Anna Maria Island Sun

- Named Best Florida Newspaper In Its Class -

VOL 21 No. 11

December 23, 2020

Holiday Bright Lights contest winners celebrated JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The city-sponsored holiday decorating contest featured more entries than last year’s inaugural affair.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria has named four winners in this year’s Bright Holiday Lights decorating contest.

With its “Christmas Vacation” theme, Beach Bums tied for first place in the business category.

On Friday, two winners were announced in the residential category and two winners were announced in the business category.

Carol and Larry Craft’s home at 266 Gladiolus St. and Debbie White’s home at 313 North Bay Blvd. tied for first place in the residential category, which featured seven entries this year. The Crafts are repeat champions, having

Baugh and Van Ostenbridge added to public records lawsuit County Commissioners James Satcher, Vanessa Baugh and Kevin Van Ostenbridge are now named as defendants in a Public Records Act lawsuit.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

MANATEE COUNTY – County Commissioners Vanessa Baugh and Kevin Van Ostenbridge are named in new civil lawsuits filed by Sarasota-based paralegal Michael Barfield.

As a follow-up to a previous civil suit filed against Commissioner James

INSIDE NEWS 4 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 6 REEL TIME 20 CASTLES IN THE SAND 26 REAL ESTATE 26-30 ISLAND PLAYERS 31 CROSSWORD 33 CLASSIFIEDS 34-35

Satcher, Barfield, a Florida Sunshine Law specialist, filed motions against Baugh and Van Ostenbridge on Saturday.

The lawsuits pertain to a public records request Barfield submitted to Baugh, Van Ostenbridge, Satcher and Commissioner George Kruse on Nov. 20.

Barfield’s records requests stem from the short-lived efforts Van Ostenbridge initiated on Nov. 19 in hopes of terminating County Administrator Cheri Coryea. Barfield’s records requests also pertain to a county resolution Baugh introduced on Nov. 19 with no prior notice given to the commission or the SEE LAWSUIT, PAGE 32

APPLAUSE FROM THE DINING ROOM in Food and Wine 19

Anna Maria Island, Florida

previously won the residential category in the inaugural Bright Holiday Lights contest in 2019.

The residential entries also included the Coolidge home on Magnolia Avenue, the Marshall home on Gladiolus Street, The Coneys home on Hammock Circle, the Carter home on Willow Avenue and the O’Neill home on Beach Avenue.

Beach Bums and The Anna Maria General Store – which also includes Dips Ice Cream – tied for first place in the business category, which featured six entries. The business entries also included Salt & Scissors, Island Cabana, the AMI Historical Museum and Sato Realty.

SEE LIGHTS, PAGE 23

Celebrating 65 years of love Vince and Larrie Mercandante celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on Dec. 17.

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

ANNA MARIA – It’s been more than 65 years since they met and Anna Maria residents Vince and Larrie Mercandante are more in love than ever.

The couple celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary Dec. 17 and while family and friends weren’t able to celebrate with them due to the pandemic, it didn’t detract from the couple’s joy at still being together and in love after all of these years.

SEE ANNIVESARY, PAGE 30

SUBMITTED

Vince and Larrie Mercandante show off the view from their favorite place – the porch off the back of their beachfront home in Anna Maria.

PROTECTED SEA GRAPES

FELLED ON CITY PROPERTY 3 FOUR SUN STAFFERS win 12

state awards 11

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

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DECEMBER 23, 2020

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DECEMBER 23, 2020

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Sea grapes felled on city property Code compliance officers are working with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to prosecute a case of destroyed sea grapes.

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

HOLMES BEACH – If you’ve been by the 48th Street beach access lately, you may have noticed something’s changed – the sea grapes lining the north side of the pathway have been cut down.

The city’s code compliance officers first cited the property owner at 102 48th St. - the property adjoining the beach access point to the north - on Nov. 30 for “irrevocable and irreversible damage to protected vegetation,” according to the notice of violation posted at the property amidst the remains of the sea grapes. The property owner noticed is local builder Shawn Kaleta and the notice indicates that a fine will be assessed for the damage. Code Compliance Officer Robin Evangelisto, who posted the citation, said that Kaleta had no permit for the

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

Sea grapes and other plants were taken down without authorization at the 48th Street beach access in Holmes Beach. removal of the sea grapes, some of which are believed to have been on city property.

In a Dec. 1 field warning notice to Kaleta from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the issues listed include “excessive cutting and pruning of sea grapes” and “removal of native dune vegetation

without authorization.”

Sea grapes are a protected plant under Florida state law and cannot be cut or removed beyond specified limitations without a permit from DEP. Code officers are working with representatives from DEP to determine next steps. Code Compliance Officer James Thomas said that due to the destruc-

tion of the sea grapes, this is a criminal case that cannot simply go before the city’s special magistrate.

This is not the first time that Kaleta has come under fire for removing sea grapes without a permit.

In October 2018, Kaleta had to make restitution to the city for clearing a city-owned unimproved right of way between 47th and 48th Streets of sea grapes, sea oats and other native vegetation without a permit while clearing two lots on either side of the right of way that he had purchased.

The issue was a repeat of a 2017 issue where Kaleta removed sea grapes and sea oats along the beach front at 77th Street and was required by DEP to install replacement plants. The plants that were removed were mature and fully grown while the replacements were small and expected to take years to grow to the size of the previous plants.

It remains to be seen what kind of restitution will be required for the sea grape destruction at 48th Street as the incident is still under investigation.

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ISLAND NEWS

IN BRIEF

Island businesses take home awards If you’re still feeling a little uncertain about the safety of dining out in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are some local restaurants who’ve just taken home the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s top sanitation and safety awards. Local Bradenton-area award winners are the Anna Maria Oyster Bar Cortez, Anna Maria Oyster Bar Landside, Anna Maria Oyster Bar on the Pier, The Ugly Grouper, Pier 22, Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille and the Lazy Lobster on Longboat Key. The FRLA Seal of Commitment recognizes the superior safety, sanitation and staff training on procedures in these restaurants. Statewide, about 150 establishments have received the Seal of Commitment designation.

LBK sewage spill worse than projected A leak in Longboat Key’s sole sewer pipe, which runs under Sarasota Bay, resulted in 14.7 million gallons of sewage spilling into the bay from June 17-30, up from the previous estimate of 11 million gallons, according to town consultant Berkeley Research Group.

The company originally estimated that 26 million gallons were spilled until a 6-inch diameter log was discovered lodged in the sewer pipe that partially blocked the flow of sewage, reducing that estimate.

The first consultant the town hired, Environmental Science Associates (ESA), concluded in July that fecal contamination in the bay was not due to the leak, but originated from natural sources and homes in Bayshore Gardens that were leaking effluent from their waste collection systems.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) ordered the town to pay $242,652 in fines, perform an environmental enhancement or restoration project or purchase and donate environmentally sensitive land to the state to offset damage caused by the spill.

Other penalties include installing a second sewage main within five years, planting mangroves, testing bay water for contaminants and buying state mitigation credits.

Two new TDC members sought Manatee County is accepting applications for two seats on the Tourist Development Council (TDC), a citizens advisory committee that makes recommendations to the county commission on how tourist tax revenues are spent.

The TDC is comprised of nine volunteer members.

The two open positions are for a municipal official from the county’s largest city, Bradenton, to complete the term of retiring Mayor Wayne Poston, which expires June 30, 2024; and an owner, operator or general manager of a short-term rental accommodation in Manatee County that is subject to the county’s 5% resort tax, for a term ending June 30, 2021.

Applicants must be registered voters in Manatee County. Applications are due by Jan. 10 and are online at www.mymanatee.org/advisory_boards.

The TDC meets on the third Monday of every other month at 9 a.m. at various locations in Manatee County.

For more information, call Monica Luff at the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau at 941-729-9177 ext. 3944 or email her at Monica.Luff@mymanatee.org.

Visit our website, www.amisun.com.

Scan this code with your smartphone to go there.

DECEMBER 23, 2020

Tour boat refueling operations called into question

Paradise Boat Tours has been conducting commercial refueling operations at the county loading dock for nearly seven years.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – Paradise Boat Tours General Manager Sherman Baldwin questions the county’s request that he no longer refuel his tour boat at the county-owned loading dock near Longboat Pass.

The loading dock and seawall are located near the mouth of the pass, at the south end of the Coquina South boat ramp area.

For several years, Baldwin and his employees have used a modified pickup truck to refuel the tour boat at the county-owned loading dock, rather than paying the higher cost of refueling at a marina.

EMAILED CONCERNS

On Monday, Dec. 14, Baldwin addressed his concerns in an email to county commissioners, County Administrator Cheri Coryea and several county staff members.

His email noted he’s been using the county loading dock for nearly seven years.

“During this time, our refueling operations have been inspected by The United States Coast Guard, the Florida Wildlife Commission, Manatee County Marine Sheriff's deputies and Bradenton Beach officials. All without incident or infraction. Two years ago we were asked to elaborate in writing our refueling protocols by the city of Bradenton Beach prompted by the Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department, specifically Alan Lai Hipp. All seemed good,” Baldwin stated in his email.

“However, six weeks ago sheriff’s deputies informed us that they have been instructed to prevent us from refueling there anymore, and that it was Alan Lai Hipp who they received their instructions from. In fact, if we refueled there again, we would be subject to arrest,” Baldwin wrote.

“We invested over $10,000 in modifications to a Ford F150 to be

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Sherman Baldwin resumed his suspended refueling activities at the county-owned loading dock last week. in compliance with federal regulations and now we are told to cease fueling operations without hearing or recourse. Marina fuel is over $2 more per gallon than the street price. This additional cost will force us to terminate at least one employee due to an increased fuel cost of over 65% , representing almost $650 per week loss. We were informed that our only option is to attend and speak at a public comment at a commission meeting,” Baldwin wrote.

His email then stated his intent to refuel at the county dock at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17 – even at the risk of arrest.

