The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Astheworldterns 6

Q&a 042623 3

Spring nesting work. 4, 8

AMi marking Arbor Day. 5

AM-Mote opening pier center. 5

Meetings 5

Gardeners feast!

Hoa purchase of Pines trailer Park fails

By robert Anderson islander reporter

Negotiations have failed between the land owner and the homeowners in the Pines Trailer Park in Bradenton Beach.

A resident, who requested anonymity, informed The Islander of the development April 20.

10-20 Years ago

Opinions 6 looking back. 7

AMI Happenings

Up and coming. 9-11 12-13

Gathering. 14

Obituaries 15

Where’s Tuna Street? 16-17

Park project possible at Skyway. 18

NYT crossword 18

FiSH elects board. 19

Cops & Courts 20-21

BB puts parking study into drive. 22

RoadWatch 22

TideWatch 22

Fire district advances rate hike. 23

Sporting news. 24

Soak up spring trifecta. 25

NESTING NOTES. 26

Marking May Day. 27

CLASSIFIEDS. 28-28

Isl Biz: 30

Find The islander archive dating to 1992 online at ufdc.ufl.edu.

AME fifth-graders Hannah Moss, left, Hazel Smith, Ava Mason and Maggie Niedzwick dine April 14 at The Doctor’s Garden, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach. The meal ingredients — tomatoes, eggplants, carrots, onions, Brussels sprouts, kale, lettuce, celery, peas and herbs — were harvested two days prior and students were escorted on foot to the restaurant by Holmes Beach police officers for the chef-prepared lunch.

More, see page 12. islander Photo: Courtesy AME

Protests aside, county pushes forward on changes to library board

By ryan Paice islander reporter

Public outcry may have dulled the blow of one controversial Manatee County proposal.

County commissioners unanimously voted April 18 to authorize staff to work with Commissioner Amanda Ballard to craft an ordinance expanding the existing five-person county library advisory board by four members, as well as increasing board duties to include collection development.

The Manatee County Public Library System includes seven facilities throughout the county, including the Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, which features collections of printed books, digital material and movies, as well as offers tools, classes and special events.

The county’s existing library advisory board meets monthly to discuss library policy for commission consideration and consists of five people, including one person appointed by the city of Bradenton and one person appointed by the city of Palmetto.

The other three members, a majority of the board, are appointed by the county commission based on residency, including:

• One who must be a resident of the unincorporated areas of the county;

• One from the county at-large;

Throughout the negotiations over the sale of the bayfront mobile home park at 103 Church Ave., residents have been instructed by attorneys not to publicly discuss matters.

The partnership, with Richard and William Jackson as officers, listed the park for sale Jan. 25 for $16 million.

As required by state law, they first offered the park to the HOA members for purchase.

The Florida Mobile Home Act requires a park owner to give 45 days’ notice of an intent to sell to unit owners, and gives homeowners the first right of refusal.

On Feb. 24, Pines Trailer Park homeowners voted to form a cooperative to rally for the purchase of the land.

A co-op is a nonprofit owned by the homeowners for the benefit of the residents when the park’s land is purchased by the homeowners from the original ownership. The land transitions from a land-lease company to the nonprofit, and owners become shareholders in the property.

“The bottom line is that the park could not come up with enough money. So as of the 21st, it will be on the open market, so anyone out there can buy it,” one resident told The Islander.

The resident said there are a lot of rumors circulating in the park about potential buyers and people there are concerned about their

The turtles are coming.

A female loggerhead crawled ashore April 18 on AMI, creating the first sea turtle nest of the 2023 season just days after Anna

Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird

Monitoring began patrolling the beaches.

The season officially begins May 1 but turtle watch groups are reporting early arrivals to the shores.

AMITW stated the nest was probably the

on recommendations from the four munici-

• One who must be a resident of either Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach or the town of Longboat Key, based on recommendations from the four municipal governments.

All appointments are for four years.

1st turtle nest marked on aMi

earliest in the organization’s record books.

Mote Marine Laboratory’s turtle monitoring team also documented an early nest April 18 in Sarasota County on Casey Key, the earliest recorded nest in that program’s history.

Nesting season starts vary by region in Florida, with the Gulf and Northeast behind central and South Florida. For more, go to page 26.

May 1 marks the official start to sea turtle nesting season and this year May 1 is Suzi Fox Day. Fox, the longtime director of AMiTW, died last September.

annamaria.com

The Best News on Anna Maria island Since 1992 islander.org

TUrN TO LIBRARY PROTEST, PAGE 2

The terms of three current members, including those appointed by the cities of Bradenton and Palmetto, as well as a county commission-appointed island resident, will expire Jan. 1, 2024.

The April 18 work meeting agenda included a oneline proposal from Ballard to consider the establishment of a “citizen’s advisory board for library collection development.”

The item sparked a protest outside the county administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, where about 15 people gathered.

The protestors carried signs opposing the proposal and chanted “Ban ignorance, not books” and “Trust librarians to do their job!”

Shannon Keever, communications director for Women’s Voices of Southwest Florida, led the protest and told The Islander April 18 that she homeschools her two children with the assistance of library resources.

“Really, it comes down to what’s the government’s job on protecting our children from materials in the library, versus what is the parents’ job of deciding what is and isn’t appropriate for their own children,” Keever said. “This is a nonpartisan issue.”

She said the board of county commissioners was “trying to stoke” culture wars and provide a solution to an issue that doesn’t exist.

“They’re trying to usurp (the existing board’s) authority,” Keever added. “I think they’re doing fine. I think we need to trust our librarians. I think we need to trust the processes we already have.”

Ballard said at the meeting that the libraries had a “responsibility to present all points of view” and proposed creating a 15-member advisory board based on demographics to oversee the development of the system’s collection.

She said the board would consist of two parents of children ages 0-5, two parents of children ages 6-18, two homeschooling parents, four general community members, two teachers, one library professional or retiree, as well as two at-large retirees.

The board would not have the power to remove

libraries or veto library acquisitions

would work with staff to review items for purchase, according to Ballard.

She said that while the library system already allows people to request new acquisitions, she wanted to pursue a 10%-15% “patron-driven” acquisition model.

Ballard’s original motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Jason Bearden, also included:

• A requirement for a parent’s presence or signed parental consent form for children under the age of 16 to borrow books featuring young adult fiction, adult fiction, human sexuality, sexual techniques, sexual orientation and sexual hygiene;

• The addition of physical genre labels to children’s books, specifically labeling books comprising LGBTQA+, human sexuality and coming-of-age content.

Ballard mocked claims that the discussion was fascist or involved potentially banning and/or removing books and said such claims were attempts to fearmonger.

Her proposal stemmed from a Feb. 21 workshop where county library services manager Tammy Parrott presented an update on operations.

Following Parrott’s presentation, almost every county commissioner voiced criticism.

Commissioner James Satcher suggested the library system split from the American Library Association because he claimed it pushed “indoctrinal (sic) ideology” that resulted in “a bunch of left-wing ideology books on our shelves.”

Satcher also discussed establishing a review process for books that receive complaints from patrons.

Ballard claimed the library’s collection had a “liberal” skew and proposed establishing a collection development oversight board.

Bearden suggested funding the purchase of new books by selling some of the library’s existing collection to the blue states of New York or California.

Commissioner George Kruse reminded board members of their words at the April 18 workshop.

“You can’t say, ‘Nobody has mentioned taking SEE LIBRARY PROTEST, NEXT PAGE

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Protesters chant and hold signs April 18 outside the Manatee County administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, in opposition to Commissioner Amanda Ballard’s proposal to establish a second advisory board to oversee the library’s collection development. The banner reads, “Unite against book bans.” islander Photo: ryan Paice materials from

but

away books.’ Literally, at our work session, people were talking about taking books out of the library,” Kruse said. “You can’t just spout off at times for soundbites or to prove a point. … There was a conversation about that, so you can’t fault people for thinking what we said.”

Kruse argued that there hadn’t been any issue with the library system over the past 50 years and said Ballard’s proposed board would be redundant since the county commission already controlled a majority of the existing board.

“I like smaller government, that’s just me,” he said. “I also think the government is terrible at overseeing my life and to find a way of expanding government with an additional advisory board to tell me more of what to do with my life seems to be counterintuitive to everything I campaigned on.”

Kruse added that the library system already features a way to request new acquisitions and does not

allow children ages 12 or under inside without parental supervision.

Out of 51 public comments submitted to the county via email ahead of the meeting, totaling 65 pages of email threads, 48 expressed opposition to Ballard’s proposal and two voiced support.

One comment was miscategorized and did not address the library issue.

During public comment, 14 out of 18 in-person commenters — including Keever and several protesters — voiced opposition to Ballard’s motion.

Julie Perry of the Friends of the Island Library was one of the 14 opponents.

“This is censorship, plain and simple,” Perry said. “To impose your ideology on others with fear is dangerous to Manatee County. … Our librarians are the epitome of professionalism, leadership and integrity. Please respect their knowledge, education and experience they bring.”

Following public comment, Ballard said she could

Van Ostenbridge out as chair — and in

Manatee County commissioners played a game of pass the gavel April 18-20.

Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge, whose District 3 includes Anna Maria Island, opened an April 18 meeting as chair but by meeting’s end had passed the gavel to Commissioner Vanessa Baugh.

Commissioner Jason Bearden, who ousted Carol Whitmore in last year’s election, motioned for the change in leadership. He was seconded by James Satcher. Other “yes” votes were from Amanda Ballard and Baugh.

They said Van Ostenbridge left commissioners out of the loop.

A news release that day was issued under the headline “Manatee County Commission Names New Leadership” and stated that the commission in a 4-3

vote handed Baugh her third term as chair.

“We need to come together,” Baugh stated in the release. “We need to get on the same page and run the county like it needs to be run.”

But at the April 20 meeting, the chair and gavel returned to Van Ostenbridge.

“At the last meeting, I made a vote which I have since — upon further reflection — come to believe was not in the best interest of the county,” Ballard said. “Today, I would like to make a motion to appoint Kevin Van Ostenbridge as the chair of the county commission.”

She made the motion, which Kruse seconded. The motion passed 4-2, with Bearden and Satcher voting no. Baugh was absent.

A news release that day was issued under the headline “Van Ostenbridge returns to commission chair.”

— lisa Neff

understand how her proposed board might be redundant.

She amended her motion to instead expand the existing board by four members and to increase duties to include advice on collection development.

Bearden seconded the motion, which passed.

Assistant county attorney Bill Clague said he would work on a proposed ordinance for commission consideration.

Perry told The Islander April 20 that she believes public feedback played a part in Ballard amending her motion.

“I do think that the public was heard,” Perry said. “I hope that the public will continue to be heard and continue to have a voice.”

She added that she did not oppose the expansion of the existing board if the county commission did not “cherry-pick” the new appointees.

“I would like this board to have a diverse opinion of ideology,” Perry said.

Q&a 042623

The Islander poll

last week’s question

By lisa Neff

The most important environmental priority for local governments should be …

23%. Working for clean water.

9%. Banning single-use plastics.

2%. Hardening against sea level rise.

64%. Limiting development.

2%. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This week’s question

The best Mother’s Day gift is …

A. Flowers.

B. Candy.

C. Clothing.

D. Gift card.

E. Other.

To answer the poll, go online to islander.org.

Van Ostenbridge

HB shares turtle regs, guides ahead of nesting season

By ryan Paice islander reporter

Sea turtles on Anna Maria Island have jumped the gun on nesting season.

The first nest was found April 18 on the shore of Holmes Beach, ahead of the usual schedule.

The city hosted a public workshop April 19 to educate people about sea turtle safety standards and regulations ahead of nesting season, which officially begins May 1.

The workshop was attended by about 30 people, including Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring representatives, local business owners, rental agency employees, as well as code enforcement officers from the city of Anna Maria and the town of Longboat Key.

Mayor Judy Titsworth began the workshop discussing the importance of protecting the island’s sea life, such as nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings.

“We’re all responsible. We all have to do better,” she said.

Titsworth also dedicated the workshop to the late Suzi Fox, who served since 1996 as AMITW executive director before she died in September 2022.

City code enforcement officer Jayson Clayton said he wanted to get everyone on the same page before

nesting season, which spans May 1-Oct. 31.

Florida’s shores are home to annual nesting sites for three species of sea turtles, including loggerheads, green turtles and leatherbacks, all of which are protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act due to declining global populations.

While human activity along the beach threatens the endangered turtles, the city enforces regulations drawn from state standards to limit human impact on sea turtles.

Those include:

• Eliminating light visible from the beach;

• Removing personal items, such as beach tents and chairs, as well as knocking down sandcastles and filling in holes on the shore before nightfall during sea turtle nesting season.

Female nesting sea turtle and their hatchlings locate the sea by instinct — following the light reflected on the water. Artificial lighting can result in “disorientations,” where the nesting turtle or the hatchlings crawl toward artificial lighting and away from the sea.

Disorientations can be dangerous for hatchlings, since they can deplete their limited energy while crawling in the wrong direction, are more exposed to predation and may move toward human hazards like active roadways.

Similarly, items, structures and holes left on the beach can obstruct a sea turtle’s path to the sea.

Clayton said light visible from the beach could be addressed in multiple ways.

Exterior lighting visible from the beach can be eliminated by shielding light sources, installing them low to the ground and using turtle-friendly long-wave-

Holmes Beach

Mayor Judy Titsworth welcomes people gathered April 19 at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive, for a sea turtle safety workshop ahead of nesting season, which begins May 1. islander Photos: ryan Paice

length lights — such as red and orange — which sea turtle eyes struggle to detect.

Kristen Mazzarella, AMITW’s new executive director, attended the workshop and recommended latenight and early-morning beachgoers download mobile applications that emit a turtle-friendly red light from a cellphone’s screen instead of using flashlights.

Interior lighting can be addressed by turning lights off at night, closing curtains or installing turtle glass, which features a 45% tint and is required for new construction along the beach.

Clayton said that during the season, he would drive a low-speed vehicle along the beach weekly with a light meter to ensure no artificial light would be visible from the beach.

If a non-turtle-friendly light can be seen from the beach, Clayton will notify the owner of that property that they are in violation of city code and seek compliance.

If a property owner fails to comply, they will be issued $250 daily citations for an initial violation or $500 daily citations for repeat violations.

The city can then encumber such a property with a lien for the amount of unpaid fines due by the time the lien is created.

Items left on the beach May 1-Nov. 15 will be removed by code enforcement or police and, if not recovered after 90 days, discarded.

