Anna Maria Island Sun January 18, 2023

State representatives suggest eliminating Island cities

The Island’s state representatives are suggesting that Manatee County take over Anna Maria Island's cities and allow a parking garage at Manatee Beach.

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

MANATEE COUNTY - Members of the local state legislative delegation are making plans to permanently change the face of Anna Maria Island, beginning with a parking garage and potentially ending with the dissolution of the three Island cities.

A citizens’ action group, Save AMI Cities, has already sprung up on Facebook with the intent of making voter and stakeholder voices heard by state legislators.

During a Jan. 12 legislative delegation meeting, Rep. Will Robinson Jr. brought up beach access and parking issues in Holmes Beach. Robinson, a Republican, proposed introducing a bill during the upcoming state legislative session to pre-empt Holmes Beach city leaders' decision to ban parking garages. His plan would allow a four-story parking garage on the Manatee County-owned parcel at Manatee Beach, one story higher than the city’s limit. His fellow Republican members of the delegation, Rep. Tommy Gregory,

Oyster Bar proposes enhancements at pier location

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – The Anna Maria Oyster Bar (AMOB) wants to enhance and expand its operations at and around the Bradenton Beach Pier.

The desired enhancements include alcohol consumption being allowed on the public fishing pier at the end of Bridge Street.

AMOB leases the main restaurant building at the foot of the pier from the city of Bradenton Beach. AMOB also leases the adjacent smaller city-owned structures subleased to Paradise Boat Tours and formerly subleased to the Tide & Moon and Room With A Hue retail operators.

AMOB CEO John Horne presented the proposed

enhancements to the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) on Jan. 11.

The improvements include a walk-up bar and a to-go food kiosk to be located in the space previously occupied by Tide & Moon and Room With A Hue.

Suzi Fox honored at celebration of life

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND - At the celebration of Suzi Fox’s life, local dignitaries, family and friends painted a picture of a dedicated advocate for Island turtles, a fun-loving and funny friend, and a caring mother, sister and grandmother.

Fox, longtime executive director of Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, died on Sept. 30 after a fall.

More than 150 people attended the event at the Center of Anna Maria Island on Saturday to pay tribute to Fox.

Nanci Banman, Fox’s sister, described Suzi as a force to be reckoned with.

“If you met her, it was like you’ve known her all your life,” Banman said.

Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said it was clear that Fox loved the turtles, the seabirds and the community.

Anna Maria Island, Florida

TROY MORGAN/PHOTOSFROMTHEAIR.COM

The Manatee Beach parking lot needs a garage, according to state officials, who propose a Manatee County takeover of all AMI cities to make it so.

Robinson

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The Anna Maria Oyster Bar plans to install a walk-up bar in the smaller, burnt orange-colored building formerly subleased for retail operations.

Citizens of the Year honored

Anna Maria’s Distinguished Citizen of the Year awards were presented last week to former Anna Maria Commissioner Carol Carter and three family members representing co-award winner Suzi Fox, the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring director who passed away last year.

Selection committee members Joan Voyles and Barbara Murphy, past winners themselves, presented the awards. The selection committee also included Kathy Donnar.

Fox’s sisters, Kendra Fox and Nanci Banman, and her cousin, Linda Erfourth, accepted the award on her behalf. “You’ve come far and wide to honor Suzi,” Voyles said to the visiting family members. “The Island and people all through the community have recognized the work she’s done.”

When presenting Carter’s award, Voyles said Carter made her mark on the city commission and made an even larger mark on the Anna Maria community with the many other local organizations she served on, the civic activities she engaged in, the charitable donations she made and the leadership she showed in trying to protect the existing way of life for Anna Maria residents.

Commission applicants to present their views

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – The city will host a commission workshop on Thursday, Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. that features presentations given by the applicants seeking to fill the city commission seat recently vacated by Carol Carter.

As of Jan. 12, the city had received applications from current Planning and Zoning Board member Charlie Salem and former city Commissioner Brian Seymour. Jan. 16, was the deadline to apply to fill the remaining 10 months of the two-year city commission term that will expire after the city elections in November.

During the workshop at city hall, the applicants will then be given as

much time as they need to make their presentations, which are to be partially based in response to written questions provided in advance. The questions were sought from the four sitting city commissioners, city residents, business owners and media members. The workshop will not feature a moderator or backand-forth exchanges between the applicants, and additional questions cannot be posed by workshop attendees.

The workshop’s purpose is to give the public and city commissioners Jon Crane, Robert Kingan, Deanie Sebring and Mark Short a better feel for the applicants and where they stand on various city issues. On Thursday, Jan. 26 at 6 p.m., the four sitting commissioners will appoint one of the applicants to serve the remainder of the vacated city commission term.

The commission workshop can be attended in person or by phone by calling 1-929-205-6099 and entering the meeting ID: 85392000280.

Thursday’s workshop will allow Anna Maria City Commission applicants to present their views on various city issues.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

From left, Joan Voyles and Barbara Murphy presented the Citizen of the Year award to Carol Carter.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

From left, Joan Voyles and Barbara Murphy presented Suzi Fox’s award to her family members, Linda Erfourth, Nanci Banman and Kendra Fox.

ISLAND NEWS

IN BRIEF

CITY OF ANNA MARIA | SUBMITTED Food truck operations would be allowed in the areas highlighted in red on this Anna Maria zoning map.

New food truck ordinance presented

The Anna Maria City Commission is considering a proposed city ordinance that would limit food truck operations only to privately-owned properties located in C-1 (commercial) zoning districts. Food trucks would not be allowed to operate in residential-zoned areas or on any public lands or city-owned rights of way. Proposed ordinance 23-913 includes a provision that would allow food trucks to operate elsewhere in the city during city commission-approved special events. The newly proposed ordinance replaces a previously rejected ordinance that proposed creating a designated food truck zone at the northwest end of Bayfront Park. The second reading and vote on the ordinance is scheduled on Thursday, Jan. 26.

Shoreline erosion concerns Anna Maria mayor

Beach erosion is occurring along the residential shoreline between the Rod & Reel Pier and Bean Point. During the Jan. 12 Anna Maria City Commission meeting, Mayor Dan Murphy informed the commission members of the erosion concerns and his intent to apply for a federal grant that could fund the installation of a sand berm to help protect the residential structures along that shoreline. Murphy said many details still need to be worked out and it’s not yet known if such a project would be approved. He said these efforts would require the cooperation of the private property owners and he doesn’t yet know whether federal funds could be used to help protect any vacation rental homes in that area that are not used as primary residences.

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Sewer project begins soon in Bradenton Beach

The county project will impact residents, visitors and Gulf Drive South traffic, preventing vehicle access to homes for weeks at a time.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – Manatee County’s sewer rehabilitation project will begin soon along the west side of Gulf Drive South.

The county project is expected to impact traffic and parking along Gulf Drive South and the adjacent side streets for the next year and a half to two years.

On Jan. 12, several Manatee County staff members and Woodruff & Sons construction firm employees participated in a public information meeting at Bradenton Beach City Hall that was attended by more than 50 people. In that informal setting, county and construction company representatives explained the project and answered questions posed by attendees. Project maps and illustrations were also displayed.

Ogden Clark serves as strategic affairs manager for Manatee County’s Public Works Department. He said the mobilization of equipment and materials will begin this week and the work is expected to start the following week.

“We realize this project is going to affect businesses, rental companies, residents and visitors, but there’s a definite benefit to the project that will improve the county sewer system that’s out here today,” Clark said.

Funded by utility rate revenues and debt service, the $8.1 million project has an estimated September 2024 completion date. Clark said the two-year project was going to require peak season work no matter when it started and the materials and the contractor are available now.

Woodruff & Sons employee Chad Wakeman said, “We’re trying to minimize the impacts on Gulf Drive. We’ll do the main line first, which will not really affect Gulf Drive. When we come across

Gulf Drive (into the side streets), we’ll do the bypass into the Cortez Beach parking lot so we’ll have two lanes of traffic going at all times.”

Woodruff and Sons will not be working nights and weekends and the multi-use trail on the west side of Gulf Drive South and the bike lane along the east side of the road will remain open.

NO VEHICLE ACCESS

Woodruff & Sons’ Matt Anderson said the first phase of work will occur along Gulf Drive, from Sixth Street South to 10th Street South. Those four blocks of the Cortez Beach parking lot will be closed and remain closed for approximately four months. As the project progresses south, the parking lot closures will shift accordingly and the parking areas where the work has been completed will reopen. Anderson said approximately 100 Cortez Beach parking spaces will be closed at any given time.

He said 12th Street South will be the first side street to be closed to vehicular traffic and he expects that to happen in July.

“For 4 to 6 weeks, you’re not going to have vehicular access to those properties,” Anderson said of the side street closures that will force residents, visitors and rental guests to park in designated parking areas across the street at Cortez Beach while the work takes place.

Clark said the county hopes to provide at least a month’s notice

before a side street is closed to vehicular traffic.

Anderson said inaccurate utility line surveys often present unforeseen challenges.

“Everything’s subject to change. We could blow through this and have nothing go wrong or we could get out here and have all kinds of problems. We’re going to hit a water line. We’re going to take out a phone line. I guarantee it,” he said.

One attendee noted the city recently undergrounded the utility lines along Gulf Drive South and several of the same side streets to be impacted by the sewer project.

“They have to mark it and we have to work around it, “Anderson said.

Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie said he appreciates the county’s outreach efforts that will also include reaching out to impacted residents, vacation rental owners and property management companies.

“Everybody needs to know what’s going on and prepare for it. It’s not going to be fun; it’s not going to be pretty; but infrastructure needs to be replaced. This stuff’s more than 50 years old,” Chappie said.

Clark advises residents, property owners, business owners and visitors to frequently check the project website, www.amiprojects. io, and to also sign up for email updates.

“We’ll do our best to keep you informed,” Clark said.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN The residential shoreline between the Rod & Reel Pier and Bean Point is eroding.

MANATEE COUNTY | SUBMITTED

Temporary lane shifts along Gulf Drive South traffic will reroute two-way traffic through the Cortez Beach parking lot as needed.

