Anna Maria Island Sun July 15, 2020

- Named Best Florida Newspaper In Its Class -

VOL 20 No. 40

July 15, 2020

Bigger, better beaches CINDY LANE | SUN

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is building bigger beaches in Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach to protect buildings and roads from storms.

Work zones will be temporarily closed to beachgoers through at least October as the project moves south. See more photos on Page 23.

Permit parking advances Commissioners OK’d the first reading of an ordinance enacting permit parking on some residential streets.

BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – Commissioners called a special meeting July 7 to vote on the first reading of an ordinance implementing permit-only parking in residential neighborhoods near the beach. The first reading passed with a unanimous vote and will go for a final reading during a July 21 meeting.

The early morning meeting resulted in a few changes to the ordinance as an updated map was presented illustrating the areas throughout the city that are planned to be open for streetside public parking and those

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where only residents with permits will be able to park on the street.

Commissioners were concerned with putting the cost of the permit parking program on the city’s residents, proposed at $20 per permit to be renewed annually. Commissioner Kim Rash said he didn’t agree with charging people to park on the street in front of their own homes. With the coming 2020-21 budget already a concern for city leaders due to lower than usual expected revenues from state funding sources, Commissioner Carol Soustek suggested raising the city’s parking violation fine from $50 to $75 to absorb the cost of the permit program.

Though commissioners informally agreed to the raised fine amount, City Attorney Patricia Petruff said it would take the approval of SEE PARKING, PAGE 28

School board questions reopening order Three Manatee County School Board members feel the authority and responsibility to open or close school buildings lies solely with the board members.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT

MANATEE COUNTY – Education officials differ on whether schools must reopen for in-person learning in August as recently ordered

by Florida Department of Education (DOE) Commissioner Richard Corcoran.

Last week, Manatee County school board members discussed and debated reopening schools at a time when COVID-19 cases continue to increase.

And three of the five board members questioned the legality of Corcoran’s emergency order.

During Saturday’s press conference at Blake Medical Center in Bradenton, Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Senate President Bill Galvano (R-Manatee) also weighed in on the debate.

According to Corcoran's July 6 emergency order, EO 2020-06, “Upon reopening in August, all school SEE SCHOOL, PAGE 7

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School reopening plan includes mandatory face coverings Manatee County students, teachers and staff members must wear face coverings if the schools are opened for in-person learning on Aug. 10 or soon thereafter.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT

MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County students, teachers and staff members will be required to wear face coverings in school buildings and on school buses if schools reopen on Aug. 10 or soon thereafter.

If the Manatee County School Board decides to delay the start of in-person learning due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, students will start the school year using online eLearning.

The Manatee County School Board made the face-covering decision during the board’s June 25 meeting and reiterated that decision during its Thursday, July 9 workshop.

The face-covering requirement is included in the school reopening plan that was scheduled to be presented to the board for final approval on Tuesday, July 14. If approved by the school board as expected, the reopening plan will be submitted to the Florida Department of Education (DOE) for its approval.

The reopening plan requirements will apply to all schools in Manatee County, including charter schools and private schools. This includes Anna Maria Elementary School in Holmes Beach.

Face coverings were one of many topics school board members and School Superintendent Cynthia Saunders discussed last week. Learning options, extra-curricular activities and reopening concerns were also among the topics discussed.

FACE COVERINGS

When discussing mandatory face coverings, Saunders said, “I’ve had just as many differing opinions on this subject as I have on should we open schools or not open schools. Our recommendation is that students, employees or anyone that cannot socially distance is expected to have a face covering."

Saunders said many schools in the district have already purchased plastic face shields for students and teachers and plastic shields for the desks as well.

“It is very important in the learning years, the formative years, that they (the students) can clearly hear and see the pronunciation of words, the movement of mouth. Some people find it more comfortable to have a shield on than a face mask, so it is my

recommendation that if they cannot socially distance, they are expected to have those on,” Saunders said, Saunders said the facecovering requirement will also apply to all secondary, post-secondary and transportation-related facilities, including school buses.

She said face coverings will not be required when the children and staff members are outside and safely socially distancing.

“I have had a number of parents contact me and say that their child may have a medical issue or medical concern. We will definitely look into any child or any employee that could have a medical issue and address these on an individual basis,” she added, noting that a form will be used to document allowed face-covering exceptions.

Board member Rev. James Golden said, “You will wear a mask from the time you come into the jurisdiction of the Manatee County School Board until the time you leave, unless the teacher in that classroom exempts you for a medical reason or an IEP (Individualized Education Program).”

Saunders said students and staff will not be subjected to regular or random COVID-19 testing, but temperature checks will be conducted on all employees upon arrival and conducted randomly on students.

Golden asked Saunders to make photographs available to parents that show

how classrooms are being set up to accommodate social distancing and other safety measures.

LEARNING OPTIONS

Regardless of grade level, parents will decide whether their child or children attend school in person five days a week or continue full-time eLearningManatee at home.

Hybrid programs that combine in-school and eLearning will be available for older students.

Saunders recommends all students pre-K through sixth grade return to in-person schooling five days a week. She recommends a hybrid program for seventh- and eighth-graders, and for all high school students and Manatee Technical College students.

Before the school year starts, the school district will confirm which learning method each student will utilize, and that data will be reported to DOE. In response to a question from board chair Gina Messenger, Saunders said there will be designated opportunities when a student can switch from in-person learning to eLearning or vice-versa.

Saunders also said, “Our eLearning will not be just assignments being pushed on SEE SCHOOL, PAGE 13

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ISLAND NEWS

IN BRIEF

Compass hotel opens July 15 The brand-new Compass Hotel Anna Maria Sound is opening to the public on July 15. The hotel is the first of its kind in a new collection of hotels, Compass

by Margaritaville, developed by Floridays Development Company and managed by Hostmark Hospitality Group. Sitting at the entrance to One Particular Harbour on Perico Island just across the Manatee Bridge from Anna Maria Island, the hotel features 123 rooms spread out across six stories, a pool overlooking Anna Maria Sound, and two onsite restaurants. The first is the Compass Bar and Chill which features drinks and light bites for hotel guests near the outdoor pool. The Floridays Woodfire Grill and Bar offers diners a taste of local cuisine with water views and is located next door to the hotel. For more information or to book a stay, visit www.compasshotel.com/ AnnaMariaSound.

Commissioners renew lobbyist contract Holmes Beach commissioners voted unanimously June 23 to renew a contract with two law firms for lobbyist and appropriations services for the 2020-21 fiscal year.

One agreement engages the law firm of Dean, Mead, Egerton, Bloodworth, Ca-pouano and Bozarth to provide lobbyist services for the city at the next Florida legislative session. The contract begins Sept. 1 and continues through June 30, 2021 at $4,000 per month with an additional $8,000 due if the firm needs to ad-vocate for a veto of harmful legislation, particularly that which removes or limits the city’s rights to home rule over vacation rentals within Holmes Beach.

The second contract is with the Ramba Law Group to appeal to state leaders for appropriations funds on behalf of the city during the 2021 legislative session. For these services, the city will be billed at a rate of $225 per hour with a cap at $20,000, according to the approved contract. During the 2021 legislative session, city leaders will be seeking $2 million in appropriations funds for stormwater and flood prevention improvements.

AMI now has 27 COVID-19 cases According to the Monday, July 13 Florida Joint Information Center for COVID-19 daily data update, one new COVID-19 case was reported in Holmes Beach on Sunday, bringing that city’s number of cases to 10 since March. Fifteen positive cases had been reported in Bradenton Beach as of Sunday and nine positive cases had been reported in the Manatee County portion of Longboat Key. Two positive cases had been reported in Anna Maria, one in Cortez and 3,589 in Bradenton. According to the Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Dashboard, 5,214 Manatee County residents had tested positive, along with 52 non-residents. On Sunday, 146 new cases were reported in Manatee County, preceded by a single-day high of 470 new cases on Saturday.

Through Sunday, 358 patients had been hospitalized for COVID-19 and 140 people had died in Manatee County.

The percent positive of all those tested in the county to date climbed to 9.3%.

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JULY 15, 2020

Commissioners seek additional spending cuts

After being presented with a draft of the city’s 2020-21 budget, commissioners asked city staff to look at making additional spending cuts.

BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – The first budget meeting of the year was a July 7 work session that left commissioners considering hard decisions for the coming fiscal year.

City Treasurer Lori Hill presented a draft of the proposed 2020-21 fiscal year budget that she said could have as much as a 35% reduction in revenue and showed a 1.5% cut in spending from the previous year’s approved budget. With the cut in revenue, to meet expenses and still have enough left in the bank for a recommended 25% of annual expenses operating fund, Hill said the city would need an extra $822,746 to put in reserves. And while the city’s budget was drafted at the previous year’s 2.25 millage rate, the rate charged per $1,000 of assessed property value, Hill said that rate would need to be increased to 2.62 mills to fully fund the deficit.

Commissioners will have to set the maximum millage rate during their July 21 regular meeting. Setting the maximum millage rate doesn’t mean that will be the rate charged to residents, but it will be the highest rate commissioners will be able to charge for the coming fiscal year which begins Oct. 1.

With property values in Holmes Beach increasing, setting the millage rate at 2.25 mills means a tax increase for city property owners. At 2.25 mills, Hill’s draft budget shows a $192,378 increase in ad valorem tax, the amount received from property taxes.

