The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, June. 24, 2020

JUNE 24, 2020 FREE

VOLUME 28, NO. 35

The Best News on Anna Maria Island Since 1992 Astheworldterns find some shady goings on. 6

islander.org

New Anna Maria City Pier opens minus pomp, pageantry

Coronaviruses cases surge. 3, 4

Top Notch

contest to launch. 4

Meetings. 4 Tourism experts track travelers’ sentiments. 4

Opinions. 6

10-20 YEARS AGO

Looking back. 7

Beach renourishment to begin July 2. 7 County to hack more pine trees at Coquina. 8 BB OKs 2 ballot questions. 8

Happenings

Jack Elka captures the new Anna Maria City Pier from on high with his camera drone at the opening at 8 a.m. June 19, with a view of the first people allowed on the pier and, beyond, the city of Anna Maria and the Gulf of Mexico.

10

DOT begins Longboat Pass Bridge study. 12

Streetlife. 12 RoadWatch 13 Need to find Tuna Street? 14-15 BB CRA to negotiate shuttle operator. 16 BB approves parking changes. 17

Good Deeds. 18 Gathering. 18

Islander Photo: ChrisAnn Allen

Pet planning. 19

Skimming AMI. 19 NESTING NOTES. 20 New pier, new times. 21 County, cities to work on parking issues. 22 Cheer for soccer. 22 Transition to summer heat, fishing. 23

PropertyWatch. 24 CLASSIFIEDS. 24

NYT puzzle.

27

About 50 people who waited landside flood onto the new Anna Maria City Pier June 19, as the gate swung open for the first time in nearly three years at 8 a.m.

The city built the new pier to replace the original 1911-built pier, which was demolished by the city in 2018 following a declaration of damages caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017. The total cost is estimated at $6.8 million, according to Mayor Dan Murphy, who declined to provide a breakdown. Islander Photo: Bonner Joy

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

Joseph Dolan, 13, of Palmetto, was among the first to arrive to the Anna Maria City Pier on opening day June 19, and also the first to reel up a fish — a small snapper — at the T-end of the new pier, 101 Bay Blvd.

Islander Photo: ChrisAnn Allen

Page 2 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 24, 2020 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Anna Maria City Pier opens quietly amid patron enthusiasm

By ChrisAnn Allen Islander Reporter

Renewed.

It took nearly two years for the new pier to welcome people to the boards.

At long last, the new Anna Maria City Pier opened June 19 to sightseers and anglers.

The pier at the east end of Pine Avenue in Anna Maria was built to replace the historic pier, which opened in 1911 but was removed by the city after damage from Hurricane Irma in September 2017.

An initial crowd of about 50 people made its way down the walkway to the T-end June 19, where Mayor Dan Murphy and Commissioners Carol Carter and Amy Tripp were waiting to greet visitors.

Due to concerns over the spread of coronavirus, the city postponed a ribbon-cutting event in lieu of a “soft opening,” but officials plan to hold a celebration honoring those who contributed to the pier, according to Murphy.

“I’m very happy with how it went,” Murphy said Frank Agnelli, partner in Mason Martin Construction, the contractor for the restaurant and bait shop on the T-end of the new Anna Maria City Pier, and his daughter, Sadie, 6, of Holmes Beach, were the first two people to walk through the gates at the opening, June 19. Agnelli said, “Building this pier was a great privilege.”

Islander Photo: ChrisAnn Allen

of the opening. “It was a really nice crowd with lots of families. And that made me feel good.”

Tripp also said she enjoyed seeing families on the pier.

“So many people said they missed the pier and how happy they were it was open again,” she said.

“Seeing all the families with kids was great. I feel like it will really be a community-connector,” Carter estimated 3,000-4,000 people visited the pier June 19.

“I loved seeing many residents of the island and Manatee County, who had so looked forward to being able to walk out on the pier,” she said. “For many months they’ve been anticipating this as they’ve been watching things develop.”

Anna Maria resident Skip Roach, his wife Marie and granddaughter Catherine were among the first people on the pier when it opened.

“I’ve been coming out here every day at sunrise,” Roach said. “I was heartbroken when it was damaged.

But here we are today. And it is beautiful.”

AM officials preview pier

Florida’s Government-in-the-Sunshine Law limits when two or more officials on the same board can gather for discussions.

On June 19, as members of the public were held back at the gate to the new Anna Maria City Pier, Mayor Dan Murphy and Commissioners Carol Carter and Amy Tripp were observed on the T-end of the pier prior to the 8 a.m. opening.

Murphy and Carter each told The Islander in separate phone calls after the pier opening that they arrived early to set up tables, check the bathrooms and ensure masks were available for the public.

There was no ribbon-cutting, speaker, refreshments or entertainment at the opening.

Tripp said she too arrived before the gates opened and that she and Carter chatted about their families while awaiting the crowd. Carter concurred.

The mayor and commissioners each told The Islander that no city business was discussed.

Per state regulations, the event notice posted on the bulletin board at city hall in advance of June 19, stated, “There may be one or more commissioners, committee members, or board members on the city pier at one time during the opening of the city pier, June 19-21, 2020. There will be no city business conducted at this time.”

The notice was not posted to the city website nor was it provided to The Islander until after the meeting.

And many times, in many Sunshine Law training sessions, all who attended have heard the attorneys and others who conduct the mandatory training, advising officials of elected and appointed boards to avoid the appearance of impropriety.

— ChrisAnn Allen

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June 24, 2020 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 3 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Coronavirus spike prompts little concern among islanders

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

The first wave of COVID-19 is a tsunami.

Florida broke its single-day record for new coronavirus cases four times over seven days as the record escalated from 2,581 new cases June 13 to 3,822 June 19. More than 18,777 new cases were reported over the stretch.

The number of new cases reported in a single day never dropped below 1,758 during the seven-day period.

The surge comes after recording fewer than 1,000 new cases almost every day since the first case was confirmed in March. However, the last time the state reported less than 1,000 new cases in a single day was with 966 cases June 8.

Almost 90,000 positive cases had been identified in Florida as of June 19, with 3,103 deaths listed in association with the virus.

Ten Florida counties have reported more than Manatee County.

As of June 22, 1,977 Manatee County residents had contracted the virus and 126 deaths were associated with COVID-19.

Of the confirmed cases in the county, seven cases — including two nonresidents — had been identified on Anna Maria Island.

Four cases were reported in Bradenton Beach, and three were registered in Holmes Beach. No cases were identified in Anna Maria.

Early June 22, as The Islander went to press, the Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe at Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach announced it had closed after a “member of our team” tested positive for the virus.

A Facebook post said, “We feel this is the right decision to protect our staff and the public.”

Despite the surge in the state, many residents and visitors on Anna Maria Island weren’t too concerned with the pandemic.

“Here on the island, I’m not sure that we all took it as serious as the rest of the world,” Anna Maria resident

Jim Sullivan said June 12. “And I haven’t heard of any consequences of that laissez-faire approach.”

Sullivan was holding a table for friends with his wife, Gale, at D.Coy Ducks Bar & Grille in the Island Shopping Center, 5410 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

The couple said they were happy to be able to socialize at a favorite local spot after bars reopened bars June 5.

“We hadn’t seen a lot of people in a while,” Sullivan said. “There were people we’d see regularly, but because of this coronavirus stuff, we didn’t run into them.”

Holmes Beach resident Richard “Boston” Burnes Jr., one of Sullivans’ friends, grabbed a beer and joined the table.

“Did I feel cooped up? Yeah, but, you know what?

It was great,” Burns said. “I stayed home with the dog and got to watch TV.” Another friend, Holmes Beach resident Anne Ricci, joined the table and said she was happy to gather with friends but remained cautious. She said she and her husband, Scott, refuse to dine indoors at restaurants due to their concerns with the virus.

“I’m a compromised specimen,” she said. “So, I’m not worried about it, but I am cautious. I carry around Lysol wipes wherever I go.”

Ricci said she was confident at the bar because she can trust friends to quarantine if they don’t feel well.

“I trust the others,” she said. “It’s the unknown that’s the scary thing.”

Sullivan agreed that he wasn’t concerned with the spread of the virus at his local watering holes.

“Us coming to a place like this and then worrying that we’re going to get infected? That’s not the biggest worry for us,” he said. “We’ve got an exclusive little group that’s remained healthy through it, so we’re not worried about gathering.”

While some people trust friends to limit the virus’ spread, others doubt the severity of the pandemic.

“I honestly believe it’s been blown out of proportion,” Melissa Wells said June 18 from a beach chair at Coquina Beach. “No one has ever explained to me how this is somehow worse than the flu. I’ve heard general

things, but nothing’s convinced me otherwise.”

However, COVID-19 is not the flu.

Influenza was associated with more than 34,200 deaths in 2018, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

COVID-19 in the United States has been associated with more than 121,000 deaths and counting since the first confirmed deaths in February, according to the CDC. Of course, not everyone is doubtful of the virus’ potency.

Bradenton resident Ronnie Sterling said June 18 she was concerned with the spike in cases.

“It’s kind of scary,” she said. “But I think if people do what they’re supposed to do, we should be fine.”

Sterling, who was enjoying the scenery from a picnic table at Coquina Beach, said many beachgoers were respecting social distancing. However, she added, hardly any wore face masks.

The CDC says a mask is not necessary outdoors if social distancing is maintained, but recommends masks when social distancing is not possible and in public indoor spaces.

Some local governments, such as Tampa’s, have ordered mandatory masks for the public, but not Manatee County or its municipalities.

“I wish more people would,” Bradenton resident Dan White said June 18, as he soaked up the sun at Coquina. “I see people without masks sometimes and I don’t like that. The more people wear masks, the faster we can get rid of this thing.”

“People that don’t believe it’s for real should visit a hospital and see what’s going on,” he added. “People are dying every day.”

Bradenton Beach resident Doug Collums said he suffers from a respiratory illness, so he is wearing a mask in public.

“I’m not living in fear or anything, but I am cautious,” Collums said from his beach chair at Coquina.

“But when you get out here, you kind of forget about COVID-19.”

Page 4 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 24, 2020 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

COVID-19 cases reach record highs in Manatee County

By ChrisAnn Allen Islander Reporter

Positive cases of coronavirus are trending up again in the state and Manatee County.

The state exceeded the record number of cases in a single day at least twice in the past week.

Also, as the state’s positive case rate curved upward after the rate of daily new cases started decreasing in May, the county’s rate also trended upward.

The county’s rate of positive cases increased June 16 from 5.1% to 5.3%. The state was at 5.4%.

Before the uptick, the county’s positive rate had dropped 9.4% from its peak at 14.5% in early May. The Florida Department of Health reported June 11-14 the highest four-day increase in positive cases in the county since the pandemic was reported in the area in early March.

On June 15, there were 70 new cases reported in the county.

As of June 18, 28,665 people in the county had been tested — about 7% of the population of 402,253 people.

Of those tested, 1,513 residents and 10 nonresidents — people with an out-of-state address but diagnosed in the county — tested positive as of June 18.

At a June 16 teleconferenced county commission meeting, county public safety director Jake Saur, gave a report on COVID-19.

Saur said the increases could be due to more testing in healthier populations. He said previous testing was focused on the elderly and those with symptoms.

However, with “drastically increased testing,” more people without symptoms were getting tested and testing positive, according to Saur.

“There’s a much wider population being tested now and, within that younger, healthier population, a lot of them are asymptomatic,” he said.

Gary Reformina, a registered nurse with the Florida Department of Health-Manatee, collects a COVID19 testing specimen June 11 at Presbyterian Villas retirement community in Bradenton. Islander Photo: Courtesy DOH-Manatee

As of May 17, 9,984 people had been tested in the county, compared with nearly 28,000 people tested a month later.

Saur said the county’s goal was to test another 2% of the population — about 1,000 people by early July.

He said the DOH started testing at mobile home parks and retirement communities. Testing continued

New TopTop Notch photo contest launches July 15 Notch The Islander’s Top Notch contest begins anew.

The contest celebrates what still is known as the “Kodak moment,” despite Kodak’s downfall in the switch from film to digital technology.

Look to July 10 for the first deadline, including your July 4 holiday photos.

The contest includes six weekly front-page winners. Each will claim an Islander “More than a mullet wrapper” T-shirt.

One weekly shot will take the grand prize in the contest, earning the photographer a cash prize from The Islander and certificates from local merchants.

at six Manatee Rural Health Inc. locations, a walk-up site at Lincoln Park in Palmetto, and a state-sponsored regional testing site at the Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota.

The state also opened a walk-up testing location at Home Depot, 2350 Cortez Road, Bradenton.

Saur said the migrant community was proving to be a hot spot, with groups of people working and living together. He said the county targeted migrant workers for testing.

However, he said anyone can get tested and, he also emphasized the importance of continuing the practices of hand-washing and wearing face masks in public.

Face masks can reduce the spread of the virus by blocking airborne particles, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Now is not the time to panic, but it is the time to reinforce wearing a face mask and adhering to CDC guidelines,” Saur said.

Commissioner Misty Servia said Dr. Jennifer Bencie, health officer at DOH-Manatee, told her the median age for the virus in the county, excluding residents and workers at long-term care facilities, was 42.

Servia said she asked Bencie if the higher numbers were the result of increased testing and that Bencie responded, “Absolutely not. It is beyond that,” implying the increase was due to community spread.

Commissioner Carol Whitmore said she recently attended an event where most attendees were younger than herself, and she was the only person in a mask.

“Even if you don’t care about it, you need to think about the person sitting next to you,” she said. “I guess until your family member gets it, or a good friend, you’re not going to realize how dangerous this is.”

Meetings

A pet photo winner will be announced in the final Anna Maria City week.

June 25, 6 p.m., city commission.

Look online this week for complete rules and July 16, 2 p.m., city commission. details.

July 17, 2 p.m., planning and zoning.

Please, note, each original JPG must be included July 24, 9 a.m., special magistrate. in a single email with the name of the photographer; July 30, 6 p.m., commission. date the photo was taken; location and description; Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, 941-708names of recognizable people; and the address and 6130, cityofannamaria.com. phone number of the photographer.

More rules — published online at www.islander. Bradenton Beach org — must be observed.

July 1, 9:30 a.m., CRA. CANCELED — Bonner Joy July 1, 2 p.m., Scenic WAVES. CANCELED July 2, 6 p.m., city commission.

July 7, 9:15 a.m., commission.

July 14, 9:15 a.m., commission.

