Anna Maria Island Sun June 30, 2021

- Named Best Florida Newspaper In Its Class -

VOL 21 No. 38

June 30, 2021

Conservation groups sue over Piney Point discharge The wastewater discharge is thought to be feeding blooms of both red tide and blue-green algae in area waters.

BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com

FILE PHOTO

It likely will be shoulder to shoulder on AMI beaches this holiday weekend so plan on arriving early.

AMI on the Fourth of July: Here’s your checklist With record crowds expected for the July 4 holiday, here’s what you need to know in order to have an enjoyable time on Anna Maria Island.

BY JASON SCHAFFER

ANNA MARIA ISLAND - After a record-breaking spring season and Memorial Day weekend, all signs point to the busiest July 4 holiday ever, based on indications from Island innkeepers and renters, flights booked into SRQ and trends studied by the Manatee County Tourist Development Council.

Whether you’re a longtime

NEWS 4 LETTERS 6 CALENDAR 7 OUTDOORS 30 OBITS 32 REAL ESTATE 34-39 CROSSWORD 41

Island resident or just here for a week, there’s plenty you need to know in order to have a safe and enjoyable Independence Day.

PARKING

SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

INSIDE

Fireworks rules a bit complicated on AMI Page 39

Parking is a constant subject of local debate in the three cities that make up Anna Maria Island and it is one of the most discussed topics by people planning a visit.

Bradenton Beach has more parking than the other two cities.

Parking is available at both county beaches (Coquina Beach and Cortez Beach) where free trolleys turn around every 20 minutes from 6 a.m.

FIND your favor-

ites in our Readers’ Choice section. 17

Anna Maria Island, Florida

until 10:30 p.m., seven days a week, transporting visitors to locations anywhere on Anna Maria Island.

The main parking lot is located off First Street North just east of Circle K. The lot is also accessible off Bridge Street. Additional parking lots are located in the 400 block of Highland Avenue (Police Department) and south of the Public Works facility (under the cell tower). All parking areas are free and all lots are closed at midnight.

Here are some parking prohibitions in the three cities:

ANNA MARIA

PORT MANATEE – Five conservation groups filed a lawsuit on June 24 over the dumping of 215 million gallons of wastewater into Tampa Bay this spring from a phosphogypsum stack at the closed Piney Point phosphate fertilizer plant.

The suit, which claims the release endangers the public, marine ecosystems and protected species, names as defendants Gov. Ron DeSantis, Shawn Hamilton, acting secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Piney Point owner HRK Holdings LLC and the Manatee County Port Authority.

The wastewater was released from the compromised stack, which is topped by a pond containing hundreds of millions of gallons of process wastewater, stormwater and tons of dredged spoil from Port Manatee, to take pressure off the stack and avert a worse spill. Surrounding areas were evacuated for fear of flooding before the release in late March and early April.

“Piney Point was and still is a ticking timebomb,” said Justin Bloom, Sarasota-based Suncoast Waterkeeper founder and board member, in a press release. “Rather than closing it when they had the chance, FDEP allowed the site to become even more dangerous, knowing full well the risk of collapse and catastrophic contamination. Now Manatee County is seeking to inject the hundreds SEE PINEY POINT, PAGE 3

SUBMITTED

• In areas with signs prohibiting parking; SEE JULY 4, PAGE 39

This retention pond on top of a gyp stack at the closed Piney Point phosphate fertilizer plant holds hundreds of millions of gallons of polluted wastewater, about half of which was dumped into Tampa Bay this spring.

ISLAND residents respond and raise

$34,000 for Courtney Call’s son. 36 STATE should remediate Piney Point

fallout. 9

The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper www.amisun.com

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JUNE 30, 2021

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PINEY POINT: Consevation groups sue FROM PAGE 1

of millions of gallons of remaining hazardous wastewater into our groundwater. We’re not confident in our regulators’ ability to manage this mess and this legal action is necessary to protect our communities and waterways from further harm.”

According to the lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court in the Middle District of Florida, Piney Point is an ongoing threat to public health and the environment for several reasons, most pressing, the wastewater discharge into Tampa Bay, which is now experiencing harmful algae blooms and fish kills. Other threats include failure of the gyp stacks and the wastewater pond liners, impacts on groundwater quality and effects from the planned deep-well injection of the wastewater.

“Recent events at the abandoned Piney Point phosphate plant clearly demonstrate that not enough is being done to safeguard the public or the environment from the devastating impacts that the phosphate industry is having on Florida,” said Glenn Compton, chairman of ManaSota-88 Inc., in a press release. “Piney Point represents the true legacy the phosphate

industry will leave behind. There is no economically feasible or environmentally sound way to close an abandoned gyp stack. This legacy includes the perpetual spending of taxpayer monies and risks to the public’s health and the environment.”

DEP turned Piney Point into a disposal site for dredged material after the owner went bankrupt and abandoned the property, according to the suit, which claims that while the department owned and operated Piney Point from 2001-04, it oversaw the installation of inadequate liners and approved the use of the site for dredged material storage despite knowing the gyp stacks were at risk of failure due to foundation settling and other problems.

Florida regulators ignored the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ advice to reject the dredge storage proposal, the suit claims.

“Lawsuits like this shouldn’t be necessary, especially in Florida where so much of the state’s economy and residents’ quality of life is dependent on healthy water quality,” said Annie Beaman, co-executive director of Our Children’s Earth Foundation, in a

press release. “State and local regulators have failed the public for decades and continue to mismanage the waste generated by the phosphate industry.

We resort to federal court oversight when decisions by the political branches of government endanger the public. Enforcing basic environmental standards with citizen suits is the best option we have to ensure a healthier future for Tampa Bay, its communities and its wildlife.”

The wastewater dumped into Tampa Bay continues to spread throughout the estuary and into Sarasota Bay, transporting tons of nitrogen and phosphorus that fuel the growth of toxic algae blooms that kill seagrasses and other marine life, according to the conservation groups. Fish kills caused by red tide have been reported in recent weeks in Manatee, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

Phosphogypsum contained in stacks is radioactive and can contain uranium, thorium and radium, which decay into carcinogenic radon, according to the conservation groups, which claim that 1 billion tons of radioactive phosphogypsum is stored in 25 stacks, including at Piney Point.

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Red tide persists in area waters

BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Red tide continues to be detected in Manatee County waters in background to medium levels, according to the most recent Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission weekly report.

Water samples showed medium concentrations of red tide near Port Manatee, low concentrations at Egmont Key, very low concentrations at the Anna Maria Rod and Reel Pier and the Palma Sola Bay Bridge and not present at School Key (Key Royale on Anna Maria Island).

No red tide-related fish kills or respiratory irritation were reported over the past week in Manatee County.

SEE RED TIDE, PAGE 38

Water quality report

Bayfront Park North Bradenton Beach Coquina Beach North Coquina Beach South Manatee Beach North Palma Sola Bay South

Source: Florida Department of Heath

Good Good Good Good Good Moderate

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ISLAND NEWS

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JUNE 30, 2021

One killed, one seriously injured in Bradenton Beach fall

IN BRIEF

One man was killed and one seriously injured after a three-story fall while working on a new construction in Bradenton Beach.

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

SUBMITTED

The Grass Roots close out concert series If you haven’t been out to The Center of Anna Maria for the Bradenton Gulf Islands Concert Series, your last chance is July 2 when The Grass Roots come to rock the stage for the final show of the season. The band brings their biggest hits such as “Midnight Confessions,” “The River is Wide,” “I’d Wait a Million Years,” “Heaven Knows” and “Temptation Eyes.” The show starts at 7 p.m. on The Center’s field with an opening act followed

by The Grass Roots, with special guest Donnie Iris taking the stage at 8 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. and all audience members are asked to bring their own lawn chairs. The concert is planned to take place rain or shine and though no outside food or drink is allowed, The Sandbar will have a cash/credit bar with drinks but will not serve food. Tickets are available in pods of two to six for $50-65 each online at www.centerami.org/events. The concert series is presented by the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, The Sandbar and Cedar Cove Resort and Cottages.

BRADENTON BEACH – Two construction workers fell from a height of more than 30 feet on Wednesday, June 23, killing one and seriously injuring the other.

According to the Bradenton Beach Police Department, the fall happened at 5:40 p.m. as the men were standing on a makeshift scaffolding near the top of the threestory condo at 203 Bay Drive N. “We’re guessing that the nails holding their scaffold just gave out. A witness who was next door said she heard a cracking sound before seeing the first man fall.

The second man fell shortly after,” Det. Sgt. Lenard Diaz said.

JASON SCHAFFER | SUN

Holmes Beach construction site where two men fell more than 30 feet, killing one and seriously injuring the other.

Abelino Olvera, 49, of Arcadia, was found dead when police arrived at the scene. The cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. Police identified the second man as Daniel

Health department: COVID-19 ain’t over ‘til it’s over

BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com

Anna Maria extends construction noise prohibitions The city of Anna Maria has a new ordinance that further limits construction noise and activities during extended holiday weekends. Before the newly amended Ordinance 21-888 was adopted and enacted on Thursday, June 24, the previous version of the ordinance already prohibited construction noises, the operation of construction equipment on private property and the delivery, collection and removal of construction dumpsters on Sundays and federal holidays. The new ordinance contains additional language that says, “If any of these holidays falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday shall also be observed as a holiday during which no noise is allowed. If any of these holidays falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall also be observed as a holiday.” Mayor Dan Murphy said painting, plumbing, electrical and other non-noise generating construction activities are still allowed on the holidays impacted by the new ordinance.

Murphy said the new ordinance will be enforced by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Anna Maria Unit on a complaint-driven basis and will be in effect on Monday, July 5. The phone number of the MCSO Anna Maria Unit is 941-708-8899.

Leon Thomas, who was transported to Blake Medical Center with serious injuries but who is expected to make a full recovery. Both were contract laborers, according to police.

BRADENTON – The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County is asking members of the public who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 to consider doing so as soon as possible.

“Vaccination is key to preventing the spread of this life-threatening illness,” said DOH-Manatee Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Bencie. “Continuing to practice COVID-19 prevention measures is also important, especially when it comes to preventing the spread of a disease that anyone can have and not even know they have it or are spreading it.”

DOH-Manatee, the Florida Division of Emergency Management and community partners representing the Mask Up Manatee! / Vax Up Manatee! coalition reminds the public that COVID-19 and its variants remain a signifi-

cant threat to public health.

Six county workers recently tested positive for COVID-19; two have died.

A COVID-19 testing and vaccination site is located at the MCAT Palmetto Bus Station, 1802 Eighth Ave. W. in Palmetto. The walk-up site, which offers both PCR and rapid testing and vaccination at no cost, is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Anyone who wants a test or vaccination is asked to present proof of Florida residency (driver’s license, utility

bill with name and address on it, etc.). Services are available to adults ages 18 and up. For more information, call 941-242-6646.

Vaccinations also are available by appointment at select locations of CVS, Publix, Walgreens, Walmart and Winn-Dixie; you must register on their websites.

DOH-Manatee encourages everyone, whether they have been vaccinated yet or not, to continue to take these COVID-19 prevention measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19: • Get vaccinated • Get tested • Wear face coverings in public • Social distance (6 feet from others whenever possible in public) • Wash hands routinely • Wipe down high-touch surfaces • Stay home if feeling ill • Keep children at home if they are feeling ill

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No resolution reached in parking battle More communication is taking place between Manatee County and Holmes Beach Commissioners but they haven’t agreed on how to address parking and traffic concerns.

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

HOLMES BEACH – Some Holmes Beach and Manatee County commissioners are talking but that doesn’t mean a resolution has been reached in the battle over parking in residential areas for beachgoers.

At a June 22 meeting, Holmes Beach commissioners discussed the ongoing issues with county leaders.

Commissioners Jayne Christenson, Terry Schaefer and Jim Kihm said they all met with Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge to discuss his demand for more parking in Holmes Beach for beachgoers. Commissioner Carol Soustek said she had an appointment to meet with Van Ostenbridge scheduled but that he didn’t show up and she hadn’t received any word from his office about the missed appointment or rescheduling.

