24 minute read
’practice’ plans expansion
The Doctor’s Office plans to expand
Doctor-in-residence Sean Murphy is hoping to expand The Doctor’s Office to include a 66-seat restaurant.
BY KRISTIN SWAIN
SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – The doctor is in at The Doctor’s Office, a local cocktail bar, and he may soon be serving up an expanded menu in a larger space.
Commissioners voted 4-1, with Commissioner Kim Rash dissenting, to approve the first public hearing of a proposed site plan amendment to turn the local bar into a restaurant.
Owner Sean Murphy, formerly of the Beach Bistro, presented a plan to Holmes Beach commissioners during an Oct. 11 work session asking for consideration to add a full-service restaurant to The Doctor’s Office operation in the adjacent event space known as The Doctor’s Garden. If approved by commissioners at a final public hearing, the new restaurant will have 66 seats, 50 inside and 16 outside, serving dinner nightly after 5 p.m. with lunch service available on Saturdays and Sundays.
Police Chief Bill Tokajer said during the Oct. 25 initial public hearing on the proposed site plan amendment that he’s spoken with representatives at West Manatee Fire Rescue who have given their approval of the requested number of seats for indoor and outdoor dining at the proposed restaurant space.
Rash was absent from the work session discussion but was present for the first public hearing on the site plan amendment.
Margie Motzer, a resident who lives near the bar, said she’s concerned about the impact on the neighborhood if the bar is allowed to expand into a restaurant. She said the increased indoor and outdoor seating added to the other nearby restaurants, bars and vacation rental properties could increase the noise and traffic through adjacent residential neighborhoods. Citing a section of the city’s comprehensive plan, she noted that city leaders are tasked with preventing the encroachment of commercial businesses in residential neighborhoods and she fears the restaurant could negatively impact nearby property values.
Resident Barbara Hines, a former member of the city’s planning commission, also spoke against allowing the bar to transition to a restaurant, noting the possibility of increases in traffic and noise.
Nancy Deal said she was concerned about parking for the restaurant, noting that she’s observed patrons and employees of the bar parking in inappropriate areas, such as across the street at a nearby laundromat.
Commissioner Jayne Christenson also expressed concern about parking because of the Doctor’s Office need for off-site parking contracts due to there not being enough dedicated parking onsite. She said that city leaders allowed off-site parking with the Waterline Marina Resort and Beach Club at the adjacent former
KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN Plans are underway to expand The Doctor’s Office to a full-service restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating.
SEE DOCTOR'S OFFICE, PAGE 4
4THE SUN ISLAND NEWS
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NOVEMBER 2, 2022
IN BRIEF
Fall back this Sunday
It’s that time again, when clocks are adjusted for Daylight Saving Time. Set your clock back one hour on Sunday, Nov. 6 at 2 a.m. For those who aren’t night owls, make sure to set the clock back before bedtime.
The last straw is served
In Holmes Beach, no business is allowed to distribute any plastic straws or stirrers with food or drink items. Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the final reading of the ordinance, which became effective Nov. 1. All straws and stirrers are now required to be paper, made of marine biodegradable material, wood or other environmentally friendly materials in an effort to reduce plastic pollution in the water and on beaches. Straws are the only single-use plastic item that Florida statutes allow local governments to regulate.
Final Mote Marine plans expected this week
Anna Maria Building Official David Gilson has relayed to Mote Marine representative Kevin Cooper the comments and concerns expressed by city staff and the city commission regarding the recently received plans for the installation of an educational outreach center on the City Pier. On Oct. 27, Gilson told the commission he expects to receive the final revised plans by Wednesday, Nov. 2 at the earliest, or by Friday, Nov. 4 at the latest. The completed plans will allow the city-issued permitting process to begin. Gilson said Mote Marine fully expects to meet the city’s March 2023 completion and facility opening deadline.
Clarification
The Sea Hagg consulting and design business has closed its brick-and-mortar store in Cortez but the owner will continue to operate from her home in the village of Cortez.
Anna Maria implementing new notification system
The GOGov cell phone application will allow citizens to track their requests and complaints in real time.
BY JOE HENDRICKS
SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – The city has purchased a GOGov software subscription that will provide citizens with a new request, notification and alert system.
On Oct. 27, the city commission approved the $6,720 purchase of a one-year software subscription for GOGov’s Citizen Request Management and Citizen Notifications and Alerts programs.
GOGov’s cell phone-based software applications are currently being used by several other Florida cities and counties. City Clerk LeAnne Addy will help implement and monitor the new system. Addy said the notifications and event notices issued with the GOGov software will also automatically be posted at the city website, www.cityofannamaria. com. Commissioner Robert Kingan praised Addy for taking on these additional duties.
