The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Anna Maria-Mote center gets rave reviews from kids

Opening day finally arrived may 5 for the mote marine Laboratory & aquarium Outreach Center at the anna maria City Pier. Clockwise: Vermont resident alex Bacon holds his daughter, anabel, 15 months, as she reaches for a horseshoe crab. anna maria resident Harper Chastain, 4, smiles and points to a sea urchin in the mote touch tank. People mingle and explore may 5 for the first time at the outreach center on the city pier. Weston Offerle, 2, of Indiana, on a family vacation, checks out an exhibit about how manatees control their buoyancy at the mote educational center on the pier that stretches into Tampa Bay at the east end of Pine avenue in anna maria. Islander Photos: Ryan Paice

Parking garage bill heads to gov’s desk, vacation rental bill dies

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Damage from Florida’s 2023 legislative session may be contained to Holmes Beach.

Another vacation rental regulation preemption bill died as the state legislative session ended May 5, but legislation that would allow Manatee County to construct a parking garage within the city made it to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk.

House Bill 947, filed by Rep. Will Robinson, R-Bradenton, would authorize the county to construct a parking garage in a county-managed park within city limits,

such as Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive.

The bill — if signed into law — would override a city code that prohibits multi-level parking facilities within municipal limits and allow the county to construct a garage without obtaining permits or approval from the city.

HB 947 comes in response to a more than two-year feud between the county and city over parking lost when the city established its park-by-permit system in 2020.

The city prohibited public parking 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in 645 parking spaces along Hey now! That’s a big pumpkin — even for Cortez. See page 15 for more ...

residential roadways and began selling $15 decals to residents and property owners to allow them to park in those spots.

City officials stand by the system, which they argue has improved residential quality of life by reducing roadside parking in residential areas and its side effects — litter, noise and rowdy behavior.

Van Ostenbridge and Robinson argue such a system is unfair to off-island residents visiting the beaches and have pushed the city to return the lost parking spaces.

The House of Representatives voted 116-0 April 27 to approve the bill.

The Senate voted 39-0 May 4 to approve HB 947, which was ordered for presentation to DeSantis the same day.

Since the legislative session ended, DeSantis will have until Friday, May 19 to adopt or veto the bill.

Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth has said that, if the bill is adopted into law and the county pursues the creation of a multi-level parking garage, the city would put up a legal challenge since such a structure would violate the city’s comprehensive plan.

Senate Bill 714

On the other hand, all three island cities got lucky when last-minute amendments bogged down Senate Bill 714 before the legislators adjourned May 5.

SB 714, filed by Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-St. Petersburg, would have preempted many local vacation rental regulations adopted after June 1, 2011, to the state.

The bill would have nullified the vacation rental ordinances of all three island cities, which adopted their current ordinances no earlier than 2015.

SB 716 proposed to preempt non-grandfathered licensing and inspections of vacation rental properties to the state, as well as prohibit municipalities from regulating the duration or frequency of rental activities.

The bill would have allowed local governments to establish vacation rental registration programs, but limit registration fees to $50 for an individual application and $100 for a collective application.

It also would have eliminated city rules that limit vacation rental occupancy.

The city of Anna Maria led the charge against SB 714 with a website, homerulefl.com, that messaged an opposition campaign consisting of thousands of pre-written letters sent to state officials on behalf of

concerned constituents.

The city was preparing a last-ditch effort to lobby DeSantis against the bill if it made it to his desk.

That seemed like a strong possibility after the Senate voted 28-10 April 27 to approve the bill with two amendments and even stronger after the House voted 73-39 to approve the bill with one amendment.

However, the Senate refused to concur May 5 with the 13-page amendment approved in the House and requested the House to recede.

The House did not recede before the end of the day, leaving the bill to die with the adjournment.

State appropriations

Only one island city might get lucky with state funding this year.

Anna Maria’s $1,410,000 request for the state to fund the second phase of the city’s “Reimagining Pine Avenue” project, which would involve improving Spring and Magnolia avenues, was the only island funding request to make it to DeSantis’ desk this year.

The appropriation request was sponsored by Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, and included in Senate Bill 2500, which was approved May 5 by both congressional houses and sent to DeSantis’ desk for consideration.

On the other hand, the city of Bradenton Beach’s $3,000,000 appropriation request, which also was sponsored by Boyd, to further fund the undergrounding of power lines in the city was not included in the appropriation bill.

Titsworth told The Islander May 5 that the city couldn’t find any local representatives to sponsor an appropriation request, but the municipality was set to receive $1,064,900 through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Resilient Florida Program to improve stormwater infrastructure along Gulf Drive.

Commercial fishing industry workers in Cortez share their perspectives in 5 new videos.

▼ Modern Chop Happy Hour 4-6

▲ Martini Monday: Signature Martinis, $7, plus 1/2 price lite bites -- lounge only.

▼ Prime Rib Tuesdays, plus $3 Tacos and Margaritas -- lounge only.

▲ Wine Down Wednesday, 5O% OFF Wines by the Glass, plus Snow Crabs

▼ Live Maine Lobster Thursdays, plus Happy Hour all nite in the lounge.

▲ Saturday: Roll to Win, call for details!

1830 59th St W, Bradenton 4-10 Mon-Sat, closed Sunday 941.201.6006

Call to book private events.

Watch their stories at flmaritimefriends.org/clearwaters as they share their experiences on the topics of net making, misconceptions, water quality, federal regulations, and their memories.

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manatee County Commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge, left, anna maria mayor Dan murphy and mote marine Laboratory & aquarium president/ CEO michael Crosby cut a ribbon may 5 for the opening of the mote marine Science Education and Outreach Center at the T-end of the city pier. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

It’s official!

WMFR, MC marine rescue team up for training

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Teamwork makes the dream work.

Manatee County Beach Patrol and West Manatee Fire Rescue District personnel teamed up May 2-4 to complete joint water rescue training ahead of storm season.

Beach Patrol provides lifeguard coverage at the county’s public beaches along Anna Maria Island, which is part of the WMFR district.

Beach Patrol Lt. David Snyder led the training sessions at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach.

“We share the island, so we want to work hand in hand, and we run into each other quite often, so it only makes sense for us to share the skillsets,” Snyder said. “If we get there first, or they get there first, we’re able to enter the water and assist them and they’re able to enter the water and assist us.”

“There are countless scenarios we could be faced with out here on any given day, so it’s good to be on the same page,” he added.

The training began with exercises aimed at teaching the participants to reach a swimmer in need of rescue as fast as possible regardless of conditions.

Snyder said the week’s high winds produced strong waves and conditions ideal for training.

“As the water is shin-to-knee deep, you’re highstepping and trying to minimize the drag of the water as you’re getting through it,” Snyder said. “Knee-to-waist deep, you’re going to start dolphin diving … that’s going to launch you out a little farther and faster.”

Training also included use of marine rescue tools — rescue buoys, flotation devices to support a rescuer’s and victim’s weight, and rescue boards, specialized surf boards to reach and transport victims.

People can reach Manatee County Beach Patrol at 941-744-3950.

People can call WMFR at 941-761-1555.

In an emergency, people should call 911.

manatee County Beach Patrol lifeguards break into a sprint may 3 to the waters of Coquina Beach during water rescue training with staff from the West manatee Fire Rescue District. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

Q&A 051023

The Islander poll

Last week’s question

By Lisa Neff

The mote marine education center was opening early this month at the anna maria City Pier.

6%. I will be among the first to visit.

35%. I’ll visit soon.

26%. No rush to see.

32%. Not really interested.

This week’s question

Snowbirds returned north to find ice and snow in april and may. What’s “cold” weather?

A. Below 60 degrees

B. Below 50 degrees.

C. Below freezing.

D. Single-digit temps.

To answer the poll, go online to islander.org.

Beach Patrol Lt. David Snyder, left, instructs a lifeguard may 2 on use of a rescue board. Islander

Photo: Courtesy manatee County

HB gives nod to restaurant site plan, outdoor dining proposal

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Plans for a new Holmes Beach restaurant that promises bohemian vibes are moving forward.

City commissioners reached consensus April 25 to move forward with a site plan and outdoor dining request for the Bohemian Restaurant, 5910 Marina Drive, owned by Tampa chef and Anna Maria Island native Jeannie Pierola.

The 6,256-square-foot multi-tenant building is owned by SM&L Inc., run by officers Judy Duncan and Zee Catanese.

The property currently houses Isola Bella Restaurant, 5904 Marina Drive, and a cell tower owned by Crown Castle USA. There is a vacant rear office that formerly housed a title office at 5914 Marina Drive and at the frontage on Marina Drive, the vacant Island Grill, 5912 Marina Drive.

The site plan includes several improvements to convert about half of the building into a restaurant with 100 seats inside and 53 outdoors.

Proposed improvements include the construction of a wood deck and patio, the addition of a canopy and concrete sidewalk, changes to on-site parking and traffic circulation, as well as the request for 53 outdoor dining seats.

The property would have no entry on Marina Drive. Instead, motorists would enter the parking lot via 60th Street and leave via 59th Street.

Chad Minor, the city’s planning and zoning administrator, said city staff recommended commissioners approve the “exciting” proposal with conditions, including:

Meetings

ANNA MARIA CITY

May 11, 2 p.m., commission.

May 25, 6 p.m., commission.

By Lisa Neff

May 29, 10 a.m., Memorial Day and centennial celebration.

Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, 941-708-6130, cityofannamaria.com.

BRADENTON BEACH

May 17, 10 a.m., department heads.

May 17, 1 p.m., ScenicWAVES.

May 18, noon, commission.

Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., 941-778-1005, cityofbradentonbeach.com.

HOLMES BEACH

May 10, 9 a.m., clean water.

May 19, 11:30 a.m., police pension fund.

May 23, 5 p.m., commission.

Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, 941-708-5800, holmesbeachfl.org.

• Prohibiting amplified outdoor music;

• Requiring the applicant to obtain a local business tax receipt noting 100 indoor seats and 53 outdoor seats prior to occupancy;

• Requiring the applicant apply for a building permit for the site improvements within 90 days of the city’s site plan approval.

Halflants & Pichette project manager Ana Meneses presented the architect’s plans to city commissioners.

Meneses said Pierola grew up on the island and wanted to return to the community and offer it “delicious” food in an “inviting” space.

Commissioner Dan Diggins said the proposed plans were “impressive” and expressed support for approving them.

WEST MANATEE FIRE RESCUE

May 16, 6 p.m., commission. WMFR administration building, 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton, 941-761-1555, wmfr.org.

MANATEE COUNTY

May 18, 9 a.m., commission (land use).

May 23, 9 a.m., commission.

County administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 941-748-4501, mymanatee.org.

ALSO OF INTEREST

May 18, 4-7 p.m., community hurricane preparedness expo, Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto.

May 22, 9:30 a.m., Sarasota/Manatee MPO, Holiday Inn Sarasota-Bradenton Airport, 8009 15th St. E., Sarasota. Memorial Day is May 29. Most government offices will be closed.

Please, send meeting notices to news@islander.org.

City officials are exploring potential changes to a multi-tenant building at 5910 marina Drive, Holmes Beach, which currently houses a restaurant and cell tower.

Ryan Paice

a rendering of the proposed restaurant at 5910 marina Drive. Islander

Commissioner Terry Schaefer said the improvements would provide a “major face lift” for the area.

“I think this is one of the best improvements to a building in Holmes Beach other than new construction,” Schaefer said.

There was no public comment.

In other matters …

City commissioners also:

• Unanimously voted to approve a second reading for an ordinance amending the city’s land development code to add definitions for automobile rentals and warehousing, as well as revise its definition of cannabis to allow CBD and hemp products;

• Reached consensus to authorize Mayor Judy Titsworth to execute a piggyback agreement for road building materials and services from C-Squared CGC, Inc. through Aug. 31, 2023.

The city commission’s next meeting was to be after press time for The Islander at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

Directions to attend the meeting via Zoom can be found on the city’s website, holmesbeachfl.org.

you can peruse

The Islander newspaper archive, dating back to its launch in November 1992, at ufdc. ufl.edu.

WE ROCK ONLINE

Islander Photo:

BELOW:

Photo: Courtesy Holmes Beach

BB CRA backs bidding to startup paid parking at city lots

By Robert anderson Islander Reporter

Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie presented the community redevelopment agency at its May 3 meeting with an update on a potential plan to institute paid parking at city-owned lots.

Chappie met with Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby, public works director Tom Woodard and city attorney Ricinda Perry to discuss paid parking.

They agreed the next step is to issue requests for proposals to implement paid parking.

“What we would like to have permission to do, we want to go out with an RFP for paid parking in the city parking lots of the CRA. Not Bridge Street. Just the CRA,” Chappie said.

Chappie said that the CRA would collect proposals for continued discussion at a future CRA meeting.

Locations considered for paid parking include lots between First Street North and Bridge Street, the city hall lot at 107 Gulf Drive N. and an unpaved lot between Church and Highland avenues near the police department.

Commissioner and CRA member Jake Spooner voiced concern over excluding on-street parking on Bridge Street.

Spooner said excluding Bridge Street would incentivize employees of Bridge Street businesses to park

in the free spaces on the commercial street and parking turnover would suffer.

“In my mind, I feel like it may be problematic,” Spooner said.

Cosby said the lots being considered represent the easiest areas to monitor for a program launch.

“We’ve got to start somewhere. If the program is successful, then we take it further,” Cosby said.

Chappie motioned to issue request for proposals for implementing paid parking and was seconded by Spooner. The motion passed 5-0. CRA members and commissioners Marilyn Maro and Jan Vosburgh were absent with excuse.

CRA members also got a jump on the winter holidays by approving Christmas decorations for Bridge Street.

An invoice for $46,976 included seasonal decorations, lighting, banners and the city’s signature 32-foot-tall Christmas tree, for placement along Bridge Street, the Historic Bridge Street Pier clock tower area, Laverne Drive and Gulfstream Avenue.

