Anna Maria Island Sun June 19, 2024

Holmes Beach election race begins

Candidates, start your engines. The race is on to the November elections.

BY KRISTIN SWAIN

SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – Qualifying is over, and the race has officially begun for two city commission seats and the position of mayor. With challengers in each race, no incumbent is safe this year.

Incumbent Mayor Judy Titsworth will face off with newcomer to the Anna Maria Island political scene, Michael John Roth. Current Commissioner Dan Diggins will oppose Steven Oelfke, Bill Romberger and former Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore for one of two open spots on the city commission dais. In the commission

race, the top two vote-getters will take the open seats. Commissioner Greg Kerchner opted not to run for re-election in November.

MAYORAL CANDIDATES

MICHAEL ROTH

Roth is a Tampa businessman and newcomer to Anna Maria Island politics. His political website, www. ILikeMikeForMayor.com, states that his attachment to Manatee County began with his family being members of the Bradenton Yacht Club since 1972. According to his website, he has been a property owner in Holmes Beach for over 20 years. Property records show that his property was homesteaded in 2021.

Roth’s residential property in Tampa is listed as the address for his busi-

Another coconut palm falls on Bridge Street

Mayor John Chappie said city workers re-staked the tree on Monday, which apparently fell during heavy rains on Sunday night.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH - One of the recentlyplanted coconut palm trees on Bridge Street toppled over onto the sidewalk during heavy rains on Sunday evening and city workers attended to it on Monday morning, according to Mayor John Chappie.

“The Chief (Interim Public Works Director and Police Chief John Cosby) has his guys out there this morning putting it back up and re-staking it,” Chappie told The Sun on Monday. “It had been staked but some of the stakes had disappeared.”

The tree is one of about 60 palms planted the week of April 24 on and around Bridge Street at the suggestion of developer Shawn Kaleta, who is planning to build a restaurant, hotel and shopping complex at Bridge Street and Gulf Drive.

SEE TREES, PAGE 25

Coast Guard investigates tour boat striking bridge

A tourist says a tour boat her family boarded at the Bradenton Beach Marina struck the Longboat Pass Bridge.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

LONGBOAT PASS – What began as a leisurely sunset boat ride turned into a frightening experience for a family of tourists on June 9.

In a lengthy Facebook post, Georgia resident Stephanie Bridges wrote that she and her family went on a sunset dolphin cruise from Bradenton Beach Marina that evening on the Anna Maria Explorer and that the boat hit the Longboat Pass Bridge several times.

Bridges wrote that everyone on board put on lifejackets.

“We received zero instruction as to what was happening or how to put the life vests on. The captain and his first mate were silent,” she wrote.

“We were nearly at the end of our tour when the captain pointed our boat toward the Longboat Pass Bridge,” Bridges wrote. “One of my family members noted that we were traveling a bit too fast through the pillars when all of a sudden we crashed into the concrete bridge pylon – the one that supports the bridge. The captain began to try to get out of the pass, putting the boat into reverse and proceeded to crash into one of the pylons again.”

“The boat hit the concrete pylon again. Finally, the captain gets us out of the pass and away from the Gulf and back into the bay. He then asks if

SEE BOAT, PAGE 27

LESLIE LAKE | SUN

A large coconut palm tree that fell onto a Bridge Street sidewalk following heavy rains on Sunday night was re-staked on Monday. A newly-planted coconut palm tree (inset) was leaning into Bridge Street on June 14. Another palm fell across a sidewalk on May 15.

Tingley Library to be tented for termites

The city commission approved $6,100 for the tenting, but did not approve annual inspections.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – Commissioners approved termite tenting at Tingley Memorial Library on June 6.

“We have to tent,” said Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby, who is also acting as interim Public Works Director. “A few years ago the library had some termite infestation and Tom (former Public Works Director Tom Woodard) brought the proposal to have it tented and it was denied and the termite company did some treatment and they’re back.”

Cosby said termites are in the walls and digging up under the baseboards of the building.

He recommended the commission approve additional inspections at an annual cost of $1,220 every year for four years.

“That wood is aged enough and has had enough humidity from being out

on the Island,” Cosby said. “We’ve had conversations about salvaging it and raising it for enhanced parking and doing some improvements. If we don’t keep up with it there may not be anything.”

He said the books also need to be protected from termites.

Commissioner Jan Vosburgh said she did not go along with the add-on option.

“I agree we should tent it, but I think the other is a waste of money,” Vosburgh said.

“It’s an inspection and a treatment,” Cosby said. “It’s the spot check and if they get it, we don’t wind

up where we’re at now.”

“They’re going to tell you as soon as they remove the tent you can get termites right away,” Mayor John Chappie said. “I’m ready to vote for the tenting, but I am concerned about the other.”

Commissioners unanimously approved the $6,100 bid from Cloud Pest Control but did not approve the annual inspections.

The Tingley Memorial Library was built in 1994. The non-profit corporation is independent of the Manatee County library system and was funded originally by benefactor Beulah Tingley.

Boat accident results in fatality

A 31-foot vessel struck a channel marker in the ICW near Joan Durante Park on Longboat Key last Friday, resulting in a death.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

LONGBOAT KEY – A boating accident resulted in a fatality on June 14 at Channel Marker 28 in the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) off Longboat Key, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the lead agency for the ongoing investigation.

The FWC responded to a report of the single-vessel incident with the Longboat Key Police Department, Manatee County Fire Rescue and the U.S. Coast Guard, according to FWC Public Information Officer Bradley Johnson.

Preliminary information indicates that at around 6:30 p.m., the 31-foot vessel was traveling north in the ICW with seven people on board when it struck the channel marker, according to Johnson’s June 15 email to The Sun.

“Two of the individuals on board the vessel were transported to the hospital. Sadly, one of the individuals was declared deceased as a result of the incident,” Johnson wrote, adding, “All members of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission would like to express our sincere sympathies to the family and friends of the victim.”

LESLIE LAKE | SUN

The Bradenton Beach Commission has approved termite tenting for the Tingley Memorial Library.

ISLAND NEWS

IN BRIEF

SUBMITTED

City to purchase aquatic harvester

Holmes Beach commissioners agreed to allow Mayor Judy Titsworth to enter into an agreement with Aquarius Systems to purchase an aquatic harvester for up to $307,970 once funding becomes available. Supervisor of Public Works Sage Kamiya said that while city leaders have been planning for the purchase, only $120,000 is currently budgeted for the expenditure. City Attorney Erica Augello said that the approval by commissioners allows Titsworth to enter into the agreement but doesn’t require her to sign the purchase contract yet. Titsworth said she would sign the purchase contract once commissioners approve a budget amendment or add funding to the 2024-25 budget to provide for the boat, which will be used to clean algae from area waterways. The pricing in the contract expires on Oct. 1, the first day of the new fiscal year.

Gulf Drive traffic to be shifted during two-day paving

Paving on Gulf Drive South in Bradenton Beach from north of Seventh Street South to south of 13th Street South is scheduled on Wednesday, June 19 and Thursday, June 20 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., weather permitting. To accommodate the paving, traffic will be shifted around the work zone.

Three planning commissioners seated in Holmes Beach

The Holmes Beach Planning Commission received four applicants for three open spots on the board, which ensures that all applicable city ordinances, site plans and code changes are consistent with the land development code that governs land use in Anna Maria Island’s largest community. City commissioners unanimously reappointed Jim McIntire and Richard Brown as full members with Joseph Ireland being reappointed as second alternate member. The planning commission has two alternate members who only vote when a full member is absent. Applicant Cathy Tobias was thanked for her application by commissioners and encouraged to apply for other open positions on city committees. Each planning commissioner serves a three-year term beginning July 1. Planning commissioners typically meet once a month on the first Wednesday of the month.

Scan this code with your smartphone to go there.

Judge suspends Form 6 disclosure requirements

Anna Maria Island mayors and commissioners are temporarily relieved of their Form 6 financial disclosure requirements on First Amendment grounds.

BY JOE HENDRICKS

SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

FLORIDA – U.S. District Court

Judge Melissa Damian has issued a temporary injunction that suspends the Form 6 financial disclosure requirements imposed on Florida mayors and city commission members earlier this year.

As a member of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Damian issued the temporary injunction on June 10.

“During its 2023 session, the Florida Legislature passed, and the governor later signed into law, SB 774, which amended sections 112.3144 and 112.3145, Florida Statutes. As of Jan. 1, 2024, SB 774 applies to mayors and other elected (and appointed) members of the governing bodies of municipalities,” Damian stated in her written ruling.

County commissioners, state legislators and certain other office holders have long been subjected to the Form 6 financial disclosure requirements and they remain subject to those requirements.

Administered and enforced by the Florida Commission on Ethics, annual Form 6 filings require the detailed disclosure of net worth, earnings, income sources, stock holdings, tangible assets worth more than $1,000 and debts.

