The Islander Newspaper E-Edition Wednesday, Sept, 24, 2025

Peacemakers

TOP/clockwise: Anna Maria Elementary second- and third-graders sing in celebration of Peace Day Sept. 19 on the Holmes Beach campus. The annual celebration, hosted by the Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island, featured a flag processional, music, cultural performances and community speakers. Ana Czajkowski waves a Holmes Beach flag in celebration of Peace Day. Fifth-graders Elle Blackburn and Daphne Sanger carry nations’ flags during a processional to open the Peace Day celebration. First-graders Lakeyn Olson, left, and Harper Chastain wave Holmes Beach sea turtle flags, a gift from HB Mayor Judy Titsworth. For more AME Peace Day photos, go to page 10. Islander Photos: Robert Anderson

Shoreline hurricane recovery efforts continue

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Almost a year since hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated Anna Maria Island, its beaches are buzzing with people.

But it is going to take a lot more time and effort to make the shoreline whole again.

Keep Manatee Beautiful executive director Jennifer Hoffman spoke with The Islander Sept. 19 about shoreline recovery efforts since last year’s storms and what it is going to take to get the beaches back — and maybe even better.

In the midst of the destroyed buildings, sunken piers and crumbling roads left in the wake of the storms, it can be easy to overlook the storms’ impact on the shoreline.

The historic surge brought by Helene displaced tens of thousands of cubic yards of sand from the beaches, leaving the island’s shores shorter and all but destroying its dune systems.

Coastal dunes serve an important role as natural infrastructure. Dune systems are created by coastal winds and tides, which push sand up a shore until it reaches an obstacle — such as saltwater tolerant vegetation — where it accumulates.

Healthy dunes can build up over time and provide a sort of natural bar-

rier against storm surge and wave action, protecting inland property from such conditions.

The systems also provide habitat for wildlife like sea birds and insects, as well as nesting grounds for sea turtles.

Nevertheless, as displayed by last year’s hurricanes, some storms are strong enough to overwash even wellestablished dune systems, resulting in

their erosion.

Helene and Milton carried tons of sand and sediment from the island’s beaches and dunes inland, burying some roadways multiple feet under.

As a result, Hoffman said the island’s dunes were devastated and the shoreline was left flatter than Daytona Beach.

BB attorney abruptly quits

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

What began as a possible showdown in Bradenton Beach ended abruptly Sept. 18 with the resignation of the city attorney.

Ricinda Perry resigned Sept. 18, closing out more than two decades of work for the city. Perry, who had just appeared Sept. 16 at a work meeting called by Mayor John Chappie to review her performance, had come under fire for apparent false statements involving two businesses and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Perry delivered an emotional resignation, reading from a prepared statement, refl ecting on 21 years with the city, describing city staff and residents as “family,” and saying her time in Bradenton Beach shaped her as a lawyer.

Chappie, in a Sept. 19 interview, Perry

TURN TO CITY ATTORNEY, PAGE 2

Mayor vetoes AM no-swim ordinance

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Posted signs prohibit swimming at Bean Point in Anna Maria. However, an ordinance to legalize the prohibition was sunk.

Mayor Mark Short wrote in a Sept. 16 email to The Islander that he had vetoed an emergency ordinance codifying the no-swim zone Sept 15.

City commissioners unanimously voted Sept. 11 to approve a 60-day emergency ordinance that prohibited people — other than the owners and guests at homes with riparian rights in the area — from swimming in the waters off Bean Point.

Two drownings in those waters in August spurred the city to post “No Swimming” signs along the shoreline over the first week of September, then consider the emergency ordinance.

Following a handful of comments from residents who opposed the prohibition, commissioners added a residential exemption to the code.

However, that exemption may have led to the emergency ordinance’s veto.

“The ordinance as approved provided for inconsistent enforcement and would be impractical to enforce …,” Short wrote in his Sept. 16 email.

Short said Sept. 19 that commissioners were set to discuss the ordinance at a meeting at 5:01 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.

Short

Islander photographer Jacob Merrifield piloted a drone Sept. 27, 2024, after Hurricane Helene pounded Anna Maria Island with wind, rain and an overwhelming storm surge. This image looks south toward the Cortez Road intersection with Gulf Drive and beyond in Bradenton Beach. Islander File Photo

told The Islander, “From yesterday’s meeting — Ricinda made it clear — it’s time for change in her life, and it’s time for change in the city’s life. So, I wish her well.”

Perry recalled mentors in her resignation letter, including the late-city clerk Nora Idso, and praised staff, advisory board members and past and present officials.

She also thanked community members and business owners who worked to keep Bradenton Beach strong through its challenges, including hurricanes Helene and Milton last fall.

Perry, 48, said she postponed a plan to retire at the end of 2024 after Helene and Milton hit. The storms, the recovery effort and recent legal disputes had cost her valuable time with her family, she said.

“My family has sacrificed greatly for this city,” she said. “That is lost time I can never recover. As much as I love Bradenton Beach, the most important role I will ever have is being present for my family.”

Perry also said she recognized that some people want new leadership: “If my final act of service is to step aside in a manner that allows for peace and continuity, I do so with a sense of fulfillment and contentment.”

The Sept. 16 performance review stemmed from a Sept. 4 meeting, when Perry alleged that a complaint from Drift-In AMI owner Derrick Williams to the DEP triggered a state inspection at the Historic Bridge Street Pier earlier this year.

The inspection resulted in a DEP letter that identified compliance issues with the state submerged land lease at the pier, including unpermitted tiki-style covers for new seating areas added by the Anna Maria Oyster Bar, occurring outside the lease’s designated “covered eating area.”

Williams denied he lodged a complaint and the DEP later validated his response, confirming that there was no complaint from him or anyone else regarding the pier.

The commission took no action at the Sept. 16

meeting, which was noticed to the public Sept. 12, but Perry said she had too little notice to prepare.

Public comment at the Sept. 16 meeting reflected divisions in the community.

Gayle Luper, owner of Bungalow Beach Resort on the Gulf of Mexico in Bradenton Beach, said permitting delays post-Helene and Milton had cost her millions and she urged commissioners to terminate Perry.

Helena Williams, co-owner of the Drift-In AMI, asked why Perry had blamed her husband for the DEP actions.

Others, including resident Jim Hassett, who frequently attends city meetings, praised Perry’s commitment.

Commissioners Sept. 16 offered Perry more time to prepare for the review.

Instead, Perry on Sept. 18 retired effective immediately.

She presented commissioners with three large binders of city materials.

Sarasota attorney Robert Lincoln, who has been

Stocking up for storms

Must have H20 and more

❒ Water in small bottles for drinking.

❒ Water in gallon containers for cleaning up.

❒ Bottled beverages.

❒ Instant coffee.

For the ‘kitchen’

❒ Nonperishable foods.

❒ Can opener.

❒ Cooking pot or pan.

❒ Utensils.

❒ Plates.

❒ Grill.

❒ Grill tools.

❒ Self-starting charcoal.

❒ Sterno.

❒ Matches.

❒ Aluminum foil.

❒ Plastic bags.

Health and hygiene

❒ Prescriptions.

❒ Insect repellent.

❒ Sunscreen.

❒ Toiletries.

❒ Toilet paper.

❒ Adhesive bandages.

❒ Handwipes.

❒ Tweezers.

❒ Thermometer.

❒ Latex gloves.

Ready to wear

❒ Changes of clothing.

❒ Glasses.

❒ Boots.

❒ Rain jacket.

❒ Umbrella.

❒ Face masks.

Records and papers

Keeping it short

Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short said in a Sept. 20 email that his focus that week has been a review of the nine bids received to construct the City Pier walkway.

“Still in process of reviewing and no timeline yet on when we will make a final decision,” he said.

He also said the city received word from the U.S. Postal Service that the post office renovation has a finish-line goal of Oct. 17.

“We hope they meet that schedule and shortly thereafter we will have our fully functioning post office back in business,” he said.

“Otherwise just business as usual.”

— Bonner Joy

under contract with the city to assist on land-use and litigation matters, will step in as interim city attorney.

Chappie said Lincoln’s scope of work will be expanded until commissioners issue a request for proposals to fill the charter position.

Checklist for shopping, packing and stockpiling for hurricane season

❒ Birth certificates.

❒ Marriage certificates.

❒ Passports.

❒ Social security cards.

❒ Wills.

❒ Insurance documents.

❒ Account numbers.

❒ Irreplaceable photographs.

❒ Water-tight box.

Toolbox

❒ Wrench.

❒ Hammer.

❒ Pliers.

❒ Scissors.

❒ Assorted nails.

❒ Batteries.

❒ Whistle.

❒ Smartphone and power bank.

❒ Solar chargers.

❒ Road maps.

❒ Cash.

❒ Gasoline — full tanks.

❒ Propane tank.

Cleaning and clearing

❒ Disinfectant.

❒ Chlorine bleach.

❒ Medicine dropper.

❒ Dust mask.

❒ Pocket knife.

❒ Flashlights.

❒ Signal flare.

❒ Extension cords.

❒ Hatchet.

❒ Work gloves.

❒ Trash bags.

❒ Tarp.

❒ Duct tape.

Comfort and convenience

❒ Sleeping bag.

❒ Blankets.

❒ Lawn chairs.

❒ Games.

❒ Toys.

❒ Reading materials.

❒ Paper.

❒ Pencil.

❒ Candles.

Lanterns.

and 911 ❒

❒ Plastic bucket with lid.

❒ Mop and broom.

❒ Rags.

Pet friendly

❒ Kennel.

❒ Medications.

❒ Cat litter box.

❒ Vaccination certificates.

❒ Food. ❒ Treats.

Leash. ❒ Pet pick-up bags.

City attorney Ricinda perry addresses commissioners Sept. 18. Islander photo: Robert Anderson

City attorney Ricinda perry addresses the commission as John Chappie looks on in 2017. Islander File photo

Uproar over Anna Maria building official calmed by familiar face

By Ryan paice Islander Reporter

Local builders have been asking for a return to form from the city of Anna Maria’s building official. And one way to do that than to bring back a former building official.

Mayor Mark Short told The Islander Sept. 19 that David Gilson, who previously had served as building official beginning in 2020, replaced contractual building official, Craig Greene.

Greene and his employer, Melbourne Beach-based Joe Payne Inc., recently came under fire from local builders for refusing to allow contractors to use private inspectors, changing permitting standards and other issues. The city hired JPI earlier this year to provide build-

ing department services, floodplain management and engineering through Sept. 30.

Under the agreement, JPI designates an employee to serve as the city’s building official. That official is required to spend an average of 6-8 hours one day a week at city hall.

Short announced at a Sept. 11 commission meeting that Greene had been dismissed as the designated building official the day before but he did not say who would replace him.

The mayor told The Islander Sept. 19 that Gilson, another JPI employee, had been designated as the city’s new contracted building official.

Short said he received feedback from local builders about the change but would not provide comment.

In the meantime, the city is exploring an expanded interlocal agreement with Holmes Beach for some building department services.

After Helene

A house that once stood at the corner of Gulf Drive South and 12th Street South in Bradenton Beach is found washed nearly 100 yards down 12th Street South on Sept. 28, 2024, after Hurricane Helene. Islander

File photo: Robert Anderson

Short said a JPI inspector was recently unable to get to Anna Maria due to mechanical issues, so the city asked Holmes Beach to step in and help complete scheduled inspections for the day.

