The Islander Newspaper E-Edition Wednesday, June. 17, 2020

Page 1

Happy Father’s Day

VOLUME 28, NO. 34

JUNE 17, 2020 Free

the Best news on anna maria island Since 1992

islander.org

Astheworldterns celebrate AM pier opening. 6 island cities open doors. 4 there’s a race in HB. 5

Opinions. 6, 7, 15

Parking letters overflow.

10-20 YEARS AGO

Looking back. 7

People wave signs and shout as passing motorists honk approval June 9 during a protest at Holmes Beach city Hall against parking reductions. islander Photo: rolf Bertram

captain makes ridley rescue. 8 Bradenton Beach issues rfP for tram ops. 9

Meetings. 9 anna maria readies changes to sign ordinance. 9

Happenings community announcements, activities. 10 Pizza parlor pops up on Pine. 11 chamber announces award winners. 11 HB considers ‘city center’ plans. 12

Streetlife. 12 city attorney fees denied in Sunshine Law case. 13

RoadWatch. 13 Gathering.

14

Storm guidelines tighten for pandemic. 15

NESTING NOTES. 16 tides, rain swamp sea turtle nests.

Be counted to counter climate change. 17

Opposition mounts to HB parking plan

By chrisann allen islander reporter

They’re upset and they showed it. People demonstrated in advance of the June 9 virtual Holmes Beach City Commission meeting and about 100 people attended the telemeeting. A recent reduction of about 1,100 onstreet parking spots, following a nearly complete parking shutdown of parking during the COVID-19 beach closure, prompted a maelstrom of responses. Although not on the meeting agenda, parking was discussed during public comment. About 15 people spoke and several letters were read into the record. Former Commissioner Rick Hurst, who is pursuing a commission seat in the 2020 election, said he circulated and garnered more than 200 signatures “quite easily” for a petition opposing the parking change. “The majority of residents do not approve this plan,” he said. A letter from Palma Sola resident Karen Riley-Love, who operates a wedding business and is a photo-correspondent for The

Islander, was read into the record by Commission Chair Jim Kihm, said, “I am concerned that this is happening too quickly, without input from residents and businesses affected by the changes.” Karen Gertz-Casper, a Holmes Beach resident, said, “My family comes here because they know they can park at my house and easily have beach access. That’s been taken away. … So what do you plan to do for our residents?” Holmes Beach resident Renee Ferguson told the commission she favors the parking reduction, saying people park on her lawn and leave behind dirty diapers. “I just don’t think it’s fair that our city needs to be the sole provider of the parking.” Holmes Beach resident Nancy Deal said she supports the change and cited an island traffic study that determined, “Free parking is not a right.” “We cannot have unfettered parking on this island anymore, with all the problems it brings to our community,” said Deal, who suggested a town hall meeting to discuss parking solutions.

State reps join Holmes Beach parking protest By chrisann allen islander reporter

People assumed parking would reopen once the spread of coronavirus was lessened. And they were about half right. Senate President Bill Galvano and State Rep. Will Robinson, both Bradenton Republicans, shared their “growing concern” for the city’s restrictions June 11 in a joint letter to Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth. In late April, city commissioners agreed to a parking plan proposed by Police Chief Bill Tokajer — after a review and a plan requested by the mayor — that removed 1,100 parking spaces previously open to the public — a parking decrease of about 45% within a quarter-mile of the beach. On-street parking for the remaining spots in Holmes Beach reopened June 5. The parking plan was never placed on a meeting agenda, as traffic regulations are at the discretion of the city traffic engineer — the police chief — so long as plans are supPLeaSe, See Protest, Page 2

At long last, starting June 19 people can wet a line, walk the planks

adult football champs crowned. 18 for the best bite, cast in the a.m. 19

PropertyWatch. 20 CLASSIFIEDS. 20 Hashtag hurricane. 22

NYT puzzle.

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THERE'S TAKEOUT, AND THEN THERE'S GREAT TAKEOUT.

With rails near shore and benches throughout, the new anna maria city Pier, 101 Bay Blvd., is ready for visitors. the city plans to open the pier June 19. See story, page 3. islander Photo: chrisann allen


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