Fiery farewell
Piney Point withstands Debby
Piney Point received more than 9 inches of rain from what was then Tropical Storm Debby on Aug. 4-5.
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
PALMETTO - Severe weather associated with then-Tropical Storm Debby passed over the Piney Point site on Aug. 4-5, producing high winds and more than 9 inches of rain, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), which says the rainfall was well within the plant’s storage capacity of 90 inches. The Piney Point property is the site of a former phosphate processing plant closed for several years. Wastewater holding ponds were built on the crest of phosphogypsum stacks at the site, less than two miles from Tampa Bay and near two state aquatic preserves.
In April 2021, a breach in the outer wall of one of the retention ponds resulted in approximately 215 million gallons of water containing high levels of nitrogen and phosphate being intentionally discharged into nearby waters to avoid flooding nearby homes and businesses. The discharge worsened a bloom of the toxic algae red tide that lasted six months, causing fish kills and respiratory irritation. Afterwards, a 3,300-foot-deep well was built near Piney Point at 3105 Buckeye Road to permanently store the wastewater being drained from the stacks, a process still in progress.
In an Aug. 9 FDEP status update, it was reported that:
• The site has received 9.55 inches of rain so far this month, including approximately 9.5 inches from Hurricane Debby. Piney Point has received approximately 44.49 inches of rain since Jan. 1.
SEE PINEY POINT, PAGE 20
43 million gallons of sewage discharged during Debby
An estimated 25 million gallons of untreated and partially treated wastewater was discharged into the Manatee River alone.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
BRADENTON – During and after what was then Tropical Storm Debby, the city’s water reclamation facility discharged an estimated 25 million gallons of raw and partially treated sewage into the Manatee River, according to department officials.
The neighboring city of Sarasota discharged nearly 18 million gallons of raw and partially treated sewage into that city’s stormwater system, which connects to Sarasota Bay, according to department officials.
In total, the Bradenton and Sarasota water reclamation facilities discharged nearly 43 million gallons of sewage into local waterways.
SEE SEWAGE, PAGE 15
Sun to host candidate forum
Before you place your vote, check out The Sun’s 2024 Holmes Beach candidate forum.
BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – Meet this year’s mayoral and commission candidates at The Anna Maria Island Sun’s Holmes Beach Candidate Forum and get your questions answered.
The Sun is hosting an in-person candidate forum on Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 6 p.m. at Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive.
City commission candidates including former Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore, Planning Commissioner Steve Oelfke, incumbent Commissioner Dan Diggins and newcomer Bill Romberger are scheduled to attend to answer questions from the community in a public forum. Questions begin at 6 p.m. with a mayoral candidate forum beginning immediately afterwards.
Holmes Beach mayoral candidates Mike Roth and incumbent Mayor Judy Titsworth will discuss their plans for the future and the current issues facing the city. While The Sun has some questions for the candidates, we also want to ask the candidates your questions. Please submit your questions to The Sun at news@ amisun.com and specify if they should be asked during the commission or mayoral forum. All questions submitted for the candidate forum will be asked anonymously during the forum and candidates will not have access to the questions beforehand. Candidate questions must be submitted no later than Monday, Aug. 26 to be included in the forum.
If you can’t make it in person, the forum will also be streamed live on The Sun’s Facebook page with on-demand replay available after the event concludes.
See mayoral candidates' stories on Page 4.
CINDY LANE | SUN
Stop by each evening for 'golden hour' on Anna Maria Island's beaches.
City inherits 93-year-old cottage
A massive undertaking is underway to move a 1931 historic cottage donated to the city from its location on 109 48th St. to a vacant lot adjacent to Grassy Point Preserve.
BY KRISTIN SWAIN
SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – An old cottage will soon find a new home at Grassy Point Preserve.
The cottage, currently located at 109 48th St., is planned to be moved to one of the two vacant lots the city owns adjacent to Grassy Point Preserve. In the 2024-25 fiscal year, the city’s Public Works Department has budgeted $100,000 to move and temporarily place the structure.
City Planner Chad Minor said there is a lot of site work to be done at the location where the cottage will be moved, work that could take a year or two to fully complete before the cottage can be opened to the public. The first step, he said, is to get the cottage moved to its
new location, secured and weatherproofed to prevent it from being demolished and allow for the city to continue working on the site.
Minor said his vision for the property is to make it a cultural center in conjunction with the Anna Maria Island Historical Society with a Florida-friendly garden and parking for Grassy
Point. Commissioner Carol Soustek said she’d spoken with the Anna Maria Island Art League, which would like to use the cottage for art classes.
“There are a myriad of uses for that property,” she said.
Minor said the cottage has been in the Dupps family since it was built in 1931 and while the family
wants to see it preserved, they’ve outgrown the structure and want to rebuild on their lot. Currently, the city is investigating moving the cottage in October.
Minor said a geotechnical study needs to be done to determine what kind of foundation needs to be built since the house isn’t a designated historical structure and therefore needs to meet FEMA standards. He added that he’s already spoken to Florida Power & Light along with the house movers and said it should be an easy move with the home placed on a temporary foundation until a full foundation can be engineered and built. Two line drops and a few trimmed tree branches should be all that’s needed to clear the way, he said.
Minor’s hoping to bring a more formal presentation on the cottage, the move and the potential future uses for it at an upcoming commission work session with the help of some members of the community.
“People are really excited about it,” he said.
MANATEE COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER | SUBMITTED
The cottage has been in the Dupps family for over nine decades.
ISLAND NEWS
IN BRIEF
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
New ferry stop park takes shape
Construction of decking and a pergola has begun at the new park at the corner of Bridge Street and Bay Drive South in Bradenton Beach. Overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, the park is a partnership between the Manatee County Tourist Development Council and the city of Bradenton Beach, and will be a designated waiting area for the Gulf Islands Ferry.
Sidewalks, shade sail on Thursday agenda
The Anna Maria City Commission will meet on Thursday, Aug. 22 at 6 p.m. The meeting will begin with general public comment on non-agenda items. The city attorney will present a resolution pertaining to alcoholic beverages. The mayor will provide an update on Tropical Storm Debby impacts, an update on the installation of a shade sail structure at the City Pier Park children’s playground and a potential contract with Eason Builders for the phase one installation of brick paver sidewalks along Pine Avenue. To participate in the meeting by phone, call 1-929-205-6099 and enter the meeting ID: 85392000280.
CITY OF ANNA MARIA | SUBMITTED Anna Maria unveils revised website
The city of Anna Maria has a newly-revised website, www.cityofannamaria.com, that features a new look, revised navigation tools and an upgraded “Featured News” section that encourages residents, property owners and business owners to sign up to receive city notifications and alerts.
Scan this code with your smartphone to go there.
Newcomer ready to take mayoral seat
Holmes Beach resident Mike Roth hopes to bring his business and military expertise to city hall.
BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – Mike Roth may be a political newcomer on Anna Maria Island, but he has plans for what he’d like to see in the community if residents vote him in as mayor in November.
“I’ve been on-Island for over 20 years,” Roth said, noting that he and his family visited almost every weekend from their primary residence in Tampa. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he said their Holmes Beach house became their primary residence and it’s a move that neither he nor his wife have regretted. Roth made his career in the U.S. Army as a Green Beret before making the move to the Army Reserves and switching careers to banking.
during public comment until the parking garage at Manatee Beach discussion came up.
He said he still works as a banker with an office in Tampa though he enjoys working from home most of the time and says that his work and his training with the Reserves will not impact his ability to serve as the city’s mayor.
In fact, he said his retirement from an active military life is what enabled him to be able to run for mayor. “I’ve had people say you should run for mayor, but I couldn’t. Now I can.”
Once he retired from the military, Roth said he began attending city commission meetings and was happy giving suggestions
“It doesn’t even make sense to me why we don’t have someone outside of the Island agreeing with us that it’s a waste of money, it’s going to environmentally impact a great location and it’s going to be a real pain in the butt for Manatee County residents who normally park in that lot to not be able to use it for a couple of years while the construction is going on.”
When Mayor Judy Titsworth went to Tallahassee to speak with lawmakers before the bill was passed and didn’t sway any votes, Roth said he felt the city was facing a serious issue.
“That’s when I was like there’s something wrong,” he said. “I’ve got to figure out what it is and I’ve got to do something about it because I’m that person.”
Roth said a new injection of
SEE ROTH, PAGE 14
Titsworth shares re-election hopes, goals
Holmes Beach Mayor
Judy Titsworth still has a lot she wants to accomplish if residents re-elect her for another term at the city’s helm.
BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – Judy Titsworth has already served three terms as mayor, but she’s not ready to step down yet.
