- Named Best Florida Newspaper In Its Class -
VOL 26 No. 48
August 26, 2026
The proposed parking program will be discussed at The Center on Aug. 31. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN REPORTER | jhendricks@amisun.com
Anna Maria’s proposed paid parking raises questions JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Will paid parking be implemented along Pine Avenue?
ANNA MARIA – On Aug. 11, WSP Parking Solutions Senior Planner Christine Fanchi presented the WSP parking study findings to the Anna Maria mayor and city commissioners. Fanchi’s presentation served as an introduction to a proposed citywide parking program that would begin in March, if implemented, and include a resident permit parking component that offered free parking to registered Anna Maria residents, a paid parking component and areas where parking would not be allowed. The proposed resident permit parking program would allow Anna Maria residents to park for free in city-owned paid parking spaces. Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, Cortez, Bradenton and Manatee County residents would not receive the same free parking privileges. Fanchi said employees, landscapers, contractors, service providers and others who work in Anna Maria but don’t live in Anna Maria would have to buy a special permit that would allow them to park in restricted or paid parking areas.
SEE AM PARKING, PAGE 11
City seeks TDC, county support for tide valve project
City extends Bridge Street parking lot permit
One TDC member suggested making this an Islandwide tide valve project.
Bridge Street business owners expressed their support for the paid parking lot.
BY JOE HENDRICKS
BY LESLIE LAKE
SUN REPORTER | jhendricks@amisun.com
SUN REPORTER | llake@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – The city of Holmes Beach seeks $344,500 of the county's tourist development tax (TDT) revenues to install 92 tide valves throughout the city over a five-year period. The city proposes splitting the total estimated $689,000 cost of the tide valve project with the county. Already used by all three Anna Maria Island cities, tide valves are one-way valves attached to the end of a drainage pipe that discharges stormwater and rainwater into Anna Maria Sound, residential canals and
MANATEE COUNTY/YOUTUBE | SUBMITTED
Public Works Director Herb Raybourn presented the city’s funding request. other outfall areas. Tide valves also help prevent king tides and high tides from causing localized flooding. The city is asking the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) to recommend Manatee County Commission approval of the
SEE TIDE VALVE, PAGE 9
BRADENTON BEACH – The city commission granted a one-year extension of a temporary use permit that allows a paid parking lot to operate at the west end of Bridge Street. The commission approval granted by a 4-1 vote on Aug. 20 is contingent on a landscape buffer being installed around the perimeter of the parking lot within 45 days. The 93-space parking lot operated by Island Parking LLC covers four parcels at 101 and 105 Bridge Street, 219 Gulf Drive South and 106 Third Street South. All four properties are
BRADENTON BEACH COMMISSION discusses
cabana rentals. 8
part of a proposed Bridge Street Pier District Project. The proposed retail space and new parking lot to be built along Bridge Street, Gulf Drive South and Third Street South would be located on four adjacent properties currently owned by four different limited liability companies that each list
SEE BB PARKING, PAGE 5
TDC MEMBERS receive tourism update. 4
CHAMBER MEMBERS
attend AI presentation. 14
Page 20 Anna Maria Island, Florida
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
This entrance to the paid parking lot is located along Third Street South.
The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper
www.amisun.com
2 THE SUN
www.amisun.com
AUGUST 26, 2026
AUGUST 26, 2026
www.amisun.com
THE SUN
3
Tailgatin Sports Tavern opens in Cortez The Tailgatin Sports Tavern officially opened on Aug. 22 BY LESLIE LAKE SUN REPORTER | llake@amisun.com
CORTEZ – A family with deep roots in the restaurant business has opened a new sports bar called Tailgatin Sports Tavern. After a soft opening on Friday, Aug. 21, the tavern officially opened the following day. The new family-friendly establishment is currently serving a limited menu, and a full menu is coming soon. Tonya Lutz and her husband, Doug, co-own the new business. They were approached by the property’s landlord, who told them the space at 12012 Cortez Road was available. The leased space was most recently occupied by the short-lived Izzy’s Place diner, and previously occupied by Slicker's Eatery. "We're from a very small town in Ohio," Tonya Lutz said. "We want that feeling here. We want you to walk in and we know your name. We want this to have a neighborhood feel."
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
Tonya and Doug Lutz, center, stand behind the bar with their family members Adison Lutz, Kellen Decker, Christian Decker (front), Larissa Quijano and Dan Quijano.
Patrons enjoyed the new sports bar, Tailgatin Sports Tavern, on Saturday.
Tailgatin Sports Tavern is open at 12012 Cortez Road.
Lutz has spent most of her life in the restaurant industry. She and Doug opened a restaurant in Ada, Ohio, her hometown. The family later relocated to the Bradenton area, where Lutz worked at local bars for more than 10 years. The restaurant is a family operation. Doug is running the kitchen, and the children and grandchildren have been on hand to help, including a grandson, Christian, who flew in from Ohio for the opening. Lutz said the full menu is being finalized, but the restaurant and bar are fully open.
The tavern is currently offering a partial lunch and dinner menu. The current menu items include wings ($11 for 10), grilled or buffalo chicken sandwiches ($12), burgers ($12-$14), fried fish ($16), grilled salmon ($17), pork loin ($16), chicken ($15), shrimp ($16) and a garden salad. Tailgatin Sports Tavern is open daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., with food served until 11 p.m. The tavern will be closed on Tuesdays. The tavern already has 11 TVs inside for watching sports, and two more will be added to the outdoor patio. There are also two league-ready dartboards in the back room.
“We hope to organize dart leagues in the future,” Lutz said. The family plans to hand out comment cards asking customers what they'd like to see from the new business. "We want suggestions, and we're going to play with that," Lutz said, noting they are new to the Cortez area. Lutz said the tavern’s large back parking lot will soon be marked clearly, with new signage directing customers to park in the back. Menu updates and more information can be found at the Tailgatin Sports Tavern Facebook page. The tavern’s phone number is 786-907-0356.
4 THE SUN
ISLAND NEWS
IN BRIEF AME PTO launches Community Partner Program Anna Maria Elementary School's Parent-Teacher Organization has launched its annual Community Partner Program for the 2026-2027 school year. The program seeks supAME | SUBMITTED port from local businesses and individuals to help fund school programming. Serving as the PTO's only fundraising request for the school year, the partner program offers several sponsorship tiers. A full-panel banner measuring 7 feet by 3 feet starts at $5,000, and a smaller 3 feet by 3 feet full panel banner starts at $2,500. A half-panel banner, sized 3.5 feet by 1.5 feet, starts at $1,500. Businesses can also provide a $500 sponsorship without a banner. New this year, the Parking Loop Banner option gives sponsors enhanced visibility along the school's morning and afternoon drop-off and pickup area. Partners at every level will have their name featured on a shirt worn by students throughout the school year. Sponsors may also add a $500 yearbook sponsorship. More information and sign-up details are available at www.amepto.org.
Marina Drive road closure The recently implemented Marina Drive closure near 56th Street in Holmes Beach is expected to last about three weeks, according to Public Works JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Director Herb Raybourn. Marina Drive is currently closed at Northbound and the 56th Street intersection. southbound Marina Drive traffic is being rerouted to Holmes Boulevard, with Gulf Drive also serving as an alternative route. Access to the library, marina, the affected restaurants and businesses, city hall, the police department, the pickleball courts and the dog park is still available but may require an alternative route using a side street. "The closure is needed to relocate Manatee County potable water mains within the intersection and then install much-needed storm sewer infrastructure, including a tide valve at the discharge of the system," Raybourn said. The work is associated with the city’s grant-funded Resilient Florida stormwater and drainage improvement project. Raybourn said after the current work is completed, the remaining work will not require full road closures.
Correction A story in last week's Sun about Palma Sola Bay's water quality incorrectly stated that Pia Ronquillo-See asked to observe the Florida Department of Health's water testing methods. That request was made by someone else.
Visit our website, www.amisun.com. Scan this code with your smartphone to go there. AUGUST 26, 2026
April, May, June tourism remained strong The TDC members received a detailed quarterly tourism report. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN REPORTER | jhendricks@amisun.com
BRADENTON – Tourism in the greater Bradenton/Anna Maria Island area remained strong during April, May and June. Nearly 1 million visitors generated more than $686 million in direct spending, according to the quarterly visitor tracking report presented during the Aug. 17 Tourist Development Council (TDC) meeting. On behalf of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), Downs & St. Germain Director of Client Relations Isiah Lewis provided TDC members with the reported visitor activity for those three months. He reported 962,500 visitors came to the Bradenton area during the quarter and 551,400 stayed in paid lodging accommodations. He said about $441 million, or 64% of the $686 million spent, was by paid lodging guests. The report says 732,200 room nights were logged during the quarter. The combined lodging occupancy rate for hotels and vacation rentals was 70%. The average daily room rate was $301 and the revenue per available room was $211. Lewis said hotels posted a 70.6% occupancy rate, with an average daily rate of $174. Vacation rental occupancy was slightly lower at 69.7%, but the average daily rate was significantly higher at $461. He said the typical visitor stayed for an average of 5.8 nights and traveled in a party that averaged 3.2 people. Approximately 43% of the April-June visitors traveled as a couple. The report also notes 26% of the recent visitors were first-time visitors. The median household income for the April, May and June visitors was $133,300 and the median visitor age was 54. More than half of visitors, 55%, drove to their destination and 45% flew. Of those who flew, 29% arrived through the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, 12% through Tampa International Airport and 2% arrived at the Orlando International Airport. "Looking at the primary domestic
MANATEE COUNTY/YOUTUBE | SUBMITTED
Isiah Lewis provided the tourism activity and spending report. origins, we're seeing Tampa/St. Pete at 6.8%, followed by New York, Chicago, Columbus, Philadelphia, Boston and Cincinnati – all varying between 4.9% and 2.5% – for our top markets in April to June," Lewis said. He said most international visitors traveled from the United Kingdom.
SPENDING AND ACTIVITIES
Lewis said researchers working on behalf of the CVB conducted in-person surveys with 1,203 visitors. The survey interviews took place at multiple locations that included beaches, hotels, resorts, the SarasotaBradenton International Airport, downtown areas and shopping districts. "This is a very large sample here that we got compared to previous quarters. It's definitely above our current sampling plan we just had a great quarter of data collection," Lewis said. The surveyed visitors reported spending an average of $439 per day and $2,564 per trip. Accommodations accounted for the largest share of spending at $173 per day, followed by restaurant food and beverages at $104 per day, retail purchases at $60 per day, grocery spending at $51 per day, attractions and events at $29 per day and transportation at $22 per day. Going to the beach remained the most popular tourist activity, with 91% of visitors reporting they went to the beach during their trip, 80% dined out, 46% spent time with friends or family and 28% went shopping. "Looking specifically at their activities in April to June, we saw heavy beach destination visits. We saw 91% of visitors said that they went to the beach. Another 80% said that they dined out. Those are the top two
things that visitors were doing while they were in the destination, followed by spending time with their family and shopping," Lewis said. Lewis said visitors overwhelmingly reported positive impressions of the area, frequently describing it in survey responses as scenic, relaxing, clean and friendly. Lewis said the survey response included: "It's not like Miami," "It's friendly and quieter than Siesta Key and the beaches are clean," "Sand is white," and "We love it here." Lewis said the trip satisfaction rate was 98% and 97% of the visitors surveyed said they were likely or very likely to return. Lewis said visitors' awareness of the Gulf Islands Ferry service was at 46%, but only about 17% of the recent visitors used the ferry service that currently runs between downtown Bradenton and Bradenton Beach.
