The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023

County asks feds for beach nourishment post-Idalia

By Lisa neff islander editor

Idalia stole some sand.

Manatee County commissioners Sept.

12 authorized asking the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for federal aid to rehab Anna Maria Island’s coastline in the wake of Hurricane Idalia.

The storm, passing about 100 miles west in the Gulf of Mexico Aug. 29-30, brought wind, rain and storm surge to the barrier islands. In parts of the island, people evacuated ahead of the storm and returned to find sand-covered streets and sea oats against the foundation of their homes.

In some AMI locations after Idalia, there

Curtain raises on IP’s 75th season

three of the “farce of nature” cast — Joseph mammina, left, rick Kapp and Janet Salem — perform on opening night Sept. 14 at the island Players in anna maria. the first production of the season opened the iP’s 75th year celebration. islander Photo: nan morrison. rigHt: People enter the playhouse from gulf drive in 1975. islander Photo: manatee county Library. for more, go to pages 11-12.

was more Gulf beach but at other locations, including in Bradenton Beach at John Chappie Park and Coquina and Cortez beaches, many feet of beach — up to 150 feet — were lost.

Some of the erosion occurred in federal renourishment zones and some sand was lost in non-federal project zones.

The Corps has “federally authorized and constructed beach renourishment projects damaged and destroyed by wind, wave or water action other than ordinary nature,” according to a memo to commissioners from Charlie Hunsicker, director of the parks and natural resources department.

So the county moved to ask for federal

help to restore sand in federal projects.

The letter to Army Corps Lt. Col. Matthew T. Miller in the Jacksonville District, reads, in part, “The Manatee County Shore Protection Project on Anna Maria Island received damages from Hurricane Idalia. We respectfully request that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers evaluate and repair the damage to this project.”

According to the letter, county staff took beach measurements before and after the storm to document changes on the coast but more surveys are planned “to further evaluate damages to the federal design.”

Also, after Idalia passed, county officials

New Pines Park owners deliver ‘exciting news’

By robert anderson islander reporter

A change in ownership has Pines Trailer Park residents thinking about the future. Tenants of the mobile home park, 103 Church Ave., Bradenton Beach, waited months for news on the fate of their homes after receiving notice in January that the park land was for sale for $16 million.

The homeowner’s association learned in an introductory letter Sept. 12 from Pines Park Investors LLC that it had acquired the park from the Jackson Partnership LLLP.

“We hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits,” the letter read.

The statement continued, “We are writing to you today with some exciting news regarding the future of Pines Park. We are Pines Park Investors LLC — a group of trailer park owners and operators. As you may be aware, we have recently acquired Pines Park and we wanted to take this opportunity to assure you that we are committed to preserving and improving the park in hopes of ensuring long-term success.”

The letter informed owners that Brien Quinn, would continue to serve as park manager under the new ownership. Quinn has turn to Pines, Page

Photographer Jonelle forbes of Sarasota saw posts on social media about an occurrence of bioluminescence — a natural phenomenon that accompanies an algae bloom — at anna maria island and decided to visit the beach at the south end of the island to give it “a shot.” Her photo was taken from Bradenton Beach Sept. 12 looking across Longboat Pass to the gulf of mexico. forbes is a professional wedding/portrait photographer who shoots in raw format. “the water really was that blue and the sky full of stars,” she said. Bioluminescence occurs mostly in summer months but is not predictable.

Committee tackling issues on clean water at taps, ballot box

By Lisa neff islander editor

More test results are on tap for an island committee raising concerns about harmful forever chemicals in drinking water.

The Holmes Beach Clean Water Ad Hoc Committee assembled Sept. 13 at city hall for its first meeting following a summer break. Committee members took up a range of issues, including testing drinking water in Manatee County for PFAS — perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

PFAs are a synthetic, potentially harmful chemicals used in a variety of household products and industrial processes.

PFAS, which can affect growth and development, reproduction, thyroid function, the immune system in humans and wildlife, have been found increasingly in ground and surface waters.

The federal government does not regulate PFAS in drinking water but some states are developing limits.

The Holmes Beach committee has collaborated with scientists at the University of Florida to sample and test county tap water for the forever chemicals.

“We found with one exception … PFAS in their drinking water,” Kolojeski said, adding that the exception was water from a tap where the homeowner had installed a reverse osmosis system.

“The dangers are out there,” he said.

With a reference to a pioneer in environmental science, he added, “Rachel Carson would absolutely have nightmares if she saw the long-range effects of forever chemicals in this environment.”

To follow up on the initial tests, Kolojeski collected samples from water fountains in the county, including the fountain in the Holmes Beach City Hall lobby.

As of Sept. 13, he was awaiting test results.

“Let’s get those results,” said Chair Ron Huibers, and take them to Manatee County, which provides drinking water to AMI.

The committee transitioned into the discussion on PFAS in water from a conversation on encouraging signatures on a petition to propose a clean water constitutional amendment to Florida voters in 2024.

The amendment would create a right to clean and healthy waters and would allow for suing agencies that harm or threaten harm to Florida waters.

Waters, the proposed amendment reads, “sustain all forms of life.”

“I’ll tell you, this is my passion,” Kolojeski said of the effort.

Organizing for the petition drive on the “Right to Clean and Healthy Waters” amendment is based at floridarighttocleanwater.org.

Huibers suggested posting a link to the site on the committee’s webpage.

He also suggested, “We should get five of our friends to sign.”

Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth, speaking from the gallery, said the city might encourage even more than that, as she plans to draft a resolution on the amendment effort for city commissioners to consider.

In other business, committee members:

• Reviewed the status of the Islanders 4 Clean Water Campaign launched earlier this year with a

▼ Modern Chop Happy Hour 4-6

▲ Martini Monday: Signature Martinis, $7, plus 1/2 price lite bites -- lounge only.

▼ Prime Rib Tuesdays, plus $3 Tacos and Margaritas -- lounge only.

▲ Wine Down Wednesday, 5O% OFF Wines by the Glass, plus Snow Crabs

▼ Live Maine Lobster Thursdays, plus Happy Hour all nite in the lounge.

Holmes Beach clean Water ad Hoc committee members Jennifer miller, ron Huibers and John Kolojeski discuss an islanders 4 clean Water awareness and educational campaign during a meeting Sept. 13 at city hall, 5801 marina drive. Huibers chairs the committee. islander

website, social media marketing, swag and educational materials.

Matt McDonough, public works administrator for the city of Holmes Beach, said the website — islanders4cleanwater.com — was improved, the logo is getting a redesign and plans to promote the campaign include a 2024 calendar featuring artwork by Jean Blackburn, an artist with island ties known for her waterscape studies.

• Discussed purchasing equipment to clean lyngbya and other vegetation from local waters and possibly sharing the expense with other municipalities.

“The lyngbya, it’s been here all summer long,” Titsworth said. “It’s been thick in the bay.”

The committee recommended the city try out two aquatic harvesters — an Aquamarine H5-200 and an Eco Harvester — to help decide the best option for skimming and clearing out the matts.

“It’s a mitigation piece,” Huibers said.

Both cost less than $100,000 and can be operated by one person but the Aquamarine has an edge for two reasons — it operates in saltwater and costs about $10,000 less.

The next meeting for the committee, which is seeking new members, will be at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

Photo: Lisa neff

worked at the park for 14 years.

“We believe that his continued presence will greatly contribute to the smooth transition and ongoing management of Pines Park,” PPI stated. “With his expertise, we can ensure that our community remains well-maintained, secure and enjoyable for all residents.”

Pines Park Investors LLC lists local developer and business owner Shawn Kaleta as title manager of the corporation and the law offices of Najmy Thompson as registered agent.

Keith Meyers, a Pines homeowner, told The Islander Sept. 14: “I’m happy that Kaleta stated that he intends to keep our trailer park a trailer park and that the families that call our park a home will be able to continue to enjoy our neighborhood and island.”

He added, however, “I hope that AMI politicians will wake up and see how few people are becoming a majority owner and controlling the future of how AMI is shaped.”

Meyers, a former member of the Pines HOA board, said he would wait to see what kind of relationship the HOA has with Pines Park Investors.

He said the HOA board has only two members but an effort to revive the board is ongoing.

Ryan Pfahler, who has lived in the Pines since 2020, said he hopes the new ownership follows through on a promise of improvements.

“They aren’t going to invest a lot of money and make this a really cool park if they’re planning on tearing it down,” he said.

Louis Najmy of Najmy Thompson released the ownership statement Sept 8. to The Islander, saying Kaleta was proud to announce the park acquisition.

A Sept. 5 warranty deed recorded by the Manatee County Clerk of Court indicates the park sold for $16.25 million.

Najmy was unable to say whether the park residents — owners of the mobile homes — would see a change in rent and fees for their homes.

The Pines Trailer Park, he said, joins the common ownership of the following businesses:

• Bradenton Beach Marina;

• Bali Hai Beach Resort;

• Anna Maria Beach Resort;

• Anna Maria Island Inn Resorts;

• Beach Bistro;

• Salt Bar and Table Restaurant.

Kaleta also owns or is a partner real estate and vacation rental offices and other businesses in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

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

As required by state law, the partnership first offered the park to the homeowner’s association members for purchase, but the HOA and their representatives were unable to fund the purchase.

The Islander reached out to the Jackson Partnership by phone Sept. 9 for comment about the sale but, as of Islander press time Sept. 18, there was no response.

SUNSET CRUISES & DOLPHIN TOURS

Wear purple, speak out

Holmes Beach mayor Judy titsworth, right, presents a proclamation for domestic Violence day on oct. 19 to Holmes Beach residents gary clark, left, andy and robin galon and marilia clark during a commission meeting Sept. 14 at city hall. the galons and clarks are friends of the Kimble family. Jamie Kimble of Holmes Beach was killed in tampa by an act of domestic violence in September 2013 and a memorial to Jamie Kimble will be dedicated near 72nd Street in the city at 10 a.m. oct. 19.

Q&A 092023

The Islander poll

Last week’s question

By Lisa neff

How many times have you evacuated for a hurricane?

1%. More than I can count.

3%. More than five.

52%. Fewer than five.

44%. Never.

this week’s question

In the fall on AMI, instead of leap-peeping I

A. Go to the beach.

B. Go fishing.

C. Go birdwatching.

D. Still need air conditioning.

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

islander Photo: Lisa neff

Holmes Beach develops future plans for Seaside Gardens

By Lisa neff islander editor

Holmes Beach commissioners don’t want city code to keep Seaside Gardens homeowners from rebuilding — and building up — should disaster strike.

Commissioners assembled Sept. 14 at city hall for budget hearings, a regular meeting and a workshop that included discussion on Seaside Gardens with Chad Minor, the city’s director of development services.

The neighborhood of ground-level homes lies east of Marina Drive and north of city field, where flooding has recurred over the years, including during Hurricane Idalia Aug. 29-30.

Minor, in a Sept. 6 memo to the commission, summed up the situation:

“Seaside Gardens is a truly unique community that is un-replicated anywhere else in the city. However, this uniqueness has created zoning and land-use challenges due to the fact the underlying zoning of Seaside Gardens — R-4, medium density residential district — has created a series of non-conformities that impact many of the existing units and their ability to re-construct or improve.

“In addition, all the attached townhome units now located within the community are at ground level. As such, they are nonconforming to the city’s floodplain ordinance.”

Also, the city’s land development code says any reconstruction of a Seaside Gardens home would be an expansion of a nonconforming structure that could only be done with a variance, requiring approval from a special magistrate.

Yet an application for such reconstruction would fail to meet many of the criteria needed for a magistrate’s approval, Minor said.

So property owners “are caught in catch-22 and there is no clear path for reconstruction of these nonconforming units.”

Minor asked commissioners whether they want to:

• Allow for the involuntary reconstruction of nonconforming units in Seaside Gardens in the event of a catastrophe. What happens, for example, if more than 50% of a unit is damaged by fire, flood or wind?

Manatee approved for FEMA claims due to Idalia

The federal government announced Sept. 11 the addition of Manatee and Sarasota to the list of counties approved for individual and small business assistance following Hurricane Idalia.

The hurricane passed the area about 100 miles to the west in the Gulf of Mexico, sending rain, a surge of water and wind as it churned north Aug. 29-30.

The recovery assistance is being made through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

FEMA, in a news release Sept. 11, said homeowners with insurance policies covered by the National Flood Insurance Program should file claims as soon as possible and that advance payments could be available for some policyholders.

Policy holders should begin the process by contacting their insurance agent or provider and initiating a claim.

FEMA also said homeowners with damage from both wind and flood need to file two claims: a homeowner’s insurance claim and a flood insurance claim.

And, if filing a flood claim, property owners should ask about receiving advance payments prior to a visit from an adjuster.

FEMA also advised those whose flood insurance policy recently expired to ask their agent if they are within a renewal grace period. Owners might be able to pay in full to renew and be covered for a loss.

For more information, go to FEMA’s disasterassistance.gov or 800-621-3362.

And, for the latest specific to Idalia, go to floridadisaster.org/updates/ and fema.gov/ disaster/4734.

• Allow for voluntary reconstruction of nonconforming units. What happens, for example, when an owner wants to add a second-story living space?

The commission consensus, with Terry Schaefer absent with excuse, was to work on an ordinance that could clear the way for reconstruction following a disaster but commissioners did not request an ordinance for voluntary reconstruction.

