Anna Maria Island Sun August 25, 2021

- Named Best Florida Newspaper In Its Class -

VOL 21 No. 46

August 25, 2021

Anna Maria Elementary reports two student cases of COVID-19 As the debate over mask mandates continues to heat up, Anna Maria Elementary reports its first two COVID-19 student cases this school year.

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

Bortell’s Lounge reopening on Wednesday JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

HOLMES BEACH - Only 10 days into the 2021-22 school year and as the debate over mask mandates and mandatory staff vaccinations heats up, Anna Maria Elementary reported two confirmed cases of students testing positive for COVID-19, according to the School District of Manatee County.

Two cases of COVID-19 were reported at AME last school year; one in November 2020 and one in February 2021.

The Manatee County School Board issued a temporary mask mandate on Monday, Aug. 16 requiring all students and staff to wear masks while on campus. The mandate expires on Aug. 25 and

After a three-year absence, Bortell’s will once again welcome Island locals and visitors into the storied bar.

SEE AME, PAGE 17

The renovated Bortell’s Lounge also features a new kitchen that will be put into daily service later this year.

Rainfall could prompt second discharge at Piney Point

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Bortell’s Lounge is reopening at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 25.

The official reopening was preceded by unannounced soft openings on Saturday and Monday.

“We’re super excited to be back and we’re looking forward to seeing everybody again. I can’t wait,” owner Steve Rose said before the official reopening occurred.

To the regulars returning to Bortell’s after a three-year absence, Rose says, “Welcome home.”

To those who’ve never experienced Bortell’s, he adds, “It’s an Island bar and everybody’s welcome.”

Rose will play an active role in the business but longtime Bortell’s bartender Patti Prudente will run the daily operation.

“She’s worked here for 18 years

INSIDE NEWS 4 CALENDAR 7 OUTDOORS 16 SPORTS 20 PET EVACUATION GUIDE 21-22 REAL ESTATE 24-28 OBITUARIES 27

Treated water could be dumped into Tampa Bay to lower water levels of a storage pond.

BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The bar is in the same location, but now offers more seats. and she’s Bob Bortell’s niece, so it’s still a family affair,” Rose said.

Located at 10002 Gulf Drive in Anna Maria, Bortell’s will be open six days a week, from noon until midnight, with the new kitchen opening later this year.

“We’re going to take Tuesday’s off for a while. Everybody needs a day off. The building needs a day off,” Rose said.

Rose bought Bortell’s in 2016.

He said the bar opened in 1977 and he later purchased it from original owner Bob Bortell’s daughter, Marie Pallela.

“When I bought it, we knew it needed renovation. It got to the point where the roof was falling in and it was time to shut down. Our

PALMETTO - As summer rainfall fills a nearcapacity pond of contaminated water at Piney Point, state environmental officials are sounding the alarm about a possible second discharge into Tampa Bay. Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) officials estimate that Piney Point will get at least another 10 inches of rain by the end of September, nearly as much as the current storage capacity for additional rainfall at the site - 10.6 inches.

“With additional significant rain volumes expected as we continue into the rainy season, water levels at the site will likely need to be lowered to

SEE BORTELL’S, PAGE 17

SEE PINEY POINT, PAGE 28

TREAT YOURSELF

THE ISLAND Players prepare

to fresh, not fast, with carne asada street tacos. In Food & Wine. 16

to open their 73rd season. 3

Anna Maria Island, Florida

COMMUNITY turns out to help

Island family. 8

The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper www.amisun.com

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AUGUST 25, 2021

AUGUST 25, 2021

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Island Players announce season’s first production After more than a year of no productions due to COVID-19, The Island Players prepare for the first play of their historic 73rd season.

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA - After more than a year off due to COVID-19 restrictions, The Island Players are excited to announce they are starting their historic 73rd season with the delightful comedy, “The Savannah Sipping Society.”

The play centers around four unique Southern women, all needing to escape the sameness of their day-to-day routines, who are drawn together by fate and an impromptu happy hour. The playwrights, Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten, were writers of the TV comedy, “The Golden Girls” and this play is another good example of their talent in understanding and illustrating the perks and perils of older, single women.

The cast is being directed by wellknown Island Players director and actor Mike Lusk, assisted by veteran

JASON SCHAFFER | SUN

The Island Players Theater in Anna Maria is opening its 73rd season. stage manager Priscilla Boyd. Cast members include Jennifer Kwiatkowski as Randa Covington, Cathy HanselEdgerton as Dot Haigler, Laura Morales as Marla Faye Mosley, Susie Lowe

as Jinx Jenkins and Mikey Lynch as Grandma.

The Savannah Sipping Society runs from Sept. 16-26 with a new evening start time of 7:30 p.m. The Sunday

matinee time stays the same at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $25 each and will be available at the box office, 10009 Gulf Drive, in Anna Maria. The box office will open on Tuesday, Sept. 7. If you purchase season tickets before Sept.

1 you will receive a discount price of $110. Call Peg at 941-778-7374 for season ticket information. The box office is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and one hour before each show. For more information, please see the website at www.theislandplayers.org or call the box office at 941-778-5755.

Parking can be difficult, so it is recommended to arrive early. The Players have received permission from CrossPointe Fellowship to allow their patrons to park in their lot. CrossPointe is located at 8605 Gulf Drive about a mile before the theater on the right.

The AMI free trolley stops in front of the church and runs about every 20 minutes north toward the theater.

For everyone’s protection, masks are required when inside the theater.

Temperature checks will be taken at the door and hand sanitizer will be available.

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ISLAND NEWS

IN BRIEF Firefighter delivers baby in the field

Deputy Chief Jay Johnson presents Firefighter Max Pollock with a Genesis Award on Aug. 17 during a West Manatee Fire Rescue board meeting.

The Genesis Award is one rarely given out by the district because to earn it, a firefighter has to deliver a baby in the field, meaning that by the time rescue workers arrive on the scene, KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN there isn’t enough time to get an expectant mother to the hospital safely before her baby is born.

Carter qualifies for city elections Incumbent Anna Maria City Commissioner Carol Carter has qualified to run in the city elections that will conclude on Tuesday, Nov. 2. At the close of business Friday, incumbent Commissioner Jon Crane had submitted his preliminary campaign paperwork but was not yet listed as JOE HENDRICKS | SUN a qualified candidate.

Commission Chair Carol No other candidates Carter is seeking reelection. have qualified or filed preliminary paperwork thus far in hopes of filling a third commission seat that was recently vacated by Joe Muscatello. That seat is being filled temporarily by Doug Copeland.

The city of Anna Maria’s two-week candidate qualifying period ends at noon on Friday, Aug. 27.

Qualifying packets can be obtained from the city clerk’s office or the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office in Bradenton.

Bradenton Beach qualifying period underway The one-week qualifying period for Bradenton Beach City Commission candidates opened at noon on Monday, Aug. 23 and will close at noon on Friday, Aug. 27. As of Sunday, incumbent commissioners Jan Vosburgh and Jake Spooner had filed their preliminary campaign paperwork, as had incumbent Mayor John Chappie and mayoral challenger David Galuszka. Qualifying packets can be obtained from the city clerk’s office or Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office in Bradenton.

Visit our website, www.amisun.com.

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AUGUST 25, 2021

Sarasota road work affecting travel to and from the Island

Construction of a new roundabout in Sarasota is causing increased travel time for those heading south from Anna Maria Island.

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND - Unsuspecting motorists have found themselves stuck in traffic backed up for miles recently as they traveled from Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key to Sarasota.

“I’ve never seen traffic backed up this far, this is unreal,” said Bradenton Beach resident Jim Haas. “I was going for dinner with friends in Sarasota and had to turn around and come home.

I stopped at a store in Longboat and the guy working said his customers were reporting a two-hour wait to get through St. Armands Circle and across the bridge into Sarasota.”

On Wednesday, Aug. 17, the traffic in Coquina Beach looked more like a Saturday during spring break than an August afternoon. Traffic was unusually heavy, but beach parking was virtually empty, likely due to people turning around after realizing going

SUBMITTED

A construction and paving project in downtown Sarasota is affecting AMI traffic. south was a futile effort.

According to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the project causing the backups is the reconstruction of the signalized intersection on U.S. Highway 41 at Gulfstream Avenue. It is being replaced with a multi-lane roundabout.

The project also includes installing a HAWK pedestrian crossing signal system, replacing the underground drainage structures, utilities, fiber optics, LED streetlights, reconfiguration of stormwater retention ponds

and adding sidewalks and pedestrian walkways.

The project is being done in several phases with completion set for Fall 2022, but the current traffic pattern shift causing the most serious delays should flow better within several days to a couple of weeks. In the meantime, motorists can use a navigation app to check for delays, or avoid the construction area altogether using Cortez Road to U.S. Highway 41 into Sarasota.

COVID-19 booster shot available MANATEE COUNTY – If you have a compromised immune system, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you have a booster, or third dose, of a COVID-19 vaccine.

To help keep immune-compromised people safe with the novel coronavirus still a threat in the community, the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County is offering additional doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to those who qualify for the booster shot.

On Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Aministration gave its full approval to the Pfizer vaccine. The formula now will carry the FDA’s strongest endorsement, a designation agency officials hope will bolster public confidence in the safety and effectiveness of the shots.

For more information on who qualifies for a COVID-19 vaccine

booster shot, please visit www.cdc. gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/immunocompromisedpatients.html.

To receive a booster shot from the DOH, you must make an appointment at the Palmetto Bus Station COVID-19 vaccination site by calling 941-242-6646. Appointments are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Anyone receiving a booster shot will need to bring their vaccination card and remain in their vehicle while receiving the shot. The Palmetto Bus Station is at 1802 Eighth Ave. in Palmetto.

Booster shots also are available without an appointment at area Publix pharmacy and Walgreens pharmacy locations.

All vaccines and booster shots are available free of charge.

COVID-19 testing is available seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7

p.m. at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, One Haben Blvd. in Palmetto. The site offers both PCR and rapid testing.

Additional Manatee County vaccination and testing sites can be found by visiting www.FloridaHealthCOVID19.gov.

