- Named Best Florida Newspaper In Its Class -
VOL 21 No. 18
February 10, 2021
More vaccines arrive in Manatee County While appointments are coming in at the Manatee County vaccine distribution point, none are available yet at area grocery stores. BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
COVID Ribbon Memorial to honor those lost CATHY TOBIAS | SUBMITTED
The COVID Ribbon Memorial of Florida is currently displayed in Cathy Tobias’ front yard. See more on this story on Page 21.
COVID-19 impact on 2020 visitation slight Anna Maria Island 2020 tourist tax collections
BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – COVID-19 had little impact on tourism to the Island, where one of its three cities enjoyed an increase in visitors, according to tourist tax collections records. The coronavirus was present on the Island for 10 of the 12 months of 2020, from March through December, according to the Florida Department of Health. Despite national health officials warning against leisure travel, AMI’s 2020 tourist tax receipts totaled $7,268,971, only $14,236 less than 2019’s receipts of $7,283,207, or a drop of less than 1%. Two of the Island’s three cities saw a similarly small decrease in tourist tax collections, while visitation to one city increased, according to the Manatee County Tax Collector’s office, which collects the county’s 5% tourist tax from owners of
Approximate change from 2019
Anna Maria Bradenton Beach Holmes Beach Anna Maria Island Total
MANATEE COUNTY – More appointments for first COVID-19 vaccinations are being made in Manatee County, but right now, the county is the only way for the public to get the shots. With the governor’s office announcing partnerships to administer vaccines with Walgreens, CVS, Publix and Winn-Dixie, it sounded like more would be available to be administered quickly in Manatee County. However, as of press time for The Sun, the only agency in Manatee County giving out the COVID-19 vaccine to the public is the county itself. With the arrival of more vaccines to the county, 311 operators made appointments for 5,100 more first appointments for the week of Feb. 8-12. Currently, all vaccine appointments made through Manatee County are being honored at Tom Bennett Park, 400 Cypress Creek Blvd. in Bradenton. To receive either a second or first vaccination, recipients must present photo identification, pass a temperature check and provide a completed copy of a COVID-19 vaccine consent form, which can be found online at www.mymanatee.org/vaccine. For recipients without access to a printer, blank copies will be available onsite, just make sure to bring your own pen.
3% 2% 7% 1%
SEE VACCINE, PAGE 12
Source: Manatee County Tax Collector
accommodations who rent them for six months or less, mostly to tourists. Holmes Beach collections reflect a $268,432 increase from 2019 to 2020, from $3,730,350 to $3,998,782, a 7% increase. SEE TOURISM, PAGE 19
INSIDE
A VALENTINE’S
NEWS 4 POLITICAL CARTOON 6 OUTDOORS 16-17 CASTLES IN THE SAND 22 REAL ESTATE 22-26 RESTAURANTS 27 SPORTS 28 CLASSIFIEDS 30
CORTEZ Bridge replacement coming
Day recipe of wild salmon. In Food & Wine. 18
sooner than expected. 4
Anna Maria Island, Florida
MOTION set to delay net camp
demolition. 8 The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper www.amisun.com
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FRESH AIR because
WE CARE Before we reopened The Waterfront for indoor seating, we installed the Fresh-Aire UV disinfection system to help protect our customers and staff. Our outdoor dining makes up two thirds of our restaurant seating. All seating is spaced 6 feet apart.
941.778.1515 | 111 SOUTH BAY BLVD | ANNA MARIA ISLAND, FL WWW.THEWATERFRONTRESTAURANT.NET
FEBRUARY 10, 2021
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FEBRUARY 10, 2021
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2021 vacation rental registration fees set The annual registration fee is based on occupancy and the city’s vacation rental regulation costs.
A vacation rental that has a small occupancy pays a whole
BY JOE HENDRICKS
lot less than some
SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – Vacation rental owners in Anna Maria will be charged $58.52 per occupant allowed when paying their 2021 vacation rental registration fees. The 2021 registration fees were established on Jan. 28 with the city commission’s adoption of Resolution 21-767. When presenting the resolution, City Attorney Becky Vose said the annual registration fees are based on how much it cost the city to regulate vacation rentals. She noted each fee is based on the occupancy allowed at that specific vacation rental. “A vacation rental that has a small occupancy pays a whole lot less than some vacation rental that has a very large occupancy,” Vose said. Mayor Dan Murphy has stated in past years that the registration fees are intended to be a break-even revenue source to cover the city’s costs and are not intended to be a profit generator for the city.
vacation rental that has a very large occupancy.” Becky Vose, City Attorney CITY OF ANNA MARIA | SUBMITTED
This chart lists the occupancy-based vacation rental registration fees in Anna Maria. After noting the 2021 fee will be $58.52 per occupant allowed, Murphy said the lowest registration fee will be the $234.08 paid by the owner of a one-bedroom vacation rental that allows two guests in the bedroom and two additional guests. The registration fee for a six-occupant vacation rental home or unit in Anna Maria was $309 in 2020 and will be $351 in 2021, he added. According to the fee chart included in the meeting packet, the owner of a 10-occupant
vacation rental will pay a $585.20 registration fee. The owner of an 18-occupant vacation rental will pay $1,053.36. The highest fee listed is $1,697.08 for a 29-occupant vacation rental. Murphy said the annual registration fees are developed based on the city’s vacation rental-related administrative costs, enforcement costs, legal costs, lobbyist costs and other costs associated with vacation rental regulation. Those total costs are then divided by the
total number of vacation rental occupancies allowed in Anna Maria. According to Murphy, there are about 630 vacation rental units in Anna Maria. This year’s fee increase reflects the city’s increased legal costs, labor costs, administrative costs, and lobbying costs, he said. He also said, “We’re doing some new things in the enforcement of the ordinance – the way that we’re tracking vacation rentals that fly under the radar. We’ve become a little bit more sophisticated in how we’re analyzing that data so that we can find people that are ignoring the ordinance.”
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ISLAND NEWS
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FEBRUARY 10, 2021
Cortez Bridge replacement starting sooner than expected
IN BRIEF
The new fixed-span bridge will provide 65 feet of vertical clearance. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
The annual Picnic in the Park will take place on the museum grounds in Anna Maria.
AMI Historical Society hosting Picnic in the Park The Anna Maria Island Historical Society will hold its annual Picnic in the Park members’ luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 24. Starting at noon, the outdoor luncheon will take place on the museum grounds behind the Old City Jail at 402 Pine Ave in Anna Maria. Historical Society members can select from three box lunches options: a vegetarian kale salad, a chicken salad sandwich on a croissant, or a Cuban sandwich. Water, lemonade, iced tea and cookies will also be served. Donations for the box lunches are appreciated. In addition to electing officers for the next year, the luncheon will also feature a presentation on the history of Edgemont Key given by Richard Sanchez from the Edgemont Alliance. Members should RSVP by calling the museum at 941-778-0492 or emailing amihs4315@gmail.com. New members, or existing members wishing to renew their memberships, can now do so at the Historical Society website, www.amihs.org by clicking on the “join us” link atop the website homepage.
Privateers fundraiser a rousing success The Anna Maria Island Privateers thank the Drift In and all who joined them in raising more than $2,000 for their college scholarship fund. The Smoqehouse restaurant AMI PRIVATEERS | SUBMITTED in Bradenton Privateers Tim Thompson and Adam Beach provided Cross presented raffle winner John the smoked ham “Bait Man” Maguire with the “Lotto for the potluck Board” he won. dinner and DosMacs provided the musical entertainment for the Saturday, Jan. 30 event. Valued at $225, the “Pirate Party in a Basket” raffle was won by Tom Sexton. John “Bait Man” Maguire won the “Lotto Board” raffle that earned him $100 in cash and $300 worth of scratch-off lottery tickets. “Thanks to all the patrons who purchased tickets and supported the Privateers. A fun night was had by all,” Privateer Tim “Hammer” Thompson said.
CORTEZ – A new, high-rise Cortez Bridge is coming and it may be sooner than you think. Florida Department of Transportation officials confirmed that construction on the bridge is now expected to begin during the FDOT’s 2026 fiscal year, which begins on July 1, 2025, and ends on June 30, 2026. The existing drawbridge, built in 1956, will be replaced by a fixed-span bridge that provides 65 feet of vertical clearance below it. According to FDOT, the current drawbridge provides 17.5 feet of vertical clearance when the bridge is down. FDOT announced its plans in 2018 to build a fixed-span bridge instead of rehabbing the existing bridge or building a new drawbridge, which would provide 35 feet of vertical clearance when the bridge is down. During a Bradenton Beach Commission meeting on Jan. 21, Mayor John Chappie said he had learned the Cortez Bridge replacement project was now included in FDOT’s five-year work program. “That kind of surprised me. I didn’t think it would happen for another 10 years,” Chappie said. When contacted via email last week, FDOT Communications Specialist Brian Rick said the bridge construction project will be awarded to a contractor at some point during the second half of 2025, with construction of a new bridge to begin several months later. Rick said construction will start during FDOT’s 2026 fiscal year and funding for the state project is expected to be in place at that time. He noted the anticipated bridge replacement project cost originally was $66.5 million. “As a caveat, $66.5 million is the present-day cost, but with inflation, it will be $76 million by 2026,” Rick said in an email.
FDOT | SUBMITTED
This is one of the proposed bridge pillar designs favored by Bridge Aesthetics Committee members Connie Morrow and Ann Marie Nicholas. Rick said FDOT plans to submit its Phase II bridge construction design plans sometime around August. The bridge replacement timetable was referenced in the presentation that L.K. Nandam, district secretary for District One of the Florida Department of Transportation, provided during the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s quarterly State of Community series event on Jan. 27. Nandam’s virtual presentation also said the Cortez Bridge project would start during FDOT’s 2026 fiscal year. His presentation noted that the Anna Maria Bridge on Manatee Avenue, which is also a drawbridge, is currently slated for replacement between fiscal years 2027 and 2032.
BRIDGE AESTHETICS
The Cortez Bridge replacement project was discussed at the FDOT Bridge Aesthetics Committee’s virtual meeting on Jan. 20. According to a Jan. 28 committee meeting summary prepared by Laura Turner, from Laura Turner Planning Services, “The Florida Department of Transportation has begun design plans for the Cortez Road bridge replacement.” The Bridge Aesthetics Committee allows local citizens to participate in the design process. Cortez resident and Bradenton Beach property owner Connie Morrow, Jeff Vey from the Bridgeport condominiums in Bradenton Beach and Ann Marie Nicholas, owner of the Room with a Hue retail business in Bradenton Beach,
participated in the Jan. 20 committee meeting. They were joined by Turner, FDOT Transportation Manager Roxann Lake, FDOT staff member Kaylene Johnson, consulting project manager Doug Hershey, and Adrian Moon from the WSP transportation and infrastructure services firm. Chappie is a committee member but he was unable to attend the recent meeting, as were fellow members Joe Rodgers, Karen Bell, Mike Bazzy and Joe Adoma. The design and aesthetics of the bridge pillars were discussed during the recent committee meeting. Pillar design options range from two or three thin concrete pillars with simple design lines to thicker pillars that feature brick surfaces and double arches. The meeting summary does not indicate that any final decision was made regarding pillar design.