Titsworth is up for re-election on the November ballot and after running unopposed in 2020 and 2022, this year, she’ll face challenger Mike Roth.
“I feel that the community still needs me,” Titsworth said about her reasons for running for re-election. She noted that in her time as mayor, the city has worked to improve its failing infrastructure, reached a healthy reserve amount in case of a natural disaster, and worked to improve water quality with
the Islanders 4 Clean Water campaign. One of the thing’s she’s most proud of is the revitalization of City Field with the creation of a larger dog park, installation of a new playground, bocce ball, pickleball and shuffleboard courts and the skatepark.
“That’s proof of what the community can do when it comes together,” she said, indicating the skatepark and accompanying skate bowl were funded by community members.
With good people in office and working behind the scenes at city hall, Titsworth said she feels that
the community can continue to take steps forward into a future with a good quality of life for both residents and visitors. She does not, however, support having a community manager.
Titsworth said that a community manager, one city manager serving all three Anna Maria Island cities, would mean that the cities are consolidated, something she strongly opposes unless the voters band together and decide that’s what they want to do. “If the voters want it and are in favor of it, I’ll support it,” she said of consolidation, though Titsworth added that she hopes it never comes to that. If consolidation did happen, she said it would not only put a lot of people out of work, but it could also cost taxpayers more money to implement than it would save, remove current community protections and remove the character of the three Island cities. She fears that hiring
FILE PHOTO | SUN
Judy Titsworth is the incumbent mayor.
MIKE ROTH | SUBMITTED
Mike Roth wants to unseat the incumbent.
Brian Blaine lived, loved until the end
Brian Blaine was loved by many on Anna Maria Island.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Former City Pier bait shop bartender Brian Blaine passed away on Aug. 4 at the age of 51.
The Bradenton resident is survived by his significant other of nearly four years, Jill Anderson. Brian, who never married, also leaves behind his 12-year-old daughter, Molly Ann Blaine, and his 18-year-old son, William Robert Blaine, both of whom live with their mom in Bradenton.
“He loved to take Molly to the Bridge Street Pier and she’d throw pennies at the heart-shaped rock in the water like a wishing well. She also loved going to the Moose with us. He loved that little girl like no other,” Jill said.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, Sept. 1 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Drift In in Bradenton Beach. Attendees are invited to bring a covered dish to share, along with their memories of Brian. Steve Paradis will provide the live music in honor of his late friend.
“The Drift In was like home to Brian. That was like family. We were there every day. We spent Christmas and Thanksgiving there. He loved that bar. Brian didn’t want a funeral service. He wanted me to spread his ashes at the City Pier and have a celebration at the Drift,” Jill said.
“Brian was a wonderful man and a good friend to all,” Drift In manager Doreen Flynn said.
BEER ON THE PIER
Brian sold bait, tackle and beer at the City Pier bait shop in Anna Maria for about six years when Mario Schoenfelder leased the city-owned City Pier Restaurant and bait shop buildings. He was among those displaced from their jobs when the City Pier was closed in September 2017 and later replaced due to damage inflicted by Hurricane Irma, including the loss of the bait shop roof.
A few months later, on Thanksgiving morning, Brian, a former executive recruiter, and his former co-workers gathered at Bayfront Park to catch up and check in on each other.
“The pier is a magical place for us. It was my favorite place in the world. It’s
the worst I’ve been paid, but the best corner office I ever had,” he said that day before passing out lottery tickets as holiday gifts.
The new pier opened in mid-2020. Under new management, the City Pier Grill and bait shop opened later that year but Brian never worked there again.
David Sork was the general manager of the old City Pier Restaurant and bait shop. He now works at the Ugly Grouper in Holmes Beach.
“Brian wasn’t nearly as interested in the fishing end of things as he was in entertaining folks and pouring beers,” Sork said. “We were a big family out there and a lot of folks became really good friends. We came together for a common objective: to make a living and have a good time. Brian was incredibly friendly. He built relationships with the customers and had a lot of regulars. He absolutely loved that job and he did it well. He’d serve you a beer and a smile and engage in conversation. He was a happy-golucky guy and I’m glad he walked into my life.”
In early May, Brian posted on Facebook a photo of himself, Sork and former City Pier Restaurant staffer Rockey Corby. He referenced Sork and Corby as “the two greatest bosses ever in my life.”
When discussing his final visit with Brian, Sork said, “Rock and I got together with Brian and Jill a
JILL ANDERSON | SUBMITTED
Jill Anderson lost the love of her life when Brian Blaine passed away.
OPINION
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WEDNESDAY, AUG. 21
Weekly oyster drilling, Robinson Preserve Valentine House, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 8 a.m. to noon
One-on-one tech help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2-4 p.m.
THURSDAY, AUG. 22
One-on-one tech help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to noon
Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m.
AMI Chamber of Commerce Business Card Exchange, The Chateau Anna Maria, 5325 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 5-7 p.m., $5 for members or $10 for prospective members
FRIDAY, AUG. 23
Forty Carrots infant and toddler playtime, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.
Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.
SATURDAY, AUG. 24
Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon
TUESDAY, AUG. 27
Turtle Tracks and Shorebird Facts, Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 28
Weekly oyster drilling, Robinson Preserve Valentine House, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 8 a.m. to noon
SATURDAY, AUG. 31
Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon
MONDAY, SEPT. 2
Labor Day
TUESDAY, SEPT. 3
Family story time, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.
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. 21, 9 a.m. – Planning and Zoning board meeting
Aug. 22, 5 p.m. – City Commission budget meeting
Aug. 22, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting
Sept. 2, all day – Labor Day, city offices closed
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. 21, 1 p.m. – Scenic WAVES meeting
Aug. 22, 1 p.m. – Bid opening
Aug. 28, 10 a.m. – Pier Team meeting
Sept. 2, all day – Labor Day, city offices closed
Sept. 4, 9:30 a.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency meeting
Sept. 4, 1 p.m. – Planning and Zoning board meeting
Sept. 5, 5:05 p.m. – Commu-
nity Redevelopment Agency budget meeting
Sept. 5, 5:35 p.m. – City Commission budget meeting
Sept. 5, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting
HOLMES BEACH
5801 MARINA DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-7085800
Please visit www.holmesbeachfl.org or contact city hall for more information.
Aug. 27, 11 a.m. – Code Compliance Special Magistrate hearing
Aug. 27, 2 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session to follow Sept. 2, all day – Labor Day, city offices closed Sept. 11, 9 a.m. – Clean Water Ad-hoc Committee meeting
Sept. 11, 5 p.m. – City Commission budget meeting
Sept. 11, 5 p.m. – City Commission meeting following budget meeting
ISLAND-WIDE Sept. 9, 2 p.m. – Island Transportation Planning Organization meeting, Anna Maria City Hall
FWC’s new manatee and sea turtles decals available
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has released its 2024-25 manatee and sea turtle decals.
Each year in July, the waterproof decals featuring original artwork are released and made available for a $5 donation at local tax collector’s offices statewide.
Donations for decals go directly to funding manatee and sea turtle research, rescue and management efforts.
This year’s decals emphasize the importance of conserving Florida’s waterways and beaches for manatees and sea turtles:
• “Protect Your Waterways, Protect Their Home” provides a reminder that manatees are found throughout Florida’s waterways including rivers, bays, canals and coastal areas. Keeping track of trash and keeping Florida’s waterways clean can prevent manatees from ingesting and becoming entangled in marine debris and waste.
• “A Generation of Protection Brings Record Results” highlights Florida’s efforts to protect sea
turtles that resulted in record numbers of loggerhead and green sea turtle nests in 2023. Everyday actions such as keeping beaches clean and free of debris, removing recreational equipment at the end of beach visits and keeping beaches dark at night can protect nesting sea turtles and hatchlings from life-threatening situations.
This year’s decals also display the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922), where you can report a dead, injured, entangled or sick manatee or sea turtle.
Henrietta solid in last place
FWC | SUBMITTED
You can also contribute to manatee and sea turtle conservation through purchasing a “Save the Manatee” or “Helping Sea Turtles Survive” specialty license plate at your local tax collector’s office.
For more information on manatee and sea turtle conservation in Florida, visit MyFWC.com/Manatee or MyFWC.com/Sea Turtle.
If you’re out of state or the new decals are unavailable at your tax collector’s office, or to view and collect decals from previous years (1992-2023), type “decals” into the search bar at MyFWC.com.
