ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Island Players were a hit with their online, two-night limited engagement of an original version of “A Christmas Carol,” their holiday gift to the community.
The hour-long performances took place on Dec. 18 and 20 with both the audience and the actors on Zoom. The virtual performances kept everyone safely socially distant, but provided the community with a much-needed return to the theater even though the Island Players’ Theater stage technically remained dark during the limited engagement.
Updated to reflect some of the issues of current times by director and writer Jeffrey Steiger, the play told the age-old story of Ebenezer Scrooge rediscovering his love of Christmas and humanity as he’s visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future through a Zoom feed. The longer the night goes on, the more Scrooge, played by Heiko Knipfelberg, realizes the errors of his way and rushes to make the Christmas wishes of those near and dear to him come true before time runs out.
Heiko Knipfelberg stars as Ebenezer Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol.” – Submitted
Despite the challenges of not having a cast in the same location and performing on a virtual platform, the cast and crew behind “A Christmas Carol” put their all into the two performances and it was reflected in the joyous reception by virtual audience members.
As Scrooge, Knipfelberg was magnetizing, even through a computer screen. Joining him were James Thaggard as the Narrator, Dane Oldham as Fred, Mary Selke as Mrs. Lamb, Mikey Lynch as Bob Cratchit, Jay Poppe as the Ghost of Jacob Marley, Dianne Brin as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Judy Glynn as the Ghost of Christmas Present, Joanie Anton as the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, Pamela Hopkins as Belle, Alice Cotman as Mrs. Cratchit and Joshua Hanley-White as the Boy.
Every member of the cast turned in a marvelous performance. Selke turned in a particularly loveable performance as Mrs. Lamb while Thaggard was a picture-perfect narrator sitting in his virtual library.
The special effects used by the cast were especially engaging, helping to bring the world of the theater into viewers’ homes. And while some of the effects were computer-generated, others, such as some of the backgrounds used, were the work of local artists engaged to help illustrate Dickens’ world. Visual effects for the limited engagement were managed by Steiger with stage management and soundboard services provided by Denise Handley. In addition to starring in the play, Thaggard also designed and edited the playbill delivered virtually to audience members.
While the play was provided as the theater’s free gift to the community, donations to the Island Players are always welcomed to help keep local theater alive during the pandemic. To donate to the Island Players, contact Peg Faarup at 941-778-7374. For more information on the theater, visit the Island Players website.
BRADENTON BEACH – Santa, Rudolph the female reindeer and Tommy the Moose were on hand for the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge’s drive-thru Christmas party.
From 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, Moose Lodge #2188 volunteers handed out gift bags to youngsters in the drive-thru line. Many left their vehicles long enough to have a quick photo taken with Santa, Rudolph and Tommy.
As they did for Halloween, the Women of the Moose organized the drive-thru Christmas party using safety precautions necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Women of the Moose put together some little to-go packages for the kids for Christmas. We are doing a drive-thru Christmas exchange. All the kids get an oversized (stuffed) Tommy the Moose and a candy cane full of candy. We’d be having a party, but unfortunately, we just can’t,” Women of the Moose member Bonnie Dubin said.
“We’re trying to make everyone safe and happy. We want the community to know we’re here to support children, elders and people of all ages,” Women of the Moose member Sherry Fragapane added.
From left, Women of the Moose members Sandra Zenzel, Kathy Blair, Bonnie Dubin and Sherry Fragapane helped organize the drive-thru Christmas party. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“The Women of the Moose and Tommy, Santa Claus and Rudolph got together to greet the children of our community and show our Christmas spirit. Santa is a member of the Moose. So is Rudolph,” Lodge Administrator Byron Dalton said.
Dalton said the gift bags were not limited to relatives of Moose members and were given to all in the drive-thru line.
“This is for anyone in our community. Merry Christmas to all,” Dalton said.
Kaz Funtal arrived with his grandfather, Joe Funtal.
While Kaz posed for a photo, Joe Funtal said, “What the Moose is doing is great. They did this for Halloween and they’re doing it for the kids for Christmas. With all this stuff going on right now, it’s great that the kids get some resemblance of normality. We really appreciate what the Moose is doing for them. It’s a great organization and this is a great spot here on the Island.”
After receiving his gift bag, Kaz Funtal spent a couple of minutes with Rudolph, Santa and Tommy the Moose. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
When asked how they planned to spend the rest of the day, Funtal said, “Kaz wants to come over to our house and hang out with grandma and Pap-Pap, which means all the cookies and candy he can eat.”
Longboat Key residents and Moose members Eugene and Jessica Nock brought their youngsters to the drive-thru party.
“I think the Moose Lodge here on Anna Maria Island is one of the best in the United States. We have a beautiful view here on the Gulf of Mexico. The members are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet and we’re always welcoming new people from around the United States who come to visit us. The members are very civic-minded here and the Lodge gives back during Christmas, Halloween and Easter,” Eugene Nock said.
“We’re so appreciative to our Moose Lodge for having this wonderful event for our children to enjoy,” Jessica Nock added.
Moose members greeted those who arrived at the drive-thru Christmas party. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
ANNA MARIA – Carl Augostini thinks every kid should have a bike, and he spends his own time and money trying to make that happen.
Each year, Augostini and Charles Wade team up to provide bikes to local kids and adults in need.
Augostini repairs and refurbishes the bikes, and Wade helps put the bikes into the hands of those who want and need them. Wade is the facilities administrator for Roser Memorial Community Church in Anna Maria.
Carl Augostini refurbished 12 children’s bikes this year. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
On Friday, 25 bicycles stood in Augostini’s driveway waiting to be picked up.
“We’ve got 13 adult bikes and we have 12 children’s bikes,” Augostini said.
Augostini was asked where the bikes came from.
“The junk pile. My friends and neighbors drop them off and I take them and rebuild them. I start in January, right after Christmas, and I work all year on them. I’ve got a pile of old ones now waiting to get refurbished,” he said.
When asked why he does this, Augostini said, “Because I think every kid should have a bike. And if they can’t afford it, I’m one of the guys that’s going to get them one.”
Carl Augostini refurbished 13 adult bikes this year. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Augostini, a retired electrical engineer, said he had no particular affiliation to bicycles when he started this project several years ago. He said he met Wade about 10 years ago, when then-Mayor Mike Selby put the two men in touch with one another.
“I had a bunch of bikes and I asked Mike how I could donate them to somebody. He gave me Charles’ name. I contacted Charles and he finds a home for them each year,” Augostini said.
“The church I go to, Light of the World, is picking them up today and we’re going to have a big Christmas event in Sarasota on Saturday for the kids – and for adults who may need bicycles to get around and get to work. It’s all about giving,” Wade said.
“We’ve been doing this for 10 or 11 years. I got involved because I love helping people, giving and doing the things God allows me to do. Carl is the bike man. I watch him and tell him he’s very talented at what he does. He usually has 15 bicycles, but this year it was 25,” Wade said.
Wade said one of the Light of the World pastors told him the need for bicycles is even greater this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic challenges the pandemic has created.
“There’s so many kids wanting bicycles whose parents lost their jobs or some other situation happened. If we can get bicycles to them, that’s a beautiful thing,” Wade said.
Augostini expressed his thanks to all who helped make this year’s bike donation possible.
“I want to thank all my neighbors and friends that drop off the bikes, and I’ve got some donations to help pay for tires and tubes, which have gone up in price, and parts that I need. A lot of the parts I take from bikes that are unrepairable. I thank all those people that have been a great help,” Augostini said.
He also thanked his wife for her neverending support of his efforts.
“My wife, Roberta, keeps me going,” Augostini said, noting he already has approximately 30 bikes to use for next year’s project.
