Anna Maria Island Sun December 2, 2020

- Named Best Florida Newspaper In Its Class -

VOL 21 No. 8

December 2, 2020

Birdbaths CINDY LANE | SUN

The beach renourishment project completed in November plus recent storms have created ponds and sandbars on AMI’s beaches that are attracting shorebirds, including seagulls and black skimmers.

Anna Maria commissioner returns from COVID-19 illness Commissioner Joe Muscatello’s revelation came during a discussion about Governor Ron DeSantis’ COVID-19 response.

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the second reading of an ordinance increasing parking fines and are moving forward with a recommendation to institute a boot program for unpaid parking tickets.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria City Commissioner Joe Muscatello has recovered from his recent COVID-19 infection.

During the Tuesday, Nov. 24 city commission meeting, Muscatello discussed his COVID experience after thanking Mayor Dan Murphy and city staff for checking on his well-being.

“I’m one of the people in Anna Maria that had COVID. You don’t want it. It was horrible. I’ve gone through stage 4 cancer and this was worse than that for three weeks. I couldn’t move for three weeks. I had to quarantine away from my wife, in my room,” Muscatello said.

SEE COVID, PAGE 24

INSIDE NEWS 4 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 6 CAPTAINS REPORTS 21 CASTLES IN THE SAND 22 REAL ESTATE 22-26 RESTAURANTS 27 CLASSIFIEDS 30-31

Parking penalties increasing in Holmes Beach

THE CITY Pier Grill could open for business this week or next. 4

Anna Maria Island, Florida

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

HOLMES BEACH – If you’re a driver who violates the parking rules in the city of Holmes Beach, beware.

There are new penalties in place for violators.

City commissioners voted unanimously on Nov. 17 to approve increases for parking fines in the city.

Here’s what those increases look like: • Increase a general parking violation from $50 to $75; • Establish a $250 fine for using a fraudulent parking permit; • Charge a $15 late penalty for unpaid parking tickets 10 days after the parking fine is due instead of the previous five days; • Increase illegal handicap and Purple Heart parking violations to $250; SEE PARKING, PAGE 10

ANNA MARIA eliminates 88

public parking places. 11 VOTER TURNOUT decreases on

Anna Maria Island. 3

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DECEMBER 2, 2020

DECEMBER 2, 2020

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Voter turnout decreases on Anna Maria Island Voter turnout decreased on Anna Maria Island during this year’s general election, which also saw more Island voters voting by mail.

BY AUGUSTUS BAYARD SPECIAL TO THE SUN

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – While the U.S. experienced record-breaking voter turnout during the recent general election, voter turnout for the presidential election decreased in 2020 compared to 2016 at the four Anna Maria Island precincts.

Florida’s election results were officially certified by the Florida Elections Canvassing Commission on Tuesday, Nov. 18.

According to Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office data, 3,785 Island voters cast a ballot for president in 2020, compared to 3,994 in 2016, resulting in a decrease of 209 voters. These totals include early, Election Day, and mail-in votes.

All four of the Island’s precincts - Precinct 301 at Roser Memorial Community Church in Anna Maria; Precinct 303 at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Holmes Beach; Precinct 305, also at St. Bernard Catholic Church;

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Voter turnout at the Island voting precincts was lower in 2020 than 2016. and Precinct 307 at the Bradenton Beach Fire Hall in Bradenton Beach – witnessed lower voter turnout this year compared to the last presidential election cycle.

The decrease in votes cast was accompanied by a drop in registered voters, possibly due to Island residents moving away and being replaced by short-term renters.

There were 4,810 registered voters at these four precincts in 2016, but as of the

registration deadline in 2020, there were only 4,637. The percentage of registered voters on the Island who cast a ballot dropped slightly as well, from 83% to 81.6%. By comparison, turnout in Manatee County was 78.9%, with 182,178 ballots cast in 2016 and 79.8%, with 218,317 ballots cast, in 2020.

With continuing concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, more Island voters chose

to cast their ballots by mail this year: 49.1% of major party-voters voted by mail in 2020 compared to 40.1% in 2016.

As in many other places across the country, the biggest driver of the shift to mail-in voting was Democratic voters. In 2020, 39.6% of Republican voters on the Island cast their ballot by mail, a slight increase from the 37.8% that did in 2016. In 2020 61.9% of Democratic voters on the Island cast their ballot by mail, a significant jump from the 43.4% that did in 2016.

While President Donald Trump won all four Island precincts in 2016 and 2020, he received fewer votes in 2020. In the four Island precincts, Trump received 2,160 votes this year, compared to 2,260 votes in 2016.

However, Trump’s share of the vote was slightly higher this year, with slightly more than 57% of the Island votes in 2020 compared to 56.6% in 2016.

In 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton received 1,589 votes on the Island; this year Democratic nominee and PresidentElect Joe Biden received 1,598 votes. This translates to 39.8% of the vote for Clinton in 2016 and 42.2% for Biden in 2020.

In 2016, 145 Island voters voted for thirdparty or write-in presidential candidates, compared to only 27 in 2020.

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ISLAND NEWS

IN BRIEF

Chamber hosts annual tree lighting ceremony It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. The holiday season is officially kicking off Dec. 4 in Holmes Beach with the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s annual tree lighting ceremony and holiday open house.

Everyone’s invited to don their most festive face masks and come out to the Chamber at 5313 MaSUBMITTED rina Drive in Holmes Beach on Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. to celebrate the holidays with individually wrapped cookies and treats, Santa in his sleigh - courtesy of the Anna Maria Island Privateers - and festive music from CrossPointe Fellowship Church.

The all-lights tree will light up the night sky at 6 p.m. but visitors can partake of the wares offered by local businesses including the Artists’ Guild Gallery, The Original Sand Dollar and others before and after the tree lighting. And while Santa will be there with his pirate elves to hear what you want for Christmas, photos and visits will take place using social distancing guidelines.

All attendees are required to wear a face mask or covering at all times during the event unless eating or drinking.

The tree is being sponsored by Anthony’s Cooling, Heating and Electrical.

For more information, contact the Chamber at info@amichamber.org.

Donations help light up city field If you’ve been to the city field complex in Holmes Beach over the past few days, you may have noticed something different. Courtesy of a donation from the Hagen Family Foundation, light poles were able to be installed to illuminate the Community Skate Park, new shuffleboard courts and the bocce ball courts. All of the lights are pointed downward to lessen the glow from the lights during sea turtle nesting season and are on a timer to shut off overnight. The funds also helped pay for the newly installed pickleball courts on the north east side of the park complex. Commissioners voted unanimously to pass a budget amendment for the 2019-20 fiscal year, accepting the $25,987 in donations.

Celebration of life for Mark Mixon A celebration of life for Mark Mixon is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5 at 5 p.m. on Palma Sola Causeway at Scott’s Deli food truck. Mixon, 65, of Mixon Insurance in Holmes Beach, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 11.

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DECEMBER 2, 2020

City Pier Grill opening soon

The new City Pier will be open seven days a week once the City Pier Grill opens.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – The City Pier Grill could open this week or next, according Brian Seymour, who will operate the business with partners Nick Graham and Vic Mattay.

The exact opening date will be announced on the City Pier Grill Facebook page.

When the business opens, the City Pier will be open to the public seven days a week for the first time since the new pier opened to the public three days a week in June. All seating will be outside.

“We are excited to get going, and the mayor’s excited to get the pier up and running. We want to get this pier open seven days a week and the city wants that as well,” said Seymour, of GSM Partners LLC. “We’ll be open seven days a week from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. We’ll be open 365 days a year. On holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving, there might be some adjusted hours, but we will be open so the locals and tourists can enjoy the pier on major holidays,” Seymour said.

“We’ve got our live bait tanks set up and ready to go. We’ll have bait and tackle, breakfast, lunch and beyond and sweet treats,” he added.

As the city’s new pier tenants, City Pier Grill will operate in and around the smaller of the two cityowned buildings at the T-end of the pier.

On Tuesday, Nov. 24, Seymour provided a tour of the work taking place.

While standing inside the 300-square-foot interior space, Seymour said, “We’re at the finishing stages. We’ll be finishing up the hood installation and installing the electrical plugs and plates and kitchen equipment soon.”

The food and beverage equipment includes two fryers, a flattop grill, a charbroiler, a small freezer, a beer and wine cooler and a kegerator.

Seymour said he hopes to have the final inspections completed this week, if possible.

“The tropical storm set us back,”

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The kitchen hood installation was among the work taking place during Thanksgiving week.

Seymour said of the weather conditions and rough seas that delayed the gas company and plumbers from getting under the pier in a boat to complete those connections.

“We have a good core staff and we’re still looking for talented, experienced people. This is going to be a fast-paced, fun and energetic work environment,” Seymour said.

Those seeking employment can send an email to CityPierGrill@ gmail.com or stop by in person after the opening.

GRILL OFFERINGS

The breakfast menu will include breakfast sandwiches, waffles, pancakes, fresh fruits, coffees, teas and more.

The Bradenton-based Banyan Coffee Company will provide the coffees, brewed teas and ice teas and Mixon Fruit Farms in Bradenton will provide fresh juices.