TOURIST TAX COLLECTIONS
Manatee County levies a 6% tourist development tax on all known hotel, motel, resort and short-term rental and other lodging stays of six months or less. According to the tourist development tax collection reports presented to the TDC members, the county collected $32.9 million through August of the 2025-2026 fiscal year that ends Sept. 30. Resort tax collections for all six Manatee County cities combined for July 2026 totaled $4.6 million, which was up significantly compared with July 2025. Bradenton Beach posted the largest year-over-year increase at 88.35%, collecting $285,422, after a 20.86% decline in July 2025. Anna Maria collections rose 34.28%, to $808,882. Holmes Beach collections increased 22.81%, to $1.1 million.
AUGUST 26, 2026
www.amisun.com
THE SUN
5
BB PARKING: City extends Bridge Street parking lot permit FROM PAGE 1 Shawn Kaleta as the manager and authorized person. The Najmy Thompson law firm is listed as the registered agent for the four LLCs – 205 Sycamore LLC, Bridge Street Resort LLC, Bridge Street Retail LLC and Tampa Bayshore Trust LLC.
FUTURE PLANS
The recently presented Bridge Street Pier District project plans include a 23-room hotel, a 177-room hotel, a restaurant, a beach club, retail space and a 200-car parking garage near the waterfront where the Pines Trailer Park currently stands. Across the street would be 13 condo units. At the west end of Bridge Street, in the space currently used as a paid parking lot, the redevelopment plans propose a multistory retail building and a 74-space parking area.
CURRENT USE
On Dec. 7, 2023, the city commission approved a 106-room resort hotel, a 60-seat restaurant, 5,396 square feet of retail space and 154 on-site parking spaces to be built on what is currently the paid parking lot site.
On Dec. 11, just days after the hotel approval, city-permitted demolition began at 129 Gulf Drive South, the former location of Joe’s Eats & Sweets. On Jan. 13, the former Freckled Fin building at 101 Bridge Street was demolished. On Jan. 26, demolition began on the former Magnolia Inn building at 105 Bridge Street. The vacant parcels on the corner of Bridge Street, Gulf Drive South and Third Street South have since been used as a public paid parking lot. Kaleta is listed as the temporary use permit extension applicant. His business associate, Sam Negrin, represented him during the Aug. 20 commission meeting. Negrin told the commission the extension was needed while the property owners move through the city’s development process toward the proposed permanent use for that site. “I’m here today requesting you allow us to extend our temporary use permit one more year, while we move through the city’s development entitlement process and move these parcels toward their future permanent use,” Negrin said. He said the request was meant to be “as temporary as possible.”
and in our opinion removing these 93 spaces will not help that problem,” Negrin said. “We hope you will allow us one final extension and hopefully it will not even be a full year.” Mayor John Chappie agreed that the parking lot has been helpful to the merchants on Bridge Street.
PUBLIC SUPPORT
CITY OF BRADENTON BEACH | SUBMITTED
City code requires a landscape buffer around the paid parking lot. "After years of ambiguity due to unfortunate external circumstances, a highly comprehensive plan has been established for these parcels and will be in front of you, the commission, in a very short amount of time," Negrin said in regard to the recently presented redevelopment proposal. Negrin noted the property owners plan on moving forward with the proposed redevelopment plans as soon as they are “hopefully approved.” “There is a shortage of public parking currently in Bradenton Beach
Several Bridge Street merchants spoke in favor of extending the permit, citing a shortage of public parking in the city. Cove owner Kelly Headley said the parking lot benefits her business. Drift-In owner Derek Williams said he spoke with numerous merchants who support the extension of the temporary use permit for the parking lot while the property's future use is worked out. “The parking lot is helpful to us,” Williams said. A letter from resident and BridgeWalk Resort owner Angela Rodacker was also read into the record in support of the extension. Her letter said the conveniently located parking lot drives foot traffic to the Bridge Street restaurants and retail shops.
SEE BB PARKING, PAGE 10
6 THE SUN
The Anna Maria Island Sun
OPINION
P.O. Box 14311, Bradenton, FL 34280 Phone: 941-778-3986 email: news@amisun.com | ads@amisun.com | classifieds@amisun.com
Like us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AnnaMariaIslandSun
AUGUST 26, 2026
The Anna Maria Island Sun Staff Publishers Bob Alexander John Reitz Editor Joe Hendricks Reporters | Photographers Joe Hendricks Leslie Lake Ernie Vanderwalt Columnists Louise Bolger Rusty Chinnis Contributors Steve Borggren Capt. Rick Grassett Layout Ricardo Fonseca Advertising Director Shona Otto Classified Ads Bob Alexander Graphics Elaine Stroili Ricardo Fonseca Distribution Bob Alexander Tony McNulty Brian Smith Accounting Leslie Ketchum John Reitz ©2026 Longboard Communications Inc.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Holmes Beach residents deserve genuine candidates With the upcoming Holmes Beach mayoral and commission races to be decided in the November election, voters have a responsibility to learn as much as possible about our potential city leaders. Has the candidate: • Demonstrated sustained interest in city government before entering the race? • Regularly attended important City Commission meetings, and will they attend meetings if not elected? • Participated in discussions about the community's future? • Interacted with neighbors and demonstrated a commitment to community unity and preserving neighborhood values? • Prepared to elevate the interests of Holmes Beach over personal agendas? • Committed to listening to residents, examining the facts, working with fellow commissioners and making decisions based on what is best for the community – and not advancing individual interests or political agendas? Voters may welcome new candidates who have become actively engaged out of a sincere interest in their community and not the perpetuation of a political career. Fresh perspectives coupled with genuine civic
involvement can be a valuable addition to local government. The key question is whether those seeking office have demonstrated a genuine commitment to serving the residents, participated in the work of government and acted in the city's best interest. Some candidates do not attend city meetings and do not actively campaign, but their presence on the ballot may still impact the election outcomes. Election season often brings political distractions and controversy. Sometimes there are personal attacks, misrepresentations and political maneuvering as campaigns intensify. As Holmes Beach has grown and faced increasingly complex challenges, serving as the mayor or as a commissioner is no longer a part-time civic commitment. The responsibilities of managing growth, infrastructure, public safety, budgeting and quality-oflife concerns require significant time, attention and dedication. Voters should remain focused on candidate character, qualifications and involvement. An informed electorate is the best defense against political gamesmanship. Your vote will determine if we elect people who are selfless and genuinely prepared to lead the city through its next chapter.
Chew toys needed for shelter dogs I'm reaching out to the Anna Maria Island community to help the shelter dogs at the Bishop Animal Shelter in Bradenton. Manatee County Animal Services is in dire need of Nylabones – especially the large Nylabone Power Chew Barbell dog chew toys. The situation at the Bishop Animal Shelter is not good. The kennels are small and noisy, and the county facility is understaffed. The shelter dogs often get only one walk per day. For a dog spending time in a kennel, having something safe to chew on can provide comfort, enrichment and a muchneeded distraction. Something as simple as a Nylabone can make their day a little brighter while they wait for a new home.
SEE LETTERS, PAGE 10
Large Nylabone Power Chew Barbell chew toys are needed for the shelter dogs.
Richard Motzer
Holmes Beach
CHEWY.COM | SUBMITTED
AUGUST 26, 2026
www.amisun.com
THE SUN
ON THE AGENDA
ANNA MARIA
10005 GULF DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130
Visit www.cityofannamaria.com Wednesday, Aug. 26, 9 a.m., Planning and Zoning Board meeting Thursday, Aug. 27, 11 a.m., City Commission meeting Monday, Aug. 31, 4 p.m., Parking Study public meeting, at The Center
BRADENTON BEACH
7
HOLMES BEACH
107 GULF DRIVE N. FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005
5801 MARINA DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800
Visit www.cityofbradentonbeach.com Wednesday, Sept. 2, 1 p.m., Planning and Zoning Board meeting Thursday, Sept. 3, 5:05 p.m., Community Redevelopment Agency budget public hearing Thursday, Sept. 3, 5:30 p.m., City Commission budget public hearing Thursday, Sept. 3, 6 p.m., City Commission meeting
Visit www.holmesbeachfl.org Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2 p.m., City Commission meeting Wednesday, Sept. 2, 10 a.m., Parks and Beautification Committee meeting Wednesday, Sept. 2, 3:30 p.m., Planning Commission meeting
Cabana rentals, city administrator, Waste Pro on Thursday’s agenda The Anna Maria City Commission will meet Thursday, Aug. 27, at 11 a.m. After general public comment on non-agenda items, the multi-item consent agenda seeks commission approval for the mayor to appoint City Clerk Amber LaRowe to also serve as the city administrator. In that additional role, LaRowe would support the mayor in the day-to-day administration and coordination of city operations. The consent agenda also seeks commission approval of a budget amendment; approval of city insurance coverage through the Preferred Governmental Insurance Trust; an interlocal fuel purchasing agreement with the city of Holmes Beach; a vehicle storage agreement with West
941-798-9010
Manatee Fire Rescue District and a related vehicle transport agreement with Agnelli Pools and Construction. The commission will be presented with the second and final reading of an ordinance that will update the city’s solid waste collection agreement with Waste Pro. The commission will be presented with the second and final reading of an amended parks and recreation ordinance that includes new and expanded restrictions on beach cabana rentals. To access the meeting by phone, call 1-929-205-6099 and, when prompted, enter the meeting ID 84866116928. To provide public input, press *9.
8 THE SUN
www.amisun.com
AUGUST 26, 2026
Bradenton Beach commission discusses possible cabana ordinance Enforcement concerns and staffing were discussed. BY LESLIE LAKE
SUN REPORTER | llake@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – The city commission considered an ordinance regulating beach cabana rental companies while discussing recent violations on city beaches. "I've had some constituents send me photographs, and in particular a specific cabana company, that recently advertised for a wine experience on the beach, complete with wine glasses," Commissioner Debbie Scaccianoce said during the Aug. 20 city commission meeting. "This goes completely against the no alcohol rule on the beach." She also cited photos of cabana equipment left unsecured on the sand during a recent storm, warning that the tents could become hazards. "It's dangerous," Scaccianoce said. "I get that the
enforcement is difficult, but I don't want our beaches to end up like the Causeway (Palma Sola Causeway). We have food boats coming onto the beach. We have ordinances that say they can't come within so many feet, but they're ignoring that." She noted that people are also bringing dogs to the beach, which is also prohibited. "Once people start saying 'oh they have their dog on the beach' and then we'll start getting more dogs on the beach and we're going to start losing control," Scaccianoce said. "These are all concerns that I think we're going to have to start thinking about and addressing, because it's not going to get better." Commissioners had previously agreed to hold off on regulating cabana operations to see how neighboring cities handled the issue, but several commission members indicated during the meeting that the problem is worsening.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
Rented beach cabanas are a popular sight on the Island’s public beaches. "We had decided we weren't going to do anything at this point and see what happens with the other cities," Mayor John Chappie said. "Is it getting to the time where we really need to look at this and come up with something? Would we like Erica (City Attorney Erica Augello) to start formulating some type of ordinance for cabanas?" The city of Anna Maria recently approved revisions to its beach cabana ordinance. Those revisions, which are
scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, include the city entering into franchise agreements with only three beach cabana rental vendors. Augello said a company setting up an unbranded tent for a renter, with no advertising or transactions occurring on the beach itself, may not qualify as "commerce on the beach" under the city's existing rules, even though a company advertising an alcohol package likely would be a violation.
