The Islander Newspaper E-Edition Wednesday, August 25, 2021

VOLUME

AUG. 25, 2021 FREE

NO. 44

The Best News on Anna Maria Island Since 1992 Astheworldterns. 6

Top Notch

islander.org

Surf’s up! Kudos to Fred …

Tops in Top Notch. 2 Megabridge fighters make progress on fundraising. 3

Q&A 082521

3

BudgetTalks. 4-5

Meetings. 4 Opinions. 6 10-20 YEARS AGO

Looking back. 7

HB to explore building safety. 8

RoadWatch. 9 Save the date. 10

Happenings Community activities. 11

Masks required. 12

city elections 21

Qualifying underway. 13

Gathering. 14 Obituaries. 14 Cops & Court. 16 AM halts unpermitted lot clearing. 17 HBPD shifts change. 17

NESTING NOTES.

Turtle talking points. 18

Celebrating a Floridaversary. 19 Rainfall inching up at Piney Point. 19 Youth soccer readies. 20 Storm holds anglers inshore. 21

TideWatch. 21 ISL BIZ: 22 HB receives favorable ruling in resort suit. 23

CLASSIFIEDS. 24 Shade goes missing from stilt-house. 26

NYT puzzle. 27

Chris Whittaker of Parrish — an Anna Maria native — put his “surfing and shooting” passion to work Aug. 15 at a favorite local break with thanks to Tropical Storm Fred passing to the west in the gulf of Mexico. From left, Michael Dolan, Tom Manobianco and Joey Mattay.

Judge dismisses HB from 1 of 3 treehouse suits

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Calls for mediation to resolve Holmes Beach’s treehouse lawsuits fell flat.

But a resolution did come in one case — for the city, at least.

Judge Charles Sniffen of the 12th Judicial Circuit Court issued an order July 7 dismissing the city from one of three lawsuits centered around a treehouse at 103 29th St., Holmes Beach, according to attorney Jay Daigneault, who, alongside attorney Randy Mora, represents the city in the case.

What’s up on Pine? gerry Traverso describes options Aug. 19 resulting from a “Reimagining Pine Avenue” study for the city of Anna Maria. The presentation, however, left commissioners with more questions and Traverso was tasked with providing more options. See story, page 9. Islander Photo: Amy V.T. Moriarty

Sniffen’s order was inaccessible on the clerk of court’s website as of Aug. 19.

However, Daigneault told The Islander Aug. 19 that the order granted the city and DEP motions to dismiss the property owners’ third amended complaint requesting injunctive relief and compensation for “financial loss and damages.”

The order also dismissed the city from the case, which was focused on a court petition from property owners Richard Hazen and his wife, Lynn Tran-Hazen.

The pair petitioned for a temporary

injunction against the city and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to stop “the further imposition of illegally excessive and unfounded fines” and to protect the treehouse from destruction.

The dispute began in 2011, when the property owners built the treehouse in an Australian pine tree beyond the setback for the erosion control line and without a permit on their beachfront property. The pair reside at the property and operate four vacation rental units as Angelinos Sea Lodge.

TuRN TO TREEHOUSE, PAgE 2

HB board member sits out masked meetings

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Holmes Beach city hall’s mask mandate may lead to the resignation or removal of a planning commissioner.

Planning commissioners discussed Aug. 19 the unexcused absence of member Dana Krupa, who some members heard would not attend meetings in person while the city’s mask mandate remained in place due to unknown “safety concerns.”

Mayor Judy Titsworth announced at an Aug. 10 meeting that masks again were required to prevent the spread of the coronavirus at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

Titsworth sparked the planning commission meeting by broaching the topic of Krupa’s attendance plans, noting that the state no longer allows municipal board members who virtually attend meetings to count toward a quorum or to vote.

If planning commissioners accumulate

TuRN TO MASK, PAgE 5

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Page 2 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Aug. 25, 2021 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Top Notch Tops in Top Notch Congratulations to Bill Shafer of Anna Maria, who wins the grand prize of $100 from The Islander and gift certificates from Islander advertisers. The judging was by Islander staff, with nods to all the finalists in the annual contest. Next, look for honorable mentions.

Top Notch

TREEHOUSE CONTINuED FROM PAgE 1

‘Life is good’ For “Luna the Silly Cat,” seated on Tim Martsolf’s shoulder, “life is good” — and nine lives are great. Terry Martsolf wins The Islander’s Top Notch Pet Photo Contest with this image, shot in January at her home in Seminole. Luna is one of three rescue cats in the household, all adopted on Tim Martsolf’s 60th birthday. The photographer wins a shopping bonanza, a $50 gift certificate to Pet’s Life Naturally in Palmetto. “Meow, meow....”

The city found the structure in violation of the municipality’s land development code and moved for its removal in 2013, sparking litigation with the owners.

Hazen and Tran-Hazen have been on the losing end of each ruling after several lawsuits and appeals over the years.

As of Aug. 19, two other circuit court cases on the treehouse remained open, but hearings have yet to be scheduled for either case.

The U.S. Supreme Court has denied two petitions from the owners to hear the case.

Litigation has cost the city $184,955 and the property owners $170,000, according to the parties.

However, the property owners also have received more than $105,000 in code violation fines from the city, which they had not paid as of Aug. 19.

Following Sniffen’s order dismissing the city from one lawsuit, the property owners and the DEP remain the only litigants involved in the case.

The property owners filed a motion July 15 to extend the 10-day window to submit a fourth amended complaint against the DEP to 50 days to accommodate

The treehouse at 103 29th St., Holmes Beach, remains Aug. 19 despite 10 years of litigation over its construction. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

travel plans, but no responsive order or document was posted to the clerk of court’s website since.

While the city’s case load got lighter, Daigneault told The Islander that litigation over the treehouse was likely far from over after proposed mediation talks fell through.

“There were talks of global mediation but those talks have not advanced meaningfully,” he said. “They have not meaningfully sought to advance the cases. …I don’t know when a final resolution will be.”

“I don’t know if they’re going to accept ‘No’ for an answer anytime soon,” he added.

Lynn Tran-Hazen did not respond to an Aug. 19 email from The Islander.

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Aug. 25, 2021 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 3 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Megabridge fighters make progress toward fundraising goal

By Kane Kaiman Islander Reporter

They’re voting with their checkbooks.

A group challenging the Florida Department of Transportation’s decision to replace the 17-foot-clearance Cortez drawbridge with a 65-foot-clearance fixedspan bridge in 2026-27 raised $8,855 of its $25,000 goal on gofundme.com as of Aug. 19.

The proceeds will go toward the costs of the group’s legal battle with transportation officials, which began in March 2020 and could conclude next year.

The bridge fighters are advocating construction of a 35-foot-clearance drawbridge.

The group’s page on gofundme.com — “Stop the Mega Bridge from Devastating Cortez” — became active Aug. 9 and listed 86 donors Aug. 19.

The top donor, Cortez Park, a mobile home community on the mainland at the foot of the east side of the bridge, contributed $1,000 Aug. 16.

Joe Adorna, president of the Cortez Park homeowners association, said Aug. 16 the organization’s board voted to make the donation.

“I believe the majority of the residents of the park are against the high bridge and in favor of the 35-foot bridge,” Adorna said.

Among other features, the high bridge design includes construction of retaining walls, about 20 feet tall at their peak, that would extend into Cortez about 700 feet.

Cortez Park’s borders include the Intracoastal Waterway to the west and Cortez Road to the north, and the high walls would strip the community of two of its access points and a handful of income-generating RV parking spaces, Adorna said.

Joe McClash, a former Manatee County commissioner who spearheads the anti-megabridge coalition, said Aug. 16 the gofundme.com figure represents about half of the funds the group has raised.

The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage, a Cortez nonprofit in the process of joining the suit,

“It’s unique. There’s no other place like it and I’ve met many friends there over the years,” Brookes said.

“We feel very deeply about this case. A 65-foot bridge, because of the ramps and approaches, would split the village of Cortez, which is one of the last remaining fishing villages in Florida,” he said.

According to McClash, Farmer and Brookes took the case for a reduced fee.

“The reality is we wouldn’t be able to engage in these challenges on environmental issues without attorneys like Ralf Brookes and Matt Farmer, who provide discounted fees for causes like the Cortez Bridge,” he said.

Brookes said a high bridge would “destroy the fabric of the community” in Cortez.

If the anti-megabridge group and the DOT are The 17-foot-clearance Cortez Bridge July 28, built in unable to compromise at mediation, a federal magis1956, spans the Intracoastal Waterway, connecting trate will decide the case.

Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island and Cortez on the mainland. Islander Photo: Kane Kaiman

Q&A 082521

has collected about an equal amount in donations, he said.

“It’s exciting to see the support of the community. The Islander poll Last week’s question People have really stepped forward,” he said.

What island saying is in your vocabulary?

The next milestone in the lawsuit is an Aug. 25 4%. Git er done. mediation hearing, at which third-party attorney Ste64%. Welcome to paradise. phen Tabano will attempt to help both sides reach a 5%. Well, bless your heart. settlement on the height and scale, as well as type of 18%. Oh boy. bridge — a bascule versus a fixed bridge.

9%. All of the above.

McClash is joined by former County Commissioner Jane von Hahmann — a Cortez resident and FISH treasurer — and Cortez residents Linda Molto This week’s question Have you ever driven a golf cart? and Joe Kane, as well as FISH. A. All the time.

McClash and his group have enlisted the services B. No. They’re a nuisance. of local attorneys Matthew Farmer and Ralf Brookes, C. No. Too slow. lawyers passionate about environmental causes.

D. Yes, but not often.

Brookes, a former Bradenton Beach city attorney, E. I’d rather walk. said Aug. 16 that Cortez holds a special place in his To take the poll, go online to islander.org. heart.

budget talks

Page 4 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Aug. 25, 2021 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

AM approves proposed capital spending

By Amy V.T. Moriarty Islander Reporter

Anna Maria’s third planning session Aug. 19 for the fiscal year 2021-22 budget revealed unexpected income and a decrease for a proposed fee.

Mayor Dan Murphy kicked off the capital budget planning session by announcing the city would receive more than $142,000 in additional funding from the federal American Rescue Plan for pandemic relief.

At a July 22 budget session, Murphy reported the amount of ARP money at $740,432, to be split between projects in 2020-21 and 2021-22 fiscal years.

But a mid-August update revealed Anna Maria would instead receive $882,504, Murphy said.

The July 22 session saw commissioners approve Murphy’s suggestion to increase stormwater collection fees by 2%, from the 1% annual fee in which most property owners pay $50, to a 3% $150 annual fee.

But Murphy reported increasing the tax 2% would be sufficient. At $2 per 100 square feet of property, the city would charge the lowest annual stormwater tax of the three island cities, with Holmes Beach at $2.95 per property and Bradenton Beach at $4.40.

The average lot size in Anna Maria is about 5,000 square feet and the stormwater fee is calculated per 100 square feet of total property — including all structures on a property.

At the increased rate, the tax collections would be $328,000 in 2021-22.

Combined with grant funding from the Southwest Florida Water Management District, a Federal Emergency Management Agency hazard mitigation, ARP funding and the increased tax rate, stormwater collection revenues are estimated at $1,320,158.

Included in the $957,750 proposed capital expen-

Anna Maria Y-to-Y budget 2021-22 proposed budget

2020-21 budget

Expenditures: $4,409,997.99 $4,222,305 Revenues: $7,977,280.19 $6,825,721.99 Reserves: $3,567,282.20 $2,603,416.99 Millage rate: 2.0500 2.0500 Rollback rate: 1.8427 Maximum allowed millage: 2.1167 Total property value: $1,511,830,337 $1,440,796,383 Budget hearing dates: First reading and public hearing on the city’s budget will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, at Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 gulf Drive. The second reading and final hearing will be at 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 23.

— Amy V.T. Moriarty

ditures for the next fiscal year is $32,500 for improvements at city hall, including new hurricane-rated windows.

A $500,000 capital outlay to fund a Mote Marine outreach center at the Anna Maria City Pier is budgeted, though the money is being reimbursed through a Manatee County funding agreement.

Other proposed fixed capital expenditures include: • Software/accounting/graphic information services, $50,250; • Lake LaVista dredge, $250,000; • Planning, engineering and design for sea level rise and stormwater, $75,000 which is funded by a state grant; • Historic resources survey, $50,000.

When it came to the optional outlay for capital

expenditures, commissioners had a lot to say.

Murphy proposed a budget of $289,500 including: • Bocce ball courts, $19,000; • Pedestrian bridge repairs on Crescent Drive, estimated by engineers to cost $209,000.

• Additional shade sails at City Pier Park, $62,500.

The mayor also suggested an additional outlay of $55,000 for a pickleball court.

But Murphy told commissioners if the city didn’t install a court, Center of Anna Maria Island executive director Chris Culhane offered free pickleball memberships to Anna Maria residents.

Holmes Beach also has sent funds to the center but the city has public pickleball courts, so the offer was limited to Anna Maria residents.

Commissioners liked the center’s offer.

They also agreed installing a bocce ball court is not a priority as a court in Holmes Beach goes mostly unused, except for Wednesday night league play.

Commissioners unanimously agreed adding more shade sails at City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., is a priority.

Funding any project to “reimagine” Pine Avenue would require a budget overlay, as a plan has not been approved by commissioners, Murphy said.

So commissioners said Crescent Drive pedestrian bridge repairs can wait and suggested the use of reserve funding for Pine Avenue.

One last budget planning session will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.

A public hearing and first reading to adopt the city’s budget ordinance will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, and the second hearing and final vote will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23.

For more information, call the clerk’s office at 941708-6130.

West Manatee Fire Rescue commission sends $8.2 million budget to final vote

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

The West Manatee Fire Rescue District’s 2021-22 budget is a vote away from final approval.

Fire commissioners unanimously voted Aug. 17 to send a proposed $8,222,287 budget for the next fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, to a second and final reading.

Commissioner George Harris joined in discussion via Zoom but could not vote due to district rules.

The proposed budget marks a decrease from last year’s $9,410,362 budget, which was inflated with the cost of constructing the new headquarters at 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton.

WMFR purchased the land in 2019 for $295,000 and paid Clearwater-based Creative Contractors $1,451,000 to construct the building, completed in May. Hall Architects designed the 3,879-square-foot building to withstand hurricane-force winds, feature nine offices and a conference room, as well as serves as an emergency operations center.

The lot cost $295,000 when the district purchased

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it in September 2019.

The district budgeted $1,631,000 in unassigned reserves — bolstered by the $1,675,000 sale of the district’s last admin building — this year to fund $1,756,000 in capital outlay expenses largely attributed to the new building.

The proposed capital outlay budget for 2021-22 is $150,000, with $110,000 in budgeted unassigned reserves to match.

The second-largest change in the proposed budget is a $351,425 increase in revenue from tax receipts.

The projected rise in tax revenue is due to a 4% increase in fire assessment rates that commissioners backed in May. The district’s current rates include a $195.53 residential base rate and a $0.1153 additional charge for square footage, as well as a $485.94 commercial base rate with a $0.2104 additional charge for square footage.

With the current rates, WMFR charges residential property owners $310.85 for a 2,000-square-foot home

Meetings

Anna Maria City Aug. 26, 9 a.m., special magistrate.

Aug. 26, 5:30 p.m., commission.

Through Aug. 27, noon, candidate qualifying.

Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, 941708-6130, cityofannamaria.com.

Bradenton Beach Aug. 27, noon, candidate qualifying closes.

Sept. 1, 9:30 a.m., CRA. Sept. 1, 2 p.m., SCENICWaves.

Sept. 2, 6 p.m., commission.

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

and $426.17 for a 3,000-square-foot home.

Commercial property owners pay $696.37 for a 2,000-square-foot building and $906.80 for a 3,000square-foot building.

The proposed rates would include a $203.35 residential base rate and a $0.1199 additional charge for square footage, as well as a $505.38 commercial base rate with a $0.2188 additional charge for square footage.

If commissioners approve the proposed rate, property owners would pay $323.28 for a 2,000-square-foot home and $443.22 for a 3,000-square-foot home.

Commercial property owners would pay $724.23 for a 2,000-square-foot building and $943.08 for a 3,000-square-foot building.

The rate increases were recommended by staff to cover projected rising costs over the next three years.

The new rates will be implemented Oct. 1 if the proposed budget is approved during a second and final public hearing at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7, at the administrative building.

Manatee County Aug. 25, 1 p.m., commission (work session).

Aug. 31, 9 a.m., commission (work session).

Sept. 2, 9 a.m., commission (land use).

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

Also of interest Sept. 6, Labor Day, most government offices will be closed.

Sept. 13, 9 a.m., Manatee County Tourist Development Council, county administration building.

Sept. 13, 2 p.m., Island Transportation Planning Organization, Holmes Beach City Hall.

Sept. 15, 2 p.m., Coalition of Barrier Island Elected Officials, Anna Maria City Hall.

Sept. 27, 9:30 a.m., Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization, Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto.

Holmes Beach Aug. 27, noon, candidate qualifying closes.

Sept. 1, 5 p.m., planning commission.

— Lisa Neff Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Please, send meeting notices to calendar@ 941-708-5800, holmesbeachfl.org. islander.org and news@islander.org.

