Anna Maria Island Sun February 24, 2021

- Named Best Florida Newspaper In Its Class -

VOL 21 No. 20

February 24, 2021

COVID Ribbon Memorial honors Florida’s deceased

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Ceremony attendees lifted the COVID Ribbon Memorial above their heads in honor of the deceased.

Cathy Tobias hopes the COVID Ribbon Memorial she and others created is displayed elsewhere in Florida as well.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Spanning more than 250 yards and representing the life of each Floridian who has died of COV-

ID-19, the COVID Ribbon Memorial of Florida was unveiled Tuesday morning.

Comprised of a colorful, yet somber, string of approximately 30,000 plastic ribbons, the COVID Ribbon Memorial of Florida was created by Anna Maria resident and photographer Cathy Tobias, who was assisted by her sister, Judy Tobias, and some friends.

The 11 a.m. unveiling ceremony on Feb. 16 took place on the public beach near the Spring Avenue street end and

City pursues Mote Marine pier proposal Mayor Dan Murphy proposed an open-air cantina as a potential alternate use of the vacant pier building.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – City commissioners have asked Mayor Dan Murphy to approach Mote Marine for a final proposal outlining its plans to create a

INSIDE NEWS 4 LETTERS 6 OUTDOORS 20-21 CASTLES IN THE SAND 22 REAL ESTATE 22-26 RESTAURANTS 27 SPORTS 28 CLASSIFIEDS 30

Marine Educational Outreach Center at the end of the City Pier.

The proposed 1,800-square-foot center would be operated by Sarasota-based Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium inside the vacant, city-owned building next to the City Pier Grill & Bait Shop. The vacant building is one of two city-owned buildings constructed at the T-end of the pier during the pier replacement project completed in 2020.

SEE PIER, PAGE 14

temptations with baked chicken, Yuzu-style. 19 TASTE

Anna Maria Island, Florida

the Sandbar restaurant in Anna Maria.

Earlier that morning, the ribbons were stretched along the beach using wooden stakes for support. Permanent markers were placed near some of the stakes for those who wished to write on a ribbon the name of a friend or loved one who perished from the infectious disease.

Before the ceremony began, Bradenton resident Pam Butsch said a friend of hers died of COVID-19 the previous week and the deceased woman’s husband was cur-

rently hospitalized and on a ventilator.

“This is my farewell to a beautiful person who suffered from a very ugly disease. She died at The Villages and her husband is in the hospital fighting for his life,” Butsch said regarding the ribbon memorial’s impact on her.

THE ART OF REMEMBERING

After addressing a large media gathering on the beach, Tobias stood under SEE RIBBON, PAGE 17

Anna Maria loses a beloved resident Margaret Jenkins was named the City of Anna Maria’s Citizen of the Year in 2015.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA - The flags at Anna Maria City Hall and other city facilities were lowered to half-staff Monday morning in honor of longtime Anna Maria resident Margaret Jenkins, who passed away Sunday morning at the age of 90, Mayor Dan Murphy reported.

At the time of her passing, Jenkins remained a member of the Anna Maria

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Margaret Jenkins served on the Anna Maria Planning and Zoning Board for many years.

Planning and Zoning Board that she served on for many years. In part because of that service, Jenkins was SEE JENKINS, PAGE 11

LOCAL vaccine distribution delayed by

weather. 3 NOT guilty plea entered in fatal

hit and run. 5

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FRESH AIR because

WE CARE Before we reopened The Waterfront for indoor seating, we installed the Fresh-Aire UV disinfection system to help protect our customers and staff. Our outdoor dining makes up two thirds of our restaurant seating.

All seating is spaced 6 feet apart.

941.778.1515 | 111 SOUTH BAY BLVD | ANNA MARIA ISLAND, FL WWW.THEWATERFRONTRESTAURANT.NET

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

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Local vaccine distribution delayed by weather

Mask requirements on AMI

Manatee County leaders are having issues with vaccine shipments held up by inclement weather.

Anna Maria Island’s three cities have differing requirements for wearing face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BY KRISTIN SWAIN

People must wear a face mask and maintain social distancing at Anna Maria City Hall, the City Hall Annex and at City Pier Park during city-sponsored events, including the Farmers Market, with mask exceptions including those under age 2 or with health conditions preventing mask-wearing. Violators are subject to removal. Businesses or special events promoters may require face masks to be worn at their businesses or events, and law enforcement can issue trespass warnings to those who refuse.

ANNA MARIA

SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

MANATEE COUNTY – Winter weather has interrupted the availability of local COVID-19 vaccines, frustrating those who have appointments and those who don’t.

“I am 80 years old with underlying conditions and I am still waiting for an appointment from the Manatee County 65 and older Vaccination Standby Pool, and also have had no luck thus far with the Publix vaccination program either,” said Manatee County resident Pete Gross, a former coordinator for Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring for 11 years, and a retired chief technology officer for a Fortune 200 information technology company.

Even some lucky enough to get appointments are now having trouble getting their vaccinations.

County 311 operators had booked appointments for 5,100 people to receive their first doses of the Moderna vaccine at the county-run Tom Bennett Park on Feb. 18 and 19. But due to a winter storm that’s blanketing much of the United States in ice and snow, shipment of those 5,100 vaccine doses was delayed, along with an additional 1,000 vaccines earmarked for Manatee County Regional Health Center distribution.

SOURCE: FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Those appointments have been rescheduled to Feb. 25 and 26 at the same times as previously booked, with the hope that the promised vaccine doses will make it to Manatee County by then.

Vaccine shipments expected at 17 local Publix stores and one area Winn-Dixie for distribution to eligible Manatee County seniors also were delayed due to the storm. On Feb. 19, Publix announced in a press release that no more appointments would be booked in Florida until further notice for first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, however, second-dose appointments would be honored.

SEE VACCINE, PAGE 12

BRADENTON BEACH

Business patrons who violate a business owner’s mask mandate can be trespassed from the property.

HOLMES BEACH

People must wear a mask in all city buildings and at special events at City Field. Owners, managers, employees, customers, or patrons of businesses must wear face coverings while in that business, with exceptions including people who have trouble breathing due to a chronic pre-existing condition and restaurant and bar patrons while eating or drinking. Businesses may prohibit violators from remaining in the business. Social distancing is recommended.

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ISLAND NEWS

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Scan this code with your smartphone to go there.

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

IN BRIEF

County charter work session planned The Anna Maria City Commission will host a work session at 2 p.m. on Monday, March 1 at which attorney Wade Vose will share his expertise on county charters. Along with his mother, Becky, Wade Vose is a partner in the law firm that serves as the city attorney’s office for the city of Anna Maria. The city work session was scheduled in response to Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse’s desire to transform Manatee County into a charter county. When Kruse presented this idea at a recent Council of Governments meeting, representatives from all six municipalities within the county expressed concerns and opposition to a charter county that could potentially chip away at the cities’ existing home rule rights, including vacation rental regulation, land use regulation and beach regulation. Anna Maria City Hall is open for limited attendance and the work session can also be accessed by calling 1-929-205-6099 and entering the meeting ID, 85392000280.

Coquina Beach Crab and Music Festival canceled due to COVID-19 Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Coquina Beach Crab and Music Festival tentatively scheduled for April 2-4 has been canceled by the event organizers, Paragon Festivals. Bradenton Beach Building Official Steve Gilbert advised the city commission of the cancellation during last week’s meeting. He said the event organizers plan to host the festival again in 2022.

Roser hosts outdoor HymnFest Come out to Roser Memorial Community Church and bring your lawn chair to enjoy HymnFest and the Music on the Water concert series.

HymnFest takes place Sunday, Feb. 28 at 3 p.m. in the church’s sanctuary parking lot, 512 Pine Ave. in Anna Maria. No reservations are required, but everyone is required to wear a mask and groups must remain 6 feet from other groups.

Visit www.roserchurch.com/music-on-the-water to vote for your favorite hymns and see what will be played during the event. Roser also will host additional Music on the Water events Sunday, March 7 and Sunday, March 21.

Maritime Museum re-opens by appointment The Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W. in Cortez, has partially completed renovations and is open Tuesday through Saturday by appointment only, at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

The auditorium gallery is open to explore Florida’s fishing and maritime heritage, and a Gulf Coast seashell collection is on display in the new Captain’s Corner education room. The south room is still under renovation.

Schedule an appointment online at www.floridamaritimemuseum.org or call 941-708-6120.

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

The crew of the Exuma Trader out of Sarasota pulled the Viva! Viva! from the shallows of Palma Sola Bay on Friday, Feb. 19 with an assist from Sea Tow.

Aground no more BRADENTON – Anyone traveling down Manatee Avenue the afternoon of Friday, Feb. 19 was treated to an interesting sight as the nine-person crew of the Exuma Trader, a Sarasota-based marine salvage vessel, worked to remove the Viva! Viva! from the shallows of Palma Sola Bay, where it ran aground early this month.

The entire operation took more than two hours and required an assist from Sea Tow to get the boat bobbing.

The boat was a minor tourist attraction this month on the southeast side of the Palma Sola Causeway until its owner could have it removed. Thanks to the help of Catherine Schultz of Catherine’s Florida Charters and Bahia Mar West Marina, the vessel was removed at no cost to the owner, who lives part time aboard the Viva! Viva!

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers, along with officers from the Bradenton Police Department, secured the site and watched over a small group of onlookers.

At the end of the afternoon, the Viva! Viva! was returned to its customary anchorage position in Palma Sola Bay on the north side of the causeway along Manatee Avenue.

- Kristin Swain

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

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Suspect enters not guilty plea in fatal hit and run In the hit-and-run death of Madelyn Dakin, suspect Cierra Shannon has entered a plea of not guilty.

BY KRISTIN SWAIN Sun Staff Writer | kswain@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – A hit-and-run traffic accident on Gulf Drive that caused the death of a pedestrian has resulted in a local woman being charged with a felony - leaving the scene of a crash that resulted in a death.

Driver Cierra Shannon has entered a plea of not guilty in Manatee County 12th Judicial Circuit Court.

Attorney Ronald Filipkowski entered a plea of not guilty on his client’s behalf on Monday, Feb. 15.

Shannon, a 27-year-old Holmes Beach resident, was charged in the hit-and-run death of 83-year-old Madelyn Dakin of Michigan. The case has been assigned to Judge Lon Arend.

Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said the incident occurred just after 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10 in the 2700 block of Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach, Shannon near the city’s southern border with Bradenton Beach. Dakin, a pedestrian, was struck by a vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

Holmes Beach police, assisted by the Bradenton Police Department’s traffic unit, investigated the incident.

According to a probable cause affidavit provided by the HBPD, Shannon was charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.

The affidavit says Dakin was trying to cross Gulf Drive outside of a crosswalk when she was struck

by Shannon’s vehicle, a 2006 silver Chevrolet Trailblazer, traveling south on Gulf Drive. The vehicle was identified by the city’s license plate reader cameras. Multiple witnesses say they saw a blonde woman in her 20s beside the victim,

shaking her and asking for help before getting back in the vehicle and leaving the scene. Witnesses later identified Shannon as the woman at the scene from a photo lineup.

Local law enforcement launched a search to find Shannon and her vehicle. By the morning of Thursday, Feb. 11, a lawyer representing Shannon contacted police to give them the location of her vehicle and say that she would be surrendering to law enforcement.

