Anna Maria Island Sun July 26, 2023

Saharan sundown

Testing shows drinking water free of toxins

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

MANATEE COUNTY – County officials say that new tests confirm the drinking water coming from Lake Manatee is safe.

In a July 18 press release, more than a week after attention was first drawn to the strange odor and taste in local drinking water, county officials said that the compound affecting the water is geosmin, not an algal toxin.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, geosmin is a compound, often related to the cyanobacteria Anabaena, that causes taste and odor issues in water related to blue-green algae outbreaks.

Fire department changing rules for vacation rentals

Owners of vacation rental properties can expect some changes from WMFR in the upcoming fiscal year, including increased assessments and safety inspections.

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

MANATEE COUNTY – Property owners located in West Manatee Fire Rescue’s district recently received some mail they likely weren’t expecting from the fire department.

District leaders sent out a letter to all property owners in the district, spanning Anna Maria Island, Cortez and unincorporated Manatee County in west Bradenton, notifying them of an upcoming public hearing to discuss increases in assessment rates. The good news for property owners is that unless you own a vacation rental property in the district, your rates won’t increase much.

Bradenton Beach CRA budget planning begins

“While certain blue-green algae can produce toxins, it is important to note that not all blue-green algae blooms are toxic,” according to last week’s press release from county Information Outreach Manager Bill Logan.

Logan’s previous press release from the county on July 10 stated that tests showed the presence of blue-green algae at elevated concentrations in drinking water.

The algae bloom in the county reservoir, which provides water for a large part of the county, caused a musty taste and odor that persists, according to the county.

SEE WATER , PAGE 22

The CRA members will hold further discussion on the capital projects and improvements to be included in the new fiscal year budget.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) expects to receive $635,677 in ad valorem property tax revenues during the 2023-24 fiscal year.

City Treasurer Shayne Thompson presented the projected CRA revenues and expenses to CRA board members during the July 18 budget meeting that

marked the beginning of the board’s annual budgeting process. Further discussion and decision-making will occur at a future budget meeting before the proposed CRA budget is formally adopted in September.

The city of Bradenton Beach has the only CRA on Anna Maria Island. The property tax revenues the CRA receives are a portion of the property tax revenues collected from residential and commercial property owners in the CRA district that extends from the Cortez Bridge to the southernmost residential property lines along Fifth Street South. Each year, the CRA also receives a state-mandated transfer of funds from the city’s general fund. For the

SEE CRA, PAGE 21

CINDY LANE | SUN

Offshore rainshowers and Saharan dust combined to make a spectacular summer sunset on Friday evening at Coquina Beach. Red dust frequently blows from the Sahara desert in Africa over the Atlantic Ocean to Florida in the summer.

AMOB enhancements progressing

The AMOB ownership group is making several enhancements to its restaurant operations at the foot of the Bradenton Beach Pier.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – The Anna Maria Oyster Bar (AMOB) is getting closer to completing several improvements sought for its Bradenton Beach Pier-based restaurant operations.

On July 20, the Bradenton Beach City Commission approved the request made by the AMOB ownership group, We’re Back Inc., to remove and replace several sabal palm and black olive trees currently located in the city-owned pier parking lot.

The AMOB ownership group had hoped to replace the existing trees with taller maypan coconut palm trees, but due to liability concerns, the city commission stipulated no trees from which coconuts could drop are allowed in the public parking lot at the foot of the pier. The commission also stipulated the removed trees must be

replanted or replaced in other locations on a one-to-one basis.

Building Official Steve Gilbert said the installation of a decorative crab trap-themed fence that will replace the existing chain link fence between the city-owned parking lot and the Pines Trailer Park remains on hold until the fire marshal reviews and approves the potential fire risk posed by the wooden

crab trap fence facade.

The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) previously agreed to contribute $30,000 toward the $60,000 fence installation. The CRA anticipates recouping $15,000 of that contribution from Manatee County as part of the recently completed floating dock expansion project for which the county is provid-

ing 50% in matching funds for the total project costs.

Gilbert also said he still needs to review the diagrams needed to issue a conditional use permit previously approved by the city commission. The conditional use permit will allow alcoholic beverages purchased from AMOB to be consumed only on the pier, where alcoholic beverages have historically been prohibited.

The commission-approved to-go food kiosk and service bar recently installed in an adjacent auxiliary building that AMOB leases from the city is ready for use but was not yet in operation at week’s end.

Three new umbrella-covered tables have been temporarily installed along the pier entrance railing south of the main restaurant building. Those tables will eventually be replaced by permanent tiki hut-covered tables.

AMOB CEO John Horne told The Sun he planned to meet with Mayor John Chappie on Monday, July 24 to further discuss AMOB’s desired improvements and implementation timelines.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

A to-go food kiosk and service bar have been installed in the auxiliary building that AMOB leases from the city. The kiosk and service bar are ready to go, but were not yet in operation last week.

IN BRIEF

Holmes Beach budget drops $2 million

City leaders are showing their dedication to reducing the bill for taxpayers by reducing the proposed 2023-24 fiscal year budget by over $2 million.

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

HOLMES BEACH – City leaders have been discussing reducing the millage rate for the coming fiscal year. Now, they're acting on their plans.

ment, unrestricted reserves and capital projects using fifth-cent gas tax and half-cent discretionary tax funding.

Unrestricted reserves are funds that can be used to operate the city, paying ordinary bills such as payroll and utilities, during the months while funding is not coming into the city. These reserves also can be used to keep the city running in the event of a natural disaster, such as a hurricane.

SUBMITTED

Bradenton Beach commissioner buys former bank property

The former Holmes Beach Wells Fargo location has been sold and the new owner is Bradenton Beach commissioner and entrepreneur Jake Spooner. The change in ownership was announced in a July 18 press release from Michael Saunders & Company, whose agents represented Spooner in the $4.75 million purchase. The seller, ABC Family LLC, purchased the 1.83-acre property from Wells Fargo in 2021, including the 10,328 square foot bank building which the press release notes Spooner is planning to retain. While Spooner plans to develop the property, the press release said he’s not planning to share those plans with the public until they receive approval from city leaders.

Financial audit discussions scheduled

The Bradenton Beach City Commission and the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) board will participate in a joint meeting at city hall on Wednesday, July 26 at 9:30 a.m. The commissioners and CRA members will discuss the results of the separate fiscal year 2022 audits conducted of the city’s general fund and the separate CRA fund.

Health department encourages early back-to-school vaccinations

The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County (DOH-Manatee) encourages parents to beat the rush and get their children vaccinated and have school physicals well ahead of the first day of class. DOH-Manatee will offer back-toschool vaccinations by appointment only on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Vaccinations will also be offered by appointment only on Saturday, Aug. 5 and Saturday, Aug. 12 between 8 a.m. and noon. To schedule an appointment, call 941-748-0747 ext. 0. A walk-in vaccination clinic will also be offered on Tuesday, Aug. 8 from 1-4 p.m. All vaccinations will be given at the health department, 410 Sixth Ave. E., Bradenton. Immunizations are free for eligible children through age 18. Physicals are $45 per child.

When commissioners met for a budget workshop on July 11, the total proposed budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year came to $25,378,247, including restricted and unrestricted reserves totaling $8,499,077. Upon meeting one week later on July 18 to set the maximum millage rate for the coming fiscal year, City Treasurer Cindy Dunham-Tozer announced that some changes had been made, resulting in a $2,038,184 reduction in the overall budget.

Expense lines in the proposed budget that experienced change include office supplies, equip-

The proposed office supply budget was slashed by $58,000, bringing it down from $136,500 to $78,500. This change brings the city’s total anticipated operating budget down from $5,084,937 to $5,026,937.

The biggest change to the proposed budget came in the form of a significant drop in unrestricted reserves. While the first iteration of the budget showed unrestricted reserves increasing for the 202324 fiscal year by $1,961,387, in the budget presented July 18, that number remains stable at $3,186,323, the same as the current fiscal year. Other numbers that are now anticipated to remain at the same level as the

current year include capital expenses related to fifth-cent gas tax and half-cent discretionary tax funding. Those numbers were decreased by $78,797 and $49,074 respectively, bringing the restricted and unrestricted reserves total down to $6,460,893, the same as the current fiscal year. Dunham-Tozer said only one line item increased in the overall budget, the one for equipment. That line item increased $58,000 from $730,563 to $788,563. She said the change was due to an increase in the anticipated cost to acquire a street sweeper. Overall, the city’s budget dropped to $23,340,063. Before the budget becomes final, there will be two public hearings scheduled for residents and property owners to have their say on the city’s anticipated expenses for the coming year. The meetings are scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 14 at 5:01 p.m. and Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 5:01 p.m. Both meetings will be held at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive in Holmes Beach. Meetings can be viewed online but anyone wishing to speak must appear in person.

Commissioners set maximum millage rate

Commissioners set a maximum millage rate of 2.15 mills for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

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

HOLMES BEACH – Commissioners set a maximum millage rate for the upcoming fiscal year, but it wasn’t without some concerns being aired.

In a meeting held on July 18, commissioners voted unanimously to set the rate for the 2023-24 fiscal year at 2.15 mills.

The millage rate is the amount per $1,000 in assessed value that property owners in the city are charged for city taxes. The maximum millage rate is the highest rate commissioners can apply to property taxes without undergoing a city-wide effort to raise the rate higher.