On Tuesday, Dec. 15, Coryea sent the commissioners the response she received from Parks and Natural Resources Director Charlie Hunsicker and his staff.

“This vendor was observed using this facility without permission in reports we received from Property Management Parks Maintenance and Public Safety Marine Patrol staff over several months – prior to our department issue of written notice to discontinue unauthorized use in 2019,” Hunsicker stated in his email to Coryea.

“In February of 2020, we engaged in several written exchanges with the vendor in response to letters of concern posted by this vendor to the board of county commissioners which asked for permission to continue private vessel refueling operations at this location. This

operator refuses to accept our recommendations as manager of this dock space which have been clearly and repeatedly communicated with him,” Hunsicker wrote.

“Despite claims to the contrary, this private business operator never received permission from our department to operate a private vessel fueling operation at this location; nor does the city of Bradenton Beach have any record of approval.

“Despite the operator’s assurance that he has the capability to safely operate his private business from this facility, there are substantial risks to the county unique to marine operations to continue to allow this operation from an unstaffed public facility without extensive provisions for release of liability waiver, environmental damage insurance and other risk management driven considerations,” Hunsicker wrote.

“Use of this dock previously has been limited to and allowed for heavy construction vendors under contract to the city of Bradenton Beach for public pier and dock repairs, the State of Florida for maintenance activities for the Longboat Pass Bridge and Longboat Pass maintenance, and to Manatee County for deployment of material for offshore artificial reef sites and beach renourishment related construction activities.

“Moreover, if a private vendor of any size or complexity were to SEE REFUELING, PAGE 27

www.amisun.com

DECEMBER 23, 2020

Baugh to chair county commission in 2021 Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh has been selected by her commission peers to chair the county commission in 2021. Commissioner George Kruse will serve as vice-chair.

During the commission’s Tuesday, Dec. 15 meeting, Commissioner James Satcher nominated Baugh to serve as chair for the coming year. Commissioner Carol Whitmore nominated Commissioner Reggie Bellamy. Satcher, Baugh, Kruse and commissioners Kevin Van Ostenbridge and Misty Servia supported Baugh serving as chair. Baugh then nominated Van

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Commissioner Vanessa Baugh will chair the Manatee County Commission in the coming year.

Ostenbridge to serve as vice chair and Whitmore nominated Kruse, who carried that vote by a 4-3 margin. Bellamy will continue to serve as the Port Authority chair and

Servia will serve as the Tourist Development Council chair in 2021.

These actions occurred during the county commission's final meeting of 2020.

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Four Sun staffers win 12 state awards Four Anna Maria Island Sun staff members have won 12 awards in the Florida Press Club’s 2019 Excellence in Journalism Competition.

Political cartoonist Steve Borggren swept the Editorial Cartooning category, earning 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards.

Outdoors columnist Rusty Chinnis earned 3rd place in the Environmental News category for “Elephant in the Bay,� about water quality in Sarasota Bay, and 3rd place in the Light Features category for “We’ll see,� about allowing for flexibility in plans for a fishing trip.

Digital Editor Cindy Lane won 2nd place in the Online Multimedia Package category for “Pool, beach lifeguards train together,� which included a video and photo gallery with the online story.

Lane won 2nd place in the Lucy Morgan Award for In-Depth Reporting for “County moves to regulate horses in bay,â€? a series on a move to ban rental horse businesses from Palma Sola Bay, and 3rd place in the “That is So ‌ Floridaâ€? category for “Florida flotsam washes up on European beaches,â€? a story about four plastic cups from the Anna Maria Island Beach CafĂŠ that

Miracle On

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

Kristin Swain won 1st place in Light Features for her story on this Trash the Turtle sculpture. were found in England, France, Portugal and the Azores.

Reporter Kristin Swain won 1st place in the Light Features category for “Sculpture illustrates local trash problem,� a story about a sculpture called “Trash the Turtle� by artist Wendell Graham, created from trash collected

by Longboat Key Turtle Watch.

Swain also won 2nd place in the Light Features category for “Pups and owners celebrate dog park opening,� and both 2nd and 3rd place in the Community News category for “Problems plague Spring Lake residents� and “Heron nest halts construction.�

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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

Like us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AnnaMariaIslandSun

DECEMBER 23, 2020

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 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 Distribution Bob Alexander Tony McNulty Connor Field Contributors Tom Vaught Pat Copeland Steve Borggren Monica Simpson

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Pickleball and plastic don’t mix Editor, Thanks for your story on the new plastic pickleball courts in Holmes Beach. I and local players were thrilled to have more playing courts, but we are now sorely disappointed, as these courts are unsafe and unplayable. Ten of us recently played on the courts and soon found out that they are slippery and the balls either die, or bounce up in crazy directions. Several of us slipped and fell. One person got a nasty cut on his knee. I

Get involved Got an opinion, a complaint or a compliment? Is there something you need to get off your chest? Send us a letter to the editor and have your say.

There are a couple of ways to do it. The easiest and most direct is to email The Sun at news@amisun.com. Remember to put Letter to the Editor in the subject field. Or you can snail-mail a letter to us at The Anna Maria Island Sun, P.O. Box 1189, Anna Maria, FL 34216. Letters should be kept to 300 words or less and must contain your name and the city in which you reside. Personal attacks and obscene language will not be printed. The Sun reserves the right to edit letters for length or content.

have a listserv of around a hundred local players. None are interested in playing on this unsafe surface.

There is really no way to fix the slippage problem, as this is an island climate where the dew is heavy and the humidity is many times nearly 100%. Plastic is a slippery surface and extremely slippery when the least bit wet. Holmes Beach should return this surface to the manufacturer as it does not provide a safe surface here.

Even if there were a way to solve the safety problem, these courts are unplayable due to the uneven surface. Balls bounce up erratically,

making play nearly impossible. If staff had checked, they would have found that the largest nationwide pickleball association, USAPickleball, does not recommend these types of plastic grids, due to the unpredictable nature of ball bounce.

It's time to admit a mistake and replace this court surface with a standard surface on which all players can safely play.

Charlie Hurd Bradenton

www.amisun.com

DECEMBER 23, 2020

Holiday trash and recycling pickup schedule

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and with that comes interruptions to trash, yard waste and recycling pickup services. For Waste Pro and Waste Management customers on Anna Maria Island who have regularly scheduled service on Fridays, make sure to put out your items for collection one day early, on Thursday, Dec. 24 and Thursday, Dec. 31. No collections will take place on Christmas Day, Dec. 25 or New Year’s Day, Jan. 1. Collections also will not take place on Saturday or Sunday either week.

Local closures for the holiday With the holidays come a few temporary closures around Anna Maria Island.

The offices in all three Island cities will be closed for the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day holidays, Dec. 24-25, and the New Year’s holiday on Jan. 1. The Center of Anna Maria Island will be closed Dec. 24-25 and Jan. 1-2. The Island Branch Library will be closed Dec. 24-25 and Jan. 1.

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.

Dec. 24, all day – City offices closed, Christmas Eve holiday Dec. 25, all day – City offices closed, Christmas Day holiday Jan. 1, all day – City offices closed, New Year’s Day holiday

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.

Dec. 23, 9:15 a.m. – City Commission emergency special meeting Dec. 24, all day – City offices closed, Christmas Eve holiday Dec. 25, all day – City offices closed, Christmas Day holiday Dec. 31, 9:15 a.m. – City Commission emergency special meeting Jan. 1, all day – City offices closed, New Year’s Day holiday Jan. 6, 9:30 a.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency meeting Jan. 6, 2 p.m. – Scenic WAVES meeting

Jan. 7, 6 p.m. – 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. holmesbeachfl.org or contact city hall for more information.

Dec. 24, all day – City offices closed, Christmas Eve holiday Dec. 25, all day – City offices closed, Christmas Day holiday Jan. 1, all day – City offices closed, New Year’s Day holiday Jan. 6, 10 a.m. – Parks and Beautification Committee meeting Jan. 6, 6 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting

MARK YOUR CALENDAR The Island Branch Library is open at 40% capacity. Please wear a face mask/covering. The Tingley Memorial Library is open.

The Center of Anna Maria Island is open with social distancing and face masks required.

The Holmes Beach dog park (Scentral Park), skate park, basketball courts, pickleball courts and tennis courts are open.

Local preserves are open, includ-

THE SUN

ing Grassy Point Preserve, Neal Preserve, Perico Preserve and Robinson Preserve.

Local beaches are open.

WEDNESDAY DEC. 23

Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

THURSDAY DEC. 24

Farmer’s Market, Holmes Beach city field, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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

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SUNDAY DEC. 27

Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

TUESDAY DEC. 29

Farmer’s Market, City Pier Park, 101 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Movie in the Park, City Pier Park, 101 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 6:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY DEC. 30

Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

FRIDAY

THURSDAY

Merry Christmas!

Robinson Preserve Sunrise Paddle, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 6:30-8:30 a.m. Participants must provide their own paddle and safety gear. Reserve to www. eventbrite.com/e/129596337133.

Farmer’s Market, Holmes Beach city field, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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

DEC. 25

SATURDAY DEC. 26

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

Wagon tours, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon, first come, first served. Face masks required.

DEC. 31

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THE SUN

DECEMBER 23, 2020

How to handle Christmas and New Year’s during COVID-19 On Anna Maria Island, 199 people are reported to have had COVID-19 so far this year; in Manatee County it’s 20,355 people, and in Florida, it’s 1,212,581 people, according to the Florida Department of Health on Dec. 21.

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

The anticipated increase in COVID-19 cases after Thanksgiving gettogethers happened on Anna Maria Island, rising from 128 people reported as having had the coronavirus as of Nov. 23 to 199 people as of Dec. 21.

In Manatee County, cases increased from 15,723 to 20,355 from Nov. 23 to Dec. 21. In Florida, cases increased from 938,414 to 1,212,581, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Scientists at the Mayo Clinic and the Centers for Disease Control offer this timely advice about hosting or attending holiday meals and parties this holiday season.