The vehicle was located at 4535 119th St. W. in Cortez, near a trap yard at the FISH Preserve. It was impounded by police around 4 p.m. on Feb. 11 and determined to have front-end damage on the passenger side consistent with Dakin’s injuries.

By 4:45 p.m., Shannon had turned herself in to the Bradenton police and was charged in the crash.

She was released from custody on Friday, Feb. 12 on a $15,000 bail bond with supervised release and ordered to not drink alcohol.

Shannon was ordered to appear in

Manatee County Criminal Traffic Court on Friday, March 5.

Tokajer said the investigation is ongoing and that police are seeking information from anyone who saw her or was with her before the crash or who has information on her activities before the incident to see if her actions earlier in the day were a determining factor as to why she left the scene.

According to Manatee County court records, Shannon was found guilty of driving under the influence in 2015 and was ordered to serve a year of probation, complete DUI school and pay a fine in place of community service hours.

Anyone with information on Shannon or the crash is asked to please contact Holmes Beach Det. Brian Hall at 941-932-6161 or email detective@holmesbeach.org.

Information also can be emailed to BPDtips@bradentonpd.com.

To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-866-634-8477 or send an anonymous tip at www.manateecrimestoppers.com.

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OPINION

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

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The Anna Maria Island Sun Staff Publishers Mike Field Maggie Field Editor/CEO Mike Field Layout Ricardo Fonseca Reporters Cindy Lane Joe Hendricks Kristin Swain Columnists Louise Bolger Outdoors editor Rusty Chinnis Advertising director Shona Otto Ad assistant Pamela Lee Classified ads Bob Alexander Graphics Elaine Stroili Ricardo Fonseca Digital/Social Media editor Cindy Lane Accounting John Reitz Distribution Bob Alexander Tony McNulty Connor Field Contributors Tom Vaught Steve Borggren Monica Simpson

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Shame on Baugh, DeSantis Nothing in this entire year-long pandemic has been more disheartening, appalling, and disgusting to me than the blatant favoritism shown by Vanessa Baugh and Governor Ron DeSantis in deciding to set up a pop-up vaccine distribution site for the wealthy of Lakewood Ranch, including Ms. Baugh (commissioner) herself. Manatee's ridiculous lottery system was clearly inadequate for Ms. Baugh but fine for other residents of Manatee County. She and Gov. DeSantis should have just been open and honest about their intent to set up a priority vaccine list for those who contribute the most to their campaigns, to those in their own neighborhood, or those with some of the highest net worth in the county. At least then we would have known where we, the other citizens over 65 (many with health issues), the poor, the minorities, and the middle class, stood.

There is no reason, excuse, defense, justification, snide remark about Manatee County not wanting the vaccine, or apology that either can offer to make this right.

The vaccines can't be taken back.

Shame on Ms. Baugh and Governor DeSantis! This is politics and arrogance at its worst. Between this and the attack on the Capitol building, I am embarrassed and ashamed to be a Republican.

Since receiving a COVID vaccine

can mean the difference between life and death, I have one final question: "Is this an impeachable offense?"

Linda Mayberry Bradenton

Vaccine system harms most vulnerable This letter was originally written to the Manatee County Commission Everyone now knows that you have the ability to select individuals from your COVID-19 Vaccination Standby Pool for those 65 and older residents of Manatee County using various criteria, as you did with ZIP codes for those selected to be vaccinated at Lakewood Ranch. So it is well past the time for you to change your system from a lottery to the selection of those to make an appointment for the vaccine in the same order as people registered: first-in, first-selected, just as virtually every other jurisdiction in the entire country is doing. All that you have managed to achieve with the lottery is to dramatically increase the anxiety and stress levels of the 150,000 or so of us seniors in your pool.

By using your system as a lottery, we have no idea whether we will be called this week, next week, or have to wait a good many more months for that critical call to make an appointment for the vaccine. Many of us already suffer from high stress and anxiety about the life-threatening COVID-19 because of our age and underlying

health conditions. Your lottery system adds greatly to these existing anxieties and stress levels and has absolutely no redeeming value. We did not elect you to cause us more harm, for which your actions and decisions to use a lottery selection process for the county’s COVID-19 appointment system are directly responsible. You should be helping us through this crisis, not hurting us even more.

When we registered, each of us was given a seven-digit receipt number, which I strongly suspect corresponds to the order in which we registered. Going forward you should be calling us for appointments in this same order – first to register, first to be offered the next appointment. You should also update your COVID-19 vaccine information website each night with the number of the last person given an appointment that day.

That would give each of us in the pool a much better sense of how quickly the vaccine is being administered to our population and when we might be expected to be called for our appointment.

Please stop causing harm to your oldest and most vulnerable constituents and get on board with the same selection process we would be using if we lived anywhere in this country except Manatee County.

Pete Gross Holmes Beach SEE LETTERS, PAGE 11

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FEBRUARY 24, 2021

ON THE AGENDA ANNA MARIA 10005 GULF DRIVE

For information, call 941-708-6130 City hall is open to the public with limited capacity and safety protocols in place. Please visit www. cityofannamaria.com or contact city hall for more information.

Feb. 25, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting March 1, 2 p.m. – City Commission work session March 11, 2 p.m. – City Commission meeting

BRADENTON BEACH

107 GULF DRIVE N. FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005

City hall is open to the public

with limited capacity and safety protocols in place. Please visit www.cityofbradentonbeach.com or contact city hall for more information.

Feb. 24, 9:15 a.m. – City Commission emergency special meeting Feb. 24, 10 a.m. – Planning and Zoning board and City Commission joint work meeting March 3, 9:15 a.m. – City Commission emergency meeting March 3, 9:30 a.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency meeting March 3, 2 p.m. – Scenic WAVES meeting March 4, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting March 9, 10 a.m. – City Commission work meeting March 11, 10 a.m. – Department Head work meeting

HOLMES BEACH

5801 MARINA DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800

City hall is open to the public by appointment only. Please visit www.holmesbeachfl.org or contact city hall for more information.

March 3, 10 a.m. – Parks and Beautification Committee meeting March 3, 6 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting March 9, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session to follow MARKYOUR CALENDAR The Island Branch Library is open at 40% capacity. Please wear a face mask/covering. The Tingley Memorial Library is open.

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

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

Local preserves

THE SUN

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

Local beaches are open.

WEDNESDAY FEB. 24

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

Neal Coastal Cleanup, Neal Preserve, 12301 Manatee Ave., Bradenton, 5 p.m. Reservations required. Reserve to michelle.leahy@mymanatee.org or 941-742-5923 ext. 6035.

THURSDAY FEB. 25

Wildlife Spotlight: Roseate Spoonbills, Robinson Preserve, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9-11 a.m.

Reservations required. Reserve to elena.burke@mymanatee.org or 941-742-5923 ext. 6036.

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

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

FRIDAY FEB. 26

Robinson Preserve sunrise paddle, Robinson Preserve,

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1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 6-8 a.m. Participants must have their own kayak or canoe and safety gear. Reservations required.

Reserve to www.eventbrite. com/e/137647151335.

SATURDAY FEB. 27

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

Master Gardener Tour, Perico Preserve, 11700 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 9-11 a.m. Reservations required. Register at www.perico_ preserve.eventbrite.com.

SUNDAY FEB. 28

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

Rise and Shine Power Flow Yoga, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., $10 fee payable online. Bring your own yoga mat. Register at https://parks.mymanatee.org/ wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/search. html?primarycode=110006 or call 941-742-5923 ext. 6042 for more information.

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FEBRUARY 24, 2021

WMFR recognizes staff excellence

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

MANATEE COUNTY – The West Manatee Fire Rescue board of commissioners kicked off their Feb. 16 meeting on a festive note.

Chief Ben Rigney and Deputy Chief Jay Johnson handed out the 2020 Officer of the Year and Firefighter of the Year awards. Officer of the Year went to Capt.

Tyler MacDonald, while Firefighter of the Year was awarded to Frank Agresta.

MacDonald serves the district as a firefighter, paramedic, rescue swimmer and reserve coordinator, among other roles.

Agresta has been with the district for five years and is on tap to be promoted from firefighter second class to firefighter first class. Both firefighters were celebrated during the meeting by commissioners, district staff, their fellow firefighters, friends and family.

In other business, Rigney gave an update on the construction of the district’s new administration building. He said construction was moving along quickly, with the building on track for substantial completion in late April.

The district’s 2020 annual report also

SUBMITTED | WMFR

Above, Chief Ben Rigney, front right, Deputy Chief Jay Johnson, front left, and board commissioners, back, congratulate 2020 Officer of the Year Capt. Tyler MacDonald, center, at the February West Manatee Fire Rescue board meeting. Above right, Deputy Chief Jay Johnson, left, Chief Ben Rigney, right, and the fire district’s board members awarded firefighter Frank Agresta, center, as the 2020 Firefighter of the Year. was presented to commissioners for review. While the district’s emergency response call volume doubled in 2020, Johnson said about 90% of those calls were for medical emergencies. The district responded to 52 fire calls during the calendar year, up from 47 the

previous year. District response time improved with an average response time of four minutes 41 seconds over all three stations. Station 3 on Marina Drive in Holmes Beach had the fastest response time of all three stations, coming in at an average of four minutes 18 seconds.

Commissioners next meet at 6 p.m. on March 16 at the district’s temporary administration offices at Palma Sola Presbyterian Church. All meetings are open to the public and available to view on Zoom. For more information, visit www.wmfr.org.

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

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Commission ponders future location of city hall and library City voters may be asked to weigh in on the potential replacement of the city hall and library buildings.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – Should the city of Bradenton Beach relocate city hall and the Tingley Memorial Library?

That’s a decision Mayor John Chappie and the city commission are wrestling with – and they may turn to city voters for public insight in the form of a nonbinding ballot referendum.

The city hall and library buildings are located on what’s believed to be a fiveparcel piece of land bordered by Gulf Drive, Second Street North and Highland Avenue.

Located on the east side of Gulf Drive, the front door of city hall faces the Gulf of Mexico and provides a mostly unobstructed view of the Gulf.

At Chappie’s request, these matters were discussed at length during the Thursday, Feb. 18 commission meeting. The potential replacement and relocation of city hall and the neighboring Tingley Memorial Library has been discussed before and these ongoing conversations are driven by looming maintenance, upgrade and insurance costs associated with the continued use of the aging city structures.

Commissioners Marilyn Maro and Ralph Cole did not attend last week’s meeting; and the exploratory discussion that included Chappie, commissioners Jan Vosburgh and Jake Spooner, Public Works Director Tom Woodard and City Attorney Ricinda Perry did not result in any final decision making. Instead, it was agreed that

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The aging Bradenton Beach City Hall building (left) may require significant storm-hardening upgrades. The Tingley Memorial Library (right) requires a new wooden walkway and a new roof. a future commission work session would be scheduled for further discussion by the entire commission.

Woodard said the much-needed replacement of the library’s wooden walkways and decking carries an anticipated cost of about $200,000, with an additional $50,000 needed for a new roof. Woodard said the library also needs another new air-conditioning unit to accompany the new unit previously installed.

The ongoing library operations and building repairs are funded by a posthumous bequest that library namesake Beulah Tingley provided to the city in 1995, with the understanding that the money would be used to operate a reading room – or a library. According to City Treasurer Shayne Thompson, the current balance for the interest-earning bequest is $387,675.

The commission has previously discussed initially spending up to $500,000 to harden and stormproof city hall, the public works building and to a lesser degree the police station. Those expenditures would be partially offset by matching federal funds provided by FEMA.

