Anna Maria honors
Dan Murphy
Murphy’s mayoral efforts will long be remembered and appreciated.
BY JOE HENDRICKS
SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – Newlyelected Mayor Mark Short presided over an emo tional farewell ceremony for longtime Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy. Due to a health issue, Murphy did not attend the ceremony that occurred during the city’s commission’s Nov. 19 swearing-in ceremony and organizational meeting.
Murphy’s wife, Barb, read a statement from her husband that said, “I want to thank the residents of our beautiful city for giving me the privilege of serving as your mayor for
SUN
10 challenging years. I also give special thanks to my staff, the commission, the county and our state for your help through ‘thick and thin,’ six hurricanes and a pandemic. It has all been a rewarding experience. Thank you.”
SEE MURPHY, PAGE 19
Christmas tree lights up Bridge Street
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – Just two months after Hurricane Helene’s storm surge pushed piles of sand and debris into the city, a concerted cleanup effort enabled the festive spirit to return to Bridge Street.
At the city-hosted Christmas tree lighting at the post office on Nov. 21, Mayor John Chappie welcomed the crowd to the town’s main street.
“It’s been 56 days since this storm hit and it’s been tough,” Chappie said. “We are going to step up and do what needs to be done to get our city back up and better. We are survivors and we are going to survive.”
Chappie applauded Police Chief and Public Works Director John Cosby as the driving force behind the massive cleanup and the restoration of activity in the city.
Condemnation notice rescinded for Gulf Drive home
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – You can fight city hall, and win.
The red condemnation notice on Gash Caudill’s Gulf Drive home has been removed by the city following his appeals for a comprehensive inspection.
Caudill, a building contractor who shares the duplex at 1107 Gulf Drive N. with his 84-year-old mother, Betty Cole, saw the notice on Nov. 7 on the front door.
“I was here working, and I found that at 4 o’clock,” Caudill said on Nov. 22. “The red tag stated ‘Your home is damaged beyond repair and must be demolished.’ At 6 o’clock I was down at city hall for the commission meeting.”
He spoke at that meeting and said his home remained structurally sound following the hurricanes and questioned why it had been condemned without an interior inspection.
He then attended the next city commission meeting and spoke to city leaders on Nov. 21.
“Two weeks ago I attended my first ever city hall meeting because before that, city hall had never interfered in my life,” Caudill said. “Now you’re interfering in my life in a big way. I have a condemnation letter that was placed on my house by a building official who’s never been in my home. I never had an inspection or an evaluation and a drive-by declared my home damaged beyond repair and must be demolished. Why?”
CONDEMNATION, PAGE 22
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
The Christmas tree illuminates Bridge Street at the Nov. 21 tree lighting, a symbol of hope for the hard-hit community.
JOE HENDRICKS |
Mayor Mark Short presented Barb Murphy with a letter of appreciation from Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Additional signs allowed for hurricane-impacted businesses
City
commissioners want to assist the Anna Maria business community.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – As part of the ongoing hurricane recovery efforts, Anna Maria commissioners are allowing business and restaurant owners to use one additional A-frame sandwich board sign and one promotional flag to help promote their businesses.
On Nov. 19, the city commission adopted Resolution R24-805, which temporarily amends the enforcement of the city’s sign regulations in a manner that allows business owners to display two sandwich boards and one promotional flag per business location until April 30.
The resolution was adopted during the regular commission meeting that preceded the swearing in of the new mayor, a returning commissioner and a new commissioner.
The resolution notes that hurricanes Helene and Milton negatively impacted the Anna Maria business
community and the commission believes the extra sign and flag allowances will assist the still-recovering businesses.
The city’s code of ordinances allows one sandwich board sign per business address and prohibits promotional flags and those restrictions are expected to resume on May 1, the day after the resolution expires.
The resolution that City Attorney Becky Vose presented specifically references retail businesses, but Vose later clarified that the intent of the resolution applies to all commercial businesses, including restaurants.
Still serving as commission chair during the Nov. 19 meeting, mayorelect Mark Short said he met with several Anna Maria business owners the previous day and the proposed sign and flag allowances were suggested during that meeting. Short said some businesses are still missing their primary signs and the additional sign and flag allowances would help in that regard.
“I think it’s a good idea,” Commissioner Kathy Morgan-Johnson said. She then noted that while driving around town, it’s hard to tell which businesses are open.
The resolution initially proposed a Jan. 1 expiration date for the additional sign and flag allowances, but that was extended until April 30 at the suggestion of Commissioner Charlie Salem. That date traditionally marks the end of the peak tourism season and Salem said it gives business owners more time to recoup any additional sign and flag expenses they incur. Short thanked Anna Maria General Store and Pine Avenue Bait and Tackle owner Brian Seymour for suggesting the proposed sign and flag allowances. “Thank you for getting this done,” Seymour said in response.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Sandwich board signs help attract retail customers.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Anna Maria businesses are now allowed to display two sandwich board signs to help attract customers.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Anna Maria restaurants are allowed to display an extra sandwich board sign as the hurricane recovery continues.
ISLAND NEWS
IN BRIEF
Mayor, commissioners sworn in On Nov. 19, Mark Short was sworn in as Anna Maria’s new mayor. Incumbent commissioner Gary McMullen was sworn in to his first full two-year term as an Anna Maria commissioner and former charter review committee chairman Chris Arendt was sworn in to his first term as a commissioner. After the swearing in ceremony, the commission selected incumbent commissioner Charlie Salem to serve as the new commission chair and vicemayor and McMullen to serve as the vice-chair. The newly-configured commission will meet next on Thursday, Dec. 12.
Scan this code with your smartphone to go there.
Hurricane sand cleaned, returned to beaches
Four sand sifters are being used at the Coquina Beach screening site.
BY LESLIE LAKE
SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – In a large-scale beach restoration project to put back sand pushed across Gulf Drive by floodwaters during recent hurricanes, tons of sand are being cleaned and returned to the beaches at the Coquina Beach processing site.
Sand is picked up daily along Gulf Drive and carried to the site by dump trucks. There, it is put through sifters to remove debris before being placed back on local beaches.
“Clean sand is being delivered to both Cortez and Coquina public beaches and shaped to mimic low-level dune formations along the landward side of the beaches there,” Manatee County Director of Natural Resources Charlie Hunsicker wrote in a Nov.18 email.
SUBMITTED
County commissioners sworn in
Clockwise above left, on Nov. 19, recentlyelected Manatee County Commissioners Carol Ann Felts (District 1), Tal Siddique (District 3) and Bob McCann (District 5) were sworn into their first four-year terms in office, joined by re-elected incumbent District 7 at-large Commissioner George Kruse.
Correction:
After coming in contact with vibrio vulnificus in local waters, a Bradenton man had his leg amputated on Nov. 11.
Sand recovered from roadways is sorted, sifted, tested and returned to the beach under Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and Florida Department of Health requirements.
Sand removal from private property is the owner's responsibility. Sand deposited on private property cannot be returned to the beach due to concerns about nails, debris and household contaminants like oil, bleach, fertilizers, etc.
“Any dumping of sand from private properties on the beach is a direct violation of FDEP regulations. It is very important that the sand from private property not be mixed with the sand currently piled up on the roadsides. Residents with any remaining sandbags are encouraged to keep them through the end of storm season (Nov. 30),” according to the Manatee County website.
The sand being processed at the screening site is separated into two grades - beach-quality sand and construction-grade darker sand such as is found in parking lots.
As of Nov. 15, 19,000 cubic yards of beach-quality sand has been sifted and returned to Anna Maria Island beaches. The county
website estimates that amount to be enough to fill six Olympic-size swimming pools.
Construction-grade sand is being processed differently.
“Last week’s figures showed that 27,000 cubic yards was transported to the Hidden Harbor staging site along Ft. Hamer Road in the eastern part of the county for future use in road building and infrastructure projects,” Manatee County spokesperson Bill Logan wrote in a Nov. 18 email to The Sun.
