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#aMItogether

VOLUME 28, NO. 48

SEPT. 23, 2020 fRee

the Best news on anna maria island Since 1992 astheworldterns looks for voters. 6 county credits masks for fewer virus cases. 2 airbnb suspends ‘party houses.’ 3 BB to bury gulf drive utilities. 4

Meetings. 4 Roadwatch. 4 new HB cellphones track texts. 5

Opinions. 6 10-20 YEARS AGO

Looking back. 7

islander.org

New beach towers, new lightning tech a new lifeguard tower stands watch Sept. 18 over beachgoers on the sands of coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. manatee county built the tower and 10 others on the island’s public beaches earlier this year and equipped each with a lightning suppressor to improve beach safety. the county also is installing a Pa system on the towers so the beach patrol supervisor can announce alerts for beachgoers. islander Photo: ryan Paice

renourishment slows for Sally. 8 Sewage spill estimate slips to 11m gallons. 8 fiSH takes stand against megabridge. 9

Happenings announcements. 10

AmE NEWS

Lunch on the table. 11

Streetlife.

chase ends in auto theft arrest. 12

Election news: 13-16

get in the game. 17

Gathering. 18

Obituaries. 18 moose herds trash. 19

NESTING NOTES. 20

raising cash for conservation. 21 rain persists, as do anglers. 23 CLASSIFIEDS. 24

ISL BIZ:

NYT puzzle.

County invests in beachgoer safety, lifeguard towers

BB restaurant 4 HB candidates manager nabbed for offer ideas for stealing purse, $20K growth in paradise

By ryan Paice islander reporter

Manatee County has spent several months improving safety for lifeguards and beachgoers at the public beaches on Anna Maria Island. Beach Patrol Chief Joe Westerman said work began in January with construction of 11 lifeguard towers on county-run beaches, including Coquina and Cortez beaches in Bradenton Beach and Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach. The former beach towers were worn and noncompliant with Florida wind codes and the county replaced them with new structures expected to last at least 30 years. The county also installed “lightning suppressors” atop each tower. Unlike lighting rods, which attract lightning, the weather-resistant gear prevents lightning strikes within a 100-meter radius by deionizing the air around the device. In other words, the suppressors prevent lightning by balancing the surrounding electromagnetic field and providing a safe outlet for any leakage current to the ground. “I’m not a scientist, so I can’t really get into the brass tacks, but they’ve been shown to prevent lightning within a small area,” Westerman said. “This stops strikes from even happening…. And we’ve had no strikes so far.” Westerman said the county’s lifeguards turn to safeTy, Page 2

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It’s the case of a flip-flopping story about a missing purse and a big wad of cash. Bradenton Beach police arrested Tabatha Dondanville, 27, of Sarasota, Sept. 8 on felony grand theft for allegedly stealing $20,000 from a customer’s purse while at work at the Daiquiri Deck, 107 Bridge St. The customer told officers she forgot her purse containing the money at her table Sept. 7 after a long dinner at the restaurant with her partner. The woman, visiting from Arcadia, called the Daiquiri Deck that night to ask about the purse but was told by employees that the bag wasn’t found. She visited the restaurant the next morning and spoke to manager Samantha Mitchell, who said no purse was found. However, when Mitchell noticed the customer was calling the Bradenton Beach Police Department, she produced the purse from a back room. She handed the purse to the customer with a note that read, “Found in bathroom,” but the purse did not contain $20,000. BBPD Detective Sgt. Lenard Diaz and Lt. John Cosby arrived on scene and viewed security camera footage from the restaurant’s interior that showed Dondanville, the Daiquiri Deck night manager, taking the purse to the manager’s office. turn to ThefT, Page 2

Vote

2020

By chrisann allen islander reporter

Holmes Beach voters will choose on the Nov. 3 ballot from four names to fill two seats on the city commission. The candidates are incumbent Commissioners Pat Morton and Kim Rash, former commissioner Rick Hurst and Jayne Christenson. J u d y Ti t s w o r t h , a former commissioner who was first elected mayor in 2018, was uncontested in the election and will serve another two-year term. titsworth Commissioners also serve two-year terms, starting with a $7,690 annual salary, with $130 added each subsequent year. The race is nonpartisan. In November 2019, 856 people voted in the municipal election. There are presently 2,784 registered city voters. The final day to register to vote before the election is Oct. 5. Holmes Beach voters can cast in-person ballots 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, or choose early voting at several mainland locations or vote by mail. turn to hB CaNDIDaTes, Page 14

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County sees positive outcome, extends face mask mandate By ChrisAnn Allen Islander Reporter

Manatee County credits mandated masks for lowering the curve of new local cases of the novel coronavirus. “We have tourists there from everywhere and they’re all wearing masks, even little kids and people on golf carts,” County Commissioner Carol Whitmore said Sept. 15 about visitors on Anna Maria Island during a county meeting. “I’m impressed at all the people in the community and Manatee County that are actually wearing masks.” County commissioners Sept. 15 extended the local state of emergency for another week, as well as an emergency resolution mandating masks indoors when social distancing cannot be maintained. The resolution first was approved July 27 — amid much debate and citizen comments. On the island, Anna Maria and Holmes Beach enacted citywide face mask mandates June 25. Bradenton Beach encouraged people to wear masks but took no action before the county enacted its mandate. Holmes Beach recently extended its face mask requirement through Jan. 12, 2021. There is no state or federal requirement for masks Theft continued from page 1

But the office security camera was partially blocked and officers could not see what happened next. Neither Mitchell nor Dondanville admitted knowing the whereabouts of the missing cash, according to the BBPD report. But later Sept. 8, the customer called the BBPD to report that Mitchell had returned the missing money to her under the condition that she wouldn’t further involve the police. Diaz met with the customer, who signed an affidavit and agreed to press charges. Diaz returned to the restaurant and spoke with Mitchell, who initially denied and then admitted

spread of the virus in our community,” said Dr. Jennifer Bencie, county health officer for DOH-Manatee County during the Sept. 15 county meeting. “We are absolutely, in the last three to four weeks, seeing a change for the better.” Manatee County’s daily rate of positive coronavirus cases was 3.37% Sept. 16, when 54 people tested positive of 1,601 people tested that day. The county had tested 25.6% of its population, 102,426 people as of Sept. 16, with 10,923 total positive residents, 781 hospitalizations and 277 deaths. On Anna Maria Island, 27 people in Bradenton but the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preven- Beach, 25 people in Holmes Beach and four people in Anna Maria had tested positive. tion has encouraged their use. There were four new C-19 cases on the island At a U.S. Senate appropriations subcommittee meeting Sept. 16, CDC director Robert Redfield said since Sept. 3. masks might be more effective at preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus than vaccination, partly due safety continued from page 1 to some peoples’ ability to develop immunity against hadn’t stopped their usual practice of closing the beaches when lightning is reported within 5 miles. a vaccine. He said the goal with installing the lightning supRedfield also said there would be a “limited supply” of vaccine November-December, with the pressors was to protect lifeguards during inclement second or third quarter of 2021 the most likely time weather and allow them to remain in their towers to oversee evacuations. frame for widespread access. Westerman said the county also was installing new “Masks are absolutely helping us control the solar-powered PA systems at the towers that allow a beach patrol supervisor to remotely issue announcereturning the money after she learned the exchange ments to beachgoers. was caught on a restaurant security camera. The system will be used to issue warnings about When the detective asked who took the money, rip currents, lost children and lightning strikes and Mitchell refused to answer. other alerts and information. So Diaz gave her an ultimatum: help as a witness “I’m super-excited about the addition of the PA or be arrested as an accessory to a crime. system because, instead of blowing a whistle or waitMitchell said Dondanville took the money. So Diaz ing for someone to realize they’ve lost their child, we detained Dondanville and took her to the police station, can be a bit more aggressive and notify the public where he said she admitted to taking the money. of any issues,” Westerman said. “It’s just an extra She was transported to the Manatee County jail layer of protection for people when they come to our and released Sept. 9 after posting a $7,500 bond. beaches.” A court date for the case was not set as of Sept. 18 He said the PA system should be operational by but a plea of not guilty was entered Sept. 14. the week of Oct. 5. County Commissioner Carol Whitmore, an island resident and health care professional, advocated for a countywide mask mandate. Islander Courtesy Photo

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Airbnb suspends Bradenton Beach ‘party houses’ By amy V.t. moriarty islander reporter

At least one island property listing is among 40 statewide vacation homes that have been removed from the Airbnb platform. The Sept. 10 move came as part of a statewide effort to ban “party houses,” as concerns over large gatherings remain tied to the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic, according to a statement from the shortterm lodging service. Airbnb is an online forum connecting those who want to rent properties to those seeking accommodations. The site lists properties in more than 81,000 cities across 191 countries. Airbnb did not specify in a news release how many Manatee County listings were removed from the platform, but said all were in Bradenton Beach. The company did not respond to requests for additional information. An Airbnb ban on occupancy of more than 16 people predated by more than six months the outbreak of the coronavirus and subsequent bans on large gatherings. The company first began limiting occupancy in August 2019 in a crack down on “party houses.” When the occupancy limitations were first implemented, the company launched a 24/7 neighborhood support hotline for complaints. In addition, Airbnb staff began manually reviewing reservations deemed “high-risk,” as well as restricting guests younger than 25 from making “entire home” reservations. Bradenton Beach officials could not say how many vacation rental properties in the city are listed on Airbnb. Bradenton Beach deputy clerk Ruth Stief said property owners who want to rent their homes must obtain a city license, but the city does not track which companies or services the home owners use to manage their rentals. Bradenton Beach Police Lt. John Cosby said Sept.

a screenshot of the airbnb rental platform shows listings available in Bradenton Beach. the site recently suspended at least one listing in Bradenton Beach for violating a company policy banning “party houses.” islander Screenshot

17 that a lot of companies managing short-term rentals have a motel/hotel license, providing more leeway to remove people from a property should they be in violation of a rental agreement. Cosby also said the majority of rental-related complaints to police are about parking, large gatherings and excessive noise. In most cases, after officers speak with renters, “we haven’t been called cosby back,” he said. Cosby said there had not been more complaint calls than usual since the virus outbreak in March. Airbnb’s suspensions do not extend beyond its platform and do not prevent property owners from renting their homes. Also, the company release said most property owners on the platform follow the rules. “It’s critical that we take steps to reduce the number of large parties and events and we support the efforts of local officials to put a stop to irresponsible behavior,” Viviana Jordan, Airbnb manager of public policy in Florida, stated. Other Florida counties with property listings sus-

pended by Airbnb include: • Alachua; • Broward; Duval; • Lake; • Lee; • Miami-Dade; • Okaloosa; • Orange • Palm Beach; • St. Johns; • Walton. More information about Airbnb’s global party ban and other policies is available on its website at www. airbnb.com.

Milestones

The Islander welcomes stories about islanders and island life, as well as photographs and notices of the milestones in readers’ lives — weddings, births, anniversaries, travels, obituaries and other events. Submit your announcements and photographs with captions for publication — along with contact information — to news@islander.org.

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BB proceeds with buried utility project for Gulf Drive

Anna Maria City Sept. 24, 6 p.m., commission (budget). Oct. 8, 2 p.m., commission. Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, 941708-6130, cityofannamaria.com.

Bradenton Beach is proceeding to bury utilities in the city along gulf drive. city commissioners met Sept. 17 to discuss the $2 million state-funded project. islander Photo: ryan Paice

By ryan Paice islander reporter

Bradenton Beach’s state-funded $2 million project to bury utilities along sections of Gulf Drive is charging forward. City commissioners voted 4-0 Sept. 17 to approve an agreement with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity for the money. The agreement detailed a scope of work for the city, as well as requirements for financial reporting and a potential audit. Commissioner Jan Vosburgh was absent with excuse. The project is intended as an aesthetic improvement that allows the city to remove aboveground utilities, as well as to protect utilities from inclement weather by burying them underground. The DEO wrote in the agreement that the project would benefit the state by allowing the Florida Department of Transportation to move forward with projects that would be obstructed by aboveground utilities. With the funding secured, city commissioners voted 4-0 to piggyback on a contract between Utility Consultants of Florida and the city of Belleair Beach to retain and pay UCF $142,825 to oversee the Gulf Drive utility project. By piggybacking, Bradenton Beach is off the hook for the procurement process, which would have meant issuing a request for proposals, waiting at least a month to receive bids, then meeting to choose a bidder and contracting the work. City attorney Ricinda Perry recommended UCF,

Bradenton Beach Sept. 29, 9:15 a.m., city commission. Oct. 1, 6 p.m., commission. Oct. 7, 9 a.m., CIP. Oct. 7, 9:30 a.m., CRA. Oct. 7, 2 p.m., ScenicWAVES. Oct. 8, 1 p.m., department heads. Oct. 13, 10 a.m., commission. Oct. 15, 11 a.m., pier team. Oct. 15, noon, commission. Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., 941-778-1005, cityofbradentonbeach.com. Holmes Beach Oct. 7, 10 a.m., parks and beautification. saying Mark Porter, the company’s chief operations Oct. 7, 6 p.m., planning. officer, served as the consultant for the Bridge Street Oct. 13, 6 p.m., commission. utility project. Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, 941Perry said the contract would require Porter to be 708-5800, holmesbeachﬂ.org. more hands-on than he was for the Bridge Street utility project, which is illustrated by a lengthy scope of Manatee County services detailed in the agreement. Sept. 29, 9 a.m., commission. “City resources are tight, and we have a lot on our Oct. 1, 9 a.m., commission (land). plates right now, so this agreement has them much Oct. 13, 9 a.m., commission. more involved,” Perry said. Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben The agreement estimates work will finish by Sep- Blvd., Palmetto, 941-748-4501, mymanatee.org. tember 2021. Perry said the projected end date for construction Of interest fell after the June 30, 2021, deadline to use the $2 Oct. 19., 9 a.m., Manatee County Tourist Developmillion grant, but she plans to work with the state to ment Council, Bradenton Area Convention Center. extend the deadline. — Lisa neff Commissioners also voted 4-0 to direct Perry to work with a team of city staff to tackle the project.

