The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Top Notch

Honoring the flag

Water taxi launch date draws near, county and cities address terms

Islander Staff Report

Ahoy, passengers!

Interlocal agreements are getting inked to launch a long-planned water taxi service between Bradenton, Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach.

Manatee County commissioners, under their consent agenda at a June 15 land-use meeting in Bradenton, authorized Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge, R-District 3, to sign interlocal agreements with Bradenton and Bradenton Beach to use amenities to land the ferry service.

The vote was 6-0, with Vanessa Baugh absent with excuse.

A draft interlocal agreement between the county and Anna Maria will be taken up in July.

The water taxi, as proposed, would operate two boats between downtown Bradenton’s Riverwalk, the Anna Maria City Pier, the Historic Bridge Street Pier and Coquina Beach.

Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and the lead coordinator on the project, said the parties involved are laboring to get the service launched for Labor Day.

“All three cities have been really cooperative,” he told The Islander June 16.

The interlocal documents, at about 25-27 pages, consist of a map of the planned water taxi route, a timetable and a number of “whereas” statements, including:

“Whereas, the purposes of the water taxi are to relieve automobile congestion coming to and from the island and to provide an alternative and affordable means of public transportation to and from the island.”

Bradenton Beach officials appear good to go on their agreement.

During a June 15 meeting of the city’s community redevelopment agency, Mayor John Chappie read a text message he sent to Van Ostenbridge, which states, in part, “Bradenton Beach is excited about and supportive of the water taxi project building community connectivity and alternative modes of transportation.”

Chappie’s comment followed a motion to approve a payment for a finger dock extension needed for the water taxi at the floating dock adjacent to the Historic Bridge Street Pier, 200 Bridge St.

“Thanks to all involved in this long process to get water taxi service from downtown Bradenton to Anna Maria Island,” Chappie said.

Assistant city clerk Ruth Steif said the interlocal agreement was signed by Chappie June 15.

Bradenton city administrator Rob Perry did not respond to The Islander’s June 16 email as of press time June 19.

Meanwhile, the Anna Maria agreement is not executed.

Van Ostenbridge said the document was

hb parking garage bill in gov’s hands

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

It’s do or die time for a bill that would allow Manatee County to build a parking garage in Holmes Beach.

House Bill 947, filed by Rep. Will Robinson Jr., R-Bradenton, was signed by legislative officers June 14 and presented to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

DeSantis had not taken action on the bill as of June 19, according to flsenate.gov.

HB 947 would authorize Manatee County to construct one 36-foot-tall parking garage in a public park managed by the county within Holmes Beach city limits, such as Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive.

The bill would override a city code that prohibits multilevel parking facilities within municipal limits by allowing the county to construct such a structure without obtaining permits or approval from the city.

HB 947 cleared the state Legislature without a scratch earlier this year. The House of Representatives voted 116-0 April 27 and the Senate voted 39-0 May 4 to approve the bill.

Now that HB 947 has been presented to DeSantis, he has until Thursday, June 29, to sign or veto the measure.

The bill automatically passes if DeSantis takes no action.

If DeSantis vetoes HB 947, the Legis-

.com

The u.S. flag is displayed during a Flag Day ceremony at the Center of Anna Maria Island that involves the center’s day camp kids, first responders and military veterans from the u.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and Air national guard. Military veterans, along with first responders with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and West Manatee Fire Rescue District, participated in the event, which included a recognition for veteran and center member David Lessing. Islander Photos: Courtesy CofAMI/Sam Parker

Retired u.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Richard Moore of the Palma Sola VFW Post 10141 presents u.S. flags June 14 — Flag Day — to summer campers at the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

TuRn TO ParKiNG GaraGe, PAge 5

BB CRA boosts funds for pier access, finger docks

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

A proposal to dedicate more money to the finger dock expansion at the Historic Bridge Street Pier was floated June 15.

And it gained buoyancy, as Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency members voted to increase spending authorization for the project at the city pier, 200 Bridge St.

Duncan Seawall is the contractor at the pier, where the city also is planning to provide a landing area for Manatee County’s water taxi, expected to launch later this summer.

The CRA, overseen by a board that includes the mayor, commissioners and two appointed members, is funding the project.

Scheduled for completion by June 30, the finger

Man dies after rescue

Alexander Vincent Petrakopoulos, 28, of Bradenton, died May 29, days after he was pulled from the water of Sarasota Bay near Cortez.

On May 26, at about 8:45 p.m., Manatee County Emergency Medical Services technicians and Manatee County sheriff’s deputies responded to 911 calls about a man in the water near a vessel moored about half a mile south of Cortez.

The deputies pulled Petrakopoulos from the water and, according to an MCSO event chronology, he was taken to a Cortez dock and then by ambulance to a hospital for care.

Karen Bell, owner of AP Bell Fish Co. Inc., spoke about the incident at a June 5 meeting of the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage.

She said Petrakopoulus died at the hospital.

Bell also said Petrakopoulus had worked as a commercial fisherman in Cortez and had collected pay for his fish at Bell fish house.

— Robert Anderson

dock will have 26 spaces, where there were seven, and provide better access to Bradenton Beach by boat.

Duncan had submitted an invoice to the CRA for $18,611 to replace floats at the west end of the floating dock. To install the floats, crews must remove decking and then replace it after installing the floats.

There also is a need to add two extra pilings to the dock, estimated to cost $3,900.

City attorney Ricinda Perry suggested the CRA increase the payment beyond the invoiced amount.

She told the CRA she’d visited the dock, as had public works director Tom Woodard, police Chief John Cosby and Mayor John Chappie to check for potential safety issues.

“We wanted to make sure that everything safetywise is up where it needs to be,” Perry said.

“This is where the large ferry is going to be coming in and landing and this is where the ADA ramp is currently located. The county is potentially improving on that section. So we just wanted to make sure everything is as secure and safe as possible,” Perry added.

CRA member Ed Chiles, who owns the Beachhouse Restaurant in Bradenton Beach, motioned to approve a change order for Duncan up to $36,000 with 50% of the cost to be submitted for reimbursement from tourist development council funds.

The motion was seconded by Chappie and passed 5-0.

Marilyn Maro and Jan Vosburgh were absent with excuse.

About the CRA

The Bradenton Beach CRA funds capital improvement projects to promote restoration, growth and tourism in the district.

The district, bordered by Cortez Road, Sarasota Bay, Fifth Street South and the Gulf of Mexico, was deemed blighted in 1992, allowing for incremental tax revenue to promote restoration and growth, including tourism.

The next CRA meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 5, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N. Construction continues June 15 at the Historic Bridge Street Pier, where the Bradenton Beach CRA is expanding the public docks from seven to 26, but the dock is open for use at the pier, 200 Bridge St. Islander

Robert

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Holmes Beach ‘hopeful’ city center projects wrap up soon

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

A pair of construction projects clogging up the heart of Holmes Beach are in their final stages.

But it may take the remainder of summer months to wrap up one of them.

City engineer Sage Kamiya said June 13 that he was “hopeful” Sarasota-based C-Squared CGC Inc. would finish the city center improvement project — originally set to wrap up in December 2022 —by the first week of July.

On the other hand, Brett Gocka, project manager of Manatee County’s force main replacement project on Holmes Boulevard and other streets connecting to Gulf Drive, told The Islander June 15 that Sarasotabased Spectrum Underground won’t finish their job until late August-early September.

City center improvement project

Construction on the city center improvement proj-

ect began last September and the bulk of the work was completed in May.

The $3,001,460.85 project involves improving drainage infrastructure and adding roadway markings, bicycle lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, street lighting and landscaping from the intersection of Gulf and Marina drives to the 5600 block of Marina.

Kamiya said C-Squared still needed to install handrails along sidewalks, activate new lighting, lay a top lift of asphalt and restripe roads.

He said part of the delay with activating the new lights was due to a missing part, a major load center that apparently is unavailable. He said they are seeking an alternative.

Kamiya added that the contractor’s temporary striping along the roadway was “done a little bit by eyeball instead of following the plans” but the final job would be done to plan.

“We will continue to push,” he said. “I have every bit of commitment from the contractor that we’re going to get it by July. … I’m hopeful that he’ll actually be able to do it.”

Force main replacement project

The county’s $3,618,672.10 project began last March. It involves replacing 4,000 feet of 16-inch force main along Holmes Boulevard and 1,100 feet of 8-inch force main along 58th Street with new PVC piping.

Work also involves replacing existing water services and upsizing potable water lines along the stretch from 2-inch and 4-inch diameters to 6-inch diameter pipes.

Construction was initially projected to end last November but the timeline has been delayed multiple times.

Gocka told The Islander that Spectrum finished installing the 16-inch force main along Holmes Boulevard June 15 and had completed the 8-inch force main along 58th Street.

CRUISES

Now Spectrum must pressure test the pipelines, then tie them into nearby manholes and lift stations, according to Gocka.

That process could take about two weeks to complete.

Spectrum will then move to upgrading water services along the stretch, which will require temporarily shutting down water access to a four-block stretch — which has yet to be determined — while work is completed.

Gocka said the shutdowns would occur overnight and impacted property owners would be notified in advance.

Spectrum will test the upgraded water services over the next week, then begin restoration work. That will involve repaving the impacted stretch of Holmes Boulevard and 58th Street, as well as replacing damaged sod and sidewalk panels.

Gocka said work should be finished by early September, unless the contractor runs into inclement weather or unforeseen issues.

Q&a 062123

The Islander poll

Last week’s question

By Lisa neff

How often do you donate blood?

10%. Every 1-2 months.

11%. Couple of times a year.

24%. Rarely.

54%. I don’t donate.

This week’s question

Happy summer. My best summer tradition:

A. Road trip.

B. Camping trip.

C. Beach walks.

D. Family vacations.

E. Other.

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

The southbound lane of Holmes Boulevard is closed to traffic June 14 as Spectrum underground employees continue work on Manatee County’s force main replacement project. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

Summer jobs

The Anna Maria Island and West Manatee Democratic Club hosts a gathering June 12 at the Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, to work on two issues — clean water and reproductive rights — and petition drives to place proposed constitutional amendments on an election ballot. The club will meet next at 11:30 a.m. Monday, July 17 at the library. For more, contact Barbara Beckwith at bbeckwith02@gmail. com. Islander

Barbara Drake, Barbara ehren and Barbara Beckwith talk issues at a June 12 meeting of the AMI and West Democratic Club.

2023-24 elections

AMI qualifying ahead

Qualifying for elected office in Anna Maria Island’s cities takes place in August.

This year’s elections include:

• Anna Maria: Three city commission seats;

• Bradenton Beach: Mayor and two commission seats — Ward 1 and Ward 3;

• Holmes Beach: Three commission seats.

Qualifying will be noon Aug. 14-noon Aug. 25 in Anna Maria; and noon Aug. 28-noon Sept. 1 in Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7.

The deadline to register to vote is Tuesday, Oct. 10.

The deadline to request a mail ballot is Oct. 28.

Registration status can be checked online at votemanatee.com, where people also can research the qualifying process and request to vote by mail.

‘Active’ already in 2024

State Rep. Will Robinson Jr., R-Bradenton, the lead sponsor of the 2023 bill to build a parking garage at the Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach, is listed as an “active” candidate for 2024. Robinson, to date, has raised about $56,000 for his reelection bid.

Two other incumbent Republicans in the Manatee County legislative delegation who supported the measure — Mike Beltran and Tommy Gregory — also are active candidates in the 2024 election.

At the county commission level, active incumbents include Republican Kevin Van Ostenbridge, who represents Anna Maria Island and west Manatee in District 3, as well as Republican James Satcher in District 1 and Republican Vanessa Baugh in District 5. Republican Keith Green is an active candidate for the at-large District 7 seat held by George Kruse. — Lisa neff

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Photos: Tom ehren

Tim eiseler attends a June 12 meeting of the AMI and West Democratic Club at the Island Library to address clean water issues.

pulled from the consent agenda just prior to the June 15 meeting pending a review with Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy.

“We just decided to defer the Anna Maria portion and, when we come back from recess, that will be on a consent agenda when we return,” Van Ostenbridge said at the meeting.

During a June 8 city commission meeting, Murphy said he was disappointed with the draft interlocal agreement, which “doesn’t bear any resemblance to what we sent out.”

In March, the city commission sent a draft agreement to the county that included city-proposed stipulations, which included requiring the county to assume legal liability for the service, to pay the cost of main-

lature can override the veto by achieving a two-thirds vote in each chamber.

Mayor Judy Titsworth, who has been a vocal opponent of HB 947, wrote in a June 16 text message to The Islander that the city had been unable to reach DeSantis to ask him to veto the bill.

“We have not been able to secure a meeting but have been pretty active with letters, social messages and also news stories,” Titsworth wrote.

In the meantime, two petitions opposing HB 947 had collected more than 8,000 signatures combined as of June 17.

A change.org petition, “Veto HB 947 – Say NO to proposed parking garage!” sought 5,000 signatures when it launched May 15.

As of June 17, 6,240 people had signed the petition, according to change.org.

Another petition, launched May 17 on manateecitizenstakingaction.com, had gathered 2,818 signatures in opposition to the bill as of June 17.

People can call the governor’s office at 850-7179337 or email governorron.desantis@eog.myflorida. com.

Meetings

ANNA MARIA CITY

tenance and improvements associated with the service and also subject to commission approval, water taxi fares between Anna Maria and Bradenton for island workers to ensure discounted rates.

Murphy asked commissioners to review the county proposal and provide feedback.

