Anna Maria Island Sun October 19, 2022

Race to playoffs

MONICA SIMPSON | SUN

Players for team Adrian Griffin Interiors and team Ugly Grouper race to the open ball last Tuesday night in the recreational soccer game at The Center. Page 32.

Christenson withdraws from commission race

Holmes Beach Commissioner Jayne Christenson is pulling out of the race to retain her seat on the city commission, bringing the Holmes Beach election to an early close.

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

HOLMES BEACH – The commission race has come to an unexpectedly early end with Commissioner Jayne Christen son announcing her withdrawal ahead of the Nov. 8 election.

Christenson was running for re-election against political newcomers Dan Diggins and Greg Kerchner. She was first elected to the city commission in November 2020. She an nounced her intent to withdraw her candidacy during commission comments at the end of an Oct. 11 meeting.

“With the support of my family and friends, I have made the decision to not seek re-election as a city commissioner in Holmes Beach in the election on Nov. 8, 2022,” she said, reading from a prepared statement.

Commission rejects proposed food truck zone location Mote Marine submits City Pier plans

Mayor Dan Murphy recommended denial of the proposed food truck ordinance.

BY JOE HENDRICKS

SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – City officials have decided not to create a designated food truck zone at the northwest end of Bay front Park, nor will there be a designat ed food truck area at City Pier Park.

So far, an alternative location has not been proposed.

The Anna Maria City Commission voted 5-0 on Oct. 13 to deny on second reading the adoption of a city ordi nance that would have created a desig nated food truck zone at Bayfront Park.

The city’s efforts to create a desig nated food truck zone are in response

to a state law enacted by the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2020. The state law preempts the regu lation of food trucks and other mobile food dispensing vehicles to the state, and prohibits local governments from enacting or maintaining outright bans on food trucks or requiring non-stateissued licenses, registrations, permits and fees for food truck operations.

In the past, the city of Anna Maria re quired food truck operators to acquire a special permit from the city, which is no longer allowed by the state.

When the creation of a designated food truck zone was first discussed on July 28, Mayor Dan Murphy said, “We’ve got to do something. The whole city is fair game until we do something.”

The new plans will be discussed during a special meeting on Thursday, Oct. 20.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Mote Marine met its Oct. 13 deadline to present the city with detailed plans for the marine education outreach center to be installed on the City Pier, averting the possibility of the city commission terminating the project. Mayor Dan Murphy mentioned the plans during the Anna Maria City Com mission’s Oct. 13 meeting, saying he picked up digital copies of the plans that morning and forwarded copies to the city commissioners about an hour before that afternoon’s commission meeting began. He also provided copies to the city’s build

ing official and city planner.

The plans were created by Mote Marine’s contracted architect, Barron Schimberg. Murphy said the plans are technical in na ture, contain a lot of verbiage and address architectural elements, electrical elements, fire suppression elements and more.

Murphy requested a special city com mission meeting to be held on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 10 a.m., at which he and the commission will discuss three primary objectives.

The first objective is to receive the build ing official and city planner’s analysis of the plans. The second objective is to pro vide the commissioners the opportunity to pose questions to the building official and city planner and to also relay any commis sion questions to Mote representatives.

Coquina Beach Market opening delayed

Manatee County took over the market from Nancy Ambrose this summer.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | leslielake@aol.com

BRADENTON BEACH – The Coquina Beach Market has hit a hurricane-sized snag and its projected Nov. 1 opening will be delayed, according to Manatee County officials.

“As crews have been deployed around the county to clean up and repair other parks properties, the site prep and rehab work to get the new site (further south on Coquina Beach) ready have been put on hold temporarily,” according to a Manatee County press release. “The offi cial opening date has been delayed from the originally planned Nov. 1.” Elliott Falcione, executive director of Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, had previously said the county-run market would begin on Nov. 1 and run through July 27, 2023 and would be open on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Thursdays from 3 to 8 p.m. He said there will be about 100 vendors, with a different set of vendors each of the two days.

The discussion about the market began when on Aug. 2, the county announced in a press release that it would take over the beach market from Nancy Ambrose, its director for the past decade. The release stated in part: “Artisans and other vendors will be back along the Coquina Beach South promenade, once again, when the 2022-23 seasons opens in November as oversight for the market shifts to Manatee County.”

Ambrose has been moving forward on her plans for a new market in a yetunannounced venue according to com ments on her “Where’s the Market?” Facebook page: “Update on markets - it looks like we will have a Wednesday market - every Wed. from Dec. - May. I will be able to send apps on Nov. 15. I am still working on other things - hope fully some November dates included.”

Since the county-run market has not been formally approved by county commissioners, it was once again a topic for debate at a recent commission land use meeting.

“I still don’t have any information whatsoever,” said Commissioner George Kruse at the Oct. 6 meeting. “We’re getting half information and

saying please vote on this based on half information and trust… (We’re being told) the estimated annual revenue is $225,000. That’s not showing net income or expenses.”

The wheels to change hands for the mar ket began in June when County Admin istrator Dr. Scott Hopes said that he had been invited to take a tour of the beach area by the director of public safety.

“There was an access barrier to Coquina Beach because of the layout of the beach market,” he said. “Number two, according to the mayor of Braden ton Beach, the parking for the vendors was interfering with the parking for the beachgoers. Number three, the conces sions had expanded the area beyond their contract and they wanted me to see the conditions of the beach firsthand.”

Hopes said the beach market was clearly interfering with access to the public beach.

He said after pulling financials, “Then I discussed with staff what we were investing in to the beach mar ket, with maintenance and staff and security. Then I realized this individual (Ambrose) was pulling in $270,000 to $325,000 a year net on public property and was not engaging with staff to en

sure that the operations of the market did not interfere with our tourism.”

Hopes told the commission that with their approval, there could be a beach market in November as there has been for the past 10 years.

Now on the sidelines, Ambrose com mented on the meeting via the Face book page:

“Man, I wish the market made that much - the numbers are all wrong. I never even paid myself until the last two years. Even though the numbers are not truthful - that doesn't even matter as I feel the market will prob ably gross $150,000 a year max for the county this year. Net may not be much less as Elliott (Falcione) said that there would be about $20k in expenses since they would be using staff,” she wrote.

County Commissioner Carol Whit more, who is on record as being opposed to the county taking over the market, was the lone “no” vote on a motion by Commissioner James Satch er to table the discussion and vote on the county running the market until a later date, well into November.

Whitmore, who lost her primary seat to Jason Beardon, will not be on the board for the vote.

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IN BRIEF

Special city commission meeting scheduled

The Anna Maria City Commission will participate in a special commission meeting on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 10 a.m. The meeting agenda calls for com mission discussion on a special use permit sought for packaged beer and wine sales at the Reclaimed Soul retail store at 425 Pine Ave., commission discussion on a wind sculpture proposed by the Anna Maria Island Garden Club and a commission review of Mote Marine’s plans to install an educa tional outreach center on the City Pier. Thursday’s meeting can also be attended by phone by call ing 1-929-205-6099 and entering the meeting ID: 85392000280.

Residential rezoning, low-speed vehicles on agenda

The Bradenton Beach City Commission will meet on Thursday, Oct. 20 at noon. The meeting agenda calls for a public hearing on the proposed rezoning of more than 20 residential properties located be tween Second Street North and Cortez Road from R-3 (multi-family residential) to mixed-use (MXD). Under new business, the commission will discuss city alley openings and cleanings, sponsorship of Christmas on Bridge Street and the Bradenton Beach Holiday Boat Parade, a request to waive the permit fees for roofing replacement at the Bridge port condominiums and an interlocal agreement with Manatee County for law enforcement services provided by the city. Under attorney business, the commission will be presented with the first read ing of an ordinance regarding a moratorium on rental operations pertaining to low-speed vehicles, golf carts and other motorized alternative means of transportation. The commission will also be presented with a city resolution pertaining to the requested use of county-controlled surplus beach concession funds. The consent agenda includes a special event permit for the Symphony on the Sand concert, three invoices totaling approximately $8,000 from Colliers Engineering and a $154,352 invoice from Container Systems & Equipment for the recent purchase of a street sweeping truck.

New members join parks committee

Three new members are stepping up to help make their community more beautiful on the Holmes Beach Parks and Beautification Committee – Izzy Sky, James Craig and Dana Kim Gargiule. City commissioners voted unanimously in favor of all three appointments during an Oct. 11 meeting. Sky was appointed as a full member of the com mittee with a two-year term expiring Aug. 1, 2024. Craig will serve a two-year term also expiring Aug. 1, 2024 as an alternate while Gargiule will serve a one-year term as an alternate expiring Aug. 1, 2023. All three members are scheduled to be sworn in when the parks and beautification committee meets Nov. 2 at Holmes Beach City Hall.

County leaders refuse to increase police beach funding

Manatee County leaders cited lost funding for Kingfish renovations as a reason for not increasing the funding to the Holmes Beach Police Department.

