Anna Maria Island Sun March 8, 2023

Saving daylight

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan have introduced legislation that would make Daylight Saving Time permanent. But until it passes, don’t forget to set your clocks forward one hour on Sunday, March 12 at 2 a.m.

One proposed bill would pave way for parking garage at Manatee Beach...

If the parking garage - with 1500-1700 spaces - is built at Manatee Beach, beachgoers would have to park elsewhere for two years, then pay meters.

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

HOLMES BEACH – A bill in the Florida House of Representatives would allow a three-story parking garage to cover the entire parking lot at the Manatee Countyowned Manatee Beach.

If HB 947 passes both houses and is signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, Island visitors and residents could be facing at

SEE PARKING, PAGE 19

Red tide lingers longer

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Respiratory irritation and fish kills were reported in Manatee County last week due to red tide.

Intense respiratory irritation was reported at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach and moderate respiratory irritation was reported at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach, with fish kills present, according to visitbeaches.org, the Mote Marine Laboratory reporting system.

According to the most recent Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) report last Friday, red tide levels were very low in water samples at Longboat Pass bridge in Bradenton Beach and the Rod and Reel Pier in Anna Maria, and low at the Palma Sola Bay bridge on the causeway, however, gusty winds arose that scattered the airborne toxin produced by red tide.

Red tide produces a neurotoxin called brevetoxin that can cause respiratory irritation, coughing, and more serious illness for people with severe or

SEE RED TIDE, PAGE 25

... while another threatens freedom of speech

Legislature is considering bills that would, in part, change defamation law to make it easier for elected officials and other public figures to sue news and social media producers.

SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com

TALLAHASSEE – As the Florida legislative session opens this week, lawmakers have two companion bills to consider that critics say would remove longstanding constitutional and judicial protections of freedom of speech and of the press.

If passed, Senate Bill 1220, “Defamation and Related Actions,” filed by

Jason Brodeur (R-Lake Mary), and House Bill 991, “Defamation, False Light, and Unauthorized Publication of Name or Likenesses,” filed by Alex Andrade (R-Pensacola), will not only have a chilling effect on free speech in traditional news media outlets, but on people who publish their views in social media, according to Bobby Block, executive director of the Tallahassee-based First Amendment Foundation.

“HB 991 is officially called the Defamation, False Light, and Unauthorized Publication of Name or Likenesses Bill. But First Amendment activists like me who have read it call it the “Death to Public Discourse Bill,”

SEE BILLS, PAGE 25

ST. PATRICK’S DAY parade comes early on AMI. 8

AMOB staff rescues 80-year-old man who jumps off pier. 4

Page 27

A LITTLE SHRIMP, a bit of sausage and a pinch of inspiration. 24

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

CITY OF HOLMES BEACH | SUBMITTED

A rendering from the City of Holmes Beach shows an estimate of how much space the proposed parking garage could take up on Manatee Beach’s parking lot. Manatee County Commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge describes the proposed garage as larger than this projection.

Residents considering Pines Trailer Park purchase

BY JOE HENDRICKS

SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH –

Residents of the Pines Trailer Park must soon decide if they have the desire and the means to collectively purchase for $16 million the 2.78-acre waterfront property their mobile homes sit upon.

In late January, the Jackson Partnership LLLP that has long owned the mobile home park informed residents and the residents association of its desire to sell.

Under state law, the potentially impacted mobile home owners must be given the first opportunity to buy the mobile home park property before it can be sold to anyone else.

According to three Pines residents who spoke on the condition of anonymity, at

least two sales-related community meetings have been held in the Pines Trailer Park community building. During those meetings, residents were informed that they’d have ap-

proximately 45 days to determine if they can secure the $16 million needed to purchase the park.

The park contains 87 individual lots, which equates

to $183,908 per lot. Some residents live in the park yearround and others reside there on a seasonal basis. It is not clear what would happen to the existing mobile homes if

the homeowners are unable to buy the park, or whether another potential buyer is waiting in the wings. The park’s management and park residents have not responded to requests for onthe-record comments regarding the potential sale.

STATE STATUTE

Section 723 of Florida Statutes addresses the sale of mobile home parks and reads as follows: “If a mobile home park owner offers a mobile home park for sale, she or he shall notify the officers of the homeowners’ association of the offer, stating the price and the terms and conditions of sale. The mobile home owners shall have the right to purchase the park, provided the home owners meet the price and terms and conditions of the mobile home park owner by executing a contract with the park owner within 45 days,

No final decisions have been made yet regarding the potential sale of the park.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

At least two sales-related meetings have taken place in the Pines Trailer Park community building.

BRIEF

Street South on March 2.

Undergrounding project expanded

The utility line undergrounding project currently underway in Bradenton Beach along Bay Drive South and Third, Fourth and Fifth streets south will be expanded to include the undergrounding of the utility lines along First Street North as well. On March 1, the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) authorized the work order with JM Undergrounding to be amended to include undergrounding the utility lines along First Street North using the remaining $187,000 in CRA funds previously budgeted for the undergrounding project.

Water taxi agreement on Thursday’s agenda

The Anna Maria City Commission will meet on Thursday, March 9 at 2 p.m. According to the meeting agenda, the commission will conduct a public hearing regarding a replatting request for a property located at 828 Bay Drive S. The commission will discuss a proposed interlocal agreement with Manatee County pertaining to the use of the City Pier as a landing area for the county water taxi service that’s expected to run from downtown Bradenton to Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and back. The commission will be presented with a city resolution that formally expresses the city commission’s opposition to Senate Bill 714, the proposed state legislation that seeks to preempt vacation rental regulation to the state. The commission will also be presented with a Hurricane Ian-related line item budget transfer request. The consent agenda includes a special event permit request for the Sandbar restaurant’s 35th Annual Easter Egg Hunt scheduled on Saturday, April 8.

Resiliency study sought

The city of Bradenton Beach recently received a $50,000 grant that will be used to contract Colliers Engineering to conduct a citywide resiliency study. Last week, City Attorney Ricinda Perry told the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the city commission that having the completed study in place would increase the city’s chance of securing a state-issued resiliency grant or grants to fund the construction of an already-designed resiliency project along Bay Drive South. The Bay Drive South project plans include the installation of a rock and sand berm that would help prevent rising tides, king tides and future sea level rise from spilling over onto Bay Drive South. The resiliency study could also assist the city and the CRA with the pursuit of additional funds for future resiliency projects.

AMOB employees save man from drowning

Two AMOB employees came to the rescue of a man who jumped off the end of the Bradenton Beach Pier to retrieve his glasses.

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH - An unidentified 80-year-old man who strolled to the end of the Bradenton Beach Pier at the end of Bridge Street on Friday escaped injury due to the heroic efforts of two Anna Maria Oyster Bar (AMOB) employees.

On the afternoon of March 3, the man took a stroll down the pier with his wife. According to witnesses on the scene, he was leaning over the railing at the end of the pier where the water is the deepest when his glasses fell into the water. The man then made a quick decision to jump in the water to get them back, but was unable to get back up the pier and was in danger of drowning.

According to AMOB employees, when the man went in the water, his wife immediately called the restaurant first, instead of 911, because she knew someone could respond much more quickly, and that’s exactly what happened. As soon as the hostess got the call, employees Roo Tuttle and Frederick Brown ran to the end of the pier as fast as they could. Tuttle then jumped in the water to help the man, who could not get footing to climb

back up to the pier.

“He was floating and holding on to part of the pier after he swam to where he could get some footing, but could not get to a ladder that was nearby,” Brown said. “Roo just jumped in the water and pushed up his feet to lift him up, and I grabbed his hands and pulled while she pushed. We got him out safely, and everybody was unhurt.”

Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Marine Rescue Unit (MCSO) was the first to arrive on the scene, followed shortly after by Bradenton Beach police and EMS. The man told responders he was unhurt and did not require any EMS treatment. Brown said after the man dried off, he thanked them for being good Samaritans and got on his bike and rode away. Brown also said that the man being a bicycle enthusiast and physically fit probably made a big difference in his ability to be rescued.

A call from The Sun to MCSO confirmed they responded to the scene and the incident was listed as a near-drowning of an 80-year-old male, however, they did not record the man’s name. Bradenton Beach Police also had no report of the man’s name. The AMOB employees said they were more focused on his welfare than his identity, so nobody on the scene could confirm who the victim was.

In the end, the question everyone was asking was whether or not the man got his $700 glasses back. He retrieved them and held on to them for the entire ordeal, and rode away on his bike wearing them. While this incident has a happy ending, Marine Rescue and Bradenton Beach police both warn that it’s not worth the danger of jumping off the pier if someone drops a cell phone or a pair of glasses. There won’t always be someone close to save a life.

Fireside Chats: Drowning Prevention

BY RODNEY KWIATKOWSKI FIRE MARSHAL, WEST MANATEE FIRE RESCUE

It’s that time of year again. You know, when the average high temperature is approximately 74.1 degrees Fahrenheit, the UV index is 6 and the dew point is a very comfortable 58. Oh… and the traffic to the beaches is bumper-to-bumper and stretches west of 75th Street along Manatee Avenue and Cortez Road, respectively. Thousands of those headed to Anna Maria Island are vacationing, staying in one of the roughly 3,500 vacation rental

properties or the dozens of resortstyle hotels. Spring breakers from the north are here to enjoy some much-deserved sun and fun. These vacationers are welcomed with open arms; however, there is

a lot of information they need to know to fully enjoy their time here and return home safely. Our local beaches, pools and waterways pose a significant safety risk. Studies show:

• Drowning kills about 4,000 people each year in the United States;

• Drowning is the leading cause of death for children 1-4 years old;

• There are about 8,000 emergency department visits for nonfatal drowning each year;

JASON SCHAFFER | SUN

The Bradenton Beach Pier was the scene of a heroic rescue when a man jumped off the pier to retrieve his glasses and was saved by two AMOB employees.

City seeks partnerships with Kaleta

City officials want to improve parking and multi-use trail connectivity near the Cortez Bridge with the help of a local developer.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – City officials are pursuing two potential public-private partnerships with the Bradenton Beach Marina’s new principal, developer Shawn Kaleta.

One partnership pertains to proposed improvements to the city-owned parking lot next to the cell tower and the Public Works building, adjacent to the marina. Another pertains to the multi-use trail that passes through the marina property.

