be banned in Holmes Beach

Commissioners pursue smoking ban

HOLMES BEACH – Commissioners are seeking to reduce litter in the city, and one of the ways they’re considering is banning smoking on the beach and in city parks.

While the proposed smoking ban ordinance passed the first reading by a 4-1 vote, it still has to pass a final public hearing and vote during a Thursday, Sept. 15 meeting before it can be enforced.

Commissioner Carol Soustek, a smoker herself, voted against the proposed ordinance, stating she feels that regulating smoking outdoors is overstepping.

While City Attorney Erica Augello said commissioners can vote to pass and enforce the ordinance, there are limits to what they can do. For instance, while city leaders can ban smoking in city parks and on city beaches, they cannot regulate it at Manatee Beach, which is Manatee County property.

The ban extends only to filtered cigarettes. Hand-rolled cigarettes and cigars without filters, vaping devices and ecigarettes are not included.

If the ordinance passes a final vote, the fine will be $75 for a first offense. Police Chief Bill Tokajer said that his officers would work to educate the public about the new smoking regulation, if it passes, before issuing citations.

City leaders move to ban plastic straws

HOLMES BEACH – City leaders are one step away from banning the distribution of plastic straws and the mayor says they’re not getting a lot of pushback from local business owners.

Commissioners are planning to have a final public hearing and vote on an ordinance banning the distribution of plastic straws by food service establishments during a Thursday, Sept. 15 meeting. If the ordinance passes, everyone who sells food and drinks in the city will have to make the change to using paper, bamboo or other environmentally-friendly straws.

Mayor Judy Titsworth said she’s been working with code compliance officers on outreach for the ordinance and, so far, they’ve only received comments from one food service establishment and those comments were positive.

Commissioners began considering the ordinance as a way to reduce single-use plastic waste and cut down on litter in the city. Due to constraints by the state of Florida, plastic straws are the only single-use plastic item that local governments can choose to restrict.

If the ordinance passes a final vote, businesses would have up to six months to use up their existing plastic straw inventory and make the switch to a more sustainable product. The ban would include service items only and not extend to prepackaged items, like juice boxes. Any business that sells drinks or other items with plastic straws in the city would be affected, including the deli at Publix and the café at Manatee Beach.

6THE SUN OPINION The Anna Maria Island Sun Staff

Owner/CEO Mike Field

Editor Cindy Lane

General Manager Bob Alexander

Reporters/Photographers Joe Hendricks Jason Schaffer Kristin Swain

Columnists Louise Bolger Rusty Chinnis

Contributors Steve Borggren Captain Rick Grassett Leslie Lake Monica Simpson Tom Vaught Captain Kevin Wessel Captain Dave White Anne Yarbrough

Layout Ricardo Fonseca

Digital Editor Kristin Swain

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Classifieds Bob Alexander

Graphics Elaine Stroili Ricardo Fonseca

Distribution Bob Alexander Connor Field Tony McNulty Brian Smith

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Co-founding publishers Mike Field Maggie McGinley Field Family-owned since 2000

3909 East Bay Drive, Suite 210, Holmes Beach, FL, 34217 Phone: (941) 778-3986 email: news@amisun.com | ads@amisun.com | classifieds@amisun.com Like us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AnnaMariaIslandSun

SEPTEMBER 7, 2022

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ANNA MARIA

10005 GULF DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130 Please visit www.cityofannamaria.com or contact city hall for more information. Sept. 7, 1:30 p.m. – Historic Preservation Board meeting Sept. 8, 5:30 p.m. – City Commission budget meeting with regular meeting to follow Sept. 12, 2 p.m. – City Commission special 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. Sept. 7, 9:30 a.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency meeting Sept. 7, 2 p.m. – Scenic WAVES meeting Sept. 8, 5:05 p.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency budget meeting Sept. 8, 5:30 p.m. – City Commission budget meeting Sept. 13, 9:30 a.m. – City Commission work meeting Sept. 14, 10 a.m. – Department Head workshop HOLMES BEACH

5801 MARINA DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800 Please visit www.holmesbeachfl.org or contact city hall for more information. Sept. 14, 9 a.m. – Clean Water Ad-hoc Committee meeting Sept. 12, 2 p.m. – Island Transportation Planning Organization meeting, Holmes Beach City Hall Sept. 13, 6 p.m. – West Manatee Fire Rescue board meeting and budget hearing, administration building, 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton Sept. 14, 2 p.m. – Coalition of Barrier Island Elected Officials meeting, Anna Maria City Hall

EVENTS

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 7

Coloring Club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, noon.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 8

AMI Chamber members luncheon, The Porch, 9707 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, 11:30 a.m., $18 for members or $30 for prospective members. Reserve to 941-782-8683. Sunshine Stitchers knit and crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. Thursdays in Paradise Stroll featuring local art, music and food, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 5-8 p.m. Teen yoga, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 6 p.m.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 9

Mahjong Club – Experienced Players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m. Sunrise paddle, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 6:30 a.m. Register with Sarah Denison at sarah.denison@mymanatee.org. Robinson Runners, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 7 a.m. Saturday mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon. Origami Club, 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. Greg LaPensee Bowling Tournament benefitting The Center, Bowlero Bradenton, 4208 Cortez Road, Bradenton, 5 p.m., $50 per person or $250 for a team of six. Call 941-778-1908 or email info@centerami.org to register.

MONDAY, SEPT. 12

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

TUESDAY, SEPT. 13

Preschool yoga, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island meeting, Slicker’s Eatery, 12012 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, 11:30 a.m.