REAL ESTATE

THE SUN REAL ESTATE

Add one more problem to the list

Iwas at lunch recently with friends and we talked about new vocabulary words that may come out of the pandemic, like covid brain, covid dining and covid social distancing. Real estate has always had its own set of buzz words, so it’s likely that covid will add several more. How about covid-renovated homes, covid-sized, covidready furniture, covid home office, covid learning labs – well, you get the picture.

Unfortunately, about a week ago the Miami Herald published an extensive article about what may be Florida’s newest covid word: “covid wind insurance.”

The Herald didn’t actually call the increase in wind insurance in our state “covid,” but we might as well blame it on the virus since I’m sure there has to be a connection, like the high unemployment rate. According to the Miami Herald, home insurance is getting a lot more expensive in the state, which already has the highest property insurance rates in the country.

Castles in the Sand

LOUISE BOLGER

The reason for this is the increased premiums in reinsurance.

Reinsurance is insurance for insurers or stop-loss insurance. It acts as a buffer for insurers to transfer portions of their risk to other parties. The object is to keep the insurance companies afloat and guarantee there is enough cash to pay claims in the event of a devasting storm with multiple losses.

This year, reinsurance premiums rose by an estimated 26%, the highest since 2005 when Florida experienced back-toback hurricanes. It frequently takes years to determine the real cost of claims after a storm. For example, Hurricane Irma’s

initial estimate of damage in 2017 was around $9 billion, a figure that experts predicted was manageable. However, that initial dollar amount has risen to $17 billion in just three years. Reinsurers also point to the increase in lawsuits and the resulting legal bills for insurance companies pushing up the premiums.

One of the major worries here, in addition to the financial aspect, is homeowners with no mortgages on their property dropping coverage. Lenders require adequate insurance coverage on any properties they hold the mortgage on as a condition of granting the mortgage, but homeowners without mortgages frequently assume the risk of not insuring.

Insurers are already dropping South Florida clients, stating the cost is prohibitive for them to do business. This will increase the number of properties being insured by Citizens, the state-owned insurer of last resort. Obviously, this is bad news for the entire state since all Florida

residents will be on the hook to make up any shortfall in funds as a result of a major storm. Florida does have a large pot of money known as the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund to fall back on, but adding private insurers is the better way.

There is one way to help mitigate hurricane damage to your residence - build a round home. Round home construction is aerodynamic and in theory prevents wind from building up enough pressure on any one side, avoiding a structural failure. The roof is also constructed with an optimal pitch, deflecting winds and reducing lift. If you’re interested, check out Deltec Homes, an Asheville, N.C. company that is building these homes along the Atlantic coast.

So, let’s see, we have a pandemic, soaring infection rates in Florida, a busierthan-average hurricane season and now, of course, insurance rates are going up. Part of this is the price we pay for living in paradise and part of it is our covid cross to bear. Stay safe.

Anna Maria Commissioner Carol Carter is a strong advocate for cities’ home rule rights.

BY JOE HENDRICKS

SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – The Florida League of Cities (FLC) has recognized Anna Maria City Commissioner and ManaSota League of Cities member Carol Carter as a Home Rule Hero.

In recent years, Carter has dedicated significant time and effort to preserving the city of Anna Maria’s ability to enact and enforce local vacation rental regulations.

On Thursday, June 25, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy presented Carter with her award.

“The Florida League of Cities has presented Commissioner Carter with the Home Rule Hero award for doing outstanding work in attempting to preserve home rule for cities within the state of Florida. We are exceptionally proud of everything you’ve done. It’s a well-deserved award. I know you’ve worked tirelessly to preserve home rule and we

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy presented Commissioner Carol Carter with her Home Rule Hero award.

certainly thank you for your efforts,” Murphy said.

After accepting the award, Carter said she feels privileged to have the opportunity to work on preserving home rule rights in Anna Maria

and in other small and large cities throughout Florida.

“We live here, we are with the people and we know better what is right and good for our community,” Carter said.

According to the FLC website, the League is recognizing more than 100 municipal officials with Home Rule Hero awards for their work during the Florida Legislature’s 2020 legislative session.

“Home Rule Hero Award recipients are local government officials, both elected and nonelected, who consistently responded to the League’s request to reach out to members of the legislature and help give a local perspective on an issue. They worked tirelessly throughout the legislative session to promote local voices making local choices, protect the home rule powers of Florida’s municipalities and advance the League’s legislative agenda,” the FLC website says.

“These are some of our biggest advocates for municipal issues, and they’re shining examples of local advocacy in action. On behalf of the League and its legislative team, we’re proud to recognize each of them, and we thank them for their service,” Legislative Director Scott Dudley said at the FLC website.

