Record season
A loggerhead hatchling emerges from its nest on Anna Maria Island, where sea turtles have just set a new record for the most nests laid in a season. See Page 9.
Holmes Beach candidates participate in candidate forum
Three city commission seats will be filled by the city election that concludes on Nov. 4.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – City Commission
candidates Steve Oelfke, Jessica Patel, Terry Schaefer and Carol Soustek participated in a candidate forum hosted by The Anna Maria Island Sun on Sept. 24. Oelfke, Schaefer and Soustek currently serve on the city commission and seek additional two-year terms in office. Patel, a first-time candidate, seeks to unseat one of the incumbents.
The top three vote-getters in the city election that concludes on Tuesday, Nov. 4 will claim commission seats. In-person voting will occur at the Island Branch Library in Holmes Beach on Nov. 4; there
will be no in-person early voting for the city election. Vote-by-mail ballots will be mailed out in early October.
During the forum, the candidates shared their views on several city issues, including the city’s hurricane recovery efforts, the city budget, property taxes, drainage and flooding and stormwater fees. The forum video can be viewed at The Anna Maria Island Sun Facebook page and website, www.amisun.com.
THE CANDIDATES
Oelfke, a nursing home administrator, said he and his wife moved to Holmes Beach in 2011 after growing up in the Maitland/ Winter Springs area of Orlando. Their two children attended Anna Maria Elementary and Oelfke served on the Holmes Beach Planning Commission before being appointed to the city commission earlier this year when Pat Morton resigned.
SEE FORUM, PAGE 12
AMY WATERBURY | SUBMITTED
County pier ferry landing concept meets city resistance
The proposed ferry landing area would be approximately 350 feet long.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – The mayor and city commissioners strongly oppose Manatee County’s latest concept for the installation of a Gulf Islands Ferry landing alongside the soon-to-bebuilt Anna Maria City Pier walkway, but they remain hopeful that a workable solution can be found.
Not allowing the county to install as a separate project a countyfunded ferry landing alongside the walkway could jeopardize the county’s anticipated $2 million contribution to the city’s $8 million pier walkway replacement project.
On Sept. 25, Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short presented city commissioners with the latest ferry landing diagram he received from the county. The color-coded diagram proposes a ferry landing near the T-end of the pier where a new and larger 90-foot-long enclosed ferry boat would dock (highlighted in green), passenger loading and unloading areas at the bow and stern of the larger ferry (highlighted in orange), a lengthy gangway that would serve as a passenger waiting area (highlighted in blue) and a perpendicular metal wave attenuation wall between the docking area and the T-end pier building occupied by Mote Marine.
Short said the proposed landing structure would extend approxi-
Gilson again serving as Anna Maria building official
David Gilson is familiar with Anna Maria’s construction community.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – Former Anna Maria building official David Gilson is again serving as the city’s contracted building official. Gilson’s contracted services are being provided through the city’s recently extended and revised building department services agreement with Joe Payne Inc.
Gilson replaces contracted building official Craig Greene, whose services were also provided by JPI. Greene was recently relieved of his Anna Maria duties after Mayor Mark Short and the city commission received multiple complaints from Anna Maria builders, property owners and a construction industry consultant who often disagreed with Greene’s interpretation of city
code and found it challenging to interact with him.
On Sept. 25, the Anna Maria City Commission approved the multi-item consent agenda that included the extension and revision of the agreement that the city and JPI entered into earlier this year. During the Sept. 25 meeting, Mayor Mark Short confirmed Gilson is again serving as the city’s building official.
The JPI agreement approved that day includes a revised compensation formula that no longer provides JPI with 50% of the building permit fees generated in Anna Maria. The building official, floodplain management, inspector, permit tech and other services provided by JPI are now provided at an hourly rate.
According to the new agreement, the hourly rate for the building official services provided by JPI is $135 per hour. The hourly rate for floodplain management services is $125. The hourly rate for inspector service is $90. The hourly rate
for permit tech services is $75. The newly-extended agreement with JPI states the firm will provide the city with a certified building official who, on average, spends two days per week at city hall and works remotely for the remainder of his time. The agreement states the provided building
official will return permit-related calls within one business day. The agreement notes someone serving as a deputy building official may cover the building official’s duties in the event of “occasional absence.”
As an additional precautionary measure, the cities of Anna
Maria and Holmes Beach have entered into an interlocal agreement that establishes the parameters and compensation if one city’s building official or building department needs assistance from the other city while their building official or inspector is on vacation, out sick or otherwise unavailable.
Gilson began serving as Anna Maria’s contracted building official in September 2021. He vacated that position in January 2022 after accepting a similar position with the city of New Port Richey, which alleviated the 90-minute daily commute Gilson was making to Anna Maria. When announcing Gilson’s departure, then-mayor Dan Murphy said Gilson had done an outstanding job for the city.
In May 2022, he returned as the city’s full-time, city-employed building official and left for unknown reasons.
Gilson did not attend the Sept. 25 meeting.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Shown here in 2023, David Gilson has previous experience working with Anna Maria builders and developers.
ISLAND NEWS
IN BRIEF
Tampa Bay Marine top choice for City Pier project
During a special Anna Maria City Commission meeting scheduled for Sept. 30 at 2 p.m., Mayor Mark Short was expected to seek city commission approval of his recommendation to award the City Pier walkway reconstruction project contract to Tampa Bay Marine Inc. Page 2 of the 315-page meeting packet that also includes the Tampa Bay Marine bid proposal says, “After evaluation, Tampa Bay Marine was determined to be the most responsive and responsible bidder. Tampa Bay Marine submitted a base bid of $4,641,239. The firm has extensive marine construction experience throughout the region and holds a valid Florida contractor’s license, as well as a marine specialty license.” Eight other construction companies submitted bids in response to the city’s request for proposals. The estimated $8 million pier walkway replacement project also includes design and engineering work and some additional repairs and remediation needed for the still-standing city-owned buildings at the T-end of the pier.
Interim city attorney on agenda
The Bradenton Beach city commission will discuss hiring an interim city attorney to replace retired City Attorney Ricinda Perry at the Thursday, Oct. 2 meeting at 6 p.m. Also on the agenda will be the approval of resolution 25-988 regarding a revised building consolidation fee schedule. The meeting will be held at the Katie Pierola Commission Chambers, 107 Gulf Drive N.
Correction
In the Island Players’ production of “Janus,” the character Denny Russo was from Andover, Massachusetts. A story in last week’s Sun incorrectly referenced another city.
Scan this code with your smartphone to go there.
Construction office approved on former car wash property
The leased construction office property is still required to provide 16 parking spaces for Ugly Grouper restaurant patrons.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – City commissioners unanimously approved a special exception and site plan request that allows Marquis Management Construction owner Davyd Miller to use the former car wash property at 5804 Marina Drive as a construction office.
Located across the street from city hall in a C-3/Mixed Use Overlay district, the property is owned by the Ugly Grouper restaurant owner, Florida Land UG LLC. Florida Land Car Wash LLC owns the former car wash property; Scott Rolen is listed as manager for both.
The commission approval was granted on Sept. 25. According to the staff report prepared by Development Services Director Chad Minor, the property has existed in its current configuration since the late 1960s and was originally developed as a car wash and vehicle maintenance facility.
“Except for providing additional off-site parking for the Ugly Grouper restaurant and bar, the site has been primarily vacant/underutilized for several years,” the staff report says.
In 2022, city commissioners approved a site plan for the property and building to be repurposed as the 23-seat AMI Pizza Garage restaurant but those business activities never materialized.
The property is still subject to previous approvals and conditions that require the Ugly Grouper to provide 16 off-site restaurant parking spaces on the former car wash property.
