Anna Maria Island Sun February 28, 2024

Manatees beating odds

A manatee thrives in the relatively warm water at Silver Springs, Florida. The state’s manatee mortality rate decreased in 2023. See Page 3.

Vacation rental bills in jeopardy

The Florida Legislature’s 60-day legislative session ends on Friday, March 8.

BY JOE HENDRICKS

SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

TALLAHASSEE – Two vacation rental bills working their way through the Florida Legislature are not yet identical matching bills and time is running out for them to be made identical before the 60-day legislative session ends on Friday, March 8. For legislation to become state law, the House and Senate must approve identical matching bills to send to the governor to sign into law, approve without signing or veto.

On Feb. 1, the Florida Senate approved Senate Bill 280 by a 27-13 final vote on the Senate floor. On Feb.

Hemp and CBD sales are prohibited in Anna Maria under an ordinance that is under review.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – The mayor and city commission plan to review and potentially amend a city ordinance that prohibits the sale of hemp and CBD products.

Hemp is a cannabis plant that contains 0.3% or less THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that produces a “high.” CBD is a cannabis product that contains legallyallowed low levels of THC.

22, an amended version of House Bill 1537 successfully passed the House of Representatives Commerce Committee by a 13-5 margin, with Committee Chair Bob Rommel (R-Naples) among those opposing the amended bill.

The amended House bill and the adopted Senate bill are not identical bills. With no more committee stops, the House bill could be further revised through internal negotiations before Speaker of the House Paul Renner (R-Palm Coast) decides whether the bill will be brought to the floor for a final vote. If the House adopts a bill that doesn’t identically match the Senate bill, both bills would be considered dead.

When presenting his bill to the Commerce Committee, State Rep. Philip Griffitts (R-Panama City Beach)

SEE BILL, PAGE 18

Feds issue approval for mangrove removal

A neighbor says while losing the battle to save the mangroves, the community has gained awareness.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Despite attempts by neighbors to put a stop to mangrove removal at a Gull Drive home under construction, the developer received final approval on Feb. 16 to remove mangroves and construct a seawall.

With the consent of both the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), mangroves have been removed and construction of a 116-foot seawall began along the waterline at 111 Gull Drive beginning the week of Feb. 21.

“I have lost this battle and I accept that, but we haven’t lost the war; we’ve gained awareness of our environment. I’ve pulled the fire alarm on this,” said Ronnie Leto, an environmentalist and self-described whistleblower who lives across the canal from the Gull Drive property. “The sad part is, it’s not a homeowner doing this. It’s a developer doing this for profit.”

The property is owned by Sharp Real Estate Development of Hingham, Mass.

According to the Sharp Development website, “The private lot sits at the end of a cul-de-sac on a wide, open waterway” and has an expected list price of $6,195,000.

The work there had been stalled since December when neighbors reported mangrove removal to the FDEP and the city of Anna Maria.

Enacted in 2015, Section 34-2 of Anna Maria’s code of ordinances says, “The growing, processing, distributing and sale of marijuana within the city limits of Anna Maria is hereby prohibited. Marijuana shall be defined for purposes of this section to include all parts of any plant of the genus cannabis, whether SEE

CINDY LANE | SUN

Manatee mortality numbers dropped in 2023.

BY LESLIE LAKE

SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

MANATEE COUNTY – The recently released manatee mortality report for 2023 from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) shows that statewide deaths for manatees are well below the five-year annual average of 793.

The total number of deaths statewide last year was 556 and is the lowest since 2017 when 538 manatee deaths were recorded. The FWC’s estimate of the state’s manatee population in 2021-22 was between 8,350 and 11,730 manatees.

The leading cause of death last year was watercraft-related, according to the FWC report, which also noted that approximately 20% of the total statewide mortality last year was attributed to a significant red tide bloom in southwest Florida earlier in the year.

In Manatee County there were 19 total deaths recorded - four from watercraft, two perinatal, three natural

Manatee mortality down

CINDY LANE | SUN

A manatee seeks warm water refuge at the Florida Power and Light plant in Apollo Beach this winter.

and 10 not necropsied. The watercraft deaths occurred in the Braden River, Manatee River and Sarasota Bay.

“Population models identify both watercraft collisions and red tide blooms as one of the most significant threats to manatees long-term,” the FWC report stated. “In contrast with the Gulf coast, a high proportion (81%) of Atlantic coast carcasses was fully necropsied for the ongoing health

investigation in the Unusual Mortality Event from starvation, but starvationrelated mortality was very low (3% of Atlantic coast carcasses) in 2023,” according to FWC.

No mortalities were definitively attributed to Hurricane Idalia, but FWC staff and partners rescued 10 manatees across southwest Florida that had become entrapped after storm-related floodwaters receded.

Manatee Tips

• Obey posted signs for manatee slowspeed zones.

• Wear polarized sunglasses to see manatees in your path.

• If you observe a manatee mating herd

- several manatees gathered as males vie to mate with a female - watch from at least 100 feet away. Coming any closer might disrupt the mating or endanger you; adult manatees typically weigh more than 1,000 pounds.

• Look, but don’t touch manatees. Keep your distance when boating, even if you are steering a canoe, kayak or paddleboard.

• Never feed or water manatees as they will become habituated to people, which could put them at risk of injury.

• Stow trash and line when underway. Marine debris that blows overboard can become ingested by or entangled around manatees.

• Report stranded or dead manatees to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Wildlife Alert hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922).

ISLAND NEWS

IN BRIEF

Deputy introduced

Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Dep. Mike Lesselroth is now a member of the sheriff’s Anna Maria Unit. When introducing Lesselroth to the city commission on Feb. 22, Lt. John Belt said Lesselroth has been with the Sheriff’s Office for 19 years and joined the Anna Maria Unit in December, working the overnight shifts. “He’s a great asset,” Belt said.

Murder suspect turns himself in

Bradenton Beach police experienced a first on Feb. 19 when a juvenile male entered the police station at 403 Highland Ave. and turned himself in on a Savannah, Georgia murder charge. A check by Lt. Lenard Diaz on the juvenile’s license showed an outstanding warrant for murder. The U.S. Marshall’s Office had called minutes earlier to advise local police of the warrant. Diaz processed the juvenile and transported him to the Manatee County Juvenile Detention Center.

Peppertree easement approved

The Anna Maria City Commission unanimously approved on second and final reading a utilities easement exchange requested by the owner of a residential property at 117 Peppertree Lane. Approved on Feb. 22, the easement exchange still provides the city with a utility easement area if needed in the future.

Correction

A Feb. 14 story about Reimagining Pine Avenue used an incorrect company name in association with the Jon F. Swift construction company.

Charter review committee considering changes

The charter review committee will meet next on Friday, March 8.

BY JOE HENDRICKS

SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – During its second meeting, the Anna Maria Charter Review Committee discussed three potential amendments to the city charter.

Similar to the state constitution, the 20-page Anna Maria charter sets forth how the city government is structured and how the city is governed. The charter establishes which city actions require a city ordinance and how citizen-initiated voter referendums are initiated. The charter establishes the duties of the city clerk, city treasurer and city attorney and includes a detailed description of the city’s physical boundaries and corporate limits.

State law requires a city charter to be reviewed at least every five years. The Anna Maria charter was last reviewed in 2019. The city charter can only be amended and revised with the approval of the city’s registered voters.

Chris Arendt chairs the committee that also includes Stevie Coppin, Scott Isherwood, Pat Olesen and Chuck Wolfe.

During the committee’s Feb. 23 meeting, the members discussed three potential amendments to the city charter.

Arendt noted the conveyance or lease of any city-owned property requires a city commissionapproved ordinance. Regarding the conveyance of city property, Arendt said the Holmes Beach charter requires a four-fifths supra majority support of the city commission and the approval of the city’s registered voters in order to sell, vacate or give away a city-owned property. The Bradenton Beach charter includes similar language.

The Anna Maria charter does not require city voters to approve a proposed conveyance of city property. The committee is considering, but has not reached formal consensus, on proposing a charter amendment that would add that requirement to the charter.

Wolfe suggested including in the conveyance amendment language a provision that would also require voter approval for any city-owned structures or properties leased to another party for 25 years or more.

The city currently leases space on the City Pier to the City Pier Grill operators and to Mote Marine. Using essentially rent-free leases, the city also has long-term leases with The Center, Island Players and the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum for the use of those city-owned properties and structures.

The committee is considering proposing an amendment pertaining to the scheduling of special city commission meetings called in addition to the regular commission meetings that generally occur twice a month.

The charter currently provides that a special meeting may be called by any city commission member and when practical, with no less than 24 hours’ notice given to the public and the other commissioners.

Isherwood expressed concerns about a commission member theoretically acting as a “loose cannon” and abusing or overusing the ability to call special meetings. The committee is still considering proposing an amendment that would allow the mayor, the commission chair or a majority of commission members to schedule a special meeting, instead of a single member.

The commission discussed and is considering a potential charter amendment that would increase the non-voting mayor’s two-year term in office to a four-year term, while likely leaving the voting commission members’ terms at two years.

Seeking input from the mayor, the commission will invite Murphy to its Friday, March 8 meeting in hopes of getting his thoughts on four-year mayoral terms versus two-year terms. The committee also welcomes the city commissioners to attend the March 8 meeting to share their thoughts about two-year terms versus four-year terms. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m.

During the Feb. 23 meeting, Coppin shared her concerns about the charter’s use of gender-specific pronouns such as “he” and “she.” Coppin said the gender-specific pronouns are not keeping with the times, are grammatically awkward and should be replaced with non-gender-specific language. The committee reached no consensus on this matter and agreed to revisit the topic at a future meeting.