“The lunch and beyond menu will have fish and chips, fish sandwiches, fish tacos, shrimp baskets, cheeseburgers, hot dogs and more.

We have a vegetarian-type hot dog and burger too. We’ll have a madeto-order wedge salad and Caesar salad and we’ll have daily breakfast and lunch and beyond specials,” Seymour said.

“We’ll have a full sweet treat menu with soft-serve ice cream, gelatos, waffle cones and select pies from Hometown Desserts, a favorite here on the Island. We’ll have draft beer, local craft beers and a nice wine selection. We’ll have six beers

on tap,” Seymour said.

“Our plan is to eventually have live acoustic music and we’re looking for local musicians who are interested in performing out here,” he said of the rear deck that faces the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

Chris Powers will serve as operations manager.

“My duties will include making sure we have adequate staff at all times and that anyone who comes out for bait is taken care of. I’ll also have the duties of a pier attendant, making sure the guests are having a good time and are safe,” Powers said.

His son, Jacob Powers, will serve as executive chef.

“I’ll make sure we’ve got consistent food quality and the customers are happy with their experience and what they’re eating,” Jacob Powers said.

His kitchen experience includes stints at Slim’s Place in Anna Maria, The Feast Restaurant in Holmes Beach and a few restaurants in Tennessee. He also helped open and manage a French bakery.

Seymour, the owner/operator of the Anna Maria General Store, said, “Most recently, Jacob has been the chef at the General Store.

His talents, creativity and ability to make great specials are definitely going to benefit us out here on the pier. We’re looking forward to him continuing his growth out here.”

DECEMBER 2, 2020

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Bradenton Beach receives $350,000 Sunshine settlement John Metz, Tjet Martin and Patty Shay have ended their involvement with the 2017 lawsuit and Bill and Rose Vincent are expected to join them soon.

SETTLEMENT ACCEPTANCE

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – The city has received a $350,000 settlement agreement payment from former Sunshine Law lawsuit defendants John Metz and Tjet Martin.

The city has also received $500 settlement payments from co-defendants Patty Shay, Bill Vincent and Rose Vincent.

On Thursday, Nov. 19, the city commission unanimously accepted the Metz-Martin settlement agreement previously discussed during a private shade meeting on Nov. 5.

The $350,000 payment serves as partial reimbursement for the more than $572,000 in attorney fees and legal costs the city incurred as a result of the civil lawsuit the city filed against six former city advisory board members in August 2017.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

City Attorney Ricinda Perry presented the settlement agreements to city commissioners on Thursday. Defendant Reed Mapes has tendered a $500 settlement offer for city commission consideration.

The lawsuit sought a judge’s ruling as to whether Martin, Metz, Reed Mapes, Shay and the Vincents violated the Sunshine Law when discussing advisory board matters at their Concerned Neighbors of Bradenton Beach meetings in 2017. Those meetings included a discussion about the potential pursuit of a citywide prohibition on the construction of parking garages.

In July 2019, 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas ruled all six defendants violated the Sunshine Law that pertains to government transparency and conducting official public business only at properly noticed pub-

lic meetings. Minus Shay, the other five defendants appealed Nicholas’ ruling to the 2nd District Court of Appeal in Lakeland.

On Oct. 28, Nicholas ordered Mapes, Martin and Metz to pay the city $369,498. In his written order, Nicholas absolved Shay and the Vincents of any attorney fee-related financial liabilities because they had agreed to settle with the city before the 2019 trial began.

The city commission rejected those pre-trial settlement offers because similar agreements were not reached with Mapes, Martin and Metz.

City Attorney Ricinda Perry presented the Martin and Metz settlement offer for commission acceptance during the Nov. 19 meeting. She also presented a new settlement agreement reached with Shay.

The commission accepted the Martin and Metz settlement agreement and received the transferred funds the following day.

Vice Mayor Jake Spooner praised Perry’s efforts.

“Great job. We did what we’re supposed to do with protecting the transparency of the government, and the taxpayers are being reimbursed,” he said.

“I agree totally, and we said that all along about open, fair and transparent government,” Mayor John Chappie said.

CO-DEFENDANT AGREEMENTS

During the Nov. 19 meeting, Perry also presented the settlement agreement with Shay, in which Shay agreed to pay the city $500 despite the judge’s recent order absolving her of financial responsibility.

SEE SETTLEMENT, PAGE 27

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OPINION

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

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DECEMBER 2, 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

Power and stupidity Why is it when someone gets voted into office, upon swearing in becomes infected with the feeling of power, plus stupidity? Case in point, Kevin Van Ostenbridge, newly elected Manatee County commissioner. Almost immediately after taking office he could not suppress his perceived power to assail the city of Holmes Beach by threatening to personally make certain the city would be denied funds to renourish the beach if the city does not provide the required beach access parking spaces, which he erroneously insisted the city was not providing.

Obviously, this commissioner/real estate agent has a little trouble with the facts. Not a good sign for the county commission moving forward because, according to Police Chief Bill Tokajer, the city has more than 1,200 on-street parking spaces, which meets the

requirement for beach renourishment.

The fact that the commissioner had this threat planned and didn’t have the courtesy to inform Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth, who’s endorsement he asked for and received, says columns about this commissioner’s ethics, I believe. It’s a shame even Commissioner Carol Whitmore misspoke when she declared only 500 beach access spaces are available since the city eliminated 2,000. One would think a public official would do a little research for the facts before spouting untruths and making threats. It seems so many coordinated events among some commissioners occurred during the first work session of the newly elected and returning commissioners that there must be a Sunshine Law violation inquiry.

Michael Storms Holmes Beach

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.

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DECEMBER 2, 2020

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. 3, 2 p.m. – City Commission organizational and special meeting Dec. 8, 10 a.m. – Historic Preservation Board meeting Dec. 21, 2 p.m. – Planning and Zoning Board meeting 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. 2, 9:30 a.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency meeting Dec. 2, 2 p.m. – Scenic WAVES meeting Dec. 3, 9:15 a.m. – City Commission emergency special meeting Dec. 3, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting Dec. 10, 9:15 a.m. – City Commission emergency special meeting Dec. 17, 9:15 a.m. – City Commission emergency special meeting Dec. 23, 9:15 a.m. – City Commission emergency special 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. 2, 9 a.m. – Parks and Beautification committee meeting Dec. 2, 6 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting Dec. 8, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting followed by work session

MARK YOUR CALENDAR DEC. 2 – DEC. 6

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 and tennis courts are open.

Local preserves are open, including Grassy Point Preserve, Neal Preserve, Perico Preserve and Robinson Preserve.

Local beaches are open.

WEDNESDAY DEC. 2

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

THURSDAY DEC. 3

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.

FRIDAY DEC. 4

Tree lighting and holiday open house, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, 5313 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 5-8 p.m.

Social distancing and face masks required.

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WMFR welcomes new commissioner

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

BRADENTON – West Manatee Fire Rescue district commissioners had their hands full at their final meeting of the calendar year.

Commissioners welcomed Commissioner Larry Jennis back to the dais for another four-year term along with new Commissioner Robert Bennett. Both were sworn in during the district’s Nov. 17 meeting.

Board officers for 2021 also were selected during the meeting, with Jennis receiving a unanimous vote to serve as chair.

Commissioner George Harris was unanimously selected to serve as vice-chair and Bennett received the support of his fellow commissioners to serve as secretary/ treasurer.

In other business, Chief Ben Rigney told commissioners that a small groundbreaking ceremony had been held at the site of the district’s new administration building at 701 63rd St. W. in Bradenton. With permits in hand, he said footer construction had begun and the building is projected to be completed by April or May 2021.

Jennis volunteered to be the

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

Administrative manager Julie Kichar swears in returning Commissioner Larry Jennis and new Commissioner Robert Bennett. Left, the first shovels are in the ground at the site of the new West Manatee Fire Rescue administration building.

SUBMITTED | WMFR

new board liaison on the project, a position previously held by former Commissioner Randy Cooper.

Commissioner Al Robinson took the opportunity during com-

missioner comments to again express his displeasure that his fellow commissioners voted to construct a new administration building rather than stay in the district’s temporary administrative offices at Palma Sola Presbyterian Church, located just across the street from the district’s previous administration building.

With the December meeting canceled due to the holidays, WMFR commissioners will next meet in January 2021.

SATURDAY DEC. 5

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

Paddleboard yoga, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 10:30 a.m. to noon, $37 with board and equipment included.

Register at least one day in advance at www.saltybuddha.com.com/registration or call 941-932-3671.

SUNDAY DEC. 6

Poinsettia sale, St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach, 8 a.m. to noon.

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

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

Roser congregation welcomes new pastor Parishioners line up during a Nov. 15 welcome parade at Roser Church to welcome Pastor Dirk Rodgers and his wife, Liz. Left, Parishioners David and Susan Cheshire stop to speak with Pastor Dirk Rodgers and his wife.

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DECEMBER 2, 2020

Commissioner and family give thanks through volunteer work

SUBMITTED | JAYNE CHRISTENSON

Above, Evan Christenson helps box up lunches on Thanksgiving Day at the Salvation Army in Bradenton. Below, it’s a dirty job but someone’s got to do it. Joe Christenson takes out the trash while volunteering during a Thanksgiving dinner at the Salvation Army in Bradenton Nov. 26.