While City Treasurer Cindy Dunham-Tozer created the budget using a 2.0677 millage rate, slightly lower than last year’s 2.07 mills, she

recommended setting the maximum millage rate a little higher, at 2.15 mills, to allow for “wiggle room” in the budget.

At 2.0677 mills, Dunham-Tozer said the budget was already tight and didn’t allow for any significant changes, such as an anticipated funding source not coming into the city, most of which she said are expected to arrive prior to September budget hearings. It also doesn’t allow for a significant increase in a line item, such as legal fees.

Commissioner Carol Soustek said that while she’s in favor of charging the least amount possible to taxpayers, she also is concerned about anticipated legal fees. Currently, the city is in litigation with a few different parties, including the owners of the beachfront tree house at Angelino’s Sea Lodge. City leaders are currently anticipating entering a legal battle with Manatee County over a proposed three-story parking garage at Manatee Beach. While that litigation has not yet

begun, City Attorney Erica Augello committed to begin working on the city’s legal strategy for that case at a previous commission meeting.

Commissioners did express interest in lowering the millage rate past 2.0677, potentially even to the 1.8273 rollback rate. The rollback rate is the millage city leaders would use to bring in the same amount of revenue in the coming year as they did in the current year.

With a proposed millage rate of 2.0677, property taxes would bring in an estimated $6,552,611 to the city. In the 2022-23 fiscal year, ad valorem property taxes brought in $5,734,282. Dunham-Tozer said that property values have risen about 13% in the city since the current fiscal year’s budget was approved by commissioners.

City leaders will set a final millage rate and adopt a budget for the new fiscal year during two public hearings in September. The new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

Canal dispute lawsuits linger

A permit challenge initiated by the MHC Cortez Village in 2021 later prompted two civil lawsuits that remain unresolved.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

CORTEZ – The legal filings continue in civil litigation pertaining to residential docks and boat lifts located along the man-made canal surrounding the Hunters Point development.

A preliminary hearing to be conducted by videoconferencing is scheduled on Tuesday, Sept. 5 at 3:30 p.m. before 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas.

In response to a 2021 dock permitting challenge initiated by MHC Cortez Village LLC, owners of the nearby Cortez Village Marina, Hunters Point developer Marshall Gobuty’s Cortez Road Investments & Finance Inc. (CRIF) ownership group filed a civil lawsuit on June 3, 2022 that named as defendants canal-side residential property owners Jonathan and Sheila Graham, Wendy and George Kokolis, Mark Ibasfalean, Jacquelyn Shepard,

Mary Norman and Timothy Fitzpatrick. Since then, numerous legal filings have occurred but no hearings have been held.

According to the defendants’ cross notice of hearing recently filed on June 30, “Defendants Jonathan and Sheila Graham hereby provide notice that defendants George and Wendy

Kokolis’ motion to dissolve Lis Pendens, or in the alternative require a Lis Pendens bond, will be presented to the court, together with the Graham’s motion to dissolve Lis Pendens or to require bond.”

According to the Jimerson Birr law firm website, “A lis pendens is a common tool used in Florida to put

third parties on notice of a pending lawsuit against real estate. Property owners may not be able to sell, obtain financing or obtain title insurance until the lis pendens is removed.”

The lawsuit alleges the defendants are unlawfully maintaining docks and boat lifts in the privately-owned Hunters Point canal without the authorization of the canal owner. The lawsuit alleges many of the docks, boat lifts and other encumbrances located in the western portion of the canal extend more than 25% into the canal, which, if true, would violate Manatee County’s dock regulations.

The defendants deny the allegations and claim their docks and lifts are legally and properly permitted by Manatee County and do not exceed the 25% regulation.

In Aug. 2021, the Kokolis’ received a building permit from Manatee County to install a new boat lift for the residential structure they own at the westernmost end of the canal near the humpback bridge on 127th Street West.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The boat lift, left, is part of an ongoing legal dispute with the developer of the Hunters Point community that is being built on the other side of the canal.

The Anna Maria Island Sun Staff

Owner/CEO

Mike Field

Editor

Cindy Lane

General Manager

Bob Alexander

Reporters/Photographers

Joe Hendricks

Leslie Lake

Jason Schaffer

Kristin Swain

Columnists

Louise Bolger

Rusty Chinnis

Contributors

Joe Becht

Steve Borggren

Jason Gargiule

Capt. Rick Grassett

Isis Mavenyengwa

Monica Simpson

Tom Vaught

Capt. David White

Anne Yarbrough

Layout

Ricardo Fonseca

Digital Editor

Kristin Swain

Advertising Director

Shona Otto

Advertising Assistant

Pamela Lee

Classifieds

Bob Alexander

Graphics

Elaine Stroili

Ricardo Fonseca

Distribution

Bob Alexander

Connor Field

Tony McNulty

Brian Smith

Accounting

Leslie Ketchum

Co-founding publishers

Mike Field

Maggie McGinley Field

Family-owned since 2000

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Add beaches, not garages

My wife and I have been homeowners in Manatee County for 30 years and permanent residents for about half that time. We now reside full time on Anna Maria Island, where we built a new home in 2014. It is reasonable in size and it has only one elevated floor, elevated to meet the latest codes. We love this area and settled here by choice after living in three different countries and spending time in 20 others.

I wish to express my feelings about this parking garage which is causing so much frustration and dissatisfaction. Mostly, I would like to present a totally different approach.

Building a multi-floor garage is not the ideal solution. First of all, it will only contain the additional number of cars generated by all the new construction surrounding the Bradenton area for at best a year. What will we do in another

year - build a second garage, and then a third, as hundreds of new homes are popping up like mushrooms all around our area?

The land area of Anna Maria is approximately 0.73 square miles, or less than 2 square kilometers. During the winter season, there are approximately 6,500 residents on this Island, making it a population density of 8,900 people per square mile. The average population density in the U.S. is 37 people per square kilometer or 96 per square mile. We are therefore already 93 times more populated than the national average.

The problem is that this situation cannot be alleviated by adding more parking capacity. What we need is to create one or more new beaches outside of this small spit of land called Anna Maria Island.

Manatee County, according to Google search and the “Welcome

to Manatee County” literature, has nearly 150 miles of "pristine coastline." However, it seems that practically all the road signs indicating the direction to beaches in Manatee County point only toward Anna Maria Island.

I have heard that the cost of this garage may be as high as $45 million. Even if it should turn out to be half that much, I believe that a lot of vacant land could be acquired in that price range to establish a completely new "beach" area with plenty of parking spaces. This would tremendously reduce the usual gridlock which happens regularly when all the beachgoers guided by all the existing road signs arrive on this already crowded residential island.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Raymond J. Mathieu Holmes Beach

ON THE AGENDA

ANNA MARIA

10005 GULF DRIVE

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130

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

Aug. 2, 9 a.m. – Planning and Zoning board meeting

Aug. 3, 1:30 p.m. – City Commission meeting

Aug. 10, 2 p.m. – City Commission meeting

BRADENTON BEACH

107 GULF DRIVE N.

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005

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

July 26, 9:30 a.m. – City Commission/Community Redevelopment Agency workshop

Aug. 2, 9:30 a.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency meeting

Aug. 2, 1 p.m. – Planning and Zoning Board meeting

Aug. 3, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting

HOLMES BEACH

5801 MARINA DRIVE

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800

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

Aug. 2, 5 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting

ISLAND-WIDE

Aug. 1, 4 p.m. – Manatee County Council of Governments meeting, Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto

EVENTS

THURSDAY, JULY 27

Pottery painting, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

Seaside Quilters, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, noon.

Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m. Thursdays in Paradise Stroll featuring local art, music and food, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 5-8 p.m.

AMI Chamber Business Card Exchange, Your CBD Store, 6676 Cortez Road W., Cortez, 5-7 p.m., $5 for members or $10 for prospective members

FRIDAY, JULY 28

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

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

SATURDAY, JULY 29

Robinson Runners, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 7 a.m.

Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon

Family movie: “Lyle, Lyle Crocodile,” Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Book sale and potluck lunch, Annie Silver Community Center, 103 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

TUESDAY, AUG. 1

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

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

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 2

Bishop Museum Eco Engineers Exhibit lecture, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11 a.m.

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

THURSDAY, AUG. 3

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

FRIDAY, AUG. 4

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

SATURDAY, AUG. 5

Robinson Runners, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 7 a.m.

Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon

Solar astronomy at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9-11 a.m.

TUESDAY, AUG. 8

Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island meeting, Slicker’s Eatery, 12012 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, 11:30 a.m.

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

Christmas in July benefits underprivileged kids

The proceeds help the AMI Privateers assist underprivileged children during Christmas holidays.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – The Anna Maria Island Privateers and the Drift In raised $2,350 during Saturday’s annual Christmas in July fundraiser.

Saturday evening’s fundraising efforts included two raffles: one raffle for the lotto board that contained a $100 bill surrounded by $400 worth of scratch-off lottery tickets; and another for the liquor basket valued at $300.

Glen Authers won the lotto board assembled by honorary Privateer Ellen Scott, and Drift In Manager and honorary Privateer Doreen Flynn won the liquor basket.