In true turtle form, Henrietta, a female loggerhead sea turtle, has taken last place in a field of 10 in the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s Tour de Turtles Race. She has traveled 34 miles since the race began on Aug. 1. Henrietta was released with a satellite tag on June 24 from Coquina Beach after nesting, and has nested twice on AMI since. She 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. Her participation in the 2024 Tour de Turtles is sponsored by Hurricane Hanks and Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring. Visit The Sun’s Facebook page for weekly updates in Where’s Henrietta? and visit amisun.com for weekly updates on turtles nesting activity in Nesting News.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has released 2024-25 manatee and sea turtle decals. Donation proceeds fund research, rescue and management efforts.
Turtle Watch completes post-storm assessment
Turtle Watch Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella said a near record season is possible.
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird
Monitoring has completed a post-storm assessment of the turtle nests remaining on the beach after what was then Tropical Storm Debby passed by, and they are still hopeful for a near record season.
The final tally was 479 nests still incubating on the beach at the time of the storm. Of the total 683 nests that were laid, 202 had already hatched. Turtle Watch volunteers documented 182 nests washed out, and 68 nests that are possibly still viable were restaked, according to Turtle Watch Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella in an Aug. 17 email.
“Prior to the storm, we secured the nest stakes and made sure that all nests were marked with a special GPS that we received funding for from an anonymous donor,” Mazzarella wrote. “The GPS documented the location of the nest with high accuracy which makes it very easy to accurately refind and repost nests that lost their stakes in the storm. After the storm passed, we picked up approximately 1,000 nest stakes that were pulled out from the heavy surf.” Nest inventories are conducted three days after a hatch. Turtle Watch volunteers count the eggs inside the nest to determine the hatch success.
“Having missed two days of patrol, on 8/7 we had 27 inventories to complete
before leaving the beach; they can trap nesting and hatching sea turtles, which cannot live long out of the water. You might also accidentally dig into an unmarked nest. To report large holes or other turtle obstacles, call:
• City of Anna Maria code enforcement — 941-708-6130, ext. 111.
• City of Bradenton Beach code enforcement — 941-778-1005, ext. 227.
• City of Holmes Beach code enforcement — 941-778-0331, ext. 260.
• Level sandcastles before leaving the beach; they can block hatchlings from the water.
• Don’t use balloons, wish lanterns or fireworks; they litter the beach and Gulf, and turtles can ingest the debris.
• Do not trim trees and plants that shield the beach from lights.
A loggerhead hatchling makes its way to the Gulf of Mexico.
- 19 were completed and eight were unable to be found,” Mazzarella wrote. “We used the new GPS’s to locate nests and determine which ones were washouts and which ones could be reposted.”
In the past week, Turtle Watch documented one new nest and three false crawls, along with 31 nest hatches.
“We are hopeful that we will still have a near record season, with 255 nests still incubating on the beach, combined with the 202 nests that have already hatched, we will have more nests than last year (2023 had 404 nests)” she wrote. “However, to make this a successful season, we will need the help of the public and visitors to ensure that hatchlings make it safely into the Gulf.”
TURTLE TIPS
During sea turtle season, May 1 – Oct. 31, follow these tips to help turtles:
• Turn off lights visible from the beach and close blinds from sundown to sunrise; lights confuse nesting sea turtles and may cause them to go back to sea and drop their eggs in the water, where they won’t hatch. Light can also attract hatchlings away from the water.
• Don’t use flashlights, lanterns or camera flashes on the beach at night.
• Remove all beach chairs and other objects from the sand from sundown to sunrise; they can deter sea turtles from nesting and disorient hatchlings.
• Fill in the holes you dig in the sand
• Never touch a sea turtle; it’s the law. If you see people disturbing turtles, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404FWCC (3922).
Source: Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring
NESTING NEWS
Turtle nests laid: 684 (Previous record: 543 in 2019) False crawls: 838 (Previous record: 831 in 2010) Nests hatched: 233 (Record: 453 in 2022) Hatchlings produced: 17,444 (Record: 35,850 in 2022)
Hatchling disorientations: 55
Adult disorientations: 36
Source: Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring
ROBERT BROWN | SUBMITTED
Rolland wins skimboarding tournament
Brandon Rolland has been skimboarding since he was 14.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
CORTEZ – Slicker’s Eatery General Manager Brandon Rolland won his division while competing in the 42nd annual ZAP Pro-Am World Championship of Skimboarding. Rolland traveled to Dewey Beach, Delaware for the annual tournament that took place this year Aug. 9-11. Rolland, 31, competed in the Grandmasters division that featured 13 amateur competitors 30-39 years old who came from around the country to participate. Rolland won his quarterfinal heat on Friday, his semi-final heat on Saturday and the final heat on Sunday.
“On Friday, the waves were absolutely terrible because of the remnants of Hurricane Debby. The waves were decent in size but the conditions were really windy, rainy, nasty and choppy. It got really glassy and clean on Saturday and Sunday and it was beautiful weekend,” Rolland said.
“They score you on your three best waves. I probably ran 10 waves in each heat. The goal is to get on your board and do as many tricks and maneuvers as you can while connecting to a wave, surfing out and doing as many tricks as you can on your way back to the beach. You start on the beach with a running start. Dewey Beach has a nice little slope, kind of like a mini-ramp, so you get a lot of speed running downhill towards the water. You jump on your board, slide out to
the waves and try to time it right so you get the biggest and best ride. This is my second time winning this event. I try to do this one as often as possible. This is probably my fifth or sixth time competing in this event,” he said.
“I’ve had friends tell me I should go pro but I’ve always felt like I still need to do more to earn it. There’s people that have entered the pro ranks that haven’t really climbed the ladder the way things used to be. Anyone can enter as a pro but there’s kind of an unwritten rule that you don’t go pro until you’re dominating your division, which for me is starting to happen. I’ve won my division several times. It’s a thought, but not yet,” he said.
Rolland started skimboarding when he was 14.
“I actually learned to skim on the Manatee County Golf Course. When I was old enough, I’d take the bus
to the beach by myself and take the trolley up and down the Island. I’d skim on the north end by White Avenue and the Sandbar restaurant and then come up to Coquina and skim the groins,” he said.
When asked what he likes about skimboarding, Rolland said, “The connection to the beach and the water and being able to express myself and blow off steam. It’s creative and it’s an adrenaline rush when you’re riding the waves. I love being on the beach and I grew up on the water. I also like to surf and I enjoy watersports.”
At this stage in his life, Rolland has to balance his love of skimboarding with his work responsibilities.
“I try to do the Shore Pound Throwdown tournament in Sebastian Inlet that’s put on by Shore Pound in the spring and then this one in August. I try to get to both of those if I can. I used to do the tour non-stop and go to every single event,” Rolland said of the annual tour that consists of five or so tour stops.
“I won the entire tour in 2019 but working at the restaurant makes it tougher to do that. Winning this year sparked that desire again and I do want to try the tour again. Skim USA puts on the tour events and there’s also the United Skim Tour,” he said.
BRANDON ROLLAND | SUBMITTED Rolland received a medal for his winning efforts.
BRANDON ROLLAND | SUBMITTED Brandon Rolland, center, earned the top podium spot as Grandmasters division champion.
BLAINE: Lived, loved until the end
few months ago at the Drift In. We had a good time and it was nice to reminisce and laugh. There was always a big smile on that boy’s face.”
Trevor Peres owns and operates the T-Bone’s Famous Smokin’ Bar-BQue food truck at Keyes Marina. He also plays rhythm guitar in the famous death metal band, Obituary. After moving to Holmes Beach in 2010, Peres met Brian while fishing at the pier.
“The City Pier had that cool little bait and tackle shop with a bar where you could buy beer. He loved beer, I loved beer, he played guitar and I played guitar, so we hit it off immediately and became friends,” Peres said.
“Brian was cool and funny. When he was bartending, children would come over with their parents and he’d tell the kids knock-knock jokes. I found out he was from New Jersey so I started calling him ‘Jersey,’ and I’d say it with a New Jersey accent. He liked that,” Peres recalled.
Peres helped Brian record some of his own original songs at a friend’s recording studio near Lakewood Ranch.
“He was a huge Grateful Dead fan. I’m more Celtic Frost and Slayer,” Peres said of their differing musical tastes.
Peres, now a Bradenton resident, last saw Brian about a year ago at Danny’s Pizzeria.
“He was leaving and had a piece of
In
pizza crust in his hand. Being silly like he was, he threw it at me and it hit my windshield. I never saw him again, but I talked to him on the phone two weeks before he passed.”
LOVE STORY
Brian was born in Newton, N.J. and grew up in nearby Sparta.
“He had some trauma and bad times and needed to get away. He got in his car and came here in 1998 and never left,” Jill said.