CONTINUED OPPOSITION
FDOT is moving forward with its bridge replacement plans despite continued public opposition and a 2019 legal challenge by former Manatee County Commissioner Joe McClash, former Manatee County Commissioner and Cortez resident Jane von Hahmann, Cortez residents Linda Molto and Joe Kane, the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage, the Cortez Historical Society and the ManaSota-88 organization. In that 2019 challenge, the fixedspan opponents filed a petition SEE BRIDGE, PAGE 5
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FEBRUARY 10, 2021
THE SUN
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BRIDGE: Replacement starting sooner than expected FROM PAGE 4
that named FDOT as the respondent. The petition stated that all of the petitioners would have their substantial interests negatively affected by replacing the existing drawbridge with a higher, fixedspan bridge. The petition claimed that the tall bridge would negatively impact the maritime culture and fishing industry in the historic village of Cortez. It also stated a fixed-span bridge would impact environmental, aesthetic, cultural and natural resources and the use of the navigational waters near the Cortez Bridge for vessels whose masts or superstructures exceed 60 feet. The petitioners asserted the proposed replacement bridge would negatively impact the quality of life, environment, financial well-being, mobility and preservation of Cortez. They also said a fixed-span bridge would create dangerous intersections at offsetting
FDOT | SUBMITTED
This 2018 FDOT rendering illustrates what the bridge landing area in Bradenton Beach will look like. streets and pedestrian crossing areas, while also increasing noise, dividing the community with a wall-like structure and changing the overall aesthetics of Cortez. These and other opponents of the 65-foot vertical clearance bridge have repeatedly
expressed support for a new drawbridge that offers 35 feet of vertical clearance.
FDOT DISMISSES OBJECTIONS
On April 23, 2018, FDOT issued a press release regarding its bridge design decision. “A fixed bridge is resound-
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ingly the best financial investment for taxpayers. The initial construction cost, including design and construction, saves approximately $23.9 million compared to a new mid-level drawbridge. Over the 75-year life of the bridge, the fixed bridge also saves approximate-
ly $11.2 million in operating and maintenance costs compared to the drawbridge. “The new bridge will be designed and constructed to modern standards that will improve the safety of the bridge and will include enhanced pedestrian and bicycle features, including two 10-foot sidewalks separated from the roadway by a traffic barrier which will enhance safety and overall recreational opportunities,” the press release said. In 2018 FDOT released a series of renderings that illustrated what the new bridge and bridge approach areas were expected to look like. One rendering showed an auxiliary ramp coming off of Cortez Road that would provide access to the businesses and residences on and around 127th Street West, including Tide Tables, Annie’s Back & Tackle, the Seafood Shack and more.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
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OPINION
The Anna Maria Island Sun newspaper 3909 East Bay Drive, Suite 210, Holmes Beach, FL, 34217 Phone: (941) 778-3986 email: news@amisun.com | ads@amisun.com | classifieds@amisun.com
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FEBRUARY 10, 2021
The Anna Maria Island Sun Staff Publishers Mike Field Maggie Field Editor/CEO Mike Field Layout Ricardo Fonseca Reporters Cindy Lane Joe Hendricks Kristin Swain Columnists Louise Bolger Outdoors editor Rusty Chinnis Advertising director Shona Otto Ad assistant Pamela Lee Classified ads Bob Alexander Graphics Elaine Stroili Ricardo Fonseca Digital/Social Media editor Cindy Lane Accounting John Reitz Distribution Bob Alexander Tony McNulty Connor Field Contributors Tom Vaught Steve Borggren Monica Simpson
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Common sense One of my top five favorite quotes is from Mark Twain: “There is nothing common about common sense.” I think of this
famous quotation every morning when I bike along Gulf Drive. Apparently, this is the time of year when fog is most likely to drift onto our coastline. But I have to say, it boggles my mind to see how many drivers do not turn on their
headlights during these conditions. It’s a simple safety precaution that protects bikers, pedestrians, and vehicles. Lee Lessard Bradenton Beach
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.
www.amisun.com
FEBRUARY 10, 2021
ANNA MARIA
Feb. 17, 10 a.m. – Code Compliance special magistrate hearing Feb. 23, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session to follow
FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130
ISLAND-WIDE
ON THE AGENDA 510005 Gulf Drive City hall is open to the public with limited capacity and safety protocols in place. Please visit www.cityofannamaria.com or contact city hall for more information. Feb. 10, 1 p.m. – City Commission meeting at the City Pier Feb. 11, 2 p.m. – City Commission meeting Feb. 15, all day – City offices closed, Presidents Day Feb. 22, 2 p.m. – Planning and Zoning board meeting Feb. 25, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting
BRADENTON BEACH
107 GULF DRIVE N. FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005
City hall is open to the public with limited capacity and safety protocols in place. Please visit www.cityofbradentonbeach.com or contact city hall for more information. Feb. 10, 9:15 a.m. – City Commission emergency special meeting Feb. 15, all day – City offices closed, Presidents Day Feb. 17, 9:15 a.m. – City Commission emergency special meeting Feb. 17, 1 p.m. – Planning and Zoning board meeting Feb. 18, noon – City Commission meeting Feb. 24, 9:15 a.m. – City Commission emergency special meeting
HOLMES BEACH
5801 MARINA DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800
City hall is open to the public by appointment only. Please visit www. holmesbeachfl.org or contact city hall for more information. Feb. 15, all day – City offices closed, Presidents Day
Feb. 16, 6 p.m. – West Manatee Fire Rescue board meeting, administration building, 6510 Third Ave. W., Bradenton and via Zoom
MARKYOUR CALENDAR The Island Branch Library is open at 40% capacity. Please wear a face mask/ covering. The Tingley Memorial Library is open. The Center of Anna Maria Island is open with social distancing and face masks required. The Holmes Beach dog park (Scentral Park), skate park, basketball courts, pickleball courts and tennis courts are open. Local preserves are open, including Grassy Point Preserve, Neal Preserve, Perico Preserve and Robinson Preserve. Local beaches are open.
WEDNESDAY FEB. 10
Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
THURSDAY FEB. 11
Farmer’s Market, Holmes Beach city field, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. AMI Chamber February Member Luncheon, Pesto Bistro and Wine Bar, 8799 Cortez Rd. W., Bradenton, 11 a.m., $18 for members or $30 for non-members. Reserve to 941-778-1541. Thursdays in Paradise Stroll featuring local art, music and food, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 5 to 8 p.m.
SATURDAY FEB. 13
Robinson Runners, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 8 a.m. Adult runners participate in a warm-up and then can run, walk or stroll either a 1.6 mile or 3.2 mile route through the preserve. No reservations required. Saturday mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon. Face masks required. Yard Sale, Roser Guild Thrift Shop, 511 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Valentine’s Basket Bonanza, St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach, 2-6 p.m. Moonlight Tower Walk, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 6 p.m. Reserve to www.eventbrite. com/e/moonlight-tower-walk-registration-137635335995.
SUNDAY FEB. 14
Happy Valentine’s Day! Valentine’s Basket Bonanza, St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach, 8 a.m. to noon. Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rise and Shine Power Flow Yoga, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., $10 fee payable online or by cash at the door. Bring your own yoga mat. Register at https://parks. mymanatee.org/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/ search.html?primarycode=110006 or call 941-742-5923 ext. 6042 for more information.
TUESDAY FEB. 16
Farmer’s Market, City Pier Park, 101 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
THE SUN
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NEWS BRIEFS Celebrate Ash Wednesday with Roser Celebrate Ash Wednesday online and in person with Roser Memorial Community Church. A service beginning the Lenten season will be held at noon on Wednesday, Feb. 17 in the church’s sanctuary at 512 Pine Ave. in Anna Maria and online at https://www.youtube.com/c/roserchurch. Roser is observing social distancing and requires all attendees to wear face masks while inside the church. Seating for the Ash Wednesday service is available on a first-come, first-served basis so parishioners are advised to arrive 15-20 minutes early. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, ashes will not be applied this year. For more information, visit www.roserchurch.com.
President’s Day collection notice Waste Pro and Waste Management customers will experience a delay in service Monday, Feb. 15 due to the President’s Day holiday. Anyone with regular trash, recycling or yard waste service on Monday will instead have pickup on Tuesday, Feb. 16. The rest of the week’s schedule will remain the same with no pickups on Saturday or Sunday.
Get ready for spring Palma Sola Botanical Park’s Spring Plants & More Sale is set for Saturday, March 13, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shop for native and exotic plants, as well as art in wood, pottery, textiles and jewelry. There also will be barbecue, sweet treats and music. Social distancing and face masks encouraged. The park is at 9800 17th Ave. NW, Bradenton, FL 34209. Vendors wanted. Phone: 941-761-2866 and email palmasolabp@aol.com.
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www.amisun.com
FEBRUARY 10, 2021
Motion set to delay net camp demolition
Commission supports net camp
BY CINDY LANE
This 2018 letter from Manatee County commissioners to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection was sent in support of Raymond Guthrie’s net camp off Cortez.
SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com
CORTEZ – A hearing is scheduled for Monday, March 1 on Raymond Guthrie Jr.’s request to delay the demolition of his net camp structure in Sarasota Bay. Guthrie filed the motion on Jan. 14 to stay an Oct. 26 court order to demolish the structure, built in 2017. 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas ruled that the state owns the submerged land under the structure and the structure is not permitted. The demolition deadline passed on Jan. 24 without incident. In his motion, Guthrie claims that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which brought the action against him, has breached its duty to protect state lands in trust for the citizens of Florida by failing to allow public comment on the demolition of the enclosed docking structure he calls a “net camp.” He asks the court in his motion to allow public comment, and cites a letter from Manatee County commissioners in support of the net camp. Net camps, which once dotted the Cortez waterfront in Sarasota Bay, were used to clean, dry and store cotton nets. They de-
CINDY LANE | SUN
This net camp, built by Raymond Guthrie Jr. in 2017, is under a court order to be demolished after a ruling that the state owns the submerged land underneath it. clined in use when netmakers began using more durable fibers. Today, only Guthrie’s structure and a historic net camp remain, the latter restored by the not-for-profit Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage. Guthrie also requests in his motion that the court allow time for state legislators Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Manatee), Rep. Will Robinson (R-Manatee) and Rep. Tommy Gregory (R-Manatee), who have expressed an interest in preserving the net camp, to act on his behalf during the legislative session that begins on Tuesday, March 2. He also asks that the enforcement of fines and penalties be suspended. Guthrie’s motion specifies that his family has had three similar structures, both larger and smaller, in the same location as
the net camp for more than 70 years, and that he is unaware of any opposition to it other than DEP. The structure is currently used to repair cast nets and as a docking facility for abandoned boats until they can be processed, according to the motion. No occupants reside in the structure, according to the motion. The net camp is part of “…a continuing effort by the citizens of Cortez to maintain the historical nature of Cortez as a fishing village, such as the special zoning overlay district for the village and the opening of the historical center. Preservation of the Guthrie Net Camp is another important step in that process,” according to the motion.
