Anna Maria Island Sun September 2, 2020

- Named Best Florida Newspaper In Its Class -

VOL 20 No. 47

September 2, 2020

Laura’s waves CINDY LANE | SUN

Hurricane Laura, far offshore in the Gulf of Mexico last Wednesday, threw some rare overhead waves at Anna Maria Island, making for a good surf day.

Revised Hunters Point plans increase home size The developer envisions homeowners moving into their new homes in early 2022.

SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

INSIDE NEWS 4 TROLLEY MAP

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OUTDOORS

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CASTLES IN THE SAND

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Safely home from his kidnapping, Roger is back on his perch overlooking Gulf Drive.

BY KRISTIN SWAIN

BY JOE HENDRICKS

CORTEZ – Developer Marshall Gobuty plans to enlarge the homes in the proposed Hunters Point project in Cortez, but will not increase the proposed number of homes, he said.

Gobuty, the founder and president of Pearl Homes, told The Sun that he plans to build 86 new homes in the Hunters Point Pearl Homes & Marina. The new homes will be built on the 18.7-acre property at 12505 Cortez Road W. surrounded on three sides by a canal that connects to the Intracoastal Waterway.

In 2018, the Manatee County Commission unanimously approved the Hunters Point rezoning request and preliminary site plan that allow 86 single-family homes

Welcome home, Roger

PEARL HOMES | SUBMITTED

This rendering illustrates the latest plans for the Hunters Point homes. to be built on 32½- by 62-foot lots that provide 2,113 square feet of space per lot.

The county approvals also allow for 62 hotel rooms, 11,100 square feet of commercial space, a 17-slip marina, 31 boat slips along the canal and one water taxi slip.

SEE HUNTERS POINT, PAGE 11

NO ‘ MASKS will be required in houses of worship, county officials say. 4

HOLMES BEACH – Roger the mannequin is back home in one piece, and his owner, Maggie Patall, is thrilled.

“He’s happy to be home with his community,” Patall said after Roger’s missing limbs were found and returned to her last week. “I’m so grateful to all my neighbors and friends for helping in the hunt for Roger. I’m sure that’s why I have him back!”

Roger went missing from Patall’s second-floor balcony on Thursday, Aug. 20, though the kidnapping - officially designated a theft - wasn’t noticed until Saturday. Patall’s friends, community members and local law enforcement all began searching for the missing mannequin and one priceless item that he was wearing when he disappeared – a

SUBMITTED | HOLMES BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT

Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer returns Roger’s torso to owner Maggie Patall on Aug. 25. tuxedo jacket that had been owned

by Patall’s deceased husband.

Several social media posts, including one on the Nextdoor app, helped locate Roger’s head and torso, which SEE ROGER, PAGE 21

BAYFEST POSTPONED due

to COVID-19. 9 PALMA SOLA HORSES are

now under Bradenton scrutiny. 19

CLASSIFIEDS 26-27

Anna Maria Island, Florida

The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper www.amisun.com

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

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Top two City Pier grill and bait shop bidders to be named The city received four bid proposals for the operation of a City Pier grill and bait shop.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy planned to present city commissioners with a shortlist containing his top two recommended City Pier grill and bait shop bidders on Tuesday, Sept. 1.

During the emergency city commission meeting, the current four-member commission that consists of Carol Carter, Jon Crane, Joe Muscatello and Mark Short was scheduled to accept, reject or modify Murphy’s proposed shortlist.

Due to her recently announced resignation, Amy Tripp’s commission term officially ended Tuesday, eliminating her participation in the discussion.

The two commission-approved shortlist candidates will be given an opportunity at a future meeting to present their lease proposals and plans to operate a takeout grill and bait shop in the city-owned bait shop building at the T-end of the new City Pier.

When those presentations are made, the commissioners will individually

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The list of potential City Pier grill and bait shop tenants has been reduced from four to two. rank the two finalists according to their first and second preferences. The individual rankings will then be tallied and Murphy will be authorized to attempt to negotiate a five-year lease w ith the commission’s top-ranked bidder.

The commission agreed to move forward in this manner during Thursday evening’s regular commission meeting. When recommending the shortlist approach, Murphy did not indicate which two bidders would make his shortlist or whether he had yet made that determination.

The city received four bid proposals in response to its request for proposals (RFP). The RFP sought a grill and bait shop tenant to occupy the bait shop build-

ing on the left side of the pier, as viewed from shore. According to the RFP, the bait shop building provides approximately 300 square feet of interior space.

The sealed bids were opened at city hall on Friday, Aug. 21. The names of the bidders were announced, but no additional bid proposal details have been provided to the public. The proposals have been provided to the commissioners for their review.

The city received proposals from: • F.P. Growth Partners, represented

by Patrick Coleman, whose business operations include Poppo’s Taqueria locations in Anna Maria and Bradenton; • Brian Seymour, Vic Mattay and

Nicholas Graham from The Anna Maria General Store & Deli and Dips Ice Cream in Anna Maria and Graham Slam fishing charters in Cortez; • The father-daughter team of Sherman and Sarah Baldwin, whose Tevatan LLC operates Paradise Boat Tours and Bridge Street Bait Shop in Bradenton Beach and Hart’s Landing in Sarasota; and • Harry’s Continental Kitchens in Longboat Key. The city is not currently seeking a tenant to operate a full-service restaurant tenant in the larger pier building, whose future use remains undetermined.

On July 30, the commission voted 3-2 to reject the lease proposal submitted

by Mike Ross and Ugly Grouper LLC. On Jan. 10, the commission unanimously rejected a lease offer proposed

by Mario Schoenfelder, the longtime tenant of the old City Pier, which was closed in 2017 and demolished in 2018.

On June 19, the new City Pier opened on a limited basis and currently remains open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The City Pier will be open seven days a week when the grill and bait shop tenant begins business operations.

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ISLAND NEWS

IN BRIEF

Penalties likely for spill The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is finalizing its investigation of a sewage spill in June, and expects to issue an enforcement action - including penalties - against the Town of Longboat Key within the next two weeks, according to Public Information Manager Shannon Herbon.

The main sewer line serving Longboat Key, which runs under Sarasota Bay, broke in mid-June, causing a sewage spill that collected in the mangroves on Long Bar Pointe on the mainland.

Longboat Key’s consultant, Environmental Science Associates (ESA), recently reported to town officials that according to its water quality testing, fecal contamination subsequently discovered in Sarasota Bay is likely not from the spill.

Labor Day trash and recycling schedule Due to the Labor Day holiday, there will be no trash, recycling or yard waste pickup on Monday, Sept. 7 for Waste Pro and Waste Management customers. Customers with regularly scheduled pickups on Monday will have pickup on Tuesday, Sept. 8 instead.

The rest of the week’s pickups will remain the same following the holiday schedule. No pickups will take place on Saturday or Sunday. Regularly scheduled pickups resume on Monday, Sept. 14.

Robinson Preserve Twilight 5K/10K race returns The Robinson Preserve Twilight 5K & 10K Run returns Saturday, Sept. 5 both in person with social distancing safety measures being taken and online in a virtual race.

Benefiting Robinson Preserve and the PACE Manatee Center for Girls, runners can choose how they would like to participate when registering.

Runners participating in person for the 5K race can choose their start time from a list of staggered start options to promote social distancing when registering.

Runners will be timed and all in-person runs will take place Saturday, Sept. 5 at Robinson Preserve.

