Debby saturates Island
Commissioners propose larger tax cut
Commissioners
vote to lower property taxes for Anna Maria residents more than originally proposed.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT
| jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy recently presented his $10.4 million proposed capital plan for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
The plan was based on a proposed 1.75 tentative millage rate that would have lowered taxes for city residents and provided an estimated $1.21 million contingency fund to cover unanticipated expenses or project expenditures.
In a desire to give Anna Maria property owners an even greater property tax decrease, commissioners
voted 3-2 in favor of setting the tentative millage rate at 1.65, creating a slightly lower anticipated contingency fund of $987,000.
When presenting his plan to city commissioners on July 25, Murphy broke the proposed capital improvement project expenditures into two main categories – existing projects that were previously budgeted for but not yet completed, and new projects that were previously discussed but not budgeted for until now.
EXISTING PROJECTS
The capital plan proposes spending a total of $6.94 million on existing capital projects.
Murphy’s capital plan proposes spending $250,000 on street and road paving and maintenance. That marks
City imposes deadline to close parking lots
Bradenton Beach
Building Official Darin Cushing intends to barricade four paid parking lots on Aug. 9 with a permanent closure date of Sept. 6 if city-required stipulations have not been met.
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – With cityimposed closure deadlines looming, time is running out at Shawn Kaleta’s four paid parking lots.
City commissioners put multiple conditions in place before granting temporary use permits for the paid parking lots; 101 Bridge St. was approved with stipulations on Feb. 15 and 206 Bay Drive N., 207 Church
Ave. and 102 Third St. N. gained approval, also with stipulations, on March 21.
Most of the agreed-upon conditions remain unfulfilled, according to City Building Official Darin Cushing. In an Aug. 1 letter to Kaleta, Cushing said he intends to barricade the lots on Aug. 9 with a permanent closure deadline of Sept. 6 if all the stipulations have not been met.
Cushing’s letter reads in part: “To date, very few, if any of these stipulations have been met, first and foremost, the presentation of Professionally Designed Site Plans in order to demonstrate that all of the other stipulations are being adhered to.”
Cushing noted in his letter that the commission approved the applications for temporary use
CINDY LANE | SUN
While the surf stood up on its hind legs off Anna Maria Island, Hurricane Debby dumped band after band of rain, flooding area roads - and sea turtle nests. Pages 8-9
Tourist tax increase will be on November ballot
Manatee County commissioners voted 4-1 on a new ordinance to get a tourist tax increase on the November ballot.
BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com
BRADENTON - The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted 4-1 at a July 30 meeting to place a referendum on the Nov. 5 general election ballot to raise the tourist development tax to 6%.
The tax is currently at 5%, and if voters approve the referendum, it would rise to the maximum permitted by Florida law.
Commissioners were set to vote on whether to increase the bed tax from 5% to 6% at their April 23 meeting, but it was removed from the agenda due to a 2023 change in state law that now requires voters to weigh in on tourist tax increases.
The increase was unanimously approved by the Manatee County Tourist Development Council
SUBMITTED
The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners has placed a referendum to raise the Tourist Development Tax on the November general election ballot.
(TDC) at its April 15 meeting. The TDC is an advisory board to the county commission.
“Tourism brings over $2 billion to our local economy a year,”
Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione said. “If we can build assets that are not only attractive to tourists but also benefit Manatee County residents with no cost to the residents, that’s a pretty good deal.”
“This is not a tax that is being put on citizens,” Manatee County BOCC Chair Mike Rahn said. “It’s a tax on the tourism that comes into Manatee County.”
Funds collected from the bed tax benefit dozens of projects and organizations in the county, with some of the most notable including:
• Coquina Beach parking lot;
• Bradenton Beach Pier;
• Anna Maria City Pier;
• Grassy Point Preserve;
• Anna Maria Bayfront Park;
• Beach renourishment (currently 1% out of the total 5%);
• Bradenton Area Convention Center;
• Bishop Museum;
Falcione also said that Manatee County would be the first county in Florida to be subject to the new law requiring a public vote, as no other county has reached the required criteria to increase the tax since the change was made.
• Manatee Performing Arts Center;
• Premier Sports Campus;
• The Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) partnership; and
• Gulf Islands Ferry (water taxi).
June 2024 tourist
June 2023
*(Anna Maria Island, Bradenton, Longboat Key, unincorporated Manatee County, Palmetto)
Manatee County’s 5% resort tax, or tourist tax, is collected from owners of accommodations rented for six months or less who charge the tax to their renters, in most cases, tourists. About 50% of the tax proceeds are allocated to Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau tourism marketing efforts, with 20% allocated to beach renourishment. The tax also partially funds tourism-related attractions such as the Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria piers. The amounts shown were collected in June and paid to the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office in July. Manatee County totals include Anna Maria Island cities, Bradenton, the portion of Longboat Key within Manatee County, unincorporated Manatee County and Palmetto. To anonymously report a rental owner who may not be paying the tax, call 941741-4809 or visit http://www.taxcollector.com/tdt-evader.cfm.
Source: Manatee County Tax Collector
ISLAND NEWS
IN BRIEF
2,316 county voters switch to Republican affiliation
According to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office, 2,316 county voters switched their party affiliation to Republican prior to the July 22 deadline. That total includes 1,147 voters previously registered as Democrats and 1,045 voters previously registered as non-party-affiliated. An additional 223 non-party-affiliated voters switched their party affiliation to Democrat. Those who switched their party affiliation to Republican can now vote in the Republican primary that concludes on Aug. 20. Open to Republican voters countywide, the primary will decide whether Scott Farrington or James Satcher serves as the next supervisor of elections. Open to Republican voters in District 3 only – which includes Anna Maria Island, Cortez, the northern portion of Longboat Key and portions of Bradenton – the District 3 county commission primary will determine whether Tal Siddique or April Culbreath faces Democratic candidate Diana Shoemaker in the general election. Open to Republican voters countywide, the at-large District 7 Republican county commission primary will determine whether George Kruse or Kevin Van Ostenbridge faces Sari Lindroos-Valimaki in the general election this fall. Vote by mail ballots are already being cast and early in-person voting takes place Saturday, Aug. 10, though Saturday, Aug. 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily.
Officers to ticket trash offenders
Holmes Beach police and code compliance officers are giving a warning to people using beach-end cans for residential trash – if they catch you, you will be ticketed. During a July 30 meeting, city staff and commissioners said that a growing issue in the city is people using trash cans and dumpsters located at beach ends for the disposal of residential trash. They said they believe the issue is primarily coming from vacation rental cleaners. With the bins being filled with residential trash, there’s nowhere for beachgoers to properly dispose of their debris, leading to littering on the sand and at beach ends. City leaders remind everyone that the beach-end trash cans and dumpsters are solely for the use of beachgoers to dispose of their trash.
Consider donating blood
OneBlood, an Orlando-based blood center, experienced a cyberattack last week that took some of their systems offline. The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County (DOH-Manatee) encourages Floridians to consider donating blood to alternative blood centers to help boost Florida’s blood supply. Florida is partnering with LifeSouth, SunCoast and other local blood centers to receive blood donations and help distribute them appropriately across the state. Locations for these community-based blood centers can be found at www.floridadonates.com.
Scan this code with your smartphone to go there.
Siddique discusses county commission campaign
BY JOE HENDRICKS
SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
MANATEE COUNTY – Tal
Siddique is running against April Culbreath in the District 3 Manatee County Commission Republican primary race that will determine who faces Democratic candidate Diana Shoemaker in the general election.
District 3 includes Anna Maria Island, Cortez and portions of Longboat Key and Bradenton.
Siddique moved to Bradenton three and a half years ago from the Virginia/Washington D.C. area. He seeks the commission seat currently held by Kevin Van Ostenbridge, who is now running for the at-large District 7 seat instead. Siddique recently stopped by The Sun office to discuss his campaign.
THE INTERVIEW
Why do you want to be the District 3 commissioner?
“I want to bring some fresh perspectives to the commission. I’ve been involved in many local issues. I got involved in county politics and saw there were a lot of decisions made by our District 3 commissioner that I disagreed with. I realized I wasn’t going to have an impact unless I ran for
office,” Siddique said.
