- Named Best Florida Newspaper In Its Class -
VOL 17 No. 52
October 11, 2017
King tide a royal pain The super high tide produced tidal flooding in all three Island cities. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – Anna Maria Island experienced unexpected flooding Friday, Saturday and Sunday due to the natural phenomenon known as the king tide. King tides typically happen twice a year due to the alignment of the sun and moon and generally produce the year’s greatest tidal ranges. Some of the heaviest flooding in Bradenton Beach occurred on the north end of the city, between Gulf Drive and Sarasota Bay. Speaking by cell phone early Friday afternoon, Bradenton Beach Public Works Director Tome Woodard said, “We’re blocking the road off due to the excessive flooding. It’s as high as I’ve ever seen it.” Woodard said the tide started rising Friday around 10:30 a.m., peaked around 1 p.m. and then started to slowly recede. “I’m on 26th Street right now. It’s not raining and it’s beautiful out here, but the road is flooded almost to Gulf Drive. It’s to the back of Sharky’s,” he said.
Briane Mathae | submitted
Holmes Beach resident Jason Blomme floats down a flooded 83rd Street on a giant swan during king tide flooding this past weekend. see tide, page 33
Aqua by the Bay approved The approved plans do not include a marina, a navigation channel, a man-made estuary or a retaining wall. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
BRADENTON – On Tuesday, Oct. 3, the Manatee County Commission voted 7-0 in favor of approving the revised Aqua by the Bay general development plans. The approved plans no longer
INSIDE NEWS OPINION Sun survey outdoors food & wine REstaurants real estate sports
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include the controversial man-made estuary enhancement area and retaining wall that would have stood between the coastal mangroves and the development. The developers and county staff claim there will be minimal impact to the mangroves and 50-foot wide natural buffer must be maintained. The revised plans require Carlos Beruff’s development team to apply for additional site plan approval after each group of 750 residential units are built. see aqua, page 24
Waterfront
restaurant bartender Rodney Rich takes home the gold. 14
Anna Maria Island, Florida
Bye-bye, boat canopies In a compromise struck between residents of Westbay Point and Moorings, the Holmes Beach Police Department and West Manatee Fire Rescue, the boat canopies at 63rd Street will come down, but the lifts will stay. BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH — It’s time for the residents of Westbay Point and Moorings to wave goodbye to the
boat canopies at the neighboring 63rd Street public boat ramp. After months of debate, discussion and a riparian rights survey, a compromise was struck the first week of October between representatives of the condominium association, the city, the Holmes Beach Police Department and West Manatee Fire Rescue. During a special meeting held Oct. 5 to vote on the fiscal year budget, Police Chief Bill Tokajer announced the canopies will be coming down see canopies, page 32
City officials say improvements are coming to the Holmes Beach dog park.
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National Night Out brings the
community together . 4
The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper
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OCTOBER 11, 2017
OCTOBER 11, 2017
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THE SUN
No answer yet on Cortez Bridge
Veterans Day Parade Nov. 10 on Pine Avenue
The Florida Department of Transportation will replace the Cortez Bridge with either a 35-foot clearance drawbridge or a 65-foot clearance fixed span bridge. BY TOM VAUGHT SUN STAFF WRITER | tvaught@amisun.com
CORTEZ – Residents of this historic fishing village will have to wait a bit longer to find out what the future holds for the Cortez Bridge. One thing certain is the drawbridge that has stood there since the mid-1950s will be replaced with either a taller drawbridge or a twice-as-tall fixed span. Following a two-year Project Development and Environment study hosted by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), both proposals have supporters and detractors. While the fixed span would eliminate traffic jams when the drawbridge opens for boaters, many Cortez Village residents say the tall bridge would be out of scale with their historic cottages. Businesses owners along Cortez Road West voiced fears of losing their access to customers who would be whizzing by, trying to keep up with the traffic.
file photo
The Cortez Bridge will be replaced by either a medium height drawbridge or a 65-foot clearance fixed-span. FDOT Information Specialist Robin Stublen said last week Hurricane Irma delayed their decision-making process. “Because of the hurricane, we extended our deadline for submitting comments from Sept 12 to Sept. 30,” he said. “Now we’re tabulating the input and factoring that information into the equation. We won’t have a decision until after Thanksgiving.” Once the decision is made, the next step
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will be for FDOT officials to secure money for engineering and construction. That is something they could not do without knowing what they are building. They estimated the drawbridge option would cost $104 million, while the fixed-span bridge would cost about $72 million. The difference in cost is due to the moveable bascule on the drawbridge.
In honor of Veterans Day, the city of Anna Maria will host its inaugural Old Soldiers & Sailors Parade on Friday. Nov. 10. The parade will start at 1 p.m. and proceed down Pine Avenue from City Hall to City Pier Park. Mayor Dan Murphy still seeks parade participants, including veterans of all ages, and those who own golf carts or convertible cars and are willing to give an old soldier or sailor a ride. The parade will feature an honor guard from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, the Lakewood Ranch High School Marching Band, the AMI Privateers, floats and more. The post-parade flag and veterans salute ceremony at City Pier Park will include an address from Florida gubernatorial candidate, Florida Senator and parade marshal Jack Latvala. An ice cream social will take place at the Historical Museum and Park after the ceremony. For more information visit www.cityofannamaria.com or call 941-708-6130, ext. 121.
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ISLAND NEWS
in brief Sun wins 14 awards
The Anna Maria Island Sun has earned 14 awards in the Florida Press Club’s 66th Excellence in Journalism Competition; specifics will be announced at an awards banquet on Saturday, Nov. 4 in Sarasota. Staff members who will be recognized at the event are: • Steve Borggren, Illustration; • Pat Copeland, Headline Writing (2) • Maggie Field, Feature Photography; • Mike Field, Breaking News Photography, Feature Photography, Headline Writing (2), Opinion Writing; • Ricardo Fonseca, Front Page Design; • Cindy Lane, Special Award – That is so… Florida; • Monica Simpson, Sports Action Photography; • Kristin Swain, Government News Writing • Tom Vaught, Breaking News Photography.
Cortez Road improvements to begin The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will construct interim intersection improvements at the Cortez Road (State Road 64)-119th Street West intersection in Cortez starting later this month. This project was chosen earlier this year from three other options to improve safety and traffic flow at the intersection. Interim improvements include extending the existing median east of 119th Street West up to 119th Street West, eliminating the eastbound Cortez Road to northbound 119th Street West movement, installing improved crosswalks on Cortez Road and 119th Street West and making the traffic signal continuously green for eastbound Cortez Road at 119th Street West unless a pedestrian activates a crosswalk signal to cross Cortez Road. Construction will begin late this month and is anticipated to be complete by the end of the year, weather permitting. Motorists may expect lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. FDOT urges motorists to stay alert for construction crews.
Holmes Beach ad-hoc committee organizes Work is getting underway for the Holmes Beach form of government ad-hoc committee. The group of nine residents, formed by commissioners to study the different types of government available to the city, met Oct. 2 for an organizational meeting. During the meeting, David Cheshire was selected as chair with Scott Boyd serving as vice-chair. The committee’s next meeting will feature a presentation on different forms of government Lynn Tipton from the Florida League of Cities. The public is invited to attend the meeting at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, at Holmes Beach City Hall.
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OCTOBER 11, 2017
Celebrating community at National Night Out
National Night Out brings families, visitors, business owners and city staff closer together as a community. BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH - The rain didn't stop the fun at National Night Out. The annual event drew more than 1,000 people to Holmes Beach city field Oct. 3 to celebrate fun, friendship and community. In its second year, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer estimates the crowd more than tripled from the year before. "It was a tremendous success," Tokajer said. He gives credit for the event to city staff and HBPD officers, including Sgt. Vern McGowan and Officer Josh Fleischer, who spearheaded the evening. "It was great," Commissioner Judy Titsworth said. "I ran into people I haven't seen since high school. It was amazing. I can't believe what you pulled off." In addition to the efforts of city staff, individual, group and business sponsors stepped up to help bring the night together. Sponsors donated toys, food, drinks, bicycle helmets, 74 bicycles and their time to unite the community. Families came out from the Island and the mainland to participate in the carnival-like festivities. "Thank you to all of our sponsors. The event would not have been the success it was if we didn't have the community participation from our sponsors, who went all out to make sure the kids had a great night," Tokajer said. "It was just heartwarming to see the children from this community get together and take part in an event that was meant to get people together." National Night Out is a countrywide program aimed at bringing community members together to celebrate a safe, fun, family-friendly night out in their neighborhood. "There wasn't a kid who left there without something to take with them, some kind of gift," Tokajer said. One of the highlights for Tokajer was his time in the dunking booth. "Everyone came out to dunk the
KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN
Top, dancers of all ages got into the swing of things at the National Night Out. Sponsors donated 74 bicycles, above, to the event. Right, Christina Walker and daughter, Khaleessi, greet father and grandfather HBPD Chief Bill Tokajer after sinking him in the dunking booth. chief," he said, calling out Commissioner Carol Soustek and City Treasurer Lori Hill for dropping him in the water a total of three times. Also participating in the fun were his daughter and grandkids who submerged him a few times. "It was fun," Tokajer said. "It was a fabulous event, thank you so much," Commissioner Jean Peelen said, congratulating city staff. She suggested working with other communities and organizations next year to make sure the event continues its mission of benefitting high-risk kids. City Engineer Lynn Burnett said she knew this year's National Night Out event benefitted some high-risk kids at G.D. Rogers Garden-Bullock Elementary School in Bradenton. During the event, a teacher from the school work-
ing with severely handicapped kids approached Public Works Foreman Dave Benton. After hearing about the children at the school, Benton sent the teacher home with four bicycles and several boxes of toys. "Any opportunity that presented itself, your staff took it and went full force," Burnett said. Tokajer said city staff is already hard at work planning next year's event. "It's going to be bigger and better next year," he promised.
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OCTOBER 11, 2017
Sun to host AM candidates’ forum The Sun will host a candidates’ forum featuring the four Anna Maria City Commission candidates on Wednesday, Oct. 11. The forum will begin at 6 p.m., preceded by an informal opportunity to meet the candidates before the forum starts. Open to the public, the forum will take place at Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive. Commission candidates Carol Carter, Doug Copeland, Laurie Jo Higgins and Dale Woodland will spend approximately 90 minutes
discussing their positions on various city issues – including the Anna Maria City Pier, City Pier Park, vacation rentals, parking, The Center, the city Carter budget, drainage and more. The candidates will also give opening and closing statements that summarize their campaign priorities. Copeland Sun readers can
still submit questions in advance by emailing jhendricks@ amisun. Forum attendees can submit their questions in Higgins writing before the moderated forum begins. For those who can’t attend, an audio recording of the forum will be posted at www.amisun.com. Woodland
New overlay district in the works The city commission has approved Bradenton Beach City Planner Alan Garrett’s request to work with the Planning and Zoning Board on creating a Mixed-Use Bridge Commercial overlay zoning district for the Bridge Street business dis-
trict. The new overlay district would replace one of the four overlay districts eliminated in 2016 and bring back into compliance the many properties made non-compliant when the revised land development code was adopted in
2016. The overlay district will also address open-air dining and parking requirements. With four new members, the reconfigured planning board will meet for the first time at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 18.
THE SUN
Come and meet your HB candidates Come on over to city hall Oct. 17 and meet your Holmes Beach commission candidates. With four seats up for grabs and five candidates, this promises to be an Kihm Hurst exciting election season. Participating in the forum are Jim Kihm and Rick Hurst, along with incumbents Marvin Grossman, Pat Morton and Carol Soustek. The forum begins at 6 Morton p.m. with a candidate meet Grossman and greet followed by a question and answer session. Come prepared with questions for the candidates or e-mail them in advance to kswain@ amisun.com. The forum kicks off at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, at Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive. Soustek
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OPINIOn
The Anna Maria Island Sun newspaper Island Sun Plaza, 9801 Gulf Drive P.O. Box 1189 Anna Maria, FL 34216-1189 Phone: (941) 778-3986 e-mail: news@amisun.com | ads@amisun.com | classifieds@amisun.com
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OCTOBER 11, 2017
Your thoughts? Got an opinion, a complaint or a compliment? Is there something you need to get off your chest? Send us a letter to the editor and have your say. There are a couple of ways to do it. The easiest and most direct is to e-mail The Sun at news@amisun.com. Remember to put Letter to the Editor in the subject field. Or you can snail-mail a letter to us at The Anna Maria Island Sun, Island Sun Plaza, P.O. Box 1189, Anna Maria, FL 34216. Or you can hand-deliver a letter to our office in Island Sun Plaza, 9801 Gulf Drive in Anna Maria. Letters should be kept to 300 words or less and must contain your name and the city in which you reside. Personal attacks and obscene language will not be printed. The Sun reserves the right to edit letters for length or content.
Take The Sun Survey on Page 7.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Make storm preparation mandatory It saddens me that I need to write this letter. I fear the time has come where we need to write storm preparation into city code. My moving truck left three days before Charlie hit. Despite the fact I was a newbie, I was quickly schooled in what we needed to do to prepare for a storm. Folks told me how important it was to bring EVERYTHING inside, not only to protect my own property, but to ensure the safety of my neighbors. For over a decade, when any type of evacuation is called, the Islanders begin dragging in lawn chairs, beach umbrellas, potted pants, trash cans, and even door mats. We all know more damage can be caused by a neighbor failing to adequately prepare than from the actual storm. Irma was the worst storm forecast since Charlie. We were facing a Cat 5 making landfall around Sarasota County, and a potential 15-foot storm surge. Folks needed to flee quickly. Despite the fact I had only a few hours, this disabled woman managed to clear her porches and do what was needed to be done before being one of the last cars to cross the bridge before checkpoints went on. The "boxy house" behind me did not even bother to remove the pool umbrella. Trash cans were visible outside houses all over the neighborhood, and were found blocks from their original locations when we returned. Cheap plastic chairs were left on third floor open porches all over the neighborhoods. The rental agents came around to collect signs, but, with few exceptions, did nothing to check if the unit was properly prepared. In fact, the majority of un-prepped units had "vacation rental" signs out front before the evacuation was called. I fully expected to come home and find my neigh-
bors' umbrellas and chairs in my windows or lanai screens. I was lucky in that they blew the other direction. Other nearby units were not as fortunate. However, I'm sure some of the tree damage was, in fact, caused by flying objects that needed to be secured through the storm.Yes, we have always been an unselfish community who did what was right to protect our own property and that of our neighbors. Irma proved to me that that time has passed. Few investors care about what happens to their neighbors as result of their own negligence. They all have homes in which they can live if their Island home is damaged. The Locals are not that lucky. I have only a single place to call home, and that is my unit in Holmes Beach. I know the city has guidelines for storm preparation, and that these guidelines have sufficed in the past. We were very fortunate that of the three possible "models," Irma took the one that spared Anna Maria Island. We may not be so fortunate next time. It is time we formalized storm preparation guidelines and make them law. It saddens me that we can no longer count on homeowners to "do the right thing" unless it is an ordinance. Please consider discussing this BEFORE the next storm comes our way. Laurel Nevans Holmes Beach
Tree house withstood Irma's fury It is time for a change in policy. City hall has spent nearly $150,000 of taxpayer money to force the demolition of a non-habital treehouse that was tacitly approved initially by the same city hall. The building official at the time said "Just build it safe and make sure nobody falls out…”
Nobody has fallen out and it is obvious the structure is sound. Stated reasons for demolition ranged from potential danger the structure posed during a hurricane to environmental concerns about the structure's location regarding the beach erosion control line. The treehouse weathered Irma better than structures built to municipally approved standards, e.g., soffit and roofing projectiles from homes, as well as cell phone tower panels. During Irma’s fury, the treehouse sustained no damage while the Australian pine supporting the structure lost a few limbs. As far as the erosion control concerns, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), apparently does not think the treehouse is a threat to the environment. Indeed, DEP would grandfather approval of the structure if the city wrote a letter of "no objection" to DEP. Also, recent high tide conditions, coupled with a strong west wind, demonstrated the treehouse is not a threat to the beach ecosystem. For proof, just walk the beach and see for yourselves – the treehouse was, and remains, an invisible factor in nature’s environmental balance. So, the question remains: What drives city hall to take such a firm position for treehouse removal? It certainly is not safety concerns. And, it cannot be environmental concerns, as DEP and recent events demonstrate. It is time to stop wasting our money on a battle that does nothing to improve either public safety or the environment. Let the iconic treehouse remain and develop a policy to address future treehouse construction so precious resources are not wasted on a "fool's errand." Dan Diggins Holmes Beach
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OCTOBER 11, 2017
THE SUN
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the sun survey
on the agenda
PREVIOUS QUESTION: What effect will the Anna Maria CIty Pier's closing have
Anna Maria
Holmes Beach
10/11: The Sun candidate meet and greet, followed by forum, 5:30 p.m. 10/12: City Commission meeting, 6 p.m. For information, call 7086130.
