29 minute read
CALENDAR
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. 22, 2 p.m. – Reimagining Pine Avenue Sept. 23, 5:30 p.m. – City Commission budget hearing with regular meeting to follow Oct. 14, 2 p.m. – City Commission meeting
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. Oct. 6, 9 a.m. – Capital Improvement Plan meeting Oct. 6, 9:30 a.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency 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. 28, 5 p.m. – City Commission budget hearing with regular meeting and work session to follow Oct. 6, 10 a.m. – Parks and Beautification committee meeting Oct. 6, 5 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
THURSDAY, SEPT. 23
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. 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. Thursdays in Paradise Stroll featuring local art, music and food, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 5 to 8 p.m.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 25
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. Music on the Porch Saturday Jam Session with Soupy, Cortez Cultural Center, 11655 Cortez Road, Cortez, noon to 2 p.m. Paper mola craft, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2-3 p.m. Reservations required at https://manateelibrary. SUNDAY, SEPT. 26
Master gardener volunteer mobile plant clinic, Robinson Preserve 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon. 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. 28
Stroller Stroll, Neal Preserve, 12301 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 10 a.m. 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.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 29
Third Annual Turtle Watch Wednesday benefitting Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, Hurricane Hanks, 5346 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 4-6 p.m.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 30
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. Reserve to https:// manateelibrary.libcal.com/ event/7996411?hs=a Thursdays in Paradise Stroll featuring local art, music and food, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 5 to 8 p.m.
FRIDAY, OCT. 1
Seashell shore walk, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 9 a.m. Reserve at 941-742-5923 ext. 6036. Forty Carrots, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Reserve to https://manateelibrary.libcal.com/ event/7958987. Mahjong, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Register online at https://manateelibrary. libcal.com/event/7996688
SATURDAY, OCT. 2
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. International Coastal Cleanup, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 9 a.m. to noon. 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, OCT. 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. Family story time, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach 10 a.m. Reserve to https://manateelibrary.libcal.com/ event/8303014 Mahjong, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Register online at https://manateelibrary. libcal.com/event/7996689 Tech help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 3-3:30 p.m. Register online at https://manateelibrary.libcal.com/ event/7996154
Red tide returns in low concentrations
BY CINDY LANE
SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Red tide has returned to local waters after a two-week respite, according to Friday’s Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission weekly report.
The toxic algae began appearing in midApril near Piney Point after 215 million gallons of contaminated water were dumped into Tampa Bay. The water contained the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus, which act as a fertilizer for red tide.
The discharge was approved by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to prevent the collapse of a compromised gypsum stack containing the contaminated water. The former phosphate plant – the subject of two pending lawsuits - is in receivership and is slated for closure and the disposal of the remaining contaminated water.
Red tide dissipated in Manatee County from Aug. 30 until Sept. 14, when low concentrations were detected in water samples taken at the Rod n’ Reel Pier in Anna Maria. Very low concentrations were detected at the Longboat Pass boat ramp, and background concentrations were detected at Key Royale (School Key) and the Palma Sola Bay Bridge, according to the report.
No fish kills or respiratory irritation related to red tide were reported in or offshore of Manatee County over the past week but were reported in Pinellas County to the north and Sarasota County to the south.
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, according 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 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.
Updated red tide forecasts are available at habforecast.gcoos.org and at visitbeaches.org.
RED TIDE REPORT
High
(respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures, fish kills, water discoloration)
Very low
(possible respiratory irritation)
Medium
(probable respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures, fish kills)
Low
(possible respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures, fish kills)
Background
(no effects)
None
(no red tide present)
Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
The new fiscal year budget is accompanied by a $997 million, five-year capital improvement plan.
BY JOE HENDRICKS
SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
MANATEE COUNTY – Commissioners have unanimously approved the county’s 2021-22 fiscal year budget, which will take effect when the new fiscal year begins on Oct. 1.
When adopting the budget on Tuesday, Aug. 14, commissioners also approved a plan set forth by County Administrator Scott Hopes that will reduce by .2 mills the ad valorem property tax rate assessed by the county next year. According to a press release issued by the county last week, this will be Manatee County’s first property tax cut since 2008.
The millage rate decrease will result in many owners seeing an approximate $50 decrease in their next property tax bill, according to another release.
“The millage reduction is made possible largely by another year of significant increases in local property values. Under the current tax rate, rising values would have resulted in a $21 million increase in revenues over the current fiscal year. Instead, commissioners unanimously approved the .2 mill reduction, which returns $8.3 million to taxpayers,” the press release states.
