The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, May 24, 2017 by The Anna Maria Islander Newspaper

Sailing into safety. 15 VOLUME 25, NO. 30

South from Alaska. 16

AME parties in PJs. 19

Remember those who served on Memorial Day

The Best News on Anna Maria Island Since 1992 AsTheWorldTerns salute fallen heroes. 6 BB parking fines to increase. 3 County lists projects for BP funds. 5

Op-Ed

The Islander editorial, reader letters. 6

10-20 YEARS AGO

Looking back. 7

Meet the crew at HB public works. 8

Meetings

On the government calendar. 8 Make plans, save a date. 10

Happenings

Community announcements. 11 BB extends building moratorium. 12 Focus: King tide photo contest. 14 Staff shakeups continue at center. 17

Gathering. 18 . 19

Cops & Court. 20 Tracking turtles. 22 Taking root. 23 Islander completes Boston Marathon. 24 Tarpon take off. 25 Real estate. 26 Stone crab finale. 27 Classifieds. 28

MAY 24, 2017 FREE

www.islander.org

Cortez Bridge fails — but not falling down

By Kathy Prucnell Islander reporter The florida Department of Transportation is not worried about the May 16 midday malfunction of the Cortez Bridge. for about two hours, the bridge on Cortez road West/State road 684 between Anna Maria Island and Cortez shut down, causing traffic to be rerouted and delayed. Built in 1956 and repaired about two years ago, the Cortez Bridge should last another 10-12 years, according to DoT communications specialist robin Stublen. Bradenton Beach police redirected the island traffic at Cortez Road West and Gulf Drive. With the BBPD station next to the bridge, Detective Sgt. Lenard Diaz sees the bridge close for repairs unexpectedly “twice a year maybe.” Stublen blamed the recent bridge closure on an electrical malfunction in a mechanism PLEASE SEE Bridge PAGE 3

Draw up: Starting at about 1:30 p.m. and continuing for about two hours May 16, motorists were rerouted due to valve and electrical problems with the bascule on the Cortez Bridge. When the bridge failed to close completely, the Florida Department of Transportation dispatched a repair crew to the bridge that crosses the Intracoastal Waterway on Cortez Road/State Road 684. According to David Gywnn, District 1 director of operations, the repair was successful and it “shouldn’t happen again.” The bridge reopened at 3:30 p.m. Islander Photo: Kathy Prucnell

Tree house owners seek rehearing after loss

Couple charged in Bradenton Beach condo fraud

By Kathy Prucnell Islander reporter Voters won’t be weighing in on grandfathering a beachfront tree house in Holmes Beach if the most recent court decision stays its course. The newest city win came in early May, when the 2nd District Court of Appeal let stand a lower court order prohibiting a city ballot question based on the petitions of Lynn Tran and richard Hazen in 2013 under the city charter. The 2nd DCA affirmation of the 12th Circuit Court came without a decision from the justice panel. In response, the owners’ attorney, David Levin, of Icard Merrill, filed a motion May 17 for a full rehearing. The motion seeks a decision from 16 appellate justices of the 2nd DCA. The attorney handling the tree house cases for the city, Jim Dye, of Dye Deitrich Petruff & St. Paul P.L., wrote a May 18 email to Mayor Bob Johnson, saying such motions have “an astonishing low chance of success.”

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Tree house and Angelinos Sea Lodge owner Lynn Tran stands May 19 on the beach in front of the tree house, the subject of controversy in Holmes Beach since 2011. Islander Photo: Kathy Prucnell “The rule governing a rehearing is strict in that it requires that a new issue is present or the court overlooked something the first go-around,” Dye wrote. PLEASE SEE Tree house PAGE 2

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By Kathy Prucnell Islander reporter A former president and treasurer of Gulf reach Condominium Association in Bradenton Beach have been charged with defrauding the Florida not-for-profit corporation of more than $50,000 over a six-year period. The association address is 1303 Gulf Drive S. Alyson Colosia, 51, and Javier Colosia, 53, who also own a condo in the 1300 block of Gulf Drive north, were arrested May 3 A. Colosia and charged with the firstdegree felony. The couple pleaded not guilty May 9 in 12th Circuit Court, posted $20,000 bond and were released that day J. Colosia from the Manatee County jail. Their ability to post bond was delayed by the court to ensure none of it came from a nefarious source. A court investigation into PLEASE SEE fraud PAGE 2

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Most government offices will be closed Monday, May 29, for Memorial Day. Also, the collection of garbage, recycling or yard waste that usually takes place Mondays will be postponed to Tuesday, which will push back collections one day through the week. Manatee County Area Transit will suspend most operations for the day, but the island trolley will operate its daily route, as will the Manatee Avenue Island Express. Parks, preserves and beaches in the area will be open to the public. The Central Library in downtown Bradenton, the only county library normally open Mondays, will close for the holiday.

Memorial Day Salute set

The city of Anna Maria is organizing a Memorial Day Salute at City Pier Park. The brief program, with remarks by Navy Cmdr. Michael J. Riordan, will be at 10 a.m. Monday, May 29, in the park at the corner of Pine Avenue and North Bay Boulevard. For more information, call city hall at 941708-6130. fraud continued from page 1 the bond money showed a parent provided the funds. According to police and court records, the couple made about $134,000 in unauthorized ATM cash withdrawals and other transfers between January 2009 and August 2015. The alleged fraud was revealed by new leadership of the condo association in March 2016. The three-unit association installed a new board Aug. 8, 2015, and its new president, Alan Gary, reported the alleged theft to the Bradenton Beach Police Department in March 2016. Gary said he attempted to obtain the financial

Tree house continued from page 1

Johnson called the newest legal maneuver “one more phase.” The tree house is in a towering Australian pine within the 50-foot setback of the erosion control line, seaward of the builders’ home at 103 29 St., where they operate Angelinos Sea Lodge. Tran and Hazen built the elevated two-story tree house in 2011 without permits. The owners claim former city officials told them permits were not needed. Tran said May 16 she’ll “wait and see” what her attorney recommends, but added she’s “completely lost faith in the whole system.” Tran is considering hiring a contractor for a plan to keep the tree house. She’s also looking at selling her property and taking down the tree house. “I’m considering it all,” Tran said, adding her frustration with new and proposed city ordinances, including rental advertising, occupancy and building rules. “Life wasn’t like this five to seven years ago,” she added. Since an anonymous complaint called the beachfront structure to the city’s attention, the Tran-Hazen tree house matters have wound through city code enforcement, state environmental regulators and the courts. The owners abandoned their Florida Department of Environment Protection case when the city refused to issue a no-objection letter required for state afterthe-fact permits. In July 2013, a city code board fined and ordered the owners to comply with city code or remove the

structure. The decision was upheld by the courts and updated by a special city magistrate, who, in May 2016, assessed the owners a $50 daily fine from July 22, 2015, plus $4,000 in costs. The fine is still accumulating. With the latest 12th Circuit ruling, Judge Don T. Hall — rubberstamping a proposed order from Dye — determined the petitioned-for ballot quesDye tion would ask for a development order, and as such, was outlawed by a 2013 state law. In the order, Hall adopted Dye’s position that the initiative called for a development order because it would ask voters to authorize the construction and maintenance of the tree house. Levin’s position, however, is the ballot question would not rise to the level of a development order because the structure is an accessory use, incidental to the residence. Tran submitted an application to the city in September 2016 for a building permit for an accessory structure, a two-level deck. According to Johnson, a Jan. 18 decision of Holmes Beach building official Jim McGuinness leaves no room for a new plan from Tran and Hazen. In the decision, McGuinness concluded the “structure cannot be permitted as located and constructed” and the “removal of the existing structure will require a demolition permit.”

records from the Colosias, who had controlled the association’s finances since its inception in 2004, but they refused, and the board commissioned an audit. Gary went to police with the audit and annual financial statements prepared by the Colosias. According to the police report, the Colosias failed to pay association dues and pocketed money acquired from renting vacant units without authorization. The couple allegedly skimmed $500 a day from the association bank account for about six weeks.

Transfers from the account also went to a company the couple owned and managed, according to a BBPD report. The state and BBPD spent a year investigating the couple before making their arrests, Gary said. The association has filed a foreclosure against Colosias’ unit for their failure to pay dues. Case management hearings on the fraud cases are set for 8:15 a.m. May 31 at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

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Parking fines to increase in Bradenton Beach

By ChrisAnn Silver Esformes Shearon suggested ordinances that include fines Islander Reporter should be reviewed. Bradenton Beach may not charge for parking, but Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale said increased parking fines will soon go into effect. he is working with representatives from Complus Data During a city commission meeting May 18, Vice Innovations Inc., the new ticketing service, to enter the Mayor John Chappie said the comcity’s citation information and would mission should move forward with a like to ensure accuracy before moving previously discussed increase in parkforward. ing violation fines in the city, from Additionally, he said Com$35 to $50 a citation. plus would charge the city for any Mayor Bill Shearon suggested changes. adding a $5 penalty to the fee if Speciale “I’d like to have it done, have Chappie unpaid after 10 days. it look the way it’s going to look, Parking tickets are $50 in Holmes Beach with bring it to you guys and get it OK’d,” Speciale said a $15 late fee. Anna Maria charges $35 per citation, May 18. “Then, we’re off and running.” which increases to $50 if unpaid within seven business Chappie reminded the commission that they previdays. ously discussed putting the fee change into a resoluChappie said since the 2017-18 budget process tion in order that only one public hearing would be will start soon, they should move forward now with required. any changes. The commission reached consensus for city attorAdditionally, the city will upgrade to electronic ney Ricinda Perry to draft the parking citation fee ticketing equipment this summer, so any ordinance increase as a resolution to be presented at the next The Cortez Bridge linking the village and Bradenton changes should be made before new technology is meeting, which will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 1, at Beach is stuck open. This is a view from the east side implemented. city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N. of the bridge at Tide Tables Restaurant and Marina. Jordan Hinton, a staffer at the restaurant, provided FDOT begins island-key traffic study the photo. The long-awaited traffic study of the barrier islands bicycle/pedestrian facilities and needs, event operais underway and members of the Coalition of Barrier tions and land development codes. Bridge continued from page 1 Island Elected Officials are hoping it will be the final The study will take place in three phases. that raises and lowers the bridge, preventing the bridge word on the issue. The first phase involves reviewing existing studies from locking down. The Florida Department of Transportation’s study on the issue. “This is not unusual,” he said, considering the began May 15, according to an announcement from The second phase involves collecting observaeffect of salt water on the bascules. David Gwynn, director of transportation operations tional data regarding traffic, land use and parking. David Gywnn, DOT District 1 director of opera- in district 1. The final phase involves developing a transportations, said the bridge failure was due to a release valve The study is looking at improving infrastructure tion management plan and recommendations to reduce that lost power and a hydraulic malfunction. and traffic circulation on local barrier islands, as well traffic. Both DOT representatives agreed the most recent as traffic flow to and from the mainland. The DOT will hold six public meetings as it conrepair was successful and the bridge operating without Elements for review include travel patterns on the ducts the study, with schedules to be announced. The problems. islands, trips on and off the islands, destination points, DOT also plans to create a steering committee. “It shouldn’t happen again,” Gywnn said. existing transit service, existing parking facilities, — Bianca Benedí

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AMOB proposes expenses for 2-week closure on BB pier

By ChrisAnn Silver Esformes Islander Reporter AMOB on the city pier in Bradenton Beach is being asked to shutter its operation for two weeks in September while the city replaces the restaurant’s air conditioning system on the Historic Bridge Street Pier, leaving the city to negotiate with AMOB for its costs due to the closure. During a May 18 city commission meeting, AMOB owner John Horne presented the commission with his estimate of costs. Horne said, according to his calculations, the city will need to pay $5,000 in employee compensation, $4,000 in advertising fees and $1,750 for rent abatement and “whatever the override is.” Additionally, he suggested a $3,000-per-day penalty if construction extends beyond the projected twoweek closure period. City attorney Ricinda Perry said the contract with Southern Cross Contracting Inc., which is in negotiation, specifies a $250-per-day penalty, although staff recommended increasing the daily penalty to $500. Horne said there is a difference between the city’s damages and the consequences for AMOB. “You incur no damage by the pier not being complete,” Horne said May 18. “I do by not being open.” The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency approved a $73,536.89 bid in April for engineering and construction to install new air conditioners and a new rooftop deck to support the units at the restaurant on the Historic Bridge Street Pier. The project is located within CRA boundaries, so it was funded through the CRA. However, AMOB leases the facility from the city and the money from AMOB’s Click! The Islander welcomes news of the milestones in readers’ lives — weddings, anniversaries, births, obituaries, travels and other events. Submit notices and photographs with detailed captions — along with complete contact information — to news@islander.org.

lease goes to the city pier account, which currently holds more than $400,000. Horne said May 18 that his main concern is losing staff. He said some employees have earned two-week vacations and he can rotate managers to his other restaurant locations, but he is worried about losing hourly rate employees. “We just want to get as far away from the pier as possible during that time, so the contractor can get in, get their remodel done and get out,” Horne said May 18. Additionally, Horne said he needs an “advertising blitz” to let people know the restaurant will be closed, followed by advertising for a “grand reopening.”

