#aMItogether
VOLUME 28, NO. 49
SEPT. 30, 2020 FRee
the Best news on anna maria island Since 1992 astheworldterns. 6
Vote Notes. 3 requests to vote by mail set record. 3 HB gives nod to park lighting. 4 am approves code changes. 4
Meetings. 4 BB beats $$ deadline for boat lift. 5
Opinions. 6 10-20 YEARS AGO
Looking back. 7
am, HB adopt budgets, tax hikes. 8 Lease inked for anna maria city Pier. 9
Happenings community announcements, activities. 10
AmE NEWS. 12 Where is tuna Street? 14-15
Gathering. 16 HB meets in ‘shade.’ 18
Streetlife. 18 get in the game. 19
NESTING NOTES:
turtle in recovery. 20
the a, B, g, d storm season. 21 Sporting news. 22 mPo: final chapter in long-range plan. 22
RoadWatch. 22 cooler temps arrive for anglers. 23 CLASSIFIEDS. 24
ISL BIZ:
26
NYT puzzle.
islander.org
Governor launches phase 3, neuters mask mandates By ryan Paice islander reporter
Florida is open for business. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced during a Sept. 25 news conference at a St. Petersburg hotel that he issued an executive order moving the state into phase 3 — the final step in the state’s pandemic reopening plan. The move was effective immediately, lifting the 50% indoor seating capacity established during phase 1 and allowing bars and restaurants to open at full capacity unless otherwise limited by local governments. However, the order prevents municipalities from limiting restaurants to less than 50% indoor seating capacity. Furthermore, the executive order suspended the “collection of fines and penalties associated with COVID-19,” effectively knocking out the enforcement teeth of coronavirus-related municipal and county regulations by prohibiting fines for violations. The order also includes a “right-towork” provision that states “No COVID-19 emergency ordinance may prevent an individual from working or from operating a business.” DeSantis also eliminated all state restrictions established in phases 1 and 2 that weren’t modified in phase 3, including social distancing requirements for public spaces. The decision to enter phase 3 came during a period of relative success for the state, which has struggled to contain the virus’ spread. The daily number of newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state has hovered around 3,000 since late August after a daily peak at 15,300 on July 12. On April 1, the day the state registered
Shorebirds flock to renourished beaches Shorebirds flock, flit and fly Sept. 23 around bulldozers spreading sand pumped by dredges to the beach in the 1700 block of gulf drive north. the $17 million renourishment project is progressing southward through october, terminating at Longboat Pass. the work started July 8 near 77th Street. islander Photo: chrisann allen
1,032 newly confirmed cases, DeSantis issued a 30-day safer-at-home order and restricted nonessential activities. On Sept. 25, as the state entered phase 3, 2,847 people tested positive and the death toll passed 14,000. Reactions to phase 3 DeSantis’ announcement Sept. 25 received mixed responses. John Horne, owner of four Anna Maria Oyster Bar restaurants, told The Islander Sept. 25 that he was excited for the opportunity to fully reopen, but would slowly transition to that point. “I don’t see us opening any more than 60% of our indoor seating capacity over the first week or two,” Horne said. “Then we’ll figure out where to go on a week-by-week basis.”
Horne said his restaurants would maintain many safety measures from phases 1 and 2, including sanitizing menus and table settings after each use and encouraging outdoor seating. He said that while face masks are no longer required within his businesses, staff will continue to wear face coverings and encourage customers to do so. “We’re not going to make a lot of big changes,” Horne said. “We want our guests to still feel comfortable and confident that they are coming into a healthy, safe environment.” Overall, Horne was supportive of entering phase 3. “I think it’s absolutely the right time to move into phase 3,” Horne said. “I think it’s time to put the decision in everyone’s turn to Phase 3, Page 2
Former AME principal arrested in prostitution sting By amy V.t. moriarty islander reporter
A former principal at Anna Maria Elementary was arrested in Hillsborough County in September. Thomas Levengood, 68, was arrested for entering/remaining in place for prostitution, lewdness or assignation by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, according to a Sept. 10 arrest record. An attorney entered a not guilty plea Sept. 14 on Levengood’s behalf. Natalia Verdina, public relations coordinator for HCSO, said Levengood was arrested at 3:05 p.m. at Sun City Park in Ruskin, where he allegedly approached an undercover detective and solicited sex.
5($/ &+()6 5($/ ,1*5(',(176 5($/ '(/,&,286
Verdina said no money was exchanged between Levengood and the detective. Levengood was released from jail after posting a $250 cash bond. He is scheduled to appear before 13th Judicial Circuit Court Judge John Conrad for virtual arraignment proceedings Oct. 12, according to court records. Grayson Kamm, chief communications director for the State’s Attorney’s Office in the 13th Judicial Circuit, said charges were filed in that office Sept. 25. A Sept. 18 news release from HCSO identified Levengood as one of 11 men arrested by deputies in two Hillsborough County parks, as part of “Operation Park Cleanup.” All were similarly accused in the
sting operation. According to that news release, deputies focused their enforcement efforts on Sun City Heritage Park and Sydney Dover Conservation Park in Dover because both “are known to deputies as points where men meet for sex.” Levengood was the principal at AME from February 2007 through June 2014. He was the principal at Bayshore Elementary from August 1994 through January 2007. Levengood was unavailable for comment and his attorney, Brian Palacios, declined to discuss the case. If convicted of the second-degree misdemeanor, Levengood could face up to 60 days in prison and/or a fine up to $500.