Anna Maria Island Sun May 4, 2022

- Named Best Florida Newspaper In Its Class -

VOL 22 No. 30

May 4, 2022

Barring any unforeseen delays, Mote Marine has until March 2023 to open its marine education outreach center on the City Pier.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – The city and Mote Marine Laboratory have agreed to a lease addendum formally establishing the deadlines for Mote to begin and complete the installation of its Anna Maria City Pier Marine Education Outreach Center.

In a 4-1 vote, the commission approved the requested lease addendum on Thursday, April 28, with Commissioner Mark Short casting the lone dissenting vote.

Mote’s requested project timeline extension was previously discussed and tentatively approved by the commission during a special meeting on Friday, April 22. Short also voted against the project at that time.

During that meeting, it was noted Mote Marine’s preferred architect, Barron Schimberg, had not yet begun the design and engineering work for the interior buildout of the city-owned pier building and the installation of the live marine exhibits, but had committed to starting that work on Aug. 18.

Commission formally extends Mote Marine deadlines JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Mote Marine’s marine education outreach center is to be installed in the pier building to the right.

SEE MOTE, PAGE 28

Battle for beach access continues

Canadian woman drowns at Coquina Beach

Commissioners are maintaining neutrality in the fight over 78th Street beach access.

Drowning victim Diane Coughlin planned to return to Canada later that week.

BY KRISTIN SWAIN

BY JOE HENDRICKS

SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – As residents on 78th Street fight beachfront property owners for the right to walk a path to the beach, city leaders say that because the path is located on private property, they can’t get involved.

Commissioners addressed the issues broiling between neighbors during comments at their April 26 meeting, where Mayor Judy Titsworth and city attorney Erica Augello gave an update on the situation.

Titsworth said that while a Holmes Beach police officer was stationed at the disputed beach access over the April 22-24 week-

BRADENTON BEACH – Diane Coughlin, 86, drowned at Coquina Beach on April 25, according to the Bradenton Beach Police Department.

“At approximately 5:15 p.m. Monday evening, an 86-year-old lady was found unresponsive floating in the water at Coquina Beach,” according to Lt. Lenard Diaz. “Two people pulled her from the water and started CPR until EMT paramedics and lifeguards arrived and continued CPR until she was pronounced deceased.”

The Medical Examiner’s Office investigator responded and the ensuing autopsy determined accidental drowning was the apparent cause of death, according to Diaz.

INSIDE NEWS EDITORIAL CARTOON OUTDOORS REAL ESTATE SPORTS CROSSWORD CLASSIFIEDS

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This aerial view shows a distinct path, center, winding through the sea oats from the end of 78th Street to the beach. end, the officer was off-duty and working privately for property owners Bryce Raub and Travis Resmond at 101 78th St., despite being in uniform and using an

HBPD vehicle. She added that she discussed the issue with Chief Bill Tokajer and the two decided

SEE DROWNING, PAGE 27 SEE 78TH STREET, PAGE 27

UGLY GROUPER

ISLAND tourism numbers still

continues expansion with added indoor seating. 4

setting records. 8 FDEP inspects Aqua mangrove trimming. 3

Anna Maria Island, Florida

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FDEP inspects Aqua’s mangrove trimming The initial results haven't been released and an additional inspection is pending.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

MANATEE COUNTY – State environmental authorities have conducted their initial inspection of the mangrove trimming that recently occurred along the shoreline of the Aqua property being developed adjacent to Sarasota Bay. “DEP did do an initial inspection on Tuesday (April 26) and in the coming weeks we will be conducting an additional inspection," said Alexandra Kuchta, press secretary for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

"I’d be happy to share a copy of the report once our inspections are completed," Kuchta said in her email to The Sun. Kuchta and FDEP provided no additional details on any findings or determinations made during the April 26 inspection.

The Sun recently reported FDEP received three complaints about potentially illegal or improper mangrove trimming that occurred along the Aqua shoreline in February. FDEP email exchanges

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The mangroves in front of this multi-unit residential building being constructed on the Aqua property were recently trimmed. The mangroves to the left were not trimmed. indicate procedural errors may have occurred regarding FDEP’s pre-trimming notification requirements and FDEP’s before and after trimming photo documentation requirements.

Aqua attorney Edward Vogler II

recently told The Sun he believes all mangrove trimming that's occurred on the Aqua property has been done in accordance with one or more permits previously obtained on behalf of developer Carlos Beruff and the Medallion

Home development company.

Formerly known as Long Bar Pointe and Aqua by the Bay, the Aqua property is located in unincorporated Manatee County, between El Conquistador Parkway and Sarasota Bay.

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ISLAND NEWS

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MAY 4, 2022

IN BRIEF

Easter service marred by discord Dissension disrupted the 2022 Easter sunrise service at Manatee Beach, resulting in one pastor being excluded from future services. Rev. Ed Moss, of CrossPointe Fellowship, stood up during the service to condemn the ecumenical message delivered by some of his fellow Island pastors. At a meeting following the service, members of the sponsoring Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island voted not to invite Moss to the service in the future. Kiwanis members agreed to continue hosting the popular service, which welcomed an estimated 4,500 participants this year and raised more than $10,000, which will be split among the participating Anna Maria Island churches.

Golf cart registration required in Holmes Beach Holmes Beach golf cart owners have 90 days to register their golf carts with the city’s police department to continue legally driving them on the street. During an April 26 meeting, city commissioners voted unanimously in favor of passing the final reading of an ordinance restricting golf cart usage. The new ordinance requires that all golf carts be registered with the city and restricts usage of the vehicles to city residents. To receive a registration sticker from the city, owners are required to show proof of residency, including a homestead exemption or an annual lease. Any golf carts driven in the city without the registration sticker will be subject to a traffic stop by Holmes Beach Police Department officers. The new regulations do not apply to low-speed vehicles and others that require a license plate issued by the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles.

Taxes increase for business owners Business owners in Holmes Beach will see higher fees when they renew their city business tax receipts (BTR). City commissioners voted unanimously in favor of raising all BTRs citywide by 5% to help cover the administrative costs associated with issuing the certificates and renewals. While current business owners won’t see the increase until their renewal is due, new applications will be processed at the increased rates effective immediately. All BTR applications in Holmes Beach are processed through the city clerk’s office.

Holiday weekend parking allowed at AME The city of Holmes Beach will offer some relief from the parking woes associated with Memorial Day weekend by allowing beachgoers to park at the normally restricted Anna Maria Elementary School parking lot from May 28-30. The overflow parking will be available dawn to dusk, and all rules that apply to public beach parking apply at the school. AME is located at 4700 Gulf Drive.

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The Ugly Grouper soon may have some indoor seating to add to the popular outdoor gathering space for the restaurant.

Ugly Grouper expansion planned The Ugly Grouper is growing with the addition of indoor seating.

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

HOLMES BEACH – Commissioners weren’t in agreement on the issue but the Ugly Grouper’s owners will be allowed to increase the restaurant’s seating size.

During an April 26 meeting, attorney Scott Rudacille appeared before commissioners to plead his client’s case for increasing the seating capacity of the Ugly Grouper based on the number of available parking spaces. Commissioners Kim Rash and Jayne Christenson voted against the increase but it passed with a simple majority.

In 2017, the restaurant’s amended site plan was approved by the city commission to include 173 total seats before 5 p.m. and a maximum of 239 seats after 5 p.m. with a limit of 176 outdoor seats.

Under the newly amended site plan, the restaurant will be able to

have 240 seats at any given time throughout its business hours, with a maximum of 176 outdoor seats. Rudacille said his client is seeking to expand indoor dining options, taking advantage of an adjacent building formerly used for retail and office space. In addition to acquiring the building for the restaurant, he said it also frees up associated parking spaces which were previously only available to the Ugly Grouper’s patrons in the evening.

City Planner Bill Brisson said that between all of the restaurant’s parking areas there are more than enough parking spaces to allow for the expansion of indoor seating. He addressed the issue of a pizzeria being installed at the adjacent former AMI Carwash site and said there are enough parking spaces on the site to allow for both restaurants to use the lot.

In addition to approving the seating expansion, commissioners also approved the replacement and addition of some speakers on the property, with the caveat that they each have independent vol-

ume controls. They also specified that bollards need to be installed in front of the outdoor seating area to better protect patrons from drivers, a suggestion made by the city’s building official.

While some residents stepped up to speak in favor of the restaurant’s growth, noting its appeal to visitors and family-friendly atmosphere, other residents asked commissioners to reconsider approving the amended site plan.

Margie Motzer, who lives near the Ugly Grouper, said she’s concerned about the restaurant being so big, covering five parcels and continuing to grow. She said in addition to being concerned about an increase in noise in the adjacent residential neighborhood, she’s also worried about the expansion causing more traffic and creating an unsafe situation for people traveling along Marina Drive.

Resident Nancy Deal added that she’s also concerned about the potential increase in traffic around the restaurant, with the mix of transportation types using Marina Drive.

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Business continues to soar at SRQ With the addition of new carriers, more parking, increased fuel capacity and other expansion efforts, SRQ is on pace for a record number of passengers in 2022.

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

BRADENTON - Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) has been one of the world’s fastestgrowing airports for more than a year, and according to Chief Operating Officer Mark Stuckey, the unprecedented growth shows no signs of slowing down.

Stuckey addressed the April 18 meeting of the Manatee County Tourist Development Council to update them on the state of SRQ and its growth.

The airport shattered last year’s record numbers for the first three

months of the year, reaching the one million passenger mark by the end of March, he said. In March, 442,846 passengers traveled through SRQ, a new record for the most passengers served in a single month and a 59.5% increase over March 2021.

Passengers traveling through the airport year-to-date total 1,085,500 compared to 564,066 year-to-date for 2021, an increase of 92%.

