- Named Best Florida Newspaper In Its Class -
VOL 20 No. 17
February 5, 2020
Vacation rental bills progressing at varied paces State legislators are again trying to take away cities’ home rule rights when it comes to regulating vacation rentals. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
Traffic shifts cause Gulf Drive delays JAKE SPOONER | SUBMITTED
The Gulf Drive traffic shifts that began early last week near Sixth Street South, south of the Bridge Street intersection, continued when the new week began. Gulf Drive traffic traveling in both directions is temporarily being shifted to the west. This results in southbound traffic being redirected onto the unpaved Cortez Beach parking lot. The traffic shifts are part of the Manatee County Force Main 1 pipeline replacement project. When contacted Monday, Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale said the police department did not receive advance notice of the traffic shifts. “The way they redirected the traffic has caused some issues with tractor trailers that couldn’t make it through there. This time of year, any type of work on Gulf Drive is going to affect traffic in a negative way,” Speciale said, noting he did not know when the traffic shifts would end.
TALLAHASSEE – Two bills filed by Florida legislators during the 2020 legislative session seek to strip local governments of their ability to regulate vacation rentals. As was the case in recent years, with no success, the matching House and Senate bills again seek to give the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) the sole authority to regulate short-term vacation rentals. This year’s efforts also include a new twist – providing the state and DBPR the sole authority to regulate vacation rental advertising, with a focus on online rental platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO. To become state law, matching bills must be adopted by the House and Senate during the 60-day legislative session scheduled to end on March 13. SEE BILLS, PAGE 32
Anna Maria enacts scooter moratorium Anna Maria’s temporary scooter moratorium does not impact electric bikes or scoot coupes. JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – The city now has a six-month moratorium in effect prohibiting the rental or use of small electric scooters and other micro-mobility devices. The temporary moratorium took effect Thursday, Jan. 23,
INSIDE NEWS 4 CALENDAR 7 OUTDOORS 22 RESTAURANTS 27 REAL ESTATE 28-33 SPORTS 34 CROSSWORD 36
when the City Commission unanimously adopted Ordinance 20-860. The moratorium gives the city 180 days to develop its permanent micromobility regulations. The moratorium temporarily prohibits the rental and use of motorized scooters whether they are privately owned or made available commercially through an online reservation. The moratorium does not apply to electric bicycles or scoot coupes. During the moratorium, the city will not process or issue any permits for micro-mobility
hubs or the offering of for hire micro-mobility devices and/or motorized scooters. The city ordinance notes city staff is aware that in other cities public safety and welfare has been negatively impacted by the unregulated use motorized scooters. The moratorium will terminate 180 days after its adoption, unless the city commission rescinds or extends its. When discussing the moratorium, Anna Maria officials also raised questions about SEE MORATORIUM, PAGE 29
MAGDA EHLERS/PEXELS.COM | SUBMITTED
Small electric scooters and other micro-mobility devices are temporarily prohibited in Anna Maria.
AMI Garden Club
CORTEZ Commercial Fishing Festi-
Fashion Show delights sellout crowd at Roser Community Church. 11
val will benefit FISH Preserve. 3
Anna Maria Island, Florida
PROPOSED fish farm in Gulf
prompts skepticism, criticism. 22
The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper www.amisun.com
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FEBRUARY 5, 2020
FEBRUARY 5, 2020
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Catch the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com
CORTEZ –The 38th Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival on Feb. 1516 won’t just be a great weekend event, it will help support a great cause – the FISH Preserve. The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) has been purchasing the 100-acre preserve a parcel at a time for four decades, systematically clearing the land of invasive, non-native vegetation like Brazilian peppers and Australian pines and planting mangroves and other native plants. Bordered by Sarasota Bay to the south, Cortez Road to the north, mobile homes to the east and the fishing village of Cortez to the west, the restored mangrove wetland habitat was once an unofficial trash dump, with old tires, large appliances and even boats that FISH has removed. FISH also was recently able to purchase a problematic parcel in the middle of the preserve that threatened to break up the preserve if the owners had built a planned home there. Festivalgoers who park at the FISH Preserve parking area will get a glimpse
CINDY LANE | SUN
The FISH Preserve is the beneficiary of the proceeds from the festival. of the habitat restoration in progress. The Boy Scouts – who have built foot bridges in the FISH Preserve to provide access to the interior of the preserve – will offer on-site parking for $5 at the preserve, located one block east of the village off Cortez Road. A park-and-ride shuttle is available on an MCAT shuttle bus for $3 round SEE FESTIVAL, PAGE 4
THE SUN
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ISLAND NEWS
IN BRIEF
Historical society luncheon set The Anna Maria Island Historical Society will hold its annual luncheon and election of officers and board members on Feb. 14 at Roser Church Fellowship Hall, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, at noon. The event is open to the public. Nationally known speaker Rick (Patrick Jr.) Smith, son of Patrick Smith, will present a multi-media production on his father’s well-known work, “A Land Remembered.” He has incorporated more than 50 videos that he created to illustrate the fascinating events that led his father to write historical novels. Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers. For reservations call the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum at 941-778-0492 or email amihs4315@gmail.com.
Center launches new senior program The Center of Anna Maria Island is teaming up with Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee to offer a Friendship Dining Program on the Island. The new program creates a satellite dining location at The Center and provides hot, nutritious meals to seniors seeking a fun dining experience and an opportunity to meet new friends. The program is presented to the community utilizing a grant from the Older Americans Act through the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Senior Connection Center. This is the third Friendship Dining Center through Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee to open in Manatee County. To kick off the new initiative, The Center is hosting an informational event at 10 a.m. on Feb. 7. The event will include program demonstrations and information on how community members can take part in future dining experiences. For more information, contact The Center at 941-7781908. The Center is at 407 Magnolia Ave. in Anna Maria.
Third graders perform Dinner and a musical are on tap for Tuesday, Feb.11 at Anna Maria Elementary School. First comes the PTO Dinner, sponsored by Isola Bella Italian Eatery. The menu calls for meatballs and marinara with penne pasta, house salad with Italian vinaigrette, garlic bread and dessert for a donation. Adults pay $8, and kids eat for $5; dinner begins at 5 p.m. The musical “Jukebox Time Machine” starts at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free. Pre-order before 3 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 10, to be entered into a drawing for an Isola Bella gift certificate.
A call for volunteers The Anna Maria Island Art League is seeking volunteers for its 32nd Annual Springfest, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, March 7 and 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The success of Springfest relies on a squad of volunteers to help with all sorts of tasks throughout the weekend, including selling food tickets, staffing the hospitality booth, selling raffle tickets and being booth sitters. Organizers are looking for volunteers who could spend an hour or more. To volunteer call Fran at 941-778-2099 or email artleagueami@gmail.com.
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FEBRUARY 5, 2020
Center finances looking up
Halfway through the fiscal year, The Center is bringing in numbers well above budget. BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – The good news keeps rolling in for The Center of Anna Maria Island. During a Jan. 27 board meeting, Executive Director Chris Culhane said that the nonprofit was host to 450-500 people for the Starship concert held Jan. 23 as a part of The Center’s second annual concert series. Director of Development Jim McDaniel added that The Center’s Go Green initiative is going well with 107 mini reefs purchased to be installed in local waters. He said the nonprofit plans to collaborate with Mote Marine
Laboratory and hopefully with other organizations for research purposes using the reefs. “It’s just a win-win for everybody,” he said, adding that the mini reef project had been far-reaching with people contacting The Center from other states about the reefs. The big news during the board meeting is that The Center is reaching and exceeding the financial goals set out in this fiscal year’s budget. “The Center is better than budget,” Culhane announced. With membership and program revenue up, he said the nonprofit came in at $50,000 in revenue over budget just for the month of December. With the winter high season in full swing, Culhane said that he expects to see the numbers continue to improve over the coming months. The Center is planned to end the fiscal year June 30 with $20,000 in the
bank. In year to date numbers, from July 1 to Dec. 31, 2019, a net ordinary income loss of $112,832, $82,997 over budget and $100,304 higher than the previous fiscal year. Total net income came in at -$68,820, $50,839 over a budgeted -$119,660 after expenses. Fundraising ended December at $63,956 after expenses, $36,070 over budget. Program revenue came in at $90,239, $31,969 over budget and $109,243 over the previous fiscal year. Center board Chair David Zaccagnino said that he expects The Center’s cash flow levels to return to normal over the coming weeks and anticipates meeting the nonprofit’s goal of ending another fiscal year in the black in June. For more information on The Center or to view the most recent financial statements, visit www.centerami.org.
FESTIVAL: Catch the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival FROM PAGE 3
trip from two locations, G.T. Bray Park, 5502 33rd Ave. Drive W., Bradenton (turn east off 59th Street onto 33rd Avenue Drive) or at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island. On Saturday only, a free park-and-ride shuttle will be available from the Cortez Baptist Church, 4411 100th St. W. on Cortez Road, 1 1/2 miles east of the festival. For more information, visit www.cortez-fish.org.
IF YOU GO
Who: Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) What: The 38th Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival, featuring fresh seafood, live music, nautical and environmental art, marine life dock talks, kids’ activities and an interactive display including recordings from NOAA’s Voices from the Fisheries, part of the Vanishing Culture Project
When: The weekend of Feb. 15-16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days Where: Enter at the Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez or the FISH Preserve one block east Why: Support the FISH Preserve
MUSIC SCHEDULE SATURDAY, FEB. 15
10-11 a.m. - Shanty Singers 11:30-1 p.m. - Doug Demming 1-1:30 p.m. - Awards and introductions 2-4 p.m. - Eric Von Band 4:30-6 p.m.- Jason Haram
SUNDAY, FEB. 16
10:30-noon - Soupy Davis and his Band 12.30-2 p.m. - Koko Ray Show 2:30-4 p.m. - Karen and Jimmy Band 4:30-6 p.m. - Ted Stevens & the Doo Shots 1-5 p.m. - Eric Von on the Bratton store porch
York named Citizen of the Year
Anna Maria resident Dick York was recently named as one of the city of Anna Maria’s two Citizens of the Year for 2019. A photo of York was not available in time for last week’s story in The Sun. DICK YORK | SUBMITTED
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FEBRUARY 5, 2020
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Aqua by the Bay hearing Thursday The developer is currently required to get County Commission approval for additional phases of residential construction.
residential units to be built. Excavation work is also taking place at the northwest end of the property, near the pasture where several cows currently live.
