Anna Maria Island Sun March 22, 2023

Swing time

A young man used some creative ingenuity to make a swing to watch the sunset in Holmes Beach, using ropes from the beached ‘Lucky Us 2’ and his skateboard.

Anna Maria officials oppose one rental bill…

The city of Anna Maria opposes the state Legislature’s efforts to take away the city’s ability to regulate short-term vacation rentals.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria Mayor

Dan Murphy traveled to Tallahassee last week to express the city’s opposition to Senate Bill 714.

SB 714 is the Florida Legislature’s most recent move to further limit local government’s ability to regulate short-term vacation rentals, giving more authority to the state. House Bill 883 serves as the companion bill.

Parking garage bill in high gear

A state bill to build a parking garage despite a city ordinance prohibition has passed one committee with a unanimous vote.

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

TALLAHASSEE – A bill in the Florida House of Representatives to circumvent Holmes Beach ordinances and build a three-story, 1,500-plus space parking garage has passed its first roadblock on the way to becoming a reality. HB 947, proposed by Manatee County Rep. Will Robinson Jr., passed the Federal Affairs and Special Districts subcommittee with a unanimous vote on March 15 despite Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth, City Attorney Erica Augello and other city staff members making a trip to the Florida Capitol to speak in person during the meeting. After the subcommittee meeting, Titsworth said she was disappointed but not surprised at the outcome.

“We knew ahead of time that they had the vote,” Titsworth said. “We still went so we could at least and on record state our position. The staff did great. This is Florida government at its finest, unfortunately, and an exercise on what to expect when a city takes a stance on quality of life

SEE PARKING BILL, PAGE 24

…while Holmes Beach officials oppose another

Both pieces of proposed legislation are currently working their way through various Senate and House committee stops. If SB 714 and HB 883 successfully pass through their respective committees, they would then be placed before both houses of the Legislature for final votes. If the Senate and House both adopt similar bills, the legislation will be sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis to sign into new state law or veto. Murphy arrived in Tallahassee on Wednesday and returned to Anna Maria on Friday. While in Tallahassee, he hand-delivered to key state legislators copies of the city resolution the Anna Maria City Commission adopted on March 9. The resolution expresses the

BY KRISTIN SWAIN

SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – Another bill in the Florida House of Representatives is proposed to undo local vacation rental regulations, pushing control to the state. House Bill 105 is designed to preempt local restrictions on vacation rentals pertaining to sanitation standards, inspections, duration or frequency of rentals and any prohibitions of vacation rentals.

All local vacation rental ordinances that were in place on or before June 1, 2011 are exempt from the restrictions of the bill concerning the prohibition of vacation rentals and regulations regarding the frequency and duration of rentals.

In Holmes Beach, city leaders are concerned about the bill because it would effectively do away with the city’s vacation rental certificate ordinance and regulations, which were passed in 2016. Local governments would be able to require the owners and operators of vacation rentals to maintain the name of a designated contact and information for someone responsible for each unit.

SEE HOLMES BEACH, PAGE 21

TERRENCE KERR | SUBMITTED

Another bill is going before state legislators that would preempt the majority of local vacation rental regulations to the state.

Police officers receive medals for saving a life

Officers Devon Straight and Charles Marose helped save a visitor’s life.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – Police officers Devon Straight and Charles “Chuck” Marose received recognition last week for saving a life.

During the March 16 city commis sion meeting, Police Chief John Cosby presented Straight and Marose with lifesaving medals.

“It’s my honor to come before you today,” Cosby told the commission. “We’ll be presenting Officer Devon Straight and Officer Chuck Marose with a lifesaving medal. On Feb. 17, at approximately 6:09 p.m., both officers responded to a 62-year-old male who was found lying on the sidewalk in the 1900 block of Gulf Drive. Once they arrived, some people that were there were already doing CPR. They took over the CPR and they used one of our AEDs (automated external defibrillator) to bring the gentleman back. He was transported to Blake and a few days

later he was released and he went back to Georgia.”

Cosby then stressed the importance of providing officers with the training and equipment they need to do their jobs.

“I keep telling you: Training and equipment. This is a perfect example of it being used appropriately and it saved somebody’s life,” Cosby said.

Included in the meeting packet was a memo that Straight sent Cosby on Feb. 20. In his written description of the events that transpired that evening, Straight noted “Officer Marose then took it upon himself to check on the patient’s condition later that same night and was advised the patient had been stabilized and should recover.”

Straight’s memo also included the following assessment: “I believe the quick implementation of CPR from bystanders and officers was critical to the patient’s survival before EMS could arrive; and the added benefit of having a readily available department-issued AED on-scene made our critical lifesaving efforts twice as effective.”

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Police Chief John Cosby presented Officer Devon Straight, above left, and Officer Charles Marose, above right, with their medals.

IN BRIEF

Sun earns five awards from FPA

The Anna Maria Island Sun is a finalist in five award categories in the 2023 Florida Press Association Weekly Newspaper Contest: Website Excellence (Kristin Swain), Agricultural and Environmental Reporting (Rusty Chinnis), Original Local Editorial Cartoon (Steve Borggren), Front Page Makeup (Ricardo Fonseca) and Reader-Generated Photo (Denise Lynn Power). Awards will be presented at the Florida Media Conference on July 20-21 at the Westin Resort in Sarasota.

Bradenton Beach seeks code enforcement officer

The city of Bradenton Beach remains without the services of a full-time code enforcement officer. On March 2, commissioners learned the city’s lone code enforcement officer, Ron Peterson, vacated his position in December and his successor had not yet been hired. When Mayor John Chappie referenced the research he’d done regarding the hiring of a new code enforcement officer, commissioners Jake Spooner and Jan Vosburgh said they weren’t aware that Peterson had resigned and that the city was without a code enforcement officer. Building Official Steve Gilbert supervises the city’s code enforcement officer. In January, Gilbert told The Sun he will serve as the acting code enforcement officer until Peterson’s successor is hired. During the March 2 meeting, Chappie said he recently consulted with someone at the city of Holmes Beach in an effort to learn more about how their code enforcement department operates and how it is funded. Chappie said he asked Gilbert and City Clerk Terri Sanclemente to provide him with the estimated annual cost of administering and enforcing the city’s transient public lodging establishment (vacation rental) ordinance.

Odie the screech owl visits Springfest

Odie the screech owl, known to many on Anna Maria Island, made a stop at the Springfest Festival of Fine Arts and Fine Crafts at City Field in Holmes Beach on March 18. Odie has an injured wing and is a permanent resident at Wildlife Inc. Education and Rehabilitation in Bradenton Beach. Odie has a big personality, and apparently two very sharp eyes for quality art. See Springfest coverage on Page 12.

Crime decreases in Bradenton Beach

No violent crimes were reported in Bradenton Beach in 2022.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – Police

Chief John Cosby reports that crimes citywide decreased by 23% in 2022.

On March 16, Cosby reviewed with city commissioners the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) statistics for 2022. According to the report, no violent offenses were reported in Bradenton Beach in 2022. The report lists murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault as violent offenses.

“For the 2022 year, our crime was down 23.3%,” Cosby told commissioners. “We attribute some of that to luck and we’re going attribute some of that to some of the changes that were made with scheduling. I allowed the officers to pick their own schedules, so they’re happier. I attribute that and also the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) patrols. That has helped out immensely.”

When the fiscal year 2023-24 budget preparations begin later this year, Cosby will request that Wednesdays be added to the current schedule of additional police patrols funded by the CRA for policing within the CRA district. The CRA district extends from the Cortez Bridge to Fifth Street South and includes the Bridge Street area. The additional CRA-funded police patrols currently take place Thursday through Sunday.

According to the UCR report, home and property burglaries increased from three in 2021 to six in 2022, but larcenies decreased from 26 to 15. Motor vehicle thefts

increased from one to two and there were 11 reported instances of unlocked vehicles being burglarized.

Four simple assaults were reported in 2022, compared to five in 2021. The UCR report lists two reported domestic violation offenses in 2022, compared to zero in 2021.

Of the 15 arrests made in 2022, nine arrestees were males, six were females and one was a juvenile.

In October 2021, Cosby was sworn in as the city’s new police chief after Chief Sam Speciale retired.

Regarding the 2022 crime statistics, Mayor John Chappie said to Cosby: “I attribute it to the training and the team you’ve created and all the hard work you’ve done in the last year and a half. We do greatly appreciate it and it’s showing in all aspects of the police department.”