“We need to let people know so they don’t come out here and think, ‘Uh oh, another one has gone away,’” Horne said. Perry said the city pier team — Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale, chairman, building official Steve Gilbert, public works director Tom Woodard and Horne — is supposed to be negotiating with AMOB on the funding agreement that will be presented to the commission. The city commissioners reached consensus that the pier team and Perry will negotiate with AMOB, then bring it back for discussion at their next meeting, which will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 1, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

BB reduces Manatee County boat ramp permit fee

Manatee County and the municipalities encompassed within must sometimes strike a funding balance for projects. At a Bradenton Beach City Commission meeting May 18, the county asked the city to waive the $26,367.86 permitting fee for the reconstruction of the Coquina North Boat Ramp at Coquina Beach, 2652 Gulf Drive, Bradenton Beach. The total project cost is $1.9 million, according to the county. Tom Yarger, manager of the Manatee County Construction Services Division, attended the May 18 city meeting to answer the commissioners’ questions. He said he completed a 10-year plan for the project, including ongoing maintenance, which he will forward to the city commission. Vice Mayor John Chappie said the reconstruction of the boat ramp will benefit public safety and protect the environment. Chappie, a former county commissioner, said he finds the $2,500 permitting fee paid by the county to be sufficient to cover staff fees and he recommended the balance should be waived. Commissioner Jake Spooner and Mayor Bill

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A backhoe clears land for parking May 19 at the Coquina North Boat Ramp in Bradenton Beach. Islander Photo: ChrisAnn Silver Esformes Shearon agreed, saying they appreciate the work being done to the ramp. Chappie motioned to reduce the permit fee to $2,500 and it passed unanimously. — ChrisAnn Silver Esformes

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Bradenton Beach considers WCIND funding request

By ChrisAnn Silver Esformes Islander reporter Bradenton Beach is asking Manatee County to provide funding to regulate the anchorage area adjacent to the Historic Bridge Street Pier. The city is applying for a $50,000 grant from the West Coast Inland navigational District for a lift for the police boat at the Historic Bridge Street Pier and $90,000 for derelict boat removal. At the May 18 city commission meeting, Vice Mayor John Chappie said the matter was to be discussed at a county meeting May 23 and he is concerned the funding would not be approved. The meeting was after The Islander went to press.

He said the county is looking at a deficit. “The WCInD funds are just scarce,” he said. The WCInD is a multi-county taxing district that assists local governments in planning and maintaining projects that promote safe navigation in the Intracoastal Waterway. Chappie said the boat lift is important to safety, as it would more efficiently allow police to regulate behavior on the water. “It’s all connected with public safety of our community, whether it’s a county facility or not,” Chappie said. Chappie said much of the county WCInD funding is allotted to repairing boat ramps, including recon-

structing a boat ramp at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. The work began in May. City attorney ricinda Perry said the accessibility for a police boat provided by the boat lift could reduce the need to remove derelict vessels and suggested the city prioritize the $50,000 for the boat lift, if funding is a concern. Bradenton Beach Mayor Bill Shearon said funding for vessel removal should still be pursued. “We’re trying to increase enforcement out there, but until it’s a totally controlled environment, we’re going to have vessels to remove,” he said. Shearon closed the discussion by saying he would report the county results to the city commission.

County IDs projects for $6.3M in RESTORE Act funding

By ChrisAnn Silver Esformes Islander reporter Some call it BP money. others call it a government windfall. Manatee County is interested in public input on spending funds supporting sustainability and maintaining the ecosystem. The rESTorE Act — resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist opportunities and revived Economics of the Gulf Coast States — is providing $6.3 million as part of BP’s settlement for the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The rESTorE Act was created following the oil spill, which caused environmental and economic damage to five states on the Gulf coast, including florida. Manatee County is eligible to apply for $6,332,370 under the Direct Component fund, which is federally administered by the u.S. Treasury Department. The county has selected five projects from the fund’s 11 eligibility categories. The projects include continued restoration of robinson Preserve, natural resources workforce development, a 15-year coastal

watershed program, renovation of the florida Maritime Museum in Cortez and support for the Gulf Shellfish Institute. “Some of these projects will take one year, while others will extend 15 years and be implemented in phases,” said nan Summers, grants coordinator for the Manatee County Parks and natural resources Division. Summers said the budget has not been allotted yet and these projects are the first phase of the plan. “First, we want to make sure it’s clear to the public what the projects are aiming to do for our area,” Summers said. “We are really looking for public feedback.” The county has posted a series of videos detailing the projects on its website. Summers said the goal is for people to watch the videos and give input through the website into how projects fit the category criteria. The public input period will end June 21, at which point the Manatee County Board of Commissioners will vote on the plan. If approved, the plan will go to the u.S. Treasury Department for consideration. To review the plan, go online to mymanatee.org/ restore.

A young brown pelican seems lackadaisical about fishing as it sits on a wall at the Kingfish Boat Ramp May 14 in Holmes Beach. The brown pelican’s head changes color according to its age and breeding season. Islander Photo: Sandy Ambrogi

6 n May 24, 2017 n THE ISLaNDER

Opinion

Our

Remembering...

Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching. A weekend that seems perfectly suited for the beach. A relaxed day with a cooler, barbecue grill, umbrellas and folding chairs. Somebody call Moondoogie and ask him to help carry the supplies to the beach. But wait. There’s a spoiler for the local beaches. No alcohol, no glass bottles, no grills or fires, no bicycles, no dogs, very little parking — and soon, coming to a beach near you, read it and weep: no fun. Anyone else recall the beach party movies of the 1950s and ’60s? “Gidget,” Sandra Dee’s 1959 California romp, was followed by “Beach Party” in 1963. “Muscle Beach Party” and “ride the Wild Surf” in 1964. Then there was “Beach Blanket Bingo,” “How to Stuff a Wild Bikini,” and “Psycho Beach Party.” In “Beach Party,” an anthropologist arrives on the scene to analyze the teen phenomenon. now I know the Beans, descendents of the island’s first homesteader on their first-ever family reunion this month, didn’t come to Anna Maria Island to surf. But Bean was speculating on the value of the beach — and he has been proved right. Surfers came later. And the surfer culture, language, fashion, music and cars came along, too. I lived it during my teen summers in Virginia Beach, but Anna Maria Island suited me better (no snow), especially for raising two kids. A trip back this past week to see my 101-yearold-uncle Harry Sharp in Churchland, and my cousins Janie and Paul, reminded me of my roots. And there’s nothing better than a trip to Doumar’s Cones and Barbecue in downtown norfolk for nostalgia. no trip “home” is complete without it. But imagine my surprise when I heard my dad’s sister, Aunt Jean, talking — her voice unmistakable — in the booth back-to-back with Cousin Paul. She was in town for her brother’s celebration of life (another of my uncles on my dad’s side of the family) ... now get this ... from California! It’s a small, small world. Indeed. SOS for SAM But this brings me to my point. As I traveled SoS are the letters sent out when someone is in through norfolk, Portsmouth and Churchland in a state trouble and needs help. So SoS. I’m in trouble. of nostalgia, I also admired large numbers of young SoS, you’re in trouble. military men and women, deserving our respect, passSoS, the island is in trouble. ing through in their service to the country. And SoS, Cortez is in trouble. Please, remember, Memorial Day is a time to pause first responders will ask: What’s your problem? and honor those who died defending our nation and its The reply? The florida Department of Transportavalues. remember. — Bonner Joy tion, Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning organization, Manatee County Board of Commissioners and businesses who want all the money the tourists will spend, who, I don’t believe the majority of owners and MAY 24, 2017 • Vol. 25, No. 30 hired help even live on the island or call this home. ▼ Publisher and Editor Many years ago, a group of citizens got together to Bonner Joy, news@islander.org fight these groups and succeeded. It was called SAM ▼ Editorial Lisa Neff, copy editor — Save Anna Maria. At that time, the fight was to Sandy Ambrogi, sandy@islander.org keep our present bridge height and we won. Many Bianca Benedí, bianca@islander.org of the original members have passed away, moved or Joe Bird, editorial cartoonist Kevin Cassidy, kevin@islander.org have just aged but many of who have survived the time Jack Elka, jack@jackelka.com would like to see some fight against what’s going on ChrisAnn Silver Esformes, chrisann@islander.org Susan Huppert now. Kathy Prucnell, kathyp@islander.org I understand SAM is still alive. So I would like Ed Scott, edscott@islander.org to start a sister organization called SoS — Save our Jennifer Sheppard, jennifer.s@islander.org ▼ Contributors SAM. Let’s help SAM fight these high bridges and Jesse Brisson possibly save our lives. Karen Riley-Love If you’re interested, call me. I’m listed under Capt. Danny Stasny, ﬁsh@islander.org ▼ Advertising Director robert Martini. Toni Lyon, toni@islander.org Billie P. Martini, former Holmes Beach commis▼ Office Staff sioner Lisa Williams, manager

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Have your say

The Islander accepts original letters of up to 250 words and reserves the right to edit for grammar and length. Letters must include name, address and a contact phone number (for verification). Anonymous letters will not be printed. Email: news@islander.org. readers also may comment online.

Bridge to Longboat Key

I have been a full-time resident of Manatee County since 1971, when the 43rd Street traffic light was the last one to Anna Maria Island. Strawberry and tomato fields were on both sides of Manatee Avenue. My husband and I lived on Iris Street in Anna Maria 1979-89. In 1985, Hurricane Elena was approaching the island. At 2 a.m., police used bullhorns to tell us to evacuate. We packed a few things and left our home. It took 90 minutes just to get across the Anna Maria Island Bridge. Imagine how long it would take in 2017. fortunately for us then, the hurricane switched directions and went back out to sea. We were spared any serious damage. Manatee County residents have discussed the need for a third bridge from 53rd Avenue to the north end of Longboat Key for many years. Have you tried driving along Gulf Drive on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon? Traffic is backed up in both directions. now is the time to make plans to build the bridge before future development. The beautiful fixed span across Sarasota Bay from Sarasota to Bird Key is spectacular. It is an example of good planning. The Cortez bridge could be used as a fishing pier as it ages to avoid expensive repairs and to save the historic village. State and county planners and commissioners get your heads out of the sand. Don’t let the real estate politicians talk you out of the need for a fixed-span bridge. Do what is right for the count. Mary Lee St. John, Bradenton PLEASE SEE oPiNioN, nEXT PAGE

WWW.ISLANDER.ORG

THE ISLaNDER n May 24, 2017 n 7

Your oPiNioN ConTInuED froM PAGE 6

Watering the grass

Grass for the Holmes Beach dog park? first, the grass will never stand up to 50 dogs a day. Constant re-sodding will be needed. Second, while installing doggie gymnastic equipment is a one-time capital expenditure, who is going to pay for the water to keep the grass healthy? Perhaps a usage fee for the dog owners? And third, perhaps the city hasn’t noticed, but we are still in severe drought. How can the city, in good conscience, use fresh water for a dog park in these circumstances? The governor has gone on record saying that he and his administration have no idea as to the aquifers and the underground river system(s). Yet Holmes Beach is going to sod a dog park and naturally water the heck out of it to keep it from burning up until the dogs destroy it. Am I the only one who hears Nero fiddling? Mark Comerford, Bradenton

Cortez Road conﬂict

I am writing with concerns for plans in the Cortez road corridor. I have lived in Sunny Shores/Sagamore Estates, off Cortez road at 115th Street West, for 28 years. We are surrounded by the Manatee fruit and flower farm’s future development, Peninsula Bay. We have many homes in Sagamore Estates and Sunny Shores and, additionally, Parrot Cove Marina has 36 boat slips and 10 people living on their boats. The Cortez road/115th Street West intersection is very dangerous. We have only 115th Street West as an access. We’ve lost several residents due to this intersection, plus seen too many crashes to count. We have asked for a traffic light numerous times. We need some type of relief. This is not acceptable. Some Sundays, even in the summer, traffic is backed up to Palma Sola Boulevard and beyond on

Cortez road. All we have now is a sign saying the right lane ends in 1,500 feet — which is 119th Street West, not 115th Street West. We also have a sign that says “Do not Block Intersection,” which is ignored. Sharon France, president of the Sunny Shores homeowners association

Park for people, not police

I am writing as a Holmes Beach resident and president of the board of Westbay Point and Moorings condominiums. Commissioner Judy Titsworth’s statement (The Islander, May 17) that the city commission is waiting for a report to determine if the canopies encroach on Westbay’s property is absurd. The canopies infringe on our residents’ views and have impacted the value of their property. needless to say again, they need to go. Beyond that, one has to wonder how a city government can justify taking a third of a waterfront park and designating it a police and fire boat area. Parks are for the people, not the police. While I have only been a resident of Holmes Beach for a few years, I remember children fishing where the police boats are now stationed. The boats also have caused congestion at the boat ramp as the docking space has been reduced. With a marina with empty slips closer to the police station, why was a deal not worked out to lease slips there? Instead the city wasted taxpayer dollars to build an expensive boat lift for police and fire boats, which will see little if any use. I am told that in the past 50 years, no local fire as been fought from the water. As for the police boat, that is a toy that should be sold and the money used to remove the boat lifts in a lovely city park. The park should be returned to its rightful owners, the residents of Holmes Beach. Alec Graham, Holmes Beach

We’d love to mail you the news!

10&20 years ago In the headlines: May 21, 1997

• Actor Woody Harrelson spent two days at the Historic Anna Maria City Pier filming scenes for “Palmetto,” a mystery-dark comedy also starring Elizabeth Shue. • Anna Maria commissioners were debating the proposed rezoning of Pine Avenue property in the 500 block across the street from roser Memorial Community Church. The church was proposing a thrift shop. • Bradenton Beach officials were studying surveyors’ maps to determine who owned a 300square-foot triangular piece of land at the corner of Bridge Street and Bay Drive South. The city had plans to place a clock tower at the end of the fishing pier, but learned there were questions about ownership of the property.

