The Islander Newspaper E-Edition Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019 by The Anna Maria Islander Newspaper

City pier progress. 22.

AmItW Aug. 18: 523 nests, 584 false crawls, 210 hatched nests.

Campaign 2019. 8-9 Astheworldterns ask, “Who gives a hoot?” 6

Tracking turtles. 26

AUG. 21, 2019 FREE

VOLUME 27, NO. 43

County considers $15 million update for convention center. 4

Meetings

on the government calendar. 4

Op-Ed

the Islander editorial, reader opinion. 6

10-20 YEARS AGO from the archives. 7

save a date. 10-11

Happenings Community announcements, activities. 11 Coquina Beach Cafe gets oK to expand. 12 Bridge street business owner seeks oK for food carts. 14

Streetlife. 14 seagrass deal to benefit Perico Preserve. 15 gulf drive cafe’s expansion oK’d. 17 street map. 18-19

Gathering. 20 Good deeds. 21 . 23 County suggests payas-you-go boating. 24 Pier dock bustles. 25 NESTING NOTES. 26

Bagpipes on the beach. 27 Youth soccer champs decided. 28 Hearty anglers find rewards in the rain. 29

ISL BIZ: 30-31

PropertyWatch. 32 CLASSIFIEDS. 32 NYt crossword. 35

The Best News on Anna Maria Island Since 1992

islander.org

AMI Bridge construction: Way down the road

Bradenton resident tony Rivera tosses his crab trap Aug. 14 near the western side of the Anna maria Island Bridge. Rivera, who was born in Puerto Rico and also lived in Boston, says crabbing by the bridge is a favorite pastime. Islander Photo: sarah Brice

By Arthur Brice Islander Reporter

Tony Rivera moved to Bradenton just a year ago, but he’s already been crabbing at the Anna Maria Island Bridge at least 15 times. He likes to go there with his 3-year-old grandson, Andrew Carmona, where they form memorable bonds while taking in the fresh air and the boundless view. In between tosses of his crab trap near the Kingfish Boat Ramp at the western end of the bridge, Rivera will tell you he’s uncertain about plans by the Florida Department of Transportation to replace the 62-year-old drawbridge with a high fixed span. “Sincerely, I hadn’t heard about it,” he said Aug. 14. “But I think it would make it a bit more difficult to toss the crab traps.” He needn’t worry yet — or for many years. By the time the new bridge is schedPleAse see BRiDGE, PAge 16

Treehouse case dismissed in federal court

Good morning, HBPD Holmes Beach residents dixie lampers, left, Carolyn orshak, Nancy flynn and deb sneddon set up breakfast Aug. 8 for the Holmes Beach Police department.

By Kathy Prucnell Islander Reporter

Holmes Beach Police officer david graziadei, left, officer Josh Betts, sgt. Brian Copeman and sgt. mike Walker enjoy breakfast provided by residents Aug. 8 at the HBPd, 5801 marina drive. Islander Photos: Jerry Newbrough

Three strikes at a treehouse complaint and the case was thrown out of federal court. U.S. District Judge James S. Moody Aug. 6 dismissed treehouse owners’ Lynn Tran and Richard Hazen case against the city of Holmes Beach and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection after three tries. Moody called the owners’ attempts “impermissibly unclear.” The owners, who filed the case in March without an attorney, fired back Aug. 8 with a motion asking the judge to reconsider the ruling. The motion said a court rule gave Tran and Hazen until Aug. 11 to respond to a DEP dismissal motion, calling the judge’s oversight “clearly an ‘extraordinary circumstance.’” In a Aug. 14 email to The Islander, Tran added, “I don’t know what to expect, but pray that we have given the court good reasons to consider.” PleAse see TREEHOUSE, PAge 3

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No-swim advisory returns to south side of causeway beach By Kathy Prucnell Islander Reporter

Caution: Swimming is not advised in Palma Sola Bay — again. The Florida Department of Health advised Aug. 15 that people should stay out of Palma Sola Bay on the southside of the Palma Sola Causeway where the bay is divided by traffic, due to high levels of fecal matter. A posted sign on the causeway alerts swimmers to an “increased risk of illness” and refers inquiries to a state website. The causeway beach is about 1,000 feet west of 81st Street on Manatee Avenue West. The trigger for the advisory, according to Tom Larkin, director of Manatee County Environmental Health, was an Aug. 13 test of 96 colony-forming units of enterococci bacteria in 100 milliliters of water

in a sample after a test the day before registered 767 colony-forming units. The health department’s threshold for safe swimming is 70 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters of sample based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency epidemiological studies. Contact with the water may cause gastrointestinal issues, including vomiting and diarrhea, and increase the risk for infectious diseases. Asked why the bay twice exceeded the EPA standard in as many months, Larkin wrote in an Aug. 16 email: “We don’t have any thoughts on the cause for the recent test results.” He said the Florida Department of Environmental Protection will investigate wastewater treatment facilities within a mile “to determine if a facility experienced an incident that may have contributed to the contamination.” Human and animal intestinal bacteria can spill into the bay through sewer-line breaks, leaching septic systems, lift station failures and stormwater runoff. Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore voiced her concerns for the health of Palma Sola Bay at a July 30 Council of Governments meeting and in

an Aug. 16 interview with The Islander. Whitmore pointed to septic systems in Northwest Bradenton and horses — tourist attractions that provide “surf-riding” on horseback in the bay that are apparently authorized by the city of Bradenton and state of Florida — that could be associated with what she sees as a longstanding problem with the bay having a limited tidal flow. The south side of Palma Sola Bay is one of seven beach locations in Manatee County tested weekly for the bacteria. The others are Bayfront Park in Anna Maria, Coquina north and south beaches and Cortez Beach in Bradenton Beach and Whitney Beach in Longboat Key. As of the last week in July, the department began testing for enterococci once a week as new funding from the state became available, Larkin said. The testing previously was biweekly. “Our sampling results this week indicate the other Manatee beach sites meet the guidelines for swimming,” he wrote. In July, the DOH issued the no-swim advisory for the bay site after testing showed 24,196 and 422 Please see NO-Swim, Next page A group of eight riders leave the shore on the north side of Palma Sola Bay Aug. 17 for a surf-riding experience. The guest riders are accompanied by tour guides who walk the horses on leads. Islander Photos: Bonner Joy

horses? A sign warns of high bacteria levels Aug. 17 on the south side of the Palma Sola Causeway, where a boy dips a net and a man plays with his dog.

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No-Swim continued from page 2

colony-forming units of enterococci in 100 milliliters of water. The advisory was lifted after retesting indicated the presence of 30 colony-forming units of enterococci. No line break, lift station or other utility-related incident is to blame for the recent surge in bacteria in Palma Sola Bay, according to Manatee County Utilities Department spokeswoman Amy Pilson. The last reported sewage spills in the bay occurred between December 2017 and February 2018 when contractors ruptured sewer lines and more than 6 million gallons of raw sewage spewed through the adjacent land and tributaries, according to county and state records. The advisory will be in effect until the DOH testing shows the federal guidelines are met. Larkin said the department will be testing next during the week of Aug. 19. For more information, the advisory lists the website, www.doh.state.fl.us., and says to select â&#x20AC;&#x153;Beach Water Qualityâ&#x20AC;? from the A-Z topics list. treehouse continued from page 1

The judge dismissed the treehouse ownersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; case with prejudice â&#x20AC;&#x201D; meaning the owners are precluded from re-filing the same claim â&#x20AC;&#x201D; agreeing with city and DEP motions that the complaint made it difficult to understand â&#x20AC;&#x153;what facts relate to what legal claims.â&#x20AC;? In his order, Moody found Tran and Hazen had â&#x20AC;&#x153;numerous opportunities to raise their claims in prior litigationâ&#x20AC;? in state courts and the U.S. Supreme Court and â&#x20AC;&#x153;absent any new factual developmentsâ&#x20AC;? there was no legal basis to revive the litigation. Asked about the ownersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; motion to reconsider, attorney Jay Daigneault of Trask Daigneault â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the Clearwater law firm assigned the treehouse cases alleging money damage by the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s insurer â&#x20AC;&#x201D; was unconcerned. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The treehouse cases are being defended aggressively, as they should be. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking to bring them to a conclusion as quickly as we can,â&#x20AC;? Daigneault

A treehouse built by Lynn Tran and Richard Hazen remains Aug. 14 on the beachfront in an Australian pine at their 103 29th St. property in Holmes Beach, despite six years of litigation aimed at having it removed. Islander Photo: Kathy Prucnell

said. Tran and Hazen reside at 103 29th St., where they operate four short-term rental units and built a beachfront structure â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the two-story elevated treehouse â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in an Australian pine tree, without city or state permits in 2011. An anonymous complaint to the city triggered a trail of litigation, including the dismissed federal case. No other litigation is pending in federal court. Three treehouse cases are pending in circuit court, as of Aug. 19. In one case, a September hearing is set for city and DEP motions to dismiss a complaint by the owners alleging negligence and violation of rights and seeking injunctive relief and unspecified money damages. Another case, in which the owners are represented by Sarasota attorney David Levin, of Icard Merrill,

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challenges a city ordinance requiring a 50-foot setback from the erosion control line. First filed in circuit court in 2013, the owners claim the setback is an unconstitutional taking. The city contends the issue was decided already and cannot be relitigated. Another pending case involves the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s petition to enforce a special magistrate order requiring the treehouse be removed and assessing a $50 per day fine since July 2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; now at more than $74,200. Earlier this year, Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas ruled he would hear the state constitutional challenge prior to the city-initiated case. The city and DEPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s motions to dismiss the owners pro-se complaint are set for hearing at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, in the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

Page 4 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Aug. 21, 2019 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

County reviews $15M tourist-tax investment in convention center By Lisa Neff Islander Editor

“Start shining up your shovels,” Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant suggested Aug. 13 to Manatee County commissioners. Bryant addressed county commissioners during a work session at the county administration building in Bradenton, reviewing details for a four-star hotel in Palmetto and making a pitch to expand the nearby Bradenton Area Convention Center with $15 million from the tourist development treasure chest. The Sheraton-brand hotel will have 252 rooms, meeting space, a rooftop lounge and restaurant. A groundbreaking is planned for October at the hotel, envisioned and advocated by island businessman David Teitelbaum, who served for years on the Manatee County Tourist Development Council. The proposed expansion at the convention center would involve improving the main lobby and building a multipurpose room, parking garage and hotelconvention center connector. “This is conceptual. A lot of approximations. A lot of estimations,” Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, said of the proposal for the convention center, 1 Haben Blvd. He added the project would be funded entirely with the tourist development tax. Also known as the bed tax, the TDT is the 5% collected on overnight rentals of less than six months. For fiscal 2018-18, the TDT generated $14.6 million. About 60% of the tourist tax revenue is collected from Anna Maria Island.

Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Center, addresses Manatee County commissioners Aug. 13, during a workshop on a proposed capital improvement project using funding from the tourist development tax. Islander Photo: METV Screenshot

According to the enabling state legislation, the revenues must be used to boost tourism, which, for Manatee County, includes funding the CVB, the convention center and tourism-related entities, such as Realize Bradenton and the Pittsburgh Pirates spring training operation, as well as supporting projects, such as beach renourishment and the construction of the new Anna Maria City Pier. For the expansion, Falcione said the plan is to borrow money and, over time, pay the loan with TDT money to avoid impacting other TDT-funded projects.

Trump administration to weaken wildlife protection By ChrisAnn Silver Esformes Islander Reporter

Newly deemed threatened species could face lessened federal protections. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association announced planned changes Aug. 12 to the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973, which provides protection for at-risk species and facilitated a population surge for the bald eagle, the American alligator and other species. With the revision, species would be analyzed on a case-by-case basis for environmental and economic impact before being categorized as endangered or threatened, according to the FWS. The revisions are planned to be implemented in September, but likely will be challenged in the courts by states and environmental groups. Loggerhead sea turtles, which nest on Anna Maria Island and are considered threatened by the federal

An American bald eagle perches in February 2018 atop an Australian pine tree in Holmes Beach. The eagle is among more than 1,600 species protected by the U.S. Endangered Species Act since the law was enacted in 1973. Islander File Photo: Courtesy Bruce McFadden

government, would remained protected. “This won’t directly affect our sea turtles because they must be monitored for beach renourishment,” Suzi Fox, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring executive director, said Aug. 14. “But everything is connected.” She said sea turtles are considered a “keystone species,” meaning they serve as a barometer for the health of the planet, and could be affected if lessened environmental protections lead to polluted food sources. “We have to be able to view how they are doing as a species to ensure we are safe,” Fox said. “The effects could be long and far-reaching. We won’t know until it’s too late.”

Meetings

Anna Maria City Through Aug. 30, candidate qualifying. Aug. 21, 5:30 p.m., special magistrate. CANCELED Aug. 22, 5 p.m., 6 p.m., city commission. Aug. 28, 10 a.m., historic preservation. Sept. 10, 4 p.m., planning and zoning. Sept. 12, 6 p.m., city commission. Sept. 18, 5:30 p.m., special magistrate. Sept. 26, 6 p.m., city commission. Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, 941708-6130, cityofannamaria.com.

“The only way to do this project is to borrow money,” he said, pointing out other funding commitments, including LECOM Park and the Anna Maria pier. Falcione said he wanted to ask the county tourist development council for a recommendation in September and seek county commission approval in October. Then, he said, requests for proposals could go out in December and the county could close on a loan by February 2020. Construction could begin in July 2020. “I believe in my heart it’s the time now to seize the moment,” Falcione said. “I still need a lot of convincing,” responded Commission Chair Stephen Jonsson, who represents Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key and other parts of west Manatee. “It’s a lot of money and requires a real vision, and I’m just not there yet.” Commissioners Vanessa Baugh, Betsy Benac and Misty Servia expressed some reservations, while Commissioners Carol Whitmore and Priscilla Whisenant Trace showed enthusiasm for project. “Now’s the time to borrow,” said Whitmore, an at-large commissioner who resides in Holmes Beach. Whitmore called the center tired, and Trace said the convention center is outdated. “We are going to have to upgrade,” Trace said. “It’s great for Petpalooza, but. …”

West Manatee Fire Rescue Sept. 17, 6 p.m., commission. WMFR administration building, 6510 Third Ave. W., Bradenton, wmfr.org. Manatee County Sept 5, 9 a.m., county commission (land use). Sept. 9, 6 p.m., county commission (budget hearing). Sept. 10, 9 a.m., county commission. Sept. 17, 9 a.m., county commission (workshop). Sept. 17, 6 p.m., county commission (budget hearing). Sept. 24, 9 a.m., county commission. Administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 941-748-4501, mymanatee.org.

Bradenton Beach Aug. 26-30, candidate qualifying. Aug. 27, 9 a.m., CRA (budget). Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., 941-778-1005, cityofbradentonbeach.org. Of interest Sept. 2 is Labor Day, when most government Holmes Beach offices will be closed, as will The Islander office. Aug. 26-30, candidate qualifying. Sept. 16, 2 p.m., Island Transportation Planning Aug. 27, 6 p.m., city commission. Organization, Bradenton Beach City Hall. Sept. 4, 6 p.m., planning commission. Sept. 16, 9 a.m., Manatee County Tourist DevelSept. 10, 6 p.m., city commission. opment Council, Sarasota-Bradenton International Sept. 11, 10 a.m., special magistrate. Airport, 5900 Airport Lane, Sarasota. Sept. 11, 6 p.m., city commission (budget hearSept. 23, 9:30 a.m., Sarasota-Manatee Metropoling). itan Planning Organization, Holiday Inn-SarasotaSept. 24, 6 p.m., city commission (budget hear- Bradenton International Airport, 8009 15th St. E., ing). Sarasota. Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Oct. 1, 4 p.m., Manatee County Council of Gov941-708-5800, holmesbeachfl.org. ernments, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto.