Census count ending

In other business, commissioners: • Voted 4-0 to approve a special use permit allowing the Leah Chavie Skincare Boutique to sell beer and wine on-premises during operating hours; • Unanimously approved an agreement with the DOT, allowing the installation of pervious pavers and infiltration systems in sections of sidewalk along Gulf Drive; • And, unanimously agreed to purchase a new phone system for the city for $1,680 per year. The city’s next commission meeting will be at 6 p.m. Oct. 1, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

BB CRA hires dock contractor in bid against time By ryan Paice islander reporter

The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency’s hopes for a boat lift hinge on speedy dock repairs. If the CRA fails to repair the Historic Bridge Street Pier’s floating dock and install a boat lift by Oct. 1, it could lose a $50,000 grant from Florida’s West Coast Inland Navigation District. The CRA met Sept. 14 to get the repairs rolling. The board voted 4-0 to hire Duncan Seawall for $11,6000 to carry out the repairs. CRA members Jake Spooner and Jan Vosburgh, both city commissioners, as well as restaurateur Ed Chiles, were absent with excuse. The WCIND granted the $50,000 for a lift at the pier for police patrols of the local anchorage. The money must be used in the 2019-20 fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. The project was stuck in permitting for most of the year and it can’t be completed until the dock is repaired, so the CRA scrambled to complete the work. Repairs involve removing the dock sections so the contractor can remove and relocate composite pilings 8 feet east of their current positions, then reinstall floating sections and new rollers, as well as removing the older wooden pilings on the north side of the dock. City attorney Ricinda Perry, who has coordinated the project with CRA Chair Ralph Cole, said after handling dock repairs, Duncan will supply and install a 10,000-pound boat lift for $46,500.

Meetings

Islanders still have time to respond to the 2020 census to avoid an undercount that could cost the state and local community money for programs and impact representation in Congress. The easiest way to complete the census is to go online at www.mu2020census.gov or call 844-3302020. As of Sept. 15, 58.8% of Manatee County residents had self-responded to the survey, trailing Florida’s response rate of 62.7%. Anna Maria’s self-response rate was 27.1%; Bradenton Beach’s 23.8% and Holmes Beach’s 34%. Census takers were going door-to-door to boost response rates across the country before a Sept. 30 deadline — which could change due to legal disputes. Mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the census guides funding for a range of critical programs and services, including health care, roads, schools, food assistance and much more. The count also determines how many seats in the U.S. House of Representatives go to each state. — Lisa neff

RoadWatch

Eyes on the road

duncan Seawall employees repair the Historic Bridge Street Pier’s floating dock Sept. 16 by shifting pilings and dock sections to the east, as well as replacing numerous rollers. islander Photo: ryan Paice

The Florida Department of Transportation and Manatee County posted the following roadwatch information: • 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. Phase 2 involves a new traffic pattern and shifting construction to the north side of Cortez Road. Thru traffic will then use the south side of Cortez Road. Also, the two outbound lanes of Harbor Landing Drive will be closed and traffic into Harbor Landings will be detoured to the west on 127th Street. — Lisa neff

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Poor recordkeeping practice in HB results in new cellphones By chrisann allen islander reporter

Florida’s open records laws applies to all forms of communication — including text messages. A recent records request for text messages between officials and staff in Holmes Beach — and the lack of retention of the text records — led to new cellphones with digital tracking for staff, the mayor and commissioners. In June, when the city planned to remove more than 1,000 on-street parking spaces without a commission vote, Michael Barfield, a paralegal consultant focusing on the enforcement of open government laws and board president of the Florida American Civil Liberties Union, requested all text messages concerning parking exchanged between Mayor Judy Titsworth and Police Chief Bill Tokajer. But the city had no system of recording and sharing texts. So a slew of screenshots were provided to Barfield, who complained the city was not fulfilling its responsi-

No bids for landscape work

The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency lacks a partner to cultivate a landscaping project for Bridge Street. The CRA issued a request for proposals in August for contractors to landscape Bridge Street. However, the bid package opened Sept. 15 by city clerk Terri Sanclemente contained no proposals. Without bids, it’s unclear how the project will move forward. The CRA may extend the RFP, drop the project or go another route. City attorney Ricinda Perry, appointed to coordinate the project, did not respond two calls and a text message Sept. 15.

bility to make digital communications available to the public. “Text messages are the most common method of communication,” Barfield texted The Islander Sept. 17. “Whether it’s sent or received on a private device doesn’t matter. It is Barfield essential that government properly archive text messages so citizens can readily know what their government is up to. In this case, the city took far too long to produce records that it should have been storing in accordance with the Public Records Act.” According to the Florida Supreme Court, public records include all materials made or received by an agency in connection with official business that are used to “perpetuate, communicate or formalize knowledge,” including text messages, emails and other electronic forms of communication. The policy in Bradenton Beach is that any city employee or commissioner who sends or receives a work-related text must save the message to their work computer. LeAnne Addy, Anna Maria city clerk/treasurer, said the city does not have a digital tracking system, but has

sent screenshots when records were requested. Addy said she checks the text messages from both parties to ensure they match, ensuring the information is complete and nothing was deleted and the messages are then stored on her computer. Titsworth said Sept. 16 that the city was advised by its attorneys and information technology company to start using a digital system to track data exchanges, including photos and texts. As of Sept. 16, city staff and commissioners were issued new phones that are equipped with the suggested tracking system and digital retrieval capabilities. Titsworth said it may take a couple weeks for all of the phones to be activated. City treasurer Lori Hill said, previously, employees and officials received a cellphone allowance of $100 per month. With the new plan the phones are provided at no cost to the employee and the monthly service cost for the city is about $47 per cellphone. “We looked into the cost of phones and decided to replace all city phones so everything can be retrieved digitally with ease,” Titsworth said. “There was a deal that the phones would cost nothing and the amount the city would pay for service was actually less than we had been paying. So it’s a win-win.” Bridge Street, the primary commercial area in Bradenton Beach, has new clean lines with the utility poles removed and new underground utility lines servicing the businesses, but a request for bids to provide new landscaping to the street went unanswered this month. islander Photo: Jack elka

— ryan Paice

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Opinion

Our

Exceeding expectations

I couldn’t possibly top the extraordinary, exceptional tributes of the national media and the many comments from the judiciary and elected and appointed officials that have been published and aired as tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I concur. She was a trailblazer. She championed gender equality and civil rights. She was small in stature but she left a huge, indelible mark — a high standard for all. As a great-grandmother, Ginsburg looked to future generations for faith in a better future. In accepting the Berggruen Prize, she was quoted, “One of the things that makes me an optimist is young people.” As a young woman, she fought many prejudices. Later, after her husband died of cancer, she fought that battle, too. Through it all — three times diagnosed with cancer — the justice said her job kept her going. “The work is really what saved me,” she told NPR. I never questioned what she could do. I worried, like many of you, that she wouldn’t make it through the current president’s term, and now we face a challenge to fill her seat, although mostly without her guidance, she did make her wishes known. I feel much like she did, that we won’t have the right balance on the Court until all the justices are women. Women from diverse backgrounds and beliefs. Women of conscience. Women. I feel women should carry the balance of weight for the defense of the Constitution and for the challenges of women’s rights and civil rights yet to come for “we” the people. I have RBG to thank for fighting the battles for equality that resulted in opportunities for my daughter and granddaughters. When I left my hotel career behind in Illinois in 1975 it was largely because one of the hotels hired a front desk manager — a young man I helped train — at a salary above my management pay level. And even though my boss readily agreed to raise my salary when I pointed to the discrepancy, soon after, a better job in Florida came calling for me. I certainly found — and fought — my share of Night and day battles and discrimination in the Sunshine State. I hope Congress won’t buckle to the hypocrites in The difference on Bridge Street is night and day. the battle between conservatives and liberals. Whatever the cost, the undergrounding of utilities This appointment to the Supreme Court belongs was worth it. to the next elected president of the United States. This is now a billion-dollars view, up from the So please, vote your conscience. million it was before. Meanwhile, I hope the next justice is a woman. A This looks picturesque, what island life should like-minded woman. look like. — Bonner Joy, news@islander.org Is replacing the street with crushed oyster shells going too far? Congratulations to whoever spearheaded this significant accomplishment. David Reid, Hollywood, California

Opinion

Your

SEPT. 23, 2020 • Vol. 28, No. 48

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 Jack elka, jack@jackelka.com amy V.t. moriarty, amym@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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Skimming online …

Web (register for free news alerts) islander.org Facebook islandernewspaper Twitter @ami_islander Instagram theislanderami Pinterest islandernewspaper E-edition For $36 a year or $99 for a lifetime, e-edition subscribers have access to the weekly e-edition, with Ban the butts page-by-page views of all the news, photos, columns, If anyone cares about the beauty of the beach, it community announcements and advertisements. To subscribe, visit islander.org. is imperative that smoking be banned. The amount of cigarette butts and the plastic tips of cigars left in the Government connections sand is staggering. Anna Maria: Mayor Dan Murphy; 941-708-6130; The pollution is killing the wildlife and ruining our beautiful beaches. It’s bad enough that garbage 10005 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria FL 34216; cityofannamaria.com; ammayor@cityofannamaria.com. and plastic is everywhere. Bradenton Beach: Mayor John Chappie; 941Something needs to seriously be done here. 778-1005; 107 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach FL If you care about tourism at all, act now. 34217; 941-778-1005, cityofbradentonbeach.org; Janis Grimaldi, Perico Island mayor@cityofbradentonbeach.com. Holmes Beach: Mayor Judy Titsworth; 941-708Have your say 5800; 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach FL 34217; The Islander accepts original letters of up to holmesbeachfl.org; hbmayor@holmesbeachfl.org. 250 words and reserves the right to edit for gramManatee County: County Commissioner Stephen mar and length. R. Jonsson, District 3; steve.jonsson@mymanatee.org; Letters must include name, address and a 941-748-4501; 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton FL contact phone number (for verification). Email: 34205; mymanatee.org. news@islander.org. Anonymous letters will not Governor: Gov. Ron DeSantis, 850-717-9337; be printed. 400 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee FL 32399-0001; flgov. Readers also may comment online. com. Also, The Islander has an active Facebook Florida Senate: Sen. Bill Galvano; 941-741-3401; community. To join the conversation, “like” The Suite 201, 1023 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton; flsenate. Islander on Facebook. gov.

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From the archives

Off-duty at the table uniformed military service members gather with civilians at “the Pavilion” on anna maria island in this undated photo. can you provide more information about the photo? email news@ islander.org. islander Photos: manatee county Public Library System

From the archives

Players at the table Kids at the anna maria island community center play table tennis in July 1980. the nonprofit, 407 magnolia ave., anna maria, is now called the center of anna maria island.

10&20 years ago

From the Sept. 22, 2000, issue

• Hurricane Gordon struck Anna Maria Island with a glancing blow as it headed toward landfall near Cedar Key. The storm brought wind gusts of 68 mph and storm surge of 5-7 feet flooded many areas of Bradenton Beach. • A man robbed the Circle K in Bradenton Beach of $54. It was the first armed robbery in the city in 14 years. The man entered the store, pulled a handgun and demanded all the money in the cash register. • Bradenton Beach code enforcement officer Gerry Rathvon resigned her position after three years but gave no reason for her departure. Mayor Gail Cole called her decision a surprise and immediately began a search for a replacement.