Pilings placed in Hunters Point canal

The new pilings still provide a 20-foot-wide area for boats to pass through.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

CORTEZ – Seven new wooden pilings have been placed in the privatelyowned Hunters Point canal near the canal-side entrance to the Cortez Village Marina.

Installed last week, the pilings have various signs affixed to them that say, “Caution, Narrow Bridge Ahead,” “Manatee Zone, Slow Speed, Minimum Wake,” “You Are Entering a Private Canal, Please Monitor VHF Channel 9,” “Inbound Traffic Every 15 Minutes on the Hour,” “Outbound Traffic Every 15 Minutes on the Hour” and “No Wake Zone.”

Hunters Point developer Marshall Gobuty said the new pilings and signs were installed for safety reasons in response to concerns that Cortez Village Marina representatives repeatedly expressed during the multi-day permit challenge hearing held in 2022, presided over by administrative law Judge Bruce Culpepper.

The new pilings appear to narrow the navigable area of the canal near the marina entrance, but Gobuty said the pilings still provide a 20-foot-wide clearance for boats to pass through, one at a time, and that a water district representative viewed the new pilings and expressed no concerns.

The marina ownership group seeks a ruling as to whether the Southwest Florida Water Management District

properly issued the environmental resource permit in 2021 that allows 49 Hunters Point docks to be built along the decades-old, man-made canal Gobuty purchased in 2016 when he bought the Hunters Point property.

During the hearing, marina representatives and expert witnesses claimed two-way boat traffic on the canal would become more challenging and less safe with the installation of the 49

canal-side residential docks desired for the Hunters Point community currently under construction in Cortez.

During the hearing, Gobuty, his attorney, Susan Martin, and his expert witnesses suggested limiting boat traffic on the canal to one-way travel occurring at 15-minute intervals to help ensure greater navigational safety for canal users.

The privately-owned canal currently provides marina users with their only direct access to the Intracoastal Waterway and it was stated during the hearing that the marina ownership group has no written or verbal agreements that guarantee the continued use of the canal.

The canal also provides several canal-side homeowners (some of whom have been named in an unresolved civil lawsuit filed by Cortez Road Investments) and two RV resorts with access to the Intracoastal Waterway.

The parties involved in the dock permitting challenge dispute still await a recommended order from Culpepper regarding the permit issued by the water district, to be followed by a final order issued by the water district’s governing board.

Village Marina.

3909 East Bay Drive, Suite 210, Holmes Beach, FL, 34217

Phone: (941) 778-3986

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Smoke, mirrors and AMI’s ‘parking problem’

They make it sound like beach access and parking is the issue, but is it?

A four-story parking garage at the countyowned Manatee Beach would exceed the threestory height limit that the city of Holmes Beach has wisely imposed, echoed by the cities of Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach.

State Rep. Will Robinson and his colleagues are trying to break that precedent by eliminating the Island’s three cities and their pesky regulations and putting them under Manatee County control.

But that would not only allow for the parking garage. It would open the door of Anna Maria Island to high-rises, east coast-style.

And that is far more likely to be behind the move by Republican legislators than “fixing” the parking problem in Holmes Beach with a single garage.

The trouble with their argument is that once high-rises or even mid-rises are allowed, the garage will be obsolete, a drop in the bucket to providing beach access, which belies their true motive - the D-word. Development.

And what would happen to beach access then, with so many parking places required by multistory vacation rentals (let’s not even bother to pretend they will be residences)?

There’s a lesson to be learned from the Martinique condo mid-rises built five decades ago. Local elected officials put the kibosh on those extra floors almost immediately after seeing the visual impact the two buildings had on what was then truly “Old Florida.”

Now that what little of Old Florida is left on the Island has been nearly completely redeveloped (also known as destroyed), it’s apparently time to redevelop it again, this time, vertically.

We’re only number two on the state’s highestpriced real estate list, according to the Wall Street Journal. We have to be number one, at any cost.

Elderly folks were the first to be priced off this Island. Then families. Now, it’s the workforce.

Soon, unless someone clears the smoke and cleans the mirrors, it may be all of us.

There will be no winners

The recent bombshell by the state delegation to undermine Island height restrictions, and potentially to dissolve the Island cities, reminds me of when I was younger. Two headstrong, spoiled children would get into an argument over something on the playground for which neither was willing to compromise. Then one would go to their big brother and, without all the facts and, being one not to consider other outcomes, the brother jumps in and tries to settle the argument. All should have been taught better about sitting down and discussing things to produce a better outcome. The implementation of the parking plan most certainly could have been handled in a much better

way; this was mentioned by many at the time. Plus, we have very limited, finite land. Simple math can tell you that this Island cannot accommodate all the taxpayers, all the people out of the county, out of the state and out of the country who desire to use the beach.

Now that it has come to a head with Big Brother weighing in and wanting to take over everything, the problem has become worse for all three cities.

The city now needs the residents in this fight. I know from attending almost every commission meeting for eight years that there is irony in that Holmes Beach rarely listens to residents’ positive viable suggestions towards problem resolution. The city has sometimes even made the residents out to be the

aggressors, offenders or violators, and would even target, taunt or treat them with less than civility. Now the city wants residents to come to their defense.

No matter how this turns out, no one is going to feel like a winner, and there will be many losers. Hopefully, we will keep our cities, and some will finally realize we only have so much space.

To the county and state, please apply the math to your parking expectations and curb your advertising. To the city, county and state, please have greater respect for neighborhoods, communities and residents. Residents are getting caught in the crossfire.

Richard Motzer Holmes Beach

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Tommy DeCarlo

ON THE AGENDA

ANNA

MARIA

10005 GULF DRIVE

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130

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

Jan. 19, 6 p.m. – Candidate presentation/City Commission workshop Jan. 24, 10 a.m. – Special magistrate hearing Jan. 26, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting

BRADENTON BEACH

107 GULF DRIVE N.

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005

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

Jan. 18, 1 p.m. – Scenic WAVES meeting Jan. 24, 9:30 a.m. – City Commission workshop

HOLMES BEACH

5801 MARINA DRIVE

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800

Please visit www.holmesbeachfl.org or contact city hall for more information. Jan. 24, 10 a.m. – Code Compliance special magistrate hearing Jan. 25, 5 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session to follow Jan. 26, 11:30 a.m. – HBPD police officers pension board meeting

EVENTS

THURSDAY, JAN. 19

Tree Tots: Animal Parts, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 10 a.m.

Island Morning Book Club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10:15 a.m.

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

Friends of the Island Library Lecture and Travel Series: Cortez Village Historical Society, Roser Church fellowship hall, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 2 p.m.

Family Movie Night featuring “Clifford the Big Red Dog,” Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 5:45 p.m.

FRIDAY, JAN. 20

Oyster shell drilling, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon

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

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

Paper crafting, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.

SATURDAY, JAN. 21

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

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

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

Teen Art Club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m.

Tommy DeCarlo

August Zadra and Jimmy Leahey.

TUESDAY, JAN. 24

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

Family story time with Genbu the Gopher Tortoise, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

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

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

One-on-one tech help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2-4 p.m.

Movies in the Park, “Gone with the Wind: Part One,” City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd. Anna Maria, 6:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 25

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

THURSDAY, JAN. 26

Seaside Quilters, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

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

Friends of the Island Library Lecture and Travel Series: Ancient Egypt – Gift of the Nile, Roser Church fellowship hall, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 2 p.m.

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

AMI Chamber Trolley Grant Awards and business card exchange, Seafood Shack, 4110 127th St. W., Cortez, 5-7:30 p.m., $5 for members or $10 for prospective members

FRIDAY, JAN. 27

Forty Carrots, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Mah-jongg Club for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.

Generation after the Holocaust with speaker Rifka Glatz, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.

SATURDAY, JAN. 28

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

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

Hands-only CPR with West Manatee Fire Rescue, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 9 a.m.

Starry Night Astronomy, Robinson Preserve expansion parking lot, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, JAN. 31

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

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

Sun staffers win awards in Florida Press Club contest

Two Anna Maria Island Sun staff members have won awards in the Florida Press Club’s 2022 Excellence in Journalism Competition.

Reporter/Digital Editor Kristin Swain won first place in the Environmental Writing category and cartoonist Steve Borggren won third place in the Editorial Cartooning category. Swain’s story, “Bird nest discovered in trees slated for the woodchipper,” highlights the discovery of an active great blue heron nest at the Kingfish Boat Ramp where the removal of more than 100 trees was planned to take place. Those plans were ultimately abandoned by Manatee County commissioners.

The awards were announced at a ceremony on Saturday in Daytona Beach.

34216 zip code named second most expensive in Florida

Up one spot from early 2022, Anna Maria’s 34216 zip code is now the second most expensive in Florida, according to the Wall Street Journal.

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA - The city at the north end of Anna Maria Island is known for its white sand beaches, high-quality dining and shopping, cultural events and charming homes, but a Jan. 13 article in the Wall Street Journal is a reminder that it comes at a price - a very high price.

Anna Maria’s 34216 zip code is

now the second most expensive in Florida, according to the Journal, quoting Realtor.com.

To put in perspective just how expensive the median home price in Anna Maria actually is, it ranks second only to the ultra-exclusive Fisher Island in Miami, which is home to residents like Oprah Winfrey, Andre Agassi, Robert Herjavec and other ultra-high net worth individuals and celebrities. The city of Anna Maria has a current median list price of $3.6 million, a median $1,695 per square foot price, an average of 75 days on the market before a home is sold and 42 active listings, which is up 133.33% year-over-year.

It should be noted that Anna Maria is not even in the top 100 wealthiest

zip codes in Florida. The 2020 census reports that residents of Anna Maria have an average household income of $80,865 compared to around $500,000 on Fisher Island, which has zero residents living below the poverty line - compared to 10.8% in Anna Maria. That’s a high per-capita income compared to the national average, but far from what can be found in many south Florida coastal towns.

The most expensive home sold in Anna Maria closed at $16 million last year and according to the article, the biggest factor influencing price is proximity to water. A canal is nice, a bay view is fantastic and windows facing the Gulf of Mexico mean big bucks.