In the headlines: May 23, 2007

• Protesters gathered at Coquina Beach to demonstrate against Manatee County’s removal of 80 Australian pines to reconfigure parking at the park. • Bradenton Beach Scenic Highway advocates were preparing to show off their stretch of Gulf Drive and other city amenities during a florida Department of Transportation conference. • The Anna Maria Island Historical Society received an award from the florida Trust for Historic Preservation for protecting the Belle Haven Cottage on the museum grounds on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria. • The Anna Maria Island Privateers welcomed children to Bayfront Park in Anna Maria to celebrate Snooks Adams Kids Day with games and lunch. This year’s celebration will be June 3.

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We mail The islander weekly for a nominal $54 per year. We also offer online e-edition subscriptions — a page-by-page view of the weekly news for only $36 per year, but you must sign up online. It’s the best way to stay in touch with what’s happening on Anna Maria Island. We bring you all the news about three city governments, community happenings, people features and special events … even real estate transactions … everything you need if your “heart is on Anna Maria Island.” If you don’t live here year-round, use this form to subscribe by (snail) mail for yourself or someone else. (Sorry, we do not suspend mail subscriptions — you get The Islander free while you’re here!)

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Holmes Beach public works crew introduces duties and services at forum

By Sandy Ambrogi Islander Reporter It’s the crew that might be seen here or there in Holmes Beach. White trucks, white shirts, beach gators. They are maintaining traffic islands and trolley stops, mowing the dog park or city field, constructing boardwalks over wetlands and replacing signs that go missing. They introduced themselves May 18 during the Holmes Beach Meet Public Works community forum, including Dave Benton, head of the public works crew, and Ken Townsend of LTA Engineering. He serves as the city’s construction manager/inspector. A sparse audience was present as the meeting opened with a segment on water conservation by Ingrida Barkauskate of the Manatee County Utilities Department. Capital improvements — ongoing projects and those in the future — were touched on by Townsend. Paving and raising roads also was a talking point. “Over the next 10 years, most, if not all, of Holmes Beach’s roadways will be over-laid and raised. “Seas are rising. Most roadways will be raised about 2 inches. This will make it easier to evacuate in the event of a storm,” Townsend said. Drainage work also is in the plans. “It’s a hot-button issue, not just in Holmes Beach, but in all three cities. I’ve been on Anna Maria since 1957 and there have been more high-tide events lately

Dave Benton, left, head of the Holmes Beach public works department, and Ken Townsend, city construction inspector, look back from the gator May 18. The pair were on beach patrol for garbage, furniture, holes and obstructions following their speeches May 18 at a community forum at city hall. Islander Photo: Sandy Ambrogi

than ever before,” Townsend said. Townsend explained the infiltration systems that promote quicker drainage and the ongoing process of dredging waterways and canals. Benton discussed emergency plans to safeguard city computers and office records, as well as large maintenance equipment, backhoes and mowers, if a major storm strikes the island. “We prepare. And then we hope we never have to use any of our plans,” Benton said.

New building clerk fits into HB city hall plan

By Kathy Prucnell Islander Reporter The city of Holmes Beach has hired Angie Birdwell as building permit technician. It’s part of a larger reorganization at city hall. Birdwell comes by way of Lakeland, where she lived for 30 years, working for Polk County schools, the Lakeland police and the municipal building department. Mary Buonagura, Holmes Beach human resources analyst, said Birdwell’s experience as a crime scene investigator at the LPD was “most impressive.” Birdwell and her husband had been regular Anna Maria Island visitors and, after her husband retired from the Lakeland police force, they moved to Bradenton, she said. Originally from Alabama, Birdwell has a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from the University of South Florida and a master’s degree in management and leadership from Webster University. She takes over the position held by Chris Putman, who moved to the Holmes Beach Police Department, where she’s now the HBPD records and code enforcement clerk. Putman’s duties include those of past records clerks, including T. Rex Ogle Jr., who moved to Tennessee in January. The two began their new positions April 24. Buonagura also said Birdwell hopes to become a building clerk supervisor — a new position the city is

Angie Birdwell greets customers May 17 at the Holmes Beach city building department. Islander Photo: Kathy Prucnell

creating — after a three-month probationary period. Other changes at city hall include Brenda Wynn, who staffs the front desk. If all goes as planned, Wynn will become the next permitting technician and the city will need a new receptionist, Buonagura said. Mayor Bob Johnson described the shuffling as a “natural fluctuation.” It began with Putman expressing interest in the HBPD position. “The rest is history,” he said. In addition to Birdwell, Putman and Wynn — front-line workers answering to the public, contractors and others doing business with the city — John Fernandez, a part-time building official, who came to the city from Longboat Key in 2012 — is expected to retire this month. Buonagua said she hasn’t yet begun to advertise for Fernandez’ replacement. — Kathy Prucnell

Meetings

In the event of a major storm, he said, alternating teams will staff Holmes Beach continuously. Another hot button issue at the forum was red tide, which brought a stinky problem to Holmes Beach in October 2016 when thousands of dead fish ended up in canals and on the beaches. The public outcry at the stench and lack of planning prompted Holmes Beach public works and code enforcement to spend a day with a crew on Longboat Key learning how they remove rotting fish from the water. “Between (code enforcement officer) John ‘JT’ Thomas and the county, we have the loan of a boat to get the dead fish out if it happens again. If it reoccurs, we have a plan next time,” Benton said. Sprinklers, equipment maintenance, the city’s 320-foot deep well and storm-drain updates were also discussed. Benton also touched on beautification efforts and upgrades to city hall. “People don’t realize how well we work together here. In this city hall, we are definitely a team,” Benton said. Opening and closing remarks by Mayor Bob Johnson echoed Benton’s sentiment. “With everything these guys do and with Mr. Townsend working with not just Holmes Beach, but integrated with all three cities, we are getting tremendous value for our dollars. “It’s a big bang for our buck and the other cities. The progress we are making is outstanding.”

Manatee County • May 30, 1:30 p.m., county board (budget presentation). • June 1, 9 a.m., county board (land use). • June 6, 9 a.m., county board. • June 7, 1:30 p.m., county board (budget review). • June 13, 9 a.m., county board (budget review). • June 14, 1:30 p.m., county board (budget review). • June 14, 6 p.m., county board (budget Bradenton Beach review). • May 23, 1 p.m., city commission. • June 15, 1:30 p.m., county board (budget • May 24, 1 p.m., planning and zoning. review). Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., • June 15, 6 p.m., county board (budget 941-778-1005, cityofbradentonbeach.org. review). • June 20, 9 a.m., county board. Holmes Beach Administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., • May 25, 6 p.m., city commission. Bradenton, 941-748-4501, mymanatee.org. • June 7, 7 p.m., planning commission. • June 13, 6 p.m., city commission. Of interest • June 15, 6 p.m., city commission. • May 29, Memorial Day, most government • June 27, 6 p.m., city commission. offices will be closed. The Islander office also will • June 29, 6 p.m., city commission. Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, be closed. • June 5, 2 p.m., Island Transportation Planning 941-708-5800, holmesbeachfl.org. Organization, Anna Maria City Hall. • June 21, 2 p.m., Coalition of Barrier Island West Manatee Fire Rescue Elected Officials, TBD. • June 15, 6 p.m., commission. Send notices to calendar@islander.org and WMFR administration building, 6417 Third news@islander.org. Ave. W., Bradenton, wmfr.org. Anna Maria City Anna Maria City • May 25, 6 p.m., city commission. • May 29, 10 a.m., Memorial Day Salute, City Pier Park, Pine Avenue and North Bay Boulevard. • June 8, 6 p.m., city commission. • June 13, 4 p.m., planning and zoning. • June 22, 6 p.m., city commission. Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, 941708-6130, cityofannamaria.com.

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• Throughout May, Island Gallery West features the work of Marlane Wurzbach in the exhibit “Island Dreams,” 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6648. • Throughout May, Artists’ Guild Gallery “Manatee Mania” window display, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6694. • Through May 31, “May’s Open Exhibit,” Anna Maria Island Art League, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach. Information: 941778-2099. • Through June 24, “Weathered Souls” exhibit featuring work by artist Edana Davis, the Studio at Gulf and Pine, 10101 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-1906.

• Through June 23, trio of exhibits, ArtCenter Manatee, 209 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Information: 941-746-2862. • Most second Wednesdays, Think+Drink (Science), 7-9 p.m., South Florida Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131. • Thursdays, 5-8 p.m., Art After 5, John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-359-5700. • First Fridays, 6-9:30 p.m. Village of the Arts Art Walk, 12th Street West and 12th Avenue West, Bradenton. Also 11 a.m.-4 p.m. the following Saturday.

KIDS & FAMILY

CLUBS & COMMUNITY

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June 3, Snooks Adams Kids Day, Anna Maria. ONGOING OFF ANNA MARIA ISLAND • Fourth Wednesdays, 7 p.m., Stelliferous Live star exploration, South Florida Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131. • Most first Saturdays, Family Night at the South Florida Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131. • “Teeth Beneath: the Wild World of Gators, Crocs and Caimans” exhibit, Mote Marine Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-388-4441. LOOKING AHEAD July 22, Snooty’s Birthday Bash, Bradenton.

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

Wednesday, May 24 11 a.m. — JOY/Just Older Youth brown-bag lunch and program, Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0414. Noon — Adult coloring club, , Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. Thursday, May 25 10 a.m. — Quilting activity, , Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. Saturday, May 27 8:30 a.m. — Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria breakfast and program, Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe at Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. The speaker will be a representative from the American Diabetes Association. Information: 941-778-1383. 9 a.m. — CPR training, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Registration required. Information: 941-778-6341. 12:30-4:30 p.m. — Anna Maria Island Art League Courtyard Sale, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach. Information: 941-7782099. Monday, May 29 10 a.m. — Memorial Day Salute, City Pier Park, Pine Avenue and North Bay Boulevard, Anna Maria. Information: 941-7086130. Tuesday, May 30 Noon — Anna Maria Island Rotary Club gathers for lunch and a program, Bridge Street Bistro, 111 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach. Fee applies. Information: 941-462-4016. ONGOING ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND

• Second and fourth Wednesdays, 11 a.m. Just Older Youth/ JOY Brown Bag Lunch Series, Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0414. • Thursdays, 7 p.m., Overeaters Anonymous meets, the EpisON ANNA MARIA ISLAND copal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Wednesday, May 24 Information: 813-494-6518. 4 p.m. — Chess club, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, • Third Thursdays, 11:45 a.m., Successful Women Aligning Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. Together meets, Bridge Street Bistro, 111 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach. Fee applies. Information: 941-345-5135. ONGOING ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND LOOKING AHEAD • Wednesdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m., horseshoes pitched, Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. Information: June 4, All Island Denominations Spring Ecumenical Service, 941-708-6130. Holmes Beach. • Tuesdays, noon, duplicate bridge, Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941OFF ANNA MARIA ISLAND 779-0881. Saturday, May 27 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. — Cortez Cultural Center Memorial Day OFF ANNA MARIA ISLAND Picnic, 11655 Cortez Road, Cortez. Information: 941-524-4081. Wednesday, May 31 8:30 a.m. — Paddle outing, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. GOOD TO KNOW NW, Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5757, ext. 7. • May 29, Memorial Day. • June 14, Flag Day. ONGOING OFF ANNA MARIA ISLAND • June 18, Father’s Day. • Through Sept. 3, Bradenton Marauders Minor League Base• June 21, first day of summer. ball games, LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Fee • July 4, Independence Day. applies. Information: 877-893-2827. • Aug. 10, Grandparents Day. • Second and fourth Wednesdays, Roser Memorial Community • Sept. 4, Labor Day. Church Golfing for God, IMG Academy Golf Club, 4350 El Con• Sept.11, Patriot Day. quistador Parkway, Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-778• Sept. 22, first day of autumn. 0414. • Sept. 20, Rosh Hashanah. • Through the summer, duplicate bridge games, 1-4 p.m. Tues• Sept. 29, Yom Kippur. days, Aging in Paradise Resource Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Fee applies. Information: 941-383-6493.

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Island happenings Children listen to a pirateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tale during an Anna Maria Island Privateersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Snooks Adams Kids Day. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s celebration will take place Saturday, June 3. Islander File Photo

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Privateers set the date: June 3 is Snooks Adams Kids Day Aaargh. The Anna Maria Island Privateers are hoisting the black flag and hosting the annual Snooks Adams Kids Day Saturday, June 3. The annual party will take place 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Bayfront Park, 310 n. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria. The event is an island tradition celebrating the end of the school year and the approach of summer vacation with games, face painting, a treasure hunt, prizes, tales of adventures on the high seas and a youth pirate costume contest. The pirates will be serving pizza and hot dogs for lunch â&#x20AC;&#x201D; available for free to children and at a nominal

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cost to adults. The late W.H. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Snooksâ&#x20AC;? Adams, an island legend who retired in 1978 as the Holmes Beach police chief, founded the party in 1954, when he took a group of local kids â&#x20AC;&#x201D; by Jeep â&#x20AC;&#x201D; to the south end of the island for a cookout. After a few years, the outing was moved to the Manatee Public Beach, with the local Lions Club helping to grow the event. Adams was a Privateer and, in 1980, AMIP took charge of the celebration. for more information about Snooks Adams Kids Day, contact Privateer Terry â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cookieâ&#x20AC;? Rapert at 941705-0199.