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

HOLMES BEACH – A request for funding to the city’s police department to help cover the expense of beach patrols was approved by Manatee County leaders, but the approved amount wasn’t as much as city leaders hoped for.

with increases in costs over the past year, the county offer ing the same amount of money as in the previous fiscal year was actually defunding the patrols.

The issue of funding for HBPD patrols of county prop erties is the latest chapter in a list of ongoing problems between the city and county.

UTILITIES TURNOFF QUESTIONED

KINGFISH DEFUNDING QUESTIONED

Hopes

During an Oct. 11 commission meet ing, Holmes Beach Police Department (HBPD) Chief Bill Tokajer said that $46,412 had been offered to the city as compensation for officers patrolling the county-owned Manatee Beach and Kingfish Boat Ramp. While the amount is the same as was given to the department the pre vious year, it didn’t include the increase that city leaders were hoping for.

Tokajer said that the funding doesn’t come close to cover ing the more than $250,000 per year in manpower and other costs officers have documented and presented to county commissioners in the past. He said he’d spoken to Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes and was told that despite delays to the project, city leaders were being blamed for the loss of grant funding for renovations at Kingfish Boat Ramp and, as a result, no increases in police funding were being considered.

Mayor Judy Titsworth said

As Manatee County prepared for impacts from Hurricane Ian and evacuations were called for on Anna Maria Island, county lead ers announced that water would be turned off to the Island the afternoon prior to the anticipated arrival of the storm. Tokajer said in a statement that he had called county officials to ask them to de lay the turn off of water and sewer utilities to allow those services to continue for first responders who would not yet be evacuating.

During a Sept. 27 press confer ence about the storm and evacua tion process, Hopes claimed that Tokajer had contacted him to request utility services remain on for residents who weren’t evacuat ing. Hopes went on to state that he would not be extending the time for the utility turnoff because he didn’t want to risk damage to the county’s utility infrastructure. Hopes also urged residents to take the storm and evacuation orders seriously.

A week after the storm passed, Titsworth issued a statement on Oct. 5 through the HBPD’s social media page stating how proud she was of city staff for their as sistance to residents and property owners before and after the hurri cane. She also publicly commend ed the city’s residents for heeding the evacuation orders and leaving prior to the storm. During a Sept. 27 commission meeting, city lead ers had even joked that the storm had fixed the traffic problems on the Island due to so many people evacuating.

The battle over utility turn offs prior to Hurricane Ian was preceded by disagreements over why county officials were forced to return grant funds for planned Kingfish renovations. Hopes and county commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge both stated during public meet ings that the renovation plans had to be abandoned because permits were being held up in the city’s building depart ment. Hopes said the permits Department of Environmental Protection couldn’t be extend ed another time. County staff members also noted during a commission meeting that the grant funds couldn’t be extend ed either.

Titsworth said in a city com mission meeting that the city doesn’t have the power to hold up permits, nor had that hap pened in the case of Kingfish. She added that the city’s build ing department staff had been working with county members for months to get the permits approved and continued work ing on the permit applications after being told by county lead ers that the project would be put on hold.

Issues between the city and county stem back to when Van Ostenbridge first took the dais and demanded that Titsworth and city commis sioners end their resident-only permit parking program near the beach and allow public on-street parking for beachgo ers throughout the city. City leaders refused to change their stance on public parking on residential streets, stating that Holmes Beach has more public parking spaces than the other two Island cities and that they won’t sacrifice residents’ qual ity of life.

Island city leaders set sights on beach concession funds

Projects are being outlined in all three Island cities to take advantage of excess concession funds, if county leaders don’t use them for a water taxi first.

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

HOLMES BEACH – City leaders on Anna Maria Island are planning to present plans to Manatee County commis sioners in hopes of using ex cess beach concession funds for projects in each city.

To access the funds, elected officials in each city have to present projects that benefit tourism and visitors on the Island, the officials in each city must agree to the projects and the projects and funding have to be approved by county commissioners.

Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth said that the fund

has grown to more than $300,000. Now, each city is putting forth its own list of projects.

In Anna Maria, city leaders are seeking a 50/50 match in the amount of $115,250 to get an engineered per manent solution to issues causing the Lake LaVista Channel to become unnavi gable. The channel provides access to kayak and paddle board launches, a landing dock for visitors coming to the Anna Maria Island His torical Society Museum, a launching point for commer cial nature tours and boater access. City leaders estimate that the development of a design along with permitting will cost $230,500, excluding construction.

In Bradenton Beach, offi cials are asking for $105,000 for a 50% match to improve public beach and bay access points, including additional

pavers, signage, bike racks, benches, trash containers and pedestrian and bicycle path improvements.

Holmes Beach city lead ers voted unanimously on Oct. 11 to request $105,000 in funding for low-level LED lighting for trolley shelters along with rebuilding five trolley shelters and replac ing two. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $210,000. The concession funds would provide a 50/50 funding match.

Titsworth warned commis sioners that “time is of the essence” in requesting fund ing as Manatee County Ad ministrator Scott Hopes has set his sights on the excess concession funds as a poten tial source of monies for a proposed water taxi service from downtown Bradenton to Anna Maria Island.

CHRISTENSON: Withdraws from race

FROM PAGE 1

“This has been a difficult decision based on many fac tors, most importantly being my work/life balance. I have a demanding job in the biopharmaceutical research and manufacturing industry and have recently taken on even more people management and multi-million dollar budget responsibility which requires ex tensive travel, limiting the time I have to dedicate to the city.”

With Commissioner Kim Rash also not seeking re-election, that leaves two seats open on the city commission and only two remaining candidates qualified by the Manatee County Supervi sor of Elections Office, Diggins and Kerchner.

Despite Christenson’s state ment that she would contact the elections office to have her name removed from the ballot, mail-in ballots have already been distributed. The city is

home to 2,685 registered vot ers. Of those, 138 have already cast their ballots as of Oct. 16, according to the Supervisor of Elections Office.

Diggins retired to Holmes Beach with his wife in 2011 after a career in aviation. This will be his first time holding an office in the city.

Kerchner is no stranger to the inner workings of the city, having served for several years on the city’s planning commis sion. He’s currently the planning commission chair, a position he will have to resign before being sworn in as a city commissioner.

Mayor Judy Titsworth ran unopposed for her second and now third terms in office. She will be sworn in for another twoyear term in November.

In-person voting will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 8 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive.

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

Drop us a line

Got an opinion, a complaint or a compliment? Is there something you need to get off your chest?

Send us a letter to the editor and have your say. There are a couple of ways to do it. The easiest and most direct is to email The Sun at news@amisun.com. Remember to put Letter to the Editor in the subject field. Or you can snail-mail

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

THE EDITOR

Thanks from the Duncans

An Ian-sized THANK YOU to Darrin Wash and the crew of Wash Family Construction for resurrecting our wood and metal dining canopy from upside down in our pool. The crew with strong muscles and ropes came to our rescue from Ian’s winds. Instead of becoming firewood, it is now standing and ready to party!

Judy and Marion Duncan Anna Maria

ANNA MARIA

10005 GULF DRIVE

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130

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

Oct. 27, 6 p.m. – City Commission 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.

Oct. 19, 1 p.m. – Planning and Zoning board meeting

Oct. 20, 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 informa tion.

Oct. 25, 10 a.m. – Code Compliance special magistrate hearing Oct. 25, 5 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session to follow Oct. 26, 9 a.m. – Clean Water Ad-Hoc Committee meeting Oct. 27, 11 a.m. – Police officers’ pen sion board meeting

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 19

Child Development and Behavior with Dr. Sharon Otis, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. League of Women Voters – Constitu tional Amendments, New Voting Re quirements and Most Common Voting Mistakes presentation, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 6 p.m.

THURSDAY, OCT. 20

Tree Tots: Night Noises, Robinson

Preserve Mosaic NEST, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 10 a.m.

Island Morning Book Club, “The Alice Network,” Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10:15 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. Movie Night featuring “Hotel Tran sylvania,” Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 6 p.m.

FRIDAY, OCT. 21

Forty Carrots, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Mahjong Club – Experienced Players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.

SATURDAY, OCT. 22

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

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

Master Gardener Tour, Perico Pre serve, 11700 Manatee Ave. W., Braden ton, 9-11 a.m.

BLOCK Fest, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Music on the Porch, Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, 2-4 p.m.

Halloween Bar Crawl, Locals Realty, 9801 Gulf Drive N., Ste. 4, Anna Maria, 7-10 p.m. Bring a nonperishable food donation for Our Daily Bread to board the trolley.

MONDAY, OCT. 24

Climate Smart Series: Introduction to Climate Science, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m.

Venomous Snakes and Spiders, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 6 p.m.

TUESDAY, OCT. 25

Farmer’s Market, City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Family story time, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

City prevails in Sunshine lawsuit appeal

In late 2020, the city of Bradenton Beach received a $350,000 settlement payment from defendants John Metz and Tjet Martin.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – The city has prevailed in the appeal of a 2019 court ruling that six former city advisory board members violated Florida’s Gov ernment in the Sunshine Law.