If commissioners increase the millage rate to 2.62 mills, it would mean an increase over the increase caused by rising property values of $185 for a home with a $500,000 taxable value, $240 for a home with a taxable value of $650,000 and $316 for a home with a taxable value of $850,000. The increase in taxes is on top of an already approved stormwater assessment increase which Hill estimates will raise

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

Part of the proposed increases in the 2020-21 fiscal year budget include improvements and maintenance needed at city hall. those fees an average of $150 over the previous year.

Commissioners Jim Kihm and Kim Rash both said they would be willing to forgo their entire salaries as commissioners to help close the gap in the deficit to not put the burden solely on the city’s residents and property owners. Rash is currently up for re-election on Nov. 3 so he would only be able to follow through on his promise if re-elected. Commissioners are given a stipend of $760 per month for their service to the city. The mayor’s stipend is planned at $2,520 per month for the coming year. Both amounts include cost of living increases.

Kihm said that he feels this will be a “need” year for the city, not a “nice to have” year and encouraged all department heads to take another look at the budget to see what expenses can wait.

He suggested considering starting the cuts with the $12,000 budgeted for new computers for the mayor and commissioners as well as holding off on the estimated $33,625 purchase of new agenda management and webcasting software and reconsidering planned new hires.

With a revenue shortfall, he said that spending must be readdressed, that the city can’t afford to spend in a deficit, depleting reserves, and that he’s not in favor of raising taxes.

With residents already anticipating a tax increase, Rash said he’s not in favor of raising taxes further.

Hill said that hopefully within the coming weeks she’ll have a better idea of the amount of revenue to expect

from state sources and some clarity on the future of the $51 million in Bert Harris cases facing the city in Manatee County Circuit Court. Currently, in addition to an insurance policy with the Florida League of Cities the city plans to have $1 million set aside for the cases in reserves by the Sept. 30 end of the current fiscal year that could be added back to the general fund reserve if the cases are settled in the city’s favor. She said the amount of money tied to the cases has also led to a substantial increase in the amount of insurance premiums the city pays.

For the mayor/commission portion of the budget, expenses are expected to come in at $220,337 including the $12,000 for computers, $8,500 for travel and $81,642 for commission and mayoral salaries and associated taxes.

The city’s general government budget, including lobbyists, the clerk and treasurer’s offices, contributions to The Center of Anna Maria Island and other community organizations, professional services, utilities and operating supplies is estimated to come in at $1,777,634, a decrease of $19,217 over the previous year despite increases in insurance, staff salaries and computer/IT services.

The budget for the Holmes Beach Police Department is anticipated to come in at $3,575,242, just over the previous year’s budget of $3,410,457.

The planned expenses include increases in insurance and utility serSEE BUDGET, PAGE 5

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BUDGET: Commissioners seek additional spending cuts FROM PAGE 4

vices, as well as an increase of $51,189 in IT services, including a required upgrade to the department’s software at $35,200 to be compliant with Florida Department of Law Enforcement standards. Police Chief Bill Tokajer said he’s applied for a grant to cover the cost of the software upgrade and hopes to receive news that those funds will be awarded soon. Also budgeted is $43,000 for the purchase of a new side-by-side vehicle for beach patrol to replace an aging vehicle that Tokajer said costs more to maintain than it would to purchase a new one.

The budget for the public works department tops out at $1,824,852, just under the previous year’s budget of $1,830,361 despite increases in insurance, salaries and overtime to accommodate 11 full-time employees and materials/supplies. Two of the budgeted increases questioned by Kihm include $175,000 to dredge Sportsman Harbor and $25,000 to reseal the parking lot at city hall. He also questioned spending $38,000 to update the city’s T-end boat docks with electricity.

Director of Development Services

Eran Wasserman said that he would take another look at the parking lot but that issues there will need to be addressed sooner rather than later.

City Engineer Lynn Burnett said that she was applying for grant funds for the dredging project at Sportsman Harbor but that if commissioners took it off the budget, the project wouldn’t be eligible for the grant funds. In order for the project to be eligible for the grant from the Southwest Florida Water Management District, she said the city has to prove that the project is necessary and important. If the grant funds are not received, she said the expense can be postponed to the following fiscal year.

The building department’s budget is expected to come in close to the previous year at $862,363 with the primary difference being in the amount of revenue the department generates. Due to changes in the department’s permit fee schedule, the city’s building department is expected to generate $324,903 less in permit fees than in the 2019-20 fiscal year. Hill said that the department would need about $150,000 more than anticipated revenue for the department to meet its spending for the 2020-21

fiscal year, funds that she said were received in excess by the department during the current fiscal year and have been set aside for the purpose of making up lost revenue in the coming year.

The Code Compliance department had the biggest jump in anticipated spending with an increase to $566,471, an increase of $90,007 over the 201920 approved budget. Helping to make up that increase is $75,000 for court recorders for special magistrate hearings, a $13,400 increase in insurance and $25,000 for a consultant to evaluate how the department is run and suggest new policies, procedures and best practices designed to make code compliance more efficient, lessen response time and ultimately save the city money, according to Wasserman.

Where city leaders expect to be hit hardest is in stormwater and infrastructure funds and improvements.

Hill is expecting funds for the half cent discretionary tax and fifth cent gas tax to come in at around 65% of the normal amount due to COVID-19. Despite the increase in stormwater fees, she said the fifth cent and half cent will both have a negative projected cash rollover

at the end of the 2020-21 fiscal year.

Hill estimates that the fifth cent tax will have -$138,906 rollover at the end of the current fiscal year and -$328,323 at the end of the 2020-21 fiscal year. The half cent tax is expected to have -$88,176 at the end of the 2020-21 fiscal year. Burnett said that the city cannot go back on planned infrastructure projects, many of which are ongoing, and that the deficits in spending will have to be covered by the city until FEMA matching funds are received or the revenue from the two tax sources is increased. City leaders also plan to renew their request for $3 million in state appropriations funds for stormwater and infrastructure improvements in the coming legislative session.

This year, city leaders were awarded $2 million in appropriations funds but those funds disappeared when Gov. Ron DeSantis cut the state budget before signing it in June.

After the maximum millage rate is set July 21, commissioners plan to have public hearings on the budget in August and September to set the actual millage rate and approve the final draft of the budget before the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

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OPINION

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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 Pat Copeland Steve Borggren Monica Simpson

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

FISH says thanks Sometimes we let life get away from us and forget to stop and just say thank you. This is one of those times. This COVID world we are living in seems to have turned everything upside down, but then there are those constants we can rely on. Like The Sun’s once-a-year “Readers' Choice Awards”. They let us know that not everything has changed. The readers of The Sun still take the time to vote for those businesses, individuals and events that help to make our community what it is. Receiving that recognition especially in a year like 2020 means even more.

We know we may have had a bit of a leg up this year in that we were at least able to hold the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival before the virus struck.

For that we are extremely grateful. We are also so grateful being voted “Best Festival” and want to thank all who voted for us and a huge thank you for all who attended, making the 2020 White Boot Re-Boot Festival such a successful event. Without the support of the Island communities, and especially The Sun and its readers, FISH could not act on our mission; the promotion, education and preservation of Cortez and the FISH Preserve.

So again, we thank you for your support and for voting the FISH Festival “Best Festival” and we finally ask all to do whatever it takes to keep our community and each other safe during these trying times. We are, as they say, in this together.

Jane von Hahmann FISH festival coordinator

What was that stuff?

About two weeks ago, my family and I vacationed in Florida in the Sarasota area.

One day, my 12-year-old son and I took out our newly purchased kayaks and paddled around the wonderful Robinson Nature Preserve. We saw some incredible birds and fish, some even jumping out of the water near our boats. Overall, we had a great experience.

However, at certain points we found ourselves paddling through some strange substances. Initially, the substances appeared to be defecation, with clumps of toilet paper strewn throughout the masses. My initial reaction was that this was impossible, given the isolated and natural location of the Preserve. But as we continued to paddle around, including at one point stopping at a picnic table near Tampa Bay, it became apparent that whatever the substance was, it didn't belong

inside the park.

My thinking now is that it was sewage discharge from boats coming in and out of the Bay. I am not a boater, having just bought our small kayaks a few months ago, but we also found the substances along the shores of the bay. Is it possible that the substances that we were paddling through in the Preserve was raw sewage?

I am not trying to make a big deal out of this; I only want my young son to understand what the substances were and importance of being good stewards of our world and properly handing our trash and sewage.

John Obester Atlanta, Georgia

Drop us a line Got an opinion, a complaint or a compliment? Send us a letter to the editor and have your say. Email The Sun at news@ amisun.com and remember to put "Letter" in the subject field.

Or mail us at The Anna Maria Island Sun, PO Box 1189, Anna Maria, FL, 34216. Letters should be 300 words or less and 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 and content.

JULY 15, 2020

ON THE AGENDA ANNA MARIA

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SCHOOL: Board questions reopening order

10005 GULF DRIVE

For information, call 941-708-6130 City hall is open to the public with limited capacity. Safety protocols in place. Please visit www.cityofannamaria.com or contact city hall for more information.

July 16, 2 p.m. – City Commission special meeting July 17, 2 p.m. – Planning and Zoning board meeting July 24, 11 a.m. – Special Magistrate hearing July 30, 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. Safety protocols in place. Please visit www.cityofbradentonbeach. com or contact city hall for more information.