10/12: City Commission work session, 6 p.m. 10/17: Ad-hoc form of government committee, 3 p.m. 10/17: The Sun commission candidate forum, 6 p.m. For information, call 7085800.
on nearby businesses?
7%
Quite a bit. Local stores depend on the Pier to draw customers.
44%
Not much. Tourists will still visit during season.
10005 Gulf Drive.
Bradenton Beach 107 Gulf Drive N.
10/12: Department Head meeting, 1 p.m. 10/18: Planning and Zoning board, 1 p.m. 10/19: City Commission meeting, noon. For information, call 7781005.
5801 Marina Drive.
Island-wide
10/18: Barrier Island Elected Officials meeting, Anna Maria City Hall, 2 p.m. 10/19: West Manatee Fire Rescue District Commission, 6417 Third Ave. W., Bradenton, 6 p.m.
mark your calendar
48%
It will impact both businesses and their employees, many of whom will face loss of hours and perhaps jobs.
THIS WEEK’S SURVEY What do you think of the county commission's approval of the Aqua by the Bay development?
• I'm OK with it, especially with the environmental concessions the developer agreed to. • I think it stinks and the commission sold out to big-money developers once again.
To vote, go to www.amisun.com or scan this code to vote by smartphone.
October 12
View The Sun’s online edition at www.issuu.com/AnnaMariaIslandSun
The Anna Maria Island Sun staff
Layout Ricardo Fonseca Reporters Cindy Lane Tom Vaught Joe Hendricks
Kristin Swain Columnists Louise Bolger Outdoors editor Rusty Chinnis Ad director Chantelle Lewin Ad assistants Chris Boniberger Diane Martin
Classified ads Bob Alexander Graphics Elaine Stroili Ricardo Fonseca Digital director Cindy Lane Accounting John Reitz
Roser-Robics chair-based exercise class, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m. Coloring Club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, noon. Women’s writing workshop, Anna Maria Island Art League, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach, 1:30 p.m., $40 for three classes. Reserve to 941-778-2099 or artleagueami@gmail.com. Chess Club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 4 p.m.
Thursday
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Editor/CEO Mike Field
Wednesday October 11
The sun survey is not a scientific poll and is used for entertainment purposes only.
Publishers Mike Field Maggie Field
Note: Events are free unless indicated.
Distribution Bob Alexander Tony McNulty Connor Field Contributors Pat Copeland Steve Borggren Sean Murphy Monica Simpson
Veterans service information, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 9 to 11 a.m. Boomer Boot Camp, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m. One class, $15; five classes, $65; 10 classes, $100. Zumba and mat pilates for seniors, The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, second floor, 10 a.m., $10 per class. Reserve to maryannbrady@ theparadisecenter.org or 941-383-6493. Cuban Fishing Ranchos in Tampa Bay Exhibit, Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St., Cortez, 5:30 p.m. Chasing Light artists’ reception, The Studio at Gulf and Pine, 10101 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, 6 p.m.
Friday
October 13
Forty Carrots, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Beginner salt scrub, The Folk School at Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St., Cortez, 10 a.m., $35. Reserve to 941-708-6120 or www.floridafolkschool.org. Intermediate bridge session, The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, 2nd Floor, Longboat Key, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., $10, includes coffee and cookies. Reserve to maryannbrady@ theparadisecenter.org or 941-383-6493. Mahjong, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11 a.m. Women’s writing workshop, Anna Maria Island Art League, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach, 1:30 p.m., $40 for three classes. Reserve to 941-778-2099 or artleagueami@gmail.com. Alzheimer’s caregiver support group, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. Sunset drum circle, Manatee Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 5 to 8 p.m.
Saturday October 14
20th Annual Cortez Nautical Flea Market, Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St., Cortez, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Master Gardener Tour, Riverview Pointe Preserve, 8250 De Soto Memorial Hwy, Bradenton, 9 a.m. Reserve to 941-722-4524. SEE CALENDAR, PAGE 8
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THE SUN
mark your calendar From Page 7
Origami, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Gyotaku, Japanese fish prints, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. Women’s Wellness Series, “This Puzzle Called Life” with Casey Hoffman and Laurel Rund, Anna Maria Island Art League, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach, 1:30 p.m., $30. Reserve to 941778-2099 or artleagueami@gmail.com.
Sunday October 15
Master Gardener Tour, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. NW, Bradenton, 9 a.m. Reserve to 941-722-4524.
Tuesday October 17
Boomer Boot Camp, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m. One class, $15; five classes, $65; 10 classes, $100. Yoga with Cheryl Kaiser, The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, 2nd Floor, Longboat Key, 10 a.m., $10. Reserve to maryannbrady@theparadisecenter.org or 941-383-6493. Paddling, Neal Preserve, 12301 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 10 a.m. Reserve to 941-742-5757, ext. 7. Nature Rocks painting class, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. NW, Bradenton, 10 a.m. Reserve to melissa.nell@mymanatee.org or 941-742-5757, ext. 4. Preschool storytime, turtles and snakes, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Shell flowers, The Folk School at Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St., Cortez, 10 a.m. to noon, $35. Reserve to 941-708-6120 or www.floridafolkschool. org. Mahjong for beginners, The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, 2nd Floor, Longboat Key, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., $10, snacks are provided. Reserve to maryannbrady@theparadisecenter.org or 941-383-6493. Classical Moments in Art History, Anna Maria Island Art League, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., $20. Reserve to 941-778-2099 or artleagueami@gmail.com.
Wednesday October 18
Roser-Robics chair-based exercise class, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m. Artist Talk with Cynthia Herrick, The Studio at Gulf and Pine, 10101 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, 1 p.m.
SHINE – Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. Cuban Fishing Ranchos in Tampa Bay lecture, Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St., Cortez, 3 p.m. Watercolor Wednesday with Cory Wright, The Studio at Gulf and Pine, 10101 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., $175 for four sessions, including supplies. Reserve to 941-7781906. Oyster bagging, Perico Preserve, 11700 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 6 p.m. Reserve to michelle.leahy@mymanatee. org or 941-748-4501, ext. 6035. Classical Moments in Art History, Anna Maria Island Art League, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., $20. Reserve to 941-778-2099 or artleagueami@gmail.com.
Thursday October 19
Veteran services information, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach 9 a.m. Boomer Boot Camp, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m. One class, $15; five classes, $65; 10 classes, $100. Zumba and mat pilates for seniors, The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, second floor, 10 a.m., $10 per class. Reserve to maryannbrady@theparadisecenter.org or 941-383-6493. Book Club: “Hillbilly Elegy,” Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10:15 a.m. Successful Women Aligning Together luncheon and meeting, Bridge Street Bistro, 111 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 11:45 a.m. Reserve to SWATAMI@gmail.com. Knit and Crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. Wild Florida 101: Spooky Senses, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. NW, Bradenton, 6 p.m. Reserve to 941-7425757, ext. 5, or coral.bass@mymanatee.org.
Friday
October 20
Perico plant pull, Perico Preserve, 11700 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Reserve to 941-742-5757 ext. 2 or coral.bass@mymanatee.org. Forty Carrots, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Intermediate soap making, The Folk School at Florida Maritime Museum,
4415 119th St., Cortez, 10 a.m., $35. Reserve to 941-708-6120 or www. floridafolkschool.org. Intermediate bridge session, The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, 2nd Floor, Longboat Key, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., $10, includes coffee and cookies. Reserve to maryannbrady@theparadisecenter.org or 941-383-6493. The Center of Anna Maria Island Golf Tournament, IMG Academy Golf Club, 4350 El Conquistador Pkwy, Bradenton, 11:30 a.m., $125 per player or $450 per foursome. Reserve to events@ centerami.org or www.centertami.org. Meet the Mayor, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, noon. Mahjong, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m. Sunset drum circle, Manatee Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 5 to 8 p.m.
Saturday October 21
Naturalist-led wagon tour, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. NW, Bradenton, 9 a.m. Plant and antique sale, Palma Sola Botanical Park, 9800 17th Ave. NW, Bradenton, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dyeing with plant-based dyes, The Folk School at Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St., Cortez, 10 a.m. to noon, $35. Reserve to 941-708-6120 or www. floridafolkschool.org.
Monday October 23
Social bridge games, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, noon.
Tuesday October 24
Preschool story time: Into the Night, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Yoga with Cheryl Kaiser, The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, 2nd Floor, Longboat Key, 10 a.m., $10. Reserve to maryannbrady@theparadisecenter.org or 941-383-6493. Mahjong for beginners, The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, 2nd Floor, Longboat Key, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., $10, snacks are provided. Computer Class, iPad, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. Classical Moments in Art History, Anna Maria Island Art League, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., $20. Reserve to 941-778-2099 or artleagueami@gmail.com.
OCTOBER 11, 2017
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OCTOBER 11, 2017
THE SUN
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Bayfest: Here we go again Billed as the Island’s first festival of the season, Bayfest runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21, on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria.
A celebration of music
BY TOM VAUGHT SUN STAFF WRITER | tvaught@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – It’s an indication that hurricane season is waning and tourist season is just around the corner. The 17th Annual Bayfest celebration is coming to the Island once again. Hosted by the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, the Island’s largest festival will occupy the length of Pine Avenue in Anna Maria on Saturday, Oct. 21. The annual celebration has a little something for everyone, offering music, food, arts and crafts and classic automobiles to entertain the grown-ups. For the youngsters, there also will be a Kids Zone, sponsored by AMI Health & Fitness, featuring games, bounce houses, the Privateer’s ship Skullywag and more.
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Bayfest offers a wide variety of crafts and artwork, including signs for nearly any occasion. For many, Bayfest annually sets the mood for fall and has become a destination date for thousands of visitors to the Island. It was the first AMI festival to have a car show and routinely displays more than 100 classic and antique vehicles.
These range from souped-up hot rods to vintage customized cars and trucks, many restored to museum quality. The car show runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features a Best in Show competition.
Bayfest offers the best in live local music from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The lineup includes: • Renegade, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; • soulRcoaster, 1 to 3 p.m.; • Yesterdayze, 3:30 to 5 p.m.; • The Dr. Dave Band, 5:30 to 7 p.m.; • The Karen & Jimmy Band, 7:30 to 9 p.m. In addition, the food court will highlight some of the best regional specialties provided by local vendors and restaurants. Come out and sample a variety of delicious dishes. Wash the food down with beer, wine, rumrunners, margaritas and soft drinks. More about the food next week. Bayfest has a strict no cooler and no BYOB policy, as the offerings from the vendors are varied and tasty. A large portion of festival proceeds benefit the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Fund. These scholarships assist graduating Manatee County high school seniors with their college tuitions. see bayfest, page 11
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CINDY LANE | SUN
St. Francis Day blessing Father Michael Mullen, pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church in Holmes Beach, gave local pets a St. Francis Day blessing last week. St. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals and the environment, the father of the Franciscan order and author of the poem, "Canticle of the Sun," also known as “Brother Sun, Sister Moon.”
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Finding funds for Fido’s park City commissioners want it on the record that they plan to help out Fido and friends with improvements at the city's dog park. BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH - During the final budget approval meeting of the fiscal year, talk turned to what commissioners can do for Fido and friends at the dog park and agreed to commit to funding. They instructed City Treasurer Lori Hill and City Engineer Lynn Burnett to come back Oct. 26 with a proposed budget amendment. Moving existing funds to a dedicated line item for the dog park, the amendment won't add money to the budget. "I think if we don't assign the money it's going to be lost again in the thousand things we do," Commissioner Carol Soustek said. Burnett said there are several "buckets" of money to pull from to dedicate funding for the park. Those buckets include the public works park mainte-
nance, fund the half-cent infrastructure tax and the five cent gas tax fund. Adding to the available funds is $800 in donations the city's been holding earmarked for the park. Commissioner Judy Titsworth wants to consider applying for concession funds for at least part of the project. Planning to take a look at the entire park complex between city hall and 63rd Street, Burnett asked commissioners to wait. She plans to have a consultant evaluate the skate park, baseball field, dog park and toddler park. Afterwards, she recommends a plan of action to commissioners. Part of the hold up is that the consultant hasn't yet visited the property. For a MAGGIE FIELD | SUN restart, a new bid process Ringo, on the bench, and Holly, on the ground, take a break needs to take place. from some serious fun time at the dog park. Commissioner Jean Peelen disagreed with the project's timing. ing action six, eight, 12 months down "I think it's wonderful, but it puts tak- the road," she said.
Soustek wants the skate and dog parks to be priorities for the new fiscal year. Both Titsworth and Commissioner Marvin Grossman balked at waiting for funding. Grossman argued a proposed bicycle path already has funding, but hasn't been approved. Similarly, Titsworth spoke of moving $105,000 in funds allocated for debt services to other projects. The debt services amount is budgeted to purchase additional open green space for the city. "I want the parks we have right now to be improved to something we can be proud of," she said. Peelen asked Hill and Burnett to create line items for both parks. Both budgets will be presented for discussion at the Oct. 26 work session. Commissioners expect a vote to approve the budget amendment in November. The city's parks and beautification committee also seeks to help Fido. The group, working with Grossman as commission liaison, hopes to help plan improvements. "It's the most frequently used park in the city," committee Chair Zan Fuller said. "I think we can do something really beautiful there."
bayfest: Festival season kicks off FROM PAGE 9
Park and ride
Residents are urged to take the free trolleys, as parking will be limited. Additional parking is available as you enter the city of Anna Maria at CrossPointe Fel-
lowship. Catch the trolley to the festival from CrossPointe Fellowship, the Manatee Public Beach or any of several trolley stops on the Island. The trolley runs until 10:30 p.m. For all those parking
on the street in the city of Anna Maria, please note that all tires must be off the pavement. There is no admission charge for this family-friendly event.
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Campaign sign season opens A lawsuit recently filed in Delaware could impact political signs on Anna Maria Island. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – The 30-day period to display temporary campaign signs in Bradenton Beach is now open. “Each parcel may display political signs 30 days prior to any election and shall be removed seven days after the election,” says the city’s land development code (LDC). In early September, Bradenton Beach Mayor Bill Shearon got a jump on the competition when he affixed an “Elect ‘Bill’ William Shearon” campaign message to both sides of his permanent Linger Longer resort sign. The previously used signage went up before Hurricane Irma arrived. Subsequent wind damage led to replacement signage being erected that says “ReElect ‘Bill’ William Shearon for Mayor.” Both messages appeared before the 30day allowance for political signs. The city elections conclude Tuesday, Nov. 7. When asked about his signage, Shearon maintained the same position
joe hendricks | SUN
Campaign signs for Bradenton Beach candidates John Chappie and Ralph Cole were placed just outside the city limits in accordance with Holmes Beach’s 45-day sign provisions. Mayor Bill Shearon was the first candidate on the Island to display signs related to the upcoming city elections. he took during a previous campaign. “It’s my permanent sign. I can change the wording on my sign anytime. That’s in the sign ordinance. It has nothing to do with a campaign sign. If it was a temporary campaign sign that’s a different part of the code,” he said. The LDC defines a temporary sign as one intended to be displayed for a
specified and limited period of time, and political signs are cited as examples. Some city residents questioned Shearon’ signage and Code Enforcement Officer Gail Garneau conducted a preliminary inquiry that included a call to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office. She also discussed the matter with her supervisor, Building
Official Gilbert. No violations were cited and no corrective actions were requested. This raised questions about the mayor being allowed to have campaign signage in place before the other candidates. After the city of Holmes Beach’s 45-day campaign sign period opened see CAMPAIGN, page 43
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Holmes Beach approves 2017-18 budget Less than a week after the start of the new fiscal year, Holmes Beach has a finalized budget and millage rate. BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
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TIP-OFFS TO POTENTIAL RIP-OFFS
If you must act now, the offer is probably to good to be true. You pull the permits? - NO Solici ng door to door – “Just finished a job down the street”- NO Unmarked vehicle – NO No physical address for the office/shop – NO Be sure the contractor’s phone number is listed in your local directory. Discount as your’s is a “demonstra on home” – NO Pay everything up-front for a discount? – NO Ask to see your contractor’s license and check with the FL Dept of Business & Professional Regula on to verify. Check with your neighbors and friends – Have they used this contractor before? Don’t be afraid to ask for references. Ask for proof of insurance, both General Liability (to protect your property) and Workers Compensa on (to cover anyone who would get hurt on your job). Get an es mate/proposal in wri ng. Make sure it specifies work to be performed.