Minor’s memo outlined an approach:

• For reconstruction following a disaster, Minor suggested, “Legally nonconforming townhomes within the R-4 zoning district which have been involuntarily damaged by fire, flood, windstorm or similar abnormal and identifiable event to the extent of 50 percent or more of the value based on an independent appraisal report may be reconstructed in a manner consistent with flood resistant construction requirements” and provided they meet a series of rules, including that reconstruction of units meet or exceed elevation requirements and the ground floor be converted to nonhabitable space.

Minor said the goal is not to increase density or add nonconformities in the neighborhood.

In other matters during their regular meeting and workshop, the commissioners:

• Noted an upcoming meeting of the Manatee County Legislative Delegation and discussed continued conflicts with state lawmakers, as well as county commissioners.

It was at a 2023 meeting that the legislative del-

chad minor, Holmes Beach’s director of development services, reviews options for dealing with nonconformities in the Seaside gardens neighborhood. minor presented options during a commission workshop at city hall, 5801 marina drive, Holmes Beach. islander Photo: Lisa neff

egation introduced a proposal to study consolidation of island governments and a bill that would allow the county to circumvent Holmes Beach regulations and build a parking garage at Manatee Public Beach.

The governor signed the parking garage bill into law earlier this summer and state Rep. Will Robinson Jr., R-Bradenton, has renewed his push for an island cities consolidation study.

Commissioner Greg Kerchner, during the meeting, said, “I am most definitely not a tinfoil hat kind of guy. But now, more than ever, I believe that they are coming to get us.”

• Held a first reading on an ordinance for a renewed and nonexclusive franchise with People’s Gas for the next 30 years;

• Approved a fifth addendum to the city center construction program on Gulf and Marina for safety features, including green pavement markings for bike lanes and increased pervious brick pavers.

The addendum adds $312,269 to the $3 million contract.

• Asked city attorney Erica Augello to look into how the city can address the lack interest in an elected post to form a charter review committee.

The city charter says an election to create a committee should occur every five years but only one person qualified for a 2023-24 committee. So one wasn’t formed.

The next commission meeting will be at 5:01 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

a manatee county crew surveys on the shore in Bradenton Beach following Hurricane idalia. islander Photo: courtesy manatee county

beaches continued from Page 1

joined representatives at the state and federal level — including state Rep. Will Robinson Jr. and outreach coordinator Savannah Sipsy from U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio’s office — in touring AMI beaches to identify recovery needs.

The authorization to seek renourishment aid from the federal government was approved during the board’s vote on its consent agenda.

Also at the meeting, commissioners reviewed the preparation for and response to Idalia, which included: Declaring a local state of emergency, activating an emergency command center, ordering an evacuation of the barrier islands and all mobile home parks in the county, opening several public shelters, installing a temporary dam around Manatee Memorial Hospital, working with the American Red Cross to provide relief to people displaced in Rubonia due to flooding, handling more than 4,000 calls to the 311-information line and surveying the beaches after the storm.

Introducing a presentation, Charlie Bishop, named county administrator during the meeting, said, “We

Gulf shoreline changes

Before and after Hurricane Idalia in late August, a Manatee County team took measurements on Anna Maria Island beaches.

A look at shoreline changes in net feet:

• Near the Sandbar Restaurant in Anna Maria: 34

• 78th Street in Holmes Beach: 47

• 65th Street in Holmes Beach: -10

• 25th Street North in Bradenton Beach: -24

• John Chappie Park in Bradenton Beach: -53

• Gulf Drive Cafe in Bradenton Beach: -48

• The Beach House Restaurant: -40

• Lifeguard Tower 3 in Bradenton Beach: -83

• Lifeguard Tower 9 in Bradenton Beach: -49

Source: manatee county

all know it was not a rain event, it was a storm surge event.”

The commission, with staff, also looked at issues during Idalia, including reentry procedures following evacuations and the concern that the county website at mymanatee.org went offline for at least 90 minutes.

— Lisa neff

New outdoor market set to open Oct. 4 at Coquina Beach

By robert anderson islander reporter

Vendors are lining up for the Coquina Beach Market.

“The new Coquina Beach Market season is expected to start Oct. 4 and plans are for year-round operations,” Bill Logan, Manatee County information outreach manager, wrote Sept. 12 to The Islander.

The market area at Coquina Beach, adjacent to Longboat Pass is prepped, and Dottie Deerwester of Ready Set Go Tour & Travel in Bradenton is managing the operation.

Logan said, “She is the point of contact for any questions pertaining to market operations.”

Manatee County commissioners voted July 25 to approve a franchise agreement for Ready Set Go Tour & Travel to serve as the market coordinator.

Ready Set Go was selected over two other companies by an evaluation committee earlier in the year.

Deerwester told The Islander Sept. 14 that the market will operate 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays and noon-sunset Sundays.

“Right now, we have 97 vendors, Deerwester said. “There are only 80 vendor booths but some people take only one day, some people take all three days. Our goal is to never have a day with an empty vendor booth.”

She said people who visited the former beach market could look forward to seeing familiar vendors, as well as some new faces.

Meetings

By Lisa neff

ANNA MARIA CITY

Sept. 21, 5 p.m., commission (budget and regular).

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

BRADENTON BEACH

Sept. 20, 1 p.m., ScenicWAVES.

Sept. 21, noon, commission.

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

HOLMES BEACH

Sept. 26, 10 a.m., special magistrate.

Sept. 26, 5 p.m., commission (budget). Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, 941-708-5800, holmesbeachfl.org.

MANATEE COUNTY

Sept. 27, 6 p.m., Commissioner George Kruse town hall, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-7786341.

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

ALSO OF INTEREST

Oct. 5, 8:30 a.m.-noon, Manatee County Legislative Delegation annual meeting and hearing, Bradenton City Hall, 101 Old Main St. W., Bradenton.

Make the most of autumn

Is your business ready to make the most of the fall season? Improve your odds of success with The Islander readers looking to shop and dine, as well as seeking indoor and outdoor fun. For ad info, call or text 941778-7978.

A market operated along the multiuse trail near the concession area at Coquina Beach was run by Nancy Ambrose Services LLC via an agreement with the county for more than nine years.

Last August, the county declined to renew Ambrose’s contract. Then-county administrator Scott Hopes said he wanted to bring the market under the county’s control.

County crews laid a foundation for a new marketplace in January.

“I would say the majority of the folks who have contacted me were previous vendors and they are so excited to be able to come back. It’s a really good mixture of vendors and of products. So I am really pleased with that,” Deerwester said.

Regular booths cost $50 per day and corner booths with higher visibility cost $75.

Potential vendors can contact Deerwester at 941840-0789, info@coquinabeachmarket.org or at the market website, coquinabeachmarket.org.

“I think it’s exciting because it brings something to the island that has been gone quite a while,” Deerwester said of the market. “The wide variety of vendors that are going to be at this market is just going to draw more people. It’s going to bring them back to the island.”

The market opening coincides with the completion of a parking lot remodel at Coquina Beach.

The final section of the remodel, begun in 2019, ended in August, although landscaping is ongoing.

Woodruff & Sons worked the remodel for the county, including demolition of the lots and then reconstruction with pervious asphalt to better direct the flow of stormwater.

The project was funded with $5 million from county tourist development tax revenues.

Yet another project, beginning before the market gets on its feet, will be the remodel of the Coquina Beach multipurpose trail.

County commissioners in August approved $1,305,432.93 to remodel the trail, a paved path about 8-feet wide that runs from the south end of Coquina Beach northward to Fifth Street South.

Woodruff & Sons also was contracted for the trail remodel, which includes:

• Removing the existing trail;

• Placing root barriers;

• Repaving the path;

• Trimming and replacing trees as needed.

Logan said 96 Australian pine trees will be removed for the project.

“On Sept. 22, the county’s tree contractor will be out to begin removals necessary to install the trail,” Logan wrote. “They plan to begin at the north end near the restrooms.”

“A few weeks of work on that, then they will move to installing a root barrier along the path. That work should take them well into October,” he continued. “It sounds like paving would likely be completed after the (November-December) holidays.”

People arrive at city Pier Park, 103 n. Bay Blvd., for the 2021-22 season opening of the anna maria farmers market. the city plans to resume the market — with more vendors — in october. the market will operate 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. tuesdays into may. the city launched the market in 2017 as a way to draw people to the commercial district during the rebuilding of the city pier. islander

Elections office: Renew vote-by-mail requests

More than 100,000 registered voters in Manatee County are receiving notices to renew their vote-bymail requests with the supervisor of elections office.

Voters who provided an email address to the elections office will receive a notice by email. Others will receive a mailed letter.

To request a vote by mail ballot, voters can go online to www.votemanatee.gov/vbm or call the elections office at 941-741-3823 and press 1.

The vote by mail request requires a voter to provide their name, date of birth and either the last four digits of their Social Security number or a valid Florida driver’s license or Florida identification card.

Renewing online can take about a minute.

Renewing is a requirement under Senate Bill 90, which passed the Legislature and was signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2021.

— Lisa neff

Come

file Photo: ryan Paice

Anna Maria market to return in October

Am I blue?

The island was buzzing this past week about blue waves, blue water, a blue glow that was bluer than the usual aqua, seafoam green color of the waters on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico.

It is bioluminescence — light produced by an organism through a chemical reaction.

And it appeared to stretch from end to end — Bean Point to Longboat Pass.

There was a blue buzz on social media and on the local TV affiliates — and there were plenty of people trying to shoot the blue waves, although it’s difficult to capture the dark skies and luminous blue glow of the water.

According to NOAA, bioluminescence, or the ability of an organism to create light, is one of nature’s most amazing phenomenon, seemingly drawn more from science fiction than science and natural history.

For example, scientists have yet to learn why bioluminescence is common in the oceans but not in freshwater systems or on land or even how it evolved.

All bioluminescent organisms use a reaction between an enzyme and a substrate to make light but different species use different chemicals in the process, suggesting that the ability to make light may have evolved independently many times.

Thus, bioluminescence is a subject with many more questions than answers, according to NOAA.

Jonelle Forbes, the Sarasota wedding/portrait photographer whose photo is featured on page 1, said she was drawn to the beach to shoot the phenomenon. She first saw a bioluminescent event years ago on Siesta Key — and coincidentally was able to watch a sea turtle swim through the blue water and come ashore to nest — still sparkling from the illuminated water.

Not many of us see blue water or a sea turtle nesting, so what a memorable occasion for her.

According to another website, AmericanOceans. org, bioluminescent algae that twinkles along the seascape can poison sea life from fish to sea turtles and can make humans very sick if they come into contact with it, so swimming is not advised.

Well, we’re not going to argue with that advice. It’s beautiful and it’s best left alone.

For Anna Maria Island, on a few nights with low light and no moon, it’s Mother Nature at its best.

And, during hurricane season, we can appreciate a little dose of Mother Nature’s kindness.

Meanwhile, thanks to Jonelle for sharing and, remember, if you see news .... shoot and share the fun with our readers.

— Bonner Joy, news@islander.org

Up and up

Manatee County raised my price for water and sewage service by more than 25%.

They were kind enough to partially alert me to this, although the additional $75 deposit after 40 years as a customer was a bit unnerving.

Then there was their discovery that I was inappropriately categorized over these 40 years. So that had to be paid for in arrears.

Quick to follow was The Hartford raising my car insurance over 50% because, I guess, I turned 80?

Skimming online

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They never said.

Then the Manatee County Utilities Department water pipe to Anna Maria Island fell off the bridge.

Seriously, folks, this Donald Trump behavior has got to stop.

Doug Dowling, Anna Maria

Future shock

Mayor Judy Titsworth and I attended a BOCC Land Use Meeting in Bradenton. We weren’t alone — literally every seat was taken and a second room upstairs was also filled to capacity.

About three dozen concerned citizens, along with scientists, local activists and others spoke out against a proposed revision to the county land use code that will reduce our wetland buffers to the barest state minimums, cause irreparable harm to our ecosystem and further limit our area’s ability to handle rain, storms and floods.

And I mean it when I say “Everyone.” Even Commissioner George Kruse asked why no one — including the developers in attendance — spoke in favor of the revision. A consultant was paid to present the revisions and, allegedly, county employees threatened to resign before agreeing to say what he was paid to say.

Letters to the editor We welcome opinion letters. Submit comments along with a name, city of residence and phone number for verification to news@islander.org.

Not that it did any good but, when I spoke, I tried to make the point that as elected officials with different constituencies, different platforms and different values, it is understandable and fully supportable that we sometimes disagree when weighing the costs versus benefits of an issue.

To reinforce that point, I reminded them that I had just spoken to them a few days prior about their garage on our beach. But I went on to plead that this wetlands issue was not one of those times.

On this issue, no one, not a soul, benefits from the proposed land use changes except for a few multimillionaire / billionaire developers. And the costs, to every one of us, will be enormous.

To the mayor, I offered the opinion that there was no way they could vote in favor that day, that they would need to call on some legislative sleight of hand to put off a vote. …

Of course, I was wrong on that, as well. The board voted 6-1 — Kruse dissenting — to forward their revi-

sions to the state.

It is now patently obvious to me — and to anyone else who sat through that farce of a deliberation — that our BOCC has zero interest in doing what is right for residents and is only interested in furthering the agenda of a few developers and quite possibly furthering the agenda of a few other politicians.

A few days after that debacle, I got the opportunity to introduce city engineer Sage Kamiya to the tourist development council, where he presented our request for funding and our plans for improving the safety of pedestrians, bicyclists and others — especially tourists — with a multiuse path. Yes, I reminded them of two very unfortunate recent fatalities in our city.

