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VOL 17 No. 14
January 18, 2017
Dueling rental bills filed Local elected officials’ reaction to Greg Steube’s proposed vacation rental bill has been swift and severe. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
TOM VAUGHT | SUN
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Competing vacation rental bills have been filed by two state legislators and the passage of either bill would significantly impact the local regulation of vacation rentals. Filed Jan. 10 by state Sen. Greg Steube, a Republican from Sarasota, SB 188 would prevent local governments from adopting new vacation rental regulations or enforcing local rental regulations adopted after June 2011. Filed Jan. 9 by state Rep. David Richardson, a Democrat from Miami Beach, HB 6003 would give local governments almost unlimited authority to regulate or prohibit vacation rentals. The fates of the competing bills will be determined by the Republican-controlled state legislature during the 2017 legislative session that begins March 7 and ends May 5. see bill, page 10
TOM VAUGHT | SUN
The youngest runners, top photo, start the Dolphin Dash 1-mile run. Above, Raquel Lespasio and Alison Ecker were the two fastest women runners. Above left, Chris Kemp finished second in the 5K run. TOM VAUGHT | SUN
Fair weather greets runners The Anna Maria Elementary School Dolphin Dash raises money for the PTO and promotes a healthy lifestyle for students and families. BY TOM VAUGHT SUN SYAFF WRITER | tvaught@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – When you plan outdoor events in January, like the Anna Maria Elementary School’s Dolphin Dash, you never know what Mother Nature will have in store, even in Florida. Over the years, runners have had to deal with sweltering temperatures as well as unseasonably cold weather laced with rain.
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Fortunately, the race run last Saturday at the school was blessed with perfect weather and the turnout was good. The first run was a 5K race for adults and advanced kids. Racers of all ages, shapes and sizes lined up wearing their numbered tags on top of T-shirts. Some clearly were there to achieve their personal bests, setting their Fitbits and stop watches to monitor and chronicle their efforts. Other runners, equally determined, had their children beside them while still others pushed baby buggies in front. At the end of the race, Sarah Peace crossed the finish line as her daughter, five-year-old Maggie, rolled along being pushed in a pink, kid-sized minsee dash, page 20
Anna maria
Oyster Bar: 20 years of great food. 14
Anna Maria Island, Florida
Steube explains vacation rental bill The state senator said his bill is based on his belief in property rights trumping local governmental regulation. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
TOM VAUGHT | SUN
Runner Sarah Peace with her daughter, Maggie, at the end of the race.
SARASOTA – State Sen. Greg Steube, of Sarasota, has filed a new bill that if adopted would prevent local governments from enacting new vacation rental regulations or enforcing existing rental regulations adopted before June 2011. Elected to the state senate in NovemSteube ber, Steube represents Sarasota County and part of Charlotte County. From 2010 to 2016, the former Bradenton native served as a state representative and represented part of Manatee see steube, page 20
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