July 15, 1 p.m., planning and zoning.

July 16, 11 a.m., pier team. CANCELED July 16, noon, city commission.

July 28, 10 a.m., city commission.

Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., 941-778-1005, cityofbradentonbeach.com.

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Holmes Beach

July 1, 6 p.m., planning commission.

July 7, 9 a.m., city commission.

July 21, 6 p.m., city commission.

Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, 941708-5800, holmesbeachfl.org.

Manatee County

June 24, 9 a.m., commission (convention center).

June 26, 9 a.m., commission (budget).

July 22, 9 a.m., commission (land).

July 28, 9 a.m., commission.

July 30, 9 a.m., commission (budget).

Administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 941-748-4501, mymanatee.org.

Of interest

July 4 is Independence Day, most government operations are closed.

Aug. 18, Florida’s primary elections.

Sept. 7 is Labor Day, most government operations are closed.

Nov. 3, general election.

June 24, 2020 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 5 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Tourism experts track travelers’ sentiments during pandemic

By Lisa Neff Islander Editor

Tourism experts asked potential Manatee County visitors for the word that describes their “feelings about travel right now.”

The answers read like the “cautious” entry in a thesaurus: anxious, fearful, concerned, hesitant, apprehensive, wary.

The latest results to the “Traveler Sentiment Survey,” launched as the coronavirus pandemic derailed local tourism, were presented June 15 to the Manatee County Tourist Development Council by Anne Wittine of Research Data Services, the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors’ consultant.

The meeting was at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto, with most attendees wearing masks and sitting 6 feet apart.

Wittine said the survey, conducted weekly, showed people felt less safe in June than in late May. In the second week of June, about 42% of respondents said Florida was reopening too quickly after more than a month under “safer-at-home” orders.

About 34% felt that way the first week of June.

Respondents said their travel concerns included not being able to return home, being quarantined away from home and dealing with canceled flights.

Wittine also presented a series of statistics on tourism impact, saying, “These numbers really seem like a bad April Fools’ joke.”

In March, overnight stays grossed about $1.78 million in bed taxes and the collection was down 34.59% from March 2019.

In April, overnight stays generated $449,904 in bed taxes, down 69.81% from April 2019. The bed tax, or tourist development tax, is the 5% collected on overnight rentals of six months or less.

Visits in commercial lodging — hotels, motels or condos — were down 8.6% for the second quarter compared to January-March 2019.

Direct expenditures for visitors in the second quarter were $277,999,500, down 7.1% compared to the same period the year before.

Total economic impact for visitors in the second quarter was $439 million, down 7.1% from the year before.

Occupancy was down 8.9% for the second quarter.

Visitors were down 40.2% to 55,500 in March, the first month in which Florida was dealing with — or reeling from — the pandemic.

In April, with much of tourism shut down or restricted, visitation was down 82.3%.

For March, room nights totaled 138,600, down 33.7% from March 2019, and the total economic impact for the month was down 38.4% to about $110 million.

Anna Maria Island’s occupancy fell 30.4% in March and, countywide in April, occupancy was down 83.4%.

#AMItogether #AMItogether #AMItogether #AMItogether #AMItogether #AMItogether #AMItogether #AMItogether

Michele Schulz, field services and collections director at the Manatee County Tax Collector’s office, addresses the TDC June 15 at the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto. To inform people of pandemic rules for leasing short-term vacation rentals, the tax collector’s office contacted more than 7,000 property owners by email and U.S. mail. Islander Photo: Screenshot

“May occupancy was averaging about 40%, which is down, but is a huge increase from … April,” Wittine said.

In other business, the TDC heard the following reports: • John Horne, owner of the Anna Maria Oyster Bar restaurants, represented the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association at the meeting.

“One of the things that was a huge shot in the arm for lodging and restaurants was the work you guys did to get short-term rentals open,” he said, referring to the lifting of a ban on vacation rentals of less than a month in Manatee County. The ban was imposed March 27 and lifted May 23.

• At Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport, passenger traffic increased from 9,742 passengers in April to 39,988 passengers in May. However, May traffic was down 71% compared with May 2019.

SRQ representative Mark Stuckey said airlines were adding services, the “terminal is sparkling clean”

About the TDC

The advisory committee makes recommendations to the board of county commissioners on the expenditures of tourist tax revenues — a 5% tax on accommodations of six months or less.

The board includes Manatee County Commissioner Misty Servia, Bradenton Mayor Wayne Poston, Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant, hoteliers Jiten Patel, Ed Chiles, Eric Cairns and Barbara Baker and citizens Jack Rynerson and Vernon DeSear. and all airlines operating from the airport require passengers to wear masks.

“You don’t find that when you go out and around the town,” he said. “When you are at the airport, about 99.9% of everybody is wearing masks.”

The next TDC meeting will be at 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 17, tentatively at Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

County commission reappoints 2 TDC seats Manatee County commissioners unanimously voted June 16 to reappoint two mayors to the tourist development council.

Two people — Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant and Longboat Key Commissioner Ed Zunz — applied for a seat reserved for an elected official.

Bryant held the seat and was reappointed.

The commission also reappointed Bradenton Mayor Wayne Poston to the seat representing his city, although another appointment will be required in November, as Poston is not seeking reelection.

The advisory committee makes recommenda-

tions to county commissioners on expenditures of tourist tax revenues — the 5% tax on accommodations of six months or less.

The board includes Poston, Bryant, county Commissioner Misty Servia, hoteliers Jiten Patel, Ed Chiles, Eric Cairns and Barbara Baker and citizens Jack Rynerson and Vernon DeSear.

The commission meeting was at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto.

The next TDC meeting will be Monday, Aug, 17, tentatively at Holmes Beach City Hall.

— Lisa Neff

Page 6 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 24, 2020 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Opinion

Our

Ain’t no sunshine …

It was a beautiful sunny day.

A perfect day to finally open the much-awaited Anna Maria City Pier.

We arrived early for the 8 a.m. opening — reporter ChrisAnn Allen and son Aiden, as well as photographer Jack Elka, among dozens of other anxious piergoers, many of whom we knew.

We were held at bay by gatekeepers — Anna Maria public works staff and some of the Anna Maria substation sheriff’s deputies.

But we could see there were two-three people on the T-end of the pier and, having been forewarned that the mayor planned to gather at the T-end with commissioners prior to the gate opening, I was tense.

The time ticked away.

I wondered what they could talk about for so long … the weather? The azure waters of Tampa Bay or the glean of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge?

Maybe. But not likely for the 15-minute-plus span of time we stood waiting. They were, after all, alone and already on the pier when we arrived.

I had concerns because the Government-in-theSunshine Law prohibits two or more elected officials from discussing city business without giving notice and the meeting must be accessible to the public. Additionally, meeting minutes — a record of the meeting — must be taken.

So it appears they gave notice — as we later learned — on the bulletin board at city hall, but not on the city website, where such notices have typically been posted.

The trio, Mayor Dan Murphy and Commissioners Carol Carter and Amy Tripp, said they arrived early to the pier to set up some tables, although four heavy picnic tables had already been installed at the T-end.

They said they wanted to check the bathrooms and ensure that masks were available for the public due to the pandemic. And Tripp added that she and Carter exchanged family news.

There was no food, no refreshments, no speech and no ribbon-cutting and very few people wore masks.

The pre-opening meeting for the three officials was a sad preamble for what should have been a celebration for the pristine, new $6.8 million pier.

Still, the restaurant-bait shop negotiations are ongoing, and we await the outcome for the former tenant. Mask up? Not me But we’ll never know what else may have been I think wearing a mask in public or in stores should discussed or why they met out of the sunshine. be left up to the individual.

— Bonner Joy, news@islander.org Our lives have been disrupted enough by the virus and things still aren’t close to normal.

I personally cannot wear a face mask for medical reasons and I have been shamed in public over this.

It took me weeks to get up enough courage to JUNE 24, 2020 • Vol. 28, No. 35 finally go to the store again. ▼ Publisher and Editor If someone thinks they are sick or they feel more Bonner Joy, news@islander.org ▼ Editorial comfortable with a mask, then wear a mask or stay Lisa Neff, editor, lisa@islander.org home and have someone shop for you or have items ChrisAnn Allen, chrisann@islander.org delivered.

Joe Bird, editorial cartoonist Kevin Cassidy, kevin@islander.org Last time I checked, we lived in a free country.

Michael Dunn, michael@islander.org Lori LaRosa, Holmes Beach Jack Elka, jack@jackelka.com

Opinion

Your

Brook Morrison, brook@islander.org Ryan Paice, ryan@islander.org ▼ Contributors Sandy Ambrogi, sandy@islander.org Arthur Brice, arthur@islander.org Sarah Brice, sarah@islander.org Jesse Brisson Leslie Lake, leslie@islander.org Karen Riley-Love Capt. Danny Stasny, fish@islander.org ▼ Advertising Director Toni Lyon, toni@islander.org ▼ Office Staff Lisa Williams, office manager Vicki McIntyre, office assistant, reader advocate info@, accounting@, classifieds@, subscriptions@islander.org ▼ Distribution Urbane Bouchet Judy Loden Wasco Ross Roberts (All others: news@islander.org) Single copies free. Quantities of five or more: 25 cents each. ©1992-2020 • Editorial, sales and production offices: 3218 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach FL 34217 WEBSITE: www.islander.org PHONE 941-778-7978 toll-free fax 1-866-362-9821

Good neighbors

I want to thank Frank and Melissa Williams at Island Mail and Print for contributing Wi-Fi service to a young student during this pandemic that we are all going through.

During the end of this school year, I had to have my son in my office about one day a week due to COVID-19.

He needed to do his distance learning, but I was not allowed to have him log into my workplace network with a personal device and my cellphone hot spot didn’t have enough bandwidth for the streaming he needed.

So a sincere thank-you to Island Mail and Print for going beyond answering a call for help during this crazy time in our lives.

John Campora, Edward Jones of Holmes Beach

Visit www.islander.org

Free parking destination

Why do people drive from Lakeland and Tampa to Anna Maria Island’s beaches?

Could it be because they are free?

My husband and I have checked out beaches to the north, south and east of here.

We have found no free parking at them.

Holmes Beach provides more than 1,000 free beach parking spaces, yet we are vilified by the press, other mayors and politicians and our own residents.

Holmes Beach city officials and residents who work hard to placate everyone and keep our island clean and running, should not be shamed nor made a scapegoat for the lack of planning and overdevelopment that has taken place in this county and the surrounding region.

Ruth Richardson, Holmes Beach

Write! The Islander welcomes your opinion

letters. Submit your opinion along with name, address and a contact phone number to news@ islander.org.

Islander archive 24/7

Some years ago, The Islander was invited to take part in a pilot project with the University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries.

We donated our collection from the first edition in 1992 to the digital era of 2005, as well as digital editions. It took some time, but it’s all on the UofF digital library site, searchable by key word, name or date.

It’s simple, easy and available 24/7.

There’s 27 years, 52 weeks a year, the complete collection of The Islander, online at ufdc.ufl.edu.

June 24, 2020 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 7 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Beach renourishment to start July 2 in Holmes Beach

By ChrisAnn Allen Islander Reporter

Sometimes the beach needs a boost.

The first of two beach renourishment projects, approved by the Manatee County Board of Commissioners in October 2019, will start July 2.

The projects are planned to restore sand lost through erosion by pumping sand in pipes from an offshore seabed to the beach.

The first phase, the Central Beach Project, will start at 78th Street North in Holmes Beach and run south to about Fifth Street South in Bradenton Beach.

The second phase, the Coquina Beach Project, will start at Fifth Street South in Bradenton Beach and continue south to Longboat Pass.

The anticipated schedule for the project, weather permitting, provided by contractor Marinex Construction of Charleston, South Carolina, will be: • Mobilization: Through July 1; • Beach fill: July 2-Oct. 31; • Demobilization: Oct. 31-Nov. 15.

Construction equipment will be moved down the beach around the clock, with heavy activity in front of each property expected to continue no longer than a few days. Severe weather, mechanical issues or environmental protections could cause delays, according to the county website.

For the first phase, federal funding from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will pay 59.05% of the projected $20.5 million cost and the remaining 40.95% will be split between the state and county.

Of the cost for the southern renourishment, $2.65 million will come from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and $1.1 million will be split evenly by the state and county.

The county share of beach renourishment comes from the Tourist Development Council budget from the 5% bed tax charged for all accommodations of six months or less.

For more information about beach renourishment, visit mymanatee.org and search “beach renourishment.”

From the archives … After Betsy

A building on Gulf Drive on Anna Maria Island — possibly the Gulf Drive Cafe — is flooded after Hurricane Betsy in September 1965.

Islander Photo: Manatee County Public Library System Digital Collection

10&20 years ago

From the June 21, 2000, issue

• The Marina Bay Restaurant near Gulf and Marina drives in Holmes Beach ceased operation after owner Bill Zalla admitted he was $3 million in debt and could not keep the doors open.

• Manatee County commissioners unanimously approved a motion to apply for a $1 million annual federal grant to operate a fare-free island trolley.

The grant would require the county pay $220,000 annually as its share of the operating costs. No island city was asked to contribute to funding.

• A Bradenton man was sentenced to 30 years in prison for sexually battering two girls in Holmes Beach. The man was to serve a minimum of 25 years before being eligible for parole, according to Holmes Beach Detective Sgt. Nancy Rogers.

From the June 23, 2010, issue

• The Deepwater Horizon oil well that began gushing oil into the Gulf of Mexico April 22 was capped July 15.

• Anna Maria commissioners debated a parking plan for Pine Avenue that included counting parking in rights of way toward businesses’ required parking.

• Shorebird monitors counted 119 black skimmer chicks and 832 adult skimmers near Cypress Avenue in Anna Maria. The count also included four least terns and five snowy plovers.

• Holmes Beach commissioners considered code changes, including making it easier for businesses to add parking spaces to their properties.

• Anna Maria commissioners gave preliminary approval to allowing the street-sale of food and goods from carts and vehicles.

— Lisa Neff

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Page 8 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 24, 2020 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

County to remove 87 more pine trees at Coquina Beach

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Time to say goodbye to more Australian pine trees.

Manatee County commissioners voted 6-1 June 17 to approve the second phase of a drainage improvement project at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach that involves removing 87 Australian pine trees — an invasive species with a shallow root system — to accommodate the project.

