Anna Maria Island Sun June 21, 2023

SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA –

Beloved Anna Maria resident, newspaper reporter and Island historian Pat Copeland passed away on Tuesday, June 13, at the age of 76.

She passed away at Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton from complications associated with the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other respiratory challenges she faced in recent years.

In 2000, Pat joined the newly-formed Anna Maria Island Sun newspaper as a reporter and copy editor. As a Sun reporter, Pat spent many years covering the city of Holmes Beach, the Holmes Beach City

Pat Copeland, an Island treasure

Pat Copeland made a lasting impact on Anna Maria Island and touched many lives along the way.

Commission and West Manatee Fire Rescue.

As the copy editor, she proofread and corrected almost every story that ran in The Sun during her tenure, which ended in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AMI Sun Publisher

Mike Field said, “Pat was the first person I hired for The Sun’s news department when Maggie

and I began planning in 1999 to start a weekly community newspaper on the Island. Looking back, that hire was one of the single most important things I ever did as owner and publisher of the paper. Pat’s knowledge of local history and her experience covering Island news brought instant credibility to the upstart Sun.

“Pat knew absolutely everybody and had a deserved reputation for treating the subjects of her stories with respect and honesty. Her accuracy in reporting and attention to detail were phenomenal. She almost never made a mistake. As an editor, she helped many young reporters by deftly catching errors in their copy long before

the stories ever made it into print. If you needed to know who to talk to on any given assignment, Pat was the person you asked.

“Personally, I will always remember the wry sense of humor she had, one that often left me in stitches and helped diffuse the mounting pressures of approaching deadlines.

Local developer arrested for DUI

Island business owner and developer Shawn Kaleta was arrested for DUI and resisting arrest.

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

HOLMES BEACH – Anna Maria Island developer and business owner

Shawn Thomas Kaleta, 45, of Holmes Beach, was arrested for driving under

the influence and resisting arrest on June 15.

In a 29-page police report, Holmes Beach Police Officer Andrew Adkins said that he observed a black Mercedes-Benz SUV speeding while traveling east on Manatee Avenue. While following the vehicle across the Anna Maria Island Bridge, he noticed that

IT'S JUNE, and that means wedding time! 18-19

the driver was driving erratically, causing him to initiate a traffic stop.

In the police report, Adkins said Kaleta did not follow directions, left the SUV without being ordered to do so and failed to provide his driver’s license. Once out of the car, Adkins said that Kaleta continued to disregard directions, placing a phone call and giving the officer varying stories about whether he was on his way to visit his mother in the hospital or on his way back.

It was a pleasure to have worked with Pat Copeland and an even greater one simply to have known her. She will be missed,” he said.

AN ISLAND LIFE

Pat was born and raised in Beavercreek, Ohio, just east of Dayton. Her husband

SEE PAT COPELAND, PAGE 12

Adkins attempted a field sobriety test after detecting alcohol on Kaleta, who refused to cooperate, according to the report. When the officer informed him that he was under arrest, Kaleta pulled away and didn’t comply with orders to stop, resulting in Adkins wrestling him to the ground to complete the arrest. While at the police station, Kaleta complained of being dehydrated and

SEE DEVELOPER, PAGE 36

PARKING GARAGE BILL awaits governor's decision. 4

WOULD A PARKING GARAGE affect the Easter Sunrise Service? 5 Page 31

Kaleta

COPELAND FAMILY | SUBMITTED Family was of the utmost importance to Pat Copeland. She left a lasting mark on Anna Maria Island with her reporting, her historical preservation efforts and her dedication to family, friends and community.

ANNA HAYDEN | SUBMITTED

Farmers market returning for another season

The seasonal farmers market focuses on organic and fresh food products.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – The city’s seasonal farmers market will return to City Pier Park on Tuesday, Oct. 10 and continue through Tuesday, May 7, 2024 under and around the shade sail from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The city does not charge vendors a fee to participate in the weekly market and vendor applications and information packets are available at the city website, www.cityofannamaria.com, by clicking on the “I Want To” tab atop the homepage. Applications can also be obtained in person from the city clerk’s office. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, Sept. 26.

On June 8, the Anna Maria City Commission unanimously approved the market’s annual return. During that meeting, Mayor Dan Murphy noted the farmers market began after the City Pier was closed in 2017 due to damage sustained during Hurricane Irma.

The city-sponsored market was initiated to help bring more visitors and customers to the Pine Avenue business district while the pier remained closed awaiting future replacement. The original intent was to discontinue the market after the new City Pier opened, but the market’s ongoing success altered those plans.

From the beginning, the market’s primary goal has been to avoid competition and duplication with

nearby restaurants and businesses by focusing on produce and organic and natural food vendors while avoiding vendors that sell prepared meals for onsite consumption.

New Deputy Clerk Fran Berrios will manage this year’s market, taking over the duties previously performed by retired Deputy Clerk Debbie Haynes.

Murphy and Berrios said the recently-completed 2022-23 farmers market featured 13 vendors, including two

non-profit organizations: the Anna Maria Island Historical Society selling old-fashioned Settler’s Bread and the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring organization sharing information about conservation efforts and activities.

Murphy said last year’s lineup included three produce vendors, with additional vendors selling honey, guacamole, condiments, plants and flowers and more. Murphy noted the market doesn’t allow the sale of T-shirts, arts and crafts, souvenir trinkets and things of that nature.

Berrios said the goal is to have 15 vendors for the upcoming market season, including the aforementioned non-profit organizations.

Anna Maria Island Historical Society Vice President Barbara Murphy told the commission the Historical Society sold approximately 50 loaves of Settler’s Bread at each weekly market and the proceeds helped fund two scholarships given to local students. She also suggested having a fresh seafood vendor at this season’s market if possible.

Commissioner Deanie Sebring expressed her hope for a vendor that sells fresh meat.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Anna Maria’s seasonal farmers market features several produce vendors.

IN BRIEF

Centennial flags reduced

Most of the city of Anna Maria’s centennial flags have been removed from the streetlight poles along Pine Avenue and Gulf Drive. A few flags remain in place along Gulf Drive, Pine Avenue and near the City Pier in commemoration of Anna Maria’s 100th anniversary as an officially chartered Florida city. The city commission previously approved flying the centennial flags for an entire year but Mayor Dan Murphy recently suggested removing most of the flags because they were getting tangled in the wind and had to be untangled by the public works department. Some flags were also blown off their poles during stormy weather. A larger number of centennial flags will be displayed during federal holidays and other special occasions. The centennial flags can be purchased at the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum on Pine Avenue for $75.

Anna Maria seeks higher interest earnings

The Anna Maria City Commission approved a new investment policy that authorizes Mayor Dan Murphy and City Clerk/Treasurer LeAnne Addy to move $2 million in city funds into low-risk, higher-yield federal treasury bills and notes that produce greater interest revenues than the current low-interest accounts. When seeking commission authorization on June 8, Murphy said the $2 million investment would still leave the city with approximately $1.5 million in unused funds that could be used to fund the city’s daily operations in the event of a hurricane, natural disaster or emergency situation.

Holmes Beach budget hearings scheduled

Holmes Beach commissioners are preparing to begin the budget process for the 2023-24 fiscal year that begins on Oct. 1. The first of two budget work sessions is scheduled for Tuesday, July 11 at 9 a.m. followed by a second budget hearing the following week on Tuesday, July 18 at 9 a.m. Commissioners also plan to set the maximum millage rate for the coming fiscal year. The maximum millage rate is the highest possible millage rate that could be set by city leaders for upcoming property tax TRIM notices, to be mailed in the fall. During two required public hearings on the budget, commissioners will set a final millage rate that can be set at or below the maximum millage rate.

Parking garage bill arrives on governor’s desk

HB 947, the bill that would allow Manatee County leaders to build a parking garage in Holmes Beach, has made its way to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk.

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

HOLMES BEACH – City leaders and residents are making last-minute attempts to get the attention of Gov. Ron DeSantis before he makes a decision on the future of a bill allowing a multi-level parking garage to be built at Manatee Beach contrary to city regulations.

After passing both the Florida House and Senate with unanimous votes of the members in attendance, the bill stalled for over a month before being presented to the governor for consideration.

As of press time for The Sun, DeSantis had not signed or vetoed the bill.

The bill, HB 947, was presented to state legislators by Rep. Will Robinson Jr. during the Florida legislative session that ended in May. The bill came at the request of Manatee County commissioners, primarily commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge, to build a three-story parking garage with parking on the roof at Manatee Beach. If built, Van Ostenbridge said the garage is planned to span the entirety of the county’s buildable land at the public beach and be able to house 1,500-1,700 vehicles with paid parking estimated at $2 per hour. To accommodate the garage, all of the existing facilities at the beach, including the concession stand, restrooms and retail, would be removed, along with trees at the property. The concession, restroom and retail facilities would be rebuilt as a part of the new garage. Construction on the project is estimated to cost $45 million and take at least two years to complete during which parking and

facilities at the beach would be unavailable to the public.

Currently, there are more than 400 free parking spaces available to the public at Manatee Beach with hundreds more available in auxiliary on-street parking and at beach access points throughout the city.

Now that the bill has been officially presented to DeSantis, the governor has three options – sign it, veto it or ignore it. If he signs the bill, it becomes law upon gaining his signature. If he ignores it, the bill becomes law automatically on July 1. If he vetoes it, the bill goes back to the House and Senate for reconsideration during the next regular legislative session. If the bill passes both chambers with a three-quarters majority vote, it overrides the governor’s veto and the bill becomes law.

With the bill now up for consideration, concerned local residents, stakeholders and city leaders are appealing to DeSantis to veto the parking garage.

An effort among residents, called Paradise Lost, has sprung up to help bring awareness and mathematically-based reason to the parking garage discussion, led by Allan Levy of Perico Island. Levy, a professional analyst, studied the proposed project and says the construction of the garage would be catastrophic for traffic, causing backups to leave the beach of two hours or more during peak times. He also said that during these backups, traffic in and out of the garage would create a solid wall of vehicles that would be difficult to impossible for first responders, including fire trucks and ambulances to navigate through.

For more information on the effort, visit https://paradiselost-109036.weebly.com/.

There are also two petitions in circulation speaking out against the garage. One on

Change.org had garnered over 6,300 signatures at press time for The Sun. That petition can be viewed at https:// www.change.org/p/veto-hb947-say-no-to-proposedparking-garage?source_ location=search. Another petition on Manatee Citizens Taking Action has gained more than 2,800 signatures and can be viewed at https:// manateecitizenstakingaction. com/?page_id=115.

Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth also continues to speak out against the garage, taking to social media on June 15 to post a video directed to DeSantis asking him to veto the garage.

“This is an attack on home rule and a huge governmental overreach,” she said, adding that it would also potentially be the largest garage in the region. Titsworth also noted that the increase in traffic caused by the parking garage would be “a nightmare for first responders.”

During a June 13 meeting, she said that she walked the beach over the Memorial Day weekend, noting the crowds already gathered on the sand without adding another 1,000 parking spaces.