The gap in city enforcement staff dominated much of the discussion. "There's the enforcement mechanism," Augello said. "If you regulate it, you have to have somebody to enforce it." Commissioner Robert Talham telephoned into the meeting and said by increasing police staff, resulting citations and fines would more than pay for itself in revenue. He suggested the city purchase a small four-wheeldrive truck for police officers to use for beach patrols. "So, if we just paid for a new four-wheel-drive truck, you could just get somebody out there and writing tickets for stuff that's already on our books," Talham said. "Hire more police officers." Police Chief John Cosby said his department has just eight officers and only one is typically assigned to the beach at a time. He said Holmes Beach
SEE CABANA, PAGE 21
AUGUST 26, 2026
www.amisun.com
THE SUN
9
TIDE VALVE: City seeks TDC, county support for tide valve project FROM PAGE 1 city's request to use county commission-controlled tourist development tax revenues generated by the 6% tourist development tax levied on all known hotel, motel, resort and vacation rental stays of six months or less in Manatee County. In 2024, the county's annual tourist tax revenues exceeded $30 million for the first time. State law restricts and regulates how the tourist tax revenues can be used, and in general, tourist tax revenues can only be spent to promote or enhance tourism. Holmes Beach Public Works Director Herb Raybourn presented the city's $344,500 funding request to the TDC members during the council's Monday, Aug. 17, meeting at The Center of Anna Maria Island. The TDC members expressed preliminary support for the funding request, but they also raised questions and concerns about using tourist tax revenues for an infrastructure-related project. No final recommendation was made, and the TDC members agreed to continue the discussion during their next meeting in October.
CITY'S REQUEST
On Aug. 14, Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth formalized the city's pending funding request in an email she sent to Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Executive Director
Elliott Falcione. Although he doesn't serve as an appointed TDC member, Falcione has a great deal of input on TDC funding recommendations. Holmes Beach City Commissioner and current mayoral candidate Dan Diggins also serves as a county commission-appointed TDC member. When introducing Raybourn to the TDC members, Diggins noted the long-held and often stated belief among city and county officials that tourist tax revenues cannot be used to help fund city infrastructure projects that include street and road improvements and stormwater and drainage improvements. Diggins told the TDC members that Holmes Beach City Commission candidate Mark Hebden researched the state laws that restrict tourist development tax expenditures. Hebden's research indicated that stormwater and drainage improvements could be funded by TDT revenues if those improvements enhanced tourism in a coastal community like Holmes Beach.
LEGAL MEMO
In response to Hebden's conclusions, the county attorney's office provided a legal memorandum that supported his findings, and that memo was later referenced during the TDC discussion. In part, the memo says, "The proposed improvement aims to mitigate tidal backflow flooding,
MANATEE COUNTY/YOUTUBE | SUBMITTED
Dan Diggins assisted in getting the funding request to the Tourist Development Council. enhance drainage and safeguard public infrastructure crucial for beach tourism and related businesses located within the city of Holmes Beach." Regarding the legality of using tourist development tax revenues for a city drainage project, the memo says, "Yes, if the County's Board of County Commissioners finds that this proposed improvement, i.e. tidal valve installation, is needed to increase tourist-related business activities in the county, the improvement has a life expectancy of five or more years, and if other specific statutory conditions are met." Florida Statutes state no more than 70% of the proposed improvement's total cost can be paid for using TDT revenues, and the remaining funding sources must be identified and confirmed by the county commission as part of the approval process. The legal memo notes state law mandates that at least 40% of all TDT revenues collected in Manatee County must be spent
to promote and advertise tourism in Manatee County. That has long been the primary use of Manatee County's TDT revenues, but in recent years the TDC has supported and county commissioners have approved millions of dollars of TDT funding being used twice to replace the Anna Maria City Pier after sustaining hurricane damage in 2017 and again in 2024. TDT revenue has also helped fund improvements and hurricane-related repairs to the Bradenton Beach Pier and the floating dock next to the pier.
RAYBOURN PRESENTATION
Raybourn said most of the Island is flat, with elevations ranging from about 13.5 feet to half a foot. Because those land elevations are often lower than incoming high tides, tidal waters often back up into streets that would otherwise stay dry. He said this prompted the city to conduct a quick study of its 143 drainage pipe outfalls. He said the city wants to use tourist tax revenues to install 92 tide valves throughout the city. Raybourn said tide valves are manufactured to the specific dimensions and character of each outfall pipe. "Not every 24 inch pipe is identical. Not every situation is identical," he said. Regarding the installation timeline, he said it's easier to install tide valves during low tides. He said tide valves help mitigate
flooding and a 1-foot tidal rise can cause flooding in some areas of Holmes Beach. "As you increase to one and a half feet, two feet, two and a half feet, three feet, that increase in tide just creates more flooding in the streets, sidewalks, bike lanes, people's yards and other infrastructure around the city," he said. Raybourn said barnacles that form on and in the drainage pipes create additional maintenance issues. He said protecting the city's infrastructure helps protect the businesses and the homeowners' too. Regarding storm surges, he said, "There's not much that you can do about it. But those smaller storm surges, having tide valves really would be beneficial for the city as well." He said tide valves also protect against the compound flooding that occurs when it rains during a high tide. He said tide valves help prevent water from the Gulf, the bay and the sounds from entering the drainage pipes and bringing that water into the city, rather than out of the city. Raybourn said FEMA conducted a case study in Key West in 2021. "The city of Key West installed tide valves because they were having very similar problem. And
SEE TIDE VALVE, PAGE 24
10 THE SUN
www.amisun.com
AUGUST 26, 2026
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Roser Church
FROM PAGE 6 If you could send me a financial donation or purchase the Nylabones and have them delivered to Renee Ferguson, 210 77th St., Holmes Beach, Fla., 34217, it would be so appreciated. I also have three volunteers who can pick up the donated Nylabones to help make sure every dog has a bone. Bishop is currently sheltering about 90 dogs. If you are ordering the bones online through Chewy or Amazon, please specify that it's a donation and check "gift" with your name so I know where the bones are coming from. You can text me at 609-346-1796 or email me at Reneefrgsn@gmail.com with any questions, or to let me know how many Nylabones are on their way.
“...a beautiful place to explore your faith...”
10:00 AM in the SANCTUARY Nursery • Children & Youth
ONLINE • Watch LIVE or LATER
RoserChurch.com
Receive the eNewsletter • Sign up at RoserChurch.com/contact-us The CHAPEL is open during office hours for prayer and meditation 941-778-0414 • 512 Pine Ave, Anna Maria • FOLLOW us on Facebook @RoserChurch
SUBMITTED
Gracy and many other shelter dogs enjoy chew toys. Thank you so much for your generosity. It is so appreciated by the dogs and the humans trying to help them.
Renee Ferguson
Holmes Beach
BB PARKING: City extends
Bridge Street parking lot permit FROM PAGE 5
Chappie said the parking lot operators have not followed through on the landscaping and site improvements they promised when the temporary use was first approved three years ago. “The only negative thing that I’m going to say is I am still disappointed that you never did the landscaping. This is the entrance to the city,” Chappie said, adding that the parking lot looks bad. “The issue has been there’s been very little direction on what exactly is being looked for,” Negrin said. Commissioner Robert Talham called the parking lot a “mud pit.” “Sand is going on to the road,” Talham said. “There’s no stone in that parking lot and we’ve been talking about the burden it puts on our public service people to clean the sand out of the road.” Negrin said parking lot ownership would be happy to accommodate requests by the city. “In Sam's defense, we've had a lot of transition with building officials and in our building department,” Commissioner Debbie Scaccianoce said. “So, their ability to get consistent information might have been difficult.” Ben Carr, the city’s newly hired in-house building official, will begin in mid-September. Chappie suggested
SUNDAY WORSHIP 8:30 AM in the ROSER CHAPEL
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
Sam Negrin represented Shawn Kaleta during the city commission meeting. the parking lot ownership meet with Carr to get definitive answers on what is required of the parking lot. City Attorney Erica Augello said, “The motion would be to approve the temporary use permit as submitted with the conditions previously imposed as amended. And then with the additional conditions that in 45 days the applicant will have complied with the landscape buffering as well as the other conditions of the permit.” The commission said failure to meet the 45-day deadline could result in the temporary use permit being revoked. The motion passed 4-1, with Talham casting the dissenting vote.
AUGUST 26, 2026
www.amisun.com
THE SUN
11
AM PARKING: proposed paid parking raises questions FROM PAGE 1 When presenting the study’s preliminary findings, Fanchi said there are currently 4,573 parking spaces in Anna Maria, of which 113 are privately owned. She proposed creating 1,119 city-owned paid parking spaces and charging $4.50 per hour to park – with an additional 65-cent processing fee per parking transaction that would go directly to the parking program provider, Passport Labs Inc. Fanchi also proposed a three- or four-hour time limit in a paid parking space. Fanchi said the proposed $4.50 hourly rate would generate $11 million in annual paid parking revenue, with an average daily revenue generation of $25,000, and questions have been raised regarding the accuracy of the estimate. Fanchi said Passport would not receive a percentage of the revenues generated by the $4.50 hourly rate and the city would instead negotiate an additional annual flat-rate agreement with Passport – but she did not estimate what that flat-rate annual expense to the city would be. During the Aug. 11 WSP presentation, Mayor Mark Short noted the paid parking map Fanchi presented was not completely accurate in its representation of the residential paid parking spaces. Short also said the future status had not yet been determined for the parallel parking spaces along Pine Avenue and Gulf Drive that currently provide free parking.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Will paid parking be implemented near the Anna Maria City Pier? The privately owned perpendicular parking spaces along Pine Avenue would not be part of the city’s proposed paid parking program. Short said the city might need 1,100 paid parking spaces or it might only need 200 paid parking spaces, and that final number was not yet known. The city’s paid parking program would not include the privately owned perpendicular parking spaces located in front of several Pine Avenue businesses. Fanchi did not elaborate as to whether the city-owned parking spaces near the Anna Maria City Pier would offer free parking or paid parking. She implied paid parking would be implemented down the street at Bayfront Park. The findings and recommendations Fanchi presented raised many questions that have not yet been answered, fully explained or subjected to city commission decision-making. In an effort to garner more public input, and to present any updated, revised or clarified parking study-related maps and information, the city will host a public meeting at The Center of Anna Maria Island, at 407 Magnolia Ave., on Monday, Aug. 31, at 4 p.m.
CITY STATEMENT
On Thursday, Aug. 20, the following statement was posted on the city’s Facebook page: “The city of Anna Maria has received numerous positive and negative comments regarding its plan to address parking challenges that exist in the city. A public hearing is scheduled August 31 at 4 p.m. at The Center, located at 407 Magnolia Ave., in the city to discuss parking options. “A presentation given to city commission on August 11 was intended to provide the Commission an update on the progress of the parking evaluation. In that presentation, hypothetical scenarios were given by the consultant on parking options and a DRAFT map was provided outlining parking zones to provide a visual on how the various options could work. “At the Aug. 31 public hearing, updates will be provided on the parking options being considered and a map broadly reflecting the intent of parking areas will be provided. “The city is still in process of evaluating its options regarding
parking. One thing however is clear, the city does need, and fully intends to address the parking challenges that exist,” the city’s statement says.
