ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria received two bids from parties interested in leasing the restaurant and bait shop buildings on the new Anna Maria City Pier.
Thad Treadwell and Mike Ross from the Ugly Grouper in Holmes Beach submitted a bid, as did Sean Murphy, owner of the Beach Bistro, Eat Here and The Doctor’s Office in Holmes Beach.
Current pier tenant Mario Schoenfelder did not submit a bid proposal in response to the RFP the city issued in January. Nor did any other restaurateurs or restaurant groups.
Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy opened the sealed bids during a public pier bid opening at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8. That date and time also served as the deadline to submit a bid proposal.
The public pier bid opening was conducted as a virtual meeting with most meeting attendees participating by phone, including city commissioners Carol Carter and Amy Tripp
The proposed monthly base rent amounts and all other details contained in the RFP proposals received are not currently available to the media or the public.
Two parties have submitted proposals to lease the city-owned restaurant and bait shop buildings at the end of the new Anna Maria City Pier. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
After opening the sealed bids in the presence of City Clerk LeAnne Addy, Murphy said, “Those are the two bids we’ve received. The way this process works is we’ll have 30 days to do an analysis of these bids. I don’t suppose it will take 30 days. It is my anticipation that I would be able to report on these bids, back the commission, by the April 23 meeting at 6 p.m.” Murphy said.
“These bids are confidential for 30 days – or they’re not confidential once I release them back to the commission and make a report on the bids. If we give a report back on April 23, they would then become public record,” Murphy said.
After Murphy presents his report to the city commission, the commissioners will decide whether to accept or reject the proposals. If the commission accepts the proposals, the commission will then rank the proposals and authorize Murphy to discuss and negotiate lease terms with the top ranked bidder.
If the discussions and negotiations with the top-ranked bidder do not produce a suitable lease agreement, the mayor will seek commission authorization to discontinue those discussions and begin a similar process with the second-highest ranked bidder.
According to the RFP, “The city reserves the right to reject any or all proposals with or without cause; to waive any or all irregularities with regard to the specifications and to make the award to the proposer offering the greatest advantage to the city. All bids must be sealed and will be rejected if received after the submission date and time.”
The opening date for the new pier walkway and T-end platform for fishing and sightseeing remains unknown. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The opening date for the new pier walkway and T-end platform for fishing and sightseeing remains unknown due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Murphy has previously stated that he intends to make the new pier and pier restrooms open to the public while the pier tenant completes the interior buildouts of the city-owned buildings.
ANNA MARIA – Congregations may not be able to gather this year due to the governor’s orders to stay at home and not gather in groups of more than 10, but that’s not stopping the Holy Week ministry at Roser Memorial Community Church.
The Holy Week services begin with Maundy Thursday on April 9. Between noon and 2 p.m., the Roser Chapel will be open for a drop-in communion service. During the service, all COVID-19 guidelines will be observed including limiting the number of people in the chapel at any one time, disinfecting and cleaning, and maintaining social distancing of six feet between people.
This year’s Good Friday service, “He Took My Place,” will be broadcast live online April 10 at 7 p.m. on the Roser website. The service also will be available to watch after the live broadcast on the Roser YouTube page.
On Easter Sunday, April 12, the 10 a.m. traditional worship service will be streamed live online followed by the 5:30 p.m. SoulJourn contemporary worship service. During the 10 a.m. service, the flower cross traditionally decorated by congregation members will be in the sanctuary. Once the service concludes, it will be placed outside the church for the public to view, along with Easter lilies, which can be purchased in honor or memory of a loved one for $7. The names of those honored with the lilies will be in the Friday April 10 e-bulletin.
Currently, the church is closed to the public but the chapel remains open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for individual prayer and meditation. A sanitizing station is located inside the door and the chapel is cleaned and sanitized twice daily.
The Roser Food Pantry also remains open to offer assistance to the community. While the food pantry is well-funded financially due to generous donations, the ability of volunteers to purchase items in bulk has been diminished by the current demand on supplies due to the coronavirus’s effect on the community. Volunteers are asking for help in purchasing needed supplies including canned soups, vegetables, beans, meat and fish, peanut butter, jelly, boxed meals such as macaroni and cheese, canned fruit, fruit juice, rice, pasta and cereal. Donations can be dropped off in front of the church office at 512 Pine Ave. in Anna Maria during office hours. A cart for the food pantry is located just outside the office door for donations. A full list of needed items is available online.
To request assistance from the food pantry, contact a pastor or make a prayer request, contact the church office at 941-778-0414 or email info@roserchurch.com.
BRADENTON – Two Blake Medical Center nurses were reinstated today after being suspended for staging a peaceful protest last week over the hospital’s state of preparedness during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
During the protest, the nurses also expressed their concerns and fears about the lack of protective equipment being provided to the hospital’s nursing staff.