Aug. 25, 2021 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 5 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Bradenton Beach, department heads workshop fiscal budget

By Amy V.T. Moriarty Islander Reporter

The millage rate in Bradenton Beach is proposed to remain at 2.3329 for at least a fourth consecutive year.

But that doesn’t mean property owners won’t see a tax increase.

Property values have increased across the board, and the result is higher revenue for the city. The city would need to adopt the lesser rollback rate of 2.2254 mills to avoid a tax increase.

In fiscal 2021-22, city staffers could see a 5% pay bump if the city commission approves the raise at a final budget hearing Sept. 16.

Commissioners voted unanimously Aug. 18 at a budget session to approve the pay hike for the next fiscal year beginning Oct. 1.

City treasurer Shayne Thompson said the budget could support up to an 8.5% raise as the ad valorem revenue is projected to be about $104,000 more than last year, according to information received from the Manatee County property appraiser.

But rather than shoot the moon with that large a pay increase, Bradenton Beach Police Lt. John Cosby said it was important to set the across-the-board pay increase at 5% and put some funds back in reserves.

Reserves are held for use in response to unforeMASK CONTINuED FROM PAgE 1

five unexcused absences or tally three consecutive unexcused absences within a year, their seats are subject to forfeiture.

Chair Greg Kerchner told the board he would speak with Krupa about his attendance plans, then update the board.

Kerchner emailed Krupa and city clerk Stacey Johnston later that day to relay some takeaways from a discussion the pair had after the meeting.

“Dana and I spoke today specifically and solely about his planned attendance and his COVID-related safety concerns,” Kerchner wrote.

According to Kerchner’s “understanding of (Krupa’s) position,” Krupa would like to remain on the planning commission and understands failure to attend in-person for his given reason would constitute an unexcused absence.

“Dana states that although he did not feel he could safely attend today’s meeting in person, he wants to wait until we get closer to our October meeting to see if his own situation, our mask mandate or our remote attendance policy has changed sufficiently to allow him to do so,” he wrote.

“If at that time, Dana feels that he still cannot safely attend in person, he agrees to resign in lieu of waiting for an additional (or 3rd consecutive) unexcused absence.”

Titsworth wrote in an Aug. 20 email to The Islander that she is perplexed.

“I do not know why he would feel unsafe,” she wrote. “I would feel this to be odd as it is proven again

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BB Y-to-Y budget 2021-22 proposed budget

2020-21 budget

Expenditures: $3,752,757 $2,085,629 Revenues: $3,873,025 $3,230,760 Reserves: $120,268 $1,145,131 Millage: 2.3329 2.3329 Rollback: 2.2254 Maximum allowed millage: 4.8245 Total property value: $726,194,243 $690,318,688 Tingley Library expenditures: $47,079 $21,394 Budget hearing dates: First reading and public hearing on the budget ordinance will be at 5:05 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 9, at Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 gulf Drive N. The final hearing and vote to adopt the budget will be at 5:05 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16.

— Amy V.T. Moriarty

Speciale retires, said he investigated joining the state retirement plan but found it too costly. He found the Florida League of Cities plan to be more affordable.

By joining the FLC, Cosby said the department’s retirement program will offer “a true pension system … all officers going into it and new hires will be required to pay 6%” to maintain the plan.

Officers must remain with the city for more than seven years to access pension funds, Cosby said.

If an officer leaves before seven years, the employee will take the money they invested but the city will retain its contribution.

The lieutenant said the seven-year requirement is standard among police departments.

Commissioners unanimously approved the revenue-spending plan.

A public hearing and first reading for the 2021-22 budget ordinance will be at 5:05 p.m. Thursday, Sept.

9, at city hall.

Bradenton Beach City Hall is at 107 Gulf Drive N. For more information, call the clerk’s office at 941778-1005.

seen spending needs that arise and Cosby said Bradenton Beach’s reserves are at about 27% of the annual budget.

For a coastal community, they should be closer to 34% “to make sure we can handle what comes our way,” he said.

In addition to the pay increase, police officers will get a new pension plan in the new fiscal year, Cosby said.

Cosby, who becomes chief this fall when Sam By Amy V.T. Moriarty

BB CRA budget declines Islander Reporter

and again that masks do help control the spread of droplets. Every step we can take to help reduce the spread will help us get life back to normal as quickly as possible.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends masking in indoor settings in areas of substantial community transmission, regardless of vaccination status to reduce the risk of transmission and infection.

The CDC also says people should wear masks where required by federal, state, local, tribal or territorial laws, rules and regulations.

The Islander emailed Krupa Aug. 20 about his concerns but he did not provide answers.

Krupa replied, saying The Islander’s questions would be better asked “during an open forum at the next planning commission meeting.”

The number of new COVID-19 daily cases sharply increased in Florida after early July — the state recorded 2,432 new cases July 1 — and resulted in a record-high 56,036 new cases Aug. 16, according to The New York Times.

The numbers decreased in the days after, with 21,669 new cases Aug. 17, 23,335 on Aug. 18 and 15,586 on Aug. 19, also according to The NYT. The state recorded 33,935 new cases Aug. 20 — a figure that dwarfs most daily numbers logged since the pandemic began in 2020.

For more information about COVID-19 testing and vaccination against the coronavirus, go to mymanatee. org.

Despite increasing some spending for fiscal year 2021-22, the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency approved a reduced budget Aug. 19 — about $593,470 less than the 2020-21 budget.

The proposed $2,129,627 budget must be adopted in September for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.

CRA members identified budget priorities June 22 and Aug. 19 unanimously approved expenditures that include a $40,000 holiday decoration increase.

Bordered by Cortez Road, Sarasota Bay, Fifth Street South and the Gulf of Mexico, the CRA has funded capital improvements with county tax revenues since 1992, when the area was declared blighted.

Included in the spending plan is $20,000 to continue a beautification project at Lou Barolo Park, where public works director Tom Woodard said pavers to finish the parking lot were received Aug. 18.

A $30,520 reduction in funding for the Old Town Tram service is the result of reduced costs from the inaugural year. And a $50,000 gazebo project on the Historic Bridge Street Pier was cut in lieu of benches that cost the CRA about $9,000.

Other budget reductions, including $12,000 for trolley stop shelters were made.

“We’ve accomplished a lot in the CRA over the past few years,” CRA chair and vice mayor Ralph Cole said.

Absent were Commissioner Jake Spooner and citizen board member Ed Chiles.

The CRA budget ordinance will have a public hearing and first reading at 5:05 p.m. Thursday, Sept.

9, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

Page 6 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Aug. 25, 2021 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Opinion

Our

What’s new is old again

How about a little tax increase for your fall budget?

Again.

When it comes to raising taxes for property owners on Anna Maria Island, there’s apparently no fear among elected officials.

The “Top Hat Club” puts on the ritz and goes for everything they can get to grease the city wheels — satisfying department wishes, raising pay levels and gussying up the reserve accounts. Year after year.

Whatever happened to buckling up?

Are they not living in the same world as the island businesses — fighting pandemic problems, relying on stimulus funding to ride out the COVID-19 storm and straining for staff to keep the doors open.

The cities seem to pour on the gravy while many island businesses are toughing out a changing economy and an increasing tourism dependency.

Fourteen years ago islanders attended a tax meeting hosted by then-state Sen. Mike Bennett at the county commission chambers in Bradenton to rail on the property appraiser over the practice of “best use” taxation — taxing mom-and-pop motels the same as pricey condos — and spiraling taxation for snowbirds who didn’t qualify for homestead exemptions.

Now with more vacation rental homes than residents, and far fewer homestead-exempt owners, the higher sales prices and taxation are reaping greater tax revenues for local governments.

And it seems they can’t spend it fast enough.

But remember the recession of 2008-10 and the cuts in government spending — for instance, the limited hours and closing days at libraries — and still the taxation windfall hasn’t turned the losses around.

The cities complain that tourism — mainly the tourist development tax paid on accommodations of six months or less — doesn’t pay for infrastructure.

Well, anyone who holds a magnifying glass up to the numbers, would say, “hogwash.”

Tourist rentals are paying a fair share — much more than homesteaded residents — of ad valorem taxes and that should balance the infrastructure needs.

Meanwhile the tourist tax must be spent on developing tourism. If only the spenders could think out of the box, be creative and improve the local tourism hot spots with the eligible money.

It’s not enough for the tourist tax to feed beach renourishment. As tax revenues go up and up, the cities need to buckle up and renourish the community.

Think about the taxpayers, please.

Give us a break.

— Bonner Joy, news@islander.org

AUG. 25, 2021 • Vol. 29, No. 44 Publisher, Co-editor Bonner Joy, news@islander.org ▼ Editorial Editor Lisa Neff, lisa@islander.org Joe Bird, editorial cartoonist Kevin Cassidy, kevin@islander.org Jack Elka, jack@jackelka.com Kane Kaiman, kane@islander.org Amy V.T. Moriarty, amym@islander.org Ryan Paice, ryan@islander.org ▼ Contributors Johann Bertram Karen Riley-Love Samara Paice Capt. Danny Stasny, fish@islander.org ▼ Advertising Director Toni Lyon, toni@islander.org ▼ Webmaster Wayne Ansell ▼ Office Manager, Lisa Williams info@, accounting@, classifieds@, subscriptions@islander.org ▼ Distribution urbane Bouchet Ross Roberts Judy Loden Wasco (All others: news@islander.org) ▼

Single copies free. Quantities of five or more: 25 cents each. ©1992-2021 • Editorial, sales and production offices: 315 58th St., Suite J, Holmes Beach FL 34217 WEBSITE: islander.org Text or call: 941-778-7978

Your

Opinion

Cruising at 15

I read that a mayoral candidate for Bradenton Beach, David Galuszka, plans if elected to tackle the problem of golf carts traveling under the posted speed limit.

He mentioned carts going 18 mph.

I do not own a golf cart and do not intend to but I do ride my bike and drive on the island and have now for almost 35 years.

We vacationed here when our children were young and now live in what us older islanders call paradise, where I have always enjoyed the slow pace.

What I have noticed is many are trying to speed things up, they seem to be in a hurry.

One of things we have always enjoyed is the safety and the slow pace on the island.

So I would like to suggest — to anyone who thinks things are moving to slow — that we lower the island speed limit to 15 mph. This way the golf carts can go the speed limit.

I believe such a change would keep our paradise roadways at a safe speed for all — pedestrians, bikers and motorists.

In the past few years, we have had several pedestrians killed by motorists.

Let’s make it safe for all and lower the speed limit, strictly enforce the speed limits and to anyone who wants to go faster — you can race once you leave paradise.

Mark Gordon, Bradenton Beach

Skimming online …

Web (register for free news alerts) islander.org Facebook @islandernewspaper Twitter @ami_islander Instagram @theislanderami Pinterest @islandernewspaper E-edition For $36 a year, e-edition subscribers have access to the weekly e-edition with page-by-page views of all the news, photos, columns, community announcements and advertisements. And subscribers receive breaking news notices.

To subscribe online, visit islander.org.

For other subscriber services, call our newspaper office at 941-778-7978.

COVID-19: “Communist scientists manufactured and released …from a lab in China.”

Why try to be clever and insert a political bias within coverage of the science of red tide?

There are ongoing investigations within President Joe Biden’s administration regarding the Wuhan lab as the COVID-19 source, accidental or otherwise.

For those old enough to remember this analogy, COVID-19 sadly is the “Red” Tide.

The ‘Red’ tide Lawrence Dudzik, Bradenton Why would an introduction to a “Red tide” toolbox column in the Aug. 18 issue include a 2020 political Have your say talking point about COVID-19 origins?

Submit letters to the editor to news@islander.

Lisa Neff directly infers within a subtle analogy in her factual discussion of the Karenia brevis organism org. Letters must include name, address and a contact that misinformation about red tide is like claims about phone number.

Aug. 25, 2021 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 7 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Kids skip the deck

10&20 years ago

Children join hands to walk on the boardwalk at the Anna Maria City Pier in March 1971. If you know the kids, email news@ islander. org. Islander Photos: Manatee County Public Library System

In the Aug. 23, 2001, issue

Share from your archives

Got old photographs of AMI? Write a recollection and share at news@ islander.org.

• The Florida Department of Transportation planned a public information workshop on Anna Maria Island to gather input on the future of the Anna Maria Island Bridge before beginning a $1 million DOT study of the structural, mechanical and electrical systems.

• For the second time, Anna Maria Mayor Gary Deffenbaugh lodged a complaint with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office that a resident impersonated a city official to a private business. The mayor said an employee of U.S. Office Furniture told him the resident called the company, claiming he was a city official, and complained about a presentation the company made to the city commission.

• A pre-dawn beach party at Bean Point involving a group of young adults from Bradenton turned violent when one man stabbed another with a knife. A man was found hiding under a boat by a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office helicopter unit and arrested.

In the Aug. 24, 2011, issue

Read our archives

Airstreams on the sand Flags fly in January 1965 over Airstream travel trailers at a rally at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach.

Take a trip back in time in our digital newspaper collection.

There’s a complete library of The Islander online at ufdc.ufl.edu.

• A former bookkeeper for the Key Royale Club pleaded not guilty to defrauding the business of $387,000. The accused remained in the Manatee County jail with a bond set at $50,000.

• The city of Anna Maria planned to collect donations to purchase the six lots at the corner of Pine Avenue and Bay Boulevard. The price for the lots was $2.8 million.

• Talks between West Manatee Fire Rescue and Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue took place as officials considered a merger.

— Lisa Neff

We’d love to mail you the news!

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We bring you all the news about three city governments, community happenings, people features and special events … even real estate transactions … everything you need if your “heart is on Anna Maria Island.”

If you don’t live here year-round, use this form to subscribe by (snail) mail for yourself or someone else. (Sorry, we do not suspend mail subscriptions — you get The Islander free while you’re here!)

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Page 8 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Aug. 25, 2021 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

HB commission set to explore, share building safety rules

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

The building collapse in Surfside and the temporary closure of two Holmes Beach buildings due to structural issues could lead to changes to city code in both cities.

Holmes Beach city commissioners Aug. 10 explored changes to building codes after reviewing Miami-Dade County’s codes in an effort to prevent tragedies such as the tower collapse in Surfside.

Miami-Dade’s standards require recertification of building permits for structures at least 40 years old but exempt single-family homes, duplexes and other buildings of 2,000 square feet or less or with occupancy loads of 10 people or less.

However, following the June 24 collapse of the Champlain Towers South, Miami-Dade County officials are considering changes.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava also announced plans in June to crack down on non-

compliant buildings by ordering an audit of buildings over 40 years old that had not obtained recertification, according to the county’s website at www.miamidade. gov.

Soon after the Surfside incident, Holmes Beach closed two buildings due to structural issues, including a single-family home where a second-floor balcony collapsed and a fourplex where cracks were spotted outside second- and third-floor balconies.

Occupants of both buildings were evacuated, which displaced a pair of residents and required rental management companies of three vacation units to find new accommodations for their tenants.

While the Surfside tragedy inspired Holmes Beach to investigate building codes, the closure of the two buildings helped spark discussion.

Holmes Beach director of development services Eran Wasserman said Miami-Dade’s review process could help Holmes Beach get an idea of what can be accomplished locally.

However, he noted that building codes in Holmes Beach and Miami-Dade deal with different situations.

“We do not have high-rises. We do not have parking lots of the same sizes,” Wasserman said. “I think we need to distinguish what would be applicable over there and what would be applicable here in Holmes Beach.”

Commission Chair Jim Kihm asked commissioners to give the issue serious thought, adding that they should cooperate with Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Longboat Key to create a consistent approach to building codes.

“We are working together here,” he said.

Kihm said the commission would revisit the issue to determine changes, as well as the costs of inspection fees and fines for compliance failure.

The next meeting was set for after The Islander’s press time at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

Anna Maria planners recommend ordinances for commission approval

By Amy V.T. Moriarty Islander Reporter

Anna Maria’s newest member of the planning board cast a vote Aug. 16 minutes after being sworn into office.

Charles Salem seconded a motion by member Bob Carter to approve and send to the city commission a draft ordinance for a second, final reading.

The changes to the Buildings and Building Regulations ordinance include removing language already in the building code and thus redundant in the ordinance, building official Luke Curtis said.

Other changes mostly address gender references within the ordinance from all male references to male and female references.

The P&Z also approved a draft ordinance to reflect the newest Federal Emergency Management Agency flood plain maps that went into effect Aug. 10.

Place portrait photo here

The maps were last updated by FEMA March 17, 2014.

The flood ordinance would allow city building officials to approve applications for accessory structures smaller than 100 square feet without seeking a vote from the city commission.

Larger accessory structures still would need commission approval and be subject to more stringent flood standards, including setbacks, lot coverage requirements and height, city planner Chad Minor said.

The ordinance also would remove language regarding mobile and manufactured homes, since such structures are prohibited in Anna Maria.

In addition to Salem — appointed in July by the city commission — taking office, Carter and board vice chair Maureen Cote renewed their oaths of office.

Cotes was reappointed in July and Carter was reappointed earlier this month.

In other matters • Cote thanked the city for installing speed tables along North Shore Drive in July.

• Carter commended the city for taking action to control safety issues regarding golf cart use.

• Minor said he plans to schedule a workshop on professional landscapers. The issue of noise created by landscaping crews on weekends and holidays came up in June, when the city adopted an ordinance prohibiting some construction work on Monday and Friday federal holidays.