TRAVEL

Staying home is the best way to

protect yourself and others from COVID-19 this year, according to the CDC. If you don’t stay home, ask: • Are you or anyone you will be visiting at increased risk for COVID-19 due to age or medical conditions?

• Are cases high or increasing in your community or destination? Check CDC.gov.

• Are hospitals in your community or destination overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients? Check state and local public health department websites.

• Do your plans include traveling by bus, train, or air which makes staying 6 feet apart difficult, or by car, which requires rest stops and gas station stops that can expose you to COVID-19?

• Does your home or destination have requirements or restrictions for travelers?

• During the 14 days before you travel, have you or those you are visiting had close contact with people they don’t live with?

• Are you traveling with people who don’t live with you?

If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” you should not travel, according to the CDC.

GATHERINGS

The lowest-risk way to have a holiday gathering in 2020 is to schedule separate holiday celebrations simultaneously and connect by Zoom or a similar method, according to the CDC. But having meals with only the people who live in your household is also low risk, as is preparing and delivering meals for family and neighbors with no contact.

A moderately-risky option is having meals outdoors with a few family and friends, if they live in your community.

The highest-risk gatherings are indoor meals or parties with people you do not live with or near - the more people, the higher the risk.

Serving or using alcohol increases the risk by altering judgment and making it more difficult to practice safety measures.

Anyone who lives or works with people at higher risk should consider the potential risk to them before attending gatherings.

To reduce risk at a gathering: • Hosts and guests should strictly avoid contact with people outside of their households for 14 days before the gathering and should follow COVID-19 safety measures at home.

ICES ANY HAPPY HOUR PR

• Keep the gathering short.

• Wear masks with two or more layers, except when eating and drinking, and make sure they are worn over your nose and mouth and fit snugly along the sides of your face. Hosts should have a clean supply of disposable masks.

• Keep a 6-foot social distance, including at tables. People from the same household should sit at their own tables.

• Wash hands often, especially before preparing, serving or eating food. Guests should wash hands or use hand sanitizer (60% alcohol or more) for at least 20 seconds when entering and leaving gatherings. Hosts should supply paper towels or single-use hand towels in restrooms instead of cloth towels and may also provide cleaning supplies that allow guests to wipe down surfaces before they use or leave the restroom.

• Gather outdoors or open windows indoors.

• Verbally greet people instead of shaking hands, hugging or elbow bumping.

• Encourage guests to bring their own food and drinks.

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SEE COVID, PAGE 9

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DECEMBER 23, 2020

FROM PAGE 8

IF YOU ARE EXPOSED OR GET SICK

After any holiday event, if you feel that you may have been exposed to COVID-19, take extra precautions for 14 days. Avoid being around people, especially those at increased risk of severe illness with COVID-19, and consider getting tested. While you are waiting for the results of a COVID-19 test, stay at home and follow safety measures. If you develop symptoms or test positive for COVID-19, immediately inform the host and other guests who attended the event (hosts should keep a list of guests for contact tracing). This can help reduce the spread of COVID-19 by ensuring that others get tested or self-quarantine.

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Property owners hope for city land swap

COVID: How to handle Christmas and New Years • Do not use a buffet or drink station.

• Limit people going in and out of the kitchen or gathering around the outdoor grill.

• Limit the number of people cooking and serving food.

• Provide single-use condiments to avoid multiple people from handling the same items.

• Use disposable napkins, plates, cups, utensils and tablecloths.

• Limit indoor gatherings to 10 people and outdoor gatherings to 25 people.

If you aren't comfortable with the level of risk involved, consider canceling or not attending the event.

The CDC advises that you do not host or attend a holiday gathering if you: • are at increased risk due to age or health conditions, • have been exposed to COVID-19 in the last 14 days, • are showing COVID-19 symptoms, • have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or • are waiting for results of a COVID-19 test.

THE SUN

A couple planning to construct a house in Holmes Beach hopes that commissioners will swap a section of beachfront property for a stretch of unimproved right of way bisecting their property.

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

HOLMES BEACH – Jon and Jessica Cooper are hoping that city commissioners will help them build their dream beach house by engaging in a land swap.

The Coopers own a piece of property at 104 34th St., where they say they hope to build a FEMA-compliant home for their personal use until they can move permanently from Tampa. One issue with their plans is that there’s an unimproved city right of way about 50 feet wide bisecting their property. On one side of the right of way there’s the buildable lot where the couple plans to put their house. On the other side is a bit of beachfront property that’s unbuildable.

The couple proposes to swap the beachfront property for the unimproved right of way. And while some city leaders, including Mayor Judy Titsworth, said

SUBMITTED

A photo submitted by attorney Maggie Mooney on behalf of Holmes Beach property owners illustrates how their property is split by a city-owned unimproved right of way they don’t have a problem with the proposed land swap, others have some concerns.

Commissioner Jayne Christenson said she doesn’t see what the city profits from the land swap. With the west side of the Cooper’s land unbuildable and the right of way owned by the city, she said it virtually guarantees that both areas will remain greenspace. If city leaders agree to the land swap and city voters cast their ballots in favor of it during the next general election, she said the city would be swapping buildable land for unbuildable land.

Commissioner Kim Rash

agreed that he doesn’t see how the swap would profit the city.

Commissioner Jim Kihm asked for more information from the couple and their legal representative, attorney Maggie Mooney, before making a decision.

If commissioners agree to the land swap, it’s the first step in making the deal a reality. If the agreement gets approval from city leaders, it has to go on the ballot for voter approval before it’s a done deal.

Once more information on the proposed land swap is available, the issue is expected to come back before commissioners for continued discussion at a future work session.

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DECEMBER 23, 2020

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DECEMBER 23, 2020

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Roser Food Pantry receiving CARES Act funds All three Island city commissions expressed concerns about the previously proposed pass-through funding arrangement.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – After much back and forth with city officials, the Mayors Feed the Hungry organization is directly donating $30,000 to the Roser Food Pantry in Anna Maria.

As an organization that deals less directly with food assistance, All Island Denominations will receive $3,000 from the Mayors Feed the Hungry organization.

The money being donated to the food pantry is COVID-19-related CARES Act funding, intended to assist county residents, agencies and businesses and disbursed through Manatee County government and the not-for-profit Manatee County-based Mayors Feed the Hungry organization.

One issue was that the county and the Mayors Feed the Hungry organization wanted each Anna Maria Island city to front the organization up to $25,000 per city, with the cities being reimbursed by the county.

The other concern was that

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The Roser Food Pantry is receiving $30,000 from the Mayors Feed the Hungry organization. the Mayors Feed the Hungry list of fund recipients and service providers did not include any agencies on the Island.

The pass-through funding request made to the Island cities and the omission of any Island assistance providers was a cause of great concern for Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy, who could not recommend the city’s participation under those circumstances.

The Bradenton Beach Commission expressed similar concerns about the pass-through funding

request and the possibility that the city might not get reimbursed. For those reasons, the Bradenton Beach Commission did not feel comfortable with the proposed funding arrangement.

The Holmes Beach City Commission recently discussed the funding request and sought more information on the proposed funding arrangement. That commission also sought assurances that at least some of the CARES Act funds would be distributed to agencies on the Island.

REVISED PLAN

On Friday, Murphy received an email update from Mayors Feed the Hungry Executive Director Scott Biehler.

“The Mayors Feed the Hungry program received some funding today from Manatee County that is to be used for food assistance

by Dec. 30. I have been in contact with Cornie at All Island Denominations and Jack Brennan at Roser Church Pantry. Please let us know if there are any other non-profit organizations on Anna Maria Island that

have food pantries we can assist. With the time constraints imposed upon us by the county we request that you respond at your earliest convenience,” Biehler wrote.

In the response, Murphy wrote, “Thank you for the update. These two charities, All Island Denominations and Roser Food Pantry, are in the best position to serve the needs of our Island community. We appreciate your consideration of our request to include these two agencies in the distribution of the county funds.”

On Sunday, Roser Food Pantry Chairman Jack Brennan sent Murphy an email that said, “After speaking to Scott Biehler recently, I think you already know his organization is giving the Roser Food Pantry $30,000.

It does pay for a mayor to be tenacious.”

In his response to Brennan, Murphy wrote, “Wow! Here’s a victory for our Island!”

When contacted Monday morning, Murphy said, “I think it’s a win. Our two agencies were scheduled to get nothing. Now they’re getting some money from this program.”

If you need food assistance, please call 941-778-0414 or visit www.roserchurch.com/ food-pantry/.

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DECEMBER 23, 2020

Moose Lodge hosts drive-thru Christmas party In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the AMI Moose Lodge has hosted two recent drive-thru holiday parties for children.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – Santa, Rudolph the female reindeer and Tommy the Moose were on hand for the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge’s drive-thru Christmas party.

From 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, Moose Lodge #2188 volunteers handed out gift bags to youngsters in the drive-thru line. Many left their vehicles long enough to have a quick photo taken with Santa, Rudolph and Tommy.

As they did for Halloween, the Women of the Moose organized the drive-thru Christmas party using safety precautions necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Women of the Moose put together some little to-go packages for the kids for Christmas. We are doing a drive-thru Christmas exchange. All the kids get an oversized (stuffed) Tommy the Moose and a candy cane full of candy. We’d be having a party, but unfortunately, we just can’t,” Women of the Moose member Bonnie Dubin said.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Longboat Key residents Easton, Lauren-Taylor and Garrett Nock dropped by to say hello to Rudolph, Santa and Tommy the Moose.

“We’re trying to make everyone safe and happy. We want the community to know we’re here to support children, elders and people of all ages,” Women of the Moose member Sherry Fragapane added.

“The Women of the Moose and Tommy, Santa Claus and Rudolph got together to greet the children of our community and show our Christmas spirit. Santa is a member of the Moose. So is Rudolph,”

Lodge Administrator Byron Dalton said.

