Anna Maria Island Sun February 8, 2023

Proposed consolidation study concerns city officials

Consolidation of the three Anna Maria Island cities would have numerous implications.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners continue to express concerns about legislative actions recently proposed by State Rep. Will Robinson Jr. and other state legislators.

On Jan. 12, Robinson (R-Bradenton) and his fellow Republican members of the Manatee County legislative delegation announced their intent to pursue state legislation that could potentially allow Manatee County to preempt the

Cortez Bridge meeting highlights updated replacement plans

The bridge replacement plans can be viewed at the project website.

BY JOE HENDRICKS

SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) hosted a public information meeting to provide new details about the pending Cortez Bridge replacement project.

The informal setting at Kirkwood Church in Bradenton on Jan. 31 provided attendees an opportunity to view informational panels detailing various design and aesthetic aspects of the fixed-span bridge planned to replace the existing Cortez Road drawbridge, built in 1956.

FDOT representatives were on hand to answer questions and discuss the plans that include several recommendations provided by the Bridge Aesthetics Committee (BAC), which consists of 11 local residents, condominium owners and business owners who have met several times since the committee was formed in mid-2020. Comment sheets allowed attendees to share their written comments on the plans.

SEE BRIDGE, PAGE 27

Merger or dissolution could erase local city regulations

city of Holmes Beach’s land development code in order to build a multi-story parking garage on county property to provide more parking for beachgoers and other visitors. Robinson and his fellow state legislators also announced their desire for a state-funded study regarding the possible consolidation or elimination of the three Island cities and city governments.

Led by Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton), the Manatee County legislative delegation also includes Sen. Joe Gruters, Rep. Tommy Gregory and Rep. Mike Beltran. State legislators began a special 12-day legislative session on Monday, and their regular annual 60day legislative session begins March 7.

SEE CONSOLIDATION, PAGE 32

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

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The recent proposal by Manatee County’s state legislative delegation to fund a study to determine the feasibility of combining or eliminating the three Anna Maria Island cities has far-reaching ramifications. The Florida Legislature has the power to merge or dissolve cities, although it has only dissolved three cities in the past 50 years.

The 1973 ratification of the Home Rule Powers Act allows dissolution or consolidation by a special act of the Florida Legislature or by a referendum vote of the voters in the municipality, according to the Florida League of Cities.

Since then, only 11 municipalities have been dissolved and only three were by a special act of the Legislature: Hacienda Village was merged into the town of Davie in 1984, Golfview was sold to an airport in Palm Beach County for a new runway in 1998 and Islandia was dissolved in 2012 because the population dwindled to less than five and no elections had been held since 1990.

SEE MERGER, PAGE 32

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Coastal Watersports owner John Cadmus discussed the bridge plans with FDOT Design Project Manager Ryan Weeks (right). Inset, Bridge Aesthetics Committee member Connie Morrow shared her insight on the bridge plans with FDOT Design Project Manager Ryan Weeks standing by her side.

A state move to consolidate or eliminate AMI cities could also eliminate vacation rental, height and parking regulations on the Island.

Finger dock installation expected soon RED TIDE REPORT

Permit issues have delayed the dock expansion project first contracted in late 2021.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – The city’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) plans to move forward with the long-delayed installation of nine finger docks that will extend perpendicular to the existing floating dock next to the Bradenton Beach Pier.

On Feb. 1, the CRA members authorized City Attorney Ricinda Perry to move forward with the project even though she and the CRA have thus far been unable to secure an Army Corps of Engineers permit that would also allow the existing floating dock to be expanded to the east, toward the T-end of the pier, to accommodate four additional finger docks.

Perry said the CRA is permitted to install finger docks to the existing floating dock that will extend southward from the floating dock. Perry still hopes to secure the Army Corps permit that would allow for the

dock expansion and additional finger docks, but she and the CRA members don’t want to continue delaying the project while waiting for the additional Army Corps permit.

In late 2021, the CRA entered into a $595,905 contract with Duncan Seawall to complete the dock expansion project that also includes the alreadycompleted replacement of the nearby public dinghy dock.

The prefabricated finger docks, built by Golden Marine, have been

sitting in storage for several months and Perry said Duncan Seawall hopes to begin the finger dock installations in March.

Using tourist development tax revenues, Manatee County will reimburse the CRA for 50% of the dock project costs. The floating dock is now expected to serve as a landing area for the downtown Bradenton to Anna Maria Island water taxi service that Manatee County hopes to launch in 2023.

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

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

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

Very low (possible respiratory irritation)

Background (no effects)

None (no red tide present)

Red tide low

The organism that causes red tide, Karenia brevis, was observed at background to low concentrations in Manatee County water samples last week, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

The Rod and Reel Pier had very low concentrations, which could still cause possible respiratory irritation. No red tide was present at Longboat Pass or near the Palma Sola Bay Bridge, and no fish kills or respiratory irritation were reported at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach, according to the Mote Marine Laboratory Beach Reporting System.

CITY OF BRADENTON BEACH | SUBMITTED

The Army Corps of Engineers has not approved a permit that would allow the existing floating dock to be expanded to the east.

IN BRIEF

Sewer project underway in Bradenton Beach

Work has begun on Manatee County’s sewer rehabilitation project in Bradenton Beach. Woodruff & Sons Construction is currently working in the Cortez Beach parking lot along Gulf Drive South, from Sixth Street South to 10th Street South. The ongoing phase 1 construction activities will include the installation of a new gravity sewer main in the Cortez Beach parking area from Sixth Street South to 13th Street South. These initial construction activities are not expected to significantly affect the flow of traffic along Gulf Drive South and the multi-use trail west of the Cortez Beach parking area remains open. Later this summer, the adjacent cross streets from Sixth Street South to 13th Street South will at various times be entirely closed to vehicular traffic for four to six weeks at a time and those residents and visitors will have to park in designated areas at Cortez Beach. The county project is expected to continue until the fall of 2024. For more information and project updates, visit www.amiprojects.io, click on the “Projects” tab to the left and then select the “Bradenton Beach sewer rehabilitation project.”

City attorney’s services retained

The city of Bradenton Beach has retained the services of City Attorney Ricinda Perry for another year. On Feb. 2, the city commission approved the engagement letter and contract agreement that will pay Perry $220 an hour for her legal services. Perry can also charge the city 3.5% of her city work-related expenses. During Thursday’s meeting, Perry noted the month-to-month contract can be terminated by either party with proper advance notice. When asked, Perry said she believes she’s now serving in her 21st year as the city attorney. Mayor John Chappie thanked Perry for all the work she performed for the city during the past year and in years past. “You’ve done a lot of great things over the years. You were pretty young when you started,” he said. “Thank you. We really do appreciate it. You are amazing.”

Building rezone passes first reading

The old Bank of America building at 699 Manatee Ave. W. may soon be open to more intense commercial uses as owner Bob Bolus is seeking to have the property rezoned from C-1 to C-2. Holmes Beach commissioners voted 3-2 to approve the first reading of an ordinance rezoning the property during a Jan. 24 meeting. If the rezoning effort passes a second and final reading at an upcoming meeting, the options for use of the property will be expanded beyond the office use currently allowed on the site. A C-2 designation would allow the former bank building to be used for retail or restaurant space in addition to office space. Though commissioners weren’t necessarily in favor of approving the rezone, City Attorney Erica Augello pointed out that if Bolus’ application meets all of the requirements in the comprehensive plan for a rezone, the request must be approved by commissioners.

Bradenton Beach enacting food truck moratorium

The temporary moratorium will provide the city more time to adopt food truck regulations that comply with a 2020 state law.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – Com missioners are in the process of enacting a temporary citywide moratorium on food truck operations.

On Feb. 2, the city commission, minus absent Commissioner Marilyn Maro, voted 4-0 in support of the moratorium ordinance drafted by City Attorney Ricinda Perry and presented on first reading. The moratorium will take effect if it is adopted on second and final reading at the commission’s Feb. 16 meeting.

The ordinance will impose a temporary 90-day moratorium on the use, operation or storage of mobile food dispensing vehicles within the city. The moratorium is being enacted to provide the commission, the city attorney and city staff time to develop permanent food truck regulations and operating standards to be adopted in a new and separate ordinance.

During Thursday’s meeting, Mayor John Chappie said he’d like to have the new food truck regulations in place during the first quarter of 2023.

Perry said she and Building Official Steve Gilbert have been working on proposed food truck regulations and locations to present to Planning and Zoning Board members for their pre -

liminary review.

Commissioner Jan Vosburgh said when she lived in Utah, food trucks gathered in a city park on Friday nights and she has fond memories of those gatherings.

“It was so enjoyable. It was very family-oriented,” she said. “We’re not saying we’re not ever going to have food trucks, right?”

“It’s not a prohibition. It’s identifying areas in the city that make good sense,” Perry said, noting that one goal is to prevent food truck operations in residential areas.

The city is responding to a state law that took effect in 2020 that prohibits city and county governments from prohibiting food truck operations citywide or countywide. The state law also prohibits local governments from imposing additional licensing and permitting requirements and fees on food truck operators.

The Anna Maria Commission recently adopted a food truck ordinance that limits food truck operations to privately-owned properties located in C-1 commercial zone districts. Exceptions can be made for food truck operations during city commission-approved special events.

The finer details of Anna Maria’s

food truck regulations will be established in an accompanying city resolution to be presented on Thursday, Feb. 9.

BRADENTON BEACH ORDINANCE

The Bradenton Beach food truck moratorium ordinance notes that Florida Statutes define the term “mobile food dispensing vehicle” as any vehicle that is a public food service establishment and that is self-propelled or otherwise moveable from place to place and includes self-contained utilities, including but not limited to gas, water, electricity or liquid waste disposal.

“The city hereby finds that despite Section 509.102, Florida Statutes, municipalities continue to enjoy significant home rule authority to regulate land use and zoning and operational standards related to mobile food dispensing vehicles,” the moratorium ordinance says.

“Through regulated circumstances, mobile food dispensing vehicles provide a valuable and convenient service to the community by providing food and beverage options at special events and other appropriate venues. The city wishes to support convenient food and beverage options at special events and other appropriate venues and encourage and support local business and entrepreneurship by adopting uniform regulations to allow the operation of mobile food dispensing vehicles within the city consistent with the preemption provided in Florida Statutes,” according to the moratorium ordinance.