Hours changed at Bayfront Park

Bayfront Park in Anna Maria is now open daily from dawn to dusk. The city-owned, countymaintained park was previously open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

AMI bird count numbers low

The number of birds is declining, possibly due to habitat loss.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND - More than 1,000 birds were counted by Audubon Society volunteers during the annual Christmas Bird Count in an area that includes the north end of Anna Maria Island.

The Fort DeSoto Circle count covers a 15-mile-wide circle and is led by a compiler responsible for organizing volunteers and submitting observations to Audubon.

“This circle covers the least amount of

land and is mainly over water,” Audubon count compiler Bill Kaempfer said. “It was fit in between St. Pete and Manatee County 10 years ago because it was felt that there was a substantial number of birds in the area.”

Counters tally all birds seen or heard that day.

Birders Tom Bisko and David Epstein recorded more than 1,000 birds of 47 species in the Jan. 2 count.

“The Anna Maria Island totals were 47 species and 1,026 individual birds, mainly waterbirds,” Kaempfer said.

About half of the counted birds were gulls - 387 laughing gulls and 180 green-billed gulls, he said.

“There were more than 100 terns, mostly

royal terns,” he said. “Also there were pelicans, herons, egrets and ospreys.”

The biggest surprise was the presence of two blue-crowned parakeets.

“Some species of naturalized parakeets establish themselves in the wild,” Kaempfer said. “They were the only two on the entire count. We don’t get that very often.”

Kaempfer has been a compiler in more than 40 Christmas bird counts.

“Ten years is really a short amount of time to determine trends,” he said. “But while we’re seeing a greater diversity in varieties, we’re seeing smaller numbers of birds in general. That might have to do with the skills of birders, but because we’re

TOM BISKO | SUBMITTED

This blue-crowned parakeet identified in the Audubon Christmas Bird Count is an unusual species on Anna Maria Island.

seeing more birds with declining numbers, I think habitat loss is a major factor in that.”

The Christmas Bird Count mobilizes nearly 80,000 volunteer bird counters in more than 2,600 locations across the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America. The count began in 1900.

Manatee deaths remain above average in Florida

Statewide deaths of the county’s namesake topped the five-year average in 2022.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

While statewide manatee mortality numbers for 2022 were lower than 2021, they were still above average.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) annual manatee mortality report, there were 800 manatee deaths statewide in 2022 - lower than the 1,110 deaths of 2021, but above the five-year average of 741.

The FWC report showed that an overwhelming majority of the state’s manatee deaths occurred on Florida’s east coast due to an Unusual Mortality Event (UME) due to starvation and malnutrition caused by a lack of seagrass.

Twelve deaths were reported in Manatee County. Two of those died of natural causes, one was a perinatal death, three deaths were of undetermined causes and

six were not necropsied.

According to the FWC, mortality was high due to the UME.

Between Dec. 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022, 457 manatee deaths were verified on the Atlantic coast. Starvation was the leading cause of death.

Necropsy data indicated that manatees had experienced starvation and malnutrition before entering winter. Necropsies demonstrated severe, extensive tissue atrophy, which is likely the result of experiencing malnutrition through multiple seasons, according to the FWC report.

“Manatees can develop cold stress disease when they are chronically exposed to water temperatures below 68 degrees. Most will survive average Florida winters if they find a good warm water site such as natural springs, or discharge from a power plant, although the cold exposure when they go out to feed can still affect their health,” said Dr. Martine de Wit, FWC marine mammal veterinarian. “Extreme cold weather caused mass mortality in Florida manatees in 2010 and 2011. Also, even average Florida

winters do add extra stressors on manatees with compromised health.”

The main difference between the two years was that there was no large-scale, red tide-related mortality on the Gulf coast in 2022, and there was a lower number of verified deaths on the Atlantic coast last year, according to the FWC report.

Historically, high mortality numbers correspond with red tide events, de Wit said.

“Red tide mortality is one of the main threats for the manatee population in southwest Florida, besides watercraft-related mortality and loss of warm water habitat,” she said. “2013 and 2018 had high levels of red tide and this translated into high statewide mortality numbers at the end of the year.”

If you see a dead, sick, orphaned or injured manatee, report it to the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922), #FWC or *FWC on a cell phone or text 847411 with keyword “FWC,” followed by the city and/or county and any information.

ENDANGERED AGAIN?

Environmental groups are urging the state to upgrade manatee status from "threatened" to its original "endangered" species status since a 2017 downgraded classification.

In November 2022, The Center for Biological Diversity, Harvard Animal Law & Policy Clinic, Miami Waterkeeper and Save the Manatee Club petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to increase protections for West Indian manatees. The petition urges the service to reclassify the species from threatened to endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

Fish and Wildlife has 90 days to evaluate whether the petition to protect the manatee as endangered presents substantial information to indicate that the action may be warranted. If so, the service must complete a thorough review of the species’ status within 12 months of receiving the petition.

5344 Gulf Drive

Holmes Beac h (941) 779-BEER

5350 Gulf Drive

Holmes Beac h (941) 251-3681

5346 Gulf Drive Holmes Beac h (941) 778-5788

Island Players bring the laughs

The Island Players latest production, ‘The Odd Couple, The Female Version,’ offers big laughs from a talented cast.

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA - A New York apartment is the setting for a familiar, albeit slightly skewed view of some of Neil Simon’s most beloved characters to bring the laughs. In the late 1960s, Simon introduced audiences to Oscar and Felix, who would be featured in film, television and even a cartoon. As beloved as the Odd Couple was, in the mid-1980s he decided he had one more iteration of the story under his belt when he wrote “The Odd Couple, The Female Version.”

So Felix Unger, whose marriage has imploded, becomes Florence Unger, a neat-freak housewife and mother whose husband leaves her. Oscar Madison, the sports writer, becomes Olive Madison, a sloppy TV news producer who is constantly giving money to her broke ex-husband. While the original Oscar and Felix enjoyed poker nights, the ladies get together every Friday

for a game of Trivial Pursuit, which in itself harkens back to the time the play was written, and the questions in the game date the play accurately as well. Although the play is the most modern version, it’s old enough to bring relevant laughs to anyone middle aged and beyond.

The jokes begin shortly after the curtain opens and don’t stop until the final seconds of the play. Director Preston

Boyd brilliantly casted this production with actors who seem to truly get the core of their characters. In a rare casting decision, Boyd actually decided on two leading ladies to play Olive Madisons. The night The Sun attended the play, Leona Collesano played Olive, but she will be sharing nights with Players veteran, Laura Morales, who will be familiar to anyone who has attended plays at the theater in recent years.

“I chose to double cast the role of Olive,” Boyd said. “Every two or three performances we switch Olives. Normally when I look at auditions, I see somebody who is just right for the part, but rarely will I see two people who are right for the part. In these auditions, I saw Laura Morales and knew I had my Olive, but then I see Leona Collesano and in both of them I saw what I wanted for that part. I thought, why not double cast.”

Boyd assembled a solid supporting cast, as well. As the often-clueless Vera, Cathy Hansel-Edgerton lands solid punchline after solid punchline. Jean Walther as Sylvie is also quite funny.

And Mike DeMaio as Manolo Constazuela and Anuj Naidu as his brother, Jesus, nearly steal Act II delivering laughs that last so long the cast had to pause a few times to allow the crowd cackling to dissipate.

“The Odd Couple, The Female Version,” co-produced by The Offstage Ladies, runs through Jan. 29. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday with a matinee performance Sundays at 2 p.m. Contact the box office Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 941-778-5755 or visit www.theislandplayers.org to purchase tickets.

JASON SCHAFFER | SUN

From left, Cathy Hansel-Edgerton (Vera), Jean Walther (Sylvie), Leona Collesano (Olive), Ruth Shaulis (Florence), Seva Anthony (Mickey), Kristin Mazzitelli (Renee), Anuj Naidu (Jesus) and Mike DeMaio (Manolo) take a bow after their performance of ‘The Odd Couple, The Female Version.’

Cortez history lecture set for Thursday

Lynn McGinnis will discuss the history of Cortez - one of Florida’s last remaining fishing villages - at a Cortez Village Historical Society (CVHS) lecture on Thursday, Jan. 19 from 2-3 p.m. at the Roser Memorial Community Church Fellowship Hall, 512 Pine Ave. in Anna Maria. Cortez village's fishing history goes back to the Native Americans and Spanish who first lived in and explored the area. Originally called Hunter's Point, Cortez was settled in the 1880s by families including the Guthries, Taylors and Fulfords, many of whose descendants still live in the village. The non-profit CVHS has helped Cortez gain recognition as a historical landmark. Ninety-seven of its buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places. CVHS membership information and applications will be available at the lecture, part of the Manatee Public Library Friends 2023 Lecture and Travel Series.

Monetti Apparel to hold grand opening event

Monetti Apparel invites the public to attend its grand opening event on Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 5:30 p.m. at 119 Bridge St., Suite 140-A in Bradenton Beach. Do some shopping and meet the owners and staff to help celebrate their new business. For more information, visit www.monettiapparel. com.

Business Card Exchange to feature Trolley Awards

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s January Business Card Exchange at The Seafood Shack will celebrate the local non-profit organizations receiving Trolley Grants this year. To date, the Trolley Grant Program has provided more than $418,000 to local organizations, and that total will grow this year. The networking opportunity is set for Thursday, Jan. 26 from 5-7:30 p.m. The fee is $5 for members and $10 for prospective new members and advanced registration is required. RSVP to becky@amichamber.org or by calling 941-778-1541, and don’t forget to bring business cards. The Seafood Shack is located at 4110 127th St. W. in Cortez.

Annie Silver center resumes activities

The Annie Silver Community Center will resume activities such as bingo, book sales, dinners and senior trips.

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH - After a summer/fall hiatus, the Annie Silver Community Center is resuming activities and once again holding monthly board meetings. The board of directors and a small number of members met on Jan. 9 to discuss moving forward with activities that are open to anyone in the community, which will resume in the coming days.A favorite for many on the Island, bingo will begin Thursday, Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. and take place every Thursday at 6 p.m. through March 30.