According to Chappie, the city hall building is about 65 to 70 years old.

“We’ve had this discussion before. I know the commission likes the idea of city hall being here. I like the idea of city hall being here,” he said.

Chappie stressed the need to be fiscally responsible with the taxpayers’ money and at least consider the other opportunities that exist, while also evaluating the costs to continue operating in the existing buildings.

He also expressed the need to plan for the next 50 years.

“When we’re talking several hundreds of thousands of dollars for work that’s going to have to be done on both of these buildings in the next few years, should we look at that opportunity?” he asked.

One potential option discussed would be to sell some or all of the city hall/library property and use the proceeds from the sale to build a new elevated city hall complex near the existing police station and public works building.

Another option would be to eliminate the library building and use that portion of the property to build an elevated city hall

complex that includes a reading room and provides ground-level parking beneath the structure.

Chappie said the city needs to research the market value of the properties in question. Spooner agreed and suggested getting a professional appraisal.

Vosburgh said the existing city hall building has “good bones” and she opposed demolishing and replacing it. She did, however, question the ongoing need for a standalone city library.

The potential nonbinding ballot referendum referenced on the meeting agenda would essentially serve as a city survey.

When placed on a future ballot, the referendum would allow city voters to weigh in on the potential replacement or relocation of the existing city buildings, but the final decision-making authority would remain with the city commission.

“We need to give the voters a very clear picture on all aspects of this” if a referendum is pursued, Spooner said.

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FEBRUARY 24, 2021

COMMUNITY CHURCH

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SACRIFICE Possessions • Time • Desires

SUNDAY WORSHIP 8:30 AM or 10:00 AM

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

The CHAPEL is open during office hours for prayer & meditation.

941-778-0414 • 512 Pine Ave, Anna Maria • FOLLOW us on Facebook @RoserChurch SERMON SERIES BY REV. NEIL CROWELL

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FEBRUARY 24, 2021

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR FROM PAGE 6

Commissioner Baugh should resign Manatee County Democrats believe that the COVID-19 vaccine should be equitably distributed as was intended by the Manatee County Commission.

We stand in opposition to Manatee County Commission Chair Vanessa Baugh, who acted outside the authority of the commission in collaboration with Governor Ron DeSantis and Rex Jenson, president and CEO of Lakewood Ranch developer SchroederManatee Ranch, to schedule a VIP pop-up vaccination location restricted to people living in two specific Manatee County zip codes. This special treatment of limited Manatee residents included Commissioner Baugh herself.

By disregarding the existing countywide random vaccination selection process, Commissioner Baugh, Governor DeSantis, and Mr. Jenson selected the Lakewood Ranch section of Manatee County for their own political, personal, and business benefit.

We agree with the following statements from County Commissioner Reggie Bellamy. “My concern with this is that I’ve been fighting like hell to show people that the lottery is equal and we cannot compromise the system and all of a sudden, someone is telling me we were able to pull a certain demographic out.”

County Commissioner Misty Servia said, “This is not about being Republican or Democrat; this is about what’s right and wrong.”

In the best interest of the residents of our county, The Manatee County Democratic Party seeks the resignation of Commissioner Baugh, effective immediately.

Tracy Pratt Chair, Manatee County Democratic Party

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Coryea separation agreement proposed The proposed separation agreement regarding County Administrator Cheri Coryea’s anticipated termination on Tuesday, Feb. 23 includes 20 weeks of regular pay according to her $192,000 annual contract.

The proposed agreement also includes 400 hours of paid leave, 500 hours of sick leave pay and 197 hours of pay for compensatory time, all of which, along with the regular pay,

are to be paid in one lump sum, minus taxes owed.

According to one county official, the agreement totals approximately $200,000.

The agreement proposal is included in the meeting packet for Tuesday’s meeting, when her termination and proposed separation agreement were to be discussed and voted on. The meeting packet also included a proposed $192,000 annual contract

for the hiring of Charles Hines to serve as acting county administrator. Hines is an attorney who formerly served as a Sarasota County commissioner. According to previous commission discussions, Hines is not expected to be a candidate to serve as Coryea’s permanent replacement and a search will be conducted for that future hiring.

Cheri Coryea

JENKINS: Anna Maria loses beloved resident FROM PAGE 1

named the city of Anna Maria’s Citizen of the Year in 2015.

When contacted Sunday afternoon, Murphy shared his thoughts on the city’s loss.

“If ever there was a Renaissance woman, it was Margaret Jenkins. She was creative, wise and a ‘Jane of all trades’ who was dedicated to, and deeply loved by, the city of Anna Maria.

Margaret inspired all of us to be agents of change rather than observers. Her presence will be missed by all,” Murphy said.

Former City Commissioner Doug Copeland served on the Planning and Zoning Board with Jenkins before

he joined the city commission.

“Margaret was truly dedicated to the city. She lived a wonderful life, and she was a true Island character,” Copeland said.

Current City Commissioner Jon Crane previously served on the planning board with Jenkins for many years before he joined the city commission last year.

When contacted Monday, Crane said, “We are truly saddened. I worked with Margaret on the Planning and Zoning Board and my wife, Dusty, knew Margaret from the garden club. We will both miss her spirit and her smile. She had more spunk than anyone I ever met. Dusty once asked

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

In 2015, Margaret Jenkins received the Citizen of the Year award from Mayor Dan Murphy.

Margaret what kept her so young. She said, “Pulling weeds.’ I was quite gratified

to see Mayor Murphy put the flags at half-staff in her honor.”

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VACCINE: Distribution delayed by weather FROM PAGE 3

CONTROVERSIAL DISTRIBUTION

One batch of vaccines that didn’t have an issue getting to Manatee County was 3,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine that were doled out to seniors age 65 and older at the Premier Sports Complex in Lakewood Ranch. These first doses were given out at a state-run pop-up site arranged by Gov. Ron DeSantis, Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh and Schroeder-Manatee Ranch President Rex Jensen. Only residents in zip codes 34202 and 34211 were eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine at the pop-up site. Two hundred additional vaccine doses were delivered to the site later in the week and given out to people registered in the standby pool at random.

Vaccines were distributed at the Premier Sports Complex Feb. 16-18 to residents of the identified zip codes selected from the Manatee County vaccine standby waiting pool, which has about 156,000 people currently registered to receive their first doses of the vaccine along with some residents personally selected by Baugh, including the commissioner herself. Baugh stated Feb. 17 during a commission work meeting that she did not take the vaccine.

Baugh’s fellow Manatee County com-

missioners didn’t take well to the news that the vaccine doses were only being made available to certain residents rather than being available to everyone who has registered in the vaccine waiting pool.

Commissioner Kevin van Ostenbridge suggested during a Feb. 16 commission work meeting that if certain zip codes could be targeted for eligibility to receive vaccine doses that the county prioritize all Manatee County zip codes to get more local seniors vaccinated before out-ofcounty residents received their vaccine doses here.

Currently the Manatee County vaccine standby waiting pool is open to all Florida residents age 65 and older regardless of county residency. Anyone signing up for the standby pool can enter their zip code when putting their name in the pool, however, providing your zip code is not a requirement of the system, meaning that thousands of Manatee County residents could be registered without anything identifying them in the system as county residents.

As the discussion about the vaccine standby pool and its lottery system continued, other suggestions were bandied about, including prioritizing people who signed up earlier than others by randomly

choosing recipients from the first 25,000 registrants, then the next 25,000 and so on.

County Commissioner Misty Servia said she’s heard complaints about people who’ve been in the standby pool for months not getting their number pulled for a vaccine, but people who arrived in the county to their second home a few weeks ago have already received their injections.

Commissioner and healthcare worker Carol Whitmore, who has been volunteering at the Bennett Park location to distribute and mix vaccination doses, commented that while she nor her husband have received a dose, she feels that it’s unfair that Baugh was able to put herself on a list to be able to get one. Though she was offered the first dose of the vaccine due to volunteering at the inoculation site, Whitmore decided to “wait her turn.” She and her husband are still in the vaccine standby pool in Manatee County.

Commissioners decided that any future recipients of vaccine doses from a popup vaccine site would have to come at random from the county’s vaccine standby waiting pool to maintain the integrity of the system and not show preference to any particular group of residents.

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

Citizens of the Year to be honored Thursday Lynn Brennan and Carl Augostini are the city of Anna Maria’s co-Citizens of the Year for 2020. The two will be honored during the Thursday, Feb. 25 Anna Maria City Commission meeting.

Brennan’s community service includes her work with the Anna Maria Island Historical Society and the museum. Each year, during the Christmas holidays, Augostini donates dozens of refurbished bicycles to those in need.

The commission will then be presented with the second reading of a notice of construction commencement ordinance and the second reading of a vehicleson-the-beach ordinance that includes Onewheels and hoverboards. Mayor Dan Murphy will present the commission with a five-year lease extension for the city hall annex at 307 Pine Ave. and he will also provide an update on the pursuit of a Mote Marine educational outreach center on the City Pier. City Hall is open with limited seating and facemasks are required. The commission meeting can also be accessed by telephone by calling 1-929-205-6099 and entering the meeting ID, 85392000280.

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FEBRUARY 24, 2021

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KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

The traffic signal at East Bay Drive and Manatee Avenue is one of the ones that is monitored by FDOT but wasn’t hooked up to their remote management system.

Improvements planned for city traffic lights

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

HOLMES BEACH – Changes are coming to the timing for traffic lights in the city and city leaders hope that these improvements will help get traffic on and off the Island much faster.

During a Feb. 9 commission meeting, Police Chief Bill Tokajer said that he’s spoken to the representatives from the Florida Department of Transportation about the timing on the traffic lights in the city. FDOT monitors and maintains the traffic signals in Holmes Beach, however, Tokajer said that

when he spoke with FDOT representatives, he learned that some of the city’s traffic lights were able to be monitored remotely but the timing of those lights could not be changed remotely.

While that problem is expected to be fixed immediately, one other issue is the timing of those traffic lights as the volume of vehicles on the road changes.

Tokajer said that FDOT is working to hire someone to monitor the traffic lights on the weekends, when the volume of people entering and leaving Holmes Beach along Manatee Avenue is often at its peak.

Another potential change would be to add rain meters to the light poles.

When it rains, people are more likely to be leaving the beach than trying to come out to Anna Maria Island. If the rain meters are installed, once rainfall hits a certain level, it would automatically change the timing of the lights to help facilitate traffic out of Holmes Beach.

City leaders are hopeful that while these changes – if enacted – won’t solve the city’s traffic problems, they will help to move vehicles through more city’s more congested areas faster.

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FEBRUARY 24, 2021

PIER: City pursues Mote Marine FROM PAGE 1

The Mote Marine facility is one of several potential uses presented during a special city commission meeting held inside the vacant building on Feb. 10. Additional options included a full-service restaurant, a special events venue, a retail shop or some combination of those uses. The commission then held a follow-up meeting Wednesday, Feb. 17 at which Commissioner Mark Short cast the only opposition vote to the exclusive pursuit of the Mote Marine facility.

OPTIONS CONSIDERED

On Feb. 10, Mote Marine representatives proposed a Marine Educational Outreach Center that would require the city to raise $500,000 of the anticipated $555,000 needed for the initial design and installation.

The proposal calls for Mote Marine to cover an estimated $444,000 in annual operating costs, including $303,212 for staffing. The proposal requests that the city pay an estimated $9,500 per year in utility bills and does not offer the city any monthly lease payments.