Anyone choosing to participate virtually can time themselves and submit their time online Friday, Sept. 4 through Monday, Sept. 7. All 10K participants will run virtually and submit their times online.

The cost to participate is $35 for 5K runners and $40 for 10K runners. All race participants will receive a race shirt, race bib, face buff, race medal and a coupon for a buy-one-get-one-free beer at Motorworks Brewing in Bradenton.

Race packets can be mailed to runners or picked up at Conley GMC Buick from noon to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 4. For more information or to register, visit https://raceroster.com/events/2020/23043/ robinson-preserve-twilight-5k-and-10k-run/

Visit our website, www.amisun.com.

Scan this code with your smartphone to go there.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

Masks not required in church under new county rule

The remaining facecovering provisions included in the Manatee County resolution are still in effect.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

MANATEE COUNTY – Churches and all other houses of worship are now excluded from the mandatory face-covering provisions included in a recent Manatee County resolution.

On Tuesday, Aug. 25, county commissioners voted 6-1 in favor of immediately excluding churches and places of worship from the face-covering mandates included in county resolution R-20-116, adopted on July 27.

County Commissioner Carol Whitmore made the motion to exempt houses of worship and to direct the county attorney’s office to present at the next commission meeting an amended resolution reflecting this change.

Whitmore said she made the motion because County Administrator Cherri Coryea and Public Safety Director Jake Sauer ensured the commission that the spread of the COVID-19 virus is currently flattening and declining in Manatee County.

Although they supported Whitmore’s motion, commissioners Reggie Bellamy, Betsy Benac and Misty Servia expressed lingering public safety concerns about church congregations potentially contributing to the spread of the virus. Commissioner Vanessa Baugh said houses of worship should never have been included in the resolution.

Commissioner Steve Jonsson cast the only opposition vote. He said this was because of his general opposition to the original resolution, and not because he opposed excluding houses of worship.

In July, Whitmore, Benac, Bellamy and Servia supported the face-covering resolution and Baugh, Jonsson and Priscilla Trace opposed it.

“An individual in a business establishment must wear a face covering while in that business establishment,” the resolution says.

According to the original resolution, “The term ‘business establishment’ also includes places of worship.”

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Pastor Joel Tillis is a plaintiff in the face-covering lawsuit recently filed against Manatee County.

The language referring to houses of worship is no longer valid and will be removed in the amended resolution.

The county resolution applies to the unincorporated areas of Manatee County, which includes Cortez. It also applies to the cities of Bradenton Beach and Palmetto, which have not adopted their own city-specific facecovering mandates. Face-covering mandates previously enacted in Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton do not specifically reference houses of worship.

County Attorney Mickey Palmer and Chief Assistant County Attorney Bill Clague told the commission that removing the houses of worship reference does not diminish the county’s ability to defend the resolution being challenged in a lawsuit filed on Aug. 2 by Joel Tillis – Senior Pastor of the Suncoast Baptist Church in Palmetto – and State Rep. Anthony Sabatini. The lawsuit alleges the county resolution is unconstitutional because it violates the privacy, due process and religious freedom clauses in the Florida Constitution.

Tillis was among the religious leaders who attended Tuesday’s meeting and called for the houses of worship exclusion.

“I do not call into question the intent of your mask resolution. But I do call into question the unintended conse-

quences that have inflicted unnecessary difficulty and strain on one of this nation’s most sacred institutions: that is houses of worship. The resolution redefined houses of worship fundamentally to be no more sacred than a Walmart or Wendy’s. Surely you did not intend that,” Tillis said.

“The resolution is fundamentally unfair to houses of worship. One can reserve a table for 15 at The Cheesecake Factory and take off the masks for two hours to eat and drink, yet to do so in a house of God is to break the very resolution that you have passed.

The people that I represent have, are, and will continue to defy what we believe is an unconstitutional and insensitive resolution. I humbly ask for you to provide an exemption for houses of worship,” Tillis said.

When contacted later in the week, Palmer was asked what impact the commission decision has on the stillpending lawsuit.

“We believe that the plaintiff’s lawsuit complaint is rendered moot as it relates to houses of worship. There are other aspects of the plaintiff’s complaint, however, that are unrelated to the houses of worship issue. As to the unrelated issues, those will presumably survive the mootness argument but may very well be disposed of in a forthcoming motion to dismiss,” Palmer said.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

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Commission seat will remain vacant until November The Anna Maria City Commission decided not to appoint a commissioner that would only participate in a few meetings.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – The city commission will wait until November to appoint a new commissioner to fill the commission seat vacated by Amy Tripp.

In early August, Tripp informed Mayor Dan Murphy that she planned to resign at the end of the month because she and her husband are moving to Black Mountain, N.C. Tripp participated in her final commission meeting last Thursday.

Her current term in office was scheduled to end in early November and Tripp was also among those running unopposed in Anna Maria for another two-year term to take effect in November.

These two scenarios created the potential need for a short-term ap-

pointment to fill the remainder of Tripp’s current term and a subsequent long-term appointment to fill the vacant two-year term that begins soon after the general election concludes on Nov. 3.

The deadline for candidates to qualify to run in November was June 12.

During the last week’s meeting, the four remaining commission members – Carol Carter, Jon Crane, Joe Muscatello and Mark Short – unanimously agreed to operate as a four-member commission for now and make just a single appointment for the full two-year term.

The commission plans to initiate a 30-day application period in October and have a slate of potential candidates in place so the appointment can be made soon after the election results are certified in November. Short said the intent is to prevent the newly-appointed commissioner from missing meetings, which would occur if the 30-day application period was not initiated until November.

“It should be seamless,” Mayor Dan Murphy said of the application

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Amy Tripp’s time as an Anna Maria city commissioner has concluded. and appointment process.

The commission also discussed initiating a 30-day application period now and making a short-term appointment during the first meeting in October. This would have resulted in the short-term appointee participating in only two or three commission

meetings before that term expired.

The commission acknowledged 2-2 tied votes could occur until a fifth commissioner takes office, but that is not a great source of concern for a commission that generally finds common ground in its decision-making.

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

CRA budgets $2.2 million for 2020-21 projects Finger docks, parking trams and Bridge Street landscaping are among the budgeted CRA projects.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) proposes spending $2.22 million for CRA projects during the 2020-21 fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.

The proposed CRA budget will be presented for first reading during the Thursday, Sept. 3 CRA budget meeting that starts at 5:05 p.m. The CRA budget will be presented for final reading and adoption on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 5:30 p.m.

CRA members - all five city commissioners plus city resident David Bell and Beach House restaurant owner Ed Chiles - created their proposed project list during their Tuesday, Aug. 25 budget work meeting.

Proposed expenditures include $300,000 to install finger docks perpendicular to the existing floating dock next to the Bridge Street Pier.

The CRA also is budgeting $400,000 toward the future undergrounding of utility lines in the CRA district as a continuation of the recently-completed undergrounding project along Bridge Street.

The budget includes at least $83,500 for a one-year parking tram pilot program in an attempt to address parking shortages in the Bridge Street business district. Utilizing two contracted electric trams, the pilot program will provide park and ride shuttle services from available parking spaces at Cortez Beach and elsewhere throughout the CRA district.