Holmes Beach agreed to help and provided staff to complete the inspections.

Short said the two cities have an interlocal agreement to help each other with building department services.

However, the mayor said the cities were now working to finalize an expanded interlocal agreement that would have the municipalities “assist each other with a broader base of building department services.”

Short said he was unsure if an agreement would be ready for the commission’s meeting at 5:01 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.

Q&A The Islander Poll

Where are you one year after Hurricane Helene?

A. Fully recovered.

B. Nearly recovered.

C. Still working to get back.

D. Lost too much.

E. Not impacted.

To answer the poll and see poll results, go to islander.org.

Connections

Skimming online

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Letters to the editor: news@islander.org

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▼ Live Maine Lobster Thursdays, plus Happy Hour in the lounge all nite.

Gilson

Holmes Beach cracks down on unpermitted construction

By Ryan paice Islander Reporter

Unpermitted work in the city of Holmes Beach could result in some hefty fines.

Special magistrate Matthew McConnell, an attorney from the Naples-based Dickman Law Firm, ruled Sept. 11 in favor of the city in multiple cases involving construction without a city-issued building permit.

Out of seven cases before McConnell, five were violations of the Florida Building Code.

Three cases involved units 207, 306 and 506 in the Martinique South condominium building, 5200 Gulf Drive, which is in the city’s A-1 zoning district for multifamily residential and seasonal rental land uses.

Code compliance chief JT Thomas said city staff on July 7 found extensive construction being performed without permits at units owned by the DiClemente family and posted stop work orders.

The city issued a notice of violation July 14, then a notice of hearing Aug. 21, after the property owner failed to obtain permits.

obtain building permits, assess $127.24 in administrative costs for each case, and $150 daily fines if the properties fail to come into compliance within 30 days.

Jon Schneider, owner of Bradenton-based Jon Schneider Construction Corps, said his company was hired to complete work on the units.

He said the owner previously employed a different contractor to renovate the units and was unaware that they had begun work without permitting.

Schneider added that he had begun work on a permit application package and requested 90 days for completion.

City attorney Erica Augello opposed the extended timeline and said the city was taking a zero-tolerance approach to unpermitted construction.

McConnell found each case in violation of the Florida Building Code, assessed $127.24 administrative fees for all three, as well as ordered that building permits be obtained before Oct. 16, the date of the special magistrate’s next hearing, or face $150 daily fines per violation.

McConnell made similar rulings on cases for 209 Peacock Lane and 401 73rd St.

uses.

Thomas said code compliance found work beyond the scope of the property’s August-issued building permit. That permit expired last September, but staff found work being performed during a July 29 site inspection, resulting in a stop work order.

Bill Montgomery, appearing for Bartizal, said a permit application was almost ready to be submitted.

The property at 401 73rd St. is owned by Doralbased Sun Home Builders and is in the R-2 zoning district for medium-density residential land uses.

Thomas said staff found “major” unpermitted work being performed at the property during an Aug. 4 inspection. A stop work order was posted the same day and a notice of violation issued Aug. 11.

Antonio Leon, an authorized member of Sun Home Builders, apologized for the unpermitted work. He said they were “careless” and did not know a permit had not been obtained.

Leon said a permit application was submitted Aug. 18 and asked for 60-90 days for its review.

McConnell found violations in both cases, assessed the $127.24 administrative fee for each, as well as ordered the owners to obtain permits by Oct. 16 or risk $150 daily fines. thomas

Thomas requested McConnell order the owner to

Fred Bartizal owns 209 Peacock Lane, which is in the R-1 zoning district for low-density residential land

Motorized bicycle rider fined in Anna Maria for beach ride

A joyride on Anna Maria’s shoreline resulted in a fine for one visitor.

Special magistrate Gerald Buhr, an attorney out of Lakewood Ranch, ruled Sept. 16 to assess Orlandoresident Carter Green a $250 fine and $100 in administrative costs for driving a motorized bicycle on the beach.

Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Nate Boggs found Green and Orlando-resident Landry Smith riding motorbikes July 1 on the beach near Spring Avenue.

City code prohibits people from operating or pos-

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sessing vehicles like motorbikes on “any beaches or any coastal barrier sand dunes” located within city limits.

Boggs issued citations to both bikers and Smith paid his citation ahead of the Sept. 16 magistrate hearing.

Green did not.

So code enforcement manager David DeZutter requested Buhr assess the $250 fine and $100 in administrative costs.

Green did not attend the hearing.

Buhr ruled in favor of the city and assessed DeZutter’s requested fine and fee.

The city’s next special magistrate hearing will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.

— Ryan paice

SEPT. 14-29 Visit ArtistHavenAMI.com for

1st Sundown set on Bridge St.

The Sundown Get Down event series, bringing family-friendly street parties to Bradenton Beach’s Bridge Street, will return for the 2025-26 season.

The first event, 2-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, will feature music, food, drink, shopping and family fun.

Organizers also plan to mark the district’s recovery from hurricanes Helene and Milton with a recognition of “heroes who protect, serve and restore our island every day.”

The Bradenton Beach Merchants Association presents the Sundown Get Down events. For more, go to sundowngetdown.com.

Resources for hurricane season

One way to stay up to date is to search for hashtags for a storm — like #TSAndrea or #HurricaneBarry — on social media.

Additionally, the National Hurricane Center provides updates on X via @NWSNHC and @NHC_Atlantic.

The National Weather Service informs via @NWS and, for local info, via @NWSTampaBay. A favorite Facebook follow: ABC Action News chief meteorologist Denis Phillips at @denisphillipsweatherman.

Government websites to bookmark include: Manatee County: mymanatee.org.

Florida: floridadisaster.org.

Federal: fema.gov.

For news: islander.org.

— Lisa Neff

BB returns to construction review on undersized lot

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

Bradenton Beach commissioners debated Sept. 19 how to resolve the fate of a nearly completed second structure at 106 23rd St. N., which involves balancing a property owner’s investment with the city’s concerns for zoning and precedent.

The property contains a two-bedroom cottage. Yet in April 2024, then-building official Darin Cushing issued a permit for construction of a detached twostory structure.

In August, the city’s new building official, Bill Palmer, determined the permit confl icted with city regulations. He said the building had been reviewed as a “utility structure” — labeled on plans as a bonus room — which means it cannot be used for sleeping or a permanent residence.

Palmer said, “You can’t live in it. You can’t sleep in it. And it can’t be a permanent residence.”

The structure also exceeds the city lot coverage regulations, though adjustments, such as removing pavers, could bring it into compliance, safety concerns arise if the space is used as bedrooms without being

Attorney Scott Rudacille, representing Neal Mores, addresses Bradenton Beach officials Sept. 19. Islander photo: Robert Anderson

accurately reflected in the plans, which mandate where smoke detectors must be installed.

Attorney Scott Rudacille, representing property owner Neal Mores, told commissioners the family agreed to reroute electrical service through the cottage and remove pavers to meet lot coverage requirements.

Also, Rudacille said, “The property owner has agreed that the two structures will be treated as one.”

BB CRA to finish undergrounding utilities

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency voted Sept. 18 to move forward with undergrounding a final section of utilities in the historic district, a project estimated to cost about $1.3 million.

In a unanimous decision, the CRA, comprising the commission and mayor, directed staff and consultant Mark Porter of Utility Consultants of Florida to coordinate with Florida Power & Light on a binding estimate for the “Gulf Drive Phase 3” undergrounding.

The CRA also authorized a $58,775 work assignment to cover survey and coordination expenses.

According to an Aug. 27 letter from FPL, a “ballpark” estimate to bury utilities in the area — streets in the district north of Bridge Street — is $763,447.

The letter indicated that the project qualifies for about $203,000 in storm restoration and operational credits, lowering the city’s net FPL costs to $560,000.

Additional costs — including surveying, carrier line conversions, and street restoration — bring the total estimate near $1.3 million.

Commissioner Jan Vosburgh motioned to get the binding estimate and issue the work assignment to Porter, with Commissioner Ralph Cole seconding. The measure passed 5-0.

“This is the last and final section within the CRA district,” Porter said. “Once complete, the district will be fully undergrounded except for the trailer park area, which is not ready for conversion.”

City attorney Ricinda Perry, who resigned that day, said tackling the “ugly work” of undergrounding before investing in streetscape beautification has

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been a priority in the CRA, a tax-increment financing district bounded by the Gulf, the bay, Cortez Road and Fifth Street South.

“You’ve already paid your engineering deposit,” she said. “The question before you is whether to commit to finishing the job,” Perry said.

CRA members cited resiliency and storm recovery as key reasons to act.

Undergrounding “puts the community in a good position when we get windstorms. It means faster recovery and less long-term maintenance,” said Commissioner Ralph Cole.

Once a survey is complete, FPL will spend about three months producing the binding estimate. Construction would begin within 180 days of the estimate’s issuance.

The next CRA meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive north.

Commissioner Debbie Scaccianoce, referring to the permit, responded, “My problem is, it says bonus room, game room. It doesn’t say bedroom, and bedroom is what allows us to control that (occupancy).”

Others leaned toward allowing the project to move forward under restrictions.

“In fairness, I think it should just be deemed a nonconforming building with stipulations,” Commissioner Ralph Cole said.

In closing discussion, Palmer said he would be comfortable classifying the building as R-2 residential if plans were amended to label the rooms as bedrooms and proper smoke detectors installed. He stressed the key issue is the nonconforming lot size, with living space spread across two separate buildings.

Commissioners agreed the property should carry clear stipulations: the detached structure can only be used with the main cottage, the property cannot be split and any future rebuild would have to consolidate the living space into a single dwelling.

Rudacille agreed to draft paperwork refl ecting those conditions and return to the commission.

Bradenton Beach police clerk steps into PIO role

The Bradenton Beach Police Department has promoted clerk ChrisAnn Allen to serve as its public information officer.

Allen, who joined the department in 2020, said her experience during last year’s hurricanes highlighted the need for a dedicated spokesperson.

“Last year’s hurricanes were really trial by fire,” she said. “I grew our (social media) following from about 250 to 6,000 in a two-week period.”

Allen, who holds a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Florida, recently attended the National Information Officers Association conference in Clearwater. The conference brought together communication professionals from across the nation who handled crises ranging from hurricanes to wildfires and terrorist attacks.

Police Chief John Cosby said Allen’s background and training made the position a natural fit.

“In a small city, we all wear different hats,” Cosby said. “If we have something severe going on, I only have enough time to call her and say, ‘I need this put out.’”

Cosby also pointed to the success of a Labor Day weekend video Allen produced that drew more than 17,000 views on social media.

In addition to managing news releases and social media, Allen, who previously worked for The Islander, will help oversee the city’s new one-way text alert service.

— Robert Anderson

Utility Consultants of Florida owner Mark porter speaks to BB officials about undergrounding utilities Sept. 17. Islander photo: Robert Anderson

Allen

Can’t say that

Well, I’d like to gloat a little and say I told you so, but I shouldn’t have to say it.

My little voice — the one that talks only to me, Magnum ”esque” — says take a bow.

My outward voice says, “Let it go.”

There’s nothing to gain and maybe keeping quiet will speed matters on their merry way.

Yes. The Bradenton Beach city attorney has resigned.

On the heels of an editorial in the Aug. 20 edition calling out the attorney for billing the city nearly $100K for “storm” work, Ricinda Perry received a vote of confidence from the city.

