Anna Maria Island Sun August 26, 2020

- Named Best Florida Newspaper In Its Class -

VOL 20 No. 46

August 26, 2020

Storm coming CINDY LANE | SUN

Tropical storms Laura and Marco missed Anna Maria Island, but local summer storms continue; here, clouds roll towards Jewfish Key, south of the Island in the Intracoastal Waterway.

Former Mayor Bill Shearon loses life to cancer Bill Shearon served two terms as the mayor of Bradenton Beach.

Bradenton Beach confirms COVID-positive employee

BY JOE HENDRICKS

It has not been disclosed whether more than one city employee has tested positive for COVID-19.

SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – Former Bradenton Beach Mayor Bill Shearon lost his life Thursday evening as a result of cancer.

After serving as a Planning and Zoning Board member and a city commissioner, Shearon was elected mayor when he defeated incumbent Mayor John Shaughnessy in the 2013 city elections.

Shearon’s signature accomplishment as mayor was guiding the construction of the $1.4 million Bridge Street Pier completed in early 2015 and co-funded

by Manatee County.

Shearon and Police Chief and Pier

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

On Jan. 23, 2015, Mayor Bill Shearon presided over the opening of the new Bridge Street Pier with Commissioner Janie Robertson standing nearby.

SEE SHEARON, PAGE 7

INSIDE NEWS 4 BUSINESS

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OUTDOORS

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CASTLES IN THE SAND

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REAL ESTATE

20-26

BUILDING ‘ COSTS will rise if new impact fees pass in Anna Maria. 3

BRADENTON BEACH – The city of Bradenton Beach has confirmed that at least one city employee has tested positive for COVID-19.

City Clerk Terri Sanclemente said the city will not identify the employee or confirm other cases in an Aug. 20 email response to an inquiry by The Sun. “As you are aware, we are a very small city and have to protect the citizens' and employees’ rights at all costs. With that being said, we have had an employee test positive for the COVID-19 virus.

The city does not disclose how many or the names of the impacted individuals,” Sanclemente’s email said.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The city of Bradenton Beach has protocols in place to address COVID-19 cases and prevention.

“The city has implemented protocols in our workplace to help protect both its citizens and employees. There is a checklist that is done every day, and employees are taking temperatures as well as any citizens. We have signs stating you must wear a mask when entering city hall and sanitizing stations at the front and rear entrance, SEE COVID, PAGE 7

WHERE’S ROGER? And what

happened to his tux? 13 MINIMUM WAGE bill has some

restaurant owners concerned. 11

CLASSIFIEDS 30

Anna Maria Island, Florida

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AUGUST 26, 2020

AUGUST 26, 2020

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Anna Maria prepares to impose impact fees If the impact fees ordinance is adopted Thursday, the fees will take effect in late November.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Developers can expect to soon pay impact fees when building new structures or increasing the size of existing structures in Anna Maria.

On Thursday, Aug. 27, Anna Maria City Commissioners will be presented with the second and final reading of Ordinance 20871, an ordinance that will establish the impact fees previously discussed on first reading on Aug. 13.

According to the ordinance, the intent is “to ensure that new development pays its proportionate share of the anticipated costs of public facilities necessary to provide parks and recreation and roads and mobility protection for the new development.”

According to the ordinance, “The city of Anna Maria parks and recreation impact fees shall only be paid for residential development or increase in size of residential property and shall be assessed at the rate of $1.15 per square foot of interior building space.”

The parks and recreation impact fees will apply equally to new residential structures built for use as family residences and those built for use as vacation rentals.

“The city of Anna Maria roads and mobility impact fees shall be paid for all new development of any kind, or any increase in building size, and shall be assessed at the rate of $0.73 per square foot of interior building space,” according to the ordinance.

When applicable, the two impact fees combined total $1.88 per square foot of interior building space. At those rates, the impact fees for a new single-family home with 5,000 square feet of interior building space would be $9,400. The impact fees for a commercial or other type of non-residential building with 5,000 square feet of interior building space would be $3,650.

Impact fees will not be assessed on existing residential or non-residential structures unless the interior building space is increased.

The impact fees shall be paid when the building permit is issued or at another time specifically provided for in a developer’s agreement with the city.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The city of Anna Maria expects to begin levying impact fees on new construction later this year.

The ordinance notes the city retained Raftelis Financial Consultants to prepare an impact fee study to determine the proportionate demand that new development generates for additional parks and recreation and road and mobility improvements.

“It has been determined that impact fees are necessary to offset the costs associated with meeting future demands. The impact fees bear a reasonable relationship to the burden imposed upon the city to provide parks and recreation and roads and mobility facilities to new city residents. An essential nexus exists between

projected new development and the need for additional parks and recreation and roads and mobility facilities to be funded with impact fees,” the ordinance states.

“The decisions of the city commission as set forth herein are reasonable and prudent steps pertaining to sound growth management, which have been taken for the benefit of the citizens of the city, both present and future,” the ordinance notes.

The ordinance states separate capital fund accounts will be established for the two different impact fees. The monies deposited into each impact fee capital fund account shall be used solely for the purposes set forth in the ordinance and shall not be used for any expenditure that would be classified as an operational, maintenance, repair or replacement expense.

The impact fee ordinance will become effective 90 days after its adoption. If adopted Thursday as anticipated, future development will be subjected to impact fees beginning in late November.

Thursday’s city commission meeting will begin immediately after the 5:30 p.m. budget meeting and public input on the proposed impact fees will be accepted.

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ISLAND NEWS

IN BRIEF

Holmes Beach hosts budget hearing Holmes Beach commissioners are hosting the city’s first public hearing for the 2020-21 fiscal year budget in September, and Mayor Judy Titsworth says she no longer believes the millage rate will have to be raised.

Previously, Titsworth and city Treasurer Lori Hill agreed that the millage rate for the coming fiscal year would need to be raised to fill an $800,000 deficit in the city’s operating reserves.

However, after receiving good news in the form of six Bert Harris case wins, Titsworth told commissioners during an Aug. 18 meeting that not only does she think raising the millage rate will no longer be necessary for the coming fiscal year, but she also doesn’t believe city leaders will have to add to the legal contingency fund established to help pay for Bert Harris cases in which prevailing property owners are awarded damages from the city.

So far, Holmes Beach city leaders have prevailed in court in the Bert Harris cases.

City leaders will host the first of two public budget hearings on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. via Zoom. Instructions on how to join the meeting can be found online at www.holmesbeachfl.org.

City adopts county mitigation strategy Holmes Beach commissioners have voted unanimously to accept the Manatee County local mitigation strategy, a five-year plan that helps anticipate risk from hazards including hurricanes, tropical storms, stormwater runoff, rising sea levels and damage to infrastructure.

The plan also outlines how to deal with those hazards should they cause problems for the county or municipalities within the county that have adopted the plan. Adopting the plan allows city leaders to apply to receive FEMA funds to assist in funding local projects, such as the ongoing seawall repairs at city center along Marina Drive.

Consultant: Sewage leak minor The Town of Longboat Key’s environmental consultant says there is no evidence that a sewage leak in June in Sarasota Bay had even a short-term impact on bacteria levels.

Environmental Science Associates principal associate David Tomasko wrote his conclusion in a report to town officials last week.

The main sewer line serving Longboat Key that runs under Sarasota Bay broke in mid-June, causing a spill in the mangroves on Long Bar Pointe on the mainland.

The cause of the force main leak has yet to be determined.

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AUGUST 26, 2020

Commission approves Gulf Drive variance request

The new elevated home will be built according to current city codes and city standards.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – The owners of the residential property at 401 Gulf Drive S. now have the variances needed to replace an existing ground level home with a new elevated home.

On Thursday, Aug. 20, the Bradenton Beach City Commission unanimously granted the variance requests that attorney Mark Barnebey presented on behalf of the Glasgow family.

The home to be demolished and replaced is a 1,068-square-foot dwelling built in 1930. The nonhomesteaded property has been owned by the Glasgow family since 1958.

The current home will be replaced by a raised two-story home with a total building footprint of 1,156 square feet.

Special Master Lisa Gonzalez Moore previously approved the requested variances, which then required the city commission’s final approval.

During Thursday’s public hearing, City Planner Luis Serna said the applicants were requesting six variances. Serna said the variances are required because the current structure does not meet city standards due to its age.

Serna recommended approval of the following variance requests: • An approximate 11-foot variance from the 20-foot front yard setback; • An approximate 8-foot variance from the 10-foot side yard setback; • An approximate 5-foot variance from the 15-foot street side yard setback; • A 3-foot, 6-inch variance from the 10-foot side yard setback; • A variance of 44.4% maximum lot coverage from 35% maximum lot coverage; • A variance of 49% maximum lot coverage plus impervious

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

This ground level home will be demolished and replaced by an elevated structure.

CITY OF BRADENTON BEACH | SUBMITTED

This rendering illustrates what the new elevated single-family residence will look like. surface coverage from 40% maximum lot coverage plus impervious surface coverage.

The granted variances will run with the land if the property is ever sold or ownership is transferred.

“This is the perfect variance request. You’ve got a very small non-conforming lot. It’s what variances are for. We did not create this problem. It is not a result of any action from the applicants,” Barnebey told the commission.

“To meet the current city code requirements for setback and lot coverage, it (the new home) would be really small, about 490 square feet,” Barnebey said.

“I’m very pleased with the results here. I think it is about the best we could ask for. It’s a challenge when you have such a small

property,” Mayor John Chappie said.

Chappie said he’s pleased the driveway for the new home will be located off Fourth Street South instead of Gulf Drive. He said this will be a tremendous safety improvement because it will alleviate the need for the occupants to back out onto Gulf Drive.

Commissioner Jake Spooner said an elevated structure built according to current city codes would help the city’s CRS (Community Rating System) rating – the federal program that provides flood insurance discounts to Bradenton Beach property owners.

Spooner also noted the property’s taxable value would increase, therefore producing additional property tax revenues for the city.

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AUGUST 26, 2020

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More improvements for city field Dedicated pickleball courts, bocce ball courts and lighting for the shuffleboard courts and skate park are all planned improvements at the city field complex.

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

HOLMES BEACH – Some new amenities are planned for the city field complex.

During an Aug. 18 meeting, Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth told commissioners that funds had been secured to install two dedicated pickleball courts at city field with a grant from the Hagen Foundation and donations of subcontracting work from local concrete companies. The courts are planned between the new playground and the parking lot. Bocce ball courts also are being installed on the other side of the park complex near the newly-completed skate park and shuffleboard courts.

With the bocce ball courts being installed by city public works staff, Titsworth said that the project will cost the city very little to accomplish. Director of Development Services Eran Wasserman said he anticipates the bocce ball and pickleball courts

SUBMITTED | CITY OF HOLMES BEACH

This photo, presented to city commissioners by Director of Development Services Eran Wasserman, shows the planned location of pickleball courts to the north of the new playground and an outline of where an informal softball diamond is located in the multi-use field at the city field complex in Holmes Beach. to be completed by the Sept. 30 end to the current fiscal year.

Titsworth said she’s also entertaining bids for lighting for the skate park, shuffleboard courts and bocce ball courts so that those areas can be used safely after dark.