It didn’t really go over well. Kamiya did his normal excellent job at presenting and we were invited to try again but all they wanted to talk about was how Holmes Beach used COVID as a ruse to take away a thousand parking spaces and are now are trying to thwart all attempts to improve parking and in fact, are probably going to take away more parking with our multi use path — none of which are true.

I listened to 5-10 minutes of these false claims and

Civic concerns Voters attend a forum in Bradenton Beach on the eve of a 1977 election to hear from mayoral candidates dick connick and david reid.

tried several times to get up and address them but was told to sit down, that “public comment was over.”

BTW, Holmes Beach continues to not only be the largest municipal contributor of TDC funds but amazingly, over the last 10-12 years, the smallest recipient of TDC money. We have received less than 10% of the next smallest — the town of Parrish got $1.5 million for a railroad museum while we have gotten a grand total of $141K.

I am most definitely not a tinfoil hat kind of guy. But now, more than ever, I believe that they are coming to get us. I believe that another bill will be introduced to the Legislature, this one to consolidate the three island cities, maybe as soon as the next session.

I believe the fight over this next bill will make our recent fight over the garage look like a petty squabble. Developers and politicians want to reestablish building codes and zoning regulations on AMI — or at least the part that we now know as Holmes Beach. High-rises, here we come.

I’ve never wanted to be wrong so bad in my life. Holmes Beach Commissioner Greg Kerchner

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10&20 years ago

From the Sept. 17, 2003, issue

• A number of blacktip sharks were spotted off the beaches of Anna Maria Island but shark research director Robert Hueter of Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota said it was not unusual to see the sharks migrating south at that time of year. He said they feed on baitfish.

• Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch executive director Suzi Fox said she and volunteers noticed large areas of renourished beach disappearing. Marine engineer Rick Spadoni of Coastal Planning and Engineering in Boca Raton said that was to be expected: the renourishment project extended the beach about 150 feet in anticipation of natural erosion.

• Holmes Beach commissioners, in a 3-2 vote, approved the first reading of a new budget that would repeat the millage rate of 2.25 mills. The original budget presented by then-Mayor Carol Whitmore called for a reduction to a 2.0 millage but a majority of commissioners wanted more revenue to hire additional police officers.

From the Sept. 18, 2013, issue

• At a September 2013 meeting, Holmes Beach’s code enforcement board imposed a $100 per day fi ne on Richard Hazen and Lynn Tran Hazen until such time the couple brings into compliance what the city has deemed illegal construction — a treehouse at their Angelinos Sea Lodge, 103 29th St.

• Bradenton Beach Commissioner Ric Gatehouse received verbal support at a city meeting for his seven-point plan to alleviate parking and congestion problems in the city, including implementing paid parking.

— Lisa neff

leTTers continued from Page 6

BB prepares to hike property owners’ taxes, city spending

By robert anderson islander reporter

Bradenton Beach commissioners and community redevelopment agency members in back-to-back meetings Sept. 14 adopted 2023-24 fiscal budgets.

The new fiscal year will begin Oct. 1.

The votes followed public hearings at city hall, where no one from the public spoke on the spending plans.

CRA members and city commissioners also unanimously voted to adopt a joint millage rate of 2.3329.

A millage rate is one-tenth of a percent, which equates to $1 in taxes for every $1,000 in home value.

To avoid a tax increase, the city would need to enact a rollback rate of 2.0402 mills.

At the adopted rate, the city is due to receive $2,262,022 in ad valorem tax revenues for the new year.

According to information from the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s office, the taxable value of residential homes in Bradenton Beach for 2023-24 is $994,970,431.

The tax on a property valued at $600,000 using the 2.3329 rate would be $1,340. At the rollback rate it would be $1,213.

This year the CRA is expecting $635,677 in

Bradenton Beach

treasurer Shayne thompson reads the budget ordinance

Sept. 14 ahead of a public hearing for the fiscal 2023-24 spending plan.

shared revenue from the county.

The largest expense in the CRA budget is the undergrounding of utilities, a project that’s been ongoing in the district since 2018.

Based on projections from Hau Tran, a program manager with Florida Power and Light, the total cost for the complete undergrounding of Bradenton Beach is approximately $4,725,777.

The new fiscal year might present an opportunity for state funding, as much as $5 million, but that’s an uncertainty.

City attorney Ricinda Perry said she and Mayor John Chappie have discussed potential state grants with Rep. Will Robinson Jr., R-Bradenton, but the city won’t know until halfway through its fiscal year.

The CRA board unanimously approved $300,000 in the new budget for the next phase of undergrounding, which will be in the northernmost area of the city.

The CRA also budgeted $300,000 to improve public parking in the district, with an emphasis on the possible relocation of the Tingley Public Library,

111 Second St. N., to allow more parking.

The budget also contains $106,690 for a conceptual project connecting the pier boardwalk to dinghy docks adjacent to the Bridgetender Inn & Dockside Bar, 135 Bridge St.

Improvements would include a pocket park with decking, seating and tables.

And the CRA agreed to recommit $40,000 for the annual Christmas on Bridge Street Festival, which includes the lighting of a 40-foot tree, a boat parade and a block party.

The CRA board decided to budget $10,000 for the Old Town tram service which carries people to and from the district from parking at Coquina Beach. The tram began operation in 2020.

CRA members also OK’d:

• Shoreline monitoring, $38,550;

• Fencing at the Anna Maria Oyster Bar on the city-owned Historic Bridge Street Pier, $25,000;

• Cultural arts, $10,000;

• Bay Drive South resiliency project, $75,000;

• Sidewalk improvements, $30,000;

• District improvements, $50,000;

• Signage $50,000;

• Pier improvements $10,000.

In the city budget, personnel is one of the largest expenses, with 2023-24 regular salaries and wages seeing an 8% cost-of-living increase across departments to total $1,753,300.

The city also is covering increases in employee insurance, which has risen from $509,672 in 2022-23 to $585,418 for the 2023-24 budget — a difference of $75,746.

Anna Maria’s budget votes set

The second and fi nal public hearings for Anna Maria’s budget and tax rate ordinances will be 5:01 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.

The regular meeting will follow the budget hearings.

Directions to attend via Zoom can be found on the city’s website, cityofannamaria.com.

Tiki & Kitty’s

Tiki and Kitty are heating up their shopping plans, taking lan early fall day or two to make a round of visits to the coolest shops.

They’ll definitely make a stop at Blue Flamingo, home to hip and trendy upcycled and repurposed goods, furniture and decor, garden features, candles, jewelry and work by local artisans, where they also offer Dixie Belle paints.

And next door to Blue Flamingo, they will explore Cat’s Meow’s 8,000 square-foot marketplace! Tiki and Kitty love their puuuurfect treasures! And coastal, cottage, beach, antique, boho, mid-century modern and other home decor styles. They also offer vintage to fine jewelry and vintage albums.

You may want to lace up your skates, as this large, former skating rink has plenty to offer bargain, antique, unique hunters. You don’t want to miss this vast collection of vendors.

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 invites you to visit its many vendors at the Palmetto store, 2100 U.S. 301, where a portion of your purchase benefits Moonracer No Kill Pet Rescue — our favorite pet rescue.

FYI: Scavengers also carries Fusion Paints. The Vintage Vine Market offers fine vintage wares and more with a whimsical twist 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.”

islander Photo: robert anderson

HB OKs 2023-24 budget, reduces millage but hikes taxes

By Lisa neff islander editor

Holmes Beach’s city hall team tweaked and trimmed with a goal to bring down the city’s property tax rate for next year.

They did bring down the number and on Sept. 14 city treasurer Cindy Dunham-Tozer presented to commissioners a proposed millage rate of 2.05, which is below the max millage of 2.15 set in July, below the treasurer’s target millage of 2.0677 and also below the current millage of 2.07.

A millage rate is the amount per $1,000 of property value used to calculate property taxes.

Commissioners voted 4-0 to approve a first reading of an ordinance to set the millage rate at 2.05. Terry Schaefer was absent with excuse.

“I don’t know how you all did it,” Commission Chair Carol Soustek said, addressing Dunham-Tozer and Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth.

Dock work

crews on a duncan Seawall barge work

Sept. 12 to repair the Historic Bridge Street Pier, 200 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach. the pier suffered damage from improperly moored boats during Hurricane idalia. city attorney ricinda Perry said some docks are not damaged and open to boaters while repairs continue on other docks. Work began Sept. 11 and was expected to wrap by Sept. 17. islander

Titsworth said, “We just kept going back in and going back in.”

Still, by the state’s definition, the 2.05 millage rate is a tax increase for property owners. To avoid a tax hike, the commission would need to adopt a rollback rate of 1.8273.

No one spoke during public comment on the rate ordinance but those on the dais shared some words, emphasizing the budget and the millage rate are lower in 2023-24 than in 2022-23.

What’s higher for 2023-24? Property valuations.

“We lowered your tax,” Holmes Beach Commissioner Greg Kerchner said. “They raised the value on your home.”

In a second vote following the public hearing, the commission approved 4-0 a fi rst reading of an ordinance adopting a $25 million budget for the new year.

The budget summary presented to commissioners

shows revenues at $25,121,957, down from 2022-23.

The city budgeted $6,172,693 in ad valorem revenue, the city’s share of property taxes, as well as more than $940,000 in state taxes and revenue sharing, $1.2 million for building permits, $390,765 in rental certificates and $3.3 million in stormwater revenues.

The income side of the budget also shows nearly $11 million in carryovers and reserves.

On the spending side, the total budget for the new year is at $25,121,957 — municipalities must adopt balanced budgets — and includes $7,149,628 for personnel services, up from $6,895,409; $4,957,333 in operating expenses, down from $5,075,624; $5,105,794 in capital outlay, down from $7,004,313; and $7,909,202 in various funds for carryovers and reserves, up from $6,480,893.

The total budget for 2022-23 was $25,436,242.

By department, the 2023-24 budget allocates about $260,000 for the mayor and commissioner operations, $1.9 million for general government, $4.6 million for the police department, $3.4 million for public works, $1.18 million for the building department, $902,611 for code enforcement and nearly $2.7 for stormwater utilities.

Some items of interest in the spending plan:

• $50,000 in the mayor and commissioner budget for possible land purchases;

• $195,000 for street sweeping out of public works, as well as money to resurface tennis courts and purchase a generator for city hall;

• About $2.9 million for capital improvements, including stormwater drainage and resiliency work;

• $250,000 to improve bike and pedestrian infrastructure and another $250,000 for curb and sidewalk work.

Final readings and hearings on the budget and millage ordinances will be at 5:01 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, at city hall.

A livestream of the meetings can be found on the city’s website, holmesbeachfl.org.

SARASOTA GEM

We have been a new and used GEM dealer for 20 years. We welcome our long-time friends and encourage new patrons from Anna Maria Island to shop here!

Photo: ricinda Perry

compiled by Lisa neff, calendar@islander.org

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ON AMI

Thursday, Sept. 21

10:15 am. — Island Morning Book Club, , Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

ONGOING ON AMI

Sept. 14-24, Island Players’ “Farce of Nature,” 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. Fee applies. Information: 941-778-5755.

OFF AMI

sionists: Monet, Degas, Renoir and More,” St. Petersburg.

Dec. 1-2, Bradenton Blues Festival, Bradenton.

Dec. 9, Jan. 14, Jan. 26, April 6, Center of Anna Maria Island/ Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau concert, Anna Maria.

MARKETS & SALES

SAVE THE DATE

‘Secondhand Lions’ matinee

“Secondhand Lions” will entertain attendees of the “monday movie matinee” at 1 p.m. monday, Sept. 25, at the Paradise center. admission is free for members and $15 for guests. the center is at 546 Bay isles road, Longboat Key. for more information, call 941-383-6493.

Dec. 9, Winter Wonderland Celebration, Bradenton. CLUBS &

COMMUNITY

ON AMI

Monday, Sept. 25

1 p.m. — Paradise Center of Longboat Key Monday Movie Matinee featuring “Secondhand Lions,” 546 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Information: 941-383-6493.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Throughout September, Island Gallery and Studios “Expressions of Anna Maria Island Sunsets: A Retrospective,” 456 Old Main St., Bradenton. Information: 941-778-6648.

Through Oct. 15, “Lorna Bieber: Natural World,” the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-360-7390, ringling.org.

Through June 23, 2024, “Mountains of the Mind: Scholars’ Rocks from China and Beyond,” the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-360-7390, ringling.org.

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

First Fridays, 6-9:30 p.m., Village of the Arts First Fridays Artwalk, 12th Street West and 12th Avenue West, Bradenton. Information: villageofthearts.com.

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

SAVE THE DATE

Oct. 11, Island Library’s Time Book Club discusses Glennon Doyle’s “Untamed,” Holmes Beach.

Oct. 14, Mote Marine’s Sharktoberfest, Sarasota.

Nov. 2-12, Island Players’ “Later Life,” Anna Maria.

Nov. 3-4, Village of the Arts’ Dia de los Muertos, Bradenton.

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

Nov. 8, Island Library’s Island Time Book Club discusses Curtis Sittenfeld’s “Romantic Comedy,” Holmes Beach.

Nov. 11-12, Cortez Stone Crab and Music Festival, Cortez.

Nov. 18-April 28, 2024, the Dali Museum’s “Dali & the Impres-

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

Oct. 4, Coquina Beach Market opens, Bradenton Beach.

