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VOL 25 No. 3
September 11, 2024
Plans for the Seafood Shack property include public boat ramps, parking and a marine storage facility. BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
CORTEZ – Ending speculation about the identity of the new owner of the Seafood Shack Restaurant and Marina, the Manatee Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved its $13 million purchase at a Sept. 5 land use meeting. Prior to the vote, Manatee County Property Acquistion Division Manager Charles Meador spoke about the proposed use for the property, which consists of seven upland parcels of approximately 5.9 acres and two submerged land leases of 2.9 acres. He said the property will provide a public boating access facility to include a boat ramp, dry storage facility and marina. “If the property is acquired by the county and developed as a private boat ramp facility, the site has the potential to increase the number of available boat trailer parking spaces up to 25% countywide,” he said.
County to purchase Seafood Shack for $13 million LESLIE LAKE | SUN
Manatee County leaders plan to purchase the Seafood Shack Restaurant and Marina for $13 million to provide a public boating facility.
Employee workplace complaints ‘unsubstantiated’ Former city employee Benzard Holland alleged he was subjected to workplace hostility and discriminatory behavior. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – After conducting an independent investigation, labor attorney Matthew Stefany said that a former employee’s allegations of workplace hostility and discriminatory behavior are unsubstantiated. Stefany, a member of the Tampabased Allen Norton & Blue law firm, was contracted by the city of Anna Maria to investigate the workplace allegations. On Sept. 6, Stefany provided Mayor Dan Murphy with an eight-page written report containing his findings.
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“On July 25, former public works employee Benzard Holland emailed city commissioners to formally report the hostile work environment and discriminatory behavior he allegedly experienced during his employment with the city. Mr. Holland’s email alleged his supervisor, Dean Jones, consistently subjected him and other employees to verbal abuse, including racial slurs and aggressive behavior which created a toxic work environment that made it impossible for him to continue employment,” according to Stefany’s report. When conducting his investigation, Stefany interviewed all current city employees and three Black former public works department employees: Holland, Nick Huling and former Public Works Manager Roosevelt Jones. No restrictions were placed on
SEE WORKPLACE, PAGE 17
Water quality concerns persist During and after Tropical Stormy Debby, more than 43 million gallons of wastewater and sewage were discharged into local waters. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Water quality concerns persist as the city of Bradenton continues to discharge partially-treated sewage into the Manatee River. During and immediately after Tropical Storm Debby in early August, the city discharged an estimated 25 million gallons of untreated and partially-treated sewage and wastewater into the Manatee River. According to reports posted at the city’s website, the sewage discharge remained ongoing as of Sept. 6, with more than 1,000 gallons per day being discharged into the river. During and after the storm, which became a hurricane after it passed the
COME TO THE SUN'S Anna Maria mayoral candidates’ forum on Thursday at City Hall. 4
Anna Maria Island, Florida
SEE SEAFOOD SHACK, PAGE 19
The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper
Island, the city of Sarasota discharged an estimated 18 million gallons of sewage and wastewater into Sarasota Bay. On Sept. 6, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) issued water quality advisories for Bayfront Park in Anna Maria and south Palma Sola Bay in west Bradenton. According to the advisory, tests on Sept. 3 and Sept. 5 indicated the water quality did not meet recreational water quality criteria for enterococcus (fecal) bacteria recommended by FDOH, which “advises against any water-related activities at these locations due to an increased risk of illness in swimmers.” After Debby, Mote Marine Laboratory scientists recorded a significant spike in Sarasota Bay concentrations of nitrate and ammonia, which can serve as an increased source of nutrients for aquatic bacteria and algae such as red tide. Red tide was observed at background concentrations in one sample from Manatee County, at the Rod and Reel Pier in Anna Maria, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
CORTEZ MAN to be arraigned on
Friday in shooting case. 3
JOIN IN THE FUN at the LaPensee
Bowling Tournament on Saturday. 4
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