Vacation rental fees, food trucks on Thursday’s agenda

The Anna Maria City Commission will meet Thursday, Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. After public comment on any non-agenda items, the city attorney will present a city resolution that establishes the vacation rental registration fees for the 2023-24 fiscal year and another

resolution that establishes operational regulations for food trucks.

The consent agenda includes a special event permit for The Center’s “Murder Mystery Dinner” on Feb. 10-11, a special event permit for the Anna Maria Island Historical Society’s Heritage Day event

on March 14 and authorization for the mayor to sign an agreement renewal with Schwalls Consulting LLC. Thursday’s meeting can be attended in person or by phone by calling 1-929-205-6099 and entering the meeting ID: 85392000280.

CRA selects undergrounding contractor

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – The city’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has selected the JM Underground construction company for its next phase of utility line undergrounding.

JM Underground will install the utility cables, conduits, transformers and switching devices for the utility line undergrounding scheduled along Third Street South, Fourth Street South, Fifth Street South and Bay Drive South.

At the recommendation of City Attorney Ricinda Perry, Public Works Director Tom Woodard and Police Chief John Cosby, the CRA members selected JM Underground on Feb. 1 over the Hypower construction company that also bid on the project.

JM Underground owner Juan Martinez previously led the Wilco construction company’s undergrounding projects on Bridge Street and

along Gulf Drive South. JM Underground bid $436,995 for the project. Hypower bid $1.33 million.

Utility Consultants of Florida owner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Porter will serve as the CRA’s contracted project manager for a previously estimated cost of $37,000. The estimated project costs will also include $195,853 for pole removals, line removals and other services provided by Florida Power and

Light, $59,000 for services provided by Spectrum and $75,000 for services provided Verizon.

The CRA members previously budgeted $1 million for this phase of the CRA’s ongoing undergrounding efforts. During Wednesday’s meeting, Perry said there may be enough remaining funds to also underground the utility lines along First Street North.

The CRA members directed Perry

to negotiate a contract with JM Underground to be presented at the next CRA meeting.

Proponents say that underground utility lines are better protected from wind and storm damage and that the removal of the aboveground utility lines and poles enhances the visual aesthetics of the areas where undergrounding has taken place.

The pending utility undergrounding project will be the third such project in the city.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The existing utility lines along Fifth Street South (left) and the utility lines along Bay Drive South (right) will be replaced with underground utility lines.

The Anna Maria Island Sun Staff

Owner/CEO

Mike Field

Editor

Cindy Lane

General Manager

Bob Alexander

Reporters/Photographers

Joe Hendricks

Leslie Lake

Jason Schaffer

Kristin Swain

Columnists

Louise Bolger

Rusty Chinnis

Contributors

Steve Borggren

Capt. Rick Grassett

Leslie Lake

Monica Simpson

Tom Vaught

Capt. Kevin Wessel

Capt. David White

Anne Yarbrough

Layout

Ricardo Fonseca

Digital Editor

Kristin Swain

Advertising Director

Shona Otto

Advertising Assistant

Pamela Lee

Classifieds

Bob Alexander

Graphics

Elaine Stroili

Ricardo Fonseca

Distribution

Bob Alexander

Connor Field

Tony McNulty

Brian Smith

Accounting

Leslie Ketchum

Co-founding publishers

Mike Field

Maggie McGinley Field

Family-owned since 2000

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Message to state representatives

I strongly oppose your efforts to do away with home rule on Anna Maria Island. The three cities are unique, which adds to the appeal of the Island, and they deserve to rule themselves according to their specific needs.

In addition, your proposal to override local parking restrictions to build a parking garage will do nothing to solve the “parking” problem and will do much to worsen the actual problem, traffic. There is a finite amount of space on the Island, and allowing more cars to park will only worsen the conditions for everyone. Any longterm solution should maintain the character of the Island and involve off-site parking with shuttles. There will never be enough park-

ing for every resident of Manatee County, nor should there be.

It is highly suspicious of your true motives that you failed to consult with Island officials before acting on your proposals. How ironic and sad (and infuriating) it would be if your changes eliminated the very things that make the Island appealing.

I have already witnessed the gradual worsening of conditions on the Island in the nine years we have been coming here. The first year we were here, I was struck by the pristine condition of the beach. It felt “holy” to me, like a very special place; I never saw a single piece of trash. With the increase in “day trippers,” I now see trash on the beach constantly. There seems to be a lack of a sense of “ownership” when people are here for

Drop us a line

Got an opinion, a complaint or a compliment? Is there something you need to get off your chest? Send us a letter to the editor and have your say. There are a couple of ways to do it. The easiest and most direct is to email The Sun at news@amisun.com. Remember to put Letter to the Editor in the subject field. Or you can snail-mail a letter to us at The Anna Maria Island Sun,

just a few hours. It would benefit the Island to maintain the combination of renters, owners and visitors and not turn the place over to those who seek to make money above all else.

I am a property owner and partyear resident of Holmes Beach. I did not buy property as an investment or to be a landlord. I own property here because of the Island’s unique, old Florida character and combination of residents, part-time residents and vacationers. Your proposals would lay waste to what makes AMI special. I beseech you: Do not submit these as part of a bill in the forthcoming legislative session.

Sincerely,

Debra Pysno Holmes Beach

P.O. Box 1189, Anna Maria, FL 34216. Letters should be kept to 300 words or less and must contain your name and the city in which you reside. Personal attacks and obscene language will not be printed. The Sun reserves the right to edit letters for length or content.

ANNA MARIA

10005 GULF DRIVE

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130

Please visit www.cityofannamaria.com or contact city hall for more information.

Feb. 9, 2 p.m. – City Commission meeting

Feb. 10, 10 a.m. – Historic Preservation Board meeting

Feb. 20, all day – City offices closed, Presidents’ Day holiday

Feb. 21, 9 a.m. – Planning and Zoning Board meeting

Feb. 23, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting

BRADENTON BEACH

107 GULF DRIVE N.

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005

Please visit www.cityofbradentonbeach.com or contact city hall for more information.

Feb. 8, 11 a.m. – Board of Trustees for the city general and police pension plan and trust

Feb. 15, 10 a.m. – Department Head meeting

Feb. 15, 1 p.m. – Scenic WAVES meeting

Feb. 16, noon – City Commission meeting

HOLMES BEACH

5801 MARINA DRIVE

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800

Please visit www.holmesbeachfl.org or contact city hall for more information.

Feb. 8, 9 a.m. – Clean Water Ad-Hoc Committee meeting

Feb. 14, 2 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session to follow

Feb. 21, 2:30 p.m. – Code Compliance Special Magistrate hearing

Feb. 28, 5 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session to follow

ISLAND-WIDE

Feb. 21, 6 p.m. – West Manatee Fire Rescue board meeting, administration building, 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 8

Mah-jongg for beginners, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m.

AMI Chamber ribbon cutting, howluckyAMI, 5402 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 5 p.m.

Island Time Book Club: “Verity” by Colleen Hoover, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 6:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, FEB. 9

Homeschool Creature Feature: Mangrove Crab, Neal Preserve, 12301 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 10 a.m.

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

Friends of the Island Library

Lecture and Travel Series: Florida Maritime Museum, Roser Church fellowship hall, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 2 p.m. Thursdays in Paradise Stroll featuring local art, music and food, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 5-8 p.m.

FRIDAY, FEB. 10

Forty Carrots, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

Valentine’s Day oyster shell decoupage, Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, 10 a.m.

Mah-jongg Club for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.

Photography challenge gallery presentation, Valentine House, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 5:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, FEB. 11

Robinson Runners, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 7 a.m.

Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon

Origami Club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

Anna Maria Island February Arts and Craft Show, city field, 5901 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Navigation – part 2, Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Music on the Porch, Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, 2-4 p.m.

SUNDAY, FEB. 12

Anna Maria Island February Arts and Craft Show, city field, 5901 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

MONDAY, FEB. 13

Sunset Tai Chi, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 5:30 p.m., $10

TUESDAY, FEB. 14

Valentine’s Day Farmer’s Market, City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Painting with a fish, Florida Maritime Museum Folk School, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, 10 a.m., $35

Rotary Club of Anna Maria

Island meeting, Slicker’s Eatery, 12012 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, 11:30 a.m.

Duplicate bridge, Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, noon

Movies in the Park, “The Cutting Edge,” City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd. Anna Maria, 6:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, FEB. 16

Island Morning Book Club, “For Whom the Bell Tolls” by Ernest Hemingway, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10:15 a.m.

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

Friends of the Island Library Lecture and Travel Series: A Day in the Life of a Sea Turtle Volunteer, Roser Church fellowship hall, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 2 p.m. Family movie night, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 5:45 p.m.

FRIDAY, FEB. 17

Forty Carrots, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.

SATURDAY, FEB. 18

Robinson Runners, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 7 a.m.

Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to

noon

Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival, FISH Preserve, 46th Avenue, Cortez, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., $5 for adults, children under 12 free

Meditation, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11 a.m.

Teen art club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m.

SUNDAY, FEB. 19

Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival, FISH Preserve, 46th Avenue, Cortez, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., $5 for adults, children under 12 free

TUESDAY, FEB. 21

Farmer’s Market, City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Family story time, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

Duplicate bridge, Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, noon

Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island meeting, Slicker’s Eatery, 12012 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, 11:30 a.m.

Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.

One-on-one tech help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2-4 p.m. Movies in the Park, “Encanto,” City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd. Anna Maria, 6:30 p.m.

The curious case of the missing parking signs

Residents are noticing no parking and permit parking only signs disappearing from streets near the beach.

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

HOLMES BEACH – Residents who live near beach access points have noticed something strange happening over the past week – some permit parking only and no parking signs have been disappearing from the side of city streets.

While the disappearance of these signs may seem mysterious, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer has the explanation.

The sign disappearances are due to the removal of signs due to sign pollution, he said.

In 2022, city commissioners passed an ordinance making side street parking only avail-

able in places where all four tires can be safely parked off the road. Tokajer said the sign removals are only occurring in places where all four vehicle tires cannot safely be parked off the side of the road. If all four tires cannot be parked off the side of the road, then it’s automatically a no parking zone, Tokajer said.