The proposed use as a construction office complies with the city’s comprehensive plan and the future land use designation, and staff recommended city commission approval with the following conditions:
• The doors and screening proposed for the existing car wash bays shall remain closed at all times,
except when being temporarily opened for the ingress or egress of vehicles, materials or equipment;
• The property must maintain 16 parking spaces designated for Ugly Grouper patrons only;
• Outdoor storage of any kind shall be strictly prohibited on the premises; and
• No cleaning, maintenance or repair of vehicles or equipment shall occur on the premises.
Minor said some of Miller’s previous activities on the property created code compliance concerns that required the attention of Code Compliance Chief James Thomas. Minor said the commission’s approval of the special exception and site plan would bring the property into compliance.
When addressing the commission, Miller said he and 13 employees came to Holmes Beach after the 2024 hurricanes to repair his future brother-in-law’s home on 58th Street and he got permission from Ugly Grouper management to park their construction vehicles on the former car wash property.
Marquis Management Construction then picked up more than a dozen additional local clients and reached an agreement to rent the Ugly Grouper-owned building and property.
Miller said he took a risk and has already invested nearly $200,000 to repair and renovate the building and property.
Regarding the mayor and commissioners’ concerns about the outdoor storage, Miller said the construction equipment and materials would be stored inside. He said there will be times when semitrucks deliver building materials to the construction office but those materials will be divided up, loaded onto smaller vehicles and taken to the local construction sites.
Miller said no fuel will be stored on the property; and with no diesel fuel available on the Island, the construction equipment will be fueled off-Island.
Commissioner Terry Schaefer said he’s driven by some of the Marquis construction sites and they were clean and well-kept.
“We do good work. We want to be part of the community and not a burden,” Miller said.
Commissioner Carol Soustek disclosed that Marquis Management Construction helped repair her hurricane-damaged home. City Attorney Erica Augello said that didn’t pose a conflict of interest that would prevent Soustek from voting on special exception and site plan approvals.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Marquis Management Construction’s Holmes Beach office is located at 5804 Marina Drive. Marquis Management Construction owner Davyd Miller addressed the mayor and city commissioners.
City approves structure as non-compliant use
The “non-compliant” designation with stipulations will prevent setting a bad precedent, according to the former city attorney.
BY LESLIE LAKE
SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – Following discussions that spanned several city commission meetings, commissioners approved a separate but attached structure at 106 23rd St. N. as a noncompliant use at the Sept. 18 meeting.
The addition, which was constructed in place of a garage that was removed, had been permitted by the former city building official and land planner and was nearly completed when city Building Official Bill Palmer said it did not meet city code.
Palmer deemed the new structure as a utility building but said homeowner Neal Morse did not want utility occupancy, and instead requested it to be approved as living space.
“The utility building fits very well because it’s a bonus room and a game room. The only limitations are that it can’t be used as a dwelling,” Palmer
Attorney Scott Rudacille, representing Morse, spoke to commissioners at the Sept. 18 meeting.
“It’s not going to be a perfect solution but there needs to be a solution to move it forward,” Rudacille said.
Rudacille described the background of the project.
HENDRICKS | SUN
The Bradenton Beach City commission approved the new structure, right, at 106 23rd St. N., as a non-compliant use.
said at the Sept. 18 commission meeting. “You can’t live in it, you can’t sleep in it and it can’t be a permanent residence.”
Palmer said for the structure to be classified as a duplex, there would need to be a common roof.
“You couldn’t attach a new building to an existing building and say that’s a duplex,” Palmer said. “The sticking point is that he plans on using this as a dwelling.”
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Palmer also said the maximum lot coverage limit was exceeded and could be remedied if some pavers were removed from the 4,200-square-foot lot.
“The rooms are listed as a game room and a bonus room,” Palmer said. “The Land Development Code requires two parking spaces for the first 1,200 square feet plus one parking space for each additional portion of 600 square feet, so basically for those structures we would need two parking spaces for each unit.”
“This is a process that started several years ago when Steve Gilbert was the building official,” he said. “The concept of having living space in a separate structure, because you have to remember, here is an existing ground level cottage, there was an existing ground level garage that had a non-conforming unit in it, and the options to add living space are limited by FEMA restrictions.”
He said prior to construction, the project was reviewed not only by Gilbert, but by City Planner Luis Serna and former Building Official Darin Cushing.
“And the concept was, separate structure but same dwelling that can’t be rented separately, it’s all part of the residence,” Rudacille said. “And
SEE GARAGE, PAGE 23
When you choose Air & Energy for your next air conditioning unit installation.
JOE
OPINION
The Anna Maria Island Sun Staff
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Editor
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Bob Alexander
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Phone: 941-778-3986 email: news@amisun.com | ads@amisun.com | classifieds@amisun.com
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Is Holmes Beach painting the windows black?
Holmes Beach has had a history of leaving residents feeling dismissed, ignored, or misled.
Consider a few examples:
• Planning Commission – This commission was stripped of its oversight role in site plan reviews. These preliminary reviews by planning commissions are common practices in other municipalities.
• Resolutions - Resolutions require only one hearing, unlike ordinances which necessitate two. This use of resolutions, coupled with curtailment of preliminary site plan reviews by the planning commission, give shorter due-diligence time for public involvement.
• Rezones and occupancies –Despite resident opposition, bank properties and restaurants were granted changes and expansions leading to overdevelopment. At times, public commenters were censored when cut off at two minutes, while city documents clearly state they are entitled to five or more minutes for hearings.
• Bert Harris settlements – Following shade meetings, residents were blindsided by settlements that lacked adept negotiation and undermined the Comprehensive Plan. The attorney asserted that the city was under no obligation to provide prior notification to residents who are the most negatively impacted, to this day.
• Neglected recommendations – Findings from the 2016 Congestion Committee and the 2018 Ad Hoc Committee (Form of Government) were dismissed.
• Charter Review – Residents recently had accrued candidates for the “required” five-year charter review. At the last minute they decided it would be futile.
• Island Bazaar resolution –Nearly every resident who spoke opposed it, but the affirmative vote occurred less than two minutes after a surprise, illadvised noise proposal, leaving no opportunity for input. Ten months down the road, this site sits idly in City Center.
• 2018 proposal to purchase Gloria Dei parcels – This well-thought-out proposal with pre-arranged financing was not pursued. It could have been a
“foot in the door” towards today’s larger parcel, however, the price tag is currently $9 million.
• Key Royale parking – Initially, residents weren’t properly notified. The attorney initially advised against it.
• Meeting attendance – The absence of residents at regular meetings, which is commonly referenced, is evidence that marginalization has driven participation away. A recently scheduled city meeting was abruptly adjourned with no explanation, leaving a resident in attendance stunned, and having to return later.
• County beach study – The city had a copy of this that was not made public. It even contained information which could have worked to the city's advantage during the parking garage issue. Dismissal has contributed to disillusionment and lack of attendance at meetings. If Holmes Beach continues to “paint the windows black,” it will continue to lose the trust of the very people it is meant to serve.
Richard Motzer Holmes Beach
ANNA MARIA
10005 GULF DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130
Visit www.cityofannamaria. com or contact city hall for more information
Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2 p.m., Special city commission meeting to select a City Pier reconstruction contractor
BRADENTON BEACH
107 GULF DRIVE N. FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005
Visit www.cityofbradentonbeach.com or contact city hall for more information
Thursday, Oct. 2, 6 p.m., City Commission meeting
HOLMES BEACH
5801 MARINA DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800
Visit www.holmesbeachfl.org or contact city hall for more information
Wednesday, Oct. 1, 10 a.m., Parks and Beautification Committee meeting
Wednesday, Oct. 1, 3:30 p.m., Planning Commission meeting
ANNA MARIA ISLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EVENTS
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 1
5-7 p.m. Ribbon cutting, grand reopening of Belle Haven Historic cottage, 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Light bites and beverages.