“It’s already umbrella-toumbrella and shoulder-toshoulder out there,” she said, adding that she’s not sure where on the sand the additional people would go to enjoy the beach.

Levy argues that congestion and beach capacity studies need to be done before a garage could be built. If the governor approves the bill, he said that he and others would be watching county leaders very closely to make sure that all required studies are completed before any permits are issued.

The centennial flags commemorate Anna Maria’s 100th anniversary as a chartered city.

Parking garage threatens religious service’s future

If a multi-story parking garage is built at Manatee Beach, it may affect the future of the popular Easter Sunrise Service.

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

HOLMES BEACH – A much-loved, historic Easter service may be in jeopardy if a multi-story parking garage is erected at Manatee Beach.

Thousands of people gather on the sand every year for the non-denominational Easter Sunrise Service hosted by the Anna Maria Island Kiwanis Club. Residents and visitors from all over the world gather for the service before the sun comes up, celebrating together as the sun rises in the east over the top of the single-story concession stand.

Manatee County commissioners have a plan to replace that building with a three-story parking garage

with additional parking on the roof. The bill awaits a decision by Gov. Ron DeSantis. If ap proved, the county could build the garage despite prohibitions in city ordinances and the land development code.

County commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge estimates the 1,500-plus parking space garage will cost $45 million to build over at least two years.

The garage would change the venue where the sunrise service has been held for 58 years, rising at least 36 feet over the beach, casting a shadow on the sand in the mornings and blocking the view of the sunrise during the religious service.

Sandy Haas-Martens, secretary of the Kiwanis club, said that the group is on its summer meeting schedule and has not discussed the future of the service if DeSantis signs off on the parking garage, but she anticipates it will be a topic at a future meeting.

Speaking on behalf of St. Bernard Catholic Church, one of the Island churches that participates in the annual service, Haas-Martens said the Easter sunrise service is something that brings the Island community together, both locals and visitors, and is something

each church’s leaders enjoy participating in. The 2023 service was the first time the event was live streamed for online viewers.

Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer, who handles security and traffic for the service, said he hopes the service will be able to continue.

“I’m still hoping the county commission comes to their senses and realizes the garage is a bad idea,” he said, noting that the city still had plenty of available parking spaces even over the busy Memorial Day holiday weekend.

If the garage is built, he said trying to get traffic in and out of the planned three-story space would be extremely difficult, especially if a large number of people try to leave at once, which often happens at the beach during a rainstorm, and at the end of the service.

“How are you going to get out when everyone is in line for the exit?” he said.

Representatives from other participating churches, Roser Memorial Community Church, Harvey Memorial Church, The Episcopal Church of the Annunciation and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church could not be reached for comment by press time for The Sun.

FILE PHOTO

Participants in the Easter Sunrise Service face east on Easter morning awaiting the sunrise over the concession stand, which would be replaced by a three-story garage.

The Anna Maria Island Sun Staff

Owner/CEO

Mike Field

Editor

Cindy Lane

General Manager

Bob Alexander

Reporters/Photographers

Joe Hendricks

Leslie Lake

Jason Schaffer

Kristin Swain

Columnists

Louise Bolger

Rusty Chinnis

Contributors

Joe Becht

Steve Borggren

Capt. Rick Grassett

Isis Mavenyengwa

Monica Simpson

Tom Vaught

Capt. David White

Anne Yarbrough

Layout

Ricardo Fonseca

Digital Editor

Kristin Swain

Advertising Director

Shona Otto

Advertising Assistant

Pamela Lee

Classifieds

Bob Alexander

Graphics

Elaine Stroili

Ricardo Fonseca

Distribution

Bob Alexander

Connor Field

Tony McNulty

Brian Smith

Accounting

Leslie Ketchum

Co-founding publishers

Mike Field

Maggie McGinley Field

Family-owned since 2000

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

DeSantis should veto HB 947

There is a smarter, less costly approach to increase parking capacity in Holmes Beach.

Anna Maria Island (AMI) is a treasure. We must protect it from the current misguided construction plan of a four-story, $45M garage at Holmes Beach. This project will create a bottleneck at the T intersection of Manatee Avenue and Gulf Drive, creating traffic delays of two hours or more at peak times. Queueing models

prove that congestion on the island will become explosively worse than it already is.

More visitors are welcome on AMI, as they bring additional business to the restaurants and shopping outlets. But there are smarter, more cost-effective alternatives than building a massive garage at a choke point. An alternative is to distribute the traffic load across multiple points. For example, Manatee County can contract with numerous parking lots off-island,

including east on Manatee Avenue, to use their idle spaces. And shuttles can carry beachgoers to and from Holmes Beach. This is a smarter approach that is less costly, reduces current traffic congestion on the island, and mitigates the problems that will be otherwise imposed by the original misguided design. It also better serves the economic interests of the area.

ON THE AGENDA

ANNA MARIA

10005 GULF DRIVE

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130

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

June 22, 5:30 p.m. – City Commission budget meeting

June 22, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting

July 4, all day – City offices closed, Independence Day

BRADENTON BEACH

107 GULF DRIVE N.

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005

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

July 4, all day – City offices closed, Independence Day

July 5, 9:30 a.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency meeting

July 5, 1 p.m. – Planning and Zoning Board meeting

HOLMES BEACH

5801 MARINA DRIVE

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800

Please visit www.holmesbeachfl.org or contact city hall for more information.

June 27, 5 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session to follow

July 4, all day – City offices closed, Independence Day

July 5, 5 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting

EVENTS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21

Mah-jongg for beginners, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11 a.m.

THURSDAY, JUNE 22

Alligator and Wildlife Discovery Center: Animal Encounter, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m.

AMI Chamber Business Card Exchange hosted by Total Life Care LLC, 5313 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 5-7 p.m., $5 for members and $10 for prospective members

FRIDAY, JUNE 23

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

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

SATURDAY, JUNE 24

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

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

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

MONDAY, JUNE 26

Disaster Preparedness Seminar, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 3 p.m.

TUESDAY, JUNE 27

Family story time, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island meeting, Slicker’s Eatery, 12012 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, 11:30 a.m. Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28

Mah-jongg for beginners, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, noon Journal writing, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.

THURSDAY, JUNE 29

Ocean Superheroes by Mote Marine, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

Seaside Quilters, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, noon

Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. Thursdays in Paradise Stroll featuring local art, music and food, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 5-8 p.m.

FRIDAY, JUNE 30

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

Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m. Rock garden rock painting, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.

SATURDAY, JULY 1

Robinson Runners, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 7 a.m. Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon

TUESDAY, JULY 4

Independence Day

AMI Privateers July Fourth Parade, travels the Island from Coquina Beach to the Anna Maria City Pier along Gulf, Marina and Palm drives and Pine Avenue, 10 a.m.

AMI Historical Society gets $100,000 from Manatee County

The

Anna Maria Island Historical Society has received a $100,000 grant.

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA - The Anna Maria Island Historical Society (AMIHS), 402 Pine Ave., has been granted the $100,000 they requested from Manatee County commissioners at their June 6 meeting.

The grant was first unanimously approved by the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) at its Feb. 13 meeting, then passed on to county commissioners for final approval.

The initial request was for $62,000, but as the TDC discussed the request, board member Ed Chiles proposed an amendment to the request in which the TDC would round the amount to $100,000, with the additional amount to help pay the Historical Society’s first paid employee.

The AMIHS board of directors has explored a partnership with Carter Global, a fundraising agency that helps organizations maximize their philanthropic potential. The goal is to build out a six-month plan for AMIHS to generate income that will help support the museum through revenues generated by memberships, admission fees and other strategic planning rather than just donations

from visitors and the community. The plan presented to AMIHS by Carter Global is a capacity building project with a total cost of $72,000. Since the AMIHS operates on an annual budget of $40,000, they were not able to pay the cost, but calculated that they could delegate $10,000 to the effort and asked the TDC to recommend the additional $62,000 to complete the project.

Anna Maria granted $1.4 million

Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed off on a Florida Legislature-supported $1.4 million state appropriation to be granted to the city of Anna Maria. DeSantis approved the appropriation on June 15. The state funds will be combined with the $1.28 million state appropriation the city received last year for the pending Reimagining Pine Avenue project that will include the installation of new sidewalks and crosswalks along Pine Avenue. The additional $1.4 million approved this year will help fund the phase 2 safety improvements expected to be made along Spring Avenue and Magnolia Avenue. The installation of new streetlights along Pine Avenue will be funded separately using approximately $460,000 in American Rescue Plan funds the city previously received from the federal government as part of the Biden administration’s COVID-19 pandemic recovery efforts. The city will soon issue a new request for proposals seeking proposals from construction companies interested in taking on the expanded Reimagining Pine Avenue project.

SUBMITTED

The Anna Maria Island Historical Society on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria is the recipient of a $100,000 grant.

New sidewalks will be installed along both sides of Pine Avenue as part of the Reimagining Pine Avenue project.

Dock expansion project nearing completion

The CRA-funded dock expansion project includes 13 new finger docks that provide additional public dockage.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH –

The city’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has approved up to $36,000 in additional funds to complete the floating dock expansion project.

During a special meeting on June 14, CRA members unanimously approved the funding request presented by CRA liaison and City Attorney Ricinda Perry.

Perry said four new floats are needed to help support the east end of the floating dock, near the police boat lift and the Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramp that provides access between the Bradenton Beach Pier and the adjacent floating dock.

Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift recently extended the existing floating dock eastward and installed 13 new, perpendicular finger docks that extend southward from the expanded floating dock. Now in use, the new finger docks provide significantly more public dockage next to

the pier at no cost to boaters. The expanded dock will also serve as a landing area for Manatee County’s pending water-taxi service between downtown Bradenton and Anna Maria Island.

During the June 14 CRA meeting, Perry requested $18,611 for the additional work that will also include the installation of new fish lights at the T-end of the pier and the inspection and tightening of the original dock floats.

To prevent the potential need for another special CRA meeting, Perry requested a not-to-exceed amount that allows additional work to be done without further CRA approval if needed. The CRA members doubled the amount Perry requested and an amount not to exceed $36,000. Perry said she would inform CRA Chair Ralph Cole of any significant expenditures needed beyond the $18,611 requested; and

she would request additional CRA board discussion if needed.

CRA member and City Commissioner Jake Spooner proposed the finger docks several years ago. In late 2021, the CRA and Duncan Seawall entered into a $595,905 contract for the dock expansion project that also included the replacement of the nearby public dinghy dock. Earlier that year, the Manatee County Commission

agreed to reimburse the CRA for 50% of the total project costs using revenues generated by the 5% tourist development tax levied on hotel, motel, resort and vacation rental stays in Manatee County. The county commission allotted up to $850,000 in reimbursement funds that can also be used to cover additional costs incurred after the original contract with Duncan was signed.

The dock expansion project was delayed for several months by permitting issues the CRA encountered with the Army Corps of Engineers. “We have plenty of funds to do this,” Perry said of the additional work requested. Regarding the nearly completed project, CRA member Ed Chiles said, “This is impressive and I think it speaks incredibly well of the CRA and the work we’ve been doing for a long time. This is great for John Horne (Anna Maria Oyster Bar) and all the businesses there on Bridge Street.”

