Starship on center stage. 15 DNA discovery. 19
STEM celebration. 21 JAN. 22, 2020 FREE
VOLUME 28, NO. 13 Astheworldterns face challenges. 6 Work on Bridge Street causes havoc. 2 HB parks committee finalizes projects. 3 Legislature opens session in Tallahassee. 4
Meetings. 4 New AM commissioner brings experience. 5
Opinions. 6 10-20 YEARS AGO
Looking back. 7
AM preservation board sets 2020 objectives. 8
Happenings Announcements.
Save the date.
Gathering. take 5:00:
Obituaries. Holmes Beach honors.
Herons escapes nest destruction.
About bathers, boaters, birds and bombs. Great weather for outdoor sports. Springlike temps set up shiners, shrimp for hookups.
ISL BIZ Biz changes arrive with season. Strongman contest returning but not to AMI. CLASSIFIEDS.
NYTimes puzzle.
The Best News on Anna Maria Island Since 1992
islander.org
Anna Maria faces hurdles for February pier opening By Phil Colpas Islander Reporter
Anglers may be able to enjoy fishing off the Anna Maria City Pier by late February. The mayor says there are hurdles, but maintains the pier contractor is on track. Still, the buildings that were to house a restaurant and bait shop at the T-end of the pier will remain empty. The historic pier was originally built in 1911 and closed after being damaged by Hurricane Irma in September 2017. The pier remained closed and was demolished by the city in 2018. New construction began in January 2019. “The pier is coming along nicely,” Murphy said at a Jan. 9 city commission meeting. Most of the issues that arose in construction have been corrected, including a 3-inch gap on the platform at the T-end that was “fixed weeks ago,” Murphy said. “Framing, siding, windows and most doors are up and hung,” he added. As far as the bathrooms, power, sewer, water and fire suppression line, the mayor said “there are some hurdles with each one of these issues. But we’re still on track for an end-of-February opening.” Some issues remained with getting power hooked up to the pier from the shoreside, but Murphy said he is working closely with Florida Power & Light remains con-
fident the problems will be resolved in a improvements, Murphy recommended to the timely fashion. commission that the city pick up the tab for casualty, fire and wind insurance at an estiPier tenant sought mated annual cost of $50,000. The city commission Jan. 10 voted Schoenfelder was presented with two unanimously to decline the final lease offer payment options: $18,900 or $21,600 per from Mario Schoenfelder — pier operator month, both with either a 3% annual increase since 2000 — and will instead seek requests after the first year or an annual adjustment for proposals from prospective tenants. based on the consumer price index. Although Mayor Dan Murphy said he But the option to make lower monthly and Schoenfelder had come to an agreePLeASe See PIER, PAGe 3 ment on many details, there remained two outstanding issues: insurance and rent payments. In part, because Schoenfelder said he would be willing to spend $800,000 in pier By Phil Colpas
Anna Maria names Citizens of the Year
Holmes Beach to open new dog park
A highly anticipated new dog park is about to open for canine cavorting in Holmes Beach. The ribbon-cutting for the park will be 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25. The park includes a dog splash pad, canine and human water fountains and run areas, along with updated seating for people at the cost of $150,000. There will be several vendors at the event, including Perks 4 Pets dog boutique, Running Rover dog-walking and pet-sitting service and animal adoptions sponsored by Friends of Manatee County Animal Services. There also will be prize giveaways and Mayor Judy Titsworth and code compliance supervisor JT Thomas will speak at the event. — ChrisAnn Allen
EatHereFlorida.com (941) 778-0411 5315 Gulf Drive • Holmes Beach
Predemolition in 2018, the Anna Maria City Pier held memories for many people, including messages on engraved planks. Islander File Photo: Jack elka
Willie, a labradoodle, looks through “doggles” Jan. 10 on his way to the dog park in Holmes Beach with Bruce Rogers of Bradenton. “We love this dog park and can’t wait to see the improvements,” Rogers said.
Islander Reporter
An Anna Maria committee has selected the city’s 2019 Citizens of the Year — Bob Carter and Dick York, both longtime residents of Anna Maria. The commission-appointed citizen recognition committee included Kathy Patten, Alan Tripp — husband of Commissioner Amy Tripp — and Debbie Haynes. Carter They named Carter and York at the Jan. 15 city meeting. Carter, husband of Commissioner Carol Carter, is a philanthropist and chairman of Sarasota-based Carter, a 30-member team of consultants who advise some four dozen nonprofits around the world on strategic planning, governance and fundraising campaigns. PLeASe See CITIZENS, PAGe 3