The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, June 08, 2022 by The Anna Maria Islander Newspaper

JUNE 8, 2022 FREE

VOLUME 30, NO. 33

The Best news on Anna Maria Island Since 1992

islander.org

Astheworldterns. 6

Q&A 060822

Tires off the road in HB?

Canal wars in Cortez. 4

Meetings 4

RoadWatch 4 HB discusses front-yard pools. 5

Opinions 6

10-20 YEARS AGO

Looking back. 7

Tourism topples ‘bed tax’ record. 8

Chivalry comes to AM pier

BB set for charter amendments hearings. 9

Paul Bodkin, visiting Anna Maria Island from the united Kingdom, jumps off the Anna Maria City Pier walkway June 3 to rescue his wife’s hat, — aka a “fascinator” — which blew with the breeze into Tampa Bay. He tossed the hat up from the water and swam to shore to rejoin wife Kath and their kids on deck. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

Save the date. 10

Happenings What’s up on AMI? 11

Gathering. 14

GoodDeeds 14 Obituary 14 Top notch photo contest opens. 15 Where’s Tuna Street.

16-17

BBPD chief appeals for more ofﬁcers, funding. 18

Cops & Courts 20

Streetlife. 20

2022 Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach elections

AM mayor seeks reelection to 5th term

BB election paves path HB planner set to run for unlimited terms for city commission

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

Every incumbent will seek reelection in Anna Maria. Water main break disrupts Mayor Dan Murphy wrote in a June 2 AMI operations. 21 text message to The Islander that he will run nesting notes. 22 for his fifth two-year term in November’s election. Murphy was first elected in 2014 and was elected without opposition in 2016, electrifying topic. 23 2018 and 2020. His current term is set to expire in Surf’s up. 24 November. Tarpon sizzle. 25 Murphy will be the third incumbent seeking reelection this year. Commissioners Isl Biz: 26 Deanie Sebring and Mark Short announced CLASSIFIEDS 28-29 their reelection bids the week beginning May 23. PropertyWatch 30 The window to qualify to run for the seats opened at noon June 6, and close at puzzle. 31

NYT

TuRn TO AM ELECT, PAGe 2

In Bradenton Beach, seats held by Commissioners Ralph Cole and Marilyn Maro are up for election in November. According to the city clerk’s office, Commissioner Ralph Cole will pursue qualifying to retain his seat in the Nov. 8 election. Maro told The Islander May 19 that she was undecided. The same ballot will carry the proposed charter changes that could result in the removal of term limits for elected officials in Bradenton Beach — commissioners and mayor — who now are limited to three consecutive two-year terms. It now is up to the electorate. If voters eliminate term limits, an official on the 2022 ballot who would term out could have another opportunity to stay in office. TuRn TO BB ELECT, PAGe 2

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

A challenger is waiting in the wings in Holmes Beach. Planning Commission Chair Greg Kerchner announced June 1 that he will run for one of two city commission seats up for grabs in this year’s election. Kerchner, who joined the planning commission in 2019 and has served as chair since 2020, said he wants to become more involved in the city. “This was not an easy decision for me to make, but there are just too many important issues facing our city,” Kerchner said. “I hope to put to good use everything I’ve learned from you. … I’m convinced I can make a difference.” In the meantime, Kerchner said he’d sought legal advice about his position on

TuRn TO HB ELECT, PAGe 2

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2022 Elections AM ELECT COnTInueD FROM PAGe 1

noon, Friday, June 17. To qualify, potential candidates must file forms with the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office to detail a campaign bank account and appoint a campaign treasurer. Potential candidates also must obtain 10 signatures from registered Murphy voters in the city, submit an affidavit of residency and pay 1% of the annual pay they would receive if elected. Mayors are paid $19,600 annually. Commissioners receive a $4,800 annual stipend. Sebring Without challengers, they would automatically retain their seats. The city has struggled to produce candidates and challengers in recent history. The last election with a vote between competing candidates was in 2017. Everyone since has either won Short without competition or was appointed by commission vote. If there are challengers, the city’s voters will decide who will represent them Tuesday, Nov. 8, in the general election. There were 968 registered voters in Anna Maria as of May 9, according to the SOE. To learn more about the election, go to the SEO’s website, at votemanatee.com.

Click!

The Islander welcomes news of the milestones in readers’ lives — weddings, anniversaries, travels and other events. Send notices to news@ islander.org.

While the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections shows Maro as having been elected to the commission twice, she has served as Ward 2 commissioner for three consecutive terms. She was appointed to a two-year term in 2016 and was elected in 2018 and again in 2020. Cole was first elected in 2015 to the Ward 3 seat, was appointed to a one-year term in 2017, and elected in 2018 and again in 2020 without opposition. Cole lost his bid for reelection in 2017 but was appointed by the commission to the seat left vacant after then-Commissioner John Chappie was elected mayor. In an April 26 CRC meeting, city attorney Ricinda Perry described the current language in the charter and how it might impact officeholders. “Right now, there is the appointment provision that is the law of the charter, but you wouldn’t be able to appoint somebody who doesn’t qualify. You don’t qualify if you’ve termed out. They could not come back onto the dais, even by appointment.” Perry worked with the CRC on ballot language that would protect Maro and Cole, giving them the ability to retain their seats. Charter Amendment 4, Section 2. Qualifications of candidates for elective office states: “If approved by the voters on Nov. 8, 2022, the Amendments of Ballot Measure 4 shall become effective as of the date of the second reading of Ordinance 22-542. For purposes of implementing the provisions of Sections 1 and 2 of Article III and transitioning to the amended term limits set forth herein, a person holding office, who otherwise would not qualify due to serving as a Commissioner of a Ward for six years may qualify and run for office in the Nov. 8, 2022, General Election.” If approved by the voters, Amendment 4 would allow a termed-out official to retain office. If No. 4 is not approved by the voters, the commissioner is not qualified to hold office and the seat will be filled by the highest votegetter among the qualified candidates. If no other candidates qualified for election to the

ward seat, the commission will appoint a qualified individual to fill the vacancy. Also, the city clerk is directed to redact the paragraph after the election in order to eliminate confusion in subsequent elections. Candidates for office must be registered voters and permanently reside in Bradenton Beach for the 12 calendar months prior to the date of qualifying. Qualifying in Bradenton Beach will be noon, Monday, June 13, to noon Friday, June 17. To qualify, potential candidates must declare their candidacy via one of three forms of media —newspaper, radio or television and file the required paperwork with the SOE, specifying a campaign account and a treasurer to oversee the account. Candidates for office also must submit proof of residency and pay 4% of a year’s salary of the office sought. BB commissioners earn $400 a month. Bradenton Beach has 672 registered voters. In the 2021 election, 348 voters cast ballots. To learn more about candidacy requirements or the election visit the SOE website, at votemanatee.com.

HB ELECT COnTInueD FROM PAGe 1

the planning commission. Kerchner said he can retain his seat before the election because it is appointed, not elected. However, if his election bid succeeds, he must resign the planning board before accepting Christenson a seat on the city commission. Kerchner is gunning for a commission seat now held by either Jayne Christenson or Kim Rash, who have not responded to inquiries from The Islander about their own bids for reelection. Rash In the event all three — or more candidates qualify — the two candidates with the most votes will be seated. COnTInue HB ELECT, neXT PAGe

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HB ofﬁcials explore ‘tires off the road’ parking code By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Will Holmes Beach set a limit where the rubber meets the road? City commissioners discussed a draft ordinance May 24 that would require motorists parking in Holmes Beach rights of way to park with all tires off the roadway. City engineer Sage Kamiya said such a regulation would enhance roadway safety for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians by clearing space along the margins. He said the measure fits with the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization’s “Destination Zero” action plan — an initiative aimed at eliminating traffic-related deaths and serious injuries. Kamiya said the draft ordinance would provide discretion to code and law enforcement officers upholding it, so they could give leeway to landscaping, construction and delivery services that might not have space to park with all tires off the road. He said, in those instances, such services could use

traffic cones to zone off vehicles forced to temporarily park with tires on the road. “That’s why we love our friends in blue: because there’s a lot of gray area that they have to try to interpret. But, generally speaking, if it is kind of temporary and they can do their thing, I think we kind of allow them,” Kamiya said. He added that the discussion was sparked by the city’s efforts to better identify public parking at the request of Manatee County commissioners who have complained about limited access to parking in the municipality. Commission Chair Carol Soustek said she was “all for” requiring motorists to park with all tires off the roads. Commissioners reached consensus to send the draft ordinance to a first reading and public hearing. The commission will meet next at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. The meeting will be open to the public. Directions to attend via Zoom can be found at holmesbeachfl.org.

HB ELECT COnTInueD FROM PReVIOuS PAGe

Vehicles line the right of way June 3 along the south side of 49th Street in Holmes Beach. City ofﬁcials are discussing an update to the city code requiring motorists to park with all tires off the roadway. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

Q&A 060822

By Lisa neff

Mayor Judy Titsworth, whose term The city’s voters will decide who will represent The Islander poll expires in November, has confirmed them Tuesday, Nov. 8, in the general election. she will seek reelection. There were 2,681 registered voters in Holmes Last week’s question The window to qualify to run will Beach as of May 9, according to the SOE. The No. 1 hurricane supply is … open at noon, Monday, June 13, and To learn more about the election, go to the SOE’s 69%. Water. close at noon, Friday, June 17. website, at votemanatee.com. 14%. Cash. To qualify, potential candidates 3%. Food. Titsworth must file forms with the Manatee Holmes Beach Plan10%. Liquor. County Supervisor of Elections ning Commission 0%. Other. Office, detailing a campaign bank account and appointChair Greg Kerchner This week’s question ing a treasurer. announces at a June When I go to the beach I love to … Potential candidates also must obtain 15 signatures 1 planning meeting A. Walk. from registered voters in the city, submit an affidavit his intention to run B. Swim. of residency and pay 1% of the annual pay they would for city commission C. Suntan. receive if elected. in november. Islander D. Read. The mayor receives a $27,120 annual salary. Photo: Ryan Paice E. Other. Commissioners receive $7,819.92 yearly. To answer the poll, go online to islander.org.

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Canal wars: Hunters Point seeks to dam up Cortez marina By Kane Kaiman Islander Reporter

Only a short time ago in a canal not so far away…. On May 26, attorneys for Cortez Road Investment and Finance — corporate owner of the Hunters Point green-home development on the north side of Cortez Road near the Cortez Bridge — filed a complaint in 12th Judicial Circuit Court against MHC Cortez Village, a company that owns the Loggerhead Cortez Village Marina about 275 yards to the east. CRIF maintains the marina, 12160 Cortez Road W., Cortez, has invited its approximately 350 customers to unlawfully utilize a private canal leading to the Intracoastal Waterway. CRIF owns about 67% of the approximately 3,300-foot-long L-shaped canal, which cuts inland to the northeast from the Intracoastal Waterway near the eastern terminus of the Cortez Bridge — creating a natural boundary along the western edge of the Hunters Point development — before forming a right angle and heading southeast along the northern border of the development as well as a residential neighborhood, the marina and the Holiday Cove RV Resort. According to the Manatee County Property Appraiser website, an approximately 183-foot-long section of the canal at the mouth of the marina is owned by a Cipriani family trust. The RV resort owns the final 858-foot-long stretch of the waterway. In addition to monetary compensation for property damage greater than $30,000, the developer seeks to permanently prevent marina staff and patrons from piloting boats in the canal. Marina customers have used the inlet to reach Anna Maria Sound since the mid-1990s, but CRIF maintains they’ve done so without permission. The canal is the only waterway leading out of the marina’s harbor. The May 26 filing is the latest development in the conflict between the Hunters Point developer, the marina and a property owner on the western side of the canal. Real estate investment trust company Equity Lifestyle Properties, led by Chicago-based billionaire Sam Zell, lists Loggerhead Marinas — a 23-marina chain operating in five states — as part of its portfolio. The trust, headquartered in Chicago, owns MHC Cortez Village, a foreign limited liability company. Zell’s outfit acquired the marina in March 2021. In July 2021, MHC Cortez Village filed a petition in administrative court requesting that environmental resource permits from the Southwest Florida Water Management District allowing CRIF to construct docks in the canal be revoked. The company maintains the docks, which would reduce the navigable width of the channel, could make vessel ingress and egress difficult or dangerous. The petition has forced CRIF to delay construction on a row of homes on the western border of the 18.73-acre development. A hearing for the case is scheduled for June 14-15.

Meetings

By Lisa neff

Anna Maria City June 9, 2 p.m., commission. Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, 941708-6130, cityofannamaria.com. Bradenton Beach June 15, 1 p.m., P&Z. June 16, noon, commission. Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., 941-778-1005, cityofbradentonbeach.com. Holmes Beach June 8, 10 a.m., clean water. June 14, 5 p.m., commission. Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, 941-708-5800, holmesbeachﬂ.org.