According to Logan, “With fill dirt costing between $5 to 15 per cubic yard, the county has already realized average savings of over a quarter million dollars. By the time all the debris sand is repurposed, the county will save well over a million dollars. That does not even calculate the cost of taking sand that could be repurposed to a landfill – which would be substantial.”
Piles of sand remain to be
processed. Logan said it is difficult to pinpoint exactly how much remains as FDOT and the three Island cities are still bringing sand to the processing site.
He said the cost of the project has not yet been determined, but Manatee County will be reimbursed from FEMA debris funds.
“The FEMA deadline for total reimbursement is Jan. 11 (2025). Every effort is being made to wrap up sand screening operations by this date,” Logan stated.
Logan stated that each day tons of sand is screened and re-applied or shipped to the staging site at Hidden Harbor.
“While the sand screening is only a part of the overall debris effort, you can always follow along on the overall progress at mymanatee.org/ debris. As of today, there has been more than 1.5 million cubic yards of debris collected county-wide,” Logan wrote.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
One of many dump trucks brings road sand to the Manatee County screening site where it is sifted and either returned to beaches or repurposed.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
One of four sand sifting machines is processing and cleaning sand before it is returned to local beaches.
Short McMullen
Arendt
Utilities relocating to accommodate new bridge
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
CORTEZ – Road closures and detours have been announced as utili ties are being relocated to prepare for the installation of a new Cortez Bridge in 2026.
The Manatee County Public Works Department is relocating the Cortez Road water main and force main in the Intracoastal Waterway crossing. The project will relocate the 24-inch water main and the 20-inch force main to the south side of the existing Cortez Bridge.
Road closures and detours are in place in Cortez to accommodate pipe installation from west to east for the Cortez Bridge utility relocation project.
Construction takes place Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Some work will take place outside of those hours, including overnight operations. No water service interruptions are planned or anticipated.
Continuing through Spring 2025, the contractor will be performing construction activities on the south
side of Cortez Road West east of the Cortez Bridge as they continue pipe installation from the west to the east sides of the bridge.
The sidewalk and bike lane on
the south side of Cortez Road West between 119th Street and Avenue B will be closed with a detour in place. Other road closures with detours are 124th Street West, 124th Street Court
West, 125th Court West, Central Avenue and Avenue A.
FDOT is anticipated to begin construction on the new bridge in Spring 2026.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
Above left, detours are in place for several roads in Cortez for the utility relocation project. Right, the project is beginning at the southwest side of Cortez Road and Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach.
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Family-owned since 2000 ©2024
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Bring fulltime residents back to AMI
It’s time to put some common sense into the future development of Anna Maria Island. The notion of luxury development with no thought of improving the existing infrastructure (roads, electric grid, sewers and water) is very shortsighted and has already added to the congestion, overcrowding and traffic nightmares
that are an everyday reality for most of the year.
A building moratorium that encourages fulltime residents and families - and not more Airbnbs - will bring a local flair back to our beautiful island and needs to be seriously considered; this will also guarantee fulltime support for our local businesses as this past storm season proved that total dependence on tourism can have its drawbacks economically.
To think that these storms will not continue to happen is naive
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
at best. Luxury development without the amenities of places like Tampa/St. Pete or even Orlando are just pipe dreams as the island has only been able to grow so much during its boom. With access on Manatee and Cortez bridges becoming impossible, especially during snowbird season, the question we must ask is, “How many pickles can we squeeze into the barrel?”
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.
Three Anna Maria Island Sun staffers have earned four awards in the 2023-24 Florida Press Club Excellence in Journalism competition. Political cartoonist Steve Borggren won in the Editorial Cartooning category, Correspondent Joe Hendricks won in the Breaking News category and Editor Cindy Lane won in the Features and Opinion Writing categories. Specific awards will be announced on Feb. 1 in Ocala at the annual awards banquet. Sun earns
John Di Masi 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. 27, noon – City offices closed, Thanksgiving
Nov. 28, all day – City offices closed, Thanksgiving
Nov. 29, all day – City offices closed, Thanksgiving Dec. 11, 9 a.m. – Planning and Zoning board meeting
BRADENTON BEACH
107 GULF DRIVE N. FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005
Please visit www.cityofbradentonbeach.com or contact city hall for more information.
Nov. 27, 9 a.m. – City Commission emergency special meeting
Nov. 28, all day – City offices closed, Thanksgiving Nov. 29, all day – City offices closed, Thanksgiving Dec. 4, 1 p.m. – Planning and Zoning board meeting Dec. 5, 6 p.m. – 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. 28, all day – City offices closed, Thanksgiving Nov. 29, all day – City offices closed, Thanksgiving Dec. 4, 10 a.m. – Parks and Beautification Committee meeting
Dec. 4, 5 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting Dec. 11, 9 a.m. – Clean Water Ad-Hoc Committee meeting
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 27
One-on-One Tech Help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2-4 p.m.
THURSDAY, NOV. 28
Thanksgiving Day
Let’s Give Thanks Together, Thanksgiving dinner, The Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, noon to 4 p.m.
Thanksgiving dinner, Slicker’s Eatery, 12012 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, 2-5 p.m.
SATURDAY, NOV. 30
Saturday Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic NEST, 840 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon
Outdoor Market, Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, noon to 4 p.m.
MONDAY, DEC. 2
Polar Express Challenge, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, all day
TUESDAY, DEC. 3
Family story time, Island Branch Library, 5701
Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.
Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 4
Tortoise Talk, Robinson Preserve Mosaic NEST, 840 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 10 a.m.
Preschool yoga, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.
One-on-One Tech Help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 3-4 p.m.
THURSDAY, DEC. 5
Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m.
FRIDAY, DEC. 6
Forty Carrots toddler playtime, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.
Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.
SATURDAY, DEC. 7
Ask a Master Gardener, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Lester Family Fun Day, The Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Santa arrives at noon.
Christmas on Bridge Street, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 2 p.m.
Navarette charged in fatal crash
Cesar Navarrete is charged with DUI manslaughter in the death of Sara-Danielle Holmes.
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
BRADENTON - Cesar Navarrete, accused of driving under the influence and causing the death of 37-year-old mother Sara-Danielle Holmes, was ordered to be held without bail following a bond reduction hearing on Nov. 21. He is being charged with DUI manslaughter in the Nov. 2 crash. Bradenton police were dispatched on Nov. 2 at 10:40 p.m. to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of 43rd Street
West and Cortez Road West.
According to the arrest affidavit, Holmes was a passenger in a car traveling east on Cortez Road that was attempting to make a left turn onto northbound 43rd Street West. According to witness statements, Navarrete ran the red light for westbound Cortez Road West at a high rate of speed, crashing into the passenger side of the victim’s car.
“The primary area of impact was the front of the defendant’s vehicle to the passenger side near the rear passenger side door,” the affidavit states. “The victim’s vehicle was severed in half.”
Holmes, the mother of two young girls, was on her way home from her job at the Swordfish Grill in Cortez. She was transported to the hospital with multiple injuries and died on Nov. 3.
Navarrete was admitted to Blake Hospital with a leg injury. Bradenton police said his medical records there showed a blood alcohol level of .289, more than three times the legal limit.
According to court records, Navarrete was driving with a suspended license on the date of the crash.
In an order for pretrial detention, signed on Nov. 22 by 12th Judicial Circuit Judge Frederick Mercurio, it was written: “It is Ordered that the
State’s Motion for Pretrial Detention is granted. Given the totality of the circumstances, the State met its burden to prove that there is a substantial probability that the Defendant committed the crime of DUI Manslaughter, and the Court further finds that the defendant also poses a threat of harm to the community, therefore the defendant shall be detained without bail on the charge of Driving while under the influencemanslaughter.”
Navarrete is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday, Dec. 27 at 9 a.m. at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W.
Red tide health alert issued for three locations
BY LESLIE LAKE
SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH - The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County (DOH-Manatee) has issued health alerts due to the presence of red tide at the 10th Street Pier, 100 10th St. S. and the Coquina Beach South Boat Ramp, 1465 Gulf Drive S. in response to water samples taken on Nov. 18. The red tide health alert issued on Nov. 15 for the former location of the Rod and Reel Pier, 875 N. Shore Drive, Anna Maria, remains in effect.