Oct. 7-May 25, Bradenton Market, Bradenton.

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

Oct. 7, Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Sale, Palmetto.

Oct. 22, Palma Sola Botanical Park’s Fall Plants and More Sale, Bradenton.

KIDS & FAMILY

Friday, Sept. 22

ON AMI

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

Tuesday, Sept. 26

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

ONGOING ON AMI

Select Thursdays — Sept. 28, Oct. 26, Nov. 16, Dec. 14 — Shark Pups and Grownups preschool program, Mote Marine Science Education and Outreach Center on Anna Maria City Pier, Pine Avenue and Bay Boulevard, Anna Maria. Information: mote.org.

ONGOING OFF AMI

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

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

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

SAVE THE DATE

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

Dec. 2, Center of Anna Maria Island Lester Family Fun Day, Anna Maria.

Odd Duck Designs Shop

Wednesday, Sept. 20

11 a.m. — Boating safety class, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

Thursday, Sept. 21

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

Wednesday, Sept. 27

6 p.m. — Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse town hall, , Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

ONGOING ON AMI

Tuesdays, noon, Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island meeting, Bridge Street Bistro, 111 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-718-5583.

SAVE THE DATE

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

Sept. 30, Annie Silver Community Center Book Sale and Potluck Lunch, Bradenton Beach.

Oct. 28, Annie Silver Community Center Book Sale and Potluck Lunch, Bradenton Beach.

Nov. 3, FISH Preserve ribbon-cutting ceremony, Cortez.

SPORTS & FITNESS

ONGOING ON AMI

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

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

Mondays, 10 a.m., morning yoga, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

SAVE THE DATE

Dec. 9, DeSoto Cornhole Tournament, Bradenton.

Feb. 24, 2024, Pittsburgh Pirates spring training , Bradenton.

LESSONS & LEARNING

ON AMI

Friday, Sept. 22

2 p.m. — Holocaust speaker series begins, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

Wednesday, Sept. 27

11 a.m. — Desoto National Memorial program, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

SAVE THE DATE

Oct. 20, Nov. 15, Island Library/Jewish Federation of Sarasota-

Island happenings

the island Players welcomes patrons to a reception to celebrate 75 years. refreshments and cookies were served prior to the opening of “farce of nature.” islander

Skygazers invited to Robinson

Suncoast Stargazers and the Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department invite people to look up Sept. 23.

Starry Night Astronomy will be 7:30-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at Robinson Preserve in the expansion parking lot at 10299 Ninth Ave. NW, Bradenton.

“Dozens of local astronomers will be set up … with telescopes at the ready,” stated a notice from the county. “Be sure to bring a sense of wonder and exploration.”

The all-ages event is free to attend.

For more information, call the county at 941-7425923.

Holocaust series begins

The Holocaust Speaker Lecture Series will begin Friday, Sept. 22, at the Island Library with a talk by Ginette Hersh.

The lecture will begin at 2 p.m. at the library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

island Players president

cathy Hansel-edgerton attends opening night Sept. 14 for the 2023-24 season.

Hansel-edgerton greeted patrons and served punch at a pre-opening party, marking 75 years of productions at the anna maria playhouse.

A notice said, “Hersh was a hidden child in France. Ginette was 12 years old when Paris fell to the Nazis in 1940, her family escaped Dijon and fled south.”

The series will continue with two other speakers:

• Rifka Glatz, speaking at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20. She was born in Hungary, where her father was taken as a slave laborer and she did not see him again. She and her mother and brother were taken to a brick factory.

• Helga Melmed, speaking at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15. She was born and raised in Berlin. She was deported and sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp in German-occupied Poland.

The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee is presenting the series.

For more information about the library, call 941778-6341.

For more about the federation, go online to jfedsrq. org. Manatee Holocaust Speaker Series, Holmes Beach.

OUTDOORS & NATURE OFF AMI

Wednesday, Sept. 20

9 a.m. — Explore Nature: Manatees, Portosueno Park, 1206 Alcazar Drive, Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923.

Saturday, Sept. 23

7:30 p.m. — Starry Night Astronomy, Robinson Preserve expansion, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW, Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923, mymanatee.org.

Wednesday, Sept. 27

10 a.m. — Explore Nature: Tower Talk, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. NW, Bradenton. Robinson Preserve, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW, Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923, mymanatee.org.

ONGOING OFF AMI

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

SAVE THE DATE

Sept. 30, Keep Manatee Beautiful Coquina South Boat Ramp cleanup, Bradenton Beach.

GOOD TO KNOW

KEEP THE DATES

Sept. 23, fall equinox.

Oct. 9, Columbus Day.

Through Oct. 31, sea turtle nesting season. Lights out.

Oct. 31, Halloween.

Nov. 5, daylight saving time ends.

Nov. 7, Election Day.

Nov. 11, Veterans Day.

Nov. 23, Thanksgiving.

Through Nov. 30, Atlantic hurricane season. Be prepared.

GET LISTED!

Send listings to calendar@islander.org.

Yoga classes offered at library

The Island Library invites people to begin their weeks with free morning yoga sessions.

Yoga classes began Sept. 18 and will continue at 10 a.m. Mondays at the library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

Reservations are recommended.

For more, call the library at 941-778-6341.

A Hair Day Salon & Spa

Photo: Brook morrison

actor Laura morales greets theatergoers in the lobby at the close of “farce of nature,” the first show in the theater’s 75th year. islander Photo: nan morrison

islander Photo: Brook morrison

‘Farce of Nature’ reels in hilarity in kickoff to Players’ 75th year

By Brook morrison islander reviewer

Gather up your kin and mosey on over to the Reel ’Em Inn to catch some hearty belly laughs.

I reckon you’re gonna like this play!

The Island Player’s 75th season opened Sept. 14 with “Farce of Nature,” written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten, directed by Mike Lusk and coproduced by the Ugly Grouper of Holmes Beach.

The curtain opens on a pristine fishing lodge in the heart of the American South, the Reel ’Em Inn.

Distracted Rick Kopp portrays inn owner and operator D. Gene Wilburn, who flits around in a cagey demeanour, while his missus, Wanelle Wilburn, played by Janet Salem, sets her frustrated sights on him.

But he ain’t takin’ the bait.

The couple can’t quite get in sync when D. Gene’s sister, Maxie Suggs, played by Laura Morales, walks in packin’ heat — even if she can’t remember where she keeps the bullets — while lovelorn and agitated Jenna Sealy, played by Jennifer Kwiatkowski, appears searching for her love, the Wilburns son, who is pursu-

ing his creative dreams in the big city of Chicago. Speakin’ of city slickers, a fella on the run, Mr. Carmine DeLuca, played by Joseph Mammina, checks into the inn, oozing a certain sort of criminal charm and shaking in his boots, hoping for a safe hideout.

Enter Ty Wilburn, played by Jeffery Allen Steiger, fresh from his windy city acting gig. He’s greeted by girlfriend Jenna, pretty as a pitcher of iced tea on a summer day until Lola Barbosa, played by Sharon Bartley, walks in and causes a ruckus.

What’s she doin’ here?

Now a good farce needs a rival and thus, Sonny Barbosa, played by Michael Sacco, arrives to settle some scores.

What happens next, you ask?

Hot meat, wild animals, a visit from Roxanne Thorne, played by Jacqueline Whitesel, and a concoction of mistaken identities, misunderstandings and more slapstick than you can shake a stick at are bound to leave you grinnin’ from ear to ear.

You’ll definitely get reeled in.

“It was so good and I laughed the entire time, it was so funny,” said Nan Morrison of Bradenton, this

reviewer’s mother and plus-one for the show.

Costume designer Pamela Hawkins gives the actors great detail, whether it’s mobster chic or lady in waiting, business person or bait-and-tackle inn owner.

Hair and makeup by Rita Lamoreux bedazzles Steiger, paints painter Kwiatkowski and more.

The lighting by Ethan Vail moonlights us to a wacky day at Reel ’Em Inn.

Work by set designer Jan Van Wart is exceptional and transports us straight into a log cabin fishin’ lodge with top-to-toe Ozark Mountain details and lobby area while the stage director brings the production to a seamless time.

Limited tickets remain for the play, which runs through Sept. 24 at the theater, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria.

Performances are 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Mondays are dark.

The Island Players box office is open 9-1 daily and one hour prior to showtime.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 941-778-5755 or visit islandplayers.org.

AME dives into beach cleanup, readies for Peace Day celebration

Anna Maria Elementary students have had plenty to look forward to in the classroom but also beyond the classroom walls.

On Sept. 14, fourth-graders took a field trip to the Gulf shore for a beach cleanup, part of the International Coastal Cleanup campaign.

The activity was facilitated by two nonprofits — the Guy Harvey Foundation and Brightmark in San Francisco — and involved Healdsburg Elementary students in Healdsburg, California, cleaning up their Paradise Beach Park.

The fourth-grade classes collaborated and compared what they found on their beaches, with the find-

ings to be included in the Guy Harvey Foundation’s plastics K-5 curriculum.

Manatee County School District and the foundation launched the first elementary school partnership for the Guy Harvey Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2022 at AME.

The academy exposes students to lessons designed to teach math and science through an art lens.

In other news at AME, Peace Day will be observed at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, on the playground, 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

“As in the past, we will have the Manatee High School Marching Band Drum Line and our students

will perform select songs,” principal Mike Masiello wrote Sept. 11 via email to The Islander.

Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island president Kathy Rylander, a longtime Peace Day partner, will open the ceremony, which the public is invited to attend.

The following day, Friday, Sept. 22, the AME-PTO will sponsor a family social at Holmes Beach Skate Park 6-8 p.m.

The social will include pizza from Domino’s and ice cream from Frosty Oasis.

Also, kids should bring their gear for fun at the skate park.

— Brook morrison

ame fourth-graders Sawyer Liebfried and roman Smith make composts aug. 25 using food scraps from the cafeteria and organic matter from the playground. “they’ll use this nutrient-rich soil when they plant the vegetable garden later in the year,” Stem teacher Pidge Barreda said. islander Photo: courtesy ame

masiello

Gathering

By Lisa neff

Annunciation looks to fall-winter season

The Episcopal Church of the Annunciation is making plans for the fall-winter season and setting event dates.

A look at the calendar for the church, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach:

• An outing to the Bishop Planetarium in Bradenton on Sept. 27;

• Blessing of the Animals service Oct. 21;

• After-service potluck brunches Oct. 8, Nov. 5;

• Breakfast with St. Nick Dec. 2;

• Annual meeting and brunch Jan. 21;

• White elephant sale Feb. 10, and more.

For more information, call the church at 941-7781638.

St. B hosts education series

St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach, will hold its fall adult education series on Thursdays beginning Oct. 12.

The Rev. Matthew Nowicki, the church’s director of faith formation, will lead the classes, which are based on the book, “This is My Body.”

Registration is required.

For more information, call the church offi ce at 941-778-4769.

GoodDeeds Assistance sought on AMI

• The Anna Maria Island Art League seeks volunteers to help organize the Springfest Fine Arts Festival March 16-17 in Holmes Beach. Info: 419-450-4824.

• The Anna Maria Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization seeks sponsors for the 2023-24 academic year. Info: amepto@gmail.com, 941-708-5525, amepto.org/ame-sponsor.

• The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island welcomes members to support the gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, and also the nonprofit’s educational mission. Info: amiartistsguildgallery.com, 941778-6694.

• The Island Players, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, seeks volunteers — onstage and off — for the 75th season of shows. Info: theislandplayers.org, 941941 778-5755.

• The Anna Maria Island Historical Society, 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, seeks volunteers to become docents and, beginning this fall, bake bread. Info: 941778-0492, amihs.org.

• The Friends of the Island Library welcomes members to support the Holmes Beach branch, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-6341, friendsoftheislandlibrary.org.

• Wildlife Inc. rescue and rehabilitation in Bradenton Beach seeks help tending to injured 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.

— Lisa neff

Tidings compiled by Lisa

ON AMI

neff

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

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

Ongoing: Wednesdays, 7 a.m., men’s Bible meeting; Wednesdays, 6 p.m., Wednesday Night Blast supper and 6:30 p.m., Wednesday Night Blast; Fridays, 10 a.m. women’s Bible meeting.

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

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

Ongoing: Most Wednesdays, 8 a.m., men’s breakfast.

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive. Holmes 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, Thursdays, 9:30 a.m., RoserRobics.

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

Fire safety funding

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

Ongoing: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m., rosary; Wednesdays, 7:30 a.m.; Rosary on the Beach at Manatee Public Beach; Saturdays, 3 p.m., confession.

OFF AMI

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

Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m.

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

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

Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m.

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

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

SPECIAL DATES & EVENTS

Sept. 24, Yom Kippur.

GET LISTED, CHANGE LISTINGS

Seasons change and so do schedules.

Please, send listings and/or changes in worship calendars and other events to calendar@islander.org.

Obituary

Jeffrey Evan Murray

Jeffrey Evan Murray, 71, of Anna Maria, died Sept. 8 at home.

Joann Baker and members of the Sertoma club of Bradenton present West manatee fire rescue, represented by fire marshal randy Kwiatkowski, with a $1,000 donation Sept. 12 at the Wmfr administration building in Bradenton. the donation will be used to purchase bed-shaker smoke alarms for the hearing impaired. islander Photo: robert anderson murray

He was born in Octobert 1951 in DesMoines, Iowa, to Lois and Byron Masters, and briefly lived in Knox, Pennsylvania. The family moved to Bradenton when he was 12 and he attended Prine Elementary and Manatee High School.