The fundraising efforts also included food sales. For a $10 donation, folks could enjoy a wide variety of food donated by local restaurants and others.

While standing near the food table, Privateer Carmela O’Driscoll thanked The Freckled Fin, the Palmetto Moose Lodge, Double Deez Chicago Style Hot Dogs,

El Sombreros, Cheesecake Cutie, Bolo’s Baked Goods, the Privateers and Flynn for the food and desserts they donated to the cause.

As the event got underway, Privateer John “Arr” Rutherford said, “We’re raising money for kids at Christmas time. Most of today’s proceeds will go toward the families that have fallen on hard times that we help during Christmas. This is one of our two annual events that we have to help our Christmas families. The Drift In

Privateers invite public to annual meeting, celebration

has been great in allowing us to host this annual event here for the past several years. They’re super-supportive of the Privateers.”

“We hope to raise lots of money for the Privateers,” Flynn said. “We help families every year at Christmas and we also help raise money for the scholarships the Privateers give away in July. The Privateers do so much for the children in our community and that’s what it’s all about.”

Sitting outside in his Adirondack chair, Santa (Greg McCoy) posed for pictures

The Anna Maria Island Privateers invite the public to join them for the installation of the 2023-24 Brethern Court (board) on Wednesday, Aug. 2 at 7 p.m. at the Bradenton Moose, 310 44th Ave. E. in Bradenton. This will be one of many celebratory events this year honoring the Privateers’ legacy in the community. Members of the Foundation Board will be introduced, last year’s members will be recognized and a business meeting will be held. Light snacks will be available at no cost and everyone is encouraged to patronize the Moose bar and kitchen.

with those who made donations to the Privateers. During the late afternoon musical performance by Dos-Macs and Tommy Balbo, Santa stepped to the mic and said he was already compiling his naughty and nice lists and supporting the Privateers would get you on his nice list.

Concrete Edgar provided live music indoors that evening.

SUBMITTED

The Privateers display the lotto board won by Glen Authers (not pictured).

Veteran’s variance request approved

The deck variance approved by the commission will provide better and safer access to Patrick Burch’s mobile home.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bradenton Beach City Commission has approved a deck setback variance requested by Sandpiper Resort Co-Op mobile home park resident Patrick Burch.

Because Burch is a disabled military veteran, the commission waived the standard building permit fees per state law on July 20. At Commissioner Jan Vosburgh’s suggestion, the commission also waived approximately $3,000 in additional variance request fees that cover staff time and advertising the public hearings and $1,500 for the

legal services provided by Special Master Marisa Powers.

Mayor John Chappie said he’s not aware of the city ever waiving a variance fee but he joined the rest of the commission in supporting Burch’s requests and Vosburgh’s suggestion. Chappie suggested sending a letter to the Blalock Walters law firm to see if the firm would waive the $1,500 fee for Powers’ special master services.

On June 7, Powers ruled in favor of the variance request but included the staff-recommended stipulation that states the variance does not run in perpetuity with the land. If the mobile home is sold, the nonconforming deck located 6 inches from the edge of 27th Street must be removed.

On June 26, City Planner Luis Serna sent a memo to the city commission members that explained

the variance request. The memo noted the request was for a 3.5-foot variance from the 4-foot minimum setback requirement from the edge of the pavement. Serna noted the larger deck and stairs would provide Burch with better accessibility to his mobile home.

Charles Dowd is a Sandpiper

Resort shareholder and a member of the Co-Op’s Architectural Review Committee. Dowd asked that the June 1 email he sent to Building Official Steve Gilbert and others be read into the record during the July 20 meeting.

“Since the stop work order has been in effect, with the project incomplete, it is an unsafe condition and it is aesthetically unappealing. The new deck built by a licensed contractor would be a nice-looking addition to the unit – not to mention much safer than the too-narrow non-compliant stairs. Everyone at Sandpiper is aware of the condition and realizes that a variance is needed in this case. Therefore, I recommend approval for the variance to allow for the deck,” Dowd stated in his email.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The variance allows this deck to be placed 6 inches away from the street.

New police boat arrives

The Bradenton Beach Police Department’s new police boat has arrived and is ready to go. On July 20, Police Chief John Cosby told the city commission that the new boat was fully outfitted and ready to be placed in the water the following week. The police boat is used to patrol the unmanaged anchorage south of the Bradenton Beach Pier and police the liveaboard boaters who reside there. The new boat will be stored on the police boat lift next to the pier. In February, the city commission authorized Cosby to purchase the new 24-foot center console boat from Ingman Marine for $110,000 using Manatee County Commission-approved West Coast Inland Navigation District funds. The new boat replaces the aging police boat that’s been in and out of service in recent months. During the July 20 meeting, the commission authorized Cosby to ask the Bradenton Beach Marina to sell the old boat, with the marina to receive a 10% commission for those efforts.

Police expenditures approved

The Bradenton Beach City Commission authorized Police Chief John Cosby to spend $2,000 to purchase additional DART Studio firearm training software. The DART Studio software allows officers to participate in three-dimensional virtual firearms training that replicates real-life shooting scenarios that could occur specifically in Bradenton Beach. During the July 20 commission meeting, Cosby thanked the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge for the recent $2,000 donation that will pay for the new training software. Cosby also thanked the Moose Lodge, Bridge Tender Inn owner Fred Bartizal and BridgeWalk resort owner Angela Rodocker for the donations that helped purchase the initial DART simulation system

earlier this year. The commission also approved Cosby’s $3,294 request to purchase a new Taser and Taser training for a new officer.

941-778-0414

SUNDAY WORSHIP

8:30 AM in the Chapel

10:00 AM in the Sanctuar y Nurser y • Children’s Church

ONLINE • Watch LI VE or LATER RoserChurch.com

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

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

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The new police boat was trailered near the police station before being placed in the water. The old police boat (below) will be sold.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The city commission approved Police Chief John Cosby’s spending requests.

New approach proposed for flood control project

The city of Bradenton Beach has until June 2024 to complete the flood control and drainage project.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – The city will employ a new strategy to secure the construction firms needed for a long-delayed state-funded flood control and drainage project.

The $2.1 flood control and drainage project is being funded by a state appropriation approved by the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2019.

On July 20, City Attorney Ricinda Perry informed the city commission that the city’s recent request for proposals (RFP) garnered no bids from interested construction firms. She said many Florida construction firms pursued and are pursuing more lucrative contracts

associated with the hurricane recovery and reconstruction efforts taking place further south. The city of Anna Maria has encountered similar challenges with its Reimagining Pine Avenue safety improvement project.

The flood control and drainage project entails underdrains, v-shaped valley curbs and other drainage improvements to be made along Avenue A, Avenue B, 20th Place North and 21st Place North. The plans also include repaving Avenue A and 20th Place North to further improve drainage. Instead of issuing another RFP, Perry proposed contracting two construction companies previously hired by the city: JM Underground to do the excavation work and Superior Asphalt to do the street paving.

The commission authorized Perry to move forward with securing the services of the two companies, with

Utility Consultants of Florida owner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Porter continuing to serve as the project manager. The flood control project was previously supposed to be completed by June 2023. The project encountered several unfore-

seen delays, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the complete redesign of the originally proposed project. The Florida Department of Transportation later extended the drop-dead project completion deadline until June 2024, with no more extensions possible.

The plans created by former city engineer Lynn Burnett initially proposed installing vertical infiltration trenches and making other drainage improvements to the beachfront street ends along Gulf Drive North at the north end of the city.

After initially approving those preliminary plans, the city commission later decided the proposed street end improvements would not be the best use of the state funds in terms of reducing flooding and improving drainage. The commission later contracted Colliers Engineering to redesign the project as it currently stands.

RENTALS: Fire department changes rules for vacation rentals

FROM PAGE 1

While most residential property owners will be looking at an average $13 increase in non-ad valorem assessment rates in the coming 2023-24 fiscal year from the fire department, owners of vacation rentals will be looking at a more significant increase to the tune of a few hundred dollars depending on the size of the unit.

The change for vacation rentals comes by way of the Florida Fire Code, which allows for districts like West Manatee to classify vacation rentals as commercial

properties operating in residential districts, even if the property is zoned residential. The reason for the change in WMFR’s district is to allow fire inspectors to inspect vacation rental properties - seen as businesses despite their location - for safety and compliance with fire prevention measures such as placement of fire extinguishers, plans for egress and placement of fire alarms. The inspections are slated to begin with the new fiscal year on Oct. 1.

Fire Marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski said that vacation rental owners

should not be concerned about needing high-ticket items such as sprinkler systems. He also said that the district will be working with other organizations already conducting safety inspections, such as the Holmes Beach Code Compliance division, to make sure that efforts are not duplicated.

Changing the classification for the district of vacation rental properties also changes how those properties are taxed for services by the district. While the zoning for the properties is not changing, under the fire code they’re now

viewed as commercial rather than residential properties, triggering an increase in rates. The increase in funding allows WMFR to complete the staffing needed for the new inspection program, including the hiring of a new fire inspector and assistant for the Fire Prevention Bureau.

The public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. at the district’s administration building, 701 63rd St. N.W. in Bradenton. The public is invited to attend and speak in person or over Zoom.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN City Attorney Ricinda Perry proposed an alternative means to secure the contractors needed for a pending flood control and drainage project.