The pilot program will provide CRA members with ridership data that will help make a future determination as to whether the parking trams become a permanent service in the CRA district. The pilot program could also be terminated early if it’s determined ridership doesn’t warrant the ongoing expenditures. A start date for the tram pilot program has not been announced.

The proposed budget also includes $675,000 for potential seagrass mitigation and CRA waterfront improvements that will one day include dredging the navigation canal that runs south of the pier toward Leffis Key Preserve. The budget earmarks $205,000 for new streetlights, $100,000 for

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The CRA is budgeting $300,000 to add perpendicular finger docks to the floating dock next to the Bridge Street Pier.

Bridge Street landscaping improvements and $53,000 to install a Bradenton Beach Police Department boat lift on the south side of the pier.

The CRA is budgeting $50,000 for pavers, $50,000 for street signs, $50,000 for a gazebo in front of the post office, $10,000 to replace or improve the city-owned dinghy dock near the foot of the pier and $10,000 for trolley stops.

According to the budget worksheet prepared for this week’s meeting, the CRA proposes $2.53 million in total expenditures during the coming fiscal year.

In addition to CRA-funded projects, the

total expenditures include professional services provided by City Engineer Lynn Burnett, City Attorney Ricinda Perry and others, and $72,800 for additional policing services in the CRA district.

The CRA anticipates receiving approximately $1.25 million in total revenues in the coming fiscal year. Projected revenues include $417,970 in annual CRA tax revenues and an additional $104,489 contribution from the city’s general fund, as required. Projected revenues also include $228,000 in grant revenues and $500,000 in state appropriations.

According to City Treasurer Shayne Thompson, the CRA will also carry over into the 2020-21 CRA fiscal year approximately $1.3 to $1.4 million from the current fiscal year that ends Sept. 30.

The CRA operates with its own budget, which is separate from the city commissioncontrolled general fund. According to state law, CRA funds are only supposed to be spent on CRA projects, improvements and services that benefit the CRA district that extends from the south side of the Cortez Bridge to the southernmost property lines along Fifth Street South.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

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ON THE AGENDA ANNA MARIA

10005 GULF DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130

City hall is open to the public with limited capacity and safety protocols in place.

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

Sept. 7, all day – City offices closed for Labor Day holiday Sept. 10, 6 p.m. – Budget hearing and City Commission special meeting

BRADENTON BEACH

107 GULF DRIVE N. FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005

City hall is open to the public with limited capacity and safety protocols in place.

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

Sept. 2, 9:30 a.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency meeting Sept. 3, 5:05 p.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency tentative fiscal year 2021 millage and budget meeting Sept. 3, 5:30 p.m. – City Commission tentative millage and budget hearing Sept. 3, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting Sept. 7, all day – City offices closed for Labor Day holiday Sept. 8, 9:15 a.m. – City Commission emergency special meeting Sept. 8, 10 a.m. – City Commission work meeting Sept. 10, 5:05 p.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency final budget meeting Sept. 10, 5:30 p.m. – City Commission final budget meeting

THE SUN

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HOLMES BEACH

5801 MARINA DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800

City hall is currently closed to the public.

All meetings will be held virtually until further notice.

Sept. 7, all day – City offices closed for Labor Day holiday Sept. 9, 6 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting Sept. 10, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session to follow

ISLAND-WIDE

Sept. 8, 6 p.m. – West Manatee Fire rescue budget hearing and board meeting to be held via Zoom. Instructions to join the meeting at www.wmfr.org.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR September 2 - September 15 The Island Branch Library is open at 40% capacity. Please wear a face mask/covering.

Tingley Memorial Library is closed.

The Center of Anna Maria Island is open with social distancing and face masks required.

The Holmes Beach dog park (Scentral Park), skate park, basketball courts and tennis courts are open.

Local preserves are open, including Grassy Point Preserve, Perico Preserve, Neal Preserve and Robinson Preserve.

Local beaches are open.

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

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Bayfest 2020 postponed due to COVID concerns The commission encouraged the chamber to hold Bayfest in early 2021 if possible.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s 20th annual Bayfest celebration has been postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chamber officials hoped to host a two-day Bayfest event on and along Pine Avenue beginning with a parade on Friday, Oct. 16, concluding with the traditional Bayfest activities on Saturday, Oct. 17.

During Thursday’s meeting, the Anna Maria City Commission delayed the approval of the chamber’s special event permit request that had been previously and tentatively approved on June 11.

Mayor Dan Murphy prefaced Thursday’s discussion by noting that when the permit was approved in June, it was stated that the permitting approval might have to be reevaluated as the Bayfest date drew closer.

Bev Kilpatrick and Cathy Pizzo represented the chamber at Thursday’s meeting.

Kilpatrick told the commission the chamber planned to take all necessary precautions to help ensure the safety of the Bayfest volunteers, chamber members, festival

attendees and vendors. She said the precautions would include limited entry and exit points; mandatory masks for all attendees and participants, temperature checks for volunteers and chamber members, plexiglass partitions and 6-foot social distancing requirements.

Pizzo said approximately 40 vendors expressed initial interest in participating in Bayfest 2020.

Commission Chair Carol Carter asked how many people attend Bayfest at a time.

Pizzo guessed there might be 1,500 people in attendance at any given time.

Commissioner Mark Short noted the city remains under a declared local state of emergency due to the ongoing pandemic.

Murphy said the local state of emergency and the city’s indoor mask mandate would not preclude an outdoor festival from taking place.

Commissioner Joe Muscatello noted the city already canceled its Veterans Day parade scheduled for early November. Carter noted the city previously canceled its Memorial Day and Fourth of July celebrations and the Thanks-Living potluck dinner at City Pier Park is not taking place this year.

Carter said she was concerned about the impact a large gathering might have on the city’s elderly residents.

Commissioner Jon Crane said, “This par-

I have big concerns about the timing of the event, given we’re still not through the COVID issue at this point in time.”

Mark Short, Anna Maria Commissioner

ticular chamber is one of best I’ve seen, but I’m very conservative about crowds. I’m really concerned about that. I’d love you guys to do well, but I don’t want my constituents to get sick.”

Muscatello asked if postponing Bayfest until early 2021 might provide the chamber with a more successful event in terms of fundraising. He was told Bayfest would be the third AMI Chamber fundraiser to be canceled this year, preceded by a food truck festival and a golf tournament. It was noted these three events account for a significant portion of the chamber’s event-oriented

fundraising efforts.

“It’s a great event. The chamber is invaluable to the Island, but like Commissioner Crane, I do share the same concerns of having potentially several thousand people walking the streets of the city,” Short said.

Short noted mandatory masks and maintaining 6 feet of social distancing can be difficult to enforce at large gatherings and it would only take one carful of people coming into the festival without masks to create a chaotic situation.

“I have big concerns about the timing of the event, given we’re still not through the COVID issue at this point in time,” Short said.

Muscatello said he was sorry to make the motion to delay approval of the special event permit. He said he hopes the city will do all it can to help ensure that Bayfest is a success if held early next year. The commission voted 5-0 to delay the special event permit issuance.

Kilpatrick and Pizzo said they understood the commission’s concerns, appreciated the city’s support and want to continue the successful partnership that exists between the chamber and the city.

Last year’s Bayfest was held at The Center of Anna Maria Island due to inclement weather.

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

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HUNTERS POINT: Plans increase home size dozen hotel units for sustainably-minded travelers.”

The site plan rendering Gobuty provided with the press release indicates 99 numbered lots, a small office building and no hotel.

