Kids in class. 14 Astheworldterns cope with red tide. 6
Hatchling happenings. 22
‘5 o’clock somewhere.’ 20 AUG. 22, 2018 FREE
VOLUME 26, NO. 43
Bradenton Beach ballot amendments get tentative OK. 4 Early voting continues in state primary. 4
Op-Ed
The Islander editorial, reader letters. 6
10-20 YEARS AGO
From the archives. 7
Meetings
On the government calendar. 8 Underwater inspection confirms Anna Maria City Pier demo. 9 Make plans, save a date. 10
Happenings
Community announcements, activities. 11 Judge delays ruling in Holmes Beach Bert Harris case. 12 Center finalizes 2018-19 budget. 15 Getting around AMI — the island street map. 16-17
Obituaries. 18 Summer holidays. 19
Streetlife. 21 Summer soccer beats rain. 24 Fishers find success in clean, clear water. 25
ISL BIZ
Locals take on red tide. 27 CLASSIFIEDS. 28
PropertyWatch. 30 NYT crossword. 31
The Best News on Anna Maria Island Since 1992
www.islander.org
As red tide lingers, business owners take action
By Sandy Ambrogi Islander Reporter A glint of the sun’s rays on the water under an azure blue sky belied the struggles on Anna Maria Island. As red tide stretched into a second week on island and nearby shores, the toll on marine life continued to climb and businesses suffered. At the Swordfish Grill and Tiki Bar in Cortez, business owners, politicians and officials answered a call to action Aug. 14 to campaign against red tide’s stench. Organized by Swordfish general manager Bob Slicker, the group seeks solidarity and a turnaround on the public perception of conditions on the island and the surrounding area. The group met again throughout the week, discussing ways forward through the red tide crisis, sending a positive message and supporting one another’s businesses. Jason Suzor, owner of the Waterfront Restaurant, 111 S. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, attended the meetings. He says business slowed after a record-breaking year of revenues.
Top Notch Top Notch: Week 6 Slice of summer
John Fara of Anna Maria wins the sixth week of The Islander’s Top Notch photo contest with this image of granddaughter Charlotte, 4, enjoying a slice of watermelon. Fara will receive an Islander “More than a mullet wrapper” T-shirt. He’s also a finalist in the contest, which offers a grand prize of $100 from The Islander and an assortment of gift certificates from participating advertisers. Next week: Honorable Mentions. Sept. 5, prize-winning pet photo and the Grand Prize.
Red tide is announced Aug. 16 at an entrance to Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. Islander Photo: Kathy Prucnell “We have to send a positive message,” to support the local business through it.” Suzor told The Islander Aug. 16 in a phone “We are looking for long- and shortcall. “The county and the cities have done an term solutions” for our staff, he said, “cutamazing job dealing with this, and we need ting back hours, spreading out times to give everyone an equal shot at earning.” PLEASE SEE RED TIDE PAGE 2
Palma Sola beach hit with dead sea life
By Kathy Prucnell Islander Reporter Palma Sola Bay and the causeway beach were slammed by red tide less than a week after the Florida Department of Health lifted a “no-swim” advisory warning for the beach. The state health department lifted a “noswim” warning Aug. 8 that was issued in late July due to elevated bacteria levels in the waters along the Palma Sola Causeway. A new sign on the south side of Manatee Avenue West at 81st Street where beachgoers were previously warned to stay out of the water morphed to a “no advisory” sign. “This beach is monitored as part of the healthy beaches program. No water quality advisory at this time,” stated the sign atop a 10-foot pole behind a construction trailer near the beach, still littered with dead fish, rays, sea snakes and sharks. Jonathan Veach, information specialist PLEASE SEE PALMA SOLA PAGE 5