Before the expanded Form 6 requirements took effect Jan. 1, more than 100 Florida mayors, city commissioners and city council members resigned, including Bradenton Beach City Commissioner Jake Spooner and Longboat Key Town Council member Debbie Murphy. The impending Form 6 requirements also led to the withdrawal of three Anna Maria City Commission candidates.

LAWSUIT UNFOLDS

In January, Fort Lauderdalebased attorney Jamie Cole reached out to city attorneys statewide seeking plaintiffs to join the Form

6 lawsuits to be filed by the WeissSerota law firm.

The Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach commissions declined the opportunity to join the Form 6 lawsuits as plaintiffs for a $10,000 flat fee. Despite not joining the lawsuit, the Island mayors and commissioners join those statewide who are temporarily relieved of the Form 6 disclosure requirements.

In February, Cole’s law firm, Weiss-Serota, filed separate state and federal lawsuits challenging the Form 6 financial disclosure requirements being imposed on municipal officials. The lawsuits name Florida Commission on Ethics Chair Ashley Lukis and six additional Florida Commission on Ethics members as defendants.

On March 22, the law firm filed with the federal court an expedited motion for preliminary injunction. On April 22, Damian presided over the evidentiary hearing that led to her granting the temporary injunction.

“Plaintiffs seek a preliminary injunction enjoining enforcement of Florida’s Senate Bill 774 on grounds the law impermissibly compels content-based, noncommercial speech in violation of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. After conducting a hearing and careful review of the record, and for the reasons set forth below, the court concludes that entry of a preliminary injunction is warranted,” Damian stated in her ruling.

Damian’s ruling notes that prior to Jan. 1, municipal officials and candidates were required to file the less intrusive Form 1 disclosure form that requires the disclosure of major income sources, but not the

amounts earned, and the disclosure of intangible personal properties, real properties and liabilities valued over $10,000.

“After conducting a hearing and careful review of the record, the court concludes that entry of a preliminary injunction is warranted,” Damian stated in her order. “A review of the record reflects the state enacted SB 774 without giving serious consideration to whether the government interests at stake could be addressed through less burdensome alternative means. It is not apparent from the record that a change from the Form 1 requirement to the Form 6 requirement was necessary, nor that SB 774 is substantially related to the state’s identified interests.”

The ruling notes the plaintiffs succeeded in establishing that SB 774 impermissibly compels contentbased speech in violation of the First Amendment.

RULING REACTIONS

When contacted by The Sun on June 12, Cole said, “We are very pleased with the entry of the preliminary injunction. The Form 6 requirement is the most intrusive financial disclosure anywhere in the United States, stricter than even the one required of the president of the United States. The quintessentially personal information that must be disclosed has nothing to do with the elected officials’ job duties and are not elements of any ethics violations. As noted by the judge, the Form 1 disclosures for municipal elected officials have worked fine for the past 50 years and there was, and is, no evidence showing that the Form 6 disclosures were necessary.”

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The Anna Maria mayor and city commission are among those impacted by the temporary Form 6 injunction.

Commission to schedule work session on paid parking lots

Commissioners will weigh city management versus commercial management.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH - Furthering a discussion about proposed paid parking lots throughout the city, commissioners will schedule a work session to consider the pros and cons of city management versus contracting with a commercial parking business to manage the lots.

At a June 6 city commission meeting, Police Chief John Cosby reported that he and Mayor John Chappie spoke to Sarasota city officials to learn about their paid parking system.

Chappie had recommended in March that the city oversee paid parking.

“The city of Sarasota has had paid

parking around five years,” Cosby said. “The gentlemen we spoke to has worked in the private and public sector as far as paid parking and in reviewing what our city has, it would be in our best interest to contract it out.”

Cosby said some of the issues that could arise with a city-managed parking system would be red tide and a rainy season.

“When you have red tide, nobody comes here, and you’re still paying this employee to work,” he said.

“Some other issues that were brought up is if you have a bad rainy season and nobody comes out, you’re losing money and you still have somebody on the payroll.”

The June 6 discussion stemmed from March city meetings in which two commercial parking vendors responded to the city’s request for proposal (RFP) to manage city-owned parking lots.

The city put out the RFP on Feb. 9 to “Provide the city with a complete parking management and enforcement system that is capable of handling the current parking environment” at six municipal locations, a future seventh site and a public street.

The paid parking areas included all of Bridge Street, an after-hours parking lot to the east and west side of the police department, the city hall parking lot, the area around the pickleball court on Highland Avenue (with free passes to pickleball players), the shared parking lot with Silver Resorts at First Street North, Gulfside parking spaces near the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge and future options at the Tingley Library, if the building is raised to create parking.

Two bidders, Beach to Bay Investments and SP Municipal Parking, submitted proposals by the Feb. 29 due date and representatives laid

out their cases at a March 19 city commission work meeting. Sam Negrin spoke on behalf of Beach to Bay Investments, of which developer Shawn Kaleta is president. Will Gloor, regional manager for SP Municipal Services also spoke.

Beach to Bay offered three options to the city, all of which included the bidder taking on all improvement costs: A lump sum payment of $100,000 per year, an annual payment of $50,000 with 25% of profits or a 50/50 split.

SP Municipal Services offered a 65/35 split to the city where the city would receive 65% of net revenue.

“The top end of most municipal areas is $5 an hour, so we took that rate to project out what we thought your revenues could be,” Gloor said.

“Our projections came up to $906,000 in revenue. Within our 35%, we’re taking on expenses.”

OPINION

The Anna Maria Island Sun Staff

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19

Tree planting maintenance, Robinson Preserve expansion, 840 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 8-10 a.m.

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

THURSDAY, JUNE 20

Seashell Shore Walk, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, meet at the Longboat Key Bridge, 9 a.m.

Bits ‘n Pieces Puppets: The Adventures of Robin Hood, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

One-on-one Tech Help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to noon. Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m.

Bay ROVers underwater robotics course, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 1-5 p.m. Contact aedan.stockdale@ mymanatee.org to register

FRIDAY, JUNE 21

Forty Carrots parent/child playtime, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

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

Bay ROVers underwater robotics course, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 1-5 p.m. Contact aedan.stockdale@mymanatee.org to register

SATURDAY, JUNE 22

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

TUESDAY, JUNE 25

Family story time, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.

Turtle Tracks and Shorebird Facts, Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, noon

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26

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

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

THURSDAY, JUNE 27

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

The Great Space Adventure, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m.

AMI Chamber Business Card Exchange with Dr. Hutch, Turning Tides, 6672 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, 5-7 p.m., $5 for members or $10 for prospective members

FRIDAY, JUNE 28

Forty Carrots parent/child playtime, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

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

Rock garden painting for kids, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, 2 p.m.

ON THE AGENDA

ANNA MARIA

10005 GULF DRIVE

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130

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

June 19, all day – City offices closed, Juneteenth

June 26, 9 a.m. – Planning and Zoning Board meeting

June 27, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting

BRADENTON BEACH

107 GULF DRIVE N.

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005

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

June 19, all day – City offices closed, Juneteenth

June 20, noon – City Commission meeting

June 26, 10 a.m. – Pier Team meeting

HOLMES BEACH

5801 MARINA DRIVE

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800

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

June 19, all day – City offices closed, Juneteenth

June 25, 10 a.m. – Code Compliance special magistrate hearing

June 25, 2 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session to follow

ISLAND-WIDE

June 26, 2 p.m. – Coalition of Barrier Island Elected Officials meeting, Anna Maria City Hall

Commission approves third Gulf Island Ferry boat

The new ferry boat will take a year to construct.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

MANATEE COUNTY – County commissioners have approved a $3 million budget amendment to fund the purchase of a third Gulf Island Ferry boat.

On June 11, Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione presented the funding request to commissioners for the purchase of a 60-foot, partially enclosed, 93-passenger boat to expand the Gulf Island Ferry fleet to three boats.

The budget amendment also provides additional funds for the current ferry service operations between the Riverwalk Day Dock in downtown Bradenton, the Anna Maria City Pier and the Bradenton Beach Pier.

Falcione hopes to present a purchase order for commission approval in late June before the commission takes its annual summer recess.

Falcione noted the Gulf Island Ferry service began on Jan. 12 with two

49-passenger, open-air pontoon boats and is now operating Wednesday through Sunday, at least through June. The county and the contracted ferry operators will take a month-bymonth approach to scheduling during the slower summer months.

Falcione said the pontoon ferries are currently carrying more than 200 passengers a day and carried 14,000 passengers between the initial launch and the end of May.

Regarding the initial purchase of the two pontoon boats, Falcione said, “We had to figure out if the mainland to the Island (route) would work. We always knew the hopper service up and down the Island would work. If the mainland to the Island didn’t work, we would still use those pontoon catamarans out on the Island.”

When addressing the need for a larger boat to handle the river run between downtown Bradenton and the City Pier, Falcione said, “We have suspended 41 days due to wind chop on the Manatee River going out to the mouth of the river. That 41 days is a loss of about 11,000 passengers.”

