The
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
Anna Maria Post Office back home again
Anna Maria sues Nelson for claiming ownership of canals
Anna Maria is suing to establish ownership of the canals, alleging that Steven Nelson/Noslens Inc. fraudulently claimed ownership.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT
| jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – The city is suing Noslens Inc. and its controlling officer, Steven Nelson, alleging that he fraudulently claimed ownership of the city-owned Luana Isles canals and yacht basin.
On Oct. 2, City Attorney Becky Vose filed a lawsuit in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court in Manatee County naming the city as plaintiff and Noslens Inc. and Nelson as defendants. The complaint notes that Noslens Inc. is a Florida corporation with a principal address of 305 Spring Ave. in Anna Maria.
The Manatee County Property Appraiser’s Office lists Noslens Inc. as the owner of 10.9 acres of residential waterways that abut waterfront homes located along Iris Street, Holly Road, Poinsettia Road, Gladiolus Street, Tern Drive, Gull Drive, Pelican Drive, Jacaranda Road, Hammock Road and Hammock Circle, ownership disputed in the lawsuit.
“Defendants’ filing of a fraudulent quitclaim deed has created a genuine and justiciable controversy concerning ownership and control of the Luana Isles canals and yacht basin,” the city’s lawsuit alleges.
“Title companies have questioned the city’s ownership, closings have been delayed or conditioned upon improper and fraudulent releases and property owners have been subjected to demands for illegal and extortionate
ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Post Office reopened in its regular pre-hurricane location at 101B South Bay Boulevard on Oct. 6.
The leased, ground-level post office space experienced significant flood damage during the 2024 hurricanes. During the hurricane recovery efforts, a temporary post office was established across the street at City Pier Park and initially operated out of mail trucks parked beneath the shade sail structure. The postal operations were later moved into an air-conditioned trailer delivered to the park property. The temporary post office closed at the end of business on Oct. 4 and a handwritten sign taped to the door instructs post office patrons to return to the regular location.
After opening the service desk’s accordion door on Monday morning, interim Postmaster Kristen Gray said, “Hopefully this feels more normal for our Anna Maria residents. We are working diligently to get it back to 100%.”
Within minutes, Krista Carroll was the first patron to arrive at the service desk, where she turned in her key for her temporary P.O. box
SEE POST OFFICE, PAGE 29
Bradenton Beach commissioners seek city attorney
Commissioners are considering the Holmes Beach city attorney as one candidate.
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – City officials are seeking an interim city attorney prior to choosing a permanent replacement for former City Attorney Ricinda Perry, who retired on Sept. 18.
Commissioners discussed options at their Oct. 18 meeting and were advised by attorney Robert Lincoln, who has previously done work for the city.
“Given my scheduled and other commitments, I’m not in a position to take over and give you what you need as interim city attorney,” Lincoln said. “You will end up going
to an RFP (Request for Proposal) and do a comprehensive search to get a city attorney and I think you should take your time.”
Lincoln recommended interim support of an experienced attorney as the commission goes through the process of determining a permanent replacement for Perry.
“I got the go-ahead from Mayor Chappie to contact a few people and try to come back with at least two individuals or firms that would be willing to serve as interim city attorney that I knew of personally or by reputation and feel comfortable recommending to you,” he said.
Lincoln suggested scheduling a work meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 7 for commissioners to meet with his recommended attorneys.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Interim Postmaster Kristen Gray, Clerk Jonathon Lavigne and Retail and Post Office Support Specialist Lyndsey Simms reopened the Anna Maria Post Office.
temporary post office at City Pier Park has closed.
Tampa Bay Marine selected to build City Pier walkway
Tampa Bay Marine’s $4.64 million bid was the lowest of the nine bids received.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – City Commissioners unanimously authorized Mayor Mark Short to sign a contract with Tampa Bay Marine Inc. to rebuild the Anna Maria City Pier walkway destroyed by Hurricane Milton.
When presenting his recommended contractor to city commissioners on Sept. 30, Short said Gibsontonbased Tampa Bay Marine’s $4.64 million base bid was the lowest of the nine bids received. The other bids ranged from $5.3 million to $12 million.
Short said he, city staff members and members of the George F. Young engineering firm reviewed
the nine proposals received and further researched Tampa Bay Marine before recommending them as the city’s preferred contractor.
Short said the bid lowers the previously estimated total pier replacement and repair project costs to between $6.2 million and $6.9 million – a decrease from the $7 million to $9 million previously estimated.
The total estimated cost includes the previously completed design and engineering work, the previously completed demolition and debris removal work, the still pending repairs, remediations and restorations needed for the T-end pier buildings that survived the hurricanes and some additional costs associated with the installation and reconnection of electrical, water and sewage lines.
Short said the contract calls for Tampa Bay Marine to
complete the construction of the pier walkway by March 31 but additional work will still be needed before the pier is fully open and operational.
“I’m not saying the pier’s going to open on March 31st. I’m still looking at fall of next year,” Short said. “The critical step is getting this walkway up and running.”
The new City Pier walkway will be built atop solid concrete pilings.
“It will be built to the same standards of the T-end of the pier, which means solid cement, no more spun cast pilings,” Short said.
The City Pier walkway destroyed last year by Hurricane Milton was
part of the previous City Pier replacement project completed in 2020 after Hurricane Irma damaged the historic wooden City Pier in 2017.
The 2020 total pier replacement project featured a pier walkway made of composite wood decking and a wooden support structure placed atop hollow, spun concrete pilings. The 2020 project also included the construction of the T-end pier buildings that were damaged in 2024 but remain standing on the concrete platform that was built atop solid concrete pilings.
When asked, Short said he thinks the 2020 pier project cost between $7 million and $8 million; he was not mayor at the time.
To be completed simultaneously at an additional cost, the repair, remediation and restoration
SEE CITY PIER, PAGE 33
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
The missing City Pier walkway will be replaced with a new one built by Tampa Bay Marine Inc.
Scan this code with your smartphone to go there.
Public works director leaving Holmes Beach
Sage Kamiya spent slightly more than four years with the city of Holmes Beach.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – Public Works
Director and City Engineer Sage Kamiya tendered his resignation and will soon serve as the city engineer for the city of Sarasota.
After serving as Holmes Beach’s public works director, city engineer and traffic engineer for slightly more than four years, Thursday, Oct. 9 will be Kamiya’s last day with the city.
Mayor Judy Titsworth said Senior Project Manager Anthony Benitez will serve as the interim public works directors and the permanent position will be advertised. Tray Thorpe will continue serving as the maintenance supervisor.
After making Titsworth aware of the anticipated offer from the city of Sarasota, Kamiya sent Titsworth his resignation letter on Sept. 24.
“It is with heavy heart that I’m tendering my resignation with a little over two-week notice. I have received an offer which is a great
next step opportunity for me, both professionally and for my family.
I sincerely appreciate that you’ve entrusted me with the leadership of our great public works team. I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish during my time here,” his letter said in part.
When contacted by phone on Oct. 2, Kamiya was asked if anyone with the city encouraged him to leave.
“No, it was on my own volition. It’s a conversation I’d been having with the city of Sarasota for over a year. I told them ‘no’ a couple times previously and it got to the point where I decided to take it,” he said.
“In some ways, it’s a lateral move, but in other ways it’s an advancement because I’ll be able to work on some bigger projects. As an engineer, it’ll be good for me professionally to do some things that are larger and have a bigger scope. The largest project I worked on in Holmes Beach was the City Center project, which was about $3 million. One of the projects I’m going to be involved with in Sarasota is over $45 million. As an engineer, you like bigger and more complicated challenges, so that’s exciting and interesting to me,” he said.
“I’ll miss my team. We have a really good public works department and there are some great people there. We’re taking care of yesterday, fighting today’s fires and preparing for tomorrow – and things weren’t quite that way when I inherited the department. I’ll miss Mayor Judy and the community. She has been super supportive and she provided the resources we needed to get the job done; and the community has been welcoming.”
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
“Sage will be missed. He was a tremendous asset to our city and he
was able to shape the public works department into something I am most proud of,” Titsworth said.