“The board of county commissioners also approved the largest five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) in Manatee County’s history, totaling more than $997 million dollars of investments in infrastructure, public safety, parks and our environment. The county commission is investing $350.3 million in transportation projects, $80.3 million in parks, and $39.1 million in public safety projects,” the press release notes.
“Even with the millage reduction, the budget invests heavily in local infrastructure improvements. Nearly $350.3 million in transportation and road projects, plus significant investments in public safety and law enforcement highlight the $923 million budget. The adopted budget includes new investments in the county’s workforce to respond to increased capital projects workloads and service levels,” according to the press release. THE ANTICIPATED WORKFORCE INCREASES INCLUDE: • 14 new sheriff’s office deputies, one resource assistance program deputy to focus on homeless issues, one body-worn camera deputy to lead the education and training for new technology and one school resource officer. • 14 new positions in the Building and Development Services Department. • 12 new paramedics. • One new 911 telecommunicator, two 911 customer services representatives and one customer services representative for 311 data entry.
The list of county roads to be widened from two lanes to four lanes as part of the five-year CIP plan includes: • 59th Street West from Cortez Road to Manatee Avenue ($23.4 million).
• 63rd Avenue East from U.S. 301 to Tuttle Avenue ($16.2 million). • 75th Street West from 20th Avenue West to Manatee Avenue ($11.1 million).
COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS
In one of the press releases, County Commission Chair Vanessa Baugh stated, “I think Dr. Hopes and (Chief Financial Officer Jan) Brewer have done a fabulous job in this budget. It is wonderful to be working on such a large infrastructure program to help the traffic congestion in our county because of the population growth and to give the citizens a reduction in millage for the first time since 2008.”
“We have embarked on an aggressive road improvement campaign while simultaneously cutting taxes. Major road improvements have been budgeted for District 3,” District 3 Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge stated in the release.
“With the increase in property values, we were fortunate to have $100 million more than we did last year. With the values on the rise and all the new
SEE BUDGET, PAGE 9
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FROM PAGE 8 construction, we were able to lower taxes and leverage a line of credit to get these roads and critical transportation needs going,” Holmes Beach resident and At-Large Commissioner Carol Whitmore stated in the release.
“You are seeing things move in the county at a rate in the county that you haven’t seen in some time. We are going to get a lot of things done,” Hopes stated in the release.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
According to the press release, “The largest one-year investment in the budget remains in the areas of law enforcement and public safety. Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells’ annual budget will increase by $12.6 million to cover funding for 14 new deputies, an additional patrol boat to expand marine responses, one resource assistance program deputy to focus on homeless issues, one body-worn camera deputy to lead the education and training for new technology, one school resource officer and one Domestic Violence Unit Detective.”
“In partnership with Sheriff Wells, we have identified an increased investment to meet the safety needs of our rapidly growing population,” Hopes stated in the press release.
FROM PAGE 3 Judge John Cooper, but Florida’s 1st District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee ruled on Sept. 10 to uphold the governor’s ban on mask mandates in schools.
Currently, 13 counties have defied the governor’s order by implementing mask mandates that do not have an opt-out clause, including Sarasota and Hillsborough locally.
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.
Holmes Beach budget passes first approval
BY KRISTIN SWAIN
SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – City leaders have one more hearing and the public has one more opportunity to comment on the city budget before it goes into effect Oct. 1, if it passes a final vote by commissioners.
During a Sept. 15 budget public hearing, commissioners voted 4-1, with Commissioner Kim Rash dissenting, to approve the first hearing of the proposed budget. Rash said he could not approve a budget that he felt has ballooned out of control over the past several years and he doesn’t feel all Holmes Beach residents’ support.
No one from the public offered any comment during the meeting.
This year’s proposed budget of $22,226,876, including carryovers and reserves, includes $1,078,000 in American Recovery Act federal funding. The 2021-22 fiscal year budget was figured using a 2.25 millage rate, the same rate as last year though this year represents a 6.24% raise in taxes for city property owners over the rollback rate of 2.1178 mills. The rollback rate would give city leaders the same amount of tax revenue as the previous fiscal year.
The raise in taxes comes from an increase in property values as determined by the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s Office. Holmes Beach commissioners were unable to lower the millage rate for this tax year as a condition of receiving the federal funds. With the receipt of the federal funding, which can be used for stormwater repairs and replacement, Commissioner Carol Soustek said taxpayers may receive a cut in other ways, such as a lowered stormwater fee.