He noted ferry service at the City

Pier has been suspended 10 times due to water currents and other factors.

When presenting a diagram of the proposed vessel, Falcione said 67 seats will be enclosed with air conditioning and heat, two wheelchair spaces, an ADA-compliant restroom and 24 additional open-air seats.

“It’ll be heavier. It’ll be a little bit faster. It should mitigate 60-70% of the weather that we’re dealing with today. The frustrating thing is, if you approve this today, it’s going to take a year to build,” he said.

The larger enclosed ferry will operate between downtown Bradenton and the Anna Maria City Pier – or the

Bradenton Beach Pier if conditions require doing so. The two pontoon boats will then operate between the two Island piers and eventually to one of the county boat ramps near Coquina Beach.

The county plans to apply for a federal transportation grant that would cover 80-85% of the funds needed to purchase a second enclosed ferry boat a year or so after the first enclosed ferry boat arrives. County staff has also been directed to eventually implement a ferry stop near the convention center and new Marriott hotel in Palmetto.

Regarding the ferry service becoming a plausible transportation option for Island employees who live on the mainland, Falcione said the long-term goal is to have an express ferry service that leaves for the Island at 7 a.m. and returns around 5 or 6 p.m. with regular ferry service and MCAT buses augmenting the express service.

“We’ve got to figure out a way to not charge the employees to incentivize them to ride the service. We’ll get there and we might be able to find a sponsor,” he said.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The Gulf Island Ferry service makes regular stops at the Anna Maria City Pier.

TDC recommends $75,000 for ferry marketing

The Manatee County TDC recommends $75,000 in funding for marketing the Gulf Island Ferry service serving AMI and downtown Bradenton.

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA - During the Manatee County Tourist Development Council’s (TDC) June 10 meeting at The Center of Anna Maria Island, TDC members supported more marketing efforts for the Gulf Island Ferry.

The service runs from downtown Bradenton to the Anna Maria City Pier and the Bradenton Beach Pier. TDC member and Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive

Director Elliott Falcione gave the TDC an update on how the ferry service is progressing.

“It’s been exciting. I think our communications manager rode out to the Island yesterday and the ferry was full,” Falcione said.

“We’re doing really well with the water ferry running Wednesday through Sunday, and we’ll continue that through the month of June. The goal is to run it 12

months a year. We’ll see how that goes.”

Falcione said that Research Data Services, which provides the TDC with tourism data and statistics, said that a Memorial Day survey of beachgoers showed 60% were aware of the ferry. He said they are still learning month-by-month through surveys. He told his staff that they should be in the public’s face in the region with tourists, then requested an additional $75,000 from tourist tax funds for marketing the water ferry. Falcione said some of that money would be for a local survey and a brand awareness campaign that would

give the ferry a push through the end of summer into fall.

“My wife and I live at the end of the dock in Bradenton, and we sit and look out the window and wait for the water ferry to come back,” Bradenton Mayor and TDC member Gene Brown said.

“It is unbelievable to us because it’s a 49-seat boat, and we see 49 people get off and 49 people get on.”

The motion to approve the recommendation for the $75,000 was passed unanimously and will be forwarded to the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners for final approval.

TDC supports Holmes Beach path funding

The city of Holmes Beach presented a revised proposal to the Manatee County Tourist Development Council for a proposed multimodal path.

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Holmes Beach Superintendent of Public Works Sage Kamiya was back in front of the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) at its June 10 meeting. He was there to answer questions and concerns previously brought up by TDC members after his initial presentation requesting

SUBMITTED

Holmes Beach Superintendent of Public Works Sage Kamiya addressed the Manatee County Tourist Development Council seeking a recommendation for the city’s proposed multimodal path.

tourist tax funding for a city-long multimodal path at an Aug. 21, 2023 meeting.

Kamiya noted that there is a path for walkers and bicyclists that runs along a portion of

Marina Drive, but it needs improvement. The proposed new path would begin around the 2800 block of Gulf Drive and continue almost the entire length of the city to where Gulf Drive and Marina Drive merge in the 8000 block. The proposal calls for the path to be separated from the road by a grassy buffer area to keep people using the path separated from the road, improving safety.

At their last presentation to the TDC, city officials estimated the budget for the entire project was $2,436,727 with half of the money going to the Gulf Drive

SEE GRANT, PAGE 32

The Gulf Island Ferry

an additional $75,000 in marketing funding if the Manatee County Tourist Development Council’s recommendation is supported by a vote of the Manatee County Commission.

Data shows tourism drop after spring break

The Island is busy, but many of the statistics regarding tourism on AMI show a slight decrease from the same period in 2023.

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Tampa-based Research Data Services (RDS) consultant Ann Wittine presented her state of tourism update to the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) on June 10, pointing out the latest available statistics related to the tourism industry in Manatee County from April 2024. Total visitors and economic impact were down compared to April 2023, as well as room nights spent, with 91,500 visitors (-6.4%), 203,300 room nights (-7.9%) and $134,036,500 in economic impact (-6.9%).

GULF ISLAND FERRY | SUBMITTED

may soon get

Tourist tax increase one step closer to ballot

The Manatee County Tourist Development Council voted unanimously on a new ordinance to get a proposed tourist tax increase on the November ballot.

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – The Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) again discussed raising the tourist tax at its June 10 meeting at The Center of Anna Maria Island.

A revised Manatee County ordinance would include a measure to increase the 5% tourist tax, often referred to as the bed tax, to 6% on the general election ballot in November to be considered by voters.

The increase was unanimously approved by the TDC at its April 15 meeting. The TDC is a recommending board to the Manatee County Commission.

County commissioners were set to vote on increasing the tax at their April 23 meeting, but the item was removed from the agenda due to a recent change in state law that requires voters to approve the increase.

“So, what happened was we met the revenue criteria for calendar year 2023,” Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione said. “The short-term rental tax has to generate $30 million and we generated $30,091,000, making us eligible to increase the tax from 5% to 6%, which is the maximum allowed in Florida.”

Falcione said after meeting the criteria, they sent a request through the county’s Office of Financial Management to the Florida Department of Revenue, which had to issue a letter certifying that the county had met the required criteria. The letter was issued and the county attorney’s office staff drew up a new ordinance at 6%.

“On the Friday before the Tuesday, April 23 BCC meeting, the Department of Revenue notified the county that the Florida Statute on tourism changed in 2023,” Falcione said. “It now requires any additional bed tax levy to go through a referendum process and can no longer be voted on by the BCC. It took the vote out of the hands of the BCC and now requires the residents to make the decision by a vote.”

Once the county was made aware of this change, the vote was removed from the commissioners’ April 23 agenda.

Falcione said that Manatee County would be the first county in Florida

MGA TV | SUBMITTED

Bradenton Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione discusses the proposed increase of the county’s tourist tax from 5% to 6% with the Manatee County Tourist Development Council at a June 10 meeting.

to be subject to this new law, as no other county has reached the required criteria to increase the tax since the change was made. He said he believes had another county hit this roadblock before Manatee, word would have reached his office and the TDC would not have moved forward with a recommendation to the commission.

Discussions continued and a plan was formed at the June 10 TDC meeting.

“Since we were notified about the changes, the county attorney’s office revised the ordinance to apply the new state law,” Falcione said. “That extra 1% will generate $7-8 million dollars for the community. It’s important that me, as your director, continues to educate the residents about the value of tourists and the value of the tax. I need a recommendation today so we can present this to the board of county commissioners and hopefully, they can vote on it by late July. They would then be able to put this on the general election ballot in November.”

Falcione told the TDC that they would then need to register with the Supervisor of Elections by Monday, Aug. 19 to be on the ballot. He also said that if they did not meet the deadlines, or it made the ballot and failed, it would have to wait two years, because the increase is required to be on a general election ballot.

TDC member Jiten Patel brought up concerns about how they would educate the voters on the increase.

“When voters see a tax on the ballot, they don’t want to see an increase,” Patel said. “When we educate them on the ballot, that might impact their decision.

TDC Chair Ray Turner responded to Patel, explaining that he and Falcione had discussed that concern.

TURTLE

TIPS

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

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

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

• Remove all beach chairs and other objects from the sand from sundown to sunrise; they can deter sea turtles from nesting and disorient hatchlings.

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

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

• City of Bradenton Beach code enforcement — 941-778-1005, ext. 227.

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

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

• Don’t use balloons, wish lanterns or fireworks; they litter the beach and Gulf, and turtles can ingest the debris.

• 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 888-404FWCC (3922).

Sea Turtle Conservancy to release turtle

A satellite-tagged turtle is scheduled to be released on June 24 or 25.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Sea Turtle Conservancy plans to release a satellite-tagged loggerhead sea turtle after it nests on Anna Maria Island as part of the annual Tour de Turtles event.