Christenson said she also met with Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore, a former mayor of Holmes Beach and current resident, and Administrator Scott Hopes.

Mayor Judy Titsworth said no one from the county has reached out to her to set up a meeting to discuss the ongoing dispute over parking or traffic issues.

While the Holmes Beach commissioners who met with Van Ostenbridge said they listened to his concerns about a lack of available beach parking in the Island’s largest city, they said no resolution was reached. Christenson said that during their discussion, Van Ostenbridge restated his threat to terminate beach renourishment funding and additional funding to Holmes Beach if city leaders don’t reopen street-side parking spaces to the public that are currently restricted to permit-only resident parking from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Holmes Beach exceeds the number of public parking spaces needed to qualify for beach renourishment funding, which comes from the state with a county match.

Christenson said Van Ostenbridge threatened to remove the funding received by Holmes Beach police to patrol

SUBMITTED | JAYNE CHRISTENSON

Holmes Beach Commissioner Jayne Christenson, right, and Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore met to discuss issues between the Island city and the county. the Manatee Beach, a county-maintained property, and have county code and law enforcement officers take over patrol of the area.

Despite continuing threats, Titsworth said she’s not willing to back down from her commitment to protect Holmes Beach

residents and find a balance between residents and visitors. Rather than have more visitors parking on residential streets, she’s suggested to county leaders that they seek other options, such as purchasing property near the county beach to be used as public parking, where facilities such as restrooms, trash and lifeguards are present.

During public comment, two Holmes Beach residents stood up to say how they appreciate the stance city leaders are taking with the county over the parking issues.

Resident Beth Sneedon said she sees a direct correlation between more traffic and more public parking spaces, saying she feels the traffic and large influx of visitors to the Island creates a potentially dangerous situation for residents and visitors with streets and infrastructure strained to accommodate the additional people and multiple modes of transportation.

Two county residents posed an opposite opinion, with one even attempting to organize a protest before the meeting on the steps of city hall.

With no resolutions being discussed and both parties firmly holding their ground, any changes to parking in Holmes Beach are not expected to be forthcoming any time soon.

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OPINION

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JUNE 30, 2021

The Anna Maria Island Sun Staff Publishers Mike Field Maggie Field Editor/CEO Mike Field Layout Ricardo Fonseca Reporters Cindy Lane Joe Hendricks Kristin Swain Jason Schaffer Columnists Louise Bolger Outdoors Editor Rusty Chinnis Advertising director Shona Otto Ad assistant Pamela Lee Classified ads Bob Alexander Graphics Elaine Stroili Ricardo Fonseca Digital/Social Media Editor Cindy Lane Accounting John Reitz Distribution Bob Alexander Tony McNulty Connor Field Contributors Tom Vaught Steve Borggren Monica Simpson

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Going the wrong way

After living in this otherwise beautiful area for 30 years, it continues to be disturbing to see what has the strong appearance of narrow self-interest in the higher levels of Manatee County government.

Recent headlines involving newly-elected Manatee County commissioners and some new faces underline the problem, though there is much blame to go around if you dig back through the last few decades. Comprehensive plans for the future have gone out the window over and over again in both Sarasota and Manatee counties since at least the late 80s. Meanwhile, there is again new commission talk of retracting those boundaries yet again east of I-75 where they are “tryin’ to keep it ‘country.’ ” Can’t blame them.

That is hard to do these days anywhere, but one has only to look northwards to Pinellas to see what challenges we will be facing soon.

As an early urban area of Florida, Pinellas County has done well, but they have many problems we could possibly still avoid. Here in Manatee County, we have far to go just in terms of affordable housing, for instance. Where there is so little opportunity for the "little guy," crime, homelessness and instability will increase, as we are seeing across the country. Where are all these service industry

people for Anna Maria Island and Lakewood Ranch supposed to live? Where can this multitude live affordably and have a semblance of the quality of life that is so important to the more affluent types they largely serve?

Over the last 30 years, we’ve seen unwise community developments created by shameless nepotism and greedy developers often getting their way with county commissions who have not stuck to the comprehensive plans, whether along the coast or to the east. And what happened to not building in the flood zones?

Of course, it’s as much the fault of citizenry as it is the elected officials. When no one is looking, things happen behind the scenes.

If you cannot be a trusted and ethical public servant then get back into the private sector or just get off the stage.

What about the big picture? It’s hard to escape the reek of cronyism and greed the last few decades, and I’m not overly excited about the new crop of commissioners that’s recently been elected.

There’s always been some great people in the Manatee County government, but the recent forced departure of Cheri Coryea – a dedicated county administrator and a 30-year county employee – is one symptom that we may be going the wrong way.

I hope we can find some people of vision who can guide us better

at the upper levels of our county administration. Most of the people in the trenches of the county administration have always done us great service. It’s time for the top echelon of the administration and county government to reach for those same levels of integrity.

Morgan S. Rothe Bradenton Beach

Third of July Parade?

This letter is about the action the city commissioners on Anna Maria Island took over the changing of the date of the Fourth of July celebration procession.

Let me start by saying that yes, I am a Privateer, but this letter to the editor is being penned by Specialist 4th Class Timothy Thompson U.S. Army Security Agency 1964-1968.

Veteran. It is not about the day of the week. It is not about traffic. It is not about vacation rental check-in/check-out. It’s not about costs. It’s about the Fourth of July to celebrate our country’s Day of Independence – not the Third or the Fifth. We become independent of British rule on the Fourth of July.

This change was all brought up because the celebration procession interfered with church services. If it were not for Independence Day, nobody would be free to congregate, including worship.

SEE LETTERS, PAGE 7

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JUNE 30, 2021

ON THE AGENDA

ANNA MARIA

10005 GULF DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130

City hall is open to the public with limited capacity and safety protocols in place. Please visit www.cityofannamaria.com or contact city hall for more information.

July 1, 10 a.m. – Reimagining Pine Avenue informational meeting July 5, all day – City offices closed for Independence Day holiday July 8, 2 p.m. – City Commission meeting

BRADENTON BEACH

107 GULF DRIVE N. FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005

City hall is open to the public with limited capacity and safety protocols in place. Please visit www.cityofbradentonbeach.com or contact city hall for more information.

July 1, 9:30 a.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency meeting July 1, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting July 5, all day – City offices closed for Independence Day holiday July 7, 1 p.m. – Planning and Zoning board meeting July 7, 2 p.m. – Scenic WAVES meeting

HOLMES BEACH

5801 MARINA DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800

City hall is open to the public with limited capacity and safety protocols in place. Please visit www. holmesbeachfl.org or contact city hall for more information.

July 1, 9 a.m. – City Commission special meeting July 5, all day – City offices closed for Independence Day holiday July 13, 9 a.m. – City Commission budget work session July 14, 6 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting July 15, 5 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session to follow LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

FROM PAGE 7

The Fourth only falls on a Sunday once in every seven years. That gives the church 44 of 45 Sundays. They should rejoice and praise God for their freedoms given to them of the sacrifice Americans gave them, including the freedom to worship. If Christmas were to fall on a Sunday, would they ask for it to be celebrated on Saturday the 24th?

The town officials made their decision to rescind and re-date the special event permit based on Rev. Moss’s

MARKYOUR CALENDAR

WEDNESDAY JUNE 30

Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit www.loc8nearme.com/florida/ bradenton-beach/beach-market-atcoquina-beach/6171244/ for more information.

Golfing for God, IMG Academy Golf Club, 4350 El Conquistador Pkwy., Bradenton, 2:45 p.m. tee time, 5:30 p.m. Bible study and dinner, $40 for golf and dinner, $20 for dinner. Reservations required.

Reserve to www.roserchurch.com/ g4g/.

THURSDAY JULY 1

RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations welcome.

Participants asked to bring bottled water and wear a face mask or shield.

Farm stand, Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2-4 p.m. Register online at www.manateelibrary.libcal.com/calendar.

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

FRIDAY JULY 2

Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit www.loc8nearme.com/florida/ bradenton-beach/beach-market-atcoquina-beach/6171244/ for more information.

The Grass Roots, The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, gates at 6 p.m. and music starts at 7 p.m., tickets letter to the cities stating, “… so to protect our country’s long-standing tradition of worship, discipleship, and church fellowship on Sunday mornings and do nothing to distract from it.” But it went beyond just mornings, to having to change the date – there seemed to be no compromise on maybe changing the time. So, it seems that the commissioners have now set the precedent of not issuing any special event permits on Sundays, and rescinding any prior approved permits.

If they want to cease and desist the Fourth of July celebration procession, then

$60-75. Purchase online at www. centerami.org/events.

THE SUN

children and five caregivers. Register online at www.manateelibrary. libcal.com/calendar.

Tech help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2-4 p.m. Register online at www. manateelibrary.libcal.com/calendar.

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SATURDAY JULY 10

Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit www.loc8nearme.com/florida/ bradenton-beach/beach-market-atcoquina-beach/6171244/ for more information.

Robinson Runners, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 8 a.m.

Saturday mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon. Face masks required.

Origami Club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to noon. Register online at www.manateelibrary. libcal.com.

Music on the Porch Saturday Jam Session with Soupy, Cortez Cultural Center, 11655 Cortez Rd., Cortez, 2-4 p.m.

THURSDAY

SUNDAY

Happy Independence Day! Farm stand, Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Rise and Shine Power Flow Yoga, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., $10 fee payable online. Bring your own yoga mat.

Register at https://parks.mymanatee.org/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/search. html?primarycode=110006 or call 941-742-5923 ext. 6042 for more information.

AMI Chamber Sunrise Breakfast, The Cheesecake Cutie & Café, 3324 E. Bay Dr., Holmes Beach, 7:30 a.m.

Reserve to 941-778-1541.

Wildlife spotlight: Mangroves, Leffis Key, 2351 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton, 9 a.m. Reserve to www. eventbrite.com/e/153131379077.

RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations welcome. Participants asked to bring bottled water and wear a face mask or shield.

Farm stand, Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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

Farm stand, Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Rise and Shine Power Flow Yoga, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., $10 fee payable online. Bring your own yoga mat. Register at https:// parks.mymanatee.org/wbwsc/webtrac. wsc/search.html?primarycode=110006 or call 941-742-5923 ext. 6042 for more information.

TUESDAY

FRIDAY

RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations welcome.

Participants asked to bring bottled water and wear a face mask or shield.

Family storytime, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Ages 0-5, limit five

Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit www.loc8nearme.com/florida/ bradenton-beach/beach-market-atcoquina-beach/6171244/ for more information.

SATURDAY JULY 3

Robinson Runners, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 8 a.m.

Saturday mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon. Face masks required.

First Saturday Cleanup with Keep Manatee Beautiful, Bayfront Park, 316 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 9 a.m. Register online at www. manateebeautiful.com/bayfrontpark-1st-saturday-cleanup.com AMI Privateers July Fourth Parade, along Gulf, East Bay, Marina and Palm drives to Pine Avenue starting at Coquina Beach at 10 a.m. No water balloons or water cannons allowed for parade-goers or spectators.

SUNDAY JULY 4

JULY 6

WEDNESDAY JULY 7

JULY 8

JULY 9

maybe they should cease and desist everything in their townships: the bars, restaurants, retail. Everything, so as to “do nothing to distract from it.”

So, in closing, let’s call it what it is: The Third of July Parade hosted by the AMI Privateers.

Just a heads up commissioners, Juneteenth falls on Sunday next year. I say this as a proud American and veteran: “Let Freedom Ring.”

Timothy Thompson Bradenton

JULY 11

TUESDAY JULY 13

RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations welcome.

Participants asked to bring bottled water and wear a face mask or shield.

Family storytime, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Ages 0-5, limit five children and five caregivers. Register online at www.manateelibrary. libcal.com/calendar.

Tech help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2-4 p.m. Register online at www. manateelibrary.libcal.com/calendar.