When asked about the press release and site plan referencing 99 homes, Gobuty said the press release is already outdated due to the ongoing discussions with FDOT. He reiterated that his primary focus is to build and sell 86 single-family homes.

FROM PAGE 1

When the project was presented to county commissioners, architect Beth McDougal said the two-bedroom “Florida Cracker” style cottages would provide approximately 494 square feet of air-conditioned space.

The original project renderings showed “coastal cottages” with a single living level and wrap-around and rooftop decks. The renderings now posted at the Hunters Point website illustrate homes that feature two elevated living levels above ground level garage and storage areas.

In February 2019, The Sun toured the single-level Hunters Point model home constructed inside a warehouse in Palmetto, minus the ground level garage and storage area. The two-bedroom model home did not feature a second living level and the rooftop served as a large open-air deck that also provided space for solar panels.

When discussing the ongoing design modifications, Gobuty said, “We’re trying to make them a little bit bigger. People want another bedroom. We’re trying to get a third bedroom.”

The design revisions will also create more air-conditioned space.

“The presentation we did for the county shows a total living space of 3,302 square feet. That was based on the deck and the house itself. We’re still looking at overall living space of around 2,300-2,400 square feet, but the under-air space is probably going to run 800 to 1,500 square feet,” Gobuty said, noting homeowners will have the option to enclose their lanais to provide additional air-conditioned space.

Gobuty said each Hunters Point home will come equipped with solar panels and solar batteries as originally proposed. The intent is for each home to generate more electricity than it uses, thus achieving the net zero energy use standard.

Gobuty envisions people moving into their new homes in early 2022.

PROPERTY OWNERSHIP

PEARL HOMES | SUBMITTED

The proposed three-story Hunters Point Resort & Marina homes no longer resemble this 2017 model of a coastal cottage.

Gobuty said the design modifications do not require additional county commission approval.

“That’s what’s approved, that’s what’s entitled, that’s not changing. I’m entitled for 148 units. We’re going to build 86 homes.

That’s almost 50% less than our approved density. We said we’d build net-zero, LEEDcertified homes and that’s what we’re building,” Gobuty said.

When contacted Monday, Manatee County Building and Development Services Director John Barnott confirmed Gobuty’s statement regarding additional county commission approval.

“We would review that in the final site plan. He still has to meet the setback requirements, but if the density’s not changing, it’s OK. The board approved x-number of units and that’s what we’ll hold him to,” Barnott said, noting the final site plan review will be conducted by county staff.

Gobuty said the proposed location for a hotel at the southwest corner of the property is no longer available because the Florida Department of Transportation

(FDOT) plans to use that area for stormwater retention as part of its future Cortez Bridge replacement project.

“FDOT came to us and said we can’t build there, so we are focused on the 86 single-family homes. We are entitled for 62 hotel rooms and maybe we’ll make 20,” Gobuty said.

Gobuty said the development could include some retail/commercial space as an alternative to hotel rooms, but the space lost to the bridge project prevents the inclusion of both.

SALES TEAM ANNOUNCED

According to a press release dated Aug. 11, Pearl Homes has named Compass Development Marketing Group as the exclusive real estate agent for Hunters Point.

Issued by Compass, the press release mentions a “148-unit coastal lifestyle community soon to be constructed in Cortez overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.”

According to the press release, “The resort community and marina will consist of 99 homes for sale as well offer several

While operating as Florida Land Enterprises in early 2016, Gobuty and Bradenton resident Eric Grimes purchased the property formerly known as Hunters Hill from Swedish businessman Peter Thurell for $10 million.

Thurell bought the property from Frank Cipriani in 2002 and planned to build 36 two-story, single-family fishing village-style cottages and six townhouses atop 7,000 square feet of retail space.

According to the Certificate of Amendment to Operating Agreement dated June 8, 2016, Gobuty and Grimes were each listed as having 44% interest in Florida Land Enterprises at that time, with Pete Hoyt having 5%, Dennis LaSota having 5.5% and Bradford Meek having a 1.5% interest in the LLC. In November 2016, Florida Land Enterprises changed its name to Cortez Road Investments and Finance, with Gobuty listed as president.

According to Gobuty, Grimes is no longer part of the Hunters Point project.

“We parted ways before the project was presented to the county commission. Pete, Brad and Dennis are still involved,” Gobuty said.

Grimes did not respond to The Sun’s request for comment.

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12

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Vivian Wahlman celebrates 100 years

SUNDAY WORSHIP 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM

In the SANCTUARY and ONLINE Go to www.RoserChurch.com Click WORSHIP-SIGNUP , WATCH LIVE or WATCH LATER Text ROSER to 22828 to receive the weekly eBulletin.

The CHAPEL is open during office hours for prayer & meditation.

Vivian Wahlman celebrated her 100th birthday on Aug. 25 with close friends and family at Bella Mia Italian Restaurant in Bradenton. Her neighbors also organized a drive-by parade to wish her a happy birthday. Wahlman said she was happy to be able to celebrate with friends, neighbors, her cousin, Dorothy Eder, and members of the Caring Friends Cancer Support Group.

941-778-0414 • info@RoserChurch.com • LIKE us on Facebook @RoserChurch

SUBMITTED | NANCY AMBROSE

CINDY LANE | SUN

Beach building Wave action from Hurricane Laura far offshore in the Gulf of Mexico last week may have stolen some sand from Bradenton Beach, but the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is replacing that sand in its ongoing $17.3 million beach renourishment project, scheduled to end at Longboat Pass in October or November. The new beach is complete from 78th Street in Holmes Beach to just south of the Bradenton Beach city limits, and is continuing south.

Hurricane Supplies for Pets

SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

Make sure you and your pet are prepared for

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

THE SUN

13

WMFR hosts first budget hearing WMFR commissioners held the first hearing for the proposed 2020-21 fiscal year budget on Aug. 25.

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

BRADENTON – The budget for West Manatee Fire Rescue’s 202021 fiscal year is one step closer to approval.

Commissioners held a first public hearing for the new budget during an Aug. 25 meeting held via Zoom.

No members of the public offered comment on the budget, though they’ll have a second chance when commissioners hold a final budget hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Chief Ben Rigney said that the budget process began in January with a mid-year update and budget conference for commissioners in late April. Commissioners

opted to go with a 2.6% increase, well below the allowable 5.46% increase limit. The amount the district can raise rates is based on a rolling five-year personal income growth number used to estimate increases in taxpayer income.

WMFR collects fees from property owners in the district using a nonad valorem assessment rate which is tied to the size of a property, not its value. A base rate is assessed and then an additional rate per square foot over 1,000 square feet, with different rates for residential and commercial properties.

The 2.6% increase is the breakeven point for the district. Rigney said that he estimates $7,519,795 will be brought in from assessments. At the end of the 2020-21 fiscal year, Rigney said he estimates that about $500,000 will be left in the district’s unassigned fund after planned expenditures, including the construction of new administrative offices.

Few changes were made to the budget from the preliminary budget presented in the spring, he said. Some of the changes include a $20,000 increase in personnel services due to increases in worker’s compensation insurance.

Due to more firefighters electing to pursue additional training, Rigney said about $2,000 was added to the training budget. With the prospective construction of a new administration building, $25,000 also was added to the special services budget for contract services.