BY JOE HENDRICKS
Approved by county commissioners on Oct. 3, 2017, the zoning ordinance Beruff seeks to amend includes stipulation A.17, which reads as follows: “Subsequent residential dwelling units, upon completion of the first 750 residential dwelling units, shall require further approval by the Board of County Commissioners at a public hearing prior to, or as part of, Preliminary Site Plan approval, in increments of 750 units or more. Any approval shall be in conformance with Stipulation A.16.” Commissioners were provided with a county staff report prior to Thursday’s meeting. “Staff finds the language in Stipulation A.17 to be unclear and problematic relative to timing as to when the project is required to return to the Board of County Commissioners. Staff believes the timing of ‘completion’ is too late in
STIPULATION LANGUAGE
SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
BRADENTON – On Thursday, Feb. 6, Manatee County Commissioners will discuss Aqua by the Bay developer Carlos Beruff’s request to delete a development stipulation included in the initial development approvals he received from the County Commission in 2017. Thursday’s land use meeting will begin at 9 a.m. and take place in the County Commission chambers on the first floor of the County Administration Building at 1112 Manatee Ave. W. in downtown Bradenton. The Aqua by the Bay zoning ordinance amendment request discussion is expected to take place soon after the meeting begins. Public input will be allowed, and Cortez resident and former county commissioner Jane von Hahmann is among those planning to voice opposition to the developer’s request.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
One large building has been built and several large concrete pipes await installation at the Aqua by the Bay property. “I believe it is in our best interest to be present at that meeting and make it known that this stipulation was our insurance policy, if you will, that we would know what we were getting in these buildings, especially the visual impact, water shoreline vista impact and overall compatibility with surrounding area,” von Hahmann wrote in an recent email she distributed encouraging others express their views at the upcoming meeting. “This is a the stipulation which al-
Dear Air & Energy, It seems like my allergies are always acting up! How do I get cleaner air in my home? From, Allergy Allision
lowed us to see, after development begins, the physical building size and the number of units each building will have, and they want it removed,” von Hahmann wrote. A large centralized, clubhouse-like building now stands near the southeast end of the Aqua by the Bay property, between El Conquistador Parkway and Sarasota Bay. Large concrete pipes are scattered about that end of the property that will contain the first phase of
SEE AQUA, PAGE 26
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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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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
City expenditures, liability and transparency In light of the recent article about the suit involving the accident with a Holmes Beach police vehicle outside the city limits, I have the following questions. How many other accidents have there been involving Holmes Beach police vehicles outside the city
limits? We are just now hearing of this three years later only because of the suit, and I think citizens deserve greater transparency. This involves taxpayer money. Maybe it’s time we cut the cost by keeping the vehicles in Holmes Beach and let the officers drive their private vehicles back and forth to work, like many of us had to do.
Also, how many miles are driven on these vehicles outside of Holmes Beach which we are paying for in the way of gas, wear and tear, the potential for other accidents, etc? The greater the miles, the greater the cost. I have requested a response from the city. Richard Motzer Holmes Beach
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ON THE AGENDA ANNA MARIA 10005 GULF DRIVE
For information, call 941708-6130 Feb. 13, 10 a.m. – City Commission special meeting Feb. 17, all day – City offices closed for Presidents Day Feb. 21, 2 p.m. – Planning and Zoning Board meeting
BRADENTON BEACH 107 GULF DRIVE N.
For information, call 941778-1005 Feb. 5, 9:30 a.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency meeting Feb. 5, 2 p.m. – Scenic WAVES committee meeting Feb. 6, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting Feb. 11, 9 a.m. – City Commission work meeting Feb. 13, 1 p.m. – Department Head meeting
Feb. 20, 11 a.m. – Pier Team meeting Feb. 20, noon – City Commission meeting
HOLMES BEACH 5801 MARINA DRIVE
Feb. 5, 10 a.m. – Parks and Beautification Committee meeting Feb. 5, 6 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting Feb. 11, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session to follow Feb. 19, 10 a.m. – Code Compliance Special Magistrate hearing
ISLAND-WIDE
Feb. 18, 6 p.m. – West Manatee Fire Rescue board meeting, administrative offices, Palma Sola Presbyterian Church, 6510 Third Ave. W., Bradenton.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOTE: EVENTS ARE FREE UNLESS INDICATED.
WEDNESDAY FEB. 5
Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Alzheimer’s Association caregiver support group, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1p.m. Ukulele class, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 3 p.m. Mind in the Making workshop Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 6 p.m.
THURSDAY
11:00 - 2:00 p.m. EVERY SUNDAY
BLOODY MARY BAR & BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS WATERFRONT DINING LIVE MUSIC ALL DAY
4628 119th St W Cortez (941)798-2035 swordfishgrill.com Marker 49 by boat
FEB. 6
Veterans services information, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 9 a.m. Roser-Robics chair-based exercise class, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m. Painting with a Fish, The Folk School, Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, 9:30 a.m., $38. St. Bernard’s Women’s Guild Fashion Show and Luncheon, St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Dr., Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m., $25. Paul Ferber, Politics: The Development of Distrust and Polarization, Friends Lecture
and Travel Series, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. 15th Annual Jazz Fest, The Sandbar restaurant pavilion, 100 Spring Ave., Anna Maria, $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Call 941-795-2370 for tickets.
FRIDAY FEB. 7
Coastal climate walk, Perico Preserve, 11700 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 9:30 a.m. to noon, $20. Register online at www.sarasotaaudubon.org/product/3perico-preserve-climatewalk. Forty carrots, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach 10 a.m. Mahjong, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m. Sunshine Stitchers knit and crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. Sunset drum circle, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 5 to 6:30 p.m. Bingo, The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, 6 p.m.
SATURDAY FEB. 8
Dolphin Dash, Anna Maria Elementary School, 4700 Gulf Drive N., Holmes Beach, 8 a.m.
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FEBRUARY 5, 2020
Commissioners consider stormwater fee exemptions City leaders recently voted to increase stormwater fees and may offer lower rates to some property owners. BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – To help fund needed infrastructure repairs and projects, commissioners voted in December to raise the city’s stormwater fee from $1.50 per 100 square feet of lot to $2.95 per 100 square feet for the 2020 tax year. Now they’re considering offering exemptions to low income residents and owners of large recreational spaces to reduce the financial burden of the increased fees. Commissioners began the discussion during a Jan. 28 work session. City Engineer Lynn Burnett suggested offering two different exemptions, which wouldn’t eliminate but would reduce the amount of stormwater fees certain property owners pay. The first exemption she recom-
mended is for the golf course on Key Royale. The golf course is the only one on the Island and represents nearly 27 acres of open, undeveloped space, according to Manatee County Property Appraiser records. In 2018, the city’s stormwater fee was $0.75 per 100 square feet and the golf course was assessed a stormwater fee of $8,768.63. In 2019, the stormwater fee was raised to $1.50 and the golf course was charged $17,537.26 in stormwater fees alone. At the approved $2.95 rate, the 2020 tax year stormwater assessment for the property would be $34,489.94. Commissioner Terry Schaefer, a member of the Key Royale Club, said that the increase was extremely prohibitive to the small golf club which has its own stormwater retention areas on the property and puts a relatively small amount of water through the city’s stormwater infrastructure. With Burnett’s recommended $1.50 per 100 square feet cap, the golf course’s stormwater fees wouldn’t move higher than they
KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN
Commissioner Terry Schaefer argues for leniency for the Key Royale golf course from the city’s recently increased stormwater fees. were for the 2019 tax year. The golf course isn’t the only property that might be eligible for the $1.50 fee cap. Burnett also suggested providing an exemption for individual property owners with severely limited income. She suggested a waiver application that would be reviewed on a case-bycase basis and would only apply to the current property owner. If the property was sold or transferred,
it would be subject to the current stormwater fee amount, whatever that is at the time. The exemption would require city staff to confirm ownership of the property annually. The issues would occur, she said, when property owners wanted to appeal the stormwater fee after they received their tax bills, which would be after the budget had already been approved for the city and the 30-day appeal period passed. If commissioners do approve an exemption, she said they also need to consider how the appeals process will work. In addition to the two exemptions suggested, Commissioner Kim Rash suggested giving some relief to church properties. There are three in the city and he said some, such as St. Bernard Catholic Church, have large lots and retention ponds on their own property to help reduce the amount of strain on the city’s stormwater system. Mayor Judy Titsworth said she’d like to see incentives given to SEE STORMWATER, PAGE 31
FEBRUARY 5, 2020
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FILE PHOTO
Runners get ready Runners get setfor the 13th Annual Dolphin Dash on Saturday, Feb 8, at Anna Maria Elementary School, 4700 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach. Originally organized by parents to introduce students to a healthy lifestyle, the 5K race and one-mile Fun Run is sponsored by the Bradenton Runners Club and is open to runners of all ages. Registration starts at 7 a.m. The
5-K race starts at 8 a.m., and the Fun Run starts at 9 a.m. Runners will take a route on city streets with traffic control provided by the Holmes Beach Police Department, Proceeds go to the Anna Maria Elementary PTO. There will be awards and refreshments after the race. Sign up at runnergirl.com or call Kelly Gitt at 941-357-GITT (4488).