Chiles thanked Perry for guiding the dock expansion project and he expressed his appreciation for the other city staff members who assisted with the project.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Four new floats are needed under the decking at the east end of the floating dock.

SUBMITTED

Chamber lunch at Mademoiselle Paris

Standing, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce President Terri Kinder discussed the upcoming BayFest on Oct. 21 while attending a chamber lunch at Mademoiselle Paris, 9906 Gulf Drive. The French restaurant and bakery hosted two Chamber events this month, breakfast on June 1 and lunch on June 8.

“...a beautiful place to explore your faith...”

SUNDAY WORSHIP

8:30 AM in the Chapel

10:00 AM in the Sanctuar y Nurser y • Children’s Church

ONLINE • Watch LI VE or LATER RoserChurch.com

Sign up to receive the eBulletin at RoserChurch.com/contact-us

The CHAPEL is open during o ce hours for prayer and meditation

941-778-0414 • 512 Pine Ave, Anna Maria • FOLLOW us on Facebook @RoserChurch

Roser Church

City to get two new utility vehicles

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – The purchase of two public works utility vehicles was approved at a June 15 commission meeting.

“There’s money available to replace the utility vehicle that I have,” Public Works Director Tom Woodard said. “The one I have is a Polaris Ranger. It’s not a big truck.”

Woodard said the current vehicle has been in use since 2007 and is having issues.

Woodard then asked to make a change to the replacement request.

“I used to have a GEM car battery powered that the facilities person used,” he said. “That died and we got rid of it. I was thinking I would replace that, but the only place that services it is almost in Osprey.”

“As of this morning talking to my people I do have the money, I’d like to purchase two of these, instead of the GEM car,” Woodard said. “These are Kubotas, they service them right here in town; the two tractors we have work great. They’re the same price, the same layout. And the money is allotted - it is there.”

Each vehicle comes at a cost of $17,146.11 for a total of $34,292.22.

Mayor John Chappie asked for a motion to approve the purchase of two

Moose Lodge makes donation to BBPD

With a donation of $2,000, the Bradenton Beach Police Department will purchase firearms training simulation software.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – Thanks to a $2,000 donation from the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge #2188, the police department will be able to expand on its firearms training simulation system.

“It’s a $2,000 add-on piece of equipment and once again the Moose has graciously offered to pay for that equipment,” Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby said at a June 15 City Commission meeting.

“We purchased the DART system, which we purchased mostly with donations. We’re looking to get the next segment. It’s called DART Studio, which allows you to create things and use scenarios that other agencies have created,” Cosby said.

2023 Kubota R-TV 520 utility vehicles from Linder Tractor.

The motion passed unanimously.

In addition to Chappie, Commissioners Ralph Cole and Jake Spooner attended the meeting. Commissioners Jan Vosburgh and Marilyn Maro had excused absences.

DART is a firearms training simulator and DART Studio can create an expanded variety of courses, decision-making scenarios and training, according to the DART website.

Cosby introduced Byron Dalton, Moose Lodge administrator and Patrick Kane, lodge president, who stepped forward to present a $2,000 check to the city.

“This check to the city for the addition to the firing range really signifies everything the city does for us, and for everything the police department does for us,” Kane said. “The lodge has been flourishing the last couple

of years. I think it’s because of the great relationship we have with the city and with the police department, and especially Chief Cosby.”

“The Moose has done many things that support and encourage community,” Mayor John Chappie said. “Not just here in Bradenton Beach but on the Island and Manatee County. We’re so blessed to have the Moose Lodge in our great city.”

Chappie and Commissioners Jake Spooner and Ralph Cole were in attendance at the meeting. Commissioners Jan Vosburgh and Marilyn Maro were absent with excuse.

LESLIE LAKE | SUN Public Works Director Tom Woodard talks to commissioners about the need to purchase new utility vehicles at the June 15 commission meeting.

LESLIE LAKE | SUN Patrick Kane, right, president of Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge #2188, and Byron Dalton, left, lodge administrator, present a check for $2,000 to Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby, center.

PAT COPELAND: An Island treasure

FROM PAGE 1

of more than 50 years, Doug, hails from the same area. They met while they were both teaching English and language arts at a middle school in Dayton, Ohio.

“We had classrooms next to each other. That’s where we met,” Doug said.

After their first year together, Pat and Doug left their teaching jobs, moved to Celina, Ohio and for a year ran a fishing camp on Grand Lake. At the time, Doug’s parents lived on North Shore Drive in Anna Maria, where in 1972, Doug’s dad presided over Pat and Doug’s wedding during their visit to Florida.

When Pat and Doug moved to Bradenton Beach in 1973, Pat went to work at Trader Jack’s and Doug later joined the staff as a bartender.

In 1974, they bought their home in Anna Maria, where Pat would live for the rest of her life.

“Back then, the Island was

still a resident-based community. Probably 99% of the people that worked at Trader Jack’s lived on the Island, back when affordable annual rentals were always available. That’s gone away,” Doug said.

Pat left Trader Jack’s in January 1978 when she was pregnant with their first daughter, Layla Copeland.

ISLAND HISTORIAN

After giving birth to Layla in 1978 and to Anna Maria Copeland in 1980, Pat spent some time as a stay-at-home mom. In 1981, she became a stringer for the Island Herald. Over the years, she picked up additional freelance duties with several other publications including The Bradenton Herald, Camp-orama magazine and The Weekender. In 1987, she became the editor of the Anna Maria Islander Press, where she also served as a reporter.

When the Islander Press closed, Pat bought all the

bound newspaper copies, clip files and other files to prevent them from potentially being destroyed. Anna Maria Mayor Ray Simches put Pat and Island historian and author Carolyne Norwood in touch with each other and in 1990 the two co-founded the Anna Maria Island Historical Society and guided the development of the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum.

“The first year, they rented the old vet’s office on Crescent Avenue and Ed Chiles paid the rent and the utilities,” Doug said.

A year later, the Historical Society moved to the museum’s current location on Pine Avenue.

“History is important. For the Island, there was no better history than the old newspapers. Pat wrote the Island’s history every week,” Doug said of the news stories that can still be read at the museum.

When asked what Pat loved

about being a reporter, Doug said, “The interaction with people. She was honest, had integrity and felt she could present an accurate sense of what was happening on the Island.”

In the 1980s, the Copeland family took a pair of monthlong summer camping trips in a Volkswagen bus with family friend and well-known

SUBMITTED Carolyne Norwood, left, and Pat Copeland co-founded the Anna Maria Island Historical Society in 1990.

SEE PAT COPELAND, PAGE 13

PAT COPELAND: An Island treasure

FROM PAGE 12

Little League baseball coach Lou Fiorentino. After Lou died, Pat, Doug and others started an annual fundraiser in Lou’s name to raise money to send Island kids to off-Island summer camps, which they did from 1998 to 2014.

When asked how Pat will be remembered, Doug said, “She was a great wife and mother. Honest, ethical and loved by many. I’ll miss her. She was always willing to have a good time.”

MOTHER EXTRAORDINAIRE

“She was a great mom. She welcomed everyone in our house. I could show up with anybody and say, ‘Mom they’re having dinner with us,’ and she’d say, ‘OK, no problem,’ ” Layla said.

“Pat’s philosophy was she’d rather have the girls here with their friends than have them out somewhere else not knowing who they’re with or what they’re doing. That’s a pretty good philosophy,” Doug added.

“The 1960s helped shape my mom’s consciousness and who she was. She

was part of the hippie era, adamantly opposed to the Vietnam War. She protested for her beliefs, but she also never lost sight of the American soldiers who were her neighbors, classmates and friends. The music of the 1960s was the soundtrack to our childhood and she shared her love of music, writers and poetry with us,” Layla said.

When asked what she learned from her mom, Layla said, “I learned how to cook, how to sew, how to be a mother and how to be a wife. She gave me my best friend, my sister. When mom’s breathing got bad and it was hard for her to talk, we’d text with her every day.

“She was always really funny, really silly and she always made you laugh. She was really generous and always thinking of others. She loved watching our kids draw and play in the pool. When she could no longer go outside, she’d open the window and sit there to watch them play and still be a part of it. We always had a Sunday or Saturday dinner here. In this family, food is love and she was a great cook,” Layla said.

“We always ate together. Both girls became great cooks because they grew up thinking food was important,” Doug said.

“When I was 14, I decided I was going to be a vegetarian and my sister later joined me,” Layla said. “Mom taught herself how to cook vegetarian food and she cooked two meals every night: one for her and dad and one for my sister and I. Every day, until we went to college, she packed us a gourmet lunch to take to school. She took the best care of us,” Layla said.

Anna Maria Copeland lives in Rockville, Maryland. When asked about her mom, she said, “There was so much about my mom that was wonderful. She always uplifted people. Like a lot of parents, she told Layla and I that we could be and do anything, but she really meant it. Whenever I expressed a doubt about my abilities or qualifications, she would gently explain why whatever I was worrying about wouldn’t stop me from doing the thing I wanted to do if I truly wanted to do it. I saw her do this for other people as well. She had a special way of helping people believe in themselves. Another thing that was truly special about my mom was her open heart. She had love and kindness for anyone who needed it. She welcomed

so many people into our home and lives and enriched all of us in the process.

“When my daughter Lily was born, I was surprised by how natural and easy it felt to be a mother. Later, I had the realization that it was easy because I had the best example to follow. I learned how to cook and bake and sew from her. I learned how to navigate the world with an open heart. I learned patience. I will miss her love and understanding. I will miss watching her and Lily goof off together. I will miss sitting up late together talking about life. I will miss cooking and eating together.

“I want people to know how special my mother was. She was funny and smart. She loved rock-n-roll and acting silly. She was kind and thoughtful and creative. She wasn’t afraid to be different and she helped others feel comfortable in spite of their differences,” Anna Maria said.

Pat’s sister, Anna Hayden, said, “Pat had such a positive influence on my life. She opened my eyes to the world and always encouraged me with my art and photography. To see that she also had such a positive impact on her community makes me so very proud to be her sister.”

SEE PAT COPELAND, PAGE 29

COPELAND FAMILY | SUBMITTED

Pat Copeland showed her whimsical side during a childhood bike ride with her daughter Layla.

COPELAND FAMILY | SUBMITTED

In 2014, the Copeland family traveled to Italy together.

Sun staff remembers Pat Copeland

STAFF REPORT

The Sun staff is remembering Pat Copeland fondly after the news of her passing last week.

Pat was the first reporter hired to staff the Anna Maria Island Sun. Publisher Mike Field remembers hiring her while sitting on paint buckets in the newspaper’s brand-new office.

Pat was working for the Bystander at the time and was a colleague of Tom Vaught, who was writing for the Island Free Press.

“Competition was not Pat's style, nor mine,” he said. “We met each other in February 1993 at Holmes Beach City Hall. I did not truly know what to expect. Pat volunteered her knowledge of the Island and local city politics. I knew I could trust her with her wealth of Island background expertise.”

