Anna Maria Island Sun May 6, 2026

Decisions still pending on police unionization, department dissolution

The city commission recently requested an operational analysis from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN REPORTER | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – Two major decisions still loom regarding the future of the Bradenton Beach Police Department and the city commission’s big decision is not scheduled for discussion during the May 7 commission meeting. As of Monday, May 4, the potentiallyimpacted police department employees had not yet taken a formal vote on unionizing the city’s police department; and the mayor and city commissioners had not yet made a final decision about the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office potentially providing the city’s contracted law enforcement services for

Rezoning request anticipated for Gloria Dei property

A rezoning application has not been submitted to the city but there were preliminary discussions with the mayor and city staff.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN REPORTER | jhendricks@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – Preliminary discussions have occurred regarding the possible rezoning of the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church property for residential development.

The church operations ceased in January 2025 and the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s Office still lists Gloria Dei Evangelical of Anna Maria Island as the property owner. In June, the Florida Bahamas Synod Council that’s overseeing the sale of the church property declined the city of Holmes Beach’s $3 million offer to purchase the three-parcel, 2.96-acre property at 6608 Marina Drive.

The church property parcels carry the Public/ Semi-Public (PSP) zoning designation and a similar Public/Semi-Public future land use map

SEE GLORIA DEI, PAGE 9

Pines’ ownership group declines residents’ retention proposal

The mobile home park property owners have not yet disclosed their long-term plans for the waterfront property.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN REPORTER | llake@amisun.com

CITY OF BRADENTON BEACH | SUBMITTED

The fate of the Bradenton Beach Police Department remains in limbo.

an estimated cost of $1.5 million for the 2026-2027 fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. The agenda for the Thursday, May 7, city commission meeting that starts at 6 p.m. does not include any agenda items pertaining to police department unionization or law enforcement services provided by the sheriff’s office.

SEE BB POLICE, PAGE 17

BRADENTON BEACH - An April 10 proposal submitted by the Pines Trailer Park homeowners for the long-term retention of the mobile park was declined by the park’s ownership group. The proposal, titled “Revenue Proposal for Long-Term Retention and Recovery of 88 trailers at Pines Trailer Park post-Hurricanes Helene and Milton revenue and stability plan” was sent by Pines HOA vice president Rex Geissler to Pines Park Investors LLC manager Sam Negrin and former LLC manager Shawn Kaleta.

The Pines Trailer Park property is expected to be developed as something other than a mobile home park.

In an April 30 email to The Sun, Geissler wrote: “Sam and I corresponded back and forth. He was very respectful and basically said, ‘At this current moment, we will respectfully have to decline the proposal.’”

The proposal offered the park ownership group two options: The sale of the

SEE PINES, PAGE 16

Sea turtle nesting season begins

The annual Suzi Fox Day educational event is named in honor of the late AMI Turtle Watch executive director.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN REPORTER | llake@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The official May 1 start to sea turtle nesting season was celebrated at Coquina Beach Café in Bradenton Beach with educational materials and displays provided by Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers.

The annual educational event is named “Suzi Fox Day” in honor of the late Turtle Watch executive director Suzi Fox, who passed away in 2022.

Turtle-friendly PAR20 amber LED light bulbs were available in exchange for a donation. Local musicians Scott Blum and Bill Vinhage provided the live music.

Beach patrols to monitor nesting activity have begun, but so far, there have been no signs of nesting sea turtles on Anna Maria Island beaches.

“We’ve been out every morning since April 15,” Turtle Watch Executive Director

Kristen Mazzarella said.

“We’re doing a lot of preparation and getting out to all the contacted most of the property managers and they can order educational materials on our website and then inviting them to come here and pick up educational materials,” she said.

“We’re trying to do more with our educational outreach, and doing a lot more over the winter,” Mazzarella said.

“In the summer, we’re trying to get more materials about shorebirds so we can also educate people about shorebirds.”

She said the volunteers are watching a group of black skimmers in Bradenton Beach that may possibly become a nesting site.

Mazzarella said Turtle Watch is already planning ahead for a beach renourishment project scheduled to take place at Coquina Beach this summer.

“The turtles will be nesting,” she said.

“We’re getting ready to start relocating for the beach renourishment project. Once we have a meeting and know what kind of equipment is going to be used, we’ll know more.”

The AMI Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring website can be found at IslandTurtleWatch.com.

ISLAND NEWS

IN BRIEF

AMI KIWANIS | SUBMITTED Shown from left, Kiwanis Foundation President Lynn Kruse, Kiwanis Club Vice President Patricia Webster, scholarship recipient Skyler Dubats, Kiwanis member and key club advisor Claudette Welch and Kiwanis Foundation Vice President Darrel Shinn.

Kiwanis members present scholarships

On Saturday, May 2, the Anna Maria Island Kiwanis Club and the Kiwanis of Anna Maria Island Foundation awarded State College of Florida (SCF) Key Club student and Holmes Beach resident Skyler Dubats $2,500 in scholarship funds. The scholarship funds included a $1,000 donation Sue LaMastro made in honor of her late husband and longtime Kiwanis member, Dr. Robert (Bob) LaMastro. The remaining $1,500 was provided by the Kiwanis of Anna Maria Island Foundation. On April 25, the Kiwanis Club presented a $1,000 check to Take Stock in Children Manatee Executive Director Anne LeBaron for the organization’s scholarship and mentoring programs that help empower at-risk students.

Commission to discuss Tingley Library action

The Bradenton Beach City Commission is scheduled to discuss taking action regarding the future of the Tingley Memorial Library during the Thursday, May 7, commission meeting that starts at 6 p.m. The meeting agenda also references unspecified department head requests, attorney business and mayor and commission reports. The recently discussed police department unionization and the potential outsourcing of law enforcement services to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office are not listed on Thursday’s agenda. General public comment on topics not listed on the agenda will be allowed at the beginning of the meeting. The meeting will be held in the Katie Pierola Commission Chambers, 107 Gulf Drive N.

Correction

Six Bradenton Beach police officers recently informed city officials that they would not vote in support of unionizing the police department. A story in last week’s Sun incorrectly stated five officers participated in that action.

Scan this code with your smartphone to go there.

Pat Carlucci discusses ‘Baseball in Paradise’

Pat Carlucci’s latest book details spring training in Bradenton and baseball’s connection to the Island.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN REPORTER | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Pasquale “Pat” Carlucci, the author of “Baseball in Paradise: A Century of Spring Training in Bradenton, Florida,” held a book signing event at the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum in Anna Maria on Thursday, April 30.

Within the first hour or so of the three-hour event held on the museum’s front porch, Carlucci, a part-time Bradenton Beach resident, quickly sold all 20 copies of the books he brought for the occasion.

“I didn’t bring enough books,” he lamented.

Carlucci said he’ll drop off more copies to be sold inside the museum, where several other books that detail Anna Maria Island’s history are also sold. Published in 2025, “Baseball in Paradise,” and his previous book, “A Baseball Birthright: Chronicles & Connections,” published in 2022, can also be purchased at several online retailers, including Amazon, Wal-Mart and Barnes & Noble.

Even though he ran out of books, Carlucci stuck around for the entire three hours he was scheduled to be there. Shortly after noon, he chatted with longtime Anna Maria resident John Kolojeski and John’s wife, Sue Seiter. Seiter suggested Carlucci serve as a guest speaker during next year’s Friends of the Island Library lecture series.

Carlucci hails from New York, New York, and he wore a New York Mets shirt to the book signing.

“They really stink this year,” he said of his favorite team’s woeful start.

Carlucci and his wife own a second home in Bradenton Beach and they and their family have been coming to the Island for the past 13 years. After living in Michigan for many years, Carlucci and his wife now live in Washington D.C., so they can be close to their grandchildren.

While sitting on the museum porch, Carlucci said, “2023 marked 100 years of baseball in Bradenton and the gist of the book is a hundred years of spring training baseball in the Bradenton area. The first chapter is about how and why the book came to me and a lot of local people who helped me on my journey of discovery are named in the book.”