Saharan sunset

CINDY LANE | SUN

Saharan dust has reached the Gulf of Mexico off Anna Maria Island, causing hazy skies and vibrant sunsets. The Saharan Air Layer is a mass of dry, dusty air that forms over the Sahara Desert from mid-June to mid-August, blowing over the tropical North Atlantic every three to five days, according to NOAA. The warmth, dryness and strong winds associated with Saharan dust have been shown to suppress tropical cyclone formation and intensification, but their iron content is believed to contribute to the growth of red tide.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Manatee County’s ongoing force main replacement project rendered the west end of Fifth Street South unpassable during the Fourth of July weekend.

Force main replacement project continues

According to the Manatee County Public Works Department, the installation of the sanitary sewer line along Sixth Street South in Bradenton Beach has been completed and the roadway is being restored. Construction crews are working on the installation of the sanitary sewer line on Fifth Street South. Both streets are experiencing travel lane interruptions and closures and should be avoided if possible until the work is completed in August.

941.780.8000 CindyQuinnRealtor.com

Top real estate producers for June 2020

A PARADISE Mary Burke - Listing Catie Seip - Selling

AN ISLAND PLACE REALTY Sue Carlson - Listing Tanya McCormick & Lance Collins - Selling

DUNCAN REAL ESTATE Darcie Duncan – Listing & Selling

EDGEWATER REAL ESTATE Lynn Zemmer - Listing & Selling FRAN MAXON REAL ESTATE Stephanie Bell – Listing Sharon & Tim Villars – Selling

ISLAND REAL ESTATE Alan Galletto - Listing Ryan Sheck – Selling

MICHAEL SAUNDERS Victoria Sperounes – Listing Hannah Hillyard & George Myers- Selling

MIKE NORMAN Chet Coleman – Listing & Selling PREMIER SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY Shellie Young – Listing & Selling

REMAX ALLIANCE GROUP Christine Kourik – Listing Duane Finney - Selling

SALTY MERMAID REAL ESTATE Nicole Skaggs – Listing Jason Hrnak - Selling

SATO REAL ESTATE Jason Sato – Listing & Selling

WAGNER REAL ESTATE Carol Codella – Listing & Selling

May 2020 tourist tax collections compared to May 2019

Anna Maria Bradenton Beach Holmes Beach Manatee County Total*

*(Anna Maria Island, Bradenton, Longboat Key, unincorporated Manatee County, Palmetto)

Manatee County’s 5% resort tax, or tourist tax, is collected from owners of accommodations rented for six months or less who charge the tax to their renters, in most cases, tourists. About 50% of the tax proceeds are allocated to Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau tourism marketing efforts, with 20% allocated to beach renourishment. The tax also partially funds tourismrelated attractions such as the Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria piers. Amounts shown were collected in May and paid to the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office in June. Manatee County totals include Anna Maria Island cities, Bradenton, the portion of Longboat Key within Manatee County, unincorporated Manatee County and Palmetto. To anonymously report a rental owner who may not be paying the tax, call 941-741-4809 or visit http://www. taxcollector.com/tdt-evader.cfm Source: Manatee County Tax Collector

AMI Moose Lodge reopens, again

An amended emergency order issued by DBPR Secretary Halsey Beshears last week allowed the AMI Moose lodge to reopen.

BY JOE HENDRICKS

SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – The Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge in Bradenton Beach reopened Monday morning after recently being forced to close for a second time during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“I hope this is the last time we have to shut this place down,” Lodge Governor Steve Boniberger said Monday morning after the lodge reopened at 11 a.m.

“It’s really good to be open again,” Lodge Administrator Byron Dalton said.

On March 17, Gov. Ron DeSantis prohibited Florida bars, nightclubs and other establishments that generate more than 50% of their revenues from selling alcohol for on-site consumption. That action forced the Moose lodge and most stand-alone bars to close. The stand-alone bars that remained open were limited to package and takeout services only. DeSantis lifted his order on June 5 and the lodge reopened on Friday, June 12.

On Friday, June 26 – in response to a surge in new COVID-19 cases – the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) issued an emergency order, EO 2020- 09, that once again prohibited standalone bars and other nonrestaurant establishments from selling alcohol for consumption on their premises. This forced the Moose Lodge to close for a second time.

The DBPR order allowed restaurants and other establishments that generate less than 50% of their revenues from alcohol sales to continue serving alcohol for consumption on the premises.