The release is scheduled on Monday, June 24 at 8:30 a.m. with a back-up date of Tuesday, June 25, depending on when a turtle nests. The location will be announced the morning of the release on the Sea Turtle

Conservancy Facebook page and its website at https://conserveturtles.org/

Attendees are encouraged to come early to see the nesting turtle and talk to the turtle team. In previous years, the release has taken place on Coquina Beach.

The Conservancy is partnering with Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring and Hurricane Hanks for the release.

The Tour de Turtles follows the migration of sea turtles from their nesting beaches to their foraging grounds from the time of their release until the end of October, the end of turtle nesting season.

The launch of the Tour de Turtles corresponds with World birthdate of Conservancy founder Dr. Archie Carr.

Loggerhead, least tern nests weather heavy rains

The first least tern chick of the season has hatched on Anna Maria Island.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND

– Both loggerhead sea turtle and least tern nests fared well during last week’s heavy rains, according to Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring.

“The storm was pretty harsh but most of our sea turtle nests survived and are still incubating for a good hatch,” according to a June 14 email from Turtle Watch.

Turtle eggs in nests that are washed over by the Gulf of Mexico for long periods can drown.

Loggerhead sea turtles are a federally threatened species. Least terns are a threatened species in Florida.

A colony of nesting least terns on Bradenton Beach is thriving, with the first chick hatching on June 14.

Turtle Watch officials offer the following reminders to beachgoers:

• Keep your distance. If birds become agitated or leave their nests, you are too close. A general rule is to stay at least 300 feet away from a nest. When birds are chased or

disturbed they use energy they need to nest and care for their young.

• Respect and avoid posted areas.

• Pets are not allowed on Anna Maria Island beaches.

• Keep the beach clean and do not feed wildlife as food scraps attract predators such as raccoons and crows.

• If you see people disturbing nesting birds, gently remind them how their actions may hurt birds' survival. If they continue to disturb nesting birds, please call and report their activities to FWC's Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

Turtle nests laid: 268 (Record: 544 in 2019) False crawls: 374 (Record: 831 in 2010) Nests hatched: 0 (Record: 453 in 2022) Hatchlings hatched: 0 (Record: 35,850 in 2022) Hatchling disorientations: 0 Adult disorientations: 0

Source: Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring

LESLIE LAKE | SUN

At the 2023 loggerhead release at Coquina Beach, sea turtle Suzi made her way down the sand to the water.

Bayfest now accepting sponsors, vendors

Anna Maria Island’s biggest and longest-running free festival, Bayfest, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria. Each year, Bayfest features food, drinks, art and craft vendors, live music and more fun for the entire family. Sponsorship prices and availability, as well as vendor rules and applications, can be downloaded at www.amichamber.org, or call Terri Kinder at 941-778-1541. A portion of the money raised from Bayfest will benefit the AMI Chamber’s College Scholarship Fund.

Privateers gearing up for Fourth of July parade

The Anna Maria Island Privateers are ready to unleash Florida’s longest water battle as they invite everyone to celebrate the nation’s birthday with their annual Fourth of July Parade. Sponsored by Sato Real Estate, the event begins at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 4 and travels from Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach north to Pine Avenue in Anna Maria. Bring a water cannon to battle the Privateers and other parade participants, and expect to get wet. To enter the parade, or for more details, visit www.amiprivateers.org.

School zone changes approved

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

HOLMES BEACH – Commissioners have approved changes for the school zone in front of Anna Maria Elementary School, but drivers won’t notice them until school begins on Aug. 12.

A new ordinance will expand the school zone by 300 yards - 200 to the south and 100 to the north. The area will be restriped and flashing signs will be moved to alert drivers of the lowered speed limit during school hours in the mornings and afternoons.

A no-cost camera system also will be installed by Blue Line Solutions to catch speeders through the school zone during the same hours before and after school when children are likely to be crossing the street. At a previous public hearing, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said the camera system would only be used to catch and issue tickets to speeders during times when the flashing beacons are in use to indicate an active school zone.

In the agreement with Blue Line, the city could choose to either pay a service fee to the company of $25 per ticket, taken out of the ticket cost to a speeding driver, or lease the camera system. In messages to The Sun, Tokajer said the city had chosen the service fee agreement.

Once the system is active, he said speeding tickets during school zone hours will cost

drivers $100 with $25 of that going to Blue Line, $40 to the city, $20 to the state of Florida, $12 to a school fund and $3 to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s criminal justice training program. A nominal processing fee of $4-5 may also be charged by Blue Line for processing credit card payments.

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

The school zone in front of Anna Maria Elementary School will be expanded before classes resume in the fall.

TOURISM: Data shows drop after spring break

“I want to peel back the onion a little bit,” Wittine said. “Partly, these numbers are down because last year Easter was April 9 and this year it was March 31, and that does impact April business. Having that early Easter compresses business into March and we saw a very good March this year.”

Wittine added that if these numbers are compared to pre-COVID 2019, there is a 43% increase in visitors, a 37% increase in room nights and a 65% increase in economic impact.

Room occupancy for April was down slightly (-3.4%). The average daily room rate was also down from $265.70 per day in April 2023 compared to $260.62 in April 2024.

RDS also keeps track of where visitors are coming from when they visit the area. The largest increase in any visitor origin domestically is Florida, which is up only .5% over the same period in 2023. All other regions of the U.S. are down, with the Northeast being the largest drop at -14.6%. The only visitor origin with an increase was Europe, which was up 12.3% from April 2023. Wittine says she forecasts a summer where the numbers go down slightly. RDS does extensive surveys with

JASON SCHAFFER | SUN

Ann Wittine, of Tampa-based Research Data Services, addresses the June 10 Manatee County Tourist Development Council meeting with the latest tourism data.

people who have shown interest in visiting Manatee County, many of whom will be coming to AMI, and she is beginning to see a trend of people concerned about rising prices for travel to the area.

RDS’s fiscal year-to-date (OctoberApril) numbers are close to their projections. At 625,600, total visitors are down 3.3% and, at $1,140027,800, economic impact is up 0.3% from the same period a year ago. Wittine has said many times that a great deal of the large increases in visitors and economic impact since pre-COVID 2019 are directly related to SarasotaBradenton International Airport (SRQ) adding dozens of new direct flights from all regions of the country.

Sarasota brunch restaurant to take place of local favorite

Peach’s is out and Toasted Mango is coming in at the Anna Maria Island Center in Holmes Beach.

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

HOLMES BEACH – The community said goodbye last week to Peach’s Restaurant, a long-time Anna Maria Island staple for breakfast and lunch on East Bay Drive.

The restaurant’s doors officially closed at the end of service on Sunday after landlord Benderson Development opted to not renew the lease on the space in the Anna Maria Island Center in May as well as the lease on the Peach’s location in Ellenton.

The announcement came on Peach’s social media pages on May 21 with management at the Holmes Beach location stating that Benderson said they were moving in a different direction for the shopping plaza.

That direction is The Toasted Mango Café, a breakfast and lunch restaurant similar to Peach’s business model, with two locations in Sarasota

and Siesta Key. While Benderson has not responded to requests for comment, the news of the new tenant was confirmed when a woman who said she was an owner of The Toasted Mango approached diners and servers at Peach’s in Holmes Beach on June 5. Customers flocked to social media to state that she offered diners coupons to use when The Toasted Mango opens in Holmes Beach and offered to recruit servers.

“Well, that guarantees that Toasted Mango will never get my business,” Angela Pollock said on the Peach’s Holmes Beach Facebook page.

“I was quite turned off that a lady stating she was an owner of Toasted Mango in Sarasota was in my favorite restaurant attempting to hand out business cards or coupons to all the guests as well as asking the servers if they wanted to stay in this location and work for her,” Jenna Baird said. “Myself and several other guests were all just stunned that she would come into a fellow business – same breakfast and lunch – and do this, especially given the unfortunate circumstances

of Peach’s being pushed out of the center by Benderson. Peach’s has been here in our communities far longer than The Toasted Mango

and this is a terrible way for her to ‘attempt to promote’ taking over the location.”

“We don’t understand,” Peach’s Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Hester said. “What we were told was that they were moving in a different direction, however, putting the exact same type of restaurant in our place doesn’t seem to be a different direction. It is sad finding out who was coming in behind us this way.”

Peach’s held a thank you party for the community last Friday.

Though two locations are now closed, Peach’s still has four locations with the closest to Holmes Beach located at 5240 State Road 64 E. in Bradenton.

The company’s management said they’re still looking for a new location for the Holmes Beach restaurant, which opened in 2001, and are meanwhile committed to moving staff from the two closed restaurants to one of the four open locations.

No opening date has been given for The Toasted Mango Holmes Beach location. Peach’s lease in the space officially ends on June 30.

CINDY LANE | SUN

From left, Kyle Bergeron, Amanda Hansen, Crystal Leonard, Jennifer Stampet and Alison Thomas wrap up the farewell party at Peach’s on Friday afternoon.

