Issuu

#AMitogether

VOLUME 28, NO. 45

the Best news on Anna Maria Island Since 1992

Astheworldterns are glad you’re here. 6 Moose food truck hits roadblock. 2 Labor Day closings. 2 AM sets steps for pier tenant selection. 3 AM revokes chamber Bayfest permit due to pandemic. 4

Meetings. 4

Vote Notes. 4

Anna Maria accepting commissioner applications. 5

Opinions. 6 10-20 YEARS AGO

Looking back. 7

treehouse couple notches a win. 8 AM impact fees. 8 Renourishing news. 9

Happenings Announcements. 9

Skimming AMI

Top Notch Achievements. 13

Streetlife. 16 Gathering. 18 Obituaries 18

Island landscaper Surf’s up on AMI dies of COVID-19 Most who knew him say he was an angel. Angel Cruz, 42, of Bradenton, owned Cruz Landscape. He was hospitalized Aug. 8 and died Aug. 23 from complications associated with COVID-19. He is one of 254 people in Manatee County to die from COVID-19 as of Aug. 28. “Angel Cruz was one of the finest men I’ve known,” Ann Grit, Holmes Beach resident and Cruz client, told The Islander Aug. 27. “He was honest, hard-working, dependable, humble and kind, and I will miss him dearly. My heart goes out to his family and anyone else who had the pleasure of knowing him.” Jim Eatrides of Sarasota knew Cruz when Eatrides lived on Longboat Key and Cruz worked for another company. Eatrides encouraged Cruz to start his own business nearly 15 years ago. “He was one of the most diligent, honest and thoughtful people I have ever met,” Eatrides said Aug. 27. “The more I saw him and got to know him, the more I saw that potential. He was the American Dream.” Cynthia Lacy, a Holmes Beach resident and Cruz client, shared a post to social media when she learned the landscaper died. The response was overwhelming — more than 600 people liked the post and many shared comments on how Cruz affected their lives. “He was able to do anything we needed, PLeASe, See Covid-19, PAGe 3

county exempts churches. 19

NESTING NOTES. 20 no watering down. 21 Adults, kids on pitch. 22 Know tides, check weather. 23

PropertyWatch. 24

NYT puzzle.

islander.org

By chrisAnn Allen Islander Reporter

county resumes evening bus services. 19

CLASSIFIEDS. 24

SEPT. 2, 2020 FREE

Angel cruz, left, with his son Angel Jr., 17. Known on Anna Maria Island for his landscaping business, the father died Aug. 23 from complications associated with coVID-19. Islander courtesy Photo: cynthia Lacy

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Hurricane Laura pushes 6-foot swells to Anna Maria Island

ABoVe: Shae Lopez jumps a wave Aug. 26 in the surf near White Avenue in Holmes Beach. Hurricane Laura passed west of Anna Maria Island Aug. 26, boosting the surf in the Gulf of Mexico to more than 6 feet. Left: A surfer drops down the front of a wave Aug. 26 near White Avenue in Holmes Beach. the swell in the surf generated by Hurricane’s Laura’s passage through the Gulf of Mexico some 700 miles west of AMI and tampa Bay drew surfers to the popular White Avenue break. Islander Photos: chrisAnn Allen

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Moose Lodge food trucks canceled due to ‘costs,’ lost revenue By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Bradenton Beach gave a greenlight to the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge to operate food trucks from its parking lot. But the city also said patrons would need a Moose membership card to make purchases. And that meant fewer customers and less income for the food truck and Moose coffers. So the Moose emailed members Aug. 30 and said the lodge would stop hosting food trucks “due to the permits required by the local authorities.” The lodge, 110 Gulf Drive S., started renovating its kitchen in May, after the first shutdown for COVID-19, but work was delayed when it was learned the Moose needed additional city permits. “We’re going through the permit process and it’s quite extensive,” bar administrator Byron Dalton said. “We hoped to be finished by now, but it’s in the hands In order to meet demand for food, the Moose set of our wonderful city.” up a tent and a grill in its parking lot to operate a small kitchen. Then, Dalton said, the Moose invited food trucks Labor Day brings closings to the lodge in mid-August to “spice things up.” Labor Day will be observed Sept. 7. “Our members kind of get tired of burgers and hot Most government offices will be closed that dogs and stuff like that,” he said. “We figured we’d do Monday, including city halls in Anna Maria, Brasomething different with the food truck.” denton Beach and Holmes Beach. The Moose hosted The Maine Line lobster truck The fare-free island trolley will operate, but from Sarasota and The Spot taco truck from BradenManatee County Area Transit will not operate other ton, as well as the Sausage Express from Venice. fixed-route services or the Handy Bus service. Dalton said the Moose received a percentage of Residential trash or recycling pickups regularly the sales but did not disclose the amount. scheduled for Mondays will be pushed to TuesBuilding official Steve Gilbert said city code perdays, and collection services may be pushed back mitted the food trucks if they sold only to Moose memthrough the week. bers. Otherwise, the lodge must acquire a temporaryCounty parks, preserves and beaches will be use permit to host a mobile business that sells to the open to the public, as will the island piers. public. The Islander newspaper office will be closed “As of now, it appears that the lodge is offering an for the holiday. The classified advertising deadline expanded menu to ‘members only,’” Gilbert had writfor the Sept. 9 edition of the newspaper, normally ten to the newspaper prior to the lodge’s suspension of on Monday, will be 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4. the trucks. “Until advised otherwise, as the building

Staff at the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge, 110 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, and from the Sausage Express food truck prepare for service but the practice ended due to city permitting issues. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

official, the Moose Lodge’s extended menu offerings through ‘food trucks’ appear to be within the intent of the city commission’s intent to offer some relief to businesses as regards to the COVID-19 situation, as well as the lodge’s pending permits to renovate its existing kitchen facilities.” But the Moose’s message to members cited the loss of revenue as a reason to stop hosting food trucks. “The costs to the Moose Lodge are not economically beneficial to the order and may impact some of the charitable donations we provide to the local community,” the email read. “We will continue to use our grill each day to provide you with food at the lodge as we have in the past,” the email continued. “Again, we are sorry that we have to terminate the food truck operations.”

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The Islander welcomes news of the milestones in readers’ lives — weddings, anniversaries, travels and other events. Send notices to news@islander.org.

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Anna Maria sets out steps for pier tenant selection By ChrisAnn Allen Islander Reporter

It’s 800 feet or so from landside to the T-end of the Anna Maria pier. Anna Maria commissioners took a step closer to choosing a business to negotiate with on a lease and operation of a concession on the new pier. Mayor Dan Murphy updated commissioners Aug. 27 on the selection process for an operator of a takeout grill and bait shop in the smaller of the two buildings at the pier’s T-end.

Murphy will now evaluate the four bids received and narrow them to two choices to be presented at an emergency meeting at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, when commissioners can approve, deny or modify his recommendation. The two bidders would then make their pitches to the commission at a future meeting. Commissioners would select a preferred bidder at that meeting — and lease negotiations would begin. Murphy’s proposal was unanimously approved. The four bidders include: • FP Growth Partners of Anna Maria, with Michael,

Covid-19 continued from page 1

and did it with a smile on his face,” Lacy said. “He was just a wonderful person, loaded with integrity. And so strong and healthy, which is part of the shock.” According to Cruz’s wife Maria, he had no known health issues prior to contracting the virus, but heart problems arose with the virus and claimed his life. She said her husband’s employees were tested and none were positive, but he returned home from work one day and complained of a headache and fever. She told him to rest and, when his symptoms worsened, encouraged him to get tested for the virus. Angel Cruz tested positive at the state-run testing site at University Town Center in Sarasota. He isolated, seeking to prevent the spread of the virus to his wife and their children, Angel Jr., 17, and Diana, 12. But eventually Maria and Angel Jr. contracted the virus. During his illness, Angel Cruz reached a point where it was difficult to breathe, so his wife called 911 and he was taken to the hospital. She said her husband could barely stand. “I feel like he didn’t want me to worry, he didn’t want me to be scared,” Maria said. “I thought he would go to the hospital, they would give him oxygen and we would pick him up in the morning.” Maria said her final communication from her husband was a text that he was about to be placed in a

medically induced coma. She was hospitalized shortly thereafter, as was their son, Angel Jr. When it appeared Angel Cruz was getting worse and he was not baptized, his family requested the rite. Maria was admitted to his room, in full personal protective equipment and the ceremony was conducted over the phone with a priest. “They said I could be in the room with him, since he was dying and I was positive,” she said. “They made me wear gloves, but I took them off, so I could feel him one last time.” He died within hours of the baptism and Maria was released from the hospital several days later. On Aug. 27, she was isolating and had not seen her daughter — who remained negative for the virus. Maria said the encouragement and support from friends, family and customers has been overwhelming. “I cannot say how much I appreciate peoples’ kind words,” she said. “I wish I could tell everyone ‘thank you, he loved you all so much.’” Eatrides said he is in shock over the loss of his friend. “He was a very healthy, active man,” Eatrides said. “What’s difficult about this disease is it hits people in different ways. It is indiscriminate.”

Patrick and Casey Coleman of Anna Maria listed as title managers. • Harry’s Continental Kitchens of Longboat Key. • Tevatan LLC, with Sarah Baldwin, daughter of Sherman Baldwin, owner of Paradise Boat Tours in Bradenton Beach, listed as title manager. • A joint proposal from former Commissioner Brian Seymour, owner of the Pine Avenue General Store, Victor Mattay, owner of Dips Ice Cream and Nicholas Graham of Pine Avenue Bait, all in the Historic Green Village on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria. The city hopes to have the grill and bait shop operational by late 2020 after halting negotiations with previous 20-year tenant Mario Schoenfelder, followed by the Ugly Grouper restaurant of Holmes Beach. The original pier opened in 1911 but was damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and demolished in 2018. The pier is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday, as well as Labor Day. Angel Cruz, right, and an employee, work on removing a tree at a residence in Holmes Beach. Cruz, who died Aug. 23 from COVID-19, provided landscaping services to customers on Anna Maria Island. Islander Courtesy Photo: Cynthia Lacy

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AM commission puts kibosh on chamber’s Bayfest fundraiser By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

The coronavirus has claimed another annual Anna Maria Island celebration. Anna Maria commissioners voted 5-0 Aug. 27 to retract approval of a special event permit for the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce to host its 20th annual Bayfest celebration on Pine Avenue in October. Commissioners in June approved the permit to hold the event Oct. 16-17, hoping the pandemic would resolve by mid-fall. However, commissioners aren’t comfortable permitting the event in the coronavirus pandemic. “In the end, the health and safety of all is of the utmost importance to us, so we definitely support the decision of the Anna Maria City Commission 100%,” chamber vice president Cathy Pizzo told The Islander. The commission decision makes Bayfest another in a long list of island celebrations canceled or postponed due to the pandemic. Most of the traditional highlights in the spring and summer calendar were victims, including the Anna Maria farmer’s market, the St. Patrick’s Day and July 4 parades, Independence Day fireworks, a school gala and the annual tour of homes. Pizzo and board chair Bev Kilpatrick attended the commission meeting hoping to retain the event. Kilpatrick presented chamber plans intended to limit the spread of the coronavirus at Bayfest, including taking volunteers’ temperatures, sanitizing porta-potties, placing hand-sanitizer stations along Pine Avenue and requiring face masks for everyone at the event, including vendors. She said event coordinators and volunteers would enforce the face mask rule.

A Jack elka drone photograph captures a crowd on Pine Avenue at Bayfest 2018.