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JUNE 30, 2021

Commissioners hope for red tide relief assistance Holmes Beach commissioners hope their fellow Anna Maria Island elected officials will join them in shedding light on local water issues.

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

HOLMES BEACH – Commissioners are concerned about red tide and the level of unhealthy nutrients in local waters. Now they’re making their position known in an official document.

At the request of Mayor Judy Titsworth, Dave Tomasko, executive director of Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, appeared before commissioners during a June 22 meeting to discuss the health of Sarasota, Tampa and Palma Sola bays and how runoff from surrounding properties contributes to the threat of red tide and toxic blue-green algae.

In response to Tomasko’s presentation, commissioners voted unanimously to adopt a resolution putting their concerns on paper to share with the neighboring Anna

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

This Coral Shores canal was one of three in that community that was littered with dead fish in 2018 as a result of a red tide fish kill.

Maria Island cities, Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach, and with state legislators.

“The bay is sick,” Titsworth said, adding that over the years she’s lived in Holmes Beach the amount of local sea life has diminished greatly.

With nutrients from waste, fertilizer and other runoff growing in intensity in local waters, Tomasko said reductions in fish, seagrasses and other sea life will continue.

To put a stop to it, he said efforts need to be made to clean up any

wastewater spills and to treat water before it goes into the bay or other local water systems to remove any harmful nutrients or bacteria. He said issues like the recent discharge at Piney Point can have damaging effects on the local ecosystem that can spill over into damage to the local tourism industry with more than $15 million spent annually by visitors on fishing licenses, gear and boat rentals.

Tomasko did say that he has no opinion on whether horse riding activities in Palma Sola Bay have any effect on that body of water.

He said the water is as healthy as it was in that area a decade ago. However, he said throughout Sarasota Bay there is 22% less seagrass than there was in 2016.

Titsworth said the current condition is the worst she’s ever seen in the bay and she hopes signing this resolution will bring attention and funding from the state and Manatee County to combat the issues plaguing local waters.

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State should remediate Piney Point fallout Cindy Lane

E

veryone is talking about it, seeing it, even smelling it.

Lyngbya – a blue-green algae – looks like a sewer spill in places on the bay side of Anna Maria Island. Where it’s deteriorating, it smells like a sewer spill, too.

We also have red tide. We often have red tide in the Gulf this time of year, but in Tampa Bay? That’s not nearly as normal.

We also have brown algae. We often have that, too, but it stands to reason that all these blooms are effects from the March and April discharge of 215 million gallons of nutrient-laden polluted water from Piney Point into Tampa Bay. After weeks of saying they couldn’t link the discharge with the algae blooms, some bay watchers finally admitted it.

But they still use that misleading word – “dispersed” – to describe what’s happened to the pollution in the Bay. That’s the same word they used when the Deepwater Horizon oil spill happened in 2010, as in “The oil is ‘dispersed.’ ” It may start with the same three letters as “disappeared,” but “dispersed” means it’s all mixed up from the surface of the water to the bottom, and

CINDY LANE | SUN

Blue-green algae, such as the lyngbya above, persists in area waters along with red tide, another type of toxic algae. from east to west and north to south.

Think shaking up a bottle of oil and vinegar salad dressing.

It hasn’t disappeared. It’s not gone.

How do we fix it? We hope that Nature will absorb it, like it has “absorbed” plastics, cigarette butts, waste from ocean liners and aircraft, oil spills, acid rain, industrial waste, fertilizer runoff, and on and on.

The people who decided to discharge the water at Piney Point were probably taking their best shot at preventing a

worse disaster. Homes and businesses near Port Manatee could have been flooded when the phosphogypsum stack began to crumble.

But where was the Florida Department of Environmental Protection when Piney Point was permitted to build a gyp stack? Then build a wastewater retention pond on top of it?

Even in Biblical times, it wasn’t recommended to build on sand.

Where was DEP when it was decided to allow dredge spoils from Port

Manatee to be loaded onto that pile of gypsum?

And where is DEP now?

They’re being sued in federal district court.

The state can’t relinquish its responsibility in this case, not after passing up opportunities to fix the problem for years.

It’s not fair to every tourist and every resident who goes to the beach and wonders if it’s OK to go in the water.

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JUNE 30, 2021

Public input sought on ‘Reimagining Pine Avenue’ Residents and business owners are invited to share their ideas and opinions at Thursday’s meeting.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria will host the first of three “Reimagining Pine Avenue” town hall-style public information meetings on Thursday, July 1.

Taking place at city hall and open to the public, Thursday’s meeting will begin at 10 a.m. The meeting can also be attended by telephone; dial 1-301-715-8592 and enter meeting ID 89254786113. Public input will be sought during the meeting.

Gerry Traverso, of the George F. Young civil engineering and surveying firm, will be the featured speaker. Traverso, a Bradenton resident, has more than 25 years of traffic engineering experience. He’s also a certified project manager.

In May, the city commission authorized Traverso to conduct a comprehensive study of the Pine Avenue corridor that also includes Spring Avenue and Magnolia Avenue. The $50,274 project fee includes proposed solutions to resolve the identified issues.

Thursday’s meeting will begin with a five-minute introduction. Traverso will then explain the scope of work for the study that addresses congestion reduction and safety improvements along the Pine Avenue corridor. The meeting agenda notes drainage will not be part of Thursday’s discussion – although drainage and flooding were included in the scope of services approved by the city commission in May. Traverso will then spend 15-20 minutes presenting the issues he’s observed and identified within the study limits.

These issues include: • Sight distance issues at various intersections and driveways, • Loading and unloading at businesses, • Parking, • The lack of sidewalks and/ or sidewalk connectivity, • Multi-modal transporta-

CITY OF ANNA MARIA | SUBMITTED

This map illustrates the Pine Avenue corridor study area. tion, including bikes, scooters, golf carts and more, • Congestion and pedestrian interaction at various commercial establishments.

Traverso will then lead a 30- to 60-minute open discussion that will allow meeting attendees, including those on the phone, to comment on the issues presented and voice their opinions and ideas about the study project thus far.

PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION

City commissioners discussed the upcoming “Reimagining Pine Avenue” meeting during their regular commission meeting on Thursday, June 24.

Mayor Dan Murphy said Traverso has been “working feverishly” on the study and the recommended solutions that will each include multiple options of varying complexity and cost. Murphy said the traffic studies and traffic counts have been completed and drone footage of the corridor has also been collected.

According to the mayor, Traverso has already met with several key stakeholders, property owners and business owners along Pine Avenue.

Crash study data has also been compiled.

As part of its efforts to reach out to community members, the city will email those registered to receive the email notices regularly distributed by the city.

Murphy said each commissioner will also have a oneon-one session with Traverso during the ongoing process

that is to be completed with a final public presentation on July 22.

City Clerk LeAnne Addy said a study-specific website would be activated on or around Monday, June 28. A link to the study website will be posted at the city website, www.cityofannamaria.com.

Commission Chair Carol Carter said she's heard positive feedback about Traverso’s interactions with stakeholders.

“I heard a positive review of Gerry. I heard he was very well received by one major local merchant,” Carter said.

“I’ve gotten three, all positive, from stakeholders,” Mayor Dan Murphy added.

CITY OF ANNA MARIA | SUBMITTED

Pedestrian safety is a key component of the “Reimagining Pine Avenue” study.

CITY OF ANNA MARIA | SUBMITTED

Traffic engineer and project manager Gerry Traverso will lead Thursday’s discussion.

CITY OF ANNA MARIA | SUBMITTED

Golf carts and other alternative modes of transportation are included in the Pine Avenue study.

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JUNE 30, 2021

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Playground equipment to be installed at City Pier Park Future park improvements could include bocce ball and/or pickleball courts.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – City Pier Park in Anna Maria will soon feature a new playground.

The playground equipment purchased and installed by Playground Boss for $30,909 includes a freestanding single wave slide, a small “time traveler” merry-go-round and a twobay swing set.

The playground equipment will be installed near the west end of City Pier Park. The installation will also include rubber mulch and may include timber borders as well.

City Clerk LeAnn Addy and Mayor Dan Murphy presented the proposed park improvements to the city commission on Thursday, June 10. At the request of the commission, a fence will be erected around the playground area to alleviate the commission’s concerns about an unattended child wandering over to the navigation canal at the west end of the city property.

As an additional safety precaution, the commission agreed that the playground area will be closed and locked during special events at which motor vehicles are allowed to park at that end of the park. The commission also requested benches be placed in the playground area for parents and grandparents to sit on.

Commissioner Jon Crane questioned whether enough youngsters are living in Anna Maria to use the playground equipment to be installed at City Pier

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The playground equipment will be installed near the west end of City Pier Park. The equipment will consist of a slide, a swing set and a merry-go-round.

Park. Commissioners Mark Short and Deanie Sebring noted the park is across the street from the City Pier, which attracts a lot of families with younger children, and the Mote Marine Education Outreach Center to be installed at the end of the pier will soon attract additional families with children.

The commission agreed that if it’s later determined the playground equipment is not being well-used at the City Pier Park location, the equipment could be relocated to nearby Bayfront Park.

When discussing additional potential park improvements, Commissioner Joe Muscatello lobbied for a bocce ball court. During public comment, city resident and former Planning and Zoning Board member Dr. Carl Pearman recommended installing pickleball courts at City Pier Park.

“I’d like you to consider the possibility of pickleball courts. It seems to me that we’re always trying to accommo-

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CITY OF ANNA MARIA | SUBMITTED

The playground equipment will be installed in the area highlighted in yellow. date the tourists. We don’t do much for the people who live here. We don’t have a lot of kids here, so I think we ought to think about something older people could use. It’s a very good form of

exercise. It’s the fastest-growing sport in this country right now. I think you’ll find it will be very highly used, and maybe by the local residents,” Pearman said.

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Summer campers lend artistic talents to Historical Museum The AMI Historical Museum plans to call on The Center’s summer campers again next year.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Five benches outside the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum feature new paint jobs thanks to youngsters participating in The Center of Anna Maria’s Island’s summer camp program.

On Monday, the summer campers toured the museum grounds and museum at 402 Pine Ave. in Anna Maria. They then spent Tuesday and Thursday sketching and painting their sea turtlethemed works of functioning art.

“The kids completed their task on Thursday and their art teacher, Angie Prindle, came back later and did a few finishing touches.

The benches are very artistic, very Picasso-ish,” AMI Historical Society board member Barb Murphy said.

“The kids painted three wooden benches and two metal benches.

The benches will be placed around the museum grounds and there will be an acknowledgment plaque designating the works of art created by The Center summer camp kids of 2021,” Murphy said.

“They loved it. I got a thank you note from the art teacher who said it was such a wonderful experience for the kids. They’re happy they contributed something of themselves to the museum. And we want to thank Ace Hardware in Holmes Beach for donating all the paint,” Murphy said.

“During Monday’s tour, they learned a lot about the history of

AMIHS | SUBMITTED

Some of The Center’s summer camp participants, below, spent last week painting benches at the AMI Historical Museum. The benches, above, featured a sea turtle theme.

the Island: the early settlers and how they lived way back then, how they dressed and all the different things they had to contend with including mosquitoes, snakes, hot weather with no air conditioning and outdoor outhouses instead of indoor plumbing. They also learned about how the Island has changed over the years.”

During their tour, the youngsters

went inside The Old City Jail cell located on the museum grounds.

Murphy now anticipates future Center summer campers participating in museum projects as well.

“Next year, we’re going to find another project for them, whether it’s cleaning up or landscaping or something else for the kids to do and contribute. It’s going to be an ongoing thing,” she said.

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JUNE 30, 2021

SUNDAY WORSHIP • 8:30 AM or 10:00 AM

COMMUNITY CHURCH IN PERSON in the Sanctuary Nursery • Children’s Church

Sermon Series by Pastor Neil Crowell

ONLINE • Watch LIVE or LATER www.RoserChurch.com Text ROSER to 22828 to receive the weekly eBulletin The CHAPEL is open during office hours for prayer & meditation

Galatians 5:13

In Christ

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.