While Wasserman said that no parking spaces at the parking lot on the north side of the park complex will be lost to the new

improvements, the area will not be able to be used as overflow parking for boaters at the nearby 63rd Street boat ramp. He said that boaters can use the already-designated parking spaces at the boat ramp and alongside the city’s tennis courts as well as the open street side parking along the west side of Flotilla Drive as overflow parking.

Dredging is ongoing at the boat ramp and

in the adjacent channel with an estimated completion date of Sept. 10. Wasserman said that during the dredging, some access to the area may be limited and that the boat ramp is expected to close at some point for one week. Once the dates are confirmed, he added that he will post notices and attempt to give boaters who use the ramp as much advance notice of the closure as possible.

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OPINION

The Anna Maria Island Sun newspaper 3909 East Bay Drive, Suite 210, Holmes Beach, FL, 34217 Phone: (941) 778-3986 email: news@amisun.com | ads@amisun.com | classifieds@amisun.com

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AUGUST 26, 2020

The Anna Maria Island Sun Staff Publishers Mike Field Maggie Field Editor/CEO Mike Field Layout Ricardo Fonseca Reporters Cindy Lane Joe Hendricks Kristin Swain Columnists Louise Bolger Outdoors editor Rusty Chinnis Advertising director Shona Otto Ad assistant Pamela Lee Classified ads Bob Alexander Graphics Elaine Stroili Ricardo Fonseca Digital/Social Media editor Cindy Lane Accounting John Reitz Distribution Bob Alexander Tony McNulty Connor Field Contributors Tom Vaught Pat Copeland Steve Borggren Monica Simpson

Four bidders eyeing City Pier grill and bait shop The bid proposal details will not be available to the public until presented to the city commission at a public meeting.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Four local entrepreneurs interested in operating a grill and bait shop on the new City Pier have submitted bid proposals to the city of Anna Maria.

The bid proposals received are in response to the request for proposals (RFP) the city recently issued seeking a tenant to lease the 300-square-foot bait shop building at the T-end of the new pier.

The city seeks a tenant who will operate a takeout grill that offers a limited menu throughout the day in addition to selling bait and possibly offering additional fishing supplies.

The deadline to submit a proposal was 1 p.m. on Friday. A few minutes after that deadline passed, Mayor Dan Murphy opened the four bid proposals and announced who submitted them.

The four bidders are F.P. Growth Partners; Brian Seymour, Vic Mattay and Nicholas Graham; Sarah Baldwin/ Tevatan LLC and Harry’s Continental Kitchens.

Patrick Coleman represented F.P. Growth Partners at the public bid opening held at city hall in the city commission chambers. F.P. Growth Partners’ business operations include the Poppo’s Taquerias on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria and on Manatee Avenue in Bradenton.

Seymour is the owner/operator of the Anna Maria General Store and Deli on Pine Avenue that leases space to Mattay and his Dips Ice Cream shop.

Graham is the co-owner and operator of Graham Slam fishing charters in Cortez.

Anna Maria resident Kim Nemeth represented Tevatan LLC. Nemeth is the manager of Paradise Boat Tours and Bridge Street Bait Shop at the foot of the Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach.

Tevatan LLC is led by CEO Sarah Baldwin and her father, Sherman Baldwin, who serves as the LLC’s general manager. Tevatan also operates Hart’s Landing in Sarasota in space leased from that city.

Harry’s Continental Kitchens is located in Longboat Key and was not represented at Friday’s bid opening.

Waterfront Restaurant & Craft Bar owner Jason Suzor and Star Fish Co. restaurant owner Karen Bell participated in the recent pre-bid meeting but neither submitted a bid proposal.

Murphy said he will now review

the four bid proposals that will also be provided to city commissioners. The proposals will not be made public until placed on an agenda for a future city commission meeting or a special city commission meeting to be held within the next 30 days.

When the bid proposals are presented for commission discussion at a public meeting, each commissioner will individually rank the bidders and their proposals according to their personal preferences. One point will be awarded for a commissioner’s first choice, two points will be awarded for a commissioner’s second choice and so on. The bidder and proposal with the lowest combined score will then be given the opportunity to attempt to negotiate a lease contract with Murphy and the city.

According to the RFP, the city reserves the right to discard any or all bids.

During Friday’s bid opening, Murphy said he hopes to have the grill and bait shop open by the first of the year at the latest, and much sooner than that if all goes well.

The city currently has no plans to resume its search for another pier tenant to operate a full-service restaurant in the larger of the two city-owned buildings at the T-end of the new City Pier.

At this time, the future use of the larger pier building has not been determined.

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AUGUST 26, 2020

ON THE AGENDA ANNA MARIA

10005 GULF DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130

City hall is open to the public with limited capacity and safety protocols in place. Please visit www.cityofannamaria.com or contact city hall for more information.

Aug. 27, 5:30 p.m. – City Commission budget and regular meeting Sept. 7, all day – City offices closed for Labor Day holiday Sept. 10, 6 p.m. – Budget hearing and City Commission special meeting

BRADENTON BEACH

107 GULF DRIVE N. FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005

City hall is open to the public with limited capacity and safety protocols in place. Please visit www.cityofbradentonbeach.com or contact city hall for more information.

Aug. 26, 1 p.m. – Planning and Zoning Board meeting Sept. 2, 9 a.m. – Capital Improvement Plan meeting Sept. 2, 9:30 a.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency meeting Sept. 2, 2 p.m. – Scenic WAVES meeting Sept. 3, 5:05 p.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency tentative fiscal year 2021 millage and budget meeting Sept. 3, 5:35 p.m. – City Commission tentative millage and budget hearing Sept. 3, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting Sept. 8, 10 a.m. – City Commission work meeting Sept. 10, 1 p.m. – Department Head meeting

HOLMES BEACH

5801 MARINA DRIVE FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800

City hall is currently closed to the public. All meetings will be held virtually until further notice.

Sept. 7, all day – City offices closed for Labor Day holiday Sept. 9, 6 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting Sept. 10, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session to follow

MARK YOUR CALENDAR August 26 - September 8 The Island Branch Library is open at 40% capacity. Please wear a face mask/covering.

Tingley Memorial Library is closed.

All classes at area parks and recreation areas are canceled.

The Center of Anna Maria Island is open with social distancing and face masks required.

The Holmes Beach dog park (Scentral Park), skate park, basketball courts and tennis courts are open.

Local preserves are open, including Grassy Point Preserve, Perico Preserve, Neal Preserve and Robinson Preserve.

Local beaches are open.

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SHEARON: Island loses former mayor FROM PAGE 1

Team Facilitator Sam Speciale worked together on the pier replacement project and later envisioned the new floating dock that now sits next to the pier.

While in office, Shearon had some favorite sayings that included, “It is what it is.”

When Shearon and the other commission members disagreed and couldn’t find common ground, Shearon often said, “We just agree differently on things.”

When describing a challenging or labor-intensive effort, Shearon often said, “It’s like eating an elephant: one bite at a time.”

During Shearon’s first term in office, Commissioner Janie Robertson was his most reliable commission ally, but the mayor frequently lacked the majority support of the commission as a whole. This hindered Shearon’s ability to pursue projects he believed beneficial to the city, including his long-desired, never-realized goal of establishing a managed mooring field south of the pier. He also proposed a never-pursued parking garage as a companion project to a mooring field.

Toward the end of his second year in office, Bradenton Beach voters removed Shearon from office and

replaced him with Vice Mayor Jack Clarke as a result of the May 19, 2015 recall election.

Undaunted by the recall results, Shearon sought to reclaim the mayor’s seat in the general election later that year that resulted in he and Clarke receiving the exact same number of votes. After a recount produced the same results the following day, Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Mike Bennett asked Clarke and Shearon to draw playing cards to determine the race winner.

In that now-infamous tie-breaker, Shearon drew an ace of clubs to best the 10 of clubs Clarke drew. Shearon then served a full two-year term as mayor before being defeated by former mayor John Chappie in the 2017 city elections.

During his second term in office, Shearon supported and had the support of the residents who would form the Concerned Neighbors of Bradenton Beach (CNOBB) neighborhood group in 2017.

During and after his time as mayor, Shearon, who was legally blind, enjoyed his daily walks around the city with his faithful guide dog, Reece.

Shearon is survived by his longtime life partner Tjet Martin. In addition to assisting Shearon with his visual challeng-

es, Martin oversees the operations of the Linger Longer resort that also served as the couple’s beachfront home.

REFLECTIONS FROM OTHERS

County Commissioner Carol Whitmore had this to say about the late mayor: “Bill was a friend to my husband and I. I knew Bill as a patient of my husband’s and we later worked together in Island politics, which is always interesting. He was a good guy who loved his city and loved life. Bill accomplished a lot with his disability.

I learned so much about the value of working dogs and blindness. I will miss the fiery redhead who had a passion that many found hard to understand. My thoughts and prayers are with the love of his life, Tjet Martin, and with his family.”

Lt. John Cosby, from the Bradenton Beach Police Department, said, “Bill had a good sense of humor and he definitely liked to do things his own way.”

Speciale said, “It was tough sometimes to work for Mayor Shearon, but it was easy to work with him. He had his own ideas about what he wanted, but if you could show him a different way, he was open to that. If you showed him respect, he respected you back.”

COVID: Positive test for city employee FROM PAGE 1

along with sanitizing wipes, hand sanitizer and Gamma-MENE spray,” Sanclemente’s email said.

“We are also following the CDC’s guidelines. We are doing our very best to keep everyone’s rights protected and not trying to violate any state or federal laws when replying to questions like yours,” Sanclemente wrote in her response to The Sun. “Please see the attached policy we have applied historically in the city, and the mayor provides clarification as needed,” her email concluded.

The policy Sanclemente provided is a copy of a 2009 city resolution that pertains to communicable diseases and references the H1N1 virus.

“The supervisor or mayor, after consultation, may order a city board or committee member, city volunteer, independent contractor or employee home if that person reports or shows signs or symptoms of a communicable disease. Persons sent home pursuant to this resolution will not be allowed to return to city facilities or work until they are able to furnish proof or certification from an individual or facility duly licensed to practice medicine that there is no threat of a communicable disease,”

the resolution states.

“Employees sent home pursuant to this resolution shall use sick leave time until it is exhausted and then they may use vacation and/or personal days,” the resolution states.

“The supervisor or mayor shall take all necessary measures to ensure that all city facilities exposed to a communicable disease are cleaned and disinfected,” the resolution states.

When a positive COVID-19 test result occurs, that result is reported in association with the tested person’s home zip code and it is not attributed to the person’s workplace or the location where the test occurred.

COVID-19 DATA

According to the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s Saturday, Aug. 22 daily COVID-19 data report, 27 positive COVID-19 cases had been reported in Bradenton Beach since the local pandemic began in March.

According to Saturday’s report, there had been 18 reported cases in Holmes Beach, three in Anna Maria, three in Cortez, 6,849 in Bradenton and 10,014 reported cases in all of Manatee County.

According to the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) COVID-19

Data Dashboard, an additional 109 non-county residents have tested positive.

According to the COVID-19 Dashboard, 705 people have been hospitalized in Manatee County with COVID-19 since the pandemic began. According to the FDOH daily update, 43 individuals were currently hospitalized in Manatee County with a primary diagnosis of COVID-19 as of Saturday evening.