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Opinion

Our

reckless behavior: treehouse, sea turtles, trump

One day years ago, a young man came to The Islander office complaining about construction on the beach. It looks like an elaborate treehouse, he exclaimed, right on the beachfront where I hang out. We sent him to city hall to air his grievance, not knowing what he saw or whether the construction required review by the building department. And so it began. The man who first told us about the treehouse died a few years later. So he can’t tell us why he was outraged, but I can attest to the fact that for many years, decades even, residents of Anna Maria Island have taken a pride of ownership in the beauty of the island. They watch over and protect the environment fiercely. They don’t take lightly to littering the beach, abusing wildlife or disrupting Mother Nature. Does anyone else remember the woman who claimed a dead, 300-400-pound loggerhead that washed up into a shallow tidal area near Bean Point? She wanted the shell. But butchering a sea turtle on the beach was unthinkable to the observers on the beach and, soon enough, law enforcement intervened. And I thought I’d seen it all. Now it seems the sheer numbers of people on the beach is a problem for nesting sea turtles that often retreat when confronted by unfamiliar sights and sounds on the shore, including crowds of people exclaiming their excitement to see a sea turtle. Just think. Only female sea turtles come ashore, and only to nest, leaving their fluid shelter in the Gulf of Mexico. They struggle in the sand, dig their nest, drop their eggs and head back to the water in slow, laboring lunges, breathing heavy and seemingly desperate to reach the water. People interfere by leaving beach gear, cabanas and toys, sandcastles and holes in the sand, causing female turtles to abort their timeless ritual and sometimes causing death. The process set forth by Mother Nature depends on us. It takes all of us —islanders, vacation rental owners and managers and turtle watch, as well as city, county and state officials — to educate and encourage people to respect the environment. Every little bit helps, banning straws, styrofoam hot topic: treehouse and plastics and keeping the beach free of trash. Recent stories about the longstanding dispute over Building a towering treehouse on the beach without following regulations that were created to prevent the beachfront treehouse in Holmes Beach prompted storm damage also exhibits reckless behavior. a series of comments on The Islander’s website at Now we’re faced with a cesspool of ideas from islander.org and also our Facebook page. the Trump administration to remove protections from A sampling follows: struggling wildlife and marine life. Having gone through the arduous, lengthy and And I thought I’d seen it all. expensive process of building a home within the coastal — Bonner Joy construction line, I feel no sympathy for someone who skirts all laws ad building codes and builds a treehouse without permits. I have had to pay surveyors, DEP consultants, AUG. 21, 2019 • Vol. 27, No. 43 engineers and designers to accomplish what they ▼ Publisher and Editor thought was possible with a passing conversation at Bonner Joy, news@islander.org ▼ Editorial the building department. lisa Neff, editor, lisa@islander.org Certainly a right-thinking person would have sandy Ambrogi, sandy@islander.org Joe Bird, editorial cartoonist brought some sort of plan to the building department Arthur Brice, arthur@islander.org before constructing this structure. sarah Brice, sarah@islander.org I can actually see where a building official might Kevin Cassidy, kevin@islander.org mike dunn, mike@islander.org sign off on a tree house that a few 10-year-old children Jack elka, jack@jackelka.com with six 2 x 4s and some rope might throw up in an ChrisAnn silver esformes, chrisann@islander.org Australian pine, but what they built was not that. Brook morrison, brook@islander.org Ryan Paice, ryan@islander.org Jim Misiorowski

Opinion

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My wife and I have been staying at Angelino’s since before the treehouse was built. The year that it was finished, we were told by the owners that they went to the building department. At the time, the head of the building department said that as there were no rules pertaining to such a structure it would be OK for them to build the treehouse. Soon after, the gentleman retired and the new head of the building department started this issue of the treehouse being built without city or state permits. In the meantime, it has withstood any and all storms and structurally will continue to do so. — Rocco Marrone

Lose the treehouse! Illegal from Day One. — Edi Watts Tear it down, pay the fines, be done with it. — Steve Scharnweber Can you imagine the view as you walked the beach if everyone threw up a structure that didn’t follow code regulations? — Mary Nell Sheridan Maybe they should tear down some of the ghetto houses on that island instead of that treehouse. Have you looked around at some of those dumps? — Marge Ruckdeschel Case

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Aug. 21, 2019 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 7 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

10&20 years ago in the headlines: Aug. 18, 1999

• Anna Maria Mayor Chuck Shumard and Commissioner Doug Wolfe engaged in a verbal spat over the arrest of public works director Phil Charnock for pointing a .22-caliber handgun at a driver on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Wolfe wanted the commission to discuss suspending Charnock, but other commissioners supported Shumard’s wait-and-see suggestion. • The area convention and visitors bureau reported occupancy of island accommodations for July 1999 was 76.2 percent, the highest July ever recorded at that time, according to the marketing director for the bureau.

Changing the menu the Rib King Restaurant, 2519 gulf drive N., was located next to the sandpiper mobile Home Park at the north end of Bradenton Beach. the first business to open in the building was marchand’s food market in the 1950s. By 1970, the market owner had retired and the store went through a series of names: Campbells market, stewart grocery and munchies delicatessen. In the early 1980s, the first in a series of restaurants opened. In addition to the Rib King, the sandnickle, lazy gypsy and Vienna Waltz occupied the space before sharkey’s steak and seagrill opened. Islander Photos: manatee County Public library system archives

in the headlines: Aug. 19, 2009

Clowning around three youngsters participate in “Clown day” at the Anna maria Island Youth Center — now known as the Center of Anna maria Island — in July 1978.

Welcome to The Islander team sarah Brice joins the Islander staff after more than 25 years of journalism experience as an award-winning news and features designer, art director, editor and photographer at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, as well as newspapers in texas and New mexico. more recently, Brice worked for Northrop grumman and At&t as a web developer and graphic designer. she and her husband, Arthur, recently moved to AmI from Atlanta. Brice will be photographing and reporting on community events for the Islander.

We’d love to mail you the news!

We mail The Islander weekly for a nominal $54 per year. We also offer online e-edition subscriptions — a page-by-page view of the weekly news for only $36 per year, but you must sign up online. It’s the best way to stay in touch with what’s happening on Anna Maria Island. 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!)

• Anna Maria city commissioners were opposed to proceeding with a special exception process to establish a bed-and-breakfast inn on North Shore Drive. • Holmes Beach city commissioners unanimously approved a resolution inviting Manatee County commissioners to negotiate a change in boundaries for the King Fish Boat Ramp. A survey showed the ramp, west of the Anna Maria Island Bridge, in unincorporated Manatee County. • Manatee County commissioners approved tourism marketing plans and budgets for two years. The spending budgets for 2010-11 and 2011-12 were set at $2.6 million. • Three storms — Tropical Storms Ana and Claudette and Hurricane Bill— were in the Atlantic Ocean as the second half of the storm eason ramped up. — lisa Neff

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Page 8 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Aug. 21, 2019 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Candidate announces race to improve holmes Beach’s future ahead.”

Qualifying

city elections ’19 By ChrisAnn silver esformes Islander Reporter

Holmes Beach City Commission candidate Terry Schaefer is pleased with the city and considering its future. “I think our city is in good shape,” he said Aug. 16. “What concerns me is looking forward. From a managerial standpoint, we need to manage the affairs of today, but we also must look down the road.” Schaefer, 73, retired from a bank management career, has owned property on Anna Maria Island since 1998 and, since 2016, he and his wife Vicky have lived in Holmes Beach. He said this will be his first race, as the two-year residency requirement for candidacy kept him from running in the previous election. But Schaefer is not a political newcomer. In 2017-18, Schaefer was a member of an ad hoc committee that investigated the pros and cons of different forms government, including the strong-mayor system, which the city has operated under since its inception. “I joined the ad hoc committee because, with my background in business management, I was intrigued to learn about the forms of government in our state,” he said. “I look at the city as a business. It’s a $16 million company.” Schaefer said he is familiar with city finance. When employed by a bank in Belleville, Illinois, the city was the bank’s client, and he managed the relationship. He said there are “no simple solutions” for problems such as parking and traffic on the island. “It’s not easy, but I think the best way to go about solving issues, like traffic, will be to use all available resources, including public opinion and studies, to make reasonable decisions that are the most workable now and for our future,” Schaefer said.

Holmes Beach City Commission candidate terry schaefer speaks march 20 during a charter review commission meeting at city hall, 5801 marina drive. Islander Photo: ChrisAnn silver esformes

He said the city must focus on presenting itself as a desirable community in which to live to attract full-time residents. Schaefer said, if elected, he will pursue enhanced environmental standards for the city. “Environmental issues are not exclusive to our city, but to all coastal communities,” he said. “It is important that we continue to improve our city with regard to global warming and rising tides.” Schaefer said Bert Harris claims alleging property rights violations are another challenge faced by the city. “This is our most significant financial challenge,” he said. “But the city is doing what it can to defend its prior decisions in the best way possible.” Schaefer said he is running with the city’s best interests in mind. “I just want to pursue, through my own eyes and ears, the best practices to get the greatest return for our taxpayers,” he said. “You have to have a plan. We must use every resource we have to continue moving

Incumbent Commissioners Carol Soustek and Jim Kihm said in July they are running for re-election, but Commissioner Rick Hurst had not confirmed his decision to run as of Aug. 16. Qualifying for Holmes Beach candidates runs noon Monday, Aug. 26-noon Friday, Aug. 30. Commissioners serve a two-year term and receive a $500 monthly stipend. However, the commission is considering a vote to increase pay to $750 per month, which would apply to any newly elected offi cials and current officials after they are reelected. Commission candidates must be registered Manatee County voters soustek who have lived in Holmes Beach for two years as of the qualifying date. The qualifying fee for commission candidates is $60 and signatures from 15 registered Holmes Beach voters in the last general election, to be verified by the Manatee County Kihm Supervisor of Elections Office at a cost of 10 cents per signature. Additionally, if a candidate completes an undue burden affidavit form and obtains 15 petition signatures, the $60 fee will be eliminated. Under this qualification, the candiHurst date is prohibited from raising and spending campaign funds. Candidates who qualify through the fee-signature method must file an appointment of campaign treasurer and campaign depository forms, as well as a statement and oath of candidacy, residency confirmation and financial disclosure forms. As of Aug. 8, there were 2,757 registered voters in Holmes Beach. Candidates can pick up paperwork at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive, or the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office, 600 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton.

And there’s a hat in the ring for Anna maria commission seat By lisa Neff Islander editor

Before opening day of the new political season on Anna Maria Island, there were three candidates for three seats on the Anna Maria City Commission. The candidate qualifying period opened Aug. 19 and continues through noon Friday, Aug. 30. The process will determine whether incumbents Dale Woodland and Carol Carter and newcomer Jonathan Crane will make the ballot, and whether additional candidates will step up to create a race. If more than three people qualify, they will enter a “vote for three” election 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5. If only three qualify, they will automatically take seats on the dais in November. As of press time Aug. 19, Woodland, seeking a 16th year on the commission, and Crane, chair of the planning and zoning board, were listed as active candidates on votemanatee.com, the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections’ website. Carter said in late July she’s committed to seeking a fourth two-year term. But Commissioner Doug Copeland has decided

Splish-splash A truck on gulf drive near 30th street in Holmes Beach drives through standing rainwater. According to the National Weather service tampa Bay, the sarasotaBradenton International Airport saw 10.65 inches of rain thus far in August, compared to 9.08 inches in the same time period in 2018. the full month of August 2017 produced 20.97 inches of rain. Islander Photo: Arthur Brice

city elections ’19

Woodland

Carter

Crane

not to seek another term in the nonpartisan election, creating an open seat. Crane retired to Anna Maria with wife Dorothy seven years ago. He had sought the commission seat vacated by Nancy Yetter in 2018 but the appointment went to Commissioner Amy Tripp. He said he found himself “complaining about some of the things the current administration is doing.” “I decided to see if I could get elected and influ-

ence some of the changes I’d like to see,” he said. Change he’d like to effect includes involving more residents in the decision-making processes. “They should always be the top priority,” said the 65-yearold Crane. Crane moved to Anna Maria from Los Angeles, where he worked as an attorney in the county’s civil council office. He also volunteered there as a small claims judge, arbitrator and mediator. Crane loved Los Angeles, but when life “became a rat race” he looked for a home in a place just as beautiful with a slower pace. The search brought the couple to North Shore Drive in Anna Maria, a community he calls “NOPA” for north of Pine Avenue. In his candidate statement, Crane cited four goals or priorities: serving the interests of residents, protecting the environment, allowing the business community to thrive and supporting “controlled, common sense growth.” To qualify to run, Crane, Woodland, Carter and any other candidates must meet several requirements and submit paperwork with the SOE. To serve on the commission, a person must be a registered voter who has resided in Anna Maria at least two years immediately prior to the date of qualifying for office. A candidate must open a campaign bank account and name a campaign treasurer and then provide a candidate oath, a statement of candidate or party and financial disclosure forms to the SOE, Suite 108, 600 Third Ave. W., Bradenton. The candidate also must either pay a qualifying fee of $48 or claim undue-burden to eliminate the fee. Voter registration for the Nov. 5 election will close Oct. 7. According to the SOE, there are 1,075 registered voters in Anna Maria. For more information about becoming a candidate or registering to vote, go to votemanatee.com.

Aug. 21, 2019 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 9 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

in Bradenton Beach, ex-commissioner aims for election repeat

city elections ’19 By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Chappie

A challenger has emerged for a city commission seat in Bradenton Beach. Jan Vosburgh, a former commissioner and resident of Ward 3, submitted candidate forms to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections spooner Office Aug. 14, indicating her intention to run for the seat currently held Vosburgh by Commissioner Randy White in the Nov. 5 municipal election. White, who is serving a first term in office, is not seeking re-election. White said Aug. 18 in a text message to The White Islander that he is withdrawing from the election, citing his inability to attend meetings on short notice “and recent personal considerations.” He added, “I appreciated the opportunity to be your commissioner and encourage others to run.” Vosburgh hopes to capture his seat. “I just love Bradenton Beach,” Vosburgh said in an Aug. 16 interview with The Islander. “I think it’s a great place, and I think I have a lot to offer it.” She said her experience as commissioner would benefit the commission. Vosburgh was appointed to the commission in 2010 and served three subsequent two-year terms before terming out in 2016. Bradenton Beach has a term limit restriction for commissioners and the mayor of three consecutive two-year terms. “I’m very concerned about the city,” Vosburgh added. “I think (Mayor) John Chappie and crew are

doing a great job, but there is still a lot to do.” Two commission seats are up for renewal, but this year marks a return to ward representation in Bradenton Beach. Candidates must reside in the ward, but are elected by a citywide tally of votes. Ward 3 has 249 voters and contains the whole of the community redevelopment agency district. The voting district is bordered by Cortez Road, Sarasota Bay, the Gulf of Mexico and the southern city limits. Also up for election in November is the Ward 1 seat, currently held by Jake Spooner. Spooner has submitted qualifying papers to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office. Chappie’s term as mayor, which is

elected citywide, also is expiring. Chappie is entering a second term on a second round as mayor. He served as mayor from 2001-07, when he termed out. He won a seat on the Manatee County Board of Commissioners in 2008, but served only one three-year term. He served as a city commissioner 1997-2001 and for three consecutive terms, 2011-17. The qualifying period is noon Monday, Aug. 26-noon Friday, Aug. 30. The qualifying fee for mayoral candidates is $96 and $48 for city commissioners, which must be paid from a campaign account, according to the SOE. The winning commission candidates will serve two-year terms and receive $400 monthly stipends. The mayor will serve a two-year term and receive $800 a month. Candidates must be registered voters who have lived in Bradenton Beach for a minimum of 12 months as of the qualifying date. Candidate paperwork must be submitted to the SOE, 600 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton. Bradenton Beach, as of Aug. 16, had 754 registered voters.

