Celebrating 25 years NOV. 15, 2017 FREE
VOLUME 26, NO. 3
The Best News on Anna Maria Island Since 1992 AsTheWorldTerns invite you to party. 6 AM commissioner questions Bayfest security. 3 Island election results. 4-5, 8-9
Op-Ed
The Islander editorial, reader letters. 6
10-20 YEARS AGO
Looking back. 7
Meetings
On the government calendar. 8
Happenings
Community announcements, activities. 10-11
Make plans, save a date. 12-13 Anna Maria explores cost to repurpose pier planks. 14 An Islander 25th-anniversary invite. 15 FISH to sit out Aqua by the Bay challenge. 16 Veterans Day. 21 Get in the game. 22
Streetlife.
23
Fall fest nets big return. 25 Beware: Manatees on the move. 26 Psyched up on AMI. 27 Seedings set for adult soccer playoffs. 28 Fishing improves with cooler nights. 29 Isl Biz: Chamber, rotary awards. 30 Classifieds. 32
www.islander.org
Developer settles Anna Maria lawsuit for $1 million
By Bianca Benedí and Kathy Prucnell Islander Reporters Shawn Kaleta and the city of Anna Maria have reached a $1 million settlement. The parties signed off on an agreement and Florida Municipal Insurance Trust delivered a $1 million check Nov. 10 to Kaleta’s law firm, najmy thompson pa. “We are pleased with the settlement, not mainly for its dollar amount,” wrote Louis najmy, principal with the law firm, in a nov. 10 text. najmy confirmed the $1 million payout. He added his client is “most pleased” with the city’s commitment to work with Kaleta in a fair manner. Murphy City attorney Becky
Vose did not return a call for comment Nov. 10 from The Islander. Kaleta and Beach to Bay Construction LLC alleged the city and its Kaleta representatives had blackballed him and his development efforts in violation of First and 14th Amendment rights. The federal case was initially dismissed “withNajmy out prejudice” in mid-october by U.S. District Judge James d. Whittemore, permitting either party 60 days to reopen it “with good cause.” With the nov. 10 settlement, the parties agreed to permanently dismiss the case filed by Kaleta-Beach to Bay in February 2016.
in october. According to the final settlement — included on the Nov. 9 commission consent agenda without stating the dollar amount — the parties released each other from all claims relating to the lawsuit without admitting liability and each side was to pay its own fees. najmy said he and his client are bound by a confidentiality agreement and cannot release the final document. PLEASE SEE Settlement PAGE 3
… threats drive chair to seek dissolution
Clarke has filed two complaints against cnoBB and some of its members with the Florida Elections Commission. The complaints come on the heels of a lawsuit filed in august by clarke against six city board members alleging Sunshine Law violations. in an oct. 18 letter to the elections commission, clarke alleges the group violated state statute by not registering as a political action committee before seeking signatures for the initiatives. clarke filed a second complaint against the group oct. 19 for accepting and disbursing funds exceeding $500 before filing as an organization. When asked Nov. 11 about the election complaints, clarke refused to comment on the matter. When asked if he planned to
challenge the amendments approved by voters nov. 7, clarke responded, “it’s too soon to tell.” Mayor-elect John Chappie said the city does Vincent not plan to challenge the amendments, which are set to be discussed at the Nov. 16 commission meeting. “The voters have spoken. It’s passed. As far as i’m concerned, it’s Clarke part of the charter,” chappie said. “Now we need to figure out the enabling legislation.” cnoBB member tjet martin, named by clarke in the complaints, received official PLEASE SEE CnOBB PAGE 2
Vose
on behalf of the city, attorney John T. Conner of dean, ringers, morton and Lawton pa, the law firm assigned under the city’s $1.5 million Florida League of cities’ insurance policy, filed a notice of settlement
CNOBB faces election complaints from ex-mayor … story, page 2
By ChrisAnn Silver Esformes Islander Reporter Residents whose efforts saw success in the Nov. 7 election should be cheering. Three charter amendments placed on the ballot by Concerned Neighbors of Bradenton Beach were approved by voters. However, the group is facing a new challenge. “Some members are concerned about future litigation as a result of our victories,” cnoBB chair Bill Vincent said nov. 10. Former Bradenton Beach Mayor Jack
Anna Maria recognizes veterans
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces line up Nov. 10 to receive medals from Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy at City Pier Park following the Old Soldiers and Sailors Veterans Day Parade. Islander Photo: Bianca Benedí
ZAGAT “Top Restaurants in America”
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Veterans are recognized Nov. 10 by The Islander and the city at Holmes Beach Memorial Park. See more, page 17.
Crafted Cocktails
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www.DoctorsOfficeAMI.com
Florida Trend “Best New” Restaurant
941-778-0411 www.eathereflorida.com