Anna Maria Island Sun September 30, 2020

- Named Best Florida Newspaper In Its Class -

VOL 20 No. 51

September 30, 2020

NET BAN FIGHT PERSISTS CINDY LANE | SUN

COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN in Cortez and throughout the state may have a glimmer of hope in their quest to overturn Florida’s 25-year-old ban on gill nets. A recent decision by Florida 2nd Circuit Court allowed the Wakulla Commercial Fishermen’s Association to file an amended complaint on Sept. 21 challenging 25 of the FWC rules. The group maintains the FWC rules violate the rights of fishermen and the agency does not have independent constitutional authority to regulate commercial fishing.

Restaurants and bars allowed full capacity The governor’s reopening order suspends fines and penalties for face-covering mandates and strips control away from local governments.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – For the first time since March 17, restaurants and bars on and around Anna Maria Island and throughout Florida can operate at 100% capacity.

During Friday’s press conference in St. Petersburg, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that Florida was immediately entering Phase 3 of his “Safe. Smart.

INSIDE NEWS

4

OUTDOORS

24-25

REAL ESTATE

26-30

SPORTS

32

Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery.” DeSantis’ announcement was accompanied by Executive Order 20-244, which also suspends locally imposed fines or penalties for violations of COVID-19 regulations or restrictions, including face-coverings mandates.

“This order suspends the collection of fines and penalties associated with COVID-19 enforced upon individuals,” DeSantis states in the order. “Nothing in this order preempts or supersedes a nonCOVID-19 municipal or county order.”

During Friday’s press conference, DeSantis said, “For restaurants, there will not be limitations from the state of Florida. There have been some local SEE ORDER, PAGE 28

SEE HOW your favorites fared in The Sun’s Readers’ Choice Awards. 13-22

State order invalidates local mask ordinance It’s back to business as usual per a state order but the threat of COVID-19 isn’t gone.

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

HOLMES BEACH – Commissioners may have voted to extend the city’s mandatory mask ordinance until their first meeting in January, but Gov. Ron DeSantis had other plans.

DeSantis announced Sept. 25 that the state is moving into “Phase 3” of COVID-19 pandemic recovery immediately.

Part of the guidelines for this final phase include making wearing masks and SEE ORDINANCE, PAGE 23

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

While Holmes Beach city leaders can’t require you to wear a mask any longer, they’re still asking that everyone wear a mask and practice social distancing when in public to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

ANNA MARIA City Pier Grill

hopes to open before Thanksgiving. 3 EXTRA POSTAGE required for

mail-in ballots. 10

CROSSWORD 33

Anna Maria Island, Florida

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

2

THE SUN

www.amisun.com

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

www.amisun.com

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

THE SUN

3

City Pier Grill lease finalized The new pier tenants hope to open the City Pier Grill before Thanksgiving.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria and GSM Partners LLC have reached an agreement that allows Nick Graham, Brian Seymour and Vic Mattay to operate the City Pier Grill on the new City Pier.

Operating in the smaller of two cityowned spaces at the pier’s end, City Pier Grill will offer “family-friendly” takeout food that includes breakfast, lunch and dinner items, ice cream, desserts and beer and wine. The business operations will also include a bait shop that offers live and frozen bait, fishing tackle and more.

Seymour is the owner/operator of the Anna Maria General Store & Deli on Pine Avenue. Mattay operates his Dips Ice Cream shop inside the general store and Graham manages the ice cream shop for Mattay. The three men are equal partners in the adjacent Pine Avenue Bait and Tackle store and they

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Brian Seymour leaves city hall after the City Pier Grill lease was approved by city commissioners last week. recently formed GSM Partners for their City Pier Grill operations.

Seymour said the trio will share the decision-making responsibilities and he will serve as the managing partner authorized to speak on the partnership’s behalf.

Seymour said they hope to open City Pier Grill the week before Thanksgiving.

LEASE CONTRACT APPROVED

On Thursday evening, the city commission voted 4-0 in favor of authorizing Mayor Dan Murphy to sign a five-

year lease contract with GSM Partners.

“We’ve come up with this contract which I think is very fair and equitable,” Murphy said of the lease terms he and Seymour negotiated.

The lease includes one five-year renewal at the tenant's option.

GSM Partners agreed to pay the city $6,000 per month in base rent, $500 of which is for the use of additional space inside the larger primary pier building.

The building’s future use has not yet been determined.

The space inside the primary building will house a portable cooler and a portable freezer that will both be on wheels and easily relocated if the city later leases the entire primary building to another tenant. In that case, GSM Partners’ monthly rent would decrease by $500.

According to the lease, the city reserves the right to negotiate with GSM Partners for the expanded use of the primary pier building, but also reserves the right to lease the entire primary building to another tenant.

Seymour told the commission he and his partners look forward to a lengthy SEE PIER, PAGE 5

4

THE SUN

ISLAND NEWS

Visit our website, www.amisun.com.

Scan this code with your smartphone to go there.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

More parking changes on the horizon

IN BRIEF

Commissioners give 2020-21 budget final approval Just days before the start of the 2020-21 fiscal year, Holmes Beach commissioners voted unanimously to give final approval to a new budget and the 2.25 millage rate for the coming year. There were no changes in the proposed budget of $17,879,270, including $8,492,673 in carryovers and reserves, from the previous budget hearing. Commissioners all expressed their thanks for the work of city staff that led to enough reductions from the originally proposed budget presented during workshops to keep city leaders from raising the millage rate. Millage is the amount paid per $1,000 of assessed property value to the city. Commissioners Jim Kihm and Terry Schaefer both issued a public reminder for residents that the ad valorem tax amount for city revenue on property owners’ tax bills is only a part of the whole bill. Property tax bills include city, county, school district and fire district taxes and assessments.

Vacation rental late fee reduced The Bradenton Beach City Commission recently reduced a vacation rental registration late fee from $250 to $125 for homeowner Teri Heimann. When disputing the late fee that is part of the city’s Transient Public Lodging Establishment (TPLE) ordinance, Heimann said she uses her Avenue B home as a second residence. She said she hasn’t rented the home out during the COVID-19 pandemic, currently has no reservations and may never rent it out again. The commission expressed concerns about setting a precedent of waiving or reducing TPLE late fees, but agreed to reduce the fee by half if Heimann provided the city with payment and all required documents within two weeks, which she did the following day.

City getting new phone system Bradenton Beach is replacing its phone system with one that is cloud based. Building Official Steve Gilbert said the new system will be similar to one used by Amazon.com. The new system includes a wireless phone that can be used on the commission dais during meetings.

Gilbert said city officials and staff will have remote access to the system during hurricanes or other emergencies. According to a memo Gilbert provided commissioners, the new system will cost $700 per month, which is $135 per month more than the system being replaced.

CITY OF BRADENTON BEACH | SUBMITTED

The city of Bradenton Beach is getting a new phone system.

Parking permits will soon be available for residents to purchase and parking fines may be increasing.

BY KRISTIN SWAIN

SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – More parking changes are on the horizon for residents. The new permit parking plan is ready for implementation and commissioners are considering raising parking violation fines, adding a new one for falsifying a permit.

When commissioners met Sept. 22 for a work session, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer gave them an update on the already approved permit parking plan for residents living near the beach. He said that the signs marking the sides of certain streets for permit-only parking from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. are already installed.

He added that the parking permit application is completed and is expected to go live on the city’s website within the coming days for residents to apply. The permit stickers have already been received. Tokajer said the permits will cost $15 each.

The parking permit plan is scheduled for a six-month review by commissioners once the program is underway. During an upcoming meeting, commissioners will discuss when that six-month period begins, when the program officially launches or when the ordinance was passed.

The new permits apply only to resi-

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

New permit-only parking signs are up in many beachside residential neighborhoods in Holmes Beach. dents of Holmes Beach. They are not planned to be available for vacationers to purchase or use, however, owners of vacation rental properties can purchase one for their personal use.

The permit zone is located along city streets west of the main corridor of Gulf, Marina and Palm drives.

Another change discussed was the potential of raising the city’s basic parking ticket fine from $50 to $75.

Tokajer recommended raising the general fine for parking violations to $75, raising the fine for blocking emergency access from $75 to $100 and raising Purple Heart parking violations to the same $200 as handicap space violations. He also recommended that commissioners institute

a violation fine of $200 for using fraudulent parking permits.

Once permits are issued, he said that officers will have the ability to digitally run the permit numbers to make sure that the permit matches the vehicle it’s on. Permits will be available for issue to cars registered to homes in Holmes Beach. The owners will have to provide information on the vehicle that the permit will be used for so that they cannot be transferred to another vehicle.

Commissioners agreed to discuss raising fines and instructed city attorney Patricia Petruff to draft an ordinance for their next meeting based on the chief’s recommendations.

City leaders hope for CARES Act funding

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

HOLMES BEACH – Mayor Judy Titsworth asked for a little forgiveness when she asked commissioners to ratify an application to Manatee County leaders for CARES Act funding.

Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of the application Sept. 22 which, if approved, would bring about $19,000 to the city as reimbursement for COVID-19 related expenses. Titsworth said that amount can renew every quarter as long as funds remain available and the city’s staff can show what expenses the money is going toward.

Manatee County is expecting to receive $70 million in Phase 3 Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security

(CARES) Act federal funding to help the area recover financially from the effects of the coronavirus. Funding is planned to be disbursed in four categories. Applicants must meet requirements and submit their requests prior to the deadline for each phase of funding. Funding categories include economic recovery, community health and wellbeing, public health and safety, and government and community facilities.

Currently, the window for applications is closed due to overwhelming response from the community, according to Manatee County Information Outreach Manager Nicholas Azzara.

When new application dates are announced in coming weeks, Manatee County residents, nonprofits, business

owners, local government agencies and community partners are invited to apply for funding.

Businesses and nonprofits that received Paycheck Protection Program forgivable loans, also distributed under the federal CARES Act, are currently ineligible to apply for the county funds.

Any funds received cannot be used to recover budgeting shortfalls and cannot take the place of any prior budgeted funds. Expenditures must have been incurred between March 1 and Dec. 31, 2020.