AMI chamber vice president cathy Pizzo, right, and board chair Bev Kilpatrick address Anna Maria commissioners at their Aug. 27 city meeting about the chamber’s Bayfest plans. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

Also, the chamber planned to mark Pine Avenue with tape and post signs to promote social distancing and other safe practices. “We’re taking every precaution,” Kilpatrick said. Pizzo said vendors — about 40 already showed interest in participating — would be responsible for maintaining social distance between customers and limiting the number of people in their space. The chamber estimated 4,000 people attended its single-day of Bayfest in 2018, but 2019 saw a reduced number due to inclement weather. At the commission meeting, Pizzo said about 1,500 people were on Pine Avenue in 2019. No state order exists that would prohibit Bayfest in October. The state initially limited the number of people allowed to congregate but only “encourages” people to avoid gatherings of more than 50 people, according to a person at the Florida Department of Health who declined to be identified. However, a DOH public health advisory issued July 20 and in effect as of Aug. 27 advises people to “refrain from gatherings of more than 10 people.” At the city meeting, Commissioner Jonathan Crane said he’s uncomfortable bringing crowds to Anna Maria during a pandemic. The coronavirus is spread mainly person-to-person, through respiratory droplets when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is no vaccine to prevent COVID-19 and the CDC says the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus, “I’m worried signs and blue tape won’t stop someone from breathing down the back of my neck,” Crane said. Commissioner Joe Muscatello said canceling the event likely wouldn’t result in any hardship for the chamber. He said the commission canceled the city’s

Bradenton Beach makes way for new home By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

A new, larger home soon will replace the one at the corner of Gulf Drive at Fourth Street South in Bradenton Beach. City commissioners voted 5-0 Aug. 20 to approve six variances at 401 Gulf Drive S. for owners M.S. and L.H. Glasgow, allowing them to build a new elevated two-story home with a larger footprint and reduced setbacks. Approved variances include: • An 11-foot variance from the 20-foot front-yard setback; • An 8-foot variance from the 10-foot side-yard setback; • A 5-foot variance from the 15-foot street-side yard setback; • A 3-foot, 6-inch variance from the 10-foot rearyard setback; • A variance to the maximum lot coverage from 35% to 45.4%; • A variance to the maximum lot coverage plus

impervious surface coverage from 40% to 49.8%. Mark Barneby of Blalock Walters, representing the owners, said the variances are necessary because the lot, which is 5,000 square feet, is nonconforming. City staff previously recommended commissioners reject the two variances increasing maximum lot coverage because they are not permitted under the city land development code and “are not the minimum modifications of the regulation necessary to afford viable relief.” However, in June, the city’s special magistrate granted the property relief from a section of the LDC so the city could grant the variances without conﬂict. The magistrate’s order included conditions allowing the city to review the variance later or terminate them upon transfer of title. The commission vote ratified the magistrate’s order with two revisions. David Bell, a Fourth Street South resident and member of the city’s community redevelopment agency, said during public comment that he supported the variances.

annual Memorial Day Parade in May due to concerns about crowds. “We’ve been conservative about this situation so far, and I think we should continue to be,” Muscatello said. Commission Chair Carol Carter said she also is concerned about bringing crowds to a city so heavily populated with older people. Muscatello moved to retract approval of the permit and Crane seconded the motion. There was no public comment. Pizzo told The Islander that Bayfest generates about 30% of the chamber’s event revenue. She said the chamber does not have an alternative plan. “We haven’t really sat down and talked about moving forward yet,” Pizzo said. “We’d definitely like to have it when it’s possible, but there’s still a lot of unknowns.”

Vote

2020

Voter registration open

Voter registration for the general election continues until Oct. 5. Registration requirements include citizenship in the United States and Florida residency. Voters must be 18 on the date of the election to cast a ballot. The Manatee County Supervisor of Elections office also is taking requests to vote by mail in the Nov. 3 election. Mail-in ballots for the election will go out later this month. For more information, go online to votemanatee. com or call the elections office at 941-741-3823. Please, send notices to news@islander.org. — Lisa neff

Meetings

Anna Maria city

Sept. 10, 6 p.m., city commission (budget). Sept. 21, 2 p.m., planning and zoning. Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, 941-7086130, cityofannamaria.com. Bradenton Beach

Sept. 2, 2 p.m., Scenic WAVES. CANCELED Sept. 3, 5:30 p.m., commission (budget). Sept. 3, 6 p.m., city commission. Sept. 8, 9:15 a.m., city commission. Sept. 10, 1 p.m., department heads. CANCELED Sept. 10, 5:05 p.m., CRA (budget). Sept. 10, 5:30 p.m., commission (budget). Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., 941-778-1005, cityofbradentonbeach.com. Holmes Beach

Sept. 9, 6 p.m., planning commission. Sept. 10, 6 p.m., city commission (budget). Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, 941708-5800, holmesbeachﬂ.org. West Manatee fire Rescue

Sept. 8, 6 p.m., commission (budget). WMFR administration building, 6510 Third Ave. W., Bradenton, 941-761-1555, wmfr.org. Manatee county

Aug. 31, 9 a.m., commission (budget). Sept. 3, 9 a.m., commission (land use). Sept. 14, 6 p.m., commission (budget). Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto, 941-748-4501, mymanatee.org. of interest

Sept. 1, 4 p.m., Manatee County Council of Governments, Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto. Sept. 7 is Labor Day, many government buildings are closed. Sept. 14, 2 p.m., Island Transportation Organization, Bradenton Beach City Hall. — Lisa neff

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AM P&Z loads agenda for September meeting By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

The work is piling up for some people during the cautions for the coronavirus. And Anna Maria’s planning and zoning board is no exception. The members will have plenty to discuss this month. City planner Chad Minor told P&Z members Aug. 17 that several staff-proposed code changes, including an ordinance on mangrove protection, would go before the board for review at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive N. City commissioners have expressed the desire to better protect mangroves but were reluctant to change code due to concerns about conﬂicting with existing state regulations. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection provided direction for the regulations in July. The DEP presentation inspired some commissioners to ask Minor to explore potential changes. So, he is drafting an ordinance. The P&Z also will discuss lighting standards, as well as review a pair of proposed ordinances regulating traffic, construction and other proposals that passed first readings by the commission. Changes include: • Allowing property owners to conduct minor fence repairs without a building permit; • Allowing chain-link fencing at construction sites; • Requiring contractors to retrofit construction equipment to limit noise. After the P&Z review, the ordinances that previously passed first readings will go back to the city commission at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, at city hall, for public hearings, final readings and a commission vote. Directions to attend meetings via Zoom are posted on the city’s website at cityofannamaria.com.

AM delays ﬁlling commission vacancy

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

The Anna Maria commission will have only four members through November. The commission reached consensus Aug. 27 to leave Amy Tripp’s seat empty until her term expires with the Nov. 3 election. Tripp filed for re-election in June and was unopposed, automatically tripp returning her to the commission. But she resigned from the commission at the end of August to move with her husband to Black Mountain, North Carolina. She attended the Aug. 27 meeting — her last — via Zoom. Mayor Dan Murphy said commissioners could wait until November to appoint a new commissioner to a full two-year term or advertise for candidates in September and appoint a commissioner to serve for two meetings in October before again undertaking the appointment process. He said the city could advertise for candidates leading up to November and commissioners could

name a new member at their meeting at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive N. Commissioners Jonathan Crane and Joe Muscatello favored waiting for November. In previous appointment processes, application forms were accessible via the city’s website, www. cityofannamaria.com, or in-person at city hall. People interested in applying must be city residents for at least two years and registered to vote in the city. Previous applications have asked applicants for three reasons why they should be considered for appointment. Commissioners in the past ranked applicants in order of personal preference, with the most preferred candidate earning the appointment. Each commissioners’ rankings were revealed during the processes. Previous appointment processes also have included the potential for a tiebreaker if rankings are tied after two rounds of votes. The tiebreaker could be cutting a deck of cards, drawing straws, rolling dice or another game of chance. Commissioners receive a $4,800 annual salary. There was no public comment. the Manatee Public Beach shoreline and parking lot appear to be sparsely populated Aug. 26, the same week Manatee county District Schools returned to the classroom and virtual learning. Islander Photo: Jack elka

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Opinion

Our

Y’all come

Yes. We’re glad you’re here. “We’re glad you’re here” was a promotional phrase in the 1970s for the Florida Restaurant Association, and it still works today for Anna Maria Island. Make no mistake. Many of us, myself included, welcome people to love Anna Maria Island. We welcome tourists and terns, a nod to cartoonist Joe Bird, as well as daytrippers, weekenders, bicoastal friends, house guests, everyone. Everything I came to love 45 years ago is still here. It’s not about traffic or parking woes. It’s about what you love: Palm trees. Dolphins. Sea turtles. The gentle surf. The aqua waters. Sunsets on the Gulf of Mexico and sunrises over the Intracoastal Waterway. I was reminded of those things just last month when a friend from my past life in Illinois came to visit. He moved back there about 25 years ago for family reasons and a business opportunity, and I saw Anna Maria Island again through his eager eyes. Spending a week with my friend, August Mrozowski, mostly known here for his culinary achievements at Cafe L’Europe — where I sent him for a job when he first arrived on my doorstep in 1976 — and dodging my usual responsibilities at the newspaper office was both nostalgic and beneficial. He swam in the Gulf, watched sunsets, rose before the sun and visited places and people from his past. We did a lot of cooking — he’s a just-retired chef of 51 years —and we reminisced. It was bittersweet, mostly because we were so young when we worked together in a large hotel company in Illinois and, as we got caught up in life, our friendship went quiet. Also, he mentored and became a great friend to my chef/son Damon, who died three years ago. We all need to see Anna Maria Island through the eyes of a newcomer or someone who’s been away too long to remember to really appreciate what we have. Soon after Augie left for Springfield, I observed a little squabble on Facebook on a post from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office about litter left on the beach — and the post and some of the comments blamed tourists for trashing our environment. True. It’s very likely visitors who leave their inexpensive beach toys, chairs and canopies as trash. But as stewards of this great slice of paradise, we must begrudgingly clean up and thank our visitors for also providing many of us with our livelihood and the ability to enjoy it all. It’s not labor, it’s love. So let’s get to work. Happy Labor Day to you all. — Bonner Joy, news@islander.org

SEPT. 2, 2020 • Vol. 28, No. 45 Publisher and Editor Bonner Joy, news@islander.org ▼ Editorial Lisa neff, editor, lisa@islander.org chrisAnn Allen, chrisann@islander.org Joe Bird, editorial cartoonist Kevin cassidy, kevin@islander.org Michael Dunn, michael@islander.org Jack elka, jack@jackelka.com Brook Morrison, brook@islander.org Ryan Paice, ryan@islander.org ▼ Contributors Jesse Brisson Leslie Lake, leslie@islander.org Karen Riley-Love capt. Danny Stasny, fish@islander.org ▼ Advertising Director toni Lyon, toni@islander.org ▼ Office Staff Lisa Williams, office manager info@, accounting@, classifieds@, subscriptions@islander.org ▼ Distribution urbane Bouchet Judy Loden Wasco Ross Roberts (All others: news@islander.org) ▼

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Opinion

Your

Marine life needs you

To the residents of Sarasota and Manatee counties, we need you. And more importantly, our marine life needs you. Earlier this year, viral stories about “nature healing” spread across the internet. The thought behind it: fewer humans out and about due to the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent shutdowns could allow animals to ﬂourish. For the dedicated Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium researchers and biologists on the water and local beaches every day, this is not the case. The stranding investigations program— which responds 24/7 to calls about injured or deceased sea turtles, dolphins, manatees and whales — has seen an uptick in human-related mortalities. The team has had 23 sea turtle mortalities due to boat strikes in 2020, which surpasses the total of 18 from 2019. At the Mote Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital, it’s been a revolving door of new patients that are rehabilitated as fast as possible for release. We’re treating them for boat strikes, plastic bag ingestions, crab trap entanglements, fishing hook injuries and more, while treating a steady stream of disoriented hatchlings found in mangroves, pools, and parking lots. And for the sea turtle conservation and research program, which monitors 35 miles of beaches for nesting activity, the few weeks of local beach closures hardly seem to have affected our six-and-a-half-monthlong nesting season. Nests are hatching now and every day it seems some of them disorient — going the wrong direction upon emerging from the nest, toward artificial lighting and a path more treacherous than the sea itself. So to the people who share this beautiful water with our local wildlife, we are calling on you to help us. • For the Atlantic spotted dolphin that stranded on Siesta Key and was pushed back three times by well-