Marauders hit wedding homer Jackie Riggleman, second from left, assistant general manager of the Bradenton marauders, and taylor fraise, far right, account manager for operations, pose with members of the Anna maria Island Wedding Association Aug. 15, during a meeting at the Center of Anna maria Island, 407 magnolia Ave., Anna maria. the minor league Baseball team presented special packages for weddings and gave out game tickets and hats to members of the AmI group. Islander Photo: Karen Riley-love

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Page 10 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Aug. 21, 2019 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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Second and fourth Thursdays, 2-4 p.m., Shanty Singers, Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: 941-708-6120. ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND First Fridays, 6-9 p.m., ArtWalk in the Village of the Arts, Saturday, Aug. 24 around 12th Street West and 12th Avenue West, Bradenton. Also, 10 a.m. — New World Celts-Sarasota’s “Kilts on the Beach,” Saturdays after the first Fridays. Information: villageofthearts@ Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive, Bradenton Beach. Information: gmail.com. 941-730-8213. Second and fourth Saturdays, 1-4 p.m., Music on the Porch, Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: ONGOING ON AMI 941-708-6120. Throughout August, “Beach Blanket Bingo” display, Artists’ Guild Gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941778-6694. Throughout August, “Red Hot Summer” exhibit, Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-7786648. Second Fridays, downtown Holmes Beach art walk, various venues. Information: 941-778-6694, 941-778-6648. LOOKING AHEAD ON AMI

TERRA’S

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Sept. 19-25, Island Players present “Steel Magnolias,” Anna Maria. Sept. 22, Island Players auditions for “Relatively Speaking,” Anna Maria. Oct. 19, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Bayfest, Anna Maria. Nov. 7-18, Island Players present “Relatively Speaking,” Anna Maria. Nov. 9, Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra’s Symphony on the Sand concert, Bradenton Beach. Dec. 8, Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra’s holiday concert, Holmes Beach. OFF ANNA MARIA ISLAND Saturday, Aug. 24 1-4 p.m. — Round Robin Jam, Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: 941-708-6120.

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Share the fun. Through Aug. 25, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton, exhibits “Florida Feathers: Birds in Peril” photographs by Grant Jefferies. Islander Photo: Courtesy Grant Jefferies/Bishop Ongoing OFF ANNA MARIA ISLAND

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Looking Ahead off AMI Oct. 4, Set the Bar: You be the Judge Cocktail Competition, Sarasota. Oct. 19, John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art UnGala 2019, Sarasota.

KIDS & FAMILY ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND Tuesday, Aug. 27 10 a.m. — Preschool storytime, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. ONGOING OFF AMI

Send your social news, weddings, anniversaries, births, travel photos, fishing, sports and event news and photos to news@islander.org.

Holistic wellness center and spa

A crowd gathers for a New World Celts-Sarasota performance. The group will host the third “Kilts on the Beach” Saturday, Aug. 24, beginning at 10 a.m. at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. Islander Courtesy Photo

Through Aug. 25, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens “In Dialogue with Nature: Glass in the Gardens” show, 900 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-366-5731. Through Aug. 25, “Florida Feathers: Birds in Peril” photographs by Grant Jefferies, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941746-4131. Through Sept. 1, “Finding Florida: How Ancient Species Made Their Way to Florida” exhibit, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941746-4131. Through Sept. 8, “Interpolations: Artwork from the Ringling and Monda Collections,” John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941359-5700. Through Sept. 29, “Natasha Mazurka: Order Systems,” John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Through Dec. 31, “Always Ready” U.S. Coast Guard exhibit, Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: 941-708-6120. Second Wednesdays, 12:15 p.m., Lunch and Learn program, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131. Second Wednesdays, 7 p.m., Think+Drink/Science, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131.

Through Sept. 30, “Hippos: A Truly Big Show” poster exhibit, John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941- 359-5700. Fourth Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Stelliferous star talk, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131. Second Saturdays, 4 p.m., IQuest for middle schoolers, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131. Second and fourth Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. KidSpace, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131. LOOKING AHEAD OFF AMI Oct. 19, Mote Marine Aquarium’s Fish, Fun and Fright night.

CLUBS & COMMUNITY ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND Saturday, Aug. 24 8:30 a.m. — Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island breakfast meeting, Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe at Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-1383. ONGOING ON AMI First Wednesdays, 10 a.m., Ask A Master Gardener in collaboration with the Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Service, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941778-6341. Thursdays, 9-11 a.m., veterans services assistance, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-7786341. Third Thursdays, 11:45 a.m., Successful Women Aligning Together meets, Bridge Street Bistro, 111 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach. Fee applies. Information: 941-345-5135. Second Fridays, 6 p.m., AMI Resident Community Connections, Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-1908. Tuesdays, noon, Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island, Bridge Street Bistro, 111 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-

Island happenings

Aug. 21, 2019 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 11 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Art league books wellness retreat at waterline

The Anna Maria Island Art League will bring its “Art, Play, Love” wellness weekend to downtown Holmes Beach in November. The second annual retreat will be at the Waterline Marina and Resort, 5325 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. The dates are Friday-Sunday, Nov. 15-17. “Enjoy enlightening, educational, artistic and inspiration programs you get to choose,” states the news release from AMIAL. More than a dozen classes will be offered. Early registration — through Oct. 14 — costs $125 and includes classes and light meals. For more information, call Fran Sansbury at 941-778-2099 or email AMIAL at artleagueami@ gmail.com.

Kiwanis to learn about island Food Bank

The Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island will meet Saturday, Aug. 24, for breakfast and to hear from a representative of the Island Food Bank at Roser Memorial Community Church in Anna Maria. The club meets at 8:30 a.m. most Saturdays at the Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe at the Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. However, the club is on an abbreviated summer schedule and not meeting every Saturday. For more information, call Sandy Haas-Martens at 941-778-1383.

Calendar continued 718-0291. Tuesdays, 2-4 p.m., Tech Help, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. LOOKING AHEAD ON AMI

senior Adventures to trek to tide tables

The Senior Adventures group will gather for lunch at noon Friday, Aug. 23, at Tide Tables restaurant, 12507 Cortez Road, Cortez. Senior Adventures is a group that during the fallwinter season plans outings or gatherings — usually Fridays — either on or off the island. During the summer, the group is not meeting weekly but instead gathering the last Friday of the month for lunch. In September, the group will meet at the Annie Silver Community Center, 103 23rd St., Bradenton Beach, for a potluck lunch, as well as a book sale. For more information, call Kaye Bell at 941-5380945.

‘march to the sea’ and more set for Coquina Beach

New World Celts Sarasota invites beachgoers to follow the pipers to the seas. The group will bring its third “Kilts on the Beach” to Coquina Beach beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 24. New World Celts is a nonprofit, founded more than 20 years ago in Dunedin and with chapters throughout the United States, as well as in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The group’s mission is to promote awareness “of the outstanding contributions and history of the Celtic peoples.” The beach celebration also will involve ceremony, performance and tradition, with pipers, drummers and dancers. A news release said a crowd favorite event is the “march to the sea,” when people follow pipers to the surf for a ceremony. The activities will be held at the pavilion south of the cafe and the trolley stop. Coquina Beach is at 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach. For more information, go online to newworldceltssarasota.com.

Sept. 27, Senior Adventures potluck lunch and book sale, Bradenton Beach.. Sailing Squadron, 1717 Ken Thompson Parkway, City Island, Sarasota. Information: 941-953-5333. OFF AMI ONGOING OFF AMI Friday, Aug. 23 Noon — Senior Adventures luncheon, Tide Tables, 12507 Through Aug. 29, Bradenton Marauders baseball games, Cortez Road, Cortez. Information: 941-538-0945. LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-747-3031. LOOKING AHEAD OFF AMI LOOKING AHEAD OFF AMI Oct. 26, 22nd annual Cortez Nautical Flea Market, Cortez.

GAMES, SPORTS & OUTDOORS ONGOING ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:15 a.m.-10:30 a.m. pickleball, Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Fee applies. Information: 941-778-1908. Thursdays, Saturdays and Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Legends Tennis, Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Fee applies. Information: 941-778-1908. Most Fridays, 11:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. (call for times) mahjong games, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., pickleball, Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Fee applies. Information: 941-778-1908. Mondays, AMI Dragon Boat Fun and Fitness Club, time depends on tides, 417 63rd St., Holmes Beach. Information: 941462-2626. Mondays-Saturdays, 7:30-10:30 a.m., Round Robin Tennis, Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Fee applies. Information: 941-778-1908. Most Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m., mahjong games and instruction for beginners, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. OFF AMI Saturday, Aug. 24 8:30 a.m. — Sarasota Bay Watch Scallop Search, Sarasota

Sept. 7, Center of Anna Maria Island LaPensee Bowling Tournament, Bradenton.

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Page 12 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Aug. 21, 2019 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Anna maria moves forward with waste-removal contract

hike in monthly rates for commercial pickup of 65-gallon trash receptacles, and a $27.95 monthly rate increase for 96-gallon trash receptacles. City attorney Becky Vose also reviewed the options, and she agreed two options were acceptable choices but three were too different from the initial bid. Of the two acceptable options, the first specified that if Waste Management asks for an increase, commissioners must approve the change. If commissioners reject an increase, Waste Management can cancel the contract after a 180-day notice. The second option would allow Waste Manage-

ment a request to increase rates, but if the commission rejects it, the company can request mediation with the city. Mediation could take up to 60 days, and, if unsuccessful, the contract could be canceled after 180 days. Commissioner Carol Carter said a 180-day notice should give the city enough time to find a new provider. Seymour, however, said the options were too different from Waste Management’s original terms. He suggested ending the negotiations with Waste Management and beginning discussions with WastePro. Vose said it isn’t unusual for contract terms to change from an original bid, but commissioners could scrap the whole RFP if they wanted. It seemed, too, that residents want to see a change in their trash collection. During public comment, resident Alan Ward asked commissioners to consider limiting garbage pickup to once a week — rather than twice a week — to reduce traffic and congestion. He also brought a letter from resident Dan Divine with the same request. Representatives from both Waste Management and WastePro also spoke during public comment, each claiming their proposals would be cheapest. Commissioner Doug Copeland motioned to move forward with the first of Murphy’s two highlighted options, allowing commissioners to consider rate increases and for Waste Management to cancel the contract after 180-days without mediation if its request is rejected. Commissioner Amy Tripp seconded the motion. The motion passed with only Seymour opposed. Murphy said he would return with a finished contract for commission consideration.

perimeter of the deck. So the planned stage and seating area are permissible, with city commission approval. Alan Kahana and Mark Enoch, co-owners of UPS, told commissioners at the meeting that the expansion is comparable to the operation at the Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe at the Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach. Kahana said the Holmes Beach cafe benefited from the addition of seating in the sand. He added the improvements will allow the Coquina cafe to provide entertainment and serve more customers. Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources contracts manager Debbie Voorhees told commissioners she supports the request. She added that UPS has been a great concessionaire. Commissioner Jake Spooner said he liked the idea of expanding the concession, since the county awards a percentage of revenues from the operations — money earned above the contract rate — to the city. Commissions of all three island cities must approve a project that would benefit the public, then seek county approval for the project, to access the funds. Spooner motioned to approve the expansion, which Commissioner Marilyn Maro seconded. The motion passed unanimously. There was no public comment.

manatee County Parks and Natural Resources contracts manager debbie Voorhees addresses Bradenton Beach city commissioners Aug. 15. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

After some hesitation, Anna Maria won’t trash its initial request for proposals for a new solid waste collection contract. Commissioners voted 4-1 Aug. 13 to continue pursuing an agreement with Waste Management for collection services after a brief roadblock. Waste Management also holds the current city contract. Commission Chair Brian Seymour voted against the motion. Waste Pro also submitted a bid, but the city chose to move forward with Waste Management. However, Anna Maria’s negotiations with the company became stilted because the company failed to include tipping fees in the bid it submitted in April. Waste Management provided five options to adjust its bid, but Murphy said only two were viable. Three increased rates or allowed for future increases from the company’s initial bid. Overall, the city’s current contract with Waste Management establishes a $14.28 monthly rate for twice weekly residential solid waste pickup, as well as $17.65 to remove non-curbside solid waste. Waste Management’s bid for the new contract includes a $12.28 monthly rate for twice weekly residential solid waste pickup — a $2 monthly decrease from the current rate — and $32.35 to remove noncurbside solid waste — a $14.70 monthly increase. The biggest change comes in inflated commercial rates. Waste Management’s bid includes a $38 monthly rate for twice weekly commercial pickup with a 32-gallon trash receptacle, compared to the $17.56 current monthly rate for the same thing. The company’s proposal also includes a $23.90

Waste management representatives Bill gresham, left, and Jason White discuss options for a new solid-waste collection contract Aug. 13 with Anna maria city commissioners. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

Bradenton Beach approves Coquina cafe expansion By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

People looking for a cold drink and a meal at the Coquina Beach Cafe can look forward to concession improvements. And music is also on the menu. Bradenton Beach city commissioners voted 5-0 Aug. 15 to allow the addition of 20 tables, each with four seats, and a stage area for musicians with 100 chairs in the sand at the cafe. Coquina Beach, located in the southern end of Anna Maria Island in Bradenton Beach, is maintained and operated by Manatee County, which contracted United Park Services for the concession. City planner Alan Garrett wrote in a memorandum to commissioners that county officials had no objection to the expansion. The cafe currently has 100 seats on a deck, and the approval requires additional tables and seating to be kept within 40 feet of the deck. Ropes and bollards will line the perimeter and signage indicating alcohol is not allowed outside the seating area will be posted. The concessionaire plans to host live music on the stage, again, within 40 feet of the existing deck. UPS’ contract with the county establishes the concessionaire can occupy the beach up to 75 feet from the

Bradenton Beach adopts ﬂag to ﬂy at public buildings Bradenton Beach city commissioners voted 4-0 Aug. 15 to finalize a design for a city flag, with the city seal centered against a light blue background. A second vote adopted the flag by resolution. Commissioner Marilyn Maro was absent for both votes. The city has an official seal, adopted by ordinance in 1998, but Mayor John Chappie proposed using the colors from a patch on Bradenton Beach Police Department uniforms for the flag. The patch has the same city seal, but in different colors. The city seal features a yellow circular crest baring the city’s name and date of incorporation, with baby blue or sunset colors for the central scroll. The police department’s patch uses an orange circular crest, with a darker blue for the middle scroll. Commissioners directed public works manager Tom Woodard to order flags for the city, which will fly

Roadwatch

eyes on the road

one of four examples for a city flag offered to the Bradenton Beach City Commission. Islander Photo: Courtesy Bradenton Beach

at city hall, the police department, the Historic Bridge Street Pier and the U.S. post office on Bridge Street. — Ryan Paice

The Florida Department of Transportation and Manatee County posted the following for the week of Aug. 19: • Longboat Pass Bridge through September: Major repairs on the Longboat Pass Bridge on Gulf Drive between Bradenton Beach and Longboat Key take place through the summer. Overnight work requires decreasing lane sizes, flagging operations and occasional lane closures. Also, the DOT cautioned boaters to watch for equipment in the water. For the latest road watch information, go online to fl511.com and swflroads.com or dial 511. To view trafﬁc conditions, go online to smarttrafﬁcinfo.org.

Aug. 21, 2019 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 13 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

state seeks input on policing ‘boating propulsion’ rule

holmes Beach may lower fees for site plan changes

mission’s law enforcement division plans to hold a series of meetings to seek public input on boating navigation and safety. At the direction of the Florida Legislature, the FWC is developing the process that law enforcement officers use to determine whether a vessel has an “effective means of propulsion for safe navigation.” Such a question has been an issue for Bradenton Beach police as they monitor the anchorage south of the Historic Bridge Street Pier. The state rule would allow a law enforcement officer to conduct an evaluation of a vessel’s propulsion capabilities to determine whether a vessel is at risk of becoming derelict. The first meeting will be in September in St. Augustine. Additional meetings will be announced.

