Anna Maria Island Sun August 16, 2023

County moves forward with beach garage design

Manatee County commissioners are moving forward with plans to remove the parking and buildings at Manatee Beach, replacing the amenities with a parking garage.

BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

MANATEE COUNTY – Parking garage plans for Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach are moving forward despite pushback from Anna Maria Island residents and one commissioner. During an Aug. 14 work session, county commissioners discussed four potential parking garages, one of which is the proposed parking garage at the county-

AME students back in school

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH - For some children, it was their first day of kindergarten, and emotions ranged from excitement to just plain nervousness. For fifth graders, it was the first day of their last year at Anna Maria Elementary School (AME), and they were ready to enjoy a year of being at the top of the elementary school food chain.

Dressed to impress, with many sporting new backpacks and their personal favorite outfit, students were ready for the first day of school on the morning of Aug. 10. Parents lined up to drop off their children at AME as Principal Mike Masiello, the school staff, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer and several Holmes Beach police officers greeted parents and this year’s 206 students.

“We had a great turnout for back-to-school night. Parents and students were excited to meet the teachers,” Masiello said. “It’s wonderful to be back in session and see the kid’s smiling faces as they walked into the building for the first day of school. We look forward to a school year full of teaching, learning and all of the wonderful events that make AME such a great school.”

SEE AME, PAGE 28

FDOT launches Cortez Road corridor study

owned Manatee Beach that was approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier this year. When initially discussed, Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge proposed a three-story 1,500 parking space garage costing an estimated $45 million. The garage proposal presented to county commissioners during the work session is expected to cost $30-35 million to build and have about 900 parking spaces. While the actual look of the garage is not yet decided upon, the garage is planned to cover the entirety of the existing beach parking area, including the concession, retail and restroom areas. The new parking garage would include concession, retail, restroom and other facilities.

SEE GARAGE , PAGE 21

The study will focus in part on the relationship between transportation and development along the Cortez Road corridor.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

MANATEE COUNTY – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is conducting an extensive study of the Cortez Road corridor from the east end of the Cortez Bridge in Cortez to the tip of U.S. Highway 41 in the West Somerset area.

During the Aug. 1 Council of Governments meeting at the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto, FDOT Community Planner and Strategic Intermodal System Coordinator Vitor Suguri and Renaissance Planning Managing Principal Frank

Kalpakis provided county and city officials with an overview of the study and what it hopes to accomplish.

Suguri said the study, in addition to transportation elements, also addresses land use and future development along the corridor and will look at the relationships between transportation and land use. He said land use has a great impact on transportation and vice versa and the goal is to integrate both approaches in the study.

The study’s first phase includes meeting with and gathering insight from city leaders, residents, impacted stakeholders and property owners, developers and others. Public input meetings will be scheduled, but none have been scheduled yet pertaining to the western portion of Cortez Road that leads to Cortez and Bradenton Beach.

SEE CORTEZ ROAD, PAGE 15

ANNE YARBROUGH | SUN

Kindergarten teachers Kiley Flynn and Rachel Frantz lead their students to the classroom after the new parent orientation on Aug. 10, the first day of school at Anna Maria Elementary, as Joshua Cook looks back. Inset, Jana Wilder smooths her son Abel's hair on his first day of kindergarten at Anna Maria Elementary.

Enforcement begins against signs, sales on causeway

The Palma Sola Scenic Highway CME is cracking down on signs and sales on the causeway.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

BRADENTON – Members

of the Palma Sola Scenic Highway Corridor Management Entity (CME) discussed the lack of compliance with city regulations and state statutes prohibiting signs and sales on the Palma Sola Causeway at an Aug. 9 meeting.

City of Bradenton Community Services and Code Compliance Manager Volker Reiss said the city allows vending permits on private property, but not on public property, like the causeway.

“Signs on the right of way are not allowed anywhere in the city of Bradenton,” Reiss

said. “In the past, we allowed a sandwich board sign on Palma Sola Causeway for vendors, but not anymore, except for vinyl wrap and magnetic signs on vehicles.”

On Aug. 13, the city’s code enforcement staff launched a planned enforcement project on the causeway with the Bradenton Police Department, to last three consecutive weekends.

The Palma Sola Causeway is a segment of the Palma Sola Scenic Highway, a 4.5-mile stretch of S.R. 64 (Manatee Avenue West) that extends from 75th Street in Bradenton to the city of Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island.

It is designated as a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) right of way and, as such, CME member Ingrid McClellan said vendors are prohibited from advertising there as well as accepting cash for services.

Despite the prohibition, vendors on the causeway display banners and sandwich signs advertising activities such as personal watercraft and boat rentals.

Vendors are pulling out bollards to make access for their equipment and are blocking the small watercraft launch on the southeast corner designated for the public, she said.

The city’s code enforcement staff deals with civil offenses. Offenses under Florida Statute 337.406 are criminal and must be addressed by law enforcement, which is why the Bradenton Police Department is involved, she said. An offense under the statute is a misdemeanor.

As of Oct. 1, a new code enforcement officer will be

hired and work one weekend day. When talking to the vendors, the first conversation will be a warning, depending on the vendor’s reaction, Reiss said. He said citations could be issued for repeat offenses.

“No standard has been given to the vendors,” McClellan said. “This will educate them to comply.”

The CME board cited both the city of Bradenton’s Land Use Regulations Ch. 5 Prohibited Signs pages 16-17 and Florida Statute 337.406, Prohibited Uses of the Rights of Way – display of advertising, solicitation and sale. The Florida Statute states in part: “Such prohibited uses include, but are not limited to, the free distribution or sale, or display or solicitation for free distribution or sale, of any merchandise, goods, property or services.”

LESLIE LAKE | SUN

Code enforcement and law enforcement officials have begun a campaign to enforce laws against signs on the Palma Sola Causeway.

IN BRIEF

Hillsborough sergeant arrested over parking space dispute

A Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office sergeant is on administrative leave after being arrested by a Bradenton Beach police officer over an incident involving a parking space.

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

Bortell's Lounge is adding features to bring the outdoors inside.

Bortell’s undergoing open-air renovations

The ongoing exterior renovations taking place at Bortell’s Lounge in Anna Maria include the installation of two garage doors that will allow one end of the building to be opened up when the weather warrants doing so. Owner Steve Rose said three bay windows at the front of the building are also being renovated so they, too, can be opened. Rose said he had these improvements in mind during the significant interior and exterior renovations that preceded Bortell’s reopening in mid-2021. Bortell’s remains open with normal operating hours during the current renovations. In June, Rose put Bortell’s on the market with a $7.2 million asking price. He said then that he didn’t expect a quick sale and to date, no sale has been announced.

Scenic WAVES to discuss bike lanes

The Bradenton Beach Scenic WAVES Partnership citizen advisory committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, Aug. 16 at 1 p.m. Among the topics to be discussed are the repair and repainting of the north and south welcome signs; installation of a park sign at the new park at the 102 Gulf Drive beach access; landscaping of the right of way and medians on Gulf Drive South at Coquina Beach; repainting of bicycle symbols on roads and installing two way-finding double-sided signs on both sides of Gulf Drive at Fifth Street South; creating a scenic bicycle route brochure with a map; estuary program grant proposals; and liaison reports from Manatee County, the Florida Department of Transportation and the Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization. The meeting will be held at the Katie Pierola Commission Chambers, 107 Gulf Drive N.

City Commission to consider business tax increase

The Bradenton Beach City Commission meeting on Thursday, Aug. 17 at noon will include a discussion regarding the purchase of a 2023 Ford F-150 for city code enforcement officers, a code enforcement training bonus for Wendy Chabot, a contract extension for Ceres Environmental Services, alley surveys and a second reading of Ordinance 23-548 regarding a business tax increase. The meeting will be held at the Katie Pierola Commission Chambers, 107 Gulf Drive N.

BRADENTON BEACH - A Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) sergeant is on administrative leave after being arrested and charged with obstruction without violence by Bradenton Beach police (BBPD) for allegedly escalating an argument over a parking space.

According to his report, BBPD Sgt. Steve Masi was investigating a fight on July 30 at 6 p.m. over two handicapped parking spaces at a condo complex involving large groups of people. A man later identified as HCSO Sgt. Brendan Fitzgerald claimed a man punched him, but that man claimed it was Fitzgerald that had struck and pushed him first and he wished to press charges. Masi obtained criminal complaints and witness statements from the 13 people involved in the incident, all of whom complied, except for

Fitzgerald, according to the police report.

“Fitzgerald’s behavior went from calm to aggressive very fast and back down as we talked,” Masi said in his report. “He kept saying he was a Hillsborough sergeant and I should take note.”

Masi said he asked Fitzgerald many times to provide identification, but he refused. He then asked Fitzgerald’s girlfriend and family to convince him to identify himself, but he continued to refuse, stating, “I’m a sergeant, I know the law kid, and I’m not identifying.” Masi explained to him that he was investigating a crime that had taken place that he was involved in, and he was required to provide identification. After continuing to refuse after being asked more than 10 times, Fitzgerald was advised he was going to be arrested for obstruction as he knowingly and willfully was obstructing the investigation, according to the report.

“This is a joke and you’re a joke, you can’t take me for obstruction, learn your laws boy!” Fitzgerald allegedly responded.