SUBMITTED | JAYNE CHRISTENSON

Holmes Beach Commissioner Jayne Christenson and her family spent their Thanksgiving Day giving back along with others who served a Thanksgiving dinner to those in need at the Salvation Army in Bradenton.

SUBMITTED | JAYNE CHRISTENSON

Jayne Christenson volunteers at the pie station during a Thanksgiving dinner at the Salvation Army Nov. 26.

LANDSIDE

6906 14th Street West 941.758.7880

ELLENTON

1525 51st Avenue East 941.721.7773

CORTEZ

6696 Cortez Road 941.792.0077

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

DECEMBER 2, 2020

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Anna Maria’s Bright Holiday Lights Contest returns The city of Anna Maria will host its second annual Bright Holiday Lights Contest, a contest that encourages city residents, property owners and business owners to decorate their homes, yards and businesses for the holidays. The contest is free to enter and winners will be named in the residential and business categories. Carol and Larry Craft won the residential category last year and Duncan Real Estate won the business category. The application and entry period opened Tuesday, Dec. 1, and closes at 4 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 14. Applications can be downloaded from the city

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Duncan Real Estate won the business category in last year’s inaugural holiday decorating contest. website, www.cityofannamaria.com, where there is a notice and a link posted at the city’s homepage. Applications can also be obtained at, and returned to, city hall in person at 10005

Gulf Drive. Downloaded applications can be returned by mail to City of Anna Maria, P.O. Box 779, Anna Maria FL 34216. The judging will take place Wednesday, Dec. 16, between 5 and 7 p.m. A small awards ceremony will be held on Friday, Dec. 18 in the winter wonderland created outside of city hall and The Island Players theater. For more information email depclerk@cityofannamaria.com or call 941-708-6130, ext. 121 or 141.

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DECEMBER 2, 2020

PARKING: Penalties increasing in Holmes Beach FROM PAGE 1

• Increase the fine to $250 for impeding emergency access to the beach.

Parking fine increases aren’t the only change that drivers can expect.

During the Nov. 17 work session, commissioners heard a proposal from Police Chief Bill Tokajer to allow his officers to have a boot in each police vehicle and use it to prevent drivers with three or more outstanding parking tickets from operating their vehicles until delinquent fines are paid.

Tokajer said that currently there are two people with three unpaid parking violations and one with four unpaid parking violations in the city.

Right now, he said the city’s regulations allow drivers to have 10 unpaid violations before the city’s officers can pursue the issue.

Under the proposed new regulations, parking tickets would have to be paid before the wheel locking device would be

removed by officers.

The proposed ordinance says the officer writing the citation would have the discretion to either boot or tow the vehicle once three or more unpaid parking violations have accumulated. He said his officers would intend to boot the vehicles unless they’re blocking traffic.

Tokajer added that his officers currently use the wheel locking devices on illegally parked golf carts because they’re not required to have a license plate so there’s no way to know who the owner or driver is if they’re not on-site when the citation is issued.

Commissioner Carol Soustek said she has “no problem with enforcing adequate, responsible laws whether they’re friendly or not.”

Commissioner Kim Rash said he would be happy to backdate the ordinance to an effective date of Jan.1, 2020, and asked if the chief could look into determining a fee

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

Parking near a sign like this without a permit could cost you. for unlocking a boot when it’s used on a vehicle.

Though Commissioner Jim Kihm expressed some concern about backdating the ordinance to the first of the calendar year, commissioners agreed to move the proposed regulations forward to a first reading at an upcoming meeting with an effective date of Jan. 1.

During a regular meeting held the same evening, Mayor Judy Titsworth and commissioners addressed comments from Manatee County commissioners made at their Nov. 17 meeting concerning the lack of beach parking in the city and possible withholding of funding if city leaders don’t meet the county leaders' demands.

Soustek said that she would like to have one commissioner or the mayor attend the county commission meetings on a rotating schedule to have representation in case something like the Nov. 17 discussion, which wasn’t on the meeting’s agenda, happens again.

She said that there’s a lack of communication between the city’s elected officials and Manatee County commissioners that she would like to see repaired, as evidenced by incorrect information cited by county commissioners during their meeting. During the Nov. 23 organizational meeting, Soustek applauded Titsworth for her quick reaction in sending two informational letters to county commissioners concerning parking in the city.

After COVID-19 restrictions were lifted and a permit parking program for residents was enacted, city officials eliminated 497 on-street parking SEE PARKING, PAGE 26

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DECEMBER 2, 2020

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Anna Maria formalizes public parking reductions The majority of the parking spaces were eliminated due to public safety or drainage concerns.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria’s previous elimination of 88 public parking spaces has been formalized by the adoption of Ordinance 20-877.

Thirty-seven of the permanently eliminated parking spaces were located along North Shore Drive.

The city commission adopted the amended parking ordinance during the Tuesday, Nov. 24 meeting that served as the make-up date for the Nov. 12 meeting canceled due to Tropical Storm Eta. During Tuesday's meeting, Mayor Dan Murphy referenced a white paper he provided commissioners regarding the parking reductions. The white paper notes the three primary factors that drove the parking reductions were public safety, drainage and the previous elimination of public parking spaces in Holmes Beach.

“We’ve eliminated a net of 88 parking spaces. It’s been 15 years since we visited the parking ordinance within the city of Anna Maria. It was time to relook at it,” Murphy said.

Murphy said North Shore Drive has become a heavily traveled thoroughfare in recent years, but the street hasn’t gotten any wider. During peak periods, cars were parked on both sides of the road with children present, car doors opening in the roadway and construction taking place.

“It was an accident waiting to happen. We eliminated 37 spaces along North Shore, and it was all under the auspices of public safety,” Murphy said.

“We also eliminated spaces for drainage.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Thirty-seven parking spaces have been eliminated along North Shore Drive, above left, in Anna Maria. Spaces also have been eliminated along Archer Way, at the south end of Anna Maria.

People were parking on top of our drainage,” Murphy said in reference to the city’s granite- and lime rock-covered vertical infiltration trenches.

“And lastly, we were impacted by the changes made in Holmes Beach. We have pretty much recovered from all those changes. I think it’s a total of about eight spaces associated with the Holmes Beach changes,” Murphy said.

Murphy said 110 public parking spaces were eliminated earlier this year, but 22 were later restored.

He said the public feedback he received from residents has been positive, and some residents asked him why more spaces weren’t eliminated.

“If we can’t justify it for public safety, if you can’t justify it on drainage and it has nothing to with the Holmes Beach changes, there’s very little motion to take those away.

Not wanting cars in front of your house, I get it, but these are the three factors we used,” Murphy said.

Murphy recommended reevaluating the impact of the parking reductions early next year, after the peak tourist season.

BEACH RENOURISHMENT REQUIREMENTS

Earlier this month, Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge threatened to attempt to withhold future beach renour-

ishment funding for the city of Holmes Beach if that city’s public parking capacity is not returned to pre-COVID levels.

Anna Maria Commissioner Jon Crane asked Murphy about potential county pushback in response to Anna Maria’s parking reductions.

“Will the county lean on us? I’ve had preliminary discussions with two of the new county commissioners. I don’t anticipate anything from those two, but I can’t tell you about others,” Murphy said.

Murphy said Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Director Charlie Hunsicker asked him to provide the county’s consulting company with a copy of the city’s revised parking plan.

“I sent them our plan a month ago and I have not heard anything since. We more than meet beach renourishment requirements,” Murphy said.

Murphy said the 2005 beach renourishment plan called for 70 public parking spaces within the renourishment zone that stretches from Cypress Avenue to the southern city limits.

“There’s no danger of us losing federal funding for beach renourishment. The rest of our beaches are all privately-owned and they don’t qualify for beach renourishment,” Murphy said.

Commission Chair Carol Carter noted

Anna Maria only has a quarter-mile stretch of public beach that would qualify for potential future beach renourishment.

Commissioner Joe Muscatello asked when beach renourishment last occurred in Anna Maria.

Murphy said that occurred in 2005, and only for the beach area that extended south from Cypress Avenue.

Commissioner Mark Short noted Murphy’s white paper stated the city currently has 571 available parking spaces in that area.

“The fact that there are 571 available spots to me is something extremely important to point out,” Short said.

“I feel very strongly this is the right thing to do for public safety. It’s the right thing to do for our drainage. It is the right thing to do for the city of Anna Maria,” Murphy said.

While standing outside her home along North Shore Boulevard, city resident Lou Ann Williams said she was glad the parking spaces in front of her home were eliminated.

“I love the fact that they can’t park here anymore, for the simple fact that it is a hazard and there’s too many people. With so many people parking in my front yard, my family had nowhere to park,” Williams said.

WHEELS OFF PAVEMENT

The city commission was also presented with the first of two readings on another ordinance that, when adopted, will further clarify the city’s existing requirements that street-side parking occur with no wheels on the pavement.

The city’s code of ordinances already provides parking exceptions that allow landscaping trucks and other service vehicles to park in no parking zones. At the discretion of code enforcement officers, service vehicles are also allowed to park with tires on the pavement while actively providing service.