The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was observed at very low to medium concentrations in Manatee County by the
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) on Nov. 18.
Medium concentrations were reported at the Longboat Pass Boat Ramp. Low concentrations were reported near the former location of the Rod & Reel Pier and at Coquina Beach and Cortez Beach. Very low concentrations were reported at the Palma Sola Bay Bridge.
Fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported to FWC's Fish Kill Hotline over the past week offshore of Manatee County, according to the FWC.
Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions if near affected areas:
• Look for informational signage posted at most public beaches and/or check current water quality status at Protecting Florida Together;
• Do not wade or swim in or around red tide. Red tide can cause skin irritation, rashes, and burning/sore eyes;
• Wash your skin and clothing with soap and fresh water if you have had recent contact with red tide, especially if your skin is easily irritated;
• Remain cautious and stay away from these locations, especially if you have chronic respiratory conditions;
• Residents living in beach areas are advised to close windows and run the air
conditioner. Make sure the air conditioner filter is maintained according to manufacturer's specifications; and
• Do not harvest or eat molluscan shellfish or distressed or dead fish from these locations. If caught alive and healthy, finfish are safe to eat as long as they are filleted and the guts are discarded. Rinse fillets with tap or bottled water. Red tide can cause illness and death of other animals, such as pets and livestock. Keep animals away from and out of the water and away from dead marine life. If your pet swims in waters with red tide, bathe it with soap and water as soon as possible.
December14, 2024
Navarrete
Kaleta makes plea agreement after DUI arrest
Shawn Kaleta agreed to several alcohol-related sanctions as part of a pending plea agreement.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
BRADENTON – In response to a driving under the influence (DUI) arrest in 2023, local developer Shawn Kaleta has entered into a Driver Enhanced Treatment Education Rehabilitation (DETER) program contract that requires him to enter a plea to reckless driving with alcohol as a significant factor.
According to the 12th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office, “DETER seeks to aggressively target first time, non-aggravated DUI offenders to reduce impaired driving by imposing enhanced educational and rehabilitative sanctions including ignition interlock devices, alcohol monitoring devices, work offender sanctions and enhanced victim impact education.”
The DETER contract was agreed to during a Nov. 21 court hearing at the Manatee County Judicial Center in Bradenton, with 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Heather Doyle presiding. The hearing was originally scheduled to consider a motion to suppress “all evidence obtained from the vehicle stop and subsequent arrest,” requested by Kaleta’s legal team on June 14. Instead, Kaleta agreed to enter into
the DETER contract and pending plea agreement. A follow-up case status conference is scheduled for March 20 before Judge Jacqueline Blanton Steele.
THE ARREST
A series of incidents that occurred in Holmes Beach on June 15, 2023 resulted in Kaleta being arrested and charged with driving under the influence (DUI) and resisting, obstructing or opposing an officer without violence.
According to the initial probable cause affidavit (PCA) filed by Holmes Beach Police officers Andrew Adkins and Alex Hurt, Kaleta’s vehicle rapidly accelerated after turning off East Bay Drive and onto eastbound Manatee Avenue.
“When vehicle had to slow down due to traffic, it began to weave within its lane. The vehicle then veered onto the eastbound shoulder, almost struck a construction sign but swerved away from it and avoided a collision,” according to the PCA. “Driver stated he left a friend’s house and is going to visit his mom in the hospital.”
According to the PCA, Kaleta discontinued the first stimulus test the officer attempted and declined to participate in additional roadside sobriety tests or a Breathalyzer test.
“After I explained to the defendant
that he was under arrest for DUI, I walked behind the defendant and began to place his hands behind his back,” according to the arresting officer’s police report. “The defendant bent down to push me away and tried to pull his arms away from me. I was able to grab a hold of the defendant but he kept trying to pull away and push me away. Due to this, I had to take the defendant to the ground and forcefully place him in handcuffs. The defendant was given verbal commands but did not comply. Due to this, I also charged the defendant with resisting an officer without violence. I then conducted a search of his persona and located a wine bottle cork in his shorts’ pockets.”
At his request, Kaleta was transported to a hospital and examined for dehydration before being transported to the Manatee County Jail.
DETER REQUIREMENTS
On Nov. 21, Kaleta agreed to the DETER enrollment contract sanctions. Upon completing the program, he will enter a plea to reckless driving with alcohol as a significant factor. He also waived his right to a speedy trial and requested the continuance of his case in order to complete his pre-plea sanctions.
The DETER contract requires the following sanctions to be completed within 60 days:
• Remain crime and alcohol-free;
• Stay compliant with any conditions of bond or supervised release;
• Complete in-person DUI school with a licensed provider and begin recommended treatment;
• Compete the Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) online victim impact program;
• Complete 60 hours of community service; and
• Provide proof of installation of an ignition interlock alcohol monitoring device or continuous alcohol monitoring without the consumption of alcohol.
Upon completion of the above sanctions, Kaleta will be offered a plea of reckless driving with alcohol as a significant factor, with the following sanctions:
• 12 months of probation without automatic early termination;
• $500 fine;
• 10 days of vehicle immobilization;
• Successfully complete in-person DUI school and any recommended treatment;
• Complete a MADD Live Victim Impact Panel;
• 50 hours of public service; and
• Complete six months of mobile data transfer module-equipped ignition interlock alcohol monitoring, or continuous alcohol monitoring without consumption of alcohol.
Kaleta
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
Sunny Shores residents meet to discuss a petition asking Gov. Ron DeSantis for a review and exception to the FEMA 50/50 rule for hurricane-damaged homes.
Petition seeks governor’s review of 50/50 rule
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
CORTEZ – Residents of Sunny Shores want help from Gov. Ron DeSantis to keep their homes.
Citing community stability and economic burdens, an online petition drive is ongoing by residents of Sunny Shores asking DeSantis to consider a review and exception to the FEMA 50/50 rule.
Homes in the Sunny Shores community were flooded during Hurricane Helene’s storm surge and many were further damaged by the winds from Hurricane Milton. A number of those homes are now subject to the 50/50 rule, which prohibits improvements to a structure exceeding 50% of its market value unless the entire structure is brought into compliance with current floodplain regulations. Those regulations include elevating the structure.
Sunny Shores consists of mobile homes along with single and multi-family properties. The land is owned by individual owners.
The petition was written by Jamie Reed, who did not attend a Nov. 20 meeting in the Sunny Shores clubhouse. Betsy Plante explained the petition to residents.
“There is a precedent in Lee County where an exception was made, we were told, where the county made exceptions to the rule,” Plante said. “Jamie decided to put this petition on the Change. org website.”
The petition may only be signed online.
“Go to Change.org and search and type in Sunny Shores," Plante said. “It says ‘Petition to allow and review exceptions to the 50% rule for Sunny Shores.' It doesn’t have to be just Sunny Shores people to sign this.”
She invited people to post the petition link on social media and share it.
Many residents questioned what they said were low FEMA values for their homes on the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s website, noting that those values may make compliance with the 50% rule difficult for some.
“The first place to start is this petition and get as many people as you can to sign the petition,” Plante said.
Plante, who is president and co-founder of The Blessing Bags Project, a non-profit dedicated to helping the homeless population, raised concerns about homelessness if residents are unable to stay in their Sunny Shores homes.
“I’m concerned about seniors and homelessness," she said. "What’s going to happen if you put these people out of their homes?”
One resident suggested the group seek legal representation in addition to the petition.
“Would you like to try to get an attorney to come here just as a consult?” Plante said. “Blessing Bags Project will take care of the fee for a consult.”
THE PETITION
“We, the undersigned residents and interested parties of Sunny Shores, respectfully petition for a review of the current application of FEMA’s 50% rule. While we recognize the importance of safety and resilience in floodplain management, we believe that strict
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
City Pier engineering services approved
remains unknown when the City Pier will be repaired and reopened.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – City commissioners have approved a contract for the engineering and other preliminary services needed to repair the hurricane-damaged City Pier.