After placing Fitzgerald under

arrest and taking him to BBPD for processing, Masi radioed Officer Thomas Ferrara to come to the police station to observe and document the arrest and take detailed notes on any statements Fitzgerald made during the process. According to a separate report filed by Ferrara, Fitzgerald continued to be belligerent and insult both of the officers, saying things like he had worked with “idiots” like them in the past, and using graphic language.

Fitzgerald was taken to Manatee County Jail on an obstruction charge where he was later released on $120 bond. He is due to appear in court on Wednesday, Aug. 30 at 9 a.m.

The HCSO issued the following statement regarding the arrest:

“The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has placed a sergeant on administrative leave after he was arrested in Manatee County on July 30, 2023. Brendan Fitzgerald, 52, was charged with obstruction without violence by the Bradenton Beach Police Department after an argument over a parking spot.

“Sgt. Fitzgerald’s behavior is inexcusable,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “He will now face the consequences for his actions.”

Piney Point closure, lawsuit continue

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

PALMETTO – As the environmentally-unstable Piney Point site moves toward final closure, a pending lawsuit remains unresolved.

Contractor Forgen LLC has lined one of two compartments built to contain phosphate process wastewater and is working to place soil and grass over the area so that it will no longer accumulate rainwater, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)’s Aug. 4 report. The second compartment, still containing about 211 million gallons of wastewater, is next in line for closure.

The treated wastewater is being transferred to Manatee County’s underground injection well on Buckeye Road. To date, more than 70 million gallons have been transferred.

“This project is one critical element of the necessary water disposal that will enable the ultimate closure of the Piney Point facility once and for all,

former Piney Point phosphate plant wastewater ponds are being drained into a deep injection well, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

permanently eliminating the threat from this site to the environment and the community,” according to FDEP.

Fitzgerald

SUBMITTED | FDEP

The

Mayor speaks out on wetland protections

Manatee County leaders want to reduce local wetland protections to the state minimum. One Island mayor is speaking out against the proposition.

BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – Mayor Judy

Titsworth is speaking up on a proposal from Manatee County commissioners to reduce local wetland protections.

“As a city leader and lifelong resident of a barrier island, I am well aware of the many benefits of wetlands and strive to educate all who will listen on their importance,” Titsworth said in an Aug. 9 statement posted to social media and sent to county leaders. “It is time that leaders acknowledge their responsibility for the degradation of our waters. As we continue to pump pollution into the bays and allow nutrient-rich stormwater laden with fertilizers and pesticides to flow into our rivers, now is not

the time to decrease local water quality protections. The proposed changes will increase pollution to a water system that has no jurisdictional boundaries and is an injustice to the coastal counties of Manatee, Pinellas, Hillsborough and Sarasota, many who over several decades have opted to adopt stricter water quality protections than the minimum required by the state.”

Manatee County commissioners are proposing to make changes to area wetland protections that would require changes to the county’s comprehensive plan and land development code. The changes would greatly reduce the development buffer for wetlands, remove a requirement for developers to demonstrate a public benefit for projects that remove or encroach on wetlands, remove a policy requiring wetland mitigation efforts for county wetlands, including the elimination of developer mitigation fees and habitat restoration efforts, and remove the current

50-foot buffer for environmentally sensitive coastal wetlands. While county commissioners initially approved the changes, the county planning commission struck the proposal down with a 4-2 vote.

Commissioners are not required to defer to the planning commission’s recommendation when making decisions.

Titsworth’s concerns are that the proposed reduction in wetland protections will cause more issues with local water quality, encourage more harmful algae blooms and destroy needed sea life habitats.

“Tampa Bay, Anna Maria Sound and our beloved Sarasota Bay continue to be burdened by lyngbya algae growth due to the county leadership’s inability to acknowledge the importance of clean water,” Titsworth said. “Continuing to turn a blind eye on water quality will destroy our tourism economy and will undoubtedly diminish property values.”

She went on to encourage county commissioners to look at the long-term issues related to reducing the wetland restrictions instead of “short-term development pressures.”

A vote is expected on the proposal during a Thursday, Aug. 17 meeting.

CITY OF HOLMES BEACH | SUBMITTED

Mayor Judy Titsworth worries that if wetland protections are reduced by Manatee County leaders, bluegreen algae outbreaks like this one could become more common.

The Anna Maria Island Sun Staff

Owner/CEO

Mike Field

Editor

Cindy Lane

General Manager

Bob Alexander

Reporters/Photographers

Joe Hendricks

Leslie Lake

Jason Schaffer

Kristin Swain

Columnists

Louise Bolger

Rusty Chinnis

Contributors

Joe Becht

Steve Borggren

Jason Gargiule

Capt. Rick Grassett

Isis Mavenyengwa

Monica Simpson

Tom Vaught

Capt. David White

Anne Yarbrough

Layout

Ricardo Fonseca

Digital Editor

Kristin Swain

Advertising Director

Shona Otto

Advertising Assistant

Pamela Lee

Classifieds

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

Family-owned since 2000

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Van Ostenbridge, resign

Dirty deeds are done dirt cheap in Manatee County. For District 3 County Commissioner and Commission Chairman Kevin Van Ostenbridge, using taxpayer dollars to the tune of over $1,600 was no big deal. As reported in The Bradenton Times and the Herald-Tribune, the commissioner purchased records using the county credit card on over 19,000 residents claiming it was for a newsletter. Only after hundreds of county residents called for his resignation and news reports did the commissioner repay the taxpayers. County residents deserve better than someone who became famous for his theft of private property and using the county’s pre-arrest diversion program to avoid jail.

During the July 24th work session, Van Ostenbridge expressed grave concern over the release of resumes of applicants for the county administrator position – a

public office where applicants consent to submit resumes into the public record. 19,000 residents did not consent to their positions on issues, religious affiliations, political ideology, GPS coordinates and more to be shoved headfirst into public records. It is absurd to think 200 data points are needed from each resident for a newsletter.

Van Ostenbridge was temporarily forced out as chair for failing to share information with his colleagues. Now, he must face the music and demonstrate leadership by resigning as chair and commissioner for this theft of taxpayer dollars. If he does not, then we must be ready to vote for an ethical and responsible candidate to uphold the highest values of our community.

Talha Siddique Manatee County

Clarification

Too little, too late?

So now after local leaders’ policies have forced many locals off the island, they want to encourage more full-time residents. Government’s main responsibility is to keep the public safe. I don’t mind tourism but we deserve occupancy laws to be enforced. Allowing underage children to operate golf carts is turning our streets into Disneyland. With tourism at an all-time high, this is only adding to the congestion, not to mention the new parking garage – progress? “They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.”

Correction

Monkey Bus drivers and support personnel operate as independent contractors. A story in last week’s Sun referred to them in another employment category.

The vacation rental home at 614 Gladiolus was put on notice for having one illegal ground-level bedroom. A headline in last week’s Sun stated otherwise.

John DiMasi Anna Maria

ON THE AGENDA

ANNA MARIA

10005 GULF DRIVE

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130

Please visit www.cityofannamaria.com or contact city hall for more information.

Aug. 24, 5 p.m. – Budget meeting with City Commission meeting following

BRADENTON BEACH

107 GULF DRIVE N.

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005

Please visit www.cityofbradentonbeach. com or contact city hall for more information.

Aug. 16, 9 a.m. – Pension Board meeting

Aug. 16, 1 p.m. – Scenic WAVES meeting

Aug. 17, 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.

Aug. 18, 11:30 a.m. – Police officer’s pension board meeting

Aug. 23, 5 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting

ISLAND-WIDE

Aug. 21, 9 a.m. – Manatee County Tourist Development Council meeting, The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria

EVENTS

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 16

Mah-jongg for beginners, 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.

THURSDAY, AUG. 17

Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m.

FRIDAY, AUG. 18

Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.

SATURDAY, AUG. 19

Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon

TUESDAY, AUG. 22

Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island meeting, Slicker’s Eatery, 12012 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, 11:30 a.m.

Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 23

Mah-jongg for beginners, 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.

THURSDAY, AUG. 24

Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m.

Thursdays in Paradise Stroll featuring local art, music and food, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 5-8 p.m.

AMI Chamber Business Card Exchange, Floridays Woodfire Grill and Bar, 12324 Manatee Ave., Bradenton, 5-7 p.m., $5 for members or $10 for prospective members

FRIDAY, AUG. 25

Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.

SATURDAY, AUG. 26

Robinson Runners, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 7 a.m.

Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon

MONDAY, AUG. 28

Boating Safety, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

TUESDAY, AUG. 29

Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.

Crews fight fire on Egmont Key

About 30 acres burned on Egmont Key on Sunday afternoon, according to U.S. Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg, which, with Tierra Verde Fire Rescue, was first on the scene, according to the Coast Guard Facebook page. Crews assisted in dispersing all vessels in the vicinity of the island, establishing safety zones, and were assisted by park rangers from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Firefighters dropped water on the fire from the air, and six people were evacuated from the island without injury, officials said. None of the historic ruins of Fort Dade or the lighthouse were affected. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Egmont Key, a wildlife refuge, is open to visitors and is accessible by boat.