Nearly all the city officials praised her efforts after Helene nearly scrubbed the city clean and Milton blew away much of what was left. But the other island cities incurred no storm-related legal fees. The emergency preparations and contracts with service providers were already in place. No additional work was required.

Over the years, I’ve seen what I would call some egregious actions by the BB attorney.

I was taken aback when she recommended firing a city clerk, claiming she was unqualified, although she was certified to teach other clerks.

We assumed it was because the overqualified clerk didn’t march to Ms. Perry’s tune.

I was seated in the gallery with my jaw agape when she gave an applicant a hearty recommendation in spite of the fact that a simple Google search revealed serious flaws in her work as a clerk in other Florida cities, including being escorted from city meetings by law enforcement for drunken behavior.

Perry played up to the now late-Bill Shearon when he was elected mayor, and then turned on him and a group of citizens who held meetings looking to enact improvements — i.e. no parking garages — and convinced the commission to file a lawsuit against the citizens, clobbering them with legal fees.

And if that wasn’t enough, she was alleged to have been shadow-dancing with organizers of a recall election that managed to oust Shearon from office.

And there are more assertions, such as maneuvering the city’s voting districts to erase term limits and representing clients seeking approvals from the city.

Oddly enough, a meeting last week to discuss an accusation that Perry lied when she alleged a Bridge Street business owner complained to a state agency about another business, pushed up her exit.

Lastly, whether you agree or not, please, respect my right to voice my opinion as I would yours.

Best wishes to the city for a bright future.

— Bonner Joy

OpinionYour

Permitting after Helene

I have had to pull many permits to repair the water damage on a first-floor home of 25 years where my husband and I raised our children.

My knowledge base has increased into the process of dealing with FEMA and the city for the damage Helene inflicted. I learned our commission secured a contract with JPI for our building permits. Do you realize that of every permit required, the company receives a 50% cut.

10-20-30 years ago

From the Sept. 21, 1995,

issue

• Anna Maria Commissioner Mark Ratliff announced he was resigning and moving to Sarasota but planned to remain in his seat until commissioners named a successor.

• The city of Bradenton Beach reached a settlement with Bradenton Beach Marina owner Allan Bazzy in a lawsuit Bazzy filed alleging conspiracy to reject his expansion plans.

24, 2025 • Vol. 33, No. 48

▼ Publisher, editor

Bonner Joy, news@islander.org

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Robert Anderson, robert@islander.org

Joe Bird, editorial cartoonist

Kevin Cassidy, kevin@islander.org

Jack elka, jack@jackelka.com

Lisa Neff, lisa@islander.org Ryan paice, ryan@islander.org

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Unfortunately, for my husband and I, we learned their building official was not thorough in his processing of our FEMA permit and did not follow through to fix his grievance accusations of FEMA fraud against us and our contractor Kevin Hutchison.

He sent out notices to subcontractors stating our names and address and alleging that Hutchison violated FEMA requirements and pulled our permit. I believe we need to examine how the inspector is hired and compensated. I think, as it stands now, it is a perverse relationship.

This is an urgent issue.

Jamie Walstad, Anna Maria

From the Sept. 21, 2005, issue

• Candidate qualifying closed for the 2005 island elections, with contested races for city commission in Anna Maria and Holmes Beach.

• The West Manatee Fire Rescue District received a $282,500 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for fire equipment and facility improvements.

From the Sept. 23, 2015, issue

• Anna Maria City Pier Park Committee members broke ground for a $87,239 “comfort station,” which was to include an exterior shower, drinking fountains and restrooms.

• The state attorney’s office filed a deferred prosecution agreement with Jose Vivero of Hillsborough County, requiring $6,000 in payments from Vivero and 90 days probation for trespassing while trimming seagrape trees at the city’s 43rd Street beach access.

— Lisa Neff

The Islander is archived at ufdc.ufl.edu.

Taking shape

Construction is underway for the publix grocery store on east Bay Drive in Holmes Beach. the photo is dated 1998. Islander photo: Manatee County public Library System

Compiled by Lisa Neff, calendar@islander.org

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ON AMI

Monday, Sept. 29

6 p.m. — Art House Cinema, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-6341, mymanatee.org.

ONGOING ON AMI

• Through Sept. 28, Island Players’ “Janus,” 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. Fee applies. Info: theislandplayers.org, 941-7785755.

• Most third Mondays, 1 p.m., Center of Anna Maria Island Book Club, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Info: 941-778-1908, centerami.org.

OFF AMI

Friday, Sept. 26

6-9 p.m. — Oktoberfest, the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Info: 941-746-4131.

Sunday, Sept. 28

7:30 p.m. — Songwriters in the Round, Island Players theater, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. Fee applies. Info: 941-448-5798.

ONGOING OFF AMI

• Through Oct. 10, “Create: An Open, All Media Juried Exhibit,” Herrig Center for the Arts, 209 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Info: 941746-2862.

• Through Jan. 11, “Yoshida Hiroshi: Journeys through Light,” The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies except Mondays. Info: 941-359-5700, ringling.org.

• Through April 12, 2026, “Ancestral Edge: Abstraction and Symbolism,” The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies except Mondays. Info: 941-359-5700, ringling.org.

• First Fridays, 6-9:30 p.m., Village of the Arts First Fridays Artwalk, 12th Street West and 12th Avenue West, Bradenton. Info: villageofthearts.com.

• Second and fourth Saturdays, 2-4 p.m., Florida Maritime Museum’s Music on the Porch, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Info: 941-708-6120, floridamaritimemuseum.org.

SAVE THE DATES

• Oct. 4-5, Oktoberfest, Palmetto.

• Oct. 11, Sundown Get Down celebration on Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach.

KIDS & FAMILY

ONGOING ON AMI

• Most Fridays, 10 a.m., Forty Carrots, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-6341, mymanatee. org.

Island happenings

Anna Maria Community Farmers Market returns

The Anna Maria Community Farmers Market will open Tuesday, Oct. 7, at a new venue — Roser Memorial Community Church instead of the Center of Anna Maria Island.

The weekly market will run 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays through April at Roser, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Vendors will sell produce, baked goods, fresh juices, coffee, tea, meat, poultry, art, jewelry, wellness products, and other goods.

The event also will feature nonprofits, including Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, dispensing information.

Market presenters include the center, Roser Church and DBTB Juice Bar & Bakery.

Vendors interested in participating can email dbtbami@gmail.com.

For more information, call the center at 941-7781908.

• Most Tuesdays, 10 a.m., Family Storytime, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-6341.

SAVE THE DATES

• Oct. 13, Goblin Gathering, Bradenton.

• Oct. 25, Halloween Fall Festival, Palmetto.

• Oct. 31, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Trail of Treats, AMI business districts.

• Oct. 31, Bradenton Alive Halloween Celebration, Bradenton.

• Nov. 28, Tree Lighting, Palmetto.

• Dec. 5, Winter Wonderland, Bradenton. CLUBS & COMMUNITY ON AMI

Thursday, Sept. 25 10 a.m. — Seaside Quilters, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-6341, mymanatee.org

ONGOING ON AMI

• Most Fridays and Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m., mahjong, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-6341, mymanatee.org.

• First and third Tuesdays, noon, Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island luncheons, the Beach House patio, 200 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach. Fee applies. Info: www.amirotary.org.

• Most Saturdays, 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island meets, Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N. Info: 941-7300016.

SAVE THE DATES

• Oct. 1, Anna Maria Island Historical Society ribbon-cutting, Anna Maria.

• Nov. 1, League of Women Voters of Manatee County Unite and Rise for Democracy, Bradenton.

• Nov. 1, the Bishop Museum’s A Celestial Affair gala, Bradenton.

• Nov. 8, Friends of Manatee County Animal Welfare Friendsgiving, Palmetto.

PUBLIC MARKETS

SAVE THE DATES

• Oct. 1, Coquina Beach Market, Bradenton Beach.

Tickets on sale for singer/ songwriters’ ‘in the round’

Three local musicians will perform at the Island Players theater at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, in a concert setting organized by singer/entertainer Mike Sales of Holmes Beach.

Sales will be joined on stage by Sara Nelms of Sarasota and Dean Johanesen of Ellenton in presenting acoustic performances in an intimate “in the round” format at the theater venue, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria.

Doors will open at 7 p.m.

Advance tickets cost $12 while tickets at the door cost $15.

Tickets are available at mikesales.ticketspice.com/ island-players-theater-songwriter-series.

For more information, contact Sales at chill@ mikesalesmusic.com or 941-448-5798.

• Oct. 4-May 30, 2026, Bradenton Public Market, Bradenton. Oct. 4, UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County Plant Sale, Palmetto.

• Oct. 7, Anna Maria Community Farmers Market opens at Roser Church, Anna Maria.

• Oct. 10, Market Night in City Center, Holmes Beach.

• Nov. 29-30, Mistletoe Market, Holmes Beach.

• Dec. 5, Market Night in City Center, Holmes Beach.

LESSONS & LEARNING

SAVE THE DATES

• Oct. 24, FMM Folk School mosaic class, Cortez.

• Oct. 30, FMM Folk School bonsai class, Cortez.

SPORTS & FITNESS

SAVE THE DATES

• Oct. 25, Center of Anna Maria Island Youth Athlete Combine, Anna Maria.

OUTDOORS

& NATURE

OFF AMI

Saturday, Sept. 27

8 p.m. — Starry Night Astronomy, Robinson Preserve South, 102999 Ninth Ave. W., Bradenton. Info: 941-748-4501.

ONGOING OFF AMI

• Saturdays, 9 a.m., Manatee County Natural Resources Department’s Saturday Mornings at the NEST, 840 99th St. NW, Bradenton. Info: 941-748-4501, mymanatee.org.

SAVE THE DATES

• Nov. 8, Kringles & Kayaks benefit, Bradenton.

• Dec. 18-21, Palma Sola Botanical Park’s Winter Nights Under the Lights, Bradenton.

CALENDAR NOTES

KEEP THE DATES

• Through Oct. 31, Sea turtle nesting season continues. •Through Nov. 30, Atlantic hurricane season continues.

• Oct. 13, Columbus Day.

• Oct. 13, Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

• Oct. 31, Halloween.

By Lisa Neff Islander Reviewer

“Do sit back and enjoy,” Island Players president Denise Handley invites in the playbill for the theater group’s 77th season.

The curtain opened Sept. 18 on the new season with director Mike Lusk’s presentation of “Janus.”

Playwright Carolyn Green’s 1950s play is about Jessica, the wife of a tycoon, and Denny, a New England school teacher, who’ve spent seven summers in New York City writing “lusty, busty” historical novels under the pen name “Janus” and engaging in a love affair. Both are married to other people, and when Jessica’s husband, Gil, makes a surprise visit to her apartment, we get a light sex farce.

The setting is the living room of a Washington Square apartment in July 1954, and Green penned the play in 1955, before rom-com was a category and in an entirely different era for marital relationships. Still, there’s an edge to the plot and the resolution seems to me as unconventional for today’s married folks as yesterday’s.

Valerie Lipscomb leads the cast, commanding the stage with charm, energy and sophistication as Jessica, who, seeking a full and complete life, needs to follow a double life.

Helping her shine are Larry Williams as the adoring coauthor Denny and Rick Kopp as the confounded husband Gil.