On March 20, 2018, the Board of County Commissioners authorized the transmittal of a letter of support for replica historic net camp structures along the Sarasota Bay waterfront of the Cortez Fishing Village. Included in the National Register of Historic Places, the net camps played an inseparable part of the gill and stop net fisheries trade within the historic village. Reconstruction of these historic structures provides the appropriate viewshed to understand the cultural context of the village. Given historic photos documenting the presence of multiple net camp structures, the reconstruction of this single structure to recapture the essence of the historic Cortez Fishing Community should be supported with the appropriate state permits. Sincerely, Board of County Commissioners Manatee County Priscilla Trace Chairman
FEBRUARY 3, 2021
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FEBRUARY 10, 2021
COMMUNITY CHURCH
Essential Truths WHO IS JESUS?
A moral teacher? A religious leader? A savior?
SUNDAY WORSHIP 8:30 AM or 10:00 AM
In the SANCTUARY and ONLINE Go to www.RoserChurch.com Click WORSHIP-SIGNUP , WATCH LIVE or WATCH LATER Text ROSER to 22828 to receive the weekly eBulletin.
The CHAPEL is open during office hours for prayer & meditation. 941-778-0414 • 512 Pine Ave, Anna Maria • FOLLOW us on Facebook @RoserChurch
COME HEAR THE STORY!
Tropical fog A fog bank moves in creating a ghostly glow during a recent Gulf sunset in Anna Maria.
MIKE FIELD | SUN
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FEBRUARY 10, 2021
THE SUN
Coquina Beach improvements resume soon The project will require the removal of 87 Australian pines, which will be replaced with a variety of native trees. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – Phase 2 of the Coquina Beach drainage project will begin on or around Feb. 15. The project will be in the center and northern Coquina Beach parking areas and is a continuation of the phase 1 project previously completed in the south parking areas last year. Ogden Clark, strategic affairs manager for Manatee County’s Public Works Department, provided county commissioners with a project update on Friday. “The second phase of the construction project that will improve stormwater drainage and parking conditions at the Coquina Beach parking area in Bradenton Beach will begin the week of Feb 15. Work on the second phase is expected to last through January of 2022. The planned improvements will reduce flooding during prolonged or heavy rainfalls, eliminate washouts in the current shell parking area surfaces and improve access to the beach, parking spaces and associated facilities. Phase 1 of the project was
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
The phase 1 project at the south end of the Coquina Beach parking lot was completed last year. The phase 1 improvements included pervious pavement and concrete curbs. The pervious pavement at the south end of the Coquina Beach parking lot allows water to drain through it.
completed in Spring of 2020,” Clark stated in his email update. Clark’s email noted the drainage and parking improvements will be constructed in mini phases. Each will result in only a small number of parking spaces being temporarily unavailable for beachgoers. Each mini phase also will include replacing the unmarked shell parking surfaces with new concrete curbs and porous pervious concrete pavement that allows water to drain through and into the new and existing stormwater collection systems.
“In addition to improving stormwater drainage, the Coquina Beach drainage improvement project also includes markings for approximately 675 parking spaces and will extend the porous pavement in the parking areas and frontage road from the park’s southern entrance off Gulf Drive to the northern entrance,” Clark stated in his email. “One of the first steps to allow future work to proceed smoothly is the removal of the 87 trees that are in conflict with the project,” Clark wrote, about the Australian pines that
will be removed and replaced with different types of native trees. “A replacement plan to install 87 native trees with associated irrigation has been included within the project
bid,” Clarke wrote. Information on this and other county projects taking place on Anna Maria Island can be found at www.amipipereplacement.com.
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THE SUN
FEBRUARY 10, 2021
Community garden plans move forward Plans are underway to create a community garden space in Holmes Beach.
FROM PAGE 1
Though some Florida counties have elected to participate in vaccine signups through the new state site, Manatee County is still only accepting signups for qualified individuals through its website at www.vax. mymanatee.org. There is a separate signup for seniors age 65 and older who can prove Florida residency either with a utility bill or state-issued identification and frontline healthcare workers. If you do not have access to a computer, qualified individuals can call 311 during the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday to sign up over the phone.
BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – Members of the city’s Parks and Beautification Committee are working overtime to help bring their dream of creating a community garden space to life. During a Feb. 3 meeting, Chair Mary Lange gave an update on the progress being made toward making the community garden a reality. With a potential space picked out, members now have to come up with an application for garden spaces, a plan to construct garden plots and an estimated cost analysis to present to city commissioners for approval, before work can begin. Parks and Beautification members, working with Director of Development Services Eran Wasserman, selected one of the two vacant lots purchased by the city on Avenue C near the entrance to Grassy Point Preserve as a potential location for the community garden. Lange said the city will also need to have the property
VACCINES: More arrive in Manatee County
KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN
This city-owned lot, located adjacent to the main entrance to Grassy Point Preserve on Avenue C in Holmes Beach, may be the future home of a community garden project. rezoned from a residential lot to allow for the park and garden use. Once everything is complete, parks committee members are hoping for a fall opening of the space, allowing for members of the public to apply for a garden plot. They’re also planning to give one of the available garden plots to Anna Maria Elementary School for use by its students. As planned now, plot assign-
ments will have to be renewed annually for a small fee, potentially $25, though the final application and costs are still under discussion by the group. Parks and Beautification Committee members meet the first Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. at Holmes Beach City Hall. For information on joining the committee, visit www.holmesbeachfl.org.
Water quality report Bayfront Park North Bradenton Beach Coquina Beach North Coquina Beach South Manatee Beach North Palma Sola Bay South Source: Florida Department of Heath
Good Good Good Good Good Good
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FEBRUARY 10, 2021
THE SUN
13
Federal orders require masks on local vessels BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
‛S YOUR COMFORT ZONE? WHERE
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Face masks or face coverings are now required on all commercial - not recreational - vessels operating in and around Anna Maria Island, and elsewhere in the United States. On Jan. 21, President Joe Biden issued Executive Order 13998, which requires masks or face coverings to be worn at airports, on commercial aircraft, trains, public maritime vessels, intercity bus services and all other forms of public transportation. On Jan. 29, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a corresponding order that took effect Feb. 1. The CDC order was accompanied by a Federal Register notice that addresses the CDC order. According to the notice, the CDC order must be followed by all passengers on airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, ride-shares operating within the United States. The order also applies to operators, crew, drivers, conductors, and other workers involved in the operation of transportation conveyances. “Conveyance operators must require all persons on board to wear masks when boarding, disembarking and for the duration of travel. Operators of transportation hubs must require all persons to wear a mask when entering or on the premises of a transportation hub,” according to the Federal Register notice. “People must wear masks that cover both the mouth and nose when awaiting, boarding, traveling on, or disembarking public conveyances. People must also wear masks when entering or on the premises of a transportation hub in the United States,” according to the notice.
COAST GUARD BULLETIN
On Feb.1, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) issued a Marine Safety Information Bulletin regarding the
Owners, operators and crew of vessels that fail to implement the mask-wearing order above may be subject to civil or criminal penalties from the CDC.” United States Coast Guard bulletin orders issued by the President and the CDC. “The President issued Executive Order 13998 promoting COVID-19 safety in domestic and international travel that requires masks be worn on all ‘public maritime vessels, including ferries’ to mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention order requires all persons traveling on all commercial vessels to wear a mask,” the USGC bulletin states. “The Coast Guard is charged with enforcing CDC quarantine orders. Owners, operators and crew of vessels that fail to implement the mask-wearing order above may be subject to civil or criminal penalties from the CDC. Furthermore, based on the scientific determination of the CDC, the Coast Guard finds that failure to wear a mask creates an undue safety risk by increasing the risk of transmission of COVID-19 between passengers, the crew of the vessel and port operators. “The Coast Guard has broad authority to control the movement and operations of a vessel based on a hazardous condition found on that vessel. Vessels that have not implemented the mask requirement may be issued a Captain of the Port order directing the vessel’s movement and operations. Repeated failure to impose the mask mandate could result in civil penalties and/or criminal action,” the USGC bulletin states.
COAST GUARD CLARIFICATION
The Sun reached out to the Coast Guard seeking clarification as to
whether the federal orders apply to local charter fishing boats, tour boats and other commercial vessels. On Friday, Feb. 5, The Sun received a response from Petty Officer First Class Ayla Hudson, who serves as a member of the Coast Guard Public Affairs Department for the Tampa Bay area. “At this time, the order applies to all commercial vessels subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. operating on international, interstate and intrastate waters. There is no passenger capacity reference,” Hudson stated in her email response. “Coast Guard units such as Station Cortez will not be deploying separate COVID compliance monitoring teams but will continue routine vessel inspections and observe, educate, direct compliance and take needed enforcement actions to ensure compliance with all regulations and safety protocols. “The CDC Order does not apply to recreational boaters, but all boaters should be aware of and adhere to any federal, state, or local ordinance regarding masks and social distancing in public spaces,” Hudson stated in her response. When discussing the federal mask orders, local charter fishing captain Scott Moore said his passengers were already required to wear BUFFS or gaiters aboard his boat. He recommends those on boats wear BUFFS or gaiters rather than cloth or paper masks that could blow off and into the water. Paradise Boat Tours General Manager Sherman Baldwin said his passengers were already required to wear masks as a company policy and he questioned the need for a federal order.
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FEBRUARY 10, 2021
Eating like a champion at Harry’s Grill Randy Santel is in pursuit of his 1,000th food challenge victory. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – Professional eater and bodybuilder Randy Santel is bringing his competitive eating talents to Harry’s Grill in Anna Maria. As part of his 2021 February Florida Food Challenge tour, Santel will appear at Harry’s Grill on Thursday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. Harry’s Grill is located at 9903 Gulf Drive. Mark Labriola and his wife, Jan, have owned Harry’s Grill since 2014 and they’ve never done anything like this before. “When we first bought Harry’s, we would watch all the food shows on TV. We were fascinated with all of the variety and we ran into these shows where people were taking on these restaurants’ food challenges. We don’t have a food challenge to speak of, but we do have a nice variety of food,” Mark Labriola said.
