CORTEZ – “It takes a fishing village” to put on the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival, said Jane von Hahmann, one of the organizers of the annual weekend event, quoting the festival’s theme.

The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) event is an all-volunteer effort, she told festivalgoers on Saturday before recognizing five award recipients for their contributions to the festival and the village.

Calling her “priceless,” Von Hahmann applauded one of the festival’s original organizers, Cortez artist Linda Molto, presenting her with a handmade glass starfish in gratitude for her three decades of work on the event, in addition to her annual artwork displays.

Mark Coarsey, of Fishing for Freedom, was surprised by his award, being pulled from the docks where he was unloading shrimp. He was recognized for his contributions to Cortez, including organizing cleanups of surrounding waterways and fighting for the repeal of the net ban with the organization. Commercial fishermen are being attacked from all sides, he told the crowd, inviting them to enjoy the seafood caught, cleaned and served up in Cortez.

Ivan Petree was awarded for his volunteerism in the village and Gigi Ortwein was recognized for her graphic designs for the festival, which appear on T-shirts, prized by festival veterans. One man said he had every T-shirt from every festival, even the ones he wasn’t able to attend, because he bought those at subsequent festivals.

After hearing his story, the crowd applauded 95-year-old Cortezian Albert George “Little Spud” Few Jr., who was honored with the pioneer award.

An Army Air Corps fighter pilot in World War II, Few flew P-40 Warhawks and P-51 Mustangs over North Africa, Sicily and Italy, and the F-86 Sabre jet in the reserves after the war.

He became an aerospace engineer and worked on the design and development of the Saturn V missile program with rocket scientist and ex-Nazi Party member Dr. Wernher von Braun at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. after von Braun surrendered to American soldiers in 1945 and joined the Allied war effort. His last assignment was the Space Shuttle program.

Few wrote “The Fighter Pilot of Cortez,” slated to be republished by the Cortez Village Historical Society (CVHS), which celebrated its grand opening on Saturday, the first day of the festival, in a restored white cottage on the FISH Preserve.

The 95-acre preserve was purchased and restored with festival admissions, which have only been raised once, to $3. It’s hard to beat what you get for the price, with live music, including country rock by Cortez native son Eric Von and his band, seafood ranging from mullet to paella, CVHS’s famous strawberry shortcake and nautical art exhibits.

A boat trimmed in exotic Honduran mahogany by experts at the FISH boatworks was raffled off to benefit FISH. Book lovers enjoyed browsing historical tomes written by Cortez locals, including Molto, and modern fiction by J. B. Crawford.

Festival co-founder John Stevely used Sarasota Bay as the backdrop for his Dock Talks about the natural surroundings of what Cortezians call “The Kitchen.” A young girl fresh out of the face painting tent sat on her dad’s shoulders reading the labels identifying different species of fish.

At the live touch tank, sponsored by Fishing for Freedom, a woman asked if she could pet the crab, and was told she could try, but she might get pinched. She did.

The sunny, cool weekend was perfect for getting acquainted with other animals, too, with Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation displays and pony rides for the kids. Dogs came with their owners to enjoy the day in the dog-friendly village.

Attendance figures for this year’s festival were not available at press time, but judging by the smiles on faces of those leaving, they clearly were glad they came.

BRADENTON BEACH – Former City Commissioner Janie Robertson has shared her opposition to the Historic Bridge Street Pier subleases with Gov. Rick Scott and Office of the Inspector General.

She has also alleged that influence wielded by City Attorney Ricinda Perry and former Mayor Jack Clarke has produced a City Commission voting majority that undermines the efforts and authority of Mayor Bill Shearon.

“Our little city is being hijacked by a very slick, corrupt few who wield power over our gullible, naïve, inexperienced city commission,” she wrote in her Feb. 9, letter to the Florida governor.

Robertson accused Perry and Clarke of impacting the decision-making of Commissioners Ralph Cole and Jake Spooner, both of whom took office with Shearon in November.