Falcione told The Islander he planned to meet with the mayor the week of June 19.

County commissioners June 15 also approved an operating agreement for the water taxi with Gulf Coast Water Taxi LLC of Clearwater.

The agreement specifi es that Gulf Coast Water Taxi will operate two county-owned boats — expected to be completed this month and built to each carry 49 passengers.

The contract begins July 1 and continues through June 30, 2028, with options to renew.

The county will pay Gulf Coast “$24,851.14, regardless of ridership numbers, from July 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024.”

Going forward, ridership would be factored into payments from the county to Gulf Coast, with the annual subsidy not exceeding $400,000.

Meanwhile, Gulf Coast must maintain general liability insurance coverage of not less than $2 million per claim and include the county, Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Bradenton as insureds under the policy.

The agreement also specifies that Gulf Coast employ properly trained, licensed and certified vessel captains and a trained crew as required by U.S. Coast Guard regulations.

To begin, the service will operate Friday-Sunday.

One boat would launch from the island at 10:30 a.m. and the other would launch from downtown Bradenton at that time.

The fare would range from $8 to free.

Robert Anderson, Lisa Neff and Ryan Paice contributed to this report.

By Lisa neff

June 21, 9 a.m., planning and zoning. CANCELED

June 22, 6 p.m., commission.

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

BRADENTON BEACH

June 21, 1 p.m., ScenicWAVES. CANCELED

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

HOLMES BEACH

June 27, 10 a.m., code enforcement.

June 27, 5 p.m., commission.

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

BB commissioners move to observe Juneteenth

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

Bradenton Beach commissioners hit a procedural wall as they attempted to incorporate Juneteenth into the city’s list of observed holidays.

Juneteenth, a federal holiday, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States.

President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation declaring all slaves free in Confederate territory Sept. 22, 1862, but the news took time to travel. June 19, 1865, is the date when word of the proclamation reached African Americans in Texas. The holiday, also known as Freedom Day, was established as a federal holiday in 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act.

“All the cities around here are recognizing it,” Mayor John Chappie said during a June 15 city commission meeting. “I wanted to make sure to bring this before us, to make a decision one way or the other. I am, of course, in favor of it.”

When the city observes a holiday, it closes offices and city workers, except for police, take a paid holiday. Officers on duty receive holiday pay.

“This is going to affect my budget and I didn’t budget for this holiday,” Police Chief John Cosby told the commission. “I am going to have to pay my people for the holiday because they work it.”

Cosby also said observing Juneteenth would represent a change to the employee handbook, which lists each holiday.

The chief said the only way to change the handbook would be with adoption of an ordinance.

With the discussion occurring just days before the 2023 holiday, Chappie asked city attorney Ricinda Perry what could be done to change the handbook in time to observe the holiday.

“Ideally it would need to go for two public hearings,” Perry said. “It’s a charter mandate for changes to city benefits for employees. We are bound to follow ordinance requirements.”

WEST MANATEE FIRE RESCUE

None announced.

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

MANATEE COUNTY

Aug. 21, 9:30 a.m., tourist development council, Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

ALSO OF INTEREST

Independence Day, a federal holiday, is July 4. Most government offices will be closed.

Labor Day, a federal holiday, is Sept. 4. Most government offices will be closed.

Please, send meeting notices to calendar@islander.org and news@islander.org

Commissioner Ralph Cole said it is important to follow procedure and he motioned that the city accept and implement the federal holiday contingent upon Perry preparing legal documents to make the observance official.

The motion was seconded by Commissioner Jake Spooner and passed by a vote of 3-0. Commissioners Jan Vosburgh and Marilyn Maro were absent with excuse.

Perry said she would work to find a way to implement the holiday but the city might have to wait a year to observe the holiday due to the public hearings requirement.

The city was open for business on June 19.

The next commission meeting will be at noon, Thursday, July 20, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

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.

ParKiNG GaraGe COnTInueD FROM PAge 1

Down to the wire

In recent months we’ve heard plenty of opinions about the county proposal to increase parking at the beach by building parking garages.

The idea seemed born of the rage from Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge, who railed against the city of Holmes Beach for its organized park-by-permit plans.

And the plans came about when residents — Van Ostenbridge’s and Holmes Beach elected offi cials’ constituents — complained about the impacts of too many cars and carloads of people crowding onto their streets, using their properties like a bath house, strewing garbage behind them, blocking their driveways and emergency accesses and more.

But none were as bold or as threatening as that proposed by state Rep. Will Robinson Jr. He offered a bill to allow the county to supersede the ordinances of Holmes Beach that prohibit parking garages — and buildings taller than 36 feet — and construct a garage in place of the parking lot at the Manatee Public Beach. And eventually, a garage at Coquina Beach, where — at least for now — parking is abundant.

What these two public officials lack is common sense and facts. On any given weekend and especially on holidays, the Manatee Public Beach is at or near capacity. The sand is littered end-to-end, from the parking lot to the shore, with people and their canopies and gear — beyond the range of the lifeguards and public services like restrooms, showers and a snack bar.

Fact No. 2. The complaints about traffic backed up to the beaches far exceed the complaints about parking at the public beach. A parking garage would exacerbate the traffic congestion around the public beach as motorists stack up on the roads, waiting to enter the garage to search for a space.

I don’t disagree with the opinions expressed here this week that refute the parking garage.

I can only hope that if the parking garage bill becomes law, the county board will let reason and sensibility prevail and decline to build.

A parking garage would tarnish the jewel in the Manatee County crown — the white sandy beach.

Meanwhile, if they have money to spare, myself and a few of my PB friends would like to see the walking/fishing pier at the Manatee PB restored — but built back bigger and better. It’s long overdue.

And why not invest in the Seafood Shack in Cortez? Compared to Mixon Fruit Farm, the Shack would shine like a new jewel for the county. Just do the right thing. Polish the crown.

— Bonner Joy,

news@islander.org

Leave ‘anger and envy’

In response to the letter to the editor headlined “Parking for the people” in the June 14 edition of The Islander:

I would like you to know that we, who live here, also are working people and pay more than our fair share of taxes, probably a whole lot more than you do.

Skimming online

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We are not endowed by “generational wealth,” but saved throughout our lives to find a peaceful retirement. And you would be very happy to know that some of us may not be able continue to afford living here due to the ever-increasing taxes and insurance cost.

We are not standing in your way to enjoy our beaches and neighborhoods.

As long as you respect our community, the rules set by our representatives and the environment.

We do not “own the beaches” but you are our guest and we expect you to behave respectfully and leave your anger and envy at home.

Adrienne Tittle, Holmes Beach

Many ‘do own the beach’

The letter — “Parking for the people” in the June 14 edition of The Islander — was interesting.

To the author: Many residents actually do own the beach as part of their property — based on the legal description of some properties at the shore.

Please, share with all how you arrived at the determination we eliminated almost 1,000 beach parking spaces in Holmes Beach residential neighborhoods.

We didn’t know we had that many spaces in total and would really appreciate your expertise in this matter.

Also, may I suggest you move to the island to “… enjoy the beach and spend as much time as possible

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at the beach…” That way you don’t have to fight traffic.

You can share the pleasure of having a beachgoer park on your property, use your garden hose/shower, leave trash behind and use your property as a changing/ restroom facility.

Yes, we brought this on ourselves.

A bunch of privileged “…generational wealth…” folks who worked hard their whole careers and sacrificed a lot to live here.

Please, come join us in our island adventure — you will love having someone urinate in your yard!

All the best from the beach.

Holmes Beach Commissioner Dan Diggins

In this together

The welcoming nature of AMI is evidenced in many ways:

• No toll roads onto AMI and no paid beach passes once here;

• Public beach access from just about every street ending;

• Thousands of free parking spaces for beachgoers on our tiny island home. This is almost unheard of in

looking back

other beach towns.

Are there enough parking spaces for everyone who wants to park here midday on a busy weekend? Maybe not. And with the thousands of homes under construction nearby, definitely not in the near future.

Can the county spend enough millions of dollars to build and maintain enough garages to accommodate everyone who wants to park here? Maybe.

County Commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge, R-District 3, has said Bradenton Beach will need a garage, too. Is this really what we want?

Roads are already saturated. The DOT grades the intersection of Manatee Avenue and Gulf Dive with a service level of “E” on an “A to F” scale, meaning it already has an unstable flow and is operating at capacity.

How about a dedicated parking lot off-island with a shuttle running in a traffic lane once the new bridges are complete?

A 1955 aerial view looks west from the Cortez bayfront across the old wooden bridge — built in 1921 — from Cortez to Anna Maria Island. A dark line on the image shows the planned route for a new bridge.

Islander Photo: Manatee County Public Library System

Why not mandate that off-island developers provide their own private shuttle when they promise “easy beach access?”

Islanders and off-islanders are in this together. The decisions we make today will preserve one of the most beautiful places on Earth or pave it over for a developer’s profit and someone’s short-term convenience.

Holmes Beach Commissioner Greg Kerchner

Letters to the editor

We welcome opinion letters.

You can submit your comments along with a name, city of residence and phone number for verification to news@islander.org.

Also, please, limit letters to 250 words.

You can peruse The Islander archive, dating back to its launch in november 1992, at ufdc.ufl.edu.

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10&20 years ago

From the June 18, 2003, issue

• Island Middle School director Jeanne Shell announced she would not return for the fall term at the charter school at Island Baptist Church in Holmes Beach. Shell’s decision came after the school’s directors rescinded her authority to make staffing decisions.

• Construction of a replacement for the Key Royale Bridge was delayed a year by the Sarasota/ Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization. The engineer-design phase was to take place in 2004-05, with construction of the $1.1 million project planned for 2005-06.

• The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage board of directors rejected a $600,000 offer from the Southwest Florida Water Management District to purchase the FISH Preserve in Cortez. Swiftmud offered not to sell the property but FISH board members were wary.

From the June 19, 2013, issue

• Richard Hazen and Lynn Tran, owners of a beachfront tree house at 103 29th St. N., began circulating a petition among registered voters calling for a referendum on a special ordinance to allow them to keep their tree house.

• Anna Maria commissioners appointed Doug Copeland, a former planning and zoning board chair, to fill a vacancy at the dais. Copeland also was elected vice chair of the commission, while vice chair Chuck Webb was elected chair.

• Holmes Beach Commissioner Marvin Grossman said at least seven charter boats were using slips in the basin at the Mainsail Lodge, 5501 Marina Drive, while a special exception use to the city charter allowed only for use of three slips.

— Lisa neff

letters FROM PAge 6

Derelict, abandoned boats cause safety concerns in Cortez

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

There’s an undercurrent of concern in Cortez for derelict boats and the people who take up residence on some of them.

Karen Bell, owner of A.P. Bell Fish Co. and a Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage board member, raised the issue June 5 during a FISH meeting in Cortez.

And her comments sparked a discussion about people taking up residence on abandoned and derelict boats near the fishing village.

Bell identified the issue as a growing problem tied to what she described as drug-related incidents in the community, including the death this spring of a commercial fisherman who sold fish to A.P. Bell Fish House, of which Bell is co-owner.

“He got his check, which he wanted to take to rehab with him because they charge them so much. He got his check, which was kind of sad, and two days

WMFR

later he was dead,” she said.

Bell told The Islander June 10 that the man was aboard an unnamed, unlighted vessel near Cortez with another person the night that led to his death.

She said he was on deck while another person was cooking below. When the cook came up from the galley, the man was overboard.

The man was rescued and taken to a hospital but died days later.

A year ago, another person staying on a boat near Cortez died.

On June 6, 2022, a 34-year-old Bradenton woman died of a methamphetamine overdose after spending the night aboard a derelict vessel anchored about 100 yards off the dock of the Starfish Co. Market and Restaurant, also owned by Bell at 12306 46th Ave W., Cortez.

Manatee County Sheriff’s Office reports said her companion noticed she was exhibiting symptoms of heart failure and rowed the woman to shore while

District of the Year

calling for assistance.

First responders attempted life-saving measures but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

Bell said she has considered adding nighttime security at her properties to curb issues her businesses face due to the proximity of homeless people on nearby derelict boats.

She spoke to The Islander June 17 about some of the issues.

“The boat people are coming on and off the water at all hours,” said Bell. “They plug their phones and batteries into electrical outlets. … They leave their stuff on the public right of way. … They use the shower and bathrooms at A.P. Bell and take ice. They shouldn’t even be on any private property. At times they leave vehicles and golf carts and bicycles on private property. Their boats aren’t properly anchored so during storms they can potentially hurt our boats and docks. Also, drug use is an issue.”

Derelict boats also present a problem for commercial fishing operations and U.S. Coast Guard operations.

Local commercial fisher and FISH board member Nathan Meschelle, for example, told The Islander June 17 about some of the issues faced by commercial fishers.

“It’s definitely a navigational hazard,” Meshelle said of some boats. “There are two for certain submerged vessels. On high tide, you can’t even see, especially at night. Then there are some that are completely abandoned and those are scattered all throughout the bay. Some of them aren’t even registered but they have occupancy on them, which shouldn’t be allowed either.

“I remember law enforcement taking initiative on them several years ago but, as of late, it doesn’t seem much effort has been done for that,” he added.

Bell said commercial fishing boats at the A.P. Bell docks also can have trouble navigating anchor lines from derelict boats, as well as avoiding sunken vessels in the shallows.

She said the U.S. Coast Guard Station Cortez, which neighbors the Bell fish house, reported problems to her with derelict vessels.