Regarding the bait shop and the pier, Jill said, “To him, that place was magical. He used to be a corporate headhunter. He made good money but it was high stress and he’d had enough. Working at the pier was the best job of his life and the happiest he’d ever been.
“We met at the Drift In on Oct. 23,
2020. By fluke, he was out at night. He was usually a day drinker. My girlfriend and I came on a trip from Nebraska. Our second night here, I walked through the back door of the Drift and he was standing by the women’s bathroom. I walked up to him, he put his hand out, I put my hand in his and said, ‘Hi, I’m Jill.’ He said, ‘I’m Brian.’ He kissed me and I fell in love right then and there.
“I took him to our Airbnb and we stayed up all night talking. He was so deep and I felt so comfortable with him. We had so much in common. It really was love at first sight and we were lucky to have found that love that most people don’t find in their lifetime.”
Jill returned to Nebraska, to her children, family and a successful hair and nail salon that included a
boutique, tanning salon and massage therapy. Jill and Brian visited each other several times before she moved to Bradenton in August 2021.
“I’d been a hairdresser for 35 years, but I knew when I met Brian that’s who I wanted to be with the rest of my life. I didn’t want to spend 10-12 hours a day in a salon anymore even though I loved it,” she said.
“Brian loved the Grateful Dead and went to 49 of their concerts. He loved Jerry Garcia and that music helped him through hard times and good times. He loved “Ripple” and I played a lot of Grateful Dead songs the night he passed away at our home in Bradenton.”
Many years before he met Jill, Brian wrote a song called “Tonight,” which later became their song; and he played it for her at the District 10 gathering place in Linwood, Nebraska.
“Brian would come back to Nebraska with me to see my family and kids. He made so many friends there. He loved driving down the gravel roads and being around the cornfields.
“We were best friends, lovers and confidants. Neither one of us worked and we were together all the time. We had the most amazing and romantic times. He always described us as ‘One: Pure and true,’ and we were.
“Around 2019, he was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver. He had other health issues too. In 2017, he had that flesh-eating bacteria
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
2017, the displaced City Pier Restaurant employees gathered at Bayfront Park on Thanksgiving morning.
SEE BLAINE, PAGE 24
Target opens
The new Target store at 7350 Manatee Ave. W. in the Beachway Plaza in west Bradenton is now open. Located approximately 5 miles from Anna Maria Island, the retail store features ample retail space, a wide variety of products and a Starbucks Café.
Anna Maria Rocks closes
The Anna Maria Rocks store at 9908 Gulf Drive in Anna Maria is permanently closed, according to building owner and landlord Ed Chiles. The business that specialized in rocks, crystals, shark teeth, fossils and more was long owned by Bill Arthur, who in 2022 sold the business to David Weiman and Priya Parikh.
Cultural Center reopening
The Cortez Cultural Center will reopen on Friday, Sept. 6. It is open by appointment only in August. Center hours are Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To volunteer at the Center, email CVHS2016@aol.com or call 941-840-0590. The Center is located at 11655 Cortez Road W.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
ROTH: Newcomer ready to take mayoral seat
anything to help Manatee County.”
ideas and solutions could be what the community needs.
“No one comes here to start their political career,” he said, adding that, after speaking to some community members and Manatee County leaders, he feels that he can help to mend relationships with other political leaders.
“They made it very clear to me that it’s one individual,” he said, noting that while he doesn’t have an issue with any elected officials in Holmes Beach, some local politicians do, something that he would hope would change if he was elected as mayor.
“You can find creative solutions to bring both parties closer together or you can just ignore it,” Roth said. “From an outsider’s perspective, they believe that we’re not willing to compromise, we’re not willing to do
One of his primary goals would be to create a better relationship among the city, the county and the state.
“We are their largest capital contribution but we have the smallest voice,” he said, noting that there are so few voters on the Island that without some give and take with Manatee County leaders, consolidation of the three Island cities would happen.
Roth said county leaders would like to have an Island-wide planner or manager, one person who would oversee planning and building to help bring agreements among the three cities to handle Island-wide ordinances. He said environmental impact would be another item that could be handled by the Island manager.
Over the next few years, Roth said it’s imperative for the three Island cities to work together and see what services can be consolidated and
where resources can be shared, another goal of county commissioners.
“Manatee County is telling us they want us to do that,” Roth said. “The fact that we don’t want to do it doesn’t mean we just ignore that. And that’s going to be our problem. We have to have some level of compliance with the state of Florida and with Manatee County. We have to be able to communicate with them and keep them updated on what we’re trying to do because otherwise they can do something drastic like what they’re trying to do right now. I do believe both of those (consolidation and the parking garage) can go away. The biggest concern I have is, and I’ve asked the outside parties if they can wait until after the fifth (Nov. 5) because I really am just offering my capability, because if I don’t get elected, that’s fine. The powers that be have already told me what they plan on doing if I don’t
TITSWORTH: Shares re-election hopes, goals
Florida state leaders.
a single manager for the Island would either lead to consolidation or be a disaster for employees and property owners.
“That would be extremely messy and everything would run at a snail’s pace,” she said of hiring a community manager for the Island, noting that one person would have to manage time and responsibilities across all three cities working with three different governments. “Nothing would ever get done.”
She did say that she feels there are more ways that the three cities can work together and streamline efforts to the benefit of the community, something she’d like to work on if leaders in Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach are amenable to the discussion. One of the issues that has plagued the city for the past few years is a strained relationship with Manatee County leaders, a problem that bled over into the city’s relationship with
Titsworth said that issues with the county stem back to four years ago when she refused to publicly endorse then-county commission candidate Kevin Van Ostenbridge. Now a county commissioner and also running for re-election, Van Ostenbridge took the dais for the first time by announcing his plans to oppose the city of Holmes Beach on a parking garage at the county-owned Manatee Beach. The issue has since escalated the issue to the state Legislature, which approved a bill allowing county leaders to build a three-story garage at the beach without regard for the city’s approval processes. The relationship between the county and city has continued to deteriorate over the years.
“The only thing that’ll change those relationships is to elect people who care about relationships back in office,” Titsworth said. “Local politics shouldn’t be Republican and Democrat. It should only be about quality of life issues. Once it became
where quality of life wasn’t the focus, environment wasn’t the focus and all it was is greed and power, this is why we’re where we are today.”
“As hard as I’ve tried to mend a relationship, they don’t want a relationship with the city of Holmes Beach,” Titsworth said of the Manatee County commission. “It’s like you’re trying to make friends with a wall and there’s no breaking down that wall at this point. It’s up to the voters.”
Another issue facing the city is development, something that she said she doesn’t disapprove of but feels must be controlled to preserve the quality of life for the city’s residents.
“I’m not against development. I’m against out of control development. We’re always going to have change; we’re always going to have to adapt,” she said. “You have to be a good steward to the community you’re building in and that’s where we see that divide. They don’t care anymore. And that’s where I’m going to continue to fight for the citizens. I’m going to continue
win and I’m like okay, well the Island will be very different. May be good, may be bad, but most likely bad, in my opinion. And that’s what worries me. It’s not about me. It’s not about I’m so much better, so much smarter, so much faster. I’ve got a lot of experience in leadership and in business. I think both of them will apply here very rapidly. I do believe we have a good city government in general, I just think it needs a more professional way of handling things outside the Island and better communication with the county and the state of Florida.”
Other goals, he said, would be to incentivize owners to give city center businesses a facelift to make the area more appealing, work to conserve the environment and create better solutions to stormwater and tidal flooding. Submit your questions to Roth for The Sun’s candidate forum at news@ amisun.com.
to fight for quality of life. If accepting money from certain funds means we’re trading off on quality of life, I’m not going to accept that money. We’re doing alright. Our population’s on the rise. People want to live in Holmes Beach. So, we’re making the right decisions.”
The biggest issue facing the city, she said, is water quality. And while she said she’d love to reduce the millage rate, she’s more concerned about funding infrastructure to help preserve properties on the Island for years to come.
Titsworth said she’d love to see everyone in the community step up to do their part to help improve water quality, including reducing impervious surfaces and installing native plants.
Titsworth will be answering questions from the community at The Sun’s Holmes Beach Candidate Forum on Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 6 p.m. at city hall. Submit your questions by Monday, Aug. 26 to news@amisun. com.
SEWAGE: 43 million gallons of sewage discharged during Debby
Despite the influx of sewage into waters surrounding Anna Maria Island, the enterococcus bacteria levels in most areas were deemed “good” when last tested by the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) on Aug. 13.