Code compliance supervisor JT Thomas said the city has had success upholding sea turtle regulations and only a total of one or two violations last year.

The Holmes Beach Police Department and the city’s code compliance department also coordinate with AMITW to ensure any issues on city shores are addressed.

People can report issues along Holmes Beach shores to Clayton at 941-932-6147 or jclayton@holmesbeachfl.org.

Issues discovered outside of the city’s operating hours can be reported to the HBPD by calling 941778-COPS.

Mazzarella said she could be contacted at 941-2321405, or annamariaturtlewatch@gmail.com.

People also can report unmarked turtle nests to AMITW by calling 941-778-5638.

Correction

Anna Maria deputy clerk Debbie Haynes wrote in an April 18 email to The Islander to correct the date for the city’s Memorial Day and Centennial Celebration. She said it will be 10 a.m.-noon Monday, May 29, at City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., not the date given by Mayor Dan Murphy April 13, which The Islander reported in its April 19 issue.

Kristen Mazzarella, center, Anna Maria island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring’s new executive director, introduces herself April 19 to people attending Holmes Beach’s sea turtle workshop.

The Pines Trailer Park, 103 Church Ave., Bradenton Beach, where the homeowner’s association was negotiating to buy the land from Jackson Partnership of Bradenton.

Anna Maria-Mote host grand opening May 5 at city pier

By ryan Paice islander reporter

The light at the end of the 800-foot-long Anna Maria City Pier is finally coming into focus.

The city of Anna Maria will host a grand-opening ceremony for the Mote Marine Laboratory educational outreach center on the city pier at 10 a.m. Friday, May 5, at City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd.

The center will be housed in the 1,800-squarefoot building on the pier’s T-end, the space originally planned to house a full service restaurant.

The center will feature interactive and live exhibits with about 1,000 gallons of recirculating seawater.

PINES PARK CONTiNUED FrOM PAGE 1

future.

“We do not have an alternate plan,” the resident said. “We want a place down here because we love it. Just like everyone in the park.

“There’s people, this is their only home and they don’t have the finances to buy anyplace else.”

The resident also lamented the possible loss of an island landmark.

The park, on the north side of Bridge Street, dates to the 1930s, when it was a campground for families, some part of the Ringling traveling circus.

“It’s horrible for the island,” the resident said. “Progress is coming, you can’t stop it. Money always wins. The people who don’t have much money, if they are in a nice location always get pushed out.”

A second person who also requested anonymity confirmed the HOA deal to buy the park had failed.

Other residents in the park confirmed the asking price for the park went up after the partnership refused

Meetings

ANNA MARIA CITY

April 27, 6 p.m., commission.

By lisa Neff

May 5, 10 a.m., Mote Marine Education Center grand opening, City Pier Park and the city pier.

Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, 941-708-6130, cityofannamaria.com.

BRADENTON BEACH

May 3, 9:30 a.m., CRA.

May 3, 1 p.m., planning and zoning.

May 4, 6 p.m., commission.

Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., 941-778-1005, cityofbradentonbeach.com.

HOLMES BEACH

May 3, 10 a.m., parks and beautification.

May 3, 5 p.m., planning.

Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, 941-708-5800, holmesbeachfl.org.

Ready for summer season?

Is your business ready for the summer season on AMI? Improve your odds of success with The Islander’s readers — residents, seasonal visitors and vacationers — looking to shop and dine, as well as indoor and outdoor fun. For advertising info, call or text 941-778-7978.

the Pines’ HOA initial offer on March 15. The partnership’s asking price then became $16.25 million.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page and a Give Send Go page were created to raise money for the HOA’s efforts, according to their organizers.

The GoFundMe page, Save Our Old Florida Home, was created March 29. Gay Gavde-Forte of Cincinnati is identified as the page organizer.

Suzanne Hynes is identified as the creator of the Givesendgo page.

As of April 21, the GoFundMe campaign had raised $2,015 of a $1 million goal and the Givesendgo page had raised $1,227.

A listing for the 2.785-acre park, which abuts the Historic Bridge Street Pier, is on the website for Yale Realty & Capital Advisors at yaleadvisors.com.

Calls to the park ownership were not returned as of Islander press time.

HOA president Steve Scharnweber did not respond to an April 17 Islander call as of press time.

WEST MANATEE FIRE RESCUE

None announced.

WMFR administration building, 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton, 941-761-1555, wmfr.org.

MANATEE COUNTY

April 27, 9 a.m., commission (land use).

May 1, 10 a.m., environmental lands management and acquisition.

May 2, 9 a.m., commission (work session).

County administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 941-748-4501, mymanatee.org.

ALSO OF INTEREST

May 2, 4 p.m., council of governments, Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto.

May 8, 2 p.m., Island Transportation Planning Organization, Holmes Beach City Hall.

Send meeting notices to news@islander.org.

The city extended Mote’s contract after a slow start on the project with new deadlines, which were all met after a 14-day extension was granted and Mote met the timeline.

The ceremony to celebrate the center’s grandopening will begin at City Pier Park and will be followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the landside entry to the pier.

Mayor Dan Murphy has said he and Mote Marine president/CEO Dr. Michael Crosby would speak at the park ceremony, which he projected to last about 45 minutes.

Several local offi cials have been invited to the public event, which will require the closure of sections of Pine Avenue and Bay Boulevard, according to Murphy.

Attendees will have a chance to be among the first to step inside the completed center, which will open for daily operations following the ribbon-cutting.

AMI marking Arbor Day

The island cities will commemorate National Arbor Day with three treeplanting ceremonies, held in collaboration with Keep Manatee Beautiful.

In Bradenton Beach, four pigeon plums will be planted at 9:30 a.m. in Herb Dolan Park, 2501 Avenue A.

In Holmes Beach, a satinleaf tree will be planted at 10:15 a.m. at 3400 Sixth Ave.

In Anna Maria, a redbay tree will be planted at 310 S. Bay Blvd. at 11 a.m.

All three species are native to Florida. Arbor Day — which translates to “tree” day from the Latin origin of the word “arbor” — celebrates the planting, upkeep and preservation of trees.

Across the United States, the holiday is observed on the last Friday in April. Florida also observes a state Arbor Day in January.

For more info, call the respective city hall.

— lisa Neff

islander Photo: robert Anderson

Pleading our case

You know ... way back when Anna Maria Island was just a quiet beach destination. Tourism — and the beaches — were “our little secret.” Or so went the tourism boosting marketing campaign.

I was recalling some 20 years or so ago, when an island real estate broker called the office to ask about running a half-page ad for vacant property he had just listed on the beach. The asking price? $25 million.

And that was a pretty penny for those times. It was so high in relation to other properties and sales, we had a discussion about it — the broker and myself.

I asked, with a bit of shock in my voice, “$25 million? How can anyone think of buying that little strip of beach for $25 million?”

The broker fired back, “That’s what the seller wants — $25 million.”

Me: “But other brokers say you won’t get it.”

Broker: “Well, if anyone does pay $25 million, and I passed up the listing, I’d be kicking myself.”

Me. “True.”

Well, it didn’t sell, and the owners found a way to expand their adjacent restaurant on the land that was mostly seaward of the erosion control line — by adding native American-built chickee huts.

This came to mind when I started wondering what in the world a new owner might envision for the Pines Trailer Park. Price tag: $16-plus million. A pittance.

We learned this week that the homeowners association was not able to complete its purchase of the park.

A new owner surely would have a plan for developing the property to reap the maximum profit from the 2.78-acre bayfront land.

And it very well could leave the 87 mobile homeowners at the Pines with eviction notices.

Those homeowners are a viable community and their loss will be a great loss to Bradenton Beach.

After all, heads-in-beds at a motel and retail boutiques, restaurants and condos don’t have the same bonding, binding lifestyles that people at the Pines Trailer Park have built over the years.

I just wish the city of Bradenton Beach could find a path to purchase the park and keep it as it is — collect rent and carry on as before.

Is there no way?

Maybe other cities have faced a similar dilemmas and maybe there are experts who know how to maneuver what may seem financially insurmountable. We have to do more than just cross our fingers and toes — we have to plead to the city.

—Bonner Joy, news@islander.org

Rising a foot

This is not a drill.

Rising sea level will be up more than a foot by 2050.

That means in 27 years Anna Maria Island’s sandy beaches will be about gone.

Gone — 27 years is just over the horizon.

The precious beach will be gone forever. There is nothing we can do.

There won’t be much reason to go to the beach or to have a parking garage or big bridges to nowhere.

Tom Matheson, Bradenton

Skimming online

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connivers have failed us by skipping a time-tested approach to urban planning:

▼ 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

Brook Morrison, brook@islander.org

ryan Paice, ryan@islander.org

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Attack on home rule, plunder of AMI

Manatee County politicians, along with state politicians, are at odds with the city of Holmes Beach over its parking garage ordinance.

I guess the pesky ordinance is contrary to what the developers want.

So our unscrupulous representatives are busy up in Tallahassee pushing a bill to the governor’s desk so fast that a Daytona 500 pole position winner would be jealous!

Their plan is to build a parking garage at the beach. Imagine, standing on the beach looking out over the Gulf water at the beautiful sky and the sun slowly setting. You turn around and see a 1,500-space parking garage.

Just as a reference, for anyone who has visited the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tampa — that monstrous garage has 1,200 spaces.

Remember the concept of keeping big government out of local decisions?

Manatee County politicians do not.

In the rush to pass HB947, the unscrupulous

• No environmental impact was or is planned;

• No study for traffic impact was or is planned.

Come on folks, put party aside and ask, why would anyone proceed with this without a study to understand the environmental impact?

Why would anyone forge ahead without a care for consequences?

Frank J Heeg, Holmes Beach City center

catastrophe

The construction in Holmes Beach’s City Center has gone past the point of insanity.

There is no one person we can address to find out the status of the construction. I am told the work on Gulf Drive is the city and the work around the S&S plaza is the county.

All at the plaza received a letter from one of the above with no return address.

So I have no idea where the letter came from but it was delivered by the Holmes Beach code department. The letter stated construction work would begin in September 2022 and be completed by December 2022. As this can be the slowest time of the year, busi-

looking back

ness owners were not concerned.

We had no idea construction would run beyond the entire winter-spring season.

So enough of what we do not know. What we do know is the loss of revenue is devastating.

Plus, as we all know, the cost of food products has doubled — or more — in the past year.

We also dealt with a hurricane.

But the biggest blow has been the devastation downtown, making it difficult to survive.

Not once has anyone had the decency to stop by to let us know what will be shut down the following day. At one point all entrances were closed!

And April 18, yet another waterline was cut, shutting down water to the plaza. To operate without water is a health department violation. So again, we shut down the restaurant.

To add another nail to the proverbial coffin, the crews are working hours that a banker dreams of, regardless of any damage they left, halting business at the plaza. They arrive sometime around nine a.m.,

Mote memories

A crowd turns out for the 1978 dedication of a building on Sarasota’s City island for Mote Marine laboratory. The city of Anna Maria and Mote will host a grand opening of an educational center on the city pier at 10 a.m. May 5.

10&20 years ago

From the April 23, 2003, issue

• Members of the Coalition of Barrier Island Elected Officials called for a summit to address common problems. Longboat Key Mayor John Redgrave said county commissioners had no idea of the impact of 60,000 new homes sold in Lakewood Ranch the past two years. “The invasion is coming,” he said.

• Two bicyclists observed a cook at Augie’s Italian Restaurant in Holmes Beach pounding from inside the front door and smoke coming from the building. The cyclists used a mallet to smash the door to free the cook and the owner.

take lunch from noon till 1:30 p.m. and then leave at 4 p.m., and no weekends or holidays!

Where can I sign up for this job? I really need the money!

With so many disasters — the coronavirus pandemic, hurricanes, etc — there was financial help available to small business owners.

We also have been through red tide and pretty much any other disaster one can dream up but this “little construction” job has hurt us financially far more than any other.

We still have the small, privately owned businesses that make the island attractive to residents and visitors but they are on their way out.

Soon we will be just another tourist trap full of chain restaurants and stores, with the water views lost to multi-story condos lining the coast, private beaches and paid parking.

This is not what any of us signed up for.

Kathy Smart, Minnie’s Beach Cafe, Holmes Beach

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• Holmes Beach building official Bill Saunders, who also handled inspections for Anna Maria, said there was nothing improper in issuing a building permit to the son of Anna Maria’s mayor to make renovations inside a house.

From the April 24, 2013, issue

• Manatee County announced a planned $15 million beach renourishment on Anna Maria Island between 78th Street in Holmes Beach and Fifth Avenue South in Bradenton Beach would begin in late August 2013.

• An Island Affaire, the Anna Maria Island Community Center’s biggest fundraiser each year, was less than four weeks away and behind at least $42,000 in ticket sales.

• The search for a boy who went missing April 20, 2013, after wandering away from a family gathering and taking a jump into Longboat Pass ended two days later when he was found dead.

— lisa Neff

You can peruse The islander newspaper archive, dating back to its launch in November 1992, at ufdc. ufl.edu.

Print Your Own Memories

Bradenton Beach readies for nesting season

By robert Anderson islander reporter

The 2023 sea turtle nesting season has become a different kind of animal for Bradenton Beach.

The season is getting underway with a twist on years past due to the open position for a code enforcement officer following the resignation of Ron Peterson last December.

Additionally, the city is shifting responsibility for the code department to the Bradenton Beach Police Department and Chief John Cosby.

“We haven’t just been sitting on our hands,” Mayor John Chappie said. “Bradenton Beach has had a number of meetings with the code enforcement team from Holmes Beach. They have also offered their services to help us throughout this time. Just because we’ve been shorthanded, we haven’t been without code enforcement.”

Nesting season, which officially begins May 1, brings adult loggerheads to shore to nest and sees hatchlings to the sea.

The season also brings code enforcement officers

Pink flags designate where Bradenton Beach ScenicWAVES will plant trees to commemorate National Arbor Day, which is Friday, April 28.

to the beaches to monitor and ensure a turtle-friendly habitat.

Loggerheads, the most common species to AMI’s nesting beaches, are protected by the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the Florida Marine Turtle Protection Act.

Bradenton Beach has regulations for sea turtle protections on and near the shore that apply to property owners, as well as management companies and other businesses, including lights off or shielded lights if they’re visible from the beach from sunset to sunrise.

The city also reminds operations and owners that beach furniture and other items must be pulled landward at night, behind the dune line.