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FEBRUARY 5, 2020
Scoot coupe ban under reconsideration The city attorney recommended that commissioners revisit the recently passed micro mobility ordinance and remove the scoot coupe ban. BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – If you’re seeing scoot coupes being driven along the road in Holmes Beach, you’re not imagining things and they’re not in violation of the city’s ordinance. During a Jan. 28 meeting, City Attorney Patricia Petruff said she received a letter from attorney Aaron Thomas representing Robinhood Rentals owner Mark Toomey. In the letter, Thomas said the micro mobility ordinance was overbroad. It had been passed by commissioners Jan. 14 after two votes and public hearings.
Petruff said she agrees with the assertion and advised commissioners to revisit the ordinance, potentially lifting the ban on scoot coupes, the three-wheeled mini cars rented in Anna Maria, and reconsidering allowing them on roads with a speed limit of 25 miles per hour or less. Toomey attended the meeting where he spoke to commissioners, asking them to lift the ban since he had been unable to rent the mini cars since receiving notice of the new ordinance and ban on the vehicles in Holmes Beach. Before receiving word of the ban, he said he’d had no prior notice of the ban when commissioners were considering it. Petruff said if commissioners do not lift the ban on the mini cars, she feels it would result in litigation against the city. She recommended the prohibition on the mini cars be lifted. While commissioners reconsider the issue, Petruff asked
The owner of a rental company has asked the city to reconsider its ban on scoot coupes, like the one shown here. Police Chief Bill Tokajer to have HBPD officers not issue tickets to the scoot coupe mini cars coming into the city and to notify any company renting the cars that commissioners
are reconsidering the ban. During previous discussions on the scoot coupes, both commissioners and Holmes Beach residents spoke out against allowing the mini cars on city
streets for safety reasons. Residents also expressed concerns about limiting the mini cars to roads with a 25 mph speed limit because it would take them off the main roads and put them in residential neighborhoods. At the Jan. 28 meeting, Toomey said the mini cars have a 49 cc engine and can travel up to 35 mph and are allowed on roads up to 45 mph, though he doesn’t recommend his renters drive them off Anna Maria Island. He said the mini cars have not been involved in an accident that he’s aware of in Holmes Beach in 20 months. “I understand that not everybody likes the scoot coupes, but they are a street legal vehicle,” he said, adding that he would be willing to sit down with commissioners and reach a compromise on the vehicles’ operation in Holmes Beach.
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FEBRUARY 5, 2020
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Fabulous fashion, Island style The Anna Maria Island Garden Club Fashion Show and Luncheon was a sellout success at Roser Community Church Jan. 29. Fashions came from Irene’s Beach Wear while Design 2000, of Longboat Key, provided hair and nail service and Mike Sales cranked up the music. Proceeds from the event went to the Garden Club.
SHONA OTTO | SUN
Above, the models pose as a group. Below, some fabulous packages were available for auction.
SHONA OTTO | SUN
Above, model Joann Novoa looks smashing in her black outfit with the tiger purse. Right, Diane Phinney’s red top catches the attention of the crowd.
TOM VAUGHT | SUN
SHONA OTTO | SUN
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Where Family Pets Find Loving Care
(941) 778-2445 islandanimalclinic.com 5343 Gulf Dr, Suite 900 Holmes Beach
FEBRUARY 5, 2020
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FEBRUARY 5, 2020
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Code violation fines are going up in Holmes Beach City commissioners voted unanimously on Jan. 28 to approve the second and final reading of an ordinance increasing code enforcement fines handed out by city code compliance officers. Under the new ordinance, a first offense of a Class 1 violation results in a fine of $125 for a noncontested violation or $225 for a contested violation, an increase of 40% over previous fines, with subsequent offenses garnering a $200 or $375 fine, a 14% increase. Examples of Class 1 violations include violations of the fire prevention code, land development code and environmental codes. A Class II violation earns a $225 or $325 fine for a first offense, an increase of 22%, and a $375 or $450 fine for a subsequent violation, a 50% increase in fine amount. Violations of the city’s taxation and solid waste codes are considered Class II violations. A Class III violation brings in a $300 or $450 fine for a first violation, an average increase of 58%, and a $400 or $500 fine for a subsequent violation, a 33% increase for noncontested violations. Any violation of the building and building regulations codes are Class III violations. A Class IV violation earns a $400 or $500 fine for a first violation, an average 38% increase, with a $500 fine for subsequent violations, a 25% increase for noncontested violations. The paperwork provided to commissioners from city staff lists no Class IV violations. The increases go into effect immediately.
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Commission hires new litigation attorney Attorney Randy Mora will be the new litigation counsel for Holmes Beach following actions taken Jan. 28 by the City Commission. Mora will replace recently retired attorney Jim Dye. Under the new agreement, Mora will take over all of the city’s legal cases that are not being litigated by attorneys from the Florida League of Cities, such as the ongoing tree house case. Mora is a partner at the Trask Daigneault law firm. For litigation services, the approved proposal offers a $185 per hour rate plus any necessary costs and expenses related to services rendered.
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KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN
Sand Dollar closes It’s the end of an era in Holmes Beach as the Sand Dollar Gift Shop closed its doors for good Jan. 31. The gift and home décor shop opened in 1960 and was a landmark in the community at its 5302 Marina Drive location. There’s no word yet on what business may occupy the space in the future.
FEBRUARY 5, 2020
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FEBRUARY 5, 2020
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Florida Legislature focusing on water quality Cindy Lane
S
TART (Solutions To Avoid Red Tide) is asking Florida voters to contact their state legislators about these bills making their ways through the Florida House and Senate and ask them to vote to protect water quality, which will, in part, help prevent red tide. Background concentrations of red tide that were identified in Manatee County waters last week have dissipated, most likely due to cold weather, according to this week’s report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
FLORIDA HOUSE
HB 147: Water Resources (Jacobs) Requires the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to conduct a specified comprehensive and quantitative needs-based overview of the state’s water resources and submit a report to the governor and Legislature.
HB 405: Stormwater Management Systems (Good) Directs water management districts, with DEP oversight, to adopt rules for standards relating to new development and redevelopment projects; directs DEP to incorporate such rules for district use; directs DEP and districts to amend such rules into applicant's handbook; provides rebuttable presumption relating to water quality standards for certain systems; revises requirements for construction of certain systems; requires specified staff training; directs DEP and districts to initiate rulemaking.
FLORIDA SENATE
SB 150: Sanitary Sewer Laterals (Brandes) Encourages counties and municipalities to establish, by July 1, 2022, an evaluation and rehabilitation program for sanitary sewer laterals on residential and commercial properties within their jurisdictions to identify and reduce extraneous flow from leaking sanitary sewer laterals, which are privately owned pipelines connecting a property to the main sewer line. The encouraged program’s goals are to: • Establish a system that identifies
defective, damaged, or deteriorated sanitary sewer laterals on residential and commercial properties; • Consider economical methods for a property owner to repair or replace damaged sanitary sewer laterals; and • Establish a public database to store information on properties where damaged sewer laterals have been found. The bill also requires a seller of real property to disclose any known defects in the property’s sanitary sewer lateral to a prospective buyer prior to executing a contract for sale. SB 454: Discharge of Domestic Wastewater (Rodriguez) Prohibiting the construction of new deep injection wells for domestic wastewater discharge or the expansion of existing wells; requiring current ocean outfall and deep well injection permit holders to install a functioning reuse system within the utility’s service area by specified dates; prohibiting the discharge of domestic wastewater through ocean outfalls and deep injection wells after the specified dates. SB 492: Public Notification of Pollution (Cruz, Berman) Redefining the term “reportable pollution release,” requiring DEP to
publish certain notices received from the Florida Department of Health or a local government entity on a website accessible to the public; requiring DEP to provide written notice to certain homeowners. SB 690: Water Resources (Albritton) Requiring DEP to conduct a comprehensive and quantitative needs-based overview of the state’s water resources; specifying requirements for the overviews; requiring the department to submit a report every five years to the Governor and Legislature.
CONTACT YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS AT:
Rep. Will Robinson 717 Manatee Ave. W., Suite 100 Bradenton, FL 34205-8654 941-708-4968 Email: Will.Robinson@myfloridahouse.gov
Sen. Bill Galvano 1023 Manatee Ave. W., Suite 201 Bradenton, FL 34205 941-741-3401 Email: galvano.bill.web@flsenate.gov
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FEBRUARY 5, 2020
Roser Concert Series 3:00 PM SUNDAY oncert-Series www.RoserChurch.com/C • e-will offering a 2:00 Fre Doors open at
Swingset iis a classy, cla lassy, sswinging, lass wing in ing, g, Nat Cole-inspired C l d JAZZ ENSEMBLE based in Tampa Bay, performing songs from the Great American Songbook, Brazilian bossa nova, and jazz arrangements of select pop tunes. SWINGSET features pianist Jeremy Douglass, drummer Dave Hamar, bassist Daniel Navarro, and vocalist/violinist Rebecca Zapen.
FEBRUARY 9
SUN MARCH 1 • WYNDBREAKERS CELTIC BAND A NON DENOMINATIONAL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY COMMUNITY CHURCH • 512 Pine Ave, Anna Maria [near Pier] COM
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SUNDAY WORSHIP • 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM 5:30 PM soul ourn Food & KidZone afterwards
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FEBRUARY 5, 2020
Half Price Happy Hour
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Authentic Food & Great Atmosphere
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OWN YOUR OWN VACATION.
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When you’re not in town, you can hand over the keys and our seasoned hotelier will handle everything through our short-term rental program.
