The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Page 1

Election challenges. 4

Doggone flooding. 5

Helping after Harvey. 12-13 SEPT. 6, 2017 FREE

VOLUME 25, NO. 45

The Best News on Anna Maria Island Since 1992 AsTheWorldTerns hope for repair. 6

Op-Ed The Islander editorial, reader letters. 6

10-20 YEARS AGO

From the archives. 7 AM votes to retain building official. 8

Meetings On the government calendar. 8

Make plans, save a date. 10

Happenings Community announcements, activities. 11 Top Notch runners-up. 12

Streetlife. 14 Obituaries. 18 Turtle time. 19

‘Buddy Bench’ placed at AME. 20 Wildlife rescue a community effort. 21

PropertyWatch. 22 Wondering about waterspouts. 23 Finals set for football championships. 24 ‘Sweet water’ doesn’t curtail fishing. 25

ISL BIZ Business roundup. 26 Classifieds. 28

www.islander.org

DOT: Final public hearing on Cortez Bridge ‘intense’ By Terry O’Connor Islander Reporter To the Florida Department of Transportation, it’s financial project no. 430204-122-01. no sentiment involved in deciding the future of cortez Bridge. Just engineering another bridge. “We’ve got it down to two final options,” remarked one dot employee as he was setting up displays for the final public hearing aug. 31 before the decision on the cortez Bridge at Kirkwood presbyterian church, 6101 cortez road W., Bradenton. When reminded that many locals about to arrive for the hearing prefer the bridge be repaired, he remembered a third option. “oh, that,” he said. “We have to consider that. it’s required.” the national environmental policy act of 1969 requires the dot to consider a makeover for the bridge. But those who live near the cortez Bridge don’t see repair as an afterthought — as a standing-room-only crowd made clear to dot project manager marlon Bizerra. “this just shouldn’t be happening,” said Barbara Hines, a Holmes Beach planning commission member and vice chair of the environmental group manaSota-88. “they should repair the bridge.” “a 65-foot bridge will change the char-

Linda Molto, left, and Jane von Hahmann review a poster board depicting amenities offered by the DOT with the 65-foot bridge option. Islander Photo: Bonner Joy acter and scale of cortez,” said Bradenton Beach resident and miami architect Hernando carillo in arguing against the dot’s favored option. He reprimanded the dot for not considering the landscape — the community surroundings — in their design plan. Bizerra said the public hearing process was demanding. “it’s been intense,” Bizerra said after the nearly three-hour meeting concluded. “it will take weeks to make a decision after all this public input.”

Top Notch Pets

Charter initiatives hit city roadblock

Ditka ‘does sunset’

By chrisann Silver esformes Islander Reporter it appears concerned neighbors of Bradenton Beach has hit another roadblock in its quest to get three citizen’s initiatives on the november municipal ballot. the grassroots group has until Sept. 8 to finalize the requirements for the initiatives to appear on the ballot. member reed mapes says the city is holding up the process. the city commission will hold a special meeting at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6, to decide whether to approve a resolution for the initiatives. in an aug. 31 email to Bradenton Beach city clerk terri Sanclemente, assistant manatee county Supervisor of elections Scott PLEASE SEE ROADBLOCK PAGE 2

Kathy Hennessy of Flamingo Cay wins The Islander’s Top Notch Pet Photo contest with this image of Ditka — a Boston terrier named for the Chicago Bears longtime coach Mike Ditka — catching a striking sunset and watching dolphins dine from their deck on Palma Sola Bay. She wins a collection of gifts from Perks4Pets, 7228 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. The photo was taken June 13. For this year’s honorable mentions, see page 12.

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asked if the decision will be made this year, he said: “that would be an acceptable timeframe.” the dot billed the hearing as an opportunity to learn and provide comments concerning the location, design and social, economic and environmental effects of the repair or replacement of the cortez Bridge on cortez road/State road 684, which connects Bradenton Beach to the mainland at cortez. replacement alternatives include a PLEASE SEE BRIDGE PAGE 3

Crafted Cocktails

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Florida Trend “Best New” Restaurant

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