“In 2018 we had six airlines and 12 non-stop destinations. Now, three years later we sit with 11 airlines and 53 non-stop destinations,” Stuckey said. “Six of the carriers have long-term lease agreements with us, which include Allegiant, American, Delta, Jet Blue, Southwest and United. This a good thing and gives us stability because we know they are going to stick around for a while.”

For the previous 20 years leading up to 2018, SRQ stayed steady with around 1.1 to 1.3 million passengers

a year, according to Stuckey. This number took a giant leap to 3,163,543 in 2021, and if the first quarter of 2022 is repeated for the rest of the year, that number will be eclipsed by a million or more for this year.

SRQ is also a debt-free airport, another factor that allows rapid expansion with little interference.

The debt-free status has also allowed SRQ to be price competitive with larger neighboring airports in Tampa and St. Petersburg.

“We’ve seen our cost per passenger go from being about twice as much as Tampa and Fort Myers to half the cost of those airports,” Stuckey said. “We are now a much more competitive airport and are looking at doing a number of construction projects with grant money or money we get from passenger facility charges. We don’t expect to take out any bonds at this point, which will allow us to keep our rates and charges very low.”

It’s not just the airport that’s growing, according to Stuckey; the area that the airport serves, Sarasota and Manatee counties, are growing by 20,000 residents a year. Stuckey notes that this is an addition of a small city every year; very few areas in the country are seeing this kind of population explosion, so growth of the airport is proportionate to the growth of the area it serves.

SRQ has completed construction projects including new fuel tanks that drastically expand the amount of fuel on hand to serve the rapid expansion. The airport has also added close to 400 new parking spots, ramp expansions for aircraft overflow parking and a security checkpoint expansion that includes a fifth security lane to improve wait times with a sixth lane coming soon. SRQ claims security wait times of 5-15 minutes, much lower than passengers are used to at other airports.

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OPINION

The Anna Maria Island Sun newspaper 3909 East Bay Drive, Suite 210, Holmes Beach, FL, 34217 Phone: (941) 778-3986 email: news@amisun.com | ads@amisun.com | classifieds@amisun.com

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The Anna Maria Island Sun Staff Publishers Mike Field Maggie Field Editor/CEO Mike Field Layout Ricardo Fonseca Reporters Cindy Lane Joe Hendricks Kristin Swain Jason Schaffer Columnists Louise Bolger Outdoors Editor Rusty Chinnis Advertising director Shona Otto Ad assistant Pamela Lee Classified ads Bob Alexander Graphics Elaine Stroili Ricardo Fonseca Digital/Social Media Editor Cindy Lane Accounting Leslie Ketchum Distribution Bob Alexander Tony McNulty Connor Field Contributors Tom Vaught Steve Borggren Monica Simpson

Drop us a line Got an opinion, a complaint or a compliment? Is there something you need to get off your chest? Send us a letter to the editor and have your say. There are a couple of ways to do it. The easiest and most direct is to email The Sun at news@amisun.com. Remember to put Letter to the Editor in the subject field. Or you can snail-mail a letter to us at The Anna Maria Island Sun,

P.O. Box 1189, Anna Maria, FL 34216. Letters should be kept to 300 words or less and must contain your name and the city in which you reside. Personal attacks and obscene language will not be printed. The Sun reserves the right to edit letters for length or content.

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MAY 4, 2022

ON THE AGENDA

ANNA MARIA

10005 GULF DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130

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

May 12, 2 p.m. – City Commission meeting May 18, 10 a.m. – Special Magistrate hearing

BRADENTON BEACH

107 GULF DRIVE N. FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005

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

May 4, 9:30 a.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency meeting May 4, 2 p.m. – Scenic WAVES meeting May 5, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting May 18, 1 p.m. – Planning and Zoning board meeting May 19, noon – City Commission meeting

HOLMES BEACH

5801 MARINA DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800

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

May 4, 10 a.m. – Parks and Beautification Committee meeting May 4, 5 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting May 10, 5 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session to follow May 11, 10 a.m. – Clean Water AdHoc Committee meeting

ISLAND-WIDE

May 9, 2 p.m. – Island Transportation Planning Organization meeting, Holmes Beach City Hall May 17, 6 p.m. – West Manatee Fire Rescue board meeting, administration building, 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton MARK YOUR CALENDAR

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4

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

Tortoise Talk, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 3:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, MAY 5

AMI Chamber of Commerce member breakfast, Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 7:30 a.m., $10 for members or $18 for prospective members. Reserve online amichamber.org

RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations welcome.

Sunshine Stitchers knit and crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. Register online manateelibrary.libcal.com/event/8962010 Thursdays in Paradise Stroll featuring local art, music and food, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 5-8 p.m.

FRIDAY, MAY 6

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

Forty Carrots, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Register online manateelibrary.libcal.com/ event/8962224 Mahjong Club – Experienced Players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m. Register online manateelibrary.libcal.com/event/8962062

SATURDAY, MAY 7

Robinson Runners, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 8 a.m.

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

Hands-on Habits, Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W.,

THE SUN

Cortez, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Grand opening, Q’s Boutique, 9701 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Drama, Visual Art and Movement with the Van Wezel, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1:30-3 p.m.

Seeing Stars with The Bishop, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 7:30 p.m.

MONDAY, MAY 9

Sunset Tai Chi, Robinson Preserve, Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 6:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, MAY 10

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

RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations welcome.

Family story time, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Register online manateelibrary.libcal.com/ event/8962199 Mahjong for Beginners, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m. Register online manateelibrary.libcal.com/ event/8962028 One-on-one tech help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2-3:30 p.m.

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 11

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

Tortoise Talk, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 3:30 p.m.

Island Time Book Club: “Her Hidden Genius” by Marie Benedict, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 6:30 p.m.

Reserve online manateelibrary. libcal.com/event/8962545

THURSDAY, MAY 12

RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations welcome.

TreeTots: Water Wonder, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 10 a.m.

AMI Chamber Luncheon, Olympic Café, 6408 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 11 a.m., $18 for members or $30 for prospective members.

Reserve online amichamber.org Thursdays in Paradise Stroll featuring local art, music and food, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 5-8 p.m.

Craft Club, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 5:30 p.m.

SEE CALENDAR, PAGE 8

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FROM PAGE 7

FRIDAY, MAY 13

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

Forty Carrots, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Reserve online manateelibrary.libcal.com/ event/8962225 Mahjong Club, experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m. Reserve online manateelibrary. libcal.com/event/8962063 AMI Chamber 23rd Annual Golf Tournament, IMG Academy Golf Club, 4350 El Conquistador Pkwy., Bradenton, 11:30 a.m. Sign up or sponsor by contacting info@ amichamber.org Paper crafting, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. Reserve online manateelibrary.libcal.com/event/9074446

SATURDAY, MAY 14

Robinson Runners, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 8 a.m.

Saturday mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon Foraging Florida: Edible and Medicinal Plants, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m.

Master Gardener Tour, Riverview Pointe Preserve, 8250 DeSoto Memorial Hwy., Bradenton, 9 a.m.

Origami Club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Reserve online manateelibrary.libcal.com/ event/8962111 Paper Crafting, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. Reserve online manateelibrary.libcal.com/event/9074456

SUNDAY, MAY 15

Lunar eclipse watch party, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., 10:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, MAY 17

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

RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations are welcome.

Family story time, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Register online manateelibrary.libcal.com/ event/8962200 Mahjong Club, beginners, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m. Reserve online www.manateelibrary.libcal. com/event/8962029 Tech Help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2-3:30 p.m.

MAY 4, 2022

Tourism shattering records on AMI Tourism numbers continue to break records and the price of rentals has risen dramatically on Anna Maria Island.

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Record-breaking tourism numbers likely will continue to be the norm, according to Manatee County’s tourism consultant.

Ann Wittine, Director of Quantitative Research for Tampa-based Research Data Services, gave a “State of Tourism” update to the Manatee County Tourist Development Council on April 18.

She reported that February 2022 saw a 15% increase in visitors to Bradenton area hotels, condo rentals and resorts - many of which are on Anna Maria Island - from the record-breaking 2021 season. The number of room nights sold jumped 21.2%

from 187,700 to 221,400 and the economic impact was up 30.7% from $155,704,100 to $203,455,400.

“We aren’t just bringing more visitors, the visitors we are bringing are leaving more economic impact,” Wittine said. “This is the first time we have ever seen a February with over $200 million in economic impact and that’s exciting.”

Occupancy was up 13.1% from February of last year at 91.7%, compared to 81.1% in February of 2021. The average daily rate of a rental unit or resort room has also jumped from $199.87 in February of 2021 to $240.51 in February 2022. This is a 20.3% increase, and Wittine said it is the first time her company has seen

rates topping $500 per night some places.

Visitor origins have also changed dramatically over the past year. While Florida was the source of the majority of visitors a year ago, the state ranked third in February 2022. Visitors from the Midwest topped any other region this year with a 36.7% increase over February 2021.

The Northeast came in second with a 17.8% increase and Florida dropped 30.9% to 16,450, about half the number coming from the Midwest.

Since Canadians and Europeans were not allowed to travel to the U.S. last February due to COVID-19 restrictions, no comparison can be made, but Wittine’s data shows over 3,000 came this February.

As the hot and rainy season will be here soon, the number of visitors will decrease from the peak statistics of the busy winter season, but trends show even the off-season will likely be busier than last year.

DOCK & DINE

Cruise to the Pier by land or sea! Boat docking is NOW AVAILABLE at the Pier location!