CANAL: Lawsuits linger

FROM PAGE 5

In May 2022, Gobuty’s attorney, Susan Martin, sent a cease and desist letter to the Kokolis’ that said, “This letter is to advise you to immediately cease construction and to remove the works that you have already placed on my client’s private property. If you fail to do so, we will be forced to seek immediate injunctive relief and damages in circuit court.”

Two weeks later, CRIF filed the lawsuit against the Kokolis’ and the other defendants.

On June 12, 2023, the Kokolis’ attorney filed an amended answer and affirmative defense to the CRIF complaint. The affirmative defense document argues the Kokolis’ boat lift is legally permitted by the county. It also argues that in 2018, CRIF recorded a declaration of intent and clarification of rights with Manatee County that entitles the Kokolis’ and others to construct and maintain residential docks and lifts in the canal.

In that same court filing, the Kokolis’ attorney included a countersuit against CRIF that disputes

Gobuty’s sole ownership of the canal and claims the Kokolis’ have preexisting property rights that allow a dock and/or boat lift to be installed in the canal.

EXISTING CANAL USES

While appearing before the Manatee County Commission in 2018 as part of the initial Hunters Point permitting process, Gobuty and his attorney stated he didn’t intend to restrict canal access for those who already had legally conforming docks and lifts located in the portion of the man-made canal he purchased when he bought the Hunters Point property in 2016.

Gobuty later told The Sun he would not have filed the lawsuit against the canal-side property owners had the marina not challenged his dock permit and claimed the canal was too narrow to safely accommodate the Hunters Point docks.

Gobuty said he has no desire to restrict anyone’s existing access to the canal as long as their docks, lifts and boats don’t extend more than 25% into the canal, and they don’t

negatively impact the construction of the Hunters Points docks that are a key component of the Hunters Point development that includes the ongoing construction of 86 solar powered, energy self-sufficient homes.

MARINA LAWSUIT

On May 26, 2022, CRIF filed a separate civil lawsuit against MHC Cortez Village LLC in response to the marina ownership group’s challenge of the state-issued environmental resource permit needed to install the Hunters Point docks.

When challenging the permit, MHC Cortez Village claimed the Hunters Point docks would impede the marina clients’ navigation of the canal by further narrowing the only direct water access from the marina to the Intracoastal Waterway to the west.

The unresolved lawsuit that CRIF filed against MHC Cortez Village seeks a court order that would prohibit marina clients from using the portion of the canal owned by CRIF, which extends from the edge of the marina’s boat basin to the

western edge of the canal near the entrance to the Intracoastal Waterway. To date, no hearings have been scheduled in the CRIF/MHC Cortez Village lawsuit assigned to Manatee County Circuit Court Judge Charles Sniffen.

On May 23, 2023, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s governing board adopted a final order pertaining to the permit challenge. That ruling allows the district to issue CRIF the environmental resource permit needed to install 32 new boat slips and replace 17 existing slips along the canal.

On June 22, MHC Cortez Village filed an appeal of the governing board’s ruling and the appeal process could take a year or more to complete. Gobuty said the construction of the Hunters Point docks will remain on hold until the appeal process is completed.

While the appeal process plays out, the canal-side residential property owners remain caught in the ongoing dispute between the developer and the marina owners.

Chamber to host July Business Card Exchange

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce will host its July Business Card Exchange on Thursday, July 27 from 5-7 p.m. at Your CBD Store/Sunmed, 6676 Cortez Road W. in Bradenton. Sponsored by Sunmed, the event will feature light bites and drinks provided. Anyone attending should bring business cards to network with area business owners and managers. Anyone who brings a raffle prize will have their business announced when the prize is given away. The price is $5 for members and $10 for prospective members. RSVP to becky@ amichamber.org or call 941-778-1541.

Annie Silver hosts book sale, potluck

Come out to the Annie Silver Community Center in Bradenton Beach for a good, old-fashioned potluck lunch and shop for a new book or two while you’re there. The book sale and lunch take place on Saturday, July 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The center is at 103 23rd St. N. in Bradenton Beach. Everyone is welcome to attend. For more information, call Dianne at 724-787-1418.

Artists’ Guild to celebrate beaches in August

The Artists Guild of Anna Maria Island will celebrate the beautiful Gulf Coast beaches with an exhibition in its gallery window at 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach throughout the month of August. View artwork by AGAMI members inspired by the scenes of the Gulf of Mexico - soft white sand, boats and seabirds, and step inside to see other artwork including oils, watercolors, sculpture, stained glass, mosaics, jewelry, photography and more. The gallery is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization was formed in 1989 to promote and support creative processes by bringing together all artists to share experiences, expertise and work together to develop and promote the artistic community.

Bridge work continues through December

A rehabilitation project is underway on the Anna Maria Island Bridge and the Florida Department of Transportation is expecting it to continue through the end of the year. The estimated $1.1 million project is to repair and rehabilitate the aging bridge. Some of the planned repairs include recoating steel members, replacing corroded steel, fixing cracks and fixing the drawbridge mechanism. While the project isn’t expected to cause daytime traffic delays, overnight single-lane closures are to be expected from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Dolphin moms use ‘baby talk’ with calves, study shows

Dolphin moms modify their whistles when communicating with their babies, a study shows.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

SARASOTA – Dolphin mothers change their tone when communicating with their calves in much the same way that humans change theirs when talking to babies, according to a study based on data from the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program (SDRP).

“In this study, researchers compared recordings of 19 resident Sarasota female dolphins when they were accompanied by their calves and when they had no calves present. In every case, when the females were with their calves, they increased the maximum frequency and the frequency range of their signature whistles,” according to the study, published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and based in part on SDRP data. The study was led

by Laela Sayigh of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

The “motherese” speech pattern promotes bonding and has been documented across nearly all human languages and elsewhere in the animal kingdom, for example, in zebra finches, but evidence is rare, according to SDRP.

“This is an exciting finding of convergent evolution - when similar traits emerge in very different species,” according to the SDRP.

“It indicates that studying dolphin vocalization and communication patterns will provide an important animal model for studying the

evolution of animal use of sound.”

A recording comparing dolphin whistles when calves were absent and present shows a clear distinction between tone and pitch. Listen at https://sarasotadolphin. org/dolphin-moms-usebaby-talk/

The Sarasota Dolphin Research Program is a program of the Chicago Zoological Society and has conducted the longest-running study of a wild dolphin population in the world. Researchers have been learning about the daily lives and threats to the dolphins of Sarasota Bay since the program began in October 1970.

SARASOTA DOLPHIN RESEARCH PROGRAM | SUBMITTED Four long-term Sarasota Bay resident dolphin mothers with their calves enter Big Pass from the Gulf of Mexico.

Suzi heads for open water

The Tour de Turtles begins on Tuesday, Aug. 1.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – After swimming close to Anna Maria Island’s shores since her June 27 release at Coquina Beach, loggerhead sea turtle Suzi is headed out into the Gulf of Mexico.

Suzi was outfitted with a satellite monitor after nesting and will be participating in the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s Tour de Turtles race, which begins on Tuesday, Aug. 1, awarding the highest honors to the turtles that travel the longest distance by Oct. 31.

According to the Sea Turtle Conservancy, Suzi has traveled 43 miles so far at an average speed of .12 mph.

She was named in honor of the late Suzi Fox, long-time executive director of Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring.

Suzi will be swimming in the race to draw attention to the cause of light pollution and how lighting near shore can negatively impact nesting turtles and their hatchlings.

Turtle nest destruction investigation ongoing

SUBMITTED

“Reducing the amount of artificial light that is visible from nesting beaches is the first step to reducing light pollution that affects sea turtles. Lights along the coastline need to be shielded, changed or turned off during nesting season to prevent sea turtles from being disoriented,” according to The Sea Turtle Conservancy.

Her participation in the 2023 Tour de Turtles is sponsored by the Coastal Wildlife Club, Waterline Marina and Resort and Turtle Watch. Visit The Sun’s Facebook page for weekly updates in “Where’s Suzi?” and visit amisun.com for weekly updates on turtle nesting activity in “Nesting News.”

A police investigation into who damaged sea turtle nests by driving on the beach is ongoing, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said. At least four nests were found damaged the morning of July 11 after a vehicle appeared to have been driven over them. It is not yet known if the eggs in the nest were broken. No vehicles, hover boards, bicycles or other motorized or pedaled vehicles are allowed on Anna Maria Island beaches. With sea turtle nesting season continuing through Oct. 31, beachgoers

TURTLE TIPS

During sea turtle season, May 1 – Oct. 31, follow these tips to help turtles:

• Turn off lights visible from the beach and close blinds from sundown to sunrise; lights confuse nesting sea turtles and may cause them to go back to sea and drop their eggs in the water, where they won’t hatch. Light can also attract hatchlings away from the water.

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

•Remove all beach chairs and other objects from the sand from sundown to

are reminded to avoid turtle nests, which are marked with yellow stakes and pink caution tape, to fill in any holes dug on the beach to prevent nesting turtles or hatchlings from becoming trapped and to not shine any lights on the beach at night, even from a flashlight or cell phone. Anyone with information about a disturbed sea turtle nest is asked to contact the HBPD at 941-778-COPS or Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring at 941-301-8434 or info@islandturtlewatch.com.

