil. Free estimates. Call Shark Mark 941-301-6067
LOST & FOUND LOST PRESCRIPTION SUNGLASSES in black case between Gulf Watch and Beach House Restaurant. Please call 847-563-8365. LOST at AMI MOOSE CLUB on Tuesday March 15 Brown wooden sunglasses with Abalone shell frame. Blue lenses. Call 941-243-1444
MOVING & STORAGE MARTIN’S MOVING YOUR Island movers! Offering dependable, competitive rates. No hidden costs. 941-809-5777.
PAINTING & WALLCOVERING 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
“WIZARD OF WALLS” Established 1980 Prompt quality service. Paperhanging/removal Faux finishes. Interior painting. Mary Bell Winegarden 941-794-0455 PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reliable. Island Resident. Quality Workmanship. Interior/ Exterior. Also minor repairs & carpentry. Free written detailed estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315 DONALD PERKINS PAINTING LLC fully insured. 30 years experience. Many Island references. Call 941705-7096 HOLLANDS PAINT & DRYWALL Handyman services, Interior/Exterior paint, Drywall, Wall/ Ceiling textures, Popcorn removal, Pressure washing, Stucco repairs. 30 years experience, references available. Licensed/Insured CALL DEE 256-337-5395
POOL SERVICES FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE AND CHEMICAL SERVICES. Certified Pool Operator. 10 + Years Experience. Residential/commercial. Chemical Service Licensed & Insured. Call Dennis Clark 941-7375657 COLE'S TROPICAL POOL SERVICE Call Cole Bowers for all your pool maintenance needs! Affordable and Dependable!! 941-7131893
PRESSURE WASHING & WINDOWS AUTHORITY ONE CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Construction, Vacation, VRBO Rentals . Also available Pressure Washing, Roof Cleaning, Paver Sealing and Windows. Call 941-5653931.
REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE Have you been thinking of selling? We NEED properties to List for SALE!!! GULF FRONT, CANAL FRONT, BAY FRONT CONDOS or HOMES ASK for BIG Alan Galletto of Island Real Estate to get it SOLD 941232-2216 LOOKING FOR A highly motivated real estate broker to buy or sell your next home? Darcie Duncan, Broker Duncan Real Estate a lifelong island resident bringing success to her customers for 30 years. Proven track record brings you results! 941725-1589
REALTOR FOR HIRE. BUYING OR SELLING on AMI? 17 years experience & USAF Veteran. Call Kelly Gitt Keller Williams Realty today 941-799-9299.
2BR/1.1BA VIEWS OF THE GULF, Large Deck, new floors, stainless appliances. STEPS to the beach! Weekly rental income producing property. $899,900.00 Sharon Hightower RE/MAX Alliance Group. 941-3305054
RENTALS: ANNUAL ANNUAL RENTALS WANTED! We have well qualified tenants for beach and mainland annual rentals, Full management or Finders fee. Call today for details. Ask for Paige DUNCAN REAL ESTATE 513-382-1992. 3BR/2BA FURNISHED CONDO AT ISLAND VILLAGE. 2 parking spaces, 2 pools, pickle ball crt. $3250/mo., First & Sec. Deposit, Condo approval required. Rent includes Cable (no WIFI), Sewer, Water, & Trash. Call A Paradise Realty for details 941 778-4800.
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APRIL 20, 2022
BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY HOME IMPROVEMENT
HOME IMPROVEMENT
THE SUN
Call today to place your ad: 941-778-3986 PAINTING
TRANSPORTATION
RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION TIFFANY PLACE Gulf Front Condo for Rent Incredible views from living room and master bedroom. 2BR/2BA Green Real Estate Call 941-778-0455 SEASONAL RENTAL in PALMA SOLA. 3BR/2BA weekly or monthly rates. Contact Barb Grace 941201-2190 ANNA MARIA ISLAND CONDOS Large pool, beach access, free WiFi, 1&2 Bedroom $900 to $1200 per week redekercondosonami.com Tim 941-704-7525
SUMMER AT THE BEACH Anna Maria Island. Updated 5 star Condo. Available May to November (monthly with multiple month discount) Million $ water view. First floor 2BR/2BA beautiful water view deck, walk to beach, pool, tennis. Smoke free. Email NOW rentamiwaterview@aol. com or Call 570-2390431
TRANSPORTATION AMI TAXI credit cards, cash, venmo accepted. Airport: Tampa $105, Sarasota $50, St. Pete/Clearwater $105, Orlando $220. Call 941-447-8372 or 941-4478376. amitaxi4u@gmail. com, www.amitaxi.com ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa/St. Pete $80. Sarasota $40. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-779-5095 AIRPORT RIDES- Tampa, St. Pete, Sarasota. Reasonable rates! Call or text Anna 941-932-1600
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APRIL 20, 2022
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