Lynne Byrd, right, rehabilitation and medical care coordinator at Mote Marine Laboratory, checks on Hookee, a green sea turtle that recovered after being hooked by a fisherman. Islander Photo: carlos Matthews/Mote Marine Laboratory

intentioned but misguided beachgoers, only to wash up deceased the next day, do not attempt to push back or rescue animals on your own. Instead, call trained responders. • For the pregnant manatee that Mote and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rescued to be rehabilitated at SeaWorld Orlando and for the highest number of manatees killed by watercraft in a single year last year, slow down, abide by no-wake zones and use a spotter on boat. • For the sea turtle hatchlings that emerge from their nests and go the wrong way to be run over by cars, turn off your lights at night and ask your neighbor to do the same. • For the dolphin calves that needed to be disentangled from fishing gear last year and the dolphins and sea turtles that didn’t survive entanglement this year, properly stow your line and never feed a wild animal. • For the sea turtle that laid her nest, became stuck under a chair and dragged it into the surf, never to be seen again, bring in your beach furniture and gear. • For the 72% of hatchlings in a year that had plasPLeASe, See oPiNioN, PAGe 7

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From the archives

Paddling from the park A park ranger with the De Soto national Memorial in west Bradenton takes a boy for a canoe ride among the mangroves of Perico Island in october 1976. Islander Photos: Manatee county Public Library System

10&20 years ago

From the Aug. 30, 2000, issue

• Bradenton Beach resident Patrick Mills, 17, was killed along with three of his friends when the van they were in crashed into another vehicle on SR 70. • The Bradenton Beach planning and zoning commission recommended approval of 15 special exceptions to the city codes to approve the Bridge Street Village project presented by Barbara and Angela Rodocker for the north side of Bridge Street. Plans called for a 150-seat restaurant, retail and 30 hotel units over commercial shops on the ground ﬂoor. • Anna Maria Mayor Gary Deffenbaugh hired Tim English for the city’s vacant building official position, pending city commission approval. Deffenbaugh said English was the first applicant who did not have a salary requirement beyond the city’s $44,000 per-year maximum.

From the Sept. 1, 2010, issue

OPINION contInueD fRoM PAGe 6

tic in their intestinal tracts and the massive, 37-foot endangered Gulf of Mexico Bryde’s whale that died from a 3-inch piece of sharp plastic, reduce singleuse plastic consumption and property dispose of your litter. For all of us at Mote who have dedicated our lives to the conservation of our oceans and for all of you who deeply care about the wellbeing of our local marine life, let’s rededicate ourselves to common-sense, duediligence practices that can mean life or death for the gentle manatees, beautiful sea turtles, and charismatic dolphins that also call Sarasota home. Gretchen Lovewell, stranding investigations program manager; Lynne Byrd, rehabilitation and medical care coordinator; Melissa Bernhard, conservation … Dredging for dwellings manager for sea turtle conservation and research; Dredging takes place on Perico Island as land is Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota developed for home building in 1967.

• A record rainfall was recorded in Manatee County Aug. 23, 2010. The National Weather Service reported 4.61 inches of rain fell at the SarasotaBradenton International Airport, breaking a record of 4.14 inches set in 1977. • Manatee County issued a warning against swimming at Bayfront Park in Anna Maria due to water pollution. Advisories already were in place for swimming areas at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach and the Palma Sola Causeway. • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service techs joined Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch volunteers to collect DNA samples from hatched nests for research. • Holmes Beach police were searching for a 50-foot Viking cruiser said to be stolen from behind a home on Key Royale Drive in the city. — Lisa neff

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Page 8 THE ISLANDER | islander.org SePt. 2, 2020 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Treehouse couple notches a win in case v. Holmes Beach By Leslie Lake Islander Reporter

In the midst of multiple pending court filings in the fight to save their beachfront treehouse, Lynn Tran and Richard Hazen notched a victory. In one of three cases in state court, 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas denied Aug. 12 the city’s motion to dismiss the couple’s third amended complaint. “We can only hope that after years of getting punched down at each step in the legal process, that there is still hope for our treehouse at the end of this dark tunnel,” Tran told The Islander Aug. 28. She added of the years long legal dispute over the treehouse: “When times get tough, I watch this clip from Abbott & Costello ‘Who’s on First?’ A funny joke to keep me going.” At issue is a two-story nonpermitted beachfront treehouse in an Australian pine tree at 103 29th St., Holmes Beach, where Tran and Hazen reside and operate a vacation rental business. The dispute dates to 2011, when Tran said the couple obtained verbal permission to build the treehouse from a Holmes Beach building official.

Richard Hazen and Lynn tran, treehouse owners, left, consult with attorney David Levin at a Holmes Beach hearing in 2013. Islander file Photo

Cops & Courts

the treehouse remains on the beachfront at 29th Street in Holmes Beach. Islander file Photo

“At the end of 2011, due to an anonymous phone call, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection came out and cited us for building without an FDEP permit. FDEP ordered removal, relocation of the treehouse,” Tran said. She said they were not made aware of the building permit requirement and, in 2013, building official Tom O’Brien issued a notice of violation and ordered the treehouse removed because it encroached on the public beach and violated setback rules. “In June 2013, our attorney filed for declaratory judgment in (the 12th Judicial District) seeking to declare that the prohibition provision, if not the entire land development code, unconstitutional,” Tran said.

“In June 2013, our attorney filed for declaratory judgment seeking the prohibition provision, if not the entire land development code, is unconstitutional,” Tran said. In that 2013 filing, the couple claimed the structure was exempt from the city’s setback requirement — a statutory erosion control line, 50 feet from the water — as the treehouse, which the couple referred to as an “elevated cabana,” did not “cause a measurable interference with a functioning of the coastal system.” The 2013 case lay dormant and, according to court records, “after years of inactivity, in February 2018, the court issued a motion of dismissal for failure to prosecute the matter.” The case was reopened in May 2018 when the couple asked the court to declare in a motion for summary judgment the city ordinances null and void. The city sought to dismiss this case and that motion was denied April 2019. The city asked for clarification of the couple’s complaint and a second and then a third amended complaint were filed. “I’m not a lawyer,” Tran said. “What they wanted was this to be written in a way a lawyer could.” In his Aug. 12 order denying the city’s dismissal motion, Nicholas found in favor of another request, granting Holmes Beach’s motion to dismiss Tran and Hazen’s request for monetary damages. “The city has been trying to dismiss everything we filed,” Tran said. “We’re looking at the land development code to see if it’s valid. If it’s not valid, the treehouse doesn’t have to go.” Currently before the circuit court is the city’s February 2018 petition for enforcement of a 2013 code enforcement order. The court agreed to allow the declaratory case to be decided first, Tran said. “We also filed a pro se case in (the 12th Judicial District) seeking an injunction to keep our treehouse,” Tran said. That case is pending.

Anna Maria implements impact fees, passes alcohol revisions By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Development in Anna Maria will come at an additional cost: impact fees. City commissioners voted 5-0 Aug. 27 for an ordinance implementing impact fees to fund improvements to public parks, recreation and roads. The ordinance goes into effect Nov. 25, when property owners must pay impact fees to build new structures or increase the size of existing structures. A property owner developing or expanding a residential building will pay $1.15 per square foot of new interior building space for parks and recreation impact fees. For road and mobility impact fees, the city will charge property owners 73 cents for every square foot of new or expanded interior building space. A lot owner issued a permit to build a 2,500-squarefoot home will pay $2,875 in parks and rec fees and $1,825 in roads and mobility fees.

Unpaid fees will prompt a lien. The ordinance allows people who paid impact fees to reclaim the money with interest if the city fails to use the money on capital improvements within 10 years. The ordinance deems the fees “necessary to offset the costs associated with meeting future demands” and “bear a reasonable relationship to the burden imposed upon the city to provide parks and recreation and roads and mobility facilities to new city residents.” The money cannot be used for operations, maintenance or infrastructure replacements. Commissioner Jonathan Crane moved to approve the ordinance. Commissioner Mark Short seconded the motion.

a church or another establishment selling alcohol. The distance restriction was implemented years ago to limit the number of establishments selling alcohol beverages in the city, but staff proposed removing the limitation. Instead, an establishment seeking to sell alcohol must apply for a special-use permit. The ordinance is a revised version of one Mayor Dan Murphy vetoed in July that also would have changed the indecent exposure provision to require shirts for all patrons, including men, at any establishment selling alcoholic beverages. The measure attempted to make the restriction gender-neutral, but Murphy vetoed the ordinance due to concerns with enforcement and the impact on the beach community’s restaurant industry. Alcoholic beverage updates The revised ordinance does not contain the genderCommissioners also voted 5-0 to adopt an ordi- neutral language, but it does exempt nursing mothers nance that removes a prohibition on establishments from the indecent exposure provision. from selling alcoholic beverages within 2,500 feet of There was no public comment.

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SePt. 2, 2020 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 9 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Renourishment resumes after storm delay

People watch as a bulldozer smooths sand Aug. 27 along the beach near 26th Street north in Bradenton Beach. the sand was pumped from a barge over a seabed about a quarter-mile offshore to restore the beach. the view north from 26th Street north in Bradenton Beach shows pipes on the sand Aug. 27 as beach renourishment remobilizes following a break due to swells in the Gulf of Mexico caused as Hurricane Laura passed to the west of Anna Maria Island.

the Savannah, a barge used to pump sand for a beach renourishment project, is back in the waters near Anna Maria Island Aug. 27 after it was sent to Port Manatee in Palmetto to avoid swells in the Gulf of Mexico caused by Hurricane Laura Aug. 25-26. Islander Photos: chrisAnn Allen

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equipment, including bulldozers, sand separators and long runs of pipes, line the beach near 26th Street north, facing south in Bradenton Beach. the construction is part of a $17 million renourishment project that brings sand from offshore to replenish beaches and prevent further erosion. Beach renourishment is expected to run through october and will end at Longboat Pass.

Islanders can contribute to beach renourishment An architect of the beach renourishment project is looking for public feedback. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, is considering minor design enhancements to increase resiliency for it’s beach renourishment project, which began in July at 76th Street in Holmes Beach and will run through October and end at Longboat Pass. A “supplemental environmental assessment” will consider public comment on a variety of design modifications, including dune construction, vegetation, sand fencing and pedestrian and vehicle access, adding to

the renourishment project, according to an Aug. 24 release from the Corps. Public comment is sought either by email at SAJDune-Comments@usace.army.mil or by traditional mail to: Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, Attn: Ms. Angie Dunn, 701 San Marco Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32207. People can visit www.saj.usace.army.mil/ManateeShoreProtection to review the SEA. Comments must be received by Sept. 23. For more information about Corps projects, visit www.saj.usace.army.mil.

Island happenings

Page 10 THE ISLANDER | islander.org SePt. 2, 2020 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Pace sets Duck race date

Adopt a duck. Help a girl. That’s the message from the Pace Center for Girls Manatee, which is organizing its annual Lucky Ducky Race. Pace set the race for Saturday, Sept. 19, and plans to live-stream the contest due to COVID-19 restrictions. Until then, supporters can adopt rubber ducks to win a two-year lease on a new Jeep or dinner for two for a year at Anna Maria Oyster Bar. Ducks can be adopted for $5 at AMOB restaurants, as well as Peach’s and online at www.duckrace.com/ manatee/adopt. Pace’s mission is to provide girls and young women an opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, training and advocacy. For more information, call the Manatee Pace office at 941-751-4566.