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

•Fill in the holes you dig in the sand before leaving the beach; they can trap nesting and hatching sea turtles, which cannot live long out of the water. You might also accidentally dig into an unmarked nest. To report large holes or other turtle obstacles, call:

•City of Anna Maria code enforcement — 941-708-6130, ext. 111.

•City of Bradenton Beach code enforcement — 941-778-1005, ext. 280.

•City of Holmes Beach code enforcement — 941-778-0331, ext. 260.

•Level sandcastles before leaving the beach; they can block hatchlings from the water.

Become a Florida-friendly angler

Reel Time

f you’re new to Florida or need a refresher course in the basic practices of ethical angling, the Florida Sea Grant program has just the course for you – the Florida Friendly Angler Program.

With feels-like temperatures in the triple digits every day, this is a good time to prepare for cooler weather in the comfort of your home.

The free course is open to anyone, especially anglers looking to up their game. The course teaches skills and practices that help fish

and the environment, a win-win for our fisheries, according to Florida Sea Grant. You will learn about three topics essential for any angler who wants to protect fisheries and the environment:

1. Best Practices for Fish Handling and Release,

2. Environmental Ethics for Anglers and

3. Introduction to Fisheries Management and Giving Back.

The course is self-paced and you can take as long as you need to complete it, but why wait? In just under two hours, you can be a fully certified Florida Friendly Angler. You will receive a certificate and a weatherproof decal if you provide a mailing address. Share this opportunity

how to properly handle the fish they catch so that those that don’t come home to dinner with you can grow up and help create the next generation of gamefish. Getting involved in protecting the environment so that future generations of anglers have some of the same opportunities we’ve had is more urgent than ever as the area grows exponentially.

The Florida Friendly Angler Program was created through a partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, UF/IFAS Extension and Florida Sea Grant. For questions about the program, email course administrators Michael Sipos at Sipos624@ufl.edu or Savanna Barry at Savanna. barry@ufl.edu.

RUSTY CHINNIS

The following hotels and motels accept pets. Some have limitations on species, number, size and breed, some require pets to be caged before housekeeping services are rendered, some require deposits or extra charges, and some have special pet amenities, such as grassy areas for walking. Call ahead to find accommodations that match your needs, and make a list of several hotels in different parts of the state to be prepared for storms from any direction.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND

Anna Maria Dream Inn 2502 Gulf Dr. N. Bradenton Beach 941-209-1420

Anna Maria Island Resorts Tortuga Beach Resort 1325 Gulf Dr. Bradenton Beach 941-778-6611

Anna Maria Motel 808 N. Bay Blvd. Anna Maria 941-778-1269

Queen’s Gate 1101 Gulf Dr. N. Bradenton Beach 941-778-7153

ARCADIA Knights Inn 504 S. Brevard Ave. 863-494-4884

Holiday Inn Express 2709 Southeast Hwy. 70 863-494-5900

BRADENTON Best Western Plus 2215 Cortez Rd W 941-238-0800

Compass Hotel Anna Maria Sound 12324 Manatee Ave W. 941-741-9700

Courtyard Bradenton Sarasota/Riverfront 100 Riverfront Dr. W. 941-747-3727

Days Inn 3506 1st St. W. 941-746-1141

Days Inn Bradenton – I75 644 67th St Circle E 941-746-2505

Fairfield Inn & Suites Lakewood Ranch 6105 Exchange Way 941-552-4000 Hampton Inn & Suites 309 10th St W 941-746-9400

Hyatt Place Sarasota/ Lakewood Ranch 6021 Exchange Way 941-748-3100

Motel 6 660 67th St. Circle E. 941-747-6005

Spring Hill Suites Bradenton Downtown Riverfront 102 12th St. W. 941-226-2200

BROOKSVILLE Days Inn 6320 Windmere Rd 352-796-9486

Microtel Inn 6298 Nature Coast Blvd 352-796-9025

Quality Inn 30307 Cortez Blvd 352-796-9481

CAPE CORAL Holiday Inn Express 1538 Cape Coral Pkwy E 239-542-2121

Hampton Inn & Suites 619 SE 47th Terrace 239-540-1050

DAYTONA BEACH

Homewood Suites By Hilton 165 Bill France Blvd 386-258-2828

Residence Inn Daytona Beach Speedway/Airport 1725 Richard Petty Blvd 386-252-3949

DELAND Comfort Inn 400 E International Speedway 386-736-3100

ELLENTON Hampton Inn 5810 20th Ct. E. 941-721-4000

Red Roof Inn 4915 17th St. E. 941-729-0600

ELLENTON

Super 8

5218 17th St. E. 941-729-8505

FORT MYERS

Baymont Inn & Suites

9401 Marketplace Rd

239-454-0040

Hyatt Place

2600 Champion Ring Rd

239-418-1844

La Quinta Inn 9521 Market Place Rd

239-466-0012

Residence Inn 20371 Summerlin Rd

239-415-4150

Travel Lodge

13661 Indian Paint Ln 239-561-1117

GAINESVILLE

Best Western 4200 N.W. 97th Blvd.

352-331-3336

Home Hotel & Suites

3905 S.W. 43rd St.

352-376-0004

Motel 6

4000 S.W. 40th Blvd.

352-373-1604

Residence Inn by Marriott

I-75

3275 SW 40 Blvd

352-264-0000

KISSIMMEE

Ramada Gateway

7470 HWY 192 407-966-4410

Motel 6 5731 W. Irlo Bronson Hwy. 407-396-6333

LAKELAND

Hilton Garden Inn

3839 Don Emerson Drive 863-647-0066

Motel 6 3120 U.S. Hwy. 98 N. 863-682-0643

Residence Inn 3701 Harden Blvd. 863-680-2323

LAKE BUENA VISTA

Marriott Residence Inn 11450 Marbella Palm Court 407-465-0075

LAKE CITY

Baymont Inn & Suites

3598 US 90 W 386-752-3801

Days Inn

3430 N US Hwy 441

386-758-4224

LAKE MARY Extended Stay America

1040 Greenwood Blvd 407-829-2332

Hyatt Place

1255 S International Pkwy 407-995-5555

La Quinta Inn

1060 Greenwood Blvd. 407-805-9901

Residence Inn 825 Heathrow Park Lane 407-995-3400

LEESBURG Best Western Plus

1321 N. 14th Street

352-460-0118

Hampton Inn 9630 Us Hwy 441

352-315-1053

OCALA Comfort Inn 1212 S Pine Ave 352-629-7300

Hampton Inn & Suites 3601 SW 38th Ave

352-867-0300

La Quinta Inn & Suites 3530 S.W. 36th Ave.

352-861-1137

Microtel Inn & Suites 1770 Southwest 134th St

352-307-1166

Equus Inn 3434 SW College Rd

352-854-3200

Residence Inn 3601 S.W. 38th Ave.

352-547-1600

Sleep Inn and Suites 13600 S.W. 17th Court

352-347-8383

ORLANDO Hard Rock Hotel 5800 Universal Blvd. 407-503-2000

Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista 13351 State Road 535 407-239-4500