HOLMES BEACH — Commissioners may have been given an extra month to get the 2017-18 fiscal year budget finalized, but they weren’t about to take that much time. During a special meeting held Oct. 5, commissioners voted unanimously to approve both the proposed 2.25 millage rate and $13,423,653 budget.
Though the millage rate didn’t increase over the previous year, increases in property value resulted in an 8.86 percent tax increase for the city. The amount translates to about $300,000 in additional revenue. Commissioner Jean Peelen said approving the millage rate was both gratifying and frustrating because though the millage didn’t increase, property owner tax bills did. She feels it’s unfair that city leaders received “no credit” for keeping the millage rate low during the recession, but receives pushback from residents for a moderate increase aligned with increases in property values. Commissioner Carol Soustek re-
minded everyone that it’s not only residents and business owners who have to deal with increased costs. “The city is also subject to increased costs as well as individuals,” she said. Part of the increased revenue is going to remedy a long-standing issue in the city. To help make its salaries more competitive in the marketplace, commissioners voted earlier in 2017 to raise city employee salaries, doing away with the previous step system for all but police officers. The raises are expected to take two fiscal years to implement. “We had a freeze for several years on staff’s pay, and it’s time to get that caught up,” she said.
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Gift of life The Red Bloodmobile was parked at Roser Church in Anna Maria on Oct. 1 to take donations. Demand is high this time of the year with fewer part-time residents on the Island, and recent hurricanes have put a further strain on supplies.
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Rich wins with whiskey-inspired cocktail BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – Rodney Rich, from The Waterfront Restaurant & Craft Bar in Anna Maria, earned the people’s choice award for his whiskey-inspired A Coal Miner’s Daughter cocktail. The recognition came during the Set The Bar craft cocktail competition at the Aloft hotel in Sarasota on Oct. 4. In addition to winning the gold medal people’s choice award, Rich’s concoction also received the second-place silver medal from the panel of judges. The Sarasota-Manatee Originals and Tito’s Handmade Vodka sponsored the contest that featured entries from 10 establishments that are members of the Sarasota-Manatee Originals. The group consists of locallyowned restaurants that share a passion for dining excellence and a commitment to community. “Jason (Waterfront owner Jason Suzor) put me in a vodka competition. I’m from Kentucky. I don’t know anything about vodka, so I made the vodka into a whiskey,” said the Bradenton resident, who hails from Fort Thomas, Ky., just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati.
Rich used boards, also known as staves, from a whiskey barrel to create his winning entry. “I infused vodka with bourbon barrel staves from Maker’s Mark and vanilla. I added in some charcoal solution, egg whites and a burnt orange simple syrup I made,” Rich said of the process used to extract the whiskey flavor from the barrel wood. “I have a buddy who works at Maker’s Mark and sends me the staves. I broke them down and infused the vodka with them. It turned out good,” he said, adding that the infusion procedure takes six days. “The egg whites bring down the sour flavor and makes a smooth and frothy head. The charcoal powder makes that black, dark, eerie-looking color. I like making drinks that don’t taste anything how they look,” Rich said. Rich came up with his crowd-pleasing recipe on a whim after being given six days’ notice of The Waterfront’s entry in the cocktail contest. “That was my first competition. There were about 150-200 people there and they voted us the best. I’m proud of my team. We went down there and rocked it.” The Waterfront team included bartenders Lauren Zoller and Patricia Rice, and cook
over barrel stave,” Rich said, noting that you can find him behind the bar Monday through Friday.
Proud boss
CHANTELLE LEWIN lane | SUN
Waterfront Restaurant & Craft Bar bartender Rodney Rich serves up A Coal Miner’s Daughter. Mike Rain. Due to the labor involved, the cocktail entry deemed best by attendees and second best by the judges will not be a regular offering at The Waterfront. “I do a smoked Manhattan, which I smoke
“They worked hard and I’m happy they were able to get the people’s choice award,” said Suzor, himself a former bartender. “I’m real proud of the craft bar. We were the first craft bar on the Island. We opened ours in Sept. 2013, when craft bars where just taking hold in Florida. Our craft bar is an extension of our kitchen, so all our bartenders bring their own culinary tools to work. They take it serious and I’m proud of them,” Suzor said. Suzor said the craft bar revolution began about 10 years ago in New York City, when bartenders started steering away from standard ingredients. “It’s the reinvention of the old bartender, where they made their own tonic and soda water and the ingredients were fresh – drinks that were built from the spirit up," Suzor said. "You can buy a margarita mix that has yellow #5 and high fructose corn syrup or you can come to our bar and get fresh squeezed lime and sour mix and simple syrup that we’ve made from scratch."
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TIFF reminds all to register ahead of disaster In the wake of recent natural disasters like Hurricane Irma, it’s more important than ever to ensure your family’s emergency contacts are registered with local authorities and first responders. To Inform Families First (TIFF) is encouraging the community to register friends and family during Register Your Emergency Contact Month. Registering through TIFF, links your emergency contact to your driver’s license number so authorities have the right information to give to friends and family during an emergency or crisis. TIFF was founded by Christine Olson, employee at the Rod Reel Pier, after her daughter Tiffiany was killed in a fatal crash in
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Christine Olson holds a photo of her daughter, Tiffiany. 2005. Olson wasn’t alerted until six and one hours later due to Tiffiany having an outdated address on her license and no other emergency contact. “It started that night, when I realized that something was horribly wrong,” said Olson. “I have found out that the national average is six hours before you could be
notified. “Are you willing to wait that long when it only takes two minutes right now to go to your phone or computer and add this critical contact information,” she asked. “Let’s work together to make this change because everyone’s family is worth it, and every second counts.” Tiffs initiative is highly recognized outside the state of Florida and has received several awards. The program is now available to the residents of Colorado, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, and Tennessee. Currently, in the state of Florida alone, more than 13,000,000 individuals have registered. To register, or for more information, visit www. toinformfamiliesfirst.org or call 941-795-1869.
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Tequila madness BY SEAN MURPHY SPECIAL TO THE SUN
I
was young and foolish. It was an evening of bad decisions. The first bad decision was to drink tequila. Salt-tequila-lemon, salt-tequila-lemon, salt-tequila-lemon. As is often the case with tequila, we lost count. The bar headlined a piano player. The piano-player’s beautiful fiancé was sitting at the bar. The tequila had convinced me that I was in love with the beautiful fiancé. I asked her to marry me. She declined. She explained that she really was in love with the piano player and was going to marry him. My heart was breaking. Piano guy approached. When she stood to introduce me, it was apparent she was taller than me – another blow. I told piano guy that I was desperately in
love with his fiancé and that I was certain that eventually I would win her over. My friend Val was my wingman. Val had also consumed a great deal of tequila but he was a helluva wingman. He coaxed me toward a bar around the corner. He said we should go there and drink more tequila. I told the new love of my life that I would return. We stepped out into the dark night. The bright flash of an electric street car blasted white in a huge mirror perched high up on a telephone pole. It was a sign. The mirror was one of those enormous bus mirrors that they put way up on telephone poles so that bus drivers can see around the corner. I needed that mirror. If I could rip that mirror off that pole and bring it to my new true love I would steal her heart. Piano guy who. A tequila minute later I was three stories in the air with my feet planted on the pole’s pegs and my two hands wrenching on the upper corners of the mirror. I was heaving all my weight back and forth to work the gigantic mirror free of the pole. Wingman Val had secret desires to be a
fireman. Some fool had already taught him the fireman’s carry. That’s the one where the fireman has you on his back and is gripping your wrist and foot in one hand leaving the other hand free to scale ladders and telephone poles. Val was climbing up the pole to get me. “Don't worry Murph, I’ll save you. I’ll bring you down with my fireman carry.” The image of Val fireman-carrying me 30 feet down the pole pierced my tequila madness. “No, no, no, no. It's OK Val. I can climb down. I am climbing down right now. I don’t need the dam mirror. She's not worth it. I can live without her. To hell with her and her dam piano player.” We made it down the pole. There is an urban legend that trace elements related to mesculine from the mescal cactus create a unique tequila insanity that converts drinking fools into merry pranksters. Scientists rebut this. They are adamant that tequila drinkers lose their minds because tequila is too often gulped rapidly from shot glasses. It is not the drink; it is the speed of drinking.
The same scientists claim that there is nothing in absinthe that makes you see green fairies and that there is nothing in Tequila Margaritas that makes you see green flashes at sunset. Madness. I wonder what they are drinking. Tequila is the Bistro team’s go to beverage in a hurricane. After those exceptional young people finished boarding everything, waiting out the storm and putting everything back together again, all that was missing was two bottles of tequila. The Bistro team is the best culinary team anywhere, and they are used to eating and drinking the world's best stuff. They could purloin whatever they want during a storm. Those two missing bottles of tequila are powerful evidence that tequila is the preferred beverage for hurricanes. It also goes well with all those limes that are flying by. Sean Murphy is the old white guy who runs the Beach Bistro. Sean’s articles can be found at the Bistro web-site, www.beachbistro.com
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Parks committee ramps up for season The Holmes Beach Parks and Beautification Committee is organized and ready to get to work beautifying the city’s parks and open spaces.
renovations.
Adopt-A-Spot
The committee’s newest member, Linney, hit the ground running during his first meeting, agreeing to take over the effort to revitalize the city’s Adopt-A-Spot program. Committee members are seeking new volunteers to pick up trash and landscape areas throughout the city. For existing volunteers, Linney said he wants to make sure recognition is given, particularly through Adopt-ASpot signs.
BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH — The city’s parks and beautification committee is back and ready to move forward on several projects with the goal of making Holmes Beach a bit lovelier to look at. After a five month break, meetings resumed Oct.5 at Holmes Beach City Hall. Veteran members Zan Fuller and Susan Anderson welcomed new member Joshua Linney. The committee’s fourth member, Dennis Groh, won’t return until December. At a current total of four, the committee is still seeking one full member and two alternates to join them for monthly meetings through May.
Dog Park
Committee members listed the
On Hold
Kristin Swain | Sun
Holmes Beach City Clerk swears in Joshua Linney, the newest member of the city’s parks and beautification committee. Holmes Beach Dog Park as a top beautification priority at the previous meeting in May. Fuller, the committee’s chair, agreed to spearhead the committee’s efforts to renovate the
park along with commission liaison Marvin Grossman. Currently, city commissioners also are making the park a priority for the new fiscal year and determining a budget for
Several projects are on hold for the committee, at least for a few months. Projects on the back burner include an educational program at Grassy Point Preserve, replanting at the Key Royale bus stop and redesign of landscaping at Spring Lake Park. The plan is to readdress the projects in December. Committee members next meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.
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TOM VAUGHT | SUN
Cleaning up Students at Anna Maria Elementary School participated in the national coastal cleanup on the campus grounds. Third grader Jordan Moore found an orange sock.
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Stone crab season opens Oct. 15 Florida’s recreational and commercial stone crab claw harvest season opens Oct. 15 in state and federal waters. To ensure this valuable resource is available for generations to come, take care when removing crab claws and follow all conservation-based management guidelines for stone crab harvest. To be harvested, stone crab claws must be at least 2.75 inches in length when measured from the elbow to the tip of the lower immovable portion of the claw (see illustration). View a video on how to properly remove the claw on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) YouTube channel and increase the likelihood of survival of the released crab. Claws may not be taken from egg-bearing stone crabs. Egg-bearing females are identifiable by the orange or brown egg mass, also known as a sponge, which is visible on the underside of the crab when it is picked up or turned over. Recreational harvesters may use up to five stone crab traps per person. Stone crabs may not be harvested with any device that can puncture, crush or injure a
FWC | SUBMITTED
crab’s body. Examples of devices that can cause this kind of damage include spears and hooks. Recreational and commercial traps may be baited and placed in the water 10 days prior to the opening of the season, but may not be pulled from the water for harvest purposes until Oct. 15. Traps that are not being fished should be removed from the water to avoid ghost fishing, a process in which marine species get caught in the trap for extended periods of time and are not harvested. Round entrances (also known as throats or funnels) are not allowed for stone crab traps used in state or federal
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waters off Collier, Monroe and MiamiDade counties. The rectangular or rounded rectangular entrances typically used in stone crab traps in these waters must be no larger than 5.5 by 3.125 inches at the
Senate passes bill allowing federal assistance for toxic algae blooms The U.S. Senate has approved legislation that, for the first time, could open the door to federal assistance for states and local communities hardest hit by toxic algae blooms. The measure, sponsored by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) and approved unanimously by the Senate, would give the heads of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency the authority to declare a severe algae bloom as a nationally significant event, which would make federal resources available to those impacted by the outbreak. “People come to Florida to enjoy its beautiful beaches and unique environment,” Nelson said in a press release. “When these toxic algae blooms plague our waterways they not only hurt our environment, they hurt our local economies as well. This bill will help
make federal assistance available to those hardest hit by these algae outbreaks.” In Florida last summer, a massive, toxic bloom that began in Lake Okeechobee quickly spread to the Indian River Lagoon and Caloosahatchee River causing widespread and severe environmental and economic damage. To help prevent such outbreaks from happening again, Nelson’s legislation also sets aside an additional $110 million over five years for research into the causes and control of large algae blooms and hypoxia. Nelson, a long-time champion of efforts in the Senate aimed at curbing the impacts of toxic algae blooms, successfully shepherded a law through Congress in 2014 that authorized $82 million for research to help battle toxic algae outbreaks. The legislation approved in the Senate
narrowest portion of the opening. Stone crab traps being used in other areas of the state may have an entrance that is 5.5 by 3.5 inches. Harvesters are encouraged to take only one claw, even if both claws are of legal size, so that the released crab will be better able to defend itself from predators. A crab that is returned to the water with one claw intact will be able to obtain more food in a shorter amount of time and therefore regrow its claw faster. There is a recreational daily bag limit of 1 gallon of claws per person or 2 gallons per vessel, whichever is less. The season will be open through May 15, 2018, closing May 16. Stone crab regulations are the same in state and federal waters. For more information on harvesting stone crabs for recreation, as well as commercial stone crab regulations and licensing information, visit www.MyFWC.com/ Fishing and click on “Saltwater Fishing.”