“He and I were able to shape a tremendous public works department that went after and received a lot of grant money. He was awesome to work with. He allows me to sleep better at night. The commissioners absolutely love him.
“Sage has a great opportunity with the city of Sarasota with room for advancement. I can match his pay. It wasn’t about the pay, but I can never give him that advancement he’d get with Sarasota,” Titsworth said. “I told him I was proud of him and I can understand why he’d want to take it.”
When asked if Kamiya was forced out or encouraged to leave Holmes Beach, Titsworth said, “No. Neither.” Looking ahead, Titsworth said, “We’ve got a lot of projects and a lot of things going on right now. We’ll lose Sage’s knowledge but Anthony and Tray will step up. We’ve used RESPEC as our stormwater consultants and they’ve got a good handle on our stormwater projects. Hopefully, the citizens won’t feel Sage’s departure too much.”
Manatee County among plaintiffs in suit against state officials
The suit challenges SB 180, now a state law.
BY JOE HENDRICKS
SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
LEON COUNTY – Manatee County is among several municipal plaintiffs filing suit seeking declaratory and injunctive relief from a controversial hurricane recovery-related state law enacted earlier this year.
Signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 26, the new law created by the Florida Legislature’s adoption of Senate Bill 180 and its matching bill in the House of Representatives prohibits city and county governments from adopting land development regulations that are more cumbersome or restrictive than the regulations in place as of Aug. 1, 2024.
Fort Lauderdale-based Weiss, Serota, Helfman, Cole and Bierman attorney Jamie Cole filed the lawsuit on Sept. 29 in the Second Judicial Circuit Court in Leon County.
The lawsuit seeks a court order declaring that the enactment of SB 180 violates the Florida Constitution and the Florida Statutes that codify local home rule powers, deems the preemptions in the new state law to be impermissibly vague and invalid and prohibits the state from enforcing the new law.
On Sept. 2, Manatee County commissioners voted 6-1 in favor of the county joining the lawsuit.
In addition to Manatee County, the named plaintiffs include city of Destin, the city of Lake Alfred, the town of Windermere, the city of Delray Beach, the city of Deltona, the city of Weston, the city of Alachua, the city of Stuart, Orange County, the town of Mulberry, the city of Naples, Miami Shores Village, the town of Lake Park, the city of Fort Lauderdale, the town of Jupiter, the city of Edgewater, the city of Pompano Beach, the town of Dundee, the town of Cutler Bay, the village of North Palm Beach, the village of Pinecrest, the city of Margate, the town of Palm Beach and
the city of Homestead.
The lawsuit names as defendants Florida Secretary of Commerce Alex Kelly, Executive Director for the Florida Division of Emergency Management Kevin Guthrie, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, Florida Department of Revenue Executive Director Jim Zingale and Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia.
The complaint cites Section 28 of the new Florida Statute that states, “Each county listed in the federal disaster declaration for
Hurricane Debby, Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton, and each municipality within one of those counties, may not propose or adopt any moratorium on construction, reconstruction or redevelopment of any property damaged by such hurricanes; propose or adopt more restrictive or burdensome amendments to its comprehensive plan or land development regulations; or propose or adopt more restrictive or burdensome procedures concerning review, approval or issuance of a site plan, development permit or development order before October 1, 2027, and any such moratorium or restrictive or burdensome comprehensive plan amendment, land development regulation, or procedure shall be null and void ab initio. This subsection applies retroactively to August 1, 2024.”
A case overview provided on page two of the 46-page complaint says, “This is an action by a large number of
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Sage Kamiya is taking his talents to the city of Sarasota.
WEISS, SEROTA, HELFMAN, COLE, BIERMAN | SUBMITTED Attorney Jamie Cole filed the SB 180 lawsuit on Sept. 29.
Belle Haven cottage celebrates grand reopening
The historic cottage dates back to the 1920s.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Island Historical Society celebrated the grand reopening of the historic Belle Haven cottage on Oct. 1 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony conducted by the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce. Dozens of people attended the Wednesday evening ceremony that included free beverages and appetizers and marked the final chapter in the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum’s recovery from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Before the ceremony, Holmes Beach resident, Historical Society member and museum docent Carolyn Orshak stood outside the cottage and said, “We are celebrating our last hurdle in the museum being back
HENDRICKS | SUN
An Oct. 1 ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the reopening of the Belle Haven cottage.
to normal. It’s a celebration of resiliency. We’ve had the museum open since the middle of March. This 100-plus-year-old building withstood the flood waters, but an inch and a half to 2 inches of floodwater seeped in, so the floors had to be done. They look fabulous.”
During Hurricane Milton, the cottage lost a screen door, which was the only additional damage.
The elevated wooden cottage sits higher off the ground than the neighboring ground-level museum building made of concrete block and originally built as an icehouse. The museum structure withstood the hurricanes but the museum interior and some of the historical artifacts sustained significant flood damage during Hurricane Helene.
According to an informational sign near the cottage entrance, Belle Haven was built above the water and alongside the City Pier in the 1920s. After a large storm washed it into Tampa Bay, Island resident Lyman Christy bought the displaced cottage and hired a salvage crew that used a barge to recover it and transport it to his property on Palmetto Avenue.
Over time, a sleeping porch, kitchen, bathroom
and plumbing were added to the cottage that served as the Christy family home for more than 50 years and as a rental cottage for another 25 years. When the cottage was slated for demolition in 2000, the Historical Society led the efforts to relocate the cottage in 2001 to its current location on the museum property at 402 Pine Ave.
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JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Docent Carolyn Orshak talks about the 1930s-era table setting.
OPINION
The Anna Maria Island Sun Staff
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Mike Field
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Cindy Lane
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Bob Alexander
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Joe Hendricks
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Bay polluted by horses?
A month ago it seems that there was an agreement with the horse people on Palma Sola Bay and somebody else to keep the horses out of the bay for a month. The idea is to see if there is a difference in water quality with the horses and the pollution already there, or without the horses.
The question is, what do they do with the results of the water quality tests after a month? If the test shows that without the horses, the water has shown improvement, and without horse DNA showing up? But it still shows pollution from other sources? Do you get rid of the horses and clean up the other sources of pollution for the sake of Palma Sola Bay? But, what if there is no difference with or without the horses? Do we then just throw our hands up in the air, and say “Oh well, it's already polluted?” One thing is for sure - traffic was much smoother through that area without them.
Rick Lewis Bradenton
Schaefer supported
I write both to express appreciation for Terry Schaefer’s exceptional service as a commissioner the past six years and to urge us all to re-elect him. An intelligent and experienced leader, Terry has also exhibited the dedication, integrity
and professionalism we seek in our representatives.
I have known Terry throughout my family’s 25 years in Holmes Beach. While loyal to their Missouri roots, he and Vicky have long since made their home here on the Island. And Terry has invested himself in protecting and enhancing our community’s quality of life.
I can testify personally that Terry was directly and consistently involved in our unprecedented storm recovery efforts, working closely with staff and volunteers. His business acumen has been key to ensuring the financial stability of Holmes Beach.
But most valuably, he has been a passionate advocate for Home Rule at a time when misguided elected “mainland” officials threatened our way of life. And rather than taking the low road in opposing deceitful, bullying tactics, Terry was, as always, the consummate gentleman and high-minded public servant. He worked seamlessly with fellow community leaders, often patiently behind the scenes. We need his continued vigilance.
As back in 2019, when he first was elected, Terry Schaefer continues to be “Ready, Willing and Able.” And yet, fortunately for all in Holmes Beach, he is also now a proven, accomplished, servantleader for our Island home.
Tom Flynn Holmes Beach
Climate change impacting Florida’s ecosystems
It should not take catastrophic storms like Hurricane Milton, Helene and Debby for people to prioritize and take action against the rising effects of climate change. Climate scientists have been warning that events like hurricanes, tropical storms and even heavy rains are being made worse by climate change. These climate-induced events have taken a devastating toll, claiming many lives and causing billions of dollars in property damage. Everybody is talking about the cost to rebuild homes, businesses and infrastructure, but there is more to it than money. Sarasota’s Climate Adaptation Center (CAC) focused on Climate and Human Health in a historic conference last fall. This year, the CAC Climate Conference will zero in on the impacts of Climate Change on Biodiversity. On Nov. 13, the CAC will hold its Fifth Annual Florida Climate Conference. Leading scientists and biodiversity experts will explore how climate warming is reshaping Florida’s ecosystems. They will share insights into how biodiversity loss affects everything from agriculture to tourism and what we can do to adapt. For more information, and tickets, visit theclimateadaptationcenter.org.