PETITION STARTED
In response to the proposed paid parking, A.M.I. Cool Beans coffee shop owner Morgan Bryant started an online petition at change.org titled “Keep Anna Maria a Gem; Say no To Paid Parking.” The petition lists Mayor Short and city commissioners Chris Arendt, John Lynch, Gary McMullen, Kathleen MorganJohnson and Charlie Salem as “The Decision Makers.” The petition says, “We, the undersigned residents, business owners, employees, and visitors of Anna Maria Island, respectfully ask the mayor and city commission not to implement paid public parking in the city of Anna Maria. “We recognize that parking, traffic and congestion are real challenges, and we appreciate the work our city leaders do to address them. We simply do not believe paid parking is the right solution.
“Anna Maria is a gem because it is different. It has retained the ‘Old Florida,’ small-town character that people love and that is becoming increasingly rare in Florida. We should be careful about introducing the very things people come here to escape. “Paid parking could also hurt our local businesses. Anna Maria sits at the far north end of the Island, and visitors already pass beaches, restaurants and shops in Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach before reaching us. Adding another cost and inconvenience may encourage people to stop elsewhere instead of continuing north. “It could also push visitors looking for free parking into private business lots, taking limited spaces away from actual customers and leaving small businesses responsible for parking enforcement. “This isn't simply about the cost of parking. It's about protecting the welcoming character of our city, supporting our small businesses, and preserving what makes Anna Maria special. “We respectfully ask the mayor and city commission to keep public parking free and pursue other solutions to our parking challenges. “Protect our small businesses. Preserve Old Florida. Keep parking free. Let's keep Anna Maria a gem,” the petition says. The stated goal is to garner 1,000 signatures and as of Monday morning, Aug. 23, 743 people had signed the online petition.
SEE AM PARKING, PAGE 27
9:00 a.m. TO 10:00 p.m. DAILY 5344 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach (941) 779-BEER hurricaneliquors.com
“This place has an amazing collection of spirits.” Josh
“Spent the week in Anna Maria Island and out of all the liquor stores on the island, this is by far the best one, with the best prices and the most selection. The staff was very friendly...” Heather
“The guys here was very helpful and knowledgeable. They had some great choices on bourbon. Mabl bl pa^k^ B ee lmhi ^o^kr mbf^' Mk^gm
“These guys had the best selection , decent prices, and were overall just good people.” Matthew
“Great assortment of spirits and competitive prices.” Nyor “Amazing selection knowledgeable staff and best service on the island” Vicky
SHOP AMI LOCAL BUSINESS - PROUDLY SERVING LOCALS AND VISITORS SINCE 2007
12 THE SUN
www.amisun.com
AUGUST 26, 2026
Commission renews $5 million line of credit The unused $5 million line of credit was put in place after Hurricane Helene. BY LESLIE LAKE
SUN REPORTER | llake@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – A $5 million line of credit put in place after Hurricane Helene struck the city in 2024 has been renewed as a safeguard against unforeseen future emergencies. On Aug. 20, the city commission voted unanimously in favor of renewing the line of credit with Seacoast National Bank for another two years. City Treasurer Shayne Thompson told the commission the city established the line of credit as a "stopgap" after Hurricane Helene’s storm surge destroyed or damaged many Bradenton Beach homes and businesses. The city ultimately didn't need to draw on the line of credit due to efficient coordination with FEMA, but Hurricanes Helene and Milton still took a toll on the city’s financial reserves. "I'm proud to say we didn't have to utilize it based on efficiencies
from staff working with FEMA, and also with expenses that were never realized," Thompson said. He recommended the extension of the line of credit as a safety net in the event of another damaging hurricane. "That line was so we had the extra money we could tap into if we had to. It made for less sleepless nights," Thompson said. If the city draws on the line of credit, it would pay a variable interest rate tied to a national benchmark, with a guaranteed minimum interest rate of 5%, according to the commitment letter contained in the meeting packet. The renewal includes a $5,000 fee to extend the line of credit. Commissioner Robert Talham, who phoned into the meeting, questioned the additional fee. "If we needed the money in six months, we would look for a line of credit and get it," he said. "It's better to have it in place ahead of time than try to scramble because the same mechanism may not be as readily available should another event come our way," Thompson said. Police Chief and Public Works Director John Cosby said the process
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
City Treasurer Shayne Thompson recommended renewing the $5 million line of credit. wasn't as easy as Talham suggested. "Because we're a municipality, there are certain rules we have to follow in order to get this line of credit," Cosby said. "This isn't like you walking into the bank and asking for $500,000. There's a lot of hoops that must be jumped through. The auditor had to review it and it did take us some time." The accounting firm that annually audits the city’s budget recommends the city have enough money in reserve to cover at least three months of operating expenses in the event of an emergency or other situation that disrupts the city’s revenue flow. Cosby said the city was fortunate to have initiated the line of credit after the first of two hurricanes. "Do we have three or four months?
How do you pay your staff and other things if we were to get hit again? This is more of a security blanket than just winging it," Cosby said. Talham said he didn't like paying bank fees. In response, Commissioner Scott Bear said, "What was the initiation cost when we first opened the line of credit?" "I believe it was around $6,800," Thompson said. "So, we either pay $6,800 or $5,000," Bear said. "We're going to pay either way, and we're saving $1,800." Thompson said letting the current credit line lapse and reopening a new one later would trigger an intangible tax to the state of Florida and add to the cost. City Attorney Erica Augello said, "Revenues that are pledged to pay back the line of credit are not ad valorem taxes. I just want that on the record." Thompson confirmed that in the event of a catastrophe, repayment would come through FEMA reimbursement or, if FEMA funding wasn't applicable, through non-ad valorem revenue sources. The commission voted 5-0 to authorize the mayor to renew the line of credit with Seacoast National Bank.
AUGUST 26, 2026
www.amisun.com
THE SUN
13
SUBMITTED
Where’s Krysta? As of Sunday, Aug. 23, Krysta, a female loggerhead sea turtle, had traveled 513 miles since she was satellite-tagged and released on June 29 after nesting on Coquina Beach. She is participating in the Sea Turtle Conservancy's 2026 Tour de Turtles race, which began Aug. 1. She has traveled 91 miles since the race officially began and is currently in ninth place for miles traveled in a field of 11 tracked sea turtles. Krysta is symbolically swimming to raise awareness about the threat of beach erosion. Her participation in the 2026 Tour de Turtles is sponsored by Hurricane Hanks. Source: Sea Turtle Conservancy (conserveturtles.org/turtle/Krysta)
SEA TURTLE NESTING NEWS AS OF FRIDAY, AUG. 21:
Total loggerhead turtle nests: 458 Nests this week (8/15 to 8/21): 0 False crawls this week: 0 Total false crawls: 568 Total nests hatched: 168 Total hatchlings produced: 11,796 Total adult turtle disorientations: 20 Nests inventoried: 189 Disoriented hatchlings: 1,974 to 4,470 Disoriented hatchlings found dead: 171 Source: Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring
‛S YOUR COMFORT ZONE? WHERE
14 THE SUN
www.amisun.com
AUGUST 26, 2026
AMI Chamber members get a lesson in AI
Artificial intelligence can be of great assistance to business owners and their employees. BY JOE HENDRICKS
SUN REPORTER | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – More than a dozen Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce members spent nearly two hours discussing artificial intelligence (AI) with Sande Caplin & Associates Lead Site Developer James Newton. With CEO Sande Caplin also on hand, the "AI Readiness for Local Business" seminar took place in the upstairs conference room at The Center of Anna Maria following the chamber's monthly luncheon. The attendees included Duncan Real Estate's April Green and Lindsey Leech Strickland; Karen LaPensee and Ashley Chiles, from LaPensee Plumbing, Pools
and Air; Tiffany Miles from Island Real Estate; Anna Maria Island Resorts' Katy Demick; Sea-Renity Beach Spa and Bou-Tiki owner Amanda Escobio; Gina Riley, from Grooms Automotive; Scott Schwalm from Eclipse Aluminum; Anna Maria Island Real Estate Corporation owner Bill Romberger; and AMI Chamber of Commerce employees Cheryl Kolb and Beth Rooks. Long known for its website design services, Caplin & Associates also offers AI and automation services. The essence of the presentation and some additional information about the AI services can be viewed at sandecaplin.com/ ai-automation. Newton and the business community members discussed how AI can be utilized in their respective professions and business endeavors. After making his introductory remarks and opening presentation, Newton and the
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
James Newton and the AMI Chamber members discussed increasing business efficiency with AI. seminar attendees engaged in an informative questionand-answer session that served as an open discussion about AI's many possibilities, opportunities, applications, uses, impacts and risks. The two AI programs primarily discussed were ChatGPT and Anthropic's Claude.
AI PRESENTATION
Newton suggested dividing artificial intelligence tasks into three categories – assist, automate and keep human – rather than letting AI replace human judgment altogether. He said AI works best as an assistant for repetitive tasks like drafting, monitoring and even providing basic
responses to business-related emails. AI can also be very helpful when organizing frequently asked questions and producing first-draft reports, presentations and other business documents. He said it's important to keep people involved in customer relationships, pricing and negotiation, legal, medical or financial matters, brand reputation issues and the final approval of marketing materials. The presentation includes the following rule of thumb: If a mistake would be embarrassing, costly or damaging to customer trust, AI should not act alone, though it may still help as long as a person reviews and approves the outcome. Tasks that are repetitive, low-risk, easy to review and tied to clear business value, by contrast, are strong candidates for AI assistance or automation.