The Cortez Cultural Center will hold a picnic SatKeep Manatee Beautiful urday, May 27, as an observance for Memorial Day. Attendees are asked to bring a dish to share. The registering for golf tournament center will serve hot dogs and beverages at the event, Keep Manatee Beautiful is registering players for which will begin at 11:30 a.m. its 23rd annual golf tournament, which will be friday, The center is at 11655 Cortez road, Cortez. June 2, in Bradenton. for more information, call Kris Martinez at 941The tournament will take place at Tara Golf and 524-4081. Country Club, 6602 Drewryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bluff. A shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. will start the day. Kiwanis Club to meet KMB is organizing player contests during the tourThe Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island will meet nament and an awards luncheon at 12:30 p.m. at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 27, for breakfast and proThe entry fee for a foursome is $400. gram. Sponsorship opportunities also are available. The program will feature a talk by a representative for more information, call KMB at 941-795with the American Diabetes Association. 8272. In June, programs will include talks by representatives of the Salvation Army June 3 and the Lakewood Boat show sails into Palmetto ranch Business Alliance June 17. The Bradenton Boat Show returns to the Bradenfor more information, call Sandy Haas-Martens ton Area Convention Center June 9-11. at 941-778-1383. Attendees can browse a selection of new boats, fishing gear and more, as well as attend the Capt. Joe Art league set courtyard sale fishing School and learn how to rig lures, tie knots The Anna Maria Island Art League will hold and throw cast nets. Show hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. friday, June 9; a courtyard sale to benefit the Holmes Beach non10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, June 10; and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. profit. The sale will be 12:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday, May Sunday, June 11. Admission is $5 for those over 12. 27, at AMIAL, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach. The convention center is at 1 Haben Blvd., Palfor more information, call AMIAL at 941-778metto. 2099. for more information, including speaker schedsubmit your social news, weddings, anniversaries, births, ules, go online to bradentonboatshow.com or call 727travel photos, fishing, sports and event news and photos 894-3644. to news@islander.org.

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Holmes Beach to invite residents to share ‘vision’

By Jennifer Sheppard Islander reporter The Holmes Beach Planning Commission will be looking for residents to weigh in on its efforts to update the community vision plan. But not yet. first, planning commissioners at their May 3 meeting discussed ideas for updating the plan, which was established in 2002 but never adopted by the city. City planner Bill Brisson presented planning commissioners with the vision statement from Bonita Springs to use as an example. “It’s one of the longer vision statements that I’ve seen,” Brisson said. The city’s current vision statement is short and commissioners Brisson should decide if they want to expand it, he suggested. “Holmes Beach is a unique, environmentally sensitive beach community with a small-town atmosphere comprised of low-rise, low-density, mixed-income neighbors; nicely landscaped streets and yards; clean beaches; pedestrian and bicycle-friendly streets; and a centralized owner-operated shopping and restaurant district,” according to the current statement.

“If our thought process is, ‘oh, they’re here again. ‘I never thought the permanent resident population would decrease I just wish they would go home,’ then that will be what our culture is, and I think we lose that battle in and keep going like it is.’ — Vice Chair Chuck Stealey

Vice Chair Chuck Stealey said he found it interesting to read the April 5 minutes from the joint meeting, for which he was absent, about the vision in 2002. “We’re not living in the same place,” Stealey said. “I’ve been here so long now. I never thought the permanent resident population would decrease and keep going like it is.” Alternate Commissioner Jayne Christenson said the most important aspects of the vision plan would recognize the city as a residential community and also as a tourist destination. “We can’t put our heads in the sand anymore,” Christenson said. Commissioner Scott Boyd said the vision plan could change everything if the city sets the right tone in welcoming people to the island. “I feel very passionate about it,” Boyd said. He said vacation renters are not evil people and they are not here to destroy the island, but they often are uninformed.

court.” Chair Gary Hickerson said, “I think what we need to do is confine ourselves to how that would be incorporated into the vision statement.” Christenson said she needs more time to think, and to address the vision at the next meeting. She said commissioners’ ideas might be similar. Boyd agreed and said commissioners should come up with bullet points to address in the vision statement, dealing with the environment, public safety, transportation and land use, for example. Brisson said the commission could then seek public input to determine the ranking of each area to be addressed in the statement. “Your ideas would be there more as guidelines,” Brisson said. “Six or eight of us can’t come up with all of the right ideas. I just know it.” Hickerson directed each commissioner to come up with a vision statement before the next meeting that could be combined into a consensus document. The next planning commission meeting will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

Moratorium extension approved in Bradenton Beach

By ChrisAnn Silver Esformes Islander reporter Sometimes, it’s better not to rush. Bradenton Beach commissioners and the mayor voted during a May 4 meeting to approve a resolution to extend a six-month building moratorium for three months. The moratorium, which was due to expire May 8, was extended 91 days to Aug. 7. Commissioners ralph Cole and Marilyn Maro and city attorney ricinda Perry were absent with excuse. Attorney Mark Barnebey with Blalock Walters P.A. of Bradenton provided council for the resolution in Perry’s absence. The moratorium, voted in by a supermajority nov. 8, 2016, halted the acceptance, review and issuance of building permit applications for all housing units that contain more than four bedrooms in the r-1 and r-2 districts of the city. The moratorium immediately went into effect following the election and was due to expire May 8. The city had been using the six-month moratorium to amend its suspended quality-of-life ordinance, which

Former Bradenton Beach Planning and Zoning Board member Frank Harrison speaks May 4 during a commission meeting at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N. Islander Photo: ChrisAnn Silver Esformes

is similar to vacation-rental ordinances in Anna Maria and Holmes Beach. The board deemed the extension necessary to continue formulating the ordinance. former P&Z member frank Harrison said he hopes the commission uses the additional time wisely. A Bradenton Beach resident of 43 years, Harrison and wife Priscilla Von Ahnen were supporters of the

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moratorium, but moved to Longboat Key, citing overdevelopment on their street. “There is no neighborhood here anymore,” Harrison said. “I hope you’re looking at how to curtail this building that’s damaged everything.” The final reading of the resolution passed with a unanimous vote.

THE ISLaNDER n May 24, 2017 n 13

WMFR adopts rate hike maximum, approves board of appeals

By Bianca Benedí Islander reporter The West Manatee fire rescue board voted 3-2 May 18 for a maximum assessment rate hike of 2 percent for residential properties. The commission also approved a maximum rate hike of 4 percent for commercial properties for the 2017-18 fiscal year. The rate hikes would bring WMfr up to $140,000 in additional revenue. The district board of commissioners will begin constructing a fiscal budget in August for the next year, but the maximum rate hike must be set by June 1. During the budget preparation process for the next fiscal year, which begins oct. 1, commisSousa sioners will be able to lower but not increase the proposed assessment. A public hearing was held for the rate hike, but no comments were submitted. Commissioners Al robinson and David Bishop voted against the increases. robinson said Chief Tom Sousa did a good job with the budget, but the hikes undermine the opinion of WMFR’s fiscal responsibility.

The commission also voted to approve a proposed Manatee County board of appeals that will resolve matters related to fire prevention codes among Manatee fire districts. The board comprises seven members: general contractor Raj Mathur, fire protection contractor Alan Breitwieser, architect Gary roberts, electrical engineer Philip feikema, architect Chester Scott, attorney Laland Taylor and norm Luppino, a member of the general public.

All fire districts in Manatee must approve the board, according to the duties set by the Manatee County fire Chiefs’ Association. In other news, WMfr has been unable to sell its administrative building at 6417 Third Ave. W., Bradenton. The building exceeds the district’s needs. As a result of the lack of offers, real estate agent J. Daniel Douglass recommended the board drop the price $305,000. The price is now $1,675,000. The next WMfr board meeting is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, June 15, at the administrative office, 6417 Third Ave. W., Bradenton.

West Manatee Fire Rescue firefighter Adam Baggett receives a badge from his wife, Flo. Baggett received a promotion from second- to first-class firefighter May 18. Islander Photos: Bianca Benedí

WMFR Capt. Ben Rigney’s wife, Cori, takes the honor of pinning a new badge to Rigney’s uniform, signifying his promotion to administrative battalion chief, as Chief Tom Sousa looks on.

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14 n May 24, 2017 n THE ISLaNDER

FISH looks to keep boatworks aﬂoat

Rick Stewart, former FISH Boatworks manager, works on the Campesina in the shop. Islander File Photo

board to apply for grants for a museum or boat shed — pointing to a florida Department of natural resources cultural facilities grant and other sources, including the Selby and Patterson charitable foundations. As boatworks manager and a fISH board member, Stewart lobbied fISH for a facility to store its historic boats, including the Esperanza and Sallie Adams. He hoped for an additional building to separate the paint and varnish area from the dusty boat building. “If you’re interested, go for the money, honey,” Green said. She also supported the continuation of the boatworks program, which Stewart supervised as a volunteer Thursdays-Saturdays, after he worked in kind to pay off a boat he bought from fISH. Stewart encouraged and instructed others in the boat-building craft, while maintaining the facilities. According to fISH vice president Jane von Hahmann, fISH rents boatyard space at $25 per week to members. Von Hahmann told Green “almost everything requires a match these days,” as well as a plan. Director John Stevely suggested determining the match requirement for grants, if any. Von Hahmann said she envisioned a place with free-standing exhibits, including tools, boats and educational signage, but without staff, similar to those she’s seen in national parks. Director Herbert Kruegle described a fishing village in new Jersey “with the equivalent of what we have here” and “a working-type museum arrangement,” requiring few volunteers.

BB Scenic WAVES member spruces up Bridge Street planter By ChrisAnn Silver Esformes Islander reporter Sometimes it’s better to move forward, then ask for forgiveness. The planters on Bridge Street, considered by many to be an eyesore, have prompted complaints to city hall. Bradenton Beach’s Scenic WAVES advisory committee has considered putting plants in the containers since 2016, determined to bring eye-pleasing native plants to the otherwise barrack-like structures that line Bridge Street. The structures were designed to contain rainwater and were added during a stormwater project. Gayden Shell, WAVES member and owner of The uptown Lot, 110 Bridge St., tired of waiting for action and took matters into her own hands in recent weeks. Shell and five volunteers removed dead plants from a Bridge Street planter May 2 and filled it with soil and fresh native plants, including coleus and lantana. “I wanted to do a test run and use colorful native

plants that will grow fast and are easy to maintain,” Shell said May 3. Shell said based on her $75 cost to fill the planter, a redo for all the planters on Bridge Street would cost $1,500. Shell said her volunteers would like to form a garden club to fill and maintain the planters and has jokingly decided to call themselves “The Bridge Street Dirt-bags.” WAVES chair Tjet Martin said she applauds Shell’s initiative. Bradenton Beach Police Lt. John Cosby, liaison to Scenic WAVES, said initially the plan for the planters was for interested merchants on Bridge Street to give their suggestions and work as volunteer gardeners. He suggested Shell present her plan to the community redevelopment agency and city commission. “If you have a group of committed volunteers who are knowledgeable, the CrA might be willing to go for this instead of hiring someone,” Cosby said. Shell said she would present her plan in June, at the next CrA meeting.

“I almost hate calling it a museum,” said fISH secretary and A.P. Bell fish Co. owner Karen Bell. Von Hahmann agreed, saying it wouldn’t be renamed, could be changed around to be more suitable for tools and exhibits and become “a place to explain the preserve story.” Several members agreed that such a facility could be temporary until the boatworks repair operations could resume. In other matters, new directors David Cadmus and Tim Caniff were appointed co-chairs of the boatworks committee and the board decided Stewart should keep the jack stands valued at $600, which are under one of his boats.

King tides photo contest opens

The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program is hosting a photo contest to document high and low tides during this month’s king tides. The contest to win state park passes is open to all ages and skill levels. Photos must be taken friday, May 26, and Saturday, May 27. on those dates, many coastal areas in the united States will be experiencing king tides — the extreme high tides that occur when the moon is aligned with the earth and sun, and it is closest to the earth in its orbit. This phenomenon usually happens twice a year. King tides provide a preview of how and where higher seas will affect local landscapes, which is important for anticipating and addressing “hot spots” for flooding and salt water inundation. In addition, documenting these effects helps groundtruth local sea level rise predictions. To enter the contest May 26, take photos from the same perspective on Sarasota Bay waters at low tide — 7:06 a.m. — and high tide —12:40 p.m. To enter the contest May 27, take photos from the same perspective on Sarasota Bay waters at low tide — 7:36 a.m. — and high tide — 1:21 p.m. SBEP suggests taking photos near identifiable landmarks and including some form of measurement, like a tide gauge or a person for scale. Post the king tide photos to Instagram and use tag the SBEP, @sarasotaestuary. Photos also may be emailed to info@sarasotabay.org by June 2. Contest winners will receive passes to a florida state park. for more, call SBEP at 941-955-8085.

