Anna Maria Island Sun July 29, 2026

Center’s summer campers learn skimboarding

Camp instructor Evan Talucci showed the summer campers his technique. Story on Page 8.

Anna Maria officials divided on millage increase

It will take a unanimous commission vote in September to increase the current millage rate.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN REPORTER | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Commissioner Charlie Salem said he will not support a property tax-related millage increase sought by commissioners Chris Arendt and John Lynch for the new 2026-27 fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.

Because of a new property taxrelated state law enacted earlier this year by the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis in the form of Senate Bill 4-F, the state now requires a unanimous 5-0 vote to increase the millage rate above the rolled-back rate that would generate the same $3.8 million in property tax revenues next

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Commissioner Charlie Salem, left, does not support a millage increase. Commissioner Chris Arendt, right, supports a millage increase.

fiscal year as it did during the current fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30.

After much discussion during the July 23 city commission meeting –including input from City Treasurer Randy Maxson and City Attorney Pamela Cichon regarding the new

SEE AM MILLAGE, PAGE 9

The public comment period continues through Aug. 7

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN REPORTER | jhendricks@amisun.com

MANATEE COUNTY – On July 17, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District issued a public notice regarding an application to construct a gabion wall along the Long Bar Point/Sarasota Bay shoreline as part of the Aqua development formerly known as Long Bar Pointe and Aqua by the Bay.

The federal agency seeks public comment on the proposed gabion wall and Friday, Aug. 7, is the submission deadline.

The partially completed, partially occupied, multiphase development is located along the El Conquistador Parkway in unincorporated Manatee County.

According to Wikipedia, "A gabion wall is a retaining or erosion-control structure made of wire mesh cages (baskets) filled with rock, stone, or other rubble."

Tropical Storm Bertha impacted 189 turtle nests

The stormy weather completely washed out 65 turtle nests.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN REPORTER | llake@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Heavy surf from the Gulf and strong winds from Tropical Storm Bertha impacted 189 sea turtle nests on Anna Maria Island from July 19 through July 22.

"During that time, there were 371 loggerhead nests still incubating on the beach," Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella stated in her July 24 email update.

According to Mazzarella, Tropical Storm Bertha impacted 189 nests. That accounts for 51% of the nests that were on the Anna Maria Island

KATHY DODDRIDGE | SUBMITTED

The heavy surf and winds pushed the Gulf waters high on the beach on Anna Maria as Tropical Storm Bertha passed by offshore.

beaches when the storm started. Sixtyfive nests were completely washed out, six nests had some eggs washed out, seven nests were observed in standing water and 111 nests were washed over by the surf. The remaining 182 nests were not impacted.

SEE TURTLES, PAGE 5

Rotary Club donates $25,000 for Beach Patrol drone program

The Rotary Club donation will assist with the county’s $140,000 drone water rescue program.

BY ERNIE VANDERWALT SUN CORRESPONDENT | sanddollarguy@gmail.com

BRADENTON BEACH – The Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island presented Manatee County Beach Patrol with a $25,000 check to assist Manatee County with its five-year, $140,000 Beach Patrol drone water rescue program.

The beach drone rescue program will utilize a specialized drone manufactured, programmed, supported and maintained by BRINC Drones.

The check presentation took place during the July 21 Rotary Club luncheon at the Beach House restaurant in Bradenton Beach. The funds were raised in May, when the Rotary Club held its second annual Reel for Rotary fishing tournament and dedicated half of the tournament's net proceeds to the county's drone water rescue program. The drone being purchased by the county, with assistance from the Rotary Club, will cost approximately $30,000.

AMI Rotary Club President Rebecca Gill's son, David Bettner, is a former U.S.

Rotary

Coast Guard member, and he attended the Rotary Club luncheon. Bettner said the drone will shrink the window of time between an emergency and a response and give rescuers a tool that isn't tied to any one person’s location or availability.

The drone will be stationed centrally at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach, which will put it less than four minutes by air from Bean Point in Anna Maria, where multiple water rescues occurred in 2025, including two drowning-related fatalities.

Beach Patrol officials are confident the reduced response time could make a critical difference in a rescue situation in which a patrol vehicle covering the same distance in traffic might take 15 to 30 minutes to arrive.

The BRINC drone to be utilized on Anna Maria Island will feature an emergency flotation device.

Manatee County Beach Patrol Chief Chet Brown said the drone's primary uses will be water rescues, locating missing children and responding to cardiac arrest calls. He said the drone could also help cut down on false calls, which is a recurring drain on resources when multiple agencies respond to a report that turns out to be nothing serious. A quick drone flyover can confirm or cancel a call before units are dispatched.

Beach Patrol Lt. David Snyder said the idea to use a drone grew out of recurring struggles to locate missing swimmers quickly.

"If we could launch a drone, we can have it in the area really quick and give us a bird's eye view of what's going on," Snyder said.

He said three Beach Patrol drone pilots have already completed training and certification, and the drone is expected to arrive in August.

Snyder said the drone can act as a scout and give responders a clear picture of a situation before they arrive at the scene. The drone can carry a payload matched to the emergency. The drone carries a drop tube that inflates upon contact with water and delivers a flotation device on impact, rather than requiring a swimmer to reach the scene first. Other applications include delivering an automated external defibrillator (AED) to someone experiencing a cardiac event – and doing so before a lifeguard or other first responder arrives.

Snyder said Beach Patrol currently has an AED for each of its 14 or 15 responding units. The drone would let crews redeploy that equipment quickly to wherever it's needed most, even in situations where a responder is pulled to another call without having any gear in hand.

BRINC's Guardian Station system is built for continuous deployment, and it automatically switches batteries and payloads between flights. The drones are corrosionand water-resistant and can carry flotation devices, AEDs and trauma kits.