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Center reminds visitors of COVID-19 precautions ANNA MARIA – The Center of Anna Maria Island is open and welcoming both members and visitors to its facility in Anna Maria. However, all visitors to the campus are required to observe some COVID-19 safety procedures.

Everyone entering the building is required to wear a face mask when entering and leaving the building unless exempt by law. Those exempt from the requirement include children under the age of two, people with a health condition that prevents them from wearing a mask or face covering, people eating or drinking at a restaurant, people working in a business or profession that do not have physical interactions with others and people working who are able to practice safe social distancing. Otherwise, face masks or coverings are required when inside the building unless safely able to social distance during a class, in the fitness area or on a sports court.

Temperature checks are taken at the front desk prior to checking in and a liability waiver is required. Attendees are asked to use the available cleaning materials to wipe down equipment before and after use. Maintain at least 6 feet of social distancing between yourself and other. Bring your own water bottle, towel and yoga mat for fitness classes.

Senior members age 60 and older have a designated fitness area time daily between 2 and 4 p.m.

All fitness classes will take place in the gym to allow for easier social distancing. To view the fitness class and sports schedule, or for more information, visit www.centerami.org.

The Center is at 407 Magnolia Ave. in Anna Maria.

Passport program supported The city of Anna Maria has pledged $10,000 to support the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s forthcoming Passport Explorer promotion. On Tuesday, Nov. 24, Mayor Dan Murphy and commissioners Carol Carter, Jon Crane, Joe Muscatello and Mark Short unanimously supported the $10,000 funding request presented by AMI Chamber President Terri Kinder, Tyler’s Gourmet Ice Cream owner Dan Alderson and former Swordfish Grill General Manager Bob Slicker. The trio said they’d be presenting similar funding requests to the Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach commissions. When launched early next year, the Chamber’s Anna Maria Island/Cortez Fishing Village Passport Explorer program will encourage locals and visitors to visit participating businesses on Anna Maria Island and in Cortez to collect and accumulate enough passport stamps to earn a free commemorative T-shirt. Now managed by the Chamber, the 2021 Passport program is an Island-wide extension of the Cortez Passport program Alderson and Slicker originally helped launch in Cortez in 2018.

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Public records requests now online Public records requests can now be made online in Holmes Beach at the city’s website thanks to new software from MCCi Inc. of Tallahassee.

Commissioners voted unanimously Nov. 17 to accept a contract with MCCi for a three-year term after city staff was given six months to try out the software for free.

The new software not only allows the public to submit a records request online, but also allows city staff to enter in any requests received in person or over the phone

HAPPY

for easy tracking of records requests.

It also enables staff to share the requests among multiple staff members or departments if needed. And while requestors aren’t required to give their name or a reason for the public records request, they still do have to give staff a way to get the requested information to them. The annual subscription cost for the software is $4,050, a sum which Mayor Judy Titsworth said is already in the city’s budget for the current fiscal year.

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15

Code enforcement cases continue into the new year Several of the cases brought by Holmes Beach code compliance officers won’t be heard until January 2021.

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

HOLMES BEACH – City code compliance officers have a lot of open cases on the docket, but Special Magistrate Michael Connolly won’t hear them until January.

The first case that Connolly heard involved renting for improper length of stay and without a valid vacation rental certificate at the 515 75th St. property of Mohamad Waliagha.

Waliagha first said he was pleading guilty to the violations and then retracted the statement, saying he didn’t receive the notice for the Nov. 18 hearing until Nov. 14 and didn’t have time to prepare his arguments. He added that he doesn’t believe that his R-1 zoned property requires a vacation rental certificate to be rented.

Connolly agreed to move the hearing back to Jan. 21, 2021, however, he warned Waliagha that if his property

is found in violation of the city’s codes during that hearing he could be facing $500 per day fines dating back to the Nov. 10 notice of violation.

Other cases continued include five against individual unit owners at 102 39th St. with issues such as renting without a valid vacation rental certificate and inaccurate advertising for minimum night stay. A case against James Roadman and Brian Raulerson, owners of 401 72nd St., concerning stormwater management was also continued to the January hearing.

A case concerning the illuminated sign in a residential zone at the Anna Maria Beach Resort, previously known as the Blue Water Resort, was continued to a future hearing due to the changes to the city’s sign ordinance currently under consideration by Holmes Beach commissioners.

Code officers also asked for several other cases to be delayed to a future hearing due to various reasons specific to each issue. Two cases against the Bali Hai were delayed because the property is undergoing a site plan review that has to be addressed by city officials before other problems, such as work without a permit, can be discussed.

Code Officer James Thomas said his department is having an issue trying to contact the owner of 401 39th St. to discuss the issue of overgrowth on the property. While the property owner of record is Asquared Ones LLC, Thomas said all certified letters sent to the address on record had been returned to city hall. Connolly asked him to continue efforts to locate the owner.

At 305 73rd St., Louis Najmy, representing the owner, said there have been issues with the city’s building department with his client trying to obtain permits for remodeling. Building Official Neal Schwartz said Najmy’s client had submitted several different revisions of the permit request but had not addressed all of his concerns. Connolly said Najmy and Schwartz should work out the issues to get permits released for the restoration or demolition of the structure, which is considered unfit or unsafe under city codes, outside of the hearing.

At 3501 Gulf Drive, Schwartz said the owners are working with the city to get the unpermitted, below-base flood-level units demolished and that vacation rental certificates for the remaining units have been applied for. The only issue left to address, he said, is work

that was done incorrectly on some air conditioning units on the property.

For the property at 102 48th St., owned by Shawn and Jennifer Kaleta under the name of Beach to Bay Investments Inc., Connolly found the property owners to be repeat violators for renting for an improper length of stay. No fines were assessed at the Nov. 18 hearing.

Speaking on behalf of the owners, Najmy said he wasn’t prepared to argue the case. Connolly refused a continuance on the case as it was the second time it had come before him in a code compliance hearing.

Connolly also ruled against the owner of The Toy Barn, Travis Lance. After hearing arguments and testimony from city officials and from Lance and his attorney, Aaron Thomas, Connolly ruled that Lance violated his approved site plan for the business by storing excess vehicles onsite in parking spaces behind the building.

Lance was given 48 hours to remove the excess vehicles and park the allowed three rental vehicles in individual spaces parallel to the parking space, as allowed by the approved site plan.

The next code compliance hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Jan. 21 at Holmes Beach City Hall.

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OUTDOORS

DECEMBER 2, 2020

Learning to fly Reel Time RUSTY CHINNIS

I

often joke that I took up fly fishing so I wouldn’t catch many fish, and it seems to be working pretty well.

While uttered in jest, I wouldn’t suggest that anyone take up fly fishing to catch more fish. Still, I haven’t run into any seasoned fly anglers that decided to go back to fishing with live bait.

Fly fishing is first and foremost fly casting, and that’s what appealed to me - that and the thrill of casting to an individual target and working a fly to fool them into hitting. Adding to the satisfaction of a sight-fished tarpon, redfish or tripletail is tying the fly that fools them. Committing to catching fish on the fly is challenging, no doubt about

it, and even the most accomplished fly angler started with the basics and a dose of frustration.

This past week I had the pleasure of having longtime friends Benny and Hunter Parrish on the boat. The father and son duo are both committed to learning the art of fly casting.

Hunter recently relocated to Ft. Collins, Colorado, where he’s catching the “fever” on western trout streams.

Benny has had an interest in fly fishing for years, but it was this past summer while fishing with Hunter in Colorado that he discovered the most important element, a compelling reason - the opportunity to share this art with his son.

The day after Thanksgiving when we planned our outing, we were greeted with the best weather we’ve seen locally in more than a month - bright blue skies, light winds and clear Gulf waters. We started the morning running crab trap lines off Anna Maria Island as we made our way north towards the

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

Hunter Parrish landed a nice tripletail while fly fishing. mouth of Tampa Bay. About halfway there, we ran across a really nice tripletail laying on its side with its nose right on a crab trap line. Coming off plane, I dropped the trolling motor and headed back towards the float as Hunter got ready with his 8-weight outfit and

shrimp fly. The fly was rigged with a weed guard to prevent a hookup on the float or line. Tripletail are ambush feeders and lay on their sides to mimic seaweed that’s often trailing from the floats. Unlike most species, you need to strip the fly right into their face for the best chance at a bite.

Hunter got a take on the first cast but missed it, so we motored back around for another pass. This time the tripletail wouldn’t move off the line to take the fly, so I had Hunter make a cast that brought the fly right to its face. Even fish reluctant to feed can’t resist just having to open their mouth for an easy meal.

It took a couple of casts but when the fly entered the “sweet spot,” the fight was on. The tripletail made a strong run when it felt the hook and jumped clear of the water before making another run. It was a team effort as Hunter worked on line management issues as the fish ran back towards the boat and loose fly line wrapped around angler and boat. Our luck held and after getting the fish back on the line, we were able to land it.

SEE REEL TIME, PAGE 21

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DECEMBER 2, 2020

THE SUN

Bite heats up ahead of front CAPTAIN DAVE WHITE

The fishing has been absolutely stellar this past week.

There’s a mean winter front swooping down and the fish felt it coming. All varieties seemed to be gorging prior to the weather change.

Inshore, the snook, trout, redfish, black drum and Spanish mackerel are all readily eating. While just off the beaches, the little yunny, kingfish, tripletail and sharks were pretty dang easy to catch as well.