Visit OPHMintoUSA.com to book your tour today! (941) 229-3860 | OPHMintoUSA.com | 12340 Manatee Ave. West, Bradenton, FL 34209 Development plans, amenities, facilities, dimensions, specifications, prices and features depicted by artists’ renderings or otherwise described herein are approximate and subject to change without notice. © Minto Communities, LLC 2020. All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced, copied, altered, distributed, stored or transferred in any form or by any means without express written permission. One Particular Harbour and the One Particular Harbour logo are trademarks of Margaritaville Enterprises, LLC and are used under license. Minto and the Minto logo are trademarks of Minto Communities, LLC and/or its affiliates. 2020. CGC 1519880.
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OUTDOORS
FEBRUARY 5, 2020
Fish farm proposal troubling Reel Time RUSTY CHINNIS
O
n Tuesday Jan. 28, I attended an EPA Public Comment session at Mote Marine Laboratory. The hearing gave the public an opportunity to speak to a proposed draft permit to test the raising of almaco jacks in a pen anchored in 140 feet of water off the coast of Sarasota. Kampachi Farm LLC’s – project known as Velella Epsilon would be the first of its kind in the nearshore Gulf waters. I stayed late to listen to the comments that included close to 70 speakers, each having three minutes to express their opinion. The vast majority spoke against the project, most passionately. Of those that spoke in favor,
the majority had an interest in the project, most financially. I, too, spoke, not against aquaculture in general, although I have some problems here as well, but specifically to locating this project in an area that experiences major harmful algae blooms. Most of the speakers had similar issues, expressing their skepticism that an operation that concentrates fish (up to 20,000) and the associated waste generated would even be considered in such an area. Then there is the use of antibiotics and other potential issues that might develop with the interaction of farm and native species as well as hurricanes. The operations that feature the technology being considered are generally deployed in ocean waters hundreds of feet deep with better circulation patterns and even those have a spotty environmental record. This one would be in only 140 feet. By far most objections centered around the possibility that red tide
RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN
Citizens prepare to address EPA officials presiding over the public comment session at Mote’s WAVE Center. blooms might be exacerbated by the operation. Many also pointed to the fact that, if approved, the technique could be deployed at scale creating even more and larger operations. Most who spoke
seemed incredulous that this kind of operation would even be considered given the insults the Gulf is already SEE REEL TIME, PAGE 25
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FEBRUARY 5, 2020
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38TUHAL
ANN
FEB. 15 & 16, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission $5 Proceeds benefit F.I.S.H. Preserve . d o o F Great usic. Live M lays. p s i D y . it a n e u r m A Com ded Kids nd. a Expan Nauticaal l Art. nt e m n Enviro
Kids 12 & under FREE The festival is located at the east end of the Village adjacent to the Florida Maritime Museum on 119th St W to the Bay. PARKING: The Boy Scouts will offer on-site parking at the Preserve which is located one block east of the village, off Cortez Road, for a $5 donation. Remote Park and Ride available with $3 round trip MCAT shuttle bus to Cortez from two locations: G.T. Bray Park (5502 33rd Ave Dr W, 34209 -- turn east off 59th St onto 33rd Ave Dr); and at Coquina Beach. SATURDAY ONLY-FREE Park and Shuttle Service provided by The Monkey Bus will be available from the Cortez Baptist Church located at 4411 100th St W. on Cortez Road (1 1/2 miles east of the Festival).
FOR INFORMATION CALL 941-254-4972 WWW.CORTEZ-FISH.ORG
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2019
FEBRUARY 5, 2020
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REEL TIME: A troubling proposal FROM PAGE 1
experienced and experiences on a regular basis such as the Deep Water Horizon oil spill and the dead zone at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Given that it's possible to do this kind of farming in land based closed systems where water is filtered and reused, it seems that this is not a good option. Then there’s the issue of how this is being handled and the review process itself. Justin Bloom, of Suncoast Waterkeeper, gave a compelling presentation about the legal, as well as environmental, ramifications surrounding the EPA process and how it’s not being given the review it deserves. It will be interesting to see how this develops as I’ve heard people state that the project is
a done deal and the state and EPA are just going through the motions with the hearings. I can tell you from my experience that the people who cared enough to be there and comment were overwhelmingly against the project. Those of us who live, work and play in and on Suncoast waters should be aware of this and other potential threats to the Gulf and Bay. The outcome will affect the waters that provide us recreational opportunities and enrich our lives but also our livelihoods, whether we are waterfront restaurant owners or carpenters driving nails in Lakewood Ranch. Then there’s the biggest question of all, what are we leaving our children and future generations?
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Red grouper fishing is great CAPTAIN DAVE WHITE
This passed week has belonged to the shrimp eaters. Lots of quality sheepshead have been caught on our inshore trips. With sheepshead up to 22 inches, we’ll take this cold weather and work with it. We’re also finding black drum, redfish, and the occasional pompano as well. Making it much easier for clients looking to get a dinner or two out of an inshore trip. Offshore, the red grouper fishing has been great. Bouncing around and covering ground has been filling the box for us lately with fish up to 20 pounds
CAPTAIN DAVE WHITE | SUBMITTED
Lisa Nohren, of Treasure Island, shows of a hefty red grouper caught with Captain David White, of Anna Maria Charters. or so being caught. Also in the mix are mangrove and lane snapper. Looks like it starts blowing again
Thursday. So we’ll sneak in what we can. Tight lines.
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ENTERTAINMENT FAMILY FUN
At the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach: • Saturday, Feb. 1, Ask a Master Gardener, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. • Tuesday, Feb. 4, Preschool storytime, 10 to 11 a.m., Mahjong Club, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Tech help, 2 to 4 p.m. • Wednesday, Feb. 5, Alzheimer’s Association caregiver support group; Ukulele Class, 3 to 4 p.m.; Ukulele Class, 3 to 4 p.m.; Mind in the Making workshop. 6 to 8 p.m. • Thursday, Feb. 6. , a veteran’s services professional will be available to help vets with needs, 9 a.m. to noon; Friends Travel and Lecture Series, “Politics: The Development of Distrust and Polarization,” by Paul Ferber,” 2 to 3 p.m. • Friday, Feb. 7, Forty Carrots - Partners in Play, 10 to 11 a.m.; Mahjong Club, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Sunshine
Stitchers knit and crochet,, 2 to 4 p.m. For more information, call the library at 941-778-6341.
SHOP WITH PIRATES ON THE BEACH
The Anna Maria Island Privateers Thieves’ Market at Coquina Park’s south parking lot gets underway at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8. There will be vendors selling a wide variety of items from clothing to tools, antiques, CDs, DVDs, personal hygiene products and more. The Privateers will be selling food in the form of barnacle burgers, scurvy dogs or walk the plank tacos and home baked goods. If you are interested in being a vendor, there will be many shoppers and it's all for a great cause. If you have any questions, email the Privateers at vendors@amiprivateers.org or contact Kim "Syren" Boyd at 931-639-0986. To register for a booth space, logon to amiprivateers.org.
BINGO IS HERE
Enjoy bingo on Thursdays at Annie Silver Community Center, 103 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach, from 7 to 9 p.m.
through March 26. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. There will be a raffle and a 50/50 drawing every evening. Coffee and soda are available along with homemade cake for sale at $1 per piece at the intermission. The public is invited.
CLIMATE WALK AT LEFFUS
Learn about early restoration efforts on Friday, Feb. 7, from 9:30 a.m. to noon and how they might apply to coastal areas as our climate changes. Sarasota Audubon Society climate change specialist Karen Willey will walk the group through the first mangrove coastal restoration project on Sarasota Bay as part of a 7-Part Coastal Climate Walk series featuring interpretive walks on the effects of climate change on our coastal environment. Discover the and learn how these mangroves were planted. Explore the mangrove forest boardwalk of Leffis Key, a popular bird migration stopover. The walks are short with lots of time interpreting the natural and cultural history. Participants should wear walking shoes and dress for the weather. Reservations are required. Register
FEBRUARY 5, 2020
online at https://www.sarasotaaudubon. org/product/5-leffis-key-climate-walk. There is a $20 program registration fee.
ENJOY SUNSET TAI CHI
Join Dr. Brian Nell, a fifth degree blackbelt in kung fu and a certified Tai Chi instructor for Sunset Tai Chi on Tuesday, Feb. 11, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Robinson Preserve Mosaic NEST, 10299 9th Ave. N.W., Bradenton. This is a great way to shake off the stressful work week. Improve your balance, loosen your joints, and improve flexibility as you relax and breathe. This class is perfect for beginners and will include an exploration of several different styles of Tai Chi and Qigong. This class is held rain or shine – in case of bad weather, participants will move into the NEST. The program is sponsored by Cypress Pillar Healing Arts. This class is suitable for ages 13 and up. Reservations are required by emailing ecoevents@mymanatee.org. There os a $5 participant fee payable by cash only.
AQUA: Development hearing Thursday FROM PAGE 5
the development process for the Board of County Commissioner’s review of a site plan,” the staff report says. “Currently, a preliminary/final site plan has been issued for 446 residential units. 316 residential units are pending Preliminary/ Final Site Plan approval. A preapplication meeting was held for another 350-353 residential units,” the staff report says. “In addition to the complexity of the timeline, the applicant has identified an additional concern with the last sentence of stipulation A.17 which reads; “… Any approval shall be in conformance with Stipulation A.16,” the staff report says. Regarding stipulation A-16, the accompanying project narrative says, “Prior to final site plan approval, the applicant shall submit a hurricane evacuation and disaster plan to the Public Safety Department’s Emergency Management Division. “Approval of hurricane evacuation/ disaster plans and review of site plans for compliance with those plans has historically been administrative. Requiring public hearings for this purpose is an undue burden for both the applicant and staff. This is contrary
to the streamlining direction of the board with the 2019 code amendments,” the project narrative says. The staff report says, “Staff concurs that the deletion of stipulation A.17 would remove the apparent ambiguities existing during the review and processing of the preliminary and final site plans for the already approved 2,894 residential units. The requirement for a Hurricane Evacuation and Disaster Plan previously referenced in stipulation A.17 would remain applicable to the residential units as stated in the existing Stipulation A.16,” the staff report says “In accordance with Manatee County Comprehensive Plan, policy 2.1.2.7, deletion of stipulation A.17 does not affect development patterns, types of land uses, transition between land uses, natural features or approved development in the area. There is no proposal to increase or decrease the gross or net residential density of the project. Staff finds the request to be consistent with applicable goals, objectives, and policies of the Manatee County Comprehensive Plan. Staff recommends approval,” the staff report concludes.
