Anna Maria Island Sun July 04, 2018

- Named Best Florida Newspaper In Its Class -

VOL 18 No. 38

July 4, 2018

Burglary, then brutality on AMI

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

Learning to rip!

CINDY LANE | SUN

The waves were small but the surf campers didn’t mind. Page 31.

HOLMES BEACH – Police continue to search for a man who broke into a residence Thursday afternoon and attacked the homeowner when she came home from lunch and interrupted the burglary in progress.

Police Chief Bill Tokajer said authorities are searching for a white male seen around 2 p.m. June 28 in the 500 block of 75th Street. He was wearing a painter's mask to cover the bottom portion of his face. Tokajer said his department is working with the Manatee County Sheriff's Office violent crimes division to apprehend the man. Det. Sgt. Brian Hall is investigating for the HBPD. At around 1:58 p.m. on Thursday, June 28 the unidentified female homeowner returned to her 75th Street home after lunching with friends. She found the suspect in her master bedroom attempting to rob the home. The robber attacked the homeowner, whom Tokajer said fought back. The man then ran away. The homeowner was taken to an area hospital, where she was released over the weekend. Tokajer said she suffered facial bruising and fractured bones from the attack but is recovering well.

Anyone with information about the attack is encouraged to contact the HBPD at 941-778-COPS (2677). Property owners with home surveillance SEE BURGLARY, PAGE 36

Island rallies for celebrated family A crowd estimated at 600 to 700 people packed the Center of Anna Maria auditorium to support the Brady family, whose surf shop was damaged in a fire April 15.

BY TOM VAUGHT SUN STAFF WRITER | tvaught@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Old-timers and new residents turned out Saturday to raise money for Jim and Ronee Brady, owners of the fire-damaged West Coast Surf Shop. The couple are now waiting on insurance money to pay for the damage to their shop

INSIDE NEWS 4 OPINION 6 SUN SURVEY 7 OUTDOORS 26 RESTAURANTS 32 REAL ESTATE 34-41 CROSSWORD 44 CLASSIFIEDS 45

and to merchandise that was destroyed in the April blaze.

However, insurance won’t cover all their expenses or loss of income since the shop has been closed. And when their friends and fans, who included customers and former employees, heard about their plight, they organized the fund-raiser. At press time, there was no count of the money raised.

Ben Webb, who helped to come up with the idea, talked to the crowd about the Bradys’ contributions to the Island.

“We decided to have a good old-fashioned fund-raiser just like many we’ve held so many times in the past,” he said. “Through all those events, the Bradys were

there contributing items to sell and helping with the work its takes to put on these things. They were at every one of them.”

The crowd applauded, and the family members there waved and posed for photos.

Somebody brought out two skim boards that were in the shop during the fire, and everybody there was asked to sign one of them.

There was music, beer, food, raffles and memories from those who recall how Island residents worked together to help those down on their luck. Webb said he hoped they always would.

TOM VAUGHT | SUN

SEE BRADY, PAGE 42

The Brady family poses with friends.

FOURTH of July fun and

THE Center ends its fiscal year in

festivities to include a parade, a party and a fireworks show. 3

the black. 11

Anna Maria Island, Florida

COMMITTEE recommends city

manager government. 5

The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper www.amisun.com

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Celebrate our independence

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Anna Maria sixth-happiest seaside town

BY TOM VAUGHT SUN STAFF WRITER | tvaught@amisun.com

The Fourth of July is one of the busiest holidays on Anna Maria Island with a parade, a park party and fireworks at the beach.

The Anna Maria Privateers Fourth of July Parade starts at 10 a.m. at Coquina Beach, south of the city of Bradenton Beach and ends at Anna Maria City Pier.

After that, the Privateers will go to the Anna Maria Island Beach Café at 4000 Gulf Drive to hand out scholarships. They will end their day with a party at D Coy Ducks, in Holmes Beach.

Earlier, the Privateers asked parade participants to refrain from squirting people in the crowds with squirt guns to avoid injuring anybody or damaging cameras and cell phones, but late last week they decided to allow some squirt guns that don’t shoot a strong stream of water, according to Privateer Kim Boyd.

The park party runs from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at Anna Maria City Pier Park on Pine Avenue. There will

FILE PHOTO

The Sandbar will present a fireworks show July 4 in Anna Maria. be free hot dogs, chips, liquid refreshments and patriotic music.

Finally, the Sandbar restaurant, 200 Spring Ave., will sponsor a fireworks show on the beach.

It should be the only fireworks on the beach because private individuals on the Island are not allowed to shoot anything that explodes or flies. Police say that

ordinance will be strictly enforced.

Parking is limited so the free trolleys are a good alternative to get there. The county will have the trolleys running late to make sure people can stay to the end of the show and still get home.

The city of Anna Maria finished sixth in the online voting for Coastal Living magazine’s top 10 Happiest Seaside Towns in America 2018 contest.

According to a June 11 press release, Ocean City, N.J., was the COASTAL LIVING MAGAZINE | SUBMITTED top voteThe city of Anna Maria is featured in the getter of the current edition of Coastal Living magazine.

10 previously named finalists.

Traverse City, Mich., received the second-most votes, followed by Cape Charles, Va., Vero Beach, Fla., and Bluffton, S.C. At sixth, Anna Maria received more votes than Cambria, Calif., Hampton Beach, N.H., Bellport, N.Y., and Cannon Beach, Ore. All 10 towns are featured in the magazine’s July/August issue that’s now on sale.

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ISLAND NEWS

IN BRIEF

Vacancies open on TDC Applications are being accepted for three openings on the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC).

The TDC is comprised of nine members who make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on expenditures of tourist tax revenues for tourismrelated projects.

The TDC is seeking one member who is an owner/operator (general manager) of a motel, hotel, recreational vehicle park or other tourist accommodation in the county who is subject to the 5 percent county resort tax.

Another two seats are available for applicants who are involved in the tourism industry and who have demonstrated an interest in tourist development but are not subject to the 5 percent county resort tax.

All applicants must be registered voters in Manatee County.

The hotelier term expires June 30, 2021; the interested citizen terms expire June 30, 2022.

Applications are due by July 17 and may be found online at www.mymanatee.org/advisory_boards.

The TDC meets on the third Monday of every other month at 9 a.m. at various locations throughout the county.

For more information, call Monica Luff at the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, 941-729-9177, ext. 3944, or email her at Monica.Luff@mymanatee.org.

Nuisances ordinance adopted The city of Anna Maria has amended its nuisances ordinance to address concerns about ultralight aircraft flying over the city and concerns about large beach holes that pose a safety threat to beachgoers. The amended ordinance prohibits ultralight aircraft from flying over the city or within 1,000 feet of its shorelines and deems those acts to be a public nuisance. The amended ordinance also now states it is a public nuisance to dig a beach hole that’s large enough to pose a hazard to humans or wildlife.

Pay raises and bonuses proposed The Bradenton Beach Commission’s recent budget planning workshop produced unanimous preliminary consensus for new 2 percent cost of living increases, new annual longevity bonuses and 6 percent pay increases this year for all city employees, including police officers.

The commission wants the city’s wages to be more competitive with other cities. The pay increases and bonuses will not apply to the independently-contracted city attorney, building official, city planner and city engineer.

Earlier this year, commissioners were told the city’s health care costs would increase by nearly 10 percent this year. The commission also supports setting aside $80,000 as a potential 25 percent contribution to FEMA grants that could potentially pay for 75 percent of the costs to harden and floodproof an aging city hall while long-term plans are developed to replace it.

Visit our website, www.amisun.com.

Scan this code with your smartphone to go there.

JULY 4, 2018

Meet your mayoral candidates

In November, Holmes Beach voters will have the opportunity to choose either newcomer Joshua Linney or Commissioner Judy Titsworth as their new mayor.

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

HOLMES BEACH – With current Mayor Bob Johnson not running for a third term in office, voters will choose either Commissioner Judy Titsworth or political newcomer Joshua Linney as their new mayor.

JOSHUA LINNEY

Though he hasn’t held a political office, Joshua Linney said he’s ready to take on the challenges of being Holmes Beach’s mayor. He said he chose to run for mayor rather Linney than commissioner to “make sure the citizens have a choice in November” and because if the mayoral position is eliminated, he said he could later run for commissioner. The way he sees it, it’s the commission’s job to set legislation and the mayor’s job to make sure that legislation is carried out while keeping the best interests of the residents in mind.

If elected, Linney’s priorities would be to create financial incentives for community redevelopment by investors and developers, creating a Community Investment Tax Incentive to give short term rental owners an incentive to turn properties into annual rentals and help improve vehicular congestion through park and ride services and a ferry to Holmes Beach. He also wants to encourage interaction between city leaders and residents through the addition of town hall type meetings where property owners can get their questions answered in an open forum.

Another goal for Linney is to help residents voice their concerns and make sure those concerns are heard by city staff. He’d also like to encourage all community members, from full-time residents to short-term visitors, to work together to return the feeling of community to the city.

“The city is at a very critical preci-

pice. These are important times for the city,” he said.

Though Linney was born on Anna Maria Island, he left to join the United States Army for a three-year stint.

Returning from the military found him suffering post-traumatic stress disorder and with a dependency on prescription and other drugs. Those experiences led to several run-ins with the law, including two driving under the influence charges, one involving a hit and run that resulted in Linney serving more than a year of probation, several charges for petty theft, felony and misdemeanor charges for possession of marijuana, all of which were either dropped or lowered to misdemeanor charges, a felony weapons charge that was lowered to a misdemeanor criminal mischief charge, driving with a suspended license and possession of drug paraphernalia. Those run-ins with the law resulted in fines, probation, and community service. Rather than regretting these mistakes, Linney said he’s learned from them and has been “clean and sober” for two years, with the exception of medical marijuana and prescription drugs. He actively supporters and lobbies for legalizing marijuana for medical uses and is the chief technology officer for VFC, Veterans For Cannibas, an organization dedicated to helping veterans find alternatives to addictive prescription medications. Linney said he no longer drinks alcohol or uses any illegal or controlled substances. His last run-in with law enforcement was in 2016.

“I wouldn’t change anything,” Linney said. “My life today is more than I could’ve ever imagined. I’ve just got to take it in stride. You can’t go back; you can’t change anything. I’m not proud of everything I’ve done, but I’m not ashamed of who I am.”

“In this country, if criminal allegations were enough to keep someone from getting elected we wouldn’t have a lot of officials. I know people are already talking, and I know what they’re talking about but acting like I regret it or like I would go back, I don’t. I just hope I make better choices going forward,” he said.

As a disabled veteran and with his own web design firm which he operates from his Holmes Beach residence, Linney said he has the time to devote himself fully to the city and its residents.

“I want to represent people with-

out shutting the residents down,” he said. “Things are not getting done or they’re only getting done half-way. I want to get things done. Failure’s not an option.”

JUDY TITSWORTH

Commissioner Judy Titsworth is no stranger to political office.

Titsworth is serving her third term as a city commissioner, which expires in November. She’s Titsworth served as chair of the commission since 2013.

Titsworth has lived almost her entire life on Anna Maria Island, having been raised in Holmes Beach and then returning after college in Alaska to raise her own children only a few houses down from her family home on Sunrise Lane. In preparation for her bid for the mayoral seat, Titsworth said she’s been training her daughter to take over the majority of her duties at Shoreline Builders so that she has all the time needed to focus on the administration of the city.

“It’s going to be a big commitment, but I’ve freed myself up to handle the commitment,” she said. “I want to finish the job. I want people to have someone to go to that can help give them a voice.”

A goal is to bring back more active residential neighborhoods in the city.

If elected, Titsworth hopes to make the city run more effectively in the future.

“I feel we’re lacking a leader right now. Things could be done better, more efficiently. I have to go where I’m needed,” she said. “I’ll get on it and get it done.”

As mayor, some of the challenges Titsworth said she’d face would be to help make the building department more effective with a reduction in processing times and better service for local property owners and contractors. She said rather than putting more staff members on the payroll, she’d like to use contractors, such as the city planner, more effectively and then determine if new staff members should be strategically added to departments. Titsworth also would like to add someone to the city’s two person code enforcement staff and be more proactive with the department’s initiative to greet visitors at problem SEE MAYOR, PAGE 41

JULY 4, 2018

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Commissioners consider city manager recommendation Holmes Beach Ad Hoc Committee members presented their recommendation for a city manager form of government to commissioners. Now commissioners are debating how to continue the conversation.

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

HOLMES BEACH – Ad Hoc Committee members recommending a city manager form of government wasn’t a surprise to the nearly three dozen assembled community members or city commissioners.

Committee members David Cheshire and Terry Schaffer gave the official recommendation from the committee to commissioners, recommending a change to a form of government where a city manager is the administrative head of city staff instead of the mayor.

The change would require a change to the city’s charter. To change the charter, the measure has to go through either City Commission approvals or the Charter Review Committee to

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

Holmes Beach Ad Hoc Committee Chair David Cheshire presents the committee’s findings to city commissioners. be placed on the ballot for the next election or a special election has to be called. Ultimately, it’s up to the voters to decide what they want their form of government to be.

When announcing the recommendation, Cheshire said the committee felt a city manager would be better able to provide stability in city government for staff and residents than a mayor who may or may not have any experience leading a city, especially one with the complex issues of Holmes Beach. Turn over in the mayor’s office also can be

as fast as every two years, depending on the will of the voters and who runs for office.

Schaffer expounded on Cheshire’s opening to the presentation, adding that out of the cities polled by committee members, the numbers were in favor of a city manager form of government.

Committee members submitted 19 questions to the leadership of 30 different Florida cities. Answers were scored by participants on a 1 to 5 point basis.

