REAL ESTATE

22 THE SUN REAL ESTATE

Can’t be, not again – it’s hurricane season

As we get older, the years tick by more quickly - or so it seems - and here we are again looking down the barrel of the 2022 North Atlantic hurricane season cannon.

As usual, Colorado State University has released their predictions for the 2022 hurricane season. Also as usual, the season is predicted to be above average.

The average number of named storms in the North Atlantic stands at 14, seven of them hurricanes and three of them major hurricanes. The prediction for 2022 is 19 named storms, nine of them hurricanes and four major hurricanes, because of warmer waters and a lack of El Nino conditions, according to CSU. This is slightly above last year’s predictions of 17 named storms, eight hurricanes and four major hurricanes.

The fun part of the beginning of hurricane season, if you can justify anything fun about hurricanes, is the names we can expect to hear any day now. This year starts with Alex and ends with Walter. Along the way we have Danielle, Lisa and Richard, among others, but my favorite of this season is Hermine, number eight in the list. Hopefully, we won’t run out of names this year.

The not-so-fun part of getting ready for hurricane season is preparing your home and your family in the event that Hermine comes knocking. The obvious items to add to your hurricane preparedness list are non-perishable foods, usually in cans (don’t forget the manual can opener), bottled water (buy it now; it’s the first thing to fly off the shelves when a storm is coming), batteries, cash, full tank of gas, prescriptions, candles or battery-operated lights, and if you still have a land line telephone, it’s not a bad idea to hang on to it or at the very least keep your cell phones and iPads fully charged if you’re facing a storm.

Remove any outdoor flying objects, furniture, toys, plants and awnings that can turn into missiles aimed at your windows. Secure your boats or move them to dry land if possible. Put together a briefcase with important papers if you need to evacuate like insurance policies, school records, home mortgage information, recent tax returns, bank records, investment records, even important photos or diplomas just in case.

If you live in a potential evacuation area, like I do, make a list of local hotels off the water or set up a safe house with a friend or relative to go to. You always have the official Manatee County shelter evacuation locations; know where yours is.

The mymanatee.org website has a great deal of information concerning everything I just outlined, but in much more detail. It’s worth taking the time to read it and to implement some of their recommendations. Hopefully by now you have upgraded your home to conform to hurricane guidelines, securing all windows, doors and roofs.

A quick note about another disaster. The 2021 Champlain Towers South collapse has been settled to resolve the wrongful death claims brought by family members of the 98 victims. The settlement was for $997 million; this was on top of the settlement earlier this year for the property damage claims of about $83 million.

Let’s hope the families of these poor people can find some peace. Let’s also hope that we can get through this hurricane season peacefully as well, and that Hermine or Gaston or Paula behave themselves. Be safe.

Castles in the Sand

LOUISE BOLGER

OBITUARIES BEACH BEAT

John M. Stevely

John McCullum Stevely, 72, of Bradenton, Florida passed away on May 27 during a walk at Robinson Preserve. He and his beloved wife of 40 years, Dr. Theresa Bert, both marine biologists, had just returned from Cape Canaveral where they witnessed a rocket launch and landing with their son, John Bert Stevely. A fitting last act for a scientist who treasured the seas and skies.

Born April 10, 1950 to John Petrie Stevely and Dorothy McCollum Stevely in New York City, John grew up in New York City, where he graduated from Bronx High School of Science. He earned a bachelor of science degree in biology from Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania and a master's degree in marine science from the University of South Florida. He would go on to be selected as a Smithsonian Research Fellow and a member of USF’s Outstanding Alumni. During his long career as a Marine Extension Agent, John served as a University of Florida Sea Grant scientist and coauthored 15 scientific research publications. Following retirement, he became an Agent Emeritus. Among the nearly 20 awards and commendations he received, he was a Gulf Coast Guardian Award recipient, and in 2015, he was inducted into the Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame.

John is best known for his passionate efforts to preserve and protect the local natural environment and fishing industry. He was a founder of the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival and served on the planning committee since its inception in 1981. He also assisted in the development of the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (F.I.S.H.), the establishment of the F.I.S.H. environmental preserve in Cortez, and in other efforts to restore coastal habitats. He was an international expert in sponge ecology and sponge fishery management. His accomplishments also include the introduction of the fish venting tool, the development of best management practices for catch and release of deep-water reef fish, and the study of the economic impact of artificial reefs and red tides.

Accolades aside, John would argue his proudest accomplishment was his family. He was a handson father who relished taking his wife and son to acclaimed dive spots all over the world. He was a friend to all and his patient and kind demeanor will be missed by everyone who knew him. He would like to thank all his cherished family and friends for being a part of his earthly life.