Bob Bunting Sarasota
ANNA MARIA
10005 GULF DRIVE
FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130
Visit www.cityofannamaria. com or contact city hall for more information.
Thursday, Oct. 9, 1 p.m., City Commission
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 9 a.m., Planning and Zoning Board
BRADENTON
BEACH
107 GULF DRIVE N.
FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005
Visit www.cityofbradentonbeach. com or contact city hall for more information
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 1 p.m., Scenic WAVES Committee
Thursday, Oct. 16, 9:30 a.m., Community Redevelopment Agency
Thursday, Oct. 16, 12 p.m., City Commission
HOLMES BEACH
5801 MARINA DRIVE
FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800
Visit www.holmesbeachfl.org or contact city hall for more information.
Wednesday, Oct. 8, 9 a.m., Clean Water Ad Hoc Committee
Thursday Oct. 16, 10 a.m., Code
Compliance Special Magistrate hearings
Thursday Oct. 16, 2 p.m., City Commission
Artists’ Guild Market Night returning
The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island’s Market Nights resume for the season on Friday, Oct. 10 from 5-7 p.m. and continue once a month through April. The Market Nights will be held at the Artists’ Guild gallery at 5414 Marina Drive in The Island Shopping Center in Holmes Beach. The opening night activities will include a “Paint Around” in which the participating artists will pass around a painting and take turns adding to the previous artist’s work. The completed painting will then be raffled off. Guild members’ art will be displayed inside the gallery and many artists will be on hand to discuss their work. Light refreshments will be served. Each month’s Market Night will highlight a different featured artist. Additional Market Night dates include Nov. 14, Dec. 5, Jan. 9, Feb. 13, March 13 and April 10. The Artists’ Guild is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that brings local artists together to share their experience, expertise and work to help develop and promote the Island’s art community. Visit the Artists’ Guild online at www. amiartistsguildgallery.com.
AGAMI | SUBMITTED Karen de Leon Stuart participated in a previous Market Night.
AGAMI | SUBMITTED Judy Vasquez participated in a previous Market Night.
Trails, bridges being completed at FISH Preserve
Trails and bridges to connect the east and west sides of the FISH (Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage) Preserve are nearing completion. Landscape architect Allen Garner, who completed much of the work at the preserve, showed off the work on Oct. 4 highlighting the features of the 98-acre space.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
Sarasota Bay is visible at the south end of the preserve.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
Some bridges at the FISH Preserve span waterways that connect to Sarasota Bay.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
A picnic pavilion under construction features hand-carved finials.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
An old bottle found at the FISH Preserve. The 98-acre site was formerly a dumping ground.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
Allen Garner, who designed many of the upgrades at the FISH Preserve, gives an Oct. 4 tour.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
A future trail will be lined with shell at the FISH Preserve.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
A new bridge is one of several that connect the east and west sides of the FISH Preserve.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
Some bridges at the FISH Preserve span waterways designed to be kayaked.
Stone crab season coming soon Stone crab traps are laid out at A.P. Bell Fish Co. in Cortez in preparation for the Oct. 15 beginning of stone crab season.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
Twelve turtle nests remain on beaches as season nears end
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – As sea turtle season winds down, there are just 12 nests remaining on the beach and Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers are awaiting their hatching.
“We have been conducting a lot of 70-day excavations on nests that are overdue - many have been washed over by the surf several times this year,”
Turtle Watch Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella said on Oct. 2. “The good news is that some of them have hatched eggs, indicating that we didn't see the hatch as hatchling tracks are often obliterated during overnight rains.”
The nests provide important data about the number of eggs in the nest and how much overwash a nest can withstand and still hatch, she said.
“Without a depression in the sand or hatchling tracks where the hatchlings come out, we don't have the exact
location of the eggs, so you might see us digging some pretty big holes to try to find the eggs and get that important data,” Mazzarella said.
Two nests hatched in the past week and both disoriented with one hatchling found in a pool and another in a parking lot.
A loggerhead sea turtle hatchling is transported by Turtle Watch volunteers to Mote's Hatchling Hospital after being found in a swimming pool.
Turtle Watch Wednesday set for Oct. 22 NESTING NEWS
The Sixth Annual Suzi Fox Turtle Watch Wednesday is Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring’s largest fundraiser and will feature live music, auctions and raffles.
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – The Sixth Annual Suzi Fox Turtle Watch Wednesday fundraising event for Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring will be on Wednesday, Oct. 22 from 4-6 p.m. at Hurricane Hank’s, 5346 Gulf Drive.
“This is our largest fundraiser,” Turtle Watch Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella said. “This year we would like to purchase two new UTVs. Ours are old and at least two need to be replaced. Our volunteers do the best they can with these, but they’re used for six months in sand and salt water.”
The non-profit Turtle Watch is
staffed entirely by volunteers. Since 1983, Turtle Watch has coordinated conservation efforts for nine miles of Manatee County shoreline.
“In over four decades, we monitored 19,460 turtle activities and protected 9,506 nests. This includes at least 421,765 hatchlings that departed the beach to become a future generation of sea turtles that will return to the region as they reach maturity - in about 30 years,” according to the Turtle Watch website.
The Oct. 22 event will feature music by Mike Sales, silent and live auctions with Bob Slicker as auctioneer and raffles, all with items donated by local businesses and individuals. Mazzarella said there will be about $20,000 worth of live and silent auction items.
“The big raffle items include a ride-along Turtle Watch patrol and a ride-along with the Holmes Beach police chief,” Mazzarella said. “Another is what we’re calling Hook, Line and Slickers.
Capt. Pete Charters will take you out to catch fish and then Bob Slicker cooks it up.”
A Yeti cooler full of cheer is now at Hurricane Hank’s and raffle tickets can be purchased there in advance of the event.
“Businesses took a hit last year and we really appreciate their support,” Mazzarella said.
Last year’s Turtle Watch Wednesday was canceled due to hurricanes and the sales of calendars with photographs by Angie Blunt helped Turtle Watch get through the year.
“We were able to use the funds from those for our educational programs, including putting rack cards in rentals to give out to visitors, and programs in schools,” she said.
There will be an educational booth at the event where attendees can learn about sea turtles and meet Turtle Watch volunteers.
“We’re hoping for good weather and lots of fun,” Mazzarella said.
TURTLE NESTS LAID: 544 (528 loggerhead, 16 green) Previous record: 543 in 2019
FALSE CRAWLS: 828 (797 loggerhead, 31 green) Record: 831 in 2010
NESTS HATCHED: 420 (407 loggerhead, 13 green) Record: 453 in 2022
HATCHLINGS PRODUCED: 30,613 (29,603 loggerhead, 1,010 green) Record: 35,788 in 2018
NEST DISORIENTATIONS: 151 (148 loggerhead, 3 green)
ADULT DISORIENTATIONS: 30 (28 loggerhead, 2 green)
Source: Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring
CINDY HODGE | SUBMITTED
BEACH BEAT
HOLMES BEACH
Sept. 26, 1:26 p.m., 500 block of Manatee Avenue. Robbery. A 36-year-old man was charged with robbery after a store employee observed the suspect putting two bottles of rum in his pants. When the suspect attempted to leave the store, the employee attempted to block the exit door to keep him from leaving and the suspect reportedly pushed him backwards through the door. Police reviewed the store surveillance video. The store employee positively identified the suspect after he was discovered in the 4700 block of Gulf Drive.
Drift-In AMI to celebrate 100 years on Saturday
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – One year to the day that Anna Maria Island reopened for business after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, DriftIn AMI will be celebrating its 100-year anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 11.