Chappie said he was working with Cosby to ensure turtle regulations, as well as shorebird rules, were being followed and enforced pending the hiring of a code enforcement officer.

The city had received several applicants for the position as of April 20.

Meanwhile, the mayor said he also intended to reach out to Kristen Mazzarella, the newly hired direc-

BB ScenicWAVES to shade Dolan park with trees

By robert Anderson islander reporter

Bradenton Beach ScenicWAVES was made for a day like Arbor Day.

The advisory committee plans to mark National Arbor Day Friday, April 28, with tree plantings at Herb Dolan Park, at 9:30 a.m.

The city’s northernmost park is at the corner of 26th Street North and Avenue A.

The group will plant four pigeon plum trees to provide shade and to replace two Australian pine trees felled by Hurricane Ian last September.

Committee members also will update the city’s Tree City USA recognition sign at Herb Dolan with a sticker marking 12 years in the program.

The Tree City USA program provides communities with a four-point framework to maintain and grow tree the canopy:

• Maintain a tree board or department;

• Implement a community tree ordinance;

• Spend at least $2 per capita on urban forestry;

• Celebrate Arbor Day.

The program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation to recognize cities, counties and military bases that conduct a continuously active tree management program.

National Arbor Day will mark 151 years this year.

The first Arbor Day was planted into American culture in 1872 by dendrophile Julius Sterling Morton, who proposed a holiday centered around planting trees to the Nebraska State Board of Agriculture.

Today the holiday is celebrated in all 50 states on the last Friday in April.

In other matters at the ScenicWAVES meeting, the group:

• Reviewed results of an April 10 after-Easter beach cleanup involving volunteers associated with the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge, ScenicWAVES and Keep Manatee Beautiful.

Moose liaison Bruce Butler said more than 153 pounds of trash were removed from Coquina and Cortez beaches in Bradenton Beach.

• Collected funds from members for the group’s donation of $75 toward Islanders 4 Clean Water, an islandwide initiative to bring attention to the quality of local waters.

The ScenicWAVES contribution will be matched by a city of Bradenton Beach donation to help pay for graphic T-shirts.

The next committee meeting will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

Honoring the city caretaker

City clerk Terri Sanclemente is honored April 20 at Bradenton Beach City Hall with a proclamation designating May 1-7 as Municipal Clerks Week. Mayor John Chappie and the commission adopted the proclamation to extend appreciation for clerk services. Sanclemente is the custodian of city records, as well as the caretaker of the city seal. She also administers oaths. islander Photo: robert Anderson

tor of Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, to welcome her and support the nonprofit’s efforts during the season, which continues through Oct. 31.

Chappie recalled working with Suzi Fox, AMITW’s longtime director who died in September 2022. Fox lived for a number of years in Bradenton Beach.

“We sat here when I was mayor years ago to come up with one of the first turtle watch ordinances on Anna Maria Island,” Chappie said. “We’ve always been, as a community, all in about our environment.”

One of the most important steps islanders can take during the season is to keep the beaches dark at night.

Nesting turtles follow instincts that guide them to the reflection of the moon and stars on the surface of the water back to the Gulf of Mexico.

Hatchlings follow the same instincts when they emerge from the clutch.

Artificial lights from businesses and residences can distract turtles from the water, increasing the likelihood of death by predation, dehydration or exhaustion — or from cars in the road.

“We all know that we have to be very cautious about our lights. Street and building lights have to be adjusted,” Chappie said.

Chappie said people can call the city code enforcement number at 941-778-1005, ext. 227, for complaints or questions.

Turtle regs in Anna Maria

The city of Anna Maria plays a role in ensuring a successful sea turtle nesting season.

The code enforcement and public works departments uphold state standards regarding sea turtles year-round, according to city clerk LeAnne Addy.

The standards include eliminating light visible from the beach and removing beach gear and other items, structures and holes from the beach before nightfall.

Addy wrote in an April 21 email to The Islander that the code enforcement department, led by manager Sandy Olson, “educates all rental agents, owners and visitors in the city regarding the prohibited activities during nesting season.”

People can report issues on Anna Maria shores to the code enforcement department or the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office-Anna Maria substation at city hall.

The city’s code enforcement department can be contacted at 941-708-6130, ext. 111, or codemanager@cityofannamaria.com.

The MCSO substation can be contacted for nonemergencies at 941-747-3011.

ryan Paice

Gail Garneau, Bradenton Beach’s code enforcement officer at the time, looks May 1, 2018, through a filter on a card — a tool used to determine if lighting is sea turtle-friendly — at beachfront properties on Gulf Drive and Bridge Street. Garneau conducted lighting investigations to safeguard habitat for sea turtles. Bradenton Beach currently is seeking a code enforcement officer and handling code-related complaints in the police department. islander File Photo

Island happenings

Cortez calls community to potluck picnic

Capt. rick Correa and Elizabeth Nelson converse over a background of live music during the Cortez Village Historical Society Community Picnic April 22. While fish and drinks were provided, the picnic also included potluck dishes and desserts from guests. islander Photos: Courtesy CVHS

BElOW: Marie Viscio, left, with husband Nick, chats with Hilda Coxon at the annual Cortez Village Historical Society Community Picnic April 22. The picnic, at the Miller dock, at the bayfront end of 123rd Street West, included seafood from A.P. Bell Fish Co. and music by Soupy Davis and his gang.

Island Players’ season finale to open May 4

The Island Players will bring Alan Ayckbourn’s “How the Other Half Loves” to the Anna Maria theater May 4-14.

The comedy, directed by James Thaggard, is the final production in the 2022-23 season.

The cast includes Caleb Allen, Maggie Carter, Katherine Dye, Tom Horton, Eric Johnson and Kristin Mazzitelli.

Shows take place Tuesday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. The theater is dark Monday.

The box office opened April 24, for ticket sales. Hours through the run will be 9 a.m.-1 p.m. MondaysSaturdays, as well as an hour before performances.

Tickets at the box office cost $25. Online, they cost $27.

The theater is at 10009 Gulf Drive.

For more information about the Island Players, call the box office at 941-778-5755 or go online to islandplayers.org.

Center cooks up fundraiser

Pass the hot sauce, please.

The Center of Anna Maria Island will host a crawfish boil 5-8 p.m. Saturday, May 6.

The menu includes crawfish, chicken and sausage gumbo, red beans and rice, bourbon bread pudding and beverages — hard and soft.

The evening will be Kentucky Derby-themed, including a hat contest and betting on a crawfish race.

Also, the Stockton Brothers will perform.

Tickets are $60.

The center is at 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

For more information, go online to centerami.org or call the center at 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

Center camp begins June 5

The Center of Anna Maria Island will launch its summer camp series June 5.

The center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, offers camps for kids kindergarten to fifth-grade and also camps for kids sixth- to ninth-grades, as well as specialty camps.

Fees vary depending on the camp and the week.

For more information, call the center at 941-7781908.

Get ’er done, Cortez

A volunteer cleanup crew comprising commercial fishers and their friends, mates and family members poses with dumpsters of trash recovered from the waters near Cortez April 22 during the Organized Fisherman of Florida Cortez Chapter’s annual coastal cleanup. The event ended with a lunch for all the workers at Swordfish Grill and Tiki, thanks to owner John Banyas, who also sponsored the event in the parking lot. riGHT: Much of the cleanup took place on the water with volunteers running boats and crews along the shoreline to collect debris and then offloading to dumpsters on land at the Swordfish Grill. islander Courtesy Photos

Minding their business

Two eagles perch in an Australian pine tree near Bean Point at the north end of Anna Maria island. A neighbor said the birds watch from the tree by day and leave in the evening. islander Photo: Jacob Merrifield

Artwork by students at the Manatee School of the Arts in Palmetto is displayed and for sale at the CVHS picnic April 22 in Cortez.

Compiled by lisa Neff, calendar@islander.org.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ONGOING ON AMI

May 4-14, Island Players’ “How the Other Half Loves,” 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. Fee applies. Information: 941-778-5755.

Throughout April, Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island’s exhibit featuring paintings and stained glass by Janet Razze, Artists’ Guild Gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-7786694.

Tuesdays through May 9, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Anna Maria Farmers Market, City Pier Park, North Bay Boulevard and Pine Avenue, Anna Maria. Information: 941-708-6130.

OFF AMI

Island happenings

2 p.m. — Rock garden rock painting, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

ONGOING ON AMI

Most Wednesdays, 1 p.m., mahjong club beginners, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-7786341.

Most Fridays, 11:30 a.m., mahjong club experienced players, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941778-6341.

Fridays, noon, bridge, Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 314-324-5921.

Saturdays, 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island meeting, Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-778-1383.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Friday, April 28

6-8 p.m. — Music in the Park presents Bri Rivera — Latin fusion, blues and funk rock, Riverwalk Mosaic Amphitheater, 606 Third Ave. W., Bradenton: Information: 941-301-8445.

ONGOING OFF AMI

“Caught in the Storm: 100 Years of Florida Hurricanes” exhibit, Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: floridamaritimemuseum.org.

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.

Saturdays through May, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Bradenton Public Market, Old Main Street, Bradenton. Information: 941-932-9439. SAVE

May 13, Anna Maria Island Privateers Food Trucks, Pirates and Tunes Festival, Holmes Beach.

May 25, The Bishop Laser Light Nights opens, Bradenton. Dec. 1-2, Bradenton Blues Fest, Bradenton.

KIDS & FAMILY ON AMI

Wednesday, April 26

4 p.m. — Remake Learning: Make your own seed balls, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-7786341.

Friday, April 28 10 a.m. — Forty Carrots, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

OFF AMI

Island Library welcomes bestselling author

Bestselling author Sarah Penner, left, joins assistant supervisor Callie Hutchison in displaying Penner’s novels April 19 at the island library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Hutchison said of Penner’s visit, “We had a little over 50 patrons attend and she talked about her writing journey and the inspiration behind ‘The lost Apothecary’ and ‘The london Seance Society.’” islander Courtesy Photo

7 p.m. — De Soto Grande Parade, from Manatee High School, west on Ninth Avenue West, north on 39th Street West, east on Manatee Avenue to downtown Bradenton. Information: 941-7471998.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Through May 21, Mote Marine Aquarium’s “Voyage to the Deep” exhibit, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-388-4441.

First Wednesdays, “SOAR in 4” family night, the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131, bishopscience.org.

SAVE THE DATE

May 27, Anna Maria Island Privateers’ Snooks Adams Kids Day, Holmes Beach.

Second Fridays, 1 p.m., Parkinson’s Combined Support Group, Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Information: 941-383-6493.

Mondays, 1 p.m., Thinking Out Loud discussions, the Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Information: 941-3836493.

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, amirotary.org.

SAVE THE DATE

May 4, Paradise Center Kentucky Derby Party, Longboat Key.

May 6, Crawfish Boil, Center of Anna Maria Island, Anna Maria.

OUTDOORS, FITNESS & SPORTS

ONGOING ON AMI

AMI Dragon Boat Team-Paddlers from Paradise practices and meetups, various times and locations. Information: 941-462-2626, mrbradway@gmail.com.

OFF AMI

Saturday, April 29

9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.— Suncoast Remake Learning Days activities, Florida Maritime Museum and Cortez Cultural Center, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: 941-708-6120.

CLUBS & COMMUNITY ON AMI

Thursday, April 27

10 a.m. — Seaside Quilters, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

2 p.m. — Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crochet, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

4 p.m. — VIP Senior group dinner outing Floriday’s Woodfire Bar and Grille, departing Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Fee applies. Reservations required. Information: 941-778-1908.

Friday, April 28

9:30 a.m. — National Arbor Day celebration in Bradenton Beach, Herb Dolan Park, 2501 Ave. A N. Information: 941-7781541.

10:15 a.m. — National Arbor Day celebration in Holmes Beach, pocket park, 3400 Sixth Ave. Information: 941-778-1541.

11 a.m. — National Arbor Day celebration in Anna Maria, pocket park, 310 S. Bay Blvd. Information: 941-778-1541.

Saturday, April 29

9 a.m. — Astronomy Day at the NEST, Robinson Preserve expansion, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW., Bradenton. Information: 941742-5923, mymanatee.org.

8 p.m. — Starry Night Astronomy, Robinson Preserve expansion, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW., Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923, mymanatee.org.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Through Sept. 3, Bradenton Marauders baseball, LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-7473031.

Saturdays, 7 a.m., Robinson Runners run, walk stroll, Robinson Preserve NEST, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW., Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923, crystal.scherer@mymanatee.org, mymanatee.org.

Saturdays, 9 a.m., Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve, Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923, mymanatee.org.

SAVE THE DATE

Oct. 7, Florida Maritime Museum Cortez Nautical Flea Market, Cortez.

GOOD TO KNOW

KEEP THE DATES

May 5, Cinco de Mayo.

May 14, Mother’s Day.

May 20, Armed Forces Day.

May 29, Memorial Day.

Island happenings

rowlett Academies students are involved in “Hands-On Habits” activities at a past learning event. The Florida Maritime Museum and Cortez Cultural Center offer two hands-on events in the village Saturday, April 29. islander Photo: Courtesy FMM

Encore: Laser Light Nights return to the Bishop

They’ll be tripping to “the Dark Side of the Moon” and going beyond “the Yellow Brick Road.”

Laser Light Nights — featuring music by Pink Floyd, Elton John, Lady Gaga, Lizzo, Bob Marley, Taylor Swift, David Bowie, Prince, Nirvana and other “favorite artists” are returning to the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature in Bradenton.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights May 25-Sept. 2, the museum is hosting laser light shows to music.

There is a cost to attend.

Tickets to shows May 25-July 15 will go on sale at noon May 1.

Tickets to shows July 20-Sept. 2 will go on sale at noon June 1.

For more information, go online to bishopscience.org or call the museum at 941-746-4131.

Cortez will be bustling with experiential learning opportunities Saturday, April 29, as the Florida Maritime Museum and Cortez Cultural Center partner to offer two hands-on events.

On the FMM grounds, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, students from Rowlett Academies will teach families the “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” in “Hands-On Habits” activities 10 a.m.-noon.

Also, the CCC, situated at the FISH Preserve, will be where eco-adventurers engage in games, crafts and tours of the preserve 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Privateers present HB festival

The Anna Maria Island Privateers will stage the Food Trucks, Pirates and Tunes Festival May 13 in Holmes Beach.

The Saturday event — noon-6 p.m. — will be at city field in the 5800 block of Marina Drive north of city hall.