“It’s a wonderful thing for our community,” Chappie said of the holiday celebration. “It has really set Bradenton Beach apart from a lot of communities.”

Chappie motioned to approve the invoice from Holiday Trimmers and was seconded by Spooner. The

motion passed 5-0.

CRA members also approved a work order for contractor JM Undergrounding for $21,250 for work related to buried utilities in the CRA district.

The project involves undergrounding utilities along Third, Fourth, Fifth streets south and Bay Drive South between Fourth and Fifth.

The CRA began undergrounding work in 2018, when it approved a project to bury utilities along Bridge Street and parts of Gulf Drive.

In other matters, the CRA approved invoices for:

• $42.50 to public works per an interlocal agreement;

• $15,669.82 to the police department for CRA first-quarter policing;

• $4,325.00 to Easy Parking for the shuttle service;

• $6,534.99 to Perry for legal services.

The next CRA meeting will be at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 6, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

About the CRA

The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency funds capital improvement projects to promote restoration, growth and tourism in the district.

The district, bordered by Cortez Road, Sarasota Bay, Fifth Street South and the Gulf of Mexico, was deemed blighted in 1992, allowing for incremental tax revenue to promote restoration and growth, including tourism.

BB P&Z continues rezoning discussion for Azure Shores

By Robert anderson Islander Reporter

The future may lie in the fine print.

The Bradenton Beach Planning and Zoning Board decided May 3 to pursue revising language in the city’s comprehensive plan and land development code to tackle zoning inconsistencies in the city’s Azure Shore neighborhood.

Revisions would correct inconsistencies between the zoning and the future land use map in place since their adoption in 2008.

City staff proposed an ordinance last June to rezone 2.53 acres between Second Street North and Cortez Road and between Gulf Drive North and Highland Avenue from Residential-3 to Mixed to correct inconsistencies.

However, city commissioners rejected staff’s proposal due to opposition from the P&Z and area residents over lot coverage and land use issues — concerns that businesses would expand — if the city approves the mixed-use designation.

This left P&Z members and city commissioners in a difficult position — determining how to protect the rights of property owners who seek to maintain their neighborhood and the rights of owners who want to utilize their properties to their highest use.

State and federal provisions deal with protecting

Ready for summer season?

the rights of property owners, including Florida’s Bert J. Harris Jr. Private Property Rights Protection Act of 1995, which provides a process for owners to seek relief when their property is affected by government action.

Under the act, a claim exists if a governmental entity “inordinately burdens an existing use of real property or a vested right to a specific use of real property.”

If a government action devalues a property, an owner can claim a “taking.”

During the May 5 P&Z meeting, city building official Steve Gilbert and city planner Luis Serna provided options for the zoning inconsistencies in Azure Shores.

• Option 1: Change the zoning to MXD or mixed use. This option was recommended for denial by the P&Z and then rejected by the city commission.

• Option 2: Change the future land use to high density residential, which would resolve the inconsistencies but deny mixed-use development, which had been envisioned for the area under the retail, offi ce, residential designation. Going with the highdensity option could expose the city to claims of takings from owners who purchased property for mixed-use projects.

• Option 3: Change the future land use category and

zoning designation to be consistent with the detached single-family home character of the area. The option would reduce the development potential and could expose the city to Bert Harris claims.

• Option 4: Revise the text of the comprehensive plan and land development code so the existing R-3 zoning district is consistent within the existing retail, office, residential future land use category. The option would address the inconsistencies and allow rezonings to R-3 in the ROR category throughout Azure Shores.

The advantage of the fourth option is to maintain the character of Azure Shores by rezoning the property and, according to Gilbert and Serna, would not expose the city to claims of takings.

Zoning is how a city implements a comp plan. It provides protection for residential neighborhoods from commercial intrusion by establishing permitted and prohibited uses, as well as regulations for setbacks, building heights, subdivisions of land, fences and signs.

No official motion was made May 3 but the P&Z formed a consensus to review the language of the comp plan and LDC as recommended in option 4.

The discussion on Azure Shores will continue at the next P&Z meeting, which will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

Spooner

Cosby

Chappie

Finally, we see the future

Well, it seemed like a long wait but, finally we have closure on the remake of the Anna Maria City Pier.

And we have a tenant that won’t be selling table fare anytime soon. It’s all about the environment for Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium Marine Science Education and Outreach Center at the T-end building on the south side of the city pier in Anna Maria.

Islanders from the north end to Bradenton Beach at the south end of the 7-mile stretch of barrier island that includes the city of Holmes Beach, can take pride in what Mote is doing to promote wellness in the bays and Gulf of Mexico, to bring understanding to the marine life we encounter almost daily, and to teach young and old the ways to preserve the habitat we share.

And islanders still have options at the pier for satiating the desire for a grouper sandwich, or to buy bait, wet a line and take supper home.

It’s a great place to take our visitors and introduce the very important information they need to protect our marine environment. Young ones will learn why it’s important to keep plastic straws and bags from entering the waterways. And sharing the knowlege Mote has gathered over the years since it began with shark studies in 1955 at Placida, will allow older folks to share what they’ve experienced over the years.

I’ve been lucky over the years since I moved here in 1975 to experience firsthand the hard work that goes into trapping lobsters in the Florida Keys and stone crabs in the Gulf. I’ve been along with Randy Wells on a dolphin capture in Sarasota Bay, where we caught a female dolphin and six of us held her between us on bended knees as scientists recorded her statistics, conducted a sonogram and branded her with dry ice.

I went tarpon fishing at Boca Grande and spent a night on a stop net harvest in the Cortez “kitchen.”

Before they were too scarce to harvest here, I was snorkeling for scallops in the bay waters.

I’ve watched several sea turtles nest in the daylight on Anna Maria Island and I observed a false crawl on the Atlantic beach in Jupiter.

I went by boat to visit Bill Mote at his Longboat Key home, where he showed off his teak floors and walls and shared his love for his aquariums.

I took some beautiful boat rides in the keys to the Dry Tortugas and by moonlight in Tampa Bay.

I’ve seen a lot of what Mother Nature provides in Florida and now I’m anxious to see what Mote has to offer at the Anna Maria City Pier. And I’m eager to share it.

— Bonner Joy, news@islander.org

The good fight

A couple of things got my attention in the May 3 issue of The Islander.

First, was the Skyway bridge collapse was 43 years ago. Makes one start to feel old.

Second was that the treehouse saga has gone on for 10 years. Doesn’t make me feel any younger.

In regard to the treehouse, the owners certainly are deserving of a perseverance award for what many consider their insane struggle against government.

Skimming online

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▼ Publisher, Co-editor

Bonner Joy, news@islander.org

▼ Editorial Editor Lisa Neff, lisa@islander.org

Robert anderson, robert@islander.org

Joe Bird, editorial cartoonist

Kevin Cassidy, kevin@islander.org

Jack Elka, jack@jackelka.com

Brook morrison, brook@islander.org

Ryan Paice, ryan@islander.org

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(All others: news@islander.org)

I thought the treehouse added to the Holmes Beach landscape and old-Florida charm that used to exist in Anna Maria Island and was the reason my wife and I moved here in 1991.

While I’m on the topic of perseverance, I would be remiss if I didn’t give a personal award to Kim Rash and his dedicated group who have fought a tireless fight to improve Holmes Beach residents’ quality of life.

It was a continuous struggle but they persevered, with Rash ultimately getting elected to the Holmes Beach commission.

Along the way, they were subjected to deep underserved antagonism, scorn and even ridicule.

Yet, they persevered at great expense to their family life and wellbeing.

Keep up the good fight.

Bob McCaffrey, Bradenton About the Pines Trailer Park

On The Islander’s social media pages, readers are remarking on the failed effort by Pines Trailer Park homeowners to purchase the land at the park and the suggestion by some that the city of Bradenton Beach become involved in the purchase.

“Could Bradenton Beach issue tax-exempt municipal bonds to purchase the land and issue a 99-year

ground lease to an eligible nonprofit owner which would handle management and individual leases with residents? Just saying that a committed city, county and state could assist in maintaining a historic site and affordable housing for seniors and workforce housing by establishing a land trust.”

—

Greg Baron

“I feel so bad for the people that live there!!! Some have owned for 40-plus years. Finally retired and they get this hit! Many are older and dealing with life stressors like recently lost their spouse and now have to deal with possibly losing the home they shared. … I’m sure they planned to spend the rest of their days there and instead are dealing with the stress of all this. Just so sad.”

—

Kelli Renae Gray

“The partnership gave the HOA the ability to purchase for a fair price. They didn’t. Now it’s their legal right to sell to whoever they want. Why should the

Making the news

In 1982, the S&S Plaza in Holmes Beach provides space for the Island Herald newspaper, as well as the Beachcomber shopping guide.

Islander Photo: manatee County Public Library System archives

10&20 years ago

From the May 7, 2003, issue

• Attorney Dan Lobeck of Sarasota said Arvida Corp. appeared to be losing interest in developing its property on north Perico Island because of two lawsuits. Lobeck cited legal fees and startup delays as reasons for Arvida’s hesitation.

Docking at Egmont

a landing dock for small boats exists near the pilot station on Egmont Key in may 1984, the date on the photograph. The dock was built after the abandonment of the old Fort Dade.

• Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. David Drake said alcohol was a factor in an April 13, 2003, crash on the Cortez Bridge that left two people dead. The driver of the vehicle that hit the drawbridge as it was being raised for a passing boat, had a blood alcohol level above 0.10.

government be allowed to intervene?”

— Michael Minter

“Very sad for the island and everyone who lives in the park.”

— Barbara Cable Maney

“Very sad, developers are taking away our smalltown island feel.”

— Scott Bradford

Have you rode around the island lately? All the little cottages and single-family homes are disappearing. Bought up by developers! And local island governments have allowed it to happen! So Sad!!! $$$$.”

— Timothy Adams

“Time marches on but there are so many great

memories.”

— Larry Smith

“Kevin van Ostenbridge — Manatee County Commission District 3 — I hope you are able to see this and provide comment considering these are your constituents. … This is unacceptable.”

— Hunter Jensen

“There are 86 trailers and over 86 stories of how the park and our park family has helped each other during trying times. I know we are just a few senior citizens but we are also teachers, lawyers, linemen, pilots and many veterans, among other things. The backbone of America. If it can happen to us, it can happen to anyone.”

— Linda Jividen Dutcher Maerker

We’d love to mail you the news!

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We bring you all the news about three city governments, community happenings, people features and special events … even real estate transactions … everything you need if your “heart is on Anna Maria Island.”

If you don’t live here year-round, use this form to subscribe by (snail) mail for yourself or someone else. (Sorry, we do not suspend mail subscriptions — you get The Islander free while you’re here!)

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MAIL TO:

• One of two men arrested by Holmes Beach police for discharging a firearm from a residence near Anna Maria elementary, suffered a drug overdose days later at the Beach House Resort in the 1000 block of Gulf Drive North in Bradenton Beach. Manatee County Emergency Medical Services responded to a 911 call at the rental apartment and identified the man as the individual treated.

From the May 8, 2013, issue

• March 2013 marked the 23rd month of the past 24 that resort tax collections by the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office exceeded the same month’s collections the previous year.

• Holmes Beach city attorney Patricia Petruff received no objections from commissioners at an April special meeting to address the city’s response to a petition for relief from the developers of the Mainsail resort project in the city center.

• The Holmes Beach Police Department announced that a local real estate agent was under investigation by the U.S. Postal Service and the U.S. Department of Justice for fraud.

— Lisa Neff

Print Your Own Memories

LETTERS FROm PaGE 6

County improves beach accessibility

a new 100foot-long mat stretches across the beach from the cafe to the shore may 1 at manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, providing accessibility at the beach for people with disabilities, strollers and carts. Islander Photo: manatee County

AMI TOURISM:

Endless Season

March tourist tax collections

march 2019: $2,725,570

march 2020: $1,782,570

march 2021: $3,169,991

march 2022: $4,282,499

march 2023: $4,647,968

Source: manatee County Tax Collector

Tourist tax continues upward climb, doubles 2019 numbers

By Lisa Neff Islander Editor

Forget the lamb.

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Manatee Public Beach just got a little more accessible.

Manatee County property management employees installed a beach access mat May 1 at Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, according to county information outreach manager Bill Logan.

The mat begins near the Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe and stretches 100 feet west on the beach toward the Gulf of Mexico, where it branches into a 12-footwide T-end “landing area.”

The beach mat is made of recycled materials and provides a surface for wheelchairs, strollers and carts to move on the beach, where sand can make wheeled devices difficult to maneuver.

The addition is part of an effort by the county — which operates and maintains the beach — to meet accessibility requirements of the U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act, which mandates equal access to public facilities, services and programs for people with disabilities.

“The addition of the beach access mat will further enhance the openness of these beaches, making them more inclusive and welcoming to all visitors, regardless of their abilities,” the news release states.

“I am so happy that we finally have a mat,” Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth told The Islander May 5. “This is the best place for it as it is more easily accessed from the parking lot.”

“People have been asking for it for many years,” she added.

Tourism bureau: ‘Leave No Trace’

Manatee County is the first destination in the state to secure an official partnership with the global nonprofit Leave No Trace.

The Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau announced the partnership May 4, as it announced a new promotional video for its “Love it Like a Local” sustainable travel initiative.

Leave No Trace uses science, education and stewardship to promote sustainability.

“With our ‘Love it Like a Local’ campaign, we set out to educate visitors to the Bradenton area of simple actions they can take to leave less of a footprint,” Elliott Falcione, BACVB executive director, said May 4 in a news release.

The BACVB also released May 4 a 5 1/2-minute video narrated by island businessperson and resident Ed Chiles, a member of the county tourist development council, featuring locals encouraging visitors to dispose of waste, minimize impact, respect wildlife and be considerate of other people.

