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VOL 25 No. 13
November 20, 2024
TDC discusses post-hurricane marketing
The Tourist Development Council is spending $500,000 on an emergency marketing campaign. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
Anna Maria Island’s beaches are open and vacationers are encouraged to return.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
‘Let’s Give Thanks Together’ reservations available
The greater Island community is invited to celebrate Thanksgiving together. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – The people of Anna Maria Island, Cortez and the surrounding communities will come together on Thanksgiving Day for a celebration of gratitude, hope and community connection. The Let’s Give Thanks Together community gathering will take place on Thursday, Nov. 28, from noon until 4 p.m. at The Center of Anna Maria Island, at 407 Magnolia Ave. “This event invites neighbors, friends and families to share a meal, make lasting memories, and embrace the spirit of togetherness,” event
organizer and Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan said. “In light of recent events that have affected our community, this gathering offers an opportunity to reconnect with one another and find comfort in the bonds that make our community so special. The Center, long cherished as a hub for the Island, is the perfect setting for an event designed to bring people together in gratitude and celebration,” Duncan said. The Let’s Give Thanks Together event will feature a complimentary Thanksgiving meal prepared by local businesses, showcasing the generosity and culinary talent of the Island. Guests can also enjoy live music, a kids’ zone with children’s activities and a welcoming atmosphere where everyone can feel at home.
SEE THANKS, PAGE 19
SEE TDC, PAGE 23
Pines homeowners meet with officials BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH - Pines Trailer Park homeowners attended a Nov. 7 city commission meeting seeking answers about the continued existence of the 86-unit park following hurricane-related flooding.
HELENE DAMAGE 'MAJOR'
On Sept. 27, storm surge from Hurricane Helene caused water intrusion into the mobile homes at the Pines Trailer Park. On Oct. 17, Building Official Darin Cushing said that FEMA guidelines related to water intrusion from flooding deem the properties as having major damage. Federal, state and local regulations state if a home is damaged 50% or more of the market value of the structure, or if it is improved 50% or
LYNYRD SKYNYRD rocks Manatee County to support hurricane victims. Page 20
11
Anna Maria Island, Florida
MANATEE COUNTY – The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (BACVB) is engaged in post-hurricane marketing to help bring tourists back to Anna Maria Island. BACVB Executive Director Elliott Falcione discussed the tourism bureau’s crisis management plan and post-hurricane marketing efforts during the Nov. 14 Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) meeting. Falcione said every tourism bureau should have crisis management plans for hurricanes and other extreme weather events, red tide, oil spills and more.
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more of the value of the structure, then the entire structure must be brought to current floodplain compliance, which is an elevation to 12 feet. On Oct. 29, fire code and setback regulations became part of the discussion. West Manatee Fire Rescue District (WMFR) Fire Marshall Rodney Kwiatkowski outlined fire safety and regulatory standards to be followed for all new mobile home installations at the Pines. Regulations state that no portion of a mobile home, excluding the tongue, shall be located closer than 10 feet side-to-side, 8 feet end-to-side, or 6 feet end-to-end horizontally from any other mobile home or community building.
SEE PINES, PAGE 22
TOURISM WORKERS eligible for
grants. 10
HEALTH DEPARTMENT issues red tide
alert. 17
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