City employees are working to remove unnecessary parking signs in an effort to reduce sign pollution in the city. Signs noting that side of street parking requires all four tires off the road are located at the southern and northern city limits boundaries. With Holmes Beach city leaders adopting and enforcing all four tires off the road, the city came in line with regulations already passed by the cities of Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach.

Any residents who feel that permit parking only or no parking signs were removed

from their streets erroneously should contact city staff to have the area measured to make sure that no vehicles can legally park in the area.

Despite some theories circu lating on the Island, Tokajer said the removal of the signs was actually a planned initia tive and has nothing to do with the ongoing issues among city leaders, Manatee County com missioners and state legislative representatives over beach parking for the public.

Rep. Will Robinson Jr. began leading the way during a recent Manatee County legisla tive delegation meeting to initi ate a state bill to undermine city ordinances to construct a four-story parking garage at the Manatee County-owned Manatee Beach. The proposed bill, which is highly contested by Island city leaders and residents, is expected to be presented during the upcoming state legislative session.

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

Parking signs just like this one are disappearing all over Holmes Beach.

Boatworks crew brings kayak back to life for raffle

A wooden kayak will be on display and up for raffle at the 41st Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival on Feb. 18-19.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

CORTEZ - This will be the best $5 one lucky raffle winner has ever spent.

That’s the price to take a chance at the upcoming Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival on a wooden kayak beautifully restored by volunteers of the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) Boatworks.

“Someone is going to be very lucky to win this,” Boatworks supervisor Joe Egolf said.

The kayak was donated to FISH a year ago by Dr. John Lanning, who lives on Anna Maria Island, Egolf said. It has been a restoration project for Egolf and volunteers Chuck Fellows, Jim Foley and Bill Curto.

“It was in pretty sad shape when we got it,” Egolf said. “But it’s shining now.”

Egolf said the kayak is approximately 18 feet long and is made of cedar with mahogany trim.

“We sanded it and put about 10 coats of marine spar varnish on it,” he said. “The hull was roll and tip painted.”

The kayak comes with oars and a wooden plaque that says, “F.I.S.H. 2023. Restored by The Boatworks Crew.”

The kayak will be on display at the 41st Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival on Feb. 18-19 on 46th Avenue West at the end of 123rd Street West in the historic fishing village of Cortez.

Raffle tickets will be on sale at the festival for $5 each or $20 for five.

The festival features seafood, live music, arts and crafts, environmental exhibits and children’s activities.

“The money raised at the festival will support the continued restoration of the FISH Preserve,” FISH board member Jane von Hahmann said.

The preserve covers over 95 acres of environmentally sensitive land immediately east of the village.

Egolf said the folks at the Boatworks are already looking toward next year’s festival and are hoping someone will donate another wooden boat to be refurbished and raffled off.

“We need someone to donate a wood boat for next year,” he said.

The Boatworks is located just west of the FISH Preserve behind the Cortez Cultural Center. Boats in various stages of restoration are being worked on inside and behind the facility.

“We have one boat here that was

stick built from the ground up,” Egolf said. “Another boat is a 1957 Lyman. That is a beautiful boat.” Egolf said he’s been playing with boats since he was 9 years old. Volunteers at the Boatworks are always welcome. The volunteer crew works on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“We can always use people to come here and play with boats,” he said. “Men and women are welcome to join FISH. Some of our best workers have been women.”

Boat donated to Cortez Cultural Center

The eye-catching old boat will draw attention to the Cortez Cultural Center.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

CORTEZ - It may no longer be seaworthy, but with the help of volunteers, a donated old boat is being repurposed into an eye-catching advertising vehicle for the Cortez Village Historical Society’s (CVHS) Cortez Cultural Center.

Bob Hopper, a CVHS volunteer, is putting his handyman skills to work in refurbishing and painting the 14-foot skiff, which will be placed in front of the Cultural Center at 11655 Cortez Road W.

“This boat has a rotted floor and can’t be used on the water anymore, but I’m replacing floorboards and painting it white and blue and it will be used for plants,” Hopper said.

He said an art class from Manatee High School will be painting the boat to help attract attention to the Cultural Center.

“The boat was donated to FISH (the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage) and they gave it to us,” Hopper said. “It was decided to put it here to bring attention to the Cultural Center.”

LESLIE LAKE | SUN Cortez Village Historical Society volunteer Bob Hopper works on sprucing up a donated boat.

SEE BOAT, PAGE 11

LESLIE LAKE | SUN Joe Egolf, of the Boatworks, shows off a restored wooden kayak that will be raffled off at the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival.

Roser Church

“...a beautiful place to explore your faith...”

SUNDAY WORSHIP

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IN PE RSON • in the Sanctuar y Nurser y • Children’s Church ONLINE • Watch LI VE or LATER RoserChurch.com

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The CHAPEL is open during o ce hours for prayer and meditation 941-778-0414 • 512 Pine Ave, Anna Maria • FOLLOW us on Facebook @RoserChurch

AMI Rotary welcomes Slicker to club

From left, AMI Rotary President Jim McDaniel welcomes Bob Slicker, owner of Slicker’s Eatery in Cortez and the recent winner of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Person of the Year award, as the newest member of the Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island.

COVID-19 in Manatee County

JAN. 30

Cases 301

% Positivity 13.37%

Deaths 0

% Eligible population vaccinated 74.5%

New hospital admissions 21

FEB. 6

Cases 314

% Positivity 12.94%

Deaths 0

% Eligible population vaccinated 74.5%

New hospital admissions 38

Source: Centers for Disease Control

Manatee County community level of COVID-19 transmission

The COVID-19 booster vaccines aimed at fighting the omicron subvariants are available at local pharmacies, including CVS and Walgreens in Holmes Beach.

JASON SCHAFFER | SUN

Cortez Village Historical Society recruiting volunteers

recent grant moves CVHS closer to its goal of increasing its volunteer base.

A

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

CORTEZ – A grant in excess of $3,000 couldn’t have come at a better time for the non-profit Cortez Village Historical Society (CVHS).

In an ongoing campaign to recruit and train volunteers, trolley grant funds of $3,072 will be used to develop a CVHS docent resource kit – including a greeting script, a fact sheet of key collection attributes and frequently asked questions about Cortez history. Part of the funds will also be used to hire a consultant.

“We have a small cadre of volunteers and are continuously trying to recruit others,” according to the grant re-

quest. “One barrier to volunteer docent recruitment is concern on the part of potential volunteers that they do not know enough about the rich history of the village and the Center’s collections to be able to answer visitors’ questions or provide interesting information about the artifacts.”

“This is perfect timing,” CVHS President Cindy Rodgers said at the Cortez Cultural Center at a recent meeting of board members and volunteers.

CVHS member Paul Dryfoos presented a timeline of Cortez history beginning at 10,000 B.C. when the first people settled on the Florida Gulf Coast and thrived for thousands of years catching and eating fish.

He outlined the first Europeans to arrive in Florida in 1513, to the time between 1550 and 1820 when Spanish, French, English and Native Americans competed for territory.

BOAT: Donated to Center

FROM PAGE 9

The Cultural Center, a white cottage with blue shutters, is just west of the FISH Preserve. While visible through the trees from Cortez Road, it can be easy to miss when driving by and is often mistaken for a residence.

“The boat was donated by Mike and Jackie McGlennen, owners of Bill’s Fish Camp in Bradenton Beach,” CVHS volunteer Kris Martinez said. “They said they bought it from an old fisherman.”

The cottage contains multiple artifacts and photos related to the history of Cortez, and at 76 years old, the building itself has a long history.

The 890-square-foot building was hauled to its current location over the Cortez Bridge from 304 Church St. in Bradenton Beach in 2011.

The cottage was slated to be demolished to make room for a municipal parking lot until The Anna Maria Island Sun brought the matter to the attention of Manatee County officials, who arranged for the cottage to be donated to CVHS.

The Cortez Cultural Center is open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.

“This was a 250-year free-for-all when various groups jostled for territory,” he said.

A permanent settlement was established in Cortez in the 1880s when families from Carteret County, North Carolina settled in Cortez in search of better fishing and shelter from hurricanes.

The first commercial building in Cortez – the Bratton/Burton store – opened in 1910, and the brick schoolhouse opened in 1912.

“There were no roads here until 1910,” Dryfoos said.

His timeline continues to 1921 when a hurricane destroyed the Cortez waterfront up to about 1980 when the Cortez community began acquisition and cleanup of what is now the FISH Preserve.

In 1995, the gill net ban threatened and transformed traditional fishing.

Carter Fish is fulfilling a school assignment by making beaches cleaner.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA - When eighth-grader Carter Fish was given a school assignment to make a positive impact in the community, the choice was easy for him.

Fish, 14, lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, but his family owns a vacation home in Anna Maria. He immediately thought about the litter he sees on the beach here.

“My family and I come down to Anna Maria five or six times a year and going out and seeing the trash on the beach, it’s not good,” he said.

Also in 1995, Cortez was designated a National Historic District.

In 2022, the CVHS board dedicated the Cortez Cultural Center to Mary Fulford Green, a late longtime Cortez resident who was committed to preserving the village’s history.

“The story of Cortez is interesting and important and we have to tell the story and do it well,” Dryfoos said.

The annual trolley grant awards are given to local 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations on Anna Maria Island and Cortez. The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce sells advertising on the inside and outside of the free Anna Maria Island trolleys, and after administrative costs and expenses, funds are disbursed in the form of grants. CVHS was one of 15 non-profits to receive the grants.

For more information about CVHS, visit www.cortezvillagehistoricalsociety.org/

Carter said his school does an eighth-grade project every year which attempts to make an impact on the world.

“For my project, I am helping to clean the beaches of Anna Maria Island,” he said. “This Island means so much to me and my family. Protecting the wildlife and keeping the beach clean is important to me.”

He is asking people to not only pick up trash, but in order to fulfill his assignment, he’s also asking to have pictures of the trash sent to him.

“If you do not mind when you pick up trash please send me pictures of the trash at 513560-1360 or Instagram @fishbeachclean_ami,” he said.

The deadline for his school assignment is the end of March.

Chiles Hospitality: Local, sustainable, organic

The new Beach House chef and menu reflect a passion for locally-sourced foods.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH - Ed Chiles is passionate about the environment.