Commissioner Carol Whitmore voted “no,” saying the $3,628,026 projected cost would be better spent elsewhere.

Work will involve installing underground drainage pipes and pervious concrete at the beach’s northern parking lot to address pooling stormwater.

Michael Sturm, Manatee County public works project manager, said the second phase would impact around 700 parking spaces.

Phase 1 cost the county $3,367,417 and created about 200 concrete parking spaces.

The county began the project in 2019 due to frequent flooding in the parking area. By installing

underground drainage pipes and covering the area with pervious concrete, the county hopes to prevent water from pooling in the area.

The first phase involved similar work for the southern end of parking and along an access road.

Construction required the removal of 103 Australian pine trees.

The county moved forward with phase 1 despite opposition from Bradenton Beach commissioners and a petition with more than 1,000 signatures.

The county owns and maintains Coquina Beach, so the city was unable stop the project. However, the county had to abide the city code that requires the county replace each tree removed with a “Florida Friendly” tree.

The county plans to replace the Australian pine trees removed in phase 1 with 83 buttonwood trees, 10 gumbo limbo trees and 10 shady black olive trees in the grass near a playground at the south end of the beach.

The county plans to replace the Australian pine trees removed during phase 2 with 71 green buttonwoods, eight shady lady black olive trees and eight

gumbo limbo trees on the north side of Coquina.

The replacement trees will be 12 feet tall when planted, with 4-foot-wide canopies.

The south end of Coquina Beach has 103 newly planted trees in place of an equal number of Australian pine trees that the county removed in 2019.

Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

Bradenton Beach approves 2 questions for November ballot

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

It’s time to hear from Bradenton Beach’s registered voters.

City commissioners voted 3-2 June 18 to direct city attorney Ricinda Perry to prepare two ballot questions regarding parking garages within city limits, including one question proposed in 2018 by the Keep Our Residential Neighborhoods political action committee that would prohibit construction of such a structure.

Commissioners Ralph Cole and Jake Spooner voted “no,” citing concerns with placing land-use rules in the city charter.

Attorney Robert Hendrickson, KORN’s legal representative, contacted Perry before the meeting to ask that the PAC’s parking garage question appear on the Nov. 3 ballot. He threatened litigation if the city refused to comply with his request, according to Perry.

Several of KORN’s ballot questions — approved by a petition of electors in 2019 — failed to make it through scrutiny by the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office for the November 2019 ballot. The SOE said the ballot language did not comply with state law.

While KORN’s initiative on the parking garage had yet to reach a ballot, the city — under the belief that land-use regulations should not be included in the

Bradenton Beach officials and staff maintain social distancing June 18 during one of the city’s first meetings open to the public since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

city charter — changed the comprehensive plan and land development code to prohibit parking garages.

However, Hendrickson has persisted that the prohibition should be included in the charter so future city officials can’t reverse the changes to the LDC and comp plan.

Charter changes must be approved by a majority of the electorate.

Holmes Beach candidates vow to listen, seek balance

By ChrisAnn Allen Islander Reporter

Four people are vying for two seats on the Holmes Beach dais.

Incumbent Commissioners Pat Morton and Kim Rash are running for reelection.

Morton has served 18 years on the commission, while Rash was elected to his first term in 2018.

Jayne Christenson, a former planning commissioner in the city, and former Holmes Beach Commissioner Rick Hurst, who held office 2017-19, then lost in the 2019 election, are challenging.

Christenson, who became a full-time resident in 2007 and a property owner since 1989, was vice chair of the planning commission and chaired the island congestion committee. She also regularly attends commission meetings, volunteered at Anna Maria Elementary when her son attended, and supports the Center of Anna Maria Island.

She said June 17 her goal as commissioner would be to continue to seek a balance between visitors and residents and promote a quality of life that encourages people to reside in Holmes Beach.

“What I would like to motivate is more involvement from residents and for city government to really listen and try to implement some of the suggestions that residents are giving our commissioners,” Christenson said. “It’s important that people feel heard or they won’t want to be involved.”

Hurst visited Holmes Beach starting in 1991 and moved here in 2013. He is involved in the community and volunteered as a coach at the center. He is a partner

in the Freckled Fin Irish Pub in Holmes Beach.

“I talk to people — that’s what I do,” Hurst said.

“I will start a conversation with anybody. And I think that is very important to really understand what is going on.”

Hurst said the recent decision by city officials and staff to reduce on-street parking in the city and the way the decision was implemented — by consensus of the commission without a vote and with limited public discussion — was a major factor in his challenge to regain a seat on the commission.

“The willingness to execute such a big plan that impacted so many people with minimal input from the public is unheard of,” he said. “I would have known this would not go over well and would not have supported it.”

Hurst said he learned much about the city from his term as commissioner.

He also said there is a “silent majority” rising, and he will serve as its voice.

“I’ve learned that every decision you make, you have to think about how it will affect everybody, not just the outspoken ones,” he said. “The balance that must be maintained creates a very delicate community.

And what we need right now is to bring that community together.”

Christenson shared similar goals.

“I love where I live and value our residents’ opinions,” she said. “I will be a voice on the city commission that will push to make sure what is brought to us by citizens is validated and utilized. I’m running because I care.”

While the city is not obligated to place KORN’s question on the ballot, it would be cheaper than going back to court or holding a special election, according to Perry.

Perry suggested the city place a second question on the ballot asking voters if they would allow the construction of a parking garage within city limits.

She added that if voters approved a garage, a builder would need to go through the city commission to change the LDC and comp plan to obtain permitting for construction.

Commissioner Marilyn Maro said she trusted the voters to shoot down any possibility of parking garages in the city.

“I’m 99% confident that the voters in our city do not want a parking garage in any way, shape or form,” Mayor John Chappie said. “They just don’t want it.

And I don’t want it.”

Chappie said placing the questions on the ballot may be an opportunity to put the issue to rest.

The city must submit language for the two questions to the SOE by Aug. 10 for placement on the November ballot.

Vote 2020

Voters registering for primary

Voter registration in advance of the August primary continues through July 20.

The deadline to request a mail-in-ballot for the Aug. 18 primary is Aug. 8.

The Manatee County Supervisor of Elections office also is processing applications to vote by mail.

As of June 4, Manatee County had 258,928 registered voters, including 111,350 Republicans and 80,203 Democrats.

The general election will be Nov. 3, and the registration deadline will be Oct. 5.

For more details, go online to votemanatee.com.

Please, send notices and listings for Vote Notes to news@islander.org.

June 24, 2020 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 9 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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Island happenings

Page 10 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 24, 2020 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Camping days

Community Cal

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ONGOING ON AMI

Summer day campers play frogger June 17 in a classroom at the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. The center launched 10 weeks of “Summer My Way” youth camp June 1.

For information about enrollment, call the center at 941-778-1908.

Islander Courtesy Photo

Through June, Candace Bennington’s “Oils of the Island,” Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6648.

LOOKING AHEAD ON AMI

On July 4

The Anna Maria Island Privateers will not hold the July 4 parade on Anna Maria Island and the Sandbar will not OFF AMI present its July 4 fireThrough July 31, all-media juried works display in Anna exhibit, ArtCenter Manatee, 209 Ninth Maria due to the coroSt. W., Bradenton. Information: 941navirus pandemic.

746-2862.

Oct. 16-17, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Bayfest, Anna Maria.

LOOKING AHEAD OFF AMI Saturday, July 25, Anna Maria Island Privateers “One Night in Tortuga” party, Cortez.

Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, Florida Maritime Museum reopens, Cortez.

KIDS & FAMILY LOOKING AHEAD ON AMI

Maritime museum remains closed through 2020 The Florida Maritime Museum will remain closed until Jan. 5, 2021.

The museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, shut down in March due to the outbreak of the new coronavirus.

The museum will undergo a “reimagination” of permanent exhibits during the extended closure, according to a news release.

To complete the project, the Friends of the Florida Maritime Museum, the nonprofit that supports the museum, is working with the Creative Pool, a design firm previously involved with the Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee.

Plans include changes to the gift shop, entry way and education room, as well as the release of a “branding campaign” that includes a new logo.

During the closure, the museum will continue

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online programming via social media and its website at www.floridamaritimemuseum.org.

For more information, call the museum at 941708-6120.

Manatee registering students for 2020-21 bus service

Oct. 30, Trail of Treats, islandwide.

Dec. 4, holiday walk and tree-lighting, Holmes Beach.

Dec. 11, holiday walk, Anna Maria.

Dec. 12, Christmas on Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach.

SPORTS & OUTDOORS LOOKING AHEAD OFF AMI Oct. 23, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Golf Tourna-

Manatee County School District is registering stu- ment, Bradenton. dents for bus service in the 2020-21 academic year.

The district continues to work on operation plans GOOD TO KNOW for the new school year and that involves registering SAVE THE DATES students for bus service by Tuesday, June 30.

Saturday, July 4, Fourth of July.

Registration is required for each student in a houseMonday, Sept. 7, Labor Day. hold and each student will be assigned one bus stop.

Saturday, Oct. 31, Halloween.

The district notice said students enrolled through Sunday, Nov. 1, daylight saving time ends. the hardship program are not eligible to ride a bus and Tuesday, Nov. 3, general election. should not register to ride.

Wednesday, Nov. 11, Veterans Day. Also, students living within 2 miles of their school Thursday, Nov. 26, Thanksgiving. generally are not eligible to ride a bus.

Bus assignments will be announced in early GET LISTED August.

To register, go online to www.manateeschools.net/ ADD LISTINGS IN THE CALENDAR registertoride.

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June 24, 2020 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 11 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Anna Maria code changes pass P&Z review

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

New mini reefs boost environment Staff and supporters from the Center of Anna Maria Island and mini-reef provider Ocean Habitats gather June 17 before the installation of 14 mini reefs under the Historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach.

The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency purchased the reefs through the center’s “Go Green” campaign to promote sea life and help filter water. Islander Courtesy Photo: Jim McDaniel

Ocean Habitats employee David Wolff takes a dip June 17 in Sarasota Bay to install mini reefs under the pier. Islander Courtesy Photo: Center of Anna Maria Island

1 family, 4 2020 grads, 4 classes

Anna Maria is making progress on sweeping changes to its code book.

The city’s planning and zoning board met June 19 to discuss proposed changes involving traffic circulation and parking.

P&Z members Dr. Jose Erbella and Margaret Jenkins were absent with excuse.

City planner Chad Minor presented the board with proposed changes to chapters 90-91 of the land development code.

The changes include: • Increasing the amount of required bicycle parking per vehicular parking spaces; • Establishing standards to allow golf cart parking spaces as an alternative to standard parking; • Reducing the required amount of parking for restaurants from one space per three seats to one space per four seats; • Removing parking spaces with pervious pavement from impervious lot coverage.

The P&Z will conduct a final review of the changes at 2 p.m. Friday, July 17, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive N. If approved, the changes will go before the city commission in an ordinance format.

Minor said he also will draft code changes to establish lighting standards for single-family homes and commercial buildings, require contractors to maintain a standard of cleanliness at construction sites, and set regulations for off-site parking.

He said he will bring the draft to the P&Z for review.

Minor and building official Luke Curtis have been working to streamline city code for months.

Three ordinances containing the pair’s proposed code changes involving alcoholic beverages, right of way uses and the local construction review board will go before the city commission for first readings and hearings at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 25, at city hall.

Master of Sunset pictures

Portraits by the Sea Halli Briscoe, daughter of Colin and Jamey of Celina, Texas, received her master’s from Oregon State University. Sammy Brainard, daughter of John and Lesley of Collierville, Tennessee, graduated from Arkansas State University. Halli’s sister Bailey graduated high school. Sammy’s sister Alexa earned her doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Tennessee in Memphis. And they all recently celebrated their scholastic achievements at the Holmes Beach home of grandparents Fuzz and Sandy Meneley. Islander Courtesy Photo

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Page 12 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 24, 2020 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

DOT opens study for Longboat Pass Bridge options Changes may be in store for the Longboat Pass Bridge.

Florida Department of Transportation director of development John Kubler emailed Manatee County officials June 18 to announce the DOT has begun a project development and environment study for the bridge, which connects Bradenton Beach and Longboat Key. Options explored in the study will include repairs to the bridge or replacing it with either a high-level fixed bridge or a “moveable” bascule bridge.

The DOT is required by the National Environmental Policy Act to conduct the study, which will assess the potential impacts of the proposed improvements.

The PD&E study is budgeted for $2.126 million and is expected to wrap up in August 2023.

Design, right-of-way acquisition and construction phases for the project have not been funded.

Along with the study, the DOT is launching a public involvement program.

Kubler said the DOT will host several public

Streetlife

Staff reports

Island police reports

Anna Maria June 14, 200 block of Gladiolus Street, disturbance. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint about drunken partiers “raising hell.” A deputy responded to an address and “educated” the people about the city’s noise ordinance.

June 14, 10000 block of Gulf Drive, overdose. The MCSO assisted Manatee County Emergency Medical Services after a woman was found unresponsive on a bench near Pine Avenue.

June 16, 500 block of Magnolia Avenue, noise. An MCSO deputy quelled a complaint about people being rowdy and loud at a pool.

June 16, 808 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria Motel and Resort Apartments, noise. The MCSO dispatched a deputy to respond to a complaint about loud noise at a pool. The deputy informed the noisemakers about the city’s quiet hours. No violation was issued.

June 17, 200 block of South Bay Boulevard, noise.

The MCSO responded to a complaint about renters making noise all day. No violation was issued.

Anna Maria is policed by the MCSO. Bradenton Beach June 11, 100 block of First Street North, larceny.

events to collect input and educate people on the options. He added that newsletters with more information will be mailed to property owners and officials.

— Ryan Paice

The Longboat Pass Bridge carries vehicles from the southern tip of Bradenton Beach to the north end of Longboat Key. The bascule bridge opened in 1957. Islander File Photo: Jack Elka

A resident called the Bradenton Beach Police Department to report a rental bicycle stolen from outside his home. The complainant said the thief cut through a steel cable that secured the bike to a “big plant.” A BBPD officer obtained the bike’s serial number and registered it as stolen in crime databases.

June 11, Back Alley Treasures, 108 Bridge St., larceny. An officer responded to reports of a theft at Back Alley Treasures, where a manager alleged items went missing after a man visited the shop. The manager provided the officer with a name after the man purchased coffee with a credit card. Other shops in the area reported similar issues. The manager was issued a case number and the BBPD is investigating.