LANDSIDE

6906 14th Street West 941.758.7880

CORTEZ

6696 Cortez Road 941.792.0077

ELLENTON

1525 51st Avenue East 941.721.7773

BRIDGE ST. PIER Bradenton Beach 941.778.AMOB (2662)

AUGUST 4, 2022

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MAY 4, 2022

Samuel Wright earns AMI Historical Society scholarship

BY SUN STAFF

ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Island Historical Society has awarded its 2022 Pat Copeland Scholarship to Samuel Wright. This year’s scholarship is worth $4,000.

Wright is the valedictorian of his senior class at Manatee High School. During his past three years at Manatee High, Wright has also been dually enrolled at the University of South Florida, where he’s already fulfilled half of the required credits for a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics. He plans to attend the University of Florida in the fall. While attending high school and college, Wright has

received A grades in all of his courses.

In addition to being an outstanding student, Wright is active outside the classroom. He was a member of the Key Club, Mu Alpha Theta and the National Honor Society. He’s served as a math tutor, packaged food for the poor and collected recycling materials. He was also the captain of varsity basketball team.

Outside of school, Wright lives the ‘Island life’ and his interests include surfing, spearfishing, skating, kiteboarding and skim boarding. For the past year, Wright has been in charge of the Gulf Coast surf report for Florida’s largest independent surfing website, www.Gulfster.com.

He’s also worked part-time for the AMI Paddleboard Adventures, guiding eco tours and handling equipment rentals.

Wright’s main source of income is singing and playing Americana music. He’s performed at multiple restaurants and venues on and around the Island, and on most Sunday mornings he can be found performing at the North Shore Café in Anna Maria.

The Historical Society scholarship funds were raised by the Society’s seasonal sale of homemade Settlers’ Bread.

The scholarship is named for Pat Copeland, a former Anna Maria Island Sun news editor and reporter.

SHONA OTTO | SUN

Samuel Wright was joined by scholarship namesake Pat Copeland when receiving the AMI Historical Society scholarship.

Shona Otto | Sun Samuel Wright was joined by scholarship namesake Pat Copeland when receiving the AMI Historical Society scholarship.

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MAY 4, 2022

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Anna Maria adopts pool safety ordinance The city’s new pool regulations do not apply to permanent residences, seasonal rentals or annual rentals.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria has a new pool safety ordinance in effect.

The city commission adopted Ordinance 22-900 on second and final reading during its April 28 meeting.

The pool regulations included in the new ordinance pertain only to residential dwelling units rented for 60 days or less at a time. The ordinance does not apply to permanent residences or rentals of more than 60 days.

The ordinance requires doors and windows that provide access to pool areas to be equipped with alarm sensors installed at least 54 inches above the floor.

According to the adopted ordinance, “In lieu of the window and door alarms, a floating alarm that complies with ASTM Standard F2208 may be used.

This alarm must be audible to the occupants inside of the residence as well as the adjacent properties. In addition, a ‘kiddie fence’ may be used in lieu of the previously mentioned items. All of the items may also be used in connection with each other.”

Similar to the Florida Building Code,

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Pool door alarms and self-closing/self-latching gates are now required at residential dwelling units rented for 60 days or less. the city ordinance now requires all gates that provide access to the pool area to be self-closing and self-latching.

REVISIONS MADE

The ordinance that Vose presented for first reading on April 14 originally proposed requiring pool alarms at all properties with swimming pools. Based on feedback from the commission regarding permanent residences and only targeting short-term vacation rentals rented for 30 days or less, Vose was asked to revise the ordinance before the second reading so it applied only to

residential dwelling units rented for 60 days or less.

During the April 28 meeting, city resident Alan Ward asked how the 60day time frame was determined. Vose said after staying in a rented residence for 60 days the occupants should be familiar with the structure’s pool area and pool access points, which may not be the case with visitors staying for shorter periods of time.

The ordinance language Vose first presented on April 14 also proposed that all doors providing access to the pool area must be self-closing and self-

latching. During the April 28 meeting, Commissioner Mark Short noted many Anna Maria residences have sliding glass doors that lead to pool areas and are neither self-closing nor self-latching. That language was then revised accordingly.

According to the adopted ordinance, “The term ‘swimming pool’ shall mean any structure that is intended for swimming or recreational bathing and contains water over 24 inches deep, including but not limited to inground, aboveground and on-ground swimming pools, hot tubs and spas.”

The pool safety ordinance was inspired by two recent near drownings in Anna Maria involving toddlers whose families were visiting from out of town and were staying at vacation rental homes.

The new ordinance will be enforced primarily through the city’s annual inspection of each vacation rental property registered with the city according to the city’s vacation rental ordinance.

During the April 28 meeting, Commissioner Jon Crane cast the lone opposition vote to the adoption of the pool safety ordinance. He questioned whether having such an ordinance in place might subject the city to additional liability concerns should a drowning occur. During the April 14 meeting, Crane said he didn’t feel the city should be regulating how parents supervise their children.

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Roser Church

“...a beautiful place to explore your faith...”

SUNDAY WORSHIP 8:30 AM or 10:00 AM IN PERSON in the Sanctuary Nursery • Children’s Church ONLINE • Watch LIVE or LATER

RoserChurch.com

Text ROSER to 22828 to receive the weekly eBulletin The CHAPEL is open during office hours for prayer and meditation 941-778-0414 • 512 Pine Ave, Anna Maria • FOLLOW us on Facebook @RoserChurch

MAY 4, 2022

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MAY 4, 2022

THE SUN

13

City proclaiming Law Enforcement Officers Week With a light agenda, the Bradenton Beach City Commission will meet on Thursday, May 5 at 6 p.m. After any general public comment is presented on items not included on the agenda, the mayor and commission will present a proclamation pertaining to Law Enforcement Officers Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day. Under new business, the commission will discuss a requested city bench engraving. The commission will also receive updates from the city attorney on pending legal matters and city projects.

2021

New breakfast spot opening on AMI A Sarasota breakfast and lunch restaurant is expanding to Anna Maria Island in the space vacated by Eat Here.

Breakfast at Victoria’s AMI is set to open at 5315 Gulf Drive in late summer, featuring breakfast and lunch service with an Italian flare and opening as a wine bar with light bites in the evenings. Owners Eleanora and Luigi Raso say the new restaurant will offer some of the same options as their original location on South Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, including croissant French toast, gourmet paninis and Italian-inspired baked goods. With 80 seats, including indoor and outdoor dining, the Holmes Beach location is planned to be open from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. with daily service. In addition to in-person dining, Breakfast at Victoria’s AMI also will offer Island-wide delivery, takeout options and catering services. For more information, visit www.breakfastatvictorias.com.

New pizzeria planned for AMI A new pizzeria is being planned in Holmes Beach on the site of the former AMI Carwash. During an April 25 city commission meeting, City Planner Bill Brisson said that plans are being drawn up to turn the old car wash into the Pizza Garage. The new restaurant, located across Marina Drive from Holmes Beach City Hall, is planned to have 15 seats for patrons and five parking spaces, he said. While a site plan application has been submitted to the city for the new venture, a final plan for the restaurant has not been received. Brisson said the pizza place will continue to provide additional parking for the adjacent Ugly Grouper restaurant, which owns the pizaa site.

‛S YOUR COMFORT ZONE? WHERE

Tournament to benefit Blessings Bags Project The Third Annual Nancy Franklin Flippin’ Mullet Charity Golf Tournament to benefit the Blessing Bags Project is set for Saturday, May 21 at Pinebrook/Ironwood Golf Club in Bradenton. There will be a 9:30 a.m. shotgun start with check-in at 8:30 a.m. The tournament is a two-person scramble limited to 72 golfers with a fee of $90 per golfer, which includes 18 holes of golf, cart fee, goodie bag and an after-party with lunch at Flippin’ Mullet Sports Bar inside Swordfish Grill and Tiki Bar, 4628 119th St. W., Cortez. Non-golfers may attend lunch and the after-party for a fee with proceeds going directly to the Blessing Bags Project. For more information, call Greg Koeper at 941-447-5287.

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COVID-19 IN MANATEE COUNTY SCHOOLS

April 25 Anna Maria Elementary - 0 staff, 0 students Manatee County - 1 staff, 5 students Total since first day of school (AME) - 2 staff, 25 students Total since first day of school (county) - 869 staff, 4,540 students May 1 Anna Maria Elementary - 0 staff, 0 students Manatee County - 0 staff, 1 students Total since first day of school (AME) - 2 staff, 25 students Total since first day of school (county) - 872 staff, 4,551 students

COVID-19 IN MANATEE COUNTY

April 25 Cases 285 % Positivity 8.55% Deaths < 10 % Eligible population vaccinated 64.8% New hospital admissions 10 May 1 Cases 185 % Positivity 10.41% Deaths <10 % Eligible population vaccinated 71.9% New hospital admissions 13 Source: CDC, Manatee County Schools

MAY 4, 2022

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MAY 4, 2022

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15

Charter review committee wraps up The panel’s recommended charter amendments will be considered by the commission for placement on the fall ballot.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

SUBMITTED

Island Players present ‘The Psychic’ From left, William Ashburn (Adam Webster), Michael Sacco (Johnny Bubbles), Mark Shoemaker (Detective Coslow) and Jennifer Kwiatkowski (Laura Benson) star in Sam Bobrick’s “The Psychic,” the fifth and final play of the Island Players season. The production runs May 5-15 with shows Tuesday through Saturday. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 each and are available at the box office, open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1. p.m. and one hour before each show. For more information, please visit www.theislandplayers.org or call 941-778-5755 during office hours. The theater is located at 10009 Gulf Drive in Anna Maria.

BRADENTON BEACH – The recently appointed Bradenton Beach Charter Review Committee has completed its review of the city charter after two meetings.

The committee’s second and final meeting took place Tuesday, Aug. 26. The committee will now forward its recommended charter amendments to the city commission. The city commission will then decide which, if any, of the committee’s recommended charter amendments are placed before city voters in the upcoming fall elections.