MIKE FIELD | SUN

Ordinance will resolve Azure Shores inconsistencies

The Azure Shores subdivision’s existing zoning and future land use map designations will remain the same.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – A city ordinance that clarifies, but does not change, the zoning and future land use map (FLUM) designations for 23 properties in the Azure Shores subdivision is ready for final review and city commission approval.

The residentially-zoned Azure Shores properties are located north of Bridge Street, south of the Cortez Bridge and east of Gulf Drive South.

In 2022, as part of their ongoing efforts to address inconsistencies that exist citywide between various zoning and FLUM designations, Building

Official Steve Gilbert and City Planner Luis Serna proposed rezoning the Azure Shores properties to make them consistent with the existing future land use map designation.

The zoning and FLUM designations determine what kind of development is allowed on a specific property. Changes to those designations could

negatively or positively impact the ability to develop a property and/or the value of a property.

When the zoning and FLUM inconsistencies that exist throughout the city were first discussed several years ago, Gilbert said the existing inconsistencies could create land use disputes and potential legal challenges as to whether the zoning designation or the contrasting FLUM designation prevailed in term of how a property

could be developed or redeveloped.

In 2022, Gilbert and Serna proposed changing the existing Multiple Family Dwelling District (R-3) zoning designation to a Mixed-Use District (MXD) zoning designation, while maintaining the Retail/Office/Residential (R/O/R) future land use map designation adopted by a previous city commission in 2008.

The proposed rezoning would have allowed ground-level retail and office

space with residential units above, but the commission rejected the proposed rezoning and stated a desire to retain the subdivision’s residential character.

The city commission also rejected the Planning and Zoning Board’s contrasting recommendation to rezone the Azure Shores properties to R-2 (two-family dwelling) and change the future land use map designation to Medium Density Residential.

City Attorney Ricinda Perry advised the commission that downzoning those properties from R-3 to R-2 could negatively impact those properties’ allowed uses and property values and could subject the city to Bert Harris claims filed by negatively impacted property owners.

PENDING APPROVAL

The ordinance will be presented to the Planning and Zoning Board for a final recommendation in September. The board is expected to recommend future city commission approval. Gilbert and Serna presented the draft ordinance to the Planning and Zoning Board members on Aug. 2,

SEE AZURE SHORES, PAGE 20

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The land use designations will remain the same for Evelyn Stob’s home on Third Street North.

Marty Tupin: A colorful character remembered

Marty Tupin was a man of many talents and interests.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH –

Longtime Cortez and Bradenton Beach resident Marty Tupin

passed away on Aug. 1, just a few weeks before his 63rd birthday.

Over the years, Marty was a commercial fisherman, a fiberglass and metal fabricator, an artist, a furniture maker and more. After a portion of his right leg was amputated, Marty spent his final couple of years as the ever-vigilant parking attendant at the Drift In bar in Bradenton Beach, where he zipped around on his three-wheeled electric scooter supervising the sometimes challenging two-deep, tandem parking reserved for patrons only.

The Drift In, 120 Bridge St., will host a celebration of life on Sunday, Aug. 27 at 2 p.m. Attendees are invited to bring a dish to share and to share their memories of Marty.

Marty’s family will host a celebration of life at the Star Fish Co. restaurant, 12306 46th Ave. W. in Cortez on Sunday, Oct. 1 from 5-8 p.m.

LIFE’S CHALLENGES

Marty’s sister, Judy (Tupin) Mossorofo, lives in Venice with her husband, Charles

Mossorofo, and they shared their insights on Marty’s colorful and sometimes challenging life.

Marty was born in Medina, Ohio. When he was about a year old and Judy was two, their parents were in an automobile accident in Butler, Georgia that killed their mom, Elsie, a former Manatee County schoolteacher.

Marty’s dad, Lynn, had family ties to the Cortez commercial fishing community and was a commercial fisherman himself. After the accident, he and the children moved to Manatee County, where the siblings lived with various family members before being placed in separate foster homes.

“All four of us got split up. We didn’t grow up together,” Judy said of their fractured family.

Judy said Marty began his commercial fishing career in Cortez in the 1980s.

“He loved fishing and crabbing. His friends were commercial fishermen and

shrimpers and he worked the docks at the A.P. Bell Fish Co. He loved catching fish and bringing them to all his friends. He fiberglassed a lot of boats and he was really good at that. He mended nets too. He also loved painting, making metal sculptures and building and painting wooden chairs and benches. He loved working with his hands. He was very creative. He was a fabulous artist. He was a good father and he loved his dogs too,” Judy said.

Judy can’t remember exactly when it happened, but she said Marty was in a motorcycle accident that seriously injured his right leg and impacted the rest of his life.

“Later, his leg hurt so bad that he couldn’t walk. It got so badly infected that they had to cut the foot off at the ankle. It then spread up his leg and more of his leg was amputated because of bad circulation and sepsis,” Judy said, noting some toes on his left foot were later amputated too.

In mid-July, Marty became seriously ill and was hospitalized. His left leg was amputated in an attempt to save his life and he was later moved to Tidewell Hospice in Bradenton where he spent his final days, visited by family and friends.

Regarding his late brotherin-law, Charles said, “I’m from

New York City. I met Marty 23 years ago when I first came down here with Judy. This guy was just beaming with life. He’d tell me stories about being a commercial fisherman and getting off the boat for a burger and a beer at a bar. He certainly had a lust for life and the open sea.

“We didn’t see each other often, but I was close to him. He lived life completely on his own terms and he did it without being malicious. Marty got grumpy sometimes, but he was all heart and we never argued. I taught him it was OK to agree to disagree and we did that for 23 years. He was a remarkable, beautiful man. He had a heart of gold,” Charles said.

FRIENDS APLENTY

Drift In Manager Doreen Flynn said, “I called him ‘Mr. Crotchety’ but I loved him and I wish he was still here. He worked here for the past couple years but I knew him for 15 years. He used to bring me my fish and shrimp and he taught me to freeze fish in water in a bag so it was fresh when you took it out. He was dealt some tough cards but he always kept his head up and he did not want anyone to know he was in pain every day. He will be deeply missed. He drank Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey and Icehouse beer and we’re going to have an Icehouse special on the 27th.”

SARAH SANTOS | SUBMITTED Sarah Santos and Heather McNeal were among Marty’s many friends.

SUBMITTED

Marty Tupin lived life on his terms.

SEE TUPIN, PAGE 14

Protected species spotted on AMI

The Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird

Monitoring director reminds beachgoers to watch protected species from a distance.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA

ISLAND – While monitoring sea turtle nests last week, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers spotted several protected species.

They were especially pleased to see a piping plover and a snowy plover on their monthly shorebird survey.

In a departure from the norm, there was no documented shorebird nesting on Anna Maria Island in 2022. In June this year, a black skimmer colony in Holmes Beach disbanded after humans disturbed it. It was the only shorebird nesting observed in 2023.

Volunteers also recently saw manatee mating herds in the Gulf of Mexico and gopher

tortoises in the dunes on the beach.

The snowy plover, piping plover, black skimmer, gopher tortoise and manatee are classified as threatened species.

“All these species are either federally or state protected or both,” Turtle Watch Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella said. “Please remember to watch them from a distance and do not approach, touch or harass any of these animals in any way.”

Roser Church

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ONLINE • Watch LI VE or LATER RoserChurch.com

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The CHAPEL is open during o ce hours for prayer and meditation

us on Facebook @RoserChurch

KATHY DODDRIDGE | SUBMITTED

A piping plover walks along the beach on Anna Maria Island.

Fifth annual Turtle Watch fall fundraiser planned

The event has been renamed The Suzi Fox Turtle Watch Wednesday Event in honor of the organization’s late executive director.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Plans are underway for the fifth annual major fundraiser for Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring.

The Wednesday, Nov. 8 event, formerly known as Turtle Watch Wednesday, will be renamed “The Suzi Fox Turtle Watch Wednesday Event” in honor of the organization’s late executive director, Suzi Fox, who died last year.

“The funds raised will help keep our group going, providing supplies for our beach patrols and supporting our outreach efforts, including printing of educational materials,” new Turtle Watch Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella said.

Turtle Watch supporters are asked to save the date as details are finalized, said event organizer Sharon Hoatland, of A Paradise Realty. The fundraiser includes food, drink, music and raffle and auction items.

WHERE'S SUZI?

For the second week in a row, loggerhead Suzi is maintaining her first-place lead in a field of 11 sea turtles in the Tour de Turtles race.

Suzi was outfitted with a satellite monitor after she nested on June 27 at Coquina Beach. She is participating in the Sea

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF TURTLE WATCH

Every day when the sun comes up, five to seven Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers start the labor-intensive process of patrolling the beaches and waterlines of the Island and checking sea turtle nests.

“We start at sunrise and go until we are finished, which is sometimes as late as 11 a.m.,” Mazzarella said.

Walking along the waterline, volunteers look for new crawls – indicated by flipper marks – left behind by mother turtles.

“We determine if they are nests or false crawls and we mark the nest with yellow stakes and flagging tape,” Mazzarella said. “We also go up to every nest every day to see if anything has happened to the nest and are always excited when we see hatchling tracks coming from the nest going straight down to the water.”