An announcement on the nonprofit’s website said as of April 19 that 10 food trucks were booked, as well as the following bands:

• Southern Cross;

• Steve Paradis;

• The 301 Travelers;

• Cabana Dogs;

• Bradentucky Death Rays.

For more information, contact John “Lil John Arr” Rutherford at 941-779-6033 or johnrutherford25@ yahoo.com.

The celebration also will bring food trucks to the area, as well as representatives of Manatee County Water Conservation, Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, Organized Fishermen of Florida, Manatee County Libraries, West Manatee Fire and Rescue District and more. Free parking will be available at the preserve. The event in Cortez is part of a 10-day Suncoast Remake Learning Days festival in four counties. For more information, call FMM at 941-7086120.

Kids’ Day May 29 in HB

The Anna Maria Island Privateers invite kids to sail into summer with Snooks Adams’ Kids Day.

This year, the nonprofi t dedicated to “kids and community” is partnering with the Holmes Beach Police Department — a return, of sorts, to the original event, which was founded by the late Snooks Adams, longtime law enforcement officer and 25-year Holmes Beach police chief, to mark the end of the school year.

The activities will be 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, May 27, at city field, 5800 block of Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

Privateers will lead children in a series of games and activities, including a treasure hunt.

They also will serve kids a lunch that includes hot dogs, pizza and beverages.

The Privateers assumed responsibility from Adams for hosting the party in the 1980s.

For more, call the HBPD at 941-708-5804.

‘Grande’ parade to roll April 29 in Bradenton

Cheer for beads or stay off Manatee Avenue. Manatee County’s annual spring celebration, the De Soto Heritage Festival, concludes with the Grand Parade at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 29, in Bradenton.

An estimated 100,000 people are expected to line Manatee Avenue to watch more than 150 entries parade past.

For celebrants, the parade can be a good time.

For motorists, the parade can be a hassle, requiring detours from Manatee Avenue, as roads for the parade will close at 5 p.m.

The parade will begin at Manatee High School, turn west on Ninth Avenue West, turn north on 39th Street West, turn east on Manatee Avenue and finish in downtown Bradenton. For more details about the events, including the parade route, go online to desotohq.com or call 941-747-1998.

Kiwanis to meet April 29

The Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island is meeting Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. at Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

The program April 29 will feature remarks by the director of the Sarasotabased Children’s Guardian Fund Inc., Svetlana Ivashchenko.

For more information, call Sandy Haas-Martens at 941-778-1383.

Odd

Designs Shop

Growing good eats

AmE NEWS

By Brook Morrison

Anna Maria Elementary fifth-graders, teachers and master gardeners pose at the Doctor’s Garden April 14 after their four-course meal. “Susan and Sean Murphy have been partnering with AME for many years to help students build an appreciation of the farm-to-table concept,” STEM teacher Pidge Barreda said of the owners of the Doctor’s Garden and adjacent Doctor’s Office. islander Photos: Courtesy AME

AME fifth-graders Holton Sebastian, landon reuter and Eli lewis April 14 eat salad prepared with garden-fresh produce they harvested April 12 at the school.

AME fifthgrader Maddie Kimmons shows cucumber plants April 12. She planted a cucumber seedling in January in the school garden.

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Happy 25th Wedding Anniversary April 11, 1998

Love, Rebecca

To my wonderful husband, Keith Barnett,

When we married, I didn’t think it could be possible to love you any more than I did that day, but I DO!

AME fifth-grade student lily Guth picks basil in the school garden April 12.

Fifth-graders Mia ross, left, Jordan Tobey and Hannah Moss harvest produce at AME April 12 in preparation for a lunch prepared with their bounty April 14 at The Doctor’s Garden in Holmes Beach.

Waterfront schoolwork

AME third-grade teacher

Michele Costanzo identifies a plant with her students April 18 during an estuary study at the Holmes Beach school. The students identified plants and animals and discussed how people interact with and are dependent upon the natural world. islander

Photos: Courtesy AME

AME Calendar

• April 26-28, PTO board nominations, amepto.org.

• May 1-5, staff appreciation week.

• May 2-3, English language arts state assessments.

• May 9, PTO board meeting, 3:30 p.m., conference room.

• May 9-10, fifth-grade science assessments.

• Saturday, May 13, spring gala.

• Tuesday, May 16, kindergarten play, 6:30 p.m., auditorium; PTO dinner, TBD, 5 p.m., cafeteria.

• May 16-17, math state assessments.

• Friday, May 19, field day.

• Monday, May 22, fifth-grade awards, AME auditorium.

• Tuesday, May 23, fifth-grade luncheon.

• Friday, May 26, last day of school for students.

AME is at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

For more information, call the school at 941-708-5525.

Art for the Earth

AME fifth-grader Saylor Firestone submitted her drawing and participated in the “islanders 4 Clean Water” poster drawing contest launched by the city of Holmes Beach for Earth Day 2023.

Around the Bend owner John Freeman wades in the grass flats April 19 behind AME with kindergartners Vivianna Harwood, Bayla lance, Cairo Parks and Wilder King. The students used dip nets to find sea stars, sea horses, crabs, sea urchins, pipefish, conch and more.

Gathering

By lisa Neff

Kiwanis club shares with island churches

The Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island is following some biblical advice: And do not forget to do good and to share with others.

The club, which presented the annual Easter sunrise service April 9 at Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach, has shared the offertory from the service with participating churches.

Club secretary Sandy Haas-Martens said April 18 that each church received a check for $1,518.

Participating churches included Harvey Memorial in Bradenton Beach, Roser Memorial in Anna Maria and St. Bernard Catholic, Gloria Dei Lutheran and Episcopal Church of the Annunciation in Holmes Beach.

A share from the Easter collection also will go the Kiwanis’ scholarship program.

Tidings

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; Wednesdays, 6 p.m., supper; Wednesdays through May 10, Wednesday Night Blast, 6:45 p.m.; Fridays, 10 a.m. women’s Bible meeting.

Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-1638, amiannunciation.org.

Worship: Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.; Sundays, 8 a.m., 10:15 a.m.

Ongoing: Wednesdays, 8 a.m., men’s meeting; Mondays, 1 p.m., book group.

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive. Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-1813, gloriadeilutheran.com.

Worship: Sundays, 9:30 a.m.

Ongoing: Sundays, 10:15 a.m., coffee and fellowship.

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

Longboat Island Chapel to host pasta supper

“Arrivederci!”

The Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, was to host its traditional “Arrivederci! Italian Pasta Dinner” at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 25.

The event was to say so long to season and seasonal residents.

For more information, call the chapel at 941383-6491.

Maria. Information: 941-778-0414, roserchurch.com.

Worship: Sundays, 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m.

Ongoing: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m., Roser Robics; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Roser Thrift Store; Wednesdays, 6:15 p.m., Youth Performing Arts, first and third Wednesdays, 11: 30 a.m., Just Older Youth group programs with brown-bag lunch; Thursdays, 5:30 p.m., Roser Ringers rehearsal; 7 p.m., Thursdays, choir rehearsal; Sundays, 8:30 a.m., adult Sunday school and coffee and conversation sessions. St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-4769, office@stbernardcc.org.

Worship: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.; Saturdays, 4 p.m.; Sundays, 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.

Ongoing: Mondays-Fridays, 8 a.m., rosary; Wednesdays, 7:30 a.m., Rosary on the Beach at Manatee Public Beach; second Thursdays, women’s guild luncheons; Saturdays, 3 p.m., confession.

OFF AMI

Christ Church of Longboat Key Presbyterian USA, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Info: 941-900-4903.

Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m.

Ongoing: Wednesdays, 10 a.m., Women’s Bible Study; Mondays, 9 a.m., Men’s Bible Study.

Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Info: 941-383-6491, longboatislandchapel.org.

Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m.

Ongoing: Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Lord’s Warehouse Thrift Shop; Wednesdays, 10 a.m., Bible study; Mondays, 4 p.m., choir rehearsal.

Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Info: 941-383-3428.

Worship: Fridays, Shabbat, 5:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.

SPECIAL DATES & EVENTS

June 19-22, Vacation Bible School, CrossPointe. GET LISTED

Send listings and announcements to calendar@islander.org.

The Rev. Dr. Norman Pritchard

/ www.christchurchof

Roser casting kids for musical

Roser Memorial Community Church is inviting children of elementary school age to perform in “Martin and the Doors,” a musical for Mother’s Day.

Rehearsals continue at 4 p.m. Wednesdays.

The musical will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday, May 12, in the church sanctuary, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, with a special celebration of moms.

For more information, call Roser Memorial Community Church at 941-781-0414 or go to roserchurch. com/musical.

GoodDeeds

By lisa Neff

Assistance offered on AMI

• Roser Food Bank welcomes applicants who live and/or work on Anna Maria Island for food assistance, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Info: 941778-0414.

• AID offers financial help to those who live on the island, go to church on the island, attend school on the island and work on the island. Info: 941-725-2433.

Assistance sought on AMI

• Island Players seeks volunteers to serve as house managers and join the backstage crew at the Anna Maria playhouse. Info: president@theislandplayers.org.

• Moonracer Animal Rescue seeks volunteers to offer foster and forever homes for rescued animals. Info: 941345-2441.

• Roser Food Bank seeks donations. Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, administers the pantry, supported by All Island Denominations. Info: 941-778-0414.

GoodDeeds Does your group offer islandcentric services? Does your group need volunteers or other help? Email calendar@islanderorg.

Art guild helps honor young artists with show, prizes

The ArtCenter Manatee in Bradenton collaborated with the School District of Manatee County to showcase the art work of K-12 students.

Jurors for a show included Carolann Garafola and Tim Cunningham of the Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria island.

And monetary awards were donated by Carolann Garafola in memory of artist ralph W. Garafola.

AGAMi is an all-volunteer group that promotes art, including student art and operates a gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

For more info, call the gallery at 941-778-6694.

Compiled by lisa Neff

Cathryn Louise Hanlin

Cathryn Louise Hanlin, 96, died Jan. 7.

She was born Dec. 19, 1926, in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of the late Helen Louise (McFee) Smith and James Dalton Smith.

She retired from Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn, Michigan, and moved to Florida in the early 1980s. She was happily married to Charles Lee Hanlin for 50 years. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister and friend.

Mrs. Hanlin loved going to church, reading, golfing, traveling, dancing and spending time with her family and friends.

A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 27, at Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Interment of her ashes will take place in June in Novi, Michigan.

Memorial donations may be made to Feeding Empty Little Tummies (FELT), or Church of the Annunciation. Arrangements are by Shannon Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared at shannonfuneralhomes.com

Mrs. Hanlin is survived by her son, Gary and wife Marg; daughters Rane Sessions and husband Bill and Gwen DeTone; grandchildren Grant, Damian Harmony, Gregory and wife Kim, Bowie Sessions and wife Lynn, Luigi DeTone and wife Karen, Giovanni DeTone, Amy Heflin and husband Kevin, Sara Figueroa and husband Ryan; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Renal Belanger Hook

Renal Belanger Hook, 94, of Bradenton and formerly of Anna Maria, died April 8. He was born March 11, 1929, in Homestead. He was raised in the West Branch area of Michigan. He attended Central Michigan University, where he obtained his undergraduate degree, and then went on to earn a master’s degree at University of Florida. He was a U.S. Navy veteran.

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ernment, Renal retired to Anna Maria Island, where he raised his family before moving to Bradenton.

He enjoyed quality time with his family, was a longtime member of Roser Memorial Community Church and an avid world traveler — having taken adventures across six continents. He had a huge passion for reading, gardening and taking care of his many dogs over the years, his most recent, Mocha.

A memorial service was to be held at 11 a.m.

Tuesday, April 22, with fellowship to follow at Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave,, Anna Maria. Memorial donations may be made to Roser Church, P.O. Box 247, Anna Maria FL 34216, or Tidewell Foundation, Sarasota.

Mr. Hook is survived by his children, Katherine and husband Frank Waiters Jr., Kevin and wife Susan, and Michael and wife Jeane; grandchildren; Yuki, Chris and husband Daniel Waiters, Garrett and wife Sarah McClintic-Waiters, Masaki, Jermey-Devon WilmontHook, and Kevin Shaw; nephew Gary and wife Cori Huffman; two great-grandchildren; and many loving family and friends.

W. Benjamin Stewart

Wendell “Ben” Benjamin Stewart, 50, of Boulder, Colorado, and formerly of Holmes Beach, died April 9 in Boulder.

He was born May 18, 1972, in Tampa.

Mr. Stewart graduated from Aquinas College and earned a juris doctor degree from the University of Denver.

He was a longtime resident of Anna Maria Island and at one time owned Holy Cow Ice Cream and also co-owned the Sand Dollar Gift Shop. He coached many youth sports teams at the Anna Maria Island Community Center, now the Center of Anna Maria Island.

He was a devoted father, a loving brother, faithful son, and a true friend to many. He will be dearly

At your service Obituaries are offered as a community service to residents and families of residents, both past and present, as well as to those people with ties to the island. Submit to news@islander.org. Obituaries are provided free — a service of your community newspaper. Paid obituaries can be discussed with ad consultant Toni Lyon at 941-778-7978.

missed.

His greatest quality was his persistence.

He loved skiing and living in Boulder.

Visitation and a celebration of life will be in Wyoming, Michigan. Condolences may be made to Greenwood and Myers Mortuary in Boulder at greenwoodmyerdfuneral.com

Mr. Stewart is survived by his mother and stepfather, Patricia and Robert, and stepmother Judy; children Connor, Zachary and Joseph; siblings William, Wayne, Wilson, Lynne, Lisa, John, Joshua, Sarah, Jeremiah, Tom, Justin, Luke and Amy; and many nieces and nephews.

Kenneth E. ‘Kenny’ Wilson

Kenneth E. “Kenny” Wilson, 78, Bradenton, died April 10. He was born March 30, 1945, in Elyria, Ohio, to Herbert and Sylvia Birks.

He was a fan of the Tampa Bay Rays, Cleveland Browns and car racing.

He will be missed for his witty humor, outgoing personality and love for his family.

No local service is planned. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be made to brownandsonsfuneral.com.

Mr. Wilson is survived by his son, John and wife Alyson Wilson, who wintered often on Anna Maria Island; daughters Debbie and husband Rodney Yeager, and Joy and husband Duncan Keathley; grandchildren Alicia, Alex, Emily, Brooke and Justin; and greatgrandchildren Hayden, Tre and Cohen.