Holmes Beach commissioners are considering lower fees for site plan reviews and modifications. At a July 23 work session, commissioners reached consensus to continue discussion to a work session Tuesday, Aug. 27, immediately following the 6 p.m. regular meeting at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. Mayor Judy Titsworth and Commissioner Rick Hurst were absent with excuse. City attorney Patricia Petruff said city staff provided suggestions for the changes to her firm, which attorney Thomas Thanus placed in a draft ordinance. The land development code states that site plan reviews incur a fee of $1,500. The proposed ordinance would allow for: • Minor site plan reviews at a cost of $750; • Major site plan modifications at a cost of $250; • Changes to minor site plans at a cost of $150. Any major work that disturbs the ground, including new structures, additions, demolitions and pools, requires a site plan. The ordinance includes a $150 fee for letters of no objection and $100 for extension applications.

By ChrisAnn silver esformes The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Com- Islander Reporter

the anchorage in Bradenton Beach is located south of the Historic Bridge street Pier and policed by the Bradenton Beach Police department. the fWC is seeking input on rulemaking for law enforcement. Islander file Photo

You can read it all online at islander.org

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“If there’s site plan modifications, we didn’t have any fee schedule for that,” Commission Chair Jim Kihm said July 23. “So we were left with charging $1,500. We thought that was a bit rich.” Petruff said the commission should consider how much time staff spends revising site plans. The process involves review by the development review committee, including the city planner and building official. “You might want to give that some additional thought, in terms of cost,” she said, adding that Manatee County requires a base fee for site plans and includes staff time as part of the cost. “I’m all for adding a better fee schedule, but I think we need more discussion and more research on it,” Commissioner Carol Soustek said. City engineer Lynn Burnett said the fees listed on the draft ordinance might not cover the city’s processing costs. “If they come in for a revision, we have to check all of those same sections and areas,” Burnett said. “I certainly don’t feel like the $250 and $150 recommended would be sufficient to cover it.” Petruff suggested city planner Bill Brisson and building official Neal Schwartz research fee schedules for site plans in other cities.

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Bridge street business owner asks city to allow food carts Cart vendors may soon be serving food on Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach. Joseph Cuervo Jr., owner of the Drift In on Bridge Street, asked city commissioners Aug. 15 to amend the city’s land development code to allow a food vendor to operate a cart on his property. “On my own property, I want to give them one parking spot,” Cuervo said. “I think it’s pretty good for Bridge Street because after 10 p.m., pretty much everything is closed — all the restaurants are closed. “So they can get a hot dog or a steak sandwich or whatever after 10 o’clock,” Cuervo continued. “It might help sober some people up.” The agenda item made its way to the commission after Uncle Steve’s Mobile Cuisine, which had operated nightly at the Drift In for three weeks but without

Streetlife

By Kathy Prucnell

island police reports

Anna Maria Aug. 4, Sandbar Restaurant, 100 Spring Ave., found firearm. A Manatee County sheriff’s deputy responded to a call about a firearm found with a man’s shirt on an outdoor bench. While the deputy was on the scene, a man arrived and said he had forgotten the gun and shirt. After verifying the man’s concealed carry permit, the deputy returned the gun to him. Aug. 8, 300 block of Tarpon Street, burglary. An unknown person or persons entered a beach rental house through an unlocked window, damaged an interior door lock and fled. The property manager reported $110 in damage. Aug. 9, address redacted by MCSO, battery. A 37-year-old Texas man was arrested for forcibly removing a necklace and ring from a woman who was wearing the jewelry. He was transported to the Manatee County jail, posted a $1,500 bond and was released. Anna Maria is policed by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Ofﬁce. Bradenton Beach Aug. 8, Bradenton Beach police station, 403 Highland Ave., warrant arrest. A 33-year-old man asked a police officer to check on a possible warrant for his

a permit, was given a cease and desist order by the Bradenton Beach Police Department. City planner Alan Garrett said the land development code currently prohibits people from using vending carts and other temporary facilities — such as tents, stands and trailers — to operate a business. Since the issue requires amending the land development code, any changes must be made on a citywide basis, according to Garrett. He said a possible solution could be to allow people to apply for special use permits to operate vending carts. Commissioners reached consensus to schedule a workshop to discuss amending the LDC and Mayor John Chappie encouraged Cuervo to attend. As of Aug. 16, the workshop wasn’t scheduled. — Ryan Paice

arrest. The officer determined the man, who told police he was homeless, was wanted for a probation violation. He was arrested and transported to the Manatee County jail. Aug. 11, Ocean Park Terrace, 2700 Gulf Drive N., domestic disturbance. Bradenton Beach police found a woman covered with blood and her sister waiting for emergency help at a trolley stop. The officers determined the woman’s injuries came after an argument at their condo unit. The vacationing sisters had been drinking all day and argued over the length of their stay. The next day, an officer returned to the unit, where the sisters told the officer they would be continuing their vacation but were moving to a condo in Holmes Beach due to complaints to the management about the prior incident. Bradenton Beach is policed by BBPD. Cortez Aug. 9, 4400 block of 124th Street, trespass warning. Two people accused of harassing a family member were warned for trespassing. The people told police they believed the family member had sold drugs to a deceased friend. Cortez is policed by MCSO. Holmes Beach No reports. Holmes Beach is policed by Holmes Beach Police Department. Streetlife is based on incident reports and narratives from the BBPD, HBPD and MCSO.

Joseph Cuervo Jr., owner of the drift In indoor-outdoor bar on Bridge street in Bradenton Beach, asks the city Aug. 15 to amend the land development code to allow the use of a food cart at his property. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

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Perico Preserve, county to benefit from seagrass deal By Kathy Prucnell Islander Reporter

Seagrass for sale. The Manatee County Board of Commissioners entered an agreement to sell seagrass to the city of Sarasota— a mitigation deal that will shift seagrasses from Perico Bayou to cultivate in Perico Preserve in Manatee County. The Seagrass Mitigation Site Agreement, requiring Sarasota pay Manatee County $1 million-1.1 million, was approved at the Aug. 6 meeting in the commission’s consent agenda. No discussion was held. Cultivation of 2.9-3.2 acres of mostly turtle and shoal grass in Perico Preserve to offset 1.68 acres of seagrass destruction from the Lido Key Hurricane Damage Reduction Project is required under a Florida Department of Environmental Protection permit, a mitigation and monitoring plan and the city-county agreement. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the city of Sarasota are named as the DEP permit-holders for the Lido Key project. The preserve, Big Pass and Lido Key share a coastal watershed, in which the basin depth, tidal connection and natural flow fit the DEP requirements for mitigation. The 176-acre preserve on Perico Island between Manatee Avenue West and Perico Bayou opened in 2016. According to project documents, the county excavated the 16.4-acre basin, known as the Rookery at Perico Seagrass Mitigation Basin, intending to grow 12.25 acres for seagrass mitigation. The site agreement follows a September 2016 Manatee County authorization to work with the city of Sarasota and the Corps of Engineers, after they chose Perico Preserve over a Sarasota site as the most ecologically beneficial and cost-effective option for mitigation.

The brackish 16.4acre lake in Perico Preserve — east of the Anna Maria Island Bridge and north of Manatee Avenue — is where seagrass will be planted to mitigate dredging at Big Sarasota Pass. The dredging is part of the federally authorized Lido Key Hurricane and Storm Damage Reduction Project. Islander Photo: Kathy Prucnell

The Lido Key project — dredging Big Sarasota Pass for sand and sediment to stabilize a 1.6 mile stretch of Lido Beach and the construction of two groins — met with grass-roots opposition in July, when the Sarasota commissioners considered and then approved the site agreement, according to several July newspaper reports. The Siesta Key Association, a nonprofit community group dedicated to an ecologically safe and friendly beach environment for Siesta Key on the south side of Big Pass, asked the commission to defer the vote because of a pending lawsuit against the dredging project. Sarasota-Siesta Key property owners spoke against destroying seagrass due to the loss of habitat unlikely to be replicated in the Perico basin. They also opposed the mitigation, saying the plan fails to account for deteriorating water quality in Sarasota County. Perico Preserve and Manatee County, however, stand to benefit. The site agreement encourages the mitigation

before construction on Lido Key, north of Big Pass, because if the construction comes first, the 2.9-acre requirement will be upped to 3.2 acres with an additional $105,453.73 payment to Manatee County, raising the city cost to $1,124,839.84. The agreement also requires the Perico harvest and transplant occur June 1-Sept. 30, during the summer growing season. Sarasota is required to perform baseline, pre-planting and post-construction surveys. Manatee County will retain ownership, management and monitoring of the Perico Preserve seagrass. According to Damon Moore, the county’s ecological and marine services manager overseeing the project, the project launch date will be up to the city. Moore said he expects to oversee a contractor for the seagrass cultivation. In an Aug. 15 email, Jan Thornburg, Sarasota communications manager, said the timing is being evaluated due to the past effects of red tide on the Perico Bayou and basin.

Green stripes show where seagrass will be harvested from Perico Bayou and transplanted to Perico Preserve. Manatee Avenue is at the bottom. LEFT: Hash marks denote the watershed shared by Perico Preserve, Lido Key and Big Sarasota Pass. A yellow star (bottom right) indicates where seagrass will be destroyed for the Lido Key groin and beach stabilization project and a green star (top) marks Perico Preserve, where seagrass will be planted to offset the destruction. Islander Images: Courtesy Manatee County

Page 16 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Aug. 21, 2019 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

BRiDGE CoNtINued fRom PAge 1

uled to open, young Andrew will be a teenager. Although the DOT has determined the bridge must be replaced, having determined it is “functionally obsolete and structurally deficient.” Construction on a new span is not scheduled to begin until fiscal 2029. By the agency’s own accounting, construction could take two to three years or longer to complete. The bridge, built in 1957, has undergone six structural repairs since 1978 and has exceeded its life span of 50 years, said DOT spokesman Brian R. Rick. Major repairs were undertaken in 2009, and the most recent fixes occurred in 2013. But a $6.2 million design plan on the 65-footclearance fixed-span bridge replacement will not be completed until fiscal year 2022-23, Rick said Aug. 15 in an email to The Islander. Right-of-way acquisition, the next step, should not take long or cost much because there are no significant structures that must be bought. Nonetheless, right of way has not yet been funded. Neither has construction. In addition to the Anna Maria Island Bridge, the DOT also wants to replace the Cortez bascule bridge with a 65-foot-clearance fixed-span. That effort has drawn strong opposition from people who believe a large bridge would destroy the character of the historic fishing village. The DOT maintains that building new bridges is more economically sound than continued repairs, which would increase in scope but prove less effective because of continued deterioration. The agency has pegged the cost of the Anna Maria Island Bridge at $76 million and the Cortez Bridge at $72 million. Both cost estimates account for inflation and rising costs, Rick said. The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration estimated in a report three years ago that construction for the Anna Maria Island Bridge would cost $87 million. It’s been a long, choppy effort to get both bridges replaced. The Manatee Avenue/State Road 64 span, linking Holmes Beach and Perico Island, is further along because design work, which began in late 2015, is about 60 percent complete, Rick said. About $6.4 million for design of the new bridge linking Cortez and Bradenton Beach has been allocated and an engineering firm has been chosen, but that work has not started because a project development and environment study has yet to be made public. That study, started in 2013, is expected to be released no sooner than the end of this year, Rick said. It will provide analysis of the environmental, economic, social, cultural and physical effects of the new bridge. In contrast, the PD&E study for the AMI Bridge was completed in 2010 and approved by the Federal Highway Administration in January 2016. The study determined that construction of the bridge would have no negative effect on air quality, would not add to long-term noise and would not affect natural resources, such as coastal barriers, aquatic preserves and recreation areas. The study also said the bridge would not harm the

the Anna maria Island Bridge connects motorists traveling between Perico Island and Holmes Beach and boaters to open water. Islander Photos: sarah Brice

golden leather fern and the brown pelican but named 21 types of birds, fish and mammals that the span “may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect.” Among these were 11 kinds of birds, six types of turtles, two kinds of fish and the West Indian manatee and Eastern indigo snake. In addition, the DOT says the bridge would disturb 1.2 acres of mangroves and 2 acres of seagrass. That disturbance would be mitigated, the DOT says, though the agency has not determined how. “FDOT will coordinate with the appropriate regulator agencies during the permitting process to identify the viable mitigation alternatives,” Rick wrote in his email to The Islander. The permitting process has not begun, he said. Preliminary plans call for the bridge to be 69 feet wide, with each direction having a 12-foot travel lane, an 11-foot shoulder for emergency vehicles to pass and 10 feet of sidewalk. Total length would be about 3,150 feet, about the same as the current 3,123-foot span. The bridge would be built about 14 feet parallel and to the south of the existing bridge, which would be demolished once the new span opened. But, for now, that’s all a ways off. The Federal Highway Administration estimated three years ago that

low-clearance boats can navigate under the 24-foot-clearance bascule on the Anna maria Island Bridge without it being raised, but must observe a no-wake speed limit.

Bridge openings

The DOT allows drawbridge openings for the Anna Maria Island Bridge 6 a.m.-7p.m. at 15 minutes and 45 minutes after the hour. The same schedule applies to the Cortez Bridge. Both open on signal 7 p.m.-6 a.m. The Longboat Pass Bridge opens on demand. In many instances, the DOT said, between two and seven watercraft pass through the AMI Bridge during each opening. According to the agency, the AMI Bridge had 2,686 openings in 2017, which averaged about 224 a month. Prolonged red tide in 2018-19 deceased the number of openings, thus the DOT does not consider it a typical year. So far this year, the DOT said, openings are on pace with 2017. completion would occur sometime before 2035. That means little Andrew Carmona, who barely reaches above his grandfather’s waist now and can’t yet toss a crab trap, may be one of the first to drive his car across. Maybe he’ll be taking his grandfather for a ride while they reminisce about the great times they spent there back in the good old days. Bradenton resident tony Rivera tosses his crab trap near the western side of the Anna maria Island Bridge as grandson Andrew Carmona, 3, looks on.

the Anna maria Island Bridge tender’s station is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. dot regulations limit openings to 15 minutes and 45 minutes past the hour from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Aug. 21, 2019 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 17 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Bradenton Beach approves beachfront cafe improvements By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Big changes are in store for the Gulf Drive Cafe in Bradenton Beach. City commissioners voted 4-0 Aug. 15 to approve — with stipulations — a planned major development that includes internal renovation and expansion, adding outside seating and restructuring parking. Commissioner Marilyn Maro was absent for the vote. Planning and zoning board members recommended the commission approve the development, but stipulated a 300-seat maximum for the restaurant, including special events. The board also stipulated that the outside deck area must be pervious and the restaurant must angle its U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act The Gulf Drive Cafe, 900 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice parking spaces on Gulf Drive. The project also involves internal renovations, angling 88 parking spaces along Gulf Drive/State Road current dumpster capacity. to prevent ground seepage. The restaurant currently 789 following improvements by the Florida DepartThe additional capacity should reduce dumpster uses an indoor strain-and-drain system for grease that ment of Transportation, adding a second story to the overflow, according to Gause. empties into an outside barrel. kitchen and storage space and 86 new dining seats. He added a grease trap and drain would be installed The cafe also plans to plant palm trees in the parkIt also includes adding an outdoor dining area under ing area next to the Imperial House Condominium cover on the beachfront. Association across Gulf Drive to block condominium Land planner The addition is planned for the northwest corner owners’ view of the dumpsters. Several Imperial House Bob Gause, of the restaurant. A 446-square-foot kitchen addition residents attended the planning and zoning board meetwith Palmeton the first floor and 886 square feet of storage would ing to complain about the appearance of the area. to-based be added with a second floor. Imperial House residents also have complained Gause and The plan also details an 887-square-foot covered about cafe customers parking on their property. Associates, dining area west of the existing restaurant and deck. Gause said that, in addition to boulders the assopresents city Robert Gause, a landscape architect and land ciation placed between the properties, the cafe would commissionplanner with Palmetto-based Gause and Associates, plant seven palm trees to prevent customers from interers Aug. 15 represented the cafe at the hearing. He said recent loping onto Imperial House property. with plans for changes to the land development code, which now Commissioner Jake Spooner said he didn’t see an amended requires one parking spot per four dining seats as major develop- any issues with the application, and lauded the cafe’s opposed to one for every three, amount to additional willingness to comply with city requests. ment at Gulf parking for the cafe. Spooner motioned to approve the development Drive Cafe, Gause said he wanted to address previously voiced 900 Gulf Drive with the planning and zoning board’s recommended concerns regarding the cafe’s refuse area. He said the stipulations, which Commissioner Ralph Cole secN. Islander cafe will expand the area to accommodate three 4-cuonded. Photo: Ryan bic-yard dumpsters, which would double the cafe’s The motion passed 4-0 in Maro’s absence. Paice