AMENDED DBPR ORDER

On Wednesday, July 1, DBPR Secretary Halsey Beshears issued Amended Emergency Order 2020-09 – an order that allows bars that also have food licenses to resume the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises, even if the larger percentage of revenues continues to be generated by alcohol sales.

“Vendors licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, and also licensed to offer food service, may continue to operate as restaurants,” the amended DBPR order says.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Above,bartenders Joanne Eyester and Leo Lozeua welcomed Larry Dodd as the first returning member Monday morning. Right,Gregory and Beth Gage, Peggy Glass and Doug Werstler were greeted by Lodge Administrator Byron Dalton and Lodge Governor Steve Boniberger.

As is the case with restaurants and restaurant/bars, indoor seating capacity is limited to 50% with appropriate social distancing.

According to the original and amended DBPR orders, bars that do not have food licenses remain limited to takeout and package service only.

Like previous orders, the amended DBPR order requires employees to be screened for COVID-19 symptoms. The order prohibits anyone from working who is infected with the virus, shows symptoms of having the virus or is known to have been in recent contact with someone infected with the virus within the past 14 days.

“Nothing in this emergency order permits nightclubs to operate,” the order notes.

REOPENING REPEATED

Larry Dodd was the first returning Moose member served Monday morning.

While sitting at the bar and drinking a draft beer, he said, “I love it.”

After ordering a cocktail and a glass of water, member David Galuszka said he hopes the lodge remains open this time. He said things felt like they

were returning to some semblance of normal the first time the lodge reopened, only to have it shut down again.

Out on the beachfront patio, Palmetto resident Peggy Glass and her boyfriend Doug Werstler were joined by Peggy’s sister and brother-in-law, Beth and Gregory Gage, from Toledo.

“It’s just beautiful,” Beth said as Gregory went for a quick swim in the Gulf.

When discussing the second reopening, Boniberger said, “I hope this is the last time we have to shut this place down. The staff has been great. They get everything taken down and put away when find out we have to close and they bring it back out when

we find out we can reopen. The same with the cooks outside while our kitchen is being renovated.”

Boniberger and Dalton said they did not receive any direct communication from DBPR regarding the amended order.

“Our local police department called us and let us know about the emergency order that came through on July 1 that allows us to reopen because of the food license we have,” Dalton said.

The lodge is currently open to members only. The weekly Queen of Hearts drawings are suspended while the lodge remains limited to 50% capacity and a limited food menu is available at the outdoor kitchen.

OBITUARIES

John D. Bacon

John D. Bacon, Dad, 94, of Bradenton Beach, passed away at home peacefully from stage four renal disease. He was predeceased by his one and only love, his wife of 68 years, Irene, and his granddaughter, Reyna Cartwright. He leaves behind his daughter, Debbie Bacon; son, Norman (Butch) Bacon; the granddaughter he adored, Rachelle Goodwin; and two very special friends in his life, Gary Niles and Jake Spooner.

Dad was a Quartermaster in the U.S. Navy where he proudly served during World War II (“the big one,” as he so often said) on the LSMR 196. He was the navigator and was in the first wave of Okinawa. After leaving the Navy he BEACH BEAT HOLMES BEACH 6/24, driving without a license or insurance, 500 Manatee Ave. The officer responded to an accident and the driver gave him a Saudi Arabian I.D. He said he didn’t have proof of insurance or the vehicle registration. The officer said there was no license to suspend because the driver registered his vehicle with a passport that he did not have on him. The officer used his foreign language app to tell the driver his car needed to be towed and Norm’s Towing took the car and driver to Bradenton. 6/24, larceny, theft, Manatee Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive. Beach items were stolen while the victim was in the Gulf. 6/25, Subway, 3232 East Bay Drive. A person was found sleeping outside the business and given a notice to appear for illegal camping. 6/25, illegal alcohol on the beach, Two minors from Kentucky were cited for beer on the beach and underage drinking. 6/26, disturbance, Manatee Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive. An argument began on a trolley and ended when the officers defused the altercation peacefully. 6/27, burglary, theft, Gulf Place Condos, 6700 Gulf Drive. Parties unknown stole several items from a rental unit and truck. 6/27, aggravated battery, Manatee Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive. A woman who claimed rights to a picnic table got angry and coughed at a family. She also spat at two Holmes Beach code enforcement officers. She was arrested and on the way to jail claimed she chest pains and was taken to the hospital. 6/27, noise violation, 210 56th St. A rental house triggered a noise complaint and code enforcement issued a complaint and fines. served eight years in the Naval Reserves while starting his career at The Flint Journal, Flint, Mich. He worked there from 1948-1988 retiring as the circulation director, eventually retiring to Bradenton Beach, Fla.