Titsworth said that while she expects the city to receive the funding, it has not been accounted for in the city’s newly approved 2020-21 fiscal year budget.

www.amisun.com

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

THE SUN

5

PIER: Lease finalized FROM PAGE 3

business relationship with the city and they may one day also consider leasing the primary building.

GSM Partners will reimburse the city for 10% of the actual cost to maintain the pier and pier facilities.

“It will never go below 10%, but it could go above 10%,” Murphy said of those costs to be reviewed annually.

GSM Partners will also be responsible for 20% of the total utility bills associated with the pier.

The lease states the tenant has 45 days to complete the interior buildouts and be open for business. Murphy said there’s an incentive in the lease that provides up to 30 days free rent if they open sooner.

“I think it’s a good partnership. I think the right person got the bid.

We’re very pleased to have you as a tenant on the pier,” Murphy said.

“I just wanted to thank the commission and the mayor. We think it’s fair for both the city and for us and we’re excited to get started. I’m proud to be a part of it. I think we’re going to make it a great place for everybody,” Seymour said.

“I’m thrilled that we have a resident of the city Anna Maria who’s head-

ing up this partnership,” Commission Chair Carol Carter said.

Carter noted the city also has some commitments to fulfill as its share of the interior buildout process.

“We have to do the drywall, the hood and the grease trap," she said.

Seymour said the $25,000 grease trap the commission previously approved as part of the city’s anticipated buildout costs won’t be necessary.

“There is a need for a grease trap, but not a big one buried on land.

We only need one under the threecompartment sink, before the drain, to keep the grease in the trap. The grease trap the commission approved was for a full-service restaurant,” Seymour said when contacted later that night.

Seymour said the kitchen will have a flattop grill, a charbroiler and a deep fryer; the grease from the deep fryer will be recycled in a separate container.

“I have a cooking oil company that comes and collects all the used cooking oil,” he said.

“Amen and namaste,” Commissioner Jon Crane said during the meeting, before making the motion authorizing Murphy to sign the lease.

“This relationship is benefitting several businesses and several people, all

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

City Pier Grill will operate in the space on the left side of the pier. The future use of the space on the right side of the pier remains unknown. who have close ties to the city of Anna Maria,” Commissioner Mark Short said.

“That influenced my vote as well," Commissioner Joe Muscatello said.

“Especially looking forward to your desserts,” Muscatello added in reference to Anna Maria-based Hometown Desserts providing the dessert offerings in addition to Mattay’s ice cream offerings.

“We look forward to working with you and I think all the residents and visitors will be thrilled to have the grill and bait shop open on the pier,” Carter said.

EAGER TO START

After leaving city hall, Seymour said, “We’re already in the process of getting the final designs from our designer.

We’ve got our equipment purchase list done. We need to hire a general contractor so we can start the permitting process and start building the space out. We’ve already been contacted by at least a dozen local hospitality workers who are interested in being part of this.

We’re going to put together an excellent team that’s got a lot of experience right from the start.”

6

THE SUN

OPINION

The Anna Maria Island Sun newspaper 3909 East Bay Drive, Suite 210, Holmes Beach, FL, 34217 Phone: (941) 778-3986 email: news@amisun.com | ads@amisun.com | classifieds@amisun.com

Like us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AnnaMariaIslandSun

Farmers market returns in October

The Anna Maria Island Sun Staff

On Tuesday, Oct. 13, the city of Anna Maria’s farmer’s market will resume seasonal operations under the shade sail at City Pier Park. The weekly Tuesday market will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and run through May 11. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the initial number of vendors will be limited to eight to 10, with an emphasis on fresh produce.

The market will be configured in a circle with hand sanitizing stations positioned in the middle.

Face-coverings and social distancing will be encouraged and monitored by city staff.

Publishers Mike Field Maggie Field Editor/CEO Mike Field Layout Ricardo Fonseca Reporters Cindy Lane Joe Hendricks Kristin Swain

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The emphasis will be on fresh produce when the city of Anna Maria’s farmer’s market returns.

Columnists Louise Bolger Outdoors editor Rusty Chinnis Advertising director Shona Otto Ad assistant Pamela Lee Classified ads Bob Alexander Graphics Elaine Stroili Ricardo Fonseca Digital/Social Media editor Cindy Lane Accounting John Reitz Distribution Bob Alexander Tony McNulty Connor Field Contributors Tom Vaught Pat Copeland Steve Borggren Monica Simpson

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Water quality concerns Note – This letter was sent to county commissioners Carol Whitmore and Steve Jonsson, Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth and others.

This letter is to express my concerns over the poor and apparently still deteriorating conditions of the tidal waters in Bimini Bay. Bimini Bay for the purpose of this letter is the network of canals north of the inlet from Tampa Bay

by Galati’s Marina.

My wife Anne and I have lived on the Marina Drive end of the canal on the north side of 83rd St. for over 20 years and until this spring we would point out crabs, starfish, schooling mullet and the like to generations of grandchildren. This year the spring turbidity never cleared up! Now, a bright white golf ball on a string is completely gone in less than two feet of water. I have several friends who live on canals further into the same canal network who say that their water has not cleared for a few years.

Having no means of identifying the cause of the poor water quality I can only assume: 1). That it has

to do with the continued building of new or renovated homes and increasing fertilizer runoff from new lawns. 2). The destruction of mangroves when new docks or seawalls are installed. There have been three new docks within eyesight of my back yard since July. 3). The fact that tidal water changes are weak at best in this dead-end canal network.

I’ve been considering purchasing one of the “reef boxes” that the Center of AMI is promoting and then asking others to do the same, but now I’m afraid that the water quality is so bad that the aquatic life that they attract cannot survive.

I’m asking for input on how this bad situation might be mitigated so that water quality improves to the point where my great grandchildren can once more enjoy learning about sea life and may be able to fish off our dock once more.

Thanks for any input.

Scott Ricci Holmes Beach

Thank you I would like to thank the residents, city staff and the city commissioners for all of your support

during my first term as mayor.

The commission has worked hard this year given the challenges of COVID-19 and their adjustments to Zoom meetings. Although we didn’t always agree on issues, they always treated each other with respect and dignity. I also would like to thank all who have contributed generously to our community park as it will be enjoyed for many years to come. I have to admit that even with the many challenges facing our city and country each day, these two years have truly been a labor of love. I know I have said it before, but if it wasn’t for Commissioner Pat Morton and his unrelenting effort to convince me to run for office and to help him get the city back in balance, I wouldn’t be sitting here today experiencing the joy in city leadership as a steward of this fine city. Although I was able to run unopposed this year, I promise to continue to work hard for not only our residents, but for our visitors and our business owners. Stay safe and stay kind.

Judy Holmes Titsworth Holmes Beach Mayor

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

www.amisun.com

SUNDAY WORSHIP 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM

In the SANCTUARY and ONLINE Go to www.RoserChurch.com Click WORSHIP-SIGNUP , WATCH LIVE or WATCH LATER Text ROSER to 22828 to receive the weekly eBulletin.

The CHAPEL is open during office hours for prayer & meditation.

941-778-0414 • info@RoserChurch.com • LIKE us on Facebook @RoserChurch

THE SUN

7

8

www.amisun.com

THE SUN

ON THE AGENDA

HOLMES BEACH

ANNA MARIA

City hall is open to the public by appointment only with safety protocols in place.

Please visit www.holmesbeachfl.org or contact city hall for more information.

Oct. 7, 6 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting Oct. 13, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session to follow

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

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

City hall is open to the public with limited capacity and safety protocols in place.

Please visit www.cityofannamaria.com or contact city hall for more information.

Oct. 8, 2 p.m. – City Commission special meeting Oct. 19, 2 p.m. – Planning and Zoning Board meeting

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

Chamber members party in Margaritaville The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce hosted its September business card exchange on the deck of the new Floridays Bar and Grill at One

Particular Harbour on Perico Island.

The restaurant is adjacent to the new Compass by Margaritaville Hotel on Anna Maria Sound.

MARKYOUR CALENDAR WEDNESDAY SEPT. 30

BRADENTON BEACH

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

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

Oct. 1, 9:15 a.m. – City Commission emergency special meeting Oct. 1, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting Oct. 7, 9:30 a.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency meeting Oct. 7, 2 p.m. – Scenic WAVES meeting Oct. 8, 9:15 a.m. – City Commission emergency special meeting Oct. 8, 1 p.m. – Department head meeting Oct. 15, 9:15 a.m. – City Commission emergency special meeting Oct. 15, noon – City Commission meeting

League of Women Voters of Manatee County Election Candidate Forum, online event, 5:30 p.m. Registration required at https:// us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qfuorjorHNBmfePmjCFaqj3SJXPi2xxY. Submit questions to info@lwvmanatee.org.

SHONA OTTO | SUN

Clockwise above, Compass and Floridays general manager France Langan welcomes everyone to the Sept. 24 event. Bill Long, president of Ocean-Aire Conditioning Inc., went home the night’s big winner after he won the gift basket.

Chamber members gathered on the outdoor deck at the new Floridays Bar and Grill at One Particular Harbour.

SATURDAY OCT. 3

Palma Sola Botanical Park Annual Plant Sale, 9800 17th Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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

Cleanup sponsored by Florida Beach Horses, Palma Sola Causeway on Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon.

ICES ANY HAPPY HOUR PR

TIME IT RAINS!

. . .

G N I N I A R WHEN IT’S

!

G N I R U O P WE’RE FT BEER A R D T C E L E $2.50 S SE WINE U O H 0 .5 3 $ LIQUOR T C E L E S 4 $ HALF-OFF E N O T E G E BUY ON PPETIZERS! SELECT A

DON'T LET THE RAIN BRING YOU DOWN, COME VISIT US ON THE PIER!

NEED A RIDE? CALL US FOR OUR FREE BEACH-TO-PIER SHUTTLE SERVICE!

