Spring break bonanza. 4 AsTheWorldTerns lament pier loss. 6
Bunnies, bonnets. 14
Push for HB pier. 14 APRIL 4, 2018 FREE
VOLUME 26, NO. 23
Deadline missed for hundreds of BB vacation rentals. 2 Treehouse owners file to abate code enforcement case. 3
Meetings
On the government calendar. 4 Gulf Drive road work to resume April 9. 5
Op-Ed
The Islander editorial, reader remarks. 6
10-20 YEARS AGO
Looking back. 7
Happenings
Community announcements, activities. 10-11 Make plans, save a date. 12-13 AMITW gears up for nesting. 16 Cold weather deals blow to manatees. 17
Obituaries. 20 Streetlife. 22
The Best News on Anna Maria Island Since 1992
Island mayors request slice from concession pie
By terry o’connor islander reporter the three anna maria island mayors agree: it’s time to ask for their slice of the money pie. they are seeking shares of funding from the $1.144 million surplus in the manatee county beach concession fund. it amounts to nearly all of the surplus. the “wish list” announced at the march 27 Holmes Beach city commission meeting came to roughly $1.1 million. the surplus grows from lease payments and a percentage of profit collected from concessionaires upS inc., which operates the anna maria island Beach cafe, 4000 gulf drive, Holmes Beach, and coquina Beach cafe, 2650 gulf drive S., Bradenton Beach. Surplus concession revenues can be used to fund capital projects, community planning studies or consultant reports and other one-time projects that serve a valid public purpose and serve all anna maria island residents. projects may be undertaken either by anna maria, Bradenton Beach or Holmes Beach or collectively. The final wish list of projects includes
A bicyclist and other vehicles maneuver the roundabout on Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach. Islander Photo: ChrisAnn Silver Esformes
bike- and pedestrian-safety improvements, the anna maria city pier rebuild, dog park upgrades, grassy point preserve improvements and Holmes Beach skateboard park upgrades. funding requests by city: anna maria, $333,000; Bradenton Beach, $298,230; and Holmes Beach, $342,290. another $100,000 is earmarked for infrastructure at the center of anna maria island, 407 magnolia ave., anna maria.
a letter of support signed by all three island mayors and a written request for funding will be forwarded by Holmes Beach mayor Bob Johnson to the manatee Board of county commissioners, which has the ultimate decision on funding. the county established guidelines for the use of the surplus concession revenues in September 2014. The commission has final approval for the use of the revenues. pLeaSe See CoNCeSSIoN page 2
Worshipers gather April 1 at Manatee Public Beach for the 54th Easter Sunrise Service presented by the Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island. The service includes all six island churches. Worshipers began to arrive before 6 a.m. for fellowship and coffee at the Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe. The service began before dawn and concluded as the sun rose above the horizon. The offering was shared by the churches. Islander Image: Jack Elka
despite rescue attempts, a 52-yearold man died march 31 after he was found unconscious near the shore in Sarasota Bay south of the Historic Bridge Street pier in Bradenton Beach. Brandon nieuwkoop, who lived on a cabin cruiser among the community of 30-40 anchored boaters — including four who fought to save his life — was proNieuwkoop nounced dead at 2:12 p.m. at Blake medical center in Bradenton, Bradenton Beach police detective Sgt. Lenard diaz said. Barb maldonado, with her brother, mark Hill, and friend crystal nimmons were traveling in a dinghy to their boat at about 11 a.m. when Maldonado noticed what, at first, she thought was a horseshoe crab. Hill announced it was a man with tattoos, and the group recognized him as nieupLeaSe See Boater page 3
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Back to the future. 25 Spring break brings little break from wind on the water. 27 Beach clean up follows celebration. 28 Farmers market a win-win for vendors, customers. 29
ISL BIZ Anchor down for new business. 30
PropertyWatch. 31 CLASSIFIEDS. 32
www.islander.org
Service on the sand
Boater found in bay near Bridge St. pier dies