During a March 1 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting, City Attorney Ricinda Perry and Mayor John Chappie referred to Kaleta as the marina’s new owner. A mortgage and security agreement dated Jan. 10 lists the Bazzy Marine Corp. as the mortgagor and the Holiday, Florida-based

Capital Property Ventures LLC as the mortgagee. The agreement references “a principal amount of $14 million from mortgagor and Aquabiz LLC.” Kaleta signed the agreement as the mortgagor and as president of the Bazzy Marine Corp.

According to the Florida Division of Corporations, John Porreca is listed as the registered agent and authorized person for Capital Property Ventures

LLC. Aquabiz LLC lists attorney Louis Najmy as its registered agent and Kaleta and Daniel Courtney Zoller Jr. as managers.

When previously contacted by The Sun on numerous occasions and asked whether Kaleta purchased the marina from the Bazzy family, Najmy declined to comment. Former marina president Mike Bazzy also declined to comment.

CRA DISCUSSIONS

During the CRA meeting, Perry initiated the parking lot discussion and noted that the CRA members previously authorized Colliers Engineering to put together a parking plan. The plan Perry presented shows 23 parking spaces at the cell tower. Perry said the goal is to create a nicer parking lot and one that’s compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“You have that plan in place. A property owner in the area is desirous of actually building out that parking plan and doing all the landscaping and markers, but they didn’t want to pay for installing pavers,” Perry said.

She identified the property owner as Kaleta and said Building Official Steve Gilbert wants to see an engineered parking plan before moving forward with the proposed improvements.

“We want to make clear that this is a public parking lot. We want to make sure that whatever’s put in there is low maintenance. It’s our parking lot. We’ll be maintaining it,” Chappie said.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Bradenton Beach officials want to partner with Shawn Kaleta to improve the city-owned parking lot near the cell tower, public works building and the Bradenton Beach Marina.

SEE KALETA, PAGE 19

The Anna Maria Island Sun Staff

Owner/CEO

Mike Field

Editor

Cindy Lane

General Manager

Bob Alexander

Reporters/Photographers

Joe Hendricks

Leslie Lake

Jason Schaffer

Kristin Swain

Columnists

Louise Bolger

Rusty Chinnis

Contributors

Joe Becht

Steve Borggren

Capt. Rick Grassett

Monica Simpson

Tom Vaught

Capt. Kevin Wessel

Capt. David White

Anne Yarbrough

Layout

Ricardo Fonseca

Digital Editor

Kristin Swain

Advertising Director

Shona Otto

Advertising Assistant

Pamela Lee

Classifieds

Bob Alexander

Graphics

Elaine Stroili

Ricardo Fonseca

Distribution

Bob Alexander

Connor Field

Tony McNulty

Brian Smith

Accounting

Leslie Ketchum

Co-founding publishers

Mike Field

Maggie McGinley Field

Family-owned since 2000

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

What is AMI’s carrying capacity?

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) under the Division of Recreation and Parks has the responsibility of planning the use and management of Florida's public lands and water areas. Governments are tasked with development and management strategies and plans for the quality of recreation experiences and protection of the natural areas which are directly affected by the implementation of the site plans, or land use plans. As we write our state legislators regarding the current hot topic of the “garage,” perhaps we should encourage a study using the DEP Carrying Capacity Guidelines.

Carrying capacity is the maximum population that can be sustained by a specific environment. Carrying capacity computations are vital to the planning of new use sites, alterations of existing use sites and continuous management of all areas of the system. To prevent overcrowding and resource deterioration, the collection of data is fundamental to assessment.

Carrying capacity for a given site governs the number of parking spaces, the size of restrooms and all quantities of support facilities to be provided. Surveys on tourists’ perspectives have shown that in addition to beach cleanliness, safety, information availability and

habitat management, overcrowding is considered as a very significant criterion by potential tourists. Without becoming too technical, these are the broad capacities:

• Economic - maximum number of tourists that an area can support;

• Biophysical - damage to the natural environment exceeds the habitat's ability to regenerate;

• Social - Reduced visitor enjoyment and increased crime/indicators of when the social carrying capacity has been exceeded;

• Environmental - ecological and physical parameters, the capacity of resources, ecosystems and infrastructure.

Doug Lansky, an international tourism advisor, has a great YouTube video on tourism, “a new model for success in tourism that emphasizes sustainable growth, protecting local assets, and enhancing life for the locals while maximizing the local economic impact.”

The area of Anna Maria Island is less than a half of a percent of the total area of Manatee County. A $45 million parking garage for 1,500 is not a panacea. Encourage legislators to use smart and sensible planning strategies and studies for the benefit of residents, visitors, and the environment.

Margie Motzer Holmes Beach

When is it enough?

When do the builders and developers have enough money so that they will stop destroying what used to be a great place to live, Anna Maria Island?

When will there be enough monster homes built by overzealous investors right next to smaller homes where people raised their families and came to vacation for generations? When will there be enough residents forced to move because of the noise of traffic or the unending disturbance of two, three or four families suddenly living next door, but moving in and out every week? The once-family homes that were razed and replaced with buildings that accommodate three, four and five families are mini-hotels, not homes.

When will there be enough gold lining the pockets of builders, investors and developers who are turning an unpolished gem into Clearwater, St. Pete or Fort Lauderdale? We need to wake up and see the destruction of the lifestyle we all thought we had on Anna Maria Island.

Sean Murphy is right – the issue is not parking; the issue is traffic! Why not have an engineering company perform a traffic impact analysis?

Who is going to pay for the proposed parking garages on the island? Will visitors then have to pay to park when visiting our free beaches?

FROM PAGE 6

Beachgoers could park in the two virtually empty parking deck garages in downtown Bradenton. The county can lease, on a seasonal basis, interstate/Greyhound-type buses that have plenty of storage for beachgoers’ chairs, etc. They can run every 20 minutes, significantly reducing congestion. This would eliminate idling cars either stuck in traffic or moving so slowly due to traffic that air pollution is increased, valuable fuel resources are wasted, and frustration and anger and angst are created – let us not forget people who LIVE on the island.

Residents cannot go out to shop, go out to eat, or leave the Island to go to church unless they spend hours in traffic for what used to be a 10-minute drive. Have you ever walked on the Island’s sidewalks in season while cars spew carbon monoxide in your face?

The fellow Holmes Beach resident who wrote, “We only have so much space; apply the math…” was so right.

It is painfully clear that parking isn’t the real issue – the true motive behind this is development and profit.

Stop the madness!

Last, but not least, the county commissioners and the FDOT should build a bridge to Longboat Key which would alleviate the Gulf Drive/Cortez traffic nightmare.

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.

March 9, 2 p.m. – City Commission meeting

March 21, 9 a.m. – Planning and Zoning Board meeting

March 23, 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.

March 15, 10 a.m. – Department Head meeting

March 15, 1 p.m. – Scenic WAVES meeting

March 16, noon – City Commission meeting

March 21, 9:30 a.m. – City Commission work session

HOLMES BEACH

5801 MARINA DRIVE

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800

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

March 8, 10 a.m. – Clean Water Ad-hoc Committee meeting

March 14, 2 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session to follow

March 28, 10 a.m. – Code Compliance special magistrate hearing

March 28, 5 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session to follow

ISLAND-WIDE

March 13, 2 p.m. – Island Transportation Planning Organization meeting, Holmes Beach City Hall

EVENTS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8

Creative Aging: Watercolors, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

Off Stage Ladies meeting, Cipriano Cucina and Bar, 3561 53rd Ave. W., Bradenton, 11:30 a.m.

Mah-jongg for beginners, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m.

Island Time Book Club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 6:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, MARCH 9

AMI Chamber Member Luncheon, Annie’s Bait and Tackle, 4334 127th St. W., Cortez, $22 for members or $30 for non-members

Friends of the Island Library Jewelry Sale, members pre-sale, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 3 p.m. Thursdays in Paradise Stroll featuring local art, music and food, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 5-8 p.m.

FRIDAY, MARCH 10

Explore Nature: Tower Talks, Robinson Preserve, observation tower, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m.

Friends of the Island Library Jewelry Sale, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11 a.m.

ArtWalk, Holmes Beach city center, intersection of Marina and Gulf drives, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, MARCH 11

Robinson Runners, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 7 a.m. Pancake breakfast, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 8-11 a.m., $8 per person, children under 5 eat free Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon

Friends of the Island Library Jewelry Sale, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, 11 a.m.

MONDAY, MARCH 13

Animal Encounter: baby alligator, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

TUESDAY, MARCH 14

Farmer’s Market, City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. STEM Show for Kids, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Heritage Day Festival, Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum, 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Paul Reed Steberger Holmes Beach

St. Patrick’s Day Parade coming to AMI

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Everyone is a little bit Irish on St. Patrick’s Day and The Center of Anna Maria Island is inviting the community to view or participate in the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The parade is set for Sunday, March 12 from 4-6 p.m. starting at Holmes Beach City Hall at 5801 Marina Drive. The flotilla will travel to 58th Street, Marina Drive, Palm Drive, Gulf Drive, Pine Avenue, Tarpon Street and Magnolia Avenue. The parade will end at The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave. in Anna Maria. Suggested fees for parade participants are free for nonprofits; golf cart or personal car, $10; business car, $50; business organizations, $150.

Participants can register at www.centerami.org. Completed forms must be returned to The Center or Duffy’s Tavern by Wednesday, March 8.

Supporting and title sponsorships are also available. Parade sponsors are Bradenton Area Arts and Culture, Sandbar Seafood and Spirits, Cedar Cove Resort and Cottages,

Sato Real Estate, The Morey Foundation, Abrahamson and Uiterwyk, Ugly Grouper, AMI Dolphin Tours, Freckled Fin, Emily Moss Designs, Beach House Real Estate, Progressive Cabinetry, Acqua Salon and Spa, Moss Builders, HSH Designs, Team Fulton of BOE and Anna Maria Charters. For more info, email Chris Culhane at chris@centerami.org or call 941-778-1908.

FILE PHOTO

Patrick’s Day parade.

FILE PHOTO

Alpacas and miniature donkeys join in on the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations during the 2019 parade.

FILE PHOTO

A little drummer boy joins the Lion Rampant Pipe & Drums performance along the parade route.

Rescued manatee returned to wild

will allow researchers, biologists and organizations like The Bishop to monitor her health and movements. The public can watch her movements online at www.ManateeRescue.org.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – More than two years after an injured young manatee was rescued from Anna Maria Sound, she was released back into the wild.

Aria, a female manatee found with a boat strike injury and suffering from cold stress, was rescued in January 2021.

She received initial critical care from ZooTampa at Lowry Park and on Sept. 21, 2021, she arrived at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat Stage 2 treatment facility for care to help prepare her for her return to the wild, according to Michael Winters, Marketing and Communications Manager at The Bishop.