On Oct. 14, a three-judge panel in the District Court of Appeal of Florida’s Second District (Second DCA) in Lakeland issued a written opinion that provided no details but affirmed 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas’ 2019 ruling that the six defendants violated the Sunshine Law that requires elected and appointed city officials to conduct their official busi ness in a public setting.

Paralegal Michael Barfield and Bra denton Beach City Attorney Ricinda Perry assisted attorney Robert Watrous with the legal work associated with the

civil lawsuit that resulted in Nicholas’ 2019 ruling, and the subsequent ruling Nicholas issued later that year regard ing the city’s recovery of attorney fees.

Barfield and Perry remained involved in the now-completed appellate process that did not require an additional in-per son hearing or the re-arguing of the facts presented during the July 2019 trial.

When contacted by The Sun, Barfield and Perry both confirmed that the per cu riam opinion issued by the Second DCA means the city prevailed in the appeal.

“I am pleased that the Second DCA upheld Judge Nicholas’ thoughtful and

well-reasoned legal opinion,” Perry said.

“I’m glad this part of the case is be hind us and that Judge Nicholas’ ruling was vindicated,” Barfield said.

CASE HISTORY

At the conclusion of the multi-day trial in July 2019 at the Manatee County Judicial Center in downtown Bradenton, Nicholas ruled that Reed Mapes, Tjet Martin, John Metz, Patty Shay, Bill Vincent and Rose Vincent violated the Sunshine Law in 2017 when discussing city business that could have foreseeably come before them in their official capacities as Planning and Zoning Board members or Scenic WAVES Committee members.

The Sunshine Law violations oc curred during the non-city-affiliated

Concerned Neighbors of Bradenton Beach (CNOBB) meetings that were recorded by CNOBB members. Those recordings were shared at the CNOBB website and later presented as evi dence during the trial.

In August 2019, Mapes, Martin, Metz and the Vincents filed an appeal of Nicholas’ July ruling. Shay did not join the appeal filed with the Second DCA.

In October 2019, Nicholas ordered Mapes, Martin and Metz to pay the city $369,498 as reimbursement for a significant portion of the attorney fees the city incurred during the multi-year legal battle that remained ongoing at the time.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Reed Mapes was the only remaining appellant in the city’s Sunshine Law case at the time of his death earlier this year.

I am pleased that the Second DCA upheld Judge Nicholas’ thoughtful and well-reasoned legal opinion.”

Ricinda Perry, Bradenton Beach city attorney

Bayfest delivers the party by the pier

Bayfest on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria featured the best in local arts and crafts, food and drinks, live music and more.

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA - In its second year since returning after a hiatus due to COVID-19, the 21st Bayfest celebration last Saturday offered something for the entire family.

A substantial portion of Pine Avenue in Anna Maria was closed for most of the day to make room for vendors offering a little bit of everything. This family-friend ly event has been a perennial favorite for both locals and visitors for two decades, and 2022 delivered on the promise of fun.

“I love the Dr. Dave band, and was so happy to hear they’d be headlining again this year,” said Marty Haskins, a Braden ton resident who says he never misses Bayfest. “The food is fantastic and I love the fact they relax the rules and let you enjoy a few beers while you rock out to your favorite band with the backdrop of some of the most beautiful water on the planet.”

Haskins wasn’t alone in taking advan tage of the ability to shop, eat and drink on Pine Avenue during the festivities. It was all smiles and dancing in the street as the Trevor Bystrom Band, Lisa and the Island Hoppers, the Karen and Jimmy Band and the Dr. Dave Band brought unique sounds that had something for ev eryone. There was also plenty of distinc tive Island art, jewelry and specialty items that would be difficult to find in the same place outside of an event like Bayfest. Many people said that this year’s crowd

Left, the Dr. Dave Band headlines Bayfest on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria. Above, from left, Jake Hodges with daughter, Hattie, son, Everett and wife, Kristen, enjoy a visit with friends and their first Bayfest.

seemed to be a bit less than in previous years, despite the Island being busier than normal for October due to Hurricane Ian rerouting many vacationers who had planned to stay farther south. There are also many people affected by Ian who have come to the Island while cleanup efforts continue at their homes. Many speculated that the road closure on Mari na Drive in Holmes Beach may have had something to do with lower attendance.

Vendors reported slower sales than last year, and there was ample room to roam without being enveloped by a crowd.

“We’ve been raising money for our Campaign for Ukraine and selling Cuban sandwiches from our booth here, but we haven’t had to call the restaurant to send more food since brunch,” said Bob Slicker, owner of Slicker’s Eatery in Cortez. “There’s definitely not the crowd we expected, but everybody’s having fun, and that’s what’s important.”

Despite a smaller crowd than in years past, festivalgoers were having fun and spending time with friends and family on a beautiful day. There were a couple of rain sprinkles, but they were kind enough to cast a rainbow directly over the stage and the City Pier late in the afternoon, a photo op that many took advantage of.

“We’re down here visiting from Okla homa City. We have great friends that live here and we just love spending time with them,” said Jake Hodges, who was visit ing with his wife and two young children. “We love how relaxed and laid back this Island is, and this event is really nice. It’s our first Bayfest.”

Hodges’ daughter, Hattie, said she loves the beach, a sentiment echoed by her brother, Everett. Police reported no inci dents, just a day of fun at Bayfest, hosted by the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce.

JASON SCHAFFER | SUN

JASON SCHAFFER | SUN

A rainbow arcs over the stage at Bayfest in Anna Maria.

Follow Trail of Treats on Halloween

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to join in the fun at the Trail of Treats on Mon day, Oct. 31 at the chamber office, 5313 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. A costume contest and trophies for all kids’ age groups begins at 3:30 p.m. followed by the Trail of Treats from 4:30-6:30 p.m. with a map of participants to be pro vided at the event. Any business that would like to be included in the Trail of Treats should contact the chamber by Thursday, Oct. 27 by emailing becky@ amichamber.org.

Bradenton Beach tree lighting scheduled

The Christmas tree lighting cer emony on Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach will be held on Saturday, Nov. 19 at sunset. The tree, which is over 40 feet tall, will be lit along with more than 50,000 lights adorning buildings, trees, bushes and even the clock tower on Bridge Street.

Art Walks returning to Holmes Beach

Art Walks are returning to Holmes Beach on Friday, Nov. 11. The popular event that has been on hiatus will continue the second Friday of every month beginning at 5 p.m. Art Walks are anchored by Island Gal lery West and the Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island, which stay open later and have artists on hand to mingle and answer questions while visitors sip wine and enjoy snacks among some of the Island’s best works of art. In addition to the galleries, many businesses in Holmes Beach will keep their doors open later so visitors can enjoy extended shopping hours.

Symphony on the Sand returns

Symphony on the Sand returns to Coquina Beach Gulfside Park on Satur day, Nov. 12 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. featuring music, dancing on the beach and dinner. The performance by the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra and professional soloists will include tunes from Broadway musicals, popular and classical music and patriotic favorites. Multiple ticket options are available ranging from $25 to $125 per person. For more information, call 941-932-8541.

Roser

Turtle Watch fundraiser rescheduled to Nov. 2

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | leslielake@aol.com

HOLMES BEACH – Hurricane Ian delayed - but did not cancel - the Turtle Watch Wednesday fundraiser, which is now scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 2 from 4-6 p.m. at Hurricane Hanks, 5346 Gulf Drive.

The free event originally was sched uled for Sept. 28, the day the hurricane

help us get what we need - things like gas for the ATVs we use, tape for the nests, paint and stakes,” Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteer Barbara Riskay said.

The first 75 guests will be greeted by an A Paradise team member with a drink ticket for a complimentary wine or beer of their choice.

Hurricane Hanks will offer 25% off appetizers, and Bob Slicker, owner of Slicker’s Eatery, will announce the

live auction. Also on tap are a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, a raffle for a Yeti cooler filled with cheer, and a specially designed T-shirt that will be available that evening for a $20 donation.

A special VIP package for $75 in cludes reserved seating, a swag bag, a free drink ticket, a Turtle Watch T-shirt and coupons.

All proceeds go to Turtle Watch, which works with county, state and federal efforts to conserve sea turtles, particularly loggerheads. Manatee

TURTLE TIPS

During sea turtle season, May 1 – Oct. 31, follow these tips to help turtles:

• Turn off lights visible from the beach and close blinds from sundown to sunrise; lights confuse nesting sea turtles and may cause them to go back to sea and drop their eggs in the water, where they won’t hatch. Light can also attract hatchlings away from the water.

• Don’t use flashlights, lanterns or camera flashes on the beach at night.

Where’s Esther?

