Heave, ho! center of anna maria island summer my Way campers work together July 12 to pull a rope at a giant lever exhibit during a trip to the museum of science & industry, 4801 e. fowler ave., tampa. the center’s camp program includes activities at the anna maria facility, 407 magnolia ave., as well as outings to area attractions. see more photos, page 11. and, for more about the program, go online to centerami.org. islander
Photo: courtesy center of anna maria island
By ryan Paice islander reporter
The controversial Holmes Beach treehouse remained standing the week ending July 21 despite its court-ordered demolition.
And it was unclear when the structure would come down.
Chad Minor, the city’s planning and zoning administrator, told The Islander July 15 that a demolition permit to remove the treehouse had yet to be completed almost
Katie roadman of Holmes Beach wins the third week of the islander’s 2024 top notch contest with this photograph of Bella roadman at Beer can island taken may 31. the photographer wins an islander “more-than-amullet wrapper” t-shirt and entry into the finals, which offers a grand prize of $100 from the islander and gift certificates from advertisers. email entries to topnotch@islander.org. see rules, page 12.
two weeks after the structure was supposed to be demolished.
The treehouse behind the Angelinos Sea Lodge, 2818 Ave. E., was built in 2011 and has been the center of litigation since 2013, when the city issued code violations for the structure.
Property owners Richard Hazen and lynn tran-Hazen filed litigation in defense of the structure, but that defense came to an end in February, when Judge Edward Nicho-
By robyn murrell islander reporter
As his father famously said, “I didn’t come to stay. I came to make a difference,” Ed Chiles, a longtime resident of Anna Maria Island, has followed suit in his endeavors.
Chiles, son of the late Gov. Lawton chiles and the late first lady rhea, is selling to Beachside Hospitality in St. Petersburg three landmark restaurants that sit on the shores of Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Longboat Key.
Chiles Hospitality Group announced the sale in a news release July 17.
The decision to sell the restaurants — the Sandbar Seafood & Spirits in Anna Maria,
By robert anderson islander reporter
Crews July 13 began the court-ordered demolition of a stilt house structure in the nearshore waters of Cortez.
12th Circuit Judge Edward Nicholas had given the builder/owner, Raymond “Junior” Guthrie Jr., 120 days to remove the structure in a May 1 court order.
The demolition work is the latest development in a dispute that goes back years.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection initiated legal proceedings against Guthrie in 2018, alleging he violated state regulations by building the structure without permission on state submerged lands.
Throughout the legal proceedings, Guthrie maintained he only improved on a traditional net camp. There is a similar structure of historical significance nearby, on the water adjacent to the working docks in the fishing village of cortez.
Net camps were used for cleaning, drying and storing cotton nets, according to information from the Florida Maritime Museum in Cortez. The camps fell out of use with the advent of more durable synthetic net materials and all but a few of the camps fell into disrepair, disappearing over time in storms and the elements.
hb treehouse continued from Page 1
las of the 12th Circuit Court ruled that the treehouse must be demolished.
Nicholas’ order allows the city to demolish the structure at the expense of the owners after 72 hours’ notice if they did not remove it by July 3.
Randy Mora of the Clearwater-based Trask daigneault law firm, who represents the city, said at a June 26 compliance status conference that the city did not have plans to remove the structure on its own accord after the deadline.
The property owners have hired Tampa-based Allied Wrecking LLC to complete the demolition.
At the time of the hearing, the contractor had applied for a demolition permit from the city but the permit application was incomplete.
stilt house continued from Page 1
The only net camp on the water in Cortez is maintained by the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage.
Guthrie built the stilt structure in 2017 on what he said was the site of a former net camp built decades ago by his family.
His structure was a residential home over the water, with a kitchen, bathroom and living areas, as well as utilities.
The DEP launched its suit in 2018, alleging the state owns the submerged lands under the structure and claiming Guthrie’s stilt home to be illegal.
A Feb. 25, 2019, ruling favored the DEP’s stance and Guthrie was ordered to dismantle the structure.
But it remained, and, in February 2023, it seemed Guthrie had won over the DEP after Nichols found no filings by the dEp for more than 12 months.
However, the case was reopened in November 2023 when the state cited procedural issues regarding court notifications.
In May, Nicholas again ordered the structure removed.
The Islander did not reach Guthrie for comment as of press time July 22.
Karen Bell, owner of A.P. Bell Fish Co. and Star Fish Co. Market and Restaurant, both on the waterfront
OPEN SUNDAYS! 4-9 P.M. OPEN FOR LUNCH Monday-Friday and 7 NIGHTS A WEEK! Make reservations online or call 941.201.6006
Minor told The Islander July 15 that the permit remained incomplete and there was no apparent timeline for the treehouse removal.
Tran-Hazen did not respond to a July 16 email from The Islander about the permit’s completion and a timeline for the demolition.
Progress — or lack thereof — on the demolition will be discussed at another compliance status conference via Zoom at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
the treehouse behind the angelinos sea lodge, 2818 ave. e., Holmes Beach, remains standing July 17 despite its court-ordered demolition. islander
Jacob merrifield
in Cortez, voiced her disappointment during a July 15 interview with The Islander.
“The state of Florida has just taken one more thing away from this fishing village,” she said. “there’s no place else in Florida that I can think of that still works and still fishes like us, and dEp just cut away a chunk of it.”
Bell, a longstanding supporter of protecting the structure, worked with Guthrie to find a legal means to avoid the demolition.
Cortez business operator Katie Tupin of Captain Katie Scarlett Boat Tours, agreed. “It’s extremely sad. i t’s almost as if one of the last historic fishing villages left is being chipped away at. We have so many problems and issues that need to be taken care of and it seems as if they are focusing on the wrong problems.”
Tupin and other tour boat captains have been
Please, see stilt house, Page 3
rigHt: Workers remove roofing July 15 from a stilt house in the nearshore waters in cortez. a judge ordered owner raymond guthrie Jr. to remove the structure by sept. 4 as part of a lawsuit filed by the deP. islander Photo: courtesy Kathe fannon
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By ryan Paice islander reporter
Four island governments’ plans to pursue joint enforcement of mangrove regulations have splintered.
But two municipalities are still exploring ways to protect the vegetation and, in turn, the shoreline.
The cities of Anna Maria and Holmes Beach are pursuing educational routes for protecting mangroves in lieu of Bradenton Beach and Longboat Key’s involvement with joint enforcement efforts, according to Anna Maria building department manager Dean Jones.
The three island cities and the town of Longboat Key had been discussing potential cooperative enforcement of mangrove regulations for months.
Those talks began after the controversial but exempted removal of more than 100 feet of shoreline mangrove fringe last December from canalfront property at 111 Gull Drive, Anna Maria.
While mangrove regulations are overseen by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, local governments can take charge by obtaining delegated authority to enforce those laws.
While each of the four municipalities would have to separately request delegated authority, city officials had discussed plans to implement a unified approach
stilt house continued from Page 2
appealing to the state for assistance with sunken and derelict vessels and also working to thwart illegal poaching of sea life in bay waters.
“there used to be fishing villages like cortez all across the state,” Tupin said. “This is one of the last ones that still remain and meanwhile they’re focusing on a family’s old camp.”
The demolition was being overseen by Guthrie and expected to last two weeks, according to Bell.
The Islander reached out to the DEP for comment about the demolition July 17 but, as of press time, there was no reply.
anna maria building department manager dean Jones provides an update July 18 on the island government’s joint efforts to explore mangrove regulations. islander Photo: ryan Paice
by coordinating staff and sharing resources.
However, Jones said the city of Bradenton Beach and the town of Longboat Key believed such action was not doable due to challenges with accessing private property, the cost of enforcement and questions about the benefits of wresting authority from dEp.
Despite the loss of the two municipalities, Jones said the cities of Anna Maria and Holmes Beach are exploring outreach programs to help educate property owners about the importance of mangroves and their protections.
He said Anna Maria could consider adding a tent — like one run by Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch & Shorebird Monitoring — to its weekly farmers market at City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., to educate marketgoers about mangroves.
Jones added that the DEP will now share approved permits for mangrove alterations and trimmings with the city, so it will have a heads up regarding such work moving forward.
the city previously received no notification from the DEP regarding the mangrove removal.
City Commissioner Charlie Salem asked Jones to pursue notification for mangrove alteration and trim-
ming permits that are in processing, not just approved, so the city could serve as a resource for the DEP.
Mayor Dan Murphy said that even if the city does not obtain delegated authority over mangroves, he hopes it could play a role in the DEP’s approval process.
“Can we play the role of surveyor?” Murphy said. “Trying to insert ourselves into the state’s existing process would probably be a lot cheaper than meeting all those requirements and it might be just as satisfactory.”
Jones said the city would continue to pursue additional mangrove protections no matter what.
“Even if the other three cities didn’t buy in, the city of Anna Maria would go to the ends of the Earth to find a way,” Jones said. “We weren’t just going to give up because one of the other cities said, ‘We don’t want to do it.’”
Last week’s question
By lisa neff
the Paris olympics are July 26-aug. 11. Will you tune in?
21%. Will watch regularly.
23%. Will watch sporadically.
24%. Will watch favorite sports.
31%. Not interested.
This week’s question
Jimmy Buffett day is aug. 30 in florida. How would you most like to celebrate?
A. Parrothead party.
B. Musical performances.
C. Margarita toast at 5 o’clock — somewhere.
D. Lookalike contest.
E. All of the above.
To answer the poll, go online to islander.org.
Bradenton Beach is facing an infrastructure challenge as officials move to replace and repair X-bracings beneath the Historic Bridge Street Pier, 200 Bridge St.
Police Chief John Cosby, acting as the city’s temporary public works manager, told commissioners July 18 that some supports under the pier need either replacement or repair.
The X-bracings provide stability and reinforce the pier’s framework against wind, waves and regular wear.
The pier is home to the Anna Maria Oyster Bar, which operates under a concessionaire agreement with the city.
The commission July 18 showed interest in moving forward with the repair work but first will discuss cost-sharing with AMOB under the advice of the city attorney.
“I think as a commission that we are obligated to follow that lease agreement for our taxpayers,” Commissioner Ralph Cole said before a vote to proceed with discussions passed.
— robert anderson
chiles sale continued from Page 1
Beach House Waterfront Restaurant in Bradenton Beach and Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub on Longboat Key — and other interests came after 45 years of growing the businesses.
A private transaction is set to close July 29, with Colliers International representing Chiles Hospitality.
Beachside Hospitality, the new owners, plan to maintain the restaurants’ current operations and ensure the retention of the 350 existing employees, according to the release.
There also are no plans to change the names or interiors of the restaurants, according to Gabi Ruiz, a public relations account executive with Chiles Hospitality.
“The restaurants have been a huge part of my life,” chiles said in the release. “this has been a difficult decision, but I know it’s time for me to move on. I am passing the torch to new owners who understand the value of our employees and who will carry on the legacy that our team has built together. I leave knowing that the work our team has done together is one of the greatest experiences of my life and we have made a measurable and positive impact in our community.”
Chiles’ restaurants have provided employment, implemented eco-friendly food practices and made contributions to the island community for years.
The Islander requested an interview with Chiles, but an interview was not scheduled by press time July 22.
As he steps away from the restaurant business, Chiles will focus on family and continue to champion environmental causes at Gamble Creek Farms, a 26-acre organic farm in Parrish that specializes in permaculture.
In June, Gamble Creek achieved Real Organic project certification, becoming one of four farms in Florida to receive the designation.
Family and local produce have been important to Chiles, who grew up in Lakeland. According to a biography provided by Chiles Hospitality, Chiles cherishes memories of roaming Florida woods and hunting with his father.
The family also has long been passionate about
cooking, particularly with game, seafood and Southern fixings.
chiles, a graduate of the university of Florida, also is a committed advocate for sustainable seafood and tourism. He serves on the Gulf Seafood Foundation board, promoting tourism and preserving Florida’s coastal heritage. His commitment to environmental causes is demonstrated in initiatives such as the recent creation of the All Clams on Deck program, which encourages the use of hard-shell clams to filter the waters of Tampa Bay, helping to mitigate harmful nutrients.
Chiles also sits on the boards of the Manatee County Tourist Development Council and the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency. Leadership at Chiles Hospitality Group told The Islander in an email July 19 that it is unclear whether he will remain on the boards.
As for the new owners, Beachside Hospitality brings more than 20 years of experience and manages 13 restaurants in eight Florida cities, many of which are branded “Crabby” and “Salty’s.”
The Islander reached out July 19 to Beachside Hospitality for a comment but did not receive a response by press time.
the acquisition marks their first venture into manatee County.
construction takes place in october 1993 at the Beach House Waterfront restaurant. islander file Photo
ed chiles speaks march 17, 2023, at his Beach House restaurant, 200 gulf drive n., Bradenton Beach, during a roundtable discussion on increased levels of red tide in southwest florida. chiles hosted u s rep. Vern Buchanan, r-longboat Key, left, and others interested in policymaking. islander file
robert anderson
ed chiles helps with the transport of boxes from the sandbar, 100 spring ave., anna maria, to mote aquaculture research Park in sarasota in may 2018. islander file
courtesy richard demarse/chiles restaurants
By robert anderson islander reporter
Bradenton Beach commissioners July 18 terminated negotiations with developer Shawn Kaleta for the establishment of paid parking operations in the city.
Commissioners cited concerns over Kaleta’s company, Beach to Bay LLC, inability to meet regulatory requirements and provide necessary documentation.
Mayor John Chappie, expressing reservations regarding a proposed paid parking agreement with Beach to Bay, cited the company’s failure to fulfill tasks mandated by the commission as his reasoning.
“I continue to have concerns with the past agreement,” Chappie said. “I don’t believe that the parties are of like mind and intent.”
The mayor referenced four previously approved temporary-use parking agreements the city entered into with Beach to Bay and shared a slide presentation showing paid parking lots owned and operated by Kaleta at 102 Third St. N., 206 Bay Drive S., 207 Church Ave. and 219 Gulf Drive S.
Chappie said the four lots were approved for temporary-use with stipulations by the city but the owner had not fulfilled the requirement and thus did not have approval from the city building official to operate.
