The Islander Newspaper E-Edition Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Page 1

Flight to the past. 14

Ho, Ho, happenings. 10-11 Astheworldterns celebrate the season. 6

VOLUME 27, NO. 6

Fun Day, fun times. 15

Happy Holidays

DEC. 5, 2018 FREE

Red tide victims: Dolphins. 3 Oaths taken in Anna Maria. 5

Op-Ed

Islander editorial, reader letters. 6

10-20 YEARS AGO

From the archives. 7

Meetings

On the government calendar. 8 Former HB candidate counters federal investigation. 8

Happenings

Community announcements, activities. 10-11 Make plans, save a date. 12-13 County tourist tax revenue drops. 16 Hearing set in fight over Aqua approval. 20

Gathering. 22 Obituaries. 22 Camp Fire cause for concern in Cortez. 23

Streetlife. 24 It’s looking a lot like Christmas at AME. 26

Messaging about climate change. 27 Soccer, horseshoes, golf action. 28 Catch varies with changes in weather. 29

ISL BIZ Catch up on biz. 30

PropertyWatch. 32 CLASSIFIEDS. 32 NYT Xword. 35

Celebrating the Best News on Anna Maria Island Since 1992

www.islander.org

City pier contract signed, set

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter With construction plans set and a contract signed, work on the new Anna Maria City Pier is set to begin with the new year. City commissioners voted 5-0 Nov. 29 to approve Mayor Dan Murphy’s recommended $3,332,837 contract with i+iconSOUTHEAST for construction of the pier pilings, walkway and T-end. Mobilization and site preparation will begin in late December. The first pilings will be driven into Tampa Bay in January, according to Murphy. “I think we have a solid contract here,” PLEASE SEE pIeR, PAGE 2

Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy shakes hands Nov. 29 with i+iconSOUTHEAST project manager Greg Thornton, alongside Jay Saxena, left, Ayres Associates vice president and pier project engineer and Icon operations director Paul Johnson, right. After the commission voted unanimously to approve the deal, the parties signed a $3,332,837 contract for construction of a new Anna Maria City Pier. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

By ChrisAnn Silver Esformes The Islander Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Holmes Titsworth didn’t even think twice about it. “It’s hard not to when you grow up here,” Titsworth, newly elected mayor of Holmes Beach, said Nov. 29 of her time spent rescuing animals caught in fishing line in Sarasota Bay. “We played outside every single day. I lived in the bay or I lived in trees. When you grow up on the water like that, it’s all you can do but love it.” Titsworth grew up on Anna Maria Island — a third generation member of the Holmes family. Her grandfather John E. Holmes Sr. is the namesake of the city that was incorporated in 1950. She said she hopes to see more longstanding islanders getting involved in city government. “I would love to get more people that have been here for 20 years or more to volunteer” for civic service, Titsworth said, regarding Holmes Beach. “People who understand the comprehensive plan is our compass.” Titsworth, who co-owns Shoreline Builders construction company with her husband, Steve, said she plans to further improve the

city building department. She said she would work with the building department to ensure permits are issued in a timely manner. “I have just been reading, reading and studying that comp plan to make some really informed decisions,” Titsworth said. She said she had people ask her why she would give up her seat as a commissioner — she served as chair — to become mayor. Holmes Beach operates under a strong mayor form of government and, as a commissioner, Titsworth had a vote on legislative decisions. As mayor of the city, elected by voters, she becomes management — entrusted to carry out legilative decisions. “I was asked, ‘Why would you want to be mayor? You have so much power as chair,’” Titsworth said, adding that she knows there has been discussion in the city regarding a city-manager form of government. In an organizational meeting following the swearing-in ceremony Nov. 29, Commissioner Jim Kihm was elected commission chair and Commissioner Pat Morton was voted vice chair. “I have the experience of being a commissioner and I don’t want to change our charter to bring in a city manager when I can see the strength of our charter,” Titsworth

3rd generation Holmes takes helm in Holmes Beach

City clerk Stacey Johnston, left, and new Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth embrace Nov. 29 after her swearing-in at Holmes Beach city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. Islander Photo: ChrisAnn Esformes said. “If you bring in a city manager, they can hire or fire at will and can come in from anywhere,” adding she thinks it is too soon to determine if that is best for the city. PLEASE SEE HB MAYOR, PAGE 4


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The Islander Newspaper E-Edition Wednesday, December 5, 2018 by The Anna Maria Islander Newspaper - Issuu