ISLAND NEWS

IN BRIEF

SUBMITTED

Cortez Road utility relocation project update

The construction activities taking place along Cortez Road West as part of the Cortez Bridge utility relocation project are anticipated to be completed in the fall. According to the latest Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) project update, pipe installation is underway on both the north and south sides of the roadway. Street closures are also in effect at Central Avenue, 125th Court West, 124th Street Court West and 124th Street West, with traffic barriers extending just before 123rd Street Court West. The current phase of construction is expected to be completed by late summer. Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists should anticipate intermittent lane shifts, flagging operations and temporary sidewalk and bicycle lane closures throughout the construction area. FDOT advises those traveling through the area to use caution, follow all posted signage and observe all traffic control measures and detours.

Work is scheduled to take place Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with occasional weekend work possible as needed. Construction schedules and activities are subject to change due to weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. FDOT’s Cortez Bridge replacement project is scheduled to begin in September.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

City Pier T-end bids received

The city of Anna Maria received three sealed bids from contractors seeking the city contract to repair and remediate the hurricane damage the T-end of the Anna Maria City Pier sustained during the 2024 hurricanes. The three bids were opened on July 22 by Deputy City Clerk Barbara Jeffries, with Administrative Assistant Isis Mavenyengwa also present. The Tangerine Group’s bid was $731,425. Sully’s LLC’s bid was $343,805. Southern Cross Contracting’s bid was $436,192, with an alternate bid of $310,000. After the bids are reviewed, Mayor Mark Short will seek city commission approval of his recommended bid. As of last week, the installation of the new City Pier walkway decking was nearly complete. The City Pier is currently expected to reopen this fall.

Scan this code with your smartphone to go there.

Commission discusses short-term vacation rental occupancy

The city commission supports moving forward with a two-plus-two occupancy limit.

BY LESLIE LAKE

SUN REPORTER | llake@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – The mayor and city commissioners agree that short-term vacation rental occupancy limits should be tied to the number of bedrooms and a two-plus-two occupancy limit that allows two occupants per bedroom and two additional occupants.

If adopted, the two-plus-two rule would allow six occupants in a two-bedroom vacation rental, 10 occupants in a four-bedroom rental, 14 occupants in a sixbedroom rental, 22 occupants in a 10-bedroom rental, and so forth, with the two additional occupants sleeping on a sofa, futon or some other non-bedroom sleeping accommodation. The commission does not support implementing a fixed maximum occupancy limit that would be applied regardless of the number of bedrooms the rental home or rental unit offers.

City officials expressed their preliminary support for the twoplus-two occupancy limit during the July 21 city commission work meeting that featured a lengthy discussion about the city’s Transient Public Lodging Establishment (TPLE) ordinance. No final decisions were made during the work meeting and Mayor John Chappie said these matters would be further discussed during the next regular city commission meeting, which is Thursday, Aug. 6, at 6 p.m.

Bradenton Beach’s current vacation rental (TPLE) regulations were adopted more than a decade ago under the guidance of then-City Attorney Ricinda Perry. During the work meeting, current City Attorney Erica Augello said those long-standing regulations require additional clarification.

In Florida, short-term vacation rental owners are required to hold a Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) license for any transient lodging unit that is rented, advertised or

made available for rent for 30 days or less, three times or more during a single calendar year. DBPR licenses do not establish occupancy limits.

Augello referenced the occupancy limits set forth in Sec. 59-6, subsection D, of Bradenton Beach’s existing TPLE ordinance, which currently says, “The number of occupants in any transient rental unit shall not exceed the limits set forth in the certificate of occupancy issued pursuant to the Florida Building Code in effect for the structure, or the license issued by DBPR, whichever is less. Transient visitors shall be permitted on the transient rental unit premises; however, at no point shall the total number of persons exceed two times the limits set forth in the certificate of occupancy.”

“This section is very convoluted,” Augello said. “There is nothing in the Florida Building Code that talks about occupancy in general terms. It talks about occupancy loads for purposes of ingress and egress, but nothing about how many people you can put in a building. Fire code does, but that’s max occupancy, that’s not bedroom occupancy. I suggest occupancy shall be calculated by multiplying the number of bedrooms by two and adding two. You can do it that way, or you can do a maximum number. I need your direction on exactly what you mean by occupancy.”

Police Chief John Cosby asked how the occupancy limits would be enforced.

“You’re going to get calls for noise,” Augello said. “It’s going to be in their advertising. If, for example, a vacation rental has three bedrooms, all their advertising can say is that it sleeps the number per their TPLE license.”

Mayor John Chappie asked if the owner or property management agency would be forced to advertise the correct occupancy.

“Absolutely,” Augello said.

“You don’t have anything in your code that gives you a number for occupancy,” Augello said. “I need a number to put on your TPLE license, or we can get rid of it altogether.”

“We can limit it to 12 people,” Commissioner Robert Talham said. “We need something to regulate this in the event you’re being aggravated by these rental homes. This is a tool.”

Commissioner Ralph Cole said applying maximum occupancy limits would be unenforceable.

“We’ve had this conversation so many times,” Cole said. “The only thing you can get somebody for is disturbing the peace, so stick with that. You can’t tell people you can only have 12 people in the house. It’s about property rights. It’s unenforceable.”

TURTLES: Tropical Storm Bertha impacted 189 turtle nests

In her email, Mazzarella said sea turtle nests can withstand some overwash, but too much overwash may cause the turtle eggs to stop developing, and heavy surf washing away the sand can expose the nest or pull out the eggs.

"Once the eggs have been moving around in the surf, it's likely that they are no longer viable," she said. "However, eggs left in the sand may still be viable after the water drains from the nest. Rain and wash over from the surf can also cool the nest."

"Each day of the storm, Turtle Watch patrolled the beach with a list of all 371 nests so they could check each one and determine if any of them lost their posts or had eggs washed away," she said. "Turtle patrol documented water disturbances, picked up nest stakes that washed away, used the original GPS coordinates to determine if nests were completely washed out, and reposted

nests that had lost stakes but were still in place.

"Turtle patrol is tasked with protecting sea turtles and their nests from human impacts, but we do not interfere when nests are impacted by Mother Nature.

Sea turtles have been around for millions of years and have adaptations that account for losses due to natural causes," Mazzarella said.

She said the heavy rains obliterated both adult female tracks and hatchling tracks, but Turtle Watch volunteers still found new nests and hatches.