Big and loud is how Daniel Coppinger portrays Mr. Harper, a loyal Bureau of Internal Revenue agent. Yes, with cheating spouses earning big money from book sales, there’s a twist dealing with tax returns.

Sue Belvo portrays Miss Addy, the agent representing Janus in the publishing world, and she’s so delightful she has too few stage appearances.

Lusk, who also serves as sound designer, gets solid support from an artistic and production team that includes stage manager Kristin Mazzitelli, costume

From the moment Jessica steps into the apartment and opens a window, there’s no mistaking the time and place in “Janus.” There’s a NYC cityscape outside the windows while a cacophony of car horns invade the space from unseen streets below.

The show continues at the theater, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, through Sept. 28. Showtimes are

Kopp and Val-

appear onstage in “Janus,” the Island players’ first production of the 2025-26 season at the

playhouse.

7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are at the box office, open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Saturday, an hour before curtain, online at theislandplayers.org or by phone at 941-778-5755.

Did you know?

“Janus” originally starred Margaret Sullavan, Claude Dauphin and Robert Preston on Broadway. A 1963 revival featured Betty White and Allen Ludden.

Rick

erie Lipscomb

Anna Maria

Islander Courtesy photo

designer Pamela Hopkins, set designer Jan Van Wart, lighting designer Ethan Vail and hair/makeup artist Rita Lamoreux.

Gathering By Lisa Neff

Roser to host tech meetup

Roser Memorial Community Church will host a meet-and-greet for people interested in learning about broadcasting services and other communications efforts.

The event will follow the 10 a.m. worship service Sunday, Sept. 28, at the church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria.

A notice from the church read, “We invite you to meet the tech staff and volunteers. … This is especially a wonderful opportunity for youth to get involved and grow in their skills of technology, leadership and communications, as well as growing in their spiritual faith.

For more, go to roserchurch.com/tech-team-opportunities or call the church at 941-778-0414.

Gathering is The Islander’s religion section. Please, send announcements, listings and photos to news@islander.org.

Obituary

Gayle Simpson Schulz

Gayle Simpson Schulz, 71, of Anna Maria Island, died July 28.

She was born May 11, 1954, in Alexandria, Virginia, to Donald F. Simpson Sr. and Roylee Tozer.

Mrs. Schulz was a licensed real estate broker in Florida and Virginia, and owner of Simpson South Realty in Holmes Beach.

Those who knew her would describe her as the life of every party and the friendliest person in the room. She was selfless, kind and humorous.

She loved music and dancing was her favorite mode of transportation. She loved boating, swimming in her pool, soaking up the Florida sun and spending time with friends over a glass of chardonnay.

From her sons: “As we bid farewell, let us do so with a smile and a cheers, for that is what she would have wanted. We can imagine her dancing in a place where the music never stops, the sun never sets, and the water is always just the right temperature.”

A Florida celebration of life will be 3-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at D.Coy Ducks Bar and Grill in Holmes Beach.

Mrs. Schulz is survived by her beloved sons, Eric Michael Simpson Funkhouser and Matthew Simpson Funkhouser; siblings Donald F. Simpson Jr. and Dorothy Simpson Beveridge; companion, J. Michael Ellsworth Jr.; stepdaughter Virginia Zimmerman and stepson Sascha; as well as many loving family members and dear friends.

At your service

Obituaries are offered as a service to residents and families of residents, both past and present, as well as to those people with ties to the island. Submit to news@ islander.org. Obituaries are provided free — a service of your community newspaper.

GoodDeeds

Assistance offered on AMI

• Roser Food Bank welcomes applicants for food assistance, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Info: 941-778-0414.

• All Island Denominations offers financial help. Info: 941-778-4769.

Assistance

sought on AMI

• All Island Denominations accepts financial donations at P.O. Box 814, Anna Maria, FL 34216. Info: 941-778-4769.

• Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra seeks volunteers, donors and a venue space. Info: info@amicco.org.

• Anna Maria Island Historical Society, 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, seeks donations for restoration and

Peacemakers shine

Anna Maria elementary students cheer in celebration of peace Day Sept. 19. the celebration — sponsored annually by the Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island — featured flag processionals, music, cultural performances, community speakers and a celebration of sea turtle season.

BeLOW: the Manatee High School drumline marches into Anna Maria elementary’s peace Day celebration, bringing rhythm and energy to the “little school by the bay.” Islander photos: Robert Anderson

Academic achievements

HB resident graduates from U of Arkansas Declan Goonan of Holmes Beach received from the University of Alabama a bachelor of science degree in commerce and business administration during summer commencement ceremonies.

volunteers. Info: 608-444-0084.

• Anna Maria Island Privateers seeks a covered building and/or land for the Skullywag, sleigh and other items. Info: amiprivateers.org.

• Florida Maritime Museum in Cortez, which is closed for renovations and repairs, seeks a temporary space — a pop-up space — for public exhibits. Info: 941-708-6120.

• Friends of the Island Library seeks volunteers, including for website management and graphic design. Info: 941-778-4255.

• Island Players in Anna Maria seeks volunteers in every area to “come and be part of our family.” Info: 941-920-1362.

• Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center in Bradenton Beach seeks gift cards for supplies. Info: 941-778-6324.

— Lisa Neff

S tudies Open To A ll

Schulz

Holmes Beach Mayor Judy titsworth and police Chief Bill tokajer lead Anna Maria elementary’s fifthgrade class in a flag parade Sept. 19 to open the school’s annual peace Day celebration.

Hurricane survivors reflect a year after storms’ devastation

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

Recovery is still unfolding nearly a year after hurricanes Helene and Milton hit the Gulf coast, wrecking local homes, businesses and infrastructure. Community, many say, carried them through the year.

Helene intensified to a Category 4 Sept. 26, 2024, before making landfall near Perry. While the storm’s center paused more than 120 miles offshore of Anna Maria Island, it sent Gulf waters surging across AMI and inland. A surge measured about 7 feet in some places, flooding many ground-level structures and burying streets.

Then, on Oct. 9, Hurricane Milton hit the area as a major wind event, tearing at rooftops and scattering debris just as people had begun cleaning up.

The double-disaster shifted how many locals think about storm risk. The Islander, as it marks the one-year anniversary of the storms, is talking with people about their loss and their recovery.

On Sept. 25, 2024, as evening fell to night, the Gulf began to overtake AMI and, in the dark, with power failing, evacuation for those who had decided to wait out the storm became chaotic.

From the second floor of their Bradenton Beach home on Avenue B, Gail and Ed Straight listened in the dark as floodwaters shifted appliances and furniture on the ground level below them.

The nightmare had begun.

For the Straights, who run a wildlife rescue from

the tupin residence in Cortez in October 2024, following the impacts of hurricanes Helene and Milton, shows piles of debris ready for collection. Islander File photo:

Robert Anderson

their home, Helene stripped away decades of work in less than an hour. Nearly three feet of surge forced its way through their home.

“In less than 10 minutes, it was coming through the floor,” Gail Straight recalled.

Most of the animals had been moved, but two giant tortoises remained.

The Straights’ grandson, Bradenton Beach Police Officer Devon Straight, and another officer hoisted the reptiles atop a cage where they safely rode out the storm.

Both of the Straights’ vehicles were ruined, leaving the nonprofit without transportation to deal with the animal rescues that would follow Helene and then Milton.

Gail Straight said volunteers helped keep the rescue functional after the storms, assisting with cleanups and donating so they could carry on.

She said, “I think how nice and generous people have been. How nice they are, you know?”

Meanwhile in Cortez the night of Helene, tour boat captain Katie Tupin was forced to swim from her home with her family as surge arrived in the village. The floodwater climbed past four feet, swallowing furniture and fish tanks and taking some pets.

Tupin said that as she was swimming with debris, belongings and animals in the dark, she was brushed by a shark.

She said her family lost nearly everything, including clothing, furniture, appliances and their car. They

For the record: Helene’s surge

Maximum storm surge inundation with Hurricane Helene on Longboat Key was 6.68 feet above “mean high higher water,” according to the National Hurricane Center.

MHHW is the average height of the higher high tides observed over a 19-year period.

The surge measurement on Longboat Key — the closest recording to Anna Maria Island — came from a U.S. Coast Guard water sensor.

Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region Sept. 26, 2024, as a Category 4 hurricane. Peak storm surge inundation levels of 12-16 feet “above ground level” occurred west of Keaton Beach to south Steinhatchee, according to the NHC.

East of landfall, maximum storm surge inundation of 8-12 feet AGL occurred from south of Steinhatchee through Cedar Key.

From south of Cedar Key to the Anclote River, maximum storm surge was 6-9 feet.

From the Anclote south to Longboat Key, maximum storm surge inundation was 5-7 feet AGL.

Within Tampa Bay, maximum storm surge was 5-7 feet. The St. Petersburg tide station has the longest record in Tampa Bay, dating to 1947. The water level there with Helene was 6.31 feet, surpassing the 3.97 record set in 1985 during Hurricane Elena.

— Lisa Neff

lived inland for five months while repairs to their home dragged on.

Recovery, she said, came from longtime charter passengers Jim and Diane Reisner, who arrived from Ohio with tools and spent weeks putting her house back together.

“They probably did like I’d say got 85% of the work to put this house in order,” Tupin said. What shook her most, Tupin added, was how quickly the storm changed everything.

“Just live your life … be prepared for the storms. … Never underestimate the storm,” Tupin said a year later. “I never thought I would say this, but I’ll evacuate next time.”

After the storms Library’s vital resources

My story is about the unsung heroes of the Manatee County Public Library System’s Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

Following Hurricane Helene, it became immediately evident that one of the only buildings minimally affected was the Island Library.

Seriously — an island in the storm.

After power was restored, the staff went into action, even though their own homes were damaged, providing refuge, comfort and community for island residents.

The staff was selfl ess during this unbelievable trauma.

The effort continued for months, with the library staff bringing in county, state and federal resources for folks.

In addition to providing comfort stations, internet service and air-conditioning, the library became a voting location for residents — democracy at work!

We should all be thankful for our libraries. They certainly provide much more than books!

— Julie perry

Stories of loss, recovery

A year ago, Hurricane Helene struck AMI, destroying buildings, disrupting lives and damaging businesses. Soon after, Hurricane Milton delivered another devastating blow to AMI.

As we mark the anniversary of these life-changing storms, The Islander invites readers to share their recollections — not just of the hurricanes, but of the days that followed, the losses endured and the recovery that continues.

Where were you then? Where are you now?

Share your words and images with The Islander at news@islander.org

— Lisa Neff

Imagery from a government satellite shows Hurricane Helene Sept. 26, 2024, off the coast of Florida. Islander photo: Courtesy NASA Worldview

Milton: 1 of the strongest

The National Hurricane Center characterized Hurricane Milton as “one of the strongest hurricanes of record in the Atlantic basin, reaching category 5 intensity.”

“After an unusual eastward track across the Gulf of America, it made landfall on the west coast of the Florida peninsula as a category 3 hurricane, causing major damage in the Sarasota and Tampa Bay areas,” the NHC said in its final assessment of the storm, which made landfall at Siesta Key about 8:30 p.m. Oct. 9, 2024.

One measurement cited in the assessment, taken from Holmes Beach, put maximum sustained winds at 73 knots and maximum wind gusts at 92 knots at about 8:21 p.m. Oct. 9, 2024, shortly before the landfall to the south.

