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VOL 18 No. 40
July 18, 2018
Hatchling loss likely in the hundreds BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – The happiness of discovering that the first sea turtle nests of the season have hatched has largely been spoiled by five of six nests being disoriented by lights, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Director Suzi Fox said. Hatchling turtles that are disoriented can become confused and crawl away from the Gulf of Mexico, dying from dehydration, vehicle strikes and predators. Lights from tourist accommodations, businesses, condos and residences in Holmes Beach are the probable cause of the disorientation of the five loggerhead nests, Fox said, killing as many as 375 hatchlings, based on the average nest size of 75 in 2017. Since most of the hatchlings have not been found, there is no way to know the number for sure, but volunteers found no tracks leading from the five disoriented nests to the water, she said. Volunteers estimate that 88 hatchlings made it to the Gulf from the one other hatched nest, based on a posthatching excavation and count of eggshell fragments.
TURTLES IN THE POOL, TURTLES IN THE FOUNTAIN
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Clockwise top, the excavators that would tear down the restaurant and bait shop were in place Wednesday afternoon. By Thursday evening the restaurant and bait shop at the end of the Anna Maria City Pier were gone. Anna Maria Commissioner Brian Seymour toured the demolition site by boat last week.
Turtles on the Island have set a nesting record so far this season, laying 430 nests, nine more than the 421 laid by this time last year, according to Turtle Watch statistics. However, the average number of disorientations over the last 20 years for the entire nesting season, May 1 to Oct. 31, is 18, compared with five already this season. SEE TURTLES, PAGE 19
Pier demolition begins The pier demolition is to be completed by the end of September. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amsun.com
ANNA MARIA – The demolition of the city pier began last week, and the restaurant and bait shop were demolished on Thursday, July 12. Largo-based Speeler & Associates is doing the demolition work, and this week or next a crew from Agnelli Pools & Construction will remove the remaining engraved wooden pier planks to be stored and later used to build memorial walls.
INSIDE NEWS 4 OPINION 6 SUN SURVEY 7 OUTDOORS 22 RESTAURANTS 27 REAL ESTATE 28-33 POLICE REPORTS 35 CROSSWORD 36
On Wednesday, July 11, Speeler & Associates Vice President Mike Tibbett and company associate Harry Blenker took City Commissioner Brian Seymour, Public Works Manager Dean Jones and two media members on a boat tour of the demolition area that included two barge-mounted excavators docked next to the pier’s T-end. While Blenker piloted the boat, Tibbett discussed the demolition process that started Monday, July 9, with the removal of what remained of the metal roof and the contents inside the restaurant and bait shop. “There were still some things left in there after the hurricane
Pier banner vandalized The vandalized banner featured a rendering of the new Anna Maria City Pier.
that had to be taken out. Tomorrow morning, we’ll start pulling the building down, and then we’ll start taking the T-end deck off in sections. We want to keep what goes in the water to a minimum,” Tibbett said. The removed materials will be loaded into bags that can hold up to 1,000-pounds and be transported by barge to the shoreline dumpsters or to Blenker’s Boatworks & Marina on the Manatee River. “Most people don’t realize that when you do demolition the material stinks. Everything we can take
ANNA MARIA – The city pier restoration project banner was vandalized at some point over the weekend. Located near the foot of the pier that is currently being demolished, the banner featured a rendering that showed what the new pier will look like. On Sunday morning, July 15, Public Works Manager Dean Jones sent Mayor Dan Murphy an email that said, “Someone slashed the pier picture banners. I am going in to look at video and do a police
SEE PIER, PAGE 11
SEE VANDALISM, PAGE 10
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
COYOTES: More citings
OFFSHORE oil drilling in the
of the wild canines reported around AMI. 5
Gulf looms for Florida. 4
Anna Maria Island, Florida
THINK matrimonial while
reading The Wedding Guide. 24 The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper www.amisun.com
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JULY 18, 2018
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Holmes Beach leaders talk new fiscal year budget City Treasurer Lori Hill is projecting a $15,450,807 total budget, including reserves, for Holmes Beach in fiscal year 2018-19, which begins Oct. 1. BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – After two public budget discussions, the city’s proposed 2018-19 budget will be going before commissioners for public hearing and a vote after a few modifications are made. City Treasurer Lori Hill proposed a $15,450,807 budget for the coming fiscal year, $2,027,153 over the adopted budget for the current year. The total budget includes $6,414,078 in assigned and unrestricted reserves. Total operating expenses are budgeted at $2,326,244 with personnel services at $4,742,941 and capital outlay expenses at $1,818,544. The proposed budget also includes $149,000 for debt services, a cost that the city has not yet incurred. Those funds are estimated and set aside for potential future land acquisition purchases. In the 2018-19 fiscal year, the proposed budget for the mayor and commission is
KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN
Commissioners discuss budget proposals from each department head and City Treasurer Lori Hill. expected to remain steady at $109,178. The general government budget is expected to increase from $1,152,497 in 2017-18 to $1,343,365 in 2018-19. The primary reasons for increases include increases in employee insurance payments, an increase of $50,000 in legal contingency and the addition of a sixth employee in the city clerk’s office to be shared with the city treasurer. The budget also includes $25,000 for donations to The Center of Anna Maria Island and other community organizations as approved by commissioners. The Police Department’s proposed budget shows increases from $3,056,439 in 2017-18
to $3,324,163 in 2018-19. Primary increases in the budget are attributed to an increase in overtime payments, allowing for bullet proofing of the department’s lobby area where a dispatcher is posted around the clock and $101,000 for the installation of a five camera license plate recognition system. The proposed Code Enforcement Department budget is expected to increase by $81,718 to $211,896 for the coming fiscal year. The increase is due to the proposed addition of a third full-time code enforcement officer and a $26,045 increase in the city’s part of employee insurance payments. The budget also includes $31,000, a one-time
fee for setting up Icompass host software for compliance issues. Commissioner Judy Titsworth said she’s concerned that the vacation rental program is not paying for itself at a cost to rental owners of $150 per unit for a two-year period. Tokajer said increasing the cost at this point could reduce compliance by rental unit owners. Instead, he suggested adding and increasing violation costs to those who violate the vacation rental certificate program. He said an updated schedule of violations will be coming before commissioners for consideration at an upcoming meeting. The Public Works Department proposed budget is expected to stay close to the approved $1,341,242 in 2017-18 at $1,342,757 in the 2018-19 fiscal year. In the Building Department, Building Official Jim McGuinness presented an estimated $874,053 budget for the coming fiscal year versus the $773,154 approved in the current year. McGuinness said the increase is due primarily to a plan to add a sixth full-time employee and remodel the department’s lobby to make it more welcoming to the community. The new employee would be stationed in the lobby and able to issue most simple permits while the applicant waits, SEE BUDGET, PAGE 33
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ISLAND NEWS
IN BRIEF
BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com
After 42 years, Holmes Beach dentist Dr. John Norman is closing the doors of his practice and moving on into retirement. Norman will be closing his office at 5372 Gulf Drive on Aug. 16. For all of his current patients, he’s referring them to fellow dentist Dr. Pat Ardoin, who has an office on Manatee Avenue in Bradenton. “He is an excellent dentist, fair and honest who has a similar philosophy as I do,” Norman said in a July 2 email to The Sun. Current patients who would like to obtain a copy of their dental records can call 941-778-7898 to request copies. “It has been my honor and pleasure to serve this community for the last 42 years,” Norman said. “Thanks for all your support, and I am sad to go.”
The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management will offer 78 million acres of federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico off Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas for oil and gas exploration and development on Wednesday, Aug. 15, according to an agency press release. The announcement underscores accusations from critics that Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s promise earlier this year to Florida Gov. Rick Scott that Florida would be “off the table” for offshore drilling was an “election-year stunt.” At a subsequent Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, Zinke admitted that “Florida is still in the process,” when asked about the agency’s offshore drilling program, according to Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson, who is defending his Senate seat in a race against the Republican Scott. A proposed amendment to the Florida constitution would prohibit “drilling for exploration or extraction of oil or natural gas”
The traffic signal at Gulf Drive and Manatee Avenue is being changed to a red, blinking four-way stop from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. per Florida Department of Transportation regulations while reflective tape is awaited by Holmes Beach Police officers for new gates installed by the county at the Manatee Public Beach. Chief Bill Tokajer said the gates were installed by Manatee County workers but discovered by HBPD officers to not be visible enough to nighttime drivers. To prevent drivers from going through a green light into a gate, Tokajer said the light was changed to be treated as a four-way stop during hours when the beach is closed to the public. The beach’s hours state the park is open from dawn until 10 p.m. Tokajer said the gates are planned to be closed from 11:30 p.m. to around 5 a.m. to prevent overnight parking and camping. Reflective tape to more clearly mark the gates for nighttime drivers is currently on order, Tokajer said.
Chamber Lunch and Learn at The Center The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce and The Center of Anna Maria Island are teaming together to present Lunch and Learn seminars. The first one is on Thursday, July 19, from noon to 1 p.m. at The Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. It.will cover disaster preparedness and business recovery with speakers from the Manatee County Public Safety and Manatee County Redevelopment and Economic Opportunity Departments. Attendees can sign up on site for Manatee County Vendor Registration, Business Recovery Directory and CodeRED Community Notification. The cost to attend is $10 which includes lunch. Attendees must RSVP and pay in advance. Contact the AMI Chamber at 941-778-1541 or email info@amichamber.org for more information. The public is invited to attend.
Membership drive ends soon The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce is conducting a new membership drive through the end of July. The Chamber is providing incentives for both businesses to become new members during this time period, as well as incentives for existing members to recruit new members. To become a new Chamber member, call the Chamber at 941778-1541 or visit 5313 Gulf Drive N, Holmes Beach. Be sure to join by July 31 to qualify for the extra incentive.
JULY 18, 2018
Oil and gas lease sale set for August
Dr. Norman closes practice
Traffic signal change coming
Visit our website, www.amisun.com. Scan this code with your smartphone to go there.
FILE PHOTO
Oil rigs like these could be in the future of Gulf Coast communities. if approved. The proposal is on the ballot for the Nov. 6 general election; it will need at least 60 percent of voters to pass. “Responsibly developing our offshore energy resources is a major pillar of this administration’s energy strategy,” Deputy Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt said in the press release announcing the lease sale. “A strong
offshore energy program supports tens of thousands of well-paying jobs and provides the affordable and reliable energy Americans need to heat homes, fuel our cars and power our economy." “Powering America and protecting the offshore environment are not mutually exclusive,” Counselor SEE OIL, PAGE 12
Lawsuit seeks protection from drilling BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com
Environmental group Earthjustice has sued the Trump administration in Tampa federal district court for failing to get a report about offshore drilling’s harms to threatened and endangered species in the Gulf of Mexico, according to a press release. The National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are required under the Endangered Species Act to complete a study on oil drilling hazards to wildlife with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), according to Earthjustice. The last time the agencies completed such a study, called a biological opinion, was in 2007, three years before the BP Deepwater Horizon explosion. The disaster
left 11 workers dead and dumped millions of barrels of oil into the Gulf for three months, coating miles of wetlands with thick oil, killing birds, fish and marine mammals and causing tar balls to wash up on Gulf beaches. Recognizing that the disaster devastated the Gulf ecosystem and its wildlife and invalidated assumptions in the 2007 biological opinion, the Services and BOEM reinitiated the biological opinion process in late 2010. But more than seven years later, as the administration is poised to hold a lease sale next month for oil and gas in the Gulf, the agencies still have not completed a new opinion, according to Earthjustice. The suit on behalf of the Gulf Restoration Network, Sierra Club and Center for Biological Diversity is challenging the agencies for unreasonably delaying completion
of a new opinion and seeks a court order to compel them to complete it by September. A new opinion could result in additional safeguards to prevent harm to sea turtles, whales and other threatened and endangered species from oil and gas operations in the Gulf, according to Earthjustice. “The Gulf of Mexico has long been written off as America’s gas station, jeopardizing Gulf Coast communities, coastal economies, and thousands of whales, sea turtles, dolphins, oysters and other species that wind up in the path of oil and gas spills. We seek to hold the Trump administration accountable to the law in its duty to protect endangered species and compel the oil and gas industry to clean up its act in the Gulf,” SEE LAWSUIT, PAGE 12
JULY 18, 2018
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THE SUN
Wily coyotes sighted in Holmes Beach Local and state agencies do not trap or destroy healthy coyotes. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – There have been several coyote sightings in Holmes Beach recently and pet owners are advised to not leave their pets outside and unattended. On Tuesday, July 10, Capt. Carson Wooten, from Island Fishing Charters, was driving onto the Island on Manatee Avenue at approximately 8:50 a.m. when he spotted a coyote on the west side of the Anna Maria Island Bridge, near the portable roadside sign at the entrance to Holmes Beach. “I was coming over the bridge, and it was actually on the sidewalk out by the road and the sign when I first saw it. I pulled over, and it ran toward the bushes,” Wooten said. Wooten estimated the coyote weighed approximately 40 pounds. “I hunt, and I’ve seen a lot of coyotes and this one looked pretty healthy. It wasn’t aggressive. It ran away and then sat there while I took pictures. I wondered if maybe he wandered over the bridge from Perico,” Wooten said.