THURSDAY, OCT. 2
8-9:30 a.m. Chamber breakfast at Toasted Mango Café, 3240 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach. RSVP Terri@chamber.org or 941-778-1541.
THURSDAY, OCT. 9
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Chamber lunch at AMOB, 200 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach. RSVP Terri@chamber. org or 941-778-1541.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATION
4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, Sunday service 9:15 a.m.
CROSSPOINTE FELLOWSHIP
8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, Sunday service 9 a.m.
HARVEY MEMORIAL COMMUNITY CHURCH
300 Church Ave., Bradenton Beach, Sunday service 9:15 a.m.
ROSER MEMORIAL COMMUNITY CHURCH
512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, Sunday services 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.
ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH
248 South Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach, Masses: Saturday, 4 p.m., Sunday 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m.
Post office reopening expected soon
Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short sought and received assistance from Congressman Vern Buchanan’s office regarding the reopening of the hurricane-damaged Anna Maria Post Office at 101B South Bay Blvd. and the closure and removal of the trailer-based temporary post office at City Pier Park. Short said he received an email that said the U.S. Postal Service has established an Oct. 19 deadline for the post office repairs to be completed. Short said the goal is to then return the post office to its regular location as soon as possible so the trailer can be removed. Short plans to use City Pier Park for the city’s Veterans Day ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 11.
The U.S. Postal Service expects the hurricane repairs to the Anna Maria Post Office space to be completed in mid-October.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND CHURCH SCHEDULES
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN The temporary post office currently operates inside a large trailer at City Pier Park.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Trash, recycling collection days changing soon
Citywide side-door service is to be provided to residential property owners at no additional charge.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria’s new trash and recycling collection days take effect on Monday, Oct. 6.
Trash will be collected on Tuesdays and Fridays instead of on Mondays and Thursdays. Recycling collections will occur on Tuesdays for the northwestern half of the city and on Thursdays for the southeastern half of the city. Yard waste collections will continue on Mondays.
Waste Management recently distributed a press release that said, “And for convenience, and to reduce curbside clutter, Waste Management is providing side-door collection service for trash, recycling and containerized yard waste for all residents. Bundled yard waste should still be placed curbside.”
Side-door service entails Waste Management employees retrieving trash and recycling receptacles from the side of the residential property, emptying them and returning them to the side of the house.
The change in service days occurs at a time when Mayor Mark Short and others remain displeased with Waste Management’s performance with the side-door service that’s now mandatory for all residential properties, including homesteaded permanent residences.
On Aug. 14, city commissioners approved the change in service days requested by Waste Management and amended the city’s existing agreement with the company. The amended agreement requires Waste Management to provide side-door service for all residential properties at no additional cost for the remaining months of the agreement that expires in June. The citywide side-door service was supposed to take effect immediately. Side-door service was previously required, at an additional cost, only for nonhomesteaded residential properties, including short-term vacation rentals.
When considering the change in service days, the mayor and commissioners expressed concerns about Waste Management’s past side-door service performance.
On Sept. 25, they revisited those concerns.
“I’ve been experimenting,” Short told the commission. “I’ve been taking my trash
out from behind the (house) and putting it on my driveway. Last week, the trash got picked up and the recycling guy didn’t pick anything up. This week, neither got picked up on Monday.”
Short said his wife, Pat, called Waste Management and a customer service rep told her their trash was supposed to be picked up on Tuesday. At the time, the change in service days had not yet occurred. Pat then spoke to a customer service supervisor who said their residence wasn’t signed up for side-door service.
The mayor then emailed Waste Management Government Affairs Manager Brenna Haggar and he was told these concerns would be investigated.
“Today, trash day, I took my trash can halfway down my driveway, not all the way to the street, and they didn’t pick it up again,” Short told the commission.
When speaking to a customer service supervisor, the mayor was told the company had no record of Anna Maria requiring side-door service.
“But they’ve been perfect on my street,” Commissioner Chris Arendt said, noting he’s had side-door service for the past two weeks.
After noting that Waste Management District Manager Chris Sawallich attended the Aug. 14 meeting, Short said, “He knows what they’re supposed to be doing. They have failed miserably.”
Commissioner Charlie Salem said, “If they’re not living up to their end of the bargain, should we reconsider moving our services days to accommodate them? If they can’t pick up the mayor’s trash right, I’m not sure we should have confidence they’re going to pick up anybody’s trash right.”
“That’s a legal question,” Short said.
During past discussions, Short said the city will seek proposals from other companies when considering the renewal of the Waste Management agreement next summer.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Trash containers left alongside city streets remain a concern in Anna Maria.
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | LLAKE@AMISUN.COM
Sea turtles break nesting record
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring is reporting a record number of sea turtle nests this year, beating 2019’s record of 543 by one nest.
The crop of hatchlings so far this season also is in line for a record, with 418 nests hatching and over 30,000 hatchlings making it out of their nests.
NESTING NEWS
TURTLE NESTS LAID: 544
“With numbers like these, 2025 will be the third most successful nesting season since we began patrols in 1983,” Turtle Watch Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella wrote in a Sept. 26 email. “The only seasons that had more hatchlings were 2018 (35,788 hatchlings, with 447 hatched nests) and 2022 (33,784 hatchlings, with 464 hatched nests). This is great news for future generations of sea turtles.”
With turtle nesting season officially
(528 loggerhead, 16 green) Record: 543 in 2019
FALSE CRAWLS: 828 (797 loggerhead, 31 green) Record: 831 in 2010
NESTS HATCHED: 418 (405 loggerhead, 13 green) Record: 453 in 2022
HATCHLINGS PRODUCED: 30,554 (29,544 loggerhead, 1,010 green) Record: 35,788 in 2018
NEST DISORIENTATIONS: 149 (146 loggerhead, 3 green)
ADULT DISORIENTATIONS: 30 (28 loggerhead, 2 green)
Source: Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring
Turtle Watch
Wednesday approaches
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring’s annual fundraiser, the Sixth Annual Suzi Fox Turtle Watch Wednesday, is coming up on Wednesday, Oct. 22 from 4- 6 p.m. at Hurricane Hanks, 5346 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. The event is free. To make a donation to silent or live auctions, please contact Turtle Watch at info@ islandturtlewatch.com.
ending on Oct. 31, there are just 22 nests left on the beaches.
“It's getting quiet out there, but we are still seeing hatches, so we remind people to keep the beach clean, dark and flat to make sure that the hatchlings can make it safely to the water when they hatch “ she wrote.
“We also remind folks that we share the beach with shorebirds,” Mazzarella wrote. “Some birds are resting and feeding their young, while others are
stopping on AMI to rest and feed during long migratory journeys.”
To help protect the birds, please follow these suggestions:
1. Give them space by walking around the flock.
2. Allow the birds to rest and feed quietly without running through the flock.
3. Birds eat fish, insects and crustaceans; do not feed them bread.
4. Enjoy them from a distance.
SUBMITTED
Where’s Winnie?
Winnie, a female loggerhead sea turtle, has fallen to 10th place in a field of 12 turtles in the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s Tour de Turtles Race that began on Aug. 1. She has traveled 368 miles in the Gulf of Mexico since she was satellite-tagged and released after nesting on Coquina Beach on June 23 and 218 miles since the race began. Winnie is swimming to raise awareness about the threat of light pollution and how lighting near shore can negatively impact nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings. Her participation in the 2025 Tour de Turtles is sponsored by Hurricane Hanks and Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring. Visit The Sun’s Facebook page for weekly “Where’s Winnie?” updates and visit amisun.com for weekly updates on turtle nesting activity in “Nesting News.”