A June 2 view from a 127th Street West bridge in Cortez of a boat lift and eco-friendly Hunters Point development homes being built on either side of a canal that connects residences and businesses, including the Cortez Village Marina, to the Intracoastal Waterway. Islander Photo: Kane Kaiman

tion of 86 eco-friendly, single-family homes. Gobuty said 11 dwellings were being built as of June 2 and that the first home could be completed by August. Later this summer, workers will begin four new homes each month until the project is completed. The site’s infrastructure, including roads, could be installed as early as mid-June. CRIF will cede a southern portion of the development site to the Florida Department of Transportation for the construction of a retention pond and looping The Manatee Property Appraiser Ofﬁce’s view of access road in 2026-27. the portion of the canal owned by Hunters Point The pond and road are part of the DOT project developers is highlighted in green. The mouth of to replace the Cortez drawbridge with a 65-foot-tall the Cortez Village Marina is adjacent to the eastfixed-span bridge. ern boundary of the parcel. Islander Screenshot CRIF and the department have agreed on the Marina general manager Skip McFadden declined boundaries of the acquisition, Gobuty said. to comment June 1 on the legal conflicts and Equity LifeStyle Properties did not respond to a May 31 email inquiry from The Islander by the newspaper’s press time June 6. On May 16, CRIF staff reported workers at a vacant State funding will play a limited role in Anna triangular lot on the western side of the canal adjacent to Maria Island improvement projects in fiscal 126th Street West and a narrow 127th Street West bridge 2022-23. that spans the waterway were installing a boat lift in the Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a record-high canal without CRIF permission. $109.9 billion state budget June 2 after vetoing According to Hunters Point developer Marshall $3.13 billion in requested appropriations, includGobuty, CRIF attorneys sent letters May 18 to the ing $5,207,450 to island municipalities. owners of the lot, George and Wendy Kokolis. The vetoed appropriation requests include: In a June 1 email to The Islander, the couple, who • $207,450 for Anna Maria to create a perown Gulf Drive Cafe in Bradenton Beach, included manent solution for sand buildup at the Lake La a link to a news article containing a 2018 quote from Vista inlet on Tampa Bay, which requires regular Caleb Grimes, Gobuty’s attorney at the time, indicatdredging at the cost of the city; ing the developers “(did) not intend to change any of • $3,000,000 for Bradenton Beach to bury the historical uses of the canal, prohibit anyone that additional utility lines along portions of Gulf has a lot on the canal from being able to put a properly Drive; permitted dock in front of their lot, or in any way limit • $2,000,000 for Holmes Beach to improve the navigation on the canal.” flood mitigation measures, including the addition CRIF purchased the canal, including its underwaof stormwater infiltration drenches. ter rights, and a few feet of land on the waterway’s The items passed both the state Senate and western edge in 2016, Gobuty said May 31, and has House of Representatives, but did not survive the allowed preexisting permitted docks to remain. governor’s line-item veto authority. The only surviving island appropriation is Green homes site update $1,288,440 for Anna Maria to improve the Pine The Hunters Point site plan calls for the construcAvenue corridor as a part of the city’s efforts to “reimagine” the commercial strip. Improvements will include the installation of meandering pervious-paver sidewalks, as well as adding and enhancing crosswalks and street lightManatee County ing. June 8, 9 a.m., commission (budget). The upcoming fiscal year will begin July 1. June 13, 9 a.m., commission (budget).

DeSantis vetoes $5.2M in AMI appropriations

June 14, 9 a.m., commission (budget). June 16, 9 a.m., commission (land). County administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 941-748-4501, mymanatee. org. Also of interest June 15, 2 p.m., Coalition of Barrier Island Elected Officials, Anna Maria City Hall. June 19 is Juneteenth. Most government offices will be closed June 20 for the federal holiday. Please, send meeting notices to calendar@ islander.org and news@islander.org.

Visit islander.org for the best news on AMI.

— Ryan Paice

RoadWatch

Eyes on the road

The Florida Department of Transportation posted the following notice: State Road 684/Cortez Road over the Cortez drawbridge: Bridge maintenance. Crews will be conducting overnight bridge maintenance 9 p.m.-5 a.m. Monday, June 20-Thursday, June 23. Motorists can expect flagging operations and are encouraged to use caution. — Lisa neff

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Holmes Beach ofﬁcials discuss front-yard pool allowances By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

A swimming pool can take up a sizable chunk of property. But a pool doesn’t always fit the lot if the plan follows the Holmes Beach code. City commissioners voted 3-2 May 24 to discontinue discussing a draft ordinance that would allow certain properties to have swimming pools in front or secondary yards. Commissioners Jayne Christenson, Pat Morton and Kim Rash voted “no.” Commissioners Carol Soustek and Terry Schaefer voted “yes.” Current code prohibits the location of any recreational water feature, such as swimming pools, “between any building and a lot line fronting on a street (i.e., front lot line).” The proposed code would allow properties with multiple frontages to have swimming pools in secondary and tertiary frontages on the condition it is surrounded by 6-foot-high fences, walls and/or vegetative screens, and not within a setback. It also would allow properties with overhanging electrical power lines in a rear yard to have swimming pools in a front yard as long as they are similarly fenced in. John Rhodes spoke in support of the proposed ordinance, which would allow him to add swimming pools at two short-term rental properties he owns with frontages on both North Harbor Drive and Harbor Lane. Sarasota-based engineer Kyle Fisher — hired to design Rhodes’ pools — said all but one property between the two roadways face North Harbor Drive, and most of the frontages on Harbor Lane already are

An aerial view of a duplex at 7214 and 7216 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach, where a pool and fence face Holmes Boulevard. The 7216 unit is owned by City Commissioner Kim Rash, who spoke in opposition to a proposed code change that would allow properties with multiple frontages to locate pools in a secondary or tertiary frontage. Islander Photo: Courtesy Manatee County Property Appraiser

used as backyards. He added that other properties on the stretch have grandfathered swimming pools along the same frontage approved by the city before the current code was implemented. Resident Richard Motzer spoke in opposition to the proposed code change, calling it “terrible” and asking commissioners to scrap the discussion.

Resident Nancy Deal said she was concerned the change would set a “dangerous precedent.” Mayor Judy Titsworth said city staff has explored variances for swimming pools along secondary frontages but recommended the city address the issue citywide with an ordinance. City planner Bill Brisson said most property owners in the city want swimming pools and, while many properties are vacation rentals where pools may result in increased outdoor activity, the city can’t regulate residential and rental properties separately. He said property owners can not seek variances for pools in front and secondary yards. Commissioner Kim Rash, who has a fenced in pool in the front yard of his property at 7216 Holmes Blvd., said he supported the prohibition and led a failed 2-3 vote to skip Brisson’s presentation on the issue. Commissioner Jayne Christenson said she wanted to honor the past commission’s decision to prohibit front yard pools and would oppose the proposed code change moving forward. “The reasons that you voted for removing front yard pools probably still exist,” Christenson said. Commissioner Pat Morton said he was concerned that passing the proposed change would “open Pandora’s box” for property owners to pursue excessive improvements where they might not fit. However, he supported hearing out Brisson’s presentation. After voting against further discussing the draft ordinance, commissioners reached consensus to direct staff to draft a variance for certain front-yard pools. The commission will meet next at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. The meeting will be open to the public. Directions to attend via Zoom can be found at holmesbeachfl.org.

Bradenton Beach pursues settlement from former P&Z member’s estate By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

You can’t take it with you, but you can fight them all the way there. Bradenton Beach commissioners approved a May invoice June 2 in the amount of $805 for Sarasota attorney Robert Watrous for April work on the next chapter in a Sunshine Law dispute dating back to 2017, when the city sued members of its planning and zoning board and Scenic WAVES committee over alleged Sunshine Law violations. The invoice relates to Watrous’ work on behalf of the city to pursue settlement funds from the trust of the late Reed Mapes, one of the former board members sued by the city. Mapes, who died in April, was a member of the P&Z and also a member of the now-defunct citizen’s group Concerned Neighbors of Bradenton Beach, or CNOBB. In July 2019, 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas ruled that Mapes and five other former city board members violated Florida’s Govern-

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ment-in-the-Sunshine Law by discussing city business through CNOBB in 2017. The Florida law provides a right of access to governmental proceedings at state and local levels. It applies to any gathering of two or more members of the same board to discuss a matter that can foreseeably go before that board for action. There is also a constitutionally guaranteed right of access. Virtually all state and local public bodies are governed by the open meeting requirements. On July 25, 2017, CNOBB members met outside of the public forum and had conversations about projects being considered by the city, according to court documents. City attorney Ricinda Perry learned of the gathering and listened to an audio tape of the meeting posted on the group’s website. According to court records, Perry sent an email July 27, 2017, to city commissioners relating the city’s potential legal risk from the meeting. She notified city officials of the Sunshine Law implications of city board members meeting as Con-

cerned Neighbors of Bradenton Beach and sending group emails. In October 2020, Nicholas ordered Mapes, John Metz and Tjet Martin to jointly pay the city $369,498. Committee members Patty Shay, Bill Vincent and Rose Vincent paid the city $500 each as they had reached settlement agreements with the city before the 2019 trial. Metz and Martin eventually settled with the city paying $351,500 but Mapes, who had gone on record calling the trial “political assassination,” seemed committed to fight the city. “I don’t care much about that. They aren’t going to get a nickel from me,” he told The Islander last October. And he didn’t pay. The city now will seek $17,998 from his trust to cover attorney and paralegal fees. Click! The Islander welcomes news of the milestones in readers’ lives. Send notices to news@islander.org.

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Opinion

Our

Damned if we do, or don’t

OMG. Have we seen the worst there is of revenge in city government on AMI or is there more to follow? This week we learned the Bradenton Beach city attorney advocated collecting fees from a defendant in the Sunshine Law case that surfaced as retaliation against members of a community grass-roots group who also served as city board members. The suit was first brought in 2017 by disgruntled former Mayor Jack Clarke — but it was city attorney Ricinda Perry who advocated for city funds to join the lawsuit, without naming Clarke, the complainant. She and the city had ample opportunities to avoid the lawsuit that only added to the coffers of the attorneys — herself included — and to their shame. A settlement for some of the six defendants of $500 each — the trio who offered to settle before trial — was offset by a demand for nearly $370,000 in fees and costs from three other defendants. Two defendants paid $351K, leaving a third to pay almost $18K. But the third defendant was adamant that he would not pay. Reed Mapes called the lawsuit a mockery and labeled it political. And last year in February, Perry vowed to go after Mapes’ money “with everything I can.” So she’s gone to city commissioners, knowing Mapes died in April, and asked again to go after Mapes’ money from his estate. Which begs me to ask, “How low will you go?” Yes, we’ve voiced complaints in the past. Such as when Perry flipped from finding an attorney to represent the city in a lawsuit against the Florida Department of Transportation’s planned megabridge to replace the Cortez Bridge, and flopped to negotiating favors in exchange for keeping the city out of the lawsuit. Last year she put up a blockade, declining to tell The Islander how one city commissioner was able to skirt the three-term limit and run for an unprecedented fourth term. Now she’s created a charter amendment to do just that for other “termed-out” officials. It’s pretty shameful, IMHO. But then, there’s lagging ethics and hypocrisy elsewhere on the island. Such as a Holmes Beach commissioner who operates a vacation rental at her island residence — and opposes vacation rentals. Or the HB commish who voted this past week to deny a path for homeowners to have exactly what he enjoys at his residence — a front-yard pool. We hope y’all remember in November, because we’re damned if we don’t .... — Bonner Joy, news@islander.org

JUNE 8, 2022 • Vol. 30, No. 33 Publisher, Co-editor Bonner Joy, news@islander.org ▼ Editorial editor Lisa neff, lisa@islander.org Robert Anderson, robert@islander.org Joe Bird, editorial cartoonist Kevin Cassidy, kevin@islander.org Jack elka, jack@jackelka.com Kane Kaiman, kane@islander.org Brook Morrison, brook@islander.org Ryan Paice, ryan@islander.org ▼ Contributors Karen Riley-Love Samara Paice Capt. Danny Stasny, ﬁsh@islander.org nicole Quigley ▼ Advertising Director Toni Lyon, toni@islander.org ▼ Webmaster Wayne Ansell ▼ Office Manager, Lisa Williams info@, accounting@, classiﬁeds@, subscriptions@islander.org ▼ Distribution urbane Bouchet Ross Roberts Judy Loden Wasco (All others: news@islander.org) ▼

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Your

Opinion

Remembering when

Editor’s note: In August 1984, Libby Warner of the Manatee County Historical Society interviewed Anna Maria Cobb Riles, whose family arrived to the island in the late 1800s and lived in the ﬁrst two-story home in Anna Maria. Warner asked Riles about hurricanes. The following is an exchange about a storm — the date is not known — from an interview transcript at the Manatee County Public Library. Libby Warner: Do you remember any hurricanes especially that frightened you? Anna Maria Cobb Riles: Well, I wasn’t frightened. I went to bed and went to sleep but the grown-up people sat up. Our two-story house was pretty vulnerable because a good many of the trees between the beach side and that’s where the wind came from. … This was supposed to be a very bad hurricane coming. So we went to spend the night at our onestory house, it was occupied by the Davis family and Davis was farming my father’s farmland at the time. And my father was still engaged in boat building. So we spent the night and the grown-ups were awake all night watching what happened. The water ran down the graded road that my father had graded from bay to Gulf. The road didn’t go right to the bluff because that would be dangerous with rising tides and things like that. But it ran pretty close to the Gulf and turned north. But the water ran from Gulf to bay all night. Warner: And you could see that? Riles: And that’s just about the main street of the town of Anna Maria now where that happened.