NIKI HOPE | SUBMITTED
On Friday, July 13, Niki Hope photographed this coyote running down Marina Drive near The Island Shopping Center. Wooten, a Bradenton resident, said he’s seen a coyote on Longboat Key before but never on Anna Maria Island. Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said his officers responded to a coyote sighting near 81st Street and Marina Drive on Monday, July 9. “We called (Manatee County) Animal Services because someone said the coyote looked to be hurt. My guys saw it, took a picture of it and were waiting on someone from Animal Services to come out. It was
laying underneath a boat on a trailer, but it ran off and Animal Services said it looked healthy,” Tokajer said. “We were told this morning there’s a family of coyotes on the Causeway side of our bridge,” he said. “We know there are coyotes in the area, so be mindful about leaving your pets unsupervised outside. The coyotes are not approaching people. They’re afraid of people, so don’t feed them because we don’t want to change their behavior. We’ve had no attacks on humans, nor have we heard of any attacks on animals. There’s no need to call the police if it’s not attacking somebody,” Tokajer said. “As more construction happens all over Manatee County, it’s pushing wildlife from their natural habitats into residential areas. We’ve seen it over the past couple years, and there’s been sightings near the beach on 71st through 77th streets,” he said. On Friday, Niki Hope photographed a coyote running down Marina Drive in broad daylight near The Island Shopping Center. Holmes Beach resident Carol Whitmore said resident Chris Rudacille recently saw a coyote on two consecutive days near 84th and 85th streets. SEE COYOTE, PAGE 34
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Coyote deterrence tips BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER
To deter coyotes, the FWC recommends keeping cats and dogs indoors, feeding them indoors and putting trash out in the morning instead of at night. When walking a dog on a leash, carry a stick, noisemaker, golf club or pepper spray, particularly around sunrise or sunset and near water, and if a coyote approaches, don’t run – pick up the dog, if possible, stand as tall as possible and yell. The Humane Society suggests raking around bird feeders, removing fruit from the ground and using trash cans with tight-fitting lids. If a coyote approaches, hazing techniques include yelling and waving your arms, using whistles, air horns or soda cans filled with pennies, banging pots and pans, throwing sticks, small rocks and balls, spraying water hoses or using water guns or spray bottles filled with vinegar water. Never feed coyotes, experts say. Neither the state nor the county will trap and remove coyotes.
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OPINION
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JULY 18, 2018
ManaSota-88’s 10 reasons not to drill for oil offshore of Florida 1. NATIONAL SECURITY
Americans consume 25 percent of the world's produced oil, but our nation holds less than 3 percent of the world's proven oil reserves. As a matter of national policy, it seems strategically reckless to continue to deplete our nation's very limited oil and gas resources. The more domestic oil we consume, the less oil we will have in the future. The less domestic oil we have in the future, the more dependent our nation will be on foreign countries and the less secure our nation will be.
2. OIL EXPORTS
The United States exports approximately 1.2 million barrels of petroleum products each day to foreign countries. The Department of Energy predicts that 200,000 barrels of petroleum could be produced per day at the height of offshore oil production in Florida in 2030. This is roughly 1/9th the amount of oil exported each day to foreign nations. At the current rate of oil exportation, we will have exported the equivalent of 40 percent of the oil reserves predicted to be offshore of Florida before the first barrel of oil is ever extracted.
3. OIL LEASES
90 million acres of federal lands are currently leased to oil companies. Less than a quarter of these lands are being used for oil and gas production. Flooding the market with huge area-wide lease offerings, offshore oil drilling will drive down the price of oil and gas leases and reduce competition. The American taxpayers will lose out on billions of dollars of oil revenues. The glut of oil leases being offered will provide the oil industry an opportunity to lease large blocks of publicly owned submerged lands at bargain basement prices.
4. FLORIDA'S ECONOMY AND TOURISM
Florida's economy is based on having clean beaches and a healthy environment, not oil refineries, storage tanks, oil platforms and pipelines. The tourists industry employs about 1 million people living in Florida. Tourism
generates about $65 billion a year for the state of Florida. Whatever oil revenues are realized is small when compared to the cost in damages one oil spill will have on Florida's economy, environment and job employment. A proper economic assessment of offshore oil drilling can only be made when the following are considered: costs of the loss or recreation and tourism dollars, the irretrievable commitment of chemicals used in the separation and processing of oil and gas, the hazards associated with transportation of hazardous and volatile chemicals associated with oil exploration and processing, the increased costs associated with reduced national security, the costs of the health impacts associated with increased air and water pollution and the costs of the unavoidable impacts to Florida's coastal and marine environment.
5. PRICES AT THE GAS PUMP
Offshore oil drilling does not reduce gas prices at the pump. California produces more than 600,000 million barrels of oil per day, and Alaska produces more than 1,300,000 million barrels per day. Both states have higher gas prices at the pump than does Florida. Floridians can expect to pay more for gas at the pump because offshore oil drilling will give legislators the incentive to raise gasoline taxes in an attempt to balance the state budget. The U.S. Energy Information Administration has stated that increasing "access to the Pacific, Atlantic and eastern Gulf regions would not have a significant impact on domestic crude oil and natural gas production or prices before 2030."
6. OIL SPILLS
The Deepwater Horizon Gulf of Mexico spill of 2010 lasted for more than 87 days. The environmental and financial impacts will last for decades to come. The Montara blowout of August 2009
lasted 10 weeks and permanently impacted the environmental health of the Timor Sea. Nearly 63,000 gallons of crude leaked from a cracked oil pipeline 30 miles off the Louisiana coast in 2009. The ability of the oil industry to respond effectively to such spills is questionable at best. In May 2007, corrosion in a pipeline off Louisiana spilled about 8,000 gallons of oil. In December 2006, approximately 36,000 gallons of oil spilled at the Galveston Lightering Area in the Gulf. The impact from even a minor oil spill of 100 barrels or less can inflict significant environmental damage. Should oil reach the Florida coastline, it will render many areas uninhabitable to plants and animals, oil could remain for years, destroy egg and larvae of marine organisms and affect marine life and food chains. Petroleum hydrocarbons are extremely toxic even at very low concentrations.
7. HURRICANES
Florida perhaps faces a greater potential for the occurrence of natural hazards than any other state. Florida ranks first in hurricane occurrences and is the most vulnerable to the devastating effects resulting from coastal storms. Hurricanes can and have caused oil spills both on and offshore. The U.S. Government's Minerals Management Service states that Hurricanes Katrina and Rita damaged or destroyed 113 oil platforms, 457 oil pipelines and caused 124 offshore oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico, More than 9,000,000 gallons of oil were spilled from onshore tanks and pipelines as a result of the two storms. The U.S. Coast Guard reported that there were over 9 million gallons of oil released from six major and five medium spills. There is no reason to believe that future oil drilling will protect Florida's economy and environment from the potential serious environmental damage associated with offshore oil drilling and onshore oil spills associated with hurricanes.
8. ONSHORE HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Offshore oil and gas operations require roads, storage tanks, pipelines, processing facilities and other industrial facilities. These can severely damage beaches, wetlands and coastal habitats, with consequences for coastal economies that depend on tourism, recreation and fishing. Oil and gas processing plants can result in the degradation of air quality. Onshore gas processing activities typically emit constant levels of volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and total suspended
particulates. Processing and oil separation require large volumes of water. The addition of one or several gas processing plants will have significant impacts on local water supplies. The oil and gas industry should not be permitted to externalize the costs of the air, water and land pollution they create at the expense of the environmental and the public's health.
9. ENERGY CONSERVATION
It is in the best interests of our environment, economy and national security to develop truly renewable energy resources such as solar, and the sooner the better. The best option, cheaper than any new energy supply and causing no increase in atmospheric greenhouse gas levels, is energy conservation and increased energy efficiency. Increasing the average U.S. auto efficiency to 40 miles per gallon would save 10 times the estimated oil and gas reserves off Florida. Improving home insulation across the country would save about five times the estimated reserves off the Florida Coast. Conservation is a cheaper and healthier way for the country to buy time to develop renewable energy sources than the measures that will have to be employed in the development of offshore oil reserves.
10. OFFSHORE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
In addition to pipeline blowouts or leaks causing serious environmental problems, laying offshore pipes will cause increased turbidity of marine waters, destruction of sea grass beds and resuspension of contaminated sediments. Fish resources will be impacted by coastal and marine environmental degradation, pipeline trenching and offshore drilling discharges associated with routine oil and gas drilling operations. Oil drilling will place the eastern Gulf of Mexico, an area of high environmental sensitivity and marine productivity, at risk. Presently the region supports numerous species of wildlife, major commercial and recreational fisheries and several species of endangered animals.
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JULY 18, 2018
THE SUN
THE SUN SURVEY
ON THE AGENDA
PREVIOUS QUESTION: Do you lock your doors and windows at night when on
ANNA MARIA
Anna Maria Island?
8%
15%
The Party in the Park.
The Privateers parade.
10005 GULF DRIVE
For information, call 7086130 July 26, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting
BRADENTON BEACH 107 GULF DRIVE N.
For information, call 7781005 July 18, 1 p.m. – Planning
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and Zoning Board meeting July 19, noon – City Commission meeting July 24, 10 a.m. – City Commission workshop
HOLMES BEACH 5801 MARINA DRIVE
For information, call 7085800 July 24, 5 p.m. – City Commission meeting
MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOTE: EVENTS ARE FREE UNLESS INDICATED.
WEDNESDAY JULY 18
46%
Just grillin' and chillin'.
31%
Gentle chair yoga, Anna Maria Island Art League, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach, noon.
All the "independent" fireworks.
THURSDAY JULY 19
THE SUN SURVEY IS NOT A SCIENTIFIC POLL AND IS USED FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY.
THIS WEEK’S SURVEY Should anything be done about the recent rash of coyote sightings on AMI?
pets like they did in Cortez. • Yes. Trap and remove them to east Manatee County. • Yes. Release a bunch of road runners
• No. Not unless they start eating our
over in Perico.
To vote, go to www.amisun.com or scan this code to vote by smartphone. LIKE us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AnnaMariaIslandSun View The Sun’s online edition at www.issuu.com/AnnaMariaIslandSun
The Anna Maria Island Sun staff Publishers Mike Field Maggie Field Editor/CEO Mike Field Layout Ricardo Fonseca Reporters Cindy Lane Tom Vaught Joe Hendricks
Kristin Swain Columnists Louise Bolger Outdoors editor Rusty Chinnis Ad director Chantelle Lewin Ad assistants Chris Boniberger Dianne Martin
Classified ads Bob Alexander Graphics Elaine Stroili Ricardo Fonseca Digital/Social Media Editor Cindy Lane Accounting John Reitz
Distribution Bob Alexander Tony McNulty Connor Field Contributors Pat Copeland Steve Borggren Sean Murphy Monica Simpson
Veteran Services Information, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 9 a.m. Roser-Robics chair-based exercise class, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m. Feel the beat drumming class, The Folk School at Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, 10 a.m., $28. Zumba and mat pilates for seniors, The Paradise Center, 567 Bay Isles Rd., Longboat Key, 10 a.m., $10 per class. Reserve to maryannbrady@ theparadisecenter.org or 941-383-6493. Mad Science, 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. Jam in the Sand, Anna Maria Island Beach Café, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 5 to 8 p.m. Science and service book club, Robinson Preserve NEST, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 5:30 p.m. Reserve to 941-742-5923 ext. 6035 or michelle.leahy@ mymanatee.org.
FRIDAY JULY 20
Forty Carrots, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Yoga and meditation, The Paradise Center, 567 Bay
Isles Rd., Longboat Key, 10 a.m., $10. Reserve to maryannbrady@theparadisecenter.org or 941-383-6493. Intermediate bridge session, The Paradise Center, 567 Bay Isles Rd., Longboat Key, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., $10, includes coffee and cookies. Reserve to maryannbrady@theparadisecenter. org or 941-383-6493. Mahjong, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m. Sunset drum circle, Manatee Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 5 to 8 p.m. Mars viewing party, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 10 p.m. to midnight. Reserve to 941748-4501 ext. 6039.
SATURDAY JULY 21
NEST Nature Days, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Meditation, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11 a.m. Tween craft: slime creation, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. AMI Privateers Christmas in July party, Drift In, 120 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach, 5 to 10 p.m.
SUNDAY JULY 22
Beach Market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information call 941-518-4431.
MONDAY JULY 23
Yoga and meditation, The Paradise Center, 567 Bay Isles Rd., Longboat Key, 10 a.m., $10. Reserve to maryannbrady@theparadisSEE CALENDAR, PAGE 34
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JULY 18, 2018
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JULY 18, 2018
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Let the best one win Recently, an opinion by a local newspaper printed information about a candidate that was not completely accurate. This candidate, Kim Rash, has been vindicated and is qualified to run. The article also chastised the background of another Holmes Beach candidate. Everyone should take responsibility for their behaviour. Josh Linney has not only served his country but now wants to be of service to the city he loves. Every candidate has the right to be heard. Are there any of us that are so free of errors/misdeeds to throw the first stone? Should we all not examine our intent before hurting another? Please don’t prejudge. Ask questions. Vote your conscience. I’m hoping we can all see the good in people and not make this cam-
paign a nasty, manipulating, deceitful example of what we are witnessing in Washington. Let the best man or woman win. Renee Ferguson Holmes Beach
Be aware of signal change Holmes Beach has changed the stop light at the public beach to blinking in the evenings. Just a reminder that if a light is blinking red, it must be treated like a fourway stop! It would have helped calm some that are complaining if there was a notice in the local newspapers, as residents in all three cities need to be aware of a change in our traffic management, and a four-way stop may be new for some. Carol Whitmore Holmes Beach
JOIN US FOR COOKING CLASSES!
