- Named Best Florida Newspaper In Its Class -
VOL 21 No. 47
September 1, 2021
Manatee County School Board extends mask ‘mandate’ BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH - As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, the Manatee County School Board voted 3-2 on Aug. 24 to extend a temporary mask mandate it passed on Aug. 16 requiring all students and staff to wear masks on campus. The mandate includes an opt-out clause requiring parents to fill out an online form if they do not want their child to wear a mask. Staff members also may opt out of the mask mandate. The school board also approved a motion that would allow the superintendent to remove the mandate if the 7-day COVID-19 positivity rate in Manatee County is 8% or less. Otherwise, the mandate expires on Oct. 29. When the Aug. 16 meeting was held, there were fewer than 700 cases of COVID-19 in Manatee
Least terns nest on AMI
SEE MASKS, PAGE 36
KATHY DODDRIDGE | SUBMITTED
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring bird colony manager and photographer Kathy Doddridge gets up close and personal – through a long lens – with the least tern families of Anna Maria Island. See more on Page 14.
Boaters rescued near Rod & Reel Pier
Legal issues put a damper on wedding plans Ongoing legal issues between city leaders and the owner of the Bali Hai mean that one couple won’t get their perfect beachfront wedding celebration. BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA - Personnel from the U.S. Coast Guard Station Cortez, West Manatee Fire Rescue and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Marine Unit responded to a vessel in distress call near the Rod & Reel Pier on Friday afternoon. On Monday, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Officer Brian Norris provided a summary of Friday’s rescue operation. “At approximately 3 p.m. on August 27, a vessel with four people on board was traveling
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through the inlet near Bean Point as a storm system was moving through,” Norris said. “The inclement weather caused large waves and the vessel took several waves over the bow causing the vessel to sink. The four occupants were wearing life jackets and were recovered from the water, unharmed, by the Coast Guard and the Sheriff’s Office. They were taken to the Rod & Reel Pier to be examined by EMS. All were examined and released. The vessel has since been removed from the water. FWC is conducting the accident investigation.”
SGT. RUSSEL SCHNERING, MCSO / SUBMITTED
HOLMES BEACH – A local couple whose wedding plans were ruined by the Bali Hai Beach Resort was rescued by Island restaurateur Sean Murphy, who has offered them a wedding venue at one of his properties. City Commissioner Terry Schaefer contacted Murphy after Bradenton couple David Naeher and Natalie Schofield appeared before commissioners on Aug. 24 to plead their case, hoping the city would approve their application for a special event permit to have their wedding on the beach in front of the Bali Hai. Unknown to the couple, the resort – which advertises itself as a wedding venue – is not allowed to host weddings due to city permit violations.
This distressed vessel took on water near the Rod & Reel Pier Friday afternoon.
SEE WEDDING, PAGE 36
FIND OUT which
PINEY POINT is now under new
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Anna Maria Island, Florida
ANNA MARIA City is taking sea
level rise seriously. 3
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City taking sea level rise seriously The mayor and city commission want to begin planning now for the sea level rise expected in the decades to come. JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria City Commission has included $75,000 in its proposed 2021-22 fiscal budget to begin planning for future sea level rise. If pursued, these initial efforts would be funded by American Rescue Plan (ARP) money provided by the federal government. Mayor Dan Murphy and the city commission are considering spending up to $50,000 of that earmarked ARP money to hire renowned sea level rise expert and author John Englander and the Rising Seas Institute he’s affiliated with. On Thursday, Aug. 26, Englander presented the mayor and commission with some
ideas as to how he and the Rising Seas Institute could help the city plan for future sea level rise. The commission took no formal action and the discussion is expected to resume at a later date. In 2019, Englander gave a detailed sea level rise presentation to local government officials and another to the general public on the same day. The presentations were sponsored by the city of Anna Maria and city residents Bob and Carol Carter – the latter of whom serves as an Anna Maria city commissioner. On Thursday, Englander stressed the need for city officials to begin planning now for the sea level rise and tidal fluctuations expected to take place within the next three or four decades and beyond. Englander said the goal is to create a sea level rise strategy for Anna Maria that supports and protects the city and its lifestyle and property values as sea levels rise.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Sea level rise expert John Englander made a presentation to the Anna Maria City Commission on Thursday, August 26. He recommends creating a “30-year Rising Seas Master Plan” to serve as a long-range policy on a host of issues relating to increased sea levels. These will include architectural innovations, land use planning, zoning designations, building codes, infrastructure and transportation changes to help minimize disruptions
caused by flooding from storms, heavy rains, high tides and sea level rise. Englander proposed he and the Rising Seas Institute serve as the city representative and/ or consulting advisor at a cost of about $25,000. He suggested the remaining $25,000 be used as incentives offered equally to five firms that would com-
pete in a contest designed to provide the city with sea level rise resiliency and adaptation ideas. The winning firm then would be awarded a contract to provide additional sea level rise planning services. City Attorney Becky Vose told Englander and the commission the contest format proposed by Englander would not comply with the statemandated consultant selection process outlined in Florida’s Consultants Competitive Negotiations Act. Englander said he was not aware of that state law and he would revise his contest concept accordingly. Commissioner Mark Short asked Englander why he’s not recommending a collective effort that also includes the cities of Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach, which face the same sea level rise concerns and challenges. Englander said an Islandwide approach would be ideal, SEE SEA LEVEL, PAGE 11
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SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
IN BRIEF
Pier cleanup next week
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Pepsi Stronger Together and Force Blue are hosting a marine debris cleanup at the Anna Maria City Pier on Thursday, Sept. 9 in celebration of the NFL season kickoff. “We know what a treasure our marine ecosystems are and that it is so important to conserve them for future generations to enjoy,” FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto said. “We believe partnerships like this can and will make a difference.” Volunteers can get more information at https:// forceblueteam.org/volunteer-opportunities.
Bayfest is back and looking for sponsors There still are sponsorship opportunities for the 20th Annual Bayfest celebration, which returns this year on Saturday, Oct. 16 to Pine Avenue in Anna Maria. According to the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, the sponsorships are a great way to promote local business as well as raise money for Chamber scholarships and initiatives. They also are critical in helping to cover the rising costs of holding the annual festival. Bayfest is easily the largest, most well-attended festival of the year, drawing tens of thousands to turn out for the live music, food and drinks, kids activities, arts and crafts and an antique car show featuring more than 100 classic muscle cars and hotrods. Contact the Chamber at annamariaislandchamber.org to become a sponsor.
PROTECTINGFLORIDATOGETHER.GOV | SUBMITTED
The ponds at Piney Point, center, contain phosphate process water and other pollutants.
Piney Point under new management A receiver is appointed to take over Piney Point from owner HRK Holdings under the supervision of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Accompanied by his grandma, Dorothy Dumbaugh, 3-yearold Zachary Johnstone, of Sarasota, got a spelling game as his Christmas in August gift.
Moose Christmas in August Bearing gifts for the youngsters, Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer made a summer stop at the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge #2188 in Bradenton Beach Saturday morning. Their visit was part of the Moose lodge’s Christmas in August children’s event. “We tried to do something different this year to keep things going and bring people back during the COVID situation. We’re just getting the families out and together and having a good time,” Moose Lodge administrator Byron Dalton said.
PALMETTO – Piney Point is now under the management of an independent third-party receiver who will oversee the closure of the former phosphate plant, which has posed environmental problems for decades. Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas issued an emergency order on Aug. 25 appointing Herbert Donica, a business lawyer and partner of the Tampa-based Donica Law Firm, as receiver of the site at 13300 U.S. Hwy. 41 N. Under the order, Donica is responsible for maintaining, managing and closing Piney Point “as efficiently and expeditiously as possible.” The order grants Donica judicial immunity from liability, including personal injury and property damage. The Florida Department
of Environmental Protection (FDEP) sued Piney Point owner HRK Holdings LLC last month requesting an emergency hearing to appoint a receiver. The emergency was the possibility that summer rains could overflow a storage pond containing water contaminated by phosphate processing, dredge material from Port Manatee and nitrogen and phosphorus, which act as fertilizer for toxic red tide. Scientists have noted a link between red tide-related fish kills and respiratory irritation in and around Tampa Bay including around Anna Maria Island – since FDEP approved the discharge of 215 million gallons of contaminated water into Tampa Bay in March and April to avoid the potential collapse of a compromised gypsum stack that contained more than twice that amount of polluted water. FDEP officials have revised their estimate that Piney Point will get at least another 10 inches of rain by the end of September, saying in a release on Aug. 30 that 8 inches of rain is now expected. The current storage capacity for additional
rainfall at the site is about 11 inches. Totals are changing with rainfall amounts and water management activities at the site, according to FDEP, which includes trucking water off site to the Manatee County Southeast Water Reclamation Facility to lower water levels. FDEP reports that 163 trucks have hauled 1,033,220 gallons of contaminated water offsite, leaving 259 million gallons as of Aug. 30. The state agency also is working with a contractor to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from the water in case another discharge becomes necessary. Since the April discharge, the water has been treated to remove about 200 tons of nitrogen and 150 tons of phosphorus. FDEP is a co-defendant with HRK Holdings LLC in a lawsuit filed on June 24 by five environmental groups, including ManaSota-88 and Sarasotabased Suncoast Waterkeeper, seeking to hold both responsible for negligence in managing the site. No hearing has yet been set in the case.
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Anna Maria budget to include stormwater fee hike The city plans to spend $1.3 million on stormwater and drainage projects and maintenance during the coming fiscal year. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria mayor and city commission have concluded their preliminary planning discussions for the city’s proposed 2021-22 fiscal year budget. The discussions concluded on Thursday, Aug. 26. The proposed budget will be finalized and adopted during public hearings on Thursday, Sept. 9 and Thursday, Sept. 23. The 2021-22 budget is based on maintaining the current 2.05 millage rate. Due to increased property values, maintaining the current millage rate will generate about $2.96 million in ad valorem property taxes for the city in the coming fiscal year. That marks an increase of $358,582 compared
to the $2.6 million in ad valorem tax revenues received during the current fiscal year. The proposed budget presented by Mayor Dan Murphy projects the city will receive slightly more than $8.81 million in total revenue during the coming fiscal year – with an additional $2.21 million in additional fund balances, reserves and net assets. Murphy said the city’s unallocated contingency funds are projected to total $695,415, and those unallocated can be used, if needed, throughout the new fiscal year.
STORMWATER FEE INCREASE
During Thursday’s budget meeting, the commission unanimously approved Murphy’s previously proposed stormwater fee increase. The approved increase will result in Anna Maria property owners paying an additional $1 for every 100 square feet of property they own. Commissioner Mark Short noted this will result in the owners of a 5,000 square foot lot seeing their
annual stormwater fee increase by an additional $50. The increase from $1 to $2 per 100 square feet of property will produce an estimated $164,000 in additional stormwater fee revenues to be used for drainage improvements and maintenance. “It’s a tax increase, make no mistake about it,” Murphy said. “The plus side of that increase is it can only be used for stormwater. Stormwater truly is the biggest issue we have in this city. It’s a major cause of complaints and they’re all justified.” Using a variety of funding sources, including grants, the city plans to spend about $998,000 on new stormwater and drainage projects in the coming fiscal year and an additional $331,000 for the maintenance of existing stormwater and drainage systems.