“It is incredibly important to engage travelers in the practical ways that responsible visitation makes a difference to a community and its natural spaces,” said Dana Watts, executive director of Leave No Trace.

To watch the new video, go to youtube.com/@ visitbradenton.

— Lisa Neff

Tourism came in like a lion in March and roared through the month.

Manatee County collected $4,647,968 in tourist development tax revenue for March, compared to $4,282,499 in March 2022 and $3,169,991 in March 2021, according to a May 1 report from the county tax collector’s office.

It more than doubled the $2.725M collected in 2019.

The 8.53% year-over-year revenue uptick for the March tax — a 5% levy collected on overnight rentals of six months or less — continues a long trend of increases after the lifting of pandemic-related restrictions.

Halfway through the 2022-23 fiscal year, the county has collected $16,888,946 in bed tax revenue.

On the island, Holmes Beach’s March tourist development tax earnings reached $1,267,249 — 27.26% of the total for the county.

In Bradenton Beach, the revenue was $270.101 or 5.81% of the total.

In Anna Maria, the revenue was $459,625 or 9.89% of the total.

Some other stats:

• Unincorporated Manatee County generated $1,822,610 or 39.21%,

• Longboat Key generated $406,560 or 8.75%;

• Bradenton generated $407,041 or 8.76%;

• Palmetto generated $14,927 or 0.32%.

The tax collector retains a 3% administrative fee, leaving the county’s net bed tax revenue for March at $4,508,528.

The Manatee County Tourist Development Council is the advisory board that recommends how to spend resort tax revenue.

The county commission decides the expenditures.

Revenue must be used to bolster tourism, according to state law.

Tourism-related institutions that receive resort tax funding include the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Bradenton Area Convention Center, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Realize Bradenton, a nonprofit dedicated to developing downtown Bradenton.

Tourism-related projects that have been funded by the tax include island beach renourishment and the construction of the new Anna Maria City Pier.

April bed tax revenue data will be released in early June.

The next TDC meeting will be 9 a.m. Monday, June 5, at the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

Know your TDCs

In addition to making revenue spending recommendations, the TDC — a volunteer group comprising elected officials, hospitality owners and citizens involved in the tourism industry — advises the county on tourist development projects.

Members of the TDC include County Commissioner James Satcher, chairman; Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant, Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown; Ed Chiles, Eric Cairns, Jiten Patel, Rahul Patel, Dave Wick and Norma Kennedy.

Fire district highlights need for rental inspections

By Robert anderson Islander Reporter

The rules are changing.

New inspection standards for vacation rentals in the West Manatee Fire Rescue District may have some short-term rental owners feeling the squeeze.

WMFR Fire Marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski presented the district’s plans April 20 during a Bradenton Beach City Commission meeting at city hall.

The inspection program will begin Oct. 1 and include all vacation rentals in the district, which encompasses Anna Maria Island, Cortez and portions of west Bradenton.

A property qualifies as a transient lodging establishment if it is rented more than three times in a calendar year for periods of less than 30 days and is advertised as a rental.

Such a property must have licensure from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

The implementation of WMFR’s plan is due to a rise in vacation rental accidents and safety complaints.

Kwiatkowski said 73% of the island’s structure fires since 2020 took place in vacation rentals.

He also said the three child drownings or neardrownings at single-family homes in 2022 occurred at island vacation rental properties.

Kwiatkowski said short-term vacation rentals until recently were not held to the same standards as commercial hotel properties. A statute has been in place for several years but the coronavirus pandemic delayed implementation of the inspection program.

The marshal said other districts already are employing comparable programs.

What happened at 302 N. Shore Drive, Unit A, Anna Maria, would seem to highlight the need for district inspections.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office handled a civil complaint April 3 at the property, where two

families arrived, only to discover the unit in an unsafe condition, according to the MCSO report.

Renter Adam Welsh of Louisville, Kentucky, said the group booked the unit on Airbnb.

“As a renter, you are trusting reviews, pictures and an attractive write-up shown on a website,” Welsh

wrote in an April 20 email to The Islander.

He said the interior of the unit was radically different than what was shown in the photos on Airbnb.

Welsh and his group decided to leave but because it was spring break, many rental agencies were at 100% occupancy.

The property is not registered with the state and is not recognized by the city of Anna Maria as a vacation rental due to its owner living on-site.

The Manatee County Property Appraiser’s website indicates the property operates under DLVAMI1302 North Shore LLC, with Floyd Calhoun as owner.

Kwiatkowski told The Islander in an April 27 interview that he’s spoken with Calhoun and Welsh and that he and Calhoun met April 26 with representatives from the state at the property to assist in moving Calhoun’s property toward compliance.

Kwiatkowski said Calhoun had to pay a $125 fee to register the vacation rental with the state and the property would be monitored to make sure it was brought to a safe and compliant operating standard. As of Islander press time, the home was no longer listed on Airbnb.

“My end goal for this is to remove the possibility of this happening to future renters,” Welsh said in the April 20 email. “The amount of emotional stress that my family has gone through as a result of this, has been enormous.”

“After conversations with fire Marshall Kwiatkowski, I am encouraged by his passion and motivation to get things on a more level playing field and having consistent guidelines across all rental properties on the island,” Welsh continued.

Kwiatkowski, speaking with The Islander April 27, said people considering a vacation rental in a home in the district will be able to review inspection results.

All inspection reports will be public record, so renters can discover if there are safety concerns.

To contact WMFR, call 941-761-1555 or go to wmfr.org.

Bradenton Beach grapples with Swiftmud $400K grant

By Robert anderson Islander Reporter

Bradenton Beach is trying to avoid sending money go down the drain.

Bradenton Beach commissioners approved drafting a letter to the Southwest Florida Water Management District asking to waive repayment of grant monies spent for a past stormwater project in north Bradenton Beach.

The city’s request stems from a conflict between past project grants and current ones for drainage and stormwater issues in Avenues A, B and C in north Bradenton Beach.

Bradenton Beach public works director Tom Woodard, speaking at the commission’s May 4 meeting, said based on recommendations from Colliers Engineering & Design firm, grant money obtained previously by the city’s former engineer, LTA Engineers, was incompatible for use on the city’s current project.

Colliers recommended cancellation of the old project funding and that the city request a partial waiver of repayment.

In 2016, LTA helped the city obtain a $400,000 Swiftmud grant for stormwater improvements in the areas of Avenues A, B and C in north Bradenton Beach. Of the $400,000 to be used for water quality improvements, $110,000 of the matching funds were never used.

Colliers is currently engaged with the city for a similar flood control project designed to improve drainage and reduce flooding in the vicinities of 20th Place North, 21st Place North, the southern end of Avenue A and the southern end of Avenue B. The flood control project is being funded by a $2.6 million state appropriation. The project is expected to begin this

year.

“There’s about $110,000 left of $400,000 that we were granted from Swiftmud back then, that’s gone unspent,” Woodard said during the May 4 meeting.

“We had planned to include that with the $2.69 million that we are doing in the avenues. The problem is that is a resiliency project and we cannot comingle the monies together.”

Woodard said that Colliers warned of trouble should the city try to use the funds for another project — even if the projects are similar in nature.

Woodard said he reached out to Swiftmud senior professional engineer Nancy Norton, who informed him by email that according to the agreement between the city and Swiftmud there is a repayment clause which would require the city to repay the funds if the full measure of the work for the $400,000 grant was not completed.

Norton also said the city could request Swiftmud waive the repayment obligation, either in whole or in part.

City attorney Ricinda Perry told commissioners May 4 the waiver request would need to be written in the form of a letter.

“We want to write a very fair letter that outlines why we are departing from the method of treatment and going this new route with a new engineering firm,” Perry said.

She also warned commissioners of possible fallout from the decision to cancel the project and request a waiver.

“I do want you to be aware the city stands to potentially be looking at financial exposure after that agreement,” Perry continued.

“If Swiftmud determined that the city would be liable for the entire repayment of the agreement which is over $400,000, then I would prefer that the city do a cost analysis at that point,” Perry said.

She said it may be in the city’s best interest to match and utilize the $100,000 rather than face the possibility of paying back the full amount of the grant.

Commissioner Ralph Cole motioned to approve the Swiftmud funding agreement be canceled and a letter sent to Swiftmud requesting a repayment waiver.

The motion was seconded by Commissioner Jake Spooner and passed by unanimous vote.

The next commission meeting will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 8, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

Negotiations ongoing

a drone’s eye view looks west at the Pines Trailer Park, 103 Church ave., Bradenton Beach. The park went on the market april 21 after negotiations between the homeowner’s association and the landowner failed. according to a park resident, some HOa board members have resigned as a new buyer announcement is awaited.

West manatee Fire Rescue Fire marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski april 20 makes a presentation about vacation rental inspections during a Bradenton Beach City Commission meeting. Islander Photo: Robert anderson

Islander Photo: Jacob merrifield

Island happenings

Compiled by Lisa Neff, calendar@islander.org.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ON AMI

Friday, May 12

2 p.m. — Finger painting, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

Saturday, May 13

Noon-6 p.m. — Anna Maria Island Privateers Food Trucks, Pirates and Tunes, city field, 5800 block of Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-779-6033.

ONGOING ON AMI

Through May 14, Island Players’ “How the Other Half Loves,” 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. Fee applies. Information: 941-7785755.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Throughout May, Island Gallery and Studios, 456 Old Main St., Bradenton, showcases “It’s All About the Light” by Marie Garafano. Information: 941-778-6648.

Through May 28, “Gods and Lovers: Painting and Sculpture from India,” the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-360-7390, ringling.org.

“Caught in the Storm: 100 Years of Florida Hurricanes” exhibit, Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: floridamaritimemuseum.org.

First Fridays, 6-9:30 p.m., Village of the Arts First Fridays Artwalk, 12th Street West and 12th Avenue West, Bradenton. Information: villageofthearts.com.

Saturdays through May, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Bradenton Public Market, Old Main Street, Bradenton. Information: 941-932-9439.

Second and fourth Saturdays, 2-4 p.m., Music on the Porch jam session, presented by the Florida Maritime Museum and Cortez Cultural Center, outdoors, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: floridamaritimemuseum.org, fmminfo@manateeclerk.com.

SAVE THE DATE

May 25, The Bishop Laser Light Nights opens, Bradenton.

KIDS & FAMILY ON AMI

Saturday, May 13

10 a.m. — Origami crafting, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Through May 21, Mote Marine Aquarium’s “Voyage to the Deep” exhibit, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-388-4441.

Swift moves, hope result in box seats

Bayla Lance, a kindergartner at anna maria Elementary in Holmes Beach, shares her photo from a Taylor Swift concert — a selfie with parents Shanell and Brett and an audience of 68,000 for one of the Eras Tour shows at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa in Tampa. The family drove to the venue with hopes of seeing the sold-out concert, and they got lucky. a man with a box suite saw them looking to buy tickets outside the stadium and took them to the show. Islander Courtesy Photo

First Wednesdays, “SOAR in 4” family night, the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131, bishopscience.org.

SAVE THE DATE

May 27, Anna Maria Island Privateers’ Snooks Adams Kids Day, Holmes Beach.

CLUBS & COMMUNITY ON AMI

Wednesday, May 10 11:30 a.m. — Off-Stage Ladies luncheon meeting, the Feast Restaurant, 5406 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Fee applies. Information: 941-932-2798.

6:30 p.m. — Island Time Book Club, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

Thursday, May 11

2 p.m. — Sunshine Stitchers, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

Monday, May 15 11:30 a.m. — Anna Maria Island and West Manatee Democratic Club end-of-season celebration, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: barbara.ehren@gmail.com.

Wednesday, May 17 11 a.m. — Red tide lecture, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

ONGOING ON AMI

Most Wednesdays, 1 p.m., mahjong club beginners, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-7786341.

Democratic club plans potluck at library

The Anna Maria Island and West Manatee Democratic Club will gather for its end-of-season potluck lunch at 11:30 a.m. Monday, May 15, at the Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

Diners are encouraged to bring a dish to share and prepare a list of ingredients for attendees with dietary restrictions.

Membership in the club costs $25.

To confirm attendance, email Barbara Beckwith at bbeckwith02@gmail.com.

Most Fridays, 11:30 a.m., mahjong club experienced players, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941778-6341.

Saturdays, 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island meeting, Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-778-1383.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m., Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island lunch meeting, Slicker’s Eatery, 12012 Cortez Road W., Cortez. Information: 512-944-4177, amirotary.org.

NATURE, FITNESS & SPORTS

ONGOING ON AMI

AMI Dragon Boat Team-Paddlers from Paradise practices and meetups, various times and locations. Information: 941-462-2626, mrbradway@gmail.com.

OFF AMI

Friday, May 12

9 a.m. — Oyster shell drilling for oyster gardens, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. NW, Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923.

Saturday, May 13

7 a.m. — 36th annual Jerry Hill Memorial Kids Fishing Tournament, Green Bridge, Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923.

1:30 p.m. — Family Fishing Club, Robinson Preserve, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW, Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Through Sept. 3, Bradenton Marauders baseball, LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-7473031.

Saturdays, 7 a.m., Robinson Runners run, walk stroll, Robinson Preserve NEST, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW., Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923, crystal.scherer@mymanatee.org, mymanatee.org.

Saturdays, 9 a.m., Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW, Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923, mymanatee.org.

SAVE THE DATE

Oct. 7, Florida Maritime Museum Cortez Nautical Flea Market, Cortez.

GOOD TO KNOW

KEEP THE DATES

May 14, Mother’s Day.

May 20, Armed Forces Day.

May 29, Memorial Day.

June 1, Atlantic hurricane season begins. Send listings to calendar@islander.org.

Island happenings

Privateers bring food truck fest to HB city field

May 13 is a day to wear loose-fitting shorts.

The Anna Maria Island Privateers will stage the Food Trucks, Pirates and Tunes Festival in Holmes Beach.