July 16, noon – City Commission meeting July 21, 9:15 a.m. – City Commission emergency special meeting July 22, 1 p.m. – Planning and Zoning board meeting July 28, 9:15 a.m. – City Commission emergency special meeting

HOLMES BEACH 5801 MARINA DRIVE

For more information, call 941-708-5800 City hall is currently closed to the public. All meetings will be held virtually until further notice.

July 15, 10 a.m. – Code Compliance Special Magistrate hearing July 21, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session to follow

ISLAND-WIDE

July 15, 2 p.m. – Coalition of Barrier Island Elected Officials meeting, Longboat Key Town Hall July 21, 6 p.m. – West Manatee Fire Rescue board meeting, administration offices, Palma Sola Presbyterian Church, 6418 Third Ave. W., Bradenton

MARK YOUR CALENDAR July 15 - July 28 The Island Branch Library is open at 40% capacity. Please wear a face mask/covering.

Tingley Memorial Library is closed.

All classes at area parks and recreation areas are canceled.

The Holmes Beach Dog Park, skate park, basketball courts and tennis courts are open. The Center of Anna Maria Island is open. Local preserves are open, including Grassy Point Preserve, Perico Preserve, Neal Preserve and Robinson Preserve.

Local beaches are open.

WEDNESDAY JULY 15

Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

SUNDAY JULY 19

Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WEDNESDAY JULY 22

Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

SUNDAY JULY 26

Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

boards and charter school governing boards must open brick and mortar schools at least five days per week for all students.”

The order notes the reopening requirement is also subject to advice and orders from the Florida Department of Health, local health departments and future executive orders.

“Absent these directives, the dayto-day decision to open or close a school must always rest locally with the board or executive most closely associated with a school,” the order says.

The DOE order and the amended school reopening plan presented

by School Superintendent Cynthia Saunders were discussed for two hours and 45 minutes during the school board’s Thursday, July 9 workshop.

The amended plan previously discussed on June 25 now addresses the DOE order and is scheduled for an official school board vote during the Tuesday, July 14 special meeting that begins at 5:45 p.m. If approved by the school board, the plan must be submitted for DOE approval by July 31. Tuesday's meeting will be livestreamed at manateeschools.net and broadcast live on Frontier channel 39 and Spectrum channel 646.

Saunders said a DOE-approved reopening plan would apply to all public, private and charter schools in Manatee County, including Anna Maria Elementary School in Holmes Beach. If the school board delays the opening of school buildings, the academic year will begin with online distance learning.

Saunders said the amended plan represents a safe reopening model that complies with the state’s expectations and addresses the concerns of parents, teachers and the community. The plan allows parents to decide if their children, regardless of grade level, attend classes in person or at home.

“There will be some flexibility.

That is critical because we know at any given time that we may have to close a school. If those situations happen, online and other methods of instruction can count in the 180day requirement of student instruction,” Saunders said.

Board member Rev. James Golden asked if a recent survey of parents’ preferences regarding in-school learning versus at-home learning provided specific input from those in the five zip codes with the highest number of COVID cases. Saunders said the 20,000 survey responses were not catego-

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The Manatee County School Board will decide if and when Anna Maria Elementary and others reopen for in-person learning. rized by zip code, but due to recent developments, another survey will be conducted.

Saunders told the board more than 350 school district staff members at more than 40 sites have already been directly or indirectly affected by COVID-19, but with no fatalities.

Board member Charlie Kennedy said, “We would be crazy to reopen schools right now. We’ve had 350 employees affected and the schools are not even open. We have multiple COVID cases and even more who are in quarantine. If you throw 500 or 600 kids back on a campus, or 250 to 300, I fear the explosions of cases we will see not just in our student body but in our teachers and staff – and then mushrooming out to all the people they live with.”

Kennedy noted the school district is self-insured and an outbreak among staff members could impact the district’s health insurance fund.

Regarding the responsibilities of the citizen-elected school board members, Kennedy said, “This phony emergency order, does anybody on the board have any willingness to push back on this with other school boards? How does an unelected political appointee have the power to issue orders telling constitutional officers what to do? We are the ones in charge here. I’m not sure that would hold up to a legal challenge.”

DR. BENCIE’S INSIGHT

Florida Department of Health/ Manatee County Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Bencie attended the workshop and provided an overview of COVID cases reported in Manatee County, including 190 new cases reported the previous day.

“Those are individual cases.

There’s 4,266 people that we’ve identified with COVID in our com-

munity. The percent positive in the last two weeks has been 11.8%. In the past seven days, it’s gone up to 12.4%. Yesterday, one day alone, was the highest recorded in Manatee County: 20.4% positive of those tested. Those are not repeat tests,” Bencie said last week.

“Schools will be closed down as soon as they open if this continues in our community. Our numbers are going in the wrong direction.

Everyone in our community needs to be involved to make this a successful plan,” Bencie said.

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY

Citing the Florida Constitution, board member Dave Miner said, “Article 9, Section 4b says the school board, the constitutional officers, control the education in Manatee County. The buck stops with us and I believe we have the authority to say there’s not going to be public school in Manatee County for the next month. The blood is on us for anybody who suffers from this. At the same time, we’re supposed to be providing public education for all the children here and that’s the rock and the hard place that the five constitutional officers sitting up here have to deal with.”

Miner said he endorses the superintendent submitting a reopening plan to the state, but he said the plan should reference the school board’s constitutional authority.

“If we continue to go south in a significant way, I think we ought to have another meeting to say we’re going to shut down until we see it significantly better. It’s our call,” he added.

Golden asked if the plan submitted to DOE could provide the option to wait until after Labor Day SEE SCHOOL, PAGE 28

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JULY 15, 2020

Meet the candidate: Kim Rash Commissioner Kim Rash is hoping for a second term on the city’s dais after the Nov. 3 election.

BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – Commissioner Kim Rash is no stranger to city politics.

After volunteering in and around his neighborhood and building fences for the city, he took the plunge and was elected for his first term as city commissioner in 2018. Now he’s hoping to earn a second term on the dais in the 2020 election.

Rash has been a Holmes Beach homeowner for 20 years and a full-time resident for 14 years with his wife of 43 years, Theresa, and their dog, Lucy.

The two also are longtime members of St. Bernard Catholic Church.

Rash has been the owner/operator of a fencing company for more than 40 years. Community members can see some of his work at the Holmes Beach Dog Park and around the tot lot playground at city field.

Along with the three other candidates for the two spots available on the Holmes Beach City Commission - Jayne Christenson, Rick Hurst and Pat Morton - Rash was asked Rash to respond to four questions. Each candidate’s answers will be published in The Sun.

1. WHAT DO VOTERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY?

Many residents refer to me as a “boots-on-the-ground” commissioner.

I may not have the traditional hobbies like golf or fishing, but I get great satisfaction from helping people. For 19 years, I have helped residents in times of need. I often walk and bike the streets of our city talking to residents and asking how I can help. I am an engaged commissioner – I answer phone calls and respond to emails in order to listen and advocate for residents.

I have served as Holmes Beach commissioner for the past two years, organized an early-morning July 5 beach cleanup that’s continued for nearly a

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decade and is often held in conjunction with Holmes Beach Code Compliance, WastePro and resident volunteers. I have constructed multiple dog park fences over the years. In June, I installed the tot lot fence with the help of Public Works. I’ve built and installed bike racks and trash can fences at beach accesses and installed irrigation and planted native beach flowers at the 72nd Street access.

2. WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR HOLMES BEACH CITY COMMISSION?

Even prior to my commission seat, I was a voice for the residents. As Holmes Beach commissioner, I furthered that cause. I listen and advocate passionately. I am a team player and dedicated to effectively collaborating and negotiating for practical and efficient solutions. I bring common sense and a successful business background to the commission. If re-elected, I feel I can do even more because there is so much more to do. I have a proven track record that demonstrates I lead with the best interests of our residents and our city in mind.

During my time on the commission

I have spoken for the residents and opposed the 300% stormwater tax increase. Through my efforts, the commission compromised on a stormwater increase at half the proposed rate. I have worked to strengthen our noise ordinance to give residents back the peaceful enjoyment of their homes. I’ve challenged interested parties for ways to trim the budget and have fought wasteful spending of taxpayer money by helping to steer the city from singlesource contracting bids to sourcing multiple bids for projects and engaged new sources to ensure our city was getting competitive prices.

3. IF ELECTED, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PRIORITY TO WORK ON WITH YOUR FELLOW COMMISSIONERS? -AND4. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING THE CITY TODAY?

I believe that our first priority and biggest challenge is BALANCE. Each year, there are approximately 10,000 new residents coming to Manatee County and more than 750,000 Island visitors. Manatee County has more

SEE CANDIDATE, PAGE 9

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Center reopens Visitors participate in an exercise class as The Center of Anna Maria Island reopened on Monday, July 13 after two closures due to COVID-19.

Hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

CINDY LANE | SUN

CANDIDATE: Kim Rash FROM PAGE 8

than 400,000 residents, many of whom take daily trips to the beach regularly. We have a very small and finite amount of space for an ever-increasing number of people.