Bridge Street development hearing continued for third time By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Patience is a virtue. But the Hynds Group must exercise its patience a bit longer for a verdict on its proposed development at 119 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach. City commissioners voted 4-0 Aug. 15 to continue a quasi-judicial public hearing for the planned major development to 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N. The motion also directed Hynds Group owner Michael Hynds to provide the city with construction staging, landscaping and shuttle plans before the hearing. Vice Mayor Jake Spooner recused himself from the vote because he owns several businesses next door to the property. Hynds’ proposal involves the addition of four third-story residential units, which the developer has stated would be used as vacation rentals. Hynds first asked for a continuation at a public hearing in March, seeking time to work with city staff on development plans. He sought a continuance in June to review plans with building official Steve Gilbert and add more parking. He also asked for the latest continuance. Hynds said the buildout — including parking — was planned from the beginning, but split into two phases. The first phase involved the construction of a restaurant and eight retail spaces last year. The second phase, involving the addition of rental units, was not approved before changes to the land development code required more parking than he planned. Before the LDC was changed, the four planned rental units qualified as a “hotel-motel,” which required a total of four parking spots. Now the four units do not meet the hotel-motel minimum and instead qualify as multifamily residential units. Multifamily homes require two parking spaces per unit, as well as a 10% addition to the number of required parking spaces, so Hynds’ four planned units

require nine parking spaces. The property, counting seven parking spots for retail stores, must have 16 parking spaces to comply with the city’s land development code, according to Garrett. Hynds provided commissioners with plans to reconfigure the parking to add two more spaces from his last proposal, bringing the parking area to a total of 14 spaces. Garrett said the commission would have to grant Hynds a parking variance to approve the project. Mayor John Chappie noted that five of the parallel parking spaces planned for the property do not comply with the LDC. He said parallel parking spots must be 23-feet long, but Hynds’ parallel spaces are only 18 feet. Chappie added he didn’t feel comfortable approving the project until Hynds provides details for landscaping on Third Street, as well as a solution for the parking shortfall. Garrett said the planning and zoning board asked that Hynds provide landscaping along the Third Street right of way, but he had yet to include landscaping plans. Building official Steve Gilbert added that there would be construction staging issues which would impact parking and the building’s businesses, and recommended Hynds provide a staging plan. The public also had plenty to say regarding Hynds’ plans. City attorney Ricinda Perry opened public comment by reading a letter from community redevelopment agency member David Bell, a resident, voicing concerns regarding parking, landscaping and the dumpster’s location near the building. He suggested the commission reject Hynds’ development plan. His wife, Mary Bell, also urged commissioners to deny the request. At the meeting, she said Hynds could reduce the number of rental units to reduce the required number of parking spaces and comply with the LDC.

Hynds Group owner Michael Hynds tells Bradenton Beach city commissioners Aug. 15 about the plans for his property at 119 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

Barbara Baker, a resident of Old Bridge Village and president of the condominium association, closed public comment by telling commissioners residents of her association do not want a variation in parking. She said the planning and zoning board’s recommendation was a bad decision and the commission should reject it. City attorney Ricinda Perry recommended commissioners continue the hearing so Hynds can provide construction staging, landscaping, and shuttle service plans. Hynds said he would address commissioners’ concerns. Commissioner Ralph Cole motioned to continue the meeting, which Commissioner Marilyn Maro seconded. The motion passed on a 4-0 vote because of Spooner’s recusal.

Page 18 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Aug. 21, 2019 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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12110 Cortez Road W. ~ Downtown Cortez Mon-Sat. 10-6 â&#x20AC;˘ Sunday 10-5 â&#x20AC;˘ 941-794-1547 www.cortezbaitandseafood.com

Page 20 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Aug. 21, 2019 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Gathering

trivia night set at CrossPointe

CrossPointe Fellowship will host a trivia night at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23. A notice on the website at crosspointefellowship. church stated everyone is invited. The church is at 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. For more information, call the office at 941-7780719.

roser Church to catch Bradenton marauders game

Roser Memorial Community Church members will catch one of the final games in the Bradenton Marauders’ regular season. The church outing to LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton, will be Thursday, Aug. 29. The Marauders, a Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, will take on the Dunedin Blue Jays, with the first pitch at 6:30 p.m. The teams compete in the Florida State League. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets for Roser’s group will be $10 and include covered seating behind home plate, as well as a Marauder hat and a beverage coupon. Meal vouchers are available for an additional $8. For tickets, go online to groupmatics.events/rosermemorial or visit the church office at 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. For more information, call the church at 941-7780414.

WORSHIP

ONGOING

Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. — St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-4769. Thursday 9:30 a.m. — Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-1638. Saturday 4 p.m. — St. Bernard, Holmes Beach. 5 p.m. — Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-1813. Sunday 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. — Christ Church of Longboat Key Presbyterian (USA), 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Information: 941-383-8833. 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. — Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0414. 9:30 a.m. — Harvey Memorial Community Church, 300 Church Ave., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-779-1912. 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. — St. Bernard, Holmes Beach. 9 a.m. — CrossPointe Fellowship, 8665 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-0719. 9 a.m. — Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, Holmes Beach. 9:30 a.m. — Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Holmes Beach. 10 a.m. — Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Information: 941-383-6491. 11 a.m. — Cortez Church of Christ, 12111 45th Ave. W., Cortez. Information: 941-216-6286.

Wednesday 7 a.m. — Men’s Bible study, CrossPointe. 7:15 a.m., St. Bernard’s Rosary on the Beach, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. 8 a.m. — Men’s breakfast, Church of the Annunciation. 10 a.m. — Women’s Bible study, Christ Church of Longboat Key Presbyterian (USA). 9 a.m. — Men’s Bible study, Christ Church of Longboat Key Presbyterian (USA). 10 a.m. — Tai chi exercise, Gloria Dei. 11 a.m. — Just Older Youth group, second and fourth Wednesdays, Roser. 11:30 a.m. — Prayer partners, Gloria Dei. 6:15 p.m. — Wednesday Night Blast, CrossPointe. 7 p.m. — Bible study, Cortez Church of Christ. Thursday 9:30 a.m. — Roser-robics, Roser. 10 a.m. — Women’s Bible study, Gloria Dei. 10 a.m. — Bible study, Harvey Church. Saturday 3 p.m. — Confession, St. Bernard. Sunday 8:45 a.m. — Adult Sunday school, Roser. 9 a.m. — Adult book study, Roser. 10:15 a.m. — Fellowship, Gloria Dei. 10 a.m. — Bible study, Cortez Church of Christ. 10:30 a.m. — Life group, CrossPointe. Tuesday 9:30 a.m. — Women’s prayer, CrossPointe. 9:30 a.m. — Roser-robics, Roser.

Travelers

SPECIAL EVENTS Friday, Aug. 23 6 p.m. — Trivia Night, CrossPointe Fellowship.

Obituary

At your service

Obituaries are offered as a community service by The Islander newspaper to residents and family of residents, both past and present, as well as to those people with ties to the island. Submit to news@islander.org. Islander obituaries are free, including a photo and posting on the website. Paid obituaries can be discussed with advertising consultant Toni Lyon. Call The Islander at 941-778-7978.

Amazing Alhambra

From Russia, with love

Wendy and Jeff Rosencal, of Anna maria, take the best in island news to granada, spain. they visited the Alhambra Palace, a uNesCo World Heritage site and the only surviving palatine city of the Islamic golden Age, according to whc.unesco.org.

tim and margy finley of Holmes Beach sent a dispatch to the Islander while on a Russian river adventure in Yaroslavl, situated on the confluence of the Volga and Kotorosl rivers. “Bear country!” they wrote.

ALL ARE WELCOME

Founded 1956

790

Sunday 10 a.m. Worship Service

simple burials

1,195

Online arrangements available Sarasota (941) 312-6371 | Manatee (941) 213-9234

SoundChoiceCremation.com

The Rev. Bill Friederich Senior Minister 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key 941-383-6491 www.longboatislandchapel.org

The Lord’s Warehouse Thrift Shop

Hours 9-noon, Monday, Wednesday, Saturday

Loving Christ • Sharing His Grace • Serving All COMMUNITY CHURCH

Call for a ride to the 10:00 AM Worship Service

SUNDAY WORSHIP 8:30 AM IN THE CHAPEL or 10:00 AM IN THE SANCTUARY 10:00 AM Nursery

8:45 AM Adult Sunday School

A NONDENOMINATIONAL, CHRISTIAN CHURCH • EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

512 Pine Ave • Anna Maria

simple cremations

“Anna Maria Island,” a pictorial history book of the island by Bonner Joy, is available for $20 at the Islander office, 3218 e. Bay drive, Holmes Beach. Joy is publisher of the Islander newspaper. she came to AmI in 1975 and launched the newspaper in 1992.

941-778-0414 • www.RoserChurch.com • www.facebook.com/RoserChurch

Growing in Jesus’ Name Sunday Service 10:00 AM

Adult Sunday School Follows Service

The Rev. Dr. Norman Pritchard

SERMON: Dr. Fred Finks preaching “Courageous Living” Men’s Bible Study - Mondays: 9:00 AM Women’s Bible Study - Wednesdays: 10:00 AM

Visitors & Residents Welcome • Childcare Available Watch our 10:00 AM service live. Log onto our website & follow the YouTube link.

6400 Gulf of Mexico Dr.

•

941.383.8833 (oﬃce)

•

www.christchurchlbk.org

Aug. 21, 2019 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 21 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Bradenton Beach appoints another volunteer to Scenic WAVES

Cub Scouts clean up Palma Sola Causeway Members of Cub Scout Pack 22 of Bradenton pose Aug. 10 after collecting nearly 1,500 pieces of trash, weighing about 40 pounds, from the Palma Sola Causeway. Islander Photo: Courtesy April Woodside

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Bradenton Beach’s Scenic WAVES Committee continues to grow after failing to meet minimum membership for several months. City commissioners voted 5-0 Aug. 15 to appoint Ross Atkins to Scenic WAVES, starting in September. The move will bring the committee to seven, the member minimum. Atkins, who was absent, is a retired real estate agent who serves as manager of golf operations at the Longboat Key Club Resort. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Louisiana State University and has worked as liaison or assistant for two U.S. senators and one Louisiana state senator. Atkins, a Holmes Beach resident, is available to attend meetings all year, according to his application. Commissioner Ralph Cole asked if Atkins’ residency would be a problem, but Mayor John Chappie said any islander is eligible to apply for the committee. “I’m just glad we’ve got another person signing up for Scenic WAVES,” said Commissioner Marilyn Maro, the liaison to the committee. Spooner said he knows another individual, who was not named, who might be interested in joining the committee. Scenic WAVES is an advisory committee to the city commission created to manage state and federal funding gained from the designation of State Road 789/Gulf Drive as a scenic highway under the Florida Scenic Highways Program. The committee facilitates planning along the roadway, and aims to preserve and enhance history and natural resources. A seven-member minimum is required for the committee to exist and act. Atkins’ addition should allow the committee to reboot after months of stagnation. People interested in applying for a position on Scenic WAVES can contact the city clerk by phone at 941-778-1005 or at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N. The city commission appoints members.

Good deeds

Sarasota Bay Watch seeks volunteers for Great Scallop Search Baywatchers will go searching for scallops Saturday, Aug. 24. Sarasota Bay Watch’s Great Scallop Search will begin at about 8:30 a.m., with participants gathering at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron on City Island, 1717 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota. For the “no-harvest” search, volunteers will boat to destinations in the bay and go snorkeling to survey the scallop population. The event, supporting the Florida Wildlife Research Institute and first conducted in 2008, helps provide scientists and conservationists with an understanding of the bay’s health. Scallops are to the bay what canaries are to underground coal mines. Development and pollution caused scallops to dramatically decline in the 1950s and for decades — until repopulation in 2011 — they were missing from the bay. In addition to searching for scallops, volunteers Aug. 24 will survey for clams, helping to determine the success of a 2018 project that involved releasing 250,000 clams in the bay. Participants will need to bring snorkeling gear, but they will be equipped and trained to search for scallops and clams.

Volunteers gather for a Sarasota Bay Watch scallop search. This year’s event will be Saturday, Aug. 24. Islander File Photo

SBW will provide lunch for volunteers. For more information or reservations, call SBW at 941-953-5333 or go online to sarasotabaywatch.org. — Lisa Neff

Volunteer opportunities

Looking for volunteer opportunities on and off Anna Maria Island? These are ways to help: • The Cortez Village Historical Society seeks volunteers to plant herbs and vegetables in the garden at the Cortez Cultural Center, 11655 Cortez Road W., Cortez. Information: 941-545-6726 or 941-538-0945. • Volunteers can provide supplies for Anna Maria Elementary. Supplies in demand include crayons, pencils, notebook paper, colored pencils and markers. Information: 941-708-5525. • The Roser Food Bank needs donations of cash and nonperishable food. Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, administers the pantry, supported by All Island Denominations. Information: 941-778-0414. • Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, needs volunteers to staff its thrift shop. Information: 941-778-0414. • Moonracer Animal Rescue seeks volunteers to offer foster and forever homes for rescued animals. Information: 941-345-2441. • The Anna Maria Island Historical Society museum seeks docents, 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0492. • The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce seeks volunteers to assist at the office and visitor information center. Information: 941-7781541. • The Florida Maritime Museum in Cortez seeks volunteers to assist with collections, tours and more. Information: 941-708-6120. Send listings to calendar@islander.org.

Artist’s curb appeal Outside her home in the Cortez fishing village, Susan Curry has created art for the times. The messages contained in her work come from a verse in the Bible, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me,” and also from immigrant Emma Lazarus’ poem at the Statue of Liberty, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” In December, Curry will participate in an art show and auction in Philadelphia, “Artists Against Children in Cages.” “Artists from all over the country are submitting art for a silent auction to raise money to help pay the legal organizations who are kindly representing these poor people,” Curry wrote to The Islander. Islander Courtesy Photo

Page 22 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Aug. 21, 2019 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Anna Maria City Pier decking on tap, handrail dispute continues By Kathy Prucnell Islander Reporter Heigh-ho, heigh-ho. Work on a planned restaurant and bait shop will begin the first week in September and still to be finished is the T-end and walkway planking, as well as electrical conduit work. That’s the word Aug. 16 from Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy about the Anna Maria City Pier. He hopes the pier will open to the public in 60-90 days — before the amenities are complete. At an Aug. 20 meeting, after press time for The Islander, Manatee County commissioners were expected to appropriate an additional $435,000 in tourist development dollars to a $1.5 million contribution to the pier project. Bradenton Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau director Elliott Falcione and Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore expected no problems with the approval. “I’m sure the board will approve it. And if they need more, we could probably do it. We need to get it done,” Whitmore told The Islander Aug. 16. Anna Maria has budgeted the total cost of the pier demolition, construction and improvements at $5.9 million with financial assistance from the state and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as well as the county tourist development council. The new pier replaces the historic pier built in 1911. It underwent numerous remodels before Hurricane Irma in September 2017 brought about extensive damage and it was declared destroyed.