According to the FDOH Dashboard, 248 people have died in Manatee County with COVID-19, with 117 (47%) of those deaths attributed to residents or employees of nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other long-term care facilities.

From Saturday, Aug. 15 to Friday, Aug. 21, 455 new positive COVID-19 cases were reported in Manatee County. Since Aug. 1, the number of daily reported cases has declined or held steady and there have not been significant daily increases similar to those in July.

As of Saturday, the overall percent positive of all those tested in Manatee County was 11%; the percent positive of those tested the prior day was 3.82%.

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THE SUN

AUGUST 26, 2020

Special magistrate rules on seven code issues Holmes Beach code compliance issues went before the special magistrate Aug. 19.

order on the property and has been working with the contractor on the project, whom Schwartz said has neglected to turn in proper paperwork to have the stop-work order removed.

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

HOLMES BEACH – Attorney Michael Connelly had his hands full on Aug. 19 when he reprised his role as the city’s special magistrate, hearing seven code compliance hearings in one day.

The first case involved cabanas, wood decking and electrical work at the recently renovated Anna Maria Beach Resort, 6306 Gulf Drive, formerly known as the Blue Water Resort.

Code Compliance Supervisor James Thomas presented evidence, along with Building Official Neal Schwartz, that there were no permits filed or issued for the poolside cabanas, the electrical work or the wood decking by the pool.

Speaking on behalf of the owner, attorney Aaron Thomas said that his client was attempting to work with the city to correct the issues. Connelly ruled that there was a violation on the wood decking and electrical work and gave the owners 21 business days to provide requested supplementary data. The

SPECIAL MAGISTRATE RULES ON SEVEN CODE ISSUES

SUBMITTED

Attorney Michael Connelly serves as the Holmes Beach special magistrate during a series of code compliance hearings Aug. 19. city has 10 days after that to review the data and determine the next steps, if permits can be issued or if a full site plan review needs to take place. Joseph Varner, of Anna Maria Vacations in Holmes Beach, is listed as the Blue Water Resort AMI LLC’s manager by the Florida Division of Corporations.

The second case involved a home owned by 305 73rd LLC at 305 73rd St. that had been tagged as a dilapidated and unsafe structure. Developer Shawn Kaleta is listed as manager. Thomas said the first notice of violation was posted at

the home, which was then open to the elements in a state of construction with an overgrown yard and building materials scattered across the property.

Thomas said it took until Aug. 3 for the structure to be boarded up against intrusion and it was the city that hired the contractor to complete the work.

Schwartz said that before the property was seemingly abandoned, there was an active permit to replace the roof, but that construction had clearly gone beyond the scope of work with the entire building gutted. He issued a stop-work

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Connelly ruled that the property owner has 30 days from the date of the hearing to obtain a permit and begin either rehabilitation or demolition of the structure. He also ordered a fine of $250 per day beginning on Aug. 19 and that the owner pay $127.24 in administrative costs.

Two cases were heard in one hearing, both of them involving the Bali Hai Beach Resort, 6900 Gulf Drive. The first case involved work being done on a small building on the property without a permit and the second for alcohol sales on the premises without an approved site plan. Connelly ruled that there was a change in use on the property without an approved site plan and that work was done without a permit and construction work was done with an outstanding stop-work order issued.

SEE MAGISTRATE, PAGE 19

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AUGUST 26, 2020

THE SUN

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City leaders, resort owner face off in court City leaders are seeking an injunction in Manatee County Circuit Court to stop occupancy and business in a small accessory building at Bali Hai.

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

MANATEE COUNTY – A disagreement between Holmes Beach city leaders and the ownership at Bali Hai Beach Resort has escalated, resulting in two hearings held the week of Aug. 17.

On Aug. 19, two issues involving the Bali Hai were brought before city special magistrate and attorney Michael Connelly for review. The first was construction work done without a permit and in violation of a stop-work order. The second was alcohol sales on the premises without an approved site plan. Arguments on those same issues came before Manatee County Judge Charles Sniffen during a hearing Aug. 21 on the city’s complaint for injunctive relief and motion to compel the defendant, Bali Hai JV LLC, to respond to the city’s complaint.

In the Aug. 21 court hearing, Sniffen ruled that the hotel’s ownership has five

SUBMITTED | CITY OF HOLMES BEACH

The photo, left, submitted into evidence during an Aug. 21 hearing, shows the state of the lower floor of the accessory building, seemingly being used for storage in late January. When code compliance officers revisited the property in March, they noticed a large change in the bottom floor of the accessory building, primarily that work had been done without consulting the city and that it was now open as a bar and lounge, right. business days, until Aug. 28, to respond to the city’s complaint. The city’s motion for an injunction, to stop occupancy of and business in a small two-story accessory building on the property, was continued to a future date as the questioning of witnesses and presentation of evidence went over the time limit allowed.

Attorney Erica Aguello, speaking on behalf of the city, said that city leaders are seeking an injunction to stop alcohol sales on the property without an approved site plan and stop occupancy of

the building until permits can be secured and work completed on the second floor of the building.

The Bali Hai is currently owned by Bali Hai JV LLC, a Florida limited liability company that lists law firm Najmy Thompson P. L. as the registered agent and local developer Shawn Kaleta as the manager of the LLC. During the hearing, attorneys for the defense acknowledged Kaleta as the owner of the hotel.

The city’s issues with the Bali Hai began in late January, according to evidence sub-

mitted by the city. During the evidentiary hearing, Building Official Neal Schwartz said that he was called out to the site Jan. 24 by code compliance Officer James Thomas to investigate work being done on the accessory building without a permit.

Schwartz said the first issue he noted was that railings were being replaced on the second floor of the accessory building without a permit or city approval of the railing material to make sure it meets Florida Building Code standards.

Upon further inspection, Schwartz said that part of the upstairs of the building had been gutted down to the studs without permits and that office workers were occupying another area while work was going on, also in violation of building codes. Since it was now a life safety concern, he said that West Manatee Fire Rescue Fire Marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski was called out to the scene and ordered the second-floor egress onto the balcony to be boarded up and the office workers to evacuate the building.

Meanwhile, Schwartz issued a stop-work order on the accessory building until permits could be granted for the work being done. He said that at the time, the bottom floor of the building was being used as a SEE BALI HAI, PAGE 20

10

www.amisun.com

THE SUN

AUGUST 26, 2020

Roser says goodbye to Dr. Bob

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

ANNA MARIA – Roser Memorial Community Church parishioners lined up Aug. 13 for a drive-by parade to wish former senior pastor Rev. Dr. Bob O’Keef and his wife, Phyllis, goodbye as they prepare to retire to North Carolina.

Thirty-two vehicles filled with friends and church members lined up for the parade, which began at 11 a.m. and lasted for about half an hour.

Drivers passed underneath the portico at the entrance to the church’s sanctuary where the O’Keefs greeted everyone and were able to have one last visit with parishioners while also practicing safe social distancing. A basket of cards and financial contributions were collected during the event for the couple.

After serving at Roser for four years, O’Keef, widely known as Dr. Bob, announced his retirement in early 2020, with a plan to leave the church in August and return to North Carolina where his children and grandchildren live. The church was closed to the

SUBMITTED | BEV HUNSBERGER

At left, Dr. Bob and Phyllis O’Keef prepare to say goodbye to Anna Maria Island and hello to their retirement in North Carolina. At right, parishioners wish the O’Keefs well as they drive through as a part of the farewell celebration. public due to COVID-19 precautions in March and Dr. Bob made the announcement that he would be retiring early in May. Associate Pastor Rev. Neil Crowell has been filling in as acting senior pastor until a new senior pastor can be found.

Though the O’Keefs are leaving, they plan to return to Anna Maria Island for a more formal farewell event at the church once it’s safe to again have a large gathering.

The Roser Women’s Guild is currently working to create a scrapbook of memories, pictures and well wishes

for the O’Keefs to be presented during their farewell event. To contribute to the scrapbook, email 77cherrie@gmail. com or mail items to Roser Church at P. O. Box 247, Anna Maria, FL 34216.

All items must be received by Nov. 26 to be included in the scrapbook.

www.amisun.com

AUGUST 26, 2020

THE SUN

11

Proposed minimum wage increase would impact local restaurants Anna Maria Oyster Bar owner John Horne opposes the proposed mandatory wage increases.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

MANATEE COUNTY – In November, Florida voters will determine whether the mandatory minimum wage is raised to $10 an hour in 2021 and to $15 in 2026.

Anna Maria Oyster Bar (AMOB) founder and President John Horne opposes the proposed mandatory wage increase and he shared his concerns while serving as a panelist for Thursday’s “Amendment 2 Hurts You” virtual press conference.

“This mandatory wage increase is bad for business. And if it’s bad for my business, it’s bad for my employees,” Horne said.

Initiated by the Florida For a Fair Wage committee chaired by attorney John Morgan, the mandatory minimum wage increase is proposed as an amendment to the Florida Constitution.

If supported by at least 60% of Florida voters, Amendment 2 would raise Florida’s minimum wage to $10 per hour in 2021 and continue to increase $1 per hour each year until it reaches $15 per hour in 2026. After that, the minimum wage would continue to increase according to the annual rate of inflation.

“Florida needs to pass the Fair Wage Amendment to ensure that all hard-working Floridians can receive a living wage.

The ‘living wage’ is the minimum cost that covers the basic needs of an individual and the needs of their family without government assistance,” according to the Florida For a Fair Wage website.

“Florida’s minimum wage of $8.56 – or $17,600 per year – for a full-time employee is not a livable wage for many of the

200,000 hard-working Floridians that earn it, especially those working to support a family. As most Floridians know, the cost of living in our state is higher than the national average, particularly when it comes to housing and transportation costs,” the website notes.

AMENDMENT 2 HURTS YOU

Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association President and CEO Carol Dover hosted the Aug. 20 press conference conducted via Zoom videoconferencing.

Dover said the mandatory wage increase would be a “job-killer” for Florida’s economy and eventually increase the current minimum wage by 77%. She said this would result in lost jobs, lost benefits and the increased use of automated ordering at restaurants.

Dover referenced other cities and states that adopted mandatory minimum wage increases, including San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle and the state of Washington.

“It has destroyed the industries in those states,” Dover said when claiming those wage mandates resulted in many small businesses going out of business.

Dover introduced panelist Simone Barron as someone who’s experienced mandatory wage increases first-hand. Barron said she’s worked in the service industry for nearly 35 years and has worked as a tipped employee in Seattle for the past 18 years.

She also co-founded the Seattle-based Full Service Workers Alliance.

In 2014, the Seattle City Council adopted a minimum wage increase that took effect in 2015 at $10 an hour.

According to www.minimum-wage. org, Seattle’s mandatory minimum wage is currently $15.75 an hour for a company with 500 or fewer employees, which is $2.25 higher than the state of Washington’s $13.50 minimum hourly wage. Seattle’s mandatory minimum wage is $13.50 an

hour for employees who earn at least $2.25 an hour in tips.

Barron said she originally supported the mandatory wage increases.

“Who wouldn’t want to make $15 an hour, plus tips? We were already making close to $10 an hour, plus tips, and now we were going to get a big raise. I was really for it, but soon after it was implemented we started seeing the negative consequences,” she said.