There are 15-20 Turtle Watch volunteers who alternate patrolling the beach and checking nests over the season, which runs from May through October.

“We determine how many eggs were laid in each nest and the proportion of eggs that hatch. This tells us how success-

Turtle Conservancy’s Tour de Turtles race, Aug. 1 –Oct. 31.

Since the race began, Suzi has traveled 445 miles. After hugging the shoreline of Anna Maria Island in the Gulf of Mexico for the first several weeks, she swam off into open water and is now near the Yucatan Peninsula. She was named in honor of Suzi Fox, the late executive director of Anna

found several nests that had been driven over or trampled on.

“We don’t know if any of the eggs were broken,” Mazzarella said at the time. “We’ll find that out later in the season.”

Now Mazzarella says that two of those nests had less than 50% hatch success.

TURTLE WATCH | SUBMITTED

ful the nest was and how many being put out in the population,” she said.

Volunteers can tell a nest has hatched when they see the tracks leading from the posted area. They determine the number of hatchlings that have been produced when they excavate a nest by counting the hatched eggshells.

“Many of us have not seen an adult turtle and only see hatchlings every once in a while when we find them as stragglers in a nest we are excavating or rescue them when they are disoriented and go towards the light of buildings and roads instead of the ocean,” she said.

In mid-July, volunteers on patrol

Wildlife Club and Waterline Marina and Resort.

“Two of the nests that were driven over had low hatch success. The others have not yet hatched or been excavated. It’s difficult to say whether the low hatch success is due to the compression of the nest or natural causes,” Mazzarella said.

Mazzarella reminded beachgoers to keep the beaches dark at night so as not to interfere with hatchlings’ trek to the water.

“We don’t go out at night on the beach to see sea turtles because we want to make sure the beach is a safe, dark place for them to nest without disturbance. We are happy to see the signs that they’ve been here when we patrol in the morning,” Mazzarella said, adding “If you do go out at night, please do not use flashlights or cell phones and please do not disturb nesting or hatching sea turtles.”

NESTING NEWS

SUBMITTED

Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, which is sponsoring her race along with the Coastal

Suzi is swimming in the race to draw attention to the cause of light pollution and how lighting near shore can negatively impact nesting turtles and their hatchlings. Visit The Sun’s Facebook page for weekly updates in “Where’s Suzi?” and visit amisun.com for updates on sea turtle nesting activity in “Nesting News.”

Turtle nests laid: 401 (Record: 544 in 2019)

False crawls: 441 (Record: 831 in 2010

Nests hatched: 210 (Record: 453 in 2022)

Hatchlings hatched: 15,122 (Record: 35,850 in 2022)

Hatchling disorientations: 75

Turtle Watch volunteer Karen Anderson shows two children an excavated sea turtle nest.

SOURCE: ANNA MARIA ISLAND TURTLE WATCH

Get ready for the Greg LaPensee Bowling Tournament

ANNA MARIA – Bring a team and make new friends while helping to raise money for The Center of Anna Maria Island at this year’s Greg LaPensee Bowling Tournament, sponsored by LaPensee Plumbing, Pools and Air.

The bowling fun starts on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. at Bowlero Bradenton, 4208 Cortez Road W. With checkin at 5:30 p.m., bowlers and supporters have the chance to meet and greet, as well as see all of the amazing costumes that are expected this year before striking the pins.

With teams of six, top bowling honors will go to the highest-scoring male, female and youth player. The cost to participate in this year’s event is $350 per team.

Bowlers will play three

games with their team while enjoying snacks provided as part of their entry fee. Shoe rental is also included.

The costumes are more than just for fun. With prizes on the line, the team with the best costumes will win a prize along with bragging rights for being the most creative in this year’s fundraiser.

Whether you are bowling or just there for fun, the event will have raffles for all to enjoy. Donations for raffle items are gladly accepted at The Center.

Along with raffle goodies, event sponsors are also welcome. With three different sponsorship levels, one might be the perfect fit for you or your team.

The signature sponsor level receives a lane for six players, a tumbler, fishing shirt with your business logo and a pitcher of beer for a $750 sponsorship.

The two levels of lane sponsorships are $500 with six players or $250 without a team. Lane sponsors will have their business logo displayed at a lane and at the check-in area. The deadline to sign up for a sponsorship is Thursday, Aug. 31.

This year there will not be dedicated lanes just for kids. However, the teams of six can include kids and adults. Last year’s event sold out quickly. Reserve your lanes by contacting The Center at 941-778-1908. Tickets are also available online at www.centerami.org/events. All proceeds from the bowling tournament will go to support The Center of Anna Maria Island, a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to serving residents and visitors on and around Anna Maria Island.

FILE PHOTO

The community came together last year at the LaPensee Bowling Tournament, celebrating the life of Greg LaPensee. From left, Carlee LaPensee, David Zaccagnino and Shawn LaPensee Shield with Greg's youngest son, Chandler LaPensee.

Bins Be Clean fleet expands

Growth in business means growth in the Bins Be Clean fleet as owner Nate Welch adds a third truck to serve more clients. The business, which serves Anna Maria Island, west Bradenton, Longboat Key, Siesta Key and parts of Sarasota, is a trash bin and dumpster cleaning company. In an Aug. 4 press release, Welch said that the company takes care of what is generally a nasty chore for property owners at an affordable price. To learn more about the company or schedule service, visit www.binsbeclean.com or call 941-778-0020.

Chamber Business Card Exchange at Floridays

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce will hold its next business card exchange at Floridays Woodfire Grill and Bar, 12332 Manatee Ave. W. in Bradenton. The event will be held indoors from 5-7 p.m. The fee is $5 for members and $10 for prospective members. Bring business cards to exchange; anyone who brings a raffle prize will be recognized when their prize is given away.

To attend, RSVP to ingrid@amichamber.org or call 941-778-1541.

TUPIN: A colorful character

FROM PAGE 9

Joy Nelson hosts bingo and deals bar poker at the Drift.

“Words to describe my friend: Arrogant, funny, straightforward, loving, caring, hard-headed and more,” she said. “There was never a question about what he was thinking about you. You could be a stranger or a great friend and he never held back. He was completely real and he encouraged me to be the same. He didn’t have an easy life, but he won at bar poker all the time, so I figured he was at least lucky at one thing. But after he went into the hospital for the last time, I realized I was wrong. He was lucky that he found our crazy Drift In family and somehow fit in. We could all butt heads at times and then share a drink and laugh together at the end of the night. I miss my friend.”

Drift In patron Mike Cunningham said, “Most people’s first impression of Marty was that he was a little prickly, but if you accepted him as he was and took the time to get to know him you would find he was a straight-up guy and a true friend. I miss his honesty, humor and frankness. The setbacks he had the last couple of years never changed the good things I loved about him.”

Drift In patron Rebecca Brodeur said, “I loved him. I went to see him during his last days. He was a good, old friend. I went to elementary school with him. He was a stinker even on the bus and at school, but he had a good heart and he was a good person. He wasn’t just a parking lot attendant. He was a great fisherman and artist too.”

Local musician Mike McConnell said, “Marty was one of those salty characters that made up the diversity at the Drift In. Our relationship was contentious at first but I believe we regarded each other as friends and we worked together at the most unique watering hole in America.”

Drift In patron Tammi McCoy said, “Every morning I’d pass by on my way to yoga and Marty would always wave to me. I loved Marty. He was a really good guy.”

Her husband, Greg, said, “You had to avoid that damn scooter he was on because he’d about run you over.”

With the help from the Drift In and Beach’N Bikes & Rentals, Marty’s scooter was donated to Cortezian and fellow amputee Kathy Barnett at the family’s request.

When asked about Marty, A.P. Bell and Star Fish Co. owner Karen Bell

said, “He hadn’t been around here a lot lately, but he used to be in the village all the time when he fished and lived up in Popeye’s apartment. He was kind of a jack of all trades who usually crewed on someone else’s boat. He was as committed to his art as much as anything else and he really enjoyed painting fish on glass. He had a good heart, but he also had an edginess to him.”

Charter captain and cousin Kathe Tupin Fannon said, “Marty had the ability to piss you off but he also had the ability to make you like him. I am sure when he made it to the front gates of Heaven he was explaining to God how to run Heaven.”

FACEBOOK TRIBUTES

Marty’s passing also generated many Facebook comments.

Drift In owner Derek Williams wrote: “I bought the Drift In in December 2022. Marty was one of the first people to offer me a hand. He loved his Drift family and he truly had pride in our business, our parking lot and his job. He earned every tip and he made people laugh.”

Former Drift In bartender Sharon Bell wrote: “Marty was one-of-a-kind for sure; my salty parking pirate. I think his drive and spirit were so strong that he willed himself into living the past few years. He enjoyed being the center of attention and truly loved being generous. I remember him offering his food and if you didn’t take at least a little it hurt his feelings. He was a pot-stirrer for sure, but kind at his core. He was a hard worker that wanted to contribute and be as independent as he could. We are less for not having him around to antagonize us with his antics. He will be missed and always remembered.”

Charter captain and Sports Lounge bartender Sarah Santos wrote: “I met Marty a little over 12 years ago, when I lived across from Star Fish Co. in the village. He was the sweetest man and always made me feel like a million bucks! We will all miss him dearly. He was so talented.”