The book’s first chapter details how his latest book-writing journey stemmed in part from a conversation he had with his friend, Ken, who told him that many years ago he visited a spring training home in Anna Maria occupied by members of the 1979 World Series-winning Pittsburgh Pirates team and managed to get a baseball autographed by some of those legendary Pirates’ players.

Carlucci chronicled how he was sitting on the beach one day and

Googled “baseball and Anna Maria Island” and discovered a YouTube interview titled “Boys of Winter Baseball” conducted by the Anna Maria Island Historical Society.

Carlucci paid a visit to Bortell’s Lounge and learned the bar’s current fishing and boating décor had replaced the previous baseball-themed décor. He also discovered “Birdie” Tebbetts Field in Holmes Beach, which is named after former Major League Baseball player, manager and scout George “Birdie” Tebbetts.

For the book signing, Carlucci hung plastic pennants from the museum porch, representing the teams that conducted their spring training activities in Bradenton, starting with the St. Louis Cardinals.

“The St. Louis Cardinals for two years. After that, it became the Philadelphia Phillies for three years. After that, it was the Boston Red Sox for two years. Then it became the Boston Bees, who were really the Braves, and the manager was Casey Stengel. Then the Second World War came and there was no spring training – although that period was interesting also, which in the book. Then Boston came as the Braves again and they were here for a long time because they were

Bortell’s Lounge closing for renovations

Owner Steve Rose expects to be fully reopened and operational by January at the latest.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN REPORTER | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Bortell’s Lounge is closing for renovations and is expected to remain closed for at least three to five months, maybe longer.

Bortell’s closed at the end of business on Saturday, May 2. When discussing the closure and the future reopening, longtime owner Steve Rose said, “I would like to be full-tilt-boogie by January.”

Bortell’s had been on the market and Rose was considering a move to Telluride, Colorado.

“A deal was coming together for me to live out one last dream in the restaurant business. I was going to do a western-style saloon out in Telluride. It was going to be awesome, and it may still be. I’m not ruling it out, but

for right now it’s not looking good. I was looking to sell one bar and open another. I had two buyers, but we couldn’t come to a full agreement – and Colorado kind of fell apart at the same time,” Rose said.

“I decided I can’t just wait around in limbo, so I’m making my own move. I’m keeping the bar. I love the place, but I need to retool it to make it a little easier for me.

I’m going to renovate. I’ve got a laundry list of things that we’re going to do. Some of them are going to make my job in the restaurant business a lot easier. Some are hurricane related. We want to be as prepared as possible and a big generator is at the top of that list,” he said.

Bortell’s Lounge previously reopened in 2021 after extended renovations that included a new roof, a new kitchen and significant interior renovations – and it fared well during the 2024 hurricanes.

“I designed that whole place myself. I missed a few things

and I want to go back and correct those things. I’m just shutting down to do some renovations,” he said.

After reopening in 2021, Bortell’s initially offered a full-service kitchen. More recently, the food service consisted primarily of pizza and Rose doesn’t expect a return to full-service dining.

“I’m leaving the full kitchen in the building, because it’s nice to have, and I might start

cooking pizzas again. I’m going to go back to hot dogs. I loved doing hot dogs and I’m going to expand my hot dog offerings,” he said.

“I’m going to shrink the bar portion a bit and expand the retail side. We’re going to have a more organized liquor display, a more organized T-shirt display and we’ll do some other tourist stuff too.”

When asked about his staff, Rose said, “That’s the saddest

part. There’s never a good time to put people out of work. I’m doing what I can for them, but the staff is out for the time being.”

When asked if Bortell’s is off the market, Rose said, “You can never say never, but yes, it is off the market. If I’m going to invest more money in it, I’m gonna play with that toy for a while,” he said.

While Bortell’s is closed, Rose and his new bride, Lisa, plan to drive their camper van to Alaska.

“I’m taking a little vacation, a little extended honeymoon. Lisa and I are going to try to drive the camper van to Alaska. It’ll be our third attempt. I think we’re going to make it this time,” Rose said.

Regarding their past attempts, Rose said, “Something happened at the bar both times. We were in Arkansas and some stuff came up that I needed to deal with, so we got turned around. The other time, we didn’t even get out of the driveway. We were ready to go and something else happened.”

The Anna Maria Island Sun Staff

Publishers

Bob Alexander

John Reitz

Editor

Joe Hendricks

Reporters | Photographers

Joe Hendricks

Leslie Lake

Lance Roy

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

Sea turtle nesting tips

During sea turtle season, May 1 to Oct. 31, follow these tips to help nesting sea turtles:

• Turn off lights visible from the beach and close blinds from sundown to sunrise; lights confuse nesting sea turtles and may cause them to go back to sea and drop their eggs in the water, where they won’t hatch. Light can also attract hatchlings away from the water.

• Don’t use flashlights, lanterns or camera flashes on the beach at night.

• Remove all beach chairs and other objects from the sand from sundown to sunrise; they can deter sea turtles from nesting and disorient hatchlings.

• Fill in the holes you dig in the sand before leaving the beach; they can trap nesting and hatching sea turtles, which cannot live long out of the water.

To report large holes or other turtle obstacles call Anna Maria code enforcement (941-7086130, ext. 111, Bradenton Beach code enforcement (941-778-1005, ext. 280) or Holmes Beach code enforcement 941-778-0331, ext. 2600).

• Level sandcastles before leaving the beach; they can block hatchlings from the water.

• Don’t use balloons, wish lanterns or fireworks; they litter the beach and Gulf and turtles can ingest the debris.

• Do not trim trees and plants that shield the beach from lights. Never touch a sea turtle; it’s the law.

If you see people disturbing turtles, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

Source: Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring

Manatee Avenue, Cortez Road project updates

Manatee County has released the latest construction updates for the Cortez Bridge utility relocation project and the Manatee Avenue water main intracoastal crossing projects. In Cortez, construction remains ongoing along the south side of Cortez Road West, near the Cortez Bridge, with sidewalk closures in place. Pipe installation activities have begun on both the north and south sides of Cortez Road West and are expected to be completed at some point this summer. This work will require intermittent lane shifts, flagging operations and sidewalk and bike lane closures. Regular construction activities take place Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Detour signs are in place and construction schedules and activities are subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen conditions. In the project area along Manatee Avenue, there are street, sidewalk and bicycle lane closures as construction remains ongoing. The work along the west side of the project area has been completed. After a brief project-related closure, the Kingfish Boat Ramp is once again open to the public. Along the east side of the Manatee Avenue project area, crews are currently installing the water main pipe. Please be advised that vehicles parked in restricted areas, resulting from moved barricades or barrels on the eastern side of the boat ramp parking area, will be towed at the vehicle owner’s expense. Regular construction activities take place Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and those schedules are subject to change.

ANNA MARIA

10005 GULF DRIVE

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130

Visit www.cityofannamaria.com

Thursday, May 14, 1 p.m., City Commission meeting

BRADENTON BEACH

107 GULF DRIVE N. FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005

Visit www.cityofbradentonbeach.com

Wednesday, May 6, 1 p.m., Planning and Zoning Board meeting, CANCELLED

EVENTS

THURSDAY, MAY 7 – SUNDAY, MAY 17

The Outsider, Island Players Theatre, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, 7:30 p.m. evening shows, 2 p.m. Sunday matinees, $20-$30, More info at TheIslandPlayers.org

FRIDAY, MAY 8

27th annual Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce golf tournament, IMG Academy Golf Club, 4350 El Conquistador Parkway, Bra-

Thursday, May 7, 6 p.m., City Commission meeting

HOLMES BEACH

5801 MARINA DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800

Visit www.holmesbeachfl.org

Tuesday, May 5, 9:30 a.m., Hurricane Preparedness Workshop

Wednesday, May 6, 10 a.m., Parks and Beautification Committee meeting

Wednesday, May 6, 3:30 p.m., Planning Commission meeting

Tuesday, May 12, 2 p.m., City Commission meeting

Wednesday, May 13, 9 a.m., Clean Water Ad Hoc Committee meeting

denton, registration and lunch at 12:30pm, shotgun start at 1:30 p.m., Tickets no longer available

SATURDAY, MAY 9

Reel for Rotary fishing tournament, Rotary Club of Anna Maria, fishing offshore and inshore 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., awards, banquet and dinner at 4 p.m., Cortez Kitchen, 4528 119th Street West, Cortez, registration closes Friday, May 8 at 5 p.m. More info at AmiRotary.org.