Two of three nurses who participated in the protest, Victoria Holland and Kim Brooks, were suspended. But today, Holland and Brooks were allowed to return to duty after going public with their concerns.
Speaking by phone while on a break this afternoon, Holland said, “I went back to work with no punishment. Today was our first day back.”
Holland said Brooks is now allowed to wear her own N95 mask while working, which is why Brooks was suspended.
“Kim has been wearing her own N95 all day,” Holland said.
Holland said she herself had not yet been provided with an N95 mask, but she didn’t currently have a patient that warranted her wearing one.
During Thursday’s protest, Holland expressed concerns about the hospital’s lack of transparency with the nursing staff regarding positive and potentially positive COVID-19 patients being treated at the hospital.
Holland said her chief nursing officer told her Monday morning that Blake Medical Center is now treating two patients who tested positive for COVID-19.
“I was told there are two positives and four rule-outs,” Holland said.
Holland said the rule-out designation is applied to a patient during the preliminary evaluation period while awaiting a positive or negative test result.
Holland was asked if she thought last week’s protest was a success.
“I’m sure we still have some work to do but we were pretty successful getting our points across. I feel there’s a lot more transparency and more understanding between the administration and the nursing staff,” Holland said.
She also said she felt safer working at the hospital on Monday than she did before she was suspended.
Nurses express concerns
Blake Medical Center is owned by the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA). Located in Bradenton, Blake Medical Center is the closest hospital to Anna Maria Island.
Last week’s protest outside of Blake Medical Center coincided with similar protests that occurred at 15 HCA-owned hospitals nationwide last Wednesday and Thursday.
Coinciding with the shift change at 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, Holland, Brooks and nurse Candice Cordero staged their protest between the hospital parking garage on the south side of 21st Avenue West and the hospital on the north side of the street.
As their incoming co-workers made their way from the garage to the hospital, the trio handed out single-page printouts that contained information provided by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding the steps a hospital or medical facility should provide its employees to help protect them from coronavirus infection.
They also held signs that contained the National Nurses United (NNU) COVID-19 Checklist. The NNU is the nurse’s labor union.
These Blake Medical Center nurses waived signs and shared informational printouts with their co-workers during last week’s protest. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Holland said she’s been a nurse at Blake Medical Center for the past two years. She also serves as a union representative.
“The nurses aren’t having any type of transparency when they have a COVID patient or a possible rule-out patient. We have no idea who’s negative and who’s positive. They don’t tell us anything. They tell us that would be a HIPAA violation (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act),” Holland said when interviewed by The Sun during the protest.
“They’ve also got all our PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) on lockdown and we have to get permission to get masks and other things to take care of our patients. If we’re not safe, our patients aren’t safe and our community’s not safe,” Holland said.
“I’ve been suspended since Sunday for fighting for PPEs in front of patients. My assistant chief nursing officer and my certified nursing officer told me I was causing a disturbance on the floor because I was trying to get PPE for my co-workers to take care of their patients,” Holland said.
“This is a $50 billion dollar for-profit organization who’s had experience with the H1NI virus and should always be prepared for anything like this. Having all our equipment on lockdown makes it hard to get the appropriate equipment to take care of patients and that is totally inappropriate. They provide us with these little paper masks to wear that are totally permeable and don’t protect you from anything,” Holland said.
Holland was asked if nurses were being provided with protective face shields.
“That’s one of the reasons I’m on suspension because I was fighting for a face shield for one of my co-workers whose patient was on droplet precautions. When a nurse had to care for a patient who was on droplet precautions and receiving aerosolized treatments, I felt the nurse needed a N95 mask and a face shield. She was given a surgical mask and I ended up giving her a pair of goggles – and that’s what she worked with throughout the night,” Holland said.
“We feel unsafe and we’re scared,” Holland said.
Holland was asked what she hoped the protest accomplished.
“For HCA to buckle down and keep us safe so we can contain this virus so it’s not out in the community; so we’re not spreading it amongst the patents, and so we’re not spreading it amongst our co-workers,” she said.
As of Monday afternoon, there were two patients who tested positive for COVID-19 being treated at Blake Medical Center, according to nurse Victoria Holland. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
N95 masks
Brooks has been at Blake Medical Center for the past 14 years.
“I was working on Monday and I was using my own N95 mask that I brought from home. I was told I was not allowed to wear that. And if I wanted to continue to wear it, I would have to go home. I’ve been on suspension and under investigation since and I’ve not heard anything from the hospital,” she said during Thursday’s protest.
Brooks said she was not told why she couldn’t wear her own N95 mask.