On Nov. 19, the commission unanimously approved the contract with the St. Petersburg-based George F. Young engineering firm that will inspect what remains of the pier and provide the city with the engineering, permitting and project management services as part of the pier repair project.
The city has not yet sought proposals from construction firms interested in replacing the missing pier walkway according to the engineering work to be performed by the Young firm.
In early October, Hurricane Milton obliterated a significant portion of the pier walkway, leaving a 75- to 100-yard gap between the T-end pier buildings and the remaining portion of the pier walkway that connects to the shoreline. The pier and the pier-based City Pier Grill and Mote Marine Science Education & Outreach Center will remain closed until the pier walkway is replaced.
In late October, the mayor and commission discussed the initial $321,922 proposal submitted by George F. Young Structural Engineering Vice-President Jeremy Lunsford. The firm previously engineered the still-pending Reimagining Pine Avenue project.
Former Mayor Dan Murphy recently informed the commission that some additional services were needed and that would increase the proposal price. Due to a health issue, Murphy did not attend the Nov. 19 commission meeting.
When addressing the commission on Nov. 19, Lunsford said the proposal includes inspections of the remaining portions of the pier, both above and below the waterline. It is hoped that those inspections provide insight into what specifically happened to the pier walkway.
“The remains of the pier will also be inspected to ensure it’s safe,” Lunsford said.
He noted the engineering team is already reviewing the engineering documents used to construct the current City Pier, completed in 2020. The previous wooden pier was closed in 2017 and later replaced due to damage inflicted by Hurricane Irma. That pier replacement project cost $7.3 million.
Lunsford said studying the current pier design might help identify what more can be done to prevent similar damage during future storms and the engineering firm will explore different design ideas to see if the pier can be made more resilient to storm damage.
SEE CITY PIER, PAGE 21
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Hurricane Milton obliterated a significant portion of the City Pier walkway.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
There is currently no walkway access to the T-end of the City Pier.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
The remaining portion of the City Pier walkway will be inspected for safety and structural purposes.
Paid ferry service resumes
The Gulf Islands Ferry is now providing paid regular ferry service between the Riverwalk Day Dock in downtown Bradenton and the Bradenton Beach Pier in Bradenton Beach. Service to the recently installed temporary ferry landing in Anna Maria near the hurricane-damaged City Pier is expected to resume in mid-December after a second barge is installed to extend the temporary ferry landing out into deeper water. According to a press release issued on
Thrift shop reopens
The Roser Thrift Shop Annex is open and welcoming shoppers. While the store is still under construction due to hurricane damage, the open-air annex is open with a holiday shop. The thrift shop is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. The shop is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28. Donations to the thrift shop can be dropped off on Wednesdays from 9-11 a.m. All proceeds from the shop go toward the Roser Guild’s community outreach programs. The shop is located at 511 Pine Ave. in Anna Maria.
Nov. 23, the ferries are now running Thursday through Sunday. The ferries will begin departing from the Riverwalk Day Dock at 7:30 a.m. and continue once an hour until 6:30 p.m. In Bradenton Beach, ferry service starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 9 p.m., with boats leaving on the hour. For daily updates, up-to-date schedules, ticketing information and more, visit gulfislandsferry.com, call 941-3572587 or text 1-727-200-6487.
Post office resumes normal hours
The Holmes Beach Post Office is back to full strength with normal operating hours, open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. The post office is located at 5354 Gulf Drive.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Post-hurricane Gulf Islands Ferry service to Bradenton Beach has resumed.
Moose lodges hosting kids’ Christmas party Lester
Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge #2188 will partner with the Bradenton Moose Lodge #1223 to host the AMI lodge’s annual children’s Christmas party on Saturday, Dec. 14. The Christmas party will take place at the Bradenton lodge at 310 44th Ave. E. because the beachfront lodge in Bradenton Beach remains closed due to the significant hurricane damage the lodge sustained. Taking place from 10 a.m. until noon, the Christmas party will feature visits from Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the kids will be served French toast sticks and juice boxes. The party is for Moose members’ children and grandchildren up to the age of 13. For planning purposes, please email the attending child or children’s name, gender and age to Lodge2188@mooseunits.org by Dec. 4.
Family Fun Day coming soon
The Center of Anna Maria Island’s favorite holiday event, Lester Family Fun Day, will celebrate 22 years of friends, family, food and more on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Center, 407 Magnolia Ave. in Anna Maria. Pony rides, face painting, crafts, inflatables and food by Duffy’s will make for a day of fun, with Santa arriving at noon followed by the annual golf ball drop from a helicopter at 2 p.m., part of the 50/50 raffle that will end the festivities. Balls are $50 each or three for $100. Included once again in this year’s lineup is the Manatee High School drum line and DJ Freeze. For more information, email info@centerami.org or call 941-778-1908.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Luca Hudson attended last year’s Christmas party in Bradenton Beach.
ANNA MARIA
• AMI Beach Hut
• AMI Coconuts
• Anna Maria General Store
• Anna Maria Life Real Estate
• Anna Maria Life Vacation Rentals
• Beach Bums
• Bortell’s Lounge
• Cool Beans AMI
• DBTB Juice Bar & Bakery
• Dips Ice Cream
• gRub Tropical BBQ
• Gypsy Soul
• Harry’s Grill
• Lazy Turtle Beach Rentals
• Mademoiselle Paris
• North Shore Café
• Pine Avenue Bait & Tackle
• Pizza Social
• Poppo’s Taqueria
• Slim’s Place
• Sushi Ramen
Open for business
• The Center of Anna Maria Island
• The Donut Experiment
• The Porch
BRADENTON BEACH
• Anna Maria Oyster Bar
• Back Alley
• Bamboo Island Bar
• BeachHouse Restaurant
• Blooms by the Beach
• Bridge Street Bazaar
• Bridge Tender Inn
• Circle K
• Daiquiri Deck
• Island Donut Company
• Island Time
• Monetti Apparel
• Pane e Amore Italian Café
• Salt Bar & Table
• Shore Thing Tiki Cruises
• Smoquehouse
• Tommyknockers Saloon
HOLMES BEACH
• ACE Hardware
• Alvin’s Island
• AMI Coconuts
• Anchor Inn
• Anna Maria Island Beach Café
• Anna Maria Island Coffee Shack
• Anna Maria Island
Dolphin Tours
• AMI Boat Tours
• Artists Haven
• Baskin Robbins
• Blueberries Café
• Cheesecake Cutie
• China 1
• CrossFit Anna Maria
• Dollar Tree
• Duffy’s Tavern
• Dunkin Donuts
• Edibles & More Country Store
• Fifty-Three Fifty The Pourhouse
• Freckled Fin
• Fun and More Rentals
• Graze Street AMI
• Grooms Auto Repair
• Gypsea Tides
• Holmes Beach Automotive Service
• Holmes Beach Post Office
• Holy Cow Ice Cream
• Hurricane Hanks
• Hurricane Liquor
• Island Animal Clinic
• Island Bazaar
• Island Mail & More
• Isola Bella Italian Eatery
• Kiwi’s Fish & Chips
• La Creperie
• Los Chiludos
• Paradise Bagels
• Pizzano’s Pizza & Grinders
• Publix
• Reed Physical Therapy
• Salon Salon
• Sand Dollar
• Scott’s Deli
• Skinny’s Place
• Small Town Creamery
• Solo’s Pizza
• The AMI Airport Shuttle Guy
• The Chateau
• The Doctor’s Office
• The Doctor’s Garden
• The Hot Dog Guy Boat
• The Ugly Grouper
• Time Saver
• Topsail Steamer
• Vintage Beach
• Walgreens
• West Coast Surf Shop
• Zen Nails
CORTEZ
• Anna Maria Oyster Bar
• A.P. Bell Fish Co.
• Breezy Bakery
• Clam Factory
• Coastline Dolphin & Snorkeling
• Cortez Café
• Cortez Kitchen
• Foxi Coffee
• Pig Out Food Truck
• Star Fish Co.