BRADENTON OVERFLOW
According to the city of Bradenton’s “5-Day Written Reporting for Noncompliance which endangers health or environment” report, the water reclamation facility (WRF) at 1801 First St. W., across the street from the Red Barn Flea Market, “bypassed,” or discharged, 25 million gallons of reclaimed water from Aug. 4-7.
According to the city’s report, “It’s estimated that the total volume bypassed from 08/04 - 08/07 was 25MG (million gallons).”
When contacted by The Sun on Aug. 12, Suncoast Waterkeeper board member and attorney Justin Bloom said, “According to
the city’s own records, in which they’re reporting sewage spills to FDEP (the Florida Department of Environmental Protection), they discharged, directly to the Manatee River 25 million gallons of sewage between August 4th and August 7th. Suncoast Waterkeeper is concerned about the impact this significant amount of sewage will have on the Manatee River.”
The mouth of the Manatee River empties into Tampa Bay near the northern tip of Anna Maria Island.
The city’s report states, “The event was caused by the heavy rain and high flow associated with Hurricane Debby and was unavoidable. As with utilities state-wide, the WRF staff did everything possible to not have to bypass, but with between 17-19 inches of rain during the storm it was unavoidable.”
The city’s report also includes the following information:
• “On 08/04, the aerators were taken offline at 2 p.m. in anticipation of high flow.
CITY OF BRADENTON | SUBMITTED
The rain associated with Tropical Storm Debby exceeded the Bradenton water reclamation facility’s storage capacities.
• On 08/04, the WRF experienced extremely high flow into the plant beginning around 17:00. By 18:30, the aerators, headworks, clarifiers, and filters began overflowing and bypass began.
• On 08/05, the WRF bypassed the filters and wet well due to continual heavy rain and high flow.
• Manatee River spill sample collection began on 08/06.
• On 08/06, the plant experienced random high flow events causing the outfall and clear well to overflow.
• On 08/08, two aerators were turned back online.”
In addition, report notes: “Sample collection is ongoing, preliminary results from 08/06 have been received but no official laboratory report has been. The city will continue to update FDEP as data is received and upon the conclusion of sampling.”
In an email exchange with Bradenton resident and concerned citizen Ernie Vanderwalt, FDEP Southwest District Office Director Kelley Boatwright acknowledged the sewage discharge.
“Department staff confirmed that the city of Bradenton had sanitary sewer overflows that total approximately 25,000,000 gallons due to Hurricane Debby. Staff are tracking the reports, evaluating the data, and will determine next steps,” Boatwright stated in his Aug. 12 email to Vanderwalt.
SARASOTA OVERFLOW
According to the incident description report provided by the city of Sarasota, “During the event, approximately 6.243 million gallons of raw wastewater was discharged to Sarasota Bay. In addition, approximately 11.483 million gallons of partially treated effluent was discharged to Sarasota Bay. Samples will be collected.”
According to the incident description, “The city of Sarasota's advanced wastewater treatment plant was severely impacted by excessive flow from Hurricane Debby. Operations staff did everything in their power to control the flow coming into the facility. Due to the incredible flow volume coming to the plant, up to 44.29 MGD (million gallons daily) in a single day, plant staff were unable to prevent spills from the headworks at the treatment plant. Staff made every effort to contain and control the spill, but the volume was too
OUTDOORS
New weather reality threatens local waters
eel Time was conceived as a fishing column, a way to spread information on a passion that you and I as anglers and environmentalists share. I include environmentalists because with time, you begin to understand that protecting the resource is protecting the quality of the fishing we love. We all take up rod and reel in the hopes of catching fish, but for most anglers, just being “out there” is a big part of the experience. That experience has evolved for me, as reflected in this column’s emphasis on advocacy.
Now another threat has arrived in the form of huge sewage and wastewater releases occasioned by storms that bring rainfall amounts that easily
overwhelm the failing infrastructure. While these have been referred to as 100-year storm events, the reality is they are increasing all over the world as temperatures rise. Case in point, the two “unprecedented” rain events that occurred in the last month. ThenTropical Storm Debby alone resulted in 25 million gallons of wastewater and sewage being released into the Manatee River.
Suncoast Waterkeeper Executive Director Abbey Tyrna was right on target when she made the following statement, “Florida’s wastewater technology is alarmingly unprepared for the increasingly frequent extreme weather events. The recent tropical storm with torrential rainfall is not an isolated incident; we’ve seen the devastating aftermath of Hurricanes Ian and Idalia, which led to massive amounts of sewage entering our surface waters. The pressing question is: how are state and local governments preparing wastewater infrastructure for the next extreme weather event? The state should collaborate with local governments to elevate infrastructure, create additional storage, ensure adequate backup power at lift stations, innovate filtration technology and reduce inflow and infiltration. Regrettably, these necessary actions are not being taken. Instead, the state is drafting rules that will place this outdated industry in charge of our drinking water supply. For more details, refer to the FDEP rulemaking
our comment letter here (https:// www.suncoastwaterkeeper.org/ potable_reuse_comments_2024).
“Florida’s history of prohibiting references to climate change has set us back decades. We remain unprepared and will continue to be until we have leaders who prioritize resiliency on the Suncoast and throughout Florida. How many more storms must we endure before meaningful action is
can marshal the forces to make the changes.”
Tyrna is right on target and this need for leaders with vision circles right back to you and me, the voters. Unless and until we vet our candidates, and demand action and accountability, we’ll see the continued loss of the resources that enrich our lives and are the foundation of our economy. Vote water.
RUSTY CHINNIS
CAPT. RICK GRASSETT
I hosted a group of friends and clients on my annual destination fly fishing trip to southwest Montana recently. I traveled from Sarasota to Bozeman and made the 2-1/2 hour drive to Medicine Lodge to a 100,000-acre working ranch near the Beaverhead River outside of Dillon, Montana. I met up at the lodge with Steve Coburn, of Wisconsin, Jeff Coburn, of Colorado and Mike Perez and Dennis Kinley, of Indiana.
We fished the Beaverhead and Madison Rivers with guide Dave King, owner of King Outfitters (406-5960209) in Dillon, and his talented group of guides and caught some quality fish. I’ve fished with Dave for more than 20 years. His
Fishermen head to Montana
guides do a great job and know their fishery well. In spite of rumors of declining fishing, we have experienced great fishing for the last several years and longer!
We fished 4-, 5- and 6-weight fly tackle and caught and released brown and rainbow trout to more than 20” on streamers, dry flies and dry/dropper rigs. The dry fly action was often a hopper, sometimes with a nymph or with a smaller dry fly dropper and a few other bugs. This is an annual trip for me, so if you have an interest in technical fly fishing for big trout or if you want to learn the ropes and travel with an experienced group, please let me know.
Back in Sarasota, we are still reeling from Tropical Storm Debby’s flooding. In
SUBMITTED
addition to record-breaking flooding, this storm is an example of what often hap -
pens when large amounts of stormwater overwhelm wastewater treatment
facilities and there is a huge “dump” of hundreds of thousands of gallons of raw sewage. This is unacceptable!
Once things normalize, catch and release snook fishing around dock lights and bridges should be a good option. You might also find juvenile tarpon in a few places mixed with snook around dock lights. Juvenile tarpon in canals and creeks may also be a good option. Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by residential, industrial and agricultural runoff, toxic spills and intentional releases, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation. Please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!
Mike Perez, of Sarasota, with Montana brown and rainbow trout caught and released with King Outfitters.
PINEY POINT: Withstands Debby
• The storage capacity for additional rainfall at the site is over 90 inches. This capacity is expected to change with rainfall amounts and adjusted water management activities at the site.
• Approximately 160.2 million gallons are currently held within the NGS-South compartment. Pond level readings are expected to fluctuate due to a host of factors, including wind/ associated waves in the pond, rainfall and water management activities.
“FDEP has been in contact with the court-appointed receiver and confirmed there is no identified damage to the compartment systems and there are no other water management concerns,” according to the Aug. 9 update. “FDEP is working closely with the court-appointed receiver to
continue site evaluations and manage water levels. A full site inspection is underway to assess any post-storm impacts.”
In July, FDEP reported that final closure procedures for Piney Point are moving forward.
“Forgen LLC, the project contractor, has completed the liner installation on top of the OGS-South compartment and is now working with courtappointed receiver Herb Donica to complete the final details for closure, including placing soil cover and grass over the area so that it will no longer accumulate rainwater,” according to the July update.
Residents can find the latest information on the status of the site, response activities and water quality at ProtectingFloridaTogether.gov/ PineyPointUpdate.