Including planned capital expenses, the district’s total operating expenses are planned to end the year at $9,410,362, including the spending of $180,000 in impact fees and $1,451,000 in saved unassigned funds to help build the new administrative offices.

The 2020-21 fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

To join the Sept. 8 budget hearing, visit www.wmfr.org for instructions.

CINDY LANE | SUN

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Hurricane Laura missed Anna Maria Island, but local roads often are inundated after prolonged heavy rains, which slowed traffic on a recent afternoon.

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

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THE SUN

OUTDOORS

SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

Fishing at o-dark-thirty Reel Time RUSTY CHINNIS

T

he clear, pale green halo of light stood out in stark relief, surrounded by inky dark water at the end of the boat basin. The properties and docks that encircled the water, normally bustling with activity, were eerily quiet in the pre-dawn darkness.

Captain Rick Grassett cut his outboard 100 yards away and used the electric trolling motor to ease us into position so we could peer into the netherworld below. Turning off the electric motor, we drifted into casting distance and quietly lowered the anchor.

As we stripped line from our fly reels and prepared to cast, an ethereal world appeared. Schools of small baitfish and mullet darted into and out of the shadows and the dark shapes of snook and tarpon prowled the edges of the light.

On his first cast, a 30-pound tarpon tracked Grassett’s fly from the edges of the light, turning off only a few feet from the boat’s transom. On the next cast,

a snook pounced on the fly just as it landed near the circle of light. The snook put on a characteristic aerial display with multiple jumps and a few spirited runs before it was landed, revived and released. The action put the other fish down and when we would have normally backed off and let them return, we decided to head to a local pass for the change of tide before dawn.

Grassett was one of the first anglers to popularize night snook fishing in the Sarasota/Venice area, and for more than three decades, he has divined the secrets of nocturnal gamefish.

These highly-sought-after species congregate around lights on the Intracoastal Waterway and in the local passes. The lights are a magnet to small baitfish, shrimp and crabs, and snook, tarpon, redfish and other predators target them there. Grassett has learned the best time to target fish at night is during a moving tide. Through trial and error, he has found that these predators prefer certain dock and bridge lights during a falling tide and others during a rising tide. He has also learned the important relationship between lights and nearby structure, ledges and grass flats.

After a short run to a nearby pass, we pulled close to a lighted dock and once again got into position to

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

Baby tarpon are a favorite target of local anglers because of their acrobatics. cast. The tide was just starting to come in and I wondered if the move might have been a mistake. There were a few fish in the lights and one occasionally came to the surface to chase a shrimp, but the action was slow and the fish deep in the water column. In SEE REEL TIME, PAGE 17

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

THE SUN

17

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the next few minutes, the whole scene morphed completely as the tide picked up steam and snook piled into the lights, crashing prey at the surface. In the next 45 minutes we landed and released more than a dozen snook before the action started to slow.

We left the fish biting as the horizon started to lighten because we wanted to check a couple of other areas for tarpon before the summer sun chased us off the water. The air was cool as we headed towards Longboat Key and as a bonus, we were treated to a fiery sunrise over the Sarasota skyline. When we arrived at our first stop, we immediately saw a large tarpon roll in the basin we intended to fish. Moments later other small fish rose to the surface. I was fishing a sink tip line with a small white baitfish fly while Grasset used a DOA Terrorize on 8-pound spinning tackle. A few minutes later Grassett was hooked up to a tarpon we estimated at 25 pounds. The fish put on a hard 15-minute fight with several jumps before we landed and released it. Once again, we left fish to scout one more spot across the bay. The tarpon were thick in a basin there too but weren’t in a feeding mood so we headed back to the ramp before the sun rose above clouds on the horizon. The only time we broke a sweat was as we loaded the boat on the trailer, but the promise of air conditioning and the action we experienced that morning made it all worthwhile.

If you can forgo a few hours of sleep in the predawn hours during our “Dog Days” of summer, you can experience some epic action. The combination of cool temperatures, with peace, quiet and action makes it one of my favorite times to fish. Grassett can show you the ropes, a good way to be introduced to this nocturnal world. He can be reached at 941-350-9790. Check out his web site at www.snookfin-addict.com.

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THE SUN

T

REAL ESTATE

SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

Real estate sales reaching lofty heights

he above-the-fold headline in a national newspaper a couple of weeks ago said this: “Home sales reach lofty heights.” My real estate heart started fluttering even before I read the first sentence, and by the time I was done, I was swooning.

As it turned out, my flutter was welldeserved and somewhat understated.

According to the National Associations of Realtors, existing home sales rose 24.7% in July from a month before; just to be clear, that’s one month. The annual increase in sales from July of last year increased 8.7%.

The last time sales activity was this high was in December of 2006.

These are spectacular numbers nationally, leading Lawrence Yun, the National Association of Realtor’s (NAR) chief economist, to say, “the housing market is actually past the recovery phase and is now in a booming stage.” A strong housing market is always a positive sign for the economy; home purchases lead to increased spending across the board on furniture, appliances,

Castles in the Sand LOUISE BOLGER renovations and landscaping.

How is all this possible? We’re still in the middle of a pandemic. Millions of people are out of work, it’s summer and it’s an active hurricane season. The answer in part appears to be that Americans are totally rethinking where and how they live and they are not wasting any time looking for a change in lifestyle. According to a survey by realtor.com, about 40% of home buyers are looking to buy soon and are not waiting for the virus to slow down.

Everyone wants a reboot after being stuck at home for five months watching the walls closing in. Condominium owners want single-family homes and single-family homeowners want larger and more spread

G ALLETTO T EAM SAFE LABOR DAY TO ALL

out property. City dwellers want the suburbs or country living and everyone wants to change the negative features in their homes that they may have just noticed.

This activity is not only affecting the resale market but the new home market, which represents about 10% of the real estate market, is also roaring back.

And speaking of spectacular, Manatee County’s sales numbers for July are right up there with the national numbers.

There was a 26.7% increase in the sale of single-family homes from July of last year to this year. The median (half above, half below) price of single-family homes was $358,963, a 10.5% increase from last year. It should be noted that the national median home price for July was $304,100 - a record high.

The single-family average sale price was $476,011, an increase of 21.7%, with a median time to contract of only 37 days. Pending inventory was up 25.7%, and we’re still suffering from a serious lack of inventory down to only 2.3 months available properties.

CALL GALLETTO TEAM 1ST TO SELL OR BUY ANNA MARIA ISLAND Top 1% of Realtors since 1998

Condos closed 16.5% more units in July over last year and the median sales price was $220,000, up 15.2%. The average condo sale price was $270,527 up 24.9% from last year and the median time to contract was 64 days. Pending inventory is up 42% and the month’s supply of available properties is 3.6%.

Another interesting turn is that nationally, first-time buyers accounted for 34% of sales in July per the NAR. Many of these first-time buyers are millennials who are being motivated by the virus to get off the sidelines, start families and adjust their lifestyles. This is a surprise to me but it’s true, a lot of young people are working remotely, still getting paid and for some reason don’t want to let the virus dictate their future.

Good for them.

Well, now that my heart’s rhythm is back to normal, I can stop worrying about the real estate market for a while and concentrate on COVID and hurricanes; there is always something. Stay safe.

6101 MARINA DRIVE, HOLMES BEACH

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

THE SUN

19

Bradenton City Council joins horse debate Bradenton City Council members are looking into the possible regulation of horseback riding businesses along the Palma Sola Causeway.