The Island Free Press folded and Vaught joined the Bradenton Herald team.

“One evening, Pat called me informing me about her leap to a new Island paper, the Anna Maria Island Sun. She asked me to consider a change along with her. I went to this newly created paper's co-founding publisher and owner, Mike Field, and became a reporter along with Pat.”

Retired since 2020, Vaught

remembers Copeland, then a copy editor, teasing him for his mistakes, like a sibling.

“We never doubted each other’s talents,” he said.

Copeland never aspired to work in a big city, he said. She wanted to cover the Island where she and her husband, Doug, raised their two daughters, and she did.

“She was the queen of Island journalism,” he said, “and above all, a good friend.”

Staff writer and Digital Editor Kristin Swain recalls Copeland taking her under her wing and helping her establish her career on Anna Maria Island and in the news industry.

“By the time I arrived in the area fulltime in 2014, Pat was already established as a long-time Island legend,” she said. “Pat was one of the first people that I have been privileged to know on the Island. She was one of the nicest, most genuine and welcoming people I’ve ever known. Pat was one of those rare people who is impossible to forget and one that I will always be grateful to have had the privilege of knowing.”

Copeland worked diligently to help make her community a better place through her work with The Sun, her volunteerism, her work

with the Anna Maria Island Historical Society and other organizations, Swain said.

“Though she’s no longer with us, her legacy in this community will endure for many, many years to come. Her community spirit will continue to radiate through the city of Anna Maria and the Island as a whole,” she said.

“My sincerest condolences go out to her family, friends and everyone whose lives she touched. Pat left a little bit of her light with everyone she

met. That light will continue to shine.”

Sun Editor Cindy Lane recalls Copeland often breaking from her office demeanor with quick-on-the-uptake jokes, followed by her trademark smile and deep, hearty laugh.

Her coverage of the city of Holmes Beach earned her a reputation of accuracy and trustworthiness, and she covered the arts community and historical stories with enthusiasm, she said.

A model of organization, she

archived every edition of The Sun at the Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum, which she co-founded with Carolyne Norwood.

With her trademark spiralbound calendar filled out each year in advance with reminders of upcoming events, she never missed a story, and as the “newsroom mom,” never let another reporter miss one of theirs, Lane recalled.

Widely known and appreciated for being detail-oriented as a reporter, Copeland was also an exacting copy editor with an institutional memory that saved everyone on the staff from embarrassment at one time or another. Once, a new reporter mentioned Lawton Chiles in a story without noting that he was a former Florida governor, and Pat caught the omission in time.

“Pat always made sure all the ‘i’s were dotted and all the ‘t’s were crossed,” Lane said. “She set an admirable example and a high bar for The Sun to follow.”

“As the Sun’s longtime copy editor, Pat Copeland caught and corrected many typos and mistakes I made when writing my weekly news stories, thus sparing me the embarrass-

SEE COPELAND, PAGE 17

COPELAND FAMILY | SUBMITTED

Pat Copeland brought a copy of The Sun with her while visiting F. Scott Fitzgerald’s gravesite in Rockville, Maryland.

Sandpiper resident receives variance

meeting at Bradenton Beach City Hall.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH - A deck setback variance request was granted to a resident of the Sandpiper Co-Op Resort at a special master hearing on June 7.

Resident Patrick Burch, represented at the meeting by attorney Robert Shaffer, had requested the approval to replace the front deck of his mobile home located at lot #725 in order to have better disabled accessibility.

Burch sought a 3.5-foot variance from the city’s 4-foot setback requirement for decks more than 12 inches in height.

Shaffer also requested the city waive all fees related to the variance request and the building permit because Burch is a 100% disabled military veteran.

Special Master Marisa Powers presided over the quasi-judicial

The special master is appointed by the City Commission and has jurisdiction to hear and decide alleged violations of all codes and ordinances of the city of Bradenton Beach. The special master presides over administrative appeals and variance requests.

Building Official Steve Gilbert, City Planner Luis Serna and Shaffer were sworn in at the beginning of the meeting.

“The applicants would like to replace an existing deck and stairs encroaching onto the setback,” Serna said. “The applicant would like to replace this deck for better handicapped accessibility.”

The proposed deck would be 6 inches from the edge of the pavement and significantly increase its length along the front entrance of the mobile home.

“There are limitations in granting variances as in 212.1.1 in the land development code,” Serna said.

Those limitations do not apply here, Serna said.

“We reviewed 212.4 of land development code,” Serna said. “There are substantial practical difficulties and hardships in carrying out the strict letter of the regulation and these difficulties are due to existing special conditions and unique circumstances.”

Serna noted the variance request is due to unique circumstances not created by the applicant and is required to give accessibility to the mobile home in response to a hardship.

“Our recommendation is for approval of the 3.5-foot variance from the 4-foot minimum setback requirement from the edge of pavement,” Serna said.

Serna made that recommendation with one condition - the variance shall run with current ownership of the property and not with the land. When that ownership changes it must be restored to current size and configuration.

“Removing that later on will not be a problem as far as returning it to the original configuration,” Shaffer said.

“With the regards to the stipulation, if the property changes ownership the new owner would have to comply,” Powers said.

“How would that be documented?”

“Because the park is a co-op, it would be filed with their board of directors,” Shaffer said.

“I did review in detail the report of Mr. Serna and the relevant land development codes,” Powers said. “Based upon the staff report and comments made today I find the request for the variance to be consistent with the variance criteria.”

Shaffer then asked that all fees be waived based on Burch’s disability status.

“The statute for permit reduction, I have no problem with that, but only the commission can waive fees, so it will be submitted to the city commission for formal authorization,” Gilbert said.

Powers then approved the request for the variance subject to the stipulation that the variance runs with owner and not the property.

A Sandpiper Co-Op resident was granted a setback variance at a special master hearing.

WMFR receives state award

CENTER NOTES

Paddling safety workshop

If you plan to be on a kayak, canoe or paddleboard, this basic safety course is for you. The workshop will be held at The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave. in Anna Maria on Friday, July 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The workshop will be conducted by the Longboat Key Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla and will cover the basic safety issues for paddle craft. The cost is $15 for members and $20 for non-members. Register by Thursday, July 6 by emailing culture@centerami.org or calling 941-778-1908.

Teen babysitting class

The Center will host a Teen Babysitting Class for those 11-17 years old on Wednesday, July 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The course, presented by the Child and Babysitting Safety (CABS) program, will cover getting started with a business, working with parents and children, safety, caregiving and getting certified with CPR and First Aid through the American Heart Association.

The cost for the course, which includes CPR and First Aid certification, is $85 for members and $100 for non-members. Register by Thursday, July 13 by visiting centerami.org/culture or calling 941-778-1908.

SUBMITTED | WMFR

Above, the West Manatee Fire District received the Special District of the Year Award at the annual Florida Association of Special Districts conference on June 15 in Orlando. Pictured from left are WMFR Commissioner Billy Burke, FASD President Jim Millican, WMFR Chief Ben Rigney, WMFR Deputy Chief Jay Johnson, WMFR Fire Marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski, WMFR Commissioner Derrick Warner and FASD board member David Cambareri.

Right, WMFR Chief Ben Rigney is congratulated on the district’s award by former Director of the State Fire Marshals’ Office Julius Halas.

COPELAND: Sun staff remembers Pat Copeland

FROM PAGE 14 ment of seeing my errors in print,” Sun correspondent Joe Hendricks said.

Each Monday, Pat would go to The Sun office, print out every page of the paper and with her red marker notate all the corrections she’d then make using the computer software used to lay out the paper, he recalled.

“Working closely with editor and publisher Mike Field, Pat’s keen eye and attention to detail made The Sun a better paper, and she made me a better reporter with her historical perspective, factual knowledge, journalistic insights and corrective actions.”

In 2013, Pat took a brief leave of absence and went to Maryland to help care for her first grandchild, Lily.

“At the time, my duties with The Sun were limited to those of a part-time freelance correspondent. During Pat’s time away, I covered her Holmes Beach beat that included city commission meetings and other governmental matters. That assignment led to me later being assigned to cover the cities and city governments of Bradenton Beach

and Anna Maria, which I still cover today,” Hendricks said.

“In 2017, I was honored to write about Pat being named the city of Anna Maria’s Citizen of the Year - an award she earned for the community spirit she embodied and the tireless work she did with the Anna Maria Island Historical Society. I was also

fortunate to become friends with Pat, her husband, Doug, and the Copeland family. Pat will be forever appreciated and greatly missed. Thanks, Pat for all you did for me, The Sun and the Anna Maria Island community. The Island is a better place because of you and a lesser place without you.”

Springing into summer

This Wednesday marks the first day of summer, but Anna Maria Island foliage is still doing its spring thing, with blanket flowers,

COPELAND FAMILY | SUBMITTED Shown here with West Manatee Fire Rescue Commissioner Randy Cooper, Pat Copeland covered the WMFR meetings and received an award for her journalistic efforts.

oak trees and poinciana trees in full bloom.

Island Photography & DJ a family affair

Anna Maria Island residents Dara and Chuck Caudill have combined their creative talents to offer wedding photography and entertainment under one banner, Island Photography & DJ. Together, they will coordinate the photography and music for your special day.

Dara is a professionally trained photographer who combines the latest in digital technology along with an artistic and creative flair. She blends photojournalistic with traditional styles of photography. "A little fantasy mixed with a little reality," she says. "It's important for the photos to be beautiful!"

Chuck is a professional musician and DJ on Anna Maria Island. In addition to ukulele and acoustic guitar ceremonies, Chuck provides live music and/or full DJ services for the reception. He provides state of the art sound and lighting.

Dara and Chuck are true Island residents, so they specialize in beach weddings. The two know how important it is to have the right professionals for your day, especially if you are having a destination wedding. They were married in Kauai, and the people they hired made it a special day. They want to create that same memorable Island experience for you.

Over the years, they have become friends with many of the couples they helped marry. They find it rewarding when those couples revisit the area and call them to get together.

Both are fully insured and belong to many professional organizations, including the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce. Please check out their websites – www.islandphotography.org and www.chuckcaudill.com – to see what they have to offer. For more info, please email daracaudill@verizon.net or call 941-778-5676.

Laurie and Pete Donahue celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary with their family on Anna Maria Island. Anna Maria Island holds a special place in the hearts of the Donahue family. They live in Illinois, but have visited the island at least annually for over 30 years. Pictured left to right, Colleen Donahue, Peter, Jackie & Collins, Pete & Laurie, Caitlin, Kyle & Emma, and newlyweds, Meghan & Kevin.