When the committee completes its review of the charter, the committee’s suggestions will be presented to the city commission for consideration. The commission can then support or reject any or all of the proposed charter amendments being placed on a future ballot. The commission can also propose charter amendments of its own to place on the ballot.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Lt. John Belt, left, introduced Dep. Mike Lesselroth to commissioners.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

From left, Chris Arendt, Pat Olesen, Scott Isherwood, Chuck Wolfe and Stevie Coppin are reviewing Anna Maria’s city charter.

Sunday rain cancellation of festival a first

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

CORTEZ – In the 42-year history of the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival, the Sunday, Feb. 18 cancellation due to rain was an unwelcome first.

"This is the first time in 42 years we canceled even a day of the fishing festival,” Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) Treasurer Jane von Hahmann said. “That’s a pretty incredible stat.”

Rain held off on Saturday, but not surprisingly, this year’s attendance was off from prior years, where the two-day festival can attract up to 15,000 attendees.

“We had about 5,300 paid people (on Saturday) and with volunteers and vendors and unpaid, probably about 6,000 total,” von Hahmann said. “It’s about 35-40% less than past Saturdays.”

While final revenue numbers had not been tallied as of Feb. 22, von Hahmann said, “I know we made enough to cover our bills. I don’t know how much we’ll actually make over just yet. It was still

a good day on Saturday and we’re sad for the rain out on Sunday.”

The following was posted on the FISH Facebook page on Sunday, Feb. 18: “We fought hard but the rain won. Sunday portion of the festival is canceled. See you next year and thanks to all who came out yesterday.”

That posting garnered words of support.

“You can’t predict the weather, it has been a different year for weather this year,” Jill Dyke wrote. “Thank you for all your hard work you put into the festival to make it happen. See you again next year.”

“Thank you for all the hard work and love you put into the festival each year,” Jessica Barhite wrote. “Love all that FISH does and stands for. See you next year!”

Cindy Rodgers, president of the Cortez Village Historical Society, sent an email to the volunteers who sold strawberry shortcake at the festival.

“Thanks so very much for your hard work and dedication to our mission! Despite suboptimal

weather yesterday, we had a great time and because of you, CVHS has 13 new members,” Rodgers wrote the morning of Feb. 18. “For the third year in a row, the student volunteers from Manatee School for the Arts Key Club were standout shortcake preparers and sellers. Their youthful enthusiasm was infectious and they were hard workers!”

Rodgers added, “You can’t control Mother Nature, so things were canceled for today. I'm very grateful we had yesterday. We'll freeze the berries and shortcakes and sell them at upcoming events!”

Proceeds from the non-profit FISH-sponsored annual festival go to support and maintain the FISH preserve - 98 acres of undeveloped habitat bordering Sarasota Bay along the east side of Cortez.

“This is one of the last undeveloped stretches of land on Sarasota Bay and it provides critical habitat to wildlife and supports the watermen and their families for which fishing is a way of life,” according to the FISH website.

Butterfly presentation highlights native species

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Elena Burke of the Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department gave a presentation about the butterflies of Florida on Feb. 21 at the bi-monthly Just Older Youth (JOY) meeting at Roser Hall.

“You can’t talk about butterflies without talking about plants,” Burke said.

Starting her talk with the butterfly life cycle from egg to larva to pupa to adult, Burke showed slides of varieties of native butterflies and the plants that will attract them.

“The common buckeye is attracted to goldenrod and turkey tangle frog fruit,” she said. “You can tell the common buckeye because it has spots that look like eyes.”

The atala butterfly, bright red with black wings and white spots, is attracted to the coontie plant and the cabbage palm.

“The cabbage palm is also our state tree,” Burke said. “Because of overharvesting of the coontie plant, there are less atala butterflies and they are almost extinct.”

The cloudless sulphur, a bright yellow butterfly, loves red flowers, she said.

“These butterflies love the scarlet sage flower,” Burke said. “Near the Valentine House at Robinson Preserve, there is a butterfly garden with lots of scarlet sage.”

Burke presented a slide of three similar-looking butterfly species - the queen, viceroy and monarch.

OPINION

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WEDNESDAY, FEB. 28

Holy Yoga, Roser Church outdoor stage, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 11:30 a.m.

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

THURSDAY, FEB. 29

Seashell Shore Walk, Coquina Beach South, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 9 a.m.

Tram ride and shoreline cleanup, Robinson Preserve Valentine House, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon

RoserRobics, Roser Church fellowship hall, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m.

One-on-one Tech Help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to noon.

Seaside Quilters, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

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

Bingo, Annie Silver Community Center, 103 23rd St., Bradenton Beach, 6 p.m.

FRIDAY, MARCH 1

Forty Carrots, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.

Paper Crafting with MaryKate, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.

Holy Land Trip Choir concert, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:15 p.m.

SATURDAY, MARCH 2

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

Ask a Master Gardener, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

The Invitational Fine Arts and Crafts Festival, City Field, 5901 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Paper Crafting with MaryKate, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.

SUNDAY, MARCH 3

The Invitational Fine Arts and Crafts Festival, City Field, 5901 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

MONDAY, MARCH 4

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

TUESDAY, MARCH 5

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

RoserRobics, Roser Church fellowship hall, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m.

Family story time, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6

Holy Yoga, Roser Church outdoor stage, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 11:30 a.m.

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

THURSDAY, MARCH 7

AMI Chamber Sunrise Breakfast, Cortez Café, 12108 Cortez Rd. W., Cortez, 8 a.m., $15 for members or $25 for prospective members

RoserRobics, Roser Church fellowship hall, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m.

One-on-one tech help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to noon

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

Bingo, Annie Silver Community Center, 103 23rd St., Bradenton Beach, 6 p.m.

FRIDAY, MARCH 8

Forty Carrots, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.

ON THE AGENDA

ANNA MARIA

10005 GULF DRIVE

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130

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

March 13, 9 a.m. – Planning and Zoning Board meeting

March 14, 2 p.m. – City Commission meeting

BRADENTON BEACH

107 GULF DRIVE N.

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005

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

Feb. 28, 10 a.m. – Pier Team meeting

March 6, 9:30 a.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency meeting

March 6, 1 p.m. – Planning and Zoning Board meeting

March 7, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting

March 12, 9:30 a.m. – City Commission work meeting

HOLMES BEACH

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

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

March 6, 10 a.m. – Parks and Beautification Committee meeting

March 6, 5 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting

wMarch 13, 9 a.m. – Clean Water Ad-hoc Committee meeting

ISLAND-WIDE

March 11, 2 p.m. – Island Transportation Planning Organization meeting, Anna Maria City Hall

March 14, 9:30 a.m. – ManaSota League of Cities meeting, Longboat Key Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key

Anna Maria legalizing sandwich board signs

Sandwich board signs are currently prohibited in Anna Maria, but enforcement is suspended.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria is revising its sandwich board sign regulation.

On Feb. 22, City Attorney Becky Vose presented on first reading a previously discussed ordinance that would allow one A-framed sandwich board sign per business address.

The second reading and final adoption of Ordinance 24-291 is slated for Thursday, March 14.

Anna Maria’s code of ordinances currently prohibits sandwich board signs but the enforcement of that prohibition was suspended to assist businesses in response to a hurricane-related pier closure in 2017 and the COVID pandemic.

With enforcement suspended, many Anna Maria businesses currently use sandwich board signs to attract customers and promote the goods and services they offer. Some busi-

nesses use more than one sandwich board sign, but they will soon be limited to one such sign per business address.

According to the soon-to-beamended ordinance, “Each separate address housing one or more legal existing commercial uses within the

ROR (Retail/Office/Residential) and C-1 zoning districts shall be permitted a single A-frame sandwich board. Such board shall have two fixed panels and be free of any parts that may swing or move in any fashion. Additionally, such board shall not exceed 27 inches in width

and 45 inches in height, including the A-frame. Such board shall not be located in the right of way or in any parking space, shall not impede pedestrian traffic or line of sight and/ or vehicular sight distances and/or sight triangle and shall be allowed during business hours only and shall be removed during non-business hours and inclement weather.”

While participating in the Feb. 22 meeting by phone, City Planner Ashley Austin noted the city commission previously discussed the proposed ordinance amendment in August. The proposed ordinance was then reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Board in September and the revisions suggested by the commission and planning board were incorporated into the ordinance presented that evening. Austin said she reached out to 21 Anna Maria business owners seeking their input. She said 16 business owners support the proposed sandwich board sign allowance, one business owner opposes sandwich board signs in general and four business owners are neutral on the matter.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Pizza Social uses its sandwich board sign to promote its alcoholic beverage offerings.

RFP issued for Pine Avenue prototype

The one-block prototype would serve as a test area for the remainder of the Reimagining Pine Avenue project.

BY JOE HENDRICKS

SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – City officials are seeking construction firms interested in building a oneblock Reimagining Pine Avenue prototype area between Gulf Drive and North Shore Drive.

The one-block prototype area will include new brick paver sidewalks along both sides of Pine Avenue. In some areas, the brick paver sidewalks will follow the existing footprints of the currently unpaved meandering paths that lead to and from some of the businesses located in that area.

The prototype will also include new raised and lighted pedestrian crosswalks and new streetlights. The sidewalk and crosswalk installations will be funded using a previously approved state appropriation and the city will pay for the streetlighting improvements itself.

The one-block prototype is to include the same safety improvements proposed for the remainder of Pine Avenue in the next phase of construction.