LONGBOAT KEY

501 BAY ISLES ROAD

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-316-1999

Visit www.longboatkey.org

Wednesday, May 6, 2 p.m., Coalition of Barrier Island Elected Officials meeting

MONDAY, MAY 11, 18, 25

AMI Turtle Watch Summer Turtle Talks, Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, 10 a.m.

SATURDAY, MAY 16

Beach Cleanup, The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, 9-11 a.m., meet at The Center at 9 a.m., trash bags, gloves, water and a light snack will be provided

Sports Lounge continues Kentucky Derby Day tradition

The Sports Lounge’s Kentucky Derby party gets bigger and better each year.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN REPORTER | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – The Sports Lounge in Bradenton Beach hosted its fourth annual Kentucky Derby party on Saturday, May 2.

The annual Kentucky Derby celebration featured a “best hat” contest and a Derby-themed, ballon-filled photo arch.

Partygoers enjoyed a bevy of food prepared by Bradenton resident and Sports Lounge patron Sandy Ziros. Commemorative bottles of Woodford Reserve whiskey were raffled off and awarded as prizes. And there was blind draw horse racing raffle in which tickets were randomly drawn from bags containing the names of the competing horses.

Sports Lounge General Manager Courtney McGough helped organize the party and she bartender Ryan Talbert worked the bar and served up the Derby

Day spirits during the Derby party that started at 3 p.m. and lasted long after the race was run.

Ziros prepared the free party food that included mini-ham and cheese sandwiches, mini-turkey and cheese sandwiches, meatloaf stackers, Italian sausage with peppers, bourbon meatballs, pulled pork, potato salad, baked beans and pies and cake for dessert; and others brought chips and dips to supplement the food offerings.

Bradenton Beach residents, Sports Lounge regulars and avid Kansas City Chiefs’ fans Tammi and Greg McCoy won the best hat contest – for which they took home a commemorative bottle Woodford Reserve.

Before the race was run, partygoers could buy blind draw race raffle tickets. Drawn from bags containing pieces of paper with the names of a horse written on them, the race raffle tickets sold for $10, $20 or $50 and the prize money corresponded with the ticket price.

Post time for the 152nd annual Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky

was 6:57 p.m. and Golden Tempo (23-1 odds) came from the back of the pack and ran the winning race. Competing in his 11th Kentucky Derby, jockey Jose Ortiz claimed his first Derby win. Cherie DeVaux trained Golden Tempo and she became the first female trainer to ever win the Kentucky Derby. Ortiz’s brother, Irad, rode race co-favorite Renegade (5-1 odds) to a second-place finish and Joseph D. Ramos rode longshot Ocelli (70-1 odds) to a third-place finish. Back in Bradenton Beach, Sandy Ziros and Tammi McCoy

were among the blind draw race winners, with Ziros and McCoy each receiving $360 payouts for their $20 winning tickets.

“It was a great turnout,” Ziros said when contacted later.

“It was lot of fun. We had a great time,” Greg McCoy said when contacted later. “It’s always a great party. Al (Ziros), Sandy, Courtney and everyone else did a great job of setting it up. It was fantastic time and we look forward to doing it again next year.”

When contacted the following day – after putting in a 17-hour

SPORTS LOUNGE | SUBMITTED Fresh mint, Woodford Reserve and red roses set the scene for the Derby Day celebration.

workday on race day – Courtney said, “It was an unbelievable day. We couldn’t do it without the help of our locals and owner, Butch Brown. We look forward to bringing a bigger crowd every year.”

GLORIA DEI: Rezoning request anticipated for Gloria Dei property

designation in the city’s comprehensive plan. The PSP zoning designation and future land use designations do not allow for residential or commercial development.

In accordance with the current zoning designation, the mayor and commission hoped to preserve and repurpose the iconic, triangular-shaped church building and the spacious property that surrounds it for public use and public green space.

REZONING DISCUSSIONS

On Friday, May 1, Holmes Beach Director of Development Services Chad Minor confirmed that on Feb. 24 he, Mayor Judy Titsworth, Public Works Director Herb Raybourn, Development Services Coordinator Kim Charron and the potential applicant’s representative, Marshall Robinson, participated in a pre-application discussion regarding the potential rezoning of the Gloria Dei property. Robinson is a land planner for the Grimes Galvano law firm in Bradenton. Minor said he, Raybourn and Robinson also participated in a follow-up phone discussion pertaining to a traffic study.

Minor confirmed the preliminary rezoning discussions when responding to an email inquiry received

from The Sun. Minor said he doesn’t know for certain if Robinson is representing the current property owners, a potential buyer or both. He also said he doesn’t know for certain whether there’s a pending offer for the purchase of the Gloria Dei property.

According to Minor, Robinson’s client, or clients, desire a R-1 (single-family residential) zoning designation. According to the city’s land development code, the R-1 zoning designation requires a minimum parcel size of 7,510 square feet and allows 5.8 dwelling units per gross acre of land. The R-1 zoning designation allows rentals of 30 days or more and does not allow for weekly or shorter-term rentals.

The properties directly east of the church property carry the R-1 zoning designation and the low-density residential future land use map designation set forth in the comp plan. The Gloria Dei property is surrounded to the north, west and south by residential properties that carry the R-2 (two-family residential) zoning designation that allows up to 10 dwelling units per acre and rental stays of seven consecutive days or more. Those properties carry a medium-density residential future land use designation.

When asked if the city commissioners must consider

On the Holmes Beach zoning map, the Gloria Dei property (shaded in blue) is surrounded by R-2-zoned properties (shaded in gold) and R-1-zoned properties (shaded in bright yellow).

the zoning and future land use designations for the surrounding properties when considering a rezoning application, Minor said, “Yes, compatibility is something that the commission considers.”

When asked if the city expects to receive a Gloria Dei rezoning application at some point, Minor said, “Yes.”

As of May 1, the city had not received a rezoning application for the Gloria Dei property.

REZONING PROCESS

Minor said the applicant initiates the rezoning application and then follows the rezoning processes outlined in Section 2.13 of the city’s land development code.

City code requires rezoning applications to be reviewed and voted on during publicly noticed public hearings that allow for public input. Section 2.13 of the code says, “Four members of the city commission shall constitute a quorum and not less than three affirmative votes shall be required for commission adoption of any ordinance amending this ordinance or rezoning of property.”

According to city code, “No amendment rezoning any parcel may be granted unless the city commission finds that such amendment is consistent with the comprehensive plan of the city of Holmes Beach.”

City code says, “In determining whether to approve the

rezoning of property or substantial changes in permitted use categories in zoning districts, the city commission shall consider the following criteria:

• “Whether the proposed change is in conformance with all applicable requirements of this land development code;

• “Whether there has been a change in the conditions upon which the original zoning classification was based;

• “Whether the proposed change is consistent with development patterns and is a logical expansion of adjacent zoning districts;

• “Whether the proposed change will increase population density or development intensity in a manner that will have an adverse impact on traffic patterns, public facilities and services, or other infrastructure;

• “Whether the proposed change is compatible with existing development patterns in the area;

• “Whether the proposed change will adversely affect any historic resources or environmentally sensitive lands;

• “Whether the proposed change will adversely affect the health, safety or welfare of the adjacent properties, or of the city of Holmes Beach in its entirety;

• “Any other matters which may be appropriate.”

BEACH BEAT

BRADENTON BEACH

April 25, 2:23 p.m., Bridge Street. Warrant arrest. Police were dispatched to a Bridge Street bar after bar staff requested to have a patron trespassed. The male patron’s ID

was run through Manatee County Sheriff Office (MCSO) dispatch and he was found to have an outstanding in-county felony warrant for failure to appear. The man, a 37-year-old Bradenton man, was turned over to MCSO transport. While in jail police stated the man did not pass the jail’s medical review and he was transported to Manatee Memorial Hospital for medical testing. Police say he was given a medical clearance and returned to the jail.