• Swordfish Grill and Tiki
• The Beach Shop
• The Fox Mercantile
• Tide Tables
• Tyler’s Ice Cream
WMFR celebrates promotions
The Nov. 19 board meeting at West Manatee Fire Rescue kicked off on a festive note with several firefighter promotions. Kyle Elliott, Matthew French, Gavin Johnson, Sarah Joseph, Dane Miller, Brian Pease and Tyler Snyder all received promotions to firefighter third class. Derek Bill was promoted to battalion chief.
Derek Bill receives congratulations on his promotion to battalion chief from Deputy Chief Jay Johnson while Chief Ben Rigney looks on.
Fire commissioners sworn in
Commissioners Robert Bennett and Larry Jennis will spend four more years on West Manatee Fire Rescue’s board. The two were sworn in during a Nov. 19 meeting. The board also elected officers for the coming year: Commissioner Billy Burke will serve as chair, Jennis will be vice-chair and Commissioner David Bishop will serve as secretary/treasurer.
KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN
KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN
Successful trip planning
Planning any fishing trip can be a challenge given the peculiarities of weather and the idiosyncrasies of fish. Add a few thousand miles, a different language and an exotic species or two and some serious planning is advisable. Chances are you’ve been looking forward to this trip for a long time and finally you’ll have the opportunity to do nothing but eat, fish, sleep, and repeat for a week or more. More than likely it’s taken a tremendous amount of time and money to get this opportunity, so it makes good sense to develop a plan to assure that you have the best possible chance of success.
Deciding where to go and when are the first decisions you’ll make. While it’s not impossible to book your own
trip, knowing the best time, tides and lodging can be daunting. In addition, juggling the details of plane reservations, transfers, accommodations and guides can increase the challenge of putting together a self-guided trip. A knowledgeable outfitter or travel host can provide you with the experience and insider information that will allow you to immerse yourself in the experience instead of the details. Even when using an outfitter, you’ll need to do some research to ensure you’ve matched your angling needs and expectations to your chosen destination. There are a lot of resources online, including some great groups on Facebook, but you’ll need to vet those sources. When choosing an outfitter or destination host, be aware that knowing what you want from your trip and asking the right questions is important to fulfill your expectations. Some of the best fishing is available at sites that have the least amenities. If you require a certain level of service or are traveling with non-fishers, you’ll want
to research locations that offer specific conveniences as well as good fishing. While you won’t want to plan your trip based on second-hand information, you’ll find it can be helpful to talk to others who have made the trip you’re planning. Ask the outfitter or host for several references and question them
carefully. Make sure they have been to the location recently and at the time of the year you plan to visit.
In foreign countries, you’ll be hardpressed to replace items you forgot to pack, particularly fishing tackle. This
ROBERT FISCHER | SUBMITTED
Rusty Chinnis, left, with a bonefish caught with guide Harry Neymour in Andros, Bahamas. Reel Time
RUSTY CHINNIS
REEL TIME: Successful trip planning
is one case when it’s probably better to pack more than you think you’ll need, at least within reason. Making a packing list and checking it before your departure will pay dividends. Most destinations provide lists that you can use to make sure you don’t forget anything important. While their recommendations are a good place to start, customizing your travel list can help ensure that you have what you need while streamlining the amount of baggage you take.
Many tropical fishing destinations are very near the equator, so anglers need to pay special attention to the sun. Long-sleeved pants and shirts with sun protection are advisable, along with a high SPF waterproof sunscreen. Polarized glasses with glare guards and a fishing hat with a dark underbrim are mandatory and a second pair of each should accompany you. For many of my fishing adventures, I’ve used a full-face mask and gloves for sun protection. Recently I started wearing a fishing hoodie with thumb holes
that protect my face, hands and wrists. I find hoodies much more comfortable and invested in several that have bamboo fibers woven into them. Invest in a good pair of flats wading boots and a sling or fanny pack with a water bottle holder and you’ll be good to go.
You can be a consummate planner and still fail to properly plan if you aren’t comfortable with your cast. Pay special attention to casting into the wind and being able to place an accurate 40-foot cast. Practicing these skills well in advance on grass will greatly increase the pleasure of your adventure.
The success or failure of any fishing adventure will vary due to conditions beyond your control but being mindful of the things you do have control over can make or break your trip. Be prepared, practice casting, do your homework up front, ask good questions from knowledgeable sources, and be flexible. The time and effort you expend in planning the trip will pay dividends of tight lines and lasting memories.
FROM THE PREHISTORIC TO THE PRESENT,
December brings promising fishing outlook
CAPT. RICK GRASSETT
You may find reds along with big trout concentrated in potholes along the edges of bars or tailing on shallow grass flats on negative low tides this month. This is a good month for catch and release snook action around lighted docks in the ICW. Some lights will also have trout and reds making it possible to get a dock “slam.” There may also be good action in the coastal Gulf with false albacore (little tunny), Spanish mackerel and tripletail, depending on conditions.
Catch and release snook fishing around lighted docks can be good this month unless it gets too cool. I won’t target snook following a strong cold front or if the water dips below 60 degrees, since they may be stressed at that time. However, it can be very good in December under normal conditions. Larger baitfish will thin out and snook will gorge themselves on glass minnows and small shrimp in the ICW at night. I like docks that have a good tidal flow and deep water under them. CAL jigs with shad tails and jerk worms, DOA Tiny TerrorEyz
and DOA Shrimp are my favorite lures for snook at night. Fly anglers should do well with sink tip fly lines and small white flies. Fish peak tidal flows for the fastest action.
You might find reds in potholes or along the edges of flats and bars on negative low tides. They may also tail on shallow grass when the tide is low. Weedless rigged CAL shad tails and 4” jerk worms, DOA Shrimp and lightly weighted flies with weed guards will work well in that situation.
CAPT. RICK GRASSETT | SUBMITTED Denny Clohisy, of Wisconsin, with a tripletail, caught and released with DOA Lures.
OBITUARIES
Gail R. Cole
Gail R. Cole, the former mayor of Bradenton Beach from 1999-2001, passed away on Nov. 2.
A former resident of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Cole was born in Terre Haute to Christine and Roland Cole. In 1949 he enlisted in the
BEACH BEAT
HOLMES BEACH
Nov. 15, 7:22 p.m. 400 block Manatee Ave., concealed firearm, driving without a license and possession of drug paraphernalia. An Edgewater, Florida police officer working in a mutual aid capacity for Holmes Beach conducted a traffic stop during which police said the officer observed a green, leafy
U.S. Army and was in the 1st Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) during the Korean War.
Gail married his sweetheart, Freda Stump, in 1953; they were married for 67 years. They raised five children, Marcy (Larry) Miller, Debbie (Ed) Morken, Libby (Tom) Taylor, Gail R. "Coley" II (Jackie), and Ralph (Beth).
Cole owned and operated an aluminum foundry, Cole Precision Castings, in Fort Wayne from 1965-77. In 1978, Gail, Freda and Ralph moved to Bradenton Beach, Florida, where he was elected mayor from 1999-2001. Gail and Freda had 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
residue inside a grinder. Upon a search of the vehicle, police say they located a Glock-42 semi-automatic handgun and an extended magazine in a backpack. There was no ammunition. The driver was not a U.S. citizen and therefore is ineligible to obtain a Florida concealed weapon permit and to purchase a firearm in the state. The driver is a citizen of Honduras. He was charged with carrying a concealed firearm, driving without a license and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was transported to the Manatee County jail.
MURPHY: Mayor honored by Anna Maria
FROM PAGE 1
Short said, “I’d like to start by thanking Dan for his 10 years of dedicated service. He always was there and it was always about what’s in the best interest of the city. And Barbara, I want to thank you for allowing him to do that.”
He also said, “It’s not often that someone who’s over 60 years old can say that he found a new mentor and a new advisor and I just want to thank Dan for everything he did for me and everything he did for this city.”