CINDY HODGE | SUBMITTED

Some turtle nests were completely under water because of Tropical Storm Bertha. Turtle Watch volunteers Karen and Chuck Anderson inventoried a hatched nest while a young girl watched.

She noted the sex of the hatchlings is determined by the temperature of the nest during a specific part of the incubation period.

"Warmer temperatures produce more females, and cooler temperatures produce more males," she said. "This may have increased the number of males produced in some nests."

Where’s Krysta?

Mazzarella expressed appreciation for those who called the Turtle Watch hotline at 941-3018434 to alert them of eggs and

SEE TURTLES, PAGE 23

As of Sunday, July 27, Krysta, a female loggerhead sea turtle, had traveled 404 miles since she was satellite-tagged and released on June 29 after nesting on Coquina Beach. She will participate in the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s 2026 Tour de Turtles race, which begins on Aug. 1. 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)

OPINION

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

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Strong neighborhoods central to American life

The Manatee Concerned Residents group is asking for the community's support as Manatee County commissioners address potential revisions to the county's short-term vacation rental ordinance. If adopted, the revised regulations would apply to the unincorporated areas of Manatee County, including Cortez, not already governed by a local municipality's vacation rental ordinance.

The Manatee Concerned Residents group is doing an outstanding job of organizing and providing a wealth of relevant links to inform residents and let them weigh in on the expansion of short-term rentals. Since island residents have had much experience with this issue, they are asking for our support.

Even the creators of Airbnb, who threw mattresses on the floor for rentals in 2007, were unaware of the global scaling that would occur by 2011. This and similar vacation rental models have flourished in a regulatory vacuum in unincorporated Manatee County, where short-term rentals have created long-term consequences.

We appreciate that the Board of County Commissioners is ad -

dressing proactive compliance monitoring and enforcement, and the need is evident. Shortterm rentals are clearly defined in Florida Statutes as transient public lodging establishments, or TPLEs, and they are being operated as commercial enterprises in single-family residential zones. The rapid proliferation of short-term rentals has affected housing economics, neighborhood cohesion and municipal resources.

AFFORDABILITY

When a home is placed on the market, investors often outbid families, thus decreasing the housing stock for local workers and driving up rent. In 2021, it was reported that Manatee County saw a 41% increase in rent prices. The Florida Policy Institute reported more than a 30% increase in rents in the county from 2019 to 2023.

EROSION OF NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER

Permanent neighbors become rotating strangers. Cease-anddesist letters, taunting and the inability of residents to live normally in their homes are factors contributing to the displacement of residents and the restructuring of residential neighborhoods. People and corporations are buying up multiple properties, and once-stable neighborhoods are being transformed into

transient tourist zones with high occupancy rates that strain infrastructure and local resources.

OCCUPANCY

Unincorporated Manatee County averages 2.4 people per household. This is in alignment with the countywide average. The state average is 2.47. The suggested vacation rental occupancy of 12 people is an exorbitant 400% increase over the 2.4-person-per-household average. Occupancies need to be more aligned with averages.

LENGTH OF STAY

Well before the state's 2011 preemption of local length-of-stay restrictions, Manatee County Ordinance 89-01 included in the definition of a dwelling the following language: "one family only, for owner occupancy or for rental, lease or other occupancy on a weekly or longer basis."

Please contact manateeconcernedresidents@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page and help the Manatee Concerned Residents group with the initiative to preserve their neighborhoods. As we know, all of this can ultimately impact the island as well.

ON

ANNA MARIA

10005 GULF DRIVE

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130

Visit www.cityofannamaria.com

Thursday, July 30, 2 p.m., City Commission budget workshop: operating expenses

Thursday, Aug. 6, 10 a.m., City Commission budget workshop: citywide expenses

BRADENTON BEACH

107 GULF DRIVE N.

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005

Visit www.cityofbradentonbeach.com

Thursday, July 30, 9:30 a.m., Community Redevelopment Agency budget work meeting

Thursday, July 30, 11 a.m., City Commission budget work meeting

Wednesday, Aug. 5, 1 p.m., Planning and Zoning Commission meeting

Thursday, Aug. 6, 6 p.m., City Commission meeting

HOLMES BEACH

5801 MARINA DRIVE

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800

Visit www.holmesbeachfl.org

Tuesday, July 28, City Commission meeting CANCELED

Wednesday, Aug. 5, 3:30 p.m., Planning Commission meeting

Bradenton Beach holding budget meetings

The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) budget work meeting will be held on Thursday, July 30, at 9:30 a.m. The Bradenton Beach City Commission budget work meeting will follow at 11 a.m. The budgets for the city administration; police department; emergency operations; code enforcement; building department; streets and roads;

storm water; the Bradenton Beach Pier; proposed capital projects; and the Tingley Library will be discussed during each work meeting. The commission will also discuss the tentative maximum millage rate for the 20262027 budget. Public comment will be allowed during both meetings, to be held at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

Center’s summer campers learn skimboarding

Skimboard instructor Evan Talucci taught the summer campers.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN REPORTER | llake@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – A group of youngsters at The Center of Anna Maria Island’s summer camp literally got their feet wet when learning the art of skimboarding.

Skimboarding is one of a variety of specialty camp activities offered in addition to the regular camp program throughout the summer at The Center. Each morning, with skimboards in hand, campers ranging from kindergarten-age through ninth grade walked up Magnolia Avenue to the beach access at the end of the road. The sessions ran for two hours Monday through Thursday.

Evan Talucci, owner of AMI Skim and Surf for the past three years, instructed the summer campers.

“Around seven is about the best age to start to learn, but even for the younger kids, the goal is to just have fun,” Talucci said.

Because of Tropical Storm Bertha, the water at the beginning of the week was too rough for some of the younger kids to skimboard in the Gulf.

Fortunately, there was a huge puddle on the beach where kids practiced their gliding and balancing skills for the first couple of days of the camp.

“I just did this because of some of these kids’ swimming abilities,” Talucci said.

AM MILLAGE: officials divided on millage increase

state law – the commission voted 4-1 in favor of setting the tentative maximum millage rate at 1.85 mills. The tentative maximum can be lowered before the Sept. 8 budget hearing but not increased.