SEE AI, PAGE 23
AUGUST 26, 2026
www.amisun.com
THE SUN
The following hotels and motels accept pets. Some have limitations on species, number, size and breed, some require pets to be caged before housekeeping services are rendered, some require deposits or extra charges, and some have special pet amenities, such as grassy areas for walking. Call ahead to find accommodations that match your needs, and make a list of several hotels in different parts of the state to be prepared for storms from any direction. ANNA MARIA ISLAND Anna Maria Dream Inn 2502 Gulf Dr. N. Bradenton Beach 941-209-1420 Anna Maria Island Resorts Tortuga Beach Resort 1325 Gulf Dr. Bradenton Beach 941-778-6611 Anna Maria Motel 808 N. Bay Blvd. Anna Maria 941-778-1269
Courtyard Bradenton Sarasota/Riverfront 100 Riverfront Dr. W. 941-747-3727 Days Inn 3506 1st St. W. 941-746-1141 Days Inn Bradenton – I75 644 67th St Circle E 941-746-2505 Fairfield Inn & Suites Lakewood Ranch 6105 Exchange Way 941-552-4000
Queen’s Gate 1101 Gulf Dr. N. Bradenton Beach 941-778-7153
Hampton Inn & Suites 309 10th St W 941-746-9400
ARCADIA Knights Inn 504 S. Brevard Ave. 863-494-4884
Hyatt Place Sarasota/ Lakewood Ranch 6021 Exchange Way 941-748-3100
Holiday Inn Express 2709 Southeast Hwy. 70 863-494-5900
Motel 6 660 67th St. Circle E. 941-747-6005
BRADENTON Best Western Plus 2215 Cortez Rd W 941-238-0800
Spring Hill Suites Bradenton Downtown Riverfront 102 12th St. W. 941-226-2200
Compass Hotel Anna Maria Sound 12324 Manatee Ave W. 941-741-9700
BROOKSVILLE Days Inn 6320 Windmere Rd 352-796-9486
Microtel Inn 6298 Nature Coast Blvd 352-796-9025 Quality Inn 30307 Cortez Blvd 352-796-9481 CAPE CORAL Holiday Inn Express 1538 Cape Coral Pkwy E 239-542-2121 Hampton Inn & Suites 619 SE 47th Terrace 239-540-1050 DAYTONA BEACH Homewood Suites By Hilton 165 Bill France Blvd 386-258-2828 Residence Inn Daytona Beach Speedway/Airport 1725 Richard Petty Blvd 386-252-3949 DELAND Comfort Inn 400 E International Speedway 386-736-3100 ELLENTON Hampton Inn 5810 20th Ct. E. 941-721-4000 Red Roof Inn 4915 17th St. E. 941-729-0600
15
16 THE SUN ELLENTON Super 8 5218 17th St. E. 941-729-8505 FORT MYERS Baymont Inn & Suites 9401 Marketplace Rd 239-454-0040 Hyatt Place 2600 Champion Ring Rd 239-418-1844
www.amisun.com
La Quinta Inn North 2905 N. Monroe St. 850-385-7172
Homewood Suites by Hilton Tampa/Brandon 10240 Palm River Road 813-685-7099
Days Inn 1941 Tamiami Trail 941-623-9404
Hibiscus Suites 1735 Stickney Point Road 941-921-5797
Motel 6 Downtown 1027 Apalachee Parkway 850-877-6171
Hyatt Place Tampa Airport 4811 W. Main St. 813-282-1037
Knights Inn 4100 Tamiami Trail 941-743-2442
Hyatt Place Lakewood Ranch 6021 Exchange Way 941-946-2357
Motel 6 West 2738 N. Monroe St. 850-386-7878
Residence Inn 4312 W. Boy Scout Blvd. 813-877-7988
Quality Inn 3090 N. Monroe St. 850-562-2378
Sheraton Tampa East Hotel 10221 Princess Palm Ave 813-623-6363
Red Roof Inn 2930 Hospitality Street 850-385-7884
TEMPLE TERRACE Residence Inn 13420 N Telcom Parkway 813-972-4400
Microtel Inn & Suites 1770 Southwest 134th St 352-307-1166
LAKE BUENA VISTA Marriott Residence Inn 11450 Marbella Palm Court 407-465-0075
Equus Inn 3434 SW College Rd 352-854-3200
Travel Lodge 13661 Indian Paint Ln 239-561-1117
LAKE MARY Extended Stay America 1040 Greenwood Blvd 407-829-2332 Hyatt Place 1255 S International Pkwy 407-995-5555 La Quinta Inn 1060 Greenwood Blvd. 407-805-9901
Residence Inn 3601 S.W. 38th Ave. 352-547-1600 Sleep Inn and Suites 13600 S.W. 17th Court 352-347-8383 ORLANDO Hard Rock Hotel 5800 Universal Blvd. 407-503-2000 Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista 13351 State Road 535 407-239-4500 La Quinta Inn - Universal Studios 5621 Major Blvd 407-313-3100
Motel 6 4000 S.W. 40th Blvd. 352-373-1604
Residence Inn 825 Heathrow Park Lane 407-995-3400
Motel 6 - Winter Park 5300 Adanson Street 407-647-1444
Residence Inn by Marriott I-75 3275 SW 40 Blvd 352-264-0000
LEESBURG Best Western Plus 1321 N. 14th Street 352-460-0118
Motel 6 International 5909 American Way 407-351-6500
KISSIMMEE Ramada Gateway 7470 HWY 192 407-966-4410
Hampton Inn 9630 Us Hwy 441 352-315-1053
LAKELAND Hilton Garden Inn 3839 Don Emerson Drive 863-647-0066
Hampton Inn & Suites 8565 Cooper Creek Blvd 941-355-8619
Residence Inn 3701 Harden Blvd. 863-680-2323
Days Inn 3430 N US Hwy 441 386-758-4224
Motel 6 5731 W. Irlo Bronson Hwy. 407-396-6333
PORT CHARLOTTE Comfort Inn 812 Kings Hwy 941-421-7548
Knights Inn 301 S Frontage Rd 813-752-0570
Residence Inn 20371 Summerlin Rd 239-415-4150
Home Hotel & Suites 3905 S.W. 43rd St. 352-376-0004
TALLAHASSEE Best Western Pride Inn 2016 Apalachee Parkway 850-656-6312
La Quinta Inn & Suites 3530 S.W. 36th Ave. 352-861-1137
La Quinta Inn 9521 Market Place Rd 239-466-0012
GAINESVILLE Best Western 4200 N.W. 97th Blvd. 352-331-3336
Even Hotel – Lakewood Ranch 6231 Lake Osprey Dr 941-782-4400
Motel 6 3120 U.S. Hwy. 98 N. 863-682-0643
LAKE CITY Baymont Inn & Suites 3598 US 90 W 386-752-3801
OCALA Comfort Inn 1212 S Pine Ave 352-629-7300 Hampton Inn & Suites 3601 SW 38th Ave 352-867-0300
Residence Inn Seaworld 11000 Westwood Blvd. 407-313-3600 Staybridge Suites 7450 Augusta National Dr 407-438-2121 Townplace Suites 11801 High Tech Ave. 407-243-6100 PLANT CITY Comfort Inn 2003 S Frontage Rd 813-707-6000
AUGUST 26, 2026
Sleep Inn & Suites 806 Kings Highway 941-613-6300 PUNTA GORDA Four Points by Sheraton 33 Tamiami Trail 941-637-6770 RUSKIN Holiday Inn & Suites 226 Teco Rd. 813-922-4561 Ruskin Inn 3113 College Ave 813-641-3437 SANFORD Best Western Plus 3401 S Orlando Dr 407-320-0845 SARASOTA Comfort Suites 5690 Honore Ave 941-554-4475 Comfort Inn & Suites 5931 Commercial Way 941-342-8778 Courtyard Sarasota Bradenton 850 University Pkwy 941-355-3337 Embassy Suites by Hilton 202 N. Tamiami Trail 941-256-0190
Hyatt Place Sarasota 950 University Pkwy 941-554-5800 La Quinta Inn & Suites 1803 N. Tamiami Trail 941-366-5128 Residence Inn 1040 University Pkwy. 941-358-1468 Days Inn 5000 N. Tamiami Trail 941-351-7734 Sleep Inn 900 University Pkwy. 941-359-8558 SEBRING La Quinta Inn 4115 US 27 South 863-386-1000 Magnunson Grand 6525 US 27 North 863-385-4500 Residence Inn 3221 Tubbs Road 863-314-9100 Severn Sebring Hotel 150 Midway Dr 863-655-7200 SPRING HILL Motel 6 6172 Commercial Way 352-596-2007
Red Roof Inn 6737 Mahan Drive 850-656-2938 Residence Inn 1880 Raymond Diehl Road 850-422-0093 Residence Inn Universities 600 W. Gaines St. 850-329-9080 Sleep Inn 1695 Capital Circle N.W. 850-575-5885 Staybridge Suites 1600 Summit Lake Drive 850-219-7000 Suburban Extended Stay Hotel 522 Silver Slipper Lane 850-386-2121 TAMPA Quality Inn-Busch Gardens 2701 E. Fowler Ave. 813-971-4710 Holiday Inn Express 8610 Elm Fair Blvd 813-490-1000
Holiday Inn Express 8310 Galbraith 813-910-7171
Towne Place Suites by Marriott 6800 Woodstork Rd 813-975-9777 WINTER HAVEN Howard Johnson Inn 1300 3rd St SW 863-294-7321 Lake Roy Beach Inn 1825 Cypress Garden Blvd 863-324-6320 Roadway Inn & Suites 1911 Cypress Gardens Blvd. 863-324-5994
AUGUST 26, 2026
www.amisun.com
THE SUN
17
Roser Guild Thrift Shop reopens The Roser Guild Thrift Shop will reopen Tuesday, Sept. 8, after being closed in July and August. The shop will resume accepting donations on Wednesday, Aug. 26, from 9 to 11 a.m. Donations are accepted Wednesdays from 9 to 11 a.m., though items may be dropped off anytime the shop is open. The thrift shop does not accept large or heavy furniture, TVs, phones, other electronics such as computers and microwaves, or medical equipment. Regular thrift shop hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. The items for sale include gently used clothing for women and men, small appliances, bedding, jewelry, magazines, beach items, flatware, glassware, framed art, books, music and more. Operated by the Roser Women's Guild, the thrift shop proceeds support the church's scholarship programs, community programs and local missions. Those interested in volunteering as a cashier or merchandise sorter can call the church office at 941-778-0414.
ROSER CHURCH | SUBMITTED
The thrift shop is located at 511 Pine Ave. in Anna Maria.
ROSER CHURCH | SUBMITTED
The thrift shop supports Roser Church programs and missions. The thrift shop is located at 511 Pine Ave. in Anna Maria, across the street from the historic Roser Memorial Chapel. For more information, visit roserchurch.com or call the number above.
18 THE SUN
OUTDOORS
AUGUST 26, 2026
Suncoast Fly Fishers hosting ladies fly fishing tournament Reel Time RUSTY CHINNIS
S
uncoast Fly Fishers will host its Third Annual Ladies Fly Fishing Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 12. The tournament boundaries run along the west coast of Florida, from the southern tip of Sanibel Island to the southern edge of the Crystal River Power Plant main channel. I first heard about a ladies-only fly fishing tournament in the Tampa Bay area in 2024, but it wasn't until I recently received the Suncoast Fly Fishers newsletter announcing the 2026 tournament that I finally connected with tournament director and founder Samantha Tallyn. Interested in what motivated her to start the tournament, I reached out to ask her. In her email response, Tallyn said, "I started participating in a fly fishing tournament with my husband in 2019 – one we still fish annually.
"A few years ago, I started looking around to see what other women's fly fishing tournaments there were in Florida. Besides the few in the Keys, I couldn't find anything. I decided to look into starting a tournament locally. I proposed the idea to my local fly fishing club, Suncoast Fly Fishers, with a proposed budget and guidelines. After receiving approval, the club launched the first Suncoast Lady Fly tournament in 2024. "I'm a runner, and having participated in numerous races, wanted to create the same atmosphere in a fly fishing tournament. When I participated in those races, I found everyone is relaxed, positive, and just having a good time while doing something they love. I wanted to create that same atmosphere for women with this tournament. I wanted this to be an event for ladies to get together, share stories and no matter the experience level, just have a good time," she said. "I'm thankful for all the support we receive for the tournament, and it has been exciting to watch it grow. I'm especially excited to see our youth division grow, that is something I am working to expand for future tournaments," Tallyn said.
SUNCOAST FLY FISHERS | SUBMITTED
The ladies fishing tournament will be held on Sept. 12. Tallyn is available to answer questions or provide advice to anyone interested in starting a women's fly fishing tournament in their area. "I'd love to see fly fishing tournaments for women grow throughout the U.S. and globally," she said.
TOURNAMENT DETAILS
The tournament is an inshore fly-fishing tournament with one or two anglers per team and a maximum of 75 teams. The anglers must be female, but they can have a male guide or captain. The cost is $250 per team.