BRIDGE ST. PIER BRADENTON BEACH 941.778.AMOB (2662)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

www.amisun.com

THE SUN

9

‛S YOUR COMFORT ZONE? WHERE

)5(( 6(/(&7 %277/( 2) :,1( ZLWK WKH SXUFKDVH RI WZR HQWUHHV YDOLG PRQGD\ IULGD\ D P WR S P WKURXJK RFWREHU

RSHQ GDLO\ DP SP UHVHUYDWLRQV VXJJHVWHG +DSS\ +RXU 0RQ 6DW 30 VZRUGILVKJULOO FRP 0DUNHU E\ ERDW

WK 6W : &RUWH]

10

www.amisun.com

THE SUN

Extra postage required for vote-by-mail ballots Seventy cents return postage is required to mail a vote-by-mail ballot back to the Supervisor of Elections Office.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

MANATEE COUNTY – The Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office has begun sending out vote-by-mail ballots to those who requested them, and, returning a ballot by mail will require additional postage.

For the general election that concludes Tuesday, Nov. 3, the return postage rate is 70 cents to mail a completed vote-bymail ballot to the Supervisor of Elections Office. The additional postage is required because the general election ballot consists of multiple pages.

According to the Manatee

County Supervisor of Elections website, returning a completed general election 2020 ballot by mail requires two Forever stamps or 70 cents worth of postage.

“If returning your vote-bymail by mail, the U.S. Postal Service suggests returning your ballot no later than one week prior to election day.

The return postage is $.70.,” according to the Supervisor of Elections website.

A single 55-cent Forever stamp will not provide adequate postage and the front side of the return envelope notes “Post Office will not deliver without proper postage.”

You must also sign the back of the return envelope before sending it to the Supervisor of Elections Office.

Mail ballots can currently be delivered in person, without postage, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to the elections

drop box at the Supervisor of Elections Office at 600 301 Blvd.

W., Suite 108, in Bradenton.

From Monday, Oct. 19 through Sunday, Nov. 1, voteby-mail ballots can be delivered in person, without postage, to any of the early voting locations in Manatee County from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Those locations are: • The Florida DOT administration office at 14000 SR 64 E. in Bradenton; • The Manatee County utilities administration office at 4410 66th St. W. in Bradenton; • Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. in Lakewood Ranch; • The Palmetto Library, 923 6th St. W. in Palmetto; • The Rocky Bluff Library, 6750 US Hwy 301 N. in Ellenton.

SEE POSTAGE, PAGE 27

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

New monitoring service for VRC violators Holmes Beach code compliance officers will soon have a new tool to help them monitor websites for vacation rental certificate program violators.

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

HOLMES BEACH – Commissioners voted unanimously to enter into a new contract for vacation rental monitoring services.

The contract was brought to the attention of commissioners on request of the city’s code compliance officers. With the new contract with Hamari by LTAS, officers will have three years of website monitoring to help them seek out advertising violations of the city’s vacation

rental certificate program.

Violations the officers are looking for include improper length of stay, advertising without a VRC certificate and higher than allowable occupancy, among other issues.

The new contract is valued at $32,000 for the first year and $30,000 each for the second and third years of the contract.

Commissioner Carol Soustek said the new monitoring company will give code compliance officers more search options and expand their ability to enforce the city’s VRC ordinance.

Soustek added that code compliance officers reached out to the city’s search provider, Host Compliance LLC, for a competing bid but did not receive a response.

The city’s contract with Host Compliance will terminate on Nov. 8.

www.amisun.com

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

THE SUN

11

Police boat lift now in place The Bradenton Beach CRA had until Sept.

30 to install the boat lift using WCIND grant funds.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bradenton Beach Police Department now has quicker access to the water thanks to the new boat lift installed next to the Bridge Street Pier.

Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift installed the lift after repositioning and repairing the floating dock that provides access to it.

Representatives of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce helped conduct a ribboncutting ceremony that served as the lift’s grand opening on Friday afternoon.

A few minutes before the ceremony, Duncan General Manager Steve Porter said, “We’re all done.

We had until Wednesday of next week and we’re putting the boat on it today.”

The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) had until Wednesday, Sept.

30 to complete the lift installation using a $50,000 West Coast Inland Navigation District grant approved by Manatee County commissioners in 2017.

On Sept. 14, the CRA members authorized Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift to install a 10,000-lb. capacity lift for about $37,813.

That day, the CRA members also authorized Duncan to complete the dock repairs and dock reposi-

tioning for an additional $11,600 as a separate project after learning the Hecker Construction Company that installed the floating dock in 2019 could not complete that work in time for Duncan to then meet the boat lift installation deadline.

While standing on the floating dock Friday afternoon, CRA member and Mayor John Chappie said, “Public safety is always the number one priority for any municipal government and having a place for our marine patrol officers to store the boat is going to help with rapid response when seconds matter. This will allow our officers to get out there as quickly as possible in emergency situations. Our officers will have more time on the water because they’re not going to have to go down to the boat ramp to launch the boat.”

Chappie praised City Attorney Ricinda Perry and Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift for completing the time-sensitive projects.

“We had a lot of issues and hurdles to get this done. Ricinda has done a great job pulling all the different threads together and I really appreciate that,” Chappie said.

“Duncan has always been a great partner with the city. We greatly appreciate it and we’re pleased with the results. They also built our pier and we’ve had no issues with it,” Chappie said.

“I’m pleased to provide another tool for our law enforcement officers and we could not have done this without the help of Duncan

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Above, a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on the floating dock Friday afternoon. Pictured from left to right are Mayor John Chappie, Duncan Seawall General Manager Steve Porter, Det. Sgt. Lenard Diaz, Officer Eric Hill, Officer Devon Straight and City Attorney Ricinda Perry. Right, Officer Devon Straight, Lt. John Cosby and Officer Eric Hill are pleased to have a boat lift for the police boat.

Seawall and the financial support provided by WCIND with the county commission’s support,” Perry said.

Officer Eric Hill serves as the city’s primary marine patrol officer in addition to his regular policing duties. He piloted the police boat to the boat lift Friday afternoon, accompanied by Officer Devon Straight.

“It’s going to make access to the water much easier. It’s been a long

time coming and we no longer have to launch from the Coquina boat ramp and ride the channel up – that can burn a half-hour easily. We can now just drop the boat in the water, handle our patrols and come back. A lot of people are happy to see this and they told me they feel safer,” Hill said.

Lt. John Cosby often accompanies Hill on the patrols of the navigable waters south of the pier that are home to several live-

aboard boaters.

“The quick response is going to be good. If there’s an issue we can go out and come right back.

On holidays, we have to wait at the boat ramp too and you know what the boat ramps look like on holidays. This is going to make us a lot more efficient. We’re going to send Officer Straight to training and he’ll be our second boat captain,” Cosby said.

12

THE SUN

www.amisun.com

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

www.amisun.com

THE SUN

13

14

www.amisun.com

THE SUN

BUSINESS

ANTIQUE/COLLECTIBLE STORE VINTAGE BEACH 5500 Marina Drive Holmes Beach, 900-2124

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

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

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

BIKE RENTAL BEACH BUMS ISLAND ATTITUDE 427 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 778-3316

BOATING STORE WEST MARINE

3622 1st St. Bradenton, 357-1657

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

CAR DEALER BOB BOAST VW

FITNESS THE CENTER / ISLAND FITNESS

HARDWARE STORE ACE HARDWARE

CAR WASH AMERICAN CAR CARE

FLOOR COVERINGS WADE’S CARPET & INTERIORS

HEAT & AIR AIR & ENERGY

CARPET CLEANER FAT CAT CARPET CLEANING

FLORIST JOSEY’S POSEYS

HOME BUILDER WHITEHEAD CONSTRUCTION

CLOTHING STORE VINTAGE BEACH

FRAME SHOP MICHAEL’S

HOTEL/MOTEL PALM TREE VILLAS

CONVENIENCE STORE ANNA MARIA GENERAL STORE AND DELI

GIFT SHOP BBM SHIP STORE

JEWELRY STORE ISLAND CHARMS

GROCERY STORE PUBLIX SUPERMARKET

LIQUOR STORE ABC FINE WINE & SPIRITS

4827 14th St. W. Bradenton, 755-8585

6412 Manatee Ave. W. Bradenton, 794-5007

5400 Holmes Blvd.

Holmes Beach, 778-2882

5500 Marina Drive Holmes Beach, 900-2124

503 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 779-9200

DRY CLEANER COURTESY CLEANERS

7421 Manatee Ave. W. Bradenton, 794-5145

ELECTRICIAN AIR & ENERGY

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

407 Magnolia Ave. Anna Maria, 778-5200

2911 Cortez Rd. W. Bradenton, 758-5049

6100 Manatee Ave. W. Bradenton, 792-6770

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

402 Church Ave. Bradenton Beach, 778-2288

3900 East Bay Drive Holmes Beach, 778-5422

HAIR SALON SALON SALON

3612 East Bay Drive Holmes Beach, 778-0400

3352 East Bay Drive Holmes Beach, 778-0999

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

4402 124th St. W. Cortez, 795-1984

207 66th St. Holmes Beach, 778-0910

501 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 242-0253

5810 Manatee Ave. W. Bradenton, 794-1437

SEE READERS, PAGE 15

www.amisun.com

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

FROM PAGE 14

MANICURIST TRINA ALOHA NAILS

4006 53rd Ave. E. Bradenton, 727-8889

MARINA BRADENTON BEACH MARINA

402 Church Ave. Bradenton Beach, 778-2288

MEN’S APPAREL BEALLS

6355 Manatee Ave. W. Bradenton, 761-1606

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

PACK & SHIP ISLAND MAIL & MORE

3230 East Bay Drive Holmes Beach, 778-1911

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

PET GROOMING THE PAW SPA

5343 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 778-0885

PET STORE (TIE) PETCO ANIMAL SUPPLIES 6757 Manatee Ave. W. Bradenton, 792-1295

PETSMART

4425 14th St. W. Bradenton, 753-2201

PHARMACIST TODD CVS PHARMACY

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

PHARMACY WALGREENS

3200 East Bay Drive Holmes Beach, 778-0451

PLUMBER AIR & ENERGY

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

POOL CLEANER RYAN HOGAN

707 45th St W. Bradenton, 807-1188

POOL CONTRACTOR TOM SANGER TOM SANGER POOL AND SPA LLC 5376 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 932-1414

REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATE JOHN DAMATO SATO REAL ESTATE INC.