“What a year it’s been. Despite the devastation and challenges we came together to make Anna Maria Island and Bradenton Beach a better place. Better not because we disrespected the past. Better because we embraced the future, the opportunity to rebuild and create new traditions,” according to the Drift-In Facebook page.
As part of the centennial celebration, Drift-In - which was owned in the late 1930s by legendary professional baseball player George Herman “Babe” Ruth - will display a new statute of Ruth.
Legend has it that Ruth frequented the local watering hole and went from patron to owner.
“On a sultry summer night Babe and friends danced the night away only to leave without paying the "tab." The following day Ole' Babe showed back up to clear things up only to be confronted by the owner of the Drift. After a few cheers, an agreement was made and the keys were handed over. Babe owned the bar for a few years as an homage to his father, George Sr., a bar owner himself,” according to the
Drift-In AMI website.
At the Thursday, Oct. 16 city commission meeting, Mayor John Chappie and the commissioners will be making a special proclamation for the Drift-In centennial.
The Drift-In is located at 120 Bridge St.
Sundown Get Down comes to Bridge Street
Sundown Get Down: Rock the Block is coming to Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 2-8 p.m.
The free event will feature a special tribute to first responders at 4:30 p.m. at the pavilion on the Bradenton Beach Pier. A cornhole tournament begins at 2 p.m. with over $1,500 in prizes, including a Stay and Play package from Bridgewalk Resort. The cost is $50 per team and has a 1:30 p.m. check-in at the post office.
Also on tap are food and drinks, Bridge Street merchant promotions and live music.
The musical line-up is:
• Kaleb Woods and Doug Bidwell at Bridge Tender Inn;
• Matt Beck and LALO at Daiquiri Deck;
SUBMITTED
• Sam Williams, Tommy B and The Collective, Dos Macs, Cabana Dogs and Rob Hamm at the Drift-In;
• High Rollers and the Dr. Dave Band at Island Time Bar and Grill; and
• Paul Fournier and SNRGY Productions at the pier pavilion.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
The Drift-In will celebrate 100 years on Oct. 11.
BUSINESS
Auto Service
Holmes Beach Auto Service
5333 Gulf Drive
Holmes Beach, 779-0487
Bait & Tackle Shop
Keyes Marina
5501 Marina Drive Holmes Beach, 778-1977
Bank
Hancock Whitney Bank
5324 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 778-4900
Bike Rental
Beach Bums Rentals
427 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 778-3316
Boating Store
Keyes Marina
5501 Marina Drive
Holmes Beach, 778-1977
Car Wash
Sun & Suds Car Wash
6412 Manatee Ave W. Bradenton, 564-3072
Carpet Cleaner
Fat Cat Carpet Cleaning
3801 9th Ave W. Bradenton, 778-2882
CBD Store
Edibles N More 5368 Gulf Drive
Holmes Beach, 855-334-2530
Clothing Store
Two Sides of Nature
101 S. Bay Boulevard
Anna Maria, 779-2432
Convenience Store
Anna Maria General Store
503 Pine Ave
Anna Maria 779-9200
Dry Cleaner
Courtesy Cleaners 7421 Manatee Ave. W. Bradenton, 794-5145
Electrician
Anthony’s Heating & Cooling 778-0100
Fine Dining
The Waterfront
111 S Bay Blvd.
Anna Maria, 778-1515
Fitness
Prosper Bradenton 7449 Manatee Ave W Bradenton, 313-207-8506
Floor Coverings
Tradewinds Tile & Stone
5917 Manatee Ave. W. Bradenton, 941-896-9640
Florist
Blooms by The Beach
2501 Gulf Drive
Bradenton Beach, 778-2555
Gift Shop
Beach Bums
427 Pine Ave
Anna Maria 778-3316
Golf Cart Rental
Beach Bums
427 Pine Ave
Anna Maria, 778-3316
Grocery Store
Publix Supermarket 3900 East Bay Drive
Holmes Beach, 778-5422
Hair Salon
Acqua Aveda Salon, Spa and Store 5311 Gulf Drive
Holmes Beach, 778-5400
Hardware Store
Ace Hardware 3352 E Bay Drive Holmes Beach, 778-0999
Heat & Air
Anthony’s Heating & Cooling 778-0100
Home Builder
Gagne Construction
214 Pine Ave Anna Maria, 778-3215
Hotel/Motel
Silver Surf Resort
1301 Gulf Dr N Bradenton Beach, 778-6626
House Cleaner
Higor Cleaning Services
501 Pine Avenue Anna Maria, 941-212-6941
Jewelry Store
Bridge Street Jewelers 129 Bridge Street Bradenton Beach, 896-7800
Liquor Store
Time Saver Liquor Store 5353 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 778-1524
Marina
Keyes Marina 5501 Marina Dr Holmes Beach, 778-1977
Men’s Apparel
Beach Bums
427 Pine Ave Anna Maria, 778-3316
Non Profit
The Center of Anna Maria
407 Magnolia Ave. Anna Maria, 778-1908
Outdoor Sports Store
Dicks Sporting Goods 4108 14th St. W. Bradenton, 751-6900
Painter
Cabinet Renew 1629 W University Pkwy Sarasota, 941-837-8676
Pest Control
Anna Maria Pest Control 11610 3rd Ave. E. Bradenton, 778-1630
Pet Grooming
The Paw Spa 5343 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 778-0885
Pet Store
AMI Beach & Dog Supply CO. 313 Pine Ave Anna Maria, 713-8970
Pharmacist (tie)
Todd CVS 611 Manatee Ave Holmes Beach,778-1411
Teresa at Walgreens 3200 East Bay Drive Holmes Beach, 778-0451
Pharmacy
CVS
611 Manatee Ave Holmes Beach,778-1411
Plumber
Air & Energy
555 6th Ave. W. Bradenton, 778-0773
Pool Cleaner
Stand Up Pools
Pool Contractor
Agnelli Pools & Construction 7411 Manatee Ave. W. #200 Bradenton, 778-4333
Real Estate Associate
Cindy Quinn
Sato Real Estate Inc. 519 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 778-7200
Real Estate Company
Sato Real Estate Inc. 519 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 778-7200
Rental Company
Sato Real Estate Inc.