Planners and commissioners expressed concern the ordinance did not address noise by professional landscapers on weekends and holidays.

The next P&Z meeting will be at 2:30 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 18, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.

For more information, call the clerk’s office at 941708-6130.

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Aug. 25, 2021 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 9 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

AM wants more info, input before ‘Reimagining Pine Avenue’

By Amy V.T. Moriarty Islander Reporter

When is more not enough?

A presentation Aug. 19 of five options for “Reimagining Pine Avenue” left Anna Maria commissioners wanting more.

The plan was for commissioners to hear options from Gerry Traverso at the culmination of his three-month study of issues impacting safety and traffic flow on Pine, Spring and Magnolia avenues and Gulf Drive and Traverso South Bay Boulevard in Anna Maria.

Traverso is vice president of transportation engineering for George F. Young Inc., a St. Petersburg-based engineering and surveying company, which was contracted by the city for the task.

Commissioners said Traverso’s plans require more data about the impact each option would have on traffic, delivery vehicle accessibility and seasonal adjustments for visitors.

RoadWatch Eyes on the road

The Florida Department of Transportation posted the following notice: • SR 684 Cortez Road at 119th Street: Crews are installing landscaping on the west corner of the intersection. Occasional shoulder and lane closures may be required. Estimated completion is in October.

The contractor is Superior Lawn and Landscaping.

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

To check traffic via road cameras, go to fl511. com.

And, a reminder, a fare-free trolley operates daily on Anna Maria Island.

— Lisa Neff

Option 1 The first option presented had the fastest implementation time, lowest cost and least disruption to businesses as it only called for additional pavement markings and two crosswalks on Pine Avenue for about $85,000.

At a cost of about $45,000 per road, Spring and Magnolia avenues also would get four new crosswalks.

Traverso said the option did not solve parking issues, make provisions for pedestrians, address bicyclist and motorist safety concerns or issues of poor sightlines at driveways and cross streets.

ments as with the second option.

Option 4 For about $2,018,627, the fourth option would add on-street parking and delivery areas and sand and shell sidewalks would be replaced with a continuous concrete sidewalk.

Sightline issues would be alleviated by utilizing planters, bollards or other immovable decorative options to prohibit parking close to driveways.

The option would not provide dedicated bicycle lanes.

Spring and Magnolia would receive the same treatments as recommended in option two.

Option 2 Traverso’s second option would add to option 1 buffered bike lanes in both directions on Pine Avenue, create a continuous sidewalk and alleviate sightline issues by shifting parking closer to businesses for about $524,000.

The city could opt to use a permeable surface for the bike lanes and sidewalk to bolster stormwater mitigation.

Traverso said a downside is the plan would eliminate some on-street parking and it “conflicts with multiple driveways on both sides of the road.”

Additionally, the option recommends sharrow markings — indicating lanes are shared between motorists and bicyclists — and sidewalk gaps on Spring Avenue for an estimated $152,353.

Magnolia also would get sharrow markings and sidewalk gaps for about $391,424 and, for $832,646, bike lanes could be added in both directions.

Option 5 The most expensive option, estimated to cost $2,226,626, would make Pine and Magnolia avenues one-way streets, add sidewalks and bike lanes, add on-street parking, reduce parking near driveways and add crosswalks.

There would be no changes to Spring Avenue with this alternative.

From design and permitting to conclusion of construction, the timeline for the plans range from about seven months to as long as 36 months.

“Getting people out of the streets benefits everybody,” Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said.

But how it’s done has to be thoughtful and take into account the surges of visitors during the different seasons.

Traverso said he would have the additional information commissioners requested within a couple of weeks and another public meeting would be scheduled at that time.

Option 3 A third option, estimated to cost $1,719,583, would create sidewalks on both sides of Pine Avenue, add 8-foot-wide two-way bike lanes on one side of Pine and increase the number of crosswalks.

Spring and Magnolia would receive the same treat-

Milestones

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

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Page 10 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Aug. 25, 2021 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

The Islander Calendar ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Compiled by Lisa Neff, email calendar@islander.org.

Attention seasonal planners Submit listings for season preview

ON AMI

Local groups preparing for 2021-22 season are encouraged to send their events calendars to The Islander, which is preparing for its preview of the season.

Please, email events calendars, as well as notices of regular meetings and photographs, to calendar@islander.org and news@islander.org.

And please, remember to include a contact name and phone number that can be published.

Saturday, Aug. 28 Noon — New World Celts Sarasota’s Kilts on Coquina Beach entertainment and cookout, Coquina Beach, Bradenton Beach. Information: newworldceltssarasota.com.

ONGOING ON AMI Throughout August and September, “Live Colorfully” membership exhibit, Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

Information: 941-778-6648.

Through Sept. 1, Island Players season ticket sales. Information: 941-778-5755.

AHEAD ON AMI Sept. 16-26, Island Players’ performance of “The Savannah Sipping Society,” Anna Maria.

Oct. 15, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Bayfest kickoff, Anna Maria.

Oct. 16, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Bayfest, Anna Maria.

‘Kilts on Coquina Beach’ returns Nov. 4-14, Island Players’ Same Time, Next Year,” Anna William “Bill” Howard plays the bagpipes at New Maria.

World Celts-Sarasota’s “Kilts on Coquina Beach,” last held Aug. 28, 2019, at a picnic pavilion at the OFF AMI public beach in Bradenton Beach. This year’s event Thursday, Aug. 26 will begin at about noon Saturday, Aug. 28. An 1 p.m. — “The United announcement on Facebook said the afternoon States vs. Billie Holiday” screenwould include a cookout, swimming, musical perforing, the Longboat Key Paradise mances, drumming and dancing. For more inforCenter for Healthy Living, 546 mation, go online to newworldceltssarasota.com.

Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Fee applies. Information: 941-383- Islander File Photo 6493.

Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941359-5700.

Second and fourth Saturdays, 2-4 p.m., Music on the Porch jam session, presented by the Cortez Cultural Center and Florida Maritime Museum, outdoors, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez.

Information: cvhs2016@aol.com.

AHEAD OFF AMI sota.

Sept. 6-12, Ringling Museum’s EcoPerformance Week, Sara-

September, Selby Garden’s “Seeing the Invisible,” Sarasota.

Sept. 11, Florida Maritime Museum “American Scrimshaw” lecture and demo, Cortez.

Oct. 15, Ringling’s Noche Cubano Dance Party, Sarasota.

Oct. 23, Florida Maritime Museum/Cortez Cultural Center Cortez Nautical Flea Market, Cortez.

Nov. 13, Anna Maria Island Privateers Black Tie Fundraising Gala to benefit the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, ida, The Highwaymen,” 1534 Mound St., Sarasota. Fee applies.

ONGOING OFF AMI Bradenton.

Information: 941-366-5731.

Through Sept. 26, “Skyway 20/21: A Contemporary CollaboThrough Oct. 10, “Women in Print” exhibit, John and Mable KIDS & ration,” John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee FAMILY Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-359-5700. applies. Information: 941-359-5700.

Through Sept. 26, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ “We Dream ON AMI Through Jan. 16, 2022, “Prints, Ceramics and Glass from A World, African American Landscape Painters of Mid-Century FlorJapan,” John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Tuesday, Aug. 31 10 a.m. — Family story time, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Registration: mymanEverything’s E-BIKES Sales & Rentals Used & Consigned Musical Instruments atee.org/library. Information: 941-778Call for 6341. prices and PLEASE, SEE CALENDAR, NEXT PAgE Music Lessons: Guitar, Piano, availability.

Ukulele, Saxophone and Drums Submit your social news to news@islander.

We deliver.

941.896.9089 org. Please, include the time, date and location for events, as well as contact information. And, playitagainjams.com thanks for sharing! ,ESLIE 'ARNER LIVE COM s 8208 Cortez Road W., Ste.5, Bradenton

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Island happenings

Aug. 25, 2021 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 11 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Island Gallery West extends ‘Live Colorfully’ exhibit

Artist Kathy Storm’s “Egret Takes Flight” is featured at Island gallery West through September in the “Live Colorfully” exhibit.

The gallery is at 5368 gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

Islander Courtesy Photo

Island Gallery West extended its “Live Colorfully” exhibit through September.

The exhibit opened July 1 and features work by 30 member artists, including paintings, drawings, photographs, mixed-media, ceramics, pottery, jewelry, glass mosaics and more.

The gallery, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

For more, go to islandgallerywest.com or call 941778-6648.

CALENDAR FROM PAgE 10 AHEAD OFF AMI Dec. 4, Florida Maritime Museum’s Christmas in Cortez.

CLUBS & COMMUNITY

OUTDOORS & SPORTS ONGOING OFF AMI

Tuesdays, noon, Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island lunch meeting, in-person at Bridge Street Bistro, 111 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, and via Zoom. Information: 941-920-2505.

Through the summer, Bradenton Marauders baseball, LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-747-3031, bradentonmarauders.com.

Saturdays, 8 a.m., Robinson Runners running club, Robinson Preserve expansion, 840 99th St. NW, Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923, ext. 6047.

Saturdays, 9 a.m., Saturday Mornings at the NEST nature exploration, Robinson Preserve expansion, 840 99th St. NW, Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923, ext. 6047.

AHEAD ON AMI

GOOD TO KNOW

ON AMI Thursday, Aug. 26 10 a.m. — Seaside Quilters, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Registration: mymanatee.org/library. Information: 941-778-6341.

ONGOING ON AMI

Sept. 11, Bradenton Beach Moose Lodge Coastal Cleanup, Bradenton Beach.

Nov. 6, Keep Manatee Beautiful’s Manatee Public Beach cleanup, Holmes Beach.

Nov. 17, Anna Maria Island Garden Club Plant Sale, Anna Maria.

Dec. 4, Keep Manatee Beautiful’s Coquina Beach cleanup, Bradenton Beach.

KEEP THE DATES

Monday, Sept. 6, Labor Day. Tuesday, Sept. 7, autumnal equinox.

Saturday, Sept. 11, Patriot Day/911 Remembrance Day. Sunday, Sept. 12, Grandparent’s Day. Sunday, Oct. 31, Halloween.

Sunday, Nov. 7, daylight saving time ONGOING OFF AMI ends.

Thursday, Nov. 11, Veterans Day. Wednesdays, 3 p.m., The Longboat Key Paradise Center for Tuesday, Dec. 21, winter solstice.

Healthy Living “Grieve Not Alone: Peer Support Group,” 546 Bay Saturday, Dec. 25, Christmas Day. Isles Road, Longboat Key. Information: 941-383-6493.

Friday, Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve.

Visit islander.org for the best news on AMI.

TERRA’S Handmade Sterling Jewelry Tue-Fri 10:30-5, Sat 11-4

Or Shop Facebook: Terra’s Handmade Jewelry and Gifts.

714 43rd St W • Bradenton 941.779.5350

need a good laugh? visit the emerson quillin signature store. humor, art, gifts 317 Pine Ave., Anna Maria • emersonshumor.com

Museum collecting for outdoor games

Anyone for Coastal Croquet?

The Florida Maritime Museum plans to host outdoor, festival-style games and invites the public to offer ideas, as well as donate games and raw materials.

“We are brainstorming ideas for nautical carnival/boardwalk games — think Anchor Bean Bag Toss, Life Boat Ring Toss or Cast Net Fish Hunt,” read an announcement from the museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez.

Also, any donated backyard games are welcome to be repurposed with a coastal theme.

For more information, contact FMM education and engagement coordinator Leah Lapsyznski at 941-708-6120.

LBK center to screen Billie Holiday drama

The Longboat Key Paradise Center for Healthy Living will show the “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26.

The drama follows the singer during her career as she is targeted by the Federal Department of Narcotics with a sting operation led by an agent with whom she has an affair.

The film is rated R. Admission to the matinee is free for members and $10 for guests.

The center is at 546 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. For more information, call 941-383-6493 and to RSVP email paradisecenterrsvp@gmail.com.

Get listed

Send announcements for The Islander’s calendar to calendar@islander.org. The deadline for listings is the Wednesday before the publication date. Please include the date, time, location and description of the event, as well as a phone number for publication.

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Page 12 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Aug. 25, 2021 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

AmE NEWS

AME staff and volunteers, as well as members of the parentteacher organization, greet parents, families and students Aug. 5 in the school’s front lobby during Back-toSchool Night.

By

By Ryan Ryan Paice Paice

Manatee school district reinstates mask mandate

Masks again are mandated in the School District of Manatee County.

But the mandate may not make much of a difference while it lasts — and it might not last for long.

The Manatee County School Board voted 3-2 Aug. 16 to direct superintendent Cynthia Saunders to implement a temporary mask mandate to prevent the spread of the coronavirus among students and employees.

The mandate goes against Gov. Ron DeSantis’ statewide ban on the restrictions but the directive includes an opt-out clause allowing parents the ability to permit children not to wear face coverings.

The mandate was to remain effective until Aug. 25, unless the school board voted to extend the mandate at its Aug. 24 meeting, after The Islander’s press deadline.

Board members Mary Foreman, the Rev. James Golden and Charlie Kennedy voted in support of the motion after a nearly three-hour discussion Aug. 16.

BBPD takes on city phone answering service Lightning zapped Bradenton Beach City Hall’s phone system while the staff was out.

When city hall employees left work Aug. 13, the phone system worked. When they returned Aug. 16, it didn’t.

City clerk Terri Sanclemente told The Islander Aug. 19 that a lightning strike fried the city phone system.

The exception was at the police department on Highland Avenue, where calls to city hall were redirected, keeping officers assigned to the front desk busier than usual.

Public works manager Tom Woodard said Aug. 19 that after nearly a week there was no estimated date for the fix to be completed. The phone contractor, Comphax Communications Inc., reported a part for the system was back-ordered.

The city is in the process of switching its phone service to an internet protocol-based system through Spectrum, Woodard said.

However, the Spectrum system won’t be running until October or November.

In the meantime, Sanclemente said email may be the best way to reach city staff.

A listing of staff email addresses is available on the city website at cityofbradentonbeach. com.

— Amy V.T. Moriarty

Board members Chat Choate and Gina Messenger voted “no.”

The decision came after the district marked 179 confirmed cases of COVID-19 between the district’s students and employees over the first week of school — 10 times more than the 17 cases registered over the first week of the 2020-21 school year.

The island’s singular school was not immune.

There was one confirmed case involving a student at Anna Maria Elementary School in Holmes Beach as of Aug. 19.

While AME escaped the brunt of the first week’s COVID-19 cases, the mask mandate may not play a big part in preventing further cases.

AME principal Michael Masiello wrote in an Aug. 17 email to The Islander that he estimated 20% of the school’s students were wearing masks despite the mandate.

AME Calendar

• Sept. 6, Labor Day, no school.

• Sept. 13, PTO membership meeting.

• Oct. 7, end of quarter.

• Oct. 8, record day, no school.

• Nov. 11, Veterans Day, no school.

• Nov. 22-26, Thanksgiving break.

Anna Maria Elementary is at 4700 gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

For more information, call 941-708-5525.

Young people work to remove two young injured children from the rubble left by the Aug. 14 earthquake in Les Cayes, Haiti. To contribute to Ministry of Presence, email bonner@islander.org.

A line forms early Aug. 16 at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto, where free coronavirus testing was taking place. Islander Photos: Courtesy ChrisAnn Allen

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“We are currently working on getting information from each family on their choice to opt in or opt out of their child wearing a mask,” Masiello wrote.

He wrote that, in accordance with the school district’s reimplemented safety measures from the first week, school staff had reinstalled plastic desk shields and was encouraging social distancing whenever possible.

“We are familiar with the procedures and will continue to do whatever we can to make school as safe as we are able to,” Masiello wrote. “Out goal is to keep the virus from spreading in order to keep students in school.”

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Aug. 25, 2021 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 13 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

3 island cities host candidate

qualifying for Nov. 2 elections

Qualifying continues in AM

Four candidates would make a city commission race in Anna Maria this year.

Three candidates would fill the seats on the dais.

Candidate qualifying for the Nov. 2 municipal election opened at noon Aug. 16 and continues this week until noon, Friday, Aug. 27.

As of Aug. 23, incumbent Commissioner Carol Carter had qualified to run for another two-year term and incumbent Commissioner Jonathan Crane was an “active” candidate, according to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections.

Incumbent Doug Copeland, appointed to a vacancy on the commission earlier this summer, has said he doesn’t intend to run for office.

To qualify, candidates must file financial disclosure forms and name a campaign treasurer with the county supervisor of elections office, 600 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton.

Next candidates open a campaign bank account, obtain signatures from 10 registered voters, submit an affidavit of residency and pay a $48 qualifying fee.

The fee is 1% of the $4,800 salary commissioners earn annually during a two-year term.

If three candidates qualify, all will win office and Anna Maria’s 1,025 voters will not go the polls.

If at least four people qualify, there’s an Election Day race for the three seats, with the three top votegetters winning the offices.

If only two candidates qualify, city ordinance requires the commission appoint a fifth commissioner.

2021 city elections For more information about candidacy and voting, go to votemanatee.com.

As qualifying opens in BB

At least four people are geared up to run for municipal office in Bradenton Beach.