Once the answers were given to com-

mittee members, they were combined to provide an overall effectiveness score. A city manager-led form of government became the committee’s recommendation because it received the highest score at 83 percent, followed by a commission and city administrator form of government at 71 percent.

Committee member Scott Boyd made the case for a city administrator, a role that could be added without changing the city’s charter. Of the eight Ad Hoc Committee members, Boyd was the only one who voted against recommending a city manager form of government.

A city administrator would report to the mayor but also could help lead dayto-day activities in city administration.

The principal role of a city administrator would be to help commissioners formulate policy, supervise department heads and work with the treasurer to develop the annual budget. A city administrator can be appointed by the mayor or commission. By contrast, a city manager would have the ability to hire and fire department heads, manage department heads, help create and SEE MANAGER, PAGE 23

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OPINION

The Anna Maria Island Sun newspaper Island Sun Plaza, 9801 Gulf Drive P.O. Box 1189 Anna Maria, FL 34216-1189 Phone: (941) 778-3986 e-mail: news@amisun.com | ads@amisun.com | classifieds@amisun.com

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JULY 4, 2018

EDITORIAL I am the media The news media “is the enemy of the American people.”

President Donald J. Trump

D

ear Mr. President: I first read that quote last year when you sent it out on your Twitter account. To be honest, I didn’t know quite what to make of it. I wondered if you really meant that, or if it was just more of the hyperbole we’ve become accustomed to on social media. “… the enemy of the American people.”

I still have difficulty coming to grips with that statement. And yes, I realize the comments were directed at the national media rather than anyone such as myself or my small-town colleagues.

But then it dawned on me. This actually does apply to me.

Because I am the media.

A miniscule pixel of a much larger picture, no doubt. But I am part of the media, nevertheless.

Here at our weekly newspaper, The Anna Maria Island Sun, local news is what we do. News about our schools, our local economy, the Community Center soccer league, neighborhood flooding, the garden club flower show, the Kiwanis Club barbecue, this year’s city budget.

It’s all part of life in our corner of the kingdom. Chronicling the events of the day and the lives of those around us is our job. It’s what we do.

For example, one of our stories this week is about a fundraiser for a local family whose business recently was devastated by fire. Friends and neighbors packed our Community Center gymnasium in a rally and show of support that revealed just how tight the bond is among people here on this Island. This is small-town life at its most fundamental, represented in a single event.

That spirit, that basic humanity, is what we try to capture on the pages of our newspaper.

It can be tricky. Not all the news is good. When Hurricane Irma dealt a final blow to our Island’s aging fishing pier, our stories and photographs reflected not only the extent of the damage but also how much this iconic structure meant to those living here and how much we did not want to lose it.

But we're happy to be there when the grade-schoolers put on their annual play, and the parents in the crowd are proudly craning their necks to get a glimpse. When the city commission decides what type of benches will look best for our version of Main Street, we’re there for that, too.

And when the question of increasing taxes arises, we are in those commission meetings, as well.

Each of these aspects of covering a community for a weekly newspaper is personal for me. I take them to heart.

Why? Because I am the media. My co-workers are the media.

And I don’t see an enemy of the American people among them.

Mike Field, publisher

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

City manager needed Editor's note: This letter was originally sent to the Holmes Beach City Commission.

Although I am gone from Holmes Beach, I still feel strongly attached to the city and its residents. I have been watching from afar the work of the ad-hoc committee appointed to study the issue of whether the city would be better served by a different form of administration than we now have.

I appreciate so much the work put in by this dedicated committee.

They gave freely of their time, energy and experience. This was not an easy subject to tackle, but these individuals volunteered to take it on. Some individual members may have had preconceived notions about what form of government might be best for Holmes Beach, yet they approached this task from an analytical, nonemotional base, studying the experiences of other cities and calling on the expertise of the Florida League of Cities.

I support the Committee’s recommendation that the city of Holmes Beach hire a professional city manager who is appointed by and responsible to the City Commission.

And here are my reasons why: • Holmes Beach is a $13 million dollar business, with 45 employees and many contracts with other businesses and governments. The time is long gone when such an

enterprise can be run by a parttime mayor/administrator, with no required education or administrative experience, and no required knowledge of how the city works.

• Theoretically, the holder of the mayor/administrator position can change every two years. Changing managers every two years cannot serve the interests of city employees, and certainly cannot serve the interests of the taxpayer citizens.

• I served six years on the commission. During this time, I worked with three different mayors, who also served, under our system, as the administrators of the city.

Without being too personal, the first mayor I served with came to the office occasionally. The city was sort-of run then by the city treasurer. Departments mostly ran themselves. As a direct result of an almost rudderless ship, the city got into the mess we found ourselves in, with a building department that cost the taxpayers a great deal of money instead of being required to support itself, with little thought and foresight regarding the growing dangers of increased short-term rentals and with little attention to declining city reserves.

• The second mayor had some experience in administration but was a dreamer – an innovator – without the requisite followthrough.

• The third and current mayor is the most experienced mayor we

Take The Sun Survey on Page 7. have ever had. He thought strategically, he studied issues, he consulted with experts, he created relationships with our sister cities and with the county, and even the state. I believe we have been lucky to have him. However, this little part-time, almost volunteer job cost him a minimum of 30-40 hours a week, and a lot of sleepless nights. As a retiree, he does not wish to stay in such a stressful, time-consuming job any longer. Understandable.

He could be replaced in the next election with an individual with absolutely no education for or experience in running anything. To me, that is frightening.

• The casual approach to running the city worked well when we were a sleepy little beach town. Citizen volunteers would step up to be responsible. We are no longer that sleepy little town. We have dangers on all sides, including from our state government.

• I think it imperative that the administration of Holmes Beach be in the hands of a professional in the art and science of management of tax-supported government activities.

I hope this commission will see the wisdom in accepting the recommendations of the ad-hoc committee.

Jean Peelen Flat Rock, North Carolina

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THE SUN SURVEY

ON THE AGENDA

PREVIOUS QUESTION: Who do you like to win the World Cup?

ANNA MARIA

July 6, 1 p.m. – CRC meeting

0%

For information, call 7086130 July 10, 4 p.m. – Planning and Zoning Board meeting July 12, 6 p.m. – City Commission special meeting

HOLMES BEACH

17%

Brazil

10005 GULF DRIVE

Belgium

0%

17%

Spain

BRADENTON BEACH 107 GULF DRIVE N.

Germany

For information, call 7781005 July 5, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting

5801 MARINA DRIVE

For information, call 7085800 July 10, 9 a.m. – City Commission meeting with budget work session to follow July 11, 9 a.m. – City Commission special budget work session July 11, 6 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

41%

NOTE: EVENTS ARE FREE UNLESS INDICATED.

The U.S. - wait, what's the World Cup again?

25%

WEDNESDAY JULY 4

England

THE SUN SURVEY IS NOT A SCIENTIFIC POLL AND IS USED FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY.

THIS WEEK’S SURVEY

• I never did before, but I do now.

Do you lock your doors and

• No, I have no worries about leaving

windows at night when on Anna

the doors unlocked.

Maria Island?

THURSDAY

To vote, go to www.amisun.com or scan this code to vote by smartphone.

JULY 5

LIKE us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AnnaMariaIslandSun View The Sun’s online edition at www.issuu.com/AnnaMariaIslandSun

The Anna Maria Island Sun staff Publishers Mike Field Maggie Field Editor/CEO Mike Field Layout Ricardo Fonseca Reporters Cindy Lane Tom Vaught Joe Hendricks

Kristin Swain Columnists Louise Bolger Outdoors editor Rusty Chinnis Ad director Chantelle Lewin Ad assistants Chris Boniberger Dianne Martin

Classified ads Bob Alexander Graphics Elaine Stroili Ricardo Fonseca Digital/Social Media Editor Cindy Lane Accounting John Reitz

AMI Privateers Fourth of July Parade, Coquina Beach to Anna Maria City Pier, 10 a.m.

Gentle chair yoga, Anna Maria Island Art League, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach, noon.

Celebrate America Fourth of July celebration, City Pier Park, 100 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 12:30-2 p.m.

Fireworks spectacular, Sandbar restaurant, 100 Spring Ave., Anna Maria, sunset.

Distribution Bob Alexander Tony McNulty Connor Field Contributors Pat Copeland Steve Borggren Sean Murphy Monica Simpson

Veteran Services Information, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 9 a.m.

Roser-Robics chair-based exercise class, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m.

Zumba and mat pilates for seniors, The Paradise Center, 567 Bay Isles Rd., Longboat Key, 10 a.m., $10 per class.

Reserve to maryannbrady@ theparadisecenter.org or 941-383-6493.

Backyard Animals, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

Sunshine Stitchers knit and crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.

Jam in the Sand, Anna Maria Island Beach Café, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 5 to 8 p.m.

FRIDAY JULY 6

Forty Carrots, Island Branch

Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

Intermediate bridge session, The Paradise Center, 567 Bay Isles Rd., Longboat Key, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., $10, includes coffee and cookies. Reserve to maryannbrady@theparadisecenter. org or 941-383-6493.

Mahjong, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m.

Sunset drum circle, Manatee Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 5 to 8 p.m.

SATURDAY JULY 7

NEST Nature Days, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.

Teen Tech Times, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.

SUNDAY

July 8 Beach Market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information call 941-518-4431.

MONDAY JULY 9

Social bridge games, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, noon.

TUESDAY JULY 10

Yoga and meditation, The Paradise Center, 567 Bay Isles Rd., Longboat Key, 10 a.m., $10. Reserve to maryannbrady@theparadisecenter.org or 941-383-6493.

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

Mahjong, Island Branch LiSEE CALENDAR, PAGE 40

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Help manatees; boat safely by calling toll free at 1-800-432-JOIN (5646). More Manatee Protection Tips for Boaters can be found on the Club’s website at savethemanatee.org/boatertips. You can also view the Club’s new “Safe Boating Tips to Protect Manatees” video.

BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com

The 4th of July is a busy boating holiday with Florida’s waterways beckoning in-state and out-of-state boaters to enjoy its many charms, including manatees.

Save the Manatee Club urges residents and visitors to watch out for manatees throughout the holiday and beyond.

The largest known cause of manatee mortality is from collisions with boats.

Additionally, most living manatees have been hit by boats – many manatees have been hit multiple times – and most suffer through these injuries that can negatively affect their ability to eat, swim, mate and take care of their young.

Manatees must surface to breathe and prefer shallow waters. Any boat or personal watercraft moving fast can injure and kill a manatee if there is not enough clearance for the boat’s hull to pass safely over a manatee’s back.

Slowing down in manatee habitat is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of watercraft-related injury and death.

“We greatly appreciate the help of the boating community to be extra vigilant on Florida’s waterways during the July 4th holiday and every day,” says Patrick Rose, the Club’s Executive Director and Aquatic Biologist. “The risks and threats to the manatee’s survival remain uncontrolled and accelerating, and we need everyone to be good stewards and help ensure that manatees continue to roam free for future generations to enjoy.”

REPORT MANATEES IN DISTRESS

CORA BERCHEM, SAVE THE MANATEE CLUB | SUBMITTED

The 4th of July is a busy boating holiday. Save the Manatee Club urges residents and visitors to watch out for manatees when boating on Florida waterways.

FREEBIES

In order to safeguard manatees and to curb the number of manatee injuries and deaths from boat collisions, Save the Manatee Club offers a number of free public awareness materials to help boaters protect manatees. One of these is a Boating Safety Packet, which contains a weatherproof boat decal with a hotline number for reporting manatee injuries, deaths or harassment. It also includes a waterproof waterway card that was created in conjunction with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It can easily be hung and kept on board a vessel and features examples of regulatory signs posted for manatee protection, with information in English, French, Spanish and German.

Save the Manatee Club also provides free waterproof banners for boaters and public awareness signs for Florida shoreline property owners. The bright yellow banners read, “Please Slow: Manatees Below,” and can be used to warn other boaters if a manatee is spotted in the area. Aluminum dock signs with a similar message are available for Florida shoreline property owners.

Family-friendly Buddy manatee signs, designed to teach manatee manners, are available to state, municipal and county parks, marinas and other busy sites where human/manatee interaction can be a problem, resulting in manatee harassment.

The free public awareness and education materials are available by emailing Save the Manatee Club at education@savethemanatee.org or

Report sick, injured, or orphaned manatees to the FWC. Here’s how to recognize if something is wrong: • A manatee floating high in the water and is unable to submerge may indicate a serious problem.

• An adult manatee not resting or traveling rapidly should surface to breathe every 2-3 minutes.

• Manatees entangled in crab traps or fishing line should be reported to the FWC – do not try to cut the entanglement.

• A pink scar or open wound on a manatee needs to be reported.

• Thrashing and splashing manatees are usually a mating herd and need their space, however a lone manatee that has beached itself should be reported to the FWC – do not push the manatee back into the water.

• A small, lone manatee with no larger manatees around could be an orphan and the FWC should be called at 1-888-404-FWCC (3992).

To view the Club’s new video, “How to Report Distressed Manatees,” and get more information, including how to report manatees outside of Florida, go to savethemanatee.org/rescue.

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Privateers Putt Putt Pub Crawl The Anna Maria Island Privateers are planning a pirate-style golf tournament for Saturday, Aug. 18, beginning at noon.

Nine Island businesses will be involved, and each will create a putting hole with their own theme. The Privateers will take the golfers from hole to hole in their pirate ship, Skullywag.

Each golfer will receive a complimentary tankard of pirate’s grog at the first hole. The first- and second- place finishers will receive prizes.

The Privateers have room for 50

golfers at $49.99 each. That includes the putter and golf ball and a souvenir T-shirt.