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

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

Roser Guild and Trustees host blowout thrift sale There were bargains to be had and everything had to go at the final sale of the season at the Roser Thrift Store. The Roser Guild and Trustees banded together to host the sale with all proceeds going to benefit the thrift shop renovations and the Guild’s community projects. Everything was for sale from furniture to artwork, jewelry, clothes and antique glassware. Though the store is currently under renovations, the shop plans to have a grand reopening at the end of June.

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JUNE 30, 2021

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Land swap decision moves to November ballot Holmes Beach voters will decide if they want to give half of a city right of way to a pair of residents in exchange for a section of beachfront property.

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

HOLMES BEACH – After hours of discussion spread across several meetings, city commissioners have made a decision – the proposed land swap with two Holmes Beach residents is going to the voters to be approved or denied.

The property at 104 34th St. is owned by Jonathan and Jessica Cooper. Their beachfront parcel is bisected by a 50-by-100-foot city right of way that was originally platted to be an extension of Fourth Avenue. Now, however, that extension would just be a road to nowhere as a section of that right of way has already been given to the McGuinness

family, which owns a property neighboring the Cooper parcel.

In exchange for a 25-by-100-foot section of the right of way to expand their buildable area on their lot, the Coopers, represented by attorney Maggie Mooney, offered the city a 2,911 square-foot trapezoid section of beachfront property to align the city’s interests on the beachfront with the property swapped in the McGuinness deal. Mooney said the couple would also be willing to pay up to $10,000 for dune restoration at a nearby beach access point or donate $10,000 to the city to be used for an environmental project of city leaders’ choosing.

Mooney added that the Coopers do not plan to rent the property but to use it exclusively for their personal use, along with friends and family. To sweeten the deal, Mooney said if the land swap goes through, the couple would be willing to agree that the property will not be rented for 10 years, an agreement that would go with the property if it is sold within the 10 years.

SUBMITTED

The Coopers hope voters will approve a land swap trading the west side triangular portion of their property for the red rectangle of Holmes Beach city right of way.

A 2019 amendment to the city’s charter requires that for a land swap or other transfer of city property to take place, it has to first be approved by a supermajority of commissioners to be placed on the ballot for the next regular election. It then must be approved by a majority of Holmes Beach voters and then it goes back to city

commissioners for final ordinance approval. The Cooper land swap will be the first time the charter amendment is tested with voters.

Commissioner Jayne Christenson voted against putting the item on the Nov. 2 ballot for voters. In a presentation to her fellow commissioners, she said her concerns stem from the value the Coopers

are getting with an increased lot size of buildable property versus what the city would be getting in exchange. She added that if the Coopers are committed to not renting the property, she would like to see the beachfront lot rezoned to R-1, which only allows rentals of 30 days or more.

Commissioner Kim Rash echoed some of Christenson’s concerns but said that on something this important, he feels the decision should be placed in the hands of the city’s voters. He added that it would be up to the Coopers and their representatives to convince voters that the land swap is a good decision to make for the city.

Mayor Judy Titsworth said she feels the measure should go through, noting that if they wanted to, the Coopers could build a garage on the beachfront side of their property and pave the right of way for their personal use to access their property, giving the city nothing in exchange.

This way, she said at least the city would benefit in some way from the proposed land swap.

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THE SUN

Illuminated signs ordinance goes to a vote

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

HOLMES BEACH – After months of work, the city’s illuminated sign ordinance for signs located in residential and mixed-use districts is going for a first vote and public hearing in July.

The ordinance, which allows for signs in the hotel/motel district along Gulf Drive to remain intact and in use for five years from the adoption of the ordinance, is ready for an official vote when commissioners meet on July 15.

If the new ordinance is adopted by commissioners, signs in the A-1 district will be limited to signs with two faces and an exterior spotlight on each side. The existing signs with interior illuminated lighting would be allowed to remain for a sunset period of five years, including the one at the Anna Maria Island Beach Resort which the city is currently in litigation overdue to former Building Official Jim McGuinness erroneously approving a permit for the sign at the resort with an LED message sign and a neon apron sign.

While the roadside interior illuminated sign would be able to be used for the next five years, commissioners made sure that the LED message board sign would not be able to be used under the new ordinance, if approved. Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said that the majority of complaints his department had received from residents concerning the light had been due to the bright lights of the LED message board.

City officials did not find any permits issued for the other interior lit signs in the district.

Planning commission roster fills up When Holmes Beach planning commissioners meet in July there are going to be two new faces on the dais.

City commissioners were tasked June 22 with appointing two new members to the planning commission. Instead of appointing two new members, commissioners opted to add one new member while mov-

ing second alternate Richard Brown to fill the spot vacated

by Barbara Hines.

Brown’s appointment to a full member of the planning commission was unanimously approved by city commissioners. To take Brown’s place, commissioners voted in resident Lisa Pierce to fill Brown’s unexpired term ending July 1,

2023. Pierce was appointed to the planning commission with three votes for her and two votes against her appointment.

The vote was conducted by secret ballot.

Planning Commissioner Jim McIntyre was reappointed through a unanimous vote from city commissioners to a threeyear term expiring July 1, 2024.

JUNE 30, 2021

‛S YOUR COMFORT ZONE? WHERE

JUNE 30, 2021

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BUSINESS ANTIQUE/COLLECTIBLE STORE PINEAPPLE JUNCTION 425 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 216-4226

AUTO SERVICE GROOMS MOTORS & AUTOMOTIVE

5608 Marina Drive Holmes Beach, 896-7898

BAIT & TACKLE SHOP ANNIE’S BAIT & TACKLE 4334 127th St. W. Cortez, 794-3580

BANK HANCOCK WHITNEY BANK 5324 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 778-4900

BIKE RENTAL BEACH BUMS RENTALS

427 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 778-3316

BOATING STORE BRADENTON BEACH MARINA

402 Church Ave. Bradenton Beach, 778-2288

CAR DEALER CONLEY BUICK

800 Cortez Rd W Bradenton, 462-2345

CAR WASH AMERICAN CAR CARE

6412 Manatee Ave. W. Bradenton, 794-5007

CARPET CLEANER FAT CAT CARPET CLEANING 3802 9th Ave. W. Bradenton, 778-2882

CLOTHING STORE IRENE’S RESORT WEAR

5308 Marina Drive Holmes Beach, 778-7605

CONVENIENCE STORE ANNA MARIA GENERAL STORE AND DELI 503 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 779-9200

DRY CLEANER COURTESY CLEANERS

7421 Manatee Ave. W. Bradenton, 794-5145

ELECTRICIAN ANTHONY’S HEATING AND COOLING 1614 20th St. E. Palmetto, 749-5307

FITNESS THE CENTER / ISLAND FITNESS 407 Magnolia Ave. Anna Maria, 778-5200

FLOOR COVERINGS (TIE) FLOORING AMERICA

3200 Cortez Rd W. Bradenton, 909-2585

WEST COAST FLOORING 4224 26th St W. Bradenton, 748-2187

FLORIST BLOOMS BY THE BEACH

2501 Gulf Drive Bradenton Beach, 778-2555

FRAME SHOP MICHAEL’S

831 Cortez. Rd. W. Bradenton, 752-7772

GIFT SHOP IRENE’S RESORT WEAR

5308 Marina Drive Holmes Beach, 778-7605

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JUNE 30, 2021

GROCERY STORE PUBLIX SUPERMARKET

3900 East Bay Drive Holmes Beach, 778-5422

HAIR SALON SALT AND SCISSORS SALON 313C Pine Ave Holmes Beach, 961-4458

HARDWARE STORE ACE HARDWARE

3352 East Bay Drive Holmes Beach, 778-0999

HEAT & AIR ANTHONY’S HEATING AND COOLING 1614 20th St. E. Palmetto, 749-5307

HOME BUILDER ROSS BUILT CUSTOM HOMES 305 67th St W. Bradenton, 778-7600

HOTEL/MOTEL COMPASS HOTEL

12324 Manatee Ave W. Bradenton, 741-9700 SEE READERS, PAGE 19

READERS’ CHOICE 2021

18

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FROM PAGE 18

JEWELRY STORE IRENE’S RESORT WEAR

5308 Marina Drive Holmes Beach, 778-7605

LIQUOR STORE TIME SAVER

5353 Gul Drive Holmes Beach, 778-1524

MANICURIST JESSICA SALT AND SCISSORS SALON 313C Pine Ave Holmes Beach, 961-4458

MARINA BRADENTON BEACH MARINA

402 Church Ave. Bradenton Beach, 778-2288

MEN’S APPAREL BEALLS

6355 Manatee Ave. W. Bradenton, 761-1606

OUTDOOR SPORTS STORE AMI OUTFITTERS COASTAL GEAR & APPAREL 401 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 254-4996

PACK & SHIP ISLAND MAIL & MORE

PLUMBER AIR & ENERGY

PAINTER (TIE) RALPH SUKA RICK SCHULTZ

POOL CLEANER STAND UP POOLS

3230 East Bay Drive Holmes Beach, 778-1911

PEST CONTROL ANNA MARIA PEST CONTROL 11610 3rd Ave. E. Bradenton, 778-1630

PET GROOMING THE PAW SPA

5343 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 778-0885

555 6th Ave. W. Bradenton, 778-0773

POOL CONTRACTOR TOM SANGER POOL AND SPA LLC 6010 Cortez Road W. Bradenton, 932-1414

REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATE JASON SATO SATO REAL ESTATE INC.

519 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 778-7200

PET STORE PETCO ANIMAL SUPPLIES

REAL ESTATE COMPANY SATO REAL ESTATE INC.

PHARMACIST TODD CVS PHARMACY

RENTAL COMPANY SATO REAL ESTATE INC.

6757 Manatee Ave. W. Bradenton, 792-1295

611 Manatee Ave. W. Holmes Beach, 778-1411

PHARMACY WALGREENS

3200 East Bay Drive Holmes Beach, 778-0451

519 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 778-7200

519 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 778-7200

RESORT ANNA MARIA ISLAND RESORTS The Tortuga Inn 1325 Gulf Drive Bradenton Beach, 778-6611

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19

RETIREMENT COMMUNITY (TIE) FREEDOM VILLAGE 6406 21st Ave W. Bradenton, 210-6153

SANDPIPER MOBILE RESORT

2601 Gulf Drive Bradenton Beach, 778-1140

SERVICE ORGANIZATION MANATEE CHILDREN’S SERVICES 1227 9th Ave W. Bradenton, 345-1200

SERVICE STATION HOLMES BEACH AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE 5333 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 779-0487

SIGN MAKER PAUL WILLIAMS SHOPPING CENTER ISLAND SHOPPING PLAZA 5414 Marina Dr Holmes Beach

SOUVENIR SHOP ISLAND BAZAAR

3304 East Bay Drive Holmes Beach, 778-3443 SEE JUMP, PAGE 20

READERS’ CHOICE 2021

JUNE 30, 2021

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FROM PAGE 19

SPA SEA-RENITY BEACH SPA & BOUTIQUE

112 Bridge Street Bradenton Beach, 779-6836

TATTOO FLYING PIGLET INK

119 Bridge St #120 Bradenton Beach, 216-3354

TRAVEL AGENCY SPLENDID ESCAPE 941-724-0508

WINDOW REPAIR SUN WINDOW AND DOOR 7808 Cortez Rd W Bradenton, 794-0311

WOMEN’S APPAREL IRENE’S RESORT WEAR

5308 Marina Drive Holmes Beach, 778-7605

PEOPLE & PLACES ARCHITECT SHADY LADY

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN EMILY ANNE SMITH LLC

527 74th St. Holmes Beach, 778-3113

ART GALLERY ISLAND GALLERY WEST

5368 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 778-6648

ATTORNEY NICK SATO

2071 Ringling Blvd. #400 Sarasota, 861-4400

BOAT CAPTAIN JOHN DELEON ANNA MARIA PRINCESS

Bradenton Beach Marina 402 Church Ave. Bradenton Beach, 778-2288

BUSINESS PERSON MIKE ZEPPI ANTHONY’S HEATING & COOLING 1614 20th St. E. Palmetto, 749-5307

BAND JACK’D UP BAND

CATERER MOLLY O’CONNOR TRAVELING GOURMET

BAR & GRILL HARRY’S GRILL

CHARITY WILDLIFE INC.