Skimming online …

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The Islander accepts letters up to 250 words and reserves the right to edit. Letters must include name, address and a contact phone number (for verification). Anonymous letters will not be printed. Please, email news@islander.org. Find The Islander dating to november 1992 online at the uofF Digital newspaper Collection at ufdc.uﬂ. edu.

Visit islander.org for the best news on AMI.

June 8, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 7 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Rising high Hurricane Agnes passed by Anna Maria Island in the Gulf of Mexico, bringing ﬂooding to the island, including along Gulf Drive. The 1972 storm was one of the largest June hurricanes on record. Islander Photos: Courtesy Manatee County Public Library Systems

Looking back

In June 1972, Hurricane Agnes pushed wind and waves ashore on AMI, ﬂooding the Island Baptist Church in Holmes Beach. A tropical depression formed over the Yucatan June 14 and moved eastward into the northwest Caribbean Sea. The system strengthened into a tropical storm June 15 and a hurricane June 18, as it moved northward in the Gulf of Mexico.

Resources for storm info: Twitter • The National Hurricane Center: @nWSnHC and @nHC_Atlantic. • The National Weather Service: @nWS, @ nWSTampaBay. On the web • County emergency management: mymanatee.org. • State emergency man-

agement: ﬂoridadisaster.org. • FEMA: fema.gov. • National Hurricane Center: nhc.noaa.gov. In print • The Islander, Bradenton Herald and Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

A graphic shows the track for Hurricane Agnes in June 1972 as the storm moved up the Gulf, making landfall in the Panhandle.

We’d love to mail you the news!

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!)

10&20 years ago

From the June 5, 2002, issue

• The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau reported the total economic impact of visitor spending in 2001 as $1.09 billion. • A Bradenton Beach public meeting conducted by the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council invited residents to discuss how they want the city to look in 2030. • Bradenton Beach Commissioner Dawn Baker received a code enforcement warning that the taxi business she operated from her home generated excess traffic and overnight parking.

From the June 6, 2012, issue

• Tropical Storm Beryl winds and surf hit AMI on Memorial Day, battering the shoreline and causing boats to break anchor. • Dozens of people applied to succeed Pierrette Kelly as executive director of the Anna Maria Island Community Center — now the Center of Anna Maria Island. • Bradenton Beach commissioners elected to downsize the membership on the planning and zoning board from seven to five members due to what some described as “turmoil” on the P&Z. — Lisa neff

Find The Islander dating to november 1992 online at the uofF Digital newspaper Collection at ufdc.uﬂ. edu.

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Page 8 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 8, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Manatee County sets another ‘bed tax’ collection record By Kane Kaiman Islander Reporter

And Holmes Beach is the golden goose. In April, Manatee County collected $3,108,553 in tourist development tax revenue, shattering the all-time April “bed tax” revenue record of $2,423,608 set last year. The resort tax is a 5% levy on rentals of six months or less. The April figure represents a 146% increase over revenue gleaned in the same month four years ago and represents the 14th consecutive month the tax revenue has exceeded the same month from the previous year. Since the county’s fiscal year began in October 2021, and the county has collected $17,883,206 in resort tax revenue, about $5.2 million more than this time last year. In April, Holmes Beach earned more bed tax revenue than any other jurisdiction, grossing $1,170,028 — more than 37% of the county’s overall revenue. Anna Maria gleaned $249,472 or 8%, while Bradenton Beach earned $166,516 or 5.4%. More April stats: • Unincorporated Manatee County generated $1,027,662 or 33.1%, • Longboat Key generated $282,529 or 9.1%, • Bradenton generated $207,430 or 6.7%, • Palmetto generated $4,916 or 0.2%. After the tax collector’s 3% administrative fee, the county’s net revenue for April was $3,015,297. With guidance from the Manatee County Tourist Development Council, the county commission uses bed tax revenue to bolster tourism, in accordance with state law. Area institutions that benefit from tourist development tax dollars include the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau; the Bradenton Area Convention Center; Realize Bradenton, a nonprofit dedicated

Beachgoers lounge beneath tents, umbrellas and the sun June 2 at the Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach. Islander Photo: Kane Kaiman

AMI TOURISM: Endless Season

The next TDC meeting will be 9 a.m. Thursday, June 23, at the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

Know your TDCs

In addition to making spending recommendations for resort tax funding, the TDC — a nine-member volunteer group comprising elected officials, hospitality April 2018: $1,264,806 property owners and citizens involved in the tourism April 2019: $1,490,454 industry — advises the county board on tourist develApril 2020: $449,905 opment projects. April 2021: $2,423,608 Members include Manatee County Commissioner April 2022: $3,108,553 Misty Servia, chair, Vernon DeSear, Palmetto Mayor Source: Manatee County Tax Collector Shirley Groover Bryant, Bradenton Mayor Gene to developing downtown Bradenton; and the Pittsburgh Brown, Ed Chiles, Eric Cairns, Jack Rynerson, Jiten Pirates. Patel and Rahul Patel. Resort tax dollars fuel island beach renourishment projects and helped fund construction of the new Anna Click! The Islander welcomes news of the milestones in readers’ lives. Send notices — along Maria City Pier in 2019-20. with contact info — to news@islander.org. June bed tax data will be released in early July.

April tourist tax collections:

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Bradenton Beach takes 2nd look at charter recommendations By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

A Bradenton Beach City Commission meeting June 2 was the first public hearing for Ordinance 22-542, the summation of the commission’s actions on the charter review committee’s recommendations. There must be two public hearings where agreedupon changes are reviewed in an ordinance before they are submitted to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections for a vote by the electorate on a municipal ballot. A charter, originally adopted by the electorate and amended by voters through a referendum, governs the city. One method of amending the charter is for a review commission to draft and propose changes to be considered by voters at the polls. Five people were appointed by the commission April 7 to a charter review committee — a year earlier than prescribed. Their recommendations were brought before the commission May 19 and commissioners reached a consensus about what recommendations to present to voters in the Nov. 8 general election. City attorney Ricinda Perry began the June 2 meeting by summarizing the ordinance, the ballot titles and the descriptions of the language commissioners agreed to May 19. One item, however, dealing with “supra majority,” had not been revised by Perry in the proposal even though it had been rejected by city commissioners at their May 19 meeting. Supra majority, as the charter reads, requires four of five members of the commission to approve comprehensive plan amendments. The CRC recommended asking voters to strike the language requiring four of five members of the commission to approve comp plan amendments. But commissioners had concerns. “Right now, it’s four out of five,” said Commissioner Ralph Cole. “So, without it, it could be three

out of four, or two out of three. So, two people could actually change a re-zoning, or a special exception or a variance, if you did that.” Commissioner Jake Spooner asked: “What if two commissioners had to recuse themselves from an issue. Is the city obligated to have a hearing?” Perry persisted, saying “That’s the concern I have. It’s potentially legally impossible. The requirement in the charter says it has to have four votes.” P&Z Vice-Chair John Burns, who attended both recent commission discussions on the proposal, spoke during public comment in favor of the super majority. He said the provision was meant to make it harder for decisions with a sizeable impact to be determined by a small group at the dais. “Now we are re-discussing an item that was not supposed to be here tonight,” Burns said. “And I am still for leaving it how it is. I don’t want to make it easy for government to govern when it comes to things close to my heart.” After deliberating, commissioners voted to strike Perry’s ballot language for the supra majority section of the charter. The June 3 meeting was the first reading and public hearing on the ordinance. A final reading and public hearing are scheduled

for noon Thursday, June 16, at Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

Charter committee holds ﬁnal session

A whirlwind couple of months wound down May 26 for the Bradenton Beach Charter Review Committee. At its final meeting, the committee approved minutes from the April 20 and April 26 meetings, when members reviewed the charter and made recommendations for changes. The committee comprised Tom Little, Anne Leister, Ed Straight, Jim Hassett and Dan DeBaun. DeBaun did not attend the final meeting as approval of the minutes required only three members for a quorum. City commissioners established and appointed the committee April 7. With the review completed, proposed charter changes are subject to approval by the city commission before being submitted in the form of a referendum to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections for the Nov. 8 ballot. The voter registration deadline for the Bradenton Beach election is Tuesday, Oct 11. — Robert Anderson

Commissioners listen to John Burns, a planning and zoning board member, at their June 2 meeting. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

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Page 10 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 8, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Lucky Ducky Race day set

Compiled by Lisa neff, calendar@islander.org.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ONGOING ON AMI Throughout June, artist Sharon Lennox Woelﬂing’s “Coastal Impressions” painting exhibit, Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: islandgallerywest.com, 941-7786648. ONGOING OFF AMI Through Aug. 5, “Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience,” Starry Night Pavilion at University Town Center, 195 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: vangoghsarasota.com. Through Aug. 13, Thursday-Saturday, Laser Light Nights at the Bishop, Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131. Through Aug. 28, “Metadata: Rethinking Photography in the 21st Century,” The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-360-7390. First Fridays, 6-9:30 p.m., Village of the Arts First Fridays Artwalk, 12th Street West and 12th Avenue West, Bradenton. Information: villageofthearts.com. Second and fourth Saturdays, 2-4 p.m., Music on the Porch jam session, presented by the Florida Maritime Museum and Cortez Cultural Center, outdoors, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: ﬂoridamaritimemuseum.org, fmminfo@manateeclerk.com. AHEAD OFF AMI Dec. 2-3, Bradenton Blues Fest, Bradenton.

KIDS & FAMILY ON AMI Thursday, June 9 10 a.m. — Stories from the Sea with Kate Adams Puppet Theater, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-7786341. Friday, June 10 10 a.m. — 40 Carrots for ages 0-5, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-7786341. Saturday, June 11 10 a.m. — Origami Club, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive,

To the beach, to the beach we go!

The Pace Center for Girls Manatee will run the Lucky Ducky Race for Pace Saturday, June 11. The center — which provides free year-round middle school and high school academics, case management, counseling and life skills development — will race about 30,000 rubber ducks on the Manatee River in the annual fundraiser. Supporters of the nonprofit can adopt a duck for $5, a family of ducks for $20 and a flock of 30 ducks for $100. For more details or to adopt a duck, go online to www.duckrace.com/manatee/adopt or call Pace at 941-751-4566. Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-7786341. Tuesday, June 14 10 a.m.— Family storytime, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-7786341. ONGOING ON AMI Summer reading program, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941778-6341. AHEAD ON AMI July 4, Anna Maria Island Privateers Independence Day Parade. Oct. 15, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s Bayfest, Anna Maria.

Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-778-6341. AHEAD ON AMI June 21, Anna Maria Island and West Manatee Democratic Club “summer chat,” Holmes Beach. July 23, Anna Maria Island Privateers Christmas in July at the Drift-In, Bradenton Beach. ONGOING OFF AMI Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m., Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island lunch meeting, Slicker’s Eatery, 12012 Cortez Road W., Cortez. Information: 512-944-4177.

OUTDOORS & SPORTS ON AMI Wednesday, June 15 9 a.m. — EcoFlora Bioblitz guided nature walk presented by Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources, Bayfront Park, 315 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria. Information: ecoﬂora@selby.org, 941-742-5923. Saturday, June 18 9 a.m. — Sarasota Bay Guardians planting, Robinson Preserve expansion, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW., Bradenton. Information: 941742-5923 ONGOING ON AMI AMI Dragon Boat Team-Paddlers from Paradise practices and meetups, various times and locations. Information: 941-462-2626, mrbradway@gmail.com. ONGOING OFF AMI

Saturdays, 9 a.m., Robinson Runners run, walk stroll, Robinson Preserve NEST, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW., Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923, crystal.scherer@mymanatee.org. ONGOING OFF AMI Saturdays, 9 a.m., Mornings at the NEST, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW., Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923. Through Aug. 7, “Sharks: On Assignment with Brian Skerry” exhibit, Mote Marine Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, City AHEAD OFF AMI Island, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-388-4441. July 15, Anna Maria Island Privateers scholarship night with First Wednesdays, “SOAR in 4” family night, The Bishop the Bradenton Marauders, Bradenton. Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131.