From the Sept. 22, 2010, issue

• Bradenton Beach commissioners dropped from the budget money to purchase biodegradable bags for the pet-waste stations installed using a grant. The bags cost about $500 per quarter. • Holmes Beach Commissioner John Monetti sought to bring a legal team to the island for a meeting to help local government and others seek settlements from the BP Deepwater Horizon Spill in the northern Gulf of Mexico. • Bradenton Beach considered demolishing the historic Monroe Cottage on Church Avenue to make way for public parking. Eventually the cottage was moved to Cortez. • Holmes Beach commissioners denied a request by Mainsail Beach Inn to amend its lease payment for the boat basin from an annual payment to quarterly payments. — Lisa neff

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Page 8 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Sept. 23, 2020 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Beach renourishment slows for Sally, dune addition approved By ChrisAnn Allen Islander Reporter

Beach renourishment on Anna Maria Island ground to a halt in the wake of Hurricane Sally. The two dredges that pump sand from offshore to the beaches left the open water in the Gulf of Mexico near the island to be harbored Sept. 12 at Port Manatee in Palmetto, as Sally, then a tropical storm, passed through the Gulf more than 175 miles from the island, creating large swells as it headed northwest. The dredges are part of a $17 million renourishment project piping sand from offshore to the beaches to replenish and prevent further erosion. Beach renourishment began July 8 near 77th Street in Holmes Beach. “As the seas continue to calm down and the contractor determines the conditions to be safe, they will return the dredge to the sand source and resume beach construction,” Doris Otero, project manager with Aptim of Boca Raton, an environmental engineering company servicing the project, wrote The Islander Sept. 15. The work resumed Sept. 19 near 17th Street North in Bradenton Beach. Otero wrote that the storm had minimal impact on the already renourished beaches, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a funding source for the $17 million project, along with the state and Manatee County. “The Corps indicated that the tides and currents

Workers use GPS survey gear to check the sand depth as two bulldozers smooth the freshly laid sand Aug. 27 along the beach near 26th Street North in Bradenton Beach. Dunes along the periphery help anchor the sand and prevent erosion. The construction is part of a $17 million renourishment project piping sand from offshore to replenish beaches. Islander Photo: ChrisAnn Allen

of the passing storm had a minor effect on the beach, likely shifting sand within the project area, which will be assessed as soon as it is safe for their vessels to resume their regular project surveys,” Otero wrote. In the meantime, the county commission approved an amendment Sept. 15 to its project agreement to include supplemental dune construction. Charlie Hunsicker, the county’s parks and natural resources director, said small dunes would provide

a buffer for roads and private property when tides rise from storm events, such as Sally. He also said that inclusion in the project ensures the dunes can be repaired following a storm. The project is expected to run through October, terminating when it reaches Longboat Pass. People can visit mymanatee.org and search for “beach renourishment updates” for more information about the project.

Holmes Beach magistrate runs checks on code compliance By ChrisAnn Allen Islander Reporter

Holmes Beach relies on property owners to comply with city codes. In situations where a resolution cannot be reached through verbal warning or notices from code compliance officers, cases are brought before a special magistrate, commission-appointed attorney Michael Connolly. Pending compliance, Connolly sets fines and fees for violators. At a Sept. 16 teleconferenced hearing, Connolly

heard no new cases but was updated on actions following rulings on several previous cases — consolidated due to the same owner — dealing with ongoing violations. Erica Augello, an attorney with Trask Daigneault law firm of Clearwater, represented the city. Attorney Louis Najmy of the Najmy Thompson firm of Bradenton, represented the hearing respondents. And code compliance supervisor JT Thomas, with assistance from code officer Robin Evangelisto, presented the cases.

Special magistrate Michael Connolly, seated left at the dais along with city staff Sept. 16, hears testimony from attorney Louis Najmy of the law firm Najmy Thompson of Bradenton at a code compliance hearing at city hall. Islander Photo: Courtesy Holmes Beach

Fines for previous violations were to be imposed at the September hearing, but all parties agreed there was not enough time since the August rulings for permits to be obtained for compliance. So a hearing on fines was set for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. The hearing also will be teleconferenced. Cases with continued fine hearings, include: • City v. 305 73rd St. LLC, unfit and unsafe structure; • City v. Bali Hai JV LLC, 6306 Gulf Drive, no approved site plan, work done without permits and alcohol sales without an approved site plan; • City v. Tristar PD LLC, 3501 Gulf Drive, operation of a vacation rental without a valid certificate, zoning violation and work done without permits. Cases continued, include: • City v. Blue Water AMI LLC, 6306 Gulf Drive, illuminated sign in a residential zone, continued because the city is updating the applicable ordinance; • City v. James Roadman and Brian Raulerson, 401 72nd St., work done without permits, no approved site plan, continued because the owner applied for permits and is working with the city engineer on mitigation; • City v. Anne G. Pettersen, Anne G. Pettersen Trust, 102 39th St., units 1 and 8, renting without a valid certificate and inaccurate advertising, continued while the owner seeks a change in primary use; • And City v. Two Star Properties LLC and Najmy Properties LLC, 102 39th St., units 2, 4 and 6, renting without a valid certificate and inaccurate advertising, continued while the owner seeks a change in primary use.

Estimate drops LBK sewage spill from 26M to 11M gallons By Lisa Neff Islander Editor

A draft report estimates 11 million gallons of raw sewage spilled from Longboat Key’s underwater wastewater pipeline in June. The amount was revised down from 17 million gallons estimated in July and 26 million gallons estimated when the break was first reported to the state. In August, another report stated a consultant found “no evidence of even a short-term impact of the sewage leak on bacteria levels in Sarasota Bay.” The spill from the town’s only wastewater pipeline began June 17 where it connects on the mainland

and continued until June 30, when crews cleared a path through a mangrove forest on undeveloped land at Long Bar Pointe to make repairs. A draft report from Berkeley Research Group released Sept. 15 by Longboat Key said “total leak volume” was 11 million gallons. To compile the report, not yet peer-reviewed, BRG analyzed photographs, interviewed witnesses, collected data, estimated flow from the pipeline, set the leak duration to 5:30 p.m. June 17 to 3:40 p.m. June 30 and took various measurements. “Estimates of volume through irregular openings is not an exact science,” stated the draft report. “Therefore, the flows calculated herein should be considered as a reasonable estimate subject to modification based

on unknown or additional information or materials not considered at the time of the estimate.” The report did not contain an estimate of how much sewage reached Sarasota Bay, an estuary of national significance. Earlier, Environmental Science Associates, hired by Longboat Key to analyze the spill impact, said genetic analyses did not find evidence that human waste was the source of the bacteria nearest the leak. As of Islander press time, Longboat Key was not facing state fines or penalties for the spill. Meanwhile, environmental groups continue to monitor the spill investigation, as well as warn about water quality in the region.

SePt. 23, 2020 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 9 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

FISH sends statement to court opposing Cortez megabridge By ryan Paice islander reporter

The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage is signing on to oppose plans to build a Cortez megabridge. FISH members voted unanimously Sept. 14 to submit a letter to the U.S. District Court supporting a settlement offer with the Florida Department of Transportation asking for a 35-foot-clearance drawbridge rather than the DOT’s planned 65-foot-clearance fixed span. The DOT announced last fall, with the release of a project development and environment study, its plan to replace the existing 17-foot-clearance bridge, which was built in 1956-57. Many Cortezians have argued the DOT’s plans would devastate the character of the historic fishing village, as well as negatively impact local business and the environment. “Though we understand the need and support the replacement of our existing bridge, we oppose the overwhelming size and footprint of this megastructure and the impact it will have on our small community,” FISH’s letter states. “Cortez is a unique historic place, established in 1886, it is one of, if not the only, commercial fishing community left on the Gulf Coast,” the letter continues. “We would like it to be known that we support the settlement request made by the plaintiffs.” FISH member Jane von Hahmann said the letter was succinct. “It’s very short,” said von Hahmann. “Very sweet. I think it gets to the point and that’s what we need.” FISH’s letter is the latest oppositional effort to the proposed megabridge. Legal challengers Joe McClash, Joe Kane, Linda Molto and von Hahmann petitioned the DOT last year for an administrative hearing so they could voice objections to the megabridge. The DOT rejected the petition, claiming it lacked jurisdiction because it is acting on behalf of the federal government for the bridge project. So the four pushed their legal challenges against the megabridge in state and federal courts. McClash, a former county commissioner, as is von Hahmann, said the offer was made in late July. The offer states, “The 35-foot bascule (draw) bridge would provide the relief plaintiffs seek,” so the challengers “would no longer object to the replacement bridge or bring subsequent challenge.” It continues, stating the 35-foot-clearance option for the bridge would provide access when closed to 78% of boat traffic and access to all vessels on opening the bascule. Whereas, the DOT’s planned fixed span would be unusable for around 5% of vessels. McClash, who has led the pending challenges, told The Islander Sept. 18 that a megabridge would work for the Anna Maria Island Bridge site, but not the Cortez Bridge site, with a fishing village on one

#AMItogether #AMItogether #AMItogether #AMItogether #AMItogether #AMItogether #AMItogether #AMItogether

a view of the cortez Bridge looking west from cortez to Bradenton Beach. the dot plans to replace the low drawbridge with a 65-foot-clearance fixed span that many in cortez have argued would alter the character of the historic fishing village. islander Photo: ryan Paice

side and a limited landing strip for vehicles at the Bradenton Beach terminus of the bridge. “The DOT’s plans for the Cortez Bridge are just overly intrusive to the village of Cortez,” McClash said. “The walls that it would create would be as tall as the Bridgeport condominiums on the other side of the waterway.” “It’s just an ill-conceived plan that has no respect to accommodate these things,” he continued. In a Sept. 16 statement to The Islander, DOT

spokesman Brian Rick said, “The department acknowledges receipt of the plaintiffs’ proposed resolution. However, this matter is currently in litigation and further comment cannot be provided at this time.” The DOT announced last October that design for the fixed-span bridge “is now underway and right of way is funded in fiscal years 2021, 2024 and 2025.” Construction of a new high bridge would cost an estimated $70 million and wouldn’t be completed for at least 10 years.

By ryan Paice islander reporter

Transportation’s preferred option for the Longboat Pass Bridge. The long-range plan also includes a pair of complete streets projects. One would run along Gulf Drive through the entirety of Bradenton Beach and another would begin at Holmes Beach’s southern city limits and continue up to the intersection of Palm and Gulf drives near the city border with Anna Maria. “We chose those corridors because they are people’s routes to the beach and are heavily impacted by tourism,” Holt said. The long-range plan includes a roundabout at the intersection of Gulf and East Bay drives in Holmes Beach, as well as an extended northbound turn lane on Manatee Avenue onto Gulf Drive. Holt said the MPO also was exploring plans for a roundabout at the intersection of Cortez Road and Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach. “It will take a study to determine if that should be a roundabout or another treatment, but we do know that’s a pinch point for traffic and we’re going to try to look at it,” she said. Holt added that the project was not prioritized because the MPO may need to wait until the Cortez Bridge is replaced to determine a solution for the intersection. The MPO board was to review the long-range plan at its Sept. 21 meeting, held as The Islander went to press.

MPO details long-range plans for island ofﬁcials The Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization is forecasting improvements for Anna Maria Island. MPO strategic planning manager Leigh Holt presented a draft of the organization’s proposed long-range transportation plan Sept. 14 to the Island Transportation Planning Organization, which includes mayors from the three island cities. One ITPO representative — in rotation — serves on the MPO board. The long-range plan, which is updated every five years, sets forth projects for the next 25 years. The plan Holt laid out for the ITPO included several of the island projects recommended in the Barrier Islands Traffic Study. The top prioritized projects on the island involve replacement of the Cortez, Longboat Pass and Anna Maria Island bridges. “It’s very important that we replace our aging infrastructure,” Holt said. “Bridges have about 50-year life cycles and those bridges are that old or older.” The three bridges were built almost simultaneously and all opened to traffic in 1957. The Cortez and AMI drawbridges would be replaced with 65-foot-clearance fixed spans that are expected to cost at least $70 million each. A study is underway to determine the Florida Department of

Island happenings

Page 10 THE ISLANDER | islander.org SePt. 23, 2020 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

a promotional poster for “mangoré.” islander courtesy Photo

Community Cal

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 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 OFF AMI Dec. 4-6, Bradenton Blues Fest, Bradenton. Jan. 5, 2021, Florida Maritime Museum reopens, Cortez.