For nonfiction fans Liz Williams of the Island Library in Holmes Beach will lead a Zoom talk for the nonfiction Book club at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19. the group will discuss British naturalist Gerald Durrell’s book, “My family and other Animals,” which can be checked out digitally via the Hoopla app. to register for the discussion, email liz.williams@mymanatee.org. Islander courtesy Photo

Scam lessons offered

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office invited islanders to join a program on scams related to the coronavirus pandemic. The 30-minute webinar, via Zoom, will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4. To reserve a place, call the MCSO’s crime prevention division at 941-747-3011, ext. 2500.

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Volunteers needed to turn the tide on trash

Keep Manatee Beautiful is seeking volunteers for the 2020 International Coastal Cleanup to take place at various locations in September and October. People are welcome to join KMB at a post-Labor Day cleanup at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, at the 52nd Street beach access in Holmes Beach. The Anna Maria Island Privateers also are coordinating with KMB for a cleanup Saturday, Sept. 12, gathering at 7:30 a.m. with volunteers at the privateer ship where it is parked in the 5800 block of Marina Drive in Holmes Beach. A Coquina Beach cleanup will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, and a Manatee Public Beach cleanup is set to start at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. For more information, contact KMB at keep@ manateebeautiful.com or 941-795-8272.

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ONGOING ON AMI Through Sept. 30, Jane Keeling’s “Peaceful Places” exhibit, Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6648. AHEAD ON AMI Oct. 16-17, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Bayfest, Anna Maria. POSTPONED

FAMILY ONGOING VIRTUAL Through Sept. 5, Manatee Parks and Recreation Pollinators Week programming. Information: ecoevents@mymanatee.org. AHEAD ON AMI Oct. 30, Trail of Treats, islandwide.

NETWORKING VIRTUAL Wednesday, Sept. 9 Noon — Manatee Chamber of Commerce Headliners program via Zoom, Dr. Stephanie Peabody and the Brain Health Initiative. Fee applies. Information: 941-748-4842 ext. 122.

RECREATION OFF AMI Saturday, Sept. 5 9 a.m. — Saturday Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve expansion, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW, Bradenton. Masks required. Information: ecoevents@mymanatee.org. ONGOING VIRTUAL Through Sept. 30, Manatee County Parks and Recreation Preserve Photo Scavenger Hunt. Information: coral.bass@mymanatee. org.

GOOD TO KNOW SAVE THE DATES Monday, Sept. 7, Labor Day. Saturday, Oct. 31, Halloween. Sunday, Nov. 1, daylight saving time ends. Tuesday, Nov. 3, general election. Wednesday, Nov. 11, Veterans Day. Thursday, Nov. 26, Thanksgiving.

GET LISTED

• The Roser Food Bank welcomes applicants ADD LISTINGS IN THE CALENDAR who live and/or work on Anna Maria Island for food Send announcements for The Islander’s calendar to calendar@ assistance, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. islander.org. The deadline for listings is the Wednesday before the Information: 941-778-0414. publication date. Please include the date, time, location and descrip• All Island Denominations offers monetary help, tion of the event, as well as a phone number for publication. including relief for unemployed people. For information or to apply, call 941-725-2433.

Assistance sought

Milestones

• Moonracer Animal Rescue seeks volunteers to Islander headed for JMU offer foster and forever homes for rescued animals. Holmes Beach resident Charles Strine is enrolled Information: 941-345-2441. at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Vir• The Roser Food Bank seeks donations. Roser ginia, for the fall semester. Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Strine is majoring in kinesiology. Maria, administers the pantry, supported by All Island Denominations. Information: 941-778-0414. Send listings to calendar@islander.org. Click! The Islander welcomes news of the milestones in readers’ lives. Send notices — along with contact info — to news@islander.org.

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AME principal assesses unfamiliar startup, unusual school year â€œHead to the principalâ€™s officeâ€? has new meaning this year at Anna Maria Elementary School. Appointments and a face mask are required, and the use of hand-sanitizer is encouraged before entering the school office. â€œBack-to-school has been extremely busy because new processes are revised as often as new information comes to us and we have all been training and learning about multiple platforms and many health and safety requirements,â€? AME principal Jackie Featherston said Aug. 28. The student-led video news team will continue to operate this year but there will be a delayed start due to restrictions. The same goes for the recycling team, ďŹ‚ag team and campus patrols. â€œWe hope within the next month we will be able to start training our fifth-graders for these jobs,â€? Featherston told The Islander. The school is adhering to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Manatee County School District guidelines in the pandemic. â€œI have been most impressed with how well our students have been doing with keeping their masks on and practicing social distancing,â€? Featherston said. She added, â€œSometimes students do need reminders, but they have been great about complying to all requests.â€?

By Brook Morrison, brook@islander.org

nization plans to elect a new board. Also, the PTO is creating new opportunities to fundraise and adhere to public health policies.

Testing note New policies and rules include: Statewide tests were missed during the last quarter â€˘ If a teacher or student comes into contact with the of the 2019-20 school year due to the pandemic and novel coronavirus or has COVID-19, classes switch the abrupt shift to home-schooling in March. to e-learning for two weeks. In 2020-21, statewide testing will be held on-site â€˘ About 30 students take a bus to and from AME. for in-person students and online for e-learners. They must wear a mask while on the vehicle, which is equipped with hand-sanitizer dispensaries and cleaned between each run. â€˘ Students must maintain social distancing, including during meals. 2020-21 school calendar â€˘ In the cafeteria, students must bring their plastic shields to their seats and sit every other chair or outâ€˘ Monday, Sept. 7, Labor Day, no school. side at picnic tables. â€˘ Monday, Oct. 12, record day, no school. â€œSchool is different but itâ€™s good because I like my â€˘ Wednesday, Nov. 11, Veterans Day, no teacher,â€? AME fourth-grader Isabella Romine said. school. And school is different for the principal. â€˘ Nov. 23-27, Thanksgiving break. â€œFor me, it has been extremely busy, but together Anna Maria Elementary is at 4700 Gulf Drive, we will all make it happen the best that we can,â€? said Holmes Beach. Featherston. For more information, call the school at 941708-5525. PTO planning Later this month, the AME-Parent-Teacher Orga- WATCH BANDS â€˘ WATCH BATTERIES â€˘ SERVICE/REPAIRS

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Kindergartner Max comcowycz looks up from his seat Aug. 27 in Kelly crawfordâ€™s classroom at AMe. Maxâ€™s father, Jeff comcowycz, attended AMe as a youth but not in the same school house or conditions. Islander Photo: courtesy AMe

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AMI

By Bonner Joy

What’s up at the chamber?

It’s official. The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce celebration of Bayfest is on hold. The opening night parade for the 20th anniversary of the event and Saturday street festival, featuring food, spirits and music, will be at a later, to-be-determined date. It was scheduled and permitted by the city of Anna Maria to take place Oct. 16-17 on Pine Avenue and at City Pier Park at the corner of Pine Avenue and Bay Boulevard in Anna Maria. Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy apparently had doubts that the festival should take place due to the continuing spread of the coronavirus, although the chamber said masks and social distancing would be required for volunteers, staff and festival attendees. The city holds the key to proceed in the special event permitting that is required for all such events. The chamber told the city at the Aug. 27 comPouso worked with all ages until obtaining her mission meeting that the celebration would be post- director’s credential and a director’s position for more poned. than 11 years at a “very reputable” facility in Lakewood Ranch. Love your teacher? She is fulfilling her dream with the opening of Here’s a teacher who loves kids. Teachable Moments Learning Center. “From as far back as I can remember, I have “I believe every moment in life is a teachable always had a love for children. I enjoy interacting and moment,” Pouso wrote. “I am so excited to provide being around them. During my teen years, babysitting a safe, engaging, caring, curriculum-based learning was my thing. My first job was in a day care and since environment for children.” then I’ve been in early childhood education,” wrote TMLC is at 4200 32nd St. W., Bradenton, and can Tina Pouso, owner of Teachable Moments, in an email be reached at 941-900-1022 or 001tmlc@gmail.com. about her new business. Change is inevitable We all — well, many islanders on Facebook knew — that Judy Turnbeaugh Owens, owner of Cupcake Twilight run set for Delights AMI in Holmes Beach, was looking to move Robinson Preserve on from her business to retirement. The Robinson Preserve Run presented by Well, she’s making it happen. Conley Subaru will take place Saturday, Sept. 5, Just like Barbara Eden in “I Dream of Jeannie,” with assigned start times to maintain social disthere will be a day in October when she winks and tancing. nods and cupcakes will become cheesecakes! Participants also can sign up to participate virOn Oct. 24, Owens will step away and a cheesetually as early as Friday, Sept. 4. cake shop — Cheesecake Cutie & Cafe — will step All participants will receive a face buff, race into her location at 3324 E. Bay Drive. They will have shirt, race bib, medal and coupon for Motorworks cheesecake, of course, but it’s also a cafe and charcuteBrewing in Bradenton. rie, but not likely until November. For registration details, including virtual The cheesecake business got started by owner instructions and costs, go raceroster.com and Jennifer Geils out of her home in central Florida. search for Robinson Preserve Twilight run. Her first brick-and-mortar bakery/cafe will feature baked goods, “scuties,” a stacked buffalo mozzarella, tomato, lettuce and bacon snack, salads and “charCUTErie” boxes to carry to the beach or for a treat. Geils has a charmed story of success that started during the COVID-19 shutdown. Until the change, you’ve got coming in november. UR COMFO

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most of September and October to satisfy your sweet tooth with the Cupcake Delights’ array of dessert ﬂavors, including cheesecake. And thanks go to Judy for being a great community and business supporter during her four years as our cupcake hero. Kudos Amanda Schwartz has joined the Anna Maria Island office of Wagner Realty. “I love Anna Maria Island and genuinely enjoy helping others find their dream homes,” she said Aug. 25 in a Wagner news release. Schwartz was raised in Ottawa, Illinois, and lived in Rockford, Illinois, for 13 years before relocating Schwartz in 2008 to Florida. She was a guidance counselor for the Sarasota County School District and at Sarasota Christian School before launching a career in real estate sales six years ago. She can be reached at the Wagner Realty office at 2217 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach, 941-323-8301 or amandaschwartz@wagnerrealty.com.

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Jimmy Bonner, left, and Susanne Arbanas of the compass Hotel, tim “Hammer” thompson of the Anna Maria Island Privateers and Jake Ramer of Inspector’s Inc. meet at the Anna Maria Island chamber of commerce business card exchange with their hosts at Gulf Drive cafe and Kokonut Hut, 900 Gulf Drive n., Bradenton Beach. the chamber promoted cDc safety guidelines at the event, including a limit of 50 attendees. Islander Photo: toni Lyon

SePt. 2, 2020 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 13 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Winners...

Top Notch

Winners all. the photos submitted to the Islander top notch judging this year were fantastic. We’re grateful to have the opportunity to review so many great, candid photos from the lives of our readers going back to the days of the Kodak-sponsored contest for weekly newspapers. It’s all about capturing a moment, and you all do it so well. — Bonner Joy

Purrfect portrait Kathy Vitale of Holmes Beach is the winner of the Islander’s top notch pet photo contest for her image of a curious cat, Snowball, and a feathered visitor to her high-rise window ledge. Vitale wins a gift card from Pet’s Life naturally in Palmetto.