Lost bird finds a home Charlie Hunsicker, left, director of the Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department, found this disoriented docile bird at the Coquina South boat ramp immediately after Hurricane Irma and turned it over to Devon Straight of Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Inc. in Bradenton Beach. After much Facebook publicity and interest, no one claimed it, but Straight found it a good home. CINDY LANE | SUN
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Aqua by the Bay decision provokes reactions County residents played an active role in forcing the developers to make environmental concessions. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT
MANATEE COUNTY – The Manatee County Commission’s approval of Carlos Beruff’s revised Aqua by the Bay development plans produced outrage, disappointment, disbelief and relief. After County Commissioners approved the development plans on Oct. 3, county resident Glen Gibellina said, “Sold down the river unanimously, 7-0. Unbelievable. All that for absolutely nothing.” Former County Commissioner Joe McClash expressed mixed emotions. “It moved in the right direction today. The greatest win is we don’t have the threat to the environment like we did before we started the day. That’s a big concession,” he said. His comment pertained to the elimination of a proposed man-made estuary that would have run the length of the property, between the coastal mangroves and the development. McClash took additional solace from the environmental concessions the developers have been forced to make since 2013, when they reluctantly removed a proposed marina and navigation channel from their plans; and then lost two court cases trying to get them back. “We shouldn’t have had to go through this for four-plus years, but it shows this community’s persistence and willingness to step up and say this is not acceptable. The commissioners heard the community, and they adjusted their positions based on the facts
joe hendricks | SUN
Former County Commissioner Jane von Hahmann, front, and several other citizens provided limited public input during last week’s County Commission meeting. and emotional appeals we brought to them. Without sending a signal that this wasn’t going to fly, we wouldn’t have got Mr. Beruff to change his mind about the environmental destruction that was going to take place,” McClash said. “We still have upland habitats that should be protected, and there’s an eagle nesting on the site that they still haven’t identified on their plans. These buildings are going to look so massive along El Conquistador Parkway. We’ve worked for years to maintain Manatee County’s unique character. The Island cities have been able to do it with their 35-foot height restrictions, and we were trying to do the same in Manatee County. Unfortunately, we lost a little bit of Manatee County today,” McClash said. He acknowledged the commission probably established a legal precedent for the 95-foot buildings when it approved similarly tall buildings for the nearby Lake Flores
development. When asked about a legal challenge to the commission’s decision, McClash said, “There’s issues that could be challenged. The question is whether it’s worth challenging those issues.”
Cortez concerns
Like McClash, Cortez resident Jane von Hahmann served on the County Commission that in 2004 approved the original and less intense residential development plans for a project once known as Long Bar Pointe. Regarding the Oct. 3, meeting, she said, “I was very upset with the process. They allowed the applicant to submit a plan different than the one previously submitted and reviewed. They advertised a meeting that would not allow public comment, and then after allowing the changes, they opened public comment. I believe there are challenge-
able actions. In a quasi-judicial proceeding, all parties were not provided due process. “I am very glad for the removal of the wall and estuary enhancement area canal. I am glad the shoreline ecosystem will remain fully enacted. I see that as a major victory. However, the canal was part of the wetland mitigation plan, and we didn’t hear how those impacts will be mitigated in the new plan. “The height and shear number of buildings over 35 feet tall along the bay and El Conquistador Parkway concerns me. I am disappointed the commission didn’t see it as important to meet the intent of the land development code and require a preliminary site plan showing the locations of all buildings over 35 feet. I think the only way we the public will be heard is at the ballot box. We need to elect people willing to represent the people and not the developers who fund their campaigns,” she said. Cortez resident and Swordfish Grill General Manager Bob Slicker said, “I appreciated the opportunity to speak out at the commission meetings. I’m proud they took the giant ditch and wall out of the plan, I’m grateful the buildings are not going to be 145 feet tall. Short of a new comp plan, I can’t see much more we could’ve done other than buying the property and using it as a preserve.” Cortez charter captain Kathe Fannon is upset about the building heights, but finds some positives in the final outcome. “Had the public not been as involved as we were, that marina would be built. The project would already be built and that ditch would be there. You can’t blame (County Commissioner) Carol Whitmore for this. It’s true what she says, 'If you deny this, Carlos will take us to court and get everything he wants.'”
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THE SUN
OCTOBER 11, 2017
unseasonably warm weather
joe hendricks | SUN
County Commissioners Carol Whitmore, Steve Jonsson, Vanessa Baugh and Betsy Benac cast four of the seven votes in favor of approving the revised Aqua by the Bay plans.
aqua: Approved by board
Pumpkin Ale fanatic? Boozy, barrel-aged fiend? Motorworks Brewing has something to satisfy each and every craft lover’s palate; keep an eye on our Facebook & Instagram for updates on two barrel-aged bottle releases this month!
FROM PAGE 1
The approved plans allow for 16 95-foot condo buildings and an unspecified number of buildings between 36 and 75 feet tall, depending on the real estate market over the anticipated 20-year construction period Aqua by the Bay is approved for a total of 2,894 residential units and 78,000 square feet of commercial space. The approved plans include a man-made Crystal Lagoon and vaguely reference private docks.
Procedural debate
The Oct. 3 public hearing was a continuation of a previous hearing in late August, which was preceded by an earlier hearing in May and several hearings in years past. Sensing continued resistance from county commissioners, Beruff and his attorney, Ed Vogler, offered to remove the 1.5 to 2-mile long estuary enhancement canal and wall soon after the Oct. 3 hearing began. Commissioners and county staff then had to determine if the proposed revisions were significant enough to warrant the meeting being continued to a later date. They also had to determine if the revisions warranted reopening the public input that concluded during the August meeting. Assistant County Attorney Sarah Schenk advised the commission to proceed with extreme caution when dealing with revised plans that differed from the plans previously presented to the public and the Planning Commission. “There will be a lawsuit one way or another, and I want to win the law suit,” she said. The commission expressed a desire to finish the hearing that day and a willingness to stay until it was done. The meeting was recessed for 45 minutes to give the developers time to revise their plans to match their latest concessions. The developers then requested additional time, and the meeting was recessed until 3 p.m. Public comment was reopened, but limited to discussion on estuary and wall, and the stipulation pertaining to the site plan approval for each stage of 750 residential units. Several speakers said the hearing should be continued to a later date, and a vote should not take place that day because the public wasn’t given an opportunity to
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joe hendricks | SUN
Developer Carlos Beruff, left, and his attorney, Ed Vogler, offer to remove the manmade estuary enhancement area from the project plans. analyze the revised plans.
Commission discussion
Before casting her vote, Commissioner Carol Whitmore said she could support the project because the proposed 145-foot tall buildings were removed during the August meeting, and now the estuary and retaining wall were being removed. She said these concessions addressed her concerns about preserving the integrity of the Sarasota Bay fishing habitat known as The Kitchen. Commissioner Steve Jonsson said he shared Whitmore’s position on the changes made. Regarding the developers’ concessions, Commissioner Charles Smith said, “The applicant has done everything I’ve asked.” Commissioner Robin DiSabatino said she still had concerns about the uncertainty of the other building heights, types and locations. Commission Chair Betsy Benac acknowledged the public’s role in the process and said, “You’ve done your homework. Significant changes were made because of the public weighing in.” In 2013, public outcry led to a proposed marina and navigation channel being removed from the previously proposed plans. In 2004, the County Commission approved a preliminary site plan for 258 residential units on the property previously zoned for agricultural use. As he left the meeting, Beruff said he was relieved. “West Bradenton needs a shot in the arm, and this project will help,” he said.
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THE SUN
Shearon addresses state of the city The mayor’s state of the city address reflected positively on the city of Bradenton Beach. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
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BRADENTON BEACH – Mayor Bill Shearon presented his annual state of the city address last week, as required by the city charter. Because he is legally blind, Shearon asked City Clerk Terri Sanclemente to read his address aloud during the Thursday, Oct. 5, City Commission meeting. “This my fourth state of the city address. I am pleased to report the city is strong. The city continues to improve, particularly in the financial, capital improvements and planning/building areas,” Shearon’s address began. The address stated the city currently has no debt; city assets exceed $10.4 million, up from $9.4 in 2016; unrestricted funds total $1.7 million, up from $1.3 million in 2016; actual revenues exceeded expenses by $249,000; and less than $15,000 was taken from the city’s reserve funds in the past budget year. “Working together, the commission and city staff have brought this practice to an end. As mayor, I did not support a deficit budget or use of reserve funds. For the first time in years, there is a balanced budget without the use of reserve funds,” the address said. The address noted the commission approved a two, five and 10-year capital improvement spending plan and the Community Redevelopment Agency updated its plan and extended it for another 30 years. It also mentioned the 2016 rewrite of the land development code (LDC), the review of the city’s comprehensive plan and zoning districts and the Building Department’s new software and records maintenance system. Regarding current challenges, the mayor’s address noted the commission has approved a transient public lodging/vacation rental ordinance, and its implementation is currently underway. “The ordinance, when fully implemented, will help ensure that we retain the residential character and quality of life in our city,” Shearon’s address said. The address stated the building
For the first time in years, there is a balanced budget without the use of reserve funds.” Bill Shearon Bradenton Beach Mayor moratorium enacted last November would no longer be necessary due to “finalized amendments to the land development code.” The commission has not yet acted upon or finalized any recent LDC amendments and further discussion was scheduled for the commission’s Tuesday, Oct. 10, workshop. In May, the commission declined to move forward with LDC amendments recommended by the Planning and Zoning Board regarding reduced habitable living space, bedroom space and upper floor living space due to concerns about exposing the city to Bert Harris claims. In August, the commission declined to act on a suggestion from city staff to count pools as impervious surfaces when calculating stormwater runoff requirements. Shearon’s address concluded with verbatim language taken directly from his 2016 address regarding the city moving forward in a positive and progressive manner and its success being measured by how well its Old Florida lifestyle is preserved and maintained. “I look forward to next year’s state of the city report and sharing the commission and staff’s efforts to improve the future of Bradenton Beach,” Shearon’s address concluded, again using verbatim language from 2016. City voters will soon determine if Shearon or mayoral challenger John Chappie gives next year’s address. After thanking Sanclemente for reading his address, Shearon said, “It’s a true effort by the commission and staff. Where the credit comes due is not with me, it’s with this commission, the prior commission and especially staff.”
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THE SUN
OUTDOORS
OCTOBER 11, 2017
Scallopalooza fundraiser ‘clamtastic’ Reel Time RUSTY CHINNIS
S
arasota Bay Watch’s annual fundraiser Scallopalooza was held on Saturday, Sept. 23 and was once again a big success. SBW is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and the occasion brought together friends, partners, sponsors and supporters who have an interest in a healthy bay. The event, held at the Sarasota Yacht Club, was a sellout. The gala featured a silent auction and a sumptuous feast which included sustainably farmed clams for an appetizer. Organizations and partners included the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, Reef In local Innovations, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota Police Department, Reef Ball Foundation, Gulf Shellfish Institute, The Chiles Group
rUSTY CHINNIS | sun
Sarasota Bay Watch board member Steve Martin, his wife, Laura, and daughter Ellie, a student board member, share the fun at the recent fundraiser at the Sarasota Yacht Club. restaurants, Scuba Quest, Bay Shellfish Company, Two Docks Shellfish and many more.
Notable guest speakers included Jon Thaxton, Stevie Freeman-Montes and Sandy Gilbert. Vice President for Community Investment of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and a longtime local resident Jon Thaxton shared fascinating stories of Sarasota’s coastal heritage. City of Sarasota Sustainability Manager Stevie FreemanMontes spoke about building a sustainable community. Sandy Gilbert, the executive director of START, spoke of SBW’s decade of work improving the bay and announced a $3,000 grant as a match challenge to double the impact of donations from attendees. The Gulf Coast Community Foundation and individual donor Peter Powers each added $1,000 to the match challenge, bringing the challenge total to $5,000. Attendees also rose to the challenge, helping SBW raise enough funds to support a year’s worth of volunteer events and continue its scallop and clam restoration programs. Finn Johnson, a Pine View School junior and a SBW student board member, addressed the audience, sharing highlights
of SBW’s 10 years of service restoring and protecting the bay. Over the past decade SBW has hosted annual scallop searches, bay island restorations, removed fishing line from bird rookeries and conducted underwater diver-based cleanups, as well as promoting marine habitat creation, developing youth leadership opportunities and engaging in community outreach. SBW’s scallop restoration program has resulted in over 100 million larvae being released into the bay and a new restoration program is growing a quarter of a million southern hard-shell clams to help repopulate Sarasota Bay. These are remarkable accomplishments for an all-volunteer group that depends primarily on small local donations of expertise, time, materials and funds. The last decade has proved that seemingly impossible objectives can be reached when a community pulls together. You can join the effort to restore and protect our irreplaceable marine environment by participating and making an online donation at sarasotabaywatch.org
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OCTOBER 11, 2017
THE SUN
Snook research tourney Nov. 3-4 BY RUSTY CHINNIS SUN OUTDOORS EDITOR
On Friday and Saturday November 3 & 4 Mote Marine Laboratory will hold its rescheduled annual snook research tournament. Now in its 14th year, the tournament is a catch, sample and release event which is used to help document contributions to the fishery of snook that were raised by the Center for Aquaculture Research and Development at Mote Marine Laboratory. Snook raised at the facility have been tagged and released into Sarasota Bay by Mote scientists. The snook were tagged with either tiny coded wire tags or passive integrated transponders as part of pilot studies to identify stock enhancement potential and the best release strategies. Snook caught during the tournament are checked by Mote researchers, who recover tag data and use the information to
adjust their release protocols. The research tournament has documented that the stocked hatchery-reared snook are contributing to the fishery in Sarasota Bay and changes in snook release strategies have improved survival of stocked snook by as much as 200 percent. The Center for Fisheries Enhancement uses the Snook Shindig as outreach to help the community learn more about Mote fisheries research and fish conservation. The results of the tournament are published in various scientific journals. If you’re interested in these publications visit (http://www. StockEnhancement.org). The tournament will cover the waters of Sarasota Bay from Cortez to Venice. There is a mandatory captain’s meeting at 6 p.m. on Nov. 3 at Mote’s WAVE Center (former Sea Cinema) located at 1600 Ken
Thompson Parkway on City Island in Sarasota. Fishing hours are from 7 p.m. on Nov. 3 until noon Nov. 4 and include an awards dinner at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 4 at Mote’s WAVE Center. Entry fees are $40 for adults 18 and older, $50 for adults (18 and older), and $30 for those 17 and younger. Tickets can be purchased for $30 for the banquet only. The fee includes entry into the tournament, awards dinner and an event T-shirt featuring artwork by local artist Steve Whitlock. This is a great opportunity to support snook enhancement research by helping scientists learn more about local snook populations. For questions on the tournament call Carole Neidig at 941-388-4441 or visit https://mote.org/events/ details/william-r.-mote-memorialsnook-shindig-2017.
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 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;
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King me! CAPTAIN DAVE WHITE
This past week has been a windy one. But the blow was coming from the east, making the conditions pretty descent near shore in the Gulf. It’s also been great inshore. The Spanish mackcaptain DAVE WHITE | SUbmitted erel and kingfishing Jason and Dan Suzor, both has been great. These of Holmes Beach, show up fish are fast and a good a nice kingfish. Caught with fight. The methods used David White, of Anna Maria for these fish vary from Charters. slow trolling large silver spoons and trolling plugs, to live bait. Personally, I’m a live bait guy. I focus on an area where I believe these fish to be present. Then I start chumming with live pilchards to fire these fish up. I choose he largest bait in the well and let her fly. Also in the mix are little tunny. These powerful guys are a stellar fight, but not good table fare. Inshore, the redfishing and snook fishing is still great. With the occasional doormat flounder in the mix. Good luck out there!
they can deter sea turtles from nesting and disorient hatchlings. • Fill in the holes you dig in the sand before leaving the beach; they can trap nesting and hatching sea turtles, which cannot live long out of the water. • Don’t use sky 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).
Nesting News Turtle nests laid: 488 False crawls: 446 Nests hatched: 337 Not hatched: 143 Nests remaining: 8 Hatchlings to Gulf: 25,162 Nest disorientations: 58 Source: Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring
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THE SUN
OCTOBER 11, 2017
July resort tax collections $400,000
July 2017 $350,000
July 2016 $300,000
$250,000
$200,000
$150,000
$100,000
$50,000
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Bradenton Beach
Holmes Beach
Manatee County’s 5 percent tourist tax is collected from owners of accommodations rented for six months or less who charge the tax to their renters, in most cases, tourists. About 50 percent of the tax proceeds are allocated to Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau tourism marketing efforts, with 20 percent allocated to beach renourishment. Resort tax increases reflect both increased visitation and improved tax collection efforts. Amounts shown were collected in July and paid to the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office in August. To anonymously report a rental owner who may not be paying the tax, call 941-741-4809 or visit http://www.taxcollector.com/tdt-evader.cfm.