519 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 778-7200
Resort
Anna Maria Resorts
Tradewinds Beach Resort 1603 Gulf Drive North Bradenton Beach, 779-0100
Roofer
Trust Mike Roofing 5300 Gulf Dr Holmes Beach 807-6507
Retirement Community National Church Residences
Service Station
Shell Station 5424 Marina Dr Holmes Beach 778-6903
Shopping Center Pineapple Marketplace 425 Pine Ave Anna Maria, 216-4226
Souvenir Shop Beach Bums 427 Pine Ave Anna Maria, 778-3316
Spa
Aluna Day Spa 2219 Gulf Dr N Bradenton Beach 778-8400
Women’s Apparel
Beach Bums
427 Pine Ave Anna Maria, 778-3316
PEOPLE & PLACES
Architectural Design
Beacon Home Design 2423 Manatee Ave. W. Bradenton. 941-962-7571
Architect
Beacon Home Design 2423 Manatee Ave. W. Bradenton. 941-962-7571
Art Gallery
Artist Guild Gallery 5414 Marina Dr Holmes Beach 778-6694
Artist
Kristi Marie Photography
Attorney Nick Sato 2071 Ringling Blvd. #400 Sarasota, 861-4400
Band The Dr. Dave Band drdaveband.com
Bar & Grill
Harry’s Grill 9903 Gulf Drive Anna Maria, 567-5999
Bartender
Kayla
gRub Tropical BBQ 415 Pine Ave Anna Maria, 900-2874
Beach
Coquina Beach
Boat Captain Lance Plowman Florida Fishing Fleet 941-720-6147
Business Person
Mike Zeppi
Anthony’s Heating & Cooling 778-0100
Caterer
Ben Sato
gRub Topical BBQ 415 Pine Ave Anna Maria, 900-2874
Chef
Ben Sato
gRub Topical BBQ 415 Pine Ave Anna Maria, 900-2874
Chiropractor
Natural Healing Arts
David Zamikoff 6220 Manatee Ave W 761-1100
Dentist
Island Dental Spa
3909 E Bay Dr Ste #205 Holmes Beach, 778-2204
Doctor
Stephen Pelham, M.D. 3909 East Bay Drive #100 Holmes Beach, 778-1007
Eye Care
LensCrafters 6725 Mantee Ave W Bradenton 746-4300
Financial Planner
Edward Jones
John Campora 6400 Manatee Ave W Suite B 779-2499
Fishing Charter
Captain Will Osborne Fishing Charters 941-580-7293
Individual Entertainer KoKo Ray 538-8724
Interior Design
Margaret
Navy James & Co. Interior Design 941-962-4421
Massage Therapy
Aluna Wellness 2219 Gulf Dr N Bradenton beach, 778-8400
Personal Trainer
Breanna Newton Home Fitness by Bre dnewton@airguaranteed.com
School
Anna Maria Elementary 4700 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 708-5525
School Teacher
Ms. Veen
Palmetto Elementary 1540 10th St. W. Palmetto, 941-723-4822
Veterinarian
Dr Bystrom
Island Animal Clinic5343 Gulf Dr Unit 900 Holmes Beach 778-2445
Veterinarian Clinic
Island Animal Clinic5343 Gulf Dr Unit 900 Holmes Beach 778-2445
View Bean Point
Waiter/Waitress
Linda Kissell
Harry’s Grill 9903 Gulf Drive Anna Maria, 567-5999
Yoga Studio
Aluna Wellness 2219 Gulf Dr N Bradenton beach, 778-8400
FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT
Asian Restaurant
Island Ocean Star 902 S Bay Blvd Anna Maria, 251-6940
Bagel Shop
Ginny’s & Jane E’s 9807 Gulf Drive Anna Maria, 778-3170
Bakery Hometown Desserts 507 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 896-3167
Barbeque
gRub Tropical BBQ
415 Pine Ave
Anna Maria, 900-2874
Boat Tour
Ben Webb - AMI Dolphin Tours
5325 Marina Drive
Holmes Beach, 281-3461
Breakfast
Ginny’s & Jane E’s
9807 Gulf Drive
Anna Maria, 778-3170
Burger
Harry’s Bar & Grill 9903 Gulf Drive Anna Maria, 567-5999
Café 5350 Pour House 5350 Holmes Beach, 251-3681
Candy Store
Dips Ice Cream 503 Pine Ave Anna Maria, 778-1706
Deli
Scott’s Deli
5337 Gulf Drive Ste. 300 Holmes Beach, 778-3000
Festival
Cortez Fishing Festival
German Restaurant
Lucky Frog Restaurant 4625 Cortez Rd. W. Bradenton, 795-2132
Golf Course
Pinebrook Ironwood Golf 4260 Ironwood Cir Bradenton, 792-3288
Grouper Sandwich
Cortez Kitchen 4528 119th St. W. Cortez, 941-900-1506
Ice Cream Shop
Two Scoops Ice Cream 101 S. Bay Blvd. Anna Maria, 779-2422
Italian Restaurant
Solo’s Pizza
3244 E Bay Dr. Holmes Beach, 778-8118
Key Lime Pie
Hometown Desserts
507 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 896-3167
Live Theater
Island Players
10009 Gulf Drive
Anna Maria, 778-5755
Margarita
Wicked Cantina
101 7th St. N. Bradenton Beach, 281-2990
Mexican Restaurant
Wicked Cantina
101 7th St. N. Bradenton Beach, 281-2990
Most Romantic Restaurant
The Waterfront 111 S Bay Drive
Anna Maria, 778-1515
New Restaurant
Salt Bar and Table 2519 Gulf Drive N Bradenton Beach 896-9897
Night Spot
Harry’s Bar & Grill
9903 Gulf Drive Anna Maria, 567-5999
Pier
Rod and Reel Pier
875 North Shore Drive
Anna Maria, 778-1885
Harry’s Grill claims four Readers’ Choice Awards
Owned by Mark and Jan Labriola, Harry’s Grill claimed four more Readers’ Choice Awards in 2025, receiving the most votes in the bar and grill, night spot and burger categories, with Linda Kissell deemed the Readers’ Choice in the waiter/waitress category.
“Harry’s has worked very hard to be consistent with our food quality, entertainment and service,” Mark Labriola said. “We offer a venue and atmosphere that brings enjoyment to our customers and creates memories for our visitors to take back to wherever they came from so they come back the following year. Harry’s Grill offers casual dining with award-winning food, a pet-friendly patio and a romantic setting with nightly live music.”
“We’ve won the burger category for eight years,” he noted. “Harry’s Cheeseburger is made with our special secret spices and it’s a half-pound of fresh-cut Angus ground beef served on a toasted ciabatta bun with lettuce, pickles, tomatoes and onions.”
“Seven nights a week, we provide some of the highest quality entertainment on the Island. Our entertainers consistently perform on the same night each week and most of them have been with us from the beginning,” he said.
Regarding Harry’s award-winning waitress, Labriola said, “You can never come to Harry’s when Linda’s working and not be won over by her smile and welcoming spirit.”
Harry’s Grill is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and the kitchen typically closes between 9 and 9:30 p.m. Sundays begin with Harry’s Hallelujah Brunch from 10-11:30 a.m., an event that provides free breakfast, live worship music and a spiritual message. Regular business operations then begin at 1 p.m. and continue until 10 p.m.
Harry’s Grill is located at 9903 Gulf Drive in Anna Maria. Visit them online at www.harrysgrillami.com.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Weather permitting, live music is performed on the Harry’s Grill patio seven nights a week.
Pizza
Pizza Social
308 Pine Ave.
Anna Maria, 251-4070
Restaurant (Overall)
The Waterfront 111 S. Bay Drive
Anna Maria, 778-1515
Seafood Restaurant
Anna Maria Oyster Bar Oysterbar.net
Specialty Cocktail
Dr. Office
5312 Holmes Blvd. Holmes Beach, 213-9926
Specialty Gourmet
gRub Tropical BBQ
415 Pine Ave.
Anna Maria, 900-2874
Sub/Sandwich
Scott’s Deli
5337 Gulf Drive Suite 300 Holmes Beach, 778-3000
Takeout
Minnie’s 5360 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 778-4140
Cortez Cultural Center goes greener
More than 100 native plants were placed in the ground by volunteers at the Cortez Cultural Center. The plants were donated by the Longboat Key Garden Club.
POST OFFICE: Anna Maria Post Office reopens at regular location
PAGE 1
across the street and exchanged it for a key to her permanent box.
“I’m so excited for you guys,” Carroll told Gray.
“Thanks, it’s been a journey,” Gray responded.
“It's great when anything gets back to normal after the hurricanes,” Carroll said. Gray said P.O. box keys issued before the 2024 hurricanes should still work for the boxes inside the regular location. If your old key doesn’t work, go to the service
desk and let them know. Gray asks that post-hurricane P.O. box keys issued for the temporary post office be returned to the service desk at 101B South Bay Blvd. Gray said she doesn’t yet have confirmation as to when the trailer will be removed from the park but she said its removal is already in the works.
The Anna Maria Post Office service desk is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. The lobby is open 24 hours a day and the P.O. boxes are always accessible.
BELLE HAVEN: Cottage celebrates grand reopening
FROM PAGE 5
The artifacts inside the cottage include the wood burning stove that the Island Players theater group borrowed for their recent production of “Janus,” and a 1930s-era table setting that includes hand-painted Chinese dishware.
The artifacts inside the single bedroom include a wedding dress that’s been worn by four generations of brides from the same family and Lyman Christy’s travel trunk that’s been with the cottage for 75-plus years.
“Thank you to every person who put their blood, sweat and tears into renewing this cottage and this museum. They are so much a part of our Island’s story,” Orshak said. “This ends a year of intense emotion, finding friendships where we never knew they existed and our community coming together.”