Top Notch

Honorable mention Wait for it... wait for it! this pup appears to be waiting the angler to hook a fish. Kathy Vitale of Holmes Beach entered multiple photos and her “out for a Ride” image earns an honorable mention in the Islander’s top notch pet contest. Islander courtesy Photo

Honorable mention Lily McMorris of Holmes Beach wins an honorable mention in the top notch contest for this shot at Beer can Island last november. “It was a well deserved day off with my hubby, hardly anyone around for a change, and we just let all those magnificent blues wash around and over us. Put us in an aqua daze.”

Shoot for 2021

Want to win prizes and get published? Start shooting to enter the Top Notch 2021 contest next summer. Entry details can be found at islander. org.

Top Notch

Honorable mention Anna Maria resident Bill Shafer — a past winner — earned an honorable mention this year for his photograph of lightning in an evening storm. He took the photo in April at the Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria using a camera phone.

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Page 16 THE ISLANDER | islander.org SePt. 2, 2020 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Roger’s return: The uniting power of caring islanders By chrisAnn Allen Islander Reporter

All’s well that ends well. But we may never know what happened to Roger the night he went missing. “Roger is at home relaxing on the porch after his big adventure,” Maggie Patall of Holmes Beach said Aug. 26 about a mannequin that spent 1.5 years seated on Patall’s second-story balcony until it disappeared Aug. 22. Patall said she purchased the mannequin to decorate for holidays and events. It became a fixture. “Roger had become quite the beloved personality in our neighborhood,” Melissa Rash, friend and neighbor to Patall, said Aug. 26. “We always watch for his outfit changes, especially the local children. Roger had been known to do nice things for the kids, like sending an Easter basket full of goodies.” When Patall noticed the mannequin was not on her second-story porch in the 7300 block of Gulf Drive the morning of Aug. 22, she contacted the Holmes Beach Police Department. Officers determined the mannequin — which was anchored to a chair — likely was taken by someone who climbed a ladder to the balcony the night before, as Patall’s house showed no signs of forced entry. No fingerprints or video surveillance were available to assist the officers in their search. So Rash and the HBPD posted information about Roger’s disappearance to social media and, within hours, hundreds of people had expressed concern and

Streetlife

Staff reports

Island police reports

Anna Maria Aug. 21, 10100 block of Gulf Drive, noise. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office dispatch received a complaint of loud music. A deputy informed 10-25 people at the location about the city’s noise ordinance and they quieted. Aug. 21, 700 block of Holly Road, noise. The MCSO received a complaint at about 10:11 p.m. that too many people were partying at a pool in the neighborhood. A deputy asked the revelers to take their party indoors. Aug. 24, 875 N. Shore Drive, Rod & Reel Pier, trespass. The MCSO received a report that three people were observed trespassing at about 6:30 a.m. They moved on without further incident. Aug. 25, 400 block of Magnolia Avenue, noise. The MCSO responded at 1 a.m. to a complaint about loud, happy people screaming in a pool. No additional information was available. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Ofﬁce polices Anna Maria. Bradenton Beach Aug. 24, 300 block of Seventh Street South, missing boat. A man called the Bradenton Beach Police Department to report an anchored sailboat missing from in the Intracoastal Waterway. A BBPD officer gave the man a case number and registered the missing vessel in crime databases. Aug. 24, Cortez Beach, 1300 block of Gulf Drive South, trespass. A BBPD officer responded to reports of a disturbance at the beach. Witnesses said a man held a woman underwater, but both parties denied the allegation and the woman did not want to press charges. The officer trespassed the man at a lifeguard’s request. Aug. 26, Coquina Beach, 1600 block of Gulf Drive South, medical emergency. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office received a call reporting someone suffered a laceration at the beach. An emergency medical services crew was dispatched and transported the person to Blake Medical Center in Bradenton for treatment. Aug. 27, Circle K, 103 Gulf Drive S., medical emergency. The MCSO received a call reporting an unconscious man laying in the parking lot. EMS was dispatched and the man was transported to Blake Medical Center in Bradenton for treatment. BBPD polices Bradenton Beach. Cortez No new reports. MCSO polices Cortez.

“Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined the overwhelming response from locals and tourists alike.” Later Aug. 22, on a tip from a resident, the HBPD contacted the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and soon learned MCSO had recovered a mannequin torso in a chair on the beach near White Avenue at the line where Anna Maria and Holmes Beach meet. It was Roger. However, the tuxedo jacket was nowhere to be found. On Aug. 25, Omar Padro added a photo to the Facebook thread started by Rash, saying he found what appeared to be the rest of Roger, including the jacket, in some bushes near 73rd Street in Holmes Beach. Shortly thereafter, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer and the HBPD helped reunite “Roger” and Patall. The response was jubilant — especially on social Maggie Patall and Holmes Beach Police chief Bill media. tokajer pose Aug. 25 with “Roger” the mannequin’s “It’s just so heartwarming how people came torso. Islander courtesy Photo: HBPD together to find Roger. When they brought him home, in pieces I might add, I was just so happy to see him,” many locals went out to scour the bushes, streets and Patall said. beaches for the missing mannequin, which was last “He’s just part of our lives.” wearing a tuxedo jacket that had belonged to Patall’s late husband. Patall was most concerned with the jacket, as Roger was replaceable. “I felt like I had to do something to find Roger — and the missing tuxedo — for Maggie,” Rash said. Holmes Beach Aug. 19, 200 block of 68th Street, larceny. Someone stole a garden hose from a yard. The incident was recorded on video surveillance. Aug. 20, 500 block of 75th St., theft. A person reported items missing from an unlocked vehicle. Aug. 20, 3900 block of Gulf Drive, warrant. The LPR system alerted an officer to a person with a warrant out of Sumter County. The motorist was stopped, arrested and transported to the Manatee County jail. Aug. 21, 700 block of Manatee Avenue West, traffic, warrant. An officer on patrol observed a taillight out on a vehicle trailer. Upon stopping the vehicle, the motorist presented a suspended license. The driver was given a notice to appear, the plate was seized and the vehicle was parked at Kingfish Boat Ramp, 752 Manatee Ave. W. The passenger had a warrant and was arrested and transported to the county jail. Aug. 21, Publix, 3909 E. Bay Drive, trespass. The store manager called the HBPD to report someone stealing merchandise. The officers apprehended the person outside the store. The item was returned and the person was issued a one-year trespass warning. Aug. 21, 5400 block of Marina Drive, auto theft. An officer received an LPR hit on a stolen vehicle. Upon stopping the motorist, the officer confirmed the vehicle was stolen. The driver was arrested. Aug. 22, Kingfish Boat Ramp, 752 Manatee Ave. W., traffic/DUI. An officer ran a vehicle tag and determined the registration was expired. Upon stopping the motorist, the officer smelled alcohol on the driver’s breath. The motorist failed a field sobriety test. He was taken into custody and blew 0.099 and 0.097 on two breath samples. He was issued a notice to appear for driving under the inﬂuence. Aug. 23, Freckled Fin Irish Pub, 5337 Gulf Drive, disorderly conduct/resisting without violence. Restaurant employees reported a fight. Upon arriving, officers attempted to speak with those involved. One person yelled obscenities, obstructing the investigation. An officer placed the person in the back of a patrol car. He was issued a notice to appear for resisting without violence and disorderly intoxication and was trespassed from the pub. Aug. 23, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, camping. Officers observed someone sleeping on a picnic table. The person was issued a notice to appear for camping and was trespassed from the property. Aug. 23, Publix, 3909 E. Bay Drive, trespass. The store manager called the HBPD about a shoplifting. The officer stopped a person at the entrance and retrieved items. The person was trespassed.

Holmes Beach resident Maggie Patall embraces her mannequin, “Roger,” Aug. 26. Roger was stolen from her balcony Aug. 22, but was recovered several days later by the HBPD in cooperation with the McSo. Islander Photo: chrisAnn Allen

Island watch: In an emergency, call 911. To report information, call the MCSO Anna Maria substation, 941-708-8899; Bradenton Beach police, 941-7786311; or Holmes Beach police, 941-708-5804. Aug. 24, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, theft. A person reported an unlocked bike stolen from the parking lot. Aug. 24, Kingfish Boat Ramp, 752 Manatee Ave. W., traffic/marijuana. An officer received an LPR alert on a vehicle. He stopped the motorist, whose license was suspended and registration expired. The officer smelled burning marijuana. The motorist provided a marijuana cigar. The officer cited the driver for marijuana and expired registration and issued a notice to appear for driving with a suspended license. A friend drove the vehicle. Aug. 25, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, camping. An officer spotted someone sleeping on a bus stop bench. The person was issued a notice to appear. Aug. 25, 3900 block of East Bay Drive, traffic. An officer observed a motorist run a ﬂashing red light. Upon stopping the driver, the officer determined the driver’s license was suspended and issued a notice to appear. HBPD polices Holmes Beach. Streetlife is based on incident reports and narratives from the BBPD, HBPD and MCSO.

SEPT. 2, 2020 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 17 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Anna Maria reviews 2020-21 spending

3 cities set budget hearings for September

The final portion of Anna Maria’s proposed plans Island cities will hold hearings in September to for the 2020-21 fiscal year was revealed when Mayor set budgets for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. Dan Murphy presented city commissioners Aug. 27 Anna Maria hearings will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, with his $2,247,237.36 proposed budget and a contin- Sept. 10,m and 6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 24, prior to gency fund. the regular city commission meetings. Stormwater improvements will include the instalAdoption of a final budget would be Sept. 24. lation of vertical infiltration trenches in rights of way In Bradenton Beach hearings on the city budget along Pine Avenue, South Bay Boulevard, Crescent will be 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, prior to the reguDrive, Magnolia Avenue and Gladiolus Street. lar city commission meeting, and 5:30 p.m. ThursThe proposed budget also includes $656,771.88 day, Sept. 10. for road improvements and paving, as well as some Also, the Bradenton Beach CRA will hold a final possible speed bumps. hearing and adopt a budget at 5:05 p.m. Sept. 10. The The city plans to improve North Shore Drive from first hearing will be at 5:05 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3. North Bay Boulevard to Willow Avenue, as well as And Holmes Beach hearings will be precede city portions of Poinsettia Road and Palmetto, Chilson and commission meetings at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, Mangrove avenues. and 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22. Also, the city is considering speed bumps on North Island officials have been developing spending Bay Boulevard from the humpback bridge past Bay- plans and charting revenues the past two months to front Park, as well as on North Shore Drive. develop fiscal 2020-21 budgets. Most projected city expenses for the coming fiscal boat lift and underwater lights on the pier. year were detailed at a previous budget workshop. Previously the CRA tentatively budgeted $294,197 T h e c i t y ’s t e n t a t i v e e x p e n s e s t o t a l for general expenses, administration, law enforcement, $6,860,787.95. planning and roadways, for a budget of $2,535,197. — Ryan Paice With $1,255,959 in revenues and $1,400,000 in projected carryover funds this year, the tentative The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment budget would result in a $120,762 gain for the CRA.

BB CRA eyes budget

Agency set a tentative slate of projects for the 2020-21 fiscal year. CRA members agreed Aug. 25 to spend $2,223,500 for almost 20 projects. The largest proposed capital project for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1 is $675,000 for seagrass mitigation and second to that, $400,000 to extend buried utilities from Bridge Street to other roads in the district. The spending plan also includes finger docks at the Historic Bridge Street Pier, LED streetlights and landscaping on Bridge Street, a tram system, a police

You can read it all online at islander.org

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The West Manatee Fire Rescue District board of commissioners is close to settling on a budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year. Commissioners held a public hearing and first reading Aug. 25 for a proposed $9,410,362 budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. Changes in the proposed budget are minimal, said WMFR Chief Ben Rigney. Wages and benefits makeup much of the district’s proposed spending total of $6,427,671.81. The district plans to spend $6,253,910.84 on wages and benefits by the end of the current fiscal year. Rigney said the $20,000 increase in wages and benefits is largely due to increased worker compensation costs. The next largest expense is $1,451,000 to build a new administration headquarters at 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton. WMFR projects to collect $7,519,795 from tax receipts in the upcoming fiscal year, a $187,501 projected increase over the $7,332,294 for 2019-20. WMFR commissioners will hold a final reading and public hearing via Zoom for the 2020-21 budget at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8. Instructions to attend can be found on the district’s website at www.wmfr.org.