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Manatee County’s 5 percent tourist tax is collected from owners of accommodations rented for six months or less who charge the tax to their renters, in most cases, tourists. About 50 percent of the tax proceeds are allocated to Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau tourism marketing efforts, with 20 percent allocated to beach renourishment. Resort tax increases reflect both increased visitation and improved tax collection efforts. Amounts shown were collected in August and paid to the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office in September. To anonymously report a rental owner who may not be paying the tax, call 941-741-4809 or visit http://www.taxcollector.com/tdt-evader.cfm. Source: Manatee County Tax Collector
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OCTOBER 11, 2017
FOOD & WINE
THE SUN
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Pumpkin beer pie Eric Wolfe Sahlsten
F
MOTORWORKS BREWING
all (or at least the unseasonably-warm version of it Florida enjoys) is here, and while there may be a striking lack of goldenorange foliage and crisp air, there is certainly no shortage of delicious, seasonal brews of all shades and savory flavors. From refreshing ales to big beers best sipped slowly, Motorworks Brewing has a wide variety of fall brews currently available on draft or slated for bottle releases throughout the month. From our traditional Oktoberfest Lager inspired by the lighter festbiers poured in Munich and delicious pumpkin ale, brewed with 35 pounds of pumpkin and fresh galangal (an Asian, ginger-like root), to barrel-aged barleywines and Belgian tripels, Motorworks Brewing has something sure to satisfy any beer drinker. The latter two styles will be bottled and released exclusively in the taproom this month. De Monnik Belgian Tripel boasts a vibrant golden hue and strong, ripe pear nose with a complex rye character. Its sweet malt flavors settle into a dry finish alongside a warming alcohol sensation and lingering, slightly-nutty notes of candied pear. Our English-style barleywine, Thresher, features oak whiskey and orange on the nose, showcasing a malty sweetness with a marmalade
submitted
Make a pumpkin pie with Motorworks Brewing's Pumpkin Ale for a special holiday treat. character reminiscent of candied orange, dates and dark, dried cherry alongside a pleasant warming sensation, balancing bitterness, residual toffee/vanilla notes and a bit of spiciness via its Trappist yeast strain. Both of these beers were aged six months in whiskey barrels, boast a fairly high alcohol content – 8.3 percent and 8.9 percent ABV respectively – and pair perfectly with those rare, cool Floridian nights, a crackling bonfire and that cherished flannel shirt that’s been gathering dust in the back of your closet for the majority of the year. Keep up to date with freshly-tapped brews, bottle releases, Brewery/Beer Garden events and more through our Facebook and Instagram pages, website, and weekly newsletter. Our award-
Pumpkin beer pie Ingredients:
• 1 unbaked pie shell of your choice and thickness • 3/4 c. granulated sugar • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt • 1 tsp. galangal (Asian, ginger-like root) • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon • 2 eggs • 1 3/4 cup canned pumpkin puree • 8 oz. of Motorworks Brewing’s Pumpkin Ale
winning brews are available in cans at retailers throughout the state, plus cans, bottles and growler fills are offered seven days a week at the brewery located at 1014 9th Street W., Bradenton. Inquiries
Directions
Preheat oven to 425º. Reduce 8 oz. of the pumpkin ale over low heat for half an hour. Combine the sugar, salt, cinnamon and galangal in a bowl and add two whipped eggs. Mix in the pumpkin puree, combining thoroughly with reduced pumpkin ale. Pour the combined mixture into pie crust and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350º and bake for an additional 45 minutes or until the pie is ready. As a bonus step, use a culinary torch to brûlée the outside until it’s nice and caramelized. Cool, cut and dish up finished pie for friends & family. about events, party reservations, beer releases and more can be directed to info@motorworksbrewing.com or 941567-6218.
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OCTOBER 11, 2017
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OCTOBER 11, 2017
THE SUN
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Abandoned poles cause for concern The city of Anna Maria has taken steps to prevent a similar situation. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – Commissioner Ralph Cole is concerned about blind spots at intersections created by the presence of multiple utility poles. Cole’s concerns stem from the power pole hardening project conducted by Florida Power & Light. FPL moved their power lines onto the new and taller concrete poles, but lines for cable TV service and other utilities remain on the old wooden poles. “Up and down Bradenton Beach we have a bunch of blind corners, and we
need to do something,” Cole said. He referenced two poles standing side by side that make it difficult to see oncoming traffic when pulling onto Gulf Drive from 12th Street North. “On the end of our street, instead of having one light post I’ve got two of them. You have to get out there far enough, and if someone’s coming down the sidewalk, it creates a problem,” he said. “They haven’t removed all poles yet because there’s still lines on them,” Vice Mayor John Chappie said. “We need to push them because it’s been quite a while,” Cole said, noting that it’s been at least two years since FPL installed their new poles. Chappie suggested Public Works Director Tom Woodard contact FPL representative David Heiser about
these concerns. “I know this is one those issues where they’re limited on what they can do because of the other utilities,” Chappie said. Cole said it might be time to call the cable providers and encourage them to move their lines. “It’s an eyesore too,” Commissioner Jake Spooner added. Earlier this year, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy denied FPL the permits needed to replace the utility poles in Anna Maria’s right of ways. He said the city would not issue the permits until FPL provides a detailed plan for removing the old poles and relocating all existing utility wires and lines. Murphy is meeting with FPL this week to further discuss this issue.
joe hendricks | SUN
Multiple power poles at city intersections create blind spots for drivers.
Stop work order issued on Bridge Street A complaint from a former tenant triggered a city-issued stop work order. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – In response to an e-mail complaint made by former Freckled Fin proprietor Scott Lubore,
Bradenton Beach Code Enforcement Officer Gail Garneau issued a stop work order to property owners Peter Ross and Radka Watson for unpermitted work at their commercial property. “Lots of work going on at 101 Bridge Street, and I do not see any permits posted. Have any permits been applied for or issued?” Lubore wrote on Sunday, Oct. 1, referencing a property he formerly leased for his now defunct business operations.
The stop work order issued on Monday, Oct. 2, cites work done without a permit and mentions fencing, the construction of a kitchen and the presence of a temporary storage trailer. A visit to the property on Friday, Oct. 5, revealed stacks of plywood and two-by-fours, a storage container and a toilet sitting near the back door where the stop work order was posted. “Hire a licensed contractor to make
application for an after-the-fact permit and submit complete scope of work on the application, including an application for a temporary use permit for a storage trailer,” the stop work order form says regarding the corrective actions required. The stop work order provided the property owners until Oct. 13 to come into compliance, which as of Monday morning had not yet happened.
joe hendricks | SUN
Last Friday, the commercial property at 101 Bridge Street contained various building materials and an unpermitted storage container.
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THE SUN
OCTOBER 11, 2017
Kristin Swain | Sun
The view from one building at Westbay Point and Moorings will soon look a bit different as the canopies protecting the police and fire response boats are scheduled to come down permanently Oct. 11.
canopies: City agrees to remove them FROM PAGE 1
permanently Oct. 11. The decision negates the need for commissioners to vote on the matter during the Oct. 10 meeting. “After last week’s meeting, the mayor and I met, and we discussed the options for the boat canopies. We decided it was in the best interests of the city and our residents to remove the canopies,” Tokajer said. After discussions with Westbay Point property management and WMFR, he said everyone agreed removing the
canopies is the best course of action. “We will work together as the police and fire departments to keep the boats waxed and come up with other ways to keep our equipment protected from the nature,” he added. The decision brings to an end the stalemate between the city and neighboring condominium property owners. The city argued the canopies were on their property, neighbored by more city property, to protect the hefty investment in
sensitive equipment on the HPBD and WMFR rescue boats. Property owners said they didn’t mind the boat lifts used to house the vehicles. They weren’t fans of the canopies, which they said block views and reduce property values. “I’m so proud of my city at moments like this,” Commissioner Jean Peelen said. “We find a way to say we recognize what’s going on. We don’t mean to cause problems for our residents. Thank you so much. I’m so grateful to you all for engaging in this.”
OCTOBER 11, 2017
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THE SUN
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tide: Creates unexpected flooding on the Island FROM PAGE 1
In an e-mail sent to Bradenton Beach Commissioners that afternoon, Woodard wrote, “Please be aware that this event could happen again over the next couple days, and remember it is saltwater you are driving through.” Saltwater is even more damaging to vehicles than fresh water, especially the motors. Woodard said WaStop check valves will soon be installed in drainage pipes that flow outward into the bay and that will help minimize future tidal flooding. The one-way valves already used in Anna Maria help prevent tidal waters from backflowing inland and creating standing water.
Residents impacted
Part-time Bradenton Beach residents Betsy and Marc Sillars own a home at the corner of 24th Street North and Avenue A. “We knew there was a full moon, but there was nothing last night. It caught us by surprise. It’s up to our front door. It goes all the way to Avenue B and down Canasta. It’s crazy,” Betsy Sillars said Friday afternoon. When asked if water was seeping into their ground-level home, she said, “Not yet, but we moved the furniture. It’s a helpless feeling. There’s nothing you can do. Tom put signs up and Lt. Cosby said the road should be closed for the time being so drivers can’t go through and make a wake. We appreciate that.” On Saturday afternoon, Marc Sillars
Submitted | Marc Sillars
24th Street North in Bradenton Beach was underwater Friday afternoon. sent an e-mail that included a picture of a mail truck navigating their flooded street. “It’s worse today than it was yesterday,” he wrote. Saturday’s flooding resulted in some water getting into the Sillars’ home. Vice Mayor John Chappie said the flooding on the south side of town extended 50 to 75 feet from the bay toward Gulf Drive, with significant flooding on Bay Drive South. “I don’t think I’ve seen the tides that high in decades. It was extreme,” Chappie said, noting that he also encountered flooded roads in Holmes Beach.
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“The water at the public beach came up to where the swing sets are and it was pretty deep,” Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said. “The intersections of Gulf and Marina, all along Marina Drive where it usually gets flooded, were very deep. And the canals along Marina Drive were all flooded over the roads. There were quite a few places where we had to put up slow/no wake signs in the streets,” he added.
Anna Maria
Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said there was flooding on Pine Avenue and other interior streets throughout the city on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. “However, the good news was the performance of our new WaStop valves,” he said. “The areas where they were installed along the upper portions of North Shore and South Bay remained dry. The remainder of these valves are scheduled to go in over the next six to seven months. At that point, every outlet into Lake LaVista or the bays will have a valve installed.”
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I
THE SUN
REAL ESTATE
OCTOBER 11, 2017
More about insurance
really hate to do it to you and to me, but I find I’m compelled to write still more about homeowner’s insurance. This week, however, there is substantial good news floating to the top of the bad. Last week I focused on hurricane deductibles, which we now all know since the damage caused by Irma has become a reality rather than just a warning. When we returned home from our overnight evacuation, we found some damage to our storm shutters. Until power was restored, we had no idea how extensive the damage was, but it did send me running to the dreaded homeowner’s insurance policy. Very clearly stated on the declaration page of the policy was the hurricane deductible of 2 percent or a little over $1,000. As painful as it was to read this, at least it wasn’t epic. As it turned out, the repair is minor and with the advice of my insurance broker no need to advise the insurance company. Although we may have dodged a big personal bullet, the state of Florida and
Castles in the Sand Louise Bolger the taxpayer-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corporation has dodged an even bigger one. Citizens Insurance and the Tallahassee legislators have finally done something to give homeowner’s in Florida some relief. After Irma, Citizen’s CEO Barry Gilway assured Florida’s citizens that he was absolutely confident that the insurance of last resort can cover all the claims from Irma. How did they accomplish this? Basically, a combination of good luck with a 12year lull in major hurricanes and battling through some very important reforms resulting in a $7.4 billion fiscal surplus as of this writing. In 2011, Citizens insured
1.5 million policy holders; today it insures 452,000. The success of private insurers taking up the slack at the encouragement of the state has had the benefit of spreading damage risk from hurricanes across the globe via reinsurance rather than keeping it all in Florida. When you consider that all of Florida’s citizens can be on the hook to fill fiscal shortfalls from Citizen’s Insurance, this is very good news. Essentially, the reforms took the form of buying reinsurance, building a surplus and aggressively shrinking Citizen’s footprint in the state. Citizen’s current estimate could cover a 1 in 100-year storm for $6.6 billion at no additional cost to policy holders. On another note, the poor residents of Puerto Rico, who just got slammed with Hurricane Maria, a Category 5 storm, will take years to recover. Some of the reason is the lack of homeowner’s insurance for about 50 percent of houses. On the United States mainland, banks require mortgages
to be protected with homeowner’s insurance. However, Puerto Rico has just over 500,000 active mortgages leaving most of the remaining properties without insurance. It is not uncommon for older homes both in Puerto Rico and other islands in the Caribbean, to be passed down through generations in a family, and they are unlikely to have insurance. Hopefully, when Puerto Rico and the rest of the Caribbean finally recover, some of the lack of insurance culture will be reevaluated. Finally, it’s time to give credit when credit is due. The state of Florida aggressively took the Citizen’s Insurance bull by the horns, and with a little of luck from mother nature, fixed the problem, at least for now. No one is happier than me when government actually does what it’s supposed to. That, however, doesn’t absolve individuals from reading and understand exactly what is in their insurance policies. We’re almost through this hurricane season; don’t drop your guard just yet.
OCTOBER 11, 2017
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TOM VAUGHT | SUN
Dads dine Anna Maria Elementary School participated in Dads Have Breakfast with Their Kids Day last Wednesday. More than 30 dads signed up. Above, Matt Palmer accompanied his daughter, Lillian, who said she enjoyed being with her father. At left, West Manatee Fire Rescue firefighter Alex Flores enjoyed an outdoors table with his sons, Xane and Ulyses.
