Special: Make a wish come true. VOLUME 28, NO. 5 Astheworldterns make a wish for fish. 6
World champ! 27 Growing gardens. 16
Happy Thanksgiving
NOV. 27, 2019 FREE
contractor at work on BB floating dock. 3 BB mayor, commissioners take oaths. 4
Meetings: on the government calendar. 4 HB dog park plan previewed. 5
Opinions. 6 10-20 YEARS AGO from the archives. 7
HB pedals up to bikeshare, scooter ban. 8 dot rejects cortez Bridge challenge. 9
Happenings
The Best News on Anna Maria Island Since 1992
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Bradenton man charged with attempted murder The injured man, Fred Gilliland, known in Cortez as “Fat Freddy,” told police he arrived around 8 p.m. at a friend’s residence in the 4500 block of 101st Street West near Cortez to pick up some furniture. A verbal dispute ensued outside the residence between Gilliland and Nichols. As Gilliland left on foot, walking southbound on 101st Street West, police said Nichols struck him with his vehicle. According to police, Nichols then drove westbound on 46th Avenue West, dragging Gilliland under his vehicle before fleeing the
scene. A nearby resident heard the man’s calls for help and called 911. Police reported that Gilliland sustained severe life-threatening injuries, including several open fractures and significant head trauma. He was transported to Blake Medical Center in Bradenton, where his condition remained critical as of Nov. 25. Manatee County sheriff ’s deputies located Nichols and his vehicle at a nearby mobile home park and he was taken into
Plywood covers the walkway and metal piping for a fire service line awaits installation Nov. 22 as the restaurant and bait shop take shape on the t-end of the new anna maria city Pier. islander Photo: ryan Paice
the rod & reel Pier restaurant and fishing operations were closed Nov. 21-23 for repairs. islander Photo: ryan Paice
By Leslie Lake islander reporter
One local man was fighting for his life and another was charged with attempted murder following a verbal altercation that turned violent the night of Nov. 18. David Nichols, 56, of Bradenton, was taken into custody shortly after police Nichols said he hit and dragged a 61-year-old man underneath his vehicle for nearly a block.
PLeaSe See CHARGED, Page 2
announcements.
Save the date. BB planners recommend Ldc changes. fire commissioners shuffle roles.
Streetlife. get in the game.
Gathering. Obituaries. 23 take 5:00: 23
island musician dives into Black Water.
School news. 24-25 good catch: two locals honored during farmcity Week. 26
turkeys taking flight. 27 changing temps? change tactics. 29
ISL BIZ: 30-31 CLASSIFIEDS.
NYT puzzle.
Contractor handles T-end conflict resolution at Anna Maria pier By ryan Paice islander reporter
Construction of the T-end restaurant, bathrooms and bait shop at the new Anna Maria City Pier is on hold, awaiting resolution of a design conflict. Mayor Dan Murphy told The Islander in a Nov. 20 email that Mason Martin, the contractor hired to construct the accessory buildings on the T-end had begun resolving the discrepancy in the angles of the concrete base and the buildings. Ayres Engineering designed the T-end with a pitch to allow for stormwater runoff, but architects from Schimberg Group designed the restaurant and bait shop for a level surface. The solution, which Murphy said should
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take Mason Martin three weeks to complete, involves raising door headers, leveling the floors by pouring additional concrete, expanding drain holes in the base and adding a curb around the perimeter. Murphy has previously said the fix would cost around $100,000 and it will be paid by Ayres. Public works manager Dean Jones took The Islander on a Nov. 22 tour of the pier, where it wasn’t clear which part of the solution was being addressed. More apparent was Mason Martin’s work setting ipe wood on the walkway. As of Nov. 22, much of the walkway decking was finished, except on the north side, which was left open to allow the instalPLeaSe See AM PIER, Page 3
Rod & Reel closes, reopens in 3 days By ryan Paice islander reporter
Anglers didn’t have to wait long for the return of a prime fishing spot in Anna Maria. And the grill was barely cool. A sinking piling led to the partial collapse of the walkway, prompting the Nov. 20 closure of the 72-year-old pier, restaurant and fishing operation, according to Dave Cochran, the pier’s general manager. Former Commissioner Doug Copeland, who strolled from his home to the Rod & Reel Nov. 21 to look at the damage, expressed hope repairs would wrap up quickly. “I hope they can get it repaired and open as soon as possible,” he said. PLeaSe See R&R PIER, Page 2