The Saturday event — noon-6 p.m. — will be at city field in the 5800 block of Marina Drive north of city hall.

An announcement on the nonprofit’s website said 15 food trucks were booked, as well as five bands — Southern Cross, Steve Paradis, The 301 Travelers, Cabana Dogs and Bradentucky Death Rays.

Proceeds will benefit the Privateers’ mission to support kids and community, including providing scholarships, adopting families at Christmas and promoting child literacy.

Awards for artistry

artists’ Guild of anna maria Island member anne abgott is celebrating the receipt of the Carole Christianson memorial award from the Transparent Watercolor Society of america’s show in Kenosha, Wisconsin. abgott has a studio in Cortez. For more information, go online to anneabgott.com. Islander

Courtesy Photos

aGamI member Susanna Spann’s “The Escape artist” earns a Best of Show award in the guild’s “Paint the Town” competition featuring life on amI. Spann also received an award of excellence from the mainsail art Festival in St. Petersburg and entered work in an exhibition in Italy. “my brush never stops,” she wrote in an april 30 email to The Islander. For more info about aGamI, go to www. amiartistsguildgallery.com.

For more information, contact John “Lil John Arr” Rutherford at 941-779-6033 or johnrutherford25@ yahoo.com.

Center’s camp begins June 1

The Center of Anna Maria Island will launch a series of summer camps June 5.

The center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, offers camps for kids kindergarten to fi fth-grade and also camps for kids sixth- to ninth-grades, as well as specialty camps.

“Summer My Way” camp for K-5 kids will be 8 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays.

“Adventure Time” camp for older kids will be Tuesdays and Thursdays 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Specialty camps — for tennis, cooking, sailing and more —will be Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Fees vary depending on the camp choice and the week.

For more information, call the center at 941-7781908.

Hooping it up

Volunteer Dawn Smith, right, teaches kids from the center’s behind the classroom camp april 21 how to spin hoops so they spin back to them.

Odd Duck Designs Shop

Camper mabel Greene, 7, swings a Hula-Hoop april 21 around her waist at the Center of anna maria Island with other campers and center volunteer Dawn Smith. Islander Photos: Courtesy Center of anna maria Island

You will wholly love ‘How the Other Half Loves’

By Brook morrison Islander Reporter

How does the song go again?

Love and marriage, go together like a horse and carriage?

Well, “How the Other Half Loves,” a play by Alan Aychbourn, directed by James Thaggard at the Island Players theater, invites us into the swinging 1960s in England to see how three couples galavant through marriage mishaps and more.

The play intertwines two drastically different British classes on the same stage.

One couple sets the dinner table for a party with paper towels, and the other perfectly pressed, monogrammed cloth napkins.

Upper-crust Fiona Foster, played by Kristin Mazzitelli, exudes English snobbery, while husband Frank, played by Eric Johnson, fawns over her every move.

They are joined on stage by parents Teresa and Bob Phillips, played by Katherine Dye and Caleb Allen.

The tangled webs the couples weave heighten when they involve naive young newlyweds Mary Detweiller, played by Maggie Carter and husband William, played by Tom Horton.

We see Teresa and Frank confront their other halves about why they arrived home so late the night before.

Will Bob and Fiona fess up?

Of course not!

A game of human jenga ensues as the couples try to save their marriages amid domestic dysfunction and overlapping dinner party scenes.

It’s comedic genius.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much chaos packed into one set before,” said audience member Brooke

Olson of Columbus, Ohio.

Will these marriages stand the test of time or does the truth reveal itself?

The set was cleverly designed by Jan Van Wart as a groovy mix of cultures split into high and low brow.

Light design by Ethan Vail took us from sunny mornings to dinner at eight.

Costuming by Pamela Hopkins portrayed each character in perfect ’60s attire — complete with kaftans and buttoned up brides.

Sound designer Mike Lusk mixed tunes with excellent audio inflection and the audience hummed

along.

The Island Player’s cast of “How the Other Half Loves” takes a bow on opening night may 4 at the Island Players theater, 10009 Gulf Drive, anna maria. Islander

Brook morrison

Makeup and hair by Rita Lameroux brought us straight to the Brit’s bobs and long locks.

“How the Other Half Loves” continues through May 14 at the theater, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria.

Tickets are $25 at the box office. The box office hours are 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and one hour before each show.

The curtain opens Tuesday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

The theater is dark Mondays.

For more information, call 941-778-5755.

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Photo:

AME fifth-graders travel to Busch Gardens

The amE fifth-grade classes pose april 25 on a field trip to Busch Gardens in Tampa. Islander Photo: Courtesy Nenita Daguinotas

Reading rewards

amE third- through fifth-grade students participate april 28 in the Battle of the Books in the media room on the Holmes Beach campus. The friendly reading competition involved 44 students. To qualify, students must read and pass a quiz on eight books from a list. Islander Photos: Courtesy amE/Lynne mcDonough

amE Battle of the Book winners pose april 28. Fourthgrader asher Pate, left, won for the “Who Was” series, fifth-grade student alex Serra won for “Sunshine State Readers” and thirdgrader Grayson Hinckle won for the “I am” series.

“Proud of all our students,” media specialist Lynne mcDonough said.

AME Calendar

Action packed May days on AME calendar

With three weeks left of the 2022-23 school year, fifth-graders traveled to Busch Gardens April 25 — a celebration of their last year of elementary school.

AME’s TSA club has been making waves with its latest project — operating underwater drones in the bay waters at the rear of the school.

These high-tech devices are being used to explore the depths of Anna Maria Sound abutting the school, giving students a unique perspective on aquatic life and the science of underwater exploration.

“The students will be able to control the drone remotely while watching its progress on iPads,” said STEM teacher Pidge Barreda May 1.

May 9 will be the swearing-in of the 2023-24 officers and board members for the AME Parent-Teacher Organization, based on results of its April election — after press time for The Islander.

A highlight of the AME-PTO calendar is the annual spring gala and this year’s May 13 star-studded event, with a theme of “vintage hollywood,” promises to be bigger and better than ever.

For tickets and auction information, visit amepto. org.

By Lisa Neff

Roser Church group offers college scholarships

The Roser Women’s Guild is offering scholarships for the 2023-24 school year.

Proceeds from the guild’s Roser Thrift Store — 511 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, across the street from Roser Memorial Community Church — fund the scholarships and more.

The guild said the deadline for applications is Friday, May 26.

Applications and details are online at roserchurch. com but some details are:

• Part-time students enrolling in 6-11 credit hours for undergraduate courses could earn $375 per semester;

• Full-time undergrad students enrolled in 12 credit hours or more could earn $750 per semester;

• Scholarships would be limited $1,500 per year and be available for four years of undergrad courses.

For more information, go online or call the church at 941-778-0414.

Roser stages moms’ gift

Roser Church will present “Martin and the Doors,” a children’s musical, at 7 p.m. Friday, May 12, in the sanctuary, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria.

The faith-based show will feature grade-schoolaged kids.

The performance will be in the church sanctuary, with refreshments to follow.

For more information, call the church offi ce at 941-781-0414 or go online to roserchurch.com/musical.

OneBlood’s “Big Red Bus” held a drive at Roser memorial Community Church in January. The crew will return to the church Sunday, may 14, for another blood drive. Islander Courtesy Photo

Tidings

Craig Ramberger, left, Roser Church’s director of music ministries, and Brandon Kouri, associate music director, prepare to present a children’s musical Friday, may 12, at the church, 512

p.m., book group.

Compiled by Lisa Neff ON AMI

CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-0719, crosspointefellowship.church.

Worship: Sundays, 9 a.m.

Ongoing: Wednesdays, 7 a.m., men’s Bible meeting; Wednesdays, 6 p.m., supper; Wednesdays through May 10, Wednesday Night Blast, 6:45 p.m.; Fridays, 10 a.m. women’s Bible meeting. Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-1638, amiannunciation.org.

Worship: Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.; Sundays, 8 and 10:15 a.m.

Ongoing: Wednesdays, 8 a.m., men’s meeting; Mondays, 1

Roser’s all aboard for drive

Roser Memorial Community Church will hold a blood drive 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, May 14. The church is at 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Donors will receive a $20 gift card, T-shirt and a wellness checkup for blood pressure, pulse, temperature, iron count and cholesterol.

Appointments can be made at oneblooddonor.org using Roser’s sponsor code, 37502, and sponsor name, “Roser Memorial Community Church.”

For more information, call the church office at 941-778-0414.

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive. Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-1813, gloriadeilutheran.com.

Worship: Sundays, 9:30 a.m.

Ongoing: Sundays, 10:15 a.m., coffee and fellowship. Harvey Memorial Community Church, 300 Church Ave., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-779-1912.

Worship: Sundays, 9:15 a.m.

Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0414, roserchurch.com.

Worship: Sundays, 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m.

Ongoing: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m., Roser Robics; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Roser Thrift Store; Wednesdays, 6:15 p.m., Youth Performing Arts, first and third Wednesdays, 11: 30 a.m., Just Older Youth group programs with brown-bag lunch; Thursdays, 5:30 p.m., Roser Ringers rehearsal; 7 p.m., Thursdays, choir rehearsal; Sundays, 8:30 a.m., adult Sunday school and coffee and conversation sessions. St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-4769, stbernardcc.org, office@stbernardcc. org.

Worship: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.; Saturdays, 4 p.m.; Sundays, 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.

Ongoing: Mondays-Fridays, 8 a.m., rosary; Wednesdays, 7:30 a.m., Rosary on the Beach at Manatee Public Beach; second Thursdays, women’s guild luncheons; Saturdays, 3 p.m., confession.

Obituary

Priscilla Barranger

Priscilla Barranger, 95, formerly of Holmes Beach, died March 26. She spent the last few years at the Fountains of Hope in Sarasota.

She was born Nov. 7, 1927.

She and husband Bill left Walpole, Massachusetts, after 52 years and came to Holmes Beach in 2004. They were married 56 years.

Mrs. Barranger worked at Norwood Hospital as a medical secretary for more than 30 years. In Florida she volunteered with Meals on Wheels, the Roser Church thrift shop and Here’s to You at HCA Blake Hospital in Bradenton.

A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 13, at 5400 Condos clubhouse at 5400 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

Mrs. Barranger is survived by sons Jay and wife Liane and Jack and wife Maria; daughter Lynne Carlson; niece Susan; five grandchildren; and eight greatgrandchildren.

At your service

Obituaries are offered as a free community service to residents and families of residents, both past and present, as well as to people with ties to the island. Submit to news@islander.org. Paid obituaries can be discussed with ad consultant Toni Lyon at 941-778-7978.

By John Parker & Joseph M. Martin

Pine ave., anna maria. admission is free. Islander Courtesy Photo

Barranger

Canniff holds the “great” pumpkin record!

Tim Canniff of Cortez may have the most sincere pumpkin patch since Charlie Brown’s friend Linus stayed up all night one long-ago Halloween. Canniff poses with his 1,039-pound record-breaking pumpkin may 6 at a weigh-in at a.P. Bell Fish Co. Canniff’s pumpkin took 67 days to grow and broke the previous Florida record by 417 pounds. When he’s not growing giant pumpkins, Canniff serves as a board member on the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage. Caniff plans to display the giant pumpkin at the Cortez Bait and Seafood fish house on the waterfront and then will arrange to deliver it to some farm cows for snacks. Islander

Milestones

Historical society honors scholars

HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES

BY ALAN AYCKBOURN

DIRECTED BY JAMES THAGGARD

CO-PRODUCED BY SATO REAL ESTATE

May 4-14

Two living rooms and three couples literally and hilariously overlap. Frank and Fiona reside in an upper-class house. Bob and Teresa live in a middle-class mess. Fiona and Bob are having an affair and must entangle the naive William and Mary in this beloved farce about adultery and alibis.

SHOWTIMES: 7:30 PM Tuesday-Saturday

2 PM Sunday Matinees

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Travis Bates receives the $5,000 John van Zandt Scholarship may 1. He is graduating this spring from manatee High School and plans to study marine service technology at manatee Technical College in Bradenton. Islander Courtesy Photo

Van Zandt scholar named

Travis Bates received the $5,000 John van Zandt Scholarship May 1.

He is graduating this spring from Manatee High School with plans to study marine service technology at Manatee Technical College in Bradenton.

A news release, noting Travis’ AMI connections going back to his great-grandparents, stated, “Travis’ roots run very deep in Anna Maria and he feels very fortunate to be a part of the island’s history.”

Among those ties: Grandfather Norm Franklin, who was “the best marine mechanic on Anna Maria for many years,” according to the announcement.

The release continued, “Travis is proud to be continuing in his grandfather’s field in marine technology.”

The van Zandt Scholarship, with applications made available through the Center of Anna Maria Island, goes to a graduating high school senior in pursuit of a career requiring certification, licensing or apprenticeship in the trades, medical tech, cosmetology, computer science or the hospitality industry.

Milestones The Islander welcomes news about islanders and island life, as well as photographs and notices of the milestones in readers’ lives — weddings, births, anniversaries, travels, obituaries and other events. Email news@islander.org.

anna maria Island Historical Society vice president Barbara murphy, center, introduces manatee High School seniors Laila Singer, left, and James Balzer, right, as the 2023 scholarship winners. Singer hopes to attend the University of North Florida and pursue a major in criminal justice. Balzer plans to attend college and become a physical therapist. The scholarship provides $2,000 toward a college of each winner’s choice and is funded by the amIHS’s bread sales at the weekly anna maria Farmer’s market. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

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Photo: Courtesy Cortez Village Cultural Center

County projects take center stage at CBIEO meeting

By Robert anderson Islander Reporter

Reviewing efforts to create “Complete Streets” and conclude infrastructure projects dominated discussion during a regular meeting of the Coalition of Barrier Island Elected Officials.

