The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Page 1

Dune destruction. 3

Ciao Bella! 12

Backseat birth. 22 JULY 19, 2017 FREE

VOLUME 25, NO. 38

The Best News on Anna Maria Island Since 1992 AsTheWorldTerns track turtle time. 6

budget talks

Budget planning begins in island cities. 4

Op-Ed

Opinions. 6

10-20 YEARS AGO

From the archives. 7

Anna Maria begins financial audit of community center. 8

Meetings

On the government calendar. 8

Make plans, save a date. 10 HB: 30-day rental reg means 30 days. 13 Grassroots initiative kicks off in Bradenton Beach. 15

Streetlife. 16

Obituaries. 18 FWC warns Aqua developer to respect nesting terns. 20

www.islander.org

2-year-old drowns at Anna Maria vacation home

By Kathy Prucnell Islander Reporter Neighbors heard the mother scream from blocks away. Emma Thompson, 2, drowned in a pool July 11 at 207 Sycamore Ave., Anna Maria, according to Manatee County Sheriff’s Office reports. Authorities say the child, her mother and two brothers, age 4 and 7, of Apopka, were vacationing for the week at the Anna Maria rental home. The children were watching television while the mother cleaned a bathroom, according to MCSO Sgt. Russ Schnering, who heads the sheriff’s substation at city hall in Anna Maria. After the mother noticed the toddler was missing from the house, the child was found in the backyard pool, according to an MCSO report. According to the 911 call records, the incident was first reported to authorities at 12:56 p.m. The caller told the 911 dispatcher three sheriff’s deputies were on the scene attempting to revive the child, but the child was not responsive. According to neighbors, the mother came to the front of the residence, carrying

Comfort is offered July 11 at the scene of the drowning death of Emma Thompson, 2, at 207 Sycamore Ave., Anna Maria. Islander Photo: Kathy Prucnell

the child and screaming for help. Mike Coleman, a resident of Sycamore Avenue, described the aftermath as “horrifying.” The child had passed through two gates to enter the pool, according to Schnering, who said he saw no locks or alarms on the gates. Schnering described the scene as “total chaos” when he arrived. MCSO units were

State law mandates pool safety measures

Top Notch

Is it the heat or the humidity? 21 Green turtle nests at Coquina. 23 Sails considered for AM park shade. 24 Storms pop up but tides produce a bite. 25

Island Biz. 26 PropertyWatch. 27 Classifieds. 28

Top Notch: Week 1 winner, Riding out the rain

Peter Kazmier of Holmes Beach wins the first week of The Islander’s Top Notch photo contest with his refreshing image of kids at play in Holmes Beach. He took the photo June 4 of Laith Kazmier, 8, along with Laila Kazmier, 6, left, Audrey Bourdo, 7, Hannah Kazmier, 11 and Sofia Bourdo, 10, “enjoying the rainy season.” See more, page 2.

ZAGAT “Top Restaurants in America”

941-778-6444 www.BeachBistro.com

the first to respond, he said. Fire Marshal Jim Davis said West Manatee Fire Rescue also responded. EMS rushed Emma to Blake Medical Center in Bradenton, where attempts to revive her failed, according to Schnering. According to an MCSO report, the drowning appeared accidental. This is the fourth drowning-related death on Anna Maria Island since June 9.

Crafted Cocktails

941-213-9926

www.DoctorsOfficeAMI.com

Statistics relate grave numbers. Florida leads the nation in deaths of children under age 5 due to drowning and a July 11 drowning in Anna Maria adds emphasis to that tragic fact for islanders and the family of the victim who vacationed here from Apopka. The Legislature pointed to the fact in 2000 in enacting the Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act. Under the law, to pass final inspection and receive a certificate of completion, homes with swimming pools must have “at least one” of the following safety features: • A barrier at least 4-feet high isolating the pool, with self-closing gates opening outward. • An approved safety pool cover. • Exit alarms on all doors and windows providing direct access from the home to the pool. PLEASE SEE POOL SAFetY PAGE 2

Florida Trend “Best New” Restaurant

941-778-0411 www.eathereflorida.com


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