Dalton said the gift bags were not limited to relatives of Moose members and were given to all in the drive-thru line.

“This is for anyone in our community.

Merry Christmas to all,” Dalton said.

Kaz Funtal arrived with his grandfather, Joe Funtal.

While Kaz posed for a photo, Joe Funtal said, “What the Moose is doing is great.

They did this for Halloween and they’re

doing it for the kids for Christmas. With all this stuff going on right now, it’s great that the kids get some resemblance of normality. We really appreciate what the Moose is doing for them. It’s a great organization and this is a great spot here on the Island.”

When asked how they planned to spend the rest of the day, Funtal said, “Kaz wants to come over to our house and hang out with grandma and Pap-Pap, which means all the cookies and candy he can eat.”

Longboat Key residents and Moose members Eugene and Jessica Nock brought their youngsters to the drive-thru party.

“I think the Moose Lodge here on Anna Maria Island is one of the best in the United States. We have a beautiful view here on the Gulf of Mexico. The members are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet and we’re always welcoming new people from around the United States who come to visit us. The members are very civic-minded here and the Lodge gives back during Christmas, Halloween and Easter,” Eugene Nock said.

“We’re so appreciative to our Moose Lodge for having this wonderful event for our children to enjoy,” Jessica Nock added.

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DECEMBER 23, 2020

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JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Santa stops by city hall After delivering trophies to the Bright Holiday Lights contest winners Friday afternoon, Santa stopped by Anna Maria City Hall to collect his letters to Santa and to visit with children amidst the city’s Bright Holiday Lights Display. Santa’s visitors included young Amelia Roorda and her mom Bridget, from Rochester, New York, and young Adler Florec, from Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Christmas lights expanded and re-installed On Saturday, Ed McClure and Brandon New extended the Community Redevelopment Agency-funded Christmas decorations in the roundabout near the Bridge Street Pier. They then re-installed the CRAfunded Christmas lights that 101 Bridge St. owner Peter Ross recently removed from the city right of way at the west end of the street. According to the police report regarding that Dec. 5 incident, Ross claimed the lights he removed posed a safety hazard because they were indoor-only lights. On Saturday, New disputed that claim. He said all the Christmas lights he installed for the CRA this year are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Created in the shape of a Christmas tree, the lighting at the east end of Bridge Street has been expanded at the request of Mayor John Chappie.

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DECEMBER 23, 2020

Loving Chr t • Sh ing H Grace • S ving A

COMMUNITY CHURCH Hope can be a powerful force. Without hope, people stop trying, stop laughing, stop loving, and stop living.

We celebrate a Child who comes to bring us hope...

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In the SANCTUARY and ONLINE Go to www.RoserChurch.com Click WORSHIP-SIGNUP , WATCH LIVE or WATCH LATER Text ROSER to 22828 to receive the weekly eBulletin.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

CrossPointe singers take their show on the road These young singers from CrossPointe Fellowship church in Holmes Beach made a stop at the end of Willow Avenue Thursday evening while touring the city and performing Christmas carols aboard the portable trailer that serves as a mobile stage.

CHRISTMAS EVE 12:00 & 4:00 PM

Sanctuary Parking Lot Bring lawn chairs!

7:00 PM In the Sanctuary Sign up for in person or watch online!

941-778-0414 • www.RoserChurch.com • Facebook @RoserChurch

512 Pine Ave • Anna Maria • Everyone is welcome!

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DECEMBER 23, 2020

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15

Anna Maria resident provides Christmas bikes

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Carl Augostini thinks every kid should have a bike, and he spends his own time and money trying to make that happen.

Each year, Augostini and Charles Wade team up to provide bikes to local kids and adults in need.

Augostini repairs and refurbishes the bikes, and Wade helps put the bikes into the hands of those who want and need them. Wade is the facilities administrator for Roser Memorial Community Church in Anna Maria.

On Friday, 25 bicycles stood in Augostini’s driveway waiting to be picked up.

“We’ve got 13 adult bikes and we have 12 children’s bikes,” Augostini said.

Augostini was asked where the bikes came from.

“The junk pile. My friends and neighbors drop them off and I take them and rebuild

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

This year’s fleet of refurbished bikes was displayed in Carl and Roberta Augostini’s driveway Friday afternoon. them. I start in January, right after Christmas, and I work all year on them. I’ve got a pile of old ones now waiting to get refurbished,” he said.

When asked why he does this, Augostini said, “Because I think every kid should have a bike. And if they can’t afford

it, I’m one of the guys that’s going to get them one.”

Augostini, a retired electrical engineer, said he had no particular affiliation to bicycles when he started this project several years ago. He said he met Wade about 10 years ago, when then-Mayor Mike Selby

put the two men in touch with one another.

“I had a bunch of bikes and I asked Mike how I could donate them to somebody.

He gave me Charles’ name. I contacted Charles and he finds a home for them each year,” Augostini said.

“The church I go to, Light of the World, is picking them up today and we’re going to have a big Christmas event in Sarasota on Saturday for the kids – and for adults who may need bicycles to get around and get to work. It’s all about giving,” Wade said.

“We’ve been doing this for 10 or 11 years. I got involved because I love helping people, giving and doing the things God allows me to do. Carl is the bike man. I watch him and tell him he’s very talented at what he does. He usually has 15 bicycles, but this year it was 25,” Wade said.

Wade said one of the Light of the World pastors told him the need for bicycles is even greater this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic challenges the pandemic has created.

“There’s so many kids wanting bicycles whose parents lost their jobs or some other SEE BIKES, PAGE 24

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THE SUN

DECEMBER 23, 2020

Renegades deliver Christmas joy Each year, the motorcycle club provides Christmas gifts for families in need.

On Dec. 19, 2001 my mother passed

BY JOE HENRICKS

away, so I’ve done it

SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – After delivering Christmas gifts to two local families in need, the Renegades motorcycle club gathered at the Drift In. For several years now, the Bradenton-based Renegades have delivered donated toys, clothes and other gifts to the Drift In, where the recipient families were waiting. That was supposed to be the case again this year, but one of the families had car trouble and could not get to the Island. The Renegades then adjusted their plans and made home deliveries on Saturday instead.

While standing outside of the Drift In, club Vice President “Bradenton Dan” said, “We had to deliver elsewhere because the family didn’t have access to a car. We delivered to two different families earlier today, but we told Doreen we’d still come out to the Drift In.” Dan explained why he’s helped lead the Renegades’ holiday efforts.

“On Dec. 19, 2001, my mother passed away, so I’ve done it every year in

every year in memory of my mom.”

‘Bradenton’ Dan, Renegades motorcycle club

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The Renegades motorcycle club gathered at the Drift In Saturday afternoon after making their Christmas deliveries. memory of my mom. We want to help the kids. We don’t do it for any notoriety. We do it to help the kids, because kids deserve to have a Christmas,” he said. “We reach out to the community and find people that we don’t actually

know personally. They let us know who’s in need. We already take care of each other and we want to help people we don’t already know – and who don’t know us, so there’s no favoritism. We screen the families too.”

Dan said the Renegades aren’t seeking publicity for their efforts.

Club member “Pancake” agreed and said, “A couple years ago we were here and some people might have thought we were doing this for our own good.

It’s not like that. We had a woman in tears come up and put a $50 bill in the bucket because she was once in jail and when she got out she was squatting in an abandoned house. We brought them beds, toys and everything for Christmas.

She got to see it firsthand. People saw her donate that day and they started putting money in too.”

DECEMBER 23, 2020

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DECEMBER 23, 2020

DECEMBER 23, 2020

FOOD & WINE

THE SUN

Applause from the dining room

Jill Phipps

Apple Batter Cake Ingredients

STARFISHCHEFCUISINE.COM

1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled off 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature 2/3 cup granulated sugar, plus more for sprinkling over cake 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 tablespoons dark rum (optional) 2 baking apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (I like Honeycrisp, Fuji or Granny Smith) (3-1/2 to 4 cups chopped) Confectioners' sugar (optional), for decorating cake

F

ood should be discussed, not in a way of sitting at home deciding what to have for dinner, but talked about - the protein, the colors, the flavors, how it all sits on the plate and how the different components combine to make a painting on your palate.

You should take time to let the filet melt on your tongue before you chew it - the way the spices come together when eating an Indian meal, but mostly when you are eating dessert.

Dessert is commonly overlooked. It’s the end of the meal, you are already full, you don't want the extra calories, but a good dessert can be a fabulous adventure and something you may remember more than the rest of the night.

At age 50, I was elated to be able to attend culinary school. What started as a thought of taking some cooking classes ended up becoming an Advanced Diploma in Culinary Arts, Pastry and Molecular Gastronomy. It was a hard road, but I enjoyed every minute of it and graduated with high marks.

Culinary school required industry placements in seafood restaurants on the coast of South Africa where the whales came to mate. I was lucky enough to cook for Desmond Tutu, an idol of mine since childhood.

My first real job was in a fine dining restaurant in a tiny town in Pennsylvania. My paycheck was earned working salads, cold apps and plating desserts made by another member of staff, but my favorite time was coming in before my shift to make my own specialties.

One of these was a “French Apple Batter Cake” individual sponges made in ramekins, paired with fresh vanilla bean creme anglaise and freshly baked almond cookies.

You can imagine my elation when my first order, then my second, then the third came in. At the end of the night, I was asked to go into the dining room and

Directions SUBMITTED

meet some guests. As I walked out, they stood up and started clapping. It was a moment I will never forget.

I had made an “interactive dessert” and it was not forgotten - it was the highlight of their meal.

I moved to Anna Maria and started working at a fine dining restaurant but then COVID-19 hit. I was devastated to be laid off indefinitely and I missed the camaraderie and pace of the kitchen. When I returned later that year it was not the same and my age started to get the better of me. I persevered, but eventually it was too much and I left the commercial kitchen.