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Police Chief John Cosby presented the 2022 crime statistics to city commissioners.

I attribute it to the training and the team you’ve created and all the hard work you’ve done in the last year and a half.”

John Chappie, Bradenton Beach mayor

Mote receives another extension for pier facility

Mote Marine now expects to open the City Pier-based educational outreach center in late April.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Mote Marine Laboratory has additional time to obtain a city-issued certificate of occupancy for the education outreach center being installed on the City Pier.

On March 9, Anna Maria City Commissioners voted 4-1 in favor of granting a two-week extension, with Commission Chair Mark Short opposed. Mote now has until March 24 to obtain from the city’s building official a temporary or regular certificate of occupancy.

The discussion began with Mayor Dan Murphy stating that March 10 was the deadline for Mote to apply for a certificate, according to a lease addendum the city and Mote agreed to on April 29, 2022. The addendum gave Mote an

additional year to complete the interior buildout of the city-owned building and the installation of the marine exhibits that were originally supposed to be completed by March 2022.

Vice President of Communications and Strategic Initiatives Kevin Cooper represented Mote Marine at the commission meeting and he acknowledged Mote was going to fall short of its March 10 deadline. He attributed the latest delays to supply chain shortages regarding the air conditioning system and also the Square D stainless steel electrical components required by the city. Cooper said the alternative air conditioning system also required some additional engineering.

Cooper thanked Anna Maria Building Official David Gilson for his assistance in securing a different air conditioning system and the non-Square D stainless steel electrical components that still meet the city’s requirements.

Cooper said the marine life requires an onsite acclimation period before the outreach center can open to the public. He said a

temporary certificate of occupancy would allow the marine life, and the marine exhibits built offsite, to be transported to the pier building. It would also allow outreach center manager Jessica Rhodes to occupy the building while awaiting the final certificate of occupancy that’s needed before the outreach center can open to the public.

Cooper said the fire marshal is willing to sign off on the fire suppression component of a temporary certificate if the work completed by March 24 doesn’t warrant a regular certificate of

occupancy.

According to the 2022 lease addendum, the outreach center was supposed to open this month. Cooper said Mote now envisions a public opening in late April.

QUESTIONS POSED

Short asked Cooper why Mote waited until the day before the certificate of occupancy was due before seeking an extension. Cooper said those conversations began about a month ago and a March 7 onsite meeting with Gilson confirmed the need for an extension.

Short said he visited the pier building on March 6 and saw construction workers “mudding” the drywall and the ceiling. Short said it looked like a lot of work was still needed. He asked Cooper how much of the $500,000 in county commission-approved tourist development tax revenues Mote had spent thus far. Cooper said Mote expects to exceed the $500,000 allotted by the county but he did not say by how much. Mote’s rent-free lease with the city requires Mote to absorb any additional startup costs beyond the $500,000 approved by the county. Cooper also noted Mote will staff the facility at its own expense, with volunteers assisting with ongoing staffing needs. Short asked if Mote had submitted any invoices to the city seeking reimbursement for costs incurred thus far. Murphy said the city received a $96,000 invoice that morning and City Clerk/Treasurer LeAnne would review it and forward it to the county. The county will reimburse the city and the city will reimburse Mote as the invoices are received.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

A visit to the pier building on March 9 provided a glimpse of the work in progress.

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

Thank you from AMIHS

The Anna Maria Island Historical Society held its annual Heritage Day Festival on March 14. It was a big success with great music, food and craft vendors demonstrating their skills throughout our museum campus.

We want to thank all the donors who helped make this annual fundraiser successful.

Our silent auction and raffle were enthusiastically received because of all the generous businesses that donated an amazing array of gift cards and merchandise.

The Privateers brought fun and excitement by capturing Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and locking him in our jail to be ransomed by generous donations from business owners and individuals, with all proceeds going to AMIHS.

Finally, thanks to all our dedicated volunteers who, as always, worked so hard.

For over 30 years, AMIHS has been preserving and bringing to life the history of Anna Maria Island. We couldn’t do it without the support of our wonderful island community.

Thank you all, Nancy Deal and Judy Hildman Co-chairs, AMIHS Heritage Day Festival

Parking garage plan 'shocking'

We are writing to express not only our total disapproval, but our actual shock at the plan to build a parking garage in Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island.

We are visitors to the island. We chose Anna Maria Island, not only for its natural beauty, but because of its small-town quaintness and charm. The island describes itself as one of the few remaining places of “old Florida.” It seems to take great pride in this. And that is why we come. How does a three-story parking garage on the beach at the end of the causeway fit with historic old Florida? It doesn’t.

We are completely baffled why the politicians are planning to force even more people onto the most crowded beach on the island. A location can only support a finite number of people comfortably, and Manatee Beach is certainly at capacity with the number of parking spaces it currently has. It’s also shocking that politicians are pushing this garage even though the city of Holmes Beach does not want it and has an ordinance banning parking garages.

We stay in a rental near Manatee Beach and already have to keep moving further and further down the beach, away from our rental, to find some space on the beach. It is extremely frustrating.

On our latest trip, one day we went south to Coquina Beach and

were so surprised to see how much less crowded it was. There were quite a few spots in the parking lot. And this was on a Saturday! Why isn’t there any discussion of better utilizing the lesser used, but just as beautiful, beaches?

Many of our National Parks are realizing a place can be loved too much, and the space cannot accommodate all the people that want to come at certain times. Glacier has had to institute a reservation system and Zion has a mandatory tram in their busy season. None of them are building parking garages to push more people into already overcrowded places of natural beauty.

Encouraging more and more people onto the most saturated beach on Anna Maria Island is not going to make it better for anyone.

We travel a lot and are regularly asked about the places we go, Anna Maria is the one place we do not recommend to people due to the crowding and traffic. A parking garage is only going to make it go from bad to worse.

The only person who is going to benefit from this parking garage is the developer. We truly can’t understand why the politicians who are supposed to be representing what is best for their community and their constituents are going along with the construction of this monstrosity.

Sincerely,

Kristen and Jay Swaine Fayetteville, New York

ANNA MARIA

10005 GULF DRIVE

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130

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

March 23, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting

April 7, all day – City offices closed, Good Friday

BRADENTON BEACH

107 GULF DRIVE N.

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005

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

April 5, 9:30 a.m. – Community Redevelopment

Agency meeting

April 5, 1 p.m. – Planning and Zoning Board meeting

April 6, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting

April 7, all day – City offices closed, Good Friday

HOLMES BEACH

5801 MARINA DRIVE

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800

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

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

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

April 5, 10 a.m. – Parks and Beautification Committee meeting

April 5, 5 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting

April 7, all day – City offices closed, Good Friday

EVENTS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22

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

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

THURSDAY, MARCH 23

TreeTots: Nature Numbers, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 10 a.m. Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. Thursdays in Paradise Stroll featuring local art, music and food, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 5-8 p.m.

AMI Chamber Business Card Exchange and Scholarship Awards, LaPensee Plumbing, 401 Manatee Ave., Holmes Beach, 5 p.m., $5 for members or $10 for prospective members

FRIDAY, MARCH 24

Forty Carrots, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m. Rock Garden rock painting, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. Robinson Preserve Twilight 5K/10K race, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 5 p.m.

SATURDAY, MARCH 25

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

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

Hands-only CPR with West Manatee Fire Rescue, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 9 a.m.

Litter cleanup, Robinson Preserve, expansion parking lot, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Starry Night Astronomy, Robinson Preserve, expansion parking lot, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 8-10 p.m.

MONDAY, MARCH 27

Secret World of Bats, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 6 p.m.

TUESDAY, MARCH 28

Farmer’s Market, City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

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

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

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

Duplicate bridge, Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, noon

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

THURSDAY, MARCH 30

Archaeo paddle, Robinson Preserve, north kayak launch, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon

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

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 31

Seashell shore walk, Coquina Beach south, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 9 a.m.

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

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

SATURDAY, APRIL 1

Robinson Runners, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 7 a.m. Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon

Ask a Master Gardener, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

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

TUESDAY, APRIL 4

Farmer’s Market, City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Privateers hold raffle for The Skullywag

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH - Just about anyone who’s been on Anna Maria Island during a holiday parade or large community event has seen The Skullywag, the road-going pirate ship that almost always has plenty of pirates about, ready to serve the community they care so much for. Unfortunately in recent months, the ship has required extensive maintenance and repairs so, like they always do when other people are in need, the AMI Privateers sprang into action.