Offering free admission and still operating on its annual off-season schedule for the rest of 2025, the
museum and cottage are open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Museum volunteers and docents are needed and those interested can sign up at the museum during regular hours. For more information, call 941-778-0492 or visit www.amihs.org.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
The Island Players recently borrowed the cottage’s wood-burning stove.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
FROM
OUTDOORS
Volunteers clean up Egmont Key
gmont Key, located just north of Anna Maria at the mouth of Tampa Bay, has a rich and diverse history. For centuries, it was a landmark for native peoples and Spanish explorers on Florida’s Gulf coast. Due to increased shipping in the area and numerous groundings, a lighthouse was built in 1848. When the Great Hurricane of 1848 struck that September, tides 15 feet above normal washed over the island and damaged the lighthouse. Another storm did additional damage, prompting Congress to appropriate funds to rebuild the lightkeeper’s residence and the lighthouse. In 1858, the lighthouse was reconstructed to "withstand any storm." That lighthouse stands today as one of Florida’s oldest.
During the Third Seminole War in the 1850s, the island was used as a military outpost. In the Civil War, Confederate forces briefly occupied it before Union troops took control. During the Spanish-American War of 1898, Egmont gained importance when Fort Dade was constructed as a massive coastal defense system designed to protect Tampa Bay. Gun batteries, brick roads and buildings which thrived with military activity were abandoned by 1923. Egmont’s history also had an ignoble chapter when it served as a holding site for Seminole Indian prisoners before their forced removal west. Today, most of the island is a National Wildlife Refuge and state park, preserving both its natural beauty and historic ruins while also providing sanctuary for birds, gopher tortoises and sea turtles.
On Sept. 27, Suncoast Aqua Ventures (SAV) helped preserve this rich ecosystem by conducting the Great Egmont Key Cleanup. Suncoast Aqua Ventures,
along with The Tampa Bay Estuary Program and Egmont Key Alliance, had collaborated for three months to plan this large scale and desperately needed cleanup. Most of the debris removed from the island was storm-related debris washed ashore during Hurricanes Helene and Milton last year. In total, volunteers removed over 23,240 pounds of debris.
Unfortunately, seeing the piles of debris people had collected and staged over the past year in anticipation of the cleanup prompted some weekend visitors to add their daily picnic trash to these piles. Seeing the bins, upright with trash in them, gave the illusion that there was a regular trash pick out there, which there isn’t! In fact, there have been no park rangers or harbor pilots living on the island since the storms. Their small communities were completely destroyed.
Visiting the Island frequently and watching these piles grow week to week prompted SAV President Cheryl Huntsinger to start reaching out to Tampa Bay area partners for assistance. The three organizations came together with local citizens, including many from Anna Maria, to pull off the largest one day cleanup of Egmont Key in many years.
Over 250 volunteers registered to ride out
on three different ferries, including Anna Maria Dolphin Tours. In addition, over 100 people came on private vessels. Numerous partners provided support with dumpsters, barges and boats to haul the trash and two boats with cranes to lift the heavy bags from the beach to transport vessels. SAV provided all the supplies needed, transportation for over 120 passengers and a fantastic free lunch as a reward for our volunteer efforts.
A great deal of the cleanup was accomplished with volunteers filling three dumpsters and boats making a total of nine trips to the mainland with trash. Unfortunately, building sea conditions in the afternoon halted progress, so there are still piles of debris on the beach that needs to be removed. SAV is watching weather conditions and coordinating with their partners to return and remove the remaining debris from the west side of the island. SAV also hopes to be allowed access to the bird sanctuaries before nesting season starts again. These areas were off limits to volunteers but needs attention as well. All in all, it was a great day for everyone who participated. Islanders who enjoy Egmont are encouraged to take their trash home with them and help remove the remaining debris.
RUSTY CHINNIS
RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN
Egmont Key’s iconic lighthouse served as a fitting backdrop for the staging area of the Suncoast Aqua Ventures Cleanup, which netted more than 11 tons of trash.
ATTORNEY: Bradenton Beach commissioners seek city attorney
“Erica Augello, who is currently city attorney of Holmes Beach is one and she’s part of Trask Daigneault Law Firm. They do municipal work, that’s their focus,” Lincoln said. “The other person is Regina Kardash. She’s been the town attorney for Indian Shores and Redington Beach. She’s had a lot of experience with small coastal communities.”
Rates for Trask Daigneault are $280 per hour and Kardash is $250 per hour for regular services and $350 per hour for litigation.
“I went online, and the Trask firm is all municipal. I think they represent about 14 municipalities,” Chappie said. “I’ve talked to the mayor of Holmes Beach and they seem to think the world of Erica and the firm and everything they’ve done in legal issues. I also called the mayor of Anna Maria and the firm that represents them is the Voss law firm. Becky Voss seem very qualified as well.”
The name of attorney Robert Eschenfelder of Trask Daigneault was also mentioned, Chappie said.
“I’m very familiar with members of the Trask law firm, especially Rob Eschenfelder. I worked very closely with him at Manatee County,” Vice Mayor Deborah Scaccianoce said. “He’s outstanding and I know Trask has been very successful in lawsuits that have been lodged against Holmes Beach.”
Lincoln said Augello is the person he spoke to and she is indicating she would be responding for the firm.
“It might make sense for her to take it on,” Lincoln said. “Let’s just say the potential other kinds of issues
that would show up are dealing with potentially different responses to the government or Legislature on the consolidation issue or negotiating an interlocal agreement.”
Lincoln said the firms that are likely to bid for the city business on a permanent basis would probably include Trask Daigneault, the Dickman firm from Naples and the Voss firm.
“I recommend to come back on the 16th (the next regular city commission meeting) with a resolution to appoint an interim city attorney for a period
of six months or until you appoint a complete city attorney,” Lincoln said.
“That’s because the city attorney’s job, even if interim, is still a charter position and technically it should be filled by a majority vote of the commission.”
Commissioner Scott Bear questioned who Trask is going to recommend and expressed concern about potential conflicts if Augello, who represents Holmes Beach, is appointed.
Chappie said he and Police Chief John Cosby met with the principal partner at the Trask firm.
“I think at least three of the members of their firm I would be very comfortable with in dealing with city business,” Chappie said.
Lincoln said he would represent the city at the Oct. 16 meeting and would continue to handle city land use and planning and zoning issues for as long as he is needed.
Commissioners reached a consensus to hold a special meeting with Augello and Eschenfelder on Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 10 a.m.
“Then we can plan to set a final decision for the 16th depending on what comes out of that meeting,” Lincoln said.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN City commissioners and attorney Robert Lincoln discuss options for hiring an interim and a permanent city attorney following the Sept. 18 retirement of former City Attorney Ricinda Perry.
REAL ESTATE
What are capital gains?
I’m always surprised when I talk to people who have owned a home for maybe decades but have no clue what their tax responsibility will be if they sell that property. No one wants to think about giving money to the federal government so they don’t, but not preparing for the day you sell your home could be one of the biggest mistakes of your financial life.
Let’s start with what exactly a capital gain is. Capital gains is a tax on the profit you make from an asset such as stocks, real estate or other investments. For the purpose of this column, we’re going to talk about capital gains on real estate. Since not all real estate is created equal, it’s important to define your real estate holding, with the most standard ones being a primary home, secondary home or investment property.
Secondary homes and investment properties are best discussed with tax preparers who specialize in this area.
Castles in the Sand
However, most of us own a home that we live in, called our primary residence, and the federal government has tax exclusions available to homeowners when they sell their primary home. This doesn’t mean you should not seek out professional advice.
Since 1997, homeowners can reduce taxes on the sale of their primary property that you have owned for two out of the five years leading up to the sale. The IRS allows single taxpayers to exclude $250,000 of gain and married taxpayers filing jointly to exclude $500,000. According to LendingTree, American households are sitting on $34.5 trillion
in home equity in the first quarter of 2025. A good portion of these funds will be faced with tax bills upon sale of the property, so it’s vital that homeowners understand their potential tax liability.
There is a way to further reduce the capital gains on your primary home by adjusting the basis of your home. Your home’s basis is generally calculated by adding the cost of capital improvements to the price you paid when you acquired your home. For instance, if you replaced your roof or remodeled your kitchen, those costs are considered capital improvements, and should be added to the price you paid for your house, thus reducing your capital gains liability.
