MAY 18, 2022 free
VOLUME 30, NO. 30
the Best news on anna Maria island Since 1992
islander.org
HB explores algae remediation
astheworldterns. 6
Q&A 051822
3
State lawmakers weigh in on HB parking. 4
By ryan Paice islander reporter
Meetings 4 Planners talk causeway congestion. 5
RoadWatch 5 Opinions 6
10-20 YEARS AGO
Looking back. 7
term changes raise questions for BB. 8 aM hires new building official. 9
Save the date. 10
Happenings community events. 11
end of year. 12-13
GoodDeeds 14 Gathering. 14 Obituaries. 15
Cops & Courts 16 Police combat bike theft with education. 17
clark freeman’s foolish Heart finishes in first place May 4 at tampa Bay downs. islander Photo: courtesy SV Photography
Improbable derby winner invigorates island stable owner By Kane Kaiman islander reporter
Clark Freeman is chomping at the bit after the wild Kentucky Derby finish. The island native, owner of Skinny’s Place, a Holmes Beach burger joint that’s loaded with tradition, has an interesting side hustle: thoroughbred racehorses. H e ’s o w n e d C C F Racing Stable since 2013, experiencing the many highs and lows characteristic of the sport of kings. In the wake of a few lean years, Freeman has freeman been focusing on real estate ventures but a recent anomaly at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, reignited his passion for the sport. “Horse racing, I’ve been trying to back
off financially a little bit, but this Derby — seeing that horse, seeing the way that jockey rode the horse — and being an 80-to-1 shot ….” Freeman said May 11. Rich Strike ran against the odds May 7 in the 148th Kentucky Derby and won, becoming the second-longest shot to win the sport’s most prestigious race. In 2021, horse trainer Eric Reed purchased Rich Strike for $30,000, a pittance relative to the $1.86 million the 3-year-old stallion earned on Derby day. Finding a diamond in the rough like Rich Strike is the dream of every stable owner, Freeman said. “The fact that he was a $30,000 claiming horse — we’ve bought horses for $30,000, $50,000, $80,000. We’ve spent $150,000, but never had a horse of that caliber — but
turn to stable owner, Page 3
AM mulls 1 bid, prospects for Pine Ave. impact of 1 sea turtle nest? do the math. 18
Still fishing for pollution permit. 19 10 ringers in a row. 20 Plenty of species to target. 21
Isl Biz: 22-23 CLASSIFIEDS. 24-25
PropertyWatch. 26
NYT puzzle. 27
find the islander dating to november 1992 online at the uoff digital newspaper collection at ufdc.ufl.edu.
By ryan Paice islander reporter
One is the loneliest number. And it may not be enough for Anna Maria officials to move forward on a planned project. Mayor Dan Murphy said May 12 the city received a single bid in response to its request for proposals to improve Pine Avenue’s sidewalks, crosswalks and lighting in the first phase of the city’s efforts to “reimagine” the corridor. The first phase of improvements will involve installing meandering paver sidewalks, as well as adding and enhancing crosswalks and street lighting. Phase 2, for which the city has yet to present plans, will involve adding bicycle paths on both sides of Pine and converting the trolley turnaround at the northeast end to include room for delivery trucks. The city projected the first phase of
improvements to cost about $1.363 million. It budgeted $73,000 and is requesting $1,288,440 in state appropriations to fund the remainder of phase 1. The appropriation request passed both the Senate and House and made it to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk. DeSantis can line-item veto any part of the 2022-23 budget, but it remained untouched on his desk as of May 13. Murphy said the proposal from Sarasotabased C-Squared CGC was for $2 million. C-Squared previously repaired pervious paver crosswalks in Bradenton Beach and recently was hired by Holmes Beach for $2.75 million to complete “city center” improvements — somewhat similar work to Anna Maria’s Pine Ave. project. Murphy said he and city staff hadn’t had the chance to review the bid, which would go back to city commissioners with a staff turn to Pine ave., Page 2
Holmes Beach usually takes a passive approach on the algae blooms that sometimes clog its waterways. But that might end this year. Holmes Beach Clean Water Committee Chair Ron Huibers urged city commissioners May 10 to take a more active approach while presenting the advisory board’s recommendations for remediating algae blooms. The CWC created the recommendations in response to a recent bloom of Lyngbya wollei, also known as “brown gumbo” algae, which produces mats that float and produce a rotten odor. The board’s first recommendation is for the city to hire a contractor to procure a skimmer vessel to collect and dispose of algal mats, since removal would reduce the nitrogen load and odor. Huibers said he’d contacted several contractors who would perform the work for thousands of dollars a week or the city could purchase a skimmer vessel, which he estimated could cost about $90,000 and $15,000 to operate annually. Mayor Judy Titsworth said some skimmer vessels might not work for the city since they’d have to move freely within the canals. She said the city could task staff with
turn to alGae, Page 4
AME battery defendant seeks bond reduction By ryan Paice islander reporter
One of two defendants arrested in connection to an alleged battery outside Anna Maria Elementary is out of jail. It’s unclear how long the other may remain in custody. Assistant public defender Alison Clough filed a motion May 6 to modify the $50,000 bond given her client, 18-year-old Sarasota resident Cameron Evans. He is facing a second-degree felony charge for aggravated battery resulting in great bodily harm. The motion was set to be discussed at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 18, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. The charge stems from a March 23 incident outside Anna Maria Elementary, 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, that sent resident Evan Purcell, 41, to the hospital with serious injuries. turn to battery, Page 2