The participating sponsors are the Fish Hole, the Anchor, Waterline Resort, Slim’s Place, Harry’s Bar & Grill, Ugly Grouper, D Coy Ducks, Freckled Fin and the Drift-In. Contact Tim “Hammer” Thompson @ (941) 780-1668 to sign up. Up to five mulligans may be purchased for $5 each at the time of registration. Proceeds go to the Whitey Horton College Scholarship Fund.

TOM VAUGHT | SUN

Cortez picnic Heavy rain forced all but a few people to stay home on Saturday, June 30, instead of attending the Cortez Village Historical Society community picnic. From left to right: Toni Hodson, Chris Landry, Kaye Bell, Bob Landry and Linda Molto braved the storm.

SUBMITTED

Reading champs At right, Anna Maria Oyster Bar owner John Horne poses with students from the 2018 Dive into Reading program that was started when the Oyster Bars invested the $10,000 prize for winning the Restaurant Neighbor award from the National Restaurant Association’s Educational Foundation. The program brings people together to read to kids over the summer. The program expanded from 76 kids last year to 368 kids this year. They read a total of 14,540 books.

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Center closes fiscal year in the black For the first time in several years, The Center of Anna Maria Island ended its fiscal year June 30 with positive financial numbers.

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

ANNA MARIA – It’s been a long road to financial recovery for The Center of Anna Maria Island, but it seems like its board members and leadership team have almost brought the struggling nonprofit back to health.

During the June 25 board meeting,

board Chair David Zaccagnino said the nonprofit would be closing out the year with a projected $10,268 in the bank after all of the end of year bills come in. As of June 25, the Center’s actual net income for the year was $18,877, $245,967 over the previous fiscal year’s close at -$227,091.

Zaccagnino said Center leadership hopes to improve those numbers in the 2018-19 fiscal year, which began July 1, by closing at $23,000 in the black.

Helping that cause is renewed support from the three Island cities, an expected $100,000, plus additional funds to purchase a new transportation van from the

beach concession funds, and renewed contracts with both Crossfit and Island Fitness to remain on-premises.

Program income after direct costs closed out the fiscal year at $150,512, a 20 percent improvement over budget.

General and administrative expenses ended the fiscal year at -$342,063, 47.3 percent better than the previous year’s close and 15.6 percent better than the budget for the 2017-18 fiscal year.

The Center’s finances took a hit in fund-raising income with total income coming in at $360,939, 14.4 percent under last year’s close at $421,844 and 16.1 percent under budgeted expectations.

Total revenue for the year came out to $938,569 with total expenses at $919,692 just five days before the close of the fiscal year.

Center board members also voted unanimously to accept a new contract for a third-party auditor to periodically review the nonprofit’s finances for $12,750, which Zaccagnino said “seems like it’s in line” for the financial services being contracted.

The new 2018-19 fiscal year budget is in the works and a copy of that budget is expected to be available to the public, once completed, at www.centerami.org.

Cities Ok Center funding All three Island cities have recently made significant contributions to the Center.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – City commissioners have agreed to make an $18,500 contribution to The Center of Anna Maria Island.

To be taken from the city’s current fiscal year budget, the money will help support The Center’s youth programs, including summer camp and after school activities.

Executive Director Chris Culhane presented the budget request to commissioners on Thursday, June 28, after he and board chair David Zaccagnino were told on June 14 their request needed to include more specific details.

Each year the Anna Maria commission budgets taxpayer money to help support the Center, but this year’s contribution was

withheld until concerns about the Center’s financial stability and the organization’s willingness to share financial and operational records were addressed.

During last week’s meeting, Commissioner Brian Seymour made an initial motion to give the Center $32,000, but his motion died for the lack of a second. The commission then voted 4-1 in favor of the requested $18,500 contribution, with Seymour voting opposition.

After the meeting, Seymour said, “While $18,500 is a generous donation, it doesn’t amount to anywhere close to what I feel the city should be contributing to the Center on an annual basis to support our youth. Our $18,500 is less than one-half of 1 percent of our annual budget and less than 1.5 percent of the Center’s current budget. I will keep pleading the case for more support in future years, and I hope the other commissioners can get on board.”

The Bradenton Beach Commission

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Last week, Executive Director Chris Culhane presented the Center’s updated funding request to Anna Maria Commissioners. recently authorized a $5,000 contribution from its current fiscal year budget to assist with the Senior Adventures program that provides weekly adventures for senior citizens departing from the Annie Silver

Community Center in Bradenton Beach.

The Holmes Beach Commission recently approved a $22,500 contribution to the Center from the city’s current fiscal year budget.

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Stormwater and drainage decisions looming Bradenton Beach commissioners are not completely sold on the continued use of stone-covered infiltration trenches.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners are reviewing past stormwater and drainage projects and reassessing the city’s approach to future projects.

Working with City Engineer Lynn Burnett, the commission’s goal is to find “the right system for the right location,” as Mayor John Chappie said during the commission’s June 12 work meeting.

Chappie said the purpose of the meeting, and others to follow, was to give the current commission members a better understanding of drainage systems designed and approved before they took office.

“What would be best for the community, the residents and the property owners?” he said.

The commission is pondering the continued practice of installing stone-

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Questions have been raised about the continued effectiveness of the vertical infiltration trenches previously installed along Bridge Street and elsewhere in the city. covered vertical infiltration trenches along city rights of way. There are tentative plans to install infiltration trenches along Avenue C early next year after the county finishes its force main replacement project. Similar plans are being considered for the Avenue B and Avenue A rights of way.

Designed by Burnett, infiltration

trenches have been installed in all three Island cities using cooperative funding agreements that provide matching funds from the Southwest Florida Water Management District (Swiftmud).

The trenches are created by removing the existing soil that inhibits drainage, placing a filter cloth at the bottom

of the trenches, refilling them with sand that allows for better drainage and pollution filtering and topping then with white, lime rock 57 stone.

The trenches are meant to be parked on, but commission members and business owners have expressed concerns about the lime rock getting crushed and turning into a fine, white dust that makes a mess and inhibits drainage.

The Swiftmud grant funding cycle begins in October, and Burnett said Bradenton Beach’s applications have been submitted. Chappie said the funding agreements have not been signed yet, and he’s willing to wait another year, if need be, rather than rush to meet the October deadline.

“It’s not certain that we’re going to use the same type of system that we have been using. I want to look at different options. I know Lynn’s ready to go with the system we have right now, but we all have concerns and issues with the 57 stone. Most of us don’t like it,” Chappie said.

Porous concrete was mentioned as a possible, more-costly alternative to 57 stone.

SEE STORMWATER, PAGE 17

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Vincent ends candidacy Four candidates remain in competition for two Bradenton Beach commission seats.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

‛S YOUR COMFORT ZONE? WHERE

BRADENTON BEACH – Former Planning and Zoning Board member Bill Vincent says he’s withdrawing from the Bradenton Beach City Commission race.

On Thursday, June 28, Vincent distributed an email that said, “Greetings. I have withdrawn my candidacy for commissioner of Bradenton Beach without advance announcement or public comment.”

As of Sunday morning, the Supervisor of Elections website still listed Vincent as a qualified candidate.

Vincent announced his withdrawal a week after he and four other candidates qualified to run for the two at-large commission seats currently held by Marilyn Maro and Ralph Cole. Maro and Cole are seeking reelection and being challenged by former Scenic WAVES chair Tjet Martin and former Planning and Zoning Board member John Metz.

In 2016, Vincent lost the Ward 4 commission race to John Chappie by a 378-234 vote margin.

Last fall, Cole lost his reelection bid to first-time challenger Randy White by 205-169 vote margin. Cole was then appointed to serve the remainder of Chappie’s commissioner’s term after Chappie was elected mayor in the same election.

In 2016, Maro was appointed to fill the vacant Ward 2 seat after three-term commissioner Ed Straight term-limited out of office. This will be Maro’s first

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Bill Vincent’s second bid for a City Commission seat proved to be short-lived. election campaign.

In 2014, incumbent commissioner Jan Vosburgh defeated Martin in the Ward 4 race by a 347-143 vote margin.

This will be Metz’s first bid for a commission seat.

LEGAL HISTORIES

Vincent, Martin and Metz are among six former city advisory board members who resigned from their volunteer city positions last summer amidst allegations of Sunshine Law violations that are now the subject of a pending civil lawsuit initiated by the city and city resident Jack Clarke.

Metz is also the plaintiff in the dormant but still pending lawsuit he filed against the city and Building Official Steve Gilbert in 2016 in a thus far unsuccessful attempt to have a neighbor’s property declared ineligible for continued use as a vacation rental.

In 2015, Metz filed a lawsuit against mayoral candidate Clarke in an unsuccessful attempt to

prevent him from appearing on the ballot for a special recall election that resulted in Clarke becoming mayor when city voters removed Mayor Bill Shearon from office.

In 2012, Martin, Shearon and Jo Ann Meilner filed a lawsuit against the city in objection to a beachfront parking allowance the City Commission gave to Ed Chiles’ BeachHouse restaurant.

The lawsuit was later settled in a manner that preserved Chiles’ parking rights but also allowed for the creation of a small beachfront park.

According to City Attorney Ricinda Perry, there’s nothing in the city charter that prevents someone involved in an active lawsuit with the city from running for a commission seat or serving as a commissioner if elected. There could however be situations where a commissioner in that situation would have to recuse himself/herself from voting on an issue pertaining to his/ her lawsuit.

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Amended tree ordinance in effect Those who wish to remove a grand tree can now contribute to the city’s tree fund.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – City Commissioners recently adopted an amended tree ordinance, then promptly applied it when approving two grand tree removal requests previously denied by Public Works Manager Dean Jones.

In attempt to protect the city’s shrinking tree canopy, the ordinance adopted on June 14 allows those who wish to remove a grand tree to donate to the city’s tree replacement fund instead of or in addition to planting replacement trees on their own property.

Donated funds will be used to plant trees at city parks or on other city properties.

During that meeting, property owner Ronnie Leto agreed to donate $2,500 to remove a large oak tree at 319 Hardin Ave. Leto wants to remove the grand tree so he can install a pool in the yard. Robb Bauman agreed to donate $2,500 to remove a red cedar at 211 Oak Ave in order to install a pool in the backyard. Leto and Baumann both said new and smaller trees also would be planted on those private

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Above right, arborist Lucas Davis assisted city commissioners in addressing property owner Ronnie Leto's request to remove a grand tree.

Right, Commissioners recently approved the removal of this grand tree at 319 Hardin Ave. properties.

At the recommendation of certified botanist Lucas Davis, the amended tree ordinance removes the word diameter” and replaces it with the word caliper in terms of a grand tree being defined as one that has an 8-inch caliper when measured at a height of 4.5 feet from the ground. A tree with an 8-inch caliper is approximately 24 inches in circumference, which is how the ordinance previously read.

According to both the previous and the recently amended ordinance, the removal of a grand tree requires City Commission approval. City ordinance also protects na-

tive trees.

The amended tree ordinance was inspired by a recent incident involving a property owner who removed a grand tree after the commission denied the request.

As a result, that property owner was fined $5,000.

ORDINANCE LANGUAGE

“The removal, relocation, destruction of any grand tree, excluding ficus and Australian pine trees, is prohibited unless

it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the City Commission that the location of the grand tree renders the lot or parcel as non-buildable, the grand tree is a hazard or severely diseased or denial of the removal of the grand tree will result in an extreme hardship for the property owner, as determined by the City Commission after a quasi-judicial hearing,” the tree ordinance now says.

“If the removal of a grand tree is permitted, the city commission shall have the authority to require that replacement tree or trees of a type and size specified by the commission be planted on the same lot or parcel, which will result in approximately the same amount of shade/canopy potential within one year of the time of planting as the grand tree removed.

“As to any replacement tree (or trees) on the same lot or parcel, such replacement trees must be guaranteed by the seller of the tree (or trees) for no less than one year, and properly maintained by the property owner for a period of one year, so that if after one year the replacement tree (or trees) are not in healthy condition, as determined by an arborist, such replacement tree (or trees) will be required to be replaced by other replacement tree (or trees),” the amended ordinance says.

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Charter review process continues On July 9, the Charter Review Committee will meet for the first time since city commissioners rejected four potential charter amendments proposed by KORN.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – The city’s Charter Review Committee (CRC) will meet for the third time on Monday, July 9.

This will be the committee’s first meeting since city commissioners decided by a 4-1 vote not to place on the fall ballot four charter amendment questions proposed by the Keep Our Residential Neighborhoods (KORN) political action committee.

On June 21, the commission majority supported city staff’s position that KORN’s proposed charter initiatives did not fully comply with the city charter and/or state law.

Among other things, the city charter determines the city’s form of government and establishes the duties and responsibilities of its elected and ap-

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The Bradenton Beach Charter Review Committee consists of Anne Leister, Mary Bell, Debra Cox, Randy Milton and Dan Morhaus (not shown). pointed officials.

The KORN amendments proposed hiring a full-time city manager, prohibiting multi-level parking garages, increasing setback restrictions and requiring vacant commission seats to be filled by election or special election rather than commission appointment.

Those initiatives are now in limbo and awaiting a possible legal challenge from KORN members John Metz and/ or Reed Mapes, but as of Sunday, no lawsuit had been filed.

Barring a court order or a second KORN petition initiative conducted

according to the city charter, any proposed charter amendments put to city voters this fall will likely come as CRC-recommended and City Commission-supported charter amendment questions – and the CRC members could propose ballot questions that address some of the same concerns as the KORN amendments, if that’s their collective desire.

The agenda for the July 9 CRC meeting calls for additional discussion on KORN’s proposed setback amendment.

On June 21, City Engineer Lynn Burnett said she understood that the intent

of the amendment was to limit the size of new homes by limiting which additional items could be placed in the setbacks between a structure and the property lines.