Islander archive 24/7

Some years ago, The Islander was invited to take part in a pilot project with the University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries. We donated our collection of printed newspapers beginning with the first edition in 1992. It took some time, but it’s all maintained on the library site, searchable by key word, name or date. Look for The Islander in the stacks at the UofF Florida digital newspaper collection at ufdc.ufl.edu.

10009 Gulf Drive at Pine Avenue, Anna Maria

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County, Corps consider park project near Skyway

By lisa Neff

islander Editor

Will a spoil island or spit of new land reside someday in the shade of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge?

Manatee County commissioners earlier in April gave the go-ahead for their chair, Kevin Van Ostenbridge, and their director of their parks and natural resources department, Charlie Hunsicker, to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on what their meeting agenda described as a “Skyway Island Boat Ramp/ Park.”

Van Ostenbridge, whose District 3 includes Anna Maria Island, described the concept: Dredged material from a Corps project would be used to build up what he called as an island southwest of the bridge.

“It has a lot of potential,” Van Ostenbridge said, adding that utilities and other infrastructure already exist in the area.

Key to the project would be securing the dredged material from the Corps.

Van Ostenbridge said when he asked a Corps representative about fill material, he was told the federal agency needed to find a purpose for “huge amounts,”

43 years ago: Mayday at the Skyway bridge

On the morning of May 9, 1980, the Summit Venture, a 609-foot-long freighter, was caught in a sudden storm and collided with the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, sending a portion of the southbound span — and 36 people — into the water 150 feet below.

Only one person survived.

Around 7:30 a.m. that day, the Venture, captained by Tampa harbor pilot John Lerro, was hit by the squall as it made a turn in the narrow shipping channel near the bridge.

The onslaught of tropical storm-force winds and heavy rain left Lerro steering blind.

Multiple factors, including the possibility that other ships navigating the channel could run into the Summit Venture if it changed course, led the captain to attempt to guide the ship between the bridge’s main piers.

Unbeknownst to Lerro, the wind changed direction and pushed the vessel out of the channel.

When the captain realized where the ship was headed, he put the vessel in reverse and dropped the

which led the commissioner to envision “a 20-acre island” with a boat ramp, 300 parking spaces and maybe an amphitheater.

“It’s just ideas,” Van Ostenbridge said.

He asked for commission reaction.

There was no discussion among others on the board but Commissioner James Satcher motioned to direct staff to work with the Corps on the project. He was seconded by Commissioner James Bearden and the motion passed unanimously at the April meeting.

The dredged material would come from deepening the Tampa Harbor, a project still being examined in the Tampa Harbor Navigation Improvement Study, according to David Ruderman in communications at the Corps’ Jacksonville office. A draft report from the team is expected this summer.

Ruderman, in an email to The Islander, described the county proposal as one to create “an add-on connected to the causeway as an extension of what is already there.”

About 18 years ago, the county created a conceptual plan for a boat ramp at the location.

“Funding for the required fill material has been an

insurmountable roadblock to the project ever since,” Ruderman said. “The Tampa Harbor Navigation Improvement Study, which is still in development, could result in a project that would provide material for the county’s proposal at significantly reduced cost, removing that hurdle toward execution.”

He said the study team was moving forward with the county project as an option and that, “so far it appears feasible.”

The study team also is considering using dredged material to fill water holes left during the Skyway’s construction.

“A collateral benefit of placing dredge material to fill those underwater holes, if adopted by the study, would be the restoration of seagrass habitat at those locations,” Ruderman said.

The Corps is under a directive to find a “beneficial use” for as much of the dredged material as possible.

On the record

For more information about the Tampa Harbor study, go online to www.saj.usace.army.mil/tampaharbor/.

“The bridge is down. Call all emergency equipment onto the Skyway Bridge. The Skyway Bridge is down. This is a major emergency situation. Stop the traffic on that Skyway Bridge.” — Capt. John lerro, Summit Venture pilot, distress call, May 9, 1980. islander File

anchor — but it was too late. The bow of the Venture collided with two support piers, one of which failed, collapsing a portion of the bridge.

In the May 5 issue, The Islander will look back at the Sunshine Skyway Bridge disaster in words and

BY JOHN EWBANK / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ

John Ewbank is a British science writer from Macclesfield, near Manchester. He regularly composes cryptic crosswords for The Times of London, but lately he has been trying American-style crosswords. This is his third for us. The theme is examples of anapodoton (an-uh-POH-duh-tahn), a rhetorical device you probably use yourself but never knew there was

photos.

Where were you in May 1980? Do you remember that day or the days after? Please, share recollections with The Islander by emailing news@islander.org.

a name for. Well, now you’ll know. — W. S.

Photo: Paul roat

— islander archives

FISH hosts annual meeting, elects board members, officers

By robert Anderson islander reporter

Two new faces joined the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage board of directors in Cortez.

FISH members elected Cortez resident Cindy Rodgers and Parrish resident Alex Garner to the board of directors April 17, during their annual meeting at Fishermen’s Hall in the village.

Rodgers, who also serves as president of the Cortez Village Historical Society, will succeed Kaye Bell, who stepped down from the board.

“I love Cortez,” Rodgers said. “It is thoroughly in my blood. I love this community. It’s a very special place.”

Both newcomers to FISH have family histories tied to the village.

Garner’s father, Allen Garner, was FISH president for many years and owned Star Fish Co. fish house before selling the business to Karen Bell.

Alex Garner will fill the seat held by Karen Carpenter, who moved from the area in February.

Three incumbent board members — David Cadmus, Tim Caniff and Steve Baker— were reelected without opposition.

All five will serve three-year terms.

The 12-member FISH board includes Bell, Angela Collins, Kim McVey, Nathan Meschelle, Lance Plowman, Pat Potts and Jane von Hahmann.

Members also elected FISH officers: Kim McVey is president; David Cadmus, vice president; and Jane von Hahmann, treasurer.

About FISH

FISH is a volunteer organization that manages several properties in Cortez, including a 98-acre preserve, a boat shop, Fishermen’s Hall and the old Cortez fire station. The nonprofit, formed in 1991, is dedicated to the promotion, education and preservation of commer-

Manatees frolic in shallow Gulf waters in Holmes Beach

cial fishing and other traditional maritime cultures.

People

lEFT: Parrish resident Alex Garner speaks to FiSH members April 17 before being elected to serve on the nonprofit board of directors. riGHT: Cindy rodgers talks about her connection to Cortez during the meeting at Fishermen’s Hall. islander Photos: robert Anderson

gather April 20 at the shore near 53rd Street in Holmes Beach to observe manatees mating in the sun-warmed shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Holmes Beach resident/photographer Deborah Trotter said the city staff did a great job keeping onlookers a safe distance from the manatees.

Photographer Deborah Trotter, a resident at the nearby Martinique, wrote April 20 to The islander, “Today, approximately 1:45 p.m., 11 manatees came up the beach in the shallow water. They stopped here for about 20 minutes to mate.” She added, “What an amazing and beautiful place we live in.” islander Photos: Courtesy Deborah Trotter

Cops & Courts

Bradenton resident arrested for speeding, fleeing police

By ryan Paice islander reporter

Holmes Beach police arrested Maxim Tkachev, 25, of Bradenton, April 14 on a third-degree felony charge for fleeing or eluding law enforcement officers with active emergency lights and sirens.

An officer saw a motorcyclist at about 6:26 p.m. driving in the bicycle lane on Gulf Drive to pass other vehicles, prompting the officer to follow the motorcyclist and activate a stop.

The motorcyclist then illegally passed a bus loading and unloading passengers on East Bay Drive and, after noticing the officer, began accelerating and passing other motorists using the bike lane.

Motorists pulling off to the roadside for the officer slowed the motorcyclist, who was cut off by the officer in the 2700 block of Gulf Drive.

The officer saw the motorcyclist look toward a gap between a golf cart and his police vehicle, so the officer drew his handgun and issued verbal commands

No criminal charges will follow the abandonment of a vehicle on the beach in Holmes Beach.

Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer told The Islander April 17 that police received a morning call April 16 from Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring about an SUV on the beach near 31st Street.

Holmes Beach police officers responded around 8 a.m. and found the vehicle unoccupied, with cold bottles of beer inside, according to Tokajer.

Officers used the HBPD Hummer to tow the vehicle off the beach and to the parking lot, where it was

to the motorcyclist.

The officer arrested the motorcyclist, later identified as Tkachev, and transported him to the Holmes Beach Police Department for processing.

There, Tkachev told police he did not know the officer had been trying to stop him until he had parked next to him and said he believed police had a “no chase” rule for motorcycles.

The officer issued Tkachev a citation for driving in a bike lane, then transported him to the Manatee County jail.

Tkachev was released April 15 into the county’s pretrial services program, which provides restrictions and probationary supervision.

If convicted, punishment for a third-degree felony charge includes up to five years in prison, five years of probation and a fine of up to $5,000.

An arraignment will be at 9 a.m. Friday, May 26, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

towed by a commercial service.

Police contacted the vehicle’s owner, Palmetto resident Katheryn Christmas, who said she loaned the vehicle to a friend but did not provide a name.

Tokajer said the city issued Christmas a $250 fine for violating city code by driving on the beach. He added that she also would have to pay the cost of the tow.

“Be a little bit more informed about who your friends are before you loan them your vehicle,” he said.

— ryan Paice

Cortez woman pleads no contest in stabbing case

Cortez resident Abigail Nunn pleaded no contest April 13 to a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Nunn, 41, is accused of attacking a 57-year-old man, stabbing him in the abdomen during a July 4, 2022, argument, according to a probable cause affidavit from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

In a no contest plea, a defendant accepts a negotiated punishment without formal declaration of guilt and limits his/her exposure to fault in civil cases.

In an April 13 hearing before 12th Circuit Judge Robert Charles, Nunn’s sentencing was deferred contingent upon her completion of a court intervention

NC man arrested for DUI

Holmes Beach police arrested James Mahon, 26, of North Carolina, April 16 on a second-degree misdemeanor for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.

An officer at 3:26 a.m. saw a motorist in a lowspeed vehicle fail to brake at a stop sign at the intersection of 49th Street and Second Avenue.

After watching the motorist act erratically, then drive past another stop sign without stopping, the officer conducted a traffic stop.

The officer spoke with the driver, Mahon, who had “glassy and watery” eyes and whose breath smelled of an alcoholic beverage, according to a report.

Mahon also was not wearing a seat belt and told the officer he had “one or two (alcoholic beverages) at the max” before driving.

The officer asked Mahon to perform field sobriety exercises, which he failed.

The officer arrested Mahon and transported him to the Holmes Beach Police Department, where he twice refused to provide a breath sample.

The offi cer transported Mahon to the Manatee County jail, where he was released the same day after posting $120 bond.

If convicted, punishment for a second-degree misdemeanor includes up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.

An arraignment will be at 8:55 a.m. Thursday, May 18, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

— ryan Paice

Streetlife Staff reports

Island police reports

Anna Maria

program.

Participants in the program sign a contract with the state that waives their right to a speedy trial. They also agree to follow program requirements and perform specific sanctions.

Participants are supervised 6-12 months. If they complete the program, the state can drop the criminal charges.

Nunn was to appear in court as part of the criminal diversion program at 9 a.m. Thursday, April 27, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

— robert Anderson

April 12, 100 block of South Bay Boulevard, theft. A Manatee County sheriff’s deputy responded to a bicycle theft. A complainant said his son rode a rented bicycle to the pier, where the bike was stolen. The deputy issued an incident report.

April 15, 200 block of Gladiolus Street, noise complaint. A complainant reported loud talking and shouting at about 1 a.m. at a nearby property. A deputy issued a citation for violation of the noise ordinance.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office polices Anna Maria.

Bradenton Beach

No new reports.

The Bradenton Beach Police Department polices

PlEASE, SEE STREETLIFE, NEXT PAGE

BBPD nominates officer of the year

Bradenton Beach Police Officer Roy Joslin is the city’s officer of the year.

Police Chief John Cosby April 14 issued a letter honoring Joslin.

Cosby referenced Joslin’s Oct. 22, 2022, role in the apprehension of a suspect during an attempted vehicle theft call in the city.

Joslin

Joslin arrested the suspect and obtained an identifi cation from the victim.

During a search of the suspect’s belongings, Joslin found key fobs belonging to various vehicles he suspected were stolen.

Cosby said Joslin’s quick action and attention to detail during the investigation led to evidence that likely prevented other vehicle burglaries.

Joslin will receive a city plaque and certificate at a city commission meeting.

Joslin started with the BBPD in 2000.

With the BBPD officer of the year award, he is nominated for the Manatee County 100 Club award.

The 100 Club, a group of professionals that provides support to injured and fallen law-enforcement officers and families, names a countywide officer of the year from agency nominees.

Law enforcement officers from across the county can be nominated, including those employed with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Bradenton, Palmetto, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach police departments.

— robert Anderson

BB commission moves forward on reclaiming alleys

By robert Anderson islander reporter

Bradenton Beach is taking back the streets. Bradenton Beach commissioners April 20 reviewed and selected a contractor from a batch of proposals for surveys to help the city take the next step to reclaim alleys obstructed by vegetation and debris.

During the meeting at city hall, building official Steve Gilbert presented cost estimations from three companies to survey alleyways between properties along Avenues A and B, and Avenue C and Gulf Drive.

The surveys will delineate the city-owned alleys in relation to abutting properties and what cost the city might incur to reestablish the alleys.

STREETLIFE FrOM PAGE 20 Island watch

Bradenton Beach.

Cortez

April 18, 3000 block of Mariners Way, fraud. A man told the MCSO he was the victim of internet fraud. He was trying to fix his computer and phone through what he believed was a data security service. An incident report was filed.

The MCSO polices Cortez.

Holmes Beach

April 11, 500 block of Key Royale Drive, burglary. An officer from the Holmes Beach Police Department responded to reports of stolen electric scooters. The officer found the complainant, who said two scooters were missing. The officer found no sign of forced entry. The complainant provided serial numbers for the scooters.

April 11, 3700 block of East Bay Drive, criminal mischief. An officer responded to reports of criminal mischief and met with the complainant, who said his vehicle was damaged overnight.

April 14, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, trespass. An officer responded to a disturbance at the beach and spoke with employees in the area, who said a woman was yelling profanities and throwing drinks. The officer spoke with the woman and she admitted to being involved in the disturbance. The officer trespassed her from the property and stayed until she left the area on a Manatee County Area Transit trolley.