Upon her rescue, Aria was estimated to be about one and a half years old and she weighed only about 220 pounds. When she arrived at the museum, she was just over 6 feet long and weighed in at 340 pounds.

“It’s likely that Aria was struck by a boat and subsequently orphaned,” said Virginia Edmonds, director of animal care at the museum. “And, since she was injured in January and may not have known where to find a warm-water ref-

uge without her mother’s guidance, she also suffered from cold stress. We’re glad we were here to help care for this young manatee and get her ready to return to the wild.”

The Bishop’s Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat is a temporary home where manatees come after their critical care needs have been met in manatee hospitals.

“This second-stage facility offers manatees the opportunity to gain exposure to natural foods and feeding strategies and gain weight for their return to the wild. Second-stage facilities play a vital role in maintaining space for critically ill manatee patients in the hospitals,” according to The Bishop website.

Before her release, Aria was outfitted with a satellite-linked transmitter that

The release of Aria, along with two other manatees, Iclyn and Janus, leaves a temporary vacancy in the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat while scheduled maintenance is done.

“Unfortunately, the need for manatee rehabilitation is great and we will have new short-term residents to care for soon,” according to The Bishop website. Red tide, boat strikes and cold stress are some of the hazards that manatees face.

“Red tide produces toxins that can affect the central nervous system of fish and other marine animals, including manatees,” according to The Bishop website. “Manatees are also exposed to the red tide toxins when they surface to breathe and can develop respiratory infections that can also be fatal.”

The Bishop has been rehabilitating manatees since 1998 and was a founding member of the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership in 2001. The facility was the permanent home of Snooty, Manatee County’s official mascot and the oldest known manatee in the world. Snooty died tragically in 2017 at 69 years old after he swam through a broken access panel, became trapped, and drowned.

A rehabilitated young female manatee rescued off Anna Maria Island in 2021 is returned to the wild.

THE BISHOP MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND NATURE | SUBMITTED Manatees in The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Facility receive treatment in preparation for a return to the wild.

Bell reappointed to planning board

David Bell was appointed on March 1 to serve another four-year term as a member of the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). Bell, a retired landscape architect, serves as the sevenmember CRA board’s residential representative.

“...a

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Ordinance addresses making outdoor dining areas permanent

In 2020, Bradenton Beach commissioners allowed establishments to temporarily expand their outdoor seating areas due to COVID-19.

BY JOE HENDRICKS

SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – The city’s Planning and Zoning Board recommends city commission approval of an ordinance that would amend the setback requirements for open-air dining areas.

The planning board made its recommendation on March 1. The proposed ordinance included two land development code (LDC) amendments that would make it easier for restaurants and other establishments to make permanent the temporarily expanded outdoor seating allowances the city commission granted in 2020 and continued in 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The allowances are expected to expire at some point this year and the commission has encouraged establishments using the allowances to take the necessary steps to make their expanded open-air

seating areas permanent.

Wicked Cantina owner Michael Dolan is the first business owner seeking to make his temporary expanded outdoor dining area permanent. Other business owners, including Bridge Tender Inn owner Fred Bartizal, are expected to engage in similar efforts before the temporary COVID allowance expires.

The proposed setback amend-

ments are set forth in Ordinance 23-547 and would amend sections 308.20.7 and 308.20.11 of the land development code. Section 308.20.7 of the proposed ordinance contains the following new language: “Openair dining areas located under awnings or roofed structures shall be subject to the minimum setback requirements for the structure. Open-air dining areas

not located under awnings or roofed structures shall require a five-foot setback from all property lines, including from Anna Maria Sound and Sarasota Bay, including chairs, tables, umbrellas and other equipment.” Section 308.20.11 of the proposed ordinance contains the following new language: “Where open-air seating is approved, the number of permit-

ted seats shall be documented on a site plan approved and maintained by the city.”

Over the past several months, the Planning and Zoning Board has discussed and debated whether the land development code would require Wicked Cantina’s permanently expanded outdoor dining area to be set back 25 feet from the Gulf Drive right of way.

During past discussions, Dolan said the 25-foot setback requirement would require the existing expanded dining area to be relocated further to the east, which would result in the loss of parking spaces and would impact other improvements Dolan plans to make.

In February, Planning and Zoning Board members convened as the zoning board of appeals to make a formal interpretation of the somewhat ambiguous LDC language that currently applies to open-air dining setback requirements for establishments not located in the Bridge Street overlay district. The planning board interpretation cleared the way for the proposed ordinance to be presented to the planning board on March 1.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The Wicked Cantina is in the process of making permanent the expanded outdoor seating area located behind the white fencing.

AMOB enhancements approved

Final approval for alcohol consumption on the Bradenton Beach Pier still requires an amended and city commission-approved ordinance.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners have tentatively approved the Anna Maria Oyster Bar’s plans to expand their operations on and around the Bradenton Beach Pier at the end of Bridge Street.

On March 2, the commission unanimously approved AMOB owner and pier tenant John Horne’s previously discussed request to operate a to-go kiosk in the city-owned space that AMOB’s We’re Back ownership group previously subleased to others as retail space.

The to-go kiosk will serve alcoholic beverages and serve as the pickup point for to-go food orders. Horne said the kiosk might also be used earlier in the day to serve coffee and pastries if the demand warrants.

After further discussion, the commission expressed its support for AMOB’s request that alcoholic beverages purchased at the to-go kiosk or inside the restaurant be allowed to be consumed on the pier. Alcoholic beverages are currently not allowed on the pier and those purchased elsewhere will continue to be prohibited on the public fishing pier. Alcoholic beverages purchased at the to-go kiosk

At the request of Police Chief John Cosby, only alcoholic beverages served in sealed containers will be allowed on the adjacent floating dock; and those are for those traveling from the restaurant area to

their docked boats.

City Attorney Ricinda Perry said an existing city ordinance will have to be amended at a future commission meeting in order to allow AMOB’s exclusive use of the pier for alcoholic beverage consumption.

The commission approved AMOB’s request to install three or four high-top tables with tiki-hut coverings along the railing south of the restaurant building.

The commission also approved AMOB’s previously discussed request to install a crab trap-themed decorative fence along the north side of the pier parking lot. The commission agreed that the city, in some form, will share half the anticipated $56,252 cost to install the decorative fencing.

The city’s half of the fencing costs, $28,126, will be covered by some combination of city funds, Community Redevelopment Agency funds and potentially some additional county commission-controlled tourist tax revenue funds if the funding requested is supported by the county commission or allowed in accordance with an already existing agreement with the county to share half the costs of installing finger

piers to the existing floating dock. The city’s finger pier installations are expected to begin later this month.

Horne also said he’d like to repaint the buildings he leases from the city, which the commission said could be done at AMOB’s expense.

Horne told the commission the rent and revenue sharing payments AMOB made

to the city last year totaled $120,319 and the revenue sharing figure is expected to increase with the new enhancements.

Horne expects the to-go kiosk and the outdoor tables to be operational as soon as the already in-progress permitting and approval processes are completed. He said the services of a local contractor have already been secured.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Tiki-hut-like tables will be installed along the pier railings south of the restaurant building. The to-go kiosk will be installed in the salmon-colored building that formerly housed retail subtenants.

CITY OF BRADENTON BEACH | SUBMITTED

A decorative crab trap-themed fence will be installed along the north side of the pier parking lot.

WHERE‛S YOUR COMFORT ZONE?

AMI Chamber welcomes new members

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce held its new member orientation on March 1 at its office at 5313 Gulf Drive N., Holmes Beach. New members met Chamber President Terri Kinder and staff and learned more about the many opportunities to promote their businesses available to them as members of the Chamber. The Chamber’s newest members are Island Time Boat Tours, Matt and Beth Wright, 941-877-1885, www.islandtimeboattours.com; Kim’s Stay & Play Pet Services, Kim Lockwood, 941-705-4988, www.kimsstayandplay.com; and Yak Shack Watersports, Todd Childers, 941-223-9711.

AMI Chamber to hold lunch at Annie’s

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s next lunch networking event will be held at Annie’s Bait and Tackle, 4334 127th St. W. in Cortez on Thursday, March 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $20 for members and $30 for potential members. There are only 16 spots available, so the chamber recommends anyone wishing to attend do so as soon as possible. To RSVP, email becky@amichamber.org or call 941-778-1541.

Shop at library jewelry sale

Looking for treasures, or the perfect gift? The Anna Maria Island Branch Library is holding its first-ever Friends of the Library jewelry sale at the library at 5701 Marina Drive in Holmes Beach. On Thursday, March 9 from 3-7 p.m. Friends of the Island Library members will get a sneak preview. The public sale is on Friday, March 10 and Saturday, March 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featured items include necklaces, rings, watches, tie tacks, wallets, bracelets, earrings, pins, cufflinks, scarves and many more gently used items, hundreds of them under $5. Cash, all major credit cards and checks are accepted. For more information, call 941-778-6341.

Commissioners put brakes on LSV proposal

Commissioners voted 3-2 to turn down a vehicle warehousing application by the Toy Barn on Avenue C in Holmes Beach.

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

HOLMES BEACH – It’s back to the drawing board for owners of the Toy Barn after city leaders turned down the latest special exception application from the business.

After much discussion, commissioners voted 3-2 against a special exception application from the low-

speed vehicle rental company to allow for the storage of 10 vehicles at 3008 Avenue C.

City Planning and Zoning

Administrator Chad Minor said that after reviewing the application for a special exception, staff felt that the request would be less of a warehousing facility and more of a rental and distribution center, which is not allowed in the city. Commissioners agreed with Minor’s assessment, with several noting that they were having trouble distinguishing between a warehousing and rental business usage on the property with the informa -

tion contained in the special exception request.

Representatives for the Toy Barn argued that the location would be used only by company employees to store vehicles in between rentals, not as a location for renters to pick up or return vehicles or for any maintenance. No storefront would be located on the property. Storage would be limited to 10 vehicles.

Minor added that if commissioners agreed with the applicant, Toy Barn owner Travis Lantz, that there would be some conditions under which the application could be approved to store

street legal low-speed vehicles at 3008 Avenue C, including compliance with fire codes and inspection by the fire marshal to make sure the vehicles’ lithium batteries wouldn’t pose a hazard to surrounding units.

Commissioner Terry Schaefer said that if commissioners approved the special exception, that approval would be contingent upon approval by the fire marshal.