Boston Rick’s life celebrated

The celebration of "Boston Rick’s" life included food, drinks and shared memories.

BY TRACY ECKERT SPECIAL TO THE SUN

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – When you think of Boston, you might immediately think of the Boston Red Sox, the Boston Tea Party or maybe the TV show, "Cheers." But if you live on Anna Maria Island, you might think first of “Boston Rick” – the nickname for Richard Burnes Jr., who passed away peacefully at HCA Florida Blake Hospital on April 7 after a brief illness.

On Saturday, May 2, “Boston Rick’s” celebration of life started at the Anna Maria General Store in Anna Maria early that afternoon and continued later that afternoon at D Coy Ducks in Holmes Beach.

A large turnout at both locations celebrated “Boston’s” life and the way he lived it, surrounded by great friends with great stories.

D Coy Ducks owner Mondher Kobrosly and General Store owner Brian Seymour provided a delicious buffet of food and drink, with the food prepared by chef Ezio Piccione. Many stories were shared regarding Rick’s employment at the Barefoot Tiki Bar in Holmes Beach, Feeling Swell (now Harry’s Grill) and the Anna Maria General Store.

Rick’s son, Richard S. Burnes III, was one of many people who spoke and he shared how his father was a great role model who shared his love of fishing and the Boston Red Sox with him. He also shared how, after a few Fireball shots, his dad once got a Yosemite Sam tattoo!

Bill Dye shared his gratitude for Rick giving him a place to stay at his residence after the 2024 hurricanes destroyed his home.

Josh Moreland described Rick as one of the most interesting and unique individuals he has ever met.

Local musician Doug Bidwell related, how after he was finished playing at Feeling Swell, Rick would lock the doors and they would share drinks, stories and watch sports until the wee hours.

Rick was part of a large group of golfers who played often. What Rick lacked in his golf skills, he made up for his entertainment skills on the course.

Rick had a thick Boston accent and Scott Wiggins said he would spend a great deal of time trying to get Rick to pronounce words correctly: “It’s “car,” not “cah.” It's “water” not “wah-tuh,” but with no success.

When I met Rick for the first time, I remember the T-shirt he was wearing

that said, “Fish fear me, Women love me!” and we became fast friends.

During the celebration of Rick’s life, there were so many stories, so much laughter, and some tears shed. Rest in Peace, Rick. You’re missed more than you know.

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

“ This place has an amazing collection of spirits.” Josh

“Spent t he week in Anna Maria Island and out of all the liquor stores on t he island, t his is by far t he best one, wit h t he best prices and t he most selection. The staf f was very friendly ” Heat her

“ The guys here was very helpful and knowledgeable. They had some great choices on bourbon.

“ These guys had t he best selection , decent prices, and were overall just good people.” Matt hew

“Great assor tment of spirits and competitive prices.” Nyor

“Amazing selection knowledgeable staf f and best ser vice on t he island” Vicky

AMI Moose Lodge awards six scholarships

The new scholarship program honors former lodge administrator Ernie Casali.

BY JOE HENDRICKS

SUN REPORTER | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH –

Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge 2188 awarded six $2,500 scholarships to local students whose family members are lodge members.

The inaugural Ernie J. Casali Jr. Memorial Scholarship Program is named named in honor of the late, and legendary, Lodge #2188 lodge administrator Ernie Casali. Casali was succeeded by current lodge administrator Byron Dalton.

The scholarships were awarded on Tuesday, April 28. The six inaugural recipients were Guinevere Casali, Kale Rumrill, Fiona McCarthy, Paulina Whyte, Abigail Frint and Luke Winsper.

Guinevere is Ernie Casali’s

Past lodge president Steve Boniberger, scholarship recipients Abigail Frint, Guinevere Casali, Paulina Whyte, Fiona McCarthy, Luke Winsper, Kale Rumrill and second-year Moose trustee Jim Walters participated in the scholarship presentation ceremony.

granddaughter and her father is Ernie’s son, EJ Casali III. Guinevere attends the Manatee School of the Arts and plans to attend the University of Central Florida.

Rumrill is a Manatee High School student and he plans to attend the University of Alabama.

McCarthy is a Manatee High School student and she plans to attend Florida State University.

Whyte is a Manatee High School student and she plans to attend Florida State University.

Frint is a Lakewood Ranch High School student and she

plans to attend the University of Florida.

Winsper is a Manatee High School student and he plans to attend The Pilot Place flight school in Sarasota.

OFFICERS ELECTED

After the scholarships were presented, the results of that

day’s lodge officer elections were announced. Kip Altman was elected lodge president, Terry Fitzgerald was elected lodge vice president, EJ Casali III was elected lodge chaplain, Jack Hale was elected lodge treasurer and Carl Spradlin was elected as the three-year trustee.

These Anna Maria Island residents attended this year’s Garden Party.

Botanical park’s Garden Party raises record amount

On Saturday, April 11, the Palma Sola Botanical Park held its annual Garden Party fundraiser. Touted as “An evening under the stars to benefit the gardens,” this year’s Garden Party was graced with record-setting attendance and fundraising success. “This year’s event attracted more than 250 attendees and raised over $22,000 in support of the park operations, both all-time highs,” Anna Maria Island resident and botanical park board member John Lowenberg said. The Palma Sola Botanical Park is located at 9800 17th Ave. N.W. in west Bradenton, across the street from Robinson Preserve, and it serves as the only botanical park in Manatee County. The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset, is leashed-dog-friendly and admission is free. Volunteers are welcome to assist in the botanical park garden and more information is available at www.palmasolabp.org or by calling 941-761-2866.

Roser youth to pay Mother’s Day tributes

The children and youth of Roser Memorial Community Church will pay a special Mother’s Day tribute to mothers during the 10 a.m. service on Sunday, May 10. The children and youth will be involved in every aspect of the service, including the welcome remarks, the singing, the prayer, the recital of the Lord’s Prayer, the scripture readings, the special music and the sermon. During the service, the congregation will view a Mother’s Day video made by the youngsters. Every mother and daughter in attendance will be presented with a carnation as they leave. The service will also be available online at YouTube.com/c/roserchurch. Roser Church is located at 512 Pine Ave. in Anna Maria.

LET’S TALK ABOUT HUMIDITY CO NTROLS

Are you going away and closing your home, even for a short while? A dehumidistat will help prevent mildew forma on when your home is vacant. Installed on your current A/C system, the dehumidistat works in conjunc on with your thermostat to turn your system on only when the two mildew forming condi ons, heat and humidity, are met. For only $307.00 you can buy “peace of mind” Let us install one for you. Our price inclu des installa on and sales tax.

OUR CUSTOMER’S ARE #1 WITH US!

PINES: ownership group declines residents’ retention proposal

FROM PAGE 1

park to investors with a sales price in the range of $25 million to $30 million, or to retain the park with consistent revenue and a 25-year commitment.

The proposed revenue included the sale of approximately 68 of the repairable trailers at $100,000, each, with a 25-year retainer contract, as well as immediate revenue from 20 repaired trailers where lot fee paying tenants are in place at $50,000 each, with a 25-year retainer contract.

In addition to the upfront capital of approximately $8 million in trailer sales, the proposal stated the monthly lot rental for 88 lots would produce $155,500 in monthly income, or $1.86 million annually.

“Following the extensive damage caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024, and with an eye on ‘maximizing your investment with minimal expenses,’ and in the spirit of the September 2025 confidential settlement agreement with the HOA that allows remaining residents to stay at the Pines Trailer Park, I respectfully submit this comprehensive proposal,” Geissler stated in his proposal.

While terms of the settlement agreement are confidential, sources have indicated

that under the terms of that agreement the remaining 20 or so residents at the trailer park will be allowed to remain there until this fall.

The park ownership group’s future plans for the mobile home park property have yet not been disclosed.

On March 19, contracted Bradenton Beach Building Official Rob Perry told the mayor and city commissioners the park ownership group’s lot split application had been denied.