Cooking Classes
Every Thursday through August 2, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Discover new recipes and culinary techniques from the Master Chefs of the Sandbar, Beach House and Mar Vista Restaurants. These hands-on cooking lessons will feature locally sourced, sustainable items and fresh summer flavors to create delicious meals. Space is limited. July 19 - Ala Minute with Toffer Jacob, Sandbar Sous Chef
July 26 - Let’s Party! with Will Manson,
Beach House Executive Chef
August 2 - Vegan Dinner with Rich Demarse,
Sandbar Executive Chef
For information & Reservations visit: StudioatGulfandPine.com/CulinaryArt or call: 941-713-3105
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THE SUN
JULY 18, 2018
City Field could get big makeover City Engineer Lynn Burnett is developing options for the remodel of city field including the relocation of the tot, skate and dog parks. By Kristin Swain Sun Staff Writer | kswain@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – The budget process is underway in Holmes Beach, and one thing for commissioners to consider is the possibility of a complete renovation at the city field park complex, located adjacent to city hall. As a part of her proposed expenditures in the 2018-19 fiscal year from monies gained from the half cent sales tax, City Engineer Lynn Burnett presented commissioners with one of the options for remodeling the park complex. In the proposed option, Burnett suggested placing the large dog park over the current parking area at the corner of Flotilla Drive and 62nd Street with the small dog park behind it. A pickle ball court, followed by shuffleboard and bocce ball courts, would be located just to the south followed by the tot park and the skate
CITY OF ANNA MARIA | SUBMITTED
The vandalized banner was discovered Sunday morning.
SUBMITTED
This drawing shows just one of the options City Engineer Lynn Burnett plans to present to commissioners for the remodel of the City Field park complex. park, located directly in front of the existing pavilion. The baseball field would be turned into a multi-use field with off-street parking and a focal entry point located on Marina Drive. The plan also includes contingencies for storm debris disposal areas and a staging area for construction projects. For a total renovation of the park, Burnett estimates it will cost around $400,000 and will require more than one fiscal year to complete. In the 2018-19 fiscal year budget, $125,000 is allocated for remodel of the park along with an additional $50,000 earmarked
for dog park improvements. Commissioner Judy Titsworth said while it’s important for the city to invest in the renovation of the park complex for the residents, particularly in the dog and skate parks, she’s not sure the initial plan presented by Burnett is the best plan for the area. Her concern is that having the skate park located near Flotilla Drive homes would be too loud for residents. Mayor Bob Johnson said the concept presented is just one of the available options, and there are more discussions to be had before any plan is finalized.
VANDALISM: Pier banner slashed FROM PAGE 1
do a police report. Going to leave the banners like that until I can get there take photos and get the deputies involved.” Later in the day, Jones shared photos taken from the surveillance camera SUBMITTED near the pier. According Police are looking for his to Murphy, no arrest had man who was photographed been made as of Sunday near the pier banner that was afternoon. Anyone with vandalized. information pertaining to this incident is asked to call 866-634-8477.
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PIER: Demolition begins FROM PAGE 1
to Blenker’s and unload there, that’s an odor that doesn’t come to the city itself. Everything we can take away without ever taking it to the beach is better for the community,” Tibbett said. The city’s contract with Speeler & Associates stipulates the demolition must be completed by the end of September. Tibbett also commented on the pier’s condition. “It got beat up pretty bad during the storm (Hurricane Irma, and it’s old. There’s some stainless steel bolts in there holding sawdust. Having gone through it and seeing the inner workings, this is absolutely the right decision,” Tibbett said of the pending pier replacement. “If they tried to come in and do repairs, they’d wind up spending an exorbitant amount of money because the replacement and repair would never end. I think the city made the right choice,” Tibbett said. “Based on the recommendations of all the experts brought in, the pier was beyond the point of salvaging. As much as we’d like to preserve history in this case it wasn’t a viable option,” Seymour said. “There’s always going to be those naysayers, but this is showing there is a plan in place. I think once people see the progress and the finished product, everyone will come around and be happy. I hope that it goes as planned and by the end of next year we have a fully operational pier. It is the number one attraction in Manatee County, and it is sorely missed by the community,
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Pilings and decking remain to be removed from the old pier. the business community, the residents and the visitors,” Seymour said.
CONSTRUCTION BIDS
Speeler & Associates was one of two firms that responded to the city’s request for proposals (RFP) for the construction phase of the new pier. The two proposals were opened by City Clerk LeAnne Addy on Friday, July 13. Mayor Dan Murphy then emailed city commissioners a bid proposal update. Speeler & Associates bid $3.72 million to build a new pier and Tampa-based ICON bid $4.13 million. “We will evaluate the bids in
accordance with the RFP requirements and grading criteria. We will render a recommendation on these two bids no later than July 25th and review with the full City Commission on July 26th,” Murphy’s email said. The commission will decide if Murphy is authorized to further negotiate contract terms and construction price with the top-ranked firm. The commission could also reject both bids and request the issuance of a second RFP. The new pier will be built using concrete pilings and Kebony hardwood decking and siding. It is being designed to look like the pier being replaced.
PERMITTING UPDATE
On Thursday, July 12, Murphy provided city commissioners with a construction permitting update. Murphy said the city does not yet have a building permit for the construction of a new pier, but he expects to have one by mid-August. “The one stop that is holding it up for the Army Corps of Engineers is the National Fisheries Division. We escalated to (Senator) Marco Rubio’s office. We got a firm commitment from the Army Corps of Engineers that the Fisheries Department will be through with their review by Aug 17. We should have our construction permit shortly thereafter,” Murphy said.
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JULY 18, 2018
OIL: Lease sale set for August FROM PAGE 4
SUBMITTED
Grill team gourmets Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy had high praise last week for Sgt. Mike Jones, pictured here, for leading the hot dog grilling team during the city’s July 4 party at City Pier Park. Also on the team were deputies Patrick Manning and Steve Stewart, whom the mayor singled out for doing great work, as well as city staff for their efforts in organizing and hosting the holiday event. More than 700 hot dogs and 700 bags of chips were given to those at the free celebration, which was attended by more than 700 people.
to the Secretary for Energy Policy Vincent DeVito said in the press release. “We can do both. American energy production can be competitive while remaining safe and environmentally sound. This lease sale is just one piece of the administration’s comprehensive effort to secure our nation’s energy future.” Lease Sale 251, scheduled to be livestreamed from New Orleans, will be the third offshore sale under the National Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2017-22. Under the program, 10 lease sales are scheduled for the Gulf, where resource potential and industry interest are high, and oil and gas infrastructure is well established. Two Gulf lease sales will be held each year. The sale will include approximately 14,622 unleased blocks located from
three to 231 miles offshore in the Gulf’s western, central and eastern planning areas in water depths ranging from nine to more than 11,115 feet (three to 3,400 meters). The Gulf of Mexico OCS, covering about 160 million acres, contains about 48 billion barrels of undiscovered technically recoverable oil and 141 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered technically recoverable gas, according to the release. Successful bidders will pay a 12.5 percent royalty rate for leases in less than 200 meters of water and a royalty rate of 18.75 percent for all other leases. Terms and conditions for the lease sale are detailed in the Final Notice of Sale (FNOS) information package, available at http://www.boem.gov/Sale-251/. The FNOS is available in the Federal Register at http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/public-inspection/index.html.
LAWSUIT: Seeks protection from drilling FROM PAGE 4
Earthjustice attorney Chris Eaton said in a press release. “For over 10 years, the federal agencies that are responsible for the protection of threatened and endangered species in the Gulf of Mexico have been sitting on their hands. As we saw in the BP disaster, the harm caused by the oil and gas industry wreaks havoc on our
Gulf. It’s time for these agencies to do their job and comply with the law,” said Cynthia Sarthou, executive director of Gulf Restoration Network. “The Gulf has been treated as a sacrifice zone for corporate polluters for far too long,” said Athan Manuel, director of the Sierra Club’s Lands Protection Program. “We will not allow the Trump administration to ignore serious
threats to coastal ecosystems in their reckless quest to sell off America’s waters to the fossil fuel industry for offshore drilling.” “The Trump administration can’t keep turning a blind eye to the damage offshore drilling does to the Gulf’s most imperiled species,” said Kristen Monsell, oceans program legal director at the Center. “Trump officials want to
expand offshore drilling and fracking into nearly every corner of the Gulf before they understand what’s out there. Our government has a moral and legal obligation to carefully study the risks to rare whales, sea turtles and other animals before allowing these dirty, dangerous practices. It’s time for the courts to remind the agencies of this important duty.”
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City considers clam beds, utility lines BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
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BRADENTON BEACH – The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is now exploring a possible grant program to help Bridge Street property owners underground their utility lines. The CRA members also are considering the creation of clam beds alongside the Bridge Street Pier boardwalk. They also want to bring architectural designer Emily Anne Smith back to assist with the development of a CRA master plan. The members seek a plan that provides consistency and an Old Florida look for the benches, trash receptacles, signs, planters and other public elements in the CRA district that extends from the Cortez Bridge to Fifth Street South. These matters were discussed at the Wednesday, July 11, CRA meeting.
UTILITY LINES
As an alternative to the CRA initiating a utility line undergrounding project for all of Bridge Street, the members are considering a possible grant program that would assist Bridge Street property owners in undergrounding their own utility lines. City Commissioner and CRA member Jake Spooner estimated the individual connection fees would be between $3,000 to $5,000 per property, and some property owners he spoke with said they opposed paying the connection fees themselves. The CRA members authorized Mark Porter and the CDM Smith consulting firm to prepare an opinion of cost for the potential grant program at a cost not to exceed $15,500.
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CRA member Ed Chiles’ previous suggestion to create clam beds alongside the Bridge Street Pier was
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
The Bradenton Beach CRA has expressed interest in creating clam beds alongside the Bridge Street Pier boardwalk. further discussed last week. Chiles said he thought the CRA could raise $100,000 in outside grants and contributions if it was willing to contribute $25,000 toward the project. Chile’s suggested the creation of clam beds in conjunction with public dock expansion projects previously proposed by Spooner and CRA chair and City Commissioner Ralph Cole. In 2017, the CRA supported Spooner’s suggestion to add perpendicular finger docks as a second phase to the floating public day dock project that has yet to be completed by Technomarine. Cole then suggested extending the docks along the pier boardwalk and connecting to the cityowned dinghy dock by the Bridge Tender Inn. If pursued, the clam beds would likely be created between the extended dock and the boardwalk shoreline. Chiles said more information is needed, but he sees this a potential model project for other coastal cities to follow.
MASTER PLAN
The members support fellow-
member and Mayor John Chappie’s request to bring Smith back to assist with the creation of a long-delayed CRA master plan. City Engineer Lynn Burnett and the CRA members have been working on the plan for more than a year and Burnett said last week some of the delays were caused by the members’ indecision on which projects to pursue and how to pursue them. The CRA recently ordered 20 white composite benches to be installed along Bridge Street. The members agreed with Chappie’s suggestion that no additional CRA improvement projects will be pursued without Smith’s insight. If Smith returns, Burnett will continue to provide the technical support needed to implement Smith’s designs. Smith was originally recruited for the master plan project but never brought under contract. The CRA taxing district generates between $350,000 and $400,000 in annual tax revenues that can only be spent on CRA projects and activities. The CRA has a current fund balance of approximately $1.75 million.
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Suspect arrested again, charged with second burglary BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – Mark Lee Snyder, 55, accused of burglary and battery of a Holmes Beach woman, was arrested July 9 for a second burglary, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. In addition to his original charges, he now faces a first-degree felony charge of armed burglary of a gun in Anna Maria, according to Sheriff’s Office records. Police discovered the gun and what they believe is stolen jewelry in a storage unit he leased. Police first arrested Snyder on July 3 for attacking a 71-year-old Holmes Beach woman during the burglary of her home. They charged him with burglary with assault or battery, a first-degree felony; aggravated battery of a person 65 or older, a first-degree felony; and grand theft of between $300 and $5,000, a third-degree felony, according to Manatee County Sheriff’s Office records.