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By Kathy Prucnell Islander reporter What the Cortez Boatworks facility will become — a museum, welcome center or a temporary workshop — had people abuzz at the May 1 florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage directors meeting. fISH has operated a boat-building and repair program on the nonprofit’s 95-acre preserve since about 2011 and previously at the old Cortez firehouse. rick Stewart, who recently moved to Duette, took the reins of the fISH program about six years ago during the move to the preserve, but resigned in March, effective May 1. He cited financial reasons and life changes. Longtime resident Mary fulford Green urged the

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THE ISLANDER n May 24, 2017 n 15

Best practices promoted in boat safety week

Florida Safe Boating Week sailed in May 20 and continues through May 26, with state and local officials emphasizing rules, regulations and best practices ahead of the Memorial Day weekend. Leading the nation with nearly 1 millionÂ registered vessels, Florida claims the title of â&#x20AC;&#x153;boating capital of the world.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Boating year-round is just one of the things that makes Florida special,â&#x20AC;? said Maj. Rob Rowe, leader of the boating and waterways section of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And even more people will be out on the water for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. The holiday and National Safe Boating Week â&#x20AC;Ś present an opportunity to emphasize the importance of remaining safe while boating.â&#x20AC;? Rowe said boaters can enjoy their time on the water even more by taking a few safety precautions such as: â&#x20AC;˘ Wearing a life jacket. â&#x20AC;˘ Using an engine cutoff switch lanyard. â&#x20AC;˘ Designating a sober boat operator. â&#x20AC;˘ Paying attention and keeping a proper lookout.. â&#x20AC;˘ Having an emergency locator beacon. â&#x20AC;˘ Filing a float plan. â&#x20AC;˘ Taking a boating safety class. The FWCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Boating Accident Statistical Report

shows 714 reportable boating accidents in the state in 2016, resulting in 67 fatalities. The leading cause attributed to boating accidents in 2016 was the operatorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inattention or lack of a proper lookout. Falls overboard have been the leading type of fatal accident since 2003, with drowning as the leading cause of death. Many of these accidents could have been prevented if the boat operators had paid attention to everything

By Bianca BenedĂ Islander Reporter An offer for a public gazebo in Anna Maria is off the table. Anna Maria commissioners heard a proposal April 27 from Nancy Ambrose, a member of the North American Butterfly Association Manasota Chapter who has fundraised for years to build a community gazebo. Ambroseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proposal has transformed over the years â&#x20AC;&#x201D; from an educational gazebo at Holmes Beach City Hall to a backdrop for a butterfly garden to a general gathering space. Her most recent proposal was for a community gazebo in Anna Mariaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s City Pier Park, something commissioners generally agreed they wanted. However, the design proposed did not appeal to them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All of us involved had hoped that the City Pier Park would be a perfect place for the gazebo,â&#x20AC;? Ambrose wrote in an email May 4. However, she stated, â&#x20AC;&#x153;it was made very clear that the city did not want the gazebo by each and every one of the commissioners.â&#x20AC;?

Ambrose said she has dropped her plan to pursue her design for a gazebo in the park and is instead on the hunt for a new location. A gazebo suitable as a classroom for students at Anna Maria Elementary School had been designed for the Anna Maria Island Butterfly Park that Ambrose spearheaded in 1999 on the west side of Holmes Beach City Hall. However, negotiations for maintaining the garden led the city to replant native low-maintenance plants under the guidance of the parks department. Since then, Ambrose has been on the search for an appropriate location for a gazebo. She added that generally Bradenton Beach had been considered and dismissed. She said the city lacked appropriate places for a community gazebo. However, she said a portion of Coquina Beach under the control of Manatee County is a possibility, but she had yet to reach out to county officials.

going on around their vessel, maintained a proper lookout and if everyone on board had been wearing a life jacket. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of people say they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wear life jackets because they are uncomfortable,â&#x20AC;? said Rowe. â&#x20AC;&#x153;However, with the inflatable models that are belt packs or suspenders, you hardly know you have one on. FWC officers wear inflatable life jackets all the time while on the water.â&#x20AC;? An officer checks in with boaters about safety regulations. Florida is recognizing Safe Boating Week through May 26. Islander Courtesy Photo

Anna Maria rejects gazebo proposal for City Pier Park

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Ambrose said another person has taken the lead on searching for a potential location in Bradenton. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Over the next few months maybe something will work out there,â&#x20AC;? Ambrose said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are so grateful to Emily Anne Smith and her help and her devotion to the island,â&#x20AC;? Ambrose said. Smith designed the gazebo. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She put her heart and soul into the gazebo design for City Pier Park and we hope to build that gazebo or one mostly like that.â&#x20AC;? Ambrose declined to share how much money she has raised for a gazebo, citing concerns about the bidding process for construction. Donations were raised at craft fairs and other events and through the sales of engraved bricks installed at the Holmes Beach park.

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16 n May 24, 2017 n THE ISLANDER

South from Alaska: Family travels to AMI for Bean reunion

By Bianca Benedí Islander Reporter At a kick-off party for the first-ever Bean family reunion on Anna Maria Island May 12, awards were presented for milestones and achievements. And the award for who traveled the farthest? It was no competition. All eyes turned to the Garners, who rose and dutifully accepted their reward for their nearly 5,000-mile trip to Anna Maria Island. On May 10, George and Jocelyn Garner and their son Pearson gathered their suitcases, packed their sunscreen and boarded a plane to make the journey from Anchorage, Alaska, to the island to attend the Bean family reunion. In 1892, George Emerson Bean became the first homesteader on Anna Maria Island, settling in the area at the north end of AMI now known as Bean’s Point. He had seven children, among them were Harold Foss Bean, born 1879 and the great-grandfather of George Garner, born 1983. George Garner had never stepped foot in Anna Maria before making his way in May to connect with dozens of relatives. George’s takeaway? “Completely different kinds of fish,” he said. In Alaska, he and Jocelyn would catch salmon and halibut, but the fishing down south produced trout and flounder. He tried to catch a tarpon, he said, but couldn’t manage to hook up with the silver king. The family spent their time on Anna Maria fishing, gathering shells on the beach and dolphin watching. One afternoon, the family charted a Cortez fishing guide to explore the local waters. The visit was Pearson’s first beach trip. “He was nervous at first,” George said, but after two days “we couldn’t get him out.” The Garners stayed just blocks away from Bean’s Point, which George said was pleasantly secluded compared to some beaches he had visited in the past.

George, Pearson and Jocelyn Garner pose November 2016 for a Christmas card photo in snowy Anchorage, Alaska. Islander Photo: Courtesy Jocelyn Garner

Evenings were spent walking with family members to the Rod & Reel Pier for sunset. “I liked the low-key vibe,” he said of the island. “I’d definitely come back.” A native of Alabama, George found his way to Alaska after joining the U.S. Army at the age of 27 in 2010. “It felt like something I just wanted to do,” he said. One year of training later, he was assigned to Anchorage, where he was in charge of chemical decontamination. Before making the trip to Alaska, he created an account on Match.com. “He was pre-planning,” Jocelyn said. And it worked. He connected with his future bride before he arrived in Alaska, looking for someone to spend time with when he got there. They went on their first date two weeks after his arrival. It was at the Moose’s Tooth, a local pizza place and pub, Jocelyn recalled. Seven months later, he proposed. The couple mar-

Attendees of the first of many Bean family reunion events gather May 12 for a photo at the Anna Maria City Pier Restaurant, 100 N. Bay Blvd. The “welcome reception” was hosted by The Islander. Islander Photo: Bianca Benedí

ried less than two years after his move and, in October 2015, Pearson was born. The couple enjoys the Alaska wilderness. “The winters can get kind of old,” George says, but “summers make up for it.” These Beans stay hardy in the winter.

Pearson Garner looks at the camera during the Bean family reunion celebration May 13. Islander Photo: ChrisAnn Silver Esformes

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Beginning with Bean

A portrait of George Emerson Bean, who homesteaded on the north end of Anna Maria Island in 1894. A marker was later erected at Bean Point, where he settled. Earlier in May, Bean’s descendants gathered on the island for a family reunion. Islander Photo: Courtesy Manatee County Public Library

THE ISLaNDER n May 24, 2017 n 17

Staff shakeup continues at community center

The Center of Anna Maria Island has experienced another staff shakeup, but operations should be running as normal. on Wednesday, May 10, youth director Stephanie rycerz turned in her resignation. She held for the position for less than two months before her departure. rycerz was hired in March to replace former youth director Emily Moss, who left the center for personal reasons. Kristen Lessig, executive director of the center, said a replacement had already been hired. Lisa Coba, an Anna Maria Lessig resident who has worked as a preschool teacher and with the florida Department of Children and families, will serve as the center’s new youth director beginning June 1. Coba will lead both the center’s aftercare program and the upcoming summer camps, which begin in June.

In addition, Lessig said, some local residents and teachers, including teachers from Anna Maria Elementary, will join the center to staff the summer camp programs. Lessig said she was not at liberty to share the reason for rycerz’s departure. rycerz was not available for comment. In addition to rycerz’s departure, the center also lost longtime staffer robyn Kinkopf, who served as director of first impressions. Kinkopf said she was sad about her departure, and wished success for the center. five staff members have left the center since the beginning of the year. This includes ryzerz, Moss and Kinkopf, as well as former sports program manager Drew Mitchell and former Beyond the Classroom program assistant rainia Lardas. In addition, seasonal front desk staffer Debi Grotz was let go at the end of the snowbird season, Lessig said, and Beyond the Classroom program assistant Alyssa Hibert left for medical reasons. Holmes Beach Mayor Bob Johnson talks to guests May 12 at the Bean family reunion’s evening celebration, hosted by The Islander at Anna Maria’s City Pier Restaurant. Johnson and wife Denise, as well as Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and wife Barbara were guests at the event. Bradenton Beach Mayor Bill Shearon sent regrets and a prepared welcome, read by Islander publisher Bonner Joy. Islander Photo: Bianca Benedí

Mitchell left the center for personal reasons, while Lardas left to pursue her career goals at Mote Aquarium in Sarasota. Moss left to attend to her family. Lessig said Hibert plans to return in the fall as a yoga instructor. — Bianca Benedí

Injured Privateers president continues to improve

True to his word, Anna Maria Island Privateers president John “red Beard” Swager walked at the DeSoto Grand Ball on April 28, just days after leaving Blake Memorial Hospital. A cannon accident April 8 in Bradenton Beach severely injured Swager’s hand and blew off his index finger. Swager said surgery May 18 removed all the hardware from his hand and he was to start rehab to get the hand working properly in a week or so. not to be stalled in his pursuits, Swager said May 19, “The truck is in the driveway running and I’m on my way to Miami to do cooking demonstrations for the Kansas City Barbecue Society at the Bass Pro Shop in the Dolphin Mall.” “The manager there is from Texas — he loves my barbecue,” Swager added. Swager said he has lots of rehabilitation ahead — doctors removed a 2-inch by 24-inch skin graph from his thigh to rebuild sections of his hand blown off by the cannon. “next week, I go back to the doc and we go from there,” Swager said, giving a shout out to the Blake staff and his wife Cindy, before hopping in the truck and heading for Miami.

Tiki & Kitty’s Adventures in Shopping … Antiques, Art-Tiques and Chic Boutiques!

Spring is sprung! Who doesn’t love to go SPrInG shopping? retro rosie’s semi-annual sale will start Monday, May 29 — Memorial Day! The shop will open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on the holiday, with sale prices on everything! Select furniture, clothing and accessories up to 50 percent off! And a new round of Collectif dresses and retro wear has arrived at retro rosie’s Vintage, with an emphasis on florida style, mermaid and flamingo patterns, sarong styling and cute cheery prints. Sizes 0-20, but styles are limited, so hurry in!

Community Thrift shop on Manatee Avenue has new merchandise daily, so come peruse all of the goodies, including furnishings and decor. Don’t miss this “must do” in west Bradenton. Shabby Chic, beachy/coastal, heirloom home furnishings and goods are in vogue and plentiful at the must-not-miss monthly vintage market, Vintiquity lane. Located at 1540 n. Lime Ave., Sarasota, the venue is celebrating its two-year anniversary June 17-18. The monthly market offers an array of home and garden decor and fashions with a splash of style. Kingberry estate finds in Palmetto is a home furnishings and decor store that emphasizes quality, comfort and style at affordable prices. The estate inventory

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changes frequently, so you never know what you’ll find for inside and outside your home. As an added bonus, you’ll find Annie Sloan Chalk Paint exclusively in Manatee County at Kingberry. Tide & Moon jewelry boutique has new pendants designed by owner/jeweler Laura Shely. With Anna Maria Island a popular wedding destination, Laura has a perfect memento for the occasion — a new “Married on Anna Maria Island” pendant. Visit Shely at the pier, 200 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach. Please, tell our friends in the shops, “The Islander sent me.”