Aubry asked the Anna Maria City Commission in January to consider including railings — for safety, U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act and historical reasons — and was turned down. The ADA was enacted as a federal law in 1990 to give people with disabilities equal rights in public and private places open to the general public. “If you’re blind, what kind of construction is that?” Aubry asked. “I was doing ADA designs before the ADA passed,” Aubry said. The former commissioner also said he doesn’t recall seeing posts in pictorial depictions of the new pier that were made available to the public but, he added the posts could serve as a way to link the proposed railings. Aubry also suggested using the engraved planks that were removed from the pier before it was demolished for the new handrails. Asked if the city commission would reconsider handrails for the pier, the mayor said: “I don’t know, and it is not my place to offer predictions one way or the other on how the commission will weigh in on any Workers place decking Aug. 13 on the facia of the given issue. concrete platform at the T-end of the Anna Maria “In this case, they took a vote many months ago City Pier. Islander Photo: Courtesy Dean Jones/ to not have handrails. That still stands as my direction Anna Maria Public Works in the construction.” Aubry filed an ADA complaint over the pier railing Maria commissioner and architect. July 15 with the U.S. Department of Justice. “I was going to congratulate the mayor for putting In an Aug. 15 email to The Islander, DOJ spokesup railings,” Aubry said, when he recently saw the woman Kelly Laco said, “DOJ does not comment on posts go up on the pier. investigations.”

Update on railings Posts where lighting will be placed on the 800foot-long pier walkway and the lack of handrails on the pier are issues raised by Gene Aubry, a former Anna

Workers stage Aug. 14 for construction on the Anna Maria City Pier. Islander Photos: Kathy Prucnell

Boaters fish and sightsee Aug. 14 near the T-end of the Anna Maria City Pier. The end of the pier is expected to become a construction site for a restaurant and bait shop the first week in September.

A 1924 photograph of the Anna Maria City Pier shows handrails on the walkway. Islander Courtesy Photo: Manatee County Library

Sept. 11, 2017, a day after Hurricane Irma damaged the AMCP roof. Islander File Photo: Jack Elka

July 2018: Demolition at the AMCP was underway in earnest. Islander File Photo

Aug. 21, 2019 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 23 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

rain greets kids, teachers in first week of new year It rained every day of the first week back to school, but Anna Maria Elementary students shined and adjusted to the 2019-20 year. Nixon Connor, with his hair slicked back and dressed in his back-to-school best, sat in line and read quietly outside his brightly lit third-grade classroom, waiting for the bell to indicate students could enter. Moment’s later, Nixon’s teacher, Laura Redeker opened the door for students eager to start the school day and await their “light bulb” moments. Redeker said she “looks forward to witnessing that look of clarity when a new concept really sinks in” this school year. Another third-grade teacher, Bridget Querrard, asked her class what back-to-school week was like and received positive responses. One student in Querrard’s class, Michael Dean Spoon, started AME at the end of second-grade. Asked about his third-grade start, he said, “I’m starting to really like it here, making new friends and a new teacher and friend.”

Third-grader Kirra Quinby said she liked “getting to know our old friends from preschool more.” She attended the School for Constructive Play before AME. Teachers and students weren’t the only ones adapting to the first week of school. AME Parent-Teacher Organization leaders and the principal also adjusted. PTO co-secretaries Nicole Plummer and Alana Fleischer worked with principal Jackie Featherston during the first week of school on the events calendar, and added a new fundraiser, the Dress Drive, to be held in February 2020. Plummer said the AME-PTO will collect gently used dresses to sell at the Dress Drive and before the Princess Ball next winter. The AME-PTO plans to collect dresses throughout the fall and in January. Plummer said a collection bin will be located in the front office “for families to drop off dresses as they clean out their child’s closet.” — Brook morrison

AmE NEWS

school calendar

• Saturday, Aug. 24, 5 p.m. AME fundraiser, Bradenton Marauders game, LECOM Park, Bradenton. • Monday, Sept. 2, Labor Day, no school. • Tuesday, Sept. 10, picture day. • Wednesday, Sept. 11, early release. • Friday, Sept. 13, 5-7 p.m., PTO welcome reception. • Friday Sept. 20, Peace Day Celebration. • Monday Sept. 23, book fair begins. • Wednesday Sept. 25, 5-7 p.m., PTO bake sale, literacy night dinner. • Friday, Oct. 11, early release. • Friday, Oct. 11, end of first quarter. • Monday, Oct. 14, record day, no school. • Friday, Oct. 18, early release. • Wednesday, Nov. 6, early release. • Monday, Nov. 11, Veterans Day, no school. • Monday-Friday, Nov. 25-29, Thanksgiving break, no school. • Wednesday, Dec. 4, early release. • Friday, Dec. 20, second quarter ends. • Dec. 23-31, winter break, no school. Anna Maria Elementary is at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. For more information, call 941-708-5525.

marauders play ball for Ame school fundraiser

teacher Bridget Querrard’s third-grade class gathers Aug. 12 for a photo in their classroom. Islander photo: Courtesy Ame

Anna maria elementary third-grader michael dean spoon imitates a superhero Aug. 13, during his first week back to school. Islander Photo: Courtesy Ame

Anna Maria Elementary’s first fundraiser of the 2019-20 school year will be ticket sales and a trip to the Bradenton Marauders home game against the Daytona Tortugas Saturday, Aug. 24, which is fan appreciation night. Gates will open at 5 p.m., with first pitch at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10, with $5 of each ticket going to AME. During the game, there will be chances to win prizes, including an Apple iPad, a television, an Apple Watch, Nintendo Switch, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay tickets and more. After the game, there will be fireworks set to music. Ticket forms are at the AME front office, 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. For more information, call 941-708-5525. A sign near the driveway at Ame offers safedriving advice to motorists.

Ame third-grader elizabeth lewis smiles Aug. 13 at the school playground. elizabeth says her first week back to school made her feel happy. “It has been good,” she said. Islander Photo: Courtesy Ame

A board displays a Q&A on how Ame students adjusted to their first week back at the Holmes Beach school. Islander Photo: Courtesy Ame

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Page 24 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Aug. 21, 2019 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

County staff recommends user fees at boat ramps By lisa Neff Islander editor

Manatee County staff think boaters will pay a little to play, or work. But Manatee County commissioners are divided over whether to ask boaters for user fees at the nine county-maintained boat ramps. The idea of instituting paid-parking at the boat ramps was floated during a commission workshop in January. At a commission workshop Aug. 15 at the administration building in Bradenton, county staff recommended going with paid parking at the boat ramps, possibly $5 a day. Other counties collect such fees: 75 cents per hour in Charlotte, $6 a day in Pinellas and $5 a day in Pasco and Hillsborough. Hillsborough County collected more than $250,000 in fiscal 2017 from user fees at its ramps. Manatee County staff estimated a gross revenue of $146,500 per year from paid-parking at its ramps. The county could generate about $500 a year per space based on a $5 daily rate. And there are 273 trailer spaces in the county. Staff estimated the installation cost of the parking equipment at $65,000 — 10 solar-powered electronic machines at nine ramps. With the monthly data plan for each machine at $45, county staff calculated a return on investment at six months. Ramp revenue would go toward the installation of navigation aids, construction of artificial reefs, maintenance and upgrades at the ramps and possibly new ramps. But commissioners were divided on the recommendation, some in favor, some opposed. “I have no problem with the parking,” said Commissioner Priscilla Whisenant Trace, endorsing the user fee and taking the opportunity to stress the need for more facilities, especially north of the Manatee River. Commissioner Betsy Benac said, “User fees, to me, makes sense as we continue to grow.” And Commission Chair Stephen Jonsson, who represents west Manatee and the islands, said, “I’m a big user-fee person — $5 a day, that’s barely 2 gallons of gas.” But, said Commissioner Carol Whitmore, “When you look at the amount of money you get, that’s nothing compared to what our budget is.” “I just don’t support charging to park our boats,” she said during the work meeting, where no vote took place. Charlie Hunsicker, director of the parks and natural resources department, recommended the user fee, but also acknowledged, “Paid parking is not a silver bullet.”

A boater puts his boat in the water at the Kingfish Boat Ramp, which is maintained by manatee County and located in Holmes Beach, west of the Anna maria Island Bridge on the north side of manatee Avenue.

He and his staff reviewed the expense of building, upgrading and maintaining the ramps, as well as artificial reefs and navigational aids using a pot of county, regional, state and federal money. Ramp repairs and rebuilds Three county ramps are on Anna Maria Island — Kingfish on Manatee Avenue in Holmes Beach and Coquina North and Coquina South in Bradenton Beach. A fourth ramp is nearby, on the south side of the Palma Sola Causeway. During the workshop, commissioners and staff reviewed planned improvements at three of those ramps — Palma Sola, Kingfish and Coquina South. The Coquina North ramp was improved in 2018. The county plans interim repairs at the Kingfish ramp in 2020, as a structural engineering inspection in April determined the seawall is near the end of its lifespan. Additionally, the wooden docks need replacing and the cable system at the launch is showing signs of settling. “Kingfish is the busiest boat ramp in the county,” said Alan Lai Hipp, environmental program manager for marine resources, part of the natural resources department. “But it is aged.” For 2023, the county plans a renovation of Kingfish, with design and permitting planned in fiscal year 2020-21 and construction in fiscal 2021-22 using funds under the RESTORE Act, which put the civil penalties paid for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill into a trust fund to restore and protect the Gulf coast’s natural resources, fisheries, beaches and economy of the Gulf Coast region.

We rOCK OnLine islander.org

½-Ê t And you’re gonna love it!

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the Palma sola Boat Ramp, maintained by manatee County and located on the south side of the Palma sola Causeway, is closed for repairs. Islander Photo: lisa Neff

“We jumpstarted Kingfish in our schedule,” said Hunsicker. The department also shifted funding priorities to use the RESTORE money. Work at the Coquina South Ramp includes a renovation in 2028 and, in 2021, interim repairs, including a dock replacement. “It’s a very popular ramp,” Lai Hipp said. The Palma Sola Ramp improvements, delayed for months after the facility’s closure in January, will take place in 2020, with a full renovation planned in 2022. The county assumed maintenance responsibility for the ramp in January, taking over for the city of Bradenton, and closed the facility for repairs. The 2020 work will involve lowering the docks, grading and smoothing the parking lot, landscaping and dredging. Referring to recent discussion about relocating the ramp, Lai Hipp said that is not the plan due to the impact such a project would have on seagrass in the bay. So the renovation, he said, will be in the footprint of the existing ramp.

Did you know?

The number of registered vessels in Manatee County increased from 17,940 in 2015 to 20,931 in 2018. Manatee County maintains nine boat ramps with a total 18 launch lanes. There are about 1,163 vessels for each lane.

Aug. 21, 2019 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 25 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Bradenton Beach dock brings back boaters, business By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

A steady stream of people are using the newly opened floating dock at the Historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach. John Horne, owner of Anna Maria Oyster Bar and a former community redevelopment agency member, said in an Aug. 14 interview with The Islander that the dock has brought his restaurant a wave of business since it opened. Bradenton Beach officials opened the dock for public use Aug. 2, after two-and-a-half years of turbulence due to Technomarine Construction, the company originally contracted to build and install the dock. The dock replaced a dock damaged by storms — and crashing boats that broke anchor — and was removed in 2017 for public safety. “It’s getting great usage already,” Horne said. “We’re seeing lots and lots of boats there every day, and it’s great to see people back on Bridge Street — coming by water. “We’ve had a lot of our guests come by boats, and you can’t wipe the smile off the face of people arriving by boat, let me tell you.” Horne added that one group of people from Sarasota came in 11 boats in a trip to Bradenton Beach and his restaurant. The city also plans to install finger docks at the pier and a boat lift to hold the marine patrol boat for the exclusive use of the Bradenton Beach Police Department. CRA Chair Ralph Cole, a city commissioner, said the city awaits permitting for the projects. In the meantime, docking comes on a first-come, first-serve basis for private and commercial vessels. Commercial vessels can dock for 10 minutes to load and offload passengers, as no business can be conducted at the dock. Private vessels can dock without a time restriction during the day. Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale said in an Aug. 14 interview with The Islander that the dock is intended to bring people to Bridge Street during business hours, so overnight docking is not

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Special … Beef Stroganoff made with filet mignon and spätzle. Haxen & Duck Nightly (reserve 24 hours ahead) Dinner Monday-Saturday 4:30-9 941.778.1320 http://schnitzel.house 3246 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach

Paradise Boat tours passengers board a vessel for an Aug. 18 tour to see dolphins, manatees, stingrays and more in the Intracoastal Waterway. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

permitted. The dock should be clear 3-9 a.m., but Speciale said the police department doesn’t follow a strict timeframe for its closure. He added there is no size limit for docking vessels other than what is dictated by the channel that leads from the Intracoastal Waterway to the dock. Capt. Sherman Baldwin, owner of Paradise Boat Tours, operating from a storefront at the foot of the pier, told The Islander Aug. 14 that his tour business, along with Bradenton Beach Parasailing and several charter fishers, is using the dock for loading and offloading passengers. Baldwin also used the previous dock and relied on the city-owned dinghy dock at the foot of the pier in its absence. Baldwin, who serves as vice president of the Bridge Street Merchants, also has planned for years to launch a 149-passenger water taxi between Bradenton Beach, Sarasota and Bradenton. Installation

of the dock was the last obstacle in the way of the water taxi, but he said the venture was tabled after more than two years of waiting. Baldwin Aug. 14 declined to comment on future plans for a water taxi. Capt. Mark Hubbard, the owner of Madeira Beach-based Tampa Bay Ferry & Taxi, said he is interested in partnering with Baldwin on linking routes if he can get a water taxi location approved in Anna Maria or Holmes Beach. Hubbard has pursued the launch of a service in the two cities since 2015, but said both city commissions rejected permits for the business. He said he remains interested in launching a service in either city, but would only apply again if officials would reconsider their decisions. Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy, however, said he is not interested in a water taxi service because it would bring more tourists.