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Tidings

Gathering

Catholic Church encourages ‘safer-at-home’ policy

The Diocese of Venice announced the extension of a dispensation for Sunday Mass to Nov. 1. The dispensation was issued in March, as the area was responding to the spread of the novel coronavirus, and continued twice — to Sept. 1 and now Nov. 1. Churches have reopened and resumed in-person worship under restrictions but, with the dispensation extended, worshippers are not obligated to attend Sunday Mass. A statement from the diocese said, “Subtle signs of hope are emerging” and thus church attendance. Yet “there is still a need to protect those most at risk.” For more information about church operations, including access to live-streamed services, go online to stbernardcc.org or call the church office at 941-7784769. St. Bernard is at 248 S. Harbor Drive in Holmes Beach.

Obituaries

James Harold Williams

James Harold “Lefty” Williams, 92, of Holmes Beach, died Aug. 24. His parents were William Harold and Mary (Smith). He was a 1947 graduate of Manatee High School, where he excelled in football, basketball and baseball. He worked 30 years for Florida Williams Power & Light. He loved to watch sports and was an avid fisherman and bowler. He was married to Bette (Sierra). There will be no local services at this time. Memorial donations may be made to Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring at islandturtlewatch. com. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be made to brownandsonsfuneral.com. Mr. Williams is survived by his sons James Alan Williams of Tampa and Myles Harold Williams of Columbia, South Carolina; sisters Joyce and Dorothy; granddaughter Brianna Gordon; and great-grandchildren Avery and Landry Gordon.

William Kedrick Williamson

William Kedrick “Keddy” Williamson, 72, of Bradenton Beach, died Aug. 9. He was born Jan. 19, 1948, to Leroy and Helen. He attended and loved to worship at Harvey Memorial Community Church in Bradenton Beach. He graduated from Sherman High School and attended West VirWilliamson ginia State before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. He was raised in Montcoal, West Virginia, where

Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0414. 9:30 a.m. — CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-0719. EVENTS 9:30 a.m. — Episcopal Church of the Annunciation. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon, Lord’s Warehouse thrift store, Long10 a.m. — Roser Church. boat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Infor10:30 a.m. — CrossPointe Fellowship. mation: 941-383-6491. ONLINE WORSHIP REGULAR WORSHIP Christ Church of Longboat Key, christchurchlbk.org. Monday-Friday CrossPointe Fellowship, Facebook. 8:30 a.m. — St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Catholic Diocese of Venice, Spectrum cable TV. Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-4769. Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, Facebook. Thursday Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Facebook. 9:30 a.m. — Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Harvey Memorial Community Church, Facebook. Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-1638. Longboat Island Chapel, longboatislandchapel.org. Saturday Roser Church, roserchurch.com. 4 p.m. — St. Bernard Catholic Church. SAVE THE DATES Sunday 8:30 a.m. — St. Bernard Catholic Church. Sept. 18-20, Rosh Hashanah. 8:30 a.m. — Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Sept. 27-28, Yom Kippur Nov. 1, All Saints Day. Nov. 2, All Souls Day. Dec. 10-18, Hanukkah. The Lord’s Warehouse thrift store at the Longboat Please, send notices to calendar@islander.org.

Thrift store to reopen

Island Chapel will open Saturday, Sept. 5. The store, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, closed earlier this year, with the advent of the coronavirus outbreak. An announcement on the church’s Facebook page said the shop would open 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays and donations are accepted. For more information, call the chapel office at 941383-6491.

his dad was a coal miner. His parents ran the company store and he loved reminiscing about his childhood years. He always said, “Don’t ever forget where you came from” and was humbled by his upbringing. While in the Navy he served on the USS Arneb and got his certification for amphibious training in 1969. He was proud to be a veteran and stayed in contact with a few of his buddies throughout his life. He sailed the Mediterranean and fell in love with the sea. After leaving the Navy, he moved to Florida in the early 1970s and spent time in South Carolina and West Virginia before retiring back on Anna Maria Island in 2010 to fulfill his dream. He worked at the Public Service Commission in Charleston, West Virginia, where he retired in 2010. He also loved buying and selling cars and owned Keddy’s Auto Sales in Santee, South Carolina. He never met a stranger and loved to tell stories of his younger days. He could make anyone laugh telling his stories and he would laugh just as hard as the one listening. He loved animals, loved his family, loved his friends, loved the water, loved music, loved to dance, loved life and was a generous soul. A celebration of life will be planned later. Mr. Williamson is survived by sister Joan and husband Dick Dohm of Charleston, West Virginia; daughter Denise and husband Tom Seabolt and their son Shane of Van, West Virginia; grandchildren Hannah and husband Cory Nichols of Julian, West Virginia, Colton Vint of Wharton, West Virginia, and Morgan and husband Michael Lovejoy; great-grandchildren Coal and Cage Lovejoy of Madison, West Virginia; brother-in-law Rodney Hale of Alum Creek, West Virginia; best friends Sharon Chandler and husband Jim Nielsen and Rod Parsons and wife Laura Donat of Ripley, West Virginia; nieces; nephews; and many friends.

Gathering

Please, send announcements, photographs and calendar listings for the religion page to news@ islander.org and calendar@islander.org. Please, include a contact name and phone number, as well as announcement details.

Margaret Fitzpatrick Rogers

Margaret “Marge” Fitzpatrick Rogers died Aug. 22. She was born Aug. 11, 1932. She was a kind, artistic, free-spirited soul; an Irish core shaped by the rhythm of Motown and the lakes of northern Michigan. She found herself happiest on the white sands of Anna Maria Island and was a longtime islander. Rogers She lived a life enriched with exotic travel, familial love, the color gold and a search for the perfect pink lipstick. She was married to John T. Rogers. A Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 7, at Ss. Peter and Paul the Apostles Catholic Church in Bradenton. She loved ﬂowers, but memorial donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice. Mrs. Rogers is survived by her children, including John, Mary and husband David Gallagher, Amy Slicker, Joe and wife Jen, Julie and husband Manuel Hourdakis and Maggie and husband Anthony Cucci; sixteen grandchildren and one great-grandson.

At your service

Obituaries are offered as a community service in The Islander newspaper to residents and family of residents, both past and present, as well as to those people with ties to the island. Submit to news@ islander.org. Paid obituaries can be discussed with advertising consultant Toni Lyon at 941-778-7978.

Call & conﬁrm!

The Islander suggests readers check with groups, restaurants and organizations for access times, cancellations or rescheduled activities due to safety measures to deal with COVID-19.

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SePt. 2, 2020 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 19 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

BB P&Z sends setback question back to commission

Bradenton Beach resident Mike Norman asked commissioners to eliminate setbacks so properties could Back and forth, now back to the city commis- be “fully utilized.” sion. Commissioners sent the issue to the P&Z for conBradenton Beach planning and zoning board mem- sideration. bers voted 3-0 Aug. 26 against recommending comThe P&Z’s first discussion July 22 was continued missioners eliminate the 10-foot rear-yard setbacks for to Aug. 26, when the P&Z punted the issue back to the properties fronting Bridge Street, the main commercial city commission. the city is considering eliminating rear-yard zone in the city. Board member John Burns said eliminating rearsetbacks for properties on Bridge Street. The motion included a request that the P&Z and yard setbacks for Bridge Street properties is problemIslander Photo: Ryan Paice the city commission meet for a joint work session if atic. commissioners want to pursue the issue. Burns said he’d rather business owners apply for “It would eliminate the protections that are in the Board member Fred Bartizal, owner of the Bridge comp plan and the land development code for residen- variances to reduce or eliminate setbacks. Tender Inn, 135 Bridge St., recused himself. P&Z Chair Ken McDonough said he is “very tial properties from commercial uses,” he said. “There Andrew Minicieli, another board member, was may be other ways to address it, but we don’t have uncomfortable working it like this without further absent with excuse. discussions or more direction.” those tools here at this time.” Discussion on the topic began in January, when Building official Gilbert prepared a statement to Zoning exists to protect residential properties. send city commissioners, establishing the P&Z would not recommend the change. Bradenton Beach to repair seawall on 10th St. N. Burns moved to approve Gilbert’s statement. The repairs include installing concrete extenThe seawall doctor is on the way to Bradenton Board member Bill Morrow seconded the sions to reinforce the seawall and excavating the Beach. motion. City commissioners voted 5-0 Aug. 20 to spend area to fill any gaps with riprap. By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

$2,891.31 on repairs to a seawall at the bay end of 10th Street North. The city-owned seawall was installed in 2016 by Sunshine Dock & Seawall and no issues were reported until earlier this year, when several small sinkholes appeared. City engineer Lynn Burnett identified the issues as space between the seawall and an adjacent seawall and erosion.

The city contacted Sunshine Dock & Seawall to provide an estimate for the work and, according to city attorney Ricinda Perry, the contractor agreed to complete some of the work free of charge. Commissioner Ralph Cole moved to approve the repair funding, and Commissioner Jake Spooner seconded the motion. There was no public comment. — Ryan Paice

County resumes evening bus operations on ﬁxed routes Manatee County Area Transit resumed its evening schedule of bus routes Aug. 29. Bus routes were scaled back with the onset of the coronavirus in March. MCAT travel will remain free. “With the current economic impacts of the coronavirus, free fares benefit passengers who may still have a significant income reduction,” Jim Egbert, MCAT’s operations chief, said in an Aug. 25 news release.

MCAT passengers should board and de-board using the rear door, eliminating the need for passengers to board at the front door to access the fare box, adjacent to the transit operator. MCAT buses also carry sanitizer and face masks for passengers. For more information, go online to www.mymanatee.org or 941-748-4501. — Lisa neff

County exempts churches from mask order Manatee County made a change to its mask mandate. County commissioners voted 6-1 Aug. 25 to amend the resolution mandating face coverings during the pandemic to exempt places of worship. Commissioner Stephen Jonsson, who represents Anna Maria Island, voted “no.” However, the resolution does not supersede the municipal orders mandating masks in Anna Maria and Holmes Beach, where houses of worship exist. Bradenton Beach, the home to Harvey Memorial Community Church, has yet to order masks be worn in public but the church is not holding in-person services. The county mandate requires that people wear masks inside businesses when social distance can’t be maintained. However, the inclusion of churches in the policy spurred a lawsuit from Palmetto pastor Joel Tillis and state Rep.