Monoclonal antibody therapy treatments also are available for anyone age 12 and older who is at high risk for severe illness due to COVID-19. The treatment is shown to help prevent hospitalization and death in high-risk patients and is available free of charge.

Manatee Memorial Hospital also will serve as a local location where eligible people can receive a free monoclonal antibody therapy treatment. For more information or to make an appointment visit www. floridahealthcovid19.gov/treatment.

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AUGUST 25, 2021

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Commissioners hear proposed Pine Avenue solutions No final decisions have been made and the Reimagining Pine Avenue discussions will continue.

Pine Avenue businesses and the simplest and fastest implementation.

However, this alterative would not solve streetside parking and delivery truck issues, does not address gaps in the existing sidewalk systems, does not address safety concerns for bicyclists and does not resolve sight distance issues at driveway entrances.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Traffic engineer Gerry Traverso has presented his findings and five proposed solutions associated with his Reimagining Pine Avenue study.

The study encompasses the Pine Avenue corridor that includes Magnolia Avenue, Spring Avenue and those connected portions of Gulf Drive and South Bay Boulevard.

Traverso addressed the Anna Maria City Commission and the public on Thursday, Aug. 19. Lasting nearly two hours, the meeting did not result in the commission narrowing its choices down to its top two or three options as originally anticipated. The discussion will continue at future meetings and Traverso expects to provide the mayor and commission with his final report within a week or so.

The study’s two primary purposes are to improve safety and traffic flow for all those who share the streets

ALTERNATIVE 2 JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The Reimagining Pine Avenue study focuses on improving pedestrian and bicyclist safety and traffic flow. and sidewalks within the study area.

Traverso’s findings were based on traffic counts, accident reports, personal observations, public input and conversations with business owners. American Rescue Plan funds will be used to pay for the $50,274 study provided by Traverso and the George F. Young civil engineering firm.

ALTERNATIVE 1

Traverso presented several alternatives for the commission to consider and each included pros, cons and estimated costs.

Alternative 1 proposes additional pavement markings, bike lane sharrow markings and the installation of rectangular rapid flashing beacons at new and existing pedestrian crosswalks on Pine Avenue for an estimated cost of $85,000. Four new crosswalks and upgrading an existing crosswalk on Spring Avenue would cost an estimated $45,000. Four new crosswalks and upgrading an existing crosswalk on Magnolia Avenue would cost an estimated $45,000.

The Alternative 1 pros include less initial cost and less disruption to the

Alternative 2 includes the Alternative 1 improvements in addition to buffered bike lanes and sidewalks on both sides of Pine Avenue.

Pros include buffered bike lanes, which would provide separation between motorists and bicyclists. The continuous sidewalks would increase pedestrian safety and the use of permeable concrete or pavers for those sidewalks and bike paths would increase water quality treatment and drainage.

This alternative also addresses sight distance concerns by eliminating parking spaces located near driveway entrances.

The cons include the elimination of existing parking spaces and a potential SEE PINE AVE, PAGE 9

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OPINION

The Anna Maria Island Sun newspaper 3909 East Bay Drive, Suite 210, Holmes Beach, FL, 34217 Phone: (941) 778-3986 email: news@amisun.com | ads@amisun.com | classifieds@amisun.com

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AUGUST 25, 2021

The Anna Maria Island Sun Staff Publishers Mike Field Maggie Field Editor/CEO Mike Field Layout Ricardo Fonseca Reporters Cindy Lane Joe Hendricks Kristin Swain Jason Schaffer Columnists Louise Bolger Outdoors Editor Rusty Chinnis Advertising director Shona Otto Ad assistant Pamela Lee Classified ads Bob Alexander Graphics Elaine Stroili Ricardo Fonseca Digital/Social Media Editor Cindy Lane Accounting John Reitz Leslie Ketchum Distribution Bob Alexander Tony McNulty Connor Field Contributors Tom Vaught Steve Borggren Monica Simpson

Thank you, Mayor Murphy In reading pages 3 and 4 of the AMI Sun last week, we were greatly impressed with Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy’s vision and leadership in problem-resolution – “Mayor meets with golf cart rental owners” and “Proposed development increases flooding concerns.”

First, we see that there is problem recognition and acknowledgment followed by communication with stakeholders on various levels. For the golf cart issue, there are points related to education and proactive measures that were delineated into four basics, but largely encompassing bullets. This was then followed by a simple procedure for communicating them to visitors - i.e. golf cart stickers - with clear expectations for enforcement laid out. Other commissioners weighed in with additional suggested procedures for boosting support and enforcement of the four basic points.

With the flooding issue, again, there was communication with stakeholders and city staff. This was paired with the support and assurance that the city “will do our best to remediate the impact and make it better.” He accepts responsibility; it's the city’s “responsibility to ensure this happens."

There is much of what he does that has a positive impact on all the Island cities. For this, we thank you, Mayor Murphy.

Richard and Margie Motzer Holmes Beach

Preserve AMI: Too late?

I have watched with great interest the latest movement here on AMI. They call themselves “Preserve AMI” and what I can attain from their ads is that they want to “preserve” the Island from being overbuilt. Let me tell you folks you are about 40 years too late.

But what it really is, is a few rich

people fighting other rich people who want to build here, too. Those “I have mine, so don’t block my view” people are mad because there is a chance that more building here will affect them.

The people who are the most upset are some rich people who now must deal with some richer people who want to build on a lot they own and mess with their view. I doubt that the upset people were concerned with the people across the street from them that had their view obstructed when the mad people built their home in front of them.

So, as much as I hate to see our beaches overbuilt, the ship has sailed on trying to save the Island at this point.

So maybe you mad rich people will need to find another island to save - it’s too late for AMI. Must be tough being so rich.

Rick Lewis Anna Maria

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AUGUST 25, 2021

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Commissioners question permit fee payments

BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – Director of Development Services Eran Wasserman had some questions to answer from commissioners during a recent work session regarding the payment of permit fees.

At an Aug. 10 work session, commissioners asked Wasserman to elaborate on how permit fees are paid to the city, specifically if all fees and fines are paid before a permit being issued.

ON THE AGENDA ANNA MARIA

10005 GULF DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130

City hall is open to the public with limited capacity and safety protocols in place. Please visit www. cityofannamaria.com or contact city hall for more information.

Aug. 26, 9 a.m. – Special magistrate hearing Aug. 26, 5:30 p.m. – City Commission budget meeting with regular meeting to follow Aug. 27, noon – Election qualifying period ends Sept. 6, all day – City offices closed for Labor Day Sept. 9, 5:30 p.m. – City Commission budget hearing with regular meeting to follow

BRADENTON BEACH

107 GULF DRIVE N. FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005

City hall is open to the public with limited capacity and safety protocols in place. Please visit www.cityofbradentonbeach.com or contact city hall for more information.

Aug. 27, noon – Election qualifying period ends Sept. 1, 9:30 a.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency meeting Sept. 1, 2 p.m. – Scenic WAVES meeting Sept. 2, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting Sept. 6, all day – City offices closed for Labor Day Sept. 16, noon – City Commission meeting

HOLMES BEACH

5801 MARINA DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800

City hall is open to the public with limited capacity and safety protocols in place. Please visit www.

Wasserman reassured commissioners that all fines and fees have to be paid before a permit or after-the-fact permit is issued by the building department. He said that he believes the issue came up due to issues with a site plan amendment proposed for the Shops at Waterline. While site plan fees are not the same as permit fees and do not have to be paid the same way, Wasserman did note that because of work done without permits and then the need arising due to the work done for a site plan amendment approval, it had

holmesbeachfl.org or contact city hall for more information.

Aug. 27, noon – Election qualifying period ends Sept. 6, all day – City offices closed for Labor Day Sept. 15, 5 p.m. – City Commission budget hearing with regular meeting and work session to follow

ISLAND-WIDE

Sept. 7, 6 p.m. – West Manatee Fire Rescue budget hearing with board meeting to follow, administration building, 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton Sept. 13, 9 a.m. – Tourist Development Council meeting, Manatee County administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton MARKYOUR CALENDAR

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 25

Prevention Plus health screenings, The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, 9 a.m., cost varies by test.

No prescriptions required. Reserve to 1-888-667-7587.

Golfing for God, IMG Academy Golf Club, 4350 El Conquistador Pkwy., Bradenton, 2:45 p.m. tee time, 5:30 p.m. Bible study and dinner, $40 for golf and dinner, $20 for dinner.

Reservations required. Reserve to www.roserchurch.com/g4g/.

THURSDAY, AUG. 26

RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations welcome. Participants are asked to bring bottled water and wear a face mask or shield.

Farm stand, Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Seaside Quilters, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Register online at

created a somewhat complicated situation at the property.

Adding to the issues at the three adjoining properties at the intersection of Marina and Gulf drives is the commissioners’ ongoing concern about parking at the Waterline Marina Resort and Beach Club.

Around 20 of the resort’s required parking spaces for the resort and adjacent marina parking spaces were leased from the former Wells Fargo bank location. With that property being sold, Mayor Judy Titsworth said she’s working with the resort’s owners to

www.manateelibrary.libcal.com/ calendar.

Bridge Connection Business Card Exchange, Bridge Tender Inn, 135 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach, 5 p.m., $5 for members or $10 for prospective members. Reservations required to info@amichamber.org or 941-778-1541.

Thursdays in Paradise Stroll featuring local art, music and food, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 5 to 8 p.m.

FRIDAY, AUG. 27

Locals Beach Cleanup, Manatee Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 4 p.m. Reserve to www. facebook.com/AMILOCALS.

SATURDAY, AUG. 28

Robinson Runners, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 8 a.m.

Saturday mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon. Face masks required.

Music on the Porch Saturday Jam Session with Soupy, Cortez Cultural Center, 11655 Cortez Road, Cortez, 2 to 4 p.m.

SUNDAY, AUG. 29

Farm stand, Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Rise and Shine Power Flow Yoga, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., $10 fee payable online. Bring your own yoga mat. Register at https://parks.mymanatee.org/ wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/search. html?primarycode=110006 or call 941-742-5923 ext. 6042 for more information.

find out what the future holds.

The city’s code compliance department has given the resort’s representatives 30 days to renew the lease with the new owner of the former bank property or come up with another solution.