Commissioner Dan Diggins said that he feels that he needs more information before approving the storage of the vehicles at the proposed location, particularly whether or not

there is ventilation at the garage to lessen the potential for a fire hazard. City Attorney Erica Augello said that ventilation and other fire hazard concerns would need to be addressed by the fire marshal as a stipulation of the conditional approval of the special exception.

Attorneys for Lantz agreed with eight out of the 10 stipulations provided by city staff before commissioners ultimately voted down the proposal with Commissioners Diggins, Greg Kerchner and Carol Soustek voting against allowing the warehouse use as proposed.

Springfest returns to Holmes Beach Island Players presents ‘The 39 Steps’

The Island Players continues its 74th season with ‘The 39 Steps,’ a comedic adaptation of the Hitchcock classic film.

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT jschaffer@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA - Coming off a hilarious run of Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple, The Female Version,” the Island Players are ready to take the audience for a ride across England and Scotland to stop an international gang of spies, with four actors playing more than 150 characters in a comedic adaptation of the Alfred Hitchcock thriller, “The 39 Steps.”

Director Heiko Knipfelberg promises that audiences will see things they

aren’t used to seeing at an Island Players production, including special lighting and sound effects and non-stop action. When asked to describe how an Alfred Hitchcock film could become a zany comedy, Knipfelberg offered this quote from The New York Times to sum it up: “Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel and a dash of Monty Python, and you have ‘The 39 Steps.’ ”

The play is adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan, but the Hitchcock film is at its core.

“The authors of the play included most of the film, almost verbatim in a stage production,” Knipfelberg said. “They’ve taken license in certain areas, certainly in the way they’ve used the characters. We have a female lead who plays three characters and a male lead

who plays himself throughout the whole play, but then we have two clowns who play about 60 characters each. Unlike Hitchcock’s version, this is very much a comedy.”

“The 39 Steps” runs from Thursday, March 9 through Sunday, March 26, with daily performances at 7:30 p.m. and a Sunday mati-

nee at 2 p.m. There are no performances on Mondays. Tickets are $25 at the box office and $27 online. The box office is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and can be reached by phone at 941778-5755 or online at www. theislandplayers.org.

Professional artists and crafts persons from across the U.S. will gather the weekend of March 18-19 for the 35th Annual Springfest Festival of Fine Arts and Fine Crafts.

Sponsored by the Anna Maria Island Art League, this juried show draws top-quality artists to city field in Holmes Beach.

The hours are Saturday, March 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, March 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission and parking are free.

The family event features continuous live music on stage Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with Koko Ray’s Uptown 4 and a food court offering a variety of food and beverages.

A highlight of the festival is a gala raffle of artwork donated by festival exhibitors. Proceeds benefit the League’s scholarship fund, which provides classes to children and adults. The raffle gives everyone a chance to collect great art for a small donation. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5 and winners need to be present to win.

Springfest is the major fundraiser for the League, a nonprofit, tax-deductible organization dedicated to fostering the arts on the Island.

For more information, call 941-778-2099, email artleagueami@gmail.com or visit the website, www.islandartleague.org/festivals/.

JASON SCHAFFER | SUN

The Island Players cast of ‘The 39 Steps,’ from left, are Mark Shoemaker, Colin Brady, Joseph Smith and Sylvia Marnie.

IGW’s March featured artist shines with pastels

Meet Terri Westbrook at the Friday, March 10 Art Walk in Holmes Beach. Terri is the final featured artist before Island Gallery West moves off the Island.

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH - Like many artists in the area, Island Gallery West’s March featured artist, Terri Westbrook, is inspired by nature and places she has lived and traveled, including Charleston, South Carolina and the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Working primarily in pastel media, she brings brilliant color to her nature scenes, including landscapes and waterscapes.

“My paintings are journal entries, revealing my response to what I see when I’m out in nature, or my emotions about a place I visited many years ago,” Westbrook said. “Making art is like meditation for me. I hope people enjoy my pieces that come

from my heart.”

While many artists have been practicing their craft for a great deal of their lives, Westbrook discovered her love for creating

art later in life. Through both in-person and online instruction, she learned the basic principles and honed her skills from there. Her featured work is currently on display in the front window of the gallery, and all art is available for purchase.

Westbrook will be on hand to discuss her work and answer any questions at the Art Walk on Friday, March 10 from 5:30-7:30 p.m., the final day to visit IGW before it closes its doors on the Island permanently and moves to its new location in downtown Bradenton. Many other member artists will also be there as well. Make sure to enter the raffle for a chance to win one of Westbrook’s paintings. There will also be complimentary wine, snacks and live music.

Island Gallery West is located at 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, Trolley Stop 15. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, with March 10 as the final day. Visit www.islandgallerywest.com or call 941-778-6648 for updates about the art and 30 member artists of the gallery.

Take an Art Walk on Friday

The monthly Art Walk and Shop in Holmes Beach is set for Friday, March 10 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity to not only explore what Island Gallery West (IGW) and The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island have to offer, but many neighboring shops will remain open late with special offers. This will also be the last Art Walk for IGW, which is relocating to downtown Bradenton, and the last day the gallery will be open on the Island. Most of the participating businesses are located in the area of Gulf Drive and Marina Drive in Holmes Beach. They include the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, Vinny’s Italian Kitchen, Freckled Fin Irish Pub, How Lucky AMI, The Doctor’s Office and more.

SUBMITTED

IGW’s March Featured Artist, Terri Westbrook, is the final featured artist before the Gallery moves off the Island.

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PARKING: Bill would allow garage

FROM PAGE 1 least two years of construction, according to Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge.

The possibility of a parking garage first came up during a 2022 meeting between county and city leaders to discuss issues related to beachgoer parking in Anna Maria Island’s largest city. Later in the year, city leaders passed an ordinance banning parking garages in Holmes Beach, though a special exception for the use could still be sought with approval of the city commission.

In a talk with The Sun last week, Van Ostenbridge said he’d planned to move forward with a proposal for a parking garage on the county-owned beach property but felt that city leaders “kept moving the goalpost.” So, he posed the issue to state legislators, who filed the bill.

If the parking garage is approved at the state level, the proposed structure would be three stories tall, remaining within the city’s height restrictions – unlike previous garage plans of four stories - but still two stories higher than the existing concession stand. The exception to the height restriction would be the elevator shaft, which would extend above the top level of the garage to allow beachgoers to access rooftop parking.

The structure would only re-

quire building permits from the county, not from the city where it would be located, according to the bill.

Van Ostenbridge said the proposed structure would stretch across the entirety of the parcel - from the 10-foot required setback on the south side at West Coast Surf Shop to the northern boundary of Gulf Drive - and house between 1,500-1,700 parking spaces along with new restroom, concession and retail facilities. The cost of the project is estimated at $45 million.

Van Ostenbridge said construction would take about two years. During those two years, the currently existing 427 parking spaces at the public beach would be unavailable, so he said all of the residential streets on the Island would have to be opened to public parking to accommodate beachgoers.

Currently, all three Island cities have limited public parking available on residential streets, requiring all four tires of a vehicle parked street-side to be off the pavement.

Once the garage is completed, Van Ostenbridge said that parkers would have to pay a nominal fee to use the garage spaces, such as $2 per hour, to help the county recoup the money spent to build the structure.

HOLMES BEACH MAYOR’S RESPONSE

In a letter last week to county commissioners, Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth reiterated her opposition to the proposed parking garage and urged state and county leaders to come to the Island to see the currently available parking and how it’s used by beachgoers.

“As mayor of one of the many cities in Manatee County, I once again welcome each of you on a tour,” Titsworth said in the letter.

“I understand decisions have and will continue to be made by your board, many of which will have a profound effect on the quality of life for our citizens, guests and business owners. I hope that you will each be able to gain valuable knowledge as to why Holmes Beach is not only one of the most special places on earth to live but also an extremely popular tourist destination to which people come from all over the world each year to visit.

“For the past three years now, Holmes Beach citizens have found to be on our heels defending against false narratives by county leaders,” she wrote. “These stem from city leaders finally putting a limit on the number of secondary beach parking that could safely be accommodated in residential neighborhoods. I hope that

KALETA: City seeks partnership

FROM PAGE 5

“Do you have any objection with my office moving forward with that private individual to develop that parking area with either shell or some type of rock in that area?” Perry asked CRA members.

The CRA members unanimously approved a motion authorizing Perry, Gilbert, Woodard and Chappie to finalize the parking lot improvement plans and coordinate with Kaleta on the parking lot improvements.

MULTI-USE TRAIL

During the same meeting, Chappie and Perry initiated two separate discussions about the multi-use trail that passes under the Cortez Bridge and passes through the marina parking lot along the south side of the bridge.

In reference to the pending Cortez Bridge replacement project, Chappie said the existing multi-use trail under the bridge will

be replaced by a new trail that’s hopefully wide enough to accommodate golf carts and other low speed vehicles too.

Chappie said city staff is researching the exact location of the city easement on the marina property that provides access to the trail area under the bridge.

“Working with Ricinda, we can talk with Kaleta to assure that’s part of our scenic right of way. I don’t think there’s going to be an issue,” Chappie said.

Later in the meeting, Perry initiated discussion about connecting the multi-use trail under the bridge to the multi-use trail along Gulf Drive South that passes by Cortez Beach. She mentioned the CRA members’ long-held desire to create a dedicated tram path along Gulf Drive South with a potential crossing point at Fifth Street South, which provides access to Bay Drive South, Bridge Street and the trail that passes under the bridge.

“I have talked to Shawn Kaleta about his

you will accept my offer for a visit as this will not only provide you with the needed insights in making sound decisions but will allow you to see that as citizens of Manatee County, we have always been and continue to be part of the solution. The lack of available parking for county residents is not a result of parking limitations at the beaches. It is a result of growth in our county which is evidenced by the hours spent sitting in traffic trying to get to and from work on weekdays and to get to and from the beach on weekends and holidays.”

On March 3, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said that over the previous seven days, Holmes Beach had an average of 31,099 cars per day

purchase at the marina – actually, it was Mike Bazzy and Shawn Kaleta together –and walked their property, walked all the way down through Bridge Street and up and down Third Street talking about what the city is doing and what Mr. Kaleta is doing in that area. There was interest by him to work together with the city. He’s also talked to Elliott Falcione with the TDC (Tourist Development Council) about doing a major improvement to the multi-use trail that the city has,” Perry said.

She noted Kaleta owns a lot of properties in those areas and said he’s expressed interest in working with the city, and potentially the TDC, in providing some construction assistance to further enhance that corridor that’s heavily used by pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists.