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18 n May 24, 2017 n THE ISLaNDER

By Susan Huppert

The Episcopal Church of the Annunciation is changing its summer worship schedule Sunday, May 28, to one service at 9 a.m., beginning with rite I and alternating weekly with rite II. Those who cannot sit or stand for long periods are welcome to attend a shorter Eucharist and healing prayer service at 9:30 a.m. Thursdays. Sunday school is discontinued for the summer. The Tuesday Bible study group will meet at 9 a.m. in Lowe Hall. Everyone is welcome. The church is at 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Christ Church of Longboat Key holds worship service Sundays at 10 a.m. Each week, the rev. norman Pritchard will follow his sermon series with a study on the book of Acts. All are welcome to attend. no previous Bible study experience is needed. The class will begin at 11:15 a.m. in the choir room. Beth Moore’s women’s study continues at 10 a.m. Wednesdays. There is still time to join the study at the Presbyterian church, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive. The Cortez Church of Christ, 12111 45th Ave. W., Cortez, holds Bible study at 10 a.m. Sundays, followed by worship at 11 a.m. and again at 5 p.m. The church meets at 7 p.m. Wednesdays for midweek Bible study. Gloria Dei Lutheran holds worship at 5 p.m. Saturdays and 9:30 a.m. Sundays. An additional study opportunity includes a Women’s Bible Study at 10 a.m. Thursdays, at the church 6608 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. The All Island Denominations will hold an Ecumenical Service at Gloria Dei at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 4. The rev. neil Crowell of roser Memorial Community Church will be the homilist. A social follows the service, with Holy Cow Ice Cream shop in Holmes Beach contributing ice cream. CrossPointe fellowship offers Sunday worship at 9 a.m., followed by study and fellowship in Life Groups at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. A traditional service with music and hymns is Saturdays at 5 p.m. at the church. CrossPointe will host its final 6 p.m. meal and program May 24 and then takes a summer break. There is no charge. A free-will offering is accepted. CrossPointe offers “A-MAZE-D” vacation Bible School 9 a.m.-noon June 26-30, for children age 4 to

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fifth-grade. The program is open to all. Advanced registration is appreciated but not mandatory. registration forms are available at mycps.org and at the church office, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Harvey Memorial Community Church, 300 Church St., Bradenton Beach, is an interdenominational church that worships Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Bible study is Thursdays at 11.a.m. Longboat Island Chapel, a Christian-based interfaith community church, offers Sunday services of Communion and Healing at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 10 a.m. at 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. roser Memorial Church will hold “Maker fun factory” vacation Bible school 5:30-8:30 p.m. June 5-9, for children age 4 to fifth-grade. Registration forms are available on the website or in the office. Transportation from the Center of Anna Maria Island and the School

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Obituary

Kenneth Rickett

Kenneth rickett, 79, of Anna Maria, died May 12. He was born June 11, 1937. He was an active real estate agent on Anna Maria Island for many years. Services will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 11, at the Key royale Club, 700 Key royal Drive, Holmes Beach.

Officers offstage

Robin “Roe” Duncan is the new president of the Off Stage Ladies of the Island Players. The other officers are vice president Carol Heckman, secretary Charlene Doll and treasurer Nancy Maloney. Outgoing president Nancy Ambrose, who served in the post for eight years, installed the new officers during the group’s May luncheon in Bradenton. Islander Courtesy Photos BELOW: Members of the Off Stage Ladies gather May 10 for their final meeting of the 2016-17 season. The group met monthly during the winter and spring at IMG Academy Golf Club in Bradenton and will resume luncheon meetings in the fall.

Pastor Rosemary Wheeler Backer

WORSHIP WITH US SATURDAY AT 5 PM SUNDAY AT 9:30 AM Fellowship follows Sunday worship 6608 Marina Drive ~ Holmes Beach ~ 941-778-1813 www.gloriadeilutheran.com “All are welcome”

Loving Christ • Sharing His Grace • Serving All COMMUNITY CHURCH

for Constructive Play is included. Tim Huppert, executive director of Anchor House at Port Manatee, will be the guest at the Just older Youth/JoY group brown bag lunch at roser at 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 24. Anchor House cares for the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of international seafarers. Beverages and desserts are provided. Huppert is the husband of Islander columnist Susan Huppert. Sunday worship at roser is 8:30 a.m. in the chapel and 10 a.m. in the sanctuary. A nursery is available during the 10 a.m. service. Adult Sunday school class is at 8:45 a.m. at the church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. St. Bernard Catholic Church celebrates daily Mass at 8:30 a.m. Weekend Mass is Sundays at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Saturday Vigil is at 4 p.m. at the church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach.

VBS June 5-9

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Churches shift to summer schedules

512 Pine Ave • Anna Maria

Gathering

Tim Huppert, executive director of the Anchor House at Port Manatee, will talk about evangelical outreach to seafarers in Manila during a gathering of the Just Older Youth/JOY club at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 24, at Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria.

Pastor Stephen King 9:30 am Sunday Services

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“Up Against It”

THE ISLaNDER n May 24, 2017 n 19

Anna Maria Elementary “Battle of Books” winners Eva Baught, left, Kylie Huffman and Stella Votrubova kneel with their “opponents” May 12 in the awards celebration for the friendly school-year long reading competition. Lynne McDonough, media specialist, oversees the program. Islander Courtesy Photo

By Sandy Ambrogi, sandy@islander.org

AME calendar

• 9 a.m. Thursday, May 25, awards assembly, auditorium. • 11 a.m. Thursday, May 25, fourth-grade beach trip. • 5-6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 25, boys’ game night. • 12:30 p.m. Friday, May 26, early release. • Monday, May 29, no school, Memorial Day. • 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 30, fifth-grade luncheon. • 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 31, early release, last day of school for students. • Classes will resume at AME Thursday, Aug. 10. Anna Maria Elementary is at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. for more information, call 941708-5525.

Everyone’s a winner in this battle

It’s the great battle — the one for knowledge. Anna Maria Elementary students in grades three, four and five have been engaging in that battle all year, participating in the “Battle of Books.” In the program, overseen by AME media specialist Lynne McDonough, students read books and are rewarded for their reading upon passing a quiz about the book. Charms are earned for passing the quiz for each book read from a “Battle” list, covering three categories.

Students who earn eight or more charms during the year receive a reading T-shirt and a chance to participate in the final “Battle of the Books.” At this year’s celebration May 12, Eva Baught was the winner in the Sunshine State reader Books category. Kylie Huffman won for The Classics. Stella Votrubova took home the trophy for The Who Was Series. McDonough said, “We are very proud of those students who participated in the program this year.”

“Pirates” Johnny Monetti, left, and Mason Moss perform a song May 16 during the kindergarten play, “Pajama Party,” at Anna Maria Elementary. The Columbia Restaurant on St. Armands Circle in Sarasota furnished the pre-play dinner and 100 percent of the proceeds, $1,142, went to the AME Parent-Teacher Organization. Johnny’s father, John Monetti, is manager at the Columbia. Islander Courtesy Photo: Kelly Crawford AME kindergartners Conrad Elmore, left, Ulysses Barrio-Trejo Adeline DuToit and Brody Copeman, creep around the stage like monsters in the May 16 “Pajama Party.” The “monsters under the bed” number also included costumed students weaving through the audience.

Kyler Hood, left, and Jazzy Sparks sing during the May 16 kindergarten play, “Pajama Party,” at Anna Maria Elementary.

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20 n May 24, 2017 n THE ISLaNDER

Cops & Court By Kathy Prucnell, Islander Reporter

Brandon man arrested for drugs in Holmes Beach

Palmetto man sentenced to probation for ‘wet reckless’

A Palmetto man arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in Holmes Beach pleaded no contest April 27 to a reduced charge of wet reckless. Twelfth Circuit Judge Charles Sniffin found Andrew Brownewell, 38, guilty of reckless driving and sentenced him to a 12-month probation — requiring him to complete an advanced DuI course and, for 60 days, to wear a remote alcohol monitor. A plea bargain from DuI to reckless driving, including a DuI probation, is referred to as a “wet reckless.” The monitoring bracelet detects alcohol con-

sumption through the skin and substitutes for check-in probation testing. Brownewell was charged with DuI in May 2015 after he rear-ended a vehicle at Gulf and Marina drives and refused to perform field-sobriety and blood-alcohol-content tests, according to a Holmes Beach police report. With his sentencing, the judge impounded Brownewell’s vehicle for 10 days and ordered the man to 50 hours of public service with an option to pay a $500 fine in lieu of the service. Brownewell was allowed travel between ohio and florida until May 27. After 30 days, the order states that out-of-state travel is to be approved by his probation officer. Brownewell was assessed $3,236 in court costs and fines.

Cocaine, marijuana and paraphernalia. Holmes Beach Police Officer Alan Bores found the contraband after stopping ryan C. Wallace, 36, of Brandon, at 11:15 p.m. May 8 for driving on a suspended license in the 2500 block of Gulf Drive. Bores observed open beer cans and asked Wallace if he had anything else illegal in the vehicle. Wallace responded “no” and Wallace consented to a police search of his vehicle, according to the officer’s report. By Kathy Prucnell In the search, Bores reported finding a burnt marijuana cigarette, weighing 0.7 grams; a plastic bag conman asked a Manatee County sheriff’s deputy to help Island police blotter taining 0.2 grams of cocaine; and a marijuana pipe. him trespass his girlfriend from ohio. She was issued Wallace was transported to the Manatee County anna Maria a warning and transported elsewhere. no new reports. jail. He posted a $2,500 bond and was released. April 30, Cortez Trailer Park, 12500 block of Anna Maria is policed by MCSO. Wallace’s arraignment is set for 9 a.m. friday, June Cortez road, trespass warning. An intoxicated Bra9, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Mana- Bradenton Beach denton man, sitting on bench near a “residents only” May 12, Pines Trailer Park, 30 block of Laverne tee Ave. W., Bradenton. sign, was issued a trespass warning at the request of a Drive, disturbance. responding to a call, a Bradenton homeowners representative. Beach police officer found an intoxicated man walking Holmes Beach man gets holmes Beach down the street. He told the officer he was locked out May 9, Manatee Public Beach, disorderly intoxicaprobation for DUI of his home. A woman at his residence told the officer tion. A Bradenton man was arrested after a volleyball Eli Taylor, 36, of Holmes Beach, pleaded no con- the man wouldn’t leave her alone so she could go to player told police he had threatened him and people in test in April to one count of driving under the influence bed. his party. Holmes Beach police gave the man a breath of alcohol. Cortez test, which measured 0.227, and arrested him with 21 Twelfth Circuit Judge Doug Henderson found April 28, Sunny Shores, 3600 block of 117th cans of beer. Taylor guilty and sentenced him to 12 months on pro- Street West, trespass warning. After an argument, a Holmes Beach is policed by the Holmes Beach bation. Police Department. Taylor was arrested in october 2016 after he Streetlife is based on incident reports and narraswerved his SuV into the path of a Holmes Beach tives from the BBPD, HBPD and MCSo. police squad, a bike lane and the grass along Gulf Eyes on the road Drive. Taylor refused to take a roadside balance and blood-alcohol tests. The florida Department of Transportation posted Island watch: In an emergency, call 911. To report The state charged two counts of DuI and a refusal this advisory for the week of May 22: information on island crime, call the Manatee County to submit to the road test but, upon taking the plea, • SR 789 at the Longboat Key Drawbridge: Crews Sheriff’s Office Anna Maria substation, 941-708abandoned the refusal charge and one DuI count. are working on the bridge. Expect nighttime/overnight 8899; Bradenton Beach police, 941-778-6311; or The judge ordered Taylor to complete a victim- intermittent north and southbound lane closures from Holmes Beach police, 941-708-5804. impact panel and 50 hours of public service, allowing a 9 p.m. each night to 4 a.m. each morning through “buy out” option. Taylor’s driver’s license was ordered Thursday, May 25. Use caution and expect possible suspended for six months with a business permit. delays. Taylor was assessed $1,841 in court costs and for the latest road watch information, go online to fines. www.fl511.com or dial 511.

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Baitmonger removes ‘derelict’ vessel to settle court case

By Kathy Prucnell Islander Reporter John Maguire III answers the phone “baitman” and speaks what’s on his mind — no filter. He’s had plenty to speak about in the past year, including 17 boating violations, beating a charge for peeing off a dock and dealing with a citation for a partially submerged derelict vessel — a 19-foot Godfrey skiff that — before a court-ordered removal May 17 — often was tethered to his liveaboard sailboat in the waters south of the Cortez Bridge near Cortez. After a May 15 court hearing, Maguire reports the derelict vessel case is settling. Maguire runs his boat-based bait store between Cortez and Bradenton Beach and the 19-foot skiff was where he stored his inventory of shiners and shrimp. Before April 2016, Maguire ran his business from the skiff at the Historic Bridge Street Pier at the behest of Bradenton Beach City Commission. The land-based pier bait shop was closed. Represented by a public defender, Maguire has been told his case will be dismissed at a May 30 pretrial conference if he provides proof he satisfied a plea deal to remove and junk the skiff. Chris “Nelly” Nelson of Cracker Seafood & Bait helped Maguire tow the skiff May 17 to the Bradenton Beach Marina, where it was hoisted to land. There, the vessel awaited “Scrapper Frank,” Maguire said, who told him he’d scrap it for $100. The derelict vessel case stems from a citation in April 2016 for failing to remove the skiff — a tagged “partially submerged vessel” that took on water with holes in its hull and cap — issued by Manatee County Sheriff’s Deputy Daniel Hearn while on water patrol. Even though the plea won’t exonerate him, Maguire feels vindicated because it doesn’t include jail, probation and fines. And he’s adamant he’s been harassed. “My boat does not take on water,” Maguire says. “Except when it rains. They should’ve dropped the

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Bradenton Beach police arrested Maguire for allegedly urinating off the pier in April 2016. A trespass warning issued as a result of that incident was pardoned by the city in November 2016, after the urination charge was dropped. His pretrial conference on the derelict vessel charge is set for 1:30 p.m. at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

John Maguire III studies his 20-foot vessel lifted May 17 from Sarasota Bay and destined for the junkyard as a result of a 12th Circuit Court derelict vessel case. Islander Photos: Kathy Prucnell charges a lot sooner.” In the past year, Maguire adds, Hearn, on water patrol, has ticketed him 17 times, each with fines of $90-$110. Maguire says restaurant owners, who don’t want him near their docks, complain to Hearn. Maguire sold bait off the Bridge Street pier until the Florida Department of Environmental Protection advised the city the submerged lands lease prohibited commercial use of the pier.

