October 4 2017 full issue

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- Named Best Florida Newspaper In Its Class -

VOL 17 No. 51

Cortez readies traps for crab seas0n

CINDY LANE | SUN

The Florida stone crab harvest begins Oct. 15, and Cortez commercial fishermen are readying traps to drop them this week in Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay waters around Anna Maria Island. The season is open until May 15. Stone crabs are the only seafood product not killed on harvest – fishermen typically take only one of the crab’s two claws, which must be legal size, then toss the crab back into the water, where it will grow another claw. Here, Cortez native Timmy Thompson sorts lines and attaches them to buoys, marked with identifying numbers.

Trail included in budget The multi-use bike and pedestrian trail along Gulf Drive will be constructed next summer. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – The City Commission has adjusted its 2017-18 fiscal year budget to include $71,000 for a multi-use bike and pedestrian trail. Based on the existing 2.05 millage rate, the $5.7 million in budgeted ex-

INSIDE NEWS OPINION Sun survey readers’ choice outdoors REstaurants real estate classifieds

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penses also provides $110,000 for two additional Sheriff’s Office deputies for the second half of the fiscal year that began Oct. 1. And at the request of Commissioner Dale Woodland, the commission agreed to double its annual $100,000 lump sum payment against the principle owed on the $2.84 million loan taken out in 2011 to purchase the six lots property now known as City Pier Park. see TRAIL, page 53

get on the water

with Bradenton Beach Marina. 14

Anna Maria Island, Florida

October 4, 2017

Land purchase concerns city commissioners BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | KSWAIN@AMISUN.COM

HOLMES BEACH - A potential land purchase by the city is moving forward faster than commissioners are comfortable with. During the Sept. 26 meeting, Holmes Beach commissioners voted to approve a $5,000 expenditure for two land appraisals. They also voted to give Mayor Bob Johnson authority to enter into an agreement for bond services on the city’s behalf. The

reason for both votes is to allow the city to move forward in considering purchasing land from Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. The move is something that commissioners aren’t quite comfortable with. Commissioner Judy Titsworth said she “doesn’t feel the city should be in the land acquisition business.” If a surplus of funds exists, she suggests using them to deal with other issues facing the city. see LAND, page 54

See who the winners are in The Sun’s Readers’ Choice Special Section.

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The world-famous Budweiser

Clydesdales are coming to AMI. 9 The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper

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