I believe that it will be imperative for our city commissioners to work with county commissioners/ state elected officials to find solutions for the unique issues caused by this rapidly increasing population. Holmes Beach residents are my top priority and should not in-

cur the financial burdens, the daily stresses and increasingly negative impact that have been caused by the numbers and the extensive TDC promotional advertising. To date, our city does not receive an adequate amount of funding from the county to accommodate all of the visitors. I will advocate for county/tourist development tax dollars to assist our city in managing this daily impact. We need Manatee County commissioners to be responsive and active in finding

solutions for alleviating traffic congestion and parking issues, funding a larger portion of the police and code compliance department officers needed to enforce the increasing number of people that come to our Island and result in exacerbated issues, funding for strained and failing infrastructure and proactively communicating to all of our visitors the ways they can help us protect this beautiful and unique Island for future generations.

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Beach policing agreement on Thursday agenda The Bradenton Beach City Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, July 16 at noon to discuss a proposed $94,236 interlocal agreement with Manatee County for Bradenton Beach Police Department patrols at the county-owned beaches and boat ramps. The commission will discuss advertising for the hiring of a code enforcement officer and will also discuss a proposed sidewalk repair project. A limited number of people are allowed to attend city meetings in person and masks are required. The live meeting can also be accessed via Zoom using meeting ID 137695-523 and password 072455 or by phone by calling 1-253-215-8782.

Mangrove trimming workshop set The Anna Maria City Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, July 16 at 2 p.m. starting with a virtual mangrove trimming workshop presentation and discussion with representatives from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The workshop will be followed immediately by the regular commission meeting during which the mayor will provide a fact-finding update on the City Pier lease negotiations and the city attorney will present a city resolution pertaining to the city’s Local Mitigation Strategy plan.

City hall is now open to a limited number of meeting attendees and the workshop and meeting can also be attended by telephone by calling 1-646-749-3112 and entering the 718139405# access code.

GOOD NEWS We invite you to w ship with us

in the sanctuary! www.RoserChurch.com Click WORSHIP-SIGNUP to review the social distancing guidelines and reserve your seat. If you prefer to stay home, please WATCH LIVE and join the chat on YouTube

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Call the church text ROSER to 22828 to receive the weekly eBulletin.

FACEBOOK> follow> see first, join a group. Need help? Call the office!

The FOOD PANTRY is open to assist island residents/w kers in need.

The CHAPEL is open during office hours f prayer & meditation.

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Call the church office if you would like to talk to a PASTOR. After the service WATCH LATER!

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JULY 15, 2020

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11

Keep on swimming Cindy Lane

A

lot of things are different in this first turtle season on Anna Maria Island since the coronavirus pandemic began.

To limit people’s exposure to COVID-19, there are no public turtle nest excavations to watch as Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch volunteers extract and count egg fragments to determine how many eggs hatched from each nest.

There are no Turtle Talks for visitors to attend to learn about sea turtle nesting and hatching on the Island, and how they can help them survive.

There is no satellite tagging of a nesting sea turtle to follow online in the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s annual Tour de Turtles race.

There will be no Turtle Watch awards luncheon to recognize the many volunteers, only a few of whom are allowed to work on the beach this year due to the pandemic.

TURTLE TIPS

During sea turtle season, May 1 – Oct. 31, please follow these tips: • Turn off lights visible from the beach and close blinds from sundown to sunrise; lights confuse nesting sea turtles and may cause them to go back to sea and drop their eggs in the water, where they won’t hatch. Light can also attract hatchlings away from the water.

• Don’t use flashlights, lanterns or camera flashes on the beach at night.

• Remove all objects from the sand

CINDY LANE | SUN

All sea turtle nests laid on Anna Maria Island this year are being relocated to one section of beach in Anna Maria to avoid being damaged by the beach renourishment project that began last week.

Turtle Watch is indefinitely postponing its annual fundraiser, “Turtle Watch Wednesday,” to keep people safe.

And there are difficulties not related to the coronavirus.

Beach renourishment in Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach has forced Turtle Watch to dig up all sea turtle nests on the Island this season and relocate them to a safe

beach in Anna Maria and dig new nests.

Turtle Watch Director Suzi Fox is worried that someone is following nesting turtles this season, distracting them from their task, based on turtle and human tracks.

And, as always, people are digging holes in the sand and not filling them in, trapping one nesting turtle so far this season that was rescued by Turtle Watch.

from sundown to sunrise; they can deter sea turtles from nesting and disorient hatchlings.

• Fill in the holes you dig in the sand before leaving the beach; they can trap nesting and hatching sea turtles, which cannot live long out of the water.

• Don’t use wish lanterns or fireworks; they litter the beach and Gulf.

• Do not trim trees and plants that shield the beach from lights.

• Never touch a sea turtle; it’s the law. If you see people disturbing tur-

tles, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

NESTING NEWS

Turtle nests laid: 291, up from 261 last week (Record: 544 in 2019) False crawls: 390, up from 355 last week Nests hatched: 6 Hatchlings hatched: 434 (Record: 35,788 in 2018) Nest disorientations: 0

Beach furniture continues to be left out at night, and lights facing the beach continue to be left on at night, which diverts turtles from the water.

But despite the obstacles, Turtle Watch has always strived to keep sea turtles safe while also keeping people safe - for example, they investigated and found turtle lighting options that allow people to see where they’re going while shielding turtles from distracting light sources.

Now, during the pandemic, the organization is striving even harder to keep volunteers safe from the coronavirus while continuing to protect turtles.

So here’s a wave of the flipper to Turtle Watch, and when it seems that all your efforts are just a drop in the ocean, it might help to remember that with all the hindrances to the continuation of the species, sea turtles are still around, and have been for about 100 million years.

According to some Native American tribes, one was present at the creation of the world, which rests on the turtle’s back while it “swims” forever in space.

So, to Turtle Watch and the 434 sea turtles that have hatched on the Island so far this year, keep on swimming.

BIRD TIPS

During bird nesting season, March through August, please follow these tips: • Never touch a shorebird chick, even if it’s wandering outside a staked nesting area.

• Teach kids not to chase birds – bird parents may abandon nests if they’re disturbed.

• Don’t feed birds – it encourages them to fly at people aggressively and is not good for their health.

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SCHOOL: Including mandatory face covers FROM PAGE 3

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there. There will be actual teacher instruction. If a teacher is teaching 10 students in front of them and has 10 that are at home for eLearning, they will be able to see the teacher teaching that lesson streaming live at the same time. They will be able to ask questions, get their questions answered and be a part of the class even though half of them may be sitting in their living room. We have the technology for that to happen.

“If a teacher doesn’t want to do it that way, we’ve given them a day in the week where they can record all of their lessons. If you’re on eLearning, there will be a live or taped teacher instruction. They will see the lesson taught by the teacher. It’s just as if they’re in the classroom. The teaching is going be occurring,” Saunders said.

In response to a question from board member Dr. Scott Hopes regarding eLearning, Saunders said the school district has already purchased many electronic devices to distribute to lower-income families in need, but there are still concerns about internet access at the student’s home.

“I do think we are going to have some problems with internet service, but we will have to come up with a plan for this,” Saunders said.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

When the school year begins, extra-curricular activities including sports, band and cheerleading will be limited to outdoor, socially-distanced training activities only. Saunders said there are currently no plans for students to engage in competitive sporting events with other schools.

COVID CONCERNS

During last week's meeting, Saunders acknowledged the lingering concerns about the coronavirus.

“We can’t really say that it does not affect children. It is a new virus. Until we have schools open, I don’t really know that we have all the facts yet,” she said.

Saunders’ presentation included a slide that referenced COVID-19 test results for children in Manatee County and Florida.

“If you look at June 12th through now, and you compare our data and the number of cases compared to the state, in each one of these calculations we have exceeded the percent of infected cases per tested children than the state has. We’re at a 35.7% positive rate compared to 24.2% of those tested being positive for the state versus Manatee County. So, our percentage is pretty substantial,” Saunders said.

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JULY 15, 2020

Unique designs at Blooms By The Beach

BY LOUISE BOLGER SUN STAFF WRITER

Sometimes it doesn’t take much to lift your spirits - a smile from a child, a beautiful sunset or a bouquet of fresh flowers. During these difficult times a delivery of fresh flowers can mean the difference between an ordinary day and one that makes memories.

Just one year ago, Blooms By The Beach opened in Bradenton Beach, the first flower and floral design shop on the Island in many years. Felica Goett, originally from New Jersey and living in Denver for 20 years, frequently vacationed and visited relatives on the west coast of Florida for most of her life. But it wasn’t until two years ago while she and her mother were staying on Anna Maria Island that she realized there wasn’t a flower shop on the Island. They went back to Colorado and started making plans for a permanent move to Florida.

For seven years in Denver, Goett owned an event and floral business in addition to working for a nonprofit providing services to senior citizens, but her passion was always with flowers.

Her mother was a professional florist and an aunt who lived in Sarasota was

BLOOMS BY THE BEACH 2501 Gulf Dr. N. #101 Bradenton Beach 941-778-2555 Monday – Friday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

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Closed Sunday All Major Credit Cards Accepted a lead designer. Flower DNA was in her blood.

Goett is proud to say that Blooms By The Beach never closed its doors when the COVID-19 pandemic began. They provided sanitized curbside pickups and deliveries to a grateful clientele, including many older people who were unable to leave their homes.