“I talked to the Coast Guard,” Bell said. “They are really upset, for their boats to even come out is ridiculous, for my boats to come in and out, there’s all this scope out. There’s sunken boats.”

Bell said she wants to organize a community meeting with the Coast Guard, FWC and Cortez residents and business people.

Michael Solum, marine resources manager with the Manatee County Natural Resources Department, told The Islander June 12 that boats in local waterways fall into three classifications for inspection and removal — lost boats, abandoned boats and derelict boats.

Lost boats have come loose from their moorings and must be located and identified by a hull number.

Abandoned boats do not have an identifiable owner and have been disposed of in a wrecked, inoperative or partially dismantled condition.

Such boats are within the jurisdiction of the county.

However, marine resources cannot inspect an occupied vessel, even if it appears unseaworthy.

“By statute, a county employee, even if they are a code enforcement officer, can’t investigate a derelict vessel. So lost and abandoned, we can do,” Solum said.

Derelict boats are identified by law enforcement if they fail to meet criteria of a seaworthy vessel. A boat operator must be able to show the vessel can move under its own power, it must be secure from the elements, including working hatches and doors which keep rain out, it must have a light if anchoring at night and it must have current registration.

Derelict boats in Cortez might begin as lost or abandoned vessels and then become occupied. And, once occupied, enforcement agencies have a more difficult time removing a vessel.

“We talk with law enforcement weekly and, nine times out of 10, they know about the vessel already,” Solum said.

West Manatee Fire Rescue District Chief Ben Rigney, center, stands June 15 alongside district staff and commissioners while holding a plaque naming WMFR the Florida Association of Special Districts’ District of the Year. The award was presented at the FASD’s annual conference in Orlando. WMFR’s news release states, “This award validates WMFR’s resolute commitment to fiscal responsibility, accountability and transparency in government and our community-oriented focus on providing the best fire and life safety service in the state of Florida.” Islander Photo: Courtesy Rodney Kwiatkowski

named

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is the lead agency on removal of derelict boats, with the MCSO possibly assisting with information and investigation.

Solum said marine resources staff recently reviewed the Cortez waters by boat and identified five vessels of interest, three of which are under investigation.

Solum said the process for removing derelict vessels can be lengthy: “I can tell you, the derelict vessel ones, take forever. The rules are pretty tight because it’s a titled instrument.”

Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby said his city was once in a situation like that of Cortez.

“At one time, we had over 70 vessels out there and probably 85% of them were derelict,” Cosby said, speaking of the anchorage in Sarasota Bay alongside the Historic Bridge Street Pier.

“The city decided that they wanted to take a more active role because of the amount of boats that were there. And, it took us maybe seven years to get that somewhat under control,” the chief added.

Cosby also said the process to clean up waters around Cortez would take time.

As of press time June 19, neither the MCSO nor the FWC had responded to The Islander’s inquiries.

Milestones

The Islander welcomes stories about islanders and island life, as well as photographs and notices of the milestones in readers’ lives — weddings, births, anniversaries, travels, obituaries and other events.

Submit your announcements and photographs with captions for publication — along with contact information — to news@islander.org.

Also, visit us on Facebook and join the 13,800plus friends who “like” The Islander and share their social news.

Anna Maria sets up 2023-24 budget strategy

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Summertime is here.

And so is the kickoff for the budget process for the city of Anna Maria.

Commissioners reached consensus June 8 to approve Mayor Dan Murphy’s budget plan for fiscal 2023-24, which begins Oct. 1.

The city’s $1,410,000 state appropriation request was approved June 15 when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 2500 into law.

The appropriation will fund the second phase of the city’s “Reimagining Pine Avenue” project, which will include improving Spring and Magnolia avenues.

The plan involves three workshops to discuss portions of a tentative budget for the new fiscal year.

The first workshop will cover the city’s capital outlay budget, including annual items, such as paving and stormwater drainage improvement projects.

It also will cover potential funding for new sail shades at the city pier and nearby playground, a dredge of Lake LaVista and a redesign of the Island Players parking lot.

The first workshop will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 22, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, ahead of a 6 p.m. commission meeting the same day.

The second workshop will cover projected revenues for fiscal 2023-24, including ad valorem taxes, federal and state grants, as well as funding from the Manatee County Tourist Development Council.

The second workshop had not been scheduled as of June 15, but was set for the week of July 13, according to the approved plan.

A third and final workshop will be held the week of July 27 and cover the city’s operating expenses, such as funding to run the administration, building, code enforcement and public works departments, as well as public safety funds for law enforcement.

The city may schedule additional workshops before a finalized budget is brought to commissioners for consideration in September.

The city also must approve a tentative millage rate — the amount per $1,000 of property value used to calculate property taxes — for the upcoming fiscal year by Aug. 4.

A finalized budget will go before city commissioners for a first public hearing at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, at city hall.

Commissioners also will set a millage rate for fiscal 2023-24 at the public hearing.

A public hearing, final reading and vote on the budget are expected to take place at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at city hall.

by Lisa neff, calendar@islander.org.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ONGOING ON AMI

Throughout June, Artists’ Guild Gallery’s “Junes and Spoons and Ferris Wheels” exhibit, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6694.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Throughout June, “New Beginnings” all-member exhibit, Island Gallery West, 456 Old Main St., Bradenton. Information: 941-7786648.

Through June 25, “ Tiffany: The Pursuit of Beauty in Nature,” Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St., Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-366-5731.

Through Sept. 2, Thursday-Saturday, Laser Light Nights musical shows, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131.

Through Sept. 3, “Eco Engineers” exhibit, the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131, bishopscience.org.

Through Sept. 4, “Reclaiming Home: Contemporary Seminole Art,” the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-360-7390, ringling. org.

Through Oct. 15, “Lorna Bieber: Natural World,” the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941360-7390, ringling.org.

“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.

Second and fourth Saturdays, 2-4 p.m., Music on the Porch jam session, presented by the Florida Maritime Museum and Cortez Cultural Center, outdoors, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: floridamaritimemuseum.org, fmminfo@manateeclerk.com.

SAVE THE DATE

Oct. 3-May 7, Anna Maria Farmers Market, Anna Maria.

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

Nov. 4, the Bash at the Bishop: A Celestial Affair, Bradenton.

‘Archive Lab’ opening at downtown Central Library

Manatee County’s library services will celebrate this month the opening of its “Archive Lab” at the Central Library, 1301 Barcarrota Blvd., Bradenton.

Library services, which operates the Island Library in Holmes Beach, created a lab with scanning and printing equipment — a “digital DIY space.”

Users will be able to digitize photos, negatives and slides, as well as content on VHS, DVD, CD and cassette tapes.

The lab also will feature a book scanner for digitizing photo albums and scrapbooks and tools to read microfilm, microfiche and floppy disks.

An opening reception will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 29, at the library.

The lab will be open 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 2-5:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

For more call the library at 941-748-5555.

KIDS & FAMILY ON AMI

Thursday, June 22

10 a.m. — Animal Encounters special program, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

Friday, June 23

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

Saturday, June 24

1 p.m. — Teen art club, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

Tuesday, June 27

10 a.m. — Family story time, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

ONGOING OFF AMI

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

Third Fridays, Teen Nights, the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131, bishopscience.org.

Second Saturdays, Quest for kids, the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131, bishopscience.org.

SAVE THE DATE

July 3, Bradenton Marauders’ Independence Day celebration, Bradenton.

July 4, Anna Maria Island Privateers’ Independence Day Parade, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, Anna Maria.

July 4, The Bishop’s Red White and Bloom, Bradenton.

July 4, Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce Freedom Fest, Longboat Key.

Oct. 21, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s Bayfest, Anna Maria.

CLUBS & COMMUNITY

ON AMI

Holistic wellness center and spa

Now

Massage Therapy | Acupuncture | Yoga

2219 Gulf Drive N | Bradenton Beach 941.778.8400 | www.alunawellness.com

Thursday, June 22

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

ONGOING ON AMI

Saturday — June 24, July 29, Aug. 26 in the summer — 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island meeting, Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-7781383.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m., Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island lunch meeting, Slicker’s Eatery, 12012 Cortez Road W., Cortez. Information: 512-944-4177, amirotary.org.

SAVE THE DATE

June 30, Anna Maria Island Privateers’ Scholarship Night with the Bradenton Marauders, Bradenton.

July 17, Anna Maria Island and West Manatee Democratic Club meeting, Holmes Beach.

LESSONS & LEARNING

ON AMI

Wednesday, June 28

2 p.m. — Journal writing class, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

SPORTS & GAMES

ONGOING ON AMI

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

Most Wednesdays, 1 p.m., mahjong club beginners, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-6341.

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

ONGOING OFF AMI

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

need

Compiled

PLeASe, See caleNdar, PAge 11

a good laugh? visit the NEW emerson quillin signature store. humor, art, gifts NEW LOCATION: HB Post Office, 5354 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach • emersonshumor.com

Island happenings

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.

OUTDOORS & NATURE

ONGOING ON AMI

Fourth Wednesdays through August, 7 a.m., Manatee Audubon Society “Birds and Breakfast,” at various locations. Information: 941592-7622.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Saturdays, 9 a.m., Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW, Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923, mymanatee.org.

GOOD TO KNOW KEEP THE DATES

June 21, summer solstice.

July 4, Independence Day.

Pirates and Marauders

Anna Maria Island Privateers and 2022’s scholarship winners take in a ballgame July 15, 2022, at LeCOM Park in Bradenton. This year’s scholarship night at the ballpark will begin about 6 p.m. Friday, June 30. The Privateers will announce $7,500 in 2023-24 scholarships and Minor League Baseball’s Bradenton Marauders will take on the Clearwater Threshers. For tickets with the group, go online to amiprivateers.wildapricot. org and click the “LeCOM Park” banner. For more information, call Privateer Jennifer Mais at 941-8122943. Islander File Photo

Privateers registering participants for July 4 parade

Ready to put a “John Hancock” on the parade application?

The Anna Maria Island Privateers will host their traditional July 4 parade on the holiday and participant registration is ongoing.

The application can be downloaded online at amiprivateers.wildapricot.org, where the Privateers list a set of rules.

The parade is set to begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July

LBK chamber, Rotary partner for Freedom Fest

Registration is open for Freedom Fest participation.

The July 4 celebration takes place on Longboat Key, presented by the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Longboat Key.

The event includes the ninth annual Hot Diggity Dog Parade and Contest, set for 510 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key, and a community celebration at Bicentennial Park, 500 Bay Isles Road.

The parade will begin at 9 a.m., with the community celebration held afterward.

To register for the parade, email Carol Erker at thompsonlaw@msn.com.

For more information, call the chamber at 941-383-2466.

Submit

Odd Duck Designs Shop

Wearable

4 at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach and travel north to City Pier Park in Anna Maria.

Organizers say they plan the parade to include “Florida’s longest water battle.”

Parade participants must submit entry forms but can do so the morning of the parade at the staging area at Coquina Beach. Staging will begin at 8 a.m.

For more information, call Privateer Jennifer Mais at 941-812-2943.

Aug. 26, Women’s Equality Day.

Sept. 4, Labor Day.

Sept. 10, Grandparents Day.

Sept. 11, Patriot Day.

Through Oct. 31, sea turtle nesting season. Lights out. Through Nov. 30, Atlantic hurricane season. Be prepared. Get listed! Send listings to calendar@islander.org.

Kiwanis to meet

The Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island will gather Saturday, June 24.

The meeting will be at 8:30 a.m. at Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach.

The meeting will be the first of the club’s summer schedule. Weekly meetings will resume Sept. 9. For more, call Sandy Haas-Martens at 941-7781383.

Community center teaches skills in summer programming Babysitting class on schedule

The Center of Anna Maria Island will host a teen babysitting class Wednesday, July 19, using the Child and Babysitting Safety program.

The class will be 9 a.m.-3 p.m., with a 30-minute brown bag lunch.

The center said the program gives teens “everything they need to know for safe and successful babysitting. Teens will learn everything from getting started with a business to working with parents and children, to key safety, caregiving and getting certified with CPR and first aid.

The cost is $85 for members and $100 for nonmembers.

Registration is required by Thursday, July 13.

For more or to register, go online to centerami.org, call 941-778-1908 or email culture@centerami.org.

Paddling class offered

The Center of Anna Maria Island will host a workshop on paddling safety with the Longboat Key Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla.

“This course is a must if you plan to be on a boat this summer with no prior experience,” a news release said.

The half-day workshop — set for 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, July 24 — will include basic safety instruction for people interesting in paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing.

The cost is $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers.

Registration is required by Thursday, July 6.

The center is at 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. For more, email culture@centerami.org or call the center at 941-778-1908.

Local wildlife rehabber on the mend

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

Bradenton Beach wildlife rehabilitator Ed Straight, who was in the hospital for five weeks, is now rehabbing.

“Ed has a pacemaker put in and is back at the rehab,” Wildlife Inc. volunteer Krista Carpenter told The Islander.

While Straight is recovering, the wheels of his wildlife rescue and rehab operation are still in motion.

Ed and wife Gail and their volunteer aides, rescue and house more than 3,000 animals a year at 2207 Ave. B, Bradenton Beach, which is the animal center and their home.

Ed Straight might be able to go home to Bradenton Beach as early as June 28 but will need to gain strength for a heart valve replacement.

He was admitted April 30 to Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton, where his blood pressure was elevated and tests revealed he would need cardiac intervention surgery.

Meanwhile, Carpenter said the rescue center is busier than usual, having taken in more than 1,500 animals already this year.