Your Perfect Wedding Awaits…

From breathtaking beach vistas and perfect sunsets on Anna Maria to our famous buttonwood trees on Longboat Key and rural and rustic farm in Parrish, couples can’t go wrong with Anna Maria Island venues. Most famous of our locations, The Grand Pavilion at The Sandbar has been a favorite beachfront wedding spot for decades. Tucked among the sea oats and native grasses, the Pavilion is 10 steps from your own secret slice of sugar-sand beach. The Sunset Deck at the Beach House offers the largest beachfront deck of any of Florida’s West Coast venues. This stateof-the-art facility boasts climate-controlled dining and an unobstructed view of the Gulf of Mexico. Buttonwood Bay at Mar Vista is a location that couples dream about. With majestic buttonwood trees, beachfront footage, and Longboat Key in your sights, your camera needs to be your plus one. The Studio at Gulf & Pine offers indoor elegance surrounded by local art, just steps from the beach. Not far from Anna Maria Island is Gamble Creek Farm, our newest wedding and events destination. With acres of farmland, creek front scenery, and plenty of privacy, Gamble Creek is the perfect venue for the couple looking for that rustic, farm to table experience. For multiple years now, couples of "The Knot" and “Wedding Wire” have voted The Grand Pavilion at The Sandbar and the Sunset Deck at The Beach House top-rated ceremony and wedding destinations. With perfect venues and an event team that is constantly receiving glowing reviews, Anna Maria Island Venues offers something for everyone. If you are having trouble selecting the perfect destination, ask our team about our All Venue Packages to experience a taste of them all.

Want your wedding photos to be featured here? Submit them to ads@amisun.com, subject 'Wedding Photos' along with your names, date of wedding and location and phone number for a chance to be featured here*.

*Submission of photo not a guarantee for placement. The Sun is not responsible for any copyright infringement.

Adele and Michael Hronic were married at The Grand Pavillion at the Sandbar on April 20, 2024. Photos by Blooms by The Beach.

OUTDOORS

Volunteers clean up Bowlees Creek

his past Saturday, I attended Suncoast Aqua Venture’s largescale cleanup of Bowlees Creek, a 4.8-mile stream in Manatee County just north of the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

This body of water is located within the Sarasota Bay watershed and drains a large area of Sarasota and Manatee counties.

The event, in partnership with Keep Manatee Beautiful and the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, was headquartered at the Bahia Mar West Marina and hosted by owners Willy and Aubry Petrat. Other partners included Suncoast Waterkeeper, Sarasota Bay Watch and Oyster River Ecology.

The marina is a unique location on Sarasota Bay that has private and public slips (first come, first served), a large tiki hut and many other amenities. The area of the cleanup included upstream within U.S. Highway 301 and State Road 70 boundaries, and downstream to the mouth of Sarasota Bay, including Bowlees Island.

Cheryl Huntsinger, vice president of Suncoast Aqua Ventures, said, "A major goal of today's event was to get trash from upstream areas before it made it to the creek flowing downstream into Sarasota Bay."

During the event, over 70 volunteers used pontoon boats, kayaks, paddleboards and small jon boats and collected over 1,600 pounds of debris The event was well-timed after recent rains. Following the cleanup, Suncoast Aqua Ventures and Bahia Mar West Marina held a cookout at the marina’s tiki hut.

Suncoast Aqua Ventures was created by a handful of friends in 2016 who were concerned about trash and debris in our waterways. They created a one-of-a-kind competitive event called The Reef & Beach Cleanup and gave cash and prizes in numerous categories to teams who competed. They

structure all activities to be fun, family-friendly events. To date, their events have collected over 100,000 pounds of marine debris from our waterways. Their volunteers come from all ages and all walks of life and include water enthusiasts, kayakers, fishermen, scuba divers and anyone who has a passion for our beautiful aquatic ecosystem.

Their next event will be a cleanup of Perico Bayou and northern Palma Sola Bay, one of my favorite

locations and close to Anna Maria Island. I encourage readers to sign up and participate in one of these events. You’ll make new friends, be surrounded by like-minded volunteers and go away knowing you left our local waters better than you found them. For information on the upcoming Perico Bayou cleanup, visit the Suncoast Aqua Ventures website at www.suncoastaquaventures.com.

RUSTY CHINNIS

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN Kayakers work to clean up Bowlees Creek near the entrance to the Bahia Mar West Marina.

Help keep local waters clean this summer

The city of Holmes Beach and the Islanders 4 Clean Water group are offering tips to help conserve water and keep waterways clean over the hot summer months.

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

HOLMES BEACH – The summer is already sizzling on Anna Maria Island with soaring temperatures and lots of people flocking to the white sand beaches. And while everyone is having fun in the sun, city leaders in Holmes Beach and the community members behind the Islanders 4 Clean Water campaign want to remind everyone that it’s important to help keep the water clean for wildlife and future generations.

At home or at your vacation destination, here are some tips for helping to keep drinking water plentiful and help the environment:

• Conserve fresh water by turning off the sink when brushing your teeth or shaving.

• Take short showers or baths.

• Check for plumping leaks.

• Only run the dishwasher or washing machine when full.

• Install drought-tolerant landscaping and follow local outdoor watering guidelines.

• Use a rain barrel to gather water for your garden.

• Follow Manatee County’s fertilizer ban from June 1 to Sept. 30.

• Use eco-friendly pesticides.

• Properly dispose of hazardous items.

• Reduce or eliminate usage of single-use plastics.

WHILE AT THE BEACH OR IN THE WATER:

• Take your trash with you and leave the sand as you found it.

• If you dig holes, make sure they’re filled in before you leave and remove any plastic.

• Don’t leave chairs, toys, umbrellas or tents on the beach after sunset.

• When boating, follow posted speed zone signs, look out for wildlife and stay in deep water channels as much as possible.

• Don’t boat over seagrass beds and in shallow water.

• Don’t dispose of trash or other waste in the water.

• Maintain a distance of at least 50 feet from manatees and other wildlife.

For more tips, visit www. islanders4cleanwater.com.

Water quality advisory lifted for Palma Sola South

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

BRADENTON - On June 13, the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County (DOH-Manatee) lifted the water quality advisory for high bacterial levels at Palma Sola South.

Tests completed on June 10 indicated that the water had an acceptable level of Enterococcus bacteria established by state guidelines, according to DOH-Manatee. The water quality advisory on June 6 for Palma Sola South, located on the east end of the Palma Sola Causeway and the south side of Manatee Avenue West, was based on water testing on June 4 and 6. At that time, the water quality did not meet the recreational water quality criteria for Enterococcus bacteria recommended by the Florida Department of Health. Test results are available at FloridaHealth.gov/HealthyBeaches.

FORM 6: Judge suspends disclosure requirements

FROM PAGE 4

When asked if the preliminary injunction bodes well for the permanent invalidation of the Form 6 requirements for city officials, Cole said, “This is a good first step towards the ultimate relief we are seeking in the lawsuit, which is the invalidation of SB 774 and a permanent injunction against its enforcement.”

When asked about an estimated timetable for a permanent injunction, Cole said, “We do not have a timetable in place, but the preliminary injunction protects the plaintiffs and all other elected municipal officials during the pendency of the lawsuit.”

On June 10, Anna Maria City Attorney Becky Vose sent Mayor Dan Murphy an email informing him of the ruling and its impact on the Anna Maria mayor and commissioners: “It is, in my legal opinion, a well-reasoned opinion and is supported by applicable case law and relevant facts. As a result of the injunction which applies state-wide, you will not be required to file Form 6 until further notice.”

Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth said, “I am pleased with the injunction. It is highly intrusive for elected officials in

The Form 6 requirement is the most intrusive financial disclosure anywhere in the United States, stricter than even the one required of the president of the United States.”

Jamie Cole attorney

small governments to file this information each year.”

Holmes Beach Commission Chair Terry Schaefer said, “The injunction is relief for those who had not yet filed, as they can revert to Form 1. This may encourage additional small city candidates to run. I appreciate the ruling as it challenges the necessity of the bill. However, I’m certain there will be a corrective bill next session to address the judge’s concerns.”

CVHS receives estuary education grant

A $10,000 grant from the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program will be used to educate the public about estuary health.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

CORTEZ – The Cortez Village Historical Society’s mission of preserving the history of Cortez extends into protecting the environment that supports the village’s commercial fishing industry.

To that end, the historical society recently received a $10,000 grant from the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program for the CVHS Estuary Education Project.

“We will help those who enjoy the fresh seafood bounty that our working waterfront provides to understand that the continued experience is wholly reliant on estuarine health,” according to the CVHS grant proposal, entitled, “It Takes a Village: Healthy Estuary

Education and Call-to-Action Project in Cortez. “We will build on this attention by suggesting specific acts that people can do to protect seagrass and mangroves, reduce toxic runoff and support improvements to wastewater treatment and management.”

Grant project managers are CVHS Vice President Paul Dryfoos and CVHS board member Susynne McElrone.

