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THE SUN
OPINION
The Anna Maria Island Sun newspaper 3909 East Bay Drive, Suite 210, Holmes Beach, FL, 34217 Phone: (941) 778-3986 email: news@amisun.com | ads@amisun.com | classifieds@amisun.com
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MAY 20, 2020
COVID-19: Choose people, not money
A
s Anna Maria Island homes continue to be converted to vacation rentals, a rivalry – sometimes polite, sometimes not so much – continues to escalate between dwindling residents and increasing vacation rental owners. Locals complain about “Yankee carpetbaggers” and ugly big box houses with 20 bedrooms and loud parties. Vacation rental owners counter that without them, Islanders could not survive economically. But in the COVID-19 world we live in now, survival means far more than the economy. Manatee County commissioners should give more weight to human health than economic health as they consider whether to approve Monday’s Tourist Development Council (TDC) recommendation that the county petition the state to reopen vacation rentals. The Florida Department of Health’s COVID-19 statistics show that three of the county’s target markets for tourism - Palm Beach, Miami-Dade and Broward counties are the worst three counties in the state for COVID-19, with nearly 27,000 cases. Manatee County has 867 cases as of Monday and continues to experience an increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths. There were 23 more cases of COVID-19 reported here this weekend. Perhaps it would be prudent to reopen vacation rentals when there aren’t any new cases being recorded. Otherwise, it’s like playing Russian roulette with the health of Manatee County residents, especially those who live on Anna Maria Island. Let’s face it - vacationers come here to relax, and they’re only human. We all are. We all want the same thing when we travel: a chance to unwind, to let go, to explore new things. But "travel" has changed, hasn't it. There is no reason to think that tourists will not let their guards down during the pandemic. They likely will forget about handwashing and social distancing and limiting themselves to groups of 10. Chatting in narrow hallways with new neighbors will be so much easier, as will using communal stair rails and touching elevator buttons, gate latches and garbage can lids, regardless of the consequences. So what the heck are we supposed to do? Yes, the economy is unquestionably important. But isn't life, unquestionably, more important?
ON THE AGENDA
AME teacher says goodbye It is with sadness in my heart that I say goodbye to all my friends, students, parents, coworkers, volunteers and community members on Anna Maria Island. After 43 years of teaching, the time has come to retire and make way for some new teachers to begin their journey. In 1977, Wayne and I were married in Lyons, N.Y., and soon ventured to Florida. We drove by Anna Maria Elementary and I exclaimed, “Look at that cute little elementary school on the bay. It looks like a motel.” The next day, I returned with my resume to inquire about substitut-
ing and Mr. Kronus hired me on the spot. I substituted on and off, taught for 10 years and taught preschool, visually handicapped children, special needs children, kindergarten and fourth grade, before coming back to AME in 1987. Wayne and I lived and raised our two children, Ryan and Kelsey, on Longboat Key, where Wayne worked as a manager for more than 30 years. I feel blessed to have worked at Anna Maria Elementary School with such devoted friends and colleagues. To have my children attend school at AME was an added bonus. I have taught in so many different grades and had the pleasure of teaching those students’ offspring as well. What a joy that has been! The experiences I have had at this
school are too innumerable to even begin to describe; truly from birth to death, tragedies and miracles. This community of generous and devoted human beings has gone above and beyond every time we asked for help and support. Anna Maria Elementary will always hold a special place in my heart. So, as I celebrate my 43rd wedding anniversary and my last day of school, May 28, 2020, I say thank you, thank you to everyone. Most of all, I thank my present and former students for making my career one that I can look back on with pride, happiness and joy in my heart. Peace and love to all. Toni Lashway
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