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VOL 17 No. 37
June 28, 2017
Perico perfection rUSTY CHINNIS | sun
Perico Bayou, in all its backwater splendor, will be one subject on display in an exhibit of art by local anglers next month at the Studio at Gulf and Pine. More on the exhibit on Page 42.
Center concerns reach city hall The Center board awaits a legal opinion before taking further action regarding a public records request. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amsun.com
ANNA MARIA – The Center’s financial struggles and the board’s reluctance to fully disclose financial information were discussed at last week’s City Commission meeting. Commissioner Nancy Yetter serves as the commission’s Center liaison, and she initiated the Thursday, June 22, discussion when giving her commissioner’s report that pertained to her concerns about The Center and the new board of directors chaired by David Zaccagnino. Her remarks were partially a result of the board meeting she attended the night before. “I think we need to consider what we’re going to do very carefully,” she said regarding future city funding. The city leases the property to The Cen-
INSIDE NEWS OPINION Sun survey ARTS COPS, OBITS SPORTS RESTAURANTS REAL ESTATE
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ter for $1 a year, and in the current fiscal year, the commission provided an additional $18,600 in taxpayer-funded support. “It’s not the city governments’ responsibility to keep this community center solvent. If they can’t do it, I suggest we get a private organization that can run a community center,” Yetter said. She also expressed concerns about Center staff and board members being asked to sign non-disclosure forms that prevent them from discussing financial matters with outside entities. “They’re saying they want to have more transparency. It’s not happening. They don’t feel they are part of the Sunshine Law requirements. I don’t know why they have to have this shroud of secrecy,” she said “Having sat through these meetings for six years, I’ve lost hope,” she concluded.
Commission reaction
Commission Chair Doug Copeland noted the commission already agreed to conduct a budget workshop this summer see center, page 44
Ed Chiles has part ownership in a farm set to grow medical marijuana. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – Local restaurant owner and businessman Ed Chiles is embarking on a new business endeavor – medical marijuana.
The Chiles Restaurant Group owns and operates the BeachHouse restaurant in Bradenton Beach, the Sandbar in Anna Maria and Mar Vista in Long- Chiles boat Key. On Monday, see chiles, page 44
Searchers find drowning victim After a frantic search by his friends and first responders, the body of 29-year-old Michael Angelo Rosario Alvarez, of Haines City, was found near the 47th Street beach access last Sunday. A Holmes Beach police officer responded to the scene around 7:30 p.m. and met with a 22-year-old woman who said she was swimming out to a sandbar with Alvarez when he went underwater, and she could not find him. She swam
back to shore and called police. In addition to Holmes Beach, West Manatee Fire Rescue, Manatee County Marine Rescue, Longboat Key Fire Rescue, the U.S. Coast Guard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office joined in the search. The Coast Guard helicopter found Alvarez’s body submerged 150 feet from shore. Alvarez was declared dead at 8:36 p.m. His next of kin was notified.
The winners ARE HERE IN THE
Keyes Marina -
your key to good fishing. 14
Anna Maria Island, Florida
Chiles has high hopes for expanding business venture
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