VOLUME
MARCH 24, 2021 Free
NO. 22
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the Best news on anna Maria island Since 1992
Astheworldterns. 6
Q&A 032421
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Manatee opens vaccine signup to all adults. 4
Meetings. 4
HB magistrate Bradenton hands treehouse Beach enters the owners a loss megabridge fray By amy V.t. Moriarty islander reporter
Meeting set to gap bridge info on Longboat Pass Bridge. 5
Opinions. 6 10-20 YEARS AGO
Looking back. 7
RoadWatch. 8 BB opens talks on open containers. 8
Lynn tran hazen defends her treehouse. islander file Photo By ryan Paice islander reporter
Bradenton Beach is now the fifth complainant to take up a legal challenge to the planned 65-foot-clearance Cortez Bridge. City commissioners unanimously voted March 18 to join Joe McClash and three others in a federal fight against the Florida Department of Transportation construction plans for replacement of the Cortez drawbridge. The decision by the DOT to replace the 17-foot-clearance drawbridge, constructed in the 1950s to connect Cortez and the
Obituaries. 15 Spring break on aMi. 16
All hail the next BB police chief
Save a date. 10-11
Happenings activities. 11-12
roundup for K-kids begins. 13
Gathering. 14
Streetlife. 16
cooking up a fundraiser at Krc. 16 renourishment, tree removal underway at coquina. 19 turtle watch readies for nesting season. 20
noaa charts digital course. 21 Sign up now 4 spring sports. 22 fishing heats up. 23 CLASSIFIEDS. 24
ISL BIZ: Movers and shakers. 26
PropertyWatch. 26
NYT puzzle.
turn to treeHoUse, Page 2
By amy V.t. Moriarty islander reporter
Lt. John Cosby will be the next chief of police in Bradenton Beach when Chief Sam Speciale retires Oct. 8. City commissioners voted unanimously March 18 to accept Mayor John Chappie’s nomination of Cosby to the city’s top cop position. After 35 years of service, in a letter dated Oct. 9, 2020, Speciale provided Chappie his one-year notice of retirement, setting his final day of service as Oct. 8, 2021. Speciale was not at the March 18 meeting. Cosby is ready for the job. He’s a 34-year veteran of the BBPD. And the community regards him as a leader. Representing the Sandpiper Resort in Bradenton Beach, Tracy Miller, who attended the meeting to sing Cosby’s praises on behalf of the mobile home park’s residents, called the lieutenant an asset to the community. “He knows many of our residents by name and not because he’s arrested them, but
Anna Maria reels in whale of a deal: new pier tenant By amy V.t. Moriarty islander reporter
A Mote Marine outreach center soon will dock at the Anna Maria City Pier. Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium presiturn to MegAbridge, Page 4 dent Dr. Michael Crosby inked their signatures March 19 on a memorandum of understanding. The memorandum is not intended to cover all details or act as a contract, Murphy said, but rather like an engagement ring shows intent to proceed. City commissioners reviewed the agreement at an emergency meeting March 19 and, with one change, unanimously approved the memorandum. The motion was made by Commissioner Joe Muscatello and seconded by Commissioner Jonathan Crane. The amendment was suggested by Musthe low-profile cortez catello, adding “educational institutions” to a Bridge was opened in paragraph in the “Develop a Lease” section 1957. islander file Photo of the agreement. That amended paragraph reads, “Mote will endeavor to partner with the AMI Center, The Anna Maria Historical Society, Lt. John Turtle Watch, and educational institutions as Cosby set appropriate and when beneficial to both parto step up ties.” to chief in “I just want to express Mote’s exciteOctober in ment,” Crosby said. “It’s an incredible Bradenton opportunity for all of us.” Beach. The outreach center will serve as a research and learning center in the empty
The decade-long legal battle between Holmes Beach and the owners of 103 29th St. has become a war of attrition. On March 17, Richard and Lynn Tran Hazen fought city hall to keep the revenue from their vacation rental units. The Hazens reside at the property, where they built a treehouse on the beach and operate Angelinos Sea Lodge. The city’s special magistrate, Sarasota attorney Michael Connolly, ruled at a March 17 hearing that the pair must stop renting and advertising their vacation units until they acquire a valid vacation rental certificate through the city. And they can’t renew the certificate until they pay — a $127.54
hB reviewing for site plan compliance. 9
islander.org
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because he says “hello” during his patrol and takes time to listen to them,” Miller said. Danny Raines, along with his wife, Linda, also lives in the Sandpiper Resort. He met Cosby a few years ago, when “he was a first responder to a horrific situation in the park.” Raines said Cosby is considerate, professional and caring. Adding to the vote of confidence in Cosby’s ability to lead the police department, Bridge Street business owner Angela Rodocker wrote her comments in a letter to commissioners read by city attorney Ricinda Perry: “I find him to be clear, logical, motivated and knowledgeable.”
Cosby’s handling of his duties with aplomb and compassion are “a win-win-win” for the city, Rodocker said. Cosby said he appreciated the favorable comments and looks “forward to moving up and continuing to serve the community.” Cosby has served as the emergency management coordinator for the city and has led all storm responses during his tenure. He is set to assume the chief’s position Oct. 9. He’s planning to continue working toward a smooth transition. The Bradenton Beach Police Department is at 403 Highland Ave., Bradenton Beach.