Barron said customers immediately stopped tipping or tipping well because they assumed servers were already reaping the benefits of the wage increase. She said employers reduced or eliminated the support staffs that include bussers, hosts, food runners and barbacks and the pay model for tipped workers changed.

“My employer got rid of tipping altogether and implemented a 20% service charge, of which I got a small percentage as a commission. Not only was I making less money, I suddenly didn’t have an opportunity to maximize my income. I could only make that small percentage instead of really working a table and going for a large tip,” Barron said.

“After that, we got the loss of hours.

Suddenly we weren’t going to work a full shift. The schedule started to shorten,” she added.

Barron said she took a second job and had to work six days a week instead of four to earn what she was accustomed to earning.

“Please take a look at this proposition and really think about how it’s going to impact your job. If I could go back, I wouldn’t have supported it,” she said.

HORNE'S CONCERNS

Speaking next, Horne said, “Two-thirds of my employees are tipped employees.

They’re earning two to three times more than minimum wage currently. I’ll be cutting hours, I’ll be cutting shifts, I’ll be raising prices. It’s a really vicious spiral.”

Horne noted the wage increase is being proposed when the restaurant industry is already being devastated by the COVID pandemic.

He also worries that increasing prices to offset increased wages could result in retirees and others on fixed incomes eating out less.

“I’m not going to need the number of servers I have now,” Horne said. “I know the large companies can absorb this, but a small business like mine will be crushed. I want to urge all the voters to please vote no on Amendment 2.”

During press inquiries, Horne was asked about the potential impact the mandatory wage increase would have on Anna Maria Island and Bradenton restaurants.

“It’s going to affect every restaurant in Florida,” he said.

Horne has four AMOB restaurants, including one in Bradenton Beach. He said if Amendment 2 passes, the payroll at just one of his restaurants will immediately increase $2,600 per week.

“It’ll go up $138,000 the first year. When we get to $15 an hour, I’ll be paying an additional $600,000 in labor – that’s a lot of price increases to cover labor and that’s just tipped employees. That has nothing to do with my hourly people in the kitchens that are already being paid $13-$17 an hour,” Horne said.

“What about youth labor, the people on their first job? Minimum wage is not head of the household income. Minimum wage is starting wage. I’ve got three or four high school students working my front door. If the minimum wage is $15, am I going to be able to afford $45-$60 an hour to have someone greeting you to the Anna Maria Oyster Bar? Absolutely not,” Horne said.

“It hasn’t been thought out completely.

It doesn’t take into consideration what the tipped employees get. It will cut jobs,” Horne said of the proposed amendment.

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Vetoed alcohol ordinance being revised again The ordinance’s intent is to prevent a topless bar or restaurant and to remove a provision that prohibits alcohol sales within 2,500 feet of a church.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria City Commissioners are revising a previously amended alcoholic beverages ordinance adopted by a 4-1 commission vote on July 30 but later vetoed by Mayor Dan Murphy.

Murphy vetoed Ordinance 20-867 on Aug. 3 because the change to the existing ordinance would have made it illegal for males to expose their breasts at any establishment that serves alcohol for consumption on the premises. The existing city ordinance in place before the amendments were approved only prohibited females from doing so.

Presented on first reading on Aug. 13, and being presented for second and

JANUARY 17, 2018

SUNDAY WORSHIP 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM

In the SANCTUARY and ONLINE Go to www.RoserChurch.com Click WORSHIP-SIGNUP , WATCH LIVE or WATCH LATER Text ROSER to 22828 to receive the weekly eBulletin.

The CHAPEL is open during office hours for prayer & meditation.

final reading on Thursday, Aug. 27, the latest version of the alcoholic beverages ordinance, Ordinance 20-872, now seeks to simply address the original rea941-778-0414 • info@RoserChurch.com • LIKE us on Facebook @RoserChurch son for the ordinance Murphy vetoed.

One reason is to ensure that a topless bar or restaurant cannot operate in Anna Maria. Ordinance 20-872 reverts back to the longstanding alcoholic beverages ordinance language that only prohibits the exposure of female breasts, while containing new language introduced in Ordinance 20-867 that provides “This section shall not be applied to a nursing mother, immediately before, immediately after or while nursing a baby.”

Another intent of the revised ordinance is to remove the longstanding provision that prohibits alcohol from being sold or dispensed within 2,500 feet of a church. Once adopted, the new ordinance will also require establishments selling or dispensing alcohol within the city limits to obtain a cityissued special use permit.

www.amisun.com

AUGUST 26, 2020

THE SUN

13

Saying goodbye to Roger Roger may be gone, but his owner is hoping that his tuxedo jacket will be recovered.

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

HOLMES BEACH - If you travel down Gulf Drive, you may notice that something’s missing.

Roger the mannequin, a beloved neighborhood personality, is gone.

Roger sat on a second-floor balcony at Maggie Patall’s home, watching over Gulf Drive and giving a friendly wave to passersby. Patall dressed Roger up for every occasion from Easter to Halloween, New Year’s Eve and every holiday in between. Neighbors and visitors alike say that they always looked forward to visiting Roger and seeing what he was up to.

While Patall slept on Thursday night, Aug. 20, someone managed to climb to the second-floor balcony where Roger sat and took the mannequin. Patall didn’t notice the theft until Friday and she contacted the Holmes Beach police, who are looking into the case. A local Holmes Beach resident, Gale Tedhams, said that she saw a mannequin torso on the beach early Friday morning. The mannequin torso was reported to authorities and picked up by a Manatee County Sheriff’s deputy, then later claimed by HBPD officers.

No other pieces of Roger have been found.

A shark attack has not been ruled out.

Once the community found out about Roger’s theft, social media posts spread with people expressing their sympathy to Patall and trying to find the missing mannequin. “The neighborhood and community have been so wonderful,� Patall said of the support she’s received.

SUBMITTED | MAGGIE PATALL

Maggie Patall gives Roger the mannequin a smooch after dressing him up for Halloween. The tuxedo jacket Roger is wearing - and the one that Patall hopes is found - belonged to her late husband, Peter. “It’s heartwarming to see the concern expressed by neighbors and the local police.�

And while Patall mourns the loss of Roger, what she really misses is what he was wearing – her late husband’s tuxedo jacket. When the torso was found, the tuxedo jacket was nowhere in sight. Patall asks that anyone with any information on the theft or the location of the missing tuxedo jacket contact the HBPD at 941-778-COPS (2677).

Canopy Zone opens at Robinson Preserve

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The Canopy Zone is open at Robinson Preserve in Bradenton, allowing visitors to experience nature from a fresh perspective while exploring amid the treetops. Situated at the edge of the historic Reasoner Tract at Robinson Preserve South, the Canopy Zone is nestled among century-old botanical giants that once formed the test plot for Royal Palm Nurseries. The compact, two-story structure includes a series of boardwalks, rope bridges, climbing nets and slides, plus mounted binoculars for viewing wading birds and other wildlife within the preserve. Parking can be found near the NEST which can be reached from the preserve’s south entrance at the end of Ninth Avenue Northwest.

MANATEE COUNTY | SUBMITTED

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THE SUN

FOOD & WINE

AUGUST 26, 2020

Binge watch with a fresh fruit trifle

Brian Mathae

Berry and Coconut Trifle

HURRICANE HANKS

(approximately 8-10 servings)

T

he inspiration for today’s recipe is based on some of my recent binge television watching.

It’s somewhat ironic that while practicing social distancing I have become fascinated with someone who has been isolated in different ways for a majority of her life. At least that’s my impression of Queen Elizabeth II. I’ve watched the two series, The Royal House of Windsor and The Crown, on Netflix and the movie The Queen. While each portrays the royal family in a different light, a common thread is Queen Elizabeth’s unwavering commitment to follow the duties and responsibilities she was taught growing up. She is a sovereign who reigns but does not rule. She takes direction from the government and isn’t supposed to express an opinion outside of palace walls. I can’t imagine being allowed to live truly free only inside the walls of your own home, no matter how big it is. Over her reign of 68 years she has met countless influential individuals from around the globe. Most have risen to their position of influence based on great achievements and desire to make the world a better place, while others have been less than benevolent. Yet she greets each of them with the same kindness and poise. She cannot choose with whom to associate. Her family’s every move is dictated if not by government or the royal court, then by century-old traditions no longer relevant today.

I can’t image a greater isolation than that, being so limited in expression, movement and association.

I do love the British accent and while binging through all the shows I was reminded of my aunt who was born in England. She has that lovely proper accent! One of my fondest memories is the English Trifle she would make for family dinners. I have a sweet tooth, so it’s not surprising that I enjoyed it, but I have to say it has always been one of my favorite desserts.

Ingredients

3/4 cup seedless raspberry jam 1 quart strawberries, cored and cut into slices 1 pint raspberries 1 pint blueberries 6 tbs. sugar 3 cups heavy cream 1 cup mascarpone cheese 1 tsp. vanilla 3 oz. RumHaven coconut rum 1 package of lady fingers Fresh mint for garnish

Directions

SUBMITTED

The recipe I’m offering you today is a take on the traditional recipe, modified to reflect the limited time we seem to have today to prepare food as well as some flavors that are in keeping with living on the beach!

A traditional trifle includes sponge biscuits soaked in sherry or fortified wine, whereas this one has them soaked in a flavorful coconut rum called RumHaven which we just so happen to have available at Hurricane Liquors. RumHaven is probably one of the cleanest tasting coconuts rums I have ever tasted. It’s made with real coconut water, pure cane sugar and premium Caribbean rum.

www.TheFeastRestaurantAMI.com

• Set aside some of the berries for garnish.

• Heat the jam in a large bowl in the microwave for 1 minute. Add the berries to the bowl and toss to coat in the liquid jam.

• In another bowl combine the cream and sugar. With an electric mixer beat until stiff peaks form, then add the mascarpone cheese and vanilla until smooth. Cover

and refrigerate until ready to use.

• Cover the bottom of a trifle dish with a layer of lady fingers and brush 1 oz. of RumHaven coconut rum on them. Cover with 1/3 of the berries and then 1/3 of the cheese mixture. Repeat two more times with remaining ingredients. Garnish the top layer of cheese mixture with reserved berries and fresh mint. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours before serving.

Tide Turner Ingredients

2 oz. RumHaven 2 oz. Pineapple juice 1 oz Orange juice 1 oz. Coconut cream Fresh mint for garnish Nutmeg

Directions

Add ingredients to an ice-filled shaker and shake until well combined. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass, garnish with mint sprig and a dusting of nutmeg.

It’s recipes like this that are a great excuse to try something new. While I prefer to sip it over ice, I’ve included a tasty cocktail that is delightful as well. I hope you enjoy both recipes.

www.amisun.com

AUGUST 26, 2020

THE SUN

15

Drift In back in business again Stand-alone bars remain limited, and in some cases prohibited, according to current COVID-19 restrictions.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – The Drift In is open again and now offers a limited food menu.

The Bradenton Beach bar reopened Friday, Aug. 14 after being ordered to close on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

“They came in and told us we didn’t have a license to serve food, so we had to close. I was not told what the complaint or violation was. Somebody turned us in. I have a pretty good idea who it was, but I’m not going to say,” owner Joe Cuervo said.