SUBMITTED

Megan Thee Turtle has taken the lead in the Tour de Turtles race, but logger head sea turtle Esther, who was satellite-tagged on Coquina Beach on June 20 after nesting, doesn’t seem too concerned. She’s holding her ninth place spot, having traveled 502 miles since the start of the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s 13th Annual Tour de Turtles on Aug. 1. She is currently off the coast of Boca Grande, a few miles south of the area near Englewood where she spent more than a month. Esther is one of 15 turtles competing in her division in the event, with the title going to the turtle that travels the most distance between Aug. 1 and Oct. 31. Esther is competing to raise awareness of light pollution, and is sponsored by Waterline Villas & Marinas and Mainsail Vacation Rentals.

• Remove all beach chairs and other objects from the sand from sundown to sunrise; they can deter sea turtles from nesting and disori ent hatchlings.

• Fill in the holes you dig in the sand before leaving the beach; they can trap nesting and hatching sea turtles, which cannot live long out of the water. To report large holes or other turtle obstacles, call:

• City of Anna Maria code enforcement — 941-708-6130, ext. 111.

• City of Bradenton Beach code enforce ment — 941-778-1005, ext. 280.

• City of Holmes Beach code enforcement — 941-778-0331, ext. 260.

• Level sandcastles before leaving the beach; they can block hatchlings from the water.

and Sarasota counties host the highest density of loggerhead nests in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the non-profit organization.

Event sponsors are the Anna Maria Island Sun, A Paradise Realty and Vacation Rentals, CabanUp, Florida Underwater Sports, Harbor Lane Court Vacation Rentals, Hurricane Hanks and Mike Sales Entertainment.

For VIP reservations, contact Riskay at 404-275-9422 or email Snqqpy24@ aol.com.

• Don’t use balloons, wish lanterns or fireworks; they litter the beach and Gulf, and turtles can ingest the debris.

• Do not trim trees and plants that shield the beach from lights.

• Never touch a sea turtle; it’s the law. If you see people disturbing turtles, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Com mission’s Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404FWCC (3922).

Source: Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring

NESTING NEWS

Turtle nests laid 531 (Record 544 in 2019)

False crawls 490 (Record 831 in 2010)

Hatched nests 465 (Previous record 447 in 2018)

Hatchlings 37,065 (Previous record: 35,788 in 2018)

Source: Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring

Gulf Drive

Beac h

5350

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5346 Gulf Drive Holmes Beac h

SUNSHINE: City prevails in lawsuit appeal

FROM PAGE 8

In that written order, Nicholas absolved Shay and the Vincents of any attorney fee-related financial li abilities because they had agreed in principle to settle with the city before the 2019 trial began. The city commission rejected those pre-trial settlement offers because similar agreements could not be reached with Mapes, Martin and Metz.

In November 2020, as the appeal process dragged on, Martin and Metz reached a settlement agreement with the city in which they agreed to collectively pay the city $350,000 and drop their appeals. Shay and the Vincents then reached settlement agreements in which they agreed to each pay the city $500, with Bill and Rose Vincent also dropping their appeals. The settlement agreements left Mapes as the only remain ing appellant.

In May 2021, a final judgment was issued against Mapes in the amount of $19,760, to be paid to the city of Bradenton Beach.

Mapes passed away on April 13 of this year. On April 28, Watrous sent a letter to Mapes’ attorney and designated trustee, Robert Hendrickson, noting the amount due at that time, including accrued interest, was $20,563.

To date, the judgment against Mapes remains unpaid, but the city still hopes to recover the money owed.

“The city and its taxpayers have been entitled to recover the costs caused by Mr. Mapes and payment is long overdue,” Perry said when contacted regard ing the Second DCA opinion.

Injured gator captured near Rod & Reel Pier

The injured gator may have been displaced from its freshwater habitat during Hurricane Ian.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – An injured alligator came ashore near the Rod & Reel Pier on Oct. 8. After being trapped and re moved, the gator was later euthanized due to its broken leg.

Dep. Patrick Manning of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Anna Maria Unit was among those to respond that day.

“We received a call about an alligator on the beach,” Manning told The Sun. “The day prior, we received a call from some construction crews in the area of the 800 block of North Shore Drive and they said they saw it. Three deputies, including myself, went up there but we could not locate it that day.

“The next day, a beachgoer called and said they saw it. I wasn’t shocked that it had come ashore, but it was kind of a shock to see it up on the rocks. The tide was very high, so I wasn’t concerned about people walking up to it at that time,” Manning said.

Through the county dispatcher, Man ning reached out to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and provided the state agency with photos and video of the gator in its current location.

“Initially, they weren’t receptive to retrieving the reptile until I explained to them that when the tide goes out it’s near a beach access and a lot of people walk from Bean Point to the Rod & Reel to use the restroom or grab a beverage,” Manning said.

Manning said an FWC-contracted trapper showed up within 20-25 min utes and made quick work of capturing the injured gator.

“He said the reptile had a broken leg and he was going to take it to a facil ity where it could be rehabbed and released. The sheriff’s office doesn’t simply decide to pull out a gun and eliminate a native species of Florida. You try to find a way to get it to where it belongs,” Manning said, noting the gator may have been displaced from its freshwater habitat during Hurricane Ian.

Afterwards, the trapper changed his mind.

“Upon removing the 7-foot 9-inch alligator, the contracted nuisance al ligator trapper realized it was injured and euthanized it,” said Tammy Sapp, of the FWC communications team.

“Maybe it was in saltwater for too long and was in worse shape and they couldn’t rehab it,” Manning said.

“While the American alligator prefers freshwater lakes and slow-moving riv ers and their associated wetlands, they are seen in brackish water habitats occasionally. Alligators can swim in and tolerate saltwater for short periods of time, but it is not their preferred habitat,” Sapp said.

“Serious injuries caused by alliga

tors are rare in Florida. FWC places the highest priority on public safety and administers a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP). The goal of SNAP is to proactively address alliga tor threats in developed areas, while conserving alligators in areas where they naturally occur.

“SNAP uses contracted nuisance alligator trappers throughout the state to remove alligators believed to pose a threat to people, pets or property. People with concerns about an alligator should call FWC’s toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286), and we will dispatch a contracted nuisance alligator trap per to resolve the situation. FWC also works to keep Floridians and visitors informed, including providing advice about living with alligators,” Sapp said.

DEP. PATRICK MANNING | MANATEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

This injured alligator was captured near the Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria.

The sheriff’s office doesn’t simply decide to pull out a gun and eliminate a native species of Florida. You try to find a way to get it to where it belongs.”

Dep. Patrick Manning, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office

City Pier to receive a second coat of stain

The staining work is not expected to significantly impact the City Pier Grill & Bait Shop operations.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – The City Pier decking will be stained again in November, with the work taking place at night while the pier is closed as usual.

On Thursday, Oct. 13, the Anna Maria City Commission authorized Mayor Dan Murphy to enter into a $29,970 contract with Equity Painting to stain the pier.

“If you’ve taken a look at the pier lately it is somewhat faded and it is time for us to do some staining,” Murphy told the city commission members, who were previ ously made aware of the pending need to stain the pier.

Murphy noted the pier’s Ipe hard wood decking was originally stained for approximately $16,000 during the pier replacement project completed in mid-2020. Murphy said the original staining did not require the pressure washing that will be needed when the decking is stained again. Murphy said

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

This photo above was taken the day the new City Pier opened on June 19, 2020. The Ipe decking on the City Pier will soon be stained for the second time.

the pressure washing is especially needed near the fish cleaning stations.

Murphy said the city solicited three bids for the staining work. Coastal Painting Pro fessionals bid $18,900, Equity Painting bid $29,970 and Jay Pros bid $38,475. Murphy noted Equity Painting was not the lowest bidder but had the best references and the best plan to stain the pier.

Murphy said Equity’s plan calls for minimal disruption to the City Pier Grill & Bait Shop that’s operated on the pier by Brian Seymour and his business partners. Seymour attended Thursday’s meeting and thanked the mayor and commission for requesting the staining

of Mote Marine’s pier-based educational outreach center if that work is underway during the November timeframe.

“We want it done at night. We want it done over several days so we’re not block ing off the whole pier,” Murphy told the commission.

Commissioner Jon Crane asked if an olive oil-based stain would again be used. Murphy said yes, the same stain would be used that was originally used to stain the new pier.

Murphy said.

The mayor said the city was aware that the pier would need to be stained a second time within a few years of being built and may not require another staining for an other 10 years.

Commissioner Mark Short asked about an estimated timeline. Murphy said the work is expected to occur at some point in November and take approximately one week to complete, weather permitting.

Chamber exchange friends

left, Karen Mixon, of Mixon Farms, Peg Miller, of the An nie Silver Community Center, Bradenton Beach Vice Mayor Jan Vosburgh and Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie enjoyed the company at the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Business Card Exchange at the Beach House on Sept. 22.

Breast Cancer Foundation of

Plastic straw ban goes forward

Holmes Beach city commission ers are moving forward with a ban on plastic straws at food distribution points, including restaurants and delis. Commissioners voted to pass the first reading of a new ordinance banning plastic straws after changes were made to accommodate the use of marine biodegradable straws. City staff said the marine biodegradable straws are meant to break down after about a year in water, the same as paper straws.