Again, as in culinary school, it started out as a small idea which has now progressed into a wonderfully fulfilling and fun business including specialty dining, gourmet picnics, cooking classes and birthday cakes.

Please contact me at starfishchefcuisine.com if you would like a preview of my dishes, and don't forget about dessert next time you go out to dinner!

www.TheFeastRestaurantAMI.com

• Preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position.

• Grease a 9-inch springform or regular cake pan with butter or nonstick cooking spray. If using a regular cake pan, line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper and grease again.

• In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.

• Using a handheld mixer with beaters or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

• Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well and scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition.

• Beat in the vanilla and rum. Don't worry if the batter looks grainy at this point; that's okay. Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until just combined. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the chopped apples.

• Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and even the top.

Sprinkle evenly with 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar.

• Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the cake is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

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OUTDOORS

DECEMBER 23, 2020

Cold weather angling strategies Reel Time RUSTY CHINNIS

O

nce again, late December’s cold winds have blown in, dropping water temperatures and requiring anglers to adjust their strategies. Winter fishing can be challenging, but there are opportunities for some excellent action for anglers who adjust their tactics and “think” like a fish.

While there are no magic bullets, awareness of conditions and perseverance can pay dividends when the thermometer plunges.

Popular species including snook, redfish and trout will often concentrate in areas where the surrounding waters are more moderate. Snook, the most sensitive, will migrate to rivers, canals and protected bays where the sun heats seawalls, dark bottom and the surrounding water. Areas where shallow bays and bayous funnel temperate water on afternoon outgoing tides can be particularly productive.

When fishing, pay attention to water that receives

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

Ken Watkins landed this sheepshead on a DOA Shrimp on a sun-warmed winter day. the most sun during the day.

Sun-warmed areas that are protected from cold winter winds produce conditions that are more desirable to cold-stressed species. The wind moves the water, keeping it from absorbing the sun’s rays. A combination of sun exposure, depth, and the color of the bottom all figure into the warm water equation.

When the weather prevents the sun from moderat-

ing water temperatures, look for deeper pockets to harbor fish. The deeper areas warm more slowly, but they also cool more slowly. Channels, holes under big boats in canals, deep potholes on the flats and boat basins are all potential refuges for fish during cold weather. Rivers and creeks are also good sanctuaries, depending on the conditions.

While many local species are negatively affected by

the cold water, many, like trout and redfish, have a high tolerance. Others actually thrive on it. The best examples are sheepshead and black drum. These fish, while shunned by some anglers, are hard fighting, challenging to hook, and excellent to eat. Target sheepshead and drum around structure where they feed on barnacles and crustaceans like crabs and shrimp. One way to attract

these species is to scrape barnacles from pilings on an outgoing or incoming tide. A small live shrimp or shrimp-tipped jig fished among the “chum” are good options. A small, stout and sharp hook is advised for a sheepshead’s tough mouth.

A quick hookset is required for these bait stealers. It’s often said that you need to set the hook a split second before they bite! Tackle sensitive enough to detect their stealth bite is recommended.

Once you find the ideal conditions, remember to slow your presentation.

Lures and bait fished slowly, and close to the bottom, will generally draw more strikes than a quick retrieve. If you’re in a promising area make sure you try varying your retrieve before moving on.

Another option for inshore anglers is to slow troll large swimming plugs along inshore ledges in the bay for grouper. Prime spots include areas along the Intracoastal Waterway as well as limestone outcroppings and structure in the Tampa Bay ship’s channel. Use your senses, experiment, be persistent, and you can experience some very good fishing during our cooler winter months.

DECEMBER 23, 2020

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THE SUN

21

CAPTAIN DAVE WHITE | SUBMITTED

Captain David White and Chris Ward, of Joliet, Illinois, show off a beautiful snook caught on a light tackle inshore trip.

Fish biting, weather permitting CAPTAIN DAVE WHITE

Although the weather has been hit or miss here lately, the fishing has been pretty consistent. Low tides in the mornings have created a few challenges here and there. But once the water gets moving, the bite has been solid.

Inshore, the redfish, sheepshead, black drum, snook and the occasional pompano have kept our clients busy. The shrimp eaters are starting to move in pretty solid. These cold mornings have helped that!

We here at Anna Maria Charters feel like the redfish closure has really paid off. We are consistently see-

ing more and larger fish than in previous years. But maybe we’re just getting lucky this year!

When the weather allows it, we are getting to the local ledges up to 9 miles offshore. Here we are catching gag grouper, hogfish, grunts and a few mangrove snapper. It’s not hard to fulfill a client’s dinner order when the weather will let us get out there a bit.

The forecast looks hit or miss. But as to be expected this time of year! We hope that everyone has a safe and happy holiday. It’s going to be one for the books for sure. No matter how you look at it!

CINDY LANE | SUN

COVID-19 devastates mullet, stone crab seasons The coronavirus pandemic has destroyed the market for mullet and stone crab this fall, leaving many fishermen out of work, according to Karen Bell, of A.P. Bell Fish Co. in Cortez. Florida fishermen eagerly await the seasons for stone crab claws and mullet roe, which historically command high prices in domestic and international markets. But this year, many restaurants worldwide are shut down due to COVID-19, she said. Only one container of roe has been exported from Cortez this season, which left last month for Taiwan for Chinese New Year, Bell said. “We are buying mullet at a low, low price, not for roe, but for crab bait,” she said, adding that the stone crab market is equally poor.

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DECEMBER 23, 2020

City leaders recognize board members, residents City leaders said thank you Dec. 8 to previous board members and a few residents who’ve helped bring a feeling of community to Holmes Beach.

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

HOLMES BEACH – As 2020 draws to a close, city leaders took a look back on the year and a moment to thank the residents who’ve helped make it a better year for Holmes Beach.

Recognitions during the Dec. 8 meeting included previous board members and residents who’ve contributed to city projects over the past calendar year.

Parks and Beautification Committee members Dennis Groh, Carol Hebden and Donna Ryan, all of whom resigned from the committee over the past several months, were recognized for their contributions to the committee and their work on the beautification of parks and greenspaces throughout the city.

Previous Planning Commissioner Scott Boyd was also recognized for his service to the city. Boyd was present at the meeting via Zoom and said, “It was an honor and a pleasure to serve.”

Former city Commissioner Pat Morton was recognized not only for his 17 years of service on the dais but also as Citizen of the Year, taking home the Louie Strickland Award.

This year’s Holmes Beach Employee of the Year is Amy Cox, a two-year

city employee who works with both the building department and the city treasurer’s office.

The Community Partnership Award was given to the Hagen Family Foundation for their continual support of city initiatives, such as the improvements at city field.

Drawings were held for gift cards donated by local businesses to recognize the donors to the city’s Community Skate Park and the skate park bowl.

A $75 gift card to the Doctor’s Office went to Bonner Joy while Amy from the Blue Marlin took home a $200 gift card to Eat Here. Pitts Associates of Florida won a $200 gift card to Beach Bistro and the Kerchner family took home a $250 gift card to the Freckled Fin.

A.P. BELL FISH CO. | SUBMITTED

Adding to the fleet The Walter T. Belle, a Broadfire formerly known as the Sea Hawk, prepares to enter the water at Cortez Cove Marina, where it is being rebuilt. A new wheelhouse is on the drawing board, followed by hydraulics, wiring and electronics. It will join the A.P. Bell Fish Co. fleet in Cortez.

RED TIDE REPORT High

(respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures, fish kills, water discoloration)

Medium

(probable respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures, fish kills)

Low

(possible respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures, fish kills)

Very low

(possible respiratory irritation)

Background (no effects)

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Water quality report Bayfront Park North Bradenton Beach Coquina Beach North Coquina Beach South Manatee Beach North Palma Sola Bay South Source: Florida Department of Heath

Good Good Good Good Good Poor

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DECEMBER 23, 2020

THE SUN

23

LIGHTS: Winners celebrated FROM PAGE 1

The entries were judged Thursday evening by Laura Micciche from the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, City Commissioner Carol Carter and city of Anna Maria Managerial Assistant Nick Poulin.

The judges were chauffeured around town in a golf cart piloted by Mayor Dan Murphy. Each judge ranked each entry on a one-to-five scale for street appeal, originality/creativity and design/use of lights.

Winners awarded Late Friday afternoon, Murphy, Santa and Deputy Clerk/Code Enforcement Manager Debbie Haynes hopped in a city golf cart to deliver trophies to the winners.

The first stop was at the Craft home.

“Thank you for decorating so nicely this year,” Santa said when presenting the trophy to Carol and Larry Craft.

“We’re just hoping other people will start decorating,” Larry said.

“You might have accomplished that.

We had more participants this year than we did last year. We’re thrilled about that,” Haynes said.

When asked why they put so much effort into their Christmas decorations, Larry said, “Because people walk by and smile when they see this.”

“To spread Christmas spirit,” Carol added, noting this is the 17th year they’ve decorated their Anna Maria home.

The Craft's decorations include large pieces of driftwood and new this year are a lifelike replica of a reindeer and the Talavera Mexican pottery Nativity scene Larry gave Carol as a Christmas gift last year.

Having been informed that White was not home, the trio proceeded to the General Store.

A visit to White’s home the previous

night revealed a whimsical decorating theme that includes an inflated unicorn and a festive table display.

BUSINESS WINNERS

“Thank you so much,” Anna Maria General Store business owner Brian Seymour said when Santa presented him with the colorful blue trophy.

Seymour then handed the trophy to Thomas Powers, the General Store manager who designed the winter wonderland theme that includes a dazzling array of blue, white and purple lights.

“When you walk under all the lights it’s real pretty,” Powers said.

When asked how it felt to tie for first place, Powers said, “Awesome. I wasn’t expecting it. Thank you so much.”

“We’re happy we were recognized for the effort our team put in. We took our cue from what they’ve done up at City Hall. We’re happy to be among all those that participated because it really does make the street look more inviting during the holidays,” Seymour said, noting he hopes to also decorate the new City Pier Grill next year.