519 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 778-7200

REAL ESTATE COMPANY SATO REAL ESTATE INC.

519 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 778-7200

RENTAL COMPANY SATO REAL ESTATE INC.

519 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 778-7200

RESORT LIZZIE LU’S

6000 Maria Drive Ste. 108 Holmes Beach, 782-8152

RETIREMENT COMMUNITY MT. VERNON 9516 Cortez Rd. W. Bradenton, 795-1610

THE SUN

SERVICE ORGANIZATION BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS 349 6th Ave. W. Bradenton, 746-7000

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

SHOPPING CENTER UTC

140 University Town Center Sarasota, 941-552-7000

SIGN MAKER PAUL WILLIAMS SOUVENIR SHOP (TIE) BRADENTON BEACH MARINA

402 Church Ave. Bradenton Beach, 778-2288

ISLAND BAZAAR

3304 East Bay Drive Holmes Beach, 778-3443

SPA SEARENITY BEACH SPA & BOUTIQUE

112 Bridge Street Bradenton Beach, 779-6836 SEE READERS, PAGE 16

15

16

www.amisun.com

THE SUN

TATTOO CLASSIC INK

ART GALLERY THE JOHN AND MABLE RINGLING MUSEUM OF ART

TRAVEL AGENCY AAA BRADENTON

ATTORNEY NICK SATO

FROM PAGE 15

306 Old Main Street Bradenton, 747-1700

6210 Manatee Ave. W. Bradenton, 798-2221

WINDOW REPAIR POWER UP

3007 11th St. W. Bradenton, 730-0779

WOMEN’S APPAREL VINTAGE BEACH

5500 Marina Drive Holmes Beach, 900-2124

PEOPLE & PLACES ARCHITECT WALKER HOWLE

1208 66th St. NW Bradenton, 404-964-5711

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN EMILY ANNE SMITH LLC

527 74th St. Holmes Beach, 778-3113

5401 Bay Shore Rd. Sarasota, 359-5700

2071 Ringling Blvd. #400 Sarasota, 861-4400

BAND MIKE SALES

Anna Maria Island 813-787-0231

BAR & GRILL HARRY’S GRILL

9903 Gulf Drive Anna Maria, 567-5999

BARTENDER JEFF WAGNER GULF DRIVE CAFÉ

900 Gulf Dr. N. Bradenton Beach, 778-1919

BEACH GULF DRIVE CAFÉ

900 Gulf Dr. N. Bradenton Beach, 778-1919

BOAT CAPTAIN JOHN DELEON ANNA MARIA PRINCESS

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

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

DENTIST ISLAND DENTAL SPA

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

DOCTOR STEPHEN PELHAM, M.D.

BUSINESS PERSON MIKE ZEPPI ANTHONY’S HEATING & COOLING

EYE CARE THE EYE ASSOCIATES

CATERER MOLLY O’CONNOR TRAVELING GOURMET

FINANCIAL PLANNER JOHN CAMPORA EDWARD JONES

1614 20th St. E. Palmetto, 749-5307

Anna Maria, 405-7627

CHARITY WILDLIFE INC.

2207 Ave. B Bradenton Beach, 778-6324

CHEF LUIS REYES

Harry’s Grill 9903 Gulf Drive Anna Maria, 567-5999

CHIROPRACTOR DR. DIANE L. MICHAELS

501 Village Green Parkway Bradenton, 761-0210

3909 East Bay Drive #100 Holmes Beach, 778-1007 6002 Pointe West Blvd.

Bradenton, 792-2020

3226 East Bay Dr. Holmes Beach, 779-2499

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

MASSAGE THERAPY AMANDA ESCOBIO RYAN SEARENITY BEACH SPA & BOUTIQUE

112 Bridge Street Bradenton Beach, 779-6836 SEE READERS, PAGE 21

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

www.amisun.com

THE SUN

17

18

www.amisun.com

THE SUN

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

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

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

Thank you for voting us your

2019

2019

www.WickedCantina.com

F M R!

Souvenirs & Gifts Recreational Rentals Electric Cart Rentals SUP & Kayak Rentals 2020

BRADENTON BEACH ~ 101 7th St. N. (941) 281-2990 Daily 7:30am-10pm

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

Live Music ~ Gulf View Dining ~ Full Parking SARASOTA ~ 1603 N. Tamiami Trail (941) 706-2395 Daily 11am-10pm

Happy Hour 12 - 5 Daily and ALL DAY Sunday

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

www.amisun.com

THE SUN

23

20

THE SUN

www.amisun.com

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

www.amisun.com

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

FROM PAGE 16

PERSONAL TRAINER DANIEL BASINGER SCHOOL ANNA MARIA ELEMENTARY 4700 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 708-5525

SCHOOL TEACHER KELLY STRINGER NOLAN MIDDLE SCHOOL

6615 Greenbrook Blvd.

Bradenton, 751-8200

VETERINARIAN JADE KAFER BEACH VET

4404 124th St. Ct. W. Cortez, 792-2828

VETERINARIAN CLINIC BEACH VET

4404 124th St. Ct. W. Cortez, 792-2828

VIEW GULF DRIVE CAFÉ

900 Gulf Dr. N. Bradenton Beach, 778-1919

WAITER/WAITRESS LESLIE HARRY’S GRILL

9903 Gulf Drive Anna Maria, 567-5999

YOGA INSTRUCTOR JENNY GREENE GREENE SOUL YOGA

GreeneSoulYoga.com 531-1519

FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT BAGEL SHOP PARADISE BAGELS & CAFÉ

3220 E. Bay Drive Holmes Beach, 779-1212

BAKERY HOMETOWN DESSERTS

507 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 896-3167

BARBEQUE SMOQEHOUSE

1701 Gulf Drive N. Bradenton Beach, 242-5340

BREAKFAST GULF DRIVE CAFÉ

900 Gulf Dr. N. Bradenton Beach, 778-1919

BURGER HARRY’S GRILL

9903 Gulf Drive Anna Maria, 567-5999

CAFÉ GULF DRIVE CAFÉ

900 Gulf Dr. N. Bradenton Beach, 778-1919

CANDY STORE FLIP FLOP SHOP & CANDY STOP 315 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 778-5694

CHINESE STONE BOWL

5516 Manatee Ave. W. Bradenton, 761-8899

DELI PUBLIX

3900 East Bay Drive Holmes Beach, 778-5422

FESTIVAL CORTEZ FISHING FESTIVAL

THE SUN

GERMAN RESTAURANT EDELWEISS

611 Manatee Ave. E. Bradenton 748-3838

GOLF COURSE KEY ROYALE GULF CLUB INC. 700 Key Royale Drive Holmes Beach, 778-3055

GROUPER SANDWICH GULF DRIVE CAFÉ

900 Gulf Dr. N. Bradenton Beach, 778-1919

HEALTH FOOD STORE RICHARD’S FOODPORIUM 6425 Manatee Ave. W. Bradenton, 795-0478

ICE CREAM SHOP TWO SCOOPS ICE CREAM 101 S. Bay Blvd.

Anna Maria, 779-2422

ITALIAN RESTAURANT VINNY’S ITALIAN KITCHEN

5337 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 896-9754 SEE READERS, PAGE 22

21

22

www.amisun.com

THE SUN

FROM PAGE 21

LIVE THEATER ISLAND PLAYERS

10009 Gulf Drive Anna Maria, 778-5755

MEXICAN RESTAURANT WICKED CANTINA

101 7th St. N. Bradenton Beach, 281-2990

MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT BEACH BISTRO 6600 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, 778-6444

NEW RESTAURANT SHORE

800 Broadway St. Longboat Key, 259-4600

NIGHT SPOT HARRY’S GRILL

9903 Gulf Drive Anna Maria, 567-5999

PIER ROD AND REEL PIER

875 North Shore Drive Anna Maria, 778-1885

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

PLACE TO SEE SUNSET GULF DRIVE CAFÉ

900 Gulf Dr. N. Bradenton Beach, 778-1919

RESTAURANT (OVERALL) GULF DRIVE CAFÉ

900 Gulf Dr. N. Bradenton Beach, 778-1919

SEAFOOD RESTAURANT ANNA MARIA OYSTER BAR

Bridge Street Pier Bradenton Beach, 778-2662

SPECIALTY GOURMET BLUE MARLIN

121 Bridge Street Bradenton Beach, 896-9737

SUB/SANDWICH PUBLIX

3900 East Bay Drive Holmes Beach, 778-5422

TAKEOUT HARRY’S GRILL

9903 Gulf Drive Anna Maria, 567-5999

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

www.amisun.com

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

THE SUN

23

ORDINANCE: Invalidated by state order FROM PAGE 1

practicing social distancing voluntary rather than mandatory. The announcement withdrew local municipalities’ ability to penalize anyone not wearing a mask when indoors in a public space or when unable to social distance in public, rendering the Holmes Beach mask ordinance unenforceable.

Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth said that city leaders are still recommending the use of masks and facial coverings when unable to social distance or indoors.

“We will continue to ask and keep it on our signs,” Titsworth said in a message to The Sun. She added that the governor’s move to enact Phase 3, specifically the removal of mask and social distancing guidelines, will negatively impact Anna Maria Island’s COVID-19 infection numbers, which have so far remained SEE ORDINANCE, PAGE 27

DAN'S FAN CITY LARGEST SELECTION OF INDOOR & OUTDOOR FANS ANYWHERE! DESIGN

YOUR FAN

BRING IN THIS AD FOR $

ASK US HOW

$

30- 100 OFF DC Motor Fans SOME RESTRICTIONS APPLY.

PROMO CODE: LPdisc Good Thru 10/04/20

New Technology Sizes 44” to 96”

Bradenton

Superior Energy Savings Over 15 Models Available!