If the resort loses the 20 spaces, it would require a reduction of seats in the restaurant, The Chateau Anna Maria Island, a reduction of the tour boat and fishing captains in the marina, or a combination of the two. Titsworth said a parking study also would be needed along with a site plan amendment.

TUESDAY, AUG. 31

RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations welcome.

Participants are asked to bring bottled water and wear a face mask or shield.

Family storytime, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Ages 0-5, limit five children and five caregivers. Register online at www.manateelibrary. libcal.com/calendar.

Tech help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2-4 p.m. Register online at www. manateelibrary.libcal.com/calendar.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 1

Golfing for God, IMG Academy Golf Club, 4350 El Conquistador Pkwy., Bradenton, 2:45 p.m. tee time, 5:30 p.m. Bible study and dinner, $40 for golf and dinner, $20 for dinner.

Reservations required. Reserve to www.roserchurch.com/g4g/.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 2

RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations welcome.

Participants are asked to bring bottled water and wear a face mask or shield.

Farm stand, Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach 2 p.m.

Register online at www.manateelibrary.libcal.com/calendar.

Thursdays in Paradise Stroll featuring local art, music and food, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 5 to 8 p.m.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 3

Forty Carrots Partners in Play, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Register online at www.manateelibrary. libcal.com/calendar.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 4

Robinson Runners, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 8 a.m.

Saturday mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon. Face masks required.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 5

Farm stand, Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Rise and Shine Power Flow Yoga, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., $10 fee payable online. Bring your own yoga mat. Register at https://parks.mymanatee.org/ wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/search. html?primarycode=110006 or call 941-742-5923 ext. 6042 for more information.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 7

RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations welcome.

Participants are asked to bring bottled water and wear a face mask or shield.

Mahjong, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m. Register online at www. manateelibrary.libcal.com/calendar.

Tech help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2-4 p.m. Register online at www. manateelibrary.libcal.com/calendar.

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AUGUST 25, 2021

Community comes out to help local family

BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – The Center of Anna Maria Island was filled with music, laughter and a lot of love Saturday as community members came out to help support one of their own.

Local fishing charter Capt. Aaron Lowman suffered a brain aneurysm just weeks after bringing his newborn son, Will, home from the hospital. After spending more than a month with inpatient care and rehabilitation, Lowman was able to go home on Aug. 14 to be with his wife, Dani, and Will. He’s doing outpatient rehabilitation now but still has a long way to go on the road to recovery and before he can return to his charter business. To help out Lowman and his family, the community has come together in various ways.

His brother, Bill Lowman, started a GoFundMe fundraiser that raised $69,513 as of Aug. 22 with nearly 400 donors. You can contribute to the GoFundMe fundraiser online at https:// www.gofundme.com/f/help-captainaaron-lowman-and-his-new-family.

The community came together in person on Aug. 21 for a benefit for

Lowman and his family at The Center, where great music, good food and drinks put everyone in a festive mood as they celebrated one of their own.

The event featured music from Trevor Bystrom and Paul Fournier, a cash bar and food options, raffle prizes, a live auction, a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle worth $1,700 to the winner and

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

Above left local musician Trevor Bystrom keeps the party going at The Center during a benefit for Capt. Aaron Lowman. Auction items for the fundraiser event included artwork by local artists, a paddleboard, vacation stays and charters, among other things donated for attendees to bid on to help raise money for Lowman and his family.

SEE FUNDRAISER, PAGE 25

DOCK & DINE

Cruise to the Pier by land or sea! Boat docking is NOW AVAILABLE at the Pier location!

LANDSIDE

6906 14th Street West 941.758.7880

CORTEZ

6696 Cortez Road 941.792.0077

ELLENTON

1525 51st Avenue East 941.721.7773

BRIDGE ST. PIER Bradenton Beach 941.778.AMOB (2662)

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AUGUST 25, 2021

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9

PINE AVE: Commissioners hear proposed solutions FROM PAGE 5

40-60% increase in construction costs due to the use of permeable concrete or permeable pavers.

Installing bike lanes on both sides of Pine Avenue and new sidewalks would cost an estimated $524,630. Sharrow markings and sidewalks along Spring Avenue would cost an estimated $152,353.

Bike lanes and sidewalks along both sides of Magnolia Avenue would cost an estimated $832,646. Sharrow markings and sidewalks Magnolia Avenue would cost an estimated $391,424.

CITY OF ANNA MARIA | SUBMITTED

Clockwise above left, Alternative 1 is the simplest and least expensive proposed solution.

Alternative 2 proposes sidewalks and buffered bike lanes. Alternative 3 proposes a multi-use trail/bike path along one side of Pine Avenue.

Alternative 4 does not include a dedicated bike path. Alternatives 5 propose transforming Pine Avenue and Magnolia into one-way streets.

ALTERNATIVE 3

Alternative 3 proposes installing a multi-use/bike path along one side of Pine Avenue, continuous sidewalks along both sides of the street, adding more crosswalks and improving existing crosswalks.

Pros include the multi-use trail, which would separate bicyclists and motorists. The permeable sidewalks would improve pedestrian safety and drainage and placing the bike path on one side of the street only would reduce driveway sight distance conflicts.

Cons include eliminating some parking spaces along Pine Avenue and the use of permeable materials, which would increase costs by 40-60%.

Installing a multi-use trail and sidewalks along Pine Avenue would cost an estimated $433,895. Sharrow markings and sidewalks along Spring Avenue would cost an estimated $152,353. A multi-use trail and sidewalks along Magnolia Avenue would cost an estimated $741,911. Sharrow markings and sidewalks along Magnolia Avenue would cost an estimated $391,424.

ALTERNATIVE 4

The pros include additional parking spaces, designated parking space for delivery trucks, improved safety for pedestrians, improved drainage and improved sight distances.

However, this alternative would not provide a separate travel area for bicyclists.

Installing a multi-use trail and sidewalks along Pine Avenue would cost an estimated $645,610. Sharrow markings and sidewalks along Spring Avenue would cost an estimated $152,353. A multi-use trail and sidewalks along Magnolia Avenue would cost an estimated $829,240. Sharrow markings and sidewalks along Magnolia Avenue would cost an estimated $391,424.

ALTERNATIVES 5A/5B

Alternatives 5A and 5B propose converting Pine Avenue and Magnolia

Avenue into one-way streets, creating streetside parking spaces and delivery areas, creating a multi-use path/bike path and continuous sidewalks, adding new crosswalks and improving existing crosswalks. Alternatives 5A and 5B differ in the direction the one-way traffic would travel and Traverso said these alternatives might require a traffic signal at the Magnolia Avenue/Gulf Drive intersection.

The pros include a separate travel area for bicyclists, improved safety for pedestrians, improved drainage and additional parking spaces.

The cons include the higher cost of permeable materials, a potential increase of traffic in the residential areas along Magnolia and Spring avenues and motorists potentially driving faster on one-way streets.

A multi-use trail, sidewalks, crosswalks and parking spaces along Pine

Avenue would cost an estimated $978,305. A multi-use trail, sidewalks and crosswalks along Magnolia Avenue would cost an estimated $1.28 million.

Traverso said the costs associated with the permeable surface materials could be reduced in areas where stormwater infiltration trenches exist because the subsurface fill materials are already in place. Traverso also said grants might provide additional funding sources.

The commission was in general agreement that the Pine Avenue improvements should be the first priority, with the Spring and Magnolia avenues to be addressed later. Commissioner Doug Copeland said installing continuous sidewalks along Pine Avenue that drain well and have a consistent appearance should be the top priority.

10

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FREE BASIC INSTALL ON FANS PRICED 299 & UP

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Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring will hold a fundraiser on Wednesday, Sept.

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Loggerhead sea turtles, a threatened species, and green sea turtles, an endangered species,

both nest on Island beaches.

The indoor/outdoor event will be hosted by Hurricane Hanks Bar & Grill, 5346 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach, where there is plenty of room for safe distancing. Newly-designed Turtle Watch masks will be available free to everyone who attends.

Mike Sales will provide musical entertainment, and a silent

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AUGUST 25, 2021

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11

New flood maps could impact insurance rates Property owners can look up their latest flood map designation using the county’s online flood zone information tool.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The new Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) flood maps took effect Tuesday, Aug. 10 and could potentially impact flood insurance rates on Anna Maria Island and throughout Manatee County.

On Tuesday, Aug. 3, Manatee County issued a press release regarding the new flood maps.

“Most of FEMA’s flood insurance rate map changes have occurred in the coastal areas of Manatee County and Gamble Creek in East Manatee. Manatee County property owners can verify if their flood zone or base flood elevation (BFE) is changing at mymanatee.org/FloodZoneChanges,” the county press release states.

“If the flood zone or BFE for a property changes the flood insurance rate and the requirement to carry a flood policy may also change. By law, federally regulated or insured mortgage lenders require flood insurance on buildings that are located in areas at high risk of flooding. Standard insurance policies typically don’t cover flood damage,” the press release notes.

ISLAND INSIGHTS

All three Island cities recently amended their flood plain ordinances in anticipation of the new flood maps.

According to the county’s online flood zone information tool, Anna Maria City Hall had been located in an AE flood zone with a static base flood elevation of 9 feet.

“Your flood zone has not changed,” the information tool notes.

AE and VE flood zones trigger mandatory flood insurance requirements for mortgaged properties in communities that participate in the FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Holmes Beach City Hall had, and still has, an AE flood zone designation and a static base flood elevation of 8 feet.

Bradenton Beach City Hall had an AE/VE flood zone designation with a static base flood elevation of 11 feet. According to the county’s flood zone information tool, that flood zone now carries an AE designation and the static base flood

elevation has been reduced to 9 feet.

Building Official Steve Gilbert serves as Bradenton Beach’s flood plain manager.

“The new maps indicate that more than a few flood zone designations have gone down, which means potential flood insurance savings for those folks with elevated homes.

I noted during one of our city commission hearings that those owners should check with us to see if their property might benefit from getting a new elevation certificate from a surveyor so we can document that their home is a specific number of feet higher than the regulatory requirement. That will save them money on premiums for years going forward,” Gilbert said.

