Anna Maria Island Sun September 28, 2016

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VOL 16 No. 48

September 28, 2016

Bert Harris purchase offer accepted The city has made more than $20 million in purchase offers to 20 vacation rental owners.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria is on the cusp of entering the vacation rental business, at least on a short-term basis.

The business entity known as 117 Willow LLC has accepted the city’s offer to purchase a vacation rental property at 117 Willow Ave. for $1.21 million as a means of settling a Bert Harris claim.

State records list attorney Louis Najmy as the LLC’s registered agent and Joe Varner and Shawn Kaleta as its authorized persons. The appraisal package that accompanied the Bert Harris claim filed on May 23 mentions AMI Vacations as the property’s group finance entity, and the vacation rental known as Ocean Walk is listed at the Anna Maria Vacations website. see OFFER, page 31

SUBMITTED | CHELSEA HART, MANATEE COUNTY MARINE RESCUE DIVISION

Dead fish continue to wash ashore this week on Anna Maria Island’s beaches. Lifeguards with the Manatee County Marine Rescue Division, including Chelsea Hart, are wearing masks to protect themselves from the respiratory irritation caused by red tide.

Persistent red tide causes fish kill

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts high levels of red tide through Thursday in Manatee County waters.

BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com

Dead fish suffocated by red tide continue to wash up on Anna Maria Island’s beaches, causing some beachgoers to get back in their cars and visitors to cancel their vacations.

Red tide is a higher-than-normal concentration of the microscopic organism Karenia brevis, which contains a neurotoxin that can kill fish and marine mammals, poison shellfish, making it unfit to eat, and cause respiratory distress in people, especially those with

INSIDE NEWS OPINION Sun survey Football Fever outdoors town crier REAL ESTATE CROSSWORD

4 6 7 20-21 22-23 25 28-33 36

Commission candidates Bill Vincent and John Chappie have much in common when it comes to city issues.

asthma, emphysema and other respiratory conditions.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts high levels of red tide through Thursday in Manatee County waters.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) first reported a high concentration of red tide at Longboat Pass on the Island’s southernmost tip last Friday, with varying levels from low to medium on the rest of the Island’s beaches.

By Monday, the Mote Marine Beach Report (www.mote. org/beaches) showed heavy concentrations of dead fish at Coquina Beach, with moderate respiratory irritation.

One Bradenton Beach resort reported two vacation rental cancellations and one rescheduling on Monday due to the red tide.

BRADENTON BEACH – City Commission candidates Bill Vincent and John Chappie participated in a candidate’s forum hosted by The Sun at Bradenton Beach City Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 21.

Both men are vying for the Ward 4 commission seat being vacated by Jan Vosburgh.

The forum began with the candidates’ opening statements.

“I am a novice at this. I’ve never been elected to office and never campaigned for office before,” Vincent said.

see red tide, page 27

see FORUM, page 33

creating a

craft bar where nothing is run of the mill. 19

Anna Maria Island, Florida

Candidates share their views

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendrick@amisun.com

peace day comes to Anna Maria Elementary. 24

Get back in the games with The Sun’s Football Fever Contest. 20

The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

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Candidates discuss Bert Harris claims Despite voting in opposition to recent settlement offers, Commissioners Yetter and Webb support the city purchase of vacation rental properties as part of the settlement process.

Purchase offers?

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – During the candidates’ forum that took place last week, commission candidates Nancy Yetter, Chuck Webb and Brian Seymour discussed the Bert Harris claim settlement offers recommended

by City Attorney Becky Vose.

On three occasions, Webb and Yetter have voted against the settlement offers and have been outvoted by commissioners Carol Carter, Doug Copeland and Dale Woodland, who supported the offers Vose recommended.

When asked during the forum to explain these opposition votes, Webb said he would not answer the question because it might reveal the city attorney’s litigation strategies. He then referenced his belief that the city’s comprehensive plan prohibits commercial activity in residential zones.

“I still feel the vacation rentals are illegal.

joe hendricks | SUN

Commission candidates Chuck Webb, Brian Seymour and Nancy Yetter shared their views on Bert Harris claim settlements last week.

For that reason, I will not vote for an illegal use in the city.”

Yetter said the settlement offers conflicted with promises she made about trying to protect the rights of residents.

“There’s a big difference between profit and greed. I think that if we don’t stand up to somebody, sooner or later we’re not doing our jobs. I personally can’t go along with it,” Yetter said.

Seeking elected office for the first time, Seymour said, “My concern is with the financial solvency of the city and that we’re

doing everything as a city and as residents and property owners to work together to come to a good resolution for everyone.

Property rights are big on my priority list, but I also believe the city has rights in trying to reign in some of the egregious offenders that have made an impact on the rental industry as a whole.”

If elected, Seymour said he would likely support settlement offers that simply called for occupancy limits of two persons per bedroom plus two additional guests.

When the forum took place on Tuesday, Sept. 20, the candidates may not have been aware that the city received a letter dated that same day from attorney Aaron Thomas regarding a $1.21 million purchase offer for a vacation rental at 117 Willow Ave. On Sept. 8, the commission voted 3-2 to approve 28 settlement offers and 20 of those included purchase offers for the first time as an alternative to the two-plus-two occupancy limit also being offered.

When asked if he would support the city purchasing vacation rental properties, Seymour said, “I do not because I don’t think the offers are intended to be accepted.

I think it’s trying to show good faith by the city for a potential court appearance. My question is where are they going to come up with the money and are they going to get into the rental industry or be the third party between a potential investor? I don’t know that that’s the answer.”

Webb said, “I strongly support it. You go out and finance it. We turn around and sell it to a family, so now we have families coming back in.”

He also said he would like to see restrictive covenant attached to such sales, in see bert harris, page 16

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ISLAND NEWS

in brief

Join in coastal cleanup on Oct. 1 The Manatee County International Coastal Cleanup will be held Oct. 1 from 9 a.m. to noon. It is the world’s largest single-day volunteer effort to remove trash from beaches, waterways, lakes, rivers and parks.

Adopt-A-Highway, Road and Shore groups should do cleanups on their adopted sites. Others can check in at the following centers: • Anna Maria City Hall at 10005 Gulf Drive; • Holmes Beach at Kingfish Boat Ramp on S.R. 64 W.; • F.I.S.H. Preserve at 11601 Cortez Road W. Bring your own gloves, sunscreen and cooler. Wear closed toe shoes. Trash bags and drinks will be provided.

Register by e-mailing keep@manateebeautiful.com or calling 941-795-8272.

Last year, more than 18 million pounds of trash were collected by almost 800,000 volunteers. In Manatee County last year, 1,909 volunteers found 16,007 pounds of trash and 4,982 pounds of recyclable litter along 181 miles of these of types of shorelines, highways and roads.

Public invited to tax meetings Manatee County will host a series of educational meetings in October aimed at raising the public’s awareness of this fall’s half-cent sales tax for infrastructure. Voters will consider the county’s half-cent for roads, public safety equipment and parks during the Nov. 8 general election.

There will be one meeting in each county commission district, plus two meetings for the at-large commissioners.

At each meeting, a county commissioner will deliver opening remarks, followed by a 20-minute presentation on the proposed tax by county spokesman Nick Azzara.

After the presentation, people will have a chance to ask questions of county staff knowledgeable about the tax and its proposed projects. A list of the projects the county is proposing with the half-cent can be found at www. mymanatee.org/halfcent.

Each meeting will begin at 6 p.m. The following are dates and locations for the Island: • Commissioner John Chappie’s meeting will be held Wednesday, Oct. 5, at Manatee County Utilities building, 4410 66th St. W., Bradenton.

• Commissioner Carol Whitmore’s meeting will be held Tuesday, Oct. 11, at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto.

The next sidewalk astronomy session will be on Saturday, Oct. 8, at sunset, 7:08 p.m., in the field next to Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive. Weather permitting, it will be a chance to see Saturn’s rings, the first quarter moon and the planets Mars, Uranus and Neptune. Members of the Local Group of Deep Sky Observers will have their high powered telescopes set up to view the skies, and it’s free to the public.

Museum to reopen in October The Island Historical Museum, 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, will reopen Monday, Oct. 3, after being closed for the month of September. Hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Vacation rental certificate program begins

Every property owner who rents for seven days or less or is in the R-2 zoning district must have a vacation rental certificate.

BY PAT COPELAND SUN STAFF WRITER | pcopeland@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – In a series of three meetings, the city’s code enforcement and police officers outlined the application and inspection process for owners and agents to obtain vacation rental certificates.

Every property owner who rents for seven days or less or is in the R-2 zoning district must have a vacation rental certificate. Properties will be inspected for life safety issues, and the owner will be issued a decal for their property that is valid for two years.

“This program will help takeout city to the next level,” Code Enforcement Officer James Thomas said adding that city officials listened to stakeholders when crafting the vacation rental ordinance and certificate.

About 50 property owners attend-

Pat Copeland | Sun

About 50 people attended the second in a series of meetings to learn how to obtain vacation rental certificates ed last Monday’s meeting in which T. Rex Ogle, the city’s records clerk and IT specialist, first explained how to register their property on the city’s website in order to receive a decal. He said if anyone has a problem with the process, they can come to city hall, and someone will help them register.

The cost of the decal is $150, which pays for the inspection program. One property manager asked if she could register all of her properties at once and pay

once, and Ogle said she could.

Thomas played videos of mock inspections to show property owners what they are looking for inside and outside a rental. He said his department has an open door for questions about the process from property owners and managers.

Copies of the ordinance and application are available at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. The application process opens on Sept. 13, applications are due Jan. 1, 2017 and inspections begin Sept. 13.

Permits up for home improvements The building official said there were four times more remodels than tear downs in 2016.

BY PAT COPELAND SUN STAFF WRITER | pcopeland@amisun.com

See the planets from Holmes Beach

Visit our website, www.amisun.com.

Scan this code with your smartphone to go there.

HOLMES BEACH – Building Official Jim McGuinness presented city commissioners with a series of charts to show the numbers and types of building permits, which showed a dramatic increase in owners improving existing homes.

McGuinness presented charts featuring permitted major construction from 2005 to 2015 in the categories of singlefamily units and duplex units, which were tear down and rebuilds, and 49 percent improvements of existing ground level structures (as per the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s

50 percent rule), as well as demolitions and major and minor work in 2016.

He said to date in 2016, the number of ground level homes being remodeled at 49 percent is 37, the number of homes being remodeled is 26 and the number of new homes being constructed is 14.

Reversing the trend

“That’s a complete reversal of the old trend of tear down and build them high,” he said. “We have 2 ½ times more 49 percenters than new homes.

If you add in the remodels without approaching that 50 percent mark – they’re putting money into an existing house – that number totals 63, which is a one to four ratio of tear downs to improving existing homes.

“That’s dramatic turn around compared to 2012. Now we’re seeing

people putting money into homes as they sit on the ground versus tearing it down and building a vacation rental.

It’s not changing the physical nature of the city as radically as when you tear something down and build it as high as you can.”

McGuinness also presented charts showing the number of inspections in 2015 and 2016 and the average permit approval time from November 2015 to August 2016.

Mayor Bob Johnson said the city is “changing the reputation of the building department” because it is moving from the old-fashioned paper system of the past to a new computerized system.

Unpermitted work

In addition, McGuinness discussed see PERMITS, page 18

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

West Nile virus found in Manatee county The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County today advised residents that there has been an increase in mosquitoborne activity. A sentinel chicken flock has tested positive for the West Nile virus.

While the risk of transmission to humans has increased, the Manatee County Mosquito Control District and DOH-Manatee are continuing surveillance and prevention efforts to help protect residents and visitors. To protect against mosquitoes, the department urges the public to drain and cover:

Drain

• Drain water from garbage cans, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots or any other containers where sprinkler or rainwater has collected.

• Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren't being used.

• Empty and clean birdbaths and pet water bowls at least once or twice a week.

• Protect boats and vehicles

from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.

• Maintain swimming pools in good condition and appropriately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.

Cover

• If outside while mosquitos are active, cover up with shoes, socks, long pants and long sleeves.

• Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing. Always use repellents according to the label.

Repellents with 10-30 percent DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535 are effective.

• Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.

• Keep mosquitoes out of your house by covering windows, doors, porches and patios with screens.

eliminating mosquito-breeding sites

• Clean out troughs and gutters; • Remove old tires or drill holes in those used in playgrounds to drain;

• Turn over or remove empty plastic pots; • Pick up all beverage containers and cups; • Check tarps on boats or other equipment that may collect water; • Replace water in birdbaths and pet or other animal feeding dishes at least once a week; • Change water in plant trays, including hanging plants, at least once a week; and • Remove vegetation or obstructions in drainage ditches that prevent the flow of water.

For more information on what repellent is right for you, use the Environmental Protection Agency’s search tool: http://cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/ insect/#searchform.

Report dead birds via the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s site at http://legacy. myfwc.com/bird/default.asp.

For more information, visit DOH’s website at http://www. floridahealth.gov/%5C/diseasesand-conditions/mosquito-bornediseases/index.html or contact your county health department.