GOOD TO KNOW

CLUBS & COMMUNITY ON AMI Wednesday, June 8 6:30 p.m. — Island Time Book Club, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-778-6341. Thursday, June 9 2 p.m. — Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crochet, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/ library, 941-778-6341. Friday, June 10 10 a.m. — Senior Adventures outing to Hard Rock Casino, departing from the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Fee applies. Information: 941-778-1908. Sunday, June 12 4-8 p.m. — Campaign for Ukraine/Concert for Peace, Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave. Anna Maria. Donations. Information: 941-778-1908. ONGOING ON AMI Fridays, 11:30 a.m., Mahjong Club, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-7786341. Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m., Mahjong Club, Island Library, 5701

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KEEP THE DATES June, LGBTQ Pride Month. Tuesday, June 14, Flag Day. Sunday, June 19, Father’s Day. Sunday, June 19-20, Juneteenth. Tuesday, June 21, summer solstice. Monday, July 4, Independence Day.

Senior Adventures group bound for Hard Rock

The Senior Adventures group will start the summer season with a Friday, June 10, outing to the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Tampa. The group will depart at 10 a.m. from the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Also, the group will visit the Red Barn Flea Market in Bradenton, departing about 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 22, from the center. There is a fee to participate. For more information, call the center at 941778-1908.

Island happenings

June 8, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 11 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

‘Full Monty’ matinee

“The Full Monty” will entertain attendees of the “Musical Movie Matinees” program at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 9, at the Paradise Center. Admission is free for members and $10 for guests. The center is at 546 Bay Isles Road.

Center of Anna Maria Island sets summer camp schedule

Paradise on LBK hosts ‘Grapes and Games’ event

Can you name that tune? Guess the password? The Longboat Key Paradise Center is hosting “Grapes and Games!” this summer, including an hour of “fun and laughter” 1-2 p.m. Thursday, June 16. The cost to attend is $10 for nonmembers. There is no fee for members of the center, 546 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. The center also continues to host fitness classes, as well as movie matinees. For more information or to register for a program, call 941-383-6493 or email paradisecenterrsvp@gmail. com.

Privateers: Break out the red, white and blue for parade Deck the rides in red, white and blue streamers. The Anna Maria Island Privateers will present their traditional July 4 parade celebrating Independence Day. The parade is set to begin at 10 a.m. Monday, July 4, at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach and travel north — mainly on Gulf, East Bay, Marina and Palm drives. In Anna Maria, the parade will

travel on Gulf Drive, then east on Pine Avenue to City Pier Park. Participants must be on wheels, as the route is long and the parade moves too fast for walkers and marchers. Entry is free but the nonprofit dedicated to kids and community will collect donations of cash and nonperishables, which will support the Roser Food Pantry in Anna Maria. Registration is being conducted online at amiprivateers.org.

Library offers ‘Oceans of Possibilities’ for kids The Island Library this month opens an “Oceans of Possibilities” for summer readers. The library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, participates in the Manatee County Public Library Systems’ summer reading program. This summer’s theme is “Oceans of Possibilities,” with programs taking place through July 30. For every two hours a child reads or has a book read to them, they get a prize. And for every 20 hours of reading, they get a free book and an entry for a grand prize. To claim prizes, children must bring a reading log to the library. “Oceans of Possibilities” programs at the library include:

• “Stories from the Sea Puppet Theatre” with Kate Adams and her puppets, 10 a.m. Thursday, June 9; • A visit by Bradenton Beach-based Wildlife Inc. animal rescue volunteers and a rescued owl, 10 a.m. Thursday, June 16; • Big Idea Balloons “Bubble Show and Play,” 10 a.m. Thursday, June 23; • Sea Life Origami, 10 a.m. Thursday, June 30; • Oceans of Pottery painting, 10 a.m. Thursday, July 7; • “Rumpelstiltskin” presented by Bits and Pieces Theater, 10 a.m., Thursday, July 14; • Sea Turtle Shell-abration with Mote Marine Laboratory, 10 a.m., Thursday, July 21; • Mad Science Fire and Ice, 10 a.m. Thursday, July 28. For more information, call the library at 941-7786341.

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School’s out! Camp’s on! The center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, offers camps for kindergartners-fifth graders and for sixth- to ninth-graders. For younger kids, the Summer My Way program offers weekly camps in sports, art, discovery and adventure. Camps run 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday. For the older kids, the center offers Adventure Time camp, which includes field trips. Camps can run 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Specialty programs include robot, drama and sailing camps with varying hours and prices. The two-day sailing camps in partnership with Bimini Bay Sailing are open to kids ages 10-14. Dates include June 8-9, June 20-21, June 22-23, June 27-28, June 29-30. Lessons are 9 a.m.-noon. The cost is $210 for members, $235 for nonmembers. For more information, including qualifications for reduced fees, call the center at 941-778-1908 or email customerservice@centerami.org.

Page 12 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 8, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Anna Maria salutes fallen service members on Memorial Day

Manatee County Sheriff’s Ofﬁce Det. nate Boggs, left, plays the bagpipes May 30 and leads the u.S. Marine Corps Honor Guard during the Memorial Day Symphony Salute at City Pier Park, 103 n. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria. Islander Photos: Ryan Paice

Hundreds of people sit May 30 in the shadow of draped ﬂags and the shade sail at City Pier Park for the Memorial Day Symphony Salute in Anna Maria.

Maestro Leonard Murphy leads the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra’s rendition of “Amazing Grace” at the Memorial Day Symphony Salute in Anna Maria.

A u.S. Coast Guard C-130 aircraft and MH 60 helicopter ﬂy May 30 over City Pier Park in Anna Maria, where the city hosted its Memorial Day Symphony Salute.

Milestones

The Islander welcomes photographs and notices of milestones. Submit announcements and photographs to news@islander.org.

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Treasure hunting Robert Hooten of Bradenton walks in the surf early June 4 at the Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. using a metal detector and scoop, Hooten was searching for valuables and collecting litter. On the beach, he scooped up a pop-top from a beverage can. “One less cut foot,” he said before heading back to the Gulf. Islander Photo: Lisa neff

Monarch ﬁnds milkweed

under gray skies and a drizzle of rain, anglers wet their lines early June 4 at the Rod & Reel Pier, 875 n. Shore Drive, Anna Maria. The national Hurricane Center had warned of heavy rain and ﬂooding as a potential tropical cyclone moved west in the Gulf of Mexico June 3-4. Severe weather didn’t materialize on AMI. The ﬁrst named storm — TS Alex — formed June 5 over the Atlantic Ocean. Islander Photo: Lisa neff

A monarch butterfly perches May 25 on the flowers of a common milkweed planted in the butterfly garden of Veterans Park outside Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive. The garden, located around the park’s central fountain, contains a variety of plants butterflies rely on for sustenance, like milkweed. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

AME Calendar

Wednesday, Aug. 10, ﬁrst day of 2022-23 school year. Anna Maria Elementary is at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. For more information, call the school at 941-708-5525.

Center to host Rotary concert for Ukraine The Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island is partnering with local businesses and nonprofits to raise money for the Rotary Ukrainian Relief campaign. Organizers seek donors, sponsors and attendees for a “Concert for Peace” 4-8 p.m. Sunday, June 12, at the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. The event will include live music, food and drinks. There is no admission charge but donations are suggested. Another fundraising event — a raffle

for a Yeti cooler filled with “cheer” — will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 8, at Slicker’s Eatery, 12012 Cortez Road, Cortez, in partnership with the Rotary, Slicker’s and A Paradise Realty. A notice from the Rotary said funds will be sent to the Rotary in Czestochowa, Poland, to purchase medical supplies, goods and food for refugees. For more information, email molly@slickerseatery.com or call the center at 941-778-1908. — Lisa neff

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Page 14 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 8, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Obituary

Memorial Day salute

Nancy Hume

Nancy Hume, 89, formerly of Holmes Beach, died May 28 at her home in Bradenton. Born in 1932 to Lois and Joe Hicks in Chicago, she grew up and lived most of her life in the Chicago area. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin, where she met her husband, James Hume. The couple moved to Anna Maria Island in 2002 Hume from Lake Bluff, Illinois; living in the house her father built on the island in the 1950s. Her positivity impacted everyone she met and always provided joy and hope to others. She had a clever sense of humor and compassion for all. She loved and cared fiercely for her family and friends. Key to the future An avid volunteer throughout her life, Mrs. Hume Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island secretary Sandy Haas-Martens, left, poses May 14 at Bradenton Beach supported and advocated for local theater groups, hosCity Hall with David nguyen, erika nguyen, Chris Waldin, Rayline Waldin, Gabriella Reich, Barry Reich and pitals and other charities. She had a special passion for Darrel Shinn of the Kiwanis scholarship committee. The club awarded $1,000 scholarships to Key Club Cure JM Foundation, which was founded by son Tom, members erika, Rayline and Gabriella, who attended the State College of Florida Collegiate Schools, Brain the hope of finding a cure for her grandson’s rare denton. erika will study biomedical sciences at the university of South Florida. Rayline will attend Florida disease, juvenile dermatomyositis. State and major in systems management. Gabriella will attend the university of Florida to pursue a biology She also had a deep love for nature and volundegree. Islander Photo: John Chappie teered at Mote Marine Laboratory for more than 10 years. A private service will be held with family at a later By Lisa neff time. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes in Bradenton was by All Island Denominations. Information: 941-778- in charge of arrangements. Donations may be made to Assistance sought on AMI 0414. Cure JM Foundation, 836 Lynwood Drive, Encinitas, • Tingley Memorial Library, 111 Second St. N., CA 92024, or online at www.curejm.org, to find a cure Bradenton Beach, seeks volunfor her grandson, who is battling the rare disease. Assistance offered on AMI teers for morning and afternoon Mrs. Hume is survived by sons Robert of Los • The Roser Food Bank shifts. Information: 941-779Angeles and Thomas and wife Shari of Encinitas, welcomes applicants who 1208. California, and grandsons Connor, Parker and Cole. live and/or work on AMI • Friends of the Island for food assistance, Roser Library seeks storage space for At your service Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna book donations. Information: Obituaries are offered as a community service Maria. Info: 941-778-0414. 941-778-6341. to residents and families of residents, both past and • AID offers financial help to those who live on the • Moonracer Animal Rescue seeks present, as well as to those people with ties to the island, go to church on the island, attend school on the volunteers to offer foster and forever island. Submit to news@islander.org. Obituaries island and work on the island. Info: 941-725-2433. homes for rescued animals. Informaare provided free — a service of your community tion: 941-345-2441. newspaper. • The Roser Food Bank seeks donaGoodDeeds Send listings for Paid obituaries can be discussed with advertistions. Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine GoodDeeds to calendar@islander.org. Please ing consultant Toni Lyon at 941-778-7978. Ave., Anna Maria, administers the pantry, supported include a contact phone number to publish.

GoodDeeds

Gathering

St. B’s Rosary on the Beach continues St. Bernard Catholic Church continues to host its weekly Rosary on the Beach. The faithful gather at 7:30 a.m. Wednesdays on the shore at the Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Also, a St. Bernard Catholic Church Women’s

By Lisa neff

Tidings

Compiled by Lisa neff ON AMI

CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-0719, crosspointefellowship.church. Worship: Sundays, 9 a.m. Ongoing: Wednesdays, 7 a.m., men’s Bible meeting; 9:30 a.m. women’s Bible study. Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-1638, amiannunciation.org. Worship: Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.; Sundays, 9:15 a.m. through Labor Day. Ongoing: Wednesdays, 8 a.m., men’s meeting. Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive. Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-1813, gloriadeilutheran.com.

Worship: Sundays, 9:30 a.m. Ongoing: Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m., social gathering, Manatee Public Beach. Harvey Memorial Community Church, 300 Church Ave., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-779-1912. Worship: Sundays, 9:15 a.m. Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0414, roserchurch.com. Worship: Sundays, 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. Ongoing: First and third Wednesdays, 9 a.m., Hope Seeds packing; Sundays, 8:30 a.m., adult Sunday school. St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-4769, stbernardcc.com. Worship: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.; Saturdays, 4 p.m.; Sun-

Worship With Us At Our Church Sunday Service 10:00 AM

The Rev. Dr. Norman Pritchard Men’s Bible Study: Monday @ 9:00 Women’s Bible Study: Wednesday @ 10:00 Visitors & Residents Welcome Watch Our 10:00 AM Service Live: www.bit.ly/cclbksermons or www.christchurchoflbk.org (follow YouTube link)

Guild brown-bag lunch will take place at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, June 9, at the church activity hall, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach, according to the church bulletin. For more information, call the church office at 941-718-1612.