Sen. Jim Boyd’s legislative aide, Amanda Romant, read a letter from the state senator that praised Murphy for being a leader and a steward of one of the most beautiful destinations in Florida. His letter said that Murphy understood the importance of community, responsible management of resources and the protection of natural surroundings and he valued the partnerships between local and state government that provide an enhanced quality of life for residents and memorable vacation experiences for visitors.
“You also safeguarded the Island and its residents during this extraordinary storm season. Your leadership and focus have been critical to the timely recovery of Anna Maria. I applaud your commitment to the residents and business owners who contribute to this unique and beautiful beach community,” Boyd stated in his letter.
Anna Maria General Manager Dean Jones presented Barb with a plaque expressing the city’s gratitude.
He then said, “Dan Murphy came to the city of Anna Maria with a vision. He wanted to make the city better for its citizens and those that would visit in the future. First came the projects. City Pier Park was his first goal. Taking a park with very little use and making it a place where people could gather, children could play and events could be held to bring this small community together.”
Jones said Murphy initiated several road and drainage projects that made Anna Maria a safer place to live
and that he was also a great steward of the city’s finances.
He said Murphy always had a plan, he taught city staff how to be better at their jobs, he knew the strengths and weaknesses of his team and he served as a mentor to many.
“Mayor Murphy could be demanding. He could challenge you and test your limits of being able to complete what seemed like a monumental task. His attention to detail always amazed the staff, along with his endless knowledge. He’s been one of the most influential forces the city’s ever seen. As the page turns, you can rest assured that the city will be in good hands,” Jones said.
Short presented Barb a framed letter from Gov. Ron DeSantis that said, “Dear Mayor Murphy, it is with sincere gratitude that I send my best wishes to you as you depart from your position as the mayor of the city of Anna Maria. The first lady and I appreciate your years of commitment, dedication and public service to the residents and visitors of Anna Maria. You should be very proud of your accomplishments during your tenure, especially the rebuilding of the City Pier and hosting the annual ‘Old Soldiers & Sailors’ Veterans Day parade.”
Semi-retired city employee Debby Haynes presented Barb with a bouquet of roses and thanked her for being the city’s first lady and for always standing by her husband.
Short presented Barb with a painting of the City Pier that hung inside city hall for many years.
“The mayor always loved this and we have requisitioned it to the Murphy household,” he said.
He then read aloud a city proclamation that notes Murphy was raised in St. Petersburg, served in the U.S. Army, was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars and the Vietnam Campaign Medal and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and pre-law from the University of South Florida. The proclamation notes that Dan and Barb have been married for 57 years and have four adult
children, seven grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
The proclamation notes Murphy was a longtime Verizon executive whose career took him to various locations in the U.S. and the Caribbean, but he commuted for work rather than uprooting his family from Anna Maria Island.
“Dan provided steady and unwavering leadership while guiding the city through multiple hurricanes and tropical storms, the construction of the new Anna Maria City Pier, the COVID-19 pandemic and the unprecedented reduction of the city’s property tax millage rate. Dan guided the city commission’s adoption of the city’s short-term vacation rental regulations in 2015 and since then he has the led the city’s successful annual opposition to the state legislature’s attempts to further preempt local vacation rental regulation to the state,” the proclamation says.
The proclamation praises Murphy’s dedication, creative mind, visionary thinking, likeability and integrity and says, “We hope he never underestimates the difference he has made for the city of Anna Maria and the lives that he
has touched and made better. Therefore, be it proclaimed by the Anna Maria commission and mayor that Dec. 20, 2024, shall be known as Mayor Dan Murphy Day.”
Murphy will celebrate his 80th birthday on that date.
Speaking last, Sen. Rick Scott’s District Director Luis Laracuente said, “We just wanted to thank the mayor for everything he’s done for the city of Anna Maria, in his role as a veteran and also his friendship and kindness with the senator. We truly
appreciate everything he’s done and his leadership through the hurricanes, which does not go unnoticed. He will be receiving a flag that will be flown on top of the capitol on his birthday; and along with it will be a letter from the senator and a certificate from the capitol. We send our congratulations and our appreciation.”
The Nov. 19 appreciation ceremony video is archived at the Anna Maria Island Sun Facebook page.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Mark Short presented a City Pier painting given to Dan Murphy as a thank you gift.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Barb Murphy accepted an appreciation plaque presented by Dean Jones.
REAL ESTATE
Condo fees likely rising after storms
Ihave lived in a condo for over 20 years, and I love it. After living in a single-family home for an equal amount of time, I find condo living relieves me of some of the aspects of single-family home living that I hated. I’m not much of a landscape person. I never enjoyed gardening and hated cleaning the pool. All of this is taken care of for me in the condo lifestyle. But nothing is perfect and condo living has many drawbacks, especially now when fees are being adjusted upward, mostly because of insurance.
Castles in the Sand
LOUISE BOLGER
As we continue to dig out of the flooding and hurricane mess, the reality of the costs this is generating is just starting to be realized. Unlike single-family home ownership, condo ownership is controlled by an association with a board of directors. It’s up to them to determine how much money they need on an annual basis to pay the bills.
Right now, condo associations (HOAs) are making tough decisions on funding their repairs and cleanup, much of which will be funded by special assessments that may still be undetermined. But the massive elephant in the room is what the insurance cost for the condo association will be after several major storms in a state where almost no areas were spared. Estimates are hovering somewhere around a 50% increase, but at this point, no one knows. HOAs are gearing up for this increase, which will be reflected in their budget for next year and an increase
in HOA fees. In addition, many condo associations in Florida are still facing a lack of funds needed to tackle overdue repairs mandated by the state, much of which will be funded by special assessments in addition to increased fees. This could be a double whammy for owners who also may be dealing with personal repairs not covered by their homeowners’ association.
If you’re just now considering purchasing a condo, reviewing the financial disclosure is essential. The sale can be contingent on your reviewing minutes of board meetings that will identify any special assessments discussed as well as increases in fees. Looking at the last five years of the fee history will give you a good idea of how much they could go up and how well-run the association is. If there is already a special assessment voted on and approved by a condo board, the current owner is responsible for clearing that before closing.
Be wary of associations who boast that their fees are kept low and those who are not fully funded, meaning that they don’t have the funds in their reserves to pay for future expenses. These are the associations that are just now having to pay the piper for neglected maintenance on top of storm damage.
Condo dues are rising faster than inflation for many of the 76 million residents of condo communities. Unlike single-family home ownership, if you live in a condo association, you don’t have the option of determining what repairs to make or how much money should be added to the reserve funds.
The trade-off in condo living is the services they provide for maintenance and access to amenities, perfect for parttime owners. As long as you understand that HOA fees are a moving target and the only guarantee is that they will go up, you’ll be fine. Enjoy the pool and your new friends. Happy Thanksgiving!
PETITION: Seeks governor’s review of 50/50 rule
enforcement of this rule places undue financial and emotional burdens on our community, particularly in the wake of the recent hurricanes,” the petition introduction states. “We urge state leaders to consider exceptions or adjustments to repair and restore our homes in a way that is both economically feasible and sustainable.”
The petition cites several reasons for the request:
• Economic Burden on Homeowners: Requiring substantial modifications to meet current flood standards when repair costs reach 50% of a property’s structure value can create significant financial hardship for homeowners. Many residents in Sunny Shores, particularly those on fixed incomes, simply cannot afford the high costs of full compliance. This can force families to abandon homes they’ve lived in for many years, disrupting the fabric of our community;
• Precedent for Exceptions: In past hurricane recoveries, Florida communities have been allowed flexibility in enforcing this 50% rule, helping residents rebuild quickly and affordably. We believe similar considerations should be given to Sunny Shores, allowing our community to restore homes without unnecessary financial strain;
• Expedited Recovery: Exceptions for the 50% rule would enable our community to recover
more rapidly from storm-related damage. Allowing repairs without extensive modifications can speed up the rebuilding process, reduce displacement, and help stabilize property values;
• Community Stability and Livelihood: Our community is strong when its residents are supported in their ability to stay and rebuild. By allowing exceptions to the 50% rule, Sunny Shores can maintain its local identity, support its economy, and ensure that long-time residents are not forced out due to unaffordable mandates;
Our Request: We respectfully request that state and local officials work with FEMA to review the 50% rule as it applies to Sunny Shores. Specifically, we ask for flexibility or special consideration in cases where strict enforcement of this rule would impose severe economic hardship, especially for properties with significant historic and/or sentimental value. Such exceptions would allow us to protect our community’s character and give residents the opportunity to rebuild affordably. We, the undersigned, urge you to support a review of the FEMA 50% rule for Sunny Shores and to work toward a fair and compassionate approach to floodplain management in our community.”