When reviewing the proposal on Feb. 17, Murphy discussed other options, including a special events venue that he estimated would generate $60,000 to $75,000 in annual revenues for the city and cost the city and its taxpayers an estimated $275,000 to make the building habitable for that use.

Murphy said it might cost slightly less than that to complete the city’s portion of the buildout and improvements needed for a full-service restaurant offering 50 to 60 seats and limited storage capacity.

In 2020, Ugly Grouper LCC offered to lease both pier buildings and some additional outdoor deck space for $14,000 per month. The commission rejected that offer.

Murphy estimated a retail shop would generate approximately $70,000 in annual revenues for the city and require the city to spend $175,000 to $200,000 to ready the building.

Murphy then presented an additional option not discussed at the previous meeting - a covered, open-air cantina that would require the demolition of three existing exterior walls, with the bar and office located near the re-

‛S YOUR COMFORT ZONE? WHERE

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The vacant pier building offers 1,800 square feet of interior space. maining wall. Murphy estimated an open-air cantina could generate between $55,000 and $75,000 in annual revenues for the city and the city would incur an estimated $225,000 to $250,000 in demolition and buildout costs.

Murphy noted the cantina would potentially compete with the City Pier Grill – whose operators currently pay the city $6,000 per month to lease the smaller pier building.

“Is the purpose of government to compete with businesses or is it to complement businesses? My feeling is government should do what the private industry can’t do. I think we need to complement businesses,” Murphy said.

When providing public input, City Pier Grill operator Brian Seymour noted his partnership group’s lease with the city allows them to bid on any proposed use of the currently vacant building. Seymour said if his group was selected to operate an open-air cantina that could complement their existing business.

“If it’s a different vendor over here it would definitely be competition, and would probably hurt both businesses,” he added.

Seymour said a regular full-service restaurant with such limited seating capacity would likely have to be expensive to be profitable.

SEE PIER, PAGE 17

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

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Bunny & Pirates resumes daytime operations Bunny & Pirates Bazaar has resumed its all-day business offerings.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

CORTEZ – Bunny & Pirates Bazaar in Cortez celebrated its full-scale reopening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 18.

Joined by several members of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, the ceremony commemorated the reopening and relaunch of the daytime business activities that include a deli and grab-andgo sandwiches and, eventually, a full-scale deli including a daytime lunch menu and a nighttime small bites menu. The featured menu item during Thursday’s event was an Italian Panini sandwich featuring mozzarella, ham, salami, pesto and sun-dried tomatoes.

As an extension of the deli, Bunny & Pirates again offers a wide variety of Boars Head deli meats, high-quality cheeses, bottled wines, craft beers, sodas and snacks.

The bazaar also offers seaside décor, salty treasures, local art, gifts, souvenirs and apparel.

The relaunched daytime offerings join

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Joined by the AMI Chamber of Commerce, Bunny & Pirates commemorated their grand reopening with a ribbon-cutting. Located on Cortez Road, Bunny & Pirates Bazaar now opens at 10 a.m. daily. the late afternoon and evening beer and wine sales and live music performances that, until last week, had served as the core business offerings while business owners Elizabeth Shore and Jeffrey O’Connell continue their economic recovery from the ongoing pandemic.

“We’re fully open again,” Shore joyfully said.

Now open at 10 a.m. daily, Bunny & Pirates Bazaar is located at 12404 Cortez Road W. in Cortez, next to the Buttonwood RV resort. For more information visit www. bunnyandpirates.com or call 941-281-2582.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Like many in the business community, Bunny & Pirates Bazaar owners Elizabeth Shore and Jeffrey O’Connell, bottom left, were impacted by the pandemic. Bunny & Pirates offers a wide variety of wares that include deli food, small bites, beer and wine, live music, gifts, souvenirs and more.

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FEBRUARY 24, 2021

Slicker’s Eatery opens in Cortez Slicker’s Eatery is Cortez’s newest full-service restaurant.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

CORTEZ – Owned and operated by Bob Slicker, Slicker’s Eatery is now open.

Located at 12012 Cortez Road W., Slicker’s latest culinary adventure set sail on Tuesday, Feb. 9 with a ribboncutting ceremony attended by members of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce and others. The ceremony kicked off a two-day soft opening that doubled as a fundraiser and raised more than $10,000 for Slicker’s favorite charity, The Blessing Bags Project.

Slicker, who previously enjoyed a long and successful run as the general manager of the nearby Swordfish Grill, now finds himself doing business in a recently renovated building whose legacy includes Pig Out BBQ and O’Shucks.

Offering “crafts and drafts” in the form of specialty food served as small plates or large plates, specialty cocktails, draft beers, desserts and more, Slicker’s Eatery represents the culmination of the bar, restaurant, team building, fundraising and community service experience Slicker has gained during his first five decades of life.

Slicker recently shared his thoughts on his first week at the helm of Cortez’s newest restaurant.

“It went even better than I expected. The support of the community and the performance of my new team were better than I could have ever hoped – especially for a guy who took ownership of a restaurant seven weeks ago,” he said.

Out of respect for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, seating is currently limited. Masks are required while entering the restaurant and moving about, but not while seated and eating and drinking.

“We’re trying to keep a third of our tables empty until this pandemic is over. When we’re at full speed, our seating capacity will be 160 people,” Slicker said.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place at Slicker’s Eatery on Tuesday, Feb. 9. Molly Slicker plays a key role at her father Bob’s new eatery.

He recommends making reservations in advance, but walk-in patrons are welcome.

“During our first five days, three were sold out,” Slicker said.

As he’s done in the past, Slicker views the eatery as an extension of the community it serves, with fundraising and assisting others as a key component of the business model.

“We are building this business to make a difference. A lot of people asked me how and why I opened a restaurant during a pandemic. It’s truly because of the kindness of the community and the friends and family that support me and my endeavors and the things we do to give back to the community,” he said.

the spirit guides. I’ve known Max for 29 years, because he turned 29 yesterday.

“And my daughter, Molly Slicker, is our creative director.

She designed the restaurant, the layout of the menu and worked with Sande Caplin & Associates on our logo. Sande is doing our website and Molly is handling our promotion, public relations and social media,” Slicker said.

“The support from the community has been so strong that we are already adding to our staff and looking for people who not only want to make a difference in their own lives, but for others also. During the interview process, we ask our applicants what cause is important to them,” Slicker said.

THE STAFF

MENUS AND DÉCOR

“Our food menu is eclectic and it’s a chef-driven menu.

My nephew, Kurt Clennan, is a California-based chef. He developed the menu and trained the staff. Our menu offers healthier choices and we have no fryers, which we are very proud of,” Slicker said.

“Barry Smith is our operations manager/kitchen manager and Brandon Rolland is our general manager. I’ve known Brandon for 20 years and we have a rum-based drink on the menu called “Rolland with the Foamies,” Slicker said.

“Max Schumacher is our bar manager. We call our bartenders ‘spirit guides’ and Max is our shaman, the leader of

When discussing the menus, Molly Slicker said, “It’s hard to pick a highlight of our food menu because the menu is so eclectic and features so much fusion from so many different flavors. I’m a big Cuban sandwich connoisseur, so my favorite is our Cubano. It’s truly the best I’ve had in the area. A lot of our guests are enjoying the Seared Ahi Tuna Crostini, the Petite Filet and the Spicy Octopus that might be the most exciting dish we have on our menu.

“Our most popular, and maybe our most exciting, signature cocktail is our Santa Teresa Smoked Old Fashioned. It’s an experience in that the bartend-

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Many members of the Slicker’s Eatery staff have worked together in the past. er brings it to your table. After wood chips are fired under the glass, the drink is poured into it, which produces a really nice smoky flavor. My favorite drink is the Tanqueray-based Fizzie Maguire. I love the light, refreshing flavor and the Lizzie McGuire reference, and it comes with Pop Rocks as a garnish that makes a fizzing, popping sound,” she said.

“With the décor, I really wanted to go with a sustainable theme and a lot of the décor you see is from our team’s personal collection or something I got from a local thrift store. And the photographs are of our management team, our families, our favorite places and things like that.

I wanted it to feel like you were going somewhere nice, but somewhere that was also

comfortable, like you’re walking into our home. Color-wise, I wanted to go with a modern and fresh feel, so anything black, white and grayscale, with tops of fresh greenery.

The plants and greenery are from Mackenzie Fortenberry’s AMI Roots houseplant pop-up shop,” she said.

With the exception of certain holidays, Slicker’s Eatery is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and there are plans to soon serve brunch on Saturdays and Sundays as well.

For reservations, please call 941-251-9428. You can also make online reservations and view the menus at the Slicker’s Eatery, www.SlickersEatery.com.

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FEBRUARY 24, 2021

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RIBBON: Memorial honors deceased FROM PAGE 1

a pop-up tent provided by the Sandbar and delivered remarks she prepared for the occasion.

“Welcome everyone, thanks for coming out and sharing in the COVID Ribbon Memorial of Florida’s first public appearance.

This started as a seed of thought, a care, a concern in my mind and heart. I was having a hard time comprehending the numbers of people dying from COVID. I watched the numbers tick up daily – locally, nationally and around the world. How do I wrap my head around those numbers? How do I humanize what was and is still happening?

Thankfully, only a small percentage die from COVID, yet that small percent is huge.

In that number there are people who were grandparents, mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, sisters, brothers, friends, lovers and spouses,” Tobias said.

“I remember back in May when the first 100 died from COVID and the New York Times listed all the names and the impact it had on me. I found it overwhelming and I was deeply saddened. Then it was 200,000.

Then it was 400,000 and I still could not wrap my head around the enormity of these numbers. I wanted to create something physical and visual, something tangible and interactive that would tell the story. I started tying knots in mid-November and my sister,

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Some who attended the COVID Ribbon Memorial unveiling wore “We Remember” buttons in memory of those who perished. Congressman Vern Buchanan’s longtime staff member, Gary Tibbetts, is among those honored on the COVID Ribbon Memorial of Florida. who’s here today, started too. The death toll (in Florida) at that time was about 16,000.

There are 30,000 ribbons out there. When we hold it up, I want us to remember each life lost because each ribbon is an individual life lost to COVID. Our goal today is to bring the community together to interact with this art installation that is a physical and visual representation of these lives that have been lost to COVID in Florida. Together, we can remember them, celebrate them, express our grief and find a path to healing together,” Tobias said.

She then invited her friend, Rabbi Stacey Offner, to speak.

“The first thing I want to say is thank you to Cathy Tobias, who is an extraordinary

individual. She has brilliantly put together art and its beauty and magnificence with the tragedy that’s too difficult to articulate,” Offner said.

Offner then referenced the black buttons with multi-colored letters she and many others wore.

“My button is over my heart because we come together to acknowledge that our hearts are torn today grieving for all the lives lost. Our buttons say, ‘We Remember.’

It’s an active verb, this verb we call remembering. Some of them are the lives of your family members, your friends, your community, our community. Not only the word ‘remember’ but the word ‘we.’ We come together to grieve and to honor and we are

PIER: City pursues Mote Marine FROM PAGE 14

Murphy acknowledged Seymour’s group does have the right of first refusal for any option the city chooses for the other building, providing they can provide the same services the city desires for that additional space.

Murphy said the purpose of the day’s meeting was to narrow down the potential options and provide him with direction as to which option or options to pursue.

COMMISSION COMMENTS

Commissioner Jon Crane said the Mote Marine proposal would enhance the city while also enhancing environmental awareness.