THE SUN

According the to the Center for Disease Control, most people, or 70-80 percent, who become infected with West Nile virus do not develop any symptoms.

About 1 in 5 people who are infected will develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Most people with this type of West Nile virus disease recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months.

Less than 1 percent of people who are infected will develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis (inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues). The symptoms of neurologic illness can include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, seizures or paralysis.

Serious illness can occur in people of any age.

However, people over 60 years of age are at the greatest risk for severe disease. People with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease and people who have received organ transplants, are also at greater risk for serious illness.

Recovery from severe disease may take several weeks or months. Some of the neurologic effects may be permanent. About 10 percent of people who develop neurologic infection due to West Nile virus will die.

There is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatments for West Nile virus. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to reduce fever and relieve some symptoms. In severe cases, patients often need to be hospitalized to receive supportive treatment, such as intravenous fluids, pain medication, and nursing care.

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OPINIOn

The Anna Maria Island Sun newspaper Island Sun Plaza, 9801 Gulf Drive P.O. Box 1189 Anna Maria, FL 34216-1189 Phone: (941) 778-3986 e-mail: news@amisun.com | ads@amisun.com | classifieds@amisun.com

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

EDITORIAL Let peace grow with the children

I

t was another successful Peace Day celebration at Anna Maria Elmentary School last Friday, as a new wave of kindergartners were introduced to the concept of peace.

As a reality, peace is the absence of war, but it is harder to visualize something that exists because of the absence of something else.

After the Soviet Union fell in the 1980s and new countries emerged from the former communist pact, the threat of world annihalation through atomic weapons was diminished.

Now, however, there is a new threat to replace it – terrorism.

The kids at AME will learn all about that as they matriculate from one grade to another.

But this was their time to write, speak and sing about peace. The theme at the event was the question, "What do you think peace looks like?"

Several students read essays they wrote to answer that question, and they were interesting to adults who have never addressed that question themselves.

The Peace Day celebration had a new overseer this year as Cindy Harrison retired last year and Susan Tabicman replaced her.

She came up with a great program and many parents attended and enjoyed it.

As the kids came out of their classrooms to attend the ceremony, some wearing peace symbol paper hats, they listened to the program, and when it came time for them to sing, they did so enthusiastically.

Nobody expected to see all those youngsters emerge from the celebration with great visions of peace that day, but they might think twice before resorting to violence in a situation that could be resolved peacefully.

These children are our future, and they will be exposed to violence and war at the movies, on televsion and even in the music that they hear. They will get used to it and maybe go to war themselves, as have so many Americans.

But if we could just plant that notion that there are nonviolent ways to handle conflicts, maybe the concept could take root in them and some day be handed down to their children.

There hasn't been a day where there was no fighting in the world since the end of the Cold War, and now the fighting has spread to our cities, malls, schools and on our streets.

To the kids who attended Peace Day: All we are saying is give peace a chance.

Take The Sun Survey on Page 7.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Communities come through for 2016 Giving Challenge The board, staff and volunteers at the Florida Maritime Museum are thrilled and honored to live in such a generous and philanthropically minded community. Thank you for all you do. The 2016 Giving Challenge proved, yet again, the impact that small donations can make when people come together.

Due to the generosity of the people who chose to support the Florida Maritime Museum and our upcoming folk school we surpassed our goal of $20,000. Wow! It was also great to see so many other worthy non-profits carrying out great campaigns of their own.

None of this could have happened without the innovation, hard work, dedication, and generosity of The Community Foundation of Sarasota, The Patterson Foundation, Manatee Community Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, William G. and Marie Selby Foundation, and the Herald-Tribune Media Group. The abundance of caring and generous individuals is part of what makes this place a wonderful place to live and visit, as well as all the great non-profits working to make our lives better.

Thank you all.

Amara C. Nash Museum supervisor

Make noise enforcement proactive We have had yet another disruption to our lives from resort rentals – shouting after 1 a.m. from 5501 Holmes Blvd. Police were called at 1:09 a.m. and the code enforcement officer was notified at 1:38 a.m.

It is significant that I heard this in my guest bathroom because we had extra interior insulation put in this room when we built the house. So the shouting was so loud, it invaded at least two barriers of our home, with the first being hurricane windows and doors.

Most definitely, one insight that I have acquired from these experiences with the resort rentals is that our neighborhood (when these houses are not rented) is extremely quiet and peaceful. This is the usual, as stated in our code. In a stretch, it may be that it is so quiet, that these renters did not even realize that there are people within earshot. (The lot behind this property is vacant.) In any case, it did not appear that these renters had been provided with any prior infor-

mation that they were renting in a quiet, residential neighborhood.

I know that you have worked diligently on more than one occasion on the noise ordinance and hope that it is not all for nought. The dispatcher said that if it happened again, to call back. However, my hope is that the proactive and enforcement measures that you put in place can be implemented in order to avoid any phone call at 1 a.m., much less 2 a.m.

Margie Motzer Holmes Beach

HOW TO SEND US A LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Got an opinion, a complaint or a compliment?

Is there something you need to get off your chest?

Send us a letter to the editor and have your say.

There are several ways to make your opinion known.

Visit our website at www.amisun.com and click on the “contact us” link at the top of the home page. Or, e-mail The Sun directly at news@ amisun.com. If you prefer the old-fashioned way you can mail a letter to us at The Anna Maria Island Sun, Island Sun Plaza, P.O. Box 1189, Anna Maria, FL 34216.

Letters should be kept to 300 words or less and must contain your name and the city in which you reside. Personal attacks and obscene language will not be printed. Letters also may be edited for length and content.

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

THE SUN

the sun survey

on the agenda

PREVIOUS QUESTION: Do you support a ban on any new franchise stores?

Anna Maria

75%

10005 Gulf Drive.

2%

Yes, our mom and pops don't need any more competition.

Not if they have waitresses who deliver the food on roller skates

None scheduled For information, call 7086130.

Bradenton Beach 107 Gulf Drive N.

9/28: Planning and Zoning Board, 1 p.m.

9/28: Scenic WAVES, 3 p.m.

10/1: City Hall closed; City Commission meeting canceled.

For information, call 7781005.

Holmes Beach

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10/5: Parks and Beautification Advisory Board, 10 a.m.

10/5: Planning Commission, 7 p.m.

For information, call 7085800.

Island-wide

10/4: Manatee County Council of Governments, Bradenton Area Convention Center, One Haben Blvd., Palmetto, 4 p.m.

10/5: Community meeting on Manatee County’s proposed half cent sales tax, Manatee County Utilities building, 4401 66th St. W., Bradenton.

5801 Marina Drive.

mark your calendar Note: Events are free unless indicated.

Wednesday Sept. 28

14%

No, the more the merrier when it comes to food outlets.

THIS WEEK’S SURVEY What do you think of Anna Maria's plan to purchase rental homes involved in Bert Harris litigation?

9%

No, we need something to keep the food prices down.

• I like the idea of purchasing them, financing those purchases, then reselling them for families to live in permanently.

• I am concerned that the estimated $20 million for buying the homes will bankrupt the city.

• I don't care either way.

Thursday

To vote, go to www.amisun.com or scan this code to vote by smartphone.

Sept. 29

LIKE us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AnnaMariaIslandSun View The Sun’s online edition at www.issuu.com/AnnaMariaIslandSun

Publishers Mike Field Maggie Field Editor/CEO Mike Field Layout Ricardo Fonseca Reporters Pat Copeland Cindy Lane

Tom Vaught Joe Hendricks

Ad assistant Chris Boniberger

Accounting John Reitz

Columnists Louise Bolger

Classified ads Bob Alexander

Outdoors editor Rusty Chinnis

Graphics Elaine Stroili Ricardo Fonseca

Distribution Bob Alexander Keith Isner Tony McNulty

Ad director Chantelle Lewin

Web/Social media Jocelyn V. Greene Cindy Lane

Roser-Robics chair-based exercise class, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m. Bring two cans of fruit of equal size and weight Coloring Club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 12 p.m.

Chess Club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.

Ambassadogs pack walk, Robinson Preserve, 99th Street Northwest and 17th Avenue Northwest, Bradenton, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Call Sam at 941-742-5923, ext.

6036 to joiin

Contributors Steve Borggren Monica Simpson

Quilting group, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

Boomer Boot camp, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 10 to 11 a.m. One class, $15; five classes, $65; 10 classes, $100.

Jam in the sand, Manatee Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 5 to 8 p.m.

Friday Sept. 30

Forty Carrots program for babies and children to age 5, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

Bridge beginners/refresher class, Aging in Paradise Resource Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, 2nd Floor, Longboat Key, 10:30 to 11:30

a.m., $10 includes coffee and cookies. RSVP to maryannbrady@aginginparadise.org or 941-383-6493.

Roser-Robics chair-based exercise class, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 11 a.m. Bring two cans of fruit of equal size and weight.

Blackout poetry teen program, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 3 p.m.

Sunset drum circle, Manatee Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 5 to 8 p.m.

Saturday Oct. 1

CPR class, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 9 a.m. Preregistration required.

Lego club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.

Monday Oct. 3

Social bridge games, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, noon.

Monday

Oct. 4 Preschool bilingual story time and craft, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

Boomer Boot camp, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 10 to 11 a.m. One class, $15; five classes, $65; 10 classes, $100.

After school Hispanic Heritage Celebration, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 3:30 p.m.

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THE SUN

SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Attorney challenges decision to deny street vacation The vacation request was for a portion of Second Avenue adjacent to Manatee Public Beach.

BY PAT COPELAND SUN STAFF WRITER | pcopeland@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – Attorneys for AMI 105 39th Street LLC have filed a lawsuit over the city commission’s denial in March of a request to vacate a portion of Second Avenue between 38th and 39th streets and adjacent to Manatee Public Beach.

At the time, City Planner Bill Brisson said he agreed with the building official who rejected the application because he felt it violated the comprehensive plan.

In addition, a Manatee County attorney said the board of county commissioners objected to the vacation, and an attorney representing adjacent property owners also objected to the vacation.

The lawsuit asks the court to declare Section 3.11(a) of the city code null and void because it is “unconstitutionally vague” and to reverse the commission’s decision denying the vacation request.

S

Attorney’s arguments

The lawsuit maintains that: • The petitioner was not afforded procedural due process because “city commissioners openly expressed their desire to deny the request,” and a court document was provided to commissioners at the hearing that the petitioner was not given an opportunity to review and that the city attorney failed to “clearly identify the motion” in the court document.

• The commission failed to follow the essential requirements of law because the decision was made “without any consideration of the criteria set forth in the city’s code,” Section 3.11 (a), which provides six criteria for commissioners to take into consideration when determining if a right of way should be vacated.

• The evidence provided by the two attorneys and the city planner was not competent substantial evidence.

• Section 3.11 (a) of the city’s code, which is “unconstitutionally vague and allows for arbitrary decision making” because it states that vacations “shall be considered based primarily, but not exclusively” on the six criteria mentioned above.

tom vaught | sun

Clerk retires At left, Anna Maria City Clerk LeAnne Addy is sworn in by retiring City Clerk Diane Percycoe following a reception for Percycoe at city hall. Above, three Anna Maria mayors came to say goodby to Percycoe, from left to right: Fran Barford, Dan Murphy, Percycoe and SueLynn.

Doug Copeland | Submitted

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

THE SUN

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Candidates weigh in on rentals Vacation rental regulations were discussed at the candidates’ forum in Anna Maria.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – On Tuesday, Sept. 20, Anna Maria City Commission candidates Brian Seymour, Chuck Webb and Nancy Yetter participated in a candidates’ forum hosted by The Sun. The three candidates are vying for the two seats on the commission that will be decided in the election that concludes on Nov. 8.

The candidates were asked about the vacation rental ordinance enacted in April and what other actions might still be needed.

“I think it has had a beneficial effect already as far as controlling noise and parking. As far as occupancy, we have to maintain our position and limit the number of people in each of these homes,” Yetter said.

“I do believe the current commission has done an admirable job crafting the ordinance. I agree with several parts of it, and there are parts that I

feel could be adjusted the help alleviate a lot of these Bert Harris claims,” Seymour said.

Webb said the ordinance was a good start, but he would like to see the removed parking regulations put back in the ordinance. He said the revised noise ordinance has helped, but not entirely eliminated, noise complaints and he praised the continued efforts of the Sheriff’s Office.

“We should continue to craft and modify our ordinance until we get to a point where vacationers don’t make a greater impact than a single family using their home,” Webb said.

Two-plus-two

The candidates were asked if the vacation rental ordinance should be amended to allow all vacation rentals the two-plus-two occupancy provision being sought by many of the property owners who filed Bert Harris claims in objection to the eight-person limit set forth in the ordinance.

“I’m not sure I can answer that. It’s something that could come up for a vote,” Yetter said.

“The capacity of each structure is based upon the building plans. It’s

We should continue to craft and modify our ordinance until we get to a point where vacationers don’t make a greater impact than a single family using their home.”

Chuck Webb City Commissioner a case by case evaluation. I would not support a blanket two-plus-two,” Webb said, “I think that is a way to resolve a lot of the existing Bert Harris claims. I do believe that’s awfully fair: two per bedroom, plus two,” Seymour said.