She said usually the center would not reach that number until mid- to late-July.

Carpenter also said the Island library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, features a Wildlife Inc. display window this month to show the group’s efforts, as well as the variety of animals rescued.

About the rescue

Founded in 1987, Wildlife Inc. is the largest wildlife rehabilitation and rescue center in Manatee County, treating thousands of birds, mammals and reptiles since its founding.

For more information, call Wildlife Inc. at 941778-6324.

Open for business

Coquina Beach parking gates are open June 15, revealing a lot ready for use. Manatee County began reworking the parking at Coquina in 2019, including demolition and reconstruction with pervious asphalt to better direct the flow of stormwater. Pervious asphalt helps filter pollutants before it enters the gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay. The project was funded with $5 million in county tourist development tax revenues. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

2022’s big winner

A fawn wearing a color-coded collar rests June 14 at the Wildlife Inc. rescue center in Bradenton Beach. The collars help caretakers know whether a deer has eaten. Wildlife Inc. was caring for six juvenile deer as of that day. Islander

Carpenter

Top Notch

Bianca Conte of Poughkeepsie, new York, won a $100 grand prize from The Islander and gift certificates from Islander sponsors for her entry into the paper’s 2022 Top notch photo contest. Islander File Photo

2023 photo contest launches June 28

The Islander’s Top Notch contest begins anew.

The contest celebrates what still is known as the “Kodak moment,” despite Kodak’s downfall in the switch from film to digital technology.

Look to June 22 for the first deadline and don’t forget your July 4 holiday photos in the coming weeks.

The contest includes six weekly front-page winners. Each will claim an Islander “More than a mullet wrapper” T-shirt.

One weekly shot will take the grand prize in the contest, earning the photographer a $100 prize from The Islander and certificates from local merchants. There also i a pet photo contest for weekly submissions and a winner announced in the final week.

Look online this week for complete rules and details.

Please, note, each original JPG must be included in a single email with the name of the photographer, date the photo was taken, location and description, names of recognizable people and the address and phone number of the photographer.

All rules at islander.org must be observed.

— Bonner Joy

Photos: Krista

Who? A pair of screech owls mug for the camera June 14 at the nonprofit Wildlife Inc. in Bradenton Beach.

A display June 14 at the Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, features the work of Wildlife Inc. and its rescued animals.

State budget includes $1M for AME-Guy Harvey academy

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ budget, signed June 15, includes the Manatee County School District’s Guy Harvey Academy of Arts and Sciences, which is based at Anna Maria Elementary in Holmes Beach.

The academy, a partnership involving the district, the Guy Harvey Foundation and the state, launched for the 2022-23 school year.

State Sen. Jim Boyd requested $2 million in state money for 2023-24.

A copy of the online budget said the funding approved is $1 million, although one media outlet

reported the funding at $2 million.

The funding request said the money would be used for operational costs, not salaries, including: “to upgrade and enhance the learning experience by providing outdoor learning laboratories since the elementary school sits directly on Tampa Bay and across the street from the Gulf of Mexico on Anna Maria Island.

In addition, funds will be used to expand the Academy as a career pathway to King Middle School and Manatee High School for workforce ready programming in the marine sciences.”

Roser Guild scholars named for 2023-24 academic year

The Roser Guild Scholarship Committee June 14 announced the recipients of the 2023-24 Guild Scholarships, including three new scholars.

The full-time college students receive $750 per semester, paid directly to their schools.

And, if they maintain a 2.75 grade point, their scholarship is renewed for four years.

The new scholars include:

• Hannah Ferguson, who will attend the University of South Florida in Tampa. She is majoring in entrepreneurship and innovations and told the guild committee “her dream is to own a business on Anna Maria Island.”

• Laila Singer will attend the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. She is majoring in criminal justice and hopes to attend law school.

• Tory Ziemer, who will attend the University of South Florida in Sarasota. She is majoring in biology and her plan is to become a marine biologist and “protect, conserve, research and explore the ocean and its beautiful wildlife.”

Renewal scholars include:

• Sam Wright, attending the University of Florida and studying mathematics and data science.

• Tres Maddox III, attending the University of South Florida in Bradenton.

• Matthew MacGregor, attending the State College of Florida in Deland to study law.

• Isabella Degenhardt, attending Stetson University and studying law.

• William Bernet, attending Warner University in Lake Wales and majoring in agriculture.

The guild raises the money for the scholarships by operating the Roser Thrift Store, located across the street from the church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. For more information, go to roserchurch.com.

Summer break

AMI rookies

Henry, 4, and Cecilia, 1, of McHenry, Illinois, share their enthusiasm for the local sights on a visit to the Anna Maria City Pier. Mom Lauren Lotz writes: “Sharing some photos from our family vacation down to AMI. My husband and I have been coming for years but this is the kids’ first time staying on Anna Maria Island.” Islander Courtesy Photo

HB students earn honors

The University of Mississippi recently announced two Holmes Beach students were named to the spring 2023 honor roll, including the chancellor’s honor roll, reserved for students who earn a semester GPA of 3.754.00, including:

• Hadley Rhine, majoring in general business.

• Tyler Rhine, majoring in allied health studies.

Ole Miss Chancellor Glenn Boyce said in a news release, “I commend them for their hard work and dedication resulting in their outstanding academic achievements and this well-deserved recognition.”

Ferguson Ziemer Singer

By Lisa neff

Churches call for pantry aid

They’ll pass on the ketchup but share the mayo. Island churches this summer called for help in restocking the Roser Food Pantry.

The calls included requests for the following items:

• Canned meals, such as beef stew and hash;

• Canned meats including ham, Vienna sausage and chicken, but not tuna;

• Canned fruit including pears, peaches, mixed fruit, oranges and pineapple;

• Condiments such as mustard and mayonnaise but not ketchup;

• Sauces, especially spaghetti;

• Jellies and jams — any flavors;

• Crackers;

• Packaged fruit drinks and punches.

Donations can be made to the following churches: St. Bernard Catholic, CrossPointe Fellowship, Harvey Memorial Community, Gloria Dei Lutheran, Episcopal Church of the Annunciation and Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, which maintains the pantry.

For more information, call Roser at 941-7780414.

Longboat Key churches also encourage donations for local pantries and anti-hunger efforts.

The Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, recently posted this bulletin: “Our local food

GoodDeeds

AMI Moose thanks BBPD

Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge president Patrick Kane and lodge administrator Byron Dalton donated $2,000 June 15 for the Bradenton Beach Police Department’s laser firearm training.

The training system involves practicing decisionmaking, marksmanship and tactical skills at a digitallyprojected indoor range.

“We are looking to get the next segment of the DART, DART studio, which allows you to create things and use other scenarios that other agencies created,” Police Chief John Cosby said.

Kane said, “This check to the city … signifies our appreciation for everything that the city does for the lodge, that the police department does for us.”

The commission approved the purchase of the training system for $15,500 in September 2022.

— Robert Anderson

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

• Wildlife Inc. rescue and rehabilitation in Bradenton Beach seeks help feeding and tending to injured animals. Information: 941-778-6342.

Gathering

ON AMI

CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-0719, crosspointefellowship.church.

Worship: Sundays, 9 a.m., followed by life group.

Ongoing: Wednesdays, 7 a.m., men’s Bible meeting; Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., Youth Summer activities; 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, 9:15 a.m.

Ongoing: Most Wednesdays, 8 a.m., men’s breakfast. Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive. Holmes

pantries are desperate for all types of nonperishable food.

“Bring what you can to the chapel and we will make sure it gets to the proper place. Every little bit helps feed those in need. …The chapel is always a food collection station for our local communities!”

For more information, call the chapel at 941-3836491.

Meanwhile, Church of Christ of Longboat Key, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive, encouraged support for the Feeding Empty Little Tummies program, which provides weekend nourishment for homeless and fooddeprived children in Manatee County.

The church said the program welcomes funding and food donations for backpacks, including peanut butter, individual fruit drinks, single-serving raisins, ramen noodles, oatmeal packets, pudding cups and small containers of fruits and vegetables.

For more information, call the church at 941-3838833.

Gathering is the religion page for The Islander. Send notices to calendar@islander.org. Please, include a phone number for publication.

Beach. Info: 941-778-1813, gloriadeilutheran.com.

Worship: Sundays, 9:30 a.m., followed by coffee and fellowship.

Ongoing: First Sundays, food bank collections; Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m., women’s social gathering.

Harvey Memorial Community Church, 300 Church Ave., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-779-1912.

Worship: Sundays, 9:15 a.m.

Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0414, roserchurch.com.

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

Ongoing: Wednesdays, 2:45 p.m., June 21, July 21, Aug. 9, Golfing for God, Bradenton; Wednesdays through Aug. 30, 1 p.m., GriefShare; Tuesdays, 2 p.m., women’s book study.

St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-4769, stbernardcc.org, office@stbernardcc. org.

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

Ongoing: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m., rosary; Wednesdays, 7:30 a.m., Rosary on the Beach at Manatee Public Beach; 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, christchurchoflbk.org.

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.

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

• Moonracer Animal Rescue seeks volunteers to offer foster and forever homes for rescued animals, as well as assist with technology. Info: 941-3452441.

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

— Lisa neff

GoodDeeds notices: To list an organization’s aid services on AMI or a call for help, email lisa@islander. org with details.

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

SPECIAL DATES & EVENTS

Through June 22, vacation Bible school, CrossPointe.

Sept. 15, Rosh Hashanah.

Sept. 24, Yom Kippur.

GET LISTED, CHANGE LISTINGS

Seasons change and so do schedules. Please, send listings and/or changes in worship calendars and other events to calendar@ islander.org.

Compiled by Lisa neff

Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge president Patrick Kane, left, and lodge administrator Byron Dalton present $2,000 to Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby June 15, at a city meeting. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

Shelves at the Roser Food Pantry, located across from Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Island churches encourage donations of nonperishables and cash to support the pantry year round. Islander Courtesy Photo

Remembering Hurricane Alma, June 1966

Editor’s note: In January 1981, August Antilla spoke to the Manatee County Historical Society about life in Cortez village, including Hurricane Alma in June 1966

By August Antilla

From the archives

Hurricane Alma, as she was known, passed by the Albion Inn from south to north.

Her eye was approximately 30 miles away in the Gulf of Mexico. In the 14 years of our stay at the Albion we … weathered many storms and a few hurricanes.

Alma was the most terrifying of them all.

No doubt the fact that it all took place during the nighttime was a contributing factor in this evaluation. Alma hit our area on Wednesday night and reached her peak velocity at about 12:30 a.m. Thursday. The Albion Inn was hit repeatedly by gusts of wind in excess of 100 miles an hour I’m sure.

Fortunately, we had ample warning of her approach. We canceled our projected trip to Fort Lauderdale to visit my sister and we buckled down to the task of bringing in all the porch and lawn furniture.

What we couldn’t bring in, we lashed down to trees with rope or garden hose. I lashed down the loose lumber on the Albion Inn dock and brought in all my tools. I lowered the canvas awnings over the picture windows and over the front veranda.

By nightfall, Ellen and I had purchased $12 worth of cheeses, cold cuts and candy, and we were looking forward excitedly to our cozy hurricane party with just the two of us.

Chamber plans seminar

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce invites the public to its 2023 Disaster Preparedness Seminar.

The program — reservations are required — will be at 3 p.m. Monday, June 26, at the Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

Topics, to be presented by Steve Litschauer, Manatee County emergency management chief, include hurricanes, floods, tornadoes.

There is no charge to attend.

For more information, call the chamber at 941778-1541.

Deeds, needs after a storm

After a storm strikes, people in disaster zones can find help and people outside the zones can lend aid using the following resources:

• Florida’s official volunteer portal at volunteerflorida.org.

• National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster website at www.nvoad.org.

• Before collecting supplies to donate, people should connect with organizations in an affected area to identify what is needed, how much is needed and when it is needed.

• Donating cash can be the best way to help after a disaster.

People can find ways to donate at www.volunteerflorida.org/donatefdf or text DISASTER to 20222.

• After a storm, turn to The Islander’s social media and website — islander.org — for local connections.

• Also, find other resources for help at mymanatee.org, floridadisaster.org and fema.gov.

The radio was blaring continuously, adding to the excitement. “Evacuate, Anna Maria Island. The tide will be 7 feet to 11 feet above normal. Low-lying areas will be inundated. The Red Cross and civil defense have prepared shelters at the following schoolhouses, et cetera, et cetera.”

Three times that night I ventured out into the storm because my preparations hadn’t been sufficient to cope with the adversary’s power and I felt compelled to take emergency measures.

On one of these excursions, for example, I went to my tool house for a king-sized jackscrew that weighs 68 pounds. This I toted to the front of the picture windows and tied it to the awning which I had previously let down and which I had expected would lie flat against the building because of the long iron pipe sewn in the handle.

The wind was such, however, as to raise the awning, pipe and all, as if it were a bedsheet on a clothesline in a stiff gale. The banging of the iron pipe against the building and window frames was most terrifying. …

Alma was a relatively dry hurricane and this was a blessing, otherwise it would have uprooted many more trees and scrubs for you see, when the ground

Storm recollections, storm ready

What’s your first experience with a storm on Anna Maria Island? Your closest call?

Share your recollections and photos. Email news@islander.org. We’ll publish them throughout the Atlantic hurricane season.

is soaking wet, it becomes soft and the roots of plants find it very difficult to hold against high winds, and trees topple.