Candidate qualifying opened at noon Aug. 23, as The Islander went to press, and even before that hour the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office reported four “active” candidates.

Incumbent Commissioners Jake Spooner and Jan Vosburgh are hoping for two more years at the dais.

Incumbent John Chappie is an “active” candidate, as is challenger David Galuszka in the race for the two-year term in the mayor’s office.

Qualifying will close at noon, Friday, Aug. 27.

To begin the qualifying process, candidates must first file financial disclosure forms and name a campaign treasurer with the county supervisor of elections office, 600 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton. A candidate can be their own campaign treasurer.

From there, candidates must open a campaign bank account, obtain signatures from 10 registered voters, submit an affidavit of residency and pay a $48 qualifying fee.

The fee is 1% of the $4,800 salary commissioners earn annually during a two-year term.

The mayoral qualifying fee is $96, or 1% of the annual $9,600 salary.

There were 717 registered voters in Bradenton Beach as of Aug. 4.

The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 2 election is Monday, Oct. 4.

And election qualification window opens in HB

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

It’s time to step up if your goals include serving the city of Holmes Beach.

People interested in running for a seat on the Holmes Beach City Commission must qualify for candidacy this week.

The qualifying period began Aug. 23, after The Islander’s press deadline, and will end at noon, Friday, Aug. 27.

Over that time, potential candidates must file forms with the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office to detail a campaign bank account, appoint a campaign treasurer and submit an oath of office and provide financial disclosure.

Potential candidates also must obtain 10 signatures from registered voters in the city, submit an affidavit of residency and pay the $76.90 qualifying fee — 1% of the $7,690 annual pay Holmes Beach commissioners receive for their two-year terms.

Commissioners Jim Kihm, Terry Schaefer and Carol Soustek have told The Islander they will run for reelection.

Without challengers, they would automatically retain their seats.

If more than three candidates qualify to run, the city’s 2,769 voters — registered as of Aug. 20 — will decide the victors — the top three votegetters — Nov. 2.

Schaefer and Soustek were the only people to have begun the qualifying process as of Aug. 20, according to SEO deputy chief Sharon Stief.

The deadline for voter registration is Monday, Oct. 4.

Appeals court favors Holmes Beach in Bert Harris ruling

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Winning one out of three is a good thing, if you’re the city of Holmes Beach An appeals court’s affirmation of a ruling in favor of the city may seal the deal for two other lawsuits making their way in court.

Second District Court of Appeals Judge Edward LaRose issued an opinion July 30 affirming 12th Judicial Circuit Judge Edward Nicholas’ Jan. 28, 2020, summary judgment in favor of the city against Mojito Splash, the owner of 304 65th St. The case is one of three similar lawsuits levied against the city since 2017 by vacation rental owners, which also include the AMI Breeze, 209 54th St., and Coral Escapes of Holmes Beach, 132 50th St. AMI Breeze and the Mojito Splash are owned by developer Shawn Kaleta and his former wife, Jennifer, according to the Florida Division of Corporations website, sunbiz.org.

Pennsylvania resident Brian Wien is listed as the Coral Escapes’ title manager but the business is inactive, according to the state website.

The property owners claimed the city violated the

Bert J. Harris Jr. Private Property Rights Protection Act when it enacted vacation rental regulations in September 2015 by limiting occupancy to a maximum of two persons per bedroom. The Harris act allows demands for compensation due to government regulations that “inordinately burden, restrict, or limit private property rights.”

The city’s regulations restricted the Mojito Splash’s maximum occupancy from 12 to 10, the AMI Breeze from 20 to 16 and the Coral Escapes from 14 to 12.

Nicholas ruled against the three complainants on the same day, stating the property owners were not “inordinately” burdened by the occupancy reduction.

He later rejected motions from the three businesses for a hearing to reconsider his ruling.

However, Nicholas also denied a motion from the city to recover attorney’s fees and litigation costs from the plaintiffs.

The property owners filed to appeal Nicholas’ ruling less than a month later in February 2020 and the city filed for a cross appeal shortly after to recover the litigation costs.

The parties presented their oral arguments at a hearing in April and LaRose issued his opinion July

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30 affirming Nicholas’ ruling for the Mojito Splash case. LaRose also denied the city’s motion for fees as “untimely.”

The court of appeals partially granted the city’s motion to consolidate the appeals by sending them to travel together for review by the same panel of judges.

However, without true consolidation, separate motions and rulings must be made for each case.

Nevertheless, Jay Daigneault of the Trask, Daigneault, law firm in Clearwater, representing the city, told The Islander Aug. 20 that he believed the opinion could apply to the other two cases due to their similarities.

“It’s obviously a very good result for the city,” Daigneault said. “Presuming that the opinion stands as written, it’s going to extinguish a lot of — but not all of — potential Bert Harris exposures for the city.”

“The cases have unfolded roughly as we expected and we’re pleased the courts have given them all the consideration they have,” he added.

Attorney Jason Miller, representing Mojito Splash, filed a motion Aug. 16 to call for a rehearing of the appeal but, as of Aug. 21, there had been no response from the court.

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Page 14 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Aug. 25, 2021 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Gathering

Kids bound for CrossPointe stage in ‘Star Quest’

About 21 kids from the CrossPointe Fellowship student drama team will bask in stage lights Aug. 28, performing in “Star Quest: Search for the Stolen Scriptures.”

The Saturday performance, open to the public, will begin at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary.

Rehearsals were taking place earlier this month at the church, under the direction of Dana Guess.

A stage-setter: “In a galaxy far away, in the not too distant future, the Starship J-316 is on a mission spreading God’s love in the greater Omega galaxy.”

In “Star Quest,” paper has become outdated and communication gone digital. Thus, the faithful rely on cyber Bibles and “have forgotten the ancient practice of Bible memorization.”

So what happens if the Intergalactic Bible Database goes missing? The audience will find out.

CrossPointe is at 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

For more information, call the office at 941-7780719.

Obituaries

Brett Steven ‘Bigs’ Fortenberry

Brett Steven “Bigs” Fortenberry, 59, of Holmes Beach, died Aug. 2.

His story began Oct. 10, 1961, when he was born, the middle child of Joe and Harriett of Charlotte, North Carolina. He grew up in Charlotte and made many lifelong friends.

He attended West Charlotte High School, Elon University and Cape Fear Tech Fortenberry Marine.

In 1984, he become involved with the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program and through their love of these amazing animals, he met the love of his life, Pam, a dolphin trainer.

Many adventures later, they moved to Anna Maria Island in 1987 to become more involved in the dolphin studies.

In 1991, the light of their lives was born, their son Andrew.

Mr. Fortenberry owned Stem to Stern Boat Care, where he was known to help customers in many more ways than detailing their boats.

He also is remembered as a favorite Domino’s Pizza delivery driver for more than 30 years.

He was funny, compassionate, generous, reliable.

He loved his family, coaching youth leagues, mentoring local kids, friends, plants, his boat, the Florida Keys and Bud Light.

And he hated golf carts.

Islanders always knew where to take their sick

Isabelle Stillman, Nadia Mcglade, Elisabeth ten Haaf, Estella Long, Addie guess, Madi Darak and Emma Raulerson rehearse for CrossPointe Fellowship’s student drama production, “Star Quest, Search for the Stolen Scriptures,” which will be performed at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, at the church, 8605 gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Islander Courtesy Photo

Tidings

ONLINE • Watch LIVE or LATER www.RoserChurch.com Text ROSER to 22828 to receive the weekly eBulletin The CHAPEL is open during office hours for prayer & meditation

ONGOING EVENTS Wednesdays, 6:45 p.m., CrossPointe Fellowship Wednesday Night Blast.

Thursdays, 7 p.m., Roser Church chancel choir rehearsals.

SPECIAL EVENTS

REGULAR WORSHIP

Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. — St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-4769.

Thursdays 9:30 a.m. — Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf

Saturday, Aug. 28, 7 p.m., CrossPointe Fellowship student musical, “Star Quest: Search for the Stolen Scriptures.”

Roser, MCSO coordinate children’s clothing drive

Manatee County Sheriff’s Children Services Department and Roser Memorial Community Church are partnering to collect pajamas, jackets and shoes for children.

Organizers want new — and tagged — clothing and recommend lightweight PJs and jackets. plants — to Brett’s Jungle.

They also are collecting $10 Walmart gift cards to A celebration of life will be 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. purchase children’s clothing.

12, on the beach near 77th Street in Holmes Beach.

Roser is at 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria.

The family asks people to remember Mr. Fortenberry’s For more, call Roser at 941-778-0414. legacy and perform random acts of kindness.

He is survived by wife, Pam; son Andrew and wife might have found him at the Teen Club or downtown Mackenzie of Holmes Beach; father Joe of Braden- Boys Club. He spent summers in Columbus, working ton; brother Mark of Charlotte, North Carolina; sister at the Ledger and Enquirer newspapers. After gradLisa of Raleigh, North Carolina; nephews and nieces; uating high school in 1957, Gene attended Stetson grandnephews and grandnieces; and his feral cats and University, where he joined the brotherhood of Sigma two dogs, Puppers and Roscoe.

Nu fraternity, a legacy through his father. He transferred to Florida State University and graduated in William Eugene ‘Gene’ Page III 1962, having represented both universities in varsity William Eugene “Gene” Page III, 82, of Braden- golf. He also attended Columbia University and the ton, died Aug. 15.

University of South Carolina for graduate studies in He was born Jan. 5, 1939, in Columbus, Georgia, newspaper management and journalism. the only child of William Eugene Jr. and Martha ElizaHe next joined a three-year training program to beth (Hogan). prepare him for his career as a publisher. He spent The Pages moved to Bradenton in 1946, as his a year each in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the father assumed leadership of the Bradenton Herald.

Charlotte Observer and Charlotte News; in ColumAs a second-grader at Ballard Elementary School, bia, South Carolina, with the Columbia State and he patrolled the school playground and Wares Creek Columbia Record; and in Greenville, South Carolina, Bridge sidewalk, forging cherished friendships that with the Greenville News and Greenville Piedmont. would last for the next 75 years.

Returning to Bradenton, he worked to facilitate better He followed his father, grandfather and great- relationships and understanding between local law grandfather into the family newspaper business on enforcement and the media, riding along with many a delivery route by the age of 9. On Saturdays, after officers of the Florida Highway Patrol and photocollecting along his route and paying his bill at the graphing news events. He served as comptroller and Herald, he hustled to join his friends over at the State assistant publisher of the Bradenton Herald until the Theatre, where 9 cents would buy a youngster “a business was sold to Knight Newspapers in 1975. double feature — always Westerns – two serials and After the sale, Mr. Page began a commercial phofive cartoons.” He was a Boy Scout who treasured tography business, Photographic Infinity, winning the carefree times spent at Camp Flying Eagle. numerous awards for his work. He also worked as a As a teenager, he learned to play golf with his photojournalist for newspapers, including the Bradenfather’s left-handed clubs, earning a spot on the var- ton Herald, St. Petersburg Times, Sarasota Herald-TriPLEASE, SEE PAGE, NEXT PAgE sity team at Manatee County High School. Weekends

SUNDAY WORSHIP • 8:30 AM or 10:00 AM

COMMUNITY CHURCH IN PERSON in the Sanctuary Nursery • Children’s Church

Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-1638.

Saturdays 4 p.m. — St. Bernard Catholic Church.

Sundays 8 a.m. — Episcopal Church of the Annunciation.

8:30 a.m. — St. Bernard Catholic Church.

8:30 a.m. — Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0414.

9 a.m. — CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-0719.

9:15 a.m. — Harvey Memorial Community Church, 300 Church Ave., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-779-1912.

9:45 a.m. — Episcopal Church of the Annunciation.

9:30 a.m. — Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive.

Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-1813.

10 a.m. — Roser Church.

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

10 a.m. — Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Information: 941-383-6491.

10:30 a.m. — St. Bernard Church.

Growing in Jesus’ Name

Sunday Service 10:00 AM The Rev. Dr. Norman Pritchard Masks Are Optional Visitors & Residents Welcome Watch Our 10:00 AM Service Live:

A

Great Father

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941-778-0414 • 512 Pine Ave, Anna Maria • FOLLOW us on Facebook @RoserChurch

Worship With Us at Our Church

www.bit.ly/cclbksermons or www.christchurchof lbk.org (follow YouTube link)

6400 Gulf of Mexico Dr.

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Aug. 25, 2021 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 15 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

PAGE FROM PAgE 14

bune and The Islander on Anna Maria Island.

He was one of the first news photographers on the scene to document rescue and recovery operations at the Sunshine Skyway Bridge disaster in May 1980 from a friend’s boat in Holmes Beach.

Over the years, his patient mentorship empowered many people to pursue professions based in photography.

At midlife, he went into real estate sales, working the next three decades and ultimately becoming a vice president at Scholfield Realty in Bradenton.

Beginning in the early 1980s, he was a familiar sight at high school football games, where he lugged his 400mm telephoto lens and other gear, lumberjacklike down the sidelines — a sure sign you were attending the biggest game in the area.

With his “camera buddies” in tow, Mr. Page would hit the road on Friday afternoons for football adventures, from Pensacola to Miami. Having honed his craft in the era of manual rewind and darkrooms, he adapted to technology, providing game coverage to his community and lifelong memories to the young people he loved to watch compete.

He was a coach by nature. He loved discussing and teaching the intricacies of the golf swing. He read many books about swing mechanics, but “Five Lessons” by Ben Hogan — a cousin on his mother’s side — was a favorite. He never stopped playing golf.

He was a tireless, unapologetic advocate for equality in women’s sports and in life, a dynamic force to be reckoned with when he sensed that some girls’ opportunities were limited. He coached his children in Little League baseball and softball and photographed countless games in locations all over the United States, always endearing himself to his children’s teammates.

He continued to encourage his children into their adult

About obituaries

Obituaries are offered as a community service to residents and families of residents, both past and present, as well as to those people with ties to the island.

You may submit a standard obituary and photo to news@islander.org.

Obituaries are free.

lives, in their careers and their experiences as wives, mothers, husbands or fathers, even photographing their weddings and providing job recommendations for their friends. He never stopped pulling for their success and happiness.

He was a deeply committed Christian, having photographed untold numbers of baptisms, baby dedications, musicals, special presentations, youth functions, and community events, documenting with creativity and elegance some of the most precious moments in people’s lives.

He believed in prayer and put his skills to work by developing an email group he called the “Prayer Warriors.” The group of more than 100 people across the country enabled prayer and updates for dozens of people facing uncertainty, grief and loss. In these and many other ways, he lived out his favorite Bible verse, which became the mission statement of his life: “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into Heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.”

Mr. Page lived a life unmistakably marked by love, inexhaustibly expressed through his tireless encouragement and unconditional acceptance of others. An empathetic and honest man of deep loyalty, he made true and lasting friends out of the people he met, from every walk of life and at every stage of his life. His tender heart had an especially soft place for lonely children in difficult circumstances.

For all he cheerfully gave to others, he drew his greatest joys from time spent with those closest to him: his wife, children, grandchildren and extended family.

Endlessly devoted to them, he was never happier than when photographing everyone together at a holiday or summertime gathering.

He loved to laugh. With a twinkle in his eye and a suspicious, playful grin that often gave him away, he was always up to something — silly jokes, games, pranks — anything he thought might make his loved ones smile.

He was adored by his family, “steadfastly fixed in our hearts, his wonderful legacy of kindness, compas-

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gene Page IV was piloted from Holmes Beach aboard a neighbor’s boat May 10, 1980, and raced to the Skyway Bridge to record the scene of the disaster from the waters of Tampa Bay. He gave his negatives from that day to The Islander on the 40th anniversary of the disaster.

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sion and service to others a simple but sufficient testament to a beautiful life exceptionally lived, until the soul-restoring day we are reunited with him again.”

A memorial service and visitation were held Aug. 21 at First Baptist Church of Palmetto. Memorial donations may be made to Guardian Angels of Southwest Florida (guardianangelsfl.org/change-the-life-of-achild), or First Baptist Church of Palmetto. Condolences may be made to brownandsonsfuneral.com.

Mr. Page is survived by his wife of 47 years, Gina Ann (Romine); his children, William Eugene IV and wife Kim of Micanopy; Edwin Robson and wife Natalee of Roanoke, Virginia; Jennifer Page Foster and husband Chris of Auburn, Alabama; Kelly Page Powell and husband Justin of Bradenton; and Michael Cory and wife Sarah of Bradenton; grandchildren William Eugene V and wife Ana, Carter Elizabeth, Madeleine Elise Foster, Ella Katherine Foster, Maisie Waters, Owen Waters, Anna Caroline Foster, Paxton Thomas Powell, Presley Elizabeth Powell, Cory O’Connor, Henley Van and Finten William; and a precious host of loved ones whose treasured friendships immensely blessed him over the course of his life.

George L. Glennon passed away, on July 16, 2021, at the young age of 73.

George was a resident of Holmes Beach, on beautiful Anna Maria Island, Florida, for over 25 years. George was born in Boston, Massachusetts on Oct. 9, 1947.

Growing up in Upham’s Corner, in Dorchester, he attended Boston Technical High School. He would later enlist in the U.S. Army, serving as an E5 Sgt. in the Vietnam War. George was in Vietnam during the historic Tet Offensive of 1968.