FAMILY ONGOING VIRTUAL

Manatee libraries honor Hispanic Heritage Month The Manatee County Library is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with virtual programming in September and October. Manatee libraries, including the island branch in Holmes Beach, will highlight Hispanic and Latin American culture and history through educational discussions, activities and sharing online resources. Activities include: • Film discussion about “Mangoré” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, with representatives from the Manatee Film Society. “Mangoré” is the life story of musician Agustin Barrios. To participate, email ana. felicianochico@mymanatee.org. • Film discussion about “Soy Nero” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, about a “green card soldier” in the U.S. Army. He was born and raised in Los Angeles,

Manatee Libraries celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Sep-

deported to Mexico, then crossed the border to return tember and October. Information: mymanatee.org/library. to the United States and become a soldier. To RSVP, email ana.felicianochico@mymanatee.org. AHEAD ON AMI • Hispanic Heritage Month Virtual Fiesta, 11 a.m.-2 Dec. 4, holiday walk and tree-lighting, Holmes Beach. p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, with “online fun for the whole Dec. 11, holiday walk, Anna Maria. family” sponsored by the Manatee Library Foundation. Dec. 12, Christmas on Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach. To RSVP, email aileen.valdes@mymanatee.org. • Cuban Rancheros of Emerson Pointe bilingual COMMUNITY presentation, 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, with a represenAHEAD ON AMI tative from Manatee County Parks and Recreation talking about Cuban fishermen who came to Manatee Oct. 10, Manatee Public Beach International Coastal Cleanup, County. To RSVP, email aileen.valdes@mymanatee. Holmes Beach. org. AHEAD OFF AMI For more information about the library system’s Oct. 3, Palma Sola Botanical Park Fall Plants and More Sale, offerings, go online to mymanatee.org/library or call Bradenton. 941-748-5555.

Bradenton Blues Fest tickets on sale, concerts at LECOM

Planning for the Bradenton Blues Fest continues, with tickets on sale at bradentonbluesfestival.org. An announcement said about 25% of tickets were sold. General admission tickets begin at $45. Events at LECOM Park in Bradenton — home of the Marauders and Pirates — are scheduled for Dec. 4-6 and include performances by Billy Branch, Mud Morganfield, Lucky Peterson, the Jimmys, Terrie Odabi, Marquise Knox and Selwyn Birchwood. Organizers, on the festival site, state, “Proceeding with care, the festival is reducing the number of attend-

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ees and moving to a site twice at large. General admission attendees will be seated in assigned stadium seats along with front-of-stage attendees and other seats will be provided in the outfield. Limited tickets are available.” Sponsors include Realize Bradenton and the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, which is funded with Manatee County tourist tax dollars. For more information about the event, go online to bradentonbluesfestival.org or call Realize Bradenton at 941-301-8445.

NETWORKING OFF AMI Thursday, Sept. 24 5 p.m. — Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Business Card Exchange, Compass Hotel by Margaritaville, 12324 Manatee Ave. W., Perico Island. Fee applies. Reservations required. Information: 941-778-1541

RECREATION OFF AMI

Saturday, Sept. 26 9 a.m. — Mornings at the NEST all-ages nature activities, Robinson Preserve expansion, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW, Bradenton. The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island is seeking Information: ecoevents@mymanatee.org.

AGAMI seeks artist members

to add more artists to its membership. VIRTUAL For more about membership, email jury committee members Cheryl Jorgensen at cheryl.joergensen@ Thursday, Sept. 24 7 p.m. — Manatee County Parks and Recreation Nature Night: gmail.com, Dee Pastorius at deepastorius@verizon.net Kayaking lecture series. Information: ecoevents@mymanatee.org. and Joanne Curtan at joannec4re@hotmail.com. For more about AGAMI, visit the gallery in the ONGOING VIRTUAL Island Shopping Center at 5414 Marina Drive or call Through Sept. 30, Manatee County Parks and Recreation Prethe gallery at 941-778-6694. serve Photo Scavenger Hunt. Information: coral.bass@mymanatee. org. AHEAD OFF AMI

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SePt. 23, 2020 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 11 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

AME cafeteria crew adjusts, keeps lunch on the table

The quality and selection of food available to Anna Maria Elementary students hasnâ€™t changed despite the need to pre-portion and package items to-go. At both breakfast and lunch, K-5 students at AME still choose between two hot dishes and three cold sides. However, in accordance with guidelines set forth by both the Manatee County School District and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cafeteria staff now serve selections in to-go containers. Students are no longer allowed to help themselves to items like milk or muffins, AME cafeteria manager Annie Mousseau said Sept. 17. â€œThese kids have really adapted to this scenario really well,â€? said Mousseau. And so have cafeteria workers. Neither the change to how meal service is conducted nor added sanitary precautions negatively impact the speed with which students are served, Mousseau said. â€œServing lines were always kept clean, but now our efforts are just intensified,â€? she said. â€œWe always wore gloves, but now we wear a face mask and, during times of service, we wear a face shield, too.â€? Principal Jackie Featherston said the small student body this year combined with large tables allow students to distance, with three per table. Also, lunches are served in shifts, with fewer students per period. Students are not discouraged from socializing at lunch, but the cafeteria is â€œnoticeably quieterâ€? than in previous school years, Featherston said. And since they are not bunched together, students arenâ€™t talking over each other.

Another benefit? Quietly socializing with those at their table and not shouting from table to table, creates â€œfar less discipline issues,â€? Featherston said. Anna Maria Elementary is at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. For more information, call the school at 941-7085525.

ame cafeteria manager annie mousseau blows a kiss to students in april while assisting with meal distribution during the 2019-20 school shutdown due to coVid-19 at Seabreeze elementary in Bradenton. islander file Photo: Karen riley-Love

AME PTO to host virtual election, members sought By amy V. t. moriarty islander reporter

The Anna Maria Elementary PTO will conduct a virtual election of officers for the 2020-21 school year. The PTO nominated a slate of officers for the new academic year during a Sept. 2 virtual meeting. Now outgoing vice president Janae Rudacille is working on a virtual voting platform. The plan is for â€œit to go live soon,â€? according to Nicole Plummer, the nominee for president in 2020-21. Voting, to take place this month, will be open to all PTO members, Plummer said. To join the PTO, families can complete the membership application that was sent home with students at the beginning of the year or go online to apply on the PTO website at www.amepto.org. The annual membership fee is $5. The PTO is using its website and social media platform to introduce the nominated officers before

AmE NEWS

2020-21 school calendar

â€˘ Monday, Oct. 12, record day, no school. â€˘ Wednesday, Nov. 11, Veterans Day, no school. â€˘ Nov. 23-27, Thanksgiving break. Anna Maria Elementary is at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-708-5525.

the election. Introductions, a photograph and brief biography for the nominees, began Sept. 14. Nominated officers include: â€˘ President, Nicole Plummer; â€˘ Vice president, Alana Fleischer; â€˘ Secretary, Kari Kennedy; Co-treasurers, Lauren Wickersham and Brook Morrison, an Islander newspaper contributor. In addition to the nominated candidates, the ballot will have a write-in option. Plummer and Fleisher serve the current board as co-secretaries, and Kennedy is the PTOâ€™s teacher liaison. The list of 2020-21 nominees did not include a teacher liaison. The 2020-21 year will bring challenges for the PTO, as all school related in-person events, on- or offcampus are restricted due to novel coronavirus precautions. The PTO did not hold its largest fundraiser, the Spring Gala. Now Octoberâ€™s Fall Festival is canceled. So, Plummer said, the PTO is searching for new opportunities to fundraise. â€œOnce the new officers are sworn in, we will get serious about our financial goals this school year given all the new restrictions,â€? said Plummer. More information is available on the PTO website at www.amepto.org or its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/amepto. To contact Rudacille, call 941-730-8298 or email janaestylist@gmail.com.

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Free meals offered to local K-12 students Yes, there is a free lunch. K-12 students who attend in-school classes five days a week can get a free breakfast and lunch every day at school through Dec. 31. Meal benefit applications are not required, according to the notice from the Manatee County School District. Students on a hybrid schedule can receive free breakfast and lunch on the days they are in school and take-home meals for days they are out of school. The program is open to all e-learning students. Take-home meals include frozen and refrigerated items and are available for curbside pick-up 9:30-10:30 a.m. Mondays at any public school. Cooking and heating instructions are available at www.manateeschoolfood.net. Menus and allergen information can be found at www.manatee.nutrislice.com and more information about the program is available at www.manateeschoolfood.net or by calling Jessica Anderson at 941-7395700, ext. 45005.

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Page 12 THE ISLANDER | islander.org SePt. 23, 2020 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Holmes Beach chase ends in grand theft auto arrest By chrisann allen islander reporter

Police say a 32-year-old Tampa man led them on a vehicle chase that started east of the Anna Maria Island Bridge in Holmes Beach and ended on foot in Bradenton. Holmes Beach police arrested Kelly King Sept. 11 in an allegedly stolen 2010 Toyota Camry on charges of grand theft auto, a third-degree felony, and fleeing with disregard to safety of persons, a seconddegree felony, as well as reckless driving, driving

Cops & Courts

while license suspended or revoked and resisting an officer without violence. The chase began at 5:38 p.m. after HBPD Officer Alex Hurt was alerted to a stolen vehicle by the city’s license plate reader system. He followed the Camry over the bridge and advised other units of his pursuit. After crossing the bridge, Hurt activated his lights and siren. The motorist continued east on Manatee Avenue, passing a car by driving through grass on the right shoulder, where the suspect vehicle hit a hill and

Cortez stilt-house grounded in court

a stilt-house just 200-300 feet from the docks in cortez— described as a “net camp” by its builder raymond guthrie Jr. — remains in Sarasota Bay. the florida department of department of environmental Protection won its suit seeking an order that guthrie remove the unpermitted structure over state waters, but guthrie hasn’t complied with the order. the deP now has filed a motion for contempt, which is scheduled to be heard via Zoom at 2:30 p.m. thursday, oct. 8, by Judge edward nicholas. islander Photo: Jack elka

Streetlife

Missing kayaker found

Staff reports

Island police reports

Anna Maria Sept. 12, 200 block of South Bay Boulevard, noise. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint about a “bunch of people being loud” at a residential swimming pool. No additional information was available. Sept. 13, 400 block of Spring Avenue, noise. The MCSO received a complaint about loud noise — specifically music — all day and night at a new rental home. A deputy reported the renters were not in violation at 9 p.m. but still asked them to be more quiet for the neighbors. Sept. 13, 200 block of Gladiolus Street, noise. The MCSO received a complaint about loud music at about 11:30 p.m. The deputy said the complainant did not want a citation issued and the deputy did not “hear any talking, music or artificial noise.” The Manatee County Sheriff’s Ofﬁce polices Anna Maria. Bradenton Beach Sept. 14, The Rush Inn, 400 Bay Drive S., property damage. A Bradenton Beach police officer was called

about two vessels tied to a private dock, apparently causing damage. The officer deemed the vessels derelict but could not remove them due to liability concerns. The officer submitted a property damage report for the dock owner. BBPD polices Bradenton Beach. Cortez No new reports. MCSO polices Cortez. Holmes Beach Sept. 8, 3600 block of Fourth Avenue, information. A person reported $1,000 cash stolen from a purse left in a vacation rental. Sept. 11, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, alcohol. While on beach patrol, a Holmes Beach police officer spotted three people drinking alcohol. The officer made them dump their drinks and cited each person for alcohol on the beach. Sept. 12, 600 block of Concord Lane, suspicious circumstances. An HBPD officer was called to a possible burglary in progress. A person reported someone knocking loudly on a door late at night and a cellphone that did not belong to the owner was found near the

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caught air, then proceeded through the parking lot at Perico Apartments in the 11000 block of Manatee Avenue West, continuing to evade police. The motorist pulled back onto Manatee Avenue West, almost hitting a bystander. As the vehicle approached 75th Street West, the front right tire blew and the motorist proceeded to drive on the rim, throwing off sparks and cutting a rut in the road, according to the police reports. The vehicle turned south onto 51st Street, then east onto Cortez Road, where it swerved into oncoming traffic and proceeded until it turned south onto 14th Street, again head-on into northbound lanes. The motorist stopped the car at the Michiana Motel, 3235 14th St. W., Bradenton, where the driver and a passenger fled on foot. Another HBPD officer, assisted by a Manatee County sheriff’s deputy, chased King, ordered him on the ground at gunpoint, then handcuffed and arrested him. The MCSO deputy apprehended the passenger at gunpoint near 14th Street West and later cleared and released the individual. King was being held on $20,870 bond at the Manatee County jail on as of Sept. 16 and was scheduled to appear in court Oct. 9.