When holidays came everyone wanted to reach out to family members to let them know they were thinking

LOUISE BOLGER | SUN

Felica Goett Floral Designer and Owner, about them even if they couldn’t visit.

Floral arrangements for Mother’s Day were frequently accompanied by touching personal notes and stories, and some people had flowers delivered to themselves to brighten up their home.

To say that Goett provided an impor-

tant service during a difficult time would be an understatement.

Blooms By The Beach has fresh flowers every day chosen by Goett during her morning market visit, as well as some international products sent. The company has a crew that delivers to Anna Maria, Longboat Key, Bird Key, North Sarasota and Bradenton. In addition, Goett can wire and receive anywhere through FTD, Teleflora and Flower Shop and she offers gift certificates. She also points out that her beginning price point is lower than most florists.

Since opening her business, Goett has immersed herself into the Island community. She is a member of the Anna Maria Island Chamber and was invited to join the AMI Wedding Association. Her wedding business is blossoming, booking six to eight weddings a month even during this slow time and providing flowers for four weddings over the July 4 weekend.

Even if something doesn’t seem essential it may be surprising when it actually is. Call your Island florist and see the unique designs Felica Goett offers at Blooms By The Beach - world class floral arrangements across from a world class beach.

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City seeks removal of grounded sailboat The out-of-state owner has been located and is being given 35 days to remove the boat or it will be removed by the state.

JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – With hurricane season looming, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy is trying to get a derelict sailboat removed from the waters southeast of the Anna Maria City Pier, but the task has proved easier said than done.

The boat has remained aground since mid-December. From time to time, visitors have been seen boarding it in search of bounty or souvenirs.

When an abandoned or derelict vessel requires removal, local municipalities often seek West Coast Inland Navigational District (WCIND) grant allocation funds from the county. But the sailboat offshore of Anna Maria is located in the state waters of Tampa Bay, which brings the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) into the equation.

On Friday, Murphy emailed Manatee County Administrator Cheri Coryea seeking her assistance.

“I cannot wait much longer. If our city acts and has this vessel removed, whom shall we send the bill to? Our city attorney feels that since we know it poses an imminent threat and danger to our residents and visitors, we can and should act to protect the safety of the city. Since the money, $32,500, has already been identified, the city should be entitled to those funds,” Murphy wrote.

In response, Coryea forwarded Murphy an email she received from Manatee County Environmental Program Manager Alan Lai Hipp.

“I was informed by the investigating officer that FWC legal directed him to repeat the investigation due to concerns regarding due diligence for a rightful owner. The subsequent ownership search led from an individual in Clearwater, to a charity organization based in Arizona and then to an individual in Virginia who acknowledged that it was his boat, but that he was letting a friend use it and hadn’t talked to that person in months. The ownership trail seems to at least end with the person in Virginia,” Lai Hipp’s email said.

“FWC’s standard operating procedures for derelict vessels requires presentation of a packet of rights which then starts a 21-day administrative hearing request period,” Lai Hipp wrote, noting the COVID-19 pandemic

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

This large sailboat has been grounded off the coast of Anna Maria since mid-December. and the out-of-state owner contributed to the noticing delays.

“One positive thing is the funding agreement is in place between WCIND and FWC. Once the second investigation is completed, the contractor can be greenlighted to start removing the vessel,” Lai Hipp wrote.

He also advised contacting FWC Public Information Officer Adam Brown to hear directly from him what happened and what happens next, which Murphy did.

“This vessel poses several public safety hazards and threats to our residents, visitors and the city. In the event of a storm, the debris may wash ashore in a residential neigh-

borhood and cause bodily harm or structural damage. The proximity to our new pier presents the potential of structural damage in the event of a storm. The wreck poses an environmental hazard to our waters with potential contaminants onboard the vessel and its serves as an ‘attractive nuisance’ to passers-by. Please advise as to what steps can be taken to immediately rectify this situation,” Murphy wrote in his email to Brown.

On Monday, Brown referred Murphy to Capt. Guy Carpenter at the FWC field office in Fort Myers.

“He said FWC’s finally been given the go-ahead to serve notice to the out-of-state owner, but the owner is being given 35 days’ notice because of the COVID pandemic. So, it will be at least 35 days before we close this case, maybe longer,” Murphy said.

When contacted later in the day, Brown said the notice period was extended by 14 days because of the COVID quarantine restrictions and the out-of-state owner, and that the notice would be sent by certified mail in a day or two.

“Once we receive word the owner has signed for it, he has 35 days to remove it. If he hasn’t removed it within 35 days, the state will remove the vessel and seek reimbursement from the owner,” Brown said.

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JULY 15, 2020

941.779.2337 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM 7 DAYS A WEEK 5344 3 GULF DRIVE, HOLMES BEACH

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OUTDOORS

JULY 15, 2020

Courtesy Reel Time RUSTY CHINNIS

S

ome things bear repeating. I’m guessing that you, like me, have a passion for fishing and besides the excitement of catching, a lot of the experience centers around just “being there.” It’s an opportunity to decompress and get away from the everyday challenges we face.

Or it should be. These days, if you’re not careful, it’s easy to let inconsiderate anglers, boaters and Jet Skiers ruin your peace of mind. Over the years I’ve adopted a policy that I call, “Show them the courtesy they don’t show you.” My intention is to carry this in the back of my mind at all times. I

found it necessary to do this because for so many years it was a knee jerk reaction to unload on anyone who got in my “space” while I was fishing. I’ve mellowed over the years after coming to the realization that I was the one who suffered the consequences of my actions. Most of the time after an outburst, I’d move on anyway, carrying with me a bit less serenity. At some point in time it dawned on me to keep my composure. After all, there’s a lot of water to fish.

When we’re fishing we have no idea what’s going on with the others we’re sharing the water with. They could be fishing to eat, indulging a passion, finding solace from a traumatic experience, enjoying a day with friends or family or just getting some relaxation. We all get caught up in our fishing at times and let our awareness drift as we stalk a school of fish or head to the next spot we’re going to target. Most anglers

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

The next time a personal watercraft driver interrupts your fishing, call them over and wish them a “nice day." start out fishing areas where they’ve caught fish before, and these days it’s not uncommon to find someone there or nearby. There are lots of places to fish, so if you find someone else nearby, move on to another location. It could be a blessing in disguise.

Jet Skiers can be the bane of fisher-

men, especially those who stake out on the beach looking for tarpon. A successful angler knows the value of patience and can wait hours for fish to move down the beach. When fish finally show up, there’s nothing more SEE REEL TIME, PAGE 19

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Trout action good on Sarasota Bay CAPTAIN RICK GRASSETT

Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good catch-and-release action with trout in Sarasota Bay recently. Scott Perez and his daughter, Harper, from Indiana, fished Sarasota Bay with me and they had steady action with trout, ladyfish and a bluefish on DOA Deadly Combos and CAL jigs with shad tails. A persistent west wind has kept me from tarpon fishing in the coastal Gulf recently. Hopefully we’ll go back to a normal weather pattern soon so we’re able to fish the Gulf.

Tarpon fishing in the coastal Gulf should be a good option now but conditions are important. Fishing deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay is also good choice for action with a variety of species including trout, blues and Spanish mackerel.

Fishing dock lights in the ICW at night is usually dependable

CAPTAIN RICK GRASSETT | SUBMITTED

Scott Perez holds up a nice catch-and-release sea trout. for snook and more. Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by industrial, agricultural and resi-

dential runoff, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation, please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

REEL TIME: Courtesy FROM PAGE 18

frustrating than to have a Jet Skier running up and around the lane that fish are coming down. After years of yelling, I started calling them over and saying hello before explaining what I’m doing. In the vast majority of cases they apologize and give me a wide berth.

Fishing schooling species like tarpon, Spanish mackerel, little tunny and kingfish is another

time when anglers need to be considerate of each other. Savvy anglers make a stealthy approach, working the edges of a school where they know predators patrol for prey. They understand that a careful approach is their best chance of success. Anglers who don’t know the ropes often troll right through schools of baitfish and breaking fish, causing them to sound and ruining the action

for everyone. When anglers take the time to consider others on the water, everyone wins.

Fishing should be fun and with a little consideration, it can be. When you’re on the water, make it a habit to stay well away from other anglers and if you encounter someone who isn’t playing by those rules, say hello and educate them. If that doesn’t work, move on. Show them the courtesy they don’t show you.

ROBIN HAMILTON | SUBMITTED

Holmes Beach angler doubles up on red snapper While fishing near Panama City Beach recently, Holmes Beach resident Robin Hamilton caught red snappers on different days that each weighed 24 pounds and measured 36 inches in length.

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Your Perfect Wedding Awaits…

From breathtaking beach vistas and perfect sunsets on Anna Maria to our famous buttonwood trees on Longboat Key, and rural and rustic farm in Parrish, couples can’t go wrong with Anna Maria Island Venues.

Most famous of our locations, The Grand Pavilion at The Sandbar has been a favorite beachfront wedding spot for decades. Tucked among the sea oats and native grasses, the Pavilion is ten steps from your own secret slice of sugar-sand beach. The Sunset Deck at the Beach House offers the largest beachfront deck of any of Florida’s West Coast venues.