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

BRADENTON – The horseback riding operations along the Palma Sola Causeway on Manatee Avenue West are again under scrutiny, this time by Bradenton City Council members.

During an Aug. 19 emergency meeting, council members voted unanimously to have City Attorney Scott Rudacille look into what the city can do to help mitigate issues caused by the riding operations.

Issues discussed include the damage to seagrass, which could potentially lead to erosion and cause damage to the roadway, pollution from animal excrement and safety hazards from having so many horses on the side of the road in an area where families come to relax on the beach.

The same issues were discussed the week before in a Palma Sola Scenic Highway Corridor Management Entity meeting when two Palma Sola Bay residents,

Robert Lombardo and Clif Gaus spoke.

The two also appeared at the Bradenton City Council meeting.

The Sarasota County Water Atlas lists both the north and south sides of Palma Sola Bay as impaired according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s impaired waters rule. Impairments listed include fecal coliform and other bacteria. The latest water tests were done in late December 2019. Seagrass coverage for the area is listed as regressing from continuous to patchy in the north side area where the horses are ridden.

The issue of the horses was brought up in late 2019 before Manatee County commissioners who decided not to pursue regulation. Under Manatee County law, the horses also are labeled as a form of transportation, allowing them to be ridden on the causeway. Though the business is conducted in FDOT’s right of way, the city of Bradenton is charged with enforcement in the area.

While the horses aren’t a new fixture on the north side of the causeway, recent barriers to the practice in Pinellas County have led to more companies moving their riding businesses to the causeway. During the Palma Sola CME meeting, one member stated that 10 companies now adver-

tise horseback riding on the causeway.

Maps from the Florida Department of Transportation show that the department lays claim to the right of way stretching 75 feet from the center of the roadway. A 2012 letter from Lance Grace with FDOT in response to concerns about the riding businesses states that while the department’s concern is for the “safety of the traveling public,” it allows for use of the right of way on the causeway for public recreation purposes and cannot block one recreation use while allowing others to continue. The letter suggests pursuing the issue with local governmental agencies and the Manatee County Department of Health, which monitors water quality in Palma Sola Bay. While some of the riding operators who have spoken to The Sun are not opposed to some type of regulation over the businesses using the causeway, they don’t want to see riding banned as it was in Pinellas County.

VIEW FROM THE SADDLE

Carmen Herrmann Hanson of C Ponies, one of the companies offering horseback rides along the causeway, said that she feels the uptick in the number of horses on the roadside

beaches is due partially to the COVID-19 pandemic. With people trying to find safe, outdoor activities, she said she feels more people are coming out to play on the causeway, from riding Jet Skis to riding horses or just relaxing on the sand.

As for her business, she said her employees know where the seagrass is and they stick to the harder, sandy areas where it’s not so soft that it could cause the horses to stumble. She suggested that the city or FDOT put signs in the area to specify that horses or small watercraft are not allowed to launch where the seagrass is, noting that the watercraft used on the south side of the causeway at low tide cause serious damage to seagrasses.

Hanson said she’s not opposed to some type of regulation for the riding businesses and even suggested that the horse operators and other companies doing business on the causeway contribute to a seagrass mitigation fund to help repair some of the damage to the area’s seagrass, though she added that the suggestion didn’t go anywhere with area leaders.

20

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THE SUN

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, lanterns 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 wish 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).

Source: Florida Department of Heath

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

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THE SUN

21

ROGER: Back at home FROM PAGE 1

were found on the beach on Friday, Aug. 21 and confiscated by a Manatee County Sheriff’s deputy. Holmes Beach police officers took possession of the grisly finds as they continued the investigation into the crime.

Patall had almost given up hope that the rest of Roger and her husband’s tuxedo jacket would be found when Omar Padro reached out on Facebook, posting a photo of the mannequin’s arms, legs, sunglasses and tuxedo jacket, all of which he found the following Tuesday, dumped unceremoniously at a beach access in Holmes Beach.

Padro’s post made it to Patall’s friend, Melissa Rash, who helped him get Roger’s limbs and clothing back home to his owner.

Padro declined to be interviewed by The Sun but said he was glad to have been able to help bring Roger and his tuxedo home to Patall. “Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined the overwhelming response from locals and tourists alike,� said Rash, who spearheaded the social media call to arms seeking information about Roger. “Our community is absolutely amazing and so supportive of our residents. Residents were scouring beach ends and digging through trash cans trying to locate Roger and the missing tuxedo.�

HBPD Chief Bill Tokajer cleaned up

SUBMITTED | MAGGIE PATALL

Roger the mannequin is back in one piece on his second-floor balcony after being kidnapped and dismembered.

Roger’s torso and head and returned them to Patall, enabling her to put Roger back together again. She reported that Roger was relaxing in his favorite chair on her second-floor balcony overlooking Gulf Drive by Tuesday afternoon. “We are very happy to be able to return Roger to his rightful place in Holmes Beach,� Tokajer said, adding that Patall was “ecstatic� to get both the mannequin and the tuxedo back. “We’re glad to have him back with Maggie where he belongs.�

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THE SUN

BEACH BEAT BRADENTON BEACH

7/24, disturbance, Cortez Beach, 1300 Gulf Drive S. A male and female were arguing in the water and the male got physical and held her head under the water.

Police arrested the man.

HOLMES BEACH

9/19, larceny, theft, 200 block of 68th Street. A white male entered the victim’s backyard and stole his garden hose. The incident was recorded on a “Ring” camera.

8/19, driving with a suspended license, 5300 Gulf Drive. The license plate reader alerted the officer, who stopped the driver and gave him a notice to appear.

8/20, driving with no license, 4000 Gulf Drive. The officer made a random computer check on the plate and initiated a traffic stop. The driver gave the officer a Mexican I.D. He got a notice to appear.

8/20, theft of a vehicle, 528 75th St. A thief took a GPS and other items from an unlocked pickup truck.

8/20, warrant arrest, 3900 Gulf Drive. The license plate reader alerted the officer to a vehicle owner who had a warrant for his arrest out of Sumter County. The officer stopped and arrested him.

8/21, driving with a suspended license and warrant arrest, 700 Manatee Ave. The officer stopped a driver for a defective light. A computer check showed the driver’s license was suspended and his female passenger had a warrant for her arrest.

www.amisun.com

SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

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THE SUN

23

Privateers set sail with new board members The Anna Maria Island Privateers have named their new officers for the 2020-21 Privateer year.

Kim “Syren” Boyd will serve as president with Travis “Sidekick” Sparkman serving as vice president. Melissa “Dona Bella” Gunther will serve as secretary and Mary “Xena” Lehrman will serve as treasurer. Jamie “1-Eye” Van Deusen will serve as captain and Tim “Hammer” Thompson will serve as liaison officer, with Mary Ann “MAZ” Zyla serving as past president.

“Be it known to one and all, as the Anna Maria Island Privateers begin to set sail into their 50th year on Anna Maria Island, a new board of directors has been

AMI PRIVATEERS | SUBMITTED

Travis Sparkman, Melissa Gunther, Mary Lehrman, Kim Boyd, Jamie Van Deusen, Mary Ann Zyla and Tim Thompson are now guiding the Privateers. elected to once again steer the Skullywag on the waters of Manatee County within the Kingdom of Anna Maria to promote our mis-

sion statement of “Pirates for Kids and Community,” according to the Privateers’ press release.

