Anna Maria Island Sun December 27, 2023

- Named Best Florida Newspaper In Its Class -

VOL 24 No. 18

December 27, 2023

Bright Holiday Lights winners announced The annual contest highlights the holiday decorating efforts of city residents and business owners.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Clockwise from top, the Shiny Fish Emporium decorating theme featured white lights and lighted globes. Administrative Assistant Barbara Jeffries presented Dan Novi with his first-place business category trophy. The Shiny Fish Emporium decorations featured a lighted swinging chair.

Anna Maria: The Year in Review

Anna Maria celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Vacation rental legislation, consolidation, the Gulf Island Ferry service, the Mote Marine outreach center, the Reimagining Pine Avenue planning process and the city’s 100th anniversary were among the city’s top stories of 2023.

RENTAL BILLS DEFEATED

In April and May, Anna Maria officials, the city-owned Home Rule Florida website, Island residents and the city’s contracted lobbyist in Tallahassee played key roles in fighting off the Florida Legislature’s annual attempt to preempt vacation rental regulations to the state and

strip city and county governments of their authority and ability to enact and enforce local vacation rental regulations. The Home Rule Florida website generated more than 40,000 emails and letters in opposition to the House and Senate vacation rental bills sent to state legislators.

CONSOLIDATION OPPOSED

The mayor and city commission took, and continue to take, a non-adversarial approach with the city’s response to the OPPAGA consolidation study requested by state legislators Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) and Rep. Will Robinson Jr. (R-Bradenton). In September, Mayor Dan Murphy sent a letter to Boyd and Robinson that stated that he and the city commission

SEE ANNA MARIA, PAGE 3

SEE LIGHTS, PAGE 28

Mangrove removal triggers scrutiny

City, state and federal officials are investigating the removal of mangroves at a residential construction site.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – A company identified by Mayor Dan Murphy in a Dec. 18 email as the contractor at a residential construction site where mangroves were removed was not the responsible party, he told The Sun the next day.

“The City of Anna Maria has confirmed that Mason Martin, LLC, the contractor for the construction of the house at 111 Gull, was the entity that removed the mangroves, not West Coast Marine Construction, LLC,” Murphy wrote in his Dec. 19 email. “It was not the intention of the City to imply that the seawall contractor, West Coast Marine

CHAMPAGNE with shrimp and scallop crepes a New Year's treat. 20 Page 23 Anna Maria Island, Florida

ANNA MARIA – The city’s Bright Holiday Lights decorating contest produced a repeat winner and a first-time winner.

For the second year in a row, Andrea and Jim Stepan won the residential category for the elaborate decorations gracing their home and yard at 602 Gladiolus St. Luann Marshall also entered the residential category and her decorations at 708 Gladiolus St. include a wide array of inflatable characters.

The Shiny Fish Emporium at 306 Pine Ave. won the business category, which also included the Anna Maria General Store (winners of the previous two business category contests), AMI Beach Hut, Anna Maria Life, Duncan Real Estate, Once Upon a Beach and Pizza Social.

The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper

Construction, LLC was responsible for the mangrove removal.”

In its Dec. 20 edition, which went to press before Dec. 19, The Sun quoted Murphy’s Dec. 18 email, which was also sent to other news outlets detailing the city’s response to mangrove removal at the property.

Murphy wrote on Dec. 18 that subsequent to a neighbor’s complaint on Dec. 4 “regarding the extensive removal and alteration of mangroves at 111 Gull Drive,” city staff visited the property and confirmed the mangrove removal.

“This scope of work is proposed by building permit ACC22-000153 which has not been issued and thus, is not permitted to commence,” Murphy wrote in the Dec. 18 email.

He wrote that a stop work order was issued and posted on Dec. 6 and emailed to James Annis of West Coast Marine Construction and property owner Jackie Sharp of

SEE MANGROVES, PAGE 4

YEAR IN REVIEW on tourism,

environment, more. 5, 8, 9, 11, 15 VACATION RENTAL BILL proposes to

undermine home rule. 4

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DECEMBER 27, 2023

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ANNA MARIA: Year in review FROM PAGE 1 would support consolidating some of the similar city services provided by all three Island cities, but he and the commission do not support consolidating the cities of Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach into one city. On Nov. 7, Murphy and Commission Chair Mark Short met with OPPAGA representatives and learned that OPPAGA and the Florida Legislature are not required to share the consolidation study report with the three Island cities when the study is completed in 2024. In mid-November, the city received from OPPAGA a request for information that asked the city to address the pros and cons of the three possible consolidation options: consolidating similar services only, consolidating the three cities into one new Island city or annexing and consolidating the three Island cities into the

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The boat landing at the T-end of the City Pier is approved as a Gulf Island Ferry stop.

Charlotte and Jocelyn Bitner, of Orlando, touched a live horseshoe crab on the opening day of the Mote Marine Science, Education & Outreach Center.

city of Bradenton.

U.S. Coast Guard had not yet certified the two 49-passenger pontoon boats to be used for the ferry service between downtown Bradenton, Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach. Uncompleted docking modifications also contributed to the delay. A new anticipated launch date has not been provided.

FERRY STOP MODIFIED

Manatee County’s proposed Gulf Island Ferry stop at the City Pier was a frequent topic of city commission discussion in 2023. In August, commissioners rejected the county’s proposal to install a floating finger dock and submerged pilings and

create a gated and locked landing area at the T-end of the pier to be used exclusively by the ferries. In September, the commission approved the county’s plan to simply attach two non-submerged composite pilings to the existing boat landing instead. The anticipated Dec. 8 launch of the ferry service was delayed in part because the

MOTE FACILITY OPENS

In early May, the longdelayed Mote Marine Science, Education & Outreach Center opened to the public. Located in a city-owned building at the T-end of the City Pier and offering free admission, the outreach center features live

SEE ANNA MARIA, PAGE 10

4 THE SUN

ISLAND NEWS

IN BRIEF Take the Shamrock Shiver Charity Plunge

The 15th Annual Clancy’s Irish Pub & Grill Shamrock Shiver Charity Plunge will be held on New Year’s Day at noon on the beach at Gulf Drive between Fourth and 12th Streets South. “As so many of our Florida neighborhoods go through rough times, determined members of the Bradenton community are ‘taking the plunge’ to help less fortunate children of Manatee County,” according to Clancy’s website. “Sponsored

by Clancy’s Irish Pub & Grill, well known for its community fundraisers, volunteers will brave the chilly Gulf waters for donations from family, friends and local businesses.”

This year’s target goal is $40,000, and 100% of the proceeds raised will fund non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations Feeding Empty Little Tummies, Healthy Teens Coalition of Manatee County Inc. and Take Stock in Children of Manatee County. The event has raised $400,413 for non-profits since its inception in 2009. A Post-Plunge Party will follow at Clancy’s, 6218 Cortez Road W. in Bradenton with door prizes and music by the Dr. Dave Band. At Clancy’s, there will be silent and live auctions. Donations are welcome. To plunge for pledges or donate to the cause, call Clancy’s at 941-794-2481 ext.

2 or visit https://clancysirishsportspub.com/ shamrock-shiver-charity-plunge/

CRA, P&Z January meetings canceled The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting and the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 3 at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively, have been canceled. The City Commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 4 at 6 p.m. in the Katie Pierola Commission Chambers, 107 Gulf Drive N.

Distinguished citizen award nominees sought The city of Anna Maria is accepting nominations for its annual Distinguished Citizen of the Year award until Friday, Jan. 5, 2024 at 4 p.m. Individuals, organizations and businesses who have been in the Anna Maria community for at least two years are eligible for the award to be given out in January. The nomination form can be obtained at the city website, www.cityofannamaria.com, by email at deputyclerk@cityofannamaria.com or in person at city hall.

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DECEMBER 27, 2023

Vacation rentals back on Senate agenda

The Florida Senate is again attacking Florida cities’ home rule rights.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Using its Home Rule Florida website, the city launched an opposition to the Florida Legislature’s latest attempt to preempt vacation rental regulation to the state.

The latest attempt to prevent Florida cities from excercising home rule to regulate vacation rentals comes in the form of Senate Bill 280.

The Home Rule Florida email says, “Here’s what you need to know about SB 280. Recently, Sen. Nick DiCeglie (R-Pinellas) introduced SB 280 to take away the local government’s ability to regulate the vacation rental industry.

“Here’s the background and a summary of the impact of this bill. SB 280 is similar to SB 714 which was proposed, but not passed, in the 2023 legislative

SUBMITTED

The city of Anna Maria opposes Senate Bill 280. session. While SB 714 appeared to have not been very well thought out, SB 280 appears to have been extremely well thought out, with the desired result being to stymie any attempt by either local governments or the state of Florida to in any way effectively regulate vacation rentals going forward,” the email says.

“Here are just a few of the issues with the bill as written: It is focused on benefiting the ‘big business’ vacation rental industry which is owned and controlled by out-of-the-state, and often out-of-the-country, interests.

“The bill will seriously hurt many Florida residents who want nothing more than to live their lives in their homes without the unreasonable interference of being surrounded by what are overcrowded ‘mini hotels.’ SB 280 strips away the powers of local elected officials, as well as state officials, from being able to effectively and reasonably maintain a balance in their communities between full-time residents and vacation rental party houses,” the email says.

SB 280 can be viewed in its entirety at the Home Rule Florida website, www.homerulefl.com. The email notice also contained a link to a legal analysis of SB 280 provided

by City Attorney Becky Vose.

“Don't forget to forward this email to your family, friends, and neighbors and ask them to help keep local decisions locally made,” the email says.

The Home Rule Florida website provides a link to send a prewritten email to DiCeglie, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo (R-Naples) and Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton).

MANGROVES: Removal triggers scrutiny FROM PAGE 4 Massachusetts-based Sharp Development LLC. “On December 13, 2023, staff received several complaints from residents yet again, despite the Stop Work order,” the mayor’s email continued.

He wrote the Stop Work order posting had been removed from the property and city staff observed workers actively removing mangroves.

Murphy wrote the Stop Work order was reposted, adding in the email, “The actions of the contractor in ignoring the previously issued Stop Work order constitute the willfull violation of the building code, making the contractor subject to the jurisdiction of the City of Anna Maria’s Local Construction Regulation Board.”

Annis was the only contractor mentioned in the Dec. 18 email.

“I never did any work there,” Annis told The Sun. “We got

LESLIE LAKE | SUN

The state is investigating the removal of mangroves at 111 Gull Drive.