Target species for the tournament are snook, redfish and spotted seatrout. Scoring is worth one point per inch, based on the combined measured length of the longest two fish caught in the approved categories, with the Calcutta award going to the largest ladyfish. Cash prizes go to the top three teams for longest length measured, with $1,000 for first place, $500 for second and $300 for third, plus a $250 cash prize for the team closest to 24 inches. Additional prizes will be given for the smallest trout measured, the largest pinfish measured and the firstand second-place youth teams, along with a 50/50 Calcutta ladyfish. Sign up now for what promises to be, in Tallyn's words, "a tournament where everyone is relaxed, positive, and just having a good time while doing something they love, fly fishing!" After the tournament, there will be an awards dinner at the Tiki Docks Skyway in St. Petersburg, with live music, food, drinks and raffle prizes. The registration link can be found at the tournament page at suncoastflyfishers. com. For more information, email stallyn86@gmail.com or call 727-710-3207.
AUGUST 26, 2026
www.amisun.com
THE SUN
19
Residents express concerns about sea turtle safety The commission discussed balancing the safety of people and sea turtles.
There are some nests that are less than three feet from the parking lot. It's not an ideal situation."
BY LESLIE LAKE
SUN REPORTER | llake@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – Residents voiced concerns to the city commission about turtle safety and asked the commission to do more to protect sea turtles from artificial lighting. During the public comment session of the Aug. 20 commission meeting, Julie Foley said she walks the beach nearly every evening during turtle season and has repeatedly seen light shining on the beaches from residences and businesses. She noted that 55 loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings were found dead on a road on Anna Maria Island the previous week and it was later determined artificial lighting disoriented them. "My question is what is the commission doing to enforce the beachfront lighting and are there plans to strengthen education, outreach or enforcement? I ask this not to criticize, but because I care deeply about this Island and want to be part of the solution," Foley said.
Scott Bear, City Commissioner
TURTLE WATCH | SUN
These disoriented sea turtle hatchlings wound up in a storm drain. Another resident described light pollution from a nearby vacation rental and said the property managers did not turn off the lights, even after she reported the problem. In her weekly email update, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella wrote, "Sea turtles nest and hatch at night. During that time, they use the relatively dark background of the dunes and the vegetation which blocks the night sky to locate the relatively brighter ocean that reflects the night sky. Any light directly or indirectly visible from the beach can disorient the sea turtles by disrupting the dark background."
Commissioner Scott Bear serves as the commission liaison to Turtle Watch. He explained some of the challenges faced in regard to protecting sea turtles. "The problem is two-fold this year," he said. "First, we must balance the safety of people with the safety of the turtles and hatchlings. That's a tough balance to make." He said the second issue is the relocation of turtle nests earlier this year in anticipation of a beach renourishment project that has been delayed. "So, all of those nests that would have been in a place where they were safe were put in locations where there are some damaged dunes," Bear said. "There are some nests that are less than three feet from the parking lot.
It's not an ideal situation." He said the dunes will not be reestablished for the city beaches until at least November. "We're in a tough position this year because of some of those issues," Bear said. "It's not that we're not paying attention, and it's not that we're trying not to do anything, but it's a tough balance." Bear said the city is also considering updating the lighting-compliance handout distributed by code enforcement after Turtle Watch shared a newer version provided by a sea turtle conservancy group. Mayor John Chappie said public safety is the city's number one priority.
SEE TURTLES, PAGE 21
20 THE SUN
I
REAL ESTATE
AUGUST 26, 2026
Too many people, too few homes
t's taken a while to come to the conclusion that America simply doesn't have enough housing. Too few new homes and too few resales are two reasons home prices have outpaced incomes and that’s likely part of the cause of increased inflation. The most recent update by the U.S. Census Bureau says the approximate population of the United States is 342.6 million people. Ten years ago, the population was 322.9 million. Our annual growth is roughly 0.5% per year. Likewise, Florida currently has an estimated population of 23.5 million people. Ten years ago, the population was 20.6 million. California and Texas both have larger populations than Florida, and New York is below us at 20 million – just about where Florida was 10 years ago. So, is there a solution to the shortage of housing, which is now estimated to be somewhere between 1 million and 5 million units? States around the country are rethinking
Castles in the Sand LOUISE BOLGER zoning regulations and regulatory red tape to free up restrictions on new construction. Some of the ideas are accessory dwellings in backyards to use for family members or legal rentals. Some states are overriding zoning laws on the height of rental buildings and allowing builders to reduce costs and encourage building by changing zoning to free up interior space for more units. One of the biggest complaints by builders is the cost of construction loans. Interest rates have increased for residential financing, as well as construction financing. Getting the federal government involved in lowering the cost of construction loans through cooperation with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could be a good first step.
Developers are looking at ways to reduce the cost of construction and modular construction is a possibility. Prefab and modular construction done off-site and assembled on-site could substantially reduce building costs. Builders should also rethink building starter homes, rather than focusing on larger homes designed for higher-income buyers. Finally, more focus and local legislation needs to be placed on public housing. "Social housing," as these units are now called, is not a new idea. Most major cities have communities geared for low- and middle-class residents, but more are needed to close the national housing gap. It's pretty simple: The more housing units that become available, the faster resales of existing homes will come down in price, making them more affordable. Now it’s time to see what's going on in our neck of the woods. The July Manatee County sales statistics provided by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee came out last week:
Single-family homes closed 11.2% more properties this July than last July. The median sale price was $495,000, up 1%, and the average sale price was $675,943, up 7.1%. The median time to contract was 50 days this year compared to 58 days last year. Pending inventory was up 7.3%, and the months’ supply of available properties was 4.1 months, compared to 4.8 months last year. Condos closed 18.4% more properties this year compared to last year. The median sale price was $313,950, down 1.9%, and the average sale price was $342,030, up 3.7%. The median time to contract was 70 days for both years. Pending inventory was up 22.9% this year, and the months' supply of available properties was 5.4 months this year compared to 7 months last year. Manatee County's July sales numbers are, in a word, "strong." This is a big, wealthy country, and it's time to be thinking big when it comes to housing our increasing population.
AUGUST 26, 2026
www.amisun.com
THE SUN
21
CABANA: Bradenton Beach commission TURTLES: Residents express concerns discusses possible ordinance about sea turtle safety FROM PAGE 8 has five code enforcement employees and 16 active police officers. "Holmes Beach has five code enforcement employees," Cosby said. "Three are actually code enforcement officers. They have a paralegal that processes and sends out the notices for violation." Bradenton Beach has one code enforcement officer, Evan Harbus. Cosby said the commission was discussing new rules without discussing funding for enforcement. "I don't know what you want me to do," he said. "When you sit up there and have this discussion, and some of you have come into my office and say, 'Do whatever you need to do,' but you're not going to raise taxes." He said the same discussion has been going on for years. "I'm told I should beg the county and other resources for money," Cosby said. "That's not my job. That's your job. You're going to talk
about making all these new beach regulations, but you're not going to give any funding to help take care of it. It can't work that way." "That's why we need to have this discussion," Chappie said. Scaccianoce agreed the city lacks the enforcement capacity to act immediately. She said a new ordinance would make more sense once the city can budget for the dedicated staff needed to enforce it. "Once we get to the point where we're in a position that we can hire someone that can specifically be assigned, that's when we have a conversation about an ordinance," she said. She noted that currently, citations issued for alcohol violations would be issued to individual beachgoers rather than the rental companies that provided the wine packages. No vote was taken on drafting a cabana ordinance. The commission plans to revisit the issue, along with staffing and funding options, during future meetings.
FROM PAGE 19 "The nests shouldn't have been moved to a location which is totally exposed to lights," Chappie said, adding the city does not have streetlights on the south end near the relocated nests. Chappie said the county had put hay bales along the beach to try to prevent turtles from wandering into the road. "That didn't really work that great," he said. "Our code enforcement officer (Evan Harbus) suggested to them that they put up the screening you see around construction sites. Hopefully that's going to help to some degree." Chappie said the city has been working with Florida Power and Light (FPL) to have shields put on streetlights to help prevent the turtles from being disoriented by artificial lighting. "We've been trying to work with FPL for several years now to have the shielding taken care of. They have not completed that yet," Chappie said. He said the shielding issue was raised in a recent meeting with county staff, including County Administrator Charlie Bishop. He said the city is also
discussing changes to its own streetlight fixtures to reduce impacts on turtles. Chappie noted that in 1998 Bradenton Beach was among the first municipalities on the barrier islands to adopt a sea turtle protection ordinance. "We've always had a heart for nature and the turtles," he said. Commissioner Ralph Cole said turtle protection has come a long way on the Island since the 1980s, largely due to the efforts of Suzi Fox, the late Turtle Watch executive director. He recalled helping relocate turtles decades ago before beach renourishment widened the shoreline. He noted the past relocation practices were later abandoned after studies found they could disorient hatchlings. "There are things that are really out of our control," Commissioner Debbie Scaccianoce said. "Some of the issues are people having lights on inside their homes." She noted some coastal communities have a billboard or sign at the entrances to their city that reminds visitors to keep lights off the beaches at night. Chappie thanked the residents for speaking out.
WAGNERREALTY.COM CELEBRATING 86 YEARS OF REAL ESTATE EXCELLENCE 941.727.2800
One Particular Harbour Condo 376 Aruba Circle #301 2BR/2BA / A4688563/ $624,900 Becky Smith (941)773-1954 Elfi Starrett (941)720-3528
Runaway Bay Condo 1801 Gulf Dr N., #125, Bradenton Beach 2BR/2BA / A4686575/ $540,000 Peggy Wieland (248) 310-0012
McCalls Beach Castle Condo 5310 Gulf of Mexico Dr., #16, LBK 2BR/2BA / A4702344/ $689,000 Miguel Rosa (941) 477-5928
Longboat Harbour Condo 4340 Falmouth Drive, #D-204 2BR/2BA / A4698081/ $479,000 Jonna Humphries (941) 465-2357
Mainsail Beach Inn Condo 101 66th St #6, Holmes Beach 2BR/2/5 BA / A4682831 / $769,000 Ed Taaffe (636) 346-6165
WATERFRONT Arlington Park Historic Single Family Home 2635 Hyde Park St., Sarasota 2 or 3 BR, 2 BA plus 1 BR/1BA Guest Cottage A4702150/ $1,275,000 Jennifer Anderson (941) 545-5586
Palma Sola Trace Condo 7344 Skybird Rd, Bradenton 3BR/2BA A4701885/ $309,000 Debbie Dial (941) 685-4410
OFFICES 3639 Cortez Rd W. Ste 200, Bradenton 3226 East Bay Dr., Holmes Beach 5380 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Ste 101, Longboat Key
Grayhawk Landing Single Family Home 235 Dahlia Ct., Bradenton 4BR/3BA A4701276/ $599,000 Ian Brooks-Miller (941) 807-4609
Coral Shores Single Family Home 9312 Kingston Road, Bradenton 4BR/2.5BA A4702951 / $1,200,000 Justin Charles (941) 243-6447
7411 Manatee Ave W., Ste 100, Bradenton 3403 El Conquistador Pkwy., Bradenton 1440 First St., Sarasota 8141 Lakewood Main St. Ste N109, Lakewood Ranch
Meadowcroft Condo 1409 56th St W., #1409, Bradenton 2BR/2BA A4701114 $269,000 Mary Schmidt (941) 932-0348
SCAN QR CODE FOR THIS WEEKEND OPEN HOUSES
22 THE SUN
www.amisun.com
AUGUST 26, 2026
Nesting season winding down, but many turtle nests remain BY LESLIE LAKE
SUN REPORTER | llake@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Mother turtles are likely finished laying nests for the season and now the number of hatches is ramping up. “There’s still a chance of a late nest or two, but the turtle mamas may be done for the season and heading to their foraging grounds where they will spend a couple years taking it easy and building up their energy and fat stores before returning for their next nesting season,” Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella wrote in her Aug. 21 email update. “What we are seeing a lot of this week are hatches and we have a lot more hatching to go with 179 nests still left on the beach,” she wrote. “This also means we will be conducting a lot more excavations before the end of the season.” Excavations take place three days after a nest hatches. Turtle Watch volunteers dig up the contents of the nest to find out how well the nest did, how many eggs were in the nest and how many eggs hatched. “Some of the nests that we excavated this week did not have the best hatch success,” she wrote. “We
JERRY MILLER | SUBMITTED
A loggerhead hatchling took its last few crawls before entering the Gulf. believe that these nests may have been inundated during the couple of days that Tropical Storm Bertha came through and flooded the beaches and many of the nests, even those nests pretty high on the beach.” If nests are flooded at a specific time during their incubation, it may cause the eggs to stop developing and lead to lower hatch success. “We’d like to think that the hatchlings that did survive the water inundation are stronger and may be the 1 in 1,000 that survive to adulthood,” Mazzarella wrote.