He was released July 4 on a $41,500 bond. According to Holmes Beach police, the victim surprised the burglar when she Snyder returned to her 75th Street home between 1:40 p.m. and 2 p.m. after lunching with friends, finding him in her bedroom, where he attacked her, striking her several times and causing her to fall before he fled with three to four bags of stolen property, including jewelry. Surveillance video images posted on social media of a man carrying several bags to his gray Nissan Maxima from the victim’s home led to someone recognizing the suspect’s car, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said. When police interviewed Snyder at his residence, he consented to a search of the car, where police found a tan, large-brimmed hat and a dust mask that the victim described her attacker as wearing. In his confession to the burglary,
Snyder told police that he “panicked and struck the victim while he fled,” saw her “on the floor with a lot of blood,” and wasn’t sure if she was alive, according to the police report. The victim was transported to Blake Medical Center with a laceration to the back of her head that required multiple staples to close, and at least one broken bone in the face, according to the report. Snyder also said he threw the bags in dumpsters and in the river in Bradenton because they had blood on them, according to the report. However, when Holmes Beach police and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office searched a storage unit rented by Snyder, they found stolen jewelry and firearms. An investigation continues to identify the owners of the property. – Kristin Swain contributed to this report
JULY 18, 2018
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JULY 18, 2018
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Bell submits Butler Act evidence BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com
CORTEZ – The A.P. Bell Fish Co. submitted 44 pieces of evidence on Friday to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that a net camp built by Raymond Guthrie Jr. in May 2017 on submerged land is protected by the Butler Act. The DEP ordered Guthrie to demolish the 1,200-foot structure last summer, saying it was built on state submerged lands without a permit. When he did not, the DEP sued him, requesting in February that the 12th Judicial Circuit Court in Manatee County issue an injunction requiring him to remove the structure and pay $16,500 in penalties plus attorney fees and court costs. The A.P. Bell Fish Co. sued DEP in May asserting its ownership of both the structure, which Guthrie calls a net camp or fish camp, and the submerged land under the structure, which lies just offshore of the fish house. The camps were used for cleaning, drying, mending and storing cotton nets, now obsolete, and sometimes served as homes for fishermen. Bell also filed a motion to intervene in DEP’s case against Guthrie, claiming that the structure dates to at least the early
A.P. BELL FISH CO. | SUBMITTED
Raymond Guthrie Jr.’s net camp, far right, today, off A.P. Bell Fish Co. in Cortez, facing east. 1900s, and, with the submerged land, is protected by the 1921 Butler Act. The act awards title of submerged lands to adjacent waterfront property owners who made permanent improvements on the submerged lands. The law was repealed in the 1950s but continues to affect title to submerged lands that were improved with construction prior to its repeal. “We have to prove under the Butler Act that the camp existed before May of 1951,” said Joanne Semmer, president of Ostego Bay Environmental Inc. of Fort Myers, a
consultant for Bell in the case. Semmer’s submission, made on Bell’s behalf, contains historic aerial photographs and passages from books showing that a net camp existed in the same place as Guthrie’s as far back as the 1920s, she said. She added that the exhibits also include surveys documenting its existence through the 1940s. The Butler Act does not apply even if the structure was built before the repeal of the act because the net camp was never “continuously connected to the upland prop-
erty,” according to Marianna Sarkisyan, DEP senior assistant general counsel, in her June answer to Bell’s lawsuit. Semmer says that’s not so, and that the camp was connected to the Bell fish house by a dock, according to her research. DEP also claims that the “unauthorized enclosed docking structure in dispute is not the original ‘Guthrie Fish Camp,’ ” but a “newly constructed unauthorized structure,” making Bell’s lawsuit a “sham pleading.” Under the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, a plea is considered sham when it is “palpably or inherently false, and from the plain or conceded facts in the case must have been known to the party interposing it to be untrue,” according to the document. The net camp was rebuilt differently each time it was damaged by a storm, depending on available materials and finances, but remained in the same place and is subject to the Butler Act, Semmer said. The DEP’s answer also charges that Bell is trespassing on state submerged land and asks the court to enjoin Bell from further trespass, eject Bell from the submerged land and rule that the state owns the submerged land. Hearings have not yet been set in the cases.
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HBPD seeks $268,000 budget increase A license plate camera system and new vehicles are included in the budget request. By Kristin Swain Sun Staff Writer | kswain@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – Preliminary budgets are in and city commissioners are considering a budget proposal from Police Chief Bill Tokajer that would raise his department’s budget to $3,324,163 for fiscal year 2018-19, $267,724 over the previous year. Tokajer said the increase in the budget ask comes from better calculation of known overtime needed for events such as holidays, parades and community outreach events. Another reason for the increase is an increase in the police pension fund. A capital improvement project also is proposed at $20,000 to provide bulletproof shielding for the department’s dispatcher, who often sits unaccompanied in a building open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Another item on this year’s budget is a license plate recognition camera
system for Holmes Beach. After a proposal for an Island-wide system funded at least partially by beach concession funds failed earlier in 2018, Tokajer decided to propose a system that would only cover Holmes Beach. While he said Bradenton Beach police are considering adding their own camera system, it would be separate from the Holmes Beach system. Under this new proposal, the cameras, installation, software and maintenance for a five year deal would cost the city $101,000 in the coming year’s budget. Five cameras would be placed throughout the city, one pointing east and another west on Manatee Avenue at the bridge, one pointing southbound on East Bay Drive, and one pointing north and another south on Gulf Drive at 27th Street. “Cameras in my view are the way of the future,” Commissioner Carol Soustek said. “I’d love to have it. It’s a great deterrent.” Commissioner Jim Kihm said while use of concession funds for the project may not be available, he would like to SEE BUDGET, PAGE 18
JULY 18, 2018
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Rash remains in commission race Despite a paperwork snafu, Holmes Beach resident Kim Rash remains on the November ballot as a candidate for city commissioner. BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – Two City Commission seats are up for grabs in the November election and resident Kim Rash is still in the running for one of them. Rash’s candidacy came into question when fellow Holmes Beach resident David Zaccagnino submitted a letter to city hall asking for Rash to be disqualified from the election due to a paperwork discrepancy. When filing his paperwork for candidacy, Rash designated Hancock Bank as the holder of his campaign account. However, the campaign check he used to pay his candidate fees was from Wells Fargo. Because Holmes Beach qualifies its own candidates, rather than going through the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office, the decision to allow Rash to remain as a candidate fell to City Clerk Stacey Johnston who also serves as the city’s elections officer. In a July 10 email, Rash said he, his daugh-
ter Melissa Rash, and campaign treasurer Margie Motzer visited city hall on June 4 to obtain and fill out campaign paperwork. At that time, Rash designated Hancock Bank as his primary campaign Rash depository with no secondary depository named. In the email, he said when he visited the bank to open the campaign account, he learned that a federal employer identification number would be required to establish the checking account. Since no one was available to help him through the process of establishing an EIN, Rash chose to open his account at the nearby Holmes Beach branch of Wells Fargo, which didn’t require an EIN number. Rash’s candidacy was approved by Johnston on June 21 during qualifying week. “There was never any intent of wrongdoing or fraudulent activity,” Rash said in the email. “It would be a shame to allow the democratic process to be overshadowed by this innocent error.” Florida state statute 106.021 governs requirements for campaign treasurers, deputies and primary and secondary depositories. Though the statute says that a primary de-
pository must be declared when qualifying for office, along with a campaign treasurer, it does not specify that the depository cannot be changed or that there are consequences to the candidate when the account location is changed. The statute does state that the primary depository is the only account that campaign funds can be spent out of, including candidate qualifying fees. A secondary depository can be established, however that account can only be used to collect monies and disperse them to the primary depository campaign account. Rash did not specify a secondary depository in his candidate paperwork. In addition, Rash’s campaign account was established at Wells Fargo on June 4 per his email, well ahead of the June 18-22 candidate qualifying week in Holmes Beach though a corrected form was not filed prior to him qualifying for office June 21. Rash said he didn’t correct the Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository for Candidates form because he was unaware a change was needed. Johnston said a corrected form has been filed by Rash to name Wells Fargo as his primary campaign depository. Though a mistake was noted on the form, Johnston did not disqualify Rash as a
candidate. With little guidance available in the state statutes, Johnston said the matter would have to be pursued through the legal system per state statutes by the person bringing up the complaint, in this case Zaccagnino. The discrepancy with Rash’s form brought to light another campaign paperwork issue. It’s a requirement for candidates to provide a social security number on some campaign forms. Though those forms must be available for public review, social security numbers are protected by state and federal law. It was discovered that the social security numbers for Rash and fellow candidate Joshua Linney were visible on documents posted to the Supervisor of Elections Office website, making the candidates vulnerable to identity fraud. Rash said his candidate profile was viewed more than 50 times before the error was noticed. The error has since been corrected on the website, www.votemanatee.com, by blacking out the candidates’ social security numbers and campaign account numbers on posted copies of paperwork. As of press time for The Sun, no instances of identity fraud related to the posted information have been identified.
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New manatee, turtle decals out Show your support for manatees and sea turtles with new waterproof decals available for $5 each from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Decals generate funding for research, education, rescue and management efforts that help Florida’s manatees and sea turtles survive. For example, when someone calls the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) to report an injured, entangled or sick manatee or sea turtle, FWC staff responds with efforts to rescue and rehabilitate the animal. The decals also address important conservation issues. The “I’m making a difference” manatee decal shows several manatees, including a mother and calf. The back of the decal notes that the manatee is now classified as a threatened species, rather than an endangered species, under the federal Endangered Species Act. The U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service announced this change in early 2017, a signal that efforts to conserve the state’s marine mammal are succeeding. The “Shield Your Lights for a Sea Turtle Friendly Night” decal shows an adult female loggerhead on the beach against a background of darkened buildings. The back of the decal reports that nearly 97,000 loggerhead nests were counted during the 2017 Florida sea turtle nesting season. It reminds people to manage beachfront lights to protect nesting and hatchling sea turtles during nesting season, which continues through the end of October, and of-
fers other tips on helping sea turtles. This species also has been reclassified as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. Learn about ways to help conserve manatees and sea turtles at MyFWC.com/Manatee and MyFWC.com/SeaTurtle, where you also can click on Decals to order new or past editions of decals. You can also get them when registering or re-registering a vehicle or boat at local tax collectors’ offices. Go to BuyaPlate.com to purchase a Save the Manatee or Helping Sea Turtles Survive license plate that supports those species.
BUDGET: HBPD seeks increase FROM PAGE 16
seek out grant monies rather than having “Holmes Beach residents foot the bill” because he said the system would benefit the entire Island. Tokajer said he’s researched grant opportunities and thus far has found none that would help pay for the camera system. As far as the neighboring cities benefitting from the license plate recognition system, he said the Island cities benefit from the one on Longboat Key in a similar way but didn’t help pay for the instal-
lation and maintenance of that system. “We’ll get a good bang for our buck,” he said. Other expenses in this year ’s budget are $7,600 for two pairs of night vision goggles to help officers track perpetrators covertly in the dark, $3,500 for five satellite phones to be used only if needed during storm events and $4,800 for a boat cover along with $1,632 for mats for the police boat. Because some vehicles will be retired and repurposed to other city departments, including public works and code
enforcement, Tokajer also asked for $15,625 per vehicle for eight new police vehicles. While the payment term for each vehicle is four years, the agreement covers maintenance on the vehicles for eight years. After eight years, the current plan, Tokajer said, is to repurpose the vehicles to other departments or sell the ones the city can’t use. Copies of the proposed fiscal year 2018-19 budget are available in the lobby at Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive.
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Out to sea A green sea turtle swam to the Gulf of Mexico from Coquina Beach on July 11. CROW Clinic of Sanibel Island chose Anna Maria Island for the release because area waters are free of red tide, which is plaguing other coastal Florida waters. The turtle was recovered by the Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association and released with help from Mote Marine, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring. AMY WATERBURY | SUBMITTED
TURTLES: First nests bittersweet FROM PAGE 1
People have been calling Turtle Watch for days reporting hatchlings in their yards, bushes, in a resort’s fountain and even 10 floating in a pool, Fox said. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was notified and instructed Turtle Watch to take the pool hatchlings to the Kukanza Family Hatchling Hospital at Mote Marine Laboratory for rehabilitation. “We are trying to get them to eat and dive, and when they do, they can be released,” Mote spokeswoman Stacy Alexander said.
‘GRIEVOUS’ DISORIENTATIONS
Fox filed reports on the disorientations with the state of Florida, Manatee County and the three cities on Anna Maria Island detailing the locations of the lights that appear to have disoriented the turtles, some that previously had been reported to authorities during the 2017 nesting season. “We want the cities and county to look at what drew them back from the Gulf,” she said. “These are quite grievous,” Charlie Hunsicker, director of the county’s Parks and Natural Resources Department wrote in an email to Fox. “Human behavior can be changed, evolution cannot.”
SUBMITTED
These free window clings are available at the code enforcement offices at Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach city halls and at The Anna Maria Island Sun. Holmes Beach Code Enforcement Officer James Thomas had not returned a Sun phone call by press time. Simply closing the blinds, drapes or shades on a Gulf-facing window can save a turtle nest, Fox said. Window clings reminding people to close shades and turn off outside lighting that is not turtle friendly are available at the code enforcement offices at Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach city halls and at The Anna Maria Island Sun. Turtle- and people-friendly lighting information is available at www. islandturtlewatch.com.
NESTING NEWS Turtle nests laid: 430 False crawls: 510 Nests hatched: 6 Not hatched: 2 Nests remaining: 422 Hatchlings hatched: 88 Nest disorientations: 5 Source: Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring
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OUTDOORS
JULY 18, 2018
Trade show features fishing gear
n Wednesday, July 11, I attended ICAST, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades held in Orlando, Fla. I made the trip with Steve Traves, owner of AMI Outfitters, and Captain Casey Lamb, of Longboat Key. The convention which is the largest fishing trade show was held in two mammoth conference halls at the Orange County Convention Center. The event held over four days showcased the latest innovations in fishing gear, accessories and apparel. Open to qualified members of the sportfishing trade, which included retailers, exhibitors and media, it was an excellent opportunity for me to get some hands-on experience with new fly rods, reels, clothing and accessories that wouldn’t be available to anglers until after the show, and, in some cases, not until the 2019 season. The show is roughly divided between companies aligned with fly fishing and those whose main focus is conventional angling.
Reel Time RUSTY CHINNIS I spent the majority of the day in the fly fishing section with forays to visit Mark Nichols, of DOA Lures, and to ogle some of the extensive offerings of clothing, sunglasses and other unconventional tackle. I took the opportunity to test and compare new fly rod designs. Over the course of the day, I cast rods by Hardy, Sage, Orvis, Thomas and Thomas and RL Winston. I made a point of casting each company’s high-end fly rod to compare their claims and determine which I considered the best. There were many impressive designs, but Hardy’s new Wraith and Zephrus rods impressed both Traves and me. In addition to casting
the new rod, I was able to learn about the technical design from Hardy Rod Ambassador and friend Andy Mill . The new rods feature strong, ultralight, slim blanks designed to help reduce fatigue and slice through the wind. While casting with the rods, I tried a number of fly lines. Two stand- outs were by Rio and Cortland’s. Both companies have numerous lines designed for different fishing senarios such as short accurate casts and wind. I had the pleasure of once again spending some time discussing fly line designs with Cortland President Jim Wilson and Regional Sales Manager Frank Catino. I remembered last year when Wilson had personally demonstrated the Cortland line and was eager to share with them my experience with a Cortland line this tarpon season. During the day, I once again sat in on a couple of meetings with Traves and SEE REEL TIME, PAGE 23
RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN
Steve Traves, of AMI Outfitters, casts a Hardy Zephrus fly rod with Andy Mill Hardy Ambassador and winner of five Gold Cup Invitational Fly Tournaments.
