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VOL 16 No. 8
December 23, 2015
County responds to Spring Lake complaints In October, the lake was polluted by spills of sewage and pool chemicals turning the water brown and killing the fish. BY PAT COPELAND SUN STAFF WRITER | pcopeland@amisun.com
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Top, removing the palm trees that once stood in this roundabout displeased many residents. Above, the Bridge Street landscape now features older trees in their natural state and above right, new trees are housed in concrete planters.
A controversial work in progress BUT city officials insist there is more method than madness in the changes taking place on Bridge Street. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – The new planters, landscaping, infiltration trenches, street resurfacing and tree removal on Bridge Street has met with early criticism, but patience is being preached. Fourteen charcoal-colored concrete planter boxes, most of which have adjoining concrete benches, have been installed along Bridge Street.
INSIDE NEWS OPINION Sun survey OUTDOORS town crier Food & wine OBITUARIES SPORTS
4 6 7 26-27 29 33 42 44
see bridge street, page 43
good at Wicked Cantina in Bradenton Beach. 14
Anna Maria Island, Florida
County response
New trees, plants and other foliage have been planted in and around the boxes, including in the roundabout at the east end of the street. Stone-surfaced stormwater infiltration trenches have been installed along the street edges and an above-ground stormwater cistern has been installed near the foot of the Historic Bridge Street Pier. Last week, Superior Asphalt began milling down, resurfacing and restriping Bridge Street. Additional decorative street and crosswalk surfaces will be installed in January, along with American Disabilities Act-compliant concrete parking spaces and sidewalk additions.
IT’S WICKED
HOLMES BEACH – In response to complaints from residents, Police Chief Bill Tokajer asked county officials to respond to questions regarding Spring Lake. In October, the spring fed lake at 68th Street and Palm and Clark drives, was polluted by spills of sewage and pool chemicals turning the water brown and killing the fish. The sewage spill occurred on Oct. 27, when a wastewater force main broke releasing 22,000 gallons of wastewater into the lake. Manatee County Public Utilities department responded, posted warning signs around the lake and repaired the break. While investigating the sewage spill, Code Enforcement Officer James Thomas found that workers for American Beauty Pools were draining hydrochloric acid and pool water into the lake. He issued a ticket for pumping and discharging pollutant chemicals and pool water into the lake to the company with a fine of $200. However, residents have continued to complain that they have seen no fish return to the lake. Thomas and Public Works Supervisor John Fernandez inspected the lake on Dec. 7. “There was no movement in the lake,” Thomas said. “We couldn’t see anything alive.” This prompted Tokajer to send county officials a list of five questions and ask Andre Rachmainoff, wastewater compliance superintendent for the county, to meet with Thomas and Fernandez. Responding to Tokajer, Rachmainoff said he contacted both FDEP and Manatee County’s Environmental Protection Division to gather follow-up information. The questions and responses are as follows: Q: Is the lake safe? A: As a result of the referenced sewage spill, the retention pond experienced much higher than normal levels of fecal coliforms and enterococcus (both indicators of sewage contamination). As reported to city of Holmes Beach Public Works official on 11/5/15 by Mr. Rachmaninoff, both indicators have returned to background levels. The sewage spill affected dissolved oxygen levels as well and most likely contributed to the fish kill. see complaints, page 35
BOAT PARADE, YULETIDE FEST GET
BIG CHILL ON BRIDGE STREET. 3, 18
It’s all about holiday bread in Food & Wine. 33
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