In September, it will take the support of all five commissioners to raise the millage rate above the current 1.65 rate, which would generate an estimated $4.1 million in ad valorem property tax revenues in the coming fiscal year.

During the July 16 budget workshop, Maxson told the commission a simple majority of three votes could adopt a final rate of 1.5042 or less; a twothirds majority of four votes would be needed for a rate between 1.5042 and 1.6546 mills; and a unanimous vote is needed for anything higher.

At 1.65 mills, a property owner is taxed $1.65 for every $1,000 of assessed taxable value after exemptions. Anna Maria property owners also pay separate millage-based taxes to Manatee County, the Manatee County School District and other taxing authorities.

Maxson said the total value of all Anna Maria properties combined is $2.6 billion.

COMMISSION DEBATE

After participating in budget workshops on July 16 and July 23, commissioners were asked to set the tentative

maximum millage rate during the July 23 commission meeting.

Mayor Mark Short opened the discussion by saying, "I want to be clear: this is the not to exceed amount. It cannot exceed 2.05. Our budget currently contemplates 1.65."

Salem said maintaining the current 1.65 rate would generate about 10% more ad valorem revenue than this year, largely due to increased property values and new homes replacing hurricanedamaged homes. He said setting the not-to-exceed rate at 2.05 mills didn't make sense and it should be set at 1.65.

Arendt said the 1.65 rate would leave the city with an approximate

$225,000 budget deficit and would prevent it from rebuilding its reserves, which stood at about $4 million before the millage was cut from 2.05 to 1.65 a couple years ago, and before the 2024 hurricanes further reduced reserves to roughly $1 million. Arendt said he would push for a rate higher than 1.65 to offset the deficit but does not support raising it to 2.05.

"I think it's our fiduciary responsibility. I think it would be negligent if we didn't," he said.

Participating by phone, Lynch said he agreed with Arendt. He said he doesn't support 2.05 mills but does support a rate higher than 1.65.

McMullen said he favored keeping the current 1.65 rate but supported the higher tentative maximum to allow continued discussion. MorganJohnson did not indicate where she stood on the final rate.

ADDITIONAL REVENUES

The proposed 2026-27 budget also anticipates $8.35 million in grant revenues, $2.17 million in license, permit and fee revenues, $641,228 in stormwater assessment fees and $450,000 in fines and forfeitures.

Short said the current $4 per 100 square feet stormwater fee will remain in effect, but fees will be calculated using a new methodology factoring in impervious surface area.

The budget also proposes raising the city's annual vacation rental registration fee from $100.20 to $165 per allowed occupant, per year. Maxson said the increased fee would generate about $950,000.

The budget also anticipates $36,000 in annual registration fees expected to be levied on beach cabana rental companies once the commission finalizes its commercial beach activity registration program, still in the works.

The third budget workshop is set for Thursday, July 30, at 2 p.m. The final millage rate will be tentatively adopted on Sept. 8 and presented for final adoption Sept. 23.

Izzy’s Place closes after less than five months

Izzy’s Place owner Tom Theophilopoulos attributed the closing in part to bad timing.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN REPORTER | llake@amisun.com

CORTEZ – Tom Theophilopoulos closed the doors to Izzy's Place diner less than five months after opening due to what he described as bad timing.

"Once the snowbirds went home, business dropped through the floor," he said. "I opened Feb. 28, and after the end of March my business fell by about 60%."

Theophilopoulos opened the doors at the 12012 Cortez Road location after the Feb. 1 closing of Slicker's Eatery, in the space Slicker's Eatery leased for five years.

Theophilopoulos said that due to being open for just a short period of time, he didn't have the chance to develop a local clientele.

"I'm a Canadian citizen, and due to the money exchange rate, I lost a lot of money that could have kept me going," he said.

He also cited Cortez Road traffic as a concern.

"The traffic killed me," he said. "I think people going toward

the beach didn't want to come in because they thought they wouldn't get back out."

Theophilopoulos, who has been in the restaurant business for more than 40 years – including serving as director of operations at four restaurant chains and running Hard Rock Cafes in Canada and the northeastern United States – plans to start a catering business.

"If the catering business does well, I will look for a better location and better timing," he said.

A woman who was inside the vacated building earlier in the week said the space will reopen as a sports bar. She did not give further details and she said the paperwork is being processed.

RENTALS: Commission discusses short-term vacation rental occupancy

Commissioner Scott Bear said, “If we say it’s 12 maximum and you own a 10-bedroom house, you’ve just cut their ability to rent to the full potential. That opens us up for people saying, ‘You’re now restricting me.’”

In response, Augello said, “From a legal perspective, you have the right to do it. A license is not a right; it’s a privilege and that privilege is based on the regulations.”

She said similar occupancy limit cases have been litigated in other cities.

“Those people have lost,” she said. “I’m not saying you won’t get sued, but this is a rational regulation based on a rational calculation that talks about the intensity of the use.”

Chappie said he likes the twoplus-two occupancy limit.

“The two-plus-two is a number that’s enforceable and is not setting us up for future lawsuits,” Bear said.

Commissioner Debbie Scaccianoce said she did not agree with setting a fixed number for every rental in the city.

“I think the two-plus-two makes sense,” she said.

“I’m hearing two-plus-two. Full stop,” Augello said in response to the commission input she received.

ADDITIONAL ISSUES

The mayor and commissioners also discussed other issues inherent to short-term vacation rentals, including after-hours noise, trash and the large number of vehicles

parked at some vacation rental properties.

“I know we’ve all had issues with trash, with parking and with noise. For example, you’re only allowed to have the amount of cars that are assigned based on your business license,” Chappie said.

“Your TPLE license tells you how many cars you’re allowed to have there,” Augello said.

“It’s always nice to remind owners and property managers they have to register with Waste Pro to have the side-yard trash pickup,” Chappie said. “It drives me nuts when I see garbage cans stacked out on the curb.”

Augello said the property owner or management company is responsible for whatever happens on the property.