This year’s fleet of refurbished bikes were displayed in Carl and Roberta Augostini’s driveway Friday afternoon. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The couple’s son, Craig Augostini, and Craig’s wife, Lisa, were also on hand Friday. They live in Rochester, New York and are visiting for the holidays.
“He’s an inspiration,” Craig Augostini said of his father. “He’s something else. He’s a fantastic guy. My sister and I look to him as the greatest. We always had bikes and he taught me how to fix my bikes, mini-bikes, motorcycles and cars. I’m very mechanical, just like him.”
It’s Christmas, and many of us in the country are spending the day much quieter than in years past. We can only hope that the vaccine they have promised us will bring our world back to normal and next Christmas will truly be a time to celebrate. But there is still much to be celebrated, and historic low mortgage rates may very well be at the top of Santa’s list.
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell below 3% in July and stayed there. On Dec. 10, the 30-year fixed rate hit a low of $2.71%. So far, the low rates are holding steady at between 2.5% and 3%, but there are signs that those rates may not hold into the new year, so there is a lot of scrambling around to lock in this month.
According to industry research firm Inside Mortgage Finance, during the first nine months of the year, lenders extended $2.8 trillion in mortgages. And it didn’t slow down in the last quarter of 2020 with a predicted volume exceeding the prior record of $3.7 trillion in 2003. It is forecasted by industry firms that more than 9 million homeowners saved money by refinancing this year.
Like so many other byproducts of the COVID-19 pandemic, home lending has surged, producing record low interest rates. With the economy seriously impacted by the pandemic, homeowners were looking to lower their monthly payments or pull some equity out of their homes for needed renovations. The timing was perfect, with homeowners having the time to work through the documents required for a mortgage refinance, and the mortgage industry more than willing to find a way to do paperwork and closings digitally to accommodate homeowners.
However, if you haven’t done a refi or a new mortgage since the financial crisis, the Dodd-Frank Consumer Protection Act enacted in July of 2010 may be a bit of a shock. There are pages and pages of disclosure forms for the borrower to read and agreed to. Fortunately, they are all available digitally and every lender is doing their best to get this required information out to their clients as quickly and easily as possible. Still, don’t be surprised if you feel your eyes starting to cross halfway through.
In addition to homeowners taking advantage of low interest rates, many are moving, as we’ve reported before. Leaving cities to work virtually in the suburbs has been an ongoing trend for white collar professionals who are requiring more space indoors and outdoors resulting in a demand for more expensive homes. According to the National Association of Realtors, nearly one in four homebuyers between April and June bought houses priced at $500,000 or more. This is up from 14% of buyers during the preceding nine months.
And, if you’re a renter, that’s going to cost you more as well. In September, single-family home rentals climbed an average of 3.8% from a year earlier across 63 markets in the country. This increase is being accelerated for the same reason that buyers are moving, leaving cities for suburbs and wanting more space.
Wishing everyone happy holidays and good health. Hopefully, this will all be over soon; stay safe.
MANATEE COUNTY – Tourist Development Council members received some encouraging news just before Christmas.
During this morning’s meeting, held at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, representatives from Visit Florida and Research Data Services gave TDC members updates, and the news was good – tourism numbers are going up despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Jen Carlisle with Visit Florida said that while the numbers they’re seeing are an overall 37% decrease in tourism from the same time last year and a 57% decrease in tourism from Canada, travel increased in the second and third quarters of the year by 71%. Carlisle attributed the increase in numbers to the Visit Florida-led marketing efforts.
Beginning in September, she said the organization targeted Florida residents, urging them through marketing to take a trip in their own state. In October, the target area of that effort increased to include drivable markets within a 700-mile radius, such as Atlanta, Charlotte and Nashville.
From these rebound advertising campaigns, Carlisle said that Visit Florida has had 300 million impressions and that 70% of people who saw the marketing spots were more likely to visit the state than they were beforehand. And while international travel is still largely on hold due to travel restrictions, she said that Visit Florida is still marketing in other countries to keep the destination at the forefront of potential visitors’ minds when restrictions are lifted. Elliott Falcione, director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, said that his organization also is making sure that they continue marketing in other countries, particularly in Europe and Canada, to make sure that the Bradenton area is on visitors’ minds when they’re ready to book future travel plans.
Speaking on behalf of the central European market from Germany via Zoom, Dorothea Hohn said that her research has found that people are ready to travel to the United States again, particularly to beach and outdoor destinations like the Bradenton and Gulf Islands area, however, she added that those visitors are pinning their plans on the availability of a COVID-19 vaccine and the lifting of international travel bans and restrictions.
Anne Wittine of Tampa-based Research Data Services, the county’s tourism consultant, gave a presentation on the current state of tourism in the area, noting that the number of visitors is down only 10.3% for the year so far from 2019. The economic impact of tourism, – the amount of money put into the local economy by tourists – is down 13.2% from the previous year. And while occupancy is down 14.3% from the previous year, Wittine said that may largely be due to a lack of reporting from privately-managed vacation rental properties. She said that the majority of the occupancy numbers received come from hotels, motels and professionally-managed vacation rental units, and that it’s hard to get numbers from individual vacation rental owners or those rented through services such as Airbnb.
Some of the challenges facing the local tourism industry, Wittine said, are that visitors are waiting until the last minute, often one to seven days out from their expected travel time, to book vacations and that visitation from Canada and Europe, where travel restrictions are in place, is too small to count at this time. Another issue is that cancellations of trips are going up as the number of locally-reported COVID-19 cases increases.
And while the number of people feeling more confident and safe about traveling is steadily increasing, Wittine said one key element for the local tourism businesses is to provide good information on what is open and what kind of experience travelers can expect when they arrive at their destination, information that is often difficult to come by online.
The seagrass beds that carpet Sarasota Bay harbor a tremendous array of living creatures. This critical and diverse ecosystem is generally out of sight except at extreme low tides.
Seagrasses are actually underwater flowering plants that serve a number of important functions. They produce oxygen, bind sediments and baffle wave action while cleansing the water column. Seagrass roots, their leaves, and the epiphytes and microalgae that cling to them clean water by converting dissolved nutrients into plant matter. Besides giving us clean and clear water, seagrasses are home to the organisms that provide food and shelter for fish, crustaceans, shellfish and wading birds. They also are food sources for manatees, sea turtles and various fish and crustaceans. Because they flower, seagrasses require sunlight and are limited to clear, shallow waters.
Harmful algae blooms like this occurrence of lyngbya on the east side of Anna Maria Sound are indicative of poor water quality and smother seagrasses. – Submitted
Of the 52 species of seagrasses worldwide, only seven are found in Florida. Three main species are found on Florida’s southwest coast. They include turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum), shoal grass (Halodule wrightii) and manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme). The historical loss of these species has been extensive throughout Florida. Tampa Bay has lost 81% of its historical seagrasses, Sarasota Bay 35% and Charlotte Harbor 29%. Poor watershed management (stormwater runoff and sewage disposal) dredge and fill operations and scarring from boat propellers have taken a heavy toll on Florida’s seagrasses.
Through the elimination of small, poorly-maintained regional sewage systems and the work of organizations like the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, Tampa Bay Estuary Program, and Tampa Bay Watch, programs were instituted that began to turn the tide on water quality.
Anglers, from experience, are aware of the importance of these prolific, shallow beds. They experience firsthand the myriad interactions that produce fertile fisheries. They may not understand the intricate web of existence that proceeds from the microscopic level to the fish on the end of their line, but they reap the benefits nonetheless. Government scientists (NOAA) consider seagrasses to be of such importance that they have adopted a “no net loss” policy to manage them. Despite this pronouncement, seagrasses remain under assault.