“As part of the city’s review and update of our floodplain ordinance, we increased our freeboard from base flood elevation plus two feet, to base flood elevation plus four feet. Freeboard is an additional elevation requirement that exceeds the flood elevation on the maps. This will result in lower flood insurance premiums for all new homes, help keep all our rooftop decks at about the same finished elevation and provide some cushion against sea-level rise,” Gilbert said.

“There are very few properties, mostly along the bay, where the flood elevations have increased, but I believe the buildings themselves would not be affected due to the waterfront setback requirements,” he added.

“The one new item/issue with the new maps is the LIMWA (limited wave action). This line includes areas where waves are from 1 ½ feet to 3 feet high, and this is new. The net result is that the properties with a LIMWA line, including the rest of that flood zone, must be built as if they were in a velocity zone, meaning piling foundations and breakaway walls. Even on the bay side, new homes would need to be designed for wave action. This will mean a higher initial cost to build, but lower insurance premiums for the life of the building,” Gilbert explained.

Building Official Luke Curtis serves as Anna Maria’s flood plain manager.

“In general terms, the new maps show the base flood elevation being lowered and have the potential to lower premiums that property owners pay,” he said.

Holmes Beach Building Official Neal Schwartz serves as Holmes Beach’s flood plain manager.

“We all follow the exact same rules,” he noted.

Schwartz was asked how the new maps could impact Holmes Beach property owners.

5346 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach (941) 778-5788 | hurricanehanks.com

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Building Official Steve Gilbert recently guided the Bradenton Beach City Commission through its flood plain ordinance revisions.

“The homeowners should look up their elevation certificate or call their insurance agent and have them look at the old flood map and the new flood map. If there is a difference of elevation, every foot of elevation change could make a significant difference on the cost of your flood insurance.

The only way to figure that out is to go to your insurance agent and have them do their due diligence. Then, submit that to the NFIP to see if they would lower your FEMA policy premium if you come in with a new elevation certificate,” Schwartz said.

“What I wouldn’t suggest anyone do is to run out and get a new flood (elevation) certificate without knowing you’re going to get a savings. The certificate shows the lowest living elevation of your home or structure. The federal government does not insure land, it insures livable structures. If you have a detached garage, they don’t insure that either. The final determination on who pays how much for flood insurance is made by the insurance agent that’s writing the flood policy,” he noted.

“We haven’t raised our freeboard yet. Our freeboard is at 1 foot above base flood elevation and that’s per ordinance and the building code. When you get the extra foot of freeboard above base flood elevation, it becomes designed flood elevation or DFE,” he said.

“The LIMWA is the same for any coastal area. That limited wave action is a wiggly line on the map. It is going to determine the difference between being in a V zone, a coastal A zone or an A zone. An A zone has no wave action, a coastal A zone has 1.5 to feet to 3 feet of wave action and a V zone is anything greater than 3 feet,” Schwartz said.

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THE SUN

AMI Chamber to host business card exchange The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Bridge Connection/Business Card Exchange event will take place Thursday, Aug. 26 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Bridge Tender Inn, 135 Bridge St. in Bradenton Beach. The combined event with the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce is a great opportunity to

mingle with members of both chambers, pass out business cards and win raffle prizes donated by Chamber member businesses. The cost to attend is $5 for members and $10 for prospective members. To RSVP, please contact the AMI Chamber at 941-778-1541 or email info@amichamber.org.

AUGUST 25, 2021

SUNDAY WORSHIP • 8:30 AM or 10:00 AM

COMMUNITY CHURCH IN PERSON in the Sanctuary Nursery • Children’s Church ONLINE • Watch LIVE or LATER www.RoserChurch.com Text ROSER to 22828 to receive the weekly eBulletin The CHAPEL is open during office hours for prayer & meditation

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AUGUST 25, 2021

THE SUN

13

Red tide continues to pose respiratory irritation risk

BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com

‛S YOUR COMFORT ZONE? WHERE

2021

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Red tide continues to pose a risk of respiratory irritation in Manatee County and Pinellas and Sarasota counties to the north and south, according to Friday’s Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission weekly report.

Medium and low levels of red tide were detected at Coquina Beach on Aug. 17. Low levels were detected at the Longboat Pass boat ramp on Aug. 16. Very low levels of red tide were detected at the Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria and at the Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach on Aug. 16. No red tide was detected at the Palma Sola Bay Bridge on Aug. 16. Updated forecasts are available at habforecast.gcoos.org and at visitbeaches.org.

Red tide produces a neurotoxin called brevetoxin that can cause respiratory irritation, coughing, and more serious illness for people with severe or chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema or COPD, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Health officials recommend that people experiencing symptoms stay away from the water and go inside to an air-conditioned space with closed windows and a clean A/C filter. Wearing masks, especially during onshore winds, is also advised.

Red tide-related fish kills were reported over the past week in Manatee, Sarasota, Pinellas, Lee and Charlotte counties.

Health officials warn against swimming near dead fish, and advise keeping pets away from dead fish and seafoam, which can contain high concentrations of algae. Pets are not allowed on Anna Maria Island’s beaches, but are allowed on the Palma Sola Causeway on Manatee Avenue.

Officials also warn that consuming shellfish exposed to red tide can cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning.

Florida Poison Control Centers have a tollfree 24/7 hotline for reporting illnesses, including health effects from exposure to red tide, at 1-888-232-8635.

14

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www.amisun.com

AUGUST 25, 2021

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AUGUST 25, 2021

THE SUN

15

WMFR Chief enters contract negotiations with district The September WMFR board meeting will be especially interesting for Chief Ben Rigney as he begins salary negotiations.

BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

BRADENTON – West Manatee Fire Rescue district commissioners may have a somewhat difficult budgetary decision to make when they next meet in September.

During their Aug. 17 meeting, commissioners began negotiations with Chief Ben Rigney concerning Rigney’s salary and potential future pay increases.

Rigney, who became the district’s chief after the retirement of former Chief Tom Souza in late 2018, negotiated his salary at the time to include a 15% pay increase in addition to annual 3% cost-of-living

increases once he completed Executive Fire Officer training.

The EFO program is the flagship training program of the National Fire Academy under the U.S. Fire Administration and is an elite program. Graduates of the two-year program are rewarded with the highest attainable fire certification in the country. Rigney, who has already attained the highest certification from the state of Florida, had already been accepted into the EFO program when he was named chief of WMFR. Unfortunately for him, COVID-19 and an ongoing update to the curriculum have placed the program on indefinite hold. Before the program shut down, Rigney was only able to attend training to complete one of four sections of the certification process.

With no clear way forward to a raise that was expected after two years in

his current position, Rigney asked WMFR commissioners to consider removing the language from his contract that requires him to achieve the EFO certification and to work with him to get his salary within the $137,000 average of other fire chiefs in Manatee County.

Commissioner David Bishop agreed that Rigney needs to be fairly compensated for his work for the district and suggested a 5% increase on top of the 3% cost of living increase for a total of 8% when the new fiscal year begins in October.

Bishop and his fellow commissioners agreed that they’re open to negotiating a salary increase and asked Rigney to come back to them at their September meeting with some options for them to consider.

“We want you to be happy,” Bishop said, adding that they hope to have Rigney as fire chief for many years.

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

WMFR Chief Ben Rigney, left, listens along with Deputy Chief Jay Johnson as the district’s commissioners discuss the future of his salary and potential pay increases.

16

THE SUN

FOOD & WINE

AUGUST 25, 2021

Fresh, not fast

Carne asada street tacos (Serves up to 6)

Brian Mathae

Ingredients

2 lbs. skirt or flank steak 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves 4 cloves of garlic, minced 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup soy sauce 2 tbs fresh lime juice 2 tbs fresh orange juice 2 tbs apple cider vinegar 2 tbs brown sugar 1 tsp ground cumin 1/2 tsp ground smoked paprika

HURRICANE HANKS

A

s I mentioned in my last column, we are in the menu development stage for Fifty Three Fifty, The Pourhouse. Fifty Three Fifty will be much more than a coffee shop. We plan on staying open through the evening and serve small dishes, both sweet and savory, with recurring specials and just a bit of an internationally eclectic selection of items.

Food is a great way to let yourself be creative. Recipes are mere starting points - the quantities you use and the techniques you deploy speak about who you are and what you enjoy. Make yourself happy first - after all, you are the most important person in your life.

Of course, making you happy with our food would make us happy.

From French-inspired galettes to traditional Mexican tacos our goal is simple; to provide you with tasty bites that use fresh and natural ingredients. I would much rather offer you some-thing that is fresh and free of preservatives whenever possible. Today’s recipe for Carne Asada is exactly that. Simple spices and a fresh cut of beef to elevate your lunch or dinner. I love a charcuterie board as much as anyone but I realize processed meats are not the best for me. Various sodiumbased products are used in processed meats for a variety of reasons, including to maintain color, contribute to the characteristic flavor, to prevent rancidity and to inhibit the growth of some micro-

SUBMITTED

organisms. I don’t know if sodium is the contributing factor, but studies suggest that regular consumption of even small amounts of processed meats can lead to a worsening of cardiovascular health.

Eating foods prepared from fresh ingredients is often hard to do. We are all in a hurry and the food factory engineers have pretty much figured out what triggers our brains. Whether a healthy choice or not, we want it because we think it tastes good and it's usually quick and convenient. It’s far easier to grab that glazed donut wrapped in plastic off the shelf of the convenience store than to make a special trip to a bakery. In addition to being more accessible, it is also likely cheaper. With increased shelf life, processed foods rarely spoil compared to fresh items. Limited waste results in cheaper costs for the manufacturers. But think about it - what went into making the donut stay moist and the glaze not melt for 60 to 90 days? We are not eating

the same food our grandparents did.

Carne Asada is a traditional Mexican grilled beef dish. Beef steaks are marinated in lime juices and seasonings, grilled, sliced thinly and served as a main course or used as a filling for tacos or burritos. The beef steaks should be thin, so they grill quickly and evenly.

The choice of cut is yours, but typically flank or skirt steaks are the traditional cuts. Even with the marinade, the flank steak can become tough if over-cooked because of how lean it is. Skirt steak has a higher fat content and can therefore be cooked more. Choose the cut based on how well you like your beef cooked.