DARA CAUDILL | WWW.ISLANDPHOTOGRAPHY.ORG

Suncoast Waterkeeper opposes fish farm

n a press release last week, Suncoast Waterkeeper and a coalition of ocean advocates announced their opposition to what they called a bait-and-switch permit application for the Velella Epsilon industrial finfish aquaculture facility 40 miles off the Sarasota coast. The press release explains, “Florida fishermen; homeowner association leaders; business owners; community and clean water advocates; other concerned residents, and visitors to the Gulf coast gathered today to protest a “bait-and-switch” on the terms of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) permit that was issued for wastewater discharge

from the Velella Epsilon industrial finfish aquaculture facility. The open cage fish farm operation is planned for construction about 40 miles off the Sarasota County, Florida coast. Ocean Era, the company that requested the permit, recently informed EPA that it plans to swap out both the kind of fish to be raised and the type of facility to be constructed.”

Groups challenging the permit in ongoing litigation included Food & Water Watch, Center for Food Safety, Healthy Gulf, Recirculating Farms, Sierra Club, Suncoast Waterkeeper and Tampa Bay Waterkeeper. The parties sent a letter to the EPA on June 7 urging the agency to void the existing permit and do an entirely new impact assessment, with a public comment period. The letter states:

• “...on May 10, 2023, Ocean Era expressly acknowledged that it does ‘not intend to implement the project as currently permitted (i.e., with

almaco jack or a SPM net pen system)’ and instead requested to alter both the species of fish proposed to be raised by Ocean Era (changing from almaco jack to red drum) and the type of net pen

system utilized for the facility (changing from a swivel-point mooring system to a grid mooring system).

RUSTY CHINNIS

SAMANTHA WASSMER | SUBMITTED

Justin Bloom, founder of Suncoast Waterkeeper, addresses attendees at the fish farm press conference. SEE

Tarpon Tricks

CAPT. RICK GRASSETT

Tarpon should be plentiful in the coastal Gulf of Mexico this month as big schools of fish migrate along our beaches. Also look for cobia, tripletail and false albacore (little tunny) in the coastal Gulf. Catch and release snook fishing should also be good in and around passes and in the surf. Fishing for a variety of species should also be good on deep grass flats.

Tarpon fishing should be good during June as schools of fish increase in size and numbers. They will head offshore to spawn, close to new and full moons. I’ve done well with Lefty’s Deceiver and my Grassett Flats Bunny fly patterns fished on floating fly lines. Stake out or anchor in travel lanes to get shots at them. Tarpon are creatures

of habit and will travel on the same edges and depth contours. The shallower the water, the easier it is to get your fly in front of a tarpon when fly fishing. Since fish may be moving both north and south, setting up within several hundred yards of another angler may negatively affect their fishing. Fly fishing for tarpon is very dependent on conditions and there are a lot of variables that need to come together to be successful.

Regulations have returned to normal for reds and snook in Sarasota. Spotted seatrout have changed in southwest Florida to a three-fish-perperson bag limit and a six-fish boat limit. Trout must be from 15”-19” with one allowed per vessel over 19”. In my opinion, it’s important to

protect larger trout, which are usually female breeders. Full regulations and details for all species can be viewed at https://myfwc.com/ .

You should find snook in the surf, in passes and around docks and bridges in the ICW near passes. You can walk the beach and sight fish them in the surf with fly tackle. Small baitfish fly patterns, like Gibby’s DT Special or my Grassett Snook Minnow, should work well. Many of the same flies that work in the surf will also work well at night. Snook will congregate in passes around the new and full moons to spawn, so docks and bridges close to passes will usually hold more fish this time of year.

Fishing for reds should also be good this month. Look for them over shallow grass, along mangrove shorelines or around oyster bars when the tide is high. You’ll find them in potholes or edges

of flats when the tide is low.

Fly anglers should score with baitfish fly patterns like my Grassett Flats Minnow or Gurglers.

You may find trout, Spanish mackerel, bluefish or pompano on deep grass flats this month. I like to drift and cast ahead of my drift with Ultra

REEL TIME: Suncoast Waterkeeper opposes fish farm

FROM PAGE 22

• “Accordingly, we hereby call upon EPA to exert its jurisdiction and authority under the Clean Water Act to revoke NPDES Permit FL0A00001 in its entirety, in light of Ocean Era’s explicit admission that it will not — indeed, as a practical matter, it cannot — implement the project as currently permitted.”

Attending the press conference, Justin Bloom, founder and board member of Suncoast Waterkeeper, stated, “Notwithstanding the major changes to the project proposal, this permit is flawed and not adequately protective of the environment and our coastal communities that rely on clean and healthy waters. The new

changes are equivalent to an entirely new project and make it clear that the permitting agencies should require a new permit proposal.”

Also present was Dr. Neal Schleifer, vice president of the Siesta Key Condominium Council (SKCC), representing over 90 associations and 7,000 residences.

“The changes should result in revocation of the permit, which is widely opposed by residents and local municipalities as a danger to the environment and local economy,” Schleifer said.

“The changes introduce new issues and question the credibility of previous company information. Imagine the potential problems if this facility existed during Hurricane Ian or the subsequent massive red tide outbreak.”

Dr. Larry Allan, Manatee-Sarasota Sierra Club steering committee member and wildlife photographer, repeated what so many in the crowd said in some form or another.

“It's not aquaculture I oppose in general, but the proposed placement of this project – no matter what kind of fish or what kind of open cage – just offshore from an area plagued with annual red tide blooms makes absolutely no sense for anyone,” Allan said.

While the lawsuit is currently on hold pending an EPA review of the Velella Epsilon project changes, Marianne Cufone, director of recirculating farms, steering committee member of the Don’t Cage Our Oceans coalition and a Florida attorney on the lawsuit, was in Washington, D.C. at the time

Hair Clouser flies tied on long shank hooks on an intermediate sink tip fly line. You’ll need to add a few inches of heavy (40- or 50-pound) fluorocarbon when toothy fish are in the mix. Look for deep grass flats with a mix of grass and sand and a good tidal flow for the best action.

of the event discussing offshore finfish farming bills.

“EPA should withdraw the permit it issued for the Velella Epsilon industrial finfish aquaculture facility and do a full environmental review of the new plans, including meaningful opportunities for public input, to fully consider all the potential impacts and alternatives,” she said.

If you would like more information on the pending permit and project, contact Justin Bloom at 917-991-7593 or bloomesq1@gmail.com, Casey Streeter at 239-333-8832 or casey@ floridawatermen.org, Cris Costello at 941-914-0421 or cris.costello@ sierraclub.org and Shane Tan at shane.tan@berlinrosen.com.

CAPT. RICK GRASSETT | SUBMITTED June is a great month to fly fish for tarpon in the coastal Gulf of Mexico. Clark Keator, of Orlando, battles a tarpon on fly tackle in the coastal Gulf with Capt. Rick Grassett in a previous June.

Challenged beachfront home going up

Support pilings are now in place for the beachfront home being built at 105 Elm Ave. in Anna Maria. Neighboring property owners unsuccessfully challenged the permit the Florida Department of Environmental Protection originally issued in 2020 which allows Fedora Campbell’s new beachfront home to be built seaward of the state’s Coastal Construction Control Line. After the state permitting challenge failed, the Anna Maria City Commission, in June 2022, authorized the city-issued building

permits that allowed the construction process to move forward with Campbell paying to extend Elm Avenue in an unpaved manner that provides access to her property. The com-

mission also required Campbell to install additional drainage components at her expense. The property has been owned by the Campbell family since 1925.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Construction of Fedora Campbell’s new beachfront home is underway at 105 Elm Ave.

High tides, nest tampering pose challenges to sea turtles

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Overwash from high tides and nest tampering over the past week is affecting sea turtle nests, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella said.

TURTLE TIPS

During sea turtle season, May 1 – Oct. 31, follow these tips to help turtles:

• Turn off lights visible from the beach and close blinds from sundown to sunrise; lights confuse nesting sea turtles and may cause them to go back to sea and drop their eggs in the water, where they won’t hatch. Light can also attract hatchlings away from the water.

“Several nests had overwash during exceptionally high tides, however all are still intact,” she said in an email to The Sun. “Nests can withstand some overwash and still hatch. Females lay several nests in a season and will place them at different locations on the beach, thus providing incubation environments.”

•Don’t use flashlights, lanterns or camera flashes on the beach at night.

•Remove all beach chairs and other objects from the sand from sundown to sunrise; they can deter sea turtles from nesting and disorient hatchlings.

•Fill in the holes you dig in the sand before leaving the beach; they can trap nesting and hatching sea turtles, which cannot live long out of the water. You might also accidentally dig into an unmarked nest. To report large holes or other turtle obstacles, call:

In less positive news, Mazzarella said that there was an incident of nest tampering last week.

“Stakes were pulled out of an incubating nest,” she wrote. “We encourage people to report any sightings of nest tampering to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) at 888-404-3922.”

• City of Anna Maria code enforcement — 941-708-6130, ext. 111.

• City of Bradenton Beach code enforcement — 941-7781005, ext. 280.

• City of Holmes Beach code enforcement — 941-778-0331, ext. 260.

• Level sandcastles before leaving the beach; they can block hatchlings from the water.

• Don’t use balloons, wish lanterns or fireworks; they litter the beach and Gulf, and turtles can ingest the debris.

Marine turtles are protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 and Florida’s Marine Turtle Protection Act.

“Florida Statutes restrict the take, possession, disturbance, mutilation, destruction, selling, transference, molestation, and harassment of marine turtles, nests or eggs,” according to the FWC.

• Do not trim trees and plants that shield the beach from lights.

• Never touch a sea turtle; it’s the law. If you see people disturbing turtles, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

Source: Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring

NESTING NEWS

Turtle nests laid 197

(Record: 544 in 2019)

False crawls 243

(Record: 831 in 2010)

Nests hatched 0

(Record: 453 in 2022)

Hatchlings 0

(Record: 35,850 in 2022)

Anna Maria

Source: Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring

Join the Independence Day parade

Don your best red, white and blue and join the Anna Maria Island Privateers on the Independence Day Parade route. Everyone is invited to join the parade on Tuesday, July 4. Staging begins at the Coquina Beach North Boat Ramp in Bradenton Beach at 8 a.m. with the parade starting at 10 a.m. The parade route begins at the boat ramp and ends at the Anna Maria City Pier on Pine Avenue, traveling north on Gulf, East Bay,

Marina and Palm drives to end on Pine Avenue. Child-safe water toys are permitted and encouraged to be used by participants and viewers along the parade route, though no high-powered hoses or water guns are permitted. All parade participants are required to be on board a float or vehicle. No walking in the parade is allowed. There is no cost to participate, but donations are welcome. Sign up online at www. amiprivateers.wildapricot.org.