In addition to a chance to win some cash, there will also be pizza available for $1 for two slices, coffee for 50 cents and soda and cake for $1. The first dinner of the season, open to anyone in the community, is

Wednesday, Jan. 25 with barbecue provided by Bigg Dogg BBQ, featuring a choice of ribs or chicken with sides.

JASON SCHAFFER | SUN

Director of Programs for The Center of Anna Maria Island, Rusty Wood, speaks to the Annie Silver Community Center Board of Directors and members about joint programs with the two centers.

SEE SILVER, PAGE 29

Tommy DeCarlo headlines at The Center

BY JOE BECHT SPECIAL TO THE SUN

ANNA MARIA - The “Unlikely Rock Star,” Tommy DeCarlo, is coming to The Center of Anna Maria Island on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 8 p.m.

The Bradenton native is fronting the Dennis DeYoung Band, currently on tour.

“It's not part of the tour yet,” DeCarlo said. “It is a one-off at a place that my family and I absolutely love, Anna Maria. There may be more shows being booked for a tour in the future.”

“We have August Zadra and Jimmy Leahy from the Dennis DeYoung (of Styx fame) band,” he said. “I believe they played 500 shows with Dennis. They are top-notch players. We also have Mike Morales, who is Dennis’ drummer, and my son, Tommy Jr., on guitar. We also have a wonderful musician, Payton Belgian, who is on bass, guitar and vocals and our keyboard player is going to be Walter Tolentino from the Survivor.”

“The people in attendance can expect a great, high energy, high power show. We will play the music of Styx opening the show, and I will be performing the music of Boston. We put a lot of work and a lot of effort into pulling those songs off because they are not easy. We do a very good job of it. The

fans can expect to hear the songs just the way they remember them from back in the day. So that's a win-win right there.”

DeCarlo highlighted an important distinction between this band and the other band he fronts.

“I need to say that it is important for the fans who are coming to realize this isn't a Boston concert. We are going to be performing the music of the two bands we toured with in the past.”

Tommy DeCarlo grew up near Utica, New York, where he was influenced by some of the greatest rock singers.

“Early on, I would say 12 years old, I became a big fan of Boston, along with 17 million other fans who bought their debut album. I was also a big fan of Journey, Foreigner and Styx. I learned a lot listening to the singers of those bands.”

“I listened to Dennis De Young, Tommy Shaw (Styx), Lou Graham (Foreigner), Steve Perry (Journey), and, of course, the late, great Brad Delp (Boston).”

Tommy explained that the show at The Center will be a new beginning for playing live since 2020. When asked what he did during the 2020 COVID show cancellations, DeCarlo explained that he was actually quite busy out of necessity.

“We went back to our roots of record-

ing and figuring out how to make it work through such a terrible time for me. I was able to record new music with my son. We released ‘DeCarlo - Lightning Strikes Twice.’ That's our debut album. We did that through Frontiers Music.

“As a matter of fact, just a few months ago, I released my second release through Frontiers, which is ‘Tommy DeCarloDancing in the Moonlight.’ That is what kept me busy during that time. Of course, the touring slowed down because of COVID but I found other ways to keep busy with music. That was a blessing, really, to be able to have that option.”

DeCarlo also wrote a book about his interesting and amazing life.

“I also released an audiobook titled ‘Unlikely Rock Star – The Tommy DeCarlo Story.’ It takes the listener from my childhood right up until the first time that I performed with the Boston.”

“The show at The Center of Anna Maria Island is going to be exciting for us as well and we love to come to Anna Maria. My wife is from South Florida, and so it's going to be nice for her to come back and see family. We got a lot of family coming to this particular show. It's nice. Especially postCOVID. It's nice to be able to get out and perform again in 2023. What a way to kick

off the new year with some great music.”

DeCarlo’s CDs are available at Frontiers/Shop and Amazon and his music on iTunes and Spotify. His book is available on Amazon.

Concert tickets can be purchased through The Center website, centerami.org/events/ and iTickets, tickets.com/events/470573.

SUBMITTED

Bradenton native Tommy DeCarlo will perform at The Center of Anna Maria Island on Saturday.

Beachfront, award-winning rooms

As long as you’re getting married on the beach, why not stay on the beach?

Bungalow Beach Resort, 2000 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach, has won the Top Romance award in the US by tripadvisor.com, and it is located right on the beach – the perfect place to escape between the rehearsal dinner, the ceremony and the reception. With the Gulf of Mexico just steps from your lushly landscaped cedar bungalow, it’s a great place for an extended stay after the bride and groom leave for their honeymoon.

If the bride and groom want to continue their stay, Bungalow Beach Resort, which also won the 2013 Excellence Award from tripadvisor.com, is a very popular honeymoon destination.

Originally a group of beachfront army barracks, each of the Bungalow Beach Resort units retains the old Florida charm that is Anna Maria Island, with modern conveniences inside. And you will stay in luxury with personal touches like baskets of embroidered towels, flowers and candy. Whether you’re getting married or part of the wedding party, pick award-winning Bungalow Beach Resort as your home base where you will cherish those moments when you’re not involved with the ceremony. You’ll want to return when there is nothing to distract you from your stay.

Call Bungalow Beach Resort at 1-800-779-3601 or log onto www.bungalowbeach.com.

DARA CAUDILL |

WWW.ISLANDPHOTOGRAPHY.ORG

Ralph and Mellody Russo recently celebrated their 36th anniversary on the beach of Anna Maria Island with their daughters, Maddie & Miranda. They are frequent visitors of Anna Maria Island, and currently reside on Lake Ontario in Rochester, New York.

LEGISLATIVE: State representatives suggest eliminating Island cities

FROM PAGE 1

Rep. Mike Beltran, Sen. Jim Boyd and Sen. Joe Gruters, voted unanimously in favor of the proposal and putting the bill forth for consideration at the state level.

If the proposed bill makes it through all of the levels of state government, including committees and the Senate, and gains the approval of Gov. Ron DeSantis, it would allow Manatee County commissioners to subvert local government regulations and issue their own building permits for construction on county-owned property, regardless of the city the property is located in.

"I thought it was incumbent for the Legislature to step in and pre-empt that authority to allow a four-story parking garage if the county commission so votes and funds that parking garage to be built," Robinson said. "It is fundamental for anyone to be able to visit our public beach and, in my view, parking spaces have been strategically taken away over the last few years under the guise of COVID to not allow folks to access the beach. Folks are getting frustrated - they can't park, they can't access the beach, they're turning around and they're going back home. And, to me, there's nothing more important than to allow a person, a taxpayer, who pays for that beach, by the way, to visit that beach."

Currently, the majority of beach renourishment funding comes from state-funded renourishment programs and the county resort tax, paid by visitors, not local tax dollars.

PARKING PROBLEMS

Public beach parking in Holmes Beach has been a point of contention between city and county leaders for more than two years. In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, access to local beaches was restricted by the state to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. In Holmes Beach, city leaders closed public beach parking during the lockdown. When the beaches were allowed to be reopened, city leaders took the opportunity to create a longplanned permit parking area on some residential streets near the beach. The plan was to not only give city residents who don’t live near the beach a place to park, but to also reduce traffic, trash and beachgoers relieving themselves on residential streets. Permits are available to city residents only and permit parking takes up approximately 642 spaces located solely on the sides of city streets. Other streets were labeled as no parking zones at the request of residents or due to the narrowness of the roads, eliminating about 300 parking spots. The city still has more than 1,200 public parking spots, including the parking available at Manatee Beach, within a quarter mile of the beach and more along other residential streets further away from beach access points.

During city commission meetings, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer has reported counting more than 40,000 vehicles coming and going on Manatee Avenue, just one of three Island access points, on an average busy beach day. That number can jump higher over holiday weekends.

Contact Manatee County state representatives

REP. WILL ROBINSON JR.

District office: 941-708-4968

Capitol office: 850-717-5071 Email: Will.Robinson@myfloridahouse.gov

REP. MIKE BELTRAN

District office: 813-653-7097 Capitol office: 850-717-5070 Email: Mike.Beltran@myfloridahouse.gov

City leaders have met with state and county representatives to discuss parking problems in Holmes Beach with few resolutions found. The city’s website, www. holmesbeachfl.org, features a parking map to show where vehicle and low-speed vehicle/golf cart parking is located near the beach. Plans to create an interactive parking app also are underway.

When Holmes Beach commissioners met to discuss banning parking garages last year, Manatee County Commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge stepped up during public comment to issue a warning if they moved forward with the ban. Van Ostenbridge said he had plans to present a proposal to build a multi-level parking garage at the countyowned Manatee Beach. Commissioners chose to move forward with the ban. The city of Bradenton Beach, where the county owns property including Cortez Beach and Coquina Beach along with two boat ramps, also has a ban on multi-level parking garages.

Holmes Beach’s three-story height limitation on structures is written into the city’s charter, meaning it would take a charter amendment being approved by a majority of voters or the dissolution of the city to remove the restriction. Abolishing it would pave the way for high-rise development.

Robinson said that he feels "very confident" in the proposed parking legislation and that he feels it will pass during the state legislative session beginning Monday, April 10.

DISSOLVING ISLAND CITIES?

The state legislative group decided last week to look into the possibility of engaging The Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to study how feasible it would be to dissolve the three city governments on the Island. If that were to happen, Robinson said it would remove the city governments in Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach, replacing them with Manatee County commissioners and administration.

He said it could be a good tax break for residents who would no longer have to pay city taxes.

In Florida, the Legislature can dissolve a municipality if either the residents of the municipality vote for dissolution or by special act. In the event of a special act by the state, a bill would have to be introduced during a legislative session, pass votes by state representatives and senators and be signed by the governor before it’s effective. The requirements for a special act involving

REP. TOMMY GREGORY

District office: 941-893-5434 Capitol office: 850-717-5072

Email: Tommy.Gregory@myfloridahouse.gov

SEN. JIM BOYD

District office: 941-742-6445 Capitol office: 850-487-5020 Email: boyd.jim.web@flsenate.gov

the dissolution of a municipality state that the city in question must not be substantially surrounded by other municipalities; the county or an adjacent municipality must be willing to take on the governing of the area and arrangements have to be made to provide compensation for employees of the city.