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It was a positive ending. First responders searched for hours Sept. 14 for a 30-year-old Bradenton man reported missing from the Palma Sola community by his mother. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office received a report at about 9 a.m. Sept. 14 from a woman who said her adult son was not home when she woke and a kayak was missing from her porch in Bradenton. The man’s cellphone and wallet were found at the residence. A search involved the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Service and U.S. Coast Guard. The kayak was found early Sept. 14 in shallow water in Palma Sola Bay west of the Catalina Drive residence. The man was later found on land, near Sunny Shores on Cortez Road, appearing disoriented. — Lisa neff

door. Sept. 12, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, child abuse. HBPD officers responded to a disturbance at the beach and were told a person had chest-bumped and spit on a juvenile. The child’s parent chose not to press charges. The alleged abuser was trespassed from the beach. Sept. 13, 200 block of North Harbor Lane, noise. An officer responded to a noise complaint. Upon taking a decibel reading, the officer determined the noise was excessive. The renters were cited. HBPD polices Holmes Beach. Streetlife is based on incident reports and narratives from the BBPD, HBPD and MCSO.

SePt. 23, 2020 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 13 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

3 candidates seek 1 vacant WMFR commission seat By ryan Paice islander reporter

Commissioner Larry Jennis, lacking a challenger, is automatically reelected to his third four-year term in West Manatee Fire Rescue District 1. But there’s competition for the district 5 seat on the WMFR commission. Commissioners are paid a $250 monthly honorarium, adding up to $3,000 a year. WMFR Commission Chair Randy Cooper chose not to run for reelection in November after serving 12 years on the board, leaving his seat up for grabs in this year’s election. Three candidates qualified to run for the open seat in the district that includes Anna Maria Island and west Bradenton: Bradenton residents Steven Pontious, Derrick Warner and Robert Bennett. Two of the three candidates are homegrown. Steven Pontious Pontious told The Islander Sept. 16 that he grew up in Manatee County and got involved in the fire service in high school by volunteering for the Westside Fire Department. Westside and the Anna Maria Fire District merged in 2000 to form WMFR, and Pontious retired after 31

Vote

2020

Department and a field training officer of new paramedics, according to his website. He retired from the SCFD in 2019, after 31 years with the department.

years of service. Pontious said he wanted to run for the seat because he’d been approached Bennett by firefighters asking him to represent Derrick Warner them on the commission. The third candidate, Derrick He said that due to the district’s Warner, is from the Midwest. advanced life-support programs that Pontious Warner said Sept. 16 that he require firefighters also to be paramedwas involved in the greater Chicago ics, several firefighters were passed up for promotions area fire service for around 46 years, after choosing not to be paramedics. including 25 years volunteering for Warner Pontious said his goal as commissioner would be the Greater Round Lake Fire Protecto make sure firefighters are treated fairly. tion District and 21 years as a paid training officer. He said he began that fire district’s emergency Robert Bennett medical services program, which educates firefightBennett, another homegrown candidate, did ers so they can provide medical attention before other not respond to calls Sept. 16 and Sept. 17 from The services arrive. Islander. He praised WMFR for its efforts to do the same His website, www.voterobbybennett.com, states with its ALS program. that he began volunteering at age 15 with the Anna “The district is very well run, and I’d like to conMaria Fire District in 1985. tribute to that and help maintain its high standards,” Bennett worked as a part-time training officer at Warner said. “I’d just like to make sure this district WMFR, a paramedic with the Sarasota County Fire keeps growing.”

Skyway rescue Law enforcement approaches a man Sept. 13 on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. the manatee county Sheriff’s office said the 23-year-old Palmetto man led officers on a pursuit following a dui traffic stop in Bradenton and nearly ran over a deputy before driving to the top of the bridge and climbing on the edge of the barrier wall. deputies pleaded with the man, later arrested, to get down and one deputy took an opportunity to pull the man to safety. mcSo-anna maria patrol deputy Jacob merrill took part in the incident while on his way home from his shift in anna maria. the mcSo’s aviation unit captured video of the rescue. islander Screenshot

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Judy titsworth outlines her platform for Holmes Beach mayor at the oct. 3, 2018, Popcorn and Politics event at the islander newspaper office. titsworth is unopposed for her next two-year term. islander file Photo

HB CANDIDATES continued from Page 1

Here’s a look at the candidates:

Jayne Christenson Jayne Christenson’s parents moved to Holmes Beach in 1989. “We loved the community and the fact it was a working-class city with an active snowbird component,” she said Sept. 16. “Tourism was a part, but it was not what drove Holmes Beach. christenson It was a small town in paradise with an active, diverse community, supplemented with guests here and there. Despite the rise in tourism, I still see this as a residential community for families, snowbirds and retirees.” Christenson said she is concerned about the conversion of annual and seasonal rentals to luxury, shortterm rentals. “Manatee County’s over-marketing of AMI without county financial support for the infrastructure improvements needed has created a financial burden to our city,” she said. If elected, Christenson said she would waive the business tax to assist businesses struggling due to the effects of the novel coronavirus. She also said she does not support the city’s recent decision to charge residents for a parking permit, with decals to park in certain areas. “The parking problem was not created by residents, the city should not charge for a permit,” she said. Christenson also pointed to the county’s marketing push as a cause for parking issues on the island. “We need to more actively engage the county in discussions,” she said. “My experience in corporate America brings effective collaboration to the table.” When asked about plans to support the city’s ecosystem, Christenson stated she helped city commissioners develop an “adopt-a-reef” concept in partner-

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“There are numerous projects in the pipeline,” Hurst said. “What is concerning is these projects have been underway for a few years and there appears to me even more flooding. We have a lot of eggs in one basket with a single engineering firm managing all of our infrastructure projects.” He said it has “become critical to start asking questions” and consider other opinions. “About a month ago, I inquired with the city regarding the increased flooding and was told the cause is stronger storms and higher tides,” Hurst said. “What this means is we are investing tax revenue in projects to mitigate stormwater because global warming may bring stronger storms and sea level rise. However, the current plan is failing. It’s time to ensure we are investing our tax revenue wisely with solutions that provide systemic improvements we know will work.”

Pat Morton ship with the Center of Anna Maria Island, encouragPat Morton has seen progress in 18 years on the ing waterfront residents to adopt mini reef systems, city commission. which clean the water and support marine wildlife. “I think Holmes Beach can be both laid-back and “The impact to the environment needs to be consid- fast-paced,” Morton said. “It has gotten more fastered with everything the city does,” Christenson said. paced than it used to be, lately, and some people have “I will continue to advocate for programs that improve a hard time with that. But I work to local air and water quality. This includes encouraging try and listen to everyone, work with walking, biking, low-speed electric vehicles and our them and find a common ground.” island trolley.” He said he is concerned with growth. Rick Hurst “I’ve seen some of the nice old “Holmes Beach is living in paradise with a com- morton homes get taken down and vacation munity made up of great residents, visitors and busirentals go up,” he said. “It kind of nesses,” Rick Hurst said. “I have not been to another destroyed some of what we had here. But there is only place in the world where it’s so easy to meet so many so much we can do. We do what we must, as a city, to great people.” try to preserve balance.” When asked by The Islander what he sees as the He credited the city’s face mask mandate, approved main threat to island life in Holmes Beach, Hurst by the commission in June, as helping keep coronavireplied, “Aside from a direct hit from rus case numbers lower. a Category 3 or above hurricane, it “Some people get it and some people don’t,” would be the loss of home rule that Morton said. “But it does work. It’s a serious issue preempts our ability to regulate vaca- and as a city we have taken it seriously. As a city we tion rentals. This preemption would must do things to protect our citizens proactively.” include length of stay in residential Morton said he is impressed with the stormwater zones. If we continue making policy infiltration systems to help with flooding in the city. Hurst intended to restrict or eliminate visi“I’ve seen it change drastically,” he said. “When tors to our community, we risk being the city that pro- we used to get heavy rains there were times I could duces the final straw that compels the state government kayak (in the streets) through Holmes Beach. That was to preempt our ability to control our community.” bad.” Hurst cited a plan to reduce on-street parking, Morton said he worked with the mayor to help instituted in June with minimal public notice, as an implement resident suggestions for the latest round of example. stormwater improvements, including the addition of “The commission should roll back the new parking sod instead of rock over infiltration areas in yards. policy and remove the signs that now litter our city, He said he joined the commission in 2003 “with no then wait until it is able to get proper input from resi- agenda but to serve the citizens of Holmes Beach.” dents and stakeholders to determine changes,” Hurst “I’ve always strived to do the right thing. That’s said. “What has been done has put a lot of unneeded never changed and it’s not going to change,” Morton stress on the majority of residents, businesses and the said. “We are here to serve our citizens the best way community who all oppose the plan.” we can. And that’s what I’ve done.” When asked about the city’s efforts to combat climate change, Hurst said city officials must consider Kim Rash all options. “Holmes Beach is a unique coastal community with a quiet, time-honored character,” Rash said Sept. 15. “Many are drawn here because of the laid-back PLeaSe, See hB CaNDIDaTes, neXt Page

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2020

Mail carriers to deliver ballots

Anna Maria set to ﬁll vacancy after election By ryan Paice islander reporter

There’s no municipal race on the Nov. 3 ballot in The Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Anna Maria, but there will be plenty of other items to office is mailing the first round of ballots for the Nov. mark on the general election ballot. 3 general election. Lacking challengers in the qualification period, The office mailed overseas ballots Sept. 18 and there will be no contest for two comdomestic ballots are due to go out Sept. 28. mission seats and the mayoral post in Other dates on the general election calendar: Anna Maria heading into the Novem• Voter registration closes Oct. 5. ber election. • Early in-person voting begins Oct. 19 and ends But a spot on the commission still Nov. 1, with hours of 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. at select will come to a vote. locations, to be announced. Commissioners Mark Short, murphy • Polls on election day open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Amy Tripp and Mayor Dan Murphy For more information, go online to votemanatee. qualified to run for reelection withcom or call the elections office at 941-741-3823. out opposition in June, allowing each another two-year term. Forum set for Holmes Beach However, Tripp resigned from the The League of Women Voters of Manatee County commission at the end of August due will hold a virtual forum for Holmes Beach candidates Short to plans to move to Black Mountain, seeking office in the November general election. North Carolina. The forum will be conducted online, beginning at With the window to qualify in the 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept 30, and will feature conNov. 3 election closed, the remainversations with commission candidates Jayne Chrising commissioners were left to decide tenson, Richard Hurst, Pat Morton and Kim Rash. to hold a special election or appoint Registration for the forum is required, with details someone to fill her position. available on the city website at www.holmesbeachfl. tripp Commissioners agreed in August org. to leave Tripp’s seat open, allowing Questions for the forum must be submitted via her term to expire in November. email at info@lwvmanatee.org. Commissioners decided it was better to wait to

appoint a successor than to go through the appointment process twice — once to fill the expiring term and a second time to fill the new two-year term. The commission is prepared to meet at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive N., to appoint Tripp’s successor. People interested in applying must be city residents for at least two years and registered to vote in the city. Although the application was not available for review, previous applications asked applicants for three reasons why they should be considered for appointment. Commissioners have then ranked applicants in order of personal preference, with the candidate receiving the top average score earning the appointment. Each commissioners’ rankings were revealed during the decision processes. Previous appointment processes also have included the potential for a tiebreaker if rankings are tied after two rounds of votes. The tiebreaker of choice could be cutting cards, drawing straws, rolling dice or other games of chance. The city will begin taking applications — accessible via the city website at www.cityofannamaria.com or in-person at city hall — for the open commission seat Oct. 1, according to the mayor. Commissioners receive a $4,800 annual stipend. The mayor’s annual salary is $19,600.