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6101 MARINA DRIVE, HOLMES BEACH
Date Sold List Price Selling Price Property Address
Real estate transfers of July-August 2017 •Sponsored by Alan Galletto, Island Real Estate Source: Mid Florida Multiple Listing Service
SFUA
Lot Size
Property Description
217 Gladiolus St 217 Gladiolus St 514 Magnolia Ave 405 Spring Ave 424 Magnolia Ave 203 S Bay Blvd 106 Los Cedros Dr 752 N Shore Dr 915 North Shore Dr 218 Pine Ave #R 404 Spring Ave 215 Gladiolus 117 Palmetto Ave 513 Spring Ave 109 Oak Ave 209 Magnolia Ave 105 Oak Ave 242 Chilson Ave 747 North Shore Dr 421 Spring Ave
1894 1894 2120 1754 1500 2113 3298 2589 2600 1212 1792 1464 2760 2549 2070 1989 2848
2 Br/2 Ba SFR 2 Br/2 Ba SFR 3 Br/2.5 Ba SFR 4 Br/3 Ba SFR 3 Br/2 Ba SFR 50x200 3 Br/3.5 Ba SFR 5 Br/4.5 Ba SFR 5 Br/4.5 Ba SFR 4 Br/4 Ba SFR 2 Br/2 Ba Condo 104 X 145 Lot 81x10034 Other 3 Br/4 Ba SFR 4 Ba/3 Ba SFR 5 Br/3 Ba SFR 5 Br/4 Ba SFR 3 Br/2.5 Ba SFR 135x58x170x151 3 Br/3 Ba SFR 3 Br/3.5 Ba SFR 52 X 145 Lot
440,000 235,000 322,500 375,000 800,000 1,170,000 570,000 233,900 245,000 248,000 325,000
103 4th St N #A 308 2nd St N #101 1801 Gulf Dr N #173 501 Gulf Dr N #404 2600 Gulf Dr N #13 1714 Gulf Dr N #G 108 8th St S 2312 Avenue C #1 2312 Avenue C #12 1603 Gulf Dr N #20 1325 Gulf Dr N #160
1512 520 1080 1128 1179 1440 1188 651 651 540 1392
418,500 420,000 260,000 1,250,000
3850 Mariner Wk 722 12336 Egret Harbour 4011 Commodore Blvd 12626 Baypointe Ter
2156 1789 4440
3 Br/2 Ba Condo 2 Br/2 Ba Villa 108x191 Lot 70x126x166x64 5 Br/4.5 Ba SFR
Date Sold List Price Selling Price Property Address
Anna Maria 2017-07-13 759,000 2017-07-13 705,000 2017-07-06 1,095,000 2017-07-14 1,095,000 2017-07-21 1,099,000 2017-07-28 1,574,500 2017-07-10 1,849,000 2017-07-21 1,975,000 2017-07-05 2,600,000 2017-07-10 625,000 2017-07-21 990,000 2017-07-13 559,000 2017-08-25 1,150,000 2017-08-22 1,295,000 2017-08-18 1,695,000 2017-08-15 1,399,000 2017-08-31 1,499,000 2017-08-18 1,695,000 2017-08-25 2,200,000 2017-08-18 485,000
5 Br/4 Ba SFR 1 Br/1 Ba Condo 2 Br/2 Ba Condo 2 Br/2 Ba Condo 2 Br/2 Ba Condo 3 Br/2 Ba Condo 2 Br/2 Ba SFR 2 Br/1 Ba Condo 2 Br/1 Ba Condo 1 Br/1 Ba Condo 2 Br/2 Ba Condo
Cortez 2017-07-28 2017-07-14 2017-07-26 2017-08-31
439,000 447,500 299,000 1,495,000
SFUA
Lot Size
Property Description
Holmes Beach 662,225 705,000 982,500 1000,000 1037,500 1550,000 1600,000 1825,000 2397,000 605,000 940,000 487,775 1,150,000 1,180,000 1,328,000 1,380,000 1,400,000 1,620,000 1,822,900 465,000
Bradenton Beach 2017-07-21 500,000 2017-07-25 239,000 2017-07-06 340,000 2017-07-28 375,000 2017-07-27 824,900 2017-07-21 1,189,000 2017-08-23 589,000 2017-08-31 249,900 2017-08-30 259,900 2017-08-04 254,999 2017-08-15 334,000
OCTOBER 11, 2017
2017-07-28 385,000 2017-07-19 469,000 2017-07-03 499,000 2017-07-18 489,900 2017-07-10 549,000 2017-07-07 600,000 2017-07-27 599,000 2017-07-18 689,000 2017-07-03 799,000 2017-07-28 1,549,000 2017-07-05 2,375,000 2017-07-14 329,500 2017-07-11 375,000 2017-07-24 400,000 2017-07-10 419,500 2017-07-07 649,500 2017-07-21 698,000 2017-07-21 479,000 2017-07-14 49,900 2017-08-31 598,000 2017-08-18 745,000 2017-08-29 749,000 2017-08-31 759,000 2017-08-31 1,174,000 2017-08-01 2,000,000 2017-08-31 2,490,000 2017-08-15 3,250,000 2017-08-07 298,000 2017-08-07 329,900 2017-08-25 335,000 2017-08-14 345,000 2017-08-10 416,000 2017-08-11 499,900 2017-08-11 689,000 2017-08-10 1,200,000
385,000 415,000 473,000 490,000 523,500 565,000 580,000 675,000 745,000 1,425,000 2,150,000 322,000 355,000 375,000 400,000 620,000 695,000 466,000 40,000 559,000 725,000 725,000 740,000 1,100,000 1,837,500 2,200,000 3,351,111 290,000 320,000 325,000 335,000 416,000 450,000 650,000 1,000,000
432 63rd St 1316 676 Key Royale Dr 1795 2814 Avenue C #A 1008 522 68th St 1400 205 Peacock Ln #B 1096 605 Emerald Ln 2184 2905 Gulf Dr 1448 311 65th St #A 1361 7906 Marina Dr 1884 523 68th St 2656 518 58th St 3998 3803 E Bay Dr #10 1320 3805 E Bay Dr #308 1146 3703 5th Ave #1 1172 7100 Gulf Dr #201 1081 5300 Gulf Dr #403 1057 205 75th St #A 1536 310 64th St 829 Key Royale 501 71st St 1552 403 75th St 1420 300 62nd St 1438 5 Palm Harbor Dr 2090 4807 2nd Ave 2416 531 75th St 3745 528 74th St 3636 101 48th St 2672 100 73rd St #119 660 6300 Flotilla Dr #68 1151 3801 E Bay Dr #202 1146 600 Manatee Ave #209 1176 3013 Avenue F #D4 984 6006 Gulf Dr #107 1154 5606 Holmes Blvd 1195 206 77th St 2285
3 Br/2 Ba SFR 3 Br/2 Ba SFR 2 Br/2 Ba SFR 3 Br/2 Ba SFR, REO / Bank Owned 46x88 3 Br/2 Ba SFR 2 Br/2 Ba SFR 3 Br/2 Ba SFR 3 Br/3 Ba SFR 3 Br/3 Ba SFR 85x108 4 Br/3 Ba SFR 4 Br/4.5 Ba SFR 3 Br/3 Ba Condo, REO / Bank Owned 2 Br/2 Ba Condo 2 Br/2 Ba Condo 2 Br/2 Ba Condo 2 Br/2 Ba Condo 75x105 Duplex 2 Br/2 Ba Half Duplex Dock 3 Br/3 Ba SFR 3 Ba/2.5 Ba SFR 3 Br/3 Ba SFR 3 Br/2 Ba SFR 4 Br/3.5 Ba SFR 3 Br/3.5 Ba SFR 128x116 4 Br/3 Ba SFR 100x125 4 Br/3 Ba SFR 1 Br/1 Ba Condo 2 Br/2 Ba Condo 2 Br/2 Ba Condo 2 Br/2 Ba Condo 2 Br/1 Ba Condo 2 Br/2 Ba Condo 3 Br/3 Ba Condo 90x135 Duplex
OCTOBER 11, 2017
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106 TERN DRIVE | ANNA MARIA
4 Bedrooms | 4.5 Baths | 3,649 Square Feet | Boat Dock | Pool with Lounge Area & Spa Gourmet Kitchen | Beamed Volume Ceilings | Clean Coastal Style | Walk to the Beach
Charles Buky | 941.228.6086 Gabe Buky | 941.374.5772 Jim Ptak | 941.704.6115 Amy Royall | 941.807.2863 www.teambukyfl.com Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate 201 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite 1 | Longboat Key, FL 34228
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County keeping Keep Manatee Beautiful Keep Manatee Beautiful Executive Director Ingrid McClellan will retire after she trains her replacement. BY TOM VAUGHT
SUN STAFF WRITER | tvaught@amisun.com
Keep Manatee Beautiful (KMB) has seen some highs and some lows recently, but the group of volunteers dedicated to maintaining a cleaner environment is still going strong. Three months ago, Manatee County commissioners learned the money to run the group was taken out of next fiscal year’s proposed budget. KMB works out of an office owned by the county, and Ingrid McClellan, the executive director for the last 22 years, was its only full-time employee. News of the budgeting shortfall made McClellan talk about retiring, but there was a need for KMB to continue its mission to promote a cleaner, more beautiful environment in Manatee County. And while county commissioners restored the KMB budget, McClellan is still going to retire. Last week, the county hired a replacement. “Jennifer Hoffman comes to us from Dallas, but she grew up living along the Gulf coast,” McClellan said. During an awards ceremony Sept. 28, they named me executive director emeritus, which means I get to hang around and train my replacement.” McClellan makes the rounds on Arbor Day each year, dedicating new trees planted in each of the Island’s cities. She and KMB also present the beachfront sand-sculpting contest called Sandblast every November. Hundreds of volunteers participate in the competition, which produces remarkable works of art in sand and which generates significant funds for the organization and public awareness of the environment. McClellan said she is overjoyed that KMB will continue to serve the public after briefly facing a future without it.
submitted
Ingrid McClellan is retiring as Keep Manatee Beautiful's executive director.
submitted
Jennifer Hoffman, who grew up on the Gulf coast before moving to Dallas, will replace McClellan at Keep Manatee Beautiful. “In six months, you would be able to see a difference,” she said. “We pick up tons of trash every year plus administering the Adopt a Road and Adopt a Shoreline programs.” As for her future, she said she would still be available for KMB, joking that her emeritus status means she’ll always be around.
OCTOBER 11, 2017
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OCTOBER 11, 2017
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Sprucing up the CRA master plan The CRA members want a master plan that helps ensure an Old Florida look and feel in and around the downtown business district. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has hired arborist and landscape designer Grant Beatt to assist in the design of a CRA district master plan. The contract approved on Wednesday, Oct. 4, secures the services of Beatt’s GreenTech firm at a cost not to exceed $7,500. Beatt will assist City Engineer Lynn Burnett in creating a master plan that also addresses bench styles, signage and other design aesthetics for public properties located in the CRA district. The district extends from Sarasota Bay to the Gulf of Mexico, from the north side of Cortez Road to the southern edge of the properties located along Fifth Street South. Burnett said she needs Beatt’s assistance because she’s not a certified ar-
joe hendricks | SUN
Earlier this year, Scenic WAVES Committee member Gayden Shell took it upon herself to replant one of the recently painted Bridge Street planter boxes. When first installed in 2015, the unpainted planter boxes were criticized for their drab appearance and plants they contained. borist or a landscape designer. Based on a previous presentation, local designer Emily Anne Smith was also considered for this stage of the design project, but it was noted that plants and landscaping are not her area of expertise. The efforts to create a master plan
are inspired by a desire to ensure greater design consistency when it comes to retaining an Old Florida look and feel in and around the Bridge Street business district. The request for a master plan stems partially from previous debates about which landscaping
materials to use when replacing the plants and bollards along Gulf Drive, the color and style of public benches and the appearance of city signage. Beatt said it was important to look see CRA, page 41
LO C A L LY K N OW N . G LO B A L LY C O N N E C T E D.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND 1710 Gulf Drive N E Tom Bangerter 941-587-6187 A4160661 $1,850,000
ANNA MARIA ISLAND 532 70th Street George Myers 941-224-6021 A4184561 $1,770,000
ANNA MARIA ISLAND 524 Villa Rosa Way Kelly Baldwin 941-404-9396 A4173954 $1,350,000
ANNA MARIA ISLAND 200 S Harbor Drive 1 Ken Kavanaugh & Margo Love Story 941-799-1943 A4184153 $1,350,000
ANNA MARIA ISLAND 306 Gulf Boulevard Laurie M Mock 941-232-3665 A4177531 $2,589,000
ANNA MARIA ISLAND 2907 Avenue C Laurie M Mock 941-232-3665 A4191229 $789,000
ANNA MARIA ISLAND 620 N Point Drive Kathy Valente 941-685-6767 A4184866 $770,000
ANNA MARIA ISLAND 101 66th Street 9 Ken Kavanaugh & Margo Love Story 941-799-1943 A4178549 $720,000
ANNA MARIA ISLAND 504 75th Street Laurie M Mock 941-232-3665 A4196523 $1,400,000
BR ADENTON 5016 64th Drive W Deborah Capobianco 941-704-2394 A4136838 $1,390,000
ANNA MARIA ISLAND 318 Bay Drive S 7 Ralph & Megg Faillace 941-713-9142 A4178742 $1,195,000
ANNA MARIA ISLAND 201 73rd Street Jody Shinn 941-705-5704 A4184962 $995,000
NEW CONSTRUCTION
MSC MORTGAGE | MSC TITLE | MS&C COMMERCIAL NEW HOMES & CONDOMINIUMS | RENTAL
ANNA MARIA ISLAND 211 Elm Avenue A George Myers 941-224-6021 A4182668 $469,000
8 8 8 . 552 . 52 2 8
BR ADENTON 3450 77th Avenue W 303 Barb Eberhart 614-204-7687 A4197245 $440,000
RENTAL ANNA MARIA ISLAND 1003 Gulf Drive S 4 2 Bed 1 Bath 667 SqFt $1,000
michaelsaunders.com L I C E N S E D R E A L E S TAT E B R O K E R
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SPORTS
OCTOBER 11, 2017
Acqua Aveda takes the first victory BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN
The community center field was painted with the all too familiar white lines to start another adult co-ed soccer season Thursday night. The field, a bit smaller to accommodate the slightly smaller rosters for each of the eight teams, was filled with the energy of the 10 players, who took the field for the first game matching Team Acqua Aveda led by Eric Pullen and Team Sato Real Estate. Missing their captain Josh Sato, Sato Real Estate held its own on the field with Nate Welch in the goal. After nearly 10 minutes of play, Pullen put the first goal on the scoreboard despite the defensive efforts of Zoran Kolega, who came out of retirement after several years away from the Island’s field. Bobby Troxler, for Sato Real Estate, quickly took the soccer ball and slammed it into the goal against keeper Steve Oelfke to tie the game 1-1. With a quick change of goalies by both teams, Pullen took the role as protector of the house, allowing Oelfke to take a hard shot that went over the post and wide right. Sato Real Estate took the missed shot as an opportunity to move the ball down the field with precise passing from Kolega to Chelsea Hoffner. Hoffner’s shot went just wide right with eight minutes left on the clock for the first half of play. The next three minutes of the game saw rocket shots by Kolega off the back of Acqua Aveda’s Rico Beissert, a shot by Hoffner saved by Pullen and a saved shot by Sato Real Estate’s Yunior Guerra. Aggressive defensive play by Oelfke against Kolega led to a foul call on Oelfke. Kolega’s free kick was intercepted by an Acqua Aveda defender. After tough play, Sato Real Estate managed to regain possession, finding Hoffner all alone down field. Hoffner, with all the time in the world and green field in front of her with no defenders, took the shot that went to the right of the goal. Despite several excellent shot attempts, Hoffner could not find the net in the first game of the season. Drew Mitchell wore he goalie hat of responsibility with less than three minutes left in the first half. With team captain Pullen back on the field, he was able to control the pace of the game and control Acqua Aveda’s offensive run by putting the ball in the goal, giving his team a one point lead ending the half. Pullen’s neighbor and first round draft pick Stephen Adair started the second 23 minutes of play in the goalkeeper position. Troxler took his turn in goal for Sato Real Estate.
monica simpson | SUN
Above, Team Captain Eric Pullen keeps the ball in play for Team Acqua Aveda in the first game of the season against Team Sato Real Estate. Right, Bobby Troxler for Team Sato Real Estate battles against Acqua Aveda's Rico Beissert to retain possession of the soccer ball. After three minutes of defensive soccer, Kolega worked the field and managed to get Adair to move away from the goal just enough to score, tying the game 2-2. With both teams playing four players on the field for the entire game, fatigue started to set in and the pace of the game slowed. Pullen finally found an opportunity to take a shot that rocketed toward the net, only to be saved by keeper Welch. Team Acqua Aveda put a point on the scoreboard with a shot by Adair, advancing the score to 3-2. Neither team having a dedicated goalie in the game, Guerra took his turn at the helm just in time for Pullen to take another shot after stealing the ball from Kolega. Failing to score, Sato Real Estate took over on offense. Both teams started to make rapid striking efforts with just 12 minutes left in the game. Shots by Welch and Oelfke were just off target. Beissert’s missile shot hit and moved his team up by two goals with the score 4-2. Three minutes later, Sato Real Estate’s Troxler shot the ball past goalkeeper Mitchell ,closing the gap against Acqua Aveda. Looking to tie the ballgame, Hoffner took her last shot of the game after a smooth pass from Welch. Mitchell popped the ball out of play to retain his team’s lead. Taking the corner kick, Welch found teammate Kolega in front of the goal, but the ball could not find the net.
Another goalie change by both teams put Welch and Oelfke on guard. Welch found himself in the ready position watching the fancy footwork of Pullen, anticipating the inevitable shot. Getting the soccer ball past Kolega, Pullen fired the shot past Welch, giving him the hat trick and his team a two-point lead. With no time on the scoreboard, Kolega made another strong effort toward the goal hoping to find one more scoring opportunity before the official’s whistle, but to no avail. Team Acqua Aveda collected its first win of the season to start the league’s season. Other winners of the night were Sean Flynn’s Mulock Flynn Law in an exciting comeback game, Danny Anderson’s Jiffy Lube with an easy win and Kris Yavalar’s dominating victory. The season continues on into December with the championship game on the 7th. There are many games to play, and changes in the rankings are certain to come.