On Feb. 22, the city commission authorized by a 4-1 vote

the issuance of a request for proposals (RFP) seeking bids for the one-block Reimagining Pine Avenue prototype area. March 22 is the deadline to submit a bid proposal in response to the city’s RFP.

Mayor Dan Murphy said the prototype area would provide the city and the selected construction contractor the ability to experience and evaluate on a smaller scale the successes and challenges to be faced as the project later continues down the rest of Pine Avenue.

“It’s a real opportunity to build a showcase of what we want. It’s also an opportunity for us to tangibly see this is good or this is not what we thought it was gonna be. We can make changes and we can implement those as we go down Pine Avenue. It also isn’t as disruptive as what’s been done in other cities on this Island of blocking streets and a whole area being torn up at one time. This is just one concentrated area,” Murphy said when seeking commission authorization to issue the RFP.

In 2022, the city commission approved contracted project engineer Gerry Traverso’s original plans for Pine Avenue. Since then, the city has issued three different RFPs for the work to be done along the entirety of Pine Avenue. Each of those RFPs generated

interest from the same single bidder who then saw each of those bids rejected by the city commission.

Last year, the commission agreed to expand the Reimagining Pine Avenue project to include Spring and Magnolia avenues as a subsequent phase or phases of the safety improvement project in hopes that a larger project would attract more bidders. To date, no RFPs have been issued pertaining to Spring and Magnolia avenue portions of the expanded project. A new RFP for the remaining portion of Pine Avenue will be issued later. During the commission’s Feb. 8 meeting, Murphy acknowledged that an RFP for a one-block prototype may or may not generate interest from

more bidders. That day he also presented as another option inquiring whether the Sarasotabased Infrastructure Solution Services engineering firm that provides the city’s primary city engineering services would be interested in partnering with the Sarasota-based Jon F. Swift Construction firm on the one-block prototype.

On Feb. 22, Murphy said one of the Sarasota firms wasn’t interested in the prototype project at this time.

Commissioner Jon Crane cast the only vote in opposition to issuing the RFP. He said he previously practiced law in another state and back then there were significant differences between a solicitation for bids and a request for proposals.

Regarding the proposed RFP, Crane said, “This document uses them interchangeably and is more a solicitation of bids than an RFP. In a solicitation for bids, you know exactly what you want, down to the last three-penny nail; and you want somebody to charge you two cents for those nails to responsibly meet the contract at the best price. An RFP is a 30,000-foot view: This is what we’d like to see. Can you help us get there? I talked about this the last time we discussed this, that maybe contractors have better ideas than our engineers did. I’d like to have help from the private sector in what it looks like; and we never get good responses from our RFPs.”

Murphy said the RFP was a starting point and the finer details would be negotiated and finalized in the construction contract.

After noting that the prototype and the remainder of the Reimagining Pine Avenue project are being primarily funded with state money, Murphy said the city needed and received the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) approval to issue the proposed RFP as written. City Clerk LeAnne Addy then said some of the language contained in the RFP cannot be changed, per the Florida Department of Transportation.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Portions of the proposed Reimagining Pine Avenue prototype area currently have no sidewalks.

Commissioners discuss mangrove trimming enforcement

BY KRISTIN SWAIN

SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – Commissioners discussed a new idea to enforce mangrove protections against removal and excessive trimming recently– have the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) delegate permit authority over mangrove trimming and removal to the city.

The idea was brought to the dais by Commissioner Terry Schaefer, who said he feels that some instances of mangrove removal and excessive trimming are going unpunished by the state.

City Attorney Erica Augello said that if the city were to be the local authority to issue permits and enforce mangrove regulations, the only thing that would change is who has enforcement authority, the city or FDEP. She said the regulations and fines would remain the same. City leaders would not be able to change mangrove protections or levy heavier fines. No funding for enforcement would be provided by FDEP. Before deciding whether to apply for delegated authority, Augello suggested that commissioners think about whether or not it’s really a problem in the city.

Prior to deciding, City Planner Chad Minor said it would be beneficial to see exactly how many properties would be affected and what training would be needed for staff to have the expertise to implement the regulations.

Commissioner Carol Soustek said that

morally she would like to do it to try and protect the existing mangroves in the city, however without the ability to raise fines, she’s unsure what effect the city could have.

Augello said that the first violation is mitigation and restoration with a second violation of $100 and subsequent fines of $200 plus restoration and mitigation. While city leaders might be able to keep a closer watch on restoration, Augello said there’s nothing punitive to prevent developers or others from removing mangroves.

Soustek said she’s hesitant to take on the liability aspect of enforcement without any real enforcement ability.

Commissioner Greg Kerchner said that without any real enforcement ability, he doesn’t understand what problem commissioners are trying to solve.

Commissioner Pat Morton said he feels that anyone who is going to violate mangrove regulations will do it no matter who is enforcing them.

Schaefer said that he feels that localizing the enforcement of the regulations could help minimize damage to existing mangroves. He added that he agreed with Minor and would be interested to know how many properties would be affected.

Commissioners agreed to consult staff members about what education and training would be needed to enforce mangrove regulations and become an agent for mangrove protection in the city rather than an enforcement arm for the FDEP.

BUTTERFLY: Presentation highlights native species

FROM

PAGE 5

“The queen is darker orange with less lines on the wings,” she said. “The viceroy has more black lines and the monarch is more yellow. Viceroy and monarch are a case of mimicry. Their bright orange colors warn predators, ‘I’m toxic.’ That mimicry helps both species.”

Burke said the monarch has a migration path of up to 2,000 miles and that migration takes two to three generations.

“They stop and lay eggs and that generation continues,” she said. “Their average lifespan is four to six weeks.”

There are two types of plants that will attract monarchs in Florida - the tropical milkweed and the butterfly weed.

“Plant milkweeds in your yard,” she said. “They will lay eggs on top of the tropical milkweed.”

Burke suggested things people

Roser Church

“...a beautiful place to explore your faith...”

can do at home to help the butterfly population.

“Plant native plants, provide a puddling opportunity for water, cut pesticide use and educate others,” she said.

SUNDAY WORSHIP

8:30 AM & 10:00 AM

IN PE RSON • in the Sanctuar y Nurser y • Children’s Church

ONLINE • Watch LI VE or LATER RoserChurch.com

Sign up to receive the eBulletin at RoserChurch.com/contact-us

The CHAPEL is open during o ce hours for prayer and meditation

us on Facebook @RoserChurch

941-778-0414 • 512 Pine Ave, Anna Maria • FOLLOW

LESLIE LAKE | SUN

Elena Burke of the Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department gave a presentation at Roser Hall about native butterfly and plant species.

MANGROVES: Feds issue approval for mangrove removal

workers actively removing mangroves.”

“I was in my front yard putting up Christmas lights when I heard the machines,” Leto said in December. “I went out back and saw a backhoe ripping out mangroves.”

In a Dec. 18 email from Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy to The Sun, Murphy wrote, “The City received a complaint from a resident on Dec. 4, 2023, regarding the extensive removal and alteration of mangroves at 111 Gull Drive. As a result of this complaint, city staff visited the property and confirmed that mangroves had been removed and fill dirt had been added in its place.”

A permit for seawall construction had not been issued by the city and a stop work order was posted on the property on Dec. 6, according to Murphy.

“On Dec. 13, 2023, staff received several complaints from residents that mangroves had been removed yet again, despite the stop work order,” Murphy wrote. “One of the complainants shared a video of workers removing the mangroves and noted that the complainant called the Manatee County Sheriff to the site on the eve of Dec. 12, 2023. City staff visited the site on Dec. 13, 2023, and observed

Murphy wrote the stop work order had been removed and staff reposted it.

“The City of Anna Maria has confirmed that Mason Martin LLC, the contractor for the construction of the house at 111 Gull, was the entity that removed the mangroves,” Murphy wrote in a Dec. 19 email to The Sun.

FDEP issued an exemption on Sept. 19 for the construction of an approximately 116-foot seawall with a 2-foot-wide concrete cap and 815 square feet of backfill to level the property.

Following complaints the agency had received on Dec. 13 about mangrove removal, FDEP inspectors conducted a site visit on Dec. 22.

The FDEP final inspection report on released on Jan. 11 stated in part: “The inspection revealed that construction had commenced and a portion of the mangroves on the property were removed within the exempt activity’s footprint. Erosion control devices were installed upon request after the inspection.”

According to that report, 67 feet of mangroves had been removed, leaving 49 feet of mangrove fringe.

“The canal system is considered Waters of the United States (WOTUS) and is within retained waters.

“ This place has an amazing collection of spirits.” Josh

“ The guys here was very helpful and knowledgeable. They had some great choices on bourbon.

Therefore, additional authorization is required from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE),” the FDEP report stated. “The Department notified the property owner that they should continue to coordinate with USACE and to not continue construction until a USACE authorization is obtained.”

On Feb. 16, the USACE issued the required authorization, according to Army Corps spokesman David Ruderman.

“The authorization included a requirement that the applicant purchase mangrove credits from the Tampa Bay Mitigation Bank before construction of the proposed seawall,” Ruderman wrote in a Feb. 22 email to The Sun. “I don’t have any details on the dollar amount of the credit but have asked for that info and will pass it on if/when I get a response.”

The Army Corps of Engineers mitigation credits can provide wetland mitigation

for impacts within its federal wetland mitigation service area, according to the Tampa Bay Mitigation bank website.

“Mitigation banking is a practice in which an environmental enhancement and preservation project is conducted by a public agency or private entity (“banker”) to provide mitigation for unavoidable wetland impacts within a defined region (mitigation service area),” according to the FDEP website. “The bank is the site itself, and the currency sold by the banker to the impact permittee is a credit, which represents the wetland ecological value equivalent to the complete restoration of one acre.”