With committee member Jim Hassett in opposition, the city commission-appointed charter committee recommends asking city voters if they want to retain, eliminate or modify the existing term limits that currently limit the mayor and city commissioners to serving three consecutive two-year terms.

The committee recommends a multi-question approach to this issue. One proposed ballot question would simply ask city voters if they wish to retain or eliminate the existing term limits.

The second ballot question would ask city voters if they wish to increase the mayoral and commission terms to four years, which would result in commission members being allowed to serve three consecutive four-year terms.

If the commission agrees to place one or both of these

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The charter review committee consisted of Tom Little, Anna Leister, Ed Straight, Jim Hassett and Dan DeBaun. proposed amendments on the fall ballot, it will be the fourth time in recent years city voters have been asked to vote on term limits.

In 2021, 177 Bradenton Beach voters (51.75%) opposed eliminating the existing term limits and 165 voters (48.25%) supported eliminating term limits.

COMMISSION WARDS

The charter review committee supports retaining the four existing city commission wards and recommends voters be asked to re-number the wards so they run in consecutive sequence from north to south as ward 1, ward 2, ward 3 and ward 4. Due to the previous voter-supported elimination and subsequent reinstatement of commission wards – and the implications those changes had on incumbent commission members’ ability to seek reelection – the commission wards are currently sequenced from north to south as ward 1, ward 2, ward 4 and ward 3.

The committee consisted of Hassett, Tom Little, Anna Leister, Ed Straight and Dan DeBaun.

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MAY 4, 2022

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OUTDOORS

MAY 4, 2022

Reel Time on the Road: River of painted rocks Reel Time RUSTY CHINNIS

T

he river’s edge was garlanded with the lime green blush of early spring. Maples, oaks and sourwood trees lined the banks, punctuated with the blossoms of flowering dogwoods, eastern redbud and flame azaleas. The Creek Indians aptly named the river Chattahoochee, or river of painted rocks, a reference to the many colorful stones and rock outcroppings that occur in and along the banks of the river.

Wes McElroy paddled the raft through the shallow rapids, periodically dropping the anchor so Jimmy Harris and I could explore deep pockets on the river’s bottom, where we worked flies and small jigs for shoal bass. This species of bass was only first described as a new species in 1999, having formerly been considered a redeye bass or a subspecies of the redeye bass. Resembling a smallmouth or spotted bass, shoal bass are found predominately in the Chattahoochee, Flint and upper reaches of the Apalachicola rivers, also known as the AFC Drainage, that begins in the mountains of north Georgia and ends in the Gulf of Mexico.

This was my second time exploring this part of the river about 20 miles below the town of Helen, Georgia, where McElroy manages and runs trips for Unicoi Outfitters, north Georgia’s premier fly

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

WES MCELROY | SUBMITTED

Left, Jimmy Harris, co-owner of Unicoi Outfitters, prepares to release a 20-plus inch shoal bass as Wes McElroy looks on. Right, a hard-fighting striper was a pleasant surprise for Rusty Chinnis on the float trip. shop. For many years I had fished the waters near the shop’s private waters on the Chattahoochee for trout. When I inquired about a new experience, McElroy encouraged me to try shoal bass fishing. I did my first trip with him in the fall of 2020, and although we hooked and lost several fish, the action was less than spectacular. When I asked him about shoal bass on my recent trip, he encouraged me to try again.

According to McElroy, the bass are preparing to spawn in late April and are easier to target in the areas they congregate prior to the spring ritual.

Over the years I have developed a friendship with Harris, Unicoi Outfitters co-owner, and invited him to join us on the float.

We launched McElroy’s inflatable raft at the Route 115 bridge southeast of Cleveland, Georgia, for a five-hour float to the pullout, where

the Duncan Bridge crosses the Chattahoochee. After dropping me off with the raft, McElroy took his truck to the takeout, where he met Harris.

The two then returned and we slid the raft down a steep embankment to the river’s edge. This trip, we were rewarded with multiple shoal bass on fly and spin tackle and one of the most scenic float trips I have ever taken. The productive fishing was interspersed with slower-moving, less-productive sections of “frog water,” where McElroy encouraged us to sit back and enjoy the scenery.

It took me a few missed strikes to get the hang of hooking these elusive bass, as our guide coached me to feel for the tap, tap of a bite before setting the hook when the pressure was consistent. While not every section of the river produced fish, the ones we caught were “quality” fish, several ranging between

20 and 21 inches. In a run between two pools, I hooked a fish that peeled line off the reel in a number of hard surges, atypical of the more dogged fight of the shoal bass. As it turned out, I had hooked into one of the hard-fighting striped bass that also inhabit these waters. Over the course of the afternoon, we caught and landed numerous bass and had several doubles. This had been an excellent reintroduction to a completely different kind of fishing experience and I eagerly await a rematch.

McElroy can be reached at Unicoi Outfitters at 706-878-3083, and by visiting their website at www. unicoioutfitters.com. If you’re looking for a great day on the waters of North Georgia, whether you're seeking trout, stripers or shoal bass, the guides at Unicoi Outfitters can feed your passion.

MAY 4, 2022

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21

Summer-like conditions signal offshore trips CAPTAIN DAVE WHITE

The winds have subsided and we seem to be entering our summertime trends here on Anna Maria Island. East winds in the morning and then switching from the west in the afternoons. These conditions make for some stellar offshore fishing trips.

The FWC just announced American red snapper dates for 2022. Charter captains with federal permits will see the season open on June 1 and extend until Aug. 18. For recreational anglers, the dates are as follows: June 17 to July 31; Oct. 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, and 23; Nov. 11, 12, 13, 25, 26 and 27.

We here at Anna Maria Charters have been doing a bit of everything lately. Lots of offshore fishing, with cobia, blackfin tuna, red grouper, mangrove snapper, yellowtail snapper, and African pompano being the main targets.

Tarpon are starting to make an appearance in our area and we will be spending a lot of time inshore for these fish.

Inshore, snook, redfish, trout, Spanish mackerel and sharks are being targeted for our anglers. We hope you get out and enjoy this weather! We’ve been waiting on it for a while!

CAPTAIN RICK GRASSETT

Tarpon fishing will take off during May as migratory fish arrive along our beaches. Also look for Spanish mackerel, tripletail, cobia and false albacore (little tunny) in the coastal Gulf. Snook will move into passes and the surf and reds and trout should feed heavily on shallow flats as baitfish become more plentiful. Trout, blues, Spanish mackerel and more should be good options on deep grass flats.

Resident tarpon are usually the first to show up as they make their way out of rivers and creeks. As migratory tarpon start to arrive this month, we should have schools of tarpon moving both north and south along our beaches. Early arriving tarpon may be more aggressive due to less fishing pressure early in the season. Set up in their line of travel and wait for tarpon schools to move past and cast a DOA Baitbuster, a 4” CAL Shad, a live crab or pinfish to them. Once you’ve seen the first school of fish, you can concentrate your efforts in that “lane” since other schools should be following the same route. When they aren’t showing well on the surface, a live bait under a float in their travel lane may score. I’ve also done well blind casting a DOA Baitbuster or Swimming Mullet when there wasn’t much showing on the surface. Be quiet and use your electric trolling motor sparingly. Even though your 4-stroke outboard sounds quiet, it is no substitute for an electric trolling motor. Give other anglers at least several hundred yards of space and keep in mind that fish can be moving either north or south, so setting up too close to

CAPTAIN DAVE WHITE | SUBMITTED

Bobby Montgomery of Austin, Texas, and Captain David White, of Anna Maria Charters, show off a healthy red snapper that was released off of Anna Maria Island last week. another angler may affect their flow of fish.

Fly anglers should do well with a variety of baitfish or crab fly patterns fished on floating or intermediate sink tip fly lines. Staking out or anchoring in shallow water on their travel route should result in some shots at fish. The best angle is a “head-on” shot, followed by a quartering shot. A perpendicular shot may work if it’s timed perfectly, although casting too far beyond their line of travel will usually spook them. I use a push pole with an occasional assist from a trolling motor if I need to adjust my position to make a cast.

Snook and reds remain closed to harvest south of State Road 64 in Manatee County on the west coast of Florida, south to the south bank of Gordon Pass in Collier County. Reds and snook are catch-and-release only in that zone until May 31.

Spotted seatrout has reopened in that zone with a three-fishper-person, bag limit and a six-fish boat limit. Trout must be from 15”- 19” with one allowed per vessel over 19”. Full regulations and details can be viewed at https://myfwc.com/ .

Snook will be spawning this month so use tackle heavy enough to catch and release them promptly and handle them gently. Larger snook will mostly be females and should always be supported horizontally rather than hung vertically by the jaw. You’ll find them in passes and in the surf. They will also stage around docks and bridges close to passes. Casting CAL jigs with shad tails and jerk worms or DOA shrimp around docks and bridges close to passes should be effective. Small white flies, like my Grassett Snook Minnow, work well at night. One of the most fun ways to target snook is to walk the beach and cast CAL jigs, DOA Shrimp or flies to them in the surf.

This is one of my favorite months of the year. If battling a big tarpon isn’t for you, there will be plenty of action on both shallow and deep grass flats or in the coastal Gulf. I’ll be spending my time targeting tarpon in the coastal Gulf unless conditions won’t allow it. There is something about casting a fly to a giant fish in shallow water! Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by industrial, agricultural and residential runoff, toxic spills and discharges, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation, please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

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MAY 4, 2022

Bradenton Beach celebrates Arbor Day with park improvements With help from several partners, the city of Bradenton Beach planted seven sabal palm trees, three green buttonwood trees and 10 cocoplum shrubs.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – The city and its partners went all out for this year’s National Arbor Day celebration.