Add fresh guacamole, sliced avocados, a smidge of sour cream, or some Queso Fresco cheese to finish the flavor profile you are looking for.

I hope you will try this at home. Treat yourself to fresh, not fast. Your inner being will thank you.

Accompaniments 3 limes cut into wedges 1/2 white onion diced finely 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves tortillas

Directions

• Create the marinade by mixing together in a baking dish all the ingredients except for the beef and the accompaniments. Place the steak in the marinade and turn several times to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

• Preheat your grill to 450°F. Remove the steak from the marinade and place on the grill. Grill for 3 minutes before turning it over to grill the other side. Once grilled evenly for about 6 minutes in total, reduce heat and continue to cook until desired temperature is reached. Using a meat thermometer, remove when the internal temperature has reached 125°F for medium-rare or 140°F for medium. The meat will continue to cook once removed from the grill. Cover with foil and let rest for 10 minutes.

• Place the beef on a cutting board and, using a sharp knife at an angle cut slices across the grain of the meat so the pieces are thin and wide. Serve on warmed tortillas with chopped onion, cilantro leaves and lime wedges.

www.amisun.com

AUGUST 25, 2021

THE SUN

17

BORTELL'S: Reopening on Wednesday FROM PAGE 1

plan was a nine-month turnaround that turned into three years,” he said.

Bortell’s Lounge closed for renovations in April 2018. That September, Rose and his wife were seriously injured when the private plane they were traveling in crashed while landing in South Carolina.

The renovations were further delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The renovations came out so much better than I anticipated. Steve Titsworth, his daughter Ally Reese and the whole crew at Shoreline Builders came up with a lot of great ideas,” he said. “They were a great build partner.

The bar is about 9 feet bigger and is made out of beams we think came from an old ship and were previously used as ceiling trusses. We think the wood came from a prohibition ship that cracked up on Passage Key and was taken to Cortez.”

“We put the bar back in the same spot. We rearranged it a little bit, but my goal is to keep it similar,” Rose said.

“We’ve got the old Budweiser Clydesdale carousel light that used to hang over the pool tables,” he added, noting the interior décor includes several other keepsakes, pieces of memorabilia and photos that accumulated over the years.

“I added a bunch of my fishing stuff and some other things I’ve picked up over the years. We’ve got a bunch of regulars and locals and we’re hoping they can help us add more local memorabilia,” Rose said.

In addition to the 24-seat bar, a 13seat drink rail has been installed along the front windows that face Gulf Drive.

Additional chairs and tables provide a total of 62 seats.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Bortell’s Lounge owner Steve Rose is excited about the reopening. Right, These folks were among the first to visit during Saturday’s soft opening.

A section of the wall near the back door features a photo of the late George Wilson Jr. lifting a glass and proposing a toast.

“We’re going to have a memory wall for our friends. Between 2017 and 2019 we lost about 10 regulars. We’re going to do something nice over in that corner,” Rose said.

The women’s restroom has been relocated and both restrooms have been completely renovated. The renovations include a large new retail display for Bortell’s shirts, hats and other merchandise.

The bright blue paint that long graced the outside of the building has been replaced with beige paint.

“It was time for a change. The building wasn’t always bright blue. At one time, it was white with reddish trim,” Rose said.

BAR AND KITCHEN

Bortell’s remains a full liquor bar, with package sales, too.

“We’ve added more draft beers. We used to only have Bud and Bud Light.

STEVE ROSE | SUBMITTED

Now we’ve got the capacity to do 10 different drafts. We put in a real keg cooler, which we never had before,” Rose said.

Rose realizes his clientele may have changed somewhat since he was last open.

“Over the past three years, the Island has gotten significantly busier with the tourism. We are going to see a much larger percent of tourists than we ever had, but that’s the case everywhere on the Island. They’re going to be drinking different things and looking for different things. I’ve got two frozen drink machines going into service. We’re still going to have a decent price for a well drink or a draft beer. We’re also going to have some stuff on the higher end of the scale. We’re going to have both ends of the spectrum.”

Bortell’s now has a new and significantly larger kitchen that features a six-burner stove, an oven, deep fryers,

a grill, a cooler and a freezer. Rose anticipates food service beginning in December, which is when he also plans to host a grand opening celebration.

“There was a kitchen here before, but I never used it. It was used by Helen Bortell.

This was her Thanksgiving menu,” Rose said, pointing to an old, framed menu hanging on the wall near the kitchen.

“With the kitchen staff, we’re probably a few months away. We’re going to start with the bar. Once we get that running then we’ll get the kitchen up and running. We’ll have food down the road.

We’re going to be a bar that serves food.

We designed this kitchen for the bulk of the food to be sold to go, but you’ll also be able to eat here. When the kitchen opens, we’ll be open for lunch and dinner and my plan is to serve food until we close at midnight,” Rose said.

“Our plan is for this to be a community bar. That’s one of the things we love about it. I plan to do a big homestyle Thanksgiving dinner this year like we used to do. Some of the greatest New Year’s Eves I’ve spent were here with the Island people,” Rose said.

“We’re still doing free hot dogs on football Sundays,” Rose said, of that longstanding Bortell’s tradition.

WORKPLACE HOUSING

“We are also going to do some limited employee housing. I’ve secured a triplex in Holmes Beach that were looking to utilize for staff. It’s no secret that the Island has priced out most people who work in this industry. In order to get them down to this end of the Island, we want to provide some housing here on the Island. It’s a fiveminute bike ride from here. If that goes well, I’ll look for some more,” he said.

AME: Two COVID-19 cases reported FROM PAGE 1

it is expected the board will consider extending it during its Tuesday, Aug. 24 meeting. Since the board included an opt-out clause in the mandate, any student or staff member who doesn’t want to wear a mask doesn’t have to, making it essentially meaningless.

Currently, Manatee County is reporting 682 students testing positive and 143 staff cases countywide. There were 130 new cases as of Friday, Aug. 20, the second week of school, up from 178 total staff and student cases at the end of the first week of school, a 363% increase.

Sarasota County passed a mandate without an opt-out clause on Friday, Aug. 20 during a special board meet-

ing. Sarasota County reports 778 student COVID-19 cases since the start of the school year and 168 cases of staff members testing positive. DeSantis remarked that the mandate was illegal while speaking at Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton the following day.

Recently, the Hillsborough County School Board voted to have a mandate with no opt-out clause that is in effect through Friday, Sept. 17. The mandate is illegal under state law and drew the attention of Gov. Ron DeSantis, who said, "The forced masking of schoolchildren infringes upon parents’ rights to make health and educational decisions for their own children."

JASON SCHAFFER | SUN

Students finish up their day at Anna Maria Elementary.

18

THE SUN

OUTDOORS

AUGUST 25, 2021

Dog days of summer are here Reel Time RUSTY CHINNIS

T

he term "dog days" originated with the ancient belief that Sirius, the dog star, close to the sun, was responsible for hot summer weather. Dog days is a common term among fishermen signifying the long hot days of August and September when fish can be hard to find and catch. Add in an early and persistent red tide and anglers can be faced with a daunting challenge. While there's no doubt that late summer days are long and often intensely hot and uncomfortable, they can also yield some surprising results for savvy anglers. By employing a change of strategy and tailoring their efforts to maximize comfort and opportunities, anglers can catch fish in relative comfort.

One of the prime times to fish during the dog days is at night or in the early morning before the sun climbs high in the sky. The myriad dock and bridge lights that illuminate local waterways hold concentrations of fish including snook, trout, mangrove snapper, redfish, bluefish and tarpon.

Docks and bridges surrounded

by relatively deep water generally hold more fish. Tidal flow is another indicator of action.

Lights on the up tide side of a structure are best, allowing anglers more latitude when making a presentation, preventing hang-ups and allowing flies, lures and bait to swing to the fish naturally. With a little attention to detail, it’s possible to target prime dock and bridge lights on the incoming tide, and then again on the outgoing tide.

The presence of hard bottom near a bridge or dock is another indicator of good fish habitat. Bait is also an indication of a prime area, and ledges, oyster bars and seawalls near lights can further increase the odds of action. Underwater lights, now fairly common, can really concentrate fish, especially when you factor in structure. Concentrate casts first to the shadowy edges and then progressively beside and through the light cone.

Lights in Anna Maria Sound, Palma Sola and Sarasota Bay host the same opportunities for fish ranging from just a few pounds to more than 100 pounds. Match your presentation - fly, bait or artificial - to the size of the fish that are attracted to the lights.

During times of red tide, try concentrating on lights in and around the Manatee and Braden rivers where fresh-

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

Captain Rick Grassett with a mangrove snapper that took a baitfish fly from an underwater light in Palma Sola Bay. water lowers the salinity and limits harmful algae blooms.

When the rising sun lightens the horizon, anglers can move to the flats to target redfish, snook and trout. Concentrate your fishing around flats with good grass cover. In addition, look for flats that feature channel edges, potholes, sand bars and oyster bars. Strong tides will also increase your odds.

In the hottest months, from

August through September, most of the early morning tides are from one to one and a half feet, so anglers will seldom see pushes or tails.

Instead, concentrate on scattering bait, working birds and schools of mullet. One of the most productive strategies is to fish “seams” - demarcation lines that separate grass, sand and other structure.

While pre-dawn or early

morning is generally the best time during sweltering weather, there is one exception. Late afternoon outgoing tides that correspond to the full and new moons provide some fast action with a variety of species. Areas to concentrate on include the slues and channels that drain the inshore flats and the passes where the funneling effect concentrates game fish and their prey. Passes that have flanking seawalls and rock groins can be particularly productive. These areas attract and concentrate the baitfish on which the predators feed.

Work lures and flies close to the structure.

Fishing the dog days of summer can be productive no matter where you fish as long as you follow a few rules. First and foremost, you must find conditions that are acceptable to the species you seek. In general, water temperatures must not be excessive, and you can count on early mornings and deeper water to moderate conditions. The exception to the rule will be those areas and times where the presence of food overrides the fishes’ desire to locate comfortable conditions. Fishing the dog days can be challenging, but master the rules and you’ll have a lot of productive fishing and very little competition.

www.amisun.com

AUGUST 25, 2021

Trout fishing in Montana CAPTAIN RICK GRASSETT

I hosted a group of friends and clients on my annual destination fly fishing trip to southwest Montana recently.