The closest adjacent municipality to any of the three Island cities is Longboat Key, where leaders are working diligently to have the entire town under Sarasota County jurisdiction, leaving only Manatee County leaders to take over Anna Maria Island if its three cities were dissolved. If that happened, all infrastructure, building and zoning regulations and governing would fall under the same leadership as unincorporated Manatee County – the board of county commissioners currently led by Van Ostenbridge as its chair. Instead of being represented by their fellow Island residents, Islanders would be represented by commissioners elected by residents from all over the county.

LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIAL REACTIONS

Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth issued a statement in reply to the legislative delegation discussions.

"I am disappointed at the position that Will has taken regarding pre-empting city ordinances to construct a parking garage in a coastal community when the city currently and historically has always exceeded the number of parking spaces required for statefunded beach renourishment and interlocal agreements with the county," Titsworth said. "As a mayor in his district, I would have appreciated Mr. Robinson to have, in the very least, given notice prior to getting out of his lane in making such a bold move. At this point in time, I shouldn't be surprised about anything that comes from this district. I do not feel Mr. Robinson needed the support of the local delegation to move on this bill but next time he moves on a bill that will affect the lives of our city residents, I hope that he would first reach out to the representatives of the city so he can become better informed. A four-story parking garage at the entrance to our city is not in keeping with the historical character of our quaint city. For this to happen, the potential gutting of our height restrictions would also be in play. These restrictions are in our city charter. This undoubtedly is what led to the next proposal by the representative which is the consideration of the consolidation and/or dissolution of the three Island cities."

"I believe that is probably the biggest overstep and attack on home rule yet," she continued. "Holmes Beach has been incorpo-

SEN. JOE GRUTERS

District office: 941-378-6309 Capitol office: 850-487-5022 Email: gruters.joe.web@flsenate.gov

rated for over 70 years. We are a vibrant and prosperous city. Our population continues to grow. Our city is responsible for the majority of the contributions to the tourist development tax in the county and has contributed over $30 million since its inception. We continue to improve roads, sidewalks and storm infrastructure and continue to make public safety a number one goal. We have a very strong commission and numerous appointed boards. All board positions are readily filled by residents who desire to give their time to civic duty. The city of Holmes Beach is proud of not only retaining its residents but providing a tourism experience that is a top vacation destination. Property values continue to soar and our city has investors from all over the world. For a representative to single out Anna Maria Island to study dissolving our city chartered governments is a wake-up for all cities of this state. Because of this, I do not believe this will receive the legislative act that this representative is seeking."

In a Jan. 13 discussion with The Sun, she said she feels that any action to dissolve the cities would be the equivalent of a “hostile takeover” by the county commission. “What happened to the will of the people?” she asked, noting that it was supposed to be a politician’s job to work in the best interests of the voters.

Addressing Robinson’s comment concerning taxes, she said there is currently a difference of $17 million between taxes paid by homesteaded residents and those without a homestead exemption in Holmes Beach. If the Island cities were dissolved and development were allowed to go unchecked, Titsworth said she feels that residents would leave, potentially allowing more properties to be acquired by short-term rental investors.

“This is a much bigger issue,” she said. “This is about more than parking.”

Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie echoed Titsworth’s statement, telling The Sun that while he doesn’t agree with how leaders in the neighboring city amended their parking restrictions, he too feels that the attempts by the state to subvert local government ordinances and dissolve the three cities have to do with more than just the loss of a few hundred parking spaces.

When contacted by The Sun, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said he does not support the state legislative delegation’s actions and does not think dissolution is a good idea. He added that he does, however, feel that there are opportunities for the three cities to share resources and work together better that are currently being missed.

Cortez Bridge meeting scheduled

The construction of the fixed-span bridge is funded in FDOT’s 2025 fiscal year.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

CORTEZ – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will host a public information meeting for the pending Cortez Road bridge replacement project.

FDOT’s in-person presentation is scheduled on Tuesday, Jan. 31 from 6-8 p.m. in the Kirkwood Presbyterian Church’s Pfrangle Hall at 6101 Cortez Road in Bradenton.

The in-person meeting will be an open house-style event that allows attendees to review the bridge project materials at their own pace. Attendees can pose questions and comments to attending project team members but no formal presentation will be given.

FDOT will provide online access to the public meeting materials that address design details and aesthetics, construction phasing and traffic maintenance associated with its plans to replace the existing drawbridge, built in 1956, with a fixed-span bridge that at its

highest point will provide 65 feet of vertical clearance for vessels passing below it. The informational meeting is not advertised as a continuation of the fixed-span vs. drawbridge debate that continues to be a source of opposition for some residents and elected officials.

“The same information will be presented at both the live in-person venue and online at the project website so attending both is not needed,” according to the recent meetingrelated newsletter distributed by FDOT.

On Tuesday. Jan. 24, the online meeting materials will be posted at the FDOT District One road projects website: www. swflroads.com/project/430204-2.

Comments or questions may be submitted during the public meeting, at the project website or to FDOT Project Manager Ryan Weeks by phone at 863519-2837, by email at Ryan. Weeks@dot.state.fl.us, or by regular mail addressed to Ryan Weeks, Florida Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 1249, Bartow, Florida 33831.

“While comments about the project are accepted at any time, please submit your comments by Feb. 10 to be included in the meeting summary,”

the FDOT newsletter says.

According to the road projects website, “The project includes the bridge and roadway approaches from SR 789/Gulf Drive (in Bradenton Beach) to 123rd Street West (in Cortez), a distance of about 0.9 mile.”

The website notes FDOT previously formed a Bridge Aesthetics Committee (BAC) consisting of community representatives from Cortez and Bradenton Beach to provide input on the bridge’s aesthetics. The committee members include Joe Adorna, Mike Bazzy, Karen Bell, Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie, David Galuska, Connie Morrow, Ann Marie Nicholas, Joe Rogers, Jeff Vey, Gloria Weir and Bobby Woodsen.

Several BAC meetings and additional small group meet-

ings occurred between August 2020 and November 2021 and future meetings will be added as more information becomes available.

According to the website, “To date, the BAC has determined the following, may be altered in final design:

• “Preference is for aesthetically enhanced multi-column pier with a waterline footing. The exterior face of the column would be in line with the exterior face of the bridge deck. Cheekwalls would extend from the top of the pier to the underside of the deck at all pier locations.

• “Preference is for four overlooks, located on the north and south side of the bridge at the two piers on either side of the main channel.

• “Preference for substruc-

ture lighting on the exterior faces of the pier columns.

• “A custom ‘wave’ infill pattern is suggested for the bridge pedestrian railings.”

FDOT’s roads projects website also includes a link to a project-specific website, www. cortezbridge.com.

According to the Cortez Bridge website, “The design phase of Cortez Bridge began in October 2019 and is anticipated to be completed in spring 2025. Right-of-way is funded in fiscal years 2022, 2023 and 2024. Construction is funded in fiscal year 2025.”

According to the projectspecific website, “The need for the project was based on the functional obsolescence and structural condition of the existing bridge. Due to the naturally corrosive saltwater environment, the bridge continues to deteriorate and will need additional repairs in the future. The condition of the bridge is anticipated to deteriorate further as the structure has exceeded its 50-year service life. Replacement of the bridge will address the condition of the structure and reinforce the connection between Anna Maria Island and the mainland of Manatee County.”

Whitmore accepts new role with Help to Home

Help to Home Inc. plans to build Hope Village to provide affordable housing for lowincome families.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

MANATEE COUNTY – Holmes Beach resident and former Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore is the new development administrator for Help To Home Inc.

The non-profit organization seeks to provide low-rent housing and other assistance to parents and children threatened by homelessness.

“I am honored that Help To Home has chosen me for this worthy cause,” Whitmore said in the press release Help to Home Inc. issued on Dec. 31.

“My goal in life is to make a positive difference in people’s lives and this position will help me do just that. I’ve been going around meeting with Goodwill and other organizations,” she said

of her new part-time paid position.

The press release notes Whitmore helped low-income family members find jobs and obtain vocational assistance during her 16 years as a county commissioner.

Help To Home Inc. has purchased land on 30th Avenue, just west of 14th Street West in Bradenton, and plans to build Hope Village – a community of housing units with below-market rental rates.

“It is an unusual program, because it requires each tenant to work with case managers, the local school system and community services to get vocational ‘up-skilling’ to stop the generational cycle of homelessness,” according to the press release.

Help to Home board member Steve Wilson said, “As our development administrator, Carol Whitmore offers vast knowledge, great experience and many talents to help us reach our goals. Her understanding of homelessness and the impact it has on the entire family make

her the best possible choice to ensure that Hope Village becomes a reality in 2023.”

Help To Home’s fundraising efforts will focus on private donations rather than government funding.

“The absence of government funds will avoid any restrictions on how it helps its tenants get better jobs and become financially independent. It also is not borrowing any money. Hope Village will be economically sustainable when fully built-out and occupied, even at below-market rental rates,” Wilson said.

Whitmore said former Anna Maria resident Bob Carter had been assisting Help to Home with its fundraising efforts and he suggested they talk to her.

“I have to thank Bob Carter, and I knew Steve Wilson from my time as a county commissioner. We just got approved for 53 units and we’re working hard on it,” Whitmore said.

Help To Home Inc. also recently added Jerry Marlar, Mike McCoy, Margie Genter and Matt McSwain to the board

that already included Rod Urban, April Childers, Bill Hawthorne and Archie Smith.

CAROL WHITMORE | SUBMITTED Carol Whitmore will assist low-income families in securing affordable housing.

FDOT | SUBMITTED This Cortez Bridge rendering was presented to the Bridge Aesthetics Committee in November 2021.

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Art walk showcases colorful start to 2023

The new year is bringing big things to the already thriving art scene on Anna Maria Island.

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH - It was a chilly evening, but that didn’t stop people from coming out and enjoying the first art walk of 2023 on Jan. 13.