Prior to Friday morning’s Arbor Day ceremony, seven sabal palm trees, three green buttonwood trees and 10 horizontal cocoplum shrubs were planted in the unnamed, city-owned beachfront park across the street from city hall.

Ceremony attendees included members of the Florida Forest Service, the Manatee County Property Management Department, the Bradenton Beach City Commission and Community Redevelopment Agency, the Bradenton Beach Scenic WAVES Partnership Committee, the Anna Maria Island Garden Club, Keep Manatee Beautiful, Modern Woodmen of America and the

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Members from several local, county and state agencies and organizations were on hand for Friday’s Arbor Day ceremony.

University of Michigan Alumni Club of Sarasota and Manatee.

While standing in front of the new green buttonwoods, City Commissioner Marilyn Maro read aloud the city’s National Arbor Day proclamation.

“Trees can reduce the erosion of

CITY OF ANNA MARIA | SUBMITTED

Richard Larsen, Jennifer Hoffman, Ingrid McClellan, Deanie Sebring, Carol Carter and Dan Murphy planted a Simpson Stopper tree at City Pier Park Friday afternoon.

Anna Maria celebrates Arbor Day In recognition of National Arbor Day, the city of Anna Maria planted a Simpson Stopper tree at City Pier Park. The tree, planted on April 29, is one of several Simpson Stoppers planted in the park over the years at the recommendation of the late Michael Miller, whose landscaping designs can be found throughout Anna Maria Island, according to City Commission Chair Carol Carter.

“It’s the 13th successive year we have observed Arbor Day in the city of Anna Maria,” Carter said.

Friday’s ceremony included Mayor Dan Murphy reading aloud the city’s Arbor Day proclamation.

Ceremony attendees included representatives from the Florida Forest

CITY OF ANNA MARIA | SUBMITTED

Mayor Dan Murphy proclaimed Friday as National Arbor Day in the city of Anna Maria.

Service, Keep Manatee Beautiful and the city of Anna Maria.

our precious topsoil, cut heating and cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce oxygen and provide habitat for wildlife. Trees are a renewable resource giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires and countless other wood products.

Trees in our city increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas and beautify our community. Trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual renewal. We urge all citizens to plant trees to promote the well-being of present and future generations and to enhance our community.”

Scenic WAVES Chairwoman Ingrid McClellan said, “Today is the 105th anniversary of Arbor Day and the 11th anniversary of Bradenton Beach being a Tree City USA. We chose this park because it is on the Bradenton Beach Scenic Highway (Gulf Drive), is right across from city hall, and is frequently used by people coming to and from the beach.”

McClellan said Scenic WAVES and AMI Garden Club member Shawn Mayers designed the plantings that will create a nicer aesthetic view for the park, provide more shade and prevent erosion.

McClellan thanked the Florida Forest Service, Manatee County, the Anna Maria Garden Club and Modern Woodmen of America for donating the trees and Keep Manatee Beautiful for donating the cocoplum shrubs.

McClellan said planting costs totaled $3,200 and the Bradenton Beach CRA donated an additional $1,500 to install the drip line irrigation system that’s connected to the BeachHouse restaurant’s irrigation system at no ongoing additional cost to the city.

ATTENDEE COMMENTS

“I’m happy we could contribute and we’re happy to do what we can,” Liza

Click said on behalf of Manatee County.

“The garden club makes it part of their plan to help beautify the communities on the Island. We are pleased this year to participate in the Arbor Day celebration for Bradenton Beach,” AMI Garden Club member Gerry Mills said.

“I love how enthusiastic Bradenton Beach is to continually make their area beautiful, not only for their visitors, but also the people who call this home,” Keep Manatee Beautiful Executive Director Jennifer Hoffman said.

Modern Woodmen of America member Bob McDuffie Jr. said he’s been involved with tree plantings from Charlotte County to Manatee County for so long that some of those previously planted trees have now matured into full-fledged shade trees.

“It’s a great privilege to plant trees and see the difference we’re making.

When I’m dead and gone, the trees will still be here,” McDuffie said.

Representing the Florida Forest Service, Richard Larsen said, “Happy Arbor Day. We have the green buttonwoods. They’ll provide great shade when they’re mature and they do a great job with carbon sequestration.

They are salt-tolerant and love full sun, like many of our residents. We also have the horizontal cocoplums. They’re a very ancient species. They’ll add a nice ground cover and they have an edible berry that benefits a lot of wildlife.

And then we have the sabal palmetto, the state tree of Florida. It’s very tolerant to high winds and feels at home on the beach. Everyone came together with the preparation and implementation and this park looks beautiful.

Thank you all.”

In honor of the 11-year anniversary, the group then walked across the street to pose for a photo by the Tree City USA sign at city hall.

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MAY 4, 2022

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23

Increase planned for fire assessment rate Rates are potentially increasing by 4% for property owners in WMFR’s district.

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

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BRADENTON – West Manatee Fire Rescue’s board of commissioners is making plans for the next fiscal year, including considering raising rates for property owners.

Commissioners met on April 19 for a budget work session to see what shape the district’s finances are in at the mid-point of the fiscal year. Another talking point was making financial plans for the coming year, which have to be finalized ahead of the Sept. 30 end of the fiscal year.

During the work session, Chief Ben Rigney said all of the district’s finances were about where they needed to be at the halfway point for the fiscal year. A review of the finances showed that 91.52% of the district’s budgeted income had been received, with only $687,533 outstanding of $8,222,287 in planned revenue. Expenses, including worker salaries, were at 56.47% in April, with $3,579,020 left to spend before the fiscal year end of a planned $8,222,287 in expenses for a break-even budget.

With that in mind, along with planned salary increases for the district’s personnel and the addition of a new training officer, Rigney proposed that commissioners vote to increase assessment rates for the coming year by 4%.

If adopted during the May board meeting, the 4% increase would push WMFR’s assessment revenue up to $8,196,469 from $7,881,220 in the current fiscal year, a difference of $315,249.

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

WMFR’s board of commissioners listen to a budget proposal for the 2022-23 fiscal year from district staff.

WMFR’s assessments are deterreserves to pay for large purchases, mined by the size of the building such as a new fire truck. It will also on a property, so the assessed help pay off the district’s debt for value of a home or commercial the Station 1 rebuild on 63rd Street, building, as determined by the which occurred a few years ago. In Manatee County Property Apseveral years, commissioners also praiser’s office, does not factor will have the option to raise rates to into how the district’s rates are the maximum allowable amount. For calculated. the coming 2022-23 fiscal year, the With the 4% increase, residential maximum allowed increase would property owners could expect to be 6.78%, according to the personal see their base rate increase fromTORNADO income growth number for the year.

MARINE GRADE $203.35 to $211.48. An additional Commissioners showed no interest S316 STAINLESS STEEL $0.1247 per square foot over in increasing rates to the maximum 1,000 square feet also would be allowable amount, though Commisassessed. For a 2,000-square-foot sioner Al Robinson asked Rigney to home, the assessment rate would bring back a resolution to consider be $336.22, an increase of $12.94 at the May meeting that would have over the 2021-22 fiscal year. no increase to taxpayers.

Commercial property owners While Rigney said it was poswithin the district would also see a sible to not increase assessment 4% increase, pushing the base rate rates at all, it would significantly up to $525.59 from $505.38. With a OR SEEdeplete the district’s reserves, OUR RAINDANCE $0.2276 rate addition per square foot potentially resulting in higher Direct Water Contact over 1,000, a 2,000-square-foot comincreases for property owners in 30 Year Warranty mercial building would have a total future years. assessment rate of $753.19, a $28.96 Commissioners will consider Forvote Over 39 Locally Owned and Operated increase over the current year. · Fan Experts and onYears a 4% increase and 45 Stores Nationwide The proposed rate hike will cover zero increase during their May 17 DC Fan an increase in costs and help build meeting.

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MAY 4, 2022

FEELING GOOD ABOUT CELEBRATING MOTHER’S DAY

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Sister restaurants the Sandbar, Beach House and Mar Vista partner with the Gulf Coast Oyster Recycle & Restoration Project *&255 DQG FROOHFW DQG UHXVH FDVW R൵ R\Vter and clam shells to help restore the local coastal marine environment.

According to Robert Baugh of the Chiles Group, owners of the three restaurants, “ultimately, we will take what is normally discarded and use it in a manner that is most conducive to the growth and development of new oyster grounds in the surrounding local waters.”

The program has reached an impressive milestone surpassing 60,000 pounds of oyster, clam and mussel shells collected from the three Chiles Group restaurants.

Environmentally conscious choices can have a big impact. Skip the straw and reduce waste that can litter the Gulf of Mexico. Choose restaurants that feature locally sourced seafood as often as possible for the IUHVKHVW WDVWH DQG PRVW EHQH¿FLDO HFRQRPLF impact to the region for jobs. And from the PHQX VHOHFW D VXVWDLQDEOH ¿VK VSHFLHV WKDW has been wild caught or farmed with both

WKH ORQJ WHUP IXWXUH RI WKH ¿VKHU\ DQG WKH health of the oceans as top priorities.

With Mother’s Day this week— one of the most celebrated holidays and one of the busiest days for restaurants around the globe—the Sandbar and Beach House on Anna Maria Island and Mar Vista on Longboat Key are excellent choices for families that not only care about Mom but also care about Mother Nature.

The blueberry cheesecake pictured below is a favorite at the waterfront restaurants and a perfect ending to a fresh dinner with Mom.

Some say every day is Mother’s Day and every day is Earth Day. When choosing the Sandbar, Beach House, and Mar Vista, feel good about celebrating Mom and Mother Nature.