Dad lived life with gusto and never missed going to a party or having one. He loved barbecuing, boating, motorcycles (having 27 in his lifetime) and tooling around on his golf cart in his later years. Dad was devoted to his family and friends, always ready to lend a hand or give some good ol' fashioned solid advice. He will be especially missed by all for his jokes, his laughter, wisdom and great stories.

Burial at the Sarasota National Cemetery will take place in the fall. Brown and Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Tidewell Hospice or a veterans’ orga

Marian Gertrude (Kirz) Van Winkle

Marian Gertrude (Kirz) Van Winkle died peacefully on April 8, 2020. She was born to Victor and Gertrude (Weber) Kirz in New York City. Her parents bought a summer home in the Mt. View section of Wayne, N.J. in 1940 and that was where she met her future husband, Bernard. After they were married on Oct. 6, 1951, she transferred her job from New York Bell to New Jersey Bell. She worked there for 37 years. She lived in Clifton, N.J., then moved to Oakland, N.J., where she joined the Women’s Club of Oakland and later became its president. Marian retired from “Ma Bell” at the young age of 55 and moved to Holmes Beach, Fla. with her husband, Nardi (his nick-name). That’s where she started her life of volunteering and traveling around the world. She was the president of the Venice Diocese Women’s Council, and was two times president of St. Bernard Catholic Church Women’s Council. She also joined The Red Hat Society, the local Women’s Club, The Off-Stage Ladies and The N.J. Bell Pioneers. She really enjoyed life. Marian is survived by her sister, Catherine Dec and her husband, Henry and many nieces and nephews and their families. She was predeceased by her mother and father; husband, Bernard; brotherin-law, Harold, and his wife, Cele; and brother-in-law, Edmond, and his wife, Pearl. A memorial service will be held at Richards Funeral Home, Riverdale, N.J. on Saturday, July 11 from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation can be

made to your favorite charity.

CINDY LANE | SUN

Beach project poised to begin

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has staged its equipment for the upcoming beach renourishment project at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach. The project is scheduled to begin this month and be completed by mid-November. New sand will widen about 5.5 miles of beach between 78th Street North in Holmes Beach and Longboat Pass at the southern end of Anna Maria Island.

FUN IN THE SUN

THE SUN

Across

1 Fisherman's __: waterfront district in San Francisco 6 Police HQ alerts 10 Sushi bar sauce 13 Swiss mathematician 14 Soft palate dangler 15 "t," in "btw" 16 Golf tournament won by Shane Lowry in 2019 18 Cavity-fighting org. 19 "Easy Rider" actor 21 eharmony profile part 24 Entry point 25 With 31-Across, "The Aviator" Oscar nominee 26 Maxim 28 Pequod crew 31 See 25-Across 32 Tidy (up) 34 Stocking experts, and what 16-, 19-, 51- and 57-Across literally

Answers to 07-01-20 Crossword Puzzle.

are 38 Give as a task 39 Office notice 42 Govt. drug bust, perhaps 45 Post-workout refresher 47 __ mater 48 TriBeCa neighbor 50 "__ Blinded Me With Science": 1983 hit 51 Baltimore-based medical school 56 "Sands of __ Jima": 1949 film 57 "Fingers crossed!" 61 Country star McGraw 62 Gas brand BP re- launched in 2017 63 Less prevalent 64 Had chips, say 65 Fail to notice 66 Washington, e.g.

Down

1 Spider's creation 2 "Ben-__" 3 Baba in a cave 4 No longer working: Abbr. 5 Curly-haired "Peanuts" character 6 To have, in Paris 7 Baby seals 8 "Yuck!" 9 Twins infielder Miguel 10 Rice, in Chinese cuisine 11 "My goodness!" 12 Hankers (for) 14 "Hmm ... not likely" 17 Winter flakes 20 Capital of Sicily 21 Fluffy wrap 22 "__ be darned!" 23 Vegas calculation 27 Like most of northern Africa 28 Little songbird 29 Drillmaster's syllable 30 Opening day pitcher, typically 32 Icy road worry 33 Cribbage piece 35 Mama bear, in Seville 36 Omega preceder 37 Puts a Singer to work 40 "Not really a fan" 41 Mined metal 42 Sizzling Tex-Mex fare 43 Fail epically 44 Shout from the foyer 45 __ Tzu: toy dog 46 Advanced student's course 48 Contractor's parameters 49 "Yeah, and ... ?"

52 Fancy pillowcase 53 Prefix with sphere 54 Gold medals, to Spaniards 55 Quarrel 58 Nest egg acronym 59 "Nothing but __": "Swish!" 60 College sr.'s test