BEACH BEAT
BRADENTON BEACH
8/10, 12:14 a.m., identity theft, fraud, narcotics possession. A Bradenton Beach patrol officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle due to a revoked driver’s license and seize tag order. Two extradition warrants were shown for the 40-yearold male driver for a probation violation and fleeing from law enforcement charge in Wisconsin and possession of a controlled substance from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. Police say the man initially gave a false name and date of birth to officers, but once fingerprinted by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, his identity was confirmed. According to police reports, when police conducted a search of the vehicle, they recovered $8,667 in cash, four fictitious identification cards, five credit cards in other persons’ names, six unnamed gift cards, four cell phones, one flipper zero - also known as a decoder/ skimmer/hacking device - four grams of methamphetamine, two smoking/crack pipes and multiple bottles of steroids. He was taken into custody and charged with providing false information to law enforcement, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of false identification cards, out of county and out of state warrants and driving while license suspended. He was held on $2,500 bond and given a court date of Oct. 4. Police reports stated the man had a criminal history report showing 59 felony charges in Florida and a 26-page criminal history outside the state.
HOLMES BEACH
8/7, 5:11 p.m., missing boat. The property owner at 244 S. Harbor Drive, Unit 1, called an officer to report a missing boat. The
owner stated that his boat was on a lift at his property and was observed on a neighbor’s security camera with the lift being lowered on Aug. 4 at 9:20 p.m. but did not see anyone around and was unsure how the lift was lowered. The boat’s location is unknown. The owner said it could have been carried away by Tropical Storm Debby. 8/7, 8:18 p.m., criminal traffic. An officer made a traffic stop in the 400 block of Manatee Avenue for a driver not wearing a safety belt. The officer said he couldn’t identify the driver by his worn Venezuelan identification card and he had no U.S.-issued driver’s license. The driver was arrested and charged with driving without a valid license and no seat belt.
8/8, 12:12 a.m., criminal traffic. An officer made a traffic stop after observing a driver go through a flashing red light without making a full and complete stop. The officer found that the driver did not have a driver’s license and the driver was charged with driving without a valid driver’s license and released to a family member who arrived to pick up the driver and vehicle.
8/10, 4:02 p.m., criminal traffic. After following a vehicle for several blocks, an officer determined the vehicle had malfunctioning brake lights and initiated a traffic stop during which he learned the driver had no license. The driver was charged with driving without a license and for driving a vehicle with defective equipment.
8/13, 2:05 a.m., possession of marijuana. While on patrol, an officer saw a car parked at the 52nd Street beach access. When approaching the vehicle to make contact with the two occupants in the backseat, the officer smelled marijuana and conducted a probable cause search during which marijuana and a partially consumed bottle of wine were found. The owner was issued citations for possession of marijuana and an alcohol violation.
REAL ESTATE
Mortgage rate relief?
Aug. 9 was an interesting day. Mana tee County was still cleaning up from the flooding and record-breaking rain from Debby and the mortgage rates hit the lowest level in over a year. What’s the connection? Well, you can’t predict a storm and you can’t predict mortgage rates.
We’ve been waiting for a long time for the day when we see interest rates decrease in any meaningful way. Well, it happened, but will it stick and will it shepherd in more rate cuts?
Castles in the Sand
easing of mortgage rates, but Freddie Mac still expects mortgage rates to remain above 6.5% through the end of the year and then decrease below 6.5% in 2025.
The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate declined significantly in August since hitting a 2024 high of 7.44% to start May. The average rate on the benchmark 30-year mortgage dropped 26 basis points from 6.73% to 6.47% for the week ending Aug. 8, according to Freddie Mac. This was the sharpest weekly decline in about nine months. A basis point is one onehundredth of a percentage point.
The key factors here are that home prices nationally fell last year to their lowest
level in nearly three decades and 2024 has not been much of an improvement. In addition, mortgage rates have roughly doubled since the Federal Reserve began its campaign to curb inflation in early 2022. This increase in rates has pushed up the monthly cost to borrow for a home, blocking buyers who do not qualify for the additional monthly cost. Finally, the other elephant in the real estate room is the inventory of homes for sale. They have been slowly rising but they remain well below historical averages.
Some mortgage advisors say this is happening faster than expected and predict the central bank will approve one rate cut later this year. This should prompt a gradual
Fannie Mae predicts the rates will average 6.8% in the third quarter and 6.7% in the fourth quarter. They feel this downward trend will continue into the next year, averaging 6.5% in the first quarter of 2025.
The National Association of Realtors thinks rates will average 6.9% in the third quarter and 6.5% for the fourth quarter, going up to 6.7% by the end of the year. In addition, Chief Economist Lawrence Yun says the second half of 2024 will experience moderately lower mortgage rates, higher home sales and stabilizing home prices.
The Mortgage Bankers Association says rates will average 6.8% in the third quarter, going down to 6.6% in the fourth quarter and continue trending downward next year.
All the above is pretty much in agreement, but one of the most interesting
opinions came from Melissa Cohn, regional vice president at William Raveis Mortgage, who was interviewed by a Forbes advisor. She hopes mortgage rates will hover in the 5% range next year, but says the presidential election could factor into it, something I have also heard from local brokers. Fiscal policies could impact inflation, which hopefully can stick at 2%, allowing for reduced interest rates for the next five years.
Nevertheless, she feels that when the rates come down, there will be another hot housing market where there are more buyers than sellers, jacking up prices since the problem of low inventory has not been resolved.
Everyone is still holding their breath for the next several months and waiting to see what the Federal Reserve is signaling for next year. Aug. 9 hit a low and a 6.5% rate may not be 3.5%, but it’s better than 7.5% and may just be enough to get everyone moving. Now on to the next storm.
LOUISE BOLGER
SEWAGE: 43 million gallons of sewage discharged during Debby
significant to avoid the mixture of rainwater and untreated sewage entering the stormwater collection system.”
WATER QUALITY TESTS
According to the FDOH website, “Enterococci are enteric bacteria that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals. The presence of enteric bacteria can be an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife and human sewage. If they are present in high concentrations in recreational waters and are ingested while swimming, or enter the skin through a cut or sore, they may cause human disease, infections or rashes.”
FDOH analyzes water samples for total bacteria counts and rates the results as good, moderate or poor.
• Good: 0–35.4 enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water
• Poor: 70.5 or more enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water
If the results indicate poor water quality, FDOH issues public notices and may post warning signs at impacted beaches that state swimming or other water activities are not recommended.
According to FDOH water quality testing results, the enterococcus levels in the water at Bayfront Park in Anna Maria were listed as good for Aug. 7, 11 and 13. Before Tropical Storm Debby, the enterococcus levels at Bayfront Park tested poor on July 22, July 29 and July 31. FDOH issued a water quality notice for Bayfront Park on July 31 but has not issued any additional Bayfront Park notices.
On Aug. 7, 11 and 13, the enterococcus levels at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach were listed as good. When tested on Aug. 7, 11 and 13, the enterococcus levels at Coquina Beach North, Coquina
• Moderate: 35.5–70.4 enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Bradenton’s water reclamation facility features numerous wastewater treatment and storage components.
Beach South and Cortez Beach (all in Bradenton Beach) were all listed as good.
When tested on Aug. 7, 11 and 13, the enterococcus levels at the Broadway Beach Access in Longboat Key were listed as good. When tested on Aug. 7, 11 and 13, the enterococcus levels at Palma Sola Causeway South were listed as poor on each of those days, and also on July 29 and July 31. FDOH advisories were issued on July 31 and Aug. 7, 11, and 13.
According to FDOH, several locations in Sarasota were tested on Aug. 12 and the enterococcus levels at those locations were listed as good.
On Facebook, some Island residents and visitors reported strong odors and possible human waste discovered in the waters along some Anna Maria Island beaches.
On Aug. 16, Suncoast Waterkeeper posted a Facebook message that said, “On August 14th, the enterococci survey was conducted during a falling tide. Salinity levels ranged from 18-29 ppt. The impact from Debby was still evident in the water quality on Wednesday and will likely continue throughout the weekend.”
The Aug. 16 Facebook post was accompanied by a water quality test result graphic that indicated 10 locations in Bradenton, Anna Maria Island and Sarasota that Suncoast Waterkeeper considered to be “Don’t Swim” areas, including the Bradenton Beach City Pier on Bridge Street, Palma Sola Causeway North, Robinson Preserve and the Longboat Key boat ramp.
As of Aug. 19, The Sun was unable to obtain any additional water quality testing results from FDEP.
On Aug. 12, the Suncoast Waterkeeper organization issued a “No Swimming” warning for Sarasota Bay that was to remain in effect until further notice.