He started his career in building on Anna Maria Island 45 years ago. He received his contractor’s license in 1981 and remodeled and built a significant number of custom homes and the city pier during his career. He served on the Anna Maria Code Enforcement Board for several years.

Mr. Murray loved sports. He was an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Tampa Bay Rays, Lightning and especially Florida State University, spending hours talking about his teams and their stats.

After retirement, he developed a love for glazing pottery and accompanied his wife to many juried art

shows throughout Florida.

His sense of humor and easy laugh were well known to his family and friends and he will be greatly missed.

A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, with a reception immediately following.

Memorial donations may be made to Roser Church, P.O. Box 247, Anna Maria, FL 34216, or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Mr. Murray is survived by his wife of 29 years, Jean; daughter Emily and granddaughter Charlotte; sister Jane and husband Michael Lewis; brothers Mark and wife Augusta, and Todd and wife Vicki; nephews Zach and wife Jess, and Dakota and wife Ashley; and nieces Amber and Kaylin.

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

Worship With Us At Our Church

Sunday Ser vice 10:00 AM

The Rev. Dr. Nor man Pritchard

Men’s Bible Study: Monday @ 9:00

Women’s Bible Study: Wednesday @ 10:00

Visitors & Residents Welcome

Sign up to receive the eBulletin at RoserChurch.com/contact-us

Watch Our 10: 00 AM Ser vice Live: www bit ly/cclbksermons or www christchurchof lbk org (follow YouTube link)

The 1921 hurricane

editor’s note: the following is part six of a six-part series about the 1921 hurricane. the report, by June alder, first appeared in print in 1993. it has been edited for content and style.

Bridge opens at last

By June alder

from the islander archives

Nearly wrecked by the hurricane of 1921, Jack Leffingwell’s bridge to Anna Maria Island was rebuilt and dedicated with much fanfare in April 1922.

Hundreds of visitors streamed across the bridge on opening day in their Model T autos to enjoy the beaches.

A grand bathing pavilion was erected that same year, and the island enjoyed several prosperous tourist

About the storm of 1921

On Oct. 25, 1921, the Tampa Bay area suffered the most destructive hurricane to hit since 1848.

In Manatee, Cortez was hardest hit.

The storm smashed boats into docks and seawalls, waves and wind battered buildings and washed away structures. Power poles and trees fell. Windows were blown out.

— Lisa neff

seasons.

“The new bridge and road have made Anna Maria a place where all are more than content to live,” the Manatee River Journal editorialized Nov. 23, 1923:

The state of contentment did not last long.

The killer hurricanes of 1926 and 1928 put an end to the Florida boom and shattered the grandiose dreams of many entrepreneurs.

But the bridge survived catastrophes and countless other hazards of wind and wave and automotive mistreatment for 34 years until the present bridges on Cortez Road and Manatee Avenue were built in 1957 and the Longboat Pass bridge in 1958.

It was then that more modest dreams of post-World War II developers came to pass with the transformation of the island into a retirement community and low-profile “vacation destination.”

From the archives: Ian

a sailboat is lodged under the northwest side of the cortez Bridge Sept. 28, 2022, following the passage of Hurricane ian. ian was a deadly, destructive category 5 hurricane that caused widespread damage across western cuba, florida and the carolinas. anna maria islanders evacuated, as the tampa Bay region was in its cone of uncertainty. ian made landfall Sept. 28, 2022, at cayo costa island. Still, the storm delivered severe weather to the island. islander file Photo

a boathouse in the fishing village of cortez is destroyed. While a hurricane in 1921 made landfall to the north at tarpon Springs, the storm left destruction in its wake in cortez. islander Photo: courtesy manatee county Public Library archives

But by 1993, there was no hotter issue on the island than whether new bridges were needed and, if so, built to what height.

A guess, in 1993: By the turn of the century there will be two high-rise spans arching across Anna Maria Sound unless there’s another major hurricane — the thought haunts.

In that case, my guess is — well, read John D. MacDonald’s novel, “Condominium.”

WMFR adopts 2023-24 budget, $1.4M increase over 2022-23

By robert anderson islander reporter

West Manatee Fire Rescue District commissioners adopted a $11,407,453.14 budget Sept.12 for fiscal year 2023-24.

Commissioner Lawrence Jennis motioned to adopt the budget and was seconded by Billy Burke. The motion was passed by a vote of 4-0. Commissioner Derrick Warner was absent with excuse but sent an approval via an email that was read at the meeting.

The new year begins Oct. 1.

The biggest change in the budget from 2022-23 involves new assessment rates, which will raise $10,003,191.14 — $1 million more than the current year.

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

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

Streetlife

Island police reports

Anna Maria

Sept. 8, 800 block of North Shore Drive, vandalism. A Manatee County Sheriff’s Offi ce deputy responded to a complaint of vandalism. A construction crew working at a residence parked in a neighbor’s driveway, allegedly destroyed landscaping and broke several planters. The deputy filed an incident report and assigned a case number.

The MCSO polices Anna Maria. Bradenton Beach

Sept. 8, 611 Gulf Drive N., Imperial House condominiums, vandalism. An MCSO deputy responded to a complaint involving a damaged vehicle. The deputy determined nothing was missing from the vehicle, filed an incident report and assigned a case number.

budget talks

for a 3,000-square-foot home.

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

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

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

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

The new budget includes a new assessment for vacation rental property owners, who currently pay residential rates but will pay business rates in 2023-24.

So an owner of a 2,000-square-foot vacation rental unit will pay $447.10 more in fiscal 2023-24.

The funds will provide a newly legislated rental inspection program, which will be led by two new inspectors and staff members, as well as six new firefighters at WMFR.

The new positions are projected to head a $1,758,270.50 increase in the cost of personnel services over 2022-23, with an almost $1 million increase in salaries, as well as increases in overtime costs and health care expenses.

Another notable change is a projected $724,275 increase in capital outlay costs over 2022-23 — from $147,500 this year to $871,775 in fiscal 2023-24.

The increase is mainly due to the $650,000 purchase of a new fire engine, as well as a $60,000 Ford F-150 for a rental inspector.

Overall, the district projects revenues and expenditures to increase $2,685,465.50 over this year — from $8,721,987.64 this year to $11,407,453.14 in fiscal 2023-24.

There was no public comment on the budget.

The commission will meet next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, at the administration building, 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton.

Island watch

The Bradenton Beach Police Department polices Bradenton Beach.

Cortez

Sept. 10, 4000 block of 124th Street W., overdose. An MCSO deputy responded to a call to assist emergency medical services. A 31-year-old woman was transported to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton for care.

The MCSO polices Cortez. Holmes Beach

Sept. 7, 4000 block of Gulf Drive, found property. The Holmes Beach Police Department responded to a home where a woman asked that two firearms and ammunition be taken away. A rifl e and pistol were taken for destruction.

Sept. 7, 6000 block of Palm Drive, missing license

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.

plate. The HBPD took a report from a man who said a plate went missing or was stolen from a motorcycle. A case number for a lost license plate was issued.

Sept. 9, 400 block of 76th Street, information. The HBPD received a report from a woman concerned about alleged activity involving her minor son and his father. HBPD determined an investigation is underway by child protective services and asked the complainant to report to CPS. No further action was taken. HBPD polices Holmes Beach.

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

By robert anderson and Lisa neff

Cortez group wades into wetlands issues, preservation work

By robert anderson islander reporter

The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage’s board meeting Sept. 11 was a night of presentations.

FISH board members heard from Manatee County resource management division manager Mike Elswick about the possibility of controlled burns at the FISH Preserve, 11655 Cortez Road W., Cortez.

FISH owns and manages the 95-acre preserve, which serves as both a buffer against development for the fishing village and as a nature sanctuary.

Elswick said the county uses prescription fire to maintain habitats for wildlife, as well as to deter exotic plant species from taking over an area.

“What we could do if you were interested is to try and find a plan for what habitats it might be useful for,” Elswick said. “Some of the mowing you guys have to do now, you might not have to do it as much.”

Elswick said the county wouldn’t ask for payment from the nonprofit and that burns could be scheduled during the rainy season to minimize fire risk.

Jane von Hahmann, FISH treasurer, said she’s interested in a burn plan but the group will need to discuss it after completion of a wetlands project at the preserve with the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program.

With $800,000 from the SBEP, FISH is completing the final leg of a four-phase project begun in 2000 to return the preserve back to its natural state.

In other matters, Rusty Chinnis, chair of environmental group Suncoast Waterkeepers, made a presentation to rally support against the Manatee County commission’s vote to reduce wetland protections by

— rusty chinnis, Suncoast Waterkeeper

reducing buffer zones.

Commissioners voted Aug. 17 to approve text amendments to the comprehensive plan and land development code allowing the reduction of wetland buffer zones by 5 feet or more.

“Right now, at a time when we should be doing more and more to protect the water quality, unfortunately Manatee County is doing the opposite and going backward,” Chinnis said, referring to the vote in August.

“I was at that … commission meeting, where I watched at least 36 people get up and speak passionately about why it was a bad idea. There were engineers, there were wetland scientists there and not one person spoke in favor of it. As soon as the public comment was over they called the question and voted 6-1 to approve,” he continued. Commissioner George Kruse was the dissenting vote.

Chinnis said Suncoast Waterkeepers is circulating a Save Our Wetlands petition that, as of Sept. 15, had more than 2,000 signatures.

He encouraged FISH members to sign the online petition at suncoastwaterkeeper.org.

“We need everybody’s voice. We need the village of Cortez. We need the people who understand the water better than anybody to be speaking out and joining with us to fight this,” Chinnis said.

Von Hahmann, a former county commissioner, said, “When I was in office, we increased the setback buffer required from the mangrove system from 35 to 50 feet.”

She said current commissioners are making the changes under the guise of meeting state minimums:

“What they are saying is ‘if the state approves it, then we don’t have to worry about it.’”

In other matters, board member Cindy Rodgers, president of the Cortez Village Historical Society, spoke against the county commission’s decision to move oversight of the historical resources department from the county clerk and comptroller’s office to the county sports and leisure services department.

She said the Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St W., Cortez, which partners with the CVHS, is one institution to be impacted by the change.

Rogers also spoke Sept. 12 at a commission meeting, as did FISH board member Karen Bell.

“It makes sense that the county clerk’s office, which is responsible for maintaining most of the key public records for the county, has the expertise and the experience to manage our records and resources,” Rodgers said at the county meeting. “Given how well the current system seems to be working, we are very concerned about today’s presentation proposing to uproot the department.”

Bell — president of Friends of the Florida Maritime Museum, which supports FMM through community outreach, education, events and financial support — also addressed commissioners.

“For the community, that’s very close to us,” Bell said of the museum. “That’s our history. We have our family’s artifacts there. So for this to be brought upon us with no notice, nobody to share with us that this is even a consideration. It’s hard for me to understand how that can be when we have a partnership with the county.”

The commission that day approved the change 6-1, with Kruse in opposition.

The next FISH meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9, at Fishermen’s Hall, 4515 124th St. W.

We need everybody’s voice. We need the village of Cortez. We need the people who understand the water better than anybody to be speaking out and joining with us to fight this.

Island mayors question Palma Sola Causeway resiliency

By Lisa neff islander editor

Island mayors are raising questions about resiliency on the Palma Sola Causeway, which was closed to traffic due to flooding associated with Hurricane Idalia.

Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie asked Sept. 11 whether the Florida Department of Transportation or the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization plan to look at the viability of the causeway.

Chappie raised the issue during a meeting of the Island Transportation Planning Organization at Anna Maria City Hall.

The ITPO consists of the island mayors, who meet prior to a meeting of the MPO, a regional transportation group that was scheduled to convene Sept. 18 in Sarasota. The chair of the ITPO serves as a voting member of the MPO and currently Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy is chair.

Idalia passed the region Aug. 29-30, coinciding with a king tide that brought flooding on many local roads and shut down the causeway.

“It exposed a real problem,” Chappie said, noting the causeway is one of three approaches to the island.

He asked whether plans exist to elevate or fortify the causeway, a low stretch of Manatee Avenue/State Road 64 on Palma Sola Bay.

“We’re seeing considerably more washout,” said Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth. “It looks like it’s time to get it on a schedule.”

MPO executive director David Hutchinson said

Did you know?

Between 1951 and 1956, a channel dredge resulted in spoil deposited to create the causeway and toll plaza for State Road 64/Manatee Avenue and the new Anna Maria Island Bridge.

the causeway, as a bridge approach, is a high priority — “one of a number of high priorities.”

In other matters

• The island mayors raised questions about transportation funding apportioned based on U.S. Census numbers, pointing out the island’s transient — vacationing — population is higher than its residential population.

How, the mayors asked, can the island get its share of federal infrastructure dollars when, for example, 70-75% of Anna Maria’s dwellings are vacation rentals?

“There’s demands on infrastructure. There’s demands on service and it’s left to the locals to provide all of those things,” Chappie said.

• Reviewed a DOT regional safety plan to add pedestrian sensors on drawbridges, including the Anna Maria Island, Cortez and Longboat Pass bridges.

• Briefly discussed an ongoing vision plan for Cortez Road in part to address safety and congestion.

“It’s still kind of a dangerous place to walk, ride a bike, even drive,” Hutchinson said.

• The island mayors asked Florida Department of Transportation representative Pamela Barr to look into the status of several projects and programs, including crosswalk improvements and planned Complete Streets work in Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach.