Offshore, we’ve been focused on hogfish, yellowtail, mangrove snapper, red grouper and the occasional bonus surprises like cobia and blackfin tuna. This weather will probably switch everything up, pushing the pilchards out, only to be replaced by sheepshead, black drum and pompano.

Thankfully, the fishing was stellar for our Thanksgiving crowd visiting our Island.

CAPTAIN RICK GRASSETT

Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with trout, Spanish mackerel and blues in Sarasota Bay and false albacore (little tunny) in the coastal

CAPTAIN DAVE WHITE | SUBMITTED

From left, Griffin Selden, Nick Martin and Pete Humphreys, some of the hard working crew of Air America, hoist a 50+ pound Cobia with Captain David White of Anna Maria Charters. They were lucky enough to land this fish on 20-lb test line and a tiny yellowtail jig after an hour and a half fight!

Gulf on flies and DOA Lures recently.

Trevor Harrison, from Rochester, N.Y., had a great trip catching and releasing numerous Spanish mackerel, trout and bluefish on Clouser flies while fishing Sarasota Bay with me. Fly and spin anglers also had good action with trout on flies and CAL jigs with shad tails on a couple of other trips in Sarasota Bay with me.

Conditions were near

perfect for a change when Greg Stepanski, from Tampa, fished the coastal Gulf with me. He had good action catching and releasing several false albacore on flies, CAL jigs with shad tails and plugs. We covered a lot of water before we found them late in the trip but it was worth the effort!

Fish the coastal Gulf for false albacore (little tunny), Spanish mackerel and tripletail when conditions are good. Fishing deep grass

REEL TIME: Learning to fly FROM PAGE 20

We saw a couple of smaller tripletail that day but were unable to get them to bite. Continuing with our plan, we poled the edges of a flat on Egmont

Key where we found schools of snook.

Once again, Hunter was on the bow and made a perfect cast to a group of cruising snook. As the fly passed in front of the fish, one 24-inch snook

flats of Sarasota Bay is also a good choice for action with a variety of species including trout, blues and Spanish mackerel. Shallow water action for reds and snook should be good as the water cools. Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by industrial, agricultural and residential runoff, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation. Please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

21

Fly fishing forecast for December You may find reds along with big trout concentrated in potholes, along the edges of bars or tailing on shallow grass flats on negative low tides this month. This is a good month for catch and release snook action around lighted docks in the ICW. Some lights will also have trout and reds making it possible to get a dock “slam”. There may also be good action in the coastal gulf with false albacore (little tunny), Spanish mackerel and tripletail, depending on conditions.

Snook, reds and spotted seatrout remain closed to harvest on the west coast of Florida. The Florida FWC has extended a temporary modification of regulations for reds, snook and trout, in the areas affected by the recent red tide. The area extends from Pasco County, south to the south bank of Gordon Pass in Collier County. Reds, snook and trout are catch and release only in that zone until May 31, 2021. Full details including exact boundaries can be found at https://myfwc.com/news/all-news/extendedcnr-220/.

However, catch and release snook fishing around lighted docks can be good this month unless it gets too cool. I won’t target snook following a strong cold front or if the water dips below 60 degrees, since they may be stressed at that time. However, it can be very good in December under normal conditions. Larger baitfish will thin out and snook will gorge themselves on glass minnows and small shrimp in the ICW at night. I like docks that have a good tidal flow and deep water under them. CAL jigs with shad tails and jerk worms, DOA Tiny TerrorEyz and DOA Shrimp are my favorite lures for snook at night.

Fly anglers should do well with sink tip fly lines and small white flies. Fish peak tidal flows for the fastest action.

You might find reds in potholes or along the edges of flats and bars on negative low tides. They may also tail on shallow grass when the tide is low. Weedless rigged CAL shad tails and 4” jerk worms, DOA Shrimp and lightly weighted flies with weed guards will work well in that situation.

broke from the ranks and attacked the baitfish pattern. This time Hunter cleared the line as the snook made its first run and then played the fish on the line, enjoying several strong runs and jumps. We fished the school a little longer, but the tide changed and they lost interest in biting, so we decided to call it a day.

While this was a great day of catching, it had its share of frustrations as father and son both struggled at times with the new tackle. I assured them that every fly caster has experienced the same and it’s sort of a “rite of passage” learning experience. It’s what every angler experiences if they are committed to learning to fly.

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THE SUN

REAL ESTATE

DECEMBER 2, 2020

National real estate markets better than ever T he first big holiday of the holiday season is behind us. We’ll find out soon if it results in more COVID-19 infections and will be thankful if we all came through it healthy. What we also need to be thankful for is the health of the nation’s real estate market, which is shockingly better than anyone would have thought in March.

National home sales rose to a 14-year high in October, representing the fifth straight monthly increase. Economists credit this phenomenon to both the super low cost of mortgage borrowing and the shift in lifestyle preferences resulting from the pandemic. This is one of the best stretches for the housing market in several years, accelerating what was an already good market before the pandemic.

Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s, commented that “In the pandemic, nothing has been more positively surprising than single-family housing.” He goes on to say, “This is a fundamental shift in housing preferences.” Families and singles are leaving large cities and purchasing single-family

Castles in the Sand

LOUISE BOLGER homes despite soaring home prices.

According to the National Association of Realtors, existing home sales rose 4.3% in October from September, and 26.6% from October this year compared to October last year. As a comparison, Manatee County single-family home sales increased by 48.4% from last October to this October as reported in last week’s column, almost double the national average.

In addition to a shift in lifestyles because of the pandemic, buyers are aided by mortgage rates now at their lowest level since Freddie Mac began tracking them in 1971. However, low interest rates are being somewhat offset by an increase in home prices and shortage of inventory making it

very challenging for first-time buyers to get into the market. This shortage of inventory could worsen in the coming months as COVID-19 cases increase, since some sellers will not place their homes on the market for fear of infection. This is especially true for older homeowners who may be ready to downsize but will not allow buyers or realtors in their homes.

New home construction is also benefiting from the busy real estate market. The S&P Homebuilders Select Industry index is up 24.2% this year. In addition, singlefamily home rentals are also increasing quickly, with families wanting a way out of crowded areas quickly. Overall, a good real estate market always increases consumer spending in general. Appliances, furniture, landscaping and a variety of decorative and other home goods benefit from people moving from one location to another and purchasing or renting new properties.

Like all new events in our collective lives, the pandemic has produced unique contingencies to real estate contracts and buyers

desperate for homes are going for it. Some of the more unusual contingencies I’ve read about include people who want to leave their pets with the house when they either can’t take them to their new location or they just feel it’s better for their pet to remain in familiar surroundings. Surprisingly, some buyers will agree to this especially if they’re pet lovers to begin with. Also, there’s crazy stuff like outdoor decorations and loved one’s ashes that can’t be removed, and home visits to pet graves in the yard the sellers are leaving. Most of these requests can be worked through without becoming part of the actual sales contract but it is just another oddity of what may well become the year none of us will ever forget.

As we look forward to Christmas and try to find a way to navigate through a reduction of festivities, we can at least be encouraged by the flourishing real estate market.

But be prepared if the seller you’re negotiating with wants Santa on the front porch as a permanent contingency. Stay safe.

DECEMBER 2, 2020

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23

Proposed Coryea termination prompts concerns, objections A vote on County Administrator Cheri Coryea’s potential termination will occur Jan. 6, or the following day if the discussion is continued.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

MANATEE COUNTY – Efforts to fire County Administrator Cheri Coryea have prompted objections and procedural concerns should the commission decide to terminate her from the position.

Newly-elected commissioners Kevin Van Ostenbridge, George Kruse and James Satcher, along with Commissioner Vanessa Baugh, voted unexpectedly on Nov. 19 to begin termination procedures against Coryea, who has worked for the county for more than 30 years.

Reactions include County Commissioner Misty Servia’s Nov. 23 email regarding Coryea’s possible termination, sent to several upper-level county staff members.

“I would like to add an item to the Dec. 15 agenda. In order to prepare for the possible firing of our county

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

On Nov. 19, County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge proposed terminating the county administrator.

County Administrator Cheri Coryea’s potential termination will be discussed and possibly decided on Wednesday, Jan. 6.

administrator on Jan. 6, I would like to understand the succession plan so that county business continues with limited interruptions. Below are the items I would like for our board to discuss to prepare for the possible termination of Administrator Coryea: • Do we have a succession plan that is a part of the ordinance that establishes the county administrator position?

• Who will be appointed in the interim until a permanent county administrator is hired?

• If one of the deputy county administrators is appointed as interim county administrator, will we need to appoint

an interim deputy county administrator? If so who will that be?

• Are there any other potential gaps in the organization that need to be considered to ensure seamless government operations?

• What process is envisioned for hiring the next county administrator? Will the public be involved?

• Are there any changes planned to the county administrator job description?"

County resident Shane Wedel emailed County Commissioner Carol Whitmore regarding Coryea’s potential severance pay.

“I have been looking at Ms. Coryea's publicly available contract. I noticed that Section II, 1, b, (2) indicates that Ms. Coryea would be due a severance payment for being let go without cause to be paid within 10 business days after the effective termination date.

