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OCT. 27, 2021 FRee
the Best news on anna maria island since 1992 Astheworldterns. 6
Q&A 102721
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BB planners aim to update ldc. 4
Cortez post office customers get reprieve By chrisann allen islander reporter
It’s more than a landmark. It’s part of the village. RoadWatch. 4 Cortez residents breathed a collective sigh of relief when the U.S. Postal Service HB officials gear up for announced Oct. 22 the Cortez Post Office golf cart regs. 5 would not close that day after all — that a solution was reached, even if only tempoMeetings. 5 rary. Opinions. 6 The USPS previously announced the Cortez Post Pffice would terminate service Oct. 22 and vacate the facility at 12112 44th 10-20 YEARS AGO looking back. 7 Ave. W. — aka Cortez Road by Oct. 24. According to a note posted on the post HB magistrate delays office door, and a statement to The Islander ruling on rentals. 8 from David Walton in USPS corporate communications, the postal service reached an Witchy women of ami “interim solution to allow operations to conconvene. 9 tinue at the Cortez Post Office.” Happenings The statement continued, “We are curcommunity announcerently working with the lessor on a longments, activities. 10-11 term solution so we can continue to provide postal services to residents of Cortez from gooddeeds. 11 our existing location.” The drama at the post office began Oct. 8, when the USPS closure notice was posted save a date. 12 to the door. But issues between John Banyas, the strip center owner, and the postal service go fall festival fun. 13 back to at least Sept. 1, 2019, when a rusted flagpole attached to the post office exterior StreetLife. 14 fell in the parking lot, according to a lawsuit Where’s tuna st.? 16-17 filed by Richard C. Kiley. In the suit, Kiley claims he was “struck Gathering. 18 by the flagpole when it broke due to its rusted condition and sustained injuries and get in the game. 20
2021 city elections
crustacean frustration. 22
No race in AM, 1 seat remains vacant
NESTING NOTES.
By ryan Paice islander reporter
anniversary quiz. 21
Anna Maria voters have one choice to make Nov. 2. And it doesn’t involve electing city commissioncreature feature. 23 ers. Anna Maria residents championships on fall will vote on a school tax horizon. 24 referendum on the ballot TideWatch. 24 throughout Manatee carter County. cooler tempts prompt fish There is no race for to forage. 225 city commission as only Isl Biz: mixing it up. 26 two people — incumbents Carol Carter and Jonathan CLASSIFIEDS. 28-29 Crane — qualified to run PropertyWatch. 30 crane for three seats. Carter and Crane, who it’s a wrap. 22
NYT puzzle. 31
islander.org
turn tO AM election, Page 2
cortez resident Helena Hammer, left, retrieves her mail Oct. 23 at the post office in cortez, 12112 44th ave. W. — aka cortez road — while linda molto, also a resident of the village and a local activist, reads a notice on the door stating the post office will remain open at least through October. islander Photo: chrisann allen
damages.” The suit, filed July 1, 2020, for the minimum $30,000 threshold against Banyas, did not name the USPS. Another lawsuit in Manatee County was filed Sept. 21 by Banyas against the USPS for termination of the lease by the postal ser-
vice without adequate notice. On July 28, Banyas served the USPS with a termination letter stating the lease — which expired July 31 — would not be renewed. The argument over the lease apparently is focused on a demand from Banyas for liability insurance for the post office property. About 1,000 people who have mailboxes at the Cortez Post Office were facing relocation to the Palma Sola facility at 115 75th St. W., Bradenton — about 5.6 miles away had the post office closed. Residents on the south side of Cortez Road in “the village” do not receive home mail delivery, while residents on the north side of Cortez Road receive mail delivery at their home. At the Oct. 12 Manatee County Commission meeting, Jane von Hahmann, a Cortez resident and board member of the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage — an organization dedicated to preservation of Cortez — requested the BOCC contact U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, with a plea to keep the post office open or provide home delivery to the villagers. The commission unanimously approved her request. Buchanan responded that he would work to preserve the post office and, in an Oct. 22 statement, said the Cortez Post Office would remain open at least through October. Cortez has had a post office since 1888. Buchanan’s press secretary told the turn tO coRteZ Po, Page 9
Island voters weigh in at polls BB mayoral candidates 5 vie for 3 seats in make final pitch HB election By tomas gomez islander reporter
Every vote counts. That’s especially true in Bradenton Beach, a city with fewer than 750 registered voters where a tied race and an appointment were decided by a draw of cards. On Nov. 2, voters in the island city will decide their next mayor — choosing between incumbent John Chappie and challenger David Galuszka. And they’ll also decide whether to amend the city charter to eliminate term limits. Chappie and Galuszka spoke with The Islander Oct. 20 to make their cases to undecided voters. Galuszka has lived in Bradenton Beach for two and a half years, but his ties to the turn tO BB election, Page 2
By ryan Paice islander reporter
The Nov. 2 election could make waves in Holmes Beach. Voters will choose from a field of five city commission candidates to fill three open seats — a majority of the five-person commission. Commissioners Terry Schaefer, Carol Soustek and Jim Kihm currently occupy the seats. Kihm declined to run, stating he had personal reasons, while Schaefer and Soustek are running to keep their seats alongside two former commissioners, John Monetti and Pat Morton, and political newcomer Renee Ferguson. Commissioners serve two-year terms and earn $7,690. turn tO HB election, Page 5