Mitigation banks are authorized by a state permit, issued by either a water management district or the department, and by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a Mitigation Bank Instrument (MBI), according to FDEP.

“The cost of a ‘credit’ often seems high at first look (initially listed at $100K$150K per credit); however, the cost is often significantly lower than the cost of designing and permitting on-site mitigation projects taking into consideration land costs, consulting and engineering fees, and delays in project implementation,” according to the Tampa Bay Mitigation website.

“

These guys had t he best selection , decent prices, and were overall just good people.” Matt hew

“Great

“Amazing

RON LETO | SUBMITTED

Following U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approval to remove mangroves at a Gull Drive property, a canalfront neighbor took this photo of the work in progress on Feb. 22.

Kiwanis awards scholarship

Kiwanis of Anna Maria Island presented a $1,000 check from its foundation to the Take Stock in Children Scholarship Fund last Saturday, which will be matched by the Florida Prepaid College Savings Plan for future scholarships.

From left are Foundation President Lynn Kruse, Foundation Secretary and Treasurer Sandy Haas-Martens, Take Stock in Children Senior Brayan Hernandez, Take Stock in Children Community Liasion Ann Colonna and Foundation Vice President Darrel Shinn.

Bank demo begins

Demolition of the former Wells Fargo bank at the corner of Marina and Gulf drives has begun, though Holmes Beach City Planner Chad Minor said the work is primarily being done on the interior and “is largely exploratory” at this point. While Minor says demolition permits have been obtained by the new owner, former Bradenton Beach commissioner Jake Spooner, no site plan has yet been submitted to the city for consideration. Spooner’s Island Bazaar Gulf Dr. LLC purchased the property in July 2023 for $4.75 million, according to Manatee County Property Appraiser records.

New restaurant demo begins

A new restaurant is set to rise in the place of the former Island Grill on Marina Drive in Holmes Beach. City Planner Chad Minor said that demolition permits have been issued for the restaurant space and the building permits for the Bohemian Restaurant are expected to be approved soon by the city. Commissioners approved the site plan for the new restaurant in 2023.

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

WMFR honors and recognitions

Clockwise above, Fire Chief Ben Rigney shows off a framed article from Fire Service magazine gifted to him by West Manatee Fire Rescue Commissioner Derrick Warner. Rigney is being honored on Feb. 29 by the Manatee Tiger Bay Club with the 2024 First Responders Leadership Award. Firefighter William “Buddy” Bowen was honored during a Feb. 20 West Manatee Fire Rescue commission meeting for serving 20 years with the district. Firefighter/paramedic William Thomas was all smiles as he received a promotion to firefighter/paramedic second class with West Manatee Fire Rescue district.

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

Damon Moore, of Oyster River Ecology, says oysters have a future in Manatee County.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA - Damon Moore outlined his vision for local oyster habitat restoration during a Feb. 21 presentation at The Center of Anna Maria Island.

Moore, the founder and executive director of Oyster River Ecology Inc., began with the historical abundance of oysters in local waters and their subsequent decline.

“The oldest reference I could find to the Manatee River was in 1792,” Moore said, when explorers referred to the river as the “River of Oysters.”

From 1876 to 1897, he said the waters went from “oysters, oysters, everywhere to totally depleted” due to the commercial oyster trade.

Oysters, past and future

“It gets worse. A lot worse. Manatee Avenue was originally a sandy road which was paved with oyster shells which were taken from the river,” Moore said. “For several months after, the oyster meat rotted and Manatee Avenue was the most odiferous street in the whole United States.”

From 1931 to 1962 the Bradenton Dredging and Shell Company removed more than 650,000 cubic yards of shell from the Manatee River, he said.

Moore said the current decline in the oyster population is due to water quality issues including water pollution, altered freshwater flows and increased erosion and sedimentation.

“When you put a big dam on the Manatee River that changes how much fresh water comes in, I call it the Goldilocks zone of salinity,” Moore said. “When you’re an oyster, if it’s too fresh, you close up and you don’t open, you will starve

to death. If it’s too salty, you’re fine with that but so are all of your predators.”

Moore said the problem locally was overharvesting of hard material that oysters need to thrive and create oyster beds.

“What restoration projects generally consist of is returning that hard material into the water column to allow them to grow,” Moore said. “We don’t have to seed them. We’re lucky there’s enough of an existing population growing in

mangrove roots. There’s plenty of larval oysters.”

“When I’m talking about restoration I’m talking about restoring a population of oysters that existed in the Manatee River,” he said, adding that restoration can take place through both community-driven and contract-driven projects.

“Vertical oyster gardens are very popular,” he said. “This is something you can do on your own dock. The docks on Anna

Maria Island, you’re in really high salinity waters. If on docks or seawalls, the predators can’t jump which gives the oysters an extra level of protection.”

A vertical oyster garden is typically a string of recycled shell which can be hung from a dock where oysters can grow. Once they’ve reached a certain size, they will fall off into the water and coalesce into an oyster reef, Moore said.

He compared barge and backhoe placement of 6 inches of limerock at a per acre cost of $635,000 to the $216,000-peracre cost of 12-inch metal pin vertical oyster gardens.

“That’s a significant savings,” Moore said.

“Restoration targets are 300 acres by 2050 for Tampa Bay in the 2020 Tampa Bay Estuary Habitat Management Plan,” he said. “For 300 acres, the cost is $190,680,000 for barge and backhoe compared to $64,947,960 for 12-inch metal.”

LESLIE LAKE | SUN

Damon Moore presented a talk at The Center of Anna Maria Island about the local history of oysters and restoration plans for their future.

OUTDOORS

Take a kid fishing

Reel Time

RUSTY CHINNIS

eflecting back on the importance fishing has had on my life, I’d like to pass on some of the things I’ve learned over the years about how to introduce children to the marine

Those first experiences on the water leave indelible memories, so we should work to make them uncomplicated and as much fun as possible. Creating unrealistic expectations can discourage young anglers and be the difference between the kindling of a passion or a dislike for the activity. The basics of fishing are not complicated to learn, are easy to teach children and don’t require expensive equipment. If there’s a cardinal rule to

getting kids interested in fishing, it’s to make sure and keep them engaged. Children are naturally curious, they love to play in and on the water and are fascinated by the creatures that inhabit the water. Catching fish isn’t their main objective and you shouldn’t make it the focus of an outing. It’s important to plan a trip that includes other activities such as swimming, wildlife identification and snorkeling, as well as fishing. Being on the water provides an excellent opportunity to teach kids about their environment and boating safety skills. You could also make a game out of learning basic nautical terms such as port, starboard, bow and stern. Every child I’ve ever had on the boat wants to drive, so let them, even if it’s just sitting on your lap with their hands on the wheel!

It’s important let kids be a part of the adventure, and getting them involved is a great way to interject a stealth lesson in responsibility in children. Give them things to be in

charge of such as making sure everyone knows where the safety equipment is. Don’t start children out with cheap fishing rods and reels. Provide them with decent equipment that’s light and manageable. An ultra-light rig with 6-pound test line is a great way to start. Try and think like a kid when fishing. Children would rather catch a dozen pinfish in a half hour than wait a half hour for a chance at a bigger or better fish. Try tying on a bait-catching sabiki rig and watch their excitement and boasting about catching so many fish. Action is paramount; kids are easily bored and distracted.

Consider starting kids fishing with a small popping cork that they can watch for signs of action. If you can start teaching kids that the enjoyment of the adventure isn’t measured by the number or size of fish you catch, you’ll teach them an important lesson that many fishermen never learn.

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

By being sensitive to what interests children, it's possible

The Center Murder Mystery cast ready to entertain

The Center of Anna Maria Island will be rocking this week at the annual Murder Mystery for two shows on Friday, Mar. 1 and Saturday, Mar. 2. Tickets are available now for American Cover, the fundraising play with proceeds going to Center programs. Enjoy food, drinks and a great show, with doors closing at 6:45 p.m. for showtime. Friday night tickets are $50, including a light bite.

Saturday’s show includes a dinner by Poppos Taqueria with the play for $100 for an individual ticket or $800 for a table of eight. With a different ending each night, laughs can be had either night or both. Come as you are or dress up as your favorite music artist or band. A costume contest will be held Saturday night with raffles and prizes throughout the night. Returning by popular demand,

REEL TIME: Take a kid fishing

FROM PAGE 16

Local shops like AMI Outfitters can suggest the right tackle and the fish to pursue. If you can make the experience interesting and educational for them, even if there’s no hookups, they are more likely to want to do it again. Kids might be more interested in collecting shells, counting crabs or looking for manatees or dolphins than fishing, so be sensitive to

what’s bringing them pleasure. It’s a good strategy to have children involved in other activities while you search for the fish. When the action gets hot, get them involved. That is a much better way to make a day of “fishing” more memorable and one they’ll want to repeat. It’s also important to emphasize safety, bending down barbs and making them aware of fish with sharp teeth and barbs like catfish and stingrays. This is

this year’s play is written and directed by Brianna Roberts assisted by Beth Shaughnessy. The event includes a fun and outrageous cast of characters who will entertain while raising money for the Island’s commu nity center. To purchase tickets, visit www.centerami.org/ events. For more information, visit www.centerami.org or call The Center at 941-778-1908.

also an excellent time to teach them to carefully handle and release any fish that’s not going to be kept. The first experiences on the water are very important and you should consider a plan of action in advance in case the fishing isn’t great. The last thing you want to do is bore kids by sitting on a spot too long. Keep your eyes and ears open and you might learn a lesson or two from them!