“There’s a lot of maintenance on a 65-foot pirate

ship,” AMI Privateers President Kim Boyd said. “We’re always having to do extensive maintenance. After we got our transmission fixed and repaired the rear axle, there’s little things that pop up here and there. We had to pull off the rear deck because it was starting to sag and became a safety hazard. We got that fixed, but now the extra weight has caused a suspension issue. It’s not dangerous, but we want it to last us a while.”

The ship began life as an International school bus, and there is a limited number of people in the area who can work on it. The Privateers recently upgraded the sound system and want to continue to make the ship the best fundraising tool it can be.

“She’s 40 years old, bless her heart,” Boyd said. “Even 40-year-old people need to go see the doctor every once in a while. She’s got to get a new paint job, new suspension, new wiring and things like

that. We also want to add new lighting and other things that will enhance the experience for people who want private events. This will enhance our fundraising possibilities.”

Since most fundraising events held by the Privateers are to raise funds for scholarships for kids in the commu-

nity and events such as their Christmas Families program for children, the Privateers make sure that they are clear when an event is for The Skullywag, such as the one at The Drift In in Bradenton Beach on March 15. The fundraiser offered raffle tickets for $5 each with the prize including a lotto

board that contained $100 in cash, along with $300 in scratch-off tickets and a highend Irish spirits basket with an estimated value of $300.

There is still time to register for the Privateers’ annual scholarships that are open to any local student who has applied to a secondary education such as a trade school, community college or state college/university. Applications must be postmarked by April 1. For more information on the Privateers and the annual scholarships, visit www. amiprivateers.org.

The Anna Maria Island Privateers are a 501(c)(3) non-profit 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 raise money for first responders, as well as promote children's activities and reading events.

Although it’s back on the road, the Privateers pirate ship, The Skullywag, still needs work and the pirates need the community’s help to raise funds.

JASON SCHAFFER | SUN

With their ship The Skullywag in need of repairs, the AMI Privateers held a raffle at The Drift In on Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach to raise money for the endeavor.

AMI Historical Society celebrates Heritage Day

The annual Heritage Day celebration attracts many visitors while also raising funds for the AMI Historical Society.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA –The Anna Maria Island Historical Society hosted the annual Heritage Day celebration on March 14 at the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum campus, which includes the museum, the Belle Haven Cottage and “The Old City Jail.”

During the event, historical society member Liz Hager said, “Since we’re the museum and the Anna Maria Island Historical Society, we want people to remember how things were done in the past. We also have great food and music, crafters, vendors and raffles.”

Hager said Heritage Day helps make more people aware of the museum and the historical society while also serving as a fundraiser.

“It’s amazing how many people walk down this street and don’t realize there’s a museum here. We’ve had lots of visitors in the museum today,” she said.

Hager said attendance so far that day appeared to be higher than in years past.

The Anna Maria Island

Privateers invaded Anna Maria City Hall, captured Mayor Dan Murphy, transported him to “The Old City Jail” and held him hostage until enough bounty was donated to secure his release.

“Today we’ve captured the mayor of Anna Maria. We’re going to pass the hat and if we get enough money, we’ll release him,” Privateer Ron “Candyman” Fisher told the crowd.

The Privateers’ capture of the mayor raised nearly $1,400 in donations for the historical society. The donations included $1,000 from Sato Real Estate owner Barbara Sato, $100 from Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan, $100 from Island Real Estate owner Larry Chatt, $100 from Grooms Mo -

tors & Automotive owner Barry Grooms and $50 from Sandbar restaurant owner Ed Chiles. After he was released, Mayor Murphy said, “I think this is a wonderful event and the turnout shows there’s a great deal of pride and interest. I’m so pleased with the donations we were able to get today.”

Anna Maria City Commissioner Deanie Sebring, Becky Lietzau from the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce and Historical Society member Barbara Murphy sold strawberry shortcake for $5 per serving. The fresh strawberries came from Plant City and the shortcake came from Anna Mariabased Hometown Desserts. The shortcake sale proceeds benefited the historical society. Inside the historic Belle

Haven Cottage, museum docent David Haddox shared his knowledge of the historic cottage and the historical items contained within it.

Several crafters, vendors and local businesses displayed their goods and wares on the museum grounds, including two crafters, Lynn Overton and Donna Stansbury, who demonstrated slightly different methods to make yarn using two different types of

old-fashioned, pedal-powered spinning wheels.

Gift baskets and other items donated by local merchants and also by Heritage Day vendors provided the prizes for the fundraising raffle drawings and the silent auction.

Led by Howie Banfield, the Anna Maria String Band provided live musical entertainment and Anna Maria-based Poppo’s Taqueria served as the event’s food vendor.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

AMI Privateers Ron “Hoodat” Murphree and Ron “Candyman” Fisher held Mayor Dan Murphy hostage at The Old City Jail.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Above, Anna Maria Rocks employee Maggie Stockford and owner Priya Parikh displayed some of the rocks and crystals offered at the nearby local business. Left, Donna Stansbury, right, discussed yarn spinning with visiting Buffalo resident Ann Stievater.

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Police building gets a new roof

A work crew began installing a new roof on the Bradenton Beach Police Department building on March 16. The old roof was damaged by Hurricane Ian in October.

HBPD receives radio grant

Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer gave city commissioners good news during a March 14 commission meeting – his department received a $268,000 grant from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to reimburse the city for the purchase of new radios for the

department. The radios were purchased in 2022 to replace the aging units officers were using. Tokajer said the new radios have GPS to alert officers to one of their colleagues’ positions, along with other advanced technology to help keep police safe while patrolling the streets.

All invited to Easter sunrise service

At 6:30 a.m. on Easter Sunday, April 9, Kiwanis of Anna Maria Island will celebrate the 58th anniversary of the Sunrise Service at Manatee Beach. The crowd normally numbers 1,200-2,000 people. There is ample parking and the Manatee County trolley will be up and running at 6 a.m. The Anna Maria Beach Café will also open at 6:30 a.m. if you need that cup of java. Bring chairs or a blanket to sit on and dress for the weather. Representatives from Island churches include Father Matthew Grunfeld, of the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, who will deliver the

Burns reappointed to Planning and Zoning Board

Longtime Bradenton Beach Planning and Zoning Board member John Burns has been appointed to serve another term. The city commission reappointed Burns on March 16.

invocation; Rev. Stephen King, of Harvey Memorial, who will deliver scriptures; Rev. Dirk Rodgers, of Roser Church, who will deliver the sermon; Douglas King, of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, who will deliver the benediction and Matthew Nowicki, director of faith formation at St. Bernard Catholic Church, who will deliver the offertory. Inspirational Easter music for singing along will be provided. All are welcome to join in. The offertory collected will be divided among the participating churches and the Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria for their SCF Key Club Scholarship program.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Artists’ Guild featured artist celebrates light

The Artists’ Guild of AMI’s featured artist for March is watercolor artist Sharon Tarras. The title of her exhibit is ‘A Celebration of Light.’

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH - There’s still plenty of time to see the Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island’s March Featured Artist display.

Sharon Tarras grew up loving to draw and doodle, but the Wisconsin native put her artistic skills to work as the operator of a landscape design firm for 20 years before embarking on a career as a professional artist specializing in watercolors.

“I love the way watercolor works,” Tarras said. “You can

see my paintings are pretty soft, and I love light, so I’m calling this display, ‘The Celebration of Light.’ The way the sun sets when it’s low in the sky, I just love that.”

While many artists at the gallery have been painting a great deal of their lives, Tarras only began after signing up for a watercolor class in 2013 when she and her husband began splitting their time between Wisconsin and Florida. She has been hooked ever since and draws inspiration from the people, places, plants and animals around her. Unlike many artists who primarily work on subjects here in Florida, Tarras’ work includes everything from the northern lights to tropical fish. Much like her life, her work is split between north and south.

Tarras is a board member and former president of the Artists’ Guild, and says she really enjoys

the closeness and support that comes with being a member of a co-op like the Guild.

Jewelry sale success for Island Library

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH - Thanks to the efforts of the Friends of the Island Library, significant funds will go to help the Island Branch Library and those who use it, raised at an event that couldn’t have happened without the generosity of many in the community.

“This is the first-ever jewelry sale that we’ve had,” said Julie Perry, a member of the Friends of the Island Library and the chairperson of the jewelry sale com-

mittee. “It’s all via donations from the community, so without the community support, we couldn’t support our Island library.”