Sunshine Bechler wrote: “Rest in Peace Marty. Thanks for squeezing me in and out a time or two.”

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Commercial fishing was one of Marty Tupin’s many passions.

CORTEZ ROAD: FDOT launches study

Suguri noted the lengthy Cortez Road corridor passes through multiple areas and neighborhoods that are different from one another and have different needs. He said three of the top 10 most dangerous segments of FDOT’s District 1 roadways in terms of fatal and serious injury crashes are located along the Cortez Road corridor, including the fourth most dangerous portion of the corridor between East 80th Street West (just west of 75th Street) to 30th Street West, near the Bowlero bowling alley. The next portion, from 30th Street West to 44th Avenue is listed as the sixth most dangerous stretch of road in District 1, which Suguri said includes 570 corridors.

According to the presentation, nine crash fatalities and 63 serious severe injuries have occurred along the corridor since 2015.

“It’s very important for us at the department to focus on safety, making sure whatever improvements we’re doing are not just about speeding up traffic. We want to make sure traffic is flowing safely. We want to make sure pedestrians can walk safely to where they’re going,” Suguri said, noting bicyclist safety is another key component.

“We know that just designing a safe roadway is not going to answer all the problems. There are multiple things involved with safety, so we want to take a system-wide approach. It takes all of us to bring it together. It’s policymaking, it’s how we interact with our community, it’s law enforcement and emergency management. It’s everybody working together to bring a good solution and that’s why we want to involve as many people as possible in this plan, so we can come up with good solutions,” Suguri said.

“It’s a commuter corridor. It provides access to the beaches. It serves multiple functions. It’s important to understand that in terms of developing a vision to respond to and facilitate the type of function that it serves,” Kalpakis said. “We’re looking at traffic conditions today and how conditions will be in the future as the corridor grows and as more people move into the area. Looking at safety conditions and the safety record in the corridor, which is not really good. That’s really the intent; to make sure the transportation strategies that we’re developing will make safe conditions for everyone.”

Regarding the anticipated study timeline, Suguri said, “We have about six months to complete this stage of the project. We’re already conducting

interviews. We met with some of the commissioners and we’re scheduling more of those meetings. We have an extensive stakeholder list. We’re going to be engaging with them one-on-one, not only on how the roadway functions, but also their plans for future development along the corridor.

“We’re also in the process of collecting data. We want to produce an existing conditions report that shows what the corridor is like today, what are the hot spots and where do we need to focus. We’re going to combine that with the information we get from the public to formulate those strategies. By fall and late winter we should have a vision plan and some high-level strategies we can offer,” Suguri said.

Suguri said the next steps include finalizing the transportation and land use existing conditions report, conducting more stakeholder interviews and preparing a community story video.

“It’s best to hear from the community so we can share with the public, so it’s not DOT leading the way, it’s really the

community taking leadership,” he said.

Suguri said a visioning workshop is anticipated in October that will give the public a chance to talk to FDOT officials and highlight what they feel are problem areas and hot spots. Suguri said a project website will also be created.

Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie expressed support for the study.

“I see this as a great opportunity, especially for the west side to be involved. FDOT is footing the bill on this so let’s get involved. We have traffic issues trying to get to and from the Island and there’s all the development that’s going to be taking place on the west side in the next few years.”

Along the west end of Cortez Road, 86 new homes are currently being built as part of the Hunters Point development, approximately 2,000 residential units are approved for the nearby and pending Peninsula Bay development and 6,500 residential units are approved for the pending Lake Flores development along Cortez Road and the El Conquistador Parkway.

It’s very important for us at the department to focus on safety, making sure whatever improvements we’re doing are not just about speeding up traffic.”

Vitor Suguri, FDOT community planner

DARA CAUDILL | WWW.ISLANDPHOTOGRAPHY.ORG

Happy Anniversary

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 five days a week, Tuesday - Friday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. offering: daily deliveries and pick-up orders, customized floral for weddings and private events, weekly corporate accounts,

Want

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.

*Submission of photo not a guarantee for placement. The Sun is not responsible for any copyright infringement.

Mary Jackson and Steve Fogle recently celebrated their first anniversay. Mary and Steve were married at the Sandbar restaurant on August 6, 2022.

Suncoast Waterkeeper urges protection of wetlands

County Comprehensive Plan with the following:

n a recent column, I reported how state rules and regulations passed during the DeSantis legislative session limited the protection of local waters at a time when the threat to water quality and habitat destruction has never been graver. Now, according to Suncoast Waterkeeper (SCWK) Executive Director Abbey Tyrna, that threat has come to Manatee County.

In a statement, SCWK responded to newly-proposed changes in the Manatee

“Manatee County has proposed removing policies of the comprehensive plan and sections of the land development code to allow for the destruction of our wetlands and wetland buffers. We're taking action to ensure that another threat to our quality of life, local economy and waterways don't become a reality. These changes would create permanent damage. Once wetlands are gone, they are gone for good.

“Wetlands are protected ecosystems because they perform a wide variety of important functions, chief among them is their ability to clean polluted water. This function alone should have the county commis -

sion and its appointed planning commission fighting to protect these valuable ecosystems in the face of increasingly harmful algae blooms including red tide and lyngbya. Wetlands do more than enhance water quality, they protect us from flooding, provide habitat for Florida fish and

wildlife, and replenish our dwindling groundwater supplies.

“So why would Manatee County Commission want to push changes that would destroy wetlands in the face of these threats? The answer is simple: They want more developable land to put corporate profits before our quality of life, our local economy and water quality.

"It is time to take action to make sure these changes do not become a reality. Will you join us in protecting our wetlands? Add your name to our petition that we are sending to the Manatee Board of County Commissioners at: https:// www.suncoastwaterkeeper.org/

save_our_welands. Together we'll protect what makes the Suncoast special.”

In what many described as a surprise decision, the Manatee County Planning Commission voted 4-2 on Aug. 10 not to recommend the proposed changes to the commission. At that meeting, Tyrna, as well as many local citizens, including past Commissioner Joe McClash, gave powerful testimony that swayed the majority of the board to vote the proposal down. That deprives the commission of the cover of their planning board. Unfortunately, they are not required to abide by that decision and could vote for the changes. That’s why SCWK, the Manatee County League of Women Voters, ManaSota-88, Speak Up Manatee, the Sierra Club, East Manatee Preservation and Kids for Clean Water are encouraging voters (you) to turn out at this Thursday’s commission meeting, which will be held at the Honorable Patricia M. Glass Chambers at the Manatee County Administration Building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W. in Bradenton. The meeting starts at 9 a.m.

If we, the citizens of Manatee County, don’t speak out, our children and future generations (who have no voice in this decision) will suffer the consequences of our inaction.

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

Dr. Abbey Tyrna, executive director of Suncoast Waterkeeper and a wetland scientist, addresses the Manatee County planning board.

RUSTY CHINNIS

AZURE SHORES: Ordinance will resolve inconsistencies

but a formal board recommendation was not requested because the proposed ordinance had not yet been properly advertised, as required by state law.

Prior to that August meeting, Serna sent a memo to the Planning and Zoning Board members that summarized and accompanied the proposed ordinance that contains the text amendments that will alleviate any existing or potential inconsistencies with the Azure Shores’ zoning and FLUM designations.

Serna’s memo notes the proposed ordinance will revise sections 302 and 307.4 of the city’s land development code (LDC) while retaining Azure Shores properties’ existing R-3 (Multiple-Family Dwelling) zoning designation and the existing R/O/R future land use designation.

“We have prepared a draft ordinance which adds R-3

as an implementing zoning district for the Retail/Office/ Residential (R/O/R) future land use category, adds bed and breakfasts and hotels/ motels as permitted uses in the R-3 district if the underlying future land use category is high density residential and updates terminology in the Land Development Code for clarification purposes,” Serna stated in his memo.

“As discussed at the June 7th meeting, based on our research of the 1989 comprehensive plan and the 1990 land development code, it is our opinion that the revisions proposed in this ordinance are consistent with the purpose and intent of the R-3 zoning district and the R/O/R and high density residential future land use categories and the areas of the city in which they are applied. The proposed revisions are for the purpose of correcting inconsistencies and for providing clarification; they will not take away

any existing development rights nor introduce uses that are not currently permitted.

“Regarding the proposed addition of bed and breakfast and hotel/motel uses in the R-3 district, please note that hotels and motels are currently referenced in several areas within the land development code in reference to

the R-3 district. Therefore, the proposed addition is being provided simply for clarification purposes. As proposed, bed and breakfasts and hotels/motels in the R-3 district will be limited to those areas that are within the high density residential future land use category,” Serna stated in his memo.

The proposed ordinance presented to the planning board on Aug. 2 contains the following language, “Commercial - Bed and Breakfast; hotels/motels: These uses are only permitted on sites with an underlying future land use of High Density Residential.” Serna’s memo states: “These uses would not be permitted in the Azure Shores subdivision, the area that was the initial focus of this discussion, which is located within the R/O/R future land use category.”

During the Aug. 2 Planning and Zoning Board meeting, Azure Shores resident and homeowner owner Evelyn Stob expressed her support and gratitude for this approach to resolving the zoning and FLUM inconsistencies. The remaining inconsistencies that still exist throughout the city will eventually be addressed as separate actions as part of this ongoing process.