If the ordinance passes a final public hearing and vote by commissioners, the ban on plastic straws would go into effect on Nov. 1. The ban would not apply to prepackaged straws, such as those on juice boxes, or straws sold in bulk, such as boxes of straws sold at Publix.

Normal waste collections resume

With Hurricane Ian debris collection wrapping up on Anna Maria Island, Waste Pro and Waste Management have both announced that their waste collection schedules are scheduled to go back to normal beginning the week of Oct. 17 for both residential and commercial customers. Trash, yard waste and recycling collections will all resume on their normally scheduled days. Any customers with remain ing storm or yard debris are asked to bundle it in preparation for regular yard waste collection.

Island Photography & DJ a family affair

Anna Maria Island residents Dara and Chuck Caudill have combined their creative talents to offer wedding photography and entertainment under one banner, Island Photography & DJ. Together, they will coordinate the photography and music for your special day.

Dara is a professionally trained photographer who combines the latest in digital technology along with an artistic and creative flair. She blends photojournalistic with traditional styles of photography. "A little fantasy mixed with a little reality," she says. "It's important for the photos to be beautiful!"

Chuck is a professional musician and DJ on Anna Maria Island. In addition to ukulele and acoustic guitar ceremonies, Chuck provides live music and/or full DJ services for the reception. He provides state of the art sound and lighting.

Dara and Chuck are true Island residents, so they specialize in beach weddings. The two know how important it is to have the right professionals for your day, especially if you are having a destination wedding. They were married in Kauai, and the people they hired made it a special day. They want to create that same memorable Island experience for you.

Over the years, they have become friends with many of the couples they helped marry. They find it rewarding when those couples revisit the area and call them to get together.

Both are fully insured and belong to many professional organiza tions, including the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce. Please check out their websites – www.islandphotography.org and www. chuckcaudill.com – to see what they have to offer. For more info, please email daracaudill@verizon.net or call 941-778-5676.

Erwin & Monica Jopp celebrated their 60th wedding an niversary with their daughter Vanessa, and dear friends who came all the way from Germany to celebrate with them. They were married on October 16, 2022 in Berlin. They love Anna Maria Island, and have had a second home here for many years. They currently reside in Leipzig, Germany. Chuck Caudill provided the music for their special day.

DARA CAUDILL | WWW.ISLANDPHOTOGRAPHY.ORG

Courtesy: An angler’s rules of the road

one that suffered the consequences of my actions. Most of the time after an outburst, I’d move on anyway, carry ing with me a bit less serenity. At some point in time, it dawned on me to keep my composure. After all, there’s a lot of water to fish, so move on.

all fishing is with us and, once again, anglers will be chasing schooling fish along the Gulf beach es. This is a good time to remember the angling “rules of the road” to be sure everyone has a chance at success.

Over the years, I’ve adopted a policy that I call “show them the courtesy they don’t show you.” My intention is to carry this in the back of my mind at all times. I found it necessary to do this because for so many years it was a knee-jerk reaction to unload on anyone who got in my “space” while I was fish ing. I’ve mellowed over the years after coming to the realization that I was the

When we’re fishing, we have no idea what’s going on with the others we’re sharing the water with. They could be fishing to eat, indulging a passion, find ing solace from a traumatic experience, enjoying a day with friends or family or just getting some relaxation. We all get caught up in our fishing at times and let our awareness drift as we stalk a school of fish or head to the next spot we’re going to target. Most anglers start out with areas in mind where they’ve caught fish before and, more often these days, we either find some one there or nearby.

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

Anna Maria restaurateur Ed Chiles holds a little tunny he targeted under a flock of birds off Anna Maria. These fish are easily “pushed down” by careless anglers.

REEL TIME: Angler's rules of the road

FROM PAGE 22

All too often this can mean that fishermen get crowded together, which has the potential to ruin everyone’s experience. There are lots of places to fish, so if you find someone else nearby, move on to another location. You may even find that you discover fish or a fishing spot you didn’t know about.

I generally hunt fish by poling in shallow water or in schools along the beaches. When I encounter another angler I either ask them if it’s okay to pass or just give them a wide berth. Most everyone appreciates this gesture and will tell you to proceed, but sometimes they want you to stay completely away, even if there’s little chance of disturbing the action. If this is the case, I don’t argue, I just move on. Even though I don’t fish offshore, I know that many anglers work hard to find a ledge or hard bottom where they target fish and they carefully guard it, never overfishing it. One of the worst things they experience is anglers who look for spots that others are fishing. Most often they don’t have the same respect as the original angler and mark the spot on their GPS, returning later to catch every fish they can. If care isn’t taken, it’s possible to ruin a good hole by overfishing it.

Fishing schooling species like tarpon, Span ish mackerel, little tunny and kingfish is another time when anglers need to be con siderate of each other. Savvy anglers make a stealthy approach, working the edges of a school where they know predators patrol for prey. They understand that a careful approach is their best chance of success.

Anglers who don’t know the ropes often troll right through schools of baitfish and breaking fish, causing them to sound and ruining the action for everyone. When anglers take the time to consider others on the water, everyone wins. Fishing should be fun and with a little consideration, it can be. When you’re on the water, make it a habit to stay well away from other anglers and if you encounter someone who isn’t playing by those rules, move on. Show them the courtesy they don’t show you.

CAPT. DAVID WHITE

Ian recharges fishing

It’s been a spell since we’ve last reported. We here at Anna Maria Charters take the month of Sep tember off to see the countryside with our families. But we’ve been back on the water and fishing has been phenomenal in the wake of Hurricane Ian. That storm seem ingly pushed us right into fall. The water temperatures dropped drastically and the waters were recirculated overnight.

Inshore, the Spanish mackerel are jumping in the boat. They are off of the beaches and in Tampa Bay thick. Gag grouper have also responded well to the change. We’ve been getting some nice ones on rock piles and structures in the bay area. Snook and redfish are consistent as well. The pilchards are on the flats and on the beach, so there’s no shortage of nice bait around.

Offshore is great as well. We’re seeing some species that have a tendency to live more south. Big black grouper, larger yellowtail snapper and the occasional dog snapper as well. Red grouper are closed until the first of the year. So we’re happy to still easily fill the box.

As life changing and devastat ing as Ian was, the only positive I’ve found is people helping other people - and the fishing!

CAPT. RICK GRASSETT

Fortunately, the Sarasota area fared well during Hurricane Ian compared to areas to our south. Others suffered catastrophic dam age that may take years to recover from.

Although there is still a large amount of runoff, Sarasota Bay is recovering nicely. Fly anglers fish ing Sarasota Bay with me out of

CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta

Key had good action catching and releasing snook, trout and several other species recently.

Pat Beckwith, of Sarasota, fished deep grass flats with sink tip fly lines and weighted flies on a couple of trips with me and in addition to numerous trout, she also caught and released Span ish mackerel. Andrew Terry, of Longboat Key, caught and released a huge jack on a fly with an 8-wt. on another trip. After a 30-min ute battle and dodging numer ous obstructions, he brought the 14-pound fish to the boat. Great job!

Dave Smid, of Springfield, Mis souri, fished dock lights before dawn in Sarasota Bay with me and had good action catching and releasing numerous snook on

flies. He also fished deep grass flats with Clouser flies on sink tip fly lines and had good action with trout.

Snook fishing around dock lights and bridges should be a good option now. You may also find juvenile tarpon in canals and creeks and in a few places mixed with snook around dock lights. Look for reds in skinny water. Fishing deep grass flats for a variety of species is also usually a good option for action.

Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides and other algae blooms fueled by residential, industrial and agricul tural runoff, toxic spills and inten tional releases, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation. Please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

CAPT. DAVID WHITE | SUBMITTED Taylor King of Cortez, along with Capt. David White of Anna Maria Charters, hoist a beautiful dog snapper. These fish are pretty rare in our area.

FOOD TRUCKS: Location rejected

FROM PAGE 1

On Aug. 11, City Attorney Becky Vose presented the commission with the first reading of a city ordinance that proposed locating the designated food truck area at the far end of Bayfront Park, near the Hibiscus Street and North Shore Drive intersection.

During that meeting, sev eral residents and residential property owners expressed opposition to the proposed Bayfront Park location be cause of its proximity to sev eral residential properties. Some suggested the food truck zone be located at City Pier Park instead, which is home to the city’s seasonal farmers market, but the City Pier Park location never garnered any serious consid eration from the mayor and commission.

The Oct. 13 food truck discussion began with Mur phy noting that he and the commissioners had received numerous emails expressing opposition to the proposed Bayfront Park location.

“My recommendation is to deny adoption of this ordinance and then staff can reconsider this issue and we can take a look at other op tions as necessary at some point in the future without a definitive date,” he told the commission.

Murphy did not mention any alternative location for the city’s designated food truck zone. During previ ous discussions, Vose noted some Florida cities restrict food truck operations to specific zoning designations. Anna Maria’s commercial

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The proposed food truck zone in Bayfront Park would have been located near several residential properties.

district (C-1) and retail/of fice/residential (ROR) both allow for restaurant opera tions.