BLAINE: lived, loved until the end
FROM PAGE 12
on his hand. He had neuropathy in his feet and gallstones. He was officially diagnosed with endstage liver failure last October. A liver transplant was the only thing that would have saved him, but he believed the doctors were wrong and his body would bounce back. He knew deep down it was from the beer, but he enjoyed beer and what’s life if you can’t enjoy it? He never complained or felt pity for himself and he always said there’s people out there who have it far worse. He tried to see the good in people and he loved talking to strangers. Every day, he tried to do a good deed to make somebody’s day special.
“I always hoped I’d find true love like my mom and dad had. Brian and I only had four years together, but that’s what we had. I’m so thankful he was in my life. He was my world and always will be. I lost my life partner, my best friend, my everything. I feel such an emptiness,” Jill said.
Brian wasn’t nearly as interested in the fishing end of things as he was in entertaining folks and pouring beers.”
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
City Pier Restaurant General Manager David Sork received a Thanksgiving lottery ticket from Brian Blaine in 2017.
BRIAN BLAINE/FACEBOOK | SUBMITTED Former City Pier Restaurant employees David Sork, Brian Blaine and Rockey Corbey met up in early May.
David Sork, Former City Pier Restaurant general manager
AMI Outfitters, Positive Waves champions
BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN
ANNA MARIA – Youth indoor soccer resumed last week after the Island recovered from the recent tropical storm. The action in the gymnasium brought the summer season to a close with two champions reigning, teams Positive Waves and AMI Outfitters.
The older kids started the week with the first round of playoffs with all four teams battling for the two slots in the final game of the season. After beating their opponents last Monday night, team Jiffy Lube and AMI Outfitters went head-to-head later in the week.
Last Tuesday night, the 8- to 10-year-olds had a night filled with indoor soccer play with the first round of playoffs between the Gulf Drive Café team and Progressive Cabinetry. Easily coming out on top, Gulf Drive faced the Positive Waves squad to determine which team would face team Shady Lady Horticultural Services in the big game.
Shady Lady Horticultural Services topped the Solid Rock Construction team in the first round of playoffs, allowing the team to play for the championship against Positive Waves. Coming off their win against team Gulf Drive Café, the Positive Waves team was ready to face their opponent to earn the title. A solo goal off the foot of Enzo DeOliveira, an assist by Grady Neidzwick, and nine saves by teammate Hudsen Smoljanovich just were not enough for Gulf Drive.
Positive Wave struck and scored with goals by Sebastian Cordova, Ryan Greenberg and Parker Svoboda. On defense, Kellen Reed protected his team’s goal, making nine critical stops and helping the Positive team capture the championship.
Also scoring three goals, team AMI Outfitters netted their championship title against Jiffy Lube 3-0. The Outfitters’ defense and goalkeeping of Jordan Tobey prevented their opponent from putting any points on the scoreboard.
Wes Saxon scored two of the three goals, with a single by Matthew Darak. Tobey made 11 saves in the big game.
Tobey’s counterpart on the Jiffy Lube team, Cohen Weber, tried to keep his team in the game with 16 nice stops as goalkeeper, but the team’s offense just could not make anything happen to score.
As the youth indoor soccer season ends, the adult co-ed flag football league enters the first round of playoffs. With all eight teams vying for the final two spots in the bracket, any of the contenders can come out on top as the league’s champion on Thursday, Sept. 5.
Tim Sofran, left, teamed up with Tom Farrington on Aug. 14 and edged out the walker Bob Hawks 23-19 in the final at AMI Horseshoes and ended up in the winner's circle. On Aug. 17, two teams also met in the final. Dom Livedoti and Gersey Fernandes jumped out to an early lead over Farrington and Hawks when Fernandes finished them off with a double-ringer for a 25-12 victory to win the day's championship.
MONICA SIMPSON | SUN
The Center’s 8- to 10-year-old league summer indoor soccer champions, team Positive Waves, are, back row from left, Coach Brooke Svoboda, Silas Whitehead, Parker Svoboda, Kellen Reed, Alexander Czajkowski and Assistant Coach Jacek Czajkowski. Front row from left are Ryan Greenberg, Sebastian Cordova, Caroline Svoboda and Kayleigh Fountain.
The 11- to 14-year-old league indoor soccer champions in The Center’s summer league, team AMI Outfitters, are, from left, Assistant Coach Heather Cohen, Maggie Neidzwick, Mackenzie Cohen, McKenna Darak, Wes Saxon, Jordan Tobey, Grayson Cohen and Matthew Darak.
The following hotels and motels accept pets. Some have limitations on species, number, size and breed, some require pets to be caged before housekeeping services are rendered, some require deposits or extra charges, and some have special pet amenities, such as grassy areas for walking. Call ahead to find accommodations that match your needs, and make a list of several hotels in different parts of the state to be prepared for storms from any direction.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND
Anna Maria Dream Inn 2502 Gulf Dr. N. Bradenton Beach 941-209-1420
Anna Maria Island
Resorts
Tortuga Beach Resort 1325 Gulf Dr. Bradenton Beach 941-778-6611
Anna Maria Motel
808 N. Bay Blvd. Anna Maria 941-778-1269
Queen’s Gate 1101 Gulf Dr. N. Bradenton Beach 941-778-7153
ARCADIA
Knights Inn
504 S. Brevard Ave. 863-494-4884
Holiday Inn Express 2709 Southeast Hwy. 70 863-494-5900
BRADENTON
Best Western Plus 2215 Cortez Rd W 941-238-0800
Compass Hotel
Anna Maria Sound 12324 Manatee Ave W. 941-741-9700
Courtyard Bradenton
Sarasota/Riverfront 100 Riverfront Dr. W. 941-747-3727
Days Inn
3506 1st St. W. 941-746-1141
Days Inn
Bradenton – I75
644 67th St Circle E 941-746-2505
Fairfield Inn & Suites
Lakewood Ranch 6105 Exchange Way 941-552-4000
Hampton Inn & Suites
309 10th St W 941-746-9400
Hyatt Place Sarasota/ Lakewood Ranch 6021 Exchange Way 941-748-3100
Motel 6
660 67th St. Circle E. 941-747-6005
Spring Hill Suites
Bradenton
Downtown Riverfront 102 12th St. W. 941-226-2200
BROOKSVILLE
Days Inn
6320 Windmere Rd 352-796-9486
Microtel Inn 6298 Nature Coast Blvd 352-796-9025
Quality Inn 30307 Cortez Blvd 352-796-9481
CAPE CORAL
Holiday Inn Express 1538 Cape Coral Pkwy E 239-542-2121
Hampton Inn & Suites 619 SE 47th Terrace 239-540-1050
DAYTONA BEACH
Homewood Suites By Hilton 165 Bill France Blvd 386-258-2828
Residence Inn Daytona Beach Speedway/Airport 1725 Richard Petty Blvd 386-252-3949