“Randy’s an international competitive eater, like you see on 'Man vs. Food' and other TV shows,” he said. “A lot of restaurants around the county and around the world feature these eating challenges – like eating a 72-oz. steak in less than an hour and that kind of thing. There’s a whole circuit of people like him that go around doing this. Randy’s in the Tampa area and his agent called me and wondered if I’d be interested in featuring him. I said yes and we set it up,” Labriola said. “We’re going to feature a round of Harry’s favorite foods. We haven’t confirmed it yet, but we’re thinking of including our Harry’s Pounder (a burger featuring two 8-oz. beef patties), our prime rib, our chicken wings, our shrimp and things like that. With sides included, it’s going to end up being more than 6 pounds of food – and he’s going to do it within an hour, that’s the challenge.” “Stone Crab” Steve Arvey will provide the live music that evening, but he will take a break
RANDY SANTEL | SUBMITTED
Randy Santel’s stop at Harry’s Grill is part of his quest to win 1,000 food challenges. while Santel does his thing. “We expect it to last an hour and we’re asking folks to make reservations if they want to be part of the show. We’re actually going to be taping it and they may even do a livestream. He has 2 million viewers on YouTube and people follow him, so he is a big deal in his own circuit,” Labriola said.
As part of the event-related marketing package, Harry’s Grill will receive a video recording that can be used to further promote the popular Anna Maria eatery.
ACCOMPLISHED EATER
According to his website, www. RandySantel.com, Santel has won more than 920 food challenges in
all 50 states and in 37 countries around the world. His February tour is part of his ongoing pursuit of 1,000 food challenge wins. Santel is also the owner of www. foodchallenges.com. Santel teaches others how to train, strategize and win food eating challenges; and he teaches restaurant owners and marketers how to design and promote successful food challenges based on their geographical area and clientele. “Randy is a huge supporter and advocate for the importance of nutrition, which is why he is able to stay lean while still averaging over 100 food challenge wins per year,” his website says. The website notes Santel won the Men’s Health Spartacus Body Transformation Challenge in 2010. In 2019, Santel earned from Missouri State University his second bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics. To make reservations for Thursday’s event call 941-567-5999. For more information, please visit www.HarrysGrillAMI.com.
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FEBRUARY 10, 2021
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Center starts the year on a positive financial note The Center’s finances remain better than budget thanks to donations from the community and some serious cost-cutting measures. BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – The Center of Anna Maria Island, like a lot of other Island nonprofits, has had a difficult past 12 months, thanks in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, The Center is emerging from those struggles stronger financially thanks to donations from community members and cutting 18% of costs from the 2020-21 budget. In an email to The Sun, Executive Director Chris Culhane said, despite the challenges presented by the novel corona-
virus and subsequent cancellation of events, “November and December were great months at The Center, resulting in net revenue of $12,883.51 and $55,331.57 respectively.” He confirmed that the nonprofit’s finances remain better than the planned budget at the halfway point of the fiscal year thanks to donations and cutting total operating expenses by 18%. The Center’s fiscal year began July 1, 2020. At the end of December, the year-to-date financials show $62,970 in income after direct costs for programming at The Center, just $2,188 shy of a budgeted $65,158. General, indirect and administrative expenses came in at $247,559 for the first six months of the fiscal year, $26,101 or 10% under budget. Fundraising came in at
$142,367 after direct expenses, an $83,809 loss from the planned $226,176 in the budget. However, Culhane said a larger donation of an undisclosed amount is planned to be received that will help close the gap between actual numbers and the budget. Taking into account all income and expenses, The Center closed out the first half of the fiscal year at -$50,206, a $90,888 loss compared to the budget number of $40,682 but $18,960 better than the previous year where the nonprofit ended the calendar year with a loss of $69,166. The Center’s current financial statements, along with the most recent financial audit, can be viewed online by the public at www.centerami.org. KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN
Executive Director Chris Culhane, Board Chair David Zaccagnino and Development Director Jim McDaniel accept a Trolley Grant Giving Back Award from the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Jan. 28 on behalf of The Center.
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OUTDOORS
FEBRUARY 10, 2021
COVID-safe Sister Keys cleanup Reel Time RUSTY CHINNIS
S
uncoast Waterkeeper is teaming up with Sarasota Bay Watch this year for the Annual Sister Keys Cleanup on Saturday, March 6. The event is a collaboration with the Town of Longboat Key and the Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant. Volunteers will work for four hours on the island and around the mangrove fringes collecting trash and recyclable items. The Sister Keys were originally slated for development in the early ’60s and were once again threatened in 1989 when they went on sale for $1 million. That spurred a group of citizens to form the Sister Keys Conservancy in an attempt to buy and preserve the
islands as a nature preserve. The Town purchased the islands in 1994 with a stipulation that the keys would never be developed. The islands underwent a milliondollar mitigation in 2007 that removed all invasive species, planted native flora and created a 2-acre wetland. Today, mature mangroves dominate the waterways, which are rich with crustaceans, minnows, juvenile finfish and wading birds. Native species planted on uplands, first created from the dredging of the Intracoastal Waterway in the late 1800s, have matured, making the islands one of the best examples of a thriving native marine environment in coastal Florida. The cleanup is part of a continuing twopronged effort to clean the islands of trash and the resurgence of invasive species. The Longboat Key Marine division will be patrolling the Intracoastal
RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN
The north end of the Sister Keys near Longboat Pass. SEE REEL TIME, PAGE 17
FEBRUARY 10, 2021
REEL TIME: Sister Keys cleanup FROM PAGE 16
Waterway to slow boaters. Kayakers and those without a boat will be ferried to the island by volunteers. Larry Begs, owner of Reef Innovations Inc., will once again help the effort with a barge where volunteers can offload their trash. Back at the Longboat Key Town Boat Ramp, volunteers will load the debris into a truck provided by the Town of Longboat Key. All recyclable items will be collected in separate green bags provided by Sarasota Bay Watch. Anyone not willing to mask for the event or those who are still uncomfortable with groups can still participate during the following week. Through an arrangement with Longboat Key Public Works, volunteers can do a cleanup on their own and deposit bags at the town dock for pickup. A map showing landing areas and trails will be available online at www.sarasotabaywatch.org and www.suncoastwaterkeeper.org. The Sister Keys Cleanup is just one of many projects that SBW is involved in. In 2020, SBW planted over 750,000 clams in the bay in an ongoing restoration effort. Other cleanups are conducted at various locations throughout the bay as well as an annual monofilament cleanup and much more. Suncoast Waterkeeper is a Sarasota-based advocacy non-profit committed to protecting and restoring the Florida Suncoast’s waterways through enforcement, field work, advocacy and environmental education for the benefit of the communities that rely upon these precious coastal resources. Their efforts have been responsible for major initiatives that hold municipalities responsible to mandates established in the landmark 1982 Clean Water Act. Suncoast Waterkeeper also conducts bi-monthly water testing of inland coastal waters. For more information on their mission, go to www.suncoastwaterkeeper.org. To sign up for the event, go to sarasotabaywatch.org.
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Night fishing yields snook strikes CAPTAIN RICK GRASSETT
Anglers fishing with me out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key had good action with snook at night, trout and Spanish mackerel in Sarasota Bay on flies and CAL jigs with a variety of plastic tails recently. Joe Brinkmeyer and Jim Brady, from Ohio, fished Sarasota Bay with me on a foggy day and had good action with trout and Spanish mackerel on CAL jigs with shad tails. Dean Fields, from Indiana, fished dock lights in the ICW on a night trip with me. Despite it being a damp, chilly night, he had great action catching and releasing numerous snook on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly. Snook will often feed most in the early evening during winter, which is usually the warmest water of the day. He finished the trip with his first redfish on a fly. Great job! If you’re interested in learning to fly fish there are still a few spots available for CB’s Saltwater Outfitters Orvis-Endorsed fly fishing school on Saturday,
CAPTAIN RICK GRASSETT | SUBMITTED
Dean Fields, from Indiana, with a redfish caught and released on a fly while fishing the ICW at night with Capt. Rick Grassett recently. Feb. 13, although space will be limited. I will be instructor for the class, which is $195 per person and includes the use of premium Orvis fly tackle, a workbook and lunch. Contact CB’s Saltwater Outfitters at 941-349-4400 or info@ cbsoutfitters.com to sign up. Shallow water fishing for reds and large trout
is a good option now. With winter conditions we have very clear water, which usually requires long casts to avoid spooking fish. Depending on tide, sometimes afternoons and evenings will fish better due to warmer water. Fishing deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay is also a good choice for action with a variety of species
including trout, blues and Spanish mackerel. Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by industrial, agricultural and residential runoff, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation. Please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!
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FOOD & WINE
FEBRUARY 10, 2021
Salmon stories
Salmon Burgers (Serves up to 4)
Ingredients
Brian Mathae
20 ounces of salmon, skinned and deboned and cut into cubes 1/4 cup almond flour 2 cloves of garlic, minced 3 tbs diced shallots 1 tbs fresh dill 2 tbs dijon mustard 1 tsp lemon zest Fresh ground black pepper
HURRICANE HANKS
C
oming up with a relevant recipe for this column often leaves me digging deep into my memories for days or even weeks at a time. I often consider the time of year of the column because special events or the seasonality of food play a part in what we are currently eating. With Valentine’s Day only a few days away, I wanted to offer a recipe that could be used for a romantic lunch or dinner for two. Salmon came to mind. It’s a delicious ingredient and pretty easy to work with so the stress of meal preparation is minimal and you can, instead, focus on time spent together. Plus the color of salmon is perfect for Valentine’s Day! Growing up, salmon salad sandwiches were a common occurrence, even if not my favorite lunch. I was a tuna guy, or should I say, kid. There was something about canned salmon, most likely the small bones and occasional bit of skin, that I didn’t like. Ironically, back then canned salmon was, and still mostly is, wild-caught rather than farmed. Wild salmon has more minerals, less fat and contaminants and is free of antibiotics. From a health perspective, I should enjoy canned wild salmon far more than I do. But, like I said, it’s all
Lemon Aioli Ingredients
SUBMITTED
the extra bits they put in the can that I don’t care for. Years ago, when family was visiting, we toured a former salmon canning plant in Steveston, British Columbia, which is just south of Vancouver. The cannery was established in 1894, and the stories of how they operated were both fascinating and disheartening. According to the tour guide, salmon was so plentiful that if a fisherman came to the cannery with a boatload of fish they couldn’t process that day, the fisherman would simply dump the fish in the river and go out the next day to catch again. Then there were stories of how job functions were racially segregated, with the most menial and dangerous jobs going to immigrants. First Nations and Japanese men fished. Chinese
men made the cans, unloaded and butchered the fish. European women filled the cans while European men served as managers and engineers. Fortunately, those dark days are behind us! I do enjoy both fresh wild and ethically farmed salmon. In fact, the extra fat in farmed salmon results in a moister, more flavorful dish. Having lived in Vancouver, Canada, most of my life, I’ve eaten a lot of salmon! I loved when fresh-caught, wild sockeye salmon was available. We would stuff the whole fish with butter and lemon slices, wrap it in foil and throw it on the barbecue. We had to be very careful to not overcook it, as it would dry out quickly. We also ate sushi a few times a week, eating both raw and cooked farmed salmon in a variety of dishes.
www.TheFeastRestaurantAMI.com
1/3 cup heavy mayonnaise 1 tbs lemon juice 1 tsp lemon zest 1 tsp ground mustard 1 clove garlic, minced Fresh ground black pepper salt
Serving Ingredients
4 buns of your choice 1 avocado, sliced 1 firm tomato, sliced 1 small red onion, sliced
Directions
Add all burger ingredients into a food processor and pulse until the salmon is broken down into smaller pieces and well mixed. Evenly divide the salmon mixture into four patties, about 1-inch thick each. Grill immediately on a 375° preheated grill. Grill each side for about 4 minutes with the lid closed. Do not overcook them. Spread a small amount of mayonnaise on the cut sides of the buns and lightly grill until they have a nice glaze and are slightly charred. Mix the aioli ingredients in a small bowl. On each bun place a salmon burger followed by slices of avocado, tomato and onion and top with 1 tablespoon of aioli.