Content provided by: The Chiles Group Advertisement

MAY 4, 2022

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25

Privateers ready for Shiprek Poker Run The Anna Maria Island Privateers invite everyone to bring their bike, Jeep, party bus or cool car to join in their Shiprek Poker Run on Sunday, May 15.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. at Peggy’s Corral. The ride begins at 10:30 a.m. with the first stop at the Fraternal Order of Eagles #2756. The second stop is Compass at Margaritaville, then it’s off to Tarpon Bay Grill & Tiki Bar with the final stop at the Palmetto Moose #2117, which will also hold the afterparty. The first hand is $20 and ad-

ditional hands will be $10. First place wins a treasure chest of spirits valued at $450, second place wins a $200 Visa gift card and third place wins a fistful of gift cards from local food and beverage venues valued at $150. For more information, visit amiprivateers. org or call Maz at 941-650-8673. The Privateers are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with proceeds going to the Shipwreck Scholarship Fund.

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M

REAL ESTATE

MAY 4, 2022

Is it worth the walk?

any years ago, my husband and I were in Athens, Greece, and on our way down from touring the sights at the top of Acropolis Hill, someone stopped us and asked, “Was it worth the walk?” After my initial shock that this question would be asked - considering where we were - I thought, "Isn’t everything worth the walk?"

The thing that is definitely worth the walk now is every single house that comes on the market in your price range, even if it’s not exactly your dream house.

We’re in what appears to be a changing real estate market. This spring seems likely to be less competitive than last spring when homes flew off the market as buyers rushed to take advantage of ultralow interest rates in an appreciating housing market. Some buyers will have to drop out of the market if they were borderline for financing, but there will still be plenty of qualified buyers and plenty with cash. No one expects prices

Castles in the Sand LOUISE BOLGER to go down anytime soon, but an increase in inventory is looking promising.

The increase in mortgage rates is slowing home sales. Existing home sales fell 4.5% nationally in March compared to March of last year, according to the National Associations of Realtors.

Manatee County’s home sales for March decreased by a lot more than that, falling by 20.2% compared to March of last year.

In the opinion of the chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, the frenzy is winding down and the volume of home sales is starting to revert to prepandemic levels. That I’ll believe when I see it, especially on Anna Maria Island.

There are still multiple buyers for every property that comes on the market, even if there will be more properties available.

As reported last week, Manatee County continues to ride the enormous wave of an appreciating market. Selling prices continue to break records in both Manatee and Sarasota and the entire North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton region, which is reporting a 29.9% increase in singlefamily homes from last March. Sarasota County also showed a large increase of 28.4% in the sale price for single-family homes, however, Manatee County led the pack with a 32.9% increase in singlefamily sales prices.

So where does all this great information and opinion leave potential buyers?

It leaves them with the hope of more properties to see that may fit what they’re looking for. They shouldn’t expect the prices, certainly in our area, to change much, if at all, but they may get more of what they were looking for in a home.

This goes directly back to my “Is it worth the walk?” scenario and the answer is "Yes." Every house that comes on the market in your price range and in your desired area should be seriously considered. Forget about the colors on the walls or the lack of interesting landscaping or the clutter on the bathroom counters. It’s time to go back to basic house-hunting principles: If a home has good bones, it should go on your list; if you can qualify for a mortgage for this home, it should go on your list; and if the home is workable, keeping the future in mind for your family or for your investment, it should go on your list.

It's possible that, eventually, prices will level off as the pipeline of buyers waiting for new properties is gradually exhausted, but we have no idea when or if that will happen. Now is the time to take the walk up the hill. You’ll be glad you did.

www.amisun.com

MAY 4, 2022

DROWNING: Canadian womans drowns at Coquina Beach FROM PAGE 1

Diana Quintana and David Gradidge saw Coughlin floating in the water and brought her ashore, according to the police department’s incident report.

Coughlin’s 64-year-old son, Henri Lanctot, accompanied her to the beach that day.

According to the incident report, “Henri advised that while he was sitting on his beach chair, approximately 30 yards from the beach, his mother told him she was going to take a walk on the shore. After approximately 30 minutes he looked up and did not see his mother. He got up and walked to the shore to see if he could locate her.

He did not see her anywhere. That is when he noticed two people pulling a person out of the water unresponsive. Lanctot then realized that it was his mother they were pulling out of the water. Lanctot advised that his mother did not have any serious medical issues that he was aware of. Lanctot advised that his mother lived in Canada and had been in Florida for the past six months. Lanctot advised that they were getting ready to leave back to Canada in a couple days.”

THE SUN

27

78TH STREET: Battle for beach access continues FROM PAGE 1

it would be more beneficial for residents and visitors alike to have a local officer with jurisdiction in the city to guard the path against trespassing instead of a security guard unfamiliar with Holmes Beach. Titsworth said she felt an HBPD officer might have more compassion toward members of the public trying to use the path.

The fight between neighbors started in mid-April when Raub and Resmond closed a long-used access path which stretches along their property from the end of 78th Street to the beach. While an easement was recorded on the property for the path, Augello said that the easement language doesn’t specify who it benefits, giving the property owners the right to close the path to the public, including their neighbors, some of whom have stated they’ve used the access path for decades.

While neighbors are protesting that they have a right to use the path due to how many years it has been open to the public, city leaders say they can’t get involved in the dispute, though they are keeping up with the issue as it develops.

Resident Nancy Gilchrist, who

SUBMITTED | ROSE MARY PATTERSON

Holmes Beach city workers install plants April 23 to block access to a beach path on 78th Street. lives on 78th Street, says she feels the issue is larger than just one street. If private property owners are allowed to close a beach access path on one street, she asked commissioners what was keeping other owners from doing the same on their streets Looking at Holmes Beach street design records, she said 78th Street, which was platted in 1946, was

shown on the plans to end at the western edge of the beachfront properties at 100 and 101 78th St. For some reason, she said the street was stopped at the eastern edge of the properties, resulting in the beach access path being on private property instead of located in a city right of way.

Gilchrist also questioned the ownership of two westward platted lots, 98 and 99 78th St. She said she was unable to locate any records identifying who owns those lots, located fully on the sand on the beach, and asked commissioners to look into the issue.

Commissioner Carol Soustek agreed to have Augello look into the ownership of those two properties as well as the right of way issue.

While Gilchrist acknowledged that Raub and Resmond, who are not fulltime residents of Holmes Beach, have issues with vagrants and the public trespassing on their property, she said she doesn’t feel that those issues are substantial enough to warrant closing the beach access path to everyone.

Augello maintained that the city “has no dog in this fight. This truly is a dispute between private property owners.”

28

THE SUN

www.amisun.com

MAY 4, 2022

MOTE: Commission formally extends deadlines

In the event of default on the part of Mote, the Anna

FROM PAGE 1

DEADLINES ESTABLISHED

The one-page lease addendum includes date-specific deadlines and milestones Mote must meet.

According to the approved lease addendum, the formal design and engineering process for the Mote outreach facility must begin on or before Aug. 18. The completed plans must be submitted to the city on or before Oct. 13. The interior buildout of the city-owned pier building and the subsequent installation of the live marine exhibits must begin seven days after the city issues Mote its needed building permits. Mote must apply for a certificate of occupancy no later than 12 weeks after the city permits are issued and the grand opening is to take place no later than four weeks after the city issues Mote Marine a certificate of occupancy.

During the commission’s April 28 meeting, Mayor Dan Murphy said the agreedupon deadlines are expected to result in a March 1, 2023, grand opening for the Mote Marine outreach center.

According to the lease addendum, “Mote shall comply in all respects with the following schedule as to the design and buildout of the premises. Mote’s timely performance of the above work and schedule is required as a condition of the lease, excluding ‘unavoidable delays’ as defined in Section 28 of the lease signed September 30, 2021.”

Section 28 of the original lease pertains to “impossibility of performance” and states: “For purposes of this lease, the term ‘unavoidable delay’ shall mean any delays due to strikes, lockouts, civil commotion, war or

Maria City Commission shall have the authority to cancel the lease at the reasonable discretion of such city commission.”

Anna Maria/Mote Marine lease addendum

MOTE MARINE | SUBMITTED

The Anna Maria City Pier Marine Education Outreach Center will feature live and virtual exhibits. warlike operations, acts of terrorism, acts of a public enemy, acts of bioterrorism, epidemics, quarantines, pandemics, invasion, rebellion, hostilities, military or usurped power, sabotage, government regulations or controls, inability to obtain any material, utility or service because of governmental restrictions, hurricanes, floods or other natural disasters, acts of God or any other cause beyond the direct control of the party delayed.”

The lease addendum notes: “In the event of default on the part of Mote, the Anna Maria City Commission shall have the authority to cancel the lease at the reasonable discretion of such city commission.”

FUNDING

As approved by the Manatee County Commission in 2021, the county will provide the initial $500,000 for the interior buildout and exhibit installation using money from the county’s 5% tourist tax levied on lodging establishments, including vacation rentals, which operate within the county.

Mote is responsible for any initial buildout and installation costs beyond the county’s initial $500,000 investment.

Mote will also provide, at its own expense, the staff members and volunteers needed to operate the outreach center. Mote will occupy the city-owned structure rent-free during the initial five-year lease period

which also provides Mote with an option for a five-year extension. The city of Anna Maria will pay the utility expenses associated with Mote Marine’s use of the City Pier and pier building.

LIVE EXHIBITS

On April 22, the commission majority accepted the conceptual exhibit plans presented by Mote Marine representative Kevin Cooper.

The conceptual plans propose four separate live exhibits that include an invertebrate touch tank, a live mangrove exhibit, a live grass flats exhibit and a fourth live exhibit that will use cameras and an underwater hydrophone allowing visitors to see and hear the marine life and marine environment under the pier.