Farmers market returning in new location
The seasonal Anna Maria Community Farmers Market returns in a new location on Tuesday, Oct. 7 and continues every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., weather permitting, through April. Located last year at The Center of Anna Maria Island, this year’s weekly market events will be at Roser Memorial Community Church, 519 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. The wideranging list of vendors will be selling fresh produce, meat and poultry, baked goods, fresh juices, coffee and tea, local art, wellness goods, jewelry, clothing and more – all while supporting local vendors. Interested vendors are asked to contact Dev at dbtbami@ gmail.com. The 2025-26 Anna Maria Community Farmers Market is presented by DBTB, Roser Church and The Center.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN 105-year-old World War II veteran John Skeen participated in the 2023 parade.
Veterans Day parade participants sought
The city of Anna Maria invites veterans, marching bands, civic groups, non-profit organizations, schoolchildren, businesses and others to participate in this year’s “Old Soldiers & Sailors” Veterans Day parade and post-parade recognition ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Traveling down Pine Avenue, and canceled last year because of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the annual parade and recognition ceremony honors and celebrates the brave men and women who served and serve our country. Parade participation is free and participants are asked to complete the application posted at the city website, www.cityofannamaria.com, and email it to amadmin@cityofannamaria.com no later than Friday, Nov. 7. Mayor Mark Short recently said he plans to hold the post-parade recognition ceremony at City Pier Park, but if the temporary post office remains there longer than expected, an alternative location will be announced.
New signs address Bean Point swimming risks
City officials have discontinued their efforts to establish a Bean Point “no swim” zone.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – The “No Swimming, Dangerous Currents” signs recently installed at Bean Point have been replaced by new signs that say, “Warning. Dangerous Currents. Swim at Your Own Risk. No Lifeguards.”
The new signs coincide with Anna Maria city officials discontinuing their recent efforts to establish and enforce a “no swim” zone at Bean Point. Public works department personnel installed the new “Swim At Your Own Risk” signs along the Bean Point shoreline on Sept. 25 and the following day installed similar signs at four beach access entry points along North Shore Drive.
The new signs were ordered after Mayor Mark Short, on Sept. 15, vetoed an emergency ordinance adopted by city commissioners on Sept. 11. The short-lived emergency ordinance formalized the previously enacted Bean Point “no swim” zone that extended eastward from the Fern Street beach access to the beach access between 831 and 833 North Shore Drive.
The emergency ordinance allowed some Bean Point property owners to continue swimming near their beachfront properties.
The ordinance included the following enforcement language requested by commissioners in response to input provided by potentially impacted Bean Point beachfront property owners: “Owners, and their guests, of homes that are not vacation rentals with riparian rights in this specific area are exempt from these penalties.”
The day after he vetoed the emergency ordinance, Short sent The Sun an email that said, “I vetoed Emergency Ordinance 25-951, which was passed by the commission last Thursday regarding no swimming at the Bean Point area of the beach. The ordinance, as approved by the commission, provided for inconsistent enforcement and would be impractical to enforce by the MCSO (Manatee County Sheriff’s Office) and city code enforcement personnel.”
During their Sept. 25 meeting, all five city commissioners expressed their unanimous support for the mayor’s decision and they declined the opportunity to vote on overriding his veto.
When explaining his decision, Short said, “The challenge with that
ordinance was that it was basically impossible to enforce.”
Short said he hopes the new signs make it very clear that there are risks associated with swimming at Bean Point.
“If they choose to swim there that’s fine, but they can’t say they weren’t warned,” Short said.
Short noted the new signs would be installed at four beach access entrances along North Shore Drive and along those corresponding portions of the Bean Point shoreline.
Short held up one of the new signs for the commissioners to see and said, “If you walk up there from the beach, you’re going to see these signs from any direction.”
Commissioner Chris Arendt said placing new “Swim At Your Own
Risk” signs at the head of the beach access paths in addition to placing them on the beach was the right approach to take.
Commissioner Gary McMullen said the mayor’s decision allows Bean Point homeowners (and others) to continue swimming at Bean Point while also making them aware of the risks.
“They can swim there, but they take all responsibility,” McMullen said.
During public comment, My Beach Concierge owner Peery Heldreth said his company and some of the other beach cabana rental companies already warn visitors about the risks of swimming at Bean Point and try to steer them to safer nearby locations.
CITY OF ANNA MARIA | SUBMITTED
A “Swim At Your Own Risk” sign was placed near this dune walkover.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
The news signs installed along the Bean Point shoreline inform swimmers they’re swimming at their own risk.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
People of all ages enjoy wading and swimming at Bean Point.
FORUM: Holmes Beach candidates participate in candidate forum
Patel and her husband met many years ago in Bradenton Beach and after time spent living in New York and California, they and their two children became Holmes Beach residents in 2020. Patel is the vice-president of the Anna Maria Elementary PTO board and the vice-chair of the School Advisory Committee. Patel, a University of Florida graduate, works for a non-profit organization.
Schaefer, a retired bank executive, has served as city commissioner for the past six years. He grew up in St. Louis and met his wife at the University of Missouri. They have been Holmes Beach residents for 19 years and have two children and five granddaughters.
Soustek was appointed to the city commission in 2014 and has remained a commissioner since then. She first visited the Island as a child while living in Tampa and later made Holmes Beach her home. She was an Anna
Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteer for more than 30 years.
“When you are a commissioner, you have to make decisions up here that affect a lot of lives, so we take that job very seriously,” Soustek said.
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS, RECOVERY
The candidates were asked what the city did well in its response to the 2024 hurricanes and what might be done better the next time.
Schaefer said before the 2024 hurricanes struck, the city completed the creation of a 600page emergency management document that helped guide the city’s hurricane response.
“What can we do better? That is being studied right now,” he said.
Soustek said four or five years ago, Mayor Judy Titsworth told the commission she wanted to improve the city’s hurricane preparedness and those efforts included lining up emergency contractors to assist with the recovery efforts.
“We were prepared. Nobody’s prepared for 5 feet of water in their houses,” Soustek said. Oelfke wasn’t in office when the hurricanes struck.
“I think the police did a great job. I think the city pulling in a group from Texas to help give guidance was great,” he said.
Regarding the city’s contracted debris hauler, Oelfke said, “The vendor we relied on struggled. They gave us a good rate, but they
struggled to deliver as well as we would have liked.”
After noting the city now has agreements in place with multiple debris removal companies, Oelfke said, “That’s an area of improvement.”
Patel said the first responders did a great job.
“Outside of that, it was a disaster,” she said. “The contractors were a total mess. There were a lot of problems and the commu-
nity was not proud of us. People were really disappointed and really upset, myself included.”
BUDGET, TAXES
The candidates were asked about the city’s $22 million 202526 fiscal year budget, retaining the 1.99 property tax millage rate and the city’s expenditure of taxpayer dollars.
“Nobody wants to raise taxes,” Soustek said. “This year, city hall understood the fragileness of our community and they cut back on projects they planned to do. A lot of things were cut so we could keep our millage the same.”
She noted the property taxes levied by the city make up a small portion of a property owner’s tax bill, but that small portion plays a key role in funding the city’s operations.
“Go home and look at your tax bill. Look at the amount of money the city gets compared to some other things,” Soustek said. Oelfke said he doesn’t mind
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
From left, Steve Oelfke, Jessica Patel, Terry Schaefer and Carol Soustek are competing for three city commission seats.
FORUM: Candidates participate in forum
FROM PAGE 12
his own taxes increasing slightly but as a commissioner he feels a “huge responsibility” to keep property taxes low and ensure the tax revenues received are spent efficiently.
“I believe the people in this community need to feel heard and there’s a feeling that they don’t feel heard,” he said.
Patel said she doesn’t understand why the tentative millage rate was initially set at the higher 2.1812 mills rate and later lowered to the existing 1.99 rate after additional cost savings were identified.
Schaefer praised the mayor and the department heads for the comprehensive approach they took when crafting the new budget.