The new menu at his Beach House restaurant reflects his strong belief in sustainability and locally-sourced food products.

“What we’re trying to do here is local and sustainable on a high level,” said Chiles, founder of Chiles Hospitality. “My business is here. I grew up here. Forty percent of the Florida economy is on the coast. We need to preserve that.”

The menu, headed by newly-hired executive chef Thomas Villetto, features a wide array of locally-sourced seafood, meats and produce along with artisan breads and desserts made at the Anna Maria Bake House, an in-house bakery.

Villetto has worked for both James Beard and Michelin Star chefs at places including Clásico Italian Chophouse and Cafe L’Europe in Sarasota and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Boston.

“He shares the vision of sustainable food and farming with the company’s

founder, Mr. Ed Chiles, and looks to continue the legacy of the Beach House,” according to a statement from Chiles Hospitality.

Some of the new menu items include:

• A beet and goat cheese salad with roasted beets, herbed chevre, pickled onions, radish, tomato butter and citrus vin,

• A wild boar entrée with Shogun Farms wild boar, pomme puree, tarragon ginger glazed carrots and boar demi, and

• A squid ink gnocchi dish with Cedar Key clams, PEI mussels, lobster, squid ink gnocchi and arrabbiata.

“New dishes include Burrata, Crudo, Capellini, Pan-Seared Grouper, Skirt Steak and Duck – incorporating items from Anna Maria Bake House and Gamble Creek Farms,” according to a prepared statement from Chiles Hospitality. “He (Villetto) specifically loves to work with local vendors and small purveyors focusing on fresh ingredients,

simple preparation and a regularly

In addition to the Beach House, Chiles is the owner of other Island restaurants – Sandbar Seafood and Spirits in Anna Maria and Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant and Pub in Longboat Key.

“What keeps me up at night is worrying about water quality,” he said. “In 1993, 211 days of red tide almost broke me.”

Beyond the economic ramifications, Chiles knows that eating healthy is the right way to go for many reasons.

“The post-World War II nutritional model is not only bankrupting us, but it has a huge impact on our health,” he said. “Chronic diseases caused by inflammation are up. There’s more big pharma and spending on healthcare. Why subsidize sugar? You’re creating carbon eating food shipped in from California.”

Putting his money where his mouth is, Chiles became involved with Gamble Creek Farm in Parrish two years ago.

“The farm is all organic,” he said. “Instead of taking nutrients out, we’re putting them back into the soil there… It’s not easy - it’s hard. It’s not cheapit’s expensive.”

But it’s worth it, Chiles said.

LESLIE LAKE | SUN

Above, beet and goat cheese salad is a new menu item at the Beach House in Bradenton Beach. Right, Executive Chef Thomas Villetto presents a wild boar entrée as part of the new Beach House menu.

Shore Thing Tiki Cruises celebrates with ribbon-cutting

In partnership with the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, Shore Thing Tiki Cruises celebrated the launch of their second charter boat with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant and Pub. Owners Rick Cardinale, Adrienne Cardinale and Frank Galati were accompanied by their families as well as their dedicated crew.

AMI Chamber to host luncheon at Avocado’s

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce will host its next luncheon on Thursday, Feb. 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Avocado’s Cocina Mexicana and Bar, 6510 Cortez Road W., Bradenton. The fee is $22 for members and $30 for guests and prospective members. This is an excellent networking opportunity, so don’t forget the business cards. For more information or to RSVP, call 941-778-1541.

WHERE‛S YOUR COMFORT ZONE?

BRIEFS

2023 visitor guides at Chamber

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce is offering the 2023 Official Visitors Guide and Business Directory at its office, 5313 Gulf Drive N. in Holmes Beach. The directory provides

information on just about everything AMI. Delivery can be arranged by calling 941-778-1541.

Travel with AMI Chamber passport

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce passports have arrived. This is a fun way to explore the Island and its many unique businesses. Passports can be picked up at the chamber office,

5313 Gulf Drive N. in Holmes Beach. Visit participating businesses with a passport and receive a stamp from each business; no purchase is required. Once the passport holder gets four stamps from each municipality - Cortez, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach and Anna Maria - for a total of 16 stamps, take the passport to the chamber for a free T-shirt. The passport promotion runs through Dec. 31. For more information, call 941-778-1541 or visit www.amichamber.org.

AMI Moose Lodge ranks first in the world

The AMI Moose Lodge will host its annual pig roast barbeque on Saturday, Feb. 25.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH –Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge #2188 in Bradenton Beach now has the largest membership of any Moose Lodge in the world.

When appearing before the Bradenton Beach City Commission on Feb. 2, Lodge Administrator Byron Dalton said, “I found out today that the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge is now the largest Moose Lodge in the world. Effective today, we have 17,612 active members.”

Dalton made the comments after the commission approved a special event permit for the Moose Lodge’s annual pig roast barbeque on Saturday, Feb. 25 from noon to 10 p.m. The event will feature two live

bands performing on the Gulfside patio. Tickets are $15.95 in advance. The pig roast is open to non-Moose members.

During Thursday’s meeting, Moose member and Scenic WAVES Committee member

Peg Miller said the AMI Moose Lodge will partner with Keep Manatee Beautiful for a beach cleanup event at Coquina Beach on Monday, April 10, the day after Easter.

“The AMI Moose has been involved with the Adopt-aShore program for at least 20 years. At our Scenic WAVES Committee meeting, Liza Click asked us to please have it the day after Easter. So, we’re meeting at the pavilion at 8 o’clock. If you’ve ever been there after Easter, it is a mess,” Miller said. Scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon, the beach cleanup will be open to the public and cleaning equipment and supplies will be provided to those who volunteer.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The AMI Moose Lodge has more members than any other in the world. AMI Moose Lodge #2188 is located along the Gulf of Mexico shoreline in Bradenton Beach.

FEB. 18 & 19, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

$5

•

Contest presented by the Artists’ Guild Gallery of Anna Maria Island (AGGAMI)

•

Parking: The Boy Scouts in partnership with FISH will offer on-site parking at the Preserve which is located one block east of the village, off Cortez Rd, for a $5 dona tion. Golf cart transportation to the festival entrance at 123rd St Ct W will be provided.

Park and Ride: FREE MCAT Bus service from Coquina Beach and GT Bray Park on 59th St W.

Off Site Parking: Available at Cortez Rd. Baptist Church (located at between 99th and 100th St and Cortez Rd) with Free Shuttle to Festival provided by The Monkey Bus.

FOR INFORMATION C ALL 941-301-4000 WWW.FISHCORTEZ.OR

WMFR hands out annual awards

WMFR’s annual awards honor bravery, perseverance and service.

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

BRADENTON – The staff and elected officials at West Manatee Fire Rescue celebrated service and achievements as they recently handed out the district’s annual awards and recognized the retirement of one of their own.

Lt. John Stump took home the Officer of the Year award, with Christopher O’Kelly honored as Firefighter of the Year. O’Kelly also was recognized for 25 years of service to the district. Rookie of the Year went to David Miller, who also was recognized for a promotion to firefighter third class.

Firefighter/paramedic John Balzer was honored with the 2022 Meritorious award for going above and beyond the call of duty for his fellow first responders and the community at large.

The 2022 Soteria award, named for the Greek goddess of safety, deliverance and preservation from harm, was given to firefighter/paramedic Crystal Tucciarone, who also was recognized for one year of service with the fire district.

Additional career and length of service awards went to Gabriel Gonzalez and William Thomas for one year with WMFR, Jerrod Apple and Capt. Derek Bill for 10 years and former administrative manager Julie Kichar for 25 years with the district. Kichar retired from the district on Jan. 12.

Joining Kichar in retirement was Lt. Darren Vollmer whose friends and family were on hand during the Jan. 17 board meeting and awards ceremony to honor his years of service to the fire district. Vollmer retired from WMFR on Jan. 31.

Clockwise above, staff, friends and family gathered on Jan. 17 to celebrate the retirement of Lt. Darren Vollmer prior to the district’s annual awards ceremony. Lt. John Stump is awarded the Officer of the Year award for 2022. Crystal Tucciarone receives recognition for her first year of service as a firefighter/paramedic with West Manatee Fire Rescue. Fire Marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski gives the 2022 Soteria award to firefighter/ paramedic Crystal Tucciarone. WMFR Commissioner Larry Jennis, left, is recognized for his time serving as board chair by current Chair Robert Bennett, right. Firefighter David Miller takes home the district’s Rookie of the Year award. From left, Battalion Chief Tyler MacDonald, Deputy Chief Jay Johnson, firefighter/paramedic John Balzer and Chief Ben Rigney celebrate the presentation of Balzer’s meritorious service award for going above and beyond the call of duty for the community.

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

Scenic WAVES Committee presents annual report

The Bradenton Beach Scenic WAVES Committee has submitted its annual report to the state of Florida, which was also presented to the Bradenton Beach City Commission on Feb. 2 by committee Chairwoman Ingrid McClellan. The report details the committee’s landscaping and beautification efforts along Gulf Drive (a designated scenic highway) and elsewhere in the city. “This is everything we’re planning to do this fiscal year,” McClellan told the commission. The Scenic WAVES Committee also serves as the city’s scenic highway committee and as the city’s tree board, which allows Bradenton Beach to be annually designated as a Tree City USA. McClellan was accompanied to the meeting by Darryl Richard, the Florida Department of Transportation District One landscape architect, scenic highway coordinator and beautification grant director, Richard Larsen from the Florida Forest Service and Scenic

WAVES members Peg Miller and Bruce Butler. Richard said the Bradenton Beach committee is the most active of the five scenic high-

way groups he manages. McClellan and her cohorts also presented the commission and the city with a Tree City USA flag.

Bagwell joins P&Z board

Anna Maria resident Lisa Bagwell has been appointed to the city’s Planning and Zoning Board. She joins Dusty Crane, Jose Erbella and David Haddox as a planning board member.