It was also noted the city’s noise ordinance defines “hours of rest” as being between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

“The enforcement provision basically says if you have three code enforcement violations within one year of the first violation, you get your license suspended for three months,” Augello said. “If you have

six within the first year, you get an additional six months of suspension. With nine, you get a one-year suspension. If you’re violating within that suspension, you would get the license revoked.”

She said the city’s special magistrate would make those penaltyrelated rulings.

“After repeated violations, it takes it out of the hands of the legislators or staff,” Augello said.

OTHER ISLAND CITIES

In Holmes Beach, the maximum short-term rental occupancy is six occupants, or two occupants per bedroom, whichever is greater.

Holmes Beach does not use the

two-plus-two provision.

The city of Anna Maria limits vacation rental occupancy to two people per bedroom, plus two additional guests, with a maximum cap of eight occupants for shortterm rentals with three or more bedrooms.

In 2016, approximately 100 twoplus-two exceptions were granted to resolve Bert Harris Act claims filed after Anna Maria’s vacation rental ordinance was adopted in November 2015. Anna Maria’s 2025-26 vacation rental registration fee schedule listed annual registration fees for short-term rentals with up to 29 occupants.

9:00 a.m. TO 10:00 p.m. DAILY 5344 Gulf Drive Holmes Beac h (941) 779-BEER hurricaneliquors.com

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Least tern numbers fluctuate as migration begins

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN REPORTER | llake@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND - The least tern adults and chicks weathered the high winds and rain from Tropical Storm Bertha.

“The number of adult least terns has been fluctuating from 22 to as many as 180,” according to a July 24 email update from Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella.

According to Mazzarella, least terns are starting their annual migration southward to the Caribbean Islands and the northern coast of South America.

“One evening, more than 150 adult least terns arrived at the colony and left the next morning,” she wrote. “Chicks Persi, Vera and Nancy have not been regularly seen since, and it appears they may be joining some of these groups and then returning to the colony. The last banded chick, Leon, took his first flight on July 24.”

The three remaining chicks, ranging from 2 to 4 weeks of age, continue to be fed by their parents.

“These flightless chicks can be seen roaming outside and beyond the enclosure,” Mazzarella wrote. “When chicks feel threatened by an avian predator, they lay flat on the sand and can be difficult to see. They will also hide in the wrack or seaweed that has accumulated along the shoreline. Beachgoers should use caution when walking in the area.”

WHERE‛S YOUR COMFORT ZONE?

Organize your fishing gear

Reel Time

arpon season is "officially" over, the heat is intense, winds have been blowing hard from the west and the fishing has been less than spectacular. What's a die-hard angler to do? How about organizing that tackle that you might not have taken time to arrange, sort and maintain. The things that might have slipped through the cracks when the only problem was finding enough time to go fishing?

When fishing is challenging, it's the perfect time to reorganize the tackle box, check all your lines, practice casting and tie a few flies. Checking all systems on boats and motors, getting any needed service and making those changes and upgrades are much easier to accomplish when conditions are less than perfect.

Check all rods and reels for signs of wear and tear, clean fly lines and maybe even spool on some fresh line. This is a chance to correct mistakes before they happen. There's nothing more deflating than finally getting on the water, hooking a good fish and losing it to a sticking drag, dull hook or a loose knot. Sitting down and making a checklist can help with the organization process and assist you in remembering those items that might get overlooked.

Starting with the tackle box or other tackle system, go through and make note of any lures or flies that you haven't used that would be better put in a reserve box or thrown away. Especially look for corrosion on hooks. Often it might not be apparent. Just a small spot can mean a break that will result in the loss of a hard-won bite. More than once, I've watched a fish eat my fly and I wondered why I didn't connect, only to find the hook had broken.

In the scheme of things, fishing line is inexpensive and warrants a close look.

If you have any question about wear and tear, this is a good time to take the plunge. Generally, it's only the first few

hundred feet of line that are used, so it's a good idea to unspool a reel (fly or conventional) occasionally and check for corrosion on the spool. Even if you wash your rigs after every use, there's a good chance the fresh water doesn't penetrate deep into the line or backing. When cleaning a reel after use in saltwater, it's a good idea to wash with a light stream as opposed to a sharp spray. You don't want to drive salt into the remaining line on the spool.

Clean your reels and lubricate them inside and out. Lubricants generally come with a reel, but a silicone spray works well for the outside of the reel. For cleaning supplies, have cotton swabs, isopropyl rubbing alcohol, an old toothbrush, paper towels and rags available. Special care should be taken to document how you disassemble a reel, so you can get it back together when you're finished. There are a lot of resources on the web with instructions on cleaning specific reels, special products and schematics, so searching for your brand is a good idea.

Rod maintenance should include a wipe-down with silicone on a clean rag, inspection and cleaning of ferrules and reel seats. Make sure to inspect the guides of a rod for any sign of wear, like a possible crack in the ceramic inserts.

No matter how good you are about maintaining your gear, a hard look at all systems will often reveal an overlooked item that will improve your fishing experience when you get on the water. The hot and windy days are a perfect time to make these inspections. Organize now, and when the time comes, you'll be prepared to make the best of it.

City hosts annual vacation rental stakeholders meeting

The stakeholders meeting addressed fire safety, permits, tax compliance and more.

BY ERNIE VANDERWALT SUN CORRESPONDENT | sanddollarguy@gmail.com

HOLMES BEACH – The Holmes Beach Code Compliance Department hosted its annual vacation rental stakeholders meeting on Tuesday, July 21. This year's theme was "Preserving Paradise Through Partnership," and the two-hour session held at Holmes Beach City Hall brought together vacation rental operators, property managers, property owners and representatives from the Holmes Beach Police Department, the Holmes Beach Code Compliance Department, the Manatee County Property Appraiser's Office, the Manatee County Tax Collector's Office, the West Manatee Fire Rescue District (WMFR), Waste Pro

and the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring organization.

WMFR Fire Marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski said short-term vacation rentals account for a large share of the emergencies the fire district responds to. He said 73% of structure fires that occurred in the district between 2020 and 2023 occurred at vacation rental properties. He said all of the district's drowning and near-drowning calls during the same period occurred at vacation rental swimming pools.