“The pictures clearly show that they haven’t followed through with any of the stipulations and guidelines that we put forward in making those approvals,” Chappie said.
“i am not satisfied at all with the management of these properties,” he continued. “I don’t see how we can go through with the agreement. He may have the abilities but it hasn’t been shown based on the examples we have seen today.”
In April 2023, the commission approved a study on paid parking in municipal lots. The group also solicited proposals from companies that specialize in municipal parking.
SP Municipal Services of Chicago and Beach to Bay LLC submitted bids.
The parking proposals had been divided into two groups: One for parking at a lot between Church and Highland avenues and another for a group of city owned lots that included Bridge Street, the parking lot at Bradenton Beach city hall at 107 Gulf Drive N., spaces at the pickleball court at Lou Barolo Park at 107 Fourth St. N., a shared lot with Bridgewalk Resort at First Street North, Gulfside parking spaces near the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge and possible spaces at the Tingley Library if work to elevate the building is completed.
For the lot between Church and Highland avenues, the city favored Beach to Bay, which proposed a design with 33 spaces. The company pledged to enhance the area with landscaping, stormwater retention, pedestrian walkways and trash receptacles, at no cost to the city.
A proposed contract outlined an arrangement
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“I have to agree … about the other parking lots and the fact that the same company hasn’t done what they said they were going to do,” Commissioner Ralph Cole said about Beach to Bay and the proposal for paid parking.
“I think my concern is we still don’t have a site plan. So we don’t really know what we are even looking at,” Commissioner Debbie Scaccianoce said. “And I am really not comfortable with open-ended pricing.”
She said there was little response from Beach to Bay to the city since March.
“Here we are in the end of July and they have done nothing except put in concrete parking markers,” she added.
City attorney Ricinda Perry told commissioners that part of the request for the proposals process involves making sure the city negotiates in good faith.
She referred to a photo of the lot at 102 Gulf Drive, owned by Kaleta, showing potholes and standing water. “That is not after a rain. That is from an existing concern that the city has asked to have remedied a number of times,” Perry said.
She added, “When you see that your expectations are not being met on not one occasion, not two, not three but more than four occasions, it does raise the question ‘Can they meet your expectations?’”
where the city would receive 50% of the revenue from the parking at Church and Highland.
For the other parking areas, the city rejected bids from both companies, opting to research municipal oversight of paid parking instead.
At a July 18 meeting, the city backed away from the Beach to Bay arrangement.
By lisa neff
July 24, 9 a.m., planning and zoning.
July 25, 5 p.m., commission. budget.
July 25, 6 p.m., commission.
Aug. 8, 1 p.m., commission, budget.
Aug. 8, 2 p.m., commission.
10005 Gulf Drive, 941-708-6130, cityofannamaria.com.
BRADENTON BEACH
Aug. 1, 6 p.m., commission.
Aug. 7, 9:30 a.m., community redevelopment agency.
Aug. 7, 1 p.m., planning and zoning.
Aug. 15, noon, commission.
Aug. 21, 1 p.m., ScenicWAVES.
Aug. 28, 10 a.m., pier team.
107 Gulf Drive N., 941-778-1005, cityofbradentonbeach.com.
July 24, 5 p.m., planning commission.
July 31, 10 a.m., special magistrate.
Perry said the city would be within its rights to terminate negotiations with Beach to Bay for paid parking lots.
Cole motioned to terminate negotiations and was seconded by Commissioner Jan Vosburgh. The motion passed 4-0.
Commissioner Marilyn Maro was absent with excuse.
Aug. 7, 5 p.m., planning commission.
Aug. 16, 11:30 a.m., police pension.
Aug. 27, 2 p.m., commission. 5801 Marina Drive, 941-708-5800, holmesbeachfl.org. WEST MANATEE FIRE RESCUE
Aug. 20, 6 p.m., commission. 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton, 941-761-1555, wmfr.org. MANATEE COUNTY
July 30, 9 a.m., commission.
Aug. 1, 9 a.m., commission, budget.
Aug. 6, 9 a.m., commission, work session.
Aug. 8, 9 a.m., commission, land use.
Aug. 13, 9 a.m., commission.
Aug. 19, 9:30 a.m., tourist development council, Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 941-748-4501, mymanatee. org. Please, send meeting notices to calendar@islander.org and news@islander.org.
!
Our summer reporting necessarily includes new on the three cities budget plans.
It’s always been of interest to me to see how the mayors, or the mayor and their treasurer, push the pencils around and squeeze pennies to keep the spending to a minimum and taxpayers happy.
I can recall a time when the Holmes Beach budget — always the largest of the three cities — hit a total of $10 million in income and spending.
I remember thinking, that’s too much money for the array of elected officials at the time, none of them finance, banking or money experts, to manage.
We need a city manager — someone who knows governing, state and federal grants, bonds and programs that help municipalities bank on the future.
some elected officials, watchdogs and government planners also started talking about better money management. They considered commissioning a study in the three cities at a reasonable cost — $25K spread out three ways.
The mayors agreed to put it on the ballot. Let the voters decide. And then one mayor said, if one city opts out, none of us should be obligated.
And just as quickly, the plan was sunk.
it’s too bad. it could have been a first step toward cooperation and consolidation — a shared city manager to scrutinize the budgets, which now have skyrocketed to a combined $35.35M-plus in spending.
Wow. It’s a shocking amount and you probably would not be surprised to find duplication and wasteful spending (a $350K water harvester to remove algae) in the details.
For good news, one commissioner found a benefit to the cities in raising salaries for the mayor and commissioners. He said, “A pay raise might attract more public servants.”
Let that sink in .... Please.
On to the topic of changing minds, I found it interesting this week that BB Mayor John Chappie now wishes for a lower bridge to connect to Cortez.
He passed by a solid chance to oppose the 65-footclearance bridge and join a lawsuit to support Cortez when the city attorney drove the plan off the track. Sadly, there’s another loss for the island community, and that will come from Ed Chiles and the sale of his three landmark restaurants.
I recall once him speaking in a TV commercial for the Sandbar restaurant very fondly of his part in building peoples’ treasured memories, sharing birthdays, weddings and anniversaries, the milestones in peoples’ lives and for his love for Anna Maria Island.
There are sunsets and memories for us all. We must pause to say, thank you. Thank you, Ed. You built the benchmark for AMI business. — Bonner Joy, news@islander.org
On the Palma Sola Scenic Highway between 75th Street West in Bradenton and the Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach, two medians are landscaped on Perico Island but proposed for changes by the county.
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JULY 24, 2024 • Vol. 32, No. 40
▼ Publisher, Co-editor Bonner Joy, news@islander.org
▼ Editorial editor lisa neff, lisa@islander.org
robert anderson, robert@islander.org
Joe Bird, editorial cartoonist
Kevin cassidy, kevin@islander.org
masha dolgoff, masha@islander.org
Jack elka, jack@jackelka.com
robyn murrell, robyn@islander.org
ryan Paice, ryan@islander.org
▼ Contributors
Karen riley-love
Jacob merrifield
capt. danny stasny, fish@islander.org
▼ Advertising Sales
debbie tucker, debbie@islander.org
▼ Webmaster Wayne ansell
▼ Office Manager, lisa Williams
info@, accounting@, classifieds@, subscriptions@islander.org
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urbane Bouchet
ross roberts
Please check which landscape option you prefer and share your information, including your name, neighborhood, address and email address.
Option 1: Existing live oaks and sabal palms that are established with mulch and do not need irrigation. Low maintenance with tree pruning every three years and adding more mulch.
Judy loden Wasco
All others: news@islander.org
Option 2: Existing live oaks and sabal palms, with native and Florida-friendly groundcover and shrubs added that will require irrigation and periodic pruning.
Option 3: Removal of existing live oaks and sabal palms, then replace with royal palms, non-native Alexander palms, shrubs and sod. The new plants will require establishment and ongoing irrigation. The sod will require mowing, edging, pesticides and herbicides.
The survey results will be shared with Bradenton and Manatee County governments.
The Palma Sola Scenic Highway Corridor Management Entity appreciates your participation.
Please email surveys to infoscenicmanatee@gmail. com. Telephone inquiries can be made to 941-7131763.
Ingrid McClellan, vice chairperson, Palma Sola Scenic Highway Corridor Management Entity
We welcome your letters to the editor. Submit them along with a name, city of residence and phone number to news@islander.org.
Anna Maria: Mayor Dan Murphy, 941-7086130, cityofannamaria.com, ammayor@cityofannamaria.com.
Bradenton Beach: Mayor John Chappie, 941778-1005, mayor@cityofbradentonbeach.com.
Holmes Beach: Mayor Judy Titsworth, 941708-5800, hbmayor@holmesbeachfl.org.
Manatee County: Republican Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge, 941-745-3705, kevin. vanostenbridge@mymanatee.org.
Florida Senate: Republican Jim Boyd, 941742-6445, boyd.jim.web@flsenate.gov.
Florida House : Republican William Cloud “Will” Robinson Jr., 941-708-4968, will.robinson@myfloridahouse.gov.
Florida Governor : Republican Ron desantis, 850-717-9337, flgov.com.
U.S. House: Republican Vern Buchanan, 941951-6643, rep.vern.buchanan@mail.house.gov.
U.S. Senate : Republican Marco Rubio, 305-596-4224; Republican Rick Scott, 786-5017141.
President : Democrat Joe Biden, 202-4561111, whitehouse.gov/contact.
“i saw a car and boat trailer jackknifed near a power pole,” islander reporter June alder wrote about her arrival to the scene of a quadruple murder aug. 1, 1980, on manatee avenue at east Bay drive in Holmes Beach. the vehicle and boat belonged to dr. Juan dumois, 47, of tampa. He and his sons eric dumois, 13, and mark dumois, 9, were murdered that day, as was islander robert matzke, 60. the islander wants to talk with people about their recollections of that day. Please, email the newspaper at news@islander.org or call the office at 941-778-7978. islander Photo: manatee county Public library system
Rush to the ramp emergency personnel respond aug. 1, 1980, in Holmes Beach, where four people were fatally shot and one person was injured. the case remains unsolved. the islander wants to talk with people about their recollections of that day. Please, email the newspaper at news@ islander.org or call the office at 941-778-7978. islander Photo: manatee county Public library system
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From the July 21, 1994, issue
• the Florida department of transportation announced it would work toward designing a south-side fixed-span bridge on manatee avenue between Anna Maria and Perico islands.
• anna maria public works director don Tarantola quit after a day of criticism from the mayor and commissioners after Tarantola asked for a pay raise.
• a multi-government meeting was proposed to discuss the possibility of building a new bridge across Sarasota Bay south of the Cortez Bridge and north of the Ringling Bridge.
From the July 21, 2004, issue
• One island race was set, with incumbent anna Maria Mayor Gary Deffenbaugh to face former Mayor SueLynn in a November contest while two incumbents automatically were reelected with no opposition — Holmes Beach Mayor Carol Whitmore and Bradenton Beach Commissioner Lisa Marie Phillips.
• Holmes Beach residents told commissioners they objected to new trash containers for automated pickups because they were big and ugly.
From the July 23, 2014, issue
• the anna maria island concert chorus and Orchestra announced that traffic in February and march prompted the nonprofit to move seasonal performances from the island to the mainland. AMICCO had called itself the “gem of the island.”
• dr. Bill Bystrom, veterinarian and owner of Island Animal Clinic in Holmes Beach donated microchip readers to island law enforcement agencies to help locate owners of found animals.
— lisa neff
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By ryan Paice islander reporter
Some Republicans are shaking up party politics in Manatee County.
a shuffle began when april culbreath joined the competition for the District 3 seat on the Manatee Board of County Commissioners just as D3 incumbent Kevin Van Ostenbridge flip-flopped to seek the countywide District 7 seat.
culbreath
It was a move to block a less conservative Republican candidate in District 3 in favor of Culbreath and, for Van Ostenbridge, a self-professed Trump Republican, a move to oust the less conservative D7 incumbent, George Kruse.
But a history of misconduct during Culbreath’s time with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office might have voters thinking twice before casting their ballot.
Culbreath was the subject of 31 allegations of employee misconduct as a sheriff’s deputy — with 12 sustained complaints — from 1999 to 2023, according to public records requested by The Islander.
Of the sustained complaints, four were due to neglect of duty as a law enforcement officer, four were for conduct unbecoming a deputy and three were for insubordination/disobedience.
Another is for a second occurrence of a minor avoidable motor vehicle crash.
As a result of the sustained allegations, Culbreath was suspended for 808.4 total hours, transferred between bureaus and received multiple reprimands, according to MCSO records.
She retired from the MCSO in 2023 and is current chair of the Manatee County Republican Executive Committee.
Conduct unbecoming
The bulk of disciplinary action against Culbreath — including 774 hours of unpaid suspension —is due to sustained allegations that her conduct was unbecoming an officer.
While she only received a letter of reprimand for partly sustained causes in the first case of unbecoming conduct in June 2001, the next three sustained allegations resulted in suspensions.
Chief Inspector Ed Judy of the MCSO’s Professional standards Office investigated all three cases.
Judy’s investigation into an Oct. 8, 2005, incident sustained allegations that Culbreath danced suggestively while on-duty and in uniform at a wedding reception.
An investigation involved collecting information from multiple witnesses, whose reports led Judy to conclude Culbreath’s actions were “provocative, sexual in nature, and inappropriate for the circumstances, and an embarrassment to the MCSO.”
She was suspended for 387 hours without pay for the incident, following four previous letters of reprimand and an 8.6-hour suspension for other sustained allegations.
In February 2006, two alleged counts of conduct unbecoming were sustained against Culbreath due to sexual activity with another MCSO deputy.
Judy’s investigation found that Culbreath and Greg Bass engaged in a consensual sexual relationship that began in November 2003. They were both off duty when the first incident occurred, but Bass was wearing an MCSO uniform.
Judy wrote that Dugan “was fully aware of Bass’ status and knew such acts were improper, inappropriate and would reflect negatively on the agency.”
The second count of conduct unbecoming is due to subsequent sexual occurrences between Culbreath and Bass between 2003 and 2006.
Culbreath was suspended for 129 hours without pay for the two sustained counts.
