- Named Best Florida Newspaper In Its Class -
VOL 25 No. 14
November 27, 2024
Christmas tree lights up Bridge Street BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – Just two months after Hurricane Helene’s storm surge pushed piles of sand and debris into the city, a concerted cleanup effort enabled the festive spirit to return to Bridge Street. At the city-hosted Christmas tree lighting at the post office on Nov. 21, Mayor John Chappie welcomed the crowd to the town’s main street. “It’s been 56 days since this storm hit and it’s been tough,” Chappie said. “We are going to step up and do what needs to be done to get our city back up and better. We are survivors and we are going to survive.” Chappie applauded Police Chief and Public Works Director John Cosby as the driving force behind the massive cleanup and the restoration of activity in the city. LESLIE LAKE | SUN
The Christmas tree illuminates Bridge Street at the Nov. 21 tree lighting, a symbol of hope for the hard-hit community.
Anna Maria honors Dan Murphy
Condemnation notice rescinded for Gulf Drive home
Murphy’s mayoral efforts will long be remembered and appreciated.
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – Newlyelected Mayor Mark Short presided over an emotional farewell ceremony for longtime Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy. Due to a health issue, Murphy did not attend the Murphy ceremony that occurred during the city’s commission’s Nov. 19 swearing-in ceremony and organizational meeting. Murphy’s wife, Barb, read a statement from her husband that said, “I want to thank the residents of our beautiful city for giving me the privilege of serving as your mayor for
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Mayor Mark Short presented Barb Murphy with a letter of appreciation from Gov. Ron DeSantis. 10 challenging years. I also give special thanks to my staff, the commission, the county and our state for your help through ‘thick and thin,’ six hurricanes and a pandemic. It has all been a rewarding experience. Thank you.”
SEE MURPHY, PAGE 19
BRADENTON BEACH – You can fight city hall, and win. The red condemnation notice on Gash Caudill’s Gulf Drive home has been removed by the city following his appeals for a comprehensive inspection. Caudill, a building contractor who shares the duplex at 1107 Gulf Drive N. with his 84-year-old mother, Betty Cole, saw the notice on Nov. 7 on the front door. “I was here working, and I found that at 4 o’clock,” Caudill said on Nov. 22. “The red tag stated ‘Your home is damaged beyond repair and must be demolished.’ At 6 o’clock I was down at city hall for the commission meeting.”
WHAT are they doing with all that sand? 4
He spoke at that meeting and said his home remained structurally sound following the hurricanes and questioned why it had been condemned without an interior inspection. He then attended the next city commission meeting and spoke to city leaders on Nov. 21. “Two weeks ago I attended my first ever city hall meeting because before that, city hall had never interfered in my life,” Caudill said. “Now you’re interfering in my life in a big way. I have a condemnation letter that was placed on my house by a building official who’s never been in my home. I never had an inspection or an evaluation and a drive-by declared my home damaged beyond repair and must be demolished. Why?”
SEE CONDEMNATION, PAGE 22
KALETA makes plea deal after DUI
arrest. 9
SUNNY SHORES residents ask governor
for help. 10
Page 20 Anna Maria Island, Florida
SEE TREE, PAGE 22
The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper
www.amisun.com