The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021

Page 1

VOLUME

Think pink in October

NO. 52

OCT. 20, 2021 fREE

the Best news on anna maria island Since 1992 Astheworldterns. 6

Q&A 102021

3

islander.org

Bayfest returns to Pine Avenue in Anna Maria

dana cohen, lead vocalist for the band Jack’d up, looks from the stage to Privateer, family celebrathe crowd for reaction of life. 4 tion during the 20th HB shuts down resort bar/ annual Bayfest, the lounge. 5 return for the anna maria island chamMeetings. 5 ber of commerce Opinions. 6 after waiting out the pandemic, featuring a classic car show, 10-20 YEARS AGO vendors, food, Looking back. 7 libations and live cortez Bridge reprieve. music Oct. 16 on 8 Pine avenue in anna maria. more Bayfest, am plans Veterans day pages 16-17. events. 9 islander Photo: amber Sigman Happenings HB mayor retains city attorney appointment. 4

What’s up on ami. 10-11

Save the date. 12-13

ame news. 13

Cops & Courts. 14 StreetLife. 14-15 amcP-mote lease on front burner. 17

GoodDeeds. 18

Cortez post office closure entangled in lawsuits By chrisann allen islander reporter

The problem apparently started with a fallen, rusted flagpole. The U.S. Post Office lease for its Cortez facility came to an end earlier this year and the property owner, John Banyas, issued an eviction order through the courthouse. It is apparently the result of a stalemate. The flag pole incident was likely the

get in the game. 19

Gathering. 20 Obituaries. 20 island native pursues de Soto. 21

NESTING NOTES. Single digit. 22

ghost bird goes extinct. 23 Sports news. 24 cooler temps spell great fishing. 25

Isl Biz: 26 Stone crab season takes off. 27

CLASSIFIEDS. 28-29 invite to Paddle. 30

NYT puzzle. 31

Puppy reading 101

catalyst to end the lease for the U.S. Postal facility in Cortez. Customers are saying they have been jilted. “I can’t believe this is happening,” Dale DeSear, a 10-year resident of Cortez said Oct. 15. The Cortez post office, fronting Cortez Road in a strip center at 12112 44th Ave. W., first posted a notice on the door that it would close Oct. 24, but the notice now is that the anna maria elementary third-graders Lillian Palmer and madison campany read Oct. 12 to golden retriever Banyon and Jennifer moor, who attended on behalf of alliance therapy dogs. the visit was a part of the school’s read to dogs program, which started in 2009 to encourage reluctant readers. it became a staple thanks to its popularity among students. more, page 18. islander Photos: ryan Paice

doors will close Oct. 22. A pending lawsuit listed on the Manatee County Clerk of Court website filed by John Banyas, owner of the strip center, against the postal service, has shed some light on the situation. According to court records, another lawsuit was filed July 1, 2020, by Richard C. Kiley against Banyas when Kiley was struck by a rusted flagpole that struck him when it turn tO POST OffiCE, Page 2

HB OKs police funding By ryan Paice islander reporter

Funding for an 18th member of the Holmes Beach Police Department may be thanks to the comments from one officer. Police Officer Michael VanHorn attended the Oct. 12 city commission meeting to introduce a letter he wrote asking commissioners to approve the funding, which was withheld during the 2021-22 municipal budget approval process in September. VanHorn’s letter details a weekend of critical events when the HBPD was short-staffed, leaving only two officers available to patrol, during which he and a partner struggled to detain a large, violent and intoxicated man. He also detailed a case in which police — again short-staffed — found firearms, ammunition and drugs in a hotel room that required backup from the Bradenton Beach police and Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. However, VanHorn was cut short by turn tO HBPD funDing, Page 3


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