La Quinta Inn - Universal Studios 5621 Major Blvd 407-313-3100

Motel 6 - Winter Park 5300 Adanson Street 407-647-1444

Motel 6 International 5909 American Way 407-351-6500

Residence Inn Seaworld 11000 Westwood Blvd. 407-313-3600

Staybridge Suites 7450 Augusta National Dr 407-438-2121

Townplace Suites 11801 High Tech Ave. 407-243-6100

PLANT CITY

Comfort Inn 2003 S Frontage Rd 813-707-6000

Knights Inn 301 S Frontage Rd 813-752-0570

PORT CHARLOTTE Comfort Inn

812 Kings Hwy 941-421-7548

Days Inn 1941 Tamiami Trail 941-623-9404

Knights Inn

4100 Tamiami Trail 941-743-2442

Sleep Inn & Suites 806 Kings Highway 941-613-6300

PUNTA GORDA

Four Points by Sheraton 33 Tamiami Trail 941-637-6770

RUSKIN

Holiday Inn & Suites 226 Teco Rd. 813-922-4561

Ruskin Inn 3113 College Ave 813-641-3437

SANFORD Best Western Plus 3401 S Orlando Dr 407-320-0845

SARASOTA Comfort Suites 5690 Honore Ave 941-554-4475

Comfort Inn & Suites 5931 Commercial Way 941-342-8778

Courtyard Sarasota Bradenton 850 University Pkwy 941-355-3337

Embassy Suites by Hilton 202 N. Tamiami Trail 941-256-0190

Even Hotel – Lakewood Ranch

6231 Lake Osprey Dr 941-782-4400

Hampton Inn & Suites 8565 Cooper Creek Blvd 941-355-8619

Hibiscus Suites

1735 Stickney Point Road 941-921-5797

Hyatt Place Lakewood Ranch 6021 Exchange Way 941-946-2357

Hyatt Place Sarasota 950 University Pkwy 941-554-5800

La Quinta Inn & Suites 1803 N. Tamiami Trail 941-366-5128

Residence Inn 1040 University Pkwy. 941-358-1468

Days Inn 5000 N. Tamiami Trail 941-351-7734

Sleep Inn 900 University Pkwy. 941-359-8558

SEBRING

La Quinta Inn 4115 US 27 South 863-386-1000

Magnunson Grand 6525 US 27 North 863-385-4500

Residence Inn 3221 Tubbs Road 863-314-9100

Severn Sebring Hotel 150 Midway Dr 863-655-7200

SPRING HILL

Motel 6 6172 Commercial Way 352-596-2007

TALLAHASSEE

Best Western Pride Inn

2016 Apalachee Parkway 850-656-6312

La Quinta Inn North 2905 N. Monroe St. 850-385-7172

Motel 6 Downtown

1027 Apalachee Parkway 850-877-6171

Motel 6 West 2738 N. Monroe St. 850-386-7878

Quality Inn 3090 N. Monroe St. 850-562-2378

Red Roof Inn

2930 Hospitality Street 850-385-7884

Red Roof Inn 6737 Mahan Drive 850-656-2938

Residence Inn 1880 Raymond Diehl Road 850-422-0093

Residence Inn Universities 600 W. Gaines St. 850-329-9080

Sleep Inn 1695 Capital Circle N.W. 850-575-5885

Staybridge Suites 1600 Summit Lake Drive 850-219-7000

Suburban Extended Stay Hotel 522 Silver Slipper Lane 850-386-2121

TAMPA

Quality Inn-Busch Gardens 2701 E. Fowler Ave. 813-971-4710

Holiday Inn Express 8610 Elm Fair Blvd 813-490-1000

Holiday Inn Express 8310 Galbraith 813-910-7171

Homewood Suites by Hilton Tampa/Brandon 10240 Palm River Road 813-685-7099

Hyatt Place Tampa Airport 4811 W. Main St. 813-282-1037

Residence Inn 4312 W. Boy Scout Blvd. 813-877-7988

Sheraton Tampa East Hotel 10221 Princess Palm Ave 813-623-6363

TEMPLE TERRACE Residence Inn 13420 N Telcom Parkway 813-972-4400

Towne Place Suites by Marriott 6800 Woodstork Rd 813-975-9777

WINTER HAVEN Howard Johnson Inn 1300 3rd St SW 863-294-7321

Lake Roy Beach Inn 1825 Cypress Garden Blvd 863-324-6320

Roadway Inn & Suites 1911 Cypress Gardens Blvd. 863-324-5994

Tarpon still active in August

CAPT. RICK GRASSETT

Tarpon will move into estuaries in August, but tarpon addicts will still be able to get their fix. You should still find a few tarpon in the coastal Gulf early in the month. Drifting live baits or casting flies, DOA Baitbusters, DOA Shrimp and DOA 4” CAL shad tails should all work. As tarpon thin out along beaches, they will move to inside waters where you may find them schooling around bridges or rolling on deep grass flats. They will also feed in schools of ladyfish that are feeding on the surface. You should also find juvenile tarpon from 10 to 30 pounds in creeks, canals, turning basins and around dock lights. Your snook tackle will work fine for smaller tarpon although you’ll need a leader of 40 to 50 pounds to keep them from going through it. Fly anglers should score with 8- or 9-weight fly rods, floating or sink tip lines and scaled-down tarpon flies.

Look for false albacore (little tunny) to possibly show up in the coastal Gulf later in the month.

Regulations for spotted seatrout have changed in southwest Florida to a three-fish-per-person bag limit and a six-fish boat limit. Trout must be from 15”-19” with one allowed per vessel over 19”. In my opinion, it’s important to protect larger trout, which are usually female breeders. Full regulations and details for all species can be viewed at https://myfwc.com/.

You’ll find snook around lighted docks and bridges in the ICW and in the surf. Small white flies, like my Grassett Snook Minnow, DOA Shrimp or CAL jigs with shad tails and jerk worms should all work well. The same lures and flies will work at night and in the surf, although you should be observant of what size baits are in those areas.

Reds should school up this month, although their numbers have been thinner for the past couple of years. You should find them on shallow flats where they’ll be easier to find when the tide is low. Look for “nervous” water when it is slick calm or a slick patch of water when there is a ripple on the water. They may push a wake that looks like a boat wake. I try to be as quiet as possible in shallow water, poling to locate them. Once you’ve located a school of reds, try to get ahead of them to intercept them, much like tarpon fishing. If you work around the edges of the school, you may be able to catch a few of them before they spook. We often also find big jacks, blues and other predators in the mix along with reds. Top water plugs and fly poppers or Gurglers may draw some big bites. The DOA PT-7 top water bait and 4” CAL

shad tail should both work well on schooling reds.

Trout fishing should be good this month. Look for trout on deep grass flats mixed with blues, pompano, Spanish mackerel and more. You may find a big trout in skinny water at first light. Focus on mullet or bait schools to find them. Top water plugs, fly poppers or Gurglers should be very effective at that time of day. Handle big trout over 19” gently, since they are usually females that may be full of roe. I like the same areas for big trout that I like for reds.

After it gets bright and starts to warm up, drop out to deeper grass flats (4’ to 8’) for trout and more. I like to drift and cast ahead of my drift with CAL jigs and shad tails or jerk worms or an Ultra Hair Clouser fly fished on a sink tip fly line. I make a series of drifts to locate fish

and then shorten the drift or anchor depending on conditions. Ladyfish may feed in glass minnow schools and if they stay up long enough, it will attract trout, blues, mackerel, tarpon or sharks. Wide-profile plastic baits or flies fished slowly around the edges of breaking fish will help keep ladyfish off your lure or fly and give you a chance to catch a tarpon. When blues, Spanish mackerel or sharks are in the mix, add 6” of wire or heavy fluorocarbon. Also look for tripletail around crab trap floats, buoys or channel markers in inshore waters this month. A CAL shad tail or DOA shrimp-rigged weedless or my Grassett Flats Minnow fly with a weed guard should get the job done.

You might find false albacore (little tunny) or Spanish mackerel in the coastal Gulf this month. Look for baitfish to find them. The Tampa Bay ship channel is often one of the first areas where I find them this time of year. Small white flies, like my Grassett Snook Minnow, poppers or Crease flies should all work well. Spin anglers should score with CAL jigs and shad tails. You’ll need to add wire or heavy fluorocarbon when toothy fish are around.

Even though it is one of the hottest months of the year, there are lots of options this month. I usually tarpon fish as long as I can either in the coastal Gulf or in inside waters. An early start for snook or tarpon around lighted docks or bridges and then on the flats for reds, trout and more is a good option.

Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by industrial, agricultural and residential runoff, toxic spills and discharges, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation. Please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

CAPT. RICK GRASSETT | SUBMITTED Reds should be schooling in Sarasota Bay during August. Joey Armas, of Fort Lauderdale, caught and released this red on a top water plug while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett in a previous August.

Enteric bacteria found in local waters

The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County has issued a no-swim advisory for the south side of the Palma Sola Causeway on Manatee Avenue. The advisory, effective July 21, notes that increased levels of enteric bacteria

(enterococci) were found in the water. Contact with the bacteria can cause infections, rashes and other diseases in humans. The no-swim advisory remains in place until bacteria levels drop to an acceptable level per EPA standards. No other

area beaches are affected. To check the water quality of local beaches before you go swimming, visit www.FloridaHealth. gov and select Beach Water Quality under the Environmental Health tab in the navigation bar.

CRA: Budget planning begins

FROM PAGE 1 coming fiscal year, the city will transfer $142,516 from the general fund to the separately controlled CRA fund. The proposed CRA revenues also include $3,000 in interest income, giving the CRA $781,193 in total anticipated revenues for the 2023-24 fiscal year that begins on Oct. 1. Approximately $300,000 from the current fiscal year budget will be carried over into the new fiscal year, giving the CRA approximately $1.1 million to work with for the year. According to Thompson, the CRA has an estimated $711,839 in unallocated funds to spend on projects and improvements within the CRA district.

The proposed budget includes $121,100 in general CRA-related operational expenses and an additional $5,000 for administrative services provided by city staff.

The proposed budget includes $100,769 for the CRA-funded additional policing of the CRA district. This entails patrolling Bridge Street during peak hours and using the police boat to police the liveaboard boats and boaters in the unmanaged anchorage south of the Bradenton Beach Pier.

CRA police funding will increase by $17,125 compared to last year.

Police Chief John Cosby said he’s adding Wednesday evenings to the CRA-funded policing that already occurs on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Cosby said Wednesdays have become another busy night on Bridge Street, in part because the AMI Moose Lodge attracts hundreds of people to the area during its Wednesday evening Queen of Hearts drawings.

The proposed budget includes $84,500 for CRA-related salaries

and wages for the Public Works personnel who maintain, clean and service the CRA district. During Tuesday’s meeting, CRA member John Chappie said he’d like to discuss increasing that amount at the next budget meeting. Chappie would also like further discussion on once again giving bonuses to city staff members who significantly assist the CRA.

CRA PROJECTS

In recent years, the Bradenton Beach CRA has funded several projects to

enhance and improve the district for visitors, residents and business owners, including the floating dock expansion project next to the pier that included 13 new finger docks (with 50% matching funds provided by Manatee County), undergrounding most of the utility lines in the CRA district and partially funding the Old Town Tram parking tram shuttle service. Smaller scale CRA-funded pursuits include park improvements, holiday decorations, signs, landscaping and beautification projects, bike racks and financial support for special events.