Her concern was that the KORN amendment also said stormwater management systems shall be contained in the setback areas. Burnett said that would disallow additional stormwater retention elsewhere on the property and she suggested the language be revised if pursued.

City Attorney Ricinda Perry noted state law now prevents land use matters from being decided by voter referendum, and this would apply to a setback amendment and a parking garage amendment.

City commissioners have already set in motion two proposed ordinances that, once adopted, will prohibit parking garages citywide by amending the city’s land development code and comprehensive plan. CRC members have not yet discussed a parking garage prohibition, but it’s scheduled for discussion on July 9.

The CRC members spent a great SEE CHARTER, PAGE 29

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JULY 4, 2018

Thompson arrested in fishing gear theft

BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com

Timothy Lee Thompson, 54, was arrested on Wednesday, June 27 by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and charged with 3rd degree felony grand theft of comThompson mercial fishing nets valued at $2,400, stolen from a commercial fishing boat docked in Cortez two days earlier, according to a police report.

Officers discovered Thompson

and the nets on an uninhabited island known locally as Gilligan’s Island, west of Harbour Isle on Perico Island, according to the report.

Thompson confessed to the theft, authorities said.

That night, about 8:30 p.m., law enforcement officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission got a call from the Bradenton Fire Department in reference to a boat on fire at Gilligan’s Island that ignited vegetation on the island, according to the FWC. FWC spokesman Robert Klepper said he could not comment on any possible connection between the two incidents because an investigation is pending.

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STORMWATER: Decisions loom FROM PAGE 12

Bradenton Beach’s old drainage systems relied on traditional grates, outfall pipes and grassy swales. Change was necessitated when the federal and state governments imposed stricter requirements on the amount of pollutants carried into natural waters.

ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS

Commissioner Marilyn Maro lives on Avenue B. She feels flooding has increased since an outfall pipe in that area was closed.

“Before it was only when there was a tropical storm, but now it’s all the time,” she said.

Commissioner Ralph Cole lives on 12th Street North, where infiltration trenches have been installed.

“When you change the flow of the water, you end up creating other problems.

Back in the day, they designed the roads so they sloped to the middle of road. That road took the water and it flowed out to the waterway. Now it flows down our properties,” he said.

Cole suggested city streets be widened

when they’re repaved and designed to transport rainwater.

Commissioner Jake Spooner said the flooding on Bridge Street seems worse.

He asked if the 12-inch outfall pipe that once emptied into Anna Maria Sound at the end of the east end could be reopened and fitted with a one-way check valve that would prevent rising tides from backflowing into the pipe and causing flooding.

Burnett said that is possible because the WaStop valves didn’t exist when the outfall was closed.

Burnett said the current Bridge Street system carries water to the above-ground cistern, which resulted in cleaner water then being pumped out through a 2-inch pipe.

Burnett attributed some of the drainage challenges to changing weather patterns.

“Over the last three years, we have seen a tremendous increase in the intensity and duration of weather patterns and storm events,” she said. “We have had flooding issues, we still have flooding issues, and we are still going to have flooding issues because we are a barrier island.”

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TOM VAUGHT | SUN

A Key Royale facelift Key Royale Club President Scott Mitchell cuts the ribbon at the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce business card exchange June 27. Members of the board of directors of the private golf club and the Chamber attended the ribbon cutting to celebrate Key Royale’s facelift in the clubhouse and the golf cart barn. Anybody is welcome to join, and there is a new short-term membership for 30 days to accommodate vacationers. Call 941-778-3055, ext. 2, for more information.

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Journalism at its finest SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

K

udos to the staff of the Annapolis, Md.-based Capital Gazette for putting out a newspaper the morning after five of their friends and co-workers were murdered by a disgruntled reader who had previously filed an unsuccessful defamation suit.

One of the victims, Ron Hiaasen, was the brother of famed Florida newspaper man and novelist Carl Hiaasen.

The shooter used social media to issue threats against his local paper.

Putting out a paper is challenging under the best of circumstances. To do so in the wake of this horrific tragedy displayed journalistic dedication and professionalism of the highest order.

The Capital Gazette shooting is a reminder of the impact a newspaper can have on a reader and vice versa.

We’d like to think that no one who reads our local papers would ever go to such an extreme, but did the folks at the Gazette ever envision this happening to them?

Sadly, mass shootings have become all too familiar in America these days.

They still shock and sadden us, but they no longer surprise us. These senseless shootings targeting workplaces, schools, night clubs and a congressional softball game create for some local journalists a heightened sense of appreciation for the police

presence provided at city commission meetings in Anna Maria and Holmes Beach.

Sgt. Mike Jones usually attends Anna Maria commission meetings. If he’s unavailable, one of his deputies is there – and Anna Maria’s meetings are rarely contentious.

In Holmes Beach, Chief Bill Tokajer sits on the dais where he can view the chamber floor and the points of entry leading to it. If Tokajer’s not there, Det. Sgt. Brian Hall is. If a larger than usual crowd is expected, an extra officer is asked to attend.

Police attendance at city and county meetings is more the norm than the exception, but Bradenton Beach remains an exception. Commissioner Jake Spooner recently asked his commission to consider having an officer present at their meetings. His suggestion received little support and garnered no serious discussion. Given the contentious nature of Bradenton Beach politics, perhaps it’s time to reconsider that idea.

An unprotected chamber heightens the risk for commission members, city staff, city residents and the media. A police presence might discourage a spontaneous or premeditated act of violence from unfolding. And should the unthinkable happen, an armed officer could potentially lessen the severity of any violence initiated.

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

L

ately it seems that a challenge is issued every few days against the media. Someone is always trying to silence our voices, the voices that our country’s Constitution is supposed to protect. Challenges come from all sides, from tariffs imposed by the federal government on newsprint that feel designed to put our newspapers out of business to fake news propagated by our president and now shootings in newsrooms.

This week, five voices, the voices of our brother and sister journalists at the Capital Gazette, were silenced forever in a horrifying attack on their newsroom. Their loss is unbelievable and the respect I feel for the remaining staff for not skipping a beat, not bowing to fear and releasing a new issue less than 24 hours after the shooting, is immeasurable. Five people were killed simply for doing their jobs, which is terrifying.

I will always remember June 28 as the day when doing my job gave me pause. For the first time I really thought about the potential personal consequences of simply doing my job.

The concern became not just telling the truth in the stories I submit for print but what someone might do to me or my co-workers because of it.

Thankfully, we live in a relatively safe area, and our community is very supportive of the work we do. However, the thought always will be in the back of my mind now, a voice whispering “what if?” when I write a story. If there’s anything to take from this tragedy it’s that we cannot bow to fear.

We cannot allow anyone to take away our rights, to silence our voices. The burden on the press to be a voice for the truth is now more important, more of a privilege and a burden for all of us who call ourselves journalists because now we must speak for those whose voices have been taken from them.

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JULY 4, 2018

Part of the job

BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com

A

long, long time ago at a newspaper not so far away, two Tampa Tribune reporters did their job and wrote some stories.

One was about Cuban exiles holding an election in the U.S. for a provisional government cabinet to take over the Cuban government from then-president Fidel Castro. Another was about Castro arguably having a legal claim to a park in Ybor City, and a series was about a USF professor who was raising money on the side for Islamic terrorists.

They resulted in death threats to myself, fellow reporter Michael Fechter and the staff of the Tribune and sister television station WFLA. My story’s threats eventually died down. Michael’s, not so much.

Media General added tight security measures to the brand new fortress we all moved into, including card readers with photo IDs at the entrance, security guards to verify IDs and cameras in every conceivable place – reporters, being naturally curious, spent extra time in the bathrooms trying to figure out where they were.

The atmosphere was not one of

safety, but of fear and imprisonment.

It was a feeling reminiscent of the first time I went through the brand new metal detector at the Daytona Beach courthouse; the first time I interviewed a witness in jail and heard several prison doors slamming behind me, Get Smart-style; the first time I flew on a plane and had to be searched; the first and only time I was detained at an airport in Havana in a chain link cage topped with barbed wire and guarded by a soldier holding an M-16.

Stay in this business long enough, and eventually, you will think, or know, that someone is following you.

You eventually will say to yourself, or to your editor, “This is a guy who is going to come in and shoot us,” like Thomas Marquardt, the Annapolis, Md. Capital Gazette’s former editor and publisher, said to an attorney representing the paper in a defamation lawsuit filed in 2012 by Jarrod W. Ramos, the man who eventually did.

But you continue to do your job.

The front page of the Capital Gazette the day after five of its staff members were murdered is an amazing testimony to the newsroom’s professionalism and commitment to journalism, to the First Amendment

and to their colleagues.

Someone in mourning had to put the names of their murdered friends in alphabetical order for the lead of the story. Someone in shock had to start finding and loading stories on the website that the victims had written, as a tribute. Someone with nerves of steel had to actually interview the killer’s aunt.

In journalism class at Manatee High School in Bradenton, Fla., Miss Bullock did not tell us that could happen.

I did not tell my University of Tampa journalism class either. Maybe it’s time to start.

But it’s not so much that journalism is a dangerous business; it’s that life is a dangerous business.

Nightclubs, schools, marathons, newsrooms – it doesn’t matter where you are, the threat is there, and fortresses and guns and surveillance cameras and security guards will not always be able to stop a mass murderer.

Remember what they said after Sept.

11 – we must not let it stop us from living our lives and doing our jobs or they win.

Everyone on the Capital did their job.

In doing ours, we stand with you.

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Don’t slay the messenger

BY TOM VAUGHT SUN STAFF WRITER | tvaught@amisun.com

F

or as many years as we have had a free press, journalists have been protected by an unwritten code that essentially says, “Don’t slay the messenger.”

That code was broken last week when a gunman who had a beef with a newspaper in Annapolis, Md., allegedly opened fire on the newsroom, slaughtering five unarmed employees. As he pulled the trigger, he reportedly said something about “false news,” a favorite chant of a president that takes on the truth on a regular basis. Whether his comments added to the animosity against the press remains to be seen.

If you were around during Watergate, you will recall Bernstein and Woodward didn’t take a stand against President Richard Nixon, they only reported the truth, and many people who worked at the White House spilled the beans to the reporters because they were disgusted at what they saw.

This gunman allegedly had a personal disagreement with the Capital Gazette, and now five people are dead. It’s not the fault of the system or of a president who disagrees with the press, but it looks like we reporters should be a little more cautious as we do our job.

But we will do our job despite the shooting. I promise you that.

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Wonders of Nature Matt Edmonds brought his Wonders of Nature show to the Island Branch Library on Thursday, June 21. His collection of birds included a hawk that flew back and forth in the packed meeting room, a very talkative parrot, a nosy toucan, a talented raptor, a gray squirrel and a wise old owl.

TOM VAUGHT | SUN

TOM VAUGHT | SUN

Above, Nova, the eagle owl, was happy to stand on Edmonds’ arm and look regal. Below, Turbo, the Asian toucan, had a colorful nose.

Clockwise above, Moby the parrot made the kids laugh as he spoke. Gray squirrels like Stitches help oak trees multiply by burying their seeds, acorns, for future meals, and if they forget where some are buried, the acorns take root and grow into more trees. The hawk was named Jedi, after the Star Wars characters.

JULY 4, 2018

ENTERTAINMENT

FAMILY FUN At the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach: • Wednesday, July 11, Coloring Club, noon to 1 p.m.

• Thursday, July 12, a veteran’s services professional will be available to help those with problems, 9 to 11 a.m.; Tampa Taiko Drums, 10 to 11 a.m.; Sunside Stitchers Knit and Crochet, 2 to 4 p.m.; Back to the Future Community Visioning Project, 1 to 3 p.m.

• Friday, July 13, Forty Carrots-Partners in Play, 10 to 11 a.m.; Mahjongg, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group, 2 to 3 p.m.

• Saturday, July 14, Origami, 10 a.m. to noon; Lego Day, 3 to 3:30 p.m..

• Tuesday, July 17, preschool story time, “Robots,” 10 to 11 a.m.; Mahjongg, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Call the library at 941-778-6341 for more information.

on Friday, July 6, at Annie Silver Community Center, 103 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach, for a van trip to Ellenton.

They will make a brief stop at the mall and then go to lunch at Hickory Hollow. After that, they will stop at a vegetable market. To sign up, call Kaye Bell at 941-538-0945.

PRIVATEERS SAY ‘MERRY CHRISTMAS’

The Anna Maria Island Privateers will celebrate Christmas in July on Saturday, July 21, at 5 p.m. at the Drift In on Bridge Street. Santa arrives on his sleigh at 6 p.m. Also scheduled for that time is a potluck lunch. Bring a dish or donate money.

There will be a lotto board featuring $200 in tickets and $100 cash. Two booze baskets will be raffled. Tickets can be pre-purchased at the Drift In. Ask for Doreen. Proceeds go to the Christmas Family in Manatee County charity.

SENIORS EXLORE ELLENTON

Senior Adventures meets at 10 a.m.

LEARNING TAI CHI CLASS HAS MOVED

The Sybset Tai Chi class is now located lawn of the newly-opened Mosaic NEST at Robinson Preserve, reachable by going west from 75th Street Northwest on 9th Avenue Northwest and the next class is on Tuesday, July 10, from 6 to 7 p.m.

Dr. Brian Nell, a fifth degree blackbelt in kung fu and a certified tai chi instructor, will lead the group through the gentle movements of tai chi. This class is perfect for beginners and will include an exploration of several different styles of tai chi and Qigong. The program is sponsored by Cypress Pillar Healing Arts and is suitable for ages 13 and up. Call 941-742-5923, ext. 6039, to register. A $5 participant fee is payable by cash only.

SPOTTING SHARKS FROM THE ISLAND

Learn about cartilaginous fish as the Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department turns the wildlife spotlight on sharks and rays on Tuesday, July 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. on the beach

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at the south jetty of Coquina beach.