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term rental managers who continue to excel at marketing Decreases in the other two cities were slight, with Anna their product and focusing on visitor health and safety.” Maria collections decreasing from $2,331,786 in 2019 to While the tourist tax reflects visitors who rented accom$2,261,156 in 2020, a 3% drop, and Bradenton Beach collec- modations, not accounting for visitors who stayed with lotions decreasing from $1,221,071 in 2019 to $1,009,033 in cal family or friends, it is routinely used by tourism officials 2020, a 2% drop. as a reliable indicator of the health of the local tourism “I am not surprised,” said Manatee County Commissioneconomy. OR SEE OUR Data Services, the county’s tourer and former Tourist Development Council Chair Carol Tampa-based Research RAINDANCE Whitmore, a resident of Holmes Beach. ism consultant, has longContact cited the statistics as a marker of Direct Water 30 Year Warranty “During the lockdown, it appeared many decided to stay economic change, extrapolating that as the tourist accomon the Island due to the thoughts of a decreased risk of conmodations market goes, so go other segments of the local tamination with open beaches, etc. My family quarantined economy, including restaurants and retail stores, as they Locally Owned and Operated · Fan Experts For Over 39 Years and stayed in a rental for a month on the Island. They stayed depend largely on visitors staying at local accommodations. 45 Stores Nationwide in the rental, ate at home or delivery to stay safe. I have been DC Fan Reduce Yo surprised where the islands have not been slow where the A/C Bill rest of the county has been impacted by COVID. Also, with most of the Island still pushing very strong for mask wearing, it makes many feel and stay safe when visiting.” “The lower-than-expected drop in tax collections is a testament to the importance of having a strong brand in the marketplace, which the Bradenton Area has worked to maintain for years,” said Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione, the county’s chief marketing official. “When your brand is strong, it will continue to resonate during times of adversity. In addition, the Bradenton Area – and Anna Maria Island specifically – benefited tremenSUBMITTED | HBPD dously from having attributes that make it a safer choice for travel than many of its coastal competitors, including less density, varied accommodations and a wide variety of outdoor offerings,” he said. “The destination is also fortunate to partner with Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, which expertly Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer presents former navigated the challenges presented this past year, continucommissioner BRINGPatINMorton with a plaque Feb. 2 at city hall, ing to secure new routes and carriers that drive first-time thanking Morton for his 17 years of support and dedication THIS AD FOR UPthe HBPD during his years serving as commissioner. visitation,” Falcione said. “I would be remiss if I didn’t also to TO attribute the minimal decrease to the efforts of our shortSELECT DISPLAY MODELS FROM PAGE 1
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FEBRUARY 10, 2021
Cities oppose Manatee becoming a charter county The Council of Governments meeting provided a forum to debate the pros and cons of a county charter. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
MANATEE COUNTY – City officials representing the three city governments on Anna Maria Island oppose County Commissioner George Kruse’s desire for Manatee County to become a charter county. Government officials in Longboat Key, Bradenton and Palmetto share that opposition. All six municipalities in Manatee County are structured and governed according to their city charters, which can only be changed with the majority support of their registered voters. Cortez and Parrish are among the unincorporated areas in Manatee County that don’t have city governments and are therefore governed by the county commission. As a non-charter county, Manatee County is structured and governed according to state law and the Florida Constitution and its governmental structure can only be altered by state legislators. City officials expressed their opposition to a charter county during the Tuesday, Feb. 2 Council of Governments meeting. The quarterly meeting occurred at the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto and was chaired this month by Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy. The meeting began with Murphy discussing an agenda topic about issues in the city of Anna Maria. Those issues included the state Legislature’s annual efforts to preempt vacation rental regulations to the state while reducing home rule rights from Florida cities and counties. The remarks Murphy made regarding larger governments’ assaults on smaller governments’ home rule rights to regulate vacation rentals foreshadowed the charter county discussion that followed.
CHARTER DISCUSSION
When introducing his requested agenda item, Kruse said his intent was not to do a deep dive on the subject. “It’s something I’m looking into and I believe in. Every few years this comes up and I feel it comes up for a good reason. The last time was 2017, and that kind of just died away,” he said. Kruse noted 20 of Florida’s 67 counties are currently charter counties. According to the Florida Association of Counties website, 75% of Floridians live in charter counties. Kruse said Manatee County is the second-largest non-charter county in the state and he noted Sarasota County has been a charter county since 1971. “They have things like term limits and limits to financing for campaigns. They have recall provisions. These are things
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie is concerned about a county charter chipping away at the cities’ home rule rights.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Holmes Beach Commissioner Jim Kihm question the need for a county charter. the people of Sarasota County elected over time to impose on their government. We can’t do any of that because the state of Florida prohibits it,” he said. Not noted by Kruse was the fact that a charter county is also required to adopt an administrative code. According to Florida Statute 125.87, “Following the organization of the first board of county commissioners elected pursuant to a charter, the board of commissioners shall adopt an administrative code organizing the administration of the county government and setting forth the duties and responsibilities and powers of all county officials and agencies pursuant to the provisions of the charter.” “My goal,” Kruse said, “is to give the voice to the people. It’s not to take voices away or the power away from the municipalities. I know that’s a concern.” Kruse said he’s only aware of one county in Florida that takes away a city’s home rule rights. “It’s just not what’s done. It’s something that people who don’t want charters tell municipalities could happen,” he said. Attorney Wade Vose is a partner in the law firm that serves as the city attorney for Anna Maria and his fields of expertise include county charters. Vose did not attend Tuesday’s meeting, but he watched the charter discussion online. When contacted by The Sun, Vose disputed Kruse’s claim that only one county charter in Florida takes away the rights of a city. Vose said Alachua, Broward, Charlotte, Columbia, Hillsborough, Orange, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Sarasota, Seminole and Volusia counties are all examples of counties that have adopted county laws that supersede local municipalities’ laws. Vose also noted that he’s represented many of those counties. “They all have instances where they have
declared in their charter that county ordinances preempt municipality ordinances on specific topics, such as land-use regulations and beach regulations,” Vose said. “Ideally, what I want to look into is a starter charter,” Kruse said during the meeting. He said a starter charter would initially produce a county government identical to the non-chartered county government that exists today, while also giving the people of Manatee County the framework to make future amendments to it. Kruse said 40 percent of Manatee County’s voters live in chartered cities. He also said a starter charter could be structured to require at least 60% support from all of the county’s registered voters to later adopt proposed amendments to the starter charter. Vose disputes that claim. Vose said state law only requires a simple majority – 50% plus one vote – to amend a county charter. “The Florida Constitution requires that a county charter can only be amended by a majority of the county electorate,” Vose said. He referenced a First District Court of Appeal case out of Clay County where the court struck down a charter amendment that added a 60% vote requirement for charter amendments because it violated the Florida Constitution. According to Vose, Polk County is the only Florida county whose charter includes a 60% threshold to adopt a charter amendment. Vose believes Polk County’s 60% threshold violates the Florida Constitution, but he said it’s never been challenged in court. Kruse encouraged city officials to reach out to him to further discuss their charter concerns. “I’d rather succeed as a group rather than ram something through myself,” he said. During the group discussion that ensued, Kruse said there are two ways to place a proposed county charter on the ballot. One method is a citizen-initiated petition drive that requires the signatures of 15% of Manatee County’s registered voters. The second is for the county commission to form an exploratory committee and host public hearings before placing a proposed county charter on a future ballot. Referencing the Florida Constitution again, Vose said the county commission method would only require the support of four of the seven county commissioners. City opposition During the meeting, Palmetto City Commissioner Brian Williams disputed Kruse’s contention that a charter county would not reduce the individual cities’ home rule rights. He suggested an opt-out clause for the cities if the county wishes to pursue a charter for its unincorporated areas only. County commissioner and former Holmes Beach Mayor Carol Whitmore said, “I’m willing to listen, but I’ve been through it twice. It may not affect the cities now, but
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
County Commissioner George Kruse believes a county charter would benefit county residents.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Despite the cities’ opposition, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy is not convinced the issue of a charter county is dead in the water. it could. Being a former mayor, I can understand where they’re coming from.” In response to Kruse’s earlier statement, Bradenton Commissioner Carl Callahan noted 60% of the county’s voters do not live in chartered cities. “We’re not going to get anywhere close to a majority,” he said, of that voting bloc. As the District 3 County Commissioner, Kevin Van Ostenbridge represents Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, the Manatee County portion of Longboat Key and portions of Bradenton. He also represents the unincorporated areas in Cortez and west Bradenton. “I would agree with what Mr. Callahan just said. The county is expanding due to urban sprawl. Unincorporated county is what’s growing,” Van Ostenbridge said. Regarding a county charter, Van Ostenbridge said, “I do worry that this erodes the autonomy of the cities. I would certainly have a fight on my hands if I supported this, so I don’t see myself supporting charter government. You would have people out in Lakewood Ranch ultimately deciding what is best for the residents on Anna Maria Island, and I don’t think that should be the case. Instead of people in Tallahassee deciding, the people in Lakewood Ranch are deciding. You’re trading one master for another,” he added. Holmes Beach Vice Mayor Jim Kihm said, “I’m unclear as to what the need for a starter charter would be at this particular time. It sounds to me like it’s a solution looking for a problem. If it’s not broken, why do we need to change it?” Kihm agreed with Williams’ suggested opt-out for the cities. “I agree with what the other cities are saying. I think you need to remember that SEE CHARTER, PAGE 23
FEBRUARY 10, 2021
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COVID Ribbon Memorial to honor those lost The COVID Ribbon Memorial of Florida will be displayed on the beach near the Sandbar restaurant on Tuesday, Feb. 16. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria resident, photographer and artist Cathy Tobias and others are creating a public art display that memorializes Floridians who lost their lives to COVID-19. Those lives are being honored by the creation of a public art installation known as the COVID Ribbon Memorial of Florida. The installation consists of a string of brightly colored plastic ribbons that’s more than two and a half football fields long, with each ribbon representing a life lost. As of Monday, 27,696 Florida residents had died in association with COVID-19, according to the Florida Department of Health. At 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16, the COVID Ribbon Memorial of Florida will be displayed on the public beach near the Sandbar restaurant in Anna Maria, at 100 Spring Ave. Those who attend will be asked to gather on the beach and help hold up the string of ribbons as they’re stretched out along the beach. Attendees are invited to bring permanent markers and use them to write on the ribbons the names of loved ones lost. The Feb. 16 event is open to the entire community and residents and visitors alike are invited to participate. The event will be conducted according to COVID-19 guidelines that include proper social distancing and mandatory masks or face coverings.