Preventing the loss of valuable seagrasses must be a high priority. Watershed management, replanting, avoidance of direct impacts to existing grasses, and mitigation are avenues to reach those goals. Mitigation involves the replacement of seagrasses impacted by residential and commercial development. Unfortunately, the literature reveals that the effectiveness of mitigating seagrass damage is considered, even among the leading wetland scientists, as marginal at best.
In recent years, seagrass rebounded in Sarasota Bay. Unfortunately, that trend reversed after the red tide of 2018, and now there have been reports by local fishing guides including Captain Justin Moore and Captain Todd Romine that acres of once-lush seagrasses have been reduced to sand flats. It is a foregone conclusion that development will continue to impact coastal areas and their seagrass resources. It is vital that decisions are made that will accommodate unavoidable development while protecting the quality of our most valuable local resources. Enlightened citizens, anglers and their interest groups must take part in this decision-making process.
Cost considerations often eclipse concerns for seagrasses, but research reveals the true value of these resources. A study (Virnstein and Morris 1996) conducted in the Indian River Lagoon estimated the value of seagrass to be $12,500 per acre, per year, based solely on economic values derived from recreational and commercial fisheries. In the last few years, the effects of rampant development, antiquated and failing infrastructure, and associated stormwater runoff are feeding red tide events and algae blooms, and threatening the very existence of the bay’s seagrass system.
Groups like Suncoast Waterkeeper and Tampa Bay Waterkeeper, with the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, alarmed at the prospect of a potential collapse of the bay (like the one that has plagued the Indian River Lagoon) have sprung into action to alert the public through education, effective policy and in the case of the Waterkeeper Groups, hold governments accountable under the rules of the Clean Water Act of 1972. It is imperative that citizens let leaders know they will hold them responsible to protect the resources that form the basis of our quality of life as well as the local economy.
ANNA MARIA – The City Pier Grill & Bait Shop is open.
Operating at the T-end of the new Anna Maria City Pier, in space leased from the city of Anna Maria, the new grill and bait shop opened at noon on Thursday, Dec. 10, and is now open seven days a week, from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m., with shorter operating hours anticipated on some major holidays.
With a pier tenant now occupying the pier, the new Anna Maria City Pier is now open seven days a week during those same business hours. Since the pier opened in mid-June, it had only been only open three days a week until 5 p.m.
With approximately 300 square feet of interior space, the City Pier Grill offers no indoor seating. Shared with the public, the seating consists of wooden tables and benches on the open-air deck that faces the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
All the seating at the City Pier Grill is outdoor seating. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The grill and bait shop are operated by GSM Partners LLC, which consists of Anna Maria General Store proprietor Brian Seymour, Dips Ice Cream proprietor Vic Mattay and Nick Graham. Earlier this year, Graham, Seymour and Mattay partnered to open Pine Avenue Bait & Tackle next to the general store that also is home to Dips.
From left, business partners Brian Seymour, Vic Mattay and Nick Graham enjoyed their opening day. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Standing on the pier early after the grill and bait shop opened, Mattay said, “It feels awesome. It was great to open that gate today and see everybody come in with a smile on their face. Nick did the honors of opening the gate.”
“I’m super happy to get it open for the public. It’s time for everybody to come out here and enjoy the food and atmosphere that we bring,” Graham said.
“We’re serving a full menu and kitchen’s open full speed. It’ll be a few more days before we get our beer and wine license,” Seymour said.
Menu offerings
The breakfast menu includes a $5 breakfast sandwich, $4 biscuits and gravy, an $8 American breakfast, $10 bagel and lox and $2 coffee, as well as yogurt, oatmeal, fresh fruit and more.
The menu includes an $8 City Pier Cheeseburger. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The lunch and dinner menu includes $6 chicken wings, $9 fish tacos, $8 hand-battered fresh Gulf shrimp, an $8 Cuban sandwich, an $8 City Pier Cheeseburger, chicken sandwich or veggie burger, a $4 pier dog or veggie dog, a $14 mahi sandwich, an $18 crab cake sandwich and much more.
The sweet treats menu includes soft serve ice cream with various toppings, gelato or Italian ice, a warm brownie sundae, shakes, malts, floats and snow cones. It also includes Key lime pie, peanut butter pie, brownies and cookies baked up the street at Hometown Desserts.
The sweet treats menu includes soft-serve ice cream and much more. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Seymour, a former city commissioner, said, “I want to thank the mayor, city commissioners, city staff and everyone who helped us achieve everything we set out to do four months ago when we submitted our proposal. We really appreciate their help and support and it’s nice to see this become a reality.”
Sold outside the grill building, the initial bait shop offerings included live shrimp and shiners, frozen squid and sardines and an assortment of tackle. Aaron Graham, Nick’s brother, delivered the shiners by boat as the opening occurred.
“And we have our full-service bait shop just up the street for more extensive needs,” Seymour said.
Barry Jones helps oversee the bait shop operations. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
City Pier Grill & Bait Shop T-shirts are also for sale, with additional apparel, hats and other items coming soon.
Opening day attendees
Seasonal Cortez residents Linda and Chuck Hare were among the first City Pier Grill customers.
Linda Hare was among the first City Pier Grill customers. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“Our friend Nick is one of the partners,” Linda said while waiting for coffee, her chicken wings and his Cuban sandwich.
“I love it, it’s cute,” she said of the overall setup.
“I think they’ve done a fantastic job,” Chuck added.
While standing in line to order for herself, her husband James and their five children, Holmes Beach resident Katy Roadman said, “I’ve been waiting for the pier to open.”
She said James did the interior renovations for the grill building.
While eating, James said, “We wanted to move to a community that we could get involved with and be a part of. To help build something that everyone can enjoy is really cool.”
Regarding his food, James said, “The blackened mahi is amazing.”
“Delicious,” Katy added.
Tampa resident Les Parker enjoyed the afternoon fishing from the corner of the pier.
“It’s a wonderful day. Catching is the bonus, but fishing is the best,” he said.
Tampa resident Les Parker spent the afternoon fishing next to the new City Pier Grill & Bait Shop. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The opening day ceremonies also included live acoustic music from The Stockton Brothers.
Due to scheduling commitments, Mayor Dan Murphy was not present for the noon opening.
When contacted later that day, he said, “I am elated that we now have a great place to not only enjoy a grouper sandwich and an ice-cold beer, but also sunrises on Tampa Bay, a view of Egmont Key and the Gulf of Mexico sunsets. Our pier is back.”
When contacted, Commissioner Carol Carter said, “It’s a wonderful Hanukkah/Christmas gift for all of us.”
MANATEE COUNTY – Private meeting notes and text messages disclosed in a public records request reveal more about County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge’s failed efforts to terminate County Administrator Cheri Coryea.
As the newly-elected District 3 commissioner, Van Ostenbridge represents Anna Maria Island, Cortez, west Bradenton and Longboat Key.
During the Manatee County Commission’s Tuesday, Nov. 17 work session, Van Ostenbridge requested a special commission meeting on Thursday, Nov. 19. He said the purpose of that meeting was to discuss the county’s response to a potential COVID-related federal shutdown. When requesting the special meeting, Van Ostenbridge gave no indication that he also intended to propose Coryea’s termination.
With no advance notice given to the public, Van Ostenbridge then made a motion during the Nov. 19 meeting to put Coryea on notice that her termination would be discussed and voted upon on Jan. 6. Commissioners Vanessa Baugh, George Kruse and James Satcher supported the motion.
Text message records obtained as part of a public records request made by paralegal Michael Barfield reveal that Van Ostenbridge discussed the Coryea termination efforts with developer Carlos Beruff and others in advance of the special meeting at which he intended to call for Coryea’s termination.