This state-of-the-art facility boasts climate-controlled dining and an unobstructed view of the Gulf of Mexico. Buttonwood Bay at Mar Vista is a location that couples dream about. With majestic buttonwood trees, beachfront footage, and Longboat Key in your sights, your camera needs to be your plus one. The Studio at Gulf & Pine offers indoor elegance surrounded by local art, just steps from the beach. Not far from Anna Maria Island is Gamble Creek Farm, our newest wedding and events destination. With acres of farmland, creek front scenery, and plenty of privacy, Gamble Creek is the perfect venue for the couple looking for that rustic, farm to table experience.

For multiple years now, couples of "The Knot" and “Wedding Wire” have voted The Grand Pavilion at The Sandbar and the Sunset Deck at The Beach House top-rated ceremony and wedding destinations. With perfect venues and an event team that is constantly receiving glowing reviews, Anna Maria Island Venues offers something for everyone. If you are having trouble selecting the perfect destination, ask our team about our All Venue Packages to experience a taste of them all.

JULY 15, 2020

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JULY 15, 2020

THE SUN

Mandilynne Foster and Blake Kruthaupt recently celebrated their 1st wedding anniversary. They were married on May 19, 2019 at the Sandbar restaurant.

Chuck Caudill provided the music. Mandilynne and Blake currently reside in Denver, Colorado.

DARA CAUDILL | WWW.ISLANDPHOTOGRAPHY.ORG

Chelsea Halamka and Nick Barden recently celebrated their 6th anniversary. they were married on Anna Maria Island on June 21, 2014. Chuck Caudill provided the music. Chelsea & Nick now have two amazing boys, Blake and Jay. They live in Michigan, but love to visit Anna Maria Island whenever they can!

DARA CAUDILL | WWW.ISLANDPHOTOGRAPHY.ORG

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Fire engine donated West Manatee Fire Rescue firefighters, along with Chief Ben Rigney, donated a 2000 Pierce fire engine to the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund of Florida on July 7 at the district’s Station 2 on Cortez Road. The engine is scheduled to be donated by the firefighters fund to a volunteer fire department in Tennessee.

WMFR | SUBMITTED

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JULY 15, 2020

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CINDY LANE | SUN

Beach renourishment begins The 5.5-mile, $17.3 million Anna Maria Island beach renourishment project is underway as of last week, beginning at 78th Street North in Holmes Beach and traveling south to the end of the Island at Longboat Pass at the rate of about 300 feet per day. Portions of the beach will be closed during construction, preventing beachgoers from accessing that area of the shore, however, a sand walkway will be maintained landward of the project for north/south pedestrian access. The sand is dredged from an offshore borrow area about 2,000 feet offshore of the north end of the Island, near Passage Key, then pumped through a pipeline to the beach as a water/sand slurry. The submerged pipeline connects to a shore pipeline that runs laterally along the beach. The sand slurry is discharged from the pipeline and bulldozers push the sand into the water, making the beach larger, and onto the existing beach, making it higher. Work will continue 24 hours a day barring bad weather. The sand restores beaches eroded by storms and provides protection from future storms for upland buildings and roads. The project should be completed by October or November, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Residents and business owners who have questions about the project may reach David Ruderman in the USACE Corporate Communication Office by email at david.j.ruderman@usace.army.mil or by calling 904-232-1623.

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REAL ESTATE

JULY 15, 2020

COVID-19 hitting the credit market

ust when you need credit the most it’s becoming more elusive. Americans have always depended on the equity in their homes as a slush fund for an emergency or big-ticket items like tuitions and home repairs. But now, with millions of us out of work, tapping a home’s equity may not be an option.

A few weeks ago, we talked about maintaining a good credit score during these difficult times. As part of the stimulus package, credit cards, auto loans and mortgage loans can take a pause in payments to give consumers some time to get through the pandemic and back to work. The law says lenders that allow borrowers to defer payments can’t report this information to the credit-reporting companies, however, these delays are still having an impact on the credit market in general.

Bankers and lenders are having a difficult time determining who among loan applicants actually has good credit, assuming that not all of the information is being reported. Therefore, they are approving

Castles in the Sand LOUISE BOLGER fewer forms of consumer debt. In particular, home-equity lines of credit are being pulled back by lenders just at the time when Americans may be looking for emergency money.

Lenders are trying to protect themselves from the big losses they experienced during the 2008 financial crisis when the real estate market took a dramatic downturn. If you remember, that was when homeowners were using their home’s equity like an ATM machine, and when the crisis hit, the value of the home was underwater and many were foreclosed, leaving the banks and the American taxpayers holding the bag.

Helocs, basically a credit line, and home equity loans are becoming harder to come

by as lenders tighten up their application process because of job loss and the potential of home values falling. People who have lost their jobs may no longer qualify, in addition to the difficulty of performing appraisals during the pandemic. Lenders are also raising the credit scores they are willing to accept and/or decreasing the amount of money they’re willing to loan.

Even personal loans, which were always available with shorter repayment terms and higher interest rates, are tumbling. According to Equifax, there were an estimated 79,000 personal loans completed in midMay compared with 226,000 in mid-March.

In addition, new auto loans and leases as well as new credit cards were all down substantially.

With the economy in total confusion, lenders can’t tell if a borrower who has opted to take a deferment of their loan is doing so because of lost income or if they’re simply taking advantage of relief options.

Naturally, lenders are taking a very conservative approach to making loans, another

reason why consumers should not take a pause on any of their credit cards, auto loans and certainly not their mortgages if they can afford to pay during these times.

This action could catch up with them down the road no matter what the federal government’s intention was.

Meanwhile, housing inventory all around the country is dropping, falling 19.7% at the end of April, and the shortage of available properties will surely increase. Of course, the result is home prices moving up - 4.7% at the end of April - since those who can afford to purchase even during these times are looking at historic low interest rates and are taking advantage.

Like many other national disasters we’ve faced, this too shall pass, but not without a lot of financial damage to business and individuals. When the lenders start getting in gear again, they’ll be looking for customers so hopefully homeowners can hang on until then. Stay safe.

JULY 15, 2020

www.amisun.com

THE SUN

25

Governor says bar restrictions will remain in place Gov. Ron DeSantis has been invited to participate in a Reopen Bars virtual roundtable discussion taking place July 23.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON – Gov. Ron DeSantis says he does not anticipate reopening bars without food licenses anytime soon.

During Saturday’s press conference at Blake Medical Center in Bradenton, The Sun asked DeSantis about the bar prohibitions recently imposed and later amended by Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Halsey Beshears.

“We set out a plan for some of the counties – not all of the counties, not south Florida – that they would be able to operate just like a restaurant with limited capacity seating. The problem was no one was following that. I get that’s not how they want to operate, but we were getting reports of having packed, partytype situations. That was not a part of the guidelines,” DeSantis said.

“I want them to be able to operate, but I also want them to do it consistent

with the Step-by-Step plan and we just weren’t able to get that done. So right now, we’re not making any changes.

Status quo. As we get in a more stable situation, we’ll take a look at it,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis said he’s not blaming bars for the recent increase in COVID-19 cases.

“It’s definitely not their fault, but at the same time, we tried to do these guidelines. We consulted with physicians, we consulted with different people and we just felt that it’s not like flipping a switch, it’s gonna take some time. But that’s the plan, and if the plan wasn’t being followed there’s not a way we’re going to be able to do it,” DeSantis said before leaving the press conference.

On March 17, DeSantis issued an executive order that prohibited the on-site consumption of alcohol at establishments that generate more than 50% of their revenue from those types of sales. On June 5, DeSantis allowed bars to reopen at 50% capacity.

On June 26, Beshears closed many Florida bars for a second time when he issued DBPR Emergency Order 2020-09.

“During the month of June, the number of individuals testing positive for COVID-19 increased significantly in the State of Florida, especially among younger individuals. Some of these cases involving younger individuals are suspected to have originated from visits to bars, pubs or nightclubs who have disregarded the restrictions set forth in Phase 2 of the Safe.Smart.Step-by-Step plan for Florida’s recovery,” Beshears’ order says.

On July 1, Beshears amended his order in a manner that allowed some bars and fraternal organizations to reopen.

“Vendors licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, and also licensed to offer food service, may continue to operate as restaurants,” his amended order says.

DESANTIS INVITED TO REOPEN BARS FORUM

Fort Lauderdale attorney Jacob Weil will host a virtual Reopen Bars roundtable discussion on Thursday, July 23 at 2 p.m.

According to a press release issued last week, The Weil Law Group is representing hundreds of Florida bar owners who’ve been affected by the bar closure orders.

Darla Tingler, owner of the Anchor Inn in Holmes Beach, and Joe Harris, co-owner of Papa Joe’s Sports Bar and owner of Scalawags Pub in north Sarasota, are among

the Manatee County bar owners Weil has spoken with.

Attorney Jacob Weil has invited Gov. Ron DeSantis to participate in the Reopen Bars virtual roundtable on Thursday, July 23.

“Formal invitations have been sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis and Secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Halsey Beshears. Other officials are also being invited,” the press release notes.

“This forum will be an opportunity for state and local government leaders to discuss with bar owners, operators, professionals and experts the effects of current policies, the concerns of the industry and safe, common-sense solutions to reopen Florida’s bar industry. This is not a hostile event, but rather an opportunity for those in charge to gain perspective from small business owners bearing the costs of the current policy in place,” the press release says.

The July 23 roundtable will be hosted online via Zoom and anyone may join the roundtable discussion by visiting www. reopenflbars.com and selecting the “Round Table” menu option at the top of the page.