Anna Maria

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Building Official Steve Gilbert, left, and City Planner Luis Serna found an alternate means to address existing land use inconsistencies.

GARAGE: County moves forward with beach garage design

Commissioner George Kruse said he’s concerned about the cost of the four proposed parking facilities. He said that three of the garages are “niceties,” but the proposed downtown Bradenton replacement garage is the only one that is actually needed. The current garage has structural issues and must be replaced for safety reasons. Out of the four proposed garages, the downtown garage is estimated to cost the most at around $100 million.

Kruse said that rather than serving the public interest, he feels the Manatee Beach parking garage is being considered strictly to support a narrative constructed around a lack of beach parking. Having toured the city’s available parking, he said he feels that the 600 additional spaces the garage would provide over and above the current 300 in the parking lot are unnecessary and that the construction of the garage, planned to take anywhere from 18-24 months, could cause significantly more damage to the area than it helps, reducing facilities and beach access over two high tourism seasons. He also noted that the garage is currently an unfunded expense for the county.

Kruse’s comments received a round of applause from members of the public in the commission chambers. However, Van Ostenbridge said he feels that the rest of the board doesn’t share Kruse’s concerns.

Commissioner James Satcher said that if he could just choose one parking garage on the list of proposals, he’d pick the Manatee Beach parking garage.

“People are clamoring to get to the beach. This is the right thing to do,” he said. “This should definitely be number one on our list.”

PUBLIC OPINION

During public comment, several people spoke against the parking garage, including Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer, former Holmes Beach mayor and former county commissioner Carol Whitmore, city attorney Erica Augello and Titsworth.

“We do have adequate parking and I want to show you so bad,” Titsworth said to the county commission.

“Please, before you act, take me up on my offer. Come

take the tour and see our available parking.” She did note that Bearden agreed to come visit the city in the next week.

Some of the issues with parking in residential neighborhoods that Titsworth noted include lack of bathrooms, resulting in people defecating in sea oats, and lack of lifeguards down the entire length of the beach.

Resident Bruce Meyer also spoke and said he feels that he’s being “punished” and is not represented by the county commission. He said that 600 spaces wouldn’t make a difference with the amount of people who want to come the county beaches.

Augello noted that the proposed revenue stream for parking garage, paid parking, is not an allowable use in Holmes Beach and would

SUBMITTED | MANATEE COUNTY

not be allowed. If pursued, she said it could potentially end in litigation.

Owner of the Bamboo Beach Apartments, Alice Sutton, invited the county commissioners to come for a free weekend stay on a day of their choice and help her pick up used diapers, condoms and other debris from the sea oats and beach, help direct parking and explain to naked people why they can’t change in the complex’s laundry room.

Holmes Beach Commissioner Carol Soustek said that the issue isn’t availability of parking, it’s not addressing the issues with traffic and not addressing multi-modal transportation. She noted that the city commission is responding to the concerns raised by the residents they’re elected to represent to reduce on-street

beach parking in residential neighborhoods. She said the city is not limiting access to the beach.

“We want to accommodate everyone we can,” she said. “We just can’t accommodate all of the cars.” Soustek encouraged county commissioners to look at some of the studies that have been done concerning traffic and congestion for additional solutions to issues with beach access, such as multimodal transportation.

Holmes Beach Commissioner Greg Kerchner addressed Bearden’s comments about planning for the future of the county with the potential for residential growth of 100,000 people over the coming years. He said that if the county wants to plan for the future, leaders need to look at more sustainable options than 600 beach parking spaces.

Closing out the meeting, both Kruse and Bearden spoke again with Kruse reiterating his earlier concerns that there are more pressing infrastructure issues in the county, such as the $60 million Fort Hamer Bridge project and the downtown Bradenton parking garage, that need to be addressed before a mere 600 parking spaces at Manatee Beach that will tie up facilities and parking for years is considered. Bearden said that he believes the 600 spaces will make a huge difference to people who live on the east side of the county who are waiting in traffic to get to the beach.

A rendering of the plan for a parking garage at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach shows the proposed footprint of the garage extending from lot line to lot line. Holmes Beach City Attorney Erica Augello noted that even though HB 947 takes away the city’s ability to govern permits for the garage, the structure should at least meet the county’s land development code and comprehensive plan which require setbacks for construction.

June 2023 tourist tax collections

Manatee County’s 5% resort tax, or tourist tax, is collected from owners of accommodations rented for six months or less who charge the tax to their renters, in most cases, tourists. About 50% of the tax proceeds are allocated to Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau tourism marketing efforts, with 20% allocated to beach renourishment. The tax also partially funds tourism-related attractions such as the Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria piers. Amounts shown were collected in June and paid to the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office in July. Manatee County totals include Anna Maria Island cities, Bradenton, the portion of Longboat Key within Manatee County, unincorporated Manatee County and Palmetto. To anonymously report a rental owner who may not be paying the tax, call 941-741-4809 or visit http://www.taxcollector.com/tdt-evader.cfm.

SOURCE: MANATEE COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR

Solid Rock Construction, Moss Builders win it all

BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN

ANNA MARIA – Beating the heat, The Center of Anna Maria Island’s youth indoor soccer league played three nights last week, ending with four teams battling it out for the championship title.

After beating the Intentional Resilient Intuitive team last Monday night in the semifinal game, Solid Rock Construction played against AMI Dolphin Tours in their final game of the season to determine which team would be the 8- to 10-year-old league champs.

AMI Dolphin Tours beat Progressive Cabinetry to gain the second spot in the championship game.

In the big match-up, first seed Solid Rock defeated their top rival after two halves of play by four shots. With the final score 10-6, goalkeeper Isaac Roadman made big moves in the goal to help Solid Rock win it all against AMI Dolphin Tours.

With nine saves in the game, Roadman helped to keep the AMI Dolphin Tours squad to two goals despite grand efforts by the team’s offense. The team’s defense could not keep Matthew Darak from scoring two goals for Solid Rock Construction.

Teammate Turner Worth scored a solo goal in the game to help secure the win.

On the other side of the hard pitch, Miles Moss had 13 stops in the goal for AMI Dolphin Tours. Playing in both age divisions, Moss maintained his top-notch play for two games last week.

Gunnar Maize and Parker Svoboda both scored outstanding goals in the match-up, but their scoring just was not enough to bring home the win.

In the older league for 11- to 13-year-old youth, the older Solid Rock team lost to team Moss Builders. Ranked #1 going into the game, Solid Rock was the favored team, but the third-ranked Moss Builders squad proved too hard to beat.

In the semifinals, Solid Rock Construction played against the Island Vacation Properties team to solidify their place in the big game. Moss Builders won against Coastline West Team to clinch the second spot.

Left, playing hard against the Intentional Resilient Intuitive team in the 8- to 10-year-old indoor soccer league, Solid Rock Construction earned their championship title. Pictured from left are Assistant Coach Matt Darak, Matthew Darak, Obi Roadman, Isaac Roadman, Elijah Roadman, Turner Worth, Holden Lake, Sam Raulerson and head coach James Roadman.

Rounding out recreational sports action at The Center, adult co-ed flag football play continued last Thursday night. Remaining undefeated, top-ranked Luxury Services eked out the win against Cortez Deep Sea Fishing by a touchdown and one-point conversion, 34-27. In the second game of the night, team Moss Builders easily ended the game victorious against Sandbar Seafood & Spirits. With the final score, 46-24, Moss Builders advances to the championship game to face Luxury Services on Thursday, Aug. 17 at 8 p.m. at The Center.

SUN SCOREBOARD

AUG. 9

YOUTH INDOOR SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

8- TO 10-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE

As the ranking underdog last Wednesday night, Moss Builders turned up their game to win against Solid Rock by two.

Playing goalie for Moss Builders, Magness Rollins was credited with 11 big stops, while Callin Westfall put two points on the scoreboard for his team. Teammate Jackson Wyatt contributed to the win with a goal of his own.

Solid Rock Construction’s Austin Guess saved 11 goals in the game as well, with a single goal by Ryk Kesten to keep the team in the game until the last whistle blew, signaling the end of the game and season.

ADULT CO-ED FLAG FOOTBALL QUARTER FINAL PLAYOFF GAMES

Right, winning the 11- to 13-yearold championship game against Solid Rock Construction, team Moss Builders closed out the season the victors. Pictured from left are Head Coach Ryan Moss, Walker Wyatt, Jackson Wyatt, Mason Moss, Hannah Moss, Miles Moss, Magness Rollins, Callin Westfall and Braelyn Curtis.

MONICA SIMPSON | SUN

MONICA SIMPSON | SUN

Has Anna Maria Island been gentrified?

I’m working on my 14-hour real estate continuing education course which I am required to do thankfully only every two years to keep my Florida real estate license. Every time I work through the questions and an swers I almost always learn something new, and I guess that’s the point. This time I learned about gentrification, and I knew from the very first page that this would be a column.

To quote my course book, “Gentrification is a process of changing the character of a neighborhood through the influx of more affluent residents and businesses. This is a common and often controversial topic in politics and urban planning. Gentrification often increases the economic value of a neighborhood but can force out lowincome residents due to the increased cost of rent and higher cost of goods.”