There was no other about lowering stormwater fees.
The public has one more opportunity to voice opinions on the budget when it goes before commissioners for a final vote on Sept. 28 at 5 p.m. To speak during public comment, you must be present at the meeting in chambers at Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive.
Mayoral candidates file latest campaign treasurer reports
The winner of the mayor’s race will be determined during the city elections that will conclude on Tuesday, Nov. 2.
BY JOE HENDRICKS
SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – As of last week, incumbent Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie held a $655 fundraising advantage over first-time mayoral challenger David Galuszka.
According to the campaign treasurer’s report Chappie filed with the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office on Sept. 12, the incumbent mayor had raised a total of $2,050 in campaign contributions – but those contributions included $700 from Chappie himself and $1,000 from his brother, Joe Chappie. Chappie also received $100 contributions from two Holmes Beach
residents. Chappie’s most recent report also lists a $300 in-kind contribution from the candidate himself for campaign materials and signs. As of Sept. 12, Chappie had spent $649 on a campaign mailer and other campaign expenses. According to the treasurer’s report he filed on Sept. 17, Galuszka had received 19 campaign contributions totaling $1,395 – including those Galuszka donated to his campaign. Except for Galuszka himself, none of Galuszka’s contributors listed Bradenton Beach addresses – although some of those donors may be seasonal Bradenton Beach residents. Chappie Six of Galuszka’s donors listed Bradenton addresses, two listed Holmes Beach addresses, two listed California addresses, two listed Michigan addresses, one listed a Texas address, one listed a Tennessee address and one listed a Washington address. As of Sept. 17, Galuszka had spent $813 on campaign signs, a campaign website, Galuszka online fees and other campaign expenditures. The mayor’s race will be decided in the city elections that conclude on Tuesday, Nov. 2.
There’s no conclusion on the horizon between Holmes Beach city leaders and owners in the fight over operations at the Bali Hai beachfront hotel.
BY KRISTIN SWAIN
SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – No agreement has been reached concerning the operations of the Bali Hai Beach Resort between the hotel’s owners and the city of Holmes Beach, despite a pending court case, numerous code compliance hearings, fines and a pending site plan amendment approval.
Attorney Louis Najmy, representing the resort’s owners, including local developer Shawn Kaleta, appeared before commissioners on Sept. 15 for a site plan approval hearing. Due to issues with the site plan and a lack of compliance with city regulations, the site plan approval was postponed to the first meeting in October. This would allow the resort’s representatives additional time to work with city staff to create a site plan proposal that meets all of the city’s requirements and determine what action needs to be taken by the resort to come into compliance with city regulations until the proposed site plan for activities on the resort property.
During the Sept. 15 meeting, city commissioners agreed that they were unable to approve the site plan as presented but that they’d rather provide at least a partial approval instead of outright denying the presented site plan and risk going to mediation in the court system. Najmy argued that the site plan as presented has met all of the city’s expressed requirements. He said that his client has not complied with the code compliance order from a special magistrate to cease operations at the restaurant’s bar and lounge, obtain after-the-fact permits for construction work done and cease operations at an installed spa or cease holding special events at the resort. His reasoning for the non-compliance is that he thought his client should be able to continue with operations as-is until a site plan was approved and then the resort’s operations would have to come into compliance. City commissioners said that was not the case and that compliance has to be achieved and fines paid before the resort would be considered to be operating in good faith.
Najmy said he believes the $1,000 per day fine currently in force against the resort due to non-compliance with city codes was enacted erroneously and he is contesting it.
The issues between the city and the Bali Hai go back over a year to when work was done at the resort without permits from the Holmes Beach building department and a bar and spa were opened on the property for guest use without an approved site plan for the change in use.
The work done on the property includes installation of railings on the second floor of the resort, the demolition of an owner’s unit on the second floor of an accessory building and a storage room on the bottom floor of the same building, the conversion of those spaces into an office and bar/lounge area and the conversion of a resort laundry facility into a spa.
On behalf of his clients, Najmy argued that the resort's owners do not need site plan approval from the city to open a bar/lounge on the property. City Planner Bill Brisson said he can find no record that a bar/lounge was ever approved for the site, meaning that a site plan approval from city commissioners is required for the amenity to operate legally within Holmes Beach city limits.