The third sustained allegation of conduct unbecoming of a deputy was due to an Oct. 25, 2011, incident at the Premier Center for Cosmetic Surgery, 300 S. Hyde Park Ave., Tampa.
Culbreath was there off duty and requested a copy of her medical records from the business but, after learning there would be a fee, she allegedly stole the
Four candidates qualified to run for the district 3 Manatee Board of County Commissioners seat, including Republicans April Culbreath and Tal Siddique, Democrat Diana Shoemaker and write-in candidate Jeffrey Gray.
District 3 covers the western side of the county, including all of Anna Maria Island, Cortez and the north half/Manatee County-portion of Longboat Key.
The Republican candidates will square off in a closed Aug. 20 primary election for the party’s nomination.
The winner will go on to face Shoemaker, the unopposed Democrat nominee, and Gray in the November general election.
Manatee County commissioners earn a $98,743 annual salary and serve four-year terms.
— ryan Paice
printed records and left the building.
When a male employee chased her outside and attempted to retrieve the records from Culbreath, she refused to comply and struck the man in the face, resulting in a struggle.
the employee retrieved the files from culbreath’s vehicle and retreated inside the business. Culbreath gave chase but stopped outside and called police.
There were no charges against Culbreath for theft or battery, but she was issued a trespass warning.
Judy, in the conclusion of his investigation, said the case began due to Culbreath’s “intentional theft of her patient medical records” and the altercation was a result of her “repudiation to return the medical records.”
Judy found Culbreath’s actions violated the MCSO’s policies by causing “substantial doubts concerning the employee’s honesty, fairness, or respect for the rights of others or for the laws of the state and nation.”
Culbreath was suspended for 258 hours without pay in that case.
Insubordination/Disobedience allegations
Records show Culbreath also has a history of insubordination and disobedience, beginning with a sustained count from May 2001.
The incident involved Culbreath’s unauthorized use of her MCSO vehicle to drive to her home in Hillsborough County. She had previously submitted a request for permission to do so but was denied.
The second sustained case of insubordination occurred in March 2005, when Culbreath was a detective working for the investigative bureau.
The case was the result of Culbreath’s failure to respond to her supervisor’s March 2, 2005, call to assist in an investigation involving burglary suspects.
Due to her failure to follow an order, she was suspended 8.6 hours without pay and transferred to the enforcement bureau.
A third case involved Culbreath’s alleged use of “profane, obscene and insulting language” to her supervisor May 29, 2009, that was witnessed by two child protection specialists.
The incident began when Sgt. Preston Spear called her into his office to assign her to an immediate callout involving a child with a brain injury.
culbreath allegedly arrived at the office with a hostile attitude and repeatedly questioned why she was assigned the case.
The sergeant described her behavior as “insubordinate, unprofessional and totally unacceptable.”
Judy wrote in his investigation’s conclusion that her lack of respect for Spear compromised his ability to supervise detectives within the unit and that her “disdain” created dissention in the division.
The allegation was sustained, and Culbreath was suspended 17.2 hours without pay.
Culbreath has an even lengthier history of neglecting her duties as a law enforcement officer, spanning
from her first sustained allegation in september 1999 and ending with the most recent sustained complaint in September 2015.
in the first case, culbreath, whose last name was Watson at that time, responded to Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton to investigate the alleged abuse and possible sexual battery of an 11-year-old.
she was not dispatched to the call and notified no one that she was responding.
Culbreath also interviewed a suspect and the parents but failed to complete a supplemental report detailing her involvement in the case before signing off duty.
She was issued a letter of reprimand, which later was amended to a verbal reprimand.
In the second neglect of duty case, Culbreath allegedly failed to properly secure her weapon while working as a mounted patrol deputy.
On April 11, 2004, her horse broke loose from a trailer parked in Bradenton Beach and Culbreath took chase.
Her handgun was later found on the ground by the trailer, which was near a picnic area “occupied by numerous adults and children playing and socializing in the immediate area.”
Judy wrote in his investigative conclusion that there was sufficient evidence to show that culbreath “failed to properly secure her duty weapon in the issued holster using both security snaps as required.”
Culbreath received a letter of reprimand for that sustained neglect of duty allegation.
The third case resulted in an 8.6-hour suspension without pay for Culbreath’s failure to immediately respond to a scene while she was a detective.
On Dec. 28, 2009, Spear called Culbreath to respond to a case involving a missing 5-year-old.
About 10 minutes later, Spear learned the child was found, so he called Culbreath to inform her that her response was no longer necessary.
However, Culbreath was found to have never left the operations center and instead had been discussing off-duty issues with personnel and meeting with a detective for lunch.
Judy sustained the allegation against Culbreath for neglect of duty, writing that her “lax response does not support the manatee county sheriff’s Office mission statement or its ‘community focus’ core value.”
The fourth allegation of neglect of duty is the most recent sustained complaint against Culbreath.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles conducted a random statewide audit regarding emergency contact information usage from February 2015 to August 2015.
The audit, as well as Lt. Eric Isola’s investigation into the matter, found that Culbreath accessed emergency contact information without proper authorization on eight occasions.
State law prohibits law enforcement agencies from accessing emergency contact information contained in a motor vehicle record without consent unless in an emergency.
Culbreath was issued a verbal reprimand for the sustained allegation.
Walter Zalisko, president of the Fort Myers-based Global Investigative Group and a retired police chief, told The Islander July 19 that Culbreath’s misconduct should have resulted in termination.
“This is someone who should not have been a cop,” Zalisko said. “if she was one of my officers in either department, she would have been fired a long time ago. There has to be some integrity and professionalism in a department, and she certainly did not show that based on her multiple internal affairs complaints.”
He said Culbreath’s history of misconduct displayed poor decision-making skills that voters should consider before casting their ballots.
“The electorate needs to seriously consider whether they would want someone like that representing them,” Zalisko said.
Culbreath did not respond to calls July 18 and July 19 from The Islander.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement did not respond to a July 18 email from The Islander.
By ryan Paice islander reporter
After a decade-long run as mayor of Anna Maria, voters should be well acquainted with Mayor Dan Murphy.
But what about his potential successors?
Brian Seymour
Mayoral candidates Brian Seymour and Mark Short spoke with The Islander the week of July 1 about themselves, their platforms and how they would approach some of the municipality’s most pressing matters if they won.
The two-person race for the mayoral post, which Murphy did not seek reelection for, will mark the city’s first election since 2017.
The municipality’s electorate will vote between the two candidates on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.
Seymour moved to Anna Maria in 2009 after working 20 years for Marriott Hotels & Resorts in the Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. area.
He was first elected to the city commission in 2016 and was named commission chair after he was reelected without opposition in 2018.
Seymour served in that role until he resigned due to personal reasons in August 2019.
He owns the Anna Maria General Store, 503 Pine Ave., Pine Avenue Bait and Tackle, 501 Pine Ave., as well as operates the City Pier Grill and Bait Shop on the city-owned Anna Maria City Pier.
Seymour told The Islander July 5 that his favorite pastime is playing golf and he is partial to seafood dishes, like Maryland blue crab and shrimp.
“Anything with Old Bay,” he said.
Seymour listed some ideas that he would like to explore if elected mayor, such as establishing a city manager to help administrate the municipality, opening the pier to the public on a 24/7 basis, hardening utilities and expanding the city’s assortment of community events to foster engagement.
He also supported Murphy’s calls to lower the city’s millage rate since lowering taxes may help boost and/or retain its residential population, as many people had been priced out due to taxes and rising insurance rates in recent years.
Seymour said that he would implement an opendoor policy as mayor and hoped to hear from as many people as possible about their ideas for the city.
“I just want to help out the city and be involved again,” he added. “It’s the right time for me.”
Mark Short
Short is a retired accountant who worked for international accounting consultancy firm Ernst & Young in Michigan before he moved to Anna Maria in 2014.
He became a member of the Center of Anna Maria island’s finance committee in 2018 and chaired the city’s 2019 Charter Review Committee.
Short was named to the municipality’s planning and zoning board, then was appointed to fill seymour’s absence on the city commission in September 2019.
He has been reelected twice without opposition — in 2020 and 2022 — and has served as commission chair since 2022.
Short told The Islander July 4 that his favorite pastime is fishing, but he also enjoys walking the island streets and golf, despite being self-admittedly “lousy” at the game.
He said he has enjoyed his past five years of involvement in the city government and had established some connections with other island officials, including Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie and Holmes Beach Commission Chair Terry Schaefer. Chappie, Schaefer and Short all serve as members of the Florida League of Cities.
short said he was confident heading into election season.
“i am confident in my abilities and skills and my background that could really help the city going forward,” he said. “And we’ll see how the voters feel.”
anna maria commission chair mark short leads an april 25 discussion on proposed charter amendments. islander file
Photo: ryan Paice
Both candidates told The Islander they were confident they could continue murphy’s efforts to combat vacation rental preemptions and the loss of municipal home rule.
While Senate Bill 280, a vacation rental preemption bill, was recently vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, both Seymour and Short acknowledged such legislation would return soon enough.
Murphy has spearheaded efforts to oppose similar preemption bills over the past several years through lobbyists and by using the city’s website, homerulefl. com, to coordinate messaging campaigns to state officials.
“ s o far the fight seems to be working, and we just have to keep that fight going,” Seymour said. “The second we let our guard down is when they pass another bill.”
“By no means is this issue going away,” he added.
Short said the city could further combat such legislation by proactively communicating to state officials and the governor’s office that they should not preempt established vacation rental regulations.
“Don’t mess with what we’ve got,” he said. Pine Avenue improvements
Neither candidate supports the removal of roadside parallel parking to add bicycle lanes along Pine Avenue as part of the city’s plans to “reimagine” the corridor.
“Parking is at a premium right now in the city of Anna Maria,” Short said. “To take away about 50 parking spots on Pine Avenue is not a good thing for anybody.”
The city’s plans to improve the roadway include the installation of pervious paver meandering sidewalks, as well as the enhancement of crosswalks and lighting on Pine.
While Short acknowledged there may be some frustrations with how long it has taken the city to move forward with the improvements, he hoped to begin work soon on piecemeal improvements.
In the meantime, Seymour stressed the need for lighting improvements along Pine Avenue since the
Dear lawmaker … letters are bundled July 10 to go to state sen. Jim Boyd and state rep. Will robinson Jr., both r-Bradenton, from save florida Home rule opposing the consolidation or dissolution of the three island cities. the letters also request the release of a study on the issue by the state office of Program Policy analysis and government accountability. the letters were signed by 561 island voters, 331 off-island voters and 365 ami visitors. islander Photo: courtesy tom ehren
roadway is inadequately lit and “unsafe” at night.
As for the potential consolidation or dissolution of the three island governments, Seymour and Short said they were opposed to it but open to consolidation of some services to improve efficiency.
the Florida Office of program policy and Government Accountability has been working on a study into consolidating the island governments since last November at the behest of the Manatee County legislative delegation.
The study was expected to be completed this month, but its results will not be public record unless state legislators share it due to OPPAGA’s exemption from the state’s Government-in-the-Sunshine Law.
Seymour said the island cities should consider the consolidation of police and public works services.
He proposed consolidating island police services under the manatee county sheriff’s Office, which currently polices Anna Maria, since it had more resources and equipment at its disposal than the Bradenton Beach or Holmes Beach police departments.
Short said he was open to evaluating consolidation of services but stressed that the city has been a good steward of taxpayer money.
“I think the city of Anna Maria has been extremely economical and efficient in managing and running things,” he said. “As mayor, I would plan to continue to follow that same path.”
Both candidates added that potential litigation to oppose consolidation would be considered if the state took action to consolidate/dissolve the island governments.
The Islander through election season will host coffee meetings with candidates.
the first meeting was to be tuesday, July 23, after The Islander went to press, with primary candidates in the District 3 race for Manatee County commissioner. The event was to be at 9 a.m. at the Anna Maria Beach Cafe at the Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.
A coffee meeting was set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 24, at the cafe to meet with District 7 primary candidates.
The public is welcome to observe.
— Bonner Joy
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14-24, Island Players’ “A Doublewide, Texas Christmas,” Anna Maria.
ONGOING ON AMI
compiled by lisa neff, calendar@islander.org
ONGOING OFF AMI
• 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 p.m., Music on the Porch jam session, presented by the Florida Maritime Museum and Cortez Cultural Center, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: floridamaritimemuseum.org.
• Through July 31, Artists’ Guild Gallery window show featuring 50 area artists, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941778-6694.
• Through July 31, Island Gallery and Studios “Color and Texture” by Jim Wheeler, 456 Old Main St., Bradenton. Information: 941-778-6648.
• Through Aug. 15, “To the Moon: Snoopy Soars with NASA,” the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131.
• Through Aug. 16, Ringling College of Art and Design Galleries “Jack Dowd: Last Call” installation, 2700 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Information: 941-359-7563.
• Through Aug. 31, Thursday-Saturday, 7 p.m., 9 p.m., Laser Light Nights, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131.
• Through August, by appointment, Cortez Cultural Center Museum, 11655 Cortez Road W., Cortez. Information: 941-8400590, cvhs2016@aol.com.
Through Sept. 15, Selby Gardens’ “The Florida Highway Men: Interstate Connections,” 1534 Mound St., Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-366-5731.
• Through Oct. 20, “Reimagining Nature: Dali’s Floral Fantasies,” the Dali Museum, 1 Dali Boulevard St., St. Petersburg. Fee applies. Information: 727-823-3767, thedali.org.
SAVE THE DATES
August, Island Gallery and Studios AMI-themed exhibit, Bradenton.
Aug. 10, Freckled Fin’s Celtic Music Festival, Holmes Beach.
Sept. 19-29, Island Players’ “Crimes of the Heart,” Anna Maria.
Oct. 8, Manatee Performing Arts Center’s Tribute Tuesday concert series begins, Bradenton.
Oct. 19, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s Bayfest, Anna Maria.
Third Thursdays, 4 p.m., Sundown Get Down with the Bridge Street Merchants, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach. Information: 941778-8565.
ONGOING OFF AMI
• Second Saturdays through Aug. 10, 8 a.m.-noon, Summer Mini-Markets, Old Main Street, Bradenton. Information: realizebradenton.com, 941-301-8445.