Learn about the biology, classification and conservation of sharks, rays and their relatives. Discover the prehistory of these ancient animals, and enjoy a sunset beach walk as while searching for shark teeth. This program is suitable for adults. Reservations are required. Call 941-742-5923, ext. 6036, or e- mail elena. burke@mymanatee.org.

FOLLOW THE CULTURE

Anna Maria Island Cultural Connections, in conjunction with the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce and the Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is in the process of developing an Island Culture Map. The plans for this guide are to include both a print and digital component. It is scheduled to be released in Nov. 2018. Those interested in making recommendations for places of cultural or historical significance to be included are asked to send those in to the AMI Chamber for the Island Culture Map committee to review for consideration. Send suggestions or recommendations to info@amichamber.org.

MANAGER: Recommendation to be considered FROM PAGE 5

administer the budget and have an integral role in developing policy along with commissioners. A city manager could be hired by a majority vote of commissioners.

Boyd said the Ad Hoc Committee members all agreed that professional administrative support is needed in the city but he felt that it was more prudent to start with an administrator and see if professional leadership works well and if more was needed before changing the city charter to hire a city manager. He made the point that if the voters agree to a charter change it would take another charter change to reverse the decision if it was decided a city manager led govern-

ment wasn’t working for Holmes Beach.

Commissioner Judy Titsworth said she’s more in favor of a city administrator and providing necessary changes to the city government in degrees versus making a charter change at this time, though she does agree that it might be necessary at some point in the future.

“I’m concerned this is such a huge charter change,” she said. “I have a lot of respect for the charter as it sits.” She added that she’s not ready to give up on being able to find “good, civic minded people” to lead the city who live in Holmes Beach and who know the city, its residents, and their concerns. She said she’s also concerned with “jeopardizing the jobs of our very qualified staff.”

One part of the committee’s recommendation is to allow staff members a one year contract to prove their worth to the city manager after which the manager could either extend their contracts or bring in other staff to fill the positions.

“I’m not sold on a city manager at all but what I needed was to see how it really works,” Commissioner Carol Soustek said, thanking committee members for doing the “homework” for her.

“It’s not just our decision up here. We listen to the people out there too,” she said, adding that she hopes community members come out to voice their opinions when the matter comes back for commission discussion on a future work session agenda.

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

Ad-hoc committee member Terry Schaffer gives by the number details on how members arrived at their recommendation.

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JULY 4, 2018

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JULY 4, 2018

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

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OUTDOORS

JULY 4, 2018

Protecting and preserving the Gulf The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but seeing with new eyes.

Marcel Proust

A

s I read Jack Davis’ new novel, “Gulf, The Making of An American Sea” this quote by the seminal French novelist Marcel Proust repeatedly came to mind. Having lived on Florida’s Gulf coast for close to 40 years and been privileged to explore its rivers, bays and enigmatic estuaries, I have been captivated with its beauty and the fish that swim its waters. Over the years I’ve also explored the coastal waters of the Bahamas, Belize, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Panama and other more far flung destinations. The opportunity to expand my vision of the coastal resources we are blessed with and having the luxury of time to see them in decline has spurred an interest in working to protect this watery world. Still, being immersed in this wonderland, my sensibilities have

Reel Time RUSTY CHINNIS been unknowingly dulled by the familiarity of place. Reading “Gulf” shined a brighter light on what we have, what we’ve lost and the importance of protecting and enhancing our beguiling home.

Davis’s novel begins 150,000,000 years ago, when the geological forces of an evolving earth began shaping the Gulf we know today. In part one, he introduces us to the Calusa in Florida and the Karankawa, who inhabited present day Texas, original natives of “one of the largest estuarine regions in the world, encompassing more than two hundred estuaries and occupying nearly eight million acres." The book

then traces the impact of the early Spanish explorers, who led the way for the French and British. The descriptions of the vast schools of fish and flocks of birds that would “blacken the sky” hint at the incredible diversity and density of marine life and wildlife that once inhabited the Gulf and its estuaries.

In a chapter entitled “The Wild Fish That Tamed the Coast” Davis recounts how the tarpon, not warm weather and white sand beaches, brought the first tourists to Florida. The records are unclear about who took the first tarpon with a rod and reel. Some say it was New York Architect William Halsey Wood fishing in Pine Island Sound in 1885. Others claim it was Anthony Weston Dimock with a fish he caught at the mouth of the Homosassa River.

That first tarpon aside, the great silver fish was the impetus that intro-

SUBMITTED

SEE REEL TIME, PAGE 28

The book highlights the importance of protecting and enhancing the Gulf of Mexico.

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The talk is still about tarpon CAPTAIN DAVE WHITE

Tarpon are still being caught with regularity. Threadfin herring on an incoming and pass crabs on the outgoing is normally the recipe. The fish aren’t quite as prevalent in the passes as they were, so a bit more skill is involved when looking to hook up.

Inshore fishing is good right now, as long as it’s not the heat of the day.

Snook, trout and Spanish mackerel are readily eating pilchard under a cork or freelined.

Offshore, American red snapper are still my focus with fish up to 20 pounds being caught. We’re using live pinfish and dead sardines.

CAPTAIN RICK GRASSETT

Tarpon will still be a good option this month. Shallow water action for reds and big trout will be best early and late in the day. Some of the best action will be with trout, blues, pompano and more on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Catch and release snook fishing in the ICW at night or in the surf should also be good options.

Tarpon fishing should be good in the coastal Gulf this month, although May and June were below average for me. Record rainfall in May caused rough and dirty water causing some cancellations and poor conditions on other trips. Then red tide, fueled by runoff, reared its ugly head in June pushing large numbers of tarpon out to deeper water. Large schools of tar-

CAPTAIN DAVE WHITE | SUBMITTED

Cole Carrabba, 17, of Houston, shows off a beautiful tarpon caught with David White, of Anna Maria Charters. pon will dwindle in size and numbers to singles, doubles and small schools of post spawn fish during July.

I usually find tarpon to be aggressive in July, with spawning completed and after a long migration, they usually feed aggressively. I also find them to be more curious this time of the year, often swinging closer to check out the sound of a landing bait, lure or fly. Spin anglers will do best by setting up in travel lanes and drifting live baits under floats while staying ready to sight cast to fish that may pop up with no notice.

The DOA Baitbuster is my go to lure for tarpon. The DOA Swimming Mullet, 4-inch Shrimp, Airhead and CAL 4-inch swim bait are also good choices depending on the situation. I like the

Owner Beast hook with the Airhead and CAL swim bait. It is easier to penetrate a hard tarpon mouth with a single sharp hook rather than a treble hook.

This is my favorite time to fly fish for tarpon. The tactics are the same as earlier in the season, anchoring or staking out on travel routes, although fish are in a better mood. Unlike the large tarpon schools that we see around full and new moon phases in June, July fish are usually aggressive.

Large schools of tarpon are impressive, but if you spook the lead fish, you will spook all of them.

Tarpon will thin out towards the end of the month as they begin to move to SEE CAPTAINS, PAGE 28

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JULY 4, 2018

CAPTAINS: The talk is still about tarpon FROM PAGE 27

inside waters of Sarasota Bay, Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor.

They move into these areas to rest and feed following spawning. They can be targeted in these areas with flies, a variety of DOA lures or live bait. Also look for tarpon feeding in schools of breaking ladyfish in these areas.

Catch and release snook fishing will also be a good option this month. With very warm water this time of year, it is important to use tackle heavy enough to land them quickly. Spin anglers should do well fishing lighted docks and bridges in the ICW with CAL jigs with shad tails or jerk worms or DOA shrimp. Fly anglers should do well with clear intermediate sink tip lines and wide profile flies, such as Lefty’s Deceiver or EP flies, since larger baitfish may be more predominant. Docks and bridges close to passes should be the best ones. You’ll also find snook in the

surf, where you can walk along the beach and sight cast to them in shallow water. The same lures and flies that work at night usually also work in the surf, although be observant of the size baits that are present in the area you are fishing so you can match the hatch.

You’ll find reds very active in shallow water this month. With plentiful baitfish and higher tides, they’ll spend more time feeding over shallow grass flats. Look for them along the edges of bars or in potholes when the tide is low or along mangrove shorelines and around oyster bars when the tide is high. You’ll also find big trout in many of the same areas where you find reds, but the bite for big trout is usually best early or late in the day. Surface walking top water plugs or fly poppers and Gurglers may draw some big explosions!

Casting CAL jigs with shad tails or jerk worms ahead of your boat is a good way to locate reds. Trout

CAPTAIN RICK GRASSETT | SUBMITTED

Jeb Mulock, from Bradenton, caught and released this tarpon on a fly while fishing the coastal Gulf with Capt. Rick Grassett. will be plentiful on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. I like to drift and cast ahead of my drift with CAL jigs and shad tails or jerk worms, DOA Deadly Combos or Ultra Hair Clouser flies tied on long shank hooks on sink tip fly lines to find them. A drift anchor will slow your

drift to a more manageable speed if it’s windy. Look for birds or baitfish on the surface to find fish.

You may also find Spanish mackerel, blues, pompano and more mixed with trout on deep grass flats. Flats close to passes or on points that get good tidal flow, like

the Middleground, Radio Tower and Marina Jack flats or Stephens and Bishop Points are usually productive.

In addition to tarpon, you might find false albacore (little tunny), tripletail or cobia in the coastal Gulf this month. Look for albies feeding on the surface. You might even find a stray king mackerel in the mix around feeding frenzies.

I have seen large schools of albies blitz the beach while tarpon fishing this time of year. They are usually feeding on larger baits, such as threadfins or pilchards, so flies and lures should be sized accordingly.

You might even find cobia swimming with tarpon or cruising bars in shallow water along the beach.

You can use your tarpon fly or spin tackle for cobia, but a medium spinning outfit or an 8 to 9-weight fly rod will be better suited for mackerel and albies.

REEL TIME: Protecting and preserving the Gulf FROM PAGE 26

duced wealthy adventurers, artists and, indirectly, a wave of tourists to the Gulf coast.

In subsequent chapters, the influx of humans into the Gulf region begins a period of intense exploitation in the 1800s that continues to this day. Davis recounts records of armed passengers – “tourists” – on the Ocklawaha River that shot birds and wildlife indiscriminately for sport. At the same time, the plume trade was responsible for the killing of huge numbers of birds Gulf-wide. In 1902, one trade house reported an inventory of 50,000 ounces of feathers. At about that time ornithologist Frank Chapman spent two

afternoons walking Manhattan’s retail district counting 542 feathered hats representing 174 species of birds.

During this same period the harvesting of eggs from seabird nests exacerbated the decline of the once vast flocks of birds. Davis paints a picture with words that makes it hard to overstate the effects of this dark period.

Fortunately, this gloomy picture is brightened by the light ignited by the resulting outcry from conservationists and birders. As a result, bird sanctuaries were set aside by an executive order from President Theodore Roosevelt for the protection of birds, and chapters of the National Audubon Society were born,

including the Florida Chapter in 1900. During that period TR fostered the creation of 51 bird reservations, including Passage Key at the mouth of Tampa Bay. As the history of the Gulf unfolded, the exploitation moved from birds to oil and then chemicals that devastated the coastal estuaries of Louisiana and Mississippi. Davis then recounts the effects of pulp mills, oil spills and hurricanes before the rush of development that resulted in massive dredge and fill operations. This rush to the Gulf coastal areas scoured seagrasses from bay bottoms, leveled thousands of acres of marshes and mangroves creating islands and communi-

ties (Marco Island, Cape Coral, Bird Key and Terra Verde) where natural abundance once dominated.

While much of the book centers on the degradation of the Gulf and its bays, estuaries and barrier islands, it also points out its resilience and serves as a cautionary tale of the importance of protecting, preserving and enhancing it today. As a result of reading this book, I’m reminded that most of us who call the Gulf home today and consider it paradise have no idea of the paradise that’s been lost.

"Gulf, The Making of an American Sea" is helping me to see my home with new eyes.

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JULY 4, 2018

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Students earn fishing trip The fishing trip occurred during Athletic Director John Syre’s final week as an Island resident.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

CORTEZ – On Monday, June 18, the Eddy Lee Z took out a boat full of passengers for a sixhour offshore fishing charter, departing from the Swordfish Grill in Cortez.

Among those on board was King Middle School’s Melissa Weber – the school’s 2018 female Stokes Captain Lance Award winner. and crew did not The annual Stokes Awards are given to disappoint, and the female and male student deemed as everybody went that year’s most valuable studenthome with fish to athletes. Melissa was joined by her dad, eat and plenty of Ken Weber.

Cortez Deep Sea memories.”

Fishing charters also donated a trip that day to former Stokes Jon Syre, Award winner Athletic Director Brooke Capparelli, who now works at the Swordfish Grill while attending high school.

Weber and Capparelli are former students of King Middle School teacher and Athletic Director Jon Syre. Syre said his role on the fishing excursion was to coach the rookie fishermen and assist the crew with the fish caught.

“Captain Lance and crew did not disappoint, and everybody went home with fish to eat and plenty of memories,” Syre said.

Last weekend marked Syre’s final one as a Bradenton Beach resident.

“I’m moving into town to save some money. I will always call Bradenton Beach home, and I will remain a regular at the Tingley Library and

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Jon Syre, Melissa Weber and her dad, Ken Weber, enjoyed a successful day of fishing last week. the Bridge Street businesses,” Syre said.

“I want to thank the residents, city officials, police and fire departments and business owners for making my time in Bradenton Beach a beautiful working staycation. Most of all, I want to thank the Island students and parents for sharing my endeavors and helping to educate our future leaders,” he said.