The March 10-11 sale featured deals on jewelry including necklaces, bracelets, rings, watches, earrings and more for reasonable prices ranging from $1 to $10. All the items for sale were donated by people in the community so all the money raised could go to projects related to the library.

“The reason we support this is because libraries run on such a small and tight budget,” Perry

“I love the artists and the people I’ve met here,” Tarras said. “There’s 54 of us and we run it

said. “With help from the Friends, the added value is funding programs for kids and adults, new furniture, craft supplies, equipment, beautification projects and other things that add value to our wonderful libraries.”

The Friends send a special “thank you” to the many who donated their jewelry and time to make the sale a success. Although the total amount of money raised from the sale is not yet known, they said they were very pleased with the turnout and expect this to be an annual fundraiser.

like a co-op, so everybody’s doing their part; it’s been really good.”

After Island Gallery West closed its doors on March 10 to move to downtown Bradenton, the Artists’ Guild is the last gallery left on the Island. Tarras confirmed that they have no intention of leaving their location, and look forward to a great future on AMI.

To see more of Tarras’ work, visit sharon-tarras.pixels.com or email her at smtarras@tarrasdesign.com.

The AGAMI Gallery at 5414 Marina Drive displays member artwork. The all-volunteer, 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization was formed in 1989 to promote and support creative processes by bringing together all artists to share experiences, expertise and work together to develop and promote the artistic community.

JASON SCHAFFER | SUN

The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island’s March Featured Artist, Sharon Tarras, stands in front of her featured display in the front window of the gallery at the March 10 Art Walk in Holmes Beach.

JASON SCHAFFER | SUN

The line was out the door on the first day of a two-day event as the ‘Friends of the Island Library’ held their first-ever jewelry sale to benefit the Island Branch Library on March 10-11.

Springfest brings fine art to Holmes Beach

The Anna Maria Island Art League’s Springfest Festival of Fine Arts and Fine Crafts was a big hit last weekend in Holmes Beach.

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH - The Anna Maria Island Art League brought together talented local, regional and out-of-state artists to compete for awards in the 2023 Springfest Festival of Fine Arts and Fine Crafts juried art show at City Field in Holmes Beach on March 18-19.

Although they no longer have a physical location on the Island, the Art League remains heavily involved in promoting the arts on AMI and working to bring out the best in community artists, including school children from the area.

“This year, we wanted to feature the children’s art,” Art League member Gale Tedhams said. “We had 11 schools participate this year, and exactly 100 pieces of art. We put the children’s art in about

20 different businesses on the Island for about three weeks before the festival.”

It wasn’t just school children that participated in this show, which is a juried show, meaning members of the Art League took submissions in advance and then voted on who would be participating this year, the festival’s 35th year. Unlike many art-related events on the Island, Springfest doesn’t allow any vendor space for businesses unless they strictly deal in and make art.

“Our mission is to promote all the arts, not just paintings, but performing arts like dance and even promoting women’s wellness, because wellness and art go hand and hand,” Tedhams said. “We’re also working with some of the community members to get more public art, like murals in the community.”

The winners of this year’s Springfest are: Jay Canterbury, Best in Show, photography; Michael Oertle, Award of Merit, oil painting; Kelly Williamson, Award of Merit, clay; Jean Murray, Award of Merit, clay; Jimmy Chasey,

Award of Distinction, photography; and Kent Webb, Award of Distinction, photography.

STUDENT WINNERS

High School

First place: Rabehe Testa, Grade 10, Lakewood Ranch;

Second place: Christian Ocegueda, Grade 10, Lakewood Ranch;

Third place: Ahlany Garcia, Grade 11, Lakewood Ranch.

Middle School

First place: Nina Zhang, Grade 7, Haile;

Second place: Owen Lockaby, Grade 7, Haile;

Third place: Ahmya Randall, Grade 8, Haile.

Grades 4, 5, 6 Ken Miyah Turner, Grade 5, Rowlette Academy; Sophia Comfort, Grade 4, Stewart Elementary; Austin Beasley, Grade 4, Rowlette Academy.

Grades K-3

Ethan Patel, Grade 3, Virgil Mills Elementary; Zeph Walden, Grade 3, Myakka Elementary; Isela Perez, Grade 2, Myakka Elementary.

Jay

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Canterbury, left, won Best in Show for his photography at this year’s Springfest, presented by the Anna Maria Island Art League. Michael Oertle, right, received an Award of Merit for oil painting at Springfest 2023.

Left, Kelly Williamson’s work with clay won her an Award of Merit at Springfest. Vivid colors in clay earned Jean Murray, right, an Award of Merit at Springfest 2023 at City Field in Holmes Beach.

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Jimmy Chasey, left, shows off his Award of Distinction for his work in photography at Springfest. Kent Webb, right, isn’t feeling the least bit crabby after winning an Award of Distinction at Springfest 2023.

Chamber scholarships awarded this week

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Award winners will be announced at the business card exchange on Thursday, March 23 at LaPensee Plumbing, Pools and Air, 401 Manatee Ave. in Holmes Beach from 5-7 p.m. The cost to attend is $5 for members and $10 for prospective members. Beverages and light bites will be served as chamber members celebrate three high school students as scholarship winners. To RSVP, call 941-778-1541 or email info@amichamber.org.

Silver Community Center to hold book sale, bingo game

The Annie Silver Community Center in Bradenton Beach will hold its next book sale on Saturday, March 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Center membership is not required to take part in the sale, just stop by the center at 103 23rd St. N. Bingo is scheduled on Thursday, March 23 at 6 p.m. with pizza, coffee and soft drinks available. Proceeds from these events benefit this 501(c)(3) non-profit community organization.

Help keep water clean

Holmes Beach city leaders and members of the city’s Clean Water Committee are launching a new initiative to help area residents and visitors learn what they can do to improve the quality of natural waterways in and around Anna Maria Island. The initiative is called Islanders 4 Clean Water and features 10 ways that people can change their lives in small ways to make a big impact on the health of local waterways. Some of the suggestions include eliminating the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, conserving fresh water and reducing the usage of single-use plastics. To learn more about the initiative, visit www.holmesbeachfl. org/interactive/islanders4cleanwater.

Garden Club flower show proves flowers can be art

Spring was in the air on March 17 as members of the Anna Maria Island Garden Club held their annual flower show at Roser Church.

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA - It was St. Patrick’s Day on the Island, but the shirts, hats and beads weren’t the only thing green that was drawing attention. March 17 was also the annual Anna Maria Island Garden Club’s Flower Show at Roser Church.

With more than 100 members and 72 years on the Island, the AMI Garden Club remains active and strives to share the joy of growing plants, as well as turning them into works of art, with anyone interested in learning and participating.

“The Garden Club is here to help the three cities here on the Island with beautification and education, and trying to bring people together to learn about flowers and how they can use them,” garden club member Ginger Huhn said. “We have a plant sale every year, and of course this event as well as others. We stay very active and busy.”

Other than the hot, stormy months of June, July and August, when they take a break, the non-profit organization is meeting, fundraising and working with the community the other nine months out of the year.

“We have monthly meetings and we try to hit a lot of different topics in those meetings,” Huhn said. “We’ll have a plant talk, so people can learn about growing and rais -

ing certain types of plants, and other similar subjects.”

The flower show has different categories every year. For 2023 some of the categories included plants arranged in boots, hats, and more. The categories are changed for each year’s show to keep it “fresh.” All arrangements in the show are made by club members but judged by the public.

When the show started, people threw pennies in a

bowl next to their favorite arrangements for judging. Club members later realized there had to be a better way than counting thousands of pennies. They then moved to a format where judges would decide, but that didn’t get the best results either, since there was a lot of pressure on the judges. Recently, they began giving every visitor a certain number of tickets. With the ticket judging, the judges

remain anonymous, and the endless supply of pennies problem was solved. Anyone in attendance didn’t have to leave empty -handed, as many of the arrangements were offered in a silent auction. The highest bidder could take home their favorite and enjoy it. Proceeds from the auction help fund Garden Club activities throughout the year.

JASON SCHAFFER | SUN

Left, categories at this year’s Anna Maria Island Garden Club’s Flower Show included one that had to be arranged in boots. Right, The Anna Maria Island Garden Club’s Flower Show on March 17 featured the best arrangements from club members that were judged by the public by placing a ticket in a bowl corresponding to their favorite arrangements.