AN ARTIST’S PERSPECTIVE
When interviewed last week, Tobias explained how the COVID Ribbon Memorial of Florida came to be. “It started in mid-November. I just wanted a way to wrap my head around and memorialize and emphasize the
CATHY TOBIAS | SUBMITTED
A memorial commemorating the lives of all Americans lost to COVID-19 was originally contemplated. Anna Maria resident Cathy Tobias created the COVID Ribbon Memorial of Florida to help her and others truly grasp the number of Florida lives lost during the pandemic. number of people that died,” she said. She originally contemplated an art project that represented the lives of all Americans lost to COVID-19, but she realized a project of that magnitude might be too ambitious and too costly. “So, I started with Florida,” Tobias said, noting there were about 16,000 COVID-19 deaths in the state at the time. “Is it even possible? Do people care? Are people going to be moved by this and find it to be something meaningful to them? Is this something we can use to heal together as a community and individually?” Tobias said of the questions she asked herself when contemplating the project. “I kept thinking about it and I came up with this idea for these plastic ribbons. I started tying them and got my sister Judy (Tobias) to work on it too. We got through quite a few of them and I recruited some friends that are also working on it,” Tobias said. Tobias and her sister each started with 1,200 feet of twine. As they’re completed, the sections are tied together to form the single and still-growing string of ribbons
currently displayed in the front yard of Tobias’ Anna Maria home. “It’s been quite impactful. As I tie them, I think about these being people who lost their lives, and just how many there are. I couldn’t wrap my head around the number of people dead. It’s hard to grasp. It’s a huge number and it’s something we haven’t experienced in our lifetime. I didn’t want them to go by unrecognized,” Tobias said. “I wanted to create something we could physically touch and see and get the enormity of the loss. Thankfully, it’s a low percentage of the people who had COVID, but it’s still a lot of lives. I don’t want it to be political or anything like that. I want this to help the community heal together,” Tobias said. “Maybe part of it is that I worked in health care and I’ve worked around people who have died. And maybe it’s because I had a loved one, a very young child, die many years ago. I know what it’s like to lose a family member and a loved one. “In Florida, we’re now up to more than 27,000 people who’ve died, and there’s
a much greater number of lives who’ve been impacted by losing family members, friends, and spouses. These are human lives. It’s not just a number on TV,” Tobias said. Regarding the Feb. 16 event, Tobias said, “This is its first public engagement. I envision the ribbons stretched out on the beach so we can also see how long it is and what it looks like. We’ll take some time to remember the people who lost their lives, and their families too. And people can write the name and date of someone they know who lost their life. We want to include that, so the installation is interactive. I really want this to be a positive event where we can experience healing. It’s been a tough year,” Tobias said. “We’re hoping this art installation will travel the state so others can interact with it and remember and honor the lives lost,” she added. More information is available at the “COVID Ribbon Memorial” Facebook page and Tobias’ photography can be viewed at www.lifeisshortphotography. com.
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B
REAL ESTATE
FEBRUARY 10, 2021
Boomers rule – again
abies born after World War II between 1946 and 1964 are generally considered Baby Boomers. Since their numbers were so enormous, they had an effect on the prices of everything from baby furniture to education, with the biggest impact being on the housing market. The Baby Boom generation is 71.6 million strong and has been getting blamed for practically every financial issue in the country. Well, maybe “blamed” is a little too harsh; how about boomers have influenced much of the country’s finances since they were born beginning in 1946. Now, as boomers are getting ready to retire and downsize their homes, comes along a world-wide pandemic, freezing them in place. The country’s home sales have surged in 2020 to the highest level in 14 years. As we now know, the pandemic has created the desire for families to move to the suburbs and into larger homes. Historically low
Castles in the Sand LOUISE BOLGER interest rates, slightly below 3% for a fixedrate conventional mortgage, have only made this yearning even more attractive. There’s just one problem - the available number of homes to purchase is also historically low, down about 22% at the end of November according to the National Association of Realtors, and the poor Baby Boomers are getting blamed again. The length of time homeowners stay in their homes has been rising for several years. According to real estate brokerage Redfin Corp., the typical homeowner in 2020 had remained in their home for 13 years. This is up slightly from 12.8 years in 2019 but well ahead of 2010’s 8.7 years.
As the Baby Boomer population ages, they are in better health, more active and retire later, allowing them to remain in their homes longer. This existing trend combined with the pandemic has exacerbated the already low number of homes on the market. When COVID-19 started, this generation calculated there was no point in retiring since there wasn’t much else to do with their free time. Likewise, there didn’t seem to be any urgency to sell a large home and downsize since their retirement plans might have changed along with everything else in their lives. In addition, there was a lingering fear of having strangers entering their homes during the pandemic, further delaying their decision to move. As the virus grew and more buyers were looking for houses, the market became more and more competitive, adding to the Baby Boomer anxiety about selling and finding another property to buy. Many Baby Boomers crunched the numbers and just decided it was more appeal-
ing to refinance at the extremely low rates and stay in their homes rather than face a real estate market that was experiencing some serious challenges. Naturally, this decision by the boomer bubble only made the shortage of available properties worse, with sale prices moving up as inventory moved down, and, in my opinion, this won’t end soon. Baby Boomers who have made the decision to stay in their homes and have refinanced to do so will not have the motivation to sell anytime soon. Even if they decide to retire, so many of their retirement plans - especially travel - are likely on hold for a couple of more years while the world digs out of the fallout from the pandemic. So, you can blame the Baby Boomers all you like, but the reality is a bad convergence of world events is having the largest effect on the real estate market. Hang in there; we’re almost on the downside. Stay safe.
FEBRUARY 10, 2021
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CHARTER: Cities oppose Manatee becoming a charter county FROM PAGE 20
municipalities are the grassroots of government,” Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie said. Chappie expressed concerns that future amendments made to a starter charter would eventually chip away at the cities’ home rule rights and their ability to govern at the local level. He noted this already happened when the state Legislature limited local government’s ability to regulate vacation rentals. “It’s about governing from the bottom up, not from the top down. We get enough of that from Tallahassee and now we have to be on guard because of the county government. We’ve been screwed over before and I don’t want it to happen again. We don’t have to Zoom to talk with our constituents. We just yell over the fence or they catch us at the grocery store,” Chappie said. Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant said, “I’ve been through this before and my opinion on it is a big no. In a time when we need to be working together, this should be kicked to the curb summarily and be done with. This appears to me to be a power grab. Let’s summarily finish this conversation and move on to important issues.” Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown said,
“Whether it’s innocent or not, it’s going to seem like a power grab to us. There’s a lot of opportunity for it to be a power grab down the road. It sounds like there’s an opportunity here to stop this now. Take us (the cities) off the table and the county can have their own discussion.” District 1 County Commissioner James Satcher’s district includes Parrish and other unincorporated areas. In defense of Kruse, he said, “If there’s any power he wants to grab, he wants to take it from Tallahassee, not from you all sitting around the table. He wants to see the power that’s there come back to this county. I think that’s a reasonable case that he’s making. The real question is what would the people of Manatee County think? I like the idea of term limits.” Satcher also said, “Parrish used to be just tomato fields and now there’s a whole lot of people there. There’s a lot of change here and it might be smart to get in front of it. I’m not throwing in one way or another, but I throw in for my fellow commissioner.” Joining the discussion by phone, East Manatee Fire Rescue Chief Lee Whitehurst said, “Our question would be, does anybody know how this may affect the independent fire districts?”
They all have instances where they have declared in their charter that county ordinances preempt municipality ordinances on specific topics, such as land use regulations and beach regulations.” Wade Vose, attorney When no one responded Murphy said, “I don’t see any answers in the room, sir.” “The fire districts may be concerned if home rule affects that in one way or another,” Whitehurst said.
POST-MEETING ACTIONS
After the meeting ended, Kruse was asked if he intended to continue his pursuit of a county charter. “I want to still keep talking about it. I think it’s the right thing to do,” he said. Kruse said he would reach out to the mayors and the fire districts and would also research the possibility of creating an optout clause for the cities. “I’m not trying to upset the municipali-
ties,” he said. Kruse was asked if he envisions the county commission pursuing a county charter without the support of the cities. “I don’t know,” he said, noting he still needed to process the opinions expressed during the meeting. Unlike some of his mayoral peers, Murphy does not think the charter county discussion is now a dead issue, and he wants to ensure that the city of Anna Maria is prepared to oppose it if needed. On Wednesday, Murphy sent an email to the Anna Maria commissioners regarding a yet-to-be scheduled virtual meeting that will allow Vose to share his county charter expertise with them and others.
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OBITUARIES
Alma Cockerham
Alma Cockerham, 93, of Cortez, FL, passed away on Jan. 27, 2021. She was born on Nov. 6, 1927, in Mount Vernon, Ohio, to Carol and Frances (Cochran) McGugin. After graduating from Mount Vernon High School in 1945, Alma landed her first job as a telephone operator. She also worked at Honeycomb Corporation and in the IT Department at Cooper Energy Services. She retired in 1984 and promptly moved to Florida with her husband, Richard Cockerham. Alma met her husband, Richard, in high school. They married in 1948 and were the proud parents of two sons, Steve and Barry. Once they retired, Alma and Richard loved to travel in their RV throughout North America, always finding time to visit their two sons and their families.
Not known to many was her competitive side—happily racing on a donkey at age 83 up the cliff road in Santorini to beat the rest of her group to the top or emerging victorious from multiday gin rummy matches against her grandson, Andy. Alma was a wonderful and beloved friend, sister, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be missed greatly. Alma was predeceased by her husband, Richard; her sister and brotherin-law, Lavonne and Mathias Hager; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dale and Maxine (Cockerham) Gardner; her brother-in-law, Bill Body; and her grandson, Michael Cockerham. She is survived by her son, Steve, and his wife, Sharon; her son, Barry and his wife, Anna; her sister, Joanne Body; her grandchildren, Erin Cockerham, Laura Cockerham Schmuggerow and Andy Cockerham; and seven greatgrandchildren. There will be no services at this time. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 26th Street Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be made to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.
FEBRUARY 10, 2021
BEACH BEAT BRADENTON BEACH
1/27, burglary of an unoccupied vehicle, Coquina Beach parking lot. A person or persons unknown smashed in windows on a parked car and stole womens’ purses with credit cards and cash. 1/31, trespass warning, Coquina Park at the North boat ramp. Police responded to the location where a man was stealing tools from a boat tied up at the ramp. The suspect, a longtime boat captain, said the boat was in such bad shape he figured it was a derelict. He returned the tools to the owner and was trespassed from the boat ramp.