DEP (Florida Department of Environmental Protection) approval to take some mangroves out, but then it goes to the Army Corps of Engineers. If they don’t approve it within a year it goes back to DEP. We’ve been so busy, I thought this job was dead in the

water.”

Annis said having his name mistakenly attached to the mangrove removal caused him concern about the potential impact to his business.

SEE MANGROVES, PAGE 27

DECEMBER 27, 2023

BY LESLIE LAKE and JOE HENDRICKS

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Year in Review: Bradenton Beach SIGNS, SIGNS, SIGNS INSTALLED

SUN CORRESPONDENTS

In February, Scenic WAVES Committee members and others expressed their concerns about the Florida Department of Transportation installing more than 60 new “No Parking on Right of Way” signs along Gulf Drive South, near Coquina Beach. Police Chief John Cosby requested the signs but had no input on the number of signs FDOT installed.

BRADENTON BEACH – The Pines Trailer Park and Bradenton Beach Marina sales and the approved hotel/ restaurant/retail project on Bridge Street and Gulf Drive made the biggest headlines in the city in 2023.

BRADENTON BEACH MARINA SOLD

In early January, developer Shawn Kaleta and the Metropolitan Property Ventures LLC purchased the Bradenton Beach Marina from the Bazzy family for $14 million. Kaleta now serves as president of the Bazzy Marine Corp.

COUNTY WORKS ON SEWER, DRAINAGE PROBLEMS

In January, Manatee County initiated its ongoing $8 million sewer improvement project along Gulf Drive South and the adjoining side streets from Sixth Street South to 13th Street South. As the sewer line replacement and instal-

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

In February, more than 60 new “No Parking” signs appeared along Gulf Drive South near Coquina Beach. lation work takes place on the residential side streets one street at a time, those streets temporarily closed to vehicular traffic for a month or more.

Impacted residents, property owners and visitors must park in designated parking areas in the Cortez Beach parking lot until their street reopens.

The county project is slated for completion in late 2024. By mid-August, Manatee County had essentially completed the

second and final phase of the $7 million Coquina Beach drainage improvement project that included the installation of pervious pavement that allows rainwater to seep into the new drainage systems below. The completed project that began in 2019 provides more than 1,000 paved parking spaces and required the removal of more than 180 Australian pines.

AZURE SHORES ORDINANCE PASSED

In November, the city commission approved an ordinance that eliminated zoning map and future land use map inconsistencies that existed with 23 residentially zoned (R-3) properties in the Azure Shores subdivision between Bridge Street, the Cortez Bridge, Highland Avenue and Gulf Drive North.

BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT CELEBRATES 30 YEARS

Celebrating a longevity rarely found in the restaurant business, Chiles Hospitality observed the

30-year anniversary of the Beach House Waterfront Restaurant.

HURRICANE IDALIA PRECAUTIONS TAKEN

In advance of Tropical Storm Idalia, City commissioners voted Aug. 28 to declare a local state of emergency until Tuesday, Sept. 5, as clean-up efforts continued following storm surge. Beaches were closed and a mandatory evacuation order was in place for Level A residents, including all mobile home parks. Manatee County issued a voluntary Level B evacuation. “What we’re expecting now is a storm surge 4-7 feet,” Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby said prior to the storm’s landfall.

PINES TRAILER PARK PURCHASED

In late August, Shawn Kaleta and the Pines Park Investors LLC purchased the Pines Trailer Park for $16.25 million after the resident/

SEE BRADENTON BEACH, PAGE 14

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OPINION

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DECEMBER 27, 2023

The Anna Maria Island Sun Staff Owner/CEO Mike Field Editor Cindy Lane General Manager Bob Alexander Reporters/Photographers Joe Hendricks Leslie Lake Jason Schaffer Kristin Swain Columnists Louise Bolger Rusty Chinnis Contributors Steve Borggren Capt. Rick Grassett Monica Simpson LayoutV Ricardo Fonseca Digital Editor Kristin Swain Advertising Director Shona Otto Advertising Assistant Pamela Lee Classifieds Bob Alexander Graphics Elaine Stroili Ricardo Fonseca Distribution Bob Alexander Connor Field Tony McNulty Brian Smith Accounting Leslie Ketchum Co-founding publishers Mike Field Maggie McGinley Field Family-owned since 2000

Drop us a line Got an opinion, a complaint or a compliment? Is there something you need to get off your chest? Send us a letter to the editor and have your say. There are a couple of ways to do it. The easiest and most direct is to email The Sun at news@amisun.com. Remember to put Letter to the Editor in the subject field. Or you can snail-mail

a letter to us at The Anna Maria Island Sun, P.O. Box 1189, Anna Maria, FL 34216. Letters should be kept to 300 words or less and must contain your name and the city in which you reside. Personal attacks and obscene language will not be printed. The Sun reserves the right to edit letters for length or content.

DECEMBER 27, 2023

EVENTS WEDNESDAY, DEC. 27

Mah-jongg for beginners, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m.

THURSDAY, DEC. 28

Seaside Quilters, 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, DEC. 29

Explore Nature: Tower Talk, Robinson Preserve tower, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 10 a.m. to noon Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.

SATURDAY, DEC. 30

Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon Tram tour, Robinson Preserve, Valentine House, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon.

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MONDAY, JAN. 1

New Year's Day Shamrock Shiver, Cortez Beach between Fourth Street South and 12th Street South, Bradenton Beach, noon. Post-plunge party to follow at Clancy’s 6218 Cortez Road W., Bradenton

TUESDAY, JAN. 2

Farmer’s Market, City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Beach cleanup, Coquina Beach, 2350 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach, 9 a.m. to noon 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, JAN. 3

FRIDAY, JAN. 5

Forty Carrots, 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.

Paper crafting: New Year's cards, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.

SATURDAY, JAN. 6

Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon Ask a Master Gardener, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

Paper crafting: New Year's cards, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.

MONDAY, JAN. 8

One-on-one tech help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach 2-4 p.m.

Gentle yoga, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

THURSDAY, JAN. 4

TUESDAY, JAN. 9

Beach cleanup, Bayfront Park, 316 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

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

Game night at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic NEST, 840 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 5:30 p.m.

Farmer’s Market, City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.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.

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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.

Dec. 27, all day – Last day to submit City Commission candidate questions Dec. 29, all day – City Commission candidates provided with questions Jan. 1, all day – City offices closed, New Year's Day holiday Jan. 11, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting and candidate forum

BRADENTON BEACH

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

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

Jan. 1, all day – City offices closed, New Year's Day holiday Jan. 4, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting Jan. 17, 1 p.m. – Scenic WAVES meeting

HOLMES BEACH

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

Please visit www.holmesbeachfl.org or contact city hall for more information.

Jan. 1, all day – City offices closed, New Year's Day holiday Jan. 3, 10 a.m. – Parks and Beautification Committee meeting Jan. 9, 2 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session to follow Jan. 10, 9 a.m. – Clean Water Ad-hoc Committee meeting Jan. 10, 5 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting

ISLAND-WIDE

Jan. 16, 2 p.m. – Coalition of Barrier Island Elected Officials meeting, Holmes Beach City Hall Jan. 16, 6 p.m. – West Manatee Fire Rescue board meeting, 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton

8 THE SUN

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DECEMBER 27, 2023

Year in Review: Holmes Beach 2023 kicked off and ended with a bang in Holmes Beach with fights with county and state representatives, a tree house in court, road construction and more.

BY KRISTIN SWAIN

SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – The bang that kicked off 2023 in Anna Maria Island’s largest city wasn’t the fireworks.

The year that was had a lot of ups and downs for both city leaders and residents along with a few surprise loops along the rollercoaster of a year.

TREE HOUSE OWNERS MARK DECADE OF LEGAL WRANGLING

In January, the year started the same way that it ended, with the city and tree house owners Lynn Tran and Richard Hazen facing off in court over the beachfront tree house structure at Angelinos Sea Lodge. As the legal fight passed the decade mark in Manatee County courtrooms, the tree house owners received another blow as cases against the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the city

FILE PHOTO | SUN

Though the two-story tree house remains aloft on the beach near Angelinos Sea Lodge in Holmes Beach, it may not be there much longer. were found in favor of the government entities. Despite the setbacks, the fight for the owners to keep the two-story tree house aloft and for the city to have the unpermitted structure removed continues.

PARKING GARAGE PURSUED

One of the twists that took city leaders for a loop in 2023 started

in January with Manatee County Legislative Delegation members deciding to push a bill forward to allow Manatee County commissioners to construct a three-story parking garage at Manatee Beach. The fight over the parking garage began more than a year earlier with Manatee County commissioners, spearheaded

by Commission Chair Kevin Van

Ostenbridge, arguing with city leaders over some street-side parking in residential neighborhoods being designated as resident-only until 5 p.m. daily. Though the plan to change the parking in some residential neighborhoods was almost 10 years in the making, Van Ostenbridge claimed that city leaders took advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to close side of street parking in residential neighborhoods in a bid to keep visitors away from the beach. Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer provided county leaders with personally collected numbers demonstrating the abundance of open beach parking in the city, even during high-volume holidays such as Easter and spring break. Despite the data provided to county commissioners, they pushed for state legislators to introduce a parking garage bill in violation of the city’s land development code and comprehensive plan. The bill passed and at the end of the year city leaders are considering their legal options to continue the parking garage fight.

VOTED BRADENTON'S BEST! Find your nearest location at OysterBar.net

SEE HOLMES BEACH, PAGE 12

DECEMBER 27, 2023

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Year in Review: Cortez

BY LESLIE LAKE and JOE HENDRICKS

of a waterfront restaurant in Venice.

There are rumors going around about who the buyer is, but those rumors are premature in nature and inaccurate,” Neff said.

SUN CORRESPONDENTS

CORTEZ COMMERCIAL FISHING FESTIVAL CELEBRATES VILLAGE

The 41st Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival took place on Feb. 18-19 in the historic fishing village.

The festival, which celebrated 100 years of Star Fish Company, was organized by a volunteer committee from the non-profit Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH). “The money raised at the festival will support the continued restoration of the FISH Preserve,” FISH board member Jane von Hahmann said. The preserve covers over 98 acres of environmentally sensitive land immediately east of the village. It is the last stretch of undeveloped waterfront property left on North Sarasota Bay.

CANAL DISPUTES

In 2023, Hunters Point developer Marshall Gobuty, his Cortez Road Investments and Finance ownership group, and his legal team prevailed in two rulings pertaining to multiple canal-related disputes that remain ongoing. In March, Administrative Law Judge Bruce Culpepper recommended the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s governing board issue a final order granting the developer’s application to construct 49 boat slips/docks in the privately-owned Hunters Point canal.