June 12, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., found child. An officer responded to reports of an endangered toddler, found by a good Samaritan as he or she was about to walk into traffic on Gulf Drive South.

The good Samaritan brought the child to a lifeguard tower, where the mother appeared. BBPD contacted the Florida Department of Children and Families for an investigation.

June 14, Gulf Drive Cafe, 900 Gulf Drive N., Marchman Act. BBPD officers responded to a call regarding an intoxicated man wearing only boxers causing a disturbance The man said he was drunk and had no place to stay or people to call. Officers trans-

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HB man arrested for DUI

A Holmes Beach man was arrested for alleged drunk driving June 16 just as he arrived home.

Cayman Lazzara, 47, was arrested at 2:24 a.m. in the 4900 block of Gulf Drive by a Holmes Beach police officer.

According to the HBPD report, an officer tracked Lazzara at 14-17 mph in a 35 mph zone on Manatee Avenue and swerving across the double-yellow line, slowing down and speeding up. The officer stopped Lazzara after he pulled into his driveway.

The officer called for backup to conduct a field sobriety test, which Lazzara failed. He was arrested and transported to the Holmes Beach police station, where he was administered a breathalyzer test. His blood-alcohol level was 0.234 and 0.233 on two tests.

The legal alcohol limit is 0.08.

Lazzara was arrested for DUI with a blood-alcohol content over 0.15, transported to the Manatee County jail and released that day on a $120 bond.

His arraignment was set for July 21.

— ChrisAnn Allen

ported him to Blake Medical Center in Bradenton.

June 16, 100 block of Gulf Drive South, disturbance. Officers responded to reports of a disturbance on the beach fronting the Moose Lodge to find two women involved in an altercation. The son of one woman had splashed water into the other’s drink, which sparked a verbal — then physical — confrontation. The pair began striking each other before being separated by family members. No charges were filed.

BBPD polices Bradenton Beach.

Cortez No new reports.

MCSO polices Cortez.

Holmes Beach June 11, 300 block of 67th Street, theft. A woman reported two unlocked bikes stolen from her front yard.

June 12, 6400 block of Marina Drive, traffic. An officer was alerted by the license plate reader system to a motorist with a suspended license. Upon stopping a male driver, the officer determined his license was suspended for a year. He was arrested and transported to the Manatee County jail and his vehicle was towed.

June 12, 5900 block of Flotilla Drive, reckless driving. An officer responded to a report of a motorist swerving and blocking lanes. The female driver was charged with reckless driving and issued a notice to appear. Her vehicle was towed.

June 13, 5300 block of Gulf Drive, disturbance.

An officer responded to a noise disturbance. Several people were arguing. The issue was resolved without incident.

HBPD polices Holmes Beach.

Streetlife is based on incident reports and narratives from the BBPD, HBPD and MCSO.

Island watch In an emergency, call 911. To report information, call the MCSO Anna Maria substation, 941-708-8899; Bradenton Beach police, 941-778-6311; or Holmes Beach police, 941-708-5804.

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$2 @ The Islander, 3218 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach.

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June 24, 2020 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 13 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

RoadWatch

Eyes on the road

The Florida Department of Transportation and Manatee County posted the following notices: • Multiple locations in Bradenton Beach: A county pipeline replacement project continues. Impacted areas include Bay Drive South, Bridge Street, Church Avenue and Cortez Road. Expect construction in rights of way and increased truck traffic.

• Cortez Road and 119th Street West in Cortez: Work to realign the intersection of 119th Street West on Cortez Road/State Road 684 continues. Drivers can expect lane closures on Cortez Road from 123rd Street West to 86th Street West 10 p.m.-6 a.m. and on the south side of 119th Street West during the same period.

Pedestrians can expect sidewalk closures.

• State Road 64/Manatee Avenue over Perico Bayou and Palma Sola Bay: Crews are working on the bridges. Motorists can expect lane closures 7 p.m.-6 a.m. Completion will be in the fall.

For the latest road watch information, go online to fl511.com and swflroads.com or dial 511.

And, a reminder, a fare-free trolley operates daily on Anna Maria Island.

— Lisa Neff

West Manatee Fire Rescue applies for AED grant Ten local businesses soon may be equipped with emergency medical devices.

West Manatee Fire Rescue commissioners voted 5-0 June 16 to apply for a grant from the American Heart Association’s AED Incentive Program for 10 automated external defibrillators.

The devices reestablish an effective heart rhythm by delivering an electric shock.

Commission Chair Randy Cooper said the AEDs would be distributed to businesses and WMFR would train their staff. He said several businesses had shown interest in the program.

Cooper said the district would check the status of the AEDs during annual fire inspections.

He added that the district could acquire additional AEDs if the program goes well.

Commissioner Larry Jennis moved to approve the grant application.

Commissioner David Bishop seconded the motion.

The WMFR commission will meet next at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, July 21, at the administration building, 6510 Third Ave. W., Bradenton.

— Ryan Paice

Visit islander.org for the best news on AMI. AT&T adds to BB tower AT&T Wireless workers use a crane June 10 to install a service antenna on a cell tower in Bradenton Beach, according to Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale. The city leases the land for the tower — adjacent to Bradenton Beach Marina — to SBA Communications Corporation, which pays the city 30% of its revenue. In 2019, the city collected $3,974 from SBA. Islander Photo: Bonner Joy

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Times are tough for pets, too.

It’s especially true for rescues and foster pets waiting for a family and a home during the pandemic.

Please, join us and help wherever you can with adoption, food or funding. … or reach out to our partners at Moonracer No Kill Pet Rescue, Moonraceranimalrescue.com, 941-345-2441.

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Page 16 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 24, 2020 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Bradenton Beach CRA enters negotiations for shuttle-tram operator

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency is pressing the pedal to the metal on its plans for a tram.

CRA members voted 5-0 June 18 to negotiate with Sarasota-based Easy Park to operate a tram to transport people between the parking area at Coquina Beach and the commercial district on Bridge Street.

CRA member Ed Chiles was absent with excuse.

CRA member Jake Spooner, also a city commissioner, abstained from the discussion because of business ties with one of the three contractors that submitted bids responding to the CRA’s request for proposals for a tram operator in the pilot program.

Spooner also operates two businesses and manages rentals in a building he owns on Bridge Street.

The proposal from Easy Park included a $56,575 annual cost per six-passenger tram or a maximum of four trams at a cost of $226,300.

Easy Park’s Josh Larose said the company has managed parking in Sarasota for 22 years. He said they operate several trams, including one for the Daiquiri Deck and Bridge Street Bazaar on Bridge Street.

Larose added that Easy Park also could conduct additional parking management services throughout the CRA district.

Slidr LLC of Naples offered to operate two trams, as well as on-demand ride service for people with disabilities, for $224,674.34 a year.

Jesse Purdon from Slidr told CRA members his company would provide ridership data on a bimonthly basis.

Ride Circuit of Miami submitted an offer to operate two trams for $160,000.

Alex Esposito of Ride Circuit said his company had more experience than the other bidders because it operates micro-mobility programs — including trams — including for Hollywood, Florida, and New Rochelle, New York, among others.

City attorney Ricinda Perry said the bidders could be flexible and could change the number of trams, as well as the route and travel frequency, during negotiations.

She added that each contractor had a method for collecting ridership data to determine the tram’s viability.

Commissioner Jan Vosburgh said she was unsure if the benefits of the program would outweigh the costs revealed by the bids.

Commissioner Ralph Cole agreed, stating the CRA could instead construct a multi-use path along Gulf Drive from Coquina Beach to Bridge Street for businesses to transport patrons in low-speed vehicles or

BB-CRA seeks artist for roundabout sculpture

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

The circle may get a cube.

There may be funding for a sculpture — a monument, abstract or real, a leaping dolphin, a lumbering manatee or a school of fish in the roundabout by the Bradenton Beach pier.

But who will conceive and create the artwork?

Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency members voted 4-0 June 16 to invite local artists to submit their concept for a sculpture in the roundabout at the east end of Bridge Street.

CRA members Jan Vosburgh, Ralph Cole and Marilyn Maro were absent with excuse.

CRA member Jake Spooner, also a city commissioner, suggested hiring a local artist to create a sculpture for the roundabout.

CRA member David Bell then suggested making the sculpture moveable, to be displayed in different places within the district.

Spooner motioned to seek sculpture proposals.

CRA member Ed Chiles seconded the motion.

The discussion on a sculpture followed designer Emily Anne Smith’s presentation of her landscaping proposal for the roundabout, including a barrier of coral rock around the edge of the median and a large spruce or fir tree in the center — seasonally appropriate for Christmas decorations.

Smith’s design showed the tree circled by three rings of plants. An outer ring of 15 coontie shrubs, nine Nora Grant ixoras in the middle ring and four variegated shell ginger plants in the centermost ring.

Smith said the central tree wouldn’t block a driv-

A schematic shows the proposed landscaping for the roundabout on the east end of Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach. Islander Courtesy Graphic

er’s or pedestrian’s view of the Historic Bridge Street Pier, 200 Bridge St. She added that the CRA could plant a shorter spruce or fir if visibility is a concern.

However, Mayor John Chappie, also a CRA member, said he preferred placing palm trees in the roundabout instead of a spruce or fir for visibility and an island aesthetic.

Bradenton Beach resident Susan Billow, during public comment, also said she preferred palm trees for visibility at the roundabout.

Smith said she proposed planting palm trees throughout the district, so a spruce or fir would be a “necessary” change of pace. She added that an evergreen is easier to maintain than a palm.

The CRA decided to issue a call for artists before proceeding on the landscaping designs.

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Mayor John Chappie, also a CRA member, said the agency should move forward with the pilot program to collect information and test the viability of the tram, which has been in discussion for years.

He added that the tram services could be weaned from CRA funding after a year by selling advertising on the vehicles.

Chappie made the motion to enter negotiations with Easy Park.

CRA member David Bell seconded the motion.

The motion passed unanimously, after which CRA members voted 5-0 to negotiate with Ride Circuit if negotiations fail with Easy Park.

The CRA’s next meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 5, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N. However, the agency also could hold a special meeting to further discuss the issue.

County looks into tram plan

The devil’s in the details.

And Manatee County wants to know the details for the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency’s tram project.

County commissioners voted 6-0 June 16 to direct county attorney Mickey Palmer to write the CRA asking the agency to share its plans for a pilot tram program, as well as to ask permission from the county before moving forward.

Commissioner Stephen Jonsson, who represents the island, was absent.

The CRA’s pilot program would transport people to and from Coquina Beach to Bridge Street. It would require reconfiguring a section of parking at Cortez Beach from Fifth to 11th streets south to accommodate the tram path.

The reconfiguration involves requiring motorists back into parking spaces rather than back out.

The project also would involve creating a one-way access road near the North Coquina Boat Ramp to provide additional parking spaces for tram users.

The county owns and maintains both Cortez Beach and Coquina Beach, so the city needs county approval to make such changes.

County Commissioner Carol Whitmore said the city was supposed to present plans for the tram to the county before moving ahead but had failed to do so.

She added that the project might impact parking at Coquina Beach or Cortez Beach.

— Ryan Paice

Socializing: The Islander has an active Facebook community of more than 14,500 followers. To join the conversation, follow The Islander on Facebook.

We provide a direct link to our page at islander.org, where we have more than 3,800 registered users.

The Islander also has an active Twitter feed, where alert readers can comment.

June 24, 2020 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 17 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Bradenton Beach approves changes to parking code

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Parking a vehicle in Bradenton Beach requires knowing the rules.

City commissioners voted 4-0 June 18 to approve the final reading after a public hearing and some changes of an ordinance altering parking regulations in the city.

Commissioner Ralph Cole stepped out of the meeting before the vote.

Changes in the ordinance include: • Requiring vehicles to park within a parking spot’s markings; • Prohibiting “vessel trailer parking” on 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th and 27th streets north; • Prohibiting parking in municipal parking lots between midnight and 6 a.m.; • And allowing business owners with public-private parking to post “no beach parking” signs in and prohibit beach parking in their parking spaces.

Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale said the city has an agreement with Pines Trailer Park, which polices its own parking. He said as long as emergency vehicles can pass through a Pines’ roadway, vehicles would not be ticketed.

Commissioners scrapped a proposal to prohibit parking along rights of way within 200 feet of a street end on some streets.

The city currently prohibits right-of-way parking within 100 feet of a street terminus for Third to 13th streets south, as well as First to 27th streets north.

The commission instead agreed to maintain the existing prohibition on right-of-way parking within 100 feet of a street terminus on Third to 13th streets south.

The commission also agreed to remove the prohibition on right-of-way parking within 100 feet of a street end for roadways from First to 27th streets north.

However, the 100-foot prohibition on right-of-way parking was retained for 23rd and 25th streets north due to the proximity to Herb Dolan South Park.

Commissioner Jake Spooner asked why the new ordinance prohibits parking in municipal lots between midnight and 6 a.m.

Speciale said Lt. John Cosby recommended the change to prevent people from abandoning their vehicles in municipal lots. However, the BBPD would

Parked vehicles line Bridge Street June 18 as traffic navigates the commercial district.

Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

forgive parking tickets for those people who called Spooner moved to approve the ordinance with for a ride instead of driving under the influence of grammatical corrections and without changes to the alcohol. right-of-way parking at the street ends.

“We absolutely want people to do the right thing,” Commissioner Jan Vosburgh seconded the Speciale said. motion.

Bradenton Beach approves raise for building official

The Bradenton Beach building official is set for so well as building official. his first pay raise in five years.

“I think he’s been doing a great job for our comCity commissioners voted 5-0 June 18 to approve munity,” Spooner said. “It’s much appreciated.” a new contract with M.T. Causley Inc., a construction Commissioner Jan Vosburgh moved to approve company based in Homestead for Steve Gilbert’s ser- the contract for Gilbert’s services. vices as building official.

Spooner seconded the motion.

The contract increases Gilbert’s pay to $3,200 per There was no public comment.