Rusty Chinnis and I traveled from Sarasota to Bozeman and met up with Kirk Grassett, from Delaware, Nick Delle Donne, from Pennsylvania and Denton Kent, from Virginia, and made the 2-1/2 hour drive to Medicine Lodge, on a 100,000-acre working ranch near the Beaverhead River, outside of Dillon, Montana.

We met up there with Mike Perez and Dennis Kinley, from Indiana, who drove and met us at the lodge.

Despite some fishing restrictions due to heat and low water, we caught and released some quality trout. We fished the Beaverhead, Big Hole and

Madison Rivers with guide Dave King, owner of King Outfitters (406) 596-0209 in Dillon, and his talented group of guides. I’ve fished with these guides for more than 20-years.

They work hard, do a great job and know their fishery well.

We had great action on 5- and 6-weight fly tackle with brown and rainbow trout to more than 20 inches on streamers, dry flies, dry/dropper and nymph rigs. The dry fly action was with a variety of grasshopper patterns, sometimes with a nymph dropper, or with a smaller dry fly and a few other bugs. Like fishing everywhere, there were good days and slower days but overall, it was great!

Back in Sarasota, red tide is an issue, but there are areas of clean water that are fine.

Catch-and-release snook fishing around dock lights and bridges should be a good option now. There should be tarpon in areas of upper Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay. Juvenile tarpon in canals and creeks may also be a good option. You might also find them in a few places mixed with snook in dock lights.

Due to the nature of red tide, conditions may change from day to day so be ready to adjust if necessary. Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by residential, industrial and agricultural runoff, toxic spills and intentional releases, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation, please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

THE SUN

TURTLE TIPS During sea turtle season, May 1 – Oct. 31, please follow these tips: • Turn off lights visible from the beach and close blinds from sundown to sunrise; lights confuse nesting sea turtles and may cause them to go back to sea and drop their eggs in the water, where they won’t hatch.

Light can also attract hatchlings away from the water.

• Don’t use flashlights, lanterns or camera flashes on the beach at night.

• Remove all objects from the sand from sundown to sunrise; they can deter sea turtles from nesting and can disorient hatchlings.

• Fill in the holes you dig in the sand and level sandcastles before leaving the beach; they can obstruct or trap nesting and hatching sea turtles, which cannot live long

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out of the water.

• Don’t use wish lanterns or fireworks; they litter the beach and Gulf.

• Do not trim trees and plants that shield the beach from lights.

• Never touch a sea turtle; it’s the law. If you see people disturbing turtles, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

NESTING NEWS Turtle nests laid: 417 (Record: 544 in 2019) False crawls: 560 Nests hatched: 98 Hatchlings hatched: 5,667 (Record: 35,788 in 2018) Nest disorientations: 22

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THE SUN

SPORTS

AUGUST 25, 2021

Sandbar handles TMT on the gridiron

BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN

Heading into the second half of the adult flag football season, winless team TMT took another loss against Sandbar. Critical mistakes on offense gave the Sandbar squad momentum and points.

Matt Manger, with five passes for scores, also had two interceptions to his credit, including a pick six.

Sandbar teammates Bradley Coleman, Brandin Holcomb and Anthony McCance were all targets for the Manger throws for touchdowns.

Adding to his team’s successes, Anthony Mannino had a scoring catch, along with two, two-point conversions and a single point after. Currently, Mannino tops the receptions charts for the season with a total of 23 catches.

On the other side of the football, TMT’s QB Keith McQuillen had two passing touchdowns that were essentially nullified with two interceptions for his team.

Jason Caller ran one in for six points. Meanwhile, Connor Haughey had five total receptions, two for touchdowns. Haughey completed his stats for the game with a two-point conversion.

The efforts of team TMT just were not enough again this week, as they continue to look for their first win in the season.

With only a few weeks left in the regular season, Beach Bums hopes to get a W, while Catalyst fights hard to stay undefeated. The weeks already played indicate the championship is anyone’s to win … or lose.

SUN SCOREBOARD MONDAY, AUG. 16 Blue Lagoon Beach Bums

48 45

Paddy Wagon Sandbar

74 47

Slim’s Place Solid Rock Construction

56 34

MONICA SIMPSON | SUN

Sandbar’s Anthony Mannino’s elusive moves drop Connor Haughey to the ground with one defender left to make the stop for team TMT.

THURSDAY, AUG. 19 ADULT CO-ED FLAG FOOTBALL Rays Ramblings (3-1) Beach Bums (0-4)

34 32

Cortez Deep Sea Fishing (2-2) 18 We The Best Lending (3-1) 55

Sandbar (2-2) TMT (0-4)

42 20

Catalyst (4-0) TBT (2-2)

19 13

AUGUST 25, 2021

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THE SUN

2723 Manatee Ave. W. 34205 941.226.1230 Your CBD Store Cortez NOW OPEN!!

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AUGUST 25, 2021

AUGUST 25, 2021

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Olson joins code enforcement Holmes Beach resident Sandy Olson is now serving as assistant manager for the city of Anna Maria’s Code Enforcement Department. Olson was hired a few weeks ago and introduced to the city commission on Thursday, Aug. 12.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

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THE SUN

REAL ESTATE

AUGUST 25, 2021

Buying a beach condo is bound to change

H

ow many people do you know who actually hired an engineer to inspect their purchase of a condo? I don’t mean just a building inspector to make sure the appliances, plumbing and air conditioning systems are working properly, and there are no obvious leaks from an upper unit. I mean an actual engineer. Well, get ready for the age of geotechnical engineers.

Geotechnical engineering is the branch of civil engineering concerned with the engineering behavior of earth materials using the principles of soil mechanics. In Surfside, Florida, the town sent letters to the owners of almost 40 properties that they begin safety inspections ahead of their 40-year recertification. It was stressed for those buildings on the ocean that they hire not just a structural engineer but a geotechnical engineer to analyze the foundation and subsurface soils.

According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, geotechnical engineers specialize in understanding what’s beneath

Castles in the Sand LOUISE BOLGER the ground’s surface mostly during preconstruction. However, experts can also be brought in to inspect the strength profile of the soil below an existing building to determine how much the building has settled over time.

Because of the Surfside tragedy, coastal municipalities and buyers will be taking a closer look at existing properties. Recently in Holmes Beach, a small condo building was voluntarily evacuated by the town because the balconies and stairways had cracks that required further inspection.

As a buyer of waterfront property, doing your due diligence is now more important than ever. In the frenzy of an over-heated

real estate market, buyers are waiving structural inspections in order to enhance their offer. However, and I’ve said it before, this would be a very big mistake, particularly for waterfront properties on barrier islands.

Buyers are usually good at reviewing condo documents and financial records of the association they are buying into but frequently do not ask about board minutes that may include discussions regarding special assessments. To be fair, minutes from board meetings are generally only available to current owners and special assessments need only be disclosed to potential buyers once the board has voted on them. Nevertheless, an honest homeowner would indicate to a buyer who is already reviewing the association’s financials the potential of another assessment or correction of a structural problem where the funds are not yet allocated. Remember the spirit of disclosure laws, whether written or verbal, is to reveal defects in the property that could have a future effect on the value of a property.

Going forward, contracts of sale for beachfront and island properties, both single-family and condos, could contain clauses related to disclosure of any recertifications already performed or specific geotechnical testing that may have been done. Also, it’s reasonable to expect that buyers of these properties may also hire their own geotechnical engineers in addition to structural engineers and traditional home inspectors.

Twenty years ago, when I purchased a waterfront condo, I did not have a professional inspection. My husband and our friend went through the unit and determined everything looked just fine. I guess they did a good job because we’ve never had any problems with systems and certainly nothing structural. However, I look back now and wonder what were you thinking? Make sure your thinking is better than mine was; we’ve learned a lot this year, let’s put it to good use.

www.amisun.com

AUGUST 25, 2021

THE SUN

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FUNDRAISER: Community comes out to help local family FROM PAGE 8

the Lowman family. The night’s winner donated his $850 back to the Lowmans.

The One Love Anna Maria Island fundraiser was sponsored by The Salty Dolphin Anna Maria Island Dolphin Tours, Olive Oil Outpost, The Seafood Shack, Anna Maria Bake House, Duffy’s Tavern, The Beach House Waterfront Restaurant, Isola Bella Italian Eatery, The Center of Anna Maria Island, Private Chefs of Anna Maria Island, The Waterfront Restaurant, Innovative Dining, Time Saver and Duncan Real Estate.

Local residents and businesses donated auction and raffle prizes for the event, ranging from sunset cruises and fishing excursions to dining gift certificates, a Weber grill, a paddleboard, a custom dog bed made to look like a boat, original artwork, fishing gear and more.

While the total amount raised during the one-night event and online through https:// interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink. aspx?name=E11941&id=13&__cf_chl_jschl_ tk__=pmd_edc9e7d5ba6cb03ab3cea63f03328522def46e6b-1628762538-0-gqNtZGzNAjijcnBszQeO&fbc lid=IwAR2MtDEc7r4vEuYXyxAgR6uDzJN2x5etiH ZyUPEgTgNdGadXkjjZ0EYpmWo wasn’t known by press time for The Sun, an anonymous donor offered to match all funds raised through The Center up to $100,000.

All funds raised for Lowman and his family go to help pay for the family’s expenses and medical care while he continues to recover.

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

A young attendee tries to decide in which baskets to place a few raffle tickets.

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

Paul Fournier and his band perform for the crowd gathered at The Center to support Capt. Aaron Lowman and his family.

Perico Bay Club—As Good As It Gets!!

Business As Usual…..Just A Li le Differently.

If you’re looking to buy or sell in Perico Bay Club, or know someone who is, please give me a call!

Give me a call today if you yo ou u’re ’ree lookin looking ngg to Buyy or Sell on Anna Maria Maria Island Mari Islaand or the surrounding ounding ngg aarea! rea eaaa!!