SUBMITTED

Sign up for fly fishing school

CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, 1249 Stickney Point Road, Sarasota, will hold an Orvis-endorsed fly fishing school on Saturday, March 9. The course, designed for beginning and intermediate fly casters, will focus on basic fly casting principles, improving casting skills and correcting faults. Instructor Capt. Rick Grassett will also cover saltwater fly fishing techniques, leader construction and fly selection. The cost for the class, which will run from 8:30 a.m. to approximately 2 p.m., is $225 per person and includes the use of fly tackle, a workbook and lunch. Optional instructional guided fly fishing trips are also available for an additional fee. Contact CB’s Saltwater Outfitters at 941-349-4400 or info@cbsoutfitters.com to make reservations.

mentioned three primary goals:

“Standardize the licensing and registration of vacation rentals, make available the information and the tools necessary for effective and efficient enforcement for good neighbor codes and ensure the effective collection of taxes due on vacation rental transactions.”

The lengthy amendment he then introduced was adopted without additional discussion.

When discussing his bill in general, Griffitts said the proposed occupancy limits are based on the Florida Fire Prevention Code provision that would allow one occupant per every 150 square feet. The Senate bill proposes a two-plus-two occupancy limit that allows two guests per bedroom and two additional guests.

Speaking on behalf of the city of Jacksonville Beach, lobbyist Jack Cory said, “This bill would erode the property rights of over 5 million constituents who bought and want to live in a homesteaded residential property. They do not

want to live next to mini-hotels.

Gov. DeSantis probably said it best when he said for us to be micromanaging vacation rentals, I am not sure that is the thing to do.”

Lauderdale Isles Civic Improvement Association Vice President Geoff Rames said, “HB 1537 will destroy our neighborhoods. Vacation rentals will run rampant without the fear of consequences.”

State Rep. Dan Daley (D-Coral Springs) said, “We talk so much about property rights. How about my freedom to not live next to a party house?”

When expressing his tentative support, Rep. Patt Maney (RShalimar) said “It frankly is a little frustrating for local governments to beat us up over preemption when they don’t do their job and exercise their police powers to control noise, trash and garbage, traffic and parking. If they won’t do it, they shouldn’t complain when the state decides to get a 800- or 900-mile-long screwdriver to tighten the screws.”

ADDITIONAL INSIGHTS

When contacted by The Sun the

following day, Griffitts confirmed the House and Senate bills were not identical and he doesn’t anticipate the House members simply adopting the Senate bill.

“There are considerable differences. I don’t believe there’s a lot of buy-in with the Senate bill. The Senate bill will not pass the House,” he said.

Griffitts said he filed HB 1537 at the request of Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, who sought his assistance because of his family’s background in hotels and hospitality and his experience as a county commissioner and tourist

development council member.

Griffitts, a Panama City Beach resident, said, “I have 18,000 registered vacation rentals in my county. I am infinitely familiar with the problems.”

Griffitts said he supports local governments’ ability to continue regulating and inspecting vacation rentals.

“In my opinion, vacation rentals are no different than hotels. Why should they be treated any differently? The state just wants to make sure they don’t put somebody out of business,” he said.

ANNA MARIA REACTION

The amended House bill was discussed that night at the Feb. 22 Anna Maria City Commission meeting.

“They amended the bill and actually made it worse,” Mayor Dan Murphy said.

City Attorney Becky Vose said the House bill would limit local inspections only to items specified in the Florida Fire Prevention Code such as smoke alarms, battery-powered emergency lights, points of exit and floor diagrams. She said the city inspectors also monitor compliance with city regulations that require vacation rentals to have swimming pool fences, pool door alarms, stairway railings and other safety features not addressed in the fire prevention code.

She said the House bill doesn’t define sleeping accommodations and cots and sleeping bags could be considered sleeping accommodations. She also noted House bill would give the vacation rental owners and managers until 9 a.m. the following day to respond to a complaint.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Short-term vacation rental homes in Anna Maria are inspected annually in accordance with state and city regulations.

FOOD & WINE

Andrew Rawley

his summer on our staff trip to Italy, I was lucky enough to bring along my lovely girlfriend, Emily. She is a true gourmand, even though she loves tuna melts, which I find abhorrent. Although most of our dinners and day trips were group outings with the rest of the staff, we were able to sneak away one night for a romantic dinner alone. We were in Catania on the Island of Sicily and were lucky enough to secure a reservation at Sapio, a one-Michelinstar restaurant headed by chef Alessandro Ingiulla. We indulged in a lengthy tasting menu paired with incredible wines and had a wonderful experience. We both agreed the highlight of the night was a small dish of raw swordfish, a cucumber dressing, and finely diced, lightly pickled cucumbers finished with a drizzle of the finest extra virgin olive oil. It was paired perfectly with a white wine made from the Carricante grapes that grow at high altitudes on Mount Etna.

The dish was crisp, clean, refreshing and seemingly very simple. I knew it was something I would love to try my hand at recreating when we returned

home. In this recipe, I have substi tuted the raw swordfish for seared scallops that are still raw and cool in the middle to better accommodate us here in America who may not have access to sushi-grade swordfish. We now serve this on an occasional basis at the restaurant and it's always a hit.

With the scallops being seared aggressively, it adds another layer of texture and flavor that makes the dish less delicate but I think for most

allowing them to cook for another 10-20 seconds on the second side. They should still be cold in the center when you slice them, but if you prefer a well-done scallop, by all means feel free to cook them to your liking.

For my girlfriend and I, it was our

Sicilian scallops

Ingredients

2 large scallops

1 English cucumber, finely diced

1 clove of garlic

1 small shallot

1/2 cup honey

3/4 cup white balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon sugar

Olive oil for garnish

Instructions

Heat 1/2 cup of vinegar and sugar until sugar dissolves. Allow to cool and add half the diced cucumber. Allow to soak for at least two hours. Put the remaining cucumber, garlic, shallot, vinegar, honey and a dash of salt in a blender and blend until smooth. Sear scallops on high heat to desired temperature. To plate, spoon the dressing onto a plate, slice scallops in half and arrange neatly, top with pickled cucumbers and drizzle with olive oil.

first experience dining at a Michelinstarred restaurant as a couple so it will always be a memorable experience and a particularly memorable dish for both of us. Hopefully, you can attempt to cook this dish at home for your partner, or come into Isola Bella and enjoy it here. I hope it can be as enjoyable for you as it is for us.

ISOLA BELLA ITALIAN EATERY

Roser Women’s Guild hosts fashion show

Tickets are on sale now for the popular Roser Women’s Guild Fashion Show. The annual luncheon held at Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave. in Anna Maria, features fashions found at the Roser Thrift Shop. Tickets are $20 with all proceeds going to benefit the Guild’s scholarship fund and local

community outreach projects. Shopping at the thrift store, located across the street at 511 Pine Ave., will follow the show and luncheon. The fun takes place on Tuesday, March 12 at noon in the fellowship hall. To purchase tickets, or for more information, contact the church at 941-778-0414.

WMFR rental inspections ramp up

Fire Marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski had good news for West Manatee Fire Rescue commissioners during a Feb. 20 meeting – inspections of vacation rentals are increasing. In the past month, Kwiatkowski said that the Fire Prevention Bureau has completed 100 inspections of short-term vacation rental

properties. “The process is going smoothly,” he said, adding that he planned to meet with management for a large rental company to arrange for inspections of a large number of properties. To schedule a fire safety vacation rental inspection, visit www.wmfr.org or call 941-761-1555.

Fagen, of Holmes Beach; her son, Scott Fagen; and grandson, Scottie Fagen, of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Julie and Tommy both worked at The Gulf and Pine Art Gallery in Anna Maria for 10 years. Originally from Olivia, Minnesota, Julie was a loving caregiver and seamstress. Her husband, Tommy, loves you and will always miss you.

Janice Ella Smith Hunsader

Janice Ella Smith Hunsader, 85, passed gently in her sleep on Feb. 16, 2024, after a short battle with lymphoma cancer. She was born on July 11, 1938, to Elmer and Dorothy Smith in the small town of Horicon, Wisconsin, just north of Milwaukee. Soon thereafter the family moved to Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where Jan attended and graduated from Lincoln High School and then graduated from Holy Family Nursing School in Manitowoc and earned her nursing degree. During this time, Janice met the love of her life, Paul Julian Hunsader, who was a local dairy farmer and they were married on Feb. 6, 1960. Paul together with his two brothers, Robert and Donald, who all worked the family farm, decided in 1967 to sell the farm, pack up everything they all had and move to Florida. The move to Bradenton proved to be a difficult challenge, yet the Hunsaders persevered with hard work and determination,

creating Hunsader Brothers Inc., a commercial tomato business in Manatee County.

Janice and Paul Hunsader were very active members of St. Joseph Catholic Church and wellknown pillars in the Bradenton community for their ongoing charitable contributions. Janice was a life member and President (1989-1990) of Entre Nous Club of Manatee County. Playing tennis and attending the U.S. Open every year, snowmobiling, jet skiing, enjoying her beach house on Anna Maria Island, quilting, scrapbooking, riding her bike on Longboat Key, traveling the world, (Alaska was her favorite place) and spending time with her 10 grandkids kept her happily busy.

Jan spent the years following Paul’s death in 2015 promoting political campaigns and voter registration for the Republican Party. She could often be seen on busy roadsides and street corners wearing her MAGA tennis shoes waving flags promoting her favorite political candidates and volunteering at the local election voter booths. She was also a member of the Republican Club SEE

Are mortgage rates really going down?