The following hotels and motels accept pets. Some have limitations on species, number, size and breed, some require pets to be caged before housekeeping services are rendered, some require deposits or extra charges, and some have special pet amenities, such as grassy areas for walking. Call ahead to find accommodations that match your needs, and make a list of several hotels in different parts of the state to be prepared for storms from any direction.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND

Anna Maria Dream Inn 2502 Gulf Dr. N. Bradenton Beach 941-209-1420

Anna Maria Island Resorts Tortuga Beach Resort 1325 Gulf Dr. Bradenton Beach 941-778-6611

Anna Maria Motel 808 N. Bay Blvd. Anna Maria 941-778-1269

Queen’s Gate 1101 Gulf Dr. N. Bradenton Beach 941-778-7153

ARCADIA Knights Inn 504 S. Brevard Ave. 863-494-4884

Holiday Inn Express 2709 Southeast Hwy. 70 863-494-5900

BRADENTON Best Western Plus 2215 Cortez Rd W 941-238-0800

Compass Hotel Anna Maria Sound 12324 Manatee Ave W. 941-741-9700

Courtyard Bradenton Sarasota/Riverfront 100 Riverfront Dr. W. 941-747-3727

Days Inn 3506 1st St. W. 941-746-1141

Days Inn Bradenton – I75 644 67th St Circle E 941-746-2505

Fairfield Inn & Suites Lakewood Ranch 6105 Exchange Way 941-552-4000 Hampton Inn & Suites 309 10th St W 941-746-9400

Hyatt Place Sarasota/ Lakewood Ranch 6021 Exchange Way 941-748-3100

Motel 6 660 67th St. Circle E. 941-747-6005

Spring Hill Suites Bradenton Downtown Riverfront 102 12th St. W. 941-226-2200

BROOKSVILLE Days Inn 6320 Windmere Rd 352-796-9486

Microtel Inn 6298 Nature Coast Blvd 352-796-9025

Quality Inn 30307 Cortez Blvd 352-796-9481

CAPE CORAL Holiday Inn Express 1538 Cape Coral Pkwy E 239-542-2121

Hampton Inn & Suites 619 SE 47th Terrace 239-540-1050

DAYTONA BEACH

Homewood Suites By Hilton 165 Bill France Blvd 386-258-2828

Residence Inn Daytona Beach Speedway/Airport 1725 Richard Petty Blvd 386-252-3949

DELAND Comfort Inn 400 E International Speedway 386-736-3100

ELLENTON Hampton Inn 5810 20th Ct. E. 941-721-4000

Red Roof Inn 4915 17th St. E. 941-729-0600

ELLENTON

Super 8

5218 17th St. E. 941-729-8505

FORT MYERS

Baymont Inn & Suites

9401 Marketplace Rd

239-454-0040

Hyatt Place

2600 Champion Ring Rd

239-418-1844

La Quinta Inn 9521 Market Place Rd

239-466-0012

Residence Inn 20371 Summerlin Rd

239-415-4150

Travel Lodge

13661 Indian Paint Ln 239-561-1117

GAINESVILLE

Best Western 4200 N.W. 97th Blvd.

352-331-3336

Home Hotel & Suites

3905 S.W. 43rd St.

352-376-0004

Motel 6

4000 S.W. 40th Blvd.

352-373-1604

Residence Inn by Marriott

I-75

3275 SW 40 Blvd

352-264-0000

KISSIMMEE

Ramada Gateway

7470 HWY 192 407-966-4410

Motel 6 5731 W. Irlo Bronson Hwy. 407-396-6333

LAKELAND

Hilton Garden Inn

3839 Don Emerson Drive 863-647-0066

Motel 6 3120 U.S. Hwy. 98 N. 863-682-0643

Residence Inn 3701 Harden Blvd. 863-680-2323

LAKE BUENA VISTA

Marriott Residence Inn 11450 Marbella Palm Court 407-465-0075

LAKE CITY

Baymont Inn & Suites

3598 US 90 W 386-752-3801

Days Inn

3430 N US Hwy 441

386-758-4224

LAKE MARY Extended Stay America

1040 Greenwood Blvd 407-829-2332

Hyatt Place

1255 S International Pkwy 407-995-5555

La Quinta Inn

1060 Greenwood Blvd. 407-805-9901

Residence Inn 825 Heathrow Park Lane 407-995-3400

LEESBURG Best Western Plus

1321 N. 14th Street

352-460-0118

Hampton Inn 9630 Us Hwy 441

352-315-1053

OCALA Comfort Inn 1212 S Pine Ave 352-629-7300

Hampton Inn & Suites 3601 SW 38th Ave

352-867-0300

La Quinta Inn & Suites 3530 S.W. 36th Ave.

352-861-1137

Microtel Inn & Suites 1770 Southwest 134th St

352-307-1166

Equus Inn 3434 SW College Rd

352-854-3200

Residence Inn 3601 S.W. 38th Ave.

352-547-1600

Sleep Inn and Suites 13600 S.W. 17th Court

352-347-8383

ORLANDO Hard Rock Hotel 5800 Universal Blvd. 407-503-2000

Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista 13351 State Road 535 407-239-4500

La Quinta Inn - Universal Studios 5621 Major Blvd 407-313-3100

Motel 6 - Winter Park 5300 Adanson Street 407-647-1444

Motel 6 International 5909 American Way 407-351-6500

Residence Inn Seaworld 11000 Westwood Blvd. 407-313-3600

Staybridge Suites 7450 Augusta National Dr 407-438-2121

Townplace Suites 11801 High Tech Ave. 407-243-6100

PLANT CITY

Comfort Inn 2003 S Frontage Rd 813-707-6000

Knights Inn 301 S Frontage Rd 813-752-0570

PORT CHARLOTTE Comfort Inn

812 Kings Hwy 941-421-7548

Days Inn 1941 Tamiami Trail 941-623-9404

Knights Inn

4100 Tamiami Trail 941-743-2442

Sleep Inn & Suites 806 Kings Highway 941-613-6300

PUNTA GORDA

Four Points by Sheraton 33 Tamiami Trail 941-637-6770

RUSKIN

Holiday Inn & Suites 226 Teco Rd. 813-922-4561

Ruskin Inn 3113 College Ave 813-641-3437

SANFORD Best Western Plus 3401 S Orlando Dr 407-320-0845

SARASOTA Comfort Suites 5690 Honore Ave 941-554-4475

Comfort Inn & Suites 5931 Commercial Way 941-342-8778

Courtyard Sarasota Bradenton 850 University Pkwy 941-355-3337

Embassy Suites by Hilton 202 N. Tamiami Trail 941-256-0190

Even Hotel – Lakewood Ranch

6231 Lake Osprey Dr 941-782-4400

Hampton Inn & Suites 8565 Cooper Creek Blvd 941-355-8619

Hibiscus Suites

1735 Stickney Point Road 941-921-5797

Hyatt Place Lakewood Ranch 6021 Exchange Way 941-946-2357

Hyatt Place Sarasota 950 University Pkwy 941-554-5800

La Quinta Inn & Suites 1803 N. Tamiami Trail 941-366-5128

Residence Inn 1040 University Pkwy. 941-358-1468

Days Inn 5000 N. Tamiami Trail 941-351-7734

Sleep Inn 900 University Pkwy. 941-359-8558

SEBRING

La Quinta Inn 4115 US 27 South 863-386-1000

Magnunson Grand 6525 US 27 North 863-385-4500

Residence Inn 3221 Tubbs Road 863-314-9100

Severn Sebring Hotel 150 Midway Dr 863-655-7200

SPRING HILL

Motel 6 6172 Commercial Way 352-596-2007

TALLAHASSEE

Best Western Pride Inn

2016 Apalachee Parkway 850-656-6312

La Quinta Inn North 2905 N. Monroe St. 850-385-7172

Motel 6 Downtown

1027 Apalachee Parkway 850-877-6171

Motel 6 West 2738 N. Monroe St. 850-386-7878

Quality Inn 3090 N. Monroe St. 850-562-2378

Red Roof Inn

2930 Hospitality Street 850-385-7884

Red Roof Inn 6737 Mahan Drive 850-656-2938

Residence Inn 1880 Raymond Diehl Road 850-422-0093

Residence Inn Universities 600 W. Gaines St. 850-329-9080

Sleep Inn 1695 Capital Circle N.W. 850-575-5885

Staybridge Suites 1600 Summit Lake Drive 850-219-7000

Suburban Extended Stay Hotel 522 Silver Slipper Lane 850-386-2121

TAMPA

Quality Inn-Busch Gardens 2701 E. Fowler Ave. 813-971-4710

Holiday Inn Express 8610 Elm Fair Blvd 813-490-1000

Holiday Inn Express 8310 Galbraith 813-910-7171

Homewood Suites by Hilton Tampa/Brandon 10240 Palm River Road 813-685-7099

Hyatt Place Tampa Airport 4811 W. Main St. 813-282-1037

Residence Inn 4312 W. Boy Scout Blvd. 813-877-7988

Sheraton Tampa East Hotel 10221 Princess Palm Ave 813-623-6363

TEMPLE TERRACE Residence Inn 13420 N Telcom Parkway 813-972-4400

Towne Place Suites by Marriott 6800 Woodstork Rd 813-975-9777

WINTER HAVEN Howard Johnson Inn 1300 3rd St SW 863-294-7321

Lake Roy Beach Inn 1825 Cypress Garden Blvd 863-324-6320

Roadway Inn & Suites 1911 Cypress Gardens Blvd. 863-324-5994

PAT COPELAND: An Island treasure

FROM PAGE 13 COMMUNITY ICON

In 2017, Pat was named the city of Anna Maria’s Citizen of the Year. Last week, the flags at the museum, City Pier Park, City Hall and the City Hall annex were flown at half-staff in Pat’s honor.

Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said, “The loss of Pat Copeland is a heavy loss for our Island community. Pat blazed a trail that is now her legacy. She was the woman who brought to life the images and tales from our Island’s past. Knowing our history is a key ingredient for a community to remain relevant and instill a sense of pride in its citizens. Pat made us all aware that we are ‘Anna Marians,’ ” he said.

Historical Society Vice President Barbara Murphy said, “The Historical Society has lost a devoted friend. Pat and Carolyne Norwood not only had a passion for the Island history, but the vision and determination to preserve it for generations to come.

A year ago, the Historical Society’s annual scholarship awards were named after Pat. Thank you, Pat, for your contribution to preserving our rich Island history.”

Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth said, “Pat was an original. She had a deep connection to the Island and was a talented writer. She will be truly missed. We are fortunate to have the years that she invested in her historical work that helped preserve the Island’s treasures.”

Holmes Beach City Clerk Stacey Johnston said, “Pat was a beautiful person. Her smile was contagious. She absolutely loved her family, community, her job and her friends. She was an excellent writer; one I could always trust. Her perseverance towards the history of Anna Maria Island will allow Pat’s memory to live on forever.”

Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said, “She always gave the police department a fair shot. She reported everything fairly and she mentored other reporters to do the same. She was always a

pleasure to speak with. I will miss her.”

Retired WMFR Fire Chief Andy Price said, “As a reporter, she would always ask questions so she could understand the issue – and not just enough to write a story. What she reported was accurate and it told the right story because she understood what was going on. When Pat wrote an article, it was accurate to the T. Pat was one of the best journalists I’ve ever dealt with. Pat was a wonderful person and it showed in her reporting.”

Former Holmes Beach Mayor and County Commissioner Carol Whitmore said, “I met Pat when I first got into Island politics in 1991. Throughout the years we became friends and we still communicated after she left the paper. She was a wonderful person and she had a passion for the Historical Society. I’m happy I got to know her and Doug.”

Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie said, “Pat was a wonderful lady who really loved the Island community. She was a real giver and she was always there for the community.”

Island resident and business owner Ed Chiles said, “Pat was dedicated to the history and the character of the Island. She was indefatigable, always working on it and never not involved. She was a great citizen of the Island. She will be missed but she will not be forgotten.”

Bradenton resident and longtime family friend Jean Couser said, “I’ve known Pat since the 70s, when she and

I were waitresses at Trader Jack’s. Pat and Doug were schoolteachers who escaped the cold for something new, but I don’t think Pat ever strayed very far from educating people, even if she didn’t do it in a classroom. Her family was so important to her and she and Doug created a purposeful life together. They raised two smart, talented women and Pat had a big influence on how successful those girls are.

“Pat’s talents went way

beyond writing. She sewed Halloween costumes and knitted baby blankets. She surrounded herself with creative people and the parties she and Doug hosted were never dull. In many ways, I think Pat was the spirit of Anna Maria. She was always doing research for Historical Society, doing a story for The Sun or collecting books for her Little Free Library. She really loved the community.”

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

In 2017, former Anna Maria Mayor Fran Barford presented Pat Copeland with the city of Anna Maria’s Citizen of the Year award.

COPELAND FAMILY | SUBMITTED The City Pier Park flags flew at half-staff in Pat Copeland’s honor.

COPELAND FAMILY | SUBMITTED

Above, Pat and Doug Copeland were married in Anna Maria and enjoyed more than 50 years of marriage on the Island. Right, the Copelands served as “The Bowling Police” during one of the annual O’Connor Bowling Challenge tournaments. Below, Pat and Doug dressed as Lois Lane and Superman for Halloween.

COPELAND FAMILY | SUBMITTED Anna Hayden and her sister, Pat Copeland, got “framed” in this photo.

COPELAND FAMILY | SUBMITTED The Copeland family sometimes gathered at Duffy’s Tavern in Holmes Beach.

In life, sometimes it’s just luck that makes the life-changing decisions we make look genius. In real estate, the importance of the old adage, “location, location, location” is only surpassed by timing - and you can’t plan timing.

The summer of 2020 started the pandemic buying spree and combined with interest rates dropping to 3% it was all-out insanity. Nationally, the median number of days on the market in 2019 pre-pandemic was 30 to 40. In 2020 that number started to drop into the 20s and into the teens in 2021-22.

Florida in general has experienced a longer number of days to get properties into contract. Specifically, Manatee County, as of the last set of statistics released by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee, reports that single-family homes took 28 days to get into contract as opposed to 5 days last year. Most of this is a reflection of the low inventory

Timing is everything

Castles in the Sand

LOUISE BOLGER

available, slightly higher than last year but still historically low.

Buyers who were lucky enough to buy when mortgage rates were low and homes were still available will benefit from that decision for decades, affecting every other aspect of their life choices. Those buyers who missed the market blame themselves for taking their eye off the ball and not acting faster or not taking a risk. Some of this may be true, but frankly, no one during those years really knew what was going to happen. The entire population of the country was frozen in place both literally and figuratively, making

decision-making difficult, especially for first-time and marginal buyers.

Similarly, the run-up to the financial crisis and the bursting of the housing bubble in 2008 was unpredictable. Buyers and investors were buying anything and everything for overinflated prices. When the bubble exploded, the value of their properties declined so much it took a decade for some of it to come back.

An economics professor at the University of Georgia presented this hypothetical I recently read. A buyer who purchased a house in June of 2020 for $300,000 - about the median for homes at the time - with a 20% down payment and a 3% mortgage rate would pay about $89,000 in interest over the first 15 years of a 30-year loan. By comparison, someone who bought at the same price in June of 2022 with a 6% mortgage rate would pay about $190,000 in interest over 15 years. Two years made an enormous difference.

But this is now and even if you feel you didn’t act three years ago, you can act now. Economists have always believed that homeownership is an important generator of wealth. They focus on moving forward, especially for young first-time buyers who have years ahead of them to create wealth. Americans have more faith in real estate that in any other investment. A recent Gallup survey indicated that 34% of Americans rated real estate the best long-term investment, down from 41% in 2021 and 45% in 2022. The lesson here is that buying a home is a more important decision than when you buy that home. You have to be in it to win it, you have to be in it to create a family home, and you have to be in it to create the biggest generator of wealth this country has ever consistently had. Timing is important, but action is long-term.

BEACH BEAT

HOLMES BEACH

6/6, 5 p.m., burglary, 7400 Marina Drive. A male victim came to the HBPD station to report a theft of fishing equipment from his boat. The victim reported that when he came to his boat slip the day after a fishing trip, a plastic tote containing fishing equipment was missing. He provided a line-item list of stolen equipment that totaled $1,063. Due to his boat being open air, there was no forced entry. A search of nearby doorbell cameras revealed footage of the theft. The case remains open.

6/8, 7 a.m., trespassing, 4000 Gulf Drive. The officer was dispatched in reference to a trespass complaint on a Manatee County Transit Bus. The bus driver said a couple of hours prior to the officer arriving, she saw a subject who was known to urinate near the bus stop at 4000 Gulf Drive, and several riders had complained. The

subject was eventually located and was informed by the officer that he was being trespassed from all Manatee County public transportation for a period of one year. He was also trespassed from all bus stops as well. The subject left the area without further incident.

6/11, 12:30 p.m., assault, 4000 Gulf Drive. While on patrol at Manatee Beach, the officer was contacted by a female victim who said earlier in the day she was battered over a parking spot. The victim said that she and her friend were waiting for someone to pull out of a parking spot as a car was leaving. After she parked, a woman in a full-sized truck pulled up and told her she had been waiting for that spot for over an hour and threatened the victim if she did not leave the spot. The woman in the truck then cursed at the victim and spat at her. The officer was not able to locate the suspect’s vehicle, but a report was made.

Sex offender report: Joshua Louis Kramp, 44, 4104 Sixth Ave., Holmes Beach.

OBITUARIES

Patricia “Pat” Copeland

It is with great sadness that Patricia (Pat) Copeland's family announces her passing on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Pat was a loved and cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

Pat was born in 1946, the middle of three sisters, to parents Joseph and Mary. Growing up in Ohio, Pat loved cooking family meals with her mother and listening to music with her sisters. As a young woman, Pat began to write original poetry. She continued to pursue creative writing while at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, earning her bachelor’s degree in 1969 with a concentration in English and history.

Pat fell in love with Anna Maria Island when she wed her husband of 50 years, Doug Copeland, at the groom's family home near Bean Point. Doug and Pat moved to Anna Maria in 1974

and immediately made it their home.

Pat followed her passion for writing and began working as a reporter and editor for local newspapers and publications. She spent her professional career writing the history of Anna Maria every week. Pat was a common fixture at local city commission, school and fire commission meetings. She won numerous awards from the Florida Press Association and the Florida Press Club, including a special award for series and several special awards for news reporting.

Pat’s deep love of the Island was evident in her dedication

and commitment to community service. In 1990 she co-founded The Anna Maria Island Historical Society and during her tenure, she served in many positions, including Director Emeritus, board member, recording secretary and archivist. She loved the rich history of Anna Maria Island and worked tirelessly to help preserve it for visitors and locals alike. The Island loved her back with several awards, including 1995’s honored citizen by the city of Anna Maria, a special recognition award for community service and journalism from the West Manatee Fire Department in 2016 and the 2017 Anna Maria Citizen of the Year award.

Pat offered her love and encouragement to all around her, creating an extended family for anyone in need of a place to call home. She was grateful to raise her family in Anna Maria’s close-knit community. As a mother, she was always full of laughter and smiles, never afraid to

SEE OBITUARIES, PAGE 33

SUBMITTED

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FROM PAGE 31

goof around, dress up or act a fool to create a lasting memory with her family. She gave her daughters the joy of cooking and used her love of food to bring the family together around the table every night. Pat was truly overjoyed to be a grandmother and watch the kids swim in the pool, and she was always happy to play a game, offer encouragement or sit back and marvel at their exploration of the world around them. Dearest Mom, we will always raise our glasses to you and say, “Salute and happy days.”

Patricia's memory will be forever treasured by her husband, Doug Copeland; daughters, Layla Copeland (Kevin Griffith) and Dr. Anna Maria Copeland (Dr. Norris Nolan III); her adoring grandchildren, Lily Nolan, George Griffith and Louis Griffith; her sisters, Anna Hayden and Marilyn Beck,

and her extended family and friends. She leaves a legacy of compassion, selflessness and community spirit that will continue to inspire and uplift those fortunate enough to know her.

A public memorial service will be announced later, where friends and family will come together to celebrate Patricia’s remarkable life. In honor of Patricia's passion for community service, the family kindly requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Anna Maria Island Historical Society Pat Copeland Scholarship Fund, which was close to her heart, at The Anna Maria Island Historical Society: P.O. Box 4315, Anna Maria, Florida 34216.

As we bid farewell to Patricia Copeland, we take comfort in knowing that her spirit will forever reside in the hearts of those she touched. May her soul find eternal peace, and may her memory be a guiding light for all of us.

Rest in peace, dear Pat. You will be deeply missed, but your legacy will live on.

Maguire, Cornelius wedding celebrated

On Saturday June 10, John “Baitman” Maguire and Jill Cornelius followed their beach wedding with a reception at the Drift In bar in Bradenton Beach, where Maguire works. During the reception, Drift In manager Doreen Flynn presented the couple with a pair of customized deck boots that commemorate the many years Maguire spent selling live bait in Bradenton Beach and Cortez.

Anna Maria budget process begins, water taxi discussions continue

Mayor Dan Murphy and the Anna Maria City Commission will begin creating the city’s 2023-24 fiscal year budget during the commission budget meeting at city hall on Thursday, June 22 at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will focus on the review and discussion of the upcoming budget and the anticipated capital outlay and miscellaneous expenses, with two additional budget meetings taking place at future dates. The budget meeting is expected to last 30 minutes or less. Immediately following the budget meeting, the mayor and commission will participate in their regular commission meeting during which the city attorney will provide an update on Senate Bill 250, which, if enacted as state law, could limit the city’s ability to adopt land use regulations and amend the city’s comprehensive plan until October 2024.

The mayor and commission will continue their previous discussions on an interlocal agreement for Manatee County’s proposed use of the City Pier as a water taxi stop. The mayor will then provide more details on his plans for a fall sequel to the centennial celebration the city hosted on Memorial Day.

Meetings canceled for summer

Summer is here and city leaders in Holmes Beach are taking a break from meetings to enjoy the sun. Over the months of July and August, city meetings will be limited to one per month with the exception of budget hearings. In July, commissioners will meet for their only regular meeting on Tuesday, July 18 at 5 p.m. That meeting will be followed by a work session. In August, commissioners are scheduled to meet on Tuesday, Aug. 15 at 2 p.m. for a regular meeting followed by a work session.

DOREEN FLYNN | SUBMITTED

John Maguire and Jill Cornelius celebrated their wedding reception at the Drift In.