1808 Cortez Road

Open 7 Days A Week

755-3262

Parts, Services & Installation Available

24

THE SUN

OUTDOORS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

Sarasota Bay Watch releases clams Reel Time RUSTY CHINNIS

S

arasota Bay Watch conducted its first post-COVID-19 clam release on Saturday, Sept. 26. SBW board members and volunteers gathered at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron in the morning to transfer clams to Sarasota Bay. The clams were raised by clam farmer Carter Davis in Pine Island Sound. Gulf Coast Eagle Distributing’s John Saputo provided a refrigerated truck to transport the clams and Mike Welch from Eagle drove the truck. Once at the Sailing Squadron, the clams were loaded on a barge provided by Larry Beggs of Reef Innovations.

Twenty high school students from Riverview, Venice and the Sarasota Military Academy received community service hours for their work. Community service is required for graduation, but has been hard to come by during the pandemic. Volunteers also provided 11 boats to the effort.

Science partners including the Gulf Shellfish Institute, Mote Marine, Florida Sea Grant and Florida Atlantic University benefit from the deployment. They are conducting studies on predation and aquaculture.

Whelks and rays, the main predators of clams, are being acoustically monitored at the release site.

CDC guidelines were followed during the event. All participants had their temperatures taken and were required to wear masks and social distance. SBW is scheduled to release more than 750,000 clams in 2020 and 2021.

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

Above, volunteers stand by to transfer clams to Reef Innovation's barge.

Left, clams head for a new home in Sarasota Bay.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

www.amisun.com

THE SUN

25

Captains on the road: Georgia's vanishing brook trout CAPTAIN DAVE WHITE

Typically, the month of September is quite slow in this business due to lack of tourism. The Canadians are typically back home in Canada, the kiddies are all back in school, and the parents are all back to work. This year, things have been a bit, well… different. With a lot of students doing remote learning, and the height of the pandemic happening right around spring break time, it seems people are still traveling to the Sunshine State in greater numbers than before. With international travel suspended, I think folks are spending their vacation dollars down here. I typically take the month of September off to vacation myself. But with the phone calls still rolling in, I started a bit later this year.

For the first leg of my trip, I’ve spent the last two weeks in Mineral Bluff, Georgia, about 25 minutes from Blue Ridge, targeting wild brown and rainbow trout. But my favorite is the native brook trout. Pushed from its home waters much like the native Cherokee Indians, the native brookies are eaten by the much larger, introduced brown and rainbows. The only place you can still find them is in very high elevations with some sort of natural barrier in the water, such as a waterfall, to keep the invasive brown and rainbows at bay.

The fish only reach about 12 inches max in these small, spring-fed mountain streams. And rarely will you ever see one that big.

I was fortunate enough to get my largest to date this trip. About a 10inch male all lit up in his fall spawning colors. He ate an orange Stimulator fly, mimicking the October Caddis that can be seen in the forest this time of year. I use a small 7-foot rod with a 2-weight reel.

CAPTAIN RICK GRASSETT

Fishing should turn on this month.

Schools of reds will begin to break up and scatter on shallow flats. There should also be good action with snook

SUBMITTED

Captain David White prepares to release an adult male brook trout. This fish was caught in the West Fork of the Pigeon River, high in the Pisgah National Forest. and big trout in shallow water. Snook will gorge themselves at night around lighted docks in the ICW. There should also be good action in the coastal Gulf with Spanish mackerel, false albacore (little tunny), tripletail and cobia. You might also still find tarpon anywhere from upper Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay to along the beaches.

Snook, reds and spotted seatrout remain closed to harvest on the west coast of Florida. The Florida FWC has extended a temporary modification of regulations for reds, snook and trout in the areas affected by the recent red tide. The area extends from Pasco County south to the south bank of Gordon Pass in Collier County. Reds, snook and trout are catch and release only in that zone until May 31, 2021.

Full details including exact boundaries can be found at https://myfwc.com/ news/all-news/extended-cnr-220/.

Snook will move from passes and the surf as water temperature cools and days get shorter. They will stage

around docks and bridges in the ICW and along sandbars, potholes and along mangrove shorelines. They may blow up on top water plugs or fly poppers in shallow water early or late in the day. CAL jigs with shad tails and jerk worms or DOA Shrimp should work well around docks and bridges and on shallow flats. The 4” CAL shad tail should work very well on the flats since larger baits will be prevalent there. I like larger flies, like Lefty’s Deceiver and my Grassett Flats Bunny, for snook on the flats for the same reason. Fly anglers should also score with small white flies or Gurglers around lighted docks and bridge fenders. Fish peak tidal flows for the best action.

Tarpon will still be an option this month. I find them in upper Charlotte Harbor this time of year. Look for them feeding in ladyfish schools or rolling in deep water to find them. DOA Baitbusters and Swimming Mullet are my top producing lures for large tarpon.

Fly anglers should score with many

of the same flies that work for sight casting to them along the beaches. I use 12-weight fly tackle with a floating or clear intermediate sink tip line for large tarpon. You’ll also find juvenile tarpon from 10 to 30 pounds in many creeks and canals. Spin anglers should score with DOA Shrimp or TerrorEyz on snook tackle. Fly anglers can handle the smaller fish on 8 or 9-weight fly rods with sink tip fly lines and a scaled down version of any fly that large tarpon will eat. I’ve also found tarpon feeding in the coastal Gulf in October.

They are usually scattered over a broad area, feeding in bait schools. This “reverse migration” may only last for a short while but it can be really good!

Big schools of reds that are more common in August and September will break up into smaller schools, singles and doubles by the end of the month.

As water cools and baitfish school up, reds will feed in shallow water. I like to pole my flats skiff to hunt for reds in shallow water. Focus on baitfish or mullet schools to find reds. CAL jigs with shad tails, including the 4” CAL shad tail and DOA Baitbusters are some of my favorite lures to locate reds with. If the tide is very low, weedlessrigged CAL shad tails or DOA Shrimp rigged backwards will work well in the thick turtle grass. Once I’ve located fish, wading is often the best way to approach them when fly fishing. I like a long leader (12’) on a floating fly line with a lightly weighted fly with a weed guard, like my Grassett Flats Minnow.

When you have good sunlight, you may be able to sight fish them on light colored bottom, like sandbars or potholes.

You’ll also find big trout in many of the same areas in shallow water. I would approach locating big trout the same way as reds. Focus on baitfish or mullet schools to find them and use the same lures and flies to catch them. Some of the best action that I’ve experienced with big trout was at first light with big trout feeding in baitfish schools in very shallow water.

26

THE SUN

REAL ESTATE

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

Mortgage interest rates lowest since 1971

B

ased on current interest rates, it’s a great time to buy a home, and it’s also a great time to sell a home. At this moment in time, sellers have the upper hand, prices are high, inventory is low and buyers are chomping at the bit to buy while interest rates are historically low.

The mortgage interest rates are so low that as of this writing they’re actually the lowest ever recorded by Freddie Mac since 1971, coming in at 3.23% for a 30-year fixed-rate loan. On Bankrate.com, I found an average rate of 3.01%. Remember that rates fluctuate daily and also depend on a buyer’s creditworthiness as well as the amount of down payment and points applied.

The drop in interest rates started in March and continued in April after the country was shut down because of the coronavirus. In March, the rate was about 4.2%, a full point higher than is typical now. Now the conversation from the financial talking heads is that

Castles in the Sand LOUISE BOLGER the rates may stay low forever or at least for the foreseeable future until the country totally recovers from the financial impact of the virus. Needless to say, lenders are overwhelmed with applications, giving them the leverage to pick and choose.

Refinancing has also been strong, with homeowners attempting to lower their monthly rate during difficult times and/or pull cash out to help with expenses or attack those long overdue home improvements.

The problem is the banks are reserving their best rates for homebuyers - not homeowners who want to

refinance. To make that situation even worse, Freddie Mac levied a new fee on lenders for most refinancing to protect them from potential losses; remember the 2008 housing bubble. Refinance rates even make a difference if the borrower just wants a straight refinance to lower their monthly payment or wants to pull cash out, which would typically have a higher rate.

Since mortgage interest rates have a direct effect on real estate sales, let’s take a look at the August sales numbers from the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee website.

First of all, both Manatee and Sarasota counties broke another record for the median (half above and half below) sale price of single-family homes; Manatee at $360,000 and Sarasota at $330,000.

Manatee County single-family homes closed 9% more properties than August of last year. As stated, the median sale

price was $360,000, which is up 13.6% from last year, and the average sale price was $480,903, 17.7% up from last year.

Median time to contract was 30 days; last August it was 42 days. The month’s supply of available properties was 2.1 months; last year it was 3.3 months.

Condo sales were up 54.2%, the median sale price was $223,000, up 8.8% from last year. The average sale price was $261,548, up 4.1% from last year.

Time to contract was 46 days; last year it was 50 days. The month’s supply of available properties was 3.3 months; last year it was 3.6 months.

Great numbers for property owners and sellers, but I’m still worried about the lack of inventory here and across the country. Record low interest rates and a change in lifestyle created by the coronavirus has accelerated the demand for properties. In the meantime, we can all enjoy the real estate wave.

Stay safe.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

www.amisun.com

POSTAGE: Extra required for mail-in ballots FROM PAGE 10

THE SUN

27

ORDINANCE: Invalidated by state order

LATE ARRIVING BALLOTS

On Aug. 21, the Supervisor of Elections Office distributed an email containing a message from Supervisor of Elections Mike Bennett regarding voteby-mail ballots returned too late to be counted for the primary election that concluded Tuesday, Aug. 18.

“With all the talk about the post office and voteby-mail ballots arriving late or not at all, Michael Bennett, Manatee County Supervisor of Elections, wants to make sure everyone is aware of the voter’s responsibility,” the elections office email said.

“It’s not the post office that made these ballots late, the voter waited until Election Day to mail their ballot,” Bennett said in the email.

“Some voters may be under the impression that it is the postmark date that enables their vote to be counted. Supervisor Bennett wants everyone to know, that’s not true. Per Florida Statute, ballots are accepted at the secure ballot drop box located outside of my office up to 7 p.m. on Election Day, not postmarked Election Day,” the email said.

