The Islander Newspaper E-Edition Wednesday, June 05, 2019

Page 1

Tracking turtles.

Top Notch Send us your best: 2 Astheworldterns cast doubt on county plans. 6

AMe celebrates grads. 22

AMITW June 2 report: 104 nests and 143 false crawls.

JUNE 5, 2019 FREE

VOLUME 27, NO. 32

Charter review report delivered in HB. 3 HB approves community center funding. 4

The Best News on Anna Maria Island Since 1992

The Islander editorial, reader letters. 6

county halts pine tree removal at coquina Beach

Op-Ed

10-20 YeArS Ago

From the archives. 7

Meetings

On the government calendar. 8 Save a date. 10

Happenings

Community announcements, activities. 11 New tech details tidal wave of traffic. 12

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter Manatee County’s plan to remove more than 100 Australian pine trees at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach came to a halt. Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie addressed county commissioners May 29 during a budget meeting, protesting the plan, which city commissioners agreed to oppose via communications with the county in a May 24 emergency meeting at Bradenton Beach City Hall. Chappie read from an email he sent May 24 to county administrator Cheri Coryea, asking county commissioners to save the

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trees along Coquina Beach parking lots and an access road, and to explain the plan at a city commission meeting. “The city of Bradenton Beach is adamantly opposed to the trees being removed,” said Chappie, a former county commissioner. “We are extremely hopeful the county will not follow through on such a disturbing act that would change the character of Coquina Beach.” The trees were slated for removal in a drainage improvement project that involves installing an underground drainage system, and laying pervious concrete for the access road and parking area.

A 10-inch excavation for curbing for a new access road would harm the trees’ surface roots and leave them in dangerous condition, according to a certified arborist hired by the county. So the county planned to have Woodruff and Son, its contractor on the project, remove the trees May 25-May 26, without a plan to replace the shade-providers. Coryea said the removal would remain on hold until county staff can review options, with a presentation of a report as soon as possible. Coryea said the arborist who said the PLEASE SEE COQUINA, PAGE 2

Kids celebrate summer @ AMIP Snooks Adams Day

BB Sunshine defendants offer settlement. 13 Bridge work ahead. 15 Summer safety. 16 Wildlife caregiver recalls past, eyes future. 17 Residents press replay on HB noise dispute. 18

Streetlife. 19 Gathering. 20 Obituaries. 20

AM authorizes waste service negotiations. 21

Nesting news. 24 Ties that bind, trees that tower. 25 Tarpon primer. 27 Strongman competition schedule set. 28 Fishers swarm AMI to hook a silver king. 29 ISL BIZ. 30 CLASSIFIEDS. 32 NYT crossword. 35

The Anna Maria Island Privateers provide the swords, West Manatee Fire Rescue provides the water spray June 1 and the kids have fun at Snooks Adams Day in Anna Maria. Islander Photo: Nenita Daguinotas

Alexis Burt, 8, left, and Jorden Trueblood-Robertson, 5, color pirate ships June 1 in the shade at City Pier Park in Anna Maria during Snooks Adams Kids Day with the Anna Maria Island Privateers. See more pics, page 14. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

Holmes Beach attacker, burglar sentenced to 35 years

By Kathy Prucnell Islander Reporter The victim is grateful to see justice carried out. Twelfth Circuit Judge Lon Arend sentenced Mark Lee Snyder, 56, to 35 years in prison on three felony counts for the burglary and attack on a Holmes Beach woman. Arend meted out two sentences May 28 to run concurrently, 30 years for Count I, a burglary of a dwelling with a battery, and Count II, an aggravated battery with great bodily harm to a victim age 65 or older. For Count III, a grand theft of $20,000-$100,000, the judge ordered a five-year sentence to follow the 30-year term of incarceration.

Snyder was given credit for 323 days of time served in the Manatee County jail since his July 3, 2018, arrest. “I do forgive you but that doesn’t mean you should not pay for your crimes,” Joan Pettigrew, a Holmes Beach resident since age 4, testified while looking at Snyder in a Manatee County courtroom. She and her adult sons, Brett and Derek Pettigrew, testified to the impact of the 2018 burglary and battery that took place at her home in the 500 block of 75th Street. At a table with his court-appointed public defender, Snyder read a statement and looked down during much of the proceeding.

In sentencing, the judge said it was not a simple burglary case and agreed with Brett Pettigrew’s testimony that it “could have easily become a homicide.” Brett Pettigrew said he watched while his mother had her scalp stapled together at Blake Medical Center in Bradenton and was told by emergency personnel how lucky his mom was. Had his mother not fought off Snyder and called 911, it could have been a homicide, he said. Derek Pettigrew spent 10 hours cleaning up blood and scalp after his mother’s attack. “Out of the horror,” he said, he realized what PLEASE SEE PRISON, PAGE 8


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