In May, the governing board issued that order. The owners of the nearby Cortez Village Marina are appealing the final order as part of their ongoing opposition to the Hunters Point docks.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND PRINCESS FOR SALE

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

A civil lawsuit alleges that some docks and boat lifts extend too far into the Hunters Point canal.

In late October, as part of another canal-related dispute, 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas denied motions seeking to dissolve the lis pendens claims Cortez Road Investments filed against canal-side property owners Wendy and George Kokolis and Jonathan and Sheila Graham. A lis pendens claim notifies potential buyers of a lawsuit involving the property and can impact the ability to sell a property, obtain financing or obtain title insurance.

FISH PRESERVE DAMAGED BY FIRE

Despite a May 10 fire that the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said was intentionally set at the 98-acre Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) Preserve, work continued on the final phase of a restoration

project. The fire had minimal impact on the restoration efforts.

SEAFOOD SHACK/ANNIE’S BAIT AND TACKLE FOR SALE

Annie’s Bait and Tackle is part of a parcel including the Seafood Shack that went up for sale in May with a starting price of $15 million.

Annie’s, which has been in operation since the 1950s, has been owned by Bruce Shearer and Kim Shepherd for more than 20 years. The Seafood Shack went under contract for sale in August, but the listing agent remained tight-lipped about the potential buyer.

Realtor Dave Neff said, “The property has not sold yet, but it is under contract. I am not able to disclose who the buyer is. Much of the speculation on the internet centers around the potential buyers as the current owners

The Anna Maria Island Princess paddleboat went up for sale in 2023.

Listed at $499,999 on the Boat Trader website, the 99-foot paddleboat has caught the attention of potential buyers. “It hasn’t sold yet but we’ve had a lot of interest,” said Mia Still, Bradenton Beach Marina executive assistant for tours and operations on Sept. 26. The boat is owned by Bradenton Beach Marina, which was purchased in January by local developer Shawn Kaleta.

HURRICANE IDALIA CAUSES SHORT-LIVED DAMAGE

As residents and businesses cleaned up following the Aug. 30 storm surge from Hurricane Idalia, which flooded local roads, the recurring consensus was, “We got lucky.” “There was no boat damage (to the fleet of fishing boats). We lost a few boards on the dock,” A.P. Bell Fish Company owner Karen Bell said. “We were very lucky.”

On Wednesday morning, roads in Cortez were underwater. By that evening the waters receded and roads were passable. In advance of the storm, local fish houses secured their fleets of fishing boats. Tide Tables was flooded from the storm surge but cleaned and dried by the following day.

SEE CORTEZ, PAGE 23

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JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The Reimagining Pine Avenue project will include a prototype test area between Gulf Drive and North Shore Drive.

ANNA MARIA: Year in review FROM PAGE 3 and virtual marine life and marine habitat exhibits. In November, City Commissioner Robert Kingan said that by the end of October, the marine outreach center had received approximately 70,000 visitors since it opened and was averaging about 460 visitors per day.

REIMAGINING PINE AVENUE PROJECT EXPANDED

After not receiving a satisfactory bid for the initial Reimagining Pine Avenue safety improvement project approved in 2022, the mayor and city commission decided to expand the project to include similar safety improvements along Spring Avenue and Magnolia Avenue in hopes of generating more interest from construction companies for an expanded project that has approximately $3.3 million in available state, federal and city funding. In November, the commission supported Mayor Dan Murphy’s suggestion to begin the expanded project in 2024 with a block prototype along Pine Avenue, between Gulf Drive and North Shore Drive.

The one-block prototype will serve as a test area for the larger project and will include new paver sidewalks, new crosswalks and new streetlights.

COMMISSION VACANCIES OPEN

In January, Charlie Salem was appointed to serve the remainder of Carol Carter’s vacated commission term. In November, Salem and Commissioner Jon Crane earned additional two-year terms in office after running unopposed. City Commissioner Deanie Sebring vacated her city commission seat in September and Robert Kingan vacated his commission seat in early December.

The three remaining commissioners –

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Hurricane Idalia and high tides produced significant street flooding in Anna Maria.

Salem, Crane and Short – will appoint two new commissioners on Jan. 25.

IDALIA CAUSES FLOODING

In late August, the combined arrival of Hurricane Idalia and king tides produced flooding in Anna Maria and throughout Anna Maria Island and Cortez. In Anna Maria, some groundlevel homeowners experience flood water intruding into their homes.

The flooding and street flooding were particularly heavy in some areas along Magnolia Avenue, North Shore Drive and North Bay Boulevard.

CITY CELEBRATES CENTENNIAL, MORE

In late May, the city held the first of two centennial celebrations at City Pier Park. Taking place immediately after the city’s Patriotic Symphony Salute in recognition of Memorial Day, the centennial celebration included a historical presentation by longtime Island resident Tom Aposporos and music from the year 1923 performed by musicians from the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra.

Before the celebration, the city purchased ceremonial centennial flags that were displayed along Pine Avenue and Gulf Drive. In September,

SEE ANNA MARIA, PAGE 18

DECEMBER 27, 2023

DECEMBER 27, 2023

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THE SUN

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Year in Review: Tourism

BY JASON SCHAFFER

SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

In January, The Wall Street Journal featured a full-page article about Anna Maria’s 34216 zip code being the second most expensive in Florida. It ranked second only to the ultra-exclusive Fisher Island in Miami, which is home to residents like Oprah Winfrey, Andre Agassi, Robert Herjavec and other high net worth individuals and celebrities.

The City of Anna Maria had a current median list price of $3.6 million, a median $1,695 price per square foot, an average of 75 days on the market before a home is sold and 42 active listings, which was up 133.33% year-overyear. Tourism is known to drive home sales on Anna Maria Island.

SPRING BREAK BOOSTS NUMBERS

In March, thousands of students, many with their families, flocked to AMI to escape the still-freezing temperatures farther north, trading quizzes and tests for beach volleyball and fun in the sun. Due to different regions of the country having spring break on different weeks, spring break season on the Island runs from the first week of March through the middle of April, more than a month long. According to the Holmes Beach Police Department, which has license plate readers that

count how many cars enter the city each day, the first week of March saw 214,740 cars for an average of 30,677 per day. The numbers continued to grow as the month went on.

a forced evacuation was mandated for AMI as, at the time, forecasters said the Island could sustain a direct hit from the category 3 storm.

Fortunately, the Island was spared the worst of the surge, suffering flooding but not much structural damage.

However, hundreds of thousands of tourism dollars were lost and many local businesses took some time to recover from water damage.

COQUINA BEACH TRAIL IMPROVED

At the April 24 meeting of the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC), Chad Butzow, public works director for Manatee County, presented a proposal to the TDC requesting the approval of $1.5 million for improvements to the Coquina Beach Trail, a paved path popular with visitors and locals about the width of a city sidewalk that begins at the Longboat Pass parking lot and runs 1 1/2 miles along the beach north to Fifth Street South.

The trail is estimated to cost $1.5 million, including the removal of 96 Australian pine trees whose roots are damaging the pavement, to be replaced by native tree species. The money was later approved by Manatee County commissioners and work began in September. The project is currently delayed due to supply chain issues, but is scheduled to resume in January 2024.

BEACH CLOSING TIMES CHANGE

Manatee County had the full support of the Bradenton Beach Police Department and Mayor John Chappie when officials changed the closing

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time of beaches and beach parking from midnight to 10 p.m. Anna Maria and Holmes Beach had the 10 p.m. closing time for many years, with Bradenton Beach being the only city remaining with the midnight closing time.

The county said the reasons for the earlier closing time were reports of numerous after-hours issues with drugs, homeless persons, vandalism and the safety of workers who clean common areas, bathrooms and other duties that can’t be completed until beach visitors have left the area.

MEMORIAL DAY BUSIEST EVER

In the days following Memorial Day, Island officials said this year may have been the busiest Memorial Day weekend ever. Traffic was backed up all weekend long,

and parking was chaos in many areas. Bradenton Beach Police Lieutenant Lenard Diaz said while he had nothing official to back up his claims, it felt to him like it was the busiest weekend he had ever seen, a sentiment echoed by Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer, who said his department wrote more than 400 tickets for illegal parking over the weekend. Visitors reported wait times of more than two hours to get onto the Island on both Cortez Road and Manatee Avenue.

HURRICANE IDALIA IMPACTS TOURISM

As news of approaching Hurricane Idalia dominated the days leading up to Aug. 29, tourism came to a screeching halt on Anna Maria Island. Rooms were canceled and eventually,

In November, Airbnb announced they had been using artificial intelligence (AI) to crack down on people renting houses and condos for the sole purpose of having parties. Airbnb launched the AI-driven anti-party system ahead of the Halloween holiday weekend in both the U.S. and Canada. The purpose of the technology is to help owners of houses rented through Airbnb to avoid the hassle of dealing with renters whose sole purpose of renting is to have a disruptive party. On Anna Maria Island, this is especially problematic, as noise ordinances are in place in Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach.

Police in all three cities respond to multiple potential noise violations every week. Airbnb’s AI can learn patterns of renters that may be potential party risks and block them from renting.

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12 THE SUN

www.amisun.com

DECEMBER 27, 2023

HOLMES BEACH: 2023 a roller coaster year FROM PAGE 8 If built according to plan, the garage would cost Manatee County taxpayers more than an estimated $45 million to construct and $200,000 annually to maintain, remove the existing beach facilities including a historic building housing concessions, a bar and retail store, eliminate the existing more than 450 parking spots and facilities for more than two years during construction, and provide around 900 total parking spaces. Van Ostenbridge said the parking spaces in the garage would need to be paid for hourly by drivers in order to fund the garage’s maintenance. Though paid parking is not currently an allowable use in Holmes Beach, and neither are multi-story parking facilities, Mayor Judy Titsworth said that if county commissioners decide to go ahead with building the garage and charging for parking, the city will be forced to reconsider its stance on free beach parking for the public.

SUBMITTED | MANATEE COUNTY

Plans for the state-approved parking garage at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach would see the current parking and connected facilities demolished to make way for a new three-story structure.

Construction on the garage is estimated to take at least two years to complete.

CONSOLIDATION STUDY BEGUN

After giving leaders in the three Anna Maria Island cities a few months to discuss how they could consolidate services to save taxpayers money, members of the state legislative delegation opted to go forward with an Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability study to look at consolidation of the three Anna Maria Island cities or annexation into Bradenton or unincorporated Manatee County. Rep. Will Robinson Jr. (R-Bradenton) and Sen. Jim

Boyd (R-Bradenton) sent the mayors of all three cities a notice in the fall that the OPPAGA study would be going forward with the intent of investigating if the three Island cities should be consolidated, annexed or left as three independent municipalities.