Complete Streets is a smart-growth approach to

German

red designates highpriorities identified in a resiliency review by the Sarasota/ manatee metropolitan Planning organization. islander courtesy image

planning, designing, building, operating and maintaining streets taking pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders into consideration

“When will it get started?” asked Chappie, who was expecting action in fiscal 2023-24.

Hutchinson responded, “I think it got pushed out to 2025.”

Titsworth said, “We’re in a pickle about how this keeps getting pushed. … We can’t wait any longer.”

The mayor said the city might need to forge ahead.

But Barr made a note to check on the status.

Hutchinson said Anna Maria’s request to opt-out of the Complete Streets effort was approved.

• Titsworth asked Barr whether the DOT was asked by Manatee County to conduct a traffic study for a proposed parking garage at Manatee Public Beach, located at the intersection of two state roads — State Road 64 and State Road 789.

“I’d like an update if the state has been tasked,” she said. “It’s going to be dumping at your road.”

• Titsworth said she was asking Manatee County to install lighting at trolley shelters.

“Solar is getting pretty popular,” she said.

• Holmes Beach city engineer Sage Kamiya said the City Center construction project was 95% com-

murphy We rock online islander.org

chappie

PLeaSe, See resiliency, next Page

Barricades line the south side of the Palma Sola causeway Sept. 16 on State road 64/manatee avenue. Wave action and flooding associated with Hurricane idalia aug. 29-30 washed away sand, eroding the shoreline and

plete, with pavement markings and some safety elements still to come.

• Murphy said Anna Maria was doing more design work on its “Reimagining Pine” project to incorporate improvements on Magnolia and Spring avenues in addition to Pine Avenue.

He expected plans by the end of October and then to put the project out for bids.

The next ITPO meeting will be Monday, Nov. 4, at Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.

About the MPO

The Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization is the regional transportation planning entity for Sarasota and Manatee counties.

MPOs are established through interlocal agreement to provide a process for governments within the region to coordinate with the Florida Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration.

The MPO is governed by a 17-member apportioned board comprised of elected officials representing both counties, nine cities and a representative of the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority.

The island cities are represented on the board by the chair of the Island Transportation Planning Organization, currently Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy. For more information, go online to mympo.org.

RoadWatch

Eyes on the road

• Anna Maria Island Bridge on State Road 64/ Manatee Avenue: Single-lane closures can be expected 7 p.m.-6 a.m. through December. Meanwhile, work on a water line on the bridge was pushed to late this month or early October. For more, go to swflroads.com.

• City center in Holmes Beach: Work on the city’s project near the intersection of Gulf and Marina drives continues. Traffic patterns can change. For the latest, check the city’s page on Facebook.

Manatee County’s work on a force main project continues and traffic patterns can change. For the latest, go to amiprojects.io.

• Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach: The county is replacing sewer lines along Gulf Drive South and 12th Street South remains closed to traffic and travel on Gulf Drive South is limited to one lane, at times. Go to amiprojects.io. — Lisa neff

Oil spill cost at $825K

Manatee County says an oil spill reported Sept. 1 at SeaPort Manatee cost at least $825,000 to clean up.

The cleanup was about 99% complete as of Sept. 12, according to SeaPort Manatee executive director Carlos Buqueras, who provided an update to the county board of commissioners during a meeting at the administration building in Bradenton.

The source of the oil — and the party responsible for the tab, according to the county — has not been identified.

The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating the spill.

“As you know they are conducting, if you would, the equivalent of DNA tests on the fuel they found and comparing them to ships and sources that were at the port,” Buqueras said.

He continued, “There will be additional follow-up actions to correct that problem and to take appropriate legal action against the companies that caused this spill.”

Cleanup involved removing more than 19,000 gallons of oil and contaminated water from the port on Tampa Bay.

— Lisa neff

the u.S. coast guard surveys Sept. 1 at SeaPort manatee on tampa Bay, where an oil spill was reported that day. the spill remained under investigation the week ending Sept. 17.

right-of-way access along the road. islander Photo: Jacob merrifield

Soccer kicks off at center pitch, golf at KRC, ringers at AM pits

By Kevin P. cassidy islander reporter

After two weeks of action in the adult soccer league at the Center of Anna Maria Island, Moss Builders and Sato Real Estate are atop the standings with 2-0 records.

cassidy

Gulf View Windows & Doors and Ross Built follow with 1-1 records while Gulf Drive Cafe, Pool America, Sandbar Restaurant and Slim’s Place complete the standings with 0-1-1 records.

Action Sept. 14 kicked off with Sandbar and Slim’s battling to a 3-3 tie. Kali Richardson, Helio Gomez and Lindsey Styka each scored a goal to lead Slim’s, which also received 11 saves from goalie Steve Oelfke.

Jacek Czajkowki, Jake Parsons and Matthew Staggs each scored a goal and Robb Marshall made six saves to lead Sandbar.

The second match of the evening saw Gulf Drive Cafe and Pool America battle to a 3-3 tie. Kevin Roman scored two goals and Eliza Faillace added one goal to lead Gulf Drive, which also received 13 saves from Tuna McCracken.

Murat Akay, Landon Ellis and Luca Vecchio each scored a goal and Chris Klotz made nine saves to lead Pool America.

Amy Ivin scored four goals and James Noblett added three goals to lead Sato Real Estate to a 9-2 victory over Gulf View Windows & Doors in the third match. Jamal Duzgun and Josh Sato both added a goal, while Sato made three saves between the pipes.

Keith Mahoney scored two goals to lead Gulf View, which also received a combined 13 saves from Raul Loera and Curtis Bickler.

Moss Builders cruised to an 8-3 victory over Ross Built behind three goals each from Erica Nielsen and Gerardo Urbiola Bolanos in the last game of the night. Rex Kesten and Brandon Rolland each added a goal, while Ryan Moss made seven saves to help preserve the victory.

Daniel Hampton scored two goals and Nicola Manni added a goal to lead Ross Built, which also received eight saves from Max Gazzo.

Youth soccer kicks off

The youth soccer league at the center kicked off Sept. 12 with three matches in the 8-10 division and two in the 11-14 division.

Moss Builders took on La Creperie to open the

8-10 division season and came away with a 2-0 victory thanks to two goals from Gunnar Maize and an assist from Parker Svoboda. Goalie Miles Moss helped preserve the shutout with seven saves.

Sawyer Leibfried helped keep La Creperie in the match with six saves in the loss.

Isola Bella Italian Eatery and Am I Coconuts battled to a 0-0 tie in the second 8-10 division match of the evening. Kason Price and Beau Canup combined to make nine saves to help preserve the scoreless draw for Am I Coconuts, while Trinity Miller made three saves for Isola Bella in the tie.

Adrian Griffin Interiors defeated Solid Rock Construction 2-0 behind 18 saves from Andre Harwood. Phoenix Harwood provided the offense with two goals while Jordy Perez added an assist in the victory.

Solid Rock Construction was led by Carson Long’s six saves.

Action in the 11-14 division kicked off with Solid Rock Construction outscoring HSH Designs 7-4 behind three goals from Luke Dellenger and two goals and an assist from Jesse Zaccagnino. Turner Worth and David Zupa each added a goal and Jack Zaccagnino made three saves in the victory.

Cecelia Kroth scored four goals and Cyrus Ryan made three saves to lead HSH Designs.

The last match of the night saw Cheesecake Cutie cruise to a 5-0 victory over the Gitt Team behind four goals from Preston LaPensee and a goal and an assist from TJ Hagey. Gunnar Maize chipped in with an assist and Thomas Holly made two saves in the victory.

Austin Guess made seven saves to lead the Gitt Team.

Key Royale golf news

Golf action at the Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach got started Sept. 11 with the weekly men’s modified-Stableford system match. John Kolojeski and Bill Shuman finished in a tie for first place after they both shot plus-5. The trio of Mike Cusato, Kurt Snouffer and Warren Stevens were one point back in second place.

Helen Pollock rode a chipin on the first hole to a 2-under-par 30 and a first-place finish in the women’s low-net match Sept. 12. Jana Samuels was alone in second-place at 1-over-par 33, while Terry Westby finished in third-place at 5-over-par 37.

Golf action concluded Sept. 14 with a nine-hole shamble in which the two best scores are counted from each group. The team of Ken Nagengast, Bill Shuman and Quentin Talbert combined on a 4-under-par 60 to earn clubhouse bragging rights for the day. Secondplace went to the team of Mike Cusato, John Kolojeski, Hoyt Miller and Ron Vandeman with an even-par 64.

Horseshoe news

A barrage of ringers Sept. 13 from Tom Farrington helped him forge the 3-0 record to win the horseshoe games at the Anna Maria City hall pits.

Two teams advanced to the knockout stage during the Sept. 16 games. The team of Bob Heiger and Dom Livedoti edged Tim Sofran and Gary Howcroft 23-19 thanks to a game-ending double ringer by Heiger that resulted in the day’s bragging rights.

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.

Recreating the airstrip

artist drake arnold works on a mural at city field in Holmes Beach. the city announced the art project on facebook, saying the rex Hagen foundation donated the funding, which celebrates the old days of an airstrip at the site in the 5800 block of marina drive near city hall. for more about the painter, go online to www. drakearnold.com.

islander Photos: city of Holmes Beach via facebook

Sandbar goalie robb marshall comes off his line to clear the ball just before Slim’s Place forward Lindsey Styka arrives during adult soccer action at the center of anna maria island.

Wading skinny water around sunset: Perfect fall fishing plan

By capt. danny Stasny islander reporter

With temperatures hovering in the mid-90s as we head into fall, Anna Maria Island anglers are finding themselves fishing low-light conditions to beat the heat to enjoy shallow water action.

Fishing low tides where the bay bottoms out just after sunset can be productive in September and your chance arrives the week of Sept. 25.

Fall officially starts Sept. 23.

Tides corresponding with sunset present opportunities to encounter tailing redfish, schooley snook and maybe a gator trout or two — if you’re lucky.

Wading the flats and casting is essential. Yes, you’ll have to get out of the boat to get a hookup.

Shallow flats adjacent to channel edges and deep sandy potholes are prime territory for predatory fish to lie in wait for a tasty morsel to drift by.

Speaking of morsels, select live shrimp can be great bait. Also, soft plastics on a jig head are quite deadly, if you know how to work them.

The most important aspects to wade fishing are stealth and a steady eye on the water.

It’s pleasing when you see that first redfish tail silhouetted in the evening sun ever so slightly sticking out of the glassy calm water.

And it’s even better when you make the right cast and the water erupts as a redfish violently devours the bait.

Or when you hear that distinct sound a snook makes when eating a bait near the surface. As you scan the surface of water, you may discover the remnants of the swirl made by the snook. Another cast and the fight ensues as the snook travels out of its hole and into skinny water that barely covers the shallow flat causing a wake.

The blue herons and other wading birds spook from the excitement and fly off to observe the action from a distance.

And then it’s dark.

Blind casting would be the only option, so it’s time to go home. It’s time to enjoy the cool breeze as it gently pours off the Gulf and across the bay into the backcountry and the satisfaction of knowing you beat the heat and caught the fish.

Capt. David White of Anna Maria Charters is putting clients on a good number of yellowtail snapper while working offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.

Bottom fishing is proving effective, although chumming to get the fish to rise off the bottom is an option.

Gag grouper also are being caught while offshore fishing with White. Live pinfish on a bottom rig are getting plenty of attention as they flutter on the hook, struggling to escape the jaws of a hungry gag.

Moving inshore, snook fishing is keeping White’s anglers busy. Free-lining live shiners is working well

Heather Patterson, visiting anna maria island from Houston, shows off a 35-inch snook she caught Sept. 14 while on a guided fishing trip with capt. david White of anna maria charters. the linesider ate a live pinfish but it was a little too big to take home for dinner. White said, “the slot is 28-32 inches. So we let her go!”

while fishing the beaches and passes, as well as the flats.

Lastly, for anglers with strong arms and a little bit of know-how, White is targeting gag grouper in depths of 15-20 feet. When hooked in shallow water, the gags are skilled in the art of running back into structure to cut your line — so every inch counts.

Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel says he seeing an abundance of sheepshead around the pier.

Although it’s not really the right time of year to target sheepies, anglers dropping live shrimp as bait around the pilings are hooking up on convict fish.

Other catches that are falling victim to the allure of a live shrimp on the hook include snook, redfish, and an occasional jack crevalle.

Schools of ladyfish are passing by the pier as they move in and out of the passes, so it’s productive to keep some jigs or spoons handy. These fish are great action on light spinning gear.

Capt. Warren Girle is finding good action on the deeper flats of Sarasota Bay.

By drifting and jigging with soft plastics or pompano jigs, Girle is finding dense pockets of spotted seatrout. Once the schools are located, Girle is able to anchor up and catch fish on nearly every cast.

In between trout schools, Girle is happy to say he’s picking up pompano, as well as jacks and ladyfish.

In the Gulf of Mexico, Girle is bottom fi shing with live shiners as bait. At depths of 20-40 feet, Girle is finding success on mangrove snapper, Key West, grunts and numerous juvenile grouper.

Send photos and reports to fish@islander.org.