These cows now share space with dump trucks and other construction vehicles. Workers are onsite installing the infrastructure components for the phase one residential units. JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
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FEBRUARY 5, 2020
OBITUARIES John McCubbin There will be a celebration of life with friends and family of John McCubbin on Feb. 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sandpiper clubhouse, 2601 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach. Bring snacks to pass and BYOB. A keg will be provided. Parking is limited. Please park at Publix or Walgreen’s and take the trolley.
BEACH BEAT ANNA MARIA No new reports
BRADENTON BEACH No new reports
CORTEZ
No new reports
HOLMES BEACH
1/24, larceny, theft, 6900 Gulf Drive, Bali Hai Resort. Scrap aluminum was stolen from a construction site. 1/25,driving with a cancelled license, 200 Peacock Lane. The license plate reader alerted the officer to the driver’s status, and he made a traffic stop. He ticketed the driver and seized her license. 1/25, DUI, 700 Manatee Avenue. A concerned citizen alerted the officer about the defendant and after witnessing the driver, he made a traffic stop. He observed signs of intoxication and made the arrest. 1/26, noise violation, 604 Crestwood Lane. A rental home’s tenants were holding a loud party resulting in a code violation citation. 1/25, driving with a suspended license, 600 Manatee Ave. The officer observed the teenage driver fail to stop at the intersection of Gulf Drive and Manatee Ave. He ticketed the driver. 1/26, driving with a suspended license with knowledge, 4300
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m Gulf Drive. The license plate reader alerted the officer of the driver’s situation, and he made a traffic stop. He gave the driver a criminal violation citation. 1/26, license plate reader bust, 4300 Gulf Drive. The officer gave the driver a criminal citation for driving with a suspended license with knowledge. 1/26, license plate reader bust, 2800 Gulf Drive. The officer recognized the driver from an earlier citation for driving with a suspended license with knowledge. He issued another citation and had her car towed. 1/27, camping code violation, 129 49th St. The officer found two people sleeping in a house under construction. The police had had run-ins with the couple before. This time, they went to jail. 1/29, camping code violation, Manatee Public Beach. The Manatee County Parks Property Manager flagged down two officers to report a brush
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fire. The fire department extinguished the fire and found a male near the fire and at first, he said he didn’t seen a fire but later, he said he started the fire to keep warm and said he didn’t know why it was such a big deal to have a fire. He was arrested and kept warm in a jail cell. 1/29, driving with a suspended license, 500 Manatee Ave. The license plate reader sent the officer to a driver who when asked if he knew his license was suspended said yes, but all he needed was to pick it up. The driver stated he had completed all his requirements and is off probation as of Dec. 2019. When asked if he had paperwork to show this information, he stated it’s at home and, “What do I do, carry the entire folder?” He was given a summons to appear in court. 1/29, Driving with a suspended license, 5300 Marina Drive. The license plate reader directed the officer to the driver who was ticketed.
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REAL ESTATE
FEBRUARY 5, 2020
Let’s all just take a breath
H
ow would you feel lounging on your deck overlooking the shining waters of the Gulf of Mexico and reading this headline, “As seas rise your coastal home in Florida could lose value by 15 percent by 2030.” In mid-January that’s just what the Miami Herald had in its paper, and it only got worse when you read the copy. The Herald outlined two new reports that calculated how much of an impact climate change will have on Florida’s real estate. One report from the international consulting giant McKinsey Global predicted that Florida homes subject to the risk of flooding could lose 5 to 15 percent of their value in the next decade, and by 2050 that could increase to 15 to 35 percent. The second report from the Miami-Dade focused report from Jupiter Intelligence researchers said their researchers found that moderate flooding of about a foot will affect nearly double the number of homes by 2050.
Castles in the Sand LOUISE BOLGER Both reports are talking about a relatively new topic in the financial world called climate risk, and it explains all the ways that the warming world will influence the global financial systems. Florida, particularly south Florida, it appears is the guinea pig for the rest of the rest of the country’s coastal communities. Essentially, the major issues are insurance, mortgages and potential buyers. Anyone who lives within spitting distance of the water lives with insurance anxiety a good part of the time. These studies contend that as climate change affects rising sea levels and consequently flooding, insurance premiums will go up as
will premiums for hurricane coverage and windstorm insurance. The National Flood Insurance Program, which has been the topic of a lot of speculation during the past several years, is redesigning its rates to better reflect risk next year. Currently Florida represents 35 percent of all policies held by The National Flood Insurance Program. Mortgages may be more expensive to get once banks realize that a home facing the prospect of going underwater isn’t a sound investment or totally decline to issue mortgages on these properties. And finally, will these studies and subsequent reporting scare buyers away from purchasing in coastal communities? It’s not a stretch to assume that local budgets could be affected as municipalities attempt to gear up for additional expenses associated with more flooding. Speculators have even suggested a negative coming market shift in coastal properties as climate change affects real estate to be as
bad as the mortgage crisis a decade ago. What I think is that everyone needs to take a breath. Yes, there could be a change to the real estate market for coastal properties, but do we really know when and how severe that will be? Comparing it to the mortgage bubble crisis 10 years ago is really just someone’s opinion. Should buyers not buy waterfront property based on these early reports? Maybe if you have zero tolerance for risk in your life. If that’s the case, better not invest in property at all because who knows based on a lot of recent reports, beings from other solar systems may be visiting us. Who knows what their agenda is? In addition, not all coastal areas are created equal; some are more at risk than others, and a little research will help buyers determine that. So be careful what you read. It may all come true, but right now I don’t care who you are. No one really knows what property values will be in 2050. Just go to the beach and enjoy.
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FEBRUARY 5, 2020
MORATORIUM: On scooters FROM PAGE 1
the legality of an ordinance recently adopted by the Holmes Beach City Commission that prohibits scoot coupes.
MORATORIUM ORDINANCE
The moratorium ordinance drafted by City Attorney Becky Vose notes the Florida Legislature adopted legislation in 2019 that preempted to the state the regulation of micro-mobility devices. State law grants riders of micro-mobility devices and motorized scooters all the rights and duties applicable to bicycle riders, including the right to operate motorized scooters on sidewalks, streets and trails. However, the 2019 legislation Vose referenced does not prevent local governments from adopting an ordinance governing the operation of micro-mobility devices and motorized scooters on streets, highways, sidewalks and sidewalk areas under a local government’s jurisdiction. The state defines a micro-mobility device as any motorized transportation device made available for private use by reservation through an on-
line application, website or software for point-to-point trips and which is not capable of traveling at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour on level ground.
HOLMES BEACH ORDINANCE QUESTIONED
Commissioner Joe Muscatello asked if Anna Maria’s ordinance is consistent with the ordinance the Holmes Beach Commission adopted. “For one thing, they didn’t do a moratorium. They went ahead without the time period for public hearings and those kinds of things,” Vose said. “This only has to do with motorized scooter and micro-mobility devices. I did talk with their city attorney today. They may be revising their ordinance. They went a lot further and that was problematic.” Regarding the Holmes Beach ordinance and its compliance with state law, Vose said, “What Holmes Beach did is kind of outside the area of what they’re allowing.” Without referencing scoot coupes by name, Commissioner Mark Short said, “Am I understanding that cer-
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Am I understanding that certain things that are actually rented in the city of Anna Maria can no longer crossover into Holmes Beach?” Mark Short, Anna Maria Commissioner
tain things that are actually rented in the city of Anna Maria can no longer crossover into Holmes Beach?” “That’s what they’re trying to accomplish,” Vose responded.
INPUT SOUGHT
Short said he hopes the commission gets a lot of public input on this issue. Muscatello said the commission needs input from the Sheriff’s Office. Vose agreed and said the commission
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should also get input from residents and the business community. “That’s why we’re having a moratorium. In order to have everybody say their piece,” Vose said. Commission Chair Carol Carter said she will schedule a commission workshop for further discussion. Commissioner Jon Crane said he and the other commissioners received an email from a constituent who was pleased with the ordinance adopted in Holmes Beach. “He was particularly interested in the use rather than the rental. He thinks little monsters are going to be on sidewalks, between regular people, knocking them over. I’m sure we’re just aiming at the rental agencies because that’s the best way to do it,” Crane said. “It’s partly aiming at the rental community. However, it does also include when people own their own,” Vose said. Carter said she’s glad the moratorium addresses both the commercial and personal use of micro-mobility devices. “There are issues currently about the small, motorized skateboards, and there are some that are one-wheeled that are zipping around too,” Carter said.
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FEBRUARY 5, 2020
SUBMITTED
Island Players say thank you The Island Players held a thank you party for their supporters and contributors last week at The Studio at Gulf and Pine. Here, Priscilla and Preston Boyd read a script for the crowd.