The other bit of good fortune for us was the fact that the tide was going out during the time that Alma approached the area and that the direction of the rising winds helped the tide recede farther than was its wont, an exceptionally low tide.

Because of this favorable synchronization, the forecast of 7-foot to 11-foot above normal tides never materialized.

On Thursday when the tide fi nally did get into Sarasota Bay, I judged that it was about a foot above normal high tide with rough seas. But the winds had dropped down to 35 miles per hour.

— edited by Lisa neff

Share your recollections and photos. Email news@ islander.org. We’ll publish them throughout the Atlantic hurricane season.

Preparations associated with Hurricane Alma in 1966 were made19 in Bradenton Beach.

Alma was the earliest Atlantic hurricane in the calendar year in 15 years, as well as the earliest continental u.S. hurricane strike since 1825. The category 3 storm made landfall in the united States at Apalachee Bay. Islander

Photo: Manatee County Public Library System

CUSTOM C AKES DELI C IOUS DESSERTS 10-5, Mon-Sat @ 2 locations … 507B Pine Ave, Anna Maria 941.896.3167 Facebook.com/hometowndesserts

WE ARE SO MUCH MORE WE ARE SO MUCH MORE THAN DELICIOUS THAN DELICIOUS CHEESECAKE! CHEESECAKE!

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We speak bagel, egg-el, breakfast muffins, lunch salads, platters, sandwiches... and more!

PARADISE BAGELS CAFE & CATERING 3220 E. Bay Drive, Anna Maria Centre Shops 941-779-1212

Bortell’s Lounge owner lifts anchor, lists bar at $7.2M

By ed Scott Islander Reporter

Cold beer for a cool $7.2 million.

Southern rock legend Gregg Allman patronized Bortell’s Lounge, 10002 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, when he was an island resident. Other musicians and some sports celebrities have bent their elbows at the beach bar in the establishment’s 46-year history.

Who will be the next star to stop by? That depends on who’s buying. Not the next round but the lounge itself.

Bortell’s, owned by Steve Rose, is on the market again.

The new owner will get a 2,850-square-foot, decades-old structure and 12 parking spaces on 186 feet of frontage along Gulf Drive.

“It’s the right time,” Rose said in a June 14 phone interview. “I bought the place to fulfill my lifelong dream. I knew I had to do a significant renovation. It hadn’t been renovated in probably 40 years. I knew that part was coming.

“Owning this bar has checked so many things on my personal bucket list that I had to literally reevaluate it the other day. So I’ve just kind of come to my end.”

As part of the changes, Rose, who has spent 18 years in the restaurant business, put his own kitchen and menu together and created the nautical interior.

Bortell’s was previously home to the Old VFW and a sundries-drug store.

Rose bought the bar in 2015 from Marie Palella, Bob Bortell’s daughter, and closed it in 2018 for extensive renovations — and then to deal with a personal tragedy — before reopening in 2021.

Rose and his then-wife Marci Wilhelm were in a private jet that crashed in 2018, on landing in Greenville, South Carolina. Two pilots perished. Rose had emergency heart surgery and multiple broken bones. Wilhelm, who was ejected, survived with multiple injuries.

Seafood Shack’s owner mulling over offers

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

The owner of the Seafood Shack extended its timeline to consider three offers to purchase the properties, including the restaurant at 4110 127th St. W., Cortez.

Property listing agent Elliot Rose told The Islander June 12 consideration would take place over the next two weeks, pushing acceptance into late June.

“We’re considering the nature of the property,” Rose said. “The proposals that came in, each has its own merit and we are examining each one and getting back to them and then we’ll make a decision.”

Rose declined to identify potential buyers.

Owner Vandyk Properties, a Canadian-based development company, listed the Seafood Shack and surrounding properties for sale April 13 starting at $15 million.

Vandyk is a privately owned real estate development and investment management company specializing in luxury condominium developments.

A listing by Coldwell Banker on Crexi.com shows the listing package is for a 5.6-acre parcel and its submerged land lease.

Vandyke opted out of future development of the property after realizing incompatibility with their objective to create a luxury condominium development, Rose said.

The Seafood Shack property is zoned for commercial use.

Vandyk bought the property in 2014, including the 650-seat restaurant and banquet hall, 100-slip marina and 6 acres. The purchase also included Annie’s Bait and Tackle Shop, 4334 127th St. W., and a homesite at 4327 127th St. W.

The marina was built in 1971 by Ham Jones, who built the restaurant a year later and operated the business until the sale to Vandyk.

Rose said the most likely outcome for the property’s future is to remain a restaurant and marina.

Bortell’s Lounge chef “gator” Jeff Thomas, top, and owner Steve Rose ham it up in the kitchen over an early attempt at pizza in 2022. Rose teased the return of pizza to the menu on Facebook with the bar’s sale announcement. Islander Courtesy Photo

“The worst, best day ever,” Rose said. “Worst for the obvious reasons and best because of how it changes your perspective on life. It was a pretty bad crash. It was a pretty bad accident and it basically took a year of my life to recover and get my feet back under me.”

Online, broker Pat Bucko of Machado Property Pros in Sarasota described Bortell’s as “a needle in a haystack for someone looking to operate a money printing machine when it comes to liquor sales. Pair all of this with a location steps to the sandy beaches and on the main road to the tip of the island and Pine Ave festivals, island parades makes this legendary bar a key location on the party route.”

A trip down memory lounge

The Bortell’s building had an enduring history even before it was a bar.

According to the website, bortells.com: Before Bob and Helen Bortell “created” the lounge in 1976, it was the old VFW, but it had been vacant for years. Before it was the VFW it was a sundries drug store that had a luncheonette and candy counter.

Bortell’s Lounge opened its doors Feb. 4, 1977. To this day, islanders like it for drinks, conversation and

PropertyWatch

watching sports on TV. In addition to Allman, celebrity patrons have included Pittsburgh Pirates players in Bradenton for spring training. They hung out at Bortell’s during the late 1970s.

Island bars love to celebrate holidays and Bortell’s, which is “located on the party route,” has been no different over the years.

“St. Patty’s day was also a big day at Bort’s as Bob, the then owner, would dress up like a leprechaun and serve corned beef and cabbage,” the site says. Perhaps the establishment will be sold in time for the new owner to put their mark on St. Patrick’s Day in 2024.

Rose, 54, moved to Anna Maria in 2015.

He says he lived in Tampa for 22 years before he knew Anna Maria Island existed.

Now he’s looking forward to “doing some other stuff.

“I’ve really enjoyed the commercial development of the bar and I’d like to get into a little bit more of that,” he said. “I like to own the business that’s on top of the land. Bortell’s was kind of that scenario and I’m probably going to look for more of that kind of thing. I can’t tell you if its going to be a bar/restaurant. I don’t know what it’s going to be.”

There is no forecast for when Bortell’s will be sold.

For a while in mid-June, the bar teased a special announcement on Facebook.

“Anyone wanna take a guess?” they asked. But it wasn’t about the sale of the bar. The announcement heralded the return of pizza to the menu. But that news certainly had some islanders enthralled.

“Yay!!!” Karen Weaver replied on Facebook. The menu now includes four types of “specialty” pizza: Traditional, chicken caesar, BBQ chicken and “the protein.”

“We’re pouring drinks today. We’re not going to slow down,” said Rose, who added that renovations are still underway.

Meanwhile, in a world where “redevelopment” is commonly heard, Rose wants patrons to know that as far as he’s concerned, Bortell’s will remain a bar.

“I developed it to the level to where it’s cost prohibitive to come in and knock it down and turn it into condos,” he said. “That’s my belief.”

Upon closing the sale, Rose will have plenty of work with his new ventures but he also may have time to go fishing.

Bucko’s online ad for Bortell’s — which sets the price at $7.2 million — offers a lot for the asking price.

But one thing is off limits.

Rose’s personal fishing gear that animates the decor will be removed prior to the closing, the ad states.

Carol Bernard

Island real estate sales

223 Oak Ave., Anna Maria, a 2,004 sq ft 3BR/3BA pool home on a 12,502 sq ft lot built in 1960 sold 6/12/2023 by Chelminiak to Lanpher Trust for $2,915,000, list price $3,349,500.

144 Crescent Drive, Anna Maria, a 2,290 sq ft 4BR/5BA pool home on a 5,741 sq ft lot built in 2018 sold 5/9/2023 by Palmer to Bacon for $3,000,000, list price $3,200,000.

1801 Gulf Drive, #288, Bradenton Beach, a 1,080 sq ft 2BR/2BA Runaway Bay condo built in 1978 sold 5/22/2023 by Bourjaily to Chandler for $660,000, list price $699,000.

4255 Gulf Drive, #222, Holmes Beach, a 1,254 sq ft 2BR/2BA Island Village condo built in 1981 sold 5/19/2023 by Pettorini to Sefair for $670,000, list price $695,000.

5619 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, a 1,794 sq ft

3BR/3BA pool home on a 6,669 sq ft lot built in 1960 sold 5/26/2023 by Richardson to Baldwin Take Two LLC for $1,755,000, list price $1,849,000.

303 58th St., Holmes Beach, a 2,524 sq ft

4BR/3BA pool home on a 6,260 sq ft lot built in 2006 sold 5/22/2023 by BSCK Ventures LLC to J&W Properties LLC for $1,925,000, list price $2,135,000.

145 50th St., Holmes Beach, a 2,040 sq ft

4BR/4BA Coastal Cottages villa built in 2008 sold 5/4/2023 by Argon Prop LLC to JDKRACL Prop LLC for $1,950,000, list price $1,995,000.

622 Concord Lane, Holmes Beach, a 1,998 sq ft

3BR/3BA pool home on a 11,064 sq ft lot built in 1964 sold 5/24/2023 by North to Goff for $2,300,000, list price $2,650,000.

622 Point Drive, Holmes Beach, a 3,249 sq ft

4BR/5BA pool home on a 9,888 sq ft lot built in 1987 sold 5/18/2023 by 622 NPT Holdings LLC to Munzo for $2,850,000, list price $3,950,000

3105 Ave. F, Holmes Beach, a 2,813 sq ft 5BR/4BA pool home on a 5,001 sq ft lot built in 2014 sold 5/23/2023 by By The Shore Inv LLC to JB Realty of Seymour LLC for $3,450,000, list price $3,495,000

Compiled by Island Real Estate staff. Island Real Estate sales professionals can be reached at 941778-6066, islandreal.com.

Bradenton Beach welcomes new officers

The new officers are official.

Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby introduced Evan Harbus as a code enforcement officer and Ryan Gagliano as a police officer during a June 15 city commission meeting.

Harbus filled a vacancy created when Ron Peterson left the job in December 2022.

“I’m happy and thrilled the chief put this together and gave me the offer. I’m going to do the best I can to work with everybody,” Harbus said.

His work involves enforcing regulations dealing with public safety, public works, business activities, consumer protection, building standards, land use and other municipal matters.

Code enforcement also deals with rules protecting wildlife, namely sea turtles and the ordinances that protect them and their habitat on the beach.

Gagliano started with the department May 27.

“I plan on doing a good job,” he said. “I have prior law enforcement with the Venice Police Department. I worked for the city of Bradenton 911 for about three years.”

Gagliano was greeted with a round of applause from audience members and thanks from commissioners.

— Robert Anderson

Islander welcomes reporter’s return

Longtime journalist Ed Scott is reporting for The Islander.

He will cover tourism and business news for paper.

Scott, who has a degree in marketing communication, has covered local government in Manatee, Sarasota and

Lake counties during his career.

He’s won a handful of awards from the Florida Press Association for magazine editing, feature writing, sports writing and sports editing.

He previously worked for The Islander covering a city beat.

BBPD Officer Ryan gagliano addresses city commissioners June 15 at city hall. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

Man arrested on 4 counts of felony drug possession

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Holmes Beach police June 11 arrested Bradenton resident Eduardo Amaro, 48, on four third-degree felony charges for possession of amphetamine, oxycodone, hydrocodone and buprenorphine without a prescription.

An officer saw a motorist at the intersection of East Bay Drive and Manatee Avenue around 1:35 a.m. fail to proceed through a green light until the light cycled from yellow to red.

The officer followed the motorist and saw the vehicle weaving in a lane, so he conducted a traffic stop in the 2700 block of Gulf Drive.

The officer spoke to the driver, Amaro, who said he was an Uber driver and had been on the phone, which resulted in his poor driving.

When Amaro opened a handbag to retrieve his driver’s license upon the officer’s request, the officer saw “a small clear plastic baggie containing a couple pills” inside.

Island police reports

Anna Maria

No new reports

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office polices Anna Maria.

Bradenton Beach

June 9, 2000 block of Gulf Drive North, fraud. A Bradenton Beach police officer responded to a call concerning renter fraud. The complainant said she made arrangements online with a purported rental company agent. The complainant booked a stay at a unit and found it occupied upon arrival. The complainant contacted the rental company and found she did not have a reservation and was the victim of possible fraud. The officer filed a case number and details were turned over to a detective.

The Bradenton Beach Police Department polices

Bradenton Beach.

Cortez

No new reports.

The MCSO polices Cortez.

Holmes Beach

June 8, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, trespass. An offi cer from the Holmes Beach Police Department responded to a trespass compliant involving a Manatee County Area Transit bus. The officer

Man arrested for trespassing, unlicensed firearm

The officer asked Amaro to step out of the vehicle and Amaro complied.

The officer handcuffed Amaro and searched the purse, finding the bag he saw earlier contained two pills labeled Adderall, a prescription amphetamine and controlled substance.