April 14, 5600 block of Gulf Drive, stolen bicycle. An officer responded to reports of a stolen bike and spoke with the complainant, who said a bike she rented went missing after family members left it unsecured

In an emergency, call 911.

To report information, call the MCSO Anna Maria substation, 941-7088899; Bradenton Beach police, 941-778-6311; or Holmes Beach police, 941-708-5804.

at a beach access bike rack. The officer contacted the rental agency, which provided a serial number for the bike.

April 14, Holmes Beach Skate Park, 5901 Marina Drive, injury on city property. An officer responded to reports of a an accident and found a girl on the ground, with her arm in an “unusual position.” The girl said she fell backward and tried to brace herself with her arm, which she felt pop and then could not bend. The officer stayed with her until Manatee County emergency medical services arrived to transport her to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton.

April 15, Island Traders, 5336 Gulf Drive, trespass. An officer responded to reports of a trespasser and met with a manager, who said a man sitting outside the store was causing issues and yelling at customers. The officer supervised while the manager trespassed the man, who left the area without issue.

HBPD polices Holmes Beach.

Streetlife is based on incident reports and narratives from the BBPD, HBPD and MCSO.

MSB Surveying Inc. of Sarasota, Hyatt Survey of Bradenton and Leo Mills &Associates Inc. of Palmetto provided quotes.

MSB Surveying offered a survey depicting the extent of the right of way for each alley, individual lot corner locations, visible improvements, research of adjoining deeds and descriptions of the survey. Their quote was $8,928.

Hyatt Survey offered to map encroachments of right-of-way lines, deed records, site improvements, graphical depictions of the survey drawings and site elevations. Hyatt Survey’s quote was $9,490.

Leo Mills & Associates offered a quote to establish control, recover monumentation, calculate and set limits for the alleys. The cost would be $3,000-$3,500 per alley or $4,500-$6,000 each with improvements and encroachments shown via a sketch of the alleys.

Gilbert said the staff’s recommendation was to hire MSB Surveying, which produced the lowest quote.

City attorney Ricinda Perry requested authorization to negotiate additional survey work at a cost not to exceed the mayor’s spending limit, which according to city treasurer Shayne Thompson is $2,000.

Mayor John Chappie said the added survey work would be to define easements for a 10-foot-wide walkway under the bridge and a sidewalk on the west side of Gulf Drive between the Beach House Restaurant and Gulf Drive Cafe prior to construction of a new Cortez Bridge.

Commissioner Jan Vosburgh motioned to approve the survey quote from MSB with added work.

The motion was seconded by Commissioner Jake Spooner and passed 4-0. Commissioner Marilyn Maro was absent with excuse.

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Bradenton Beach puts paid parking study into drive

By robert Anderson islander reporter

Bradenton Beach commissioners put their paid parking discussion in first gear.

Commissioners April 20 approved a motion for a paid parking study and directed city attorney Ricinda Perry, Mayor John Chappie, building official Steve Gilbert, public works director Tom Woodard and Police Chief John Cosby to research and seek quotes for a paid parking program for city-owned lots.

Locations considered for paid parking include the lots between First Street North and Bridge Street, the city hall lot at 107 Gulf Drive N. and an unpaved lot between Church and Highland avenues near the police department.

The commission has been considering paid parking as a way to generate revenue and increase the city’s reserves. A paid parking program also has been heralded as a possible solution for funding additional patrols and equipment needed to police the

RoadWatch

Eyes on the road

• State Road 789 at the Longboat Pass Bridge: Crews are making overnight repairs through Thursday, April 27. Motorists can expect flagging operations 9 p.m.-5 a.m.

• Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach : Manatee County is relocating and replacing sewer lines in Bradenton Beach along Gulf Drive from Sixth Street South to 13th Street South. Motorists can expect a detour and traffic delays. The contractor currently is installing the gravity sewer between Ninth Street South and 11th Street South. For more information, go online to amiprojects.io.

• Gulf and Marina drives in Holmes Beach : A Holmes Beach contractor continues work near the intersection of Gulf and Marina drives on infrastructure improvements. Traffic patterns can change. For the latest, check the city’s page on Facebook.

• Holmes Boulevard in Holmes Beach: Manatee County is working on a force main project on Holmes Boulevard, which can result in some traffic delays and congestion. For the week beginning April 24, the focus still was along 58th Street between Holmes Boulevard and Marina Drive, according to amiprojects.io.

For area road watch information, go online to swflroads.com or dial 511.

city.

Perry has said revenue for 56 city parking spaces at a rate of $3.50 per hour for 12 hours per day and with an estimated occupancy of 85%, would yield $744,902 per year.

The study is the result of a dialogue that met with opposition during a September 2022 meeting that proved contentious.

A full gallery comprising business owners, local workers and residents attended that meeting, when commissioners were expected to establish a paid program administered by EZ Parking Group, the same business that operates a fare-free park-and-ride shuttle between Coquina Beach and the commercial district.

The meeting lasted three hours and included eight public speakers — mostly those opposed to the commission’s to a paid parking program with EZ Parking.

The company had offered to install solar-powered

TideWatch

Red tide lingers

By lisa Neff

The red tide organism, Karenia brevis , was detected in Southwest Florida during the week ending April 23.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported K. brevis was observed at background to very low concentrations in Manatee County, background to medium concentrations in Pinellas County and very low to medium concentrations in Sarasota County.

There were no reports of fish kills or respiratory irritation for Manatee beaches.

For more information, go online to myfwc.com/ research/redtide/statewide/.

A newly commissioned study will examine the impact of paid parking in municipal lots, including the lot at Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N. islander

pay-to-park machines at no cost to the city but was turned down by commissioners due to the public opposition.

The parking study will assess the costs and needs from metered parking vendors, as well as the consideration of a city-run program.

Commissioner Jake Spooner motioned to approve the study and was seconded by Commissioner Jan Vosburgh. It passed 4-0. Commissioner Marilyn Maro was absent with excuse.

In other matters at the April 20 meeting, commissioners:

• Approved changes to the land development code pertaining to open-air dining, as well as approved a permit for an expansion of open-air dining at Wicked Cantina, 101 Seventh St. N.

• Approved a special use permit for a bicycle rental program at the Silver Surf Resort, 1301 Gulf Drive N.

The resort can now install a bicycle rack on premise to accommodate an automated, self-service rental program for guests.

• Approved invoice payments, including $6,000 to Georgia Carpet and Floors for carpet installation at the police department, $6,250 to Manatee County for radio maintenance and access fees, $21,703.75 to MT Causley for planning and professional services provided by city planner Louis Serna and Gilbert.

The next commission meeting will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 4, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

— lisa Neff

“There is no love sincerer than the love of food.” — G.B. Shaw

Photo: robert Anderson

Perry

Spooner

Fire district advances 2023-24 assessment rate hike

By ryan Paice islander reporter

The West Manatee Fire Rescue District is taking on a new program in 2023-24, when it will begin shortterm rental safety inspections.

Commissioners voted unanimously at an April 18 budget workshop to direct staff to draft a resolution establishing a 4% increase in fire assessment rates for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1.

At the workshop, WMFR staff presented early plans for the district’s 2023-24 budget, including the proposed 4% rate hike.

The district’s current rates include a $211.48 residential base rate and a $0.1247 additional charge for every square foot more than 1,000, as well as a $525.59 commercial base rate with a $0.2276 additional charge per square foot more than 1,000.

With the current rates, residential property owners pay $336.22 for a 2,000-square-foot home and $460.95 for a 3,000-square-foot home.

Commercial property owners pay $753.19 for a 2,000-square-foot building and $980.80 for a 3,000square foot building.

The district’s proposed rates for fiscal 2023-24 include a $219.94 residential base rate and a $0.1297 additional charge for every square foot more than 1,000, and a $546.61 commercial base rate with a $0.2367 additional charge per square foot more than 1,000.

Under the new rates, residential property owners will pay $349.63 for a 2,000-square-foot home and $479.32 for a 3,000-square-foot home.

Commercial property owners will pay $783.32 for a 2,000-square-foot building and $1,020.02 for a 3,000-square-foot building.

The rate hike will coincide with WMFR’s plans to begin a short-term rental inspection program.

The program will involve staff inspecting all vacation rentals in the district, estimated to be around 3,500 properties, for fire safety.

The district is currently searching for a new fire inspector and administrative assistant to lead the inspection program and hopes to fill the positions over the summer.

Part of the district’s plans to fund the program include assessing short-term rental properties under its commercial tax rate instead of the residential rate.

Due to increasing property values, the proposed increase and assessment of short-term rentals under the commercial tax rate, staff projects the district to collect $9,944,554.29 in revenue — $1,699,633.65 more than this year’s collection.

Fire Chief Ben Rigney said about $1 million of the increase could be attributed to assessing shortterm rentals under the commercial rate, while another $382,482.86 is due to the 4% rate hike.

Rigney said the spike in funding would fund the district’s short-term rental inspection program and also six new firefighters — two per shift.

The new positions are projected to lead to a $1,735,675.61 increase in personnel services over this year, $895,792.80 in salaries, $206,755.71 increase in overtime costs and $324,326.65 in expenses.

The only other notable increase is a projected $704,275 increase in capital outlay, from $147,500 this year to $851,775 in fiscal 2023-24.

That increase is largely due to the projected $650,000 cost for a new fire engine, and $60,000 for a Ford F-150 for the short-term rental inspector.

Overall, the district projects revenues and expenditures to increase $2,601,588.65, from $8,721,987.64 this year to $11,323,576.29 in fiscal 2023-24.

There was no public comment.

The WMFR commission will meet next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, at the district’s administration building, 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton.

Directions to attend via Zoom can be found at wmfr.org.

By the numbers…

2022-23 adopted budget

revenues: $8,721,987.64

Tax assessments: $8,244,920.64

Expenses: $8,721,987.64

Personnel expenses: $7,361,980

reserve funds: $4,899,475

2023-24 proposed budget

revenues: $11,323,576.29

Tax assessments: $9,944,554.29

Expenses: $11,323,576.29

Personnel expenses: $9,097,655.58

reserve funds: $5,269,878

Jim Hassett, Annie Silver Community Center president, accepts an appreciation award April 18 from WMFr for allowing a fire engine and crew to station at Annie Silver during spring break, ensuring speedy response times to island emergencies despite seasonal traffic. islander Photo: ryan Paice

Stags top KRC golf, center soccer standings, horseshoe winners

By Kevin P. Cassidy islander reporter

With only a couple of weeks remaining in the regular season of the adult soccer league at the Center of Anna Maria Island, the standings are pretty tight at the top.

Sandbar Restaurant is alone at the top with a 4-1 record, two points ahead of second-place Duncan Real Estate at 3-1-1. Solid Rock Construction is another point back in third with a 3-2 record, just ahead of Sato Real Estate at 2-2-1. Moss Builders and Pool America share fifth place at 2-3, while Gulf View Windows & Doors and Vintage Beach share the cellar at 1-3-1.

Cassidy

Gulf View and Vintage Beach opened April 20 with a back-and-forth battle but Gulf View stayed in for a 6-5 victory behind a balanced scoring attack led by two goals from Austin Nutting. John Cruz, Keith Mahoney, Brandon Rolland and Jana Whitehead also notched goals, while Mark Long came through with nine saves to help preserve the victory.

Joey Hutchinson scored two goals to lead Vintage Beach, which also received goals from Damir Glavan, Mandy Sky and Nate Talucci. Goalie Danny Free made six saves and had a pair of assists in the loss.

Sam Parker, Nate Welch and Dean Hinterstoisser each scored a pair of goals to lead Pool America to a 7-3 victory over Solid Rock Construction in the second game of the night. Juan Carlos Perez added a goal and an assist, while Rob Marshall came through with 10 saves in the victory.

Amy Ivin scored two goals and Flavio Olvera added a goal to lead Solid Rock, which also received assists from Kali Richardson and Karri Stephens in the loss.

Duncan cruised to a 6-2 victory over Sato in the third game of the evening behind a hat trick from Eric Pullen and two goals and an assist from Murat Akay. Tuna McCracken made 10 saves to help preserve the victory for Duncan Real Estate.

Kai Hunkler and Rex Kesten each scored and Ben Sato made seven saves in the loss.

The last match of the night saw Sandbar cruise to a 4-1 victory over Moss Builders behind two goals from Matt Staggs and a goal each from Aaron French and Daniel Anderson. Goalie Jessica Ruekberg came through with seven saves in the victory.

Pedro Gonzalez notched the lone goal for Moss, which received nine saves in the loss from Brian Leibfried.

Youth soccer continues

Midway through the youth soccer season at the center, Cheesecake Cutie holds a slim 3-0 lead in the 8-10 division, just ahead of Sato Real Estate and Solid Rock Construction, both at 2-1. Island Real Estate and Westfall’s Lawn Care & Pest Control follow at 1-2, while Am I Coconuts completes the standings at 0-3.

Gulf Drive Cafe sits atop the 11-14 division at 3-0, two points ahead of second-place HSH Designs and Moss Builders, both at 1-1-1. Shady Lady Horticultural Services completes the standings at 0-3.

Action April 18 kicked off the 11-14 division with Gulf Drive Cafe cruising to a 4-1 victory over HSH Designs thanks to goals from Theo Aupelle, Luke Dellenger, Josiah MacDonald and Jayden Sparks. Cyrus Ryan helped preserve the victory with six saves.

AMI paddlers collect silver

Cecelia Kroth scored the lone goal for HSH, which also saw six saves from Chase Castagna in the loss.

The second 11-14 division match saw Moss Builders edge Shady Lady by a 3-2 score behind goals from Callin Westfall, Mason Moss and Aidan Guess. Austin Guess came through with seven saves in the victory for Moss Builders.

Ryk Kesten and Dominck Zupa scored a goal each for Shady Lady, which also received nine saves from Jack Zaccagnino in the loss.

Action in the 8-10 division kicked off with Westfall’s Lawn Care easing past Island Real Estate 3-1 thanks to a hat trick from Callen Westfall and four saves from Jordan Steele.

Preston LaPensee notched a goal to lead IRE, which also received four saves from Owen Mahoney in the loss.

Cheesecake Cutie edged Sato 3-1 in the third match of the night behind a pair of goals from Gunnar Maize and one goal from Silas Whitehead. Sawyer Leibfried helped preserve the victory with seven saves.

Brandon Sato scored the lone goal for Sato Real Estate, which also received four saves from Vincent Gollamudi in the loss.