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STORMWATER: Fee exemptions considered FROM PAGE 8
unimproved recreational areas to help keep them as greenspace rather than encourage development. Burnett said that land that is vacant, submerged and unbuilable is already exempted from stormwater fee assessments, in addition to schools. Commissioner Jim Kihm said that he doesn’t want to unduly burden any property owners but that the city’s stormwa-
ter improvements already are underfunded, and he doesn’t want to further burden other property owners by making them make up the difference for properties that are exempted from rising fees. Some residents also are taking matters into their own hands. Resident Renee Ferguson said that she and some of her neighbors had consulted city staff and other professionals about installing their own stormwater retention systems
on their properties to help reduce flooding on their street. Ferguson asked what incentives would be given to residents who take the initiative to install their own stormwater facilities. Commissioners instructed Burnett to look into how stormwater fees were assessed in the past and what the impact would be to offer different exemptions and incentives for discussion at a future meeting.
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BILLS: Progressing at varied paces FROM PAGE 1
BILLS’ PROGRESS
Filed by Sen. Manny Diaz Jr., RMiami/Dade, Senate Bill 1128 was ruled favorable by the Florida Senate’s Committee on Innovation, Industry and Technology by an 8-2 vote on Jan. 13. It was then referred to the Senate’s Commerce and Tourism Committee chaired by Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota. As of Monday, Feb. 3, the Commerce and Tourism Committee had not yet discussed SB 1128, nor was it on the agenda for the committee’s Tuesday, Feb. 4 meeting. Co-sponsored by State Rep. Jason Fischer, R- Jacksonville, and State Rep. Mike LaRosa, R-St. Cloud, HB 1011 is the House companion to the SB 1128. HB 1011 was ruled favorable by the House’s Workforce Development and Tourism Subcommittee on Jan. 21 by a 10-5 vote margin. It was then referred to the Government Operations and Technology Appropriations Subcommittee and included on the agenda for that committee’s Tuesday, Feb. 4, meeting.
SENATE BILL DISCUSSED
When introducing his bill on Jan. 13, Diaz said, “Unlike years past, the goal of this vacation rental bill is to bring accountability over the Florida vacation rental industry by ensuring for the first time that only properly registered and licensed vacation rentals are listed on advertising platforms, and that the state and local governments have the information they need to ensure taxes are remitted.” Diaz said this would be achieved by defining what an advertising platform is and placing those advertising platforms under DBPR regulation. Diaz said his bill would require vacation rental advertising platforms to provide local tax collectors the information they need to ensure that all rentalrelated taxes are paid. Diaz said this would be achieved by requiring sales tax registration and tourist development tax numbers to be included in any public advertising of a vacation rental. Quarterly reports submitted to DBPR would also be required. Diaz claimed his legislation would not diminish the power of local governments to address vacation rental issues because it would preserve grandfathered vacation rental prohibitions or restrictions enacted before June 2011. However, Diaz made no mention of preserving cities’ home rule rights by preserving the 2014 state legislation that returned to local governments the ability to enact local vacation rental regulations and registration programs, while maintaining the 2011 provisions that prevent local governments from prohibiting vacation rentals or regulat-
ing the frequency or length of those rentals. “Local governments can continue to pass good neighbor policies within sections of their municipalities to deal with all proper- Diaz ties, as long as all properties in those areas are treated the same,” Diaz said. State law currently allows local governments to adopt local laws and regulations that pertain specifically to short-term vacation rentals. Diaz said his legislation Fischer would also preserve homeowner associations’ and condominium associations’ ability to regulate and/or prohibit short-term rentals.
FLC OPPOSITION
Florida League of Cities’ LaRosa Legal Advocate Casey Cook is among those who opposed the proposed legislation as introduced. Cook offered the Senate committee suggestions on how SB 1128 could be improved. Cook stressed the need to distinguish between traditional home sharing properties and investor-owned rental properties. He said the senior citizen or single parent who rents out a spare bedroom to supplement their limited income should be exempt from local rental regulations, as should other homesteaded properties. Contrary to Diaz’s legislation, Cook suggested DBPR be authorized to subcontract local governments to enforce state-imposed rental regulations. “There have been a number of articles showing that DBPR is overworked, understaffed, they can’t meet their performance benchmarks currently on the books and they need help. We think locals are positioned to help them on the enforcement side, on the inspection side and going after unlicensed activity,” Cook said. “I think that you should clarify that noise and trash ordinances should be applied across all residential properties. That makes sense. I don’t know that it works for parking,” he added. Cook suggested vacation rentalrelated fines be standardized statewide and be based on a percentage of the nightly rent. “The $40 bedroom in Wauchula would pay a lower fine than the $10,000-a-night mansion in Miami Beach,” Cook said. He also said fines and penalties should escalate for repeat violators, to the point where the ability to use the property as a short-term rental could eventually be lost.
FEBRUARY 5, 2020
FEBRUARY 5, 2020
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Mother addresses impacts of a rural Airbnb A Tallahassee family has been negatively impacted by a neighboring Airbnb rental. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
On Jan. 13, Tallahassee homeowner Jean Hulse voiced her opposition to a vacation rental bill filed by a Florida senator. THE FLORIDA CHANNEL
TALLAHASSEE – When offering public testimony to the Florida Senate’s Innovation, Industry and Technology Committee, Tallahassee homeowner Jean Hulse illustrated how short-term vacation rentals can impact rural neighborhoods and not just resort communities. Hulse recently addressed the Senate committee regarding legislation Sen. Manny Diaz, R-Miami/Dade, filed in hopes of turning over short-term vacation rental regulation to the state and taking those existing home rule rights away from local governments. In 2006, Hulse and her husband bought a home in a small, rural neighborhood in Leon County that consists of six houses that share a private service road. “We purchased the house due to its quiet setting and the safety and security of neighborhood, which is important to me as a mother of two,” Hulse said. “In 2018, one of the homeowners in our neighborhood got into Airbnb short-term rental business. The homeowner actively markets their home for large gatherings, weddings, corporate retreats and other events,” Hulse said. “The impact to my family’s quality of
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life, including our sense of safety and security, has been dramatic. There’s now a constant stream of transient renters in our neighborhood,” Hulse said. She said this has resulted in litter frequently being thrown in their yard and along the private driveway that serves the neighborhood. Hulse said her family is now subjected to loud music and other noise at all hours of the night. She added it’s now common for Airbnb renters to mistake her home for the nearby home they are renting. She said people show up on doorstep with luggage in hand or walk through her garage to check into what they think is their vacation rental home. “There have been two thefts at our home during this period of time. While I don’t know for sure that this was Airbnb renters that did this, I do know for 12 years prior to there being an Airbnb business in our neighborhood we had zero thefts at our property,” Hulse told the committee. “The inability of Airbnb and other businesses in the so-called sharing economy
We are told by our attorney that the best recourse is to work with our local government to adopt regulation that puts the appropriate restrictions on short-term rental activities in Leon County. For these reasons, please do not support any legislation that overrides the ability of my local government to regulate short-term rentals.” Jean Hulse, Tallahassee homeowner to vet their customers is well documented through the entire United States. With new renters in our neighborhood every single week I’m concerned that eventually my family and I will have a serious life safety issue,” Hulse said. “Unfortunately, our neighborhood doesn’t have a homeowners association, so we don’t have an HOA to turn to. While there are restrictive covenants in my neighborhood for each homeowner prohibiting business activities, our attorney tells us that currently the Florida court system views Airbnb rentals as residential activity and not business activity. At $750 a night, this
most certainly is a business activity, so legal action to enforce the restrictive covenants does not appear to be an option for us,” Hulse said. “We are told by our attorney that the best recourse is to work with our local government to adopt regulations that put the appropriate restrictions on short-term rental activities in Leon County. This appears to be the only way that we will be able to address the issues that are occurring in our neighborhood. For these reasons, please do not support any legislation that overrides the ability of my local government to regulate short-term rentals,” Hulse said.
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SPORTS
FEBRUARY 5, 2020
Flag football fun at The Center Moss Builders’ Dina Calvary made the game-ending sack on Danny Murphy with no time on the clock and third down. The last game of the night was a close one, with a two-point win by Lancaster Designs. Beach Bums’ scoring by Jaret Rojas, Matthew Manger and Octavious Cole just was not enough. Brandon Kull threw two scoring passes in the game to Cameron Kawcaki and Greg Hereikbo. Kull’s pick and run to the end zone along with Kawcaki’s extra point put much-needed points on the scoreboard to end the night of football at the Island’s community center.
BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN
With their win over Swordfish, HSH Designs continues to be at the top of the rankings in the 8- to 10-year-old flag football league. Connor Samblis, Savanna Coba, Chase and Lucas Signor and Sterling Holiday did the scoring for HSH Designs to help the team retain its undefeated season. Progressive Cabinetry continues to lead the 11- to 13-year-old league with no losses in the books so far this season. Ava and Payton Harlan scored touchdowns for Progressive Cabinetry in their win against Slim’s Place. Tyler Benjamin made a TD reception along with pick-six. Kenneth Nieding and Luke Bowes were credited with extra points in the game. The 14- to 17-year-old group is led by two undefeated teams, MuniPlan and Hashmark Sports with 3-0 records. Hashmark Sports maintained its flawless record by beating Kill Bait 4213 with scoring by Shawn Balvin, Nate and Noah Costello, Alex McCauley, Chance Hayward and Ian Godefry. In the loss, Killer Bait’s Julius Petereit, Cole Carter and Dalton Guthrie put points on the scoreboard. MuniPlan’s scoring in its win against Gulf Drive Café was done by Blake Balais and Morgan Horesh. Anthony Nguyen, Austin Bivona and Evan Christenson put up Gulf Drive Café’s 13 points. In the first co-ed adult flag football game of the season, Firkins Automotive had a dominating game against Slim’s Place with the score 64-20. Matt Briley had two pick sixes in the game, with additional scoring by Chase Richard-
SUN SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, JAN. 28 YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL 8- TO 10-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE Moss Builders Diamond Turf
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Rays Ramblings Beach Bums
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Swordfish Grill & Tiki Bar HSH Designs
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11- TO 13-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE MONICA SIMPSON | SUN
Rays Ramblings Ray Gardner evades the defense Thursday night in the team’s loss against Moss Builders. son, Tim Holly and Cory Banks. Team captain and quarterback Tim Shaughnessy threw for three touchdowns to brother-in-law Caleb Roberts and Matteo Ferris. Captain Sky Cruises won by 28 points against Ugly Grouper. Connor Haughey, Brandin Holcomb and Dominick Otteni scored for their team’s victory. Ugly Grouper’s Keith McQuillen
scored the only touchdown for his team during the second game last Thursday night. In a nail biter, Moss Builders took the win in the last seconds of the game against Rays Ramblings. Winning by one point, Ryan and Jon Moss both threw touchdown passes, and each scored for their squad. Ending the game before Rays Ramblings could make the winning TD,
Progressive Cabinetry Slim’s Place
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Solid Rock Construction Ugly Grouper
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14- TO 17-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE MuniPlan Gulf Drive Café
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Killer Bait Hashmark Sports
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Murder, mystery and Mardi Gras at The Center BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
The 12th annual Murder Mystery Dinner Theater returns to The Center of Anna Maria Island for two nights only Feb. 28 and 29. It’s the night before the big Mardi Gras parade and members of one of the Island’s krewes are hard at work putting the finishing touches on their float. As the tensions rise and the hour gets later, laughter and mayhem ensue. Even a murder can’t stop the festivities as everyone works together to find out who the killer is. This year’s show will feature a different ending each night, and audience members can try their hand at figuring out who the villain is. This year’s play is directed by Brianna Roberts and written by Roberts and Beth Shaughnessy. The play stars Roberts along with Don and Leah Purvis, Ray and Jillian Gardner, Monica Simpson, Mike Shaughnessy, Chris Scott, Clay Spangler and Caleb Roberts. Tickets for the murder mystery are $50 per person or $360 for a table of eight and include a New Orleans-themed dinner. Bring cash for the bar and raffle tickets. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. with the show starting at 6:45. Tickets are available for $15 per person for a VIP mingle with the cast from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Once the murderer is unveiled, an after party will be held at The Center. The murder mystery is recommended for adults only. All attendees are invited to dress in their best Mardi Gras wear and participate in the Best Krewe Costume Contest for a chance to win a prize. Sponsors for the event include title sponsor The Ugly Grouper, photo sponsor Sato Real Estate and bar sponsor
IN BRIEF Charter review contract approved Holmes Beach has hired LaRue Planning to help revise the city's comprehensive plan. City commissioners agreed to the move in a unanimous vote Jan. 28. The contract is not to exceed $150,000. Work is expected to begin on the plan during the March planning commission meeting, with the first draft available for commission review
JASON SUZOR | SUBMITTED
The Waterfront’s fundraising efforts will benefit hurricane victims in the Bahamas.
Waterfront assists Bahamian hurricane victims
Abrahamson & Uiterwyk. Sponsors are still sought for entertainment and food. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 941-7781908, go online to www.centerami.org or visit The Center at 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.
and a public hearing in March 2021. The contract work continues through October 2021 with an estimated completion date of November 2021. Development Services Director Eran Wasserman has been assigned as the project manager for and is tasked with giving city commissioners periodic progress updates.
New property maintenance rules Holmes Beach officials are taking aim at derelict properties in the city. In a unanimous vote Jan. 28, Holmes Beach commissioners moved forward an ordinance adding the restrictions of the International Property Main-
The Waterfront restaurant in Anna Maria held two high-end wine tastings in December that raised money for people in the Bahamas impacted by Hurricane Dorian in August. Waterfront owner Jason Suzor said two relief organizations, World Central Kitchen and #BahamasStrong, will receive $4,100 each. “Both organizations are on the ground helping feed and rebuild the parts of the Bahamas affected by the hurricane. I want to thank all the patrons who supported our fundraisers and my staff who donated their time,” Suzor said.
tenance Code into the city’s building code. Building Official Neal Schwartz said the addition of the new requirements would help code compliance officers move more quickly on derelict properties within the city or properties in danger of becoming derelict to get compliance before the properties become an issue for neighbors. He said it also would help to remove or clean up properties that already are posing a problem for the neighborhood. The ordinance goes before commissioners for a final public hearing and vote Feb. 11.
Be aware and get tested Prevention Plus is offering tests to show if you’re at risk of suffering a stroke or of developing heart disease. The tests and screenings are being offered at reduced prices on Friday, Feb. 7, at The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. The screenings include stroke/carotid ultrasound for $40, abdominal aortic aneurysm for $40, arterial disease test for $40, thyroid ultrasound for $40, abdominal ultrasound, $95 and heart scan-echocardiogram, $95 or all six tests for $179. Blood tests, liver, cholesterol, PSA and TSH tests are also available. To register, call 888667-7587.
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FUN IN THE SUN
Across 1 Isla surrounder 5 Real cutup 10 Italian volcano 14 TV series that had flashbacks, flash-forwards and multiple timelines 15 Kemper of "The Office" 16 Truant GI 17 *Brain trust member 19 Meander 20 Afflicted with illness, say 21 Gastric woe 22 *Nixon's cocker spaniel 25 PC key 26 Reel Big Fish music genre 29 Pigs out (on) 30 Flying frenemy of Godzilla 32 "Beaten" ways 34 One who is rotten to the core? 37 Quartet member 38 *Influential record company named for cofounding brothers Leonard and Phil 40 Serb or Croat 41 Went over again and again 43 Razz 44 Geometric given 45 Ox tail? 47 Hankering 48 Toward the stern 50 *Playful question spoiled by caller ID 53 2010 Supreme Court appointee 55 Shows derision for 59 Boast 60 *The USS Iowa, e.g. 62 Toon mail-order com-
pany 63 Be of use to 64 Sty sound 65 Swamp stalk 66 "Aw, fudge!" 67 Corddry of TV's "Mom" Down 1 Help for the needy 2 Animal on the Cubs' 2016 World Series rings 3 Space Race inits. 4 Room often with a slanted ceiling 5 Pulled quickly 6 Early Mexicans 7 "Hogan's Heroes" colonel 8 German article 9 Crimson, e.g. 10 Bluegrass legend Scruggs 11 With 28-Down, words to a cheater ... or an honest hint to the answers to starred clues 12 Original 13 At the ready 18 Heart sonograms, familiarly 21 Food safety agcy.
Answers to 01-29-20 Crossword Puzzle.
23 Paleozoic and Cenozoic 24 Retina cells 26 Exchange barbs 27 Curly cabbage 28 See 11-Down 31 Church area 33 The Cardiff Giant, notably 34 __ Bath & Beyond 35 Zap with a beam 36 Equally matched 38 __ En-lai 39 Iron-rich blood pigment 42 Portent 43 Giggly sound 45 "Don't you agree?" 46 Resides 48 1556-1605 Mogul emperor 49 Screwball comedy 51 Celestial red giant 52 Director Welles 54 Like good Scotch 56 LaBeouf of "Transformers" films 57 Informal contraction 58 Toll rd. 60 Prohibition 61 "__ Maria"
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
BEACH YOGA ON Wednesdays, Saturdays & Sundays at 8:30am at the end of Pine Ave by the Sandbar Restaurant by donation. www.thriveyogafit. com FACE PAINTER/PORTRAIT ARTIST Island student artist, reasonable price for parties, events, and special portraits. Call/text Lillian 210-380-9691
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
COMPUTER SERVICES
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
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
ROSER FOOD BANK needs donations of cash and non-perishable food. Donations boxes are located at the Church, Moose Club, and Walgreen’s.
EMPLOYMENT
Join the team at the FLORIDA MARITIME MUSEUM to preserve Florida’s fishing and maritime heritage. Assist with collections, school tours and more! Contact 941-708-6120
AUTOMOTIVE CAR FOR SALE 2003 White Buick Century. Low mileage 88K. Well maintained. Cold A/C $2500. Call 941704-7525
CARE GIVER HOME CARE PROVIDER for SENIORS. Years of experience. Quality, skills, knowledge and AFFORDABLE. Loyal, honest hard worker. Excellent references. Call today 941-726-5760 or 941-794-1760.
CARPET CLEANING QUALITY COUNTS. CARPET cleaning. Upholstery cleaning. Tile & grout cleaning. Island's favorite cleaner. Manatee Chamber Member. Great price/free estimates. Call 941-7561082
CLEANING SERVICE THC CLEANING : Residential, Commercial & Rentals. Professional and Reliable. Call 941756-4570
Call us today! 941-778-3986
NAIL/SKIN PRO needed now at busy island day spa. Fl. license req. 941896-2222 TWO SIDES OF NATURE – Anna Maria Island’s Largest Little Beach Shoppes... is now hiring part-time associates. Varied shifts available must be able to days, nights and weekends. Retail Experience Preferred. Great personalities a plus! Great pay! Apply today Two Sides of Nature 101 S. Bay Blvd. Unit A-1, Anna Maria. Two Sides of Nature, Two Sides of Nature Too, Two Scoops – having a little fun every day! TWO SCOOPS – Anna Maria Island’s Favorite Ice-Cream... is now hiring part-time associates. Varied shifts available must be able to work nights and weekends. A great place to work and have a little fun… looking for a few friendly people to join our team. Food prep. or server experience preferred. Great Pay! Apply today… Two Scoops 101 S. Bay Blvd. Anna Maria. TWO POSITIONS at JESSIE'S ISLAND STORE: Night shift cashier Thursday, Friday, Saturday 2pm to close 27-30 hours. Daytime stock person 4-5 hours per day 5-6 days per week. Apply at Jessie's Island Store 5424 Marine Dr. Holmes Beach 941-778-6903
BRIDGE STREET BAZAAR & FISH HOLE mini golf now hiring. Various shifts available. Must be able to work day, night and weekends. Retail experience, great personality preferred. Apply today at Bridge Street Bazaar 117 Bridge St, Bradenton Beach.