“Clarke has been lobbying and influencing two new city commissioners into more legal issues supported by the city attorney. It is really an ugly and corrupt dance resulting in Shearon being the 4-1 minority on the commission,” Robertson wrote.

At Spooner’s request, the commission recently approved a resolution that prevents the mayor from removing items from meeting agendas.

At Cole’s request, a commission work meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 23, in order to clarify the responsibilities and authority of the mayor, the individual commissioners and the commission as a whole in regard to governance of the city and the oversight of city department heads.

“I quit the commission so I could fight this fight,” Robertson wrote, failing to note that her unsuccessful bid for reelection in November resulted in her losing her commission seat to Cole by a 220-168 margin.

“We are a group of citizens who have spent months preparing and researching the state laws and presenting our case to government agencies,” Robertson wrote, without identifying who or how many citizens she represents.

Her letter says the Florida Commission on Ethics Committee, the State Attorney’s Office and Attorney General’s Office have all refused to investigate alleged Sunshine Law and open meeting violations regarding the pier lease negotiations that took place with Anna Maria Oyster Bar president John Horne last summer.

“It doesn’t change the fact that a mayor and city attorney have danced together to the demise of the city and citizens, usurping power and garnering large legal fees. The final straw is the lease of public lands, negotiated behind closed doors by these two. It has resulted in a lawsuit against the city and is justified in our opinion,” Robertson wrote.

Robertson is questioning the primary pier tenant selection and lease negotiation process she voted in favor of on three separate occasions while in office.

On July 23, Robertson seconded Commissioner Ed Straight’s motion that led to a 5-0 vote in support of Horne and AMOB being named as the commission’s preferred restaurant space tenant. Before that vote took place, it was clarified by attorney Matthew Barnaby that the mayor and city attorney would negotiate the terms of the lease and bring those proposed terms back to the commission in August.

On Aug. 20, Robertson made the motion that led to the 5-0 first reading approval of the amended lease terms that significantly increased the monthly rent payments and monthly revenue sharing percentage in exchange for the rights to sublease the two smaller spaces.

On Sept. 3, Robertson seconded the motion the led to the commission’s 5-0 final approval of the lease terms as formally codified in Ordinance 15-458.

At no time during these three meetings did Robertson or anyone else object to the lease terms or the manner in which the negotiations were conducted.

Robertson and others now claim those commission-directed negotiations violated Sunshine and open record laws. This claim has become a central argument in the lawsuit Allan and Michael Bazzy filed in November and naming the city, Horne, and the three tenants who sublease city-owned commercial space from Horne. Thus far, the lawsuit has subjected the city, city taxpayers, Horne and others to more than $15,000 in combined legal expenses, and those fees continue to climb.

“We currently have a jewelry store and a tour boat business in our bait shop and harbormaster quarters. Help!” Robertson’s wrote. Her letter questions whether these uses are compliant with the submerged land lease the city has with the state.

“We need an investigation. Will you please help us save our little Island city?” Robertson’s letter concluded.

HOLMES BEACH – Parents of students at Anna Maria Elementary School (AME) told city commissioners they are opposed to the city’s parking permit ordinance.

The ordinance would prohibit parking on the rights of way between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. except for residents with permits in a test area. That test area includes the streets across Gulf Drive from the school, where parents, grandparents and friends traditionally park to attend school functions.

PTO President Lindsay Sauls submitted a letter signed by a host of parents that was read into the record by Chair Judy Titsworth.

According to the letter, because of the changing demographics of the Island, almost 50 percent of the school population attends AME through school choice, meaning they do not live on the Island.

“The parents of these children are highly involved – only one current AME PTO board member lives on AMI, and last year’s AME PTO president also does not live on AMI,” the letter said. “Many parents and grandparents who are active volunteers on the school do not live on the Island.

“This parking ordinance also would affect parents and volunteers living on the Island that do not live in Holmes Beach,” such as residents who live in Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach.