“I hear from some people that we ought to maximize the potential of all exploitable resources. That’s not the mission of this commission, although I don’t think we should be wasting money either. I do think with clever negotiation skills the mayor might be able to come up with something with the Mote people where we might get a buck or two,” he said.

Short said he was intrigued by the open-air cantina concept and he doesn’t share the mayor’s desire to narrow down the options at this time. Instead, he suggested issuing a broad request for

proposals (RFP) seeking bids for any proposed use of the pier building.

“After the meeting last week, I felt like everyone had made up their mind without knowing enough information.

I still believe today there’s not enough information for us to make up our minds,” Short said.

Commission Chair Carol Carter said she opposes another protracted RFP process similar to the previous RFPs that failed to produce a suitable tenant for the still-vacant building.

Crane said evaluating a broad range of RFP responses would be comparing “apples to oranges.”

Citing 45 years of fundraising experience, Carter said the Manatee County Tourist Development Council is not the only potential funding source for the proposed Mote Marine facility. She suggested the Manatee Community Foundation and private donors might also provide funding.

PUBLIC SUPPORT

When expressing her support for the Mote Marine proposal, Anna Maria Island Historical Society President Liz Hager said, “We think it would be a great complement to what we do. It clearly shows the city and the Island care as much about the environment and history as they do the beaches.”

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going to lift up those beautiful ribbons and we’re going to lift up life itself – the beauty of life, the preciousness of life and our commitment to remember today, tomorrow and always. With God’s help, may we remember,” Offner said.

The crowd then dispersed along the entire length of the ribbon memorial and at Tobias’ command lifted the ribbons over their heads while engaging in a few moments of silence, silent prayer and remembrance.

Afterward, Tobias was asked how she felt about what she just saw.

“I feel so emotional about it and my heart just breaks for all those lost lives. I need a better word than ‘overwhelmed’ and I just don’t have it,” she said.

Tobias said she’s been in touch with someone about possibly displaying the COVID Ribbon Memorial in St. Petersburg.

“I’m hoping it will go there and I hope there will be other cities that want to display it. My goal is to keep adding to it,” Tobias said, noting she’s also been in contact with someone in another state who’s expressed interest in creating a ribbon memorial.

“On a bigger scale, would we do this for the whole nation and bring people together to start tying ribbons for each state,” she said.

Those interested in displaying the COVID Ribbon Memorial of Florida, or creating a ribbon memorial of their own, can contact Tobias through the COVID Ribbon Memorial Facebook or Instagram pages.

Is the purpose of government to compete with businesses or is it to complement businesses?”

Dan Murphy, Anna Maria Mayor

Longtime Anna Maria resident John Dicks said he’s thrilled with the Mote Marine proposal and he considers the City Pier to be a “community treasure” that should provide the public with a place to be enjoyed by people of all ages.

“I believe there would be an upsurge of people on this Island, myself included, who would want to make contributions to see that happen,” Dicks said.

He also suggested local businesses might be willing to sponsor the various Mote Marine exhibits.

COMMISSION DECISION

When expressing his support for the Mote Marine proposal, Commissioner Joe Muscatello said, “I look at this the same way I would look at a city park.

We’re not in this to make money – and even if we have to spend city money to get this going, I think we should.”

Muscatello said the open-air cantina intrigued him too, but that option wasn’t considered when a previous

commission approved the pier design.

Muscatello made the motion for Murphy to proceed with getting a final proposal from Mote Marine. Crane seconded the motion and Carter and Commissioner Deanie Sebring also supported it.

Short opposed the motion and made a separate motion to pursue the openair cantina as a second option. His motion died without a second from another commissioner. Murphy said the cantina concept could be further evaluated if the Mote Marine proposal doesn’t pan out. He also noted the Mote Marine proposal is not a simple undertaking.

“I’m going to have to manage the buildout of this space. I’m also responsible for going out and getting funding.

That takes a lot of time, so I would like my efforts focused in one direction,” he said, noting he would provide the commission with an initial status update on Thursday, Feb. 25.

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FEBRUARY 24, 2021

Scoot coupe and scooter rental moratorium extended The temporary moratorium also prohibits the rental of Vespa-like scooters.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – An extended emergency moratorium on the rental of certain micromobility devices could impact Robinhood Rentals’ pending rental operations in Bradenton Beach.

On Thursday, Feb. 18, the Bradenton Beach City Commission extended for an additional 90 days a previously adopted emergency moratorium that temporarily prohibits the rental or storage of JOE HENDRICKS | SUN commercially-offered scoot coupes, Robinhood Rentals is in the process of opening a new rental facility in Bradenton scooters and other micromobility Beach. devices.

The emergency moratorium devices.

Attorney Ricinda Perry said, “It does not prohibit the operation A "whereas" clause contained was set to expire. We are trying to of privately owned scoot coupes in the new ordinance notes, “The tackle some additional issues that or scooters, nor does it prohibit city is aware of other cities which we spotted and we need some adthe operation of scoot coupes and have experienced negative impacts ditional time.” scooters rented from other locato the safety and/or welfare of the Perry said the goal is to regutions on Anna Maria Island. The public by the unregulated use of late micromobility devices and moratorium does not apply to golf personal transportation vehicles, their rentals in a safe and orderly cart rentals. such as micromobility devices. fashion. $ .99 PRICED 299include & UP users who The previously enacted 90-day ON FANS These concerns Perry said the emergency mora.99 $ $ ON FANS PRICED 99 and to $299 torium currently applies to the 29 INSTALL emergency moratoriumOR that was are unfamiliar with the area SOME RESTRICTIONS APPLY. BRING THIS AD INTO STORE FOR DETAILS. PRIOR SALES EXCLUDED.last NOT COMBINED WITH OTHER OFFERS. DAN'S FAN operation CITY, LLC LIC#EC13004528 about to expire was extended unfamiliar with the of rentals of Vespa scooters and other week by the first reading of Ordithe rented devices. This increases larger scooters of a similar nature. nance 21-526. A second and final safety risks for the device users Commissioner Jake Spooner reading is expected at the commisand others as well.” said his primary concerns pertain sion’s next meeting.

Another whereas clause says, to the low-riding, three-wheeled The emergency moratorium “Shared use programs result in scoot coupes that can be difficult suspends for 90 additional days the micromobility devices being left to see, and to the seatless, standcity’s ability to issue any authoriza- unattended and parked or leaned up scooters he referred to as “bird tions, permits or franchises for the on walls or sidewalks, thereby scooters.” operation of micromobility hubs creating a hazard and impediment Spooner said he would like Vesthat offer for a fee the use of micro- to accessibility for pedestrians and pas and those types of larger scootmobility devices that include but persons with mobility challenges.” ers removed from the moratorium are not limited to motorized scootand not included in the permanent ers and scoot coupes. The moratoCOMMISSION DISCUSSION regulations. rium also applies to the storage of Regarding the extension of commercially-used micromobility the emergency moratorium, City SEE MORATORIUM, PAGE 23

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FEBRUARY 24, 2021

FOOD & WINE

THE SUN

19

Taste temptations - baked chicken, Yuzu-style Brian Mathae

Yuzu Chicken (Serves up to 4)

Ingredients

HURRICANE HANKS

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1/2 cup Yuzuri liqueur 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 1 1/4 cup apricot jam 3 tbs Worcestershire sauce 2 tbs Dijon mustard 2 tbs honey 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper 1/2 tsp ground sage

O

ur purchase of Hurricane Liquors has been one of the most rewarding and enlightening experiences of my life. At times, the business processes have been extremely frustrating. For example, when possible we tend to buy in large quantities to obtain the lowest prices that we can, then pass on the savings to our customers. However, this year, due to a myriad of COVID-19 issues, certain products were severely limited. Limited staffing on production lines, glass bottle shortages and other reasons were given to us for not being able to fill the quantities we requested. Invariably, that drives up our costs. Just the other day a portfolio of products had an across-the-board, 15% increase.

It’s not negotiable - we simply have to pay the increased cost. Those are just a few examples of the challenges we face, but fortunately, they are few and far between.

We are rewarded far more frequently with great product partners who are incredible educators and convincing promoters of their products. I always, somewhat jokingly, say it’s a tough job when vendors suddenly stop by and we end up sampling a few, or sometimes more, products at 10 a.m. But these product demos have been truly enlightening. I have learned so much about wine regions around the world, the

Directions

grape varieties from one country to another, the various ingredients vodka can be made from and so on.

Every day is a learning experience.

As I’m sure I have mentioned at least once or twice here, I am a fan of anything citrus. So when we tasted one new product recently, I knew we just had to carry it. Yuzuri is a Japanese liqueur made from Yuzu fruit. And citrusy it is! The fruit has been described as “the love child of lemon and mandarin with traces of grapefruit.” It is the ideal combination of sweet, sour and tart. It has an almost floral fragrance that you

www.TheFeastRestaurantAMI.com

can smell across the room. Oddly, fresh Yuzu cannot be imported into the United States. But that’s okay because the fruit is rarely eaten on its own. Instead, the zest of the rind and the juice are used in cooking and other products. We are fortunate that there are a variety of finished products containing the fruit. There are also added health benefits to consuming citrus fruits, although perhaps not when they are turned into liquor.

It is often used in sweet dishes but I wanted to focus today on a savory dish. Think of any marinade or

Mix all ingredients except the chicken breast in a saucepan. Stir while heating over medium-low heat until the jam has just melted and the ingredients are well combined. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.

Place chicken breasts into a large zip-lock bag and pour in the marinade. Squeeze the bag to remove all the air, seal the bag and turn to coat the chicken. Refrigerate overnight.

The next day pre-heat the oven to 375 F. Line a shallow pan with foil and lay the chicken breasts in a single layer on the pan. Pour marinade over the chicken and bake for about 30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked. Remove from the oven and cover for about 10 minutes with foil prior to serving.

glaze that calls for citrus juices or liqueurs. Substitute Yuzuri and while your dinner is cooking, pour yourself some Yuzuri over ice and top with soda. Enjoy!

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THE SUN

OUTDOORS

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

Focus on the fun of fishing Reel Time RUSTY CHINNIS

T

o many anglers, fishing is simple.

It's no more complicated than dangling a shrimp or fishing a jig in any likely spot.

Like other human activities, the level of involvement ranges from the simple to the insane. Most fishermen fall somewhere in between. Some live and breathe life on the water. They dream of rigging rods and reels, sharpening hooks,

consulting charts and exploring tackle shops.

They regularly consult YouTube videos and online forums for intel on the next great lure or fly. What we should all strive for is keeping our fishing fun.

Some anglers steadily graduate from cane poles to graphite spinning rods and fly tackle. Some never consider killing a fish, epitomizing the catch and release ethic.

Others sport stickers on the back of their trucks with epitaphs like: "I Kill Fish."

Once again, most of us fall somewhere in between, content with our fishing method, respecting our catch and enjoying an occasional fresh fish dinner. Fishing develops into an individual passion, one that's much more than catching. Some of us can have a great day on the water and never catch a fish, others may be disappointed if they don’t fill the cooler, but we all benefit from our time on the water.

Whether we’re just relaxing on the boat or

are in a constant state of alert, the oceans and bays sharpen our senses and take us away from our day-today lives. Whatever kind of fisherperson we might be, everyone profits from being immersed in the natural world. The important thing is to enjoy the experience and come back to shore in a better mood than we left.