While the mayors said they support the study in an effort to look at ways to save taxpayers money, they are all opposed to consolidation or elimination of the Island municipalities.

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SEE HOLMES BEACH, PAGE 13

DECEMBER 27, 2023

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THE SUN

13

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

Local first responders take the plunge in Anna Maria Sound in support of the Holmes Beach Islanders 4 Clean Water campaign.

HOLMES BEACH: 2023 a roller coaster year FROM PAGE 12 ISLANDERS 4 CLEAN WATER LAUNCHED

In the spring, Holmes Beach city leaders celebrated the launch of the Islanders 4 Clean Water campaign aimed at raising awareness of water quality issues in and around Anna Maria Island and how residents and visitors can reduce their negative impact on the environment. Dozens of people took the plunge in support of the campaign and city leaders are continuing to raise awareness for the campaign and environment into 2024.

NO ELECTION NEEDED

The sitting city commissioners escaped the need for an election in November as candidate qualifying ended in July with incumbent Commissioners Pat Morton, Terry Schaefer and Carol Soustek all running unopposed. Because only one person qualified to run for the charter review commission, which was set to convene in January 2024, City Attorney Erica Augello said that no additional members could be appointed to the charter review commission outside of the election process, meaning that this will be the first time since the city’s incorporation that the charter review commission will not meet as scheduled.

LIGHT IMPACTS FROM HURRICANE IDALIA

Anna Maria Island once again slipped through hurricane season virtually unscathed. The closest brush the Island had with a named storm was when Hurricane Idalia moved past about 100 miles in the Gulf of Mexico off Holmes Beach’s shoreline. While the Island missed taking a direct hit, the storm brought a day of rain and windy weather to the city, flooding and some minor damage to structures.

WATER MAIN REPAIR DELAYED ON BRIDGE

Due to delays in receiving materials, work to repair and relocate a water main along the Anna Maria Island Bridge on Manatee Avenue was postponed.

Crews are completing the last phase of the water main pipe repair, installing additional hangers to support the pipe on the east side of the bridge.

14 THE SUN

www.amisun.com

DECEMBER 27, 2023

BRADENTON BEACH: Year in Review FROM PAGE 5 owners were unsuccessful in their efforts to purchase the park. In late September, Pines Park Investors LLC sent letters to park residents and mobile homeowners informing them of the rent increases that will take effect Jan. 1.

The monthly rents are increasing from $620-$625 per month to $1,200, $1,350 per month or $1,475 per month depending on proximity to the waterfront.

ALCOHOL SALES, CONSUMPTION ON CITY PIER APPROVED

Commissioners approved with conditions a special use permit for the sale and consumption of alcohol at the Anna Maria Oyster Bar (AMOB) on the Bradenton Beach Pier.

The permit, with the City of Bradenton Beach as applicant, was approved on Sept. 18 allowing the consumption of alcohol purchased from AMOB, either from the main restaurant or takeout kiosk, at designated areas of the pier.

AMOB leases both spaces from the city.

TINGLEY LIBRARY ELEVATION CONSIDERED

The creation of public parking by elevating or moving the Tingley Library was discussed at both the City Commission and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meetings in September. The city-owned library was built in the early 1990s using $240,000 of the $678,801 that Beulah Hannah Hooks Tingley bequeathed to the city in 1986 to create a public reading room. At the Sept. 6 CRA meeting, members acknowledged the need for public parking, but one member questioned whether CRA funds should be used for the design/build project. Mayor John Chappie directed city attorney Ricinda Perry to draft an RFP.

COQUINA BEACH MARKET REOPENS UNDER COUNTY MANAGEMENT

Nearly a year after the Manatee County tourism agency took over management of the Coquina Beach Market from the previous market director, a new manager and opening date for the market was announced. In a July 25 meeting of the Manatee County Board of Commissioners, it was approved that Dottie Deerwester from Ready Set Go Tour and Travel serve as the new market manager. The market reopened on Oct. 4 at South Coquina Beach and operates year-round.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Developer Shawn Kaleta purchased the Pines Trailer Park.

ZONING IRREGULARITIES DISCOVERED

At an Oct. 5 city commission meeting, a city building official determined that several properties in the city do not conform to the building code. “What we discovered, Runaway Bay – all the condominiums – Tortuga, Silver Surf, Bridgewalk, Old Bridge Village, all of these appear to be triggered in some way by this provision on first blush,” City Attorney Ricinda Perry said. Many properties in the city exceed the number of allowable units, making them legally non-conforming, according to Perry. City officials say the classification only affects property owners if a natural disaster forces rebuilding, whereupon current codes would apply, potentially eliminating some units.

CHAPPIE, VOSBURGH AND SPOONER BEGIN NEW TERMS

Mayor John Chappie and Commissioner Janet Vosburgh were sworn in for new two-year terms on Nov.17 by City Clerk Terri Sanclemente at Bradenton Beach City Hall.

Chappie, Vosburgh and Commissioner Jacob Spooner ran unopposed. Spooner was sworn in the following day.

CRA VOTES TO DISCONTINUE TRAM FUNDING

At a Dec. 6 meeting, the CRA board voted unanimously to discontinue funding of the Old Town Tram, a free parkand-ride service which it began subsidizing in November 2020 at a cost of $52,000 per year. The tram was launched as a pilot program to help address the lack of parking on Bridge Street. Annual funding for the service was cut from the city’s 2023-24 budget, but CRA board members agreed at a Sept. 6 meeting to a $10,000 expenditure to keep it going until the end of 2023.

SEE BRADENTON BEACH, PAGE 19

DECEMBER 27, 2023

www.amisun.com

THE SUN

15

Year in review: Environment

BY LESLIE LAKE and JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENTS

MANGROVE VIOLATIONS

In January, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection levied an $8,500 fine for improper mangrove trimming and debris removal activities that occurred at Carlos Beruff’s Aqua development in unincorporated Manatee County in 2022.

FOX HONORED AT CELEBRATION OF LIFE

At the celebration of Suzi Fox’s life in January, local dignitaries, family and friends painted a picture of a dedicated advocate for Island turtles, a fun-loving and funny friend, and a caring mother, sister and grandmother.

Fox, longtime executive director of Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, died on Sept. 30, 2022 after a fall. More than 150 people attended the event at the Center of Anna Maria Island to pay tribute to Fox.

EARLY START TO SEA TURTLE SEASON

Island sea turtles got off to an early start in 2023 as the first nest of the season appeared on Anna Maria

Island. “AMITW got a big surprise early this morning, finding the first loggerhead nest of the season,” Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella wrote in an April 18 statement. Sea turtle nesting season officially begins May 1 and lasts until Oct. 31.

hesitated several times walking on the beach, appearing to look at the crowd, but once she reached the water she was in her element and took off swimming.

The June 27 release wasn’t the last time Suzi’s whereabouts was known - she was satellite-tagged and tracked during the Tour de Turtles race.

SUZI FOX DAY DECLARED ON MAY 1

On a daily patrol in July, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers were shocked and saddened to find multiple turtle nests that had been trampled on and run over with vehicles. On its Facebook page, Turtle Watch posted photos of tire tracks and footprints through multiple nests with marker stakes broken and on the ground. Vehicles are illegal on the beaches of Anna Maria Island. The culprits were not found.

MULTIPLE TURTLE NESTS RUN OVER

As turtle nesting season began, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring declared May 1 as Suzi Fox Day to honor the legacy of its former executive director.

PINEY POINT CONTAMINATION EXTENDED FURTHER THAN ORIGINALLY THOUGHT

A study showed that contaminated water from the 2021 Piney Point spill, which contributed to algae blooms and red tide in Tampa Bay waterways, traveled farther than originally thought. According to the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP), a chemical signature from the spill was found more than 30 miles away, in St. Joseph Sound near Tarpon Springs.

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Loggerhead sea turtles nested on Anna Maria Island’s beaches early, from April through September.

LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE ‘SUZI’ PARTICIPATES IN TOUR DE TURTLES

As hundreds of delighted onlookers gathered to see a publicized turtle release at Coquina Beach, loggerhead sea turtle “Suzi” made a grand entrance from the sand to the water. She

SEA CAPTAINS CATCH POACHERS

The vigilance of three local charter captains resulted in multiple citations against three men for poaching marine life in local waters.

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16 THE SUN

OUTDOORS

DECEMBER 27, 2023

Luck is when opportunity meets preparedness Reel Time RUSTY CHINNIS

W

hether you're fishing local water, stalking bonefish in the Bahamas, poling a flat in Charlotte Harbor for tailing redfish, or any number of angling scenarios, we anglers spend the majority of our time fantasizing about making the perfect cast to a hungry fish under ideal conditions. When we do get on the water, we face the unpredictable forces of wind and weather that can throw hurricanes, fronts, windstorms, clouds and various adverse conditions at us.

While the world of fishing in general and fly fishing, in particular, presents us with many challenges, it's surmounting these odds that makes success all the sweeter. That’s why we hunt gamefish with imaginative mixtures of feathers, fur, synthetics and tinsel. The excitement of making a presentation to a gamefish

you’ve stalked, enticing it into taking a fly, and then connecting through graphite and cork makes all the preparation, time, money and past disappointments worthwhile.

With so many odds facing a fly angler, there is good reason to be as well prepared as possible. Too many anglers wait for months to take the trip of a lifetime and find their casting proficiency severely tested. The old saying that “luck is opportunity meeting preparedness" is especially true for fly fishers. Why not develop the mindset from the beginning that everything we do, on the water and off, contributes to turning odds into opportunities?

Preparation comes in many forms, and the most important components are practiced throughout the year.

That means having tackle in top form, as well as knowing how to tie proper knots and flies that imitate your

prey’s food. Casting skills are developed over a lifetime, and practice should not be saved for fishing trips, or even the days leading up to a trip. If you can’t get your fly to the fish, all other factors are moot. The best practice is on grass, throwing to targets placed at different distances and angles.

Don’t make the mistake of judging your casting ability by how long a line you can throw. Learn to make a tight (in saltwater), accurate 40-foot cast first and then work on distance.