Kwiatkowski said the fire district doesn't take a political position on short-term rentals. The district's focus is on enforcement of the state fire code that applies specifically to short-term rental properties. He noted the district cannot impose stricter standards than the state allows and can only enforce what state law requires. He encouraged vacation rental owners and managers to familiarize themselves with the state fire code.

Holmes Beach Development

follow up on complaints. He said the registration program now includes approximately 1,600 registered units, which makes manual enforcement unworkable.

Services Director Chad Minor said the city has issued roughly 5,000 building permits since the 2024 hurricanes. He said permitting isn't optional for storm repairs, and the city requires a permit for most storm-related repair work, including drywall replacement.

Holmes Beach Code Compliance Officer Nate Brown outlined the growth of the city's vacation rental registration program. He said when the program launched in 2016, the city had 245 registered shortterm vacation rental units and relied on city staff to manually monitor rental websites and

The city now uses Rentalscape software that scans more than 10,000 vacation rental websites per day to flag properties that are unregistered or otherwise out of compliance. Brown said the software doesn't resolve every issue, but it gives the city data needed to act on problems before they escalate, rather than responding after a violation occurs. He said the system also spreads enforcement evenly across all properties rather than singling out individual owners.

Domenico Fragomeni, from the Manatee County Property Appraiser's Office, discussed tax compliance for rental properties. He said any property rented out at any point during the year, whether short- or longer-term, must be reported to the appraiser's office by filing Form DR-405, the tangible personal

property tax return, by April 1. He said owners who file on time typically qualify for a $25,000 exemption on furniture, appliances and other taxable property provided in the rental.

In Manatee County, all vacation rentals, resorts, hotels and motels rented for six months or less are subject to the 6% tourist development tax.

Turtle Watch Office Manager Danielle Kimberly said approximately 417 sea turtle nests had been located on the Island so far this season and reminded vacation rental stakeholders about the city's turtle lighting regulations for beachfront properties.

REAL ESTATE

El Niño and your equity

If you live on the coast anywhere in Florida and you own real property, whether it is your primary residence, second home or investment property, the hurricane season is when homeowners collectively hold their breath. The equity in these properties is likely to be your largest asset, and for six months of the year your equity is a sitting duck.

The fact that we’re being told that the Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be below normal due to competing factors doesn’t make me feel substantially relaxed. El Niño is expected to develop and intensify during the hurricane season, while ocean temperatures in the Atlantic are expected to be slightly warmer than normal and trade winds are likely weaker than average. So, fewer hurricanes, probably more rain, and the danger of taking our eye off the ball.

NOAA (the National Weather Service) is predicting a below-normal hurricane season, with eight to 14 named storms.

Castles in the Sand

LOUISE BOLGER

Three to six storms are forecast to become hurricanes and one to three storms could be major hurricanes. Remember, the Atlantic basin covers the eastern seaboard from as far north as Massachusetts to the southern tip of Florida and up the Gulf Coast of Florida. It’s a big territory for one of the one to three major hurricanes to hit, but we never know where it will decide to cause havoc to our property.

Us veterans of hurricane season all know about an evacuation plan and a place to meet if you become separated from your family members. We know about having food, medications, first-aid kits, flashlights, batteries, radios, cash

and a change of clothes. We know fresh drinking water is something we frequently take for granted, but if the water pumps stop working in a big storm, you need to prepare ahead. Fill plastic water bottles for drinking, fill the tub for washing and empty the refrigerator of perishables, especially uncooked meat.

However, there are items we sometimes overlook. You won’t forget the baby’s formula or the puppy’s kibble, but you might overlook your property deed as proof of ownership.

Your safe-deposit box or go bag should also include your birth certificates and marriage certificate, passports, Social Security cards, medical insurance cards, wills, one or two tax returns, property insurance policies, automobile insurance policies, a copy of your driver's license and the name of a contact at your financial company. If you have a folder for home improvements, grab that as well. You’ll be glad you did if your new kitchen is flooded.

And don’t dismiss the importance of having pictures or videos of your properties. If you have more than one property, you need to do this well ahead of an oncoming storm.

This might sound like a lot to do when evacuating, especially if you're getting your property ready and getting the kids organized, but it is crucial in the event of property loss. I know we’re two months into the hurricane season, but I felt a little reminder can’t hurt as we approach the typically busy hurricane months.

Don’t get too comfortable with NOAA’s 55% chance of a below-normal season, as they may not be doing us a favor. I’m not impressed with mountains: the Rockies are beautiful and the Grand Canyon is spectacular, but I would not want to live there. Nevertheless, this time of year I wonder why between June 1 and November 30 we live where we do. Be prepared, protect your equity and exhale on November 30, when hurricane season ends.

Privateers, Drift-In host Christmas in July

The funds raised will help families during the Christmas holiday.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN REPORTER | llake@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH

– The Anna Maria Island Privateers and the Drift-In partnered to host the annual Christmas in July fundraiser on Sunday, July 26.

Held at the Drift-In bar on Bridge Street, the event featured the sale of homemade crafts, a dessert bar and the lotto board raffle to raise funds for the families the AMI Privateers will assist during the Christmas holiday.

“This event helps raise money for our Christmas projects,” Privateers’ vice president Mary Ann “Maz” Zyla said. “We adopt individuals or families at Christmas time. We buy food and

gift items. This helps us raise the money to do it.”

Zyla said the Privateers helped five or six families last year.

“We had referrals of families from the church and from Streets of Paradise, which is a homeless service organization,” Zyla said.

As part of the Christmas in July fundraiser, the Drift-In sold tickets to raffle the framed lotto board that contained a $50 bill surrounded by lottery tickets.

“The Drift-In does the lotto board for us every year,” Zyla said. “We get all the proceeds from that. Another thing they’ve been doing for us in the past month is when people pay with a credit card, a tab shows up where the person can donate to us.”

Zyla said the Privateers started in 1971 and the Drift-In has been supportive of them for many years.

The Privateers are a nonprofit organization that supports the community and hosts events that help

promote awareness of local needs. For more information, or to donate, visit amiprivateers.org.