Gathering is the religion section. Send

announcements, calendar listings and photos to calendar@islander.org. days, 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. OFF AMI Christ Church of Longboat Key Presbyterian USA, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Info: 941-900-4903, christchurchoﬂbk.org. Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m. Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Info: 941-383-6491, longboatislandchapel.org. Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m. Please, send notices to calendar@islander.org.

Roser Church

“...a beautiful place to explore your faith...”

SUNDAY WORSHIP 8:30 AM or 10:00 AM IN PERSON in the Sanctuary Nursery • Children’s Church ONLINE � Watch LIVE or LATER

RoserChurch.com

Text ROSER to 22828 to receive the weekly eBulletin The CHAPEL is open during office hours for prayer and meditation 941-778-0414 • 512 Pine Ave, Anna Maria • FOLLOW us on Facebook @RoserChurch

June 8, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 15 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

New photo contest launches June 29, enter now The Islander’s Top Notch contest begins anew. The contest celebrates what still is known as the “Kodak moment,” despite Kodak’s downfall in the switch from film to digital technology. Look to June 27 for the first deadline and don’t forget your July 4 holiday photos in the coming weeks. The contest includes six weekly front-page winners. Each will claim an Islander “More than a mullet wrapper” T-shirt. One weekly shot will take the grand prize in the contest, earning the photographer a $100 prize from

Top Notch

Holly Avedisian of Bradenton won the ﬁrst week of The Islander’s Top notch contest in 2019. Who will win the ﬁrst week in the 2022 contest?

The Islander and certificates from local merchants. A pet photo winner will be announced in the final week. Look online this week for complete rules and details. Please, note, each original JPG must be included in a single email with the name of the photographer, date the photo was taken, location and description, names of recognizable people and the address and phone number of the photographer. All rules at islander.org must be observed.

Top Notch

— Bonner Joy

Katy Roadman of Holmes Beach won the grand prize in the 2020 Top notch contest with this photograph of cousins elijah Roadman, Jeremiah Raulerson, Isaac Roadman, Sam Raulerson and Obadiah Roadman lighting sparklers July 4 on the beach. The photographer won an Islander T-shirt for being a ﬁnalist and then $100 from The Islander and gift certiﬁcates from Islander advertisers.

Judges’ Top Notch tips

• Frame your subject. • Check any horizon line. • Look for colors. • Make use of depth of field. • Seek natural light but know when to use a flash. • Move left and right, up and down for the best perspective. • Take lots of photos and, remember, only one can be the best!.

Stars and stripes salute: Penny Frick was a favorite Top notch contest winner in 2009.

Top Notch contest rules 1) The Islander newspaper Top notch Photo Contest is for amateur photographers — those who derive less than 5% of their income from photography. 2) Black-and-white and color photographs taken after Jan. 1, 2021, are eligible. Photos previously published (in any format/media) or entered in any Islander or other competition are not eligible. 3) Photographs may be taken with any camera. no retouching or alteration other than cropping is permitted; no composite or multiple print images will be accepted. Only original digital photos in JPG ﬁle format are accepted. 4) The date or approximate date along with entrant’s name, address and phone number must be included in the email with the digital photo. One email per photo submission. email single entries to topnotch@islander.org. 5) entrants agree that The Islander may publish their pictures for local promotion. entrants must provide the original digital image. All images submitted become the property of The Islander. Digital ﬁles will not be returned. The Islander and contest sponsors assume no responsibility for materials submitted. entrant must provide the name and address of any recognizable persons appearing in the picture with the entry. 6) employees and paid contributors to The Islander and their immediate family members are not eligible to enter the contest.

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Page 18 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 8, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

BB reviews, plans updates, department improvements By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

Bradenton Beach commissioners heard a variety of issues in a four-hour session May 19 at city hall. The meeting, which included action on charter ballot recommendations and discussion of a pandemicrelief measure to aid businesses, began with a review of the master drainage study from a representative of Colliers Engineering & Designs. Collier’s project manager Greg Stevens delivered updates concerning flood prevention improvements proposed for Avenues A and B. Commissioners unanimously approved both the 60% plan and for Colliers to submit the plan for permitting. The project focuses on redevelopment of the shoreline from Bridge Street to Fifth Street South, introducing shore protection elements in conjunction with stormwater and road improvements. In another matter, Police Chief John Cosby

addressed the commission regarding a new laser firearms training system. “The average law enforcement officer in the state of Florida practices 425 times per year,” said Cosby. “Our agency is shooting our weapons 60-120. So, we are way low on the training curve, as well as potential liability by not being able to get closer to that average.” Cosby described a new training system allowing officers to practice simulated weapon firing in various scenarios. Commissioners unanimously approved the $15,500 expense. The acquisition is funded by a private-public partnership. Local businesses — Silver Surf Enterprises; the Bridge Tender Inn & Dockside Bar; and the Moose Lodge No. 2188 — donated $4,500 each toward the Dart system. The remaining $2,000 is allocated from the BBPD training budget. Commissioners also approved a motion for Cosby

to attend the Florida Police Chiefs Summer Conference Aug. 7-10. Funding of $1,175.11 was approved from the police education and travel budget. Replacement of the police Tasers also was unanimously approved by the commission. The commission approved a five-year payment plan to Axon Enterprise Inc. of $6,457.95 per year using half-cent sales tax revenues. The commission also took action regarding the city’s employee insurance program. “Every year we have to go through the health insurance for the employees,” said city clerk Terry Sanclemente. “This year the city showed a cost savings of $24,475. So the department heads looked at the life insurance, which hasn’t been changed for over 20 years.” The commission unanimously approved the renewal of health, dental, life and long-term disability insurance as presented.

BBPD chief appeals — again — for manpower, funding By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

An ongoing issue in Bradenton Beach concerning lack of police funding came to the forefront at a June 1 meeting of the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency. Police Chief John Cosby, in an update on the Memorial weekend, emphasized the need for increased funding for extra officers. “Thursday, Friday, Saturday: Bridge Street was at capacity,” said Cosby. “You can’t fit any more people down there.” Cosby said that due to budget concerns, the department can only afford to staff two officers on an evening shift and that’s not enough. The chief related a recent incident on Bridge Street that took the only two on-duty officers in the city off the island for several hours. Cosby said the officers arrested two combative people who were wrestled to the ground and then transported to the hospital in Bradenton, where they remained with the subjects for several hours, leaving the city with little to no police presence. “From 3 o’clock till 7 in the morning, there were no officers available to take any calls in Bradenton Beach, unless it was a priority call,” Cosby said. Bradenton Beach has mutual aid contracts with other cities and the county, but those agencies respond to priority calls — an emergency call that requires an immediate response and communicates there is reason to believe a threat to life exists. “I have eight patrol officers,” said Cosby. “I am down two right now and I have some that are taking vacation. So I have five people to cover all the shifts.” Two officers who were injured in scuffles during arrests months earlier remain on workers’ compensation. “This weekend was total mayhem,” Cosby said of Memorial Day. He said Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge patrolled with officers during the holiday and “was in awe of what was going on out here.” “He responded with officers to fight calls, which were multiple, over parking issues and just the sheer amount of traffic,” said Cosby. As CRA members discussed the issue, Cosby had to excuse himself to back up another officer.

Bradenton Beach CRA members listen June 1 as Police Chief John Cosby speaks about the budgetary needs of his department. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

Cosby also appealed to city commissioners for funding during a May 5 city commission meeting. Currently, the BBPD is budgeted $1.36 million annually by the city, $76,000 from the CRA and $127,000 in an agreement with Manatee County for beach patrol. By comparison, the neighboring agencies of Holmes Beach and Longboat Key have budgets of $3.5 million and maintain three-four officers on duty every shift, according to Cosby. Cosby wants the BBPD budget to be raised to hire up to three new officers, and the education and equipment needed to outfit them. The CRA funds provide for three officers to staff the boat that patrols the city’s anchorage area, as well as five officers who work the district as security on off-duty shifts. The CRA-designated area runs along Gulf Drive from Fifth Street South to Cortez Road and Gulf to bay. County funds provide one officer seven days a week 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The BBPD provides two officers Saturday and Sunday at the beach. Mayor John Chappie said a meeting between city and county officials was in the works to discuss police funding. “One-third of our city is a county park area,” said Chappie. “I told Commissioner Van Ostenbridge every weekend our little city has to plan for a major event.” Chappie continued, “We can’t continue on this path. The number of visitors that come to this beach is anywhere from 14,000 to 20,000 a day on Saturdays

and Sundays.” In a May 6 interview with The Islander, Cosby spoke about increased tourism. “I don’t think it’s fair that the citizens, the homeowners of Bradenton Beach should have to foot this bill,” Cosby said. “They’re not the ones using the service. It’s the tourists, the businesses.” The next CRA meeting will beat 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 6 at the Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

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Safety 1st An SBA Communication’s crane is on-site June 1 at the Bradenton Beach cell tower for safety improvements to the tower on city-owned property at 403 Highland Ave. In recent years, panels from the tower have fallen onto surrounding properties. The repairs, which were to be completed by June 6, are meant to prevent falling panels. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

June 8, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 19 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Anna Maria breaks up bidding for Pine Avenue improvements By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Maybe the price is not right. Anna Maria city commissioners unanimously voted May 26 to scrap a request for proposals to complete a project that included a series of improvements on Pine Avenue. The city plans to improve the commercial corridor over two phases of work. Phase 1 will involve installing meandering pervious paver sidewalks, as well as adding and enhancing crosswalks and street lighting. The second phase will involve adding bicycle lanes on both sides of Pine and converting the trolley turnaround at the northeast end to accommodate delivery trucks. The city projected the cost for Phase 1 at about $1.363 million, which would be funded with a $1,288,440 state appropriation and $73,000 from the city budget. The appropriation was OK’d June 2 when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the state budget for the coming fiscal year. The city issued an RFP earlier this year seeking a contractor and received a single bid from Sarasotabased C-Squared CGC for $2 million. Mayor Dan Murphy, who previously voiced concern about the high bid, recommended scrapping the original RFP and issuing two new RFPs that would allow separate bids from contractors for sidewalk and lighting improvements. He said the city received some inquiries from prospective contractors about the original RFP, but they may have been too specialized for the packaged work, but more able to bid if it was divided. Murphy added that city staff could complete crosswalk improvements with the help of subcontractors to keep costs lower, so an RFP for such work was unnecessary. Commissioner Robert Kingan moved to scrap the

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IslandDining.com ADVeRTISeMenT

A pair of bicyclists ride May 25 past stormwater construction on Pine Avenue involving the installation of inﬁltration trenches in rights of way. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

first RFP and issue separate RFPs for sidewalk and lighting improvements on Pine. Commissioner Jonathan Crane seconded the motion, which passed. There was no public comment. In other matters… City commissioners also: • Unanimously voted to contribute $30,000 from the city’s recreation fund to the Center of Anna Maria Island; • Unanimously voted to direct city staff to conduct a study on the speed tables recently installed on South Bay Boulevard to determine if they should be redesigned or removed in response to some residents’ concerns about disrupted traffic, noise and liability issues; • Unanimously voted to approve a consent agenda including three reappointments to the city’s Historic Preservation Board and a special event permit for fireworks at the Sandbar Restaurant on July 2. The commission will meet next at 9 a.m. Thursday, June 9, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive. The meeting will be open to the public. Directions to attend via Zoom can be found at cityofannamaria.com.

AM mayor sets 2022-23 budget process

It’s almost budget season in Anna Maria. Mayor Dan Murphy unveiled plans in late May for the city’s fiscal 2022-23 budget process, beginning with a commission meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 23, when officials will discuss projected revenues from ad valorem taxes and funding from the American Rescue Plan Act and the state. The process will continue as commissioners discuss operating expenses the week of July 14, then capital outlay and miscellaneous expenses at a third meeting the week of July 28. Unless an additional meeting is required, the next step will be to set a tentative millage rate and hold a first public hearing for a 2022-23 budget at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8. Budgeting will conclude with a final public hearing and vote for the budget ordinance at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22. — Ryan Paice

AN EXCHANGE OF CULTURE With tourism accounting for 11 to 12.5% of the world’s livelihood, communities like ours know the importance of well-trained employees and the impact they can have to a business. Three local restaurants owned by Chiles Hospitality have launched a program that welcomes international students into the restaurants to learn a variety of culinary skills from food prep to guest services to key management. 7KH - YLVD R൵HUV FXOWXUDO DQG HGXFDtional exchange opportunities in the United States through a variety of programs overseen by the U.S. State Department. Students are assigned to the area for 12 months and rotate between all the restaurants. They are encouraged to gain as much experience as possible and the hope is to promote them and allow them to continue to advance in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Currently, there are over 20 students in the program, and they hail from places as far away as Bali, the Philippines and Colombia. Juan from Colombia worked in a high-cuisine restaurant in Bogota before coming to the U.S. He’s been working for seven months in the bakery making desserts and SDVWULHV ³,W¶V D GL൵HUHQW ODQJXDJH GL൵HUHQW SHRSOH DQG D GL൵HUHQW FXOWXUH DQG , WKLQN LW¶V great.” Ray from Bali, Indonesia studied in a culinary program for three years. He appreciates that the Sandbar cares about the earth and sustainability. He misses his family but knows that this opportunity will help him “learn about things, and be something.” Some of the J-1 participants have already been educated in their home country. Macaela from the Philippines has a Bachelor of Science in international travel and management. She wanted to work abroad to have the experience of American culture and to learn

how the restaurant and hospitality industry works in America. Most of the student workers only know the U.S. from the movies or video games. Amnon, from Bali works as prep, inventory, bakery, and line cook. The dream job for him would be to combine art and food.