“I’m running on ethics, preserving our small town feel and empowering people over special interests. I hope people are paying attention to how we conduct our campaigns. My opponent has conducted hers very negatively and she has very little to offer. There’s a lot of special interest money at play and they have no values. They only care about ensuring that they make a profit at everyone else’s expense.
“I bring the right skills, experience and temperament. I’m 30 years old, but while in the Air Force I built software and led software teams. I’ve also managed complex budgets. In the private sector, I lead multiple software and product teams.”
SEE SIDDIQUE, PAGE 27
Culbreath issues campaign letter
County commission candidate April Culbreath was suspended several times during her tenure with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
MANATEE COUNTY – April Culbreath, the District 3 Manatee County Commission Republican primary candidate, did not respond to multiple interview requests made by The Sun, but on July 30, many Manatee County voters received an “open letter” from Culbreath regarding her campaign.
The three-page letter briefly mentions the lengthy disciplinary record she accumulated during her former career as a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputy.
Culbreath’s disciplinary record dates back to 2000, when her last name was Dugan, and includes multiple incidents that resulted in her being reprimanded and/or suspended without pay.
APRIL CULBREATH.ORG | SUBMITTED
According to her 12-page Manatee County Sheriff’s Office professional standards resume and supporting MCSO administrative report documents, she was suspended without pay at various times for failing to respond and conduct an investigation as ordered by her supervisor, having sex while on duty, attending a wedding reception and being observed dancing in a suggestive manner while in uniform, using profane language while being disrespectful to a supervisor,
failing to respond to a missing child call and allegedly punching a cosmetic surgery center employee while trying to obtain her personal medical records.
Her numerous written reprimands pertain to failing to secure and losing her service weapon near a picnic area in Bradenton Beach occupied by children and adults, driving a Sheriff’s Office vehicle to her out-of-county home without permission, failing to preserve evidence and misusing the Driver And Vehicle Information Database used by MCSO staff.
CAMPAIGN LETTER
The two copies of the letter provided to The Sun addressed each voter by the first name associated with their voter registration.
“My name is April Culbreath and as you are most certainly reading about my work as a deputy, I wanted to tell you my side of the story.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Tal Siddique seeks the District 3 county commission seat.
April Culbreath is running for the District 3 Manatee County Commission seat.
Elections office implementing Clear Ballot audit system
Every Manatee County ballot cast in the 2024 election will be audited.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
MANATEE COUNTY – The Supervisor of Elections Office will conduct post-election audits for all election contests, beginning with the upcoming primary election that concludes on Aug. 20.
On July 25, Interim Supervisor of Elections James Satcher issued a press release that noted Manatee County is the 37th Florida county to implement the Clear Ballot audit system.
“When I was appointed by Gov. DeSantis, I reached out to other counties to ask what advice they had to enhance the security and integrity of our elections, and the number one suggestion was the Clear Ballot system,” Satcher stated in the press release. “A third-party, independent audit of 100% of our election results is going to help secure our elections and increase voter confidence and trust in the election process.”
The press release notes Clear Ballot’s technology is tested and certified for use by the Florida Department of State for post-election audits.
“The system utilizes high-speed scanners to rescan and tabulate ballots for a comprehensive verification of results, completely independent of the primary voting system,” the press release notes.
“Supervisor James Satcher's office remains dedicated to ensuring a fair, lawful and secure election process for all citizens of Manatee County,” the press release said in conclusion.
According to Supervisor of Elections Office Public Information Officer Vinola Rodrigues, the Clear Ballot system cost $179,615, plus an additional $25,000 in software costs.
CLEAR BALLOT DEBATED
On March 1, longtime Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Mike Bennett retired. On April 12, DeSantis appointed Satcher to serve the remaining seven months of Bennett’s four-year term. At the time, Satcher was a first-term county commissioner who had no experience running an election or an election office.
Bennett’s longtime chief of staff, Scott Farrington, also sought the gubernatorial appointment and resigned after DeSantis appointed Satcher.
With no Democratic candidate in the race, the Aug. 20 Republican primary election will determine whether Satcher or Farrington serves as
Manatee County’s elections supervisor for the next four years.
On June 19, the Lakewood Ranch Republican Club hosted a candidate forum, during which Satcher and Farrington discussed the Clear Ballot system. Forum moderator Bruce Stamm noted there have been very few complaints or reported problems with past Manatee County elections. Stamm also noted the county commission recently provided the elections office (at Satcher’s request) with an additional $841,340 for the final four months of the 2023-24 fiscal year that ends Sept. 30. Stamm asked the candidates what problems the elections office is trying to solve.
Satcher acknowledged Manatee County elections have been mostly complaintfree, but there have been problematic elections elsewhere in Florida.
“Clear Ballot is going to audit every single vote that’s cast in Manatee County. Every single vote in Manatee County’s going to be double-checked. This election’s going to be audited,” Satcher proclaimed.
SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS OFFICE | SUBMITTED
This photo accompanied the Supervisor of Election’s Clear Ballot press release.
OPINION
The Anna Maria Island Sun Staff
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Cindy Lane
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Contributors
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Ricardo Fonseca
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Kristin Swain
Advertising Director
Shona Otto
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Classifieds
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Distribution
Bob Alexander
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Accounting
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Phone: 941-778-3986
email: news@amisun.com | ads@amisun.com | classifieds@amisun.com Like us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AnnaMariaIslandSun
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Open letter to the governor
Dear Gov. DeSantis, I am a lifelong Republican and a 20+ year Manatee County, Florida resident. I have always supported you and your policies – until recently. It greatly troubled me when you appointed totally unqualified and inexperienced James Satcher to Manatee County Supervisor of Elections (instead of Scott Farrington, who is both highly qualified and experienced and who was whole-heartedly recommended
by former SOE Mike Bennett upon his retirement). But now, I am frankly horrified that you have endorsed Kevin Van Ostenbridge for Manatee County BOCC District 7 At Large. It appears that you have become very badly compromised and are now merely a puppet who is controlled by the “political consultant” Anthony Pedicini and his SIMwins organization of Tampa, Bill Galvano and Real Estate Developers Pat Neal and Carlos Beruff.
I’ve lost all respect for you and will no longer be able to
support you for any elected office. I have spoken with many other residents of Manatee County and they all agree with me and feel the same. I pray that the voters will awaken and see through and understand Pedicini’s lies and deception and your foolish weakness before they vote in the Aug. 20 primary. I also pray that you will repent and redeem yourself before you cause irreparable damage to your political future.
Sincerely,
Janet E. Reardon Bradenton
Corrections
• Anna Maria resident Barry White retired in 2017. A story that appeared in last week’s Sun stated otherwise.
• The Anna Maria City Commission discussed a potential $1.21 million contingency fund. A story that appeared in last week’s Sun stated otherwise.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 7
Weekly oyster drilling, Robinson Preserve Valentine House, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 8 a.m. to noon
One-on-one tech help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2-4 p.m.
THURSDAY, AUG. 8
Learn to play pickleball, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.
One-on-one tech help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to noon
AMI Chamber luncheon, Mademoiselle Paris, 9906 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, 11:30 a.m., $22 for members or $30 for prospective members
Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m.
FRIDAY, AUG. 9
Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.
SATURDAY, AUG. 10
Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon
MONDAY, AUG. 12
Sunset Tai Chi, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 6:30 p.m.
TUESDAY, AUG. 13
Turtle Tracks and Shorebird Facts, Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.
Family story time, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.
Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 14
Preschool yoga, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.
One-on-one Tech Help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.
Island Time Book Club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 6:30 p.m.
THURSDAY, AUG. 15
One-on-one Tech Help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.
Sunshine Stitchers knit and crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m.
FRIDAY, AUG. 16
OneBlood Bloodmobile donations, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.
Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.
SATURDAY, AUG. 17
Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon
MONDAY, AUG. 19
Digital Sketchbook Studio, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.
TUESDAY, AUG. 20
Turtle Tracks and Shorebird Facts, Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.
ON THE AGENDA
ANNA MARIA
10005 GULF DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130
Please visit www. cityofannamaria.com or contact city hall for more information.