100 Club recognizes BBPD officer

Bradenton Beach Police Officer Josh Betts was recognized May 18 by the Manatee County 100 Club for a drug arrest in June 2016. The arrest resulted in the seizure of 62 grams of marijuana, Xanax, oxycodone and THC lollipops, according to BBPD Detective Sgt. Lenard Diaz, who, with Betts, attended the service club’s annual dinner at the Renaissance on 9th in Bradenton. The group was chartered in 1980 to support local law enforcement and their families. Islander Courtesy Photo: BBPD

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HB code officer engages public, protects sea turtle habitat By ChrisAnn Silver Esformes Islander reporter It’s sunset in paradise, with groups of people on the beach to watch as the sun sinks below the horizon on the Gulf of Mexico. When an officer pulls up on an ATV, people appear wary, perhaps wondering, “What have I done wrong?” However, as soon as James “JT” Thomas, Holmes Beach code enforcement officer, greets them with a smile, welcomes them to Anna Maria Island and gives children free souvenir sunglasses, suspicion vanishes and friendly conversation ensues. Thomas patrols the beach in the May-to-october sea turtle nesting season around sunset, speaking with people about protecting the turtle’s habitat on the beach. He reminds people to collect their beach gear and fill any holes dug on the beach at the end of the day. female sea turtles only come ashore to nest, so any objects or pitfalls in their path can distract them and lead to a failed nesting attempt — a false crawl. Additionally, a sea turtle can become trapped in beach chairs and canopies, which can be deadly. If Thomas sees people with beach furniture near sunset, he asks them to remove it when they leave and gives beachgoers handouts about nesting season. nancy Gumula, of Tampa, said she enjoyed speaking with Thomas during his May 10 evening patrol. “I appreciate his approach,” Gumula said. “He made us feel really welcome and gave us good information about sea turtles.” Thomas said he likes speaking with the public on his patrols. “It’s not just about enforcing code,” Thomas said. “It’s about getting people to relate to the story of why the code is there. once they get that, they are in.” But, public relations is just part of Thomas’s work. As he patrols the beach, he stops to fill in large holes dug on the beach. Holes can trap sea turtles — mature females and hatchlings. He also addresses code problems with beachfront residences, businesses and rentals. According to Thomas, about 80 percent of beach-

If Thomas sees lights that may distract turtles, he contacts the owner or management the next day to correct the problem. If it is not resolved, a citation will be issued. Additionally, if a resort or rental guests leave beach chairs on the open beach, he will warn management first, then cite the establishment if the problem is not fixed. “Sea turtles have been nesting here for millions of years,” Thomas said. “My job is to let people know about these amazing creatures and to make sure we give them back their island at night.” for more information on the sea turtle habitat, or to report a sick, injured or dead sea turtle, contact Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring executive director Suzi fox at suzifox@gmail.com or 941-778-5638.

Holmes Beach code enforcement officer James “JT” Thomas gives a pair of souvenir Holmes Beach sunglasses to Sierra Mitchell, 5, of Ruskin, May 10 while mom Abbey Mitchell watches at the Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Islander Photo: ChrisAnn Silver Esformes front properties in Holmes Beach are in compliance. This means they have low, shielded turtle-friendly lighting and indoor lights are turned off or shielded with curtains and blinds after dark. Sea turtles — mostly loggerheads on AMI — use their instincts to follow the natural light from the reflection of the moon and stars on the surface of the water back to the Gulf of Mexico after nesting. Bright lights visible from the shoreline can distract sea turtles away from the water, increasing the likelihood of death by predation or exhaustion.

On track

Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteer Linda Caldwell prepares May 15 to stake off a nest near 29th Street in Holmes Beach after she and her husband, AMITW volunteer Pat Caldwell, discovered tracks made the night before. “The tracks are a really clear example of what loggerhead tracks look like,” AMITW executive director Suzi Fox said May 15. Islander Photo: Courtesy AMITW

‘Lights out’ season

Suzi Fox, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring executive director, stands May 16 by the recently placed “Lights Out” sign on the public facility building near the south entrance to Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. Manatee County approved placement of the sign at Coquina Beach when its previous location on Manatee Avenue, west of the Anna Maria Island Bridge, was no longer available. The sign stays up through sea turtle nesting season, which ends Oct. 31. Islander Photo: ChrisAnn Silver Esformes

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An elegant grand live oak. Islander Photo: Lisa Neff

By Lisa Neff

Taking root

Week after week, I learn of another islander uprooted, another friend or neighbor relocating to the mainland because housing costs are too high or housing is too scarce on the island. With this trend, we’re seeing another — the uprooting of our trees as the lots that held island bungalows are cleared to make way for island resort houses. Holmes Beach commissioners discussed this issue earlier in May, with Commissioner Carol Soustek sagely suggesting the city adopt an Neff ordinance to do more to protect trees, which preserve the ecological balance of the environment, control erosion, provide shade, reduce pollution, abate noise and make me happy. Such ordinances exist throughout the united States. Some measures are stronger than others. Some have withstood legal challenges. The best are updated periodically to deal with changing times. Tampa, for example, is changing its ordinance so it is easier to remove invasive, exotic species and to better define “hazardous” trees and require notification of neighboring properties when a permit is sought for a tree’s removal. Here at home, the Anna Maria Tree and Landscape ordinance establishes minimum standards and criteria to protect “plant and wildlife habitats from adverse impacts of growth while contributing to the process of air purification, recharging groundwater and the retarding of erosion by stormwater.” The ordinance promotes the “use of site-specific plant materials,” requires a landscaping plan and applies in all zoning districts for new development, redevelopment or expansion of existing uses. for developments in residential districts and the ror, the ordinance requires at least six native trees, three types of tree species, nine native shrubs and three types of shrub species. Additionally, at least 10 percent of a lot or parcel must be landscaped with vegetation. And this landscaping must take place to gain a certificate of completion or certificate of occupancy from the city. Another provision in the ordinance protects grand trees — those with trunks measuring at least 24 inches in circumference at breast height — unless “it can be

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demonstrated to the satisfaction of the city commission that the location of the grand tree renders the lot or parcel as non-buildable.” Landscapes at newer homes seem lush and green, but here’s a caution for Holmes Beach. Anna Maria’s ordinance hasn’t stopped the destruction of some trees and shrubbery full of food for wildlife. In nearly a dozen years here, I’ve seen many palm trees take the place of scraggly florida privets, which is a species invaluable for the nesting cover and berries they provide birds and the nectar and pollen provided for bees and butterflies. Holmes Beach commissioners plan additional discussion on a possible ordinance, and they likely will look to model measures adopted in other florida cities. Another resource is conservationtools.org, which offers a guide on the issue — from evaluating the need for a tree ordinance to enacting an ordinance. The steps outlined in the guide:

• Inventory a community’s tree resources by counting the species, size, location, age and condition of existing trees and estimating the tree canopy. • Inventory a community’s tree management practices by reviewing existing ordinances and codes and other written records. • Identify a community’s goals, including if and how trees lost to development should be replaced, whether permits will be required for tree removal, when exemptions might be allowed and what kind of penalties would be applied. The resource is a project of the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association, which says the earliest tree ordinance in the united States was drafted by William Penn circa 1700 to set standards for early settlements around Philadelphia. Three-hundred years later, thousands of communities in the united States have ordinances, according to the association. Time for an ordinance to take root in one more.

From Mote to Marvel

Dr. Tracy Fanara, who manages the environmental health program at Sarasota-based Mote Marine Laboratory, is featured in the newest issue of a Marvel comic, “The Unstoppable Wasp,” written by Jeremy Whitley and illustrated by Elsa Charretier. The comic chronicles the adventures of super genius and incredible scientist Nadia, who has put together a lab of girl geniuses called GIRL — Genius In action Research Labs. She aims to recruit young women who can change the world with science. Islander Courtesy Image

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24 n May 24, 2017 n THE ISLANDER

Holmes Beach long-distance runner still going strong at 70

By Kevin P. Cassidy Islander Reporter Holmes Beach resident Sandy Meneley ran the April 17 Boston Marathon and finished in a very respectable sixth place in her age division with a time of 4 hours, 34 minutes. This is Meneley’s third time running the Boston Marathon, having also ran in the 2000 and 2009 races. This year’s run had significance for Meneley and other women runners as it was the 50th anniversary for women taking part in the race. Cassidy Kathryn Switzer, the first woman to run the Boston event, also was in the race, competing in the same age division as Meneley. And, for the record, Meneley finished 10 minutes ahead of Switzer. Meneley tried to draw on her experience from her other two runs in Boston, having learned the pitfalls of starting too fast on the downhill section. Despite this, she found herself going at a faster pace than she expected after 13 miles so she consciously tried to slow her pace by a half minute per mile. Her body forced the issue, as calf cramps arose at mile 15. A trip to the medical tent for anti-cramping medication helped, but resulted in intestinal problems. More medical tent stops and three port-a-potty visits got her to the finish line, she said, but added to her overall time. Meneley was well represented in Boston. Husband Fuzz, son MJ Meneley, as well as friends from the Boston area who winter on Anna Maria Island — Susan and Dan Smith of Natick, Massachusetts, and Pam Halsey of New Hampshire — were cheering her through the miles. Also in the race: daughter Lesley Brainard of Collierville, Tennessee. She competed in the 45-49 age group and finished 33 out of 1,800 in 3:22. Next up for Meneley is triathlon season. She says the training is easier on her body, using different muscle groups for swimming and biking. Though Meneley’s pace is on track, she is starting

Action continued Saturday morning with a pair of 8-10 division games starting with Slim’s Place taking on Progressive Cabinetry . Slim’s rode five goals from Aiden Templeton to earn a 5-3 victory. Gregory Jordan added an assist to go along with three saves in goal, while Gabe Hoover finished with two saves between the pipes. Ewen Cloutier led Progressive Cabinetry with two goals while Jackson Pakbaz added a goal. Charlie Rogers added an assist to go along with three saves, while Jack McCarthy finished with two saves and an assist in the loss. The second 8-10 division game saw Truly Nolen and Wash Family Construction battle to a 4-4 tie.

Holmes Beach resident Sandy Meneley is in her stride April 17 in the Boston Marathon. Meneley finished her third Boston Marathon in sixth place in her age group with a time of 4:34. Islander Photo: Courtesy Fuzz Meneley to deal with the pain of pushing herself to do her best, as opposed to being satisfied with finishing the race. However, upon returning home and learning she is ranked first in the nation in duathlon — run, bike, run — and an All American in both duathlon and triathlon — she likely will strive for her best. Congratulations to Sandy and family from The Islander.

Playoff matchups set in youth soccer Regular-season soccer action at the Center of Anna Maria Island came to a close May 20 and the playoff matchups are set for the 8-10 division. The semifinal games were set to start at 5:30 p.m. May 23, after press time for The Islander, when top-seed Truly Nolen will take on fourth-seed Wash Family Construction. The second semifinal follows at 6:30 p.m. between No. 2 seed Progressive Cabinetry and No. 3 Slim’s Place. Championship Wednesday kicks off Wednesday, May 24, with the 8-10 division championship game at 6:30 p.m. The two-team 11-14 division championship game follows at 7:30 p.m. The final regular season games kicked off May 20 with an 11-14 division matchup that saw Sign-ARama earn a 5-3 victory over Salty Printing behind Progressive Cabinetry’s Charlie Rogers takes a for- four goals from Tyler Brewer and a goal and an assist ward kick during 8-10 division soccer action May 20 from Connor Ludwig. at the Center of Anna Maria Island. Islander Photo: Javier Rivera led the way for Salty Printing with Kevin P. Cassidy two goals in the loss. Thomas Heckler added a goal. Established 2008

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Key Royale golf news Golf action at the Key Royale Club kicked off May 15 with the men playing a nine-hole modified Stableford-system match. John Kolojeski lapped the field with a score of plus-5 to win the individual competition, two points ahead of Bill Shuman, who finished alone in second place. Kolojeski’s score helped teammates Marty Hicks, Lex Halakan and Hoyt Miller to the team title as well with a score of plus-11. The women played May 16 in a nine-hole individual-low-net match in four flights. Debbie Wohlers rode a birdie on the number six to take home first place in Flight A with a 3-underpar 29, one stroke ahead of second-place finisher Pam Lowry. Tootie Wagner’s 1-under-par 31 was good for first place in Flight B, where Fran Barford and Sue Christenson tied for second place with 1-over-par 33s. Flight C went to Kathy Porter, who carded a 5-under-par 27 to finish one stroke ahead of secondplace finisher Alice Longworth. Wendy Holcomb fired the low-net round of the day with a 7-under-par 25 to run away with honors in Flight D. Judy Hutton took second place with a 2-overpar 34. The men were back on the course May 18 for a nine-hole scramble. The team of Gerry Dahl, Jon Holcomb, Art McMillan and Jeff Smith took home first place with a 5-under-par 27. The team of Herb Clauhs, Bill MacMillan, Dan Richardson and Earl Ritchie were one stroke back in second place. Horseshoe news Horseshoe action May 17 saw three teams earn 2-0 pool play records at the Anna Maria City Hall horseshoe pits. The three-way tie was broken by a “sudden death” tiebreaker, giving the team of Dom Livedoti and Sam Samuels the championship. Two teams advanced to the knockout round May 20. The team of Rod Bussey and Sam Samuels earned a 22-14 victory over Tom Skoloda and Roger Nigg to earn a trip to the winner’s circle. Play gets under way at 9 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Anna Maria City Hall pits. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m. followed by random team selection.