865-455-1408

9903 Gulf Drive Anna Maria, 567-5999

BARTENDER LEXI DELEON ANNA MARIA PRINCESS.

Bradenton Beach Marina 402 Church Ave. Bradenton Beach, 778-2288

BEACH COQUINA BEACH

Anna Maria, 405-7627

2207 Ave. B Bradenton Beach, 778-6324

CHEF LUIS REYES HARRY’S GRILL

9903 Gulf Drive Anna Maria, 567-5999

CHIROPRACTOR ALIGN CHIROPRACTIC 1611 10th Ave W. Palmetto, 721-8132

JUNE 30, 2021

DENTIST ISLAND DENTAL SPA

3909 East Bay Drive #205 Holmes Beach, 778-2204

DOCTOR STEPHEN PELHAM, M.D.

3909 East Bay Drive #100 Holmes Beach, 778-1007

EYE CARE THE EYE ASSOCIATES

6002 Pointe West Blvd.

Bradenton, 792-2020

FINANCIAL PLANNER EDWARD JONES

3226 East Bay Dr. Holmes Beach, 779-2499

INTERIOR DESIGN SALLY TROUT INTERIOR DESIGN 75 Cocoanut Ave. Sarasota, 953-4418

MASSAGE THERAPY AMANDA ESCOBIA RYAN

Sea-renity Beach Spa & Boutique 112 Bridge Street Bradenton Beach, 779-6836 SEE READERS, PAGE 26

READERS’ CHOICE 2021

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21

T h a n k y o u f o r k e e p i n g u s r o l l i ng .

We ne v e r g e t t i r e d o f s e r v i n g y ou !

2019

2019

Souvenirs & Gifts Recreational Rentals Electric Cart Rentals SUP & Kayak Rentals

427 Pine Avenue, Anna Maria www.beachbumsAMI.com • 941-778-3316

Island Gallery West 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, AMI Voted Anna Maria Island’s Favorite Art Gallery!

Thanks to all you wonderful art lovers and Sun readers that voted for Island Gallery West as your favorite local art gallery! Come visit us soon and see the best artwork the Island has to offer.

Open Tuesday - Sunday 10am-5pm islandgallerywest.com (941)778-6648

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FROM PAGE 18

PERSONAL TRAINER F45

Sr 64 East Bradenton, 567-7434

SCHOOL ANNA MARIA ELEMENTARY 4700 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 708-5525

SCHOOL TEACHER PIDGE BARREDA

Anna Maria Elementary 4700 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 708-5525

VETERINARIAN CONNOR BYSTROM PALMA SOLA ANIMAL CLINIC 6116 Manatee Ave W. Bradenton, 794-3275

VETERINARIAN CLINIC ISLAND ANIMAL CLINIC

5343 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 778-2445

VIEW BEAN POINT ANNA MARIA

WAITER/WAITRESS MELISSA SMILEY UGLY GROUPER

5704 Marina Drive Holmes Beach, 778-4402

YOGA INSTRUCTOR (TIE) LAURA BENNET RACHEL KROLL LISA WIENGARTNER

FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT BAGEL SHOP PARADISE BAGELS & CAFÉ

3220 E. Bay Drive Holmes Beach, 779-1212

BAKERY HOMETOWN DESSERTS

507 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 896-3167

BARBEQUE SMOQEHOUSE

1701 Gulf Drive N. Bradenton Beach, 242-5340

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READERS’ CHOICE 2021

26

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JUNE 30, 2021

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27

28

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FROM PAGE 26

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PIZZA OMA’S PIZZA AND ITALIAN RESTAURANT 201 Gulf Drive North Bradenton Beach, 778-0771

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JUNE 30, 2021

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JUNE 30, 2021

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29

Protect beach-nesting shorebirds this holiday weekend Audubon Florida urges Floridians and visitors to keep nesting birds safe by not using personal fireworks on the beach.

BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com

Independence Day is cause for celebration, but celebratory fireworks can literally frighten nesting shorebirds to death.

This time of year, shorebirds are nesting on Anna Maria Island beaches, including protected species like the threatened least tern.

Bursts of color and noise wreak havoc on coastal birds, especially nesting species, according to Audubon Florida.

After each fireworks explosion, birds panic and fly from their nests, sometimes abandoning their nests or chicks, which can ultimately lead to chicks starving, getting eaten by a predator, or overheating in the sun.

For this reason, it is better to attend a municipal fireworks show – like the one scheduled over the Manatee River around 9:30 p.m. on July 4 – rather than deploying store-bought fireworks on the beach.

Debris left from fireworks litter beaches and near-shore waters and can be easily mistaken for food by birds, sea turtles and other marine animals.

Hungry chicks nibble on plastic refuse, ingesting some of the pieces.

Over the July Fourth weekend, Audubon Florida’s bird stewards will be out in full force at locations across the state where people and beach-nesting birds comingle. These ambassadors for nature help coastal visitors learn about the birds to better understand what is happening inside posted areas.

JEAN HALL | SUBMITTED

A black skimmer feeds its chicks.

To make our beaches safer for birds, please follow these tips: • Never touch a shorebird chick, even if it’s wandering outside a staked nesting area.

• Teach kids not to chase birds – if they’re disturbed, bird parents may abandon nests.

• Don’t feed birds – our food is not good for their health, and it encourages

them to fly at people aggressively.

• If birds are screeching and flying at you, you’re too close.

• Avoid posted bird nesting areas, avoid walking through flocks of birds and use designated walkways to the beach.

• Keep pets away from bird nesting areas; dogs are not allowed on AMI’s beaches by law.

NESTING NEWS Turtle nests laid: 224 (Record: 544 in 2019) False crawls: 273 Nests hatched: 0 Hatchlings hatched: 0 (Record: 35,788 in 2018) Nest disorientations: 8

TURTLE TIPS During sea turtle season, May 1 – Oct. 31, please follow these tips: • 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

• Keep the beach clean; food scraps attract bird predators such as raccoons and crows to the beach, and litter can entangle birds and other wildlife.

• If you see people disturbing nesting birds, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

attract hatchlings away from the water.

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

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

• Fill in the holes you dig in the sand and level sandcastles before leaving the beach; they can obstruct or trap nesting and hatching sea turtles, which cannot live long out of the water.

• Don’t use wish lanterns or fireworks; they litter the beach and Gulf.

• 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).

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OUTDOORS

JUNE 30, 2021

A community that cares Reel Time RUSTY CHINNIS

O

ver the years, I’ve had the pleasure of spending a lot of time with fishing guides. These hardworking men and women make their living on the water and that’s where their unique skills create lifelong memories for their clients. Many of my most unforgettable times on the water have been in the company of guides, writing about their exploits and exploring their special worlds.

Guides and the fraternity of friends that share this passion really stand out and stand up when it comes to helping a fellow guide in need. Captain Aaron Lowman grew up in his father and mother’s tackle shop on Anna Maria Island. Starting in the late 80s, Bill and Jennifer Lowman grew Island Discount Tackle into “the” Island tackle shop.

That’s where Aaron soaked up the stories and the exploits of Island guides like Captain Tom Chaya and Captain Todd Romine. Captain Justin Moore worked at the shop in the late 90s and

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

Captain Aaron Lowman with his wife, Danielle, and newborn son, Will would take young Aaron fishing on weekends. Island Discount Tackle was all about Island kids and ran a popular fishing tournament, “Fishing the Islands,” that supported The Center of Anna Maria Island. The Lowman’s generosity was extended to Island anglers who would come in weekly to pay tabs.

Moore remembers the Lowmans as “big-hearted; when I got my captain’s

license, they congratulated me and gave me a generous bonus to help start my business.”

As the old adage goes, “The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.” It's appropriate that their son, Aaron, would grow up to become a respected guide himself. Aaron and his wife, Danielle, had their first son, Will, just six weeks ago. Then the unthinkable

happened as Aaron was felled by a brain aneurism on Thursday, June 17.

It was a windy day and Aaron had canceled his tarpon trip, moving his angler to another day. He had talked to his dad, Bill, that morning as they did most every day. Then there was the second call from Danielle - the call no father ever wants to get. Aaron had collapsed and when Bill arrived, the paramedics were there working on him.

Today, Aaron is at the University of Florida’s Shands Memorial in Gainesville fighting for his life and the family faces an uncertain future. At the suggestion of Captain Justin Moore, Bill and Jennifer set up a GoFundMe page to help with the medical expenses, mortgage payments, newborn expenses, household expenditures, boat, and myriad other costs they face. All funds will be deposited directly into Aaron and Dani's personal bank account. Bill and Jennifer in their own words have been “overwhelmed with the support of the local angling community.” It’s an honor to be associated with a community that puts all things great and small aside to help friends in need. Please pass the word to others and donate to help this family that has always supported our islands.

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31

Flats offer alternative on windy days CAPTAIN DAVID WHITE

The wind has kicked back up a bit around here lately, so getting offshore has been a bit more of a challenge lately. But we here at Anna Maria Charters have been making the best of it, choosing our offshore trips wisely and taking a lot of people inshore.

Offshore, fishing for red grouper, red snapper, mangrove and yellowtail snapper remains consistent. Although the full moon can play a slight role, we’re still filling the boxes. Live shiners and dead sardines are our baits of choice. Inshore, the mangrove snapper are getting much bigger. We’re also getting keeper gag grouper here and there. We’ve been working the grass flats for trout, snook and redfish as well. Although this tarpon season has been a bit peculiar, we’ve still had some good days with them. I assume things will be good this week after the moon. Good luck out there!

CAPTAIN RICK GRASSETT

Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with tarpon in the coastal gulf on several trips recently. Conditions were good and fish were plentiful as we approached a full moon last week. Longtime friends and clients, Cliff Ondercin from Sarasota, and Dennis Ondercin, from Middleburg, Hts, OH, tarpon fished in the coastal gulf several days with me, jumping numerous tarpon and catching and releasing one. They fished hard to finish strong on the last day!

Tarpon fishing in the coastal gulf should continue to be a good option depending on conditions. Fishing deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay is a good choice for action with a variety of species including trout, blues and more.

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

CAPTAIN DAVE WHITE | SUBMITTED

Randy Price, of Parrish, shows off an American red snapper in the 25-30 lb range, caught with Captain David White of Anna Maria Charters.

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OBITUARIES Joyce Wagner Joyce “Tootie” Berner Wagner, living on Anna Maria Island, Florida, moved on to eternal life with Ganny and many other friends on June, 3, 2021, with her loving family by her side. May her soul rest in peace. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Joyce lead a life full of joy and accomplishments. She lived on the South Side, attended St. Basil’s Church on 55th Street and attended Visitation High School. She attended Bogan Junior College and earned her degree from Chicago State. She was especially proud of her degree in microwave cooking from Morraine Valley College.

One of her proudest moments was becoming the first female truck driver for the U.S. Postal Service in Illinois. She also worked for the

famed Playboy Club in Chicago.

After getting married she moved to Palos Hills. From there, she had a distinguished 25-year career at Dominick’s Groceries in the Chicago area. Everyone in the neighborhood knew Tootie. Joyce moved to Anna Maria Island full time in 2001 and enjoyed more than 20 years of fun in the sun with family. She was involved with several organizations and was a Key Royale Club board member and was the Key Royale Club Champion in 2010.

