- Named Best Florida Newspaper In Its Class -
VOL 20 No. 6
November 20, 2019
Hunters sound off on duck season BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com
Supreme sunset ANNA MARIA HAYDEN | SUBMITTED
BRADENTON – As duck hunters prepare for the opening of season on Nov. 23, they say they want to assure residents surrounding Perico, Neal and Robinson Preserves that they are not at risk. Last season, and during this year’s early nine-day season in September, preserve neighbors complained to Manatee County commissioners about safety concerns after hearing gunshots at dawn and dusk. “It ruffles my feathers,” said Polk County resident Travis Thompson, a waterfowl guide, charter fishing captain, host of a podcast at castandblastfl.com, and an occasional hunter at Perico Preserve. “I’m not going to shoot across their house, but I didn’t ask them to build their house there, either,” he said, pointing to increasing development as the problem at the root of what some call incompatible land uses. “The contention we’re feeling is the development encroaching on wild places,” he said. Coastal areas, including the county preserves bordered by residential developments, attract ducks and duck hunters. But hunters who follow the rules are not placing residents at risk, Thompson said.
No matter what time of year it is or what the weather, there’s always great sunsets to be enjoyed on the Island. SEE DUCKS, PAGE 35
Copeland exits public service on a high note Doug Copeland has served the city of Anna Maria for three decades. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – As one of his final acts as an Anna Maria commissioner, Doug Copeland requested the adoption of a city resolution that urges federal and state legislators to support the long-delayed ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. Copeland did not seek reelection in November and his time in office will officially end on Thursday, Dec. 5. The Thursday, Nov. 14 commission meeting was Copeland’s final regularly scheduled city meeting. At that meeting, City Attorney Becky Vose introduced Resolution R19-753.
INSIDE NEWS 4 CALENDAR 7 OUTDOORS 22-23 REAL ESTATE 28-33 ENTERTAINMENT 29 SPORTS 34 CROSSWORD 36
“This was specifically requested by Commissioner Copeland,” Vose said. Copeland then said, “It came to my attention that there are concurrent bills in the Florida Legislature – the House and the Senate – supporting the ERA. It’s the 100th anniversary of women getting the right to vote. It’s been 40 years since the ERA was first sent out to the states. Thirty-seven of them have passed it; 38 are required. Florida could and should be the state this year that could put it over the top. I’m more confident that the state of Virginia will do that this year. “I would have a hard time if I were asked to explain to my wife, daughters and granddaughter why I have rights guaranteed in the Constitution that they don’t. I
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
On Nov. 14, Commissioner Doug Copeland participated in his final regularly scheduled commission meeting.
SEE COPELAND, PAGE 30
FISHING tourney
BUSINESSES honored by AMI
Friday will raise funds for Matt Bauer. 9
Chamber and Rotary of AMI. 4
Anna Maria Island, Florida
TWO Island cities swear in city
commissioners and a mayor. 13 The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper www.amisun.com