“I don’t know. I asked them,” she said.
“I wanted to make sure I could protect myself and my family and I felt there was a need to wear an N95. We don’t know who’s negative and who’s positive and I wanted to do that for my safety. I’ve been a nurse for over 25 years and I’ve never been treated this way before. I’m disappointed. They’ve known the need to arrange for the proper supplies and the proper amount of supplies since January and we feel that has fallen by the wayside,” Brooks said.
“Every nurse and staff member going into that hospital should have a N95 to protect themselves. We don’t want to wait until something happens and then end up with nursing staff becoming positive. We don’t want to bring this home to our families,” Brooks said.
“I’m also disappointed with the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) for rolling back their guidelines. To say that this is not an airborne virus, to say this is a droplet transmitted virus because there are not enough supplies and equipment is shameful. Research has shown that this virus stays airborne for three hours, so a N95 is the safest mask to use,” Brooks said.
Candice Cordero has been a nurse at Blake Medical Center for 19 years. Unlike Holland and Brooks, she was not suspended.
“I’m out here because I want to make sure the nurses have the protection they need so we can keep our community safe and help stop the spread once it gets to our area. We don’t have that many cases right now, but it’s coming. If the nurses start getting sick, who’s going to care for the patients?” Cordero said.
Blake response
On Friday, April 3, The Sun contacted Blake Medical Center spokesperson Lisa Kirkland via email and sought a response from the hospital regarding the concerns expressed during Thursday’s protest.
Kirkland responded later that day via email.
“HCA Healthcare West Florida is doing everything it can to equip our patient care teams to provide safe, effective care to the people we serve, unwavering in our dedication despite the unique challenges presented by COVID-19. The National Nurses Union is trying to use this crisis to advance its own interest—organizing more members,” Kirkland wrote.
“Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, our goal has been to protect our frontline clinicians and caregivers, so they are able to continue to care for our patients and community. The pandemic has strained the worldwide supply of personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks, face shields, and gowns – a challenge that is not unique to us or any other hospital or health system in the United States,” Kirkland wrote.
Administration officials at Blake Medical Center say they are doing all they can to protect nurses and other staff members. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“While we are doing everything in our power to secure additional supplies, and we are following CDC protocols for using and conserving PPE, the worldwide shortage is a reality that we are addressing with realistic, workable solutions.
“The steps we have taken include:
Enacting universal masking for all of our employees;
Appointing a PPE Steward to oversee priority deployment of PPE;
Creating strategically located PPE distribution centers across our campus to quickly deliver equipment,” Kirkland wrote.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is unique, and our colleagues’ concerns are real. In this unparalleled crisis, everyone should stand together to support our nurses, and not spread misinformation and fear to advance other agendas,” Kirkland wrote.
On Monday afternoon, Kirkland was contacted via email and asked if the hospital administration wanted to comment on the suspended nurses returning to duty.
“No thank you,” she wrote in her response.
HOLMES BEACH – Anna Maria Elementary students and their parents are getting an education on how to learn online at home.
Izzy and Ava Taylor study while their cat, Brutus, sleeps. – Karen Paul | Submitted
The new system, called Schoology, is making learning possible while students and their families stay home during the COVID-19 self-quarantine.
“One of the most positive aspects of the experience is that the students and I still have unlimited communication,” Dr. Laura Redeker said. “Some call on the phone and we complete a math lesson together. One used an audio recording to send me a joke. Another student sends me videos holding finished work to the camera to let me know he completed his assignments. Many write me throughout the day in Schoology, with greetings, thoughts on assignments, and just our normal conversation. I still feel very connected to them all.”
Third-grade students sent teacher Karen Paul pictures online of them doing assignments to keep up morale, and apparently, it worked.
Lily Plummer is practicing her consular words at home. – Karen Paul | Submitted
“This has been a great learning experience for parents, staff and children,” said Ms. Paul. “All of my students have learned how to log on to Schoology and 100% of children have successfully completed their online assignments.”
“The teachers are all working together and sharing ideas. We are getting to interact with our students in new ways and the parents have been incredibly supportive,” Mrs. Pidge Barreda said.
Jackson Kennedy practices cursive writing at home. – Karen Paul | Submitted
“It was a learning experience for all, students and teachers. Everyone has truly been a team member to help one another,” Media Specialist Lynn McDonough said.
“We have had many long hours and challenges this week making sure that every student has logged on to Schoology and has received a computer if they needed one, Principal Jackie Featherston said. “Teachers are making adjustments with their plans to help meet the needs of families and students to give support and guidance as students learn from home. I am so proud of all our staff and families for making the best of this very challenging time. We can do this!”