JULY 18, 2018
REEL TIME: Fishing gear featured FROM PAGE 1
enjoyed learning about some new and innovative products coming this year and next from Simms Fishing Products, an industry leading company that has a comprehensive line of fishing products including clothing, waders, packs, boots and accessories. Other standouts were Fish Pond, a manufacturer of innovative travel packs and accessories; Tibor Reels, a small Florida based company that produces exquisite hand tooled fly reels, arguably the industry’s best; and Renzetti Vices, another Florida based company that manufactures the industry leading rotating fly tying vice. I spent the majority of the show in the fly fishing arena but made a point of previewing some innovations in conventional tackle. It was an eye-opening experience as I went row after row through hundreds of exhibitors. The products ran the gamut from boats, motors, tackle, accessories, clothing, kayaks, paddle boards, chairs, destinations and included a drone that can lift an 8-pound bait and drop a sonar unit to locate fish. One of the other pleasures of attending the ICAST trade show was the opportunity to reconnect with old associates and acquaintances. I ended up running into a number of friends and collogues I hadn’t seen in years. We left as the show closed for the day. It was a delightful and productive day, one that resulted in new contacts and exposure to a wealth of new products.
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Catch ratios high around Island CAPTAIN DAVE WHITE
Temperatures are high around Anna Maria Island, but so are the catch ratios. Spanish mackerel are exciting light tackle action right now. They are everywhere from the deeper flats to the reefs. These guys are pretty tasty when you remove the lateral line. Mangrove snapper are also filling the coolers. Any structure will be holding these fish right now. This is the last week for American red snapper. I assume it’ll be pretty busy out there in waters over 100 feet deep. Snook fishing is pretty solid right now as well. As long as the water is moving, they seem to be pretty eager to eat. Good luck out there and tight lines.
CAPTAIN RICK GRASSETT
Fly anglers fishing with me recently, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with tarpon in the coastal Gulf in Sarasota. We had multiple shots at tarpon and several hookups. My friend Steve Gibson, of Southern Drawl Kayak Fishing, had a good day with me on Monday with multiple shots, jumping three tarpon and battling one to close to the boat. Frank Zaffino, from Rochester, N.Y., also fly fished for tarpon several days later in the week with me. He also had good action, jumping several tarpon. Action was good but slowed following the new moon. Tarpon fishing should be good in the coastal Gulf. Late season tarpon have usually spawned and are more aggressive. There should also be good action
CAPTAIN DAVE WHITE | SUBMITTED
TJ Shorten, of Philadelphia, shows off a hefty Jack crevalle caught inshore with Captain David White, of Anna Maria Charters. with trout, blues and Spanish mackerel on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Fishing dock lights in the ICW at night is always a good option for snook and more. Walking the beach and sight fishing snook in the surf can also be good this time of year. Our natural resources are under constant pressure, please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!
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JULY 18, 2018
GULF DRIVE CAFE | SUBMITTED
DARA CAUDILL | WWW.ISLANDPHOTOGRAPHY.ORG
Lorraine Lancaster and Chris Klein were married on the beach of Longboat Key on July 1, 2018, surrounded by family and friends. Lorraine and Chris honeymooned on Longboat Key before returning home to Doylestown, Pa.
Ally and Matt Cable were married on April 28, 2018, by Joan Dickinson. Matt and Ally came all the way from St. Louis, Mo., to start the next chapter of their love story, that started in high school. They celebrated with close family and friends on a beautiful, sunny day. The Sunset Weddings by Gulf Drive Café are happy to share their story and be a part of their special day.
Brianna Harrison and Mark Merrill were engaged on the beach of Anna Maria Island on June 28, 2018. They have not picked a date or location yet. They celebrated their engagement on Anna Maria Island before returning home to Terre Haute, Ind.
DARA CAUDILL | WWW.ISLANDPHOTOGRAPHY.ORG
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JULY 18, 2018
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A Perfect Setting... For Your Perfect Wedding Sandbar
Beach House
The Studio at Gulf and Pine
The Sandbar wedding and event pavilion
tubs & HBO. Pristine private beach with complimentary
Adjacent to the historic Sandbar restaurant is the site of the Sandbar pavilion. Weddings and events at the Sandbar pavilion are recognized worldwide as award winning and unique. With breathtaking sunsets, exceptional customer service and outstanding food, the Sandbar venue has, for decades, attracted couples celebrating their special day. For many years, couples of “The Knot” have voted the Sandbar venue top ceremony and wedding site. Readers of weddingwire.com have given the Sandbar the Brides Choice Award continuously. Designated as one of the top venues for destination weddings and special events on the west coast of Florida, The Sandbar pavilion is a stand-alone, open-air pavilion steps from the Gulf of Mexico that can comfortably seat 150 plus guests under the pavilion with additional seating along its perimeter. Innovative menus offer a wide variety of locally sourced and sustainable seafood dishes, land fare and fresh produce grown at the restaurant’s own farm. The Sandbar’s expert culinary team is happy to customize a menu for any style or size event. Sandbar wedding coordinator Molly Powers, who has coordinated hundreds of weddings, will be with you throughout the planning and event stages providing you a list of preferred vendors to help make all of your wedding day dreams come true. For information on hosting a special event at the Sandbar pavilion contact Molly Powers, 941-778-8709, mpowers@chilesgroup.com. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. Search reviews on The Knot, and Weddingwire or see photos on their website www.islanddining.com.
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JULY 18, 2018
Marci and Bryan Murray were married on May 5, 2018, by Chris Toullette. The New England couple celebrated their wedding in a Cinco de Mayo themed reception, that even included a piĂąata over the dance floor. The intimate ceremony and reception included special Murray Margaritas for all to celebrate with.
GULF DRIVE CAFE | SUBMITTED
Kristin and Mike Roberts were married on May 4, 2018, by Chris Toullette. Kristin and Mike had a small and intimate wedding ceremony and reception with family and friends. Their love story started years prior and finally got to tie the knot on the beautiful beaches in front of Gulf Drive CafĂŠ.
GULF DRIVE CAFE | SUBMITTED
JULY 18, 2018
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REAL ESTATE
JULY 18, 2018
Property values, taxes always hot topics
S
ummer cocktail parties are one of the staples of the nice warm summer months, sometimes too warm. But whether you’re on the beach, on the boat or just hanging by the backyard pool, the conversation at some point will always turn to property values and taxes. Last week, we talked about the May sales statistics for Manatee County, which continue to go up overall. This week, we have some new property value information from Manatee County, which was submitted to the Florida Department of Revenue. Construction was up $1.1 billion in market value, which included 2,502 new single-family homes and 398 new condos. County wide the taxable values increased from $33.3 billion to $36.1 billion, an 8.16 percent increase. On Anna Maria Island, the city of Anna Maria had the biggest increase in taxable value between 2017 and 2018 by 10.32 percent. This was the largest increase compared to all other Manatee County municipalities. Bradenton Beach’s taxable value increased 9.3
Castles in the Sand LOUISE BOLGER percent and Holmes Beach’s taxable value increased 7.9 percent. Per Manatee County Administrator, Ed Hunzeker the fiscal year of 2018 saw a growth of 9.2 percent in the tax base. This means that he does not see the need to increase the property tax rates for the next fiscal year and presented this recommendation to county commissioners. Last week, we also touched on the new tax overhaul as it related to home equity loans, but here’s a little more detail. Prior law allowed homeowners to deduct interest up to $100,000 of home equity debt to be used for any reason. Under the new tax provision, you will no longer be allowed to take the interest deduction on new or existing home
equity loans unless they’re used for home improvements. The term home improvements is broadly defined as anything that adds value to the home such as landscaping or remodeling but not repairs. This can be a definite maybe when calculating your ability to make these deductions and should be discussed with a tax expert. A lot of homeowners who currently have outstanding home equity loans on their property will not be happy. Note that if you took a home equity loan out 5 years ago to help your daughter purchase a home and have been deducting the interest on this loan for 5 years, you will no longer be able to take this deduction for the 2018 tax year. However, keep in mind that since the standard deduction has increased to $12,000 for single people and $24,000 for married couples with a potential added benefit for filers 65 and older, the loss of the home equity deduction may not be as bad as you think. In addition, as previously stated, home-
owners from high taxed states are seriously on the move. Residents of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Maryland and Oregon have the highest state and local tax rates in the country, which are now being capped under the provision of the new tax law. States like Florida are seeing potential buyers from these and other high taxed states looking for property in the Sunshine State with the potential of establishing residency. I haven’t personally seen it yet, but I’m sure some creative real estate professional is marketing property to out of state buyers, pointing out the tax benefits of relocating to Florida. With property values going up, property taxes not increasing and no state tax, no wonder we’re seeing a huge influx of new residents. The only minor blip on the radar is the home equity tax deduction ruling. At least this summer the cocktail party chatter won’t get boring.
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JULY 18, 2018
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Planning commissioners approve flood ordinance An ordinance amending the Holmes Beach comprehensive plan to allow for sea level rise flood mitigation plans is moving back to city commissioners for a public hearing and vote after receiving planning commission approval. BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – In a unanimous vote, planning commissioners approved the adoption of an ordinance designed to help city leaders and residents plan for future sea level rise. A public hearing was held July 11 at city hall where planning commissioners didn’t have any members of the public speak up, but they did have a lot of discussion among themselves before voting to move the proposed ordinance forward for review, public
FILE PHOTO | SUN
A map projection shows what Holmes Beach could look like south of Manatee Avenue in the year 2060. City Engineer Lynn Burnett said sea level rise is predicted to be at least one foot or more by 2060. hearing and a vote from city commissioners. The proposed ordinance amends the city’s coastal management and conservation element of the comprehensive plan to allow for the formation and implementation of a plan to keep sections of the city from ending up underwater in
the next few decades. City Planner Bill Brisson said while the ordinance, if passed by city commissioners, allows for a plan and sets out goals and objectives, it does not specify the action to be taken or when those actions will be implemented by city officials. City Engineer Lynn Burnett,
who’s working to develop a long-term plan for Holmes Beach to keep the encroaching sea water from putting any currently buildable lots underwater, said passing the ordinance would allow city leaders to apply for state and federal monies to help lessen the burden on property owners
when making improvements. According to 2017 data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Burnett said a sea level rise of one foot or higher is expected by 2060. “We can’t do nothing,” she said. “We don’t want to be the last one out of the box. We want to be proactive.” Her current plans include raising city streets, lot grades as buildings are replaced and putting one foot or higher caps on sea walls, particularly on the bay side, where the elevation is lower. Rather than making all of the changes at once or putting an undue burden on property owners, Burnett hopes alterations can be made over time with the majority done as properties are sold and redeveloped. No plans have yet been adopted by city commissioners. “We want to prepare for what we know is going to SEE FLOOD, PAGE 33
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Top real estate producers for June, 2018 A PARADISE
ISLAND REAL ESTATE
Cindy Grazar - Listing Al & Helen Pollock - Selling
Adele Holland/Josh Bernet - Listing Alan Galletto - Selling
AN ISLAND PLACE REALTY
MICHAEL SAUNDERS ANNA MARIA ISLAND
Sue Carlson - Listing & selling
COLDWELL BANKER
Buky Team - Listing & selling
Laura Rulon - Listing Laurie Mock - Selling
MIKE NORMAN
DUNCAN REAL ESTATE
Marianne Norman-Ellis - Listing Rochelle Bowers - Selling
EDGEWATER REAL ESTATE
Lynn Zemmer - Listing & selling
Barbara Sato - Listing Jason Sato - Selling
FRAN MAXON REAL ESTATE
WAGNER REAL ESTATE
Cindy Jones - Listing Darcie Duncan - Selling
Brianna Shaughnessy - Listing & selling
SATO REAL ESTATE
Rae Ellen Hayo - Listing Carolyn Codella - Selling
JULY 18, 2018
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JULY 18, 2018
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White subpoenaed in Sunshine lawsuit Commissioner Randy White has been asked to provide copies of his communications with CNOBB members. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – City Commissioner Randy White has been subpoenaed to be deposed by attorney Robert Watrous as part of the Sunshine Law lawsuit the city filed last August against six city advisory board members. Watrous is scheduled to formally interview White under oath at a court reporter’s office in Bradenton on Wednesday, Aug. 15, at 1:30 p.m. Issued on July 12, the notice of deposition seeks from White all text messages, emails or Facebook Messenger exchanges between Aug 1, 2017, and July 6, 2018, that he sent or received from Tjet Martin, Bill Shearon, Mike Harrington, Carol Harrington, Reed Mapes, John Metz, Patty Shay, Bill Vincent, Rose Vincent and Janie Robertson. Martin, Mapes, Metz, Shay, Rose and the Vincents are defendants in the Sunshine lawsuit and all on the list were affiliated with the now-defunct Concerned Neighbors
of Bradenton Beach (CNOBB) political action committee. The subpoena also seeks from White copies of all handwritten or electronic notes related to the Sunshine lawsuit and all notes pertaining to White invoices submitted to the city for legal services. The deposition stems from documents City Attorney Ricinda requested of White and the other four commission members at the end the June 21 City Commission meeting. During that meeting, White was also the only commission member to oppose payment of an invoice submitted by Watrous for legal services he and paralegal Michael Barfield provided the city regarding the Sunshine lawsuit. White was not a commissioner when the Sunshine lawsuit was filed. Since taking office in November, he has consistently questioned and opposed payment for Watrous’ invoices. As a commissioner, White participated in one private shade meeting that allowed Watrous to discuss the case and potential legal strategies with commission members. City officials are prohibited from discussing with anyone anything said during a shade meet-
ing and Mayor John Chappie has reminded White of this during commission meetings. During the June 21 meeting, White was the only commissioner to express support for four charter amendment initiatives proposed by the Keep Our Residential Neighborhoods (KORN) political action committee being placed on the ballot for the 2018 city elections. KORN was formed by former CNOBB members Mapes and Metz. During that discussion, White referred to notes he brought to the dais with him. When the meeting ended, Perry asked all five commission members to provide the city clerk copies of all documents brought to the dais that day. The folder White brought to the dais contained 374 pages of notes and documents that date back to his election campaign last summer and his handwritten notes reference CNOBB and the Sunshine Law. “Can I state for the record that you guys did not break any Sunshine Laws that I witnessed in a CNOBB meeting,” one handwritten note says. “Public debate, remember to take this position – I am a newcomer, I am not accountable, you are!” another says. On the same page is a handwritten note that says, “Guilt and shame them outta office.” Another says, “Don’t mention CNOBB. I
don’t remember if I became a member, but I agree with their platform.” According to CNOBB financial reports, White paid $20 in membership fees on Aug. 15. In October, White and Shearon were the only City Commission candidates that participated in a CNOBB-sponsored candidates’ forum. White did not attend the July 25, 2017 CNOBB meeting at which several city board members expressed support for a citywide prohibition on parking garages. The lawsuit alleges that discussion of reasonably foreseeable future city board business violated the Sunshine Law. During the recent depositions of Mapes, Martin and Shay, Watrous established that the Planning and Zoning Board and the Scenic WAVES Committee previously discussed parking issues and could foreseeably discuss them again. With the exception of a properly-noticed public meeting, the Sunshine Law prohibits commissioners from discussing with one another city issues that could foreseeably come before them for a future vote. This includes phone calls, emails, text messages and social media platforms. The same restrictions apply to advisory board members.