Both Island Gallery West and The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island kept their doors open late, along with several other nearby businesses, to showcase the best of local artists and crafters. Both galleries featured live music, free wine and just about every kind of art media one could imagine. It was also an opportunity to showcase the work of each gallery’s January featured artist.

ARTISTS’ GUILD OF ANNA MARIA ISLAND

The Artists’ Guild’s January Featured Artist is Judy Vazquez, a mosaic artist who spends some of the year on the Island and the rest of the time at her home in Massachusetts. Vazquez says her inspiration comes from the Island and its colors that can’t be found in New England.

“Four years ago, we retired and started coming to Anna Maria Island for the winter and I just got inspired,” Vazquez said. “I always like to do artwork, but the Island and the colors inspired me. I learned to do mosaic and that’s how it started.”

Vazquez echoes the thoughts of other artists from New England, saying the beauty of nature in the north is on equal footing with the beauty of the Island, but the colors are different. An avid hiker, she says the greens and trees inspire her back home, but the blue skies, colorful flora and white sand of the beach inspire a different point of view.

Vazquez’ works are not drawn out or pre-planned. She says she simply begins to work until she has a finished product she is pleased with.

To view and purchase her art, visit The Artists’ Guild Gallery at 5414 Marina Drive, where her work will be on display in the front of the gallery through Jan. 31. The gallery can be

reached at 941-778-6694 or online at www.amiartistsguildgallery.com.

ISLAND GALLERY WEST

Island Gallery West’s January Featured Artist Dawn Gerardot’s exhibit, titled “Sensational Silks,” is prominently displayed in the front of the gallery and doesn’t lack in color. The paintings are done on raw white silk showcasing Gerardot’s unique technique.

“It’s a very step by step process, at least for me it is,” Gerardo said. “Everybody treats painting on silk differently. I’ve been doing it for 20 years and I teach it at the ArtCenter Manatee. It’s a fun process.”

Gerardot’s works have won several awards and she loves to teach others

Proposes enhancements at pier location

FROM PAGE 1

Horne said the walk-up bar would be used by restaurant customers while waiting for a table. During morning hours, the walk-up bar would offer coffee and other morning items.

The proposed enhancements include tiki hut-like covered tables along the pier entrance railing south of the restaurant building; a decorative crab trap and buoy-themed fence located between the pier parking lot and the neighboring Pines Trailer Park; photo-op frames that offer a view of the mooring field and Intracoastal Waterway as backdrops; the reconfiguration of the main entryway and the expansion of the public restrooms.

When presenting the proposed modifications, Horne requested that alcohol purchased at the restaurant or the new walk-up bar be allowed to be consumed on the pier. Alcohol is currently allowed on the AMOB patio

but not on the pier itself. If the alcohol allowance is approved, alcoholic beverages purchased elsewhere would still not be allowed on the pier.

CRA members John Chappie, Jan Vosburgh and Marilyn Maro expressed some concerns and possible opposition to the proposed alcohol allowance. Chappie said later he’d consider allowing alcohol consumption on a trial basis. CRA member Ralph Cole said he’s okay with alcohol being consumed on the pier because the pier features safety rails, but is concerned about alcohol consumption on the adjacent floating day dock that doesn’t have safety rails.

CRA members Jake Spooner and David Bell expressed support for the proposed alcohol allowance and Police Chief John Cosby said it would not create significant enforcement issues.

Horne said the crab trap and buoy-themed fence was inspired

by a fence he saw in the city of Islamorada. He said the crab traps and buoys would be attached to the AMOB side of the cypress wood fence that would replace the existing chain link and vinyl fencing. The Pines residents would only see a new wooden fence on their side.

Horne asked the CRA members to consider sharing the estimated $56,252 cost to install

interested in learning her techniques. She’s planning classes soon at Villa Serena in Sarasota and Cresswind at Lakewood Ranch.

Although her feature display is very tropical, Gerardot’s works vary and take many forms. Being from Indiana and just moving to Florida a year ago, she has pivoted in her subject matter somewhat, but the one thing all her silk works have in common is bright, vibrant colors.

Gerardot’s works are for sale and will be on display in the front of the gallery through Jan. 31. Island Gallery West is located at 5368 Gulf Drive, near Island trolley stop 15. Call 941-778-6648 or visit www.islandgallerywest.com for updates about the art and 30 member artists of the gallery.

tourist tax revenues. The CRA would then cover 25% of the fencing costs and AMOB would cover 50% ($28,126). Perry said the county might also be willing to help fund some of the other proposed modifications that would improve the pier experience for visitors, including the expanded public restrooms.

the new decorative fencing. The CRA members express preliminary support for the funding request and directed Chappie and City Attorney Ricinda Perry to speak with county staff about seeking a Tourist Development Council (TDC) recommendation and Manatee County Commission approval for the county to cover 25% ($14,063) of the estimated fence expenses using

As the discussion concluded, the CRA members expressed initial consensus support for the proposed enhancements but they agreed that more discussion is needed regarding alcohol consumption on the fishing pier.

Perry said she would draft a modified concessionaire’s agreement that reflects the proposed enhancements and uses. She said the modified agreement and the desired alcohol allowance will require city commission approval because the city, not the CRA, leases the pier buildings and the surrounding spaces to AMOB.

JASON SCHAFFER | SUN

Left, Artists’ Guild Gallery of Anna Maria Island’s January Featured Artist, Judy Vazquez, displays her featured mosaic works in the front window of the gallery. Right, Island Gallery West’s January Featured Artist, Dawn Gerardot, strikes a pose with her feature display during the Jan. 13 art walk.

FOX: Suzi Fox honored at celebration of life

FROM PAGE 1

“She believed strongly in what she was doing,” he said.

Turtle Watch board member Diane McCausey said Suzi would be humbled by the turnout.

“The board is working hard with the county and the FWC,” McCausey said. “Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch will continue to grow. It won’t be the same, but we will make her proud.”

Charlie Hunsicker, director of the Manatee County Natural Resources Department, worked with Fox since 1992.

“The turtles that were born on this beach will return again and again,” Hunsicker said. “Think of that continuity and the role Suzi played.”

Hunsicker presented an environmental award from the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association to Fox’s

sisters, Kendra Fox and Nanci Banman, and her son, Dereck Norfleet.

“Suzi was very well known across the state of Florida,” Norfleet said, describing her as determined and fearless, and

issuing a request to her friends and family: “I ask you all today when you see a beautiful sunset, have a delicious a cup of coffee, hear a good Steely Dan song, think about putting ketchup on

steak (don’t do it), walk along the beach and see sea turtle tracks of nests, see something the color periwinkle, her favorite, take the path less traveled, that you think of Suzi and smile.”

reach that goal.

let hemp do the work.

LESLIE LAKE | SUN

Charlie Hunsicker, Manatee County Director of Natural Resources, left, presents an award from the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association to Fox’s sisters, Nanci Banman and Kendra Fox, and her son, Dereck Norfleet.

2023 Anna Maria Island Sun Readers’ Choice

Business Business

Pool Cleaner (include location)

Pool Contractor

Real Estate Assoc. (include location) Real Estate Co. Rental Co. Resort Retirement Community Service Station Shopping Center Souvenir Shop Spa Window Repair Women’s Apparel

People & Places

Architect architectual Design Art Gallery Artist Attorney Band Bar & Grill

Bartender (include location) Beach

Boat Captain (include location) Business Person

Caterer (include location)

Chef (include location) Chiropractor Dentist Doctor Eye Care Financial Planner

location)

Pest Control Pet Grooming Pet Store Pharmacist (include location) Pharmacy Plumber

Fishing Charter Individual Entertainer Interior Design Massage Therapy

Personal Trainer (include location) School

School Teacher (include location)

People & Places

Veterinarian (include location) Veterinary Clinic View

RULES

Food & Entertainment

Waiter/Waitress (include location) Yoga Studio Asian Restaurant Bagel Shop Bakery Barbecue Breakfast Burger Café Candy Store Deli Festival German Restaurant Golf Course Grouper Sandwich Health Food Store Ice Cream Place Italian Restaurant Key Lime Pie Live Theater Margarita Mexican Restaurant Most Romantic Restaurant New Restaurant Night Spot Pier Pizza Place to see a Sunset Restaurant (overall) Seafood Restaurant Specialty Cocktail Specialty Gourmet Sub/Sandwich Takeout

Please read carefully. To vote in The Sun’s Readers’ Choice Awards you must use an official entry ballot published in The Sun. Copies and faxes will not be accepted. The ballots will appear in The Sun on Jan. 11, Jan. 18, Jan. 25 Only one ballot per person is allowed. At least 10 CATEGORIES must be filled in for the ballot to count and the entry form must be completed. Complete ballots may be dropped off at The Sun’s office, 3909 East Bay Drive Ste. 210, Holmes Beach. or the Anna Maria Chamber office at 5313 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Or you can mail it in to The Sun’s Newspaper, PO Box 1189, Anna Maria, FL 34216. All ballots must be in by January 27, 2023 at 4pm. Prizes in the drawing may not be transferred. Winners are drawn at random from all entries and you don’t have to buy anything to win. Accepting the prizes means winners agree to the use of their names and photographs in subsequent ads and news stories. You must be 18 years or older to participate. Ballots which show signs of tampering will not be counted. We reserve the right to reject any ballot(s) or disqualify any contestant(s).

The Center kicks off another flag season

BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN

ANNA MARIA – The Center gridirons were buzzing last week with the start of another fun-filled flag football season. With a record number of youth players, topping more than 150 kids between the ages of 4 and 13, the fields were illuminated both Monday and Tuesday night to kick off the season with jamboree scrimmage games.

The new season welcomes back Tyler Bekkerus to The Center after more than 10 years since his departure. His muchawaited return brings back the spirit of when the adult flag league was first co-created by Bekkerus as The Center’s former assistant athletic director.

As the new recreation director, Bekkerus kept the games running on time and settled into his new role as the adults took to the field for the first time this season on Jan. 12.

In the first game of the night, team Luxury Services dominated the football field against team Gulf Drive Café. Playing four on five, Gulf Drive struggled to stay in the game, but fought to the very end.