— Ryan Paice week beginning June 27, when the current contract expires. The contract also stipulates that the rate will increase to $3,600 per week by 2021 and $3,800 by Bradenton Beach 2022. building official Gilbert told commissioners he had not received a Steve Gilbert raise since the city contracted his services for $2,650 speaks to city comper week in 2015. The city initially contracted with missioners June Causley for his services in 2008 at the rate of $2,500 18 regarding the per week. city’s contract for Commissioner Jake Spooner expressed support his services with for the pay increase and thanked Gilbert for serving M.T. Causley Inc. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

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Page 18 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 24, 2020 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Gathering

BizCal

Chamber seeks event sponsors, vendors

calendar@islander.org

AMI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Thursday, June 25 5 p.m. — June Business Card Exchange, hosted by the Anna Maria Island Privateers, chamber office, 5313 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Limited attendance. Fee required. Masks encouraged. Information: 941-778-1541 or email tina@amichamber.org.

Looking ahead Oct. 16-17, Bayfest, Anna Maria.

Oct. 23, golf tournament, Bradenton.

Roser Church to host Communion services

MANATEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Roser Memorial Community Church will offer Communion services Sunday, June 28, a first for the church since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

Communion wafers will be sealed in cups and placed in pews by deacons.

Roser asked attendees to make reservations by noon Saturday, June 27, as well as arrive to the church 15-20 minutes early for seating.

The church requires worshippers to wear masks and will provide masks to those without.

Also, people viewing worship services online can pick up Communion wafers.

For more information, go online to roserchurch. com or call the church office at 941-778-0414.

GoodDeeds

Assistance offered

Wednesday, June 24 8:30 a.m. — Manatee Chamber of Commerce power connection networking lunch via Zoom. Information: 941-748-3411, manateechamber.com.

Thursday, June 25 8 a.m. — Manatee Chamber of Commerce virtual coffee club networking via Zoom.

Looking ahead July 8, noon, Headliners Zoom program, Halsey Beshears, secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

July 29, noon, Headliners Zoom program, Manatee County School District Superintendent Cynthia Saunders.

Send calendar announcements to news@islander.org and calendar@islander.org.

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce is booking sponsors and vendors for two signature events in October.

Bayfest will be Friday-Saturday, Oct. 16-17, on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria.

The chamber is accepting applications for food vendors, arts and crafts dealers and nonprofit organizations for the festival.

Nonprofit participation is free. Food vendor cost is $175, while arts and crafts dealers pay $100-$150.

The application states that arts and crafts tents will be spaced 6 feet apart and food vendors will be 10 feet apart for social distancing.

A notice on the application says refunds will be offered if restrictions “regarding large gatherings” prevent the chamber from hosting Bayfest.

However, there will be no refunds if the event is canceled due to inclement weather.

The chamber’s golf tournament will be Friday, Oct. 23, at IMG Academy Golf Club in Bradenton, and the organization is seeking tournament sponsors — from $50-$1,500.

For more information, call the chamber at 941-778-1541 or go online to amichamber.org.

— Lisa Neff

Tidings

• The Roser Food Bank offers staples, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941778-0414.

REGULAR WORSHIP • CrossPointe Fellowship offers help dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak, including deliveries and gro- Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. — St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, cery shopping. Information: 941-778-0719.

• All Island Denominations offers monetary help, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-4769. including relief for unemployed people. Information: Thursday 9:30 a.m. — Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, 941-725-2433.

Volunteers sought

• Moonracer Animal Rescue seeks volunteers to offer foster and forever homes for rescued animals.

Information: 941-345-2441.

• The Roser Food Bank needs donations. Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, administers the pantry, supported by All Island Denominations. Information: 941-778-0414.

Send notices to news@islander.org.

Please, send listings for the religion page to news@ islander.org.

Communion wafers will be offered at Roser Memorial Community Church’s worship services at 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sunday, June 28. Islander Courtesy Photo

Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-1638.

Saturday 4 p.m. — St. Bernard Catholic Church.

Sunday 8:30 a.m. — St. Bernard Catholic Church.

8:30 a.m. — Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0414.

9:30 a.m. — CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-0719.

9:30 a.m. — Episcopal Church of the Annunciation.

10 a.m. — Roser Church.

10:30 a.m. — CrossPointe Fellowship.

GOOD NEWS W� invit� yo� t� w�shi� wit� u�

in the sanctuary! www.RoserChurch.com Click WORSHIP-SIGNUP to �eview th� �ocia� distancin� guideline� an� �eserv� you� �ea�. I� yo� prefe� t� �ta� hom�, please WATCH LIVE and join the chat on YouTube

Sunday� at 8:30 & 10:00 AM After the service WATCH LATER! Cal� th� offic� i� yo� nee� assistanc�.

Cal� th� churc� � tex� ROSER t� 22828 t� �eceiv� th� weekl� eBulleti�.

FACEBOOK> follow> �e� first, joi� � grou�. Nee� hel�? Cal� th� offic�!

Th� FOOD PANTRY i� ope� t� assis� islan� �esident�/w�ker� i� nee�.

Th� CHAPEL i� ope� durin� offic� hour� f� praye� & meditatio�.

Sen� PRAYER REQUESTS t� inf�@��erchurc�.co� � cal� th� offic�.

Gathering

Please, send listings for the religion page, including a contact name and phone number, to news@ islander.org and calendar@islander.org.

ONLINE WORSHIP Christ Church of Longboat Key, christchurchlbk.org.

CrossPointe Fellowship, Facebook.

Catholic Diocese of Venice, Spectrum cable TV. Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, Facebook.

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Facebook.

Longboat Island Chapel, longboatislandchapel.org.

Roser Church, roserchurch.com.

ACTIVITIES & EVENTS Sunday 10:30 a.m. — Life groups, CrossPointe Fellowship.

SAVE THE DATES July 13-19, shoe drive for Project Heart, Gloria Dei. Sept. 18-20, Rosh Hashanah.

Sept. 27-28, Yom Kippur Nov. 1, All Saints Day. Nov. 2, All Souls Day. Please, send notices to calendar@islander.org and news@ islander.org.

Cremations starting at $695 Call (941) 722-3201

Growing in Jesus’ Name The Rev. Dr. Norman Pritchard

Worship With Us Via Livestream Sundays at 10 a.m.

Cal� th� churc� offic� i� yo� woul� lik� t� tal� t� � PASTOR.

www.bit.ly/cclbksermons or www.christchurchlbk.org (follow YouTube link)

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Due to Coronavirus concerns, Sunday church services will be livestreamed until further notice.

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June 24, 2020 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 19 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Pet-friendly planning for hurricane season The loss resulting from Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 was catastrophic.

Among the casualties and tragedies: An estimated 600,000 animals were either stranded or killed.

In the wake of Katrina, emergency management planners stressed that any disaster threatening humans also threatens animals.

Today, making arrangements for animals â&#x20AC;&#x201D; among the most vulnerable in a storm â&#x20AC;&#x201D; is part of any household disaster planning.

Some recommendations from the specialists at animal welfare organizations: â&#x20AC;˘ Immunize and microchip pets. â&#x20AC;˘ Shelter with friends or relatives when sheltering with pets. â&#x20AC;˘ If a readiness plan involves staying in a motel or other lodging, determine in advance what brands welcome pets and what rules apply. A good resource is www. petswelcome.com.

Skimming

AMI

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Some come, some go, all welcome, all missed

Moose members have begun to roam back to their favorite beachfront lodge in Bradenton Beach.

After the long closure for bars in Florida, the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge No. 2188 opened with some of its own rules among the social distancing requirements and guidelines for staff and members.

For starters, no guests.

Seating inside the lodge is limited to 50% and the menu is downsized for the initial comeback, while the lodge awaits a new kitchen.

So whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on the menu? Burgers, chicken and mahi sandwiches, a hot dog and shrimp skewers. And thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good for me.

The outside patio and picnic area are limited only by social distancing, but, FYI, no picnic baskets or coolers are allowed. Patronizing the Moose is about making money for Moose charities.

Please, give back to the Moose and Mooseheart with your purchases at the lodge while the Queen of Hearts game is in suspension.

And, while youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re at the Moose, you can enjoy the best views around. But my tip is to BYOBC, bring your own beach chair.

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re bored at home, check out the Moose beach cam or watch the traffic on a second camera aimed at the roundabout on Gulf Drive from the lodge website, moose2188.org.

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re keeping our eyes on island businesses, hoping for the best for the pandemic comeback.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one small businessman whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been involved in one island enterprise or another for many years, starting with Beach Monkey, a T-shirt, bathing suit shop 40 or so years ago, followed by Beach Style Resortwear, both in Anna Maria.

Joe Hutchinson just opened a second business in Holmes Beach, Azure, 5508 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, (formerly Saltair) with Sandra King.

He also has a store â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Vintage Beach â&#x20AC;&#x201D; around the corner that specializes in coastal and shabby chic furnishings and touches of fashion and accessories.

The new store demonstrates more of Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s keen eye for fashion and accessories with a coastal, beachy flare, with the emphasis on the new â&#x20AC;&#x153;athleisureâ&#x20AC;? styles.

Think yoga and fashion blended.

Another small business, emphasis on small, has closed due to the limits of the pandemic.

Claire Marie Spa in the Holmes Business Center for more than eight years has closed.

Claire Marie is maintaining her website and phone number for the day when her â&#x20AC;&#x153;next sweet spot to see clientsâ&#x20AC;? opens.

Call or text 941-730-3649 or check out her website at clairemariespa.com.

Meanwhile, Kathy Smart, the â&#x20AC;&#x153;gogetterâ&#x20AC;? at Min-

â&#x20AC;˘ Pack a pet survival kit that includes an ID collar and rabies license tag, leashes, water and food bowls, medications, food to last about two weeks, newspapers/plastic bags for waste disposal, toys and comfort items. And treats! â&#x20AC;˘ Pets should have secure carriers or collapsible kennels. Carriers should be large enough for pets to stand comfortably and turn around. Pets evacuated to a county-designated shelter must remain in kennels, which are not provided. â&#x20AC;˘ Throughout an evacuation, pets will need calm and reassurance. Keep as close to their routine as possible. â&#x20AC;˘ After a storm passes, take precautions if allowing pets outdoors. Familiar scents and sights may be altered or gone, disorienting the animal. Additionally, debris, insects, wildlife and water may present hazards. â&#x20AC;˘ And, if you lose a pet, go searching ASAP.

Storm tracking 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season

Categorizing â&#x20AC;&#x2122;canes Forecasters use the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale for categorizing hurricanes. Generally, damage rises by a factor of four for every category increase.

Category 1

â&#x20AC;˘ Wind: 74-95 mph. â&#x20AC;˘ Surge: 4-5 feet. â&#x20AC;˘ Effects: No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery and trees. Also, some coastal flooding and minor pier damage.

nieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Beach Cafe in Holmes Beach is seeking signatures on a FaceBook petition that she plans to present Category 2 to the Manatee County board of commissioners at their â&#x20AC;˘ Wind: 96-110 mph.

June 23 meeting, asking the county to make â&#x20AC;&#x153;the wearâ&#x20AC;˘ Surge: 6-8 feet. ing of masks mandatory in public.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;˘ Effects: Some roofing material, door and She explains that she has nothing but her health to window damage. Considerable damage to vegetagain, and â&#x20AC;&#x153;everything to lose.â&#x20AC;? tion, mobile homes. Flooding damages piers and Going from small to very, very big, the Compass small craft in unprotected moorings may break its Hotel and Floridays restaurant and bar are ramping up moorings. for opening day â&#x20AC;&#x201D; projected to be July 15.

The (huge) resort pool is filled with agua and the Category 3 lounge chairs are ready for the deck. All thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s left is for the Nautical Wheelers to swoosh in and dosey-doe â&#x20AC;˘ Wind: 111-130 mph. while serving some icy, salty margaritas. â&#x20AC;˘ Surge: 9-12 feet.

And, as evidenced by the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now Hiringâ&#x20AC;? signs â&#x20AC;˘ Effects: Some structural damage to small along Manatee Avenue at the Perico Island entry, they residences and utility buildings, with a minor may be looking for you. amount of curtain-wall failures. Destruction of A familiar face for islanders, human resources mobile homes. Flooding near the coast destroys manager Nichole Pelkey is looking for all manner of smaller structures with larger structures damaged workers, from barbacks to room attendants and restauby floating debris. Terrain may be flooded well rant servers. inland.

Things are really shaping up for the opening.

Category 4 Meanwhile, at Waterline Marina Resort in Holmes â&#x20AC;˘ Wind: 131-155 mph.

Beach, the dining room has been closed since before â&#x20AC;˘ Surge: 13-18 feet. the state shutdown for the pandemic. â&#x20AC;˘ Effects: More extensive curtain-wall failures It seems corporate might be looking for an operawith some complete roof structure failure on small tor to run the F&B, and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re open to ideas. residences. Significant erosion of beach areas. TerIt also seems odd that they let it fail, considering rain may be flooded well inland. the company operates the foodie paradise, Epicurean Hotel in Tampa.

Category 5 If it reopens, I hope they class it up a notch and â&#x20AC;˘ Wind: 155 mph and more. add tablecloths. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a pet peeve, but when the entree â&#x20AC;˘ Surge: 18 feet and more. costs more than $30, I say, step it up. â&#x20AC;˘ Effects: Complete roof failure on many buildJust sayinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. ings. Some complete building failures. Flooding Last but not least, we learned at deadline for this causes major damage to lower floors of all strucweekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newspaper that the Anna Maria Island Beach tures near the shoreline. Massive evacuation of Cafe at the Manatee Public Beach, Holmes Beach, residential areas may be required. was reporting a staff member had tested positive for COVID-19.

The management posted on FaceBook that they immediately closed the restaurant. They plan to test Click! The Islander welcomes news of the all employees and disinfect the cafe and develop a milestones in readersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lives. Send notices and reopening plan only after they know they can â&#x20AC;&#x153;serve photographs with detailed captions â&#x20AC;&#x201D; along with complete contact information to news@islander.org. customers 100% safely.â&#x20AC;? s "RADENTON S "EST ,OCAL %ATS FROM BY 4RIPADVISOR s 6OTED "EST 'ERMAN 2ESTAURANT IN "RADENTON s 3TARS OF ON &ACEBOOK

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Nesting notes

By ChrisAnn Allen

Make way for beach renourishment

It could be the theme for this year’s sea turtle nesting season on Anna Maria Island.

AMI’s beaches are getting an upgrade.

It’s the season to make way for beach renourishment. And Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers must ensure nests are out of harm’s way Allen before equipment rolls onto the beach, pumping sand lost to erosion from offshore.

Manatee County will start the renourishment project July 2, and, weather permitting, it will continue through the last day of sea turtle nesting season — Oct. 31.