SAVE THE DATES
Aug. 15, Sundown Get Down with the Bridge Street Merchants, Bradenton Beach.
Sept. 19, Sundown Get Down with the Bridge Street Merchants, Bradenton Beach.
Oct. 17, Sundown Get Down with the Bridge Street Merchants, Bradenton Beach.
AMI
Thursday, July 25
10 a.m. — Marine archaeology, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-7786341.
Friday, July 26
10 a.m. — Forty Carrots, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.
Tuesday, July 30
10 a.m. — Family storytime, 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.
• Third Fridays, Teen Nights, the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131.
• Second Saturdays, Quest for Kids, the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131.
Thursday, July 25
1 p.m. — Sunshine Stitchers, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.
ONGOING ON AMI
• Second Mondays, 2 p.m., Center of Anna Maria Island Adult Book Club, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-
ONGOING ON AMI
• Tuesdays through August, 10 a.m., Anna Maria Island and Shorebird Monitoring Turtle Tracks and Shorebird Facts, Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: islandturtlewatch.com, info@islandturtlewatch.com, 941-3018434.
ONGOING ON AMI
• Most Fridays, 11:30 a.m., mahjong club experienced players, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941778-6341.
• Mondays, 10 a.m., morning yoga, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.
• Most Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m., mahjong club, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.
ONGOING OFF AMI
• Through Sept. 1, Bradenton Marauders home games, LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Fee apples. Information: 941747-3031.
SAVE THE DATES
Aug. 8, Island Library offers pickleball lessons, Holmes Beach.
ONGOING OFF AMI
• Saturdays, 9 a.m., Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW, Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923, mymanatee.org.
KEEP THE DATES
Through Oct. 31, sea turtle nesting season. Lights out! Through Nov. 30, Atlantic hurricane season. Be prepared! July 26-Aug. 11, Paris Summer Olympics.
Aug. 26, Women’s Equality Day.
Aug. 30, Jimmy Buffett Day.
Sept. 2, Labor Day.
Sept. 8, National Grandparents Day.
Sept. 11, Patriot Day.
GET LISTED! Send listings to calendar@islander.org.
Summer fun at the center lucas martinez, 5, looks up July 12 from atop a bed of nails during the summer my Way camp’s trip to the museum of science & industry, 4801 e. fowler ave., tampa. People can learn more about the center of anna maria island’s summer programs on its website, centerami.org. islander Photos: courtesy center of anna maria island
summer my Way campers display spacethemed mobiles they crafted July 10 with art teacher sarah Hood during space Week.
aBoVe: counselor Hailey Jonatzke, right, stands July 11 with members of the center’s lego camp after they finished work on an amusement park.
left: camper Jaxon romero, 4, shows off a rocket he crafted July 8.
“Anna Maria Island,” a pictorial history book of the island by Bonner Joy, is available for $20 at the islander office, 315 58th st., Holmes Beach. call or text 941-778-7978 for hours or purchase at islander.org. Joy is publisher of the islander.
The Island Players are selling subscriptions for the 76th season, with forms available at theislandplayers. org.
Subscription sales will close Sept. 1, when the theater group will begin regular ticket sales for the season.
The season will open at the Anna Maria playhouse, 10009 Gulf Drive, with “Crimes of the Heart,” Sept. 19-29.
Other shows in the lineup include “A Doublewide, Texas Christmas” Nov. 14-24, “Birthday Suite” Jan. 9-26, 2025; “Death by Design” March 13-30, 2025; and “Grace and Glorie” May 8-18, 2025.
For more information, leave a message at the box office at 941-778-5755 or go to theislandplayers.org.
the island players will hold auditions for the first production of the 76th season at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 28, at the theater, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria.
Mike Lusk will direct Beth Henley’s “Crimes of the Heart,” which will run Sept. 19-29.
What do actors need to know about auditions?
The Island Players say:
• scripts are available at the island library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.
• preparation is not necessary.
• Newcomers are welcome,
• arrive early to fill out an audition form.
For more information, call 941-778-5755 or go to theislandplayers.org.
The Annie Silver Community Center will host a potluck lunch and book sale Saturday, July 27.
The activities will be 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the neighborhood center, 103 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach.
People are asked to bring a dish to share for lunch, which will be 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
For more information, call Dianne Coates at 724787-1418.
rigHt: douglas the basset hound gets some attention from the crowd during the July 18 sundown get down on Bridge street. douglas’ owner, Paul fabozzi of longboat Key, said he brought his family to the event by boat. far rigHt: emily fernandez and mattison Jones hand out leis July 18 to people visiting the anna maria oyster Bar as part of the sundown get down Bridge street in Bradenton Beach.
attendees of the first sundown get down street Party July 18 enjoy an afternoon on Bridge street in Bradenton Beach. the sundown get down event ran 4-8 p.m. and was the first of six themed street parties scheduled for the third thursdays. the next sundown get down, presented by the Bradenton Beach merchants association, will be “Pirate Powerboat Plunder,” set for thursday, aug. 15. islander Photos: robert anderson
The Islander’s Top Notch contest continues.
The contest celebrates what still is known as the “Kodak moment,” despite Kodak’s downfall in the switch from film to digital technology.
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
dana guess of Bradenton captures a moment and win’s a weekly honor in the islander’s top notch photo contest in 2022.
the islander and certificates from local merchants. There also is a pet photo contest for weekly submissions and a winner announced in the final weeks. Look online for the rules and other 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. Now, review your photos and send entries to topnotch@islander.org.
— Bonner Joy
By robyn murrell islander reporter
The Aug. 20 primary in Manatee County contains a three-way nonpartisan race for the District 3 seat on the school board.
The district, represented by Mary Foreman, who did not seek reelection, covers the western part of the county and currently includes 12 schools, among them Anna Maria Elementary, Palma Sola Elementary, King Middle and Manatee High.
In December, school district maps will change to mirror the maps for the Manatee County commission and schools such as Palmetto High and Palmetto Elementary, currently part of District 3, will be in District 2.
The election will be Tuesday, Aug. 20. To win, a candidate must have at least 50% of the vote. If no candidate achieves 50%, the top two candidates will compete in a runoff Tuesday, Nov. 5, in the general election.
Only people who live within District 3 can vote in the contest for the four-year term: Meet the candidates:
Charlie Kennedy
Charlie Kennedy of Bradenton seeks to rejoin the school board. He was elected to the board twice, serving 2014-22. He has served as chair and vice chair.
Kennedy is a 20-year educator who taught at Manatee High and IMG Academy. He’s currently at Daughtrey Preparatory School for Arts and Sciences in Bradenton.
During his tenure on the board, Kennedy said he advocated for additional millage funds to support teachers, staff and academic enrichment.
Voters approved the added mileage in 2018 and a
renewal in 2022. As a result, Manatee County teachers are now among the highest paid in the state, according to Kennedy.
If reelected, Kennedy said an issue he will tackle is the depletion of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund — a $1 million fund established with federal CARES Act money in March 2020 that provided direct funding to state and local education agencies to address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
“The district has a lot of big decisions coming up in the next few years, including opening new schools, which means redistricting,” Kennedy told The Islander via phone June 13. “With the ESSER money drying up its tough financial decision that will affect the future board that the current board isn’t making,” he said.
Kennedy said he has experience making decisions on the academic side, as well as the “billion-dollar business side.”
“The experience factor is crucial,” he said.
Jonathan Lynch has owned Cortez Cove Marina for 14 years. He lives with his family in Palma Sola. He told The Islander July 2 via email his motivation to run came from his daughters.
“Like many other parents, my wife and I started paying closer attention to the school board during COVID times,” he said.
Lynch is a native of Manatee County who attended school in the district and his daughters also attend school in District 3.
“I am a Manatee High School alumni who can credit much of my success to the opportunities for onthe-job training/ apprenticeship program offered to me at the time. I believe this is important to recognize, as
Anna Maria Elementary advertised July 5 to hire a third-grade teacher with a passion for the ocean.
amE is the home of the first Guy Harvey academy of Art and Science, where students learn from an educational program that combines art and environmental science.
The program is named for the artist and conservationist Guy Harvey, whose foundation has collaborated with the Manatee County School District on school programs at the elementary, middle and high school levels.
The Islander reported in April that AME reduced its teaching staff, which resulted in the loss of a thirdgrade teacher. The change was due to broader adjustments across the district, driven by the depletion of
By robyn murrell
funds from a $1 million Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief grant allocated by the state to address COVID-19-related challenges.
AME is hiring a third-grade teacher to replace the one who was lost, with funding for the position provided by the district, according to principal Katie Fradley in an email July 11.
People interested in applying can go to manateeschools.net/careers or email a resume to Fradley at fradleym@manateeschools.net.
Kids enrolled at Anna Maria Elementary School had 19 days left of summer vacation as of July 24. Meanwhile, AME was gearing up for its back-toschool night, when students and their families visit the campus and meet with teachers.
The event will be Thursday, Aug. 8, with two sessions: one for voluntary pre-kindergarten students through second-grade and one for other grade-level students.
The VPK-second grade session will be 4:30-5:15 p.m. The other session will be 5:15-6 p.m.
The 2024-25 school year will begin Monday, Aug.12.
AME is at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.
For more, call AME at 941-708-5525 or go to manateeschools.net/annamaria.
it is a program that I am hoping to build on,” Lynch said.
Lynch said he has board-like experience.
“I have been part of a government board before,” he said. “I have spent time in a board room or two within our local government and the industry I work in. However, the differences couldn’t be clearer,” he said.
Perri Ann Parkman is a retired hairdresser, small business owner and mother of two. She purchased a home in Anna Maria in 2013.
Parkman runs the Mac Parkman Foundation for Adolescent Concussive Trauma, named after her late son, and also teaches yoga at Roser Memorial Community Church and Island Yoga Space in Anna Maria.
Parkman told The Islander via phone June 14 why she decided to run: “I just want the parents to have more choices that’s why I’m running beyond policies, there’s just so much controversy now.
“I feel like we need to go back to treating people with respect and dignity. I think that’s going to alleviate a lot of stuff that going on.”
She added, “I’ve been on parent-teacher associations. I was on my son’s school PTO board for a couple of years. I’ve been involved in all aspects of it. I have a different outlook because I’m a mom.”
Parkman has been on a mission to educate parents about the risks of contact sports since the passing of her son.
“That’s something every parent should know. So that’s my life. I want to save a kid. If I can save just one kid, I’ll die a happy person,” she said.
Board members currently earn $49,114.
Parents watch aug. 8, 2023, as children in kindergarten teacher Kiley flynn’s incoming class focus on their drawings during back-to-school night at anna maria elementary, 4700 gulf drive, Holmes Beach. islander file Photo: ryan Paice
• Wednesday-Thursday, Aug. 7-8, teacher workday.
• Thursday, Aug. 8, back-to-school night.
• Monday, Aug. 12, first day in class for 2024-25 students.
Anna Maria Elementary is at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. For more information, call the school at 941-708-5525.
Anna Maria Elementary School has openings for preschoolers in its voluntary pre-kindergarten through the Early Learning Coalition.
Erin Bobo will teach the class.
A child can be registered for a half-day, which is free with a pickup at 11:30 a.m., or a full-day, which costs $300 per month plus registration fees.
To enroll a child, follow these steps:
• Ensure a child will be 4 years old by sept. 1.
• Visit the Elc website at familyservices.floridaearlylearning.com or call 941-757-2900 to obtain a certificate of eligibility.
• after obtaining certification, contact the department of early learning at the Manatee County School District by calling 941-753-0958, ext. 38200. the first day for students at amE will be aug. 12.
For more information, call AME at 941-708-5525 or go online to www.manateeschools.net/annamaria.
People with students attending Anna Maria Elementary, 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, for the 2024-25 school year, who are eager to find out their child’s classroom assignment for the upcoming school year can call AME on or after July 25.
For more information call the school at 941-7085525.
By lisa neff
The Tampa Bay Rays will host Christian Faith Day Saturday, Aug. 17, and local church groups plan to attend, including members of St. Bernard Catholic Church in Holmes Beach and the Longboat Island Chapel on Longboat Key.
The game at Tropicana Field in St. Pete between the Rays and Arizona Diamondbacks will begin at 4:10 p.m.
Tickets are about $40 and must be purchased by Friday, Aug. 1.
For more information, call Lindsay Auld at 727825-3113.
A revival committee at the Longboat Island Chapel is signing up new members to help with community outreach.
The group engages in good deeds and community events, including serving lunches to first responders this month and next.
The group was set to bring lunch to Longboat Key police July 23 and then longboat Key firefighters in August.
For more, call the church at 941-383-6491.
The Longboat Island Chapel hosts the Shifting Sands Support Group for people dealing with loss at 10 a.m. Thursdays.
A notice in the church bulletin said the group’s purpose is “bringing people together to share their common feelings and to see that we are not alone or isolated. Each individual brings new dimensions of support … to the group.”
The chapel is at 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key.
For more information, call the church at 941-3836491.
Gathering Gathering is the religion section. Please, send announcements, calendar listings and photos to calendar@islander.org.
By lisa neff
The Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island is on break from meetings following an early summer celebration in cortez to induct 2024-25 officers.
The club, via its Facebook page, announced Laurie Beppier is the president of record, with assistance on presidential duties from Judy Rup and Kathy Rylander.
Shawn Shields is treasurer, with assistance as needed at meetings by Tom Hagan.
Susan McDaniel, who had served as treasurer, is secretary.
Don Fernald, Jim McDaniel and Rebecca Gill serve on the board of directors, along with the newest board member, Bob Slicker, who often hosts the club at his restaurant, Slicker’s Eatery in Cortez.
For more information, go online to amirotary.org or call 941-718-5583.
the university of south Florida recently announced the William W. & Judith A. Gaunt Professor in Library and Information Science, a new position on the Sarasota-Manatee campus, will be conferred to James E. Andrews, a tenured professor in the School of Information.
The Gaunt family’s law book publishing company is in Holmes Beach and Judith Gaunt of Bradenton assumed the presidency of Gaunt Inc. in 2018, before her death that same year.
Wednesday, July 24
neff
THIS WEEK
1 p.m. — Roser Memorial Community Church Grief Share healing support, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-7780414.