Workshopping solutions

mote marine Laboratory and aquarium in Sarasota hosts researchers aug. 24-25 to discuss mitigation tools and technologies to address red tide. red tides are caused by higher-than-normal concentrations of Karenia brevis, microscopic algae native to the gulf of mexico, often discoloring the water in the gulf and coastal waters of southwest florida. K. brevis produces toxins that can harm sea life, lead to massive fish kills and cause respiratory irritation in people. florida red tides can also have detrimental effects on shellfish, fishing and tourism industries. the event took place at mote’s aquaculture research Park in Sarasota. islander Photo: courtesy mote

Stasny

nesting notes

By Lisa Neff

Science of sea turtles

Some sea turtle scientific study takes place on the shore.

Some study in the sea.

And some scientists work in the lab. Just about anyone can track the research using sites such as EurekaAlert.org and ScienceDaily.com, where a search will turn up a trove of studies:

• Picky green sea turtle traveled to the same place for generations;

• Hotter sand from microplastics could affect sea turtle development;

• Sea level rises could threaten sea turtle breeding grounds;

• Surprises in sea turtle genes could help them adapt to rapidly changing world;

• More than 1 million sea turtles poached over last three decades;

• Instagram can support sea turtle conservation;

• Forty Years of Monitoring Increasing Sea Turtle Abundance in the Gulf of Mexico.

Such work usually involves a team of researchers at more than one institute and a coauthor named on that last study is Kristen Mazzarella, formerly of Mote Marine and now the executive director of Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch.

The Islander, this week, asked Mazzarella about her interest in the science of sea turtles.

The Islander: From time to time, we check a couple of aggregation sites for the latest science on sea turtles and a recent search turned up a study that includes your name. How do you apply your science background to AMITW?

Kristen Mazzarella: I use my science background all the time at AMITW. Whether it has to do with making decisions about protocols, answering questions from the volunteers and the public handling a hatchling in distress or determining why hatchlings disoriented, I base my answers on what I know from experience

and the science behind it.

I also enjoy conducting and participating in scientific research and collaborating with other scientific institutions and hope to continue to do so with AMITW.

The more we learn about sea turtles from science, the better decisions we can make for protecting and conserving the turtles.

The Islander: Does the information that AMITW collects and reports during a nesting season get used in science, in research?

KM: The information that AMITW collects gets used in many ways.

It contributes to the Statewide Nesting Beach Survey, which determines trends in sea turtle nesting and the density and distribution of nesting along Florida’s coast.

The data are also used to inform stakeholders on impacts to sea turtles from things like coastal construction and local ordinances.

Some of our data are also used in research projects. This year we are collecting samples as part of a pilot study on sex ratio in sea turtle nests.

The Islander: How often do you get the opportunity to check up on the science on sea turtles?

KM: I try to read about the latest science whenever I get a chance, which is usually at least weekly but

DYLAN SCHIFF / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ

Dylan Schiff is a middle-school science teacher in Delaware whose extracurricular activities include cooking, bowling, watching game shows and editing Sporcle quizzes. This is his third crossword for The Times (and first Sunday). Dylan writes, ‘‘My students and fellow faculty members still can’t get over the fact that real-life people — let alone someone they know — design crosswords!’’ — W. S.

Suzi the sea turtle a map shows where Suzi, a loggerhead outfitted June 27 in Bradenton Beach with a tracking device, traveled through Sept. 18. Suzi is the island’s entry in the Sea turtle conservancy’s tour de turtles hard-shell marathon, which began aug. 1 and involves tracking 12 sea turtles using satellite telemetry to boost science, research and education. Suzi’s distance as of Sept. 15 was 712 miles. Suzi’s ranking in the swim “marathon” was seventh. People can follow Suzi’s journey at tourdeturtles. org. islander Screenshot

sometimes less during sea turtle nesting season.

When I get questions from the public that I don’t know the answer to, I often research that topic so I can learn more about it for the nest time I get that question.

The Islander: Do you have a favorite resource on marine science or conservation science that you can share with readers?

KM: There are lots of good resources out there. I like www.conserveturtles.org and www.seaturtle. org because they have nice resources for educating people.

Government websites — fisheries.noaa.gov and myfwc.com — have important information on protections of wildlife.

One of my favorite books is “Florida’s Living Beaches” by Blair and Dawn Witherington — it’s easy to look up just about anything you find or see on the beach.

And when I have a topic I want to learn more about in the scientific literature, I usually search it in Google Scholar.

For more information about AMITW, call the nonprofit at 941-301-3484, email info@islandturtlewatch. com or go online to islandturtlewatch.com.

By Lisa Neff

Migration merriment

Get out.

Look up.

A migration is underway.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology in mid-September was forecasting birding bonanzas as its maps of migrating birds showed heavy nighttime movement.

Cornell is involved in providing two useful tools for birdwatchers — a three-night forecast of migration and a migration dashboard that shows recent activity.

Cornell’s BirdCast — birdcast.info

neff

— predicted 328 million birds in flight Sept. 14 and 351 million Sept. 15.

Meanwhile, the BirdCast dashboard estimated 290,100 birds crossed Manatee County the night of

❑ Common loon

❑ Pied-billed grebe

❑ Sooty shearwater

❑ Brown booby

❑ Northern gannet

❑ White pelican

❑ Brown pelican

❑ Double-breasted cormorant

❑ Anhinga

❑ Magnificent frigatebird

❑ American bittern

❑ Least bittern

❑ Great blue heron

❑ Great egret

❑ Snowy egret

❑ Little blue heron

❑ Tricolored heron

❑ Reddish egret

❑ Cattle egret

❑ Green heron

❑ White ibis

❑ Glossy ibis

❑ Roseate spoonbill

❑ Wood stork

❑ Black vulture

❑ Turkey vulture

❑ Greater scaup

❑ Lesser scaup

❑ Osprey

❑ Bald eagle

❑ Northern harrier

❑ Cooper’s hawk

❑ Red-shouldered hawk

❑ Short-tailed hawk

❑ Swainson’s hawk

❑ Red-tailed hawk

❑ Limpkin

❑ Black-bellied plover

❑ Snowy plover

❑ Wilson’s plover

❑ Piping plover

❑ Oystercatcher

❑ Black-necked stilt

❑ American avocet

❑ Greater yellowlegs

❑ Lesser yellowlegs

Sept. 12-13, with the peak and many, many more birds still to come in October.

With the fall migration on, the Manatee Audubon Society sent a dispatch earlier this month, reminding people to shield their lights for the next two months.

Two-thirds of songbirds migrate at night and light pollution can cause confusion and casualties.

What might local birders see this fall?

Here’s a checklist for the season:

On the birding trail

a roseate spoonbill, one of the birds to be seen in robinson Preserve in northwest Bradenton. the florida fish and Wildlife conservation commission announced Sept. 12 the addition of 14 sites on the great florida Birding and Wildlife trail and robinson Preserve is one of the additions. the trail consists of about 500 viewing sites. the fWc describes robinson, at the mouth of the manatee river, as a “popular recreation area where more than 200 bird species have been recorded.” for more information, go online to floridabirdingtrail. com. islander courtesy Photo

Save the date

World Migratory Bird Day is Saturday, Oct. 14. The holiday is celebrated twice a year — the second Saturday in May and the second Saturday in October.

This year’s theme is “Water: Sustaining Bird Life.”

A map at worldmigratorybirdday.org shows plans for events.

❑ Willet

❑ Spotted sandpiper

❑ Marbled godwit

❑ Ruddy turnstone

❑ Red knot

❑ Sanderling

❑ Western sandpiper

❑ Least sandpiper

❑ Wilson’s snipe

❑ Laughing gull

❑ Franklin’s gull

❑ Little gull

❑ Bonaparte’s gull

❑ Ring-billed gull

❑ Herring gull

❑ Gull-billed tern

❑ Caspian tern

❑ Royal tern

❑ Sandwich tern

❑ Common tern

❑ Forster’s tern

❑ Least tern

❑ Black tern

❑ Black skimmer

❑ Rock dove

❑ Eurasian collared dove

❑ Mourning dove

❑ Ground dove

❑ Monk parakeet

❑ Black-hooded parakeet

❑ Mangrove cuckoo

❑ Smooth-billed ani

❑ Groove-billed ani

❑ Eastern screech owl

❑ Great horned owl

❑ Barred owl

❑ Common nighthawk

❑ Belted kingfisher

❑ Red-bellied woodpecker

❑ Downy woodpecker

❑ Northern flicker

❑ Pileated woodpecker

❑ Acadian flycatcher

❑ Eastern phoebe

❑ Eastern kingbird

❑ Gray kingbird

❑ Loggerhead shrike

❑ Blue jay

❑ American crow

❑ Fish crow

❑ Tree swallow

❑ Carolina chickadee

❑ Tufted titmouse

❑ Nuthatch

❑ Carolina wren

❑ House wren

❑ Sedge wren

❑ Kinglet

❑ Gnatcatcher

❑ Eastern bluebird

❑ Veery

❑ Swainson’s thrush

❑ Hermit thrush

❑ American robin

❑ Gray catbird

❑ Northern mockingbird

❑ European starling

❑ American pipit

❑ Cedar waxwing

❑ Tennessee warbler

❑ Nashville warbler

❑ Yellow warbler

❑ Magnolia warbler

❑ Cape May warbler

❑ Pine warbler

❑ Prairie warbler

❑ Palm warbler

❑ Blackpoll warbler

❑ Cerulean warbler

❑ Black-and-White warbler

❑ American redstart

❑ Swainson’s warbler

❑ Ovenbird

❑ Waterthrush

❑ Kentucky warbler

❑ Yellowthroat

❑ Hooded warbler

❑ Canada warbler

❑ Wilson’s warbler

❑ Summer tanager

❑ Scarlet tanager

❑ Western tanager

❑ Eastern towhee

❑ Northern cardinal

❑ Grosbeak

❑ Indigo bunting

❑ Painted bunting

❑ Common grackle

❑ Boat-tailed grackle

❑ Bronzed cowbird

❑ Brown-headed cowbird

❑ Orchard oriole

❑ Baltimore oriole

❑ House finch

❑ Pine siskin

❑ American goldfinch

❑ House sparrow

Other sightings:

ITEMS FOR SALE

tWo matcHing 52-inch-tall sandstone metal stools, armrests, padded seat/back. $100, pictures available. 330-758-3857.

cHarBroiL fire & ice grill: new, $100. Stamina rower, hardly used, $100. 941-7044332.

comPLete aBoVe-ground pool, $100. 941-778-5542.

YamaHa eLectric KeYBoard, including sustain pedal, stand and travel/storage container. $650. 239-691-5475.

Paninni maKer: cuiSinart, stainlesssteel, like new, $45. 941-920-2494.

SPice racK, tHree-tier clear plastic, $20, side tables, brown with glass top, 2/$20. 941-920-2494. 941-920-2494.

Paradise Improvements 941.792.5600

RDI

INC.

FREEBIE ITEMS FOR SALE

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

LOST & FOUND

found BiKe in Holmes Beach. call 214769-9483 with description.

PETS

HeLP reScued PetS! Volunteer, foster, computer help needed! moonracer animal rescue. email: moonraceranimalrescue@ gmail.com.

TRANSPORTATION

goLf cart rentaLS: fun for residents and tourists! www.golfcartrentalami.com.

BOATS & BOATING

HaVe a Boat and wanna catch more fish, better bait or learn the water? 50-year local fisherman, your boat, my knowledge. captain chris, 941-896-2915.

SuncoaSt Bottom Painting: Professional bottom painting. mobile. call 941704-9382.

FISHING

fun and fiSH: Skiff rental. 24-foot carolina skiff. Live bait and fi shing equipment included upon request. call 941-704-9382.

HELP WANTED

AdoptA-Pet

Oh, those eyes!

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

SPonSored BY

ANSWERS TO SEPT. 20 PUZZLE

HeLP Wanted: exPerienced hair stylist, full or part-time. a Hair day salon. 9516 cortez road, W., #7, Bradenton. 941795-5227.

SeeKing candidate intereSted in sales of health and wellness, high-technology equipment. excellent commission, training. residual income potential. full- or part-time. retirees welcomed to respond. call or text. 724-290-9800.

noW Hiring HandYman: full-time professional services. $18 an hour and up, based on experience. call JayPros, 941962-2874.

rePorter Wanted: full- to part-time. Print media, newspaper experience required. apply via email with letter of interest to news@islander.org.

KIDS FOR HIRE

need an aduLt night out? call maty’s Babysitting Services. i’m 16, love kids and have lots of experience. references upon request. 618-977-9630.

KidS for Hire ads are free for up to three weeks for island youths under 16 looking for work. ads must be placed in person at the islander office, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes Beach.

SERVICES Continued

PreSSure WaSHing, PaVer sealing, driveway, roof, fence, pool area. also, window cleaning. Licensed and insured. 941-5653931.

BicYcLe rePairS: Just4fun at 5358 gulf drive can do most any bicycle repair at a reasonable cost. Pick-up and delivery available. 941-896-7884.

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

aPi’S drYWaLL rePair: i look forward to servicing your drywall repair needs. call 941524-8067 to schedule an appointment.

airPort rideS: SaraSota, St. Pete, tampa. call/text, Vita, 941-376-7555.

rideS near and far, car transport. Based in Palmetto. 715-292-8692.

cLean tecH moBiLe detailing. at your location. cars, boats, rVs. call or text Billie for an appointment. 941-592-3482.

rideeaSY247: a local ride service providing a professional car service to all local airports and venues. references on request. eamonn fortune, 941-447-7737.

goriLLa drYWaLL rePair LLc: 15-plus years’ experience. Let’s solve your drywall problems together. 941-286-0607.