He endured times of tense combat, while also honing his engineering and surveying expertise, to solve extensive logistical problems. George was a very proud and patriotic American, who was loyal to his country. Upon his return to the United States, George was welcomed home by his family and a young lady, who would ultimately become the love of his life and his wife, Julie. After completing various studies at The Franklin Institute of Boston, MassBay Community College and Suffolk University, George would then settle on the South Shore of Massachusetts, to raise his five children with Julie.

Fatherhood provided George with some of his fondest memories. He loved his children immensely and worked very hard to provide a wonderful life for his family. He was a strong leader and never let his family down. He was a very giving and exceptionally kind person. No matter the situation, George was there to lend a hand. He had an especially generous and altruistic heart. He was a gentleman,

who was thoughtful and respectful. He showed you how to take the high road, but also how to defend yourself and uphold your principles. His intelligence and wisdom were sought out to solve any problem, and he gave excellent advice.

He was a great listener, a smart dresser and had a warm smile with caring blue eyes. His presence was incredibly valued and his absence is deeply felt.

George had many long held interests, including a true appreciation for nature and it’s magnificence. He always felt that it was important for his family to have “something to look forward to.”

Therefore, George and Julie would pack up their kids as soon as school was out, to move by the ocean, for a summer of amazing memories. George and Julie enjoyed having a large family. They could be found taking their children to Disney World, Heidelberg, Germany for the historical Christmas Market and through the Salt Mines of Austria on underground trains. In the mid 1990’s, George and Julie ventured south to sunny Florida. George loved living on Anna Maria Island. He found great peace in the comfort of his quaint and cozy home.

There was almost no book unknown to George. He read daily and gained vast expertise in many subjects, particularly history and music. He enjoyed collecting stamps, researching his family’s genealogy and traveling through all the thrift stores in town. George had a knack for learning languages, such as German, and had recently studied Italian. He found great joy in picking out the perfect gift and loved the excitement of the holidays.

Over the years, his entrepreneurial spirit brought many bright ideas to life. In his later years, George began painting and created many masterpieces, which he hung all over the house. He would retreat to his painting room, a bottomless cup of coffee always at reach, and a dog by his feet. Another constant was music, which filled his soul with memories, happiness and motivation. It also brought him hope, contentment and joy as he coped with ill-

ness. George had a quick wit and amusing sense of humor. He loved to share jokes with his grandchildren. He was an amazing and introspective conversationalist and could discuss just about anything. No subject was off limits, in fact, he yearned to learn.

George’s foremost concern in life was the well-being of his family, who brought him great pride. As he stoically dealt with illness, George felt very loved, knowing his family never left his side.

George will be lovingly remembered by his forever wife, Julie Glennon, his daughter Holly Ott and her husband Kurt of St. Petersburg, Fl., his daughter Hillary Glennon and her loving partner Keith Larkins of Sarasota, Fl., his son Jack Glennon of Palmetto, Fl., his son William Glennon of Holmes Beach, Fl. and his daughter April Glennon of Holmes Beach, Fl. Additionally, “Pops” will never be forgotten by his grandchildren Callie, Tessa, Gemma, Rhys, Jack and Goldie. George is also survived by his sister Linda Pennucci of Plymouth, Ma. and many nieces, nephews, and friends - new and old. We are forever grateful for the amazing husband and father that George embodied. We are comforted knowing he is in the presence of God, watching over us, restored and renewed. Your children love you, Dad, and we will always be here for Mum. You set the bar high! “No mission too difficult.

No sacrifice too great. Duty first.” Rest peacefully, until we see you again. Love, your family.

A celebration of life and Mass will be held on August 27th, 2021 at 9:30am in the chapel at Saints Peter & Paul the Apostles Catholic Church, located at 2850 75th St. W. in Bradenton, Fl. Following the Mass, there will be a committal service at 1:30pm, for George with Military Honors, at the Sarasota National Cemetery, located at 9810 State Rd 72, Sarasota, Fl. In memory of George and in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to toysfortots.org and help make this holiday season magical for children in need.

Page 16 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Aug. 25, 2021 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Cops & Courts

Staff reports

Man arrested after 2 failed carjacking attempts

By Amy V.T. Moriarty Islander Reporter

What was supposed to be a relaxing day at the beach for a Bradenton family ended with the arrest of a would-be carjacker.

Steven Lewter, 43, of Bradenton, remained in the Manatee County jail Aug. 18 after his Aug. 12 arrest for allegedly carjacking with a firearm or weapon, attempted carjacking with a weapon and aggravated battery and assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill. All four crimes are felonies.

Lewter was out of jail that day on bond for eight charges of theft and weapon-related crimes.

The carjacking attempts took place in the parking lot at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach, where Lewter allegedly jumped in the driver’s seat of an SUV. He apparently saw a woman get out of the driver’s seat and walk to the back of the vehicle, Bradenton Beach Police Detective Sgt. Lenard Diaz told The Islander Aug. 17.

He threw a few plastic bags of belongings into the SUV and was attempting to steal the vehicle when he realized there was no key in the ignition.

According to the police report, he jumped out to take the vehicle key at knifepoint from the woman, who screamed, attracting the attention of her husband, who was standing on the passenger side of the vehicle.

The couple’s three children — a 4-year-old, 14-monthold and an infant — were in the backseat.

Lewter moved on in the parking lot and allegedly pulled a knife on another motorist several rows of parking away. But the owner did not want to give up his vehicle and forcefully opened a door, knocking Lewter to the ground.

After a scuffle in which the vehicle owner sustained a cut on his hand, Lewter was subdued.

Lewter told officers he was having a bad day and knew he’d made it worse, Diaz said.

He will face 12th District Circuit Court Judge Frederick P. Mercurio for arraignment at 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 3, at the Manatee County Judicial Center in Bradenton.

Lewter faces two first-degree felonies for the armed carjacking and attempted armed carjacking.

The maximum penalty for each is life imprisonment and $10,000 fine.

The aggravated battery is a second-degree felony with a maximum imprisonment of 15 years and fine of $10,000.

The third-degree felony assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill carries a maximum prison sentence of five years and fine of $5,000.

Lewter’s bond for the earlier charges was revoked.

HB commissioners discuss ‘plainly audible’ noise

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Holmes Beach commissioners are cranking up the dial on noise regulations.

Commissioners unanimously voted Aug. 10 to send a noise ordinance containing a “plainly audible” clause to a second and final reading. The clause would deem noise in violation of city code if it is plainly audible to a police officer within 100 feet of the violating property.

Erica Augello, the city’s code compliance attorney, said the plainly audible clause could withstand a constitutional challenge.

But that doesn’t mean changes aren’t needed to the draft.

Augello expressed concern with a paragraph that defines persons responsible for noise violations, saying the definition is too broad to enforce and asking commissioners to hold one party responsible.

She said the ordinance could be interpreted to allow the city to pursue legal action against Sony Electronics if the company produced a speaker used at a home where a violation occurred.

Commissioners Jayne Christenson and Carol Soustek said holding only the violator responsible would not prevent property owners and management companies from allowing a revolving door of noisemakers in vacation units.

Augello said the noise ordinance previously held property owners and rental management companies responsible for violations in addition to a direct violator but it failed to hold up when challenged in court.

She suggested exploring a nuisance ordinance in which the city could handle properties with repeat violations as nuisances.

Commissioners reached consensus to eliminate the paragraph and direct Augello and city attorney Patricia Petruff to research a nuisance ordinance dealing with repeat problems.

Augello said another paragraph requiring property owners to point speakers toward a “real property line” is impossible to enforce since every platted lot has multiple property lines.

Commissioners reached consensus to direct Augello and Petruff to research better language to require placement of speakers and other noise equipment away from neighbors.

Resident Nancy Deal suggested during public comment that commissioners decrease the proposed 100-foot distance for an officer to determine if noise if plainly audible — and therefore a violation — due to the average distance between homes in the city.

Honored for aid West Manatee Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Jay Johnson presents firefighter Max Pollock Aug. 17 with the district’s Genesis Award for his assistance in the Aug. 1 delivery of a baby. Islander Photo: Courtesy Ben Rigney

She said that while police officers would measure noise from 100 feet from a property line, residents living next to violators could be less than 20 feet away.

Commissioner Kim Rash proposed decreasing the distance to 25 feet but Augello recommended maintaining the 100-foot distance because it had held up in the U.S. Supreme Court as a “reasonable distance” to make such a determination.

The commission failed to reach consensus to approve Rash’s proposed change, with only Christenson indicating support.

Vacation rental signage Commissioners also discussed an ordinance to require rental properties to post signage on site reminding tenants to adhere to the noise ordinance.

However, they decided against pursuing such a requirement, instead directing Mayor Judy Titsworth to work with the code compliance department to purchase city signage that could be offered to vacation rental properties.

Christenson had proposed requiring signage in the city code but other commissioners expressed hesitancy, saying doing so could spur state lawmakers into attacking municipal home rule over rental regulations.

Streetlife

Staff reports

Island police reports

Anna Maria Aug. 11, 400 block of Spring Avenue, noise. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office dispatched a deputy at 10:52 p.m. for a complaint of yelling coming from a residential swimming pool. The deputy issued a citation for violation of the noise ordinance.

Aug. 13, 700 block of Fern Street, noise. The MCSO dispatched a deputy at 11:45 p.m. for a complaint of a loud party. The deputy issued a citation for violation of the noise ordinance.

Aug. 15, 100 block of Mangrove Avenue, noise.

The MCSO dispatched a deputy at 1:03 a.m. for a noise complaint. The deputy issued a citation for violation of the noise ordinance.

Aug. 16, 100 block of Crescent Drive, Baker Act. The MCSO dispatched a deputy for a report of a man trespassing at multiple locations. The deputy reported the man was belligerent and confused. The man was taken for treatment in Bradenton.

Aug. 17, 700 block of Jacaranda Road, fraud. The MCSO dispatched a deputy for a fraud complaint. The complainant reported using a gift card the evening before and afterward discovered multiple unauthorized charges. The deputy filed a report.

The MCSO polices Anna Maria.

Bradenton Beach No new reports.

The BBPD polices Bradenton Beach.

Cortez No new reports.

The MCSO polices Cortez.

Holmes Beach Aug. 11, CVS Pharmacy, 611 Manatee Ave., Marchman Act. A Holmes Beach Police Department officer responded to reports of an unresponsive man in the store bathroom. The officer found an intoxicated man naked and asleep with a bottle of alcohol. The officer woke the man, trespassed him from the property and transported him to Centerstone Behavioral Center in Bradenton for treatment.

Aug. 12, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, parking. An officer saw a moped with no license plate that had been cited by the HBPD the night before for lacking registration. The officer left a citation and had the vehicle towed.

Aug. 13, 100 block of 49th Street, lost property.

A woman called the HBPD to report missing jewelry after staying at a vacation rental unit. She said she contacted the rental agency, but they couldn’t find the bag with the jewelry.

Aug. 13, Anna Maria Elementary School, 4700 Gulf Drive, trespass. An officer responded to reports of a suspicious vehicle in the school’s parking lot, where a man was found behind the wheel. The man, who was intoxicated, said he parked there to sleep off his buzz.

The officer trespassed the man and had the vehicle towed.

Aug. 14, 5300 block of Gulf Drive, Marchman Act. Two officers responded to reports of erratic driving and found an intoxicated motorist who witnesses said hit another vehicle. The officers stopped the vehicle and conducted sobriety exercises on the driver, which he failed. The officers detained the man for driving under the influence when he became “extremely emotional,” so they transported him for treatment to Blake Medical Center in Bradenton. The officers filed a capias request on the man for driving under the influence.

Aug. 16, Firkins Nissan, 1611 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, assist MCSO. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office called the HBPD for assistance in a homicide investigation. An officer arrived and helped review surveillance video from the scene. The officer turned his findings over to the MCSO. Aug. 17, Dollar Tree, 3260 E. Bay Drive, trespass.

An officer responded to reports of a theft. The officer spoke with a manager, who asked him to trespass a man he said tried to steal from the store. The officer searched the man but did not find any stolen items. The officer trespassed the man.

HBPD polices Holmes Beach.

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

Aug. 25, 2021 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 17 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Anna Maria halts unpermitted work by contractor on Alameda

By Amy V.T. Moriarty Islander Reporter

Without a city building permit, no construction can occur.

Bradenton-based Buky Construction Inc. was reminded of that Aug. 3 when an order to stop work was issued by Anna Maria building official Luke Curtis for nonpermitted work at 416 Alamanda Road.

The activity came to Curtis’ attention by way of an email to Mayor Dan Murphy questioning why the mayor’s promise — to inform neighbors when a building permit was issued — wasn’t honored.

Murphy told The Islander Aug. 13 that the email caught him off-guard and led to the discovery.

Buky’s crew was clearing the lot for construction and Curtis said the activity violated the city’s building ordinance and permit requirements.

Since work was “red-tagged” Aug. 3, Buky submitted a lot clearing application but Curtis said city code and building ordinances stipulate a clearing permit cannot be issued until a building permit is approved.

In addition to costs Buky incurs for project delays, Curtis said the permit fee would be tripled due to the violation.

Commissioner Mark Short raised a public safety concern and asked Curtis if there is a requirement the lot be restored while the permitting is navigated.

Curtis said the lot must be restored to prevent erosion and for safety.

Aug. 13, the contractor was given a 4 p.m. deadline to submit a plan to the city for approval of work to “fix the lot,” Murphy told The Islander.

The plan also required Curtis’ approval or Buky would face additional penalties, Murphy said.

Either way, Murphy said if the property was not

restored by 4 p.m. Aug. 14, Buky would be fined $100.

If by 4 p.m. Aug. 15, it was still not done, an additional $250 fine would be levied.

And if not done by 4 p.m. Aug. 16, Murphy said an additional $500 fine would be assessed for every subsequent 24 hours that work was not completed.

The 0.161-acre lot at 416 Alamanda Road has been bought and sold three times in seven years, with the recent purchase Nov. 3, 2020, for $625,000, according to the Manatee County Property Assessors Office.

The property’s owner is Gulfside Development LLC, listed as inactive on the state’s Sunbiz website, and a tangle of LLCs for owners and directors. The office is listed at 414 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, a vacation rental property.

Murphy said he can’t “empirically say” why the property has changed hands so many times but despite thousands of dollars and multiple attempts at stormwater mitigation, flooding is a reality with rainfall.

The property has for years been a breeding site for mosquitoes. “It’s like a swamp and that’s how it’s always been,” Murphy said.

The area is landlocked, so solutions that work in other areas of the city have not worked there.

But Murphy said he and public works manager Dean Jones are investigating options that could offer a more permanent solution.

Murphy noted “not only do we not have a budget for it … I don’t even know what the cost will be.”

Commissioner Deanie Sebring suggested the property owner be held responsible for the cost of remediation.

A suggestion Murphy said was “a good thought” but not yet practical as “a lot of unknowns” remain.

More than a half-dozen residents neighboring the Alamanda Road property spoke at the meeting.

Resident Valerie Snow said residents are angered by the new property owner’s disregard for regulations and safety.

She also said flooding is “a serious issue” that must be resolved before new construction begins.

Another neighbor, planning and zoning board member Barbara Zdravecky, said everyone who lives in the neighborhood knows the property has flooding and stormwater retention problems.

But until there is a solution to the flooding, Lake Nash and its mosquito colony remain.

As for construction on the lot, a building permit was submitted Aug. 16 and work to restore the lot was completed by Aug. 18.

Standing water and muck cover the lot Aug. 14 at 416 Alamanda Road, where a city stop-work order was issued Aug. 3 to Buky Construction for clearing the lot without a permit.

Islander Photo: Amy V.T. Moriarty

HBPD shifts 3 positions, plans call for lieutenant, detective, SRO promotions

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Three Holmes Beach Police Department officers are switching roles as one takes the spot of second-incommand.

Police Chief Bill Tokajer told The Islander Aug. 14 that Detective Sgt. Brian Hall is slated to become a lieutenant when the city’s 2021-22 budget goes into effect Oct. 1.

“Hall has been, in essence, even without the rank, second-in-command Tokajer since I arrived in Holmes Beach almost nine years ago,” Tokajer said.

He said that as the HBPD’s unofficial second-incommand, Hall had been tasked with responsibilities outside of his job description that made it difficult to fulfill his responsibilities as detective sergeant.

“He has not been able to devote full time to (the

role of detective) with the other job responsibilities that I have put on him as second-in-command,” Tokajer said.

Tokajer’s plans to promote Hall sent ripples throughout the HBPD in advance of the promotion.

Officer Josh Fleischer, the HBPD’s senior-most patrol officer who has worked as Anna Maria Hall Elementary School’s resource officer since the 2015-16 school year, began his next post as detective after the 2020-21 school year ended in May. He previously assisted Hall with detective work during the school’s summer breaks.

Fleischer Patrol Officer Christine LaBranche replaced Fleischer as the school’s resource officer for the 2021-22 school year after training to

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serve as the school’s alternate SRO. She began her new position on the opening day of school Aug. 10, with Tokajer and Fleischer alongside to greet students.

“This new experience is very welcome and I’m very excited to get to know the students, staff and parents,” LaBranche LaBranche told The Islander Aug. 19. “It’s gone really well so far. I’ve always enjoyed working with the staff here and the students are excellent.”