Mayor Dan Murphy expects the GOGov system to be fully operational by late November. At that time, a link to the free phone app will be posted at the city website. The app will be available for cell phones using iOS and Android operating systems.
Users with the free cell phone app will be able to receive city notifications, view city information and report complaints and concerns in one easy-to-access location.
The notification and alerts program will allow the city to notify residents, business owners and others regarding emergency storm warnings, utility outages, boil water alerts, road closures, special event notifications, event reminders and more.
The system will allow users to notify the city’s public works department regarding potholes, damaged road conditions, fallen trees and things of that nature. The GOGov system will also allow users to inform the city’s code enforcement department regarding certain code enforcement issues to be specified by the city.
GOGov’s Citizen Request Management software will serve as a virtual help desk and citizen engagement platform that allows citizen users to track the status of their complaints or requests. It will also allow the city to issue real-time notifications and status updates regarding the complaint or issue being resolved.
Resident Alan Ward asked if the new system would apply to the city’s building department and the city’s planning and zoning efforts. Addy said it would not.
Ward also inquired about the city’s recent hurricane-related Facebook posts. Murphy said during Hurricane Ian the city posted notices on Facebook that simply said accurate and up-todate hurricane-related information could be found at the city website. Murphy said the city does not use Facebook to distribute official city information.
CITY OF ANNA MARIA | SUBMITTED The city of Anna Maria will soon utilize the GOGov phone app.
DOCTOR’S OFFICE: Practice is expanding
FROM PAGE 3 Wells Fargo site and, when the bank closed, the resort lost the ability to use that parking area. Murphy said that the off-site parking contracts have a 90day cancellation notice clause that would give him time to find additional parking for patrons.
Commissioner Terry Schaefer said that he could see parking being a problem at the site.
Rash said he hasn’t had one resident call and tell him that they favored approval of the site plan amendment but that he’s had several calls from people who don’t want the bar to turn into a restaurant. He added that he feels it would create too much of an impact on an already congested area.
Murphy said his intent with the restaurant is to keep it as a small, intimate venue for patrons to enjoy a meal.
Commissioner Carol Soustek said that the site plan amendment application met every requirement laid out in the comprehensive plan. “I see nothing wrong with approving this site plan,” she said, noting that Murphy had met every requirement set out by the city.
The site plan will be scheduled for a final public hearing by commissioners.
A great deal of time and police resources were wasted when someone called in a false bomb threat to White Sands Resort in Holmes Beach.
BY JASON SCHAFFER
SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH - Police aren’t sure whether Bobby Entrekin is a disgruntled former guest, employee or even the name of a real person, but a man going by this name called in a bomb threat Saturday, Oct. 22 that resulted in the evacuation of everyone at the White Sands Beach Resort.
It began when Police Communications Officer Christopher Liotti received a call from a male subject who identified himself as Bobby Entrekin. The subject said he had planted explosive devices in planters near the pool area of the White Sands Resort, and additional explosive devices around other areas of the property that would detonate 30 minutes after his call to police. He also said police would not be able to find the devices.
Liotti said the man sounded agitated and said he was upset with “Cubans” in the area. According to the police report, the phone number came from an area code in California, and the caller said he currently lived in Shreveport, Louisiana, but that could not be verified.
At 1:47 a.m., Holmes Beach Officer Ryan Welch and Sgt. Mike Walker responded to White Sands, but parked their patrol cars in the 200 block of 66th Street, out of view of the resort. Protocol for bomb threat-related incidents requires officers responding to the area to turn off their radios, so the officers did and then checked the perimeter of the area for suspicious items, none of which were found. The decision was then made to evacuate the property for the safety of the guests.
“Once the guests were evacuated, they were led to 65th Street near the intersection of Holmes Boulevard,” Welch said in his report. “Officer Bennett remained with the guests for the duration of the call. The Monkey Bus was called and asked to respond to provide the guests with a place to sit and stay warm. The Monkey Bus staff accepted and arrived on scene with two buses near the intersection of Holmes Boulevard and 65th Street.
After guests were safely evacuated, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) brought in their K-9 lieutenant and two other members of the bomb squad, who did a search of the property and declared it “all clear.” There were no signs of explosives detected, and it was determined the incident was a false threat. Security cameras located around the property also yielded nothing suspicious. Police have no suspect at this time, and no arrest has been made or charges filed against any individual.
JASON SCHAFFER | SUN A bomb threat was called in, causing an evacuation at White Sands Resort in Holmes Beach.