Joyce was fun loving and caring for all. If you knew Joyce, you loved Joyce. She was a fun person to be around. She had a generous and loving heart. Most importantly, she loved to laugh and enjoy life. She will be missed by many and loved very dearly by her family. Joyce is survived by her high school sweetheart and husband of 53 years, Michael W. Wagner, (De La Salle H.S & the University of Chicago MBA program). She was the loving

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BRADENTON BEACH DC FANS! 6/20, 8:17 p.m., battery, 111 GulfFREE TOUCH VOICE CONTROL! Reduce120 Your Drive S. A female customer 6/14, 1:45 a.m., fight in progress, at Bill Island Time was assaulted by Bridge St. Two males and aA/C female were involved in an altercation at another female patron after leavthe Drift In bar after a third party ing the bathroom, in which there Modelstoo Now was asked by staff to escort an inwas an argumentSelect over “taking toxicated individual out of the bar much time” in the bathroom stall.

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and caring mother to her daughter, Tracy (Honeybear) Wagner Becht and son, Michael Peter Wagner, along with three wonderful grandchildren, Joe “Bones” Becht, Peter “Pman” Becht and Anthony “Bag of Cement” Becht. Joyce also leaves behind Tracy’s loving and devoted husband of 30 years, Joseph Becht; her sister Patricia Berner Zigulich (whom she adored) and husband, Joseph Zigulich, along with dearest her brother, Richard Gobielle.

Joyce Tootie Berner Wagner was loved very dearly by her family and closest friends, including Reggie, her dog and loving companion of many years. May her soul and all the souls of the faithfully departed rest in peace for ever and ever amen. We love you Tootie. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 26th Street Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be made to www. brownandsonsfuneral.com.

6/18, 12:30 p.m., suspicious circumstance, 5801 Marina Drive. A suspect was approached by police after plugging into an outlet on a light pole. He was hanging out in his van after smoking marijuana for which he had a legal prescription. Police found his marijuana to not be in its proper container.

6/19, 2 a.m., possession of marijuana, 4000 Gulf Drive. A female suspect was found in possession of marijuana on the beach.

6/19, 10 p.m., concealed weapon without a permit and grand theft of a firearm, 4500 Gulf Drive.

After a traffic stop for dark tinted windows, four suspects were found to have marijuana and two concealed handguns, one of which was reported stolen.

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33

Time change for Holmes Beach meetings Holmes Beach Commission meetings are starting an hour earlier, at 5 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. The change comes after commissioners discussed how late meetings are running with work sessions following the regular meetings, typically scheduled on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. The

www.HarrysAMI.com

941-567-5999

change starts with a July 15 meeting.

The July 15 meeting was moved to Thursday to accommodate a budget hearing on Tuesday, July 13 which begins at 9 a.m. All Holmes Beach commission meetings are held at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

Manatee County announces holiday actions and closures Public beaches in Manatee County will remain open for the Independence Day weekend and there will be additional law enforcement on Anna Maria Island to help with the influx of residents and visitors over the holiday.

The county will place additional public port-a-lets near the public beaches and have them serviced daily and trash will be removed more frequently from public beach areas.

County government offices will be closed Monday, July 5, to observe the holiday

and all trash, recycling and yard waste collections will take place one day later than normal during the week of July 5.

County parks also will be open, as will county-owned golf courses. G.T. Bray Recreation Center will be closed but playgrounds and green spaces will remain open. Blackstone Skate Park, G.T. Bray Skate Park and all the county preserves also will be open.

Downtown Central Library, the only county library branch typically open on Mondays, will be closed on July 5.

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REAL ESTATE

JUNE 30, 2021

Housing shortage once in a generation I

f you thought the national housing market was complicated, you might want to sit down, because there’s more to this story.

On June 16, The National Association of Realtors (NAR) published a disturbing report about the deficit of available housing. That report was researched and authored by the Rosen Consulting Group and indicates an under-building gap of 5.5 to 6.8 million housing units since 2001, spanning everything from single-family homes to rental units. This is considered a once-in-a-generation crisis, but the question is, how did this happen?

The report says that from 2010 to 2020, new home construction fell 6.8 million short of what was needed to replace aging units.

Limited supply has been a driver of rising housing prices for both renters and buyers, complicated by an increase in demand during the COVID-19 crisis. New home construction surged in the early 2000s, then building activity slowed during the 2007-09 recession after the financial crisis. The industry never got back up and running to its

Castles in the Sand LOUISE BOLGER previous level before the pandemic hit.

The supply shortage became worse during the past year as builders slowed construction in some regions and delayed purchasing land because of the pandemic. All of that, combined with low mortgage interest rates and remote work, has led to unanticipated demand for single-family homes. At this point, the consensus is that it would take a decade to close a gap of 5.5 million units.

The NAR report goes on to say that the lack of new construction and under-investment has led to an acute shortage of available housing that is a detriment to the health of the public and the economy. They say the gap is so enormous that it will require a

major national commitment to build more housing of all types and they are attempting to persuade lawmakers to include housing investment in any infrastructure package enacted. This could include removing barriers to new construction and creating incentives for builders and investors to pursue new housing development.

The NAR’s chief economist, Lawrence Yun, says there is a strong desire for homeownership across this country. However, the lack of supply is preventing too many buyers from moving forward, thus requiring dramatic action to close the gap.

May’s Manatee County sales statistics are out as reported by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee, so let’s take a look.

Manatee County single-family homes closed 66.1% higher than last year and cash sales were up 168.9%. The median sale price was $400,000, up 23.1%, which is almost the same as the national increase of 23.6%.

The average sale price was $567,549, up 38.8%, the median time to contract was six

days, active inventory was down 71.7% and the month’s supply of properties was .06 months.

Condo sales were up 112.7% more than last year and cash sales were up 250%. The median sales price was $243,595, up 5.9%, and the average sale price was $312,244, up 19.4%. The median time to contract was nine days, active inventory was down 78.5% and the month’s supply of properties was .06 months.

Regardless of these surging numbers, the president of the Realtor Association, Alex Krumm, points out that Florida real estate remains on par or less expensive than the markets from which people are moving.

This is keeping our market very desirable and active with little change in sight.

A once-in-a-generation crisis sounds extreme and we in Florida may not feel it to the same degree as people in other regions of the country. But for many, it is a disruption of a life-long goal and for others, it is a more serious crisis.

JUNE 30, 2021

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35

Special meeting scheduled to discuss public comment Commissioners are hosting a special meeting to discuss a new software contract for meeting access on July 1.

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

HOLMES BEACH – Holmes Beach city commissioners are holding a special meeting to talk about a potential software agreement that gained and then lost their approval at a June meeting.

The special meeting is planned for 9 a.m. on July 1 to discuss the new software proposed to manage city meetings in person and virtually and how that software could impact the future of public comment during meetings.

When commissioners met on June 22, a vote was expected on

whether they would allow Mayor Judy Titsworth to enter into a subscription agreement on behalf of the city to have the new software installed. The software would provide for agenda management and live streaming with closed captioning for the hearing impaired. While the agreement between the city and eScribe Software Ltd. passed a vote unanimously from commissioners, that decision was reversed in another unanimous vote during commissioner comments.

Commissioner Jayne Christenson brought up the issue of the public not being able to participate in city meetings virtually, though they are allowed to watch city meetings through Zoom. She said she’d like to reintroduce allowing public comment at city commission meetings because some city residents are part-time residents or unable to be

in person at city hall and the virtual engagement allows them to still have their voices heard by elected officials.

Currently, city meetings other than code compliance special magistrate hearings can be watched and heard through Zoom. After some technical issues with public participation through Zoom, particularly during the special magistrate hearings, it was decided that code compliance special magistrate hearings would not be offered to the public at all through virtual means.

Also, during other meetings public comment would only be taken from those people appearing in person at the meeting.

While commissioners are all willing to consider allowing public comment to those attending meetings virtually, the issue is that they’re not sure if the software

being considered by city leaders through eScribe will accommodate public participation.

Commissioners instructed staff to find out if the software can allow for virtual public participation, if there is an additional cost to the proposed funding amount or if a different kind of software needs to be considered.

As it stands, the proposed subscription contract with eScribe includes $19,700 for the first year of the subscription with 25% or $1,175 of the $4,700 of implementation costs due at signing of the contract.

The remaining 75% of implementation fees, $3,525, would be due at the time of the first live meeting conducted with eScribe. The subscription would renew annually with $20,685 due in year two and $21,719 due in year three.

36

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JUNE 30, 2021

Island community raises $34,000 for Courtney Call’s son Individuals and businesses from Anna Maria Island and beyond donated to the cause.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – A fundraiser held at the Anchor Inn raised more than $33,000 for the teenage son of longtime Anna Maria Island resident and bartender Courtney Call.

Call, 42, passed away unexpectedly in her sleep on June 5, leaving behind her 16-year old son, Matthew Curry. Call previously worked at the Anchor Inn in Holmes Beach and at TommyKnockers in Bradenton Beach.

Some of the money raised may also be used to help pay some of Courtney’s final expenses.

Anchor Inn owners Darla and Bobby Tingler hosted the Wednesday, June 23, fundraiser, which was preceded by the Friday, June 18, beach memorial and fundraiser at TommyKnockers that raised about $550.

FACEBOOK | SUBMITTED

Courtney Call leaves behind her 16-year-old son, Matthew Curry, shown here at a much younger age.

Numerous local businesses and individuals donated silent auction and raffle items to the fundraising efforts.

Bradenton Beach residents Sarah Santos and Kaitlind Lawrence played significant roles in securing from individuals, couples and businesses on and around Anna Maria Island and beyond the donated silent auction and Chinese raffle items for the Anchor Inn fundraiser.

The donated items included vacation rental and resort stays, dining experiences, gift certificates to numerous local restaurants, bars, retail shops, fishing excursions, recreational activities, as well as

DARLA TINGLER | SUBMITTED

donated art and more.

The 50/50 raffle raised $2,200, including the 50% share of the winnings the raffle winner donated back to the cause. The Anchor Inn also gave out bottles of liquor as prizes for the free raffles.

A group of West Manatee Fire Rescue firefighters collected $190 among themselves and donated that to the fundraising efforts.

“These firemen took money out of their own pockets. That gave me goosebumps,” Darla Tingler said.

“We had a painting called “A

Table for Two” that was valued at $2,500,” she added.

“Thank you to all that volunteered and a huge shout out to all those that donated,” Tingler said.

“We had over 100 donations.

Sarah and Kaitlind pretty much put it together. They’re the ones that made the calls for donations.

My mom always taught me to look at the bright side of things and through this tragedy, there was the bright spot of the community coming together to help,” Tingler said.

“The overwhelming support

from our local businesses and people is truly heartwarming,” said Santos, who owns and operates AMI Boat Tours. “The way our local community comes together to support and help each other in difficult times such as this never ceases to amaze me.

Matthew is a special kid and he will forever be part of our local family.”

According to Tingler, Matthew was visiting family members in Maine at the time of his mother’s unexpected passing. Tingler said family members and close family friends are still working out the legalities and details as to where Matthew will live and who will take care of him. Tingler and others are also working out the legalities of providing a 16-yearold with such a significant amount of money, and a trust fund may be part of the solution.

As of Monday morning, the “Courtney Call Memorial Benefitting Matthew Curry” GoFundMe page had raised an additional $12,782, and online donations are still being accepted.

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Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Property information herein is derived from various sources including, but not limited to, county records and multiple listing services, and may include approximations. All information is deemed accurate.

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JUNE 30, 2021

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37

Muscatello vacates seat, short-term successor sought The vacant city commission seat is expected to be filled by appointment on Thursday, July 8.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Country roads are taking City Commissioner Joe Muscatello home.

“I’m going back,” Muscatello said, as he presented the mayor and commissioners with parting gifts bearing the likeness of his home state, West Virginia, during his final commission meeting on Thursday, June 24.

“First of all, I want to say I’m not dying and Missy and I are not getting a divorce,” he quipped. Muscatello and his wife, Mellissa, have bought a bed and breakfast in Shepherdstown – a university town located about 75 miles northwest of Washington D.C. “I don’t drink coffee, I hate eggs and I don’t get up early either, so it may be a bed and lunch,” Muscatello joked.

City officials affectionately said farewell to Muscatello, whose term was scheduled to expire after the November city elections are certified until he announced his early departure.