Parking at a premium

The letter said AME has 43 regular parking spaces, three handicap spots and one reserved for the Spring Fling winner, and since there are 44 staff members, parking is at a premium.

It said that the parking ordinance would affect parents who want to have lunch with their children, volunteers who come from other cities and homeroom moms setting up for parties.

“AME is a vibrant and important part of the community; it is the heart of the Island in many ways,” the letter continued. “If the commission really wants to promote full time residents and a true community, hurting AME will be hurting the heart of the community.

“Please do what is right for the children of our elementary school. We ask that you all consider these consequences of the parking permits and allow the veto stand.”

Mayor’s veto

Following the approval of the ordinance last month, Mayor Bob Johnson invoked his right under the city charter to veto it.

Commissioner Jean Peelen said the mayor’s veto made her sad and it was the first time there was a “deep and emotional split” on the commission and that it was “painful.”

She said very few cities in Florida offer veto power to their mayors and that “it should be used only in a situation where the ordinance could cause physical harm to the public or bankrupt the city or something that important. The fact that it was used to veto a pilot program to be tried out for a year deepens the division.”

City Attorney Patricia Petruff said the charter provides that the veto can be overturned by a super majority of four members of the commission and said, “Anyone can make that motion at this time.”

However, Peeled felt its should be an agenda item, and commissioners agreed to put it on the Feb. 23 agenda.

BRADENTON BEACH – Several people referred to in former City Commissioner Janie Robertson’s recent letter to Gov. Rick Scott have responded to her claims and allegations.

Robertson’s letter described the current City Commission, which includes first-term Commissioners Ralph Cole and Jake Spooner, as “gullible, naïve and inexperienced.”

In response, Cole said, “It’s just a continuation of the negativity she brings to our city, and she needs to move on. I want to do positive things, and I’m over the negative stuff.”

Spooner said, “While I have great respect for Ms. Robertson for the many years she served our city, I find the recent letter to our governor erroneous and impertinent, but not unexpected. Unfortunately, these types of actions have become the norm.

“Until now, I have not commented on these false and degrading comments, but I feel it has gone too far and for far too long to the detriment of our city,” Spooner continued. “While I spend time away from my family, friends, loved ones and businesses to focus on the betterment of the city, I’m now forced to engage in this squabble. It’s hard enough to find citizens willing to perform these duties without the constant false and defaming accusations thrown at public servants.”

In response to the commission’s decision-making being influenced by others, Spooner said, “No one has power over this strong-minded commission. We listen to our constituents and work to protect their rights.”

In regard to a recently-adopted resolution he initiated that prevents requested agenda items from being removed before the meetings take place, Spooner said, “Resolution 15-852 was enacted and passed unanimously, not to undermine the mayor, but to ensure that any issue of importance to our citizenry would be heard. I’m not sure how anyone would argue that this wasn’t the right thing to do, especially after several items in our short tenure had been removed.”

Spooner also addressed the lack of majority support for a building moratorium proposed by Shearon and supported by Commissioner Jan Vosburgh.

“The moratorium failed because its aim was to strip property rights from our citizens,” he said. “While it was supported by 168 citizens, that certainly wasn’t the majority of our 1,183 citizens. I have respect for our hardworking mayor. Although I may disagree with him from time to time, I, nor anyone else, is working to undermine a fellow public servant, and this notion needs to cease to have any chance of moving the city forward.”

Vosburgh, a third-term commissioner, said, “I’m shocked. Janie has made a mockery of our city and citizens. The new commissioners are doing a good job, and I am pleased with how quickly they have grasped their duties. We are all working for the benefit of our citizens. I vote with integrity, honesty and for the welfare of the citizens of Bradenton Beach and not against the mayor, as suggested by Janie,” Vosburgh said.

Robertson’s letter included several accusations made against former Mayor Jack Clarke and longtime City Attorney Ricinda Perry.

“It is sad that a former commissioner should take this route of expressing discontent with the city government now in place. The letter, laced with inaccuracies, outright fabrications and apparently delusional statements does no credit to her or the office she formerly occupied,” Clarke said.