Rusher Jasmine Muldoon made two receptions and was credited with a single sack. Muldoon’s constant pressure on the Gulf Drive QBs caused a sack and helped her team capture their first win of the season.

With six passing touchdowns, teammate Tim Holly found the endzone four times for 24 points and Sequiel Marintez made two TD receptions for 12 points.

Marintez’s big game included one interception and three points in extrapoint conversions.

In addition to Marintez’s interception, Luxury’s quarterback, Chase Richardson, made three interceptions while playing on defense, including running an interception on Gulf Drive’s extra point attempt into the endzone for two points.

Offensively, Jonathan Soultatos and

JAN.

Dustin Tomacho bolstered their team’s efforts with extra points. Soultatos made five important catches in the game with a single reception by Tomacho.

On the other side of the football, Gulf Drive Café’s Jacob Freda scored two touchdowns and made eight receptions in the season opener.

Credited with one scoring pass, Steven Pavina made seven catches on offense and one interception playing defense for Gulf Drive.

Adding to the team’s scoring, Gabriel Derosia put a point on the scoreboard with an extra point.

Despite the score differential, team Gulf Drive Café made its mark on the field, setting the tone for the rest of the season.

SUN SCOREBOARD

JAN. 13

ADULT FLAG FOOTBALL – WEEK 1

Luxury Services (1-0-0) 51 Gulf Drive Café (0-1-0) 19

Moss Builders (1-0-0) 49 Ugly Grouper (0-1-0) 0

The Banks Home Lending Team (1-0-0) 22 Solid Rock Construction (0-1-0) 19

The Briley Mortgage Team (1-0-0) 37 The Sandbar (0-1-0) 33

Key Royale winter golf gears up

9 - MODIFIED STABLEFORD

First Place - Tom Perkins and Tom Solosky, +5

Second Place - Ron Buck, Mike Gillie, Ron Huibers and Dave Richardson, +3

Third Place - Dale Hudson, Bill Merrill and Terry Tarras, +2

JAN. 10 - LOW PUTTS

Individual

awards

First Place - Marcia Friesen, 12 putts

Second Place - Jenny Huibers, 13 putts

Third Place - Annette Hall and Jan Turner, 15 putts

Team awards

First Place - Jenny Huibers, Marcia Friesen and Terry Taylor, 60 putts

Second Place - Annette Hall, Jane Perkins and Billie Jean Pinson, 63 putts

Jenny Huibers had a birdie and Marcia Friesen, Laurie Hicks and Ann Hitchen had chip-ins

JAN. 12 - SHAMBLE

First Place - Larry Davis, Tim Donnar, Dale Hudson and Wayne Patterson, 58, 6 under par Second Place - John Kolojeski, Blake Ress, Gary Risner and Earl Ritchie, 62, 2 under par

Freda in the first adult flag football game of the season at The Center last Thursday night.

OUTDOORS

Empowering the next generation

Reel Time

RUSTY CHINNIS

You don’t have to convince an angler of the importance of a healthy grass flat or a robust stand of mangroves or persuade them that we’re losing this precious resource at an alarming rate. Anglers like Capt. Justin Moore, who is on the water over 200 days a year, sees the changes firsthand. Moore has been guiding on Manatee County waters for 24 years. He learned his trade under the tutelage of his father, Capt. Scott Moore, and worries that his son, Jas, will not have some of the opportunities he’s had. That’s why it’s important to empower the next generation of anglers who don’t have a vote but will inherit this landscape. Fortunately,

there are a couple of high-profile programs on Anna Maria Island that are doing just that.

The Center of Anna Maria Island engages children in activities that teach sustainability and give them an understanding of the responsibility we all have to be stewards of our paradise. Through curricular units that include recycling, composting, gardening (on their property) and natural nutrition, they make these connections between responsibilities and action.

Bishop Museum and Mote Marine facilitators teach Anna Maria’s young citizens to understand the environment around them and develop a love for its creatures and the environment that supports them and us.

Clean water units are shared annually with students through The Center’s Earth Echo program. Participants in the curricular units collect water samples and analyze them, helping them focus on the importance of clean

water. The program was developed after famed oceanographer Philippe Cousteau’s visit to The Center three years ago when he guided those in attendance to “zip tie themselves to the mangroves to protect them!”

This past year, Anna Maria Elementary School (AME) announced it would be home to the world’s first Guy Harvey Academy of Arts and Science.

The academy, which focuses on marine sciences, conservation and the arts, is a collaboration between the School District of Manatee County and the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF).

Harvey has devoted his talent, time and resources to protect oceans, fish populations and reef systems through the development of the Guy Harvey Research Institute at Nova Southeastern University and the GHOF. Those institutions have educated the next generation of environmentalists and

SEE REEL TIME, PAGE 29

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

Fourteen-year-old Brice Claypoole is a fierce defender of the environment but doesn't have a vote. That is up to us!

Dive into winter fishing

CAPT. DAVID WHITE

We are in full-on wintertime fishing as of Christmas Eve. The snook are a bit too inconsistent to expect much out of them with the low water temperatures. We here at Anna Maria Charters have been using shrimp, pompano jigs and assorted artificial baits to keep things busy on our charters.

Redfish, trout, pompano, sheepshead, black drum, and jack crevalle are our primary inshore targets. It’s definitely not as busy and chaotic as shiner fishing in the warmer months, but it’s still exciting and always challenging - especially with pompano. These fish are always on the move and often tough to pattern, but very rewarding when you get them, especially on fly.

Offshore, red grouper reopened on the first, and hogfish are biting on the nearshore ledges. We’re anticipating a few tuna and African pompano if we can get offshore in the near future. Good luck and tight lines!

CAPT. RICK GRASSETT

Anglers fishing with me out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key had some action catching and releasing reds and trout on DOA Lures in Sarasota Bay and Tampa Bay recently. Fly anglers also caught and released trout with a couple of blues and pompano in the mix in Sarasota Bay on Clous-er flies.

Keith McClintock, of Lake Forest, Illinois, and several family members fished with me in Sarasota Bay, Gasparilla Sound and Tampa Bay recently. Rick and Nate Anderson, also of Illinois, fished Sarasota Bay with Keith and caught and released trout and a red on CAL jigs with shad tails. Steve McClintock, of Pittsburgh, joined his dad for a day of fishing in Tampa Bay and caught and released a nice red, also on a CAL jig with shad tail.

Stephen Smith, of New Jersey, fished Sarasota Bay with me recently and had some

action catching and releasing trout and bluefish fishing sink tip fly lines over deep grass. Alan Sugar and Ray Hutchinson, of Michigan, also fished Sarasota Bay and had some action catching and releasing trout, bluefish and a pompano on flies.

Look for reds and trout in skinny water. Deep grass flats are usually a good option for action with trout, blues, pompano, Spanish mackerel and more. Snook fishing around dock lights and bridges should also be a good option now as long as water temperatures stay above 60 degrees.

Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides and other algae blooms fueled by residential, industrial and agricultural runoff, toxic spills and intentional releases, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation. Please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

REEL TIME: Empowering the next generation

FROM PAGE 28

made contributions to protecting fish resources and biodiversity in the world’s oceans.

The program will benefit students from other schools as well with field trips and summer camps, and will eventually expand to all elementary schools in the district as well as to

complementary programs at King Middle and Manatee High.

Programs like this need to be expanded to give the next generation of anglers and Island residents the tools they will need to protect these endangered marine resources. In the meantime, we the voters need to step up for those who don’t have a vote, empower-

ing them so they have a fighting chance to succeed where we have failed.

In the words of 14-year-old Brice Claypoole, “Vote for politicians who put our future over the deep-pocketed interests who pay them in campaign donations. And spread the word!

Inform others on how to properly trim mangroves on their property and the

dangers these trees face. Our paradise is in peril, and it takes everyone to stand up to developers and uninformed homeowners to realize the great benefits these trees offer. On behalf of my generation and those of the future, thank you.”

SILVER: Center resumes activities

FROM PAGE 14

The Center of Anna Maria Island’s Director of Programs, Rusty Wood, was at the Jan. 9 meeting, and addressed the board and members regarding the partnership between the two centers to continue the Senior Adventures program that provides outings to area attractions with transportation provided by the larger Center of AMI. Outings will be announced soon, and anyone of any age is welcome to join in the fun.

The next board meeting will take place Monday, Feb. 6 at 4 p.m., when the board will discuss board nominations for new officers in 2023. Annie Silver is also looking to grow membership. Anyone interested in becoming a member can do so for the low cost of $3 per person or $5 per couple; stop by the Feb. 6 meeting and sign up.

CAPT. DAVID WHITE | SUBMITTED

Sharon Keillor, of Flushing, Michigan, shows off a pile of redfish, sheepshead and black drum, with a big pompano cherry on top, caught with Capt. David White of Anna Maria Charters.

Meet Paddlers from Paradise at Roser

Come out to Roser Memorial Community Church on Wednesday, Jan. 18 to learn all about dragon boat racing.

The AMI Paddlers from Paradise will be on hand to discuss the team and what it takes to be a paddler along with some fun stories from their time on the water. Everyone is invited to attend and while some refreshments will be served, participants are asked to bring their own brown bag lunch to enjoy during the presentation.

The fun starts at 11:30 a.m. No pre-registration is required. Roser is

located at 512 Pine Ave. in Anna Maria.

SUBMITTED | ROSER CHURCH

The AMI Paddlers from Paradise dragon boat team will visit Roser Church for a talk on Jan. 18.

RED TIDE REPORT

High

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

Medium

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

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

Red tide remains in Manatee waters

The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was again detected in water samples over the past week, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The Rod and Reel Pier area on Anna Maria Island showed medium levels of red tide. The Mote Marine Laboratory Beach Reporting System, visitbeaches.org, reported some dead fish on the beach due to red tide. FWC reports that respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and probable fish kills could occur at this level. Longboat Pass and Coquina Beach showed low levels of red tide, with slight respiratory irritation possible. Other possible effects at this level include shellfish harvesting closures and possible fish kills. The Palma Sola Bay Bridge area showed background concentrations of red tide.