Did we ever think this day would arrive? Those in the know kept saying rates will be better next year, and this is finally next year, and by golly, it appears they were right. Since nothing is ever that easy, there are discrepancies in rate predictions but generally the arrow is pointing down.

Forbes is predicting three rate cuts this year, assuming that inflation continues to slow. The National Association of Realtors’ Chief Economist Lawrence Yun says that because high budget deficits and inflation are still not at a comfort level, mortgage rates will likely be in the 6% to 7% range for most of the year.

Castles in the Sand

LOUISE BOLGER

The Mortgage Bankers Association is forecasting 6.1% at the end of this year and 5.5% at the end of next year. Bank of America’s head of retail lending Matt Vernon is more cautious. He says rate cuts could breathe new life into the housing market but significant drops in mortgage rates might not happen in the

early months of 2024. The Fannie Mae housing forecast is that the 30-year fixed rate mortgage will average 7% in the first quarter of this year and slowly decline over the year, landing at 5.5% in the fourth quarter. There certainly are more opinions but these are some of the top players in the industry and apparently, they all are looking to declines.

As of this writing, the average rates were 7.45% for a 30-year fixed rate and 6.68% for a 15-year fixed rate. Not bad, but we’re not there yet as you can see from the above opinions, however, there are ways to obtain a better rate now.

Boosting your credit score is a sure fire

way to pay a lower interest rate. Just a few points can help a lot and here are tips on how to achieve this: Make an extra payment on an existing mortgage or on credit card balances, spend less than 30% of the amount of credit offered to you on credit cards and pay off your balance each month in full.

You can also reduce your mortgage rate by paying points up front on a new mortgage. Do the math and see if out of pocket money now to lower your longterm rate works for you. Finally, shop around don’t take the first offer from a lender you call.

Let’s see what our January sales in Manatee County are, reported by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee:

Single-family homes closed 10.9% more properties compared to January of last year. The median sale price was $525,000, up 3.8% and the average sale price was $735,836, up 13.1%. The

median time to contract was 35 days this January compared to 32 days last January. New listings were up 32.3% from last January and the month’s supply of available properties was 3.9 months compared to 3.2 months last year.

Condos closed 8.8% more properties compared to January of last year. The median sale price was $357,990, up 3.8%, the same as single-family homes, and the average sale price was $441,573, up 12.6%. The median time to contract was 47 days this January compared to 26 last January. New listings were up 37.9%, and the monthly supply of available properties was 5.6 months compared to 3.2 months.

The increase in listings we’re seeing points to a more balanced market that favors buyers, along with the interest rate arrows pointing down. The weather arrows, however, are starting to point up, so go to the beach and let the real estate market find its own level.

HEMP: Regulations on CBD, hemp to be revisited

growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin extracted from any part of the plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture or preparation of the plant or its seeds or resin, including but not limited to low-THC cannabis.”

At Mayor Dan Murphy’s suggestion, Anna Maria’s current hemp and CBD prohibitions are tentatively scheduled for discussion during the Thursday, March 14 city commission meeting that will start at 2 p.m.

Anna Maria’s hemp and CBD sales prohibitions came into question during the Feb. 8 commission meeting, when Blue Ribbon Events owner Danielle Lynch and Holmes Beachbased Edibles N More owner Mel Wendel were informed that Wendel could not sell hemp and CBD products at the arts and crafts show taking place at Roser Church that weekend. Wendel noted CBD sales are allowed in Holmes Beach because that city amended its hemp and CBD prohibitions in accordance with the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized hemp and differentiated it from marijuana.

When addressing the commission, Wendel said she purchases and resells CBD products produced and sold by Beach Bum Apothecary in Anna Maria (no relation to Beach Bums on Pine Avenue). She also said the Cool Beans AMI coffee shop was selling CBD products.

In response, Murphy said he wasn’t aware of any Anna Maria businesses selling hemp or CBD products.

VIOLATION NOTICES

Although not named by Wendel, North Shore Café owners Nathan Scott Geller and Colleen Geller now find themselves involved in the hemp and CBD regulation discussion.

On Feb. 13, the Gellers received a notice of violation letter from Code Enforcement Manager David DeZutter.

The notice includes the city code language pertaining to hemp and CBD sales and says, “This is to inform you that it was brought to our attention that your location may be selling CBD products which are made from hemp.

If the allegation is correct, please remove all CBD products. Your immediate attention is required to bring your property into compliance by Feb. 23.

North Shore Café owner Nathan Scott Geller addressed the city commission on Feb. 22.

That day, Cool Beans AMI owner Morgan Bryant received a similar notice.

When contacted by The Sun, Beach Bum Apothecary owner Jim Harwood said he did not receive a notice of violation. He said he previously utilized a commercial kitchen facility in Anna Maria to produce CBD products but he no longer uses that facility.

“The (Florida) Department of Agriculture granted me a permit to use at the kitchen. Right now, the business is not operating and I do not

and have not sold items in the city of Anna Maria. My billing and shipping addresses are located in Bradenton,” Harwood said.

BUSINESS OWNER RESPONDS

The Gellers attended the Feb. 22 city commission meeting and Nathan addressed the commission during general public comment.

Regarding the notice of violation, Geller said, “I can assure you we’re not doing any of those things. As a resident and business owner, we support the intent of this ordinance, but somehow we got ensnared in this ordinance because of a product we sell at the café.”

Geller said the café uses hemp powder as an ingredient in some menu items and he showed the commission a package of the product used.

The café’s online menu includes an Acai Hemp Protein Bowl and smoothies that contain hemp protein, hemp seeds or hemp powder. Geller said the hemp product the café uses has a THC level of one-thousandth of one percent.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Horseshoe pitching results

Three teams advanced to the playoff round after each went 3-0 during pool play on Feb. 21 at the Anna Maria horseshoe pits, with the bye going to Bob Hawks/Bob Heiger. Tom Farrington and Jersey Jones moved into the final after a 22-1 win over Tim Sofran/Sam Samuels. Hawks/Heiger came off the bench and won the day’s bragging rights after taking out Farrington/Jones 21-14. It was another three-team affair on Feb. 24 after each

went 3-0, with the bye going to Ron Gagon/Bob Rowley. Adin Shank/Tom Skoloda eliminated Bob Mason/Bob Lee 21-8. In the final, it was all Shank/ Skoloda beating Gagon/Rowley 21-7 to win the day’s championship. Newcomers are welcome to participate in the twice-weekly matches on Wednesdays and Saturdays at the pits behind Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive. The matches begin at 9 a.m. with an 8:30 warm-up.

Top real estate producers for January 2024

A PARADISE

Kathy Nunnally – Listing

Quentin Talbert - Selling

AN ISLAND PLACE REALTY

Tanya Edwards – Listing

Sue Carlson - Selling

DUNCAN REAL ESTATE

Darcie Duncan – Listing

Joey Hutchinson - Selling

EDGEWATER REAL ESTATE

Lynn Zemmer Listing & Selling

FRAN MAXON

Stephanie Bell Listing & Selling

ISLAND REAL ESTATE

Alan Galletto– Listing

Kathleen White & Erin Leathem - Selling

MIKE NORMAN REALTY

Marianne Norman-Ellis Listing & Selling

MICHAEL SAUNDERS

Hannah Hillyard – Listing

Kathy Harman - Selling

REMAX ALLIANCE GROUP

Dee Munn and Karen Harllee Listing & Selling

SALTY MERMAID REAL ESTATE

Liz Blandford – Listing

Amber Delbaugh - Selling

SATO REAL ESTATE

Jason Sato – Listing

Jessica Batten - Selling

WAGNER REAL ESTATE

Carol Codella – Listing & Selling

Solberg, Talbert win golf championship

After five weeks of two-man team match play at Key Royale Club, 24 teams competed for the Men's 4-Ball Match Play Championship on Feb. 21. The final championship match pitted Larry Solberg and Quentin Talbert against Bob Blaser and Bill Koche. It came down to the final hole with Solberg, right, and Talbert, left, crowned the champs, winning 5 holes to 4 holes.

IN OTHER PLAY:

FEB. 20 - LOW NET SCORE

Flight A

First Place - Linda Dorsey, 31

Second Place - Louise Clemens, Jenny Huibers and Helen Pollock tied, 32 Third Place - Nina McSparren, 34

Flight B

First Place - Judy Christensen, 30

Second Place - Gloria LaDue, 32

Third Place - Carol Patterson, 33 and Greg Shorten, 74

Third Place - Bob Reid, Gary Risner, Harvey Shovers and Larry Solberg, 75

Cortez firehouse under renovation

Built in 1950 and acquired by FISH in 1997, the old firehouse is being brought back to life.

BY LESLIE LAKE

SUN CORRESPONDENT| llake@amisun.com

CORTEZ – The old volunteer firehouse in Cortez is getting a facelift.

Built in 1950, the building at 4523 123rd St. Court W. served as a volunteer fire department in Cortez for many years. In 1997, the West Manatee Fire District deeded the property to the non-profit Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH).

While the building sat relatively dormant for a period of time and has been used for storage and as a voting precinct, FISH is now undertaking its renovation to bring it back as a gathering place for the community.

Longtime Cortez residents remember the building not only as a firehouse, but as the site of community fish fries.

“I can remember the fish fries there back in the 80s,” Cortez resident Pat Potts said.

A one-man construction crew, volunteer Bob Hooper, has spent several hours just about every day for the past four months getting the building ready for its return to the historic fish fries and social gatherings of years past.

“I’ve painted the walls, put in a new back door, we’re putting in a stainless steel countertop and a new sink and garbage disposal to go in here,” Hooper said. “All these filters are brand new. On the roof there’s a new fan. That’s all brand new.”