LO C A L LY K N OW N . G LO B A L LY C O N N E C T E D.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND 2500 Gulf Drive N Laurie M Mock 941-232-3665 A4201859 $2,995,000
ANNA MARIA ISLAND 529 Key Royale Drive Hannah Hillyard 941.744.7358 A4184576 $1,955,000
ANNA MARIA ISLAND 110 7th Street S Judy LaValliere 941-504-3792 A4210751 $1,800,000
ANNA MARIA ISLAND 3708 Gulf Drive 1 Hannah Hillyard 941-744-7358 A4209523 $1,250,000
ANNA MARIA ISLAND 105 Park Avenue Ken Kavanaugh & Margo Love Story 941-799-1943 A4400428 $2,775,000
ANNA MARIA ISLAND 2509 Avenue C A Laurie M Mock 941-232-3665 A4208163 $595,000
ANNA MARIA ISLAND 2509 Avenue C B Laurie M Mock 941-232-3665 A4208192 $585,000
BR ADENTON 1317 Calle Grand Street Deborah Capobianco 941-704-2394 A4214765 $473,383
ANNA MARIA ISLAND 1710 Gulf Drive N E Hannah Hillyard 941-744-7358 A4215055 $1,955,000
ANNA MARIA ISLAND 505 S Bay Boulevard Debbie Vogler 941-705-3328 A4199179 $1,825,000
ANNA MARIA ISLAND 200 S Harbor Drive 1 Ken Kavanaugh, Jr 941-799-1943 A4215175 $1,250,000
BR ADENTON 7411 20th Avenue NW Debbie Vogler 941-705-3328 A4212644 $600,000
NEW CONSTRUCTION
MSC MORTGAGE | MSC TITLE | MS&C COMMERCIAL NEW HOMES & CONDOMINIUMS | RENTAL
S A R A S O TA 4643 Summerwind Drive 22 Toni Lyon 941-928-8735 A4214355 $125,000
8 8 8 . 552 . 52 2 8
BR ADENTON 7840 34th Avenue W 102 Barb Eberhart 614-204-7687 A4407509 $359,000
RENTAL ANNA MARIA ISLAND 309 65th Street A 3 Bed 2 Bath 3132 SqFt $2,600 Maria Kagin 941-779-4150 A4201388
michaelsaunders.com L I C E N S E D R E A L E S TAT E B R O K E R
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JULY 18, 2018
Additional building fees questioned A previously unenforced ordinance adopted in 2011 allows one year for the construction of a new home. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – Local builder Greg Ross is getting a refund for the $5,816 in additional permitting fees he paid to get a certificate of occupancy for the new home he built at 106 Park Ave. for Rick and Tracy Burke. Before his recent resignation, Building Official David Greenbaum levied additional permitting fees on Ross and others whose construction projects violated a previously unenforced 2011 city ordinance that allows one-year for construction. During their Thursday, July 12, meeting, Anna Maria commissioners, minus Carol Carter, who was absent, agreed that refunds would also be given to anyone else who paid an additional permitting fee. The commission supported requests by Ross and others to temporarily suspend enforcement of the ordinance until it can be reviewed and possibly rewritten. The commission supported Mayor Dan Murphy’s suggestion that temporary certificates of occupancy be issued to builder Pete Dospel and anyone else being delayed by Greenbaum’s actions. Section 74-65 of the city ordinances says construction must be completed within 12 months of the building permit issuance unless the owner qualifies for an extension. If not, the city won’t issue a certificate of occupancy, and the applicant must reapply for a new development permit.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Homeowner Russell Cascardo was surprised by the building official’s request for an additional $49,000 in permitting fees for his new home on Hammock Circle. Builder Greg Ross paid an additional $5,816 fee to get a certificate of occupancy for this Park Avenue home. The applicant then has two options: renew the local development permit for another year and pay the city a fee equal to the original permit fee or pay 10 percent of the cost of the original permit for each month that exceeds the original expiration date. Ross said several Anna Maria homes took longer than 12 months to build and he’s the first to be hit with an additional fee when seeking a certificate of occupancy for a completed project. He said the 12-month time frame was arbitrary, unjustified and may not comply with state law, and there’s another ordinance that addresses abandoned construction projects if that’s the concern. Builder Pete Dospel paid $400 to extend the building permit for Russell Cascardo’s new home at 313 Hammock Circle and, as of last Thursday, was still waiting for a certificate of occupancy. Dospel said when Greenbaum told him the city was going to start enforcing the ordinance, he asked Greenbaum for an an invoice for the amount owed to get a certificate of occupancy.
CHANTELLE LEWIN | SUN
“To be hit with a $49,000 invoice seems to me not very fair at all. I don’t know if it’s legal,” Dospel said, noting that every three-story home he’s built took longer than 12 months. Cascardo said not having a certificate of occupancy was preventing him from getting insurance, refinancing his land mortgage and getting garbage service. “We’re ready for the final (inspection), and my contractor told me there’s a penalty of $49,000,” Cascardo said. Commission Chair Doug Copeland said the commission needs more information about the ordinance, and he suggested a future work meeting discussion. Murphy then explained how this issue unfolded. He said the city’s code enforcement officer came to the city clerk several months ago and said the building official was waiving fees that shouldn’t be waived. The code enforcement officer provided a list of open permits and Murphy gave it to Greenbaum and asked about it. “I was originally told it had been
enforced on a partial basis. It would appear that we didn’t enforce it, and then suddenly the former building official decided to enforce it,” Murphy said. “It is not the city’s intention to suddenly penalize people for something we haven’t enforced in the past.” Commissioner Brian Seymour said he thought it was ridiculous to enforce an ordinance arbitrarily after seven years of non-enforcement, and he agreed it needs revision. Commissioner Dale Woodland was a commissioner in 2011, but he didn’t provide any insight as to why the ordinance was adopted. Builders Steve Titsworth, Kevin Hutchinson and Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association past president and Gator Plumbing owner Bill Smock also addressed the commission. “This ordinance is nothing more than a tax on custom home builders. Charging a duplicate fee for going over 12 months can’t be justified. I applaud you for what you already said you’re going to do,” Smock said.
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FLOOD: Ordinance approved FROM PAGE 29
happen,” she said, adding that being proactive will help to “put the city in a position of strength.” While the actual plans
for how to combat the onslaught of rising tides will be left up to city commissioners to determine and implement, an ordinance addressing the issue and
BUDGET: New fiscal year FROM PAGE 3
improving service to the community and speeding up the permitting process. In addition to the already budgeted items,
commissioners agreed to add $50,000 for dog park renovations and $15,000 to the budget for the services of City Planner Bill Brisson from carryover monies.
providing for a future plan is required by the state. Planning Commissioner Chuck Stealey said he’s concerned with the potential cost to homeowners To make the budget work, Hill recommended a 2.25 millage rate. The millage rate, figured at the number of mills per $1,000 of taxable property value. The adjusted taxable value for all applicable Holmes Beach properties is $1,950,802,312, up from $1,826,165,695, the final gross taxable value in the 2017-18 fiscal year. Though the millage rate stays the same, because of the increase in property values, the city’s income from ad valorem tax is expected to increase from $4,108,873 in the 2017-18 fiscal year to $4,433,170 in the coming fiscal year. To keep the level
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but understands that some action will need to be taken in the near future. “Thank you for your work,” he said to Burnett. “I don’t know anyone who’s opposed to what you’re doing.”
of income at the same rate as the current fiscal year, commissioners would have to vote to set the millage rate at the rollback rate of 2.1062 mills. Though 2.25 mills is the recommendation, commissioners have not yet voted on the millage rate for the coming year. Copies of the city’s draft budget are available to the public in the lobby at Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive. Commissioners will vote to set the maximum millage rate for the 2018-19 fiscal year at 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 24.
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FAMILY FUN At the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach: • Thursday, July 19, a veteran’s services professional will be available to help those with problems, 9 to 11 a.m.; Mad Science, 10 to 11 a.m.; Sunside Stitchers Knit and Crochet, 2 to 4 p.m. • Friday, July 20, Forty Carrots-Partners in Play, 10 to 11 a.m.; Mahjongg, 1 to 3 p.m. • Saturday, July 21, meditation, 11 a.m. to noon; Tween Craft: Slime Creation, ages 1218, 2 to 3:30 p.m., ages 12-18 2 to 3:30 p.m. • Tuesday, July 24, preschool story time, “All Shaped and Sizes, ”10 to 11 a.m.; Mahjongg, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. p.m. • Wednesday, July 11, Coloring Club, noon to 1 p.m. Call the library at 941-778-6341 for more information.
CALLING ALL NATURALISTS
The Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources is looking for a volunteer to help sustain a new project, the Science and Service Book Club, which meets again on Thursday, July 19, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the NEST at Robinson Preserve, 10299 9th Ave. N.W. The club consists of reading a book from science and history of Florida, talking about it and following it up with a restoration project in the preserve. This month will be “Power,” by Linda Hogan. This program is suitable for bookworms 14 and up. RSVP by emailing michelle.leahy@mymanatee.org or calling 941-742-5923, ext. 6035.
VIEW THE RED PLANET
Get an up-close view of Mars on Friday, July 20, from 10 p.m. to midnight at the Robinson Preserve expansion, 10299 9th Ave. N.W., in Bradenton. In late July, Mars will make a close approach, offering a view of the red planet that will not be seen again until 2050. This makes Mars the main attraction in a unique planetary lineup also featuring Saturn, Jupiter and Venus.
Local astronomers will be on -hand with dozens of telescopes set up to view this planetary event. Which is suitable for all ages. For more information or to let the organizers you are coming, call 941- 7484501 ext. 6039.
PRIVATEERS SAY ‘MERRY CHRISTMAS’
The Anna Maria Island Privateers will celebrate Christmas in July on Saturday, July 21, at 5 p.m. at the Drift In on Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach. Santa arrives on his sleigh at 6 p.m. Also scheduled for that time is a potluck lunch. Bring a dish or donate money. There will be a lotto board featuring $200 in tickets and $100 cash. Two booze baskets will be raffled. Tickets can be pre-purchased at the Drift In. Ask for Doreen. Proceeds go to the Christmas Family in Manatee County charity.
GREEK COMMUNITIES EXHIBIT OPENS
The Florida Maritime Museum, at 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, will host a traveling exhibit from Tarpon Springs on Friday, Aug.
JULY 18, 2018
3, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The opening reception for "Greek Communities of Tarpon Springs and the Bahamas: An Intertwined History," will be held on Friday, Aug, 3, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The sponge industry in Florida and the Caribbean has been a prosperous international endeavor since the 19th century. With the exception of Key West, by the early 20thcentury sponge businesses throughout the Americas were controlled by Dodecanese Greeks—and their communities became important to the cultural fabric of the host countries. Funded by the Florida Humanities Council through the city of Tarpon Springs and curated by Dr. Tina Bucuvalas, this exhibition explores historical, familial, and cultural connections between the closely related Bahamian and Tarpon Springs communities. The opening reception will be held on Friday, Aug. 3, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Visitors can enjoy light refreshments courtesy of the Florida Maritime Museum. RSVP is appreciated at (941) 708-6121 or fmminfo@ manateeclerk.com.