24

THE SUN

SPORTS

SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

Soccer playoffs begin at The Center The league’s goalkeepers were kept very busy in the eight games that they played in The Center’s summer league. Moss topped the charts with 63 saves. Steve Oelfke had 62 stops with Mark Long in third getting in the way of 57 shots.

The playoff season starts Thursday, Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. with Solid Rock Construction going head-tohead against Vintage Beach. The second playoff game has Moss Builders versus Ross Built Construction on The Center’s pitch.

Top-ranked Beach Bums faces former champions Blalock Walters at 8 p.m. The last game of the night puts Sato Real Estate on the field with Signature Granite vying for the last semifinal seat.

BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN

With nine teams in the league, the ninth seed team was destined not to make the playoffs. Last place Gulfview Windows, finishing with a record of 2-4-2, found itself out of contention with a tie against Blalock Walters last Thursday night.

The two goals by both Daniel Adan and Keith Mahoney, along with a single by Raul Loera, just was not enough for the Gulfview team.

Five points were put on the scoreboard by the Blalock offense. Matthew Plummer nailed two shots.

Teammates Austin Nutting and Matthew Staggs had solo goals in the game, contributing to the team’s scoring.

Beach Bums solidified the first place seed with their 7-4 win against Moss Builders. Kevin Roman had the hot foot with five goals in the game for the winning team.

Ryan Moss, Aaron Parkin and Tim Holly were the scorers for Moss Builders in their loss, putting them in the #7 position going into the quarterfinal round of the playoffs.

Leading the pack early in the season, Sato Real Estate ended the regular season in second place.

Their win Thursday pushed them past the other top contenders, Ross Built Construction and Solid Rock Construction.

In another tie ballgame, Ross Built Construction and Signature Granite each snuck three soccer balls past the defending goalie. The late game included goals by Greg and Jake

SUN SCOREBOARD Thursday, Aug. 27 Adult Co-Ed Soccer #7 Moss Builders (3-4-1) 4 #1 Beach Bums (5-3) 7 #2 Sato Real Estate (5-3) 5 #4 Solid Rock Construction (4-4) 4 THE CENTER | SUBMITTED

Like old times, PJ Smargisso takes the soccer field at The Center for some community center adult league fun.

#9Gulfview Windows (2-4-2) 5 #8 Blalock Walters (2-3-3) 5

Ross, as well as Garrett Furman for Ross Built Construction.

Zack Lieb and Kris Yavalar scored the three points for Signature Granite.

The top scorers of the league finishing the regular season are Chris Scott and Daniel Adan with 17

#3 Ross Built Construction (4-3-1) 3 #6 Signature Granite (3-4-1) 3

goals each. Roman finished a close second. scoring 16 goals in the nine weeks of friendly competition.

Joey Hutchison’s statistics note eight assists in the season to top the charts. Hutchison is followed by Amy Ivin, Parkin, Scott and Danny Anderson with seven assists each.

#5 Vintage Beach (3-3-2) bye week

SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

FUN IN THE SUN

Across 1 Mexican bar tender 5 Final notice?

9 Queen Amidala's home planet 14 Petri dish gelatin 15 Small parasite 16 Enmity 17 Run-of-the-mill deity?

19 Many converted apartments 20 Muse of comedy 21 Billionaire financier George 22 Tedious routine 23 Officer who helps keep public statues clean?

27 Feel poorly 28 Sprain application 30 Taking after 31 1984 mermaid romcom 33 Reggie Jackson's alma mater, briefly 34 Auto pioneer

Answers to 08-26-20 Crossword Puzzle.

35 Junior faculty member?

38 Tummy trouble 41 Gear with a bill 42 Got around 46 Head of Britain?

47 Cohort 49 Santana's "__ Como Va" 50 One who campaigns on traffic congestion issues?

52 Party hearty 54 Sussex set 55 Fraternal meeting places 57 Hearing-related 58 Mechanical bull rider?

61 "24K Magic" singer Mars 62 Double Delight cookie 63 Peel 64 Small change 65 Coiffure site 66 Genealogy chart

Down 1 Lobbying gp.

2 Voyage taken alone?

3 Quaint euphemism for "hell" 4 "The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom" author 5 Luxury hotel chain 6 Galoot 7 Olympic skater Midori 8 British poet Hughes who was married to Sylvia Plath 9 Like some basketball passes 10 Festoon 11 Two-part lens 12 Peddled faster than 13 Meditation sounds 18 Somewhat passĂŠ 21 Tied down 22 Beetle juice?

24 High-end tablet 25 [She actually said that?!]

26 Faux __ 29 Coffee-flavoring root 32 Top player 34 Birds-feather connection 36 Tanning device 37 Engage in to excess 38 Priestly garb 39 Fashionista's field 40 It may be inside the park 43 Chocolate-coated ice cream treat 44 Urban renewal target 45 Part of a PC reboot

sequence 47 Cumbersome instruments 48 Utterly wrong 51 Undercover agent 53 "Death on the Nile"

THE SUN

setting 56 Easy-to-carry instrument 57 "The Good Doctor" network 58 Camp bed

25

59 Resource in The Settlers of Catan board game 60 Spot to drive from

26

THE SUN

CLASSIFIED

ANNOUNCEMENTS

EMPLOYMENT

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

GUARDIAN SECURITY AGENCY of Florida Local FT/PT positions Competitive pay and benefits.

Requires reliable transportation and smart phone 727-873-7400 gsa-fla.com/ apply

ROSER FOOD BANK needs donations of cash and non-perishable food, PAPER & PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS. Donations boxes are located at the Church, Moose Club, and Walgreen’s.

BOATS BOATS ARE SELLING Very Well, Up 300%. No Listing Agreements. No Time Constraints, Just Easy, 20 years, Excellent Reputation, Hundreds of Boats Sold. Islandboatsales.net 941228-3489

CARPET CLEANING QUALITY COUNTS. CARPET cleaning. Upholstery cleaning. Tile & grout cleaning. Island's favorite cleaner. Manatee Chamber Member. Great price/free estimates. Call 941-7561082

CLEANING SERVICE THC CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Rentals, VRBO. Professional and Reliable. Call 941-756-4570

COMMERCIAL SALES, RENT & LEASE 13 UNIT RESORT: $3,999,900 Bradenton Beach on Gulf Dr. WAREHOUSE: 9300 sq ft possible Machine Shop w/ Heavy Duty Elect. Or Car Storage. So many Possibilities. Near SRQ Airport. $595,000. Island Real Estate call Alan 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

Call us today! 941-778-3986

JESSIE’S ISLAND STORE has immediate openings for full and part time cashiers for both day and night shifts. 2 to 3 shifts per week apply in person at 5424 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach or call 941778-6903 HOTEL ON ANNA MARIA seeking Housekeeper Full time, Part time. Must have two years experience. We drug test.

Must speak English. If no Answer, leave message.

813-735-4373.

THE AWARD-WINNING ANNA MARIA ISLAND SUN, a weekly newspaper on Florida’s Gulf Coast, (https://amisun. com; www.facebook. com/AnnaMariaIslandSun), is looking for a freelance reporter/ photographer to cover events on this tourismdriven island. The ideal candidate will have reporting and photography experience at a community newspaper and have some experience writing for a news website. Local residents or those with previous local knowledge and willing to relocate here a plus. Resumes and cover letters may be emailed to news@amisun.com or

by U.S. Postal Service to The Anna Maria Island Sun, P.O Box 1189, Anna Maria, FL 34216, attention: Mike Field, publisher.

