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VOL 23 No. 15
January 18, 2023
The Island’s state representatives are suggesting that Manatee County take over Anna Maria Island's cities and allow a parking garage at Manatee Beach. BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
MANATEE COUNTY - Members of the local state legislative delegation are making plans to permanently change the face of Anna Maria Island, beginning with a parking garage and potentially ending with the dissolu- Robinson tion of the three Island cities. A citizens’ action group, Save AMI Cities, has already sprung up on Facebook with the intent of making voter and stakeholder voices heard by state legislators. During a Jan. 12 legislative delegation meeting, Rep. Will Robinson Jr. brought up beach access and parking issues in Holmes Beach. Robinson, a Republican, proposed introducing a bill during the upcoming state legislative session to pre-empt Holmes Beach city leaders' decision to ban parking garages. His plan would allow a four-story parking garage on the Manatee County-owned parcel at Manatee Beach, one story higher than the city’s limit. His fellow Republican members of the delegation, Rep. Tommy Gregory,
State representatives suggest eliminating Island cities TROY MORGAN/PHOTOSFROMTHEAIR.COM | SUBMITTED
The Manatee Beach parking lot needs a garage, according to state officials, who propose a Manatee County takeover of all AMI cities to make it so.
Oyster Bar proposes enhancements at pier location
Suzi Fox honored at celebration of life BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
The proposed enhancements include allowing alcohol consumption on the Bradenton Beach Pier.
enhancements to the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) on Jan. 11. The improvements include a walk-up bar and a to-go food kiosk to be located in the space previously occupied by Tide & Moon and Room With A Hue.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND - At the celebration of Suzi Fox’s life, local dignitaries, family and friends painted a picture of a dedicated advocate for Island turtles, a fun-loving and funny friend, and a caring mother, sister and grandmother. Fox, longtime executive director of Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, died on Sept. 30 after a fall. More than 150 people attended the event at the Center of Anna Maria Island on Saturday to pay tribute to Fox. Nanci Banman, Fox’s sister, described Suzi as a force to be reckoned with. “If you met her, it was like you’ve known her all your life,” Banman said. Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said it was clear that Fox loved the turtles, the seabirds and the community.
SEE AMOB, PAGE 23
SEE FOX, PAGE 24
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – The Anna Maria Oyster Bar (AMOB) wants to enhance and expand its operations at and around the Bradenton Beach Pier. The desired enhancements include alcohol consumption being allowed on the public fishing pier at the end of Bridge Street. AMOB leases the main restaurant building at the foot of the pier from the city of Bradenton Beach. AMOB also leases the adjacent smaller city-owned structures subleased to Paradise Boat Tours and formerly subleased to the Tide & Moon and Room With A Hue retail operators. AMOB CEO John Horne presented the proposed
Page 33
SEE LEGISLATIVE, PAGE 18
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
The Anna Maria Oyster Bar plans to install a walk-up bar in the smaller, burnt orange-colored building formerly subleased for retail operations.
WINTER WEDDINGS
are wonderful by the water.
VOTE FOR THE BEST OF AMI in Readers’ Choice. 25-26 EDITORIAL: SMOKE, mirrors
16-17
and AMI’s ‘parking problem.’ 6
Anna Maria Island, Florida
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