In response to Murphy’s recommendation, Commis sioner Deanie Sebring made a motion to deny the adop tion of the proposed food truck ordinance.

Having previously expressed their concerns in emails sent to the mayor and commissioners, potentially impacted property own ers Greg Raupp and Robin Massey thanked the com mission for responding to their concerns.

After thanking the com mission for reconsidering the proposed ordinance, Raupp suggested doing an impact study if and when a new food truck ordinance is considered.

“I know that you guys really have a hard job. I cannot express how much I appreciate you listening. Thank you,” Massey told the commission.

In response to those comments, Commissioner Jon Crane said, “We very much appreciate hearing from the citizenry in emails

and letters and coming to these meetings. It helps us perform our jobs. So, thank you.”

Sebring said she appre ciated how many people voiced their opinions about the proposed food truck zone.

“I completely understand. This is the way it’s supposed to work. People actually came and voiced their opin ion rather than sat home and got angry that it went through,” she said.

Commission Chair Carol Carter agreed, saying, “This was something the state said we had to make available for this type of business. We were as much taken back, initially, as all of you. We tried to work through it and we definitely need to rethink this.”

Commissioners seek food truck regulations

HOLMES BEACH – City commis sioners are moving forward with an ordinance regulating food truck operations.

Under the ordinance, which passed a first reading and vote dur ing an Oct. 11 meeting, food truck operators will be able to set up shop in the C-2 and C-3 commercial districts. To operate at the spot, the food truck won’t be allowed to take up any required parking for the primary business onsite. The trucks cannot be parked in the right of way and must be parked on a finished surface, such as asphalt, gravel or concrete unless partici pating in a special event, such as a festival at city field that requires a special use permit by the event coordinator. Food truck operators would need the permission of the property owner to do business on the property.

All food truck employees also will need to have access to a restroom while working.

If the ordinance passes a final reading, operators would be limited to two days per week at a single location within the city. Only food and beverages could be sold from the food truck. Vendors have to make the food truck accessible at any time for inspections by fire of ficials or code compliance officers and have any business licenses re quired by the state for food opera tions.

Food truck operations hours also would be limited to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. unless participating in a special event.

Employees would also be respon sible for disposing of trash and other waste material properly along with any cooking oil. No trash or oil would be allowed to be dumped onsite or down any storm drains.

The proposed food truck ordi nance is set to be reviewed by the city’s planning commission before it goes back to city commissioners for a final public hearing and vote.

Pumpkin Spice Fest!

REAL ESTATE

Higher mortgage rates affect everything

Think of an octopus – the head of the octopus is the housing market and the tentacles are all of the industries dependent on the housing market. Too much of a stretch? You get the idea.

Anyone who has ever purchased a home goes into it knowing that there will be a lot of out-of-pocket expenses, during the first year at least. New appliances, decorating, paint, furniture, lawn maintenance and a full litany of other homeownership neces sities are just a few of the expenses home owners can expect. Some of these projects are done by the new owners but many are performed by professionals who may see the demand for their services eroding if home sales slow down. Not to mention the effect slower home sales are having on the mortgage industry. Lenders and their employees, many of whom work on commission, are having their own personal recession.

Higher interest rates affect virtually every corner of the economy, but it affects the

Castles in the Sand

LOUISE BOLGER

housing market the most. The higher the rates, the higher homebuyers’ monthly pay ments are, adding hundreds of dollars every month. This is exactly what our over-inflat ed economy doesn’t need right now. What it also doesn’t need are homeowners with low mortgage rates making the decision to stay in their homes with their ultra-low mortgage interest rates instead of moving up or out and taking on a loan rate double what they are currently carrying.

The higher the rates go, the less inventory there is or will be on the market. You don’t have to be a Harvard-educated economist to recognize that the supply and demand law is alive and well in the United States hous

ing market. Some economists are calling this the golden handcuffs, tying homeown ers to their low mortgages and just sitting on their property even if they want to move.

A lot of homeowners are waiting for rates to go down before making their move, but is that really in the foreseeable future? Cer tainly, some people will still need to move because of personal life events, but those who have the option to not move probably won’t.

Because rates haven’t climbed this rapidly in decades, it’s almost impossible to predict how much the increase in mortgage rates could reduce home listings. Mortgage rates rose for five consecutive weeks in September, reaching the highest level since the financial crisis. Per Lawrence Yun, The National Association of Realtor’s chief economist, “I really don’t see inventory rising.” That’s a really scary open-ended statement. Does he mean the inventory will never improve?

Back to the law of supply and demand,

the lack of inventory is one of the major reasons home prices have remained near record highs. Sales are declining, inventory is being suppressed and interest rates going up make for the perfect storm for selling prices to also keep going up.

As far as Florida is concerned, here’s one little tidbit that the Census Bureau reported in 2019, “Florida had the most domestic in movers, with 566,476 people moving from another state within the past year.” That was almost three years ago. I would love to know that number now but, based on the fact that over 321,000 people moved to Florida from the beginning of this year, it will likely be enormous. This could explain why you can’t get a doctor’s appointment lately.

The poor octopus has been called a sea monster but they’re not to blame, especially when the economists don’t really know any thing either. The housing market is also a monster in many ways and how the housing market goes, so goes the economy. Buckle up, things aren’t changing anytime soon.

OBITUARIES

Florence Tully

Florence Tully, age 101, passed away Sept. 30, 2022. She grew up in Chappaqua, New York. She was a longtime resident of Holmes Beach, Florida. She was predeceased by her husband, Donald; and children, Patricia (Phil Williamson) and Brian. She was dearly loved by her children. She is survived by her chil dren, Maureen (Chris) Natoli, Michael (Patricia) and James (Jennifer); 13 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Robert Munroe Baker

With deep sadness we share the news that Robert Munroe “Bob” Baker, 94, of Bradenton, formerly of Holmes Beach, passed away Sept. 20, 2022 from complications of Lewy Body Dementia

and cancer. He had been a resident of Discovery Commons at Bradenton for 5½ weeks.

Bob was born June 5, 1928, in Pitts burgh, Pennsylvania, the only child of the late Marion Munroe and John (Jack) Baker. His father passed in 1932 of tuberculosis, after which Bob was raised by his fiercely independent and proud mother. Bob and his mother moved in with Marion’s parents, and Marion went on to become a librarian at the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh. It was from his mother and her fam ily that Bob came to value his Scottish heritage, genealogy and the impor tance of education in equal measure.

Following an early graduation from Pittsburgh’s Peabody High School, Bob was accepted into the Coast Guard Prep School in Groton, Connecticut during the waning months of World War II. He was assigned to the person nel office, never seeing combat. How ever, he did “play a lot of baseball,” as he liked to recall. When he returned to Pittsburgh after the war, he received his undergraduate degree and his MBA from the University of Pittsburgh.

Bob spent his professional career in corporate finance, working for several Fortune 500 companies, including Ford Motor Company and Becton-Dickin son, and living in all parts of the United States and for one year in Mexico City,

Mexico. After retirement, he worked part-time preparing tax filings before moving to Bradenton. Here he volun teered his expertise at Roser Memorial Church and served as treasurer for his condominium association on Anna Maria Island.

Bob and Carol, who would have celebrated their 40th anniversary in February, enjoyed traveling all over the country to be present for gradu ations, weddings, holidays and other special family events. As the only child of an only child, he and Carol worked to create a sense of connection across the many branches of his family tree, including several memorable family reunions.

Bob’s favorite downtime passion was sports. He adored baseball and softball and continued to play softball competi tively until sidelined at 90 by shoulder and knee pain. “Bob Baker Home Run Maker” even competed in the National Senior Olympics several times, with Carol enthusiastically leading the wives in bleacher cheers!

When he wasn’t playing or watching a ball game, Bob could be found most mornings at the kitchen table, reading one of his three daily papers, or work ing through the backlog of magazine articles in a nearby basket. In the after noons, he might head to his workbench (well-stocked with innumerable jars of

screws) to tackle an annoying home re pair. Come evening, he enjoyed a drink on his and Carol’s condominium lanai overlooking the Gulf of Mexico or sit ting by their pool, and perhaps playing a few games of cards or dominoes with any visiting family or friends.

Bob’s memory will be cherished and carried on by his loving wife, Carol; his children, Richard A. Baker (Diann) of Snellville, Georgia and Katherine E. Baker of Naperville, Illinois; Car ol’s daughters, Kathryn E. Parmelee (Danielle) of Baltimore, Maryland and Sara E. Gustafson (Bill) of Westlake Village, California; his seven grandchil dren, John C. Baker (Claire Ramsey) of South San Francisco, California, Elizabeth Baker-Head (Gabe) of Casa Grande, Arizona, Caron Radachy of Lakeland, Florida, Andrew Shatrau and Grace Shatrau of Naperville, Il linois, Kallie and Kasey Gustafson of Westlake Village, California; his seven great-grandchildren, Ian and Charlotte Baker of South San Francisco, Cali fornia, Michael and Cassandra Chafin and Kingsley Head of Casa Grande, Arizona, Jonathan Kelley (Brittney) of Lakeland, Florida and Conner Kelley, Austell, Georgia; and his great-greatgrandson, Jayten Kelley of Lakeland, Florida, who is carrying on the baseball

OBITUARIES

FROM PAGE 27

tradition for his “Grandpa.” Sons Rob ert Jr. and Thomas predeceased Bob.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the staff at Discovery Commons, in par ticular to his special caregivers Sylvia, Sharon and Christine for their truly kind and compassionate care.