Van Ostenbridge’s efforts to terminate Coryea came to an unexpected end on Thursday, Dec. 10, when Kruse made a motion to reconsider the Nov. 19 motion and end the Coryea termination efforts. The commission supported Kruse’s motion with a 7-0 vote.
Private meeting notes
Before the Nov. 19 special meeting took place, Van Ostenbridge requested and received a private meeting with Coryea at 7:30 a.m. that morning in Coryea’s office.
Coryea’s notes include a transcript of a voicemail message Van Ostenbridge left her and a printout of the text message exchange they had regarding the requested private meeting.
“I just wanna talk about how things are going so far and a little bit about the (special) meeting before we get there,” Van Ostenbridge said when requesting the private meeting.
According to Coryea’s handwritten notes, Van Ostenbridge began their meeting by saying, “I liked you before, when I met with you during the campaign, but when you closed on that property (Lena Road) I changed my mind. You should have waited for this new board because I had already spoke out against it and you should have stopped it.”
On Oct. 13, the previous county commission approved the $32.5 million purchase of a 161-acre property in east Manatee County at S.R. 64 and Lena Road. The closing for that sale took place on Friday, Nov. 13, four days before Van Ostenbridge, Kruse and Satcher took office.
The Lena Road property was purchased with the intent of creating a Central County Complex that provides a district office for the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and additional facilities for the county’s Public Works Department and Utilities Department.
According to her notes, Coryea responded to Van Ostenbridge’s comment by saying, “The board (of county commissioners) took two votes on this property, both passing. I’m responsible for carrying out the directives of the board.”
Van Ostenbridge then asked about the closing date.
“Based on the decision of the board, the closing was to occur anytime between 10/4/20 and 12/16/20 – when the due diligence had been successfully completed. It was completed around Nov. 2 or 3. Property Management Department proceeded with scheduling closing,” Coryea said, according to her notes.
Van Ostenbridge asked who approved the Nov. 13 closing date.
“I did. The previous board approved this action two times and the closing occurred during their terms,” Coryea said, according to her notes.
According to Coryea’s notes, Van Ostenbridge then said, “I am here to ask you for your resignation.”
County Administrator Cheri Coryea took this note during her private meeting with Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge. – Manatee County | Submitted
In response, Coryea said, “You will be disappointed to hear I will not be submitting my resignation. I won’t be resigning.”
According to Coryea’s notes, Van Ostenbridge then shared his intentions for the Lena Road property.
“I intend to parcel out the property into small parcels and will sell them off at a loss and that will embarrass the previous board and you. I might keep a sliver for something. I have the votes,” he said, according to Coryea’s notes.
County Administrator Cheri Coryea took this note during her Nov. 19 meeting with Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge. – Manatee County | Submitted
The Florida Sunshine Law prevents city and county commissioners from privately discussing any matter that could foreseeably come before them for official action or vote.
At that time of his meeting with Coryea, Van Ostenbridge, a Realtor with Boyd Realty, had been in office for less than 48 hours and had participated in one county meeting.
According to her notes, Coryea responded to Van Ostenbridge’s Lena Road comments by saying, “I had offered to provide a full briefing to the new commission on this project and many others that the board wanted. We were instructed in Jan. 2018 by the previous board to begin looking for a large parcel to co-locate needed services closer to population growth. We briefed each board member five times since then.”
In June, the commission received a third-party appraisal that valued the Lena Road property at $18.4 million.
“The board was aware of the appraisal price that was a market appraisal targeted at housing, not public use, ” Coryea wrote in her notes.
After further discussion about the Lena Road purchase, Van Ostenbridge said, “I intend to make a motion at the meeting today to ask for you to be terminated,” according to Coryea’s notes.
County Administrator Cheri Coryea rejected Kevin Van Ostenbridge’s request for her resignation. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
According to her notes, Coryea then questioned the true intent of the private meeting.
“When you asked me for this meeting this morning you said it was about the special meeting agenda item (a federal shutdown). I prepared a motion for it. Did you need it?” Coryea said, according to her notes.
“No, I don’t believe I need anything,” Van Ostenbridge said, according to Coryea’s notes.
“So, this meeting this morning was not to talk about that?” Coryea said, according to her notes.
“I’m all set for the meeting,” Van Ostenbridge said, according to Coryea’s notes, which indicate the meeting ended at 7:48 a.m.
Van Ostenbridge responds
When contacted Friday afternoon, Van Ostenbridge was asked about his meeting with Coryea.
Regarding Coryea’s notes that state he asked her to resign, Van Ostenbridge said, “That captures the spirit of what I was saying. I told her that she knew the incoming board was adamantly against the purchase. We felt that it was a drastic waste of taxpayer money and each of us made that clear during the campaign, including in public comments during meetings.
“I told her I had lost trust and confidence in her and I asked her for her resignation. I then said I scheduled the meeting with her as a courtesy, to alert her of my intention to make the motion to terminate. I was attempting to give her an opportunity to resign and spare her and the county the indignity of the debate which was sure to follow my motion,” Van Ostenbridge said.
Van Ostenbridge was asked if he felt a new commissioner, who had been in office less than 48 hours, had the authority to ask the county administrator to resign without first discussing it with the commission as a whole during a public meeting.
“When I put my hand on the Bible, I became a full commissioner. There’s no orientation period. I was doing it as a courtesy because I had made up my mind I was going to make the motion to terminate. I officially made up my mind on Friday (Nov. 13), when the deal was closed. I had sought the counsel of many business leaders in town, as well as friends of mine, even my parents, leading up to that time. When she closed the deal on Friday, I started letting some people know that I had made up my mind,” Van Ostenbridge said.
Van Ostenbridge was asked if any of those he sought counsel from were sitting county commissioners or future county commissioners who had not yet been sworn in.
“Absolutely not. I have not committed a Sunshine violation,” he said.
When asked about his alleged intentions to sell the Lena Road property at a loss, Van Ostenbridge said, “I said that I felt there was value in the property that abutted the landfill. I told her that was the most valuable to the county and the least valuable to the open market. I wanted to keep that, but I wanted to sell off the rest because I didn’t want to be saddled with the unnecessary improvements that would be needed on the rest of the property. The county overpaid for the property, so obviously when I go to sell it I’m not going to get market value. I told her that if we sold that off it would be at a loss, and the responsibility of that loss would fall on the previous board,” Van Ostenbridge said.
Van Ostenbridge denied telling Coryea he had the votes to sell the Lena Road property, which Coryea wrote in her notes.
“I never said that. At the end of the conversation, I said maybe you have the votes, maybe I have the votes and we’ll see in a couple hours,” Van Ostenbridge said, referring to his intent to pursue Coryea’s termination.
Van Ostenbridge’s statement contrasts with Coryea’s notes, in which the alleged comment about having the votes appears in conjunction with the discussion about selling the Lena Road property.
Van Ostenbridge confirmed that he told Coryea he would seek her termination.
“I said I’d be giving her notice of a hearing for termination at the special meeting,” he said.
Van Ostenbridge texts
Late Friday afternoon, in response to his public records request, Barfield received copies of Van Ostenbridge’s text message exchanges from Nov. 3 to Nov. 20.
Barfield confirmed that developer Carlos Beruff is the “Carlos” and “CB” that appears in some of the text message exchanges Van Ostenbridge produced.
Paralegal Michael Barfield, who serves as the president of the Florida chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, is independently investigating the actions of county commissioners Kevin Van Ostenbridge, Vanessa Baugh, George Kruse and James Satcher. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
According to those records, Beruff sent Van Ostenbridge a text message at 6:51 a.m., less than an hour before his Nov. 19 private meeting with Coryea.
“Good morning you all set,” Beruff wrote.