The email noted more than 300 vote-by-mail had arrived late as of Aug. 21 and 124 of those were postmarked Aug. 18.

“None of them are eligible to be counted. Voters whose ballots were received after Election Day that were postmarked the 18th – or even within a few days of that date – cannot blame the delay on the post office. It’s very disappointing that voters did not mail their ballots in time to be counted. So

FROM PAGE 23

MANATEE COUNTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS OFFICE | SUBMITTED

Supervisor of Elections Mike Bennett examines 124 vote-by-mail ballots postmarked the same day as the Aug. 18 primary election. please, don’t blame the post office,” Bennett said in the Aug. 21 email.

According to Chief Deputy Sharon Stief, Saturday, Oct. 24, is the deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot to be mailed to you. Monday, Oct. 5, is the deadline to register to vote in this year’s general election.

More information is available at the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections website.

low. The Island has had 55 total reported cases of the novel coronavirus as of Sept. 27, according to the Florida Department of Health.

“This concerns me as I feel the mask and social distancing mandates made people feel comfortable to leave their homes and shop again,” Titsworth said.

The governor’s order into Phase 3 not only did away with the ability to penalize for not wearing masks, it also allowed businesses including restaurants, bars, salons, gyms, theme parks, retail stores and others to return to normal operations at full capacity with no restrictions.

The move to Phase 3 also allows for government meetings to resume in person. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 shutdowns, the city of Holmes Beach has held all of its commission meetings via teleconference. City planning commissioners held their first meeting since March on Sept. 9 in commission chambers with social distancing guidelines implemented during the meeting.

Titsworth said that it will be up to the city commission chair, Commissioner Jim Kihm, to determine when the city commission will return to in person meetings. Government meetings are currently allowed to be held in Florida by teleconference under the governor’s declared state of emergency. Currently, the state of emergency is scheduled to expire Nov. 3.

28

THE SUN

www.amisun.com

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

ORDER: Restaurants and bars allowed full capacity FROM PAGE1

closures and other types of restrictions. The order I’m signing today will guarantee restaurants can operate a minimum of 50% regardless of local rule.”

There have been no local restaurant or bar capacity regulations imposed on Anna Maria Island or in Manatee County beyond those previously imposed

by DeSantis and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

DeSantis said the restaurant industry has worked hard to provide safe environments for patrons.

“They take this obligation seriously. They want customers to have confidence, so they have every incentive to do that going forward,” he said.

“In the state of Florida, every business has an opportunity and the right to work. You can’t say no after six months and just have people twisting in the wind,” DeSantis said, noting there may be instances where “reasonable” local restrictions remain.

“No COVID-19 emergency ordinance may prevent an individual from working or from operating a business,” his order says.

“The beginning of July was the peak of infections – between July 7th and July 14th – and it’s kind of gone down ever since. The hospitalizations peaked on July 21st. COVID-positive hospitalizations are down 76% since the July peak,” DeSantis said.

He said sports and entertainment venues can operate without state-imposed COVID restrictions.

Regarding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, DeSantis said, “I very much support the Bucs having fans. Outdoor transmission has not been a major factor. I also want to show we’re going to be able to host a Super Bowl in February. We expect to do a full Super Bowl.”

On Saturday, the Bucs announced a limited number of fans would be allowed to attend home games beginning with a soft opening on Oct. 4 and increasing to approximately 25% capacity on Oct. 18.

DeSantis also mentioned the music industry.

“We have musicians. They should be able to play, particularly these outdoor venues. You can do it and you can do it safely. We want to make sure they have an opportunity. I think you can get to yes on all of this stuff and there’s certainly no legal prohibition for them doing fans,” DeSantis said.

FLORIDA CHANNEL | SUBMITTED

Gov. Ron DeSantis referenced COVID-19 fatality rates when announcing his reopening plans.

When asked about mask mandates, DeSantis said, “As an act of executive grace, all outstanding fines and penalties that have been applied against individuals are suspended. I think we need to get away from trying to penalize people and just work with people constructively.”

He also said, “The fact that you continue to move forward with the economy doesn’t mean the virus disappears. It’s something we’re going to have to deal with. But doing that from a fetal position – where society flounders, people are out of work, kids aren’t in school – that is not going to work and that’s not the way forward for us.”

Sen. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, said the state of Florida’s revenue collections for the month of August were $177 million more than post-pandemic estimates.

SEE JUMP, PAGE 29

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

www.amisun.com

THE SUN

29

ORDER: Restaurants and bars allowed full capacity FROM PAGE 28

“We are already on the path to recovery and what the governor’s doing here today is just going to continue that path, and perhaps accelerate it,” Galvano said.

LOCAL MASK MANDATES PREEMPTED BY STATE

When contacted Friday afternoon, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said DeSantis’ order renders the city’s emergency face-covering order unenforceable and the local order would be allowed to expire on Tuesday.

“What’s the purpose of having a mask order in place if there’s no penalty for a violation? There is no purpose,” Murphy said.

Anna Maria’s emergency face-covering order carries a $50 fine, but no fines had been issued in Anna Maria.

“I hope it’s the right thing to do. I

truly support businesses reopening.

The economy, and particularly the restaurant business, has taken a terrible hit as a result of COVID-19. People are out of work and businesses are failing.

I don’t want this in our city, but on the other hand, it seemed reasonable to request people wear masks. Now it appears there’s nothing we can do if they refuse. I think the economy will determine whether this is the right move or the wrong move and people will decide whether they want to go to a restaurant or not,” he said.

Anna Maria resident Bob Carter expressed concerns about the reopening order.

“As a resident of Anna Maria – a resort town where 70% of the houses are rentals – the infection risks are elevated with thousands of tourists in and out every week. With no fines, restaurants at 100% capacity and unmasked bars

and restaurants can quickly become infection centers. I hope each city and each establishment owner considers keeping precautions in place to protect employees and patrons,” Carter said.

When contacted Friday, County Administrator Cheri Coryea was asked what impact the governor’s order has on the county face-covering mandate – a mandate that currently applies in unincorporated areas of Manatee County, including Cortez, and in cities that did not enact their own face-covering mandates, including Bradenton Beach.

“Because face coverings in the county are only required if you are unable to social distance 6 feet apart or more, and not while dining, it shouldn’t have an impact,” Coryea said.

Enacted on July 27, the county’s facecovering mandate carries a written warning for a first offense, a $50 fine for a second offense, a $125 fine for a

third offense and a $250 fine for subsequent offenses. Those fines are now suspended per DeSantis’ order.

The authority to extend or repeal the county’s face-covering mandate in the wake of DeSantis’ order lies with the county commission.

Regarding DeSantis’ reopening order, Coryea said, “This should be most impactful to laid-off employees of the restaurant industry. I’m glad to see these folks able to return to work.

Manatee County’s COVID-19 cases appear to be in a leveling off period – not much movement up or down in the last 30 days. As seasonal residents begin to return, opening up the capacity of restaurants while still using smart social distancing and sanitizing brings employees back to work and supports a needed boost to the local economy.

SEE ORDER, PAGE 31

30

www.amisun.com

THE SUN

OBITUARIES

James “Jim� Robert Bell

James “Jim� Robert Bell, 84, was called home by his Heavenly Father on September 15, 2020, after a brief illness.

He will be long remembered for his devotion to his family, strong faith in God and unwavering morals; those principles provided the foundation on which his loved ones stood, continuing to support them even today. Rest assured; he is most certainly at peace with his Maker. Jim was born as the only child to the late Mr. Edward W. and Mrs. Marian E. Bell, nĂŠe Gane in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 25, 1936. He was baptized in and a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church; most recently Jim and his wife attended Roser Memorial Community Church in Anna Maria, Florida. They were residents of Westminster Towers in Bradenton. Ever the overachiever, after graduating from Lincoln High School in Philadelphia, and joining the Army National Guard, and while attending Drexel University in the evenings, and later Temple University, Jim worked for the F.J. Stokes Corporation, where, in 1956, he would meet his future wife. James and Margaret “Peggyâ€?

Bell were married on May 25, 1957. They started their life together living in Northeast Philadelphia, where Jim was born and raised. In July of 1962, the couple would welcome their first child, a son, Glenn Robert, and within a few short years, relocate the young family to a brand new home in Warminster, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

In December of 1967, the family would be complete with the birth of a new daughter, Lisa Doris. Jim had the good fortune of being able to work for the same employer his entire life, eventually retiring in 1992 as the Manager of the Contracts and Legal Department of Alfa Laval, Inc. where he had the privilege of being able to retire at age 56 while enjoying a comfortable lifestyle rich with many friends and travel activities. With their own children grown and married, the newly-retired couple moved to Holmes Beach, Florida, where they would

enjoy the next phase of their life together in their new roles as grandparents, when in 1995 and 2001, Glenn and his wife, Nelia, blessed them with grandchildren Lindsey and Andrew, respectively.

Jim was an avid student of history, who always enjoyed deep philosophical discussions; he had a fabulous, intelligent sense of humor and would engage with anyone who stopped to chat. Very much a natural born teacher, he always had time to answer a question or solve a problem, no matter how small. James Robert Bell is dearly missed by his loved ones, who celebrate the fact that he is at peace with his creator and in the company of his heavenly family and friends. James is survived by his son, Glenn; daughter-in-law, Nelia (Abais); daughter, Lisa; granddaughter, Lindsey (Willis); and grandson, Andrew. He is preceded in death by his wife, Margaret “Peggy;� father, Edward; and mother, Marian (Gane). A private visitation was held for the family on September 25 at Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 26th Street Chapel, 5624 26th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34207. Condolences may be made to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

BEACH BEAT BRADENTON BEACH

9/12, abandoned boat, 100 12th St. S. Police learned that an abandoned boat moored near the pier had come loose during a storm and floated to a dock at 12th Street South. Police tried to find an owner. No further action was taken.

9/21, abandoned vehicle, Leffis Key, 2600 Gulf Drive S. A Manatee County code enforcement officer informed police a motorcycle was abandoned at Leffis Key parking lot. Efforts to find the owner were unsuccessful; the county had it towed.