The officer also found several loose pills inside the purse and identified each using the labeled codes. Those included two oxycodone pills, two hydrocodone pills and one buprenorphine pill.

Amaro said he did not have prescriptions for the substances, which were confiscated and placed in HBPD storage, according to a report.

The officer arrested Amaro and transported him to the Manatee County jail, where he was released the same day after posting $6,000 bond.

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, July 21, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

spoke to the driver, who wanted a man on the bus trespassed because he had urinated near a bus stop. The officer trespassed the man from MCAT buses and stops. The man left without issue.

June 8, 7400 block of Marina Drive, larceny. A man entered the HBPD to report that a tote containing more than $1,000 in fishing equipment went missing from his boat. The man provided a list of stolen items. An officer issued the man a victim’s rights pamphlet and case number. The officer searched for witnesses and cameras but found none.

June 8, 3900 block of East Bay Drive, hit-and-run. Officers responded to reports of a vehicle crash with no injuries or roadway blockage. An officer found two motorists involved in the crash, including one who got out of his vehicle and fled the scene. Another officer found the man, handcuffed him and brought him back to the scene. The man would not cooperate with police. An officer arrested him for leaving the scene of a crash and transported him to the Manatee County jail.

June 9, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, assisting law enforcement. The HBPD was notified by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office to be on the lookout for a motorist driving with three juveniles who had an emergency warrant out of Volusia County. An officer located the vehicle unattended in the parking

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Holmes Beach police arrested Bradenton resident Devon Guidry, 27, June 6 on two third-degree felony charges for armed trespassing and carrying a concealed firearm.

Guidry also was charged with a first-degree misdemeanor for trespassing on property other than a structure/conveyance.

Two HBPD officers patrolling the parking lot of the plaza in the 3300 block of East Bay Drive around 11:30 p.m. saw a man, later identified as Guidry, walking through the center.

The officers recognized Guidry, who’d been trespassed from the plaza within the past year, and approached him.

Guidry “immediately became verbally hostile” toward the officers and would not listen when they told him he was still trespassed from the property.

The officers arrested Guidry for trespassing and searched him, finding a loaded .22 caliber pistol for which Guidry lacked a permit in his left pocket.

The offi cers transported Guidry to the Holmes Beach Police Department for processing, then transferred custody of Guidry to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office transport unit.

The transport unit took Guidry to the Manatee County jail, where he remained in custody under $3,000 bond as of June 16.

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.

Punishment for a first-degree misdemeanor include up to one year in prison, one year of probation and a fine of up to $1,000.

An arraignment will be at 9 a.m. Friday, July 14, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

lot. The offi cer then searched the beach and found the group, which cooperated with him. The offi cer took custody of the juveniles and transported them to MCSO’s District 1 office for their father to pick them up.

June 11, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, battery. A woman approached an officer and reported that she had been battered over a parking spot. She said another woman yelled and spit in her face over an open parking spot. The woman provided a description of the aggressor. The officer provided the woman with a victim’s rights pamphlet and a case number. HBPD polices Holmes Beach.

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

Streetlife Staff reports

Island developer arrested for DUI, resisting police

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Holmes Beach police arrested resident Shawn Kaleta, 45, June 15 on a second-degree misdemeanor for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.

He also was charged with a first-degree misdemeanor for resisting or obstructing a law enforcement officer without violence.

Kaleta owns numerous businesses and vacation rental properties in the city and on Anna Maria Island.

A patrol officer saw a motorist around 11:30 p.m. accelerate through a turn from northbound East Bay Drive onto eastbound Manatee Avenue and continue to accelerate until it met slower traffic ahead.

At that point, the motorist began to “weave within their lane” before drifting off the right shoulder of the road and almost hitting a sign, according to a report.

The officer conducted a traffic stop after a construction zone on the bridge, where he spoke with the driver, Kaleta.

Kaleta provided his registration upon request but could not find his driver’s license, so he asked if he could step out of the vehicle to search elsewhere.

The officer allowed him to exit the vehicle and, when Kaleta walked to the passenger side, noted he was “swaying and had a stagger to his steps.”

The officer also noted that Kaleta’s breath smelled of an alcoholic beverage, his speech was “confusing and repetitive” and his eyes were “glassy.”

The officer asked Kaleta if he had any drinks or had taken medication recently, but, according to the HBPD report, he said he had not.

Kaleta still did not find his license, so the officer returned to his vehicle to search the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ Driver and Vehicle Information Database.

The officer asked Kaleta to stand behind his vehicle during the process, but he was using his cellphone and walked away multiple times.

The officer told Kaleta he wanted to make sure he was OK to drive and started conducting field sobriety exercises to determine if he was impaired.

Kaleta initially complied, but stopped taking instruction at one point and asked for an attorney.

The officer asked Kaleta to continue the exercises, but Kaleta would not answer his questions.

The officer told Kaleta he was under arrest due to signs of impairment and tried to grab his arms to put handcuffs on him.

However, Kaleta began “aggressively” pulling

away from the officer and tried to walk away. He also refused to comply with the officer’s verbal command to stop resisting.

The officer brought Kaleta to the ground and placed him in handcuffs, then searched him and found a wine cork in his shorts pocket.

The officer also searched Kaleta’s vehicle and found three credit cards registered to three people, as well as a driver’s license registered to one of them.

The items were later placed in storage at the Holmes Beach Police Department.

The officer transported Kaleta to the HBPD, where Kaleta refused to provide breath samples despite initially agreeing to do so.

Kaleta asked for a medical evaluation, so the officer contacted Manatee County Emergency Medical Services.

EMS arrived and evaluated Kaleta, who they said did not need medical treatment, but had asked to be taken to the hospital, according to the report.

The officer transported him to HCA Blake Florida Hospital in Bradenton, where he initially agreed to have his blood drawn for police, but spent “about an hour” in the bathroom.

As a result, neither a blood sample nor formal interview were taken.

HBPD transported Kaleta to the Manatee County jail, where he was released June 16 after posting $620 bond.

Attorney Jason Miller of the Najmy Thompson fi rm in Bradenton offered a statement on behalf of Kaleta:

“Shawn agreed three times to a blood test and they decided not to give him one. The report stated that. Strange decision on HBPD part. Shawn also agreed to a breathalyzer provided calibration was shown to be accurate. So they had lots of options to fairly make this determination with tests but didn’t take those steps. Shawn was in a slight panic dealing with family health issues, too, (while) going home from his businesses that night. That’s what was impacting things. This will all be analyzed by the state attorney and we are confident this will get cleared.”

If convicted, punishment for a first-degree misdemeanor includes up to one year in jail, one year of probation and a fine of up to $1,000.

Punishment for a second-degree misdemeanor includes up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.

An arraignment was not scheduled as of June 16, according to the Manatee County Clerk of Court’s website, records.manateeclerk.com.

Bradenton man arrested for DUI, drug possession

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Holmes Beach police arrested Bradenton resident Clay Henderson, 58, June 10 on a second-degree misdemeanor charge for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol and narcotics.

Henderson also was charged with a third-degree misdemeanor for possession without a prescription of Aprazolam, a controlled substance.

Two officers around 12:20 a.m. heard what sounded like a motorist driving nearby with a flat tire, and saw a motorist park off the shoulder of Manatee Avenue.

The officers went to assist the motorist and found a man, later identified as Henderson with a flat front tire and the wheel’s rim touching the road.

An officer approached Henderson and, when the driver’s door opened, could see an open beer can in the door and a pub glass containing a gold liquid in the center console.

Henderson told police he’d had a beer before leaving work. He said the liquid in the glass was soda.

According to the report, Henderson was displaying signs of impairment and the officers asked him to perform field sobriety exercises.

Henderson agreed, but failed.

The officers arrested Henderson and searched him, finding two pills in his pants pocket. Police identified the pills as Alprazolam by using label codes.

The officer also found an open can of beer in the driver’s door and reported the liquid in the glass in the center console smelled like alcohol.

The officer transported Henderson to the Manatee County jail, where he registered breath samples with results of 0.045 and 0.042 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood.

The state’s legal blood alcohol level limit for driving under the influence is 0.08.

HBPD issued Henderson three citations for driving under the influence, possessing an open alcohol container and driving a vehicle in an unsafe condition.

He was released from jail the same day after posting $1,620 bond.

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

Punishments for a second-degree misdemeanor include up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.

An arraignment will be at 9 a.m. Friday, July 21, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

Gulf fish farm faces new challenge from environmentalists

By Lisa neff Islander editor

Environmentalists allege that a company landed permission for its fish farm in the Gulf of Mexico using a bait-and-switch tactic.

Last June, Hawaii-based Ocean Era hooked a long-sought National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, advancing plans for an aquaculture project about 40 miles off the Manatee/Sarasota coast in the Gulf of Mexico.

But the project continues to face challenges, including opposition to proposed changes in Ocean Era’s plans described by environmentalists as a “bait and switch.”

“Notwithstanding the major changes to the project proposal, this permit is flawed and not adequately protective of the environment and our coastal communities that rely on clean and healthy waters,” Suncoast Waterkeeper founder Justin Bloom said June 13. Suncoast Waterkeeper, along with Food & Water Watch, Center for Food Safety, Healthy Gulf, Recirculating Farms, Sierra Club and the Tampa Bay Waterkeeper have pursued a legal challenge to Ocean Era’s permit.

On June 7, the groups sent a letter to the EPA urging the agency to void the permit and do a new impact assessment, saying Ocean Era, in May, acknowledged it does “not intend to implement the project as currently permitted” and asked to alter the fish species to be farmed and the type of containment system to be used.

RoadWatch

Eyes on the road

• City center in Holmes Beach: Work on the city’s project near the intersection of Gulf and Marina drives is not concluded. Traffic patterns can change. For the latest, check the city’s page on Facebook.

Also, Manatee County’s work on a force main project continues in the city center area. For the latest, go to amiprojects.io.

• Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach : Manatee County is relocating and replacing sewer lines along Gulf Drive from Sixth Street South to 11th Street South, as well as on side streets. For the latest, go to amiprojects.io.

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

— Lisa neff

About the project

Ocean Era, for its Velella Epsilon pilot project, proposed to the EPA raising “a single cohort of fish in a small, demonstration net pen … offshore from Sarasota, in the Gulf of Mexico. This project is anticipated to be the first time that cultured fish are grown through to harvest size in Gulf waters.”

The EPA application said the company wanted to place a net pen to hold about 20,000 almaco jack that would be supplied from Mote Marine Laboratory’s research park.

The company also proposed a feed barge stationed nearby, submerged under 40 feet of water.

The company needed the EPA permit to release solid, industrial and biological waste into the federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

The EPA, in awarding the permit, said pollution “may affect but not likely adversely affect” fish, marine mammals, reptiles and invertebrates and “any adverse effects that might occur … on marine and anadromous fishery resources would be minimal.”

But environmental groups throughout the permitting process challenged the EPA to look more closely at the plan.

Their latest opposition calls on the EPA to revoke the permit “in light of Ocean Era’s explicit admission that it will not — indeed, as a practical matter, it cannot — implement the project as permitted.”

Instead of almaco jack, Ocean Era has proposed raising red drum.

And, for the net pen, Ocean Era has proposed using a grid mooring system instead of a swivel-point mooring system.

Both proposals are before the EPA.

“It’s not aquaculture that I oppose in general but

The proposal

The Velella Beta-test is the world’s first unanchored “drifter” fish pen. Ocean era says the Velella epsilon would continue “this pioneering tradition.” Islander

Company: Ocean Era, Kailu-Kona, Hawaii

Project: Velella Epsilon

Where: Gulf of Mexico, 45 miles southwest of Sarasota

What: Aquatic animal production; 20,000 fish to be raised over a year.

Significance: The first marine net-pen aquaculture facility to operate in the eastern Gulf.

the proposed placement of this project,” said Larry Allan of the Manatee-Sarasota Sierra Club. “No matter what kind of fish or what kind of open cage, just offshore from an area plagued with annual red tide blooms makes absolutely no sense for anyone.”

To demonstrate regional opposition to the fish farm, the environmental groups brought activists, fishers, business owners, homeowners and others together June 13 for a clean water rally in Venice.

Ocean Era was not reached by The Islander’s press time June 19.

Islander archive 24/7

The Islander archive is included in the University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries dating back to our beginning in 1992. It’s all maintained on the library site, searchable by key word, name or date. Look online for at the UofF Florida digital collection at ufdc.ufl.edu.

“There

G.B. Shaw

Photo: Courtesy Rick Decker

Study: Piney Point pollution plume spread beyond bay

A new study indicates the plume of Piney Point’s polluted water reached beyond Tampa Bay.

In the spring of 2021, the state authorized the discharge of nutrient-rich wastewater — more than 215 million gallons — from the decommissioned Piney Point fertilizer plant.

By the summer of 2021, the region was suffering an extended bout of red tide and massive blooms of gumbo algae said to be tied to the release of the Piney Point water — water rich in nitrogen and phosphorous.

For a year after the discharge, to better understand the impact of the Piney Point discharge on estuarine health, scientists monitored water at four sites — one near Piney Point, two “back bay” locations and a fourth outside the bay at St. Joseph Sound near Tarpon Springs.

Piney Point’s water contained a signature or fingerprint and the researchers, comparing water samples from April 2021 to April 2022, found that some of the

BBPD Facebook is live

There’s a new player in the social media game.

Bradenton Beach police department clerk ChrisAnn Silver Allen previewed the department’s Facebook page June 15 for city commissioners.