SAVE THE DATES
Aug. 7, Roser Church Golfing for God, Bradenton. Aug. 17, island churches, Tampa Bay Rays Faith Day, St. Petersburg.
Aug. 21, CrossPointe Fellowship Wednesday Night Blast resumes, Holmes Beach.
Sept. 18, Roser Church Golfing for God, Bradenton. Oct. 23, Christ Church book club resumes, Longboat Key. Feb. 25-26, 2025, Christ Church of Longboat Key Men’s Retreat, TBD.
April 2-3, 2025, Christ Church of Longboat Key Women’s Retreat, TBD.
CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-0719.
Worship: Sundays, 9 a.m.
Ongoing: Wednesdays, 7 a.m., men’s Bible meeting; Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., Beach Night; 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; Mondays, 1 p.m., book club.
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive. Holmes 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: 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.
The endowed professorship was created with a legacy gift from a family with ties to Anna Maria Island.
“Thanks to the generosity of Judith Gaunt and her family, the school of information will for the first time have an academic and research presence on the Sarasota-Manatee campus, further expanding what we can offer to our students and to our community,” said Karen Holbrook, Sarasota-Manatee campus regional chancellor. andrews
• tingley memorial library in Bradenton Beach seeks volunteers for morning and afternoon shifts in the “fun and friendly” atmosphere. Info: 941-7791208, bradentonbeachlibrary@gmail.com.
• the anna maria island privateers group seeks members to build up the group and find an indoor port for their boat-float. info: 941-896-0797.
• Wildlife inc. rescue and rehabilitation in Bradenton Beach seeks help tending to injured and sick animals. Info: 941-778-6342.
• 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.
• roser Food Bank welcomes applicants who live, work or attend school on Anna Maria Island for food assistance, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Info: 941-778-0414.
• 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.
do you work with a nonprofit in need of assistance on Anna Maria Island? Do you offer free services to islanders or on AMI and want to increase use? Email listings to Lisa Neff at lisa@islander.org.
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.
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.
Worship: Fridays, Shabbat, 5:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.
GET LISTED, CHANGE LISTINGS
Summer scheduling? Please, send notices of changes to schedules for worship and other events during the summer to calendar@islander.org.
By robert anderson islander reporter
The Bradenton Beach ScenicWAVES advisory committee is poised to educate beachgoers on local wildlife.
ScenicWAVES members July 17 discussed their template for wildlife signage created with a Tampa Bay Estuary Program grant of $5,000.
With input from island-based Wildlife Inc. and Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, the template was produced.
The committee proposes installing the signs at John Chappie Park at 1400 Gulf Drive N.; Jan Vosburgh Park across from city hall; the Historic Bridge Street Pier at 200 Bridge St.; and Katie Pierola Sunset Park at 2212 Gulf Drive N.
ScenicWAVES vice president Ingrid McClellan motioned to approve the signage with changes to better ID species. The motion, seconded by Jennifer Hoffman, passed 5-0.
The proposal went to city commissioners the next day, who voted to approve the signage.
Hoffman, executive director of Keep Manatee Beautiful and a ScenicWAVES liaison, said the group could suggest placing the signs at other locations on the island.
Hoffman also said she has been working with Holmes Beach and anna maria officials on a dune vegetation project through KMB that has resulted in 2,000 sea oats being planted this year. She said she hoped to work with ScenicWAVES to plant more sea oats.
In other news, members reviewed the need to
West Manatee firefighters promoted West manatee fire rescue firefighters/paramedics aaron reese and david miller hold certificates July 16 recognizing their promotions while standing alongside other Wmfr firefighters. reese was promoted to first-class firefighter/paramedic. miller was promoted to second-class firefighter/paramedic.
islander Photos: ryan Paice
update signage identifying a scenic highway bike route that runs north on Gulf Drive South to Fifth Street South, then north along Bay Drive South under the Cortez Bridge and continuing along Gulf Drive.
A route map was designed by ScenicWAVES and approved by the city commission in March.
However, route signage was taken down for road-
way construction along Gulf Drive South for Manatee County’s sewer replacement project.
Now that the county project is in its final stages, McClellan said a refresh of route signage could commence.
The next ScenicWAVES meeting will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.
scenicWaVes members July 17 share an educational sign template for use at beach entrances in
Signs of life’s journey turtle nests at coquina Beach that are monitored by anna maria island turtle Watch are marked July 8 with commemorative plaques, including one for lee thompson of Bradenton, a cousin of reporter robert anderson. for $125, a turtle watch donor can adopt a nest. the donor gets a plaque with a message of the sponsor’s choice, an adoption certificate and information about the sponsored nest. donations provide funding for educational outreach programs. for more, go to islandturtlewatch.com. islander Photo: robert anderson
“Anna Maria Island,” a pictorial history book of the island by Bonner Joy, is available for $20 at the islander office, 315 58th st., Holmes Beach. call or text 941-778-7978 for hours or purchase at islander.org. Joy is publisher of the islander.
Making a splash
layla White, 8, center, dad capt. david White, and sister cameron, 5, celebrate layla’s eighth birthday with a visit July 15 to dollywood’s splash country in Pigeon forge, tennessee. the kids loved the experience at splash country. layla is starting second-grade in august and cameron is excited to be starting kindergarten — both at anna maria elementary in Holmes Beach. islander courtesy Photo
By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter
Lowering ad valorem taxes remains the top priority for Anna Maria officials as they work on their spending plan for fiscal 2024-25.
But a pay raise might be on the way, too.
Mayor Dan Murphy July 18 unveiled $5,827,300 in proposed operating expenses for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1.
Every summer, the city begins its budgeting process for the next fiscal year, beginning with separate reviews for proposed revenues, operating expenses and capital expenses.
Murphy detailed $18,194,489 in proposed revenues for fiscal 2024-25 during the city’s first budget meeting June 27.
The total proposed operating expenses — the cost of “keeping the lights on,” as Murphy put it — for the upcoming fiscal year are 5% more than the $5,530,321 end-of-year estimate for fiscal 2023-24.
Part of that increase can be attributed to a 5%
tells city commissioners July 18 about the municipality’s proposed operating expenses for fiscal 2024-25, which begins Oct. 1.
salary increase across the board for city employees.
Murphy said the city recently completed a survey to determine the raise percentage and found 5% was a “sweet spot” for retaining existing employees and attracting new ones.
Another reason behind the 5% overall increase in operating expenses is a projected 14% hike in public safety costs.
The city contracts with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office to police the municipality and is paying $1,345,505 for its services this year.
That cost is set to jump to $1,529,547 in fiscal 2024-25, but Murphy said he plans to discuss reductions with MCSO representatives.
During discussion, Commissioner Jonathan Crane said the commission might want to consider increasing salaries for the mayor and commissioners.
The city pays annual salaries of $19,600 to mayors and $4,800 to commissioners. The proposed fiscal 2024-25 budget does not include raises.
However, Crane said the city has struggled to
attract people to serve as city officials, and a pay raise might attract more public servants.
Murphy noted that the city of Holmes Beach has annual salary increases for its officials based on costof-living adjustments.
Holmes Beach currently pays annual salaries of $28,160 to mayors and $8,080 to commissioners. While there was interest in pursuing potential pay raises, commissioners agreed to table the topic until they could figure out tax reductions for fiscal 2024-25.
Murphy reiterated his plans to pursue a tax reduction past the rollback rate, which has been set as the millage rate in the city’s proposed budget.
A rollback rate would allow the city to collect the same ad valorem revenue as it collected this year, thanks largely to a 14% increase in total taxable property value, according to the Manatee County Property Appraiser.
Commissioner Charlie Salem said he would like the city to be “aggressive” in lowering property taxes since it could help retain the municipality’s residential community by reducing the cost of living.
He also encouraged the city to explore increasing a property tax exemption for seniors as another way to retain and encourage residential ownership.
There was no public comment.
The city commission will set a tentative millage rate, as well as discuss proposed capital expenses for fiscal 2024-25 at its next meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 25, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.
Directions to attend the meeting via Zoom can be found on the city’s website, cityofannamaria.com.
By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter
Bradenton Beach officials are mulling over employee salaries with increased budget allocations.
The city commission met July 16 at city hall to review a tentative budget for the new fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1.
There will be two public hearings on the budget ordinance in September, when the commission must adopt a spending plan.
City treasurer Shayne Thompson said the tentative budget was created using the same millage as the current year, 2.3329, but due to increased property values, the city would have more revenue.
Thompson said a rollback rate of 2.1447 mills would be needed to produce the same revenue as this year.
Based on a certification of taxable value of $1,087,523,358, the city could expect to realize $2,537,083 in ad valorem as compared to 2023-24’s $2,230,288.
If the commission adopts the 2.3329 rate, they will be implementing a tax increase.
Property taxes in Florida are collected based on millage rates. A mill is one-10th of a percent, which equates to $1 in taxes for every $1,000 in property value.
An owner whose home is appraised at $600,000, with a 2.3329 millage rate and no homestead would pay $1,400 in property taxes to the city.
Thompson kicked off the workshop with an overview of the process.
“The budget is kind of our living document of how the city operates from a financial point of view through the year,” Thompson said. “The budget is built on a couple assumptions as we are kind of at a tentative stage.”
“We are anticipating the millage to remain where it is at 2.3329 and, this year, departments have met and approved the presentation of salary increases for employees and an adjustment to the city’s longevity policy, which rewards employees for continued service to the city year after year,” he added.
Thompson said the budget could add up to $250,000 in reserves.
Police Chief John Cosby, who acts as the city’s emergency manager and currently the public works director, spoke about the importance of reserves.
“Because we are a coastal community and we are apt to have weather events, if we get a declaration
(of emergency) it could be up to six months before we actually see money come in from FEMA,” Cosby said. “So we have to stay solvent for that period of time before we can request our draw out. We want to make sure the reserve is solid enough that we can weather that first few months.”
City clerk Terri Sanclemente reviewed the administrative budget, which would be raised from this year’s $759,093 to $833,347, with the biggest increase attributed to salary raises, retirement contributions, as well as in accounting, auditing and wind and flood liability.
Sanclemente also reviewed the commission budget, which has an increase in attorney fees from $4,000 to $20,000. The commission has exceeded its regular attorney fees budget of $4,000 by $7,851 in fiscal year 2022-23 and $10,322 in 2023-24.
Cosby said police expenditures would increase $141,043 for 2024-25, resulting in a proposed budget of $1,922,051. The increases are mainly in salaries and retirement contributions as, well as increases in insurance.
Emergency operations will see a $2,000 increase and the code enforcement department will see a $5,994 raise in salaries.
Building official Darin Cushing said planning will increase from $466,532 to $498,353 and spending for the community rating system will increase $3,552 due to salary increases.
Pier spending will increase $8,654 and the streets and roads budget will increase by $43,252, with the
Bradenton Beach commissioners and department heads discuss a tentative 2024-25 budget July 16 during a workshop at city hall. The fiscal year runs Oct. 1-Sept. 30. Two public hearings take place in September, prior to the budget ordinance being adopted.
Stormwater budgeting will increase by $15,541, with funding to pay for salaries and benefits.
Facilities budgeting will rise from $134,786 to $151,076, with a $16,290 increase for salaries, insurance and building repair and maintenance.
Total general fund expenditures for 2024-25 will be at $4,857,954, which is $359,969 over this year.
The commission also approved a tentative budget for the community redevelopment agency, which funds projects in the historic commercial district of the city.
Cosby said CRA policing reflected a 10% increase for event patrols.
The chief also addressed a lack of budgeted CRA capital projects: “We are saving as much money as we can in order to be able to do the new undergrounding when the bridge comes in. It’s the ideal time to do it. It will save us a lot of money.”
Cosby said the city will wait to work in conjunction with Florida Power and Light during the bridge replacement project.
The decision will reduce CRA expenditures by $1,091,930.
Total CRA spending for 2024-25 will be $344,606.
The next meeting on the budget will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.
By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter
The Florida Department of Transportation continues work on design plans for the replacement of two connective bridges to Anna Maria Island and a study on a third.
The state aims to modernize infrastructure built more than six decades ago.
The DOT completed the Cortez, Anna Maria Island and Longboat Pass bridges in 1957. All three are now considered outdated and insufficient to meet transportation demands.
The Cortez Bridge, spanning the Intracoastal Waterway between Cortez and Bradenton Beach, is slated for replacement with a 65-foot fixed-span bridge in 2026 at an estimated cost of $76,998,790.
The plan sparked debate in Cortez, where some advocate for a drawbridge instead of a high bridge, expressing concerns over its visual impact and community intrusion.
The DOT is pressing ahead with the high bridge and, in July, Manatee County had a meeting to discuss the relocation of the Intracoastal crossing of a water main and force main from Bradenton Beach to Cortez. The work must be completed before bridge construction begins.
“The project is set to get underway in September,” county public information officer Bill Logan wrote in a July 11 email to The Islander. “Since the work will be performed underground and will be subaqueous as it crosses to Palma Sola Bay, there will be no road closures. They will mobilize workers and materials on Sept. 9, and the construction contract runs through completion, estimated on Feb. 10, 2026.”
“Some of the side streets along the Cortez village will have sidewalk closures with posted pedestrian detours due to the storage of piping,” Logan added.
Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby, who attended the county meeting, spoke to The Islander July 18 about the new bridge.
“The bridge has been pushed back,” he said. “The new start date is roughly May of 2026.”
He said there are some design issues the DOT is finalizing.
Cosby voiced concern over the height of the bridge and the resulting slope of on- and off-ramps.
“The slope isn’t going to change. It’s still going to be in the 5%,” Cosby said. “The mayor and I met with the bridge engineers about eight months ago to address that problem and one of the things being considered is etched concrete to help tires grip it.”
“There is a concern with a 5% grade and there’s really not a lot of slope where it goes back to level for the vehicle to stop,” Cosby added. “When these roads get wet, they are slippery. So, my concern is a bus, a garbage truck, coming down that slope and traffic queuing up and them not being able to stop.”
The Anna Maria Island Bridge on Manatee Avenue is set for construction in 2029, pending funding. The $138 million project involves replacing the 24-foot clearance bridge with a high-level fixed bridge about 14 feet south of the current structure. The new design features a vertical clearance of 65 feet.