According to the grant proposal, the funds will be used to present a public information program that includes:

• Signs placed throughout the village promoting awareness of estuarine conservation, relating it to the fresh seafood enjoyed in the community, the long history of resource-based livelihood in Cortez, and how viewers can be part of the solution.

• Bifold education cards to be placed on the tables of Cortez’s popular seafood restaurants.

• A tri-fold map/guide to Cortez highlighting key estuary-friendly features, including the mangrove preserve, grass swales, protected seagrass beds, freshwater tributaries and native plant buffers.

• A community fish fry with an educational program on estuary conservation, with relevant partner organizations invited to present on key conservation initiatives and strategies.

“We hope to have some of the signage in place by the first of the year,” Dryfoos said. “There will be at least four visually interesting signs using historic images from our collection. Each sign will have a QR code which will give a deeper story.”

CVHS partnered with Cortez Bait and Seafood, the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage, Friends of the Florida Maritime Museum, Organized Fishermen of Florida, Sweet Consulting, Star Fish Co. Restaurant and Fish Market and the Swordfish Grill in the project.

Summer Social coming to Cortez Cultural Center

CORTEZ – The Florida Maritime Museum and the Cortez Village Historical Society will host a free, family-friendly Summer Social at the Cortez Cultural Center, 11655 Cortez Road W., on Saturday, June 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Seashell Story Time starts at 11:30 a.m. followed by a craft where you can make a "pet" hermit crab to take home.

Play Nature Bingo at 12:30 p.m. for a chance to win prizes and learn about the flora and fauna found on the FISH Preserve.

Other activities include iSpy Artifacts, Seashell Show and Tell, an Outdoor Scavenger Hunt and watercolor painting kits.

All activities are free for all ages and no registration is required.

Free parking is available at the Florida Maritime Museum’s main lot, 4415 119th St. W. (walk over the footbridge to the Cortez Cultural Center) or park in the field at the FISH Preserve.

REAL ESTATE

Roofs: Need I say more?

It's Florida, it’s hurricane season and your insurer is taking a good look at the most important thing over your head, and it’s not your favorite baseball cap.

It used to be that a roof needed to be replaced every 20 to 30 years, sometimes even 40 years depending on where you live and the material of your roof. Well, we live in Florida and it’s probably the worst environment for roofs in the country if you’re not including states north of Massachusetts where purchasing a snow broom and a variety of snow shovels are the norm.

Castles in the Sand

LOUISE BOLGER

It’s not perfect, but the legislation has helped many homeowners.

longer drop homeowners simply because of the age of their roof, they also received financial protection to cover their own losses. This reduced the likelihood of unnecessary roof replacements when repairs would be sufficient, lowering homeowner premiums and costs to insurers.

To complicate the weather issues, we also have insurance issues which thankfully are starting to work themselves out. After a rising number of homeowners had their insurance policies canceled or their insurers refused to offer them coverage simply due to the age of their roofs, the Florida Legislature implemented new roof requirements for homeowners’ insurance in Florida in May of 2022.

According to the Tampa Bay Times: “Companies would be blocked from denying coverage because of a roof’s age if the roof is less than 15 years old. And for roofs that are older than 15 years, insurers would have to allow an insurance agent or homeowner to have an inspection on the roof’s condition before refusing coverage. If the inspections show the roof has five or more years of useful life left, the insurance company could not reject coverage simply because of age.”

Essentially, the legislation aimed to improve conditions for both homeowners and insurers. While insurers could no

In addition, insurance companies can now offer policies that pay out the actual cash value for roofs over 10 years old rather than the cost of a full replacement. Homeowners can now opt to buy a policy with a stated value limit for roof coverage and lower payments based on a schedule for roofs over 10 years old subject to an inspection.

And while we’re talking inspections, any roof inspection should be performed by a certified roof inspector, not by a contractor who may have an interest in installing a new roof. Inspectors can be found on certification organizations' websites such as the National Roof Certification & Inspection Association.

A homeowner’s situation with their

insurer is one problem facing them today. The other issue is buyers who want to know that they’re buying a secure and preferably new roof so they don’t have any insurance issues. It frequently comes up in negotiations, especially if a potential buyer hires a roof inspector. If you have an older roof, even if you haven’t experienced any leaks, be prepared to get pushback from buyers.

Finally, the type of roof you have is key to longevity. Metal roofs can last for 50 years. Concrete or clay tiles also last up to 50 years. Wood is more vulnerable and even the old standby asphalt shingles are also vulnerable to Florida’s weather. How insurance companies treat roofs that have a long life even if they are over 15 years old is going to be on a case-by-case basis. Do what you can to keep the most important thing over your head in good shape by keeping up with repairs and adding roof straps or clips. At least you’ll be safer in a storm even if your insurance company isn’t happy.

BEACH BEAT

HOLMES BEACH

6/6, 7 p.m., resisting/obstructing an officer without violence, 3200 East Bay Drive. Officers responded to a report of an intoxicated male disturbing people at the beach near the 3400 block of Gulf

Drive. The caller said the subject was acting aggressively to people at the beach. A witness took a picture of the man before he left the beach and shared it with the officers. Shortly after, a second call came in advising the subject was now causing a disturbance in the shopping plaza at 3200 East Bay Drive. Officers located the man at the plaza, where another witness said the subject took a shopping cart into China 1 restaurant and blocked an employee from leaving the building. When officers

attempted to place him in handcuffs, they said he resisted and told one of the officers he would “kill them with a baseball” because he was about to go pro. While being transported to Manatee County Jail, he allegedly told the transporting officer multiple times he would kill him as well.

6/7, 10:28 a.m., trespassing, 6500 Flotilla Drive. Officers were dispatched in reference to two suspects trespassing at the pool at the listed address. The community

TREES: Another coconut palm falls on Bridge Street

to have been uprooted with the complete root ball out of the ground.

The $50,000 tree project is a public-private partnership between the city and Kaleta’s Beach to Bay Investments LLC. The maintenance and liability for the trees are legally Beach to Bay’s responsibility under a contract signed by Chappie and Kaleta last month.

The fallen palm tree was located near 120 Bridge St. It appeared

“It’s possible that that’s because there’s a lot of rock in that area,” Chappie said, adding that M&F Lawn Care will be checking the tree to make sure it’s staked properly.

A smaller tree fell across the sidewalk on May 15 near the same location and another was leaning into Bridge Street on June 14.

“The little one near Sports has been hit by trucks,” Chappie said.

“We may be taking that one out.” At a June 5 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting, Chappie said that four or five of the smaller palms were leaning and didn’t appear to have a good connection with their root balls.

“Miguel (landscaper Miguel Mancera of M&F Lawn Care) assured us that he was guaranteeing everything that was planted,” Chappie said at that meeting.

association manager told the officers the two suspects were told to leave the pool earlier in the week, but had returned, and he wanted the two trespassed from the area. When officers came to the pool area, they found a male and female juvenile, both with open cans of alcohol. There was also a 12-pack box containing more cans of Twisted Tea. Both juveniles’ parents were contacted and both were trespassed from the property. Both admitted to not living in the community.

Duncan reappointed to pension board

Local Realtor Darcie Duncan will serve another two-year term as the fifth member of the Holmes Beach Police Pension Board of Trustees. Duncan was selected by a majority of her fellow board members during a May 17 meeting and then reappointed by a unanimous vote of the city commission on June 11. Members of the pension board of trustees serve two-year terms. There are five members of the board including two Holmes Beach residents selected by the city commission, two members elected by a majority of the city’s police officers and a fifth member chosen by a majority of the sitting board members. Duncan’s new term expires on April 1, 2026.

Summer solstice yoga to benefit

Save AMI Cities

Celebrate the longest day of the year, Saturday, June 22, by joining community members for a morning yoga session at Waterline. The Summer Solstice 2024 event begins with registration at 8 a.m. with yoga beginning at 8:30 a.m. on the lawn facing the water at the Waterline Villas & Marina, 5325 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach. All proceeds from the event help support the Save AMI Cities effort, a grassroots organization of community members working to raise awareness of local political efforts to consolidate the three Anna Maria Island cities, potentially under the governance of the Manatee County Board of Commissioners. Through advocacy, community engage-

CENTER NOTES

Book Club

ment, and awareness campaigns, the organization strives to prevent the consolidation of the cities, ensuring they retain their individual character and local control. The yoga session is open to ages 14 and up with water and towels provided by Waterline and live music from James Hershey. The cost to attend is $20. For more information, contact Dana Sky with Sky Sol Yoga at dana@ skysolyoga.com or call 814-9323520.