Elected island officials from each of the respective municipalities assembled April 24 at Bradenton Beach City Hall.

There, Manatee County senior project engineer Albert Rosenstein and strategic planning manager Ogden Clark updated the group on county construction projects.

The county is replacing gravity sewer lines near Cortez Beach, a project that involves digging trenches along Gulf Drive and the replacement of sewer lines from Sixth Street South to 13th Street South.

Rosenstein addressed traffic flow: “We do have some work to do along Gulf Drive where we’re going to have a traffic diversion. We’ll still maintain two ways of traffic going north and south but we are going to swing traffic to the west and then swing them back to the main road as we do this.”

Also, Rosenstein said there will be traffic flagging this month.

Once work on Gulf Drive, a state road, is complete, the county will work on the side streets. “Then we are going to connect all the homes,” Rosenstein said, adding that work is scheduled to begin at the end of this month.

The project is scheduled for completion in November 2024.

Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie said a project development and environment study by the Florida Department of Transportation for a Complete Streets initiative will begin July 1, the start of a new fiscal year for the state.

A PD&E study is a process to determine social, economic, natural and physical environmental effects associated with a proposed transportation improvement project.

“Hopefully within a year or so of that, the funding will start with some construction,” Chappie said.

The project will include the scenic highway corridor of Gulf Drive and connect to work on Gulf Drive/ State Road 789 in Holmes Beach, and also Gulf of Mexico Drive/SR 789 to as far south as Longboat Club Road on Longboat Key.

Complete Streets creates roadways for safe access and travel for all users, including sidewalks, bicycle lanes, paved shoulders, multiuse paths, designated bus lanes, transit stops and pedestrian crossings, islands, signals and curb extensions.

Chappie also updated the group on the Coquina Beach parking lot remodel and the replacement of the county multiuse trail.

The parking lot remodel is due to end in August. The north part of the lot is being remodeled by Woodruff & Sons and parking in that section is set to open in mid-May.

The project is funded with a $5 million allocation of county tourist development tax revenues.

The county is scheduled to replace the multiuse trail from Fifth Street South to the Longboat Pass Bridge beginning this summer.

The work will include the removal of the trail, placement of root barriers, trimming and removal of trees and paving.

In other matters at the meeting:

• Holmes Beach Commissioner Greg Kerchner reported on an islandwide clean water initiative administered by Holmes Beach.

Islanders 4 Clean Water is a campaign to bring attention to the quality of local waters by addressing

BY KATIE HALE AND SCOTT HOGAN / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ

conserving fresh water, reducing single-use plastics, using Florida-friendly landscaping, controlling stormwater and wastewater runoff and practicing responsible waterway recreation.

Kerchner distributed bags of Islanders 4 Clean Water shirts to be sold or donated to promote the initiative.

• Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy announced the May 5 opening of the Mote Marine Laboratory’s educational outreach center on the Anna Maria City Pier.

Also, the city will mark its 100th anniversary and observe Memorial Day Monday, May 29.

Murphy said the events will begin at 10 a.m. at City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., with the annual Memorial Day Patriotic Symphony Salute.

The program will run for about 45 minutes.

Afterward, the city will hold a Centennial Celebration.

• Longboat Key Mayor Ken Shneier introduced the new town manager, Howard Tipton, who succeeded Tom Harmer in January.

On Tipton’s task list is the Complete Streets remodel of Gulf of Mexico Drive.

The next CBIEO meeting was not scheduled as of Islander press time.

No. 0430

Holmes Beach Commissioner Greg Kerchner, left, Longboat Key town manager Howard Tipton and mayor Ken Shneier, anna maria mayor Dan murphy and Bradenton Beach mayor John Chappie assemble april 24 for a Coalition of Barrier Island Elected Officials meeting at Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N. Islander Photos: Robert anderson

HB construction picks up again, local business suffers

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Construction in the heart of Holmes Beach isn’t done yet.

Work on the city center improvement project, which began last September, is on hold until Sarasotabased C-Squared CGC Inc. returns in late May-early June to apply some finishing touches.

In the meantime, work on Manatee County’s force main replacement project on Holmes Boulevard is again ramping up.

Businesses in the “downtown” area of Holmes Beach are finding access to their shopping centers and stores is again limited by the work.

The project involves replacing 4,000 feet of 16-inch force main along Holmes Boulevard and 1,100 feet of 8-inch force main along 58th Street with new PVC piping. Both are at the end of their useful operational life.

Work also involves replacing existing water services and upsizing potable water lines along the stretch from 2-inch and 4-inch diameters to 6-inch diameter pipes.

Replacing the aging infrastructure is projected to cost the county, which owns and operates the force main, $3,618,672.10.

The project was initially projected to end last November, but the timeline has been delayed multiple times.

So far, Spectrum has installed a portion of the 16-inch force main and completed work on 58th Street, where workers were restoring impacted properties as of May 5.

Spectrum closed the intersection of Holmes Boulevard and Gulf Drive the nights of April 28-May 5 to install a 16-inch force main crossing under the road.

The contractor will move north from there, installing 16-inch force main along Holmes Boulevard from that intersection up to 54th Street — a section Spectrum delayed to minimize business impacts during

spring tourist season.

However, when closing the intersection of Holmes Boulevard and Gulf Drive the night of April 28, Spectrum also blocked access to the S&S Plaza parking lot and Minnie’s Beach Cafe, 5360 Gulf Drive, while it was still in operation.

Minnie’s co-owner Kathy Smart told The Islander May 5 that her restaurant recently began evening pizza service on weekends to make up for revenue lost during the September-May construction-packed tourist season.

After receiving only one order over a few hours the night of April 28, Smart decided to shut down the business for the night — only to realize the plaza had been blocked off by orange traffic cones and barrels. “They didn’t even tell us. They saw open signs and they didn’t even come in to say they were going to close down our parking lot,” she said. “It’s been one knockdown after another.”

Smart also canceled the May 5 evening service.

She said business was down about 50% overall from last year’s spring tourist season and the ongoing

Sarasota-based Spectrum

Underground employees began work at about 5 p.m. may 5 at the corner of Gulf Drive and Holmes Boulevard, where they closed off both roads and limited access to businesses while they worked on the force main project. Islander

Joy

construction in the area would likely kill any chance of turning things around.

She said the situation is dire, with little hope of making up for the loss amid rising food and rent costs.

“It’s not going to touch it, really,” Smart said. “The construction just killed us. … Nobody wanted to sit outside, that’s for sure. Not with all that work going on.”

Smart said she is doubtful her business will have enough in savings to make it through to the 2024 tourist season.

“What we do in the season has to carry us through February, pretty much,” Smart said. “The season is over now. … I don’t see us holding out through next year.”

County project manager Brett Gocka told The Islander May 5 that he had not heard about the closure at Minnie’s — S&S Plaza, where Island Gallery West closed, due in part to a decrease in sales and pedestrian traffic over the extended projects undertaken by the city and county since September 2022.

Photo: Bonner

Cops & Courts

Bradenton resident arrested by HBPD for DUI, marijuana

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Holmes Beach police arrested Bradenton resident Jarrod McKenzie, 32, April 28 on a second-degree misdemeanor for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol and marijuana.

McKenzie also was charged with first-degree misdemeanors for possessing less than 20 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

An officer saw a motorist driving a truck with a trailer cut off a low-speed vehicle making the turn from Gulf Drive South onto Manatee Avenue East and followed the motorists.

On noticing the truck’s trailer had only one functional brake light, the officer conducted a traffic stop.

The officer spoke to the driver, McKenzie, who had “slightly red and watery” eyes, breath that smelled of alcohol and slurred speech, according to a report.

The officer also saw cans of an alcoholic beverage inside McKenzie’s vehicle and noted “a very strong odor of freshly burned marijuana emitting from the vehicle,” according to a report.

The officer asked McKenzie about the marijuana odor.

McKenzie said he smoked and drank beer before driving.

He first told police he had a medical marijuana

Streetlife Staff reports

Island police reports

Anna Maria

No new reports.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office polices Anna Maria.

Bradenton Beach

No new reports.

The Bradenton Beach Police Department polices

Bradenton Beach.

Cortez

No new reports.

The MCSO polices Cortez.

Holmes Beach

April 16, 200 block of 84th Street, missing firearm. A woman called the Holmes Beach Police Department to report that a firearm she kept in her vehicle went missing after a company came to detail the vehicle. She provided a serial number for the weapon and said an attempt to contact the company owner was met with aggression.

Avon Park resident arrested by HBPD for DUI

license but “then explained further that he does not think he has one.”

The officer asked McKenzie to perform field sobriety exercises, which he failed.

The officer arrested McKenzie and searched him, finding a plastic bag containing 4.1 grams of marijuana in his pocket.

The officer transported McKenzie to the Holmes Beach Police Department, where he refused to provide breath and urine samples.

Another officer searched McKenzie’s vehicle following the arrest and discovered a grinder containing marijuana, as well as a scale.

The items were placed in storage at the Holmes Beach Police Department.

An officer transported McKenzie to the Manatee County jail, where he was released April 29 after posting $620 bond.

If convicted, punishments for a first-degree misdemeanor include up to one year in jail, one year of probation and a fine of up to $1,000.

Punishment for a second-degree misdemeanor includes up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.

An arraignment will be at 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 31, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

April 18, Real Estate & Now Vacation Rentals, 6101 Marina Drive, fraud. An offi cer responded to reports of potential fraud. A manager said a man made a reservation and later requested a refund but they had received an insufficient funds notice for the check. The manager identified the man who made the reservation and the officer provided a victim’s rights pamphlet.

April 28, 500 block of 75th Street, civil complaint. Two officers responded to reports of a civil complaint involving grandparents who refused to recognize a court order to transfer custody of a woman’s son back to her for the weekend. An officer spoke to the mother, who said the grandparents arrived at the drop-off location but locked their vehicle doors and drove away with the child. The other officer located and stopped the grandparents at the Kingfish Boat Ramp. They told police the child did not want to leave their vehicle and that custody was granted to them by the father. The officer had no concern about the child’s safety and allowed the child to leave with the grandparents.

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Holmes Beach police arrested Avon Park resident Miranda Lee, 39, April 29 on a second-degree misdemeanor for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.

Two offi cers were fi nishing a traffi c stop when another motorist parked behind their patrol vehicle.

An officer spoke to the driver, Lee, who was lost and asking for directions, but had “glassy” eyes and smelled like alcohol.

Lee, who said she’d suffered from past brain injuries, admitted to having an alcoholic drink before driving, according to a report.

The officer asked Lee to exit her vehicle and perform field sobriety exercises, which she failed.

She was arrested and transported to the Holmes Beach Police Department, where she registered breath samples with results of 0.112 and 0.108 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood.

The state’s legal blood alcohol level limit for driving under the influence is 0.08.

An officer transported Lee to the Manatee County jail, where she was released April 30 after posting $120 bond.

If convicted, punishment for a second-degree misdemeanor includes up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.

An arraignment will be at 8:55 a.m. Thursday, June 1, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

April 28, 5800 block of Gulf Drive, theft. A couple entered the HBPD to report two bicycles were taken from in front of their condo. The bikes were locked together but not secured to anything else. They provided serial numbers and descriptions for the bikes. An officer registered the bikes as stolen.

April 27, Publix Super Market, 3900 E. Bay Drive, shoplifting/threatening law enforcement/obstruction. An officer responded to reports of someone shoplifting a case of beer and leaving the area on foot. Witnesses pointed the officer toward the Manatee Public Beach, where the officer found the man on a Manatee County Area Transit bus. The man also had called the HBPD earlier that day threatening to “come to Holmes Beach and kill everyone” following a previous incident. The officer arrested the man, who provided a false identity,

PLEaSE, SEE STREETLIFE, NEXT PaGE

HB parks committee approves $8,145 sculpture installation

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Holmes Beach may soon become more beautiful.

The city’s parks and beautification committee reached consensus May 3 to recommend Mayor Judy Titsworth approve the addition of a $8,145 wind sculpture — funded with up to $6,000 from the Anna Maria Garden Club — outside the Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive.

The P&B is a mayoral advisory board focused on maintaining the city’s public parks and green spaces, as well as beautifying the municipality.

The proposed wind sculpture is part of the garden club’s efforts to support beautification across the island by partially funding the purchase and installation of wind sculptures created by Utah-artist Lyman Whitaker.

The garden club began its efforts by funding $6,000 toward the addition of two $6,225 copper Star Dancer wind sculptures near the flagpole at City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria.

The kinetic sculptures were also funded with $12,000 from the city of Anna Maria.

P&B members have discussed the addition of a sculpture for months, but only decided May 3 on a model, height, location and dollar amount.

Committee members previously agreed to place a potential wind sculpture in the new medians of the city center along Marina Drive.

However, city engineer Sage Kamiya, who chairs the advisory board, said they would not be able to locate a sculpture within the medians due to traffic and

Island watch

In an emergency, call 911. To report info, call the MCSO Anna Maria, 941-708-8899; Bradenton Beach police, 941-778-6311; Holmes Beach police, 941-708-5804.

STREETLIFE FROm PaGE 20 physically resisted during a search and threatened the officer during transport. The officer transported the man to the HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton for treatment. After he was cleared, the officer transported him to the Manatee County jail.

Holmes Beach Police Department polices Holmes Beach.

Streetlife is based on incident reports and narratives from the BBPD, HBPD and MCSO.

roadway laws.

P&B members agreed the next best location was at the trolley stop on Marina Drive that fronts the Island Library due to its visibility and proximity to city center.

They also agreed to move forward with recommending the purchase of a $6,600 “Double Dancer” — a 16-foot-tall, 5-foot-wide sculpture.

The cost of a mounting pole, as well as shipping and a warranty, bring the total proposal to $8,145.

The P&B previously committed $3,000 of its $10,000 2022-23 budget to fund the sculpture cost not

covered by the garden club.