Butler appointed to Scenic WAVES

Sarasota resident and Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge member Bruce Butler was recently appointed to the city of Bradenton Beach’s Scenic WAVES Committee. The city commission made the appointment on Jan. 19.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

From left, Bruce Butler, Peg Miller, Richard Larsen, Ingrid McClellan and Darryl Richard presented a Tree City USA flag to the city commission.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

AME students celebrate Kindness and Literacy Week

Anna Maria Elementary School students ended their Kindness and Literacy Week with a Pink Out and Buddy Reading. Students created art centered around kindness and took turns reading books with a buddy or two. The week wrapped up on Jan. 27 with students forming a huge pink heart to promote kindness to others.

AME kids make fashion show flowers

First-, second- and third-grade art class students at Anna Maria Elemen tary School made hundreds of tissue paper flowers that will be used to decorate The Center of Anna Maria Island for the Anna Maria Island Gar den Club’s annual fundraising fashion show. The Wednesday, Feb. 8 show is sold out, with 320 $30 tickets sold. The garden club hopes to use the money raised to install a wind sculpture in Holmes Beach and another in Braden ton Beach. In 2022, the garden club donated funds for the pending installation of two wind sculptures at City Pier Park in Anna Maria.

SUBMITTED

DEANIE SEBRING | SUBMITTED These third-grade AME students helped make decorations for the fashion show.

‘I Spy AMI’ fun for the whole family

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND - A West Bradenton couple has written a unique book about Anna Maria Island that at first glance may appear to be a children’s book, but which offers fun for the entire family in the form of a hunt for the things that make the Island truly unique.

“I Spy AMI” features various things found on the Island. Each page has a picture, a description and a box where readers can make a note when they

ers will explore; the book challenges readers to find transitory things such as thunderstorms and sunrises. Other items include a mural, a trolley and a dinghy. For nature lovers, the book also provides plenty of plants and animals found on the Island to complete the challenge.

“The idea is to get kids writing about their adventures, but we intended it to be something people of all ages could use to learn about the Island and where they’re spending their vacation,” said Melissa Toye, co-author of the book with her fiancé, Michael Gray. “We wanted people to know more about why it’s important to take care of the water, the turtles and all of the animals on the Island.

Toye said Gray was born deaf and had to rely on visual input, the source of his love for photography, something successful photography business, Gray

SUBMITTED

Melissa Toye and Michael Gray are authors of the new book, ‘I Spy AMI,’ which offers children and their parents an opportunity to learn about many things they’ll find on Anna Maria Island.

Photography, and took all the photos in the book.

“We have both been doing photog-

raphy since high school, and being born deaf, Michael’s need for visual interpretation of the world around him made this art form a perfect fit,” Toye said. “He had cochlear implants seven years ago, so that just opened up the world around him through sound.”

Toye said the couple began working together in 2019, and they both have an area they prefer. While Michael specializes in nature and landscape photography, Melissa leans toward portrait and business photography. While they have been successful, they are also serious about becoming a multifaceted Island business. Toye says there are more books in the future; possibly Longboat Key, St. Armands and even a followup to “I Spy AMI” featuring more things to find on the Island.

“I Spy AMI” is available on Amazon in paperback. For more information, email grayphotographyfl@gmail.com.

Artists’ Guild wins Trolley Grant Award

SUBMITTED

The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island was one of the recipients of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s Trolley Grant Awards. From left, Janet Razze, Guild president, and Karen Eddy, treasurer, attended the Chamber’s awards event on Jan. 23. The Guild will use the grant for restroom renovations and the replacement of swinging doors in the back of the gallery. The Guild gallery will participate in the February Art Walk on Friday, Feb. 10 from 5-7:30 p.m. February is “Paint the Town" month at the gallery with demonstrations, events for families, gallery contests and more.

of “The Odd Couple” and a 50/50 raffle. Raffle winners Joseph and Debra Pascarella donated their winnings back to the theater to help fund the effort.

Murder mystery coming to AMI Center

The Center of Anna Maria Island will host a Murder Mystery Dinner on Friday, Feb. 10 and Saturday, Feb. 11 at the Center, 407 Magnolia Ave. in Anna Maria. A sneak peek on Friday begins at 6:15 p.m. with a cash bar. The price is $35 for an individual ticket. The Saturday show will offer dinner included in the price, a cash bar, a costume contest and a raffle. Doors open at 6 p.m. There also will be VIP and bottle service available. The price for this night is $85 per person or $600 for a table of eight. To purchase tickets, visit centerami.org/events/.

Movies in the Park presents ‘Cutting Edge’

This week’s Classic Movies in the Park at City Pier Park in Anna Maria is “The Cutting Edge.” The free event begins on Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 6:30 p.m. Bring a blanket, chair and refreshments and enjoy a classic film next to the bay. All showings are subject to cancellation due to adverse weather conditions.

A new book offers an interactive experience where children and their parents can learn and explore all that is unique to Anna Maria Island.

Team Pineapple Market Place remains undefeated

BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN

ANNA MARIA – High-scoring flag foot ball action entertained the Island last week at The Center. The kids played their third week of regular season games, while the adults finished their fourth games on Feb. 2.

In the first game of 11- to 13-year-old league play closing out January football, Solid Rock Construction faced off against Pineapple Market Place. The fast-paced game ended with the Pineapple squad maintaining their undefeated record with a final score of 48-26.

Solid Rock’s first loss of the season was not without amazing play on both sides of the football.

Carter Eurice, QB for Solid Rock Construction, threw for four passing touchdowns. Eurice’s targets were Hayden Eurice, Audrey Guess and Austin Guess.

H. Eurice finished the game with one touchdown and three flag pulls on defense. Austin Guess also scored six points in the game and, on the other side of the football, two defensive stops.

Colson Mendiola scored an all-important extra-point conversion, adding a point to Solid Rock’s score. Addie Guess and Bella and Obi Roadman made plays to support the Solid Rock squad.

Avery Guess had a nice catch in the game, keeping Solid Rock in the game. High scorer of the week for Solid Rock was Audrey Guess, scoring two TDs and two flag pulls. With six receptions, she matched the catch count of opponent Peyton Hovda.

League veteran Hovda finished the game scoring three touchdowns, one rushing and two receiving, three flag pulls, two twopoint conversions, and three interceptions on defense.

The three interceptions, including one for

MONICA SIMPSON | SUN

Above, In week three youth flag football action, Solid Rock Construction's Carter Eurice is chased out of the pocket by Pineapple Market Place's rusher, Jordan Tobey. Right, Hayden Eurice, for Solid Rock Construction, plays tight defense against Pineapple Market Place's Payton Hovda in last Tuesday night's flag football game at The Center.

a TD, was the game changer for Pineapple Market Place, leading to their victory.

Hovda’s teammates all had an amazing game, contributing to the win.

Pineapple Market quarterback and lifelong Center flag football player Jack Mattick passed for two touchdowns to Hovda.

On defense, Mattick contributed with two flag pulls and an interception. Teammate Colin Bankert had defensive stats with two stops and offensive stats with two receptions.

Riley Karecki got the call on a successful two-point conversion play for Pineapple. Offensive pass completions for Pineapple Marketplace include two catches by Brantley Kobialka. Cyrus Ryan added two flag pulls to the team’s record.

Pineapple Marketplace teammates

Krosby Lamison, Kaleb Romagnino and Jordan Tobey rounded out the squad, making contributions in the team’s win this season.

Can the Pineapple Marketplace team finish the season undefeated? With only

Both squads finished week three with a 2-1-0 record.

Results in from the 2023 Waterman

Reel Time

he third annual Waterman Fly Fishing Tournament was held this past weekend. The two-day, fly-only redfish tournament with a Snook Calcutta (an award for the longest snook of the tournament) was a sellout with 126 anglers registered. The fishing boundaries were wideranging, including the west coast of Florida from Crystal River to the southernmost tip of Sanibel Island. The photo submission format and the angler tournament app made it possible for fishermen in this entire range to participate. The tournament culminated in an

awards banquet and prize-rich raffle at the Bradenton Yacht Club on Sunday evening, an event that was made possible by a large number of generous sponsors. All proceeds from the tournament benefited Tampa Bay Waterkeeper, a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection, preservation and improvement of the Tampa Bay watershed.

The 63 two-angler teams received a collared long-sleeve tournament shirt, Tampa Bay Waterkeeper hats, dinner for two at the awards ceremony and one raffle ticket for each angler. Target species were redfish and snook. Scoring was done by the highest combination of the two longest redfish caught between day one and day two. If a tie had occurred in any of the three top places, it would have been decided by a casting com-

petition based on fly casting distance and accuracy. Sponsors were pivotal to this event and the fishing community stepped up to support TBWK’s mission. A full list of sponsors is available on the Tampa Bay Waterkeeper website.

Some quality redfish were landed, but among the anglers I spoke to there was concern with the overall abundance of fish as well as the condition of the bay. That sentiment was shared by tournament organizer and TBWK Board member Adam Fernandez in his introduction at the evening’s awards ceremony and raffle. A total of 82 fish were weighed in during the two-day tournament including nine snook, the biggest at 25.5 inches. Seventy-two redfish were entered in the tournament. The biggest, at 34 inches, was

caught by Pierson Monetti of the first-place team Crawl Mode with Josh Glidden. The team entered two fish totaling a combined 65 inches. Monetti’s company, MRIC Spatial, was a platinum sponsor of the

tournament. Second place was claimed by Team Not Ready with Leigh West and Brandon Chircop. Their two fish totaled 62.5 inches. Third place was

RUSTY CHINNIS

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

Bill Horn addresses participants at the Waterman Tournament Banquet.

Hogfish plentiful locally

CAPT. DAVE WHITE

We’ve had a few really nice days this past week and were happy to take advantage of it.

We here at Anna Maria Charters spent the majority of the week on the ledges and nearshore structure targeting hogfish. Hogfish, commonly referred to as hog snapper, aren’t actually a snapper at all. They are in the wrasse family. They share this family with the small cleaner wrasse seen cleaning larger species like Goliath grouper, to the insanely large Napoleon wrasse. This makes their meat much different than snapper. Smaller grain and no blood. Mixed in while hog fishing, we also caught a ton of Key West grunts, mangrove snapper, triggerfish, lane snapper and the occasional gag grouper - all very tasty animals that are easy to fill the box with if you’re at all a very proficient angler. Inshore, we’re targeting pompano, sheepshead, snook, black drum and redfish. Shrimp and pilchards are both staples in our everyday routine. Hopefully we see more weather like last week in the near future!