And there’s more, “The gentrification process is typically the result of increasing attraction to an area by

Castles in the Sand

LOUISE BOLGER

people with higher incomes spilling over from neighboring communities.” Does any of this sound familiar to you? It certainly should since we’ve been living through an island gentrification for the last 10 to 15 years - we just didn’t give it a name.

Anna Maria Island was discovered by a vast number of vacationers when the Island started hitting national publications at least 10 years ago. At first, I thought what fun, little Anna Maria Island has been discovered, but I never dreamed it would keep going to the degree that almost every month you can find something about Anna Maria Island in print. My family in Connecti-

cut told me that Connecticut Magazine has an advertisement saying to come to Anna Maria Island and its Old Florida charm courtesy of Avelo Airlines.

As recently as January of this year, the Wall Street Journal profiled just the city of Anna Maria “which is on the north end of a 7-mile-long tropical oasis.” They were profiling the city of Anna Maria’s zip code, which they pointed out is home to Florida’s second most expensive ranked median listing price properties. Miami’s Fisher Island is first.

Florida’s growth is no secret. It was growing before World War II and after the war, it boomed. I once heard a lecturer in a real estate seminar say the growth of Florida is primarily due to air conditioning and mosquito control. Now we can add to that the COVID-19 pandemic, which sent hundreds of thousands of new residents and even more new visitors to our shores.

The result is all based on econom-

ics. Old Florida cottages and some not-so-old single-family homes are being replaced with huge new homes sporting multi-million-dollar price tags designed to rent to vacationers or flip as the prices keep going up. Recently in this newspaper, one of our reporters wrote a very enlightening story about the decline in population on the Island. That doesn’t mean fewer people are walking, riding bikes or eating in local restaurants on the Island, it means there are fewer fulltime residents. She reported in one year from 2020 to 2021, the Island lost 1,322 residents, 26.75% from Holmes Beach, 4% from Bradenton Beach and 13% from Anna Maria. Gentrification is all about changing the character of a community and infusing it with tons of money. Sometimes that’s good and sometimes it’s not. Out with the old and in with the new. The only thing they can’t change is the beach - or can they?

OBITUARIES

James F. Hamilton

James F. Hamilton, 92, passed away on July 31, 2023, in Bradenton, Florida.

Jim was born on March 8, 1931, in Elwood, Indiana to James C. Hamilton and Mary E. (Brown) Hamilton. He was a fourth-generation native of the Elwood area. His father’s career moves meant Jim spent his formative years in Elwood and Anderson Indiana, Kansas City, Missouri, Oakland, California, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Jim was a 1949 graduate of Elwood High School in Elwood. He served as the captain of their debate team, winning a contest against James Dean of the Fairmount High School debate team. After high school, Jim attended Purdue University where he graduated in 1954 with a BS degree in mechanical engineering. Upon graduation, Jim’s draft deferment expired and he joined the U.S. Army in May of 1954 and was deployed primarily in Italy.

After returning from the Army, Jim started his career with the Guide division of General Motors in Anderson, Indiana, where he worked 30 years as a senior process engineer, retiring in July 1985.

In December 1957, Jim married Elizabeth (“Bette”) Paterson, a graduate of Ball State Teachers College, who was an elementary school teacher in Speedway, Indiana. In the 1960s and 1970s, he was involved with civic activities including Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. He also served as the 1970 President of the morning Exchange Club in Anderson. He obtained an MS degree from Ball State University and was a registered professional engineer in Indiana. In 1986, he was selected as the Commodore of the Indianapolis Yacht Club of Geist Lake. After retirement, Jim and Bette built a house in Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island, Florida, overlooking Anna Maria Sound. For many years, Jim was active in the Key Royale Club on Anna Maria Island. He particularly enjoyed investing and trading in the stock market. Jim was also an avid world traveler including many trips to Europe and even to Russia. He loved walking and hiking. He hiked the Cinque Terre on the coast of Italy and Peru’s Machu Pichu in his 80s. He was appreciated and respected by all of his

children and grandchildren for being a loving and generous person.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 54 years, Elizabeth (“Bette”) Paterson Hamilton, who passed away on July 31, 2011. After Bette’s passing, Jim developed a fond relationship with his companion, Nancy Colcord, of Bradenton, Florida. They enjoyed spending time together including many international vacations.

He is survived by son, James A. (Kim) Hamilton, of Bradenton; grandchildren, James (“Bradley”) Hamilton, of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Brice C. Hamilton, of Maui, Hawaii; step-grandchildren, Brandee Rimer, of Wichita, Kansas, Brent (Erica) Rimer and their children Karlee, Wesley and Huxley, of Parrish, Florida; son Jeffrey W. Hamilton, of Bradenton; grandchildren, Everett C. (Alexis) Hamilton, of San Diego, California, Olivia Hamilton, of Tampa, Florida; daughter, Elizabeth (Dr. Lawrence) Born, of Indianapolis, Indiana; grandchildren, Nicholas Born, of Chicago, Illinois, Jameson Born, of New York, New York, John Born, of Indianapolis, Indiana and Elizabeth Born of Indianapolis.

A celebration of life will be held in Holmes Beach, Florida in Octobver at a date to be determined. His interment will be at the Sarasota National Cem-

etery in Sarasota, Florida. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be made to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

Ernie Schneevogl

Ernie Schneevogl recently passed away at 88 years old. Ernie was a full-time resident of Holmes Beach since 1998 but the island didn’t slow him down as his speed and tenac ity never waned.

He was raised in New Jersey and was a great baseball player. Ernie began working at a young age at the Monmouth racetrack paddock. He joined the U.S. Army, serving abroad in Korea. He then graduated with a bachelor's degree from Saint Anselm College in 1958. Ernie had two careers after college. The first was working in the insurance business as a senior underwriter for IRM which led to living in New York City, Chicago and finally Charlotte. The second was working as a loyal Publix employee for 25 years. Ernie’s intense passion for work was incredible and only his passing was

SEE OBITUARIES, PAGE 26

OBITUARIES

the island. Donations also can be made to The Center of Anna Maria Island or carolinacrown.org.

Marty Tupin

able to break his dedication to Publix and he wouldn’t have it any other way. He enjoyed working in the yard, drum and bugle corps music, aviation, and keeping up with the local fishing community during breakfast at Peach’s on the island. He will be missed and is survived by daughter, Lilly (Ralph) Butcher; grandson, Alex (Amber); and great-grandchildren, Jackson and Aveline. He will also be missed and forever in the hearts of the Eurice and Garcia families. Ernie supported the communities in which he worked and lived and to continue his legacy, simply lend a helping hand to a neighbor on

Marty Tupin passed away peacefully on Aug. 1, 2023, at Tidewell Hospice in Bradenton at the age of 62, just shy of his 63rd birthday. Marty was born in Ohio on Aug. 30, 1960 and later moved to Florida with his father and three siblings. He is survived by his son, Cory Herrick; grandson, Jace Herrick, of Michigan; sister, Judy Tupin (Charles) Mossorofo of Venice, Florida; nieces, Terry, Lacy, Brooklyn and Viva; nephews, Kevin and Jason; brother, Carter Tupin; and sister, Lynn (Brian) Apple.

Marty was a third-generation commercial fisherman in Cortez and also a fabricator who repaired both wooden and fiberglass boats. He was an accomplished local artist and his work can be seen in various haunts, including the Drift In in Bradenton Beach. He was always seen with his beloved dog, Seine, who was named after the fishing net. Marty was a friend to many locals and enjoyed sharing his catch of the day with them. Marty, you will be missed but not forgotten.

Marty’s family will host a celebration of life on Sunday, Oct. 1 from 5-8 p.m. at Star Fish Co., 306 46th Ave. W., Cortez. Proceeds from the donation box will benefit Marty’s son, Cory. The Drift In, 120 Bridge St. in Bradenton Beach, will host a celebration of life on Sunday, Aug. 27 at 2 p.m. Attendees are invited to bring a dish to share and to also share their stories and memories of Marty.

PINEY POINT: Closure, lawsuit continue

FROM PAGE 4

DISASTER STRIKES, LAWSUIT FOLLOWS

On March 25, 2021, HRK notified FDEP of a leak in its onsite collection system. FDEP authorized the emergency discharge of 215 million gallons of wastewater from the former phosphate plant into Tampa Bay to maintain the integrity of the gypsum stack waste storage system and avoid a potential flood. The discharge prompted a severe red tide outbreak in local waters.

On Aug. 5, 2021, FDEP filed a complaint in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court in Manatee County initiating an enforcement action

against HRK Holdings LLC.

FDEP requested a judgment against HRK of $50,000 a day in civil penalties for each day that it failed to remove process water at Piney Point, and $15,000 per day for failure to provide FDEP with financial assurance. The total maximum penalties for all of HRK’s violations total $119,745,000, according to the complaint.

“This action enforces compliance with the state’s environmental laws and all of HRK’s existing authorizations, orders and agreements with the Department. The Department is seeking the maximum allowable penalties and recovery of costs

and damages under existing laws and regulations,” according to FDEP.

The case was dismissed for lack of prosecution in 2022 and reinstated this year.