Lynn Zemmer 941 4141 1-730 3030 0-1294 9 94

941.209.1542 I Lynn@Edgewaterami.com 941.730.1294 | Lynn@Edgewaterami.com www.EdgewaterRealEstateInc.com www.EdgewaterRealEstateInc.com Street, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217 106 Bridge

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

Attendees place their bids at the silent auction table.

26

THE SUN

www.amisun.com

AUGUST 25, 2021

Fire district holds first budget hearing BRADENTON – One hearing is down and there’s one left before West Manatee Fire Rescue commissioners will vote on their acceptance of the district’s proposed 2021-22 fiscal year budget.

Commissioners held the first of two public hearings on the proposed budget during their Aug. 17 meeting. No one from the public commented and commissioners voted to accept the first public reading of the proposed budget with the final budget hearing planned for Sept. 7.

The proposed total budget of $13,708,222 includes $5,485,935 of reserve funds along with $63,499 in impact fee funds and $8,252,537 of total revenue including the use of $110,000 of unassigned reserves and the addition of $30,250 in impact fees. Total spending for the 2021-22 fiscal year is planned at $8,222,287.

Included in planned expenditures is about $100,000 to be saved for a future fire engine replacement, $50,000 in miscellaneous capital for potential air conditioning unit repairs and carryover funding for an upgrade to the district’s alerting system, which has been budgeted for in three consecutive budgets. Chief Ben Rigney said the holdup is with Manatee County, where computer systems for dispatch must be upgraded before alerting systems for first responders can be updated. Once all of the updates are complete, Rigney said that the new system could reduce emergency response time by two to three minutes.

SUBMITTED

A century celebrated Eleanor Lee celebrated her 100th birthday with about 30 friends at the Community Hall in Sunny Shores in Cortez, where she has lived since the 1990s after moving from Longboat Key, where she resided from the late 1960s.

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AUGUST 25, 2021

OBITUARIES

BEACH BEAT

George Glennon George L. Glennon, age 73, passed away on July 16, 2021.

George was a resident of Holmes Beach, Florida, for more than 25 years. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, he was a U.S. Army Vietnam War veteran. After his college studies, he raised his family with his wife, Julie. He was generous, kind, and a strong leader. His interests included reading, music, painting, genealogy, languages, stamp collecting and enjoying nature. George will be remembered by his wife, Julie, his daughters Holly (Kurt), Hillary (Keith) and April, his sons William and Jack, his grandchildren Callie, Tessa, Gemma, Rhys, Jack and Goldie and his sister, Linda. A Mass will be held on Aug. 27 at 9:30 a.m. in the chapel at Saints Peter & Paul the Apostles Catholic Church, 2850 75th St. W. in Bradenton, Florida. This will be followed by a military honors service at 1:30 p.m. at the Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota, Florida.

HOLMES BEACH

8/11, 11:09 p.m., Marchman Act, 611 Manatee Ave. Officer dispatched to CVS Pharmacy where he found an unresponsive naked man in the bathroom. After shaking the man, he woke up, at which time EMS arrived. The man was taken outside where he was able to remain awake. Due to his condition, he was taken to Cornerstone and turned over to medical staff.

8/12, 11:03 a.m., Code Ordinance Violation/Parking, 4000 Gulf Drive.

The officer observed a red moped with no license plate. The moped had been issued a parking ticket the prior night, so a tow truck was called in. While waiting on the tow, the officer saw a male subject mount and start the vehicle. The subject did not have a valid license or registration for the moped, so it was towed.

8/13, 8:58 a.m., Information report, 4700 Gulf Drive. Officer located a suspicious vehicle parked at Anna Maria Elementary. Upon inspection, a man was found sleeping in the black Ford Edge. The subject

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ANNA MARIA ISLAND 607, 609, 611 Fern Streets & 610 Rose Street 12 Beds 6 Baths 1,568 Sq. Ft. Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 A4497933 $5,900,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 102 Cedar Avenue 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 2,290 Sq. Ft. Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 A4507978 $4,200,000

HOLMES BEACH Sold 655 Key Royale Drive 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,055 Sq. Ft. Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 A4506752

LONGBOAT KEY 435 L Ambiance Drive PH-K 3 Beds 4/1 Baths 4,711 Sq. Ft. Cecile Coutret & John Coutret 941-735-4444 A4507096 $7,500,000

HOLMES BEACH Pending 611 Foxworth Lane 2 Beds 2 Baths 2,346 Sq. Ft. Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 A4506865 $1,650,000

LONGBOAT KEY 1701 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 303 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,551 Sq. Ft. Michael Moulton 941-928-3559 A4503585 $875,000

LONGBOAT KEY 504 Forest Way 504 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,440 Sq. Ft. Bill Anderson & Adrienne Scott 941-313-4059 A4503580 $500,000

THE SUN

said he had gone out for cigarettes and realized he had too much to drink and wanted to sleep it off.

Officers told the subject he could walk home on foot, but he must return after school to pick up the vehicle. The man had not returned by the next day, so the vehicle was towed.

8/14, 4:25 p.m., DUI/Marchman Act, 5300 Gulf Drive. Officer was dispatched to the Island Center where an intoxicated man was driving a white Jeep in the parking lot. The man had just hit a parked truck.

After failing a field sobriety test the man became aware of the seriousness of the incident and began screaming, “Don’t shoot me” while yelling and sobbing. The officer decided that, due to the man’s service in the Marine Corps and possible PTSD from combat, he would be taken to Blake Medical Center under the Marchman Act. 8/17, 6:51 p.m., Trespass warning, 3260 East Bay Drive. An officer was dispatched to the Dollar Tree in reference to a theft in progress.

The manager said a male subject had taken something from the shelf and placed it in his pocket. The man admitted to taking some ice cream but said when he saw the patrol car pull up, he put it back.

LONGBOAT KEY 4621 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 16F 2 Beds 2 Baths 900 Sq. Ft. Richard Perlman 941-228-8580 A4508698 $495,000

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At the request of the manager the subject was issued a trespass warning and told he could not return to the store.

BRADENTON BEACH

8/9, 12:35 a.m., Trespassing, 103 Gulf Drive South. Officers on patrol observed a female screaming and being loud at the Circle K. Officers approached the female and asked if they could assist her with anything.

The woman said she didn’t want help from the officers, at which time they saw her in possession of an alcoholic beverage. At the request of the store manager, the female subject was trespassed from the premises for one year.

8/11, 2:35 a.m., Trespass warning, 103 Gulf Drive South. Officers inside the Circle K observed a juvenile male known to police. The subject asked the police to give him money and officers refused.

Officers observed him taking items off the shelf and into the bathroom.

When the subject came out of the bathroom, he did not have the items, which were later located in the bathroom trash. The juvenile’s father came to the store and paid for the items, but the Circle K requested he be trespassed.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 915 N Shore Drive 4 Beds 4 Baths 2,870 Sq. Ft. Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 A4508239 $4,700,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 112 Mangrove Avenue 4 Beds 2/1 Baths 3,577 Sq. Ft. Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 A4502423 $4,350,000

LONGBOAT KEY 647 Marbury Lane 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 2,651 Sq. Ft. Sandi Layfield 941-914-2807 A4503569 $1,799,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 2719 Gulf Drive 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,119 Sq. Ft. Melinda Alvarez 941-704-0633 A4506596 $1,749,000

BRADENTON 4421 19th Street Circle W A & B 1,259 Sq. Ft. Louise Hollander 941-224-4483 A4507731 $250,000

LONGBOAT KEY 1445 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 201 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,274 Sq. Ft. Kathy Callahan 941-900-8088 A4504369 $1,200,000

941.896.9981 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM

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THE SUN

AUGUST 25, 2021

PINEY POINT: Second discharge being considered FROM PAGE 1

prevent the overtopping of on-site compartment areas into the surrounding areas, including Bishop Harbor (an Outstanding Florida Water), which could include controlled discharges of treated water,” according to an FDEP release.

The potential overflow of the pond “poses an imminent threat to public health and safety, and the environment,” according to a request for an emergency hearing filed by FDEP in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court of Manatee County court on Aug. 14.

FDEP originally sued Piney Point owner HRK Holdings on Aug. 5, asking the court to appoint a third-party receiver to take over the site’s water management and eventual closure from HRK. The state agency also is seeking damages and civil penalties, claiming that HRK failed to protect surface and groundwater. No date has yet been set for the emergency hearing.

In March and April, FDEP approved the discharge of 215 million gallons of contaminated water into Tampa Bay at Port Manatee from a pond built on top of a gypsum stack at the closed phosphate plant. The discharge was considered necessary to avoid an even larger spill

that could have flooded area homes and businesses due to a tear in the liner of the pond that has since been patched.

The contaminated water contains phosphogypsum process water, seawater, rain, dredge material from Port Manatee and nitrogen and phosphorus, which act as fertilizer for toxic red tide, which has caused fish kills and respiratory irritation in and around Tampa Bay, the Gulf of Mexico and connected waterways – including around Anna Maria Island – since mid-April.

About 261 million gallons of contaminated water remain in the pond, more than was discharged this spring, according to FDEP. The state agency reports that it has been working with a contractor to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from the water in case another discharge becomes necessary. Since the April discharge, the water has been treated to remove about 200 tons of nitrogen and 150 tons of phosphorus. The treated discharges would be less than 1% of the total annual load allocation of total nitrogen and phosphorus for Lower Tampa Bay, according to FDEP. Contaminated water also is being trucked off the site to the Manatee County Southeast Water Reclamation Facility

MANATEE COUNTY | SUBMITTED

Ponds containing contaminated water at the Piney Point phosphate plant are filling with rainwater. to lower water levels. As of Aug. 22, 56 trucks had hauled about 319,500 gallons of water offsite.

Additionally, rainfall-runoff is being drained from permitted outfalls at the site.

“The priority remains to pursue all available water management tools to ensure safe storage capacities for the remainder of the rainy season,” according to FDEP. “The department expects HRK to continue to explore all short-term water management options to remove water from the site, such as piping and trucking water to nearby water treatment

facilities until a receiver is appointed and long-term water management remedies are in place.”