After good-heartedly teasing Muscatello about his abbreviated 18-month term in office, Mayor Dan Murphy presented him with a commemorative wooden plaque and

thanked him for his service to the city.

“We’re sad to see you go, but I understand life transitions are important,” Commission Chair Carol Carter added.

“It’s been a great 18 months,” said Muscatello, before asking Administrative Assistant Stephanie Janney to play a recording of John Denver’s “Take Me Home Country Roads” – a song that references West Virginia, where he was born and raised.

“It’s a beautiful state and I do hope you’ll visit,” Muscatello said before asking those in the room to join him in singing the familiar chorus: “Country roads, take me home, to the place I belong, West Virginia, mountain mama, take me home, country roads…”

“I love all of you," he said. "Thank you all.”

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR VACANT SEAT

The city of Anna Maria is now accepting applications to fill the vacant seat.

Tuesday, July 6 is the deadline to apply to serve the remainder of Muscatello’s current term. The commission plans to appoint his short-term successor on Thursday, July 8.

The application form is available at the city website or the city clerk’s office.

If desired, the commission appointee can seek election to a full two-year term during the upcoming city elections. The two-week qualifying period for the Anna Maria elections opens at noon on Monday, Aug. 16 and

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 607, 609, 611 Fern Streets & 610 Rose Street 12 Beds 6 Baths 1,568 Sq. Ft. Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 A4497933 $5,900,000

LONGBOAT KEY 500 Harbor Point Road 4 Beds 6/2 Baths 6,556 Sq. Ft. Jenifer Schwell 941-780-0968 A4491328 $5,475,000

LIDO KEY 1300 Benjamin Franklin Drive 1208 3 Beds 4/1 Baths 5,254 Sq. Ft. Susan Fox & Jonathan Fox, PA 941-544-6648 A4492990 $3,900,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 106 Tern Drive 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 3,649 Sq. Ft. Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 A4501850 $3,595,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 8017 Marina Isles Lane 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,593 Sq. Ft. Kate Enis 941-330-6068 A4500595 $6,500,000

BRADENTON 3608 W 54th Drive W J101 & J102 4 Beds 4 Baths 3,776 Sq. Ft. Leah Secondo 941-545-4430 A4497828 $800,000

LONGBOAT KEY 5275 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 201 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,155 Sq. Ft. Steve Nursey 941-388-4447 A4503141 $795,000

BRADENTON 9235 43rd Terrace W 3 Beds 2 Baths 2,482 Sq. Ft. Erica Thomas 941-799-9365 A4502020 $614,500

closes at noon on Friday, Aug. 27. Qualifying paperwork can be obtained from the city clerk’s office or the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections office.

During Thursday’s meeting, the commission discussed whether to fill the short-term vacancy or allow the vacant seat to remain vacant until after the city elections. Murphy recommended filling the vacancy as soon as possible and the commission voted 5-0 to do so.

“We have some very heavy-duty topics and issues to solve between now and November and the (elected) commissioner would not be seated until December,” Murphy said.

The mayor noted the commission must soon discuss and make decisions regarding the “Reimagining Pine Avenue” study and the proposed solutions that stem from that study. The commission must also engage in further discussion regarding the planned expenditure of approximately $370,000 in American Rescue Plan funds, and the commission must soon help develop the city budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year that begins Oct 1.

Murphy said he’s concerned that a fourmember commission could potentially lead to 2-2 tie votes.

“There’s a potential for deadlocks. Deadlocks would lead to gridlock,” he said.

Former City Commissioner Doug Cope-

land attended Thursday’s meeting.

“I’m aware of a very good, experienced, competent candidate who’s actually in the chamber today. I think it would help us address the weighty issues on the table. I can’t imagine someone in our populace more capable of stepping in immediately,” Commissioner Jon Crane said without mentioning Copeland by name.

Crane asked City Attorney Becky Vose if an appointment could be made without first advertising the vacancy and allowing others to apply.

In response, Vose said, “I would highly recommend that you have a public announcement. That person (Copeland) can respond and probably would get picked, but I would not shortcut the process. You could decide tonight to have an announcement made tomorrow. I’m uncomfortable recommending that you subvert the process completely.”

As he’s done previously, Muscatello, who was appointed himself, reiterated his overall desire that commissioners be elected rather than appointed whenever possible.

Copeland said he would submit his application Friday., saying he feels his experience as a commissioner and Planning and Zoning Board member would benefit the city short term. He was non-committal about running for a full two-year term later this year. Copeland did not seek reelection in 2019.

CORTEZ 12925 42nd Terrace W 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 5,138 Sq. Ft. Ann Martin & Joanna Benante 941-356-7717 A4502107 $4,750,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 112 Mangrove Avenue 4 Beds 2/1 Baths 3,577 Sq. Ft. Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 A4502423 $4,350,000

HOLMES BEACH 103 75th Street 4 Beds 4 Baths 2,737 Sq. Ft. Kathy Marshall 941-900-9777 A4495220 $3,200,000

LONGBOAT KEY 1701 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 303 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,551 Sq. Ft. Michael Moulton 941-928-3559 A4503585 $950,000

BRADENTON 5188 51st Lane W 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,718 Sq. Ft. Leah Secondo 941-545-4430 A4503401 $419,000

LONGBOAT KEY The Residences at the St. Regis Sales Gallery, 100 South Washington Blvd.

Georgia Kopelousos & Lynn Morris 941-928-7585 A4498523 $6,670,000

NEW CONSTRUCTION BRADENTON 7304 24th Avenue W 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,527 Sq. Ft. Maria Christenson & Karla Davidson 941-920-3583 A4499897 $450,000

941.896.9981 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM

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JUNE 30, 2021

Bradenton Beach ends fiscal year in good standing According to the independent auditor’s report presented to the Bradenton Beach City Commission on June 17, the city’s total assets exceeded its total liabilities at the close of the 2019-2020 fiscal year (Sept. 30, 2020) by $10,276,125.

Of that, $1,107,607 was unrestricted and could be used to meet the city’s ongoing financial obligations.

“A large portion of the city’s net position, $7,346,392, reflects its net investment in capital assets: land, buildings, machinery and equipment,” the report notes. The city’s total net position increased by $213,648 from the 20182019 fiscal year, but the city’s $2,927,387 governmental fund balance signified a $514,025 decrease from the prior fiscal year. Revenues totaled $4,415,529 and expenses totaled $4,201,881. Revenues increased by $447,687 due to a $79,821 increase in ad valorem taxes and a $350,000 legal settlement the city received after prevailing in a 2017 Sunshine Law lawsuit. Expenses increased by $286,941 due largely to professional fees paid for stormwater maintenance and improvements and increased attorney fees.

The general fund reported a $1,258,248 year-end balance – an increase of $186,430 over the prior year. The city’s largest expenses were $1.4 million for public safety, $972,194 for general government, $860,192 for the Public Works Department and $546,906 for the Building and

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

City Treasurer Shayne Thompson and City Clerk Terri Sanclemente oversee the city’s finances.

Planning Department. City Clerk Terri Sanclemente and City Treasurer Shayne Thompson play key roles in the oversight of the city’s annual budget. “I’m happy that we continue to improve every year. Shayne and I work very hard so that at the end of the year the city’s in a good financial position. We couldn’t do this without our wonderful city staff,” Sanclemente said.

RED TIDE: Persists in area waters FROM PAGE 3

Red tide produces a neurotoxin called brevetoxin that can cause respiratory irritation, coughing, and more serious illness for people with severe or chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema or COPD, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Health officials recommend that people experiencing symptoms stay away from the water, go inside to an air-conditioned space, or wear masks, especially during onshore winds. Residents may consider wearing masks, especially if onshore winds are blowing.

Consuming shellfish exposed to red tide can cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning. Health officials also warn against swim-

High

RED TIDE REPORT

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

Medium

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

Low

Very low

(possible respiratory irritation)

Background (no effects)

None

(no red tide present)

(possible respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures, fish kills) ming near dead fish and advise keeping pets away from dead fish and seafoam, which can contain high concentrations of algae. Pets

are not allowed on Anna Maria Island’s beaches but are allowed on the Palma Sola Causeway on Manatee Avenue.

www.amisun.com

JUNE 30, 2021

THE SUN

39

July 4th fireworks rules a bit complicated on AMI

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Before you stock up on fireworks to celebrate Independence Day in any of the three cities on the Island, it’s im-portant to know the rules and laws, which vary depending on the city.

In April 2020, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 140 into law. The bill allows people 18 and older to buy fireworks to use on three holidays: New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and Independence Day. The previous law required signing a waiver saying the fireworks were for specific agricultural reasons.

While the new law is clear, local cities and counties have their own rules that supersede what the state allows. Each of the three cities that make up Anna Maria Island has a slightly different approach to how fireworks violations will be enforced, but setting off fireworks of any kind is forbidden on any of AMI’s beaches. Fireworks can disturb nesting shorebirds, sea turtles and other Island wildlife.

The Bradenton Beach police will be enforcing a local ordinance that does not allow fireworks on the three statedesignated holidays and will confiscate fireworks from anyone caught setting them off. It’s also possible to be issued a citation, even on July 4.

Bradenton Beach is home to the popular Coquina Beach.

“Anything that shoots up in the air is illegal: Bottle rockets, roman candles, mortars, they’re all illegal, said Det. Sgt. Lenard Diaz of the Bradenton Beach Police Department.

“You’re looking at shooting those things off near a residence, and the residences are so tightly packed together here that the possibility of something catching on fire is very real.”

HOLMES BEACH

Holmes Beach will be taking a different approach to the issue of fire-works for the holiday, only taking action if the fireworks are being used in an unsafe manner that

JULY 4: What to expect this weekend FROM PAGE 1

• On a sidewalk • On a street (all tires must be off the pavement) • Facing the wrong direction • Angle parking • Within 30 feet of a stop sign • Within 20 feet of an intersection • Double parking

ANNA MARIA

BRADENTON BEACH

FILE PHOTO

Before setting off fireworks this July 4th, be aware of the rules and laws that apply on Anna Maria Island. could endanger the public or those setting them off.

“State law said it’s ok to set them off on the 4th, so we’ll honor that and encourage safety and common sense,” said Police Chief William Tokajer, adding that anyone being reckless or unsafe is still subject to a citation and the risk of having their fireworks confiscated.

Manatee Beach is located in Holmes Beach.

• Blocking a driveway • Between 10 p.m. - 6 a.m.

• In a handicapped zone or space without a permit

• Anywhere that emergency vehicles will be blocked; blocking vehicles will be towed • In a handicapped zone or space without a permit ($300 fine) • Anywhere that is not a designated parking spot.

BRADENTON BEACH

HOLMES BEACH

• On a street • In the grass or on the sand at Coquina Beach

• In areas with signs that prohibit parking • On a sidewalk

The city of Anna Maria is patrolled by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. The department refers to Manatee County Ordinance 04-27, which covers fireworks rules and laws at length and also echoes other area laws that prohibit individuals from lighting any shell that flies in the air or explodes above the ground without a permit. A spokesman did not directly address whether or not they recognize the state bill that legalizes fireworks on July 4.

“Our response to fireworks enforcement has not changed. When deputies respond to complaints involving fireworks, their goal is to obtain voluntary compliance through education,” said Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Randy Warren.

All departments agree that if you choose to light fireworks, you should be aware of your surroundings, not use them in densely popu-lated areas, and not use them on the beach, where wildlife may be at risk.

The Sandbar restaurant will not be hosting a Fourth of July fireworks show this year.

• On a crosswalk or within 20 feet of a crosswalk • On a bicycle path • Within 30 feet of a stop sign • Within 30 feet of an intersection • Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant • Blocking a public or private driveway • In a handicapped zone or parking space without the proper license plate or hang-tag issued by a state and affixed to or in the car SEE JUMP, PAGE 40

40

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JUNE 30, 2021

JULY 4: What to expect this weekend FROM PAGE 39

• Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. at Manatee Beach • Facing the wrong direction • Double parking, either side by side or tandem • On private property without the permission of the owner of the property

TRAFFIC

Anna Maria Island is small - 7 miles long - and the southern portion of the Island is very narrow. Because of the geography, there are few back roads and very few shortcuts.