Any remaining funds designated for the project will be used to fund landscaping and plants at the sculpture site.

The city would install the sculpture, which would arrive 8-10 weeks after its purchase date.

Kamiya said he would bring the committee’s recommendation to Titsworth for consideration.

The P&B will meet next at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 7, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

The committee takes a hiatus in July-August and will reconvene in September.

HB planners begin LDC review

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

The Holmes Beach Planning Commission is embarking on another long review process.

Ft. Myers-based Morris-Depew Associates planner Ben Smith — hired in March to guide the review process — introduced planning commissioners May 3 to the process for updating the city’s land development code.

The planning commission finished a two-year-long review and revision last year for the city’s comprehensive plan.

The municipality’s LDC was adopted in 2007 and last revised in 2014. It provides specific regulations for zoning, development and land use.

City planning and zoning administrator Chad

Minor said the LDC needs to be in compliance with the recently revised comp plan, as well as address other issues.

Smith told planning commissioners that he has already identified items to address within the document, such as pool regulations, certain definitions, site plan review procedures, limitations on fertilizer usage and more.

He said Morris-Depew would identify other issues in the LDC and bring potential changes, based on regulations adopted in other municipalities, to the planning commission for consideration.

Smith said he would attend planning meetings monthly to assist with the LDC update.

The planning commission will meet next at 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 14, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

Island resort tents up

The Waterline marina Resort & Beach Club and Chateau amI restaurant, 5325 marina Drive, Holmes Beach, remain tented may 3 for pest control treatment by Tampabased Haskell Termine & Pest Control. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

Harry's features a wide variety of craft cocktails, an extensive wine selection paired with coastal cuisine

MOTHER'S DAY BRUNCH

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Anna Maria rejects bid for Pine Ave. improvements

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

The clock is stalled in Anna Maria for Pine Avenue improvements.

Anna Maria city commissioners voted 4-1 April 27 to reject an undisclosed bid from Sarasota-based C-Squared CGC to complete sidewalk improvements along the commercial corridor.

Commissioner Jonathan Crane voted “no,” expressing an interest in moving forward with the project.

The city plans to improve Pine Avenue by installing pervious paver meandering sidewalks, as well as adding and enhancing crosswalks and street lighting.

That work was initially projected to cost about $1.363 million, which would be largely funded by a $1,288,440 state appropriation.

However, the city’s first request for proposals issued in May 2022 only returned a $2 million bid from C-Squared.

The city then issued a second RFP, and narrowed the job to sidewalk improvements in an effort to attract smaller bids.

C-Squared again was the only bidder, submitting a package of two bids, including a $1,096,578.25 price to install pervious brick pavers, and a $1,229,530.75 price to install flex pavers, a porous paver made of shredded rubber.

The city was ready to begin contract negotiations with C-Squared last summer but the Florida Department of Transportation — the administrator of the state

appropriation — asked the city to submit its plans for review.

After reaching an interlocal agreement with the DOT, the city issued a third RFP, once more seeking bids to complete sidewalk improvements.

For a third time, C-Squared was the only contractor to bid the job.

The city had not fulfilled an April 27 records request from The Islander for a copy of the bid as of May 8.

City clerk LeAnne Addy wrote in an April 28 email to The Islander that she was conferring with city attorney Becky Vose about whether the bid was public record following the commission’s vote to reject the proposal.

Mayor Dan Murphy said the latest bid was about 30%, or $418,000, more expensive than the “original” bid due to increased material and labor costs.

He asked the commission to authorize him to move forward on a fact-finding process for the bid, which could lead to contract negotiations, or reject the bid and restart the RFP process.

Murphy said there were many larger construction projects going on across the state, which may divert interest from the city’s relatively smaller project.

Commissioner Robert Kingan proposed rejecting the bid due to the inflated cost and lack of competition between contractors.

“We’re probably in a worse situation than we were last year,” Kingan said.

Cortez stone crab season claws to a close

By Robert anderson Islander Reporter

The last haul is done and the catch is in the coolers.

Florida stone crabbers hauled in their traps by May 1, leaving crabs to reproduce and repopulate until Oct. 15, when the season begins anew.

Stone crab is one of Florida’s most sought-after delicacies, with crabbers statewide pulling in nearly 2.5 million to 3 million pounds of claws, according to stats from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Karen Bell, who operates A.P. Bell Fish Co., 4600 124th St. W., Cortez, and the Starfish Co. Market & Restaurant next door, said the season went well for her crabbers.

“It was a good production year. It was defi-

nitely better than last year, probably about a third more production than last year,” she said.

Bell sources her crabs from 20 independent crabbers in the area.

Each season, crabbers set out baited crab traps. Then, after waiting a few days at a time, crabbers pull the traps and harvest claws of legalsize before throwing the crab back to the water and re-setting the traps.

Only claws 2.7 inches or larger can be harvested. The claws are the only harvestable portion of the crab and the crabs regrow the harvested claws.

Bell said the Starfish restaurant would continue selling stone crabs until May 15.

“They’ll sell them until they are maybe three to four days out of the trap, maybe five. They have a pretty good shelf life because they are cooked,” Bell said. “So, we’ll sell them until they are gone.”

Commissioner Deanie Sebring suggested the city reject the bid and increase the scope of the project to again include all the desired improvements in the hopes of attracting more contractors to a larger job.

Commissioner Jonathan Crane said he wanted to move forward with the project, which he said would “greatly” improve the “look and feel and efficiency” of Pine Avenue.

“Now is a good time to do this,” Crane said. However, Commission Chair Mark Short said the project had been on the table for about two years and he saw no need to rush.

The city’s interlocal agreement with the DOT requires a contract to complete the project by Dec. 31, 2024, and finished work by Dec. 31, 2026.

Murphy added that the city was seeking an additional $1.4 million state appropriation to improve Spring and Magnolia avenues.

Kingan moved to reject C-Squared’s bid. Sebring seconded the motion, which passed. There was no public comment.

The city commission will meet next at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 11, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.

Directions to attend via Zoom can be found on the city’s website, cityofannamaria.com.

RoadWatch

Eyes on the road

• City center in Holmes Beach: A Holmes Beach contractor continues work at and around the intersection of Gulf and Marina drives. Traffic patterns can change. For the latest, check the city’s page on Facebook.

Also, Manatee County is working on a force main project. The contractor as of May 3 was performing excavation activities south of Gulf Drive. For the latest, go to amiprojects.io.

• Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach : Manatee County is relocating and replacing sewer lines. Installation of the gravity sewer in Bradenton Beach was continuing southward along the west side of Gulf Drive South, with installation complete for the main line west of Gulf Drive South from Sixth Street South to 11th Street South. The contractor is preparing the area between 11th Street South and 13th Street South for the installation of gravity sewer. Public parking along the west side of Gulf Drive South between Sixth Street South and 10th Street South was reopened. Public parking along the west side of Gulf Drive South between 10th Street South and 13th Street South was temporarily closed. For the latest, go to amiprojects. io.

For area road watch information, go online to swflroads.com or dial 511.

— Lisa Neff

County seeks 4 for environmental committee

Manatee County is seeking applicants for four seats on the environmental land management and acquisition committee.

The committee is working to review and recommend the acquisition of property for conservation and recreational use.

The committee also serves as the county’s tree advisory board.

The county commission revised the composition of the committee to require representatives from each district.

Islanders can apply to represent the at-large District 6 seat.

The county also seeks applicants to represent District 2, District 4 and Keep Manatee Beautiful.

Applications are due Monday, May 22. For more information, go online to mymanatee.org or call the county at 748-4501.

— Lisa Neff

New slips on deck

All in a day’s work

LEFT: adeline Bystrom, 5, pitched in with her grandmother, Jeannie Bystrom of Holmes Beach, to rescue a weak snowy egret april 22 at the Bimini Bay Rookery in Holmes Beach. adeline’s parents are Jenevieve and veterinarian Connor Bystrom. He treats patients at Palma Sola animal Clinic in Bradenton. adeline held and soothed the bird as she and “Grandma” headed back to shore on a paddleboard. The bird is recovering at Wildlife Inc. in Bradenton Beach. adeline, who shed her life-jacket at the family dock, earned a “Birds” badge from her grandmother’s collection of rewards. Islander

Photos: Jeannie Bystrom

RIGHT: The “Birds” badge, from a collection gathered by Jeannie Bystrom to reward her grandchildrens’ accomplishments and goals achieved. “I sew them on their camping backpacks. … She was really excited,” Bystrom said. The idea stemmed from scouting programs. “The kids love to earn them.”

a crane barge from contractor Duncan Seawall is used april 24 to remove pilings at the floating dock in preparation of a finger dock addition to the Historic Bridge Street Pier, 200 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach. The improvement, funded with $850,000 in manatee County tourist development taxes, will allow 21 slips and a kayak launch. Islander

Photo: Robert anderson

Adult soccer enters playoffs, golf at KRC, horseshoes at AM pits

By Kevin P. Cassidy Islander Reporter

Soccer is the game at the community center.

Cheesecake Cutie in the 8-10 division and Gulf Drive Cafe for the 11-14s continue to top the standings. Gulf Drive Cafe is 4-1, just ahead of Moss Builders at 3-1-1, two points back in second place. HSH Designs follows with a 2-2-1 record, while Shady Lady Horticultural Services completes the standings at 0-5.

Cheesecake Cutie improved to 5-0 and expanded its lead over Sato Real Estate and Solid Rock Construction to six points. Westfall’s Lawn Care & Pest Control moved up to third on a 1-2-1 record, while 1-4 Island Real Estate and Am I Coconuts complete the 8-10 standings.

Action in the 8-10 division kicked off May 2 with Am I Coconuts and Westfall’s Lawn Care battling to a 2-2 tie. TJ Hagey scored both goals for Am I Coconuts, which also received 15 saves from goalie Andre Harwood to help preserve the tie.

Wesley Bekkerus and Callin Westfall each scored a goal, while Kason Price and Jordan Steele combined on three saves in the draw.

Cheesecake Cutie received a pair of goals from Gunnar Maize and Sawyer Leibfried made five saves to earn a 2-1 victory over Sato to take a commanding lead in the standings.

Brandon Sato scored for Sato, which also received four saves from Vincent Gollamudi in the loss.

Solid Rock Construction cruised to a 4-1 victory

over Island Real Estate behind four goals from Matthew Darak and assists from Obi Roadman and Luke Willing. Isaac Roadman helped preserve the victory with a pair of saves.

Preston LaPensee scored the lone goal for Island Real Estate, which also received eight combined saves from Miles Moss and Owen Mahoney in the loss.

Action in the 11-14 division got started with HSH Designs cruising to a 5-1 victory over Shady Lady behind five goals from Sterling Holiday. Chase Castagna came through with seven saves to help preserve the victory for HSH Designs.

Aubrielle Clarke scored for Shady Lady, which also received four saves from Jack Zaccagnino.

Moss Builders held on for a 3-2 victory over Gulf Drive Cafe behind an incredible 20 saves from Austin Guess in the second 11-14 division match of the night. Mason Moss had a goal and an assist, while Callin Westfall and Colin Bankert each added goals.

Luke Dellinger scored two goals for Gulf Drive, which also received 10 saves from Cyrus Ryan.

Seedings set for adult soccer playoffs

After seven weeks of regular season action, the playoff matchups are set in the adult soccer league at the center with Duncan Real Estate earning the coveted No. 1 spot on a 5-1-1 record. They will take on No. 8 seed Moss Builders to open the playoffs, which kick off at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 11.

No. 2 seed Sato Real Estate will take on No. 7 seed Vintage Beach in the second match, while No. 3 Sandbar Restaurant will battle No. 6 seed Solid Rock Construction in the third match of the night. No. 4 seed Gulf View Windows & Doors will take on No. 5 Pool America in the last match of the night.

Action May 4 kicked off with Gulf View Windows edging Pool America 2-1 behind a goal each from Keith Mahoney and Austin Nutting. Mark Long helped preserve the victory with 10 saves in goal.

Sam Parker notched the lone goal on an assist from Nate Welch, while Robb Marshall made seven saves

AMI paddlers collect silver for Pool America.

Joey Hutchinson had two goals and an assist to lead Vintage Beach to a 3-2 victory over Solid Rock in the second match of the night. Cody Wright added a goal and an assist, while PJ Smargisso came through with 15 saves for Vintage Beach.

Blair Schlossberg and Kali Richardson scored a goal each to lead Solid Rock, which also received an assist from Amy Ivin and nine saves from Steve Oelfke in the loss.

Duncan Real Estate showed its the team to beat with a dominating 7-3 victory over Sandbar in the third match of the evening. Kevin Roman led the way with three goals and two assists, while Murat Akay, Tim Holly, Erica Nielsen and Eric Pullen each finished with a goal. Tuna McCracken finished with 10 saves and added an assist for good measure.

Silas Banyas, Jake Parsons and Juan Vega each scored for Sandbar, which also received assists from Daniel Anderson and Danny Hampton along with eight saves from Jessica Ruekberg in the loss.

The last match of the four-game night saw Sato outscore Moss 6-4 behind a hat trick from Lindsey Styka and goals from Jacek Czajkowski, Kai Hunkler and Rex Kesten. Josh Sato added a pair of assists and Oisen Crean brought seven saves to the victory.

Nicola Manni scored two goals for Moss, which also received goals from Adam Bujarski and Gerardo Urbiola Bolanos. Goalie David Moss helped keep the builders in the match with 15 saves.

KRC news

Golf action at the Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach got started May 1 with the men’s weekly modifi ed-Stableford match. Jim Bailey carded a plus-6 to edge second-place fi nishers Scott Hill and Kurt Snouffer by a point. Bill MacMillan was alone in third place at plus-4.

The women played their weekly nine-hole individual-low-net match May 2 in two flights. Sharon Tarras fired a 3-under-par 29 to take first place in Flight A, while Helen Pollock and Judy Christenson tied for second at 1-under-par 31.