LESLEY ANN/FACEBOOK | SUBMITTED

“Baitman” passes away

Former Drift-In employee and well-known local bait salesman John “Baitman” Maguire passed away recently, according to Drift-In manager Doreen Flynn and others. For many years, John sold bait from a bait boat in the Intracoastal Waterway or anchored near the Bradenton Beach Pier.

AQUA: Public comment sought for proposed gabion wall

The Army Corps public notice lists Carlos Beruff and Peter Logan as the applicants. The public notice lists Long Bar Pointe LLLP and CARGOR Partners VIII as the applicant companies.

According to the public notice, "The applicant is requesting a DA (Department of the Army) permit to develop a 169.44acre site in Manatee County, Florida. To facilitate this development, the applicant seeks authorization to discharge fill material [into] 3.07 acres of wetland systems, which includes 2.76 acres of freshwater wetlands and 0.31 acres of man-made agricultural conveyances.”

Regarding the Aqua development as a whole, the public notice says, "The design consists of approximately 2,468 residential units, including a mix of multistory townhomes and high-rise condominiums, along with 200,000 square feet of commercial space. Supporting infrastructure includes internal roadways, parking facilities, a dog park and a stormwater management system (wet detention ponds).”

Regarding the proposed gabion wall, the public notice says, "To minimize environmental encroachment and

protect sensitive historic properties, the project would construct an 8- to 10-foot-high gabion wall along the waterward boundary of the development. This permanent vertical barrier reduces the required fill grading slope by 25 to 50 feet and, combined with a 50-foot permanent buffer zone."

CORTEZ CONCERNS

On July 26, Cortez Village Historical Society (CVHS) Vice President Paul Dryfoos sent an email to Suncoast Waterkeeper representatives that said, "We in Cortez are concerned about

the Long Bar Pointe application to the Army Corps of Engineers for a development that would entail filling over three acres of wetlands and constructing an 8- to 10-foot-high gabion wall along the waterway boundary. We note that Suncoast Waterkeeper has advocated against this type of encroachment in the past.

"From the Cortez perspective, this type of project directly impacts the immediate ecosystem that enables Cortez to survive as a working fishing community. Cortez villagers and friends have invested so much time,

energy and resources securing the FISH (Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage) Preserve. Now we see an adjacent critical wetland threatened by development and the permissive regulatory climate in Florida and Manatee County.

"Public comment ends Aug. 7. We want to quickly mobilize our Cortez community and others, and we ask for your help in developing brief comments that can seed our community's response. Our goal would

WMFR responds to 11-year-old’s near drowning

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN REPORTER | jhendricks@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – On Saturday, July 25, West Manatee Fire Rescue (WMFR) responded to a near-drowning on the beach around the 3900 block of Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach, just south of Manatee Beach.

According to a press release issued by WMFR Fire Marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski, at approximately 7:38 a.m., emergency crews were dispatched after receiving a report of a possible drowning of an 11-year-old child.

“Due to the patient's reported condition, the incident was upgraded to a cardiac/respiratory arrest, prompting an advanced life support (ALS) response. Firefighters and EMS personnel immediately initiated ALS efforts upon arrival. The patient was transported to Birdie Tebbetts Field in Holmes Beach and airlifted to Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in

St. Petersburg. The patient's current condition is not available. The incident remains under investigation. No additional information is being released at this time to protect the privacy of those involved,” the press release said.

WMFR reminds residents that drowning emergencies can occur quickly and often silently. Constant, uninterrupted adult supervision around water remains the single most effective way to prevent drownings.

"Every second matters during a drowning emergency," Kwiatkowski said. "Early recognition, immediate activation of 911, bystander CPR and rapid advanced medical care provide the best chance for survival."

As a reminder, WMFR encourages families to practice these important water safety measures:

• Designate a responsible "Water Watcher" whose sole responsibility is supervising swimmers.

• Never leave children unattended near pools, spas, ponds, canals or other bodies of water.

• Learn CPR and be prepared to act in an emergency.

• Ensure residential pools are protected with barriers, selfclosing and self-latching gates and alarms where appropriate.

• Wear U.S. Coast Guardapproved life jackets during boating and other water activities when appropriate.

FISH elects board members and officers

The election of Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) board members and officers was held at the old Cortez firehouse on July 20. Outgoing FISH treasurer Jane von Hahmann introduced the board members up for election.

Current board members Tim Canniff, David Cadmus, Alex Garner and Cindy Rodgers were re-elected for three-year terms by FISH membership in attendance at the meeting. Canniff, a commercial fisherman for more than 30 years, was one of the founders of FISH.

Cadmus was born and raised in Cortez and is very active in organizing the annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival.

The FISH membership elected its board members and officers.

Garner is the son of Allen Garner, one of the FISH founders.

Rodgers is the president of Cortez Village Historical Society. Her great-grandparents were among the original Cortez settlers.

A new board member, Terri Bert, the wife of the late John

Stevely, was also elected to the board. Bert and Angela Collins conduct the Dock Talks educational seminars during the annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival.

“John loved Cortez. He came from New York City, but Cortez was really his home,” Bert said. “I have also learned to love Cortez.” The new officers were also elected for two-year terms.

David Cadmus will be the next president. He takes the place of outgoing president Kim McVey, who will serve as treasurer. Karen Bell was elected as vice president. Von Hahmann, the longtime treasurer and board member, is stepping down on July 30.