All of the participants talk about how much they love the local beaches and the Florida weather and how happy they are to make new friends from around the world. Tari from Bali has set the ultimate goal for herself to save her money and open her own restaurant. With sustainabilty at the heart of everything that Chiles Hospitality does, the chance to work with a diverse group of students provides an opportunity to help share the importance of how to be a good steward of the environment to hospitality students from around the globe. In return, the restaurants gain knowledge from international skill sets that the students bring to the program. The exchange of culture is the ultimate outcome for everyone involved. Content provided by: The Chiles Group

Page 20 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 8, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Cops & Courts

Judge denies bond reduction for AME battery defendant By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

There’s no “get out of jail free” card in real life. For Sarasota resident Cameron Evans, 18, one of two defendants arrested in connection to a battery outside Anna Maria Elementary School, getting out of jail will cost $50,000. Judge Stephen Whyte of the 12th Judicial District Court denied a motion May 18 from Evans’ attorney, assistant public defender Alison Clough, who sought a reduction in his $50,000 bond. Evans was arrested following a March 23 incident at AME, 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, that sent resident Evan Purcell, 41, to the hospital with serious injuries. Purcell was walking his dog with his 10-year-old niece when he saw a group of young adults and teenagers possibly vandalizing the facility, according to a

Streetlife

Staff reports

Island police reports

Anna Maria May 30, 200 block of Palm Avenue, fraud. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a fraud report. A deputy spoke with a woman who alleged an unknown party listed her father’s house for sale without their knowledge. A case number was assigned. May 30, 800 block of North Shore Drive, larceny. The MCSO responded to a call concerning a bicycle theft. A complainant stated she left her bicycle at a bike rack at Bean Point and, when she returned, the bike was gone. An incident report was issued. The MCSO polices Anna Maria. Bradenton Beach May 29, 100 block of Bridge Street, disorderly intoxication. While patrolling Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach police officers observed a verbal disturbance outside a bar. They saw a male enter a vehicle and drive in reverse at a high rate of speed and without lights. After observing the motorist nearly hit a signpost, officers signaled for the driver to stop. The man became verbally abusive and refused to follow commands to exit his vehicle. The officers extracted the man and, after a struggle, placed him in a police cruiser. The man was arrested for disorderly intoxication and resisting without violence, both misdemeanor charges. He was transported to the Manatee County jail. May 29, 100 block of Bridge Street, disorderly intoxication. BBPD officers arrested a woman for disorderly intoxication after she witnessed the arrest

Holmes Beach Police Department report. Police said Purcell tried to protect the school from damages and the group became aggressive and confronted him. He drew a pocketknife, but the group beat him to the point of unconsciousness. Purcell’s niece ran to a nearby residence for help during the incident. Emergency medical services found Purcell and transported him to the HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton. The Purcell family has not responded to inquiries about his condition since March 25. The HBPD identified Evans, Palmetto resident John Bartholow, 17, and an unnamed juvenile as suspects connected to the incident using video footage from the scene and witness testimony. Within a month, all three were arrested. The unnamed juvenile was returned to family. For their alleged roles in the incident, Bartholow and Evans are facing second-degree felony charges for aggravated battery resulting in great bodily harm. Both were placed in custody at the Manatee County jail under $50,000 bonds.

of another person and began yelling obscenities at officers. She was transported to the Manatee County jail. The BBPD polices Bradenton Beach. Cortez No new reports. The MCSO polices Cortez. Holmes Beach May 25, Freckled Fin, 5337 Gulf Drive, recovered property. A manager brought a bicycle to the Holmes Beach Police Department claiming it had been left outside the bar for almost a week. An officer found no reports of the bike having been stolen and placed it into storage. May 26, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Marchman Act. An officer responded to reports of a man exposing himself and urinating on a Manatee County Area Transit bus. The officer found the complainant, the bus driver, who pointed to an unconscious man inside with a puddle of urine at his feet. The officer woke the man, who began urinating again, and found him to be intoxicated and unable to stand on his own. The officer placed the man in police custody under the Marchman Act and called emergency medical services, which transported the man to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton. May 27, 600 block of Gladstone Lane, welfare check. Two officers responded to perform a welfare check at the request of an older man’s daughter. Officers announced their presence but received no response so, after asking the daughter for her permission to enter the property, they forced open a door. They found a

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Island watch: In an emergency, call 911. To report information, call the MCSO Anna Maria substation, 941-708-8899; Bradenton Beach police, 941-778-6311; or Holmes Beach police, 941-708-5804.

Correction

The Islander erred in reporting that Holmes Beach Police Department Officer Chris Bennett was named the Manatee 100 Club's Officer of the Year. Bennett was named officer of the year for the HBPD and was a nominee for the 100 Club award. The Manatee 100 Club's Officer of the Year, Deputy Dwight Roberts of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, was named May 20. semi-conscious man inside the residence, which was hot and lacked ventilation. An officer called for EMS, which transported the man to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton. May 28, Ace Hardware, 3352 E. Bay Drive, petit theft. An employee called the HBPD to report that a man used a pair of the store’s bolt cutters to cut a lock that secured bicycles on display at the store. The man took two bikes and left the store without paying. The employee provided video footage of the incident. May 28, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, towed vehicles. An officer responded to reports of multiple vehicles parked in a bus turnaround and found several vehicles parked in a “no parking” zone. The officer issued citations and called a tow company to remove the vehicles. May 31, 8100 block of Palm Drive, vehicular accident. An officer responded to reports of an accident between a motor vehicle and bicyclist. The officer spoke with the involved parties, who said the biker fell in front of their vehicle, which stopped before driving over him. Neither the bike nor vehicle showed signs of damage. The officer called EMS, which transported the biker to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton. HBPD polices Holmes Beach. Streetlife is based on incident reports and narratives from the BBPD, HBPD and MCSO.

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Bartholow posted $50,000 bond April 21 and was released into the Manatee County Probation Department’s pretrial services program. The program allows a defendant’s release from custody but restricts legal movement and provides official supervision until a case is settled. Evans has been in jail since April 14. Clough’s failed May 6 motion to reduce Evans’ bond argues that $50,000 was excessive. Whyte did not provide a written order to explain his denial of the motion. The next court date in both Bartholow’s and Evans’ cases will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday, June 13, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. Clough and Bartholow’s representation, Bradenton-based attorney Jon Weiffenbach, have not responded to The Islander’s inquiries about the case.

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June 8, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 21 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

HB planners prepare to tackle land development code

County force main project disrupts water ﬂow on AMI By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Holmes Beach city planner Bill Brisson, right, speaks June 1 to planning commissioners about preparing a request for proposals to seek consultants for the commission’s next project: revising the land development code. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Holmes Beach’s revised comprehensive plan is almost in the books. After more than two years of planning board members working with a consultant and discussing revisions, the commission’s revised comp plan will go before city commissioners for a potentially final public hearing at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 14. The meeting will be at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive, and will be open to the public. Directions to attend via Zoom can be found at holmesbeachfl.org. Comp plans were initiated by the state in 1989 and determine community goals and aspirations regarding development, as well as guide future legislation. The city’s comp plan lists 10 elements, including future land use, housing and infrastructure, which the P&Z has reviewed with the help of LaRue Planning, a Fort Myers-based consulting firm. If city commissioners vote to adopt the revised comp plan, it will take effect 31 days after adoption. In the meantime, planning commissioners dis-

cussed their next task: revising the city’s land development code. Whereas a comp plan acts as a guide, an LDC provides specific regulations for zoning, development and land use. City planner Bill Brisson said the city’s LDC, which was revised in 2008 for consistency with an updated comp plan, needs a “major rewrite” that could take at least a year to complete. He said the city would need to hire another consultant to assist in the board’s review of the document, similar to LaRue’s assistance with the comp plan. Planning Commission Chair Greg Kerchner said the city was preparing a request for proposals for consulting services and may issue the RFP by the end of the summer. Planning Commissioner Gale Tedhams said she would prefer to review the RFP before its issuance. Kerchner agreed, stating that he will bring the RFP to the planning commission for review by their next meeting, which had not been scheduled as of June 2.

Some Anna Maria and Holmes Beach property owners saw a lapse in water flow May 31. Amy Pilson, strategic affairs manager for Manatee County’s utilities department, told The Islander June 3 that a cracked pipe revealed during work on the Holmes Boulevard Force Main Replacement project resulted in a shutdown. The project involves replacing force mains on Holmes Boulevard and 58th Street with new, upsized PVC piping to meet current county standards. The county hired Sarasota-based Spectrum Underground to complete the work, which began in March and, until May 23, had gone smoothly. However, Pilson said the contractor uncovered cracked piping along Holmes Boulevard, between 58th and 60th streets, which required them to cut the water flowing to the force main from about 10:45 a.m.-1 p.m. May 31 to replace the lines. The shutdown resulted in a loss of water supply over that period for many property owners north of the repair, including businesses. At least one restaurant owner on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria complained about the shutdown, which required sending staff home and shuttering the restaurant during lunch. Pilson said the shutdown was unplanned — spurred by the discovery of the leaking water line — and impacted property owners would be notified about future shutdowns. For now, Pilson said the county had no “imminent” plans to shut down water lines to complete the ongoing work. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of October.

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Page 22 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 8, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Nesting notes By Samara Paice

Enclosures, beachgoers, nature knows best

Early summer beachgoers are crowding Anna Maria Island’s shores while the number of sea turtle nests continues to grow. More nests mean less sand for beachgoers, but Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers use the turtle trails in the sand — head and tail impressions and flipper marks — to identify the location of nests and stake them efficiently. Female loggerheads will lay eggs multiple times May 1-Oct. 31 and already have deposited in excess of 150 nests on AMI during the 2022 nesting season. After the turtles nest, the AMITW volunteers mark the nests with stakes so they can monitor developments and also to protect the nests from unintentional intruders — meaning people. The Sea Turtle Conservancy, a nonprofit dedicated to the research, education and protection of sea turtles around the world, encourages beachgoers to stay at least 5 feet from turtle nests and never enter a marked enclosure. In other nesting news AMITW volunteers identified a least tern nest with two eggs May 19 and marked off the area between 26th and 27th streets north in Bradenton Beach. However, the enclosure — an entire block of beach — was removed June 2 as the nest was predated, possibly by crows, according to AMITW volunteer Kathy Doddridge. Also, a sea turtle nest at the southern-most end of AMI in Bradenton Beach seemed to sit perilously close to the water’s edge and waves encroached on the enclosure.

Beachgoers share the shoreline with sea turtle nests near the 200 block of Gulf Drive South at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. A loggerhead nest is perilously situated at the shoreline at the south end of Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. Sea turtle eggs are water pervious, meaning they absorb water from the waves washing over and the hatchlings are not likely to survive. Islander Photos: Samara Paice

Still, shoreline volunteers do not move nests which can be risky to the eggs, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The embryo is attached to the shell and movement can impact that attachment. Eggs lost to the sea or to wildlife serve as nourishment for crabs, fish and birds. Nature will do what nature does. But humans can help. Keep your distance. Obey the signs and enclosures. Let nature do its thing unencumbered by human interference. Questions or story ideas about nesting season? Email news@islander.org.

A protected least tern nesting area. Islander File Photo: Lisa neff

Do’s and don’ts for sea turtle nesting season As of June 5, AMITW had identiﬁed 156 nests and 145 false crawls on the island.