While I’ve been blessed to learn from some top fly casters, I've found the best instructor of all is having a compelling reason to fly fish. That’s what leads successful fly fishers to learn the basics and practice. One of the first and most important lessons I’ve learned is to see the wind as a friend, not a foe. If you’re new to the game, don’t put off a fly-fishing trip because the wind is blowing. On my first trip to the Bahamas, I was face to face with a large school of bonefish just 40 feet away, into a 25-mph headwind. All those days of avoiding

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

Having a relationship with a knowledgeable fly shop like AMI Outfitters is invaluable, especially for newcomers who don't know the lay of the land. the wind meant that I didn’t have the skills to get the job done. Now I appreciate the windy days because I know that if I can be successful on windy days, I’ll be golden on the nice days. Wind-generated waves provide windows into the water and fish are far less spooky and more readily take a fly. If you can make a short, accurate cast into a 15-20-knot wind you’ll excel on those rare perfect days. Practiced fly anglers who are mentally prepared and visualize their outcome (just like top athletes) have a definite advantage. They’re primed

when the opportunity presents itself as luck.

The next time you have a chance to go fishing, don’t let the wind

dissuade you, make the wind your friend. It will pay dividends in your fishing future.

TM

DECEMBER 27, 2023

www.amisun.com

THE SUN

17

Banded American oystercatchers spotted Shorebirds use Anna Maria Island beaches to rest during migration.

BY LESLIE LAKE

SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – Two winter visitors with holiday-themed red and green bands made an appearance on Anna Maria Island recently.

An American oystercatcher was spotted on Dec. 9 with red bands on its legs containing the designation W34. Another oystercatcher nearby had a green band on its leg. The birds were feeding among about a halfdozen other oystercatchers.

The species is threatened in Florida.

“It’s likely it’s wintering in our area,” ais Kristen Mazzarella, executive director of Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring (AMITW). “It’s not unusual to see them wintering on Anna Maria Island beaches in the winter, but it’s unlikely that they are nesting here.”

Anna Maria Island’s beach nesters include black skimmers and snowy plovers.

There is also the possibility of Wilson’s plovers, willets and least terns nesting on local beaches, according to AMITW.

CINDY LANE | SUN

One of two banded American oystercatchers seen in Bradenton Beach on Dec. 9.

Gulls, terns, oystercatchers, skimmers and sandpipers use AMI beaches to rest during peak migration periods.

“Some of them have colored bands on their legs with letters and numbers,” Mazzarella said. “If you see one with a band, please report them to Report Resightings (banded birds.org).”

The report will let scientists who banded them know where the birds are and people who make reports will

receive certificates with where the bird was banded.

Typically a bird is banded either where they were hatched or where they nest, Mazzarella said.

“We have been seeing several along the entire Island on our monthly shorebird surveys,” Mazzarella said.

“One is from North Carolina.”

“If you take the time to observantly and politely watch an oystercatcher

from a comfortable distance with a pair of binoculars or a spotting scope, you may notice a set of brightly colored and numbered bands on their legs. Researchers use reported sightings of these banded individuals to track the oystercatcher population and keep tabs on where a certain bird’s home territory is located and whether it has been able to nest and raise chicks successfully or not,” according to the Audubon Florida website. “The local American oystercatcher population is in decline.”

"Though they are tough birds, they have a reputation among birders and biologists as scaredy-cats, and are very fearful of people, dogs and other predators,” according to Audubon.

Humans disturbing birds is one of the key hazards to threatened shorebird and seabird populations, according to the Florida Shorebird Alliance (FSA).

FSA, a statewide network of local partnerships committed to advancing shorebird and seabird conservation in Florida, focuses on beach-nesting birds that are state-listed as threatened – the American oystercatcher, black skimmer, least tern and snowy plover.

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18 THE SUN

www.amisun.com

ANNA MARIA: Year in review FROM PAGE 10 a second centennial celebration took place at the park featuring local nonprofit organizations, food, beer and wine sales and live music. In October, the city-hosted farmers’ market at City Pier Park returned for the season. In November, the city hosted its annual “Old Soldiers & Sailors” parade and veterans recognition ceremony. Also in November, the annual ThanksLiving community gathering and potluck dinner took place at City Pier Park.

OTHER HAPPENINGS

In March, Sgt. Brett Getman returned to his duties as the leader of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office’s Anna Maria Unit after suffering a major heart attack while on duty in December 2022. In October, the city commission discussed allowing dogs in City Pier Park, but no final decision has been made. In November, the city closed on the $1 million purchase of a building previously leased to the city for use as a city annex for the building department.

The building department will return to city hall and the Anna Maria Unit of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office is moving into the recently purchased building. In November, German brewer and restaurateur Oliver “Oli” Lemke bought the Rod & Reel Pier and restaurant from Mario Schoenfelder.

PASSINGS

Former Anna Maria Island Sun reporter

ANNA HAYDEN | SUBMITTED

Pat Copeland left a lasting mark on Anna Maria Island with her reporting, her historical preservation and her dedication to family, friends and community. and copy editor Pat Copeland passed away on June 13 at 76. Her life was celebrated with a ceremony that included a New Orleans-style second-line march down Pine Avenue. Copeland was also the co-founder of the Anna Maria Island Historical Society and Museum.

Former Anna Maria City Commissioner Gene Aubry passed away on Dec. 9 at 88.

He lived in Palmetto at the time of his death. Aubry served as a commissioner from 2010-13. He moved to Anna Maria in 1985, where he continued to work as an architect after a long and successful career as an architect in Texas and elsewhere.

DECEMBER 27, 2023

DECEMBER 27, 2023

www.amisun.com

THE SUN

19

BRADENTON BEACH:

Year in Review FROM PAGE 14

HOTEL/RESTAURANT/RETAIL PROJECT APPROVED ON BRIDGE STREET

At the end of a second public hearing on Dec. 7, city commissioners voted unanimously to approve a hotel/restaurant/ retail project at the corner of Bridge Street and Gulf Drive South. The 106-room hotel will also have a 60-seat restaurant, 5,396 square feet of retail space and 154 on-site parking spaces. Co-applicants for the hotel are Shawn Kaleta and Jake Spooner, a Bradenton Beach city commissioner who recused himself from all hearings related to the hotel. At the first public hearing on Nov. 16, following a Nov. 13 recommendation for approval by the City Planning and Zoning Board, commissioners expressed concern about lack of parking, hotel design and density. In addressing those concerns, applicants’ representatives made design changes to the original plan, adding balconies, public walkways and a hydraulic lift parking system. Within days of approval, demolition began on one building on the site of the hotel – the former Joe’s Eats ‘N Sweets ice cream shop.

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PASSINGS

On April 10, Bradenton Beach Public Works Department employee and Holmes Beach resident Marylou Kelley passed away at 62.

On June 17, Pines Trailer Park resident and former Michigan resident Dick Smith passed away at 83. Smith was a popular regular patron at the Sport Lounge and the Drift In. Drift In parking lot attendant, local artist and former Cortez commercial fisherman Marty Tupin passed away on Aug. 1 at 62 after battling ongoing health issues.

Longtime Bradenton Beach property owner and visitor Judy Kuhlman passed away on Sept. 23 at 81. Kuhlman and her husband, Dick, owned the historic 3 Pines Cottage beachfront vacation rental at 2214 Gulf Drive N. that still contains the 1948 Airstream trailer her grandparents placed on the beachfront property in the late 1940s.

Former Chiles Group Chief Financial Officer Martha Wright passed away on Oct. 20. Wright was also the treasurer and a longtime volunteer for Gulf Shore Animal League.

20 THE SUN

FOOD & WINE

DECEMBER 27, 2023

Pair New Year’s champagne with shrimp, scallops Brian Mathae

Shrimp and Scallop Crepes (6 servings)

Ingredients - shrimp and scallop mixture

HURRICANE HANKS

T

his is the final piece about our travels this fall to France and Morocco. As I mentioned in the first piece, I was able to enjoy some amazing food on our return flight that was prepared by a Michelin-rated chef who works for Air France. The only reason I was able to do so was because I indulgently upgraded myself to Air France’s La Premiere cabin.

It’s a spectacular way to fly, especially if you are a flying fanatic like me. In my previous life, I flew upwards of 50 flights a year.

There were many day trips and more than enough long-haul flights that spoiled me to always want the perks of being a frequent flier. So as a vacation traveler, I still crave the comforts of being up front. Air France La Premiere is unlike anything I have ever experienced before and likely ever will again. Everything you could want has already been contemplated and is available to you. The service is impeccable, and the food and wine are divine.

We spent several days in Champagne, France on our vacation. Our tour included some of the big champagne houses that everyone is familiar with as well as some smaller and lesser-known producers as well as a champagne co-operative. The sheer scale of operations in the champagne houses is astonishing. We only walked a small fraction of the underground cellars but were very impressed. There are over 155 miles of tunnels that are used as cellars to store some 200 million bottles of champagne in Reims, France. It's truly a sight to be seen. When gifting or hosting with champagne it’s always nice to present

SUBMITTED

an easily recognizable label like you would find at the large champagne houses. But we think you should also consider the smaller producers and their amazing wines.

One smaller producer we visited was so accommodating that they even offered us a food pairing during the tasting so we could experience the nuances of their products.

We hope to bring their products to our two liquor stores early in the new year because they are amazing. We also visited Champagne Collet, a co-operative that originated from the oldest producer’s union that was established in 1921. We have been carrying their product for some time as we enjoy it so much.

But back to my Air France flight. In La Premiere they serve Laurent-Perrier Grand Siecle. This is where I first tasted a glass of champagne like no other. Most champagnes are made yearly but without a specific vintage. They are a blend of wines from previous and current harvests to keep the same taste year after year. Grand Siecle is also a blend of three vintages but is only made when the winemakers are sure the vintages are complementary. Since 1959, it's only been made 26 times. It's aged for 10 years on the lees resulting in more

2 cups cooked shrimp 2 cups cooked scallops 1 medium onion, chopped 1/2 pound baby portabello mushrooms, chopped 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese 4 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley 11/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon white pepper

Ingredients - Mornay Sauce

1 1/2 cups milk 1/2 cup heavy cream 3 tablespoons flour 3 tablespoons butter 4 tablespoons grated Swiss or Gruyere Salt and pepper to taste

Ingredients - Crepes

1 cup milk 1 cup flour 2 egg yolks 1/2 cup water 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons cooking oil 1/4 teaspoon salt aromatic depth and a silkier texture due in part to finer bubbles. We have a few bottles of Grand Siecle No. 26 in store.

Made from wines produced in 2007, 2008 and 2012, it is a blend of 58% Chardonnay and 42% Pinot Noir. If you don’t believe me how good it is, James Suckling scored it 100/100 and named it wine of the year.

Visit our staff who are happy to make some recommendations for your New Year’s Eve champagne. No matter your budget, we

Directions - Crepes

Mix all crepe ingredients, except cooking oil, in a bowl until smooth. Cover and let batter rest for 30 minutes. Heat cooking oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of batter to the hot oil and spread across the bottom of the pan.