Roser Guild hosts fashion show

The Roser Thrift Shop supports seven scholarships and more than 20 missions.

BY JOE HENDRICKS

SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – The Roser Memorial Community Church held its annual fashion show and luncheon on March 14 with clothing selected from the Roser Guild Thrift Shop that was made available for purchase that day.

Before the models hit the runway, Guild President Cherrie Birkman said, “This is one of our major fundraisers. We feature the clothing we sell in the thrift shop across the street. We also have a silent auction going on with various items from the shop. We have a dress rack with high-end clothing and our models will be modeling items from the thrift shop, which we will then sell.

“The profits go to the thrift shop. The thrift shop has been in existence for 25 years. We support over 20 missions locally, statewide and nationwide and we are also supporting seven scholarships this year. It’s

a sizeable amount of work that we do and the focus is serving Christ and sharing his love,” Birkman said. Cathy Rieder served as the master of ceremonies for the fashion show and Pastor Dirk Rodgers, Charles Wade, Ginger Huhn, Curt Huhn, Kathryn Sandberg, Sharon Rowe, Mike Pescitelli, Ruth Cawain, Lillian Chin, Carol Young, Ann Bodger and Gretchen Petraske served as the fashion models.

Before the fashion show began, attendees enjoyed lunch prepared by church volunteers that included shrimp spring rolls with a sweet red chili dipping sauce, frilled teriyaki chicken skewers and an Asian-style chopped salad with sesame ginger dressing and almond cookies with cream cheese icing topped with fresh fruit.

The Roser Guild Thrift Shop is located at 511 Pine Ave. From February through March, the thrift shop is open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and on Saturdays and is otherwise open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 941-779-2733.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Before hitting the runway, the volunteer models gathered for a group photo. Right, Ruth Cawain modeled a gray satin dress. Left, Pastor Dirk Rodgers was the first to walk the fashion show runway.

FWC director, DEP secretary survey red tide conditions

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

MANATEE COUNTY - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) acting Executive Director Dr. Thomas Eason and Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

Secretary Shawn Hamilton took part in a local flyover on March 13 to observe current red tide conditions and meet with stakeholders.

“Red tide blooms can cause significant impacts to our local communities,” Eason said. “On Tuesday, I joined DEP Secretary Shawn Hamilton to view firsthand the current conditions affecting Southwest Florida. We met with local leaders to ensure we are providing the information, scientific data and assistance needed regarding red tide research and management.”

According to a prepared statement from FWC, “The state is taking an ‘allhands-on-deck’ approach to respond to the red tide impacting Florida’s west coast. The FWC, DEP and Florida Department of Health are working together to ensure a coordinated state response and are committed to coordinating with local governments to provide resources to assist in cleanup efforts and will continue to monitor the red tide bloom to ensure that all local needs are being met.”

“Earlier this week, I was able to view firsthand the impacts of the red tide bloom along Florida’s Gulf Coast,” Hamilton said. “Our coordinated state approach includes getting out to these impacted communities, speaking di-

rectly to stakeholders and local leadership, and ensuring the state is providing them with the critical assistance they need to enhance their response efforts. Thanks to the leadership of Gov. DeSantis, DEP is able to provide funding assistance to our impacted communities for cleanup solutions.”

The FWC is monitoring a red tide bloom in the following counties: Manatee, Pinellas, Sarasota, Pasco, Collier, Lee and Charlotte.

In the fiscal year 2022-23 budget, $4.8 million was earmarked for or directed to the Center for Red Tide Research at the FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute in St. Petersburg.

According to FWC’s prepared statement, “The center was created at the request of Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2019 to improve statewide red tide monitoring techniques and conduct research to better track, predict and mitigate the effects of red tide on Florida communities. The Center for Red Tide Research brings together state and local governments, universities, private sector partners and citizen scientists to enhance statewide red tide monitoring and conduct applied research on red tide.”

Additionally, $5 million was appropriated for FY 2022-23 and another $5 million is proposed for FY 2023-24.

DEP began an outreach effort in November 2022 to counties along the west coast of Florida that were seeing red tide that resulted in fish kills.

For more information about red tide, visit MyFWC.com/research and click on “Red Tide” and ProtectingFloridaTogether. gov.

COVID-19 in Manatee County

MARCH 13

Cases NA

% Positivity 9.07%

Deaths 0

% Eligible population vaccinated 74.6% New hospital admissions 40

MARCH 20

Cases 165

% Positivity 9.64%

Deaths 0

% Eligible population vaccinated 74.6%

New hospital admissions 28

Manatee County community

level of COVID-19 transmission

Source: Centers for Disease Control

Orzo goodness

Brian Mathae

HURRICANE HANKS

rzo is an incredibly versatile ingredient. Orzo is a type of pasta that is shaped like a grain of rice. Commonly used in Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, it is also known as Risoni. Orzo can be cooked in a variety of ways and is often used in soups, salads, and casseroles. It can also be used as a substitute for rice in many dishes. Made from semolina wheat, it is a good source of carbohydrates, fiber, and protein.

I spent a week one summer consuming several meals made of orzo. I was in my 20s and a group of us was fortunate enough to hike the West Coast Trail. It is an extremely popular destination, so much so that reservations are required just to make the hike.

The West Coast Trail is located on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It is a 47-mile-long trail that runs through the rugged coastal terrain of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, offering stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, the temperate rainforest, and occasionally some wildlife.

It was originally established as a lifesaving trail in 1907 to aid in the rescue of shipwreck survivors along the extremely treacherous coastline. In the 1970s, it was developed into a hiking trail. It is known for its challenging terrain, which includes steep cliffs, rocky beaches, and thick forests. It is not a walk in the park! Warning signs indicate hikers must be prepared for rugged conditions and be in good physical condition to complete the trail. Climbing high ladders

and jumping across deep surge channels with a heavy backpack containing everything you need to live for seven days including camping gear is a challenge, to say the least. Orzo was an easily packable nutritious meal that could be seasoned with something as simple as salad dressing.

Today’s recipe featuring orzo is far more than the sustenance meals I enjoyed on the hike. This one-skillet meal with minimal preparation and quick cooking time allows you to impress any impromptu dinner guest with minimal effort. While still an easy preparation, this recipe includes aromatic ingredients like fennel and leek. Volatile oils and phytochemicals give fennel its aromatic character. Flavors of licorice, mint and camphor are abundant, so use sparingly. Leeks can be used raw or cooked. Raw, they are crunchy and firm with a mild onion-like taste. Cooking them softens them and mutes the taste. Commonly boiled whole and served cold with a vinaigrette in France, leeks are nicknamed “poor man’s asparagus.” Fennel and leek will add some wonderful flavor to the meal. Of course, it wouldn’t be a great recipe unless it called for some wine as an ingredient! Ours calls for dry white wine. People often buy an inferior wine to cook with, not realizing that they will potentially be left with a significant amount of wine. If you are going to have to drink it anyway, get the good stuff! For this dish, I would recommend a Sauvignon Blanc as the wine’s green, herbaceous and fruity aromas will round out the dish. We are offering a special on Duckhorn Vineyards’ North Coast Sauvignon Blanc. If you want to stick to a Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region of New Zealand, I would recommend the Ned. We hope you enjoy!

Chicken and Orzo

Ingredients (4 servings)

8 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs, rinsed and patted dry

3 tablespoons butter

1 fennel bulb, sliced thin

1 leek (white and pale green parts only) chopped

8 ounces orzo

1/2 cup white wine

2 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth

1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice

1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

Small greens for garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 F. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a medium heavy-duty oven-safe skillet over a medium-high element. Place the

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chicken, skin side down, in a single layer in the skillet. Cook the chicken until the skin is golden brown, about 8-10 minutes. Turn the chicken over so the skin side is up and transfer the skillet to the oven. Bake uncovered until the chicken is cooked through, 10-15 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer the chicken to a plate. Over a medium element, combine fennel and leek in the skillet with the drippings. Cook until the leek is golden around the edges, about 5 minutes. Add the orzo and cook until the pasta has darkened and is toasty smelling. Pour in the wine and stir about 1 minute. Add broth, 1/2 cup at a time, while stirring constantly, waiting for the broth to absorb into the orzo. Once the orzo is tender and a small amount of broth remains, remove from heat. Stir in the lemon juice and 1 tablespoon butter. Place the chicken on top and finish with lemon zest and small greens. Serve immediately.