ANTICIPATED EXPENDITURES
The proposed budget projects slightly more than $11 million in total anticipated expenditures during the coming fiscal year. As has been the case in recent
years, when the new fiscal year begins, city employees will receive a 4% wage increase that consists of a 2% salary or hourly increase and a separate 2% lump sum payment to follow six months later. Murphy expects the city to incur up to a 15% increase in insurance costs, but he noted City Clerk and Treasurer LeAnne Addy is looking at other insurance carriers in hopes of lowering those costs. Using a variety of internal and external funding sources, Murphy estimated the city could have as much as $1.2 million to put toward the yet-to-be-determined safety and traffic flow improvements associated with the ongoing Reimagining Pine Avenue discussions. The budget proposes spending approximately $780,000 on road and street paving in the coming fiscal year. “It’s a lot more paving than we’ve ever done in the past,” Murphy said of that anticipated expenditure. Murphy projects the city spending about $64,000 in the
coming year to pay for utilities and maintenance expenses associated with the Mote Marine Educational Outreach Center, which will be installed at the end of the City Pier and operated mostly at Mote Marine’s expense. Anticipated capital improvements expenditures include $250,000 to dredge the Lake La Vista jetty and canal, $75,000 for sea level rise planning, engineering and design services, $32,500 to install new hurricane windows at city hall and $50,000 for a survey of the city’s historical buildings and other historical resources. Murphy said the city will pursue two funding appropriations from the Florida Legislature during the coming fiscal year. One appropriation would provide funds to develop a permanent solution that would alleviate the need for the city-funded dredging of Lake La Vista inlet every two or three years. A second appropriation will seek state funds to assist with the Reimagining Pine Avenue project.
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The Anna Maria Island Sun newspaper 3909 East Bay Drive, Suite 210, Holmes Beach, FL, 34217 Phone: (941) 778-3986 email: news@amisun.com | ads@amisun.com | classifieds@amisun.com
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The Anna Maria Island Sun Staff Publishers Mike Field Maggie Field Editor/CEO Mike Field Layout Ricardo Fonseca Reporters Cindy Lane Joe Hendricks Kristin Swain Jason Schaffer Columnists Louise Bolger Outdoors Editor Rusty Chinnis Advertising director Shona Otto Ad assistant Pamela Lee Classified ads Bob Alexander Graphics Elaine Stroili Ricardo Fonseca Digital/Social Media Editor Cindy Lane Accounting John Reitz Leslie Ketchum Distribution Bob Alexander Tony McNulty Connor Field Contributors Tom Vaught Steve Borggren Monica Simpson
Electronic participation and equal protection
A recent "hot topic" heightened by the pandemic is electronic participation in meetings. In light of the pandemic leaving its indelible mark, some believe Zooming and teleconferencing should be permanently integrated into the way local governments conduct business. Because of the Island's transient constituency, perhaps governments should be looking for ways to utilize technology and streamline the process. Florida Sunshine Law cautions against "restricting public access" and, yes, there are emails, but they are "passive participation" while teleconferencing provides real-time opportunity to be heard. At a recent Holmes Beach Commission meeting it became apparent that officials may have been unaware of the following from Florida's Sunshine Manual/2021 Edition/page 38. "If a quorum of a local board is physically present at the public meeting site, a board may allow a member with health problems to participate and vote in board meetings through the use of such devices as a speaker telephone." The mayor was aware that medical
reasons allowed a commissioner to phone in and vote provided there was a quorum. That very day, a county commissioner teleconferenced and voted at a county meeting. In addition, several city commissioners and staff have been previously afforded teleconference participation going back as far as Commissioner Peelen and as recently as July, when Chief Tokajer attended the Police Chiefs' Conference. Commissioner Rash was connected when, to the surprise of many, a vote was taken by the four representing the quorum: Commissioner Christenson was in favor of allowing Commissioner Rash to participate or vote. Commissioners Kihm, Schaefer, and Soustek voted against. One is left to wonder if there were not only Sunshine issues, but constitutional amendment right issues as well. We all learned about the Equal Protection Clause in the Fourteenth Amendment in school. Simply put, individuals in similar situations are to be treated equally. Margie Motzer Holmes Beach
Potholes perilous I am writing today out of concern for how the city of Holmes Beach is taking care of its roads. I have been trying to get the city to repave 62nd Street for going on two years now. The potholes are very deep and continue to get worse with each heavy rain. Not just out of concern for wear and tear of vehicles that traverse the streets every day for residents, but it is also a major through street to access the city’s new dog park, tennis and basketball courts, and a number of events that take place at the city park. I have been in contact with Matt McDonough, Public Works Administrator for the city of Holmes Beach. It doesn’t sound like there is enough funding to repave the street and it is not a priority for the city. I would greatly appreciate if you would cover this issue, as it is of concern for residents and the issue of funding has come up recently. The state of our city streets reflects poorly on our city, city officials, and how our tax dollars are being spent. Aaron Drake Holmes Beachvv
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SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
ON THE AGENDA ANNA MARIA
10005 GULF DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130
City hall is open to the public with limited capacity and safety protocols in place. Please visit www. cityofannamaria.com or contact city hall for more information. Sept. 6, all day – City offices closed for Labor Day Sept. 8, 9 a.m. – Historic Preservation board meeting Sept. 9, 5:30 p.m. – City Commission budget hearing with regular meeting to follow
BRADENTON BEACH
107 GULF DRIVE N. FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005
City hall is open to the public with limited capacity and safety protocols in place. Please visit www.cityofbradentonbeach.com or contact city hall for more information. Sept. 1, 9:30 a.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency meeting Sept. 2, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting Sept. 6, all day – City offices closed for Labor Day Sept. 9, 5:05 p.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency budget meeting Sept. 9, 5:35 p.m. – City Commission budget meeting
Sept. 15, 1 p.m. – Planning and Zoning board meeting Sept. 16, noon – City Commission meeting Sept. 16, 5:05 p.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency final budget meeting Sept. 16, 5:35 p.m. – City Commission final budget meeting
HOLMES BEACH
5801 MARINA DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800
City hall is open to the public with limited capacity and safety protocols in place. Please visit www. holmesbeachfl.org or contact city hall for more information. Sept. 1, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. – COVID-19 vaccine clinic Sept. 6, all day – City offices closed for Labor Day Sept. 15, 5 p.m. – City Commission budget hearing with regular meeting and work session to follow
ISLAND-WIDE
Sept. 7, 6 p.m. – West Manatee Fire Rescue budget hearing with board meeting to follow, administration building, 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton Sept. 13, 9 a.m. – Tourist Development Council meeting, Manatee County administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton Sept. 13, 2 p.m. – Island Transportation Planning Organization meeting, Holmes Beach City Hall
Sept. 15, 2 p.m. – Coalition of Barrier Island Elected Officials meeting, Anna Maria City Hall MARKYOUR CALENDAR
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 1
THE SUN
FRIDAY, SEPT. 3
Forty Carrots Partners in Play, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Register online at www.manateelibrary.libcal.com/calendar.
Golfing for God, IMG Academy Golf Club, 4350 El Conquistador Pkwy., Bradenton, 2:45 p.m. tee time, 5:30 p.m. Bible study and dinner, $40 for golf and dinner, $20 for dinner. Reservations required. Reserve online at www.roserchurch.com/g4g/
SATURDAY, SEPT. 4
THURSDAY, SEPT. 2
SUNDAY, SEPT. 5
RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations welcome. Participants are asked to bring bottled water and wear a face mask or shield. Farm stand, Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach 2 p.m. Register online at https://manateelibrary.libcal.com/event/7996409 Thursdays in Paradise Stroll featuring local art, music and food, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 5 to 8 p.m.
Robinson Runners, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 8 a.m. Saturday mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon. Face masks required. Farm stand, Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rise and Shine Power Flow Yoga, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., $10 fee payable online. Bring your own yoga mat. Register at https:// parks.mymanatee.org/wbwsc/webtrac. wsc/search.html?primarycode=110006 or call 941-742-5923 ext. 6042 for more information.
TUESDAY, SEPT. 7
RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations welcome. Participants are asked to bring bottled water and wear a face mask or shield.
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Mahjong, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m. Register online at https://manateelibrary.libcal.com/ event/7996681 Tech help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2-4 p.m. Register online at https://manateelibrary.libcal.com/ event/7996150
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 8
Golfing for God, IMG Academy Golf Club, 4350 El Conquistador Pkwy., Bradenton, 2:45 p.m. tee time, 5:30 p.m. Bible study and dinner, $40 for golf and dinner, $20 for dinner. Reservations required. Reserve to www.roserchurch.com/g4g/. Island Time Book Club, “The Woman with the Blue Star,” Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 6:30 p.m. Register online at https://manateelibrary. libcal.com/event/7996233
THURSDAY, SEPT. 9
Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Sunrise Breakfast, Wicked Cantina, 101 Seventh St. N., Bradenton Beach, 7:30 a.m., $10 for members or $18 for prospective members. Registration required at 941-778-1541 or email info@ amichamber.org.
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SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
Budget includes salary hikes for Bradenton Beach employees The budget worksheet presented at last week’s budget meeting projects about $3.75 in total city expenses during the 2021-22 fiscal year. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – The city is rewarding its employees and police officers with a 5% salary increase that includes an additional cost of living adjustment (COLA). The salary increases are part of the city’s ongoing efforts to keep current officers and employees and to attract new ones when needed. Bradenton Beach Police officers will be given the option of entering into a new pension plan offered through the Florida League of Cities or sticking with their existing plan. Officers hired in the future will automatically be enrolled in the new pension plan.
The rest of the city employees can stay with their existing Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) individual retirement plan or enter into a new 457 deferred compensation retirement plan, offered through the Florida League of Cities. Future hires will only be given the 457-plan option. The new pension and retirement plans will require an officer or employee to be with the city for seven years before the accrued city contributions become available to them. The city’s current pension and retirement plans allow an employee to withdraw the accrued city contributions after one year of employment. If an officer or employee enrolls in one of the new plans and leaves before achieving seven years of employment, the accrued city contributions remain with the city. These were among the preliminary decisions made during the Wednesday, Aug. 18, city commission budget work
costs tied to employee compensation and benefits. The budget worksheet provided for the work meeting projected about $690,000 in total costs for the administration department that includes the city clerk and the city treasurer. The city commission’s total projected expenditures are $155,342, and once again, the modestly compensated mayor and commission members will not receive raises. The police department anticipates about $1.35 million in total expenditures for the coming fiscal year – with an additional $21,500 budgeted for emergency operations that include storm and hurricane preparation and response. With a recently hired code enforcement officer now in the fold, the Code Enforcement Department anticipates about $79,000 in total fiscal year expenses.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Elected officials and department heads gathered for a budget workshop on Aug. 18 meeting. The work meeting was part of the ongoing efforts to finalize the city budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. The proposed budget is based on maintaining the same 2.3329 millage rate the city has retained for several years. The budget adoption process will be finalized during two public hearings in September. The anticipated salary costs included in the budget worksheet presented for Wednesday’s meeting originally called
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for 4.5% salary increases. The final proposed budget will reflect the 5% salary increases that now include an extra half-percent COLA increase to make up for the half-percent COLA increase that was not included in the 2020-21 budget.