In response to the commission and city being hijacked, Clarke said, “Anyone viewing the politics here over the last 27 months cannot possibly imagine there is not a free exchange of ideas and opinions.”

As for Robertson’s description of the current commission, Clarke said, “This is insulting, demeaning and inflammatory. She is slandering not only the newly-elected commissioners, but the other two members who have nearly 12 years combined experience.”

In defense of Perry, Clarke said, “She is an invaluable resource and has consistently provided impartial, unbiased advice to the city.”

When asked about Robertson’s letter, Mayor Bill Shearon said he had no comment.

Vice Mayor Ed Straight said he would refrain from comment for now, and Perry was on vacation.

ANNA MARIA – City officials have initiated the repeal of the building moratorium that dates back to late 2014.

A first reading of Ordinance 16-811 took place at the Thursday, Feb. 11, City Commission meeting and was scheduled for review by the Planning and Zoning Board on Tuesday, Feb. 16.

If formally adopted by the commission on second and final reading later this month, the new ordinance would lift the city-ordered ban on the issuance of building permits for homes containing four or more bedrooms.

When introduced at last week’s meeting, there was little commission discussion on lifting the moratorium. In recent months, the commission has adopted numerous ordinances, including the vacation rental ordinance, in order to address many of the concerns that led to the moratorium.

Ordinance 16-811 states, “The city of Anna Maria finds it in the best interests of its citizens to repeal a temporary moratorium on the processing of building permit and demolition permit applications, which the city had used as a land-use tool to promote effective planning and to preserve the status quo.”

The new ordinance also says, “The city of Anna Maria finds it unnecessary to keep in force Ordinance 15-793, as amended by Ordinance 15-803, which imposed a moratorium.”

The Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Alfred Gershfeld, presents Handel’s “Israel in Egypt” on Sunday, Feb. 21, starting at 2 p.m. at Kirkwood Presbyterian Church, 6101 Cortez Road W, Bradenton.

Taken from selected passages of the Old Testament, Handel’s oratorio tells of the Israelites' suffering in and deliverance from Egypt.

Vocal soloists are:

• Kira Gaillard, an operatic soprano native to Sarasota, who has been praised for the warmth of her voice and her "beautiful, cultured soprano.”

• Joy Leitner, alto, holds a bachelor’s degree in music performance from the University of Louisville. She did graduate studies in opera and vocal performance in England at the Royal Northern College of Music and received a master’s degree from the University of York.

• Molly Caya, soprano, originally from Buffalo, NY, earned a bachelor of music education from SUNY Fredonia and taught for four years upon moving to Florida.

• Daniel A. Hoffman, bass, is an honors graduate from the Indiana University School of Music in Bloomington, Ind., and has performed with opera companies and symphonies throughout the United States.

• Jason Miller, bass, has been teaching and performing in the Tampa Bay Area for 17 years. He is currently in his second season as a vocalist with the St. Petersburg Opera Company, and his first with the Sarasota chorus Gloria Musicae.

• David Kesler, tenor, sang with Robert Page Singers and Cleveland Orchestra Chorus before moving to Florida. David taught piano and voice for Lakewood, Ohio, City Schools Adult Recreation Department and was a member of the voice faculty at Cleveland Music School Settlement and Koch School of Music.

On March 20, AMICCO will perform a celebration of opera through selected arias, choruses and overtures.

Tickets are available online at www.amicco.org, at the AMI Chamber, 5313 Gulf Drive N, Holmes Beach, by phone at 941-795-2370 or at the door if still available.

BRADENTON BEACH – With Monday’s launch of the Ride AMI park and ride service, Island residents and visitors now have another commercially-operated electric shuttle service at their disposal.

For starters, the new Ride AMI shuttle service will encompass a route that runs up and down Bridge Street and back and forth to Cortez Beach, where there is ample free parking south of Bridge Street on the west side of Gulf Drive.