Of course, not every day on the water is as relaxing and enjoyable as we’d like it to be. Sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate, the fish don’t bite and engine SEE REEL TIME, PAGE 21

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

Stu Apt works with a young cancer survivor, teaching that fishing is fun and rewarding.

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

REEL TIME: Focus on the fun of fishing FROM PAGE 20

and tackle problems intrude on our reverie.

A fishing trip, after all, isn’t immune to the unpredictable. The best advice is to expect the best and be prepared for the worst. Be flexible. I know anglers who wouldn’t think of picking up anything other than a fly rod, and while I might have been one of them, these days there’s usually a spinning rod in my rod rack. After more than my share of frustrating days, I learned a valuable lesson and flexed.

Now I seldom venture onto the water without a spinning rod or two, outfitted with a jig and/ or a topwater plug. When the wind makes it just too much work to fly fish, I switch to my spinning tackle, a move that has paid dividends more than once.

If you are a live bait fisherman, try artificial lures, particularly topwater plugs. Sometimes when the pinfish are stealing your hard-won bait faster than you can get them on the hook, artificial lures can save the day. The important part is to make the best of your day on the water. Be okay if the catch is less than you hoped for, because if you keep your eyes open, you’ll learn lessons that will pay dividends on future trips.

Taking a kid fishing is a great way to break out of a narrow focus on catching. They’ll be thrilled to land fish but will also notice the rays, dolphins, manatees, birds and other creatures that inhabit our watery world.

Whatever your experience, make sure that you’re able to focus on fun.

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THE SUN

21

Catch-and-release snook light it up CAPTAIN RICK GRASSETT

Anglers fishing with me out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key had good action with snook at night and trout and Spanish mackerel in Sarasota Bay on flies and CAL jigs with a variety of plastic tails recently.

Denny Mattingly and a friend from Indiana fished dock lights in the ICW on a night trip with me recently. They had good action catching and releasing numerous snook on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly. Frank Zaffino, from Rochester, New York, also got in on the action, catching and releasing numerous snook on flies on another night trip. Bill Rohm and Tom Keir, from Ohio, fished Sarasota Bay with me and had good action with trout and a couple of Spanish mackerel on Clouser flies and CAL jigs with shad tails on another trip.

Shallow water fishing for reds and large trout is a good option now. With winter conditions, we have very clear water, which usually requires long casts to avoid spooking fish. Depending on tide, sometimes afternoons and evenings will fish better due to warmer water. Fishing deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay is also a good choice for action with a variety of species including trout, blues and Spanish mackerel.

Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by industrial, agricultural and residential runoff, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation.

Please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

CAPTAIN RICK GRASSETT | SUBMITTED

Sarasota winter resident Denny Mattingly with a snook caught and released on a Grassett Snook Minnow fly while fishing the ICW at night with Capt. Rick Grassett recently.

CAPTAIN RICK GRASSETT | SUBMITTED

Tom Keir, from Ohio, with a Spanish mackerel caught and released on a Clouser fly while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett recently.

22

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THE SUN

REAL ESTATE

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble

f you think Macbeth’s witches had trouble, just wait. If the COVID-19 housing bubble bursts, it could be a replay of 2008.

To be fair, not everyone thinks there is a bubble. Many real estate professionals and economists feel there are plenty of new buyers in the real estate pipeline to keep the market rolling along, not to mention the low interest rates. But where, exactly, are we compared to the housing bubble in 2008 that led to the financial crisis? Well, there are some similar aspects, but a lot of different dynamics as well.

The banking giant UBS claims home prices are outstripping both wages and rents. While home prices have appreciated more than 60% since November 2012, incomes have only appreciated by 20% and rents by 30% over the same time period.

However, unlike our previous real estate bubble, this time it is not being fueled by a breakdown in lending practices because of a combination of bad legislation and

Castles in the Sand LOUISE BOLGER lender and investor greed.

Once the lending standards by the government-controlled agencies of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were downgraded, subprime loans were available to practically anyone. Remember low-doc or nodoc (document) loans as well as low down payment or no down payment loans? The objective at this time was a quality-of-life issue and getting people in a home of their own, which was a nice thing but a bad business decision. It opened the doors for homeowners with no skin in the game buying homes as well as investors just taking advantage of the situation.

Thankfully, that is not happening now. In

fact, the lending standards have been extensively upgraded, making it difficult for homeowners without cash, jobs and good credit to get financing. This doesn’t mean we still don’t have a problem primarily with inventory. There are millions of millennials living with their families, unable to get out on their own, who will be looking for homes when the COVID dust settles and their careers get in gear.

This is why real estate professionals and economists still feel that long-term real estate will be a good investment; even if this bubble bursts there is something there to replace it. Until the Federal Reserve slows down their bond-buying, the interest rates will stay low, keeping the prices on properties high, and there has been no indication of the Federal Reserve reversing their policies any time soon. It’s possible to continue seeing 10% to 15% appreciation rates across the country. Although homeowners love to see this, it can’t be sustainable and definitely is not advantageous for

helping those millennials to get out of their parents' homes.

We do have one other potential bubble to worry about, and that’s homeowners who have taken advantage of the mortgage-relief programs the government put in place to help during the pandemic. These people are facing an end to the programs within a few months and many of them are not back to work or have totally lost their jobs.

This is another important phase of the real estate market to pay attention to.

We are still in the midst of a powerful pandemic with millions of Americans out of work, but in spite of this, there is a real estate boom the likes of which we haven’t seen in 15 years.

Bubbles come and bubbles go, and we can only hope we can navigate this one with more wisdom than the last. It seems there’s a Shakespeare verse for almost every part of modern life; now that’s real wisdom. Stay safe.

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FEBRUARY 24, 2021

THE SUN

23

MORATORIUM: Extended for scoot coupe and scooter rentals FROM PAGE 18

I’m here today to ask you to reconsider

This could be accomplished by a future revision to the ordinance that specifies the scooter prohibitions pertain only to seatless, stand-up scooters, Perry said.

the situation with the scoot coupes and the motorized scooters.”

ROBINHOOD RENTALS

Mark Toomey operates Robinhood Rentals businesses in Siesta Key and Anna Maria and is in the process of opening a new location in Bradenton Beach on the former Joe’s Eats & Sweets property at 219 Gulf Drive.

During last week’s meeting, he addressed the commission.

“I’m about to open a new location at Joe’s old building, just off Bridge Street.

I’m here today to ask you to reconsider the situation with the scoot coupes and the motorized scooters.”

Regarding scoot coupes, Toomey said, “These vehicles are safe. They are regulated. They do have seat belts in them.

They can go 35 miles per hour. They have roll bars. We’ve had no reported accidents on this Island. I feel it’s a little unfair for the three-wheelers to be penalized because maybe they don’t fit in with everybody’s conceptions of what they want on the Island.”

Toomey said many tourists rely on scoot

Mark Toomey, Robinhood Rentals owner JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Robinhood Rentals owner Mark Toomey hopes he and the city commission can work together when it comes to regulating scoot coupe and scooter rentals. coupes and scooters to get around the Island during their stays. He also noted that, at the request of the city of Holmes Beach, flags were added to his scoot coupes to make them more visible.

“Moving forward, we can put a number of these at the new location and test it over the next three to six months. If it’s something that’s viable moving forward, maybe we can make some arrangement for a certain number of vehicles on that lot. I’m here to work with you and I’d appreciate it if you’d work with me,” Toomey said.

“I have some scooters stored there that arrived yesterday, but they’re not the bird

-

-

scooters, they’re the regular Vespa scooters,” he added.

In response, Perry pointed out that although Commissioner Spooner expressed his desire that Vespa-type scooters not be included in the moratorium and forthcoming permanent regulations, as of that day scooter storage for commercial purposes was prohibited by the emergency moratorium that does not yet differentiate between scooters with seats and without seats.

Perry said as part of her research efforts she recently rented a scoot coupe in Anna Maria and drove it around the Island.

She said one of her primary concerns is that those vehicles do not have a reverse mechanism that allows them to be backed out of a parking space. She said this often

results in the scoot coupes being physically pulled out into the street, which to her is a safety concern.

Mayor John Chappie and Commissioner Jan Vosburgh support the moratorium and share the others’ safety concerns regarding scoot coupes.

Minus commissioners Marilyn Maro and Ralph Cole, who were absent, Chappie and Vosburgh voted in favor of adopting the emergency moratorium ordinance on first reading. Spooner voted in opposition to the moratorium extension due to his desire for the rental of larger scooters to be exempted from the moratorium.

A visit to the former Joe’s Eats & Sweets property that afternoon revealed several golf carts and Vespa scooters being stored that day.

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THE SUN

OBITUARIES Carla Gusovius Atkins Carla Gusovius Atkins, 93, of Anna Maria, Florida, died peacefully in her sleep of natural causes on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, at her son’s home in Arlington, Va. Born on April Atkins 21, 1927, in Königsberg, East Prussia, Germany, to Dr. Paul Gusovius and Ella Schwarz Gusovius, Mrs. Atkins was an avid English student at the Königin Luise Schule in Königsberg and received her Abitur. She perfected her English by listening to the BBC and other English language broadcasts. Following the British bombing of Königsberg in 1944, she traveled with her family 750 miles to the safety of a new home in western Germany, where she eventually was employed as a translator and secretary by the U.S. Army in Hessen, Germany, and as manager of an Amerika Haus library. She emigrated to Detroit in 1955 to take a job as a secretary for an import-export firm.

In 1957 in Philadelphia she wed Neill Stewart Atkins, Jr., of Lillington, N.C., a career Army officer whom she had met in Germany. During their Army years, Col. and Mrs. Atkins lived in Lillington, N.C.; El Paso, Texas; and Brooklyn, N.Y. They settled in Tampa, Florida, in 1964, where Col. Atkins was employed as a computer systems architect until his retirement. In 1976, they moved to the beach at Anna Maria.

Mrs. Atkins loved her family, traveling

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domestically and overseas (she flew roundtrip supersonically on the Concorde in 1997), walking and swimming at the beach, collecting seashells, and feeding the ever-present blue herons, who never went hungry. Mrs. Atkins is predeceased by her husband and by her elder brother, Harald Gusovius.

She is survived by her two sons, Paul Stewart Atkins and his wife, Sarah, of Arlington, Virginia, and Harold Turner Atkins and his wife, Tracey, of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania; five grandchildren, Stewart, Peter, Henry, Margaret, and Marshall; and her younger brother, Burkhard Gusovius, his wife, Ute, their son, Nico, and his wife, Ilse, all of Wiesmoor, Germany. Interment will be in the family plot at Summerville Presbyterian Church in Lillington, North Carolina, at a future date.

Wallace John Cropper Wallace John Cropper (Wally) died Feb. 8, 2021, at the wonderful old age of 94. Living with his wife, Gloria Hall Cropper, on Anna Maria Island for more than 20 years, they enjoyed the beach, their bike rides together and the beautiful weather. He was born Oct. 8, 1926, in New York City, the son of the late LeRoy and Annie Cropper, of Suffern, N.Y. Wally graduated from Horace Mann High School in New York City, Brown University and the University of Michigan with a master’s degree in science.

He also honorably served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He was a member of The American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers and also The Society of Economic Geologists.