DEPARTMENT BUDGETS
The proposed city budget projects slightly more than $3.75 million in total anticipated city expenditures for the 2021-22 fiscal year – with a significant percentage of those
SEE BB BUDGET, PAGE 38
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Illuminated sign ordinance passes final vote Backlit illuminated signs are officially no more in the residential districts of Holmes Beach following a unanimous vote by city commissioners to approve the final reading of an illuminated sign ordinance. Despite backlit illuminated signs never actually being allowed in residential districts, several were erected in the A-1 district along the beachfront stretch of Gulf Drive. Only one of those signs, the one at the Anna Maria Beach Resort, was erected with a permit and that permit was erroneously granted by a previous city build-
ing official. Under the new ordinance, the backlit signs already in the district will have to be either renovated to meet the new guidelines or removed at the end of a five-year sunset period. Other property signs in the district are allowed to be lit by a single spotlight on each side with a maximum of two sides to each sign. Property signs in the district, other than the existing backlit signs, are required to come into compliance with the new regulations or the owners could face potential code compliance fines.
SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
SUNDAY WORSHIP • 8:30 AM or 10:00 AM
COMMUNITY CHURCH IN PERSON in the Sanctuary Nursery • Children’s Church ONLINE • Watch LIVE or LATER www.RoserChurch.com Text ROSER to 22828 to receive the weekly eBulletin The CHAPEL is open during office hours for prayer & meditation
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Holmes Beach Commission race is on Five candidates are starting the race to win one of three available Holmes Beach commission seats in the Nov. 2 election. BY KRISTIN SWAIN
SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – Qualifying is over, and five candidates are entering the race for three open seats on the Holmes Beach city commission with the Nov. 2 election as the finish line. Commissioners Carol Soustek and Terry Schaefer are the two incumbents hoping to hold on to their spots on the dais. If re-elected, this will be Schaefer’s second term as a commissioner. He was first elected in November 2019. Soustek was appointed to the commission on Nov. 25, 2014, to fill the unexpired term of previous Commissioner David Zaccagnino. She was elected to the commission in 2015 and re-elected for two
more terms in 2017 and 2019. If re-elected in November, this will be her third two-year term on the city commission. Joining Soustek and Schaefer in this year’s race Ferguson are Renee Ferguson and former city commissioners John Monetti and Pat Morton. This is Ferguson’s first attempt at joining the city commission, though she has actively participated in commission meetings and attended meetings regularly as a Holmes Beach resident. Kihm Morton, who served as a city commissioner for 17 years, is hoping for another go at a seat on the dais after losing in 2020 to Commissioner Jayne Christenson. For Monetti, winning in November would mark a return to the city commission after a nearly 10-year hiatus. Previously, Monetti has served not only on the
city commission but also on the planning commission. Commissioner Jim Kihm, whose term also expires in November, opted to not run for a third term as commisMonetti sioner. In an Aug. 27 email to his fellow commissioners and The Sun, Kihm said he had decided not to run for re-election due to personal reasons. “Today I am announcing my decision not to see re-election as commissioner for the city of Holmes Beach for personal reasons,” Kihm’s Morton email reads. “I have enjoyed serving the people of Holmes Beach over the past four years and I feel that I am leaving the city in good hands as I finish out the rest of my current term. I would like to thank all the voters for putting their trust in me and electing me to serve them. I have made every effort to serve to the
SEA LEVEL: Expert addresses AM Commission FROM PAGE 3
but that would require the support of two additional city commissions. He suggested the city of Anna Maria initiate its planning process and later propose the other two cities consider following Anna Maria’s lead to address sea level rise Island-wide. “As one town, you can move pretty quickly and your vulnerability is clear. Everybody’s aware of that,” Englander said. Englander said he will not propose the construction of a seawall that surrounds the city, or the entire Island. Nor will he propose elevating the entire city, or Island, to combat the anticipated sea level rise.
He does, however, encourage developers and property owners to use additional fill materials to increase the elevation of the properties upon which elevated homes are being built. An audience member asked Englander what the average Anna Maria homeowner stands to gain from the city planning for sea level rise now. “You wind up with a plan for what to do in the short, medium and long term so that what you do in the next five years is done with forethought of where this is headed,” he responded. Englander addressed the current and the
5346 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach (941) 778-5788 | hurricanehanks.com
anticipated rates of sea level rise. “It’s only rising at about a quarter of an inch a year. It sounds trivial, but it’s the dripping filling the bucket and the drip’s getting faster. This decade, we’ll probably have two or three inches more. Next decade it could be four or five or six inches. By mid-century it could be a foot or two. That’s the problem,” he said. Regarding sea level rise in general, Englander said, “The world has never faced this. We had flooding, but the water’s always receded. We’ve never had sea level be higher than it is today. It’s slowly getting higher, but the rate is accelerating.”
best of my ability.” City commissioners serve two-year terms. When Holmes Beach voters cast their ballots in November, the top three vote-getters will Schaefer take the open commission seats. Voters are allowed to support up to three candidates at the polls, one for each available position. With a five-person city commission, the coming election may prove to be important for the future of Anna Maria Island’s largest city, as Soustek most ordinances and resolutions require only a simple majority of three votes to pass or fail commission approval. A large change in the commission lineup could potentially mean big changes for how the city is governed.
After acknowledging the many positive attributes associated with living in a popular but low-lying beach town, Englander said, “Unless you want to move to the mountains, anybody in coastal communities needs to start thinking about these questions.” After Englander concluded his presentation, Commissioner Doug Copeland said, “I’m very excited about this opportunity. Our city could be at the forefront of looking ahead and planning for the future, as opposed to either denying it or saying 'I’m going to be dead so it doesn’t matter.' The $50,000 seems like an incredible deal compared to some of the things the city has spent $50,000 on. I hope we move forward with this.”
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Two Bradenton Beach city commissioners are running unopposed . . . Incumbent 3 commiscity commissioner and sioners Jan Spooner will Vosburgh and serve another Jake Spooner two-year are running term as the unopposed in Chappie Ward 1 com- Galuszka the city elecmissioner. tions that will conclude on Incumbent Mayor John Tuesday, Nov. 2. Vosburgh Chappie, a 42-year BraDC FANS! will serve another two- Reduce denton YourBeach resident, is year term as the Ward being A/C Bill challenged in his
reelection bid by first-time candidate David Galuszka, a two-year Bradenton Beach resiSpooner dent. Monday, Oct. 4 is the final day to register to TOUCH FREE vote in CONTROL! the fall elections VOICE if not already registered.
In-person early voting will take place Saturday, Oct. 23 through Saturday, Oct. Vosburgh 30. Saturday, Oct. 23, is the deadline to request that a vote-bymail ballot be mailed to you.
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Incumbent Anna Maria city commissioners Carol Carter and Jon Crane will run unopposed in the upcoming city elections and each will earn an additional two-year term in office. Carter and Crane were the only two candidates to qualify for the three commission seats to have been decided by the fall elections that conclude on Tuesday, Nov. 2. Anna Maria’s two-week candidate qualifying period closed at noon on Friday. The lack of JOE HENDRICKS | SUN a third qualified candidate means the Jon Crane and Carol Carter face no opposition in their reelection bids. commission seat currently occupied temporarily by Doug Copeland will ON FANS When appointed said he does not anticipate seeking $ .99 early July to fill PRICED 299in & UP $299 be filled by commission appointment the remainder of Commissioner commission appointment to serve the ON FANS PRICED $99 toJoe OR $29.99 INSTALL SOME RESTRICTIONS APPLY. BRING THIS AD INTO STORE FOR DETAILS. PRIOR SALES after the results of the November Muscatello’s current term, Copeland entire two-year term to fill the seat EXCLUDED. NOT COMBINED WITH OTHER OFFERS. DAN'S FAN CITY, LLC LIC#EC13004528 elections are certified by the Manatee said he did not intend to seek reelecthat will become vacant again after the County Supervisor of Elections Office. tion. When asked last week, Copeland election results are certified.
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Sea-renity Beach Spa & Bou-Tiki celebrates 10 years The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce honored Sea-renity Beach Spa & Bou-Tiki’s 10-year anniversary with a ribbon cutting ceremony. BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH - Bridge Street is known for its many dining choices and some of the best shopping on the Island. Among the restaurants, gift shops and galleries you will find Sea-renity Beach Spa & Bou-Tiki, which recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary with a ceremonial ribbon cutting, courtesy of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce. Located at 112 Bridge St., Searenity offers a wide variety of products including soaps, candles, lotions, CBD products, clothing and more. They also offer massage therapy in the location on Bridge Street as well as on the beach. “We’re the only people from about Naples to the other side of St. Pete that offer massages in a tiki hut on the beach,” said Sea-renity owner Amanda Escobio Ryan. “We started out just doing beach massages, but I realized that with
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Sea-renity Beach Spa & Bou-Tiki owner Amanda Escobio Ryan (holding scissors) along with Chamber members, friends, family and Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie at the ribbon cutting celebrating 10 years of business. the extreme summer heat and rain, I really needed an indoor space, so we moved in here. We have three air-conditioned massage rooms.” Ryan also owns Sea-renity’s sister spa, Body & Sol Spa and Wellness in Anna Maria, which offers yoga, facials, manicures, pedicures and more ways to look and feel your best. Ryan has been a member of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of
Commerce for more than a decade and was excited to be honored with the ribbon cutting. Along with Ryan’s husband, children and friends, many Chamber members were on hand, as well as Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie. Sea-renity is open by appointment for massages; shop hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and later on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Find them online at www.searenityspa.com.
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Shorebird season scant Shorebird nesting season on Anna Maria Island ends this summer with only two least tern chicks surviving out of 30 - cats preyed on the rest. The two chicks, banded for identification and tracking by Florida Audubon, were a product of the first least tern colony on the Island since May 2016. Least terns, a threatened species in Florida, laid 64 nests this year on AMI. Photographer Kathy Doddridge is a volunteer with Audubon Florida and Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring.
SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
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Rules of the road decals to be placed in rented golf carts City officials hope the voluntary decals help alleviate the illegal operation of rented golf carts. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – Three companies that rent out golf carts within the city of Anna Maria have agreed to place decals in their carts reminding drivers and passengers of four state laws that apply when traveling on public streets. The decals are an attempt to help alleviate growing concerns about the illegal behavior of those who use the rented golf carts to get around while vacationing in Anna Maria and elsewhere on the Island. The three participating rental companies are Beach Bums, Robinhood Rentals and Lazy Turtle Beach Rentals. To be printed at the city’s expense and then voluntarily placed in the rented golf carts, the 3-inch x 5-inch decals will include, as attention-getters, the logos of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and the Anna Maria Code and Parking Enforcement Department. The decals will include a header that says, “City of Anna Maria. Rules of the road.”