Oyster River Ecology moving restoration forward

first met Damon Moore at a Sister Keys Cleanup in 2010 when we were introduced by Ann Hodgson of Audubon. Moore worked in environmental consulting for seven years at Stantec before joining Manatee County. In his words, “I loved challenging habitat restoration projects where good problem solving and project design skills would result in high-quality, costeffective projects. I was blessed to have the opportunity to work on Manatee County projects like Perico Preserve, Ungarelli Preserve, the Robinson Preserve expansion and Tom Bennett Park as a consultant charged with designing the restoration plans for those properties. I found my niche.”

Moore has high praise for his mentor Charlie Hunsicker, Manatee County’s director of natural resources. “As a consultant, I saw something in him that I was drawn to; Charlie always found a way to move high quality environmental enhancement projects forward, regardless of the challenges. He’s creative and pragmatic and I knew he had big plans for the next 10 years. I wanted to play a direct role managing the implementation of those projects. I joined Charlie’s department and spent the next decade working on some of the most impactful projects in the region.”

When the Robinson Preserve expansion was functionally complete, Moore wanted to branch out and sharpen his skillset by taking on a more diverse geographic range of projects. He found that at Environmental Science Associates, but during a brief tenure there, he said, “I realized the area I call home needed more environmental benefit projects.” That was challenging to

facilitate as a consultant, so Moore decided to form a non-profit he would call Oyster River Ecology (ORE) to bring more projects to the suncoast. The name ORE is an homage to the Manatee River, historically known as

the “Oyster River.” Moore’s understanding of the concept of shifting baselines is a loss of perception of change that occurs when each gen -

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

The Robinson Preserve Expansion turned legacy agricultural land into a mosaic of uplands and wetlands to benefit birds and fish populations like snook and tarpon. All work was done with volunteers.

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Buchanan hosts red tide discussion

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – U.S. Congressman Vern Buchanan hosted a roundtable talk on red tide with local legislators and environmental stakeholders at the Beach House restaurant on March 17.

“I’ve invited you here today to discuss the status of our water quality and impact on the Suncoast,” Buchanan said. “I’m concerned about what we are leaving our kids. It’s a big issue for all of us.”

Ed Chiles, founder of Chiles Hospitality, said, “We are fortunate to have a senior member of Congress who cares about this issue because this is everything to us… It’s not one thing, it’s everything.”

Attendees at the roundtable included: Dr. Dave Tomasko, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program; Sandy Gilbert, Chairman and CEO of Solutions to Avoid Red Tide (START); Ed Sherwood, executive director of Tampa Bay Estuary Program; John Chappie, Mayor of Bradenton Beach; Manatee County Commissioners Kevin van Ostenbridge, James Satcher, Amanda Ballard, Mike Rahn and Jason Beardon; Charlie Hunsicker, director of Manatee County Natural Resources; Dan Diggins, Holmes Beach city commissioner; Carol Soustek, commission chair and vice-mayor of Holmes Beach; Ron Huibers, chair of the Holmes Beach Clean Water Committee; Capt. Scott Moore, of Moore Fishing Charters; as well as officials from Longboat Key.

“We greatly appreciate the congressman’s efforts to preserve and protect our natural resources,” Sherwood said.

Buchanan, co-chair of the 30-member bipartisan Florida Congressional delegation, has secured $8 million for red tide research, according to his website. In 2019, the U.S. House of Representatives approved

Buchanan’s amendment to study the impact of red tide on human health.

“On the suncoast, we rely on clean water and white sandy beaches to support our economy and our way of life,” Buchanan said. “Red tide has wreaked havoc on marine life, our waters and the many businesses that rely on Florida’s tourism-based economy.”

“As one of his top 10 priorities, Buchanan has introduced the ‘Protecting Local Communities from Harmful Algal Bloom Act,’ which would amend the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to include algal blooms in the definition of a ‘major disaster,’ ” according to Buchanan’s website. “The act would require Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) to provide both technical and financial assistance to states suffering from outbreaks of harmful algal blooms like red tide.”

“Congressman, I want to thank you for all your efforts,” Chappie said. “We need to take action today… there’s a lot more that needs to be done.”

Red tide concentrations down

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reported a range of very low to medium concentrations of the red tide organism K. brevis in Manatee County waters on Friday.

Those levels are down from the prior week, when on March 10, Longboat Pass showed high concentrations of the organism and medium levels were reported on Anna Maria Sound at Kingfish Boat Ramp and at the Anna Maria Island Rod and Reel Pier. Palma Sola Bay registered low levels of red tide that week.

March 17 FWC reports show very low levels at Longboat Pass and the Palma Sola Bay Bridge; and low levels at the Anna Maria Island Rod and Reel Pier. Medium levels were reported in lower Tampa Bay.

Medium levels can bring about respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures, probable fish kills and can be detected by satellite.

Manatee and Coquina beaches showed no respiratory irritation or fish kills as of March 14, according to visitbeaches.org, the Mote Marine Laboratory beach conditions reporting system. Slight respiratory irritation and no fish kills were reported at Rod and Reel Pier, and on Anna Maria Island, slight respiratory irritation was reported along with dead fish on beach.

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 beach conditions reporting system, which documents respiratory irritation and fish kills at local beaches.

Call 866-300-9399 from anywhere in Florida to hear a recording about red tide conditions throughout the state.

REEL TIME: Oyster River Ecology moving restoration forward

FROM PAGE 18 eration redefines what is “natural.” Moore explains, “To the detriment of residents today and all generations to follow, the prolific oyster beds of the Oyster River were harvested to depletion, but the good news is that restoration projects combined with wise management practices can bring some of that abundance

back.” Ultimately, that is Moore’s passion, and his extensive knowledge of restoration practices and proven performance combine to provide hope to all who value the amazing flora and fauna of the suncoast. ORE recently received its 501(c)(3) designation from the state. Moore is now finalizing the organization’s website and reaching out to the many philan -

thropic organizations with which the suncoast is blessed.

Moore currently serves as president of the Manatee Fish and Game Association, where, among many other environmental initiatives, he helped shepherd the passage of the Manatee County land and water referendum, which passed with a 71% vote. The referendum will result in $50 million

worth of funding for conservation projects in the county. I and many other anglers and citizens who have seen first-hand the decline of water quality, habitat, and bird and fish populations are excited at the prospect of ORE. Its focus on restoration projects is essential to a region whose baselines are a foundation of the local economy and are critically endangered.

LESLIE LAKE | SUN

Ed Chiles, right, listens intently as Rep. Vern Buchanan discusses the impact of red tide on Southwest Florida.

SWAIN | SUN

Touring Portugal through wine at The Center

About 200 people came out to support The Center of Anna Maria Island at the second annual wine-tasting event on Saturday. This year’s event, “Portugal Uncorked,” featured the wines, wisdom and history of Portugal, hosted by Sommelier MaryKate Scott. The wine tasting, which took the place of the canceled Tour of Homes, is one of the largest fundraisers for the Island nonprofit.

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ANNA MARIA: Opposes rental bill

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mayor and commission’s opposition to taking away the city’s ability to regulate short-term vacation rentals at the local level.

When discussing SB 714 on March 9, Murphy said, “The only people this benefits is Airbnb and Vrbo. They’re the ones pushing this. Airbnb and Vrbo would like nobody between them and the person renting the house: No realtor, no government agency, no city. Everything’s mechanized and there’s no need for any humans to be involved. That’s what this is all about.”

On Wednesday afternoon, Murphy sent an email update to city commissioners that noted SB 714 successfully passed through the Senate’s Regulated Industries Committee the previous day.

“An amendment was added during that meeting which clarifies fees and tax liability, none of which helps our cause of killing this bill,” Murphy stated in email.

“The good news is that our website (www.homerulefl.com) generated over 2,500 emails to senators on that committee, all speaking out in

opposition to SB 714. What’s more, we added 250 new subscribers to our website and our distribution list. We are now very much a statewide website with subscribers throughout the state. We will continue to track SB 714 as it goes to its next two committees in the Senate and we will have campaigns ready to address the bill,” Murphy wrote.

On Saturday, Murphy provided The Sun with more details about his trip.

“I was able to meet the president of the Senate, Kathleen Passidomo, and I left her a copy of our resolution.

HOLMES BEACH: Opposes another

I also discussed the pitfalls of this pending legislation, including taking away our right to limit the occupancy of vacation rentals,” Murphy said.