Roadway approaches to the bridge will consist of two 12-foot-wide travel lanes, 10-foot-wide shoulders, 10-foot-wide sidewalks on both sides of the roadway and a curb and gutter system on the north side of the roadway.
A design for a two-lane roundabout at the intersection of Manatee Avenue and Gulf Drive could replace the traffic signal.
Meanwhile, planning has begun for the Longboat Pass Bridge between Longboat Key and Bradenton Beach.
The DOT anticipates finalizing a design concept for a bridge by late 2025, with preliminary engineering in 2026 and the start of construction in the early 2030s.
The DOT has proposed three bridge options: lowlevel and mid-level bascule bridges and a high-clearance fixed-span bridge.
Cost estimates vary, with the fixed bridge design emerging as the most economical at an estimated $93.3 million, compared to $133.9 million for the mid-level bascule and $133.2 million for the low-level option.
Longboat Key offi cials recommended the midlevel bascule in a June 28 letter to the DOT.
Bradenton Beach commissioners voiced support for the town’s letter, voting 4-0 July 18 to back the mid-bascule bridge.
“I wish we had the bascule bridge at Cortez,” Mayor John Chappie said. “That doesn’t appear to be happening, but you never know.”
“This is really the only logical choice for that area,” added Commissioner Debbie Scaccianoce.
At an April 2023 Manatee Chamber of Commerce meeting, DOT spokeswoman Nicole Mills said the DOT likely would not seek a high bridge replacement for Longboat Pass due to the limited waterway space between the two land masses.
For more information on the projects, visit the DOT’s website at www.swflroads.com.
Tiki and Kitty are leading the way to their favorite shops and boutiques for summer fun.
T&K love Cat’s Meow, an 8,000 square-foot marketplace! Their vendors offer coastal, cottage, beach, antique, boho, midcentury modern and other home decor styles. They also offer vintage to fine jewelry and vintage albums.
You might want to lace up your skates, as this large, former skating rink has plenty to offer bargain hunters and anyone seeking antiques and unique decor. You don’t want to miss this collection.
We’ll definitely make a stop next door at Blue Flamingo , home to hip and trendy upcycled and repurposed goods, furniture and decor, garden features, candles, jewelry and work by local artisans. They also offer Dixie Belle paints.
We promise, you will find treasures aplenty.
Blessed and Distressed is a tastefully designed store — so inviting you’ll want to pull up a chair —
with collectibles and work by local artists at Palma Sola Square, around the corner from Winn-Dixie. It offers 30-plus vintage, upcycled, shabby chic and artsy vendors. You won’t be disappointed.
Scavengers Marketplace has plenty of vendors to capture your wallet at the Palmetto store, 2100 U.S. 301. There’s always something new to entice you among the vendors’ eclectic collections.
FYI: Scavengers also carries Fusion Paints.
The Vintage Vine Market is a favorite for Tiki and Kitty, who love the fine vintage wares and items with a whimsical twist at this store in historic Old Manatee along the newest section of the Bradenton Riverwalk. The location in the 1910 building oozes charm. And they take select consignments by appointment.
And don’t forget, tell people you meet along the way, “The Islander sent me.”
By Robert Anderson and Ryan Paice
Anna Maria
July 11, 100 block of South Bay Blvd., fight. A Manatee County sheriff’s deputy responded to reports of a fight at the Anna Maria City Pier. A complainant said a man shoved him after a difference of opinion concerning his child. The deputy calmed the situation between the two men and filed an incident report.
The MCSO polices Anna Maria. Bradenton Beach
July 13, 900 Gulf Drive N., Gulf Drive Cafe. A Bradenton Beach police officer was dispatched to a call of assault. A man said he was assaulted by a staff member after complaining about his food and being asked to leave. The officer noted a cut on the man’s upper lip. Restaurant staff said the man had been belligerent and abusive. Managers at the restaurant said an employee was sent home but they did not provide the employee’s name. The owner told police video footage was not available. The man who alleged assault declined to pursue charges.
July 19, 3000 block Avenue C, found property. A BBPD officer was dispatched to a call concerning a firearm found at a rental residence. The officer contacted the owner of the firearm and advised her property would be stored at the BBPD until she could retrieve it. The item was logged into the evidence room and a report filed.
The BBPD polices Bradenton Beach. Cortez
July 11, 12000 block of 45th Avenue, fraud. An MCSO deputy took a complaint about a possible fraud involving the use of personal information on Facebook. The complainant said an individual altered his Facebook account and he was receiving money for items being listed for sale on his account by another party. The officer filed a report but informed the man to pursue the issue with Facebook’s customer service.
The MCSO polices Cortez.
Holmes Beach
July 2, Hurricane Hanks, 5348 Gulf Drive, Baker Act. A Holmes Beach police officer responded to reports of an unconscious man outside the bar. The officer found the man, who was intoxicated and getting treatment from Manatee County Emergency Medical Services. The man did not want to be taken to a hospital and began to run away. So the officer chased him. The man claimed he wanted to commit suicide and the officer placed him in protective custody under the Baker Act. He was transported to the HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton.
July 8, 200 block of Peacock Lane, civil issue. Three officers responded to reports of a child who was mentally ill and violent. One officer spoke to the complainant, a woman who said her ex-husband was refusing to let her take custody of their child despite a court-ordered custody agreement. She said her ex said their child was having an episode of psychosis but had not taken the juvenile to a hospital for treatment. The other officers spoke to the father, who refused to allow police or a paramedic to verify his child’s welfare or allow the mother to take custody. The court order allowed the parent with current custody of the child to make medical decisions for her in cases of medical emergencies. So the officers provided the mother with a business card and case number. An officer also filed a report with the Florida Department of Children & Family Services regarding the mother’s allegations about the father withholding medical care from their child and his refusal to allow police to verify the juvenile’s welfare.
July 10, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, petit theft. A man entered the Holmes Beach Police Department to report his phone had been stolen while he was sleeping on a bench at the beach. He added that his accounts had been charged $455 since his phone went missing, so he froze the accounts and disputed the
charges. The man wanted to press charges and named a potential suspect. An officer provided a victim’s rights pamphlet and a case card to the man.
July 11, 100 block of 28th Street, camping/arrest warrant. An officer was patrolling the beach and found a man sleeping on a bench at the 28th Street beach access. The officer woke the man, who provided identification. The officer found there was an active warrant out of Sarasota County for the man’s arrest and he was arrested and transported to the Manatee County jail.
July 12, Driftwood Motel, 5108 Gulf Drive, petit theft. A man called the HBPD to report that an iPad that had gone missing from his motel room was pinging in Palmetto. The man said his family realized the device was missing after they left the motel. They called the motel but staff were unable to find the iPad after searching the room. The man provided a description of the iPad. An officer provided a case number to the man.
July 15, Kingfish Boat Ramp, 752 Manatee Ave., disturbance. An officer responded to reports of a fight and spoke to the complainant. She told police that her family had left the boat ramp but had forgotten a cooler. She said she returned to the boat ramp and found two men and a woman around the cooler and eating sandwiches that had been inside it. She said she approached them and one of them threw a sandwich at her before they loaded the cooler into a truck and drove off with it. A cooler matching her description was found in her vehicle. Another officer found suspects matching the complainant’s description, who said they assumed the cooler was left as trash and began eating the items inside. They said they left the area but did not take the cooler. The complainant did not want to press charges and declined to complete a statement with police.
July 15, HBPD, 5801 Marina Drive, extortion
By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter
A warrant remains active for the arrest of Rosely Padilla-Najera, 34, of Haines City, following alleged violations of probation.
Holmes Beach police arrested Padilla-Najera Oct. 1, 2023, after she was found driving suspiciously. Padilla-Najera, who did not have a driver’s license, displayed signs of impairment and her vehicle had multiple open beer bottles.
An officer asked Padilla-Najera to perform field sobriety exercises, which she refused.
She was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and transported to the Holmes Beach Police Department.
There, she registered breath samples with results of 0.145 and 0.142 grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath. The state’s legal blood alcohol level limit for driving under the influence is 0.08.
Padilla-Najera was transported to the Manatee County jail, where authorities found cocaine.
So Padilla-Najera. released on $3,360 bond, was charged with two felonies and three misdemeanors.
of a minor. The HBPD received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and called the complainant, who said a social media user was blackmailing his son by threatening to release a video the child had sent them. The son sent the user $110 but they requested more money and continued to threaten him about releasing the video. The complainant said the extortion began when they were on vacation in Holmes Beach but they were back home in North Carolina. The case was updated and sent back to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force to be reassigned to a law enforcement agency in North Carolina.
July 16, Waterline Hotel, 5325 Marina Drive, assisting EMS. An officer responded to requests for
The state attorney’s office dropped a felony charge for introducing contraband into a detention facility and a misdemeanor charge for driving with a suspended license.
The court reached a resolution for the remaining charges by Dec. 5, 2023, after Padilla-Najera pleaded no contest to every charge.
Judge Charles Sniffen of the 12th Circuit Court ruled that day to withhold adjudication against her for felony cocaine possession.
Sniffen also found Padilla-Najera guilty of two second-degree misdemeanors.
He sentenced her to serve 24 months of probation for the felony charge and 12 months of probation for the DUI, to be served concurrently.
However, the Florida Department of Corrections issued a warrant Feb. 8 for Padilla-Najera’s arrest due to multiple alleged probation violations.
Such warrants are only resolved by an arrest or voluntary surrender, or if the court recalls them.
Violating probation allows a judge to revoke their sentence and impose any penalties that could have been imposed for the initial charges.
EMS assistance with a girl suffering from medical issues. Medical personnel were on scene as the officer arrived and advised that she was intoxicated and vomiting. The girl had been drinking with friends on the beach before going to the hotel’s pool area. The girl’s mother was contacted and authorized her daughter’s transport to a hospital. She was taken to the HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton. The girl’s juvenile friends were taken to the HBPD and released to their parents. They were all issued trespass warnings for using the hotel’s pool area without being registered guests.
HBPD polices Holmes Beach.
Streetlife is based on reports and narratives from the BBPD, HBPD and MCSO.
• South Bradenton Beach: Manatee County is nearing the completion of its sewer project on Gulf Drive South. For the latest, go to amiprojects.io.
• City center in Holmes Beach: Manatee County’s final work on a force main project on Holmes Boulevard, Marina Drive and side streets remains open. A project walkthrough was performed and the contractor is completing punch-list items and cleanup. For the latest, go to amiprojects.io.
For area road watch information, go online to swflroads.com or dial 511
— lisa Neff
The week beginning July 15, Suncoast Waterkeeper conducted water quality testing for enterococci, bacteria that live in the intestinal tracts of warm-blooded animals and the presence of the bacteria in the water indicates the presence of fecal waste.
The nonprofit, which issues alerts but is not an authority that can close recreational areas, warned of “don’t swim” levels at Robinson Preserve and the Palma Sola Causeway North Beach in northwest Bradenton.
“Take caution” levels were found at the Historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach.
For more information, go online to suncoastwaterkeeper.org/safetoswim.
— lisa Neff
Island watch
In an emergency, call 911. To report info, call the MCSO Anna Maria, 941-708-8899; Bradenton Beach police, 941-778-6311; Holmes Beach police, 941-708-5804.
By Kevin P. Cassidy Islander Reporter
After three weeks of action in the adult flag football league at the Center of Anna Maria Island, Fishing With Salty and Floridian Mortgage are atop the standings with matching 3-0 records.
Prosper Bradenton and Solid Rock Electrical hold second place on 2-1 records, followed by Moss Builders and Salty Printing at 1-2, while Slim’s Place and Solid Rock Air Conditioning fell to 0-3.
Action July 18 got started with a Solid Rock match-up between the “solid pair” of electrical and air conditioning companies. Solid Rock Electrical shocked Solid Rock AC 35-21 behind four touchdown passes from Jonathan Moss. Brandon Rolland, who opened the scoring with an interception return for a touchdown, also added a pair of touchdown catches in addition to a 2-point conversion and an extra point. Evelyn Long and Lucan Lubore each added a TD catch in the victory for Solid Rock Electrical.
SRAC was led by Dominick Otteni, who threw for a touchdown, ran for a touchdown and added a receiving TD, while Zaon Williams finished with a TD pass and a TD reception. Angelie Collazo completed the scoring for SRAC with a TD reception in the loss.
Next up, quarterback Chase Richardson threw five TD passes to help Floridian Mortgage cruise to a 39-0 shutout victory over Prosper Bradenton. Rex Kesten led all receivers with three TD catches, while Tim Holly, Tyler Brewer and Cory Banks each added a TD catch to the victory.
The third game of the evening saw Fishing With Salty outscore Slim’s Place 33-26 thanks to three TD passes and a TD reception from Miguel Rodriguez and two TD passes and a receiving TD from Matthew Briley. Dina DeJesus, Anthony McCance and Jona-
than Soultatos each added one TD grab with Soultatos adding six flag pulls and an interception on defense.
Cruz Rodriguez led Slim’s Place with four TD passes, including two to Jaden Grant. Roman Marintez added a TD catch, while Anthony Mannino finished with a TD grab and a 2-point conversion for Slim’s Place in the loss.
Matt Manger threw two TD passes and ran for another TD to lead Salty Printing to a 26-14 victory over Moss Builders in the final game of the night. Christian Hampton finished with three TDs on six receptions and Tuna McCracken added a TD pass.
Greg Moss threw for a TD and added an interception return for a TD to lead Moss Builders, which also received a TD catch from Peggy Smith and extra points from Shawn Balvin and Moss in the loss.
Indoor soccer continues
Indoor soccer action in the gym at the center completed its fourth week on the summer schedule with two teams chasing unbeaten records.
Positive Waves has a comfortable lead in the fiveteam 8-10 division with a 3-0 record, four points clear of second-place Gulf Drive Cafe, which has a 1-0-2 record. Shady Lady Horticultural Services and Solid Rock Construction are tied for third with matching 1-1-1 records, while Progressive Cabinetry completes the standings at 0-4.
AMI Outfitters leads the 11-14 division with a 3-0-1 record, just ahead of second-place Jiffy Lube which has a 2-1-1 record. Solid Rock Construction at 1-2-1 and 0-3-1 Cloud Pest Control completes the 11-14 standings.