There are two other ways to reduce your capitals gains liability but they will only appeal to a small percentage of homeowners. If you can afford to finance the sale of your home, that will save you capital gains. Or converting your property to a business property will give you the
ability to dispose of the property via a 1031 like-kind exchange at a future date.
There is an act introduced by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene identified as “No Tax on Home Sales Act” (HR 4327). The bill aims to eliminate federal capital gains taxes on the sale of primary residences. Keep in mind if you reside in a state that has state capital gains requirements, you would still be responsible for paying capital gains based on your state’s requirement. States like Florida without a state tax will pay no capital gains on the sale of a primary home. President Donald Trump has taken an interest in this bill, which his administration considered in July.
Study up on capital gains if you’re within a few years of selling your primary home. Hopefully, you kept all of the receipts that would be considered a capital improvement, and start thinking about the capital gains you may be heading for.
LOUISE BOLGER
CITY PIER: Tampa Bay Marine selected to build walkway
of the pier buildings and T-end deck area will begin in a few weeks when a barge is used to help remove the equipment and interior contents of the pier buildings occupied by the City Pier Grill and the Mote Marine Science Education & Outreach Center before the hurricane struck.
The work needed to return those T-end spaces to a habitable condition will include roof repairs, window repairs, door replacements, decking repairs and the complete repair and restoration of the public restrooms. Short said the city is responsible for all those costs. He did not say who would do that work.
Commissioner Charlie Salem asked if Mote Marine plans to return to the pier and what their responsibilities and obligations might be.
“I have spoken to Mote, but we do not have a commitment one way or the other yet from them,” Short said.
City Pier Grill operator Brian Seymour previously said he hopes to resume his pier-based operations if a modified lease agreement is negotiated.
| SUN
Hurricane Milton destroyed a large section of the City Pier walkway, leaving the pier buildings isolated and inaccessible except by boat. The surviving and unstable section of the pier walkway has since been removed.
After the commission authorized the Tampa Bay Marine Inc. agreement, Commissioner Chris Arendt said,
“Great work mayor.”
“Let’s get this thing built,”
Commissioner Gary McMullen added.
After the meeting, Short said, “This has been a long time coming. I am
relieved that we have a commitment in place for the biggest piece of the pier rebuild. We’ll get this thing ready to go as soon as possible.”
Short said Tampa Bay Marine will begin building the new walkway when the 100 or so solid concrete pilings needed to do so arrive.
FUNDING
A $1.5 million state appropriation will help fund the pier replacement and repair project. The mayor and commission anticipate Manatee County contributing $2 million of tourist development tax revenues to the project but the county contribution now appears to be contingent on city commissioners approving the installation of a county funded ferry landing alongside the new pier walkway.
Short previously said the city hopes to receive up to $4 million from FEMA for the pier replacement project but the actual reimbursement amount and the receipt date remain unknown.
Taking effect on Oct. 1, the city’s 2025-26 fiscal year budget includes a $4 million loan to help cover the city’s upfront pier replacement costs while awaiting FEMA funds. Some of the borrowed $4 million will also be used for stormwater and drainage improvements and to help complete the Pine Avenue sidewalk installation project.
JOE HENDRICKS
LAWSUIT: Anna Maria sues company claiming ownership of canals
FROM PAGE 1
payments. A present, practical need exists for judicial declaration confirming that the canals and yacht basin are and always have been dedicated to the public, owned in trust by the city and not subject to private ownership by defendants.”
The complaint states that in 1962, a Florida corporation named West Coast Properties of Clearwater Inc. – referred to in the complaint as “Original West Coast Properties” – dedicated the plat of Luana Isles and that plat forever dedicated the canals and yacht basin collectively known as the “Luana Isles Canals” to the public, as recorded with the county.
The complaint claims that the “Original West Coast Properties” corporation dissolved in 1969 and that in December 2021, Nelson created a new Florida corporation under the same name, “West Coast Properties of Clearwater Inc.” and referred to in the complaint as “Fraudulent West Coast Properties.”
The complaint notes that Nelson created Noslens Inc. in January 2005. According to the Florida Division of Corporations, Noslens Inc. filed for dissolution on Sept. 26 and is now listed as inactive.
INITIAL DISCOVERY
Attorney Garret Barnes made the city aware of the issue after discovering the quitclaim deed when assisting with the sale of an Anna Maria home located along the deed-impacted waterway.
On Aug. 1, Barnes sent Manatee County Property Appraiser Charles Hackney a letter pertaining to Nelson’s quitclaim deed actions.
“This letter is to inform you of a wild deed that affects approximately 94 or 95 waterfront homes and lots on Anna Maria that I consider a wild, and possibly illegal, deed (that) affects the value of the properties if not corrected,” Barnes’ letter said. “Enclosed please find your printout of a Parcel ID No. 7070615009 which is purportedly owned by Noslens, Inc. The picture shows that the parcel is a body of water or canals on Anna Maria, Florida. I recently did a closing on a related waterfront property and discovered this. Enclosed are the two plats for Luana Isles that you will see had dedicated the canal and yacht basin to the public forever,” Barnes’ letter said.
Barnes’ letter details the “original” and “fraudulent” West Coast Properties corporations and the incorporation of Noslen’s Inc. – information later included in the city’s lawsuit complaint.
“This is a new and ‘wild’ deed that basically conveys the canal system from one of his companies to another one of his companies to try and create some type of ownership interest. West Coast Properties of Clearwater, Inc. simply did not own this property to convey and it seems to me like he is trying to establish some type of ownership of all the canals which includes areas outside of the platted lots including the canals,” Barnes stated in his letter. On Sept. 4, Barnes sent a letter to attorney Justin Foster at the 12th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office.
“Enclosed please find a letter to the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s office that shows an attempt by a person/company trying to steal real
MANATEE COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER | SUBMITTED Properties located along the Luana Isles canals and yacht basin may be impacted by a 2022 quitclaim deed filing and a new lawsuit filed by the city.
estate/property rights from individuals and the state/county in Manatee County,” Barnes stated in his letter to Foster.
“I am a real estate attorney in Manatee County and came across this ‘scheme’ in closing a piece of property that is affected by this scenario and my client was forced to pay $5,000 to ‘clear’ title to this person. Please call me at your earliest convenience to discuss this horrible situation that affects over 100 tax paying citizens in Manatee County,” Barnes wrote.
LAWSUIT ALLEGATIONS
“On Jan. 4, 2022, the ‘Fraudulent West Coast Properties’ purported to convey the Luana Isles
SEE L AWSUIT, PAGE 35
LAWSUIT: Anna Maria sues company claiming ownership of canals
Canals to Noslens Inc. via quitclaim deed, even though it had no ownership interest in the property,” the city’s lawsuit contends. “The quitclaim deed reflecting this fraudulent conveyance was recorded in the public records of Manatee County, thereby clouding title to the public waterways.”
“Defendants thereafter engaged in a scheme to sell interests in the fraudulently titled waterways to nearby property owners, falsely demanding such property owners pay for a quitclaim deed to such interest as necessary to protect their own property's title and creating a burden upon property sales and closings. Defendants’ actions are wrongful, fraudulent and contrary to law,” the complaint alleges.
“Section 817.535, Florida Statutes, prohibits any person from filing or directing another to file, with the intent to defraud or harass, any instrument in the official records which affects or purports to affect an interest in real property, knowing or having reason to know that such instrument is false, fictitious or fraudulent,” according to the complaint.
“Defendants knowingly created a sham corporation and executed a false deed with the intent to deceive property owners and the city and extract fraudulent payments. Defendants filed or caused the filing of the false instrument with the intent to defraud and harass the city of Anna Maria and its residents, to cloud title to public property and to extort money from affected waterfront property owners through demands for releases and payments,” the complaint alleges.
“As a direct and proximate result of defendants’ fraudulent filing, the city of Anna Maria has sustained injury, including but not limited to clouds on title to public property held in trust for the benefit of the public; impairment of the city’s ability to exercise full dominion and control over its public waterways; the necessity of legal action to quiet title, protect the public’s rights and prevent continuing fraud; harm to affected property owners whose property sales and closings have been obstructed or burdened by defendants’ false claims; and damage to the reputation of the city of Anna Maria, undermining public confidence in its ability to safeguard community assets and interests,” the complaint alleges.