John is survived by his wife Dr. Theresa Bert and son John B. Stevely; a sister, Dorothy Soulé; and her sons, Kenny & David Soulé.

Visitation will be Friday, June 3 from 5-8 p.m. at Brown & Sons Funeral Home, 604 43rd St. W., Bradenton. The funeral service is Saturday, June 4 at 11 a.m. at Brown & Sons followed by a graveside service at Skyway Memorial Gardens. A luncheon and gathering for the funeral attendees and other invited guests will be held at 2:15 p.m. at the Swordfish Grill in Cortez.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to F.I.S.H., P.O. Box 606, Cortez, FL 34215. And if you would, take some time to enjoy and protect the great outdoors. HOLMES BEACH

5/18, 7:13 p.m., battery, 82nd St. Officers responded to a domestic disturbance call. When they arrived at the vacation rental, a female subject said while having a few drinks with her boyfriend, they got into a verbal argument and the boyfriend threw his phone on the floor and broke it. She told him he needed to stop drinking and go to bed, prompting him to get up and grab her by the hair and shake her. The female subject had a fresh cut on her thumb which she said she got from picking up glass from the broken phone. The male subject told police the argument was only verbal. The female said she did not wish to press charges, but arrest paperwork was completed and the male subject was taken into custody.

5/20, 5:47 p.m., assist EMS, 703 Key Royale Drive. The officer was dispatched in reference to a welfare check for a man possibly asleep in bushes next to a car. The officer arrived and shook the man awake, asking questions about whether he was on drugs or had been drinking. The man smelled of gasoline, but said he had transported some gas cans in his vehicle earlier and some must have spilled. The officer reported that the man had track marks on his arms, but was told by the subject that he was not on heroin, rather Suboxone, which he had been prescribed, but instead of taking orally, he was shooting it into his veins. The subject was not arrested, but was transported by EMS to HCA Florida Blake Hospital for treatment, which police were later informed he refused.

5/23, 1:16 p.m., criminal mischief, 301 61st St. The complainant told police he had parked his Jet Skis inside his property line along the side of his house. When he attempted to use one of the Jet Skis, he noticed the oil lines on both had been cut by an unknown person. The man said he did not witness the crime and had video cameras mounted on the house, but they did not capture the crime. A search of the area did not reveal any evidence and no further action was taken.

Chamber members have Top Gun fun

Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce members prepared for the debut of the new movie, Top Gun: Maverick, at a business card exchange on May 26 with military-themed games and décor provided by Hancock Whitney Financial Center, 5324 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach.

CINDY LANE | SUN Above, from left, Cecily Weinstein, teller, Pat Shahinian, financial center leader and Penny Johnson, client solution specialist, dressed in honor of Maverick. Right, from left, Ashley Chiles and Danielle Sato brought snacks from Grub Tropical BBQ.

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MEMORIAL DAY: For those who served and sacrificed

FROM PAGE 1

“They truly are the heart and soul of the city,” Murphy said.

The mayor, an Army veteran himself, then recognized and called forward the military spouses and significant others in attendance, who were presented with yellow roses provided by Blooms by the Beach.

Attending military veterans were then called forward according to the branch in which they served, as the Anna Maria Island Concert Orchestra performed the musical theme for that branch.

The 30-plus piece orchestra conducted by Navy veteran Leonard Murphy (no relation to the mayor) began a performance of patriotic music beginning with the “National Anthem” and a medley of military songs that coincided with a flyover by a C-130 aircraft and a MH 60 helicopter from the U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Station Clearwater.

The orchestra performance included a pair of Sousa marches, “Amazing Grace,” “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and ended with “Stars and Stripes Forever” and “God Bless America.”

As the orchestra performed, the mayor shared his thoughts on the event.

“This has been a bigger turnout than we’ve had for any other event and I’m exceptionally pleased. The staff did a remarkable job and I can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done for the city. An event like this is important because it helps bring the people of the Island together to celebrate who we are and what we are as a community. We have so many distractions on this Island that sometimes keep us from being neighborly. Events like this bring people together and let them know who their neighbors are; and patriotism is a common denominator,” Murphy said.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN A Marine Corps color guard marched in and presented the colors.

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FROM PAGE 1

“It was very well-handled by Sandy,” Vose told the commission. “She prosecuted the case and was successful. There were five separate noise violations in a period of nine months, and the noise violations were just horrendous. We had the body camera videos that were shown to the special magistrate and the people who lived on either side of this residence testified as to how it affected their lives. The noise violations were typically at 2 o’clock in the morning and the body camera audio shows how loud it was.