Since season started May 1, nests laid on beaches that are part of the project — from 78th Street in Holmes Beach south to Longboat Pass — are being relocated to beaches in Anna Maria to avoid being covered with sand or damaged by equipment.

As of June 18, turtle watch volunteers had relocated 184 nests to areas north of the project zone, while 54 nests had been laid on beaches in Anna Maria.

“We are absolutely ready for the renourishment to begin,” Suzi Fox, AMITW executive director, said June 18. “Everything has been going very smoothly so far, and I have 100% confidence in our group of volunteers to keep going.”

Usually, turtle watch volunteers patrol the beach

just after sunrise to gather data on nests laid overnight.

However, with the start of the project, turtle watch also is working a night patrol starting at 10 p.m. to review the area just ahead of the pumps. Night patrol volunteers also will survey a 500-foot perimeter around the equipment each time it changes location.

And, if a turtle emerges and starts nesting as construction vehicles approach, all construction activity stops until the nest has been laid and the turtle has crawled back to the Gulf of Mexico.

For each nest in the relocation zone, volunteers collect the eggs and, after sunrise, deposit them in a hand-dug nest, following Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers guidelines.

Nests laid outside of the relocation zone in Anna Maria are not being staked, but turtle watch is tracking the nests, according to Fox. The rest is up to Mother Nature.

If a relocation is successful, in 45-70 days, about 100 hatchlings will clamber from the sand and waddle to the sea.

“It’s a very hard job this year. One of the most

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As of June 21: 194 nests and 210 false crawls within the renourishment area. challenging in the 30 years I’ve done this,” Fox said.

“But the volunteers have been solid gold. The next generation of hatchlings is in good hands on our island.”

For more information about turtle watch, people can visit AMITW at islandturtlewatch.com or contact Fox at 941-778-5638 or suzilfox@gmail.com.

To find out more about beach renourishment, including anticipated scheduling, visit mymanatee. org.

Report sick, injured, entangled or dead sea turtles or birds to the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888404-3922, #FWC or *FWC on a cell phone or text tip@myfwc.com.

Workers mobilize June 19 for a beach renourishment project slated to start July 2. The equipment is being staged at the Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

The project has pushed turtle watch volunteers to relocate sea turtle nests in the path of the upcoming project to the beach in Anna Maria.

Islander Photo: ChrisAnn Allen

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By Lisa Neff

New pier, new times

“Iconic on AMI,” an island visitor said, describing the 2020 Anna Maria City Pier that replaced the pier built in 1911.

“Iconic Anna Maria City Pier set to open” read a recent headline in another newspaper.

As I thought about taking my first walk on the 2020 pier, which opened to the public June 19, I wondered how many times I’d overhear “iconic.”

Islander reporters know that when I edit, I strike “iconic” from news stories with a reminder to minimize the use of modifiers, to show rather than tell. If “iconic bar,” “iconic restauNeff rant,” “iconic trolley,” “iconic burger” or “iconic newspaper” made it into print in the past year, I owe you a nickel for each occurrence.

But “iconic” remained in stories in reference to the old city pier, as did “beloved.” Sentiment and fondness were factors, but “iconic” also remained out of respect, like our use of courtesy titles in obituaries.

And we did write a few obituaries for the old pier, demolished by the city in 2018 after damages from Hurricane Irma in September 2017. In fact, one obituary — paying tribute and mourning loss — was headlined, “Demolition of iconic Anna Maria pier begins.”

But what about using “iconic” for the new pier?

The dictionary definition would allow use of the adjective, as the new pier “relates to … the nature of an icon” — the icon being the old pier.

And the new structure may be widely recognized because, while it is not a replica of the old pier, it certainly is similar.

But to me, calling the new pier “iconic” is like calling Jakob Dylan an “iconic musician” because he sounds a lot like his dad, music icon Bob Dylan.

Let the new pier be the new pier, a place to experience pleasures, accomplish fishing feats, catch up with friends, show off paradise to family, make memories, celebrate nature.

Cherish the memory of the “SEAT IN PARA-

In May 2011, Anna Maria Island celebrated the centennial of the 1911 Anna Maria City Pier in a big way, with a festival, fireworks, historical reenactments and more. For the occasion, The Islander invited local artists to submit their work on the pier. Sue Cotton stood on the shore between the Rod & Reel Pier and the Anna Maria City Pier to create this perspective of the city structure. Islander File Images

Steve Gorman’s Adobe Illustrator design.

Mary Hamilton’s print from the Artists’ Guild Gallery.

DISE,” as we saw carved into the wooden bench on Barbara the old pier, but find a new seat to bask in the sun or Hines take shelter in the shade on the new pier. created Remember the morning you watched egrets land this scene on the old pier’s roof? of happyNow spend an afternoon on the new pier studygo-lucky ing how pelicans “dive” or listening to the laughing piergoers gulls. for The Remember that afternoon when people stood on Islander. It the old pier, shoulder to shoulder, awaiting the Great appeared American Eclipse? on the Now stand on the new pier to watch a moonset or cover of later, when admission hours change, a sunrise. the newsRemember the afternoon on the T-end of the old paper’s pier when everyone pretended to see the trail of a vacation shuttle rocket launched on the East Coast? guide.

Someday, on the new pier, watch for another shutMaybe in 50 years, 20 years, 10 years, you’ll read tle to launch. “iconic 2020 Anna Maria City Pier” in a story and I Let the new pier be the new pier. won’t owe you a nickel.

Let the new pier become iconic.

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Page 22 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 24, 2020 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Island cities, county to work together on beach parking issues

By ChrisAnn Allen Islander Reporter

For as long as most islanders can remember, parking has been difficult.

As one of few places with free beach parking, accessibility has led to increased congestion and trash in neighborhoods where on-street parking is allowed, according to some residents.

Over the years, Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach officials have grappled with failed options for paid parking, including meters and garages.

Following a decision in late April by Holmes Beach officials and staff not to reopen about 1,100 parking spaces within a quarter-mile of the beach once the coronavirus beach closure was lifted, Manatee County commissioners agreed: It’s time to speak with island city leaders about parking.

At a June 16 teleconferenced county commission meeting, commissioners reached consensus on County Commissioner Carol Whitmore’s suggestion to bring island city officials into a discussion with the county about possible parking solutions. Whitmore is an island resident who previously served Holmes Beach as its mayor.

The meeting was not set as of press time for The Islander.

In a late April teleconferenced public meeting, Holmes Beach commissioners agreed to Police Chief Bill Tokajer’s plan — a plan requested and reviewed

by Mayor Judy Titsworth — to remove the parking spots. The matter was not advertised on the city meeting agenda and no vote was taken.

The city charter includes traffic engineer in the chief’s duties.

Since then, county and state officials have voiced opposition, citing concerns with parking required for federal and state beach renourishment funding and accessibility of public beaches to all taxpayers.

Titsworth countered that since the county advertises the island as a tourist destination, it should help

with infrastructure. And Holmes Beach neighborhoods, which have more on-street parking — excluding large parking lots such as at Coquina Beach — than the other two cities combined, should not have to supply the bulk of the parking needs.

As of June 18, the city had 500 allocated spots for beach renourishment, even though it is only required to have 364 parking spots to retain funding, according to Tokajer.

When the new “no parking” signs went up in early June, some island residents, property owners, business owners and off-islanders posted to social media, contacted news outlets, circulated and signed petitions, called elected officials and staged a public protest with concerns that the decision was made both at a vulnerable time and without public input.

As a result, Holmes Beach commissioners planned to discuss a draft ordinance at a June 23 work session for a “parking-by-permit-only zone” that would provide decals to city property owners for parking preference.

Former Commissioner Rick Hurst, who is again running for a seat on the city commission in the November election and has publicly opposed the parking reduction, said June 18 that he supports the commission’s decision to consider the options, but a town hall meeting might have been a better format.

Hurst said there is a “silent majority” of people in Holmes Beach who don’t usually speak up on matters, but are concerned that the city is polarized by the recent parking restrictions.

“I think the city officials should step up and say, ‘We made a mistake,’ and we want to hear you. We want to listen,’” Hurst said. “Instead they have already put forth (a draft) ordinance. Is that what everybody wants?”

In the meantime, Tokajer said June 18 he is willing to work with the county.

“We are open to having discussions with the county to try and get them to understand our concerns and, hopefully, provide viable solutions that the city

would be willing to participate in,” Tokajer said. “I cannot speak for the city leaders, but I think the only way to come to some type of agreement is through open dialogue.”

About 1,100 on-street parking spots in Holmes Beach, including parking in the 200 block along 30th Street, were designated no parking by the city after the parking closure imposed during the coronavirus beach closure was lifted. Manatee County now wants to work with the island cities to help find parking solutions on Anna Maria Island. Islander Photo: ChrisAnn Allen

Summer cheer for adult soccer startup — ‘it’s a kick in the grass’

By Kevin P. Cassidy Islander Reporter

Adult soccer players kicked off a summer season of matches June 18 at the Center of Anna Maria Island with nine coed teams committed to play.

They’ll play on the outdoor pitch, where, as the old Rowdies cheer for soccer goes, “It’s a kick in the grass.”

The action got off to a shaky start Cassidy with Vintage Beach finding itself without reserves. But, no problem. The game is full of good sports and Neil Fellowes from Beach Bums and Bill Romberger from Gulfview Windows and Doors stepped up to provide some depth for Vintage Beach.

Vintage Beach utilized the reinforcements to perfection as Joey Hutchinson scored four goals and Fellowes added a goal and an assist to lead the team to a

5-4 victory over Beach Bums. Goalie Clancy Vaughn helped preserve the victory with 10 saves.

Kevin Roman scored a pair of goals to lead Beach Bums, which also received a goal each from Robert Fellowes and Amy Ivin. Connor Haughey chipped in with an assist and Jason Sato made six saves in the loss.

The second match of the night saw Sato Real Estate slip past Blalock Walters 5-3 behind two goals each from Murat Akay and Connor Bystrom. Josh Sato added a goal to the victory, while Hakan Toka contributed an assist and Steve Oelfke made eight saves.

Matt Staggs had two goals and an assist to lead Blalock Walters, which also received a goal from Austin Nutting, an assist from Matt Plummer and nine saves from Trey Austin in the loss.

The third match of the evening saw Moss Builders hang on for a 5-4 victory over Gulfview Windows and Doors behind two goals from Brent Moss and a

goal and three assists from Aaron Parkin. Ed Moss and Ashley Friszman each added a goal, while Ryan Moss came through with 10 saves to help preserve the victory.

Raul Loera and Daniel Adan each came through with a goal and an assist to lead Gulfview, which also received goals from Nate Talucci and Jesse Kunc. Brandin Holcomb came through with six saves in the loss.

The last match of the evening saw Solid Rock Construction, lacking enough players to field a team, take a forfeit.

Adult soccer action at the Center of Anna Maria Island continues at 6 p.m. June 25 and then Thursdays until Aug. 13, when playoffs will begin.

Horseshoe news Two teams advanced from pool play and battled for the day’s championship during June 17 horseshoe action at the Anna Maria City Hall horseshoe pits.

Tim Sofran walked his way to the title, taking out Jerry Disbrow and Neil Hennessey by a 24-8 score.

The June 20 games saw Sofran team up with Bob Heiger to fashion the lone 3-0 pool play record to earn bragging rights for the day and give Sofran bragging rights for the week.

Play gets underway at 9 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Anna Maria pits. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m. followed by random team selection.

There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.

Anna Maria Island Tides

Date

Father’s Day whale watching surprise While on a Father’s Day weekend fishing trip, Drs. Debbie and Roger Danziger and friend Jim Basiley chanced upon a 30-foot whale shark around 37 miles offshore of Anna Maria Island in the Gulf of Mexico.

Debbie reported they snagged their limit of red snapper and some big groupers for the cooler.

June 24 June 25 June 26 June 27 June 28 June 29 June 30 July1

AM

HIGH

1:51p 5:29a 6:00a 6:32a 7:06a 7:42a 8:20a 8:59a

2.7 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 2.0 2.3 2.5

PM

— 2:48p 3:53p 5:12p 6:47p 8:31p 10:13p 11:44p

HIGH

AM

— 9:55p 2.6 8:06a 2.3 9:37a 2.0 11:15a 1.8 12:16a 1.6 1:01a 1.5 1:43a 1.5 2:20a

LOW

PM

-0.3 — 1.4 10:42p 1.3 11:30p 1.2 — 0.3 12:51p 0.6 2:18p 0.8 3:32p 1.1 4:36p

LOW

Moon

— -0.2 0.0 — 0.9 1st 0.6 0.3 0.0

AM City Pier tides; Cortez high tides 7 minutes later — lows 1:06 later

June 24, 2020 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 23 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Temperatures, fishing action transition with summer heat

By Capt. Danny Stasny Islander Reporter

Fishing around Anna Maria Island is getting downright hot — and the bite is pretty good, too.

With temperatures in the low to mid 90s, it’s in your best interest to wear the proper attire if you plan to fish all day. SPF-rated clothing is helpful in keeping the burn off your skin and a hat and polarized sunglasses also are beneficial.

Stasny Most important, drink plenty of water. Hydration is vital for a day on the water. Plan your fishing trips around the heat to win the day. It’s better for you and the bite to fish early mornings or late evenings.

As for the fishing, the inshore bite is being dominated by tarpon. Sport anglers young and old are coming out of the woodwork with hopes of hooking a silver king.

Those not impressed with the grand stake of the tarpon bite are venturing onto the flats of Tampa with a target of catch-and-release snook. Impressive numbers of linesiders are staging up on the flats to feed ahead of their upcoming mating season. In some spots, hookups of 30-40 snook in the morning are happening.

When you’re bored with the snook bite, catch-andrelease spotted seatrout are targetable. Try fishing deep grass flats where good tidal flow and clear, clean water exists.

With the arrival of the hatch bait — baby shiners — mangrove snapper will be on the menu again soon enough. In the next couple of weeks, it will be worth checking out your favorite inshore snapper spots to score some of these tasty fish. Since snook, redfish and trout remain closed for harvest, it’s nice to bring home some fish for the fry pan.

Moving offshore, American red snapper are the

Fishing rules The free Fish Rules App for smartphones includes Florida regs for saltwater. Fish Rules and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission also are working to create an app for freshwater. Anglers can submit fish photos to the app by email to photo@ fishrulesapp.com.

For more information, go online to fishrulesapp.com.