9/20, stolen vehicle, Coquina Park, 2650 Gulf Drive S. Three men who had a truck with a trailer full of furniture for a woman in Plant City stopped at the beach to swim and one of them allegedly stole the truck.

 ��� � ��  � �­­ € � ‚ ƒ „… �  † ‡ ˆ

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

www.amisun.com

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

THE SUN

31

ORDER: Restaurants and bars allowed full capacity FROM PAGE 29

Today’s number of unemployment claims for Manatee County reached over 36,660. We will know in about two weeks how impactful this change was.”

BUSINESS COMMUNITY REACTS

DeSantis’ decision produced mixed reactions from the business community.

When contacted Saturday, Island Time General Manager Michael Davis said the Bradenton Beach establishment was operating at 100% capacity again.

“Business is picking up. We’re seeing more volume today and we’re getting the NFL Ticket back tomorrow,” Davis said.

The Drift In is also operating at 100% capacity.

“I feel better not having to be the mask police and sending customers away because we were at our full 50% capacity. Staff will continue to wear masks until the Manatee County mandate changes,” manager Doreen Flynn said.

Sports Lounge bartender Patrick Edwards said, “We still require you to wear a mask when you walk in the door. We are at full

capacity now. We do encourage social distancing and no longer have to sell food. So far those are the only changes that have been made.”

Bridge Tender Inn owner and retired physician Fred Bartizal expressed mixed feelings.

“It is a mistake at this time. It is good as a businessman, but bad as a physician,” he said of DeSantis’ order.

In Anna Maria, Ginny’s and Jane E’s café and coastal store owner Paul Foster said, “We are still requiring masks and social distancing. No change there. We are still analyzing our occupancy – no changes outside; inside we are going to try to get to 75% capacity.

We are going to hang more plexiglass dividers. Our focus is on our customer and staff safety first.”

Chuck Wolfe is the CEO of the Chiles Group that owns and operates The Sandbar restaurant in Anna Maria, the Beach House restaurant in Bradenton Beach and the Mar Vista Dockside restaurant in Longboat Key. “We have not changed any of our policies. We continue to do outdoor seating only and we still

The fact that you continue to move forward with the economy doesn’t mean the virus disappears.

It’s something we’re going to have to deal with.”

Ron DeSantis, Florida Governor require guests to have masks on when inside the building,” Wolfe said, noting Chiles Group employees will continue wearing masks.

In Cortez, Swordfish Grill General Manager Bob Slicker said, “We are continuing safe social distancing to keep our guests and team safe.”

32

THE SUN

SPORTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

Recreational sports in full swing at The Center

BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN

With the conclusion of the adult coed soccer recreational league season and the awarding of the Hayward Cup, The Center field lights are lit three nights a week with youth soccer, adult flag football and another season of adult soccer.

The kiddos start the week on Tuesday nights with soccer players as young as 3 years old getting touches on the ball.

Two youth soccer age groups field nine teams sponsored by local businesses whose financial contribution helps to ensure that every child in the community stays active playing sports.

Looking at two more regular season weeks of play, the records are tight with Beach Bums, Moss Builders and Progressive Cabinetry, all with a 1-0-1 record in the 8-to 10-year-old league.

HSH enters Week 4 with one win and two losses.

Team Miz & Hiz Biz, a new sponsor of the league, is still seeking its first win going into the next game with a 0-2-1 record.

The older kids have two teams on top with a 2-0-1 record. Both Tidy MD and Gulf Drive Café are being chased by team Ugly Grouper and Slim’s Place.

Scoring for Progressive Cabinetry in their win against HSH was Jack McCarthy with two goals and Jesse Zaccagnino with a single.

In the tied ballgame, Nixon Conner scored a solo goal for Miz & Hiz Biz only to be matched by Beach Bums’ Ryan Cyrus.

Hammish Robertson was the first to score in the older youth league for Ugly Grouper against Slim’s Place, which was scoreless.

Youth soccer action ended in another tie with Gulf Drive Café’s Carter Eurice scoring the team’s only goal. Tidy MD’s Victor Albrecht scored the single point for his team.

Wednesday night, the adults lit up the field with flag football action.

Fresh at the end of the last season, these tried and true players took to the pitch without missing a beat.

The first game of the night started with a Signature Granite blowout against Sato Real Estate, ending with the score 9-1. Sato’s scoring was spread among the roster. Zach Leib and Ugur Durmaz both had a hat trick in the match, with two for Kris Yavalar and a single by Olsin Crean.

THE CENTER | SUBMITTED

Beach Bums’ Ryan Cyrus works to keep the soccer ball in bounds with Miz & Hiz Biz defender Riley Kaecki hot on his heels.

The other three were close matchups.

Solid Rock Construction took the second win of the night by a single point against Skinny’s Place. Blalock Walters followed suit with its victory against Ugly Grouper. Slim’s Place did not waver from the pattern with their W in the game against Progressive Cabinetry.

Thursday night lights came on for week two of adult flag football play at The Center. The outcomes of the games were close until the last game of the night and the last matchup of the week at the community center.

The ladies of the league brought study hands to the field. Moss Builders’ Evelyn Long scored a receiving touchdown in the 35-25 game against Gulfview Windows and Doors.

Despite the loss, McKenna Ainger put up statistics as the quarterback for a touchdown for her Sandbar team. In the win against Sandbar, league veteran Dina DeJesus showed why she is a force on the field with seven catches, one for six points, in addition to extra point scoring.

In the following game, Bri Roberts

had three receptions in the game for the Solid Rock Construction’s one-point win against Slim’s Place. Roberts is credited with a critical one-point conversion.

Ugly Grouper’s Avory Lavalliere, the team’s required female player, scored two touchdowns and had an extra point in the blowout win against Progressive Cabinetry to end the night’s action.

SUN SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 YOUTH CO-ED SOCCER 8- TO 10-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE HSH Progressive Cabinetry

(1-2) 0 (1-0-1) 3

Beach Bums Miz & Hiz Biz

(1-0-1) 1 (0-2-1) 1

YOUTH CO-ED SOCCER 11- TO 14-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE Slim’s Place Ugly Grouper

Tidy MD Gulf Drive Café

(0-3) 0 (1-2) 1 (2-0-1) 1 (2-0-1) 1

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 ADULT CO-ED SOCCER WEEK #1 Signature Granite Sato Real Estate

9 1

Skinny’s Place Solid Rock Construction

4 5

Ugly Grouper Blalock Walters

4 5

Slim’s Place Progressive Cabinetry

7 6

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 ADULT CO-ED FLAG FOOTBALL WEEK #2

Moss Builders (1-1) 35 Gulfview Windows and Doors (0-1) 25 Sandbar Beach Bums

(1-1) 36 (1-1) 41

Solid Rock Construction Slim’s Place

(2-0) 36 (1-1) 35

Ugly Grouper Progressive Cabinetry

(1-0) 39 (0-2) 6

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

FUN IN THE SUN

Across 1 Massage reactions 4 Hungarian stew 11 Watch chain 14 Watch 15 Entertainer 16 Make fun of 17 Crowdfunding website 19 Medicinal bath site 20 Starts a poker pot 21 Fabled loser 22 Sporty Pontiacs 23 "__ here": "The place is empty" 25 Recliner part 27 Surly mutt 28 Squalid 31 Stand for an oil, say 32 Superman's symbol 33 Notable period 34 Sinclair Lewis preacher Elmer __ 35 Civilian activity site during wartime ... and

Answers to 09-23-20 Crossword Puzzle.

what the end of 17-, 25-, 49- and 59-Across can be 38 Sultans' groups of wives 41 Non-neutral atom 42 Covert missions 45 Deck out 46 Can't stomach 48 Zodiac critter with horns 49 Sprint rival 51 Wander from the talking point 53 Virtual video game people 54 Food for horses 57 Magician's cry 58 "Mork & Mindy" planet 59 "The Silence of the Lambs" Oscar-winning actress 61 Service charge 62 Like many bazaars

THE SUN

63 Had a bite 64 Cook in oil 65 Oppressive rule 66 What Dr. Leary tripped on Down 1 Suspicious way to look 2 Shockingly evil 3 Circle parts, in geometry 4 Hydrogen and oxygen 5 Uneaten morsel 6 Nevada neighbor 7 Old Roman money 8 Off the mark 9 Navigate 10 Sailor's pronoun 11 First to the finish 12 One against 13 Really awful, as weather 18 Barbie's beau 22 President with fitting initials 24 "It's not how it __" 26 Intend 29 "__ you joking?"

30 Underworld society 34 One who's done for 35 Kitchen rack lineup 36 '70s-'80s Dodge model 37 Nonsense 38 "Let's tip our caps (to) ... " 39 Fan who might be secret

40 Item a hotel guest might forget to return on leaving 42 Relating to a planetary path 43 Portable warehouse

platforms 44 Ruined the reputation of 46 Aptly named soccer shot 47 Like umami's taste

50 Eccentric 52 Yr.'s 12 55 Singer Turner 56 Penn name 59 Write quickly 60 Half a sawbuck

33

34

THE SUN

CLASSIFIED

ANNOUNCEMENTS

EMPLOYMENT

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

JESSIE’S ISLAND STORE has immediate openings for full and part time cashiers for both day and night shifts. 2 to 3 shifts per week apply in person at 5424 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach or call 941778-6903

ROSER FOOD BANK needs donations of cash and non-perishable food, PAPER & PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS. Donations boxes are located at the Church, Moose Club, and Walgreen’s.

BOATS BOATS ARE STILL SELLING Very Well. No Listing Agreements.

No Time Constraints, Just Easy 20 years, Excellent Reputation, Hundreds of Boats Sold. Islandboatsales. net 941-228-3489

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

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

COMMERCIAL SALES, RENT & LEASE 13 UNIT RESORT: $3,999,900 Bradenton Beach on Gulf Dr. WAREHOUSE: 9300 sq ft possible Machine Shop w/ Heavy Duty Elect. Or Car Storage. So many Possibilities. Near SRQ Airport. $595,000. Island Real Estate call 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

AMISUN.COM

Call us today! 941-778-3986

HOTEL ON ANNA MARIA seeking Housekeeper Full time, Part time. Must have two years experience. We drug test.