Her contract stipulates that this would be 20 weeks of her pay plus accumulated leave payouts, which for such a long-standing employee is likely to be substantial,” Wedel wrote.

“This information would certainly be important for the public and for the rest of the board of county commissioners to be aware of. Hopefully, the newer members are aware of this stipulation in her contract. I believe the public deserves to be aware of this ‘responsible’ use of limited resources if it (Coryea’s termination) becomes reality,” Wedel wrote.

Whitmore referred Wedel’s comments to Human Resources Director Kim Stroud.

County Attorney Mickey Palmer distributed an email on Nov. 25 to county commissioners and others regarding the potential termination process.

SEE CORYEA, PAGE 28

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COVID: Commissioner returns from illness FROM PAGE 1

Muscatello, who’s retired, said he was fortunate that he didn’t have to miss work, get children off to school or deal with the other concerns working people have to contend with while recovering from the illness.

Muscatello said he had a 102-degree fever for three weeks, but was fortunate that he didn’t have to be hospitalized or be placed on a ventilator.

“And I’m not one of the 250,000 people who are now dead. My heart goes out to all those families,” he said.

“These damn people who won’t wear a mask… it’s personal to me now. I was worried about it before. Now that I’ve had it, I’m even more worried,” Muscatello said.

“I picked it up from an extended family member. I let my guard down for one day.

That’s all it takes.”

Muscatello said his main concern is the 1,500 residents who live in Anna Maria, but he’s also concerned about “the 20,000 that come here every week to have a good time.”

COMMISSION’S COVID CONCERNS

Muscatello discussed his personal experience after Commissioner Jon Crane expressed concerns about Gov. Ron DeSantis’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“You already know my feeling about the governor’s approach to relaxing COVID measures. I disagree with him,” Crane said.

“I’m been ruminating on this for a while and the other day I saw a number of mayors had written a letter to the governor saying, 'Let us have our powers back so we can protect our city.' I think we might want to consider some sort of resolution supporting

those mayors and our own need to exercise our home rule in protecting our citizens,” Crane said.

In September, DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-244, an order that prohibits city and county governments from imposing fines or other penalties on individuals who violate local COVID-19 orders or mandates.

That order also prevents local and county governments from limiting establishments with a food service license to less than 100% indoor capacity without quantifying the economic impact of each limitation or requirement placed on those restaurants and explaining why each limitation or requirement is necessary to protect public health.

On Nov. 24, DeSantis extended EO 20244 with the issuance of EO 20-297.

“We’re not able to enforce our mask ordinance,” Crane said.

“Because we can’t fine,” Mayor Dan Murphy added.

Crane said it was noted earlier during the meeting that Anna Maria businesses are, for the most part, doing a good job of enforcing their own mask requirements.

“I just think we ought to protect our people from visitors who are mask-defiant,” Crane said.

Murphy referenced the local emergency order he issued on Sept. 30 in response to DeSantis’ order – an order that reiterates a business owner's right to have a patron trespassed for refusing to wear a mask. At that time, Murphy issued a second order that requires masks or face coverings inside city hall, the city annex and at city events held at City Pier Park.

“The trespass order is actually more

effective than the fines because nobody wants to be trespassed. We’ve had incidents down at the farmers market and they’re quickly solved with the mention of trespassing,” Murphy said.

Muscatello asked Murphy if he was aware of any Anna Maria businesses trespassing a patron for not wearing a mask.

Murphy said he was not aware of that happening, but he is aware of customers being made cognizant that they could be trespassed.

Code Enforcement Manager Debbie Haynes mentioned an incident involving a patron who refused to wear a mask at the farmers market.

“A deputy came to address the situation,” Haynes said, noting it wasn’t a vendor who requested that action, but a member of the code enforcement department who was present at the time.

Murphy said a lady recently wanted to use the restroom inside city hall but didn’t want to wear a mask.

“She told me all the reasons I couldn’t make her put a mask on. I told her that I could, and I would, and she wasn’t going to use the bathroom. She yelled at me a little bit and I said you’ll have to use the bathroom somewhere else,” Murphy said.

“I’ll maintain my outrage. but I’ll withdraw my motion,” Crane said in regard to a city resolution.

“Jon, I’m right behind you on what we can do to convince this crazy-ass governor of ours to help us out,” Muscatello said before sharing his own COVID experience.

DECEMBER 2, 2020

Island reaches 145 COVID-19 cases

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – At some point this week, Florida will become the third state to top 1 million total COVID-19 cases, according to the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

On Anna Maria Island, 145 cases have been reported since the outbreak began in March through November. Of those, 77 cases were reported in Holmes Beach, 42 in Bradenton Beach and 26 in Anna Maria, according to the Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Dashboard.

Eleven cases have been reported in Cortez, 80 cases have been reported in the Manatee County portion of Longboat Key and 11,069 cases have been reported in Bradenton.

A positive COVID-19 test is reported and attributed to the positive person's home address and home zip code. A person who works on Anna Maria Island but lives in Bradenton would be reported as a Bradenton case. An out-of-county visitor would be reported as a nonresident.

Between Sunday, Nov. 22 and Saturday, Nov. 28, 955 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Manatee County. The most recent daily percent positive of those tested in a single day was 7.34%.

A total of 16,480 Manatee County residents and 223 non-residents have tested positive in Manatee County since March.

To date, there have been 967 COVIDrelated hospitalizations and 371 deaths reported in Manatee County.

www.amisun.com

DECEMBER 2, 2020

THE SUN

25

Floating dock open, pier remains partially closed The floating dock next to the Bridge Street Pier is open again. The four sailboats that sank near the dock during Tropical Storm Eta on Nov. 11 were removed by TSI Disaster Recovery the following week.

The boat removals were funded by the West Coast Inland Navigation District. According to Mayor John Chappie, the large catamaran that sank south of the pier will also be removed at WCIND’s expense. The large sailboat that came to rest near the city-owned dinghy dock was removed by its owner.

The east end of the Bridge Street Pier, including the T-end deck area, remains closed pending repairs to the TREX decking and the support beam, which were struck by at least one of the sailboats that broke loose during the tropical storm. The sailboat that sank near the west end of the state-owned Cortez Bridge has not yet been removed and that future removal remains under the jurisdiction of the state.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Clockwise above, the east end of the Bridge Street Pier remains closed pending still-needed repairs. The sailboat that sank near the Cortez Bridge remains in its current resting place. The catamaran that sank south of the pier is slated for future removal. The east end of the pier remains closed while awaiting repairs to the damaged decking and support beam. The floating dock next to the Bridge Street Pier is open again.

LOCALLY KNOWN. GLOBALLY CONNECTED. SINCE 1976.

BAY PALMS 519 72nd Street Alison Elizalde & Becky Sirigotis 941-951-6660 A4478680 $1,350,000

COVE SOUND YACHT CLUB 12903 Yacht Club Place Gregory Zies & Kathy Valente 941-779-3081 A4455943 $1,200,000

AQUARIUS CLUB 1701 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 604 Michael Moulton 941-928-3559 A4475907 $875,000

MAINSAIL BEACH INN 107 66th Street 12 Kristi Berger & Deborah Capobianco 941-730-3801 A4452254 $870,000

KEY ROYALE 718 Key Royale Drive Hannah Hillyard & Johann Bertram 941-744-7358 A4480381 $2,400,000

MARINA WALK ON HARBOUR ISLE 383 Aruba Circle 201 Hannah Hillyard 941-744-7358 A4466540 $570,000

MAINSAIL BEACH INN 103 66th Street 10 Kristi Berger & Deborah Capobianco 941-730-3801 A4452245 $567,125

TIDY ISLAND 51 Tidy Island Boulevard Kathy Marshall 941-900-9777 A4469997 $524,999

SLEEPY LAGOON 586 Lyons Lane Jodene Moneuse 941-302-4913 A4482606 $925,000

SANCTUARY 565 Sanctuary Drive A203 Ian Addy, PA 941-961-8850 A4481722 $910,000

TIDY ISLAND 73 Tidy Island Boulevard Kathy Valente & Gregory Zies, LLC 941-685-6767 A4477926 $670,000

MAINSAIL BEACH INN 101 66th Street 6 Kristi Berger & Deborah Capobianco 941-730-3801 A4452260 $595,000

RAINTREE CONDO 2901 26th Street W 615 Louise Hollander 941-224-4483 A4477164 $115,000

RIVERSIDE POINT 5473 56th Court E Tyler Hardy 941-201-8505 A4479661 $639,900

NEW CONSTRUCTION

MSC MORTGAGE | MSC TITLE | MS&C COMMERCIAL NEW HOMES & CONDOMINIUMS

PALMA SOLA BAY CLUB 7710 34th Avenue W 301 Hannah Hillyard 941-744-7358 A4481045 $414,900

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM

26

www.amisun.com

THE SUN

DECEMBER 2, 2020

Privateers bring Christmas to foster kids The Anna Maria Island Privateers have created a donation wish list at Amazon.com.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Anna Maria Island Privateers are teaming up with Keller Williams Suncoast Realty and others to provide “A COVID Christmas” for at least 50 foster care kids and teens in Manatee County.