Shorebird monitoring provides helpful data Equipped with binoculars, the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring shorebird team surveys the Anna Maria Island shoreline at least once a month to document all the shorebirds that have utilized the Island beaches as a stopover or as a home. The data is used to determine location trends and which birds are here at which time of the year. During the most recent shorebird survey, spotters saw a piping plover, marbled godwits, a reddish egret, red knots and a lesser black-backed gull.
BILL BOOHER | SUBMITTED
Turtle Watch shorebird coordinator Kathy Doddridge (right) received help from volunteer Cindy Hodge (left) during the monthly shorebird survey.
Gag grouper season opens Sept. 1 During its August meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued an executive order to modify the 2026 recreational season for gag grouper in the state waters of the Gulf of America/Mexico to Sept. 1-30. The order excludes all state waters off Monroe County, according to the FWC press release. "This season is consistent with NOAA's recently announced season in adjacent federal waters. Maintaining consistent state and federal recreational seasons for Gulf gag grouper will help prevent exceeding the recreational quota and reduce the likelihood of a quota payback in 2027," the press release says. "If you plan to fish for gag grouper
or other specific reef fish species from a private recreational vessel, you must sign up for the State Reef Fish Angler Designation (annual renewal is required). As a State Reef Fish Angler, you could be selected to receive a mail survey component of the State Reef Fish Survey," the press release says. "Data from the State Reef Fish Survey is now being used for Gulf gag grouper management, and by participating in the survey, you are improving recreational data that is used to provide recreational fishing opportunities in Florida," the press release says. To learn more about the State Reef Fish Survey, visit MyFWC.com/SRFS. To learn more about gag grouper season and regulations, visit MyFWC.
CAPT. TOM STEPHENS | SUBMITTED
Shannon Lugannani, from Sarasota, with gag grouper caught while fishing with Capt. Tom Stephens. com/Marine and select "Recreational Regulations," followed by "Reef Fish" and then "Grouper" and "Gag."
AUGUST 26, 2026
www.amisun.com
THE SUN
23
AI: AMI Chamber members get a lesson in AI FROM PAGE 14 QUESTIONS AND DIALOGUE
Newton's presentation quickly morphed into an equally informative questionand-answer session that provided open back-and-forth dialogue between Newton and the engaged seminar attendees. Regarding her work at Duncan Real Estate, Green said, "I'm working on connecting my e-mail to my MLS (listings) to Claude to go back and find people that I've talked to years ago that maybe I've lost connection with to pull them back in and remind me who they are." She said AI also helps her keep her client database up to date. Newton encouraged the attendees to use AI to monitor and summarize their email and monitor business reviews, good and bad, posted online. Scott Schwalm from Eclipse Aluminum said he uses AI to
help plan his awning installation jobs. He said using AI saves him hours of time when he's selecting metal materials, fabrics, colors and engineering estimates. "It's fantastic. It really is," he said. "We've turned intelligence into a utility," Newton said. "That's what's happening. For $20 a month, $100 a month, $200 a month, you have access to an IQ level that you don't know what to do with. That's exactly what is happening. The only thing slowing us down is that we're not giving it a smart enough prompt, a good enough task. We're not asking it to work as hard as it really knows how to work. So as business owners, we need to start asking better questions. We need to consider some things that the industry has never, ever thought of." Newton recommends talking to your AI program instead of typing in prompts and commands because it's much faster and easier.
FINAL THOUGHTS
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
James Newton discussed the endless possibilities that exist with AI. Kolb said her husband has long been in the habit of thanking Siri when he speaks to that digital assistant. Chiles said she's gotten in the habit of speaking with her AI program and she says "please" and "thank you" when making prompts and requests, as she would with a human. Newton said, "As we're all talking to these (AI programs),
I think as humanity as a whole, we'll all be in better shape if we just try to keep saying 'thank you.' It would be so easy for everyone to spend all their time talking to AIs and treating them like crap. And then we go out in the real world and we talk to people the same way we talk to AI. You have to be polite in all of your interactions. And it does affect your responses."
After the seminar ended, Green said, "I thought it was very informative. You have to have a little bit of knowledge of AI for what we did today, but he took it down a level to make everybody understand, and I think everybody got something out of today." Kolb said, "I came in here thinking using AI I would lose some of my intelligence. I would no longer be using my brain. But from what James said, I'm inputting the information in and it's just helping me be more successful in my day-to-day work life." When asked what he hoped the attendees took from the presentation, Newton said, "I hope that business owners may have found a new way to look at their own businesses and come up with ways to improve some of their own processes to save employee time and increase productivity. It's just exciting, the opportunities that are there today for business owners that didn't exist six months ago."
24 THE SUN
ISLAND SPORTS
www.amisun.com
AUGUST 26, 2026
ADULT SUMMER 5V5 SOCCER (QUARTERFINALS)
Sato Real Estate 5 Leading Edge Investments 2
Salty Printing 2 (Won in penalty kicks, 1-0) 82 West Home Inspections 2 Solid Rock Construction 4 USA Fence 3
CENTER SCOREBOARD ADULT FLAG FOOTBALL (WEEK 9)
The Fish Guy Aquarium Services 14 (7-1) Moss Air 7 (3-5) Pavina Bros. Windows Cleaning 33 (3-4) MI-Box 13 (1-7) Salty Printing 39 (5-3) Luxury Services 13 (6-2) Solid Rock Construction 49 (4-3) USA Fence 13 (2-6) Fishing with Salty 39 (5-3) Moss Builders 34 (3-5)
Moss Builders 6 Hampton Painting 3
KEY ROYALE CLUB GOLF SCORES MONDAY, AUG. 17 - STAPLEFORD & SKINS GAME
First place: Ron Buck, +5 Skins: Ron Buck, hole 7; Dave Richardson, hole 9; Bill Shuman, hole 5
TUESDAY, AUG. 18 - LADIES LOW NET SCORE
First place: Jana Samuels, 36 Second place: Terry Westby, 37 Third place: Anne Klein, 42
THURSDAY, AUG. 20 - SCRAMBLE
First place: Ron Buck, Eric Lawson, Ron Vandeman, 32, even par
AM HORSESHOES | SUBMITTED
Pitching horseshoes in the dog days of summer Two teams met in the final on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at Anna Maria Horseshoes after each posted 3-0 records during pool play. Gersey Fernandes, left, and Dom Livedoti, right, beat Tim Sofran (playing solo) 22-15 and ended up in the winner's circle. On Saturday, Aug. 22, Gary Howcroft and Billy Silver were the only team to go 3-0 and they earned the day's bragging rights.
TIDE VALVE: City seeks TDC, county support for tide valve project FROM PAGE 9 what FEMA found in their case study was that prior to the installation of tide valves there was disruption of daily life and disruption to business associated with tidal flooding, very similar to what we see." Raybourn said the Key West tide valves drastically reduced tidal flooding and maintenance and cleanup associated with tidal events. "FEMA estimated that was a savings of $143,000 per year, not only to the city, but also to the local businesses in the area," Raybourn said. He concluded his presentation by showing the TDC members an example of what a functioning tide valve looks like. He also showed them a video of an area where tide valves have already been installed. "If the water is going into the inlet, that's great. If it's coming out of the inlet, that's not so great," he said, noting the water shown in the video was flowing into the inlet.
TDC RESPONSE
Cedar Cove Resort manager and TDC member Eric Cairns said tide valves and drainage improvements are needed at the south end of Holmes Beach, near the Bradenton Beach border. In response, Raybourn said he agreed and the city was already looking at a couple of drainage projects for that southern quadrant of the city. Hotelier and TDC member Jiten Patel asked if flooding was an Islandwide concern and if similar tide valve studies
MANATEE COUNTY/YOUTUBE | SUBMITTED
Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown expressed both support and concerns about the proposed tide valve spending. were conducted in Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach. He said it might be better to approach the tourist development tax funding request as an Islandwide project, with all three cities involved. He said that might be more efficient in regard to addressing flooding on a larger scale. He also noted there are low areas in Palmetto that experience similar flooding issues and he wondered if a countywide project might be needed. Bradenton Mayor and TDC member Gene Brown said during his dozen or so years in office he's learned a lot about flooding, drainage and stormwater systems. He said tide valves can be helpful but they're not the "silver bullet" that solves all flooding issues. He said when the tide valves work, people are happy, but when they don't work, city officials get blamed for not better addressing flood prevention. He said the city of Bradenton has tide valves that work one day and don't the next. He also noted barnacle growth and intrusion often diminish a tide valve's effectiveness. Brown expressed his preliminary support
WASTOP.COM | SUBMITTED
WaStop is one of several companies that manufactures tide valves. for the Holmes Beach funding request, but he also said he's concerned about spending tourist development tax revenues on something that may not fully succeed. He also said the five other cities in Manatee County would likely follow suit and ask the TDC to recommend tourist development tax revenues be used for the other cities' drainage projects too. County Commissioner and TDC Chair Amanda Ballard expressed a similar concern. Citing state law, Ballard also said, "We can potentially spend 60% of TDT funds on infrastructure. If we start moving in that direction, that is what will happen. I'm not necessarily opposed to this project. I think it's necessary. I think it's a good thing, but I think it's a policy question. Do we want to spend 60% of our TDT funds on infrastruc-
ture? It definitely impacts tourists." Ballard agreed with Patel's suggestion for an Islandwide tide valve project. "I think to truly impact tourism in the most positive way, we need an Islandwide solution," she said. Ballard noted state law requires a TDCfunded independent study of a proposed project and its benefits on tourism. Diggins said the city paid for a technical study, but he doesn't know if that qualifies as an independent study. TDC member Tony DeRusso asked Falcione how much revenue the tourist development tax typically generates per year. Falcione said it's currently about $38 million. He said the TDC members need to make sure tourist tax revenues are being spent on projects that truly affect tourism.