Must speak English. If no Answer, leave message.

813-735-4373.

THE AWARD-WINNING ANNA MARIA ISLAND SUN, a weekly newspaper on Florida’s Gulf Coast, (https://amisun. com; www.facebook. com/AnnaMariaIslandSun), is looking for a freelance reporter/ photographer to cover events on this tourismdriven island. The ideal candidate will have reporting and photography experience at a community newspaper and have some experience writing for a news website. Local residents or those with previous local knowledge and willing to relocate here a plus. Resumes and cover letters may be emailed to news@amisun.com or

by U.S. Postal Service to The Anna Maria Island Sun, P.O Box 1189, Anna Maria, FL 34216, attention: Mike Field, publisher.

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

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

KERN CONSTRUCTION NEW Homes & Remodel.

Design/Build. Since 1968.

License # CRC1327296.

Call Jerry Kern 941-7781115 www.kernconstructioninc.com GET’R DONE DRYWALL, INC Specializing in Remodels & Repairs. Island Resident for 18 years. Call Neil Cell 941-962-1194 MASTER CARPENTER. Decks-Docks-FencingStairs & Railing. Free Estimates. Handyman Work. Call Richard 941448-3571 JSAN CORPORATION Renovations Construction & Handyman Services 941-243-0995 Lic# CRC1332505 jsancorporation@gmail. com Flooring, Drywall, Painting, Repairs, Kitchen and Bathrooms, Trim & Doors.

Free Estimates. Credit Cards Accepted.

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

Licensed and insured.

References available.

Call Chris at 941-3028759 please visit website: isletileservices.com COASTAL INTERIORS Trim, paint, repairs and more 27yrs experience Local 786-318-8585

HOME SERVICES THE HARDWOOD STOP Flooring installation services; Laminate, hardwood, vinyl and tile. Bathroom and shower. Virtually dustless FLOOR REMOVAL License and insured FREE ESTIMATES 941-227-0041 www.thehardwoodstop. com

LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE

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

Neil 941-726-3077

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

Call Rafael 941-778-4823 or Veronik 941-526-7941

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

STRAIGHT SHOT LANDSCAPE. Specializing in Old Florida Seashell driveways and scapes. Also Rock, Mulch, & Soil. Free estimates. Call Shark Mark 941-301-6067

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

ISLAND RESIDENT. TREE/ BUSH Trimming, removal, sweeping, blowing, weeding, mulch, stone, shells.

Weekly, bi-monthly or monthly. Maintenance.

Pressure washing- driveways, walkways, fences, pool decks/cages. Call Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315.

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: NORMS TOWING gives Notice of Foreclosure of Lien and intent to sell these vehicles on 10/07/2020, 09:00 am at 1855 63RD AVENUE E. BRADENTON, FL 34203, pursuant to subsection 713.78 of the Florida Statutes. NORMS TOWING reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all bids.

1FMEU15L33LA46858 2003 Ford 1G3HN52KXS4831291 1995 Oldsmobile 1LNHM81W81Y609330 2001 Lincoln 5TESN92N73Z289650 2003 Toyota JS3TX92V654109179 2005 Suzuki NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: NORMS TOWING gives Notice of Foreclosure of Lien and intent to sell these vehicles on 10/14/2020, 09:00 am at 1855 63RD AVENUE E. BRADENTON, FL 34203, pursuant to subsection 713.78 of the Florida Statutes. NORMS TOWING reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all bids.

3GNFK16T51G175733 2001 Chevrolet 4T1CE38P56U625556 2006 Toyota 5GLBE12174C000175 2004 EXPRESS TRAILERS INC NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: NORMS TOWING gives Notice of Foreclosure of Lien and intent to sell these vehicles on 10/21/2020, 09:00 am at 1855 63RD AVENUE E. BRADENTON, FL 34203, pursuant to subsection 713.78 of the Florida Statutes. NORMS TOWING reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all bids.

1G3WX52H22F209780 2002 Oldsmobile 1G4HP53L0PH502435 1993 Buick 1N4AL21EX8C234955 2008 Nissan 1NXBU4EE3AZ185353 2010 Toyota 2HGFA16839H527065 2009 Honda

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: NORMS TOWING gives Notice of Foreclosure of Lien and intent to sell these vehicles on 10/28/2020, 09:00 am at 1855 63RD AVENUE E. BRADENTON, FL 34203, pursuant to subsection 713.78 of the Florida Statutes. NORMS TOWING reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all bids.

13N1482C451525543 2005 FONTAIN TRAILER, INC 1C3LC46K37N553750 2007 Chrysler 1FUJAHCGX2LK16926 2002 Freightliner 1G8AJ55F87Z179819 2007 Saturn 1TTF45207P1039623 1993 TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS LAB 2G1WB57K491103036 2009 Chevrolet 2GNALAEK0F1127749 2015 Chevrolet JF2SJAEC3HH468897 2017 Subaru JTLKT324364118289 2006 Scion JTNKHMBX7J1010826 2018 Toyota KM8J2CA46KU939260 2019 Hyundai KNDMB233596316405 2009 Kia WDBLK65G5YT041068 2000 Mercedes-Benz NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: NORMS TOWING gives Notice of Foreclosure of Lien and intent to sell these vehicles on 10/29/2020, 09:00 am at 1855 63RD AVENUE E. BRADENTON, FL 34203, pursuant to subsection 713.78 of the Florida Statutes. NORMS TOWING reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all bids.

1GKEC16Z25R165144 2005 GENERAL MOTORS CORP

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

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

941-812-0507

“WIZARD OF WALLS” Established 1980 Prompt quality service.

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

PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reliable. Island Resident.

Quality Workmanship.

Interior/Exterior. Also minor repairs & carpentry. Free written detailed estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315 CUSTOM PAINTING, Residential-Commercial, Interior/Exterior Professional quality work for over 40 years. Free estimates.

Call Larry at 941-400-8754.

References available.

DONALD PERKINS PAINTING LLC fully insured. 30 years experience. Many Island references. Call 941-7057096

POOL SERVICES FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE AND CHEMICAL SERVICES. Certified Pool Operator. 10 + Years Experience.

Residential/commercial. Chemical Service Licensed & Insured. Call Dennis Clark 941-7375657 COLE'S TROPICAL POOL SERVICE Call Cole Bowers for all your pool maintenance needs! Affordable and Dependable!! 941-7131893

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

www.amisun.com

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY COMPUTER SERVICE

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

THE SUN

Call today to place your ad: 941-778-3986 HOME SITTING / PET SITTING

PAINTING

TRANSPORTATION HOME SERVICES

REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE CANAL FRONT HOMES Holmes Beach – GULF FRONT CONDOS Gulf Place, L’Plage, Vista Grande, SPW, 5400 – DUPLEXES & MORE Island Real Estate ASK Alan Galletto 941-232-2216 IMMACULATE WATERFRONT HOME 520 Kumquat Dr. 4BD/5BA 3928sf Coastal Beauty! Prime location on AMI. $2,750,000 Call Charles Buky Coldwell Banker 941-228-6086 LOOKING FOR A highly motivated real estate broker to buy or sell your next home? Darcie Duncan, Broker Duncan Real Estate a lifelong island resident bringing success to her customers for 30 years. Proven track record brings you results! 941-725-1589 TURN KEY FURNISHED VRBO River District Bradenton. Estately Gardens Vacasa. $769,000 Call Brenda Boyd May. Broker owner Boyd Realty. 941730-8589

AMISUN.COM

509 PINE AVE ,ANNA MARIA. $1,690,000. 2 Cottage homes w/pool.

Zoned nightly rentals/ Retail/Commercial.

Furnished w/rentals in place. Virtual Tour Avaliable. Christine Kourik Re/max 941-538-7414 RUNAWAY BAY CONDO-Bradenton Beach $335,000 water view 2BR/2BA furnished. Virtual Walk thru Tour Available. Christine Kourik Re/Max 941-538-7414 HOUSE FLIPPERS DREAM! Beautiful lakefront treed lot with house in Holmes Beach. One block to beach. $650,000. For details contact amiturtles@earthlink. net

RENTALS: ANNUAL ANNUAL RENTAL AT VILLAGE GREEN: Oversized villa with two-car garage, 2BR/2BA, unfurnished, nice updates throughout, Over 55, no pets/ smokers, First, last plus security, $1,795 monthly.

Available Nov. 1. Call Paige Rogers Duncan Real Estate 513-3821992.

ANNUAL 2BR/1BA STEPS to Beach. Tile floors, dining area, deck with Gulf View, carport, storage room, washer/dryer. $1850/ mo. + utilities. First, Last & security deposit. Call 941778-3427 ANNUAL HOLMES BEACH cute 1BR efficiency. Washer/dryer hookup. No dogs $950/mo. First, last & security. Credit check required.

Available November 1. Call 941-809-2488

RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION MONTHLY RENTAL 1BR/2BA apartment with pool access. Bottom floor, pool is unheated, no washer/dryer. Steps to beach. No pets. $3800/ mo rent. Cleaning fee plus 12% tax. Available starting January 1, 2021. Call 941778-0426 TIFFANY PLACE Gulf Front Condo for Rent Incredible views from living room and master bedroom. 2BR/2BA Green Real Estate Call 941-778-0455 SIX MONTH RENTAL West of Gulf Drive. City of Anna Maria. 2BR/1BA upstairs apartment. $3000/mo. Call 941-778-4499

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

Contact Barb Grace 941201-2190 ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fl Condos. Pool beach access, fully equipped $700-$850/wk REDEKERCONDOSonAMI.com 941704-7525

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

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

35

36

www.amisun.com

THE SUN

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

the Team Duncan Difference!

✔ Local-Area Expertise ✔ Outstanding Customer Service ✔ Experienced Professionals ✔ Proven Performance

310 Pine Avenue Anna Maria, FL 34216

TeamDuncan.com

941.779.0304