Cook about 1 1/2 minutes until browned on the bottom, then flip and cook the other side. Remove from pan and place each crepe between pieces of wax paper so they don’t stick.

Directions - Mornay Sauce

In a small saucepan, melt butter and blend in flour.

Stir in milk and cream and stir constantly until thickened. Add cheese and egg yolks and blend well.

Season with salt and pepper and remove from heat.

Directions - Shrimp and Scallop Mixture

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and sauté onions and mushrooms until tender. Stir in cooked seafood, 3/4 cup of Mornay sauce, 1/4 grated parmesan cheese, parsley and salt and pepper. Once heated, spoon 2-3 tablespoons into a crepe and roll it up, or create a pocket with the crepe and tie it together at the top with strips of scallions. Place in a lightly buttered baking dish and repeat with the remaining crepes. Top with remaining Mornay sauce and Parmesan cheese. Place in an oven preheated to 375 and bake for about 10-15 minutes until thoroughly heated. Filling the crepes with a warmed shrimp and scallop mixture will reduce the time needed in the oven and reduce the potential to burn the sauce or dry out the crepes. have something you will enjoy!

Champagne pairs well with so many foods. I like it with something creamy and or sweet. So, today’s recipe is for shrimp and scallop crepes that we will be featuring soon at Fifty Three Fifty The Pourhouse.

The slight sweetness of shrimp and scallops along with a rich butter and cheese sauce just goes so well with bubbles!

We do hope you enjoy it. All the best to you and yours for the New Year!

Locally owned to serve you better Anna Maria Island & Longboat Key

LARGE SELECTION | FRIENDLY SERVICE | OUTSTANDING PRICES

5344 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach (941) 779-2337

6854 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key (941) 953-1835

DECEMBER 27, 2023

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THE SUN

21

ENVIRONMENT: Year in review FROM PAGE 15 TURTLE HATCHLINGS RESCUED FROM HOLE ON BEACH

Four turtle hatchlings that had fallen into a hole on the beach were found

by Holmes Beach Code Enforcement staff on the morning of July 16. While entrapped, the turtles were using up energy they needed for their long swim to the floating sargassum line where they will spend the next few years.

HURRICANE IDALIA CAUSES BEACH EROSION

Hurricane Idalia’s Aug. 31 storm surge eroded the Island’s renourished beaches, but the full extent of the damage and when it will be repaired is not yet known. “It could be months before any decision on what efforts will be undertaken is made,” Manatee County spokesman Bill Logan said in a Sept. 8 email to The Sun.

FLAMINGOS FLOCK TO FLORIDA

Hurricane Idalia’s Category 3 landfall in late August brought rain, wind, and, surprisingly, flamingos, to Florida. One flamingo was rescued by boaters in the Gulf off St. Petersburg Beach. Nicknamed “Peaches,” the bird was brought to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Tampa Bay and was then transferred to the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary in Indian Shores for rehabilitation. After a week, “Peaches” was self-feeding and becoming active. She was released and spotted later at Fort DeSoto in Pinellas County.

HURRICANE IMPACTS TURTLE NESTING

Turtle nesting season ended early this year, with Hurricane Idalia having left a large dent in nesting numbers.

“Hurricane Idalia had a major impact on our nesting season, causing the loss of 18.5% of this season’s nests,” Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Executive

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Some Aqua mangroves were trimmed to create better views for those occupying the development’s multi-family residential buildings.

Director Kristen Mazzarella said. The last nest on the Gulf of Mexico side of the Island hatched on Sept. 19. The season typically runs through October.

BIOLUMINESCENCE FASCINATES BEACHGOERS

The bioluminescent glow that came off the water in September may be related to the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia, according to one local expert.

“This could be related to the nutrient pulse from Idalia,” said Dr. Dave Tomasko, executive director of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program. “The water came up and much of the grass clippings and yard debris on our landscape got dragged back out into the bay as the water receded.”

U.S. COAST GUARD SUSPENDS INVESTIGATION INTO SEAPORT MANATEE OIL SPILL

Following testing of multiple potential sources, and with no responsible party identified, the U.S. Coast Guard suspended its investigation on Sept.

26 into the source of an oil spill at SeaPort Manatee, pending any new information. The spill was reported by SeaPort Manatee on Sept. 1, launching

the Coast Guard’s examination of facilities and ships for evidence of an improper oil discharge.

PINEY POINT CLOSES FIRST OF FOUR WASTEWATER COLLECTION PONDS

In September, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection said the work on the first of four wastewater collection ponds was complete. The pond, built to contain industrial wastewater from phosphate processing operations, is located at the top of a phosphogypsum waste stack.

Mangrove trimming debris at the Aqua property was not properly removed and disposed of.

MANATEE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS REDUCE WETLAND BUFFERS IN A 5-1 VOTE

MANATEE PROTECTION, ALGAL BLOOM RESEARCH FUNDED BY FEDS

Commissioners voted on Oct. 5 to default to the less restrictive state of Florida minimums from more restrictive county standards. Buffers between sensitive wetlands and new upland development were reduced from 50 feet to 25 feet. Buffers between outflowing wetlands and new upland development were reduced from 30 feet to 15 feet.

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

Federal funding is coming to Florida to support two environmental initiatives critical to the state – the protection of manatees and harmful algal bloom research. Congressman Vern Buchanan’s office announced that the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed two of his amendments to the Interior and Environment government funding bill, one of which dedicates $1.15 million for the rescue and rehabilitation of manatees.

22 THE SUN

REAL ESTATE

DECEMBER 27, 2023

Will there be home stability in the New Year?

I

t’s a whole year later and we’re still talking about interest rates and low inventory - will it ever end? The sellers are still happy with their values, the buyers are still dismayed with the lack of inventory and it’s not likely things will change much in the new year.

The most recent conversation among real estate analysts is that even though interest rates have dropped slightly, it will make homes more affordable but not affordable enough since the shortage of available properties to purchase is not expanding at the national level.

The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller National Home Price Index, which measures home prices across the nation, rose 3.9% from a year earlier in September compared with a 2.5% annual increase the prior month.

September was the highest since the index began in 1987. In addition, according to the National Association of Realtors, the median existing home sale price rose 3.4% in October from a year earlier to $391,800.

Castles in the Sand LOUISE BOLGER So, what is the outlook for the new year? Some analysts feel home prices are feeling the burden of high mortgage rates, which will slow the rate of price growth in the new year. Others agree and think it might be that home prices are going to tread water for a number of years until the economy gets in balance with higher incomes and lower rates.

One nice change for those buyers out there is the increase in the maximum size of home mortgage loans eligible for backing by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which represent the majority of home mortgages. In expensive markets like Hawaii, California and New York, the

increase will be a maximum of $1,149,825 from $1,089,300 and for less expensive markets, the cap would rise to $766,550 from $726,200. The increases are set by a legal formula and could make it easier and more affordable for some borrowers, especially in the high-end markets.

Let’s take a look at Manatee County’s November sales statistics reported by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee.

Single-family homes closed 22.2% more properties compared to last November. The median sale price was $485,861, down 4.1%, and the average sale price was $662,237, up 4%. The median time to sale was 82 days compared to 77 days last year.

Condo sales were up 20.7% compared to last November. The median sale price was $351,500, down 1.8%, and the average sale price was $393,475, up 0.6%. The median time to sale was 83 days compared to 56 days last year.

The month’s supply of available properties for both single-family and condos were up. Single-family properties had a 3.4 month’s supply, up 13.3% from last November and condos had a 4.4 month’s supply, up 63% from last November.

Overall demand is strong for both Manatee and Sarasota counties. With inventories in both counties continuing to increase, we can assume sales will be strong over the winter months when visitors and part-time residents return in force.

The stability of the real estate market really depends on the stability of countrywide and even worldwide economies. And don’t discount the emotional impact of wars and unrest as well. Fortunately, Florida is still a hot market that doesn’t look like it’s cooling off any time soon. We’re going into the busy buying and selling season, which will be the real barometer of how successful our market is.

Happy New Year and much joy and love in 2024.

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DECEMBER 27, 2023

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THE SUN

23

CORTEZ: Year in review FROM PAGE 9 CORTEZ ROAD CONSTRUCTION STUDY BEGINS

In August, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) launched a Cortez Road corridor study that extended from 121st Street Court West in Cortez to U.S. 301 in Bradenton/West Samoset. The corridor study project is a partnership between FDOT, Manatee County and the Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization, with the Renaissance Planning consulting firm tasked with gathering input from the public and other stakeholders. The primary goals were to identify ways to make the Cortez Road corridor safer for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and others and to address the relationship between the roadway and future growth along the corridor. More than 8,500 new homes and residential units are expected to be constructed near Cortez and Anna Maria Island in the coming years. In April/ May, the Woodruff and Sons construction company began

clearing trees and other landscaping along the north side of Cortez Road as part of a Manatee County sewer line project. The utilities easement agreement the county entered into with property owner Whiting Preston stipulates the new sewer line must provide the capacity to handle the sewage produced by the 2,000 residential units planned as part of Preston’s Peninsula Bay development.

Cortez Stone Crab and Music Festival. The festival typically draws more than 5,000 attendees and more than 2,000 pounds of stone crab is consumed. “The festival celebrates the heritage of Cortez and the kickoff to stone crab season,” Adam Sears, Swordfish Grill General Manager said. This year’s theme was “Crack a Cold One,” since stone crab is served cracked and cold.

CORTEZIAN GROWS RECORD-SETTING PUMPKIN

FISH PRESERVE RIBBON-CUTTING HELD

What started out as a casual pastime for Cortez resident Tim Caniff turned into a statewide record-sized pumpkin. At 1,039 pounds, the pumpkin, grown in Caniff’s backyard, blew the previous state record out of the water by more than 400 pounds. “This started off as a fun beer-drinking hobby,” Caniff said.

CORTEZ STONE CRAB FESTIVAL CELEBRATED

The kickoff to the stone crab harvest season was celebrated on Nov. 11-12 at the 11th Annual

In the culmination of more than two decades of planning and hard work, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the FISH (Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage) Preserve on Nov. 3.