“The special magistrate made a ruling in accordance with our code provision that the property was a public nuisance,” she continued. “Special magistrates in Florida don’t have jurisdiction to do anything but declare them a public nuisance. They don’t have the right to give injunctive relief. Our code does allow us to file suit in circuit court to ask the court to declare the public nuisance and give us injunctive relief to stop it going forward,” Vose said.

Mayor Dan Murphy detailed the injunctive relief sought.

“The injunctive relief that I recommend we go after in this particular case is a suspension of the owner’s right to use that property as a vacation rental for one year. I feel very strongly that a one-year suspension should get the message across that this type of behavior in our city is not allowed. This is a residential community and this man has totally disrupted the lives of the people on either side with complete disregard. He lives out of town. This is simply an investment property. I’m not trying to take away his livelihood, but this can’t go on. I think we need to take a strong stand against this noise complaint and against this property. And if there’s others out there, we need to go after them as well,” Murphy said.

“This is the worst actor in the city. Five complaints in nine months. This is what was going on at three o’clock in the morning at this house,” Murphy said before showing the commission one of the body camera videos shown to the special magistrate.

“I think our sheriff’s deputies did a great job. It’s not a job I would want. I applaud our deputies for how they handled these noise violations,” Murphy said.

Commissioner Robert Kingan asked Vose about the likelihood of the city winning this case in court.

“You can never make a guarantee about litigation. We’re going to give it our best,” Vose replied.

Vose said she was aware of a case in Bradenton in which a nightclub was declared a public nuisance for repeat noise violations, but she’s not aware of any cases similar to Anna Maria’s planned lawsuit seeking injunc-

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN City Attorney Becky Vose and Code Enforcement Manager Sandy Olson play key roles in the enforcement of the city’s noise ordinance.

tive relief from a problematic vacation rental home.

“Hopefully, we’ll be successful and we’ll get some relief for the people in the neighborhood,” Vose said.

“Even if we don’t get exactly what we want, which would be a one-year suspension, we might get less than that, but I think we’d still win and make a point,” Commission Chair Carol Carter said.

“It needs to be shown that the city is serious about this,” Vose added.

“People have to know that we’re prosecuting these guys and that anyone else who does the same will be prosecuted,” Commissioner Jon Crane said.

Murphy said he has complete confidence that Vose, Olson and the sheriff’s deputies will continue to do a good job in enforcing the city’s noise ordinance.

“You can’t get them all, but we can’t let this turn into Key West,” Murphy said.

BIRD: Nest discovered in trees

FROM PAGE 1 an active bird nest in one of the Australian pines will spur state representatives to halt the destruction of the trees and accompanying picnic area.

While Australian pines are considered an invasive species by the state of Florida, great blue herons are a protected nesting bird species, meaning that while an active nest is located in one of the pines, that tree cannot be disturbed. However, once fledgling herons leave the nest, the tree can be taken down under current regulations. With more and more trees that provide nesting areas for birds being destroyed, some area residents are hoping that the nest will be enough to save the trees from the woodchipper.

Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth sent an email to county commissioners asking them again to reconsider the plans for Kingfish and to involve city leaders in any future design plans. Though Kingfish is located in the city of Holmes Beach, it is a countyowned and maintained facility.

During a May 24 city commission meeting, Titsworth said that several of the trees are planned for demolition to make room for a trolley stop to accompany a 100-foot pier that may eventually be a stop for a water taxi, though county leaders have not applied with the city for a change of use for the property. She said that she’d sent photos of the nesting herons to state representatives with the hope that they will step in to halt the destruction of the trees. Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission representatives have documented several great blue heron nests in the trees at Kingfish, many with fledglings, she added.

“I think we can be better than that,” she said of the planned tree removal.

Titsworth said the county’s renovation plans will have to go through the city’s planning commission approval process before permits can be issued. She added that if permits are approved, a note will be added that any change of use on the property, such as the addition of a water taxi stop, will require Holmes Beach Commission approval.

Resident Joe Arena said in an email to The Sun that he and his family are saddened by the planned destruction of the picnic area. He said that he and his wife have spent a lot of time relaxing at the picnic tables, enjoying the shade and bird watching.

Area resident Teal O’Fee said she hopes that county commissioners will listen to the concerns of their constituents over the destruction of the trees and nesting area and change course. She said she’s hoping more people will lend their voices to the cause and that a solution can be found to preserve the area.

As of press time for The Sun, no specific opportunities for public comment on the Kingfish renovations was scheduled with Manatee County commissioners, however, all commission meetings are open to the public and offer a public comment opportunity on any topic of concern.

The next county commission meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 7 at 8:30 a.m. at the Manatee County Government Administration Building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W. in Bradenton.

SUBMITTED | JEAN BYSTROM Two great blue herons are believed to have at least one fledgling in an active nest perched in the branches of an Australian pine at Kingfish Boat Ramp.