COYOTES: Sighted in Holmes Beach FROM PAGE 5
On July 4, Holmes Beach resident David Zaccagnino saw a coyote near Avenue E and 29th Street. This occurred around midnight, and the 19-year Island resident said he was shocked to see a coyote in his neighborhood. “It looked freaked out from all the fireworks. It might have been scared out of the mangroves,” he said, noting the coyote Wooten photographed was bigger than the one he saw. Facebook user Matt Shafer posted that he recently saw three coyotes while walking at night with his dog at Bean Point in Anna Maria, and the coyotes were stalking them. Facebook user Tom McFarland posted that he recently saw three coyotes crossing one
based Wildlife Inc. Education and Rehabilitation Center, said he received a call from the Holmes Beach Police Department on Monday, July 9, and referred the caller to Animal Services because the animal was reported as possibly being injured. Straight said Animal Services will respond to a call about a sick or injured coyote but the agency is not expected to respond to calls about healthy coyotes. “They’re too smart to trap, and they’re too big to get one of those loops around their neck. They’d almost have to be tranquilized to remove them – and that’s pretty hard with a moving target. We don’t have any way of capturing them, and they don’t need to be captured. We might do it if FWC asked us to
help, but normally they don’t want us rehabbing them. They’re considered exotics, so if we get one, we’d either have to put it down or take them to a refuge, which is not a very good place for a coyote to spend its life,” Straight said. “I don’t think they’re dangerous to people unless somebody starts feeding them. They’re afraid of people and usually run the other way. If you value your cats and little dogs don’t put them out at night. They definitely like cats, and they can jump a pretty high fence. We’ve always felt like it’s a matter of time before they’re out here because they’re everywhere else in Manatee County,” Straight said.
Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce July business card exchange, The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, 5 to 7 p.m. Cost is $5 per member or $10 per prospective member. Reserve to 941778-1541 or info@amichamber.org.
Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m. Jam in the Sand, Anna Maria Island Beach Café, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 5 to 8 p.m.
SATURDAY
THURSDAY
Roser-Robics chair-based exercise class, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m. Forty Carrots, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Intermediate bridge session, The Paradise Center, 567 Bay Isles Rd., Longboat Key, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., $10, includes coffee and cookies. Reserve to maryannbrady@theparadisecenter.org or 941-383-6493. Mahjong, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m. Sunset drum circle, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
of the Island bridges.
AGENCY INSIGHT
When contacted last week, Lt. Louis Hinds, from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said, “We don’t get involved unless somebody asks us to get involved. We don’t actively trap them or destroy them unless they’re causing a problem. If people give them their space and leave them alone, they’ll move on eventually. You don’t want to let your small cats or dogs outside unattended because they will snatch those up as animals of opportunity.” Hinds said coyotes do not pose a threat to humans. Ed Straight, from the Bradenton Beach-
MARK YOUR CALENDAR from Page 7
ecenter.org or 941-383-6493. Social bridge games, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, noon. Smartphone basics workshop, The Paradise Center, 567 Bay Isles Rd., Longboat Key, 1 p.m., $10. Reserve to maryannbrady@theparadisecenter.org or 941-383-6493.
TUESDAY JULY 24
Preschool story time, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Mahjong, Island Branch Library, 5701 Maririve, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.
WEDNESDAY JULY 25
Gentle chair yoga, Anna Maria Island Art League, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach, noon. Coloring club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, noon.
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Veteran services information, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 9 a.m. Roser-Robics chair-based exercise class, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m. Zumba and mat pilates for seniors, The Paradise Center, 567 Bay Isles Rd., Longboat Key,10 a.m., $10 per class. Reserve to maryannbrady@theparadisecenter.org or 941-383-6493. Out of My Hands, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Seaside Quilters, Island Branch Library, 5701
FRIDAY JULY 27
JULY 28
NEST Nature Days, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. NW, Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. CPR Training, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 9 a.m. to noon. Reserve to 941-778-6341. Healing meditation, Anna Maria Island Art League, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach, 11 a.m. End of Summer Bash and library photo scavenger hunt, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.
SUNDAY JULY 29
Beach Market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information call 941-518-4431.
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JULY 18, 2018
OBITUARIES Reinhard E. Mueller Reinhard E. Mueller, 74, of Bradenton, died July 8, 2018. Born in Memel, Germany, he moved to Bradenton in 2000 from Massachusetts. He was a graduate of the University of Connecticut, where he met his wife, Ellen, and he attended Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. He is survived by his wife, Ellen, his sons, Ronald (Elise) and Eric (Marie) and his granddaughter, Erica. A memorial service was held on Saturday, July 21, 2018, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, Fla. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory, 43rd Street Chapel, is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be made to www. brownandsonsfuneral.com
Russell J. Rickard Russell J. Rickard, 65, of Anna Maria Island, died July 3, 2018.
BEACH BEAT ANNA MARIA
7/5, trespass warning, Rod and Reel restaurant, 875 N. Shore Drive. An intoxicated man causing a disturbance was told to leave and not come back. 7/5, domestic disturbance, possession of paraphernalia and controlled substance, obstructing without violence, 412 Magnolia Ave. The deputy on patrol found a man lying on his back in the roadway with drugs in plain sight. He was arrested.
BRADENTON BEACH
7/7, Possession of drugs with intent to sell, 103 Gulf Drive S. The officer on patrol witnessed a drug transaction and called for backup. He secured the seller and conducted a search, finding drugs. 7/10, lost vehicle tag, Manatee County Marine Rescue Headquarters, 2651 Gulf Drive S. The tag on a boat trailer was missing.
CORTEZ
6/7, grand theft, 4511 123rd St. W. and 4415 119th St. W. Two mosquito traps belonging to the county were stolen. 7/10, motor vehicle theft, Annie’s Bait and Tackle, 4334 127th St. W. The
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Born in Toledo, Ohio, he moved to Anna Maria Island in 1982. He was a member of the Moose Lodge. Russ fought a hard, courageous battle. He passed away with his loved ones by his side. He is survived by his wife, Lorie, son, Alex, and step son, Christopher Overbey. A celebration of life was held on July 15, 2018, at 3 p.m. at 315 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, FL 34216. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to be made to the Tidewell Hospice House of Manatee County. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory, 43rd Street Chapel, is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be made to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.
Bruce Tymeson, Sr. The day after celebrating his 79th birthday, our dearly beloved Bruce Tymeson, Sr., unexpectedly went home to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 24, 2018. Born on June 23, 1939, in Upper Montclair, N.J., of parents Grace
victim left his car in the parking lot to get some bait and when he returned, the vehicle was gone.
HOLMES BEACH
7/3, grand theft auto, 200 block of 29th Street. The victim said her SUV was stolen overnight. She said she might have left the door unlocked, and there was a key inside. The next day, the car was recovered in Bradenton by Bradenton Police. 7/6, warrant arrest, Manatee County Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive. The officer noticed a car in the parking lot after hours. He found a man and woman in the car and ran a computer check on them. The male had a warrant for his arrest from Alachua County. 7/6, larceny, 2800 block of Avenue E. The victim returned with his family from dinner and found a red beach tent and blue skim board were taken from the front of his rental home. 7/7, domestic battery, 6250 Holmes Blvd. The defendant was involved in an accident at that address, and she got out and told her passenger that she was to blame and started beating her. She was arrested. 7/8, alcohol violation, Manatee County Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive. Marine Rescue complained to police that two males, a female juvenile and a female adult were consuming beer on the beach. They confessed
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Oefinger and Lester Tymeson, Bruce graduated from Bloomfield High in 1957. Upon graduation, he entered the USMC serving until 1962. He then graduated from the Plainfield, N.J. Police Academy, and served in law enforcement during the New Jersey riots. He later moved to Anna Maria Island, Fla., where he continued his law enforcement career in Longboat Key, then onto the city of Anna Maria where he was chief of police. During Vice-President Hubert H. Humphrey’s campaign for president, Bruce served as Humphrey’s personal bodyguard. After serving in law enforcement for 20 years, Bruce became manager of Crowder Brosthers Hardware, then True Value Home Hardware stores. He retired at the age of 75 years, moving to Lake City, Fla. Bruce was a devoted born-again Christian. He is survived by his wife, Dianne, six children, 21 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and his loyal companion, Holly.
and were told to not do it again. The female adult was ticketed for giving her daughter (the female juvenile) a sip of beer. 7/8, illegal turn, no vehicle registration, 4000 Gulf Drive. The officer stopped the defendant for not stopping at a four-way, red light-flashing intersection. The driver said the car he was driving belonged to a friend, and it does not have a registration. He was ticketed, and the car was towed. 7/9, larceny/theft, former business, Funky Island, 5704 Marina Drive. The owner of the former business said an employee he fired had been stealing from him. He was amassing evidence and said he would contact when he was finished. 7/9, possession of marijuana, 600 Manatee Ave. The officer stopped the defendant because she failed to stop at a four-way, red lightflashing intersection. As the officer checked the driver’s information, the deputy told her he detected a slight smell of marijuana. The officer asked the driver if she smoked marijuana, and she said she had since she had cancer. When asked if there was some in the car, she said no. He conducted a search in the car and found a tin container with pot and paraphernalia. She was ticketed for the traffic offense and got a citation for the drugs.
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FUN IN THE SUN
Across 1 "I'm all __ it": "Yes" 4 Pennies: Abbr. 7 "Later, dude" 10 Mil. strongholds 13 Long Island university 15 Demonic laugh 17 *Official emergency status 18 Month that once was eighth 19 Walked (on) 20 *Angler's skill 22 One getting private lessons 24 Go down to defeat 25 __ Martin: Bond's car 28 Garlicky sauce 32 Frozen over 33 *#1 hit 39 Venue for exercise swimming 41 Old golf club named for its copper alloy-plated face 42 *One who rats to the cops 44 Spanish Mrs. 45 Selassie worshiper 46 Type in 48 Arduous journey 51 In style again 54 *Floater in a luxurious bath 58 "__ end up" 62 Existing independent of experience, in logic 63 List including nachos, sliders, wings, etc. ... and what the starts of the answers to starred clues comprise? 65 Another year of Time, say
66 "Canyon With Crows" artist Georgia 67 '60s radical gp. 68 Antlered beast 69 Opposite of ENE 70 Birthday gift for a tot Down 1 Almanac item 2 Smell often funky 3 Decorate anew 4 Basic technique in EMT training 5 Stealing 6 Move laterally 7 Coll. hotshot 8 Female leadership org. 9 Grub 10 One-named Milanese model 11 If-__: conditional statements 12 NCO nickname 14 Resulted in 16 "MASH" nickname 21 Wine label number 23 7-Up nickname 25 Afflicts 26 Ella's style 27 Wrong-key error
Answers to 07-11-18 Crossword Puzzle.
29 Beatles' "Let __" 30 Other, in Oaxaca 31 Car borrowed from a dealer 34 One-footed jumps 35 Landed 36 Whispered "Hey!" 37 The Auld Sod 38 Stern area 40 Trademark Buster Keaton hat with a culinary name 43 Clothing 47 "I didn't do it" 48 Nicholas II was the last of them in Russia 49 Caught, as dogies 50 Gets by working 52 "Funny bone" spot 53 Hardwood trees 55 Boxer Riddick 56 It borders Siberia in the game of Risk 57 Defraud 59 Strain to lift 60 Recon collection 61 Chop __ 64 Remote button with left-pointing arrows: Abbr.
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JULY 18, 2018
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ANNOUNCEMENTS FACE PAINTER/PORTRAIT ARTIST Island student artist, reasonable price for parties, events, and special portraits. Call/text Lillian 210-380-9691 FREE PANASONIC FAX Machine. Call 941-778-3986 THE BEST VOLUNTEER position on the island. The AMI Historical Museum needs docents and bread makers. Call Lynn at 813-758-3234 or lbrennan47@gmail.com ROSER FOOD BANK needs donations of cash and non-perishable food. Donations boxes are located at the Church, Moose Club, and Walgreen’s. WEBSITE DOMAIN NAMES FOR SALE AMIV.COM & ANNAMARIAISLANDVACATION.COM $1,000 for both. INFO@AMIV.COM
BOATS: SALES & RENTALS ISLAND BOAT SALES No Listing Contracts, No Time Constraints, No Hassle. “Business On A Hand Shake” We Also Buy Boats. Dave 941-228-3489 9'4" SUN DOLPHIN WATER TENDER $349 Excellent condition, includes oars, cost $719. Got registration. Call/email Michael 941-201-4411 mj@buckleys.co
CARPET CLEANING QUALITY COUNTS. CARPET cleaning. Upholstery cleaning. Tile & grout cleaning. Island's favorite cleaner. Manatee Chamber Member. Great price/free estimates. Call 941-756-1082
CLEANING SERVICE TOTAL HOME SERVICE CLEANING : Residential, Commercial & Rentals. Professional and Reliable. Call 941-756-4570 THOMPSON CLEANING SERVICE CommercialResidential-Marine. Island Based Company. Seasonal Deep Cleaning-Weekly-Occasional. Call for Free Estimate. 317-908-9483
Call us today! 941-778-3986
AUTHORITY ONE SERVICES. Residential/Commercial/Vacation Rentals & Construction Cleaning. Also Power Washing, Windows, Paver Sealing & Roof Cleaning. Ask about your Senior Citizens Discount Call 941-251-5948 or 941565-3931 PIERLY MAID CLEANING SERVICE – Two former city pier employees will make your residence, rental, vacation home or business purely shine. Free Estimates. 941-447-2565 or 941-565-0312
COMMERCIAL SALES WAREHOUSE: 9300 sq ft possible Machine Shop with Heavy Duty Elect. Or Car Storage, So many Possibilities. Near SRQ Airport. $629,000 RESORT: 13 UNITS $4,999,000 Bradenton Beach. Island Real Estate Alan Galletto 941-232-2216 TWO COMMERCIAL SPACES for Lease. Great Visibilityon Very Busy Street in Holmes Beach. Lots of parking. First space 1045sf at $3050/ mo. Second space 1357sf at $3950/mo. 5702 Marina Dr. Call Today! 812-679-6507. Won't Last Long!