Maximum storm surge inundation of 4-6 feet occurred near the landfall location, from Longboat Key to Venice. A water level sensor on Longboat Key measured 5.04 feet above “mean higher high water” with significant waves on top. North of landfall, a sharp gradient in surge occurred, including in Tampa Bay.

The maximum reported storm total rainfall was 20.40 inches, recorded near St. Pete.

Milton also caused 45 known tornadoes on land, as well as a tornadic waterspout over Lake Okeechobee.

Fifteen direct deaths and 27 indirect deaths were associated with Milton and damage in the United States was estimated at $34.3 billion, almost exclusively in Florida.

The NHC said damage estimates were complicated because Hurricane Helene had hit many of the same areas less than two weeks before Milton.

— Lisa Neff

Doggie Daddy

60 Reason to relocate a picnic blanket, maybe

61 Borneo neighbor 63 Female moose or elephant

65 Fish-eating raptors

66 Dab with a towel

67 Subdivisions of some counties: Abbr.

68 An increase in ham prices forced the deli to ____

County lifeguard stand No. 4, at the north end of Coquina Beach, stands Sept. 28, 2024, shifted under the power of Hurricane Helene’s storm surge. Islander File photo: Robert Anderson

SHORELINE CONtINUeD FROM pAGe 1

Manatee County led post-storm efforts to collect the displaced sediment, sift it to remove debris and return beach-quality sand to the shoreline.

The county redistributed clean sand back to the county-owned Cortez and Coquina public beaches in Bradenton Beach, as well as up into Holmes Beach, where it was used to rebuild some low-level dune formations.

However, that was just the start of island-wide shoreline recovery efforts.

To help reestablish and build upon freshly formed dunes, Hoffman and KMB led efforts to plant thousands of sea oats across the island shoreline.

Saltwater tolerant vegetation like sea oats, which have extensive root systems, help trap sediment and promote accumulation, as well as stabilize the barrier.

In July, KMB led more than 300 volunteers to plant 12,000 sea oats along five miles of the island shoreline.

So far almost all of the sea oats remain alive, which is a good sign they will take root and stick around, according to Hoffman.

When a solid foundation is set, additional vegetation like dune flowers, sea grapes and railroad vines can be planted to bolster biodiversity and improve aesthetics.

KMB’s planting efforts got the attention of the county, which reached out to Hoffman and asked the nonprofit to help with the planting aspect of its federally funded beach renourishment in 2026-27. The project will involve adding sand back to the shoreline, extending the beaches and reestablishing dune formations. It will also involve the planting of saltwater tolerant vegetation along the new dunes to further build them up.

“I love where we live. I am proud of our paradise,” she said. “And part of loving our area is our civic responsibility to make sure that it stays the way that we fell in love with, and I’m proud to say that our citizens, our businesses and our government have all stepped up to work together through different channels to make it not only as good as it was, but better than it ever was. And I’m proud to be a part of it.”

In the meantime, Hoffman said she is thankful that this storm season has been calm so far.

So far, so good.

Peter, Paul and

e.g. 79 Words before sea or lunch

Summer mo.

Decks for reading

Biblical preposition

To Washington ____, Germany, seemed far from Tarrytown, N.Y. 88 Big word in advertising

Toady 91 Buzz, so to speak

Charles or Ray who

No. 0914

Hurricane Milton on Oct. 7, 2024. Islander photo: NASA Worldview

Manatee

Florida Department of transportation crews Sept. 28, 2024, work to clear the roadway north of the intersection of Cortez Road and Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach. Islander File photo: Robert Anderson

County renews interlocal deal for beach law enforcement

By Ryan paice Islander Reporter

Holmes Beach will start fiscal 2025-26 without $100,000 requested from Manatee County.

But a future increase is not off the table.

County commissioners unanimously voted Sept. 16 to approve an annual renewal of an interlocal agreement with the island city for law enforcement services at Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, and Kingfish Boat Ramp, 752 Manatee Ave. W.

In return for the Holmes Beach Police Department’s services, the county pays the city $46,412 a year — but that number has become a sticking point.

At a Sept. 3 joint meeting of city and county officials, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer requested an additional $100,000 a year to fund beach patrols.

Roadwatch

Eyes on the road

Cortez Bridge utility relocation project: Pipe installation and related activities are ongoing in preparation for the construction of the new Cortez Bridge. People can expect the presence of work crews through next spring, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday. Info: 941306-4660, info@amiprojects.io, amiprojects.io.

Bradenton Beach street, beach access repairs: Through Oct. 31, Bradenton Beach is making hurricane-related repairs and improvements. Info: BBPD’s Facebook page.

75th Street West at Manatee Avenue West : Manatee County is working on its 75th Street West Improvements Project from 19th Avenue West to Second Avenue West. Motorists can expect delays. Info: mymanatee.org/75th.

— Lisa Neff

Streetlife

Island police reports

Anna Maria

No new reports.

Bradenton Beach

No new reports.

Cortez

No new reports.

Holmes Beach

Sept. 10, 700 block of Key Royale Drive, larceny. A complainant said an SD card for one of her property’s security cameras went missing. A Holmes Beach police officer found no signs of tampering and there was no security video of an incident.

Sept. 10, 3600 block of Gulf Drive, criminal mischief. A woman entered the Holmes Beach Police Department to report damage to her vehicle. She said she saw someone try to pry a vehicle door open while it was parked at a rental property. Nothing was taken

He said the current funding falls well short of what it costs the city to provide law enforcement services at the beach and boat ramp. He calculated the expense to be about $146,000.

County commissioners said a potential increase could be discussed but that it was too late in the county’s budget process to implement one for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1.

Following the county commission’s Sept. 16 vote, the current deal is set to remain in place for another fiscal year.

However, changes could be on the horizon.

Tokajer told The Islander Sept. 17 that he spoke with county officials about the funding increase after the joint meeting.

Holmes Beach and the city of Bradenton Beach, which polices the county-owned Coquina Beach, were asked to provide metrics breaking down the up-to-date cost of beach patrol to use when reconsidering county funding, according to Tokajer.

He said County Commissioner Tal Siddique, R-District 3, which includes the island, told him that he would be willing to revisit the possibility of a funding increase midway through fiscal 2025-26.

Tokajer said a potential increase could be reflected via budget amendments on the city and county levels, but could also fall to fiscal 2026-27.

Siddique confirmed the matter during a Sept. 17 interview with The Islander.

He said the county’s annual pay for beach patrol in Holmes Beach, which started at $10,000 and is now $46,412, appeared to be “pulled out of a hat” by previous iterations of the county board.

Siddique said he wanted to determine an accurate cost for beach patrol, then reevaluate the deal.

“What is this agreement getting us and what should the dollar amount be?” Siddique said.

He added that there are also “other avenues” the county could explore for providing public safety services at its island properties.

or missing.

Sept. 15, 100 block of 39th Street, assisting EMS/ suspicious circumstance. An officer responded to assist Manatee County Emergency Medical Services on a call. Upon arrival, he found EMS was transporting a woman to a local hospital and they did not need assistance. However, an emergency medical technician said the patient had said something about a man wanting to kill her. The officer spoke to a man at the scene and he

denied any argument with the patient. The officer also spoke to a witness who said the man had been helpful during the incident and there had been no argument. The officer contacted the hospital and was told the patient may have experienced “mental illness related issues,” according to a report.

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

— Robert Anderson and Ryan paice

Islander photographer Jacob Merrifield piloted a drone Sept. 27, 2024, after Hurricane Helene hit Anna Maria Island with wind and rain and severe storm surge. the image, which ran on page One in the Islander’s Oct. 2, 2024, issue, shows Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach from the roundabout at Gulf Drive. Islander File photo: Jacob Merrifield

After Helene — at the Gulf Drive roundabout

Adult football playoffs, Part 1, golf and horseshoe winners

By Kevin P. Cassidy Islander Reporter

First-round playoff action in the adult flag football league presented by the Center of Anna Maria Island began Sept. 19 with games matching up the sixth through 11th seeds.

Upsets ruled the day as two of three lower seeded teams won their games — all played at Palma Sola Park while the newly sod center field settles.

The first game of the evening saw No. 11 seed Edible Cookie Dough Cafe emphatically eliminate No. 6

G.I. Bins with a 48-29 victory. Dallas Buchholtz threw seven touchdown passes, including three to Sequiel Marintez, who also had a game-high eight receptions. Jacob Ferda and Mike Stout each added a pair of touchdown catches to the victory.

Tristan Szabo had a strong game for G.I. Bins, finishing with three touchdown passes and a receiving touchdown. Sir Williams threw for one score and added a pair of touchdown catches to go along with a touchdown reception from Christian Mcpherson.

No. 10 seed Reel Coastal Properties upset No. 7 seed Moss Builders 43-25 behind five touchdown passes from Shawn Balvin, including three to Tyler Brewer. Zachariah Anabtawi added two TD grabs and Jordan Hood contributed a TD reception to the victory.

Ray Gardner threw three touchdown passes and ran for another to lead Moss Builders, which also received two TD catches from James Roadman. Ramon Guerrero IV added a TD in the victory.

The last game of the evening matched up No. 8 seed Cortez Pump & Sprinkler and No. 9 seed Bubble Binz.

Brandon Rolland led Cortez Pump & Sprinkler to victory with four touchdown passes, including two to Greg Moss, who finished with a game-high 10 recep-

According to the seedings, the center league matchups at Palma Sola Park Sept. 26 should see No. 11 Edible Cookie Dough taking on No. 2 Solid Rock Construction, while No. 4 Salty Printing takes on No. 5 Coaster Continent. No. 2 seed Solid Rock Electrical will take on No. 8 Cortez Pump & Sprinkler with game times to be determined.

Key Royale news

There was a full week of golf action at the Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach, starting with the men’s weekly modified-Stableford system match Sept. 15. Ed Harrell and Larry Pippel shared first-place honors after they both carded plus-4s.

The women took to the course Sept. 16 for a ninehole individual-low-net match. Jackie Gorski fired a 2-over-par 34 to grab a one-shot victory over Margrit Layh and Jana Samuels, who tied for second at 3-overpar. Helen Pollock and Sue Wheeler finished in a tie for third place with matching 4-over-par 36s.

Members played a scramble/shamble combo Sept. 18 on a modified course that played to a par 43.

The team of Deb and Dave Richardson, Quentin Talbert and Ron Vandeman carded a 4-under-par 39 to earn clubhouse bragging rights for the day. The team of Mike Gillie, Dale Miller, Kurt Snouffer and Warren Stevens took second place with a 2-under-par 41.

Horseshoe action

tions. Moss also chipped in on defense with two interceptions, including one he took to the house for a TD. Roman Marintez added two TD catches and a 2-point conversion in the victory.

Donte Filletti threw four touchdown passes to lead Bubble Binz, including two to Kei Green, who finished with eight catches in the game. David Lopez added two TDs, while Filletti chipped in with an interception return for a TD.

Horseshoe action at the Anna Maria City Hall pits was short and sweet. Gary Howcroft walked his way to the winner’s circle after posting the lone 3-0 record in pool play to win the Sept. 17 games, while Billy Silver did the same at the Sept. 20 games.

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

There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.