AUGUST 26, 2026
FUN IN THE SUN
Across 1 Sticky and stinky sealant 4 Yank (on) 7 Agrees to 14 Purple yam from the Philippines 15 Game with red, yellow, blue, and green cards 16 Steel mill material 17 Barbecue choice 19 Find and remove 20 "Across the pond" pond 22 __ in comparison 23 Hotel amenity 24 Chooses to participate 27 Help desk techs 30 Bank charge 31 Got the highest score in golf, say 34 Jazz pianist Chick 35 Execs focused on the bottom line
Answers to 08-19-26 Crossword Puzzle
36 10th grader, briefly 37 Singer-songwriter DiFranco 38 Special skills 41 Kaitlin's "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" role 42 Totally dismantle 44 California-based candy company 45 Five Pillars religion 47 Grade sch. 48 Alternative to sparkling 49 Stick 50 Fine wool 52 Summer sign 53 Love, in Firenze 55 Like some game night games, or a feature of 4-, 11-, 21-, 29-, and 40Down 60 Some park employees
THE SUN
25
63 Common oatmeal cookie ingredient 64 First Amendment word 65 Place to spend the night 66 One-on-one chats on soc. media 67 Agrees 68 Easter egg need 69 Up to now Down 1 Bulky horn 2 Stand watch for, say 3 Instagram feed feature 4 One who switches sides 5 Fuses together 6 Mongolian for "waterless place" 7 Atmosphere 8 __-Magnon 9 Henhouses 10 Necessitates 11 Basic flotation device 12 "Good point" 13 Hardens, as concrete 18 Word with laissez or savoir 21 Brewery vessel? 25 Low-level workers 26 Trial 27 "You matter to me" 28 Like many Chinese dialects 29 Purse at a boxing match 32 Piece of fishing gear
33 Motif 35 G-rated 39 Prosecco kin 40 Soccer pitch boundary 43 Pops up 46 Vans or Crocs
49 Empire State capital 51 Like a clarinet's sound 53 Pet sounds 54 Rooney of "Women Talking" 56 Like the 6-Down
57 Spruce (up) 58 "I'm buying!" 59 Hushed summons 61 Blini topping 62 Texting format initials
26 THE SUN
CLASSIFIEDS
COMMERCIAL SALES, RENT & LEASE HAVE YOU BEEN thinking of selling? We NEED properties to List for SALE!!! Duplexes, multi family, small resorts? Call BIG Alan Galletto of Island Real Estate to get it SOLD 941-232-2216
CLEANING SERVICE TOTAL HOME SERVICES CLEANING: Residential, Commercial, Rentals, VRBO. Professional and Reliable. Call 941-756-4570 or 941-565-3931
HOME IMPROVEMENTS RENOVATION SPECIALIST ALL carpentry repairs, Wash Family Construction, locally owned and operated CBC 1258250 Call 941-725-0073. KERN & GILDER CONSTRUCTION, INC New Homes & Remodel. Design/Build. Since 1968. License # CBC 1261150. Call the Office. 941-778-1115. OFFICE ADDRESS: 1878 59th Street W Bradenton, FL 34209 GET’R DONE DRYWALL, INC Specializing in Remodels & Repairs. Island Resident for 20+ years. Call Neil. Cell 941-9621194 JSAN CORPORATION Renovations Construction & Handyman Services 941-243-0995 Lic# CRC1332505 jsancorporation@gmail. com Flooring, Drywall, Painting, Repairs, Kitchen and Bathrooms, Trim & Doors. Free Estimates. Credit Cards Accepted.
Call us today! 941-778-3986 AUGUST 26, 2026
LOCAL ISLAND RESIDENT 30+ years of experience. Licensed & insured. Professional Services. Carpentry, Painting, Drywall and More. Reliable, Honest, Quality work. FREE estimates- Call Brian 941-220-8300
LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE R. GAROFALO’S Interlocking brick pavers, driveways, patios, pool decks. Free estimates. Licensed & Insured. Call Rafael 941-778-4823 or Veronik 941-526-7941 ISLAND RESIDENT. TREE/ BUSH Trimming, removal. Sweeping, blowing, and weeding. Weekly, bi-monthly or monthly schedule. Pressure washing. Call Bill Witaszek 941307-9315
MOVING & STORAGE MARTIN’S MOVING YOUR Island movers! Offering dependable, competitive rates. No hidden costs. 941-8095777.
PAINTING & WALLCOVERING
DONALD PERKINS ABRACADABRA PAINTING LLC fully insured. 30 years experience. Many Island references. Call 941-705-7096 PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reliable. Island Resident. Quality Workmanship. Interior/Exterior. Minor repairs & carpentry. Free estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315
PEST CONTROL ANNA MARIA PEST CONTROL Call 941-7781630
POOL SERVICES FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE AND CHEMICAL SERVICES. Certified Pool Operator. 18 + Years Experience. Residential/commercial. Chemical Service Licensed & Insured. Call Dennis Clark 941-7375657 COLE'S TROPICAL POOL SERVICE Call Cole Bowers for all your pool maintenance needs! Affordable and Dependable!! 941-7131893
PRESSURE WASHING & WINDOWS TOTAL HOME SERVICES CLEANING: Residential, Commercial, Construction, Vacation, VRBO Rentals . Also available Pressure Washing, Roof Cleaning, Paver Sealing and Windows. Call 941-5653931.
REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE Have you been thinking of selling? We NEED properties to List for SALE!!! GULF FRONT, CANAL FRONT, BAY FRONT CONDOS or HOMES ASK for BIG Alan Galletto of Island Real Estate to get it SOLD 941-232-2216 LOOKING FOR A highly motivated real estate broker to buy or sell your next home? Darcie Duncan, Broker Duncan Real Estate a lifelong island resident bringing success to her customers for 30 years. Proven track record brings you results! 941-725-1589
FOR SALE STUNNING completely renovated home in the HISTORIC LONGBEACH VILLAGE single family home with garage, 2BR/2BA with option of a 3rd sleeping area. Walkable to the beach and restraints. $899,900 unbelievable price. Gorgeous! call Sharon Hightower RE/ MAX Alliance Group 941-330-5054 today. 3BR/2BA SINGLE FAMILY HOME NW BRADENTON, COMPLETELY RENOVATED all new windows, doors, roof, bathrooms, flooring, new ac, fenced backyard, room for boat or jet ski parking. Gorgeous inside and outside NO Flood insurance required. Vacant move in ready. $769,900 call Sharon Hightower 941-3305054 direct RE/MAX Alliance Group BUY ONE OR BOTH - -Two Anna Maria island coastal Elevated Retreats each has 3 bedrooms. Excellent weekly Rental Zone! BEST BUYS on ISLAND, UNIT A $775,000 with 2 Car Garage, UNIT B $880,000 with 3 Car Garage CHRISTINE KOURIK REMAX 314440-7574
PAINT! PAINT! AND MORE 28 years of experienced interior/exterior custom painting. Pressure cleaning, drywall repairs and texture finishes. Many Island references. Please call Neil for free estimates. 941-812-0507 “WIZARD OF WALLS” Established 1980 Prompt quality service. Wallpaper installation/ removal. Mary Bell Winegarden 941-794-0455
BRADENTON BEACH 205 Highland Ave #3 1BR condo elevated with covered parking. 1 block to beach. + pool. $379,900 Christine Kourik Remax 314-440-7574
RENTALS: ANNUAL ANNUAL 12 MONTH MIN. Holmes Beach 2BR/2BA + office. Walk to beach, shops, restaurants & trolley. $2800/mo. Call 203223-1119. ANNUAL CONDO BRADENTON BEACH 1BR/1BA Furnished, all utilities including cable & Wi-Fi. Small resort, big pool. One block to beach. 6 month minimum $2200/month. Call 941-315-6678
RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION TIFFANY PLACE Gulf Front Condo for Rent Incredible views from living room and master bedroom. 2BR/2BA Green Real Estate Call 941-778-0455 SEASONAL RENTAL in PALMA SOLA. 3BR/2BA weekly or monthly rates. Contact Barb Grace 941201-2190
TRANSPORTATION ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa/St. Pete $90. Sarasota $45. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-7795095
FREE
HOME DELIVERY
GORILLA DRYWALL REPAIR, LLC. 15+ years of experience. Free Estimates. Let’s solve your Drywall problems together. Call 941-286-0607.
Facebook.com/AnnaMariaIslandSun
Call for Details
778-3986
AUGUST 26, 2026
www.amisun.com
BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY FLOOR & TILE
THE SUN
27
Call today to place your ad: 941-778-3986
HOME IMPROVEMENT
PAINTING
HOME IMPROVEMENT
REAL ESTATE
SERVICES
AM PARKING: proposed paid parking raises questions FROM PAGE 4 QUESTIONS RAISED
North Shore Drive Café owners and Coconut Avenue residents Nathan Scott and Colleen Geller shared with The Sun their questions and comments regarding the proposed parking program. “Was there an impact study done to see the effect of paid parking on local business and overall visitor traffic to the Island?” they asked. “How will the city work with guests of homeowners?” they asked. “Last night, our 9-year-old daughter, Vivian Rose, hosted classmates from Anna Maria Elementary school to swim, eat hotdogs, watch a sunset and play. Most of her friends live in Holmes Beach. Seven parents needed to park to drop off and pick up their children. With what’s proposed are our friends and families required to pay to park when they visit?” they asked. “This proposal will change the way we gather on our Island. Will book clubs, walking groups, family and friend cookouts or the Roser church moms group continue to gather in each other’s homes? Paid parking on
our residential streets and our main street creates obstacles for interaction, therefore chipping away at our community,” the couple said. There are currently several free streetside parking spaces along North Shore Drive, near the couple’s café. It’s not yet known if those spaces would be designated as paid parking spaces or resident permit parking spaces. “This proposal will affect our family in every way: Our business, our employees, our own living and our community,” they said. Anna Maria City Pier tenant and Anna Maria Island General Store owner-operator Brian Seymour distributed a letter to his fellow Anna Maria business owners urging them to attend the Aug. 31 meeting and share their thoughts on the paid parking proposal.
UNANSWERED QUESTIONS
Fanchi’s Aug. 11 presentation raises many questions that will need to be answered at some point. How accurate was the parking map Fanchi presented on Aug. 11? How many paid parking spaces would be created, how much
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Will paid parking be implemented along this stretch of North Shore Drive near the North Shore Café? revenue would those paid parking Would someone stopping to spaces generate, and what would grab food, a snack, a cup of coffee it cost the city to implement, or a soft drink to go along Pine operate and enforce the proposed Avenue or Gulf Drive have to pay parking program? for one hour’s worth of parking, How would the city spend its plus the 65-cent processing fee? paid parking revenues? Would there be an initial Would paid parking be short-term free parking period in implemented along the Gulf the paid parking spaces? Drive and Pine Avenue business How would the parking corridors? restrictions impact employees What impact would paid who work in Anna Maria? parking have on Anna Maria’s Would having to pay to park businesses and restaurants? hourly, or with a special permit, Would paid parking discourage discourage some people from non-Anna Maria residents from working in Anna Maria? visiting restaurants and busiWould City Pier and City Pier nesses in Anna Maria? Park visitors – and future Gulf
Island Ferry passengers – have to pay to park near the city-owned pier, where there are currently a couple dozen free parking spaces? Would paid parking impact the privately operated PIERadise restaurant expected to open at the T-end of the City Pier later this year or early next year? Would resident permit parking improve the quality of life for Anna Maria residents? Does Anna Maria’s shrinking full-time resident population support the proposed resident permit parking program? Exactly how will non-resident family members and friends be provided free parking during residential gatherings, as was proposed on Aug. 11? Will Center members who are not Anna Maria residents have to pay to park at The Center? Would non-city residents have to pay to park when attending concerts and special events at The Center, theatrical performances at The Island Players and special events such as Bayfest, the annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies, city-sponsored holiday events and more? These and more questions might be answered during the Aug. 31 meeting.
28 THE SUN
www.amisun.com
AUGUST 26, 2026