Solid Rock Construction and Cloud Pest Control battled to a 4-4 tie to open the 11-14 action July 15. Sisto Price scored two goals to lead Solid Rock, which also received a goal each from Luke Willing and Declan Lee, while Hayden Eurice and Obi Roadman
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combined to make 12 saves in the tie.
Dominik Zupa scored three goals and David Zupa added a goal to lead the Cloud Pest Control offense. Kyle Castanga made 13 saves and Theo Aupelle chipped in with six saves for Cloud in the tie.
In what may be a preview of the championship game, AMI Outfitters edged Jiffy Lube 7-6 in the second game of the night. Matthew Darak, Grayson Cohen and Wes Saxon each scored two goals to lead AMI Outfitters, which also received a goal from Mckenna Darak. Jordan Tobey made 14 saves and TJ Hagey added seven saves to help preserve the Outfitters victory.
Hudson West scored four goals to lead all scorers while Jiffy Lube teammates Gunnar Maize and Callin Westfall each scored a goal. Cohen Weber finished with 13 saves for the Jiffy Lube defense in the loss.
Action in the 8-10 division kicked off July 17 with Positive Waves cruising to a 6-1 victory over Shady Lady Horticultural Services behind four goals from Sebastian Cordova and two goals from Ryan Greenberg. Silas Whitehead helped keep Shady Lady at bay with seven saves in the victory.
Harbor Smoljanovich notched the lone goal for Shady Lady, which also received six saves from Hudsen Smoljanovich in the loss.
Gulf Drive Cafe outscored Progressive Cabinetry 9-7 in the final game of the night. Leo Burns had five goals and an assist and Joseph Caballero added four goals and an assist to lead Gulf Drive, which also received six saves from Titus Moss in the victory.
Rafa Price had four goals and two assists for Progressive Cabinetry, which also received two goals from Everly Chaplinsky and a goal from Ellison Maynard. Easton Freeman helped keep Progressive Cabinetry in the game with 14 saves in the loss.
Key Royale golf news
Golf action at the Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach got started July 15 with the men’s weekly mod-
The Center of Anna Maria Island Fall Soccer Leagues are accepting registrations.
The youth league registration closes Friday, Aug. 16.
Evaluations and drafts for the youth league will include:
• Ages 11-14, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19;
• Ages 8-10, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20;
There will be no evaluations for 3-4s or 5-7s.
Play will begin Sept. 16, with matches played Mondays and Tuesdays.
The youth registration fee is $20 for members and $150 for nonmembers.
The center also is taking registration for its adult soccer league, with matches to begin Thursday, Sept. 19.
The deadline to register for the adult league is 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, also the date for evaluations and drafts, followed by pickup play.
Matches will be played Thursdays.
Registration costs $20 for members and $130 for nonmembers.
To register, visit the center at 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, call 941-778-1908 or go online to centerami.org.
Sponsors, coaches sought
To volunteer as a sports coach or sponsor a team at the center, contact Tuna McCracken, sports program manager, at 941-778-1908, ext. 207, or sports@centerami.org.
— lisa Neff
By Capt. Danny Stasny Islander Reporter
With water temperatures in the upper 80s and lower 90s on some days, Anna Maria Island anglers are migrating to deeper water to find bites.
Fishing nearshore wrecks, reefs and hardbottom areas in the Gulf of Mexico is leading to action on a variety of species.
Mangrove snapper are the most frequent bite when fishing in depths of 30-50 feet. Using live shiners as bait combined with a knocker rig — a 1-ounce egg sinker and a circle hook — is yielding limits of mangrove snapper, as well as a variety of other species, including lane snapper, yellowtail snapper, Key West grunts and plenty of juvenile grouper.
Free-lining shiners over wrecks and reefs is working to attract migratory fish, such as Spanish mackerel and bonito.
Anglers willing to venture to depths of 80-120 feet are being rewarded with limits of American red snapper, large red grouper and an occasional cobia.
For anglers who prefer inshore fishing, the high temperatures are definitely playing a role in the success of a fishing trip. Getting out early is key to beat the heat.
Fishing the flats for snook and redfish can be successful during the first couple of hours after sunrise, especially if timed to correspond with good moving tides.
Live shiners as bait are your best bet although in many instances, you might find the redfish will prefer dead bait.
In either scenario, some patience is required because the warm waters have the fish kind of sluggish, less motivated than normal.
As the water heats up, many anglers are fishing deeper grass flats, which can hold spotted seatrout, mackerel, ladyfish and mangrove snapper.
Using hatch bait or small live shiners works best to get the fish to bite. Swift moving tides are best and will yield the most action.
Finally, if nothing else works, try targeting sharks along the beaches and in the passes. Small blacktip sharks put up a great fight and can save the day if the bite is slow.
On my Just Reel charters, I’m working in the Gulf
ified-Stableford system match. Tom Nelson and Dave Richardson both carded plus-2s to finish in a tie for first place. Ron Buck and Chuck Patrick were both a point back in a tie for second.
Sue Wheeler fi red a 3-over-par 35 to take fi rst place in the women’s nine hole individual-low-net match July 16. Jana Samuels came in second with a 4-over-par 36, while Terry Westby was another stroke back in third.
Members played a scramble/shamble July 18 on a modified course that played to a par 43. The team of John Kolojeski, Scott Mitchell, Jana Samuels and Kurt Snouffer combined on a 3-under-par 40 to earn clubhouse bragging rights for the day. The team of Mike Clements, Rod Hammond and Chuck Patrick finished alone in second place, three strokes off the pace.
of Mexico to fi nd a consistent bite. Bottom fi shing around wrecks, reefs and hard bottom is leading to limits of mangrove snapper. Mixed in with that bite are lane and yellowtail snappers and juvenile grouper.
Migratory fi sh — the macks and bonito — are lurking in the same areas and are being caught by freelining baits on the surface rather than bottom fishing.
Moving inshore, spotted seatrout and macks are being found over deep grass flats in Tampa Bay. Ladyfish and jack crevalle are in the mix, which adds variety to the bite.
Lastly, blacktip sharks are being caught on freshcut pieces of bonito and mackerel. The sharks are measuring 4-5 feet and are feisty once on the hook.
Capt. David White is working offshore in the Gulf of Mexico on the calmer days. American red snapper are the highlight while fishing offshore with limits being caught daily. Live pinfish or frozen bait offerings are being eaten on every drop by the aggressive snapper.
After catching a limit of red snapper, White is targeting yellowtail snapper, which are cooperating nicely. Small live shiners are leading to numerous hookups on the tasty snapper. While wreck fishing offshore, White is hooking into an occasional cobia.
Moving inshore, White is catching numerous species despite the warm water. Mangrove snapper are being found around inshore wrecks and reefs, as well as in the passes. Spotted seatrout are being caught in areas where deep grass flats exist.
Fishing shallow flats in the early morning is resulting in catch-and-release snook.
Finally, White also is targeting blacktip sharks at
Horseshoe news
Two teams advanced to the knockout stage during July 17 horseshoe action at the Anna Maria City Hall pits. The team of Tom Farrington and Dom Livedoti cruised to a 22-6 victory over Tim Sofran and Norm Good to earn the day’s bragging rights.
Horseshoe action on July 20 was short and sweet. The team of Tom Farrington and Bob Heiger posted the lone 3-0 pool play record and were the day’s outright champs — giving Farrington bragging rights for the week.
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.
in the 70-pound range. They were guided by Capt. David White of Anna Maria Charters.
“The fish ate the first bait in the water July 19 on the annual Finch Roof Consulting trip,” said Capt. David White, charter fishing guide. “Quite a surprise for the first fish of the day!” White said the fish went home for dinner — “blackened with fresh strawberry-peach salsa.”
the mouth of Tampa Bay is providing action when the waters heat up and the flats bite slows down.
Capt. Johnny Mattay says the offshore bite has been good for charters looking for action on American red snapper and yellowtail snapper and free-lining chunks of squid or sardines is working for either species. Mattay says live pinfish as bait are getting attention from the red snapper.
Mangrove snapper, lane snapper and red grouper are in the mix while fishing offshore, as is bonito and amberjack.
Moving inshore, mangrove snapper and Spanish mackerel have been the most consistent bite for Mattay’s anglers. Using small shiners as bait is leading to action on both.
On the higher stages of the tide, Mattay is putting clients on redfish and catch-and-release snook along the mangrove shorelines during early morning tides. Lastly, spotted seatrout are available, although the bite on them is hit or miss, according to Mattay. Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.
By Masha Dolgoff
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring is reporting a high number of disorientations among hatching sea turtle nests.
As of July 19, the nesting season was a little past the mid-season mark and many nests had already hatched, which occurs about 55 days from incubation.
Among the hatched nests, 55% had disoriented, meaning hatchlings got lost or were impeded on their way to the water.
Last year, 105 of 404 nests disoriented in total, which is significantly less than the proportion so far this year.
Kristen Mazzarella, executive director of AMITW, said July 12 that the high number was “very disturbing.”
Mazzarella said closing window blinds and avoiding flashlight use on the beach are two ways to help reduce the risk of sea turtle disorientations.
As of July 19, AMITW recorded 664 sea turtle nests, 825 false crawls, 96 hatched nests and 6,079 hatchlings produced.
A hatchling “straggler” makes its way July 17 in Holmes Beach to the gulf of Mexico. Islander
Photo: Courtesy AMITW
“I really believe interior lights are more of an issue,” Jayson Clayton, code compliance supervisor at Holmes Beach, told The Islander in a phone interview July 18.
“We’ve done a good job in the city of Holmes Beach as far as our external turtle lights,” he said.
However, interior lighting is more difficult to enforce.
“With new people coming into rental units every week, they just forget to close their blinds or accidentally leave the TV on,” Clayton said.
Newer beachfront construction is required to have “turtle glass” to reduce the incidence of artificial light reaching the beach, but older houses are likely outfitted with regular windows that allow light to reach the beach.
Clayton said even headlights from a car on the road can be an issue.
Besides closing blinds and shutting off TVs when not in use, Clayton suggested people use lights farther
from a window.
In addition to hatchling disorientation, AMITW has reported adult turtle disorientations, including two incidents of turtles reaching roadways, one a fatality, as a sea turtle was struck and killed June 19.
The second occurrence July 8 took place near Bayfront Park in Anna Maria.
However, the turtle was rescued from the road and returned to the water with the help of AMITW volunteers and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
In an email to The Islander July 17, Anna Maria code enforcement manager David DeZutter said he was investigating the situation.
“If there happens to be a code violation, we will most certainly take the appropriate steps to correct the issue,” he said.
Although there are concerns, 2024 remains a record-breaking year for the number of sea turtle nests on Anna Maria Island, with a total of 664 as of July 19.
There also are some promising metrics across the state.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported that 2024 will likely become a record-breaking year for nesting by Kemp’s ridley sea turtles.
In a June 30 report, the FWC said there were 22 such nests.
Statewide, loggerheads and greens, the two most common species on Anna Maria Island, had totals of 67,856 and 2,556, respectively, and leatherbacks came in at 1,737 nests, mostly on the east coast.
Sea turtle nesting season runs May 1-Oct. 31 on AMI.
Female sea turtles come ashore on Anna Maria Island to lay their eggs during the season and hatchlings emerge from nests to crawl to the Gulf.
Sea turtle nesting activity is slowing on Anna Maria Island beaches while hatching activity is picking up.
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring was busy the week ending July 21 documenting new hatches, conducting nest inventories and taking note of disorientations.
AMITW also continued to monitor a colony of least terns in north Bradenton Beach near 27th Street North, where six chicks have fledged.
“We also were lucky to have a researcher from Eckerd College come down to band some of the chicks,” AMITW executive director Kristen Mazzarella said in a report July 19.
Elizabeth Forys of Eckerd outfitted four chicks with bands. During the process, each bird was weighed and the length of bills and wings were measured to record data in state and federal databases.
In other news, Henrietta, a loggerhead tagged after nesting earlier this summer at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach for the Tour de Turtles marathon organized by the Sea Turtle Conservancy, returned to the island to nest July 17.
Henrietta, as of July 19, was swimming to foraging grounds.
The race doesn’t officially begin until Aug. 1.
— Masha Dolgoff
By Lisa Neff
I don’t mind spiders.
But mostly I don’t get a peaceful easy feeling from bugs.
Ants make me fidgety.
Roaches cause me to scream.
No see ums send me running.
And mosquitoes can keep me in long sleeves or drive me indoors.
Several years ago, I embarrassed myself after I went online and requested an inspection of my yard by our mosquito control agency.
Did you know we have Manatee County Mosquito Control District to manage and minimize about 50 species of mosquitoes?
If we didn’t have them, this area probably would be uninhabitable or at least undesirable, as mosquitoborne illness can have grave consequences. In fact, mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on the planet.
Across the state this summer, the Florida Health Department has been monitoring for a range of mosquito-borne illnesses — dengue, West Nile, Zika, Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria and chikungunya.
In late June, the department issued an advisory for Hillsborough County after it confirmed a case of locally-acquired dengue fever.
The case prompted aerial spraying in Hillsborough just as confirmed cases of locally-acquired malaria in 2023 prompted aerial spraying and other measures in Texas and Florida.
Manatee’s MCD conducts aerial spraying and takes other approaches to deal with mosquitoes that involve source reduction, larviciding and adulticiding.
Larviciding is MCD’s frontline approach and
Anna Radojcsics examines mosquito larvae at Anna Maria elementary STeM night as Mary geesey, an entomology technician at Manatee County Mosquito Control, explains the life cycle of skeeters in January 2018. Islander File Photo
involves applying a bacteria-derived toxin — larvaespecific — in areas where mosquitoes breed by trucks and helicopters as well as with handheld sprayers.
Adulticiding involves using trucks or helicopters to spray “extremely low quantities of insecticide” for adult mosquitoes — a truck can treat 1-2 square miles in a night and a helicopter can treat 50 square miles.