ISLAND SPORTS

CENTER SCOREBOARD

ADULT FLAG FOOTBALL (WEEK 5)

Luxury Services 38 (4-1) Fishing with Salty 32 (3-2)

Salty Printing 33 (2-3) USA Fence 30 (1-4)

Moss Builders 50 (2-3) Moss Air 24 (2-3)

The Fish Guy Aquarium Services 18 (4-1) MI-Box 6 (1-4)

YOUTH INDOOR SOCCER 8-10 (PLAY-INS)

The Gitt Team 3 (won in PKs 2-1)

Diamond Turf 3

YOUTH INDOOR SOCCER 8-10 (SEMIFINALS)

Leading Edge Investments 12 USA Fence 2

G.I. Bins 5 The Gitt Team 2

YOUTH INDOOR SOCCER 8-10 (FINALS)

Leading Edge Investments 6 G.I. Bins 4

YOUTH INDOOR SOCCER 11-14 (SEMIFINALS)

RAK's Wings N' Things 7

82 West Home Inspections 6

Solid Rock Construction 5 GML Coatings 3

YOUTH INDOOR SOCCER 11-14 (FINALS)

RAK's Wings N' Things 4

Solid Rock Construction 2

ADULT SUMMER 5V5 SOCCER

Solid Rock Construction 3 (2-2-0) USA Fence 1 (0-4-0)

Sato Real Estate 5 (4-0-0) Hampton Painting 3 (2-2-0)

82 West Home Inspections 8 (3-1-0)

Leading Edge Investments 3 (0-4-0)

Salty Printing 3 (3-1-0) Moss Builders 2 (2-2-0)

KEY ROYALE CLUB GOLF SCORES

MONDAY, JULY 20STABLEFORD AND SKINS GAME No golf; course closed due to rain and wet conditions.

TUESDAY, JULY 21 - LOW NET SCORE

First place: Rene Chapman, 34

Second place: Jana Samuels, 36

Third place: Sue Wheeler, 38

Birdie: Rene Chapman, hole 8 Chip-in: Anne Klein, hole 4

THURSDAY, JULY 23 - SCRAMBLE

First-place team: Cecil Harrelson, Dennis Kitterman, Tom Nelson and Deb Richardson tied the team of Mike Clements, Mike Pritchett, Stephanie Shuff and Tim Shuff for first place, 31 (-1)

Fernandes enjoys winning week

On Wednesday, July 22, Gersey Fernandes, left, and Tom Betty, right, pitched their way to the winner's circle after being the only team to go 3-0 that day during pool play at Anna Maria Horseshoes. On Saturday, July 25, two teams met in the final after they each went 3-0. Fernandes cruised to a 21-5 victory over Betty and Steve Doyle to win Saturday’s competition.

FUN IN THE SUN

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

EMPLOYMENT

ACCOUNTANT/BOOKKEEPER NEEDED part time for a small HVAC company in Bradenton. Please send resume/inquiry to Sales@ ckphvac.com or Rae@ ckphvac.com

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

RENOVATION SPECALIST 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.

GORILLA DRYWALL REPAIR, LLC. 15+ years of experience. Free Estimates. Let’s solve your Drywall problems together. Call 941-286-0607.

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

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

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 941-2322216

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

PERICO ISLAND

WATERFRONT 2BR/2BA

single level villa + den, 2-car garage, screened lanai, impact windows/ doors plus other upgrades. Pool, clubhouse, fitness, sauna, tennis & pickleball. $569,000. Karen Parsons, Good Life Realty, 407-2337059

HISTORIC LONGBOAT

KEY VILLAGE Stunning beach cottage single family 2BR/2BA, completely renovated interiors, Designer touches.one car garage. $999,000. Sharon Hightower RE/MAX Alliance Group 941-330-5054 direct.

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 & Wifi. 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

BUSINESS & SERVICE

TURTLES: Tropical Storm Bertha impacted 189 turtle nests

stakes washing out, as well as to hatchlings being found off the beach.

So far this season, Turtle Watch has conducted 56 nest inventories and documented 2,855 hatchlings produced from those nests.

"Every nest that hatches is inventoried

three days after the hatch is observed," Mazzarella said. "During a nest inventory, all the contents of the nests are removed so we can determine how many eggs were in the nest and how many hatched. Currently we are seeing a 76.7% hatch success rate from these nests. Hatched nests are marked with a red flag."

SEA TURTLE NESTING NEWS

As of Friday, July 24:

Total loggerhead turtle nests: 436

Nests this week (7/18-7/24): 27

Total false crawls: 553

Total nests hatched: 56

Total hatchlings produced: 2,855

Total adult turtle disorientations: 20

Nests inventoried: 37

Disoriented hatchlings: 556-1,290

Disoriented hatchlings found dead: 47

Source: Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring

AQUA: Public comment sought for proposed gabion wall

be to mobilize several hundred comments through the CVHS and FISH member lists and Cortez-oriented Facebook groups to address the impacts of the proposed activity, as well as requesting a public hearing," Dryfoos’ email said. Public comment can be submitted at https://rrs. usace.army.mil/rrs/publicnotices?state=FL&page=2.

MCCLASH CONCERNS

On July 23, Bradenton Times Publisher Joe McClash, a former Manatee County commissioner, sent a 12-page document to Army Corps Jacksonville District Senior Project Manager Edgar Garcia. In his Page 1 executive summary, McClash wrote, "These

comments oppose issuance of the requested individual permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act. The present record does not establish compliance with the mandatory U.S. EPA guidelines, does not support the Corps' preliminary conclusions concerning indirect effects, historic properties, endangered species, mitigation or the public interest and contains material inconsistencies that prevent a reasoned decision.

"The proposed non-waterdependent residential and commercial development – approximately 2,468 dwelling units and 200,000 square feet of commercial space – would place fill in 3.07 acres of aquatic resources and would con-

struct an 8- to 10-foot-high gabion wall immediately landward of high-functioning tidal mangrove wetlands and National Register-eligible archaeological sites," McClash wrote.

"The development's purpose can plainly be achieved on uplands and through less

damaging configurations. The applicant therefore bears the burden of rebutting the federal presumption that practicable, less environmentally damaging alternatives are available," the summary says.

"The Corps should deny the permit unless and until the

applicant supplies a complete alternatives analysis, reconciles contradictory descriptions of the wetland buffer and stormwater system, evaluates direct, indirect, secondary and cumulative effects on the entire connected wetland-estuarine system, provides a defensible mitigation plan using the federal watershed approach, completes required ESA, EFH and NHPA consultation and demonstrates that the project is not contrary to the public interest. The Corps should prepare an environmental impact statement or, at minimum, a full environmental assessment supported by independent technical review, and should conduct a public hearing," McClash said in his executive summary.