Summer sports kick off at The Center

BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN

ANNA MARIA – With the first official day of summer, the heat of the Island evenings pushes The Center’s youth sports activities inside with indoor soccer’s kickoff games last week. Thursday night started the adult co-ed recreational summer flag football action on the big field with competitive action once again.

Because of ties and forfeits, only one team in each of the youth indoor leagues came out victorious at the end of their games. Teams Solid Rock Construction and Island Vacation Properties won in their respective leagues.

In 8- to 10-year-old league play, Solid Rock Construction hit the gymnasium floor against team Progressive Cabinetry. Strong goal-scoring by the Solid Rock squad gave them the win with the final score 6-4.

Scoring for Solid Rock, Matthew Darak made four goals. Teammate Holden put two points on the scoreboard. At the net, Isaac Roadman protected the goal with skill making five saves in the team’s win week one.

Max McMaster scored the two

goals for Progressive Cabinetry, while Vincent Gollamundi miraculously made 15 big stops in the game as goalie for his team.

Island Vacation Properties was the lone victor in the 11- to 13-year-old league due to a forfeit by team Moss Builders.

Indoor soccer action between team Coastline West Team – Wagner Realty and Solid Rock Construction ended in a 3-3 tie. With 11 saves by Austin Guess for Solid Rock, the team held its own against the Coastline West squad thanks to three goals by Wes Saxon. Coastline’s goals came off the boots of David Zupa with two goals and Grady Sandhoff with a solo goal. Making eight amazing saves, the Coastline West Team’s goalie, Blake Brower, helped his team hold on to the tie, giving each team one point in the season.

After four adult flag football games, four teams came out on top finishing the week with 1-0-0 records. Teams Luxury Services, Moss Builders, Sandbar Seafood & Spirits and Solid Rock Construction each took home a win.

Starting off the season, Salty Printing matched up with last season’s big

Prepare for hurricane season

Hurricane season began June 1 with the first tropical storm forming in the Gulf of Mexico.

Though Tropical Storm Arlene didn’t bring a lot of impacts to Anna Maria Island, it still serves as a reminder that it’s never too early to get ready for hurricane season. The Island Branch Library is hosting a disaster preparedness seminar on Monday, June 26 from 3-4:30 p.m. to help

educate the public on just what needs to be done to be ready if a storm comes to southwest Florida. Topics include how to prepare for hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and other natural disasters, what items to include in a disaster kit, how to prepare to care for your pet in the event of a storm or evacuation and what information to safeguard.

The seminar is sponsored by the Anna Maria Island

winners, team Luxury Services. With a slightly different lineup, the Luxury team easily won their first game 35-12. Tim Holly topped the men’s flagpulling for the week with eight snags.

In another high-scoring game and aerial assault, Moss Builders scored 45 points against the Gulf Drive Café defense. The Gulf Drive team managed to put up 26 points on the scoreboard in their first loss last Thursday night.

Defense was the name of the game in the third game of the adult flag football season with the Solid Rock Construction team winning against team Cortez Deep Sea Fishing 14-7. Evelyn Long made seven amazing stops with flag pulls for the Solid Rock team, just short of Holly.

Ending the night with the closest game of the week, Sandbar Seafood & Spirits barely earned the win against The Banks Home Lending Team. Winning by two points, the Sandbar team came out on top with the final score 28-26.

Playing toward the championship games in August, 16 teams, three leagues, two sports compete at The Center all summer.

Water quality report

Chamber of Commerce and will be presented by Steve Litschauer, deputy director of public safety and emergency management chief for Manatee County. The program is free, but seating is limited. To reserve a spot, email the chamber at info@amichamber.org or call 941-778-1541. The Island Branch Library is located at 5701 Marina Drive in Holmes Beach.

Water quality at area beaches is based on monitoring of enterococcus bacteria levels, which can pose an increased risk of infectious disease.

Coquina Beach North Good

Coquina Beach South Good

Bayfront Park North Moderate

Cortez Beach Good

Manatee Beach North Good

Palma Sola South Moderate

Source: Florida Department of Health

DEVELOPER: Arrested for DUI

FROM PAGE 1 asked for water, which restarted the DUI observation period, according to the report. He then asked for medical attention. After paramedics cleared him, Kaleta requested to go to the hospital, where Adkins said he spent more than an hour in the restroom before Adkins assisted him out.

According to the report, Kaleta was released from the hospital with no medical issues, and declined to give a breath or blood sample. He was transported to the county jail where he was released the following day on $620 bond.

He is charged with DUI and resisting arrest without violence, both misdemeanors, and is scheduled for an arraignment on Monday, July 17 at 9 a.m. at the Manatee County Courthouse in Bradenton.

FUN IN THE SUN

5 Bumpkin

9 Well-connected co.?

12 Chap

13 Hebrew for "spring"

14 Nodded discreetly, maybe 16 Beset

18 Rihanna album with the hit single "Work"

20 Caper

37 Vegetable with golden and Chioggia varieties

38 Jupiter, to Saturn

39 "Change Sings: A Children's Anthem" author Gorman

40 Not taking a back seat

43 Hardest to reach, maybe 45 "LOL, I can't even"

46 Still on the market, in a way

47 Accessory to pair with an eye patch, maybe

53 Bridges in Hollywood

54 Thread-weaving aid?

55 Gives in to the munchies

56 "The __ U Give": Angie Thomas novel

57 Cristiano Ronaldo's jersey number

58 Finch family creator

59 Couple

Answers to 06-14-23

Crossword Puzzle

60 __ leches cake Down

1 City near Tahoe

2 "The West Wing" Emmy winner

3 Vehicle often steered with the feet

4 Hits the slopes with a chute

5 Go off on

6 Layer between the sclera and the retina

7 One in a cuddle

8 Night before

9 "Leave it to me!"

10 Going dark

11 __ four

12 Abundance for a Chewbacca cosplayer

15 Some are fuzzy

17 Pens

20 Transfusion letters

23 GI hangout

24 Foot that's part of a meter

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

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

HOSPITAL VOLUNTEERS

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

BOAT SLIP WANTED

IN SEARCH OF BOAT SLIP for rent or sale (preferably with lift)

Kelly Gitt The Gitt Team KW on the Water 941799-9299

COMMERCIAL SALES,

RENT & LEASE

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

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

CLEANING SERVICE

TOTAL HOME SERVICES CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Rentals, VRBO. Professional and Reliable. Call 941-756-4570 or 941-565-3931

EMPLOYMENT

TIMBER CREEK Condominiums and Golf Course is now accepting applications for a parttime handyman. Flexible hours. Occasional golf cart maintenance is part of the job. Free golf is a great perk with this position. Interested qualified applicants, please submit your resume to Jan Terpstra via email: janterp@gmail.com.

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

FISHING CHARTERS

CAPT. MAC GREGORY

Fishing Charters. Full Day, Half Day, Night, Inshore & Near Shore. 941-809-5783

U.S.C.G. Certified/Insured

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

TILE! TILE! TILE! All variations of tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship. Prompt, reliable, many Island references. Free estimates. Neil 941726-3077

RENOVATION SPECALIST

ALL carpentry repairs, Wash Family Construction, locally owned and operated CBC 1258250 Call 941-725-0073.

KERN & GILDER CONSTRUCTION, INC New Homes & Remodel. Design/Build. Since 1968. License # CBC 1261150. Call Mike Kern 941-7781115

GET’R DONE DRYWALL, INC

Specializing in Remodels & Repairs. Island Resident for 20+ years. Call Neil. Cell 941-9621194

JSAN CORPORATION

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

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

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

HOME SERVICES

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

LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE

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

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

ISLAND RESIDENT. TREE/ BUSH Trimming, removal. Sweeping, blowing, and weeding. Weekly, bi-monthly or monthly schedule. Pressure washing. Call Bill Witaszek 941307-9315

MOVING & STORAGE

MARTIN’S MOVING

YOUR Island movers! Offering dependable, competitive rates. No hidden costs. 941-8095777.

PAINTING & WALLCOVERING

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

“WIZARD OF WALLS”

Established 1980

Prompt quality service. Wallpaper installation/ removal. Mary Bell Winegarden 941-794-0455

DONALD PERKINS

ABRACADABRA PAINTING LLC fully insured. 30 years experience. Many Island references. Call 941705-7096

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

POOL SERVICES

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

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

PRESSURE WASHING & WINDOWS

TOTAL HOME SERVICES CLEANING: Residential, Commercial, Construction, Vacation, VRBO Rentals . Also available Pressure Washing, Roof Cleaning, Paver Sealing and Windows. Call 941-5653931.

REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE

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

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

RENTALS: ANNUAL ANNUAL RENTALS WANTED! We have well qualified tenants for beach and mainland annual rentals, Full management or Finders fee. Call today for details. Ask for Paige DUNCAN REAL ESTATE 513-382-1992.

ANNUAL RENTAL – AVAILABLE NOW. 2BR/1BA, furnished. $4,500/month. First, Last, and Security Deposit required Call Sato Real Estate, Inc 941-7787200 or Email megan@ satorealestate.com

ANNUAL, UNFURNISHED RENTAL 3 miles from AMI in Village Green of Bradenton. 2BR/2BA, large great room and yard. Contact Sato Real Estate at 941778-7200 for showings and more information.

ANNUAL: 2BR/2BA TOWNHOUSE, Palma Sola Trace, clubhouse, pool and more. $2,200 monthly Call 941-778-4800

LOVELY, 2ND FLOOR DUPLEX for rent, 3BR/2BA fully furnished with bed linens, dishware, washer/ dryer, all the comforts of home. 5 minutes to AMI, quiet, safe. Rent includes all utilities except electric. Annual $2,800.00. Will consider 3-month, 6-month. No smoking, Call Kelly 941-301-9938

RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION

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

SEASONAL RENTAL in PALMA SOLA. 3BR/2BA weekly or monthly rates. Contact Barb Grace 941-201-2190

ANNA MARIA ISLAND

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

2BR/1BA FULLY FURNISHED newly renovated, 2 blocks to beach, Kayak launch. Great Location. $2000/mo. Call 941-7306349

TRANSPORTATION

AMI TAXI credit cards, cash, Venmo accepted. Airport: Tampa $105, Sarasota $50, St. Pete/ Clearwater $105, Orlando $220. Call 941-447-8372, www.amitaxi.com GOLF

CART RENTALS

ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa/St. Pete $80. Sarasota $40. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-7795095

Darcie Duncan Cindy Jones

Michelle Laade Sales Associate

Katie Self Sales Associate

Lindsey Leech Strickland Sales Associate

Martha Jones Robel Sales Associate April Green Sales Associate

Tom Aposporos Broker Associate Joey Hutchinson Sales Associate

Paige Rogers Sales Associate William Romberger Sales Associate

Nancy Howle Sales Associate

Mary Anne Muniz Sales Associate

Ben Bryant Sales Associate

Andrea Miller Sales Associate Brittnee Willoughby Sales Associate Diann Roberts Sales Associate Robyn Hawk Sales Associate