“I think a lot of people misunderstood when we set the maximum millage,” he said of the maximum millage rate adopted in July that could be, and was, lowered before the final budget was adopted in September.
STORMWATER IMPROVEMENTS, FEES
to drive through a no wake zone to take my kid to school. It’s a big problem. I feel like we’re playing this game of throw it at the fridge and see what sticks and nothing’s yet worked.”
She suggested looking at how other coastal cities address drainage and flooding issues.
Earlier this summer, Oelfke and Soustek and Commissioner Carol Whitmore opposed increasing the annual stormwater fee from $2.95 per 100 square feet of property to $4.95. Schaefer and Commissioner Dan Diggins supported the proposed increase.
“There’s always places in a budget that can be trimmed,” she said. “ Only after the fact – after the community was furious – did they say maybe we should take a look at the budget. That shows that we’re not talking to the community before making big decisions.”
During the forum, Oelke said he wasn’t comfortable increasing the stormwater fee when so many residents are still dealing with hurricane recovery expenses, but he said the fee will need to be increased in the future to make the necessary stormwater and drainage improvements.
Soustek expressed a similar view.
Patel said, “I shouldn’t have
Schaefer said the before 2024 hurricanes struck, the city asked a consultant to conduct a comprehensive drainage and stormwater system study. He said the consultant and city staff identified the $21 million worth of stormwater and drainage projects that should be pursued in the next five years and the stormwater fee revenues provide the money the city needs to receive the matching grants that help fund those projects.
All four candidates agreed that the existing square footage-based stormwater fee calculation method should be revised in a manner that factors in total lot coverage and impervious surface coverage.
“It’s not OK that some of our water issues are related to new development or new homes that maximize every square inch allowed on a lot. Those are the ones that should carry more of the burden,” Oelfke said.
Additional forum coverage will appear in The Sun before the Nov. 4 election.
WHERE‛S YOUR COMFORT ZONE?
BY LESLIE LAKE
HBPD warns of Apple iCloud calendar scam
SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – The Holmes Beach Police Department (HBPD) is warning of an Apple iCloud calendar invitation scam.
The invitation is sent from a genuine Apple email address and appears to be related to a purchase invoice. When you look at the invitation’s notes, you see a message about a large charge
to your PayPal account. The message includes a phone number and directs you to call to speak to a support team. Cybercriminals created a real calendar invitation, but put a phony purchase message in the notes, according to HBPD. The phone number in the message doesn't connect to a real support team, but instead goes directly to a scammer. If you call the number, the scammer will try to trick
you into giving them full control of your computer so they can steal your money and personal information.
HBPD offers the following tips to avoid falling victim to this phishing scam:
• Be suspicious of any calendar invitation you weren't expecting, especially if it contains an urgent message about a purchase.
• Never call a phone number listed
in an unexpected email. If you’re concerned about a purchase, log in to your account directly on the official website or app to check your transaction history.
• Don’t accept or decline suspicious calendar invitations, as this can confirm to scammers that your email address is active. Instead, simply delete the email.
FERRY: Landing concept meets resistance
mately 350 feet along the east (right) side of the soon-to-be-built pier walkway, as viewed from shore.
Designed to accommodate the larger, enclosed ferry boat that the county hopes to put into service later this year for the Manatee River route between Anna Maria and downtown Bradenton, the new City Pier landing would replace the public boat landing previously used by the smaller pontoon ferry boats before Hurricane Milton destroyed most of the pier walkway that now awaits replacement.
Short said he and county officials are trying to finalize an interlocal agreement for the county’s tourist development taxfunded $2 million contribution to the pier walkway reconstruction project. Short said county officials are “pretty adamant” that the city-county agreement must allow the county to install a ferry landing alongside the pier at the county’s expense.
Earlier this year, city and county officials discussed several potential ferry landing options and city commissioners favored the option that proposed a much smaller ferry landing and attenuation wall being installed along the west (left) side of the pier, as viewed from shore.
“I’m not happy with this,” Short said of the new proposal. “I’ve already told the county I’m not so sure this is going to work. They’re going back to the drawing board.”
Short plans to consult with an independent industry expert to garner additional insights on a workable ferry landing solution.
Participating by phone, Commissioner John Lynch said the county’s latest proposal is not a viable solution because it takes away the functionality, visibility, aesthetic design and historical perspective of the City Pier.
Lynch questioned whether accommodating the county’s desire to bring a larger ferry to the City Pier benefits the city and its residents.
“Do we want to have a 90-foot boat parking at our pier? I know that’s the desire of the county and the TDC (Tourist Development Council) but is that what we, the residents of Anna Maria, want?” he asked.
Regarding the potential loss of $2 million in county funds, Lynch said, “We’re being held hostage to that.”
Commissioner Gary McMullen said the latest proposal would effectively make the entire east side of the pier unavailable for fishing and other activities. McMullen
MANATEE COUNTY | SUBMITTED
This diagram proposes the ferry boats dock in the green area, the passengers load and unload in the orange area and the ferry passengers wait in the blue area.
opposes the additional gangway waiting area and he said the ferry landing needs to be as small as functionally possible.
Commissioner Kathy Morgan Johnson asked what happened to the county’s previous proposal to install the ferry landing along the west side of the pier walkway. Short said installing the landing there would obstruct the view of Egmont Key, the Gulf and the sunsets.
Commissioner Chris Arendt said he’s OK with a ferry landing on the east side of the pier but he opposes the additional gangway waiting area.
Regarding the accommodation of a larger ferry boat, Arendt noted the two currently utilized open-air pontoon boats are weather dependent, rarely run in inclement weather and don’t provide reliable public transportation.
“This is an all-weather ferry – enclosed, heated, cooled. It’s going to run on a timetable that would allow employees that work on the Island to use it for transportation during the peak traffic season,” he said.
He said those employees could then catch a free Island trolley at the foot of the City Pier that would get them close to their workplaces elsewhere on the Island.
“I think it’s a good thing,” Arendt said.
Commissioner Charlie Salem questioned the need for such a lengthy ferry landing. He said the people designing it for the county should discuss the potential drawbacks and benefits with the mayor and commissioners. He’s also puzzled by the county’s pier replacement project funding being tied to the city’s ferry landing approval.
“It would be better for everyone if they focused on helping us rebuild the pier and using the commitment of those touristgenerated dollars for a largely touristvisited pier, instead of having the residents of this city front the money,” Salem said of the pier replacement costs.
New Collection Days Begin the Week of October 6
Anna Maria Island Residents:
For your convenience and to reduce curbside clu er, Side-Door collection service for Trash, Recycling, and containerized Yard Waste is now provided to ALL residents.
Bundled yard waste should still be placed curbside
Beginning the week of October 6,
TRASH: TUESDAY and FRIDAY
CONTAINERIZED YARD WASTE: MONDAY (collection day remains Monday)
RECYCLING: TUESDAY or FRIDAY
For more information visit: www cityofannamaria.com/utilities
OUTDOORS
Fishing and other lessons
Reel Time
ately it seems I’m constantly reminded how our experiences growing up mold us into the kind of people we become. The lack of respect for the environment that sustains us emphasizes just how important it is to give children positive, optimistic and life affirming experiences growing up.
Anna Maria fishing guide Capt. Justin Moore and I were talking on the phone the other day when I overheard him tell his clients that they needed to pick up some trash on the water as they were leaving the dock for a day of fishing. He finished by telling the children on board how that would give them luck that day.
Introducing children to fishing and the natural world that supports it can create the foundations of a healthy and well-adjusted adult. Those experiences on the water leave indelible memories and help impart the importance of camaraderie and protecting the natural world.