Aug. 8, 1 p.m. – City Commission budget meeting
Aug. 8, 2 p.m. – City Commission meeting
Aug. 13, 9 a.m. – Magistrate hearing
Aug. 21, 9 a.m. – Planning and Zoning board meeting
Aug. 22, 5 p.m. – City Commission budget meeting
Aug. 22, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting
BRADENTON BEACH
107 GULF DRIVE N. FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005
Please visit www. cityofbradentonbeach.com or contact city hall for more information.
Aug. 7, 9:30 a.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency meeting
Aug. 7, 1 p.m. – Planning and Zoning board meeting
Aug. 15, noon – City Commission meeting
Aug. 21, 1 p.m. – Scenic WAVES meeting
Aug. 28, 10 a.m. – Pier Team meeting
HOLMES BEACH
5801 MARINA DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800
Please visit www. holmesbeachfl.org or contact city hall for more information. Aug. 7, 5 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting
Aug. 14, 10 a.m. – Code Compliance stakeholder meeting
Aug. 16, 11:30 a.m. – Police Officer Pension Board meeting
Aug. 27, 11 a.m. – Code Compliance Special Magistrate hearing Aug. 27, 2 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session to follow
ISLAND-WIDE
Aug. 19, 9:30 a.m. – Manatee County Tourist Development Council meeting, The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria Aug. 20, 6 p.m. – West Manatee Fire Rescue board meeting and budget public hearing, administration building, 701 63rd St., Bradenton, 6 p.m.
Turtle Watch marked nests with GPS before Debby
BY LESLIE LAKE
SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA ISLAND
– In advance of Hurricane Debby, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers secured stakes at the 682 nests on the Island.
“Thanks to a generous anonymous donor, we have been using a special GPS to mark our nests, which means that if the nest loses stakes, we will be able to repost the nest in nearly the exact location it was originally posted,” Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella said.
Volunteers will be documenting any overwash or inundation that occurs as they check every nest after the storm.
“Our FWC Marine Turtle Permit gives us permission to
work with and make informed decisions about sea turtle nests. However, it does not allow us to relocate nests or excavate nests early due to storms,” she said.
“These eggs that are outside the nest are likely already compromised and will not hatch, but with your report, we confirm and document the loss,” Mazzarella said. “Eggs that are exposed but remain in the nest are safest if they are not moved. The important thing to remember is that each nesting female deposits several nests in the season, essentially ensuring that at least some of her eggs will survive.”
If you find eggs that are washing out, or uprooted stakes, please note the number on the stakes and report it to Turtle Watch at 941-301-8434.
CINDY LANE | SUN
TURTLE WATCH | SUBMITTED
Turtle nests were high and dry before Hurricane Debby swept by. However, many sea turtle nests were inundated by Hurricane Debby on Sunday and Monday, likely making them unviable. Many nests lost stakes, but were marked by GPS before the storm.
Hurricane Debby leaves AMI soaked
Hurricane Debby passed over Anna Maria Island on Sunday as a tropical storm, strengthening to a Category 1 hurricane by late evening and making landfall on Monday morning in north Florida, while still whipping AMI with its tail.
The Island was not placed under a mandatory evacuation order, although evacuation was encouraged by Manatee County Emergency Operations staff. Power to the Island was not intentionally turned off to encourage people to voluntarily evacuate, but power outages, false fire alarms and flooded roads affected the Island. No serious injuries were reported as of press time.
Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby reported that roads were flooded and trees were down on Monday morning, and that Debby damaged the floating dock and the police boat at the Bradenton Beach Pier.
Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy reported flooding on the north end of the city, with saltwater from Tampa Bay breaching seawalls. Pine Avenue was without power Monday morning, as well as other parts of the city, and Sen. Jim Boyd escalated power outage response. Murphy also said that sightseers caused problems driving through flooded streets, which can push water into homes.
Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth said the city weathered the storm well despite some flooding. A tree fell on Marina Drive on Monday and police were able to move it and reopen the road; another tree tell on Sunday in the 6800 block of Palm Drive and police used chainsaws to remove the tree and reopen the road. Police Chief Bill Tokajer said the city fared well, but still had roads with standing water on Monday morning. FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to Florida residents resulting from Debby.
Nearly 12 inches of rain was reported at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport on Sunday, a record daily rainfall.
HOLMES BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT | SUBMITTED The laundromat in Holmes Beach went through some extra rinses during Hurricane Debby.
KRISTA CARPENTER | SUBMITTED
The Wells Fargo Bank construction site sustained some damage from Debby in Holmes Beach.
DAVE REDEKER | SUBMITTED
A street in Bradenton Beach was inundated by Sunday afternoon.
ERIC NEWMAN | SUBMITTED Holmes Beach streets were flooded on Sunday.
BY LESLIE LAKE
SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
CORTEZ – The demolition of Raymond “Junior” Guthrie’s net camp structure is complete. Only pilings and a small dock remain.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) filed a civil suit against Guthrie in 2018 claiming that he had built an enclosed docking structure over sovereign submerged lands in Sarasota Bay without authorization.
On May 7, 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas ordered the structure to be removed.
Guthrie rebuilt the structure in 2017, maintaining that his family had a net camp in that location since the 1940s.
Net camps were wooden shacks used by fishermen to hang hemp and cotton fishing nets to dry. According to historic photographs, there were dozens of net camps on the bay off Cortez.
One net camp remains off the coast of Cortez, owned by John Guthrie. The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) has undertaken its renovation to preserve the historic structure.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
The removal of one of two net camps in Cortez is complete, the culmination of a six-year legal battle between Raymond “Junior” Guthrie and the FDEP.
Due to a recent spike in the number of guns being stolen from unlocked cars in the area, Manatee County is trying to warn citizens to lock their cars.
BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com
MANATEE COUNTY - There’s a new problem in Manatee County, and it has nothing to do with oppressive heat or storm threats.
According to government officials from all three Island cities, as well as county officials, abandoned and stolen gun cases are on the rise.
Since a law change in 2023, Florida residents who once had to obtain a concealed carry permit and complete safety training and a background check to carry a loaded firearm on their body or in their car no longer need to do anything more than have a valid ID to be legal. While the jury is still out on whether this has had a positive or negative effect on gun-related issues, one thing is clear – guns are coming up missing.
The issue is becoming such a problem that the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) has placed lighted signs around the county that warn motorists to lock their cars and secure all firearms.
“Our digital mobile road signs are strategically positioned around the county, often displaying messages about locking your car and not leaving firearms inside," MCSO Public Information Officer
Randy Warren said in an email to The Sun. “These signs serve as a
Lock cars, secure guns
reminder to be smart and reduce your chances of becoming a victim. Burglars know that people make the mistake of forgetting or being careless almost every night. They are aware that this is the easiest way to acquire a free gun, as these criminals rarely obtain them legally. They also know that if they check enough door handles, they will find what they are looking for.”
Warren said that so far this year they had received 71 reports of firearms being stolen from unlocked vehicles. He did not have the stats for the city of Anna Maria, which is patrolled by MCSO, at the time of this story.
In Bradenton Beach, Lt. Lenard Diaz said they had one gun stolen from a vehicle in 2023 but none reported this year.
“We have more of an issue with people renting condos and leaving their guns behind,” Diaz said. “As a matter of fact, we have a person coming back in a month to get her gun because she left it at an Airbnb.”
Diaz said the guns are usually found by cleaning staff. They notify their supervisor, who then contacts the police. Police officers pick up the gun, run the serial number, and, if legal, contact the owner. The one thing none of the Island
police departments will do is ship the guns back to the owners, even if they are presumed legal. The reason for this is that owners must show proper identification and proof of ownership to prevent the chance of the lost guns eventually falling into the wrong hands. Diaz said it’s simply a necessary safety precaution that offers no exceptions. Lost guns are put into a secure evidence locker and gun owners are given 90 days to pick up the gun, or, if they live far away, Diaz said he will give them up to a year if he is confident they will return to get the gun.
In Holmes Beach, Police Chief Bill Tokajer says his department has the same issue.
“We haven’t really seen the problem with gun thefts from cars that places like Tampa and even the county are seeing,” Tokajer said. “What we have a problem with is people leaving them in rental units.”