6THE SUN OPINION The Anna Maria Island Sun Staff
Owner/CEO Mike Field
Editor Cindy Lane
General Manager Bob Alexander
Reporters/Photographers Joe Hendricks Jason Schaffer Kristin Swain
Columnists Louise Bolger Rusty Chinnis
Contributors Steve Borggren Captain Rick Grassett Leslie Lake Monica Simpson Tom Vaught Captain Kevin Wessel Captain Dave White Anne Yarbrough
Layout Ricardo Fonseca
Digital Editor Kristin Swain
Advertising Director Shona Otto
Advertising Assistant Pamela Lee
Classifieds Bob Alexander
Graphics Elaine Stroili Ricardo Fonseca
Distribution Bob Alexander Connor Field Tony McNulty Brian Smith
Accounting Leslie Ketchum
Co-founding publishers Mike Field Maggie McGinley Field Family-owned since 2000
3909 East Bay Drive, Suite 210, Holmes Beach, FL, 34217 Phone: (941) 778-3986 email: news@amisun.com | ads@amisun.com | classifieds@amisun.com Like us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AnnaMariaIslandSun
NOVEMBER 2, 2022
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
County leaders should support Holmes Beach
As a descendant of the Holmes family who built Holmes Beach, Mayor Judy Holmes Titsworth exudes the same passion and love for this city as her father, mother and grandparents. Her family’s aim was to offer a true paradise for every resident and visitor, evidenced by all streets ending with public access to our city’s treasured sandy beaches. Mayor Titsworth is currently working diligently to ensure that her family’s vision is carried on, respecting the delicate balance between residents’ quality of life and our visitors' recreational pleasure.
Sadly, Manatee County commissioners, especially those strongly tied to developers, are fighting Mayor Titsworth at every perceived opportunity. In deference to developers, county commissioners proposed the construction of a multi-level garage in our city, hoping to lure in as many visitors as possible. Knowing our city’s infrastructure limits as well as our city charter code, the idea was denied unanimously by the entire Holmes Beach city commission. This set off a petty stalemate by county commissioners to shun or refuse this city’s requests at every opportunity. Funds and grants are now denied by the county, and the necessary collaboration between city and county commissioners (such as the emergency actions taken during the recent hurricane) is misreported by county commissioners to imply poor city leadership. There is nothing further from the truth; such behavior by the county commissioners is sheer destructive pettiness.
Our mayor, Judy Titsworth, dedicates over 60 hours of her weekly life analyzing how our city optimally operates and implements programs to ensure that it does. She has a dedicated interest in our environment, its land, waters and wildlife, and is currently focused on restoring our island’s pristine water quality. And, as an enormous bonus to all of us, she just happens to be a kind, honest person and a genuine good soul.
Our heartfelt thanks to Mayor Titsworth for caring so deeply for our island, its residents, and its tourists. Aided by the united support and cooperation among our city commissioners and our police force, Holmes Beach is very fortunate to have an entire group of dedicated, good people directing our city. Thank you, Mayor, city commissioners, and our entire police and code enforcement team. We very much appreciate all you do for our little paradise.
Please, Manatee County commissioners, start giving our city your support and assistance, not your back.
Jeannie and Gary Hudkins Holmes Beach
ANNA MARIA
10005 GULF DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130 Please visit www.cityofannamaria. com or contact city hall for more information. Nov. 10, 2 p.m. – City Commission meeting Nov. 11, all day – Veterans Day, city offices closed
BRADENTON BEACH
107 GULF DRIVE N. FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005 Please visit www. cityofbradentonbeach.com or contact city hall for more information. Nov. 2, 9:30 a.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency meeting Nov. 2, 2 p.m. – Scenic WAVES meeting Nov. 3, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting Nov. 11, all day – Veterans Day, city offices closed Nov. 16, 1 p.m. – Planning and Zoning board meeting Nov. 17, 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. Nov. 2, 10 a.m. – Parks and Beautification committee meeting Nov. 2, 5 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting Nov. 9, 8 a.m. – City Commission swearing in and organizational meeting Nov. 9, 10 a.m. – Clean Water Ad-Hoc Committee meeting Nov. 11, all day – Veterans Day, city offices closed Nov. 15, 10 a.m. – Code Compliance special magistrate hearing Nov. 15, 5 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session to follow
ISLAND-WIDE
Nov. 15, 6 p.m. – West Manatee Fire Rescue board meeting, administration building, 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton, 6 p.m.
EVENTS
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 2
Science by the Sea, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 5:30 p.m.
THURSDAY, NOV. 3
Manatee Literacy Council, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11 a.m. Sunshine Stitchers knit and crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. Thursdays in Paradise Stroll featuring local art, music and food, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 5-8 p.m. Teen yoga, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 6 p.m. Forty Carrots, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Mah-jongg Club – Experienced Players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.
SATURDAY, NOV. 5
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. Ask a Master Gardener, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Saturday story time, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Code your own video game, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.