Perry asked the CRA members if they were interested in formulating a workplan and a budget to pursue the trail improvements.

CRA Chair Ralph Cole said, “It’s part of the goal to make this a more walkable community, which gets cars off the road. It’s a nice walk down to Bridge Street from

coming into the city. Titsworth said there are 4,783 parking spaces available in Holmes Beach for beachgoers, including those at vacation rental properties. Over 2,000 of those are public parking spaces. Van Ostenbridge said that he doesn’t feel that Holmes Beach is at maximum capacity for beachgoers on average, with the exception being the highest points of tourist season, which is typically the most crowded in mid-March. Titsworth disagrees. “There will never be enough,” she said in a Feb. 28 commission meeting. “There will never be enough parking spaces to accommodate everyone who wants to come to the beach.”

the north end hotels and vacation rentals. I think it’s a good idea any time you can get help with funding. It’s a win-win situation.”

CRA member David Bell expressed concerns about the large number of pedestrians that walk along Bay Drive South between Bridge Street and Third Street South, where there are currently no sidewalks.

“Until we resolve that bottleneck, there’s really no point adding more traffic to that area that’s already dangerously overpopulated with cars, pedestrians, bicycles and trams. Until we resolve that, I don’t want to see us add more traffic to that area,” Bell said.

In response, Cole said, “One of our main objectives in the CRA district is to bring people to the CRA district. What we’re doing is going to make it safer and create a pathway so you don’t have everybody walking down Gulf Drive.”

Perry sought and received authorization to formulate a plan to connect the multi-use trail from Gulf Drive South to the Cortez Bridge using Fifth Street South and Bay Drive South as connecting streets, with Bell casting the lone opposition vote.

CITY OF HOLMES BEACH | SUBMITTED A parking garage similar to this is proposed at Manatee Beach.

Sarasota Bay Partners Grants offer environmental win/win

Reel Time

arasota Bay Partners Grants are competitive awards for projects in the Sarasota Bay watershed that promote habitat and water quality restoration, environmental education, community involvement and stewardship to improve the overall quality of Sarasota Bay and its tributaries. Stormwater runoff, sewage spills, leaking septic tanks and a thousand other insults threaten the health of Sarasota Bay. Add in warming temperatures, rising sea levels and altered weather patterns, all of which will continue to impact our natural and built environments. I’m often asked what an individual or a group can do to be part of the

solution instead of part of the problem. One way to make a difference is to take advantage of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program’s Bay Partners Grants. The SBEP was formed with the aim to protect Sarasota Bay and its environment, the economic engine of the region and the reason most of us live here. Local actions like this help prepare our communities and estuary for these changing conditions. There are many opportunities to engage. These include but are not limited to:

• Planting shade trees in highly paved urban areas;

• Installing rain gardens and bioswales to filter runoff from impervious surfaces;

• Diverting gutter downspouts from impervious surfaces to planter boxes, garden beds or other permeable areas, or to rainwater harvesting systems like rain barrels and cisterns; and

• Implementing living shorelines or seawall modifications that

will allow mangroves to “migrate upslope.”

Recently, Banyan Bay Condominium on Longboat Key took advantage of a grant to turn an area they had nicknamed the “swamp” into a vibrant area that beautified the grounds, created a natural pollina -

tor garden for birds and insects and helped protect the section of Sarasota Bay that fronts the property. The project was led by residents Terri and Dr. Jeff Driver. Their experience and the outcome are best expressed

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

Terri Driver emcees as members of Banyon Bay cut the ‘ribbon’ on the new restoration.

RUSTY CHINNIS

REEL TIME: Grants offer win/win ‘Greg’s Last Dance’ will honor Greg Koeper’s life

FROM PAGE 20

in Terri’s own words. According to Driver, “We had some uncertainty about whether our proposed project would fit the requirements for a grant from SBEP Partners. A friend recommended we call SBEP and simply ask if they would look at our space and situation and see if it was appropriate for a grant proposal.

“On a very tight timeline and on short notice (because the proposal was due in about two and a half weeks), SBEP grant manager Darcy Young visited our property and evaluated our proposed site, agreeing that it was exactly what would help Sarasota Bay if replanted to native species. SBEP was very helpful in response time and providing guidance to complete our grant application.

“SBEP recommended a couple of native plant nurseries, but Annie Schiller at Florida Native Plant Nursery was very responsive. On very short notice, Annie visited, evaluated our proposed renovation area and very quickly provided a list of plant species and number to be planted specific to our wet and dry areas. She also reminded us about mulch requirements. We called Annie the morning our proposal was due to make changes and Florida Native Plant Nursery provided updated estimates two hours before our proposal was due. They were very responsive to changes. Once we received the grant, Florida Native Plant Nursery brought the plants in and helped with recommended placement. Our community members planted all 134 plants, creating a new native forest at The Banyan Bay Club.”

On Feb. 27, members of the press and the condo association attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate the new space and celebrate their investment in protecting Sarasota Bay while improving the condominium grounds, a true win/win experience.

Although the next grant deadline is a year away (2024), now is an excellent time to plan how you can take advantage of this program and make a difference while enhancing your place in the bay’s watershed. For more information and to apply for a grant, go to https:// sarasotabay.org/get-involved/apply-for-a-grant/.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON – Former Swordfish Grill Manager Greg “Grego” Koeper passed away on Feb. 22, at the age of 67.

In the early 2000s, Koeper was the owner/operator of Grego’s Almost to the Beach Tavern on Palma Sola Boulevard and that’s where his infamous NASCRAB (National Association for Safe Crab Racing at Bars) hermit crab races began.

Koeper is survived by his wife, Kathy Houck; stepdaughter, Aspen Houck; daughter, Kristin; son, Clyde; granddaughter, Cecilia (C.C.); sister, Jan; and brothers, Chris, John and Bill. Koeper’s life and legacy will be celebrated with “Greg’s Last Dance” at the Swordfish Grill in Cortez on Saturday, March 18 from 1-5 p.m.

Koeper retired from the Swordfish Grill when he was 65 and last May he was diagnosed with melanoma, which would eventually take his life.

Houck and Koeper married on Aug. 21, 2022. March 17 would have marked their 23rd anniversary as a couple.

“We met at the Seahorse, where Slicker’s Eatery is now. Our friends Dawn Marie and Gloria decided he and I needed to meet,” Houck said.

“He died too young. He was my best friend. He lived his life to the fullest. He was happy-go-lucky and always smiling. He was car-

ing and giving. He was good at making people feel comfortable, wanted and loved. He never met someone that didn’t leave as a friend,” Houck said.

When asked what she’ll miss the most, Houck said, “His friendship, his companionship and his smile. The whole person.”

Koeper’s daughter and son live out of state but were able to visit before his passing.

“Clyde brought C.C., so we got to spend time with them. The whole family was here in the house with us and that was nice,” Houck said.

PITTSBURGH ROOTS

Koeper was born and raised in Pittsburgh. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard and then worked at Houlihan’s restaurant in Station Square, where he was named Pittsburgh’s #1 bartender in 1986. Koeper moved to Bradenton from New York, when his first wife was transferred to Manatee Memorial Hospital.

“He was an unbelievable human being. Everybody loved the guy,” his youngest brother, Chris Koeper, said. “We’ve lived here since 1990 and I’ve never heard one bad word about him. He was the best man I ever met. He was the most selfless human being on this planet. Be-

fore he died, he looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, ‘I’m just glad this is me and not someone else I love.’”

WORKING MAN

During his time in the greater Bradenton area, Koeper explored many professions.

“He tried all kinds of different things. He used to work at an English pub on Cortez Road. Every Friday he’d dress up in a different costume and people came in to see what he was wearing,” Houck said.

At various times, Koeper worked as a maintenance man on Longboat Key and also tried his hand as a golf caddy. He also worked at Annie’s Bait & Tackle, Ace’s Lounge and the Palm Aire Country Club.

As for how the NASCRAB races began, Houck said, “He saw it at a bar in Illinois and thought it would be a good gimmick so he brought it to Grego’s Almost to the Beach Tavern. It was such a big hit. It was absolutely crazy how everybody reacted to it. It got to a point where we had to give out tickets to get a crab because people were sitting there all afternoon waiting to get one.”

After Koeper’s passing, many of his friends shared Facebook comments that referenced turn signals.

“When the tourists would come down, everyone would complain because they wouldn’t use their turn signals. Greg would end the crab races by saying peace, love and happiness. That catchphrase turned into peace, love and use your turn signals. He was trying to put that thought in their heads before they drove home,” Houck said.

The NASCRAB races later resumed at the Swordfish Grill.

“He loved working with everybody at the Swordfish Grill. He and Bob Slicker put together such a great team that’s carrying on that legacy. They’re doing what they watched Greg and Bob do. Greg was so proud of the kids who started working there and are now grown up,” Houck said.

FATHER FIGURE

Kathy Houck’s daughter, Aspen Houck, was 19 when she met Koeper.

“He loved golf. We played golf

Greg Koeper was known for his kindness and also for his NASCRAB hermit crab races.

FACEBOOK | SUBMITTED Greg Koeper was a beloved figure in Cortez and Bradenton.

KOEPER: ‘Greg’s Last Dance’ will honor Greg Koeper’s life

FROM PAGE 21 every Saturday at Pinebrook and then everybody would go to Grego’s,” Kathy Houck said.

Now 43, Aspen Houck said, “Growing up, my mom and I golfed with my real dad. My dad said women don’t use the drivers and the woods. He said women can only use irons. Then Greg comes along and asks why we didn’t use our woods and drivers. He forced us to start using our drivers and woods. It turns out my mom and I are really good golfers when we can use all the clubs in our bag.

“When I was young and moving from apartment to apartment, Greg and Mom would keep my clubs at their house and Greg would carry them to the golf course from me. That became an ongoing joke. I called him ‘Dad’ and I always said, ‘Hey Dad, thanks for carrying my s---’ (expletive). That’s what I said to him the night he passed: First, I said, ‘Thanks for always being my dad when you didn’t have to be’ and ‘Thanks for always carrying my s---,’ ” Aspen Houck said.

“One of his sayings was, ‘Fun is key.’ He taught me not to jump to conclusions and to always try to be a better person,” she added.

A TRUE FRIEND

Slicker owns and operates Slicker’s Eatery in Cortez. Before that, he was the general manager of the Swordfish Grill. He knew Koeper for 30 years.

“Greg and Kathy have been to every major event in my daughter Molly’s life – her wedding and every dance recital, baseball game and basketball game. She looks at them as Uncle Greg and Aunt Kathy,” Slicker said.