Cuervo said he has not seen a copy of the complaint that led to the Drift In in Bradenton Beach and the Drift In in Bradenton being ordered to close on the same night.

“I had to get a restaurant/hotel license, but they were very accommodating,” Cuervo said of his licensing interactions with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).

“We’ve got our air fryer, our pizza oven

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Drift In bartender Sharon Bell and manager Doreen Flynn joyfully returned to work on Friday, Aug. 14. and we’re legal now. We’ll be serving pizzas, sandwiches, chicken tenders, French fries and onion rings. Stuff that is very simple,” Cuervo said.

Cuervo said his new hotel/restaurant license cost him approximately $200 and is a separate license that now works in unison with his long-held 4COP liquor license.

Cuervo said to maintain his status as an establishment that allows smoking, his food revenues cannot exceed 10% of total gross revenues.

Cuervo hopes to reopen the Drift In in Bradenton in a similar fashion soon.

OPENINGS AND CLOSINGS

This is the second time both Drift Ins have reopened during the pandemic.

On March 17, Gov. Ron DeSantis prohibited Florida bars, nightclubs and other establishments that generate more than 50% of their revenues from selling alcohol for on-site consumption. Stand-alone bars were then limited to package and takeout services only.

On June 5, DeSantis allowed bars to reopen at 50% capacity. But in response to a surge in new COVID-19 cases among

younger people, DBPR Secretary Halsey Beshears issued an emergency order on June 26 that again prohibited stand-alone bars and other non-restaurant establishments from selling alcohol for on-site consumption.

On July 1, Beshears amended his order in a manner that currently allows bars with food licenses to operate at 50% capacity.

Bars without food licenses remain limited to takeout and package service only, and night club operations remain prohibited.

Cuervo said he hasn’t heard anything from the state regarding when Florida’s bars will be allowed to reopen at full capacity.

“I haven’t heard one word. They can open up Disney and Universal and all these other places, but they won’t let the little local bar open? It’s ridiculous. Nail salons and hair salons are open and those are one-on-one services that require contact with each other. With us, you’re handed a drink over the counter. In a restaurant, you order a drink, the server tells the bartender, the bartender makes the drink and hands it to the server and the server hands it to you,” Cuervo said.

SEE DRIFT IN, PAGE 26

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THE SUN

AUGUST 26, 2020

City creates adopt-a-reef program Holmes Beach commissioners support The Center’s mini reef fundraising project, but due to budgetary constraints, they aren’t willing to purchase any reefs at this time.

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

HOLMES BEACH – Commissioners support The Center of Anna Maria Island’s mini reef project, however, budgetary concerns have them hoping that residents will donate to purchase a reef instead of the city spending tax dollars.

Commissioners Kim Rash, Terry Schaefer and Carol Soustek voted to institute an adopt-a-reef program to help further the request of The Center’s Director of Development, Jim McDaniel, for 20 mini reefs.

The project would place the reefs in the waters around Anna Maria Island, primarily underneath cityowned docks, at a cost of $7,300.

After hearing from McDaniel, commissioners discussed the prospect of buying the requested reefs.

While they said they consider the project a worthwhile endeavor to help clean the waters around the Island, with the budget constraints the city is already facing in the coming fiscal year, they didn’t feel that the added expense was one they could bear.

After consulting with City Treasurer Lori Hill, commissioners discovered that they couldn’t use funds donated by the estate of Billie Martini for the purchase, and decided that they also couldn’t in good conscience use taxpayer ad valorem funds, which are forecast to be less than what the city needs in the coming fiscal year. The adopt-a-reef program was a compromise, putting the approval of Holmes Beach city leaders behind the project without committing any city funds.

Under the adopt-a-reef program, Holmes Beach residents, business owners and other community members are encouraged to adopt one of the reefs, to be placed in approved spots underneath city-owned docks.

The reefs are $365 each to purchase, which includes the reef and

SUBMITTED | JIM MCDANIEL

A mini reef waits to be installed under a dock near the old Anna Maria jail at the Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum on Aug. 20. installation by Ocean Habitats as well as a donation to The Center.

Mayor Judy Titsworth said that while she appreciates what The Center is trying to do for the community and its waters with the mini reef project, she’s more in favor of

seeding clams or scallops which leaves no unnatural products in the water and also works to clear the water of contaminants.

She also expressed concern that installing the reefs underneath the city-owned T-end docks might dissuade people from wanting to rent the docks for their boats. She also worried that the floating mini reefs might rub up against boats.

Commissioner Pat Morton agreed that he would prefer a natural solution to local water issues instead of supporting the reef project.

Commissioner Kim Rash said that while he supports a natural approach, he also supports what The Center is doing and that they have a solution being implemented now.

Commissioner Jim Kihm said that he shared some of the mayor’s reservations, particularly when there are other options available.

To donate to The Center’s reef project, visit the website or contact the nonprofit at 941-778-1908.

www.amisun.com

AUGUST 26, 2020

THE SUN

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 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 before leaving the beach; they can trap nesting and hatching sea turtles, which cannot live long out of the water.

• Don’t use wish lanterns or fireworks; they litter the beach and Gulf.

• Do not trim trees and plants that shield the beach from lights.

• 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 888-404-FWCC (3922).

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NESTING NEWS

KATHY DODDRIDGE | SUBMITTED

Daytime turtle nesting Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteer Kathy Doddridge, at right, pictured with Turtle Watch photographer Amy L. Waterbury, recently found a turtle nesting in the early morning hours, her fifth this season. She shared on social media, “Participating on Turtle Watch has truly been a blessing. It gets my day started . . . EARLY . . . and I work with some pretty amazing fellow volunteers. I have had the good fortune to see more female loggerhead sea turtles nest this year than I've seen during my eight years as a volunteer. Two more this week. It NEVER gets old!! And as my turtle friend Amy Lewis Waterbury likes to hear me say, "This is why we do what we do!"

TURTLE TIPS

During sea turtle season, May 1 – Oct. 31, please follow these tips: • Turn off lights visible from the beach and close blinds from sundown to sunrise; lights confuse nesting sea turtles and may

‛S YOUR COMFORT ZONE? WHERE

Turtle nests laid: 349 (Record: 544 in 2019) False crawls: 450 Nests hatched: 181 Hatchlings hatched: 11,251 (Record: 35,788 in 2018) Nest disorientations: 1

BIRD TIPS

During bird nesting season, March through August, please follow these tips: • Never touch a shorebird chick, even if it’s wandering outside a staked nesting area.

• Teach kids not to chase birds – bird parents may abandon nests if they’re disturbed.

• Don’t feed birds – it encourages them to fly at people aggressively and is not good for their health.

• If birds are screeching and flying at you, you’re too close.

• Avoid posted bird nesting areas and use designated walkways to the beach.

• Keep pets away from bird nesting areas.

• Keep the beach clean; food scraps attract predators such as raccoons and crows to the beach, and litter can entangle birds and other wildlife.

• If you see people disturbing nesting birds, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

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OUTDOORS

AUGUST 26, 2020

Reel Time on the Road:

Yellowstone and the Madison River Valley - Part Two Reel Time RUSTY CHINNIS

W

hen I planned my trip to Montana, visiting and photographing Yellowstone was one of my main objectives besides fishing. The day after fishing Lake Ennis and the Madison River, I returned to the park, this time exploring the diverse and magical landscapes of the geyser basins, Yellowstone Lake and the majestic “Grand Canyon of The Yellowstone,” where the Yellowstone River plunges 1,000 feet into a 20-mile multi-colored canyon.

Once again, an early start was rewarded with relatively uncrowded roads and attractions where one could more fully appreciate the natural wonders of our first National Park. I was blessed throughout my trip with clear sunny skies and temperatures that ranged from the mid-30s to the low 80s.

The following day, I returned to the Lamar Valley with Ed Chiles and Bradenton attorney Jim Knowles to fish Soda Butte Creek near the eastern entrance to the park. This time I was afforded the luxury of being able to really absorb the wonders of the park as a passenger. The creek was accessed by hiking across an open sage prairie framed by towering mountains draped in verdant green forests. The amazing scenery there, arguably some of the most picturesque in the park, made it

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

Ed Chiles, left, and Jim Knowles pose for a picture before the hike to Soda Butte Creek. hard to concentrate on our dry flies but we all managed to land a number of cutthroat trout and brown trout. Chiles and Knowles each landed cutthroat trout to 18 inches.

On my last day, I elected to fish again on Lake Ennis with Captain Harrison King and this time we spent the day there. A mirror-smooth lake greeted us that morning as we targeted rainbow and brown trout that were taking insects

from the surface. This was exciting and demanding fly fishing, requiring quick, long and accurate casts. The highlight of the day was filming King as he got out of the boat and stalked rising “gulpers” along a channel of the Madison that fed into the lake. He deftly placed his dry fly just up current of a group of feeding fish, landing a beautiful rainbow trout we estimate at 20 inches. It was a fitting end to a memorable Montana vacation.

If you haven’t experienced the wilds of Montana, I highly suggest you do. I’ll always remember the days floating rivers and exploring soaring landscapes, of rounding a corner on a rushing river to see moose, wild turkeys and antlered mule deer drinking from the river and watching antelope, wolves, bison and elk roaming the vast western landscapes.

www.amisun.com

AUGUST 26, 2020

THE SUN

19

Beat the heat by fishing dock lights CAPTAIN RICK GRASSETT

Fly anglers fishing Sarasota Bay with me out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key had good action with snook, redfish, trout and bluefish recently.

Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers President Ken Babineau, of Sarasota, and member Gene Mayberry, of Bradenton, fished a pre-dawn/ flats trip with me and had good action catching and releasing several snook and a red out of dock lights on small white flies before dawn.

We moved to deep grass flats after daylight and they had steady action with trout to 22 inches and several blues on weighted flies fished on clear intermediate fly lines. The quality of trout, with quite a few over 20 inches, continues to improve since the continued red tide closure.

Fishing dock lights before dawn is usually dependable for snook and more and is a great way to beat the heat. Juvenile tarpon and reds may also frequent dock lights in late summer and fall. Fishing deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay is a good choice for action with a

CAPTAIN RICK GRASSETT | SUBMITTED

Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers (MCFF) President Ken Babineau, of Sarasota, caught and released a red and trout on a fly while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett recently. variety of species including trout, blues and Spanish mackerel.

Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by industrial, agricultural

and residential runoff, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

MAGISTRATE: Rules on code issues FROM PAGE 8

Connelly gave Shawn Kaleta, listed as manager of Bali Hai JV LLC, 30 days to obtain permits and start construction on the property and 30 days to obtain the necessary site plan approvals. He ordered Kaleta to pay $127.24 in administrative fees for both cases and said he would schedule a hearing to impose fines once the structure is brought into compliance.

Kaleta came under fire again in the final three hearings, which were combined into a single hearing. The property in question this time was The Anna Maria Island Inn, previously known as the Pirate’s Den, at 3501 Gulf Drive.

The code issues Thomas said he found with the business include renting vacation rental units without vacation rental certificates (VRC), work done without permits and a zoning violation for renting units daily in an R-4 zone, where rentals

must be seven days or more.