Like Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach police will not ship lost firearms for the same reasons. Gun owners must return to the city and claim their property with proper ID. It should be noted that while leaving a firearm unsecured in a vehicle or left behind in a rental unit is not a crime, it is an opportunity for a legally purchased and owned gun to get into the hands of someone who may have very different intentions for its use. Law enforcement from all agencies contacted by The Sun ask that everyone legally carrying a firearm lock their car and always be aware of who has access to their guns. Doing so will make for a safer Island.
JASON SCHAFFER | SUN
This sign posted on 75th Street near the intersection of Marina Drive warns motorists to lock their vehicles and secure their firearms after a recent sharp rise in guns being stolen from unlocked vehicles.
Pre-storm turtle hatchling numbers increase
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Loggerhead sea turtle hatchling numbers steadily increased before Hurricane Debby swiped the Island, according to Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch Executive Direct Kristen Mazzarella.
“We are conducting several nest excavations nearly every day in addition to watching for new crawls and checking every nest,” she wrote in an Aug. 3 email to The Sun. “As we move away from the full moon, we have started to see more hatchling disorientations, with 23 this week alone.”
If you see a hatchling in distress, please call AMI Turtle Watch's 24/7 hotline at 941-301-8434 for assistance.
TURTLE TIPS
During sea turtle season, May 1 – Oct. 31, follow these tips to help turtles:
• Turn off lights visible from the
beach and close blinds from sundown to sunrise; lights confuse nesting sea turtles and may cause them to go back to sea and drop their eggs in the water, where they won’t hatch. Light can also attract hatchlings away from the water.
• Don’t use flashlights, lanterns or camera flashes on the beach at night.
• Remove all beach chairs and other objects from the sand from sundown to sunrise; they can deter sea turtles from nesting and disorient hatchlings.
• Fill in the holes you dig in the sand before leaving the beach; they can trap nesting and hatching sea turtles, which cannot live long out of the water. You might also accidentally dig into an unmarked nest. To report large holes or other turtle obstacles, call:
• City of Anna Maria code enforcement — 941-708-6130, ext. 111.
• City of Bradenton Beach code enforcement — 941-778-1005, ext. 227.
• City of Holmes Beach code
enforcement — 941-778-0331, ext. 260.
• Level sandcastles before leaving the beach; they can block hatchlings from the water.
• Don’t use balloons, wish lanterns
or fireworks; they litter the beach and Gulf, and turtles can ingest the debris.
• Do not trim trees and plants that shield the beach from lights.
• 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).
Source: Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring
NESTING NEWS
Turtle nests laid: 682 (Previous record: 543 in 2019) False crawls: 838 (Previous record: 831 in 2010) Nests hatched: 182 (Record: 453 in 2022)
Hatchlings produced: 13,030 (Record: 35,850 in 2022)
Hatchling disorientations: 54 Adult disorientations: 36
Source: Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring
Loggerhead sea turtle hatchling tracks lead to the Gulf of Mexico from an Anna Maria Island beach.
KATHY DODDRIDGE | SUBMITTED
A four-week-old least tern chick tests its wings on Bradenton Beach.
Use caution near least tern colony
In advance of Hurricane Debby, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers made major changes to the enclosure protecting a colony of more than 45 least terns, making it smaller as chicks fledge and birds disband. “We are excited to announce that our second to last chick of the colony, 18a, is now flying and we have one more flightless chick, 22, that is defying the odds and surviving although spending a lot of time outside of the closure,” Turtle Watch Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella said, requesting that beachgoers use extreme caution when walking near the enclosure as some of the birds may not be inside the posted area.
Henrietta gets off to slow start
Henrietta, a female loggerhead sea turtle released from Coquina Beach after nesting and being satellite-tagged on June 24, has gotten off to a slow start in the Tour de Turtles race. Henrietta is in sixth place out of seven turtles in the Sea Turtle Conservancy-sponsored race that began on Aug. 1, having traveled 14 miles so far. The annual event is part of a research project tracking where and how far sea turtles migrate. Henrietta’s satellite tracking monitor shows that she has returned to Anna Maria Island to nest twice since laying her initial nest in June. Henrietta is swimming to raise awareness about the threat of light pollution to sea turtles and is being sponsored by Hurricane Hanks and Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring.
Bradenton Beach amending food truck ordinance
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – The first reading of a city ordinance amending mobile food truck regulations was held at an Aug. 1 commission meeting and the commission unanimously approved the following:
• Mobile food dispensing vehicles (food trucks) may only operate on privately-owned property in commercially zoned areas where single-family and multi-family residences do not exist;
• Food trucks may not obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic, may not obstruct disabled accessible access or parking or obstruct vehicular parking rules,
vehicular loading zones, public transportation or vehicles for hire stands;
• The food trucks shall only operate between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Operation after sunset requires lighting;
• The food trucks cannot operate within 200 feet of an existing restaurant without written approval of the restaurant;
• Overnight parking of a food truck is allowed on private property subject to the other provisions of the city’s land development code and may operate for more than 20 days if covered by comprehensive liability insurance;
• The food trucks may not
VOTE ON AUGUST 20
I’ve been a Republican since I was 18, but I feel most Republicans in office don’t represent me anymore. I want my Republican Party back!
Republicans have serious issues in Manatee County: developer favoritism. Grid-locked traffic. Double digit budget increases; and deteriorating infrastructure. Plus Republican Politicians want to eliminate the island cities and build a $45 Million parking garage.
Republican Commissioners ignore what we want because our local Party Leaders refuse to hold them accountable.
A “State Committeewoman” is a position within the Republican Party that represents you at the State and County level. We need America First Republicans to lead the Republican Party--and YOU can make it happen when you choose an America First State Committeewoman: VOTE JACQUELINE HEISSE on August 20.
conduct business or operate in the public right of way or city-owned property unless approved as part of a city-issued special event permit;
• No food trucks shall be permitted to interfere with visibility for drivers or block public rights-of-way or sidewalks;
• Food trucks shall not be located within 25 feet of any street intersection or pedestrian crosswalk unless the responsible party has obtained a city-issued special event permit or is part of a city-approved site plan;
• Food trucks and the property owner where they operate are both responsible for the proper disposal of waste and trash. No grease,
waste, trash or other debris shall be released onto public property, which includes streets, sidewalks or other public places, nor into the gutter or storm drainage system;
• The food truck and its operator shall not make sounds, announcements or amplify music to call attention to its vending or products either while traveling on public or private rights-of-way or when stationary;
• Violations shall be treated as a civil infraction not to exceed $500 per offense.
The second and final vote on the ordinance is scheduled on Thursday, Sept. 5 at 6 p.m. at the Katie Pierola Commission Chamber, 107 Gulf Drive N.
Cross bracings under pier to be replaced
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH –
The cross bracings under the Bradenton Beach City Pier are scheduled to be replaced and upgraded with larger beams next week at a cost of up to $170,000.
“The cross bracings under the pier, six are very rotted, 24 are close to being in trouble, the rest are in okay condition,”
Interim Public Works Director and Police Chief John Cosby told the city commission at a July 18 meeting. “It’s better to do everything at one time. Next year there will be a maintenance agreement.”
A motion to authorize Duncan Seawall to replace the cross bracings on the pier at the approximate cost of $1,838 per brace and not to exceed
$170,000 total with funding to come from the pier budget line item was approved unanimously by the city commission.
Following that vote, commissioners discussed a lease agreement the city has with Anna Maria Oyster Bar and whether the city may request a 50% contribution from AMOB toward the cost of bracings.
City Attorney Ricinda Perry said an extended area of the pier became part of the AMOB-leased premises at owner John Horne’s request.
“This is important because the city did not charge anything for that addition,” Perry said.
“What was asked for by Mr. Horne, and agreed to by the commission, is you’re going to get an increase
in sales. Therefore, under the current lease structure, we get a different portion of the sales and therefore, you’re going to make more money for this additional area.”
Perry said the charge for the replacement is at a 50/50 split under the provisions of the current concessionaire agreement.
“So I am of the opinion that the city legally can
make a request,” Perry said at the July 18 meeting.
On Aug. 2, Mayor John Chappie said any contribution for the cross bracings was still undetermined.
The discussion will likely continue at a scheduled pier team meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 10 a.m.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
The cross bracings under the Bradenton Beach City Pier are being replaced and upgraded.