Special assessments

The candidates were asked about imposing special assessment fees on vacation rentals.

“If the city wants to generate revenue off of a special assessment or an impact fee, I think it should be charged to every rental. They’re the ones that are using the services, roads, beaches and creating more trash,” Seymour said.

“It would create more revenue for the city, at the same time though it’s not helping the people living next to these homes that are going to be exposed to all the noise, trash and who knows what. I don’t see it as an end-all solution,” Yetter said.

“I support it. The greater number of people that are using our rentals are stressing our abilities to support them.

It is to compensate the city and our residents for the use of all these visitors,” Webb said.

The forum can be heard in its entirety at www.localmatters.podomatic.com.

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Area non-profits profit from Giving Challenge The total amount raised this year in the 2016 Giving Challenge was $13,386,909 from 63,567 donations and matching gifts.

BY TOM VAUGHT SUN STAFF WRITER | tvaught@amisun.com

A number of non-profits in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and DeSoto Counties are experiencing rejuvenated bank accounts following the 24-hour window of public donations in the 2017 Giving Challenge. That window of giving started at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 20, and ended at noon the next day, and that’s when the counting began. The total amount donated in the four counties was $13,386,909, almost double the $7 million last year and close to the total of more than $15

million in the previous four years.

The Community Foundation of Sarasota pioneered the event. The Manatee Community Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knght Foundation, the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation and the Sarasota Herald Tribune Media Group are supporting partners.

Locally, there were some smiling faces. Wildlife, Inc, the Bradenton Beach rescue and rehabilitation service, took in $18,640 from 252 donors.

“We’re really pleased,” said coowner Ed Straight. “This replaces the money we got from the Island Blood Drive that ceased to operate a couple of years ago unexpectedly.

The Island Blood Drive allowed blood donors direct where a $100 from an unnamed philanthropic organization would go among a number of local non-profits.

The Center of Anna Maria Island, formerly the Anna Maria Island Community Center, in Anna Maria, brought in the second highest local amount at $17,176 from 190 donations.

“We’re extremely pleased because this is more than we expected,” said Center Executive Director Kristen Lessig. “We tripled the amount we got last year.”

Lessig said they are already planning for next year’s challenge.

The Friends of the Florida Maritime Museum, in Cortez, brought in $11,865 from 141 donations. Amara Nash, director of the Maritime Museum, said they were thrilled at the amount.

“This was more than the goal we set for the challenge,” she said. “We are grateful for the generosity of the people who donated to our cause.”

The Cortez Village Historical Society Cultural Center got $5,825 from 80 donations.

The Anna Maria Concert Chorus and Orchestra earned $5,675from 42 donors, the Anna Maria Historical Society was awarded $1,243 from 22 donations and the Artist’s Guild of Anna Maria Island was given $425 from nine donations.

One organization got zero donations. The Cortez Classic Yacht Guild’s mission is to restore a classic wooden ship to serve as a flagship in the Gulf of Mexico to make the public aware of the importance of clean water and marine conservation.

Unfortunately, the 146 year old, 70foot schooner, San Francesco sank in the bay while docked at the Seafood Shack. Efforts are underway to raise the money to make her seaworthy again.

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Networking on the mainland The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce holds its monthly Business Card Exchange on Wednesday, Sept. 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the brand new apartment building and memory care unit at Water’s Edge of Bradenton Senior Living. The gated entrance to the community is located at 3003 19th St. W., Bradenton. The cost to at-

tend is $5 per member or $10 for prospective members. For more information, call 941-778-1541.

Chamber has events for next month The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce has a full slate of activities for October.

On Wednesday, Oct. 5, Pier 22, at 1200 First Ave. W., Bradenton,

Turtle Tips During sea turtle season, May 1 – Oct. 31, please follow these tips: • Turn off lights visible from the beach and close blinds from sundown to sunrise; lights confuse nesting sea turtles and may cause them to go back to sea and drop their eggs in the water, where they won’t hatch. Light can also attract hatchlings away from the water.

• Don’t use flashlights, light sticks, or cell phone or camera flashes on the beach at night.

• Remove all objects from the sand from sundown to sunrise; they can deter sea turtles from nesting and disorient hatchlings.

• Fill in the holes you dig in the sand before leaving the beach; they can trap nesting and hatching sea turtles, which cannot live long out of the water.

• Don’t use sky lanterns or fireworks; they litter the beach and Gulf.

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

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

hosts the Chamber October Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The cost is $15 for members and $25 for prospective members. You must make reservations by calling 941-778-1541.

The Chamber welcomes a new member, Bins Be Clean, on Friday, Oct. 7, at 5:30 p.m. at the Chamber office, 5313 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

The Chamber Sunrise Breakfast will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 12, from 7:45 to 9 a.m. at the Gulf

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Drive Café and Tiki, 900 Gulf Drive, Bradenton Beach. The cost is $8 for members and $16 for prospective members. You need to make reservations by calling 941-778-1541.

The annual Chamber Trail of Treats will be held on Monday, Oct. 31, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Chamber office, 5313 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. There will be a kids’ costume judging followed by trick ot treating at businesses in all three cities.

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Cortez center hosts reception

BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com

CORTEZ – The Cortez Cultural Center will showcase its new exhibit on A.P. Bell Fish Co. at a free reception on Friday, Sept. 30, at 11655 Cortez Road W. In between appetizers, visit the new vegetable garden, and bring kids of all ages to try out the interactive fishing boat.

Other displays include Cortez history beginning in 1880 through the present, family genealogies, music, captains and their boats, women, veterans, businesses, movies and books about Cortez, and more.

The center, in a historic cottage that was relocated from Bradenton Beach, sports a new roof donated by Manson Roofing and a new electrical system by Reynolds Electric. A new air conditioner keeps Cortez historical photographs, furniture and artifacts cool in the renovated interior, built by volunteers Bob Landry and John McDonald. The Manatee River Garden Club donated native plants and trees, installed by volunteers of the Cortez Village Historical Society.

The Cortez Cultural Center is open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parking is available at the center, the Florida Maritime Museum and the FISH Preserve.

For more information, visit www. cortezvillagehistoricalsociety.org or Facebook at Cortez Village Cultural Center.

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Cortez Cultural Center volunteer Bob Landry drives an interactive fishing boat made for kids of all ages. The center has a new vegetable garden, one of many displays to be featured on Friday.

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Elected officials refloat water taxi Holmes Beach Commissioner Carol Soustek urged officials to pursue the idea of an Island water taxi.

BY PAT COPELAND SUN STAFF WRITER | pcopeland@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – During a discussion of traffic issues, Holmes Beach Commissioner Carol Soustek asked Island elected officials last week to revisit the water taxi issue.

“I think it was a viable, good idea,” she said. “What I would like to do is use it for the workers out here if we could make it affordable for them from downtown Bradenton, and we would have different spots they could be dropped off.”

Holmes Beach Mayor Bob Johnson said he met with two potential bidders and added, “We need to look out of the box and whether it’s an option. We need to look at the market segments – the people that do need to travel back and forth, why and where they are going.”

Johnson said the planned

Our biggest concern is that in Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Longboat, you have to have access to a dock to

SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

From left, In 2014, Cortez resident Jesse Walauskis won the inaugural tournament and accepted $315 in prize money from Adam Sears.

PHOTO | SUBMITTED

drop people off.”

Bill Shearon Bradenton Beach mayor Florida Department of Transportation traffic study should offer some insight.

“Each year goes by and we do a lot of talking,” Soustek pointed out. “I’ve seen quite a few traffic studies and they’re just studies.

They don’t do anything for us.

“I would like to go ahead and pursue this because other cities are doing it, so must be viable, profitable business. I would like to get some action.”

Bradenton Beach Commissioner Jake Spooner said two providers on Bridge Street are interested in a water taxi service, but “they don’t have a good place to pull in and

unload.”

“We had the pier set up for it,” Bradenton Beach Mayor Bill Shearon told the group. “We’re ready for a water taxi. And when we get into it, we’ll make sure we’ll be capable of ferry passenger service.

“Our biggest concern is that in Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Longboat, you have to have access to a dock to drop people off. The other things is also have the trolley or someplace for them to move off from there.”

Johnson said they must convey their “specific desires” to FDOT to consider during the traffic study.

Mullett tourney this weekend The Flippin’ Mullet Sports Bar in Cortez will host its third annual mullet fishing tournament on Saturday, Oct. 1, and Sunday, Oct. 2. The tournament will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday and the weigh-in will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, with an awards ceremony to follow.

There’s a $20 entry fee and the winner will be determined by total weight of the entrant’s five largest mullet.

The winner takes all format means the top fisherman or fisherwoman will take home the cash prize generated by the entry fees. Prizes and gift certificates donated by local businesses will be also be raffled off and given away.

The tournament will be preceded by a captains’ meeting taking place from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 30.

The Flippin’ Mullet Sports Bar is located inside the Swordfish Grill at 4628 119th St. W. Stop by for more information or call 941-798-2035.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Burger bucks could fund fitness Tjet Martin asks for approval to use concession stand funds for a fitness system at Coquina Beach.

BY PAT COPELAND SUN STAFF WRITER | pcopeland@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – Scenic WAVES chair Tjet Martin asked Island elected officials to approve a request from her committee for $10,000 in surplus concession stand funds to install a 20-station fitness system at Coquina Beach.

“I know all the mayors have to agree on how to use the concession funds,” Martin said and added that she has been in contact with Carmine DeMilio, of Manatee County’s Property Management Department, who supports the idea.

In a letter, DeMilio said, “It's no secret that exercise improves the health of the individual, however, zones of outdoor fitness equipment found inside parks provide a unique set of benefits in addition to the outdoor exercise equipment itself.

“We have outdoor fitness equipment in a few of our county parks, and they are heavily used and often requested.”

Bradenton Beach Mayor Bill Shearon

www.fittrail.com

One of the stations on the fitness system is called the bar jump where participants jump over each bar without stopping. pointed out, “There’s a high demand for it, but it’s a low priority on the county’s budget.”

According to the Fit-Trail website, the system is installed on a walking or jogging trail and contains instruction signs and exercise equipment designed for the novice or conditioned athlete.

It is 1/2 to 2 miles long and placement depends on the site.

A county resolution states that surplus funds from the concession stands

at Manatee and Coquina beaches can be used for projects that benefit the entire Island and must be requested in a letter “jointly executed by the mayors of each of the Island cities stating their support for the funding of the intergovernmental project.”

The project must meet the guidelines in the ordinance and be a one-time project. The city or cities undertaking the project must provide matching funds.

BERT HARRIS: Candidates discuss claims FROM PAGE 3

which the buyer agrees not to use the property as a vacation rental.

“I agree with Chuck that it is a good way to bring families back to the Island.

I trust the mayor. If he didn’t think it was a solid idea and didn’t have an idea on how to finance it, he would not have proposed that. I think it’s the best alternative,” Yetter said.

“If you agreed with it why did you vote against it?” Seymour asked, “My understanding was the actual motion was not based on the offer to

purchase. It was based on the two-plustwo. That’s why I voted against it. If the city attorney recommended that we purchase a property, I’d probably vote for that,” Webb said.

As evidenced by the purchase offer accepted last week, the settlement offers voted on earlier this month did include purchase offers for 20 properties.

Yetter said she didn’t support the settlement offers because she felt they went beyond what she considered to be good faith offers and amounted to

giving the property owners everything they asked for.

“That goes against everything I’ve ever believed in when it comes to a negotiation,” she said.

The Sun’s Anna Maria Commission candidates’ forum can be heard in its entirety at www.localmatters.podomatic.com. Additional coverage of the forum will appear in a future issue of The Sun.

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Sports Bar with 13 TVs

4628 119th St W Cortez (941)798-2035 swordfishgrill.com Marker 49 by boat

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Adult Bible Study 8:45 AM • Book Study 9:00 AM • Nursery, Children Church School 10:00 AM

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Cannons celebrates another award

Get those nominations in

For the 18th year in a row, Cannons Marina, at 6040 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, has earned the most esteemed award available to GradyWhite Boat dealers, the Admiral’s Circle Award. The Admiral’s Circle award is only given to the most elite boat dealers who provide outstanding customer service and a high achievement in sales.

Admiral’s Circle membership is exclusively for those top-notch dealerships in the Grady-White network that have achieved highest levels in retail sales for the model year and earned GradyWhite’s Service Excellence award with customer satisfaction index scores exceeding 9.25 on a 10-point scale as rated in actual customer surveys.

Time is running short for businesses to apply for consideration for the 10th Annual Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Business of the year.

The deadline is Oct. 7 for one of three categories by business size – small, medium and large.

To qualify, applicants must be an AMI Chamber member for one year and in business with their current business name for three years. In-person interviews will be held on Oct. 20, and the Chamber will announce the winners at its installation banquet on Nov. 7.

Visit the website, annamariaislandchamber.org, for an application or call the Chamber at 941-778-1541.

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Fire chief seeks support for ALS engines The fire district responds to 2,000 runs a year, and 70 percent are medical.