Anthony Sabatini, R-Lake County, in central Florida. Assistant county attorney Bill Clague said his legal team was prepared to defend the mask mandate regardless of the inclusion of houses of worship. Commission Chair Betsy Benac said she supported exempting places of worship but also encouraged worshipers to wear masks. “I still think you should wear a mask when you are in a church,” Benac said. “But I believe people should go to church if they are comfortable.” Commissioner Carol Whitmore moved to approve the amended resolution, and Benac seconded the motion. The change went into effect upon approval. The county commission will review the amended resolution at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto. — Ryan Paice

RoadWatch

Eyes on the road

The Florida Department of Transportation and Manatee County posted the following: • Multiple locations in Bradenton Beach: A county pipeline replacement project continues. Impacted areas include Gulf Drive, Bay Drive South, Church Avenue and Cortez Road. Expect construction in rights of way and increased truck traffic. • Cortez Road and 119th Street West in Cortez: Work to realign the intersection of 119th Street West at Cortez Road/State Road 684 continues. Drivers can expect lane closures 10 p.m.-6 a.m. Pedestrians can expect sidewalk closures. For the latest road watch information, go online to ﬂ511.com and swﬂroads.com or dial 511. And, a reminder, a fare-free trolley operates daily on Anna Maria Island. — Lisa neff

City of Holmes Beach 5801 Marina Drive

Holmes Beach, FL 34217

SAVE HAZARDOUS ITEMS FOR PROPER DISPOSAL ON COLLECTION DAYS! RESIDENTS OF HOLMES BEACH are encouraged to dispose of solvents, latex and oil-based paints, garden pesticides, household chemicals, waste oil, propane tanks, fluorescent bulbs, any mercury-containing devices (thermostats, thermometers) and pool chemicals at designated sites in Manatee County. Hazardous materials are CORROSIVE, FLAMMABLE, REACTIVE, COMBUSTIBLE, or TOXIC. You can tell a product is hazardous if the words CAUTION, WARNING, DANGER or POISON appear on the label. HAZARDOUS WASTE AND E-SCRAP can be dropped off at the Lena Road Landfill south of State Road 64, 1 mile east of I-75 at 3333 Lena Road, Bradenton, 8 am-5 pm Monday-Saturday. For other locations, collection dates and times, contact Manatee County Solid Waste at 941-798-6761 or mymanatee.org/hhw or mymanatee.org/escrap.

Page 20 THE ISLANDER | islander.org SePt. 2, 2020 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

ing the chances of death by predation, dehydration or exhaustion before reaching the water. All nests in Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach laid since season started at the end of April have been relocated to the nursery due to the intrusion to the sea turtle habitat from the $17 million beach renourishment project, which commenced near 77th Street in Holmes Beach July 8 and will continue south to Longboat Pass through the end of October. Sea turtle season runs May-October, with some green sea turtles â€” less common than loggerheads on the island â€” nesting later in season. In August, Fox was concerned a light at the top of a privately owned pole in Holmes Beach, caused up to 6,000 hatchlings to disorient. The property owner was not local and the city had to make contact before action could be taken. Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said Aug. 26 Florida Power and Light turned off the light, with permission from the city and the owner. Tokajer said several other potentially problematic lights for sea turtles also were addressed. â€œSome of those lights were not even in our city, executive director Suzi Fox. but we still addressed it with FPL,â€? Tokajer said. Artificial light visible from the waterâ€™s edge can Fox said there are about 100 nests left to hatch in draw sea turtles away from the Gulf of Mexico, increas- the nursery. â€œWe donâ€™t foresee any more problems in the hatchery area now that one light has been turned off,â€? she said. â€œHats off to Holmes Beach for getting it taken care of.â€? A loggerhead hatchling treks from nest to the Gulf of Mexico in 2018. Itâ€™s happening nightly on the north end of Anna Maria Island. Islander file Photo: chrisAnn Allen

Nesting notes By ChrisAnn Allen

Sea turtle hatching peaks on Anna Maria Island

Itâ€™s peak season for scampering sea turtle hatchlings on Anna Maria Island. And a previous lighting problem, disorienting hatchlings away from the Gulf of Mexico, was fixed. As of Aug. 28, 249 nests had hatched in a â€œnurseryâ€? area on the beach near White Avenue and Peppertree Lane, near the Anna Maria/ Allen Holmes Beach boundary. The spot was chosen based on the depth of the beach and fewer lighting concerns, according to Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring A sea turtle â€œnurseryâ€? area near White Avenue at the boundary between Holmes Beach and Anna Maria â€” once filled with tapes and stakes that marked hundreds of nests â€” has a few remaining marked nests as of Aug. 26. Islander Photo: chris-Ann Allen

For more â€Ś

For more information about turtle watch, people can visit the AMITW website at islandturtlewatch.com, or contact Fox at 941-778-5638 or suzilfox@gmail.com. Report sick, injured, entangled or dead sea turtles or birds to the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-3922, #FWC or *FWC on a cell phone or text tip@myfwc.com.

Doâ€™s and donâ€™ts for sea turtle nesting season the florida fish and Wildlife conservation commission recommends people follow these guidelines for sea turtle safety: â€˘ DO turn off or adjust lighting along the beachfront to prevent nesting sea turtles from becoming disoriented and moving toward the glow of light on land, instead of natural light reflecting on the surface of the water. Indoor lights should be turned off, with curtains closed after dark, and outdoor lighting should be turtle-friendly bulbs. use fixtures low to the ground and shielded from view at the shoreline. â€˘ DONâ€™T use ďŹ‚ashlights or camera ďŹ‚ashes on the beach at night. they can distract nesting sea turtles and cause them to return to the water. â€˘ DO clear the way at the end of the day. Nesting female sea turtles can become trapped, confused or impeded by gear left on the beach at night. Remove cLIP AnD SAVe.....

items such as boats, tents, rafts and beach furniture and fill in holes or level sand castles before dusk. Holes trap turtles and can injure people. call code enforcement to report unattended property or large holes on the beach. city of Anna Maria code enforcement â€” 941-7086130, ext. 139 or ext. 129. city of Bradenton Beach code enforcement â€” 941-778-1005, ext. 280. city of Holmes Beach code enforcement â€” 941708-5800, ext. 247. Report sick, injured, entangled or dead sea turtles to the fWc Wildlife Alert Hotline, at 1-888-404-3922, #fWc or *fWc on a cellphone or text tip@MyfWc. com. for more information on island nesting, contact Suzi fox at suzifox@gmail.com or 941-778-5638.

As of Aug. 30: 349 nests and 450 false crawls in the renourishment area, 214 hatched nests.

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You can peruse the Islander newspaper archive, dating back to its launch in november 1992, at ufdc. ufl.edu.

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SePt. 2, 2020 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 21 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

By Lisa Neff

No watering down

I’m starting to build a story problem: How many horses does it take over 14 days to dump 17 million gallons of waste? In June, a two-week break in Longboat Key’s only wastewater line to the mainland treatment plant resulted in at least 17 million gallons of raw sewage spilling into a mainland mangrove forest 350 yards from Sarasota Bay. The sewage spill first was reported in the July 8 issue of The Islander, and neff multiple issues after. A consultant for the town found “no evidence of even a short-term impact of the sewage leak on bacteria levels in Sarasota Bay,” but we still don’t know how much sewage reached Sarasota Bay. We also do not know whether the state will conduct its own investigation or accept the consultant’s findings. What penalties will Longboat Key face for the spill? Will the incident force new policies, regulations, procedures? And how should we deal with the larger issue of water quality concerns in the region? As Longboat Key’s consultant was studying the public health and environmental consequences of the sewage spill, other water quality concerns and questions arose. In Bradenton, city council members showed renewed interest in restricting recreational horse rentals from Palma Sola Bay along the causeway on Manatee Avenue. The Pinellas Board of County Commissioners voted in 2019 to ban similar activities near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, citing environmental issues — specifically the destruction of seagrass. Bradenton officials may follow Pinellas’ lead, having raised concerns — all of them countered by proponents of the commercial operations — about horse tours contributing to traffic jams, animal feces fouling the shore and bay and horses trampling seagrasses. Meanwhile, environmental groups warned of harmful algae blooms in Sarasota Bay, Anna Maria

Sound, island canals and the Manatee River. Environmental groups such as Suncoast Waterkeeper also warned that its water testing samples showed enterococcus concentrations exceeding regulatory limits at multiple locations on multiple dates since mid-May. I have respect for our watchdogs and activists, those in and outside of government who’ve raised concerns about our bays, canals and the Manatee River. On the island, the Center of Anna Maria Island is promoting water quality with the sales of mini reefs — a fundraising effort — that can be installed at docks and piers to cultivate sea life and promote clean water. Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth this summer encouraged clam and oyster propagation projects to improve water quality. She also suggested local officials do more to address the issue.

When I moved to Anna Maria in 2005, Manatee County stakeholders were engaged in a charrette, the process of gathering experts and stakeholders for intense, collaborative meetings to address growth. Other charrettes have addressed rapid transit, highway traffic and urban corridors. I’m calling for a charrette or a task force to address water quality in the region and identify: • Pollutants. • Deteriorating infrastructure. • Failed policies. • Laws with loopholes. • Lax enforcement at local, state or federal levels. • And any remedies, simple or sophisticated, inexpensive or not. We need more togetherness. We need greater collaboration. And, no horsing around, we need to prioritize. Mating horseshoe crabs. the florida fish and Wildlife conservation commission invites the public to report horseshoe crab sightings. Islander Photo: fWc/ connie Mier

Horseshoe happenings, sightings, reporting Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists are asking the public to report horseshoe crab sightings on Florida beaches using the FWC Reporter application, a smartphone app available from digital shops. The most common time to see horseshoe crabs along the shore is in March and April, which is peak mating season. However, sightings occur year-round, as does mating. Reporting horseshoe crab sightings provides FWC marine biologists important information about habitat use, population distribution and environmental condi-

tions for spawning. Although horseshoe crabs have existed for more than 450 million years, scientists are still learning about Florida populations. So public sighting information helps researchers target spawning beaches for the Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch Program, an initiative to collect scientifically accurate data throughout the state. Horseshoe crabs are most active during the first few days of a new or full moon, including this week, Sept. 2, and Oct. 1, Oct. 31, Nov. 30 and Dec. 29. — Lisa neff

½-Ê

Little Italy in the ❤ of Anna Maria Island.

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Page 22 THE ISLANDER | islander.org SePt. 2, 2020 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Playoff seeds set for adult soccer, kids start fall league Kevin P. cassidy Islander Reporter

The seeds are set for the adult soccer league playoffs at the Center of Anna Maria Island. Beach Bums grabbed No. 1 on a cassidy 5-3 record, ahead of 5-3 Sato Real Estate thanks to a better goal differential. Ross Built took third with a 4-3-1 record, while Solid Rock Construction finished in fourth place with a 4-4 record. Vintage Beach at 3-3-2 held down the No. 5, just ahead of Moss Builders at 3-4-1. Signature Granite finished seventh on a 3-4-1 record, while Blalock Walters grabbed the last playoff spot at 2-3-3. Gulfview Windows and Doors finished the season with a 2-4-2 records and were eliminated. Action Aug. 27 at the center, 407 Magnolia Ave., kicked off with Beach Bums taking on Moss Builders. The game was a contrast of styles, with Beach Bums playing a possession game, spreading its players out and keeping the ball on the ground. Moss Builders played long balls, sending them down the field to either Ryan Moss or Aaron Parkin. Moss took an early lead when goalie Zach Long spotted Parkin behind the Beach Bums defense and hit him in stride with a perfectly placed goal kick. Parkin settled the ball, cut inside and beat Moss goalie Jason Sato for a 1-0 lead. Beach Bums offense came on to score three times in the next five minutes. Neil Fellowes started the explosion when he threaded a nice pass up the middle to Kevin Roman, who carried the ball in on goalie Long, who came out and made the initial stop. The ball caromed back to Roman, who put it into the unoccupied goal to tie the score at 1-1. Robbie Fellowes gave Beach Bums the lead in the 13th minute when he carried the ball up the left side and scored on a nice left-footed shot. Andrew Sullivan completed the scoring barrage with a quick throw-in from Roman and scored

Florida offers ecocertiﬁcation to ﬁshing guides

Florida’s professional fishing guides now can complete an online course to be certified eco-friendly. The cost for the lessons and certification is $130. Established by UF/IFAS, Florida Sea Grant and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the course teaches guides about the environmental footprint of fishing and boating and offers best practices for catch-and-release fishing, seafood safety and handling and fisheries management. Guides who complete the four-hour program can display a Florida Friendly Fishing Guide logo on their vessels and in marketing materials for three years. They also receive a gear pack that includes a towel, bucket, keychain and other swag, as well as a listing on the FFFG website. For more information, go online to flseagrant.org/ florida-friendly-fishing-guide-certification. On Anna Maria Island, Capt. Scott Moore of Holmes Beach received certification in August. To find other guides certified in the program, go online to www.flseagrant.org/find-a-florida-friendlyfishing-guide. — Lisa neff