CAPT. RICK GRASSETT

Trout and redfish should be good shallow-water options this month. You’ll find trout on deep grass flats. I like flats that have a good mix of grass and sand and good tidal flow. Flats that are close to passes are often good choices since water

temperatures may be warmer there. Following fronts, silted-up water will cover deep grass flats close to passes, often affecting fishing in those areas. Other good grass flats may be on points or around bars. I like to drift and cast ahead of my drift with CAL jigs and a variety of plastic tails, DOA Deadly Combos or weighted flies on sink-tip fly lines to locate trout. Once you’ve located them you can shorten your drift or anchor on them.

In addition to trout, you may also find blues, Spanish mackerel, flounder or pompano, depending on water temperature and conditions, on deep grass flats. The technique to find them is the same as for trout, although there may be other clues. Pompano may “skip” on the surface when you drift or run past them, giving their presence away. When that happens, set up a drift upwind of where you saw a pompano and cast ahead of your drift. Blues and Spanish mackerel may force bait out of the water or feed on the surface. You may need to add heavy fluorocarbon or wire when blues and mackerel are mixed with trout on deep grass flats.

Fishing docks is another good option this time of year, especially when the tide is low. You might find reds, sheepshead or flounder under docks. I like docks that are deep (3’ or more) and have a good tidal flow. Fish the end of long piers to find the deepest water. Also, look for big boats moored on docks or on boat lifts, which is also an indication of deeper water. Older

docks with lots of barnacle and oyster growth usually hold more baitfish and predators. I like CAL jigs with shad tails, grubs or jerk worms or weighted flies fished on sink-tip fly lines when fishing docks. Be sure to let your jig or fly get down close to the bottom.

There may be some action in the coastal Gulf by the end of the month with Spanish mackerel and cobia. When the water warms to the high 60s to low 70s, these fish will move into our area from the south as they migrate north. Look for Spanish mackerel on the surface or in passes. Cobia may be swimming on the surface, around buoys, channel markers and crab trap floats or over structure. Tripletail may

REEL TIME: Results in from the 2023 Waterman

FROM PAGE 22 awarded to Team Bar Fly with a two-fish total of 54 inches.

There was great camaraderie, a dinner, a raffle with many fine products and an inspirational presentation by Bill Horn. Horn is vice-chair of the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust (BTT) and former assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish, Wildlife and Parks. He is the author of “Seasons on the Flats,” “On the Bow” and many other literary works. Bill has been deeply

involved in Everglades restoration for the last 20 years. He's been a major force behind BTT's work on water quality, fisheries management and federal policy. In his speech, he mentioned BTT’s recent study of pharmaceutical drugs in bonefish. The study was expanded to include redfish in Florida waters to show the problem was more widespread than the Florida Keys. Tampa Bay was one of the regions sampled and the redfish were found to have some of the highest

levels of pharmaceutical drugs, including antidepressants, blood pressure medications, painkillers and a host of other compounds. Horn finished by saying that the technology exists to remove these compounds and emphasized the critical need to implement them before the drugs enter the environment further.

Organizations like Tampa Bay Waterkeeper are on the front line of the defense of our littoral environment and deserve the support of anglers and all

also be an option during warm-ups in the coastal Gulf.

February can be a tough month to fish. With frequent fronts and cool water, fish aren’t always in an eating mood. If you’re able to pick good tides combined with favorable weather conditions, you should be successful. If you don’t have that luxury, you might do better by sleeping in and fishing later in the day when it’s warmer. Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by industrial, agricultural and residential runoff, toxic spills and discharges, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation. Please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

those who appreciate the threatened coastal ecosystem. The challenge is to make decision makers aware of the concerns and have them address them at the state and national levels. Your vote is critical to making this a reality. See how your local, state and federal representatives have voted on these issues at the League of Conservation Voters website, lcv.org. As Horn mentioned in his closing statement, “if we don’t do this, this might be the last generation of anglers to have the opportunity.” Join Tampa Bay Waterkeeper and be a part of the solution.

CAPT. DAVID WHITE | SUBMITTED

A very happy Ted Zach, of Hastings, Nebraska, with a beautiful male hogfish caught with Capt. David White of Anna Maria Charters.

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&

Happy (Chinese) New Year! Pork

Belly

(4-6 servings)

Ingredients

Blanching step:

1 1/2 pounds pork belly

2-inch piece ginger, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing)

Cooking step: Butcher string

1 bunch cilantro

hinese New Year always takes place on the first day of the Chinese lunar calendar. The Chinese lunar calendar starts the first day following the first new moon between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20. In 2023, the Chinese New Year celebration started on Jan. 22 and ended on Feb. 5.

It is the most important holiday in China. In fact, it causes the largest human migration in the world every year as families gather to celebrate. It is also known as the Spring Festival. While still wintery, the holiday does mark the end of the coldest days. The Spring Festival is a lengthy celebration and there are specific traditions and activities for each day. Most importantly, it is a time for family to gather and celebrate. New Year’s Eve is celebrated with what is known as the reunion dinner. It is the most important meal of the year! New Year’s Day is celebrated with firecrackers and leftovers from the night before. The firecrackers are thought to scare off monsters and bad luck based on the legend of a boy who was brave enough to fight off the monster Nina that would visit every New Year’s Eve. For extra good measure, it is forbidden to shower, sweep or clean on this day so that good fortune is not swept away.

Spring Festival traditions include visits to the in-laws on the second day, welcoming the god in by opening the windows at midnight and eating and

drinking until daybreak on the fourth day - and, of course, the beautiful Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day. Everyone, regardless of age or gender, goes outside onto the streets to celebrate. Activities include moon gazing, lighting lanterns and lion dances. It’s a chance for everyone to stroll freely and interact. Therefore, this day is often considered the true Chinese Valentine’s Day. That joyous interaction along with all the red-colored Chinese New Year decorations and the exchange of red envelopes containing gifts surely is a Valentine’s Day equivalent!

Today’s recipe celebrates the reunion of families, the celebration of good fortune and the romance of Valentines all in one! The recipe calls for Shaoxing, which is a Chinese cooking wine available at most grocers. However, you can easily substitute a dry sherry for it. Chances are you will have more uses for the sherry in the future. When stopping in at Hurricane Liquors or LBK Liquors for that sherry, why not

pick up a special bottle of wine or two that will complement this pork belly recipe. Pork belly has a high fat content so you’ll want to pair it with a medium-bodied wine with high acidity. Personally, I would go with a chenin blanc or Vouvray, as they are naturally high in acidity with tropical aromas of pineapple and mango and a citrusy taste. A Vouvray is a wine from the Vouvray region in the Loire Valley in France where the main grape variety grown is chenin blanc. While we would normally suggest a dry wine, the sauce in this recipe has some sugar to it, so you may be able to get away with a slightly sweeter chenin blanc that suits your palate. If you plan on enjoying this recipe on Valentine’s Day, you may be more inclined to pair a red wine with it. In that case, we recommend you choose a medium-bodied Tempranillo. They tend to be tannic and fruity with good acidity. Come see us and we will be glad to help you out. Happy Valentine’s Day!

2-inch piece ginger, thinly sliced

1/4 cup brown sugar

3 bay leaves

2 cinnamon sticks

1 cup white rice wine (Mirin)

4 tablespoons Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing)

11/2 cup light soy sauce

4 tablespoons dark soy sauce

1 star anise

Directions

Add water to a large stock pot. Place pork belly into pot, skin side down. Add sliced ginger and Chinese cooking wine. Bring to a boil and leave at a rolling boil for 10 minutes. Turn off heat and remove the pork belly and allow to cool. Once cooled, under running water wash the pork belly and remove any remaining hairs. Cut pork belly into desired portion size. Using butcher string, tie each pork belly piece to hold it together. Reserve some cilantro for garnish and place the remainder of the bunch in the bottom of a large stock pot. The cilantro will help prevent the pork belly from sticking to the pot. Carefully place the pork belly skin side down into the pot. Add all remaining ingredients to the pot. Fill with water until the pork belly pieces are just covered. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Cover and simmer for approximately two hours, checking occasionally that there is liquid remaining in the pot so the pork belly doesn’t burn. Add more water if necessary. Remove the lid, bring to a gentle boil to reduce the liquid remaining in the pot. The sauce will be the correct consistency when the sauce coats the back of a metal spoon dipped in the sauce. Once the sauce is at the desired consistency, remove and plate pork belly pieces and spoon sauce over top of pork belly. Top with fresh cilantro and serve at once.

Brian Mathae

HURRICANE HANKS

SUBMITTED

Parking delineators installed

Parking delineator posts were recently installed along the 100 block of Gulf Drive South in Bradenton Beach in front of the One Stop Shell Stop, Tahini Beach Café and Island Scoops. Installed at the city commission’s request, the delineator poles prevent motorists and delivery trucks from parking in that narrow area along that heavily-traveled portion of Gulf Drive.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

BRIDGE: Meeting highlights updated plans

FROM PAGE 1

The informational slides, a 19-minute video presentation and more can be viewed at the project website: https://www.swflroads. com/project/430204-2. Comments can still be submitted online at the project website. Comments received by Feb. 10 will be included in the meeting summary to be released in late February or early March.

“I hope they got an understanding of where we’re at with the current design of the bridge and hopefully we’ve been able to answer some of their questions,” FDOT Design Project Manager Ryan Weeks said during the meeting.

FDOT Communications Specialist Adam Rose said, “We’re showing the design of the bridge, as well as taking comments to better fit the bridge needs for the local public and the traveling public. We’re trying to facilitate every aspect of transportation we can on this bridge.”

Rose said FDOT has not yet decided what will happen to the existing drawbridge once the new bridge is completed. He said bridge replacement projects often result in the demolition of the old bridge, but some old bridges are converted into fishing piers instead.

“The department will eventually make that decision. We haven’t

made that decision yet,” Rose said.

BAC member Connie Morrow attended the meeting and said, “The Department of Transportation worked with the aesthetics committee from the very beginning. One of the things we asked for was assurance that what we did and what we produced would carry through regardless of the height of the bridge so our efforts would not be a waste.”