OUTDOORS
First-ever Hudson Bayou cleanup successful
Reel Time
t was a fantastic way to spend a Sunday! On July 28, Sarasota Bay Watch was the lead organization in the new Resilience Incubator’s first community cleanup at Hudson Bayou in Sarasota. With the help of Suncoast Waterkeeper, 35 Incubator volunteers manned 13 kayaks and one jon boat. With the additional efforts of 10 shoreline volunteers, the group collected 604 pounds of trash and 1,200 pounds of invasive trees and bushes for a haul of 1,804 pounds total. Sarasota Bay Watch’s Executive Director Ronda Ryan described the event as “a gift of environmental stewardship to celebrate our shared home.” After the cleanup, volunteers gathered to sort the debris and recyclable items,
have lunch provided by South Face and enjoy the camaraderie.
Executive Director Dr. Abbey Tyrna explained the creation of the Incubator at the event’s ribbon cutting.
“Justin (Bloom, Suncoast Waterkeeper founder) often reminisces about the early days when local environmental nonprofits worked hand-in-hand to drive real change. Today, we face a multitude of environmental challenges that demand even stronger collaboration. This is why Justin enthusiastically embraced Amber's vision of creating a shared space for small non-profits, aptly named the Resilience Incubator.
“But what is resilience? Resilience is the ability of a system to recover from stressors or disturbances. It is built through strategies like diversifying resources, enhancing ecosystem functions, increasing social cohesion, adapting and strengthening built structures, and closing the loop on waste.
“The Resilience Incubator aims to build social-ecological resilience, ensuring our community can sustainably meet its needs while preserving the ecosystems we rely on. Together, we are
creating a future where both our community and environment can thrive, facing today's threats and preparing for tomorrow's challenges.
Suncoast Waterkeeper is committed to this mission and, with community support, we can make a lasting impact. Join us in building a resilient future for all.”
To get involved, stop by the Resilience Incubator’s offices above the blood bank on Mound Street in Sarasota and consider joining Suncoast Waterkeeper, Sarasota Bay Watch or any of the other nonprofits working to make our home more resilient.
RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN Volunteers celebrate after the cleanup at Hudson Bayou.
RUSTY CHINNIS
AME, new principal preparing for first day of school
The staff of Anna Maria Elementary School is working to kick off the 202425 school year with their new principal.
BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH - As children stock up on supplies and pick out their perfect outfits for the first day of school, Anna Maria Elementary School staff, including the new incoming principal, Katie Fradley, are working to make AME the best it can be for an exciting year of learning.
The Sun spoke to Fradley about what is in store for students this year.
With the first day of school coming Monday, Aug. 12, what are you doing to prepare?
Fradley: We have been working all summer to prepare our campus for our students' safe return on Aug. 12. Our playground has seen some
updates this summer. We had a new back stop installed, repaired some sidewalk damage and will be replacing clay and grass on the field. We are also in the process of adding fencing to our car rider drop off area that will ensure a safe environment at arrival and dismissal. We are incredibly excited about our new teaching and learning deck. It will have been worth the wait! The deck will be completed this fall and will provide an outdoor teaching space that includes a portable touch tank for our students to complete marine biology lessons and experiments overlooking the bay.
Is there anything special planned for the first day?
Fradley: We will welcome our families to campus for Open House on Thursday, Aug. 8. During Open House they will meet their teacher and staff and visit with friends. Then we are so excited to welcome our students back on Aug. 12! On the first day
of school, we will host a "Meet and Greet" for our kindergarten parents and the parents of new students in our auditorium at 8:30 a.m. This is an AME tradition and is a perfect opportunity to introduce our leadership team and share information about our incredible school with our newest dolphins.
AME has many annual events such as Peace Day. As a new principal, do you have anything new planned for this year?
Fradley: I am looking forward to continuing well-loved AME traditions such as Peace Day as well as bringing some new events
to campus. Our school wide theme this year is, "Dolphins make a difference." As a school community we will be exploring what we can each do to make a difference in our school, community and our world. We will be sharing more information on this exciting initiative after the students return.
What do you hope to bring to AME as you begin your first year as principal?
Fradley: As I look forward to my first year as principal of AME, I hope to bring positive energy and a passion for making a difference to our school. I look forward to strengthening our enrollment, continuing our history of strong academic achievement and helping our teachers to inspire our students to make a difference in their school, community and the world.
JASON SCHAFFER | SUN
AME staff is working hard to prepare for the first day of school, Monday, Aug. 12.
AUDIT: Elections office implementing Clear Ballot audit system
BENNETT’S TAKE
He also said implementing the Clear Ballot system before the general election would help prevent “liberals” from challenging the election results. In response, Farrington said, “The Clear Ballot system is one that Mike Bennett and I looked at. It was a system we may have even chosen to implement in 2025. I’m not about to say it’s a bad system by design, but I’m not sure it was necessary. You’re looking to implement it inside of four months. It’s not a simple thing to do. For a system like that, you would want six months to a year to implement, test and make sure people were trained.”
When contacted by The Sun and asked about the Clear Ballot audit system, Bennett said, “This is a system that Scott Farrington and I studied for about four years. We looked at voting recounts, ballot errors and studied the last major recount and the cost of doing it. Our study showed that for Manatee County, and counties of our size, the cost did not make sense.
“If Satcher would have waited to study the election results after being on the job for a couple of years, and a few elections, he then would be able to make an intelligent decision instead of wasting the taxpayers’ money. Spending other people’s money is what many liberal politicians do. True conservatives watch and protect the taxpayers’ money. Scott Farrington would protect the taxpayers’ money,” Bennett said.
GoFundMe page started for Sandbar employee
A GoFundMe page has been opened to support longtime Sandbar employee Joe Van Winkle as he recovers from medical complications that resulted in the recent amputation of his left leg.
“Many of you are fortunate enough to know Joe Van Winkle. Joe has lived and worked on Anna Maria Island for the last 25 years. He has dedicated the last 25 years of his life in AMI to working at the Sandbar Restaurant,” organizer Raye Leukart wrote.
She wrote that Van Winkle suffered major health complications following an outpatient
procedure on July 11 and those complications led to an amputation of his left leg on July 22.
“Joe is in good spirits while currently hospitalized, but needs time to heal, recover and get back up and moving on his new prosthetic leg once he is healed. This GoFundMe will help him with rent, medical bills and everything that comes his way following this major surgery while being unable to work. Joe is anxious to get back to his normal routine, but in the meantime, he could use a helping hand,” Leukart wrote.
As of Aug. 2, the GoFundMe page had raised $3,595.
To donate, visit https://www.gofundme. com/f/support-joe-van-winkles-recoveryjourney.
REAL ESTATE
Housing market the only thing frozen in August
If you’re one of the lucky homeowners who was able to lock into dirt-cheap mortgage rates, well done. You’re one of the winners in today’s peculiar and lopsided housing markets.
This isn’t the first time we’re talking about it and will not be the last. Nevertheless, high interest rates have had an unexpected impact on the country’s housing market. Usually, when mortgage interest goes up, home prices go down. Not this time. Home prices keep pushing up because of the lack of inventory to choose from.
Castles in the Sand
LOUISE BOLGER
4%, according to Morgan Stanley. The current typical rate is 7%, so homeowners who may want to move will be paying a lot more in their monthly mortgage payments today. Hence, frozen.
The only light on the horizon is the Federal Reserve, which left the door open to lower rates at their September meeting. Also, they have penciled in four rate cuts by year-end 2025 with the prediction being that rates could fall to 4.1% in a year.
It’s almost getting monotonous to keep saying it, but the fact is there was a “lock-in” effect of ultracheap mortgages secured when interest rates were low, which trapped owners in their homes. It was an unforeseen consequence of years of easy money. Are you listening, Federal Reserve?
Two-thirds of outstanding mortgages in this country have a rate of below
The byproduct of lower home sales is the economic consequence related to purchasing a home. People normally splurge to fix up houses before putting them on the market or renovate them after they move in. This important economic category of work has dried up not only for home contractors but also for professionals handling the logistics of transactions like attorneys, appraisers and real estate and mortgage brokers.
Builders in some parts of the country are building smaller, more affordable new homes to attract buyers looking for a lower price point. As an aside, the U.S. house size exploded by 150% between 1980 and 2018, according to Census Bureau data. In 2022, the median house size hit 2,300 square feet. Everybody likes space but maybe it’s time to reduce the footprint of homes. Do kids really need their own bedroom and playroom?