The page — search the social media site for “Bradenton Beach Police Department” — was created to provide a point of contact for information about developments in the city.

Allen, who previously worked as a reporter at The Islander, cautioned commissioners and others board members to be careful when using the Facebook page, citing public records and Sunshine Law issues.

“I would strongly caution that, as officials, if you like anything, even clicking ‘like’ on a post, if you comment on a post, you are expressing an opinion,” Allen said.

She recommended officials follow the page but refrain from commenting.

— Robert Anderson

polluted wastewater was transported outside of Tampa Bay, at least as far north as St. Joseph Sound, and probably also to the south.

Modeling by the University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science in 2021 showed the plume reaching beyond the bay — into the Gulf of Mexico.

The peer-reviewed research, published in late May in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, involved scientists with the University of Florida at Gainesville and St. Augustine and with the Sarasota Bay and Tampa Bay estuary programs.

Funding from the National Science Foundation and the Ocean Conservancy supported the research. Meanwhile, Manatee County continues to partner with the state on closing Piney Point.

This spring, Manatee County began transferring wastewater from the phosphogypsum stacks to a deep injection well.

— Lisa neff

HB stormwater projects set to begin this month

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Work on two new phases of Holmes Beach’s stormwater improvements soon will begin.

City engineer Sage Kamiya said June 13 that Sarasota-based C-Squared CGC Inc. was set to begin work on phases F and I before the end of June.

In February, the city commission approved a $1,016,773.47 agreement to hire C-Squared to complete stormwater improvement phases F and I.

Both phases will consist of installing lengths of new roadside stormwater infiltration trenches in public rights of way.

Phase F will cover Marina Drive between 56th and 58th streets, as well as 58th, 59th and 60th streets between Marina Drive and Holmes Boulevard.

The Marina Drive phase will be partially funded with $256,250 from the Southwest Florida Water

Management District through its Surface Water Improvement and Management program.

Phase I will cover Gulf Drive between 69th and 76th streets and also involve paving of some roadways.

Phase I will be funded with a $750,000 state appropriation administered through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

The projects are part of the city’s continuous stormwater improvement plans, which includes phases G, H, J, K and L.

C-Squared will work on phases F and I weekdays 7 a.m.-6 p.m. and will have 540 days from the commencement date to reach completion.

The work will be simultaneous with the Manatee County force main replacement project, ongoing on Holmes Boulevard in approximately the same areas.

A graphic from 2021 shows “Piney Point effluent evolution.” Islander Image: Ocean Circulation Lab/ university of South Florida

Center sports return with summer soccer, football schedules

By Kevin P. Cassidy Islander Reporter

If you haven’t noticed, school’s out for the summer and summer sports are getting started up at the Center of Anna Maria Island — mainly youth soccer in the gym and adult football on the field.

Cassidy

Adult flag football kicked off June 15 with four games played, starting with Luxury Services cruising to a 35-12 victory over Salty Printing.

Chase Richardson threw four touchdown passes and ran for another, including three to Tim Holly. Holly also had three sacks and an extra point, while Alonzo Lemus finished with eight catches, including one for a TD.

Zaon Williams and Joey Carder both threw touchdown passes, while Jose Perez and Brandon Rolland each had TD catches for Salty.

The second game of the evening saw Moss Builders outscore Gulf Drive Cafe 45-26 behind five TD passes from Ryan Moss, including four to Greg Moss. Greg Moss also added two pick sixes for a defense that also received a sack for a safety by Nick Cavalluzzi. Peggy Smith completed the scoring with a TD reception.

Dominick Otteni threw two touchdown passes and was on the receiving end of another thrown by Steven Pavina to lead Gulf Drive Cafe. Pavina and Jacob Ferda added TD catches for the cafe.

Solid Rock Construction outlasted Cortez Deep Sea Fishing 14-7 thanks to a pair of touchdown passes from Tuna McCracken to Tyler Brewer. Brewer also chipped in with a 2-point conversion in the victory.

Matt Manger connected with Anthony Mannino for Cortez Deep Sea Fishing’s lone touchdown. Cole Carter scored an extra point to complete the scoring in the loss.

Sandbar Restaurant outlasted the Banks Home Lending Team 28-26 behind four TD passes from Zachary Routh, including three to Cody Allen. Allen also added an extra point and a pair of sacks, including one for a safety. Wes Coleman completed the scoring with a TD reception in the victory.

Cruz Rodriguez led Banks Home Lending with three TD passes to Sequiel Marintez. Rodriguez also added two interceptions and a pick six on defense, while Cory Banks completed the Banks scoring with a 2-point conversion.

Flag football action at the center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, continues June 25.

Stay tuned to The Islander for all the action.

Indoor soccer kicks off youth summer

The youth indoor soccer league at the center got started June 12.

The first matchup in the 11-14 age division saw Coastline West Team in a 3-3 tie against Solid Rock Construction. David Zupa scored a pair of goals to lead Coastline West, which also received a goal from Grady Sandhoff and eight saves from Blake Brower in the tie.

Wex Saxon scored three goals for Solid Rock, which also received 11 saves from Austin Guess in the tie.

The second 11-14 match of the evening between Island Vacation Properties and Moss Builders, along with a June 13 8-10 division match between AMI Dolphin Tours and Intentional Resilient Intuitive ended in forfeit ties after the teams failed to field full lineups.

The 11-14 division match that was played saw Solid Rock Construction outscore Progressive Cabinetry 6-2 behind four goals and an assist from Matthew Darak. Holden Lake added a pair of goals and Isaac Roadman finished with five saves in the victory.

Max McMaster scored two goals for Progressive Cabinetry, which also received an assist in the loss from Wesley Bekkerus and 15 saves from Vincent Gollamudi.

KRC golf news

Golfers kicked off another week June 12 at the Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach with the men playing a nine-hole, modified-Stableford system match.

Mike Clements earned clubhouse bragging rights for the day on carding a plus-4, a point ahead of the trio of Jim Hill, Ken Kari and Quentin Talbert — all tied for second place. Keith Burkes, Don Grau and Tom Nelson tied for third at plus-2.

The Key Royale women took the course June 13 for a nine-hole individual-low-net match in two flights. Sue Wheeler fired a 2-under-par 30 to grab first-place

honors in Flight A, while Jana Samuels finished alone in second with a 1-under-par 31. Jenny Huibers was another stroke back in third place.

Terry Westby’s 2-over-par 34 gave her a first-place finish in Flight B by four strokes over second-place finisher Lori Hicks. Meredith Slavin was another stroke back in third place.

Key Royale golf action for the week culminated June 15 with members playing a nine-hole shamble, where two scores are counted from each group. The team of Mike Clements, Gary Duncan, Dave Enick and Ron Vandeman combined on a 4-under-par 60 to win the day’s proceedings. Second place went to the team of Tom Erdle, Ken Nagengast and Chuck Patrick at 2-under-par 62.

Horseshoe news

The June 14 horseshoe games at the Anna Maria City Hall pits were short and sweet. The team of Bob Hawks and Dom Livedoti posted the lone 3-0 record in pool play and were the day’s outright champs.

Play June 17 also was abridged as Tom Farrington walked his way to the only perfect pool-play record to win the day’s proceedings.

Play gets underway at 9 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Anna Maria pits. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m., followed by random team selection.

There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.

Coaxing at Coquina

Bradenton resident Mike Sullivan works to lure a snook up from the rocks at the seawall on Longboat Pass at Coquina Beach. Sullivan, who has lived in the area for more than 35 years, says he mainly fishes for snook. “The water’s still a little cold,” he said. “They’re in here though.” Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

New moon signals the return of the much desired silver king

By Capt. Danny Stasny Islander Reporter

With the arrival of the new moon, tarpon anglers are venturing back into the Gulf of Mexico in anticipation of the return of the silver king from offshore spawning grounds. When the fish return, the bite can be good, as spawning can work up an appetite.

Stasny

Fishing evening tides in the passes, as small crabs — a preferred bait — flush out of the bays, should be productive. These areas provide the perfect scene for the wary tarpon to stage up and wait for dinner to drift by. And they shouldn’t be finicky, as hunger takes over their inhibitions.

Fishing the beaches should be good, too, during morning tides as long as west winds subside. Casting live threadfin herring to schooling tarpon will generate a bite on most occasions.

Moving to the flats, targeting spotted seatrout is good in Tampa and Sarasota bays.

Freelining live shiners over your favorite trout flats should be productive. Try using the smaller shiners or hatch bait when targeting trout. They love eating the small baits and, as a bonus, you can save larger baits for catch-and-release snook. And you’ll want to have plenty of snook bait, as the fish seem to be everywhere right now. Whether fi shing around the mangroves, piers, beaches or in the passes, you’re most likely to spot snook. Just remember, they are catch-and-release. So handle with care.

Lastly, small groups of redfish are being found around mangrove shorelines. Most catches are occurring while targeting snook.

On my Just Reel charters, I’m enjoying the abundance of snook that are inhabiting the backcountry.

On many mornings, I’m seeing 20 or more snook ranging in size, reeled to the boat. I’ve had quite a few slot fish of 28-33 inches as well as some over-slot fish, although the majority are 20-26 inches.

While targeting snook, I’m seeing a handful of redfish caught on most trips.

Lastly, spotted seatrout are waiting on the deeper grass flats.

Capt. David White is finding plenty of action working offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. In depths exceeding 100 feet, White is targeting American red snapper. By chumming heavily, he is luring fish up

from their hiding places in the deep to frolic amid the chum offerings, making them targetable.

Once hooked, the powerful snappers peel off the drag as they quickly swim back toward the safety of bottom structure — reefs and ledges. Other snappers, such as mangrove and yellowtail, are reacting to the

an 18-pound American red snapper June 10 that ate a pinfish while the pair were fishing in 140 feet of slick water in the gulf

chum and are being caught in between the red snapper bites.

African pompano are another species being caught, a crowd-pleaser due to their ferocity on the hook and their delectable flavor on the plate.

Capt. Warren Girle is fishing for tarpon along the Gulf beaches of Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island. With tarpon making their way to local waters after their trek offshore to spawn, Girle is finding targetable schools along the coast. Casting live crabs or live threadfin herring as bait is working well to get a bite. Most catches are 75-125 pounds. Fishing the flats of Sarasota Bay is working well for Girle. In these areas, spotted seatrout are the dominant catch, with bluefish and Spanish mackerel mixed in. Catch-andrelease snook are being caught on the flats during early morning tides.

At the Rod & Reel Pier on the north end of AMI, anglers are enjoying a variety in the catch from the Tampa Bay waters. Pier fishers using live shrimp as bait are hooking into mangrove snapper and a few redfish. Both species are being caught by anglers casting baits under the pier.

Although the snappers are not abundant, some anglers are managing to catch a limit of fish.

As for the reds, slot-size fish in the 20-inch range are being caught.

Catch-and-release snook are present at the R&R during the hours around sunrise. The fish can be found in the shallows around the base of the pier, which makes it possible to sight-cast to them.

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

315 58TH ST. , HOLMES BEACH 941 778-7978 • WWW ISLANDER ORG

Capt. David White, left, and friend Charlie Bianco show off

of Mexico.

Walter McDonald, 12, of Bradenton, holds a fish June 14 that he caught while angling off the Anna Maria City Pier during a day trip with family to the island. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

By Lisa Neff

Lighting matters

Sea turtles take certain cues to find their way. And the team that monitors nesting activity on Anna Maria Island wants beachgoers and coastal dwellers to take a seasonal cue: Lights out for turtles.

The Islander checked in June 15 with Kristen Mazzarella, executive director of Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, who anticipates hatchlings will begin emerging from the season’s first nests in the next few weeks.

The Islander: Artificial light reaching the beach can be a threat to hatchlings and nesting adults. What’s the concern?

Kristen Mazzarella: Sea turtles use certain cues to find their way to a suitable nesting site or the water.

Hatchlings emerging from a nest move in the brightest direction and away from darkness. On a natural beach, that direction is toward the open ocean — away from dark dunes and toward the night sky.

Nesting females will generally seek dark areas on

Fat Cat

the beach.

Artifi cial lights interfere with those instinctive cues and result in turtles traveling farther to reach the water, hatchlings not making it to the water, and adults not finding an optimal nesting site.

The Islander: Are you seeing lighting issues on the beaches? Anyplace in particular problematic?

KM: Every year requires a review of beachfront lighting because changes can be made from one season to the next.

There is no one particular area that is problematic but we work closely with local code enforcement to alert them to any problems, especially in areas where there are nests.

The Islander: There’s a tendency to focus on property lighting that’s covered under municipal ordinances but beachgoers with phones and flashlights also can present a threat. How should folks conduct themselves on the beach at night?

KM: With more and more people using the beach at night, it’s especially important that they understand that any lights — flashlights, fishing lamps, flash photography, cellphones — can have an impact on nesting and hatchling turtles.

We have documented several turtle crawls indicative of light disturbance this year — where turtles have traveled long distances parallel to the water rather than taking a direct path back to the water.

We recommend that people stay off the beach at night as the presence of even the most respectful people can inadvertently disturb a nesting turtle or prevent a turtle from emerging from the water.

If you are on the beach at night, it’s best — and

The name says it all. Fourth generation Holmes family. Give Jackson a call for your professional painting needs.

