VOL 17 No. 42
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Emily delivers a slap to the Island
August 2, 2017
Center financial review presented The Center of Anna Maria Island is living on a financial precipice, but there’s still hope. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
TOM VAUGHT | SUN
Waves pound the Anna Maria Island shore and threaten to inundate two sea turtle nests.
Tropical storm Emily was a rare, quickly developing storm, BY TOM VAUGHT SUN STAFF WRITER | tvaught@amisun.com
Residents awakened Monday to heavy rains and winds as Tropical Storm Emily took aim at Anna Maria Island and made landfall here about 10:45 a.m. The fast-moving Emily formed overnight in the Gulf of Mexico, then moved across the state, bringing with it torrential rains and winds gusting to 60 mph. Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in 31 counties, including Manatee and Sarasota. Emily was the Island’s first encounter with a named see emily, page 33
submitted
A car in a Cortez driveway is buried under tree blown over by Tropical Storm Emily.
Shark dragging incident has Island ties A disturbing video featuring young men from Manatee County has gone viral worldwide. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
MANATEE COUNTY – The first week of an ongoing Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) investigation into an online video of a shark being dragged behind a speeding boat
INSIDE NEWS OPINION Sun survey SEAN MURPHY outdoors real estate real estate sales puzzles
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produced public outcry, but little official information. FWC received a tip on July 24 and investigators quickly identified the individuals in the video with help from the public. Their identities will not be confirmed while the investigation is ongoing and no timetable has been provided. Social media and media sources locally and worldwide identified the four potential suspects as Michael Wenzel, Robert “Bo” see shark, page 31
Emily trashes the
Bridge Street Pier day dock. 20
Anna Maria Island, Florida
Facebook | Submitted
This photograph is believed to be the shark that was dragged behind a boat captained by Michael Wenzel.
ANNA MARIA – John Chambers’ financial condition review of the Center finances produced no smoking guns or allegations of fraud, but served as a reminder of financial challenges that lie ahead. “There seems to be a lot of concern about cash flowing around and there was, but I don’t think it was nearly If they do to the extent people what they did thought,” Chambers said when presentlast year they ing his report to the Anna Maria City won’t make it. Commission on Thursday, July 27. They’ve got to Chambers, a retired certified perform.” public accountant and chief financial officer, said his John Chambers review was thorVolunteer financial ough, but not as consultant comprehensive as a full-blown audit. He praised Center Executive Director Kristen Lessig for providing him with the records he requested and thanked her for her cooperation. Lessig, Chief Operating Officer Chris Culhane and Center board Chair David Zaccagnino attended last week’s meeting. Chambers emphasized the need for the Center’s staff and board to focus more on reducing expenses and less on trying to increase revenues. He said cutting expenses could begin tomorrow, but increasing revenues takes time. “They have not shown the ability to increase revenues and reduce expenses,” Chambers said, noting that revenues have remained fairly constant for the past four years. Chambers said the Center ended the recent budget year with $300,000 shortfall that was covered with $300,000 taken from a shrinking endowment fund that now has about $100,000 left to fall back on. see center, page 17
The investigation CONTINUES INTO SNOOTY’S DEATH.
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It’s a record sea turtle nesting season
so far on AMI. 9 The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper
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