Beach Bums co-owner Lauren Sato accepted the trophy from Santa on behalf of the staff and the company that assisted with the “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” themed decorations that feature an inflatable likeness of actor Chevy Chase and several other references to the Christmas comedy classic.

“They worked really hard on it. It’s been fun to hear everyone’s response and watch everybody get a smile out of it,” Sato said.

“We had wonderful entries this year and the displays were absolutely phenomenal. We appreciate everybody participating,” Haynes said before returning to city hall, where Santa received visits from youngsters while seated in the city’s Bright Holiday Lights display.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Driftwood and the word “Rejoice” are among the decorations displayed by Carol and Larry Craft.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The Anna Maria General Store’s holiday display features blue, white and purple lights. The winter wonderland light display was designed

by Anna Maria General Store manager Thomas Powers.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Debbie White’s home on North Bay Boulevard tied for first place in the residential category. The holiday display includes a festive dinner table.

24

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THE SUN

BIKES: Provided by AM resident FROM PAGE 15

situation happened. If we can get bicycles to them, that’s a beautiful thing,” Wade said.

Augostini expressed his thanks to all who helped make this year’s bike donation possible.

“I want to thank all my neighbors and friends that drop off the bikes, and I’ve got some donations to help pay for tires and tubes, which have gone up in price, and parts that I need. A lot of the parts I take from bikes that are unrepairable. I thank all those people that have been a great help,” Augostini said.

He also thanked his wife for her neverending support of his efforts.

“My wife, Roberta, keeps me going,” Augostini said, noting he already has approximately 30 bikes to use for next year’s project.

The couple’s son, Craig

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Carl Augostini refurbished 13 adult bikes and 12 children’s bikes this year.

Augostini, and Craig’s wife, Lisa, were also on hand Friday. They live in Rochester, New York and are visiting for the holidays.

“He’s an inspiration,” Craig Augostini said of his father. “He’s something else. He’s a fantastic guy. My sister and I look to him as the great-

est. We always had bikes and he taught me how to fix my bikes, mini-bikes, motorcycles and cars.

I’m very mechanical, just like him.”

DECEMBER 23, 2020

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DECEMBER 23, 2020

THE SUN

25

Wells Fargo bids adieu to Holmes Beach

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

HOLMES BEACH - Another one bites the dust as the city’s Wells Fargo branch is being readied for permanent closure.

In an email statement, Wells Fargo Communications Advisor Jacob Jordan said “The Holmes Beach branch will close on March 10, 2021. Branches continue to play an important role in the way we serve our customers, and as customer preferences change, so will our

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Opening of The Island Bank, now Wells Fargo, in 1962. branches and the experiences customers have in them. We continue to evaluate our branch network and base our distribution strategy on customer trends, market factors and economic changes. This process leads to both expansion and sometimes closures.

While branches are important in serving our customers’ needs, customers have more

ways than ever to bank and are increasingly using digital tools for transactions such as check deposits.”

Customers of the bank branch were notified by letter the first week of December. The letter states that the closure of the Anna Maria Island branch of the bank will not directly affect customer accounts. The nearest open Wells Fargo branch is located at Manatee Avenue and 75th Street in Bradenton.

Currently, the Holmes Beach Wells Fargo branch is closed due to COVID-19 precautions.

It’s unclear at this time if the branch will reopen at all before it’s scheduled to close for good in March.

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THE SUN

REAL ESTATE

DECEMBER 23, 2020

Merry mortgage rate Christmas I

t’s Christmas, and many of us in the country are spending the day much quieter than in years past. We can only hope that the vaccine they have promised us will bring our world back to normal and next Christmas will truly be a time to celebrate. But there is still much to be celebrated, and historic low mortgage rates may very well be at the top of Santa’s list.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell below 3% in July and stayed there. On Dec. 10, the 30-year fixed rate hit a low of $2.71%. So far, the low rates are holding steady at between 2.5% and 3%, but there are signs that those rates may not hold into the new year, so there is a lot of scrambling around to lock in this month.

According to industry research firm Inside Mortgage Finance, during the first nine months of the year, lenders extended $2.8 trillion in mortgages. And

Castles in the Sand LOUISE BOLGER it didn’t slow down in the last quarter of 2020 with a predicted volume exceeding the prior record of $3.7 trillion in 2003.

It is forecasted by industry firms that more than 9 million homeowners saved money by refinancing this year.

Like so many other byproducts of the COVID-19 pandemic, home lending has surged, producing record low interest rates. With the economy seriously impacted by the pandemic, homeowners were looking to lower their monthly payments or pull some equity out of their homes for needed renovations.

The timing was perfect, with homeown-

ers having the time to work through the documents required for a mortgage refinance, and the mortgage industry more than willing to find a way to do paperwork and closings digitally to accommodate homeowners.

However, if you haven’t done a refi or a new mortgage since the financial crisis, the Dodd-Frank Consumer Protection Act enacted in July of 2010 may be a bit of a shock. There are pages and pages of disclosure forms for the borrower to read and agreed to. Fortunately, they are all available digitally and every lender is doing their best to get this required information out to their clients as quickly and easily as possible.

Still, don’t be surprised if you feel your eyes starting to cross halfway through.

In addition to homeowners taking advantage of low interest rates, many are moving, as we’ve reported before.

Leaving cities to work virtually in the

suburbs has been an ongoing trend for white collar professionals who are requiring more space indoors and outdoors resulting in a demand for more expensive homes. According to the National Association of Realtors, nearly one in four homebuyers between April and June bought houses priced at $500,000 or more. This is up from 14% of buyers during the preceding nine months.

And, if you’re a renter, that’s going to cost you more as well. In September, single-family home rentals climbed an average of 3.8% from a year earlier across 63 markets in the country. This increase is being accelerated for the same reason that buyers are moving, leaving cities for suburbs and wanting more space.

Wishing everyone happy holidays and good health. Hopefully, this will all be over soon; stay safe.

www.amisun.com

DECEMBER 23, 2020

REFUELING: operations questioned FROM PAGE 4

request to be allowed to operate at this county public facility, any business proposition would have to be thoroughly vetted through a competitive process to open this opportunity to any prospective vendor who would likewise enjoy the benefit of using this public facility without the charges invoked at many private marinas in Manatee County that offer commercial fueling capabilities,” Hunsicker wrote.

COMMISSION DISCUSSION

During public comment at the Tuesday, Dec. 15 county commission meeting, Baldwin read his email aloud to county commissioners.

During the discussion that followed, commissioners Vanessa Baugh and Kevin Van Ostenbridge were among those who expressed strong opposition to a business owner being arrested for refueling his boat.

County Attorney Mickey Palmer told the commission the loading dock is located in a county-owned public park and trespassing someone from that public space is not advised.

Palmer also said he’s not aware of any county code or regulation that currently

prohibits refueling at the county dock.

Palmer recommended the county “stand down” and take no action until this matter is further researched and sorted out.

Commissioner Carol Whitmore expressed concerns about other commercial boat owners, operators and fishermen engaging in similar fueling activities if Baldwin is allowed to do so.

The commission was in unanimous agreement that boat fueling is not a desired activity at that location.

Van Ostenbridge made a motion directing the county attorney’s office to prepare a document that formally prohibits refueling activities at the loading dock – and potentially at county boat ramps as well.

That document is expected to be discussed and potentially adopted in January.

REFUELING RESUMES

On Thursday, Dec. 17, Baldwin and Capt. Justin Jones resumed their refueling operations at the county dock. Baldwin said he realizes a county prohibition is likely forthcoming, but he can still experience at least one month’s worth of fuel cost savings until then. Baldwin said he’s looked for alternative locations to continue refueling in this manner and has not found one.

THE SUN

BEACH BEAT HOLMES BEACH

12/11, 12:45 a.m., battery, D Coy Ducks, 5410 Marina Drive. The officer was dispatched to the bar on a report of a fight. Witnesses said the male suspect pushed the female victim to the ground and punched her in the face after she tried to start a conversation with him. The woman’s friends defended her, injuring the suspect.

The victim refused medical care, but the suspect was taken to Blake Medical Center. The officer took reports from witnesses and prepared a capias request for the state attorney’s office.

12/13, 12:30 a.m., excessive speed, 700 Manatee Ave. The officer spotted a

OBITUARIES

Larry Albert

August 17, 1936 – November 25, 2020. Unexpectedly, on November 25, 2020, Larry left us to be with the Lord. Larry will be sadly missed by sons Steve (Joy) and Alan (Michelle), grandchildren, great-granddaughter,

27

truck going too fast heading west toward the Island. He clocked the truck at 91 mph, made a traffic stop and issued a ticket to the young driver.

12/14, 6:36 p.m., alcohol code violation, Grassy Pointe Park, 3201 East Bay Drive. The officer responded to complaints of two homeless men yelling angrily in the park. They were issued tickets. One of them was intoxicated and taken to the hospital under the Marchman Act. 12/15, 11:30 p.m., code violations, alcohol and marijuana, 240 S. Harbor Drive.

Officers responded to the address on a noise complaint and when they arrived, they spotted four males walking down the sidewalk; one was smoking marijuana and another was drinking beer. They received code enforcement violation citations. poker and golf buddies, wonderful friends and neighbors. He will be missed forever by the love of his life, his wife, Linda, and their loving fur babies, Stevie, Helen and Betsy.

Larry was a very modest man and “didn’t want a fuss” made over him, so raise a cup and remember your happy times with him. Larry will be remembered for his kindness, generosity and love of life.