“I met with the bill’s sponsor (Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-St. Petersburg) and told him our concerns about ‘party houses’ and the catastrophic impact this bill will have on our Island community. Later, I met with Sen. Jim Boyd and State Rep. Will Robinson Jr. to discuss our concerns. My final meetings were with the House speaker’s office and the chairperson of the Commerce Committee, State Rep. Bob Rommel,” he said.

“As an Island community, we need to bombard the Legislature with our concerns through phone calls and emails. We can utilize the HomeRuleFL.com website to send instant emails to the legislators as the bill moves through the House and the Senate. We are at a very serious and critical crossroads with this bill. Failure to speak up now could have long-term negative implications on our quality of life on Anna Maria Island,” Murphy said.

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Inspections related to enforcement of the Florida Fire Code would not be impacted, such as those planned by officials at West Manatee Fire Rescue to begin this fall to address potential life safety issues.

Inspections of units related to the enforcement of the Florida Building Code would also be exempt.

City Attorney Erica Augello said the city’s lobbyist is working diligently to oppose the passage of the bill, which is currently in the state Regulatory Reform and Economic Development Subcommittee in the House. The House bill has also been referred to the Local Administration, Federal Affairs and Special Districts Subcommittee.

If the new bill passes in committees, it would need to make it through a vote on the Florida House floor before going to the Senate to go through the same approval process to reach Gov. Ron DeSantis’s desk for final approval before it becomes law. The bill states it would take effect on July 1. As of press time for The Sun, no vote had been recorded for the bill.

Anna Maria

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While in Tallahassee, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy, left, met with Sen. Jim Boyd.

REAL ESTATE

Condo ownership and Florida law

Ihave a condo personality. Not everyone does, but I do. Down through the years, I’ve written quite a bit about condo ownership, culture and personality. I have very happily been living in a condo for over 20 years; it suits me. I despise gardening, cleaning the pool and worrying about the roof, all of which were part of my previous everyday life. But there is one aspect of condo ownership that frankly I haven’t thought much about until the last few years.

After the collapse of the residential condo building in Surfside, there were developers hovering around older condo buildings, especially those with Florida’s most precious commodity, waterfront locations. The interest in these buildings became more intense after the subsequent passage of a Florida law that requires most condo buildings over 30 years old to undergo structural inspections and correct structural failures. Owners and their boards of directors were approached by developers and started conversations about condominium termination rather than perform expensive repairs

Castles in the Sand

LOUISE BOLGER

many long-time owners couldn’t afford.

Florida condominiums are by definition considered legal entities, just like corporations. They have boards of directors, owners, financial budgets and reserves and creditors. It’s different from single-family homes in that once you become an owner, you become part of this legal entity as just one of its unit owners. And that, of course, is where the condo personality or lack thereof comes in. If you don’t like making decisions by committee, better keep looking for the single-family home.

Condo terminations have been more prevalent in Florida than in other parts of the country because of the large number of aging condo units in South Florida and the lack

of developable land near the water. According to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, over the past decade there have been at least 400 buildings that have undergone condo termination.

So how do you actually achieve a condo termination? All condominiums have bylaws that address condo termination and what the required number of owners must agree to in order to take this action. Some are 80%, some are less, and some are 100%. Realistically, under the best of circumstances, getting 100% of anything is virtually impossible.

In 2007, the state of Florida stepped in and passed legislation that essentially contradicted some condo bylaws by allowing 80% of the condo unit owners to agree to dissolve or terminate the condo regardless of what was written in the original bylaws. The state decided it was to the advantage of current owners who were considering condo termination but were stuck. This was also during the period of foreclosure fraud and the real estate crisis impacting

the country. The statute goes on to say that once a developer acquires 80% of the units, it can terminate the condo.

Granted, it appears the law was decided in favor of developers, but individual owners are also benefiting. Some of the buildings being terminated would be staring down the barrel of major special assessments in order to bring the property up to code, making it unaffordable for owners and downgrading the value of their units. Developers state they are offering market value to owners, eliminating structural risks to the building and its owners and enhancing the aesthetics of the area.

Could this happen in Manatee County?

Of course it could, but because we have height restrictions in many areas of the county, our waterfront condos may not be as tempting to developers. Nevertheless, all condo owners need to be aware of the change in legislation and the reality that termination of condos is happening in Florida.

In the meantime, my condo personality will help me overcome whatever happens.

OBITUARIES

John L. McDonald, Jr.

Retired Naval Lieutenant Commander

John L. McDonald

Jr., also known to many as “Mac,” age 89 of Bradenton, Florida, and Cannon Falls, Minnesota, died peacefully at his Cannon Falls home on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023.

John was born on Jan. 31, 1933 in Cortez, Florida, a fishing village, the son of John Sr. and Mamie “Ruth” (Bonnell) McDonald. He graduated from Manatee County High School in Bradenton in 1951, later serving with the U.S. Navy during the Korean and Vietnam wars, retiring after 25 years.

He married Rosalie Wachtler on Jan. 4, 1958 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Mendota, Minnesota.

While living in Florida, he was a founding member of the Florida Maritime Museum and the Cortez Cultural Center. A lifelong land and sea conservationist, John converted fields to a tree farm, planting conifer, walnut and

oak trees, providing shade for future generations. He was a lifelong learner with sustained interest, curiosity and the innovative ideas of self and others.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Rosalie “Robin” McDonald; children, Kathleen McDonald of Red Wing, Minnesota, Susan (Kevin) McDonaldConroy of Trempealeau, Wisconsin, Cynthia (Todd) Sutherland of Windsor, Colorado and John J. (Amy) McDonald of Wanamingo, Minnesota; nine grandchildren, Dan, Ellen and Jen Conroy, Clifton, Eve and Hugh Sutherland, and McKayla, Kiara and Tyson Johnston; sisters, Jane Treglown of Port Saint Joe, Florida and Joyce (Leslie “Sonny”) Davis of Morehead City, North Carolina; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Joseph; and sisters, Jacqueline Mofield and Judith Augsburger.

A Celebration of Life with a seafood dinner will be held in Cortez on Monday, April 24 at 5 p.m. at the Star Fish Company at the Cortez docks. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in Cannon Falls, with interment with military honors at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, gifts to Cortez Village Historical Society, 1655 Cortez Road W., P.O. Box 663, Cortez, Florida 34215 would be meaningful.

BEACH BEAT

BRADENTON BEACH

3/15, 8:55 a.m., trespassing, 100 Bridge St. The officer responded to the Bridge Walk Resort in reference to a homeless man sleeping near the resort’s front door. The manager told the officer she wanted the man trespassed from the property since she can’t have people sleeping on her sidewalk when guests are checking in and out. The officer spoke to the man and he said he understood. When the officer ran a warrants check on the man, an active warrant was discovered, so he was given a trespass warning, then arrested and transferred to a warrants deputy in Bradenton.

HOLMES BEACH

3/8, 12:50 p.m., aggravated battery, 4000 Gulf Drive. The officer was dispatched to the public beach on a report of two subjects fighting. Upon arrival, the officer saw a subject he was familiar with who had a cut on his right hand. There was an 18-inch machete knife stuck in a nearby picnic table, and the man was visibly intoxicated. He told the officer a second subject, who was no longer at the scene, had pulled a small knife on him but he was able to disarm the man after being poked in the chest with it. He also said

the subject not present had threatened to kill him. The subject also had an active trespass warning from the beach area. The second subject was located by phone, and came to HBPD with his mother. He told the officer that the first subject was the aggressor and cut his hand by squeezing the blade of the machete to prove he wasn’t afraid of anyone. The second subject also denied having a small knife or brandishing it to anyone. Because of conflicting statements, neither party was arrested, but both were trespassed from the public beach area, however, the next day the second subject was again seen by an officer at the beach and was arrested for trespassing for multiple violations.

3/8, 9:06 p.m., grand theft of a motor vehicle/ possession of controlled substance, 752 Manatee Ave. After getting an alert from two of the city’s license plate readers, two officers were in the area of the Kingfish boat ramp when they saw a vehicle that had been reported stolen. There were two males and one female in the car. After performing a stop on the car and detaining the three occupants, the officers did a search of the vehicle, finding three bags that each contained crystal meth. The driver was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle and the female front seat passenger was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle as well as possession of a controlled substance. The third subject was not charged.

PARKING BILL: In high gear

FROM PAGE 1 issues. We will continue to fight for home rule and to save our public beach.”