At nearly 100 acres, the preserve is on the south side of Cortez Road, an oasis of natural beauty among multiple construction projects nearby. The preservation and non-development of the preserve land, adjacent to the Cortez fishing village and bordering the waters of Sarasota Bay, was precisely the goal of FISH members in 2000 when they began fundraising to purchase

SUBMITTED

The FISH Preserve in Cortez, which opened on Nov. 3, provides a natural buffer between the Cortez commercial fishing village and development to the east. the property. The invitation-only ribbon cutting featured speakers Dr. Dave Tomasko, Director of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program; Dr. Jay Leverone, staff scientist with SBEP; FISH Treasurer Jane von Hahmann; EPA Region 4 Regional Administrator Jeaneanne Gettle and Manatee County Commissioner

and SBEP policy board member Kevin Van Ostenbridge.

PASSINGS

On Feb. 22, former Swordfish Grill Manager Greg “Grego” Koeper passed away from melanoma at 67.

24 THE SUN

OBITUARIES Linda Louise Massimo

Linda Louise Massimo, 71, of Bradenton, Florida, died on Dec. 5, 2023 at Tidewell Hospice of Bradenton. She was born in Urbana, Ohio in 1952 to John and Louise Massie.

She grew up in Ohio, moving to Ellenton, Florida, when she was 14 years old. She graduated from Palmetto High School. Linda began working young, and at 16 was in the high school work program, where she was a receptionist at Borden Chemical Plant in Manatee County. She lived in Bradenton Beach in the 1970s and recounted a time when a hurricane left Gulf Drive completely covered in sand.

Her career path led her to condominium management, where she spent many years as a manager for several condo associations,

www.amisun.com

including Woodpark at Desoto Square and Meadowcroft, both in Bradenton, Florida, and Mount Vernon Condominium Association in Cortez, Florida.

Upon her retirement in 2018, she enjoyed spending time with her grandson and traveling with her daughter.

Linda was preceded in death by her husband, John Michael Massimo; and their beloved golden retriever, Charley. She is survived by her daughter, ChrisAnn; sonin-law, William; and their son, Aiden.

A private family service was held. In lieu of flowers, donations to Tidewell Hospice of Bradenton would be greatly appreciated.

Patty Ann Swann Patty Ann Swann, 80, passed on Dec. 5, 2023. Born Nov. 26, 1943, in Huntingburg, Indiana, she and her husband moved to Cortez, Florida in 1997 from Indianapolis,

Indiana, as snowbirds, then permanently in 2016. She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul the Apostles Catholic Church.

A remarkable wife, mother and friend, her life was a testament to strength, kindness and achievement. As a dedicated supervisor at General Motors, she excelled in her career, showcasing resilience and leadership, retiring at age 54 and before that having a business for 16 years. Her journey as a single parent, raising two daughters, is a testament to her unwavering love and commitment to family.

Her professional accomplishments were only surpassed by her genuine and caring nature. Patty never met a stranger, offering help to anyone in need. She embodied love and compassion, always ready to extend a helping hand. Quickwitted and possessed of a delightful sense of humor, she brightened the lives of those around her. May her memory be a source of comfort and inspiration for us all.

Patty is predeceased by her husband, Doyle Swann, of 34 years, who was the love of her life; her

DECEMBER 27, 2023

parents, Benjamin Matthew Kunker and Emma Lou Sullivan; sisters, Janice Shaw, Sharon Hale, Lorraine Fulmer and Bonnie Criswell; and grandchild, James P. Glidewell Jr. She is survived by her daughters, Jessica (Rob) Payson, of McCordsville, Indiana, and Sherry (Jim) Glidewell, of Albany, Kentucky; brother, Benjamin Kunkler, of Indianapolis, Indiana; stepdaughter, Susan (Ken) Perdue, of Carmel, Indiana; stepsons, Brian Swann and Tommy Swann, of Whiteland, Indiana; two grandsons, Joseph (Stephanie) Glidewell and Grant Payson; and three great-granddaughters.

A Celebration of Life will be Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 from 4-6 p.m. at the Cortez Club House, 12507 Cortez Road W., Cortez, Florida. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes and Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd St. W., Bradenton, Florida 34209, is in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to the James P Glidewell Jr. Scholarship Fund, 167 Waterview Lane, Albany, Kentucky 42602.

DECEMBER 27, 2023

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THE SUN

HOLMES BEACH 733 Key Royale Drive 4 Beds 3/1 Baths | 3,024 SF Kathy Harman 941-900-9828 A4591684 | $4,295,000

ANNA MARIA 117 Maple Avenue 3 Beds | 3/1 Baths | 2,323 SF Kristen Srur 941-350-0612 | A4582611 | $3,350,000

HOLMES BEACH 116 White Avenue 4 Beds | 3 Baths | 3,275 SF Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 | A4592179 | $3,299,000

BRADENTON BEACH 300 23rd Street N 5 Beds | 4/1 Baths | 2,314 SF Anita Jones 724-989-4824 | A4575286 | $2,825,000

HOLMES BEACH 215 65th Street 3 Beds | 2/1 Baths | 2,184 SF Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 | A4562386 | $1,950,000

HOLMES BEACH 511 68th Street 3 Beds | 2 Baths | 1,394 SF Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 | A4592257 | $1,599,000

BRADENTON BEACH 1007 Gulf Drive N 208 2 Beds | 2/1 Baths | 1,349 SF Kathy Harman 941-900-9828 | A4588518 | $799,000

ANNA MARIA 915 N Shore Drive | 4 Beds 4 Baths | 2,870 SF Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 | A4582727 | $6,250,000

25

26 THE SUN

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DECEMBER 27, 2023

DECEMBER 27, 2023

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THE SUN

27

MANGROVES: Removal triggers scrutiny FROM PAGE 4 “I think the mayor jumped the gun,” Annis said. “I’ve been doing this for 30 years, I know better.”

The Sun made a public records request on Dec. 21 to the City of Anna Maria for a copy of the Stop Work order, but it was not received by press time. City offices were closed from Dec. 22-25.

In his reply to a request for comment, Mason Martin LLC’s Frank Agnelli did not address the mangrove removal.

An email request to Murphy for comment as to how city officials determined that Mason Martin was the responsible contractor was not replied to by press time.

STATE, FEDERAL AGENCIES WEIGH IN

According to Dec. 20 correspondence received by The Sun from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the agency had issued a permit exemption for the construction of a seawall at the property. Under this exemption, limited mangrove alteration/removal is allowed within the footprint of the seawall.

“Last week, members of the community began reaching out to DEP with concerns about the work occurring at the site,” DEP spokesperson Brian Humphreys wrote in an email to The Sun. “In the coming days, DEP will send an inspector out to ensure any mangrove alterations (trimming/removal) are being done within the footprint of the site’s permit exemption.”

If it is determined that unauthorized mangrove alteration has occurred, DEP may pursue enforcement against all responsible parties, Humphreys wrote.

While the seawall permit exemption was granted by the DEP, Sarasotabased environmental attorney Justin Bloom, who represents Suncoast Waterkeeper, said it may have been granted without the agency having all the facts and a permit may have been required.

“The schematics sent to the FDEP didn’t show the mangroves,” Bloom said. “Had they done so, a permit would likely have been required.”

According to a Sept. 19 letter from DEP to Bradenton surveyor Jeffrey Hostetler, the applicant must obtain additional authorization according to the terms of the permit exemption.

“This letter does not relieve you from the responsibility of obtaining other federal, state, or local authorization that may be required for the activity,” he wrote.

In an email chain provided by Bloom, Anna Maria City Planner

Ashley Austin emailed the following on Dec. 13 to Heather McClurg of the DEP: “The City of Anna Maria Building Department has received several complaints regarding the removal of mangroves at 111 Gull Dr in preparation of the installation of a seawall which has not received a City permit yet. Based on the complaint, the City has requested that a survey be provided by the applicant showing the preconstruction limits of the mangroves. In reviewing the file, I located the attached FDEP exemption letter. The survey located on page 6 of the attached exemption letter does not show any mangroves and thus, may not have been a part of FDEP’s review. Does this information change FDEP’s conclusion outlined in the attached exemption letter? Please let me know.”

McClurg wrote to others at the DEP, “I received this message from the City of Anna Maria yesterday. I responded letting them know that the applicant was authorized to alter the mangroves due to the activity being exempt. After viewing the photos though, I did note that they do not have proper BMP’s deployed and wanted to forward this over to compliance for review.”

A BMP (Best Management Practice) is a method used to prevent or control stormwater runoff and the discharge of pollutants, including sediment into local waterbodies, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Based on emails provided by Bloom, propety owner Jackie Sharp wrote the following in part on Dec. 13 to Tracy Hurst of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“I am unaware of the unauthorized activity you are referring to but look forward to working with you to resolve any issue that exists in a timely manner.”

Hurst responded by email on Dec. 13: “Ms. Sharp, As you are aware, the Corps is currently reviewing your request for a permit to construct a seawall. The attached pictures show a potentially unauthorized activity, that is, the removal of mangroves.

I will be coordinating with our enforcement manager, but he is currently out of the office for the holidays. Please cease any additional work within waters of the United States, including but not limited to, mangrove removal. I will be in touch shortly.”

In a Dec. 21 email to Suncoast Waterkeeper, Hurst wrote, “We are just starting to look into this case and I will need to coordinate with our enforcement officer before further action is taken.”

28 THE SUN

www.amisun.com

DECEMBER 27, 2023

LIGHTS: Winners announced FROM PAGE 1

The winners were announced on Dec. 20 with Deputy Clerk Fran Berrios and Administrative Assistant Barbara Jeffries paying visits to each entry and delivering the winners’ trophies.

Rebecca Preston owns the Shiny Fish Emporium and her husband, Dan Novi, did most of the holiday decorating, which features a lighted swinging porch chair, lighted globes and balls, white lights, some colored lights, yard ornaments, nautical-themed window decorations and more.

Regarding their first-time win, Novi said, “I was shocked. Winning was a surprise. Rebecca gave me some suggestions and said it was pretty much up to me to do what I wanted to do.

We love decorating because Christmas time is so special on the Island. We wanted to be thematically consistent.

We like sparkle and twinkle and we like it to feel like you’re under a snowy night sky. We have only one thing with color and the color is very subtle.

Everything else is white light. I just kept putting lights up because we were having fun doing it.”

Novi said he was inspired in part by the positive responses he continually received from women who live above the emporium.

Seeking a repeat win, the Stepans took their decorating efforts to a new

level by using a coastal theme that includes a river of blue lights, lighted marine creatures, a gingerbread couple, a shark eating a gingerbread man, oversized Christmas ornaments, lawn ornaments, rooftop decorations, a digital display in the carport and more.

Working at night, the Stepans began decorating soon after Thanksgiving, and they had to redo some of the decorations due to the heavy rains and flooding that occurred on Dec. 16 and 17.