“I cooked for Greg at Gregos. I brought Greg to the Swordfish Grill in 2012 or 2013. He was the first person I hired. I hired him to do the crab races once a week and he ended up being a manager and working there full-time.

“Greg had a way of making people feel special.

He was all-in on every conversation and every moment of life. He gave love and never passed judgment. Greg didn’t hold grudges and he realized the value of every day. He always said, ‘Kindness is key.’ He taught me to always be kind and he taught me by example. He also taught me how to get on stage with a microphone. He taught me that it’s okay to make fun of yourself, but it’s not okay to make fun of other people,” Slicker said.

Current Swordfish Grill General Manager Adam Sears worked with Koeper for many years.

“He was selfless. He was a very humble guy and he never wanted any recognition for what he did. He was always willing to help with the Blessing Bags Project charity events, the kids’ Christmas parties and the Nancy Franklin golf tournaments. He had a carefree attitude and he was always in a good mood. He used to say ‘groovy’ all the time and he was the grooviest dude I ever met,” Sears said.

SUBMITTED | WMFR A volunteer waves a sign to raise awareness about water safety near Manatee Beach.

FIRESIDE CHATS: Drowning prevention

FROM PAGE 4

• Injuries and deaths from drowning cost the United States $53 billion in 2020;

• Drowning is preventable.

This March, in an ongoing effort to combat these risks, the West Manatee Fire Rescue District continues its annual Drowning Prevention Campaign. This campaign is designed to bring awareness to the drowning risks those living and playing in our community face, as well as to educate the public on how to safely enjoy water-related activities.

WMFR’s Fire & Life Safety Bureau, with the assistance of local elementary school teachers and other volunteers, kicked off this campaign with a sign-waving event on March 4 at Manatee Beach. Join WMFR in its effort to make sure everyone has a relaxing, fun and, most importantly, safe Spring Break in 2023.

ASPEN HOUCK | SUBMITTED Aspen Houck, Greg Koeper and Kathy Houck shared many memorable moments together.

COVID-19 in Manatee County

FEB. 27

Cases 335

% Positivity 7.9%

Deaths 0

% Eligible population vaccinated 74.6% New hospital admissions 29

Manatee County community level of COVID-19 transmission

Source: Centers for Disease Control

MARCH 6

Cases 202

% Positivity 8.79%

Deaths 0

% Eligible population vaccinated 74.6% New hospital admissions 23

Anna Maria

wning and being the chef of a small private restaurant is both a challenging and rewarding experience for us. One of the big things that make it worth the long hours and the constant effort is the opportunity to create from inspiration. At first thought, most will think that I am speaking only about the menu, but that is only one part. Being inspired factors into the look of the restaurant (interior and exterior), the style of restaurant that we develop, the beverages, the type of experience we train our staff to give our guests, and basically every facet of what creates your din -

Romagna Shrimp and Grits (serves 4-6)

Ingredients

Being inspired

ing experience. It is constantly evolving and hopefully always bettering itself. In order to do a great job of conceptualizing any project, you have to be inspired at all levels.

Inspiration comes to us in many different forms. The most obvious examples are other operations, chefs and restaurateurs that we aspire to be compared to, but inspiration also comes from less obvious places. We can be inspired by regions, our travels, types of food or cuisine, a theme, our team members, even our guests and their ideas. Pesto Bistro and Wine Bar actually has a much different menu than originally envisioned because I was inspired by the prior owners and how wellreceived their menu was by the local area.

When it comes to the menu, I do enjoy letting the ingredients inspire me in the creation of each dish. Quite often, I have

4 ounces pinot grigio

6 ounces heavy cream

a guest ask what my favorite item is, and I always have the same response: “It is difficult because I put all of them on the menu and they wouldn’t be there if I didn’t like them.” It is actually easier for me to choose a favorite on the wine list. I feel this way because I believe a person’s taste in wine (similar to what moves us over art) is extremely subjective. We did try every one of the wines on our list (and probably another three for each of the ones that made the cut) and do like them all! Inspirations for the wines come from finding standouts from interesting locations and finding something special that you are not going to come across at the grocery or wine store.

One final thought: Inspiration can be mistaken for influence. If the influence has any emotional tie to your decision, in my mind it has become inspiration.

Kosher salt and white pepper to taste

Directions

24 each 16-20 count (large) shrimp, peeled and deveined

2 ounces roasted garlic cloves

2 ounces EVOO

2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato pesto

1 tablespoon chopped Italian parsley

Sauté shrimp with garlic and parsley in EVOO with sun-dried tomato pesto, add wine and cream and slightly reduce, adjust seasoning. Lightly sauté blanched rapini (broccoli rabe), lay in bowl, add scoop of polenta, top with sauteed shrimp mixture and finish with a large dollop of sun-dried tomato pesto.

Italian sausage and gorgonzola polenta

2 ounces chopped Italian sausage, cooked

2 ounces gorgonzola

1.5 cups polenta

4.5 cups chicken stock (broth)

Bring stock to a simmer, slowly pour in polenta while mixing, cook for 5-6 minutes, mix in gorgonzola and chopped sausage. Add salt and pepper to taste preference.

Sun-dried tomato pesto

In a food processor, puree to desired consistency the following ingredients:

2 ounces sun-dried tomatoes

2 ounces fresh basil, stemmed

1.5 ounces toasted pine nuts (pignolia)

2.5 ounces roasted garlic cloves; toss in oil and bake at 350 degrees till slightly brown

4 ounces EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)

½ teaspoon salt

2 ounces pecorino Romano

BILLS: Threaten freedom of speech

FROM PAGE 1

Block wrote on the foundation’s website news alerts page.

“This legislation would also subject bloggers, community groups, average users of social media – in short everybody who wants their voices heard – to the untold financial and emotional burdens of lawsuits,” according to Block, who suggests that Floridians “protect your freedom of speech by using yours to tell your representatives to throw out HB 991.”

The Freedom of the Press Foundation, a New York-based 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization whose mission statement asserts that it “protects, defends, and empowers public-interest journalism in the 21st century,” views the bills as a threat to a landmark court case protecting a free press.

The 1964 U.S. Supreme Court defamation case, New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, “ruled that when suing for defamation, plaintiffs who are public officials have to prove actual malice - that their critics knew their statements were false or recklessly disregarded the truth. Later decisions extended the requirement to other public figures at the center of newsworthy debates,” wrote Seth Stern, director of advocacy for the foundation, in a guest column for the Tampa Bay Times.

The difficult-to-prove standard is necessary, in the court’s opinion, written by Justice William J. Brennan Jr., because “debate on public issues should be uninhibited, robust and wide open,” including “vehement, caustic and sometimes unpleasantly sharp attacks on government and public officials.”

In addition to judicial protection, “The freedom of speech and of the press is enshrined in the First Amendment to the Constitution and is necessary to promote the vigorous dialogue necessary to shape public policy in a representative democracy,” according to a recent article in the Federal Communications Law Journal advocating state legislation to protect those freedoms.

The proposed Florida bills would have the opposite effect.

BILLS WOULD UNDERMINE DEFAMATION LAW

If the House bill passes, a statement by an anonymous source –such as the FBI’s Mark Felt ("Deep Throat"), who helped Washington Post reporters uncover the Watergate scandal during the Nixon administration – would be presumed

Contact Manatee County state representatives

REP. WILL ROBINSON JR.

District office: 941-708-4968

Capitol office: 850-717-5071

Email: Will.Robinson@myfloridahouse.gov

REP. MIKE BELTRAN

District office: 813-653-7097

Capitol office: 850-717-5070

Email: Mike.Beltran@myfloridahouse.gov

REP. TOMMY GREGORY

District office: 941-893-5434

Capitol office: 850-717-5072

Email: Tommy.Gregory@myfloridahouse.gov

SEN. JIM BOYD

District office: 941-742-6445

Capitol office: 850-487-5020

Email: boyd.jim.web@flsenate.gov

SEN. JOE GRUTERS

District office: 941-378-6309

Capitol office: 850-487-5022

Email: gruters.joe.web@flsenate.gov

false in a defamation action.

HB 991 also provides that a public figure does not necessarily need to prove actual malice to win a defamation lawsuit, which has long been the standard under Times v. Sullivan. It also removes non-elected public employees from the definition of “public figure,” enabling them to more easily win defamation lawsuits.

The bill also extends the definition of “defamation” from traditional media to include any “utterance on the Internet.”

Of particular concern to Florida news organizations is how the bill, and its companion in the Senate, would change how reporters work with anonymous sources.

According to Florida law (Florida Statute 90.5015), a professional journalist is “a person regularly engaged in collecting, photographing, recording, writing, editing, reporting or publishing news, for gain or livelihood, who obtained the information sought while working as a salaried employee of, or independent contractor for, a newspaper, news journal, news agency, press association, wire service, radio or television station, network, or news magazine.

In Florida, professional journal-

ists have “a qualified privilege not to be a witness concerning, and not to disclose the information, including the identity of any source, that the professional journalist has obtained while actively gathering news. This privilege applies only to information or eyewitness observations obtained within the normal scope of employment and does not apply to physical evidence, eyewitness observations, or visual or audio recording of crimes. A party seeking to overcome this privilege must make a clear and specific showing that:

• The information is relevant and material to unresolved issues that have been raised in the proceeding for which the information is sought;

• The information cannot be obtained from alternative sources; and

• A compelling interest exists for requiring disclosure of the information.”

Both the House and Senate bills remove the professional journalist’s privilege regarding anonymous sources in defamation lawsuits.

If passed, the bills would take effect on July 1.

JOHN CLEVIDENCE | SUBMITTED

Dead fish continue to wash up on AMI beaches due to red tide. These were spotted between 67th and 68th streets in Holmes Beach last week.

RED TIDE: Lingers longer

FROM PAGE 1

chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema or COPD, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Health officials recommend that people experiencing symptoms stay away from the water and go inside to an air-conditioned space with closed windows and a clean A/C filter. Wearing masks, especially during onshore winds, is also advised. Health officials warn against swimming near dead fish, and advise keeping pets away from dead fish and seafoam, which can contain high concentrations of red tide. Pets are not allowed on Anna Maria Island’s beaches but are allowed on the Palma Sola Causeway on Manatee Avenue.

Officials also warn that consuming shellfish exposed to red tide can cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning. Shellfish is inspected for sale at retail stores and restaurants, unlike shellfish harvested by individuals.