BuSineSS-to-BuSineSS Jd’s Window cleaning looking for storefront jobs in Holmes Beach. i make dirty windows sparkling clean. 941-920-3840.

BeacH SerVice air conditioning, heat, refrigeration. commercial and residential service, repair and/or replacement. Serving manatee county and the island since 1987. for dependable, honest and personalized service, call Bill eller, 941-720-7411. cac184228.

LAWN & GARDEN

connie’S LandScaPing inc. residential and commercial. full-service lawn maintenance, landscaping, cleanups, hauling and more! insured. 941-778-5294.

coLLinS LandScaPe LigHting: outdoor lighting, landscaping, irrigation services and maintenance. 941-279-9947. mJc24373@ gmail.com.

SHeLL deLiVered and spread. Hauling all kinds of gravel, mulch, topsoil with free estimates. call Larry at 941-795-7775, “shell phone” 941-720-0770.

mP LaWn maintenance now accepting new clients. call dante, 941-730-9199. mp@ mplawnmaintenance.com.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

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

cLeaning: Vacation, conStruction, residential, commercial and windows. Licensed and insured. 941-756-4570.

Van-go Painting residential/commercial, interior/exterior, pressure cleaning, wallpaper. island references. Bill, 941-795-5100. www.vangopainting.net.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

tiLe -tiLe -tiLe. all variations of ceramic tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship, prompt, reliable, many island references. call neil, 941-726-3077.

griffin’S Home imProVementS inc. Handyman, fine woodwork, countertops, cabinets and wood flooring. insured and licensed. 941-722-8792.

iSLand HandYman: i live here, work here, value your referral. refinish, paint. Just ask. JayPros. Licensed/insured. references. call Jay, 941-962-2874.

HandYman and Painting. no job too small. most jobs just right. call richard Kloss. 941-204-1162.

Screening SerViceS: replace your old or ripped window, door or porch screens. many screen types available. retired veteran here to serve our community! free estimates, call Lane, 941-705-5293.

caLL HYdro cLean. full-service pressure washing, sealing. Pavers, travertine and natural stone. Window washing too, up to three stories. call Jacob, 941-920-2094.

SaraSota interior Painting: We specialize in high-end properties. We love to paint! owner operated. fully insured/ licensed. call or text don, 941-900-9398. instagram: SarasotainteriorPainting.

RENTALS

anna maria guLf beachfront vacation rentals. one- two- and three-bedroom units, all beachfront. www.amiparadise.com. 941778-3143.

Perico iSLand Patio home for rent. 3Br/2Ba, 30-day minimum. Privacy fence/ gate, two miles to ami. January, 2024 available. call or text, 859-771-6423.

BeautifuLLY furniSHed, annuaL rental in Beach Harbor club, Longboat Key. 2Br/2Ba with views of the bay, laundry and condo amenities include pool, grill, with both bay and beach access. $200 application required. $3,800 month plus fi rst and last month’s rent and $1,000 deposit. call mike norman realty, 941-778-6696. 3101 gulf drive, Holmes Beach, fL 34217.

2Br/2Ba LongBoat KeY annual rental. Penthouse with jaw-dropping view of the bay. completely upgraded and elegantly decorated. fully equipped and all amenities are included. $5,500/month plus tax, fi rst and last month’s rent and $1,000 deposit. available now. 407-451-7179. Luznava@ bellsouth.net

RENTALS Continued

Winter SeaSon rentaL: available december-may. 2Br/1.5Ba elevated townhouse, sleeps four. Located in Holmes Beach, only two blocks to the beach. no pets. $5,000/month plus tax and fees. call anna maria realty, 941-778-2259. dina@ annamariareal.com.

LoVeLY Second-fLoor duplex for rent: 3Br/2Ba partially furnished, can accommodate your needs. Washer/dryer. five minutes to ami, quiet, safe. rent includes all utilities except electric. annual $2,800/month. Will consider three-month, six-month. no smoking, call Kelly, 941-301-9938.

BeautifuLLY refurBiSHed

1Br/1Ba coastal vintage-style vacation rental less than three-minute walk to the beach. one week minimum. available aug. 16. Late summer/fall special rates. available January, february, march 2024. 941-8071405 or carlesvacationrentals@gmail.com.

annuaL rentaL: LoVeLY Hidden Lake condo. furnished, 3Br/2Ba, one-car garage. clubhouse, pool, gym. minutes to the beach. first, last and security. rent $3,500/month. Wagner realty 941-778-2246.

LuxuriouS Waterfront Winter rental: 2Br/2Ba waterfront condo available for January, february, march 2024. one month minimum. contact anthony, 917-816-8298 for pricing. email reelblessingami@gmail. co m . to see pictures and full description visit website: sites.google.com/view/reelblessing-ami.

SeaSonaL rentaL: 1Br/1Ba elegantly furnished condo. West Bradenton. all-inclusive pricing. contact cpr.suz@gmail.com or text 941-962-0971.

HoLmeS BeacH: 2Br/2Ba quaint floridastyle home with two pullout sofas, large yard and hangout space. available Sept. 25 to Jan.1. $2,200/month, pro-rated with length of stay, minimum two weeks. utilities, internet and tV included. carport onsite. call or SmS 617-518-1240.

Vacation rentaLS: caLL for price and times. real estate mart, 941-356-1456.

tHe iSLander offerS the best results for your classified advertising dollar. We really work for you! Submit your ad no later than noon monday on the website, islander. org. for monday holidays, the deadline is friday.

“Anna Maria Island,” a signed pictorial history book of the island by Bonner Joy, is available for $20 at the islander office, 315 58th St., Holmes Beach, or by mail. Visit islander.org or call 941-778-7978. $20 plus postage, if mail order.

REAL ESTATE

Winnie mcHaLe, reaLtor, 941-504-6146. rosebay international realty inc. You need an aggressive and experienced realtor in today’s market! Selling island homes, Sarasota and Bradenton areas. multi-milliondollar producer! “Selling Homes - making dreams come true.”

Waterfront toWnHouSe: uPgraded 2Br suites with full baths plus a half bath. Pool and boat dock. minutes to anna maria beach. $439,000. Weekly rentals oK. real estate mart, 941-356-1456 or 941-7207519.

LooKing for an earLY Bird? You can read the free classifieds at islander.org.

manatees are here. Boat with care.

In line for 2024

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce is seeking premier sponsors for 2004, offering “added prestige and name recognition throughout the year.”

Premier sponsors get shoutouts in chamber bulletins, advertising on event banners and thanks.

The deadline for sponsors is Nov. 1.

Also, the island chamber invites people to join them 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at Slicker’s Eatery, 12012 Cortez Road W., Cortez, for a business mixer featuring light bites and libations.

The cost to attend is $5 for members, $10 for others.

The next networking event will be breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, at Wicked Cantina in Bradenton Beach, and a luncheon at the Lazy Lobster of Longboat Key at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 12.

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

Biz bits

A Five Below store at Beachway Plaza at the northwest corner of 75th Street West and Manatee Avenue in Bradenton, is tuning up for a Sept. 22 grand opening, according to a banner at the store.

But there’s still no reply from Target on its “target date” for opening next door to Five Below.

Mike Norman Realty

Market days ahead: Crabbers set sights on fall claws

By robert anderson islander reporter

Break out the claw crackers because it’s almost stone crab time.

Recreational and commercial stone crab harvesting season begins Oct. 15 and remains open until May 2, 2024.

So local crabbers are getting ready.

Capt. Nathan Meschelle of Cortez, who crabs from his 54-foot vessel, the High Roller, told The Islander Sept. 14 that crabbers are facing a deadline for the installation of escape rings or cull rings on traps before the start of the season.

Crabbers have faced tighter restrictions since 2020, when the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, responding to a decline in stock, shortened the harvest season by 14 days, required cull rings on plastic and wooden crab traps before the 2023-24 season, increased minimum claw size by 1/8 inch and set a limit of two checker boxes for handling the catch on boats.

“It is required this year that we had to place cull rings into our traps,” Meschelle said. “The idea behind it is the juvenile crabs or smaller crabs that are not of harvestable size, these rings should allow them to escape.”

He said adding cull rings to traps to reduce bycatch and cull times will benefit crabbers and crabs.

“They really speed up the process,” he said referring to the cull rings. “Guys on deck aren’t having to remove so many crabs when they pick them because all the small ones are going out. So they are only touching crabs of value.”

Meschelle, who runs about 800-1,000 traps, said he is optimistic for the season.

“Right now, the water looks good,” Meschelle said. “I think there are going to be plenty of crabs. Knock on wood for water quality this year.”

Stone crab is one of Florida’s most sought-after delicacies, with crabbers statewide pulling in 2.5 million to 3 million pounds of claws and contributing about $30 million annually to the state’s economy.

Stone crabs have a short harvest period that with other regulations can result in premium prices at markets — $30 a pound or more, depending on size.

Meschelle said due to high demand and limited harvest time, crabbers work long hours.

“We typically get up and leave the dock when it’s still dark out and we don’t come home until it’s dark again,” he said. “You are allowed to harvest traps from when the sun comes up to when the sun goes down. So we are at the first buoy when the sun comes up and

cortez-based capt. nathan meschelle and a haul of stone crab from a previous season. meschelle is active in the politics of fishing, sitting as a board member for the florida institute of Saltwater Heritage and serving as a vice president of organized fisherman of florida. islander Photo: courtesy nathan meschelle

pull the last one when the sun goes down. It’s a full day’s grind.”

State regulations

Under Florida regulations, claws must be 2 7/8 inches and only the claws can be harvested. Claws may not be taken from egg-bearing crabs and crabs may not be harvested with any device that can puncture, crush or injure a crab’s body.

According to the FWC, recreational and commercial traps may be baited and placed in the water Oct. 5 but traps cannot be pulled and claws cannot be harvested or possessed until Oct. 15.

The FWC advises that traps not being used should be removed from the water to avoid ghost fishing, a process in which marine species get caught in a trap for extended periods of time and are not harvested.

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

rows of plastic crab traps with cull ring additions are lined up for inspection Sept. 14 — about a month before the start of the 2023-24 stone crab season.

Bradenton Beach P&Z recommends Azure Shores changes

BizCal

By Lisa neff

THIS WEEK

Wednesday, Sept. 20

11:30 a.m. — Manatee Chamber of Commerce Power Connection luncheon, Seafood Shack, 4110 127th St. W., Cortez. Fee applies. Reservations required. Info: 941-748-3411.

ONGOING

Through Oct. 15, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce membership drive. Info: 941-778-1541, annamariaislandchamber. org.

Through Nov. 1, AMI chamber seeks premier sponsors for 2024, Info: 941-778-1541, annamariaislandchamber.org.

SAVE THE DATE

Sept. 28, 11:30 a.m., AMI chamber business card exchange, Slicker’s Eatery, Cortez.

Oct. 5, 7:30 a.m., AMI chamber breakfast meeting, Wicked Cantina, Bradenton Beach.

Oct. 12, 11:30 a.m., AMI chamber luncheon, Lazy Lobster of Longboat, Longboat Key.

By robert anderson islander reporter

The Bradenton Beach Planning and Zoning Board recommended a draft ordinance Sept. 6 revising the city’s comprehensive plan.

The changes are based on comparisons between the 1989 and 2020 comp plan, which provides guidance for growth through goals and policies.

Inconsistencies in Bradenton Beach’s comp plan date to 2008, when the city amended a future land use map but not a zoning map.

“We did a general text amendment,” said building official Steve Gilbert. “The change was to address commercial uses within R-3 multiple family district and to clarify that those commercial uses for bed and breakfast or for hotels would only be allowed where the underlying land is also high density residential.

“We’re not changing the maps at all,” Gilbert said. “What we are doing is by text saying that the R-3 high-density residential zone district will partially implement the underlying restaurant-office-retail land use.”

The proposed ordinance will go before the city commission for consideration.

Gilbert led the P&Z on a review of the draft ordinance Sept. 6 at city hall.

If adopted by the commission, the ordinance will remove inconsistencies between maps for the Azure

Shores neighborhood.

Azure Shores comprises 2.53 acres between First Street North and Cortez Road and Gulf Drive North and Highland Avenue and includes more than 20 residential lots and the space occupied by Oma’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant. Also included are vacant lots used for parking at the corners of Third Street North and Gulf Drive North and Third Street North and Highland Avenue owned by the Beach House Waterfront Restaurant partners, including Ed Chiles.

The proposed revisions to the comp plan will ensure the R-3 zoning district is consistent within the retail, office, residential future land use category, according to Gilbert. The change will allow rezonings to R-3 in the restaurant-office-retail category throughout the neighborhood.

Gilbert said hotels and motels would be allowed where there is an underlying land use of high-density residential but the neighborhood is considered ROR

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

Send calendar listings to calendar@islander.org.

Business news

Does your business celebrate achievements? Maybe you’re new in business or your staff deserves kudos. Submit your information to news@islander.org.

PropertyWatch

By carol Bernard

island real estate sales is delayed by late data posting after Hurricane idalia.

and is not considered high density.

P&Z board member Fred Bartizal motioned to recommend the ordinance and he was seconded by Dan Morhaus. The vote passed 5-0.

The next P&Z meeting will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

Bradenton Beach Planning and Zoning Board members listen Sept. 6 as building official Steve gilbert reads a proposed zoning ordinance during a P&Z meeting at city hall, 107 gulf drive n. islander Photo: robert anderson