The decals will include the following warning: “State of Florida laws are strictly enforced.” The decals will address four state laws that will be more stringently enforced within the city limits. • “Only licensed drivers may operate this vehicle.” • “All passengers must wear seat belts.” • “Children 5 & under must be in a child restraint device.” • “Do not exceed the seating capacity of this vehicle.” The decals do not address the speed at which a golf cart should travel when operating on a public street. Murphy first proposed the golf cart decals on Aug. 18 when providing the commission with a recap of his private meeting with the three business owners. During the Aug. 26 meeting, Murphy said a commission vote was not required to move forward with the proposed action, but he did want the commission’s input before doing so. “You could put more on here, but we felt we wanted to keep it simple, clean and easy to read. These are the four types of violations that seem to be the most prominent. This is not intended to be a total solution for the issue of golf carts. It’s intended to be a step
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Golf cart drivers and passengers are required to follow state laws when traveling on public streets. to see if we can’t improve the behavior of the golf carts within our city,” Murphy told the commission. “We will pick up the tab because it’s something we’re asking them to do," he added. "It’s a couple of hundred dollars. It’s a good investment for the city.” Murphy said the three business owners had no objections to the proposed decal design. “They like it. They didn’t recommend any changes at all,” he said. He noted the decals are voluntary and are not something the city can mandate business owners to do. Murphy said he also reviewed the decal
language with Sgt. Brett Getman, who leads the Anna Maria Unit of the Sheriff’s Office. “We felt it was important to mention the State of Florida laws,” Murphy said. Commissioner Mark Short asked the mayor who receives the citation if one is given for a violation of one or more of the state laws referenced on the decal. Murphy said the operator of the vehicle would receive the ticket for a violation of state law. The mayor said city-issued parking tickets are issued to the owner of the vehicle – which would be the rental company if the parking violation involves a rented golf cart. Commission Chair Carol Carter suggested the decals also be placed in rented, threewheeled scoot coupes. Murphy said that could also be accomplished. He said he also hopes to have the city’s rules of the road presented to vacation rental guests when they check into their accommodations. “Hopefully this helps. There’s no silver bullet. There’s no one thing you can do to help with this golf cart dilemma that we’ve got," the mayor said. "I hope this will be a start in the right direction. The next step after this is to go to the companies that are bringing carts in and get the same type of agreement. These rules apply to all three cities on the Island. Those are State of Florida laws.”
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SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
Don’t Let Anna Maria Island Get Washed Away! SCAN TO WATCH VIDEOS & SEND YOUR MESSAGE
D
on’t let a sea of mismanagement by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) allowing construction on currently designated unbuildable lots on Anna Maria Island to wash away our precious dunes forever. Don’t let the tide go out another day without standing up for the protection of our land, vegetation, turtles, sea birds and all of the wildlife indigenous to the pristine beaches of Anna Maria Island, where we live in harmony with AMI nature every day.
We are Anna Maria Island, not Miami Beach!
Remember, we are an island; unlike most other beaches in Florida. We are a narrow strip of sand that needs vegetation to hold it together. AMI is a fragile island. Over development will start washing our AMI out to sea.
On July 20, 2021, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection did not do the right thing! A rogue ruling was made by interim FDEP Secretary Shawn Hamilton. His controversial ruling opens the door to set a new precedent for the over development of AMI. This could start a destructive domino effect to destroy our beloved beaches, dunes, history, wildlife and tradition forever.
Do you own property? This will affect you too!
We’re calling on all of our local elected leaders of the City of Anna Maria and Anna Maria Island. It’s now up to you to Protect and Preserve AMI from all of the over developers wanting to scrape away our dunes and AMI way of life...“Enough Is Enough!”
Visit PreserveAMI.com to learn more, sign our petition and send your message.
PAID FOR BY CITIZENS TO PRESERVE AMI
SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
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BUSINESS ANTIQUE/COLLECTIBLE STORE PINEAPPLE JUNCTION
425 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 216-4226
AUTO SERVICE GROOMS MOTORS & AUTOMOTIVE
5608 Marina Drive Holmes Beach, 896-7898
BAIT & TACKLE SHOP ANNIE’S BAIT & TACKLE 4334 127th St. W. Cortez, 794-3580
BANK HANCOCK WHITNEY BANK 5324 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 778-4900
BIKE RENTAL BEACH BUMS RENTALS
427 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 778-3316
BOATING STORE BRADENTON BEACH MARINA
402 Church Ave. Bradenton Beach, 778-2288
CAR DEALER CONLEY BUICK
800 Cortez Rd W Bradenton, 462-2345
CAR WASH AMERICAN CAR CARE
6412 Manatee Ave. W. Bradenton, 794-5007
CARPET CLEANER FAT CAT CARPET CLEANING 3802 9th Ave. W. Bradenton, 778-2882
CLOTHING STORE IRENE’S RESORT WEAR
5308 Marina Drive Holmes Beach, 778-7605
CONVENIENCE STORE ANNA MARIA GENERAL STORE AND DELI
503 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 779-9200
DRY CLEANER COURTESY CLEANERS
7421 Manatee Ave. W. Bradenton, 794-5145
ELECTRICIAN ANTHONY’S HEATING AND COOLING 1614 20th St. E. Palmetto, 749-5307
FITNESS THE CENTER / ISLAND FITNESS
407 Magnolia Ave. Anna Maria, 778-5200
FLOOR COVERINGS (TIE) FLOORING AMERICA 3200 Cortez Rd W. Bradenton, 909-2585
WEST COAST FLOORING 4224 26th St W. Bradenton, 748-2187
GIFT SHOP IRENE’S RESORT WEAR
HOTEL/MOTEL COMPASS HOTEL
GROCERY STORE PUBLIX SUPERMARKET
JEWELRY STORE IRENE’S RESORT WEAR
HAIR SALON SALT AND SCISSORS SALON
LIQUOR STORE TIME SAVER
5308 Marina Drive Holmes Beach, 778-7605
3900 East Bay Drive Holmes Beach, 778-5422
313C Pine Ave Holmes Beach, 961-4458
HARDWARE STORE ACE HARDWARE
3352 East Bay Drive Holmes Beach, 778-0999
FLORIST BLOOMS BY THE BEACH
HEAT & AIR ANTHONY’S HEATING AND COOLING
FRAME SHOP MICHAEL’S
HOME BUILDER ROSS BUILT CUSTOM HOMES
2501 Gulf Drive Bradenton Beach, 7782555
831 Cortez. Rd. W. Bradenton, 752-7772
SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
1614 20th St. E. Palmetto, 749-5307
305 67th St W. Bradenton, 778-7600
12324 Manatee Ave W. Bradenton, 741-9700
5308 Marina Drive Holmes Beach, 778-7605
5353 Gul Drive Holmes Beach, 778-1524
MANICURIST JESSICA SALT AND SCISSORS SALON 313C Pine Ave Holmes Beach, 961-4458
MARINA BRADENTON BEACH MARINA
402 Church Ave. Bradenton Beach, 778-2288
MEN’S APPAREL (TIE) BEALLS
6355 Manatee Ave. W. Bradenton, 761-1606 SEE READERS, PAGE 19
READERS’ CHOICE 2021
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OUTDOOR SPORTS STORE AMI OUTFITTERS COASTAL GEAR & APPAREL 401 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 254-4996
PACK & SHIP ISLAND MAIL & MORE
3230 East Bay Drive Holmes Beach, 778-1911
PAINTER RALPH SUKA RICK SCHULTZ PEST CONTROL ANNA MARIA PEST CONTROL
11610 3rd Ave. E. Bradenton, 778-1630
PET GROOMING THE PAW SPA
5343 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 778-0885
PET STORE PETCO ANIMAL SUPPLIES 6757 Manatee Ave. W. Bradenton, 792-1295
PHARMACIST TODD CVS PHARMACY
611 Manatee Ave. W. Holmes Beach, 778-1411
PHARMACY WALGREENS
3200 East Bay Drive Holmes Beach, 778-0451
PLUMBER AIR & ENERGY
555 6th Ave. W. Bradenton, 778-0773
POOL CLEANER STAND UP POOLS POOL CONTRACTOR TOM SANGER POOL AND SPA LLC
5376 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 932-1414
REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATE JASON SATO SATO REAL ESTATE INC. 519 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 778-7200
REAL ESTATE COMPANY SATO REAL ESTATE INC.
519 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 778-7200
RENTAL COMPANY SATO REAL ESTATE INC.
519 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 778-7200
RESORT ANNA MARIA ISLAND RESORTS
SIGN MAKER PAUL WILLIAMS SHOPPING CENTER ISLAND SHOPPING PLAZA 5414 Marina Dr Holmes Beach
The Tortuga Inn 1325 Gulf Drive Bradenton Beach, 7786611
SOUVENIR SHOP ISLAND BAZAAR
RETIREMENT COMMUNITY FREEDOM VILLAGE
SPA SEA-RENITY BEACH SPA & BOUTIQUE
6406 21st Ave W. Bradenton, 210-6153
SANDPIPER MOBILE RESORT
2601 Gulf Drive Bradenton Beach, 7781140
SERVICE ORGANIZATION MANATEE CHILDREN’S SERVICES 1227 9th Ave W. Bradenton, 345-1200
SERVICE STATION HOLMES BEACH AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE
5333 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 779-0487
3304 East Bay Drive Holmes Beach, 778-3443
112 Bridge Street Bradenton Beach, 7796836
TATTOO FLYING PIGLET INK
119 Bridge St #120 Bradenton Beach, 2163354
TRAVEL AGENCY SPLENDID ESCAPE
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WOMEN’S APPAREL IRENE’S RESORT WEAR
5308 Marina Drive Holmes Beach, 778-7605
PEOPLE & PLACES ARCHITECT SHADY LADY ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN EMILY ANNE SMITH LLC
527 74th St. Holmes Beach, 778-3113
ART GALLERY ISLAND GALLERY WEST
5368 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 778-6648
ATTORNEY NICK SATO
941-724-0508
2071 Ringling Blvd. #400 Sarasota, 861-4400
WINDOW REPAIR SUN WINDOW AND DOOR
BAND JACK’D UP BAND
7808 Cortez Rd W Bradenton, 794-0311
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READERS’ CHOICE 2021
SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
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FROM PAGE 19
BAR & GRILL HARRY’S GRILL
9903 Gulf Drive Anna Maria, 567-5999
BARTENDER LEXI DELEON ANNA MARIA PRINCESS.
Bradenton Beach Marina 402 Church Ave. Bradenton Beach, 7782288
BEACH COQUINA BEACH BOAT CAPTAIN JOHN DELEON ANNA MARIA PRINCESS
Bradenton Beach Marina 402 Church Ave. Bradenton Beach, 778-2288
BUSINESS PERSON MIKE ZEPPI ANTHONY’S HEATING & COOLING 1614 20th St. E. Palmetto, 749-5307
CATERER MOLLY O’CONNOR TRAVELING GOURMET
Anna Maria, 405-7627
CHARITY WILDLIFE INC.
FINANCIAL PLANNER EDWARD JONES
CHEF LUIS REYES HARRY’S GRILL
INTERIOR DESIGN SALLY TROUT INTERIOR DESIGN
2207 Ave. B Bradenton Beach, 778-6324
9903 Gulf Drive Anna Maria, 567-5999
CHIROPRACTOR ALIGN CHIROPRACTIC 1611 10th Ave W. Palmetto, 721-8132
DENTIST ISLAND DENTAL SPA
3909 East Bay Drive #205 Holmes Beach, 778-2204
DOCTOR STEPHEN PELHAM, M.D.