G.I. Bins’ Christian Mcpherson makes a catch for a touchdown as edible Cookie Dough Cafe’s Jacob Ferda defends Sept. 19 during first-round playoff action in the center’s adult flag football league. the playoffs are playing out at Palma Sola Park in Northwest Bradenton. Islander Photo: Kevin P. Cassidy

ScenicWAVES drafting annual work plan

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

The Bradenton Beach ScenicWAVES committee spent its Sept. 17 meeting zeroing in on a work plan to deliver to the Florida Department of Transportation.

Committee chair Ingrid McClellan said she will write a draft to discuss in October, ahead of a Nov. 15 filing deadline.

The plan also will help the city meet Tree City USA recertification, which involves filing another application by Nov. 2.

The work for the next year, includes:

GoodDeeds

Volunteers needed for restoration at preserve

Coastal Conservation Association Florida is seeking volunteers to help restore marine habitats through an oyster deployment project at Robinson Preserve in northwest Bradenton.

Volunteers will assist in placing oysters in the water to create restored oyster beds, which will serve as essential habitat for the American oystercatcher and other species.

The CCAF has donated oyster shells for the restoration effort.

Volunteer sessions are scheduled 8-11:30 a.m. at the preserve, 1704 99th St. NW., on Oct. 4, Oct. 16, Oct. 30 and Nov. 15

People interested in participating can register online at https://events.humanitix.com/oyster-reefrestoration-aat-robinson-preserve.

For more information about CCAF, call 407-8547002 or email info@ccaflorida.org.

— Lisa Neff

the ScenicWAveS committee and liaisons discuss beautification efforts in Bradenton Beach during a Sept. 17 meeting at city hall. Islander

• Coordinating with agencies on multimodal improvements along Gulf Drive;

• Advancing crosswalk safety on Gulf Drive;

• Repainting some bicycle-route markings;

• Continuing public education and recruitment;

• Reprinting and distributing bicycle route maps;

• Replacing Washingtonian palms at the Bridge Street/Gulf Drive roundabout.

McClellan, who is an ad representative at The Islander, said the city could seek a Florida Forest Service Urban Forestry grant for tree replacements.

In other matters, Manatee County beaches supervisor Amy Johnson said the county has expanded restroom capacity at Coquina and Manatee Public beaches, while they continue working with FEMA-on restroom repairs following last fall’s hurricanes.

Johnson also said landscape maintenance along Gulf Drive is scheduled to resume next month.

ScenicWAVES’ next meeting will be at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 15, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

Italy in the of Anna Maria Island. ❤

Photo: Robert Anderson

Gary Howcroft came out on top on posting the only 3-0 record during pool play Sept. 17 for the Anna Maria Pitchers at the Anna Maria City Hall pits. Islander Photo: AMI Pitchers

edible Cookie Dough’s Sequiel Marintez missed this high pass with G.I. Bins’ Christian Mcpherson defending Sept. 19 during first-round playoff action in the center’s adult flag football league at Palma Sola Park. Islander Photo: Kevin P. Cassidy

Fall equinox arrives, beginning of great AMI fishing patterns

By Capt. Danny Stasny Islander Reporter

As we settle into the fourth week of September, some Anna Maria Island anglers are asking, “Did the fall equinox affect the fish?”

Although the equinox, this year’s occurred Sept. 22, doesn’t directly impact fi sh, it can indirectly affect fishing conditions by introducing shorter days and cooler temperatures.

As you know, the fall equinox occurs when the sun crosses directly over the equator, resulting in equal hours of day and night. The equinox also marks the beginning of shorter hours of sunlight as the Northern hemisphere approaches winter.

And, as of Sept. 19, we have seen cooler weather, especially at night, yielding cooler water temps that should be triggering a reaction in the species we are targeting in the back country.

Species that have taken temporary residence along the beaches and passes for the summer to spawn, like snook, are now in feeding mode. For the linesiders, fewer daylight hours triggers their senses for cooler weather in the not-so-distant future. You may witness schools of snook crashing large bait schools along the beach as they prepare to make their migration to the flats, where they will stage up for one last buffet before winter begins and they retreat to warmer waters in back bays, creeks and canals.

Other species, like trout and redfish also are transitioning as daylight hours decrease. Many trout will be following the bait schools throughout the bays and the Manatee River as they gorge in preparation for winter. And redfish can be found in large schools on

TideWatch

County funds red tide research, education

Manatee County commissioners Sept. 16 approved $9,500 for Solutions to Avoid Red Tide Inc. for research and education initiatives for fiscal 2025-26.

START, based in the county, will use the money to pay for webhosting, clam restoration efforts in partnership with the Sarasota Bay Watch nonprofit, brochures and public service announcements.

The nonprofit, founded in 1996 on Longboat Key, has received county funding most years to advance its mission to “reduce excess nutrients in our waterways that feed red tide, and other harmful algal blooms.” For more information, go to start1.org or call 941951-3400.

— Lisa Neff

Capt. Scott Moore says it’s getting close to triple tail season as he shows off a nice triple tail he caught and released while fishing off Mason Creek near Homosassa. Moore says he runs up there to fish every year — “It’s beautiful up there.” He went by boat, but warned, “You gotta be careful, there’s rock everywhere.”

the shallow flats as they prepare in great numbers to spawn.

The bait seems to be a common denominator in all this, so keep in mind that with the presence of multitudes of bait, migratory predators like Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, jack cravelle and bonita should be frequenting these areas as they follow the bait in and out of Tampa Bay.

Also, apex predators — blacktip, sandbar and spinner sharks — will be prevalent in our nearshore and inshore waters as they look for a meal and follow the macks and bonito.

So to answer whether the fall equinox impacts fishing, yes.

We should see explosive action and excellent fall fi shing in the weeks to come. And, with cooler air temps and water temps, being out on the water for extended periods should be more pleasurable.

On my Just Reel charters, I’m noticing greater numbers of snook while working the flats around mangrove edges and oyster bars.

The fish seem to be more feisty compared to those caught a few weeks ago, when water temperatures were warmer. Once hooked, the snook are jumping

numerous times and producing long drag-screaming runs.

Spotted seatrout are quite abundant, although I feel that as daylight hours decrease they are dispersing slightly, causing them to be more elusive.

Schooling reds are being found on open grass flats and along mangrove shorelines. The fish on the open flats are being caught in good numbers, while the fish along the mangroves are more of a random bite.

Also, migratory fish such as mackerel, blue runners, ladyfish and cobia are being caught along the Gulf beaches where they’re running with the bait schools and feeding around structure.

Capt. David White reports that he’s finding plenty of action for his charter customers on snook and redfish while working the beaches, passes and back country of Tampa Bay.

He says live free-lined shiners work best as bait for the snook.

As for the redfish, small live pinfish or fresh-cut chunks of ladyfish are producing action.

Spotted seatrout are being found over deeper grass flats and are readily taking his anglers’ offerings of live shiners under a cork. Macks, jacks and ladyfish are mixed in with this bite.

White is finding cobia for his anglers while patrolling the Gulf beaches and, in many instances, he’s seeing them skimming the surface — alone and in pairs. Casting jigs or live baits can result in a hookup.

Lastly, targeting black tip sharks is entertaining clients who came to Anna Maria Island to pull on a big fish.

Capt. Johnny Mattay is targeting red grouper while working in depths of 100 feet or more in the Gulf of Mexico. He says a variety of baits — both live or frozen — work well when combined with a bottom rig.

Fishing hard bottom areas is yielding limits of large grouper for his anglers.

Mangrove snapper and yellowtail snapper also are being caught at these depths by Mattay’s charter clients. Chumming the fish higher in the water column and free-lining small chunks of bait to them is leading to limits of fish in the box.

Moving inshore, Mattay is putting his anglers on numerous snook along the beaches and in the backcountry. Redfish are being caught frequently, especially around deepwater docks. To round out the bite, spotted seatrout are being caught over deep grass flats in Tampa Bay.

Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.

Capt. Scott Moore shared video with the Islander and his social media followers of a white shark he observed Sept. 11 while heading across Sarasota Bay to a fishing spot. He said the lemon shark was about 8 feet long. Islander Screenshot

Stasny

Nesting notes

By Lisa Neff

Of shorebirds, sea turtles

With 45 sea turtle nests remaining on Anna Maria Island beaches as of Sept. 19, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring was continuing its daily patrols but also making plans for the fall events season.

Nesting season continues until Oct. 31 but beach activity from now until then likely will involve nests hatching out rather than turtles nesting. Again, for the week Sept. 13-19, AMITW documented no new nests.

But AMITW has documented more hatchling emergences and the team also has documented thousands of gulls, terns and other shorebirds — 3497 — in September’s islandwide shorebird survey.

You may have noticed large flocks of terns, many with young birds,” read a notice to The Islander Sept. 19 from AMITW executive director Kristen Mazzarella. “Presumably these birds have moved away from their nesting colonies in search of newer feeding grounds. While visiting our Anna Maria Island beaches, these birds are feeding offshore, resting and feeding their young. Many of these young birds hatched this year on many of the spoil islands found in Tampa Bay.”

AMITW also has documented other shorebirds, including marbled godwits, red knots and snowy plover on the beaches.

“Anna Maria is a place where they can stop to

Red knots and a marbled godwit onshore on AMI. Islander

Photos: Courtesy Kathy Doddridge

rest and feed before continuing their journey to their southern wintering grounds,” AMITW’s notice read.

On the horizon for AMITW is an annual fundraiser and a weekly booth at the Anna Maria Community Farmers Market at Roser Memorial Community Church.

The sixth annual Suzi Fox Turtle Watch Wednesday will be 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at Hurricane Hanks, 5346 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

The market, presented by the church and the Center of Anna Maria Island, will be on Tuesdays, beginning Oct. 7, at Roser, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Hours will be 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Botanical park gains tourism funds for improvements

Manatee County commissioners Sept. 16 authorized a reimbursement agreement that will help the Palma Sola Botanical Park Foundation complete improvements at their west Bradenton destination.

The county’s tourist development council recommended the commissioners approve the funding during its meeting in August.

The foundation plans to replace a large deck at the park, 9800 17th Ave. NW, as well as walkways, stairs

and a ramp using composite decking materials.

The infrastructure was built in the early 2000s with conventional wood that was deteriorating even before it was inundated with floodwaters during Hurricane Helene in September 2024.

The county commission agreed to use tourist development tax revenues to match a $57,000 grant from the Bishop Parker Foundation. — Lisa Neff

Winnie’s swim

Winnie, Anna Maria Island’s entry in the 2025 tour de turtles presented by the Sea turtle Conservancy, has traveled about 202 miles in the science-focused migration marathon. the loggerhead, swimming in ninth place out of 12 sea turtles, was tagged with a satellite tracker in June at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. Most recently, Winnie, who is sponsored by Hurricane Hanks, has been swimming in the Gulf of Mexico off of ten thousand Islands. the tour de turtles officially began Aug. 1 and continues through Oct. 31. For more, go to tourdeturtles.org. Islander Screenshot

As of Sept. 19, AMItW reported 543 sea turtle nests, 827 false crawls, 413 hatched nests and 30,060 hatchlings produced.

Tiki & Kitty’s

Tiki and Kitty are leading the way to their favorite “COOL” shops and boutiques to find unique vintage accents, home decor and special treasures.

Miss us? WE MISS YOU AMI!