Out of precaution, attendance to the Saturday, Dec. 12 event taking place at the Keller Williams office in Lakewood Ranch will be limited to volunteers, Santa Claus, foster care recipients and their foster families.

According to Privateers’ Liaison Officer Tim “Hammer” Thompson, each foster family will have a scheduled time to pick up their presents – and sadly, no one will be allowed to sit on Santa’s lap this year.

“Normally the Anna Maria Island Privateers adopt three Christmas families but with the pandemic we know that there's more children out there that

JOE HENDRICKS | SUBMITTED

The Privateer’s flagship, the Skullywag, is back on the road again and it serves as a mobile symbol of the organization’s ongoing mission to help local kids. need help this year,” says the Privateers’ press release.

The Privateers seek the community’s support by purchasing and donating clothing, toys, books, games and more.

“There’s over 600 children in Manatee County in the foster care system, so our goal is to help at least 50 kids. If you could find it in your heart to adopt just one child, or even a family, there’s a link you can click on for our Amazon wish list,” the press release notes.

The Privateers’ Amazon Wish List can be found at: https:// www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ ls/2DUU3JQ2L9IL3/ref=cm_go_

nav_hz The Privateers have been asked to post the wish list link at the Anna Maria Island Privateers Facebook page and at the Privateers’ website, www.amiprivateers.org.

Arrangements can also be made to pick up donated new and unwrapped toys and other items purchased locally by calling Privateer Mellissa “Don’a Bella” Van Deusen at 863-6777666, or emailing her at mgunther105@gmail.com. Van Deusen can also assist those who wish to make a cash contribution instead.

PARKING: Penalties increasing in Holmes Beach FROM PAGE 10

spaces; 1,261 nonpermit spots remain available to the public within a quarter-mile of the beach, as well as 642 spots for resident, permit-only parking until 5 p.m.

Chief Bill Tokajer said the city has well over the roughly 500 parking spots needed to be granted beach renourishment funds.

During the city commission meeting, Titsworth addressed the comments brought up by county commissioners during their meeting.

Titsworth said she was not given

notice by county commissioners that parking in Holmes Beach would be discussed during their meeting and didn’t have a chance to speak on the city’s behalf to correct the statements made during their meeting. During her city’s meeting, she reiterated that she’d spoken with county officials when parking restrictions were being discussed and that they were comfortable with the 500 spaces offered for beach renourishment.

She said the 500 spaces required per an interlocal agreement be-

tween Holmes Beach and Manatee County was approved by Florida state officials. The city is legally required to have 378 spaces to receive beach renourishment funds.

Tokajer thanked Titsworth for her quick response and clarification of the issue of parking spaces, adding “the way that county commissioners and county employees treated this city in their meeting today is just shocking and appalling at the least. I’ll leave it at that.”

DECEMBER 2, 2020

www.amisun.com

THE SUN

27

SETTLEMENT: Bradenton Beach receives $350,000 FROM PAGE 5

“It dismisses everything as it relates to her. She is not a party to the appeal,” Perry said.

“Defendant Shay acknowledges she had concerns about the application of the Sunshine Law as it relates to the meetings at issue in this case, and further acknowledges that errors were made as it relates to the Sunshine Law,” Perry said when reading aloud the settlement agreement language.

“That was a very important piece of information the city wanted to make sure was addressed. There was compensation provided for the error, but there was an admission that the Sunshine Law had not been complied with,” Perry said.

The commission unanimously ap-

proved Shay’s settlement agreement.

Perry said paralegal Michael Barfield expected a call later from the Vincents later that day regarding individual settlement agreements similar to Shay’s.

“I expect they will execute the same settlement agreement with the same admission that Ms. Shay did.

The Vincents are part of the appeal.

They would be obligated also to release us and terminate all proceedings in the underlying case,” Perry said.

The commission authorized Chappie to accept and execute the Vincents’ settlement agreements when received.

After the Nov. 19 meeting, Perry was asked about Mapes’ settlement status.

We did what we’re supposed to do with protecting the transparency of the government, and the taxpayers are being reimbursed.”

Jake Spooner Vice mayor “The city commission has authorized me to make a settlement offer to Mr. Mapes. Communication will be made to Mr. Mapes following the execution of the settlement agreements with John Metz, Tjet Martin, Bill and Rose Vincent and Patty Shay,” Perry said.

When contacted last week, Barfield said the Vincents’ settlement agreements had been finalized.

As of Sunday, Mapes remained the lone defendant still appealing Nicholas’ 2019 ruling.

On Nov. 24, Mapes sent Perry an email saying he would agree to the same settlement terms reached with the Vincents.

“I will dismiss my appeal with

prejudice. I will need a response to this by Monday, Nov. 30, so that my attorney has time to file the necessary appellate paperwork,” Mapes wrote in his email.

Mapes’ settlement offer has not yet been presented to the city commission, which meets again on Thursday, Dec. 3.

“It is the commission’s expectation to make the public whole and Reed’s offer fails to do so,” Perry said regarding Mapes’ offer.

“He will remain solely responsible for all future costs to fight the appeal, and for any costs upheld or awarded by the Second DCA,” she noted.

28

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THE SUN

DECEMBER 2, 2020

CORYEA: Proposed termination prompts concerns, objections FROM PAGE 23

“This is information that I will be prepared to share with the BCC at the Board’s December 15 meeting. But there is no time like the present, I suppose. By copy of this reply to personnel in both Human Resources and Payroll (a division of the Clerk’s Office), I am asking them to run the calculations with a projected termination date of Jan. 6. My preference would be that the folks in Payroll and HR be of one mind on the calculations, and that the calculations be forwarded to me as promptly as they are completed.”

Also on that date, Manatee County Government Agenda Coordinator Diane Vollmer distributed an email to county commissioners, Coryea and several other staff members regarding the Jan. 6 discussion.

“Inasmuch as there is a legislative delegation meeting scheduled in the Longboat Key Room at the Convention Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 6, the special meeting to vote to terminate the county administrator’s contract has been scheduled for that afternoon from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. In the event the meeting is not concluded at that time, it will be continued to 5 p.m. on Jan. 7, following the land use meeting,” Vollmer wrote.

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS SUPPORTS CORYEA

League of Women Voters of Manatee County President Alice Newlon sent Whitmore an email on Nov. 27 stating the League's position on the proposed termination.

"The League of Women Voters has actively worked supporting good governance for the last 100 years.

We oppose the actions taken by the four county commissioners (Vanessa Baugh, George Kruse, James Satcher and Kevin Van Ostenbridge) at the Nov. 19 meeting where they: 1) improperly brought up and voted on, with no public notice or notice to their fellow commissioners, significant changes to county operations; 2) came with and passed a resolution allowing the commission, by majority vote, to ignore procedures designed to allow public notice and input and 3) voted to initiate the termination of Cheri Coryea, without notice, without cause and without any forethought of the community repercussions,” Newlon wrote.

"We hear that those who voted to terminate the administrator want to run our county like a business and take the county in a new direction. However, county government has a differ-

IN BRIEF New commissioner Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and Commissioner Mark Short will be sworn in to their new two-year terms in office during the organizational meeting taking place at city hall at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3. The four sitting commissioners will then appoint a fifth commission member to fill the two-year term vacated by former Commissioner Amy Tripp. Anna Maria residents Doris Sebring and Sharon Wisniewski applied to fill commission seat and one of them will be appointed on Thursday.

City buildings getting UV air scrubbers The Bradenton Beach City Commission has authorized Air America to install ultraviolet air scrubbers in the HVAC systems at all cityowned buildings. The commission authorized the expenditure during its Nov. 19 meeting. Public Works Director Tom Woodard said he received three comparable bids and Air America’s was the lowest at $6,444.00.

Woodard said the city will receive CARES Act funds from Manatee County to cover the cost of the air scrubber installations. “They kill more than COVID. They kill all kinds of germs,” Woodard told the commission.

What process is envisioned for hiring the next county administrator? Will the public be involved?”

Misty Servia, Manatee County Commissioner ent structure and purpose than that of a business. As a business, making a profit is the primary goal.

"In contrast, a county government operates any services, not for profit, but for the well-being of its citizens.

The similarity? Both businesses and government retain high-performance employees. What they normally do not do is fire without prior warning, using a weak excuse.

"A recent decision to remove our county administrator during an already precarious time in the life of our community – the disruption of COVID-19 – is destabilizing and serves to create increased uncertainty.

"The loss of Manatee County Administrator Cheri Coryea would be a great loss to our county, considering her excellent work and high ratings by her

supervisors and praise from those who worked with her.

"As an employee for over 30 years, she served in a number of positions, doing well for the county, its communities and its citizens, always improving what she found. She has been called the best county manager in the state.

"We urge you to return to the procedures that have created a government allowing for proper research, planning and notice.

"We also urge you to reverse the rash decision to terminate Cheri Coryea and instead take the time to reassess, in collaboration with the many entities of this community, and develop a long term strategy that will help all of Manatee County and its residents continue to thrive, ” Newlon's letter said in conclusion.

DECEMBER 2, 2020

FUN IN THE SUN

Across 1 Ticket category 6 Goggle 10 Request to a prospective guest 14 "Paint It Black" instrument 15 "That's a shame" 16 "East of Eden" director Kazan 17 Solo's favorite sandwiches?