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Fishing inshore and near as hot as temps By Capt. Danny Stasny Islander reporter The fishing is heating up much like the weather. Fishing the flats for redfish, spotted seatrout and catch-and-release snook is in full swing. You also can start finding snook in the passes and along the beaches during calm mornings or evenings. fishing offshore is heating up with reports of blackfin tuna, cobia, permit and king mackerel. Days with light winds or no winds at all are most favorable in deep waters. Grouper and snapper also are being caught. Stasny on my own Southernaire charter adventures, I’m putting anglers on numerous spotted seatrout throughout the flats of southern Tampa Bay and its surrounding waters. Live shiners free-lined over deeper flats of 6-8 feet where clear water from the Gulf is flowing into the bay is proving most productive. Spotted seatrout up to 22 inches are being caught, with most catches 16-18 inches. Catch-and-release snook fishing remains a favorite pastime for my clients. Spending an hour or so rallying on 20-26 inchers is a great way to take the edge off the morning. While targeting these snook, I’m stumbling on a sporadic redfish bite. At least there’s a bite. Most catches are 16-24 inches. Lastly, fishing nearshore structure is starting to produce some mangrove snapper. Live shiners on a 1/2-ounce knocker rig are attracting mangoes up to 18 inches in as little as 15 feet of water. Mixed in with the snapper are flounder and juvenile grouper. Capt. Aaron Lowman also is hunting inshore for the popular trio of redfish, spotted seatrout and catchand-release snook. for the reds and snook, Lowman is finding areas where oyster bars and mangrove roots are present. He also favors big falling tides when targeting these species. for the spotted seatrout, deep grass flats where clean water is swiftly flowing is proving productive. Mixed in with the trout are bluefish, jack Capt. Logan Bystrom works the tarpon catch prior to its release. Looking on are his son Hayes, held by Uncle Connor Bystrom, and a friend of Connor’s from veterinary school, Bucky Buxton of Oklahoma, holding the rod. It was Hayes’ first tarpon-fishing trip and a celebration for the birthday of his mom and wife of Logan, Rachael Bystrom. Islander Courtesy Photo

CAPT. AARON LOWMAN 'ULF "AY &ISHINGs4ARPON 53'! ,ICENSED AND )NSURED

Herb Schutte of Ohio hooks up a tarpon on a pass crab in Tampa Bay May 19 and holds him long enough for a photo. Schutte was guided on his charter fishing trip by Capt. Warren Girle.

crevalle and ladyfish. Capt. David White of Anna Maria Charters is working offshore with good results. fishing hard bottom in depths of 120 feet is resulting in big red grouper. Mixed in are local snappers — American red, lane, mangrove, vermilion and yellowtail. Wreck fishing offshore is producing blackfin tuna, permit, cobia and amberjack for White’s anglers. Capt. Warren Girle is targeting tarpon along the beaches of Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island. Live crabs and threadfin herring cast into schooling fish are producing a bite. Although it’s the early stage of tarpon season, Girle is jumping fish on a daily basis. Capt. rick Gross of fishy Business Charters is easing around the lush grass flats of Tampa Bay, where ,on deeper flats in 6-8 feet of water, he’s putting clients on spotted seatrout with either live free-lined shiners or shiners rigged under a popping cork. Mixed in with the trout bite are bluefish and Spanish mackerel. On

shallower flats of 3 feet or less, Gross is finding redfish. Mangroves and oyster bars make up the habitat where the reds lurk. finally, catch-and-release snook are being found in the passes and along the beaches. Sight-casting to these fish with live shiners is resulting in fish up to 30 inches for Gross’ clients. Capt. Jason Stock is running charters offshore with good results around wrecks and reefs. He’s leading clients to blackfin tuna, king mackerel, permit, cobia and goliath grouper. For the migratory fish — tuna, macks and cobia — live shiners, threadfin herring and pinfish are working well. As for the permit, a tasty little pass crab will do the trick. finally, for the goliaths, any large bait — whole jack or mackerel — will suffice. Jim Malfese at the rod & reel Pier is seeing a variety of fish reeled up to the boards. Mangrove snapper, flounder and redfish are just a few of the species he’s reporting are being caught at the pier. Catchand-release snook also are being caught occasionally. finally, Spanish mackerel and jack crevalle can be caught with the use of small jigs or silver spoons. Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.

TideWatch

Red tide lingers in background

A bloom of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was observed in background concentrations in three samples collected in Manatee County and reported May 18. for more information about red tide in florida, go to myfwc.com/redtidestatus.

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BY SANDY AMBROGI

Gallery taking hiatus, cleanup business expands

Summer brings big barbecue

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that time of year again. The annual tri-chamber Business and BBQ on the Bay will be 5:30-7:30 p.m. at The resort at Longboat Key Club, 3000 Harbourside Drive, Longboat Key, bayside. The buffet will include smoked brisket, chicken wings, Cuban pulled pork sliders, ribs, slaw, beans and more. Mike Sales will furnish beach music and there will be a raffle, as well as lawn games. Cost is $25 in advance and $30 at the door. reservations may be made on line or by calling the AMI chamber. for more information, contact the chamber at 941778-1541 or visit the website at annamariaislandchamber.org. The chamber is at 5313 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. The 15th annual Disaster Preparedness Seminar will be held 3:15-6 p.m. friday, May 26, sponsored by the Longboat Chamber of Commerce and the town of Longboat Key at the Harbourside Ballroom at the resort at Longboat Key Club, 300 Harbourside Drive, Longboat Key. for more information, call 941-383-2466, visit the website at longboatkeychamber.com or the office Deb Wing, president of the Anna Maria Island at 5390 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite 102, Longboat Chamber of Commerce, shares a laugh with Lindsey Leech of Duncan Real Estate at the May 3 chamber Key. luncheon at the Freckled Fin in Bradenton Beach. The next chamber luncheon will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 7, at the Lazy Lobster, 5350 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Islander Photo: Sandy Ambrogi

Art is in the eye of the beholder Anna Maria Island is a haven for artistic endeavors of all sorts â&#x20AC;&#x201D; oil painting, acrylics, photography and sometimes the just downright weird. Along with artists come galleries of many shapes and contents. The J. Lazzara Gallery of Pine, 507 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, will close in June through mid-August for the summer season. The gallery is currently offering 50 percent off everything in the store. Suzanne ripka, gallery manager, said owner Joyce Lazzara is going to Durango, Colorado, for the summer to paint. for more information, call 941-243-3997. Cleanliness is spreading Last summer nate Welch and rather Hosch arrived in Anna Maria, fleeing the Colorado winters and planning to open an environmentally friendly business taking care of some nasty containers. Bins Be Clean celebrated its opening in october 2016, supplying residential and commercial bin cleaning. The specially made cleaning truck cleans garbage cans and large bins, captures the water and uses green cleaning products. According to Welch, the company has expanded and is now servicing customers in Lakewood ranch. for information, call 941-778-0020 or visit the website at binsbeclean.com. Doughnut-makers bid farewell to island Less than a month ago, The Islander reported the newest franchise of Anna Maria Islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The Donut Experiment was opening in Clearwater. Cecilia and Shawn Wampole, owners of the Pine Avenue breakfast favorite, packed up their children and returned to Philadelphia May 17. The couple were ready to move back home to Philly to spend time with family and say they will focus on The Donut Experiment franchise growth. never fear. The original location at 210 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, will remain open to make personal favor- Julie Gartside, marketing director for Waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Edge of Bradenton, discusses her company and its serites. vices at the May 3 Anna Maria Island Chamber of MIKE NORMAN REALTY Commerce lunch. The next AMI chamber luncheon EST. 1978 will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 7, at the Lazy Lobster, 5350 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Islander Photo: Sandy Ambrogi For professional real estate sales, call a true island native, born and raised on Anna Maria Island. Marianne Norman-Ellis. 941.778.6696

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PropertyWatch

Real estate transactions

By Jesse Brisson Special to The Islander 7312 Gulf Drive, unit 6, La Casa Costiera, Holmes Beach, a 2,012 sfla / 2,240 sfur 3 bed/1 1/2 bath/2 car Gulffront condo with shared pool built in 2005 was sold 04/17/17, Wendt to Korff for $1,650,000; list $1,750,000. 518 Villa rosa Way, Anna Maria, a 3,100 sfla / 5,000 sfur 5 bed/4 bath/3 car canalfront pool home built in 2016 on a 8,189 sq ft lot was sold 04/21/17, Hall to Smucker for $1,645,000; list Brisson $1,695,000. 203 17th Street N., Bradenton Beach, a 2,649 sfla / 3,568 sfur 6 bed/4 1/2 bath/3 car pool home built in 2015 on a 7,067 sq ft lot was sold 04/21/17, Lott Keel Holdings LLC to Hamilton for $1,325,000; list $1,449,000. 141 50th St., unit A, Coastal Cottages, Holmes Beach, a 2,326 sfla / 3,690 sfur 4 bed/3 1/2 bath/2 car land condo with pool built in 2008 was sold 04/18/17, Alyryan Partners LLC to Callahan for $1,045,000; list $1,100,000. 119 52nd St., Holmes Beach, a 3,444 sfla / 5,814 sfur 5 bed/4 1/2 bath home built in 1988 on a 10,000 PLEASE SEE real esTaTe, PAGE 27

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THE ISLANDER n May 24, 2017 n 27

Stone crab season wraps up with a bang

By Bianca Benedí Islander Reporter Stone crab season is over. Stone crabbers have picked up their traps and the crabs will be left to reproduce and repopulate until Oct. 15, when the season begins again. The harvest of this popular Florida crab ended with a strong finish, with crabbers statewide pulling in nearly 3 million pounds of claw fish worth almost $30 million, according to Ryan Gandy, a research scientist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Since the 1980s, when the FWC began tracking population information, stone crab harvests have ranged from 2 million pounds to 3.5 million pounds, putting this year’s harvest at the upper end. Karen Bell, who operates A.P. Bell Fish Co. at 4600 124th St. W., Cortez, and the Starfish Company Market & Restaurant next door, said the season went better than in the recent past. “It went better than three years ago. I think we had a pretty good year. Comparable to last year, production real estate from page 26

sq ft lot was sold 04/20/17, Fletcher to 535 Inc for $868,000; list $899,900. 633 Emerald Lane, Holmes Beach, a 2,777 sfla / 3,958 sfur 3 bed/3 bath/2 car canalfront pool home built in 1973 on a 15,812 sq ft lot was sold 04/25/17, Korzen to Hurst for $775,000. 208 55th St., Holmes Beach, a 1,253 sfur 1,591 sfur 2 bed/2 bath/1 car pool home built in 1964 on a 7,950 sq ft lot was sold 04/24/17, Hale to AMI Holdings LLC for $675,000; list $699,000. 2502 Gulf Drive N., Unit 209, Club Bamboo, Bradenton Beach, a 566 sfla 1 bed/1 bath condo with shred pool built in 1975 was sold 04/25/17, Faire to Aqua Props LLC for $315,000. Jesse Brisson, broker/associate at Gulf-Bay Realty of Anna Maria, can be reached at 941-778-7244.

was better,” she said. “We’ll do it again in October.” She said crabs sold at $20 per pound of jumbo size claws and wholesale prices ranged $9-$20, depending on the quantity purchased. Bell sources her stone crabs from 12 independent crabbers. She also runs a bait boat, a shrimp boat and 13 grouper boats from Cortez. Each season, crabbers set out baited crab traps. After waiting a few days at a time, crabbers pull up the traps and harvest legal size claws before throwing the rest back in the water and re-setting the traps. Only claws 2.7 inches or larger can be harvested. The claws are the only harvestable portion of the crab. Bell said the Starfish restaurant continued selling stone crabs until May 15 and sold out of clam chowder May 16. According to Adam Ellis, owner of the Blue Marlin Seafood Restaurant at 121 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach, his business wrapped up stone crab season in February. “They were catching them good this year,” he said. The restaurant sold mixed sizes of stone crab legs at $20 a pound and prepared crabs at $25-$35 a pound.

Population recovery: Myths and Facts According to the FWC, stone crab numbers have made a significant rebound since 2014, when only 1.9 million pounds of stone crabs were caught. In 2015, the crabs appeared to make a decent recovery, with crabbers pulling in 2.2 million pounds worth $27.8 million. In 2016, 3.1 million pounds were caught, a $31.5 million value. Stone crabs can regrow their claws. But studies have shown that stone crabs with one claw removed have a 40 percent mortality rate and crabs with both claws removed have a 60 percent mortality rate once thrown back in the water. Without their claws, which they use as tools and weapons, stone crabs are more vulnerable to predation from other animals.

Back to the bay

James Suggs, a Bradenton Beach Marina dock worker, shows a juvenile stone crab he pulled off the bottom of a vessel before hustling the crab into the water. Islander Photo: Kathy Prucnell In addition, Gandy said, stone crabs rarely regrow claws large enough to reharvest. Sustainability efforts should include population reproduction, not just claw regrowth, Gandy said. The recovery period from May to October allows female crabs to lay millions of eggs in an effort to repopulate.

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OFFICE FURNITURE AND more. Desks, $50 or best offer, ﬁle cabinets, $50 or best offer. 941356-1456. ANTIQUE PARTNER DESK: All wood, $1,000. See at The Islander ofﬁce, 3218 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach. FOUR OAK OFFICE chairs: Antiques, perfect for eclectic dining set. The Islander newspaper, 3218 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach.

FREEBIE ITEMS FOR SALE Individuals may place one free ad with up to three items, each priced $100 or less, 15 words or less. FREE, one week, must be submitted online. Email classiﬁeds@islander.org, fax toll-free 1-866-3629821. (limited time offer)

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