The preliminary budget worksheet Thompson presented for the coming fiscal year lists $72,000 in anticipated CRA-funded projects and capital improvements, $52,000 for Old Town Tram operations and $20,000 for seagrass mitigation required for a previously completed CRA-funded dredging of the navigational canal between the Bradenton Beach Pier and Leffis Key. Thompson said the seagrass mitigation expenses might be more than currently budgeted.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The expanded floating dock funded by the CRA and Manatee County features 13 new finger docks that provide more public dockage.

SEE CRA, PAGE 22

FROM PAGE 21

CRA: Budget planning begins WATER: Testing shows drinking water free of toxins

Thompson noted the CRA spent about $10,000 more than it budgeted for the current fiscal year and advised CRA members to hold back $20,000 to $25,000 to cover any unexpected costs, including project costs that run higher than expected. Thompson advised the CRA members to create a list of desired projects for the coming year and task the appropriate staff members to get estimated costs for the proposed projects.

“If there’s something you want to do, add some dollars for it,” Thompson said.

At Chappie’s suggestion, CRA members agreed to include in the budget $30,000 for beautification/ facade grants that were previously budgeted for but never used. Chappie said he’s talked to a couple of property owners who have expressed interest in pursuing the grants that would require them to match the funds received from the CRA.

CRA Chair Ralph Cole said he’d like to allocate some money to enhance and possibly widen the walkways that lead to the CRA district.

CRA member David Bell suggested setting aside $200,000 each year for the next five years to purchase small slices of property for CRA enhancements, but that suggestion didn’t garner much support.

The CRA members will better define their list of proposed projects during their next budget meeting.

The city commission and CRA members have expressed support for

a paid parking program that would include some or all of the city-owned parking spaces in the CRA district, but the proposed CRA budget doesn’t currently include any anticipated paid parking revenues or expenses. There are still details that need to be worked out before a request for proposals can be issued seeking bids from potential paid parking program vendors.

FROM PAGE 1

Local environmental advocacy group Suncoast Waterkeeper disputed the water’s safety in a press release on July 12, naming Anabaena as a health risk.

Independent testing done by GreenWater Laboratories showed that a number of cyanotoxins related to blue-green algae were not found in the water, according to the county.

The county is treating the reservoir with activated powdered carbon.

Algae blooms in the county’s drinking water are common, seasonal occurrences, according to the county, which advises the public to use a carbon filter on faucets to minimize the earthy taste of the drinking water.

Anna Maria

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Undergrounding utility lines has been a CRA priority in recent years and these lines and poles are expected to be removed later this year.

Make your restaurant review count

Summer Peach and Mango Sangria

Ingredients

1 bottle Sauvignon Blanc

1 bottle Pinot Grigio

n this day and age of heavy social media presence, everyone has the opportunity to be “The Critic.” All businesses (especially small) pay attention to this, but none are as heavily impacted as the hospitality industry. Positive and negative comments can make or break a small business and can come from a variety of areas. A few of the examples of these for restaurants are Google, Trip Advisor, Yelp, Next Door, Facebook and even within Facebook there can be restaurant review groups for certain areas.

Interestingly, before social media existed, restaurants usually only concerned themselves with a reviewer (food critic columnist) whose job it was to candidly seek out and review restaurants in their area. They usually either worked for a local newspaper or city-based magazine. Their one or two visits and single opinion would have a significant impact on the location being reviewed.

Now you have the ability to find out about a restaurant based on a multitude of different people and dining experiences. From a restaurant standpoint, I think the latter is a much better and more honest representation. Like everything else, it has both its pros and cons. A review can be very subjective and because every person’s taste varies, no restaurant will be a perfect fit for everyone. I was recently asked my opinion about the craze of guests photographing their food at the table and I honestly think it’s great. I have always preached that “the eyes eat before the mouth,” so if a dish looks great

enough to get a photo, it means that we did our job on presentation! Also, that person is usually putting the pictures on social media, which is great advertising for the restaurant.

I have a couple of observations from the restaurant owner/chef’s perspective. If something negative occurs, it is my belief that you should first reach out to the manager or owner and give them an opportunity to make it right. If they don’t, then they deserve a negative public comment. I would hope in most instances any small business owner would work hard to keep a guest happy.

Also, I have often seen the following comment - “This place is a hidden gem, I almost don’t

3 ounces Torani Mango Syrup

4 ounces peach nectar

12 ounces white grape juice

1 pint sweet sherry

3 tablespoons vanilla extract

Directions

Combine all ingredients and thoroughly chill. Serve over ice (fill glass with ice halfway) and fresh fruit.

want people to find out about it.” All of us who get this comment do consider it a huge compliment, but if we don’t eventually get found out and busier, we will almost always eventually cease to exist.

Lastly, when giving a review, if there is something negative, it is much better to articulate a concern. Generalizations, and one-word dismissives, like the term “meh,” do not tell us where we lacked or allow us to better our operation. Remember that you actually have the ability to help or hurt the next place you visit. Small businesses have always relied on word of mouth, and social media has definitely turned that into a whole new ball game!

Pesto Bistro and Wine Bar is a quaint Italian restaurant with French and Mediterranean influences. It features entertainment on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre monthly. It is located 3 miles east of Anna Maria Island on Cortez Road.

Rimer

PESTO BISTRO AND WINE BAR SUBMITTED

Florida insurance nightmare grows

It’s like waking up from a bad dream and realizing it was only a dream and everything is just fine. However, the Florida insurance nightmare isn’t just a bad dream, it’s the new reality, and we keep taking hits.

The latest is Farmers Insurance Compa ny pulling out of Florida, leaving 100,000 policyholders high and dry. They will no longer be writing policies for homeowners, auto and umbrella in the state. They point to storm risk and increased litigation forcing them to reimburse more funds than they feel comfortable doing, meaning they’re not making enough money selling insurance in the state of Florida.

We can’t do anything about the storms and unless Farmers is living in a different dimension, the state has always had the risk of storms. The litigation issue was addressed by the governor and Florida Legislature this past year hoping to reduce the number of lawsuits relative to claims.

As always, homeowners live in fear each renewal that their insurance will

Castles in the Sand

LOUISE BOLGER

be canceled or will go up too much. You always have the option of shopping around before your next renewal in the event you do get canceled, but be careful. Make sure the company or insurance broker you’re talking to is a real person. There is a National Association of Insurance Commissioners that can help you verify who you’re talking to. My advice, especially for homeowners who live near the water, is to try as hard as possible firstly not to get canceled and if you get an increase, bite the bullet and pay it before shopping for a lower rate.

You can make your home more insurable by changing things that will make the property less risky to insure. Fire alarms

and security systems can get you several percentage points off your premium. Hurricane shutters, hurricane-proof windows and fire-resistant siding also will help.

But the elephant in the room in Florida is the age and condition of your roof. Be prepared to get a cancellation or requirement to replace the roof if it is anywhere over 25 years of age, even if there are no leaks and no claims against it. This is also true if you live in a condominium complex where the roofs are the responsibility of the association. Condo owners are getting hit all over the place with special assessments to replace roofs in order to get insurance.

Time to report the June sales statistics in Manatee County released by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee.

Single-family homes closed 17.7% more properties from last June. The median sale price was $525,000, down 4.5% from last year, and the average sale price was $678,994, down 1.7% from last year. The time to contract was 37 days compared to six days last year and the month’s supply

of available properties is 2.8 months compared to 1.8 months last year.

Condos closed 12.1% more properties from last June. The median sale price was up 3.8% to $370,000, and the average sale price was up 6.6% to $471,003. The time to contract was 34 days compared to seven days last year and the month’s supply of available properties was 3.4 months compared to 1.5 months last year.

Sales are up in both areas of the residential market, keeping in mind most of these transactions were booked at least 30 days ago, before the slower season really kicked in. Nevertheless, the news release from the Realtor Association states, “The residential market in Manatee County continues to thrive with strong buyer activity.”

Insurance nightmares or not, Florida is still a great state to live in. Hopefully, we’ll have a moderate storm season and improved litigation laws that will give insurers a reason to come back to Florida. That would be a happy dream.

BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN

ANNA MARIA – After six weeks of adult co-ed flag football games at The Center of Anna Maria Island, team Moss Builders is the victim of the undefeated team Luxury Services. The 40-point loss is uncharacteristic of any Moss Builders team that hits the field.

In the easy win, Luxury’s QB Chase Richardson threw for five touchdowns and took the football into the endzone for six points of his own. Defensively, Richardson contributed with two flag pulls.

The Luxury defense prevented the lethal arm of Ryan Moss from being effective, holding him to just one scoring pass to James Roadman for Moss Builders. Roadman’s catch for six points compliments his defensive interception and stop.

The Moss Builders’ loss was not for the lack of effort by the defense. With 14 recorded flag pulls, the Moss D put the pressure on Richardson, sacking him once and nabbing two interceptions. Isaiah Lambert, for Moss Builders, is credited with the Richardson sack and a flag pull in addition to his single catch.

Peggy Smith, playing as the required female on the team, caught five receptions

Luxury Services wins 46-6

for positive yardage. Defensively Greg Moss and Nick Cavalluzzi each had four flag pulls, helping to keep the Moss Builders team in the game.

