Off Islands
By Rodger Skidmore
A look at news happening on neighboring islands Over the years there have been many maps produced showing that Blackbeard (William Teach) buried his pirate treasure, around 1718, in or near North Carolina’s Ocracoke Inlet just before he died. Newly discovered information points to buried treasure worth between $10 and $21 million being buried on Longboat Key but it appears that it is not Blackbeard’s booty that is under discussion. In fact, the treasure, according to Longboat Key Revitalization Task Force Chairman George Spoll, has not yet been buried - and, perhaps, may never be buried. He, and Vice Chairman Tom Freiwald, were urging the Longboat Key Town Commission to reconsider, for the third time, burying Longboat Key’s power poles along Gulf of Mexico Drive (for $10 million) or, why not, everywhere on the key (for $21 million). Mayor Jim Brown did not think that the third time would be the charm and that discussing it three times in one month would not bring the job any closer to fruition. Not too many other commissioners thought the discussion would be worthwhile as there just was not enough money in the kitty.
Money, money everywhere
They’ve restored the Statue of Liberty, are getting ready to fix up the Washington Monument, did a bang up job on Ca’d‘Zan, the old Ringling Mansion, and even ensured that the Van Wezel and the Opera House could continue in operation. If something is worth taking care of, the saying goes, you do what you gotta do. In Holmes Beach, the object of their affection is the Anna Maria Island Community Center. It seems that the $22,500 that the city allocates annually for its upkeep has not been enough and, in a June meeting which 200 residents attended, Holmes Beach Commissioner David Zaccagnino said that it’s important for the city to support the center for the services it offers its residents as well as fulfilling recreational requirements for the city’s comprehensive plan. The suggestion is that the city create a special tax district and charge each of the 4,000 properties
LIVE MUSIC
HAPPY HOUR
$25 per parcel, with the proceeds going into a special fund for the center. This would add $100,000 each year to the center’s budget and the $22,500 could go back into the city’s general fund to be used for other purposes. Almost like free money for the city and the center. Of course if they only charged each taxable land parcel $12.50 it would still double the budget for the center and would “cost” the city nothing since it would be taking money out of the taxpayers’ left hand pocket instead of out of their right hand pocket. Of course one might also ask “Why was the total operating cost of the center so high”. Many of the residents who attended were very glad to answer. As with many non-profits there seems to have been a great deal of mission creep. While the center used to operate with a surplus between 2000 and 2007, the downturn in the economy coincided with the beginning of its losses. It seems that when revenue slowed there was little cutting back on services, scholarships, or activities. Randy Langley, former board treasurer, said scholarships almost quadrupled with many seemingly well-to-do parents taking advantage of free programs. Executive Director Dawn Stiles indicated that greater proof of income and needs have been put into place. Others said that a review of what the center offered and how residents were to pay for them might be worthwhile to determine if everything could be cost justified.
Chuggin’ down a cool one
On Holmes Beach this means chuggin’ down a can of cold diet soda from now on. For years it has been illegal to drink alcoholic beverages on the beach. The problem was that it was not illegal to possess that beer or wine cooler. Pop the top, rub the cold can on your fevered brow, let the condensation drip onto your sunburned arm – fine. Just not legal to drink, said Police Chief William Tokajer. The city commissioners have now fixed what was broke and have instituted a new ordinance banning alcohol on the beach. How or why the original law left such a large loophole is not known but the police no longer have to observe the chuggin’ in person, they just have to see it to believe it. And at $75 a
LIVE MUSIC
Monday ¢
5 7 Wings
pop, the tops might not just stay on, but at home. And with the alcohol at home the cans and bottles, which often wind up in the sand, might stay there as well.
A rose by any other name ....
Over the past year a number of Snow and Spring Birds booked rooms at the Longboat Key Hilton Beachfront Resort. When they arrived this month the Hilton was gone. Vanished. Oh, a resort hotel was there, right at 4711 Gulf of Mexico Drive, but it was not the Hilton, it was, and is, the Gulfside Beach Resort. The resort welcomed those guests with open arms but not, it seems, with an open restaurant or bar. Except for those closed items everything looked like a Hilton but for one thing - the Hilton logo was also missing. Andy Berger of Ocean Properties stated that back in January he was told that the Hilton flag could keep flying over the property if renovations started by June 1st. The work had not begun by that time so the logo was removed. Longboat Key Planning, Zoning and Building Director Alaina Ray indicated that a demolition permit has been issued for the project, and once approved the town can expect them to file for their building permit plans soon thereafter. The question then is, what will the newly renovated and expanded (by 85 rooms) resort be called. Will the renovation be up to Hilton Standards? - Will Hilton charge too much for the use of their logo? - Will another brand wish its logo to fly over the new resort? Or will Ocean Properties start its own brand? Given that they already own the Longboat Key Club and have just put in the winning bid for The Colony Beach and Tennis Resort ($2.45 million), that just might be the case. Reservations for the X-Hilton aren’t being accepted beyond June 30th and the hotel will be closed between 16 and 18 months while the extensive renovation takes place.
Joining Forces
How to stop trespassers from entering homes on Jewfish Key? Continued on page 28
HAPPY HOUR
Tuesday
$
HAPPY HOUR
Wednesday
15
$
All-You-Can-Eat
M
ic us
Dail y Noon -1 0
PM
40
All-You-Can-Eat
Fish & Chips
All Day Long
LIVE MUSIC
Li ve
Is Blackbeard’s Treasure buried on Longboat Key?
Lobsters Call For Details
1/2 OFF Appetizers 4-6 PM Daily
Specials Every Day Of The Week LIVE MUSIC
HAPPY HOUR
Thursday
$
15
BBQ Ribs Dinner
LIVE MUSIC
$
HAPPY HOUR
Friday
20
Smoked
Prime Rib
149 Avenida Messina (in the Village)
LIVE MUSIC
$
LIVE MUSIC
Saturday
50
All-You-Can-Eat
King Crab Legs
941.346.0738 www.bluqueislandgrill.com
Sunday Brunch
10 AM-1 PM
PIG ROAST EVERY SUNDAY Pulled Pork Sandwich $5
HAPPY HOUR
11 AM - 6 PM DAILY
Specials and prices subject to change without notice.
941.349.0194 • www.islandvp.com ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC
9