Rose Fisher, second-grader at Stewart elementary School in Bradenton, shows off a large sand flea she found July 16 while digging in the sand at the water’s edge near the 71st Street beach. With Rose is her cousin, Adeline Shoupe, visiting from Athens, georgia. Rose’s mom, Danielle, says they often frequent the beach and the “golf-ball-size” sand flea is the largest she’d seen in 20 years. Islander Photo: Danielle Mom Fisher
Source reduction involves removing or modifying habitats to control mosquitoes. At city hall, this might involve improving stormwater drainage and at home this can involve draining pots, plant trays, regularly refreshing bird baths and emptying the rain gauge.
Back to my call to MCD, which will send an inspector out on request, often within a day.
The inspector who paid me a visit surveyed the yard and pointed out that I seemed to be more successful at breeding mosquitoes than raising tomatoes, attracting birds or collecting rainwater.
He identified at least two dozen items in the yard holding water, including flowerpots, a drain pipe from the air conditioner, a clogged gutter, two bird baths, a broken thermometer and several plants.
“Source reduction,” he said.
Yes, modify habitats or frequently remove water and you reduce the mosquito problem.
I know this now and prefer the approach to using any insecticides. Now I daily check pots and drains to see they aren’t collecting water and I use fountains to move water in birdbaths, which increases the presence of birds.
To request service or view the MCMCD treatment schedule, go online to manateemosquito.com.
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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. (limited time offer).
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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.
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ClIPPER’S BARBERSHOP: $19 men’s haircut! 7:30 am- 3 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. 36-plus years. 8208 Cortez Road W., Bradenton. 941920-6442.
STACy’S COMPuTERS: REPAIR and tutoring in your home. Senior/veterans discount. Call Stacy at 941-246-1048.
B u SINESS-TO-B u SINESS 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, 941-720-7411. CAC184228.
CONNIE’S l ANDSCAPING INC. Residential and commercial. Full-service lawn maintenance, landscaping, cleanups, hauling and more! Insured. 941-713-1965.
CO ll INS l ANDSCAPE l IGHTING: 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, or “shell phone” 941-720-0770.
VAN-GO PAINTING residential/commercial, interior/exterior, pressure cleaning, wallpaper. Island references. Bill, 941-795-5100. www. vangopainting.net.
GRIFFIN’S HOME IMPROVEMENTS Inc. Handyman, fine woodwork, countertops, cabinets and wood flooring. Insured and licensed. 941-722-8792.
lANE’S SCREENING SERVICES: Replace your window, door or lanai screens. Many screen options available. Retired veteran serving our community! Free estimates, call 941-705-5293.
l OOKING FOR AN y home improvement? JRCC Home Improvement, handyman service can get the job done. Please, contact us at 413-246-2410. We would love to help.
TIlE-TIlE-TIlE: All variations of ceramic tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship, prompt, reliable, many Island references. Call Robert, 941-726-3077.
DONA l D PERKINS PAINTING ll C. Interior/exterior/pressure washing. Island references. dperkinspaint@hotmail.com. 941705-7096.
GORI ll A DRy WA ll REPAIR ll C. l et’s solve your drywall problems together. Give us a call at 941-286-0607.
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.
A.R.E. RENOVATION’S: WHOlESAlE kitchen cabinets, direct remodel, bathrooms, trim, doors, flooring, tile. license # CRC.1334176. 941-465-3045.
ISlAND HANDyMAN: I live here, work here, value your referral. Refinish, paint. Just ask. JayPros. licensed/insured. References. Call Jay, 941-962-2874.
ANNA MARIA GulF beachfront vacation rentals. One- two- and three-bedroom units, all beachfront. www.amiparadise.com. 941-7783143.
PERICO IS l AND PATIO home for rent. 3BR/2BA, 30-day minimum. Privacy fence/ gate, two miles to AMI. Call or text, 859-7716423. http://pericoislandrental.com/
AVAI l AB l E NOW AND season: 1BR/1BA, seven-night minimum. carlesvacationrentals. co m Special rates are available. 941-8071405.
ANNuAl RENTAl: VIllA home in Perico Bay Club, Bradenton. Gated and 24-hour security. 2BR/2BA, updated. updated kitchen, screened deck and two-car garage. unfurnished. Text 908-875-0299 for information.
FOR RENT: Anna Maria Island condo. Great value, beautiful upgraded 2BR/2BR. Incredible water view. Pool, tennis, walk to beach. Private carport. Excellent rental terms. Owner/renter. Call/email for pictures, 570-239-0431. marketreps@aol.com.
FOR RENT: HOlMES Beach 2BR/2/BA groundlevel. Five-minute walk to beach, quiet area. No animals, one parking spot. Available June, July, August. Summer rate, $2,300/month plus tax. Please, text or email for more information. louann lehto, +1 403-512-2350. dlehto@telus. net
SEASONA l RENTA l : Bradenton 55-plus community. l arge 2BR/2BA condo on bay, exceptional views. Elevator and five minutes to bridge. No smoking, No pets. $4,650/month. Three-month minimum. Photos at https://barbaragillespie.wixsite.com/47872024. 732-7480759
F l AMINGO B y THE Bay condo for rent on Palma Sola Bay. Second floor with a view. 1BR/1BA with boat dock. Annual rental, $1,800/month. 941-224-0836.
SEASONAl RENTAl IN Holmes Beach available January-April 2025. Elevated townhouse 2BR/1.5BA. Three-month minimum. $4,100/ month plus tax, fees. Call Anna Maria Realty, 941-778-2259 or email dina@annamariareal. com
JANuARy ONly: 2BR/1BA. Close to Cortez Village, 2 miles to beach. Quiet neighborhood but close to great restaurant and shopping, across from Sarasota Bay. 941-773-1552.
ANN u A l RENTA l : HO l MES Beach. Two blocks to beach. 2BR/2BA. $2,500/month. Internet and basic cable included until March 2025. 920-763-2800.
CONDO TO RENT in gated community (five miles from Anna Maria). Available July until end November, all included! 704-993-0288. floridarentals.com/10943/
CONDO VACATION RENTA l S: Palma Sola townhouse, 2BR/2BA pool and boat dock. $1,000/week. Perico Bay Club, 2BR/2BA, onecar garage. $2,800/month. Real Estate Mart, 941-356-1456.
2025 SEASONAl RENTAl: Just one block from the beach, single-story 2BR/2BA private residence, screened patio. No smoking/no pets. Monthly. January-April. 64th Street, Holmes Beach. Call 813-833-4926.
2BR/1BA ANNuAl lEASE: Electric/ac/heat all included. $2,975/month. looking for 1 or 2 quiet adults with no pets or smoking. Steps to Gulf. Owner-occupied duplex. Owner, 508496-8480. williamshomes@yahoo.com
WINNIE MCHA l E, REA lTOR, 941-5046146. Dalton Wade Real Estate. 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.”
2BR/2BA HOME for sale. 3,000 sfur. 1,100 sf garage. Steps to beach. $1,449,000. 941-5186329.
CONDO FOR SAlE or lease. 2BR/2BA at the west end of Bradenton Riverwalk. Downtown walk-a-bout community features library, performing art center, creative art center and galleries. Shoppes, fine and casual dining. $280,000. Florida Suncoast Real Estate, Geri Kenyon, 941-725-4374.
PRIVATE SAlE: THE perfect VRBO or private vacation home. Beautiful beachside bungalow direct marina front with peek-a-boo views of Palma Sola Bay. Private boat docks are available. Just off the SR 64 causeway at Palma Sola Bay in the highly sought-after community of Palma Sola Park. This beautiful 2BR/2BA, sleeps 8 with heated salt pool and large tiki bar. $1,200,000. Contact owner, 941-661-6196.
u PDATED VI ll A: 2BR/2BA, pool and clubhouse. Call Fred for information and viewing. $285,000. Real Estate Mart, 941-356-1456.
MOuNT VERNON uPDATED villa for sale. 2BR/2BA. 1,246 sf. $309,000. 55-plus vibrant community, heated pool, clubhouse, pickleball, kayak launch, plus more! Boat docks available: $25 application, $10 yearly. 9407 Andover Circle, Bradenton. Keller Williams on the Water, Cathy Roberson, 239-8989123.
CONDO FOR SAlE: 55-plus. 2BR/2BA split 1,100 sf. Bonus room, patio, newer flooring, central air handler, heat, pets welcome. Bradenton ready for immediate possession. $179,900. Call 616-648-1648 for pictures or showing.
After 29 years of collecting, creating, stewardship, sales and friendships, Cortez residents Rose and Todd Fleck are retiring at the end of July from Essence of Time on Cortez Road West.
The coastal home decor destination, known for art, sea glass jewelry, antique and refurbished furniture and a variety of old and new mercantile moved from
Holmes Beach to Cortez and expanded in 2009.
“The time is right for us to turn the page to a new chapter in our lives. We’ve built a great business and are very thankful for our loyal customers and vendors,” Rose Fleck said July 12.
The good news is Dean Culley, a longtime vendor and veteran dealer in vintage and home goods, will take over Aug. 1 with a new name, Coastal On Cortez.
Culley says he got the buy-and-resell bug from his mom, Dotty. She ran “Dotty’s Depot” 15 years in downtown Bradenton.
Essence of Time is at 10015 Cortez Road W., Bradenton. It will reopen Aug. 1 as Coastal On Cortez, operating 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.
For more, call either Rose Fleck for a limited time or Culley at the store, 941-792-3545.
— Bonner Joy
ABOVE: Rob and Gina Riley, proprietors of Grooms Motors & Automotive, pose June 15 with vendors and food tents at their 10th-anniversary celebration at the shop, 5608 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. About 85 people attended the event, where lunch was provided and automotive prizes — a set of tires and motor oil — were given away. RIGHT: Wife Stacy and Rob Self, a longtime Grooms mechanic, gather for a photo June 15 at Grooms’ 10th anniversary celebration, while Reese Riley gives two thumbs-up behind them. Islander Photos: Courtesy Grooms Motors
Very
Cortez Road W., Bradenton. Islander Courtesy Photo
10 years of business is celebrated by Grooms in Holmes Beach
Just a short walk to the public pickleball and tennis courts, dog park, restaurants and shops. $499,000
Wedding plans?
AMI wedding planner Karen Riley-love poses July 15 with owner/chef Fabio Viviani at Taverna Toscana, a new Bradenton restaurant. Viviani, originally from Florence, Italy, is known for his participation on Bravo’s “Top Chef.” At the restaurant, 1301 Sixth Ave. W., Viviani introduced Taverna Toscana to some “movers and shakers.” Riley-love and friends enjoyed sparkling wine and appetizers, including a “delicious” meatball that Riley-love watched Viviani prepare that morning on his youTube show. For more information about Taverna Toscana, call 941357-7772. Islander Photo: Bonner Joy
By Carol Bernard
104 Pelican Drive, Anna Maria, 1,925 sq ft 3BR 2BA pool home on a 7,501 sq ft lot built in 1978 sold on 4-24-2024 by Overstreet to 104 Pelican LLC for $1,700,000 list price $1,999,000.
707 Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 2,929 sq ft 3BR 3BA pool home on a 8999 sq ft lot built in 1967 sold 5-12024 by Sawe to Andrew for $2,375,000 list price $2,500,000.
113 Gull Drive, Anna Maria, 2,447 sq ft 3BR 2BA pool home on a 9,100 sq ft lot built in 1969 sold 5-62024 by YOLO Ind LLC to Mermaid Baltimore LLC for $2,550,000 list price $2,750,000.
412 Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 1,618 sq ft 3BR 3BA home on a 5,101 sq ft lot built in 1958 sold 5-102024 by Nesmith to Webster for $2,700,000 list price
$2,950,000.
115 Sixth St., Bradenton Beach, 1,344 sq ft 3BR 2BA home on a 5,001 sq ft lot built in 1987 sold 4/19/2024 by Oles Trust to RHP Rev Trust Investments LLC for $1,775,000 list price
$2,500,000.
2213 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach, 1,852 sq ft 3BR 3BA pool home on a 5,249 sq ft lot built in 2005 sold 5-16-2024 by Schepps to Mennella for $2,500,000 list price
$2,680,000.
314 60th St., Holmes Beach, 2,356 sq ft 4BR 3BA pool home on a 4,500 sq ft lot built in 2007 sold 4/26/2024 by Compton to Schmenk for $1,835,000 list price
$2,000,000.
518 74th St., Holmes Beach, 2,343 sq ft 3BR 3BA pool home on a 12,153 sq ft lot built in 1969 sold 4-24-2024 by Buky-Kasten to 518 74th St. LLC for $1,850,000 list price $2,195,000.
207 72nd St., Holmes Beach, 1,921 sq ft 5BR 3BA pool home on a 6,826 sq ft lot built in 2014 sold 5-202024 by Vandonk to 207 72nd St. LLC for $2,200,000 list price $2,295,000.
2905 Ave. E, Holmes Beach, 2,420 sq ft 4BR 4BA pool home on a 5,000 sq ft lot built in 2015 sold 5-312024 by Krasowski to Lafave for $2,700,000 list price
Gabe Bragg, 14, left, and brother Isaiah, 9, of Perico Island, have fun July 12 waving at passersby on Marina Drive with Olaf, a character from the movie “Frozen,” while at Frosty Oasis, 5602 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Frosty Oasis specializes in soft-serve custard in Dole fruit flavors, including strawberry, lemon and pineapple. For more information, go online to frostyoasis.com or call 941-842-5555. Islander Courtesy Photo
$2,950,000.
527 65th St., Holmes Beach, 2,436 sq ft 3BR 3BA pool home on a 11,870 sq ft lot built in 2002 sold 5-242024 by Falk Trust to Brandon Props for $2,800,000 list price $2,995,000.
Compiled by Island Real Estate staff. IRE can be reached at 941-778-6066, islandreal.com.
By Robyn Murrell
Thursday, July 25
5:30-7 p.m.— Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce business card exchange with the Monkey Bus, Slicker’s Eatery, 12012 Cortez Road W., Bradenton. Information: 941-778-1541, ingrid@ amichamber.org.
Aug.1, 8-9:30 a.m., AMI chamber breakfast, Cool Beans AMI, 101 S. Bay Blvd., Unit A, Anna Maria. Aug. 8,11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., AMI chamber luncheon, Mademoiselle Paris, 9906 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. Send calendar listings to robyn@islander.org.