“They did put in an application for a lot split, which was rejected,” Perry told the commission. “They can’t do a lot split. There’s an old plat there. We have five mobiles on each lot in the old plat.”

Perry told the commission he expects the park ownership group to eventually submit an application to rezone the mobile home park property from its current M-1 mobile home zoning to a different zoning designation that would allow for a different type of development.

“They want to develop the property, and it won’t be a mobile home park,” Perry said.

According to the Bradenton Beach building department, a formal major development or zoning change application had not been submitted for the Pines’ property as of May 1.

GLORIA DEI: Rezoning request anticipated for Gloria Dei property

FROM PAGE 9

If submitted to the city, a rezoning application would also be reviewed by the Holmes Beach Planning Commission for compliance with the city’s comprehensive plan.

According to the comprehensive plan amended and adopted in 2022, “The Public/Semi-Public future land use category recognizes identifiable areas of the community which support public, municipal and semipublic center, community services and facilities – i.e., churches, schools, both public and private.”

PAST EFFORTS

In 2016, city commissioners denied a comprehensive plan amendment sought by church officials who wanted to change the future land use designation to R-2 (multi-family residential) for the two undeveloped parcels and rezone those parcels in the same manner. Church officials hoped to sell the rezoned parcels for development by someone else and use the proceeds to fund the church operations.

Yes, compatibility is something that the commission considers.”

Chad Minor, Holmes Beach Development Services Director

In 2018, city officials discussed purchasing the undeveloped portions of the church property, but not the church building, but that potential $1.3 million sale never transpired.

The city’s $3 million purchase offer in 2025 was based on two value appraisals that assumed the property would continue to carry the PSP zoning designation. To date, the city has not made another offer on the property.

After the city’s $3 million offer was declined, St. Petersburg-based Virtual Realty Inc. real estate agent Taylor Rahdert listed the church property for $9.95 million – an asking price based on a value appraisal that assumes the church property would be rezoned for future development.

BB POLICE: Decisions still pending on police unionization, department dissolution

Because these items are not included on the meeting agenda, anyone who wishes to share their thoughts on these law enforcement matters can do so during the general public comment period at the beginning of the meeting, when speakers are given three minutes each to share their views on matters not included on that day’s agenda.

As of Sunday, 135 people had signed the “Keep Bradenton Beach Police Department” online petition Caridad Guanche initiated at the Change.org website.

OFFICERS’ OPPOSITION

On Monday, April 27, six Bradenton Beach police officers informed the mayor and city commission, in writing, that they would vote against unionizing the city’s police department.

Addressed to the mayor and the city commissioners, the single-page document presented to the city that day said, “The listed officers of the city of Bradenton Beach Police Department, including signatures, wish to make officially known that we are voting a definitive ‘NO’ for the upcoming PERC (unionization) vote.”

The six officers whose names are listed on the document are: Thomas Ferrara, Roy Joslin, Eric Hill, Charles Marose, Kyle Orms and John Tsakiri. All but Tsakiri’s name were accompanied by the officer’s signature. In the signature space next to Tsakiri’s name, it said, “Absent due to vacation (votes NO).”

The names and signatures of Officer Devon Straight and Sgt. Steve Masi do not appear on that document.

The proposed union bargaining unit included seven officers and one sergeant, with one officer’s position currently vacant due to the recent departure of Officer Jorge Castro. A union-represented bargaining unit would not include Police Chief John Cosby, Lt. Lenard Diaz and police department clerk and public information officer ChrisAnn Allen.

According to the city’s labor attorney, Robert Eschenfelder, at least five potential union members would need to vote yes for the police department to be unionized. With six of the eight potential union members having now expressed their opposition, unionization seems unlikely, but as of Sunday, May 3, a final unionization vote had not been scheduled.

SHERIFF’S PROPOSAL

During the special city commission meeting held on April 23, the mayor, city commissioners, Eschenfelder and Police Chief John Cosby briefly discussed the potential unionization of the city’s police department – an action the mayor and commissioners did not formally oppose.

The commission spent significantly more time discussing the possible dissolution of the police department and replacing it with law enforcement services provided by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office at an estimated first-year cost savings of $628,000.

Regarding that estimate, Eschenfelder said, “I was informed by the

sheriff’s office that their preliminary review of our staffing needs is that they would be able to perform that role for $1.5 million, and likely less. That is based upon eight deputies and one sergeant. When you look at your current budget of $2,128,000 ($2.12 million) for municipal policing, that’s a saving for the city of $628,000 a year.”

The mayor and commissioners agreed that they owe it to the city taxpayers to at least consider the potential savings that might be provided by the sheriff’s office.

The April 23 meeting ended with the commission unanimously approving a motion to approve continuing with a formal request for Sheriff Rick Wells to provide “an operational analysis to provide an agreement for the city of Bradenton Beach for the sheriff to take over the law enforcement activities of the city of Bradenton Beach.”

As of Monday morning (May 4), the requested operational analysis had not yet been provided to the public and no such agreement was included on the May 7 meeting agenda.

OUTDOORS

The Apex of Angling

Reel Time

arpon are one of the premier gamefish that swim local waters and are a noble adversary on any tackle. The fish that frequent our beaches during the months of May through August can weigh over 200 pounds and average from 80 to 100 pounds. I’ll always remember the way John Kip, a guide I fished with in the Keys, described fly-fishing for tarpon as the “Apex of Angling.”

Local anglers are blessed with some of the finest tarpon fishing in the world and local sandbars, beaches and bays host worldclass fly-fishing for these silver-plated giants. Our region is also bookended by the legendary flats of Homosassa to the north

and Charlotte Harbor to the south, providing fly anglers a proliferation of promising prospects. This isn’t a game of numbers; and to the anglers who pursue tarpon on the fly, it’s the pursuit and the possibility of pulse-pounding action that keeps them on the bow for hours in the sweltering summer sun. Fly tackle should match the size of the quarry and most anglers opt for a 12-weight outfit and 70-to-80-pound bite tippet. While it might seem like a difficult task to land a tarpon on the fly, an angler who knows the limits of their tackle can actually land a tarpon in a surprisingly short time. The key is to apply maximum pressure from the hookup and never let up.

Too many anglers “baby” their tarpon in a misguided attempt to land them. The truth is that the longer you fight a tarpon the better chance you have of losing them.

A properly knotted and tapered tarpon leader usually runs between 10 and 12 feet and includes a class

(weakest link) tippet from 16 to 20 pounds. Flies vary from the classic splayed feather “Key’s” style to more complex designs like the Toad and Palolo worm. Key to the whole equation is a razor-sharp hook that can penetrate a tarpon’s rock-hard mouth. Many seasoned tarpon anglers are not concerned with actually landing a tarpon, preferring to just enjoy the hunt, the hook up and the jumps that usually follow the hook set. They use light bite and class tippets which allows the tarpon to work through the leader with their abrasive mouths.

The key to hooking a tarpon on the fly is accuracy. The fly must be placed perfectly and moved in a precise direction relative to the fish and at the proper depth (the fish’s depth). Even when all of these factors come together, there’s still about a 50% chance that the tarpon will reject the fly.

Patience is a critical factor when fly-fishing for tarpon. Some anglers prefer to locate the edge

of a sandbar or other underwater feature that tarpon track, anchor in casting range and wait. Other anglers prefer to be on the poling platform to make short moves to give their anglers a better angle for a presentation. Sometimes tarpon come at a steady rate, but just as often there are long periods of time when the only thing to look at is the water and the bottom. This really separates the great anglers from the good anglers. There are times when you need to move but knowing when and where is a skill that is developed, if never mastered. Once set up, the angler must be able to make a 40-to-60-foot

cast to a location the size of a dinner plate. Placement of the fly cannot be overemphasized, because tarpon will seldom vary a foot or two from their path to eat a fly. Although there is always the rare exception, a fly must never travel in a path towards a fish. A tarpon’s prey species wouldn’t survive long if it moved towards its aggressor, and the tarpon know it. When a tarpon is tracking their fly, seasoned anglers know how to read the fish by moving the fly to attract their attention and then varying the speed to keep them interested.