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

As a mining and metal exploration geologist, he worked and lived in numerous localities during a 35-year period, including five years high in the Andes Mountains of northern Argentina. He retired in upper New York State, in Watertown, as chief geologist of St. Joe Resources (then a unit of Fluor Corporation) and moved to southwest Florida in 1987 from Wells, Maine.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Nellie P. Cropper. He is survived by their children, Robert C. (Marie) Cropper, of Warwick, R.I., Lorraine (Mark) Clough, of Peacham, Vt., a grandson, Ben S. Clough, of Boston, Mass., stepsons John Hall, of Sarasota, Fla., and Timothy (Ellen) Hall, of San Diego, Calif. His brother, Douglas L. (Maureen) Cropper, of Fayetteville, N.Y., preceded him in death by only a few months.

Memorial donations may be made to The Brown Fund, Division of Advancement, Box 1893, Providence, R.I., 02912.

Madelyn A. Dakin Madelyn A. Dakin, 83, of Brighton, Mich., passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, while vacationing in Florida on Anna Maria Island. She was born March 20, 1937, to Warren Dakin and Margaret Paddock.

She attended Ann Arbor High School and graduated from Ann Arbor Pioneer High School. Madelyn retired from Ford Motor Company in 1993. Prior to that she worked at DAL Customs, GM Hydramatic and Inland Schultz. Madelyn married Gerald F.

Dakin Jr. on Sept. 4, 1954, in Coldwater, Mich. Together they raised four sons. Maddie was a loving wife and mother. She was loved by her entire family and extended family. Maddie had so much love and joy to share, and the ability to make friends wherever she went. She loved her family, her dog, Casey, working out, and going on vacations with her husband to many lakes and beaches. She was a member of Tri Lakes Baptist Church.

Madelyn is survived by her husband, Gerald, of 67 years, her three sons, Randy (Karen) Dakin, Mike (Cathy) Dakin and Jeffery Dakin; grandchildren Mike Jr. (Betsy) Dakin, Cherie (Mike) Reddick, Josh Dakin, Aimee (Brett) Gallian, Drew Dakin; 13 great-grandchildren, seven greatgreat-grandchildren; brothers Warren Paddock, Bill Paddock; sisters Barbara Webb and Margaret Watson; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Warren and Margaret Paddock, sister Joan Shelpmand, and her son, Gerald Dakin III. A service to celebrate Maddie’s life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021 at 2 p.m. at Tri Lakes Baptist Church, 9100 Lee Road, Brighton, Mich. There will be a luncheon immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials in memory of Madelyn can be made to the Humane Society of Livingston County or Tri Lakes Baptist Church.

A private family interment will take place at Ypsilanti Highland Cemetery at a later date. Please visit Maddie’s guestbook at www.macdonaldsfuneralhome.com.

SEE OBITUARIES, PAGE 26

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FEBRUARY 24, 2021

THE SUN

The Gulf Coast Luxury Leader Thanks to our valued customers and talented team of professionals, we are proud to announce

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25

HOLMES BEACH 3716 Gulf Drive #C $1,749,000 Laurie Mock 941.232.3665

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LOCALLY KNOWN. GLOBALLY CONNECTED. SINCE 1976.

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RIVERVIEW LANDINGS 2415 Landings Circle Kathy Valente & Gregory Zies 941-685-6767 A4452193 $3,450,000

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

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26

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FEBRUARY 24, 2021

OBITUARIES Bob Mitchell Bob Mitchell, fun-loving, longtime resident of Anna Maria, passed away on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, 2021. Favored friends and neighbors will now have to tend his paths.

Always observant, Bob was known for his bright wit and upbeat attitude, all while “his mind was spinning” toward his next move as a mischievous prankster. A good listener but also famous for his selective hearing, Bob enjoyed socializing and thoughtful conversation. His charming personality won him friends from all over the world, and likewise, Bob was proud to live on Anna Maria Island, a place that enlarged his world experience, yet remained intimate.

For Bob, it was important to stay in touch with those he loved, in the old-fashioned way, with a phone call or a notecard signed with his trademark smiley face. Over the years, Bob’s relationship touches really piled up. This was especially true for Bob’s three children, whom he loved; and when he sent one of them a generous note card, he always sent three.

He was notorious for contacting these northerners amid snowy forecasts, with his favorite boast about the warm-weather AMI life: “Well, it’s not easy…”

Born to Bill and Cecilia Mitchell in Johnson City, N.Y., Bob’s mechanical ability must have come from his father (who was a woodworker for the EJ Shoe Company, and a side-work auto mechanic). After Bob finished high

BEACH BEAT HOLMES BEACH

2/11, hit and run traffic accident, 500 Manatee Ave. The driver of a vehicle that damaged the vehicle in front of him while stopped in traffic drove away and the victim followed him to Bradenton. The victim returned to Holmes Beach where officers compiled information on the defendant, who was driving his mother’s car. The defendant was ticketed and given a notice to appear in court.

2/13, 5:37 p.m., noise violation, 4101 Fourth Ave. A second visit by police to a home where loud music was

SUBMITTED

Friends all dressed as Bob Mitchell at a recent surprise birthday party.

school as president of his “JC Wildcats,” class of 1953, he went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Lafayette College in 1957, where he was president of Sigma Nu fraternity during his senior year as a “Leopard.” Bob got his love for white skipper hats during a short service in the Navy, after which he spent 33 years working as an engineer and manager for the IBM Corporation, where he was pleased to collaborate on the battery for IBM’s first laptop computer.

Bob was pre-deceased by his elder sister, Thelma Lowry, (Reigart) of Owego, N.Y. He is survived by three children: Liz Georgia (Damon), Meg Kramer, and Bill Mitchell; along with two nieces, five grandchildren, many special friends both on the Island and elsewhere, as well as his close friend, Nancy Goff.

Celebrations of life and storytelling will continue on Sundays at the Rod & Reel Pier, for all who knew and loved Bob. disturbing neighbors resulted in a return to peace and tranquility.

2/14, 12:09, camping violation, 3101 Gulf Drive, Mike Norman Realty. The officer saw a male sleeping on the property. The subject, who has had prior dealings with police, was given a notice to appear. He said he would not appear and tore up the notice before departing the scene.

2/15, 1:48 p.m., code violation, 69th Street beach. A visitor from South Dakota was cited for driving a golf cart on the beach.

2/15, found property, 200 block of 78th Street. A rusty, inoperable black Huffy bicycle was found and taken by police for safekeeping.

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

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28

THE SUN

SPORTS

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

Allied goes into week 6 on top in adult soccer

BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15 MODIFIED STAPLEFORD

After five weeks of adult co-ed soccer action, Allied leads the league with three wins, one loss and one draw.

Two teams follow in a close second with 3-0-2 records: Burton Brick & Tile and Sato Real Estate.

In the middle of the pack is Servis First Bank with three wins and two losses, and Blalock Walters with two wins and three losses.

Rounding out the final three spots in the ranking are The Gitt Team and Jiffy Lube, each with a single win.

Slim’s Place continues to search for the elusive first win of the season.

In the third game of the night, Burton Brick & Tile narrowly beat the Blalock Walters squad with the final score 2-1.

Burton’s Omar Polar and Sumiko Chapman put up single points on the scoreboard for their team in the win, with an assist by Cemal Duzgun.

Nate Welch eluded the Burton Brick keeper for his team’s only goal. Matt Staggs is credited with an assist in the game for Blalock Walters.

Blalock’s goalkeeper, Devin Mulcahy, was kept busy with 16 saves. On the other side of the field, Jonathan Aragon led his team with nine saves.

Burton’s Chris Klotz made five stops.

Kris Yavalar prevented three goals in the game to help secure the win.

Going into week six, Chris Scott leads the league in goal scoring with 11 points. Zach Reda and Ugur Durmaz tie for second with nine goals after five games.

Robb Marshall tops the goalkeeping rankings with 55 recorded saves thus far in the season along with Mulcahy.

With 49 saves, Mark Long is close on the heels of Marshall and Mulcahy.

These top goalies are on three of the bottom four teams in the league.

Burton Brick & Tile’s Cemal Duzgun takes the soccer ball down field as Matt Staggs approaches for the Blalock Walter’s defense in last Thursday night’s game at The Center.

SUN SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16 YOUTH CO-ED FLAG FOOTBALL WEEK #5 EIGHT- TO 10-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE

Ugly Grouper (3-3-0) LaPensee Plumbing (2-4-0) win by forfeit

Moss Builders Beach Bums

(4-0-0) 33 (2-2-0) 8

Key Royale golfers score big 1st Place - with a score of +4 - Gary Alvord 2nd Place - (tie) with a score of +3 - Brian Comer, Nelson Eagle, Jim Hitchen, Ron Huibers 1st Place Team Dean Christensen, Jim Hitchen, Jon Holcomb, Bill MacMillan with a score of +3

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16 LOW NET SCORE FLIGHT A

MONICA SIMPSON | SUN

Tidy MD Shady Lady Rays Ramblings Cloud Coastline Contractors

11- TO 13-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE

(2-1-1) 6 (0-3-1) 6 (1-4-0) 0 (3-2-0) 13 (2-2-0) bye

Detweilers The Gitt Team

(2-1-1) 9 (1-3-0) 14

Ugly Grouper Poppos

(2-2-0) 21 (3-1-1) 6

Gulf Drive Café HSH

(2-3-0) 30 (0-4-0) 26

Root Logix

14- TO 17-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE Grooms Auto

(4-0-0) bye (4-2-0) 54

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17 ADULT CO-ED SOCCER WEEK #5 Sato Real Estate Slim’s Place

(3-0-2) 4 (0-3-2) 1

Jiffy Lube Servis First Bank

(1-3-1) 5 (3-2-0) 7

Burton Brick and Tile Blalock Walters

(3-0-2) 2 (2-3-0) 1

The Gitt Team Allied

(1-4-0) 2 (3-1-1) 5

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18 ADULT CO-ED FLAG FOOTBALL WEEK #5 Slim’s Place Moss Builders

(2-3) 14 (3-2) 26

Beach Bums Salty Printing

(5-0) 52 (0-5) 38

Ugly Grouper Solid Rock Construction

(5-0) 26 (3-2) 24

Sandbar Mi-Box

(1-4) 33 (1-4) 39

Jenny Huibers Marcia Friesen Helen Pollock Roxanne Koche Jana Samuels Pam Lowry Betsy Meyer

FLIGHT B

Fran Barford Kay Neal Mary Lou Dreier Pam Alvord Sue Christenson

FLIGHT C

Lisa Edmonds Jane Perkins Terry Westby Marilyn Niewijk Sally York

31 31 32 32 32 33 33

29 29 30 33 33 29 29 32 33 33

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18 SCRAMBLE

1st Place Team - Dean Christensen, Dan Hatfield, Bob O'Brien, Debi Richardson with a score of 27, 5 under par 2nd Place Team - 3 way tie with a score of 28, 4 under par - the teams of: Nelson Eagle, Eric and Monica Lawson, Fred Miller Larry Brattain, Bill DeMenna, Dave Richardson, Warren Stevens Mike Clements, Scott Mitchell, Ken Nagengast

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

FUN IN THE SUN

Across 1 Karate match exchanges 5 Nickname for Chicago's Ernie Banks 10 Gradually decrease 14 Chamber phenomenon 15 Campaign suspensions 17 Biting 18 Gadgets with small rotary blades 19 Pub nibbles 20 Corrida shout 21 Christmas hymn start 22 Vent opening?

23 One in a gun show?

25 Ax wielder, at times 26 Lover of Euridice, in a Gluck opera 28 Anaheim stadium Answers to 02-17-21 Crossword Puzzle.

nickname 30 1843 story narrated by a murderer, with "The" 35 Finger in the dike, so to speak 37 Out until tomorrow 39 Essential nutrient 40 Split for a union 41 Gush 44 Meteorological line 48 Units for many staples: Abbr.

