VOLUME 30, NO. 36
Happy Fourth of July
JUNE 29, 2022 FREE
The Best news on Anna Maria Island Since 1992 Astheworldterns. 6
Q&A 062922
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Top Notch
Holiday closings. 3
islander.org
Criminal charge pursued for political sign removal By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter
1st responders ready-set for July 4. 4
A clash between a Manatee County commissioner and a man gunning for the seat could escalate to a criminal charge. Lakewood Ranch resident Jason Bearden pro10-20 YEARS AGO vided a sworn statement Looking back. 7 June 22 to the Holmes LBK restricts motorboats Beach Police Department at north end. 8 seeking charges against County Commissioner Bearden County seeks 2 for enviCarol Whitmore for removronmental group. 8 ing three Bearden campaign WMFR awards, signs that were posted in promotions. 9 Holmes Beach. Bearden is challenging Whitmore in the Aug. 23 Randy Johnson of Lakeland wins the first week of The Islander’s 2022 Top notch photo Republican primary elecWhitmore contest with this photograph of the sun rising at 6 a.m. June 3 from the canal between Save the date. 10-11 tion for the at-large District 67th and 68th streets in Holmes Beach. The photographer wins an Islander “More6 seat on the county board of commissionthan-a-mullet wrapper” T-shirt and entry into the finals, which includes a grand prize of Happenings ers. $100 from The Islander and gift certificates from Islander advertisers. What’s up on AMI? Whitmore, a Holmes Beach resident 10-11 and 16-year incumbent on the county commission, delivered three Bearden campaign Top signs to the HBPD June 11 and said she had notch removed them from private property near invite. 12 her home and a public right of way, according to a police report. GoodDeeds. 13 By Kane Kaiman The expected influx of drivers — 4% The signs remained as of June 24 at the Islander Reporter TuRn TO POLITICAL SIGNS, PAGe 2 more than last year — likely will be bolGathering. 14 Washingtons, Hamiltons, maybe even stered by air travel from Sarasota-Bradenton Franklins — the Founding Fathers will be International Airport, which has expanded showing their faces on the island the three- flight offerings in recent years. day July Fourth holiday. The net result is solidly booked shortArea man trains on AMI Tourism and business insiders expect term accommodations on the island July 1-4, for trail hike. 14 traditional crowds but Anna Maria Island Falcione said. July 4 events. rental managers are scrambling to fill vacan“And at this point for the July Fourth 15 cies that buck historical trends. holiday, we’re expecting a status-quo type of Meanwhile, business owners are putting weekend pretty similar to last year. Bookings Streetlife. 16 forth individualized approaches to the holi- look pretty solid,” he said. Cops & Courts 16 day. Silver Resorts general manager Angela Woman sentenced in fatal “We’re expecting a busy Anna Maria Rodocker corroborated Falcione’s findings, HB hit-and-run. Island,” Bradenton Area Convention and telling The Islander in a June 21 email that Visitors Bureau executive director Elliott the outfit’s sister sites in Bradenton Beach esther on tour. 18 Falcione said June 22. — Bridgewalk Landmark Resort and Silver “Every national holiday weekend in Surf Gulf Resort — were nearly sold out. the summer is always strong. Whether it’s “I expect us to be completely full by Testing the water. 19 Memorial Day or the Fourth of July or Labor the time the weekend gets here,” she added. Day, unless the weather is really bad, it’s “The following week is also very busy. This Three campaign signs for Jason Bearden, Indoor soccer tops AMI sports. 20 going to be strong,” he said. “Because not is very common year after year.” who is challenging for the Manatee only do you have a strong driver market Rodocker reported that about 80% of County District 6 commission seat, Seize your catch. 21 coming in, it’s augmented by summertime hotel guests filling the resorts’ 78 combined remained at the Holmes Beach code flights that we have now that we probably rooms will be from Florida, with the remain- enforcement office as of June 24. County Isl Biz: 22 didn’t have 6-8 years ago.” Wraps, welcomes, rigs. ing 20% hailing from the Southeast, Midwest Commissioner Carol Whitmore, who is Despite high fuel prices, the American and Northeast — another standard summer running to retain her District 6 seat, pulled TDC meets on AMI. 23 Automobile Association anticipates the sec- trend. the signs from properties where they were ond-busiest Fourth of July in Florida since Most guests are families staying 3-4 posted and dropped them at the Holmes CLASSIFIEDS. 24-25 with 2.6 million Floridians expected days and arriving on Saturday, July 2, or Beach police station. Bearden called for PropertyWatch. 26 2000, to travel 50 miles or more during the holiday Sunday, July 3, she said. a criminal charge. Islander Photo: Ryan weekend. TuRn TO SUMMER TOURISM, PAGe 5 Paice puzzle. 27
Meetings 4 Opinions 6
Week 1 winner: Dawn’s early light
Island plots sparkling July 4 sales, tourist influx
NYT