The last match of the evening saw Solid Rock cruise past Am I Coconuts 5-1 thanks to a hat trick from Matthew Darak. Simon Messinger and Turner Worth added goals while Isaac Roadman made five saves in the victory.

TJ Hagey scored the lone goal and Asher Card made eight saves for Am I Coconuts in the loss.

Key Royale golf news

Forty-four golfers participated April 19 in the annual Stag Day tournament at Key Royale Club. The men played a shamble with two scores counted for each team.

The team of Jim Hitchen, Bill Koche, Eric Lawson and Mike Pritchett combined on a 3-under-par 61 to earn the day’s bragging rights. The team of Ron Buck, Mike Clements, Tom Nelson and Steve Vasbinder matched the 1-under-par 63 carded by Bruce Christenson, Nelson Eagle, Jerry Martinek and Bob Rowley for a tie for second.

Lawson won the longest drive contest while Earl Ritchie won the longest putt. Straightest drive went to Eagle, while John Kolojeski and Christenson won the closest-to-the-pin contests on holes eight and three.

The women played their weekly round April 18 with a low-net score format in two flights. Jenny Huibers rode a birdie on the sixth hole to card a 1-under-par 31 and a first-place finish in Flight A. Sue Pierce was alone in second with a 1-over-par 33.

Barb Harrold’s even-par 32 gave her first place in Flight B, a stroke ahead of second-place finishers Judy Todd and Annette Hall.

Marcia Friessen birdied the first hole and Barb Rinckey had a chipin on the seventh hole to round out the day’s highlights.

The week of golf culminated April 20 with a ninehole scramble. The foursome of Monica and Eric Lawson, Deb Richardson and Joe Tynan combined on a 6-under-par 26 to earn clubhouse bragging rights for the day. The team of Herb Clauhs, Mike Clements, Ken Nagengast and Earl Ritchie took second with a 4-under-par 28.

Horseshoe news

Four teams posted 3-0 pool-play records during April 19 horseshoe action at the Anna Maria City Hall pits and settled things in the knockout round.

Bob Lee and Steve Doyle eased past Adin Shank 22-19 in the first semifinal, while Tom Farrington and Steve Kriebel eliminated Steve and Ron Hooper 22-13. The championship match saw Lee and Doyle outduel Farrington and Kriebel 23-17 to earn the day’s bragging rights.

Action April 22 saw two teams advance to the knockout stage. The team of Tim Sofran and Rick Martinez cruised to a 21-11 victory over Bob Brown and Bill Silver to win the day’s championship.

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.

Mike Pritchett, Jim Hitchen, Eric lawson and Bill Koche pose April 19 on winning the annual Stag Day golf tournament at Key royale Club. islander

Photo: Courtesy KrC

Vintage Beach player Mandy Sky steals the ball from Gulf View Windows & Doors’ John Cruz during April 20 adult soccer action on the center pitch. islander Photo: Kevin P. Cassidy

Soak up spring trifecta — cool temps, low humidity, hot fishing

By Capt. Danny Stasny islander reporter

Anna Maria Island anglers are wind-blown and sun-beaten from soaking up the April bite before the inferno of heat and humidity that comes with summer.

On the Gulf side of the island, kingfish and cobia are making their presence known as they patrol tightly packed bait schools hovering over the local reefs and wrecks.

Other fish, such as Spanish mackerel and bonito, are cashing in on the unsuspecting bait schools, causing eruptions on the water visible from far distances.

Flocks of birds — terns, seagulls, pelicans and frigates — are a dead giveaway that there’s activity below them as they dive from great heights to catch a baitfish that has escaped the jaws of predators below the surface.

On the bayside, backcountry anglers are finding thrills, although the action is subtle in comparison to the melee in the Gulf.

Quietly pushing the boat up near the mangrove shorelines and skipping free-lined live shiners skillfully under the branches is yielding rewarding action on snook and redfish.

With water temps in the mid-to-low 70s, the fish are active and eager to eat an unsuspecting shiner navigating through the mangrove roots. And, on the deeper grass flats, hungry spotted seatrout are lying among the lush turtle grass for an ambush on their next meal.

As April is a spawning month for trout, you can bet on encountering some of the largest trout of the year. While targeting the large trout, you have a chance of encountering many other species foraging throughout the bay and inland waters.

Toothy critters — macks, bluefish and jack crevalle — are some of the most popular, traveling in small packs wreaking havoc on the peaceful shallows. You’ll find some ladyfish mixed in, which may have little food value but when hooked on light tackle, they’re a most pleasing fish to tangle with as they imitate jumping and head-shaking all the way to the boat.

Lastly, amid all the action, don’t forget to pause and soak up the warm sun and enjoy the cool, dry breezes. We don’t have many of these days left before summertime. The fishing should remain good but the heat will make it less comfortable than the mild temperatures of April.

On my Just Reel charters, I’m seeing plenty of large trout being reeled to the boat. Many fish in the 20-inch range are being caught with some up to 24 inches. Slot-fi sh measuring 15-19 inches are fairly abundant, giving my anglers the opportunity to take a few home for dinner.

After pulling on trout for a while, I’m migrating to the shallower flats, where snook and redfish can be found. And both are being found when freelined live shiners are cast perfectly under the mangroves at the shoreline. In some areas, the snook are lurking on open flats, which require less accuracy in casting, and these fish are great for less experienced anglers.

Finally, a mixed bag of other species, including jack crevalle, mackerel and ladyfish are rounding out the bite.

Capt. David White says fishing nearshore in the Gulf of Mexico is yielding good action on migratory species — mackerel and kingfish. Locating wrecks and reefs is crucial to finding the fish. When bait schools are present, the chances of hooking up increases.

On the flats of Tampa Bay, White is putting his anglers on snook and redfish. He’s also finding that casting to the mangrove shorelines is working best.

On deeper grass flats, Spanish mackerel and ladyfish are abundant, as well as plenty of trout.

Capt. Jason Stock is working offshore to put clients on migratory and reef species, such as blackfin tuna and amberjack, around reefs and wrecks, where free-lining live baits and trolling artificials works well.

As for the reef species, mangrove and yellowtail snapper are cooperating when chummed up.

Slightly closer to shore, Stock is finding kingfish and cobia ranging 20-40 pounds to entertain clients.

Capt. Warren Girle is fi shing the fl ats of Sarasota Bay, which is resulting in good action on spotted seatrout. Free-lining baits over deeper grass flats is

Fishing Charters

Capt. Warren Girle

Gabe Bragg, 12, of Perico island, shows off a nice snook he caught on a 5/0 circle hook with cut bait and then released April 17 at Perico Preserve.

yielding plenty of trout, as well as some jack crevalle, bluefish and mackerel.

On shallower flats, Girle is putting his anglers on snook and redfish, especially on oyster bars and mangroves are present and the bite is best.

On calmer days, Girle is venturing into the Gulf of Mexico where he’s hooking up his anglers with macks, kingfish and blacktip sharks.

Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says he’s seeing mangrove snapper reeled up by anglers using live shrimp as bait. Casting bait on a weighted rig under the pier is yielding keeper-sized snapper up to 14 inches. An occasional snook is showing interest in the live shrimp, but most catches are under 28 inches.

Blue runners and macks can be had by anglers using silver spoons or speck rigs. Casting lures away from the pier and quickly retrieving them works best.

Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.

Anna Maria Island Tides

Stasny

Nesting notes

1st turtle nests of 2023 logged

By lisa Neff islander Editor

Superlatives and exclamation points heralded the marking of the first nests of the 2023 sea turtle nesting season.

Monitoring groups reported the first marked nests for Manatee and Sarasota counties the same day — April 18 — in news releases and social media posts.

“The first nest of the season!” Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring announced April 18 on its Facebook page, which included post-dawn photographs of a loggerhead turtle’s tractor-like tracks from the Gulf of Mexico to the nest — and back to the Gulf.

The post continued, “Our volunteers have been surveying the island, looking for any activity and came across this beautiful nest this morning!”

Within 15 hours of going live, 307 Facebookers had liked the announcement and 78 shared the news.

Volunteers Carla Boehme and Gail Rehkugler identified the first nest, which also was the first crawl documented for the season on AMI, AMITW director Kristen Mazzarella told The Islander April 18.

“We are excited to start the nesting season on Anna Maria Island and look forward to a productive season protecting nests and educating the public,” Mazzarella said in a news release.

AMITW, which began patrolling the beaches April 15, said the nest, marked in the sand near 30th Street in Holmes Beach, is likely the earliest nest in the history of AMITW.

Meanwhile, to the south of AMI, Sarasota-based Mote Marine Laboratory reported its turtle watch team documented its first nest — also by a loggerhead — of the season on Casey Key.

Just lucky

robert Cascarano, a visitor from Michigan for 15 years, shared a photo of the first marked sea turtle nest of the 2023 season on Anna Maria island — near 30th Street, 10 blocks south of the Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach. The loggerhead nest was verified and staked off by AMiTW volunteers for people to observe the crawl and nest markings and for monitoring. Cascarano was staying nearby. He said he and his wife were surprised to find a nest. “We didn’t think turtles would be coming in while we were still here.” The couple planned to leave April 22. islander Courtesy Photo

For the record

in 2022, AMiTW documented 490 false crawls, 531 nests, 490 false crawls, 466 hatched nests and 37,081 hatchlings to the sea.

“Exciting news!” Mote posted to Facebook.

Melissa Macksey, a senior biologist with Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program, said April 18, “Today marks the earliest documented nest in our program’s history, which might mean we’re in for a busy season and it is more important than ever before that we do as much as we can to keep our beaches turtle-friendly.”

Mote’s team of supervisors, interns and volunteers also began monitoring beaches April 15. Their territory is Longboat Key-Venice.

The nesting season on Florida’s Gulf coast officially begins May 1 and continues through Oct. 31.

But sea turtles don’t keep the Gregorian calendar.

“We typically start patrolling a few weeks before the official season and we’re glad we do, otherwise, we might not have found this nest today,” Macksey said.

Loggerheads are the species most common on southwest Florida nesting beaches, followed by green sea turtles and then Kemp’s ridleys, among the smallest and rarest sea turtles.

During the season, sea turtles are swimming just offshore to mate, females are coming ashore to nest, juvenile turtles are feeding along the coast and, by

PlEASE, SEE 1ST NEST, NEXT PAGE

Anna Maria island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring celebrates via Facebook April 18 the location of the 2023 season’s first sea turtle nest. islander Screenshot

Mazzarella

By Lisa Neff

Marking May Day

Way, way, way back when I attended grade school, celebrating May Day meant skipping along, leaving little paper baskets containing candy for neighbors on Stewart Avenue in Waukegan, Illinois.

Those were the awkward years of loafers, knee socks and knee-high dresses.

Way, way back when I attended college, marking May Day meant rallying on the campus quad for a cause.

Neff

Those were awkward years of Dr. Martens boots, ripped jeans and thrift store overcoats.

And way back when I first started in journalism, I pitched a May Day story and my editor at Foster’s Daily Democrat in New Hampshire said, “Eh, doesn’t do me.”

Those were awkward years when, as a young adult, I didn’t know how to answer older adults.

Now I’m an older adult, an older adult with a column to devote to May Day.

May Day, observed May 1, falls just over a week after Earth Day — always April 22 — and within a week of National Arbor Day — always the last Friday in April.

On May Day, people celebrate the joys of spring’s return and people recognize the struggles and gains of the labor movement, which was an early backer of Earth Day.

If Earth Day brings the exhilaration of Christmas for me — and it does — May Day is like a New Year’s, with sentimental reflection on yesterdays and optimistic energy for tomorrows, for growth, for change.

On Anna Maria Island, there are multiple ways to

early summer, the first hatchlings are venturing into the Gulf waters.

Both Mote and AMITW offered tips for people to help ensure a successful season.

Do:

• If there’s an encounter with a nesting turtle or hatchling, remain quiet and observe from a distance;

• Shield or turn off outdoor lights that are visible from the beach through October;

• Close drapes after dark and remove furniture from the beach;

• Fill in holes that can entrap turtles.

Do not:

• Approach nesting turtles or hatchlings, make noise or shine lights at turtles.

• Encourage a turtle to move while nesting or pick up hatchlings;

• Use fireworks on the beach.

For more information about AMITW, go online to islandturtles.com.

To contact AMITW, call 941-232-1405 or email annamariaturtlewatch@gmail.com.

mark May Day.

With spring certainly arrived, May Day provides an occasion to:

• Make sure the beaches are welcoming to nesting and hatchling sea turtles with clear sand and dark skies;

• Observe boating regulations to minimize harm to migrating or mating manatees;

• Respect birds nesting on the sand, as well as in the trees that line island canals and shade yards;

• Plant a native tree or shrub to take root with the rainy season;

• Make plans to support the farmers market as the season draws to a close on AMI and in Bradenton;

• Enlist in the island cities’ Islanders 4 Clean Water campaign;

• Take note to patronize the island businesses known for good environmental policies and good employment practices;

• Deliver to your neighbors May Day baskets

For more information about Mote’s program, go online to mote.org.

To report a sick, injured, entangled or dead sea turtle, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission alert hotline at 1-888-404-3922, #fwc or *fwc on a cellphone or text tip@myfwc.com.

Her day, her due

Suzi Fox surveys the shore in 2011, marks a stake for a turtle nest and examines an unhatched sea turtle egg. May Day is the official start to sea turtle nesting season and, this year, Suzi Fox Day in Bradenton Beach. Fox, the director of Anna Maria island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring since 1996, died in September 2022. She was recognized by this newspaper and by the island cities with islander of the Year and Citizen of the Year awards, as well as a standing-room-only tribute at the Center of Anna Maria island. And this May 1 is Fox’s day. islander

containing treats and flowers and expressing kind thoughts;

• Thank those who help drive environmental efforts on the island, including those in leadership posts and also the many volunteers who keep organizations going.

And with high season ended — and what a season we experienced — May Day provides an occasion for island workers to enjoy much-needed breaks from running the registers, pouring the drinks, juggling the plates, manicuring the landscapes, folding the linens, making the beds and pounding the keyboard keys.

File Photos: lisa Neff

ITEMS FOR SALE

YAKiMA rOOFTOP CAr carrier, white. Good condition! $600. Text, 941-920-2301.

COMPlETE VErTiCAl BliND system: Draw cord, turn and pull, white and brown slats. 108 inches. Excellent-plus condition. $79 or best offer. 941-778-5542.

PANiNNi MAKEr: CUiSiNArT, stainlesssteel, like new, $45. 941-920-2494.