“All set. Meeting with Cheri at 7:30,” Van Ostenbridge replied.
This is one of several text message exchanges Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge had with developer Carlos Beruff. – Michael Barfield | Submitted
On Sunday, Nov. 15, Beruff sent Van Ostenbridge a link to a Bradenton Times story that included the headline: “Are special interests gunning for County Administrator?”
That story notes Beruff and other members of the development community pushed for Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance President Dom Dimaio to succeed retiring County Administrator Ed Hunzeker in 2019, rather than Coryea.
“We have a leaker,” Van Ostenbridge wrote in response to Beruff’s text about that story.
On Tuesday, Nov. 17, as part of the same text message exchange with Beruff, Van Ostenbridge wrote, “We have a special meeting on Thursday, after the port meeting. Carol took the bait.”
That message appears to refer to acting Commission Chair Carol Whitmore supporting Van Ostenbridge’s request for a special meeting discussion about a potential federal shutdown.
On Saturday, Nov. 14, Beruff initiated a text message exchange with Van Ostenbridge that began with a link to an East County Observer story about the county’s plans to build a solid waste transfer station on the Lena Road property.
“You may have missed this last week, but it basically says that they bought something they don’t need for 17-20 years,” Beruff wrote.
“They did all they could to saddle us with this (expletive) we don’t want. At least they’re done. Nothing left for them to do,” Van Ostenbridge replied.
On Thursday, Nov. 5, Beruff sent Van Ostenbridge a text message that said, “Good morning, take a look at this and see what you think. Call me when you get a chance.”
Attached to Beruff’s message was a Microsoft Word document titled “ManCo BOCC (Board of County Commissioners).docx.” The contents of that document are not known and Barfield said he has not received it.
“That looks good. I only want to drop the mention of masks. That is too much of a 50/50 issue. Call you in a few,” Van Ostenbridge wrote in his response to Beruff.
Van Ostenbridge’s text records also include an exchange he had with someone named Bob, whose initials are BS.
“We have a special meeting on Thursday after the port meeting. Carol took the bait,” Van Ostenbridge wrote.
“I watched you. Smooth baby,” Bob replied.
“Acted like I was stumbling through it, ha-ha,” Van Ostenbridge wrote.
Barfield said he did not yet know Bob’s identity.
On the evening of Nov. 19, Van Ostenbridge received a group text message from Chad Choate, a financial advisor at the Edward Jones office in Bradenton. Choate is Facebook friends with Van Ostenbridge and has posted county commission-related comments at Van Ostenbridge’s Facebook page.
“How long has she been county admin,” Choate wrote in his text message to Van Ostenbridge.
“2 years. She’s been a county employee for over 30 years. A 30-year bureaucrat. It’s time to put a private sector person in charge,” Van Ostenbridge replied.
“Yeah, who replaces her,” Choate wrote.
“Put your name in when the spot opens up,” Van Ostenbridge replied.
HOLMES BEACH – Players at the new city pickleball courts aren’t happy with the geogrid playing surface, and city officials are looking into solutions.
Mayor Judy Titsworth said she’s received complaints that players are slipping on the surface when trying to play and that balls aren’t bouncing as well as they should. Titsworth and Commissioners Terry Schaefer and Jayne Christenson said they’ve all spoken to players who are concerned about the safety of the pickleball courts’ surface, a geogrid that’s supposed to reduce slips and last longer than a typical court surface.
Christenson added that she’s been out to the courts to observe the players firsthand and also walked with them over to the tennis courts, which have a paved surface, to see the difference between playing on the pickleball courts and the tennis courts. She said that she can see why players are concerned about slipping and falling on the new courts.
Titsworth said she understands the concerns and has been speaking to the manufacturer to see what can be done. She added that she believes the issues at the pickleball court are caused by shoes and balls getting wet. When a ball rolls off the court into the surrounding grassy area, Titsworth said that both the ball and the player’s shoes can get wet during retrieval, leading to issues on the geogrid court.
The city’s basketball court is covered with the same material but completely fenced in. Titsworth said that no issues with slipping have been reported there.
In addition to working with the manufacturer to find an answer to players’ concerns, a mat has been laid out for players to dry their shoes on to help reduce slips. Titsworth said that she’s also working with public works employees and Director of Development Services Eran Wasserman to find a different kind of surface to surround the courts with, such as pavers, that wouldn’t retain moisture as grass does.
Titsworth said that the attempts to find a remedy are in the early stages and urged players to be careful in the meantime.
The COVID-19 pandemic is having an adverse effect on most parts of our lives and economy. Even though the stock market continues to climb based on the “light at the end of the tunnel” theory, millions are still out of work and thousands more keep getting infected. However, the real estate market keeps moving forward nationally, in Florida, in Manatee County and especially on Anna Maria Island.
Not only are the economics of housing changing, the face of housing is also evolving. Families are looking for different things in a home than before the pandemic. First on the list heard around the country is “home office,” not just for getting through the pandemic but for a large majority of employees as a permanent or semi-permanent arrangement.
Generations have found themselves living together for the first time in decades. Young singles and married couples, some with children, may be out of work and moving in with parents. Others are leaving major cities and moving back to the suburbs they left years earlier. And seniors worried about moving into independent living and assisted living facilities are moving in with their children.
One of the byproducts of the virus has been changes to the construction industry, which has designed some of its models for multigeneration living. Creating a separate living suite for returning adult children or parents, although not unusual in Europe and Asia, is a concept that no one ever expected to see again in this country. And I wouldn’t be surprised to see some of those design elements being incorporated into all the new construction on the Island.
It’s time for the three-month analysis of $1 million and over properties in the three cities on Anna Maria Island and in Cortez. Closed sales reflect the August, September and October sales from the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s website. Current available listings $1 million and over as of this writing are from realtor.com.
Sales have substantially increased since the last report, both on the Island and in Cortez. Cortez had two closings, one at $1,475,000 and one at $1,250,000; last time there were none. The city of Anna Maria had 42 sales ranging from $5,866,000 to $1,050,000. There were three sales over $3 million and the balance of the sales was between $2 million and $1 million. Last time, there were 28 sales in the city. The combined cities of Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach had 40 sales ranging from $4,500,000 to $1,029,000. There was one sale over $4 million and one over $3 million, but most of the sales were between $1 million and $2 million. The last time there were 19 sales.
In Cortez, there were eight properties on the market between $2,500,000 and $1,200,000; in the last analysis, there were six available properties. The city of Anna Maria had 42 properties available ranging from $4,875,000 to $1,050,000. There were three listed above $4 million, four listed above $3 million, and the balance between $1 million and $2 million. Last time, Anna Maria had 57 properties listed. The combined cities of Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach had 70 properties listed with a high of $6,800,000 and a low of $1,079,000. Three were over $4 million, five were over $3 million and the balance was between $1 million and $2 million. The last analysis showed 75 listed.
So, it’s obvious that more sales closed as the industry was adjusting to the new COVID-19 world – a good thing, allowing buyers to complete transactions in spite of regulations. Overall, even though inventory is a little lower in these areas, we continue to be in a good sellers’ market.
We can all start to see the little white light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel. In the meantime, stay safe.
MANATEE COUNTY – Led by County Commissioner George Kruse, the Manatee County Commission has ended its efforts to potentially terminate County Administrator Cheri Coryea.
On Nov. 19, Kruse joined commissioners Vanessa Baugh and James Satcher in supporting Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge’s motion to put Coryea on notice that her termination would be discussed and voted upon on Wednesday, Jan. 6.
Toward the end of Thursday’s land use meeting, Kruse delivered an unexpected speech that concluded with him making a motion to reconsider that Nov. 19 action.