CHARTER: Process continues FROM PAGE 16

deal of time at their first two meetings debating a possible return to geographically based commission wards. Members Debra Cox, Anne Leister and Randy Milton support a return to the four-ward system eliminated by city voters last fall. A two-ward system requiring two commissioners each from the north and south sides of the Cortez Bridge has also been discussed. CRC chair Mary Bell and member Dan Morhaus oppose

a return to a ward system in part because it’s been hard to find candidates in some wards in recent years.

Cox, Leister, Milton and Morhaus do not support for hiring a full-time city manager. Bell expressed interest in at least researching the idea, but during the June 21 meeting she said hiring a full-time city manager with benefits and a city vehicle could cost as much as $200,000 per year.

CRC members will again discuss requiring City Commission candi-

dates to provide additional documentation to verify their status as a city resident. They will also continue their discussion on how vacant commission seats are filled.

During previous meetings, the members felt eliminating commission appointments would cause unwanted delays in filling vacant seats while subjecting taxpayers to the additional cost of conducting special elections.

The July 9 meeting will start at 9 a.m.

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JULY 4, 2018

Tiny shredders learn to rip

I

t isn't exactly the North Shore but the little surfers at West Coast Surf Shop's Surf Camp on Anna Maria Island could care less as they carve up the mini-breakers. The shop is holding its annual camp despite a fire in April that has closed the business until repairs can be made.

PHOTOS BY CINDY LANE

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JULY 4, 2018

County says prepare now The hurricane season got off to an early start and Manatee County Emergency Management urges residents to expect the unthinkable.

BY TOM VAUGHT SUN STAFF WRITER | tvaught@amisun.com

BRADENTON – With one hurricane under our belt, the Manatee County Emergency Management wants to make sure the media knows how to interact with them when the next storm heads our way.

Members of the press attended an open house at the emergency management center at 2101 47th Terrace East on Wednesday, June 20.

Manatee County Information Outreach Manager Nicholas Azzara introduced Chief of Emergency Management Sherilyn Burris.

“Last year’s experience with Hurricane Irma should have been a wakeup call,” she said. “Make your plans today. Make sure your family knows where to go and if you don’t have to evacuate, have supplies on hand to live without power and water for a while.

“Don’t wait until the storm is headed our way because the stores will run out fast,” she added.

TOM VAUGHT | SUN

Above, county workers make sandbags. At right, National Weather Service Meteorologist Dan Noah, Chief of Emergency Management Sherilyn Burris, Manatee County Information Outreach Manager Nicholas Azzara and sign language specialist Isaac Stanley. nBurris urged special needs people to sign up with the county online at https://www.mymanatee. org/departments/public_safety/ emergency_management/special_ needs_registry/.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Dan Noah talked about storm surges, flooding, and making sure you have a place to go when the water rises.

“More people die from high water

than high winds,” he said.

Last year, as Governor Rick Scott gave televised updates on weather systems, his sign language interpreter was inexperienced and caused confusion among those with hearing problems and Burris said Manatee County had hired King Interpreting Services to provide signing services.

Azzara introduced Isaac Stanley, of King Interpreting Services, who

provided sign language interpretation during the open house.

Finally, the county has five new sandbagging machines that load sand into bags and sew them shut with help from public works personnel.

Last year, the county filled 150,000 sand bags to distribute for Hurricane Irma but people waited hours to get them. Officials said it should go faster this year.

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JULY 4, 2018

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BIRD TIPS

NESTING NEWS

TURTLE 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.

• If birds are screeching and flying at you, you’re too close.

• Avoid posted bird nesting areas and use designated walkways to the beach.

• Keep pets away from bird nesting areas.

• Keep the beach clean; food scraps attract predators such as raccoons and crows to the beach, and litter can entangle birds and other wildlife.

• If you see people disturbing nesting birds, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404FWCC (3922).

Turtle nests laid: 330 False crawls: 399 Nests hatched: 0 Not hatched: 2 Nests remaining: 328 Hatchlings to Gulf: 0 Nest disorientations: 0

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

Source: Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring

TURTLE TALKS Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring will host free Turtle Talks each Tuesday in July at 10 a.m. at CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, and on Thursday, July 19 at 6 p.m. at Waterline Marina Resort, 5325 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

The 30-minute program will highlight 35 years of surveying sea turtle nesting on Anna Maria Island beaches using photos, videos and true stories.

Free children’s activity books, temporary turtle tattoos and handouts will be available.

For more information, call 941-7785638.

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REAL ESTATE

JULY 4, 2018

Forget the plastic flowers T

oday is the 4th of July, and as it does every year, our country celebrates its independence with a display of fireworks and a genuine sense of thanks. So, don’t forget when selling your home to also keep it as genuine as you can, and don’t do what a former listing client of mine did.

Many years ago, more than I care to mention, my partner and I were very excited to be making a listing presentation on a large home with over 400 feet of waterfront, which we knew would be in the multimillion-dollar range. Much to our surprise as we were approaching the front door, we were horrified to see the flower boxes contained plastic geraniums. Right then we knew we were in trouble.

High end homes can present sellers and brokers with difficult challenges. In addition to making sure the home is presented well and staged to its advantage, the list price also has to be presented well or as some sellers are experimenting with a price

Castles in the Sand LOUISE BOLGER upon request strategy, which is actually the business model for many commercial properties.

The theory of not placing a firm listing price on a property is to create a degree of privacy from nosy friends and neighbors, but also to cultivate a sense of mystique or exclusivity around the property. It’s not really a new technique but goes back to when it was unfashionable to talk about what your home was being listed for. Kind of like a restaurant were there aren’t any pries on the menu; if you have to ask you can’ afford it. It’s also similar to a strategy used some years back where home were

listed with a range, for example $1,000,000 to $1,500,000. Go ahead and pick a number, and see what happens.

It does give sellers and brokers the ability and time to test the market and perhaps place a firm listing number on the property in the future. The concept also is valuable for spec homes that may not be completely built, especially in a market that is in flux.

Part of me really likes the idea of price upon request listings, especially now, where real estate purchasers are very savvy and most of the time know the value of the property.

Another marketing concept starting to get some traction is home trade-ins. A California startup company called Open Door Labs is working with new home builders to offer buyers a trade-in feature. The plan allows new home buyers to go forward without having to worry about the hassle of selling the existing home. The process replicates the experience of buying a new car, boat and even cell phones, all of which

offer trade-in options.

Open Door Labs already has a program to purchase homes for cash and flips them, so this new aspect is an extension of its existing business. The company expects to have roughly 20 markets around the county using the trade-in program by the end of the year. Is this a good thing for new home buyers? It could be, especially if the home isn’t selling and the new home closing date is looming, in addition to taking the stress out of the transaction.

My waterfront listing never sold, at least not when I had the listing. I would like to say it was all about the plastic geraniums, but the house had many other flaws that just couldn’t be overcome even with spectacular waterfront. Keep my little story in mind if you’re selling a home with beautiful waterfront thinking that’s what’s going to sell the house. It’s really only one feature among many.

Happy Independence Day.

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JULY 4, 2018

FLIPPERS AND FEATHERS

The only time a male loggerhead sea turtle is likely to feel land under its four flippers is when it hatches from its nest on a sandy beach and

crawls to the sea. After that, it stays in the water for the rest of its life.

Females leave the sea and come ashore only to nest.

THE SUN

Protect birds this July 4 Rare and declining shorebirds depend on Anna Maria Island beaches to nest and raise young during this time of year. With the influx of visitors on Independence Day, Audubon asks beachgoers and boaters to respect birds and their habitat.

Disturbances like unofficial fireworks may cause parent birds to flush from nests, leaving chicks and eggs exposed. The hot Florida sun can cook eggs and chicks to death, and predators can devastate nesting colonies without the protection of moms and dads.

"Fireworks near nesting areas can terrify the birds and puts the lives of the fluffy chicks and eggs at risk. They also litter our beaches and waterways with entangling debris," said Dr. Marianne Korosy, Audubon Florida’s director of bird conservation. "By attending official displays and following these easy tips, birds and people can enjoy Florida’s beaches together."

Many nesting sites are well-marked on Florida beaches to help protect them from disturbance, and a single disturbance can destroy an entire colony. Audubon urges beachgoers and boaters to follow these tips to safely enjoy our beaches and share the shores with birds:

PETE GROSS | SUBMITTED

A baby snowy plover on AMI • Respect posted areas, even if you don't see birds inside them.

• Give colony islands some room when fishing.

• Dispose of trash, fishing line and tackle appropriately.

• Avoid disturbing birds. If birds take flight or appear agitated, you are too close.

• Keep dogs off the beach; it is illegal to have a dog on Anna Maria Island beaches.

• Do not feed birds or wildlife.

• Leave the fireworks at home and attend an official display instead.

• Beach-nesting birds sometimes nest outside of posted areas. If you notice birds circling noisily over your head, you may be near a nesting colony. Please give them some space.

Call us for all your sales or rental needs!

REAL ESTATE INC.

519 Pine Ave. • Anna Maria, FL 34216

HOLMES BEACH: 5201 Gulf Drive • ELLENTON: 945 25th Drive East, Suite 10

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941-778-7200 Toll Free (866) 519-SATO (7286) www.SatoRealEstate.com

"Island faces selling Island places"

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BURGLARY: Then brutality on AMI FROM PAGE 1

systems in the 75th Street area also are encouraged to contact the police to see if their systems could have caught a glimpse of the suspect entering or leaving the area.

With the suspect still at-large, the HBPD asks that everyone make sure to secure their properties while at home and away. Residents and visitors should make sure all doors and windows are locked, garage doors are secure and valuables are kept out of plain sight to discourage any would-be robbers from attempting to enter the home. Anyone with a home surveillance or alarm system should make sure the systems are engaged when residents are away from the premises.

If you observe any suspicious activity in your area, contact the HBPD.

www.amisun.com

JULY 4, 2018

www.amisun.com

JULY 4, 2018

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37

Monsters filled the library

BY TOM VAUGHT SUN STAFF WRITER | tvaught@amisun.com

The theme for the Island Branch Library’s preschool story time on Tuesday, June 19, was “Monsters,” and a bunch of kids and their mothers turned out for a fun time.

Every Tuesday morning from 10 to 11, the meeting room at the Island Branch Library turns into “Romper Room” with kids and their parents watching, listening and participating in preschool story time.

Children’s services librarian Callie Hutchison was gone to another assignment and new staffer Mary Frush, who had been a children’s services librarian at another library, stood in on June 19.

Monsters are a sensitive subject for kids when some of them have a fear of having one under their beds or in their closets. The best way to handle it was to make them look scary but funny and vulnerable.

Frush talked to the kids about monsters between reading stories that reinforced the vulnerability of monsters.

Their parents would likely agree they would not have the session to promote any nightmares.

TOM VAUGHT | SUN

Left, Chanell Lancer with her 16-month-old son, Bayly’s monster artwork. Right, the colorful silk scarves were a treat for the kids to wave, toss in the air and chase.

Frush sang some songs in between books, and kids got up and played with some colorful silk cloths.

After that, they convened to some tables to make up their own monster faces with the help of their parents or guardians.

Chanell Lancer, who brought her 16-month-old son, Bayly, praised the sessions.

“When you have kids that are this age, you like to find something to keep them active,” she said. “And they learn things.”

Cathy Loveless was here on vacation from Kentucky with her son, Logan Winchester.

“This is our first time on Anna Maria Island, but we try to find things like this wherever we go,” she said. “This was fun.”

LO C A L LY K N OW N . G LO B A L LY C O N N E C T E D.

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS AND CONTINUING TO GROW Celebrating our second year on the island, the Michael Saunders & Company Anna 1EVME -WPERH SJ½GI I\TVIWWIW SYV KVEXMXYHI to residents and visitors for your business.

OUR ANNA MARIA ISLAND OFFICE

SINCE OPENING TWO YEARS AGO

101 PALMETTO | $4,260,000 811 N SHORE DR | $3,200,000 520 BAYVIEW PLACE | $1,840,000 1282 GULF OF MEXICO DR | $1,500,000 207 FIR AVE | $1,500,000 217 MAGNOLIA | $1,495,000 524 VILLA ROSA WAY | $1,350,000 113 LOS CEDROS | $1,240,000 535 SANCTUARY COVE | $1,237,500 504 75TH ST | $1,175,000

Surpassing last year, Michael Saunders & Company significantly increased total sales, growing our overall market share of island properties. Being part of the fabric of this great community has brought us full circle, with the goal of TVSZMHMRK I\GITXMSREP WIVZMGI XS FY]IVW and sellers across the market. It has been our pleasure representing record sales and achievements in such a short time, and it would not be possible without the support of this great community. :MWMX SYV SJ½GI XS I\TPSVI ]SYV VIEP IWXEXI STXMSRW [MXL SRI SJ SYV PSGEP I\TIVXW [LS proudly live, work and play on the island.

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

811 N SHORE DR | SOLD FOR $3,200,000

524 VILLA ROSA WAY | SOLD FOR $1,350,000

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504 75TH ST | SOLD FOR $1,175,000

6000 MARINA DRIVE • HOLMES BEACH, FL 34217 • 941.896.9981

8 8 8 . 552 . 52 2 8

michaelsaunders.com L I C E N S E D R E A L E S TAT E B R O K E R

38

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www.amisun.com

Natives in Bloom Just in time for the Fourth of July, the firecracker bush, or firebush, is in bloom on Anna Maria Island. But the real native is solid red, while the red flowers with yellow tips are a non-native version, according to Mike Miller, of PerfectIsland.org.

CINDY LANE | SUN

CINDY LANE | SUN

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JULY 4, 2018

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39

MIKE FIELD | SUN

Beach rainbow A late afternoon thunderstorm produced this rainbow over the Gulf of Mexico off Anna Maria Island.

40

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR From Page 7

brary, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.