Laurie Hicks and Janet Razze shared first place in Flight B with matching 1-under-par 31s, with Carol Patterson and Terry Westby following at 33.

Betsy Meyer chipped in on the seventh hole, while Sue Wheeler had a chipin on the ninth hole.

Members played a nine-hole scramble May 4 to close out the KRC action for the week. The team of Larry and Leigh Brattain and Eric and Monica Lawson combined on a 5-under-par 27 to earn clubhouse bragging rights for the day.

Horseshoe news

Two teams emerged from pool play with 3-0 records during May 3 horsesehoe action at the Anna Maria City Hall pits and settled things in a playoff.

The team of Tom Farrington and Dom Livedoti unleashed a barrage of ringers to earn a dominating 21-3 victory and the day’s championship over Tim Sofran and Charlie Charles.

Three teams advanced to the knockout stage during May 6 action, with Sofran and Bob Hawks drawing the lucky bye into the finals. Livedoti was back in the mix, this time teaming up with Rod Bussey. They earned an easy 22-5 victory over Farrington and Stuart Lindberg in the semifinal and continued to play hot for a 23-7 victory over Sofran and Hawks.

Play gets underway at 9 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Anna Maria pits. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m. followed by random team selection.

There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.

Anna Maria Island Tides

Cassidy

Callin Westfall breaks through may 2 to win the ball for Westfall’s Lawn Care & Pest Control as TJ Hagey and Beau Canup look on during 8-10 division soccer action at the Center of anna maria Island. Islander Photos: Kevin P. Cassidy

Callin Westfall and TJ Hagey battle for the ball during 8-10 division soccer action may 2 at the community center in anna maria.

May brings return of the silver king to Tampa Bay, AMI beaches

By Capt. Danny Stasny Islander Reporter

Inshore fishers around Anna Maria Island are welcoming some inshore boats as winds from the west have made the Gulf of Mexico too rough to venture offshore.

Finding success among the crowds in the bays has been challenging, although most fishing trips are resulting in action on the top trio of inshore species — snook, redfish and spotted seatrout.

Migratory species, including jack crevalle, Spanish mackerel, ladyfish and bluefish are present, which broadens the action beyond fishing the shallows.

But all this is going to change.

May signals the arrival of tarpon, which will cause a noticeable vacancy in the back country as many anglers will be patrolling the beaches in search of a bucket-list fish. And still others will be out, casting the beaches, attempting to quench that uncontrollable thirst to hook a silver king.

As we settle into a milder pattern of light east breezes in the morning, followed by the sea breeze in the afternoons, many anglers will find ideal conditions for hunting for these illusive large fish.

In turn, the backwater fishing will experience a much needed break from the pressure of so many anglers moving from one hole to the next — like a revolving door — eventually resulting in excellent fishing on the flats.

On my Just Reel charters, I’m seeing plenty of action on spotted seatrout. Finding keeper-size trout is becoming slightly harder as many of the larger, spawning fish have moved on. But, mixed in with the trout, are Spanish mackerel, bluefish and ladyfish, which adds a nice variety to the bite. These species, poundfor-pound, will put up a better fight than trout, which many anglers seem to enjoy. Especially once they have

TideWatch

By Lisa Neff

Red tide observed in lowbackground concentrations

The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was detected in Southwest Florida during the week ending May 7. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported K. brevis was observed at background to low concentrations in Manatee County, very low concentrations in Pinellas County and background to low concentrations in Sarasota County. There were no reports of fish kills or respiratory irritation for Manatee.

For more information, go online to myfwc.com/ research/redtide/statewide/.

a few trout in the cooler for dinner.

On the shallower flats, my clients are hooking up with snook and redfish, with the snook less apparent, although we’re finding a most days.

Capt. Jason Stock is spending any free time he has from charters to concentrate on a reef project. He anticipates construction will begin as soon as the permitting goes through. His nonprofit organization, Full Send Reef Habitat Inc., is working with both local and state officials to choose a site, cover all the regulations and get the reef in place.

Acquiring materials is one hurdle and Stock is on the hunt.

Tampa Constructing Services, located by Port Manatee, is donating various structures, including concrete culverts in a variety of sizes, including some large pyramid-shaped concrete structures. The pyramids are 10 feet tall and weigh 1,700 pounds, which should evolve into an excellent fish attraction.

Finding a reef site is the next step for Stock. Communicating with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commision is key in this step, as they determine target areas for artificial reefs. FWC goes through a number of steps, including surveying the bottom to make sure no live structure or natural reef is present, and existing undersea life is not disturbed.

Once the area is determined, the construction is near. As of now, Stock says the targetable area is 22 miles southwest of Anna Maria Island. It will be a quarter-mile square, approximately 56 acres.

If you or anyone you know is interested in learning

Fishing Charters

Capt. Warren Girle

more or contributing to this project, contact Stock at jmsnooky@gmail.com.

Capt. David White is fishing inshore as a result of numerous days with strong west winds. It’s been impossible to fish deep in the Gulf of Mexico.

On his inshore trips, White is finding the best action for clients while targeting mackerel and trout over the deep grass flats in Tampa Bay.

Freelining shiners on a long shank hook is working best for this bite. Although you would typically not use long shanks for trout, it’s made necessary by the mackerel in the mix. Their razor-sharp teeth will wreak havoc on a fluorocarbon leader. Plus, the trout don’t seem to mind the larger hook.

On shallower flats, White is finding action on catch-and-release snook as well as redfish.

Capt. Warren Girle is going after spotted seatrout on the deeper grass flats of Sarasota Bay. He’s got his clients freelining live shiners and a variety of other species, including jack crevalle, macks and bluefish are coming to the party. Although these three species don’t rate high on the food scale, they make up for it in action on the end of the line.

On the shallower flats of Sarasota Bay, Girle is putting his anglers on snook and redfish. Both species are being caught along mangrove shorelines, where oyster bars and sandy potholes exist.

Lastly, with the arrival of May, Girle is getting his tarpon gear ready to patrol the beaches in search of silver kings in what can be a rewarding but short season of thrills.

As a reminder, tarpon can only be fished with hook and line. Snagging, snatch hooking, spearing and the use of multiple hooks in conjunction with live or dead natural bait is strictly prohibited.

Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says with the arrival of bait schools, he’s starting to see a better variety of fish caught at the pier. Anglers using live shrimp as bait are hooking into mangrove snapper, as well as redfish and snook. Anglers opting to use artificials — speck rigs or silver spoons — are hooking into macks, blue runners, jack crevalle and ladyfish. And, as the water temperature rises, sharks are also an option.

Lastly, the state has announced the 2023 American red snapper season will total 70 days, which is the longest season we’ve seen since the state assumed management of red snapper.

The season will include a 46-day summer snapper season and a 24-day fall season. The 46-day summer season will begin June 16 and run through July 31. The fall season will include weekends — Friday through Sunday —in October and November.

And for inshore anglers, make a note that the Gulf Coast snook season is closed through August 31. Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.

Stasny

Dane Bragg of Perico Island holds a snook he caught on cut bait april 21 from the beach in Holmes Beach. The fish was released. Pictured with dad are sons Isaiah and Gabe.

Adoption opportunities open

Want to become the proud adoptive guardian of 100 or so loggerhead eggs for Mother’s Day? Or Father’s Day?

Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring launched its adopt-a-nest program May 1, celebrating the official start of nesting season by dedicating the program to Suzi Fox.

Fox, the longtime director of AMITW, died last September.

The nonprofit is being led by director Kristen Mazzarella, who announced the Suzi L. Fox Adopt-a-Nest program in a news release May 1.

The program serves to educate and engage the public, as well as raise funding for AMITW.

The cost to adopt a nest is $125 and the contribution is tax deductible.

Adopters receive a plaque at the nest site, as well as an adoption certificate, letter of appreciation and data about the nest from AMITW.

For more information about adopting a nest, go online to islandturtlewatch.com.

Fat Cat

a sea turtle nest marked may 1 — Suzi Fox Day

— is dedicated to the longtime executive director of anna maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird monitoring, the nonprofit that monitors amI beaches through nesting season. Fox died last September and may 1 — the official start of nesting season — was observed as Suzi Fox Day. Islander Courtesy

Photos

as of may 6, amITW had identified 5 nests and 3 false crawls.

Adoption honors a nest plaque for anna maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird monitoring awareness campaign.

Do’s and don’ts for sea turtle nesting season

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recommends people follow these guidelines for sea turtle safety:

• DO turn off or adjust lighting along the beachfront to prevent nesting sea turtles from becoming disoriented and moving toward the glow of light on land, instead of natural light reflecting on the surface of the water. Indoor lights should be turned off, with curtains closed after dark, and outdoor lighting should be turtle-friendly bulbs. Use fixtures low to the ground and shielded from view at the shoreline.

• DON’T use flashlights or camera flashes on the beach at night. They can distract nesting sea turtles and cause them to return to the water.

• DO clear the way at the end of the day. Nesting female sea turtles can become trapped, confused or impeded by gear left on the beach at night. Remove items such as boats, tents, rafts and beach furniture and fill in holes or level sand castles before dusk. Holes trap turtles and can injure people.

Call code enforcement to report unattended property or large holes on the beach.

anna maria code enforcement — 941-7086130, ext. 139 or ext. 129.

Bradenton Beach code enforcement — 941778-1005, ext. 280.

Holmes Beach code enforcement — 941-7780331, ext. 260.

Report sick, injured, entangled or dead sea turtles to the FWC Wildlife alert Hotline, 1-888-4043922, #FWC or *FWC on a cellphone or text Tip@ myFWC.com.

For more, contact amITW director Kristen mazzarella at annamariaturtlewatch@gmail.com or 941232-1405.

About AMITW

amITW is a nonprofit focused on collecting data on threatened or endangered sea turtles. The organization also collects data on shorebirds. The nesting data is required to meet beach renourishment contracts and amITW is compensated by the county for its service.

— Lisa Neff

By Lisa Neff

Her holiday

“Ooh, it’s not nice to fool Mother Nature!”

If we’re of the same general age — meaning we were in grade school and junior high in the 1970s — we might share a recollection of Mother Nature transformed from a sweet storyteller in a goddess gown to a stormy lightning generator after being duped into eating margarine.

She generated thunder.

She frightened a raccoon.

She drove an animal stampede.

a 1970s TV margarine commercial features actor Dena Dietrich as “mother Nature,” who didn’t like to be fooled.

Islander Courtesy Photos

Neff

She represented Mother Nature for a generation of school children who, as adults, would recognize a tribute of sorts in the film “Batman & Robin,” when Uma Thurman as Poison Ivy says, “Hell, I am Mother Nature, and the time has come for plants to take back the world so rightfully ours! ’Cause it’s not nice to fool with Mother Nature.”

It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature.

It’s not nice to fool with Mother Nature.

Yet so often in so many ways, we see a politician, businessperson or industrialist try to fool with Mother Nature.

I like to think they neither win nor get the last laugh and that Mother Nature exacts revenge, but I know that’s not always the case.

One needs only check the environmental scorecard

for the 2023 legislative session or read the headline news and latest research for Florida to see the work ahead for Mother Nature.

This Mother’s Day, maybe gift Mother Nature an assist and sign the 1000 Friends of Florida petition at 1000fof.org against Senate Bill 540, which, as of May 3, Gov. Ron DeSantis had not signed into law.

The measure — known by environmentalists as the “Sprawl Bill” — passed the Senate April 19 and the House May 2, just days ahead of session’s end.

SB 540 would:

• Discourage citizen engagement in the planning process by threatening citizens with paying the attorney fees and costs of local governments and developers;

• Prevent enforcement of local growth plans created with citizen input and adopted elected representatives;

• Clear the way for more sprawl by preventing

Every bird counts on Global Big Day

Islanders can become part of birding’s biggest team.

World Migratory Bird Day is Saturday, May 13, when conservation groups and birding organizations encourage participation in the Global Big Day.

Participants will observe birds and report their findings on the eBird Mobile app. Some might spend 10 minutes on the project. Some might spend 10 hours.

The observations can help policy-

makers and scientists understand global bird populations.

In 2022, more than 51,000 people from 201 countries submitted 132,000 checklists with eBird, setting new world records for a single day of birding.

To get ready for the day, create an eBird account at ebird.org or download the app and sign in on a smartphone.

Then, on May 13, watch and log details with eBird before May 16.

— Lisa Neff

citizens from challenging local government planning decisions.

Another gift for Mother Nature this year?

Oppose House Bill 1191, which would allow the use of radioactive fertilizer waste — like the waste material from Piney Point — in road construction.

The bill passed the House April 26 and the Senate May 1.

As of May 3, the governor had not signed the measure, which would permit the use of phosphogypsum in “demonstration” road projects in Florida as a first step in a phosphate industry push for the nationwide use of the waste in roads.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency prohibits using the phosphate waste, but HB 1191 would require the Florida Department of Transportation to complete a study on the feasibility of using phosphogypsum by April 1, 2024.

Yes, that’s April Fool’s Day, but few think the measure was intended as a political joke.

And besides, it’s not nice to fool with Mother Nature.

$2 @ The Islander, 315 58th St., Holmes Beach.

a 17th-century image depicts “mother Nature.”

ITEMS FOR SALE

COmPLETE VERTICaL BLIND system: Draw cord, turn and pull, white and brown slats. 108 inches. Excellent-plus condition. $49 or best offer. 941-778-5542.

FaUX FIREPLaCE: $49 or best offer. 941778-5542.

PaNINNI maKER: CUISINaRT, stainlesssteel, like new, $45. 941-920-2494.

CHaIR: BLaCK, SOFT cushion $15/ each and office chair, white, $10. Side tables, brown with glass top. 2/$20. 941920-2494.

aNTIQUE PaRTNER DESK: all wood, $500. Inquire at The Islander office, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes Beach. 941-778-7978.