So that news is good, but what about people who really need to sell and move on? Young people on a career path need to consider where they will live and how much that will cost before interviewing for a higher position that involves relocating. Seniors who want to downsize or move
closer to family are also reluctant to sell. Even if they can tap into their existing equity, the assumption is their living expenses will be high wherever they go.
As more owners stay put, the number of homes on the market has fallen. Tight supply is pushing prices higher, shrinking the pool of buyers who can afford a home and leaving buyers who can afford one thinking they are overpaying. The National Association of Realtors reports there is around a five-month supply of inventory available. This availability number should be about 62% for a healthy market. The availability for singlefamily homes in Manatee County as of the June sales statistic is four months. Even if you’re feeling lucky with your financing decisions, no one wants to be in a position where they feel frozen in place. You never know what curve life will throw at you, so being frozen isn’t good for anyone.
PARKING: City imposes deadline to close parking lots
permits contingent on administrative site plan approval by the building official.
“The actual permits have never been approved and are currently sitting in an 'under review' status,” he wrote. “Furthermore, the parking lots have all been in operation since February of this year, technically illegally, as they have never been approved by the Planning and Zoning Department.”
Cushing wrote that the applications for these temporary use permits were submitted “after the fact,” as the paid parking lots were all created and put into operation prior to any application being made to the department.
Bradenton Beach Building Official Darin Cushing intends to close the paid parking lot at 101 Bridge St., along with three others, for non-compliance with city stipulations.
Cushing closed the letter with: “We have no choice but to close the parking lots for use, until such time that we receive the required documentation, and all of the above-mentioned stipulations have been met. We will be barricading the entries and covering the pay kiosks and signs on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. If by Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, we have not received 100% compliance with the stipulations for approval, we will revoke the applications, and all of the modifications that have been made on these parcels will have to be removed.”
Sam Negrin, manager of Kaleta’s Beach to Bay Investments Inc., responded on Aug. 2 to The Sun’s request for comment by text: “Our new parking management company, Island Parking, has taken over as of July 12th and has been working diligently to get the city’s requests completed. We look forward to meeting all of their requirements to remain operating.”
STIPULATIONS FOR APPROVAL
All the temporary use permits for the four lots were granted for one
year. Stipulations included a review of a professionally-prepared site plan by the building official, active insurance to be carried by the property owner and production of a business tax receipt to the city clerk. The plans to be submitted to the building department are required to include requested parking spaces, golf cart parking dimensions, ADA compliance and adequate ingress and egress.
The parking lot stipulations for approval at 101 Bridge St. included no entrance or exit from Bridge Street, directional arrows, landscaping less than 3 feet high, sidewalk installation north of Third Street South to hook
into the corner sidewalk on Gulf Drive, trolley benches and slab, black and white signage and review of site plan by building official. The one-year temporary use permit runs through Feb. 15, 2025. There currently remains a driveway leading onto Bridge Street from the parking lot, the sidewalk and slab have not been installed and there are no directional arrows. A leaking artesian well is in the process of being capped.
Some of the stipulations for 206 Bay Drive N., 102 Third St. N. and 207 Church Ave. include the building owner submitting a building permit application or land development approval request within eight months of the temporary use permit approval, permits that will expire on March 21, 2025, and a limit on the number of parking spaces to be approved by the building official on a site plan.
A sidewalk is to be installed along Church Avenue with details to be approved by the building official for the Church Avenue lot, along with landscape buffering and the installation of a privacy fence along the northern and southern property lines. A sidewalk is to be installed along Third Street North along with landscape buffering for the 102 Third St. N. lot.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
PLAN: Commissioners propose greater tax cut
a significant decrease from the $673,000 budgeted for the current 2023-24 fiscal year that ends on Sept 30. Murphy said Anna Maria’s streets and roads have all been repaved in recent years and are in good shape, with no existing potholes that he’s aware of, but there’s still some pavement striping needed.
“I get compliments on our roads,” Murphy said.
The capital plan proposes spending $3.65 million for new Pine Avenue sidewalks, using money carried over from the current fiscal year. The sidewalk installations will be primarily funded by a state appropriation and some additional state and federal funds being carried over from the current fiscal year. Murphy said no ad valorem property tax revenues will be used to fund the sidewalk installations.
The capital plan proposes spending $2.47 million for stormwater and drainage
Treehouse still stands
improvements and $525,235 for stormwater and drainage maintenance.
NEW PROJECTS
The capital plan proposes spending $3.5 million on new capital projects previously discussed by the commission.
The plan proposes spending $70,000 to install shade sails above the children’s playground at City Pier Park, and $75,000 to install some type of shade structure above the city-owned uncovered deck area at the T-end of the City Pier.
The treehouse was still aloft beachfront at the Angelinos Sea Lodge on Aug. 3 despite passing July deadlines to demolish the structure under court order. An Aug. 8 compliance hearing is scheduled to discuss the owners’ efforts to remove the treehouse.
The plan proposes spending $288,000 to construct a standalone comfort station near the Island Players building and public parking lot next to the Island Players. Featuring public restrooms and an outdoor shower for beachgoers and other visitors, the comfort station will be built using tourist development tax revenues received from Manatee County.
The capital plan proposes spending an additional $175,000 to redesign and reconfigure that public parking lot to make it more efficient and more disabled-accessible.
The capital plan proposes spending $305,000 in resiliency grant funds to replace the city hall roof and install hurricane windows and hurricane doors.
The plan includes $95,000 in state funds to study a long-term alternative to dredging the Lake La Vista jetty entrance every two or three years. The plan also includes $2.49 million to remove the silt left behind by Hurricane Idalia in 2023 that covers and renders ineffective many of the city’s drainage trenches.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Mayor Dan Murphy unveiled his capital plan on July 25.
CINDY LANE | SUN
CULBREATH: Issues campaign letter
“First, I believe we have all sinned and fallen short in the eyes of our creator. I know I most certainly have. I have prayed for forgiveness for my shortcomings, and I know they only made me stronger.
“Second, I want to tell you about my experience working to keep you and your family safe as a Manatee County Sheriff’s Deputy. Unless you have a first responder in your family, or have a best friend that is one, you probably don’t know the stress it puts on the entire family. My husband and children are no exception to the worry that comes from placing that badge on my chest and gun on my hip, leaving them behind, knowing every day could be my last.
“Well, one day, back in January of 2021, while on duty, a criminal fleeing from police ran me down. I was simply trying to arrest her and she tried to take my life. Ignoring verbal commands, the criminal fled the scene, accelerated at full speed and threw me across the hood of another patrol car and underneath an oncoming vehicle. I was rushed to the emergency room,
neck broken, and am writing this letter knowing I am lucky to be alive today. I thank God each day for this small miracle.
“My husband, Duane, is a member of a longtime Manatee County family. He’s a fourth generation and our children will be the fifth generation of Culbreaths living here. Our people settled near Perico Bay, moved to Cortez and established the Cortez fishing village in the 1920s. Our family wants to make this community better. We have generations of Culbreaths to prove it.
“Personally, I have dedicated my life to serving our community. I took the oath to protect and defend our way of life. This is not an oath I take lightly and know, as a deputy, that promise could one day take my life. Now I am seeking to become a Manatee County commissioner, for the exact same reasons I became a deputy. I want to defend our home.
“I’m also no stranger to campaigns, having led our local Republican party and having been the founder of the Manatee County Trump Train.
“I wasn’t surprised when my opponent, fresh from Washington
First, I believe we have all sinned and fallen short in the eyes of our creator. I know I most certainly have.”
April Culbreath, county commission candidate
D.C., started attacking me with information that’s decades old, trying to impugn my service as deputy sheriff and detective.
“I also want you to know you can call me anytime with questions you have and I will be happy to answer them directly.
“My family and I are grateful to live in a place where neighbors still take care of neighbors and we pull together when times are tough. That’s the Manatee County I love and am fighting for. I hope you will join me in that fight,” the letter says.
Culbreath’s letter did not include a phone number, nor did it directly address any of her numerous workrelated suspensions.