Sunset tai chi, Robinson Preserve NEST, 1704 99th St. NW, Bradenton, 6 p.m., $5 cash only.

Reserve to 941-742-5923, ext. 6039.

Wildlife spotlight, sharks and rays, Coquina Beach south jetty, 2650 Gulf Dr. S., Bradenton Beach, 6 p.m. Reserve to 941-742-5923, ext. 6036.

WEDNESDAY JULY 11

Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce sunrise breakfast, Gulf Drive Café, 900 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach, 7:30 a.m., $8 for members or $16 for prospective members.

Reserve to 941-778-1541 or info@amichamber.org.

Painting with a fish, The Folk School at Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, 9:30 a.m., $38.

Gentle chair yoga, Anna Maria Island Art League, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach, noon.

Coloring club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, noon.

THURSDAY JULY 12

Veteran services information, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 9 a.m.

Roser-Robics chair-based exercise class, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m.

Zumba and mat pilates for seniors, The Paradise Center, 567 Bay Isles Rd., Longboat Key,10 a.m., $10 per class. Reserve to maryannbrady@theparadisecenter.org or 941-383-6493.

Tampa Taiko drums, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

Back to the Future: Community Visioning Project, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m.

Jam in the Sand, Anna Maria Island Beach Café, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 5 to 8 p.m.

FRIDAY JULY 13

Roser-Robics chair-based exercise class, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m.

Forty Carrots, Island Branch Library, 5701

Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

Intermediate bridge session, The Paradise Center, 567 Bay Isles Rd., Longboat Key, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., $10, includes coffee and cookies. Reserve to maryannbrady@theparadisecenter.org or 941-383-6493.

Mahjong, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.

Alzheimer’s caregiver support group, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.

Sunset drum circle, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

SATURDAY JULY 14

Sun spotting, Robinson Preserve NEST, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m.

NEST Nature Days, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.

Sourdough culture class, The Folk School at Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, 10 a.m., $38.

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

Healing meditation, Anna Maria Island Art League, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach, 11 a.m.

LEGO day, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.

SUNDAY JULY 15

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

For information call 941-518-4431.

MONDAY JULY 16

Social bridge games, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, noon.

TUESDAY JULY 17

Roser-Robics chair-based exercise class, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m.

Preschool storytime, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

Yoga and meditation, The Paradise Center, 567 Bay Isles Rd., Longboat Key, 10 a.m., $10.

Reserve to 941-383-6493 or maryannbrady@ theparadisecenter.org.

Mahjong, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.

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JULY 4, 2018

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41

MAYOR: Holmes Beach candidates FROM PAGE 4

vacation rental properties. She’d like to add rental properties to the list of problem properties that have more than three complaints recorded.

The code enforcement initiative has officers greet incoming visitors to certain properties where multiple noise complaints have been called in to the Holmes Beach Police Department to inform renters of the city’s policies and regulations. One addition she’d like to see to the city’s ordinances would be the implementation of technology to monitor noise at vacation rental properties.

Her suggestion is to give property owners a break on the price of their vacation rental certificate application to encourage use of the technology which she thinks could help people be more aware of their auditory impact on the surrounding residential neighbors.

Another staff initiative would be to make sure someone in each department is trained to move up to more advanced positions so if something happened, such as the building official leaving, an existing staff member would be prepared to be promoted to give the city continuity.

Titsworth also would like for commission members to use their liaison positions more effectively and work as a team with staff to keep everyone apprised of new information.

“The city is better off if everyone knows what’s going on,” she said.

Another priority would be to update the city’s emergency management plan to provide better coordination for staff, property owners and residents during both a storm and recovery efforts.

“One of my missions is to make sure we’re fully prepared,” Titsworth said.

Other items to tackle include balancing the city’s budget and improving efficiency without putting the city in financial danger or placing burdens on property owners, clearing out Bert Harris claims and upholding the city charter and comprehensive plans.

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www.amisun.com

BRADY: Island celebrates legendary family FROM PAGE 1

Webb said they got the idea for the fundraiser like so many others.

“We were sitting at Duffy’s having some beers, and we decided it would be a great idea,” he said. “Then the girls took it over and handled the details.”

One of those women was Janae Rudacille, who praised the volunteers for their hard work.

Duffy’s Tavern and The Chiles Group restaurants provided the food. Duffy’s co-owner Peggy Davenport served liquor during the event, and Ed Chiles visited the event with his wife, Tina.

“This is another example of the community pulling together to help one of their own,” Chiles said. “The Bradys have been around for years and they have contributed to the fund-raisers with donations and labor.”

Trevor Bystrom and Kristie Armas, Chuck Caudill and Kettle of Fish provided the music.

Jim Brady posed for photos and spoke with people he hadn’t seen in years.

“I’m amazed at the turnout,” he said. “We want to thank everybody who showed up and hope to see you when we reopen.”

TOM VAUGHT | SUN

Clockwise from above, The entrance to the auditorium had a surfing theme to it.

Jim Brady with Ben Webb.

Trevor Bystrom and Kristie Armas play in front of the “Rise above the flames” sign on the stage at The Center.

Performer Chuck Caudill played some surfing songs.

Ava Copenhaven shows off future classic T-shirts for the silent auction.

JULY 4, 2018

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JULY 4, 2018

OBITUARIES Raymond Anthony Arado Raymond Anthony Arado, 87, of Grand Junction, Colo.,passed away Sunday, June 24, 2018, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born Jan. 17, 1931, to Thomas and Mabel (Segale) Arado in Chicago, Ill. He worked at First National Bank of Chicago for 33 years. After retiring, Ray and his wife Susan spent their years with family and dear friends between their Silver Lake and Anna Maria Island homes. Ray was an amazing husband, dad and papa. He will be forever in our hearts.

Raymond will be remembered and loved by his wife of 53 years – Susan Arado, children – David Raymond and Lisa (Robert) Goril, five grandchildren – Amber (Ben) McNulty, Amanda (Steve) Crowell, Amy (Toby) Hasson, and Bobby (Heather) and Eric (Samantha) Goril, and six great grandchildren – Killian McNulty, Duke Crowell, Jade, Owen, and Ethan Hasson, and Grayson Goril.

A celebration of Ray’s life and mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 21, 2018, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father German Perez officiating. Raymond will be laid to rest at Grand Junction Cemetery. Contributions may be made in Raymond’s memory to the Caring Circle Hospice at Home, 05055 Blue Star Highway, South Haven, Mich. 49090. Kindly share your

BEACH BEAT ANNA MARIA

6/21, possession of cannabis under 20 grams, Gulf Drive and Magnolia Avenue. The deputy observed the suspect run a stop sign, and he stopped her. As he approached the vehicle, he smelled burnt cannabis When he asked her if there was anything illegal in the vehicle, she replied no. She said the interior must have smelled like marijuana because she smoked some with fellow employees where she worked earlier. The deputy requested and got backup and initiated a search of the vehicle. As the driver vacated the vehicle, she admitted there was some marijuana on a scale in the center console. The officer ticketed the driver and had her call

thoughts and memories on the family’s online guestbook at www.FilbrandtFFH.com. The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home in South Haven, 637-0333.

Harriett Frances Dawson Keyser Harriett Frances Dawson Keyser, of Holmes Beach, Fla., passed away peacefully on June 17, 2018. She was 106 years young.

She attended Simmons College in Boston, Mass., where she earned a BS degree in mathematics and physics. On May 5, 1934, she married her high school sweetheart, Robert Keyser.

Moving to York, Me, Hal remained at home to help raise her four children. In 1954, they moved to Port Clinton, Ohio, where they remained until retirement in 1976.

Their next adventure was running their boat, HAL IV, from Ohio to Anna Maria Island Fla. They docked their boat at Galati’s Marina and lived aboard for 10 years. In 1986, they purchased a home at 508 65th St. in Holmes Beach. In Feb. 1998, after celebrating 63 years of marriage, her devoted husband, Robert, passed away.

Hal remained on the Island and embraced her status of matriarch of her entire family. One of her favorite family attributes was having five generations of first born girls all living close by; Beryl Love (daughter), Rosanne Tennyson(granddaughter), Danielle Vulgan (great granddaughter) and Emery Vulgan (great great granddaughter).

She is survived by three children, Beryl Love-Rosche, William Keyser (Joan) and Bruce Keyser (Sandi); 15

home for a ride.

6/23, information, the Gulf of Mexico west of the Sandbar restaurant. A swimmer got caught up in a big wave. She was pulled from the water,resuscitated

by EMS and taken to Blake Medical Center.

BRADENTON BEACH No new reports.

CORTEZ

6/26, battery, possession of a controlled substance, 4327 127th St. W. The deputy responded to a domestic batter and arrested the male. He damaged the patrol car on the way to jail, and the deputy found some Oxycodone in his pocket when they got there.

HOLMES BEACH

6/22, theft, 33rd Street beach access. The victim’s wallet was stolen from her car

THE SUN

grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren; and 18 great great grandchildren Hal is predeceased by Robert Alden Geyser (husband), William Emory Dawson (brother), Robert Dawson Keyser (son), Bradley Paul Keyser (grandson) and her special sisters, Audrey Gillette Milne and Marie Janet Dawson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Roser Memorial Church, P.O. Box 247, Anna Maria, FL 34206, or the American Cancer Society.

A memorial service to celebrate her amazing life will be held at Roser Memorial Church, 512 Pine, Anna Maria, on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, at 2 p.m.

Babette S Moore Babette S Moore, age 49, passed away April 5, 2018 at home on 67th Street. She was a long-time resident of Holmes Beach and truly embraced the Island and beach lifestyle. She was from Virginia where she worked in nursing homes and day support centers for those people with special needs, as this was her passion helping and caring for others and this always touched her heart. She was a kind vibrant woman with a special sparkle who made everyone feel special and just glad to be around her. She was a rock star in life and it was a joy to have spent the last 10 years sharing in this journey and loving her. She will be missed with every breath. Babette is survived by her partner of 10 years, Stephanie Comfort, and her 3 kitties.

Her ashes will be spread at a later date.

Brown & Sons, of Bradenton, took care of the arrangements. Rest in peace and

while she was at the beach.

6/23, camping within city limits, Kingfish Boat Ramp, 752 Manatee Ave. The officer found the person sleeping at a picnic table.

6/23, battery, 3007 Gulf Drive, the Anchor Inn. A woman who was possibly intoxicated fought EMS personnel trying to treat her. She was hospitalized and arrested when she awoke.

6/25, trespass warning, Publix, 3900 East Bay Drive. An intoxicated man asked the store manager to call the police to have them drive him home. He was bleeding and told the officer he had fought with his girlfriend, and she left him. The store manager asked to officer to trespass the subject so he wouldn’t bother patrons.

6/25, battery on a law enforcement officer, obstructing an officer with violence, AMI Beach Café, 4000 Gulf Drive. Police responded to a request to remove a

43

ride on a rolle coaster.

John S. 'Jack' Weber John S. (Jack) Weber, a resident of Holmes Beach, Fla., was taken peacefully by his Lord and Savior, whom he adored and worshipped on June 25, 2018, after an extended illness.

Jack was born March 1, 1929, to the late John Shea Weber, Sr. and Alice G. Weber He was a graduate of Father Ryan High School, class of ’47, in Nashville Tenn. He received an honorable discharge from the U. S. Army, having served in the Korean Campaign where he earned the Combat Infantry Badge Commendation. He was a member of the St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Longboat Key, Fla., where he performed in the choir.

A memorial service is scheduled for July 21, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Dreyfus Weber. He is survived by two devoted daughters, Elizabeth A. Weber-Woodwell, of Jensen Beach, FL, and Lynn Weber, of Stuart, Fla.; a granddaughter, Kristen Nichol Prussing; great-grandchildren, Kyla Elizabeth Prussing and Liam Christopher Prussing, of Jensen Beach, Fla.; and stepson, Glen Gore (Carol), of Clyde, N.C. He also leaves 11 brothers, sisters, brothers and sisters-in-law, numerous aunts, uncles cousins and friends. The family would like to express deep appreciation for the services of Dr. DeGroat and the kindness of Judy and Marion Duncan, of Anna Maria Island, during this time of need.

man who was bothering beach patrons.

The officers trespassed him, and he refused to leave. After they arrested him, he fought them as they tried to put him in a patrol car. He was finally subdued and went to jail.

6/26, Driving with no registration, 4000 Gulf Drive. The officer spotted the suspect vehicle leaving the beach parking lot with no license plate or lights and stopped him. The driver said he was from Indiana and had gotten kicked out of his apartment and he had thrown his possessions in the car that he purchased but had not registered with the state. The officer had him bundle his belongings and gave him a ride to the Salvation Army. His car was towed.

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FUN IN THE SUN

Across 1 Like many superheroes 6 Paper items 10 Rock-blasting equipment 14 Kind of acid used in food flavoring 15 Dos x dos x dos 16 Indian garb 17 Origami academy?

19 Chimney liner 20 Victorian, e.g.

21 Erelong 22 Physicist who left Italy in 1938 to protect his Jewish wife 23 Exhaust from the carnival food tent?

27 Hand over 28 Small wake maker 29 Cowboy, at times 32 Scary beach phenomenon?

37 Pitcher with no arms 38 Backbone 40 Forest grazers 41 Garment tailored to flatter your waist?

43 Growing things 44 Quotable boxer 45 Story 47 Divisive politician?

53 Filmmaker born Konigsberg 54 Barbarian 55 Nickname derived from "Mortgage Association" 58 Glasses, in adspeak 59 Boldness, and a hint to five long puzzle answers 62 Yonder thing 63 Hawaiian island

64 She turned Odysseus' crew to swine 65 Antoinette preposition 66 Highland hats 67 Toys on strings Down 1 Tea and cake purveyor 2 Deity with a bow 3 Rice dish 4 Finish 5 Set of related documents 6 Optimism opposite 7 Prefix suggesting affordability 8 Journalist's question 9 Fa-la link 10 Factory equipment, e.g.