Part of the case presented by the city involved two bottom floor units that Schwartz said were constructed in a previous storage area without permits and below allowable elevation for the area under the Florida Building Code for the time when the building was first erected.

The attorney for the owner, Louis Najmy, argued that the property was purchased during the COVID-19 pandemic and that the two bottom floor units were already in place and that the property has a history of renting units for a single night.

He added that the rentals are taking place with VRCs in place, but that the VRCs aren’t in the current owner’s name.

He said that the bottom two units have ceased to be rented until an agreement could be reached with the city but that the remaining units have guests and future reservations.

Connelly ruled that there were multiple violations on

the property and ordered that the signage and advertising be changed to remove the daily rental option. He also gave 30 days for the owner to obtain permits, complete work for A/C units that were installed incorrectly, and remediate the bottom units, returning the area to storage space.

He ordered the owner to pay $127.24 per case but no fines unless the property isn’t brought into compliance within the specified amount of time.

He also ordered that the remaining units cannot be rented until new VRCs can be obtained in the current owner’s name.

The VRCs cannot be issued by the city until the property is brought into compliance and the stop-work order issued for the A/C units and plumbing work done without a permit is removed through proper permitting.

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THE SUN

Repairs on tap for local boat ramps While improvements at Kingfish boat ramp are still in the planning stages, repairs are ongoing at Palma Sola boat ramp.

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

MANATEE COUNTY – Members of the Palma Sola Scenic Highway Corridor Management Entity (CME) met Aug. 12 and discussed what’s going on with the two boat ramps on Manatee Avenue West.

Liza Click with the Manatee County Parks and Recreation Department said that the anticipated changes and repairs at Kingfish boat ramp in Holmes Beach are still in the planning phases.

“Nothing is moving forward until we see a concept drawing,” Click told her fellow CME members. While some trees have been marked at the boat ramp, she said the marking was only done for a survey and it doesn’t indicate that those trees will ultimately be removed.

Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth told her city’s commissioners during a July meeting that she had been given an overview of the planned changes to Kingfish which include the addition of pervious pavement in the parking area, an expansion of the parking area for vehicles with boat trailers, resurfacing of the boat ramps

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

Workers start the process of revamping the docks at the Palma Sola boat ramp Aug. 13. and removal of the Australian pine trees that provide shade to boaters and picnickers who use the park.

Currently, Manatee County has nearly $5 million budgeted for the work at Kingfish with $450,000 in the 2019-20 fiscal year and $4.5 million in the 2020-21 fiscal year.

At the Palma Sola boat ramp, the small craft boat launch area on the southwest side of the Palma Sola Causeway on Manatee Avenue, Click said work is ongoing. The boat ramp, which has been closed since Manatee County took responsibility for it from the city of Bradenton in 2019, has recently undergone dredging and workers have been resurfacing the ramp and are performing repairs to the dock.

Repairs at the Palma Sola ramp are expected to be completed by the Sept. 30 end of the fiscal year.

BALI HAI: Leaders, resort owner face off in court FROM PAGE 9

storage room. Schwartz said he did later give property management permission to paint the walls and the floors of the downstairs room since that type of work would not require a permit.

When Schwartz and Thomas returned to the property in March, Schwartz said that there was a significant change in the downstairs area, primarily that it appeared to have been renovated and was in use as a bar and lounge area with an adjacent storage area in the back.

While having an onsite bar, restaurant or lounge is an approved accessory use in Holmes Beach for a hotel, it is required that the hotel’s owners submit a new site plan for approval by the city before any alcohol sales take place on the property.

While Schwartz admitted that some of the work done on the bottom floor of the accessory building, such as painting and installing shelves, didn’t require a permit under cross-examination from attorney Jason Miller, speaking on behalf of the owner, he said some of the work, such as remodeling

bathrooms, did require a permit and was done in violation of a stop-work order.

Miller argued that the work done in the accessory building didn’t require permits and that the issues between the resort owner and the city were the result of several miscommunications on behalf of the city’s representatives.

When the court hearing continues, Sniffen will hear more from Schwartz along with testimony from City Planner Bill Brisson as well as witnesses for the defense.

As of press time for The Sun, the continuation of the hearing had not yet been scheduled.

Many of the same points were put before Connelly during the Aug. 19 special magistrate hearing. Connelly ruled that the property owner had 30 days from the hearing date to obtain permits and start renovations on the top floor of the building as well as 30 days to obtain a site plan approval from the city. He did not address whether service in the bar/lounge area was required to stop until compliance with city and Florida building codes was achieved.

AUGUST 26, 2020

AUGUST 26, 2020

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AUGUST 26, 2020

AUGUST 26, 2020

OBITUARIES Suzanne Y. Munson Suzanne Y. Munson, 96, was born in Anderson, IN, the daughter of Elizabeth Tykle and John Joseph Yount.

She lived many years in Anderson, IN and Erwin, TN before retiring with her husband to their home on Anna Maria Island. After attending Miami University in Oxford, OH, she married Donald Edward Munson in Riverside, CA. She returned to Anderson, IN working at Delco Remy while her spouse served in the Pacific Theater in WWII. Suzanne raised four children while completing her BS in Education from East Tennessee State University in 1973 then taught Special Needs children for the Unicoi County School System, Erwin, TN. Suzanne was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution Erwin, TN chapter. Suzanne is survived by two children, Catherine Munson Bailey (husband, Gary) and Dr. Lizanne Munson Elliott (husband, Perry); sonin-law, Dr. Glenn Stitsinger. Other family members: son, Kirk Donald Munson (deceased); daughter, Joelle Munson Stitsinger (deceased); spouse, Donald Edward Munson (deceased); brother, Robert Yount (deceased, wife Jane); grandchildren, Dr. Jennifer Suzanne Blues (husband, Johnny); Andrew Christopher Bailey, Matthew Glenn Stitsinger (wife, Holly and great-grand-

www.amisun.com

child, Hayes Matthew) and Elizabeth Stitsinger Husketh (husband, Greg and great-grandchild, Jack Henry). Funeral arrangements by Brown & Sons Funeral Home & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, Bradenton, FL. A family graveside joint service for Suzanne Y. Munson and spouse (Donald Edward Munson) will be at a later date in Middletown, IN. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Freedom Village Nursing Center Employee Appreciation Fund, Skilled Care Area, Wing A, 6410 21st Ave., Bradenton, FL. Condolences may be made to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

William H. Van Suilichem William H. Van Suilichem, 90, of Bradenton, passed away Aug. 14, 2020.

Born in Grand Rapids, MI, he was a ‘’snowbird’’ at first then became a full-time resident of Bradenton in 2002 after moving from Morley, MI. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Navy on the USS Missouri #63 and he was a proud employee working for Hurricane Hanks in Holmes Beach. He is predeceased by his parents, Gerard and Clara (Eversdyke); his first wife, Elizabeth; his second wife, Joan and his daughter, Lori Marvin. He is survived by his son, John (Mary); his daughter, Nancy Jeltema; his sister, Joanne (Robert) Brink; his grandchildren, Brian (Abby) Van Suilichem and Becky (Adam) Russ; his four beautiful great-granddaughters and many nieces and nephews. There will

be no local services at this time. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

BEACH BEAT HOLMES BEACH 8/12, trespass warning, Grassy Point, 3017 Ave. C. The subject was seen sleeping on a picnic table at the park. He was issued a trespass warning.

8/12, criminal mischief, Manatee Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive. A rider on the trolley broke a window on the vehicle. He was trespassed from the trolleys and had to pay for a new window.

8/12, larceny, theft, Alvin’s Island, 3602 East Bay Drive. A large box of voodoo dolls for key chains was among the items stolen while staff was unloading merchandise through the back door.

8/13, larceny, 4300 Second Ave. A wallet was stolen from the victim’s unlocked car while he was at the beach.

8/15, alcohol at the beach, 31st Street beach. The officer was off duty but working with the beach renourishment project and spotted a group of people drinking alcohol. He informed them of the law and asked them to remove the booze.

8/13, driving with a suspended license, speeding, 600 Manatee Ave. The officer observed the defendant speeding and

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made a traffic stop. He told the officer his license was home and gave him a visa, saying he was from Venezuela. A computer check showed he had a suspended license and he was arrested.

8/14, dog on the beach, 30th Street beach.

The officer was informed there was a dog on the beach that belonged to a family. It was a pit bull that had no leash or collar and was defecating on the beach, according to witnesses. He told them they would have to take the dog and leave. He gave them a code violation citation.

8/15, driving with a suspended license, 4300 Gulf Drive. The license plate reader alerted police to a woman driving with a suspended license. She was stopped, her license was seized and her car towed.

8/18, possession of drugs and paraphernalia, Kingfish Boat Ramp, 752 Manatee Ave. The officer stopped a bicyclist going east on Manatee Avenue in the bicycle lane with no lights, but using a flashlight to see. A computer check showed two warrants for his arrest. A search of the defendant’s backpack yielded marijuana, crystal methamphetamines and drug equipment. He was arrested.

8/18, warrant arrest, Anna Maria Elementary School parking lot, 4700 Gulf Drive. The license plate reader alerted police to a vehicle with a man who had two warrants out of Monroe County.

He was arrested.

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REAL ESTATE

AUGUST 26, 2020

Homeownership still a great deal

enjamin Franklin was the author of many memorable sayings, and one of the most memorable is, “There are only two certainties in life - death and taxes.” In spite of the very volatile times we’re living through, I’m adding one more: “Homeownership is still the best financial investment for the average person.” It also offers the best tax breaks, not to mention the best way to build equity.

There is a fire raging in the real estate market all over the country. With mortgage interest rates under 3%, those who have secure jobs are racing to either buy a home, if they can find one, or refinance their existing home.

This is happening even though the 2017 tax overhaul made the mortgage interest deduction irrelevant for many homeowners.

These individuals have calculated that the standard tax deduction is more advantageous than taking their mortgage interest deduction, even adding in their previous state and local tax deduction.

Nevertheless, there are still plenty of

Castles in the Sand LOUISE BOLGER deductions available for homeowners.

Even though many homeowners are opting for the standard deduction, which is now $24,880 for a married couple filing jointly, getting to that number with 3% mortgage interest is difficult unless you’re purchasing in a higher price range and have other deductible expenses.

The problem with higher price point mortgages is the cap placed on them. For new mortgages issued after Dec. 15, 2017, homeowners can deduct up to $750,000 on mortgage interest debt. For mortgages issued before then, the cap is $1 million of mortgage debt, which is grandfathered. This rule also has stipulations regarding second homes and unmarried homeowners, so

check with an accountant before making decisions.

Refinancing now is also very attractive, but if you refinance and cash out a portion of the new mortgage, you may not be able to deduct all of the interest, unless you can prove the extra cash was used as a home improvement. Home equity loans also fit into this category and interest deductions can only be used for substantial improvements to your home. Again, this could be a moot point if you are opting to use the standard deduction.

With a lot of people moving from cities, boat and RV loans are also getting popular.

So, can the interest on these be deductible?

Well, like everything IRS-related, it depends.

In order for these to qualify for a deduction there must be cooking, sleeping and toilet facilities, then of course the interest deduction is still subject to the two homes requirement.