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

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

KERN CONSTRUCTION NEW Homes & Remodel.

Design/Build. Since 1968.

License # CRC1327296.

Call Jerry Kern 941-7781115 www.kernconstructioninc.com GET’R DONE DRYWALL, INC Specializing in Remodels & Repairs. Island Resident for 18 years. Call Neil Cell 941-962-1194 JSAN CORPORATION Renovations Construction & Handyman Services 941-243-0995 Lic# CRC1332505 jsancorporation@gmail. com Flooring, Drywall, Painting, Repairs, Kitchen and Bathrooms, Trim & Doors.

Free Estimates. Credit Cards Accepted.

ISLE TILE EXPERT INSTALLATION of floors, custom showers, backsplash, deck/lanai.

Licensed and insured.

References available.

Call Chris at 941-3028759 please visit website: isletileservices.com COASTAL INTERIORS Trim, paint, repairs and more 27yrs experience Local 786-318-8585

HOME SERVICES THE HARDWOOD STOP Flooring installation services; Laminate, hardwood, vinyl and tile. Bathroom and shower. Virtually dustless FLOOR REMOVAL License and insured FREE ESTIMATES 941-227-0041 www.thehardwoodstop. com

LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

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

Call Rafael 941-778-4823 or Veronik 941-526-7941

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

Neil 941-726-3077

STRAIGHT SHOT LANDSCAPE. Specializing in Old Florida Seashell driveways and scapes. Also Rock, Mulch, & Soil. Free estimates. Call Shark Mark 941-301-6067

SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

LOST & FOUND FOUND ON BEACH North end Anna Maria. Women’s prescription sunglasses Call 813-545-8884

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

PAINTING & WALLCOVERING PAINT! PAINT! AND MORE 28 years of experienced interior/exterior custom painting. Pressure cleaning, drywall repairs and texture finishes. Many Island references. Please call Neil for free estimates.

941-812-0507 “WIZARD OF WALLS” Established 1980 Prompt quality service.

Paperhanging/removal Faux finishes. Interior painting. Mary Bell Winegarden 941-794-0455 PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reliable. Island Resident.

Quality Workmanship.

Interior/Exterior. Also minor repairs & carpentry. Free written detailed estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315 CUSTOM PAINTING, Residential-Commercial, Interior/Exterior Professional quality work for over 40 years. Free estimates.

Call Larry at 941-400-8754.

References available.

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

POOL SERVICES FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE AND CHEMICAL SERVICES. Certified Pool Operator. 10 + Years Experience.

Residential/commercial. Chemical Service Licensed & Insured. Call Dennis Clark 941-7375657

AMISUN.COM

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

PRESSURE WASHING & WINDOWS AUTHORITY ONE CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Construction, Vacation, VRBO Rentals . Also available Pressure Washing, Roof Cleaning, Paver Sealing and Windows. Call 941565-3931.

REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE CANAL FRONT HOMES Holmes Beach – GULF FRONT CONDOS Gulf Place, L’Plage, Vista Grande, SPW, 5400 – DUPLEXES & MORE Island Real Estate ASK Alan Galletto 941232-2216 IMMACULATE WATERFRONT HOME 520 Kumquat Dr. 4BD/5BA 3928sf Coastal Beauty! Prime location on AMI. $2,750,000 Call Charles Buky Coldwell Banker 941-228-6086 LOOKING FOR A highly motivated real estate broker to buy or sell your next home? Darcie Duncan, Broker Duncan Real Estate a lifelong island resident bringing success to her customers for 30 years. Proven track record brings you results! 941-725-1589 509 PINE AVE ,ANNA MARIA. $1,690,000. 2 Cottage homes w/pool. Zoned nightly rentals/Retail/Commercial. Furnished w/rentals in place. Virtual Tour Avaliable. Christine Kourik Re/max 941-538-7414

SPECTACULAR GULF VIEWS!!! . A must see to appreciate the renovations and furnishings in this 2BR/2BA Anna Maria Island Club unit.

Karen Fineout. Wagner Realty. $875K. 941-5183682.

HOUSE FLIPPERS DREAM! Beautiful lakefront treed lot with house in Holmes Beach. One block to beach. $650,000. For details contact amiturtles@earthlink. net PERICIO ISLAND 2BR/2BA Full water views sunroom, 2 car garage, vaulted ceiling, updated bathrooms and kitchen, hardwood floors, tile floors. $379,900.

Immaculate condition. Sharon Hightower 941-3305054 sharonsellsbeaches@ yahoo.com RE/MAX Alliance Group GULF FRONT CONDO 2BR/2BA furnished, Completely updated new a/c, one car garage, water views from Master bedroom, kitchen, dining, living, sunroom. $649,900, Sharon Hightower RE/MAX Alliance Group 941-3305054. sharonsellsbeaches@yahoo.com

FREE

HOME DELIVERY

RUNAWAY BAY CONDOBradenton Beach $335,000 water view 2BR/2BA furnished. Virtual Walk thru Tour Available. Christine Kourik Re/Max 941-5387414 TURN KEY FURNISHED VRBO River District Bradenton. Estately Gardens Vacasa. $769,000 Call Brenda Boyd May. Broker owner Boyd Realty. 941-730-8589

Call for Details

778-3986

www.amisun.com

SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY COMPUTER SERVICE

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

THE SUN

Call today to place your ad: 941-778-3986 HOME SITTING / PET SITTING

PAINTING

TRANSPORTATION

RENTALS: ANNUAL ANNUAL RENTAL AT VILLAGE GREEN: Oversized villa with two-car garage, 2BR/2BA, unfurnished, nice updates throughout, Over 55, no pets/ smokers, First, last plus security, $1,795 monthly.

Available Nov. 1. Call Paige Rogers Duncan Real Estate 513-3821992.

RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION MONTHLY RENTAL 1BR/2BA apartment with pool access. Bottom floor, pool is unheated, no washer/dryer. Steps to beach. No pets. $3800/ mo rent. Cleaning fee plus 12% tax. Available starting January 1, 2021. Call 941778-0426

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

SEASONAL RENTAL in PALMA SOLA. 3BR/2BA weekly or monthly rates.

Contact Barb Grace 941201-2190 ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fl Condos. Pool beach access, fully equipped $700-$850/wk REDEKERCONDOSonAMI.com 941704-7525

ROOMMATE WANTED ROOMMATE WANTED VERY PRIVATE. MUST SEE. CALL 941-685-0045

TRANSPORTATION AMI TAXI metered-on-callcards accepted. Airport: Tampa $95, Sarasota $40, Clearwater $85, Orlando $195. Call 941-447-8372 or 941-447-8376. amitaxi4u@ gmail.com, www.amitaxi. com ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa $70. Sarasota $35. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne.

941-779-5095 AIRPORT RIDES- Tampa, St. Pete, Sarasota. Mask & gloves provided. Reasonable rates! Call or text Anna 941-932-1600

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THE SUN

SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

the Team Duncan Difference!

✔ Local-Area Expertise ✔ Outstanding Customer Service ✔ Experienced Professionals ✔ Proven Performance

310 Pine Avenue Anna Maria, FL 34216

TeamDuncan.com

941.779.0304