Very low (possible respiratory irritation) Background (no effects) None (no red tide present)

No-swim advisory lifted for Palma Sola South

A no-swim advisory has been lifted for Palma Sola South in Manatee County. Lifting the advisory means that bacteria counts have dropped to acceptable levels and that the public can safely enter these waters. On Jan. 3, the Florida Department of Health-Manatee had received test results from samples taken at Palma Sola South that showed an elevated level of enterococci bacteria. Due to high bacteria levels, a no-swim advisory was issued for Palma Sola South, located along SR64 near Palma Sola Bay in Manatee County. A no-swim advisory is issued when it is thought that contact with the water at the site could make beachgoers sick.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

REAL ESTATE

Back to the real world – part two

Last week we talked about the real-world problem of Florida homeowner’s insur ance. As pointed out, new legislation that attempts to eliminate assignment of claims and thus protect against frivolous lawsuits has been signed by Gov. Ron De Santis. The hope is this will encourage new insurance carriers to do business in Florida and retain the existing companies.

This week we’re continuing to bring the real world back, this time, however, it’s for condo owners. Condo homeowners who may have been happily dozing last year could have missed the new Florida condo owner’s requirements, so let’s have a review.

In May, the governor signed a law in response to the 2021 tragic collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida that killed 98 people. Under the new law, structural inspections are required of condo buildings three stories or higher over 30 years old, or 25 years old if within 3 miles of the coast. There are an estimated 2 million residents in the state of Florida who

Castles in the Sand

LOUISE BOLGER

reside in more than 912,000 condominium units that are 30 years old or older and a lot more who are within 3 miles of the coast, including all of Anna Maria Island and most of the Manatee County coastline.

The recertification inspections must be performed by Dec. 31, 2024 by certified inspectors and paid for by the condo associations. The results of the inspections must be turned over to condo owners, condo associations and local municipalities. If the inspections reveal major structural problems, law enforcement agencies and condo associations will determine how to move forward with condo residents, who, of course, have to pay for the inspections and the repairs.

Even if structural repairs aren’t needed immediately, the bill has other major provisions involving reserve requirements that for sure will become a financial headache for condo associations that have put off repairs. Well, now is the time to pay the price for those bad decisions because, under the new law, condos can no longer waive reserves for building components deemed critical to structural soundness. This provision is called the Structural Integrity Reserve Study.

In addition, some condo associations will have to make up reserves waived in prior years and provide new reserves not previously required for certain structural issues. In the past, Florida legislation did not require condo associations to fully fund their reserve studies, giving condo owners and boards a great deal of flexibility. Now, however, the new law requires associations to keep their structural integrity reserves fully funded based on the reserve study or face possible legal action. Obviously, condo associations need to choose their licensed

Florida inspectors carefully since what their study shows after their inspection is very difficult to have changed.

As insurance rates go up, Florida condo residents are struggling to comply with these new regulations in the face of a pullback in the real estate market because of increased mortgage interest rates. Higher condo fees that will result after the inspections and reserve mandates will hit longtime condo residents, many of them seniors on fixed incomes.

In spite of insurance issues, recertifications and hurricanes, U.S. citizens still want to move to Florida. According to the Census Bureau, between July 2021 and July 2022, Florida was the top state out of 10 with incoming domestic population migration at 318,855, followed by Texas at 230,961. The rest of the top 10 didn’t even break 100,000. We may be faced with real-world problems but I doubt that it would make anyone leave. It will smooth out eventually, resulting in stronger building regulations, a good thing for the future of Florida real estate.

BEACH BEAT

BRADENTON BEACH

1/9, 8:30 p.m., warrant arrest, 100 Bridge St. The officer responded to a reported verbal disturbance, at which time he made contact with a male suspect sitting on a bus bench. The man said he had yelled at a passerby, but nothing further had taken place. After a warrant check was run, the suspect had an active warrant for failure to appear in court. The man was placed in handcuffs and arrested, then taken to Manatee County Jail.

HOLMES BEACH

1/7, 11 a.m., grand theft of a motor vehicle, 6601 Marina Drive. The officer was dispatched in reference to a stolen vehicle. The victim said he had parked his truck off the road parallel with Marina Drive just south of the residence he was doing work for. He said

the keys were in the ignition because they were coming in and out of the truck to get work supplies. When the owner discovered the truck missing, he called friends to see if it was a prank, which was not the case. The truck was equipped with On-Star, which located the vehicle in Hillsborough County and shut it down remotely. A suspect was arrested and the victim was able to recover the vehicle.

1/7, 11 p.m., camping/possession of alcohol, 5306 Holmes Blvd. While conducting business checks, the officer was notified that a man was sleeping along the side of a business. The officer responded to the area and found a man in a sleeping bag with multiple open alcohol containers. After waking the man up, the officer observed him to be visibly intoxicated, and advised him that other businesses in the area had complained about him sleeping on their property. The subject was issued a notice to appear for both illegal camping and possession of alcohol.

Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival sponsors photo contest

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

CORTEZ - Photographers can submit their images of Cortez and their interpretations of its special character as a commercial fishing village in a free photo contest.

The 41st Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival and its sponsor, the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage, along with the Artists’ Guild Gallery of Anna Maria Island will display the winning entries in a photography show during the Feb. 18-19 festival.

“That can include sea life or the working waterfront or the uniqueness of this special village. The festival theme for 2023 is “Cortez Kind – 100+ Years of Commercial Fishing.” Photograph whatever that means to you!” contest guidelines recommend.

Submissions will be accepted in three categories: Minnows - 8th grade and younger; Juveniles - 9th – 12th grades; and Adults - over

18. Ribbons will be awarded for Best of Show, First Place, Second Place and Third Place in each of the three categories.

Submissions are due electronically for judging by Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 11:59 p.m. at prosportpic@gmail.com. Please include “Cortez Photo Contest” in the subject line of the email.

Peter Russell, a local professional photographer who works with the U.S. Coast Guard, will judge the submissions electronically.

Printed photographs for display may be submitted in person on Friday, Feb. 17 between 10 a.m. and noon at A.P. Bell Fish Company Inc., 4600 124th St. W., Cortez. Artwork must be matted, titled, ready to hang and in a plastic sleeve no larger than 11x14 inches. Photographs will be displayed throughout A.P. Bell’s warehouse on grouper boat longline cable for festival attendees to enjoy.

For more information, call Carolann Garafola 908-922-1973.

New member joins parks committee

New Holmes Beach Parks and Beautification Committee member Debbie Hall, left, is sworn in as first alternate during the group’s Jan. 4 meeting by City Clerk Stacey Johnston.

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

Travel with Senior Adventures

Go on an adventure or two this month with Senior Adventures. The group is planning a trip on Thursday, Jan. 19 to the Siesta Key Rum Distillery followed by a lunch at the Siesta Key Oyster Bar. The van leaves The Center of Anna Maria Island for this trip at 9 a.m. with a return planned around 2 p.m. The second January trip is planned to travel to St. Armands Circle

on Thursday, Jan. 26 to shop and have dinner at the Columbia Restaurant. The group plans to depart from The Center at 3:30 p.m., returning around 9 p.m. The fee for van transportation for each trip is $5 and trips are limited to 14 people. Pre-registration is advised but not required. To reserve your spot, call The Center at 941-778-1908.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

FREE QUEEN SIZE FUTON. Great shape with sheets. Located on Anna Maria Island. Call Mike 773960-1131.

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

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

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

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

HOSPITAL VOLUNTEERS

WANTED to assist at our information desk, especially weekends. Great for teens needing volunteer hours (16yrs+). Other assignments available. Please call the Blake Volunteer Office at 941-798-6151.

COMMERCIAL SALES, RENT & LEASE

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

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

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

CLEANING SERVICE

TOTAL HOME SERVICES

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

ENDLESS SUMMER HOME SERVICES Cleaning & Maintenance. Call Angela for your home needs. 941577-3823

EMPLOYMENT

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

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

FISHING CHARTERS

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

FOR SALE

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

GARAGE/YARD SALE

ESTATE/GARAGE SALE Lots of precious items for sale. January 21 & 22. Saturday and Sunday. 9am-3pm. 616 Fern St, City of Anna Maria

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

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

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

KERN CONSTRUCTION

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

GET’R DONE DRYWALL, INC Specializing in Remodels & Repairs. Island Resident for 20+ years. Call Neil. Cell 941-962-1194

JSAN CORPORATION

Renovations Construction & Handyman Services 941-243-0995 Lic# CRC1332505 jsancorporation@gmail. com Flooring, Drywall, Painting, Repairs, Kitchen and Bathrooms, Trim & Doors Free Estimates. Credit Cards Accepted.

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

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Michigan General Contractor 30+ yrs. experience. Large or small projects. Budget minded knowledgeable tradesman will complete your project start to finish: On Time/On Budget. Call Mike 616-204-8822.

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

HOME SERVICES

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

LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE

R. GAROFALO’S Interlocking brick pavers, driveways, patios, pool decks. Free estimates. Licensed & Insured. Call Rafael 941-778-4823 or Veronik 941-526-7941

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

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

MOVING & STORAGE

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

PAINTING & WALLCOVERING

PAINT! PAINT! AND MORE 28 years of experienced interior/exterior custom painting. Pressure cleaning, drywall repairs and texture finishes. Many Island references. Please call Neil for free estimates. 941-812-0507

“WIZARD OF WALLS” Established 1980 Prompt quality service. Wallpaper installation/ removal. Mary Bell Winegarden 941-794-0455

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

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

POOL SERVICES

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

PRESSURE WASHING & WINDOWS

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

REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE

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

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

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

RENTALS: ANNUAL

ANNUAL RENTALS

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

ANNUAL RENTALS – AVAILABLE NOW. 2BR/1BA, furnished. $4,500/month. 3BR/2BA, unfurnished. $5,000/month. Canal front 3BR/2BA home, private pool, boat dock. AVAILABLE 2/1/23. $9,000/mo. First, Last, and Security Deposit required Call Sato Real Estate, Inc 941-7787200 or Email monica@ satorealestate.com

RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION

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

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

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

TRANSPORTATION

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

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

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