- Named Best Florida Newspaper In Its Class -
VOL 25 No. 1
August 28, 2024
Lighting strikes two Holmes Beach businesses A two-alarm fire started by a bolt of lightning damaged two businesses and caused the evacuation of the Holmes Beach Business Center. BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
JUDY TITSWORTH | SUBMITTED
TOM CURTIN | SUBMITTED
A lightning strike started a two-alarm fire on Aug. 22 at the Holmes Beach Business Center on Gulf Drive as streets remained flooded from rains. Inset, resident Tom Curtin captured the scene as the fire burned through two units at the Holmes Beach Business Center.
Former employee alleges discrimination, hostile work environment
The investigative findings were expected to be presented to the mayor and commission chair on Aug. 27.
HOLMES BEACH – A lightning strike started a fire on Aug. 22 that damaged two local businesses – West Coast Air Conditioning and Heating and Fun and More Rentals. A press release from West Manatee Fire Rescue Fire Marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski states that the fire began at 10:18 a.m. at the Holmes Beach Business Center, 5347 Gulf Drive. The lightning caused a two-alarm fire, bringing crews from WMFR, Bradenton Fire Rescue, Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue and Southern Manatee Fire Rescue to the Anna Maria Island city. Kwiatkowski said the fire was extinguished quickly and no injuries were reported. Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth, whose family owns the business center, said all of the units were evacuated quickly, including the Island Animal Clinic and The Paw Spa, whose four-legged clients were safely moved to 5350 The Pourhouse across the street in the S&S Plaza. None of the other units in the business center were damaged by the fire.
Primary voters produce change in leadership
The primary results will significantly reshape the Manatee County Commission.
BY JOE HENDRICKS
BY JOE HENDRICKS
SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – Former public works department employee Benzard Holland alleges he was subjected to a hostile work environment and discriminatory behavior at the city. During the Aug. 22 city commission meeting, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy addressed the allegations and the ensuing investigation. “On July the 25th, I received a copy of a complaint regarding discrimination from an ex-employee. The ex-employee has alleged that he was discriminated against. I took that very seriously. I think each one of you commissioners was given this complaint. I wasn’t, but you were. A copy was
SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
General Manager Dean Jones oversees Anna Maria’s public works department and building department. sent to me by Commissioner (Mark) Short,” Murphy told the commission. On July 25, Holland, a Black man, sent an email to all five city commissioners that said in part, “Dear city commissioners, I am writing to formally report the hostile work environment and discriminatory
SEE INVESTIGATION, PAGE 41
MANATEE COUNTY – Anna Maria Island voters helped determine the winners of three key Republican primary races that saw Tal Siddique, George Kruse and Scott Farrington emerge with victories on Aug. 20. Island voters joined voters countywide in rejecting several candidates associated with political consultant Anthony Pedicini and the divisive, developer-beholden political ideology that has defined county politics since the 2020 elections. Pedicini clients April Culbreath, Kevin Van Ostenbridge, James Satcher, Ray Turner and Steve Metallo lost their primary races.
FIND YOUR FAVORITES in Readers' Choice! 17-31
Siddique defeated Culbreath in the District 3 county commission race. Siddique received 6,070 votes (61.07%) and Culbreath received 3,870 votes (38.93%). Siddique Siddique now faces Democratic candidate Diana Shoemaker in the general election in November. The District 3 commissioner directly represents a district that includes Anna Maria Island, Cortez, a portion of Longboat Key and portions of Bradenton. Of the 9,940 votes cast in the District 3 race, approximately 14% were cast by Anna Maria Island voters.
SEE RESULTS, PAGE 41
HOLMES BEACH COMMISSION
candidates speak. 14-16
LOGGERHEAD turtle killed by car leaves
behind 84 hatchlings. 12
Page 37 Anna Maria Island, Florida
DISTRICT 3
The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper
www.amisun.com