28

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THE SUN

AGAMI announces January featured artist A new year is just around the corner, and to celebrate, the Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island is announcing its January Featured Artist of the Month – Susanna Spann. The theme for January at the gallery is “water dancing,” appropriate for Spann, who is a signature member of the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society of America and Florida Watercolor Society. A competitive artist, Spann paints for national competitions, judges exhibitions and owns The Dead End Gallery in Cor-

tez. Her artwork will be prominently displayed during the month of January at the gallery at 5414 Marina Drive in Holmes Beach. Spann also will be on hand at the gallery on Tuesday, Jan. 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, Jan. 8 from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Tuesday, Jan. 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Maritime museum reopening The Florida Maritime Museum in Cortez is scheduled to reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 19 after renovations are complete. Hours will be limited and reservations will be required.

Visit Floridamaritimemuseum.org for details.

DECEMBER 23, 2020

Perico Bay Club—As Good As It Gets!!

I JUST LISTED!!!

1189 Edgewater Cir ~ $337,500 518 Woodstork Cir ~ $309,900 AND...I JUST SOLD 4 MORE!!!

1237 Spoonbill Landings Cir 1263 Spoonbill Landings Cir 1191 Edgewater Cir 871 Audubon Dr

Give me a call today if yo you ou’re ’re re looking to Buyy or Sell on Anna Maria Maaria aria Island Islaan or the surrounding area! a!

941.248.0882 I Lynn@Edgewaterami.com www.EdgewaterRealEstateInc.com

DECEMBER 23, 2020

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THE SUN

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Top real estate producers for November 2020 A PARADISE

Sue Carroll - Listing Quinten Talbert - Selling

MIKE NORMAN

Marianne Norman-Ellis – Listing & Selling

AN ISLAND PLACE REALTY

PREMIER SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

DUNCAN REAL ESTATE

REMAX ALLIANCE GROUP

Billi Gartman - Listing Tanya McCormick - Selling

Darcie Duncan - Listing & Selling

EDGEWATER REAL ESTATE

Lynn Zemmer - Listing & Selling

FRAN MAXON REAL ESTATE

Stephanie Bell – Listing & Selling

Jenna Dellatorre – Listing Laurie Mock - Selling Cindy Quinn - Listing Christine Kourik - Selling

SALTY MERMAID REAL ESTATE

Nicole Skaggs & Alex Rutland– Listing Jason Hrnak - Selling

SATO REAL ESTATE

ISLAND REAL ESTATE

Barbara Sato – Listing Jason Sato - Selling

MICHAEL SAUNDERS

Chantelle Lewin – Listing Miguel Rosa - Selling

Ryan Sheck - Listing Josh Bernet – Selling

Toni Lyon – Listings Kristi Berger & Debbie Capobianco – Selling

WAGNER REAL ESTATE

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THE SUN

ANNIVERSARY: Celebrating 65 years FROM PAGE 1

In fact, Vince credits the 52 years he and his wife have spent on Anna Maria Island as the secret to what has kept them healthy for all these years.

“It’s just a beautiful place,” he said, adding that he doesn’t believe Larrie will ever want to leave their beachfront home.

“It’s been wonderful,” Larrie said of their home.

Her favorite part of the house is the back deck where she said she can watch her grandkids and great-grandchildren frolic in the sand when they can come to visit.

For the couple, it was love at first sight when they met in 1965. Vince had just come back from serving in the Korean War and the two were set up on a blind date by a mutual friend. The couple never looked back and were married about a year later with the birth of their two daughters, Dina Mercandante Osburn and Sheree Mercandante Kent, coming within the following few years.

Larrie said they’re still friends with the woman who set them up on that

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Even though the family couldn’t get together in person during the pandemic for Larrie Mercandante’s 86th birthday in October, they all got together virtually to celebrate. first date. She added that what first drew her to Vince that night was his moves on the dance floor.

“He’s a wonderful dancer,” she said. “I think that’s what I first fell in love with.

He makes me laugh. We’ve had a wonderful life.”

Vince said that not a day has passed since that first date that the two have not seen each other. And after all the years together, the two are as happy together now as they were when they married.

“I love my life,” Larrie said. “Vince has been the best husband.”

Even when asked separately, the two agreed on the secret to their success as a couple – communication.

“Listening, really listening, letting them speak,” Larrie said. “Communication is so important.” She recommends not raising your voice when you fight while Vince says to not go to bed angry.

“Don’t stay mad,” he advised. “You’ve got to iron it out. Communication is a big thing. It’s kept us together all these years.”

The Mercandantes have a very simple plan for the future – remain happy and healthy, sit on their porch and watch children play on the beach.

“We really enjoy life now,” Larrie said. “We’re not lucky, we’re fortunate.

God took good care of us.”

DECEMBER 23, 2020

DECEMBER 23, 2020

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Island Players virtual “Christmas Carol” a hit The Island Players are back, having presented a twonight engagement of “A Christmas Carol.”

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

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Island Players were a hit with their online, two-night limited engagement of an original version of “A Christmas Carol,” their holiday gift to the community.

The hour-long performances took place on Dec. 18 and 20 with both the audience and the actors on Zoom. The virtual performances kept everyone safely socially distant, but provided the community with a much-needed return to the theater even though the Island Players’ Theater stage technically remained dark during the limited engagement.

Updated to reflect some of the issues of current times by director and writer Jeffrey Steiger, the play told the age-old story of Ebenezer Scrooge rediscovering his love of Christmas and humanity as he’s visited by the ghosts

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Jay Poppe as the Ghost of Jacob Marley demonstrates the kind of special effects used during the two-night presentation of “A Christmas Carol,” performed virtually over Zoom.

Heiko Knipfelberg stars as Ebenezer Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol.”

of Christmas past, present and future through a Zoom feed. The longer the night goes on, the more Scrooge, played by Heiko Knipfelberg, realizes the error of his ways and rushes to make the Christmas wishes of those near and dear to him come true before time runs out.

Despite the challenges of not having a cast in the same location and performing on a virtual platform, the cast and crew behind “A Christmas Carol” put their all into the two performances and it was reflected in the joyous reception by virtual audience members.

As Scrooge, Knipfelberg was magnetizing, even through a computer screen. Joining him were James Thaggard as the Narrator, Dane Oldham as Fred, Mary Selke as Mrs. Lamb, Mikey Lynch as Bob Cratchit, Jay Poppe as the Ghost of Jacob Marley, Dianne Brin as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Judy Glynn as the Ghost of Christmas Present, Joanie Anton as the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, Pamela Hopkins as Belle, Alice Cotman as Mrs. Cratchit and Joshua Hanley-White as the Boy. Every member of the cast turned in a

marvelous performance. Selke turned in a particularly loveable performance as Mrs. Lamb while Thaggard was a picture-perfect narrator sitting in his virtual library.

The special effects used by the cast were especially engaging, helping to bring the world of the theater into viewers’ homes. And while some of the effects were computer-generated, others, such as some of the backgrounds used, were the work of local artists engaged to help illustrate Dickens’ world.

Visual effects for the limited engagement were managed by Steiger with stage management and sound board services provided by Denise Handley. In addition to starring in the play, Thaggard also designed and edited the playbill delivered virtually to audience members.

While the play was provided as the theater’s free gift to the community, donations to the Island Players are always welcomed to help keep local theater alive during the pandemic. To donate to the Island Players, contact Peg Faarup at 941-778-7374. For more information on the theater, visit https:// www.theislandplayers.org/.

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THE SUN

DECEMBER 23, 2020

LAWSUIT: Baugh and Van Ostenbridge added FROM PAGE 1

public that gives the county commission the ability to amend meeting procedures with no advance notice.

On Dec. 7, Barfield filed in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court a legal complaint against Satcher seeking emergency mandamus relief for violation of the Public Records Act. The Notice of Production filed Saturday names Satcher, Baugh and Van Ostenbridge as defendants, with Barfield named as the plaintiff.

When contacted Monday and asked to summarize the purpose of these latest legal filings, Barfield said, “It amends the lawsuit (originally filed against Satcher) to bring two additional parties in; and to require them to produce records responsive to my requests.”

To date, Barfield has received the personal call log and text messages he requested from Commissioner George Kruse, who is not named in any ongoing legal action initiated by Barfield.

Barfield has received copies of Van Ostenbridge’s text message records between Nov. 3 and Nov. 20 but has not yet received a copy of his personal call log. Barfield said he’s received limited responses from Baugh and has not yet seen her personal call log for that same time period.

Last week, Barfield received Satcher’s personal call log.

The Florida Sunshine Law prohibits elected or appointed city and county officials who sit on a city or county board from discussing official board business with each other in any setting other than a properly noticed public meeting.

It is not a violation of the Sunshine Law to discuss matters unrelated to their official governmental duties.

The call logs Barfield has received to date indicate when the various commissioners communicated with each other, but the call logs do not reveal the nature and substance of those phone conversations.

SATCHER’S CALL LOG

According to Satcher’s call log, he called Van Ostenbridge once during that Nov. 3-Nov.20 period and Van Ostenbridge called

him once. Satcher’s call log indicates he initiated a one-minute phone communication with Van Ostenbridge on Nov. 3, which was election day; and Van Ostenbridge initiated a 21-minute phone call on Nov. 7.

According to Barfield, the newly-elected commissioners – Kruse, Satcher and Van Ostenbridge – became subject to the Florida Sunshine Law on election night. They were then officially sworn into office on Nov. 17.

Satcher’s call log indicated he had two phone communications with Baugh, three with Kruse and two with developer Carlos Beruff between Nov. 3 and Nov. 20. The nature of those calls is currently unknown.

VAN OSTENBRIDGE TEXTS

On Friday, Nov. 11, Barfield received copies of Van Ostenbridge’s text message exchanges from Nov. 3 to Nov. 20.

Barfield confirmed that Carlos Beruff is the “Carlos” and “CB” that appears in some of the text message exchanges Van Ostenbridge produced.

According to those records, Beruff sent Van Ostenbridge a text message at 6:51 a.m., less than an hour before his Nov. 19 private meeting with Coryea.

“Good morning you all set,” Beruff wrote.

“All set. Meeting with Cheri at 7:30,” Van Ostenbridge replied.

On Sunday, Nov. 15, Beruff sent Van Ostenbridge a link to a Bradenton Times story that included the headline: “Are special interests gunning for County Administrator?”

