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VOL 15 No. 31
June 3, 2015
Lawsuit filed over vacation rental ordinance The suit alleges that the requirements and restrictions of the ordinance single out owners and managers of rental properties. BY TOM VAUGHT SUN STAFF WRITER | tvaught@amisun.com
joe hendricks | sun
Attorney Stephen Perry swears new mayor Jack Clarke, left, into office, with his wife Karen standing by his side.
History made in ceremony
The new mayor is ready to tackle the challenges he and the city will face. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – Local history was made Monday afternoon when Jack Clarke was sworn in as mayor. Clarke became the first Island resident and politician to replace a sitting mayor removed from office by city voters, which occurred during the May 19 recall election that ended Bill Shearon’s term as mayor six months early.
INSIDE NEWS OPINION Sun survey business outdoors sports Real estate classifieds
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More than 40 witnesses and well-wishers gathered inside Bradenton Beach City Hall to watch attorney Stephen Perry swear Clarke in as the new mayor. Clarke will serve as mayor until the November city elections, when he and Shearon run against each other once again. After being sworn in, an emotional Clarke thanked his wife Karen, the city staff and employees, the local merchants and business community and all those who supported his successful campaign. “This is not an opportunity to settle scores, as some see mayor, page 29
organizes to protect Florida’s forage fish.
Anna Maria Island, Florida
see lawsuit, page 33
Supporters want parking plan OK now Chair Judy Titsworth said resolving moratorium issues is first on the commission’s agenda. BY PAT COPELAND SUN STAFF WRITER | pcopeland@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – Once again parking came to the forefront when a congestion committee member and a city commissioner implored the board to implement the congestion committee’s parking plan. see parking, page 33
storm predictions: NOAA
Coalition
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Rental property owners and agents have reacted to the vacation rental ordinance with a lawsuit. Five rental owners and LLC corporations joined Island Real Estate and the Anna Maria Island Vacation Property Association in challenging the new vacation rental ordinance, claiming it singles out rental owners and managers from single-family homeowners, which is prohibited by state law.
SAYS BELOW NORMAL SEASON. 10 Cortez boat anchor business gets under way. 17
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