LOOKING FOR aN EaRLy BIRD? you can read Wednesday’s classifieds on Tuesday at islander.org. and it’s FREE!

Sandy’s Lawn Service Inc.

Paradise Improvements 941.792.5600

RDI CONSTRUCTION INC.

AdoptA-Pet

Oh, those eyes!

Bella is an 8-year-old mixed-breed lovebug!

She’s neutered and has all vaccinations — ready to meet her new family! Call Lisa Williams at 941-3452441 or visit The Islander office in Holmes Beach. And for more about pet adoption, visit moonraceranimalrescue.com.

SPONSORED By

ANSWERS TO MAY 10 PUZZLE

FREEBIE ITEMS FOR SALE

Individuals may place one free ad with up to three items, each priced $100 or less, 15 words or less. FREE, one week, must be submitted online. Email classifieds@islander. org , fax toll-free 1-866-362-9821. (limited time offer)

LOST & FOUND

LOST: SmaLL TWO-year old black, longhaired cat. Last seen 69th Street and marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Katie mae, 941-7057179.

PETS

HELP RESCUED PETS! Volunteer, foster, computer help needed! moonracer animal Rescue. Email: moonraceranimalrescue@ gmail.com.

TRANSPORTATION

GOLF CaRT RENTaLS: Fun for residents and tourists! www.GolfCartRentalamI.com

2021 ICON i40f LSV golf cart for sale. all four seats face forward. Can be a six-seater. 48v distance package. Bluetooth with speakers. Golf bag attachment with cooler. $9,000. 404-819-7110.

2022 aDVaNCED EV6 golf cart, $10,500. Six-seater, street legal. Registered, title, warranty. 1,030 miles. Extras. 469-667-3308.

BOATS & BOATING

HaVE a BOaT and wanna catch more fish, better bait or learn the water? 50-year local fisherman, your boat, my knowledge. Captain Chris, 941-896-2915.

SUNCOaST BOTTOm PaINTING: Professional bottom painting. mobile. Call 941704-9382.

FISHING

HELP WANTED

CLEaNERS NEEDED ON the Island on Saturdays. Great team, good payment. Please, call 941-243-3097.

aCTIVITy PERSON NEEDED for beach resort. Part-time, 20-24 hours/week. For more details, please, call 941-779-2804.

NOW HIRING HaNDymaN: Full-time professional services. $15 an hour and up, based on experience. Call JayPros, 941962-2874.

REPORTER WaNTED: Full- to part-time. Print media, newspaper experience required. apply via email with letter of interest to news@islander.org.

KIDS FOR HIRE

NEED aN aDULT night out? Call maty’s Babysitting Services. I’m 16, love kids and have lots of experience. References upon request. 618-977-9630.

KIDS FOR HIRE ads are FREE for up to three weeks for Island youths under 16 looking for work. ads must be placed in person at The Islander office, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes Beach.

The Islander offers the best results for your classified advertising dollar. We really work for you! Submit your ad no later than noon monday on the website, islander.org. For monday holidays, the deadline is Friday.

SERVICES

IS yOUR HOmE or office in need of some cleaning? Well, I’m your girl! Local, reliable, professional! Please, give me a call or text, 941-773 -0461.

CLEaNING: VaCaTION, CONSTRUCTION, residential, commercial and windows. Licensed and insured. 941-756-4570.

PRESSURE WaSHING, PaVER sealing, driveway, roof, fence, pool area. also, window cleaning. Licensed and insured. 941-5653931.

BICyCLE REPaIRS: Just4Fun at 5358 Gulf Drive can do most any bicycle repair at a reasonable cost. Pick-up and delivery available. 941-896-7884.

COmPaNION/HOmEmaKER: Honest and reliable offering help with running errands, grocery shopping, house sitting, pet and plant care, light cooking/cleaning, transportation. References available and licensed. Call Sherri, 941-592-4969.

aPI’S DRyWaLL REPaIR: I look forward to servicing your drywall repair needs. Call 941524-8067 to schedule an appointment.

PROFESSIONaL WINDOW CLEaNING: Residential, commercial, free estimates. “We want to earn your business!” 207-8526163.

aIRPORT RIDES: SaRaSOTa, St. Pete, Tampa. Call/text, Vita, 941-376-7555.

PaRaDISE PET CaRE: Pet specialist. Walking, sitting, vet visits. Training and love. Jason, 908-720-1688.

HaNGIN’ ON amI: We hang artwork, mirrors, TVs, etc. Furniture assembly. Local references available. 941-720-3126.

ISLaND LIGHTSCaPES & SECURITy: Landscape lighting and home security installation. Quality service by Island residents. 941-7203126.

PROFESSIONaL CaR SERVICE to all local airports. 24/7, 365. Eamonn, 941-4477737.

BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS JD’s Window Cleaning looking for storefront jobs in Holmes Beach. I make dirty windows sparkling clean. 941-920-3840.

BEaCH SERVICE air conditioning, heat, refrigeration. Commercial and residential service, repair and/or replacement. Serving manatee County and the Island since 1987. For dependable, honest and personalized service, call Bill Eller, 941-795-7411. CaC184228.

CLEaN TECH mOBILE Detailing. at your location. Cars, boats, RVs. Call or text Billie for an appointment. 941-592-3482.

mORE BaNG FOR yOUR BUCK? It’s an old saying, but it’s still true when it comes to The Islander. Look for more online at islander. org.

LAWN & GARDEN

CONNIE’S LaNDSCaPING INC. Residential and commercial. Full-service lawn maintenance, landscaping, cleanups, hauling and more! Insured. 941-778-5294.

BaRNES LaWN aND Landscape LLC. Design and installation, lawn and landscape services, tree trimming, mulch, rock and shell. 941-705-1444. Jr98@barneslawnandlandscape.com

COLLINS LaNDSCaPE LIGHTING: Outdoor lighting, landscaping, irrigation services and maintenance. 941-279-9947. mJC24373@ gmail.com

SEaRay SPRINKLER SERVICES. Repairs, additions, drip, sprinkler head/timer adjustments. 941-920-0775.

SHELL DELIVERED aND spread. Hauling all kinds of gravel, mulch, topsoil with free estimates. Call Larry at 941-795-7775, “shell phone” 941-720-0770.

mP LaWN maINTENaNCE now accepting new clients. Call Dante, 941-730-9199. mp@ mplawnmaintenance.com.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

VaN-GO PaINTING residential/commercial, interior/exterior, pressure cleaning, wallpaper. Island references. Bill, 941-795-5100. www.vangopainting.net.

TILE -TILE -TILE. all variations of ceramic tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship, prompt, reliable, many Island references. Call Neil, 941-726-3077.

GRIFFIN’S HOmE ImPROVEmENTS Inc. Handyman, fine woodwork, countertops, cabinets and wood flooring. Insured and licensed. 941-722-8792.

ISLaND HaNDymaN: I live here, work here, value your referral. Refinish, paint. Just ask. JayPros. Licensed/insured. References. Call Jay, 941-962-2874.

HaNDymaN aND PaINTING. No job too small. most jobs just right. Call Richard Kloss. 941-204-1162.

SCREENING SERVICES: Replace your old or ripped window, door or porch screens. many screen types available. Retired veteran here to serve our community! Free estimates, call Lane, 941-705-5293.

CaLL HyDRO CLEaN. Full-service pressure washing, sealing. Pavers, travertine and natural stone. Window washing too, up to three stories. Call Jacob, 941-920-2094.

SaRaSOTa INTERIOR PaINTING: We specialize in high-end properties. We love to paint! Owner operated. Fully insured/ licensed. Call or text Don, 941-900-9398. Instagram: SarasotaInteriorPainting.

RENTALS

aNNa maRIa GULF beachfront vacation rentals. One- two- and three-bedroom units, all beachfront. www.amiparadise.com. 941778-3143.

PERICO ISLaND PaTIO home for rent. 3BR/2Ba. two-car garage, fully renovated. 30-day minimum. Privacy fence/gate, two miles to amI. available July 1- December 25, 2023. #bluerockingchair instagram/fb. 859-771-6423.

aNNUaL 2BR/1Ba IN Bradenton Beach. 150 yards to Gulf. $2,650/month includes utilities and appliances. No smoking or pets. First/ last/security. 508-496-8480. williamshomes@ yahoo.com

FLEXIBLE LEaSES, Off-season rentals. Bayshore condo 2BR/1Ba, $1,250 per month. Wildwood Springs, 2BR/2Ba. $1,800 per month. also available January, February, march 2024 at $5,000 per month. Book now. Real Estate mart, 941-356-1456.

BEaUTIFULLy FURNISHED, aNNUaL rental in Beach Harbor Club, Longboat Key. 2BR/2Ba with views of the bay, laundry and condo amenities include pool, grill, with both bay and beach access. $200 application required. $3,800 month plus fi rst and last month’s rent and $1,000 deposit. Call mike Norman Realty, 941-778-6696. 3101 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217.

HOLmES BEaCH annual rental available now. Fully furnished. 3BR/2Ba elevated duplex. $4,000 per month plus utilities. Contact us at 941-778-4410 for more details.

ON aNNa maRIa Island: total remodel, ground-level, 2BR/1.5Ba in 55-plus community. Beach across street, furnished, pool, library, parking, annual rental, $3,200 per month. Includes WIFI, all utilities, no pets, no smoking, Call Tim, 507-382-8880.

BEaCH LIFE! 55-PLUS park: 1BR/1Ba. Beach just across the street! Furnished, pool, parking, annual rental. $1,695 month, includes all utilities except electricity. Vetting by the office. No pets. 831-212-2606.

1BR/1Ba GUEST aPaRTmENT: Holmes Beach. Renovated and furnished available June 1. Pets considered. $2,000/month. 305-793-8980.

LOOKING FOR aN EaRLy BIRD? you can read Wednesday’s classifieds on Tuesday at islander.org. and it’s FREE!

WINNIE mCHaLE, REaLTOR, 941-5046146. Rosebay International Realty Inc. you need an aggressive and experienced Realtor in today’s market! Selling island homes, Sarasota and Bradenton areas. multi-milliondollar producer! “Selling Homes - making Dreams Come True.”

CLaSSIC HOmE: FIXER-upper on private golf course. Half acre-plus, panoramic views, minutes to beaches. $719,000 or best offer. Real Estate mart, 941-356-1456.

MCofC hosting ‘Politics & Pints’

Drink up.

The legislative session is ended.

The Manatee Chamber of Commerce will recap the 2023 Florida legislative session with its traditional “Politics & Pints” event at Oscura, 816 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton.

The event — a roundtable conversation on politics with state lawmakers — will be 4:30-6:30 p.m.

The chamber ushered in the session with another high-carb event — “Pancakes & Politics.”

For more information or reservations to “Politics & Pints,” contact the chamber at 941-748-3411 or info@manateechamber.com.

PropertyWatch

By Carol Bernard

Island real estate sales

305 Tarpon St., Anna Maria, a 1,145 sq ft 2BR/2BA home on a 12,641 sq ft lot built in 1987 sold 4/7/2023 by Manion to 305 Tarpon LLC for $1,800,000, list price $2,200,000.

214 Lakeview Drive, Anna Maria, a 2,047 sq ft 3BR/3BA pool home on a 14,815 sq ft lot built in 1959 sold 4/6/2023 by Perachio to Spring Walk LLC to $2,700,000 by $2,950,000

2313 Ave. B, Bradenton Beach, a 2,614 sq ft 5BR/5BA

pool home on a 5,001 sq ft lot built in 1951 sold 4/7/2023 by Gordon to Beach Bay LLC for $1,400,000, list price $1,949,500.

3805 E. Bay Drive, #307, Holmes Beach, a 1,146 sq ft 2BR/2BA Sunbow Bay condo built in 1979 sold 4/28/2023 by Harrington to Davis for $525,000, list price $599,000.

6921 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach, a 1,005 sq ft 2BR/2BA home on a 3,372 sq ft lot built in 1982 sold 3/23/2023 by Wilson to Pitura-Hutchinson for $785,000, list price $789,000.

5300 Gulf Drive, #202, Holmes Beach, a 1,169 sq ft 2BR/2BA Martinique Condo built in 1971 sold 4/5/2023 by Burns Trust to Standridge for $857,000, list price $875,000.

Compiled by Island Real Estate. IRE professionals can be reached at 941-778-6066, islandreal.com.

BizCal

Thursday, May 11

Once Upon A Beach

Owners Elvira Cianciarelli, left, and Sergio Santinato, of Blueberries Cafe and Wine Bar, with help from staffmember Natalie Swoord, serve breakfast and information to members of the anna maria Island Chamber of Commerce may 4 at the restaurant, 5337 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Islander Photo: Courtesy amICofC

By Lisa Neff

THIS WEEK

11:30 a.m. — Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce luncheon, the Porch Restaurant, 9707 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. Fee applies. Reservations required. Information: 941-778-1541.

4-7 p.m. — Manatee Chamber of Commerce Spring Expo, Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto. Information: 941-748-3411.

5-7 p.m. — AMI Chamber ribbon-cutting, Turning Tides, 6672 Cortez Road W., Bradenton.

Friday, May 12

11:30 a.m. — AMI Chamber Golf Tournament, IMG Academy Golf Club, 4350 El Conquistador Parkway, Bradenton.Fee applies. Reservations required.

SAVE THE DATES

May 25, 5-7 p.m., AMI Chamber business mixer, chamber office, Holmes Beach.

May 30, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Manatee Chamber Politics and Pints, Bradenton.

MIKE NORMAN REALTY EST. 1978

For professional real estate sales, call a true island native, born and raised on Anna Maria Island. Marianne Norman-Ellis. 941.778.6696

Mike Norman Realty

Thinking about what is best for your rental property? If so, choose QUALITY over quantity, and get in touch with us!

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