The roundtable will also be livestreamed via Facebook and YouTube.

26

www.amisun.com

THE SUN

JULY 15, 2020

VACATION

365 You’re closer to home than you think.

Check out Lakewood Ranch while you’re in town, and you’ll see why it’s the best-selling community in the country for all ages.

You won’t want to leave!

SHOPPING, DINING, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | PARKS & TR AILS | 19 VILL AGES TO CHOOSE FROM SOCIA L AND SPORTS CLUBS | GOLF & R ACQUET SPORTS | THRIVING BUSINESS COMMUNIT Y A-R ATED SCHOOLS | NAMED BEST WELLNESS COMMUNIT Y BY IDEAL-LIVING

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*Prices subject to change without notice. © 2020 Lakewood Ranch

.com

www.amisun.com

JULY 15, 2020

BEACH BEAT

HOLMES BEACH

7/1, information, Waterline Marina Resort, 5325 Marina Drive. Police were called to the resort where there was

a bullet hole in a window.

Police recovered the bullet but took no further action.

7/3, no driver’s license, motorcyclist, Manatee Avenue

THE SUN

Bridge. Police Chief Bill Tokajer stopped a motorcyclist who was travelling on the sidewalk to get around stopped traffic due to the

drawbridge being up. The driver had no motorcycle endorsement and he was ticketed.

7/3, driving with a suspended driver’s license, 600 Manatee Ave. The license plate reader alerted police to the offender. He was ticketed, his license and plate were seized and his car was towed.

7/3, DUI, 8500, Gulf Drive.

The officer stopped the driver for careless driving and no-ticed signs of impairment. He called for backup and had the driver perform a field so-briety test. The driver failed but didn’t agree with the results.

He provided a breath sample and asked for his blood to be tested as well.

7/3, DUI, 200 84th St. After clearing the previous DUI, the officers saw a man driving a lawn tractor with no lights. As they followed him, he almost ran into them. When he stopped, they noticed a strong odor of alcohol. He was arrested.

7/4, alcohol code violation, the beaches at 37th Street.

27

Two males were spotted con-suming alcohol and ticketed.

7/5, domestic violence, 2900 block of Avenue E. A male, female and two of her female friends came to the police station to report a fight between the male and female, who have been in a relationship for nine months. Nobody wanted to make a sworn state-ment so the officer gave the parties pamphlets on victims’ rights.

7/5, parking code violation, 100 50th St. An SUV was illegally parked in an emergency vehicle space. The officer ticketed the vehicle and called for a tow truck.

7/6, camping code violation, Seaside Laundromat, 5400 B Holmes Blvd. The officer on patrol noticed a male sleeping on a bench in front of the Laundromat. He said he lives in Anna Maria and he fell asleep waiting for his laundry to dry, but the officer remem-bered him from previous camping attempts and told him to move on after giving him a notice to appear before a judge.

LOCALLY KNOWN. GLOBALLY CONNECTED. SINCE 1976.

HOLMES BEACH 97 52nd Street Hannah Hillyard 941-744-7358 A4468151 $2,450,000

NORTH POINT HARBOUR 605 N Point Drive Hannah Hillyard 941-744-7358 A4469001 $1,869,000

LUANA ISLES 301 Iris Street Kathy Harman 941-900-9828 A4469011 $1,150,000

VILLAS OF HOLMES BEACH 206 52nd Street 3 Kathy Harman 941-900-9828 A4464002 $989,000

BAY PALMS 528 74th Street Victoria Sperounes 941-960-3773 A4469255 $2,590,000

LONGBOAT KEY 735 Saint Judes Drive S Lynne Callahan 941-720-3278 A4468349 $729,000

MAINSAIL BEACH INN 101 66th Street 6 Kristi Berger & Deborah Capobianco 941-730-3801 A4452260 $595,000

MAINSAIL BEACH INN 103 66th Street 10 Kristi Berger & Deborah Capobianco 941-730-3801 A4452245 $567,125

COVE SOUND YACHT CLUB 12903 Yacht Club Place Gregory Zies & Kathy Valente 941-779-3081 A4455943 $1,200,000

NORTH POINT HARBOUR 609 N Point Drive Hannah Hillyard 941-744-7358 A4455659 $1,190,000

CASANAS 401 39th Street Ken Kavanaugh, Jr & Margo Love Story 941-799-1943 A4457608 $929,500

MAINSAIL BEACH INN 107 66th Street 12 Kristi Berger & Deborah Capobianco 941-730-3801 A4452254 $870,000

SUMMER SANDS 1007 Gulf Drive N 111 Laura Rulon 941-896-2757 A4469260 $499,000

RIVERSIDE POINT 5477 56th Court E Tyler Hardy 941-201-8505 A4463283 $614,900

NEW CONSTRUCTION

MSC MORTGAGE | MSC TITLE | MS&C COMMERCIAL NEW HOMES & CONDOMINIUMS

BAILEY-DOBSON 701 Gulf Bay Road 1 & 2 Lynne Callahan 941-720-3278 A4470251 $550,000

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM

28

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THE SUN

JULY 15, 2020

SCHOOL: Board questions reopening order FROM PAGE 7

in September to reopen the schools to students. “The order says August,� Saunders responded. “School has to begin in August unless the commissioner approves otherwise in the plan submitted. They’re talking in the traditional sense of opening up brick and mortar. Our school can be defined for 180 days of brick and mortar and/or eLearning to constitute the required number of hours of instruction we are required to deliver. We can begin instruction in a different context of delivery and still qualify if our plan is approved.�

Regarding the students, Saunders said, “For their mental health, for their academic health, we need to try to open the schools up and see how we can perform and then reassess.�

Board member Dr. Scott Hopes cautioned against implementing a plan that brings students back inside the schools in August. “The way this pandemic is behaving we’re going be dealing with it until the end of the year at least.

Our decisions are not going to get any easier whether we start before Labor Day or after Labor Day. Mr. Miner is correct. The decision is ours and we have that responsibility,� he said.

Hopes said the situation presents an opportunity for a public health campaign that stresses community cooperation to help contain the virus. “We’ve got at least half of our student population whose parents say we want our kids back in school. That’s a motivator. We have the technology to access every family that has a child in our school district. If you want your children to start school on the 10th, we need you to do your part. We immediately move forward with a public health education campaign to reach these families and bombard them with a public health education campaign that will lead to us being able to implement our reopening plan,� he said.

Kennedy concurred and said the spread of the virus could be better contained if everyone was on the same page. “But unfortunately, we’re not. We have another government entity in town (the Manatee County Commission) that is not willing to put a mandatory mask order in place.

We all want the same thing. We just disagree on how to do it,� Kennedy said.

DESANTIS, GALVANO WEIGH IN

During Saturday’s press conference, The Sun asked Gov. DeSan-

tis if he feels the school board is compelled to follow Corcoran’s emergency order. “Obviously, the local counties are instrumental in this. The school boards need to be involved. It’s got to be a collaborative effort. I think the main thing is what’s in it for the kids? What harm is going to be done by continuing to keep them out of school? From a student perspective, the risk is low. There’s just not a lot of evidence that they’re doing a lot with community transmission. At the same time, if a parent doesn’t feel comfortable and they want to offer distance learning, I believe in school choice and this would be another one,� DeSantis said.

When asked a second time if the school board is compelled to follow the emergency order, DeSantis deferred to Galvano. “The answer is yes,� Galvano said. “The DOE order cannot be ignored and it needs to be adhered to. Having said that, all the points the governor made about the choice and the decision making and the safeguards are encompassed in that order. It also includes a collaboration with the Department of Health, but school boards cannot ignore this. The order says five days availability, brick and mortar schools at full capacity.�

PARKING: Permit plan advances FROM PAGE 1

a separate ordinance to raise the parking fine amount.

Chief Bill Tokajer said signs would be installed in the coming week at beach access points designating golf cart-only parking spaces. Under the permit program, golf carts also will be able to take advantage of the permit-only street parking, however things get a little complicated depending on what kind of golf cart is being used. A regular golf cart, one that doesn’t require a tag or registration with the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles, can be parked anywhere in the permit parking zone without a permit from the city. A low-speed vehicle, or LSV, a golf cart or other vehicle not a car or truck that does require a license plate and DMV registration, will be able to park in the permit only zone but will require a permit sticker issued by the city.

Though commissioners discussed making the permit parking 24 hours a day every day, after much discussion and input from Tokajer they opted to start out with permit parking from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, allowing public parking on the street in the residential area after 5 p.m. so that people can have a party or dinner guests without having to contact the police depart-

ment first to get passes for guests to park on the street. For residents choosing to have guests during the permit parking- only hours where parking cannot be accommodated on their property, they will still need to contact the police department to get authorized parking passes for guests or ask for a bag to be placed over the permit only signs while their guests are present.

Tokajer did say it will be necessary for the city to purchase new

signs for the permit €‚‚ � ƒ� „ �  … †‡ˆ‰ƒ��� � Š parking area at a cost  � � � � �  ­ of about $2,400.

Commissioners € ‚� � ƒ „ „ ƒ … † � ‡ � ˆ ‰ �  � � ‰ ‰ Š‹ ­ agreed unanimously to

put the permit parking Œ Œ ‰ Ž � ‘ ’ Š‹ „ “ to a six-month review

†�” • – ˆ ‰ � — to see how it works for

the residents and what ˜ ™‰� changes to the program need to be made.