3909 East Bay Drive #100 Holmes Beach, 778-1007
EYE CARE THE EYE ASSOCIATES
6002 Pointe West Blvd. Bradenton, 792-2020
3226 East Bay Dr. Holmes Beach, 779-2499
75 Cocoanut Ave. Sarasota, 953-4418
MASSAGE THERAPY AMANDA ESCOBIA RYAN
Sea-renity Beach Spa & Boutique 112 Bridge Street Bradenton Beach, 779-6836
PERSONAL TRAINER F45
Sr 64 East Bradenton, 567-7434
SCHOOL ANNA MARIA ELEMENTARY 4700 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 708-5525
SCHOOL TEACHER PIDGE BARREDA
Anna Maria Elementary 4700 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 708-5525
VETERINARIAN CONNOR BYSTROM PALMA SOLA ANIMAL CLINIC
6116 Manatee Ave W. Bradenton, 794-3275
VETERINARIAN CLINIC ISLAND ANIMAL CLINIC
5343 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 778-2445
VIEW BEAN POINT ANNA MARIA WAITER/WAITRESS MELISSA SMILEY UGLY GROUPER
5704 Marina Drive Holmes Beach, 778-4402
YOGA INSTRUCTOR LAURA BENNET RACHEL KROLL LISA WIENGARTNER
FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT BAGEL SHOP PARADISE BAGELS & CAFÉ
3220 E. Bay Drive Holmes Beach, 779-1212
SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
BAKERY HOMETOWN DESSERTS
507 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 896-3167
BARBEQUE SMOQEHOUSE
1701 Gulf Drive N. Bradenton Beach, 242-5340
BREAKFAST GINNY’S & JANE E’S
9807 Gulf Drive Anna Maria, 778-3170
BURGER HARRY’S GRILL
9903 Gulf Drive Anna Maria, 567-5999
CAFÉ GINNY’S & JANE E’S
9807 Gulf Drive Anna Maria, 778-3170
CANDY STORE DIPS ICE CREAM
503 Pine Ave Anna Maria, 778-1706
CHINESE CHINA 1
3236 East Bay Drive Holmes Beach, 779-2933 SEE READERS, PAGE 28
READERS’ CHOICE 2021
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T h a n k y o u f o r k e e p i n g u s r o l l i ng . We ne v e r g e t t i r e d o f s e r v i n g y ou !
2019
2019
Souvenirs & Gifts Recreational Rentals Electric Cart Rentals SUP & Kayak Rentals
427 Pine Avenue, Anna Maria www.beachbumsAMI.com • 941-778-3316
Island Gallery West 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, AMI Voted Anna Maria Island’s Favorite Art Gallery! Thanks to all you wonderful art lovers and Sun readers that voted for Island Gallery West as your favorite local art gallery! Come visit us and see the best artwork the Island has to offer.
Closed September 13th - 24th for renovations islandgallerywest.com (941)778-6648
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DELI SCOTT’S DELI
5350 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 778-3000
FESTIVAL CORTEZ FISHING FESTIVAL GERMAN RESTAURANT OLD HAMBURG SCHNITZELHAUS
3246 East Bay Drive Holmes Beach, 778-1320
GOLF COURSE KEY ROYALE GULF CLUB INC.
700 Key Royale Drive Holmes Beach, 778-3055
GROUPER SANDWICH UGLY GROUPER
5704 Marina Drive Holmes Beach, 778-4402
HEALTH FOOD STORE GNC
1109 Cortez Rd W. Bradenton, 238-6058
ICE CREAM SHOP TWO SCOOPS ICE CREAM 101 S. Bay Blvd. Anna Maria, 779-2422
ITALIAN RESTAURANT ISOLA BELLA
5904 Marina Drive Holmes Beach, 242-5309
LIVE THEATER ISLAND PLAYERS
10009 Gulf Drive Anna Maria, 778-5755
MEXICAN RESTAURANT WICKED CANTINA
101 7th St. N. Bradenton Beach, 281-2990
MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT BEACH BISTRO
6600 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 778-6444
NEW RESTAURANT BAMBOO ISLAND BAR
119 Bridge St. Bradenton Beach, 803-6416
NIGHT SPOT DCOY DUCKS
5410 Marina Drive Holmes Beach, 778-5888
PIER ROD AND REEL PIER
875 North Shore Drive Anna Maria, 778-1885
SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
PIZZA OMA’S PIZZA AND ITALIAN RESTAURANT
201 Gulf Drive North Bradenton Beach, 778-0771
PLACE TO SEE SUNSET ANNA MARIA PRINCESS
Bradenton Beach Marina 402 Church Ave. Bradenton Beach, 778-2288
RESTAURANT (OVERALL) THE WATERFRONT 111 S Bay Blvd. Anna Maria, 778-1515
SEAFOOD RESTAURANT ANNA MARIA OYSTER BAR
Bridge Street Pier Bradenton Beach, 778-2662
SPECIALTY GOURMET VINNY’S ITALIAN KITCHEN
5337 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 896-9754
SUB/SANDWICH SCOTT’S DELI
5350 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 778-3000
TAKEOUT VINNY’S ITALIAN KITCHEN
5337 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 896-9754
Thank you
for voting us your Favorite Mexican Restaurant! www.WickedCantina.com
Dine In Take Out Margs To Go
Live Music Daily ~ Gulf View Dining ~ Full Parking BRADENTON BEACH ~ 101 7th St. N. (941) 281-2990 Daily 7:30am-10pm SARASOTA ~ 1603 N. Tamiami Trail (941) 706-2395 Daily 11am-10pm
Happy Hour 12 - 5 Daily and ALL DAY Sunday
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SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
Redfish: Time for everyman’s fish Reel Time RUSTY CHINNIS
R
edfish are a favorite target for local anglers and late summer and early fall is a great time to target this versatile gamefish. Redfish are a sort of everyman’s fish in the sense that they take readily to (well presented) live bait, lures and flies. They are also challenging, and when hooked, put up a determined fight. The flats are one of the best areas to find redfish. During high tides, reds will congregate near the mangroves that line the shore. As the tide begins to fall, they work the edges of the roots searching for minnows, crabs and other crustaceans. As the tide falls, they move out with the tide, following the contours of channels, slues and potholes that funnel water off the flats. The reverse happens as the tide rises. Redfish can also be found in channels and passes near docks, jetties, groins and other structure. Canals that lace the barrier islands also hold redfish. Concentrate on docks with large boats and
the beginning and ends of the channels. These areas are usually a bit deeper than the surrounding water and are a magnet for redfish. If there is structure, oyster bars or grass nearby, your odds improve. Anglers who are patient can find reds as they work on and off the flats. Artificials, including topwater plugs, jigs, gold spoons and jerk baits are effective in shallow water. Shrimp, pilchards, and pinfish are good live baits. They are best when free-lined or under a popping cork. Redfish are an excellent target for fly anglers. They frequent shallow water, are extremely challenging to stalk, tail when conditions allow and take wellpresented flies readily when they’re in the mood. One of the best areas to target reds on the fly is shallow grass beds with exposed white sand holes. These areas provide ease of wading and allow the fly angler to spot reds as they move across the flats in search of food. Top flies include baitfish, shrimp and crab patterns. Redfish in shallow water are spooky creatures, rivaling bonefish as a cagey target. Accurate casts that lead the fish by about 2-3 feet are a must. The fly must be close enough for the fish to see but not too close or they’ll spook. When they spot the fly, keep it in their field of vision, but moving away. If they
RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN
Although they have a downturned mouth, redfish will often attack a topwater. approach the fly, never slow it down! Match their speed, increasing the strip if they rush the fly. Unless you’re fishing for reds around structure, you won’t need heavy tackle. Spinning and baitcasting rigs in the 8–10-pound range are just right. Fly anglers can use a 7-9 weight outfit depending on the wind and the size of the fly
they’re using. Redfish provide a great challenge and some exciting action. The late summer run is just beginning, so get out there. There’s never been a better time to stalk, catch and release them. Redfish are currently catch-andrelease (carefully) only July 16 to Oct. 11, 2021, in Manatee waters north of State Road 64/Manatee Avenue.
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Big redfish plentiful inshore CAPTAIN DAVE WHITE
Fishing around Anna Maria Island has been great the last few weeks. We are slowing down a bit and we’re assuming it’s due to things getting back to normal. Kids are back in school; people are getting back into the swing of life again. We were fortunate enough to be in an industry that actually benefited from the pandemic and instability of the current times. People seem to feel much more comfortable in the sunshine, and with their families on a boat. Inshore, snook and snapper are very prevalent, but the real story is the big redfish. Lots of big breeder fish around. This makes us happy after seeing the numbers that were killed by red tide. We’ve had some amazing redfish days in the last two weeks or so. Offshore, the yellowtail snapper are going crazy. It’s not hard at all to get our offshore clients the limit of 10 per person. The red grouper fishing has been exceptionally good as well. We’re also seeing a ton of mahi out there. Lots of little ones, but some larger ones in the mix here and there. Good luck out there and tight lines!
CAPTAIN RICK GRASSETT
A red tide bloom has been affecting Southwest Florida for the past couple of months, so conditions may change daily or even from tide to tide. I look for birds behaving normally, baitfish and clearer water to find areas free of red tide. Patches of red tide will move fish around and may concentrate them in an area of clean water. Also, backcountry areas may be less prone to red tide due to more brackish water this time of year. That being said, September is usually one of my favorite months. Reds should be schooling on shallow grass flats, and you also might
CAPTAIN DAVE WHITE | SUBMITTED
Thomas Mikels, of Pittsburgh, Pa., shows off a bull redfish in the 20-lb range. Caught with Captain David White of Anna Maria Charters. find big trout there at first light. Baitfish along beaches will attract Spanish mackerel, false albacore (little tunny), sharks, tarpon and more. You should find snook around docks and bridges in the ICW. There should also be tarpon around bridges at night and in areas of Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor. Juvenile tarpon from 10 to 30 pounds should be a good option in creeks and canals. Tarpon will still be a good option this month. There may still be a few singles, doubles and small schools in the coastal Gulf, and if you’ve got the patience to wait them out, it can be good. Many have moved to inside waters this month, so you’ll find them around bridges, over deep grass flats or deeper areas. When tarpon move into these areas, they are in a feeding mode. After a long migration and with their spawning duties completed, they need to rest and eat to restore themselves. Ladyfish will feed in glass minnow schools and tarpon will gorge themselves on ladyfish. I have also seen tarpon, “ball” glass minnows into tight schools, and eat them by the bucket full! DOA Baitbusters, TerrorEyz and DOA Shrimp are my favorite tarpon lures this time of year. Fly anglers should score with wide
profile patterns, such as Lefty’s Deceiver or EP flies. Small flies, like my Grassett Snook Minnow, tied on a 1/0 or 2/0 hook, are another good choice for tarpon that are feeding on glass minnows. Snook and reds remain closed to harvest south of State Rd 64 in Manatee County on the west coast of Florida, south to the south bank of Gordon Pass in Collier County. Reds and snook are catch-andrelease only in that zone until May 31, 2022. Spotted seatrout has reopened in that zone with a threefish-per-person, bag limit and a six-fish boat limit. Trout must be from 15 inches to 19 inches with one allowed per vessel over 19 inches. Snook, trout and reds are closed to harvest through September 16 in all Manatee County waters north of State Rd 64. Full regulations and details can be viewed at https://myfwc.com/. You should find snook this month around docks and bridges close to passes. They will also start making their move towards shallow flats, where you might find them staging along sand bars or in potholes. Surface walking topwater plugs or fly popper and Gurglers may draw some big strikes in shallow water early in the day. I often fish-lighted docks and bridges for snook before dawn before moving to the flats after daylight. CAL jigs with shad tails and jerk worms, DOA Shrimp or small white flies, like my Grassett Snook Minnow, should all work well. The same lures and flies that work at night will be good for fishing the surf, too.