MONDAY, NOV. 7
Manatee Audubon birding tour, Bean Point, meet at Bayfront Park, 316 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 6:30 a.m. Creative aging drawing series, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Climate Smart Series: Energy, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m.
TUESDAY, NOV. 8
Election Day. Make your vote count!
HOLMES BEACH – Commissioners are talking about enacting a new set of restrictions on the use of artificial turf in the city.
A previously launched discussion continued during an Oct. 25 work session with commissioners considering the potential impacts and benefits of using artificial turf in the city instead of natural grass.
Some of the potentially negative impacts they discussed include environmental issues due to water not draining through the turf, further limiting space and food sources for wildlife and plastic from the grass polluting local waterways. Commissioners also discussed what happens to the artificial turf surface when it needs to be replaced or disposed of.
Positive impacts discussed would be if the artificial turf product is permeable, allowing stormwater to drain through, or recyclable. Commissioners also broached the subject of the use of artificial turf lessening the amount of pesticides and other chemicals used to treat natural lawns washing into local waterways.
The artificial turf discussion is expected to continue at a future work session.
AMI Chamber luncheon at Discovery Village
The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce will hold its next luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Discovery Village at Sarasota Bay. This is a great opportunity to mingle with Chamber members and enjoy a meal. There is a fee of $18 for members and $30 for guests. A buffet with salad, soup, three hot entrees, dessert and beverages will be served. RSVP is requested no later than Tuesday, Nov. 8 by emailing becky@amichamber.org or calling 941-778-1541. Don’t forget to bring business cards, and consider bringing a raffle prize to add to the fun.
ANNA MARIA WANTS YOU!
OLD SOLDIERS & SAILORS PARADE
1 PM FRIDAY, NOV. 11
CITY OF ANNA MARIA CITY HALL TO THE CITY PIER PARK www.OldSoldiersAndSailorsParade.com (941) 708-6130 Ext. 110 amsradmin@CityOfAnnaMaria.com com
Cancer Shucks! OCTOBER 2022
Support the cause with specialty Pink Drinks all month long. A portion of the proceeds will benefit our Making Strides Against Breast Cancer team and My Breast Friends.
Tito's vodka, cherry vodka, Cointreau, cranberry, pineapple, mint, and Sprite SHOW ME YOUR TITO'S CHECK YOUR MELONS Watermelon Jalapeño Margarita with Jalapeño Vodka
$7
AMI Halloween Fun
Even the local vultures got into the act this Halloween, joining dinosaurs, diner girls, princesses and pumpkins on and around Anna Maria Island.
JASON SCHAFFER | SUN These two Grady twins from The Shining stopped traffic in front of the Bradenton Beach Moose Lodge.
SUBMITTED Students at Anna Maria Elementary participated in making a Pumpkin Book character for the AME Media Center. Many well-known book characters can be seen on display in the media center.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Catalina Bennett (Snow White), Viviana Bennett (Sleeping Beauty), Julia Spence (“diner girl”), Thiago Bennett (T-Rex) and Jaxson Spence (“dino hunter”) enjoyed the Halloween party at Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge #2188.
ANNE YARBROUGH | SUN A committee of vultures waits for dark in a craggy tree at Neal Preserve on Halloween.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Cruze and Lincoln Ransom came as skeleton pirates, accompanied by their dad, Austin Ransom.
Pine Avenue sidewalk plans still under review
Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy provided the city commission with a Reimagining Pine Avenue project update on Oct. 27. The city’s plans to install brick paver sidewalks along both sides of Pine Avenue are still being evaluated by FDOT, the state agency overseeing the use of a $1.28 state appropriation secured earlier this year. Murphy said FDOT won’t allow the state funds to be used for new streetlights unless the lights are mounted on 32-foot-tall poles – a height that exceeds the mayor and commission’s desired height along Pine Avenue. FDOT also expressed concerns about the current width of the street, the lack of curbs and no additional right-of-way acquisition. Project engineer Gerry Traverso prepared a follow-up report intended to address FDOT’s concerns. Murphy anticipates FDOT’s response to the report in December. If/when FDOT approves the plans, the city and FDOT will enter into an interlocal agreement that gives the city two years to use the funds to help complete those plans. The city will then issue a new request for proposals seeking for the third time a contractor to install the brick paver sidewalks at a suitable cost. Murphy anticipates the city receiving lower-priced bid proposals the next time around. He expects to select a contractor in March, with the sidewalk installation to begin in April.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN The Reimagining Pine Avenue project is addressing the street’s multi-modal transportation issues.
WELCOME, SHAY !
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Text ROSER to 22828 to receive the weekly eBulletin The CHAPEL is open during o ce hours for prayer and meditation
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