Sun Scoreboard Thursday, Oct. 5 Adult Co-Ed Soccer League Sato Real Estate Acqua Aveda
3 5
Mulock Flynn Law Moss Builders
7 6
Ross Built Construction Jiffy Lube
2 7
Slim’s Place Mar/Kis Insurance
7 2
Saturday, Oct. 7 Youth Soccer: 8-to 10-Year-Old League Progressive Cabinetry Bins Be Clean
7 2
Wash Family Construction Blue Lagoon
6 1
Youth Soccer: 11-to 14-Year-Old League Slim’s Place Truly Nolen
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OCTOBER 11, 2017
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MIKE FIELD | SUN
Sky lights One benefit of the recent storms on Anna Maria Island is the spectacular sunsets that come along with them.
cra: Sprucing up the master plan FROM PAGE 39
at the landscaping elements from the ground up, especially in terms of integrated watering systems and the root systems of the plants and trees being considered. He stressed the importance of proper planting and a right plant-right place approach to plant and tree selection; and he agreed with Vice Mayor John Chappie’s opinion that Shady Lady black olive trees would be one excellent choice.
Bridge Street blowback
Beatt previously worked with Burnett on the concrete planters installed along Bridge Street in 2015 that prompted public outcry due to their drab, box-like appearance. The initial landscaping design originally called for non-native plants that would eventually cascade over the gray planter boxes and partially conceal them, but the Scenic WAVES Committee insisted on a 70 percent ratio of native to non-native plants. Native plants are well-suited for Bradenton Beach’s salt-air and sandy climate, but they are generally not as color-
I’m not assigning any fault, but we’ve gone down this route before on Bridge Street, and nobody liked what we ended up with.” John Chappie Vice Mayor ful and are less prone to produce the desired cascading effect. The planters have since been painted and replanted, but they remain a source of consternation for some residents and business owners. “I’m not assigning any fault, but we’ve gone down this route before on Bridge Street, and nobody liked what we ended up with. We want to learn from those lessons,” Chappie said, while still deliberating between Beatt or Smith. “We want to make sure that when we do all this stuff, it doesn’t all die. That’s what we don’t want: empty planters,” CRA chair Ralph Cole added. Burnett stressed the need for a
landscaping plan that addresses ongoing maintenance that extends beyond the horticultural expertise of the Public Works Department. “That was the missing piece that didn’t get implemented on Bridge Street, which is why we had those issues. Not because it was a bad design, but because it didn’t pull all the rest of those pieces together and push the maintenance across the finish line. Had that been in place, and had there been better communication and cohesiveness with everyone involved – the board, the committees, the team and Public Works – I think we would have had a different outcome,” Burnett said.
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TOWN CRIER Exercise your brain Join Einstein’s Circle, where people engage in an open exchange of ideas at The Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, on Wednesdays, Oct. 11 and 25; and Nov. 1, 8 and 15 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. These popular give-and-take discussions focus on political, social and economic issues, as well as current events and concerns. No registration is required. Just show up and partake.
Catch a club in the cool air Fall is coming but the mercury has barely budged from the 80s and 90s so come to the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach on Wednesday, Oct. 11, where the air conditioning is on the county. The Coloring Club meets at noon, and the Chess Club meets at 4 p.m. For more information, call the library at 941-778-6341.
Veterans take note A counselor will offer information on services for veterans in the lobby of the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, from 9 to 11 a.m. every Thursday. For more information, call the library at 941-778-6341.
Senior Adventures explores food Food is the topic of the day on Friday, Oct. 13, when Senior Adventures takes the AMI Center van from Annie Silver Community Center, 103 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach, at 10 a.m. to Whole Foods in Sarasota for lunch and shopping at 10 a.m. Attendees need to register with Kaye Bell at 941-538-0945.
Parents become partners The Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, presents Forty Carrots, a parenting program based in Sarasota, on Friday, Oct. 13, at 10 a.m. This is a program where kids from mobile babies to five years old and their parents experience new activities, join in circle time fun, spend time with other families and get valuable parenting information. The program is free, and tickets are available at the library desk. For more information, call the library at 941-778-6341.
Mahjong all day long The ancient board game is enjoying a resurgence at the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, in Holmes Beach. There is a mahjong gathering on Friday, Oct. 13, and every Friday at 10 a.m. For more information, call the library at 941-778-6341.
Alzheimer’s care givers meet Sue Fox, a representative of the Sarasota Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, will host a program for caregivers of people with memory problems, including Alzheimer’s disease, on Friday, Oct. 13, at 2 p.m. at the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. The program is free. Call 778-6341 for more information.
Nautical market Oct. 14 The Cortez Nautical Flea Market will be held at the Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St.W., Cortez, on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event is free to the public. Additional parking is available at the F.I.S.H. Preserve. For more information please contact the museum at 941-708-6120 or e-mail kristin.sweeting@manateeclerk.com. Rain date is Saturday, October 21. This event is sponsored in part by Southwinds magazine and The Anna Marie Island Sun newspaper. Partners include Cortez Village Historical Society. Proceeds from this booth will support FMM’s continued efforts to preserve and share Florida’s rich maritime history.
Blood drive set The Center of Anna Maria Island will host a blood drive on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. All donors will receive a free OneBlood Cancer Awareness T-Shirt and a wellness checkup including blood pressure, temperature, iron count, pulse and cholesterol screening. Donors may make an appointment online at www.oneblooddonor.org and use sponsor code #14076
Paper folding at library Judy Pruitt presents her origami class at the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. to noon. Learn this ancient Japanese art of paper folding. The class is free. For more information, call the library at 941-778-6341.
Explore the flora There will be a Master Gardener’s tour of Riverview Pointe Preserve 8250 DeSoto Memorial Hwy, Bradenton, from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14. It’s a walking tour through the preserve to observe and learn more about Florida’s native plants and inhabitants of a coastal habitat. The hike begins in the parking area of Desoto National Memorial Park and enters into Riverview Pointe Preserve. Sponsored by the IFAS Extension Program/Florida Master Gardeners, this tour is suitable for all ages. Call
the Master Gardener Office for reservations at 941-722-4524.
Fire department opens its doors West Manatee Fire Rescue will hold an open house on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Station 1, 407 67th St., Bradenton. It will offer a bounce house and face painting for kids, tours of the fire station and live coverage by WAMI Radio. In addition, there will be static displays of fire trucks and their boat, an ambulance and bomb squad robot, the fire safety house, proper helmet demonstrations, displays by various specialty teams the department offers. There will be hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and drinks. For more information, call 941-9629711 or e-mail rod@wmfr.org.
Fish prints for kids The Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, is hosting a program for kids 8-years-old and up on gyotaku, the art of making fish prints, on Saturday, Oct. 14, at 2 p.m. For more information, call the library at 941-778-6341.
Cellist plays at Roser Cellist Isaac Mingus will perform at the Roser Memorial Church Chapel,512 Pine Ave, Anna Maria, on Sunday, Oct. 15, at 8:30 a.m. and in the Roser sanctuary at 10 a.m. Mingus began playing the bass at the age of 12 under the tutelage of Christopher Mink at Pine View High School. Now 20, he is a recent graduate of the State College of Florida with an associate of arts degree, where he was a student of Robyn Bell, John Miller and Fred Gratta. He performs locally in numerous jazz ensembles, the Charlotte Symphony, and the Venice Symphony. Mingus will provide the prelude and offertory music. During the 10 a.m. service, soloist JoAnne Moyer will sing with the Chancel Choir accompanied by Mingus on cello and Joy Chatzistamatis on the violin. For more information go to roserchurch.com/special-music or call the church office at 941-778-0414.
Explore Robinson Preserve Master Gardeners will lead a hike through Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, on Sunday, Oct. 15, from 9 to 11 a.m. Explore salt marshes and salt terns to discover the plants adapted to living in this salty environment. Sponsored by the IFAS Extension Program/Florida Master Gardeners, this tour is suitable for all ages. Call the Master Gardener Office for reservations at 941-722-4524.
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Journalist outlines goals Zac Anderson, political editor for the Sarasota Herald Tribune, will share his views on the upcoming 2018 legislative session agenda at the Anna Maria Island Democratic Club monthly meeting on Monday, Oct. 16, at the IMG Clubhouse, 4350 El Conquistador Parkway, Bradenton. A buffet lunch will be served. The cost is $17 for members and $20 for non-members. Registration begins at 11:15 a.m. No prior reservation is necessary. All are welcome. For more information, contact Harry Kamberis at 941-779-0564.
Fun for kids and parents Preschool children and their parents gather at the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach every Tuesday at 10 a.m. for story time. Library children’s services director Trudy Bell reads books and has lots of fun for the little ones, including dancing and arts and crafts. It’s free, and it’s fun. Call the library at 941-778-6341 for details.
Glide through Neal Preserve The Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources will lead a paddle through Neal Preserve, 12301 Manatee Ave. W, Bradenton, on Tuesday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Explore the bayside mangrove tunnels of the preserve with county kayak guide Wayne. While not for first time paddlers, beginners who can paddle three-tofour miles are welcome to attend. Meet at the kayak launch on the north side of SR 64/Manatee Ave just past Neal Preserve and before the drawbridge to Anna Maria Island. The program is suitable for adults who can meet the county’s minimum eligibility requirements . Participants must have their own canoe or kayak and safety gear. All participants must wear a life jacket. Reservations are required. Call 941-742-5757, ext. 7.
A tale of two reptiles Preschool story time at the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, will have some special guests on Tuesday, Oct. 17, from 10 to 11 a.m. The Manatee Parks and Natural Resources Department presents a program about turtles and snakes. Kids and their parents will listen to a scaly story and learn even more about these fascinating creatures through interactive games and activities. This program is sponsored by the Manatee County Library System in partnership with the Parks and Natural Resources Department. The program is suitable for preschool age children. For more information, call 941-742-5923, ext. 6044.
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BEACH BEAT Anna Maria
9/29, theft, 300 block of Tarpon Street. A cellular phone was stolen from a construction site.
Bradenton Beach
10/1, trespass order, Circle K, 103 Gulf Drive S. The clerk complained to an officer that there was an intoxicated man in his store trying to start fights with the customers. The officer found him and issued a trespass warning.
Cortez
No new reports.
Holmes Beach
9/29, driving without a valid driver’s license, 6600 Marina Drive. The officer performed a random computer check and found the driver had no license. He pulled the driver over and issued a summons. 9/30, burglary, Manatee County Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive. A burglar entered an unlocked car and stole the driver’s wallet and car key. 9/30. Solicitation, Publix parking lot, 3900 East Bay Drive. The officer was stuck in traffic when he noticed a male with a sign soliciting money. He was told to stop and given a notice to appear. 10/1, suspicious person, 3900 East Bay Drive. Three female juveniles said they
Obituaries Sara Elizabeth Walton There will be a celebration of life honoring Sara Walton non Saturday, Oct. 14, from 5 p.m. to sunset at the 72nd Street beach, in Holmes Beach. Sara Elizabeth Walton was born in Elk Horn, Wis., on July 25, 1979. She moved to Rising Sun, Ind,, where she became a gifted athlete, She played center in basketball for her undefeated high school team. She was also a gifted volleyball player. Graduating from the University of
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noticed a male taking videos of them on the trolley with his cell phone and at times, touching himself. He got off the trolley and got away before anyone could call police. 10/1, underage drinking, D Coy Duck’s, 5410 Marina Drive. Police answered a call of a fight in the bar. One of the participants was 20 years old. 10/1, noise violation, 202 81st St. The officer answered a noise complaint and found a loud party at the vacation rental. He issued a citation to the renter. 10/1, burglary, 300 block of 60th Street. A thief broke into an unlocked car and removed cash. 10/1, driving without a valid driver’s license, Kingfish Boat Ramp. The officer ran a random computer check and found out the driver had no license. She was ticketed and had to get a friend to drive her vehicle home. 10/1, larceny/theft, 4000 Gulf Drive, Manatee County Public Beach. The complainant said her iPhone was stolen while she was swimming in the Gulf o. 10/4, driving with a tag not registered to the vehicle, 7200 Palm Drive. The officer ran the car’s license, and the computer said the plate had never been registered to a vehicle. The driver said he did not complete registering the vehicle because he lost the paperwork. He was ticketed. 10/5, illegal camping, 501 Manatee Ave., old Region’s Bank building. After receiving a complaint, the officer found the defendant sleeping in the drivethrough. He was told to move on.
Southern Indiana, her caring heart led her to a degree in social sciences. Sara loved meeting new people. She was quick to make a friend with her infectious laugh and vibrant smile. Sara moved to Holmes Beach four years ago. She was a passionate animal lover, taking special interest in sea turtles. Through trying times, Sara managed to keep her cheerful disposition. Sara’s beauty and outgoing, friendly personality made this world a better place. She will be missed by many. Sara’s parents are Roger Walton and Sharon Robinson. Her brother is Darin Robinson and her sister is Janella Pryce. Her grandmothers are Bola Walton and Eloise Holland. Her boyfriend is Jesse Candish, and her beloved dog is Mr. Biscuit. Sara danced her way to heaven on Aug. 10, 2017.
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CAMPAIGN: Sign season opens FROM PAGE 12
in late September, Shearon’s opponent, Vice Mayor John Chappie, placed campaign signs just north of the Bradenton Beach city limits. Ward 3 Commissioner and re-election candidate Ralph Cole did too.
Delaware lawsuit implications
According to Gilbert, a lawsuit the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Delaware filed in May against the town of Milton impacted his position on Shearon’s signage, and it could have lasting local implications. The ACLU was filed suit after a code enforcement officer told a town resident to remove four temporary yard signs that negatively referenced President Donald Trump. According to The News Journal, town officials responded by amending their code and making a $5,000 contribution to the ACLU. “Under the new provisions, a property may display four temporary signs at any time regardless of content, as long as the signs comply with size and location restrictions. Temporary signs are defined as signs not permanently affixed or staked to the ground. Also, business owners can swap out commercial signs on storefronts for noncommercial messages,” The News Journal reported. Applying the Milton case to Bradenton Beach, Gilbert said, “If content neutrality rules the nation, unless and until we define a political sign in such a way that it’s clear, then it’s a Catch-22 and first amendment rights almost always prevail.” Referencing Florida law, Gilbert said, “If the state’s going to tell candidates what they must and
If the state’s going to tell candidates what they must and may not put on their signs, the state should also have in place rules on how and when signs go up and when they come down." Steve Gilbert Building official
may not put on their signs, the state should also have in place rules on how and when signs go up and when they come down. That way the cities would not have to worry about political signs.” Gilbert was asked if the Milton case means political signs can be displayed outside of the 30-day period specified in the LDC. He said those decisions would have to be made by the individual candidates, and the same would apply to business signs containing political messages.
Bradenton Beach budgets adopted The Bradenton Beach City Commission and the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) recently adopted their respective 2017-18 fiscal year budgets on second and final reading. Both budgets are based on maintaining the existing 2.3329 millage rate. After deducting homestead exemptions and other exemptions, property owners will pay $233 for every $100,000 in assessed property value. Due to increased property values, the current mileage rate will result in an estimated
8.97 percent property tax increase. The city budget projects $3.3 million in total revenues, $3 million in total expenditures and a net general fund balance increase of $251,001 if no unbudgeted expenditures are incurred during the fiscal year that began Oct. 1. The CRA budget projects $444,733 in total revenues, $198,132 in budgeted expenditures, and a $246,601 net gain if no unbudgeted CRA expenditures are made.