Morrow said the images and information presented Tuesday night accurately reflect the BAC members’ recommendations, which include multi-column bridge piers, a sand-colored bridge and bridge columns, blue railings and light poles, four curved and benchless observation points and a multi-wave design pattern for the retention walls at both ends of the new bridge.

PROJECT DETAILS

The bridge replacement project contract is scheduled to be awarded to a contractor in the summer of 2025 and construction is expected to begin in late 2025 or early 2026.

The new bridge will be built north of the existing bridge, with horizontal curves at each end of the bridge that bring the traffic flow into alignment with the existing roadway. Motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists will continue

using the existing bridge until the new bridge is completed.

At its highest point, the fixedspan bridge will provide at least 65 feet of vertical clearance for vessels passing below. The new bridge will be 68 feet and 3 inches wide and consist of two 12-foot-wide travel lanes (one in each direction), two 10-foot-wide shoulders and two 10-foot-wide sidewalks buffered by concrete barriers.

The roadways approaching the bridge will feature two 11-footwide travel lanes (one in each direction), 6-foot-wide bike lanes and 10-foot-wide sidewalks. The east end of the project will include the construction of a new road called Hunters Point Way that will connect Cortez Road and 127th Street West and provide access to businesses and homes in that area.

Coastal Watersports owner John Cadmus attended Tuesday’s meeting to learn more about the new bridge’s potential impact on his business. He wondered if parking spaces, bike racks and pedestrian amenities would be installed under the Cortez side of the bridge.

“They don’t seem to have parking under the bridge,” he said after speaking to FDOT representatives.

“I think it’s going to be a great project. I’m supportive of

the bridge, but I’m concerned that there’s no end date for the construction. They couldn’t tell me if it would be two years or five years,” Cadmus said.

STORMWATER RETENTION

The plans include three stormwater retention ponds identified as stormwater maintenance facilities along the southwest end of the bridge in Bradenton Beach. One retention area, SMF 3-1, is located near the Bradenton Beach police station. Two more are to be located near the Bradenton Beach Marina, including one, SMF 3-3, that will extend under the new bridge and impact the existing pedestrian and bike pathway there.

Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie is concerned about the retention area SMF 3-1 being located at north end of the police department parking lot, which has metal railings that can be re-

moved to provide direct vehicular access from Highland Avenue to Cortez Road if Gulf Drive is blocked during a storm, hurricane or other emergency.

“This is vital for public safety,” Chappie said of the railings. During Tuesday’s meeting, Chappie shared his concerns with Weeks.

“We’ve been told they’ll be making accommodations in that area and they understood our concern, but on the drawing nothing’s changed. The retention pond is in the way,” Chappie said.

The online video notes the bridge replacement plans don’t include improvements to the Gulf Drive/Cortez Road intersection. Chappie said FDOT is planning a separate complete streets project during the 2023-24 fiscal year that may address safety concerns with the existing sidewalks and crosswalks there.

FDOT | SUBMITTED

The new bridge will feature four curved observation points.

REAL ESTATE

Do you really want to be a landlord?

It’s not uncommon for people to look at the job of a real estate agent and say, “Wow, that looks easy. Work part-time, pick your hours, work from home and make a lot of money.” Well, those of us who have done the job know that none of that is actually true. Similarly, purchasing a second homewhether you’re setting it up as a rental investment property or using it for your personal use - is never as easy as it looks.

If you’re purchasing a property to rent, the benefits include passive income and tax breaks. Properties on Anna Maria Island, for example, have become so expensive that just getting into a property will cost a lot more than in previous years.

You need a minimum of 20% down if you’re financing, and mortgage loans on an investment property can be higher by a point or two than primary

Castles in the Sand

LOUISE BOLGER

homes or even second homes that are non-rentals. In addition, investment property loans include higher minimum credit scores and a more desirable debtto-loan ratio. Lenders also generally require more cash reserves as well.

Maintenance of a second home, whether it’s an investment property or one for personal use, has gone up considerably in the past couple of years. Some owners say it’s as much as 10%, which seems a little low to me. The cost of materials, appliances and labor have hit all homeowners, but second home owners are hurting on all of their homes.

Anna Maria Island, especially this season, is maintaining a very high occupancy rate for rental properties. But this is not always true and if you lose the ability to rent the property, your stream of income is severely damaged. Inflation is taking a bite out of everyone’s budget and vacations are a luxury; having a nice cash buffer will help with the anxiety of not having a tenant.

One of the major benefits of owning a second home is to watch your appreciation grow and grow and grow. And that certainly has happened in the past two years. But here again, we have seen real estate markets take a plunge, taking all of your “mental equity” along with it. You’ll need to develop nerves of steel to invest in real estate.

Finally, if you have the vision of generational family gatherings passed down through the years long after

you’re gone, don’t be surprised if your beneficiaries don’t feel the same connection to the property or each other. Family members may feel differently on the amount of usage, the cost of upkeep, whether the property should be updated, should they allow rentals or if indeed they even want the property. It can become really tricky to make everyone happy, especially if one of the family members wants out and the others need to come up with the cash to buy them out or sell the property. Even on Anna Maria Island where beach houses and other second homes are off the scale valuable, ownership isn’t easy. Just like any piece of real estate, it becomes a daily chore that will all be paid back to you while sitting on your beachfront deck. Now if you want something easy, get a real estate license; we all know that’s a piece of cake.

BEACH BEAT

BRADENTON BEACH

1/27, 12:04 a.m., assist other agency/DUI, 2200 Gulf Drive N. While driving away from a previous call, the officer was behind an SUV he had seen previously parked near his call. While following it north on Gulf Drive, it was observed swerving in and out of the bike lane and across the center line. When the officer initiated a traffic stop and approached the driver, he smelled the strong odor of alcohol and the man appeared intoxicated. When asked for his driver’s license and paperwork, the driver handed the officer a credit card. A deputy from the MCSO traffic unit arrived to take over the DUI investigation. The driver was arrested after refusing to cooperate with the officer’s request for a sobriety test.

1/27, 7:50 p.m., domestic disturbance, 2000 Gulf Drive N. The officer responded to a domestic disturbance at Bungalow Beach Resort. He made contact with male and female vacation renters whose neighbors reported them as arguing loudly. According to the police report, the male tried to shut the door on the officer and was being uncooperative, so he was detained in handcuffs. The most recent argument was

over a broken TV that had upset the male subject and caused him to allegedly be verbally abusive to the female. Both parties told police nothing had become physical, and the male subject denied any argument at all. No one was arrested and management evicted them from the property.

HOLMES BEACH

1/26, 11:27 p.m., county warrant, 200 Elm Ave. W. An officer working on a vehicle crash in the 4100 block of Gulf Drive said two people involved in the crash left the scene and got on the Monkey Bus shuttle. The officer contacted the Monkey Bus and the driver said the two subjects were still on the bus and he would meet the officer on Elm Avenue. When the officer met the shuttle, he ran a warrant check on the pair; the female subject came back having an active warrant. She was arrested and taken to Manatee County Jail.

1/26, 9:58 p.m., missing person recovery, 5337 Gulf Drive. The officer was dispatched to the Freckled Fin Irish Pub in reference to a citizen arrest. An employee said there was an elderly man at the bar that didn’t know where he was and possibly needed assistance. The subject appeared to be suffering from some sort of cognitive disability. The man was wearing pajama pants and matched the description of a missing person that the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office was looking for. The man was transported to Bradenton where the Sheriff’s Office took custody of him.

OBITUARIES

Steve Franklin Parker Jr.

Steve Franklin Parker Jr., of Cortez, died on Jan. 22 at the age of 64 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was a lifelong commercial fisherman and an amazing painter. He was creative and able to master any task put before him.

He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Denny Parker, of Cortez; children, Lori (Mike) Sobeski, Steve F. Parker III, Heather (Alex) Conyers and Cameron Parker; 18 grandchildren; his loving mother, Shirley Parker; two brothers, Victor (Mary) Parker, Randy Parker and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was loved by fatherand mother-in-law Charles and Laurella Staigerwald. He was preceded in death by his father, Steve F. Parker Sr.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Brown and Sons Funeral Home, 604 43rd St. W., Bradenton.

Michael Paul Jenson

Michael Paul Jenson, 74, of Chicago and Holmes Beach, died on Jan. 4. He was born on March 7, 1948 and grew up in Saybrook, Illinois, and although his adult years were spent in Chicago, he never forgot his central Illinois roots.

Mike graduated from SaybrookArrowsmith High School and Eastern Illinois University with a degree in history and attended John Marshall Law School. He had a long career as a private investigator and process server in Chicago. Guided by his principle of "Go as far as you can until someone stops you" and protected from the conflicts inherent in his work by his easygoing nature, he maintained the balance needed to succeed at his work.

Mike married Nancy Zabel on Sept. 22, 1984. Mike and Nancy enjoyed many years of vacationing on Anna Maria Island and in 2012, fulfilled his dream of owning a home there. On sunny afternoons he could frequently be found relaxing with his dogs on the dock behind his house.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy; brother, Greg (Kathy); and sisters, Ann (Mike) Young, and Julie (Chris) Kemp. Also surviving are his nephews, Mat and Ty (Hannah) Young; and great-niece and nephew, Lyla and James Young.

CONSOLIDATION: Concerns officials

the city was dissolved by the Florida Legislature,” Perry’s letter said.

BRADENTON BEACH CONCERNS

On Feb. 2, the Bradenton Beach Commission again discussed these legislative matters. Mayor John Chappie noted that City Attorney Ricinda Perry referenced the state legislators’ efforts in a letter she sent to the accounting firm that annually audits the city’s finances. In that letter, Perry identified current or potential legal actions or litigation that could impact the city’s finances.

“The city of Bradenton Beach has been placed on notice that Representative Robinson may propose a study funded by the Florida Legislature to determine if the three Anna Maria Island Cities – Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach and Anna Maria –should be consolidated or dissolved,” Perry stated in her Jan. 31 letter.

“The impacts of this would impair all existing contracts, leases, franchise agreements, employment agreements, endowments and retirement accounts. There has been real property gifted to the city that may have reverter clauses. The city would cease to exist if the special act creating the municipality would be repealed and

“To date, the city has not received notice that the study has been authorized, nor has the city received notice that Representative Robinson has filed a local house bill to dissolve the city,” Perry’s letter said in closing.