MEDIA RELATIONS
On July 24, Culbreath addressed her media interactions, or lack
thereof, in a comment she posted at former Bradenton City Council member Gene Gallo’s Facebook page in response to Gallo’s support for opponent Tal Siddique.
“I have certainly tried to defend myself from the liberal media, however they refuse to publish my words,” she wrote.
On June 6, The Sun emailed Culbreath’s campaign address seeking her input for a District 3 campaign story. She never responded. The Sun emailed her campaign address again on July 29 and left a voicemail at her campaign phone number, again, with no response. Two other local journalists, Dawn Kitterman and Marc Masferrer, experienced similar non-responses with Culbreath and noted so on Facebook.
SIDDIQUE: Discusses county commission campaign
FROM PAGE 4
Would you like to comment on April Culbreath’s disciplinary record with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office?
“She has 30-year record of misconduct. A record like that is shameful. Committing those violations was unbecoming of a deputy and are unbecoming of someone seeking a position of power. I don’t think that kind of record reflects the values of our community.”
Do you support the county constructing a parking garage at Manatee Beach against the will of residents and city officials, but with the support of state legislators?
“I do not. I have not since day one and I’ve been at a number of parking garage protests. Parking at the public beach might fill up but you can find plenty of other parking spots the city of Holmes Beach provides, and they have a map and a website that shows where those spaces are. I don’t think parking is the main concern. The main concern is traffic. Building a parking garage is going to be very expensive, at $50 million minimum. I’d rather put that money toward other solutions.”
What are your thoughts on the Island-wide consolidation study requested by state legislators Jim Boyd, Will Robinson Jr. and others?
“I don’t believe the consolidation issue was approached appropriately. There has been a significant breakdown in the relationship between the city of Holmes Beach and the county and I think that’s primarily due to our current District 3 commissioner. I would like to normalize that relationship and the relationship with our state Legislature as well, and I think I can. I have good relationships with all three Island mayors and particularly with Mayor (Judy) Titsworth and Chief (Bill) Tokajer, who both endorsed me.
“The Island city millage rates are significantly lower than Manatee County, which is 6.23 mills. The county also has the least restrictive and most poorly written land development codes and the most poorly written comprehensive plan within our region.
“I do not believe consolidating the three cities into one city is going to provide any benefits. I also don’t believe consolidating
the Island cities into Manatee County is the right solution. The Island people elected their city governments and they deserve to have them. As a conservative, I don’t believe in big government eating little government.
“Forcing Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach to get rid of their police departments would put more strain on our Sheriff’s Office. It’s going to be very costly as well. As far as consolidating city services, that’s a decision the residents and city officials should make.”
What should the county commission and school district do to lower property taxes?
“We are a strong Republican county and all these county officials claim to be fiscally responsible conservatives but they gladly spend the taxpayers’ money. From fiscal year 2022 to fiscal year 2023, we saw a $44 million increase in county property tax revenues without raising the millage. As property values increase, the county collects more revenues but doesn’t lower the millage rate. I would like to see us lower the millage rate by at least half, or by as much as we can, and I hope the school board can lower their taxes too.”
Do you feel there’s any excessive or unnecessary spending taking place at the county level?
“Absolutely. With respect to the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP),
to see the county adopt something sensible that protects property rights for residents. At least look at what the city of Bradenton has done, which is a phone line residents can use to register complaints.”
What are your thoughts on the Gulf Island Ferry service?
“Having a larger, faster boat that can handle more inclement weather conditions will help, and I support that. I think there’s a desire for a ferry stop in Holmes Beach. The challenge is where? I think Kingfish boat ramp probably makes the most sense. You can walk to the beach from there. And we need to make the ferries more practical for the Island workforce.”
Do you consider yourself to be more moderate than some current commissioners and candidates?
in my district the 59th Street West expansion project is completely unwarranted and unnecessary. To spend $86 million to widen a road in that location is not a need, especially when there are other streets that need attention.
“Spending at least $50 million for the Holmes Beach parking garage is unnecessary. The county also plans to build new parking garages in downtown Bradenton, at the Premier Sports Complex in Lakewood Ranch and at the convention center in Palmetto. That’s hundreds of millions of dollars on parking garages. There’s a lack of focus with what’s happening with our Capital Improvement Plan. The county is also bonded $700 million in debt and it’s costing $40 million a year to pay that off.”
Manatee County doesn’t regulate short-term vacation rentals. Should the county regulate vacation rentals?
“The Island cities have reasonable vacation rental regulations and occupancy limits and Governor (Ron) DeSantis vetoed a bill that would have prevented them from implementing and enforcing local policies. No one likes vacation rentals in their neighborhood except for the investors and large corporations that own them. Commissioner (Kevin) Van Ostenbridge said he has no solution and doesn’t plan to pursue vacation rental regulations. I’d like
“I consider myself conservative. There tends to be this arms race to prove who’s the loudest and craziest and you see that playing out on the county board, which is why they talk about issues they have no impact on. I’m pro-life, pro-Second Amendment and I support Donald Trump. Those are things I stand for and believe in, but I also recognize that if a county commission gets too caught up in trying to be on TV you won’t get anything done locally. I ran because our commissioners are distracted and they’re not getting things done. I think you’re seeing that with my opponent, who has no policy positions on her website and can’t articulate her positions without help from her special interest backers.”
If elected, do you think you can successfully govern with your fellow commissioners?
“I think so. Fundamentally, most of us believe in the same values but there’s far too much special interest and developer money that swings elections and affects commission decisions. There’s no way they’d approve certain projects if it weren’t for the special interests and developer money. I plan to take a different approach than some of our current commissioners, which is to attack one another on the dais. Personal attacks and being combative with each other shouldn’t happen in board meetings. The negativity in politics has gotten worse and people don’t care for it.”
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
In 2023, Tal Siddique, center, participated in a Holmes Beach parking garage protest outside the county administration building.
First loss for Floridian Mortgage
BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN
ANNA MARIA – With the kids taking the week off from indoor soccer, the sporting action was focused on the four adult co-ed flag football games at The Center last Thursday night. The night of four high-scoring games took the season past the halfway mark, marching toward the playoffs.
In the game of the week, team Salty Printing faced the quick defensive pressure of Slim’s Place. Working hard to widen their lead in the first half of the game, Captain Matt Manger’s team wobbled a bit, keeping it a one-point game after 20 minutes of play.
The stretched-out, one-handed catches of Slim’s Place’s Anthony Mannino were almost the downfall of the Salty team. With a seemingly sticky glove, Mannino caught passes and made interceptions to help his team keep the score close.
Before the half, Manger’s throw to Charles “Tuna” McCracken went off his fingertips into the hand of Mannino. The turnover led to six points for the Slim’s Place team.
Mannino, on offense, scored three of the team’s four touchdowns, all from the passes of quarterback Cruz Rodriguez. Two one-point conversion catches rounded out his offensive game stats.
Rodriguez scored on his own with a
management, with important seconds left on the scoreboard. Holding onto a one-point lead, McCracken had possession of the football and wisely stayed inbounds without scoring to let the last second tick off the clock.
Team Floridian Mortgage lost their first game of the season against Solid Rock Air Conditioning 27-26.
Fishing with Salty won, handing Moss Builders their fourth loss heading into Week Six of play.
In the final game of the week, Solid Rock Electrical won over team Prosper Bradenton.
Each of the eight teams will compete in the playoffs, making their final regular season rankings important with two regular season weeks to be played.
rushing TD. He also connected with teammate Isaiah Lambert for six. Contributing on defense, Jaden Grant put the pressure on the Salty QB, earning a sack.
The game leader went back and forth during the second half of the game.
Playing the option and using the arm of McCracken, Salty Printing scored four touchdowns from his passes. With Manger throwing for one, catches from Cody Allen, Christian Hampton and Manger from
McCracken earned 18 points.
Blake Balais was the target for two TD receptions. Blake, along with teammates Manger and Raul Loera, caught critical catches after three of their five touchdowns to win the game.
The Salty Printing defense caught fire despite a game filled with missed flag pulls and defensive stops. The final offensive series for Slim’s Place was quickly put to a stop by team Salty.
The game came down to clock
Committee seeks to save trees
A survey sent to residents supports keeping the existing trees along the Palma Sola Scenic Highway on Perico Island.