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Across 1 Superhero attire 5 Six-footers at parties 9 Parakeet quarters 14 "You can say that again!" 15 St. Paul's architect 16 Important fruit in the Mediterranean diet 17 Novelist Morrison 18 Zaragoza's river 19 Harder to come by 20 Place to mingle on the slopes? 23 Legal deg. 24 Big hand measurement: Abbr. 25 Gobble (up) 27 Octet since 2006 31 Shakespearean call to arms 34 Misplace a casual top? 36 "I saw the opening __ of hell": "Moby-Dick" 37 "Straight Outta Compton" role, familiarly 38 Word with head or roll 39 Take Rover to Ruth's Chris? 46 Dull 47 Run things? 48 Doone of fiction 50 NBA tiebreakers 51 Balderdash 53 Dinosaur family drama? 59 Major mess 61 Universal donor's type, briefly 62 Support person 63 One with a strict diet 64 Boring
65 Pass the bouncer 66 Respond to a charge 67 Hearing things 68 Singer James Down 1 Subjects of many viral online videos 2 Mine, in Marseille 3 The Quakers of the Ivy League 4 Conundrums 5 "American Gods" leprechaun Mad __ 6 Metro areas 7 Muppet with a unibrow 8 Elitists 9 Western pens 10 In the style of 11 Sweetheart 12 Robbie's daredevil father 13 Many a Montenegro resident 21 One-fifth of a limerick 22 Art school subj. 26 Cheering sound 27 Hair piece 28 Relatively safe, as
Answers to 10-04-17 Crossword Puzzle.
electricity 29 Flap 30 Tidal peril during a storm 32 More than asks 33 Board rm. session 35 Bring up 36 British racing cars 40 Old name of Tokyo 41 Bad way to run a ship 42 Unit of force 43 Low-pressure systems 44 Cricket clubs 45 Performing 49 Southwestern brick 51 Invitation letters 52 Scott Turow memoir 54 Getting pictures of the Hollywood sign, say 55 Nectar flavor 56 Sidesplitter 57 Menu including Cut and Paste 58 "Hercules" character who got her own show 60 Drone regulator: Abbr.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS BEACH YOGA ON Saturdays & Sundays at 8:30am at the end of Pine Ave by the Sandbar Restaurant by donation. www. thriveyogafit.com THE BEST VOLUNTEER position on the island. The AMI Historical Museum needs docents and bread makers. Call Lynn at 813758-3234 or lbrennan47@ gmail.com ROSER FOOD BANK needs donations of cash and non-perishable food. Donations boxes are located at the Church, Moose Club, Walgreen's and The Anna Maria Island Sun Newspaper (corner of Gulf and Palm).
SEEKING BOAT DOCK. AMI resident seeking to rent private boat slip in City of Anna Maria or Holmes Beach area. Have well kept 31' Formula. Like to keep close to house at fair price. Need 12' bridge clearance. Please respond if safe dock and you would like to earn extra cash. Call 908-6230554
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 TOTAL HOME SERVICE CLEANING : Residential, Commercial & Rentals. Professional and Reliable. Call 941-756-4570
AUCTION AUCTION SATURDAY & SUNDAY October 14 & 15. 10:30am-until? Go to: carolsthriftshop.com or auctionzip.com Retail/Re-sale shop selling out to bare walls! Everything you need to set up housekeeping. Quality furniture, Home decor, antiques, collectibles, coins, jewelry. List is too long to name all! Questions call 941-812-7679. Location 9516 Cortez Rd West. in Mount Vernon Plaza.
THOMPSON CLEANING SERVICE CommercialResidential-Marine. Island Based Company. Seasonal Deep Cleaning-Weekly-Occasional. Call for Free Estimate. 941-281-4951
AUTOMOTIVE SALES & SERVICE 2007 HONDA SILVERWING For Sale. One owner, 600 cc auto transmission motorcycle, 15000 miles. Many additions, well maintained, garage kept. Excellent condition. $4000 Call 941-778-2553
BABY SITTER RED CROSS CERTIFIED baby sitter. Honor student. Call or text Isabel 941-5457995
BOATS: PARTS & SERVICES & SALES BOATS ARE SELLING Very Well. Your location or mine. Storage & Display at Tarpon Point Marina Bradenton, 50%+ less than Cortez High & Dry Marina. “Business On A Hand Shake” I Also Buy Boats. Island Boat Sales- Dave 941-2283489
Call us today! 941-778-3986
AUTHORITY ONE SERVICES. Residential/Commercial/Vacation Rentals & Construction Cleaning. Also Power Washing, Windows, Paver Sealing & Roof Cleaning. Ask about your Senior Citizens Discount Call 941-251-5948 or 941565-3931
COMMERCIAL SALES NEED 9300 Sq Ft WAREHOUSE to store your (CAR) collection? Bradenton, near Airport. $619,000 Island Real Estate Ask Alan Galletto 941-232-2216
COMPUTER SERVICES EMPIRE COMPUTER SERVICE Computer problems fixed in your home or office. The fastest friendliest service around. Serving the Island since 2004. Call 941-739-6424
EMPLOYMENT
PART TIME CLERK position available. Nights & weekend shifts. Gift shop on AMI. Retirees Welcome. Call Manger 813-409-7540
MAINTENANCE POSITION: St Bernard Church on AMI is seeking a full time maintenance person. Qualified candidates will be familiar with maintenance items normally associated with commercial properties. Full Time position with benefits. Subject to background check. Call for interview appointment 941-778-4769
FISHING CHARTERS CAPT. MAC GREGORY Fishing Charters. Full Day, Half Day, Night, Inshore & Near Shore. 941-809-5783 U.S.C.G. Certified/Insured
FOR SALE COTTAGE QUEEN BEDROOM Set. White-Like new. Head/Foot Boards, Frame, Dresser and 2 night stands. $600. Call 502-529-2812
GARAGE, MOVING, RUMMAGE & YARD SALES ROSER THRIFT SHOP Open Tuesday & Thursday 9:30a.m.-2p.m., Saturday 10a.m-1p.m., Annex open till noon. Donations preferred on Wednesdays 9a.m.-11a.m. 511 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Phone 941-779-2733
HAULING SITE CLEAN-UP to trash outs we can handle it all. Call us for your dumpsters/ trash needs today 941-7538772
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 # CRC1327296. Call Jerry Kern 941-7781115 www.kernconstructioninc.com
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“HONEY DO" HOME Repairs & Handyman Services. 35 yrs experience. Painting, drywall, tile, woodwork. All tasks. Call 941-896-5256 or 941-807-5256 www.honeydohomerepairinc.com
LOST GOLD BRACELET with toggle clasp & charm with 50th anniversary engraved. Sentimental value. Lost in vicinity of Palm Ave. in Anna Maria. Call 407-8730078.
WALY PRECISION PAINTING: painting, drywall, stucco, and remodeling, commercial/residential, licensed & insured. Call 941-448-1928 or 941-4656324 www.WalyPrecisionPainting.us
LOST: LADIES AVIATOR sunglasses on Holmes Beach, 65th street. Wed 6/28 Sunset. Reward. 813546-3982
DECKOUT MASTER CARPENTER Everything Patio & Dock Decking Work Repair, Replace, Maintenance Work, Cleaning, Treatments, New Decks. Also Handyman/Painting work to home or office. Call RICHARD Bespoke Service 941-448-3571 Island Resident. STORM DAMAGE? Prompt Response. Tree work, Carpentry, Painting, Roof/ Fence Repair, Etc. Medium and Small Jobs Accepted. See ORANGE AD in Painting Section. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315
LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE
R. GAROFALO’S Interlocking brick pavers, driveways, patios, pool decks. Free estimates. Licensed & Insured. Call Rafael 941-778-4823 or Veronik 941-526-7941 SHELL DELIVERED AND spread $55/yd. Hauling all kinds of gravel, mulch, top soil with free estimates. Call Larry at 941-795-7775, "shell phone" 941-720-0770 STRAIGHT SHOT LANDSCAPE. Specializing in Old Florida Seashell driveways and scapes. Also Rock, Mulch, & Soil. Free estimates. Call Shark Mark 941-301-6067
LOST & FOUND FOUND NECKLACE PENDANT near Anna Maria Post office. Call 941-7733182 LOST DOG BLACK Chihuahua gray on face 14 years old. Call 941-705-5574.
LOST MY GRANDMOTHER'S gold wedding band (initials inside and date) at Coquina Beach area. Reward. Call 407-579-1621
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PERSONAL SERVICES NEED MATH TUTOR? I am a Certified 6th-12th Grade Math Teacher with 30 years experience tutoring. Call 941-5244177
POOL SERVICES FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE. AMI & West Bradenton. Certified Pool Operator. Residential/commercial. Chemical Service Licensed & Insured. Call Dennis Clark 941-737-5657
MOVING & STORAGE MARTIN’S MOVING YOUR Island movers! Offering dependable, competitive rates. No hidden costs. 941-809-5777. TWO MEN and a TRUCK. Movers who care. Local and Long distance. www. twomen.com Call 941-3591904. We sell boxes!
PAINTING & WALLCOVERING PAINT! PAINT! AND MORE 28 years of experienced interior/exterior custom painting. Pressure cleaning, drywall repairs and texture finishes. Many Island references. Please call Neil for free estimates. 941-812-0507 “WIZARD OF WALLS” Established 1980 Prompt quality service. Paperhanging/removal Faux finishes. Interior painting. Mary Bell 941794-0455 PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reliable. Meticulous, Thorough, Quality Workmanship. Interior/Exterior. Wall paper removal.. Also minor repairs & carpentry. Free written detailed estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315 BAYSIDE COMMERCIAL PAINTING. David Padyani Call 941-565-9446 or Larry Zimmer 941-2248123 Licensed & Insured DONALD PERKINS PAINTING LLC fully insured. 30 years experience. Many Island references. Call 941-7057096
COLE'S TROPICAL POOL SERVICE Call Cole Bowers for all your pool maintenance needs! Affordable and Dependable!! 941-7131893
PRINTING CUSTOM DIGITAL PRINTING "Your printing dream to reality" Specializing in Dye sublimation Printing. Graphic Design. Performance Active ware. Logo Design. Call Rhonda 330-550-4847
PROFESSIONAL PRESSURE & WINDOW WASHING AUTHORITY ONE CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Construction and Vacation Rentals . Also available Power Washing, Roof Cleaning and Windows. Call 941-251-5948
REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE
FROM THE HIGH $200’s. Only minutes from the beach, this new active adult community is perfectly located just south of Manatee Ave, off Village Green Pkwy. Perfectly designed, open 2BR or 3BR/2BA plus den & 2CG floor plans. Luxurious amenities, pool, spa, gym, pickle ball and fenced-in dog park. HOA only $190/ month. Models open daily. Contact us 941254-3330 www.MirabellaFlorida.com
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REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE 113 BEACH AVE 3BR/3BA Pool Home. Great location West of Gulf Drive with Direct beach access! $1,055,000 Call Charles Buky Coldwell Banker 941228-6086 CANAL FRONT HOMES Holmes Bch - Key Royale GULF FRONT CONDOS Gulf Place, La Casa L’Plage, Waters Edge & MORE. Island Real Estate ASK Alan Galletto 941-232-2216 SLIGHTLY OFF THE ISLAND. 3BR/2BA completely renovated Lake House, five miles from the beach. No Condo/HOA Fees, No Deed Restrictions, No Traffic. Huge Boat/RV Storage Area $334,900. www.6909-32nd.com. For Sale By Owner. 941-7955225 SHOREWALK RESORT LIVING at it's Best. Just a few miles from Anna Maria Island. 2BR/2BA updated ground level unit. 2 pools, tennis courts and Much More! No rental restrictions and Priced at Only $125,600. A Paradise Realty. Call JoAnne 941809-2488
REAL ESTATE: OPEN HOUSE OPEN HOUSE- SATURDAY, October 14, 123pm. 112 Pelican, Anna Maria. 3BR/2BA Canal Home, $875,000. Fran Maxon Real Estate 941778-2307.
Call us today! 941-778-3986
RENTALS: ANNUAL BRADENTON: 2BR/2BA GROUND LEVEL condo. 64th St. near G.T. Bray/ Blake Hosp.. Split bedroom plan, tile throughout , updated kitchen & appliances. Washer dryer in Lanai. Close to shopping & beaches. Available immed. Water, sewer basic cable incl. $1250/mo $1275 security dep. $100 application fee to condo assn. Application approval required. 2BR/2BA SECOND LEVEL condo. 34th St. near college. Split bedroom plan, new carpet throughout, updated kitchen & appliances. Washer dryer hook up in kitchen. Close to shopping & beaches. Available immed. Water, sewer basic cable incl. $1000/mo $1000 security dep. $100 application fee to condo assn. Application approval required. 2BR/2BA GROUND LEVEL DUPLEX on 34th St W. near Bayfront High. Lake view, W/D hook up. 2 car parking. Split bedroom plan. Ground care & trash included. $1000/ mo. $1000 security deposit. $75 application/ background, credit check fee. 2BR/2BA GROUND LEVEL HOME with 1 car garage on canal with golf course w/ washer/ dryer on site. Over 1400, S/F in 55+ golfing community. $1400 / month/ Security deposit /Last mo. rent with $100 application fee. Ask for Ed DUNCAN REAL ESTATE 941-779-0304 www. teamduncan.com
ANNUAL RENTAL and CONDOMINIUM Association management serviced by (2) offices open 7 days a week! Contact junew@ islandreal.com – 941-3451295 - Island Real Estate of Anna Maria Island, Inc. 2BR/2BA/1 CAR GARAGEsingle family home. $1400/ mo annual lease. Cortez area. 2BR/2BA furnished condo at West Bay Cove. Annual lease $1600/mo. Call A Paradise 941-7784800 ANNUAL RENTALS- Holmes Beach 2BR/1.5BA, carport, storage, W/D hookups $1,650/mo. Non-Smoking. Call Fran Maxon Real Estate for details 941-778-2307.
ANNUAL HOLMES BEACH 2BR/2BA. Steps to Beach & Shops includes Dishwasher, Washer/Dryer trash. No Smoking/No Pets $1695/ mo + utilities. First, Last & Security. Call 860-9223857 ANNUAL RENTAL: Anna Maria City, 2BR/2BA half duplex, totally remodeled, unfurnished. NO PETS! $1,500/mo - 1st, last, and security req'd. Call Sato Real Estate, Inc. at 941778-7200 or email monica@satorealestate. com SNOWBIRDS OR LOCAL. Annual Rental $1195/mo utilities included. W/D. Bungalow with mini loft. Call 941-741-1096
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 ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fl Condos. Pool beach access, fully equipped $650-$800/ wk Redekercondos.com 941-704-7525 or 941-7781915 SUMMER WEEKLY RENTALS Available: 2BR/1BA Gulf front from $1,100 per week. 2BR with sleeping loft Bayfront from $1,100 per week, 4BR/3BA Bayside from $1,450 per week. No pools. 2018 SEASONAL RENTALS Available: 2BR/1BA Gulf front from $3,850 per month, 2BR with sleeping loft from $3,850 per month. Three month minimum. Horizon Realty of Anna Maria 941-778-0426 kringco@ tampabay.rr.com GREAT RATES! Weekly, Monthly. 3BR/2BA NW Bradenton. Call Grace 941-201-2190
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HARBOUR LANDINGS, Cortez. Lovely, spacious 3-bedroom retreat, heated pool & spa exclusively for this villa, huge lanai, 2-car garage. Private and serene. Your ideal HomeAway during renovation, new construction, temporary work assignment, kids at IMG. Minimum 1 month, discount for 3 months or longer. Request rates, gate code for drive-by 941-321-1452 (voice only, no text). Owner/ agent. FOR RENT HISTORICAL Pine Cottage Pine Ave 3BR/2BA pool adorable ! Adults only. Looking for three months . Brenda Boyd May. Broker Owner. 941-.730-8589
RENTAL WANTED SEEKING 3 BR in AMI or Holmes Beach Long Term Rental Professional family w/small dog. Call Kelly 402-206-5156
TRANSPORTATION AMI TAXI metered-on-callcards accepted. Airport: Tampa $95, Sarasota $40, Clearwater $85, Orlando $165. Call 800-301-4816. amitaxi4u@gmail.com, www.amitaxi.com ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all airports, appointments, casino, cruises, etc. Tampa $60. Sarasota $30. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-779-5095
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Call today to place your ad: 941-778-3986 movers
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OCTOBER 11, 2017