Najmy said that his client is seeking to operate in good faith with the city, though commissioners pointed out that his client is still operating the resort in violation of city regulations.
City Attorney Patricia Petruff said that there can be no approval of the site plan without the resort’s owners being willing to first come into compliance with city regulations. She added that a path forward needs to be determined to bring the issue to a conclusion before the courts truly get involved.
Though there is a court case pending in Manatee County Circuit Court, a hearing was not scheduled as of press time for The Sun.
The site plan is scheduled to come back before commissioners on Oct. 12.
KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN The Bali Hai resort’s operations are still a point of contention, with city leaders fighting it out with hotel owners in court and in front of commissioners.
5346 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach (941) 778-5788 | hurricanehanks.com Visit us for a cold one!
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AID returns to in-person meetings
BY KRISTIN SWAIN
SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.comv
HOLMES BEACH – The members of All Island Denomination, a group representing all of the Anna Maria Island churches, met for the first time in person since March 2020 on Sept. 8.
The meeting, held at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Holmes Beach, was full of new business. Assembled members discussed funding, with President Cornelia Zanetti expressing thanks for funds donated from the Trolley Grant Awards and the now-defunct Anna Maria Island Home Sweet Home nonprofit.
Member Jack Brennan reported that his wife, Lynn, is now managing the group’s food pantry at Roser Memorial Community Church on Pine Avenue. Forty-nine bags of food were distributed to local needy families in August from the food pantry. Brennan added that the blessing box attached to the outer wall of the Roser Food Pantry is consistently being used and replenished by the community. The blessing box is open to anyone who needs food and for anyone to donate shelf-stable, nonperishable food items. If a location in Bradenton Beach or Holmes Beach can be identified, Brennan said he would be happy to provide a blessing box for those additional locations.
Due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19, AID members elected to cancel the annual Thanksgiving service for the second year.
SUBMITTED | PEGGY NASH Twelve members of All Island Denominations met in person for the first time in more than a year Sept. 8. at St. Bernard Catholic Church. A blessing box outside of the Roser Food Pantry is open to anyone who is in need to take from and for anyone to supply with donations of nonperishable food items.
WHERE‛S YOUR COMFORT ZONE?
2021
Bradenton Beach budgets finalized
The Bradenton Beach City Commission and the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) have finalized and adopted their 2021-22 fiscal year budgets. The budget adoptions occurred during the final city and CRA budget hearings held separately on Thursday, Sept. 16. Both the city and CRA’s budgets maintain the current 2.3329 millage rate. The new fiscal year begins on Oct. 1.
Study scheduled for Gulf Drive improvements
Long-awaited changes to Gulf Drive have made it onto the Florida Department of Transportation’s radar. During a Sept. 13 Island Transportation Planning Organization meeting held at Holmes Beach City Hall, members discussed an upcoming PD&E (Project Development and Environment) study planned to look at making Gulf Drive a complete street. A complete streets project includes different modes of transportation, such as vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians and public transportation - in this case, the Manatee County Area Transit buses and trolleys that travel along Anna Maria Island. The project will take place along the Island’s state road corridor. FDOT representative Jesten Abraham said the study is planned for the coming fiscal year and will be followed by design, engineering and construction phases, with the final phase planned to begin in fiscal year 2025. Public input will be taken once the project gets closer to the design phase.
Grant funds approved for HBPD boat purchase
Grant funds are on the way for the purchase of a new Holmes Beach police boat. The money, coming from the West Coast Inland Navigation District and totaling $216,000, will be used to replace the department’s aging response boat, which has been on the water for about 10 years. Chief Bill Tokajer said he plans to replace the boat with a Yellowfin model that will allow for faster police response time and allow for better navigation in the channels and waters surrounding Anna Maria Island. Commissioners voted 4-1 to accept the grant funds for the new boat, with Commissioner Kim Rash dissenting.
14 THE SUN www.amisun.com $ $ON FANS PRICED 99 to 299 SOME RESTRICTIONS APPLY. BRING THIS AD INTO STORE FOR DETAILS. PRIOR SALES FREE BASIC INSTALL $ .99ON FANS PRICED 299 & UP .99 $OR 29 INSTALL Center releases EXCLUDED. NOT COMBINED WITH OTHER OFFERS. DAN'S FAN CITY, LLC LIC#EC13004528
fiscal year financials
The Center ended the fiscal year June 30 on solid financial ground and got the new year off to a strong start in July.