BY PAT COPELAND SUN STAFF WRITER | pcopeland@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – West Manatee Fire Rescue Chief Tom Sousa met with Island elected officials last week to seek their support to allow the fire district to provide advanced life support (ALS) service. “I’m here because the fire district has been providing fire and basic life support since 2000 to the communities of Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach and the west side of Bradenton,� he explained. “We provide that out of three fire stations, with 33 personnel and dispatch three fire engines. We go to approximately 2,000 fire runs a year and 70 percent are EMS type incidents.�

He said all fire personnel are EMTs (emergency medical technicians) and provide first responder care, and Manatee County’s EMS provides ALS. “I was tasked by my board to get more value out of what we provide the community,� he. “One of the things is to upgrade the level of medical service we provide from basic life support to ALS." He said when a county ambulance is transporting a patient, the availability of ALS declines, and to add three more fire engines to the system would improve the delivery of ALS. In addition, he said, in the majority of the calls, the fire engine and ambulance arrive simultaneously, but in 25 percent of the calls, the fire engine arrives before the ambulance.

County certificate

“The county has the ability to issue a certificate of pubic convenience and necessity (COPCN) to allow providers to apply for an ALS license from the state,� Sousa explained.

He said the county recently updated its ordinance on how to grant the COCPN, but it did not provide a way for the county to grant one to a fire district.

He asked the cities for letters of support in asking the county to amend the ordinance allow fire districts to provide non-transport ALS. “It would be up to each individual fire district to choose whether they want to provide the service,� he said. “It will still be a long road because I still have to send people to school and phase the program in. “We’re willing to work with the county public safety department to use the same medical director and protocols. The bottom line is patient care and saving lives.�

He said two other fire districts, North River and Southern Manatee, are interested in providing the service.

In addition, North Collier Fire District is seeking support to lobby the state legislature to remove the COCPN requirement for fire districts wanting to provide non-transport ALS.

Officials comment

Holmes Beach Mayor Bob Johnson said, “It’s a matter of maximizing available resources.�

Holmes Beach Commissioner Carol Soustek said she sees no downside and asked about personnel to provide the service.

The bottom line is patient care and saving lives.�

Tom Sousa WMFR chief

the issue of contractors doing unpermitted work. He said one particular case “fell through the cracks. We were overwhelmed and understaffed, but we’re going to make changes to make sure it doesn’t happen again.�

Changes include creating a means for code enforcement to route issues it discovers to the building department and creating an alert in the system so issues won’t get lost. “Regarding the case that prompted this to be on the agenda,

a permit has been issued on it, and the contractor has paid multiple fees to get that permit,� McGuinness said and added that he is trying to “create a better mesh between the code enforcement and the building department.�

Commissioner Pat Morton said he is “very displeased with the process in the one house we’re talking about� because one contractor “is getting away with murder. “He’s done a lot of this over the past four or five years and just got his fingers slapped. We need to let people know we’re not playing

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Sousa said the fire district received a grant to hire three firefighter/paramedics, and it has eight firefighters who have volunteered to attend paramedic school for a year. “We’ll pay their tuition but they have to do it on their day off,� he explained, but said he wants assurance that the fire district will not be investing its money for naught and the firefighters will be able to use their skills.

Fire Chief Paul Dezzi, of Longboat key, said he supports the request and added, “You’ll have three more ‘ambulances’ on the island but they just can’t transport.� “I can’t imagine anyone not going for this,� Bradenton Beach Commissioner Jan Vosburgh said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for the citizens.�

Bradenton Beach Mayor Bill Shearon asked about the beach EMS unit, and Sousa said, while it has been very effective, it is only on duty 12 hours a day, not 24.

The consensus was to support the request.

PERMITS: Home remodels on the increase FROM PAGE 4

Crit Holland, DVM Jade Kafer, DVM

with them anymore.�

However, McGuinness pointed out, “A red tag is not a parking ticket. The first one is $500; the second one is $1,000; a third on is $2,000. My first year here I placed more stop work orders than any building official before me. We came out of the block strong and hard and aggressive. “In 2016, we’ve had only one because the contracting community is hearing us. We’re getting compliance. We haven’t been lap dogs; we’ve been watch dogs.�

(941) 792-2838

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FOOD & WINE

Bill Hard

W

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Creation of a craft bar Stone Sour Ingredients: 2 oz. Jameson Irish Whisky 1 oz. sour mix 1 oz. fresh orange Juice 1/2 oz. egg whites

THE WATERFRONT

hen you're involved in the operations of a business, any conscientious owner or manager is always aware of what's happening in their trade. At the very least, you want to be up to date with what's trending in your business at the moment. When we went out to eat, my wife would frequently remind me that she was having dinner with me, and I was more than welcome to include her in whatever it was that I was thinking about at the given moment.

She was right though, I was usually busy observing something about the business and wondering how it could be improved upon.

Whenever Jason or any of his management team were out and about we all acted about the same. We would take notice of some aspect of an operation, and next time we were together we would discuss it. This method was particularly effective when you were in a different environment. The equipment and products used in New York City, for example, were not the same as those in New Orleans. Part of that difference could be attributed to the history of the area.

One of the best finds you could make in a given city would be a book including the history of some of the famous hotels with their restaurants and bars. Without a doubt, a book about famous bars of a century ago would definitely offer ideas and recipes for drinks of yesteryear.

Now there's an idea. Lets make drinks that were famous in the past. Where do you find the ingredients for said drinks?

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a shaker, shake vigorously and pour over fresh ice. Garnish with orange slice and dark cherries.

submitted

Time to start exploring.

In order to be unique in the bar business, you need to offer some variety. Not only do the drinks need to be different, but the way that they are made, the brand of liquor used and the mixers used all have an impact on not only the flavor of the drink, but also on the guests' perception of your operation. When we

researched which drinks we wanted to include on our specialty drinks, we had to make sure that the proper ingredients were available as well. Take, for example, tonic water. There are lots of tonics available, and the difference is noticeable, so it was important to select the one best suited to your brands of liquor and your specialty drinks. When we looked

into the liquor brands that we had to choose from, we were just blown away.

We had easily a dozen vendors to choose from, and each of those had hundreds of choices within each category. On top of that, we had to take into account the style, the age and the cost of each product. Needless to say, a great deal of time went into the selection of all of the liquors used to stock our bar. One thing was for sure, we weren't going to be your run of the mill bar serving a plain old drink.

We, as a group, all agreed that our bar was going to be an extension of our kitchen. All of the ingredients would be as fresh and as organic as possible.

Juices are squeezed fresh daily and garnishes are sliced, cut and shaved to order whenever possible. It is hard to imagine a garnish prettier than a shaved slice of fresh ginger on the side of your glass filled with a smoked margarita.

You're not going to find that combination in many places. Well, we've made quite a few decisions, but there are still more to be made, so until next time ...

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OUTDOORS

AMI OUTFITTERS

Coastal Gear & Apparel

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amioutfitters.com

FEBRUARY 17, 2016 941-254-4996

Tails of the Toccoa G

ossamer veils of mist floated over the mirror smooth surface of the water as our guide, Hunter Barnes, launched the drift boat into the Toccoa river near Blue Ridge, Ga. My friend Bob Seeger (no relation to the singer) and I stood on the bank, fly rods in hand, eager to begin a morning adventure. Loading the boat and pushing off with the oars Barnes primed our enthusiasm with stories of the big brown and rainbow trout that inhabited the river. The quantity of fish in the river is amazing, considering that it is one of the most southerly water courses that hold populations of trout.

This river is special, yielding wild fish that top 30 inches, Barnes had rigged our five-weight outfits with three flies, a small worm imitation, a nymph and a large dry fly, that would also serve as a strike indicator signaling a bite on the other two flies. The oars hadn’t even pushed us down the river before Seeger lifted his rod, setting

Reel Time RUSTY CHINNIS the hook on a small rainbow trout. Barnes and Seeger commented on what a good omen that fish was. I reserved judgement based on trips when a fish was landed on the first cast followed by a less than spectacular day. As it turned out they were right.

As we began to float down the river, we both caught rainbow and brown trout from 10 to 12 inches, Not large,but fun on the light fly outfits. As we continued down the river, Barnes pointed out pools and runs, coaching us on placement of the flies and mending the line up stream, insuring a natural drag free float. captain rUSTY CHINNIS | SUbmitted

see reel time, page 23

Hunter Barns holds one of Bob Seeger’s brown trout before releasing it back to the Toccoa.

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

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reel time: Tales of the Toccoa FROM PAGE 22

Hopping from the boat Barnes pulled us to a pool near the bank guarded by shallow rocks. Casting into the pool, I was startled as a brown trout pushing 20 inches rose from the off color water, missing my dry fly and causing my heart to leap with excitement. We tried presenting the fly again and again, working over the pool, but the trout wouldn’t respond to the fly again. Although I didn’t catch that trout, I was thrilled to have seen the trout attempting to take the fly. It also made Seeger and me aware that we had a good chance at landing a large trout.

Continuing down the river, we caught trout consistently, a few between 14 and 16 inches, respectable on a Southern trout stream.

Casting his fly near a submerged log, Seeger lifted his rod as his dry fly disappeared beneath the surface. The bend in his rod signaled a heavy fish as a huge brown trout came to the surface and swam towards the boat.

Caught off guard, Seeger grabbed

the line in an attempt to get the fish near Barnes’ net as the guide held for Seeger to let go of the line. The trout lingered at the boat for a few seconds before bolting for deep water, breaking the line and leaving three anglers speechless. When we had gathered our composure enough to analyze what had happened Barnes informed us that the trout was close to 28 inches, big even for this river, but rare in the fall. For the balance of the float, we caught fish losing count at 30 trout before Barnes pushed the boat to the shore at the end of the trip.

We had the best trip we had ever experienced on the river and a story that we would never forget. If you’re a trout fisherman, you really should experience the phenomenal fishing the river has to offer. Although the river produces year round, the best months are late winter, when the largest fish are caught. To book a trip you can reach Barnes by contacting Blue Ridge Outfitters at blueridgeflyfishing.com or call 706-633-0323.

captain larry mcguire | SUbmitted

Nice lane snapper Hunter Cole, 5, from Atlanta, holds a lane snapper caught on his first offshore trip using a sardine in about 65 feet offshore of Anna Maria Island.

Good trout bite in bay Captain Rick Grassett Anglers fishing Sarasota Bay and the coastal Gulf near Tampa Bay with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, during the past week caught and released trout on DOA Deadly Combos and false albacore (little tunny) on flies.

Marshall Dinerman and Vic Silverman, both from the Atlanta area, fished deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay with me on Thursday. They had good action catching and releasing 25 to 30 trout on DOA Deadly Combos.

The best action was in the coastal gulf near Tampa Bay, where fly anglers connected with false albacore. Greg Stepanski, from Tampa, Fla., fished with me on Friday and had good action catching releasing several albies on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly. Lynn Skipper, from Apollo Beach, Fla., got in on the action

Get your Grady on!

on Saturday. They are often very picky when feeding on tiny glass minnows and that was the case on Saturday. We had to downsize our tippet and go all the way down to a #8 hook Gummy Minnow fly to get them to eat!

I look for action in the coastal Gulf with false albacore (little tunny) and Spanish mackerel to take off as the water cools down and baitfish become more plentiful.

Tripletail will also become a good option as stone crab traps hit the water in about 10 days, increasing the amount of available structure for them. Night snook fishing around lighted docks and bridges in the ICW with flies and DOA Lures should also be a good option. You might also find a few juvenile tarpon and reds in the lights along with snook. In addition, there should be good action with trout, Spanish mackerel, bluefish and more on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay.

The best boating season is just around the corner, so now is the time to start getting ready for all those special moments with family and friends out on the water. If you’ve been dreaming about owning a new Grady-White why not take advantage of the exceptional savings that are currently available at Cannons Marina?

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Annie’s Bait & Tackle

Spanish mackerel are biting well on the south side of Egmont Key. Snapper are strong in the passes.

Nice sized trout are being caught on the north side of the Manatee Avenue bridge.

Snook and redfish are on the northern end of Longboat Key on the Intracoastal side.

Captain Scott Moore is catching trout on the channel edges of Palma Sola Bay. Redfish and snook are around Seven Pines, Perico and Prices Key. They also are in the mouth of the river. Spanish mackerel and trout are off the bulkhead and the Key Royale flats.

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THE SUN

SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Children celebrate the concept of peace There was music, dancing and flag waving in this annual celebration of The International Day of Peace.

BY TOM VAUGHT SUN STAFF WRITER | tvaught@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – “Teach the children well” are lyrics to an old Crosby, Stills and Nash song that was popular during the anti-war movement. The teachers and staff of Anna Maria Elementary School are trying to do that with their students, hoping that if enough children catch on, there might be an end to hate and war.

Last Friday’s Peace Day celebration on the lawn of the school was well attended by parents who showed their enthusiasm for the concept with applause and singing.

Principal Jackie Featherston started the program, welcoming the parents and residents.

She repeated the conceptual question of the day that students tried to answer in essays, “What does peace look like?”

AME Guidance Counselor Susan Tabicman talked about the celebration that she organized.

Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island President Judy Rupp talked about her club’s involve-

TOM VAUGHT | SUN

Clockwise above, students at Anna Maria Elementary School flash the peace sign made popular by their grandparents. Students carry the flags of many nations to start off the Peace Day celebration. The Manatee High School Drum Line performs at the Peace Day celebration. ment with the first Peace Day celebration. They purchased a Peace Pole and flags of many countries several years ago that were flown that day.

After the National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance, the Manatee High School Drum Line caught the crowd’s attention from the school’s south parking lot. Lined up in front of them were students carrying flags, marching to the beat.

Winning students from second through fifth grade read their essays, interspersed with songs from each grade. Second-grader Lily Stringer, third-grader Ava

Harlan and fourth-grader Ian Emmon read essays on what peace looks like and fifth grader Zoe Smith read a poem she wrote about it.

Zero made a surprise appearance, dancing with teachers and parents. Zero, in his red outfit, is a symbol for togetherness.

His message is, “A zero is worth nothing alone, but when you add it to some thing, it’s valuable. It’s the difference between one and 10.”

The program ended with all the kids making the peace sign that their grandparents made popular a half century ago.

Privateers promote AME Literacy Night The annual night to promote reading will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 5.

BY TOM VAUGHT SUN STAFF WRITER | tvaught@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – The Anna Maria Island Privateers will participate in the Anna Maria Elementary School annual Literacy Night on Wednesday, Oct. 5, with a pirate’s twist. The theme is “Bookaneer: A Book is a Treasure.”

This PTO sponsored event is open to the public and offers an opportunity to shop for books in the school’s music room. The books are aimed at younger readers, and the evening offers a chance for grandparents to do some early holiday shopping.

Dinner will be available in the cafeteria, and the menu calls for Domino’s pizza, salad and drinks. The cost is

$2 for a slice of pizza; $4 for a slice of pizza, salad and a drink; and $6 for two slices of pizza, salad and a drink.

Visitors can also shop for snacks and dessert at the PTO bake sale in the school’s front lobby.

Classrooms are offering learning fun.

Mrs. Fisher’s room offers Find a Map, to sharpen map skills; Mrs. Crawford’s room offers Pirate Bingo, where they dig for sight word coins; and there will be watercoloring with Marie Garafano in Mrs. Querrard’s room.

Other activities include Reading with the Dogs in Mrs. Goffred’s room, Origami Treasures in the Speech/Occupational Therapy room, Mrs. Lashway’s room offers Create Your Own Pirate Name/Make and Take a Sailboat, Mrs. Payne’s room will have “Arrgh…Pirate Storyteller” and Dr. Redeker’s room will offer Make and Take Character Puppets.

The event will be open to all. Call the school at 941-708-5525.

TOM VAUGHT | SUN

Kylie Hoffman and Stella Vitrubova invite everyone to Literacy Night at Anna Maria Elementary School on Wednesday, Oct. 5, from 5 to 7 p.m.

www.amisun.com

SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

TOWN CRIER

Help with weight control Overeaters Anonymous meets at the Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, each Thursday at 7 p.m. For more information, call 813494-6518.

Attention businesswomen Senior fun

From left to right: Jeannie Link, Peg Miller, Geri Cannon, Margurite Carrick, Carla McGowan and Kathy Kaminski take a Dolphin Boat Tour of Sarasota Bay on recently. Senior Adventures is a group that offers places to go and things to do for seniors. For more information, call Peg Miller at 778-3106.

Book signing at Tingley Local author Judy Allen will be signing copies of her latest fiction book “On Briland Time,” as well as her memoir, “Around the Bend with Lou,” at Tingley Library, 111 2nd St. N. in Bradenton Beach, on Friday, Sept.

30, at 10:30 a.m. Judy is a volunteer at Tingley. She can be reached via her web page www.judymallen.com.

Stock up on plants The Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Service is hosting a Master Gardener Plant Fair on Saturday, Oct. 1, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1303 17th St. W., Palmetto. Native plants, shrubs, trees, vines, herbs, orchids, butterfly plants, vegetables, ground covers and more will be offered.

Come early for the best selection.

Free seedlings will be given to the first 50 people who come, and shoppers should bring their own garden carts or wagons. Only cash or checks will be accepted. For more information, call 941-722-4524.

Trace your roots The Manatee Genealogical Society will meet on Tuesday, Oct, 4, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Manatee County Central Library, 1301 Barcarrota Blvd.

W., Bradenton. Cindy Russell, records librarian at the Historical Records Library will present “History Matters: 25 Questions on Manatee County.”

For more information, go www.rootsweb.ancestry,com/~flmgs or e-mail mgs.society@gmail.com.

Exploring shipwrecks The Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, presents an opening reception on Thursday, Oct. 6, at 5:30 p.m. for “Beneath the Waves: Florida Shipwrecks,” on display through Wednesday, Dec, 14, at the museum.

The exhibit explores the fascination for shipwrecks by investigating how

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For information, call the Privateers’ hotline at 941-900-4141 or visit their website at amiprivateers.org.

A preserve walk for your pooch On Wednesday, Sept. 28, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. the Ambassadogs Pack Walk welcomes back walkers for the first canine, sunset stroll of the season at Robinson Preserve 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton. Instructors will discuss proper walking techniques in the preserves and how walkers can encourage fellow nature lovers to clean up their dog’s waste This event is open to ages 16 and over (for humans) and wellmannered dogs. Retractable leashes are not allowed. Call Sam at 941-742-5923 ext. 6036, to join.

THE SUN

these sites are found, the science and ethics involved in underwater archaeology, as well as exploring the history of local shipwrecks.

There will be live music and light refreshments available, courtesy of the Florida Maritime Museum, and admission is free. RSVP is appreciated. Call 941-708-6120 or e-mail Kristin.Sweeting@manateeclerk.com Earlier in the day, Jeff Moates from the Florida Public Archaeology Network will lecture on shipwrecks, including the sinking of two boats on the Hillsborough River during the Civil War and two other area shipwrecks that can be visited today. Lectures are free but seating is limited.

Volunteers needed The Center of AMI needs volunteers to help at the front desk and to read and tutor for the Beyond the Classroom learning program which runs from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday Contact Volunteer Director Robyn Kinkopf at 778-1908, e-mail to robyn@centerami.org or join stop by on Wednesday, Oct. 5, at noon to 1 p.m. or 6 to 7 p.m. for a group orientation.

Scary opportunities DeSoto National Monument has an opportunity for anyone who ever wanted to be part of a haunted house, trail, or one of those scary events at one of those large theme parks.

The monument will be holding its eighth haunted trail on Saturday Oct. 29, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Volunteers are needed as actors and for make-up, traffic, crowd control and work behind the scenes of one of the largest haunted trails in Manatee County.

All work is counted as volunteer and community service and looks great on college resumes and applications.

Teens in middle and high school qualify to join the parks Youth Advisory Council, which gives them a voice in shaping

the parks future and earn valuable service. All volunteers under 18 need their parent’s permission, and any under the age of 14 need their parents with them.

This event moves 1,500 people through the park in two and a half hours, so the volunters will get a lot of exposure.

Call 941-792-0458 or e-mail Daniel_stephens@nps.gov or Marielle_ lumang@nps.gov.

Detect problems in time You could be alerted to possible stroke or other health problems by taking Prevention Plus Stroke and Vascular Screening offered Monday, Oct. 10, at The Center, 407 Magnolia, Anna Maria. The screenings are being offered at reduced prices. They include stroke/ carotid ultrasound for $40, abdominal aortic aneurysm for $40, arterial disease test for $40, thyroid ultrasound for $40, abdominal ultrasound for $95 and heart scan-echocardiogram for $95 or all six tests for only $179. Blood tests, liver, cholesterol, PSA and TSH tests are also available. To register, call 888-667-7587.

Privateers host Poker Run The Anna Maria Island Privateers are holding their 2016 Shipreck Poker Run on Saturday, Oct. 8, beginning at 10 a.m., with registration at Bogey’s Restaurant and Sports Pub, at 7230 52nd Place, Bradenton.

Participants will stop at Stottelmyer’s Smokehouse, the Bearded Clam, the Ugly Grouper and the Gator Lounge then back to Bogey’s for live music, raffles, a 50/50 drawing, food and drinks. The event is open to bikers, cars, trucks and for those who don’t want to drive can take the Monkey Bus for $20 per rider The cost is $15 for the first hand and $10 for each hand after that. There will be prizes for the best hand, second best hand and worst hand. Proceeds go to the AMI Privateers’ and the Shipreck Scholarship Fund.

Anna Maria Island Successful Women Aligning Together (AMI SWAT) is looking for new members to become part of a growing group of dynamic women that want to support one another in business as well as in personal growth and development. The AMI SWAT Chapter meets the third Thursday of each month at the Bridge Street Bistro, 111 Gulf Dr. S., Bradenton Beach from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

For more information and to RSVP, go to www.swatnetworking.com and click on meetings then click on Anna Maria, or e-mail Lisa Brakefield, Secretary, at rsvpamiswat@gmail.com.

Thieve’s Market to return The Anna Maria Island Privateers are making plans for their next season and one of their more popular events is the Thieves Markets. They are searching for vendors of all types to display their wares in the Coquina Beach parking lot. The first market will be on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Contact Privateer Cindy “Bubbles” Swagger at 941-900-4141.

Anniversary for TIFF’s Initiative Supporters of TIFF are urged to attend Passion with a Purpose Luncheon with Bling, celebrating the 10th Anniversary of TIFF (To Inform Families First) on Wednesday, Oct. 5, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Michael’s On East 1212 S, East Ave., Sarasota. The cost is $75 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Log onto www. toinformfamiliesfirst.org.

Christine Olson, who works at he Rod & Reel Pier restaurant, started TIFF and TIFF’s initiative after her daughter, Tiffany, died in an accident 10 years ago, and she was not notified for several hours because her daughter did not have ID with her. She contacted authorities in most states asking them to make signup material available so that drivers can have their contact information recorded with a registry.

First responders and police can find out who to inform when someone is injured or killed in an accident. TIFF is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization, and donations are tax-deductible.

Proceeds from this event will go toward TIFF’s Initiative.

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THE SUN

SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Hermine delays erosion control project The location is known to surfers and other locals as the Twin Piers,

BY TOM VAUGHT SUN STAFF WRITER | tvaught@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – Just when the county thought it was safe to open the groins to the public, a tropical storm passed through the area.

Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Director Charlie Hunsicker sent an e-mail to elected officials Sept. 20 about additional damage to the middle of the three groins being built off Cortez Beach.

The damage was due to the rough waters caused by Tropical Storm Hermine as it traveled through the Gulf of Mexico toward the panhandle of Florida in late August.

According to Hunsicker’s e-mail, work on all three adjustable groins was nearly complete with final cleanup and punch list items left to address. The storm’s fury hit the area as the contractor, Cayo, LLC, of Fort Worth, TX, was demobilizing and it caused two spans in the mid-

TOM VAUGHT | SUN

The middle pier is fenced off to beachgoers and will remain that way until the county secures the structure that was damaged by rough seas from Tropical Storm Hermine. dle groin to shift. That’s the same groin and the same problem that caused a previous delay in August.

That time, the damage was done by Tropical Storm Colin. The county approved an additional $1.39 million at that time to fix the problem.

Hunsicker said because the damage was done before the project was officially finished, the contractor would have to fix the problem.

“In terms of executing the work, the critical path is related to mate-

rial procurement, which the contractor has been directed to order,” the e-mail said.

The pre-cast concrete has to cure for 28 days, before delivery, so the contractor will likely pull staff off-site and return toward the end of October to prepare for installing the pre-cast pilings.

The $4.41 groin project to replace the original piers was part of the 2013 renourishment project.

The piers can be adjusted to con-

www.amisun.com

SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

THE SUN

27

red tide: Causes fish kill FROM PAGE 1

941-778-1320 Find us on

Mon-Sat 5-9 pm https://old.hamburg 3246 East Bay Dr, Holmes Beach

“I have itchy eyes, an itchy throat, and have been sneezing and coughing for the past three days,” said Chelsea Hart, a lifeguard with Manatee County’s Marine Rescue Division, on Monday.

Hart and the other lifeguards are wearing masks at their workplaces, Manatee Beach and Coquina Beach.

Beachgoers are leaving when they see the masks and read the red tide informational signs and pamphlets that lifeguards are passing out, she said.

The telltale tickle in the throat started on Saturday around 4:30 p.m. at Manatee Beach, Hart said, but red tide hit the southern part of the Island earlier in the week and harder.

“If I was going to the beach, I’d go up north,” said Manatee County’s beach cleaner, Mark Taylor.

He began raking up the dead fish on Monday, after Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Director Suzi Fox gave the “all clear.” Hurricane Hermine left many sea turtle nests unmarked, and the hatchlings were given time to hatch before the county’s tractor rake was permitted on the beach, he said.

Whether the hatchlings survived the red tide is unknown.

From his tractor, Taylor said he can see more dead fish far out in the water, which will wash ashore depending on tides and wind direction. Most of the fish he has cleaned up so far are trash fish and eels, said Taylor, a former Cortez commercial fisherman.