HB CANDIDATES continued from Page 14

rash

Flashback: Mask pride in 2016

lifestyle with a combination of residential and resort features. We are a community with neighborhoods, a school and social activities, while providing for visitors to enjoy a resort lifestyle.” But Rash is concerned about the “balance” between the community

and visitors. “The greatest threat is maintaining the balance between residential and resort lifestyles,” he said. “If we follow our charter, comprehensive plan and codes, and proactively communicate clear expectations to visitors, I think we can achieve this balance.” Regarding the city’s actions during the pandemic and moving forward, Rash said enforcement of the city’s mask mandate and social distancing, as well as all city codes, is necessary. “Enforcement in general will help to achieve a desirable quality of life,” he said. When asked about ways to protect the city against the effects of climate change, Rash said emissions reduction is key. It’s all being decided Nov. 3. “We are already trying to make it safer and more Manatee County’s District 3 voters will elect a new convenient for people to walk and bike more and drive commissioner in the general election. less. We are creating more bike paths, bike routes, sideKevin Van Ostenbridge is running as a Republican walks and special parking spaces for golf carts,” Rash and Matt Bower is campaigning for the seat without a said, adding that expansion of the county bus service party affiliation. to the island could help. The men want to succeed Stephen “I feel the city is already addressing this issue,” R. Jonsson, who decided not to seek Rash said. “But we can do more by trying to work with reelection in a district that includes the county and state to express the needs of Holmes Anna Maria Island, Cortez, Longboat Beach.” Key and much of west Manatee. Bower Bower is a lifelong resident of For the record… west Bradenton, Bayshore High Do you have a question you’d like The Islander to graduate and U.S. Army veteran ask the candidates? Email the newspaper with details who served on the county planning at news@islander.org before Oct. 7. commission and works as a financial adviser. He’s reported $10,755 in cama waving paign contributions and $5,571 in Van ostenflag and expenses. bridge signs point “Matt has stood up to the develthe way to opers at public hearings and, having witnessed the lack the polling of concern of those currently serving, decided the only location in way to protect his community was to run for county Bradenton commissioner,” reads Bower’s statement of candidacy. Beach. “It is not all about just traffic, it’s also about our ailing islander file infrastructure and the destruction of our wetlands and Photo impacts to our coastal waters and estuaries.” Van Ostenbridge is a lifelong resident of Manatee and Manatee High graduate who works in real estate and the travel industry and served on the Bradenton

Voters demonstrate their choices in the 2016 presidential race during the islander’s Popcorn and Politics forum, held oct. 12, 2016, at the newspaper office in Holmes Beach. Hillary clinton supporters outnumbered donald trump supporters 2-1 in the “mask” poll at party. islander file Photo: chrisann Silver esformes

From the archives

Manatee County commission contest on island ballots

Planning Commission. He reported $108,381 in campaign contributions and $26,835 in expenses. “I’m running … because I believe that we are in need of a principled conservative leader who will proactively and responsibly prepare our county for many generations to come,” Van Ostenbridge said in his statement of candidacy. In Congressional District 16, Republican incumbent Vern Buchanan faces a challenge from Democrat Margaret Good. For state attorney, Republican Ed Brodsky faces Democrat Betsy Young. In Florida Senate District 21, Republican Jim Boyd faces Democrat Anthony “Tony” Eldon. This is the seat held by Bill Galvano, who is term-limited out. In Florida House District 71, Republican incumbent Will Robinson faces Democrat Andy Mele. Republican incumbent Mike Bennett faces Democrat Charles Williams Jr. in a race for county supervisor of elections. Islandwide, the ballot also contains several judicial races, special district races, ballot questions and a runoff for the Manatee County School District Board in District 3 between Mary Foreman and incumbent Dave “Watchdog” Miner. The race is nonpartisan. One other race of note — the presidential contest is on the ballot, with seven candidates, their running mates and an option for a write-in. Mail ballots will ago out this month. — Lisa neff

Page 16 THE ISLANDER | islander.org SePt. 23, 2020 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Polling on parking garage on ballot in Bradenton Beach By ryan Paice islander reporter

The 2020 election won’t change who sits on Bradenton Beach’s commission. However, voters still have local decisions to make in the general election. With Commissioners Ralph Cole and Marilyn Maro securing new twoyear terms after qualifying for reelection without opposition, the only municipal questions on Bradenton Beach’s ballot are those sparked by cole the Keep Our Residential Neighborhoods political action committee. Voters will have a say on two initiatives that would: • Prohibit multilevel parking garages within city limits; • Permit a single-story parking garage in the city. maro

Vote

2020

city charter a prohibition on parking garages, among other questions. This would prevent the removal of the prohibition from the city’s books without the electorate’s approval. Citing concerns with the language of KORN’s initiative, as well as questions about whether land-use regulations should be included in the charter, the city commission refused to place the questions on the 2018 midterm ballot. KORN sued to force the city to submit petition signatures for the ballot initiative questions to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections. Judge Lon Arend ruled in September 2018 that the city had to submit the questions and petition signatures to the SOE for the 2019 ballot. However, when the city complied, the SOE rejected all four KORN questions because their language failed to comply with state law. Ballot questions background KORN then filed a motion to enforce Arend’s In 2018, KORN petitioned to place the first question on the ballot, which, if approved, would add to the ruling, but Judge Edward Nicholas ruled that the city

had complied with Arend’s ruling and properly submitted the documents to the supervisor’s office. Regardless, KORN attorney Robert Hendrickson threatened additional litigation. So city commissioners agreed to place KORN’s parking garage question on the 2020 ballot. The second question on the 2020 ballot, which would permit one single-story parking garage within the city, was proposed by city attorney Ricinda Perry to give voters another option. KORN’s ballot initiative would prohibit all multilevel parking garages but would not regulate singlestory structures. The second initiative would permit one single-story parking garage within city limits. Parking garages already are prohibited by the city’s land development code and comprehensive plan. If one initiative question is approved by voters, the city must revise its land development code and comprehensive plan. If voters approve both questions on majority votes, the conflicting initiatives would cancel each other out and neither would pass, according to Perry. The earliest voting begins this month, as overseas ballots were mailed Sept. 18.

Election ballots include 6 state constitutional amendments Islanders voting in the general election will cast multipage ballots containing six proposed constitutional amendments. The yes-or-no questions include: • No. 1, citizenship requirement to vote. The proposed amendment states only U.S. citizens who are at least 18, permanent residents of Florida and registered to vote shall be qualified to vote in the state. Citizenship already is required to vote. The amendment would just language in the constitution to read, “Only a citizen can vote.” • No. 2, raising Florida’s minimum wage. The proposed amendment would raise the minimum wage from $8.56 to $10 on Sept. 30, 2021, and then increase the minimum wage by $1 per hour each

Oversized statements two illegal political signs posted Sept. 16 at Sato real estate on Pine avenue in anna maria were removed by the city. mayor dan murphy said the large signs violated city code because they exceeded the city’s legal dimensions for signs as defined in the code. islander Photos: Bonner Joy

year until the minimum wage reaches $15 per hour in September 2026. After, the state minimum wage would be adjusted for inflation each Sept. 30. • No. 3, all voters vote in primary elections for state Legislature, governor and cabinet. The proposed amendment would create “top-two” primaries in which the top two vote-getters in a state nominating contest would advance to the general election beginning in 2024. Florida has closed primaries and a voter must be registered with a party to vote in the partisan races. • No. 4, voter approval of constitutional amendments. The proposed amendment would require that voters in two elections — not one — approve future state constitutional amendments. an oversized political sign stands alongside two smaller a-frame signs Sept. 16 at Beach Bums on Pine avenue in anna maria. mayor dan murphy wrote in a Sept. 18 email to the islander that the sign violated city code due to its size and was removed.

• No. 5, homestead property tax assessments. The amendment, effective Jan. 1, 2021, would increase from two years to three years the period during which a Save-Our-Home benefit can be transferred from one homestead to a new homestead. The difference between the adjusted value and the appraised value is the Save-Our-Home benefit. • No. 6, ad valorem tax discount for spouses of certain deceased veterans. The amendment would carry over the homestead property tax discount awarded veterans with permanent combat-related disabilities to their surviving spouse. An amendment becomes part of the state constitution if it is approved by 60% of the voters in the general election. — Lisa neff

Voters to consider creating conservation trust fund

Manatee County voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to invest in a trust fund to purchase and preserve conservation land. The “Water Quality Protection, Fish and Wildlife Habitat Preservation, and Park Ad Valorem Tax and Bonds” referendum asks voters for approval to levy an additional 0.15 mill ad valorem tax for 20 years, as well as issue up to $50 million in general obligation bonds. The money would be used to purchase land to protect water quality, acquire wildlife habitat, reduce flooding, conserve natural areas, provide parks and manage environmentally sensitive properties. The proposal is backed by the Trust for Public Land and Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast. County officials estimated the cost to the average homeowner at $29 a year or about $2.40 a month. During a League of Women Voters of Manatee County virtual forum Sept. 14, Christine Johnson of the Gulf Coast Conservation Foundation advocated for the initiative. “We have to act now to protect Manatee’s last remaining natural areas,” she said. The ballot language requires an annual public audit of how funds are spent and full disclosure of all project spending. An oversight committee would recommend property purchases. About 13% of Manatee County land currently is in permanent protected status. Out of the 67 counties, with No. 1 being best, Manatee ranks No. 51 in terms of percentage of land preserved and No. 59 in terms of acres preserved per capita. — Lisa neff

Sept. 23, 2020 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 17 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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Page 18 THE ISLANDER | islander.org SePt. 23, 2020 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Tidings

Gathering

EVENTS

Wednesdays 6:15 p.m. — Wednesday supper, CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-0719. 6:45 p.m. — Wednesday Night Blast, CrossPointe Fellowship, Holmes Beach. Thursdays 9:30 a.m. — Women’s fellowship class, CrossPointe Fellowship, Holmes Beach. Saturdays 9 a.m.-noon, Lord’s Warehouse thrift store, Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Information: 941383-6491. Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. — Book discussion group, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Zoom-based. Information: gdlami18@gmail.com.

St. Bernard embraces shawl, blanket ministry

St. Bernard Catholic Church in Holmes Beach extended an invite for people to participate in a shawl and blanket ministry coordinated by Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Bradenton. People who knit or crochet were invited to participate in making blankets for those who are homebound REGULAR WORSHIP or ill. For more information, contact coordinator Kathe Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. — St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Hughes at 941-792-6915.

Local churches still streaming

Some churches have opened to in-person services but all local churches offer streaming services to worshippers due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Please check The Islander’s Tidings calendar for details.

Obituaries

Frederic C. Barton III

Frederic C. Barton III, 92, of Holmes Beach and formerly of Toms River, New Jersey, died Sept. 13. He was born Feb. 1, 1928, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Helen (Kaplan) and Frederic C. Jr. He joined the U.S. Navy upon graduation from Ridgewood High School in New Jersey and served Barton iii aboard the Experimental Patrol Craft Escort. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1950 and was on active duty until 1952. He remained in the Marine Corps Reserves until he was honorably discharged in 1958. Mr. Barton carried that Marine Corps discipline throughout his life, right down to his crew-cut. He was a heavy equipment operator, retiring from the Sambol Construction Corporation in Toms River in 1989. Having had enough of cold winters and plowing snow, he and the love of his life, Deborah, moved to Holmes Beach in 1992. As he would say, they didn’t start looking for a place to retire until they stopped seeing signs that said “Bridge Freezes Before Roadway.” He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed building his own fishing poles and lures. He also enjoyed swimming, playing poker with his grandchildren and whistling “This Old Man,” the unofficial theme song of Lt. Columbo. He was a great dad, grandfather and great-grandfather who passed his love of fishing on to future generations. Funeral services will be private. Mr. Barton is survived by his wife of 68 years, Deborah (Moffett); son Robert and wife Lynn of Toms River; grandson Robert and wife Amanda and their children Owen, Anna and Olivia of Toms River; granddaughter Lindsay Thorvaldsen and husband Daniel of Toms River, and their children Hollis, Mallory and

Thursdays 9:30 a.m. — Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-1638. Saturdays 4 p.m. — St. Bernard Catholic Church. Sundays 8:30 a.m. — St. Bernard Catholic Church. 8:30 a.m. — Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0414. 9:30 a.m. — CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-0719. 9:30 a.m. — Episcopal Church of the Annunciation. 10 a.m. — Roser Church. 10:30 a.m. — CrossPointe Fellowship. ONLINE WORSHIP Christ Church of Longboat Key, christchurchlbk.org. CrossPointe Fellowship, Facebook. Catholic Diocese of Venice, Spectrum cable TV. Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, Facebook. Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Facebook. Harvey Memorial Community Church, Facebook. Longboat Island Chapel, longboatislandchapel.org. Roser Church, roserchurch.com.

Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-4769.

SAVE THE DATES

Gathering

Sept. 27-28, Yom Kippur Nov. 1, All Saints Day. Nov. 2, All Souls Day. Dec. 10-18, Hanukkah. Dec. 25, Christmas. — Lisa neff

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.

Andie; grandson John and wife Christine of Forked River, New Jersey, and their children Emily and Jamie; granddaughter Sadie Barton of Lexington, Kentucky; daughter Janice Lopez and husband Robert of Holmes Beach; daughter Susan Soltys and husband Paul of Seaside Park, New Jersey; son Eric Barton and wife Diana of Cody, Wyoming; and many nieces and nephews.

Linda Kaye Schuck

Linda Kaye (Lin) Schuck, 73, of Ellenton, died Sept. 9. She was born in Detroit April 26, 1947, to Washington and Geneva Osborne. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She loved God, her church, her family and friends with all her heart. She loved all animals and left behind her adored little dog, Scout, Schuck and she provided a permanent loving home for many foster cats. She had a deep love for nature, the ocean and her happy place at their time-share resort on Anna Maria Island. She was generous, talented and loving and always cared for friends, family and even strangers whether it was tending to someone ill, cooking for a few or a crowd, no matter what if she saw or knew of a need she was there. She enjoyed decorating and planning for any event. Many were welcomed in her home for a holiday, special occasion or no occasion at all. She loved NASCAR, especially Kyle Busch, and football, especially Joe Montana. She always loved a practical joke and could give it or take it, her life was all about laughing, and joy. There will be a memorial service at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at First Baptist Church of Parrish, 12125 71st St., Parrish, with a potluck meal to follow. Also a celebration of life party will be 12:30-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Cortez Clam Factory, 10104 Cortez Road W. Bradenton. All friends and family are

welcome. Mrs. Schuck is survived by her loving husband of 26 years, Myron; son Michael Stephens, daughter Rachel Stephens and granddaughter Hailey Stephens Ervin, all of Bradenton; sister Karen Payton and husband Roger of Michigan; several in-laws many adoring nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins; and many friends.