Commissioners next

meet on July 21 for a meeting and work

 �� ��� ­ � session to be held via

Zoom.

JULY 15, 2020

FUN IN THE SUN

Across 1 Barely enough 6 Like a pooch's smooch 9 "Happy Days" actress Erin 14 Software writer 15 Texter's "As I see it" 16 Defunct defense gp.

17 Pear variety 18 Opening setting of "Madagascar" 19 Be carried by the current 20 Fort Worth sch.

21 RR stop 23 Giuseppe's god 25 "S" on an invitation 26 NFL's Gronk and others 27 Roller coaster experiences 29 Previously, to a poet 30 1999 Ron Howard Answers to 07-08-20 Crossword Puzzle.

satire 32 Easy-to-spot jigsaw pieces 33 Ado 34 Turn back to zero 36 Hundred Acre Wood joey 37 Egyptian Christians 38 Word from Robin preceding headache, homework, and hamstrings, among others 40 "Beetle Bailey" dog 42 __ monster 43 Song and dance 45 Ramp, and what's found in each set of circles 50 Con 51 Floor models 52 Putting game 54 Iconic lemon 56 "Live With Kelly and Ryan" network

THE SUN

29

57 Big name in whisky 58 Small songbird 59 Reevaluated favorably 62 Corp. tech boss 63 Action film gun 64 Privately 65 Journalist Curry 66 Brief time 67 Taste 68 Charles of R&B 69 Macaw, for some Down 1 Disperse 2 Admit having lost 3 Fiddles with 4 Fresh start?

5 Estate manager's suggestion 6 Potter's specialty 7 Angsty rock genre 8 "Ta-ta!"

9 Early PC platform 10 Above, to a bard 11 Elevate 12 Initially 13 Qualifier for a minimum price 22 With 48-Down, Time Lord played by various performers 24 They, in Calais 28 "Need __ on?"

31 Jam ingredient?

33 Cinematographer's compilation 35 Temporary usage fee

37 PC key 39 __-back: relaxed 41 Solemn bugle solo 42 Early Christian 44 Kilimanjaro topper 45 Treat, as table salt

46 At hand 47 Put in prison 48 See 22-Down 49 TV pal of Jerry and George 50 Womb occupant

53 Weather map feature 55 Unbridled desire 57 June 6, 1944 60 Water filter brand 61 That, in Tijuana

30

THE SUN

CLASSIFIED

ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMPUTER SERVICES

WANTED AFRICAN GREY PARROT. WANTED PARROT CAGE. Call 941-741-1096

EMPIRE COMPUTER SERVICE Computer problems fixed in your home or office. The fastest friend-liest service around. Serving the Island since 2004. Call 941-739-6424

THE BEST VOLUNTEER position on the island. The AMI Historical Museum needs docents and bread makers. Call Lynn at 813758-3234 or lbrennan47@ gmail.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.

BOATS BOAT SALES ARE EXTREMELY ACTIVE. Boats Needed. No Listing Agreements, Easy.

20 Years, Hundreds Sold.

Islandboatsales.net** 941-228-3489 Dave.

CARPET CLEANING QUALITY COUNTS. CARPET cleaning. Upholstery cleaning. Tile & grout cleaning. Island's favorite cleaner. Manatee Chamber Member. Great price/free estimates. Call 941-7561082

CLEANING SERVICE THC CLEANING : Residential, Commercial & Rentals. Professional and Reliable. Call 941756-4570

COMMERCIAL SALES, RENT & LEASE 13 UNIT RESORT: $3,999,900 Bradenton Beach on Gulf Dr. WAREHOUSE: 9300 sq ft possi-ble Machine Shop w/ Heavy Duty Elect. Or Car Storage. So many Possibilities. Near SRQ Airport. $595,000. Island Real Estate call Alan Galletto 941-232-2216 COMMERCIAL CONDO FOR SALE City of Anna Maria best location on the island most popular lo-cation across from the city pier. $549,900. Low fees Sharon Hightower re/max alliance group.

941-330-5054

Call us today! 941-778-3986

EMPLOYMENT THE AMI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE is seeking a positive, outgoing, team player with excellent communication skills for a full-time administrative assistant position.

Excellent computer skills a must – MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Publisher & Photoshop. QuickBooks a plus. Benefits. Email in-fo@ amichamber.org.

TMK CLEANING & CONSULTING, LLC is hiring Full time COVID 19 cleaners to work weekends 8-4 on Anna Maria Island. Paid weekly $15-$20 per hour.

Must have own transportation. Call 863-703-0226 TWO SCOOPS – Anna Maria Island’s Favorite IceCream... is now hiring full and part-time associ-ates.

Varied shifts available must be able to work nights and weekends. A great place to work and have a little fun…looking for a few friendly people to join our team. Food prep or server experience preferred. Great Pay! Apply today…Two Scoops 101 S. Bay Blvd.

Anna Maria.

TWO SIDES OF NATURE – Anna Maria Island’s Favorite Resort wear Store... is now hiring part-time associates. Varied shifts available must be able to work nights and weekends.

Great pay, great fun. Retail Experience Preferred. Apply today Two Sides of Nature 101 S. Bay Blvd. Unit A-1, Anna Ma-ria. Two Sides of Nature – owned/operated by your friends at Two Scoops.

SOLO’S PIZZA LOOKING for part time evening cook.

Call 941-778-8118.

HOTEL ON ANNA MARIA seeking Housekeeper Full time, Part time. Must have two years experience. We drug test.

Must speak English. If no Answer, leave message.

813-735-4373.

JESSIE’S ISLAND STORE has immediate openings for full and part time cashiers for both day and night shifts. Stock person 4 to 5 hours per day, 5 to 6 days per week Apply in person at 5424 Marina Dr. Holmes Beach or call 941778-6903 ISLAND LUMBER and HARDWARE full or part time help wanted Must be able to load in excess of 60lbs Please inquire at 213 54h St Holmes Beach 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.

JULY 15, 2020

KERN CONSTRUCTION NEW Homes & Remodel.

Design/Build. Since 1968.

License # CRC1327296.

Call Jerry Kern 941-7781115 www.kernconstructioninc.com MASTER CARPENTER. Decks-Docks-FencingStairs & Railing Free Estimates. Handyman Work. Call Richard 941448-3571

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Free Estimates. Credit Cards Accepted.

COASTAL INTERIORS Trim, paint, repairs and more 27yrs experience Local 786-318-8585 ISLE TILE EXPERT INSTALLATION of floors, custom showers, backsplash, deck/lanai.

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Call Chris at 941-3028759 please visit website: isletileservices.com

HOME SERVICES

CAPT. MAC GREGORY Fishing Charters. Full Day, Half Day, Night, Inshore & Near Shore. 941-809-5783 U.S.C.G. Certified/Insured

THE HARDWOOD STOP Flooring installation services; Laminate, hardwood, vinyl and tile. Bath-room and shower. Virtually dustless FLOOR REMOVAL License and insured FREE ESTIMATES 941-227-0041 www. thehardwoodstop.com

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

FISHING CHARTERS

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AMISUN.COM

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PAINTING & WALLCOVERING

PRESSURE WASHING & WINDOWS

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 esti-mates.

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References available.

PERSONAL SERVICES BABYSITTER / PERSONAL ASSISTANT Safe, Honest & Reliable. Over 20yrs experience w/ in-home services incl. infants, twins, groceries, errands, laundry, cooking, cleaning. Island Local. Non-Smoker. $25+/ hr. 941-216-5939

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REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE CANAL FRONT HOMES Holmes Beach – GULF FRONT CONDOS Gulf Place, L’Plage, Vista Grande, SPW, 5400 – DUPLEXES & MORE Island Real Estate ASK Alan Galletto 941232-2216 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 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 28 years. Proven track record brings you results! 941-725-1589 509 PINE AVE ,ANNA MARIA. $1,690,000. 2 Cottage homes w/pool. Zoned nightly rent-als/Retail/ Commercial. Furnished w/ rentals in place. Virtual Tour Avaliable. Christine Kourik Re/max 941-5387414 RUNAWAY BAY CONDOBradenton Beach $335,000 water view 2BR/2BA furnished. Virtual Walk thru Tour Available. Christine Kourik Re/Max 941-5387414

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JULY 15, 2020

BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY COMPUTER SERVICE

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

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

PAINTING

HOME SERVICES TRANSPORTATION

REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE PERICO ISLAND villa 2BR/2BA with 2 car garage. Spectacular water views! Completely updated and Designer decorated. $399,900.

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RENTALS: ANNUAL ANNUAL RENTALS WANTED! We have well qualified tenants for beach and mainland annual rent-als, Full management or Finders fee.

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Sarasota $35. Pets welcome. Very dependable.

Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-779-5095

RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION

AIRPORT RIDES- Tampa, St. Pete, Sarasota. Mask & gloves provided. Reasonable rates! Call or text Anna 941-932-1600

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

TRANSPORTATION AMI TAXI metered-on-callcards accepted. Airport: Tampa $95, Sarasota $40, Clearwater $85, Or-lando $195. Call 941-447-8372 or 941-447-8376. amitaxi4u@ gmail.com, www.amitaxi. com

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THE SUN

www.amisun.com

JULY 15, 2020