Mayor won't run

BRADENTON BEACH – It appears there won't be an election for mayor this year, even though a former city commissioner is making his first bid for the top job. Mayor Bob Bartelt announced late last week that he would not run for re-election.

"It takes up too much of my time," Bartelt said about the part-time job that pays $800 per month. "I want to spend more time with my new bride and enjoy retirement." More...

Robinson Farms density rescinded

The Manatee County Commission voted last week to rescind its approval of increased density at the proposed 49-acre Robinson Farms development near Robinson Preserve.

Last year, the commission had voted to allow up to three homes per acre instead of one on the Neal Communities property north of Ninth Avenue Northwest, east of 99th Street Northwest and south of 17th Avenue Northwest, despite citizen concerns about flooding and traffic during hurricane evacuations. More...

Four qualify in Anna Maria

Anna Maria voters will have four candidates to choose from for three seats in the Nov. 8 election. Former Mayor SueLynn and planning and zoning board member Nancy Yetter are challenging incumbent Commissioners John Quam and Dale Woodland. Terms of office are two years and the salary is $6,000. More...

Driver clocked at 72 mph

ANNA MARIA – One Lakewood driver broke the unofficial record for speed, surpassing 68 mph recorded in a previous incident, according to deputies on patrol in Anna Maria, where the highest speed limit is 25 mph. More...

Bowling challenge rolls on

The changing of the guard this year had no negative effect on the annual O'Connor Bowling Challenge at AMF Lanes Saturday. In fact, the fund-raiser for the Anna Maria Island Community Center was a sellout. Mike and Katie O'Connor took over for Mike's dad, George and his uncle, Billy, and the 21st annual event was a success. More...

Commission must designate use for six lots

ANNA MARIA – Commissioners must determine a use for the six lots at the corner of Pine Avenue and North Bay Boulevard in order to proceed with the $3 million purchase advised their bond counsel, Judson Freeman.

The advice came after Commissioner Dale Woodland asked that some language be deleted from the bond ordinance under discussion at last week's commission meeting. Freeman said the city charter requires an ordinance for borrowing money. More...

Commission fixes comp plan glitch

ANNA MARIA – Commissioners approved on second reading a comprehensive plan amendment to fix a glitch that would have prohibited development along the Gulf.

The glitch was discovered when owners wanted to develop property along Park Avenue and Beach Street. City officials learned that the land use category along the Gulf was changed from preservation to conservation in a 2007 revision of the 1989 comprehensive plan. No development is allowed in the conservation category. More...

Historic store renovations to resume

CORTEZ – The shutters on the 1890s Bratton store at the Florida Maritime Museum at Cortez may not be the only thing green about this historic building when it's finished.

The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) and Manatee County are working towards having the building certified green under Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. More...

Back to school

Dog days strategy

The name "dog days" comes from the ancient belief that Sirius, also called the Dog Star, in close proximity to the sun, was responsible for hot summer weather. Dog days is a common term among fishermen signifying the long hot days of August and September, when fish can be hard to find and catch. While there's no doubt that late summer days are long and often intensely hot and uncomfortable, they can also yield some surprising results for savvy anglers. By employing a change of strategy and tailoring their efforts to maximize comfort and opportunities, anglers can catch fish in relative comfort. More...

Mortgage debacle a doozie

Have you had enough of the mortgage and financial crisis yet? Me too. But unfortunately this whole distasteful financial position we're in is not only not over, but it's also going to change how we do business and how we finance homes in the future. More...

Don't let bouts of volatility change your plan

Investment Corner By Tom Brieter

After two years of positive, relatively calm results since the end of the 2008-2009 financial crisis, investors were once again reminded that uncertainty and fear can strike at any time. This time in the form of a 17 percent correction, which started quietly in May and culminated in a crazy and volatile first two weeks of August.

No one knows if the worst of this market correction is history. One sign, discussed in detail below, would seem to suggest that it is, but I believe the correct attitude for investors is to expect some additional volatility over the next month or two and be happy if it passes faster than that. More...

Soccer season kicks up at Center

Soccer season is back and kicking at the Community Center. Last week, budding young players, of all ages, participated in a three night camp to get themselves ready for the upcoming season. Ex-professional soccer player Paul Hayward ran the camp this year. He brought a vast knowledge of the game and an enthusiasm to teach these youngsters to love soccer. More...

Making ends meet in a hurricane and beyond

Feasting on Fitness By ellen Jaffe Jones

As a former anchor/reporter in Miami and elsewhere, I know that for whatever meteorological reasons, hurricanes threaten Florida more before, during and after Labor Day. As a cooking instructor focused on preparing healthy foods on a budget, besides the incredible health benefits my students often experience, this time of year I hear, "Wow, this is great hurricane food!" More...