Warner Steven Weil

Warner Steven Weil, 76, of Bradenton, died Aug. 29 at home after a short illness. He was born May 4, 1942. Mr. Weil was a proud member of the U.S. Marine Corps. He was the adjutant for the American Legion Post 24, serving in that role for more than 15 years, and in 2020 was named the adjutant of the year for the state of Florida. He touched the lives of many. A celebration of life will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at the American Legion Kirby Stewart Post 24, 2000 75th St W, Bradenton. Memorial donations may be made to Post 24. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel of Bradenton was in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be made to: www.brownandsonsfuneral.com. Mr. Weil is survived by his loving wife, Darlene; son Scott and daughters Lisa Powell and Dana Powell.

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. Islander obituaries, including photo, are free. Paid obituaries can be discussed with advertising consultant Toni Lyon at 941-778-7978.

Growing in Jesus’ Name

SUNDAY WORSHIP 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM

The Rev. Dr. Norman Pritchard

In the SANCTUARY and ONLINE Go to www.RoserChurch.com Click WORSHIP-SIGNUP , WATCH LIVE or WATCH LATER Text ROSER to 22828 to receive the weekly eBulletin. The CHAPEL is open during office hours for prayer & meditation.

941-778-0414 • info@RoserChurch.com • LIKE us on Facebook @RoserChurch

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SePt. 23, 2020 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 19 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

moose Lodge members Peg miller, left, and Skip St. John weigh buckets of garbage collected on the beach Sept. 19. St. John kept a record of the garbage as two groups of about a dozen each took shifts for the cleanup. islander Photo: amy V.t. moriarty

Moose herd keeps beach clean armed with rakes and buckets, moose Lodge member Peg miller, left, and senior regent Bonnie dubin, hit the sands to collect trash Sept. 19 on the beachfront at the lodge. miller said this is the 20th year for the cleanup, one of three per year for moose participants. the most commonly found trash is “disgusting.” dubin said. it is cigarette butts. the volunteers collected 143 pounds of garbage, including a significant number of the cigarette butts. islander Photo: amy V.t. moriarty

High schoolers, pirates beautify AMI

Women of the Moose take charge in cleanup campaign

The monthlong 2020 International Coastal Cleanup will continue with a Manatee Public Beach cleanup at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. The beach is at 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Also, the Women of the Moose at the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge, 110 Gulf Drive. S., Bradenton Beach, are coordinating two cleanups, one that took place Sept. 19 and a second cleanup in two shifts, 8:30-10 a.m. and 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. KMB is coordinating the countywide cleanup effort, taking place over weeks instead of a weekend due to coronavirus precautions. The larger effort is being coordinated by Keep America Beautiful and Ocean Conservancy. In 2019, the International Coastal Cleanup involved 943,195 people cleaning up 20,772,394 pounds of trash. Preliminary cleanup results for 2020 will be provided in early November. For more information about the coastal cleanup, contact KMB at 941-795-8272.

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a picnic table at the moose Lodge is set with some items found among the 143 pounds of garbage removed from the beach Sept. 19. another cleanup is planned for oct. 17. islander Photo: Peg miller

manatee High School marching band members madison mabry, Kate evans, Joe mabry and Katelynn meggison volunteer for a cleanup in Holmes Beach. the teens assisted the anna maria island Privateers Sept. 12 as part of the monthlong international coastal cleanup, earning community service hours as well as lots of waves, honks and praise. islander courtesy Photo

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Page 20 THE ISLANDER | islander.org SePt. 23, 2020 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Nesting notes By ChrisAnn Allen

Sea turtles not slowed by Sally, season nearly done By chrisann allen islander reporter

Sea turtle season is almost over. Luckily, Sally did not wash out the finish line as the hurricane moved north in the Gulf of Mexico and sent bands of rain over Anna Maria Island. Thirty-four of 349 sea turtle nests allen remained to hatch as of Sept. 16 in a beach â€œnurseryâ€? near White Avenue and Peppertree Lane, near the Anna Maria/Holmes Beach boundary, according to Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring executive director Suzi Fox. Fox said Sept. 16 that nests yet to hatch were safe from high tides and flooding that some areas of the island experienced when Hurricane Sally passed AMI Sept. 12-14. Nests laid in Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach since season started in late April were relocated to Anna Maria to avoid being buried by the $17 million beach renourishment project. The sand replenishment started near 77th Street in Holmes Beach July 8 and will terminate at Longboat Pass sometime near the end of October, paralleling sea turtle season. The team of sea turtle volunteers, which covers

Birgit Kremer, amitW volunteer, looks on Sept. 2 while volunteer Hans duerr reaches into the nest cavity to collect data from a green sea turtle nest at the nest nursery in anna maria. turtle watch volunteers excavate and document sea turtle nests 72 hours after hatching for federal, state and local agencies. Just the one green turtle nest was laid on anna maria island as of Sept. 17, compared with 348 loggerhead nests. the volunteers found 106 hatched and 16 unhatched eggs. islander Photos: courtesy amitW

the beach by ATV looking for signs of nesting activity and escorting renourishment workers to ensure the beach construction does not interfere with nesting and hatching, is down to a small crew since nesting and hatching has slowed. Fox said the volunteers spotted a false crawl Sept. 14 on the beach near 30th Street in Holmes Beach. A false crawl happens when a mature female sea turtle crawls ashore to nest, then returns to the water without laying eggs. â€œWhile we havenâ€™t had any nests for a while, there is still sparse nesting going on,â€? Fox said. â€œWe will still

be monitoring until season ends Oct. 31.â€? To report sick, injured, entangled or dead sea turtles or shorebirds contact the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922. For more information on nesting season, contact AMITW executive director Suzi Fox at suzifox@ gmail.com or 941-778-5638.

Cuteness factor: X10 a loggerhead hatchling leaves tiny tracks in the sand Sept. 10 as it reaches the waterâ€™s edge. the hatchling was found in its nest by turtle watch volunteers during an excavation and released to the gulf of mexico.

as of Sept. 20: 349 nests and 451 false crawls in the renourishment area, 267 hatched nests.

Doâ€™s and donâ€™ts on AMI

â€˘ DO turn off or adjust lighting along the beachfront to prevent 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. â€˘ DONâ€™T use flashlights or camera flashes on the beach at night. They can distract turtles. 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 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.

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Before manatee county created “the robinson expansion,” the county launched robinson Preserve in west Bradenton, relying in part on a volunteer workforce in 2007 to remove invasive species and enhance native plantings. the preserve soon became a mecca for islanders to hike, bike and kayak. county voters will decide nov. 3 on a special tax to fund a trust for acquisition of additional environmentally sensitive lands. islander file Photo: Lisa neff

By Lisa Neff

Cash for conservation

The Florida scrub jay is found nowhere in the world but our state. But the species is threatened, even nearing extinction in some places due to isolation and inbreeding. Expanding, protecting and connecting conservation lands is key to the scrub jay’s survival. One government-nonprofit effort to boost the scrub jay population involves purchasing, protecting and neff restoring “stepping stone” properties in Sarasota and Manatee counties, linking the South Venice Lemon Bay Preserve to Oscar Scherer State Park, and Oscar Scherer State Park to the Duette Preserve. In August, Sarasota County and the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast announced the purchase of a “stepping stone” property — 40 acres in the Myakka River region. Acquisition of the rare remnant of longleaf pine forest and Florida scrub was possible because Sarasota County voters approved a taxpayer-funded program years ago to acquire and protect environmental lands and parklands through at least 2029. Manatee County voters have the opportunity to create a similar program in a referendum on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. Passage of the “Water Quality, Fish and Wildlife Habitat Preservation and Parks” referendum, placed on the ballot by Manatee County commissioners in July, would authorize the county to levy an 0.15 mill ad valorem tax for 20 years, as well as issue general obligation bonds. The bonds would generate up to $50 million, which the county could use to seek matching funds from state and federal governments, as well as private contributors. The money would be used to: • Conserve lands that protect drinking water sources; • Protect the water quality of bays, rivers and creeks;

• Acquire and preserve fish and wildlife habitat; • Provide natural floodwater storage to help reduce flooding; • Conserve natural areas; • Provide parks; • And manage environmentally significant lands and parks. Advocates of the referendum say Robinson, Neal and Perico preserves near Anna Maria Island are examples of the types of environmentally sensitive lands that could be purchased in a new conservation program. When county commissioners voted to place the referendum on the ballot, they emphasized that the campaign for the measure would be grass-roots driven and not a push by county government. The Manatee Fish and Game Association is involved in the Vote for Water and Land campaign, as is the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast. The campaign’s website at www.voteforwaterandland.org contains a series of answers to anticipated voter questions, including: How will I know the money will be wisely spent? The ballot language requires an annual audit and public disclosure of all project spending. Also, a citizens’ oversight committee would review projects, make recommendations to the county commission and monitor expenditures. Why collect a property tax rather than a sales tax? A sales tax is regressive and would have a greater

negative impact on low-wage and disadvantaged citizens. How much will it cost me? The average homeowner would pay $2.40 a month or $29 per year. This is based on an average residential taxable value of $193,378 and assumes all the bonds are issued at once, in 2020. Why is the fund needed now? Manatee County is one of the fastest growing counties in the state and its last remaining undeveloped natural areas and wildlife habitats are disappearing. Already, due to a lack of dedicated county funding for land conservation, many important natural areas have been lost to development. How can I help? Go online to www.voteforwaterandland.org for ways for citizens to get involved.

Palma Sola plant sale planned

The Palma Sola Botanical Park plans to hold its Fall Plants & More Sale 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3. The outdoor event typically features vendors selling native and exotic plants, wood, pottery, textile and jewelry art. Also, shoppers will find lunch items and treats for sale, as well as live musical performances. A notice said “social distancing and face masks encouraged.” The park is at 9800 17th Ave. NW, Bradenton. For more information, call the park at 941-7612866.

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Page 22 THE ISLANDER | islander.org SePt. 23, 2020 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Beach Bums wear adult soccer crown, kids record week 2 Kevin P. cassidy islander reporter

The championship game for the summer adult soccer league at the Center of Anna Maria Island was finally played Sept. 17. The match came down to Beach Bums and Sato Real Estate but the original date for the championship, Sept. 10, was interrupted by a power outage about halfway through the night match. cassidy It was replayed and the 8-5 victory went to Beach Bums as they jumped out to a 7-1 first-half lead, which then saw Sato Real Estate come out strong in the second half to pull to within 7-5, but Beach Bums tacked on a late goal to put the game away. Connor Haughey paced Beach Bums with two goals and two assists, while Amy Ivin and Yuri Pereira both notched two goals. Kevin Roman and Andrew Sullivan chipped in with a goal each and Jason Sato posted seven saves in the victory. Connor Bystrom scored two goals and Sarah Liggins and Josh Sato both added a goal and an assist. Hakan Toka completed the scoring for Sato with a goal and Steve Oelfke made seven saves in the loss.

the champs: Beach Bums amy ivin, Jon coleman, Jason Sato, andrew Sullivan, connor Haughey, Yuri Perierra, Kevin roman, neil fellowes and robbie fellowes show off their prizes Sept. 17 in the summer adult soccer league at the center of anna maria island. islander courtesy Photo

edge Miz & Hiz Biz 2-0 behind a goal each from Savanna Coba and Paxton Lee. Estella Long made seven saves to help preserve the victory. Miz & Hiz Biz were led in the loss by three saves from goalie Liam Nunez. The 11-14 division kicked off with Gulf Drive Cafe slipping by Slim’s Place 2-0 behind a goal each from Carter Eurice and Evan Talucci. Talucci also did duty in goal, combining with Aidan Gannon on eight saves to help preserve the victory. Asa Brisson and Mya Ferrari combined on five saves to lead Slim’s Place in the loss. The last match of the night saw Tidy MD outscore Ugly Grouper 5-3 behind two goals each from Caden Quimby and Frankie Coleman. Victor Albrecht had a busy night, scoring a goal and assisting on two others, while also making five saves between the pipes. Ronan Robertson scored two goals and had an assist to lead Ugly Grouper, which also received a goal in the loss from Audrey Guess and nine saves from Benjamin Young.