HOLMES BEACH
1/27, 11:40 p.m., possession of a controlled substance. 5100 Gulf Drive. The officer stopped the suspect and found marijuana and rock cocaine. He arrested the suspect. 1/27, 10 p.m., noise violation, 5501 Marina Drive. The officer had to break up the party and issue a citation for the renter.
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BRADENTON 9601 9th Avenue NW $2,249,000 Louis Wery 941.232.3001
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1/28, 3:57 p.m., driving without a license, 130 50th St. The officer stopped the driver for running a stop sign and was informed of the driver’s lack of a license. He issued a ticket. 1/28, fraud, 200 block of 71st Street. A male called the victim and said her Amazon account had been compromised to the tune of $4,000 and she needed to purchase a Target gift card for at least $400 to stop the debt from increasing. The victim got suspicious and broke off communications. 1/30, making false statement to obtain credit or property, Gulf Shores, 5616 Gulf Drive. The victim put down $2,000 to stay at the property but when she inspected it, she found out it was already occupied. 1/30, burglary to automobiles, 600 Manatee Ave. The victim said three of his unlocked vehicles were burglarized overnight. 1/31, 12:05 a.m., noise violation, 5610 Guava St. A celebration after 10 p.m. was judged by the officer as excessive and he issued a ticket to the renter.
$7.1 Billion
in Total Company Sales Volume for 2020
HOLMES BEACH 3716 Gulf Drive #C $1,749,000 Laurie Mock 941.232.3665
LOOP OF NW BRADENTON 9822 18th Drive NW $1,000,000 Karen Soscia 941.345.6833
LAKEWOOD RANCH | 941.907.9541 SARASOTA - DOWNTOWN | 941.364.4000 LONGBOAT KEY | 941.383.1526 VENICE TO PUNTA GORDA | 941.412.3323
RENTALS | 941.487.6019
Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. Property information herein is derived from various sources including, but not limited to, county records and multiple listing services, and may include approximations. All information is deemed accurate.
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FEBRUARY 10, 2021
THE SUN
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Public input on comprehensive plan analyzed The comprehensive plan survey is still available online at www.holmesbeachfl. org. BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN
Beached boat causes concern on causeway Anyone who’s driven down Manatee Avenue recently along the Palma Sola Causeway may have noticed a new attraction on the southeast side of the road. A boat, the Viva! Viva!, broke anchor around Feb. 1 from where it was anchored on the north side of the causeway and floated away, traveling under the causeway bridge and then running aground on the south side. Manatee County officials are aware of the boat’s position and are looking into the removal of the vessel from the highlytrafficked causeway beach.
HOLMES BEACH – Planning commissioners are still working hard to update the city’s comprehensive plan. They’re hoping that public input received through an online survey will help them determine what changes to make. During a Feb. 3 meeting, planning commissioners were given an update on the results from an online stakeholder survey conducted by the team at LaRue Planning. Speaking on behalf of LaRue, Ben Smith said that as of Feb. 3,324 responses had been received to the online survey, however, as his presentation
was created Dec. 28, it only included 279 of those responses. Of those respondents, 56.78% were full-time Holmes Beach residents, 35.16% were seasonal residents, 12.45% were business owners, 4.76% were Florida resident visitors, 4.4% were business employees, 4.03% were short-term renters, 1.83% were residents from the other two Anna Maria Island cities and 0.37% were agency or institutional representatives. And while that total comes to about 120%, Smith noted that some respondents identified themselves as more than one type of stakeholder. Survey respondents identified the beach and other water-dependent recreational activities as the most important feature in Holmes Beach, with beauty and charm coming in second, followed by sense of community safety in third and local identity and dining/shopping opportunities tying for
fourth. On how Holmes Beach should develop over the next 20 years, respondents ranked maintain/increase water quality as number one, followed by increase protection of and the creation of recreation facilities as number two, increase sustainability and resiliency as number three and the creation of additional mobility options as number four. The biggest community concerns included unmanaged growth, water quality, conservation of natural areas, transportation/mobility, impacts of climate change including sea-level rise, and health and safety. Planning Commissioner Gale Tedhams said while she appreciates the work put into creating the survey results, she’d like to see in a future meeting the results broken down by how each type of stakeholder voted.
LOCALLY KNOWN. GLOBALLY CONNECTED. SINCE 1976.
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LIDO HARBOUR TOWERS 1770 Benjamin Franklin Drive 706 Cheryl Roberts 941-266-1450 A4469463 $519,000
SAINT JUDES APTS 759 Saint Judes Drive N Cindy Fischer & JoDene Moneuse 941-465-1124 A4487564 $490,000
BAY PALMS 512 68th Street Hannah Hillyard 941-744-7358 A4484565 $985,000
PALMA SOLA BAY CLUB 7730 34th Avenue W 102 Cheryl Roberts 941-266-1450 A4486333 $435,000
HERITAGE HARBOUR 132 River Enclave Court Deborah Capobianco & Kristi Berger 941-704-2394 A4483593 $389,999
SAINT JUDES APTS 729 Saint Judes Drive S 2 Cathy Meldahl 941-724-7228 A4488291 $339,000
MAINSAIL BEACH INN 101 66th Street 6 Kristi Berger 941-730-3801 A4452260 $588,888
TIDY ISLAND 51 Tidy Island Boulevard Kathy Marshall 941-900-9777 A4469997 $524,999
MAINSAIL BEACH INN 103 66th Street 10 Kristi Berger 941-730-3801 A4452245 $488,888
SANDS POINT 100 Sands Point Road 225 Sandi Layfield 941-914-2807 A4448551 $450,000
RIVER YACHT & RACQUET CLUB 204 3rd Street W 204 Patty Brooks 941-545-1194 A4462765 $227,500
PALMA SOLA BAY CLUB Sales Gallery, 3431 79th Street Circle W 301 Pamela Miller 941-761-7349 A4468867 $695,000
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888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM
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Top real estate producers for January 2021 A PARADISE
FRAN MAXON REAL ESTATE
REMAX ALLIANCE GROUP
AN ISLAND PLACE REALTY
ISLAND REAL ESTATE
SALTY MERMAID REAL ESTATE
JoAnne Curtan - Listing Quentin Talbert - Selling Sue Carlson - Listing Billi Gartman - Selling
DUNCAN REAL ESTATE
Sharon and Tim Villars - Listing Kathryn Sandberg - Selling Alan Galletto - Listing Kathleen White and Erin Leathem - Selling
Cindy Quinn - Listing Christine Kourik - Selling Jason Hrnak - Listing Liz Blandford - Selling
SATO REAL ESTATE
Michelle Laade - Listing Darcie Duncan - Selling
MICHAEL SAUNDERS
Kathy Harman – Listing & Selling
Barbara Sato - Listing Jason Sato - Selling
EDGEWATER REAL ESTATE
MIKE NORMAN
WAGNER REAL ESTATE
Lynn Zemmer - Listing & Selling
Marianne Norman-Ellis – Listing Carla Beddow - Selling
Miguel Rosa - Listing The team of Becky Smith and Elfi Starrett - Selling
FEBRUARY 10, 2021
FEBRUARY 10, 2021
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THE SUN
SPORTS
FEBRUARY 10, 2021
Youth flag football teens battle for first BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN
Three teams go head to head each week in the 14- to 17-year-old youth flag football league at the Island’s community center. The teams, sponsored by Ugly Grouper, Grooms Auto and LaPensee Plumbing, take the field looking to have fun and use the skills many of the players developed after a lifetime of playing the sport at The Center. Heading into week four, Ugly Grouper has a 2-1 record after a win over Grooms Auto last Tuesday night. Grooms came into the game having already had a match and a win against LaPensee. LaPensee’s loss takes their record to 1-2. The squad looks for another win this week against Ugly Grouper. Ugly Grouper’s 47-45 win against Grooms Auto did not come without challenge. The two pick-sixes by Ian Godfrey for Ugly Grouper allowed his team to edge out the opponent. Teammate Noah Costello had three receiving touchdowns in the game, along with four total extra points. Grooms had interceptions of their own by Justin Cook, with two, and Shawn Balvin. Balvin grabbed four catches for touchdowns. Travis Bates had two touchdowns and two extra points in the game, alongside singles of each for teammate Jayse Berzowski. Next week, LaPensee has the doubleheader, with the early game against Ugly Grouper at 8:15 p.m. The followup game against Grooms at 9 p.m. gives LaPensee a chance at redemption from last week.
SUN SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2 YOUTH CO-ED FLAG FOOTBALL WEEK #3 EIGHT- TO 10-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE Moss Builders Rays Ramblings
(3-0-0) 28 (0-3-0) 13
Tidy MD Cloud
(1-1-0) 20 (1-2-0) 12
THE CENTER | SUBMITTED
Sponsoring the youth flag football clinics, Diamond Turf and AMI Paddleboard provide the chance for kids including Miles Moss, Kellen Oelfke, Andre Harwood and Jace Austin to play sports at The Center of Anna Maria Island.
Coastline Contractors Shady Lady Beach Bums
11- TO 13-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE
(2-1-0) 23 (0-2-0) 13 (2-0-0) Bye
Ugly Grouper Root Logix
(1-2-0) 7 (3-0-0) 32
Detweilers 1 Poppos
(1-0-1) 8 (2-0-1) 18
Gulf Drive Café The Gitt Team
(1-2-0) 21 (0-2-0) 19
14- TO 17-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE LaPensee Plumbing Grooms Auto
(1-2-0) 14 29
Ugly Grouper Grooms Auto
(2-1-0) 47 (2-2-0) 45
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3 ADULT CO-ED SOCCER WEEK #3 Slim’s Place Servis First Bank
(0-2-1) 2 (1-2-0) 6
Sato Real Estate Burton Brick and Tile
(2-0-1) 2 (2-0-1) 2
Allied Jiffy Lube
(2-1-0) 8 (0-2-1) 3
Blalock Walters The Gitt Team
(2-1-0) 6 (1-2-0) 3
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4 ADULT CO-ED FLAG FOOTBALL WEEK #3 Solid Rock Construction Mi-Box
(2-1) 47 (0-3) 15
Moss Builders Ugly Grouper
(1-2) 31 (3-0) 43
Beach Bums Sandbar
(3-0) 26 (1-2) 12
Salty Printing Slim’s Place
(0-3) 19 (2-1) 38
FEBRUARY 10, 2021
FUN IN THE SUN
Across 1 Suggestions, informally 5 Many 40-Across works 9 Supplement 14 Monsieur's mine 15 Champagne designation 16 React to a loss 17 *Watch 19 Palestinian leader Mahmoud 20 Childish comeback 21 Increase, with "up" 23 Simian 24 *Jazzman Fats Waller, style-wise 29 "St. Louis Blues" composer 31 Huntsville's home: Abbr. 32 Nitrogen-based dye 33 Turow book set at Harvard Answers to 02-03-21 Crossword Puzzle.