“This place has been sitting here vacant for quite a few years,” Hooper said. “Most of the work is prepping, you’ve got to clean the walls and mop

them and get all the dirt and dust off. The floors had tile, so I took the tile off and got a grinder to grind all the glue off. I’ll repaint the concrete floors.”

The centerpiece of the kitchen, a 10-burner gas stove that Hooper estimates has been there for more than 40 years, is being cleaned up and refurbished.

“We had it tested last week, the oven on one side doesn’t work, it needs a thermostat which we’re getting,” he said. “This deep fryer is shot so we have to get a new one.”

Hooper is waiting for cabinet delivery so he can put the kitchen sink in and said after that his work is pretty much done there.

Some of the plumbing lines had been replaced by a plumber who lives in the neighborhood, Hooper said.

“The lines were full of grease, I guess from the old fish fries,” he said. “That’s all dug up and ready to be replaced.”

The bathrooms have been updated with new toilets and new sink fixtures.

Hooper worked as a water treatment operator for 33 years and being handy comes naturally to him, but the work at the

firehouse hasn’t been without its challenges.

“Within four months it’s flooded here twice, about 4-5 inches during the storm surges,” Hooper said. “This door is a hollow door and it got wet. I cut it in half and used the top half to make it a Dutch door.”

Hooper said the water heater was sitting on the floor when the water came in and it damaged the bottom.

“They got a new one and I raised it up off the floor,” Hooper said.

“We could use a simple fridge donated with a top freezer and lower refrigerator,” FISH board member Karen Bell said. “The last one got ruined in the flood.”

“All this will be taken out and will be empty with tables here for fish fries,” Hooper said of the main area of the building. I think they want to do two fish fries a week.”

LESLIE LAKE | SUN

The old Cortez volunteer firehouse is undergoing renovation. Bob Hooper, right, is doing much of the work.

HEMP: Regulations on CBD, hemp to be revisited

FROM PAGE 23

“They call it industrial hemp. Completely safe and legal. We feed this to our children. It has nothing to do with CBD,” he said. “North Shore Café has never sold CBD products. We don’t intend to sell CBD products.”

Making an analogy, Geller said, “The poppy seed comes from the poppy plant. The poppy plant also produces opium and heroin. No one is making poppy seeds illegal or banning lemon poppyseed muffins or poppy seed bagels, because they come from a different part of the plant.”

He also said, “This ordinance needs to be more specific and actually go after CBD products and synthetic CBDs.”

In response, Murphy said the current ordinance was enacted in 2015 to prohibit medical marijuana dispensaries before Florida voters approved the sale of medical marijuana. All three Anna Maria Island cities prohibit medical marijuana dispensaries and Holmes Beach is the only Island city that permits CBD sales.

“We didn’t want pot dispensaries in the city and we didn’t want smoke shops. That’s what that commission was after,” Murphy said, noting none of the current commissioners were in office in 2015.

Commissioner Jon Crane asked if the Gellers could wait until after the March 14 meeting to address the code enforcement citation they received. Murphy said the city is compelled to enforce the ordinance but the mayor has some discretion as to how the enforcement is conducted.

The commission unanimously

OBITUARIES

FROM PAGE 21

of Manatee County and Tea Party of Manatee and attended meetings regularly.

Janice is survived by her four beloved children: Steve (Patti), and their children, Alex and Grant; Eric and his daughters, Ella, Tatum, Eden and Lilly; daughter, Cindy Quinn (Tom Parry) and their children, Brighton and Garrett LaFlamme; and Peter (Mari Little) and their children, Kourtney and Joshua. Other close

We didn’t want pot dispensaries in the city and we didn’t want smoke shops. That’s what that commission was after.”

Dan Murphy, Anna Maria mayor

supported Murphy’s suggestion to place the matter on the agenda for its March 14 meeting.

STATE, FEDERAL LAWS

According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services website, the 2018 Farm Bill adopted by the federal government created a process for states and tribal governments to establish state hemp programs in which individuals could legally cultivate hemp. The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the federal Controlled Substances Act.

In 2019, the Florida Legislature adopted a state hemp program in which hemp is considered an agricultural commodity and hemp-derived cannabinoids are not controlled substances or adulterants. State laws defines hemp as any part of the cannabis plant that does not contain more than 0.3% of THC.

living family members include her beloved sister, Judy (Al) Sweeting; brother, Dan (Joan) Smith; sisters-inlaw, Joyce (Ann and Ken); and Connie Hunsader (Mike, Cathy, Linda, Mary Jo and David) and their families.

The family will privately gather in a celebration of her life at Sarasota Memorial National Cemetery where Janice will be placed next to Paul for eternity. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd St. W., Bradenton, FL 34209, is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family suggestions donations may be made to your favorite charity or organization, in her memory.

SPORTS

Floridian Mortgage leads pack

BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN

ANNA MARIA – The adult co-ed flag football league is closing out regular season play for the winter 2024 season. The final week’s action can shake up the current rankings with four teams sitting with four wins and two losses.

Team Floridian Mortgage leads the eight-team standings with only one loss. Moss Builders trails closely behind, along with Salty Printing and Sandbar Seafood & Spirits.

Looking to earn its second win in the season, Gulf Drive Café goes into week seven with a 1-5 record after a loss against Moss Builders in the final game of the night last Thursday. The 33-6 win came as the result of four passing touchdowns by Ryan Moss.

James Roadman caught two of the four passes, with Jesse Skipper and Evelyn Long the other targets. Long had two one-point conversions, adding to her week’s statistics.

Team captain Jon Moss added to the Moss Builders’ score with a successful point after a team TD.

Gulf Drive Café’s QB Zack Price found Brandon Rolland for the squad’s only touchdown. Failing to convert on the point after attempt, Gulf Drive was held to six points.

Teammate Karri Stephens added to the team’s efforts with six defensive flag pulls and an interception.

The third game of the night was a high-scoring affair, leaving Sandbar Seafood & Spirits the victors, 41-28.

Team Solid Rock Construction could not outplay and outscore their opponents.

Quarterback Charles “Tuna” McCracken solidly threw for six touchdowns and an extra point, finding Ramon Guerrero IV for 25 points.

Life-long friend Tyler Brewer scored a TD from a McCracken spiral. Brewer scored a one-point conversion for a total of six catches in

Solid Rock’s QB Dominick Otteni played a strong game on both sides of the football with four touchdown throws, seven flag pulls and an interception. Otteni’s hot target, Peggy Smith, scored two TDs with seven receptions.

Smith scored a PAT and contributed to the Solid Rock Construction defense with two stops.

James Roadman, Solid Rock team captain, and Rex Kesten scored seven and six points in the game, respectively. Roadman had five defensive stops and an extra point, with his positive and never-sayquit demeanor.

As a defensive force, Kesten had six flag pulls and three sacks.

In game two, Slim’s Place did not stand a chance against Floridian Mortgage. Four passing touchdowns and one on the ground kept Chase Richardson’s team at the top.

Richardson and Jackson Hayes threw for 30 points. Adding to his three TD passes, Richardson ran into the endzone.

Teammate Cody Allen caught two for TDs and an extra point. His flag pull was one of 14 huge defensive stops by Floridian Mortgage.

Tim Holly stopped offensive

an interception. Jasmine Muldoon scored her six points and made two critical stops on defense.

Slim’s Place did not go down without a fight. QB Anthony Mannino passed for one touchdown to Alexander Cruz. One point was scored by Cruz Rodriguez with a catch from a play in the “pass-only zone.”

Rodriguez added to the game stats with an interception and three flag pulls.

Team Edible Cookie Dough Café took their sixth loss against Salty Printing in another high-scoring game to start off the night’s play.

Quarterback Matt Manger threw for seven TDs, aiming for his main target, Shawn Balvin. Balvin finished the game with four touchdown catches.

The duo also made plays on D with two interceptions by Balvin and one by Manger. Balvin added two flag pulls to his season numbers.

Zaon Williams was hit twice by Manger for 12 points.

Throwing for six, Williams played QB, adding to the Salty Printing points. He rounded out his play with a one-point conversion and five flag pulls on defense.

Salty’s Olvin Izquierdo and

successful PAT, five flag pulls and an interception.

Among the best veterans in the league, Dina DeJesus had a takeaway against the Edible Cookie Dough Café quarterback. On offense, DeJesus gave her team two points after a Salty touchdown.

Sharing the throwing duties, Steven Pavina and Alonzo Lemus found open receivers for Team Edible Cookie Dough Café, scoring 28 points against Salty Printing.

Pavina threw for three TD and caught for seven points, including a throw by Lemus. Lemus caught two of Pavina’s touchdown throws and scored a two-point conversion.

Evan Talucci was the target of the Pavina pass for six points. Kiatrell Zachery also grabbed a throw for a one-point conversion for the Edible team.

Working hard on defense, trying to keep the score close and hope alive, Team Edible Cookie Dough Café had 15 flag pulls. The team’s defense was credited with two sacks by Johnny Sevier and Pavina.

Week seven flag football play sets the stage for the playoff. The eye is on the prize for the eight teams looking toward the championship game on Thursday, March 28.

FUN

THE SUN

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3 George of "Just Shoot

4 Presented with great

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CLASSIFIEDS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

ROSER FOOD BANK

needs donations of cash and non-perishable food, PAPER & PERSONAL HYGIENE

PRODUCTS. Donations boxes are located at the Church, Moose Club, and Walgreen’s.

HOSPITAL VOLUNTEERS

WANTED to assist at our information desk, especially weekends.

Great for teens needing volunteer hours (16yrs+). Other assignments available. Please call the Blake Volunteer Office at 941-798-6151.