Initially operating daily from approximately 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., the Ride AMI services are based on a suggested gratuity of $2 per rider. According to Julie Kirkwood, Ride AMI is already in discussions to expand its route.

The Ride AMI shuttle is provided by Beach’N Rides & Rentals on Cortez Road. In order to make good on a promise to begin service Monday, Beach’N Ride provided a loaner shuttle Monday morning while awaiting post-Presidents Day delivery of the new shuttle expected to be put into service Tuesday.

Ride AMI joins Island Beach Monkeys in offering electric shuttle service on the Island. Owned by Roque Pastorius, the eight-passenger Island Beach Monkeys electric shuttle has been running around the Island for the past four years, and it was the first vehicle in a fleet that also includes two 15-passenger buses. Covering a larger service area, Island Beach Monkeys offers rides Island-wide and to and from Cortez. And those who ride the buses can sing karaoke while en route.

“We started out as a free ride four years ago and we remain a gratuity-based business. Our drivers work strictly on tips,” Pastorius said.

To request an Island Bus Monkeys ride, call 941-565-6542.

Island residents and visitors can also commute about the Island free of charge from 6 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. aboard the Anna Maria Island Trolley buses provided by the Anna Maria Chamber of Commerce and Manatee County Area Transit.

There are also efforts to bring water taxi service to the Island to further reduce congestion.

HOLMES BEACH – Despite the city attorney’s concern that they could be subject challenge, city commissioners added sign regulations to the city’s vacation rental ordinance (VRO).

In the ordinance, Section 4.15 establishes the following criteria for the placement and size of signs:

• No more than one sign shall be placed on the property.

• The maximum size of the sign shall be 4 square feet (single surface), and the sign shall be oriented parallel to the street and located no further than 10 feet from the main structure on the lot or parcel. The maximum height of the sign shall be 3 feet from the surrounding grade. Fixed attachments or information boxes are prohibited.

• The sign shall be non-moving, freestanding and securely anchored into the ground with a metal frame.

• Sign colors shall not be fluorescent.

Human Resources Analyst Mary Buonagura said, in addition, “all signage at vacation rental properties must be brought in to compliance within 120 days after the effective date of this ordinance.”

Attorney objects

City Attorney Patricia Petruff said her concern is that “it places sign requirements in this ordinance in conflict with our sign ordinance” and they should place the regulations in the sign ordinance.

Commissioner Jean Peelen disagreed and said, “We were given the right to regulate vacation rentals by the state legislature. This is a manner of regulating them. I don’t see any issue.”

Petruff said they can’t have one set of rules for residential owners and one set for rental owners, and said, “This is designed as a stand alone ordinance. When we change a code, we change it within its chapter.”

Mayor Bob Johnson agreed and said, “The main purpose of the VRO is dealing with issues of occupancy and health and safety,” he pointed out. “The regulation of the location of the signs on a vacation rental property has nothing to do with that.

“We have requirements for signs in our land development code. We have some risk associated with making a quick change like this. I’m all for getting our sign ordinance revised.”

Peelen continued her objection and said, “We have selected a portion of a group to particularly and differently regulate. It’s not just health and safety. This goes to far more than that. There is no reason for it not to be here.”

Petruff said, “I think there is a risk involved in putting this in here, and I think it’s subject to challenge. I’m not comfortable with it.”

Nonconformities addressed

At the direction of the board, Petruff also restored language to allow grandfathering for nonconformities. She made a distinction between existing legal nonconforming properties, where the owners have valid business tax receipts, and legal nonconforming properties, where the owners wish to convert from a residential use to a vacation use.

She said the latter “may be required to address specific nonconformities and bring the property more into compliance with applicable codes and ordinances prior to issuance of a vacation rental certificate.”

The code enforcement officer (CEO) would make the final decision on whether a legal nonconformity exists and must be remedied. The CEO’s decision may be appealed to the city’s special magistrate within 30 days of the decision.

The board approved the first reading of the VRO with the sign regulations included.