Creating unrealistic expectations can discourage young anglers and be the difference between the kindling of a passion or an aversion to the activity. The basics of fishing are easy to teach and don’t require expensive equipment. If there’s a cardinal rule to getting kids interested in fishing, it’s to keep them engaged. Children are naturally curious; they love to play in and on the water and are fascinated by the creatures they find there. Catching fish isn’t their main objective and you shouldn’t make it the focus of an outing. It’s important to plan a trip that includes other
activities like picking up trash, bird identification, swimming and snorkeling as well as fishing. Being on the water provides an excellent opportunity to teach kids about their environment and boating safety skills. It’s important to let kids be a part of the adventure and getting them involved is a great way to interject a lesson in responsibility. Let them drive the boat even if they’re just sitting on your lap while you steer. Introduce them to navigating the Intracoastal Waterway and give them things to be in charge of such as making sure everyone knows where the safety equipment is. Don’t start children out with cheap fishing rods and reels or teach them bad habits like not picking up trash. Provide them with decent equipment that’s light and manageable. An ultra-light rig with 6-pound test line is a great way to start. Try and think
like a kid when fishing. Children would rather catch a dozen pinfish in a half hour than wait hours for a chance at a bigger or better fish. Action is paramount; kids are easily bored and distracted. Consider starting kids fishing with a small popping cork that they can watch for signs of action. If you can start teaching kids that the enjoyment of the adventure isn’t measured by the number or size of fish you catch, you’ll teach them an important lesson that many fishermen never learn. If you can make the experience interesting for them,
even if they don’t catch anything they are more likely to want to do it again. Kids might be more interested in collecting shells, counting crabs or looking for manatees or dolphin than fishing, so be sensitive to what’s bringing them pleasure.
Besides fostering a love for the natural world and a desire to protect it, it’s also important to emphasize the basics of safety by bending down barbs and making them aware of fish with sharp teeth and stingers like catfish and sting rays. These first experiences on the water are very important and you should consider a plan of action in advance in case the fishing isn’t great. The last thing you want to do is bore kids by sitting on a spot too long. Keep your eyes and ears open and you might learn a lesson or two from them!
RUSTY CHINNIS
CAPT. JUSTIN MOORE | SUBMITTED
Capt. Justin Moore’s prediction that helping protect the bay would lead to good luck came true for Theo George, 5, Xander George, 8, and their dad, Victor George, of Lakewood Ranch. The trio of anglers landed this tarpon off Anna Maria last week.
CAPT. RICK GRASSETT
Fall into fishing
Fishing should turn on this month. Schools of reds will begin to break up and scatter on shallow flats. There should also be good action with snook and big trout in shallow water. Snook will gorge themselves at night around lighted docks in the ICW. There should also be good action in the coastal Gulf with Spanish mackerel, false albacore (little tunny), tripletail and cobia. You might also still find tarpon anywhere from upper Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay to along the beaches.
Snook will move from passes and the surf as water temperature cools and days get shorter. They will stage around docks and bridges in the ICW and along sandbars, potholes and along mangrove shorelines. They may blow up on top water plugs or fly poppers in shallow water early or late in the day. CAL jigs with shad tails and jerk worms or DOA Shrimp should work well around docks and bridges and on shallow flats. The 4” CAL shad tail
should work very well on the flats since larger baits will be prevalent there. I like larger flies, like Lefty’s Deceiver and my Grassett Flats Minnow, for snook on the flats for the same reason. Fly anglers should also score with small white flies or Gurglers around lighted docks and bridge fenders. Fish peak tidal flows for the best action.
Tarpon will still be an option this month. I find them in upper Charlotte Harbor this time of year. Look for them feeding in ladyfish schools or rolling in deep water to find them. DOA Baitbusters and Swimming Mullet are my top producing lures for large tarpon. Fly anglers should score with many of the same flies that work for sight casting to them along the beaches. I use 12-weight fly tackle with a floating or clear intermediate sink tip line for large tarpon. You’ll also find juvenile tarpon from 10 to 30 pounds in many creeks and canals. Spin anglers should score with DOA Shrimp or TerrorEyz on snook tackle. Fly anglers can handle the smaller fish on 8- or
9-weight fly rods with sink tip fly lines and a scaled down version of any fly that large tarpon will eat. I’ve also found tarpon feeding in the coastal Gulf in October. They are usually scattered over a broad area, feeding in bait schools. This “reverse migration” may only last for a short while but it can be really good!
Big schools of reds that are more common in August and September will break up into smaller schools, singles and doubles by the end of the month. As water cools and baitfish school up, reds will feed in shallow water. I like to pole my flats skiff to hunt for reds in shallow water. Focus on baitfish or mullet schools to find reds. CAL jigs with shad tails, including the 4” CAL shad tail and DOA Baitbusters are some of my favorite lures to locate reds with. If the tide is very low, weedlessrigged CAL shad tails or DOA Shrimp rigged backwards will work well in the thick turtle grass. Once I’ve located fish, wading is often the best way to approach
them when fly fishing. I like a long leader (12’) on a floating fly line with a lightly-weighted fly with a weed guard, like my Grassett Flats Minnow. When you have good sunlight, you may be able to sight fish them on light colored bottom, like sandbars or potholes. Spotted sea trout fishing should also be good this month. You’ll
also find big trout in many of the same areas in shallow water. I would approach locating big trout the same way as reds. Focus on baitfish or mullet schools to find them and use the same flies to catch them. Some of the best action that I’ve experienced with
CAPT. RICK GRASSETT | SUBMITTED
There should be good action on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay during October. Shara King, of Dillon, Montana, with a trout caught and released in Sarasota Bay while fishing with Capt. Rick Grassett in a previous October. SEE GRASSETT,
REAL ESTATE
Finally, meaningful declining mortgage rates
The Federal Reserve finally graced us with a lower interest rate bone on Sept. 16 that should make everyone happy. The reason this ¼ point reduction is important is that the Federal Reserve all but promised two more rate reductions before the end of the year.
Nevertheless, there are homeowners with low-rate mortgages who are still reluctant to sell and move on as much as they may want to. A quarter point or even a half point is just not enough encouragement for them to give up a once-in-a-lifetime 3% mortgage. So, the market may continue to be locked up with prices still pushing up for those properties that come on the market, and there aren’t too many of them. However, there are still benefits to modest lower rates, especially for a first-time borrower, enough to qualify many buyers at the lower rate to be approved for financing. Here
Castles in the Sand
on Anna Maria Island and all of the other coastal communities in the area, including our neighbor, Cortez, buyers in these areas are less affected by mortgage rates. Therefore, the market for high-end properties will be less influenced by mortgage rates than by the overall economy.
Many if not most high-end buyers are all cash and even if they decide on a mortgage to free up more cash, they will likely not decide on buying because of a quarter or even a half point reduction. They’re eyeing the health of the general economy and the position of the lawmakers,
particularly in Congress, to business and the stock market.
Nevertheless, a healthy real estate market generally is good for all of the real estate market. There is a trickleup effect of a robust lower-end market positively impacting all price points in the marketplace.
August may be one of the slowest real estate months of the year, but sales are made nonetheless. These are the sales statistics for August reported by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee:
Single family homes closed 5.7% more properties this year compared to last August. The median sale price was $467,640, down 5.3%, and the average sale price was $665,577, up 9.1%. The median time to sale was 101 days compared to 103 days last year, and the new pending sales were up 16.7%. The month’s supply of available properties was 4.6 months compared to 3.9 months compared to last year.
Condos closed 7.0% fewer properties this year compared to last year. The median sale price was $291,250, down 11.7%, and the average sale price was $354,958, with 8% fewer properties compared to last year. Median time to sale was 120 days this year compared to 139 days last year. New pending sales were 213 sales compared to 175 sales last year. The month’s supply of available properties was 6.4 months compared to 5.7 months last year. According to the Realtor Association, there is modest growth and stability in the single-family market, with the condo market down. Single family homes continue to be competitive, and the condo market is becoming more and more buyer friendly. Will the Federal Reserve move the needle on more rates as indicated or will it just be more of the same old same old? The outcome is evolving, so stay tuned.