Help local pets in need

Manatee County Animal Welfare is nearly at high capacity and is in need of volunteers and donations to help care for cats and dogs in their care and in the community. Fosters and adopters are needed for both cats and dogs with an urgent need for kitten fosters. MCAW provides all

The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., welcomes everyone to a free book club for adults. Held on the second Monday of each month

training and supplies for foster families. Dog walkers are also needed at the Palmetto shelter with cat caretaker volunteers needed at Cat Town. Donations are needed of dry and wet dog and cat food and cat litter for the county’s pet pantry, which helps to feed local pets in need. Cat Town needs donations of KMR formula, heating discs, snuggle buddies, miracle nipples and small kitten scratch pads for kittens and young cats. June is Adopt-A-Shelter Cat month and to celebrate, MCAW is offering reduced adoption rates, $15 for kittens and $5 for adult cats through June 30. To volunteer as a foster, email lauren.tryon@ mymanatee.org. To see adoptable pets and learn more about being a volunteer visit https://www. mymanatee.org/departments/ public_safety/animal_services.

at 2 p.m., the book to be discussed on Monday, July 8 is Night Angels by Weina Dai Randel. Feel free to bring a book to swap. To register for Center programs or for more information, email The Center at customerservice@ centerami.org or call 941-778-1908.

BOAT: Coast Guard investigates tour boat striking bridge

FROM PAGE 1

we want to continue to watch the sunset!! At this point, everyone on board was completely traumatized.”

“My brother went to the captain worried and asking him what was happening. He told my brother that ‘We have some steering on one motor and none on the other,’” she wrote, adding that there were babies and elderly family members on board. “The captain made no effort to call anyone to help us. No call to 911, no call to the Coast Guard, no help. It was a tense 45-minute struggle back to the marina with limited steering. There were some injuries. The captain told us when we got back that he was sorry and that he would give us a refund.”

Bridges said she reported the incident to the U.S. Coast Guard. “I felt that the incident had to be reported. Upon speaking with the Coast Guard, I was told there had not been any reports made by the

company. I was told that there had been dealings with this captain before,” she wrote.

The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed they are investigating the incident.

“We can confirm that there was an allision (a moving vessel hitting a stationary object) between an inspected passenger vessel and

the Longboat Pass Bridge on Sunday, June 9. This allision was considered a marine casualty and is currently being investigated by the Coast Guard,” Coast Guard Public Affairs Officer Santiago Gomez wrote in a June 14 email to The Sun. “Coast Guard regulations currently require marine employ -

ers to take all practical steps after a Serious Marine Incident to have each individual engaged or employed on board a vessel in commercial service, who is directly involved in the incident, chemically tested for evidence of drug and alcohol use.”

“My family went back to the marina the next day to get our refund. No one had reached out to us, so we went to speak with them in person,” Bridges wrote.

“The owner of the company, Shawn Kaleta, spoke with us. He seemed like he didn't know much about what had happened. We questioned him on protocol, but he didn't know what the protocol was. He did state that the captain had been fired. He basically finished the conversation saying they gave us the refund and there wasn't much else he could do.”

The Sun contacted the Bradenton Beach Marina on June 14 for comment. No response was received by press time.

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Stephanie Bridges posted Facebook photos of the tour boat she and her family were on after she said it struck the Longboat Pass Bridge.

TAX: Tourist tax increase one step closer to ballot

“Elliott and I have talked about this, and Elliott has a plan for that,” Turner said. “If a regular resident that’s not up on all these details sees an increase in taxes, they will automatically assume it’s at a cost to them. In this particular case, it’s a real benefit to residents.”

Falcione said he’s statutorily handcuffed and can’t place ads to “sell” the tax increase, but the TDC, county commission, chambers of commerce, local businesses and others with influence in the community can help educate the community. Falcione also doubled down on a statement he made at the April 15 TDC meeting, as well as when he spoke to The Sun about the issue in May.

“There are no plans to market the destination harder with this additional money,” Falcione said. “Shame on me if I ever did that, but you won’t have to worry about that because it won’t happen.”

Falcione said the additional money from the tax would go to community

improvements, not bringing more people to the area, especially to AMI, which he admits at certain times of year is at capacity.

Falcione explained where the money goes and how it benefits both visitors and residents by offering maintenance, upgrades and marketing for the following and more:

• Coquina Beach parking lot

• Bridge Street Pier and Anna Maria City Pier

• Grassy Point Preserve

• Anna Maria Bayfront Park

• Beach renourishment (currently 1% out of the total 5%)

• Cortez Village Historical Society

• Myakka History Center

• Bradenton Area Convention Center

• Bishop Museum

• Manatee Performing Arts Center

• Premier Sports Campus

• The Sarasota Bradenton Airport (SRQ) partnership

• Gulf Islands Ferry (water taxi)

The TDC approved the recommendation unanimously and it will be sent to the county commission for a vote.

Anna Maria, FL 34216

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Horseshoe results

From left, Bob Hawks and Gary Howcroft are all smiles after winning the Anna Maria Horseshoes final 22-10 over Bob Heiger and Tom Farrington on June 12, ending the day in the winner's circle. Two teams also met in the final on June 15. Herb Schutt and Dom Livedoti teamed up and shut down Howcroft and Tim Sofran 22-14 to win the day's competition.

Meet, greet six candidates

Karen Bell will host six candidates in local political races at the Star Fish Co. dock, 12306 46th Ave. W., Cortez, on Sunday, June 23 at 6 p.m. Invited are Scott Farrington (R), Manatee County Supervisor of Elections; Charlie Hackney (R), Manatee County Property Appraiser; George

You know it's summer when...

The first day of summer is Thursday, June 20, but these seagulls in Anna Maria began their summer solstice celebrations early.

Kruse (R), Manatee County Commission, District 7 – at large; Jonathan Lynch (NPA), Manatee County School Board, District 3; Tal Siddique (R), Manatee County

about the current state of our local government and thought it would be good for people to have an opportunity to meet these six candidates who I know person-

Four qualify in Anna Maria

The city of Anna Maria’s candidate qualifying period ended on June 14 with four candidates qualified to seek election in November. Current Commission Chair Mark Short will face former Commissioner Brian Seymour in the race to succeed departing Mayor Dan Murphy. Incumbent Commissioner Gary McMullen and former Charter Review Committee Chairperson Chris Arendt are running unopposed and will automatically claim commission seats after the general election in November. Win or lose in the mayor’s race, Short will vacate his current city commission seat after the general election. This will create a third open seat to be filled by city commission appointment in late 2024 or early 2025.

Bear qualifies in Bradenton Beach

Scott Bear will be the new Ward 2 commissioner in Bradenton Beach, taking the seat currently held by Commissioner Marilyn Maro. The election qualifying period ended on June 14 at noon, with Bear being the only candidate

“We only have one person who qualified,” Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Deputy Chief Sharon Stief said on June 17. “Since he is unopposed, he is considered to be elected.”

The election takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Commissioners serve two-year terms.

Maro has been absent with excuse from commission and CRA meetings for more than a year for an undisclosed reason. She has telephoned

CINDY LANE | SUN

HOLMES BEACH: Election race begins

re-elected, this would be her fourth term as mayor.

ness, Archangel Technolo gies, a commercial and government contractor dealing with healthcare staffing, oncology, medical physicists and business and financial consulting. His wife, Casey, is listed as his business partner. His political website also states that Roth is a veteran, having served 34 years in the U.S. Army.

According to his website, Roth is running for mayor because he feels the city is in need of strong leadership and experience in light of the state of Florida and Manatee County attacks on home rule in the city. His statements go on to note that he would work to interact with local and state leaders in the way they expect a mayor to respond.

JUDY TITSWORTH

Titsworth is no stranger to Holmes Beach politics, having served as a city commissioner from 2012-18 and as mayor since November 2018. If

Titsworth said she feels being mayor of a city like Holmes Beach is a full-time job and gave up her position with Shoreline Builders to commit herself fully to working at the city. The city she serves was named for her grandfather, Jack Holmes. In addition to her work in the local political arena, Titsworth also volunteers as a wildlife rehabilitator. A lifelong Holmes Beach resident, Titsworth grew up on Anna Maria Island, leaving, she said, only to attend college before returning to raise her children in the Island city.

As mayor, she’s held the line against the encroachment of paid parking in Holmes Beach and actively works on initiatives to improve water quality and reduce overdevelopment.

COMMISSION CANDIDATES DAN DIGGINS

Diggins was first elected to the city commission in 2022 and is seeking his second term on the dais. A Holmes Beach resident since 2011, Diggins previously

worked as a commercial pilot, air traffic controller, airport/airspace designer and a worldwide aircraft accident investigator. Now Diggins says he enjoys working with his fellow commissioners and playing golf at least twice a week.

While on the commission, Diggins has served as the commission liaison for the Island Transportation Planning Organization, Manatee County Council of Governments and as an alternate for the Manatee County Emergency Operations Center.

STEVEN OELFKE

Oelfke is ready to take a leap in local politics and move to the city commission. Currently, he serves Holmes Beach on the city’s planning commission with a term expiring July 1, 2026. He and his wife, Jennifer, have been Holmes Beach residents since 2017.