BY LESLIE LAKE
SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
BRADENTON – Vice Chairperson of the Palma Sola Scenic Highway Corridor Management Entity (CME) Ingrid McClellan is leading the opposition against Manatee County’s proposed replacement of native live oaks and sabal palms with royal palms and non-native trees and shrubs in the medians on Perico Island.
McClellan wrote the following to
Manatee County Commissioners, “On the consent agenda for July 30th – Item 48 is a proposed interlocal agreement with Manatee County to "beautify the landscape" of two medians on Perico Island. If approved, we may be losing many mature native live oaks (6) and sabal palms (9) which are considered significant in the city's Land Use Regulations - Tree Protection. Both Bradenton and Manatee County are Tree City/ County USAs. We unanimously oppose this agreement and respectfully request it to be tabled until after the next Bradenton Tree and Land Preservation Board meeting on Aug. 16.”
As agreed at the CME’s June 12
meeting, a survey was circulated to the residents of neighborhoods on Palma Sola Scenic Highway.
“Residents are given three options with Option 3 being what Manatee County wants to do –destroy all 15 mature native trees and instead have royal palms, non-native Alexander palms, and shrubs and sod. This would not only be a huge loss of mature native trees, yet it would also require irrigation, mowing, edging, pesticides and herbicides,” McClellan wrote to the county commission.
McClellan reported 65.66% of the survey respondents selected Option 1, which supports keeping the existing sabal palms and live oaks that are established with
mulch and do not need irrigation. The existing trees are also low maintenance with tree pruning required every three years.
The second option received 20.48% of the votes, to keep the existing sabal palms and live oaks and add native and Floridafriendly ground cover and shrubs which will require irrigation and periodic pruning.
The last option, to remove the existing trees and replace them with royal palms and non-native Alexander palms and shrubs and sod, received 13.86% of the survey votes. The new plants would require establishment and ongoing irrigation.
MONICA SIMPSON | SUN Salty Printing team captain Matt Manger walks the tightrope trying to stay in bounds as the Slim’s Place defender applies the pressure last Thursday night.
FUN IN THE SUN
CLASSIFIEDS
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: TINGLEY LIBRARY in Bradenton Beach is looking for volunteers. Fun and friendly atmosphere. Morning and afternoon shifts. If interested, please contact Library Clerk, Eveann Adams, @ 941-779-1208.
THE BEST VOLUNTEER position on the island. The AMI Historical Museum needs docents and bread makers. Call Kathy Primeau at 989-560-6381.
ROSER FOOD BANK needs donations of cash and nonperishable food, PAPER & PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS. Donations boxes are located at the Church, Moose Club, and Walgreen’s.
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BOATS ARE SELLING VERY WELL. “Business On A Handshake” Your Local Trusted Boat Dealer For 24 Years. I also buy boats. Dave Struber 941-228-3489. Islandboatsales.net
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HAVE YOU BEEN thinking of selling? We NEED properties to List for SALE!!! Duplexes, multi family, small resorts? Call BIG Alan Galletto of Island Real Estate to get it SOLD 941-232-2216
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JOIN DUNCAN
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RENOVATION SPECALIST ALL carpentry repairs, Wash Family Construction, locally owned and operated CBC 1258250 Call 941-725-0073.
KERN & GILDER CONSTRUCTION, INC New Homes & Remodel. Design/Build. Since 1968. License # CBC 1261150. Call the Office. 941-7781115
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 specializing in Custom Bath/Shower & Backsplash installation. Pressure washing available. Call 941-3028759 isletileservices.com
GORILLA DRYWALL REPAIR, LLC. 15+ years of experience. Free Estimates. Let’s solve your Drywall problems together. Call 941-2860607.
BMF INTERIORS Home repairs and more, No job too small. Please call 786318-8585
A.R.E. Renovation’s WHOLESALE KITCHEN CABINETS DIRECT., Remodeling, Bathrooms. Trim Flooring and Decks Tile and more Free quote, references available. Lic. # CRC.1334176 941-4653045.
LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE
R. GAROFALO’S
Interlocking brick pavers, driveways, patios, pool decks. Free estimates. Licensed & Insured. Call Rafael 941-778-4823 or Veronik 941-526-7941
ISLAND RESIDENT. TREE/ BUSH Trimming, removal. Sweeping, blowing, and weeding. Weekly, bi-monthly or monthly schedule. Pressure washing. Call Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315
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MARTIN’S MOVING YOUR Island movers! Offering dependable, competitive rates. No hidden costs. 941-8095777.
PAINTING & WALLCOVERING
PAINT! PAINT! AND MORE 28 years of experienced interior/exterior custom painting. Pressure cleaning, drywall repairs and texture finishes. Many Island references. Please call Neil for free estimates. 941-812-0507
“WIZARD OF WALLS” Established 1980 Prompt quality service. Wallpaper installation/ removal. Mary Bell Winegarden 941-7940455
DONALD PERKINS
ABRACADABRA PAINTING LLC fully insured. 30 years experience. Many Island references. Call 941705-7096
PROFESSIONAL
PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reliable. Island Resident. Quality Workmanship. Interior/ Exterior. Minor repairs & carpentry. Free estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315
POOL SERVICES
FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE AND CHEMICAL SERVICES. Certified Pool Operator. 18 + Years Experience. Residential/commercial. Chemical Service Licensed & Insured. Call Dennis Clark 941-7375657
COLE'S TROPICAL POOL SERVICE Call Cole Bowers for all your pool maintenance needs! Affordable and Dependable!! 941-7131893
PRESSURE WASHING & WINDOWS
TOTAL HOME SERVICES CLEANING: Residential, Commercial, Construction, Vacation, VRBO Rentals . Also available Pressure Washing, Roof Cleaning, Paver Sealing and Windows. Call 941565-3931.
REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE
Have you been thinking of selling? We NEED properties to List for SALE!!! GULF FRONT, CANAL FRONT, BAY FRONT CONDOS or HOMES ASK for BIG Alan Galletto of Island Real Estate to get it SOLD 941-232-2216
LOOKING FOR A highly motivated real estate broker to buy or sell your next home?
Darcie Duncan, Broker Duncan Real Estate a lifelong island resident bringing success to her customers for 30 years. Proven track record brings you results! 941725-1589
HISTORICAL COTTAGE
409 Pine Ave. $2.2M 4BR/3BA pool. Brenda Boyd May Broker / Owner. All realtors welcome. 941-730-8589
RENTALS: ANNUAL
ANNUAL RENTALS
WANTED! We have well qualified tenants for beach and mainland annual rentals, Full management or Finders fee. Call today for details. Ask for Paige DUNCAN REAL ESTATE 513-382-1992.
ANNUAL RENTAL 3BR/2BA Pebble Springs condo, upstairs, laundry, avail. 8/1 $2000 monthly. 941-7784800
ANNUAL RENTAL: Imperial House Condo 2BR/1BA $2000/mo - Available Aug 1st. 208 A Magnolia Ave. 2BR/2BA $2800/moavailable June 1st. 208 B Magnolia Ave. 2BR/2BA $2800/mo- available Aug 1st. 407 76th St A Holmes Beach, FL 34216 3BR/2BA $5000/mo- available now with dock slip available for rent. Contact Sato Real Estate for more information. 941-7787200
RENTALS:
SEASONAL & VACATION
TIFFANY PLACE Gulf Front Condo for Rent
Incredible views from living room and master bedroom. 2BR/2BA Green Real Estate Call 941-778-0455
SEASONAL RENTAL in PALMA SOLA. 3BR/2BA weekly or monthly rates. Contact Barb Grace 941-201-2190
ANNA MARIA ISLAND
CONDOS Large pool, beach access, free WiFi, 1&2 Bedroom $900 to $1200 per week redekercondosonami.com Tim 941-704-7525
ANNA MARIA ISLAND
CONDO Available July thru December. Great Value. Beautiful Upgraded 2BR/2BA Incredible water View! Waterfront Patio, Pool, tennis, pickle, walk to beach. Private carport. Excellent Rental terms. Owner/renter. Call/email for pics. Rentamiwaterview@aol. com or 570-239-0431
TRANSPORTATION
ANYTIME
TRANSPORTATION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa/St. Pete $85. Sarasota $40. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-779-5095
Jessica Pierce Sales Associate