“It’s a great place to be able to work and I’m thankful,” she added.

Tokajer said that while Hall won’t become lieutenant until October, it was important for the pair to move up.

He said the plan should help Fleischer adjust as detective before Hall moves up, as well as provide AME with a new SRO for the full school year.

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AMITW volunteers educate beachgoers about turtles

Nesting notes

By Samara Paice

Fred’s impact an unknown

Sea turtle nests stretching from Cortez Beach to Bean Point were impacted by rising tides and high surf from Tropical Storm Fred.

Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring executive director Suzi Fox told The Islander Aug. 16 that the volunteer group would not know the full impact of the storm that passed in the Gulf of Mexico Aug. 15-16 on nesting until they excavate many of the nests after a two-month incubation period.

A sea turtle egg can survive at least four hours underwater but the survival rate decreases as the embryo grows, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s research institute.

With the uncertainty about unhatched nests, AMITW volunteers Scott and Jan Riggs excavated several nests Aug. 16, resulting in a find of two live loggerhead hatchlings that were released to the Gulf of Mexico as a crowd of beachgoers watched Aug. 16 near the 200 block of Gulf Drive North in Bradenton Beach.

The volunteers also recovered 20 hatchlings from the Gulffront patio at the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge, 110 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach. The hatchlings likely were disoriented by lights from the street and nearby buildings, according to Fox. The hatchlings were held for observation by AMITW volunteers. After observation, the volunteers decide if the hatchlings can be released and when.

About AMITW AMITW is a nonprofit focused on collecting data on sea turtles, which are listed as threatened or endangered in Florida. The group also monitors shorebird nesting. For more information, go to islandturtlewatch. com or call Suzi Fox, executive director, at 941-2321405.

Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers are doing their part to educate beachgoers.

Volunteers Scott and Jan Riggs answered questions Aug. 16 from onlookers as they excavated loggerhead sea turtle nests near the 700 block of Gulf Drive North in Holmes Beach.

The volunteers excavated multiple nests that hatched three days prior and found few unhatched eggs.

Phu Nguyen and his family, visiting from Boston, had many questions for the volunteers, who were willing and able to answer the queries.

They stressed the fragility of hatchlings, adding one in 1,000 hatchlings will make it to adulthood.

In the nest, eggs can be harmed by predators and standing water.

After the eggs hatch, the turtles face new risks and must make it to the Gulf of Mexico on their own while avoiding numerous obstacles — encounters with animals, people, beach furniture and trash — and distractions — such as lighting brighter than the reflection

AMITW volunteers Scott and Jan Riggs excavate a nest Aug. 16 and answer beachgoers’ questions near the 700 block of gulf Drive North in Holmes Beach. Islander Photo: Samara Paice

on the water that guides them to the Gulf of Mexico.

AMITW reported 14 disorientations as of Aug. 15.

The volunteers stressed the importance of clean and dark beaches at night.

A bucket contains 20 hatchlings collected by AMITW volunteers Aug. 16 from the back patio of the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge, 110 gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach.

Tropical Storm Fred impacts sea turtle nests the week beginning Aug. 16 near the 200 block of gulf Drive North in Bradenton Beach. Islander Photos: Samara Paice

As of Aug. 22, AMITW had identified 417 nests, 560 false crawls and 98 hatched nests on AMI.

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By Lisa Neff

Celebrating a FLanniversary

Tacked to my office bulletin board is a gift certificate to a beachside restaurant.

The sticky note attached reads: “Use for Florida anniversary.”

The anniversary — marking the day Connie and I moved from Chicago to Anna Maria Island — arrives Sept. 2.

Weeks earlier in 2005 I landed an editing job at a local newspaper and resigned my position at a paper Neff in Chicago, where at my send-off party an Elvis impersonator performed “Always on My Mind” and my coworkers gave me an iPod classic — advertised as “1,000 songs in your pocket.”

We left Chicago Aug. 29, 2005, the trunk of our Saturn packed with keepsakes and clothes and the back seat holding three cats in carriers and aquarium fish in a bucket of water.

The day we left, Hurricane Katrina hit with dev-

‘No swim’ advisory issued for Anna Maria park

The Florida Department of Health-Manatee County issued a “No Swim” advisory Aug. 19 for Bayfront Park North in Anna Maria.

The advisory is for the north end of the park at 310 N. Bay Blvd. and indicates water contact may pose an increased risk of infectious diseases to humans.

The health department said samples taken from the water Aug. 16 and Aug. 18 showed an elevated level of enterococci bacteria. The advisory was to be in effect until the water meets U.S. Environmental Protection Agency safety guidelines.

Other water recreation areas located in Manatee County were not under advisory.

For more information, call the health department at 941-714-7593 or go online to www.floridahealth. gov.

— Lisa Neff

Arriving to sunset in Anna Maria in September 2005.

Islander Photo: Lisa Neff

astating force on the Gulf coast in Mississippi and Louisiana.

So we traveled southeast, through Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and into Florida, stopping to say “hello” and “goodbye” to family along the way.

I think of us traveling with real speed on the interstates but my datebook suggests otherwise. Now, when we make the trip from Chicago, we accomplish in three days what took five days to drive in 2005.

We made our arrival to the new Gulf Drive apartment in the late afternoon on a Friday, with time enough to settle the cats and fish before enjoying a

Rainfall inching higher at Piney Point plant An estimated 10 inches of rain is expected in the region by September’s end.

The defunct Piney Point phosphate-processing plant’s storage capacity can handle another 10.5 inches, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

So the site management, HRK Holdings, along with the DEP, Manatee County and a legion of conservation groups are monitoring the situation.

In the spring, the DEP authorized the release of 215 million gallons of nutrient-rich wastewater from the site to the Tampa Bay estuary after the discovery of a leak at a pond on a gypsum stack.

The DEP authorized the discharge to avoid the collapse of the containment system but the polluted water likely fueled the summer’s red tide, according to scientists.

Now about 266 million gallons of wastewater remains at the site in collection ponds.

Wastewater at the site is being treated to remove

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steak dinner at a beach restaurant and then catching the first of many sunsets on Anna Maria Island.

I’d seen other sunsets in other states.

But that night was the first night I experienced what islanders call “sunset,” a communal happening celebrating the splendor in the sky with the souls on the sand.

A lot has changed since Sept. 2, 2005 — on the island and in my life, for better, for worse.

I came to The Islander about a year after my move to Anna Maria Island and since then I’ve helped publish about 780 issues of this paper, reporting on changes, developments, news.

A few weeks ago, the paper contained an obituary for Jay Erickson, the very man who handed Connie and I the keys to our Anna Maria apartment and, as our landlord, the first person to welcome us to the island.

He was a man who traveled and knew the world, an accomplished man.

He was a family man, with relations who established their own lives and made their memories on Anna Maria Island.

And he was an islander. He walked the beach, watched the sunsets, traveled by bicycle, talked about ecology and shook a fist at the three-story “monstrosity” across the street from our apartment that went up where a cottage once stood.

As Connie, now my wife, and I approach my next Florida anniversary, I’m thinking about then and now, tracing the change and looking for some of the things that have stayed the same.

“Sunset” is the same on AMI, even as every sunset is different.

phosphorus and nitrogen, according to an Aug. 19 news release from the DEP. The release did not address the heavy metals, radioactivity and low pH also in the wastewater and conservation groups have questioned the treatment claims.

Wastewater also is being trucked to treatment facilities — about 26 trucks hauled 136,500 gallons of process water to the Manatee County Southeast Water Reclamation Facility Aug. 18-19 — and HRK has released water to a drainage ditch along Buckeye Road.

“This is rainwater not wastewater from the compartment areas on-site,” the DEP stated.

The DEP has suggested that if rainfall exceeds estimates, water levels at the site may need to be lowered further, possibly by resuming discharges.

Meanwhile, Manatee County continues planning for the permanent closure of the site.

— Lisa Neff

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Center football scores, youth soccer readies, horseshoes play on

By Kevin P. Cassidy Islander Reporter

The adult flag football league at the Center of Anna Maria Island was finally able to play a game with no rain Aug. 19.

The action kicked off with Ray’s Ramblings outscoring Beach Bums 34-32, with the difference being a couple of big defensive plays. Jordan DeMers came through for Ray’s Ramblings with a pick-six, while Kari SteCassidy phens came up with four quarterback sacks, including one for a 2-point safety to provide the winning margin.

Jesse Griffin threw three touchdown passes to Stephens, DeMers and Peggy Smith, while Bobby McMillan and James Roadman had 2-point conver-

SportsShort

Pirates set for spring training

The Pittsburgh Pirates released a spring training schedule for the 2022 Grapefruit League season.

The Pirates are scheduled to play 34 games, including 17 at home at LECOM Park in Bradenton.

Opening day of the Pirates’ Grapefruit League season will be Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, when the team hosts the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Bucs then will split squads and play two games Sunday, Feb. 27, hosting the Detroit Tigers and traveling to North Port to take on the Atlanta Braves.

Additional highlights on the schedule include: • March 5: The Pirates will host the New York Yankees for the only time before traveling to Tampa one week later to face the Yankees in their only trip to George M. Steinbrenner Field.

• March 15-16: The Pirates will travel to the east coast to face the New York Mets March 15, followed by the Miami Marlins March 16.

• March 17: The Pirates will host the Twins on St. Patrick’s Day. • March 26: The Pirates will host the Tigers at home in the final Saturday game of the Grapefruit League season.

• March 29: The Pirates close out the Grapefruit League season against the Atlanta Braves at LECOM Park.

The entire schedule can be found at pirates.com/ schedule.

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sions in the victory.

Joey Carder paced the Beach Bums offense with three TD passes, while JB Shuck threw for a TD and ran for one. Cruz Rodriguez led the receivers with two TDs and Jacob Robertson added a touchdown catch in the loss.

The second game of the evening saw We the Best Lending earn a 55-18 blowout victory over Cortez Deep Sea Fishing behind five touchdown passes and two touchdown catches from Chase Richardson. Dom Otteni added two TD passes, two TD catches and a pick-six of his own, while Jonathan Soutatos had a touchdown catch and Jasmine Muldoon had a TD. Tuna McCracken threw three touchdown passes to Tyler Brewer to lead Cortez Deep Sea Fishing in the loss.

The third game of the night saw Sandbar Restaurant cruise to a 42-20 victory over TMT thanks to five TD passes from Matt Manger. Manger also chipped in on defense with two interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown. Brandin Holcomb had a pair of touchdown catches for Sandbar, which also received TDs from Anthony Mannino, Bradley Coleman and Anthony McCance in the victory.

Keith McQuillen threw a pair of touchdowns to Connor Haughey to lead TMT, which also received a rushing touchdown from Jason Caller in the loss.

The last game of the night saw Catalyst edge TBT 19-13 behind three touchdown passes from Jon Moss, who connected with Greg Moss for two scores, while also hooking up with Brent Moss for one score.

Snouffer combined on a 5-under-par 27 to earn a threeshot victory. The team of Hoyt Miller, Terry Schaefer, Ron Vandeman and Steve Vasbinder finished alone in second with a 2-under-par 30.

Horseshoe news Horseshoe action at the Anna Maria pits Aug. 18 was short and sweet. Gary Howcroft walked his way to the lone 3-0 record in pool play and was the day’s outright champ.

Two teams battled it out Aug. 21 for bragging rights after both fashioned 3-0 records in the preliminary round.

Howcroft teamed up with Jerry Disbrow to defeat Bill Silver 25-15, thanks to a game-ending double ringer from Disbrow.

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

There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.

Soccer registration wraps up The fall youth soccer league at the center was registering players until 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24, after press time for The Islander.

Cost is $10 for members and $130 for nonmembers. Player evaluations were set to begin Aug. 24 at 5:30 p.m. for the 5-7 and 8-10 age divisions. The 11-13 and 14-17 player evaluations follow at 7:30 p.m.

The season starts with Spirit Day Aug. 31 and the first week of the games will begin Sept. 6. Matches will be played Tuesday nights starting at 6 p.m., with some Wednesday night games sprinkled in — if needed.

For more information, contact the center at 941778-1908.

Key Royale news Key Royale Club members have been dodging the rain drops in an attempt to get in more swings. Last week was no different, though the men did manage to get in their weekly modified-Stableford system match Aug. 16.

Bill Shuman earned clubhouse bragging rights for the day by carding a plus-5, scoring five points higher than his average point total. Dave Richardson was a Center seeks coaches point back in second place.

The Center of Anna Maria Island is seeking The women’s Tuesday morning match at the club in Holmes Beach was rained out but golfers were able coaches — “energetic and enthusiastic” volunteers — to assist with the fall youth soccer program. to get out Aug. 19 for a nine-hole scramble.

“The center’s goal is to create a positive enviThe team of Mike Clements, Tom Nelson and Kurt ronment that promotes self-confidence, self-esteem, sportsmanship and teamwork,” said an announcement from the nonprofit, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. center said volunteers can impact children’s Send your fishing, sports report livesThe by contributing a few hours a week. to news@islander.org.

For more information, contact Connor Haughey at the center at 941-778-1908, ext. 217, or connor@ Share the fun. centerami.org.

SportsShort

Fishing Charters Capt. Warren Girle

INSHORE RE Redfish Snook

O OFFSHORE SSnapper G Grouper

LIGHT G TACKLE C • FLY Over 30 years experience in local waters • USCG Licensed Full / Half Day Trips • 941.387.8383 (H) • 941.232.8636 (C) www.captainwarren.com Facebook: Captain Warren

Anna Maria Island Tides

Date

Aug 25 Aug 26 Aug 27 Aug 28 Aug 29 Aug 30 Aug 31 Sept 1

AM

HIGH

PM

2:27a 2:46a 3:09a 3:38a 4:13a 4:56a 5:50a 7:01a

1.9 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.3 2.4 2.4 2.4

2:26p 3:12p 4:05p 5:13p 6:58p — — —

HIGH

AM

2.4 7:58a 2.2 8:47a 2.0 9:40a 1.7 10:40a 1.6 11:52a — 1:14p — 2:34p — 3:40p

LOW

PM

0.9 8:44p 0.8 9:08p 0.7 9:32p 0.7 9:56p 0.7 10:15p 0.6 — 0.5 — 0.4 —

LOW

0.7 0.9 1.1 1.3 1.5 — — —

Moon

3rd

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

We like likes

facebook.com/ Islandernewspaper

Fishing tip! If you hook a bird, remember: Reel, remove, release!

Aug. 25, 2021 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 21 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Offshore tropical storm holds anglers inshore for smooth bite

By Capt. Danny Stasny Islander Reporter

With most of the waters north of Manatee Avenue being clear of red tide, anglers are anxious to get out on the water.

For inshore action, early morning seems to be the best bite. The water temperatures are slightly cooler and fishing just before sunrise until mid morning is producing the best flats action of the day on catch-and-release snook, trout and redfish.

Stasny Mangrove snapper are abundant throughout Tampa Bay, in the smooth shallows and deeper water, too. Many snapper are being caught while anglers work the flats, targeting the inshore trio of snook, reds and trout. Snapper’s not a bad bycatch in anybody’s book.

Those wishing to solely target snapper are fishing wrecks, reefs and bridges, where the schools are turning up to feed.

For those venturing offshore, amberjack and blackfin tuna are the most frequent rewards. Trolling lipped plugs or free-lining live baits over wrecks and other structure is resulting in hookups on both species.

Capt. Warren Girle is targeting gag grouper and mangrove snapper in Tampa Bay. To find these species, Girle is working rock piles, reefs and wrecks.

Live baits such as pinfish and shiners work well. Pinfish especially are working well for the gags. Depending on depth, Girle is free-lining pinfish or adding an egg sinker to create a knocker rig and keeper-size gag grouper are being caught in this fashion, too.

As for the snapper, Girle is finding the shiners work best as bait. In some instances, the snapper can be chummed to the surface. In these situations, a freelined bait is best. When the snapper are timid, using a small knocker rig to get a bait to the bottom is effective. Snapper up to 20 inches are being hooked

by Girle’s clients.

Capt. David White is working inshore due to some rough seas brought on by the passing of Tropical Storm Fred in the Gulf of Mexico. While inshore, White is enjoying excellent action on catch-and-release snook and redfish. Both are responding to live shiners and casting baits up against the mangrove shorelines of Tampa Bay is working well. Most snook catches are 20-30 inches. As for reds, all are coming in over-slot, with some in the 40-inch range.

For anglers wanting fish to take home for dinner,

TideWatch

Capt. David White of Anna Maria Charters shows off a larger — estimated in the 20-pound class — breeder redfish caught Aug. 17 in Tampa Bay on a live pinfish and quickly released after the trophy photo.

mangrove snapper are being caught as a bycatch while targeting catch-and-release snook.

Capt. Jason Stock — although having limited access to the offshore bite due to TS Fred — is managing to put his clients on some big fish.

On days when offshore fishing is accessible, Stock is targeting amberjack and blackfin tuna, which are responding to lures trolled behind the boat. On days when the seas are rough, Stock is spending his time inshore putting clients on large redfish. The reds are schooling, which can result in consistent action or at least enough action until anglers’ arms are too worn out to reel in another one.

Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says fishing at the mouth of Tampa Bay is slightly challenging.

There were patches of red tide that moved through the area around the pier, which moved the fish around.