19 "The Persistence of Memory" painter 20 1914 battle river 21 Side in some all-star games 22 Didn't dawdle 23 __ loss for words 25 Digging 27 Vader's favorite treat?

34 Automne preceder 35 Refrain 36 Cabeza, across the Answers to 11-25-20 Crossword Puzzle.

Pyrenees 38 Busy, busy, busy 40 "Friendly Skies" co.

41 X-rated material 42 Jasmine __ 43 Not on the level 46 BlackBerry, e.g.

47 Wookiee's favorite dessert?

50 Protective cover 51 CanapĂŠ topper 52 Hit gently 55 Actor Hemsworth 58 Soak up the sun 62 Rapper with a beverage-like name 63 Hutt's favorite beverage?

65 No ally of Asta 66 Uptight 67 Put to rest 68 What "F" may mean 69 Modest response to praise

THE SUN

70 Brigantine's pair Down 1 Far from ruddy 2 "Buenos __" 3 "Cure Ignorance" online anthology 4 Unwitting test taker 5 Capote nickname 6 "Born This Way" Lady 7 Tavern pours 8 Hard to please 9 Double curve 10 Revolutionary soldiers 11 Deck chair piece 12 Beneath contempt 13 Treated 18 Part of a boxer's "tale of the tape" 22 The NHL's Thrashers 24 Cannabis compound 26 Discouraging words 27 Honey 28 Room at the top 29 1990s Labor secretary 30 Boston fern, e.g.

31 Sonicare rival 32 Piano practice concerns 33 Piano practice piece 37 Share-a-ride updates, briefly 39 Stay dry 43 Balloon filler 44 Bellini opera 45 Wee hour

48 Blanched 49 One of six awards for Ursula Le Guin 52 Minor argument 53 Free speech org.

54 Zest

56 Support beam 57 Well 59 Is home sick, maybe 60 "Go on, git!"

61 Custodian's ringfull 63 __ alai

64 Improv session

29

30

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CLASSIFIED

ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMPUTER SERVICES

FISHING CHARTERS

ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH Poinsettia Sale Sunday, December 6th 8:00 -12:00 248 S. Harbor Dr. Holmes Beach

EMPIRE COMPUTER SERVICE Computer problems fixed in your home or office. The fastest friendliest service around. Serving the Island since 2004. Call 941-739-6424

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

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

BOATS BOATS ARE SELLING VERY WELL. No Listing Agreements. No Time Constraints, Just Easy 20 years, Excellent Reputation, Hundreds of Boats Sold. Islandboatsales.net 941228-3489

CARPET CLEANING QUALITY COUNTS. CARPET cleaning. Upholstery cleaning. Tile & grout cleaning.

Island's favorite cleaner.

Manatee Chamber Member.

Great price/free estimates.

Call 941-756-1082

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

COMMERCIAL SALES, RENT & LEASE 13 UNIT RESORT: $3,999,900 Bradenton Beach on Gulf Dr. WAREHOUSE: 9300 sq ft possible Machine Shop w/ Heavy Duty Elect. Or Car Storage. So many Possibilities. Near SRQ Airport. $595,000. Island Real Estate call Alan Galletto 941-232-2216

Call us today! 941-778-3986

EMPLOYMENT FEMALE HOME HEALTH AIDE WANTED. Experienced CNA or equivalent. 20-25 hours per week. Mid-December through mid-March.

Bradenton/Palma Sola.

Phone 312-933-1577 for this excellent position.

SOLO’S PIZZA LOOKING for part time evening cook.

Call 941-778-8118.

TIMBER CREEK GOLF COURSE challenging scenic Par 3. PT pro shop/cashier position. Golf privileges included. Call Dave 941405-9199 HOTEL ON ANNA MARIA seeking Housekeeper Full time, Part time. Must have two years experience. We drug test.

Must speak English. If no Answer, leave message.

813-735-4373.

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 tourism-driven 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.

FOR SALE Malone Auto Racks MicroSport Trailer.

Kayak Transport Package with 4 Malone J-Pro2 Kayak Carriers. $500.00. Like new.

410-365-902

GARAGE, MOVING, RUMMAGE & YARD SALES ROSER THRIFT SHOP ANNEX YARD SALE DEC. 5th, Open 8:30am- 1p.m.

There will be lots of items, including Christmas Trees, lights, decorations, kitchen items, linens and clothing bargains.

511 Pine Ave., Anna Maria.

Across from Roser Chapel.

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

Neil 941-726-3077 RENOVATION SPECALIST ALL carpentry repairs, Wash Family Construction, locally owned and operated CBC 1258250 Call 941-7250073.

KERN CONSTRUCTION NEW Homes & Remodel.

Design/Build. Since 1968.

License # CBC 1261150.

Call Mike Kern 941-7781115 MASTER CARPENTER. Decks-Docks-FencingStairs & Railing. Free Estimates. Handyman Work. Call Richard 941448-3571 JSAN CORPORATION Renovations Construction & Handyman Services 941-243-0995 Lic# CRC1332505 jsancorporation@gmail. com Flooring, Drywall, Painting, Repairs, Kitchen and Bathrooms, Trim & Doors.

Free Estimates. Credit Cards Accepted.

ISLE TILE EXPERT INSTALLATION of floors, custom showers, backsplash, deck/lanai.

Licensed and insured.

References available.

Call Chris at 941-3028759 please visit website: isletileservices.com

DECEMBER 2, 2020

HAMMERED HOMES (Saving Homes since 1984) All Handyman services & building consulting. Free Estimates & Advice. Call before making decision, save money. 941-778-3206 HOME IMPROVEMENT Michigan General Contractor 30+ yrs. experience. Large or small projects. Budget minded knowledgeable tradesman will complete your project start to finish: On Time/On Budget. Call Mike 616-204-8822.

HOME SERVICES THE HARDWOOD STOP Flooring installation services; Laminate, hardwood, vinyl and tile. Bathroom and shower. Virtually dustless FLOOR REMOVAL License and insured FREE ESTIMATES 941-227-0041 www.thehardwoodstop. com

LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE R. GAROFALO’S Interlocking brick pavers, driveways, patios, pool decks. Free estimates. Licensed & Insured.

Call Rafael 941-778-4823 or Veronik 941-526-7941 STRAIGHT SHOT LANDSCAPE. Specializing in Old Florida Seashell driveways and scapes. Also Rock, Mulch, & Soil. Free estimates. Call Shark Mark 941-301-6067 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.

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

PAINTING & WALLCOVERING

REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE

PAINT! PAINT! AND MORE 28 years of experienced interior/exterior custom painting. Pressure cleaning, drywall repairs and texture finishes. Many Island references. Please call Neil for free estimates.

941-812-0507

CANAL FRONT HOMES Holmes Beach – GULF FRONT CONDOS Gulf Place, L’Plage, Vista Grande, SPW, 5400 – DUPLEXES & MORE Island Real Estate ASK Alan Galletto 941232-2216

“WIZARD OF WALLS” Established 1980 Prompt quality service.

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

Quality Workmanship.

Interior/Exterior. Also minor repairs & carpentry. Free written detailed estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315 CUSTOM PAINTING, Residential-Commercial, Interior/Exterior Professional quality work for over 40 years. Free estimates.

Call Larry at 941-400-8754.

References available.

40 YEARS EXPERIENCE. Professional and quality painting interior or exterior.

Many local references, insured, and free estimates.

Call Rick at 941-932-0940.

POOL SERVICES FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE AND CHEMICAL SERVICES. Certified Pool Operator. 10 + Years Experience.

Residential/commercial. Chemical Service Licensed & Insured. Call Dennis Clark 941-7375657 COLE'S TROPICAL POOL SERVICE Call Cole Bowers for all your pool maintenance needs! Affordable and Dependable!! 941-7131893

PRESSURE WASHING & WINDOWS AUTHORITY ONE CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Construction, Vacation, VRBO Rentals . Also available Pressure Washing, Roof Cleaning, Paver Sealing and Windows. Call 941565-3931.

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 REALTOR FOR HIRE. Are you looking for a results driven Realtor to sell your home or condo?

16 Years experience & proven track record of success. USAF Veteran.

Call Kelly Gitt Keller Williams Realty 941.357.

GITT(4488)

RENTALS: ANNUAL ANNUAL RENTAL: Sabal Palms Garden, Close to Anna Maria Island nice 2BR/2BA first floor.

Condo, pool, clubhouse, Available Jan. 1st. $1,300/mo. 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 513-382-1992.

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.

AMISUN.COM

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DECEMBER 2, 2020

BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY COMPUTER SERVICE

HOME IMPROVEMENT

THE SUN

Call today to place your ad: 941-778-3986 HOME SERVICES

PET SITTING

HOME IMPROVEMENT

PAINTING

TRANSPORTATION

RENTALS: ANNUAL 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. BUNGALOW. WiFi & utilities included. Washer/dryer, Steps to Beach & intracoastal. Mini loft. $1395/mo. First, last & $500 deposit. Call 941-7411096

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

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 UPSTAIRS APARTMENT AVAILABLE DecemberApril. 2BR/1BA West of Gulf Drive. Anna Maria City 941-778-4499 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

AMISUN.COM

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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DECEMBER 2, 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