LOUISE BOLGER
ISLAND SPORTS
SEPT. 22
First PlaceQuentin Talbert and Ed Harrell tied, +3
SEPT. 23 - LOW NET SCORE
First Place - Jana Samuels, 30 Second Place - Margrit Layh, 32 Third Place - Kathy Riordan, 33
SEPT. 25 - RAMBLER/SCRAMBLE COMBINATIONPAR 64
First Place Team - Jim Hill, Bill Shuman, Quentin Talbert and Ron Vandeman tied the team of Marty Hicks and Jody and Bob Maleeny, 67, 3 over par Second Place Team - Bob Baker, Jackie Gorski, John Kolojeski and Doug Kristensen, 68, 4 over par.
with Bob Heiger to win the final 21-13 over Billy Silver and Tom Lewis and ended up in the winner's circle. On Sept. 24,Tim Sofran and Gersey Fernandes posted the only 3-0 record and won the day’s
Jeff & Jennifer Jordan
Andrew & Brooke Doucett
Betsy Hagan
Joe McCall
Chelsea Oelker
Kathy Harman
Dee Munn
Scott Toland
George Myers
Suzy Korinek
Amy Ward
Hannah Hillyard
GARAGE: City approves structure as non-compliant use
FROM PAGE 4
that was the way it was constructed. The property was surveyed to demonstrate it met all the setback requirements. There was a question about the height. There was concern about having two electrical meters, so the property owner has agreed to have electrical service relocated so that it can run through the cottage.”
“I don’t understand the issue; the property owner has also agreed that the two structures will be treated as one. They agree they won’t be rented separately,” he said. “They’ve got enough parking spaces even if you count those as bedrooms.”
Vice-Mayor Deborah Scaccianoce expressed concern about how the dwelling is designated.
“If it’s a bonus room and game room, OK,” she said. “If they were going to replace the garage that was damaged from the
storm they would not have been allowed to put a non-conforming dwelling on top of it again. They would have been allowed to build a garage. I want to make sure we’re clear on what the use of this is going to be. I’m not comfortable with it being used as a dwelling or sleeping accommodations.”
Commissioner Scott Bear said, “I have concerns as well since we’re not labeling either of the spaces as a bedroom. If it was listed as a bedroom, then there would be a limitation of how many people per room.”
“The concerns I’m hearing sound more like concerns with your vacation rental ordinance that with this property,” Rudacille said. “They could have cleared the lot and have built the exact same space with bonus rooms and bedrooms. They have the same amount of square footage there
as if they had started from scratch.”
Rudacille said the added space will be used in conjunction with the house, and is living space, but not a separate dwelling unit.
“You can say it’s R-2, it’s residential, but they didn’t permit it that way,” Scaccianoce said. “I don’t think it was handled correctly. Now we’re changing all that on the fly.”
“If it was connected none of these things would be an issue. The only reason we’re discussing any of this is because there’s a gap between the buildings,” Rudacille said.
Mayor John Chappie said he was concerned about setting a bad precedent.
Commissioner Ralph Cole noted that a permit for the project was issued by the city.
“In fairness, I think it should be deemed a non-compliant building with some stipulations,” Cole said.
Scaccianoce asked if the permit could be amended so it reflects the actual use of the property.
“It depends on how you want to go. If you want it to be an R-2 occupancy type, then it would require bedrooms and kitchen,” Palmer said.
Steve Gilbert reviewed it and said you can’t have two residential dwelling units on one substandard lot,” she said. “We have the new set of plans and as Debbie Scaccianoce pointed out, it didn’t have anywhere on the plans that it said bedrooms. There are two residential dwelling units per our building official on this property.”
“I can give you a solution to avoid setting precedent,” Perry said. “Non-conforming structures do that. You can’t add on. The other part about a non-conforming structure is if something happens to it, you have to come into compliance with the codes.”
She said if all parties are agreeable to setting limitations on the property, a settlement agreement between the city and the homeowner can be drafted to spell out details.
“You clearly spell out what this building should have been, what it is, what the unusual circumstances are and what the limitations are on it,” Perry said. “My recommendation is you accept it via a resolution. It lays out it’s an unusual set of circumstances, and is not intended to set precedent moving forward. I think the city would be in a good position to say no to the next one that walks in the door.”
Chappie recommended that Rudacille and the city attorney create language so there is a clear understanding that if approved, it is a non-compliant structure and if the building is destroyed, it would have to be brought back into full compliance.
City Attorney Ricinda Perry, since retired, weighed in.
“The question is how can the city protect from setting precedent to have what was approved by our building official after
Palmer said he would be comfortable having the structure classified as an R-2 occupancy as long as the additional rooms are labeled as bedrooms. Commissioners reached a consensus agreeing to have a settlement agreement drafted that spells out all stipulations.
Sign up for fly fishing school
CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, 1249 Stickney Point Road, Sarasota, will hold Orvis-endorsed fly fishing schools on Tuesday, Oct. 28 and Saturday, Nov. 22.The course, designed for beginning and intermediate fly casters, will focus on basic fly casting principles, improving casting skills and correcting faults. Certified instructor Capt. Rick Grassett will also cover saltwater fly
fishing techniques, leader construction and fly selection. Cost for the class, which will run from 8:30 a.m. to approximately noon, is $225 per person and includes the use of fly tackle and a workbook. Optional instructional guided fly fishing trips are also available for an additional fee. Contact CB’s Saltwater Outfitters at 941-349-4400 or info@cbsoutfitters.com to make reservations.
GRASSETT: Fall into fishing
big trout was at first light with big trout feeding in baitfish schools in very shallow water. In my opinion, it’s important to protect larger trout, which are usually female breeders. Full regulations and details on trout and other species can be viewed at https://myfwc.com/.
You’ll find trout of all sizes on deep grass flats. Wherever there are small trout, there may be a few “gators” around since big trout will eat small ones. Mixed with trout there should also be blues, Spanish mackerel or pompano. In addition to focusing on bait and birds, I like to drift and cast ahead of the drift with CAL jigs and shad tails or DOA Deadly Combos or a lightly-weighted fly on a sink tip fly line to find fish. When toothy fish are around, add 6”of heavy fluorocarbon (60-lb) or wire to prevent cut offs. You may find tripletail or cobia around buoys, crab trap floats or channel markers in inside waters or the coastal Gulf. A DOA Shrimp or CAL jig with a shad tail will work well for tripletail. Fly anglers should score with lightly-weighted flies with a weed guard. A DOA Baitbuster or 4” CAL shad on 20- to 30-pound class spinning tackle or a wide profile tarpon fly on a minimum of 9-weight fly tackle will get the job done with cobia.
Look for Spanish mackerel or false albacore in the coastal Gulf. I look for diving terns or “breaking” fish to find them. Once you’ve located feeding fish, a CAL jig with a shad tail or jerk worm or a size specific top water plug will work well for spin anglers. Fly anglers should score with small olive, chartreuse or white flies, poppers and Crease flies. You’ll need wire or heavy fluorocarbon when mackerel are in the mix. You may also find a few king mackerel around the edges of feeding frenzies. You can also look for tripletail or cobia around crab trap floats, buoys or channel markers while searching for mackerel or albies in the coastal Gulf.
October is one of my favorite months. It’s nice to do something different, so I like to fish the coastal Gulf for mackerel, false albacore, tripletail and cobia when conditions are good. There should also be good action on shallow flats with reds, trout and snook or tarpon of all sizes in upper Charlotte Harbor. Night snook fishing in the ICW heats up as the water cools down. Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by residential, agricultural and industrial runoff, toxic spills and discharges, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation. Please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!