But it was a short-lived hiatus — anglers are finding large snook to be caught. And released. Larger baits — pinfish, mojarra or ladyfish — are getting the job done.

Mangrove snapper are being caught, although sporadically. But don’t be discouraged. These fish are expected to return soon to the pier — and the fry pan — in good numbers.

Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports Community center hosts fundraiser for to fish@islander.org. native fishing guide

Red tide diminishes in local waters

A patchy bloom of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists along Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Bloom concentrations greater than 100,000 cells per liter were not observed in Manatee County but were observed in Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties.

In Southwest Florida, K. brevis was observed at background to low concentrations in Manatee County, background to high concentrations in and offshore of Pinellas County, background to medium concentrations offshore of Hillsborough County, background to high concentrations in Sarasota County, low to medium concentrations in Charlotte

County and background to medium concentrations in and offshore of Lee County.

K. brevis also was observed in North Florida and on the East Coast.

Fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported near Longboat Key in Manatee, as well as in Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties.

Respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was reported in Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota and Lee counties.

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

Signs posted Aug. 21 at the entrance of the Center of Anna Maria Island in Anna Maria depict happy days for a lifetime island resident and fishing guide, Capt. Aaron Lowman, and his wife and new baby.

Lowman is recovering from a brain aneurysm and the fundraiser was focused on helping support the family during his recovery. The community center hosted the event. More pics, page 23. Islander Photo: Rebekka Stasny

You can catch it all online at islander.org

Licensed

Page 22 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Aug. 25, 2021 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

isl

“We go where our customers ask us to go,” said Maddie Oldenburg, the restaurant’s director of communications.

The eatery was “slammed” on its first two days of operation, she said.

“It’s really fantastic to see the community embracing us right away,” Oldenburg said.

The Tampa location is open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. but will soon extend its hours.

Developer Mike Coleman and his family opened the first Poppo’s — at 212 Pine Ave., Anna Maria — in 2013.

For more information, visit poppostaqueria.com.

A new opening at the deli Scott’s Deli, 6000 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, is getting a front door.

Owner Jamie Mason said Aug. 18 the new direct entry will alleviate confusion for the sandwich shop.

The deli — which features made-from-scratch sauces, including peach mango and bourbon bacon jam — soon will offer outdoor seating, as well.

Foliage in front of the eatery will be removed in

biz Up and coming

By Kane Kaiman

Bortell’s is back A leak in the roof shut the place down in 2018.

A plane crash and global pandemic kept it closed — until now.

Following extensive renovations, Bortell’s Lounge, 10002 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, will reopen Wednesday, Aug. 25, on a noon-midnight Wednesday-Monday schedule.

Owner Steve Rose said construction crews did a “scrape,” stripping Kaiman Bortell’s “down to four concrete walls.”

The lounge now has an expanded bar, new kitchen and new bathrooms.

“I like to call it the perfect dive bar. It looks old but everything works and nothing smells,” Rose said.

Months after Bortell’s closed in April 2018, Rose and his wife were significantly injured in a plane crash in South Carolina.

The injuries kept Rose sidelined for about a year and the lounge renovations were further delayed by COVID-19.

Back in business, Rose plans to serve food out of the throwback bar and offer limited employee housing on the island.

“The island has priced most of the service industry out of the ability to live here and that’s a shame, because it’s a lot of fun to work and live on the island,” he said.

If the housing initiative is successful, Rose said he

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Bortell’s Lounge owner Steve Rose hoists an “80 wide” blue marlin fishing rod Aug. 20 behind the bar at his Anna Maria establishment, which is set to reopen Aug. 25. When the rods aren’t behind the bar, Rose said he’s probably out fishing.

plans to expand the program.

For more information, visit the Bortell’s Lounge Facebook page or call 941-254-4710.

Poppo’s pops up in Tampa Ask and you shall receive.

Poppo’s Taqueria — a build-your-own taco-burrito chain that originated on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria — opened its eighth location Aug. 16.

The restaurant, in the heart of downtown, near city hall at 302 East Kennedy Blvd., is the chain’s first in Tampa.

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AMI Chamber THIS WEEK

Thursday, Aug. 26 5 p.m. — business card exchange, combined with the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce, the Bridge Tender Inn & Dockside Bar, 135 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach.

Save the dates Sept. 9, sunrise breakfast, Wicked Cantina, Bradenton Beach.

Sept. 23, business card exchange, Compass Hotel, Perico Island.

Oct. 14, member luncheon, Slicker’s Eatery, Cortez.

Oct. 15-16, Bayfest, Pine Avenue, Anna Maria.

Oct. 28, business card exchange, partnering with the Anna Maria Island Privateers, Location TBA. Fees may apply for events.

RSVP for the networking events by contacting the chamber at 941-778-1541 or info@amichamber.org.

Other events

Save the dates Sept. 14, Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce East Meets West Regional Business Expo, Robarts Arena, Sarasota.

Nov. 4, Manatee Chamber of Commerce Business at the Ballpark Expo, LECOM Park, Bradenton.

Proof #1 Fees may apply for events.

For more LBK Chamber information, go online to eastmeetswestexpo.com or contact the chamber at 941-383-2466.

For more Manatee Chamber information, go to manateechamber.com or call 941-748-3411.

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Don’t forget!

You can read it all online at islander.org

Aug. 25, 2021 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 23 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Holmes Beach receives favorable ruling in Bali Hai lawsuit

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

A legal standoff between the city of Holmes Beach and a beachfront resort is moving forward.

Judge Charles Sniffen of the 12th Judicial Circuit Court ruled Aug. 11, granting a city motion to dismiss an amended counterclaim from the Bali Hai Beachfront Resort, 6900 Gulf Drive, seeking injunctive relief against the city and compensation for alleged financial damages.

Bali Hai opened in 1971 and was purchased by developer Shawn Kaleta in 2019 for about $20 million.

He’s since completed extensive renovations, including the addition of a spa and bar for guests.

The city code enforcement officers issued a stop work order for construction on the property last Janu-

ary.

The suit began in May 2020, when the city filed a complaint with the circuit court centered around the resort’s unpermitted bar and lounge area.

The city has argued the resort created the lounge and made changes to the property without permits and never submitted a site plan to approve the change of use.

The resort’s legal representatives have argued the lounge existed prior to the work and did not constitute a change in use.

Meanwhile, the resort continues to operate its bar/ lounge area despite accruing $1,000 daily fines that the city began levying in June.

While the case began with a complaint from the city, much of the time litigating the case has been spent

on Bali Hai’s two counterclaims, which state that a stop in service to accommodate the submittal and consideration of a site plan would result in financial losses.

Sniffen has rejected the counterclaims but provided the resort leeway to amend arguments.

Sniffen’s latest order requires the resort to submit a second amended countercomplaint by Friday, Sept. 10, instead of dismissing the case with prejudice, which would have prevented the resort from submitting a second amended counterclaim.

The next hearing for the case had yet to be scheduled as of Aug. 19.

Attorney Michelle Grantham from the Bradenton-based Najmy-Thompson law firm, who is listed as Kaleta’s legal representative for the case, did not respond to an Aug. 18 call from The Islander.

LEFT: People bid for silent auction items — donated artwork, dinner and wine, fishing trips, beach gear and more Aug. 21 at a fundraiser for lifetime island resident and charter fishing guide Capt. Aaron Lowman, who is recovering from a June 16 brain aneurysm. The Center of Anna Maria Island hosted the event to help Lowman, wife Dani and their new baby boy through the recovery at home. The good news? Daddy’s home. Islander Photos: Rebekka Stasny Jack Coleman, left, and Casey Coleman, right — sons of Poppo’s Taqueria principal owner Mike Coleman — stand Aug. 16 with Zoe Piccirillo and Josh Brownell in front of Poppo’s newest location in downtown Tampa at 302 E. Kennedy Blvd.

The original Poppo’s is on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria. Islander Courtesy Photo

ISL BIZ FROM PAgE 22

coming weeks to make way for a street-facing patio, which could be completed by mid-September, Mason said.

For more information, visit scottsdeliannamaria. com or call 941-778-3000.

New location a reality for reality stars Wink twice if it’s near Siesta Key. Edward “Buddy” Foy Jr. and wife Jennifer, owners of The Chateau Anna Maria, say they signed the lease for a new restaurant in Sarasota in an Aug. 13 video on their Chateau Facebook page.

But the exact location remains a mystery.

In an Aug. 14 text message to The Islander, Jennifer Foy said she couldn’t yet announce the location.

In an Aug. 22 message, she said Chateau leadership would be meeting with the current tenant’s spokesperson Aug. 24 — after The Islander’s press time for the Aug. 25 newspaper.

The Foys opened The Chateau Anna Maria, within the Waterline Marina Resort, 5325 Marina Drive,

Holmes Beach, in December 2020 after fleeing a restrictive business environment in New York state.

In 2020, the couple starred on the Food Network TV series “Summer Rush,” featuring their Chateau by the Lake restaurant in Bolton Landing, New York.

For more information, visit thechateauonthelake. com or call 941-238-6264.

And as always… …Got biz news? Contact Kane Kaiman at kane@ islander.org or call The Islander at 941-778-7978.

Correction

In the Aug. 11 ISL BIZ column, The Islander erroneously reported the number of people allowed for private parties at Blue Marlin Seafood Restaurant on Sundays. Groups of up to 80 people are welcome to book private parties on Sundays, when the restaurant, 121 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach, is closed. The restaurant takes dining reservations for up to eight people Monday-Saturday.

TOP: Musicians perform Aug. 21 at the Aaron Lowman fundraiser for at the community center in Anna Maria. BOTTOM: Capt. Danny Stasny, left, Capt. Josh Peurifoy and grady Smith meet up Aug. 21 at the center fundraiser for Capt.

Aaron Lowman.

Hello! I’m new to The Islander

I’m a writer and digital media artist from Florida’s Gulf Coast. I’m a native Floridian who loves the environment, art, education and children.

I’m Laura Fletcher.

I have three dogs — Minnow, Finn and Shakespeare — who enjoy the water and we often take trips to swim at the “dog allowed” beaches.

I’ve been a writing teacher and journalist for 25 years.

I’ve covered stories that range from weather to education and culture.

Currently, I teach acaFletcher demic and professional writing at Ringling College of Art and Design and have been a faculty member for six years.

I’ve also taught at universities in Tampa and Houston, Texas.

My journalism experience includes writing for newspapers and magazines, including the St. Petersburg Times and Houston Press.

I have a beautiful little sister from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America named Olivia and we are working on creating a tiny art gallery together — like a free little library but with art.

I’m happy to be a part of The Islander as a reporter covering Bradenton Beach and grateful for the community.

You can reach me at The Islander by email at laura@islander.org and by the office phone at 941778-7978.

Page 24 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Aug. 25, 2021 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

ITEMS FOR SALE Continued

HELP WANTED

ELECTRONIC LOCK FOR front door. Vacation rentals, $150-$190. orinocomarketing@outlook. com.

ANTIQuE OFFICE CHAIRS: Perfect for eclectic dining set. Circa 1950 from Anna Maria City Hall.

Inquire at The Islander newspaper, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes Beach. 941-778-7978.

FuLL-TIME LABORER to accept, catalog and deliver materials, assist with projects and site clean-up. Reliable, DL. Send resume to info@ coastalife.com

FREEBIE ITEMS FOR SALE

A/C SERVICE TECH: Experience required. Must have own tools. Full-time with benefits. Drug-free workplace. West Coast AC, 941-778-9622.

CHANDELIER: BROWN METAL, hardware, $45, Dell keyboards, $10, two bar stools, black/ brown leather seat, stainless-steel, $45, 941920-2494.

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

FOR SALE: LARgE antique, ornate, wood-framed picture of child with dog, $35. Northwest Bradenton. 941-565-0836.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ANTIQuE BABY CARRIAgE: Wood and wicker.

Proceeds benefit Moonracer Animal Rescue.

Email for photos: moonraceranimalrescue@ gmail.com.

COuPON: SAVE $5 on the only patented sandless beach blanket. Bring this coupon to the Beach Hut across from ginny’s and Jane E’s Cafe on gulf Drive, Anna Maria. Call 855-686SAND or go to https://sandlessblanket.com for home delivery.

ANTIQuE PARTNER DESK: All wood, $500. $1,000. Inquire at The Islander office, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes Beach. 941-778-7978.

More ads = more readers in The Islander.

Sandy’s Lawn Service Inc. ESTABLISHED IN 1983

Residential & Commercial Full-service lawn maintenance.

Landscaping ~ Cleanups Hauling ~ Tree Trimming.

LICENSED & INSURED

Paradise Improvements

941.792.5600

Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Specialist Replacement Doors and Windows

Andrew Chennault

FULLY LICENSED AND INSURED Island References Lic#CBC056755 CBC 1253471

RDI CONSTRUCTION INC. Residential & Condo Renovations Kitchens • Bath • Design Service Carpentry • Flooring • Painting Commercial & Residential

References available • 941-720-7519

T P Y A P R I C K N E G O O K A R A L A Y O N S E H O E E D E R E G E T S T P A V E E S I T N Y

E S A U

R I P P L V E I D E W I R S E T O M N E I T E A R T

KIDS FOR HIRE ads are FREE for up to three weeks for Island youths under 16 looking for work. Place ad in person at The Islander office, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes Beach.

LOST & FOUND LOST gOLD WEDDINg band. Beer Can Island, south of first rock groin shallows. Reward. 941504-0526.

CANOE, 17-FOOT grumman with 1-1/2 hp motor, paddles and extras. $900. 941-794-1766.

GoodDeeds

Assistance sought on AMI

ANSWERS TO AUG. 25 PUZZLE M J A N A O D O S S O T T H E P I E A P T R T H E E S S E G O T H M A T A I T T E D I E R B E D I O F A S S P O T O G E T R S I N T I E S D O

P I C T U R E P E R F E C T M O M E N T S

E R S E C O D G O L D C H E L

R E S H O W

A M I E N A N A S

G A M E T E

O D I S T

O F S M E N S D O

A R B A B E T E S A T I U P D A L B L Y E S R P G N O E P L L P O S E B O R E N S

W E T S

A C H Y

O N O S F A A M I R I T E

R E C O N S

KIDS FOR HIRE

FREE guN LOCK courtesy of Project Childsafe, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Holmes Beach Police Department. Pick up at The Islander office, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes Beach. Don’t be sorry, be safe.

BOATS & BOATING

SPONSORED BY

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

DEPENDABLE, RESPONSIBLE, FuN babysitter for hire. 13 years old, island local. Available in June. 941-526-9090.

HELP RESCuED PETS! Volunteer, foster, computer help needed! Moonracer Animal Rescue.

Email: moonraceranimalrescue@gmail.com.

Bobby is a 3-monthold male pup and he’s as precious as can be! He’s looking for a loving family.

To meet this cutie, call Lisa Williams at 941-345-2441 or visit The Islander office in Holmes Beach.

For more about pet adoption or to adopt Bobby, visit moonraceranimalrescue.com.

BOuTIQuE CAREER OPPORTuNITY on Anna Maria Island. Full-time positions available. Experienced salesperson position starting at $18.

Please, email karsen@islandcabana.com.

WANTED: YOuR OLD cellphone for recycling.

Deliver to The Islander, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes Beach.

PETS

AdoptA-Pet

C R U S T U S H R E C A P A R L E T E A O P I E N O R M P P I G E A D O R Y O L O F R S B A M A R I A L E N D S W E R A E R I M O V E N A N

WANTED: WORKOuT DVDs and retired but working XBox, Wii units with games for Ministry of Presence for kids and teens in Haiti. Deliver to The Islander, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes Beach.

DIRECTOR-DRIVER SOugHT for senior’s at the Annie Silver Community Center and Center of Anna Maria Island. Seeking volunteer senior activity director and van driver for Friday outings.

Contact Peg Miller, 941-447-5076 or pm3h@ yahoo.com.

Ministry of Presence Inc. seeks medications, including pain relievers such as aspirin and Tylenol and antibiotics — and monetary donations to aid earthquake victims in Haiti. Drop donations at The Islander, 315 58th St., Suite J, Holmes Beach, mail to MoP, P.O. Box 770, Oneco, FL 34264, or visit the MoP page on gofundme.

• Senior Adventurers group seeks events coordinators and a van driver for Friday outings. Information: 941-447-5076 • Moonracer Animal Rescue seeks volunteers to offer foster and forever homes for rescued animals.

Information: 941-345-2441.

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

SERVICES NEED A RIDE to airports? Tampa $65, St. Pete, $55, Sarasota, $30. gary, 863-409-5875. gvoness80@gmail.com.

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. 941-744-7983.

PRESSuRE WASHINg, PAVER sealing, driveway, roof, fence, pool area. Also, window cleaning.

Licensed and insured. 941-565-3931.

ISLAND PHOTOSHOOTS WITH gemma. Family, children, engagement, commercial. Instagram: @ silvernestphoto. 805-570-1415.

PLACE CLASSIFIED ADS ONLINE AT ISLANDER.ORG

Assistance offered on AMI

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

Information: 941-778-0414.

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

— Lisa Neff

Young people search the rubble for two young children — found but injured by the Aug. 14 earthquake in Les Cayes, Haiti. To contribute to Ministry of Presence, email bonner@islander.org.

