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VOL 23 No. 14
January 11, 2023
FDEP seeks $8,500 for Aqua’s mangrove violations Aqua developer Carlos Beruff was out of the country when the order was received. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
MANATEE COUNTY – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is levying
an $8,500 penalty for the improper mangrove trimming and debris removal activities that occurred along the Aqua development shoreline in 2022. Located between Sarasota Bay and the El Conquistador Parkway in unincorporated Manatee County, the Aqua property (formerly known as Long Bar Pointe) being developed by Medallion Home includes hundreds of single-family and
multi-family residential units currently being built during the initial construction phase. On Dec. 22, FDEP Southwest District Director Kelley Boatwright sent an electronic letter and proposed consent order to Long Bar Pointe LLLP and Medallion Home representative Rob Bosarge. The letter was also sent to Medallion Home President and CEO Carlos Beruff, Medallion Home Manager of Land
Development Chris Chavez, FDEP Environmental Specialist Derrick Hudson, FDEP Secretary Shawn Hamilton and Gov. Ron DeSantis. The letter requested that Long Bar Pointe review, sign and return the proposed consent order by Jan. 3 if in agreement with the proposed terms, or to contact FDEP immediately if not in agreement. SEE AQUA, PAGE 5
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
This photo taken in April illustrates where the Aqua mangroves were trimmed to create better views for Aqua’s multi-family residential buildings.
Deputy helps save sergeant’s life Deputy Jared Leggett and Sgt. Tommy Fraser treated Sgt. Brett Getman until the paramedics arrived. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – Sgt. Brett Getman is recovering from a heart attack he suffered while on duty on Dec. 19 and he credits Deputy Jared Leggett and others for saving his life. Getman has led the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Anna Maria Unit since January 2020. Leggett transferred to the Anna Maria Unit in early December. On Tuesday, Jan. 3, Getman and Leggett spoke during a press conference held at Anna Maria City Hall and organized by the Sheriff’s Office in
response to press inquiries from The Sun and Fox 13 Tampa Bay. Also in attendance were Getman’s mother, Vicki Getman, his father, Ron Getman, his daughter, Abbey Getman, his sister, Amy Lock and his brotherin-law, Keith Lock, who serves as a Manatee County EMS district chief. Getman’s daughters Sophia and Savannah were unable to attend. Tampa-based American Heart Association Communications Director Johnny Johnson also attended the media event that coincidentally occurred the morning after NFL player Damar Hamlin experienced cardiac arrest during the nationally televised Buffalo Bills-Cincinnati Bengals football game. “On Dec. 19th, around 10:30 in the morning, we got a call for a trespassing complaint. We located the subject on
PENNE WITH BRAISED SHORT RIBS, anyone? Here’s Page 25
how. 19
Anna Maria Island, Florida
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Deputy Jared Leggett, left, helped save Sgt. Brett Getman’s life after he suffered a heart attack. the beach and made the arrest,” Getman said. The alleged criminal activity occurred at an unlocked vacation rental home at 806 North Shore Drive. The incident sheet names 26-year-old Devon Keith Guidry as the alleged offender
and lists unarmed burglary of an unoccupied dwelling as the alleged offense. Getman said he located the suspect on the beach near Magnolia Avenue. “We’ve had issues with the same subject before but we hadn’t been able to pinpoint him at a location. He was going into unlocked vacation rentals. We’ve stressed to the rental companies that their cleaners and other contractors need to lock the doors when they leave,” Getman said. “I came back to the office (in the city hall building) and started doing my report. I was sitting at the desk typing and everything just went black. Thank God Deputy Leggett was in the office with me. If he wasn’t there, I would not be here. The medics treated me quickly SEE DEPUTY, PAGE 15
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