CAPT. RICK GRASSETT | SUBMITTED
Learn to fly fish or sharpen your fly casting skills at CB's Saltwater Outfitters Fly Fishing Schools with certified instructor Capt. Risk Grassett.
FUN IN THE SUN
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RENOVATION SPECALIST ALL carpentry repairs, Wash Family Construction, locally owned and operated CBC 1258250 Call 941-725-0073.
KERN & GILDER CONSTRUCTION, INC New Homes & Remodel. Design/Build. Since 1968. License # CBC 1261150. Call the Office. 941-7781115. NEW OFFICE ADDRESS: 1878 59th Street W Bradenton, FL 34209
GET’R DONE DRYWALL, INC Specializing in Remodels & Repairs. Island Resident for 20+ years. Call Neil. Cell 941-9621194
JSAN CORPORATION
Renovations Construction & Handyman Services 941-243-0995 Lic# CRC1332505 jsancorporation@gmail. com Flooring, Drywall, Painting, Repairs, Kitchen and Bathrooms, Trim & Doors Free Estimates. Credit Cards Accepted.
GORILLA DRYWALL REPAIR, LLC. 15+ years of experience. Free Estimates. Let’s solve your Drywall problems together. Call 941-286-0607.
CCS DRYWALL REPAIRS
We are local. Family owned & operated since 1991. Free Estimates. Licensed/Insured/Bonded. License # SCC131149803 Call 941-713-6531.
HURRICANE DAMAGE?
I’m an Island resident. Pressure washing, tree work, fence repair, mailbox replacement. Also see ads under “Landscaping & painting. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315
FROM HOME TO BUSINESSES, we build it all. You’re Reliable General Contractor for new construction, water damage, restoration 941-894-7549 or email at@constructionatr.com
BATHROOM REMODEL
STARTING at $1999
Limited Time Promotion (labor only) McGhie Construction Inc. State certified CBC 1258471 Call 813-966-3707 Free Estimates
START TO FINISH, Custom Carpentry, Accent Walls, Drywall and much more 941-565-2165
LOCAL ISLAND
RESIDENT 30+ years of experience. Licensed & insured. Professional Services. Carpentry, Painting, Drywall and More. Reliable, Honest, Quality work. FREE estimates- Call Brian 941-220-8300
HOME SERVICE
ALL AROUND HANDYMAN
Lawn maintenance, landscaping, trimming/removal trees. Boarding house for storms. Free estimates. Call 941-447-9266
HATE TO COOK? Long time Island resident. Can help with cooking, laundry and many things around your house. Many compliments on cooking. References available. Please Call or Text 941685-0045.
LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE
R. GAROFALO’S Interlocking brick pavers, driveways, patios, pool decks. Free estimates. Licensed & Insured. Call Rafael 941-778-4823 or Veronik 941-526-7941
ISLAND RESIDENT. TREE/ BUSH Trimming, removal. Sweeping, blowing, and weeding. Weekly, bi-monthly or monthly schedule. Pressure washing. Call Bill Witaszek 941307-9315
SHELL DRIVEWAYS & LANDSCAPE. Specializing in Old Florida Seashell and Lime rock driveways and scapes. Also River Rock, Sand, Mulch, & Soil. Call Shark Mark 941-301-6067
MOVING & STORAGE
MARTIN’S MOVING YOUR Island movers! Offering dependable, competitive rates. No hidden costs. 941-8095777.
PAINTING & WALLCOVERING
PAINT! PAINT! AND MORE 28 years of experienced interior/exterior custom painting. Pressure cleaning, drywall repairs and texture finishes. Many Island references. Please call Neil for free estimates. 941-812-0507
“WIZARD OF WALLS” Established 1980 Prompt quality service. Wallpaper installation/ removal. Mary Bell Winegarden 941-794-0455
DONALD PERKINS ABRACADABRA PAINTING LLC fully insured. 30 years experience. Many Island references. Call 941-705-7096
PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reliable. Island Resident. Quality Workmanship. Interior/Exterior. Minor repairs & carpentry. Free estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315
TRUE TONE PAINTING. Painting, power washing, epoxy floors and more, No job too small. Please call 941-224-4020 www. truetonepainting.com
PEST CONTROL
ANNA MARIA PEST CONTROL Call 941-7781630
POOL SERVICES
FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE AND CHEMICAL SERVICES. Certified Pool Operator. 18 + Years Experience. Residential/commercial. Chemical Service Licensed & Insured. Call Dennis Clark 941-7375657
COLE'S TROPICAL POOL SERVICE Call Cole Bowers for all your pool maintenance needs! Affordable and Dependable!! 941-7131893
PRESSURE WASHING & WINDOWS
TOTAL HOME SERVICES CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Construction, Vacation, VRBO Rentals . Also available Pressure Washing, Roof Cleaning, Paver Sealing and Windows. Call 941-5653931.
REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE
Have you been thinking of selling? We NEED properties to List for SALE!!! GULF FRONT, CANAL FRONT, BAY FRONT CONDOS or HOMES ASK for BIG Alan Galletto of Island Real Estate to get it SOLD 941-232-2216
LOOKING FOR A highly motivated real estate broker to buy or sell your next home? Darcie Duncan, Broker Duncan Real Estate a lifelong island resident bringing success to her customers for 30 years. Proven track record brings you results! 941-725-1589
FOR SALE - PERICO BAY CLUB New Price for 2BR/2BA villa with Water View!
2 CAR GARAGE, open floor plan & high ceilings! $374,400 Call Erin Leathem at The Anna Maria Sales Team at Island Real Estate 941-448-5616
RENTALS: ANNUAL
ANNUAL RENTAL CENTRAL HOMES BEACH 3BR/2BA completely remodeled. Walk to beach, school, trolley, shopping. $2595/mo Call 941-7136743
BEAUTIFUL PERICO BAY Club Condo! 2BR/2BA, Second Floor Unit $3500/ mo seasonally, $2300/mo annually +Security Deposit Please call 941-7781979 for more details.
ANNUAL RENTAL! Available NOW, Palm Dr in Holmes Beach.2BR/1BA, elevated duplex, pets welcome with deposit. 2 car garage, washer and dryer hookups $2000/month Application with background check required. Call Carol with Island Real Estate, 941-345-1300
AMI HOUSE on CANAL. Annual. 4BR/3BA walk to beach. $3700/mo. Plus utilities & deposit. Call 203-223-1119
BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY
RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION
ANNA MARIA ISLAND
CONDOS Large pool, beach access, free WiFi, 1&2 Bedroom $900 to $1200 per week redekercondosonami.com Tim 941-704-7525
TIFFANY PLACE Gulf Front Condo for Rent Incredible views from living room and master bedroom. 2BR/2BA Green Real Estate Call 941-778-0455
SEASONAL RENTAL in PALMA SOLA. 3BR/2BA weekly or monthly rates. Contact Barb Grace 941-201-2190
SNOW BIRD SPECIAL: DISCOUNT for multiple months. 2BR/2BA 2nd Floor Condo in HOLMES BEACH. POOL, Tennis/Pickleball, in-unit laundry, WIFI, screened lanai, covered parking. AVAILABLE 2025/26 Season beginning December 2025. Beautiful, bayside seating area. Pool/Beach toys, Bikes included. Call Jack 312835-2323 for more info/ photos.
TOP FLOOR OCEAN VIEW
2BR/2BA rental available August 15th 3 month minimum rent. $5-10k prorated. Utilities included 201-3176922 owner operated
WINTER APARTMENT
1BR/1BA a few houses from the Gulf. 4-6 months rental. $3500/month. Call 941-778-4499
2BR/2BA W. BRADENTON. December January February March available. Inclusive $3000/mo or $2750. Text 941-962-0971
TRANSPORTATION
ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa/St. Pete $85. Sarasota $40. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-7795095