To sign the petition, visit Change.org.
CITY PIER: Engineering services approved
how long it might take to complete the pier repair project.
“It’s the nature of where we live,” he added in acknowledgement of the risk of placing a pier in a hurricane-prone environment.
During previous discussions, Murphy noted the T-end of the pier was built using concrete decking and concrete and steel support components. And for budgetary reasons, less-expensive wooden support components were used on the pier walkway. Murphy recommended using concrete and steel support components for the new pier walkway if financially feasible and he estimated the repair costs might be in the $3 million range.
Lunsford did not estimate how long the initial engineering and permitting work would take, but he said the hope is to get the pier operational again as soon as possible. No one associated with the city has publicly estimated
Lunsford said the engineering team has already engaged in preliminary discussions with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection regarding the accelerated emergency permitting process.
“It’s been a positive conversation with those agencies so far,” he said. The City Pier also served as a landing area for Manatee County’s Gulf Islands Ferry service. A temporary spud barge was recently positioned between the City Pier and the Lake La Vista inlet to serve as a temporary ferry landing. Before ferry service resumed in Anna Maria, it was determined that a second barge is needed to extend the temporary ferry landing out into deeper water. The second spud barge is expected to arrive and become operational in early December.
FROM PAGE 11
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
A second spud barge will be connected to the rear of the first spud barge placed near the damaged City Pier.
CONDEMNATION: Notice rescinded for Gulf Drive home
Prior to the recent arrival of former city Building Official Steve Gilbert and a team of 20 inspectors provided by the state to assist with damage assessments, City Building Official Darin Cushing had been tasked since the hurricanes with evaluating the damage to hundreds of storm-affected homes citywide. Cushing’s initial assessments primarily consisted of “windshield” assessments.
“At the last meeting, the city attorney and many others have stated here many times you don’t want to kick us from our homes, and you’re just following FEMA guidelines,” Caudill said. “At the last meeting, I provided the city attorney with a copy of the letter from FEMA stating that my home is safe to live in. FEMA did come to my home on two separate occasions and did an inspection. They determined our home is safe to live in, but you did a drive-by and determined the house needs to be demolished.”
Caudill said he doesn’t want to have to hire structural engineers and attorneys to fight the condemnation, but instead asked for a comprehensive inspection before the home is condemned.
“I don’t qualify for FEMA assistance, that’s how good my home is, but you guys are trying to make me demolish a perfectly good home? That’s home to my 84-year-old mother?” he said. “We’ve been here for 25 years. This is our home; this is our future.”
He said his home is structurally sound and repairs can be done well within the guidelines of the FEMA 50/50 rule. “It’s just not right. I’m pushing for my case and for a change in the policy. This should not happen to anyone else,” Caudill said.
Following Caudill’s remarks, Cushing responded.
“In individual cases, I have said give me a call, I’ll come down, take a look at it, and see if it’s something you need to be concerned with or you can continue to keep working,” Cushing said. “That’s really what we want everybody ultimately to do.”
Cushing said he would come by Caudill’s home the following day.
“I did go to your house, and I walked around it. I couldn’t get inside of it, as you know, there was sand piled around and debris everywhere,” Cushing said. “I did a walk-by windshield assessment. I did see some cracks in your foundation.”
“Our top priority is for our building department to get on these things as quickly as possible,” Mayor John Chappie said. “We understand there are a lot of people in the city that are in a similar situation.”
“It’s not in stone yet because you haven’t gotten a letter in the mail, so I’ll come take another look at it to get some clarification,” Cushing said.
Commissioner Ralph Cole (no relation to Betty Cole) asked Cushing to make the inspection of Caudill’s home a priority.
“Please put his mind at ease,” Cole said.
TREE: Lights up Bridge Street
“Chief Cosby and his team have been amazing with the recovery that’s happened out here,” Chappie said. “He is an expert in his field of emergency operations and he has helped to develop this team of our city, our public works, our city clerk, our building department, the SERT team that came down to help our community to beat this. We have and we will continue to beat this.”
He introduced Cosby, who was chosen to light the Christmas tree.
He said the sand surrounding the house was about 3 feet deep.
“Darin (Cushing) came by earlier and did an inspection and decided to lift the order of condemnation and give me the go-ahead to proceed with my project,” Caudill said on Nov. 22. “People need to know they can step up and fight city hall on this one because they were premature in placing those red tags, in my opinion.”
Cushing responded to The Sun by text stating, “I was able to see more of the foundation a little better now that more sand is out of the way, and he gave me a verbal estimate of his repairs so I felt it would be ‘savable.’ ”
“I’m very happy today that I can continue to move forward,” Caudill said. “I’ve been in a holding pattern with the stress of wondering am I going to have to tear down a perfectly good home and give up our dreams?”
He said the 1947 home received about 8 inches of water inside during Hurricane Helene.
“This is the first insurance claim it’s ever had,” Caudill said. “There’s never been water in this home before this. This house is built very strong.”
He will be replacing drywall, cabinets and two air conditioning units. According to the Manatee County website, the FEMA value of the structure is $237,956. Caudill estimates repairs will cost around $65,000, well under the FEMA 50/50 guidelines.
“This is a cinder block home, and we’re elevated. There’s a crawlspace under this so there is no foundation to crack,” Caudill said. “What he did see on the outside was some cracks in my stucco, but not structural. He acknowledged that today as we walked around the house together that all my damage is minor and nothing worse than anyone on my block.”
Caudill said his mother had a medical issue about a week before the September storm and has been in the hospital and nursing facilities since.
“She doesn’t even know about any of this that’s going on, we kind of shielded her from it,” Caudill said.
He said he’s looking forward to having her come home once the work is completed in about 30 days.
“Our plan was always for her to age in place and live here for the rest of her life. That’s why I’m fighting so hard. This isn’t just a house, it’s not a vacation rental, this is my mother’s home that she worked 25 years for,” he said.
“This is the first normal thing we have done since the hurricane,” Cosby said. “And if you look around, we all made the decision to do this five days ago - all the lights and the tree. We weren’t going to do it, then we decided we needed to do it.”
Cosby said following Hurricane Helene, there was 4 feet of sand on just about every road in the city.
“Even when the governor (Gov. Ron DeSantis) came, he looked at me and said, ‘I’ve been to a lot of disasters and I’ve never seen this much sand,’ ” he said.
Cosby thanked FDOT for the help with sand removal, Bradenton Beach city staff and City Attorney Ricinda Perry for organizing the tree lighting.
As Cosby pushed the button to illuminate the tree, cheers sprang up from hundreds of attendees.
The next event, Christmas on Bridge Street, will be held on Dec. 7 beginning at 2 p.m. with a Table of Hope banner signing. In a display of city resilience, the signed banner will be hung across Bridge Street. FROM PAGE 1
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
The home at 1107 Gulf Drive N. is no longer under a city condemnation order following an interior inspection by the Bradenton Beach building official.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN Gash Caudill will now continue repairs on his Gulf Drive home after a condemnation notice was rescinded by the city.
4
BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN
ANNA
MARIA
– The lights at The Center of Anna Maria Island lit the soccer pitches for youth playoff action, leading to the championship games last Tuesday night. Two teams came out on top after two consecutive days of play – Moss Builders and Solid Rock Construction.
Moss Builders took the title home in the 8- to 10-year-old league, winning 3-1 over La Creperie. Goalkeeping by Titus Moss, with eight saves, and Asher Patel helped their team to the big win.