For updated information on red tide, visit the Red Tide Respiratory Forecast at RedTideForecast.com, which tells beachgoers what red tide impacts are expected to be at individual beaches at different times of the day. The forecast is also available in Spanish at PronosticoMareaRoja.com.

Beachgoers also can get updates at visitbeaches. org, the Mote Marine Laboratory reporting system, and can call 866-300-9399 at any time from anywhere in Florida to hear a recording about red tide conditions throughout the state.

REAL ESTATE

When old is too old

Last week we talked about interest rates and the effect they may be having on the national and local real estate mar kets. But what if you’re a senior citizen, re tired and want to buy another home? There may be barriers to obtaining that loan you never considered.

No secret that lots of real estate is sold to seniors in the state of Florida, and not just Florida. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reports that 13% of all mortgages originated in 2021 were by people 65 years of age and older; that is over 1.9 million mortgages.

Nevertheless, older borrowers who no longer draw a paycheck and rely on investments and the interest they generate may have a problem proving to a lender that they have sufficient income and assets to qualify for a mortgage. This is especially true now as housing prices have gone up substantially over the past couple of years.

In addition, widows and widowers could

Castles in the Sand

LOUISE BOLGER

have another problem qualifying if they have lost income after their spouse has passed. Frequently pension benefits are lost or reduced and Social Security benefits will also be reduced. A woman I met told me that after the loss of her husband, she couldn’t afford to stay in her house and didn’t qualify for a home equity loan to help with expenses even though there was adequate equity in the property.

Seniors who are depending on investments to cover living expenses will qualify if they are taking regular distributions from IRA accounts, which are considered income. However, if they are just with-

drawing funds as needed, lenders may not consider that as income. Every lender is different, so finding one that has worked with seniors in similar positions is helpful. And of course, keeping your credit score up is essential, so be prudent when considering cosigning a car loan for your grandson.

Last week, we also reported on the sales statistics for Manatee County and the national sales statistics came out right around the same time. The National Association of Realtors said the number of closed sales fell 36.9% from last January; this is in line with our statistics that singlefamily closings were down by 31.7% in Manatee from last year.

Not similar, however, were the national median existing-home prices, which rose 1.3% in January from a year earlier. Manatee County’s median sale price for singlefamily homes was up 5.4% compared to last January. This should be expected when you see the selling prices on Island homes and

other coastal areas in Manatee County. Also, according to the National Association of Realtors, seven of the top 10 cities with the largest year-over-year increases are in Florida or the Carolinas. Sarasota is up 19.5%, Naples is up 17.2%, Punta Gorda is up 15.2% and Daytona Beach is up 14.5% - the Florida hot spots. Lawrence Yun, the Chief Economist for the National Association of Realtors, says, “Even with a projected reduction in home sales this year, prices are expected to remain stable in the vast majority of the markets due to extremely limited supply.” I would add that supply is gradually improving with the possibility of it impacting sales values.

If you’re a senior and are experiencing a problem getting financing, remember that it is against the law to discriminate because of age. But it’s not against the law to discriminate because of a lack of income. Use the tools available to get that mortgage done before the prices go up again.

OBITUARIES BEACH BEAT

HOLMES BEACH

2/20, 12 a.m., grand theft, 207 71st St. The officer responded to a residence in response to a missing pool pump. The power wires and high-pressure PVC pipe had been cut and the pump was removed. The victim did not have any security cameras on the property, and no neighbors or passersby could identify a suspect in the theft.

2/20, 1:03 p.m., information, 3200 East Bay Drive. Two officers were dispatched to Walgreens in reference to a shoplifting call. Dispatch advised that three young males attempted to steal liquor from the store but were stopped by an employee. The manager told police that this is the third shoplifting attempt by young males in the past few weeks. On Feb. 20 a young male

stole $257.94 worth of alcohol, but the cameras did not have a good enough view of him leaving with the alcohol to pursue a police investigation. The store manager could not say for certain that the same group was responsible for both incidents, but the same gold Acura sedan was present both times.

2/27, 9:19 p.m., operating while license revoked, 3100 Gulf Drive. While on patrol, the officer saw a man driving a golf cart without a seatbelt, and initiated a traffic stop. The officer explained the reason for the stop, and when he asked for the driver’s license, he was handed an ID card and told the officer his license was expired. Manatee towing retrieved the cart, and the driver was placed under arrest for operating a vehicle with a license that had been expired or revoked for more than six months. He was then transferred to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, which took him to Manatee County Jail. The driver was also cited for the seatbelt violation.

Patricia Garrett

Patricia Garrett (Pat), 79, of Holmes Beach and Portland, Maine, died on Thursday, March 2 after a year-long struggle with colon cancer. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Oliver Woshinsky, who passed away in 2019.

She leaves behind an adoring family including sister, Kathy (George) Ball; and stepson, David (Marjan Sedgh) Woshinsky. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews and their children, most of whom came to Holmes Beach in April 2022 for a fun-filled Garrett-Ball family reunion that was the highlight of Pat’s year.

Pat was an accomplished biochemist, earning an undergraduate degree at St. Francis College in Pennsylvania, a master’s degree at Georgetown University in Washing -

ton D.C., and a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She conducted cutting-edge research on HIV/AIDS at SeraCare Life Sciences from 1988-2012 and at Immunetics Inc. from 2014-17. She published numerous articles over the course of her career and served as a role model to many young scientists.

One of her colleagues described her as “a wise and sage mentor to all, always going out of her way to help and educate others.” Pat retired in 2017 to care for her husband and to spend more time on Anna Maria Island, but continued to remain active in her field by opening her own consulting firm specializing in quality control, method evaluation and infectious disease testing.

In recent years, Pat enjoyed exercising at Island Fitness/AMI Center, practicing yoga with Friends and dining out at neighborhood restaurants. Pat had a generous soul and, in addition to leaving big tips, was a regular donor to a variety of charities. She was thoughtful, compassionate, and loved making new friends, many of whom she remained in regular touch with around the country and the world. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

PINES: Residents considering trailer park purchase

FROM PAGE 3 unless agreed to otherwise, from the date of the notice.

“If a contract between the park owner and the association is not executed within such 45-day period, then – unless the park owner thereafter elects to offer the park at a price lower than the price specified in her or his notice to the officers of the homeowners’ association – the park owner has no further obligations,” according to the statute.

“If the park owner thereafter elects to offer the park at a price lower than the price specified in her or his notice to the homeowners, the homeowners, by and through the association, will have an additional 10 days to meet the price and terms and conditions of the park owner by executing a contract.

“If a mobile home park owner receives a bona fide offer to purchase the park that she or he intends to consider or make a counteroffer to, the park owner’s only obligation shall be to notify the officers of the home owners’ association that she or he has received an offer and disclose the

price and material terms and conditions upon which she or he would consider selling the park and consider any offer made by the home owners.

“The park owner shall be under no obligation to sell to the homeowners or to interrupt or delay other negotiations and shall be free at any time to execute a contract for the sale of the park to a party or parties other than the homeowners or the association,” according to state statute.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Mobile home owners in the Pines Trailer Park are being given the opportunity to buy the park.

Privateers need help to 'Raise the Skullywag'

The Anna Maria Island Privateers need help to get their beloved ship, the Skullywag, back on the road. The ship, which is a fixture on the Island and can often be seen in parades and at fundraisers, is a valuable tool for the non-profit organization to raise funds to help kids in the community.

To raise funds, they are selling raffle tickets for a St. Paddy's Day Lotto Board hoisted at the Drift In on Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach. The winner will receive the Lotto Board, which contains $100 cash along with $300 in scratch-off tickets and a high end Irish spirits basket with an estimated value of $300. The raffle drawing will be held on Wednes-

day, March 15 at 9 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Drift In or from a Privateer member, and the winner does not have to be present to claim the prize. Ticket prices are one for $5, three for $10 and eight for $20.

The Privateers are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has

been in existence for 52 years and has donated over $500,000 in scholarships to local high school students. They also contribute to many other charities, adopt families at Christmas, participate in community events and promote children's activities and reading events.

JASON SCHAFFER | SUN

July parade aboard their road-going ship, the Skullywag.

Join Senior Adventures

The Center of Anna Maria Island in Anna Maria and the Annie Silver Community Center in Bradenton Beach offer Senior Adventures for $5. The price covers a round trip van ride, but additional fees apply depending on the excursion. The Center vans seat 20, so please register ahead. All excursions leave from The Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

• Edelweiss German Restaurant, Wednesday, March 8, leaving at 5:30 p.m. and returning around 8 p.m.

• The Bishop Museum and lunch at Mattison’s Riverwalk Grill on Wednesday, March 22, leaving at 9 a.m. and returning around 2:30 p.m.

• Tampa Aquarium and lunch on Saturday, March 25, leaving at 10 a.m. and returning around 6 p.m.

• St. Petersburg Pier and lunch on Tuesday, March 28, leaving at 9 a.m. and returning around 2:30 p.m.

The Center offers a variety of programs for people 60 years of age and older. Activities include traveling, pursuing old hobbies and learning new ones, socializing with friends, meeting new people, increasing knowledge, becoming and staying physically fit, and more. Annual memberships are for available seniors at $50 a month for 12 consecutive months. For more information, email Rusty Wood at programs@centerami. org or call 941-778-1908.

CENTER NOTES

Bingo returns

Bingo will be held at The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, on Friday, March 10 from 6-8 p.m. Cards and blotters are $1 each.

Beach clean-up

Beach clean-up days are Saturdays, March 11, April 1 and May 6 from 9-11 a.m. Meet at The Center and walk to the Gulf to clean up beaches from Magnolia to White

avenues. Trash bags, gloves, water and a light snack will be provided. For more information, email customerservice@centerami.org or call 941-778-1908.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

In celebration of National Reading Month, local author Deannie Sebring will read her self-published book, “Skip & Deanie’s Flying Bike Trip: Anna Maria Island,” on Monday, March 13 from 1-2 p.m. as part of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library free book program. Get your child’s first free book, “The Little Engine That Could,” when you register. The program is open to all children up to

Manatee County’s 5% tourist tax is collected from owners of accommodations rented for six months or less who charge the tax to their renters, in most cases, tourists. About 50% of the tax proceeds are allocated to Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau tourism marketing efforts, with 20% allocated to beach renourishment. Resort tax increases reflect both increased visitation and improved tax collection efforts. Amounts shown were collected in January and paid to the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office in February. To anonymously report a rental owner who may not be paying the tax, call 941-741-4809 or visit http://www.taxcollector.com/tdt-evader.cfm.