“I don’t think it’s a secret that I wasn’t a huge fan of it, but at the time I voted for it to allow for dialogue, and for myself to do my proper diligence and get it to a finality,” Kruse said.
“I promised everybody at that meeting that I would talk to everybody. In these last three weeks, I’ve canceled a trip out of town. I’ve talked to five mayors. I’ve talked to literally every single department head. I’ve talked to business leaders, associations and I’ve spent probably four to five hours one-on-one with Cheri going over everything I want in Manatee County, how she envisions Manatee County and if we could work together.
“But I also promised on my campaign that there’s certain things I would do as a commissioner for the citizens of Manatee County. I promised I would work on lowering taxes and fixing our quality of life with some of the reserves we’re sitting on. I promised that we would push for less regulations and more efficiencies in government. And I said that I would work on cleaning up the departments and how we handle hiring, because in some cases it looks like there’s a bit of cronyism in the seniority versus merit. I also wanted to add a sense of private sector conservatism to our county,” Kruse said.
“I didn’t campaign on the promise of firing one person. I campaigned on a promise of improving the lives of 410,000 people in Manatee County, but I did not promise to come in here as an agent of chaos. I promised to come here as an agent of change. In my opinion, the best interest of Manatee County – both for my supporters and the people who didn’t support me – is to get these changes moving quickly and efficiently. I do not inherently believe that delaying these important items 12, 18, 24 months while we rebuild our government makes sense for anyone. It was not a fundamentally sound reason to do so. It would burn half my term and eliminate half my agenda just to get back to a perceived better square one,” Kruse said.
“I’ve taken over and I’ve run businesses in the past. I’ve worked with and molded many people without similar ideologies as me into successful teams. If I felt, after all of my meetings these past three weeks, that would not be the case here, I would whole-heartedly push towards January 6 and terminate our county administrator.
“However, I believe I can achieve the actual results that I promised without this unnecessary disruption. And if 12 months from now the changes I promise you are not made for the benefit of Manatee County, then I will personally be the one to make the next motion for termination. But I’m hopeful that will not be the case,” Kruse said.
Cheri Coryea will continue serving as the county administrator. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“I’m well aware of trading one opposing group for another, and I’m sure my Facebook is already starting to light up, but many of you who supported me and elected me did so because you trusted my judgment and my experience. If I can accomplish our overriding goals with our current administration, then I’ve kept my promise and I made Manatee County a better and more conservative place to live. All I ask is that you trust my judgment. That goes for the citizens of Manatee County and the members of this board. We would be better as a community with the full support, even if begrudgingly given, to allow this board and this administration the opportunity to achieve all that you elected us to do,” Kruse said.
“I’d like to formally make a motion to reconsider the Nov. 19 decision to start the termination process of County Administrator Cheri Coryea,” Kruse said when concluding his speech.
With no hesitation, Commissioner Reggie Bellamy seconded Kruse’s motion.
Commissioner’s comments
“I’m tongue-tied,” Commissioner Carol Whitmore said.
Commissioner Misty Servia then said, “I want to say to the new board: You guys have us on our toes because there is a surprise at every meeting.”
She then said, “Thank you, George. I think your motion today was a responsible one. I think that it was the right thing to do. I think that it was the most business-oriented decision to bring forward. I have been so concerned about what’s going to happen to our county government with the chaos that’s been created, and it was created unnecessarily because things were moving perfectly. I’ve never worked with a such an efficient county administrator.
“I thank you so much for listening and representing the entire county. It was very wise of you. You have helped this county to move forward in a positive direction. And I think what you’ve just done is brought this board together. We have to be together in unity to move forward and get the business of our county done. And for anyone who has a concern about anything our county administrator is doing in terms of management style, I am open to hearing that, and I am open to any changes that are meaningful and well described,” Servia said.
Speaking next, Van Ostenbridge said, “I thank Commissioner Kruse for the diligence he put into this and the seriousness with which everyone has taken this. I did run as an agent of change, but I did not run as an agent of chaos. If we don’t have the votes, we don’t have the votes. You’re going to win some and you’re going to lose some. If the board is not as conservative as I thought it was, then that’s OK. I don’t enjoy the turmoil that it’s created within the county. Whichever way the vote is going to go, I’d like to put the turmoil to an end so that we can move on.”
Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge initiated the efforts to terminate Cheri Coryea. Joe Hendricks | Sun
Baugh said she seconded Van Ostenbridge’s Nov. 19 motion because she believed further discussion about the county administrator was needed.
“Misty, I appreciate your comments, but not everything in this county is run properly. There’s many changes we need to look at and I’m hoping with Cheri maybe we can do it. If not, then I will not be happy,” Baugh said.
“Does that mean make a major change? No, maybe it means that the county administrator is willing to change how things have been done here in the county. We’ll have to see,” she added.
Baugh addressed a rumor regarding the Nov. 10 farewell ceremony for departing commissioners Betsy Benac, Steve Jonsson and Priscilla Trace. The rumor alleged Baugh suggested to ceremony attendee and DeSoto County Economic Development Director Tara Poulton that there might soon be a job opening in the county administration.
“It is a silly rumor and whoever started that really should be ashamed, because it’s not true,” Baugh said.
When contacted Wednesday afternoon, Poulton was asked about Baugh’s alleged comments at the ceremony.
“It was such a casual conversation. She said something to the effect of, ‘You never know, we might have a position open.’ There was no mention of any specific position opening up,” Poulton said.
When asked if she’s had any contact with Baugh since then, Poulton said, “No, none whatsoever. And I have no intention of applying for the county administrator’s position if it opens up.”
During Thursday’s discussion, Satcher addressed speculation that there was a coordinated effort to terminate Coryea – speculation that prompted paralegal Michael Barfield to submit individual public records requests to Satcher, Baugh, Kruse, Van Ostenbridge and Jonsson.
“I pastored a church when I was 25 years old. When I was witness to someone, I’d tell them about the Lord and I’d invite them to church. They’d say I’m not into organized religion, and I’d say well this is the place for you because we ain’t organized around here. I think it’s kind of humorous that people might be accused of planning when I don’t know if anyone knows what’s coming,” Satcher said.
Commissioner Reggie Bellamy praised Kruse for his insight and willingness to listen to everybody.
“As commissioners, we all have that ability to set upon a county administrator our expectations as far as what we want and how we want our county to be ran,” Bellamy said.
He also said he’s concerned about public sparring that’s taken place and the negative impact that’s had on the community.
Misty Servia expressed praise for George Kruse and Cheri Coryea. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Servia noted that when she was first elected in 2018, she wanted to conduct a national search for retiring County Administrator Ed Hunzeker.
“I did not support Cheri Coryea. I said we need to make sure we’re getting the best county administrator, instead of just promoting from within. What I have learned since that time is that Cheri Coryea is the best county administrator I’ve ever worked with. I’ve been in county government for 30 years. I have worked in county government for 18 and with county government in the private sector for 13, and I’ve never worked with anyone who is as effective and as hardworking as Cheri Coryea,” Servia said
At the end of the discussion, Kruse said, “I’m making a motion to reconsider the previously approved motion from Nov. 19.”
The commission unanimously approved Kruse’s motion.
Coryea did not attend the land use meeting. When contacted Thursday evening, she politely declined comment on the commission’s decision.
Barfield investigation
When contacted Thursday evening, Barfield was asked what impact the commission’s decision might have on his public records request and his investigation of the records produced.
“I’m going to take 24 hours at least and think about it. My records requests stand and I expect full compliance. I’m not willing to compromise on that,” Barfield said.
ANNA MARIA – Seana and Jeff Long are concerned about a great blue herons’ nest located in one of several backyard Australian pine trees at 315 Iris St., across the canal from their family home.