That story notes Beruff and other members of the development community pushed for Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance President Dom Dimaio to succeed retiring County Administrator Ed Hunzeker in 2019, rather than Coryea.

“We have a leaker,” Van Ostenbridge wrote in response to Beruff’s text about that story.

On Tuesday, Nov. 17, as part of the same text message exchange with Beruff, Van Ostenbridge wrote, “We have a special meeting on Thursday, after the port meeting. Carol took the bait.”

That message reportedly refers to acting Commission Chair Carol Whitmore supporting Van Ostenbridge’s request for a special meeting discussion about a potential

federal shutdown.

On Saturday, Nov. 14, Beruff initiated a text message exchange with Van Ostenbridge that began with a link to an East County Observer story about the county’s plans to build a solid waste transfer station on the recently purchase Lena Road property.

“You may have missed this last week, but it basically says that they bought something they don’t need for 17-20 years,” Beruff wrote.

“They did all they could to saddle use us with this (expletive) we don’t want. At least they’re done. Nothing left for them to do,” Van Ostenbridge replied.

On Thursday, Nov. 5, Beruff sent Van Ostenbridge a text message that said, “Good morning, take a look at this and see what you think. Call me when you get a chance.”

Attached to Beruff’s message was a Microsoft Word document titled “ManCo BOCC (Board of County Commissioners). docx.” The contents of that document are not known and Barfield has not received a copy of that requested document.

“That looks good. I only want to drop the mention of masks. That is too much of a 50/50 issue. Call you in a few,” Van Ostenbridge wrote in his response to Beruff.

Van Ostenbridge’s text records also include an exchange he had with Bob Spencer, from West Coast Tomato, whom, according to Barfield, contributed to the political action committee that supported Van Ostenbridge’s election campaign. That exchange pertains to Van Ostenbridge’s request for a special commission meeting on Nov. 19 – the meeting at which he proposed Coryea’s potential termination.

The exchange referenced then-acting commission chairperson Carol Whitmore.

“We have a special meeting on Thursday after the port meeting. Carol took the bait,” Van Ostenbridge wrote in that text exchange.

“I watched you. Smooth baby,” Bob replied.

“Acted like I was stumbling through it, ha-ha,” Van Ostenbridge wrote.

At 9:33 p.m. on Nov. 19, Van Ostenbridge received a group text message from Chad Choate, a financial advisor at the Edward

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Commissioner James Satcher was the first county commissioner to be named in the lawsuit filed by Michael Barfield.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Commissioner Vanessa Baugh had not yet produced her personal call log as of Monday.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge had produced his text messages, but not his personal call log as of Monday.

Jones office in Bradenton. Choate is Facebook friends with Van Ostenbridge and has posted comments at Van Ostenbridge’s Facebook page.

“How long has she been county admin,” Choate wrote in his text message to Van Ostenbridge.

“2 years. She’s been a county employee for over 30 years. A 30-year bureaucrat.

It’s time to put a private sector person in charge,” Van Ostenbridge replied.

“Yeah, who replaces her,” Choate wrote.

“Put your name in when the spot opens up,” Van Ostenbridge replied.

DECEMBER 23, 2020

FUN IN THE SUN

Across 1 Cuba, por ejemplo 5 Uncanny 10 Hard-to-describe sensation 14 Évian evening 15 Levels of society 16 A party to 17 Facial feature with a bridge 18 MI5 headquarters named for a London river 20 From Canada's capital 22 Genre that represents things as they are 23 TV show intro tune 26 Asian kebab 27 "Who wants my jellyfish? / I'm not sellyfish!" poet 28 Seeker of "the way" 31 Door hardware 33 Amount defined by a Answers to 12-16-20 Crossword Puzzle.

small sewing gadget 37 Play a part (in) 38 Boardroom VIP 40 The Beatles' "__ Mine" 41 Santa __ winds 42 Boss Tweed's caricaturist 46 Splash sound 47 On the same wavelength 48 Meticulous to a fault 50 Humana rival 53 Pushed-in bulletin board hardware 57 Stars and __ 60 Dragster, e.g.

61 Bouquet garni bunch 64 Maggie Simpson's sister 65 Avatar of Vishnu 66 Chef's array 67 Browse (through) 68 What "lama" has, as opposed to "llama"

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33

69 Implant (in) 70 Type of prof.

Down 1 Childish comeback 2 Truth, to Shakespeare 3 Hears out 4 Tourist's guide 5 Prefix with centric 6 Historic time span 7 Los Angeles NFLer 8 Old Roman road 9 Let up 10 Break, as laws 11 Aleut relative 12 __ nova: Brazilian dance 13 Foe 15 Hidden loot 19 Red tape, e.g.

21 Director Craven 24 Utmost degree 25 Moo goo __ pan 29 Fail to include 30 "Big Blue" 31 Bowler or derby 32 Otto's "Oh!" 33 Theater award named after Antoinette Perry 34 Misconceptions 35 Game with Wild Draw Four cards 36 Drink like a cat 38 Savory finger food 39 Wits' end?

43 Least possible 44 Tiny army crawler 45 It might be elemen-

tary: Abbr.

46 Kneecap 48 Stockpile 49 "Will & Grace" network 50 The Jetsons' dog

51 Wharton's "__ Frome" 52 "I'm almost afraid to tell you" response 54 Encouraged 55 Barcelona abodes

56 Cheez Whiz maker 58 In __: existing 59 Inbox annoyance 62 Spice mix for ribs 63 Limited-life sculpture material

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CLASSIFIED

ANNOUNCEMENTS

EMPLOYMENT

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

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HOTEL ON ANNA MARIA seeking Housekeeper Full time, Part time. Must have two years experience. We drug test.

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ANNOUNCEMENT: Who wants to play bridge outside on the patio, or in the park, social distanced and face-masked, Call Kathleen at 314-324-5921 THE BEST VOLUNTEER position on the island. The AMI Historical Museum needs docents and bread makers. Call Lynn at 813758-3234 or lbrennan47@ gmail.com 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.

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THE AWARD-WINNING ANNA MARIA ISLAND SUN, a weekly newspaper on Florida’s Gulf Coast, (https://amisun. com; www.facebook. com/AnnaMariaIslandSun), is looking for a freelance reporter/ photographer to cover events on this tourismdriven island. The ideal candidate will have reporting and photography experience at a community newspaper and have some experience writing for a news website. Local residents or those with previous local knowledge and willing to relocate here a plus. Resumes and cover letters may be emailed to news@amisun.com or

by U.S. Postal Service to The Anna Maria Island Sun, P.O Box 1189, Anna Maria, FL 34216, attention: Mike Field, publisher.

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

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DECEMBER 23, 2020

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.

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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.

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GITT(4488)

RENTALS: ANNUAL 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 GULF FRONT CONDOS Vista Grande, WestWinds– CANAL FRONT HOME Holmes Beach –DUPLEXES & MORE Island Real Estate ASK big Alan Galletto 941-232-2216 IMMACULATE WATERFRONT HOME 520 Kumquat Dr. 4BD/5BA 3928sf Coastal Beauty! Prime location on AMI. $2,750,000 Call Charles Buky Coldwell Banker 941-228-6086 HOLMES BEACH 4BR/3.5BA home for sale. 1 ½ blocks from Beach. $1,399,000. Call 724-263-6390

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

PERICO BAY CONDO Short term rental available for this season.

Nice 2BR/2BA with lanai overlooking the lake. $3,200 per month available until the end of May. Resort style living close to Anna Maria Island. 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.

COZY COTTAGE SANDPIPER 55+ Resort. 1 ½ minute walk to Beach or Bay. 1BR/1BA. Washer/ dryer For Sale or Rent. Call 941251-4767. Leave number on machine.

ANNUAL RENTALHOLMES BEACH 2BR/2BA, W/D hook ups, storage. Non-Smoking, No Pets. $1,900/mo.

Fran Maxon Real Estate 941-778-2307.

ANNUAL RENTAL: AVAILABLE NOW 3BR/2BA steps to beach & shopping.

Washer/dryer, security, internet, trash included.

No smoking, small dog considered. $1995/mo.

First last & security. Call 860-922-3857.

ANNUAL RENTAL AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 1, 2021.

2BR/2BA + Den. One block to beach. Washer/dryer hookup. $1950/mo. First, last & security plus utilities.

No smoking/no pets. Call 860-922-3857.

RENTAL WANTED SEEKING AMI LONG TERM RENTAL 4+BRs for professional family. Call Kelly Gitt Keller Williams Realty 941.357.GITT(4488)

www.amisun.com

DECEMBER 23, 2020

BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

THE SUN

Call today to place your ad: 941-778-3986 HOME SITTING / PET SITTING

PAINTING

TRANSPORTATION

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 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 2BR/2BA CONDO FOR RENT – Ironwood Golf Course Community Available Dec 2020 – May 2021 -$2,400 /month plus taxes.

Fully Furnished - First Floor Unit Application and background check required.

Contact Karen 401-9323402 or galipeaukl21@ gmail.com

ANNA MARIA BOOKING 2021 - 2022 winter seasons. Beautiful 2BR/2BA ground level home with carport. 1 1/2 blocks to Gulf. Updated granite counter tops, patio w/outdoor furniture, plantation shutters, flat screen TV's in every room & more. Call 941565-2373 AVAILABLE DECEMBERMAY. Upstairs apartment 2BR/1BA west of gulf. City of Anna Maria. $2500 a month + tax. Call 941-7784499

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. Mask & gloves provided. Reasonable rates! Call or text Anna 941-932-1600

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www.amisun.com

THE SUN

DECEMBER 23, 2020

the Team Duncan Difference!

✔ Local-Area Expertise ✔ Outstanding Customer Service ✔ Experienced Professionals ✔ Proven Performance

310 Pine Avenue Anna Maria, FL 34216

TeamDuncan.com

941.779.0304