“We were so excited,” Andrea Stepan said. “We had so many people come up and ask what we were going to do this year. We do it for fun. Winning again means a lot to us and it means a lot when people stop by and tell us how great it looks. We changed it up from last year. I wanted to do a coastal theme because we live in Florida and Jim executed it. He did a great job. We have a lot of color and my favorite is the water feature.”

“We changed it up this year,” Jim said. “We put The Grinch on the roof.

Last year we had Santa on the roof.

We thought we’d make a water theme in the yard winding around the agave plants with lights in them. We have an alligator, a crab, a walrus, a dolphin and a flamingo to make it more beachy this year.”

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Above, the Stepans created a river of blue lights in their yard. Below, the Duncan Real Estate office decorations highlight its tropical location. Left, a Christmas tree and wrapped presents grace the front of the Anna Maria Life office on Gulf Drive.

DECEMBER 27, 2023

FUN IN THE SUN

Across 1 "__ your age!"

4 Many 4WD autos 8 Oafish 14 Feel badly about 15 Slightly 16 100-lawmaker group 17 *Secret stage exit 19 Gets ready to drive 20 Tempe sch.

21 Out of the wind 23 A, in many orgs.

24 Frosts, as cupcakes 25 *Forte of Savion Glover and Gregory Hines 28 Comes clean?

30 Persuaded 31 Northern Iraqi city 32 Indian flatbread 34 Botch the job 35 *Impractical hope 39 Brief writer, briefly 42 Blew away Answers to 12-20-23 Crossword Puzzle

43 Pick up the tab 47 Low-cost product 50 Midsize Chevy 51 *Pass/fail metaphor 54 Cruise stopover 55 Night in Paris 56 Array in a British pantry 57 Lobster dinner accessory 58 Become fond of 60 '70s covert White House intelligence group ... and, in a more conventional sense, a hint to the starts of the answers to starred clues 63 Singer who was 15 in 2009 when his debut EP "My World" was released 64 "Downton Abbey" title 65 Droop

THE SUN

66 Passions 67 Salon colors 68 "Inside the NBA" network Down 1 Sotheby's showing 2 Liqueur named for an island 3 Dollhouse dishes 4 Downcast 5 WWII subs 6 It's tuned an octave higher than a cello 7 Penicillin target 8 Omaha winter hrs.

9 Womack of country 10 Worldwide cultural org.

11 Enormous 12 Major upset, say 13 Slangy "Sure" 18 Pecs builder 22 Name of eight English kings 24 PC pioneer 26 Tops 27 Watchdog warning 29 New Haven collegian 32 Most recent 33 Fruit drink suffix 36 Pliers unit 37 Bill-filled device 38 Onetime Dr Pepper rival 39 Apt. coolers 40 Vanishing point?

41 Like many veteran

professors 44 Least challenging 45 High-fiber Kellogg's cereal 46 __ kwon do 48 With hands on hips

49 Wizard with a scar 50 Confident reply 52 Cleaned with a cloth 53 Woodwork pattern 58 Fighters' org.

59 "Grey's Anatomy"

sets, briefly 61 D.C. United org.

62 Police dept. rank

29

30 THE SUN

CLASSIFIEDS HOME IMPROVEMENTS

EARLY DEADLINE FOR JANUARY 3 EDITION. CLASSIFIED ADS MUST BE PLACED FRIDAY DECEMBER 29

BY NOON.

RENOVATION SPECALIST ALL carpentry repairs, Wash Family Construction, locally owned and operated CBC 1258250 Call 941-725-0073.

THE BEST VOLUNTEER position on the island. The AMI Historical Museum needs docents and bread makers. Call Kathy Primeau at 989-560-6381.

KERN & GILDER CONSTRUCTION, INC New Homes & Remodel.

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License # CBC 1261150.

Call the Office. 941-7781115

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Great for teens needing volunteer hours (16yrs+).

Other assignments available. Please call the Blake Volunteer Office at 941-798-6151.

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Call 314-324-5921

CARE GIVER LICENSED CARE GIVER. We will take care of you and/ or your loved ones! Please call 941-725-4851.

COMMERCIAL SALES, RENT & LEASE HAVE YOU BEEN thinking of selling? We NEED properties to List for SALE!!! Duplexes, multi family, small resorts?

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CLEANING SERVICE TOTAL HOME SERVICES CLEANING: Residential, Commercial, Rentals, VRBO. Professional and Reliable.

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DECEMBER 27, 2023

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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.

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JSAN CORPORATION Renovations Construction & Handyman Services 941-243-0995 Lic# CRC1332505 jsancorporation@gmail. com Flooring, Drywall, Painting, Repairs, Kitchen and Bathrooms, Trim & Doors.

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API’S DRYWALL REPAIR 15+ years experience.

Free estimates. No job too small. Love to help you.

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Pressure washing available. Call 941-302-8759 isletileservices.com GORILLA DRYWALL REPAIR, LLC. 15+ years of experience. Free Estimates.

Let’s solve your Drywall problems together. Call 941-286-0607.

HOME IMPROVEMENT Michigan General Contractor 30+ yrs. experience. Large or small projects. Budget minded knowledgeable tradesman will complete your project start to finish: On Time/ On Budget. Call Mike 616-204-8822.

BMF INTERIORS Home repairs and more, No job too small. Please call 786318-8585

LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE R. GAROFALO’S Interlocking brick pavers, driveways, patios, pool decks.

Free estimates. Licensed & Insured. Call Rafael 941-778-4823 or Veronik 941-526-7941 {SHELL DRIVEWAYS & LANDSCAPE}. Specializing in Old Florida Seashell and Lime rock driveways and scapes. Also River Rock, Sand, Mulch, & Soil. Call Shark Mark 941-301-6067 ISLAND RESIDENT. TREE/ BUSH Trimming, removal.

Sweeping, blowing, and weeding. Weekly, bi-monthly or monthly schedule. Pressure washing. Call Bill Witaszek 941307-9315

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Offering dependable, competitive rates. No hidden costs. 941-8095777.

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

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

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

DONALD PERKINS ABRACADABRA PAINTING LLC fully insured. 30 years experience. Many Island references. Call 941-705-7096 PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reliable. Island Resident. Quality Workmanship. Interior/Exterior.

Minor repairs & carpentry. Free estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315 PAINTING / INTERIOR / EXTERIOR: Sarasota Interior Painting. Call or Text Don @ 941900-9398. We are the Best High-End Painting Business! Just ask our AMI Clients! I'm the Owner & the Painter.

Free Estimates. Fully Insured Licensed Business. You'll love the results! AMI Chamber of Commerce Member.

POOL SERVICES FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE AND CHEMICAL SERVICES. Certified Pool Operator. 18 + Years Experience.

Residential/commercial. Chemical Service Licensed & Insured. Call Dennis Clark 941-7375657 COLE'S TROPICAL POOL SERVICE Call Cole Bowers for all your pool maintenance needs! Affordable and Dependable!! 941-7131893

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

AMISUN.COM

T & B PRESSURE WASHING Licensed & Insured.

Driveways/sidewalks, Roofs, Pool cages, Fences, House (soft wash/ downstream). Call 813638-7636. tandbpressurewashing@yahoo. com Family owned and operated.

FOR SALE - 5400 GULF COMPLETELY UPDATED COASTAL BEAUTY! Poolside Paradise in Gulf Front 55+ community! $579,000 Call Erin Leathem at The Anna Maria Sales Team of Island Real Estate 941448-5616

REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE

FOR SALE - PERICO BAY CLUB Quiet Cul-de-sac, water view villa! Bright & Updated 3 bed/2 bath w 2 car garage & private courtyard! $639,900 Call Erin Leathem at The Anna Maria Sales Team of Island Real Estate 941-448-5616

Have you been thinking of selling? We NEED properties to List for SALE!!! GULF FRONT, CANAL FRONT, BAY FRONT CONDOS or HOMES ASK for BIG Alan Galletto of Island Real Estate to get it SOLD 941-232-2216 LOOKING FOR A highly motivated real estate broker to buy or sell your next home? Darcie Duncan, Broker Duncan Real Estate a lifelong island resident bringing success to her customers for 30 years. Proven track record brings you results! 941-725-1589 TIRED OF HURRICANE SEASON & want to sell?

Call Kelly The Kelly Gitt Team Proud Veteran Keller Williams on the Water 941-799-9299 NEWLY-RENOVATED CONDO for sale, 2BR/2B, 1639 SF, 6904 10th Ave. W., Village Green on cul-de-sac. 1-car garage, large Florida room, dine-in kitchen plus dining room, large pantry, built-in china cabinet, walk-in closet, lots of storage, laundry room, lush landscaping, pool, walking/running track, 5 miles to AMI, near medical, shopping, preserves, $379,900.

Lisa Varano, Wagner Realty, 941-730-9060.

FOR SALE - PERICO BAY CLUB Private Waterfront Beauty! Beautifully updated 3bed/2bath w 2 car garage & courtyard $627,999 Call Erin Leathem at The Anna Maria Sales Team of Island Real Estate 941448-5616

SNOWBIRDS! FOR SALE: Vintage, tied down 1br/1 bath RV in Sarasota Bay RV Park on Cortez, 1 mile from Cortez Bridge. $34,900. 6 month/year max occupancy. On Sarasota Bay. Pickleball, shuffleboard, huge pool and many activities. Call 810-577-6964.

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: GROUND LEVEL 1BR/1BA, 55+ community, $1800 per month. Call 941-778-4800 ANNUAL RENTALS 407 76th B Holmes Beach, FL1BR/1.5BA, unfurnished on canal $3000/mo. 804 S Bay Blvd. Holmes Beach, FL- 3BR/2BA, furnished, Bayfront $5,500/mo. Call Sato Real Estate 941-7787200

DECEMBER 27, 2023

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BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY HOME IMPROVEMENT

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

HOME IMPROVEMENT

REAL ESTATE

HOME SERVICES

ROOFING

PAINTING

RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION

FREE

HOME DELIVERY

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

Call for Details

778-3986

AMI SEASONAL RENTAL 2024, Cozy & Nice, fully furnished with water view 2 BR/2BA, 3 minute walk to beach.

Call 941-226-4008 BRADENTON BEACH CONDO 1BR/1BA available Jan-March $4500/ mo + tax One block to beach in small complex within walking distance to shopping. Contact Peggy 941-545-0208 HOLMES BEACH GULF FRONT 2BR/2BA Condo.

January 15 to February 29. Pool, Elevator, Garage, No smoking, No pets. Call 941-473-6941

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

Contact Jeanne. 941-7795095

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DECEMBER 27, 2023