Moss, Solid Rock are champs
In addition to Patel’s save while in goal, his solo goal added to the two points scored by teammate Joseph Caballero.
La Creperie’s efforts were strong against the tough Moss squad. Parker Svoboda scored the team’s only goal. Holding it down as the goalie for La Creperie, Sawyer Leibfried finished the season with eight nice saves.
The Island area teen went head-to-head in the 11- to 14-year-old league last week ending in the final game of the night with Solid Rock Construction the champs. Despite the valiant efforts of the HSH Design team, scoring two points in the first half to end it in a 2-2 tie, the game got away from them in the last 20 minutes of play.
Kaden Sasaki and Luke Willing put the points on the scoreboard for HSH. The team’s offense could not get past Solid Rock goalie Jordan Tobey in the second half.
Tobey finished the game with seven saves. The HSH team manned the goal with four of its players trying to fight the strikes of their opponents.
Sterling Holiday, Brittney Robertson and Willing each recorded a save in the game for HSH. Sasaki made three nice stops to help keep his team in the game.
Sofran, Farrington win at AMI Horseshoes
Tim Sofran, left, pitched his way to the only 3-0 record to win the day’s championship at AMI Horseshoes on Nov. 20. On. Nov. 23, Tom Farrington won the final 26-15 over Dom Livedoti and Gersey Fernandes in a matchup of 3-0 teams with Farrington ending the game with a double-ringer, then entering the winner's circle.
SIMPSON
Team Solid Rock Construction won the 8- to 10-year-old league championship last week at The Center. From left are Callin Westfall, Turner Worth, Isaac Roadman, Jordan Tobey, Coach James Roadman, Obadiah Roadman, Eli Dellenger, Charlie Serra, Maggie Niedzwick, Adelaide McGraw and Coach Sterling Worth.
The Solid Rock scoring came off the boots of Charlie Serra, Callin Westfall and Turner Worth. Worth scored a hat trick with two points by Westfall. With the end of the youth soccer season, Center sports now focus on the adult co-ed league. The regular season comes to an end after the last regular season game scheduled on Dec. 5. For the adults, the big game will be played on Thursday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m., leaving only one of 10 teams on top.
Comer, Nelson, Samuels take scramble
From left, Brian Comer, Jenna Samuels and Tom Nelson finished in first place at the Key Royale Club’s Welcome Back Scramble on Nov. 22 in Holmes Beach. Second place went to Jim Bailey, Hendrick Grobler, Bill MacMillan and Charlie Porter; third place winners are Laurie and Marty Hicks and Pam and Jack Lowry.
MONICA
| SUN
FUN IN THE SUN
CLASSIFIEDS
BOATS
FIRST, I WISH ALL MY ISLAND FRIENDS WELL. This to shall pass. Yes, boats are selling. Yes, we will buy damaged boats. Yes, we need boats as folks are getting insurance checks.
Dave Struber/Owner 24 Years, Islandboatsales. net-941-288-3489
CARE GIVER
ELDER CARE by Longtime resident. Many References. Part time to help with shopping, companionship, cooking etc. Call Cheryl 941-685-0045
COMMERCIAL SALES, RENT & LEASE
HAVE YOU BEEN thinking of selling? We NEED properties to List for SALE!!! Duplexes, multi family, small resorts? Call BIG Alan Galletto of Island Real Estate to get it SOLD 941-232-2216
CLEANING SERVICE
TOTAL HOME SERVICES CLEANING: Residential, Commercial, Rentals, VRBO. Professional and Reliable. Call 941-756-4570 or 941-565-3931
HOME IMPROVEMENTS
RENOVATION SPECALIST ALL carpentry repairs, Wash Family Construction, locally owned and operated CBC 1258250 Call 941-725-0073.
KERN & GILDER CONSTRUCTION, INC New Homes & Remodel. Design/Build. Since 1968. License # CBC 1261150. Call the Office. 941-7781115
GET’R DONE DRYWALL, INC Specializing in Remodels & Repairs. Island Resident for 20+ years. Call Neil. Cell 941-9621194
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.
GORILLA DRYWALL REPAIR, LLC. 15+ years of experience. Free Estimates. Let’s solve your Drywall problems together. Call 941-286-0607.
BMF INTERIORS Home repairs and more, No job too small. Please call 786318-8585
A.R.E. Renovation’s WHOLESALE KITCHEN CABINETS DIRECT., Remodeling, Bathrooms. Trim Flooring and Decks Tile and more Free quote, references available. Lic. # CRC.1334176 941-4653045.
CCS DRYWALL REPAIRS
We are local. Family owned & operated since 1991. Free Estimates. Licensed/Insured/Bonded. License # SCC131149803 Call 941-713-6531.
HURRICANE DAMAGE?
I’m an Island resident. Pressure washing, tree work, fence repair, mailbox replacement. Also see ads under “Landscaping & painting. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315
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, and weeding. Weekly, bi-monthly or monthly schedule. Pressure washing. Call Bill Witaszek 941307-9315
SHORTDOG TREE & LAWN SERVICE Free Estimates. Remove trees; trim palms, yard work, hauling everything. Call 941-746-3373 or 941-730-2694
SHELL DELIVERED AND spread. Hauling all kinds of gravel, mulch, top soil with free estimates. Call Larry at 941795-7775, "shell phone" 941-720-0770
{SHELL DRIVEWAYS & LANDSCAPE}. Specializing in Old Florida Seashell and Lime rock driveways and scapes. Also River Rock, Sand, Mulch, & Soil. Call Shark Mark 941-301-6067
MOVING & STORAGE
MARTIN’S MOVING YOUR Island movers! Offering dependable, competitive rates. No hidden costs. 941-8095777.
PAINTING & WALLCOVERING
PAINT! PAINT! AND MORE 28 years of experienced interior/exterior custom painting. Pressure cleaning, drywall repairs and texture finishes. Many Island references. Please call Neil for free estimates. 941-812-0507
“WIZARD OF WALLS" Established 1980 Prompt quality service. Wallpaper installation/ removal. Mary Bell Winegarden 941-794-0455
DONALD PERKINS ABRACADABRA PAINTING LLC fully insured. 30 years experience. Many Island references. Call 941-705-7096
PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reliable. Island Resident. Quality Workmanship. Interior/Exterior. Minor repairs & carpentry. Free estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315
PEST CONTROL
ANNA MARIA PEST CONTROL Call 941-7781630
POOL SERVICES
FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE AND CHEMICAL SERVICES. Certified Pool Operator. 18 + Years Experience. Residential/ commercial. Chemical Service Licensed & Insured. Call Dennis Clark 941-737-5657
COLE'S TROPICAL POOL SERVICE Call Cole Bowers for all your pool maintenance needs! Affordable and Dependable!! 941-713-1893
PRESSURE WASHING & WINDOWS
TOTAL HOME SERVICES CLEANING: Residential, Commercial, Construction, Vacation, VRBO Rentals . Also available Pressure Washing, Roof Cleaning, Paver Sealing and Windows. Call 941-5653931.
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
BRADENTON CONDO FOR SALE end unit 55+ community. Pet friendly. Split 2BR/2BA. Walk in shower in Master, newer paint, laminate flooring, white travertine tile, new blinds, bonus room, W/D, central air with heat, carport, patio. Close to heated pool & community building. 8 miles from AMI. Available now, immediate possession. $179,900. Call 616648-1648 or 616-340-5669
RENTALS: ANNUAL, SEASONAL & VACATION
ON ISLAND CONDO Available immediately for up to one year! Ready to move in. Great Value. Beautiful Upgraded 2BR/2BA Incredible water View! Waterfront Patio, Pool, tennis, pickle, walk to beach. Private carport. Excellent Rental terms. Owner/ renter. Please Call or email for details. drchristines@ yahoo.com or 570-2390431
ANNUAL RENTAL BRADENTON BEACH 1BR/1BA condo. Block to beach, large pool, parking. $3000/mo. 6 month minimum. Call 941-447-3071
TRANSPORTATION
ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa/St. Pete $85. Sarasota $40. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-779-5095