With the victory, Luxury Services’

Tim Holly had the hot hands with seven catches, including one for a TD and a two-point conversion. Holly carried the football into the endzone and had a safety to add points to the scoreboard.

Teammates Alonzo Lemus and Derrick Carey each caught five Richardson passes. Lemus scored two touchdowns, while Cary was hit for one.

Jasmine Muldoon scored six points with a catch and contributed on defense with two flag pulls.

The Cortez Deep Sea Fishing team plays Moss Builders Thursday as the last regular game of the season at 9:00 p.m.

MONICA SIMPSON | SUN

Veteran Salty Printing baller, Dina DeJesus, keeps her eyes on the flag, as Gulf Drive Café’s Kiatrell Zachery shifts his hips to avoid DeJesus’ defensive attack on the Island’s gridiron.

OBITUARIES

Pamela June “Pam” DiUlio

Pamela June “Pam” DiUlio, 75, of Bradenton, Florida, unexpectedly passed away on July 12, 2023. Pam was born in Peoria, Illinois on Sept. 9, 1947, where she grew up and attended Central High School in Peoria.

In her early 20s, she earned her cosmetology license and became part owner/operator at Tres-Chic Hair Styling Salon in East Peoria. She obtained her cosmetology license in Florida in 1980. She was an owner/ operator at Snips Hair Design on Anna Maria Island for over 20 years.

In 1963 she got married and had two sons in Peoria. Her first child was born in 1964. Pam moved to Bradenton Beach, Florida in 1975 where she married again in 1976, lived and raised a family on Longboat Key. She had four more children and

was able to be a stay-at-home mom. She cherished her children and was always a devoted mother.

She met Al in 1997 and they got married in 1998. They lived in Bradenton Beach until buying a home in west Bradenton in 2003. She enjoyed cruising around town in her 1992 red Pontiac Firebird convertible and riding on the back of Al’s motorcycle. Pam loved reading, cooking, hosting, socializing, spending time with family and friends, and always enjoyed a good time and a cocktail! Pam will be forever treasured and deeply missed.

Pam is predeceased by her mother, Margaret “Marge” Morrow; father, David Poarch; mother-in-law, Frances Killoran; father-in-law, James Killoran; her chosen parents, Irv and June Hoagfield; and sons, Timothy “Tim” Branan and Alan Shipman.

Pam is survived by her husband, Alfred “Al” DiUlio, of Bradenton; her sons, Shane

(Kim) Branan, of Peoria, Settimio “Seth” (Stephanie) Shipman, of Bradenton; daughter, Tasha (Jeremy) Shipman, of Bradenton; stepdaughter, Lauren (Cody) Bucy, of Palmetto; aunt, Dorothy Svetich, of Peoria; sister-in-law, Cindy Grazar, of Bradenton; sister, Marsha Jordan, of Peoria; daughter, Tyra Piergrossi; her beloved grandchildren, Pierce, Gavon, Jase, Aiden, Scarlett, Clara and an expected great-grandson; multiple aunts/uncles/cousins and countless friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, July 29, 2023 from 12-3 p.m. at one of Pam’s favorite places, Clancy’s, 6218 Cortez Road.

Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Pam’s honor at locksoflove.org/financial-donation. Condolences may be made to www.brownandsonsfuneral. com.

Holmes Beach resident, Anna Maria Island business owner and local musician Morgan Bryant sang the National Anthem before the Tampa Bay Rays/Baltimore Orioles baseball game at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on July 20.

MORGAN BRYANT | SUBMITTED

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

ROSER FOOD BANK needs donations of cash and non-perishable food, PAPER & PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS. Donations boxes are located at the Church, Moose Club, and Walgreen’s.

HOSPITAL VOLUNTEERS

WANTED to assist at our information desk, especially weekends. Great for teens needing volunteer hours (16yrs+). Other assignments available. Please call the Blake Volunteer Office at 941-798-6151.

BOAT SLIP WANTED

IN SEARCH OF BOAT SLIP for rent or sale (preferably with lift)

Kelly Gitt The Gitt Team KW on the Water 941799-9299

COMMERCIAL SALES,

RENT & LEASE

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

Call BIG Alan Galletto of Island Real Estate to get it SOLD 941-232-2216

CLEANING SERVICE

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

EMPLOYMENT

POSITIVE, ENERGETIC RENTAL AGENT for a growing company on Island. Take reservation, interacting with guest, owners & vendors, etc. Knowledge of RNS a plus. $17hr. depending on experience. 941-778-4800.

The award-winning ANNA MARIA ISLAND SUN, a weekly newspaper on Florida’s Gulf Coast, is looking for a freelance reporter/photographer to cover events on this tourism-driven island. The ideal candidate will have reporting and photography experience at a daily or 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 mailed to The Anna Maria Island Sun, P.O Box 1189, Anna Maria, FL 34216, Attention: Cindy Lane, editor.

FISHING CHARTERS

CAPT. MAC GREGORY

Fishing Charters. Full Day, Half Day, Night, Inshore & Near Shore. 941-809-5783

U.S.C.G. Certified/Insured

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

TILE! TILE! TILE! All variations of tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship. Prompt, reliable, many Island references. Free estimates. Neil 941726-3077

RENOVATION SPECALIST

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

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

JSAN CORPORATION

Renovations Construction & Handyman Services 941-243-0995

Lic# CRC1332505 jsancorporation@gmail. com Flooring, Drywall, Painting, Repairs, Kitchen and Bathrooms, Trim & Doors Free Estimates. Credit Cards Accepted.

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

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

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

CABINETS 2 HOME Quality Kitchen 7 Bath Cabinets. Can install within two weeks of contract. Many Island References. Call Paul 859-468-1934

HOME SERVICES

CONCRETE FUSION, CRACK REPAIR sidewalks/ driveways, pool decks, concrete grinding. Why fix 95% of concrete when only 5% bad? Number 1 in concrete repair. Insured. Free estimate. Call Bobby 941-374-7670.

LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE

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

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

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

LOST & FOUND

LOST GOLD RING High School Graduation with PA on Top. Please call 941243-1444

MOVING & STORAGE

MARTIN’S MOVING

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

PAINTING & WALLCOVERING

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

“WIZARD OF WALLS”

Established 1980 Prompt quality service. Wallpaper installation/ removal. Mary Bell Winegarden 941-794-0455

DONALD PERKINS

ABRACADABRA PAINTING LLC fully insured. 30 years experience. Many Island references. Call 941705-7096

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

POOL SERVICES

FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE AND CHEMICAL SERVICES. Certified Pool Operator. 10 + Years Experience. Residential/commercial. Chemical Service

Licensed & Insured. Call Dennis Clark 941-7375657

PRESSURE WASHING & WINDOWS

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

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

REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE

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

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

RUNAWAY BAY ISLAND CONDO $430,000 Across from Beach. Water views Sold furnished. Christine Kourik Re/max 314-4407574 LOWEST PRICE PROPERTY ON ISLAND

112 OAK ANNA MARIA 4 bedroom $1,690,000 furnished with updates Nightly rental allowed. Christine Kourik Re/Max 314-440-7574

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

LOVELY, 2ND FLOOR DUPLEX for rent, 3BR/2BA partially furnished, can accommodate your needs. Washer/dryer. 5 minutes to AMI, quiet, safe. Rent includes all utilities except electric. Annual $2,800/mo. Will consider 3-month, 6-month. No smoking, Call Kelly 941301-9938.

SUNNYSHORES/ SAGAMORE ESTATES AREA: Annual rental, home with 3BR/1.5BA. Includes washer, dryer, screened in patio, parking under carport, and access to boat ramp and park by Palma Sola Bay. $1,900 per month.

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

419 CLARK HOLMES BEACH 2990 sqf home with Private large lot and caged pool. Weekly rental allowed Christine Kourik Re/Max 314-440-7574

5708 HOLMES BLVDHOLMES BEACH home 4+ bedrooms- Weekly rental allowed, sold turnkey furnished $2,250,000 Christine Kourik Re/Max 314-440-7574

RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION

TIFFANY PLACE Gulf

Front Condo for Rent

Incredible views from living room and master bedroom. 2BR/2BA Green Real Estate Call 941-778-0455

SEASONAL RENTAL in PALMA SOLA. 3BR/2BA weekly or monthly rates. Contact Barb Grace 941-201-2190

ANNA MARIA ISLAND

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

VACATION RENTAL Anna Maria . 2BR/1BA with Dock. Weekly/Monthly 941-448-3184

AMISUN.COM

TRANSPORTATION

AMI TAXI credit cards, cash, Venmo accepted. Airport: Tampa $105, Sarasota $50, St. Pete/ Clearwater $105, Orlando $220. Call 941-447-8372, www.amitaxi.com GOLF

CART RENTALS

ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa/St. Pete $80. Sarasota $40. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-7795095

Sales Associate

Katie Self Sales Associate

Joey Hutchinson

Sales Associate

Lindsey Leech Strickland

Broker Associate Tom Aposporos

Sales Associate

Martha Jones Robel April Green

Michelle Laade

Sales Associate Cindy Jones Broker- Owner

Darcie Duncan

Sales Associate Diann Roberts

Sales Associate Sales ssociate

Paige Rogers Sales Associate

Robyn Hawk