BRIDGE AT ROSER HALL, Friday’s Noon to 3pm. Call 314-324-5921

BOAT DOCK WANTED

ISO BOAT DOCK W/LIFT. Kelly Gitt The Gitt Team Keller Williams on the Water 941-799-9299

CARE GIVER

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

COMMERCIAL SALES, RENT & LEASE

HAVE YOU BEEN thinking of selling? We NEED properties to List for

SALE!!! Duplexes, multi family, small resorts? Call BIG Alan Galletto of Island Real Estate to get it SOLD 941-232-2216

CLEANING SERVICE

TOTAL HOME SERVICES CLEANING: Residential, Commercial, Rentals, VRBO. Professional and Reliable. Call 941-756-4570 or 941-565-3931

EMPLOYMENT

TWO SIDES OF NATURE

- Anna Maria Island's Largest Little Beach Shoppes... is now hiring full time and part-time associates. Varied shifts available must be able to work nights and weekends.

Retail Experience Preferred. Great Pay, Great Fun! Apply today Two Sides of Nature 101 S. Bay Blvd. Unit A-1, Anna Maria.

A/C SERVICE TECH, seasoned, able to work well with others. Input is appreciated, hard work is rewarded. Salary negotiable. 40hr + work week. Paid Holidays and vacation. West Coast Air Conditioning & Heating. Call 941-778-9622

A/C INSTALLER. Change outs. Experienced, High work ethical standards a must. Year round work. No layoffs. Benefits. West Coast Air Conditioning & Heating. Call 941-7789622

ROSER CHURCH SEEKS

part-time nursery attendant, 8:15-11:15 every Sunday. Must be dependable and enjoy being with children. 941-778-0414

AMI TURTLE WATCH OFFICE ASSISTANT. 20 hours/ week. Work from home in vicinity of AMI. Scheduling, Inventory, Purchasing, Data Entry, Website. Local travel required. Email director@islandturtlewatch. com.

GARAGE SALES

MOUNT VERNON ANNUAL FLEA MARKET 4701 Independence Drive Bradenton, FL

Saturday, March 2. Clothing, jewelry, furniture, tools, lunch, house wares and much more!!!!!

PINEBROOK/IRONWOOD

RUMMAGE SALE. Friday March 1 & Saturday March2. 8:00 am to 11:00 am. Furniture, Sports equipment, linens and more. Bake Sale. 3606 Ironwood Circle, Bradenton

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

RENOVATION SPECALIST

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

KERN & GILDER CONSTRUCTION, INC New Homes & Remodel. Design/Build. Since 1968. License # CBC 1261150. Call the Office. 941-7781115

GET’R DONE DRYWALL, INC Specializing in Remodels & Repairs. Island Resident for 20+ years. Call Neil. Cell 941-9621194

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.

API’S DRYWALL REPAIR

15+ years experience. Free estimates. No job too small. Love to help you. Call 941-524-8067.

ISLE TILE specializing in Custom Bath/Shower & Backsplash installation. Pressure washing available. Call 941-302-8759 isletileservices.com

GORILLA DRYWALL REPAIR, LLC. 15+ years of experience. Free Estimates. Let’s solve your Drywall problems together. Call 941-286-0607.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

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

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

LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE

R. GAROFALO’S Interlocking brick pavers, driveways, patios, pool decks. Free estimates. Licensed & Insured. Call Rafael 941-778-4823 or Veronik 941-526-7941

SHELL DRIVEWAYS & LANDSCAPE. Specializing in Old Florida Seashell and Lime rock driveways and scapes. Also River Rock, Sand, Mulch, & Soil. Call Shark Mark 941-301-6067

ISLAND RESIDENT. TREE/ BUSH Trimming, removal. Sweeping, blowing, and weeding. Weekly, bi-monthly or monthly schedule. Pressure washing. Call Bill Witaszek 941307-9315

LOST & FOUND

FOUND BICYCLE that fell off back of car on Cortez Road Call 941-518-1078

MOVING & STORAGE

MARTIN’S MOVING

YOUR Island movers! Offering dependable, competitive rates. No hidden costs. 941-8095777.

PAINTING & WALLCOVERING

PAINT! PAINT! AND MORE 28 years of experienced interior/exterior custom painting. Pressure cleaning, drywall repairs and texture finishes. Many Island references. Please call Neil for free estimates. 941-812-0507

“WIZARD OF WALLS”

Established 1980

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

DONALD PERKINS ABRACADABRA PAINTING

LLC fully insured. 30 years experience. Many Island references. Call 941-705-7096

PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reliable. Island Resident. Quality Workmanship. Interior/Exterior. Minor repairs & carpentry. Free estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315

POOL SERVICES

FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE AND CHEMICAL SERVICES. Certified Pool Operator. 18 + Years Experience. Residential/commercial. Chemical Service Licensed & Insured. Call Dennis Clark 941-7375657

COLE'S TROPICAL POOL SERVICE Call Cole Bowers for all your pool maintenance needs! Affordable and Dependable!! 941-7131893

PRESSURE WASHING & WINDOWS

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

T & B PRESSURE WASHING Licensed & Insured. Driveways/sidewalks, Roofs, Pool cages, Fences, House (soft wash/ downstream). Call 813638-7636. tandbpressurewashing@yahoo. com Family owned and operated.

REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE

Have you been thinking of selling? We NEED properties to List for SALE!!! GULF FRONT, CANAL FRONT, BAY FRONT CONDOS or HOMES ASK for BIG Alan Galletto of Island Real Estate to get it SOLD 941-232-2216

LOOKING FOR A highly motivated real estate broker to buy or sell your next home? Darcie Duncan, Broker Duncan Real Estate a lifelong island resident bringing success to her customers for 30 years. Proven track record brings you results! 941-725-1589

NEW ROOF! RENOVATED CONDO for sale, 2BR/2B, 1639 SF, 6904 10th Ave. W., Village Green on cul-de-sac. 1-car garage, large Florida room, dine-in kitchen plus dining room, large pantry, built-in china cabinet, walk-in closet, lots of storage, laundry room, lush landscaping, pool, walking/running track, 5 miles to AMI, near medical, shopping, preserves, $389,200. Lisa Varano, Wagner Realty, 941-730-9060.

FOR SALE - PERICO BAY CLUB Waterfront Beauties! 2 & 3 bedroom models w 2 car garages! Call Today for more info! Erin Leathem at The Anna Maria Sales Team at Island Real Estate 941-448-5616

FOR SALE - 5400 GULF

Completely updated coastal beauty! Gulf Front 55+ neighborhood community! Call Erin Leathem at The Anna Maria Sales Team at Island Real Estate 941-448-5616

FSBO NORTH-END ANNA MARIA 3BR/3BA, canal home, 2 car detached garage, fireplace, dock, quiet dead-end street 941-3457429.

FOR SALE MOBILE

HOME on AMI (Pines Trailer Park) 1BR/1BA, most popular location on Island. Off of Historic Bridge St. Text 860-8757372 for details & pictures. Tiki Bar/carport $150,000

BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME SERVICES

REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE

1967 SHERMAN TRAILER for sale in Village on the Greens. 55+ Park, No pets 1BR/1BA + added Sun Room. $32,000 OBO Call AJ at 941-779-5902

$774,900 CANAL WATERFRONT HOME 3 bedroom. Boat dock- 2 car garage- 2 miles to beach. Christine Kourik Re/max Alliance 314-440-7574

RENTALS: ANNUAL

ANNUAL RENTALS

WANTED! We have well qualified tenants for beach and mainland annual rentals, Full management or Finders fee. Call today for details. Ask for Paige DUNCAN REAL ESTATE 513-382-1992.

ANNUAL 2BR/2BA SINGLE FAMILY, 1 car garage, 1/2 mile to the beach. $2000 monthly 941-778-4800

ANNUAL RENTALS 407

76th B Holmes Beach, FL1BR/1.5BA, unfurnished on canal $3000/mo. 804 S Bay Blvd. Holmes Beach, FL- 3BR/2BA, furnished, Bayfront $5,500/mo. Call Sato Real Estate 941-778-7200

IN OVER 55 COMMUNITY ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND.. Totally remodeled 2BA/1.5BA, ground level cottage with adjacent parking. Stacked W/D and three air/heat mini splits. Heated pool on site; pickleball courts one block away. Gulf is 300 steps and the bay 200 steps from your porch. Rent includes all utilities and Wi-Fi. Annual rent $2,500 per month. 6 month rent is $4000 per mo. Call Tim 507-382-8880.

RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION

TIFFANY PLACE Gulf Front Condo for Rent Incredible views from living room and master bedroom. 2BR/2BA Green Real Estate Call 941-778-0455

SEASONAL RENTAL in PALMA SOLA. 3BR/2BA

weekly or monthly rates. Contact Barb Grace 941-201-2190

ANNA MARIA ISLAND

CONDOS Large pool, beach access, free WiFi, 1&2 Bedroom $900 to $1200 per week redekercondosonami.com Tim 941-704-7525

AMI VACATION RENTAL

2025 2BR/1.5BA. Water view. 3 min walk to beach. jamesk95@netzero. com, or Call Jim 941-2264008

FOR RENT (SUMMER AT THE BEACH) AMI updated 5 star condo. Available May to November (monthly with Multi-month discount). Million$ water view, first floor, 2BR/2BA, beautiful water view deck, walk to beach, pool, tennis (smoke free/no pets) Owner/ renter email NOW marketreps@aol.com or 570-239-0431

TRANSPORTATION

ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa/St. Pete $85. Sarasota $40. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-7795095