With fishermen gearing up to put their stone crab traps in the water for the start of crab season on Oct. 15, it remains to be seen if the crabs left the area due to the red tide or were killed, he said. Crab season and roe mullet season in November are the busiest time of year for Cortez fishermen.

“I hope it’s gone by then,” he said, adding that he will be on the beach cleaning up the fish every day until the red tide passes.

Take precautions

The Florida Department of Health advises people with asthma and other respiratory conditions to bring their inhalers to the beach during a red tide, or avoid the area.

Residents and visitors to beaches affected by red tide and up to five miles inland are advised to close their win-

dows and run their air conditioners.

Swimming is not advised, as some swimmers experience skin irritation and rashes after swimming in red tide.

Swimming in water where dead fish are present also exposes swimmers to elevated bacteria levels.

Sea foam contains a high concentration of red tide, so parents should be aware that children playing on the shoreline in the foam may experience skin and eye irritation.

Shellfish like clams, oysters, and coquinas that are harvested from areas with red tide should not be eaten because shellfish are filter feeders that concentrate the toxins produced by red tide. Scallops can be consumed if only the scallop muscle is eaten; scallop stew using the whole animal should not be consumed.

Crabs, shrimp and lobster can be consumed because they do not concentrate the red tide toxin. Shellfish available through restaurants and commercial food suppliers are considered safe to consume.

To report a fish kill, call the FWC at 800-636-0511.

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THE SUN

REAL ESTATE

SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Make your home ready for the competition

L

ast week you learned a few competitive tricks to pretty up your home, make it feel more spacious and set it apart from the competition. This week we need to get down to the nitty gritty and pick apart the things that a potential buyer is looking at on the second visit and more importantly what their home inspector is looking for when that day happens.

So what are all buyers looking for is, “It’s the kitchen stupid.” Everyone wants a clean, fresh kitchen with appliances in not only working order, but equally clean and fresh. If you don’t have the funds or the time to completely renovate the kitchen, there are a few things you can do for a lot less money. If your appliances are older and certainly if they’re not in working order, make the investment in new ones. If your choice is between high end white appliances or low end stainless go for the low end stainless. The look is much better, and at least it will all

Castles in the Sand Louise Bolger be new and working. Be realistic about the condition of the kitchen cabinets. If simply cleaning isn’t going to be enough consider resurfacing or new doors or some nice high gloss paint.

Next on the hit list are bathrooms, and this is where bleach is going to be your best friend. A mixture of half water and half bleach in a spray bottle will get rid of most normal bathroom mold issues. You also have the option of new grout which is always a good idea. There are companies that can repaint tiles and/or do total inserts over tubs and walls creating a brand new look for a relatively small investment. Grimy glass shower doors

can be cleaned with one-part muriatic acid and 10 parts water. Scrub with steel wool, and you’re good to go.

Interior walls, especially in bathrooms and kitchens that may not have had a coat of paint in years, should be at the top of your paint list. Then maybe the kids’ rooms after you have convinced them to take down the posters and sparkle. If you are thinking that maybe the family room and living room need some paint, then it probably does. Paint is cheap and will be the best money you ever spent. Painting also gives you the opportunity to repair any damage or picture holes in the walls, which you may not have noticed, but your buyers certainly will.

Give your air conditioning a tune up and check your home for signs of termites, roots growing around foundations and patios and plumbing and drainage issues. Remember once you get past the buyer, you have to face their home

inspector.

Outside check all of the trim and soffits for rotted wood and peeling paint, trim back bushes and keep the lawn mowed.

Power wash patios and decks verifying the decking material doesn’t have any soft spots, and get up on the roof to look around before the home inspector does.

Finally, clean the windows, and let the view pour through and the sun shine in.

You should also consider painting your front door a jazzy coordinating color – always a nice touch.

Getting potential buyers to look at your home the first time is easy, but getting them to come back a second time is when the stress level is really elevated. If you start now, there is still plenty of time before the serious selling season kicks in.

Do what you have to do to make buyers feel they’re standing in a well-loved and well maintained home. Let the games begin!

SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

www.amisun.com

THE SUN

29

Declaratory judgement question raises questions The city clerks cannot find a written record that states the commission formally decided not to pursue a declaratory judgement regarding commercial use in residential zones.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – A question posed last week during at the Anna Maria City Commission candidates’ forum raised more questions in regard to whatever became of the vacation rental-related declaratory judgement requested by a 3-2 commission vote on Feb. 12, 2015.

The question was submitted by a Sun reader who wanted to know why Chuck Webb, the commission chair at the time, never carried out the commission’s request. Had it been pursued, the declaratory judgement would have been based on his belief that the city’s comprehensive plan prohibits commercial activity in residential zones.

“The commission wouldn’t approve going forward with that. I would still like to take that approach,” Webb said at the forum.

“If the judge said vacation rentals are not allowed, my plan was to do a modification to the ordinance so they could be granted a special exception – a type of license where we had tighter control and could stop them if they didn’t operate properly,” he explained.

“They authorized it and then they revoked their authorization,” he said when asked a follow-up question.

On previous occasions, Webb has publically stated his position that the commission failed to support his initial efforts to regulate vacation rentals.

Commissioner Nancy Yetter also voted in favor of a declaratory judgement at that meeting in 2015, as did Commissioner Carol Carter. Commissioners Doug Copeland and Dale Woodland opposed it.

“I thought it was a good way to test the waters and see what would happen in the legal system, but the rest of the commissioners didn’t feel that was a good way to proceed. I would like to see that done,” Yetter said at the forum.

Commission candidate Brian Seymour questioned whether a declaratory judgement could or should be pursued when the city is dealing with 67 or more Bert Harris claims.

After the forum, some attendees questioned the accuracy of the claims that the commission majority did not support a declaratory judgement. Webb maintained that his statements were accurate. Yetter later offered a similar opinion, but could not recall exactly how or when any subsequent commission actions took place.

The minutes from the Feb. 26, 2015, commission meeting state that neither Webb, Yetter nor Carter wished to initiate another vote or change the votes they provided two weeks earlier.

“It was the majority consensus for Chair Webb to work with Mayor Murphy to move forward with picking a defendant, with no requirement to bring it back before commission for final approval,” the minutes state.

That is the last known written reference to a formal vote on a declaratory judgement.

Retiring City Clerk Diane Percycoe said she does not recall the commission reversing its original vote, but she noted it could have happened at a meeting clerked by Holmes Beach City Clerk Stacey Johnston, who sometimes serves as Anna Maria’s minutes clerk.

Johnston said she recalls subsequent

commission conversations about a declaratory judgement, but she found no record of a formal vote revoking the previous vote in her limited search of the archived minutes.

An independent search of the meeting minutes available online revealed passing references to a declaratory judgement, but nothing in the way of formal commission action.

“My memory is it didn’t come down to another vote. We got focused on the specifics of the vacation rental ordinance instead,” Carter said Monday morning.

“I don’t recall that we had a time to change our votes, and it never really came up,” she said, noting that the Feb. 26 meeting was only exception she could recall.

A search of the meeting minutes conducted Monday morning by new City Clerk LeAnne Addy revealed no written record of the commission revoking its vote directing Webb to pursue a declaratory judgment.

Additional coverage of the Anna Maria forum will appear in a future issue of the Sun. The forum can be heard in its entirety at www. localmatters.podomatic.com.

30

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THE SUN

SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

City left adrift by dock decision The FDEP determination likely puts an end to any plans to install commercial wet slips in the waterway that fronts the Pines Trailer Park.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – City officials learned last week that the city does not have the right to build commercial slips or a second public day dock along the north side of the Historic Bridge Street Pier.

The primary question the city sought answers to was whether the riparian rights of the Pine Trailer Park would be violated or impeded by the installation of docks or wet slips in the waterway that leads to the trailer park docks.

On Monday, Sept. 19, Police Chief Sam Speciale shared with city commissioners an e-mail he received from Dianne Rosensweig. Rosensweig works for Scheda Ecological Associates, and she was hired at a cost not to exceed $15,000 to serve as the city’s pier use

joe hendricks | SUN

The riparian rights that belong to the Pines Trailer Park prevent the city from installing additional dockage north of the Historic Bridge Street Pier. and submerged land lease consultant.

“I just spoke with J.J. from FDEP (Florida Department of Environmental Protection) and he explained the riparian rights issue: The current riparian line from the mobile home park extends all the way to the T on the pier on the north side. In order to get a submerged land lease, you have to have an upland interest; currently that

is owned by the mobile home park,” her e-mail said.

The J.J. she referred to is Gerald “J.J.” Loesch, from the FDEP. In response to a question about approaching the mobile home park and requesting an easement that would allow for dockage on the north side of the pier, Rosensweig’s e-mail said, “J.J. recommended installing the slips

on the south side. It is your call if you think you can work with the park, then the north side is feasible, but may take more time.”

During the commission workshop that took place Tuesday, Sept. 20, the commission majority agreed to approach Manatee County officials about sharing the cost to replace the stormdamaged day dock on the south side of the pier only, at an anticipated total cost of approximately $130,000. At this time, there are no plans to further pursue Commissioner Jake Spooner's suggestion to add docks to the north side of the pier.

During Tuesday’s workshop, commissioners Jan Vosburgh, Ralph Cole and Spooner again offered no support for Mayor Bill Shearon’s alternative suggestion that the county be asked to cover the entire cost of replacing the day dock in exchange for the city creating a mooring managed filed.

Speciale said later in the week that Rosensweig would continue providing consulting services to the city if needed for the day dock replacement on the south side of the pier.

www.amisun.com

SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

THE SUN

Michael Saunders & Company Arrives on Anna Maria Island

joe hendricks | SUN

The owners of this vacation rental at 117 Willow Ave. have tentatively agreed to sell their property to the city of Anna Maria.

offer: To purchase accepted FROM PAGE 1

The purchase offer is the first to be accepted by a property owner who filed a Bert Harris claim against the city in response to the occupancy limits imposed by the city’s vacation rental ordinance.

Attorney Aaron Thomas, from the Najmy Thompson law firm, notified City Attorney Becky Vose of his clients’ acceptance with a certified letter dated Tuesday, Sept. 20.

“This letter will serve as my client’s formal acceptance of the city’s offer to purchase the property. This acceptance is subject to and solely contingent upon receipt of proposed purchase contract

by Sept. 30 and my client’s satisfactory review, approval and execution of such contract,” Thomas’ letter says.

The letter was in response to the letter Vose sent him dated Tuesday, Sept. 13.

“The city hereby offers your client a variance from the vacation rental ordinance to permit a maximum of 10 overnight guests. This variance would be equivalent to the before occupancy level described in your notice. The variance would be perpetual, regardless of any changes in ownership. However, if the property were to be remodeled in such a manner as to decrease the number of bedrooms, the variance would expire permanently,” Vose’s letter states.

As part of their Bert Harris claim, the owners of the four-bedroom home requested a maximum occupancy of 14 persons.

The purchase offer made to 117 Willow LLC was among the 28 settlement agreements approved by a 3-2 vote at the Sept. 8 city commission meeting. Twenty of those settlement offers included the city’s first claim-related purchase offers, which amounted to more than $20 million.

“As an alternative offer, the city offers to purchase the property for the purchase price of $1,212,925, which is 1.5 percent over the before value of the property as set forth in the appraisal you submitted. The city would pay all closing costs, not to include the seller’s attorney’s fees,” Vose’s letter says.

According Trulia.com and Coldwell Banker Homes’ website, the property has a listed sale price of $1.695 million and an estimated monthly mortgage of between $6,758 and $7,960.

“Rental deposits will be turned over to the city at closing. In addition, the city would agree to honor all written valid rental agreements in place as of the date of this offer and subsequent written valid rental agreements made after the date of this offer generally consistent with the rental rates set forth in the appraisal,” Vose’s letter states.

“The city would also agree to honor written valid property management agreements existing as of the day before the date of this offer so long as such property management agreements are generally consistent with property agreements typically used in the city.”

According to the appraisal package provided to the city, the property was rented for 20 weeks in 2014, 46 weeks in 2015 and had 40 weeks reserved to date for 2016 at a rate of $2,100 to $5,600, depending on the time of year.

The property has pending reservations that extend to May 20, 2017.

Mayor Dan Murphy declined comment when asked how the purchase would be funded and how the city would use the property. He said those details might be available later this week.

A

s Michael Saunders & Company celebrates its 4O th year in business, we are delighted to introduce our debut sales office right here on Anna Maria Island. Now, whether you are looking to buy, sell or rent, you will be able to enjoy the company’s complete range of real estate services from the convenience of our Holmes Beach location.

We look forward to welcoming you to our new Anna Maria Island office, and working with you to achieve exceptional results in real estate.

NOW OPEN AT 6000 MARINA DRIVE

6000 MARINA DR #113 • HOLMES BEACH • 941.896.9981

michaelsaunders.com

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www.amisun.com

THE SUN

SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Bradenton Beach proclaimed storm ready Daniel Noah from the National Weather Service office in Ruskin recently announced that the city of Bradenton Beach has been designated as a Storm Ready community.