36 Quaking tree 40 *"Boulevard Montmartre" series painter 44 Krispy __ 45 Room in una casa 46 __ bran 47 Corn unit 49 Sisters on whom "Little Women" was loosely based 52 *Understand 57 It may be inflated 58 Not bright 59 Dreadlocks wearer 62 Golfer with an "army" 65 Quake's origin, and a feature of the answers to starred clues 68 Walks unsteadily 69 Make over 70 "Star Trek" creator Roddenberry 71 Sore throat cause 72 Word with dash or happy
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73 Novelist Ferber Down 1 Female rodent, to Fernando 2 Arab chieftain 3 Returns 4 Afternoon break 5 Kimono sash 6 Anger 7 "Filthy" moolah 8 Expensive 9 Physicians' gp. 10 Bio info 11 City with the world's tallest building 12 Snares 13 Kickoff 18 Dirty work? 22 By way of 25 Object of much reverence 26 Newton fractions 27 Rueful word 28 Voyager org. 29 Eccentric 30 Ăœberauthority 34 "Learn about the UV Index" org. 35 Pastel shade 37 Voiced one's opposition 38 Logician's "E" 39 Forget-me-__ 41 "How __ Your Mother" 42 "Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology" memoirist
Remini 43 Brine has a lot of it 48 Signal to stop 50 Virologist's goal 51 Creamsicle flavor 52 Gets ready, with "up"
53 Long-billed wader 54 Copier cartridge 55 Places to tie up 56 Drive 60 Miss. neighbor 61 Plane measurement
63 Martinique, par exemple 64 Clairvoyant's claim 66 Journalist Tarbell 67 Steal, in slang
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CLASSIFIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS
EMPLOYMENT
BEACH YOGA ON Wednesdays, Saturdays & Sundays at 8:30am at the end of Pine Ave by the Sandbar Restaurant by donation. www.thriveyogafit. com
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.
THE AWARD-WINNING ANNA MARIA ISLAND SUN, a weekly newspaper on Florida’s Gulf Coast, (https://amisun. com; www.facebook. com/AnnaMariaIslandSun), is looking for a freelance reporter/ photographer to cover events on this tourismdriven island. The ideal candidate will have reporting and photography experience at a community newspaper and have some experience writing for a news website. Local residents or those with previous local knowledge and willing to relocate here a plus. Resumes and cover letters may be emailed to news@amisun.com or by U.S. Postal Service to The Anna Maria Island Sun, P.O Box 1189, Anna Maria, FL 34216, attention: Mike Field, publisher.
CARPET CLEANING
FISHING CHARTERS
QUALITY COUNTS. CARPET cleaning. Upholstery cleaning. Tile & grout cleaning. Island's favorite cleaner. Manatee Chamber Member. Great price/free estimates. Call 941-7561082
CAPT. MAC GREGORY Fishing Charters. Full Day, Half Day, Night, Inshore & Near Shore. 941-809-5783 U.S.C.G. Certified/Insured
ANNOUNCEMENT: Who wants to play bridge outside on the patio, or in the park, social distanced and face-masked, Call Kathleen at 314-324-5921 THE BEST VOLUNTEER position on the island. The AMI Historical Museum needs docents and bread makers. Call Kathy Primeau at 989-560-6381.
CLEANING SERVICE THC CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Rentals, VRBO. Professional and Reliable. Call 941-756-4570
COMMERCIAL SALES, RENT & LEASE 4 UNIT RESORT style 4-plex: $1,999,900 Holmes Beach fixer upper with View of beach on Gulf Dr. Duplex Near Beach Totally renovated near Beach $795,000. Island Real Estate Call Alan Galletto 941-232-2216
Call us today! 941-778-3986
MASTER CARPENTER. Decks-Docks-FencingStairs & Railing. Free Estimates. Handyman Work. Call Richard 941448-3571
JSAN CORPORATION Renovations Construction & Handyman Services 941-243-0995 Lic# CRC1332505 jsancorporation@gmail. com Flooring, Drywall, Painting, Repairs, Kitchen and Bathrooms, Trim & Doors. Free Estimates. Credit Cards Accepted. ISLE TILE EXPERT INSTALLATION of floors, custom showers, backsplash, deck/lanai. Licensed and insured. References available. Call Chris at 941-3028759 please visit website: isletileservices.com “HAMMERED HOMES” (SAVING HOMES SINCE 1984) Handyman services, renovations. Free Estimates & Consulting. Call before making decision, save money. 941-778-3206
GARAGE, MOVING, RUMMAGE & YARD SALES
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.
ROSER THRIFT SHOP YARD SALE Saturday.Feb/13th. lots of stuff, including clothing & jewelry. Please wear a mask and keep distance, follow rules. 511 Pine Ave., Anna Maria across from Roser Chapel
HOME IMPROVEMENTS
LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE
TILE! TILE! TILE! All variations of tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship. Prompt, reliable, many Island references. Free estimates. Neil 941-726-3077
R. GAROFALO’S Interlocking brick pavers, driveways, patios, pool decks. Free estimates. Licensed & Insured. Call Rafael 941-778-4823 or Veronik 941-526-7941
RENOVATION SPECALIST ALL carpentry repairs, Wash Family Construction, locally owned and operated CBC 1258250 Call 941-7250073.
STRAIGHT SHOT LANDSCAPE. Specializing in Old Florida Seashell driveways and scapes. Also Rock, Mulch, & Soil. Free estimates. Call Shark Mark 941-301-6067
KERN CONSTRUCTION NEW Homes & Remodel. Design/Build. Since 1968. License # CBC 1261150. Call Mike Kern 941-7781115
FEBRUARY 10, 2021
ISLAND RESIDENT. TREE/ BUSH Trimming, removal. Sweeping, blowing, weeding. Weekly, bi-monthly or monthly schedule. Pressure washing: driveways, walkways, fences, pool decks/ cages. Call Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315.
CUSTOM PAINTING, Residential-Commercial, Interior/Exterior Professional quality work for over 40 years. Free estimates. Call Larry at 941-400-8754. References available.
LEGAL NOTICE
FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE AND CHEMICAL SERVICES. Certified Pool Operator. 10 + Years Experience. Residential/commercial. Chemical Service Licensed & Insured. Call Dennis Clark 941-7375657
THE CITY OF ANNA MARIA is accepting sealed bids for the following items beginning on February 8, 2021: 1995 Bush Chipper VIN: D00531 Located: City Hall Parking Lot The sealed bids must be submitted to the City Clerk no later than February 18, 2021 to the following address: City of Anna Maria Attn: City Clerk 10005 Gulf Drive PO Box 779 Anna Maria, FL 34216. All sealed bids are due no later than February 18, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. The award will go to the highest bidder. Any questions, please contact the Anna Maria City Clerk at 941705-6130.
MOVING & STORAGE MARTIN’S MOVING YOUR Island movers! Offering dependable, competitive rates. No hidden costs. 941-809-5777.
POOL SERVICES
COLE'S TROPICAL POOL SERVICE Call Cole Bowers for all your pool maintenance needs! Affordable and Dependable!! 941-7131893
PRESSURE WASHING & WINDOWS AUTHORITY ONE CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Construction, Vacation, VRBO Rentals . Also available Pressure Washing, Roof Cleaning, Paver Sealing and Windows. Call 941565-3931.
BUYING OR SELLING on AMI? Call Kelly Gitt. USAF Veteran. Keller Williams Realty today 941-799-9299 FOR SALE BY OWNER Single family home. 2BR/2BA 203 84th St. Holmes Beach. Lot size 9000sf Call 440-983-7232 3BR/3BA CONDO 396 Aruba Circle unit 302 in Marina Walk in Harbour Isle $749k Call Kelly Gitt Keller Williams Realty 941-799-9299 1973 MOBILE HOME: REMODELED interior 2020, new insulation, vinyl roof with transferable warranty, flooring, windows, kitchen-bath, on-demand hot water unit, exterior doors, window shades and lighting. Fully furnished - dedicated parking space $98,500. (Located the Sandpiper Resort 55+ community co-op mobile home park) No land share. Call Erik for appointment 813-6793561
RENTALS: ANNUAL
PAINTING & WALLCOVERING
REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE
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
GULF FRONT CONDOS Vista Grande, WestWinds– CANAL FRONT HOME Holmes Beach –DUPLEXES & MORE Island Real Estate ASK big Alan Galletto 941-232-2216
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 513-3821992.
IMMACULATE WATERFRONT HOME 520 Kumquat Dr. 4BD/5BA 3928sf Coastal Beauty! Prime location on AMI. $2,750,000 Call Charles Buky Coldwell Banker 941-228-6086
COZY COTTAGE SANDPIPER 55+ Resort. 1 ½ minute walk to Beach or Bay. 1BR/1BA. Washer/ dryer For Sale or Rent. Call 941251-4767. Leave number on machine.
“WIZARD OF WALLS” Established 1980 Prompt quality service. Paperhanging/removal Faux finishes. Interior painting. Mary Bell Winegarden 941-794-0455 PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reliable. Island Resident. Quality Workmanship. Interior/Exterior. Also minor repairs & carpentry. Free written detailed estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315
HOLMES BEACH 4BR/3.5BA home for sale. 1 ½ blocks from Beach. $1,399,000. Call 724-263-6390 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
FOR RENT: BEAUTIFUL ground level 2BR/2BA in Bradenton Beach. Lovely back patios, outdoor shower, mature landscaping, new appliances, gas stove, off street parking. $2,300, gas & refuse costs included. Dogs OK. $30 nonrefundable background check required. Call Lisa Marie 941-720-6674
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FEBRUARY 10, 2021
BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY HOME IMPROVEMENT
HOME IMPROVEMENT
THE SUN
Call today to place your ad: 941-778-3986 PET SITTING
PAINTING
TRANSPORTATION
RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION TIFFANY PLACE Gulf Front Condo for Rent Incredible views from living room and master bedroom. 2BR/2BA Green Real Estate Call 941-778-0455 SEASONAL RENTAL in PALMA SOLA. 3BR/2BA weekly or monthly rates. Contact Barb Grace 941201-2190
ANNA MARIA ISLAND CONDOS Large pool, beach access, free WiFi, 1&2 Bedroom $700/$800/$900 a wk. redekercondosonami.com Tim 941-704-7525
TRANSPORTATION AMI TAXI metered-on-callcards accepted. Airport: Tampa $95, Sarasota $40, Clearwater $85, Orlando $195. Call 941-447-8372 or 941-447-8376. amitaxi4u@ gmail.com, www.amitaxi. com
ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa $70. Sarasota $35. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-779-5095 AIRPORT RIDES- Tampa, St. Pete, Sarasota. Mask & gloves provided. Reasonable rates! Call or text Anna 941-932-1600
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FEBRUARY 10, 2021