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SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
Homeowners’ dock replacement request approved The residential dock was destroyed last year by a sailboat that broke loose from its anchorage in the vicinity of the Bridge Street Pier. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – Gail and Arie Kroon have the city’s permission to replace the damaged dock in front of their home at 402 Bay Drive S. The dock replacement requires an easement from the city for the use of a narrow strip of city-owned right of way that sits between Bay Drive South and the Kroons’ private dock entrance. The commission approval was granted during the Thursday, Aug. 19 city commission meeting. As part of this action, the commission also approved a special use permit for a non-commercial dock and boat lift in a Public Recreation Area zoning district and a special use permit for a dock that extends more than 65 feet from the mean high water line. The new dock cannot extend more than 105 feet into those waters and the commission approval does not allow for additional mangrove removals. The Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval of the dock replacement request and city staff also supported the request. When addressing the commission, Gail Kroon said she’s a native Floridian who’s lived her entire life in Lakeland. She and her husband purchased the Bradenton Beach home in September 2020 after they sold their business and retired that August. According to Manatee County Property Appraiser records, the home was purchased by Kroons Enterprises LLC and does not have a homestead exemption for property tax purposes. Kroon said they discovered the dock damage when they came to check on their home after a strong storm passed through the area. She said the damage was caused by a sailboat that broke
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Property owner Gail Kroon explained how the damage occurred. free from its anchorage in the nearby waters and crashed into their dock. “There was a humongous sailboat on top of our dock and wedged into the mangroves,” she said. She said the boat owner had no insurance and no financial means to pay for the sailboat to be removed or the dock to be repaired or replaced. “He had just gotten the boat that weekend and didn’t have any paperwork on it. He was easy to deal with. He was a nice guy, but nonetheless, it was a difficult situation. We decided we’ll pay to have the boat removed so we can use our dock, but the dock was destroyed at that point,” Kroon said. Kroon said they received a $38,000 bid to replace the dock and they plan on paying for that out of pocket rather than filing an insurance claim so soon after purchasing the house. Kroon said she and her husband are concerned about this happening again and she asked about the laws and regulations that apply to those liveaboard boaters. “This would have never happened had the boat not broken loose. He should know that you don’t just stick a boat out there and have no paperwork or insurance or money,” she said.
RECONNECTION CONCERNS
City Attorney Ricinda Perry expressed concerns as to whether granting an easement for the dock access could potentially complicate a future sea level rise resiliency project being planned along Bay Drive South.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Gail and Arie Kroon’s dock was significantly damaged during a storm in 2020.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
The far end of the Kroons’ dock is twisted and several deck boards are missing. The damaged dock is across the street from the home at 402 Bay Drive S. Perry said the project could include a knee wall designed to prevent rising tidal waters from encroaching onto Bay Drive South. She said the knee wall might also double as a pedestrian walkway. Perry expressed concerns about the city potentially bearing the unknown costs of restoring and reconnecting the Kroons’ private dock approach area should the anticipated resiliency project disturb it. She expressed concerns about the city footing the bill to install a walkover should one be required to provide the Kroons continued access to their dock if a knee wall or pedestrian walkway is included in the resiliency project. She questioned whether the private property owners should bear those costs in exchange for being allowed to use the city right of way to access their dock.
Commissioner Jan Vosburgh said it wasn’t the Kroons’ fault that their dock got destroyed. Vosburgh and commissioners Jake Spooner and Ralph Cole stated their belief that the city should bear the cost of restoring and reconnecting the Kroons’ dock access area should the resiliency project impact it. It was noted there are four or five other private docks in that vicinity whose owners are not subject to the same reconnection cost responsibilities Perry suggested the Kroons potentially would be subjected to. Cole said he would feel bad placing those financial burdens on private property owners and Spooner agreed the city should cover the restoration costs associated with the city’s anticipated resiliency project.
City leaders encourage masks, vaccinations HOLMES BEACH – City leaders are encouraging everyone to wear face masks and get a vaccine to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Commissioners voted unanimously on Aug. 24 to pass a resolution requesting that people wear face masks or coverings indoors and when unable to social distance. While commissioners cannot legally mandate that masks be
worn, except at city offices, their hope is that people will voluntarily wear them to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Commissioners are mandating that masks be worn inside city hall and all city offices. The resolution also encourages everyone who is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination to get their shot.
To help everyone to get a vaccination, Holmes Beach city leaders are hosting vaccination clinics every few weeks at Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive. Each vaccination clinic is open to anyone wanting a shot and will have all three vaccinations available – the two-shot Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Anyone receiving a Pfizer or
Moderna vaccine will be able to receive the second dose of the vaccine at an upcoming clinic at city hall. The vaccines are free and no appointment is necessary. The next clinic will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with another clinic tentatively planned for Sept. 29.
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Preserve to get bed tax funds Members of the Manatee County Tourist Development Council are extending a helping hand to the city of Holmes Beach with $41,200 in bed tax funds to expand the trails and educational signage in Grassy Point Preserve. Holmes Beach commissioners voted unanimously to accept the funding, which Mayor Judy Titsworth said the city has two years to spend. Before work can begin on the paths, she added that some environmental work will need to be done at the site to determine what the best, least invasive course of action will be to expand public access to the passive park.
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REAL ESTATE
SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
The house hunting wars
n the HGTV channel’s show “House Hunters,” they make buying a home civilized and stressfree. A smiling real estate professional shows you three homes all in your price range, all in acceptable condition and all with the right number of rooms. Nothing to worry about here. Unfortunately for buyers who are trying to buy a home right now, it may be a rude awakening from the fiction of “House Hunters” to the reality of bidding wars. And though this may be a bloodless war, by the time you are done you may feel like you’ve been traumatized, nonetheless. A few months ago, I read a very clever piece by Kris Frieswick, a columnist with a national profile, about the five stages of grief that accompany the loss of a bidding war. Although it was meant to be humorous, it was really an important lesson for today’s house hunters, the es-
Castles in the Sand LOUISE BOLGER sence of which I will share with you. Stage one, denial: I didn’t like the house anyway. It was a stupid house. Keep saying this until you stop thinking about the stupid house. Stage two, anger: Maybe the house wasn’t so stupid after all, maybe I’m just a loser. I can’t win the lottery, a pickup basketball game or Candyland with my five-year-old niece. At this point, Frieswick thinks the loss of the home results in the poor buyer starting to throw things - totally unnecessary since the winning homeowner has no clue what you’re doing.
Stage three, bargaining: You can’t believe you lost, even offering 5% above the winning offer. What’s wrong with you? The problem is the winning offer was all cash, 30% over asking and included a new Range Rover and same-day closing. Now even the broker thinks you’re a loser. Whatever you do, don’t watch HGTV with those picky, delusional buyers who always seem to find the perfect house what do they know that you don’t? Stage four, depression: At this point, you’re ready to give up; you will never find a house. You are stuck for the rest of your natural life with the itty-bitty kitchen without an island and your grandmother’s dining room table you were saving for your new home. Now would be a good time to deprogram HGTV from your remote. Stage five, acceptance: Finally, you’re ready to boot up realtor.com again to see what you missed while you were grieving. Have a glass of wine, if there is
any left after your depression, and start making a list of what you must have in a home and what you can give up. This stage will take time - maybe even until after this insanity of the real estate market has calmed down. In the meantime, look around your current house and see what you can do to make it more marketable when the time comes. If you’re in a rental, embrace not having to paint the walls or renovate the bathroom - it’s someone else’s problem. Bidding wars in home-purchasing doesn’t resemble at all an elegant Sotheby’s art auction. Buyers and their brokers will try any weapon in their arsenal to make their offers look more appealing and financially better for the seller. You will have to kiss a lot of frogs but in the end, you will get over all of the rejections when you eventually find the perfect home and you’re able to reflect on the humor of it all.
SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
OBITUARIES Carmen C. Manali March 2, 1925 - August 24, 2021 Carmen C. Manali, 96, of Anna Maria, Florida, died peacefully at home on August 24, 2021, surrounded by her loving and devoted family. She was born in Tampa to Alfonso and Angelina Caltagirone on March 2, 1925. In her early years, Carmen worked as a clerk for Judge Booker in Tampa. After marriage, she worked in the family business, Charlie’s Market, in Ybor City. In 1963 she and her husband, Tony, moved to Anna Maria Island with their three children, later opening Anthony’s Restaurant at the corner of Pine Avenue and Gulf Drive. Carmen and Tony loved being part of the Anna Maria community and enjoyed all the outdoor activities the Island offered. She took pleasure in bragging to her northern friends how far into December she was able to go swimming. Carmen was beautiful inside and out. A born fashionista, she was known for her matching outfits, great jewelry, purses, and
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shoes … all topped off with her milliondollar smile. Full of energy, she was often referred to as the Energizer Bunny. More importantly, she will be remembered for her fairness, kindness, diplomacy, generosity, insightfulness, and compassionate heart. Of all her qualities, strength, grit, and spunk will be her legacy. Carmen had a wonderful life but had to cope with various health issues in her later years. No matter what life threw at her, she never crumbled. She might have been knocked down, but she always got back up. That fighting spirit carried over to her love of sports and competition. Carmen was the ultimate Tampa Bay sports fan. She never tired of discussing players and tactics of the Buccaneers, Rays, and Lightning teams. In 2016 she also developed a deep interest in politics. She was very happy with the 2020 election results… Carmen was preceded in death by the love of her life, Tony, to whom she was married for 70 years. She is survived by children Angela Calabro, Nancy Manali Leonardo, Anthony Manali and wife JoAnn; grandchildren Christina Tolomei and husband, Andres, Lisa Bennett and husband Jason, Marc Manali, Lori Manali, Tony Calabro and wife Colleen, Angela Leonardo, Anna Maria Leonardo; and greatgrandchildren Isabella, Ella, Sofia, Ashton, Luca, Mila, and Jack. The family sends a profound and heartfelt thank you to the staff and doctors
at Bradenton Dialysis Center. The family would also like to thank Tidewell Hospice, Pat Webster of St. Bernard Catholic Church, and the caregivers who have supported Carmen throughout the years, especially Nenita Daguinotas, Lisa Bennett, and Christina Tolomei. Visitation will be 5 – 7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 7 at Brown & Sons Funeral Home, 604 43rd St., Bradenton. A memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 8 at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. A reception will follow immediately at the Sandbar Restaurant. Interment will be at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 9 at L’Unione Italiana Cemetery, 2520 E. 24th Ave., Tampa. The reception will follow immediately at the Italian Club of Tampa, 1731 E. 7th Ave., Tampa. Masks will be respectfully required for attendees.
BEACH BEAT BRADENTON BEACH
8/19, 10:11 p.m., throwing deadly missile into vehicle, 2400 Gulf Drive. Victim notified police of a man who threw a large rock at her car while driving on Gulf Drive. The man was described as being a large man, highly intoxicated and carrying a 12-pack of beer. When the victim turned around and yelled for the man to stop, he picked up another rock then disappeared, cutting through some
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yards. A witness stated she also saw the man kick over a display of snacks at the Circle K, then exit and throw rocks at the Circle K sign the same night around the same time. The incident is under investigation.