CAPTAIN RICK GRASSETT

Tarpon fishing will take off during May as migratory fish arrive along our beaches. Resident tarpon are usually the first to show up as they make their way out of rivers and creeks.

As migratory tarpon start to arrive this month, we should have schools of tarpon moving both north and south along our beaches. Once you’ve seen the first school of fish, you can concentrate your efforts in that “lane” since other schools should be following the same route. Cast a DOA Baitbuster, a live crab or a pinfish to them. When they aren’t showing well on the surface, a live bait under a float in their travel lane may score. Fly anglers should also get some shots with a variety of baitfish or crab fly patterns fished on floating or intermediate sink tip fly lines. Be quiet and use your electric trolling motor sparingly. Give other anglers

Tarpon fishing takes off in May

at least several hundred yards of space and keep in mind that fish can be moving either north or south, so setting up too close to another angler may affect their flow of fish.

Snook will be spawning this month, so use tackle heavy enough to catch and release them in a timely manner, and handle them gently. Larger snook will mostly be females and should always be supported horizontally rather than hung vertically by the jaw. You’ll find them in passes and in the surf. They will also stage around docks and bridges close to passes.

Casting CAL jigs with shad tails and jerk worms or DOA shrimp around docks and bridges close to passes should be effective. Small white flies, like my Grassett Snook Minnow, work well at night. One of the most fun ways to target snook is to walk the beach and cast CAL jigs, DOA Shrimp or flies to them in the surf.

Higher tides and more plentiful baitfish this month will mean that reds and big trout will spend more time feeding on shallow flats. Look for them along mangrove shorelines and around oyster bars when the tide is high,

and in potholes or along sandbars when the tide is low. When fishing shallow water for reds, be as quiet as possible. I prefer to use a push pole versus an electric trolling motor in shallow water. Spin fishing anglers should score

with live pilchards or CAL jigs with paddle tails. Fly anglers will need floating lines, long leaders and baitfish fly patterns. Reds are one of the most challenging species to catch on a fly.

You may also find trout, pompano, bluefish and Spanish mackerel on deep grass flats. I prefer to cast CAL jigs with spinning tackle or flies on sink tip fly lines when fishing deep grass flats. A DOA Deadly Combo also works very well. Drifting and casting ahead of the drift is usually the most productive method. Look for flats that have a good mix of grass and sand and good tidal flow.

You may also find Spanish and king mackerel, false albacore (little tunny), cobia and tripletail in the Coastal Gulf. Keep your eyes open for surface activity such as diving birds, breaking fish or

MAY 21-SEPTEMBER 5

THURSDAY, F RIDAY, SATURDAY , FRID , SA

REAL ESTATE

Old homes, old problems

Is it charming or is it just old? This is the age-old question homebuyers who are looking for a home with character continually ask themselves. Since our country will be celebrating its 250th birthday this year, chances are there are lots of homes with character to choose from.

According to the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, the median home in the country is 44 years old. That’s median meaning half, so that leaves many other properties older than that. In fact, 29.5 million units are 55 years old or more.

Castles in the Sand

The housing boom started in the 1920’s but really exploded after World War II to accommodate the new confidence in the country, resulting in higher birth rates and returning soldiers. Add to this a building surge during the 1970’s and we’re now looking at enough old homes to give “This Old House” decades of TV shows.

The cost of maintenance and structural repairs grew by about 14.1% between 2022 and 2024, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. Financial advisers traditionally suggest setting aside 1% of a home’s value annually for upkeep. Now, however, that recommended number has increased to 2% or 3%, particularly for older homes. Once you start ripping out walls for a remodel in an older home, you’re never sure what you’re going to find or how much money it will add to the project. In addition, older homes can face homeowner’s insurance issues. Aging

roofs, siding and systems can increase premiums or result in not being able to get coverage on the house at all. This could lead to mortgage lenders denying a loan because of the property’s condition. Florida has a definite leg up on new home construction. If you want new construction, just take a ride down Cortez Road, or out east to Parrish, and you’ll find literally thousands of new homes being built every day. Do they have the charm and character of some older homes, maybe, maybe not, but they do have new roofs and everything else. Also, in a slow real estate market, the homes that are selling are the ones in good condition, with no major repair issues and are priced right. And they’re out there, since only 34% of existing homes on the market need repairs or updates. Unfortunately, many sellers are living in the past when the market was on the upswing, but that was then, this is now, and sellers need to readjust their expectations.

The two regions where homes are selling quickly are in the Midwest and Northeast, where there is a lack of new construction keeping the supply of available properties down. I believe the new construction in our state is hurting the Florida market, and certainly in areas where there is an abundance of new construction, like Manatee County, creating competition for existing properties.

If an older, charming home is still on your radar, remember you’re not just buying an older home; you’re buying an expensive maintenance schedule. You can put off the “someday I’ll get to the bathroom renovation” until the 40-year-old tub springs a leak, or the 50-year-old soffits finally blow off in a storm, but it will eventually catch up with you. Is charming just another word for old? Be careful what you wish for.

Leffis Key Preserve projected to reopen in 2027

Leffis Key Preserve has been closed since the 2024 hurricanes and is anticipated to reopen in mid-2027.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN REPORTER | llake@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH

–

Manatee County’s Leffis Key Preserve remains closed due to damage from the 2024 hurricanes. The preserve is expected to reopen in 2027.

“The work assignment for the Leffis Key Preserve project has been created and is currently pending procurement agent assignment,” Manatee County Communications Manager Casey Zempel stated in an April 22 email to The Sun. “Once the contract is issued and a notice to proceed is authorized, the design phase is expected to take approximately eight months.”

The preserve is located at 2351 Gulf Drive South, in Bradenton Beach, across the street from Coquina Beach.

As part of the design phase, the engineering team will assess the conditions of the hurricane-damaged preserve amenities that include a bridge, chickee huts, trails, a boardwalk that meanders through a mangrove forest and viewing platforms that penetrate the water.

The Leffis Key Preserve features a 26-foot-high hill that offers a panoramic view of Sarasota Bay and the Gulf.

“The hill was planted with native dune and coastal ridge plants such as sea oats, beach elder, dune sunflower, southern red cedar, green buttonwood,

sea grape, gumbo limbo, Hercules’ club, Jamaica dogwood and strangler fig,” according to the Manatee County website.

“In addition, over 20,000 marsh grass plants, such as smooth cordgrass, saltwater cordgrass and salt joint grass, were installed along the banks of the tidal ponds. The plant

installation was accomplished with volunteer labor that included hundreds of school children, local environmental clubs and citizens.”

In his email, Zempel said, “Manatee County will use the finalized plans to competitively bid the construction project in accordance with FEMA policies and procedures.”

Manatee County Deputy County Administrator Bryan Parnell previously addressed the reopening process in a December 2025 email.

“The county is actively working through the federal FEMA approval process to secure funding for the necessary repairs. Because these repairs were not completed under an emergency authorization, FEMA’s review timeline is longer and is still underway. We are currently finalizing the project’s scope of work and confirming the budget needed to move forward,” he wrote.

Parnell said the county shares the community’s frustration over how long the reopening process is taking.

“The county has completed many post-storm repairs across our preserves using in-house crews, but Leffis Key requires a full redesign and specialized construction, making it more complex than other projects,” he wrote.

Ribbon cutting held for roundabout planting project

A collaboration between the Anna Maria Island Garden Club, Keep Manatee Beautiful and the Scenic WAVES Committee provided the new native plantings in the Bridge Street/Gulf Drive roundabout in Bradenton Beach. The Scenic WAVES Committee coordinated the initiative and the project was funded by the AMI Garden Club and Keep Manatee Beautiful. The roundabout beautification project features native, salt-tolerant,

SUBMITTED

drought-resistant plants that include muhly grass, candelabra aloe, blanket

flower and beach dune sunflower – all of which were selected with the

challenging coastal conditions in mind. The plants were installed on April 28 and a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Friday, May 1. Additionally, the Wildlife of Anna Maria Island educational signs installed at the Bridge Street beach access, Jan Vosburgh Beachfront Park and Katie Pierola Sunset Park were funded by Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge 2188, AMI Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring and Suncoast Waterkeeper.