According to Holmes Beach Police Chief William Tokajer, more than 31,000 cars entered his city on Memorial Day, and there’s no reason to expect less for the July 4 holiday. While Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach don’t track vehicles, numbers are expected to be similar. The best policy for dealing with traffic headaches is to just accept that there is not much that can be done about it, relax and enjoy the scenery.

A great deal of the traffic jams on AMI come with views much more pleas-ant than the daily grind in most American cities.

If you can leave the car at home, there is some help being offered by Manatee County. In an effort to help drivers avoid heavy beach crowds over the Fourth of July weekend, Manatee County Area Transit will offer free rides onto and off of Anna Maria Island via Manatee Avenue next week.

The special fare-free zone allows pas-

sengers to board the Beach ConneXion Shuttle to Manatee Beach from July 2-4 at any MCAT stop between 75th Street West and Anna Maria Island.

The AMI Trolley and the Beach ConneXion Shuttle will operate on Independence Day, but regular fixed-route and Handy Bus services are suspended on July 4. Regular fixed route and Handy Bus services are available on Saturday, July 3 and will resume Monday, July 5.

WILDLIFE

The Island is home to a large variety of wildlife, and while it is a great place to live and visit, it is also their home and needs to be respected. It’s currently nesting season for sea turtles and many shorebird species, including least terns, a threatened species that hasn’t had a successful nesting colony in 15 years on the Island.

Here are a few tips to enjoy your trip and not disturb native wildlife: • Manatees may approach you, but enjoy them while giving them space. Take a picture, but don’t touch them. They won’t harm us, but we can easily harm them.

• Birds are everywhere on AMI, from osprey to pelicans to seagulls and many more. They will often come very close to humans, but they also need to be enjoyed from a distance. Don’t feed any birds, and please teach children that chasing them is not ok. Chasing birds could cause them to abandon their nests. Also, cleaning up after your beach visit keeps trash from being

entangled in a wing or a leg.

• Sea turtles are currently nesting. Please fill any holes you or your children may dig on the beach. A baby sea turtle could hatch at night and fall into the hole, and that’s a meal for a predator. Also avoid flashlights or cellphone lights on the beach at night.

It can confuse hatchlings and they will not make it to the ocean.

• While the Gulf coast is known to be relatively safe for swimming, be aware that it’s still wild, and the wildlife needs to be respected. Watch for any warnings from beach patrol and lifeguards regarding dangerous marine life. This could be sharks, jellyfish or other marine life of concern. When walking in the ocean, practice the "stingray shuffle.” Stingrays don’t want to hurt you, and if one swims by there is no cause for serious concern. However, they like to bury themselves in the sand at times, and if you step on one, they may sting you out of fear they are being attacked. The "stingray shuffle” means sliding your feet through the sand as you walk in the water rather than using a traditional step. The stingray will know you’re coming and will swim away.

WEATHER PROTECTION

Summer is the rainy season on the Island. This doesn’t mean it rains all the time, but severe after-noon storms are very common this time of year, and the weather should be taken seriously.

In ad-dition to protecting your body,

using some common sense will protect your property as well.

• When a storm comes, take shelter and stay out of the water. It’s not uncommon for a sum-mer storm to produce more than 50 lightning strikes in a radius of just a few miles. If you can hear thunder, you are in range to be struck by lightning. High winds from afternoon storms can also produce dangerous riptides which can cause drowning.

• The sun is very strong in the summer, and even if it’s cloudy, you can get a serious burn that can make your beach time much less pleasant for days. Use sunblock, and reapply after going in the water regardless of how “waterproof” your sunscreen claims to be.

• Anna Maria Island has a low crime rate, and while violent crimes are rare, anytime tens of thousands of people gather in a small area, crimes of opportunity will happen. Try not to bring valuables to the beach, and if you must, don’t wander away from them. Jewelry, elec-tronics and beach supplies are easy targets for beach thieves.

THE BEACH

Dogs, alcohol, grills, glass bottles and other items are not permitted on Island beaches. If you choose to risk it, be aware that you will be fined if caught by beach patrol. Most public beach ac-cess entrances have signs that let you know what is allowed and what is prohibited at that particular beach.

JUNE 30, 2021

FUN IN THE SUN

Across 1 Suggestion for stress relief 16 Enjoying a solo walk in the woods 17 It makes a good point 18 Big boat 19 Needs to remit 20 Trick 21 Yellowy insides 24 Farm structures 25 Enters unnoticed 28 Paratha roti ingredient 31 Showed joy, ironically 32 Tricky hoops move that's often an assist 37 In the past 38 Supporters 39 Summary usually including a photo 40 Treatment for dry skin Answers to 06-23-21 Crossword Puzzle.

42 It's just above street level 43 Road game 44 Ancient French region 46 Summer hire 49 Check for fit 50 Chemical suffix 51 Vegas hotel with an operatic name 54 Hosp. tubes 56 Pasta for vegetarians 62 "Pass" 63 Scopes Trial site Down 1 Dancing suitable for radio 2 Put away 3 Hawaiian coffee district 4 Protect from theft, in a way

5 High-end watches 6 Barn __ 7 Appropriate prefix for an embezzler?

8 Guiding beliefs 9 Spring harbinger 10 Memo opener 11 Guides with scales 12 Tanning time on the Riviera 13 Smidgen 14 Trademarked refrigerant 15 Decorative greenery 22 Pregame managerial decision 23 Complicated 24 Cheerleader's asset 25 Makeup-applying aid 26 Toy brand with a Taj Mahal set 27 2001 Apple debut 28 Approach 29 Like most labor rates 30 Squeak (out) 33 Short stories?

34 Border on 35 "Hey" assistant 36 Polite-to-slurp Japanese noodle 38 NFL ball carriers 41 Pup squeak 42 Solicit support from, as voters 45 "Indeed" 46 Hardly outgoing

47 Swelling 48 Not-so-nice sort 49 Sample 51 Vocal range 52 Bit strap

THE SUN

53 "And __ it ironic": Alanis Morissette lyric 55 Mil. ranks 57 Day care attendee 58 Super Bowl IV MVP

Dawson 59 Valiant's boy 60 Formerly named 61 Drink suffix with Power

41

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CLASSIFIED

ANNOUNCEMENTS

FISHING CHARTERS

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

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

AMI TURTLE WATCH needs donations & silent action items for our FUNDRAISER. We can pick up! Call or text 941-713-6531.

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.

CARPET CLEANING QUALITY COUNTS. CARPET cleaning. Upholstery cleaning. Tile & grout cleaning. Island's favorite cleaner. Manatee Chamber Member. Great price/free estimates. Call 941-7561082

CLEANING SERVICE THC CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Rentals, VRBO. Professional and Reliable. Call 941-756-4570 or 941565-3931

COMMERCIAL SALES, RENT & LEASE RETAIL SPACE AVAILABLE at Pineapple Marketplace 425 Pine, Anna Maria. 8x10 and 10x10 spaces. Please send all inquiries to PineapplemarketplaceAMI@ gmail.com. Attn: Marcia 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

Call us today! 941-778-3986

HEALTH CARE HOME CARE PROVIDER with Dennis Church a nursing assistant. 8+ years of experience. Licensed in Florida. SAFER at HOME. Call 815-519-3993

HOME IMPROVEMENTS TILE! TILE! TILE! All variations of tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship. Prompt, reliable, many Island references. Free estimates.

Neil 941-726-3077 RENOVATION SPECALIST ALL carpentry repairs, Wash Family Construction, locally owned and operated CBC 1258250 Call 941-7250073.

KERN CONSTRUCTION NEW Homes & Remodel.

Design/Build. Since 1968.

License # CBC 1261150.

Call Mike Kern 941-7781115 MASTER CARPENTER. Decks-Docks-FencingStairs & Railing. Free Estimates. Handyman Work. Call Richard 941448-3571

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.

ISLE TILE EXPERT INSTALLATION of floors, custom showers, backsplash, deck/lanai.

Licensed and insured.

References available.

Call Chris at 941-3028759 please visit website: isletileservices.com

JUNE 30, 2021

“HAMMERED HOMES” (SAVING HOMES SINCE 1984) Handyman services, renovations. Free Estimates & Consulting. Call before making decision, save money.

941-778-3206

“WIZARD OF WALLS”.

Established 1980 Prompt quality service.

Paperhanging/removal Faux finishes. Interior painting. Mary Bell Winegarden 941-794-0455

LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE

PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reliable. Island Resident.

Quality Workmanship.

Interior/Exterior. Also minor repairs & carpentry. Free written detailed estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315

R. GAROFALO’S Interlocking brick pavers, driveways, patios, pool decks. Free estimates. Licensed & Insured.

Call Rafael 941-778-4823 or Veronik 941-526-7941 STRAIGHT SHOT LANDSCAPE. Specializing in Old Florida Seashell driveways and scapes. Also Rock, Mulch, & Soil. Free estimates. Call Shark Mark 941-301-6067 ISLAND RESIDENT. TREE/ BUSH Trimming, removal.

Sweeping, blowing, weeding. Weekly, bi-monthly or monthly schedule. Pressure washing: driveways, walkways, fences, pool decks/ cages. Call Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315.

SEARAY SPRINKLER SERVICES. Repairs, Additions, Drip, Timer Head Adjustments. Call Rick today Cell 720-299-1661 Office 941518-6326

LOST & FOUND LOST ON MANATEE BEACH. 18" herringbone chain (4mm thick, square link, round clasp, 10k) with 3/4" Spanish gold coin pendant.

Please call 585-755-3894.

Contact Dennis

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

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

941-812-0507

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 REALTOR FOR HIRE. BUYING OR SELLING on AMI? 17 years experience & USAF Veteran.

Call Kelly Gitt Keller Williams Realty today 941-799-9299.

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

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

SPECTACULAR LAGOON WATER views, PERICO ISLAND Completely REMODELED villa 2BR/2BA plus den.

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Sharon Hightower RE/MAX Alliance Group 941-330-5054

RENTALS: ANNUAL ANNUAL RENTALS WANTED! We have well qualified tenants for beach and mainland annual rentals, Full management or Finders fee.

Call today for details.

Ask for Paige DUNCAN REAL ESTATE 513-3821992.

RENTAL WANTED SEEKING AMI ANNUAL RENTAL Call Kelly Gitt Keller Williams Realty 941799-9299 BRAD FROM THE ANCHOR INN in need of an unfurnished, annual rental...

Please contact me at 941704-2357.

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

AVAILABLE AUGUST 1.

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Across the street from bay. $2800 mo. thru December . Call 941-773-1552. Deposit and cleaning fee.

SEASONAL RENTAL in PALMA SOLA. 3BR/2BA weekly or monthly rates.

Contact Barb Grace 941201-2190 ANNA MARIA ISLAND CONDOS Large pool, beach access, free WiFi, 1&2 Bedroom $700/$800/$900 a wk. redekercondosonami. com Tim 941-704-7525 ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Updated 5 Star Condo for Rent- Available September October November. (Multimonth discount) Million$ water view, first floor, 2BR/2BA, patio, walk to beach, pool, tennis (smoke free) marketreps@aol. com Boat/jet ski dock available

ROOMMATE WANTED ANNUAL ROOMMATE WANTED for fully furnished 3BR/2BA 2 car garage home. No smoking.

Call Lisa 704-491-6977

TRANSPORTATION AMI TAXI metered-on-callcards accepted. Airport: Tampa $95, Sarasota $40, Clearwater $85, Orlando $195. Call 941-447-8372 or 941-447-8376. amitaxi4u@ gmail.com, www.amitaxi. com ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa $70. Sarasota $35. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne.

941-779-5095 AIRPORT RIDES- Tampa, St. Pete, Sarasota. Reasonable rates! Call or text Anna 941-932-1600

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BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

PAINTING

THE SUN

43

Call today to place your ad: 941-778-3986 TRANSPORTATION

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