HOLMES BEACH
8/19, 9:26 a.m., controlled substance/driving without license, 4300 Gulf Drive. After officers initiated a traffic stop, the suspect’s truck was found to have tags belonging to his wife’s vehicle. The suspect also had no valid driver’s license and the vehicle was not legally registered. After a search of the vehicle, officers found two pill bottles with plastic bags containing a white powdery substance. The suspect eventually admitted he was addicted to drugs and the powder was fentanyl. The suspect was arrested on drug charges as well as driving with no license or registration and turned over to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. 8/19, 11:40 p.m., information report/DUI, 4000 Gulf Drive. An officer was sitting in the public beach parking lot when he observed a vehicle make a slow wide turn before accelerating and driving onto the berm of the parking lot. Officer made contact with the female driver who had a bottle of vodka in the passenger seat and a strong odor of alcohol on her breath. Manatee County Sheriff’s Office was contacted to bring a traffic unit to the scene to investigate the DUI. The female driver was arrested for DUI.
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SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
WEDDING: Legal issues rain on wedding plans FROM PAGE 1
Commissioners did approve the ceremony on the sand to take place pending a parking plan review by Police Chief Bill Tokajer, but gave the couple the bad news that their Oct. 16 reception cannot take place at the resort. Ordinarily, Mayor Judy Titsworth said she would be able to approve or deny a special event permit, however, with the ongoing legal issues with the host resort, she felt it needed to come before commissioners. City leaders’ issues with the Bali Hai and its ownership extend back for more than a year to when work was done on the property without permits and a bar and spa area were opened on the property without permits and an approved site plan amendment for the new uses at the resort. The resort’s owner, local builder Shawn Kaleta, is being fined $1,000 per day in code compliance fines and the site plan changes are outstanding. Titsworth said the site plan proposal is scheduled to come back before commissioners for discussion on Sept. 15. Without an approved site plan or the proper permits and with a pending court case in Manatee County Circuit Court, commissioners said that while
SUBMITTED
Despite attorneys for the Bali Hai’s owner stating that the resort won’t host weddings, the property’s website says differently. they feel for the couple, they can’t approve any wedding events taking place at the Bali Hai. In addition, during a previous public hearing, attorneys for the Bali Hai said the resort would not be hosting weddings or seeking to host them in the future. In stark contrast to that statement, the Bali Hai’s website features a wedding planning page featuring events at the resort for up to 150 guests. Naeher and Schofield both expressed
LSV business moratorium is in effect BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – In a bid to curb the rentals of low-speed vehicles (LSV) in the city, Holmes Beach commissioners enacted a six-month moratorium stopping any new rental businesses from opening. The new moratorium, blocking any new LSV or golf cart rental businesses from opening a brick-and-mortar location in the city, doesn’t stop any business from renting the vehicles online and delivering them to renters in Holmes Beach. It also doesn’t affect any business with an outstanding application for a site plan review, such as The Toy Barn. The moratorium expires Feb. 1, 2022, allowing commissioners time to develop regulations concerning the rental of
vehicles and how to help make city streets safer for all types of vehicles. While discussing potential regulations for the vehicles, Commissioner Jayne Christenson said she wants her fellow commissioners to talk about insurance issues. After the driver of a rental vehicle caused damage to one resident’s landscaping and irrigation by driving over it, Christenson said the rental company required the driver’s vehicle insurance to pay for the damage and the vehicle insurance company said it didn’t cover low-speed or golf cart style vehicles. Though the situation was resolved amicably, she said it does bring into question what happens in a more serious accident involving LSVs and golf carts, something she hopes commissioners will take into account when developing regulations.
their disappointment and anger at Bali Hai. Schofield said she’s upset the resort sold her a wedding package that it wasn’t legally able to deliver. Now, she said, she has seven weeks to figure out what to do about the wedding and guests and has lost time that could be used to plan if they had found out up front that their reception couldn’t take place at their chosen venue. Naeher said that when their applica-
tion for the wedding was submitted to the city in July, he was told the reason it was denied was the lack of a parking plan for their 100 guests, something he thought could be easily remedied. Instead, while commissioners were willing to consider the wedding ceremony on the beach, an application for the reception, which would need to be submitted to the city for approval by representatives for the Bali Hai, would not be approved. Commissioner Jayne Christenson said she thinks Bali Hai would go through with hosting the wedding reception whether it’s approved by commissioners or not. If the wedding reception went forward at Bali Hai, the couple could end up with police officers or code compliance officers at their celebration and a fine being issued if there’s a noise complaint from nearby residential neighbors and a fine for the resort for hosting an event that’s not allowed to take place on the property and without a special event permit. Titsworth said the court case is progressing as quickly as it can through the legal system and that the city will not give up the fight to bring the resort into compliance with city regulations.
MASKS: Mandate extended FROM PAGE 1
County schoolchildren and fewer than 200 cases among staff. Anna Maria Elementary had reported two student cases of COVID-19 this school year at that time. Since then, the numbers at Anna Maria Elementary have risen to six students since the first day of school on Aug. 10 and 1,337 students countywide. Staff COVID-19 cases are currently at 220 countywide. While mask mandates are illegal under Florida law, some school districts have passed them despite Gov. Ron DeSantis’ warning that state funds can be withheld from those districts. Nearby districts that have passed mandates without opt-out clauses include Sarasota and Hillsborough. So far, no action has been taken by the state against the districts.
COVID-19 PROCEDURES IN MANATEE COUNTY SCHOOLS • All students and employees who are sick or who have symptoms will be sent home until they are symptom-free.
• Temperature checks will be taken daily for all employees and randomly for students. • Reinforce and practice proper handwashing techniques among students and staff. • Provide and encourage the use of hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. • Deep clean and disinfect schools and school buses daily, or in-between uses as needed. • Make every effort to social distance as much as possible in schools. • District employees visiting schools, other than their own, must wear masks during the school day. • Provide plastic shields in elementary classrooms and cafeterias where possible. • All employees will answer COVID-related questions daily upon arriving at work. • Limit non-essential visitors and volunteers to school campuses. • Everyone eligible to be vaccinated is strongly encouraged to get vaccinated.
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SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
Red tide decreases around AMI BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Red tide decreased last week in waters around Anna Maria Island, according to Friday’s Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission weekly report. Low levels were detected at the Longboat Pass boat ramp, the Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach and the Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria on Aug. 23. No red tide was detected at the Palma Sola Bay Bridge on Aug. 23. Updated forecasts are available at habforecast.gcoos.org and at visitbeaches.org. Red tide-related respiratory irritation and fish kills were reported over the past week in Manatee, Sarasota, Pinellas, Lee, Hernando and Charlotte counties. Red tide produces a neurotoxin called brevetoxin that can cause respiratory irritation, coughing, and more serious illness for people with severe or chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema or COPD, ac-
High
RED TIDE REPORT
(respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures, fish kills, water discoloration)
Very low
(possible respiratory irritation)
Background
Medium
(no effects)
(probable respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures, fish kills)
Low
(possible respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures, fish kills) cording to the Florida Department of Health. Health officials recommend that people experiencing symptoms stay away from the water and go inside to an air-conditioned space with closed windows and a clean A/C filter. Wearing masks, especially during onshore winds, is also advised. Health officials warn against swimming near dead fish and advise keeping pets away from dead fish and seafoam, which can
None
(no red tide present) Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission contain high concentrations of red tide. Pets are not allowed on Anna Maria Island’s beaches but are allowed on the Palma Sola Causeway on Manatee Avenue. Officials also warn that consuming shellfish exposed to red tide can cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning. Florida Poison Control Centers have a toll-free 24/7 hotline for reporting illnesses, including health effects from exposure to red tide, at 1-888-232-8635.
BB BUDGET: Includes salary hikes FROM PAGE 8
The Planning Department expects $444,000 in fiscal year expenditures. The Planning Department includes contracted Building Official Steve Gilbert and contracted city planner Luis Serna. During Wednesday’s meeting, Gilbert noted a significant portion of his department’s expenses are offset by permitting fees and other revenues they generate. Public Works Manager Tom Woodard anticipates spending about $469,000 on street and road maintenance and repairs. He also projects spending $211,000 to maintain the city’s existing stormwater and drainage systems and $106,000 to maintain city facilities.
The proposed budget calls for about $119,000 in capital project and reserve expenditures. Lt. John Cosby will take over as the city’s new police chief when current Chief Sam Speciale retires in October. Cosby has long played an active role in the budget preparation process. During the work meeting, he encouraged the commission to make an earnest effort to replenish the city’s reserve fund that has been dwindling in recent years. Cosby said the city has about 27% of its annual anticipated expenditures in reserve, but as a coastal community, that percentage should be closer to 34%.
TREE REMOVAL RESCINDED
During the work meeting, and also
during a recent Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) budget meeting, Commissioner Jan Vosburgh withdrew her previous request to potentially use city funds to remove some Australian pines located on private property at the intersection of Cortez Road and Gulf Drive. Although she’s still concerned about the trees falling into that vital intersection during a storm, Vosburgh said the city should not be financially responsible for the removal of trees located on private property and she doesn’t want to set a precedent of doing so. She also noted the property owners have trimmed some of the landscaping and cleaned up the overall appearance of the property and home used as a seasonal residence.
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HBPD closes in on new boat funding Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer has found a way to get the department a new boat and it’s not costing the city’s taxpayers a cent. At an Aug. 24 commission meeting, Tokajer said he’s received word that the department’s application for grant funds to cover the cost of a new police boat has been approved by Manatee County commissioners and goes before the West Coast Inland Navigation District board Sept. 13 for final approval before that board can release
funds. Tokajer said once the funds are released, he plans to place an order for a new 29-foot Yellowfin boat to replace the department’s aging 30-year-old boat. The new boat is expected to cost about $215,000, a significant discount from the $380,000 retail sticker price. Tokajer said he’s been working with the owner of the company to secure a discount and will continue to work with him on finding a buyer for the department’s current boat.
Perico Bay Club—As Good As It Gets!!
Business As Usual…..Just A Li le Differently. If you’re looking to buy or sell in Perico Bay Club, or know someone who is, please give me a call!
Give me a call today if you yo ou u’re ’ree lookin looking ngg to Buyy or Sell on Anna Maria Maria Island Mari Islaand or the surrounding ounding ngg aarea! rea eaaa!!
Lynn Zemmer 941 4141 1-730 3030 0-1294 9 94
941.209.1542 I Lynn@Edgewaterami.com 941.730.1294 | Lynn@Edgewaterami.com www.EdgewaterRealEstateInc.com www.EdgewaterRealEstateInc.com Street, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217 106 Bridge
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SPORTS
SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
Can Team Catalyst be stopped? BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN
Heading into week six of adult flag football play at the Island’s community center, team Catalyst, led by Jon Moss, remains undefeated and looks to be the team to beat going into the playoffs. The Moss family is well represented on the squad with J. Moss’ father, Ed, playing alongside cousins Greg and Brent. On the other side of the field, Ryan Moss worked the field against his family members, with lifelong friend Jordan Demers for Rays Ramblings. Alongside R. Moss, James Roadman played against family members Zach and Evelyn Long on Catalyst. This game exemplifies the spirit of recreational sports at The Center, where friends and family find themselves week after week battling it out on the field or court for the big win and a lot of fun. J. Moss, credited with five passing touchdowns, hit Greg Moss and Brent Moss for a total of 24 points. Z. Long caught another TD throw and scored on a point after conversion play for the team’s win. Jesse Skipper’s 10 catches for Catalyst helped to move the football down the field. On defense, Skipper’s quarterback sack kept R. Moss on his toes in the backfield. In addition to three touchdown throws, caught by Karri Stephens, and Jesse Griffin with two, R. Moss had a pick-six interception nab. Griffin put more numbers in the statistic books with two interceptions of his own. Rays Ramblings’ Bobby McMilan
MONICA SIMPSON | SUN
The dismantled Cortez Deep Sea Fishing squad played with replacement players against a speedy TBT team last Thursday night. helped to keep the game close with an extra point and two receptions in the game. But the team’s efforts just were not enough, taking the team’s record to 3-2. Catalyst meets a battered and diminished Cortez Deep Sea Fishing squad this week at 9 p.m. The young team, losing players to college, injury and illness, put a makeshift team together for the first game of the week for a fun game that gave TBT a win by forfeit. This week’s 8 p.m. game has Rays Ramblings pitted against the 4-1 We The Best Lending team. Movement in the standings going toward the playoffs is still possible. The top seed is still up
for grabs and hope is still alive even for the winless. Everyone makes the playoffs and everyone still can be named champion at the end of the season.