BY KRISTIN SWAIN
SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – The summer is coming to a close and with it the 2020-21 fiscal year at The Center of Anna Maria Island.
The nonprofit’s fiscal year ended June 30 with The Center on good terms, financially. Closing out the year, The Center had a net income of $53,492, which is $2,308 over the planned budget of $51,183. Over the 2020-21 fiscal year, programming brought in $199,301 after $263,863 in direct costs and fundraising ended the year with $335,447 in income after $273,266 in direct costs. After $501,447 in general, indirect and administrative expenses, along with capital income ending at $20,191 after $16,652 in expenses, the total for the fiscal year in net income came out to $53,492.
The end-of-year net income was $44,731 higher than the previous year’s ending total of $8,761.
The Island nonprofit kicked off the new 2021-22 fiscal year July 1 with a strong start, despite it being a slower time of year for The Center.
Programming brought in $75,158 in revenue. With direct costs of $41,239, the cost center came out ahead for July with a positive income of $33,919. After general, direct and administrative expenses of $49,402, The Center’s operations ended the month with a loss of $15,483. In fundraising, revenue came in a $30,913 with direct costs of $29,605 to end the month with $1,308.
After $1,244 in capital expenses, The Center ended the month with a net income of -$15,419.
Despite the negative net income amount, the end of the first month of the fiscal year brought good financial news for The Center’s board and staff.
At the end of July, The Center’s net income was $21,436 higher than the previous year and $22,358 higher than budget.
For more information, or to view The Center’s financials, visit www. centerami.org.
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Drinks flow in Island Players 73rd season premiere
After more than a year since their last live production, Island Players kick off their 73rd season with “The Savannah Sipping Society.”
BY JASON SCHAFFER
SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA - As the title implies, there’s plenty of drinking going on in “The Savannah Sipping Society,” directed by Mike Lusk and presented by The Island Players. The play is set to run until Sept. 26 at the Island Playhouse on the corner of Gulf Drive and Pine Avenue.
Four women form a strong bond and an unusual friendship after meeting at a hot yoga session, at which none of them excel in any way. The lead character, Randa (played by Jennifer Kwiatkowski), meets Dot and Marlafaye (played by Cathy Hansel-Edgerton and Laura Morales, respectively) after their failed attempt at hot yoga. They decide that a meeting at Randa’s second-floor downtown Savannah veranda is a much better idea, albeit a far less healthy place to meet for an impromptu happy hour after the ladies find they may have more in common than they first thought.
After agreeing to meet at Randa’s, Dot throws a bit of a curveball into the situation by inviting a new friend, Jinx (Susie Lowe), a “beauty technician” who also claims to be a life coach, although she appears to have little training for the job - but is very enthusiastic. This sets the stage for a budding friendship and plenty of laughs.
Each of the ladies has a life issue that has made them question whether they would ever regain the zest for life they once had. But Jinx offers to be their life coach and help them regain their passion for living, although she has her own issue that isn't revealed until late in the performance.
All of the ladies are over 50 and this provides the platform for many of the show’s laughs. Other comedic platforms include rolling with the punches after getting fired from a professional position (Randa) with restraining order included; a long-range run from a philandering husband (Marla Faye); recovery from the death of a spouse (Dot); and a lifelong search for family (Jinx).
Although some of the topics are dark, they are treated with a heavy dose of self-deprecating humor in a way that only southern women can deliver. Anyone who has ever watched The Golden Girls will feel a familiarity with “The Savannah Sipping Society.” That conclusion is logical since the play was written by the trio of Jessie Jones, Nicolas Hope and Jamie Wooten, who not only wrote for “The Golden Girls” but also authored “The Dixie Swim Club,” a similar story that is “Sipping Society’s” companion piece.
In the case of “The Savannah Sipping Society,” the friends aren’t looking for a relationship with Mr. Right, but rather a refreshment of life and a path to sanity and sympathy. This hilarious production is a treat for the audience and a perfect kick-off to the 73rd season of Island Players.
The production runs through Sunday, Sept. 26 at the Island Playhouse in Anna Maria. Showtimes are Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. All tickets are $25 and are available at the Island Players box office. Call 941-778-5755 for more information.
JASON SCHAFFER | SUN From left, Laura Morales (Marlafaye), Susie Lowe (Jinx), Cathy HanselEdgerton (Dot) and Jennifer Kwiatkowski (Randa) form a bond and a strong friendship in “The Savannah Sipping Society.”
