Bayfest sheltered. 14 Astheworldterns recognize an award-winner. 6
Spring Lake origins. 17
Changing command. 19v OCT. 23, 2019 FREE
VOLUME 27, NO. 52
City pier construction continues. 3 Park-and-ride beach shuttle planned. 4
Meetings. 4 Fines levied on some AM rentals.
Op-Ed. 10-20 YEARS AGO From the archives.
DOT blamed for roundabout runaround.
Happenings Community announcements, activities.
Save the date. Book sale benefits library. BB anchorage enforcement ongoing. BB gangway in need of repair. WMFR elects architect for new HQ.
Streetlife. Gathering. Obituaries. Take 5:00: AME rallies with red ribbons. BB to adjust amended comp plan.
TURTLES, STONE CRABS CRAWL. Sharing. Oktoberfest at KRC. Fishing heats up.
ISL BIZ: 30-31
PropertyWatch. CLASSIFIEDS.
NYT puzzle.
The Best News on Anna Maria Island Since 1992
islander.org
Feds investigate bird death mystery By Sandy Ambrogi Islander Reporter
The mysterious illness plaguing Southwest Florida laughing gulls has garnered the attention of federal investigators. Jim Valade, assistant refuge manager with the Crystal River National Wildlife Complex in Crystal River, confirmed federal authorities picked up the dead gulls from Passage Key after they were found Oct. 8 following a tip to wildlife rescuers. “We were finally to go this past weekend (Oct. 12-13) and retrieve several dead
birds,” Valade told The Islander Oct. 15. His “we” referred to staff with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, including biologists. “Given the tides, the time passed and the shorelines of Passage Key, we suspect there may be more dead birds we didn’t see or that have swept out,” he said. The feds verified 30 dead birds — all laughing gulls — present on Passage Key at the time of their trip and collected two of the “freshest specimens” for testing. Theories have abounded as to the cause of the laughing gull deaths from Siesta Key
Angler reels in county’s top ag award By Sandy Ambrogi Islander Reporter
Capt. Scott Moore has been fishing and running the waters around Anna Maria Island for more than half a century. He farms the Gulf of Mexico. On Oct. 17, the Manatee County Agriculture Hall of Fame announced Moore is the 2019 hall of fame inductee. “My ranching friends are telling me I have to come out and pick tomatoes or brand a bull,” Moore told The Islander Oct. 18 in response to the award. “But seriously, it’s quite a big deal. I’m so glad that they recognized the fishing community and how important it is to our area, tourism and our lives,” Moore said. A news release from the hall of fame said of the excellent nominations from the community: “The most impressive was someone who doesn’t own a big green tractor or cows or a thousand acres of land to cultivate. Scott Moore owns a charter boat!” Moore is being honored for his lifetime of dedication and commitment as a skilled captain, an ocean steward, conservationist and educator, the release said. Moore serves on several fishery committees, both locally and nationally, and has demonstrated how partnerships between scientists and fishers can protect and restore marine ecosystems, the release stated. Moore moved in 1952 to Bradenton from Cape Cod with his family. They owned charter and whale watching boats at the cape, and continued with charters in their new Florida home. In 1979, Moore moved to Holmes Beach, where he lives today. Following in his father’s fishing lifestyle, son Justin also
northward to Passage Key since the beginning of October, but so far, no definitive cause has been identified. “We really don’t have any idea what is going on with these birds,” Valade said. “We won’t know until we get some turnaround from the testing.” The testing will take place at the U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Anne Ballman, field epidemiologist with the center, said no specimens had arrived as PLEASE SEE BIRDS, PAGE 2
Renourishment coming in 2020 By Sandy Ambrogi Islander Reporter
An endless battle with Mother Nature continues: Sand in, sand out along Anna Maria Island’s shorelines. Manatee County commissioners voted earlier this month to approve agreements advancing two beach renourishment projects in 2020 stretching on the shoreline from Holmes Beach to Bradenton Beach, then to Longboat Pass. The county is partnering with the Army Corps of Engineering as the non-federal sponsor of the projects. The so-called “central beach project” Capt. Scott Moore aboard his fishing boat. Islander Courtesy Photo
became a captain. Both run charters for hire. One might say they’re sons of the sons of sailors. “My wife and my kids put a lot of information together for the nomination,” Moore said. “And a lot of people who have fished with me over the years also wrote letters. It’s phenomenal.” Moore will be inducted into the hall of fame during a Nov. 21 luncheon at the Palmetto Women’s Club, 910 Sixth St. W., Palmetto. The Manatee County Agricultural Museum and the Palmetto Historical Commission will host the luncheon. There is no charge to attend, but reservations are required. Call Jordan Chancey at 941-545-8816 or email palmettofcw@ yahoo.com to make a reservation.
PLEASE SEE RENOURISH, PAGE 2
SOLD $8.825M See page 3