As part-time Anna Maria residents, the Longs divide their time between Seattle and a shared family home on Jacaranda Road that sits across the canal from the home where the great blue herons currently live.
Seana Long said that Sinclair Stewart, the longtime owner and occupant of the Iris Street home, passed away earlier this year after time spent at a nursing home. Long said a member of the extended Stewart family recently told her the property has been sold and the new owner already has plans in mind for the property.
“We’ve known the family for 20 years. The new owners are going to knock the house and the trees down to put in a house with a pool,” Long said last week while standing on her canalside deck.
This home at 315 Iris St. is expected to be demolished to make room for a new home with a pool. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Long does not know who purchased the property; and that information is not yet available at the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s website or the Manatee County Clerk of the Court website.
“I’ve been panicked since I got back on the Island and found out my neighbors were selling. It’s a huge nest and it’s been there for quite some time. We’ve been in this home for 20 years and these birds have shared this canal with us for a long time. The blue herons have been our ‘neighbors’ for at least the last 10 years. They’re great blue herons according to my college roommate’s husband, who is an ornithologist. I’m very concerned about their habitat and their home, and I think they have fledglings,” Long said.
This great blue heron is adored by some of its human neighbors. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Long said the Iris Street property also has two ground-mounted perches that Sinclair Stewart used for his trained ospreys.
“We know from the sellers that the plans are to tear out all those Australian pines and put in a pool. That would destroy the birds’ home. We have to do something to save these birds. I’m not saying keep the trees, I’m saying save the birds’ home. If that means keeping the trees a little bit longer, then yes, the new owners need to be inconvenienced,” Long said.
“It’s the natural flora and fauna of this Island that makes it such a treasure,” she added.
The front door of the existing Iris Street home features the likeness of a large bird. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Long wondered if a man-made nesting tower could be erected similar to the man-made nesting tower the city of Anna Maria, FPL and Volt Power partnered to erect on a vacant lot on Lakeview Drive in December 2019. That nesting tower immediately provided a new habitat for a pair of ospreys that had been displaced by a tree removal.
Long questioned whether the Migratory Bird Treaty Act provides these great blue herons with any short or long-term protections.
Fish and Wildlife Service response
On Monday, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Public Affairs Specialist Jennifer Koches provided a written response to several questions posed by The Sun.
Koches confirmed that great blue herons are among the more than 1,000 bird species protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
“Active migratory bird nests are protected, and authorization is required to intentionally take an active migratory bird nest. An active nest is a nest with viable eggs and/or chicks present. No permit is needed to destroy an inactive nest – a nest without viable eggs or chicks – provided the nest is not retained in possession. The nest must be torn down and left on the ground or be disposed of,” according to Koches.
“Great blue herons can nest as early as November/December in some parts of Florida, but typically we consider January the beginning of nesting season. Some great blue herons do migrate, others are year-round residents. However, an individual bird is protected if the species is listed, regardless of biological migratory behaviors,” according to Koches.
“If a property owner wishes to remove an inactive migratory bird nest, we recommend removing the nest and, if appropriate, the nesting substrate, such as the tree, prior to eggs being laid. If eggs and/or chicks are present in the nest, we recommend waiting until chicks fledge. For great blue herons, that is about 90-120 days from when eggs are laid to chicks fledging. A permit is required for the purposeful take of an active migratory bird nest,” according to Koches.
FWC response
On Wednesday, Dec. 9, The Sun received a similar email response from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Public Information Officer Bryce Phillippi.
“All wild north American avifauna are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Florida’s native bird species are further protected by Rule 68A-16 of the Florida Administrative Code,” Phillippi wrote.
“The Migratory Bird Treaty Act prohibits the take (including killing, capturing, selling, trading and transport) of protected migratory bird species without prior authorization by the Department of Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at any time of year. Active nests (that include eggs or dependent chicks) are also protected. These conditions are adopted in the Florida Administrative Code under Rule 68A-16,” Phillippi wrote.
“Great blue herons nest starting in January through mid-summer. Nest building or courting can begin in late December. Most great blue herons in Florida are resident and will remain here year-round. Some individuals from northern populations may migrate to Florida in the winter,” Phillippi wrote.
More information about the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act is available at the USFWS website.
MANATEE COUNTY – County Commissioner George Kruse’s personal call log indicates he has had numerous private phone conversations with commissioners Vanessa Baugh, James Satcher and Kevin Van Ostenbridge since being elected.
It is not illegal for members of the same elected body to communicate by phone, text message or email, but it is a violation of Florida Sunshine Law if they discuss anything that has, will or could foreseeably come before them as official county business.
On Tuesday, Dec. 8, Kruse provided paralegal Michael Barfield with a call log and a copy of a text message exchange he had with Satcher. Kruse produced those records in response to the public records request he received from Barfield on Friday, Nov. 20.
Baugh, Satcher, Van Ostenbridge and former commissioner Steve Jonsson received similar records requests and were originally given until Friday, Dec. 4 to respond. Barfield made his records request according to Florida’s Public Records Act.
According to Kruse’s call log, he had, or attempted to have, 16 telephone communications with Baugh during the Nov. 3 to Nov. 20 timeframe specified in Barfield’s records request.
Kruse had three phone communications with Satcher and two with Van Ostenbridge during that same period. He also made one call and received one call from developer Carlos Beruff, and on Nov. 20, Kruse called 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas.
Nicholas swore Kruse in as a county commissioner on Tuesday, Nov. 17. Satcher and Van Ostenbridge were also sworn in that day as new commissioners, joined by Baugh, an incumbent who was elected to another term.
Later that day, the newly-reconfigured commission participated in a commission work meeting. Kruse left Satcher a voice mail at 6:39 p.m. and called him again at 10:18 p.m., according to his call log. At 10:22 p.m., Kruse called Baugh, and then called her again at 9 a.m. the following morning.
At 6:45 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19, Kruse sent Satcher a text message that said, “Ignore our call the other night. Stick to original.”
George Kruse provided Michael Barfield a copy of this text message exchange he had with Commissioner James Satcher. – Submitted | Michael Barfield
During the work meeting that took place later that morning, the commission adopted by 4-3 vote a county resolution presented by Baugh with no public notice. The adopted resolution now allows the commission to change its meeting procedures while a meeting is in progress, with no advance notice to the public.
“Any of the foregoing rules may be waived at any board meeting then in session by a majority vote of the board, unless such waiver is in conflict with state or local law,” according to Resolution 20-191.
Van Ostenbridge then initiated a discussion, with no advance public notice, that resulted in a 4-3 vote to put County Administrator Cheri Coryea on notice that her potential termination would be discussed and determined on Wednesday, Jan. 6.
Commissioners Reggie Bellamy, Misty Servia and Carol Whitmore opposed the Nov. 19 actions initiated by Baugh and Van Ostenbridge.
Bellamy said the efforts to terminate Coryea seemed “premeditated” and Whitmore said they seemed “orchestrated.”
Barfield began submitting his records requests the following day.
Barfield’s reaction
“It’s a bombshell,” Barfield said Wednesday afternoon when discussing these initial discoveries.
According to Barfield, the three new commissioners became subject to the Public Records Act and the Florida Sunshine Law once the election results were known on Nov. 3. As an incumbent, Baugh has long been required to comply with the Public Records Act and the Sunshine Law.
“There’s 16 calls between Vanessa Baugh and George Kruse at various times,” Barfield said.
Commissioner Vanessa Baugh had 16 phone communications with Commissioner George Kruse. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“That message about ‘ignore the other night’ is so telling, coming hours before the Nov. 19 meeting began,” Barfield said about the Kruse-Satcher text message exchange.