Home office and home remodels because of working from home are also something that seems relevant now. Home offices are not deductible if you are employed by

someone else. However, if you are selfemployed, you can make a deduction for a space in your home that is used on a regular basis and used exclusively for your business. Don’t ask how this is verified should you be audited. Interest for remodeling for a business you run from your home can be deducted, but like any business, it can affect the cost basis of the house when it is sold.

Finally, there are some new regulations regarding IRA and 401(k) withdrawals. Congress has loosened the rules for people affected by the pandemic, allowing a withdrawal up to $100,000 without paying the 10% penalty right now. This cost can be spread over three years or pay it back in full at a time when your finances are in a better place. Although this does not directly affect your home, it could improve your overall financial position until after the crisis.

Homeownership can still ease your tax liability and will probably be the best investment you ever make - even now. Stay safe.

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AUGUST 26, 2020

TDC recommends delay on Mote funding TDC members voted to rescind a motion approved by Manatee County commissioners to offer Mote $5 million in funding over the next five years.

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

MANATEE COUNTY – The members of the Manatee County Tourist Development Council have voted to rescind an offer of funding to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium until the county’s tourist tax dollars are in a better financial position.

With Mote working to move its aquarium from its current City Island facility to a new facility planned for construction near Nathan Benderson Park on the east side of the county, the aquarium’s leaders appeared before the TDC in September 2019 to ask for $5 million in funding over the next three years, beginning with $2 million in fiscal year 2020. By February 2020, the Director of the Bradenton

Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Elliott Falcione, said that request had evolved into four different options for advertising and promotion of both Mote locations: $5 million over three years, $5 million over five years, $1.25 million over 25 years for advertising and promotion of the new Mote Sea Aquarium when it opens in 2023, or $1.045 million for 23 years for both locations.

During their February meeting, TDC members voted to recommend giving $1.25 million over 25 years, beginning with the opening of the new aquarium location in 2023.

Manatee County commissioners, however, passed a motion Feb. 25 to commit $5 million of tourist development funds to Mote over five years beginning with fiscal year 2021. After suffering severe losses in tourist development tax dollars over the past several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, TDC members agreed that they’re not sure that’s a decision they can support.

During the Aug. 17 TDC meet-

ing, Falcione gave an update on how the TDC, a recommending group to the county commission, had gotten to this point with Jan Brewster offering a look at the financial aspect of the request.

Brewster said that in March all CVB capital projects were put on hold and 55% of the TDC’s budget was spent by June. She estimates that tourist tax dollars will be reduced over the course of the 2019-20 fiscal year by around 30%.

With the expected shortfall in revenue, TDC member Barbara Baker recommended that county commissioners rescind the $5 million offer to Mote, holding off on future funding commitments until the tourist development tax dollars are in a better financial position, and that the TDC revisit the issue in one year.

Baker’s motion was approved by her fellow TDC members with only Commissioner Misty Servia voting against the motion.

Falcione said the TDC’s recommendation will be presented to county commissioners at a future meeting.

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Tourism numbers show a rebound for local businesses While tourism-related businesses are on the rebound after COVID-19 shutdowns, local small businesses still need your help to recover.

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

MANATEE COUNTY – When members of the Manatee County Tourist Development Council met Aug. 17, they received some good news and some bad news. The good news is that local businesses are beginning to rebound after COVID-19 related closures. The bad news is that the rebound in tourism may not come soon enough for some local small businesses.

Anne Wittine with Research Data Services gave TDC members an update on how local tourism-related businesses have been doing over the summer. Despite the pandemic shutdowns experienced by many businesses earlier in the year, she said that the area’s tourism businesses are seeing “a phenomenal V-shaped recovery” with occupancy at local hotels and short-term rentals down an estimated 5% in July compared to last year. She said she would present final July numbers to TDC members at a future meeting. Applauding the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau for their advertising strategies, Wittine said that so far the area has lost 22.7% of its tourism revenue for the 2019-20 fiscal year to date, from October through June. Visitation SEE TOURISM, PAGE 26

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THE SUN

Local tourism businesses win awards Cedar Cove Resort and Cottages in Holmes Beach was awarded the Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Award in the 18th Annual Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice Awards.

The Anna Maria Oyster Bar, Mainsail Lodging and Development’s two Anna Maria Island properties, Mainsail Beach Inn and Waterline Marina Resort, and

the Hampton Inn and Suites Bradenton Downtown Historic District were also overall Traveler’s Choice winners, and were all recognized for being among the top 10% of hotels and restaurants worldwide. The Holiday Inn Express and Suites Bradenton West was also recently awarded the prestigious Torchbearer award from InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG).

AUGUST 26, 2020

The trusted team in luxury real estate ANNA MARIA ISLAND STEPS TO THE BEACH

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TOURISM: Rebound for local business FROM PAGE 25

numbers are down 13.7% from the previous year from $585,500 to $505,300 with the economic impact of tourism numbers down 15.5% from $870,740,700 in 2019 to $735,439,000 in 2020.

Part of the issue, she said is that party sizes are down as well as length of stay for guests. The shorter time guests stay, the less money they tend to spend at the destination, Wittine said. And while there were so few European guests in the area in June that they couldn’t accurately be quantified, Wittine said that guests from elsewhere in Florida grew 121.6% over the previous year.

The company is conducting pulse studies, sending out weekly surveys to see how people are feeling about travel, going to the beach, going to theme parks, attending sporting events and other tourism-related issues. She said that the trends over the past few weeks have remained fairly consistent with people feeling very safe travel-

ing by car, visiting friends and relatives and going to the beach.

In tourist development tax dollars, significant drops were seen in the summer months. In May, there was a 46.2% drop from $2,651,450 in 2019 to $1,426,618.

In June, there was a 73.2% drop from $1,338,998 in 2019 to $358,219 in 2020.

Wittine said she estimates an overall loss of around 30% in tourist development tax dollars in 2020.

Giving an update for the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, Terri Kinder said that occupancy rates were up 8.35% in June and that vacation rentals on the Island were at 98-100% capacity in June and July.

She said that Island restaurants are still operating at 50% capacity with business at the larger restaurants down 17-25% and she said that smaller restaurants are struggling due to limited seating capacity. She encouraged everyone to come out and support local Island retail stores and restaurants.

DRIFT IN: Back in business FROM PAGE 15

SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Drift In patrons are required to wear masks or face coverings when entering and exiting the bar, and also when getting up from their seats to use the restrooms. “I’ve lost a ton of money, so we’re going to do what we need to do to stay open. We’re playing by the rules. We’re doing everything that’s expected and more,� Cuervo said.

Due to social distancing requirements, live music will be limited to the outdoor seating area.

After returning to work for the reopening, Drift In manager Doreen Flynn said, “We have a true food license so there won’t be

any other issues. We’re all good now and nobody can shut us down. We are continuing to social distance. I took out some barstools and our tables are six feet apart.�

Regarding the complaint that shut the two bars down, Flynn said, “The complaints are confidential, and they told us they do not come to an establishment unless they get a complaint because they don’t have the manpower.�

Flynn said Anchor Inn owners Darla and Bobby Tingler previously obtained a food license to avoid a similar fate. “Darla and Bobby really helped us, and their handyman, Jeff, helped us make the needed modifications for our food preparation area,� Flynn said.

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AUGUST 26, 2020

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Commission to consider auto cycle rental moratorium

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

HOLMES BEACH – A new rental company has come to Holmes Beach and commissioners are considering a moratorium to stop any more companies from bringing miniaturized motorized vehicles to the city.

When The Toy Barn opened at 5604 B on Marina Drive, the company’s owners began offering a new “toy” for rental on Anna Maria Island – a three-wheeled, two-seater car similar in size to the mini cars offered for rent in Anna Maria.

Commissioners enacted a moratorium followed by an ordinance blocking the rental of mini cars, classified by the state as motorized scooters, but the new vehicles being rented across the street from city hall are classified as auto cycles, according to Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer.

Tokajer said the auto cycles have more functions than the mini cars, including gas and brake pedals instead of handle-

bar controls, the ability to move in reverse, and a steering wheel instead of handlebars. Unfortunately, he said, they still pose some of the same safety hazards as the mini cars, particularly the low height of the vehicles, which Tokajer said causes visibility issues.

While The Toy Barn is operating legally in the city, Tokajer asked commissioners to consider enacting a moratorium to grandfather in the existing business at its current location with the number of auto cycles that business tax receipts have already been issued for and block the addition of other auto cycle rentals in the city.

Commissioners voted unanimously to instruct City Attorney Patricia Petruff to draft the moratorium, which will require two public readings and votes before it can be approved. The first reading is scheduled for the commission’s Thursday, Sept. 10 meeting. If approved, the moratorium will be retroactive to Aug. 19.

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HOLMES BEACH 97 52nd Street Hannah Hillyard 941-744-7358 A4468151 $2,350,000

MAINSAIL BEACH INN 103 66th Street 10 Kristi Berger & Deborah Capobianco 941-730-3801 A4452245 $567,125

TIDY ISLAND 51 Tidy Island Boulevard Kathy Marshall 941-900-9777 A4469997 $539,000

BAILEY-DOBSON 701 Gulf Bay Road 1 & 2 Lynne Callahan 941-720-3278 A4470251 $525,000

NORTH POINT HARBOUR 609 N Point Drive Hannah Hillyard 941-744-7358 A4455659 $1,190,000

VILLAS OF HOLMES BEACH 206 52nd Street 3 Kathy Harman 941-900-9828 A4464002 $989,000

VILLAS OF AVIGNON 5611 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 6 Richard Perlman 941-228-8580 A4453282 $699,000

MAINSAIL BEACH INN 101 66th Street 6 Kristi Berger & Deborah Capobianco 941-730-3801 A4452260 $595,000

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THE SUN

SPORTS

AUGUST 26, 2020

Adult soccer season ending

BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN

Losses by Ross Built Construction, Sato Real Estate and Solid Rock Construction, along with a shutout by Beach Bums, puts all four teams on the top of the leader board with a week left in the regular season. Each team goes into week eight of play with a 4-3 record.

The first two games of the night were an offensive blowout by Signature Granite and Vintage Beach, each with 10 goals in their respective games.

Zack Lieb had the hot foot for Signature Granite with four goals. Vintage Beach’s Clancy Vaugh put up four points for her team in the 7 p.m. game against Solid Rock.

Solid Rock’s Chris Culhane and Darrin Wash each had two goals in the loss against the current fifth-seeded Vintage Beach.

In the 4-0 win against Blalock Walters, Beach Bum’s Kevin Roman scored twice, while teammates Yuri Pereira and Connor Haughey each had solo goals of their own.

Despite the four collective goals by Ross Built’s Garrett Furman, Tyler Pullen and Jake Ross, the team could not outscore the Moss Builders squad.

Brent Moss shot two successful strikes in the game with an additional score by cousin Ryan Moss for team Moss Builders.

Two goals were made by Aaron Parkin, along with a single by Danny Anderson for the Moss Builders win.

The nine goalkeepers to hit the field made 60 total saves last Thursday night.

R. Moss leads the league in saves with 59.

MONICA SIMPSON | SUN

Sato Real Estate’s Murat Akay goes shoulder-to-shoulder against Cemal Duzgun for Signature Granite in last Thursday night’s early game.

Sato Real Estate’s Steve Oelfke has 57 saves, including the eight that he is credited with in the game against Signature Granite.