Stop by at our other locations:

Scavengers Marketplace SRQ 1175 N Washington Blvd

Scavengers Palmetto 2100 US Hwy 301

T&K love Cat’s Meow, an 8,000 square-foot marketplace! Their vendors offer coastal, cottage, beach, antique, boho, midcentury modern and other home decor styles. They also offer vintage to fine jewelry and vintage vinyl records.

You might want to lace up your skates, as this large, former skating rink has plenty to offer bargain hunters and anyone seeking antiques and unique decor.

You don’t want to miss this collection.

Across the street from Cat’s Meow, there’s Blue Flamingo, another “must stop,” boasting three large buildings of quirky, whimsy, florals and vintage treasures and nauticals, hip and trendy upcycled and repurposed goods, furniture and decor, garden features, candles, jewelry and work by local artisans, as well as Dixie Belle paints.

You’ll also find a new collection from the Gather-

Your place for fun, funky quirky!

Local Artisans. Upcycled, Vintage Furniture, Decor, Artwork

Dixie Belle Paint, Fun Gifts & More! Featuring “The Sea Hagg” collection. theblueflamingo.biz

ing Place and classy nautical furnishings from the Sea Hagg, formerly in Cortez.

We promise, you will find treasures aplenty. Scavengers Marketplace has plenty of vendors to capture your wallet at the Palmetto store, 2100 U.S. 301. There’s always something new to entice you among the vendors’ eclectic collections.

FYI: Scavengers also carries Fusion Paints.

The Vintage Vine Market is a favorite for Tiki and Kitty, who love the fine vintage wares and items with a whimsical twist at this store in historic Old Manatee along the newest section of the Bradenton Riverwalk. The location in the 1910 building oozes charm. And they take select consignments by appointment.

And don’t forget, tell people you meet along the way, “The Islander sent me.”

By Lisa Neff

Natural disasters for nature

Newspaper people keep a tradition: marking anniversaries by looking back at what occurred and then examining the change that followed.

Sometimes the anniversaries are marked with a woo-hoo tone.

At The Islander, we’ve celebrated anniversaries on the founding of Holmes Beach, the opening of Roser Church, the building of AMI’s bridges, the construction of the historic Anna Maria City Pier and more.

But more often, I think, we mark disaster and tragedy.

Islanders read every August about the 1980 killings at the Kingfish Boat Ramp and, each May, they’ll find stories about the collapse of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge so many years ago.

Other anniversaries we mark for a few years and then begin to look back every 10 years, like we did with 2004’s Hurricane Charley and the 2005 season that delivered a record number of major hurricanes, including Katrina.

In this issue, and in the issues that follow, we’re observing the one-year anniversaries of hurricanes Helene and Milton. I suspect we’ll mark these anniversaries for many, many years to come for many, many reasons. We’re still dealing with the losses, still battling to recover.

Just this week, with my mother-in-law visiting, I found myself driving her around Anna Maria’s north end, pointing to where the Rod & Reel Pier once stood,

Pelicans and other birds perch on pilings Sept. 17 where the Rod & Reel Pier once served patrons on tampa Bay in Anna Maria.

the open water where the Anna Maria City Pier walkway should be, the trailer in City Pier Park where the U.S. Post Office still conducts business, the sand and dirt lots where friends’ homes once stood and the open spaces where trees and plants once grew.

“Oh, my goodness,” she whispered as we stood in the Anna Maria City Pier parking lot looking out to the stranded T-end.

“Look at that!” she exclaimed, as we passed a tumbling beach bungalow with a bulldozer in the front yard.

And at the gate to where the Rod & Reel Pier stood, we looked out at the pilings, where brown pelicans, gulls and egrets perched.

We’re awaiting news on any plans to rebuild the structure, but the birds have returned.

Yet pelicans, anhingas, herons, storks and egrets are still missing from some of the bayside locations where they nested before the floods from Helene hit last September, followed by the winds from Milton in October.

Helene and Milton were natural disasters that were devastating for nature, especially across huge areas of the Southeastern United States.

Helene caused significant habitat destruction, increased sewage pollution, damaged a nuclear power plant, littered waterways with debris and overwhelmed a collection system at a phosphate mine, causing a spill in Tampa Bay.

Some areas impacted by the September storm lost 40% of their trees.

Milton then triggered algal blooms, forced the release of millions of gallons of sewage, destroyed more trees and further eroded beaches.

Environmental recovery will take decades in some areas.

Here, on and around AMI, a year after the storms, I’ve seen some improvements.

Some came naturally and some resulted from the work of people and organizations, like the recent distribution of mango trees by the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage and Karen Bell to boost the tree population in Cortez.

Folks with the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, the Anna Maria Island Garden Club and Keep Manatee Beautiful also have worked overtime to help regrow the local tree canopy and rebuild beach dunes.

In July, when volunteers planted 12,000 sea oats on island beaches, the Keep Manatee Beautiful executive director observed that sand dunes and sea oats absorb wind, block surf and reduce flooding.

I, for one, am glad to have nature’s armor back.

Mote to open ‘SEA’ science and education aquarium Oct. 8

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium will open its new science education aquarium Oct. 8.

way they think about our oceans, conservation and sustainable use.”

Weak batteries? We’ll catch it.

⚡ Worn tires? We’ll flag it.

⚡ Little lingering issues? We’ll resolve them to avoid big headaches later. Stay safe, keep your ride reliable, and weather any storm like a pro!

Tickets to the aquarium can be purchased at mote. org/tickets.

The 12-acre Mote SEA campus is at Nathan Benderson Park in the University Town Center area, a nexus site for Sarasota and Manatee counties.

The facility features three teaching labs for K-12 students in Sarasota and Manatee counties and also five workforce training labs.

Michael P. Crosby, Mote president and CEO, said in a news release, “We envision a future in which tens of millions of visitors will experience the transformative power of learning and discovery, changing the

         

Mote was founded in 1955 in a one-room trailer by ichthyologist Eugenie “Genie” Clark and has expanded to nine campuses across Florida with 22 research programs. Mote operated an education center on the T-end of the Anna Maria City Pier until last fall, when hurricanes Helene and Milton hit, destroying the walkway and closing the pier.

— Lisa Neff

The Island Experts Since 1972

Neff

the new Mote Science education Aquarium at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota will open to the public Oct. 8. Islander Courtesy Photo

Islander Photo: Lisa Neff

Moose makes fall plans

The Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge 2188, 110 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, is making fall plans, including a children’s Halloween party Saturday, Oct. 18, and an adult Halloween party Saturday, Oct. 25.

The lodge posted signup sheets for its members in the front office.

The lodge will celebrate a “grand reopening” from its storm repairs Saturday, Nov. 1, with plans for a dinner, speechmaking and a dance.

For more information, call the lodge at 941-7784110 or go to www.mooselodge2188.com.

— Lisa Neff

Main St. market opens Oct. 4

The Bradenton Public Market returns to Old Main Street in the city’s downtown in early October.

The market, operated by the nonprofit Realize Bradenton, will run 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 4 through May 2026.

The market features vendors selling produce, menu items, arts and crafts, apparel and more.

For more information, go to realizebradenton. com.

To reach Realize Bradenton, call 941-301-8445.

— Lisa Neff

IslBiz calendar

By Lisa Neff

THIS WEEK

Thursday, Sept. 25

5-7 p.m. — Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce business card exchange, Mean Deans Local Kitchen, 6059 26th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Info: 941-778-1541, terri@ amichamber.org.

SAVE THE DATES

• Oct. 18, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., AMI Chamber Bayfest, Anna Maria.

• Oct. 31, 4 p.m., AMI Chamber Trail of Treats, AMI business districts.

• Nov. 13, 4-7 p.m., Manatee Chamber Fall Expo at LECOM Park, Bradenton.

Send listings to calendar@islander.org.

You can read it all online at islander.org

Business news Does your business celebrate achievements? Maybe you’re new in business or your staff deserves kudos. Submit your information to news@islander.org.

After the storms Artists’ unite, scrub, reopen

When hurricanes Helene and Milton swept across Anna Maria Island last fall, the Artists’ Guild Gallery was flooded with 3 1/2 feet of water.

Our movable panels were overthrown like ragdolls, artwork hit the water and muck covered the floor.

The electricity was cut off. Our AC was waterlogged.

And we all were devastated.

As a nonprofit of 30 years, as a go-to for artwork in Holmes Beach’s Island Shopping Center at 5414 Marina Drive, we just stood in the doorway and asked, “Where do we start?”

As a cooperative, the outpouring of volunteers — led by Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island president Kathy Lee Patterson, along with Jennifer Sharp and Bill Patterson — started with mucking out the floor, notifying artists to come pick up their work and reaching our landlord, Hugh Holmes, who was remarkable in his support in the reconstruction.

From October 2024 through Jan. 25, we scrubbed, replaced, cried, laughed, dug into our reserve, held pop-up art sales under a tent, prayed and just kept going.

We were not to be deterred from reopening.

We were determined to survive.

— Carolann Garafola, gallery director

Stories of loss, recovery

A year ago, Hurricane Helene struck AMI, destroying buildings, disrupting lives and damaging businesses. Soon after, Hurricane Milton delivered another blow to AMI.

As we mark the anniversary of the storms, The Islander invites readers to share their recollections — not just of the hurricanes, but of the days that followed, the losses endured and the recovery that continues.

Email news@islander.org.

— Lisa Neff

Artwork is scattered and soaked in the Artists’ Guild Gallery after Hurricane Helene sent floodwaters surging through the Holmes Beach retail space last fall. the gallery held a grand reopening in February. Islander Courtesy Photo

ITEMS FOR SALE

ICE CREAM MAKER: Cuisinart, like new, $50, grill, non-stick tabletop, green pan, like new, $90. 941-920-2494.

ANTIQUE PARTNER DESK: All wood, $500. Inquire at 941-778-7978.

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. (limited time offer).

GARAGE SALES

HUGE GARAGE SALE: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27. Household items, new Waterford crystal, new baking pans, copper pots, tools, new LED bulbs, etc. Something for everyone! 110 77th St., Holmes Beach.

TRANSPORTATION

GOLF CART RENTALS: Fun for residents and tourists! 941-213-5730. www.annamariacartrentals.com

BOATS & BOATING

HAve A BOAt and wanna catch more fish, better bait or learn the water? 50-year local fisherman, your boat, my knowledge. Captain Chris, 941-896-2915.

SUNCOAST BOTTOM PAINTING: Professional bottom painting. Mobile. Call 941-704-9382.

CAPTAIN FOR HIRE and boat caretaker services: If you need help with your boat on or off the water, call Captain Dan. USCG, retired. 772-486-8085.

LOOKING FOR AN eARLY BIRD? You can read Wednesday’s classifieds on tuesday at islander.org. And it’s FRee!

BOATS & BOATING Continued

WeLCOMe ABOARD JOYFISH Charters for private fishing, sunset cruises, and dolphin watching. Check out joyfishcharters.com or follow us on Facebook. Call to reserve, 941840-3181.

21-FOOT CUDDY cabin: Great for fishing or pleasure. 225 Evinrude. $10,000, with trailer. 941-356-1456.

25 FT C-Hawk, 2023 300 HP Yamaha, tower and trolling motors. $77,000/offers, 941-7202472.

HELP WANTED

REPORTER WANTED: Full- to part-time. Print media, newspaper experience required. Apply via email with letter of interest to news@ islander.org

KIDS FOR HIRE

TECH HELP, TUTORING, custom projects: Tutoring (K-6) starts at $12/hour. Tech and projects vary by complexity. Serving Anna Maria Island. dominic.cusimano@gmail.com.