DELAND
Comfort Inn 400 E International Speedway 386-736-3100
ELLENTON
Hampton Inn 5810 20th Ct. E. 941-721-4000
Red Roof Inn 4915 17th St. E. 941-729-0600
ELLENTON
Super 8
5218 17th St. E. 941-729-8505
FORT MYERS
Baymont Inn & Suites 9401 Marketplace Rd
239-454-0040
Hyatt Place 2600 Champion Ring Rd
239-418-1844
La Quinta Inn 9521 Market Place Rd
239-466-0012
Residence Inn
20371 Summerlin Rd
239-415-4150
Travel Lodge
13661 Indian Paint Ln
239-561-1117
GAINESVILLE
Best Western
4200 N.W. 97th Blvd.
352-331-3336
Home Hotel & Suites
3905 S.W. 43rd St.
352-376-0004
Motel 6
4000 S.W. 40th Blvd.
352-373-1604
Residence Inn by Marriott
I-75
3275 SW 40 Blvd
352-264-0000
KISSIMMEE
Ramada Gateway 7470 HWY 192
407-966-4410
Motel 6
5731 W. Irlo Bronson Hwy.
407-396-6333
LAKELAND
Hilton Garden Inn
3839 Don Emerson Drive
863-647-0066
Motel 6
3120 U.S. Hwy. 98 N. 863-682-0643
Residence Inn 3701 Harden Blvd. 863-680-2323
LAKE BUENA VISTA
Marriott Residence Inn 11450 Marbella Palm Court 407-465-0075
LAKE CITY
Baymont Inn & Suites 3598 US 90 W 386-752-3801
Days Inn
3430 N US Hwy 441 386-758-4224
LAKE MARY
Extended Stay America 1040 Greenwood Blvd 407-829-2332
Hyatt Place 1255 S International Pkwy 407-995-5555
La Quinta Inn 1060 Greenwood Blvd. 407-805-9901
Residence Inn 825 Heathrow Park Lane 407-995-3400
LEESBURG
Best Western Plus
1321 N. 14th Street 352-460-0118
Hampton Inn 9630 Us Hwy 441 352-315-1053
OCALA
Comfort Inn 1212 S Pine Ave 352-629-7300
Hampton Inn & Suites 3601 SW 38th Ave
352-867-0300
La Quinta Inn & Suites
3530 S.W. 36th Ave.
352-861-1137
Microtel Inn & Suites 1770 Southwest 134th St
352-307-1166
Equus Inn 3434 SW College Rd
352-854-3200
Residence Inn 3601 S.W. 38th Ave. 352-547-1600
Sleep Inn and Suites 13600 S.W. 17th Court
352-347-8383
ORLANDO
Hard Rock Hotel 5800 Universal Blvd. 407-503-2000
Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista 13351 State Road 535 407-239-4500
La Quinta Inn - Universal Studios 5621 Major Blvd 407-313-3100
Motel 6 - Winter Park 5300 Adanson Street 407-647-1444
Motel 6 International 5909 American Way 407-351-6500
Residence Inn Seaworld 11000 Westwood Blvd. 407-313-3600
Staybridge Suites 7450 Augusta National Dr 407-438-2121
Townplace Suites 11801 High Tech Ave. 407-243-6100
PLANT CITY
Comfort Inn 2003 S Frontage Rd 813-707-6000
Knights Inn
301 S Frontage Rd 813-752-0570
PORT CHARLOTTE
Comfort Inn
812 Kings Hwy 941-421-7548
Days Inn 1941 Tamiami Trail 941-623-9404
Knights Inn 4100 Tamiami Trail 941-743-2442
Sleep Inn & Suites 806 Kings Highway 941-613-6300
PUNTA GORDA
Four Points by Sheraton 33 Tamiami Trail 941-637-6770
RUSKIN
Holiday Inn & Suites
226 Teco Rd. 813-922-4561
Ruskin Inn 3113 College Ave 813-641-3437
SANFORD
Best Western Plus 3401 S Orlando Dr 407-320-0845
SARASOTA
Comfort Suites 5690 Honore Ave 941-554-4475
Comfort Inn & Suites 5931 Commercial Way 941-342-8778
Courtyard Sarasota Bradenton
850 University Pkwy 941-355-3337
Embassy Suites by Hilton 202 N. Tamiami Trail 941-256-0190
Even Hotel – Lakewood Ranch 6231 Lake Osprey Dr 941-782-4400
Hampton Inn & Suites 8565 Cooper Creek Blvd 941-355-8619
Hibiscus Suites 1735 Stickney Point Road 941-921-5797
Hyatt Place Lakewood Ranch 6021 Exchange Way 941-946-2357
Hyatt Place Sarasota 950 University Pkwy 941-554-5800
La Quinta Inn & Suites 1803 N. Tamiami Trail 941-366-5128
Residence Inn 1040 University Pkwy. 941-358-1468
Days Inn 5000 N. Tamiami Trail 941-351-7734
Sleep Inn 900 University Pkwy. 941-359-8558
SEBRING
La Quinta Inn 4115 US 27 South 863-386-1000
Magnunson Grand 6525 US 27 North 863-385-4500
Residence Inn 3221 Tubbs Road 863-314-9100
Severn Sebring Hotel 150 Midway Dr 863-655-7200
SPRING HILL Motel 6 6172 Commercial Way 352-596-2007
TALLAHASSEE
Best Western Pride Inn 2016 Apalachee Parkway 850-656-6312
La Quinta Inn North 2905 N. Monroe St. 850-385-7172
Motel 6 Downtown 1027 Apalachee Parkway 850-877-6171
Motel 6 West 2738 N. Monroe St. 850-386-7878
Quality Inn 3090 N. Monroe St. 850-562-2378
Red Roof Inn 2930 Hospitality Street 850-385-7884
Red Roof Inn 6737 Mahan Drive 850-656-2938
Residence Inn 1880 Raymond Diehl Road 850-422-0093
Residence Inn Universities 600 W. Gaines St. 850-329-9080
Sleep Inn 1695 Capital Circle N.W. 850-575-5885
Staybridge Suites 1600 Summit Lake Drive 850-219-7000
Suburban Extended Stay Hotel
522 Silver Slipper Lane 850-386-2121
TAMPA
Quality Inn-Busch Gardens 2701 E. Fowler Ave. 813-971-4710
Holiday Inn Express 8610 Elm Fair Blvd 813-490-1000
Holiday Inn Express 8310 Galbraith 813-910-7171
Homewood Suites by Hilton Tampa/Brandon
10240 Palm River Road 813-685-7099
Hyatt Place Tampa Airport 4811 W. Main St. 813-282-1037
Residence Inn 4312 W. Boy Scout Blvd. 813-877-7988
Sheraton Tampa East Hotel 10221 Princess Palm Ave 813-623-6363
TEMPLE TERRACE
Residence Inn 13420 N Telcom Parkway 813-972-4400
Towne Place Suites by Marriott 6800 Woodstork Rd 813-975-9777
WINTER HAVEN
Howard Johnson Inn 1300 3rd St SW 863-294-7321
Lake Roy Beach Inn 1825 Cypress Garden Blvd 863-324-6320
Roadway Inn & Suites 1911 Cypress Gardens Blvd. 863-324-5994
FUN IN THE SUN
CLASSIFIEDS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
THRIVE BEACH YOGA!
100 Pine Ave on Anna Maria Island. BeginnerFriendly, all Levels Welcome. $15 PreRegistration required at ThriveYogaFit.com
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
TINGLEY LIBRARY in Bradenton Beach is looking for volunteers. Fun and friendly atmosphere. Morning and afternoon shifts. If interested, please contact Library Clerk, Eveann Adams, @ 941779-1208.
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.
BOATS
BOATS ARE SELLING VERY WELL. “Business On A Handshake” Your Local Trusted Boat Dealer For 24 Years. I also buy boats. Dave Struber 941-228-3489. Islandboatsales.net
CARE GIVER
ELDER CARE by Longtime resident. Many References. Part time to help with shopping, companionship, cooking etc. Call Cheryl 941-685-0045
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
JOIN DUNCAN REAL ESTATE! Open positions: Bookkeeper, Administrative Assistant, Housekeeping Liaison Apply: Send resume to sybille@teamduncan. com
ANNA MARIA ISLAND SUN, is looking for a freelance reporter/ photographer to cover events on this tourismdriven 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.
HOME IMPROVEMENTS
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. 941-778-1115
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.
GORILLA DRYWALL REPAIR, LLC. 15+ years of experience. Free Estimates. Let’s solve your Drywall problems together. Call 941-286-0607.
BMF INTERIORS Home repairs and more, No job too small. Please call 786318-8585
A.R.E. Renovation’s WHOLESALE KITCHEN CABINETS DIRECT., Remodeling, Bathrooms. Trim Flooring and Decks Tile and more Free quote, references available. Lic. # CRC.1334176 941-4653045.
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
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 941-705-7096
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. 18 + 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.
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
BRADENTON CONDO FOR SALE end unit 55+ community. Pet friendly. Split 2BR/2BA. Walk in shower in Master, newer paint, laminate flooring, white travertine tile, new blinds, bonus room, W/D, central air with heat, carport, patio. Close to heated pool & community building. & miles from AMI. Available now, immediate possession. $179,900. Call 616648-1648
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.
ANNUAL RENTAL 3BR/2BA Pebble Springs condo, upstairs, laundry, avail. 8/1 $2000 monthly. 941-7784800
ANNUAL RENTAL: Imperial House Condo 2BR/1BA $2000/mo - Available Aug 1st.. 208 B Magnolia Ave. 2BR/2BA $2900/mo- available Aug 1st. 407 76th St A Holmes Beach, FL 34216 3BR/2BA $5000/mo- available now with dock slip available for rent. Contact Sato Real Estate for more information. 941-7787200
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
ANNA MARIA ISLAND CONDO Available July thru December. Great Value. Beautiful Upgraded 2BR/2BA Incredible water View! Waterfront Patio, Pool, tennis, pickle, walk to beach. Private carport. Excellent Rental terms. Owner/renter. Call/email for pics. Rentamiwaterview@aol.com or 570239-0431
SEASONAL RENTAL IN HOLMES BEACH . Studio apartment Minimum 4 month rental, Available Dec 2024 - April 2025, $8700. 908-914-1282
TRANSPORTATION
ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa/St. Pete $85. Sarasota $40. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-7795095
Jessica Pierce Sales Associate