49 Blowup sound 51 Bumped into 52 Didn't make it through committee, as a bill 53 Beyond reason 55 Land in a lake 56 Heavy burdens 57 Wonder Woman gal

THE SUN

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pal __ Candy 58 Pompano kin 59 Black-necked shorebird 60 World power initials until 1991 Down 1 Slow cooker associated with Boston 2 Went down, in a way 3 Yield sign?

4 Puts down roots 5 "I'm a doctor, not a bricklayer" doctor 6 King's domain 7 Worker with rattan 8 "For the Boys" org.

9 Advice for the itchy 10 Port vessel 11 "You __ lucky!"

12 "Fiddlesticks!"

13 Pair of shoes?

16 Ness, for one 23 Was a whiz on a quiz 24 Can't stand 27 "Sesame Street" segment 29 Round up 31 Certain eligibility rules 32 Ali hooks, at times 33 "The Name of the Rose" author 34 Work plans 36 Safety features that

have evolved since their inception 38 Spousal consent 41 Works on pools 42 __ attack

43 Target of a new vaccine 45 Spender of rials 46 Stimulating nut 47 '50s headline event

50 Takes in too much, for short 52 Spirit of Notre-Dame 54 "__ my problem"

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THE SUN

CLASSIFIED

ANNOUNCEMENTS WANTED TO RENT - GARAGE SPACE for summer vehicle storage April thru October. AMI or close by.

Contact rjreid42@gmail. com BEACH YOGA ON Wednesdays, Saturdays & Sundays at 8:30am at the end of Pine Ave by the Sandbar Restaurant by donation. www.thriveyogafit. com ANNOUNCEMENT: Who wants to play bridge outside on the patio, or in the park, social distanced and face-masked, Call Kathleen at 314-324-5921 THE BEST VOLUNTEER position on the island. The AMI Historical Museum needs docents and bread makers. Call 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.

CARPET CLEANING QUALITY COUNTS. CARPET cleaning. Upholstery cleaning. Tile & grout cleaning. Island's favorite cleaner. Manatee Chamber Member. Great price/free estimates. Call 941-7561082

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

COMMERCIAL SALES, RENT & LEASE 4 UNIT RESORT style 4-plex: $1,999,900 Holmes Beach fixer upper with View of beach on Gulf Dr. Duplex Near Beach Totally renovated near Beach $795,000. Island Real Estate Call Alan Galletto 941-232-2216

Call us today! 941-778-3986

EMPLOYMENT

MASTER CARPENTER. Decks-Docks-FencingStairs & Railing. Free Estimates. Handyman Work. Call Richard 941448-3571

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

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

JSAN CORPORATION Renovations Construction & Handyman Services 941-243-0995 Lic# CRC1332505 jsancorporation@gmail. com Flooring, Drywall, Painting, Repairs, Kitchen and Bathrooms, Trim & Doors.

Free Estimates. Credit Cards Accepted.

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

Licensed and insured.

References available.

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

“HAMMERED HOMES” (SAVING HOMES SINCE 1984) Handyman services, renovations. Free Estimates & Consulting. Call before making decision, save money.

941-778-3206

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

GARAGE, MOVING, RUMMAGE & YARD SALES

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.

SURPLUS SALE CITY OF ANNA MARIA The City of Anna Maria will be holding a surplus sale of goods at 402 Pine Avenue on Saturday, March 13, 2020 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This sale will consist of various items such as file cabinets, shelving, cots, roll away bed, and etc.

MR AJ AMI Maintenance and Repairs- All Jobs-Anna Maria Island 941-705-1793 Licensed/ Insured aj@mrajllc.com

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

Neil 941-726-3077 RENOVATION SPECALIST ALL carpentry repairs, Wash Family Construction, locally owned and operated CBC 1258250 Call 941-725-0073.

KERN CONSTRUCTION NEW Homes & Remodel.

Design/Build. Since 1968.

License # CBC 1261150.

Call Mike Kern 941-7781115

LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE

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

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

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

ISLAND RESIDENT. TREE/ BUSH Trimming, removal.

Sweeping, blowing, weeding. Weekly, bi-monthly or monthly schedule. Pressure washing: driveways, walkways, fences, pool decks/ cages. Call Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315.

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: NORMS TOWING gives Notice of Foreclosure of Lien and intent to sell these vehicles on 02/24/2021, 09:00 am at 1855 63RD AVENUE E. BRADENTON, FL 34203, pursuant to subsection 713.78 of the Florida Statutes. NORMS TOWING reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all bids.

1FTNE2EW8DDA84759 2013 Ford 1J4FJ57S1NL165101 1992 Jeep NM0LS7AN1DT127416 2013 Ford WBAEW53404PN33766 2004 BMW NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: NORMS TOWING gives Notice of Foreclosure of Lien and intent to sell these vehicles on 03/17/2021, 09:00 am at 1855 63RD AVENUE E. BRADENTON, FL 34203, pursuant to subsection 713.78 of the Florida Statutes. NORMS TOWING reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all bids.

1B3CB3HAXBD172250 2011 Dodge 1FMEU64E17UA63514 2007 Ford 1GBEG25K7RF111103 1994 Chevrolet 1J4GL48K05W602110 2005 Jeep JA4MW51R51J006232 2001 Mitsubishi JHMCN36445C012361 2005 Honda JTDBR32E560061457 2006 Toyota SHHFK7H95HU218916 2017 Honda WVWBW7AH3CV008945 2012 Volkswagen NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: NORMS TOWING gives Notice of Foreclosure of Lien and intent to sell these vehicles on 03/24/2021, 09:00 am at 1855 63RD AVENUE E. BRADENTON, FL 34203, pursuant to subsection 713.78 of the Florida Statutes. NORMS TOWING reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all bids.

1FA6P0H74E5391354 2014 Ford 1FTEW1EF3FFB86811 2015 Ford 1FTNE1EW6BDA66736 2011 Ford 1G6KD54Y0XU788603 1999 Cadillac 1GKDT13S272305871 2007 GENERAL MOTORS CORP 1N4AL3AP5EC199227 2014 Nissan 1UYVS25385U570232 2005 UTILITY TRAILER MFG CO 2C3CCAAG0KH613437 2019 Chrysler 2G1FC1EV9A9226680 2010 Chevrolet 2G61M5S35H9115632 2017 Cadillac 3GKALPEV0LL247149 2020 GENERAL MOTORS CORP 4V4NC9TG79N267358 2009 Volvo 5TEGN92N32Z054215 2002 Toyota KMHDN46D96U265484 2006 Hyundai KNALD124445024539 2004 Kia NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: NORMS TOWING gives Notice of Foreclosure of Lien and intent to sell these vehicles on 03/31/2021, 09:00 am at 1855 63RD AVENUE E. BRADENTON, FL 34203, pursuant to subsection 713.78 of the Florida Statutes. NORMS TOWING reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all bids.

1G1ZD5ST5JF222475 2018 Chevrolet 1GYS3HEF0CR201144 2012 Cadillac 1HTMNAAL4EH762132 2014 International 1N6AA1E68HN522553 2017 Nissan 3KPA24AB4KE198534 2019 Kia 3N1AB7AP5HY320146 2017 Nissan 5FNRL5H65FB077784 2015 Honda

LOST & FOUND FOUND SUNGLASSES at 77TH Street parking lot in Holmes Beach text 613401-2318 Contact Tim

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

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

941-812-0507 “WIZARD OF WALLS” Established 1980 Prompt quality service.

Paperhanging/removal Faux finishes. Interior painting. Mary Bell Winegarden 941-794-0455

PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reliable. Island Resident.

Quality Workmanship.

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

Call Larry at 941-400-8754.

References available.

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

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

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

AMISUN.COM

www.amisun.com

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

THE SUN

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

PAINTING

TRANSPORTATION

REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE GULF FRONT CONDOS Vista Grande, WestWinds– CANAL FRONT HOME Holmes Beach –DUPLEXES & MORE Island Real Estate ASK big Alan Galletto 941-232-2216 IMMACULATE WATERFRONT HOME 520 Kumquat Dr. 4BD/5BA 3928sf Coastal Beauty! Prime location on AMI. $2,750,000 Call Charles Buky Coldwell Banker 941-228-6086 HOLMES BEACH 4BR/3.5BA home for sale. 1 ½ blocks from Beach. $1,399,000. Call 724-263-6390 LOOKING FOR A highly motivated real estate broker to buy or sell your next home? Darcie Duncan, Broker Duncan Real Estate a lifelong island resident bringing success to her customers for 30 years. Proven track record brings you results! 941-725-1589 REALTOR FOR HIRE. BUYING OR SELLING on AMI? 17 years experience & USAF Veteran.

Call Kelly Gitt Keller Williams Realty today 941-799-9299.

1973 MOBILE HOME: REMODELED interior 2020, new insulation, vinyl roof with transferable warranty, flooring, windows, kitchen-bath, on-demand hot water unit, exterior doors, window shades and lighting. Fully furnished - dedicated parking space $98,500.

(Located the Sandpiper Resort 55+ community co-op mobile home park) No land share. Call Erik for appointment 813-679-3561

BY OWNER: 1BR/1.5BA end unit villa w/carport at 4418 Mt. Vernon Dr. in Mt. Vernon on Sarasota Bay, a 55+ community 5 minutes from AMI gulf beaches.

The villa is cheery and bright. Extensively updated, including: hardwood floors, tiled baths, breakfast bar, birch kitchen cabinets, stove w/microwave above, dishwasher, kitchen and bath fixtures, and fans.

Lots of closet space, storage, outside utility room.

New A/C system installed 07/20. Mt. Vernon is an active senior community with many social clubs and activities, a clubhouse, pool, sauna, tennis, shuffleboard, walking/biking paths, fishing, woodworking shop, and more. Free boat docks and kayak/ RV/trailer storage subject to availability. OFFERED AT $162,500. To View Call 727-479-4919 or 303-7257160

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 513-382-1992.

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

RENTAL WANTED SEEKING AMI ANNUAL RENTAL Call Kelly Gitt Keller Williams Realty 941799-9299

RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION TIFFANY PLACE Gulf Front Condo for Rent Incredible views from living room and master bedroom. 2BR/2BA Green Real Estate Call 941-778-0455 SEASONAL RENTAL in PALMA SOLA. 3BR/2BA weekly or monthly rates.

Contact Barb Grace 941201-2190 ANNA MARIA ISLAND CONDOS Large pool, beach access, free WiFi, 1&2 Bedroom $700/$800/$900 a wk. redekercondosonami. com Tim 941-704-7525 COZY COTTAGE TASTEFULLY Furnished. Close to Beach, tennis courts and Boat Ramp, Holmes Beach. Call 941-778-2919

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TRANSPORTATION AMI TAXI metered-on-callcards accepted. Airport: Tampa $95, Sarasota $40, Clearwater $85, Orlando $195. Call 941-447-8372 or 941-447-8376. amitaxi4u@ gmail.com, www.amitaxi. com ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa $70. Sarasota $35. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne.

941-779-5095 AIRPORT RIDES- Tampa, St. Pete, Sarasota. Mask & gloves provided. Reasonable rates! Call or text Anna 941-932-1600

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THE SUN

www.amisun.com

FEBRUARY 24, 2021