Anna Maria Island Sun October 7, 2015

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VOL 15 No. 49

October 7, 2015

The path to candidacy Commissioners touted their virtues as last week’s forum got underway. BY JOE HENDRICKS

SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – The opening statements provided at last week’s Anna Maria Commission candidate’s forum provides a glimpse at who the candidates are, what they’ve accomplished and what drives them to seek public office. During her opening remarks, Carol Carter, seeking a second term in office, noted previous service on the Planning and Zoning Board and first term commission results accomplished by working with a results-oriented mayor; which included passing the vacation rental ordinance. She said she chaired a committee to investigate new revenue generating initiatives, and she is a strong proponent of protecting green spaces, turtles and shorebirds. see candidacy, page 48

Forum focuses on Ward 3 race

Blessings For All Creatures

City voters will soon determine who holds the Ward 3 city commission seat for the next two years. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – Incumbent Ward 3 commissioner Janie Robertson and challenger Ralph Cole faced off in a candidates’ forum last Tuesday night. Moderated by League of Women Voters President Rosalie Shaffer, the forum took place at city hall. Mayor Jack Clarke and challenger Bill Shearon did not participate. During opening statements, Cole, the owner of Coastal Watersports, said he has had a home and business in the city for 30 years. “Over the past two years, our city has lost its way. The voters deserve a choice; I am giving you a choice. The system of government we have in place has worked well, from Mayor Connick to Mayor Clarke. My favorite, because he was my

MAGGIE FIELD | SUN

The Rev. Rosemary Wheeler Backer, above, bestows a blessing on Franklin the bulldog on St. Francis Sunday at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, as owner Linda Parman watches. Right, Father Bruce Genge does the same for Daisey and her owner, Doris Hudson, during the annual Blessing of the Animals at the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation. INSIDE NEWS OPINION Sun survey outdoors real estate town crier crossword obituaries

4 6 7 16 40-46 50 51 52

see forum, page 37

Grand reopening for

The winners ARE ALL IN THE SUN’S READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS. 21-33

the Anna Maria General Store and Deli. 8

It’s Football Fever time again so

Anna Maria Island, Florida

get back in the game. 18-19

The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper

www.amisun.com


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