Youth soccer moves into week 2 The standings in the youth soccer league are predictably tight after two weeks of action, especially in the five-team 8-10 division. Beach Bums is undefeated, but stand a point out of first place at 1-0-1, as Moss Builders leads at 1-0. HSH Designs is alone in third with a 1-1 record followed by 0-0-1 Progressive Cabinetry, which holds fourth place followed by Miz & Hiz Biz at 0-2. The 11-14 division has a bit more separation with Tidy MD sits atop the standings at 2-0 followed by 1-0 Gulf Drive Cafe. Ugly Grouper at 0-1 and 0-2 Slim’s Place complete the 11-14 standings. Action kicked off Sept. 15 with Moss Builders and Progressive Cabinetry battling to a 3-3 tie in the 8-10 division. Dylan Sato paced Moss Builders with a pair of goals, while Silas Dewitt added a goal and Xane Flores made five saves in the tie. Jack McCarthy scored a hat trick to lead Progressive, which also received six saves from Jack ZaccaKey Royale golf news gnino in the tie. Persistent rains closed the golf course Sept. 14-15 The second 8-10 division match saw HSH Designs

at the Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach, leaving members to talk over golf in the clubhouse. The course dried out enough Sept. 17 for the men to play a nine-hole scramble that saw the team of Jon Holcomb, Bill MacMillan, Bill Shuman and Quentin Talbert combine on a 6-under-par 26 to take first place for the day. Second went to the team of Bill Dimenna, Clint Hurdle, Art McMillan and Dave Richardson at 4-under-par 28. Horseshoe news Two teams advanced to the knockouts during Sept. 16 horseshoe action at the Anna Maria City Hall pits. Tim Sofran fell behind early to Norm Good and Bob Heiger, but rallied for a 23-16 victory to earn the day’s bragging rights. Sofran again found himself in the winner’s circle Sept. 19, this time teaming up with Gary Howcroft to forge the lone 3-0 record in pool play. Play gets underway at 9 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Anna Maria pits with warmups starting at 8:45 a.m. followed by random team selection. There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.

Active Atlantic storm season brings Alpha, Beta and more... The hurricane season began with an if: If 21 tropical cyclones occur in the Atlantic basin, forecasters will begin naming storms from the Greek Alphabet. Well, first came Arthur, followed by Bertha, Cristobol, Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gonzalo, Hanna, Isaias, Josephine, Kyle, Laura, Marco, Nana, Omar, Paulette, Rene, Sally, Teddy, Vicky and Wilfred. Then came Alpha and Beta. What next? Gamma? Delta? The hurricane-initiated known that Atlantic tropical storms are named from lists — six lists, maintained and updated by an international committee of the World Meteorological Organization and used in a six-year rotation. The first lists originated with the NHC in 1953 and, at the time, featured only women’s names. Men’s names were introduced in 1979 and now alternate with women’s names on the lists. The assigned names are short and distinctive, and using them is quicker and less subject to error than

the use of latitude-longitude identification methods for storms. These advantages are especially important in exchanging detailed storm information between hundreds of stations, coastal bases and ships at sea, according to the National Hurricane Center. If a storm forms in the offseason, it will take the next name from the list based on the current calendar date. For example, if a tropical cyclone formed Dec. 28, it would take the name from the previous season’s list of names. If a storm forms in April, it would be

named from the upcoming season’s list of names. And, if more than 21 storms form in the season, the Greek alphabet gets used. The only time there is a change on the list of names is if a storm proves so deadly or costly that the future use of its name for a different storm would be insensitive. The decision to strike a name from a list is made by the WMO committee, which also creates a new name. — Lisa neff

Anna Maria Island Tides

Date

HIGH

Sept 23 Sept 24 Sept 25 Sept 26 Sept 27 Sept 28 Sept 29 Sept 30

3:45a 4:43a 6:07a 7:53a 9:21a 10:25a 11:16a 12:10a

2.7 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.0

— — 11:26p 11:31p 11:45p 11:59p — 11:59a

— — 1.9 1.9 2.0 2.0 — 2.4

12:10p 1:38p 2:53p 1:25a 3:10a 4:12a 4:57a 5:34a

LOW

0.3 0.3 0.3 1.8 1.7 1.4 1.2 1.0

LOW

— — — — — — 3:52p 0.3 4:37p 0.3 5:14p 0.4 5:45p 0.6 6:11p 0.7

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

Moon

1st

a graphic shows the names used in the 2020 atlantic hurricane season. With months remaining, forecasters already are using storm names from the greek alphabet. islander image: connie Wolgast/nHc

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

Rain persists, anglers persevere in Anna Maria Island waters By capt. danny Stasny islander reporter

Dodging rain storms remained the trend for yet another week, while anglers working the waters around Anna Maria Island retain their eagerness to head out and try their luck hooking up some fish. Keeping an eye on the weather forecast as well as an eye on the sky is imperative for fishers during hurricane season. Stasny During the dry periods between the bands of rain spinning from Hurricane Sally — and then Beta — in the Gulf of Mexico, anglers hit the water and hunted some inshore fish. Catch-and-release action for the inshore trio — snook, redfish and spotted seatrout — remains consistent, and fishing areas where good water flow is present is producing the best action. Casting live shiners on shallow grass flats is offering some great catch-andrelease action on linesiders, and you may find some redfish mixed with the snook bite. However, the reds are mostly being found around docks and oyster bars. Catch-and-release spotted seatrout are biting with good frequency over the deeper grass areas. On the right flat, you may also find jack crevalle, ladyfish and Spanish mackerel mixed with the trout bite. Lucky anglers also are stumbling across mangrove snapper on these deep grass flats. The mangoes are a welcome sight on the end of the line as they allow an option to take some tasty fish home for dinner. Fishing a little deeper in Tampa Bay, especially around the structure — reefs and rock piles — is yield-

gary nelson of Sarasota shows off a snook caught inshore Sept. 16 using live shiners. nelson and wife Janice were able to take home snapper for dinner and release the snook after a quick photo for bragging rights. they were guided to the fish by capt. Warren girle.

Fishing tip! If you hook a bird: Reel, remove and release!

capt. aaron Lowman and christie Bratcher of Brentwood, tennessee, show off her 40-inch snook Sept. 11 before releasing it to fight again.

ing more tasty mangrove snapper. You might find a keeper gag grouper here or there, too. Spanish mackerel also are on patrol around structure in the bay and can be caught on a free-lined bait swimming on the surface. Capt. Warren Girle is finding limits of mangrove snapper while fishing over deep grass areas in the bays. These deep grass flats — depths of 5 to 8 feet —are hosting numerous species, including jack crevalle, ladyfish, macks and catch-and-release seatrout. Adding snapper to this bite is quite appealing, as the action is nonstop and anglers get to take some fish home for a fish fry. On the shallower grass flats close to shore, Girle has anglers casting live shiners to attract a bite. Catchand-release species —snook and redfish —are readily taking baits in these areas during swift moving tides. Capt. Aaron Lowman is finding good action inshore while fishing throughout Tampa Bay. He’s finding catch-and-release redfish and spotted seatrout are frequently taking bait on the shallow- to mid-depth flats around Terra Ceia Bay and in the mouth of the Manatee River. The highlight of the shallow water fishing for one lucky client was a 40-inch snook and a trophy photo with the fish. Most linesiders are running 20-30 inches. As for the trout and reds, 15 to 24 inches is the range. For those looking to catch something for dinner, Lowman is working the structure in the bay for mangrove snapper. Also present around structure are Span-

Fishing Charters

ish mackerel and keeper-size gag grouper. Capt. Johnny Mattay of Anna Maria Charters is finding numerous catch-and-release species — snook, redfish and trout — while fishing the waters of Tampa and Sarasota bays. Free-lining live shiners on a weighted rig is getting the job done. For the snook, casting free-lined baits over shallow flats around mangroves is working well. Casting free-lined shiners over deep flats is working well for seatrout as well as limits of mangrove snapper. As for the reds, adding a little weight to the rig and casting shiners under docks seems to be the key to success, according to Mattay. Fishing structure in Tampa Bay also is working on his search for mangrove snapper. Again a light bottom rig combined with a shiner is resulting in a bite. Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says despite the water quality being cloudy from the rough surf in the Gulf of Mexico, the fishing is excellent at the R&R, where limits of mangrove snapper are being caught by anglers using live shrimp as bait. Those baiting shrimp are hooking into catch-and-release redfish and some keeper-size flounder. Catch-and-release snook fishing is quite productive at the pier where live pinfish and shrimp are luring hungry linesiders to the hook. On days when the bait schools are present, Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle, ladyfish and blue runners are being caught on both live shrimp and artificials — jigs and spoons. Send high-resolution photos and ﬁshing reports to ﬁsh@islander.org. Southernaire Fishing Charters

Capt. Warren Girle

INSHORE RE Redﬁsh Snook

O OFFSHORE SSnapper G Grouper

LIGHT G TACKLE C • FLY Over 30 years experience in local waters • USCG Licensed Full / Half Day Trips • 941.387.8383 (H) • 941.232.8636 (C) www.captainwarren.com Facebook: Captain Warren

Licensed

Page 24 THE ISLANDER | islander.org SePt. 23, 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

HELP WANTED Continued

car roof racK: easy to install, $95, oil paintings, framed, $25. 941-920-2494.

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 1-866-3629821. (limited time offer)

HairStYLiSt, BarBer and nail tech wanted at friendly, clean salon on Longboat Key. coVid safe. contact tina at tina’s Beauty Salon at 941383-5877.

itaLian LeatHer coucH as new, off-white, $100. 941-778-3920 or 941-778-5542. no messages.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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.

antiQue Partner deSK: all wood, $1,000. See at the islander office, 3218 e. Bay drive, Holmes Beach. 941-778-7978.

Wanted: Your oLd cellphone for recycling. deliver to the islander, 3218 e. Bay drive, Holmes Beach.

antiQue office chairs: Perfect for eclectic dining set. circa 1950 from anna maria city Hall. the islander newspaper, 3218 e. Bay drive, Holmes Beach. 941-778-7978.

free gun LocK courtesy of Project childsafe, florida fish and Wildlife conservation commission and Holmes Beach Police department. Pick up at the islander office, 3218 e. Bay drive, Holmes Beach. don’t be sorry, be safe.

more ads = more readers in the islander.

Sandy’s Lawn Service Inc.

GARAGE SALES

ESTABLISHED IN 1983

Residential & Commercial Full-service lawn maintenance. Landscaping ~ Cleanups Hauling ~ Tree Trimming.

Yard/eState SaLe: 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. thursday, Sept. 24. tools, household items, fishing gear, furniture and lots more! 127 50th St, Holmes Beach.

LICENSED & INSURED

Paradise Improvements

941.792.5600

Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Specialist Replacement Doors and Windows

Andrew Chennault

FULLY LICENSED AND INSURED Island References Lic#CBC056755 CBC 1253471

RDI CONSTRUCTION INC. Residential & Condo Renovations Kitchens • Bath • Design Service Carpentry • Flooring • Painting Commercial & Residential

References available • 941-720-7519

ANSWERS TO SEPT. 23 PUZZLE

T R O N

R I F E

O V U L A R

D E N I R O

S E S T E T

A N T S Y E T A S

T I N K O M E A I N E R O D E I N G E N O R T E I T S N A S

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

M I N G L E D

B O G E Y S

S N A R L I B A I W I Z O W N A C I T O M B U E V E R S N L L I E E G T O N T I T R E A A B R M A D P R

R E V I V A L

N E H I S C O N G A M E

O X I D E S

P E R A T I O

E S R T G O L W I E L D L A D C O M W O K S E P L T C T O C H A U A M P B O O T E N T A K E R S E S I E A S S L

A C E S U P A L A S L O U S E

A B L E

for SaLe: 2009 cLuB car precedent electric two seater. new battery with charger, tires and brakes. 941-778-2821. $4,900 or best offer.

BOATS & BOATING

guardian SecuritY agencY: full-and parttime positions. competitive pay and benefits. reliable transportation and smartphone. 727873-7400. gsa-fla.com/apply.

N I L S

O W S E L N Y

S I N T A X

I N C I T E

S T E N T S

U N I T

A R A B

C A N E

SERVICES u fLY i drive your car anywhere in the uSa. airport runs, anywhere. office, 941-4476389. 941-545-6688.

cLeaning: Vacation, conStruction, residential, commercial and windows. We service VrBo and airbnb. Licensed and insured. 941744-7983.

Wanted: generaL manager. Will train. inquire in person at Vinny’s italian Kitchen, 5337 gulf drive, Holmes Beach.

I R E N E C A R A

KidS for Hire ads are free for up to three weeks for island youths under 16 looking for work. ads must be placed in person at the islander office, 3218 e. Bay drive, Holmes Beach.

TRANSPORTATION

HELP WANTED