A loggerhead turtle, nicknamed esther, crawls June 20, 2022, into the gulf of Mexico near Lifeguard Tower no. 10 at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. A tracking tag is attached for the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s Tour de Turtles marathon. Islander File

the law — to not use any lights — let your eyes adjust to the night. If you encounter a nesting sea turtle you should observe from a distance, stay behind the turtle, stay quiet and do not use any lights.

You will be rewarded with an experience few people are able to enjoy.

For more information about AMITW, call 941301-3484, email info@islandturtlwatch.com or go online to islandturtlewatch.com.

Funds for retrofits

The Sea Turtle Conservancy is offering funding to AMI beachfront properties to help reduce the negative impacts of lights on sea turtles.

The nonprofit, in a release, says, “Poorly managed lights confuse and disorient hundreds of thousands of sea turtles each year, which can lead to their death.”

With a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, STC is providing money to owners of single-family homes, condo communities and commercial sites seeking to convert “problematic light fixtures and bulbs to wildlife-friendly alternatives.”

For more information, go online to conserveturtles.

Photo

By Lisa Neff

Scoop on sargassum storm

One inquiry came in from the 847 area code — Chicago suburbs.

Another from 312 — Chicago proper.

And a third from 414 — up there in Milwaukee.

“What’s happening?”

“How bad is it?”

neff

“Should I change my trip?”

The callers were catching reports on the Weather Channel and network and cable news about an extensive, extraordinary bloom of seaweed — the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt — attacking Florida but seeing a lack of detail on when and where.

You’re safe on AMI beaches, I said.

Yes, and safe in Sarasota County, too.

You might encounter some local tyrant who thinks he owns the sand that renourishes the public beaches, I said, but the widely reported “massive blob of seaweed” isn’t here and is not likely to reach the island.

We’re seeing some washed up seaweed, wracklines, “June grass” but nothing out of the ordinary.

But that’s not to say environmentalists here are not paying attention. We took an interest in a new study

NestiNG Notes FROM PAge 26

org and click the tab for beachfront lighting or contact STC at 352-373-6441 or rachel@conserveturtles.org.

Turtle tagging time

The annual Tour de Turtles will begin Aug. 1.

The tour is an educational and research effort by the Sea Turtle Conservancy and its partners that involves tagging sea turtles to track them in a distance “race” for about three months.

On AMI, the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s nonprofit partner is the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, which patrols the beaches each morning to document and collect nesting data.

Also, a local business partner — sponsor of AMI’s racer in the 2023 Tour de Turtles — is Waterline Resorts of Holmes Beach.

The conservancy plans to place a satellite tracker on a nesting turtle on AMI on June 26-27 and to release the turtle at about 8:30 a.m. June 27.

The location of the release will be announced early June 27, after the tagging the turtle.

For more about the Tour de Turtles, go online to tourdeturtles.org or conserveturtles.org.

from Florida Atlantic University that looks at how the sargassum, microplastics and Vibrio bacteria are traveling together.

The study, alliteratively titled “Sargasso Sea Vibrio bacteria: Underexplored potential pathovars in a perturbed habitat,” was published in the journal Water Research.

FAU said the research “uncovers how the interplay between sargassum, plastic marine debris and Vibrio bacteria creates the perfect ‘pathogen’ storm that has implications for both marine life and public health.”

Sargassum, free-living populations of brown macroalga, have been rapidly expanding in the Sargasso Sea and other parts of the open ocean, such as the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, including frequent and unprecedented seaweed accumulation on some beaches, mostly on the Atlantic side.

Plastic marine debris is out there in the seaweed and, according to the study, attached to the long-lasting plastics is Vibrio bacteria, the dominant cause of death in humans from the marine environment. Vibrio vulnificus, for example, is sometimes called “flesh-eating bacteria” and it can cause life-threatening foodborne illnesses from seafood consumption, as well as disease and death from open wound infections.

“Plastic is a new element that’s been introduced into marine environments and has only been around for about 50 years,” according to FAU professor Tracy

Fostering food forests

Avocados ripen on a tree.

The university of Florida/ IFAS extension Manatee County will host its “first ever” edible gardening

Festival 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, July 22, at Manatee Square garden,” 410 Sixth Ave. e., Bradenton. Attendees will learn about community gardens, food forests and how to grow fruits, vegetables and herbs at home. For more about the all-ages event, call 941722-4524. Islander Courtesy Photo

Sargassum blankets a beach in east Florida. A new study found high amounts of the Vibrio bacteria in sargassum. Islander

Mincer, lead author of the paper. “Our lab work showed that these Vibrio are extremely aggressive and can seek out and stick to plastic within minutes. We also found that there are attachment factors that microbes use to stick to plastics, and it is the same kind of mechanism that pathogens use.”

Extended family

The Chicago Zoological Society’s Sarasota Dolphin Research Program documented its first new Sarasota Bay dolphin calf of 2023.

The documentation occurred in May.

SDR said dolphin 1654 is the fourth calf of 24-year-old bay resident F165 and grandcalf of FB75, who was identified in 1982.

In May, the organization observed eight of 13 calves from 2022 and 15 of 18 2021 calves.

The field researchers also found pollution in the bay — 76 Mylar balloons, two ghost crab trap lines, a beach ball and other marine debris.

The message on some of the balloons? “Happy Mother’s Day.”

So in its “Nicks n Notches” bulletin, SDR reminded people: What goes up comes down.”

For more about SDR, go online to sarasotadolphin.org.

— Lisa neff

Photo: Brian Lapointe/Florida Atlantic university-Harbor Branch

ITEMS FOR SALE

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

Sandy’s Lawn Service Inc.

Paradise Improvements 941.792.5600

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

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

SPeCIALIZIng In BACHeLOReTTe parties. Call Michael Sue Scott. Intuitive reader. 941726-1234. www.michaelsuescott.com

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.

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.

TWO KAYAKS FOR sale: epic V6 Tourer (siton-top kayak) that’s fast and stable; 16-feet long, 23-inches wide and only 35.3 lbs. with a rudder to improve tracking. Also includes Werner Kalliste carbon paddle (very light), kayak stand and cart, $2,000. necky Manitou (sit-inside kayak) that’s stable; 14.4-feet long, 24-inches wide and 49 lbs. with a retractable skeg to improve tracking. Also includes Werner Kalliste carbon paddle (very light), kayak stand and cart. $500. Call Tom, 941-779-1957.

FISHING

Fun AnD FISH: Skiff rental. 24-foot Carolina skiff. Live bait and fi shing equipment included upon request. Call 941-704-9382.

HELP WANTED

SMuggLeR’S COVe/guLF STReAM Beach Resort: Receptionist needed for 10:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. every other Sunday. Please, call 941-779-2804 for more details.

nOW HIRIng HAnDYMAn: Full-time professional services. $18 an hour and up, based on experience. Call JayPros, 941962-2874.

RePORTeR WAnTeD: 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. Ads must be placed in person at The Islander office, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes Beach.

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

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.

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.

exTRA HeLP AT home or on vacation. organization, cleaning, sitting, errands. very competent. gemma, 805-570-1415.

RAInY DAY AT the beach? Sunburned? Have fun inside. Tarot card reading for individuals or groups. Phone or video by St. Louis’ top psychic, CBS radio’s #1 fortune teller. As seen on MTV and nickelodeon. $50 for 15 minutes. Call or text, Julia gordonBramer, 314-517-0158.

PRIORITY gueST HOSTIng By Bettina. excellent five-star ratings for over five years. Vacation rental hosting. Call me, 240-4645898.

RIDeS neAR AnD Far, car transport. Based in Palmetto. 715-292-8692.

CLeAn TeCH MOBILe Detailing. At your location. Cars, boats, RVs. Call or text Billie for an appointment. 941-592-3482.

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.

LAWN & GARDEN

COnnIe’S LAnDSCAPIng InC. Residential and commercial. Full-service lawn maintenance, landscaping, cleanups, hauling and more! Insured. 941-778-5294.

BARneS LAWn AnD Landscape LLC. 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.

SHeLL DeLIVeReD 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.

gRIFFIn’S HOMe IMPROVeMenTS Inc. Handyman, fine woodwork, countertops, cabinets and wood flooring. Insured 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 PAInTIng. no job too small. Most jobs just right. Call Richard 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.

SARASOTA InTeRIOR PAInTIng: We specialize in high-end properties. We love to paint! Owner operated. Fully insured/ licensed. Call or text Don, 941-900-9398. Instagram: SarasotaInteriorPainting.

The Islander website offers essential news for residents and visitors. Check it out: islander.org.

RENTALS

AnnA MARIA guLF beachfront vacation rentals. One-, two- and three-bedroom units, all beachfront. www.amiparadise.com. 941778-3143.

PeRICO ISLAnD PATIO home for rent. 3BR/2BA, 30-day minimum. Privacy fence/ gate, two miles to AMI. Call or text, 859771-6423.

BeAuTIFuLLY FuRnISHeD, AnnuAL rental in Beach Harbor Club, Longboat 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 fi rst and last month’s rent and $1,000 deposit. Call Mike norman Realty, 941-778-6696. 3101 gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217.

LOng-TeRM RenTAL: Furnished six months-plus. new upscale, modern home with mother-in-law suite in amazing Palma Sola. 3BR/3BA, two kitchens and two living areas, two patios, .30 acres. Three miles from Anna Maria Island. $5,600 per month, lawn maintenance and trash removal included. Available July 1. no pets. 813-362-5881.

AnnuAL RenTAL: 1BR/1BA available July 1. no pets. Close to beach. $1,800/month. First, last, security. 941-807-1405.

SeASOnAL RenTAL: HOLMeS Beach. One room studio. Large bathroom, kitchen, bed alcove. Private patio and parking. Dec. 15-April 15. no pets, no smoking. Total, $8,400. 908-914-1182.

AnnuAL LeASe RenTAL on Anna Maria Island. 2BR/1BA, very clean ground-level 1,000-sf home/duplex only steps to gulf beach. Presently unfurnished. $2,350/ month, including utilities heat/AC, trash and water. no smoking, no pets. 508-496-8480. williamshomes@yahoo.com

BeACH LIFe! 55-plus park: 1BR/1BA. Beach just across the street! Furnished, pool, parking, six-month or annual rental. $1,550 month. Vetted by office. no pets. 831-2122606.

WeSTBAY POInT: SeCOnD floor 2BR/2BA furnished condo. Bay views. $3,200/month, six-month minimum. 847-530-8833.

2BR/1BA FuLLY FuRnISHeD, newly renovated, two blocks to beach. Six months plus. 941-730-6349.

ISLAnDeR ARCHIVe. uofF Florida digital newspaper collection at ufdc.ufl.edu.

Place

Free ... The Islander newspaper is Free at Publix Holmes Beach. Just stop by the customer service desk, hold out your hand and say, “Islander, please!” And maybe remind staff you’d like the serveyourself community news returned to the lobby.

WInnIe MCHALe, ReALTOR, 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.”

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

New to the club

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce welcomed seven businesses as new members in May, including:

GI Bins, owners Ryan and Marcy Pfahler of Bradenton Beach; Mary Pops-in, owner Mary Knott of Bradenton; JSAN Corporation, owners Stephanie and Joseph Santaguida of Bradenton; A.M. Island Electric Bike Co., owner Rob Fallon of New Jersey; Sarasota Bay RV Community, represented by Kellie Benish of Bradenton.

For more information, contact the chamber at 941778-1541 or info@amichamber.org.

Looking for hobnobbing?

Polish up on your “How do you do?”

The AMI chamber will host its monthly businesscard exchange 5-7 p.m. Thursday, June 22.

The event at the chamber office, 5313 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, will be sponsored by Total Life Care and attendees — admission is $5 for members and $10 for prospective members — can expect to learn about “wellness and beauty from the inside out.”

They also can expect light bites, beverages and raffle prizes.

Pass-ing time

A group of sightseers travel June 1 on a Fun Boat Tours pontoon through Longboat Pass and into the gulf of Mexico. The tour group operates from Keyes Marina, 5501 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

July networking events will include:

• A Thursday, July 6, breakfast mixer for members and prospective members at Breakfast at Victoria’s, 5315 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Introductions and coffee are at 7:30 a.m.

• A lunch mixer at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, July 13, at Pesto Bistro & Wine Bar, 8799 Cortez Road W., Bradenton.

• Get your cannabidiol questions answered and meet new folks at the chamber office, 5313 Gulf Drive, 5-7 p.m. Thursday, July 27, when Your CBD Store hosts the monthly business card exchange, including light bites and beverages.

For reservations, contact the chamber at 941-7781541 or info@amichamber.org. Fees apply.

Fall forward

The island chamber already is looking to the fall and the highlight of its events calendar — the 22nd annual Bayfest celebration on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria.

Staff is seeking sponsors and vendors. Bayfest will be Saturday, Oct. 21.

To inquire, go to amichamber.org.

BizCal By

Once Upon A Beach

Lisa neff

THIS WEEK

Thursday, June 22 5 p.m. — Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce business card exchange with Total Life Care, chamber office, 5313 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Fee applies. Information: 941-778-1541.

Monday, June 26 3 p.m. — AMI Chamber storm readiness seminar, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

SAVE THE DATE

July 4, 8:30 a.m., Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce Freedom Fest, Longboat Key.

Oct. 21, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., AMI Chamber Bayfest, Anna Maria.

Nov. 5, 11:30 a.m., Manatee Chamber of Commerce Brunch on the Bay, Sarasota.

MIKE NORMAN REALTY EST. 1978

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!

“When it Comes to Buying or Selling Your Home, CALL ME FIRST! Let my 30+ years of experience work for you.”