The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Page 1

Landmark destroyed. 3, 5

Aarrgghh! 14

Join us for Night out. 18 SEPT. 27, 2017 FREE

VOLUME 25, NO. 48

The Best News on Anna Maria Island Since 1992

www.islander.org

AsTheWorldTerns need your help. 6

FEMA brings post-Irma direction, aid to islanders

Anna Maria assesses city pier damages. 3

By Bianca Benedí Islander Reporter Six Federal Emergency Management Agency representatives came Sept. 23 to the Island Library. Each of the reps hosted a person seated across from them at their table, going over what Hurricane Irma wrought at their homes. Some of the FEMA clients were checking on the status of their applications for assistance. Some people were being registered into the FEMA system for the first time. A few were told to visit the Disaster Recovery Center at Hillsborough Community College, 6437 Watson Road, Riverview. All had questions and concerns about how FEMA could help them. FEMA has been sending crews out across Florida counties to check on people affected by Hurricane Irma, answer their questions and guide them through the process of registering for aid after Irma. Melinda Russos, crew leader of the FEMA team deployed to the Manatee-Hillsborough region, said the majority of people in this part of the state come with questions about downed trees and power lines. “That’s a county issue,” she said, unless the fallen tree damaged your house. If you’ve experienced property damage or a blocked driveway from trees downed by Hurricane Irma, she said, FEMA will help.

Irma costs in Holmes Beach reach $50k. 4 Anna Maria announces city pier closure. 5

Op-Ed Opinions. 6

10-20 YEARS AGO Looking back. 7 Irma delays transportation decisions. 8 Aqua by the Bay hearing continued. 8

Meetings On the government calendar. 8 HB reviews AMI Plaza site plan. 9

Save a date. 10

Happenings Community announcements, activities. 11-13 Island Players open 69th season. 13 Ahoy mates! Privateers talk like pirates. 14 Roser steps up for Irma relief. 15

Streetlife. 18 Sea turtles outlive Irma. 22

When the wind blows. 23 Fishing improves after Irma. 25

ISL BIZ 26-27

FEMA crew leader Melinda Russos advises FEMA corp member Greg Reinhardt Sept. 23 at the Island Library, Holmes Beach. Islander Photos: Bianca Benedí

FAR LEFT: Gillian Kendall, Holmes Beach resident, tells of her experience with Hurricane Irma Sept. 23 outside the Island Library. LEFT: Kathryn Sandberg, Holmes Beach resident, recounts the effects of Hurricane Irma Sept. 23 after talking to FEMA agents at the Island Library. FEMA also can help people having difficulty paying grocery bills or replacing lost food through the D-SNAP program, a special extension for disaster victims of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. “That’s a big one,” she said. However, Russos cautioned, the program is not indefinite and those looking for aid should apply

sooner rather than later. If your house can’t be lived in, FEMA can help provide housing assistance, placing you in a hotel or helping with a rental home or apartment, she said. If you need to re-purchase medical supplies, that can be covered, and if your car PLEASE SEE FEMA PAGE 2

K-kids celebrate, learn meaning of peace Kids in the youngest class at Anna Maria Elementary, Kelly Crawford’s kindergarten class, add their hand-painted, colorful rocks to the school’s peace garden in preparation for International Peace Day. The school’s peace pole is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island. It became a tradition at the school following the terrorist attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001, long before these young students were born. For more, see page 20. Islander Photo: Nenita Daguinotas

ZAGAT “Top Restaurants in America”

941-778-6444 www.BeachBistro.com

Crafted Cocktails

941-213-9926

www.DoctorsOfficeAMI.com

Florida Trend “Best New” Restaurant

941-778-0411 www.eathereflorida.com


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