FISHING CHARTERS
CAPT. MAC GREGORY Fishing Charters. Full Day, Half Day, Night, Inshore & Near Shore. 941-809-5783 U.S.C.G. Certified/Insured
FOR SALE KENMORE WASHER/ DRYER. Large capacity (room for comforters etc) Year Old. $300 for pair. Will deliver. Call 941-518-4506 WHITE WICKER FURNITURE coffee table $50, Heywood Wakefield Walker $500, Lamp stand $20, mirror and other wicker items. Call 941-746-4509
GARAGE, MOVING, RUMMAGE & YARD SALES ROSER THRIFT SHOP & ANNEX open 9:30-2p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Donations preferred 9a.m.-11a.m. Wednesdays. 511 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Phone 941-779-2733 HOLMES BEACH KEY ROYALE NEIGHBORHOOD: 8th Annual Garage Sale Event! Saturday February 8. 9am-1pm. Follow Key Royale Drive to multiple canal homes with top notch goods! BEACH APARTMENTS SOLD! Everything must go! Wednesday February 5. 10am-2pm. 110 8th St South, Bradenton Beach. whitehousefl@ gamil.com
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
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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 # CRC1327296. Call Jerry Kern 941-7781115 www.kernconstructioninc.com GET’R DONE DRYWALL, INC Specializing in Remodels & Repairs. Island Resident for 18 years. Call Neil Cell 941-962-1194 LIGHTHOUSE PROPERTY INNOVATIONS LLC State Certified General Contractor (Lic. #CGC 1515821) New Construction, Renovations & Additions. Call 941-266-7500 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. 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 MAINTENANCE. Tile and Laminate installation. Popcorn ceiling removal, Drywall repair, texturing and painting. Call 941-7259876 ISLAND GATER RESTORATION. Painting, Drywall repair, Textures. Island references. 30 years experience. islandgater@gmail. com Call Danny for Free Estimate 864-921-3298
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
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: NORMS TOWING gives Notice of Foreclosure of Lien and intent to sell these vehicles on 02/12/2020, 09:00 am at 1855 63RD AVENUE E. BRADENTON, FL 34203, pursuant to subsection 713.78 of the Florida Statutes. NORMS TOWING reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all bids. 1G1ZE5ST2HF258339 2017 CHEVROLET 3C3EL45H1YT222990 2000 CHRYSLER 3VWDX7AJ7BM390282 2011 VOLKSWAGEN 55SWF4JB8GU160394 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ JHMCP26399C005925 2009 HONDA JN8AR05Y3WW268169 1998 NISSAN NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: NORMS TOWING gives Notice of Foreclosure of Lien and intent to sell these vehicles on 02/19/2020, 09:00 am at 1855 63RD AVENUE E. BRADENTON, FL 34203, pursuant to subsection 713.78 of the Florida Statutes. NORMS TOWING reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all bids. 19UUA66277A036039 2007 ACURA 1C3EL46X84N408672 2004 CHRYSLER 1G1FB3DX0K0137089 2019 CHEVROLET 1G6DP567950124969 2005 CADILLAC
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1G8JU84F22Y559666 2002 SATURN 1GC1KVCG1CF210810 2012 CHEVROLET 1N4AL11D43C304976 2003 NISSAN 2CNDL73FX56117113 2005 CHEVROLET 2G2WP552561110606 2006 PONTIAC 2G4WS52J221257395 2002 BUICK 3VW2K7AJ4FM303210 2015 VOLKSWAGEN 4T1BF32KX5U095671 2005 TOYOTA 5NPEB4AC6BH115191 2011 HYUNDAI 5RTBE1210DD031977 2013 LARK WBAFB33541LH20821 2001 BMW
LOST & FOUND LOST ON BEACH Beige Women’s Eye Glasses. $50 REWARD Call John 941705-6068 LOST DIAMOND STONE on Trolley or shops on Anna Maria Island. $500 REWARD. Call 314-324-5921
MOVING & STORAGE MARTIN’S MOVING YOUR Island movers! Offering dependable, competitive rates. No hidden costs. 941-809-5777.
PAINTING & WALLCOVERING PAINT! PAINT! AND MORE 28 years of experienced interior/exterior custom painting. Pressure cleaning, drywall repairs and texture finishes. Many Island references. Please call Neil for free estimates. 941-812-0507 “WIZARD OF WALLS” Established 1980 Prompt quality service. Paperhanging/removal Faux finishes. Interior painting. Mary Bell Winegarden 941-794-0455 PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reliable. Island Resident. Quality Workmanship. Interior/Exterior. Also minor repairs & carpentry. Free written detailed estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315
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PAINTING & WALLCOVERING
DONALD PERKINS PAINTING LLC fully insured. 30 years experience. Many Island references. Call 941-7057096 CUSTOM PAINTING, Residential-Commercial, Interior/Exterior Professional quality work for over 40 years. Free estimates. Call Larry at 941-400-8754. References available.
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
Call us today! 941-778-3986
PRINTING
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 28 years. Proven track record brings you results! 941-725-1589
CUSTOM DIGITAL PRINTING "Your printing dream to reality" Specializing in Dye sublimation Printing. Graphic Design. Performance Active ware. Logo Design. Call Rhonda 330-550-4847
PRESSURE WASHING & WINDOWS AUTHORITY ONE CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Construction and Vacation Rentals . Also available Pressure Washing, Roof Cleaning, Paver Sealing and Windows. Call 941565-3931.
REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE 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 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
MOBILE HOME in 55+ community 1975 Fully furnished, excellent rental history, 1BR/1BA, 50 steps from beach. $72,500. Call 813-6793561
RENTALS: ANNUAL BAY HOLLOW CONDO Beautiful 2BR/2BA canal front condo just off the Island with views of the water, boat dock can be available for use, updated gourmet kitchen. HOA approval required, $1900/mo. Call Paige 513-382-1992 www.teamduncan.com Duncan Real Estate
2BR/1BA GROUND LEVEL condo in Bradenton Beach. $1400/mo. 1st, last, and security. $150 application fee which requires HOA approval. 2BR/2BA FURNISHED gulf-front 8 month lease starting May 1, 2020 $2750/mo. Call A Paradise 941-778-4800
FEBRUARY 5, 2020
HOLMES BEACH DUPLEX with Private Pool. Spacious 2BR/2BA, large lanai, 2 blocks to Beach Includes pool service, lawn service, water, garbage. Available February 1 $1900/ mo WEST BRADENTON 723 35th St W 1BR/1BA House with one car garage, fenced yard $1125/ mo. Available February 1. WARE CREEK AREA 2216 8th Ave W. Cute 2BR/2BA House fenced yard $1600/ mo. Available February 1. 3BR/2BA on Wares Creek $1800/mo Available NOW. First, last & security. Credit check required. Call 941809-2488 NW BRADENTON HOUSE for Rent. Catalina Subdivision. 3BR/2BA on Lagoon. 6 miles to AMI beaches. Available February 1 $1900/mo. First, last & security. Credit check required. Call 941-809-2488 ANNUAL RENTAL BUGALOW with mini-loft. Vaulted ceilings. Utilities included, Washer/Dryer. Steps to Beach. Pets considered. $1395/mo. First, Last & Security. Call 941-741-1096 2BR/1BA BRADENTON BEACH bottom floor. Walk to Beach and Bay. Washer/ Dryer $1650/mo. First, Last & $400 Security. Will consider small pet. Call 941-705-4737
ANNUAL RENTAL PRIVATE ENTRANCE ROOM Holmes Beach AMI includes private bath, shower, closet, vanity, queen bed, TV, wifi, microwave, toaster oven refrigerator, washer/dryer. All utilities. One car off road parking. No pets/smoking. $725/mo. Available Feb 1. Call 440-983-7232 to view.
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 GREAT RATES! Weekly, Monthly. 3BR/2BA NW Bradenton. Call Grace 941-201-2190 SNOWNBIRDS SAVE MONEY. Rent Annually and comeback anytime! BUGALOW with mini-loft. Vaulted ceilings. Utilities included, Washer/Dryer. Steps to Beach. Pets considered. $1395/mo. First, Last & Security. Call 941-741-1096 KEY ROYALE, SEASONAL, February 1-29, 2020, gorgeous canal home 3BD/3BA, 8500$/mo,10 min walking distance to the beach. Mike text 514952-7022 or drmsake@ yahoo.ca
TRANSPORTATION AMI TAXI metered-on-callcards accepted. Airport: Tampa $95, Sarasota $40, Clearwater $85, Orlando $165. Call 800-301-4816. amitaxi4u@gmail.com, www.amitaxi.com ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa $70. Sarasota $35. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-779-5095 AIRPORT RIDES- Tampa, St. Pete, Sarasota. Reasonable rates! Call or text Anna 941-932-1600 ADMIRAL TOWN CAR Professional chauffeur, taxi prices! Airports (1@ $75, 10 $150 to Tampa), Appointments anywhere. Credit cards accepted. Phil 941-320-1120 admiraltowncar@gmail.com, Licensed & Insured
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FEBRUARY 5, 2020
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the Team Duncan Difference!
Darcie Duncan Broker - Owner
Cindy Jones Sales Associate
Michelle Laade Sales Associate
Dee Munn Broker Associate
Katie Self Sales Associate
Paige Rogers Sales Associate
Martha Jones Sales Associate
April Green Sales Associate
Pat Short Sales Associate
Robyn Hawk Joey Hutchinson Sales Associate Sales Associate
✔ Local-Area Expertise ✔ Outstanding Customer Service ✔ Experienced Professionals ✔ Proven Performance
310 Pine Avenue Anna Maria, FL 34216
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