About AMITW AMITW is a nonproﬁt focused on collecting data on threatened or endangered sea turtles. The organization also collects data on seabirds and shorebirds. The nesting data is required to meet beach renourishment contracts and AMITW is compensated by the county for its service. For more information, go online to islandturtlewatch.com or call executive director Suzi Fox at 941-232-1405.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recommends people follow these guidelines for sea turtle safety: • DO turn off or adjust lighting along the beachfront to prevent nesting sea turtles from becoming disoriented and moving toward the glow of light on land, instead of natural light reflecting on the surface of the water. Indoor lights should be turned off, with curtains closed after dark, and outdoor lighting should be turtle-friendly bulbs. use fixtures low to the ground and shielded from view at the shoreline. • DON’T use flashlights or camera flashes on the beach at night. They can distract nesting sea turtles and cause them to return to the water. • DO clear the way at the end of the day. Nesting female sea turtles can become trapped, confused or impeded by gear left on the beach at night. Remove CLIP AnD SAVe.....

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items such as boats, tents, rafts and beach furniture and ﬁll in holes or level sand castles before dusk. Holes trap turtles and can injure people. Call code enforcement to report unattended property or large holes on the beach. City of Anna Maria code enforcement — 941-7086130, ext. 139 or ext. 129. City of Bradenton Beach code enforcement — 941-778-1005, ext. 280. City of Holmes Beach code enforcement — 941778-0331, ext. 260. Report sick, injured, entangled or dead sea turtles to the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline, at 1-888-404-3922, #FWC or *FWC on a cellphone or text Tip@MyFWC. com. For more information on island nesting, contact Suzi Fox at suzifox@gmail.com or 941-232-1405.

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June 8, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 23 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

A ground photograph of spider lightning — long, horizontally traveling ﬂashes often seen on the underside of stratiform clouds.

By Lisa Neff

Electrifying topic

An African fable offers one way to think about lightning and thunder. Lightning the ram, the son of Thunder the sheep, went about a village causing destruction, prompting loud, disruptive reprimands from Thunder. So Lightning and Thunder were banished from the village and later, banished to the sky, where Lightning continues to spark damage and Thunder continues to rumble disapproval. Did you notice the domestic disneff cord this past week? Crackle, snap, boom. It’s the time of year when we need to heed a basic safety rule: When thunder roars, go indoors. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Florida is the “lightning capital of the United States” and more people die each year from lightning strikes here than in any other state. Over the entire year, the highest frequency of cloud-to-ground lightning occurs between the Tampa Bay area and Orlando. This is due to the presence, on many days, of a large moisture content in the atmosphere at levels below 5,000 feet, as well as high surface temperatures that produce strong sea breezes. NOAA, in its “Severe Weather 101” guide, provides some other fascinating facts about lightning: • What is lightning? It’s a giant spark of electricity in the atmosphere between clouds, the air or the ground. In the early stages of development, air acts as an insulator between the positive and negative charges in the cloud and between the cloud and the ground. When the opposite charges build up enough, this insulating capacity of the air breaks down and there is a rapid discharge of electricity that we know as lightning. The air breakdown creates ions and free electrons that travel down the conducting channel. The current flow equalizes the charged regions in the atmosphere until the opposite charges build up again.

The World Meteorological Organization found this lightning — as seen April 29, 2020, from a nOAA satellite — to be the longest ﬂash on record, covering a distance of 477 miles. The bolt stretched from the central coast of Texas to southern Mississippi. Islander Photos: Courtesy national Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

• What is a cloud flash? It’s lightning inside a cloud, traveling from one part of a cloud to another. • Is it possible to have thunder without lightning? No. Thunder starts as a shockwave from the explosively expanding lightning channel as a large current causes rapid heating. • Is lightning always produced during a thunderstorm? Yes. Thunderstorms always have lightning but you can have lightning without a thunderstorm. • What is a “bolt from the blue”? It’s a cloud-toground flash that comes out of the side of the thunderstorm cloud, travels a relatively large distance in clear air away from the storm cloud and then angles down and strikes the ground. It can be especially dangerous because it appear to come from clear blue sky. • What type of electricity is lightning? Lightning is an electrostatic discharge accompanied by the emission of visible light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation.

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• How many volts and watts are in lightning? Lightning can have 100 million to 1 billion volts and contains billions of watts. • How hot can lightning make the air? Energy from lightning heats the surrounding air anywhere from 18,000 degrees Fahrenheit to up to 60,000 degrees Fahrenheit. • Does lightning always strike the tallest object? Never say always, but lightning usually strikes the tallest object. • What are the odds of being struck by lightning? The chance of an individual in the United States being struck during a given year is one in 1.2 million. The odds of being struck in a lifetime are one in 15,300. • Can lightning strike the same place twice? Yes, lightning can hit the same spot — or almost the same spot — more than once, contrary to folk wisdom. In the fable, Lightning the ram also can strike the same place twice. And Thunder rumbles on.

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Page 24 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 8, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Surfing holiday in Nicaragua, golf and horseshoes on AMI By Kevin P. Cassidy Islander Reporter

It’s time for a little R&R. Islanders Ken Bowers and son Lane were joined by former islanders Sean Breslin, Brett McIntosh and this writer for a weeklong surfing trip to Tola in Rivas, Nicaragua, at the end of May. All stayed at the Hacienda Iguana Golf & Beach Club, a little resort compound geared to surfers near the Cassidy city of Rivas in a beachhouse situated on great surfing break. And, oh boy, did this group ever get in some surfing, including an “official” contest centered around who would catching the best waves, and later including who won evening table games such as pass the pigs and shut the box. When the wind switched to onshore later in the week, the competition stretched into a round of golf on the nine-hole course at the compound. Final results are still in dispute, but Breslin and McIntosh were unofficially at the top of the standings Key Royale golf news Fifty-nine golfers participated in the annual Memowith the Bowers boys close behind. All in all, it was a great trip, but all the details can’t rial Day Scramble, played May 30 at the Key Royale be revealed because, as you know, what happens in Club in Holmes Beach. The team of John Kolojeski, Betsy Meyer, Pat Nicaragua, stays in Nicaragua! Olesen and Steve Vasbinder combined on a net score of 25.37, narrowly edging the team of Ann and John Hacksinson and Jenny and Ron Huibers, who finished second at 25.65. Finishing in third were Trudy and Ed Chelminiak and Brenda and Bob O’Brien at 27.75. Lori Hicks won the women’s closest-to-the-pin contest on the eighth hole, while Gary Duncan won on the men’s side on the third hole. Launching the longest drive were Lori Waggoner and Dan Hamilton, with Hamilton also taking the men’s straightest drive. Carol Duncan took the straightest-drive contest for the women. Following the golf outing, players and guests enjoyed beef sliders, Caesar salad, fruit salad, macand-cheese and cheesecake tarts at the clubhouse. The women played their weekly nine-hole individual-low-net match May 31 in one flight. Roxanne Koche grabbed first place with a 3-underpar 29, two strokes ahead of Terry Westby. Meredith Slavin finished in third with a 1-over-par 33. The week concluded with the members playing The team of Betsy Meyer, Steve Vasbinder and Pat a nine-hole shamble with the two best scores from Olesen pose May 30 at the Key Royale Club on each foursome counted. First place went to the team of winning the Memorial Day Scramble. not pictured: Mike Cusato, Tom Solosky and Quentin Talbert with John Kolojeski. Islander Photo: Courtesy KRC an even-par 64.

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Horseshoe news For the second consecutive week, there was no playoff at the Wednesday-Saturday competition at the Anna Maria City Hall horseshoe pits. But there were two outright winners with walkers dominating the action. The June 1 games saw Tim Sofran earn bragging rights for the day with the lone 3-0 record in the preliminary round. Action June 4 saw Bob Heiger walk his way to

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Brett McIntosh, left, Kevin Cassidy, Ken Bowers and Sean Breslin display their hometown news, The Islander, at Hacienda Iguana in Tola at Rivas, nicaragua. Islander Photo: Courtesy Lane Bowers

Lane Bowers goes off the lip on a ride at the Hacienda Iguana break. Islander Photo: Kevin P. Cassidy

the winner’s with the only perfect record during pool play. Play gets underway at 9 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Anna Maria pits. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m. followed by random team selection. There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome. At the center … Registration for adult flag football is underway with the last day to register June 15 and a season of Thursday night games beginning June 30. For more info and to register, got to centerami.org or call 941-778-7978. The center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, will begin matches June 14 in the summer youth indoor soccer league — ages 8-13 — in the center gym.

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Anna Maria Island Tides

Date

June 8 June 9 June 10 June 11 June 12 June 13 June 14 June 15

8:07a 8:33a 9:00a 9:29a 10:02a 1:14a 11:19a 12:04p

HIGH

1.8 7:38p 2.0 9:08p 2.2 10:32p 2.4 11:52p 2.6 — 1.5 10:38a 3.0 — 3.1 —

HIGH

1.7 1.6 1.6 1.5 — 2.9 — —

LOW

1:12a 0.3 1:54a 0.5 2:33a 0.7 3:07a 1.0 3:35a 1.2 3:56a 1.3 7:35p -0.7 8:28p -0.7

1:54p 3:01p 4:00p 4:55p 5:48p 6:41p — —

LOW

1.0 0.6 0.3 -0.1 -0.4 -0.6 — —

AM City Pier tides; Cortez high tides 7 minutes later — lows 1:06 later

Moon

Full

June 8, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 25 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Pelagic, bottom, backwater fishing fires up, tarpon sizzle By Capt. Danny Stasny Islander Reporter

Tarpon are in the spotlight for another week among the anglers around Anna Maria Island. Schools of silver kings are being found on the beaches of Anna Maria Island, as well as to the north and south at Egmont and Longboat keys. Tarpon are making a showing in the passes of Longboat Key and Anna Maria’s Bean Point during swift Stasny outgoing tides in the afternoons and evenings. Most catches are 60-120 pounds, with larger fish mixed in for the lucky among us. For bait, live crabs are working well in the passes, while casting live threadfin herring along the beaches seems to be the preferred offering. Moving offshore, pelagic species — amberjack, blackfin tuna and wahoo — are being caught on freelined live baits and slow-trolling bait. Bottom fishing offshore is plentiful, with catches of gag and red grouper, as well as a variety of snappers, including mangrove, yellowtail, American red and vermilion. As for the inshore bite, targeting snook throughout the grass flats and in the passes is proving to be the best bet. Snook are out of season, but these fish put up a good fight on light tackle and are ripe for catch-andrelease sport fishers. For those wanting a fish dinner, spotted seatrout are the go-to species. Fishing deep grass flats is producing large quantities of the popular “fry” fish, although many are falling short of the 15-inch minimum size limit. So determination is required to catch the limit, which is three fish. Gag grouper season is open and the fish are taking the bait in Tampa Bay, where live pinfish and shiners on a bottom rig are working well. On my Just Reel charters, I’m finding plenty of action on catch-and-release snook. Casting live shiners along mangrove shorelines is resulting in numerous catches. Most fish are 20-26 inches although some fish exceeding 30 inches are taking a hook. Spotted seatrout are next on the list and are being caught over deeper grass flats. Mixed in are mangrove snapper, Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle and ladyfish, adding variety to the bite. I’m also seeing quite a few sharks hunting in the shallows. In many instances, the sharks are swimming up and biting spotted seatrout in half as they’re being reeled to the boat. Most of the sharks are black tips measuring 4-6 feet, although a few bull sharks have been spotted, too. Capt. David White is working the tarpon bite along the beaches of Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island and Egmont Key. During slower tides, White is finding schools working and casting live threadfin herring in their path is getting the bite. During faster moving tides, tarpon are gathering in the passes, where they’re feeding on live pass crabs. When this is occurring, White is casting live crabs and letting them drift in the current to attract a bite to the hook.

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Barclay Stewart of Texas lets Capt. Jason Stock do the heavy lifting June 1 after landing this king-size wahoo while trolling offshore in waters 150-feetdeep during a guided ﬁshing trip.