BILL ROMBERGER

has been an active com munity member as both a Realtor and member of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce. He and his family owned and operated the Tropic Isle Inn in Bradenton Beach for over 12 years. Now he works as a Realtor and is seeking a first term in political office.

CAROL WHITMORE

Romberger is a newcomer to the Holmes Beach political scene but

Whitmore, a longtime political figure and Holmes Beach resident, is stepping back into the spotlight after 18 months in the private sector. Previously, she served as a Holmes Beach commissioner and mayor before being elected as a Manatee County at-large commissioner. Now Whitmore says she’s ready to come back to her community to serve as a commissioner, where she hopes she can use her political knowledge to help the city in its fight against government overreach from county and state officials.

Diggins

Roth

Whitmore

Oelfke

Romberger

BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN

Progressive Cabinetry takes championship

ANNA MARIA – The spring adult co-ed soccer season on the Island started with 10 full teams of players young and not so young, traveling from Sarasota, Palmetto and beyond to hit the pitch for the last three months.

Last Thursday night, two teams faced off for the final game of the season and bragging rights as Island soccer champions.

After two halves of play, the exciting game ended in a tie. Tim Holly scored the first and only goal for the Ross Built Custom Home team in the first

GRANT:

half of the big game. Leo Gonzalez scored the tying goal for Progressive Cabinetry after halftime.

The strong defensive efforts by both teams kept the scoring low and goalkeepers busy. Each team is known for their shooting and Progressive’s Tyler Bekkerus made eight saves in the team’s win.

On his side of the field, Ross Built’s main keeper, Max Gazzo, worked hard with a recorded 14 stops of his opponents’ strikes. Taking Gazzo’s place at the net, Eliza Faillace made two saves in the game.

The title of champion for the season came down to overtime play.

Using Golden Goal overtime play, Progressive’s team captain, Keith Mahoney, was the first to strike and first to score in overtime, giving his team the big 2-1 win and championship title at The Center, and ending another great season of soccer on Anna Maria Island.

SIMPSON | SUN

Team Progressive Cabinetry came from behind in the championship game to win over Ross Built Custom Homes at The Center. Top row from left are Raul Loera, Tyler Bekkerus, Jacek Czajkowski, Alex Aviles and Osvaldo Cabello. Bottom row from left are Junior Martines, Emily Bekkerus, Leo Gonzalez and Keith Mahoney.

TDC supports Holmes Beach path funding

path improvements ($1,293,238) and the remainder designated for Marina Drive path improvements, engineering design, flashing crosswalks and educational signage. Kamiya told the TDC that the path improvement plan would be implemented in phases, with the first phase focusing on the city center area on both Gulf Drive and Marina Drive. The phase 1 estimate is $1,133,401, with $399,460 coming from the city of Holmes Beach and the remaining $733,948 being requested from the TDC. Rather than approve or deny the funding at the Aug. 21 meeting, the TDC unanimously chose to have the matter brought to a future meeting in hopes of getting answers to questions multiple board members had, such as whether or not the path would eliminate public parking spots, which side of the street the path would be built on and a more specific timeline, among other concerns and questions. The TDC discussed the request at both the Oct. 16, 2023 and Dec. 4, 2023 meetings, but still had questions. According to Kamiya, because of the delay, Holmes Beach

decided to use funds set aside for phase one of the project for other city projects, so the numbers have changed since it was last discussed. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has recently started the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Barrier Islands Complete Streets Improvements Study. This study includes the evaluation of multimodal alternatives for State Road 789, County Road 789, Marina Drive and Palm Drive in Holmes Beach.

Kamiya told the TDC that his hope is the PD&E study will provide funding that will take some of the financial weight off the amount the city is requesting from the county’s tourist tax dollars.

“We did get an FDOT letter to support the project,” Kamiya said. “This makes sense from their perspective because they do want to improve safety. There’s been several fatalities along the roadway, so that’s been our push for this.”

Kamiya went on to ask the council if they would back a portion of the proposal that would not be funded by the PD&E study. He said that amount would be around $500,000. Kamiya also noted that

the study doesn’t initially carry construction money with it. The funds would be for design and planning, and when it is time for construction, funding through the study as well as the county would have to be discussed further.

TDC member and Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown had concerns about this project at each of the previous two meetings in which this was discussed and was the first to speak up with more questions this time around.

“I’ve been one that’s said all along that it’s important to do the whole Island if we’re going to do anything,” Brown said. “I do have a question; you’ve asked Rep. Buchanan for $2.24 million dollars for a multimodal path along Gulf Drive and Marina Drive. What is that money to be slated for?”

Kamiya responded saying the actual amount requested was $2.9 million and, because the PD&E study does not include construction money, those funds requested would be used for just the multimodal path along Gulf Drive. He added that the $2.9 million would only pay for part of the project and further funds would have to be found to complete the entire project. Kamiya also made it clear

that the study funds would only be for the Gulf Drive portion of the project, not Marina Drive or any remaining portions.

Mayor Brown countered, saying he still did not support the request because too many questions remained and he thought the proposal was confusing and incomplete without solid details. Brown also said he was not pleased that Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth was not in attendance for what he saw as a very important meeting. He believed it was not in the best interest of the city to request such a large sum of money without a mayor or vicemayor in attendance.

Minutes before the TDC took a vote on the request, the discussion took a turn toward the Gulf Island Ferry having a docking place in Holmes Beach. TDC members discussed whether an existing docking location could be improved to support the ferry or the possibility of a new dock being built somewhere in the city. With the stipulation that the possibility of the ferry landing in Holmes Beach be added to the request, the TDC voted unanimously to send the recommendation for $500,000 to Manatee County commissioners.

MONICA

FUN IN THE SUN

CLASSIFIEDS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: TINGLEY LIBRARY in Bradenton Beach is looking for volunteers. Fun and friendly atmosphere. Morning and afternoon shifts. If interested, please contact Library Clerk, Eveann Adams, @ 941779-1208.

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

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

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

BOATS FOR SALE

BOATS ARE SELLING VERY WELL. “Business On A Handshake” Your Local Trusted Boat Dealer For 24 Years. I also buy boats. Dave Struber 941-228-3489. Islandboatsales.net

COMMERCIAL SALES, RENT & LEASE

HAVE YOU BEEN thinking of selling? We NEED properties to List for SALE!!! Duplexes, multi family, small resorts? Call BIG Alan Galletto of Island Real Estate to get it SOLD 941-232-2216

CLEANING SERVICE

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

COMPUTER REPAIR

STACY’S COMPUTERS- REPAIR & Tutoring in your home. Senior/Veterans discount. Apple & PC’s. Prompt, Friendly, Patient. Call Stacy 941-246-1048

EMPLOYMENT

EXPERIENCED NAIL TECH, great personality to take over existing clients PT to FT. Tired of where you are come join our salon! Call 941-545-3305.

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

RENOVATION SPECALIST

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

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

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

JSAN CORPORATION

Renovations Construction & Handyman Services 941-243-0995 Lic# CRC1332505 jsancorporation@gmail. com Flooring, Drywall, Painting, Repairs, Kitchen and Bathrooms, Trim & Doors. Free Estimates. Credit Cards Accepted.

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

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

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

HOME SERVICES

OUR SERVICE House cleaning, home repairs, tile, concrete, remodeling, decks, steps, flooring, water drainage solutions, rental 24 hour service, hurricane shutters & pre-storm service. New low cost generator and installation (starts & runs on propane when power goes off) no permits needed. Islander over 40 years here!! Call 941-4049163.

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

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

MOVING & STORAGE

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

PAINTING & WALLCOVERING

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

“WIZARD OF WALLS” Established 1980 Prompt quality service. Wallpaper installation/ removal. Mary Bell Winegarden 941-794-0455

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

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

POOL SERVICES

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

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

PRESSURE WASHING & WINDOWS

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

REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE

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

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

HISTORICAL COTTAGE

409 Pine Ave. $2.2M 4BR/3BA pool. Brenda Boyd May Broker / Owner. All realtors welcome. 941-730-8589

RENTALS: ANNUAL

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

ANNUAL RENTAL: 2BR/2BA furnished Wildwood Springs condo, no pets. $1850 monthly Call 941-778-4800

ANNUAL RENTAL: 611 Gulf Dr N. C15 Bradenton Beach, FL 34217, Imperial House Condo 2BA/1BA $2000/mo - Available Aug 1st. 208 A Magnolia Ave. 2BD/2BA $2800/moavailable June 1st. 208 B Magnolia Ave. 2BD/2BA $2800/mo- available Aug 1st. 407 76th St A Holmes Beach, FL 34216 $5000/ mo- available June 1st. Contact Sato Real Estate for more information. 941778-7200

2BR/1BA, ANNUAL, carport, laundry room, porch, new central a/c, no pets, short walk to the beach. $2400/mo. Dolores Baker Real Estate. 941-778-7500.

RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION

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

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

ANNA MARIA ISLAND

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

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

TRANSPORTATION

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