COMPUTER SERVICES EMPIRE COMPUTER SERVICE Computer problems fixed in your home or office. The fastest friendliest service around. Serving the Island since 2004. Call 941-739-6424
EMPLOYMENT
TWO SCOOPS – Anna Maria Island’s Favorite… is now hiring part-time associates. Varied shifts available – must be able to work nights and weekends. A great place to work and have a little fun…looking for a few friendly people. Food prep. or server experience preferred. Great pay! Apply today…Two Scoops 101 S. Bay Blvd. Unit A-2, Anna Maria NAIL TECH EXPERIENCED – take over clientele at busy LBK salon. Excellent yearround part time income opportunity 941-387-9807.
FISHING CHARTERS CAPT. MAC GREGORY Fishing Charters. Full Day, Half Day, Night, Inshore & Near Shore. 941-809-5783 U.S.C.G. Certified/Insured
GARAGE, MOVING, RUMMAGE & YARD SALES ROSER THRIFT SHOP Open 9:30am-2pm, Tuesday, Thursday. 10am-1pm Saturday Donations preferred 9am-11am Wednesdays. 511 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Phone 941-779-2733
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BATH ROOM REMODELING. Anna Maria Home Accents. 25 years experience. Call 786-318-8585 LIGHTHOUSE PROPERTY INNOVATIONS LLC State Certified General Contractor (Lic. #CGC 1515821) New Construction, Renovations & Additions. Call 941-266-7500
HOME SERVICES HOME REPAIR. Anna Maria Home Accents. 25 years experience. Call 786-318-8585
HAULING SITE CLEAN-UP to trash outs we can handle it all. Call us for your dumpsters/ trash needs today 941-7538772
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 # CRC1327296. Call Jerry Kern 941-7781115 www.kernconstructioninc.com WALY PRECISION PAINTING: painting, drywall, stucco, and remodeling, commercial/residential, licensed & insured. Call 941-448-1928 or 941-465-6324 www. WalyPrecisionPainting.us DECKOUT MASTER CARPENTER Everything Patio & Dock Decking Work Repair, Replace, Maintenance Work, Cleaning, Treatments, New Decks. Also Handyman/Painting work to home or office. Call RICHARD Bespoke Service 941-448-3571 Island Resident. FENCING, CAN'T GET ANYBODY? Wood, Vinyl. New or Repair. Call Richard. Free Estimates. 941-448-3571 Bespoke Services.
GK HOME & PERSONAL SERVICES *Homewatch Service *Handyman Service *Landscaping & Irrigation Work *Pre and Post Tenant Cleanouts *Storm Board Up's ANYTHING you need help with give me a call! Local, Reliable and Professional 508-221-7486 THE HARDWOOD STOP Flooring installation services; Laminate, hardwood, vinyl and tile. Bathroom and shower. Virtually dustless FLOOR REMOVAL License and insured FREE ESTIMATES 941-227-0041 www. thehardwoodstop.com
LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE
R. GAROFALO’S Interlocking brick pavers, driveways, patios, pool decks. Free estimates. Licensed & Insured. Call Rafael 941-778-4823 or Veronik 941-526-7941 SHELL DELIVERED AND spread $55/yd. Hauling all kinds of gravel, mulch, top soil with free estimates. Call Larry at 941-795-7775, "shell phone" 941-720-0770 STRAIGHT SHOT LANDSCAPE. Specializing in Old Florida Seashell driveways and scapes. Also Rock, Mulch, & Soil. Free estimates. Call Shark Mark 941-301-6067
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LEGAL NOTICE
MOVING & STORAGE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: NORMS TOWING gives Notice of Foreclosure of Lien and intent to sell these vehicles on 08/15/2018, 09:00 am at 1855 63RD AVENUE E. BRADENTON, FL 34203, pursuant to subsection 713.78 of the Florida Statutes. NORMS TOWING reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all bids.
MARTIN’S MOVING YOUR Island movers! Offering dependable, competitive rates. No hidden costs. 941-809-5777.
1B3EJ46XXWN305579 1998 DODGE 1C3CCBCG9CN304304 2012 CHRYSLER 1FMZU63K34UC38687 2004 FORD 1FUYSSEB1VL884726 1997 FREIGHTLINER 1G1PA5SH8F7253393 2015 CHEVROLET 1GTGG25V341900269 2004 GENERAL MOTORS CORP 1HGCG56712A055128 2002 HONDA 1NXBU4EE7AZ334136 2010 TOYOTA 2C3HD46RX1H712490 2001 CHRYSLER 2D4GP44L96R630414 2006 DODGE 4S4BSAFC6J3298611 2018 SUBARU 5FNRL5H93CB097618 2012 HONDA 5XXGM4A78EG313535 2014 KIA JT3GN86R4W0075575 1998 TOYOTA KMHDU4AD8AU014703 2010 HYUNDAI
LOST & FOUND LOST WHITE GOLD 18 carat wedding band on Anna Maria Island on beach near Sandbar Restaurant. Call 352-484-4040 if found. LOST ON AMI near the curve at Bradenton beach in the gulf a small red ricoh underwater camera and a size 14 gold wedding band of 25 years. reward if found. Has very sentimental pictures that I cannot duplicate the camera had a half of a lanyard attached to it and on the clip of the lanyard was my wedding ring. Call 205-223-1548 LOST THICK STERLING Silver Ring between the Moose and Beach House Restaurant. Call 941-2431444 LOST I-PHONE 8 Plus on Cortez to Gulf Dr to Holmes Beach. LifeProof Greenish Case. Call 224545-4274
TWO MEN and a TRUCK. Movers who care. Local and Long distance. www. twomen.com Call 941-3591904. We sell boxes!
PAINTING & WALLCOVERING PAINT! PAINT! AND MORE 28 years of experienced interior/exterior custom painting. Pressure cleaning, drywall repairs and texture finishes. Many Island references. Please call Neil for free estimates. 941-812-0507 “WIZARD OF WALLS” Established 1980 Prompt quality service. Paperhanging/removal Faux finishes. Interior painting. Mary Bell Winegarden 941-794-0455 PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reliable. Island Resident. Quality Workmanship. Interior/Exterior. Also minor repairs & carpentry. Free written detailed estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315 BAYSIDE COMMERCIAL PAINTING. David Padyani Call 941-565-9446 or Larry Zimmer 941-2248123 Licensed & Insured
PERSONAL SERVICES CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER 10+ years experience. Specializing in balance improvement, strength training before/ after hip/knee replacement. Workout in your home or train with me at “The Center” of Anna Maria Island. Contact Stephanie Belill at (941) 302-1797 or stephbelill@gmail.com CNA LOOKING FOR a live-in and/or 12 hr day. Available August 27. 33 yrs experience. Reliable, dependable, caring, respectful and honest. Excellent references/reside in Bradenton. Work for myself not thru a company. Contact me at 941-705-6197 or carrieherrald@gmail.com
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POOL SERVICES FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE AND CHEMICAL SERVICES. Certified Pool Operator. Residential/commercial. Chemical Service Licensed & Insured. Call Dennis Clark 941-737-5657 COLE'S TROPICAL POOL SERVICE Call Cole Bowers for all your pool maintenance needs! Affordable and Dependable!! 941-7131893
PRINTING CUSTOM DIGITAL PRINTING "Your printing dream to reality" Specializing in Dye sublimation Printing. Graphic Design. Performance Active ware. Logo Design. Call Rhonda 330-550-4847
PROFESSIONAL PRESSURE & WINDOW WASHING AUTHORITY ONE CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Construction and Vacation Rentals . Also available Power Washing, Roof Cleaning and Windows. Call 941-251-5948
REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE
FROM THE LOW $300’s. Only minutes from the beach, this new active adult community is perfectly located just south of Manatee Ave, off Village Green Pkwy. Perfectly designed, open 2BR or 3BR/2BA plus den & 2CG floor plans. Luxurious amenities, pool, spa, gym, pickle ball and fenced-in dog park. HOA only $209/ month. Models open daily. Contact us 941254-3330 www.MirabellaFlorida.com
Call us today! 941-778-3986
{INVESTOR OPPORTUNITY!!} 6BR canal home, approved for 14 guests, in Anna Maria’s quaint shopping area. Restaurants and island beaches just outside your front door! This extraordinary home is also the perfect family getaway and the fisherman’s dream. $2,495,000. Wagner Realty, Karen Day Fineout. 941518-3682 / 800-211-2323. karenfineday@aol.com INCREDIBLE NEW CONSTRUCTION Home on Pine Ave! Prime location to shops, restaurants, bay and beach! $2,400,000 Call Charles Buky Coldwell Banker 941-228-6086 CANAL FRONT HOMES Holmes Beach - Key Royale GULF FRONT CONDOS Gulf Place, L’Plage, Vista Grande & MORE. Island Real Estate ASK Alan Galletto 941-232-2216 PERICO ISLAND 2BR/2BA Condo. Great WATER VIEWS New Floors! $279,900. Screened Porch and a Patio. Call Sharon Hightower RE/MAX Alliance Group 941-330-5054 PERICO ISLAND NEW LISTING Townhouse 3BR/3BA Renovated All New everything. Gorgeous Model Condition. Walk in Closets. Call Today for Showing. Priced to Sell! $310,000. Call Sharon Hightower RE/MAX Alliance Group 941-330-5054
INVESTOR'S DREAM only 4 houses from the beach, adorable 2BR/2BA cottage North End for $629,000. 2017 income=68K CASH FLOWS. Call Kathleen White Island Real Estate at 941-773-0165. AnnaMariaSales.com INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY! GROSSING OVER $90K/ YR – 5BR/4BA home with elevator only one block from the beach $1,395,000, Call Erin Heckler Island Real Estate at 941-448-5616 AnnaMariaSales.com LOOKING FOR A SECOND HOME? GULF FRONT 1BR/1BA well maintained ground floor unit with 2 heated pools $354,000. Call Jason Hrnak Island Real Estate at 941-7736572 AnnaMariaSales.com
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 Ed DUNCAN REAL ESTATE 941-779-0304 www.teamduncan.com ANNUAL RENTAL and CONDOMINIUM Association management serviced by (2) offices open 7 days a week! Contact junew@ islandreal.com – 941-3451295 - Island Real Estate of Anna Maria Island, Inc.
JULY 18, 2018
1BR FULLY FURNISHED. Pool, Condo all utilities and fees. Beach access one block from beach. $1550/ mo. Annual Lease. No Pets Call 941-778-1915 NW BRADENTON CATALINA Subdivision. 3BR/2BA/2CG Split plan on Lagoon. Available July 15. $1800/mo. First, Last & Security Deposit. Credit check. Call 941-8092488 for Appointment 2BR/2BA GROUND LEVEL in the UTC area. $1500. 1st, last, sec dep. 1BR/1BA GROUND LEVEL in Bradenton Beach. $1200 1st, last, sec dep. No Pets. Call A Paradise Realty. 941-778-4800 ANNUAL RENTAL 1BR/1BA Large back yard, huge shaded common area. First, Last & $1000 security deposit. No Dogs $1295/ mo. Call 941-705-7463 KEY ROYALE CANAL HOME Monthly or Seasonal Rental. 4BR/3BA recently upgraded. Large Master Suite, 2nd ensuite, pool, spa and pool bath. 2 Car garage. $3500/mo includes utilities. Call Gregg AMI beaches Real Estate 941799-9096 ANNUAL RENTAL Best neighborhood in Bradenton Beach. Quiet street, low traffic area, 2300sf, 1 block to beach, 2 blocks to bay. 4BR/3BA New kitchen with gas stove. Open concept. 5 rooms plus large pantry on ground floor, 2BR/2BA and sundeck upstairs. $2,600/mo plus utilities. First-last plus $300 deposit. 941-580-5747
ROOM FOR RENT, Holmes Beach. Monthly includes cable TV and utilities. Call 941-565-2403
RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACA TION TIFFANY PLACE Gulf Front Condo for Rent Incredible views from living room and master bedroom. 2BR/2BA Green Real Estate Call 941-778-0455 ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fl Condos. Pool beach access, fully equipped $650-$800/ wk Redekercondos.com 941-704-7525 SEASONAL RENTALS AVAILABLE: Spring, Summer and Fall. CITY OF ANNA MARIA 2BR/2BA Bay Front. HOLMES BEACH 2BR/2BA 400’ to Gulf Bay. Horizon Realty of Anna Maria 941-778-0426 kringco@ tampabay.rr.com GREAT RATES! Weekly, Monthly. 3BR/2BA NW Bradenton. Call Grace 941-201-2190 HOLMES BEACH 1.5 BLOCKS to Beach. Completely updated 2BR/2BA. Available December 2018 thru April 1, 2019. $4500/mo Nelson & Associates Real Estate. Call 863-6401864
HOLMES BEACH GULF FRONT – Five 1BR/1BA units including Island original beach cottage. Spectacular, spacious beachfront wildflower meadow and shady patio area. Summer rates from $1,250/week plus taxes & cleaning. Alice: 813-230-4577.
TRANSPORTATION AMI TAXI metered-on-callcards accepted. Airport: Tampa $95, Sarasota $40, Clearwater $85, Orlando $165. Call 800-301-4816. amitaxi4u@gmail.com, www.amitaxi.com ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all airports, appointments, casino, cruises, etc. Tampa $65. Sarasota $30. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-779-5095
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