GRASSETT: Tarpon fishing takes off in May

FROM PAGE 19

baitfish being forced out of the water which could indicate the presence of mackerel, blues or little tunny. Medium spinning tackle and 8-weight or 9-weight fly tackle should be heavy enough, although your tarpon spinning and fly tackle is not too heavy for cobia. Look for cobia either swimming on the surface or around navigational markers or buoys. I

have also found cobia swimming with schools of tarpon before.

Tripletail may be found around crab trap floats or buoys, where they can be targeted with a DOA shrimp or CAL jig on spinning tackle. When fly fishing for tripletail, a floating line on an 8 or 9-weight fly rod with a shrimp or baitfish fly pattern, like my Grassett Flats Minnow, should get the job done. Full regulations and details for all species can be viewed at myfwc.com.

There are plenty of options plenty of fishing options on both shallow and deep grass flats or in the coastal gulf during May. Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by industrial, agricultural and residential runoff, toxic spills and discharges, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation. Please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

OBITUARIES

Stephen “Steve” L. Bergquist

Stephen “Steve” L. Bergquist, a longtime building contractor and beloved member of the Anna Maria Island community, passed away unexpectedly on April 7, 2026. Steve was born on July 30, 1954 in Lakeland. Steve’s roots on the Island ran deep, beginning with his grandparents, who built a family home here in 1947. After decades of family memories at the “beach,” Steve made the Island his permanent home in the mid-90s, alongside his parents.

To those who knew him, Steve was the man in the well-known van, always ready with a kind word or a helping hand. He was a generous soul who never hesitated to show up for those who needed him.

Steve is survived by his father, Richard, and his wife, Gayle, of Bradenton; his brother, Dick, and his partner Dorothy, of Polk City; his nieces, Noel (Josh) of Lakeland and Molly, of Fort Myers; and his life partner, Beverly (Bev), along with their beloved Christine. Steve was preceded in death by his mother, Madge.

His presence on the Island will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and the many "island folks" whose lives he touched.

Tyson Salsberry

Tyson Salsberry, 11, of Anna Maria Island, died April 23, 2026. Tyson, a beloved English Bulldog and devoted family member, had called Anna Maria Island home for eight beautiful months – and in that short time, it was here, in the place that had given him such peace, that he took his last breath.

to come say hello. He never passed up an opportunity to be loved, or to love in return.

He lived with extraordinary joy. He played soccer, skateboarded, paddle boarded, and was an incredible catcher. He had a deep love for boats – riding on them and sitting at the shore watching them drift by. The beach was his sanctuary and Anna Maria Island became his forever place.

A true outdoorsman, Steve embraced every aspect of Island living. He was an avid boater and a familiar face in local fishing tournaments for many years. He was often found expertly throwing a cast net, a skill he learned as a child. Beyond his skills as a builder, Steve was known for his "killer" hot sauce – a craft he took great pride in and loved sharing with others.

A celebration of life will be held in the future. Please remember a life well lived by doing a good deed for someone in need, plant a tree in your yard, donate to a food bank or donate to your favorite charity to honor Steve’s memory. Above all, remember to just be nice. Please leave condolences and memories at Brownandsonsfuneral. com/obituaries/Stephen-L-Bergquist.

Tyson spent most of his life in California before embarking on an adventurous cross-country road trip to Florida, where he would find his final and most beloved home by the island’s shore.

Tyson was no ordinary dog. He had a gift for making everyone around him feel truly seen and special. He carried himself with a giddy walk and an irresistible smile he simply could not contain — and his tail, a short little tail with a sweet tuft, would lay flat until happiness struck, and then shoot straight up and wiggle for the world to see.

On walks, whenever he spotted people or other dogs approaching, Tyson would stop dead in his tracks and wait – just in case they wanted

He was a patient and loving big brother to his English bulldog brother, Tommy, teaching him how to play, sharing his treats, and showing him what it means to love unconditionally.

Everyone who met Tyson in his later years was always surprised to learn he was 11 because he carried so much life and love that time seemed to stand still around him. His loss was sudden and unexpected, and those who loved him lost not just a pet, but a soul dog – and the grief is as deep as the love he gave so freely.

Tyson Salsberry is survived by his daddy Eugene, his mommy Ariel, and his English bulldog brother Tommy, who will carry his memory in every adventure, every beach walk and every boat they see drifting by. The forever bestest boy…

ISLAND SPORTS

CENTER SCOREBOARD

YOUTH SOCCER ALL-GIRLS (WEEK 5)

Beach Bums 5 (1-2-2)

RAK’S Wings ‘N Things 2 (1-2-2)

Anna Maria Island Rental Cars 6 (4-0-1) Bubble Binz 1 (1-3-1)

YOUTH SOCCER 8-10 YEARS OLD (WEEK 2)

Anna Maria Island Rental Cars 3 AMI Outfitters 1

Isola Bella Italian Eatery 1 West Coast Surf Shop 1

G.I. Bins 7

The Gitt Team – KW on the Water 1

YOUTH SOCCER 8-10 YEARS OLD (WEEK 5) AMI Outfitters 2 (1-1-2)

G.I. Bins 0 (1-4-0)

West Coast Surf Shop 3 (3-0-2)

The Gitt Team – KW on the Water 0 (0-4-0)

Flip Flop Shop & Candy Stop W by FF (3-1-0) Isola Bella Italian Eatery FF (0-1-3)

YOUTH SOCCER 11-13 YEARS OLD (WEEK 2)

Solid rock Construction 0 Print Wizards 0

Moss Builders 5 Le Creperie 4

YOUTH SOCCER 11-13 YEARS OLD (WEEK 5)

Print Wizards 1 (3-0-2)

Solid Rock Construction 1 (3-0-2)

Moss Builders 4 (2-3-0) Le Creperie 2 (0-5-0)

YOUTH SOCCER 14-17 YEARS OLD (WEEK 5)

Kesten Concrete Co. 1 Print Wizards 0

Kesten Concrete Co. 3 (6-2-2)

Solid Rock Construction 1

Solid Rock Construction 4 (5-3-2) Print Wizards 3 (2-7-1)

ADULT SOCCER (WEEK 5)

Solid Rock Construction 4 (1-3-1)

Ross Built 3 (0-4-0)

Impact Florida Windows 3 (1-1-2)

Bubble Binz 2 (1-3-1)

Swordfish Grill 8 (4-1-0)

Salty Printing 3 (2-2-0)

Sato Real Estate 3 (5-0-0) Pool America 2 (3-2-0)

Anna Maria Island

Real Estate Corporation 3 (1-2-1)

Pizza Social 2 (2-2-1)

ADULT FLAG FOOTBALL 35+ (WEEK 4)

Bradenton Home Inspections 33 (2-1)

Moss Builders 18 (3-0)

Slim’s Place 32 (3-0) gRub 18 (0-4)

ADULT BASKETBALL (WEEK 2)

Salty Printing 21, 17, 23 (1-1)

Gator-Man Pools 9, 21, 21 (1-1)

Bradenton Home Inspections 21, 21, 21 (2-0) Q Law Injury Attorneys 12, 12, 13 (0-2)

USA Fence 21, 21, 16 (2-0)

MI-Box 10, 6, 21 (0-2)

Paddy Wagon’s 21, 22, 19 (2-0) Luxury Services 14, 12, 21 (0-2)

KEY ROYALE CLUB GOLF SCORES

MONDAY, APRIL 27STABLEFORD & SKINS GAME

First place: Rob Ellis, +5

Second place: Mike Cusato, +4

Third place: Tom Erdle, Tom Nelson, Larry Pippel, +3 Skins: Greg Shorten, hole 8

CARLUCCI: discusses ‘Baseball in Paradise’

FROM PAGE 4

a premier powerhouse; and they have so much history here on the Island,” Carlucci said.