KIDS FOR HIRE ads are FREE for up to three weeks for Island youths under 16 looking for work. Ads must be placed by email, send to classifieds@islander.org.

SERVICES

IS YOUR HOME or office in need of some cleaning? Well, I’m your girl! Local, reliable, professional! Please, give me a call or text, 941-773 -0461.

CLEANING: VACATION, CONSTRUCTION, residential, commercial and windows. Licensed and insured. 941-756-4570.

PRESSURE WASHING, PAVER sealing, driveway, roof, fence, pool area. Also, window cleaning. Licensed and insured. 941-565-3931.

BICYCLE REPAIRS: Just4Fun at 5358 Gulf Drive can do most any bicycle repair at a reasonable cost. Pick-up and delivery available. 941-896-7884.

API’S DRYWALL REPAIR: I look forward to servicing your drywall repair needs. Call 941524-8067 to schedule an appointment.

PC OR te CH issues? Not sure where to start? With years of experience, I’ll come to you with reliable solutions. Contact Gavin at 928-587-1309. www.gse.codes

SARASOtA PAINtING: INteRIOR/exterior/ cabinets: Call or text Don, 941-900-9398. Free estimates. Fully insured, twenty years’ experience.

RIDeeASY 247 YOUR professional, reliable and courteous car service to airports and events since 2015. You can reach us via text 941-447-7737 or email to mrfort5001@gmail. com We are available 24/7.

LOOK NO MORE! Residential, vacation rental and commercial cleaning. Give us a call, 941250-8548.

OUR SERVICES: CLEANING, home repairs, tile, concrete, remodeling, decks, steps, flooring, water drainage solutions, rental 24-hour services. Hurricane shutters and pre-storm service. New, low-cost generator and insulation (starts and runs on propane when power off). No permits needed. Islander, over 40 years here! Call 941-404-9163.

More ads = more readers in the Islander.

SERVICES Continued

IS YOUR POOL deck, driveway, or garage floor looking worn out and dated? Bring them back to life with our top-tier resurfacing services! Services offered: Pool deck resurfacing, Slip-resistant, cool-to-the-touch finishes that enhance safety and aesthetics. Driveway resurfacing, durable surfaces that stand up to heavy traffic and harsh weather. Garage floor resurfacing, easy-to-clean, stain-resistant surfaces that look great and perform even better. Don’t wait! transform your spaces today with our trusted resurfacing services. Contact us now for a free consultation and estimate. Call U Plus Me LLC at 727-6235050 or visit u-plus-me.com

GO t DIRt Y WINDOWS? Free estimates/ insured. Five-star customer service rating. “We want to earn your business. Downeast Window Cleaning, 207-852-6163.

AIRPORt SHUttLe: QUALItY transportation, 10 years by Lewber. 352-339-3478.

LOOKING FOR SOMeONe who needs me: Clean, house-sit. I can cook, make sandwiches. I can do anything you can do but better! I can run to the grocery store for you. I can walk pets or go out to lunch with you. Looking for a part-time job caregiving companion, I am your right arm! I love people and I love helping others. I have references and I’m reliable and dependable. My name is Dena Gray a.k.a. Sparkles! 941-524-2234.

IN-HOME SUPPORT: 26-plus years’ experience. Tammy Roberts, 941-580-4440.

ACHAUFF e R4U FOR t RANSPORtAt ION anywhere in Florida. Properly insured and over 40 years in Bradenton. Dennis, 941812-5930.

ONECALL CLEANUP. Junk removal, water damage, and more. Fast, reliable service. Call, 941-544-1260.

HOM e WAt CH e R: WH e N you can’t be at home, I’ll watch your home and send video of my inspection. I’m a State Certified Residential Appraiser with background check. 317-997-4056.

AFFORDABLE PRESSURE WASHING and small job painting. 941-356-1456.

AMI AIRPORt SHUttLe Guy: We pick up from tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota airports. Up to seven passengers with luggage Reliable, Licensed and friendly transportation to and from Anna Maria Island. AMIShuttle. com. 941-500-3388.

CLEANING SERVICES: Ten-plus years’ experience. Professional, prompt with a flexible schedule. Contact Jessica, 941-900-8051.

HOUS e -SI tt ING ON Anna Maria Island. Responsible retired man available to care for your home and pets. I’ll provide peace of mind while you’re away. excellent references. Call or text, 570-439-2323.

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

I SLAND e R ARCHI ve. UofF Florida digital newspaper collection at ufdc.ufl.edu.

SERVICES Continued

LOCAL ISLAND PET sitter: Take care of your pet(s) including walks and playtime. 24/7. Call Dave, 513-967-0009.

BEACH SERVICE air conditioning, heat, refrigeration. Commercial and residential service, repair and/or replacement. Serving Manatee County and the Island since 1987. For dependable, honest and personalized service, call Bill Eller, 941-720-7411. Residential, call Nate, 941-524-2248. CAC184228.

CLEAN TECH MOBILE Detailing. At your location. Cars, boats, RVs. Call or text Billie for an appointment. 941-592-3482.

LAWN & GARDEN

CONNIE’S LANDSCAPING INC. Residential and commercial. Full-service lawn maintenance, landscaping, cleanups, hauling and more! Insured. 941-713-1965.

COLLINS LANDSCAPE LIGHTING: Outdoor lighting, landscaping, irrigation services and maintenance. 941-279-9947. MJC24373@ gmail.com

SHeLL DeLIveReD AND spread. Hauling all kinds of gravel, mulch, topsoil with free estimates. Call Larry at 941-795-7775, or “shell phone” 941-720-0770.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

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

GRIFFIN’S HOM e IMPRO ve M e N t S Inc. Handyman, fine woodwork, countertops, cabinets and wood flooring. Insured and licensed. 941-722-8792.

LANE’S SCREENING SERVICES: Replace your window, door or lanai screens. Many screen options available. Retired veteran serving our community! Free estimates, call 941705-5293.

LOOKING FOR ANY home improvement?

JRCC Home Improvement, handyman service can get the job done. Please, contact us at 413-246-2410. We would love to help.

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

DONALD P e RKINS PAIN t ING LLC. Interior/exterior/pressure washing. Island references. dperkinspaint@hotmail.com. 941705-7096.

GORILLA DRYWALL R e PAIR LLC. Let’s solve your drywall problems together. Give us a call at 941-286-0607.

tetI tILe: 40 years’ experience in Delaware, now on AMI and surrounds. t ile, marble, murals. Free estimates. Call John teti, 302983-5774.

TRUE TONE PAINTING: Painting, power washing, epoxy floors. 941-224-4020.

CALL HYDRO CLEAN. Full-service pressure washing, sealing. Pavers, travertine and natural stone. Window washing too, up to three stories. Call Jacob, 941-920-2094.

HOME IMPROVEMENT Continued

ISLAND HANDYMAN: I live here, work here, value your referral. Refinish, paint. Just ask. JayPros. Licensed/insured. References. Call Jay, 941-962-2874.

RENTALS

ANNA MARIA GULF beachfront vacation rentals. One- two- and three-bedroom units, all beachfront. www.amiparadise.com. 941-778-3143.

AVAILABLE NOW AND season: 1BR/1BA, sevennight minimum. carlesvacationrentals.com Special rates are available. 941-807-1405.

PERICO ISLAND PATIO home: 3BR/2BA, privacy wall/gate, two-car garage, single floor, high ceilings, screened lanai. Call or text Alison, 859-771-6423.

2026 SEASONAL RENTAL: Just one block from the beach, Single-story 2BR/2BA private residence, screened patio. No smoking/no pets. December-April. 64th Street, Holmes Beach. Call 813-833-4926.

CENTRAL HOLMES BEACH, 3BR/2BA completely remodeled, walk to beach, school, trolley, shopping. Annual, $2,595/month. 941-713-6743.

A v AILABL e NOW! ANNUAL rental. Beautiful, bright renovated condo 2BR/2BA, one floor. Perico Bay Club, pool, hot tub, tennis, pickle ball, covered parking. $2,500/month. Call 612-802-8357.

ANNUAL R e N tALS AvAILABL e : Bradenton Beach, 2BR/1BA furnished cottage, $1,800/month, 2BR/2BA furnished home, $2,400/month. Off Island: Perico Isle, 3BR/2BA unfurnished pool home, $3,500/ month. Hidden Lake, 3BR/2BA furnished condo, $3,100/month. All require application, first, last and security. Wagner Realty, 941-778-2246.

SNOW BIRD SPECIAL: Discount for multiple months. 2BR/2BA, second floor condo in Holmes Beach. Pool, tennis/pickleball, inunit laundry, WiFi, screened lanai, covered parking. Available 2025/26 season beginning December 2025. Beautiful, bayside seating area. Pool/beach toys, bikes included. Call Jack, 312-835-2323 for more information/photos.

WATERFRONT 2BR/2BA FIRST floor condo available monthly, December through April. One block from Manatee Beach. Two pools, pickleball and tennis, walk to shopping. Call Kathy, 973-219-0335.

KEY ROYALE HOME: Beautifully landscaped annual rental. Unfurnished. Fresh interior and exterior with all new appliances. 3BR/2BA, two-car garage. Large pool with heater and chiller. Boat dock and lift on a large canal. $10,000/month. 941-713-1586.

2BR/1BA ANNUAL: 50 yards from beach. Newly renovated, new appliances. Pool. First, last, deposit. 941-726-6597.

AvAILABL e NOW: QUI et beautiful, bright, sunny condo. 2BR/2BA, nicely furnished, second floor, washer/dryer, screened in lanai overlooking pond, carport, tennis, pools, hot tub, gym, very safe, security gate. Minutes from AMI beaches. $2,300/month, annual, $3,900/ month, seasonal. Call 952-818-4685.

MADBEACH SEASONAL: Fully-furnished, second-floor, 2BR/2BA condo in Madeira Beach for rent Nov., Dec., Jan. April, May. Screened lanai, two pools, park amenities (pickleball included), view of the Intracoastal and short walk to Gulf beaches, restaurants, retail. No smoking. Email connieandlisa@gmail.com

RENTALS Continued

2BR/2BA W e S t BRAD e N t ON. Available December, January, February, March. Inclusive, $3,000 or $2,750. text 941-962-0971. Suzanne Wilson PA.

REAL ESTATE

WINNI e MCHAL e , R e ALt OR, 941-5046146. Dalton Wade Real estate. You need an aggressive and experienced Realtor in today’s market! Selling island homes, Sarasota and Bradenton areas. Multi-milliondollar producer! “Selling Homes - Making Dreams Come true.”

2BR/2BA CONDO IN Mt. vernon for sale. Fully furnished, on lake with view of Sarasota Bay. Clubhouse, pool, workout room, and hot tub. Minutes to beaches and shopping. Asking $370,000. Call Sharon, 941-730-5645.

Place ads by 11 a.m. Mondays at classifieds@islander. org

ANNA

ANNA MARIA

ANNA MARIA

Scan to explore all Anna Maria Island listings!

Jeff & Jennifer Jordan

Andrew & Brooke Doucett

Betsy Hagan

Joe McCall

Chelsea Oelker

Kathy Harman

Dee Munn

Laura Rulon

George Myers

Suzy Korinek

Amy Ward

Hannah Hillyard