Islander Courtesy Photo

highlight. Limits of these aggressive snappers are being caught on live and frozen bait. The guides are reporting gag and red grouper also are being caught offshore in decent numbers.

On my Southernaire charters, I’m finding good action for clients on catch-and-release snook and trout.

Both species are biting in good numbers, especially during outgoing tides. Many keeper-size snook are coming to the hook, which is a welcome sight. While targeting the snook, I’m seeing a few redfish in the mix. As for the trout, I’m seeing a lot of catches 18-22 inches. While targeting the trout, Spanish mackerel, ladyfish and jacks are mixed in the bite. Lastly, I’m excited to start targeting mangrove snapper for my clients. It’s time to sharpen the fillet knife.

Capt. Warren Girle is pursuing the tarpon bite along the beaches. He’s targeting schools of tarpon during morning and afternoon tides and finding they are readily taking baits. His clients are attracting the silver kings with live crabs and threadfin hearing, and the catches are averaging 80-150 pounds.

On days when the winds are pushing too hard to target tarpon, Girle is working the flats of Sarasota Bay for the catch-and-release trio — snook, redfish and spotted seatrout. For the reds and snook, live baits such as shiners are working well. For the trout, soft

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Lynne Krnacik of Eagle, Colorado, shows off a June 11 hookup with a snook. Krnacik likes to visit Anna Maria Island and fish with Capt. Danny Stasny of Southernaire Fishing Charters.

plastics on a jig head will do.

Capt. Aaron Lowman is venturing into the Gulf of Mexico to target a variety of species. Bottom fishing around artificial reefs and hard bottom areas is yielding mangrove snapper, Key West grunts and numerous juvenile groupers for his clients. Flounder are taking the bait in the same spots and casting free-lined baits is producing action on bonito and some Spanish mackerel.

Moving into Tampa Bay, Lowman is targeting catch-and-release trout and snook with a few redfish coming to the party.

And for the anglers with strong arms and big coolers, Lowman is leading them to some large keeper-size gag grouper around inshore wrecks and rock piles.

Capt. Jason Stock is taking clients to their limits of American red snapper on runs offshore in the Gulf of Mexico and they’re also reeling up keeper-size gag and red grouper.

Moving inshore, Stock is hunting tarpon and large sharks. The tarpon are cooperating nicely, eating live baits — crabs and threadfin hearing. As for the sharks, large baits — jack crevalle and mullet —are attracting attention. The most common species taking the bait are bull sharks.

Capt. David White also is pursuing tarpon along the beaches and in the passes of Anna Maria Island and Egmont Key and casting live crabs or threadfin herring are resulting in hookups for his clients.

Moving offshore, White is targeting American red snapper, as well as red and gag grouper. Mangrove and yellowtail snapper also are coming to the boat — and the cooler — on his offshore trips.

Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says there’s a variety of fish being caught during the morning and afternoon hours at the pier on the north end of AMI. Fishers using live shrimp as bait are hooking into catch-and-release snook and redfish with some regularity and some mangrove snapper are being caught on live shrimp, too.

Spanish mackerel are beginning to show up in better numbers since the bait schools returned to the pier. Casting Gotcha plugs or silver spoons is attracting these tasty fish to bite. Mixed in with the mack bite are some ladyfish, blue runners and jack crevalle.

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FISHING

BMW ORIGINAL ROOF luggage carrier and crossrails, Part # 460/350/320. Fits BMWS with roof rails installed. Only used six times, Cost new, $739 with original manuals and two sets keys, only $225. Call Chris, 941-226-0192.

FREE GUN LOCK courtesy of Project Childsafe, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Holmes Beach Police Department. Pick up at The Islander office, 3218 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach. Don’t be sorry, be safe.

LOCAL FISHING GUIDE for hire. Wanna catch more fish, have better bait, learn the local waters? Your boat, my knowledge. Call Nelly, 40 years local fishing experience. 941896-2915.

ANTIQUE PARTNER DESK: All wood, $1,000.

See at The Islander office, 3218 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach. 941-778-7978.

ESTATE SALES HUGE ESTATE SALE: 11 am.-5 p.m. ThursdaySaturday, June 25-27. Antique furniture, clocks, glassware, china, collectibles. 520 71st St., Holmes Beach

ANTIQUE OFFICE chairs: Perfect for eclectic dining set. Circa 1950 from Anna Maria City Hall.

The Islander newspaper, 3218 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach. 941-778-7978.

GARAGE SALES YARD SALE: 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, June 27.

Table, chairs, bar stools, rugs, end tables, buffet, TV stand, lamps, lots of miscellaneous. 527 77st St., Holmes Beach.

FREEBIE ITEMS FOR SALE Individuals may place one free ad with up to three items, each priced $100 or less, 15 words or less.

FREE, one week, must be submitted online. Email classifieds@islander.org, fax toll-free 1-866-3629821. (limited time offer)

LOST AND FOUND

Sandy’s Lawn Service Inc. ESTABLISHED IN 1983

PETS

Residential & Commercial Full-service lawn maintenance.

Landscaping ~ Cleanups Hauling ~ Tree Trimming.

HELP RESCUED PETS! Volunteer, foster, computer help needed! Moonracer Animal Rescue.

Email: moonraceranimalrescue@gmail.com.

LICENSED & INSURED

Paradise Improvements

941.792.5600

Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Specialist Replacement Doors and Windows

CBC 1253471

RDI CONSTRUCTION INC. Residential & Condo Renovations Kitchens • Bath • Design Service Carpentry • Flooring • Painting Commercial & Residential

References available • 941-720-7519

PropertyWatch

ANSWERS TO JUNE 24 PUZZLE

C Z A R

M I N E

A S S T

T H U S

S A M O S A

U T A H A N

R H E E E R F A S R P E A T C O K L L D E

E V E R T

S H I I T E

R E R A I S E

A D S

R B H I A S T H E A Y I E R S

T R Y V E R E U R N S R O I F O F T A B A A C S H S E O N S S S N

A R E S

B E R T

S E D A R P R I U E S M P A S R A M O V I L E L L S K S W D P E E I L D E L U R F C R E E E D

E L I T E S

N I C E N E

T N T

A F I D I E U R L P I D E S D H W O M A U A I S R F E S P H I E I T E D L E

O A T C Y L I G N L G O Y M

P I R A N H A

A L B I L E I S W I E I T T S C T H A K F O O F A D E L D R A

T R I N I T Y

I M F I N E

C A L D E R

By Jesse Brisson

Island real estate transactions

SPONSORED BY

B I G D A N C E

BIMINI BAY SAILING: Small sailboat rentals and instruction. Day. Week. Month. Sunfish, Laser, Windrider 17 and Precision 15. Call Brian at 941685-1400.

WANTED: BOAT SLIP to rent with lift for my 25-foot boat. Scott, 404-242-6666.

Honey is 5 years old.

She is up to date with vaccinations, spayed and looking for a loving family.

To meet this sweetie, call Lisa Williams at 941-345-2441 or visit The Islander office in Holmes Beach.

For more about pet adoption or to adopt Honey, visit moonraceranimalrescue.com.

T U R N S O N T O

BOATS & BOATING

WANTED: DOCK SPACE/boat lift/boat slip to rent or buy for 23-foot boat on Anna Maria Island. 203247-6405.

AdoptA-Pet

A Q U A

TRANSPORTATION 2014 EZ-GO GOLF cart: Three-rows seats, gas, custom wheels. Candy apple red. $7,950. 813781-7562.

Andrew Chennault

FULLY LICENSED AND INSURED Island References Lic#CBC056755

C A S S

LOST IN THE water at Bungalow Resort, a gold-and-adiantum ring. Sentimental. Reward. e mail cohenakos@aol.com.

S N E E R S

N B C J O R S I N E N L O W Y T S H H O Q U E R U L E D I A L E R R T W O N G E R O U S E W N T O

116 Palmetto Ave., Anna Maria, a 729 sfla 2bed/1bath home built in 1950 on a 5,502 sq ft lot was sold 05/28/20, Gold Cypress Investments LLC to Knee for $725,000; list $749,000.

202 73rd St., Holmes Beach, a 1,300 sfla 3bed/2bath/1car half-duplex built in 1987 on a 3,833 sq ft lot was sold 05/28/20, Chames to Panetta for $665,000; list $689,000.

125 49th St., Holmes Beach, a 3,641 sfla / 3,700 sfur 4bed/3bath duplex with pool built in 1960 on a 10,000 sq ft lot was sold 05/29/20, Piccininni to Peach Ventures LLC for $653,500.

106 Sixth St. S., Bradenton Beach, a 1,792 sfla 3bed/3bath duplex with pool built in 1950 on a 5,000 sq ft lot was sold 05/26/20, Reid to Geissler for $606,000.

512 68th St., Holmes Beach, a 1,235 sfla / 2,013 sfur 2bed/2bath/1car canalfront home built in 1970 on a 7,800 sq ft lot was sold 05/26/20, Peters to 512 68th Street LLC for $575,000.

6250 Holmes Blvd., Unit 53, North Beach Village, Holmes Beach, a 1,536 sfla / 2,561 sfur 3bed/2 1/2bath/2car condo with shared pool built in 1992 was sold 05/27/20, Childs to Geneau for $510,000; list $530,000.

117 Seventh St. N., Unit 12, Bayview Terrace, Bradenton Beach, a 729 sfla / 777 sfur 2bed/1bath condo with shared pool built in 1973 was sold 05/28/20, Brockschmidt to Boozer for $209,000; list $219,000.

Jesse Brisson, broker/associate at Keller Williams on the Water, can be reached at 941-713-4755.

HELP WANTED RELIABLE WORKERS WANTED for demolition company. Up to $20/hour. Transportation needed.

Call Larry, 941-807 5686.

RETAIL STORE EMPLOYEE needed for busy shop. Customer service skills a plus. Please, contact Frank @ 941-778-1911.

GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR qualified persons to live and work for the summer on Lake George in Bolton Landing, New York.

We are looking for cooks, prep cook, fry person, pizza cooks. We have three familyowned restaurants. Our season is about to get busy due to our TV show Summer Rush on Food Network. The positions are seasonal, will run through end of September.

Rooming is available for your stay. Proven experience required. Email Chef Bill: @bterrell63@yahoo.com.

KIDS FOR HIRE KIDS FOR HIRE ads are FREE for up to three weeks for Island youths under 16 looking for work.

Ads must be placed in person at The Islander office, 3218 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach.

SERVICES U FLY I drive your car anywhere in the USA. Airport runs, anywhere. Office, 941-4476389. 941-545-6688.

NEED A RIDE to airports? Tampa $65, St. Pete, $55, Sarasota, $30. Gary, 863-409-5875. gvoness80@gmail.com.

CLEANING: VACATION, CONSTRUCTION, residential, commercial and windows. Licensed and insured. 941-744-7983.

PRESSURE WASHING, PAVER sealing, driveway, roof, fence, pool area. Also, window cleaning.

Licensed and insured. 941-565-3931.

I DON’T CUT corners, I clean corners. Professional, friendly cleaning service since 1999. 941779-6638. Leave message.

BAYSHORE HOME WATCH (accredited service): Providing certified professional weekly home checks. Peace of mind while you’re away. 941-920-5597. Bonded/insured.

KLEAN MOVES: BEST movers in AMI. Small moves, long distance and local deliveries. No job too big or too small. Senior discounts.

941-877-6580. Ask for Reggie. KleanMoves. com.

HOME WATCH: COTTAGE Watch & Services LLC. Scott Carpenter, Veteran USN- A.H.I.T. Certified home inspector. Licensed/insured contractor/realtor. Rates starting as low as $25. 941-780-7004.

Place classified ads online at www.islander.org

June 24, 2020 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 25 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

I S L A N D E R C L A S S I F I E D S SERVICES Continued

HOME IMPROVEMENT Continued

REAL ESTATE Continued

MOBILE AUTO DETAILING: Been to the beach?

So has your car! Protect your investment! Reasonable maintenance packages begin at $50. You decide, I provide. Contact me for a no-nonsense quote. Call 252-619-5138.

HANDYMAN AND PAINTING. No job too small.

Most jobs just right. Call Richard Kloss. 941-2041162.

REAL ESTATE SERVICES for buyers. Sellers, property management, great service. Discounted fees due to the virus. Real Estate Mart, 941-3561456.

LAWN & GARDEN CONNIE’S LANDSCAPING INC. Residential and commercial. Full-service lawn maintenance, landscaping, cleanups, hauling and more! Insured.

941-778-5294.

RENTALS SEASONAL 4BR/2BA WITH sunroom, pool, laundry, walk to beach, shopping, restaurants. Quiet area. 703-587-4675.

LARRY’S BACK! SHELL delivered and spread. $55/yard. Hauling all kinds of gravel, mulch, topsoil with free estimates. Call Larry at 941-795-7775, “shell phone” 941-7200770.

ANNUAL 2BR/2BA CONDO on second floor with bay views. Pool, tennis, cable and water included. $1,695/month. Island Vacation Properties, 941778-1000.

HOLMES BEACH: 2BR/2BA beautifully furnished, garage. Six-month availability. $1,750/month plus utilities. No smoking, no pets. 941-778-2824.

CORNERSTONE OUTDOORS: LANDSCAPE, installs, tree trimming, full-service lawn maintenance, cleanups, pressure washing. 941-2841568.

3BR/2BA, FIRST FLOOR, SPACIOUS, beautiful. Westbay Point and Moorings. Available monthly August on, FloridaRentalbyOwners. com, #1590. Also, 2BR/2BA, gorgeous bay views, available monthly September on. FloridaRentalbyOwners.com, #1106. Both: kayaks, bikes. Sue, 207-944-6097.

SEARAY SPRINKLER SERVICES. Repairs, additions, drip, sprinkler head/timer adjustments.

Office, 941-518-6326. Cell, 720-299-1661.

HOME IMPROVEMENT VAN-GO PAINTING residential/commercial, interior/exterior, pressure cleaning, wallpaper. Island references. Bill, 941-795-5100. www.vangopainting.net.

ANNUAL 2BR/2BA duplex off Cortez, 3.5 miles to beach. Fenced yard, Washer/dryer hookups, covered parking, non-smoking, pet-friendly. Available mid-July. $1,100/month. Call 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Monday-Friday, 941-721-8480. Email, mehall@ nclaimsadjusters.com.

TILE -TILE -TILE. All variations of ceramic tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship, prompt, reliable, many Island references. Call Neil, 941-726-3077.