On Jan. 3, 2023, FDEP filed a motion for a default final judgment against HRK, claiming in part that HRK failed to remove contaminated groundwater from Feb. 15, 2019 to May 15, 2022, “as required by Administrative Consent Order,” and also claiming that HRK failed to meet groundwater standards on 18 separate occasions, equating to $270,000 in penalties.

The case remains open.

BEACH BEAT

BRADENTON BEACH

8/4, 1:06 a.m., recovered stolen vehicle, 100 First St. N. The officer noticed a Kia parked alone in a public lot. A check of the registration revealed the vehicle was a stolen rental car from Bradenton. The car was towed from the scene and the case turned over to the Bradenton Police Department.

8/8, 4:15 p.m., burglary of a vehicle, 1900 Gulf Drive S. The officer was dispatched in reference to wallets stolen from vehicles. The victim said he and his friend came to the beach with family, arriving at 1 p.m. He said they came back at 3 p.m. and found both victims’ wallets had been taken from their vehicles. Both victims said their wallets contained around $100 cash, credit cards and driver’s licenses, and both reported fraudulent charges made in Chilean pesos

that were almost $800 each. Although the vehicles were locked, both were entered without damage by an unknown means. Police do not have a suspect.

HOLMES BEACH

8/2, 10:47 p.m., trespass warning, 5410 Marina Drive. The officer responded to DCoy Ducks bar in reference to a patron who was refusing to leave. Upon arrival, he met with the bartender, who pointed out the female subject who

appeared to be intoxicated. She was trespassed at the request of the bartender.

8/5, 1:02 p.m., found firearm, 5009 Second Ave. The officer was dispatched to a vacation rental where the housekeeper showed the officer the location of a gun in a nightstand in one of the bedrooms. The officer found a loaded Glock 17 pistol with 17 bullets in the magazine. The gun was legally registered and the owner was contacted and told how he could recover the firearm.

Driver involved in pedestrian fatality sentenced

The driver of a truck that struck two women in Holmes Beach on May 12, killing 86 year-old Miriam Trotter and injuring her daughter, Deborah Trotter, 65, has been found guilty of failure to yield to a pedestrian. The driver, Michael Ritchie, 43, of

Bradenton, had challenged the citation issued to him by the Holmes Beach Police Department in Manatee County’s Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court, but was found guilty on Aug. 9 and ordered to pay $166 plus court fees. Ritchie was also ordered to attend

Lo ok No Fu rt he r

a four-hour driver improvement course within 60 days of being found guilty. Ritchie was not charged criminally for Trotter’s death. Police say he was cooperative at the time and did not leave the scene of the accident.

Perico Bay Club—As Good As It Gets!!

AME: Students back in school

FROM PAGE 1

It wasn’t just staff and students who were excited to begin the new school year; parents were also ready for another year at the little school by the bay that many feel is a special privilege for their children to attend.

“My kids couldn’t wait to get into school this morning,” said Margie Messinger, who has three children at AME. “I have children in kindergarten, second and third grades. They were dressed up and ready to go, and there was quite the welcoming committee this morning. The principal, chief of police and just about everybody was out there; it was great.”

“This is one of the reasons we live here. Anna Maria Island is already amazing, but this school is the cherry on top,” second-grader parent Michelle Urbiola said. “They brought in the Guy Harvey program and I can’t have my kids anywhere else. This is the best place for them and I’m just so grateful.”

ANNE YARBROUGH | SUN

Police Chief Bill Tokajer greets first-grader Wilder King on the first day of school at Anna Maria Elementary.

FUN IN THE SUN

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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 non-perishable food, PAPER & PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS. Donations boxes are located at the Church, Moose Club, and Walgreen’s.

HOSPITAL VOLUNTEERS

WANTED to assist at our information desk, especially weekends. Great for teens needing volunteer hours (16yrs+). Other assignments available. Please call the Blake Volunteer Office at 941-798-6151.

BOAT SLIP WANTED

IN SEARCH OF BOAT SLIP for rent or sale (preferably with lift)

Kelly Gitt The Gitt Team KW on the Water 941799-9299

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

TOTAL HOME SERVICES CLEANING: Residential, Commercial, Rentals, VRBO. Professional and Reliable. Call 941-756-4570 or 941-565-3931

EMPLOYMENT

POSITIVE, ENERGETIC RENTAL AGENT for a growing company on Island. Take reservation, interacting with guest, owners & vendors, etc. Knowledge of RNS a plus. $17hr. depending on experience. 941-778-4800.

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 daily or 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: Cindy Lane, editor.

FISHING CHARTERS

CAPT. MAC GREGORY

Fishing Charters. Full Day, Half Day, Night, Inshore & Near Shore. 941-809-5783

U.S.C.G. Certified/Insured

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 941-725-0073.

KERN & GILDER CONSTRUCTION, INC New Homes & Remodel. Design/Build. Since 1968. License # CBC 1261150. Call the Office. 941-7781115

GET’R DONE DRYWALL, INC Specializing in Remodels & Repairs. Island Resident for 20+ years. Call Neil. Cell 941-9621194

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.

ISLE TILE specializing in Custom Bath/Shower & Backsplash installation. Pressure washing available. Call 941-302-8759 isletileservices.com

GORILLA DRYWALL REPAIR, LLC. 15+ years of experience. Free Estimates. Let’s solve your Drywall problems together. Call 941-286-0607.

HOME SERVICES

CONCRETE FUSION, CRACK REPAIR sidewalks/ driveways, pool decks, concrete grinding. Why fix 95% of concrete when only 5% bad? Number 1 in concrete repair. Insured. Free estimate. Call Bobby 941-374-7670.

LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE

R. GAROFALO’S Interlocking brick pavers, driveways, patios, pool decks. Free estimates. Licensed & Insured. Call Rafael 941-778-4823 or Veronik 941-526-7941

SHELL DRIVEWAYS & LANDSCAPE. Specializing in Old Florida Seashell and Lime rock driveways and scapes. Also River Rock, Sand, Mulch, & Soil. Call Shark Mark 941-301-6067

ISLAND RESIDENT. TREE/ BUSH Trimming, removal. Sweeping, blowing, and weeding. Weekly, bi-monthly or monthly schedule. Pressure washing. Call Bill Witaszek 941307-9315

LOST & FOUND

LOST WALLET AROUND

Judy’s Restaurant. Please call 313-310-3290. REWARD

LOST KEY FOB at Pickle ball courts in Holmes Beach. Please call 941778-2919.

LOST GOLD RING High School Graduation with PA on Top. Please call 941243-1444

MOVING & STORAGE

MARTIN’S MOVING

YOUR Island movers! Offering dependable, competitive rates. No hidden costs. 941-8095777.

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. Wallpaper installation/ removal. Mary Bell Winegarden 941-794-0455

DONALD PERKINS ABRACADABRA PAINTING LLC fully insured. 30 years experience. Many Island references. Call 941705-7096

PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reliable. Island Resident. Quality Workmanship. Interior/Exterior. Minor repairs & carpentry. Free estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315

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

TOTAL HOME SERVICES CLEANING: Residential, Commercial, Construction, Vacation, VRBO Rentals . Also available Pressure Washing, Roof Cleaning, Paver Sealing and Windows. Call 941-5653931.

T & B PRESSURE WASHING Licensed & Insured. Driveways/sidewalks, Roofs, Pool cages, Fences, House (soft wash/ downstream). Call 813638-7636. tandbpressurewashing@yahoo. com Family owned and operated.

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 941-232-2216

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! 941-725-1589

RUNAWAY BAY ISLAND

CONDO $430,000 Across from Beach. Water views Sold furnished. Christine Kourik Re/max 314-4407574 LOWEST PRICE PROPERTY ON ISLAND

1455 GULF DR $1,375,000 3BR/3BA, 2 car garage, Furnished. Weekly rental zoned Christine Kourik REMAX Alliance 314-440-7574

BUSINESS & SERVICE

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.

SUNNYSHORES/ SAGAMORE ESTATES AREA: Annual rental, home with 3BR/1.5BA. Includes washer, dryer, screened in patio, parking under carport, and access to boat ramp and park by Palma Sola Bay. $1,900 per month.

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 941-201-2190

ANNA MARIA ISLAND

CONDOS Large pool, beach access, free WiFi, 1&2 Bedroom $900 to $1200 per week redekercondosonami.com Tim 941-704-7525

LOOKING FOR A SNOWBIRD

6 months one day rental. Great location $3000/mo. Call 941-778-4499

TRANSPORTATION

AMI TAXI credit cards, cash, Venmo accepted. Airport: Tampa $105, Sarasota $50, St. Pete/ Clearwater $105, Orlando $220. Call 941-447-8372, www.amitaxi.com GOLF CART RENTALS

ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa/St. Pete $80. Sarasota $40. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-7795095

Sales Associate

Katie Self Sales Associate Joey Hutchinson Sales Associate

Lindsey Leech Strickland Broker Associate Tom Aposporos

Sales Associate

Martha Jones Robel Sales Associate April Green Sales Associate Michelle Laade Sales Associate Cindy Jones Broker- Owner

Darcie Duncan

Sales Associate Diann Roberts Sales Associate Sales ssociate Broker Associate Sales Associate

Paige Rogers Sales Associate Robyn Hawk