Mark Long, keeper for Solid Rock Construction, rounds out the top three with 48 total saves so far in the season.

Long had nine saves last Thursday night.

With one more regular season week of play, wins for each team are critical

in determining the ranking going into the first week of playoff competition.

Blalock Walters Beach Bums

(2-3-2) 0 (4-3) 4

SUN SCOREBOARD THURSDAY, AUGUST 20 ADULT CO-ED SOCCER

Ross Built Construction Moss Builders

(4-3) 4 (3-3-1) 6

Signature Granite Sato Real Estate

Solid Rock Construction Vintage Beach

(3-4) 10 (4-3) 2 (4-3) 5 (3-3-2) 10

Gulfview Windows

(2-4-1) bye week

AUGUST 26, 2020

FUN IN THE SUN

Across 1 Little jerk 4 Human 10 Grand __ 14 NAACP co-founder __ B. Wells 15 Really go for, as an opportunity 16 Spanish boy 17 *Colorful addition to an aquarium 19 In the thick of 20 Down the road 21 13th to beware?: Abbr.

22 Cropped up 23 Weaver's contraption 24 *Big rig need 26 Modern sweetie 28 Sidewalk stand drinks 29 Hot stuff 33 They roll at the end 36 "Planet Money" network Answers to 08-19-20 Crossword Puzzle.

37 ATM user's need 38 Possess 39 '60s war zone 40 Afternoon break in London 42 Vexes 44 Bareilles of "Waitress" 45 "Star Wars" sequel trilogy heroine 46 *Eco-friendly source of some shellfish 51 GI on the lam 55 Celestial ovine 56 Dictator Amin 57 Where to find Bologna 58 Cake layer 59 Like someone who only has I's for you? ... or an apt description of the answers to starred clues 61 Present 62 Not quite four times

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63 Binge-watcher's device 64 Winter glider 65 Shorthand pros 66 Salty expanse Down 1 __ wave 2 Craters of the Moon state 3 Typical Stan Lee role 4 Begged 5 It might shock you 6 One-named "Baby Beluga" singer 7 Empire State Building topper 8 Desert relief spot 9 To the __ degree 10 Wolfed (down) 11 Stretch at a wedding?

12 Licorice-like flavoring 13 Prototype 18 Brazilian dance 22 Like firm pasta 24 Number that has a point 25 Far-too-memorable song 27 Hopes (to) 29 "Snowpiercer" network 30 Big swinger 31 Lingerie top 32 __ of a kind 33 Kernel holder 34 Road goo 35 Texting format, for

short 41 Used a stun gun on 43 Hilton competitor 46 Arithmetic, to Brits 47 Archangel who guarded Eden with a

fiery sword 48 Making-up preceder 49 Love to bits 50 "Breaking Bad" poison 52 Fends (off)

53 Kalamata __ 54 Stretchy fiber 57 Model/actress Sastre 59 Sci-fi beings 60 Novelist Umberto

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CLASSIFIED

ANNOUNCEMENTS

EMPLOYMENT

THE BEST VOLUNTEER position on the island. The AMI Historical Museum needs docents and bread makers. Call Lynn at 813758-3234 or lbrennan47@ gmail.com

JESSIE’S ISLAND STORE has immediate openings for full and part time cashiers for both day and night shifts. 2 to 3 shifts per week apply in person at 5424 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach or call 941778-6903

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.

BOATS BOATS ARE SELLING Extremely well, up 300% since Covid. Business the old fashion way, trust. 20 years and hundreds of sold boats.

Dave- 941-228-3489 Islandboatsales.net

CARPET CLEANING QUALITY COUNTS. CARPET cleaning. Upholstery cleaning. Tile & grout cleaning. Island's favorite cleaner. Manatee Chamber Member. Great price/free estimates. Call 941-7561082

CLEANING SERVICE THC CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Rentals, VRBO. Professional and Reliable. Call 941-756-4570

COMMERCIAL SALES, RENT & LEASE 13 UNIT RESORT: $3,999,900 Bradenton Beach on Gulf Dr. WAREHOUSE: 9300 sq ft possible Machine Shop w/ Heavy Duty Elect. Or Car Storage. So many Possibilities. Near SRQ Airport. $595,000. Island Real Estate call Alan Galletto 941-232-2216

COMPUTER SERVICES EMPIRE COMPUTER SERVICE Computer problems fixed in your home or office. The fastest friendliest service around. Serving the Island since 2004. Call 941-739-6424

Call us today! 941-778-3986

HOTEL ON ANNA MARIA seeking Housekeeper Full time, Part time. Must have two years experience. We drug test.

Must speak English. If no Answer, leave message.

813-735-4373.

THE AWARD-WINNING ANNA MARIA ISLAND SUN, a weekly newspaper on Florida’s Gulf Coast, (https://amisun. com; www.facebook. com/AnnaMariaIslandSun), 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 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 emailed to news@amisun.com or

by U.S. Postal Service to The Anna Maria Island Sun, P.O Box 1189, Anna Maria, FL 34216, attention: Mike Field, publisher.

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 941-726-3077 RENOVATION SPECALIST ALL carpentry repairs, Wash Family Construction, locally owned and operated CBC 1258250 Call 941-7250073.

KERN CONSTRUCTION NEW Homes & Remodel.

Design/Build. Since 1968.

License # CRC1327296.

Call Jerry Kern 941-7781115 www.kernconstructioninc.com MASTER CARPENTER. Decks-Docks-FencingStairs & Railing. Free Estimates. Handyman Work. Call Richard 941448-3571 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.

ISLE TILE EXPERT INSTALLATION of floors, custom showers, backsplash, deck/lanai.

Licensed and insured.

References available.

Call Chris at 941-3028759 please visit website: isletileservices.com COASTAL INTERIORS Trim, paint, repairs and more 27yrs experience Local 786-318-8585

HOME SERVICES THE HARDWOOD STOP Flooring installation services; Laminate, hardwood, vinyl and tile. Bathroom and shower. Virtually dustless FLOOR REMOVAL License and insured FREE ESTIMATES 941-227-0041 www.thehardwoodstop. com

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 STRAIGHT SHOT LANDSCAPE. Specializing in Old Florida Seashell driveways and scapes. Also Rock, Mulch, & Soil. Free estimates. Call Shark Mark 941-301-6067

AUGUST 26, 2020

LOST & FOUND LOST ON BEACH Beige Women’s Eye Glasses. $50 REWARD Call John 941705-6068

MOVING & STORAGE MARTIN’S MOVING YOUR Island movers! Offering dependable, competitive rates. No hidden costs. 941-809-5777.

PAINTING & WALLCOVERING PAINT! PAINT! AND MORE 28 years of experienced interior/exterior custom painting. Pressure cleaning, drywall repairs and texture finishes. Many Island references. Please call Neil for free estimates.

941-812-0507 “WIZARD OF WALLS” Established 1980 Prompt quality service.

Paperhanging/removal Faux finishes. Interior painting. Mary Bell Winegarden 941-794-0455 PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reliable. Island Resident.

Quality Workmanship.

Interior/Exterior. Also minor repairs & carpentry. Free written detailed estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315 CUSTOM PAINTING, Residential-Commercial, Interior/Exterior Professional quality work for over 40 years. Free estimates.

Call Larry at 941-400-8754.

References available.

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

AMISUN.COM

PRESSURE WASHING & WINDOWS AUTHORITY ONE CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Construction, Vacation, VRBO Rentals . Also available Pressure Washing, Roof Cleaning, Paver Sealing and Windows. Call 941565-3931.

REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE CANAL FRONT HOMES Holmes Beach – GULF FRONT CONDOS Gulf Place, L’Plage, Vista Grande, SPW, 5400 – DUPLEXES & MORE Island Real Estate ASK Alan Galletto 941232-2216 IMMACULATE WATERFRONT HOME 520 Kumquat Dr. 4BD/5BA 3928sf Coastal Beauty! Prime location on AMI. $2,750,000 Call Charles Buky Coldwell Banker 941-228-6086 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 509 PINE AVE ,ANNA MARIA. $1,690,000. 2 Cottage homes w/pool. Zoned nightly rentals/Retail/Commercial. Furnished w/rentals in place. Virtual Tour Avaliable. Christine Kourik Re/max 941-538-7414

HOUSE FLIPPERS DREAM! Beautiful lakefront treed lot with house in Holmes Beach. One block to beach. $650,000. For details contact amiturtles@earthlink. net

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 941-7790304 www.teamduncan. com

RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION MONTHLY RENTAL 1BR/2BA apartment with pool access. Bottom floor, pool is unheated, no washer/dryer. Steps to beach. No pets. $3800/ mo rent. Cleaning fee plus 12% tax. Available starting January 1, 2021. Call 941778-0426

FREE

HOME DELIVERY

RUNAWAY BAY CONDOBradenton Beach $335,000 water view 2BR/2BA furnished. Virtual Walk thru Tour Available. Christine Kourik Re/Max 941-5387414 TURN KEY FURNISHED VRBO River District Bradenton. Estately Gardens Vacasa. $769,000 Call Brenda Boyd May. Broker owner Boyd Realty. 941-730-8589 SPECTACULAR GULF VIEWS!!! . A must see to appreciate the renovations and furnishings in this 2BR/2BA Anna Maria Island Club unit.

Karen Fineout. Wagner Realty. $875K. 941-5183682.

Call for Details

778-3986

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AUGUST 26, 2020

BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY COMPUTER SERVICE

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

THE SUN

Call today to place your ad: 941-778-3986 PET SITTING

PAINTING

HOME SERVICES TRANSPORTATION

RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION TIFFANY PLACE Gulf Front Condo for Rent Incredible views from living room and master bedroom. 2BR/2BA Green Real Estate Call 941-778-0455 FOR LEASE 3BR/3BA. Pine Ave. Pool. Historical home.

October-February. Call for details. 941-730-8589 MONTHLY SEASONAL in CORTEZ. 2BR/1BA + office.

Extra clean, fenced yard room for boat. No Smoking. Call 615-973-5790 or 941-242-1297 SEASONAL RENTAL in PALMA SOLA. 3BR/2BA weekly or monthly rates.

Contact Barb Grace 941201-2190 ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fl Condos. Pool beach access, fully equipped $700-$850/wk REDEKERCONDOSonAMI.com 941704-7525

ROOMMATE WANTED ROOMMATE WANTED VERY PRIVATE. MUST SEE. CALL 941-685-0045

TRANSPORTATION AMI TAXI metered-on-callcards accepted. Airport: Tampa $95, Sarasota $40, Clearwater $85, Orlando $195. Call 941-447-8372 or 941-447-8376. amitaxi4u@ gmail.com, www.amitaxi. com ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa $70. Sarasota $35. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne.

941-779-5095 AIRPORT RIDES- Tampa, St. Pete, Sarasota. Mask & gloves provided. Reasonable rates! Call or text Anna 941-932-1600

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THE SUN

AUGUST 26, 2020

the Team Duncan Difference!

✔ Local-Area Expertise ✔ Outstanding Customer Service ✔ Experienced Professionals ✔ Proven Performance

310 Pine Avenue Anna Maria, FL 34216

TeamDuncan.com

941.779.0304