If and when the Mote Marine outreach center opens in 2023, admission will be free for the public.

www.amisun.com

MAY 4, 2022

THE SUN

29

Chamber breakfast at AMI Beach Cafe The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Sunrise Breakfast at AMI Beach Café on Thursday, May 5 at 7:30 a.m. This event is open to members and prospective members and is a great way to mingle and get to know other business owners and

managers in the community. Food orders will be taken when seated for a fee of $10 for members and $18 for nonmembers. Bring a raffle prize and have your business recognized during the giveaway. RSVP at amichamber. org, or call 941-778-1541.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The City Pier Park shade sail is being expanded to provide more shade coverage.

Farmer’s market season ends early The city of Anna Maria’s final two farmers market events of the season have been canceled. The Tuesday, May 3 and Tuesday, May 10 cancelations were necessary due to construction work scheduled to begin this week at City Pier Park, where the shade sail structure will be expanded. A portion of the park will remain closed while the

work is done. Mayor Dan Murphy told city commissioners on April 28 that the shade sail expansion will be completed before the city’s annual Memorial Day Patriotic Symphony Salute, which will feature a 70-piece symphony orchestra.

The Memorial Day Salute is scheduled for Monday, May 30 from 10-11:30 a.m. at City Pier Park.

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6000 Marina Drive 113, Holmes Beach, FL 34217 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM | Licensed Real Estate Broker

30

THE SUN

SPORTS

MAY 4, 2022

MONICA SIMPSON | SUN

Players from both teams chase down the soccer ball at The Center last week. Zade Khan for Progressive Cabinetry takes the lead, with Bria Pietsch close behind. Progressive Cabinetry’s Raegan Kesten and Leo Tyler follow Khan’s lead.

Gitt Team, Moss Builders best the rest

BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN

ANNA MARIA – On the small soccer pitches, the 5- to 7-year-old players matched up in their third week of play.

Progressive Cabinetry played Mac Parkman Foundation, while Surfing Coconuts AMI matched up on the field with Adrian Griffin Interiors.

For many of the players in this league, the end of this season leads to a future in the youngest competitive recreational league at the community center, the 8- to 10-year-old league.

After two weeks of youth recreational soccer at The Center of Anna Maria Island, two teams are on top with 2-0-0 records. The Gitt Team tops the charts in the younger age group of mostly elementary school-aged athletes.

For the 11- to 14-year-old league, the Moss Builders team goes into week three undefeated, also with a record of 2-0-0. The season is still young with four more games in the regular season for both teams in both leagues.

Last week’s game for The Gitt Team was a close one, with the final score 1-0 against team Tidy MD. Thanks to Izabella McGraw, who scored the only goal in the game, The Gitt Team solidified its place at the top of the ranking for the week.

McGraw’s teammate, Karson Davis, had four goals in the victory against Tidy MD. Tess Bolognone is credited with the assist, making the McGraw goal possible.

On the other side of the field, Aidan Guess and Owen Purcell each had a single save for Tidy MD, keeping their team in the battle for the entire game.

In the older league, the Shady Lady squad kept it close against Moss Builders. Goals by Savanna Coba, Jesse Zaccagnino and Victor Albrecht made the Moss Builders defense work. Coba scored two points against Moss Builders’ goalie, Charlie Serra.

Serra finished the game with two saves, while his counterpart on the Shady Lady team, Albrecht, had three stops. The power leg of Jack Mattick put four points on the scoreboard, with additional goals by Mason Moss and Gabriella Gilbert.

With plenty of games left to play, the top seed in both youth soccer leagues is still up for grabs.

Three teams in the youth soccer program at The Center seek their first win of the season: Beach Bums, Tidy MD and Miz & Hiz Biz. It is anyone’s season to win.

SEE SPORTS, PAGE 32

MONICA SIMPSON | SUN

Racing for position, Mac Parkman’s Jade Ptak and Progressive Cabinetry’s Zade Khan speed to the soccer ball to take possession. Teammates Leo Tyler, for Progressive, and Mason Gazzo, for Mac Parkman, are positioned to assist in last Tuesday night’s game at The Center.

www.amisun.com

MAY 4, 2022

THE SUN

BEACH BEAT

HOLMES BEACH

BRADENTON BEACH

4/22, 2:30 a.m., assist other agency, 200 Bridge St. While on patrol, the officer was approached by an unknown male subject who reported a man getting into his truck near the Bradenton Beach Pier appearing intoxicated and bleeding from his head. The officer caught up with the suspect in his vehicle and observed him swerving in both lanes and hitting the curb. As the suspect pulled onto the Cortez Bridge, the officer activated his lights and siren but the suspect sped up, refusing to stop until 127th Street in Cortez, where the officer observed the bleeding and smelled the strong odor of alcohol. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office traffic unit was called to conduct a DUI investigation. The suspect was arrested for DUI.

Cindy Jones-Burke ke Realtor/Staging Certified Residential Specialistt

Cindy@CJonesRE.com m Direct: 941.773.9770

4/24, 3:25 a.m., retail theft, 2513 Gulf Drive N. Officers were dispatched to the Circle K at the listed address after the clerk on duty reported that two subjects tried to buy some Fireball liquor after hours. When the clerk told them to put it back, one subject said no, and he walked out the door followed by the second subject, whom the clerk said looked like he wanted nothing to do with the theft. The subjects got into a black SUV and turned south on Gulf Drive. Police were unsuccessful in locating the vehicle. The clerk said she would turn video footage of the incident over to Bradenton Beach Police to aid in their investigation.

310 Pine Avenue • Anna Maria, FL 34216

teamduncan.com

31

4/24, 9:56 a.m., grand theft, 5806 Gulf Drive. The officer was dispatched to the listed address in reference to a stolen E-bike. The complainant said the bike was locked to a pole downstairs below her condo. While leaving the condo in the morning, she noticed it was gone and the bike lock had been cut. Upon investigation, the officer noticed two security cameras in the area below the condo where the bike was stolen. Police are working to retrieve the video footage to assist in the investigation.

4/25, 10:24 p.m., driving with revoked/suspended license, 600 Manatee Ave. After performing a traffic stop on a vehicle that did not stop for a flashing red light, the driver told the officer his license was suspended, but he would be getting it reinstated on Thursday. The officer found the license had been suspended for three months and records showed nothing to prove it was in the process of being reinstated. The driver was cited for driving with a suspended license.

4/26, 9:25 a.m., trespassing, 103 51st St. A caller told police he attempted to enter his property and was confronted by an unknown man who was inside the residence. The man said he rented an Airbnb and there must be some kind of mistake. When the owner told the man he was calling police, the man fled in an unknown direction.

The trespassing man had given his phone number to the owner before he fled, so the officer called the number and spoke to a male subject who said he was on the trolley headed to Coquina Beach. When the officer asked the man for the trolley number, he hung up the phone.

The phone’s owner was tracked down by police, who left a message for the owner of the phone to call them. So far there has been no response.

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Perico Bay Club—As Good As It Gets!!

Business As Usual…..Just A Li le Differently.

If you’re looking to buy or sell in Perico Bay Club, or know someone who is, please give me a call!

Give me a call today if you yo ou u’re ’ree lookin looking ngg to Buyy or Sell on Anna Maria Maria Island Mari Islaand or the surrounding ounding ngg aarea! rea eaaa!!

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941.209.1542 I Lynn@Edgewaterami.com 941.730.1294 | Lynn@Edgewaterami.com www.EdgewaterRealEstateInc.com www.EdgewaterRealEstateInc.com Street, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217 106 Bridge

941.779.0304

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32

www.amisun.com

THE SUN

MAY 4, 2022

MONICA SIMPSON | SUN

Adalynn Beno takes a corner kick for team Mac Parkman last week against defender Zade Khan for Progressive Cabinetry.

SPORTS: Gitt Team, Moss Builders best the rest Shady Lady (1-1-0) Moss Builders (2-0-0)

FROM PAGE 30

SUN SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, APRIL 26 8- TO 10-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE WEEK 2 The Gitt Team (2-0-0) Tidy MD (0-2-0)

1 0

Beach Bums (0-2-0) Flip Flop Candy Shop (1-0-0)

0 2

Solid Rock Construction (1-0-0)

Bye Week

11- TO 14-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE WEEK 2 HSH (1-1-0) Miz & Hiz Biz (0-2-0)

4 2

4 6

THURSDAY, APRIL 28 ADULT CO-ED SOCCER WEEK 5

The Gitt Team (1-3-1) Progressive Cabinetry (2-3-0)

2 4

Moss Builders (5-0-0) Shady Lady (1-2-2)

5 4

Gulfview Windows & Doors (3-1-1) 7 Sato Real Estate (2-3-0) 5 Servis First Bank (4-1-0) Salty Printing (0-5-0)

5 4

Key Royale golf scores MONICA SIMPSON | SUN

April 25 - Modified Stableford 1st Place - Herb Clauhs with a score of +7 2nd Place - Bill Sweeny with a score of +5 3rd Place - Ron Buck with a score of +3 April 26 - Low Net Score Flight A 1st Place - Linda Dorsey, 29, with birdies on holes 1 and 2 and a chipin on hole 2.

2nd Place - Jenny Huibers, 30 3rd Place - Marcia Freisen, 31 4th Place tie - Mary Wilke and Phyllis Roe, 35 Flight B 1st Place - Terry Westby, 30 2nd Place - Sue Christenson, 31 3rd Place - Jan Turner, 32 4th Place - Beth Lindeman, 34, with a chip-in on hole 2.

With Jade Ptak ready to take away the soccer ball from Progressive Cabinetry’s Zade Khan, the Mac Parkman’s defender stays in stride with her opponent in last week’s game. Pacing closely behind are Progressive Cabinetry’s Raegan Kesten and Ptak’s teammate, Bria Pietsch.