“It seems to me this is strong evidence of coordination in advance of a meeting,” Barfield said regarding the various communications between commissioners.
Barfield said Baugh had not provided him with an original draft copy of the resolution she presented with no public notice.
He said Baugh’s official county emails indicate she had a conversation with the county attorney’s office on Nov. 18 about her requested resolution, but did not provide the county attorney’s office with a digital copy of the document.
“To date, she has not produced that record. Vanessa did provide a photograph of the draft language of the resolution,” Barfield said.
Barfield questions whether Baugh or someone else wrote the original draft of that resolution.
Still awaiting records
Barfield said he received some preliminary records from Van Ostenbridge Wednesday afternoon and was told he’d receive copies of Van Ostenbridge’s text messages and personal call log on Thursday.
Regarding Baugh, he said, “I received a couple emails from her official county account and a phone log from her official county phone that has virtually nothing on it. I’ve received nothing from her private email accounts or her private cell phone, including her text messages and call log.”
Barfield said Satcher produced some records Tuesday night that he was still reviewing.
When asked where all of this might be headed, Barfield said, “I’m still collecting evidence.”
Commissioner James Satcher received a summons when he arrived for Thursday morning’s work meeting. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Just before the start of Thursday morning’s county commission work meeting at the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto, Satcher was served with a summons from the Manatee County Clerk of Court.
According to Barfield, the summons formally started the five-day window for Satcher to show cause to the court as to why the records request should not be granted.
As he walked into the meeting area, Satcher said, “I just got served. I love this job.”
Paralegal Michael Barfield attended the county commission work meeting Thursday morning. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
MANATEE COUNTY – County Commissioner James Satcher is named as the sole defendant in a public records complaint filed today by paralegal Michael Barfield.
Barfield, a Sunshine Law expert, filed the complaint and an accompanying amended emergency motion this morning in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court in Bradenton seeking “judicial relief to protect the public’s right to transparency and enforcement of Florida’s vaunted Public Records Act.”
The filings pertain to a public records request Barfield submitted to Satcher on Friday, Nov. 20. That day, Barfield also submitted similar records requests to county commissioners Vanessa Baugh, George Kruse and Kevin Van Ostenbridge. He later submitted a similar records request to former County Commissioner Steve Jonsson.
Barfield submitted his initial records requests one day after a Thursday, Nov. 19 county commission discussion that occurred with no advance public notice regarding the potential termination of County Administrator Cheri Coryea.
According to the complaint, “Plaintiff (Barfield) contends the defendant (Satcher) has public records in his individual possession but has failed to perform his statutory duty to make public records in his possession available for inspection and copying upon request. Plaintiff seeks a writ of mandamus and an accelerated hearing for ongoing violations of the Act relating to the production of public records.”
Today, Barfield emailed a complaint-related letter to Circuit Court Judge Charles Sniffen.
“Earlier today, a complaint seeking emergency relief under the Public Records Act was filed with the clerk along with an amended emergency motion for issuance of a show cause order and for an immediate hearing as required by Florida Statute. This action was filed by me pro se,” the letter says.
“As set forth in the motion, I have had communications with attorney Peter Lombardo regarding this matter. Last Thursday, attorney Lombardo indicated that he has not been retained on this matter, but he was acting as a conduit for the defendant, Mr. Satcher. Accordingly, I have copied Mr. Lombardo here and have provided him with courtesy copies of the complaint and amended emergency motion,” Barfield’s letter said.
Monday afternoon, Judge Sniffen responded with an “order directing defendant to show cause why plaintiff’s complaint for writ of mandamus should not be granted.”
Sniffen’s order gives Satcher five days to respond.
“Defendant shall comply with Florida Statutes and preserve all records in his possession, custody and control and shall not dispose of any records maintained on any electronic devices or accounts until further order of the court,” Sniffen’s order states.
“The important thing in the judge’s order is that records have been ordered to be preserved on all electronic devices and accounts,” Barfield said when contacted late Monday afternoon.
Termination efforts
During the Nov. 19 discussion, county commissioners Reggie Bellamy, Misty Servia and Carol Whitmore described the unadvertised termination efforts initiated by Van Ostenbridge as “premeditated,” “orchestrated,” “reckless” and “dangerous.”
During that meeting, the commission voted 4-3 to put Coryea on notice that her potential termination would be discussed at a public meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 6. Bellamy, Servia and Whitmore opposed that action.
During that same meeting, the commission majority of Baugh, Kruse, Satcher and Van Ostenbridge adopted a county resolution presented by Baugh with no advance notice to the commission or the public. The adopted resolution now allows the commission to change its meeting procedures and discussion topics at any time during a public county meeting.
Records requests
Barfield’s records requests seek the public records in the individual possession of Baugh, Jonsson, Kruse, Satcher and Van Ostenbridge from the period of Tuesday, Nov. 3 – which was election night – through Friday, Nov. 20.
Paralegal Michael Barfield helped the city of Bradenton Beach prevail in a recent Sunshine Law lawsuit. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
As newly-elected commissioners, Kruse, Satcher and Van Ostenbridge became subject to the Florida Sunshine Law and the Public Records Act after the election results were known on Nov. 3.
The three new commissioners, and re-elected Commissioner Baugh, were sworn into office on Tuesday, Nov. 17. Jonsson did not seek re-election. His last day in office was Tuesday, Nov. 17.
Barfield’s records requests seek:
All emails sent or received between the period Nov. 3 and Nov. 20, 2020,
All text messages sent or received between those dates,
All messages sent or received via any digital app or social media platform between those dates, and
A detailed phone log of all calls made or received between those dates.
The recipients of Barfield’s records requests were given until 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4 to produce the requested records.
When contacted this afternoon, Barfield said he had not yet received the requested records from any of the five individuals. He said he anticipated filing similar court complaints and motions against Baugh, Jonsson, Kruse and Van Ostenbridge early this week if those records are not produced.
As a non-attorney paralegal, Barfield is a member of the legal team that prevailed in a Sunshine Law lawsuit filed by the city of Bradenton Beach in 2017. That lawsuit, and 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas’ 2019 ruling that six former city advisory board members violated the Florida Sunshine Law, recently resulted in five of the defendants paying the city $351,500 as partial reimbursement for the attorney fees and paralegal fees incurred by the city.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – COVID-19 has reached a new high on Anna Maria Island – 166 cases have been reported since March, according to the Sunday, Dec. 6 Florida Division of Emergency Management report.
Of those, 86 cases were in Holmes Beach, with 50 cases in Bradenton Beach and 30 cases in Anna Maria.
The numbers are up from 145 cases reported on the Island as of Sunday, Nov. 29, when there were 77 cases in Holmes Beach, 42 in Bradenton Beach and 26 in Anna Maria.
Numbers are also up in Cortez, with 11 cases reported, and the Manatee County portion of Longboat Key, with 88 cases reported.
According to the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) COVID-19 Dashboard as of early Monday afternoon, 17,474 Manatee County residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since March, in addition to 239 non-county residents.
Between Nov. 29 and Dec. 5, an additional 984 people tested positive for COVID-19 in Manatee County.
As of Monday, 995 people in Manatee County had been hospitalized with COVID-19 to date and there had been 391 reported COVID-19-related deaths.
According to FDOH, 64 patients were currently hospitalized in Manatee County with a primary diagnosis of COVID-19 as of Monday. Statewide, 1,040,727 residents and 17,347 non-residents had tested positive since March, with 56,547 COVID-19 hospitalizations and 19,423 COVID-19-related deaths.
A positive COVID-19 test is reported and attributed to the person’s home address and zip code; for example, a person who works on Anna Maria Island but lives in Bradenton is reported as a Bradenton case. An out-of-county visitor is reported as a non-resident.