Source: Manatee County Tax Collector

5 years of age who live on the Island. Refreshments will be served. For more information, email culture@ centerami.org or call 941-778-1908.

Sip and craft

Unleash your creativity at Sip and Craft with MaryKate on Wednesday, March 15 from 6-8 p.m.

Join MaryKate in crafting at least eight greeting cards to send to friends and family. No artistic skill is needed. Bring your own beverage. The cost is $35 for members and $45 for non-members. Register by March 7. For more information, email culture@centerami.org or call 941-778-1908.

January 2023 tourist tax collections

approximate change from January 2022 Anna Maria 11% Bradenton Beach 3% Holmes Beach 24% Manatee County Total* 21%

*(Anna Maria Island, Bradenton, Longboat Key, unincorporated Manatee County, Palmetto)

Top-ranked teams dominate in flag playoffs

BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN

ANNA MARIA – With the close of the first round of playoff action concluded at The Center of Anna Maria Island, the top-ranked team in each of the three leagues easily defeated their opponents.

In the 8- to 10-year-old league, top-ranked Sato Real Estate won their quarterfinal game against SynLawn with a final score of 47-12.

Scoring 18 rushing points and 12 receiving points, the Sato team spread the scoring around the squad. QB Brandon Sato found his brother, Dylan, for a scoring reception and six points.

D. Sato finished the game with four defensive flag pulls on the other side of the football.

Silas DeWitt was the other B. Sato target for a receiving touchdown. DeWitt made three stops on defense and had two one-point conversions in the game.

Scoring on the ground, B. Sato got the call and scored six points. His run of scoring included two pick sixes and a two-point conversion after a Sato Real Estate score.

With a total of three interceptions, defensively B. Sato was on fire, adding six flag pulls to his game stats.

Kellen Reed kept it on the ground and scored 13 points with two touchdowns and a single onepoint conversion. With a single flag pull, Reed added to his team’s 14 total defensive stops in the Feb. 27 game.

SynLawn’s Nolan Anderson stayed on his feet for 12 rushing points for his team. Anderson made five huge defensive stops with his flag-pulling skills.

Oliver McCallister made a single catch in the game. Teammates Will Breslin, Tanner Pippins and Luther Sasser each had key flag pulls against Sato Real Estate.

The strong efforts of team Syn Lawn just were not enough against the tough Sato squad.

In this week’s action, Sato Real Estate went up against team Moss Builders. Moss Builders, ranked sixth at the end of the regular season, finished last week against third-ranked Island Real Estate with a win.

On the same night, Solid Rock Construction faced Westfall’s Lawn Care & Pest Control in quarterfinal play in the 8- to 10-year-old league.

Playing last Tuesday night at The Center in the 11- to 13-year-old league quarterfinal action, topranked Pineapple Market Place solidly defeated the Chick-fil-A team with a score of 39-20.

No upsets in the first round of playoffs with Moss Builders winning over Intentional Resilient Intuitive. Shady Lady Horticultural Services won over Storage Building Company by 14 points.

In the semifinal round of play on March 7, Pineapple Marketplace saw Shady Lady Horticultural Services on the gridiron. Moss Builders played Solid Rock Construction for the final spot in the championship game.

In the first round of adult co-ed

flag football playoff action, there were no surprises in last week’s play. First seed Luxury Services kept Ugly Grouper out of the endzone, with a final score of 96-0. Finishing the regular season in second place, Moss Builders easily won against Gulf Drive Café, up 25 points at the final whistle.

Team Solid Rock Construction beat sixth-ranked The Banks Home Lending Team, while The Briley Mortgage Team secured their spot in the next round of playoffs with a victory over The Sandbar.

This Thursday, four adult flag football teams take to the Island’s football field to determine who goes on the final game of the season.

On Thursday, March 9 at 7 p.m.,

Luxury Services vs. The Briley Mortgage Team will start the night off. Solid Rock Construction and Moss Builders meet in the second game of the night.

In all of The Center’s flag football leagues, there can be only two teams that battle it out for the title “champions.” The end-of-season victors will be named in the coming weeks.

MONICA SIMPSON | SUN

Sato Real Estate’s Kellen Reed races down the field trying to beat team SynLawn defenders last Monday night at The Center in playoff flag football action.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

BRIDGE GAMES STARTING up at Roser Church in February. Call 314-324-5921 for details.

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.

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 941-7564570 or 941-565-3931

EMPLOYMENT

WE ARE HIRING Part Time & Full Time. The White Egret & The Egret’s Nest in City of Anna Maria’ Please contact Pam at 941-7783782

PART TIME LAWN and landscape worker needed as Island Condo. No weekend work. Call 941-778-5915

WATERLINE MARINA RESORT is hiring Resort

Hosts! Located on Holmes Beach in Anna Maria Island, the Waterline resort builds on the Old Florida heritage that so many visitors hold dear, while offering new experiences and distinct amenities in a modern resort. It is where people come to leave the burdens of life for a more balanced state of being. We are looking for passionate, friendly, and service minded individuals who will welcome our guests and provide a unique check-in experience. The ideal candidate should have some hospitality experience, excellent customer service skills, superb communication skills, ability to use tablets and iPad, and be able to stand for extended periods. Email your resumes to bskelton@ mainsailhotels.com if you would like to be a part of the Waterline legacy.

The award-winning ANNA MARIA ISLAND SUN, a weekly newspaper on Florida’s Gulf Coast, is looking for a freelance reporter/ photographer to cover events on this tourism-driven island. The ideal candidate will have reporting and photography experience at a daily or community newspaper and have some experience writing for a news website. Local residents or those with previous local knowledge and willing to relocate here a plus. Resumes and cover letters may be mailed to The Anna Maria Island Sun, P.O Box 1189, Anna Maria, FL 34216, Attention: Cindy Lane, editor.

FISHING CHARTERS

CAPT. MAC GREGORY

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

U.S.C.G. Certified/Insured FOR SALE

TOPPER FOR F150 Long bed. $50 or Best Offer. Call 941-705-7560.

LEAF BLOWER & HEDGE

TRIMMER cordless Black & Decker with 2 chargers & 4 batteries. Like new and work very well $85. Call 941-518-1216

GARAGE SALE

GARAGE SALE-MULTIBLE

ITEMS from a collector. 208 Oak Ave, City of Anna Maria. EVERY Saturday & Sunday thru March 12. 9am-until.

YARD SALE SATURDAY

March 11. 2506 Songbird Lane, Bradenton 34209 (off 59th St Tanglewood Development. 9am-1pm. Jewelry, household goods, books, furniture, clothing and more!

HOME

IMPROVEMENTS

TILE! TILE! TILE! All variations of tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship. Prompt, reliable, many Island references. Free estimates. Neil 941-726-3077

RENOVATION SPECALIST

ALL carpentry repairs, Wash Family Construction, locally owned and operated CBC 1258250 Call 941-7250073.

KERN CONSTRUCTION

NEW Homes & Remodel. Design/Build. Since 1968. License # CBC 1261150. Call Mike Kern 941-7781115

JSAN CORPORATION

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

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

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Michigan General Contractor 30+ yrs. experience. Large or small projects. Budget minded knowledgeable tradesman will complete your project start to finish: On Time/On Budget. Call Mike 616-204-8822.

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

HOME SERVICES

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

LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE

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

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

ISLAND RESIDENT. TREE/ BUSH Trimming, removal. Sweeping, blowing, and weeding. Weekly, bimonthly or monthly schedule. Pressure washing. Call Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315

LOST AND FOUND

LOST/MISPLACED MY APPLE- IPhone (light blue cover ) Saturday at Cortez Seafood Festival .Call Tony Fantetti 863-214-3886

MOVING & STORAGE

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

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 941-7057096

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

POOL SERVICES

FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE AND CHEMICAL SERVICES. Certified Pool Operator. 10 + Years Experience. Residential/commercial. Chemical Service Licensed & Insured. Call Dennis Clark 941-7375657

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 941565-3931.

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

ATTN REALTORS: Are you thinking about leaving the business to get a salaried job? If you love being a Realtor & need help navigating this new market, call us today for a confidential appt. Kelly Gitt The Gitt Team AMI KW on the Water 941-799-9299

GORGEOUS DEEP WATER LOT with 2BR/2BA home in City of Anna Maria with dock and boat lift. Beautiful street. Just one block walk to beach. $2,800,000. Call for showing 941-7136531

BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY

HOME SERVICES

REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE

VILLAGE GREEN CONDO ~ Maintenance free 2BR/2BA condo with garage. Convenient West Bradenton location, 5 minutes to the beach.

$348,900.00. Call Lisa Varano at Wagner Realty 941-730-9060.

PEACE & TRANQUILITY await! Updated 2BR/2BA, second floor condo in Perico Island. Water & Nature views! Turnkey furnished. $449,000. Contact Karen Parsons Good Life Realty 407-233-7059

2BR/2BA CONDO on

Bimini Bay. 6300 Flotilla Dr. #91, Holmes Beach. See pictures on Zillow. Call 248-765-5207

RENTALS: ANNUAL CANAL FRONT ANNUAL rental. Charming 2BR/2BA secluded cottage. Great location on the north end of the Island. Available April 1st. 2023. $4,000/ month. Call Paige Rogers Duncan Real Estate 513382-1992.

AMISUN.COM

ANNUAL RENTALS – AVAILABLE NOW. 2BR/1BA, furnished. $4,500/month. Canal front 3BR/2BA home, private pool, boat dock. AVAILABLE 2/1/23. $7,960/ mo. First, Last, and Security Deposit required Call Sato Real Estate, Inc 941-7787200 or Email megan@ satorealestate.com

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 941201-2190

ANNA MARIA ISLAND

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

SEASONAL RENTAL JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH 2024. 1BR/1BA Bradenton Beach. Small complex, heated pool. Walk to restaurants, beach one block. Call Peggy 941-545-0208.

LUXURIOUS ANNA MARIA ISLAND CONDO for rent. Upgraded granite/ stainless kitchen. Incredible water views through floor length windows. Waterfront patio. Luxury furnishing. First floor 2BR/2BA. King beds. Pool, tennis, walk to beach. Private carport. Monthly Rental May to November. Owner/renter. Flexible terms. 870239-0431 or AMirent@ aol.com

TRANSPORTATION

AMI TAXI credit cards, cash, Venmo accepted. Airport: Tampa $105, Sarasota $50, St. Pete/Clearwater $105, Orlando $220. Call 941447-8372, www.amitaxi. com GOLF CART RENTALS

ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa/St. Pete $80. Sarasota $40. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-779-5095