SUBMITTED

David Johnson, of the Key Royale Club, made a hole-in-one on April 3. Using a 6-hybrid, he aced the third hole, playing 141 yards long.

April 28 - Shamble - counting three scores from the foursome 1st Place - Tim Donnar, Scott Mitchell, Bob O'Brien and Larry Pippel at even par

MONICA SIMPSON | SUN

Zade Khan for Progressive Cabinetry takes the ball down the field against Mac Parkman’s Alex Czajkowski. Khan’s teammate Raegan Kesten moves in to cross behind to get into position on the Island pitch.

MAY 4, 2022

FUN IN THE SUN

Across 1 Whack with a folded newspaper, say 5 Nile serpents 9 Kama __ 14 Number of Greek Muses 15 Owl's call 16 Fireplace glower 17 Teatime 20 Contraption 21 The Stooges, e.g.

22 Shailene's "Divergent" role 23 Track on a DVD 25 What might be granted after begging one's pardon?

27 Triangular sail 30 Soft mineral 32 Secret advantage "up one's sleeve" 33 Twistable cookie 35 Singer Anthony

Answers to 04-27-22 Crossword Puzzle.

37 Common sprain site 41 Tee time 44 Big glitch 45 Captain Hook's right hand 46 For experts, as a game 47 __-cone 49 "Doubtful" 51 Certain sib 52 Lustrous sheet fabrics 56 Treble __: music symbol 58 Turkish military leader 59 Bachelor ending 61 Wake up 65 T-time 68 Fable writer 69 Take for a __: scam 70 Musical pitch 71 Minuscule 72 Prince William's school 73 Auto pioneer Ransom __

Down 1 Surprise problem 2 Coffeehouse amenity 3 1998 film with talking bugz?

4 Swarms 5 Wheat bristle 6 Pony in a bar 7 Destitute 8 Justice Sotomayor who swore in Vice President Harris 9 "What did I tell you?"

10 Latest in an endless series of occurrences 11 Some ski lifts 12 Convene again 13 Like craft shows 18 Tooth anchor 19 Capital of Italia 24 "__ it": "Whatever you want" 26 Sweet Sixteen org.

27 Runs leisurely 28 Steel, mostly 29 "Romanian Folk Dances" composer Bartók 31 Espresso topper 34 Winter at the Jersey Shore, say 36 Increase in loudness 38 Korean exports 39 "Queen of QVC" Greiner 40 What means may justify 42 Mystical old letter 43 Bride's face cover

48 Harry Styles' band, to fans 50 Dread 52 1978 Peace co-Nobelist Anwar 53 Concur

THE SUN

54 The ones here 55 Mall unit 57 Corn chip 60 Silly goose 62 Cher or Adele, e.g.

63 Beach cover

64 A mantis has five of them 66 Secret agent 67 Swampy area

33

34

THE SUN

CLASSIFIED

ANNOUNCEMENTS BEACH YOGA ON Wednesdays, Saturdays & Sundays at 8:30am at the end of Pine Ave by the Sandbar Restaurant by donation. Classes on Tuesdays & Fridays at 8:30 at 100 Broadway St. on LBK. www.thriveyogafit.com 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.

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 THC CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Rentals, VRBO. Professional and Reliable. Call 941-756-4570 or 941565-3931

EMPLOYMENT CASHIERS – We have immediate openings for full-time and part-time cashiers. Experience a plus, but not required.

Very attractive starting pay. No evening hours!

Email your resume to hometruevaluehardware @gmail.com or apply in person at Home True Value Hardware, 5324 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217

Call us today! 941-778-3986

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 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: Mike Field, publisher.

REAL ESTATE ASSISTANT WANTED: Looking for driven/dedicated assistant to join our growing team.

This position is an amazing opportunity to learn the residential real estate industry from the ground up!

Send resume to Serious inquiries only to Team@ GittSoldIt.com (no phone calls please) The Gitt Team KW on the Water

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 PITCHER COLLECTION 130 PIECES. Best Offer. Call 941-773-7694

GARAGE, MOVING, RUMMAGE & YARD SALES MOVING SALE SATURDAY May 7. 216 Periwinkle Plz AMI Downsizing all must go! Household items and some furniture 8 am to 1.

HEALTH CARE HOME CARE PROVIDER with Dennis Church a nursing assistant. 8+ years of experience. Licensed in Florida. SAFER at HOME. Call 815-519-3993

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.

ISLE TILE SPECALIZING in Custom Bath/Shower & Back splash installation.

Pressure washing available. Call 941-302-8759 isletilesevices.com

HOME SERVICES CONCRETE FUSION, CRACK REPAIR sidewalks/ driveways. Why fix 95% of concrete when only 5% bad? Number 1 in concrete repair. Insured.

Free estimate. Call Bobby 941-374-7670.

Decluttering and Organizing for your home or office. Packing/Unpacking & room revitalization to create comfortable and enjoyable environments. 765404-6608 Free Estimates!

LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE R. GAROFALO’S Interlocking brick pavers, driveways, patios, pool decks. Free estimates. Licensed & Insured.

Call Rafael 941-778-4823 or Veronik 941-526-7941 ISLAND RESIDENT. TREE/ BUSH Trimming, removal.

Sweeping, blowing, weeding. Weekly, bi-monthly or monthly schedule. Pressure washing. Call Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315.

AMISUN.COM

MAY 4, 2022

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

LOST & FOUND LOST PRESCRIPTION SUNGLASSES in black case between Gulf Watch and Beach House Restaurant.

Please call 847-563-8365.

LOST at AMI MOOSE CLUB on Tuesday March 15 Brown wooden sunglasses with Abalone shell frame.

Blue lenses. Call 941-2431444

MASSAGE MASSAGE BY VINNIE Swedish Deep Tissue And More By Appointment Only Call 773-383-0463 Vinnie LMT,CMCE

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.

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

Quality Workmanship.

Interior/Exterior. Also minor repairs & carpentry. Free written detailed estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315 DONALD PERKINS ABRACADABRA PAINTING LLC fully insured. 30 years experience. Many Island references. Call 941-705-7096

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 AUTHORITY ONE CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Construction, Vacation, VRBO Rentals . Also available Pressure Washing, Roof Cleaning, Paver Sealing and Windows. Call 941565-3931.

3BR/2BA FURNISHED CONDO AT ISLAND VILLAGE. 2 parking spaces, 2 pools, pickle ball court $3250/mo., First & Sec. Deposit, Condo approval required. Rent includes Cable (no WIFI), Sewer, Water, & Trash. Call A Paradise Realty for details 941 778-4800.

ANNUAL RENTAL: Starting July 1st, Perico Bay Club. 2BR/2BA with lanai and one car garage.

Fully furnished down to the linens and dishes, newly updated and all appliances included. Attached villa style, very secure community with guarded entry gate. $2900 per month, no pets. Association has $100 application fee. Tenant in place, showings by specific weekly appointments only.

Photos below taken last week so they are current.

Call Carol Bernard at 941345-1300.

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

FREE

HOME DELIVERY

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 513-3821992.

AMISUN.COM

Call for Details

778-3986

www.amisun.com

MAY 4, 2022

BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

THE SUN

35

Call today to place your ad: 941-778-3986 PAINTING

TRANSPORTATION

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

AMISUN.COM

SEASONAL RENTAL in PALMA SOLA. 3BR/2BA weekly or monthly rates.

Contact Barb Grace 941201-2190 ANNA MARIA ISLAND CONDOS Large pool, beach access, free WiFi, 1&2 Bedroom $900 to $1200 per week redekercondosonami.com Tim 941-704-7525

LUXURIOUS ANNA MARIA ISLAND CONDO for rent.

Upgraded granite/stainless kitchen. Incredible water views through floor length windows. Waterfront patio. Luxury furnishing.

2BR/2BA. King beds. Pool, tennis, walk to beach.

Private carport. Monthly rental May to November.

Owner/renter. Flexible terms. 570-239-0431 email marketreps@aol.com

SEASONAL RENTAL BRADENTON BEACH 1BR/1BA condo small complex with pool. one block to beach.

Monthly $5000 JanuaryApril 2023. Call Peggy 941545-0208

TRANSPORTATION AMI TAXI credit cards, cash, venmo accepted. Airport: Tampa $105, Sarasota $50, St. Pete/Clearwater $105, Orlando $220. Call 941-447-8372 or 941-4478376. amitaxi4u@gmail. com, www.amitaxi.com

AMISUN.COM

ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa/St. Pete $80.

Sarasota $40. Pets welcome. Very dependable.

Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-779-5095 AIRPORT RIDES- Tampa, St. Pete, Sarasota. Reasonable rates! Call or text Anna 941-932-1600

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www.amisun.com

THE SUN

MAY 4, 2022

the Team Duncan Difference!

Local-Area Expertise Outstanding Customer C t S Service i Experienced Professionals Proven Performance

Darcie Duncan Broker - Owner

Cindy Jones Sales Associate

Michelle Laade Sales Associate

April Green Martha Jones Robel Sales Associate Sales Associate

Robyn Hawk Paige Rogers Joey Hutchinson Katie Self Sales Associate Sales Associate Sales Associate Sales Associate

Nancy Howle Sales Associate

William Romberger Sales Associate

Lindsey Leech Strickland Mary Anne Muniz Sales Associate Sales Associate

Home & Condominium Sales • Investment Properties • Vacation Rentals

BOUTIQUE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Vacation Rentals • Annual Rentals • Association Management • Home Watch Service

• Dedicated, multi-lingual rental team • Performance tailored to your needs and expectations • Cutting-edge technology • Trusted by generations of Islanders, property owners, and visitors 310 Pine Avenue Anna Maria, FL 34216

Providing a top-no guest experien tch ce You call and we answer – 2 4/7 Always there for our owners Maximize yo ur revenue

TeamDuncan.com

941.779.0304