Anna Maria Island Tides

Date

Sept 2 Sept 3 Sept 4 Sept 5 Sept 6 Sept 7 Sept 8 Sept 9

HIGH

1:26a 1:35a 1:46a 2:02a 2:24a 2:50a 3:22a 4:00a

1.9 12:36p 1.9 1:13p 2.0 1:51p 2.1 2:31p 2.2 3:15p 2.3 4:07p 2.4 5:16p 2.4 7:08p

2.6 2.5 2.4 2.3 2.1 1.9 1.7 1.6

6:09a 6:47a 7:24a 8:04a 8:48a 9:38a 10:37a 11:49a

LOW

1.2 1.0 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6

7:20p 7:43p 8:05p 8:28p 8:51p 9:14p 9:37p 9:56p

LOW

Moon

0.5 FULL 0.6 0.8 0.9 1.1 1.3 1.4 1.5

AM City Pier tides; Cortez high tides 7 minutes later — lows 1:06 later

Keene and Murap Akay and a 5-4 victory over Solid Rock Construction. Connor Bystrom chipped in a goal, while Steve Oelfke made five saves in the win. Brayan Felipe scored two goals to lead Solid Rock, which also received a goal each from Gerardo Urbiolal and Chris Scott. The third match of the night was something of a playoff game as Gulfview Windows and Doors needed a victory over Blalock Walters to get into the playoffs. Blalock Walters held on for a 5-5 tie to grab the eighth and final playoff berth behind two goals from Matthew Plummer and a goal each from Austin Nutting, Matthew Staggs and Jessica Williams. Gulfview Windows and doors received two goals each from Keith Mahoney and Daniel Adan. Raul Loera added a goal and an assist and Nate Talucci notched five saves in goal. The final match of the night saw Ross Built and Signature Granite battle to a 3-3 tie. Garrett Furman, Jake Ross and Greg Ross scored for Ross Built, while Zack Lieb scored two goals to lead Signature Granite. Chris Yavalar added a goal for Signature Granite, which also received five saves from Scott Bear in the tie. Moss Builders goalie Zack Long goes high to Playoff action kicks off at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. snag a corner kick during Aug. 27 soccer action 3, with Solid Rock Construction taking on Vintage at the center of Anna Maria Island. Beach, followed by Ross Built versus Moss Builders at 7 p.m. At 8 p.m., No. 1 seed Beach Bums faces off to give Beach Bums a 3-1 lead. against Blalock Walters, followed at 9 p.m. by top-seed Moss Builders pulled to within a goal in the 19th Sato and Signature Granite. minute when Parkin carried the ball up the middle before passing to Moss who beat Sato with a nice shot Youth soccer registration extended to the far post. The Center of Anna Maria Island extended signBeach Bums restored their two-goal advantage a ups for its fall youth soccer league for players ages minute later when Roman hit an absolute laser from 4-17. 20 yards out for a 4-2 lead. The new registration cut-off and player evaluations A goal kick from Long had Moss one-on-one with were set for Sept. 1, after the press deadline for the Sato, but Moss got pulled down from behind giving Sept. 2 Islander in the 8-10, 11-13 and 14-17 division. Moss a penalty kick, which Ryan Moss converted to There are no evaluations for the 3-5 or 6-7 age diviend the half with Beach Bums up 4-3. sions. The second half started slow until 10 minutes in No information was available from the center and Tim Holly settled a goal kick at the 18-yard line, regarding the free soccer clinics. turned and blistered a left-footed shot past Sato to tie Volunteers looking to coach a team or for more the score at 4-4. information on the league, contact Connor Haughey at Six minutes later, Beach Bums took the lead for 941-778-1908, ext. 209, or connor@centerami.org. good. A scramble for the ball ensued in front of the Moss Builders goal where Roman pounced and poked Horseshoe news it past Long for a 5-4 lead. Aug. 26 horseshoe action at the Anna Maria City Roman added a pair of goals down the stretch Hall horseshoe pits saw Tim Sofran rally for a 21-20 giving Beach Bums a 7-4 victory and the top spot in victory in his final pool-play match to finish with the the standings. only 3-0 record and bragging rights for the day. Roman finished with five goals and an assist, while The Aug. 29 games again saw Sofran in the mix, Robbie Fellowes and Sullivan each added one goal. this time teamed up with Jerry Disbrow. Sofran and Amy Ivin and Neil Fellowes finished with two assists Disbrow won their final pool-play match by a 21-20 each and Sato made four saves to help preserve the score to secure the lone 3-0 record and a trip to the victory. winner’s circle. The victory was Sofran’s fifth in sucRyan Moss led the builders with two goals while cession. Parkin finished with a goal and an assist. Holly added Play gets underway at 9 a.m. Wednesdays and Sata goal and Long made nine saves and had a pair of urdays at the Anna Maria pits. Warm ups begin at 8:45 assists in the loss. a.m. followed by random team selection. The second match of the night saw Sato hold onto There is no charge to play and everyone is welthe second seed behind two goals each from Alisha come. Moss Builders’ Aaron Parkin is surrounded by Beach Bums’ Jon coleman, Kevin Roman and Robbie fellowes during Aug. 27 adult soccer league action at the center of Anna Maria Island. Islander Photos: Kevin P. cassidy

SePt. 2, 2020 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 23 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Fish for success: Know tides, check temps, follow weather By capt. Danny Stasny Islander Reporter

Inshore fishing around Anna Maria Island is following the typical hot summertime pattern. Hot days. Hot catches. And BOLO for fast-moving weather. Early morning fishing on the flats before the sun gets high is worthwhile for the catch-and-release snook and redfish. Stasny I think picking the days to fish is the key to success. Choose days when there are swift moving tides and low light in the early morning, when water temps are slightly cooler, helping trigger the inshore species to feed. Combining good tidal flow with a lower morning temp can result in great summertime action on the flats. As the day progresses and the sun rises, you’ll notice the shallow areas where snook and redfish forage are not as productive as during the cool of the morning. The reason? It’s too darn hot. If you’re willing to brave the heat, then I suggest moving to deeper water to target mangrove snapper and grouper, as well as popular migratory fish, such as mackerel and jacks. Down deeper, where the water temps remain cooler, the bottom dwellers — snapper and grouper — remain motivated to eat. If you can venture offshore to depths of 80-100 feet, you’ll find a more accommodating bite. Also, keep in mind that with the hottest days of the year there’s potential for pop-up storms. Keep an eye on the sky to prevent being trapped by heavy rain with lightning. Calm conditions can switch to rough waters

Kevin Kerridge and son Beck, vacationing in Anna Maria for the summer from new York, went fishing Aug. 22 for snook and redfish with capt. Dave White of Anna Maria charters. they wound up finding an inshore school of tarpon. the pair hooked up three junior silverkings and landed and released two.

in a second when you’re offshore. And the storms that bring lightning can be startling when you’re on a boat. Always consider your safety and the safety of your passengers ahead of your fishing goals and do the best you can do to avoid the fast-moving weather. Capt. Warren Girle is encouraged to see the habitat of Sarasota Bay showing improvement after the devastating red tide of 2018-19. He says bay fishing over deep grass areas is yielding a variety of species. Catch-and-release spotted seatrout are being caught frequently, as well as jack crevalle, ladyfish, bluefish and Spanish mackerel. And most importantly, mangrove snapper are coming on strong. Limits of the snappers are being caught in a morning of fishing by bumping from one

Sharing a life-long passion fred Barton, 92, left, a 30-year resident of Holmes Beach with wife Debbie, is a lifelong fisherman and u.S. Marine. Son eric took dad fishing Aug. 12, when fred declared it would be his last as he prepared to undergo home care. According to a friend, Robert Lopez, fred’s children, Robert, Janice, Susan and eric, along with Debbie, his wife of 70-plus years wanted to acknowledge his passion for fishing.

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spot to the next. It’s not a “one-stop shop,” but Girle’s anglers are putting enough in the cooler for dinner. Fishing shallow over the flats in Sarasota Bay also is yielding some good action, especially on catch-andrelease redfish. Capt. David White is concentrating inshore, where catch-and-release snook and redfish are being hooked up along mangrove shorelines at oyster bars. Casting live shiners — either free-lined or under a cork — is producing action. Moving to the deeper grass, White is putting clients on plenty of mangrove snapper and Spanish mackerel in Tampa Bay over structure. To mix things up, White found some juvenile tarpon that, when hooked on light tackle, are thrilling for his clients. With bad weather and rough seas, Capt. Jason Stock limited his charters to inshore action, where the gag grouper and mangrove snapper bite in Tampa Bay kept him busy. Free-lining large baits — such as pinfish — around wrecks and rock piles in the bay was producing some keeper gags. As for the snappers, small white bait works well. Also, while in the bay, Stock has his eyes peeled for juvenile tarpon. These small schools tend to bite more as the heat of pursuit of the silver king wanes. Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says mangrove snapper are the targeted species. Anglers using live shrimp as bait are catching limits of the tasty inshore snappers. In the midst of the snapper, anglers also are hooking into some catch-and-release snook and redfish. Fishers casting jigs from the pier are hooking into jack crevalle and ladyfish for sport, but the bite is sporadic. Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org. Southernaire Fishing Charters

Page 24 THE ISLANDER | islander.org SePt. 2, 2020 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

I S L A N D E R C L A S S I F I E D S ITEMS FOR SALE

FREEBIE ITEMS FOR SALE

BOATS & BOATING

LEATHER COUCH: NEARLY new, $99. 941778-3920, 941-778-5542.

Individuals may place one free ad with up to three items, each priced $100 or less, 15 words or less. fRee, one week, must be submitted online. email classifieds@islander. org, fax toll-free 1-866-362-9821. (limited time offer)

BIMInI BAY SAILInG: Small sailboat rentals and instruction. Day. Week. Month. Sunfish, Laser, Windrider 17 and Precision 15. call Brian at 941-685-1400.

KING/QUEEN BEDS: $50/$75 (memory foam). Vintage rattan five-piece set, $75. Call 941-779-9781. CAR ROOF RACK fits Hyundai Tucson, $95, oil paintings, framed $25. 941-920-2494.

ANNOUNCEMENTS eARLY cLASSIfIeD DeADLIne! the Islander office will be closed in observance of Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7. the deadline to have your classified ad appear in the Sept. 9 edition is 2 p.m. friday, Sept. 4. Place your ad at www.islander.org.

HURRICANE SHUTTERS: GALVANIZED with tracks and wing nuts, $35. 941-4475076. SHIP’S WHEEL TABLE: Capt. J. Lindroth original masterpiece of inlaid wood and brass. 19-inches tall, 45-inch diameter. $1,500. Also, related pieces. marinateal@gmail.com.

WAnteD: WoRKout DVDs and retired but working XBox, Wii units with games for Ministry of Presence for kids and teens in Haiti. Deliver to the Islander, 3218 e. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach.

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ANSWERS TO SEPT. 2 PUZZLE O P E R A

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I S T S L A I T L V E A A R R W N T E T T U N U P T O R S T I T O L L A B Y E B E S O D L U A C T R I O E L L S L A D Y I B M E D A F I T S C H

S I N G A N H E D I T R D E N Y E O N T W Y L V A I A M N O D R

T A R T A R

A P U S H A R O N E L I

MoVInG SALe: 7:30 a.m-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5. everything must go! Antiques, refrigerator, furniture, jewelry, tools! 424 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. PETS SALtY AIR Pet care: Save $10 for new clients. Just head to my website: www.Laurencares.org. Drop-ins, walks, pet sitting, etc. See website for full details. 651-367-9245.

PropertyWatch By Jesse Brisson

Island real estate transactions