11 "The Piano" extra 12 Publicity video 13 Peaceful protest 18 Electrical supply 22 Symbols of wealth 24 Bitter 25 Meat cut 26 Exit __ 29 Penalty caller 30 Talkative "Winnie the Answers to 06-27-18 Crossword Puzzle.

Pooh" character 31 Edible sphere 32 Able 33 Lazybones 34 Unappealing viscous material 35 The Beatles' "I Saw __ Standing There" 36 Org. using wands 38 Aria, usually 39 Royal annoyance?

42 Biblical brother 43 Orator's skill 45 Fertile Crescent waterway 46 Farming prefix 47 Some protests 48 Top dog 49 Unarmed, to a cop 50 Modern messages 51 End of a giant sequence 52 Nail-filing abrasive 56 With the bow, on a score 57 Watchers 59 Life-saving pro 60 Airport org.

61 Spanish uncle

JULY 4, 2018

JULY 4, 2018

CLASSIFIED

ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMMERCIAL SALES

FACE PAINTER/PORTRAIT ARTIST Island student artist, reasonable price for parties, events, and special portraits. Call/text Lillian 210-380-9691

WAREHOUSE: 9300 sq ft possible Machine Shop with Heavy Duty Elect. Or Car Storage, So many Possibilities. Near SRQ Airport. $629,000 RESORT: 13 UNITS $4,999,000 Bradenton Beach. Island Real Estate Alan Galletto 941-232-2216

FREE PANASONIC FAX Machine. Call 941-778-3986 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. Donations boxes are located at the Church, Moose Club, and Walgreen’s.

BOATS: SALES & RENTALS ISLAND BOAT SALES No Listing Contracts, No Time Constraints, No Hassle. “Business On A Hand Shake” We Also Buy Boats. Dave 941-228-3489

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 TOTAL HOME SERVICE CLEANING : Residential, Commercial & Rentals.

Professional and Reliable. Call 941-756-4570 THOMPSON CLEANING SERVICE CommercialResidential-Marine.

Island Based Company.

Seasonal Deep Cleaning-Weekly-Occasional.

Call for Free Estimate.

317-908-9483 AUTHORITY ONE SERVICES. Residential/Commercial/Vacation Rentals & Construction Cleaning.

Also Power Washing, Windows, Paver Sealing & Roof Cleaning.

Ask about your Senior Citizens Discount Call 941-251-5948 or 941565-3931

Call us today! 941-778-3986

TWO COMMERCIAL SPACES for Lease. Great Visibility on Very Busy Street in Holmes Beach.

Lots of parking. First space 1045sf at $3050/ mo. Second space 1357sf at $3950/mo.

5702 Marina Dr. Call Today! 812-679-6507.

Won't Last Long!

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

EMPLOYMENT

LOOKING FOR A PERSONABLE, Energetic person with excellent Customer Service skills and Must Work Well with Others.

Position includes cash register usage, stocking merchandise and light cleaning. Retail Position Green Turtle Shell & Gift Shop Call manager 813-409-7540

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

GARAGE, MOVING, RUMMAGE & YARD SALES ROSER THRIFT SHOP Open 9:30am-2pm, Tuesday, Thursday. 10am-1pm Saturday Donations preferred 9am-11am Wednesdays.

511 Pine Ave., Anna Maria.

Phone 941-779-2733

HAULING SITE CLEAN-UP to trash outs we can handle it all.

Call us for your dumpsters/ trash needs today 941-7538772

HOME IMPROVEMENTS TILE! TILE! TILE! All variations of tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship. Prompt, reliable, many Island references. Free estimates.

Neil 941-726-3077 RENOVATION SPECALIST ALL carpentry repairs, Wash Family Construction, locally owned and operated CBC 1258250 Call 941-7250073.

KERN CONSTRUCTION NEW Homes & Remodel.

Design/Build. Since 1968.

License # CRC1327296.

Call Jerry Kern 941-7781115 www.kernconstructioninc.com WALY PRECISION PAINTING: painting, drywall, stucco, and remodeling, commercial/residential, licensed & insured. Call 941-448-1928 or 941-4656324 www.WalyPrecisionPainting.us DECKOUT MASTER CARPENTER Everything Patio & Dock Decking Work Repair, Replace, Maintenance Work, Cleaning, Treatments, New Decks.

Also Handyman/Painting work to home or office.

Call RICHARD Bespoke Service 941-448-3571 Island Resident.

FENCING, CAN'T GET ANYBODY? Wood, Vinyl. New or Repair. Call Richard. Free Estimates.

941-448-3571 Bespoke Services.

BATH ROOM REMODELING. Anna Maria Home Accents. 25 years experience. Call 786-318-8585 LIGHTHOUSE PROPERTY INNOVATIONS LLC State Certified General Contractor (Lic. #CGC 1515821) New Construction, Renovations & Additions. Call 941-266-7500

HOME SERVICES HOME REPAIR. Anna Maria Home Accents. 25 years experience. Call 786-318-8585

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GK HOME & PERSONAL SERVICES *Homewatch Service *Handyman Service *Landscaping & Irrigation Work *Pre and Post Tenant Cleanouts *Storm Board Up's ANYTHING you need help with give me a call!

Local, Reliable and Professional 508-221-7486 THE HARDWOOD STOP Flooring installation services; Laminate, hardwood, vinyl and tile. Bathroom and shower. Virtually dustless FLOOR REMOVAL License and insured FREE ESTIMATES 941-227-0041 www.thehardwoodstop. com

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 DELIVERED AND spread $55/yd. Hauling all kinds of gravel, mulch, top soil with free estimates. Call Larry at 941-795-7775, "shell phone" 941-720-0770 STRAIGHT SHOT LANDSCAPE. Specializing in Old Florida Seashell driveways and scapes. Also Rock, Mulch, & Soil. Free estimates. Call Shark Mark 941-301-6067

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: NORMS TOWING gives Notice of Foreclosure of Lien and intent to sell these vehicles on 08/08/2018, 09:00 am at 1855 63RD AVENUE E. BRADENTON, FL 34203, pursuant to subsection 713.78 of the Florida Statutes. NORMS TOWING reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all bids.

1C4RDHAG2EC419270 2014 DODGE 1D4GP24R46B517025 2006 DODGE 1FADP3M27HL338036 2017 FORD 1FAFP4447YF257830 2000 FORD 1FAHP36N39W215696 2009 FORD 1GGYT76WXDV821189 1983 ISUZU

1HGCD5633VA216590 1997 HONDA 1N4AL2AP7AN417709 2010 NISSAN 1NXBR32EX5Z381165 2005 TOYOTA 4T1BG22K0YU979324 2000 TOYOTA 5NPET46C97H260500 2007 HYUNDAI JNKCV51E54M111923 2004 INFINITI JT2BG28K2X0351579 1999 TOYOTA LFFWBT865E1002153 2014 WNGY WBAPN73529A265880 2009 BMW WVGAV75N09W502337 2009 VOLKSWAGEN

LOST & FOUND LOST THICK STERLING Silver Ring between the Moose and Beach House Restaurant. Call 941-2431444 LOST I-PHONE 8 Plus on Cortez to Gulf Dr to Holmes Beach. LifeProof Greenish Case. Call 224545-4274

MOVING & STORAGE MARTIN’S MOVING YOUR Island movers! Offering dependable, competitive rates. No hidden costs. 941-809-5777.

TWO MEN and a TRUCK. Movers who care. Local and Long distance. www. twomen.com Call 941-3591904. We sell boxes!

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.

Paperhanging/removal Faux finishes. Interior painting. Mary Bell Winegarden 941-794-0455 PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reliable. Island Resident.

Quality Workmanship.

Interior/Exterior. Also minor repairs & carpentry. Free written detailed estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315

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BAYSIDE COMMERCIAL PAINTING. David Padyani Call 941-565-9446 or Larry Zimmer 941-2248123 Licensed & Insured

PERSONAL SERVICES BEAUTY & BROWS BAR Eyelashes Extensions $75 6400 Manatee Ave West Ste L-102 Text for 941-786-0060

POOL SERVICES FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE. AMI & West Bradenton. Certified Pool Operator. Residential/commercial. Chemical Service Licensed & Insured. Call Dennis Clark 941-737-5657 COLE'S TROPICAL POOL SERVICE Call Cole Bowers for all your pool maintenance needs! Affordable and Dependable!! 941-7131893

PRINTING CUSTOM DIGITAL PRINTING "Your printing dream to reality" Specializing in Dye sublimation Printing.

Graphic Design. Performance Active ware. Logo Design. Call Rhonda 330-550-4847

PROFESSIONAL PRESSURE & WINDOW WASHING AUTHORITY ONE CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Construction and Vacation Rentals . Also available Power Washing, Roof Cleaning and Windows.

Call 941-251-5948

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REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE FROM THE LOW $300’s. Only minutes from the beach, this new active adult community is perfectly located just south of Manatee Ave, off Village Green Pkwy.

Perfectly designed, open 2BR or 3BR/2BA plus den & 2CG floor plans.

Luxurious amenities, pool, spa, gym, pickle ball and fenced-in dog park. HOA only $209/ month. Models open daily. Contact us 941254-3330 www.MirabellaFlorida.com INCREDIBLE NEW CONSTRUCTION Home on Pine Ave! Prime location to shops, restaurants, bay and beach! $2,400,000 Call Charles Buky Coldwell Banker 941-228-6086 CANAL FRONT HOMES Holmes Beach - Key Royale GULF FRONT CONDOS Gulf Place, L’Plage, Vista Grande & MORE. Island Real Estate ASK Alan Galletto 941-232-2216 INVESTOR'S DREAM only 4 houses from the beach, adorable 2BR/2BA cottage North End for $629,000. 2017 income=68K CASH FLOWS. Call Kathleen White Island Real Estate at 941-773-0165.

AnnaMariaSales.com BEACH FRONT, ELEVATOR in building. GULF VIEWS Waters Edge Condo 1BR/1.5BA bath, patio, oversized condo.

New floors, furnished, new interior doors. $389,900. Sharon Hightower RE/MAX Alliance Group 941-330-5054 PERICO ISLAND 2BR/2BA Condo.

Great WATER VIEWS New Floors! $279,900.

Screened Porch and a Patio. Sharon Hightower RE/MAX Alliance Group 941-330-5054 call today for showing.

Call us today! 941-778-3986

RENTALS: ANNUAL 3BR/2.5BA TOWNHOUSE CONDO, 1450 s/f on 2 floors. 2 pools, private beach access. Furnished or unfurnished. Washer / Dryer. Screened lanai & 1 car garage. Water, sewer, trash, basic cable, pest control included. Background & credit required. $2800/mo. $2800 security. First, last & security Longboat Key. Ask for Ed DUNCAN REAL ESTATE 941-779-0304 www. teamduncan.com ANNUAL RENTAL and CONDOMINIUM Association management serviced by (2) offices open 7 days a week! Contact junew@ islandreal.com – 941-3451295 - Island Real Estate of Anna Maria Island, Inc. 1BR FULLY FURNISHED. Pool, Condo all utilities and fees. Beach access one block from beach. $1550/ mo. Annual Lease. No Pets Call 941-778-1915

JULY 4, 2018

NW BRADENTON CATALINA Subdivision. 3BR/2BA/2CG Split plan on Lagoon.

Available July 15. $1800/ mo. First, Last & Security Deposit. Credit check. Call 941-809-2488 for Appointment 2BR/2BA GROUND LEVEL in the UTC area. $1500.

1st, last, sec dep. 1BR/1BA GROUND LEVEL in Bradenton Beach. $1200 1st, last, sec dep. No Pets. Call A Paradise Realty. 941-7784800 ANNUAL RENTAL 1BR/1BA Large back yard, huge shaded common area.

First, Last & $1000 security deposit. No Dogs $1295/ mo. Call 941-705-7463 BRADENTON BEACH, 1BR/1BA, bay in back, gulf in front, pool, kayak and bike storage, very walk-able, $1150/ month, no smoking, no pets. 603-969-6840.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 2BR/2BA furnished on Lake La Vista. one block to beach. W/D. Available July 1. $1700/mo. Call 941-587-2380 KEY ROYALE CANAL HOME Monthly or Seasonal Rental. 4BR/3BA recently upgraded. Large Master Suite, 2nd ensuite, pool, spa and pool bath. 2 Car garage. $3500/mo includes utilities. Call Gregg AMI beaches Real Estate 941799-9096

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

AMISUN.COM

ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fl Condos. Pool beach access, fully equipped $650-$800/ wk Redekercondos.com 941-704-7525

SEASONAL RENTALS AVAILABLE: Spring, Summer and Fall. CITY OF ANNA MARIA 2BR/2BA Bay Front.

HOLMES BEACH 2BR/2BA 400’ to Gulf Bay. Horizon Realty of Anna Maria 941-778-0426 kringco@ tampabay.rr.com GREAT RATES! Weekly, Monthly. 3BR/2BA NW Bradenton. Call Grace 941-201-2190 HOLMES BEACH 1.5 BLOCKS to Beach.

Completely updated 2BR/2BA. Available December 2018 thru April 1, 2019. $4500/mo Nelson & Associates Real Estate. Call 863-6401864

TRANSPORTATION AMI TAXI metered-on-callcards accepted. Airport: Tampa $95, Sarasota $40, Clearwater $85, Orlando $165. Call 800-301-4816. amitaxi4u@gmail.com, www.amitaxi.com ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all airports, appointments, casino, cruises, etc. Tampa $65. Sarasota $30. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne.

941-779-5095

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JULY 4, 2018

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