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Page 26 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Aug. 21, 2019 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

‘Uncommon nest’ excavation AmItW volunteers Henry and debbie stachura excavate the green sea turtle nest Aug. 11 that they spotted June 16 near lifeguard station 7 at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. turtle watch waits 72 hours after a nest hatches to collect data. this nest contained 105 hatched and three unhatched eggs. As of Aug. 16, AmItW had documented seven green sea turtle nests on Anna maria Island, compared with 520 loggerhead nests. Islander Photo: Courtesy AmItW

Nesting notes By ChrisAnn Silver Esformes

New tech helps track sea turtle disorientations

Sea turtle nesting has all but ceased and emerging nests are peaking on Anna Maria Island beaches. The females — mostly loggerheads — have clambered ashore, laid their clutches of eggs in the sand and returned to the Gulf of Mexico, allowing Mother Nature to incubate the eggs. Nesting numbers are high, but disorientations are a concern during nesting and hatchling season, accordesformes ing to Suzi Fox, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring executive director. Hatchlings, like nesting sea turtles, are guided by the reflection of the moon and stars on the water. Light visible from the shoreline can disorient nesting turtles and hatchlings, leading to predation, dehydration, exhaustion and death. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission created an interactive dashboard on its website that includes a map of sea turtle disorientations around the state. The information is transmitted electronically to the FWC, which uploads data to the site within days of submission from AMITW and similar organizations. The map can be accessed at https://myfwc.com/ wildlifehabitats/wildlife/sea-turtle/lighting/disorientations/. The FWC website also displays a bar graph of reported sea turtle disorientations for 2019 in Florida cities and counties. Fox said the map could be a useful tool for code compliance. “It’s not super-specific,” she said. “But they should be able to look at it, visit the location and figure out where the problem is. Hopefully, the FWC map will serve as a visual guide to help resolve lighting issues.” Fox said she is working with code compliance officers in Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach to fix “hot spots” where disorientations have occurred. As of Aug. 14, Anna Maria had five disorientations, Bradenton Beach had 11 and Holmes Beach had 21, according to the FWC. As of Aug. 18, 523 nests were laid on the island. In 2018, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring reported a record-breaking 534 nests. “I think we could break another record this year,” Fox said Aug. 14, adding that some surprise hatches from unmarked nests are occurring. And now that hatchlings are emerging by the hundreds from nests left on the beach and scampering to

resources for turtle nesting season

To report unattended beach gear or large holes on the beach, call code enforcement: • Anna Maria, 941-708-6130, ext. 139 or 129. • Bradenton Beach, 941-778-1005, ext. 280. • Holmes Beach, 941-708-5800, ext. 247. To read about turtle-friendly lighting, visit: • myfwc.com/seaturtle and click on “Sea Turtles and Lights.” To report sick, injured, entangled or dead sea turtles, call: • FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline, 1-888-4043922, #FWC or *FWC on a cellphone or text Tip@ MyFWC.com. To reach Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch, contact executive director Suzi Fox: • 941-778-5638 or suzifox@gmail.com. • To learn more about sea turtles and conservation around the world: • Sea Turtle Conservancy: conserveturtles. org. the Gulf, compliance with beachfront lighting regulations is critical. Beachfront properties are required to have low, shielded exterior lighting with FWC-compliant bulbs and indoor lights must be turned off or shielded by curtains or blinds. Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said Aug. 14 that code enforcement is conducting weekly lighting inspections after dusk. He said properties that appear to be violating the code are given a verbal warning and a week to take corrective action, including installation of turtle-friendly bulbs and fixtures. “We want to give people time to come into compliance before issuing a citation,” Tokajer said Fox also works with property owners to ensure lighting is turtle-friendly. “We give them bulbs or direct them toward what they need,” she said. “The ultimate goal is an island dark enough for the sea turtles but safe for humans.” Tokajer agreed. “The idea is compliance,” he said. “We are not out to punish people. It’s our job to make sure the island is safe for people and wildlife.”

green sea turtles, uncommon visitors to Anna maria Island, grow to 5 feet in length and can weigh 700 pounds, making them the largest of the hard-shell sea turtles. the endangered species can be found in the subtropics and tropics worldwide, with major nesting beaches in florida, Costa Rica, oman and Australia. turtle watch documented five green sea turtle nests in 2017 and 2015. Islander Photo: Courtesy fWC

tiny tracks in the sand heading away from an indentation — and away from the gulf of mexico — indicate hatchlings were disoriented Aug. 9 by lights at the gulf drive Cafe, 900 gulf drive N., Bradenton Beach, rather than heading to the gulf of mexico. Islander Photo: Courtesy AmItW

human interference may explain uptick in disorientations The first part of sea turtle nesting season is wrapping up. The number of nesting females arriving on the beaches has slowed to a trickle, and hatchlings are emerging from nests in the sand nightly. Sea turtle nesting on Anna Maria Island began May 1 with the first loggerhead nest spotted, and ends when the last nest hatches, usually October. Suzi Fox, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring executive director, said 2019 has been a big year for adult sea turtle disorientations. Mature female sea turtles mostly fox nest at night and only leave the water to nest. So any distraction on land, including people who get too close, could lead to a false crawl — a failed nesting attempt.

Fox said there had been nine adult disorientations this sea turtle nesting season. In 2018, there was one such disorientation. “We’ve never had this many before,” Fox said. “It’s because we have so many more people on the beach.” According to the FWC, people encountering a nesting sea turtle should stay at a 100-foot distance, remain quiet and not use lights, including cellphones. Fox said now is the time to consider why so many adult loggerheads disoriented and determine a plan for next season. “With more people on the beach at night, when the turtles are active, comes the responsibility for people to learn to observe and let them be,” she said. Stay calm and don’t disturb the wildlife. — ChrisAnn silver esformes

AMITW sea turtle stats as of Aug. 18: 523 nests, 584 false crawls, 210 hatched nests and approximately 13,789 hatchlings to the sea.

Don’t forget… You can read it all online at islander.org

Aug. 21, 2019 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 27 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

By Lisa Neff

Bagpipes on the beach

One sunrise, years ago, I heard a bagpiper play at Bean Point in Anna Maria and felt so at home. Transfixed by the tune, caught in the skirl, I didn’t want the sun to go down or the music to end. For a decade after moving to Anna Maria Island in 2005, I heard stories about a bagpiper in Bradenton Beach. People said he played his pipes on the beach near Gulf Drive and Cortez Road, and his big sound could be heard all the way to the police station on Highland Avenue. Neff This past winter, I was fortunate to come across a bagpiper at sunset at the Palma Sola Causeway beach. Standing at the end of a dock on the north side of the causeway, he played a melody so familiar and yet, it took me some seconds to name the tune — “Margaritaville.” I smiled, of course. Who wouldn’t grin at a piper playing a Jimmy Buffett song as the sun goes down in Florida? But I cried, too. Tears just well up when I hear bagpipes. I believe it’s natural, not nurtured, inherent to who I am, an instinct written into my DNA. What else could explain crying over a mournful rendition of “Amazing Grace,” but also tears 40 seconds into the Red Hot Chilli Pepper’s raucous cover of “Wake Me Up”? At the Beach Bistro’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Holmes Beach, you’ll see a crowd of greenand-orange clad celebrants cheering loudly and waving arms in the air for beads, and you’ll see me quietly shedding tears as the bagpipers approach. I might be grinning, even joyful, but I won’t be able to hold back the tears. I know others respond this way to bagpipe music.

A crowd gathers for a New World Celts-sarasota performance. the group will host the third “Kilts on the Beach” saturday, Aug. 24, beginning at 10 a.m. at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. Islander Courtesy Photo

I’ve witnessed the pipes overpower people — not just Bagpipers entertain in the Beach Bistro st. Patrick’s at funerals and ceremonies, but at get-up-and-dance day Parade in Holmes Beach in march. Islander file affairs like a pipe band concert at the Manatee County Photo: ChrisAnn silver esformes Fairgrounds. Reporters have asked why the pipes are such an Nostalgia factoid evocative instrument in stories with headlines such A nostalgic feeling can involve home and as “Here’s the scientific reason ‘Outlander’ bagpipes family, but it also can be longing for long-gone make you sad.” moments. Historians, musicologists, psychologists, even According to Google, nostalgia is more than environmentalists answered with expert opinion and reminiscing. It’s a feeling. It’s the warm, fuzzy theory, ranging from cultural heritage to the “nature” feeling for fond memories from our past. of the bagpipe — a woodwind instrument that we fill And music fuels nostalgia. Songs stimulate with the air we take from the environment. different areas of the brain, providing a big hit of I’ll be celebrating cultural heritage and contemdopamine while they’re at it. Listening to music plating the “nature” of the bagpipe Saturday, Aug. 24, can light up the brain’s visual cortex. when the New World Celts-Sarasota brings “Kilts on Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be — it’s lookCoquina Beach” to the island. The event is scheduled ing better. Nostalgia has been shown to counteract for 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Coquina Beach in Bradenton loneliness, boredom and anxiety. It makes people Beach. more generous to strangers and more tolerant of Organizers say there will be a cookout, as well as outsiders. People feel closer and look happier ceremony and performance, with drummers, dancers when they’re sharing nostalgic memories. and pipers. Think: “This Is Us.” — Bonner Joy And I expect cheers and tears, as well.

meteorologists share severe weather tips, stats with holmes Beach commission By ChrisAnn silver esformes Islander Reporter

Peak hurricane season for the Atlantic Basin is less than a month away. Are you prepared? At Holmes Beach City Hall Aug. 15, Daniel Noah, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration-instituted National Weather Service in Ruskin, along with student meteorologist Austen Flannery, presented statistics, tips and programs to track and prepare for severe weather, including hurricanes and tornadoes. Noah said his Tampa Bay office in Ruskin issues weather warnings shared with media outlets, employing an “integrated warning team.” Following Noah’s introduction, Flannery shared some statistics. He said there have been 17 tornadoes and 35 hailstorms reported in the state in 2019, as well as 335 reports of damaging wind. “Wind is by far the most likely culprit of any damage you are going to see in Florida,” Flannery said. Florida is ranked 10th in the country for tornadoes, but most are less powerful than those in other states, such as Texas. “In our case, most of the tornadoes we see are going to be short-lived and weak,” Flannery said, adding that land-falling waterspouts are considered tornadoes by the NWS. Flannery suggested several ways for people to receive severe storm warnings, including apps available through the weather service website at weather. gov/tampabay and weatheralert.com, as well as a battery-operated weather radio. Additionally, Flannery said people can become “weather spotters” and report hail, high winds, street flooding, heavy rain, tornadoes and waterspouts

Austen flannery, student meteorologist with the National Weather service in Ruskin, looks on Aug. 15 as daniel Noah, warning coordination meteorologist with the NWs, delivers a presentation at Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 marina drive. Islander Photo: ChrisAnn silver esformes

through the NWS-Tampa Bay SKYWARN program, which trains people to track weather and submit reports. He said people can call 800-282-1228 or register at spotternetwork.org to report severe weather. “You guys provide us credibility, and you help us do ground truth for what we’re seeing on radar,” Flannery said. He said radar is “a great tool, but it’s not a perfect tool” — that the curvature of the Earth and distance from the storm affect radar’s sight. On-the-ground reports bridge the gap, he said. Flannery handed the presentation back to Noah, who spoke about the science behind the weather and

hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin. He said Sept. 10 is the peak of hurricane season in the basin, which extends from Brownsville, Texas, to Africa, with 93 out of the past 100 years having a named storm on that date. Noah said there is a secondary peak in October, the one which swept Hurricane Michael, a Category 5, to Mexico Beach in 2018. “The storms form in Cancun, like Michael did,” he said. “And Michael hit the Panhandle, but could just as easily have curved and fish-hooked into our area.” However, Noah said, Category 1 hurricanes can be just as deadly, with nine out of 10 hurricane fatalities being water-related through storm surge or floodingrain. Noah said NOAA recently raised the hurricane forecast for the season to “above normal.” “What does that mean? That doesn’t mean anything, because we can’t tell you where they’re going to land,” he said. He added that people should prepare for one storm each year, including 10 days of food and water per person, and disregard the long-range forecast. “They pretty much just do that to tighten hurricane awareness,” Noah said of the annual prediction. He said people in Tampa Bay should plan to evacuate tens of miles, not hundreds of miles, as that could contribute to congestion in the second most difficult evacuation zone in the country, according to NOAA. Noah said there is a one in 200 chance each year that Anna Maria Island will get hit with a storm as disastrous as Michael. However, he said hurricane statistics are unreliable. “When people start using statistics to describe hurricanes, take it with a big grain of salt,” Noah said. “We only have 170 years’ worth of data. We need a lot more data for statistics.”

Page 28 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Aug. 21, 2019 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

With school startup, indoor soccer pitch flips, kids to adults By Kevin P. Cassidy Islander Reporter

With the 2019 school year underway, summer vacation is officially over for island kids and so is the youth challenge in the indoor soccer league at the Center of Anna Maria Island. Championship games in two divisions, intermediate and advanced, were played Aug. 13 at the center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Cassidy Moss Builders and G&G Yardscaping were both the class of their respective age groups during the regular season and the championship game results followed suit. Moss Builders rolled to a 6-3 victory over Ugly Grouper to the intermediate division championship behind a hat trick from Jackson Titen. Titen had some help from Mason Moss, who tallied two goals, and a goal from Dylan Sato. Jackson Ross scored two goals to lead Ugly Grouper, which also received a goal from Jesse Zaccagnino in the loss. G&G rolled to a 6-1 victory over AMI Locals in the advanced division championship behind five goals from Ryan Joseph and a goal from Connor Samblis. Elek Brisson notched the lone goal for AMI Locals Emily Argeros and 13 saves from Jason Chiofalo in the loss. in the loss. Progressive Cabinetry cruised to a 13-3 victory over Sato Real Estate in the last match of the night Adult indoor soccer kicks off behind five goals and two assists from Kevin Roman. One season ends and one begins. The adults took over the indoor soccer pitch at Murap Akay chipped in with four goals and two assists, the Center of Anna Maria Island, completing a second while Steve Oelfke and Jessica Williams each notched week of action and three games Aug. 15, starting with two goals. Diego Felipe helped preserve the victory with 14 saves in goal. Ugly Grouper taking on Slim’s Place. Ryan Moss and Josh Sato both had a goal and an Ugly Grouper rolled to an 8-3 victory behind five goals from Yuri Pereira and a goal each from Chris assist to lead Sato Real Estate, which also received Klotz, Olaf Krause and James Roadman. Krause and a goal from Ben Sato and a combined 14 saves from Klotz split the goal-keeping duties and combined to Mark Rudacille and Jason Sato in the loss. Action continues with a 6:30 p.m. kickoff Thursmake 16 saves to help preserve the victory. Jose Casaras, Chris Culhane and Lexi Sato each day, Aug. 22. scored single goals, while John Coleman made 13 Rain wipes out adult football saves between the pipes. Games in the adult flag football league at the The second match of the evening saw Moss Builders roll to a 17-6 victory over Gulfview Windows and Center of Anna Maria Island were rained out. Action Doors behind five goals each from Juan Carlos and will resume Aug. 22, weather permitting. Miguel Ajoy. Omar Polar added four goals, an assist and seven saves, while Chavaree Pepe and Anil Akbu- Key Royale news, one match played Yet again, persistent rains closed the golf course lut both had a goal and an assist. David Greene made at Key Royale Club with the exception being Aug. 12, 11 saves to preserve the victory. Nate Talucci scored three goals and Keith when the men managed to squeeze in nine holes. Art McMillan won the men’s modified StablefordMahoney added two to lead Gulfview Windows and system match with a score of plus-3 to edge secondDoors, which also received a goal and an assist from place finisher Jon Holcomb by a point.

Anna Maria Island Tides

Date

Aug 21 Aug 22 Aug 23 Aug 24 Aug 25 Aug 26 Aug 27 Aug 28

3:46a 4:23a 5:06a 5:59a 7:01a 8:10a 12:06a 12:35a

HIGH

2.2 2.3 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 1.7 1.8

4:28p 5:41p 7:27p 9:46p 11:21p — 9:19a 10:22a

HIGH

1.9 10:13a 1.7 11:22a 1.6 12:42p 1.6 2:05p 1.7 12:01a — 1:15a 2.8 2:38a 2.9 3:47a

LOW

0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 1.5 1.6 1.6 1.5

10:07p 10:39p 11:15p — 3:19p 4:21p 5:13p 6:00p

LOW

Moon

1.0 1.2 1.4 3rd — 0.3 0.1 0.0 -0.1

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

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Horseshoe players held up by rain Two teams emerged from pool play and were left to battle for the day’s championship during Aug. 14 horseshoe action at the Anna Maria City Hall horseshoe pits. Tim Sofran walked his way to an early lead over Hank Huyghe and Sam Samuels and emphatically ended the match with a double ringer to put an exclamation point on a 25-9 victory! Rain played a role during the Aug. 17 games, as Sofran and the team of Samuels and Jerry Disbrow were the last two unbeaten teams. Rain ended things before they could settle it in the pits and both teams shared bragging rights. 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.

G&G Yardscaping teammates Kate Stembridge, Peyton Harlan, Ava Harlan, Cale Rudacille, Connor Samblis, Hudson Green, Ryan Joseph and coach Gary Harlan show off their winning hardware in the center advanced division championship. Islander Photo: Courtesy CofAMI

Moss Builders teammates Mason Moss, Miles Moss, Hunter Titen, Jackson Titen, Brandon Sato, Dylan Sato wear their medals Aug. 13 for a photo with coach Ryan Moss after winning the center intermediate division indoor soccer title. Islander Photo: Courtesy CofAMI

There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.