MANATEE COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER | SUBMITTED
Poinsettia Road, Gladiolus Street, Tern Drive and Gull Drive are referenced in this old plat map.
“Defendants are engaged in an illegal and extortionate scheme predicated upon a ‘wild deed’ which violates plaintiff’s rights pursuant to a clear dedication of the Luana Isles Canals to the public. Unless enjoined, defendants will continue to assert ownership over public waterways and extort payments from property owners and property purchasers, resulting in ongoing uncertainty, blocked and delayed transactions, interference with public rights, and damages to the reputation of the city of Anna Maria, Anna Maria Island, Manatee County and the State of Florida, all of such injuries not
being compensable by money damages alone,” the complaint alleges.
“The city requests the court enter judgment in the city’s favor and against defendants and declare the Jan. 4, 2022, quitclaim deed fraudulent, null and void; enjoin the defendants from recording or attempting to record any further false, fictitious or fraudulent instruments affecting property owned by the city or dedicated to the public; award the city its actual damages, including reputational damages, together with prejudgment interest; award the city its reasonable attorney fees and court costs; award punitive damages sufficient to punish defendants and deter similar conduct and grant such other and further relief as the court deems just and proper,” according to the complaint.
In closing, the complaint states that “Plaintiff requests judgment requiring defendants to provide a full and complete accounting of all money received from property owners in connection with their fraudulent claims; to disgorge all such funds, to reimburse affected property owners for their losses and expenses; to pay plaintiff’s attorney’s fees, costs and such other relief as the court may deem just and proper.”
Community invited to Woodland celebration of life
A celebration of life will be held for Dale Woodland at Bayfront Park, 351 North Bay Blvd. in Anna Maria, on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 11 a.m. Woodland, a long-time Anna Maria resident and City Commissioner, died on June 28 at the age of 76 due to complications caused by dementia. Attendees are asked to RSVP at the “Celebration of Life for Dale Woodland” Facebook page if possible.
ISLAND SPORTS
SEPT. 29 - MODIFIED
First Place - Ron Huibers, +5
Second Place - Ken Nagengast and Terry Schaefer tied, +4
SEPT. 30 - LOW NET SCORE
First Place - Jackie Gorski, 33
Second Place - Sue Wheeler, 34
Third Place - Rene Chapman, Linda Dorsey and Mary Wilkie tied, 36
OCT. 2 - SCRAMBLE
First Place Team - Scott Mitchell, Mike Riddick, Warren Stevens and Quentin Talbert, 30, 2 under par.
Farrington,
Tom Farrington, left, teamed up with Steve Kriebel on Oct. 1 and won the final over Bob Hawks 24-11 after Farrington threw eight ringers in a row, earning the day’s bragging rights at Anna Maria Horseshoes. On Oct. 4, three teams settled things in a playoff after each went 3-0 during pool play. In the semi, Gersey Fernandes shut down Farrington and Tim Sofran 26-10 on a game-ending double-ringer by Fernandes. Fernandes kept on a roll winning the final 23-2 over Steve Doyle and Gary Howcroft, also ending it with a double-ringer to win the day’s championship.
ANNA MARIA HORSESHOES | SUBMITTED
Kriebel win at pits
FUN IN THE SUN
CLASSIFIEDS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
THRIVE BEACH YOGA: All Levels Welcome! 100 Pine Ave on AMI. 8:30am every Saturday & Sunday, $15 PreRegistration required at ThriveYogaFit.com
GET AHEAD OF THE NEXT STORM. FREE Flood Assessments FLOOD Barriers are NOT all Built the Same! OURS: 2.5X Stronger, 2-3X Taller (up to 10FT), 3rd Party Tested, & FL Made! Don’t wait TEXT or CALL Today! 941-3486952
COMMERCIAL SALES, RENT & LEASE
HAVE YOU BEEN thinking of selling? We NEED properties to List for SALE!!! Duplexes, multi family, small resorts? Call BIG Alan Galletto of Island Real Estate to get it SOLD 941-232-2216
CLEANING SERVICE
TOTAL HOME SERVICES CLEANING: Residential, Commercial, Rentals, VRBO. Professional and Reliable. Call 941-7564570 or 941-565-3931
CONSTRUCTION/ INSURANCE
WE SPECALIZE IN: WIND Mitigation forms, 4-POINT forms, DECK safety and evaluation. State Certified since 1990. Call Mike Conley 941-7782385. Straight Inspection Service. Veteran Owned
EMPLOYMENT
NOW HIRING: THE WHITE EGRET & THE EGRET'S NEST We are seeking creative individuals to fill both part time and full time positions at our boutiques! Flexible days but some weekend availability required. Please inquire in person, drop off a resume or call 941-778-3782 for an interview appointment.
FOR SALE
BICYCLE - LEMOND SARTHE; 61" steel frame; carbon posts/fork; Shimano/Bontrager components; Leather saddle; Helmet; price negotiable. Dave 941405-9199.
HOME IMPROVEMENTS
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. 941778-1115. 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 941962-1194
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 941-2860607.
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 941-3079315
FROM HOME TO BUSINESSES, we build it all. You’re Reliable General Contractor for new construction, water damage, restoration 941894-7549 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 941-685-0045.
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 941-307-9315
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 941-7940455
DONALD PERKINS ABRACADABRA PAINTING LLC fully insured. 30 years experience. Many Island references. Call 941705-7096
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 941778-1630
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 941565-3931.
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! 941725-1589
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 941778-1979 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, 941345-1300
AMI HOUSE on CANAL. Annual. 4BR/3BA walk to beach. $3700/mo. Plus utilities & deposit. Call 203-223-1119
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 941201-2190
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.
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
HOLMES BEACH 2BR/1BA fully furnished. One block to White Ave and beach. Available March/April 2026. Monthly preferred. Call Sue 941-465-9461
TRANSPORTATION
ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa/St. Pete $85. Sarasota $40. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-779-5095
SB180: Manatee County among plaintiffs in lawsuit
FROM PAGE 4
Florida municipalities and counties challenging Senate Bill 180, a law that was enacted in the 2025 legislative session that represents the largest incursion into local home rule authority in the history of Florida since the adoption of the Florida Constitution in 1968. SB 180 purports to be ‘an act relating to emergencies’ supposedly designed to assist people rebuild properties that were damaged in hurricanes. But, as the result of a last minute amendment, and in a classic example of log rolling and stealth legislating, SB 180 goes much further, freezing all local land development regulations and comprehensive plans in place on August 1, 2024, declaring that any ‘more restrictive or burdensome’ amendments to such regulations that were enacted by any of the 67 counties or 411 municipalities in Florida between August 1, 2024, and October 1, 2027, are ‘void ab initio.’”
The complaint says, “SB 180 should be declared invalid and the defendants should be enjoined from enforcing it.”
MANATEE COUNTY REFERENCED
Earlier this year, due to concerns about potentially violating the new state law, Manatee County commissioners delayed voting on reverting back to the county’s
previous and more restrictive wetland buffering regulations.
The complaint notes some local governments received letters from Florida Department of Commerce advising them that certain planning and zoning regulations are in direct conflict with Section 28 of the new state law.
The complaint says, “Manatee County received such a letter on April 15 regarding two proposed comprehensive plan amendments, in which Florida Commerce states it previously declared the proposed comprehensive plan amendments ‘null and void’ and that Manatee County, nonetheless, thereafter continued to move toward final adoption. The letter states the proposed ordinances may be violative of Section 28 for being a ‘restrictive or burdensome’ procedure for obtaining a development permit after a disaster - without purporting to identify what it was more restrictive or burdensome than, or to whom it was more restrictive or burdensome. The letter also states the proposed amendments may violate Section 3 of SB 180 regarding impact fees.”
Although the Island cities of Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach are not plaintiffs in the lawsuit, Holmes Beach city attorney Erica Augello recently said the outcome of the SB 180 lawsuit will impact every Florida city and county one way or another.