ANNUAL 3BR/2BA DUPLEX off Cortez. 3.5 mi to beach. Fenced yard, washer/dryer hookups, covered parking, non-smoking, pet-friendly. Available mid-July. $1,375/month. Call 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Monday-Friday, 941-721-8480. Email, mehall@ nclaimsadjusters.com.

GRIFFIN’S HOME IMPROVEMENTS Inc. Handyman, fine woodwork, countertops, cabinets and wood flooring. Insured and licensed. 941-722-8792.

REAL ESTATE IMMACULATE PERICO ISLAND condo for sale.

Remodeled 2BR/2BA, 1,240 sf, quiet, private second floor with water views from balcony, kitchen and one bedroom. Storage. Decorator’s dream, bathrooms, granite, custom window treatments. All stainless-steel appliances. Full size washer and dryer. $260,000. 719-632-4800.

BLINDS, SHUTTERS, SHADES: Motorization. 30 years on AMI. Call Keith Barnett, Barnett Blinds, 941-730-0516.

ISLAND HANDYMAN: I live here, work here, value your referral. Refinish, paint. Just ask. JayPros.

Licensed/insured. References. Call Jay, 941-9622874.

CLASSIFIED AD ORDER

.org r e d n a l

is

____________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________

ww. w t a e lin

on

____________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________

ds a d e fi i class

____________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________

Place

____________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ CLASSIFIED RATES: Minimum $12 for up to 15 WORDS. 16-30 words: $20. 31-45 words: $40.

BOX ad: additional $4. (Phone number is a "word.")

The deadline is NOON Monday every week for Wednesday’s paper.

Run issue date(s) _________

_________

_________

PERICO ISLAND VILLA stunning water views 2BR/2BA, two-car garage. Completely updated, sunroom, sold designer furnished. $429,900. Sharon Hightower Re/Max Alliance Group, 941-330-5054.

COMMERCIAL CONDO BEST location Anna Maria City, Tampa Bay views, city pier views, $549,900. Sharon Hightower Re/Max Alliance Group, 941-330-5054.

FOR SALE: FLAMINGO Cay home. Direct Gulf access, new kitchen, granite counters, tiles, deck and dock. Oversized two-car garage. Large canal.

Gorgeous! Call Winnie McHale, Rosebay Realty, 941-504-6146.

LOOKING FOR AN EARLY BIRD? You can read Wednesday’s classifieds on Tuesday at www.islander.org. And it’s FREE!

CHRISTIE’S PLUMBING Family Owned and Operated since 1975

Residential -iÀÛ Vi

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#CFC1426596

JD’s Window Cleaning looking for storefront jobs in Holmes Beach. I make dirty windows sparkling clean. 941-920-3840.

GULFFRONT CONDO: FULL views! 5300 Gulf Drive, #107 Holmes Beach. 2BR/2BA, one-car garage, furnished, updated kitchen, tiled floors, $649,900. Sharon Hightower Re/Max Alliance Group, 941-330-5054.

Island Limousine and Airport Transportation

Prompt, Courteous Service U New Vehicles 941.779.0043

,IVERY )NSUREDs !IRPORT 0ERMITTED

HURRICANE

Windows & Doors 941-730-5045 WEATHERSIDE LLC

LIC#CBC1253145

RE-ROOF AND LEAK specialist. Residential/ hotels/commercial. Repairs, shingles, tile, metal, flat. Quick response. Quality work at reasonable rates. References. Insured/ licensed. #CCC1330056. Call Bryan at 727277-9502.

Bed: A bargain!

King, Queen, Full & Twin, pre-owned from $30 new/used.

941-922-5271 www.sleepking.net

AMI TAXI

professional, metered, on-call, gps, cards accepted www.amitaxi.com • amitaxi4u@gmail.com holmes beach, bradenton beach, anna maria

800.301.4816 airports • shops • dining

IMPROVE YOUR CURB APPEAL! Horticultural Design Services | Landscape Construction Landscape Maintenance | Irrigation Installation & Repair Brick & Stone Pavers | Walls, Gates, Fences | Tree Trimming Low Volt Outdoor Lighting Repair & Installation

_________ or TFN start date: ______________

Amt. pd _________________ Date _____________ Ck. No.� _________ Cash � _______ By _________

d � u No.

_____________________________________________________

Name shown on card: ____________________________________________card exp. date ______ / ______ House no. or P.O. box no. on cc bill ________________________Billing address zip code ________________ Your e-mail for renewal reminder: ____________________________________________________________

Web site: www.islander.org 3218 E. Bay Drive Holmes Beach FL 34217

E-mail: classifieds@islander.org Fax toll free: 1-866-362-9821 Phone: 941-778-7978

FOR MORE INFO 941.704.9025 ShadyLadyFL.com OUR BEST PRACTICES PROMISE IS APPLIED TO RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE.

317924

Credit card payment: �

Page 26 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 24, 2020 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Stay home if you can and communicate with us online at #AMItogether and www.islander.org.

MIKE NORMAN REALTY

Call & confirm!

The Islander suggests readers check for cancellations or rescheduled activities due to safety measures to deal with COVID-19.

Diana Sinisi Diana Sinisi

EST. 1978

Salty Real Estate Estate Salty Mermaid Mermaid Real 5306 Blvd 5306 Holmes Holmes Blvd Holmes FL 34217 34217 Holmes Beach, Beach, FL

For professional real estate sales, call a true island native, born and raised on Anna Maria Island.

Marianne Norman-Ellis.

941.778.6696

2501 Gulf Drive, Ste 102, Bradenton Beach

Callme, me,your yourlocal localrealtor, realtor, Call forbuying, buying,selling, selling, or or for investing. investing.

DREAM CONDO Everything is new in this direct Gulffront dream condo!

Sweeping views all the way to Bean Point! Huge swiming pool on the Gulf, covered parking, storage, elevator and much more. Well maintained complex. Come see all that Anna Maria Island Club has to offer. $769,000.

941-564-0035 941-564-0035 Whatmatters matterstoto you, you, What matters to me. matters to me.

SURF SIDE New 4bed/4.5 bath/2car pool home with partial Gulf views, rooftop sundeck, incredible pool and spa area.

This amazing home was built with the details in mind, and the rental potential is through the roof. Call today.

941.713.4755

dianas@saltymermaidami.com dianas@saltymermaidami.com www.saltymermaid.com

Mike Norman Realty

Jesse Brisson, Broker Associate, GRI 941-713-4755, jbrisson@kw.com

You can read it all online at www.islander.org



   

Chantelle Lewin

Broker Associate Licensed since 1983

941.713.1449 MIRABELLA VILLA 2BR/2BA plus den, private, gated community.

MLS4465412 $378,800.

  

MOTIVATED SELLER

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

LOCALLY KNOWN� GLOBALLY CONNECTED� SINCE �����

HOLMES BEACH �� ��nd Street Hannah Hillyard ������������ A������� ����������

ANNA MARIA ISLAND ��� S Bay Boulevard Hannah Hillyard ������������ A������� ����������

ANNA MARIA ISLAND ��� Palm Avenue Hannah Hillyard & George Myers ������������ A������� ����������

NORTH POINT HARBOUR ��� N Point Drive Hannah Hillyard ������������ A������� ����������

VILLAS OF HOLMES BEACH ��� ��nd Street � Kathy Harman ������������ A������� ��������

CASANAS ��� ��th Street Ken Kavanaugh� Jr & Margo Love Story ������������ A������� ��������

MAINSAIL BEACH INN ��� ��th Street �� Kristi Berger & Deborah Capobianco ������������ A������� ��������

KEY ROYALE ��� Baronet Lane Hannah Hillyard ������������ A������� ��������

ANNA MARIA ISLAND CLUB ���� Gulf Drive N �� Hannah Hillyard & George Myers ������������ A������� ��������

MAINSAIL BEACH INN ��� ��th Street � Kristi Berger & Deborah Capobianco ������������ A������� ��������

MAINSAIL BEACH INN ��� ��th Street �� Kristi Berger & Deborah Capobianco ������������ A������� ��������

TIDY ISLAND �� Tidy Island Boulevard Kathy Marshall ������������ A������� ��������

SUMMER SANDS ���� Gulf Drive N ��� Laura Rulon ������������ A������� ��������

WATERFORD ���� Waterford Way A Toni Lyon ������������ A������� ��������

PALMA SOLA BAY CLUB ���� ��th Avenue W ��� Pamela Miller ������������ A������� ��������

NEW CONSTRUCTION

MSC MORTGAGE | MSC TITLE | MS&C COMMERCIAL NEW HOMES & CONDOMINIUMS

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RELEASE DATE: 6/21/2020

New York Times Sunday Magazine Crossword

June 24, 2020 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 27 No. 0614 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

SURPLUS STORE

1

BY ANDY KRAVIS / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ Andy Kravis, of Brooklyn, joined The Times as an associate puzzle editor in April. A 2013 graduate of Columbia Law School, he previously worked as a Transgender Rights Project Legal Fellow for the L.G.B.T. rights organization Lambda Legal before turning to puzzles full time. In addition to the theme, Andy tried to include as many fresh answers in the grid as possible — including 1A, 104A, 4D and 82D, none of which have appeared in a Times crossword before. — W.S.

AC RO SS

1 Sadistic feline character in a Scott Adams strip 8 Out 14 Concern for a P.R. team 20 Trembling 21 Land, as a fish 22 The Red Baron, for one 23 ‘ ‘The operation was a success!’’ e.g.?

25 Unimportantsounding dessert 26 Novelist/poet Cisneros 27 Posthumous award?

28 Cause of death in many a murder mystery 29 Lampoon 31 Kidney-related 33 Montana, in the 1980s 34 ‘‘Let’s get going!’’

36 People who start arguments out of nowhere?

40 Metal in galvanization 41 Comes after 42 Embedded design 43 Stud fees?

45 Lighthearted movie 46 Painter Velázquez 48 Network that once advertised its primetime block as ‘‘Must See TV’’ 51 Bygone car company that bore its founder’s initials Online subscriptions: Today’s

puzzle and more Answers: than 4,000 past puzzles, page 24 nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year).

52 City with views of the Mediterranean and Mount Carmel 54 Officers who woke up on the wrong side of the cot?

57 No longer plagued by 58 The ‘‘R’’ of the Bay Area’s BART 59 Material for some suits 60 One who’s unfaithful?

63 They’re written in chess notation 64 Loose and flowing, as a dress 66 Unit of stamps 67 Felt bad 68 What’s the holdup?

69 Soirees where people are dressed in their finest board shorts?

72 ‘‘Holy guacamole!’’

73 Response to a breach of movie-theater etiquette 76 Airport monitor, for short 77 Supports 78 Island whose name rhymes with 72-Across 79 Chef’s topper 81 ____ kebab 83 Tailors’ measurements 85 Be awesome 86 Got 101 percent on an exam, say?

91 ‘‘Don’t touch that ____!’’

92 Really bothered 93 Stuntwoman Kitty known as ‘‘the fastest woman in the world’’

94 One of a pair on the table 96 Hotheaded ones?

98 Site of a noted oracle 101 How a tandem bicycle is built 104 ‘‘Well, all right then’’ 105 Why someone might practice deep breathing every five minutes?

107 ____ Mae 108 Multiparagraph blog comment, maybe 109 Nit pick?

110 Celsius with a namesake temperature scale 111 Knit pick?

112 Intrigued by

17 ‘‘Don’t worry, that only looked painful!’’

18 Early accepter of mobile payments?

19 Haughty looks 24 Doesn’t go straight 28 Requiring a lot of attention, say 30 Go on a rampage 32 Off the beaten path 34 Industry magnate 35 ‘‘Hands off!’’

37 Adidas competitor 38 A.O.C., e.g.

39 Grab (onto) 44 Any member of the Twelver branch of Islam 46 Hornswoggled DOWN 47 Author Murdoch played onscreen by 1 Mama ____ Kate Winslet and 2 Shade similar to Judi Dench turquoise 48 Faux pas 3 Makes aware of 4 March Madness 49 Begin to develop tourney, with ‘‘the’’ 50 Quartet that 5 Flip inside out performed at 6 Put a bluffer in a tough Woodstock, for short spot 53 Revenue sources for 7 Give a whirl podcasts 8 Son of 62-Down 54 Squirrels away 9 Muppet who sings 55 ‘‘Good to go!’’ ‘‘I Refuse to Sing 56 Stand up at the altar Along’’ 57 Biodiverse habitat 10 Humorist David 58 Gets going, so to 11 One-percenters and the like speak 12 ____ Creed 60 Abbr. that begins 13 Demolition material some entry-level job titles 14 Like some granola bars 61 Start of a conclusion 15 Amazon predator 62 Goddess who cursed 16 Dublin alma mater of Echo to just repeat Oscar Wilde the words of others

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

20 23

12

13

14

35

43

44 52

37

46

47

54

55

58

62

64

67

77 81 87

78

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83 89

84

74

75

102

103

91

93

94

97

98

99

95

100

101

105

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107

108

109

110

111

112

72 Many a Dickensian child 73 Water heater?

74 Polynesian performance 75 Last-eaten part of a loaf, often 78 Women’s History Month: Abbr.

80 ‘‘Supplies are limited!’’

81 Paste used for home repairs

80 85

90

104

63 Ingredient that turns a Black Russian into a White Russian 64 Entrance 65 Roman triumvirate?

67 German city where Charlemagne was buried 68 Do a favor for a vacationing friend, maybe 70 Four for a grand slam, briefly 71 They often end on a low note

73

65

72

82

96

50

68

71

88

92

49

56

59

63

66

76

48

39

45

70

19

33

38

53

69

18

42

57 61

17

28 32

41

51

16

25

31

36

15

22

30

40

86

11

27 29

60

10

24

26

34

9

21

82 Frequent result of wearing a bike helmet 83 Getting three square meals a day 84 Office worker 86 Appetizer often served with mint chutney 87 Pioneer Day celebrant 88 Like urban legends, again and again 89 Figure out 90 Only state capital that shares no letters with the name of its state

95 Animal whose genus name, Phascolarctos, means ‘‘pouch bear’’ 97 What contacts contact 99 Zest 100 Cache 102 Direction for one who’s been in Benin to go to Togo 103 Popular name for a black-and-white pet 105 W-2 ID 106 ‘‘How ____!’’

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Page 28 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 24, 2020 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................