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VOL 15 No. 27
May 6, 2015
THE FOOD AND WINE WAS FINE Great weather attracted 8,000 to 10,000 people to Anna Maria on Saturday to celebrate the food, wine, brews and music of the Island and Manatee County and to root for their favorite horses in the Kentucky Derby. Wearing their best Derby hats were Tammy Kelly, Robyn Thomson, Annie Reddick and Pidge Taylor, whose hat won the prize for best entry. See more on Page 10.
Tom vaught | sun
Recall hearing scheduled Judge Gilbert Smith has been asked to determine whether Vice Mayor Jack Clarke remains on the recall ballot. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – After being notified that the recall lawsuit he recently filed in Sarasota was filed in the wrong jurisdiction, John Metz refiled his suit in Manatee County on Monday, April 27. Two days later, Metz requested a temporary injunction, and a court hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, May 5. At that hearing, Circuit Court Judge Gilbert Smith was expected to rule on see recall, page 41
INSIDE NEWS OPINION Sun survey turtles outdoors real estate beach beat Classified
4 6 7 22 24-25 36-41 42 44-47
Board votes to withhold Center funding Commissioners said they would reconsider the request if they receive answers to the mayor’s questions. BY PAT COPELAND SUN STAFF WRITER | pcopeland@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – After hearing pleas from both sides, city commissioners voted 4-0 not to release the city’s
$22,500 contribution in its 2014-15 budget for the AMI Community Center until they get further information. At issue is a plan by the Center’s board of directors to build a fitness center on the second floor of the Center. Residents, some city officials and two Island fitness center owners oppose the plan. see center, page 37
changing com-
tourism: Resort tax collections
Fire district gets a new chief. 3
for March smash all records. 3
mand:
Anna Maria Island, Florida
Sometimes, dreams really do come true. 16
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