Perry noted eliminating the city would also eliminate the city charter. Among other things, the city charter includes the height restrictions that prohibit the construction of high-rise structures.

Perry receives legislative updates from the city’s contracted lobbyist, Dave Ramba. Ramba believes Robinson will push for the consolidation study during this year’s legislative session and wait until the 2024 session to decide what to do with the recommendations made in the study. Perry said the study is one of Robinson’s top legislative priorities.

Perry also spoke with Florida League of Cities attorney David Cruz and was told the League will be part of the efforts to defeat the legislative actions sought by the Manatee County delegation.

“This is a new attack on home rule,” Perry said.

Perry said she spoke with Robinson, too. She said he’s concerned about the tax burdens placed on the Island’s taxpayers and wants to know whether consolidating some or all of the services provided by each of the Island cities would reduce those tax burdens.

After noting that people voluntarily chose to live and own property on Anna Maria Island, Perry said, “If the extra (property) tax is the concern, then by virtue of his claim every municipality in the state is an overtax on people and every county should be a county with no municipalities in it.”

Chappie noted the city only receives a small percentage of the tax revenues Manatee County collects in Bradenton Beach.

Perry said Robinson also feels the three Island cities, in general, need to find or create more parking for beachgoers and visitors, but one city in particular (Holmes Beach) is the state legislators’ main concern.

On Jan. 30, Chappie, Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth and Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy met with Robinson and Boyd at Anna Maria City Hall in a private meeting arranged by Murphy.

During Thursday’s commission meeting, Chappie shared some of what was discussed during that meet -

MERGER: Could erase local city regulations

FROM PAGE 1

In 2005, voters in Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach voted in favor of a non-binding resolution to study the feasibility of consolidation, but Anna Maria city commissioners opted to not put the question to voters in that city, so nothing came of the proposal.

If the state Legislature consolidates the three Island cities into one new municipality, the new city would lose its existing ordinances, including length of stay for vacation rentals, height restrictions, parking restrictions, occupancy requirements and vacation rental regulations. Some regulations would lose their grandfathered status as they would be pre-empted by subsequent state law, according to the league.

DECONSTRUCTING CITIES

According to Florida Statute 165.061, not only can a municipality be dissolved by a special act of the state Legislature, but multiple municipalities also can be merged together.

The statutory requirements for a municipality to be dissolved include that the municipality not be substantially surrounded by other municipalities. The county or another neighboring municipality also must prove the ability and willingness to provide necessary services to the dissolved municipality and be able to absorb the financial responsibilities of the dissolved municipality. In addition, a financial or job placement arrangement must be made for employees of the dissolved municipality.

To create a new municipality by merging existing municipalities, the area under consideration must be compact, contiguous and susceptible to urban services, honor existing solid waste contracts, provide financial compensation or job placement for employees and meet the prerequisites to annexation listed

in Florida Statute 171.042. Some of those prerequisites include the creation of a new boundary map, creating plans for the running and governing of the new municipality and holding public hearings for all residents and property owners.

Mayors on Anna Maria Island have expressed their

ing, and also during his previous meetings with Titsworth and Murphy.

Chappie said the three mayors have had some preliminary discussion about possibly consolidating some of the services provided by each of the three cities, including flood plain management, the flood insurance related Community Rating System, code enforcement and things of that nature.

“We’re looking at that and that was part of the request from our legislators,” Chappie said.

Commissioner Ralph Cole addressed the potential consolidation or elimination of the city’s police department.

“It’s good to have your own police department. They know the people, how the area works and what’s going on in each neighborhood,” he said.

“Look at the amount of crime out here on the Island and tell us we haven’t done a good job,” Cole said in comparison to crime rates experienced elsewhere in the county.

Regarding consolidation in general, Chappie said, “I don’t think the numbers actually work. We’re going to look at all that.”

“It would be a disaster for this area,” Cole said.

opposition to the dissolution or consolidation of the cities, and met on Jan. 30 with delegation members Rep. Will Robinson Jr. and Rep. Jim Boyd to discuss the proposed study and a proposed bill to circumvent Holmes Beach regulations to build a four-story parking garage at county-owned property at Manatee Beach. A joint statement on the two topics is expected to be issued after press time for The Sun. Visit amisun.com for updates.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

BRIDGE GAMES STARTING up at Roser Church in February. Call 314-324-5921 for details.

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

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

HOSPITAL VOLUNTEERS

WANTED to assist at our information desk, especially weekends.

Great for teens needing volunteer hours (16yrs+). Other assignments available. Please call the Blake Volunteer Office at 941-798-6151.

COMMERCIAL SALES, RENT & LEASE

HAVE YOU BEEN thinking of selling? We NEED properties to List for SALE!!! Duplexes, multi family, small resorts?

Call BIG Alan Galletto of Island Real Estate to get it SOLD 941-232-2216

COMMERCIAL LEASE - 419 pine, Anna Maria - Island Real Estate - Larry Chatt 941-345-1288

CLEANING SERVICE

TOTAL HOME SERVICES

CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Rentals, VRBO. Professional and Reliable. Call 941-7564570 or 941-565-3931

EMPLOYMENT

WANTED LICENSED

REALTOR! Seeking real estate agent with island expertise to join our highly productive sales team! Contact us at 941-900-4974. All calls confidential

The award-winning ANNA MARIA ISLAND SUN, a weekly newspaper on Florida’s Gulf Coast, is looking for a freelance reporter/photographer to cover events on this tourism-driven island. The ideal candidate will have reporting and photography experience at a community newspaper and have some experience writing for a news website. Local residents or those with previous local knowledge and willing to relocate here a plus. Resumes and cover letters may be mailed to The Anna Maria Island Sun, P.O Box 1189, Anna Maria, FL 34216, Attention: Mike Field, publisher.

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

TOPPER FOR F150 Long bed. $50 or Best Offer. Call 941-705-7560.

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

TILE! TILE! TILE! All variations of tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship. Prompt, reliable, many Island references. Free estimates. Neil 941-726-3077

RENOVATION SPECALIST

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

KERN CONSTRUCTION

NEW Homes & Remodel. Design/Build. Since 1968. License # CBC 1261150. Call Mike Kern 941-7781115

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.

API’S DRYWALL REPAIR 15+ years experience. Free estimates. No job too small. Love to help you. Call 941-524-8067.

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.

ISLE TILE specializing in Custom Bath/Shower & Backsplash installation. Pressure washing available. Call 941-302-8759 isletileservices.com

HOME SERVICES

CONCRETE FUSION, CRACK REPAIR sidewalks/ driveways. Why fix 95% of concrete when only 5% bad? Number 1 in concrete repair. Insured. Free estimate. Call Bobby 941-374-7670.

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

SHELL DRIVEWAYS & LANDSCAPE. Specializing in Old Florida Seashell and Lime rock driveways and scapes. Also River Rock, Sand, Mulch, & Soil. Call Shark Mark 941-301-6067

ISLAND RESIDENT. TREE/ BUSH Trimming, removal. Sweeping, blowing, and weeding. Weekly, bimonthly or monthly schedule. Pressure washing. Call Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315

MOVING & STORAGE

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

PAINTING & WALLCOVERING

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. Wallpaper installation/ removal. Mary Bell Winegarden 941-794-0455

DONALD PERKINS

ABRACADABRA PAINTING LLC fully insured. 30 years experience. Many Island references. Call 941-7057096

PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reliable. Island Resident. Quality Workmanship. Interior/Exterior. Minor repairs & carpentry. Free estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315

POOL SERVICES

FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE AND CHEMICAL SERVICES. Certified Pool Operator. 10 + Years Experience. Residential/commercial. Chemical Service Licensed & Insured. Call Dennis Clark 941-7375657

COLE'S TROPICAL POOL SERVICE Call Cole Bowers for all your pool maintenance needs! Affordable and Dependable!! 941-7131893

PRESSURE WASHING & WINDOWS

TOTAL HOME SERVICES

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

REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE

Have you been thinking of selling? We NEED properties to List for SALE!!! GULF FRONT, CANAL FRONT, BAY FRONT CONDOS or HOMES ASK for BIG Alan Galletto of Island Real Estate to get it SOLD 941-232-2216

LOOKING FOR A highly motivated real estate broker to buy or sell your next home? Darcie Duncan, Broker Duncan Real Estate a lifelong island resident bringing success to her customers for 30 years. Proven track record brings you results! 941-725-1589

ATTN REALTORS: Are you thinking about leaving the business to get a salaried job? If you love being a Realtor & need help navigating this new market, call us today for a confidential appt. Kelly Gitt The Gitt Team AMI KW on the Water 941-799-9299

GORGEOUS DEEP WATER LOT with 2BR/2BA home in City of Anna Maria with dock and boat lift. Beautiful street. Just one block walk to beach. $2,800,000. Call for showing 941-7136531

RENTALS: ANNUAL ANNUAL RENTALS WANTED! We have well qualified tenants for beach and mainland annual rentals, Full management or Finders fee. Call today for details. Ask for Paige DUNCAN REAL ESTATE 513-3821992.

ANNUAL RENTALS – AVAILABLE NOW. 2BR/1BA, furnished. $4,500/month. Canal front 3BR/2BA home, private pool, boat dock. AVAILABLE 2/1/23. $7,9560/mo. First, Last, and Security Deposit required Call Sato Real Estate, Inc 941-778-7200 or Email monica@satorealestate. com SMUGGLERS LANDINGS.

CORTEZ 2BR/2BA/2CG. Overlooking Canal.1400s.f., unfurnished, with 2 pools, 40ft boat slip. $2800/mo. Available March 1. Call 770-883-3561

RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION

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

SEASONAL RENTAL in PALMA SOLA. 3BR/2BA weekly or monthly rates. Contact Barb Grace 941201-2190

ANNA MARIA ISLAND

CONDOS Large pool, beach access, free WiFi, 1&2 Bedroom $900 to $1200 per week redekercondosonami.com Tim 941-704-7525

TRANSPORTATION

AMI TAXI credit cards, cash, Venmo accepted. Airport: Tampa $105, Sarasota $50, St. Pete/Clearwater $105, Orlando $220. Call 941447-8372, www.amitaxi. com GOLF CART RENTALS

ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa/St. Pete $80. Sarasota $40. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-779-5095