A Memorial Service is planned for Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022 in the Sanctuary of Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, Florida. The family will greet friends and family by the sanctuary entrance from 2-2:45 p.m. The service will follow at 3 p.m. after which family members will adjourn to Roser’s Rose Garden, where his ashes will be placed in the family niche. All others are cordially invited to find their way to Bob’s Celebration of Life (or in Bob’s words a “party”) at the American Legion Kirby Stewart Post 24, 2000 75th St. W., Bradenton for food, drinks and merriment in honor of Bob from 4-7 p.m.

In memory of Bob, donations may be made to Roser Memorial Community Church, Southeastern Guide Dogs

at 4210 77th St. E., Palmetto, Florida 34221, Red Cross Hurricane Ian Fund (www.redcross.org), or a charity of your choice.

Robert T. Barlow

Robert Truman Barlow, 82, of Bra denton, passed away on Oct. 3, 2022.

He was born in Utah to Thelma and Donald Barlow.

Robert is survived by sons, Todd, Mark, Brick, Clay and Zak Barlow; daughter, Emma Beeman; and grand children, June, Drew, Jack and Jack; as well as many friends.

He was a long-time resident of Anna Maria Island prior to moving to Bra denton, Florida, and was a member of the Anna Maria City Council. He was a home builder and was proud of his work.

Robert honorably served in the U.S. Army.

The family will hold private services.

MOTE MARINE: Plans submitted

FROM PAGE 1

Murphy said it wasn’t necessary for Mote Marine representatives to attend the special meeting.

“This is our chance to review those plans collectively and put together our con cerns, comments or questions both for our building official and for Mote,” he told the commission.

The third objective is to establish the timelines to move forward with the comple tion of the project. Murphy said this would include holding another meeting during which Mote representatives can directly respond to any lingering questions posed by the commissioners. Permitting and installation schedules must also be formu lated for the completion of the pier-based Mote Marine facility.

The initial concept for the Mote Marine educational outreach center was first pre sented to city commissioners in February 2021. The commission later voted 4-1 to move forward with the outreach center as its preferred use for the vacant city-owned pier building. Commissioner Mark Short opposed that use of the city building for that purpose and expressed his preference that it be used for an open-air cantina or a full-service restaurant.

In response to ongoing planning delays experienced by Mote Marine, the city commission, on April 22, gave Mote until

CITY OF ANNA MARIA | SUBMITTED Presented in April, this rendering illustrates the conceptual plans for the Mote facility.

Oct. 13 to submit its completed plans for the facility or face the possibility of the project being terminated by the commis sion. During that meeting, the commission also established a March 1, 2023 deadline for the Mote facility to be completed and opened to the public.

CONCEPTUAL PLANS

During the April meeting, the commis sion also reached a majority consensus in support of the latest conceptual plans presented that day by Mote Marine rep resentative Kevin Cooper. The conceptual plans Cooper presented were in the form of colored renderings that illustrated four live exhibits, with the centerpiece being an

BEACH BEAT

BRADENTON BEACH

10/8, 11:59 p.m., battery, 120 Bridge St. The officer responded to a fight in progress at The Drift Inn. While responding, the officer saw two males walking in the 200 block of Church Street, one of whom was identified as the victim. The second male was identified as the man who started a fight with an unidentified man in the bar. When the victim tried to break it up, the male who started the fight threw him to the ground. The alleged instigator was intoxicated and not able to give a statement, but was arrested after the victim said

he wished to press charges. The suspect was arrested for battery.

HOLMES BEACH

10/6, 6:36 p.m., Marchman Act, 3708 Gulf Drive. The officer was dis patched in reference to someone who had just used heroin. The of ficer arrived and made contact with a female who said her son had been using heroin in the car. The officer made contact with the male subject, who admitted to being addicted to heroin for more than 10 years, but said he had hoped to use his Florida vacation to detox from the drug. EMS was called to the scene and determined the subject was not able to take care of himself, so he was transported to HCA Florida Blake Hospital after Marchman Act paper work was completed. The mother

handed the officer a black shaving kit bag containing three Xanax pills, some hypodermic needles and some cotton balls that tested positive for heroin residue. No further action was taken by police.

10/7, 10:24 a.m., trespass warning, 5410 Marina Drive. After respond ing to DCoy Ducks in reference to a trespass complaint, the bartend er told the officer that a female had been disturbing other patrons, and at one point had thrown a phone at a customer. The subject was found outside sitting at a picnic table, where she was told by the officer that she was trespassed from the bar and could not return. The subject got on The Monkey Bus and left the area without fur ther incident.

MOTE MARINE: Plans submitted

FROM PAGE 29

invertebrate touch exhibit that in cludes horseshoe crabs, starfish and other marine life.

The mangrove exhibit will include a mangrove tree and marine species inhabiting the mangrove’s submerged root system. The grass flats exhibit will feature marine species found near the City Pier. A fourth exhibit will em ploy live cameras and a hydrophone to provide real time sights and sounds of the marine life and environment underneath the City Pier.

Additional interactive and educa tional exhibits will include micro scopes, a game fish identification exhibit, a “Draw Alive” exhibit that allow visitors to create digital marine life images and an exhibit that allows visitors to create textured rubbings of fish and other marine life.

TOURIST TAX FUNDING TAPPED

Using tourist development tax rev enues, Manatee County will provide the city with $500,000 to cover the

majority of the initial costs incurred during the installation of the Mote Marine facility. Mote Marine will cover any additional installation expenses. Mote Marine will not pay the city rent

for the use of the pier building but will staff and operate the pier-based facility at its own expense. The city will cover the facility’s ongoing utility expenses.

CITY OF ANNA MARIA | SUBMITTED

The Mote Marine facility is to feature an invertebrate touch tank.

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Young soccer competitors eye playoffs at The Center

BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN

ANNA MARIA – With fall youth soccer past mid-season, the coaches and players are looking toward playoffs and strengthen ing their records going into week 5 action.

LaPensee Plumbing and Island Real Estate are on top of the ranks for the U10 league with nearly identical records, with the win going to LaPensee last Tuesday night.

The 2-1 win against Island Real Estate put LaPensee Plumbing’s record to 3-0-1, while Island Real Estate’s record moved to 3-1-0. In the win, TJ Hagey and Preston LaPensee put the points up for their team.

Island Real Estate’s consistent striker and top scorer of the league, Callin Westfall, scored his team’s only goal, while Vincent Gollamudi continued to impress in goal with two critical saves.

Owen Mahoney worked his magic as the keeper for LaPensee Plumbing with three saves in the game.

In the second U10 game of the night, team Cloud Pest Control searched for their first win of the season, but the hot foot of Brandon Sato proved to be too much for the Cloud defense.

Scoring a hat trick with three goals in the

Key Royale golfers return to play

OCT. 3 - MODIFIED STABLEFORD

First Place - with a score of +2, John Kolojeski, Art McMillan and Rich Salzburg

OCT. 6 - SCRAMBLE

First Place - Gary Alford, Mike Clements, Eric Lawson and Bob O'Brien with a score of 27, 5 under par

MONICA SIMPSON | SUN

Cole Lotz for team Gulf Drive Café gave it all he had, including his cleat, against the Wash Family Construction defender in U4 action at The Center of Anna Maria Island.

game, Sato was the top scorer of the week. His brother, Dylan Sato, added a goal to the game statistics, giving him seven goals in the season.

Gunnar Maize prevented two Cloud Pest Control points with nice saves in the game to help his team to victory.

In a shutout, Solid Rock Construction won the last U10 game of the night against AMI Coconuts with a score of 2-0. Renan Kesten and Mathew Darak each had a goal for Solid Rock.

Goalkeeper Riley Karecki made four big saves against the Solid Rock Construction

Second Place - Marty Hicks, Tom Nelson, Chuck Patrick and Gary Razze tied with the team of Larry Pippel, Kurt Snouffer, Larry Solberg and Steve Vasbinder with a score of 28, 4 under par

OCT. 10 - MODIFIED STABLEFORD

First Place - Ron Buck with a score of +4

Second Place - Tom Nelson with a score of +3

Third Place - (tie) Mike Clements, David

offense to help keep the AMI Coconuts squad in the game.

The U14 league is dominated by the undefeated HSH team. Winning against the Mac Parkman squad by two goals gave HSH a 3-0-1 record.