During a March 14 city commission meeting, Augello and Titsworth both spoke about the hearing. The required economic impact statement filed with the bill and signed by Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione states that the proposed garage with a minimum of 1,500 parking spaces is forecast to bring in $4,698,900 in the first fiscal year after its completion and $4,823,300 in the second fiscal year. The garage is expected to cost $45 million to build with $400,000 in annual maintenance afterwards. Mana-

tee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge said the garage’s parking spaces would have to be paid parking, around $2 per hour, to help pay for the construction and maintenance. The reasons for building the garage include providing additional public parking spaces for beachgoers and giving visitors more places to park to visit local businesses.

During the March 14 meeting, Titsworth said that she doesn’t think the ultimate goal of Manatee County commissioners, who first proposed the garage, is to provide beach parking for locals but to provide parking for businesses in Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria.

“It could turn into a bus depot to

get other people to other parts of the Island,” Titsworth said of the garage. While Holmes Beach city leaders require businesses to absorb their own parking onsite or at an adjacent site, that isn’t the case in Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach, where businesses often have limited dedicated parking. The bill becomes effective if it passes three committees in the House along with a floor vote and passes the same process in the Senate and is signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis. If that happens, Manatee County commissioners can skip all city approvals and permits to issue their own permits for the construction of the parking garage on the county-owned property at Manatee Beach, located in the city at 4000 Gulf Drive. Van Ostenbridge previously said the new garage would include new bathroom, concession and retail facili-

ties at the public beach. The garage is planned to cover the majority of the county-owned parcel, from the setback on the south next to West Coast Surf Shop to Gulf Drive. According to the bill, the garage is anticipated to not break the city’s three-story height restriction except for the elevator shaft going to the top floor of parking.

City leaders passed an ordinance in 2022 specifying that parking garages are not an allowable land use in the city. The ordinance was a clarification as parking garages historically have not been a use in Holmes Beach except by special exception.

Van Ostenbridge, who said he’d planned to propose a parking garage on the county-owned parcel before city commissioners passed the ordinance,

SEE

PARKING BILL: In high gear

FROM PAGE 24 said he felt like city leaders “kept moving the goalpost” so he broached the issue with the Manatee County legislative delegation, who voiced their support of the project during a January meeting. The proposed bill was born from there.

Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said that he patrolled the city over a busy spring break weekend March 10-12 and found that parking wasn’t completely gone despite more than 35,000 cars coming into Holmes Beach each day.

On Saturday, Tokajer said the public beach parking lot was filled by 11 a.m. with 79 public parking spaces empty citywide at noon and 52 available at 3 p.m. On Sunday, he said the beach lot filled at 10:30 a.m. but there were still 88 spaces near the beach open at 11:50 a.m. He said those numbers didn’t include any of the available spaces in city lots or open church lots that welcome visitor parking.

Titsworth said that Robinson and Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse both took her up on an invitation to view the city’s available parking first-hand and that both were impressed with the amount of available parking.

By the time Robinson toured the city, the bill had already been submitted for consideration.

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

Since the first approval, the parking garage bill has moved to the Regulatory Reform and Economic Development subcommittee. If it passes there, it goes to the State Affairs Committee before a House floor vote.

Key Royale couples tournament winners celebrate

From left, winners of the annual Key Royale Club Couples Tournament included John Hackinson and Ann Hackinson (second place), Steve Vasbinder and Debi Wohlers (first place) and Helen Pollock and Al Pollock (fourth place). Not pictured are third-place winners Ann Hitchen and Jim Hitchen. Thirty-two couples competed in the annual tournament. Starting in January and concluding in February, playing a handicap Pinehurst format over 36 holes, the winning team was Debi Wohlers and Steve Vasbinder with 115, 13 under par. Finishing second were Ann Hackinson and John Hackinson at 118, followed by Ann Hitchen and Jim Hitchen at 121 in third place. Fourth place went to Helen Pollock and Al Pollock with 122. Additional event winners were Brenda Solleveld and Tom Solosky for closest to the pin. The straightest drive was won by Brenda Solleveld and Peter Solleveld. Clarissa Hill and Nelson Eagle won the long drive contest while Linda Dorsey and Al Pollock won the putting contest. SUBMITTED

Undefeated Luxury Services wins

BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN

ANNA MARIA – In what was anticipated to be an actionpacked championship flag football game last Thursday night, team Luxury Services and the Solid Rock Construction crew gave the spectators a game that did not disappoint.

After a season of lopsided scores, Luxury Services made it clear why they ended the regular season undefeated and on the top of the rankings. Put ting up as many as 96 points in a game this season, the squad led by Chase Richardson continued to find his main target, Jonathan Soultatos, in the final game of the adult flag season.

The Richardson-Soultatos duo added 20 points on the scoreboard. Soultatos finished the season with 15 receptions in the championship game against the talented Solid Rock team.

Despite seven precise flag pulls by Charles “Tuna” McCracken, making amazing stops against Soultatos, Solid Rock Construction came up short of the 32-26 win.

Winning the game by just one touchdown, Richardson threw for five TDs including

three to Soultatos, as well as singles to Tim Holly and Dustin Tomcho.

Tomcho made three big catches and possibly the gamewinning interception on de-

fense to help his team march to victory.

On the other side of the football, QB Dominick Otteni hit his marks with 11 solid catches by Corey Jacques and

three by Tyler Brewer. Brewer added two points to the scoreboard with a focused catch in the endzone after a Solid Rock touchdown.

Solid Rock Construction’s

Hannah McCracken played a hard final game and made four amazing flag pulls to stop the Luxury Services offense. The efforts of H. McCracken, older sister of Tuna, contributed to the fight that kept her team in it for two halves of play.

Defensively, Travis Bates put the heat on Richardson the entire game as the Solid Rock designated rusher. Putting the pressure on the Luxury QB kept the offensive players on their toes with Richardson’s quick-release passes.

Otteni added to his game stats with a catch thrown by McCracken and a flag pull. Solid Rock teammate Brian Leibfried made big contributions on the field throughout the season to help get the Solid Rock team to the big game. A flag pull by Jasmine Muldoon added to the strong defensive effort by Luxury Services that earned the team the winter 2023 Center adult flag football championship title.

SUN SCOREBOARD

MAR. 16

ADULT CO-ED FLAG

FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

#1 Luxury Services 32

#3 Solid Rock Construction 26

MONICA SIMPSON | SUN

Team Luxury Services dominated the adult co-ed flag football league at The Center this winter, going undefeated and winning the championship. From left are Chase Richardson, Tim Holly, Jasmine Muldoon, Jonathan Soultatos and Dustin Tomcho.

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

Looking to join a stable & well-established kitchen crew? EUPHEMIA HAYE

RESTAURANT, an awardwinning fine dining restaurant on Longboat Key, is hiring folks to work in the kitchen. Full or part time positions available. Evenings. Pay depends on experience but is competitive. We are an equal opportunity employer.

Euphemia Haye Restaurant, 5540 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, 941.383.3633

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

HOME MAINTENANCE 8 hrs per week $20 per hour Sweep, clean outdoor furniture, vacuum pool, rake, wash windows, pickup debris, etc Call Dan 941713-1586

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, editior.

ESTATE SALE

WONDERFUL ESTATE

SALE Antiques, collectibles & cool stuff 515

70th St Holmes Beach,

AMI March 24 & 25

8:30am to 4pm Numbers go out at 8am

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

GEM 2020 E4 GOLF CART

Mileage 258 White/Perfect condition/ Garage kept

Price $17K Text 910-9886883 to schedule showing

GARAGE SALE

GARAGE SALE-MULTIBLE

ITEMS from a collector. 208 Oak Ave, City of Anna Maria.

EVERY Saturday & Sunday thru April 16. 9am-until.

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

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

BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT PAINTING

RENTALS: ANNUAL

ANNUAL RENTALS

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

ANNUAL 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 941-778-7200 or Email megan@satorealestate. com

ADORABLE 2 BR/1BA

COTTAGE in Holmes Beach. Just steps from the gulf. $2700/mo, annual. Dolores Baker Real Estate 941-7787500.

ANNUAL HOLMES BEACH 1BR/1BA steps to beach and shopping. Ceramic/ Laminate floors, screened in lanai. Pets considered. $1600/mo + utilities. Nonsmoking. Call 941-2747321

HOME SERVICES

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

TRANSPORTATION

EASTER RENTAL AVAILABLE APRIL 1- APRIL 8. Beautiful Anna Maria Northshore. 5BR/4BA private pool. www. annamaria.travel Call 855-326-6262

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.

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