Aug. 25, 2021 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 25 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

I S L A N D E R C L A S S I F I E D S SERVICES Continued

HOME IMPROVEMENT Continued

REAL ESTATE

NANNY, BABY/PETSITTING, cleaning, organizing, errands, assistance. 20 years’ experience.

Reliable and trustworthy, local. 805-570-1415.

HANDYMAN AND PAINTING. No job too small. Most jobs just right. Call Richard Kloss. 941-204-1162.

WINNIE MCHALE, REALTOR, 941-5046146. Rosebay International Realty Inc. You need an aggressive and experienced Realtor in today’s market! Selling island homes, Sarasota and Bradenton areas. Multi-milliondollar producer! “Selling Homes - Making Dreams Come True.”

BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS JD’s Window Cleaning looking for storefront jobs in Holmes Beach.

I make dirty windows sparkling clean. 941-9203840.

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

LAWN & GARDEN CONNIE’S LANDSCAPING INC. Residential and commercial. Full-service lawn maintenance, landscaping, cleanups, hauling and more! Insured.

941-778-5294.

BARNES LAWN AND Landscape LLC. Design and installation, lawn and landscape services, tree trimming, mulch, rock and shell. 941-7051444. Jr98@barneslawnandlandscape.com.

COLLINS LANDSCAPE LIGHTING: Outdoor lighting, landscaping, irrigation services and maintenance. 941-920-0253.

MJC24373@gmail.com.

HOME IMPROVEMENT VAN-GO PAINTING residential/commercial, interior/exterior, pressure cleaning, wallpaper. Island references. Bill, 941-795-5100. www.vangopainting.net.

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

GRIFFIN’S HOME IMPROVEMENTS Inc. Handyman, fine woodwork, countertops, cabinets and wood flooring. Insured and licensed. 941-722-8792.

BLINDS, SHUTTERS, SHADES: Motorization. 30 years on AMI. Call Keith Barnett, Barnett Blinds, 941-730-0516.

ISLAND HANDYMAN: I live here, work here, value your referral. Refinish, paint. Just ask. JayPros.

Licensed/insured. References. Call Jay, 941-9622874.

HAMMERED HOMES: (SAVING homes since 1984.) Handyman services, renovations. Free estimates and consulting. Call before making decision, save money. 941-778-3206.

HANDYMAN AND CLEANING services. Move-ins and outs. Affordable. Call Fred, 941-356-1456.

SCREEN REPAIR: WINDOW and door screening available: standard, sun block, pet, no-seeums. Call Lane, 941-705-5293.

HOLLANDS PAINT, DRYWALL and handyman services: Interior/exterior paint, drywall repair, wall/ceiling textures, stucco repair, pressure washing. Over 25 years’ experience. All work guaranteed. References.

Licensed/insured. Call Dee, 256-337-5395.

API’S DRYWALL REPAIR: I look forward to servicing your drywall repair needs. Call 941-5248067 to schedule an appointment for me to come out and look at your job.

RENTALS ANNA MARIA GULF beachfront vacation rentals.

One- two- and three-bedroom units, all beachfront. www.amiparadise.com. 941-778-3143.

SOLD AMI HOME, seeking annual rental or share Sept. 1. Retired widower. 703-599-4421.` VACATION RENTAL: DOUBLE-wide mobile home. 2BR/2BA, eight miles to beach. 55-plus community, $600/week. Pool and clubhouse.

Real Estate Mart, 941-356-1456.

ANNUAL RENTAL: 4507 123rd St. W., Cortez.

2BR/1BA, furnished, utilities included. No washer/dryer. $2,500 first, last month’s rent, $1,000 deposit. $40 application fee. Mike Norman Realty, 941-778-6696.

ASSISTANCE OFFERED. SAVVY and experienced. Marketing, graphic design, photography, listing, farming, CRM, web, print, social.

805-570-1415.

TRIPLE-WIDE MOBILE home. Handyman.

2BR/2BA. 55-plus park, gated with clubhouse and pool. $42,500. By owner, JB. 941-356-1456.

KEY R O YA L E CANALFRONT 2 B R / 2 B A h o m e . A l l c o n c r e t e b l o c k .

Two boat lifts, pool with spa. 1,775 sf under roof. $1,550,000. Call owner, 941-704-7336.

NORTHWEST BRADENTON: UPDATED 3BR/2BA, garage. No HOA fees. Plus, free-standing 1,000 sf building for RV or boat storage, workshop or rental income. $450,000. Call agent direct. Fred Flis, Real Estate Mart, 941-356-1456.

Landscape Design Lawn Care Cleanups Stone Paths Licensed and Insured

Bed: A bargain!

King, Queen, Full & Twin, pre-owned from $30 new/used.

941-922-5271 www.sleepking.net

AMI TAXI

professional, metered, on-call, gps, cards accepted www.amitaxi.com • amitaxi4u@gmail.com holmes beach, bradenton beach, anna maria

941-447-8372 airports • shops • dining

SEASONAL RENTALS available for 2022 season.

Call Anna Maria Realty for information. 941-7782259.

The Islander offers the best results for your advertising dollar. We really work for you! Submit classified ads no later than noon Monday on the website, islander.org. For Monday holidays, the deadline is Friday.

PLEASE, TAKE NOTE!

CLASSIFIED AD ORDER g nder.or

sla i t a e onlin___________ ___________ ____________ ___________ ___________ ___________ s d a d ifie ___________ ___________ ___________ s s a l ____________ ___________ ___________ c Place

____________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________

____________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ CLASSIFIED RATES: Minimum $12 for up to 15 WORDS. 16-30 words: $20. 31-45 words: $40.

BOX ad: additional $4. (Phone number is a "word.")

The deadline is NOON Monday every week for Wednesday’s paper.

Run issue date(s) _________

_________

_________

_________ or TFN start date: ______________

Amt. pd _________________ Date _____________ Ck. No.� _________ Cash � _______ By _________ Credit card payment: �

d � u No.

_____________________________________________________

Name shown on card: ____________________________________________card exp. date ______ / ______ House no. or P.O. box no. on cc bill ________________________Billing address zip code ________________ Your e-mail for renewal reminder: ____________________________________________________________

Web site: www.islander.org 315 58th St., Suite J Holmes Beach FL 34217

E-mail: classifieds@islander.org Fax toll free: 1-866-362-9821 Phone: 941-778-7978

The Islander has moved!

The “best news on AMI” has purchased and relocated to a condo office. We’re now across from HB City Hall and behind the Ugly Grouper.

You’ll find us at 315 58th St., Holmes Beach. So stop by and check out our new, groovy digs.

We’re ready to serve you!

Same phone and email.

The island’s best news for 29 years!

941.778.7978 news@islander.org

Page 26 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Aug. 25, 2021 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Shade roof goes missing from illegally built house on pilings

By Kane Kaiman Islander Reporter

The naked deck of Raymond “Junior” guthrie’s Sarasota Bay stilt-house Aug. 20. guthrie said Aug. 20 he recently removed the ramada shade covering he added in July. Islander Photo: Sherri Kaiman

What went up has come down.

Within the recent past, Raymond “Junior” Guthrie added and removed a ramada from the back deck of the Sarasota Bay stilt-house he erected on pilings on state-owned submerged land yards off the A.P. Bell Fish Co. docks in Cortez in 2017.

Guthrie built the ramada — a structure with a solid shade cover and support posts — in July.

The addition originally featured a staircase and second-story railings, which Guthrie removed the week of July 26.

He said Aug. 20 he removed the rest of the addition 2-3 weeks ago “because everybody was complaining about it.”

In 2018, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection sued Guthrie for building the stilt-house without permits on state-owned submerged land.

The agency won the court case in 2019 but a series of extensions on a judge’s final order that the structure be removed allowed it to remain standing.

The latest extension, which expired May 7, was granted March 8 to “allow the Florida Legislature or other governmental body to consider protection for the structure.”

In April, Manatee County commissioners and state legislators submitted letters of support for the structure to the DEP.

The letters outlined a plan to preserve the 1,200foot stilt-house — built with a metal roof, electricity and other amenities — which Guthrie and the letters characterize as a historic net camp or net camp replica.

The plan called on Guthrie to transfer ownership of the structure to a Cortez nonprofit tasked with modifying the exterior to more closely resemble net camps of old — barren shacks built over the water in the 19th century to house cotton fishing nets.

According to Guthrie and A.P. Bell Fish Co. owner Karen Bell, who has been assisting Guthrie in his legal battle with the DEP, Guthrie transferred ownership of The island sales and transaction column is undergo- the structure to Cortez Core, a nonprofit, in late May or early June — weeks before the ramada was built. ing changes and will return in September.

According to sunbiz.org, a state website, Bell established Cortez Core in August 2019.

MIKE NORMAN REALTY Bell told The Islander in a July 28 text message EST. 1978 she told Guthrie to remove the ramada.

The Islander found no records associated with the transfer of ownership as of Aug. 20 and Bell had not responded to multiple Islander inquiries about the format of the transfer, a document or the date it was

PropertyWatch

signed.

According to Paul Boudreaux, a professor at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Cortez Core is not obligated to file a transfer document for it to be valid.

Citing the April support letters, Guthrie’s attorney, Robert Schermer, filed a motion for an extension on a stay of enforcement on the May 11 demolition order.

As of The Islander’s press time Aug. 23, the DEP had not filed a response.

DEP public information officer Shannon Herbon said in an Aug. 20 email to The Islander that the agency’s desire to see the stilt-house removed has not dwindled but would not offer a timetable for filing a response to the motion to extend the demolition order.

“The department’s position remains unchanged, and we do not comment on litigation strategy,” she said.

According to Herbon, despite the alleged transfer of ownership, the DEP will not offer Cortez Core a submerged land lease because the structure does not meet the leasing criteria of the Florida Administrative Code.

“Whether the owner is a private individual or a nonprofit organization is irrelevant,” she said.

You can read it all online at islander.org

eech@gmail.com mduncan.com 941.737.3491 JUST 941.779.0304

MORGAN LEWIS REALTY

Mike Norman Realty INC

Decades of island experience … Buying!

Selling! Building!

Consulting!

OFFERING THE BEST SELECTION OF SALES & RENTALS ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND SINCE 1978

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the corner of Elm and Gulf Drive. Oversized ve • PO Box 1299 aria, FL 34216 102-by-105-foot lot with current duplex structure and large pool. Loads of future potential! $2,775,000

413 Pine Ave. Anna Maria

Mike Norman Realty

800-367-1617 941-778-6696 31O1 GULF DR HOLMES BEACH INC www.mikenormanrealty.com sales@mikenormanrealty.com

Chantelle Lewin

Broker Associate Licensed since 1983

When it comes to buying or selling your home, Please, CALL ME FIRST! LISTING INVENTORY IS LOW! Let my 30-plus years of experience work for you.

Call Mark, 941-518-6329 morganlewisrealty@gmail.com BK620023 Mark Kimball CGC58092

www.mikenormanrealty.com 31o1 Gulf Drive, Hholmes Beach 800-367-1617 | 941-778-6696

AMI SUN - COLOR - 2X2 163275 03-03-21 EDS

—

Chantelle

941.713.1449

WWW.CHANTELLELEWIN.COM

ÓÓ£ÇÊ Õ vÊ À ÛiÊUÊ À>`i Ì Ê i>V

RELEASE DATE: 8/22/2021

New York Times Sunday Magazine Crossword

Aug. 25, 2021 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 27 No. 0815 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

JIGSAW PUZZLE

1

BY CHRISTINA IVERSON AND JEFF CHEN / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ

Note: When this puzzle is done, insert the five shaded jigsaw pieces into the box at the bottom to get a three-word phrase, reading across, for what jigsaw puzzles provide.

1 Part of a pie or the earth 6 Style that makes waves 10 Doe in a court case 14 Flubs 19 Keister 20 China holder?

21 Axe target 22 Some Madison Avenue workers 23 End of many a sports broadcast 24 Freestyles, perhaps 25 Barflies 26 Botch 27 ‘‘First, you’re going to want to dump out the box and ____’’ 31 Francis of old game shows 34 Bounded 35 Capital on a 126-milelong canal that’s used as a skating rink in the winter 39 English breakfast, e.g.

40 ‘‘What’s most useful next is to ____’’ 45 College-app component 46 Role for “Ronny” Howard 48 Joshes Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more Answers: than 4,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords page 24 ($39.95 a year).

49 State flower of Utah 50 One of the B’s in BB&B 51 Field work of note in 1979 54 Rifle, in frontier lingo 57 ‘‘To connect things up you’ll have to ____” 63 Ones getting the crumbs?

66 Bonnie with five Top 40 hits in the 1990s 67 Euphoric feeling 71 Love to bits 72 More like a dive bar or certain bread 74 Beehives, but not hornets’ nests 75 Daredevil’s hashtag 76 Very in 78 One of the B’s in BB&B 79 Good name for an investor?

82 High-end Italian auto, informally 83 ‘‘As you go, make sure you exercise your ____’’ 88 At peace 89 Little bouquets 90 ‘‘ka-POW!’’ 93 ‘‘With patience and perseverance you’re sure to ____’’ 97 Course goal 100 Songs that can be trilling?

102 Castigates 103 Fairy-tale figure

3

4

5

6

19

Christina Iverson, of Ames, Iowa, is a stay-at-home mom with two young kids. Jeff Chen is a writer and professional crossword constructor in Seattle. This puzzle’s theme started with the vague concept of moving pieces and morphed from dominoes to magnets and finally to jigsaws (“all interests of my son,” Christina says). This is the pair’s second Sunday collaboration. — W.S.

AC RO SS

2

105 Confer, as credibility 106 Gets wild and crazy 108 Legendary 109 Leave skid marks, maybe 111 N.F.L. standout 113 Homes for high fliers 114 Instruction to drivers leaving cars at a garage 115 ‘‘C’mon, slowpoke!’’

116 Ends, as a mission 117 Mary Poppins, for one 118 Pick up on

15 Keats, for one 16 Sounds in a yoga studio 17 Government economic org., at any rate?

18 ____-Cat 28 Big suit 29 Derby, e.g.

30 Menial laborer, metaphorically 31 Loads 32 Take back, for short 33 Retreat 36 ‘‘Was it ____ I saw?’’ (classic palindrome) 37 Mists, e.g.

38 Feeling it after a DOWN marathon, say 1 O-line anchor 41 Approves 2 Feel regret 42 Perspective 3 Trojans’ sch.

43 Achievement for 4 Distinctive part of a Whoopi Goldberg, cookie cutter in brief 5 ‘‘Tap tap tap . . .’’

44 Like cioccolato or activity torta 6 Get into a lot 47 Titus and Tiberius 7 Jacob’s brother, in the 50 Bosom buddies Bible 52 Staple of skin care 8 Moved like waves or 53 Sought office muscles 55 U.P.S. competitor 9 A certain degree 56 Steady, maybe 10 St. ____ University (Philadelphia 58 Wrath school) 59 Exercise program 11 Rescue dog, for one since the 1990s 12 Response to the Little 60 Sharp, on a TV, Red Hen informally 13 Language related to 61 Peak sacred to the Manx goddess Rhea 14 Egg, e.g.

62 Noshed on

9

10

32

40

51

43

59

60

61

83

84

78

79

85

68

69

70

97

98

99

56

74 80

81

82

86

94

101

87

95

96

102

105

103

106

109

38

89 93

100

55

73

88 92

37

45

67

72 77

36

62

66

76

18

50 54

58

75

44

49

57

17

26

42

65

16

30

53

71

15

35

48 52

14 22

29

41

47

91

13

34

39

90

12

25

28

33

46

64

11

21

24 27

63

8

20

23

31

7

107

110

111

113

104 108

112

114

115

116 117

118

63 ‘‘You’ll ____ for this!’’

64 Words with a ring to them?

65 Letter between foxtrot and hotel in the NATO alphabet 68 How people often scroll through social media 69 ‘‘That’s gotta hurt!’’

70 ‘‘The Puzzle Palace’’ org.

72 More straight-faced

73 Creamy Italian dish

84 Brain diagnostics, for short 85 Used as a rendezvous point 86 Devote 77 Singer whom M.L.K. 87 Name suffix meaning ‘‘mountain’’ Jr. called the ‘‘queen 90 Fir tree of American folk music’’ 91 ‘‘Is it still a date?’’

80 Play again, as a TV 92 Roman goddess of wisdom special 94 Prefix with color or 81 Companion in state Brittany 76 Word that becomes its own opposite by putting a ‘‘T’’ at the front

95 Sugar ending 96 W.W.II fighters 97 Apps made with jalapeños and cheese 98 ‘‘You agree?’’ (*nudge, nudge*) 99 Gathers some intel 101 Actor Brody 104 Singer Willie 106 Annoying 107 Grannies 110 Blood line 112 Temporal ____

Visit ISLANDER.ORG for the best news on Anna Maria Island. the Team Duncan Difference!

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ING

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Custom designed 4BD/3.5BA waterfront home at north end of Anna Maria! Carriage house, heated pool/spa, boat dock, lift and so much more! $3,895,000

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Newly remodeled chic 2BD/2BA canalfront bungalow in Anna Maria! Ideal location to shops, restaurants, and water enthusiasts! $1,795,000

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Page 28 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Aug. 25, 2021 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................