BRAVES ON AMI

The Braves’ past presence on Anna Maria Island is recognized by two statues of boys swinging baseball bats and a third statue of a boy pitching a baseball. The statues stand between the Gulf and a beachfront home on Cypress Avenue in Anna Maria. The home was once owned by Braves’ Hall of Fame pitcher Warren Spahn, who later sold it to Braves’ Hall of Fame third baseman Eddie Mathews. Attached to the home’s gate are two baseball bats crossed like an X, with two baseballs placed above the bats and a replica of home plate bearing the signatures of Mathews and Spahn placed below the bats. “The Braves left in ’62, I think. They were followed by the Kansas City Athletics, who

These

were here for six years and became the Oakland Athletics, owned by Charlie Finley. Guess who their hitting coach was for two years, which I never would have known if I hadn’t written this book? Joe DiMaggio, and the back story is in the book,” Carlucci said. After the Athletics moved their spring training headquarters to Arizona, the Pittsburgh Pirates came to Bradenton in 1969.

When asked what he hopes people take from reading “Baseball in Paradise,” Carlucci said, “Baseball is more than baseball. It’s American culture and community. And the way the book is written, there’s a year-by-year template for a hundred years – whatever’s happening in the world and in Bradenton. Who was the team, who was the manager, who was the best player and how did they do during the season?”

TUESDAY, APRIL 28 - LOW NET SCORE

Flight A

First place: Rene Chapman, Roxanne Koche, Phyllis Roe, 32

Second place: Linda Dorsey, Lisa Edmonds, Sue Porterfield, 34

Third place: Debbie DuVernay, Barb Rinckey, 35

Flight B

First place: Susan VanOrsdel, 27

Second place: Jan Turner, Terry Westby, 29

Third place: Nina McSparren, Sue Wheeler, 31

Birdies: Lisa Edmonds and Sue Porterfield, hole 6

Chip-Ins: Terry Westby, hole 4, Debbie DuVernay, hole 5, Jan Turner, hole 9

THURSDAY, APRIL 30 - SCRAMBLE

First place teams: Jenelle Clements, Tom Nelson, Chuck Patrick, Joe Tynan tied with John Cassese, Dale Hudson, Jay Jump, Eric Lawson, 29 (-3)

Second place teams: Leigh Brattain, Mike Clements, Jack Connors, Bill Shuman tied Nicholas Cibel, Julia Fay, Charlie Porter, Kurt Snouffer, 30 (-2) AM HORSESHOES | SUBMITTED Silver

prevails in Saturday horseshoes

On Wednesday, April 29, two teams advanced to the knockout round after each went 3-0 during pool play at Anna Maria Horseshoes. Tim Sofran and Gary Howcroft held on for a 21-19 win over Steve Doyle and John Poccynek to take Wednesday’s championship. On Saturday, May 2, three teams met in a playoff after each went 3-0, with the bye going to Gersey Fernades and Herb Shutt. Billy Silver (pictured) won the semi-final match 24-3, beating Tom Farrington and Tom Betty. Silver stayed hot and won the final match 23-12 over Fernades and Shutt to stay perfect for the day.

FUN IN THE SUN

"Seize the Awkward" spot, e.g.

Fix, in a bad way

Hang out after checking for rain?

Basic French verb

3D animation?

Step on someone's toes, perhaps

Alias indicator

Cuban ingredient

Native Nebraskans

Forever and a day

Drag icon with 14

Reggae kin

"Queen of Country"

3D printing?

Corp. bigwig

Boo-boo

Animal whose name means "eater of bark" in Algonquian

Entitled men?

Snow day toy

Field for Kahlo y Burga

High point of hospitality?

"My b!"

Norm: Abbr.

"What-ev-er!" expressions

Gum balls?

Nonprofit domain

Nocturnal cat?

Seed money investor?

Celtic language

Potatoes, in Urdu

__ finder

Small bouquet

Sausage that may be boiled in bier

"__ dare?"

Karenina of literature

Ruby, e.g.

Academic domain

Creator of Sonic and Knuckles

Dorm figs.

Sink hole

Hindu goddess whose name means "impassable"

Dish that resembles a jellied meatloaf

Endearingly nerdy

CLASSIFIEDS

BOATS

ISO BOAT SLIP for sale preferably that already has a lift & water & will fit min of 22’ center console.

. Kelly Gitt The Gitt Team Keller Williams on the Water 941-799-9299.

BOAT TOURS

DISCOVER THE BEST

ANNA MARIA ISLAND

DOLPHIN TOUR—see wild dolphins, crystal-clear waters, and stunning coastal views. Family-friendly, guided boat tours with local experts. Book your unforgettable dolphin tour in Anna Maria Island today with Manatee River Boat Rentals and Watersports! 941-932-3700

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

NOW HIRING: The White Egret & The Egret's Nest

We are seeking creative individuals to fill both part time and full time positions at our boutiques! Flexible days but some weekend availability required. Please inquire in person, drop off a resume or call 941-778-3782 for an interview appointment.

ROSER CHURCH SEEKS

part-time Assistant Facilities Administrator to cover Friday to Sunday and special events. Read the Job Description RoserChurch. com/job-opportunity.

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

HOME SERVICE

HATE TO COOK? Long time Island resident. Can help with cooking, laundry and many things around your house. Many compliments on cooking. References available. Please Call or Text 941685-0045.

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

SHELL DRIVEWAYS & LANDSCAPE. Specializing in Old Florida Seashell and Lime rock driveways and scapes. Also River Rock, Sand, Mulch, & Soil. Call Shark Mark 941-301-6067

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

RETIRED LIFETIME PAINTER. "Have saved many customers many dollars". $27 per hour. Insured 502-817-6786

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

WATERFRONT SEASIDE GARDENS townhouse, End Unit, 2BR/2BA, 40’dock, Boat Lift, New Seawall and patio. Outside shower. Sold As Is $650,000. Call 609-2319564

CABINS FOR SALE IN SMOKY MOUNTAINS of Western North Carolina. Perfect for second homes or investment. Call Chester 828-736-0907 RE/MAX REALTOR.

RENTALS: ANNUAL

BEAUTIFUL PERICO BAY Club Condo! 2BR/2BA, Second Floor Unit $3500/ mo seasonally, $2300/mo annually +Security Deposit Please call 941-7781979 for more details.

AMI BRADENTON BEACH 6 month or one year lease. Furnished 2BR/1BA. $1700/mo water, cable TV, internet included. Call/ Text 517-548-1327

IN HOLMES BEACH

2BR/2BA Annual Rental. Off street parking. First & Security deposit. $2300/ mo Please call 941-5658407

ANNUAL RENTAL HOLMES BEACH

Completely renovated 3bdrm 2 full bath ½ duplex walking distance to the beaches, restaurants and shops. Immediate occupancy. $3.500/month. Call Paige Rogers Duncan Real Estate 513-382-1992.

2BR/2BA ANNUAL PERICO ISLAND $2150/mo 2BR unit unfurnished, avail now. Ground floor, tile, 1200sq ft. Water/trash/ lawn/cable incl. Parking + storage. Pool, tennis, gym. Near preserves & Anna Maria Island. Credit check. Small pets ok. No smoking. HOA app/fee. 941-778-7244

RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION

ANNA MARIA ISLAND CONDOS Large pool, beach access, free WiFi, 1&2 Bedroom $900 to $1200 per week redekercondosonami.com Tim 941-704-7525

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

REASONABLY PRICED SEASONAL FURNISHED 2BR/2BA, water view, 3 minute walk to beach. 941-226-4008 jamesk95@ netzero.com

NEWLY RENOVATED 2BR/2BA CONDO close to Mantee Beach & shopping. First floor unit, all utilities, cable TV, internet, washer/dryer, parking, community swimming pool & pickle ball courts. No pets/no smoking. $3500/mo. 1-to-6-month lease. First & security deposit. Available immediately. Call 716-982-5168.

3BD/2BA HOME ON WATER $2,500 in Holmes Beach. On the water. Parking + all utilities, internet etc. included. Strictly non-smoking. Available April 30 -Jun 8th $2,500. Message 617-518-1240.

TRANSPORTATION

ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa/St. Pete $85. Sarasota $40. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-7795095