CHAir: BlACK, SOFT cushion $15/ each and office chair, white, $10. Side tables, brown with glass top. 2/$20. 941920-2494.

TOMMY BAHAMA-STYlE counter height bar stools, two, $100 each. 941-730-2444.

PATiO lOUNGE CHAir, adjustable with fulllength floral padded cushion. 28 by 62 by 40 inches. 941-254-7478.

Sandy’s Lawn Service Inc.

Paradise Improvements 941.792.5600

RDI CONSTRUCTION INC.

AdoptA-Pet

Oh, those eyes!

Bella is an 8-year-old mixed-breed lovebug! She’s neutered and has all vaccinations — ready to meet her new family! Call Lisa Williams at 941-3452441 or visit The Islander office in Holmes Beach. And for more about pet adoption, visit moonraceranimalrescue.com.

SPONSOrED BY

ANSWERS TO APRIL 26 PUZZLE

ITEMS

FOR SALE Continued

ANTiQUE PArTNEr DESK: All wood, $500. inquire at The islander office, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes Beach. 941-778-7978.

FREEBIE ITEMS FOR SALE

individuals may place one free ad with up to three items, each priced $100 or less, 15 words or less. FrEE, one week, must be submitted online. Email classifieds@islander. org, fax toll-free 1-866-362-9821. (limited time offer)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

A NEW CrEATiVE company is coming soon, SJ&A Originals! For more info, email sjaoriginals@gmail.com

GARAGE SALES

GArAGE SAlE: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 28-29. Tools, pictures, paintings, cars, yard tools, ladders, generator, 8400 watts, miscellaneous. 307 61st St., Holmes Beach.

PETS

HElP rESCUED PETS! Volunteer, foster, computer help needed! Moonracer Animal rescue. Email: moonraceranimalrescue@ gmail.com.

TRANSPORTATION

GOlF CArT rENTAlS: Fun for residents and tourists! www.GolfCartrentalAMi.com.

2021 iCON i40f lSV golf cart for sale. All four seats face forward. Can be a six-seater. 48v distance package. Bluetooth with speakers. Golf bag attachment with cooler. $9,000. 404-819-7110.

BOATS & BOATING

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.

SUNCOAST BOTTOM PAiNTiNG: Professional bottom painting. Mobile. Call 941704-9382.

HELP WANTED

HEriTAGE PArK NUrSiNG Center is now hiring! Open positions CNA, Nurse, rN, wound. Come tour the facility and fill out an application. Call for more information, 941792-8480.

ClEANErS NEEDED ON the island on Saturdays. Great team, good payment. Please, call 941-243-3097.

NOW HiriNG HANDYMAN: Full-time professional services. $15 an hour and up, based on experience. Call JayPros, 941962-2874.

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

KIDS FOR HIRE

NEED AN ADUlT night out? Call Maty’s Babysitting Services. i’m 16, love kids and have lots of experience. references upon request. 618-977-9630.

KiDS FOr HirE ads are FrEE for up to three weeks for island youths under 16 looking for work. 941-778-7978.

SERVICES

iS YOUr HOME or office in need of some cleaning? Well, i’m your girl! local, reliable, professional! Please, give me a call or text, 941-773 -0461.

ClEANiNG: VACATiON, CONSTrUCTiON, residential, commercial and windows. licensed and insured. 941-756-4570.

PrESSUrE WASHiNG, PAVEr sealing, driveway, roof, fence, pool area. Also, window cleaning. licensed and insured. 941-5653931.

BiCYClE rEPAirS: Just4Fun at 5358 Gulf Drive can do most any bicycle repair at a reasonable cost. Pick-up and delivery available. 941-896-7884.

COMPANiON/HOMEMAKEr: Honest and reliable offering help with running errands, grocery shopping, house sitting, pet and plant care, light cooking/cleaning, transportation. references available and licensed. Call Sherri, 941-592-4969.

APi’S DrYWAll rEPAir: i look forward to servicing your drywall repair needs. Call 941524-8067 to schedule an appointment.

PrOFESSiONAl WiNDOW ClEANiNG: residential, commercial, free estimates. “We want to earn your business!” 207-8526163.

AirPOrT riDES: SArASOTA, St. Pete, Tampa. Call/text, Vita, 941-376-7555.

PArADiSE PET CArE: Pet specialist. Walking, sitting, vet visits. Training and love. Jason, 908-720-1688.

HANGiN’ ON AMi: We hang artwork, mirrors, TVs, etc. Furniture assembly. local references available. 941-720-3126.

iSlAND liGHTSCAPES & SECUriTY: landscape lighting and home security installation. Quality service by island residents. 941-7203126.

PrOFESSiONAl CAr SErViCE to all local airports. 24/7, 365. Eamonn, 941-4477737.

BUSiNESS-TO-BUSiNESS JD’s Window Cleaning looking for storefront jobs in Holmes Beach. i make dirty windows sparkling clean. 941-920-3840.

BEACH SErViCE air conditioning, heat, refrigeration. Commercial and residential service, repair and/or replacement. Serving Manatee County and the island since 1987. For dependable, honest and personalized service, call Bill Eller, 941-795-7411. CAC184228.

ClEAN TECH MOBilE Detailing. At your location. Cars, boats, rVs. Call or text Billie for an appointment. 941-592-3482.

lOOKiNG FOr AN EArlY BirD? You can read Wednesday’s classifieds on Tuesday at islander.org. And it’s FrEE!

LAWN & GARDEN

CONNiE’S lANDSCAPiNG iNC. residential and commercial. Full-service lawn maintenance, landscaping, cleanups, hauling and more! insured. 941-778-5294.

BA r NES l AWN AND l andscape ll C. Design and installation, lawn and landscape services, tree trimming, mulch, rock and shell. 941-705-1444. Jr98@barneslawnandlandscape.com.

COlliNS lANDSCAPE liGHTiNG: Outdoor lighting, landscaping, irrigation services and maintenance. 941-279-9947. MJC24373@ gmail.com.

SEArAY SPriNKlEr SErViCES. repairs, additions, drip, sprinkler head/timer adjustments. 941-920-0775.

SHE ll DE li VE r ED AND spread. Hauling all kinds of gravel, mulch, topsoil with free estimates. Call larry at 941-795-7775, “shell phone” 941-720-0770.

MP lAWN MAiNTENANCE now accepting new clients. Call Dante, 941-730-9199. mp@ mplawnmaintenance.com.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

VAN-GO PAiNTiNG residential/commercial, interior/exterior, pressure cleaning, wallpaper. island references. Bill, 941-795-5100. www.vangopainting.net.

TilE -TilE -TilE. All variations of ceramic tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship, prompt, reliable, many island references. Call Neil, 941-726-3077.

G ri FF i N’S HOME i MP r OVEMENTS i nc. Handyman, fine woodwork, countertops, cabinets and wood flooring. i nsured and licensed. 941-722-8792.

iSlAND HANDYMAN: i live here, work here, value your referral. refinish, paint. Just ask. JayPros. licensed/insured. references. Call Jay, 941-962-2874.

HANDYMAN AND PA i NT i NG. No job too small. Most jobs just right. Call r ichard Kloss. 941-204-1162.

SCrEENiNG SErViCES: replace your old or ripped window, door or porch screens. Many screen types available. retired veteran here to serve our community! Free estimates, call lane, 941-705-5293.

CAll HYDrO ClEAN. Full-service pressure washing, sealing. Pavers, travertine and natural stone. Window washing too, up to three stories. Call Jacob, 941-920-2094.

SA r ASOTA i NTE ri O r PA i NT i NG: We specialize in high-end properties. We love to paint! Owner operated. Fully insured/ licensed. Call or text Don, 941-900-9398. instagram: SarasotainteriorPainting.

iS l ANDE r A r CH i VE UofF Florida digital newspaper collection at ufdc.ufl.edu.

RENTALS

PE ri CO i S l AND PAT i O home for rent. 3Br/2BA. two-car garage, fully renovated. 30-day minimum. Privacy fence/gate, two miles to AM i . Available July 1- December 25, 2023. #bluerockingchair instagram/fb. 859-771-6423.

RENTALS Continued

ANNA MA ri A GU l F beachfront vacation rentals. One- two- and three-bedroom units, all beachfront. www.amiparadise.com. 941778-3143.

ANNA MA ri A 3B r /1BA historic cottage, half-block to Gulf beach and one block to Pine Avenue shopping and restaurants. Available April and May, $2,800/month. 941778-8456. terryaposporos@gmail.com

ANNUAl 2Br/1BA iN Bradenton Beach. 150 yards to Gulf. $2,950/month includes utilities and appliances. No smoking or pets. First/ last/security. 508-496-8480. williamshomes@ yahoo.com

NiCE COZY HOlMES Beach 3Br/2BA fully furnished. Available by week or month May 15-Sept. 15. Five-minute walk to the beach. No pool. 231-670-6697.

ANNUA l r ENTA l WEST Bradenton 3Br/2BA, near country club! $2,800 negotiable. Text, 941-920-2301.

FlEXiBlE lEASES, Off-season rentals. Bayshore condo 2Br/1BA, $1,250 per month. Wildwood Springs, 2B r /2BA. $1,800 per month. Also available January, February, March 2024 at $5,000 per month. Book now. real Estate Mart, 941-356-1456.

BEAUT i FU llY FU r N i SHED, ANNUA l rental in Beach Harbor Club, l ongboat Key. 2Br/2BA with views of the bay, laundry and condo amenities include pool, grill, with both bay and beach access. $200 application required. $3,800 month plus first and last month’s rent and $1,000 deposit. Call Mike Norman realty, 941-778-6696. 3101 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, Fl 34217.

HO l MES BEACH annual rental available now. Fully furnished. 3B r /2BA elevated duplex. $4,000 per month plus utilities. Contact us at 941-778-4410 for more details.

TOTA l r EMODE l ,G r OUND-level, 2B r /1.5BA in 55-plus community. Beach across street, furnished, pool, library, parking, annual rental, $3,200 per month. includes WiFi, all utilities, no pets, no smoking, Call Tim, 507-382-8880.

55-PlUS PArK 1Br/1BA. Beach just across the street! Furnished, pool, parking, annual rental $1,795/month, includes all utilities except electricity. Available mid-to-late May after vetting. No pets. Text 831-212-2606.

WATErFrONT ANNA MAriA island home. 2B r /2BA two-car garage. Completely remodeled. Pool. Dock with boat lift. Walk to beaches and golf course. Pet friendly. Nonsmoking. Annual rental. Call owner 941-7047336. $6,000 per month. Available May 5.

MOrE BANG FOr YOUr BUCK? it’s an old saying, but it’s still true when it comes to The islander. look for MOrE online at islander. org.

W i NN i E MCHA l E, r EA lTO r , 941-5046146. rosebay international realty inc. You need an aggressive and experienced realtor in today’s market! Selling island homes, Sarasota and Bradenton areas. Multi-milliondollar producer! “Selling Homes - Making Dreams Come True.”

C l ASS i C HOME: F i XE r -upper on private golf course. Half acre-plus, panoramic views, minutes to beaches. $719,000 or best offer. real Estate Mart, 941-356-1456.

Research Data: Tourism continues upward trajectory

By lisa Neff islander Editor

The numbers are up, up and way up.

For fiscal year 2022-23 in Manatee County, room nights, visitor numbers and tourist tax dollars are up compared with fiscal year 2021-22.

Room nights went up 5.2%, from 988,200 in fiscal 2021-22 to 1,039,100 for October-February this year, according to a report from Research Data Services.

Visitor numbers went up 6.4%, from 411,400 to 437,900.

While the tourist tax collections went up 16.7%, from $10.5 million in fiscal 2021-22 to $12.2 million this fiscal year.

Research Data Inc. also is reporting the total economic impact climbed 11.8%, as did the direct economic impact, which was estimated at $470,890,600 for the first five months of the current fiscal year, which started Oct. 1.

The tourism report was to be presented April 24 — after The Islander went to press – to the Manatee County Tourist Development Council during a meeting at the county administration building in Bradenton. The report also contained statistics for February

showing room rates overall increased 10.2% but occupancy decreased 3.5%.

Occupancy was down 8% on the mainland and down 1.1% on Anna Maria Island but up 0.9% on Longboat Key.

Room rates were up 8.6% on the mainland, 3.1% on Longboat Key and 17.9% on AMI.

The largest share of visitors in February was from the Midwest, followed by the Northeast, Florida, Southeast, Canada and Europe.

While Canada’s visitor population was estimated at 4,400, the number represented an increase of 153.7% from February 2022, likely due to the easing of pandemic-related cautions and concerns.

The council’s agenda also included:

WE ROCK ONLINE

Chamber promotion

A ribbon-cutting for Topsail Steamer

April 20 launched their new location — conveniently in the same building as the Anna Maria island Chamber of Commerce — at 5321 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Doing the honors is Danielle Mahon, owner, holding the scissors, with others from Topsail and chamber board members, left to right, John Campora, Janet Mixon, chamber board members, Cole Klaren, Tiffany Kaminski, Jimmy Mahon, Danielle and Jim Mahon and Stacy Connelly, all of Topsail Steamer, with Katy Demick and Susanne Arbanas of the chamber board. islander Photo: Courtesy AMiCofC

• A proposal to provide tourist tax funding to rehab the multiuse path at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach;

• A proposal to allocate up to $425,000 from tourist tax dollars to subsidize a planned water taxi between Anna Maria Island and Bradenton.

The next TDC meeting will be at 9 a.m. Monday, June 5, at the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

By lisa Neff

THIS WEEK

Thursday, April 27 5 p.m. — Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce business card exchange, Anna Maria Island Historical Society museum, 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Fee applies. Information: 941-778-1541 or info@chamber.org.

SAVE THE DATES

May 11, Manatee Chamber of Commerce Spring Expo, 4-7 p.m., Bradenton Area Convention Center, Palmetto.

May 12, 11:30 a.m., AMI Chamber Golf Tournament, IMG Academy Golf Club, Bradenton.

MIKE NORMAN REALTY EST. 1978

Once Upon A Beach

For professional real estate sales, call a true island native, born and raised on Anna Maria Island. Marianne Norman-Ellis. 941.778.6696

Mike Norman Realty

Thinking about what is best for your rental property? If so, choose QUALITY over quantity, and get in touch with us!

BizCal

“When it Comes to Buying or Selling Your Home, CALL ME FIRST!

my 30+ years of experience work for you.”