“Storm Ready does not mean stormproof, but it does mean the city is better prepared to protect their residents when severe weather and tropical systems move through,” Noah

told the commission earlier this month.

He said he worked closely with Wendy Chabot, the city’s planning technician, during the application process that led to the Storm Ready designation.

“You’ve got an emergency operations center. You’ve got a 24-hour warning point.

You’ve got multiple ways to receive and

disseminate warnings. You have a formal written hazardous weather plan, and most importantly, the city now has a relationship with the National Weather Service in Ruskin.

When the time comes that you have to make a big decision on evacuation, you’ll have the information you need to make an informed decision to keep people safe,” he said.

Chabot later noted that the Storm Ready designation gives the city 25 additional Community Rating System points, which helps produce a flood rating that lowers flood insurance premiums for those who own property in the city.

www.amisun.com

SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

THE SUN

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forum: Candidates share their views FROM PAGE 1

The Pines Trailer Park resident referenced the skills and qualifications he believes qualify him to run for office.

This included working as a director of facilities for a major health care center in Lansing, Mich., followed by a position at a large financial institution in which he played a significant role in $250 million worth of construction and renovation, including an $82 million corporate headquarters.

Vincent said he was also involved in numerous governmental and professional organizations as a board member or board president.

B est E scape A nyone C an Have

“The citizens recruited me to run for this position. It was not on my bucket list to do this at almost 70 years old, but they’re the ones that called me the voice of reason,� he said.

Chappie said, “I’ve been a 42-year resident here in Bradenton Beach. I fell in love with this place from day one when I came here a month out of college. For over 30 years, I’ve been involved in almost every committee and board.�

He also noted that he’s planted several sea oats and trees throughout the city.

The former Bradenton Beach mayor alluded to his pending retirement from the

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Contact Us Today!

Rentals@IslandVacationProperties.com www.IslandVacationProperties.com p

Manatee County Commission and addressed his desire to return to city government. “I’m running because this is the first time in my 42-year history – and we’ve been through some battles – that I’ve been really concerned about what’s going on in our community, losing our residential, family and neighborhood feel because of the party houses,� he said. “One other big thing is our community’s divided, and I want to try to help bring things together. We need to learn to work together, and we need to understand that we can

disagree, move forward and set policy as a commission,� he said.

Vacation rentals

Chappie and Vincent were pretty much in agreement on regulating vacation rentals. Both support the citizeninitiated building moratorium efforts, the planning and zoning’s board’s recommendations for a two guests per bedroom plus two additional guests as a maximum occupancy limit and the recommendation for small exterior signs that provide the owner or rental agent’s contact information.

Chappie supports lowering the noise threshold in residential zones between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., side yard trash pick-up for nonowner occupied vacation rentals and city-approved plans that indicate which rooms are used as bedrooms.

In addition to the proposed regulations he and Chappie agree on, Vincent said he hopes to see the planning board eventually move on to addressing “the density issues� by limiting residential structures to four bedrooms, requiring a minimum bedroom size of 120 square feet and using other land use regulations to help maintain what remains of the city’s old Florida feel.

He said the building moratorium should have been enacted last year.

Mooring field

Vincent expressed support for Mayor Bill Shearon’s unsuccessful efforts to create a managed mooring field. He said it is “morally reprehensible� for the city to allow things to happen in the unmanaged anchorage that would

get you arrested in a city park.

He said funding a mooring field should be a commission priority.

Chappie agrees that something needs to be done, but he’s not sure a mooring field is the answer. He supports getting the police boat in the water on a regular basis, and he said the West Coast Inland Navigation District grant would likely help cover the initial cost of installing a police department boat lift at the pier. Chappie said he was surprised to learn that Police Chief Sam Speciale’s departmental budget does not provide much funding for marine patrols, and he would like that changed.

The pier

Vincent and Chappie both support the city reaching a monetary settlement with the Bazzy family in regard to the pier lease lawsuit they filed against the city and others.

The city’s attorney has told the commission that the city has a strong case, but it is also likely the Bazzy’s would appeal a ruling favorable to the city, which would result in ongoing legal costs. “Settle and move on, we’ve got other things to do,� Vincent said. “If they can come up with a reasonable settlement, do it,�

Chappie said.

Neither candidate favors commercial wet slips at the pier and they agree that the day dock, when replaced, should continue to serve the needs of the boating public rather than any commercial interests. Vincent said he would consider finger docks on the south side of the pier, as long as they were for the public’s use.

CRA projects

Both candidates believe the anchorage should be included in any expanded Community Redevelopment area boundaries and neither expressed support for a parking garage.

The Bradenton Beach forum can be heard in its entirety at www. localmatters.podomatic.com.

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THE SUN

SPORTS

SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Youth basketball champs: Team Waterfront

BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN

Recreational sports at the Island’s community center brought about unexpected wins and reminded everyone that anything is possible on any given night.

The youth basketball league focused on the four teams that played this season at The Center. Despite having less than 25 kids hitting the hard court and the need to combine two age groups creating a single five-to nine-year old age group, friendly competition and exciting games were watched by friends and family each week leading up to the playoffs last week.

In the championship game played on Sept. 21, undefeated Sugar Beach Digital faced off against the #3 ranked Waterfront Restaurant team. With the support of their teammates, the towers of the teams, Jack Proctor and Nick Yatros, went head-to-head throughout the 24 minutes of action.

Yatros, playing for Team Waterfront, was strong defensively, as was Sugar Beach’s Evie Baugher.

On offensive, Evan Talucci and Dalton Fox made a difference for Waterfront playing hard and with heart.

Lead by Proctor, scoring all seven team points in the game, the Sugar Beach team spirit was strong with each player making a difference, showing why they won all of their games in the regular season. Proctor’s first free throw shot in the game put the first points up on the scoreboard.

With a wishful buzzer beater by Proctor to end the first period, Sugar Beach was three periods away from the championship.

To start the second period of play, Lily Kawahata provided Team Sugar Beach Digital with offensive dribbling skills and defensive pressure on the court. Tommy Baugher, shared the court with his sister, creating a presence against the spirited Waterfront Restaurant team.

Spunky Jayden Sparks picked up the pace of the game down court for Waterfront Restaurant moving the ball between defenders pressing to the net.

Proctor took the basketball down the court with Yatros hot on his heels.

Proctor’s layup was good for two points, advancing the score to 3-0. After strong offensive play by Waterfront Restaurant striving to put points on the board, Sparks playing point guard took

monica simpson | SUN

The Center youth basketball champions, Team Waterfront Restaurant. Picture left to right: Coach Nate Talucci, Natalie Talucci, Jayden Sparks, Evan Talucci, Nick Yatros, Dalton Fox, and Assistant Coach Gy Yatros. the ball to the basket.

Fouled on the way up to make the shot, Sparks found herself on the free throw line to take two shots. With 50 seconds left in the first half of the championship game, Sparks easily made the first shot, making it a twopoint ballgame at 3-1.

Proctor closed out the first half with a layup, making it 5-1 at the break.

The defensive contest continued in the second half, with Yatros sinking a jumper in the third quarter for Waterfront, cutting the lead to 5-3.

With time running out, Yatros hit one of two free throws making it 5-4. Proctor came right back, sprinting the ball back all the way down the court for a smooth layup making it 7-4.

The extra physical effort proved to be too much for Proctor, who had to come out of the game. With less than two minutes on the clock, Proctor was desperate to get back into action knowing that Waterfront Restaurant, lead by Yatros, could make the comeback of the season.

Yatros then hit two baskets in a row, giving Waterfront an 8-7 lead, one they would hold onto, although Proctor did return to the game and had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but couldn’t quite connect on a last second shot.

Progressive Cabinetry Mason Martin

20 12

On Thursday night, the only undefeated team in the adult flag football league was handed its first loss of the season. Progressive Cabinetry, captained by Tim Shaughnessy, eked out the win against Frank Agnelli’s Team Mason Martin. The game result places three teams at the top of the league rankings with single losses by Progressive Cabinetry, Mason Martin and Moss Builders.

Sun Scoreboard

Tuesday, Sept. 20 Youth Basketball – Five-to NineYear-Old League: Semi-Finals #2 Harry’s Grill #3 The Waterfront

#4 Salty Printing #1 Sugar Beach Digital

7 16

Wednesday, Sept. 21 Youth Basketball – Five-to NineYear-Old League: Championship Game

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#3 The Waterfront #1 Sugar Beach Digital

Thursday, Sept. 22 Adult Co-Ed Flag Football Coldwell Banker Tyler’s Ice Cream

19 (2-2) 7 (1-3)

Mason Martin Progressive Cabinetry

12 (3-1) 20 (3-1)

Moss Builders 41 Anna Maria CrossFit

(3-1) 22 (1-3)

Blake Medical Center 19 (1-3) Beach House Real Estate 13 (2-2) 8 13

8 7

www.amisun.com

SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Obituaries Scott Joseph Booth Scott Joseph Booth, 50, Bradenton, died Sept. 17, 2016.

Born in North Miami, FL, he moved to Bradenton in 1978. He was a graduate of Manatee High School in 1985, he went to college at North East Mississippi, was a graduate of the University of Kentucky, was a member of Gone Fishing and was a Christian.

He was survived by his wife, Kimberly C.; sons, Zachary and Brock; daughter, Skyler Booth, all of Bradenton; mother, Gail Booth-Petrie, of Bradenton; father, William J. Booth, of Bradenton; step-parents, Alex and Betty Karras, of Lakewood Ranch; brothers, William “Wild Bill” John and James Booth, all of Bradenton.

A celebration of life will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016, at the Swordfish Grill, 4628 119th St. W., Cortez, with a sunset at the end of Coquina Beach afterwards. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604, 43rd St. W., Bradenton, is in charge of the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to www.gofundme.com/ brock-skyler. Condolences may be made to www.brownandsonsfuneral. com.

Dolores Harrell Dolores Harrell, 89, of Holmes Beach, Fla., formerly of Chicago Heights, Ill., passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, Sept. 23, 2016, surrounded by all of her loving children and incredible caregivers Nubia and Veronica Betancur Dolores moved to Holmes Beach in 1992. She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Patrick “Red” and brother Albert “Popsie” in 2007. Dolores is survived by her seven children, Peggy, Pat, Maureen, Tom, Jim, Kevin, John and their spouses;

13 devoted grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren; and one that is on the way.

Dolores lived a rich and full life. She was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church and was involved in many community organizations including Island Players, the Eyeland Needlers, Anna Maria Tour of Homes, Cultural Connections and the Anna Maria artsHOP. Those who knew Dolores recognized that few loved life more than she.

Dolores had the incredibly rare ability to develop deep, unique and sincere relationships with everyone she knew.

Her love of cooking was legendary and will never be duplicated. She taught her children that there is nothing more important in this world than family.

No one was kinder than Dolores. To honor one of Dolores’ real passions, the family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Anna Maria Island Community Center summer drama camp. It will be used as a scholarship for children to help fuel their interest in the arts. Please make donations to The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, FL 34216.

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, Oct. 1, at 11 a.m. at Saint Bernard Catholic Church, 248 South Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach.

Lottie Kenworthy Lottie Kenworthy, 93, of Bradenton, passed away at Westminster Towers Sept. 12, 2016.

Born in Harrison, N.J., she moved to Bradenton in 1987 from Whiting, N.C., and attended the Church of the Annunciation in Holmes Beach. She was a member of the Eastern Star, the American Legion Auxiliary , NJEA , Retired Teachers Association, the seventh Armor Division and High Twelve.

She was predeceased by parents, Walter and Mary (Zentecki) Watson; husband, Leslie F.; survived by daughter, Mary Ann (Roger) Rhines, of Bradenton; sister, Irene Modrak, of Lyndon, N.J.; two grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.

THE SUN

A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016, at the American Legion Kirby Stewart Post 24 where the celebration of her life will continue until 5 p.m. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory, 43rd Street Chapel, Bradenton, is in charge of arrangements. Condolences to www. brownandsonsfuneral.com.

Donald S. Rowe Donald S. Rowe, 69, died on Sept. 16, 2016. He was a lifelong resident of the Bradenton area. He grew up enjoying Boy Scouts, Little League, track and field and graduated from Manatee High School.

He enlisted in the Air Force in 1967 and served in Vietnam. After the service, he entered the construction industry spanning over 30 years. Dons career included building residential, commercial and church properties.

During his lifetime, Don loved boating, fishing and golfing and music was his passion.

His greatest accomplishments were his children whom he raised in Parrish with his first wife, Donna. After marry-

BEACH BEAT Anna Maria No new reports.

Bradenton Beach No new reports.

Cortez

9/3, criminal mischief, 4200 block of 126th Street West. The vice president of the homeowners association observed a man in a parking lot spraying a fire extinguisher for no apparent reason.

The man appeared to be under the influence. He agreed to pay for damages and was not arrested.

9/21, contempt of court, violation of su-

35

ing Vicky in 2001, they built their new home together in Palmetto, where the two families became one.