The Islander erred in reporting that Holmes Beach Police Department Ofﬁcer Chris Bennett won the Manatee 100 Club’s Ofﬁcer of the Year award. Ben-

When he is not tarpon fishing, White is running offshore for American red snapper. These are fish are readily taking offerings of live pinfish as bait. Moving inshore, White is working the gag grouper bite, as well as catch-and-release snook and trout. Capt. Jason Stock is working offshore for pelagic and reef species for his charters. Fishing around rocks, reefs and springs is working well for pelagics. Blackfin tuna, amberjack and wahoo are being caught in these areas by free-lining live baits or slow trolling. In other spots, such as areas of hard bottom and ledges, Stock has his clients bottom fishing for a variety of species, including gag and red grouper as well as all sorts of snapper — American red, yellowtail and mangrove. On days when Stock works near shore, he’s cruising the beaches with his clients in search of tarpon and sharks — but not together. Capt. Warren Girle is spending most of his days catching tarpon. Casting live crabs and live threadfin herring at schooling fish along the beaches and in the passes is working well to get a bite for his clients. These catches are running 60-100 pounds. On breaks from the tarpon, he’s working the backcountry waters of Sarasota Bay north to Tampa Bay. On deeper grass flats, spotted sea trout are the most apparent, although on several occasions, Girle’s anglers have hooked into tarpon while targeting trout. Most of the tarpon battles are short-lived due to the light tackle he uses for trout. The trout gear is not stable enough to handle the overwhelming power of a tarpon. On one occasion this past week, Girle reports this mix-match occurred and the angler was lucky enough to land a 40-pound tarpon on 8-pound test line with a 20-pound leader. Some folks are just lucky, I guess. Lastly, Girle’s finding good catch-and-release

snook action on shallow flats where mangroves shorelines exist. Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier reports catchand-release snook are the most abundant bite at the pier. Pier fishers using live shrimp and live pinfish are hooking into schooley-sized snook measuring 18-24 inches. Larger snook are mixed in but not as apparent as the smaller ones. Mangrove snapper also are taking an interest in live shrimp offerings at the R&R. Although not as abundant in Tampa Bay as they will be in the weeks to come, the snapper are targetable and a few anglers are catching their limit of five fish. Finally, fishers casting small jigs or silver spoons out from the pier are hooking into Spanish mackerel, as well as ladyfish and jack crevalle. Send high-resolution photos and ﬁshing reports to ﬁsh@islander.org.

Fish license-free June 11-12

Cast away in June. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission invites people to go freshwater fishing during a license-free weekend June 11-12. License-free fishing days provide opportunities for new anglers to try fishing and for experienced anglers to introduce a friend or family member to the sport. The fishing license requirements are waived for all recreational anglers during the license-free dates but other rules apply. For more information, visit myfwc.com/fishing. — Lisa neff

5352 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach 941 200 0660

. .

Floridaunderwatersports.com

Licensed

Page 26 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 8, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

isl

biz

By Kane Kaiman

A real gem, shifting hours

Rock on When Priya Weiman-Parikh learned about the loyal following owner Bill Arthur had built at Anna Maria Rocks, she was sold. “That’s a really special experience to have in retail. Once I saw that, once I realized it’s definitely a different kind of store than what I would imagine when I think of a crystal shop, I realized it was a really good fit for us,” she said June 3. For six years, island visitors have Kaiman returned to the shop, 9908 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, to build shark teeth necklaces with their kids and add fossils, geodes and crystals to their collections. In April, Weiman-Parikh and husband David bought the store, rated the No. 1 gift and specialty shop on the island on Tripadvisor.com. The shop’s handmade jewelry, featuring precious and semi-precious stones, and fossils, including 20-million-year-old megalodon shark teeth, remain popular with patrons, Weiman-Parikh said. The entrepreneur and mother of two — who also owns Picnic Perfect, a luxury picnic service — has started coordinating “Third Thursday” events to bolster retail and restaurant sales in the area. Every third Thursday of the month throughout the summer, Anna Maria Rocks, the Nomad Collection a boutique adjacent to the gem shop and other businesses in the area will extend their hours and invite customers to enjoy adult beverages and music near the

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and Saturdays at 4 p.m., while they open at noon on Sundays when patrons can take advantage of a buildyour-own-bloody Mary buffet at lunch. The owners opted to shorten hours to match summer demand, which dropped off when high season wound down in April. Elliott said June 3 the bar, 6640 Cortez Road W. Suite A, Bradenton, will expand its hours when business heats back up. Meanwhile, Modern Chop Steakhouse added lunch to its schedule at the end of May. The mid-priced eatery, a classic steakhouse with modern amenities and decor, is closed Sunday and opens other days at 11 a.m. Joe Moreta, who owns the steakhouse and bar with his fiance and father, said June 3 the trio decided to expand the eatery’s hours to accommodate lunch traffic Liliana Pasztor Hill, 7, and sibling Ronin, 3, of from the nearby medical community. Orlando, show off their alligator ﬁgurines and For more on the Feast, visit thefeastrestaurantami. magnets, purchased June 3 at Anna Maria Rocks in com or call 941-778-5092. Anna Maria. Islander Photo: Kane Kaiman For more on 88 Live, visit 88livebradenton.com or call 941-900-1133. intersection of Gulf Drive and Spring Avenue in Anna For more on Modern Chop, visit modernchopMaria. steakhouse.com or call 941-201-6006. For more on the rock shop, visit the Anna Maria And as always… Rocks Facebook page or call 941-896-7040. …Got biz news? Contact Kane Kaiman at kane@ islander.org or call The Islander ofﬁce at 941-778Double-check those websites 7978. A few local businesses have changed their hours Compiled by Kane Kaiman but, for some, the rationale is not as simple as a slower summer season. AMI Chamber On June 6, the Feast called off lunch. The resTHIS WEEK taurant, 5406 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, is open 3:30-9 p.m. daily. Thursday, June 9 Owner/chef Chris Dale said June 3 he chose to cut 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. — Chamber luncheon, back the eatery’s hours to give staff a much-needed Bunny and Pirates, 12404 Cortez Road W., breather. Cortez. A labor shortage that began during the pandemic SAVE THE DATE continues to spread island restaurants thin and Dale said the time off also will give the eatery’s leadership June 23, business card exchange, Topsail Steamer at the AMI an opportunity to find staff before they ramp up lunch Chamber, Holmes Beach. in January. Info, RSVP: 941-778-154, info@amichamber.org. Sherry Elliott, owner of 88 Live, said the piano Other events bar also dropped lunch five days a week at the end of May. THIS WEEK The bar is closed Monday and opens weekdays

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Recently, we’ve heard/seen advertisements regarding indoor AC coil cleaning with every routine maintenance. But the “cleaner” used 99% of the time is a disinfectant that does absolutely nothing for system performance or mold remediation. Most manufacturers recommend indoor coils be cleaned only when necessary due to the corrosiveness of the chemicals required. Some manufacturers will not even recommend a cleaning due to the damage that will occur. In a situation where mold, mildew and other VOCs are an issue, cleaning the indoor coil will NOT give you relief or a 100% clean bill of health for your system. (Max 60-80% clean is the best possible outcome.) The only way to get a clean, efficient system after maintenance abuse is to replace the indoor coil.

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GET A $40 PREPAID VISA® CARD* WITH QUALIFYING BRAKE PARTS PURCHASE OF $250** OR MORE! OFFER VALID May 1- June 30, 2022 Ask your Service Advisor for details. Offer valid May 1 - June 30, 2022 at both NAPA AUTO PARTS Stores and participating NAPA AutoCare Centers. Claim online by July 15, 2022. *This Card is issued by Sunrise Banks N.A., St. Paul, MN 55103, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa®? debit cards are accepted. Use of this card constitutes acceptance of the terms and conditions stated in the Cardholder Agreement. Card expires 6 months from issuance, per the “Valid Thru”date printed on the card. See your cardholder agreement and associated materials for details. **$250 of qualifying products will be based on the final price paid, less any discounts, warranty reimbursements, extended warranty, core and resurface charges and excluding taxes, installation/labor, and shipping fees.

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Wednesday, June 15 Noon — Longboat Key Chamber Networking at Noon, Cafe L’Europe, 431 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota. Save the date June 16, LBK Chamber new member reception, Longboat Key Chamber, Longboat Key. June 28, LBK Chamber Business After Hours, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Sarasota. Info, RSVP: longboatkeychamber.com, 941-383-2466.

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Don’t forget! You can read it all online at islander.org

June 8, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 27 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Jessica Adair, Managing Broker 941-345-0178

Team Sunshine Girls Karen Harllee, Realtor, 941.720.0418, Dee Munn, Broker Associate 407.346.4422

Kimberly Roehl, Broker, 941-447-9988

Anita Jones, Realtor, 724.989.4824

Teresa Tebib, Realtor, RSPS 941.226.5265

Ryan Hackney, Realtor, 941.720.5267

Sean Sabbia, Realtor, 813.748.8701

Amber Delbaugh, Office Manager/Realtor 757.503.3494

94 N. Shore for 3.485M by Ryan Hackney

102 48th for 28.5M by Jessica Adair

201 Bay Dr. N. 6.5M by Sunshine Girls

206 66th for 2.5M by Teresa Tebib

307 66th Unit B for 3.425M by Sean Sabbia

2119 Ave. B, Unit A, for 4.9M by Jessica Adair

2822 Fourth for 495k by Sunshine Girls

4119 Riverview 2.8M by Sunshine Girls

SOLD 113 Maple 3.95M by Ryan Hackney

SOLD 205 Peacock. 1.270M by Sunshine Girls

SOLD 206 Oak. 2.9M by Jessica Adair

SOLD 2419 Avenue B. 4.1M by Jessica Adair

Locals Realty opened its doors in January 2021. Our office takes pride in being the No. 1 selling real estate office in Manatee County in its first year in business. We specialize in luxury real estate and investment properties, but can help with any and all of your real estate needs. Our focus is always on you, the client. We are committed to exceeding your expectations with meaningful experiences through our local knowledge and market expertise. Our team is an amazing group of people that has been slowly and care-

fully cultivated over the past 17 months. We are comprised of area locals, as well as Florida transplants, making our team capable and experienced in relation to all of your real estate dreams and desires. Whether you are seeking local knowledge of specific areas to settle in or looking to become a Florida or Island transplant yourself — our team has you covered! From forever homes to luxury investment properties, we are skilled, knowledgeable and here to help! We are proud to be your team of "regular folks" — down to earth,

relatable and friendly. Whether we’re listing your home or finding your new one, we can guarantee that we will do it with knowledge and expertise, but also as a friendly face you can trust.

9801 Gulf Drive Ste. 4 | PO Box 4105 | Anna Maria, FL 34216 | 941.404.8438

Page 28 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 8, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

I S L A N D E R C L A S S I F I E D S ITEMS FOR SALE

FREEBIE ITEMS FOR SALE

SERVICES

APAnASOnIC SPORT 500 bike: 10-speed, new tires, garage kept, $100. Inversion table, rarely used, $100. 941-448-3284.

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 1-866-362-9821. (limited time offer)

neeD A RIDe to airports? Tampa, St. Pete, Sarasota. Gary, 863-409-5875. gvoness80@ gmail.com.

AnTIQue PARTneR DeSK: All wood, $500. Inquire at The Islander ofﬁce, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes Beach. 941-778-7978.

GARAGE SALES

AnTIQue OFFICe CHAIRS: Perfect for eclectic dining set. Circa 1950 from Anna Maria City Hall. Inquire at The Islander newspaper, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes Beach. 941-778-7978.

YARD SALe: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, June 11. Wooden boat, extension ladder, bone china, half-price items, silver, miscellaneous. 327 Tarpon St., Anna Maria. PETS

AnTIQue BABY CARRIAGe: Wood and wicker. Proceeds beneﬁt Moonracer Animal Rescue. email for photos: moonraceranimalrescue@gmail.com.

HeLP ReSCueD PeTS! Volunteer, foster, computer help needed! Moonracer Animal Rescue. email: moonraceranimalrescue@ gmail.com.

LOOKInG FOR An eARLY BIRD? You can read Wednesday’s classiﬁeds on Tuesday at islander.org. And it’s FRee!

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LIVe PInFISH-SHIneRS delivery available. 941-705-1956, text only. HELP WANTED

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HAVe A BOAT and wanna catch more ﬁsh, better bait or learn the water? 50-year local ﬁsherman, your boat, my knowledge. Captain Chris, 941-896-2915.

Residential & Condo Renovations Kitchens • Bath • Design Service Carpentry • Flooring • Painting Commercial & Residential

References available • 941-720-7519

TInGLeY LIBRARY In Bradenton Beach is looking for volunteers. Fun and friendly atmosphere. Morning and afternoon shifts. If interested, please, contact library clerk eveann Adams 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at 941-7791208.

AdoptA-Pet

OLIVe OIL OuTPOST seeks an individual for a customer experience representative. Flexible hours, very competitive compensation with store discounts. For information, contact Bill at 941-544-5400.

Perry needs YOU!

RePORTeR WAnTeD: Full- to part-time. Print media, newspaper experience required. Apply via email with letter of interest to news@islander.org.

Perry is a male blonde Florida mix, 8 years old, about 65-pounds, fully schooled and well behaved. To meet this cutie, call Lisa Williams at 941-345-2441 or visit The Islander ofﬁce in Holmes Beach. For more about pet adoption, visit moonracer-animalrescue. com.

KIDS FOR HIRE n e e D A n A D u LT n i g h t o u t ? C a l l M a t y ’s B a b y s i t t i n g S e r v i c e s . I’m 16, love kids and have lots of experience. References upon request. 618-977-9630. DePenDABLe, ReSPOnSIBLe, Fun babysitter for hire. 13 years old, island local. Available in June. 941-526-9090.