Sign-up is ongoing for the Sept. 7 Center-LaPensee Bowling Tournament at Bowlero Bradenton, 4208 Cortez Road, Bradenton. Proceeds support the Center of Anna Maria Island. Cost is $30 per player and includes three games, shoes and an order of pizza or wings. Bowlers can sign up individually or as a team. The tourney also is looking for sponsors, starting with the $500 signature lane sponsor, which provides for five bowlers, a Yeti-Center logo fishing shirt and a pitcher of beer. A $200 lane sponsorship includes five bowlers and, for $150, a business logo is displayed on a lane and at check-in. To register or for more information, contact the center at info@centerami.org or 941-778-1908.

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Aug. 21, 2019 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 29 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

If you don’t mind getting wet, you’ll be rewarded with fish By Capt. danny stasny Islander Reporter

Another week of wet weather prevented some anglers from getting on the water, but those who were determined were rewarded with some good inshore action. Fishing deep grass flats around Anna Maria Island is host to some exceptional fishing, especially for catch-and-release trout. Finding the right flat to fish can result in rallies stasny of 20-30 trout without even pulling anchor. Mixed in with the trout bite are ladyfish, Spanish mackerel and some-keeper size mangrove snapper. You might have to tend to a few catfish, but hey, not everything is perfect. Targeting the other species in the top catch-andrelease trio, snook and redfish, is producing action for sport anglers willing to take on the rain. It’s not the spring or fall bite, but on good moving tides, you can get a rally going. It seems first thing in the morning is the best window of opportunity to get the fish to bite. Moving offshore, reports of blackfin tuna are on the rise. Time to break out the rice and nori and get rolling. Sushi, that is. Also offshore, anglers are enjoying action on yellowtail and mangrove snappers, as well as some hefty permit. On my Southernaire charters, I’m enjoying the catch-and-release trout bite. On a recent morning we counted close to 50 trout at the boat in an hour and a half. And half of those caught were slot-size fish. I’m finding conservation skills and the ongoing closure are resulting in a recovery for the species from red tide impacts. Mixed in were ladyfish and some macks, for a good bite. Mangrove snapper are being caught, too, especially around structure — reefs and docks. Lastly, I’m seeing a few catch-and-release redfish and snook falling for our baits around mangrove shorelines and oyster bars. The bite seems best during early morning, swift-moving tides. Capt. Aaron Lowman is finding good catch-andrelease action on snook, redfish and spotted seatrout. For the snook and reds, Lowman is fishing around oyster bars and mangrove islands with live shiners as bait. Swift-moving tides are favorable when targeting these fish. For the trout, slightly deeper flats are producing decent numbers of fish. Free-lining shiners or hooking

You can catch it all online at islander.org Southernaire Fishing Charters

Patrick and grady o’Connor, visiting Anna maria Island from Charleston, south Carolina, hoist a goliath grouper, caught Aug. 13 on a charter fishing trip with Capt. david White of Anna maria Charters. “this fish ate a keeper yellowtail snapper,” White remarked. It was hoisted from the water to properly vent the fish and promptly released.

a shiner under a popping cork are attracting the trout, as well as ladyfish and Spanish mackerel. Moving out to nearshore structure, Lowman is finding a mixed bag of macks, mangrove snapper, gag grouper and permit. Capt. David White of Anna Maria Charters is tending the inshore bite as constant west winds have made it slightly uncomfortable for offshore anglers. While inshore, White is hooking into catch-andrelease redfish along the mangrove shorelines stretching from Miguel Bay south to Cortez. For bait, White is carrying an assortment of shiners, pinfish and menhaden. Targeting mangrove snapper is putting fish in the cooler for White’s anglers. Fishing inshore and nearshore structure with live shiners is producing mangrove snapper up to 14 inches. He’s seeing Spanish mackerel mixed in with this bite. Lastly, nighttime fly fishing for catch-and-release snook remains prolific, according to White, who says casting flies around snook lights in residential canals is “where it’s at.”

Fishing Charters Capt. Warren Girle

Capt. Jason Stock is finding blackfin tuna accommodating while working offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. Casting an assortment of artificials — topwater plugs or sub-surface lures — is resulting in some aggressive strikes from these high-speed fish. Live pinfish or cigar minnows on a flat line are attracting attention for clients when the tuna are chummed up behind the boat. After wearing out on tuna, Stock is giving his charter clients a break by targeting yellowtail and mangrove snapper. Both fish are reacting nicely to an ample chum slick by rising off the bottom to the midwater column. As the snappers are frolicking in the chum, Stock is free-lining baits or slightly weighting the rig with a split shot to present it to the fish. Lastly, Stock is putting his anglers on their share of permit over offshore wrecks. Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier is seeing mangrove snapper being reeled up to the deck quite frequently by anglers using live shrimp as bait. Light fluorocarbon leaders and small hooks combined with a shrimp are coaxing the snappers to bite. The addition of a split shot may come in handy during quicker moving tides. Mixed in with the snapper bite are flounder and an occasional catch-and-release snook. Most battles with the snook are short-lived, as the light fluorocarbon leader needed to catch the snapper is no match for the ferocity of a big linesider. Casting spoons and small jigs out from the pier around the bait school is resulting in some Spanish mackerel, as well as a few jack crevalle and ladyfish on the hook. Capt. Warren Girle is working the inshore waters of Tampa Bay. To start the morning, Girle is anchoring over structure in depths of 10-15 feet and chumming heavily with live shiners. As a result, Spanish mackerel, ladyfish and mangrove snapper are rising to the occasion. Free-lining shiners on a long shank hook among the chum bait is triggering a strike for his anglers. Girle also is targeting spotted seatrout in depths of 5-6 feet over grass flats where the tidal flow is good. Free-lining shiners is again attracting a bite. Lastly, fishing shallow flats during high tides around mangrove edges is resulting in some catchand-release snook. Send high-resolution photos and ﬁshing reports to ﬁsh@islander.org.

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Page 30 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Aug. 21, 2019 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

isl

biz

By Sandy Ambrogi

New businesses open, others change hands

Instant pop-up offered by new island biz Your day at the beach is looking up. Imagine arriving to the shore and finding a tent, chairs, toys, a cooler with ice and even towels — all for you! That’s the service offered by the new business CabanUp in the Anna Maria Island Centre shopping plaza at 3216 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach. Partners Jeff Zeunik and Justin Kuntz have teamed up on a concept to deliver items for a day at the beach to your choice of 45 beaches. Place your order today and your custom beach pop-up will be ready by 10 a.m. tomorrow — and removed at the end of the day. CabanUp offers service seven days a week. The showroom is open 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. For more information, call 941-243-3871 or visit CabanUp.com. Tortilla Bay changes hands “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” Lamont Cunningham told The Islander Aug. 14 about his purchase of Tortilla Bay in the Island Shopping Center at 5318 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Cunningham purchased the eatery Aug. 1 from Zoe Whitcomb. “Zoe built a beautiful business here, and I won’t change a thing,” Cunningham said. He plans to keep the same recipes, including the queso dip — calling it “the best I’ve ever had.” Cunningham is relocating to enjoy the island life from Macedonia, Ohio, where he worked in manufacturing for many years. Tortilla Bay is open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily.

NEW LISTING

snezana simic, left, and Justin Kuntz, co-owner, work the counter at the new Cabanup in the Anna maria Island Centre shopping plaza at 3216 e. Bay drive, Holmes Beach. the business delivers beach setups — cabanas and gear — to select locations on Anna maria Island, taking the work out of a day at the beach. Islander Photo: toni lyon

Blue flamingos in Bradenton Not pink, but blue. The Blue Flamingo, 4229 26th St. W., Bradenton, is upcycled, repurposed and full of vintage offerings. The shop features local artisans’ work, gifts, Dixie Belle Paints and more. Fun, funky and quirky — you’ll find it all under the roof and in the garden of Blue Flamingo. Visit the Blue Flamingo 10 a.m.-5 p.m. TuesdaySaturday. For more information, call 941-227-1936 or visit the website at theblueflaminngo.biz. Stay busy, islanders. Got biz news? Contact the islander at 941-7787978. You can peruse the Islander newspaper archive, dating back to its launch in November 1992, at ufdc.ufl.edu.

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Come see this top-ﬂoor, 1BR/1BA Bay. Plenty of privacy in 917 sf. Elevated views from living room, bedroom, kitchen and porch. Updated wood ﬂoors and granite counter tops. Condo offers two pools, tennis/pickle ball courts, two docks. All of this for $289,000.

thing you might need……..buy, rentend and finance yourSunbow piece of unit at

Jen Carlisle, west regional partnership manager for Visit florida, addresses attendees at the Aug. 15 Anna maria Island Chamber of Commerce lunch and learn at the Center of Anna maria Island, 407 magnolia Ave., Anna maria. the next lunch and learn will be at noon thursday, sept. 12, at the center with the topic to be announced. the cost will be $10, including lunch. RsVPs to the chamber are requested by tuesday, sept. 10. Islander Photo: Karen Riley-love

‘We are THE island.’ New Location Same Great Service

Mike Norman Realty

Want the ease of income without the hassle of annual management?

Hard To Make Your Life Easier!”

knows The Palms of Cortez! Only 10% Management Fee for the first year!

• Direct Deposit & Online Access to Your Account gewatervacationhomes.com • Interactive website for Owners AND Tenants www.941lending.com • Cutting Edge Property Management -8104 Ofc 877-778-0099 Toll Free • Unsurpassed Customer Service Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach n M. Zemmer Broker/Owner • Low Commission Rates • No Upfront Fees

If you’re thinking of renting your home at The Palms of Cortez

GIVE US A CALL NOW… At Edgewater Real Estate, we work hard so you don’t have to! 106 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach | 941.248.0882 | info@edgewaterami.com

SINCE 1957

Full Service Property Management & Sales Dina Franklin (owner) Licensed Sales Associate & Property Manager

9906 Gulf Drive www.annamariareal.com 941 778-2259 dina@annamariareal.com

Gulf-Bay Realty of Anna Maria Inc. Jesse Brisson - Broker Associate, GRI 941-713-4755 800-771-6043

TOUR OF HOMES FEATURE PROPERTY!

Come see this custom-built home in Anna Maria with 4beds/6baths/3car. Short walk to direct beach access. Over 3,200 sf under air. Pool and spa, privacy, tons of open space, elevator. No rental restrictions. Featured in this year’s community center tour of homes! $1,990,000

Aug. 21, 2019 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 31 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

BizCal

Ready, set

By Sandy Ambrogi

AMI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

‘delizioso!’ friends and members of the Anna maria Island Chamber of Commerce celebrate Aug. 13 as Vinny esposito cuts the ribbon at the new-ish location of Vinny’s Italian Kitchen, 5337 gulf drive, Holmes Beach. the market opened in february in Holmes Beach — relocating from Anna maria. It features baked goods, takeout meals, brickoven baked pizza all made with esposito’s classic Italian flare. Islander Photos: Bonner Joy

Wednesday, Sept. 11 7:45 a.m. — Early-riser breakfast, Bridge Tender Inn and Dockside Bar, 135 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach. Members $10, guests $20. Through Aug. 31 Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce membership drive, with incentives for recruitment and new members. Through Sept. 30. Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce seeks sponsorships for Bayfest, set for Saturday, Oct. 19 Information and reservations 941-778-1541, info@amichamber.org. SAVE THE DATE Oct. 19, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Bayfest, Anna Maria. Nov. 15, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards, Holmes Beach. LONGBOAT KEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Thursday, Sept. 5 11:30 a.m. — Networking@Noon, Tommy Bahama Restaurant, 371 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota. Members $25, guests $35. Information and reservations 941-383-2644, info@lbkchamber. com. Send BizCal listings to news@islander.org. Please include a contact name, as well as a phone number for publication.

CUT!

At the ribboncutting event, chef/owner Vinny esposito had to cut, cut, cut, cut, cut to slice through the ribbon, bringing cheers and laughter from the chamber members and staff of Vinny’s Italian Kitchen.

Chamber collecting nominations for awards

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for its small business of the year awards. The deadline for nominations is Sept. 30. For more information, contact the chamber at info@annamariaislandchamber.org or 941-7781541.

LO C A L LY K N OW N . G LO B A L LY C O N N E C T E D.

L O N G B OAT K E Y 811 Jungle Queen Way Laurie M Mock 941-232-3665 A4438987 $1,950,000

K E Y R OYA L E 529 Key Royale Drive Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 A4441917 $1,899,000

JEWFISH KEY 7140 La Lenaire Drive Laurie M Mock 941-232-3665 A4426326 $1,395,000

T I DY I S L A N D 51 Tidy Island Boulevard Kathy Marshall 941-900-9777 A4440248 $599,000

HARBOUR ISLE 371 Compass Point Drive 201 Susan Nemitz 941-237-0045 A4435630 $589,000

B AY PA L M S 503 70th Street Laura Rulon 941-896-2757 A4406584 $549,000

ILEXHURST 304 29th Street A & B Jody Shinn 941-705-5704 A4435660 $545,000

HARBOUR LANDINGS 12522 Harbour Landings Drive Ralph & Megg Faillace 941-713-9142 A4434327 $495,000

T I DY I S L A N D 10 Tidy Island Boulevard Kathy Marshall 941-900-9777 A4428392 $475,000

E L C O N QU I STAD O R VI LL AG E 4125 Pinar Drive Tracy DeRamo 941-650-4988 A4435705 $449,000

N O RTH W E ST B R A D E NTO N 1403 90th Court NW Bryan Dwyer & Jonnie Dwyer 941-809-9106 A4440230 $414,777

PA L M A S O L A T R AC E 3666 Summerwind Circle Kathy Valente 941-685-6767 A4442844 $399,000

H O L M E S B E AC H 5400 Gulf Drive 22 Jody Shinn 941-705-5704 A4440903 $325,000

A R B O R OA K S 6926 Arbor Oaks Circle Brenda Price 315-263-3559 A4440182 $308,000

PA L M A S O L A B AY C LU B 7840 34th Avenue W 202 Janet Kromer & Brittany Clemen 941-761-7349 A4415004 $464,000

NEW CONSTRUCTION

MSC MORTGAGE | MSC TITLE | MS&C COMMERCIAL NEW HOMES & CONDOMINIUMS

OPEN HOUSES SUNDAYS 1–4 PM

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Page 32 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Aug. 21, 2019 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CouPoN: sAVe $5 on the only patented sandless beach blanket. use AmI5@sandlessblanket.com or purchase at the Beach Hut across from ginny’s and Jane e’s old IgA on gulf drive, Anna maria or call 855686-sand.

l-sHAPed desK: Cherry finish, 65-by-58 -by-30-inches. three drawers, file drawer, cup opening. $50. 941-216-4149.

AeRIAl PHotos of Anna maria Island. View and purchase online: www.jackelka.com.

ANtIQue PARtNeR desK: All wood, $1,000. see at the Islander office, 3218 e. Bay drive, Holmes Beach. 941-778-7978.

mAtCHINg WHIte, eNd coffee tables, square maple table, six chairs, brass table lamp, very nice. 941-704-0596.

fouR ANtIQue offICe chairs: Perfect for dining set. the Islander newspaper, 3218 e. Bay drive, Holmes Beach. 941-778-7978.

PoWeRtRAIN 6500-WAtt generator, men’s earth Cruiser bicycle, women’s City limit Bridgestone bicycle, glass display cabinet, glass carboys. 941-526-6917.

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

soCKet sHelf: sIx-outlet, two usB port unit, new in the box, $15, ($30 online) details: www.socketshelf.com. 941-7782184.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

foR sAle: tWo large brown recliners, $50. 863-667-8522.

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