He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Vicky; daughters, Nichol Lancaster, Andrea Milgate (BJ) and Lori Seruchar (Kevin); step-children, Kayla, Thomas, and Kimberly Mannausa; his sister, Silvia Harris; his brothers, Arthur Rowe, Jr. and Ronald Rowe; and four grandchildren. He is predeceased by his first wife, Donna Holmes Rowe; his mother, Thora Rowe; father, Arthur Rowe; and brother Richard. Don appreciated his long family ties with the Holmes family, of Holmes Beach. Don was a devout Christian man, who loved his family and friends, and will be deeply missed.

Visitation was on, Sunday, Sept. 25,at Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory, 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd St. W., Bradenton. His celebration of life was held on Monday, Sept. 26, 2016 at The Bridge Church, 4000 75th St. W., Bradenton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Youth for Christ, 1901 30th Ave. W., Bradenton, FL 34205.

Condolences to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com

pervised release, 10105 Cortez Road W. The suspect was arrested at that address.

Holmes Beach

9/10, petit theft, West Coast Surf Shop, 3902 Gulf Drive. A shoplifter stuffed a hat and wallet inside his swimsuit and walked out, setting off the alarm. He came back in, pulled the merchandise out of his suit, and while he was doing that, the clerks ran out and locked the suspect inside until police got there. He was arrested.

9/11, burglary, 300 block of Clark Drive.

A neighbor called police when he saw a former part-time employee of the homeowner opening the door with a key and stealing a television. He was arrested after two days of police investigation.

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THE SUN

FUN IN THE SUN

Across 1 Host of "Late Night Joy" 6 Pennant contest 10 Herbal seed used in smoothies 14 Truly impress 15 Screen image or screen idol 16 Called 17 Eleventh hour 19 Language of Pakistan 20 Beach toy 21 "Otello" composer 22 She played Jackie on "Nurse Jackie" 23 Age of Reason philosopher 25 Short fiction 27 Sloth and envy 29 First name in scat 30 Super __ 33 Words after save or take 36 Afghan capital 39 Lamb nurser 40 Speaker's stand ... or what each set of circled squares graphically represents 42 Mama bear, in Baja 43 Sauce made with pine nuts 45 Roll dipped in wasabi 46 __ cabbage 47 Drawn tight 49 Big name in golf clubs 51 Bugs' voice 55 Storied monsters 58 Airline known for tight security 59 About 61 Algerian seaport 63 Humorist Barry

64 Unparalleled 66 Plugging away 67 Heated contest, in more ways than one 68 Aquafina rival 69 Some skinny jeans 70 Torah cabinets 71 Like a neglected garden Down 1 Refuse to, with "at" 2 Outlook messages 3 Lacks choices 4 Quetzalcoatl worshipers 5 High-__ image 6 Jasmine __ 7 Part of an autumn stash 8 Many a beach rental 9 Bitter green in mixed greens 10 Fur-loving de Vil 11 Work that may be imposed with a prison sentence 12 29-state country 13 Feverish bouts 18 "Still ... " 24 Honda Fit competitor 26 Warning sign in the

Answers to 09-21-16 Crossword Puzzle.

Rockies 28 High waters 30 Abundance in the cheerleading squad 31 Reverence 32 Observation with a sigh 34 Kwik-E-Mart clerk 35 Kitchen amt.

37 Take for a sucker 38 Little fellow 41 Many an Indian fan 44 Computers that travel well 48 Puget Sound city 50 It's on the record 51 Wartime award 52 Fill with joy 53 Forty-__ 54 Links hazard 56 Banks with a statue at Wrigley Field 57 Course with leaves 60 Jazz lovers 62 Part of a Wall St. address 65 Meadow drops

SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

classified

ANNOUNCEMENTS BEACH YOGA ON Saturdays & Sundays at 8:30am at the end of Pine Ave by the Sandbar Restaurant by donation. www. thriveyogafit.com THE BEST VOLUNTEER position on the island. The AMI Historical Museum needs docents and bread makers. Call Lynn at 813758-3234 or lbrennan47@ gmail.com ROSER FOOD BANK needs donations of cash and non-perishable food. Donations boxes are located at the Church, Moose Club, Walgreen's and The Anna Maria Island Sun Newspaper (corner of Gulf and Palm).

AUTOMOTIVE SALES & SERVICE GOT A CAR You Wanna Sell.

The Good, The Bad or The Ugly.

Call Now 727-400-1910

BABY SITTER RED CROSS CERTIFIED baby sitter. Honor student.

Call or text Isabel 941-5457995

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

ALBA CLEANING SERVICES for your home or rental will make you happy or it's free. $10 off 2nd cleaning Call 941592- 4274

COMMERCIAL SALES/ LEASES/RENTALS

PRIME COMMERCIAL LOCATION (2 Lots) 12,840 sq. ft. Located on Gulf Dr. in the City of Anna Maria, close to the beach and surrounded by shopping.

Business on a tropical island! Island Real Estate Ask Al Galletto 941-232-2216

COMPUTER SERVICES EMPIRE COMPUTER SERVICE Computer problems fixed in your home or office. The fastest friendliest service around. Serving the Island since 2004. Call 941-739-6424

EMPLOYMENT

AMI CARWASH on Anna Maria Island seeking Auto Detailer at fast-paced car wash. New Ownership/ Management. Position responsible for detailing automobiles, providing excellent customer service /exceeding productivity goals. Please send resumes/ inquiries to info@amicarwash.com for details.

FOR SALE 6HP JOHNSON OUTBOARD, $900 OBO. Need to sell. Call 941-580-0382

CLEANING SERVICE

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

C & T HOUSEKEEPING. For all your cleaning needs. Free Estimates.

Reasonable rates. Senior discount. References available. Call 941-9622512

TILE! TILE! TILE! All variations of tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship. Prompt, reliable, many Island references. Free estimates.

Neil 941-726-3077

CLEANING: RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL & RENTALS. "Have it done your way, we care about our work" Call 941-7564570

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

PRESSURE CLEANING and WINDOW WASHING residential, commercial & resorts. Roofs, buildings, houses, driveways.

Paver Sealing & Cleaning etc. Call 941-565-3935

Call us today! 941-778-3986

KERN CONSTRUCTION NEW Homes & Remodel.

Design/Build. Since 1968.

License # CRC1327296.

Call Jerry Kern 941-5042222 www.kernconstructioninc.com

“HONEY DO" HOME Repairs & Handyman Services.

35 yrs experience. Painting, drywall, tile, woodwork. All tasks. Call 941-896-5256 or 941-807-5256 www.honeydohomerepairinc.com JOE UNGVARSY CONSTRUCTION. Designer/ Remodeling Contractor State License CRC 035261.

Call 941-779-4630 or email juremodel1@aol.com BESPOKE SERVICES, MASTER CARPENTER for all home & office repairs. Also painting, decorating, decking & dock repairs,. Large or small works. Reasonable Rates! Island guy for Island work.

Call RICHARD 941-4483571

LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE R. GAROFALO’S Interlocking brick pavers, driveways, patios, pool decks. Free estimates. Licensed & Insured.

Call Rafael 941-778-4823 or Veronik 941-526-7941 SHELL DELIVERED AND spread $50/yd. Hauling all kinds of gravel, mulch, top soil with free estimates. Call Larry at 941-795-7775, "shell phone" 941-720-0770

LOST & FOUND LOST TENNIS BRACELET Gold with Diamonds around. Near Dog Park or Publix. REWARD! Call 941778-2494 FOUND SET OF KEYS in water off Bayfront Park.

Call Bob 941-778-3986

THE SUN

LOST WHITE GOLD diamond ring. Antique looking. It has a hinge which opens up. Sentimental value. REWARD. Call 941504-9502

MOVING & STORAGE MARTIN’S MOVING YOUR Island movers! Offering dependable, competitive rates. No hidden costs. 941-809-5777.

TWO MEN and a TRUCK. Movers who care. Local and Long distance. www. twomen.com Call 941-3591904. We sell boxes!

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 WALY PRECISION PAINTING custom painting, pressure washing, commercial/residential, interior/exterior, drywall/stucco, Licensed & insured. Call 941-448-1928 or 941-580-4005 www.

WalyPrecisionPainting.com “WIZARD OF WALLS” Established 1980 Prompt quality service.

Paperhanging/removal Faux finishes. Interior painting. Mary Bell 941794-0455 BAYSIDE COMMERCIAL PAINTING. David Padyani Call 941-565-9446 or Larry Zimmer 941-2248123 Licensed & Insured

LOST WOMAN'S PRESCRIPTION glasses, brown frame.

Lost on beach around 72nd street. On Monday the July 25. Call 260-6029866

DONALD PERKINS PAINTING LLC fully insured. 30 years experience. Many Island references. Call 941-705-7096

LOST MAN’S SILVER Wedding Ring, silver with stones mounted. Lost at Coquina Beach near restrooms. Please Call 813413-3373

POOL SERVICES

LOST BRACELET Heavy silver with multi colored stones at Harrington House Bed & Breakfast. REWARD! Call 949-939-3340

FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE. AMI & West Bradenton. Certified Pool Operator. Residential/commercial. {Chemical Service} Licensed & Insured. Call Dennis Clark 941-737-5657

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

REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE 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 26 years. Proven track record, brings you results! 941-725-1589 W. BRADENTON CONDO 4000sq.ft. Canal front Bay view 3+BR/3.5BA Bonus room dock lift 2 car Island Real Estate Call AL Galletto 941-2322216

STARTING FROM THE UPPER 200’s. Only minutes from the beach, this new active adult community is perfectly located just south of Manatee Ave, off Village Green Pkwy. Perfectly designed, open 2BR or 3BR/2BA plus den & 2CG floor plans. Luxurious amenities, pool, spa, gym, pickle ball and fenced-in dog park. HOA only $190/month. Models open daily. Contact us 941-254-3330 www.MirabellaFlorida.com 106 WILLOW RENOVATED Cottage. 1 in from Beach, beautiful pool/spa. Lush landscaping $1,245,000.

Call Charles Buky Coldwell Banker 941-228-6086

RENTALS: ANNUAL ANNUAL RENTALS WANTED! We have well qualified tenants for beach/mainland annual rentals, Full management or Finders fee. Call today for details. Ask for Ed. DUNCAN REAL ESTATE 941-779-0304 www.teamduncan.com

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WEST BRADENTON San Remo 4011 Plumosa Terrace 2BR/2BA/1CG on Salt Water Canal. W/D hookups, Large lanai & yard plus dock Bring your boat! $2000/mo unfurnished.

First, Last & Security. Credit check. Call JoAnn 941-8092488 ANNUAL RENTAL and CONDOMINIUM Association management serviced by (2) offices open 7 days a week! Contact junew@ islandreal.com – 941-3451295 - Island Real Estate of Anna Maria Island, Inc. 2BR/2BA SINGLE FAMILY HOME, unfurnished, w/ carport $2000/mo. Just one block to the beach.

2BR/2BA Furnished ground level condo at West Bay Cove $1600/mo. Contact A Paradise 941-778-4800 BRING YOUR BOAT to this 3BR/2BA ranch w/2 car gar. on canal in East Bradenton. Waterfront home has dock, 11,000 # boatlift, fireplace, large lanai & split plan. Just minutes to I-75 with large fenced, shady back yard. $1750/ mo. Call June at Island Real Estate - 941-778-6066 ANNUAL RENTAL: BEAUTIFULLY remodeled Bradenton Beach 2BR/2BA $1800/mo plus utilities. Call Dennis 941-448-7793 ANNUAL RENTAL, BRADENTON BEACH, 1BR/1BA, great location, bay in back, beach in front, swimming pool, fishing, $1150/mo.

No pets, No smoking, Available Nov.1, 2016, Call 603-969-6840 ANNUAL 3BR/2BA TOWNHOME on Anna Maria island. On Site Parking. Nice Views, steps to the beach. $1800/mo. Tenant Pays All utilities. Call 941-7828556 if interested Ask for Mike. Leave Message

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

AMISUN.COM

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RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION

ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fl Condos. Pool beach access, fully equipped $650-$800/ wk Redekercondos.com 941-704-7525 or 941-7781915 WILLKOMMEN AUF AMI! Besuchen Sie Island Real Estate in einem unserer Inselbüros (6101 Marina Drive oder 419 Pine Ave) mit unserem deutschsprachigen Reservierungsservice und erhalten ein freies Island Real Estate Baseball Cap! Wir geben Ihnen gerne mehr Auskunft über unsere 250 ausgewählte Feriendomizile für Ihren nächsten Urlaub!

WINTER RENTALS AVAILABLE- 3 month minimum starting at $2,500/ mo+ taxes/fees. Call Fran Maxon Real Estate 941-778-2307 for info.

TRANSPORTATION AMI TAXI metered-on-callcards accepted. Airport: Tampa $85, Sarasota $35, Clearwater $75, Fort Meyers $150, Orlando $150.

Call 800-301-4816. amitaxi4u@gmail.com, www. amitaxi.com ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all airports, appointments, casino, cruises, etc. Tampa $60. Sarasota $30. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne.

941-779-5095

Call us today! 941-778-3986 SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

business & service directory computer service

home improvement

home improvement

movers

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Call today to place your ad: 941-778-3986 painting

transportation landscaping & lawn care

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2016