Scoring by Sterling Holiday, Krosby Lamison and Jayden Sparks for HSH and a solo goal by Ryk Kesten closed out the youth soccer action at The Center of Anna Maria Island for the week.

With three regular season games left to play, the title of champion is still up for grabs in the Island’s youth soccer leagues.

Crabb, Chuck Patrick, Larry Pippel, Dave Richardson and Peter Solleveld with a score of +2

OCT. 11 - LOW NET SCORE

A

Solleveld

Pollock

Tarras

SUN SCOREBOARD

OCT. 11 YOUTH SOCCER – WEEK 4

U10

LaPensee Plumbing (3-0-1) 2

Island Real Estate (3-1-0) 1

Sato Real Estate (2-0-2) 4

Cloud Pest Control (0-4-0) 0

Solid Rock Construction (1-2-1) 2

AMI Coconuts (1-1-2) 0

U14

HSH (3-0-1) 3

Mac Parkman (0-2-1) 1

Progressive Cabinetry (0-2-0) Bye

OCT. 13

ADULT SOCCER – WEEK 4

Pool America (1-2-0) 6

Ross Built Construction (1-2-0) 1

Sato Real Estate (0-2-1) 6

Servis First Bank (0-2-1) 5

Slim’s Place (4-0-0) 4

Gulfview Windows and Doors (2-2-0) 2

Moss Builders (2-1-1) 9

Wash Family Construction (2-1-1) 7

Flight B Jackie Gorski

Laurie Hicks

Brenda Solleveld had a chip-in on hole #4

OCT. 13 - SHAMBLE

First Place Team - Eric Hicks, Tom Nelson and Rich Salzburg with a score of +2 over par Second Place Team - Mike Gillie, Ken Nagengast and Larry Solberg with a score of +3 over par

CLASSIFIED

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

THE BEST VOLUNTEER position on the island. The AMI Historical Museum needs docents and bread makers. Call Kathy Primeau at 989-560-6381.

ROSER FOOD BANK needs donations of cash and non-perishable food, PAPER & PERSON

AL HYGIENE PRODUCTS. Donations boxes are located at the Church, Moose Club, and Wal green’s.

HOSPITAL VOLUNTEERS

WANTED to assist at our in formation desk, especially weekends. Great for teens needing volunteer hours (16yrs+). Other assignments avail able. Please call the Blake Volunteer Office at 941-798-6151.

COMMERCIAL SALES, RENT & LEASE

HAVE YOU BEEN thinking of selling? We NEED properties to List for SALE!!! Duplexes, multi family, small resorts? Call BIG Alan Galletto of Island Real Estate to get it SOLD 941-232-2216

CLEANING SERVICE

TOTAL HOME SERVICES

CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Rentals, VRBO. Professional and Reliable. Call 941-7564570 or 941-565-3931

KIMBERLY’S BOCO CLEAN ING is accepting new clients for general home cleaning services call 252940-3293 for free estimate Bradenton Palmetto area

EMPLOYMENT

WANTED LICENSED

REALTOR! Seeking real estate agent with island expertise to join our highly productive sales team! Contact us at 941-900-4974. All calls confidential

PERSON OR PERSONS for home maintenance. 2 days per week,4 hours per day,$20/hr Clean furniture, deck ,windows, etc Call 941-713-1586

The award-winning ANNA MARIA ISLAND SUN, a weekly newspaper on Florida’s Gulf Coast, is looking for a freelance reporter/photographer to cover events on this tourism-driven island. The ideal candidate will have reporting and photography experience at a commu nity newspaper and have some experience writing for a news website. Local residents or those with previous local knowledge and willing to relocate here a plus. Resumes and cover letters may be mailed to The Anna Maria Island Sun, P.O Box 1189, Anna Maria, FL 34216, Attention: Mike Field, publisher.

FISHING CHARTERS

CAPT. MAC GREGORY Fishing Charters. Full Day, Half Day, Night, Inshore & Near Shore. 941-809-5783 U.S.C.G. Certified/Insured

FOR SALE

TOPPER FOR F150 Long bed. $100 or Best Offer. Call 941-705-7560.

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

TILE! TILE! TILE! All varia tions of tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship. Prompt, reliable, many Island ref erences. Free estimates. Neil 941-726-3077

RENOVATION SPECALIST

ALL carpentry repairs, Wash Family Construction, locally owned and operated CBC 1258250 Call 941-7250073.

KERN CONSTRUCTION

NEW Homes & Remodel. Design/Build. Since 1968. License # CBC 1261150. Call Mike Kern 941-7781115

JSAN CORPORATION Renovations Construc tion & Handyman Services 941-243-0995 Lic# CRC1332505 jsancorporation@gmail. com Flooring, Drywall, Painting, Repairs, Kitchen and Bath rooms, Trim & Doors. Free Estimates. Credit Cards Accepted.

API’S DRYWALL REPAIR 15+ years experience. Free estimates. No job too small. Love to help you. Call 941-524-8067.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Michigan General Con tractor 30+ yrs. experi ence. Large or small projects. Budget minded knowledgeable trades man will complete your project start to finish: On Time/On Budget. Call Mike 616-204-8822.

HOME SERVICES

CONCRETE FUSION, CRACK REPAIR sidewalks/ driveways. Why fix 95% of concrete when only 5% bad? Number 1 in concrete repair. Insured. Free estimate. Call Bobby 941-374-7670.

LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE

R. GAROFALO’S Interlocking brick pavers, driveways, pa tios, pool decks. Free esti mates. Licensed & Insured. Call Rafael 941-778-4823 or Veronik 941-526-7941

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

ISLAND RESIDENT. TREE/ BUSH Trimming, removal. Sweeping, blowing, weed ing. Weekly, bi-monthly or monthly schedule. Pressure washing. Call Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315

MOVING & STORAGE

MARTIN’S MOVING YOUR Island movers! Of fering dependable, com petitive rates. No hidden costs. 941-809-5777.

PAINTING & WALLCOVERING

PAINT! PAINT! AND MORE 28 years of experienced interior/exterior custom painting. Pressure clean ing, drywall repairs and texture finishes. Many Island references. Please call Neil for free estimates. 941-812-0507

“WIZARD OF WALLS” Established 1980 Prompt quality service. Paperhanging/removal Faux finishes. Interior painting. Mary Bell Win egarden 941-794-0455

DONALD PERKINS

ABRACADABRA PAINTING LLC fully insured. 30 years experience. Many Island references. Call 941-7057096

PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reli able. Island Resident. Qual ity Workmanship. Interior/ Exterior. Minor repairs & carpentry. Free estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315

POOL SERVICES

FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE AND CHEMI CAL SERVICES. Certi fied Pool Operator. 10 + Years Experience. Residential/commer cial. Chemical Service Licensed & Insured. Call Dennis Clark 941-7375657

REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE

Have you been thinking of selling? We NEED properties to List for SALE!!! GULF FRONT, CA

NAL 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 custom ers for 30 years. Proven track record brings you results! 941-725-1589

REALTOR FOR HIRE. BUYING OR SELLING on AMI? 17 years experi ence & USAF Veteran. Call Kelly Gitt Keller Williams Realty today 941-799-9299.

HOUSE FOR SALE 4BR/3BA. 2274 s.f. 329 30th St W, Bradenton, FL 34205. $699,000. MLS # A4545595 Boyd Realty. Call 941-730-8589 broker@boydrealty.com

RENTALS: ANNUAL

ANNUAL RENTALS

ANNUAL RENTALS – AVAIL ABLE NOW. 1BR/1.5BA, fully furnished. $3,000/ month. 3BR/2BA, unfur nished. $5,000/month.1ST, Last, and Security Deposit required. Call Sato Real Estate, Inc 941-778-7200 or Email monica@satoreal estate.com

RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION

TIFFANY PLACE Gulf

Front Condo for Rent Incredible views from living room and master bedroom. 2BR/2BA Green Real Estate Call 941-778-0455

SEASONAL RENTAL in PALMA SOLA. 3BR/2BA weekly or monthly rates. Contact Barb Grace 941201-2190

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

TRANSPORTATION

COLE'S TROPICAL POOL SERVICE Call Cole Bowers for all your pool maintenance needs! Affordable and Dependable!! 941-7131893

PRESSURE WASHING & WINDOWS

TOTAL HOME SERVICES CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Construc tion, Vacation, VRBO Rentals . Also available Pressure Washing, Roof Cleaning, Paver Sealing and Windows. Call 941565-3931.

WANTED! We have well qualified tenants for beach and mainland annual rentals, Full man agement or Finders fee. Call today for details. Ask for Paige DUNCAN REAL ESTATE 513-3821992.

ANNUAL RENTAL-3BR/2BA, pool, canal w/ boat lift home on key Royale. 1700 sq.ft. $8500/mo. Call 941-713-1586

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

ANYTIME TRANSPORTA TION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa/St. Pete $80. Sarasota $40. Pets wel come. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-779-5095

AIRPORT RIDES Sarasota, St. Pete, Tampa. Call/Text Vita 941-376-7555.