FDEP is named as a defendant with HRK in a lawsuit by five environmental groups, including ManaSota-88 and Sarasota-based Suncoast Waterkeeper, filed on June 24 seeking to hold both responsible for negligence in managing the site.

HRK Holdings LLC and HRK Industries LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2012 and settled the case in 2017, according to records at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida in Tampa. Chapter 11 bankruptcy provides for a business reorganization plan that enables creditors to be repaid. The reorganization allowed HRK to create and operate an industrial park adjacent to Port Manatee, a possible source of funding for mitigation.

Meanwhile, Manatee County officials are pursuing plans to inject Piney Point wastewater underground into a well below the Floridan aquifer, approving a $9.35 million agreement in April for Tampa-based ASRus to design and build the well. The plan would require FDEP approval.

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LONGBOAT KEY

3105 Gulf of Mexico Drive $12,900,000 Joel Schemmel 941.587.4894

Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Property information herein is derived from various sources including, but not limited to, county records and multiple listing services, and may include approximations. All information is deemed accurate.

Protect Your Home and Everything that Matters 888.870.7667

ALSO SE RVIN G T H E P U N TA G O R DA A RE A SARASOTA - DOWNTOWN | 941.364.4000 VENICE | 941.412.3323

LAKEWOOD RANCH | 941.907.9541 LONGBOAT KEY | 941.383.1526 RENTALS | 941.203.3433

AUGUST 25, 2021

FUN IN THE SUN

Across 1 Octopus octet 5 Read electronically 9 Stand in for 14 Painful joint inflammation 15 "What'll ya __?"

16 Legendary crooner Mel 17 Prefix meaning "all" 18 From the start 19 Utter nonsense 20 Seeking an Olympic victory 23 Beach toy for a windy day 24 Information technology giant 25 "Norwegian Dances" composer 28 Road curves 30 More than a few 31 Come into view 33 Hosp. diagnostic procedure Answers to 08-18-21 Crossword Puzzle.

36 Hardly ever 39 Jamaican music 40 "Big Little Lies" actress Meryl 41 Frenzied way to run 42 Smelting waste 43 Like good pie crusts 44 Field & __ Magazine 47 Beach toy 49 Zwieback, e.g.

55 Celebrate boisterously 56 Urge on 57 220-by-198-foot plot of land, e.g.

58 Farsi speaker 59 To be, in Tours 60 Not that 61 Animal skins 62 Auctioneer's cry after the starts of 20-, 36- and 49-Across 63 Enjoy some tub time

Down 1 Visibly awed 2 CBS Sports NFL analyst Tony 3 Tax-free govt. bond 4 Disapproving look 5 Elevator passage 6 Kayak-like boat 7 State unequivocally 8 Former House leader Gingrich 9 Conference-goer 10 Welsh herding dogs 11 Small music ensembles 12 In a plentiful way 13 Plants-to-be 21 Booking on a band's tour 22 Stuck (on) 25 Scientifically engineered crops, e.g., briefly 26 __ and file 27 Ancient Cuzco dweller 28 Spanish newborns 29 Author __ Stanley Gardner 31 Bury 32 "Veronica __": teen drama starring Kristen Bell 33 NYC cultural center 34 Chess piece involved in castling 35 Like many a stained shirt pocket

37 Tel Aviv residents 38 Ones habitually hanging out in retail complexes 42 A step above "meh" 43 White lie

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44 Remove paint from 45 Shakespearean contraction 46 Primary competitor 47 Oyster gem 48 Tacked on

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50 Brings to maturity 51 Zither-like Japanese instrument 52 Canyon feedback 53 Opera song for one 54 Newsroom station

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THE SUN

CLASSIFIED

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HEALTH CARE

BEACH YOGA ON Saturdays & Sundays at 8:30am at the end of Pine Ave by the Sandbar Restaurant by donation. www. thriveyogafit.com

HOME CARE PROVIDER with Dennis Church a nursing assistant. 8+ years of experience. Licensed in Florida. SAFER at HOME. Call 815-519-3993

AMI TURTLE WATCH needs donations & silent action items for our FUNDRAISER. Accepting Donations at Holmes Beach City Police Department at the back door. We can pick up! Call or text Linda 863-287-1133

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

THE BEST VOLUNTEER position on the island. The AMI Historical Museum needs docents and bread makers. Call Kathy Primeau at 989-560-6381.

ROSER FOOD BANK needs donations of cash and non-perishable food, PAPER & PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS. Donations boxes are located at the Church, Moose Club, and Walgreen’s.

CARPET CLEANING QUALITY COUNTS. CARPET cleaning. Upholstery cleaning. Tile & grout cleaning. Island's favorite cleaner. Manatee Chamber Member. Great price/free estimates. Call 941-7561082

CLEANING SERVICE THC CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Rentals, VRBO. Professional and Reliable. Call 941-756-4570 or 941565-3931

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

FISHING CHARTERS CAPT. MAC GREGORY Fishing Charters. Full Day, Half Day, Night, Inshore & Near Shore. 941-809-5783 U.S.C.G. Certified/Insured

AMISUN.COM

Call us today! 941-778-3986

ISLAND RESIDENT. TREE/ BUSH Trimming, removal.

Sweeping, blowing, weeding. Weekly, bi-monthly or monthly schedule. Pressure washing: driveways, walkways, fences, pool decks/ cages. Call Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315.

LOST & FOUND

TILE! TILE! TILE! All variations of tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship. Prompt, reliable, many Island references. Free estimates.

Neil 941-726-3077

FOUND TURTLE INLAYED silver/platinum ring with inscription ( Pease identity text to confirm). Found on Palm Harbor Dr near Manatee Public Beach. Call 540-312-5299.

RENOVATION SPECALIST ALL carpentry repairs, Wash Family Construction, locally owned and operated CBC 1258250 Call 941-7250073.

LOST ON MANATEE BEACH. 18" herringbone chain (4mm thick, square link, round clasp, 10k) with 3/4" Spanish gold coin pendant.

Please call 585-755-3894.

Contact Dennis

KERN CONSTRUCTION NEW Homes & Remodel.

Design/Build. Since 1968.

License # CBC 1261150.

Call Mike Kern 941-7781115

LOST MEN'S GOLD wedding band in shallow water just south of new rock groin on beer can island.

Very sentimental. Reward, call 941-504-0526

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.

“HAMMERED HOMES” (SAVING HOMES SINCE 1984) Handyman services, renovations. Free Estimates & Consulting. Call before making decision, save money.

941-778-3206 API’S DRYWALL REPAIR 15+ years experience.

Free estimates. No job too small. Love to help you.

Call 941-524-8067.

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 STRAIGHT SHOT LANDSCAPE. Specializing in Old Florida Seashell driveways and scapes. Also Rock, Mulch, & Soil. Free estimates. Call Shark Mark 941-301-6067

MOVING & STORAGE MARTIN’S MOVING YOUR Island movers! Offering dependable, competitive rates. No hidden costs. 941-809-5777.

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.

Paperhanging/removal Faux finishes. Interior painting. Mary Bell Winegarden 941-794-0455 PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reliable. Island Resident.

Quality Workmanship.

Interior/Exterior. Also minor repairs & carpentry. Free written detailed estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315

AUGUST 25, 2021

40-YEAR PAINTER from Kentucky. Hourly rate guaranteed savings over contractor price. Neat, dependable, equipped, insured. Highly productive. A+ rated by Better Business Bureau for 40 years. 502-817-6786. aapressurewash.com

POOL SERVICES FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE AND CHEMICAL SERVICES. Certified Pool Operator. 10 + 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 AUTHORITY ONE 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! 941-725-1589

REALTOR FOR HIRE. BUYING OR SELLING on AMI? 17 years experience & USAF Veteran.

Call Kelly Gitt Keller Williams Realty today 941-799-9299.

PALMA SOLA PARK. 3BR/2BA 2 car garage.

Large yard. Move in ready. $525,000 make offer. Call 941-405-7138 PERICO ISLAND, single family home, water views, Open floor plan, 2BR/2BA, oversized screened lanai, front porch, walk in closets, plantation blinds, 2 car garage, 11210 Sanctuary Drive. $550,000 Sharon Hightower RE/MAX Alliance Group 941-330-5054 Email to sharonsellsbeaches@yahoo.com

RENTALS: ANNUAL ANNUAL RENTALS WANTED! We have well qualified tenants for beach and mainland annual rentals, Full management or Finders fee.

Call today for details.

Ask for Paige DUNCAN REAL ESTATE 513-3821992.

ANNUAL SHARED USE 2BR/2BA in West Bradenton. Full use of kitchen, living room, lanai, patio garden, large bedroom. All expenses covered electric, water, cable tv. Close to transportation, highly desirable neighborhood.

Private entrance. No pets or smoking. $750/mo. Call 845-521-5759

RENTAL WANTED SWEET FAMILY IN NEED of an annual rental on the island. We've been renting on the island for 3 years.

Our kids go to school on the island. Please help keep us here! 3/4 bedrooms, unfurnished, with pool. Call Fallon 706-2026141.

RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION TIFFANY PLACE Gulf Front Condo for Rent Incredible views from living room and master bedroom. 2BR/2BA Green Real Estate Call 941-778-0455

AMISUN.COM

SEASONAL RENTAL in PALMA SOLA. 3BR/2BA weekly or monthly rates.

Contact Barb Grace 941201-2190 ANNA MARIA ISLAND CONDOS Large pool, beach access, free WiFi, 1&2 Bedroom $700/$800/$900 a wk. redekercondosonami. com Tim 941-704-7525 ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Updated 5 Star Condo for Rent- Available September October November. (Multimonth discount) Million$ water view, first floor, 2BR/2BA, patio, walk to beach, pool, tennis (smoke free) marketreps@aol. com Boat/jet ski dock available

TRANSPORTATION AMI TAXI metered-on-callcards accepted. Airport: Tampa $95, Sarasota $40, Clearwater $85, Orlando $195. Call 941-447-8372 or 941-447-8376. amitaxi4u@ gmail.com, www.amitaxi. com ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa $70. Sarasota $35. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne.

941-779-5095 AIRPORT RIDES- Tampa, St. Pete, Sarasota. Reasonable rates! Call or text Anna 941-932-1600

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AUGUST 25, 2021