Pine Avenue reborn. 16 Astheworldterns hope to attract wildlife. 6
Saluting veterans. 20
‘Surf music.’ 21 NOV. 14, 2018 FREE
VOLUME 27, NO. 3
Island officials hope to relocate coyotes. 2
Meetings
On the government calendar. 4
Op-Ed
The Islander editorial, reader letters. 6
10-20 YEARS AGO
From the archives. 7
Anna Maria finalizes landscape rules. 10
Happenings
Community announcements, activities. 12-13
Make plans, save a date. 14-15 Island Players handle ‘Baggage.’ 16
Gathering. 22
Obituaries. 22
Get in the game. 23
Streetlife. 24 Dolphin Dash plans. 26
Nursery tales and plant sales. 27 Soccer, golf, horseshoes dominate sports. 28 Gulf fishing pays off. 29
ISL BIZ What’s shaking in local business. 31 CLASSIFIEDS. 32
PropertyWatch. 32 NYT Sunday Magazine Crossword. 35
Celebrating the Best News on Anna Maria Island Since 1992
Holmes Beach mayoral candidate makes clean sweep into office
By Kathy Prucnell Islander Reporter She’s the first Holmes family member to serve as mayor since the city incorporated in 1950. Mayor-elect Judy Holmes Titsworth swept away her opponent in the Nov. 6 election, taking more than 79 percent of the vote — a likely record for a contested Holmes Beach mayoral election in the city. The Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office was prepared to certify the results of the race Nov. 18 with the rest of the county election after a 10-day period allotted for counting overseas ballots. However, certification is likely delayed by a statewide recount. “It won’t change the outcome” in Holmes Beach, according to SOE deputy chief Sharon Stief, who said the margin is so wide, the ballots postmarked prior to Nov. 6 that have yet to be counted, if any, are unlikely to make a dent. City clerk Stacey Johnston said she would swear in Titsworth and the other Holmes Beach election winners. The ceremony was scheduled for Nov. 19, at city hall but, at press time for The Islander, it was PLEASE SEE HB MAYOR, PAGE 5
Holmes Beach mayor-elect Judy Titsworth husband Steve and granddaughter Lily, celebrate an election victory Nov. 6 at the Blue Marlin restaurant in Bradenton Beach. Judy Titsworth, city commission chair and granddaughter of the city’s namesake, won 79.27 percent of the vote. Islander Photo: Courtesy Jack Titsworth
By Steve Albee Islander Reporter Speculation that the decided height of the Cortez Bridge could be revisited over concerns that a high fixed-span bridge would have adverse impacts to Cortez village will not happen, according to the top area transportation official. L.K. Nandem, Florida Department of Transportation District 1 Secretary, told an audience gathered Oct. 22: “There are no plans to revisit plans to change our current design.” Nandem was the featured speaker at the Manatee Chamber of Commerce Headliner Luncheon at the Courtyard by Marriott in downtown Bradenton. The bridge study, which began in 2013, determined social, economic, natural and physical environmental impacts associated
with a proposed transportation improvement project, which enables the DOT to choose the best alternative. The project development and environment study suggests the best option to replace the 61-year-old bridge would be to build a 65-foot-clearance bridge much like the Ringling Bridge that spans the Intracoastal Waterway in Sarasota, which was strongly opposed, but is now a centerpiece for downtown Sarasota. In addition to vehicle traffic, hundreds of pedestrians walk and ride their bikes over the bridge daily. Cortez residents have mostly opposed the bridge replacement options presented by the DOT. Cortez artist and activist Susan Curry recently rekindled the conversation on Facebook when she posted her concerns about the PLEASE SEE BRiDge, PAGE 2
www.islander.org
BB incumbents brush off challenge
By ChrisAnn Silver Esformes Islander Reporter The line was drawn in the Bradenton Beach sand. “There’s a lot going on here,” Brian Finelli, a 30-year Bradenton Beach resident, said on Election Day, Nov. 6, after he cast his ballot. “It’s good to see people out expressing their opinions.” Voters in Bradenton Beach made their voices heard. They retained two incumbent commissioners, Ralph Cole and Marilyn Maro. For the two seats up for grabs on the commission, 282 voted to elect Cole and 242 voted for Maro, while 189 voted for John Metz and 165 voted for Tjet Martin. “I’m really happy,” Maro said of her win. “It was my first election and I worked really hard for this.” Maro was appointed to the commission in 2016 when, lacking a candidate for the ballot, she took the seat vacated by Commissioner Ed Straight, who was termed out. “I’m very happy for Bradenton Beach right now,” Cole said following the election. “I love this place and look forward to doing PLEASE SEE BB COMMissiON, PAGE 5
DOT chief: Cortez Bridge megaspan ‘will not be revisited’
Incumbent Commissioners Ralph Cole and Marilyn Maro high-five Nov. 6 at the Bradenton Beach Volunteer Fire Hall polling place as the results, returning them to office, are posted on the door. The pair stayed off a challenge from Tjet Martin and John Metz. Islander Photo: ChrisAnn Silver Esformes