SUN SCOREBOARD MONDAY, AUG. 23 ADULT CO-ED BASKETBALL Paddy Wagon Blue Lagoon
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Moss Builders Beach Bums
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Sandbar Solid Rock Construction
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THURSDAY, AUG. 26 ADULT CO-ED FLAG FOOTBALL
TBT (3-2) W by forfeit Cortez Deep Sea Fishing (2-3) L TMT (0-5) We The Best Lending (4-1)
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Catalyst (5-0) 31 Rays Ramblings (3-2)
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Sandbar (3-2) Beach Bums (0-5)
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SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
FUN IN THE SUN
Across 1 "I'm so stupid!" 4 Lobbying orgs. 8 Dr. Oz's faith 13 Craft beer initials 14 Material for tatami mats 15 Disney princess from Motunui 16 FedEx alternative 17 Former "CBS Evening News" anchor 19 "I'll take it from here" 21 Twistable cookie 22 Like a thick, green lawn 23 "School's Out" rocker 26 Go out with 27 Papier-mâché fiesta item 28 Magnified atlas image 30 Give a little 31 Item in a folder 35 Garden tool 36 "You Are So Beautiful" singer
Answers to 08-25-21 Crossword Puzzle.
39 Biblical hymn 42 Breakfast brand in the freezer aisle 43 Grounded jet 46 Hayride invitation 47 Allergic reaction 50 Capp and Gore 51 Sid Caesar's "Your Show of Shows" partner 56 __ puppet 58 Cowhand's chow 59 Objects of adulation 60 Based on a common feature of their names, what 17-, 23-, 36- and 51-Across are well-suited to be? 63 Little kid 64 In the country 65 Cruise stopover 66 Find a place for 67 Dead tired 68 Half-moon tide 69 Each
Down 1 Hit the pool 2 "Hamlet" character who drowns 3 Hesitant 4 Org. concerned with students 5 Threepio's buddy 6 North African capital 7 Win every game 8 Letters before a viewpoint 9 Motown music 10 Tony who managed three World Series-winning teams 11 Ouzo flavoring 12 Hacker's tool 14 Sport with clay targets 18 Iowa campus 20 __ Nashville: country label 24 Barista's workplace 25 Go higher 29 "Planet Money" network 32 Winter hazard 33 Piece of campfire fuel 34 Lines at a hosp. 36 "World of Dance" judge, to fans 37 Luxury hotel chain 38 Zen paradox 39 "Star Trek" stunners 40 Popular beer pong choice 41 Test result for a HS
student 43 Grow dramatically 44 "You almost got it" 45 42-Across cooker 48 Bank holdup 49 Looped in on an email,
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briefly 52 Bus. bigwig 53 Former senator Hatch 54 False front 55 Deadly virus 57 Olympic skating medal-
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ist Michelle 61 Keyboard shortcut key 62 Weight room unit
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THE SUN
CLASSIFIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS
HEALTH CARE
BEACH YOGA ON Saturdays & Sundays at 8:30am at the end of Pine Ave by the Sandbar Restaurant by donation. www. thriveyogafit.com
HOME CARE PROVIDER with Dennis Church a nursing assistant. 8+ years of experience. Licensed in Florida. SAFER at HOME. Call 815-519-3993
AMI TURTLE WATCH needs donations & silent action items for our FUNDRAISER. Accepting Donations at Holmes Beach City Police Department at the back door. We can pick up! Call or text Linda 863-287-1133
HOME IMPROVEMENTS
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 & PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS. Donations boxes are located at the Church, Moose Club, and Walgreen’s.
CARPET CLEANING QUALITY COUNTS. CARPET cleaning. Upholstery cleaning. Tile & grout cleaning. Island's favorite cleaner. Manatee Chamber Member. Great price/free estimates. Call 941-7561082
CLEANING SERVICE THC CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Rentals, VRBO. Professional and Reliable. Call 941-756-4570 or 941565-3931
COMMERCIAL SALES, RENT & LEASE
TILE! TILE! TILE! All variations of tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship. Prompt, reliable, many Island references. 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 GET’R DONE DRYWALL, INC Specializing in Remodels & Repairs. Island Resident for 18 years. Call Neil Cell 941-962-1194 JSAN CORPORATION Renovations Construction & Handyman Services 941-243-0995 Lic# CRC1332505 jsancorporation@gmail. com Flooring, Drywall, Painting, Repairs, Kitchen and Bathrooms, Trim & Doors. Free Estimates. Credit Cards Accepted. “HAMMERED HOMES” (SAVING HOMES SINCE 1984) Handyman services, renovations. Free Estimates & Consulting. Call before making decision, save money. 941-778-3206
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
API’S DRYWALL REPAIR 15+ years experience. Free estimates. No job too small. Love to help you. Call 941-524-8067.
FISHING CHARTERS
R. GAROFALO’S Interlocking brick pavers, driveways, patios, pool decks. Free estimates. Licensed & Insured. Call Rafael 941-778-4823 or Veronik 941-526-7941
CAPT. MAC GREGORY Fishing Charters. Full Day, Half Day, Night, Inshore & Near Shore. 941-809-5783 U.S.C.G. Certified/Insured
Call us today! 941-778-3986
LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE
STRAIGHT SHOT LANDSCAPE. Specializing in Old Florida Seashell driveways and scapes. Also Rock, Mulch, & Soil. Free estimates. Call Shark Mark 941-301-6067 ISLAND RESIDENT. TREE/ BUSH Trimming, removal. Sweeping, blowing, weeding. Weekly, bi-monthly or monthly schedule. Pressure washing: driveways, walkways, fences, pool decks/ cages. Call Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315.
LOST & FOUND FOUND TURTLE INLAYED silver/platinum ring with inscription ( Pease identity text to confirm). Found on Palm Harbor Dr near Manatee Public Beach. Call 540-312-5299. LOST ON MANATEE BEACH. 18" herringbone chain (4mm thick, square link, round clasp, 10k) with 3/4" Spanish gold coin pendant. Please call 585-755-3894. Contact Dennis LOST MEN'S GOLD wedding band in shallow water just south of new rock groin on beer can island. Very sentimental. Reward, call 941-504-0526
MOVING & STORAGE MARTIN’S MOVING YOUR Island movers! Offering dependable, competitive rates. No hidden costs. 941-809-5777.
PAINTING & WALLCOVERING PAINT! PAINT! AND MORE 28 years of experienced interior/exterior custom painting. Pressure cleaning, drywall repairs and texture finishes. Many Island references. Please call Neil for free estimates. 941-812-0507 “WIZARD OF WALLS” Established 1980 Prompt quality service. Paperhanging/removal Faux finishes. Interior painting. Mary Bell Winegarden 941-794-0455
SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reliable. Island Resident. Quality Workmanship. Interior/Exterior. Also minor repairs & carpentry. Free written detailed estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315
REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE Have you been thinking of selling? We NEED properties to List for SALE!!! GULF FRONT, CANAL FRONT, BAY FRONT CONDOS or HOMES ASK for BIG Alan Galletto of Island Real Estate to get it SOLD 941-232-2216
40-YEAR PAINTER from Kentucky. Hourly rate guaranteed savings over contractor price. Neat, dependable, equipped, insured. Highly productive. A+ rated by Better Business Bureau for 40 years. 502-817-6786. aapressurewash.com
LOOKING FOR A highly motivated real estate broker to buy or sell your next home? Darcie Duncan, Broker Duncan Real Estate a lifelong island resident bringing success to her customers for 30 years. Proven track record brings you results! 941-725-1589
DONALD PERKINS PAINTING LLC fully insured. 30 years experience. Many Island references. Call 941-7057096
REALTOR FOR HIRE. BUYING OR SELLING on AMI? 17 years experience & USAF Veteran. Call Kelly Gitt Keller Williams Realty today 941-799-9299.
POOL SERVICES FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE AND CHEMICAL SERVICES. Certified Pool Operator. 10 + Years Experience. Residential/commercial. Chemical Service Licensed & Insured. Call Dennis Clark 941-7375657 COLE'S TROPICAL POOL SERVICE Call Cole Bowers for all your pool maintenance needs! Affordable and Dependable!! 941-7131893
PRESSURE WASHING & WINDOWS AUTHORITY ONE CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Construction, Vacation, VRBO Rentals . Also available Pressure Washing, Roof Cleaning, Paver Sealing and Windows. Call 941565-3931.
PALMA SOLA PARK. 3BR/2BA 2 car garage. Large yard. Move in ready. $525,000 make offer. Call 941-405-7138 PERICO ISLAND, single family home, water views, Open floor plan, 2BR/2BA, oversized screened lanai, front porch, walk in closets, plantation blinds, 2 car garage, 11210 Sanctuary Drive. $550,000 Sharon Hightower RE/MAX Alliance Group 941-330-5054 Email to sharonsellsbeaches@yahoo.com
RENTALS: ANNUAL ANNUAL RENTALS WANTED! We have well qualified tenants for beach and mainland annual rentals, Full management or Finders fee. Call today for details. Ask for Paige DUNCAN REAL ESTATE 513-3821992.
RENTAL WANTED SWEET FAMILY IN NEED of an annual rental on the island. We've been renting on the island for 3 years. Our kids go to school on the island. Please help keep us here! 3/4 bedrooms, unfurnished, with pool. Call Fallon 706-2026141.
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 $700/$800/$900 a wk. redekercondosonami. com Tim 941-704-7525 ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Updated 5 Star Condo for Rent- Available September October November. (Multimonth discount) Million$ water view, first floor, 2BR/2BA, patio, walk to beach, pool, tennis (smoke free) marketreps@aol. com Boat/jet ski dock available
TRANSPORTATION AMI TAXI metered-on-callcards accepted. Airport: Tampa $95, Sarasota $40, Clearwater $85, Orlando $195. Call 941-447-8372 or 941-447-8376. amitaxi4u@ gmail.com, www.amitaxi. com ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa $70. Sarasota $35. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-779-5095 AIRPORT RIDES- Tampa, St. Pete, Sarasota. Reasonable rates! Call or text Anna 941-932-1600
www.amisun.com
SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY HOME IMPROVEMENT
HOME IMPROVEMENT
THE SUN
Call today to place your ad: 941-778-3986 PAINTING
TRANSPORTATION
PAINTING
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www.amisun.com
SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