There are a couple of old adages about finding a silver lining under a crisis. Right now, that might seem to be a bit Pollyannaish given the severity of the problem and the uncertain nature of the future. Still, I think it’s fair to say that most people are making the best of a bad situation, however that might be framed.
It was obvious on the curbs of my neighborhood on Monday, the day we have our trash and recyclables picked up. Piles of trash and overflowing recycling bins made it obvious that I wasn’t the only one taking the opportunity of cleaning, reorganizing and rethinking a number of personal options that being at home occasioned. Here are a couple of “epiphanies’” I had over the past two weeks.
I spend a lot of time at my desk both productively as in writing and editing images and video, and unproductively, i.e. scrolling through news stories, blogs and often questionable posts. Before the pandemic changed life as we had known it, I had planned an office remodel to free up space and make my working area more comfortable and functional. When COVID-19 changed everything, I was forced to rethink my space and my plans. The result was amazing; after cleaning, reorganizing and spending some time rethinking my options I found I had created a more functional and comfortable space with a lot less work and money. I started by replacing the handles on all the drawers and cabinets in my office, moving my mouse from the right side to the left side of my keyboard and purchasing a portable standing/sitting desk unit. The “desk” sits on my existing countertop, increased my effective space and allowed me to easily work standing up or sitting down. Another purchase was intended to keep my feet comfortable and warm. When I went online looking for a rug I found an ergonomic footrest that accomplished the intended task but also corrected my posture and made sitting for long periods of time less stressful. The bottom line was that my knee-jerk reaction to remove and replace had been replaced with a rethink and reuse paradigm.
That solution proved workable while social distancing at home but being an avid angler, I was also presented with the opportunity to rethink my need to get on the water. That led to outfitting my bike with a rod holder and exploring easily accessible options that only required a short bike ride. Suddenly I was bypassing closed boat ramps and finding action on local piers, bridges and beaches that didn’t require launching a boat, buying gas and all the other minutia a fishing trip often entails. Instead of committing most of a day to fishing I was getting out when the tide was right for fishing the pass and making short forays to local docks and piers. The new “lifestyle” also presented me with opportunities to organize and maintain my tackle, tie flies and practice my fly casting.
This new paradigm also made me rethink how to approach fly casting instruction in a time when one on one interaction is not advisable. It led me to the realization that I could encourage neophyte fly casters and experienced fly anglers who want to improve their craft to practice regularly while I provide teaching tips through www.rustychinnis.com/fly online videos.
As anglers we’re blessed that social distancing, a vital component of addressing this pandemic, doesn’t preclude us from getting out in the outdoors and pursuing our passion. I choose to fish alone. You’ll have to make that choice but I would encourage others to do the same except in the case of family members who we spend time with anyway. We certainly can’t frame this experience as positive and should consider helping others who aren’t as fortunate as us, but that doesn’t mean we can’t look to find some “silver linings” among the chaos.
Local churches are still welcoming their congregations to celebrate Holy Week and share in services even though their buildings’ doors are closed to the public due to COVID-19 precautions.
CrossPointe Fellowship Church’s services are streaming live on Facebook with next day viewings available on the church’s YouTube channel. Holy Week services begin with a service at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, followed by a Good Friday service at 7 p.m. on April 10 and Easter Sunday celebration at 9 a.m. on April 12.
The Episcopal Church of the Annunciation also is inviting participation in services through Facebook live streams. Wednesday, April 8, the church is hosting a daily devotion and reflection on Facebook live at 4 p.m. The church’s Maundy Thursday Liturgy will be streamed live at 4 p.m. on April 9, followed by the Good Friday Liturgy at noon on April 10. The Holy Saturday Liturgy will be live-streamed at noon on April 11. This year’s Easter Proanaphora will take place online at 9:30 a.m. April 12.
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church is encouraging members and visitors to celebrate online with live stream services. On Tuesdays at 11 a.m. Pastor Doug Kings is offering a short reflection on Facebook. On Easter Sunday, April 12, the church’s 9:30 a.m. worship service will be live-streamed on Facebook.
Harvey Memorial Community Church’s leadership is updating their parishioners and sharing services online on Facebook and YouTube. No services are scheduled at this time.
At Roser Community Church, Holy Week services begin with Maundy Thursday on April 9. Between noon and 2 p.m., the Roser Chapel will be open for a drop-in communion service. During the service, all COVID-19 guidelines will be observed including limiting the number of people in the chapel at any one time, disinfecting and cleaning, and maintaining social distancing of six feet between people. This year’s Good Friday service, “He Took My Place,” will be broadcast live online April 10 at 7 p.m. on the Roser website. The service also will be available to watch after the live broadcast on the Roser YouTube page. On Easter Sunday, April 12, the 10 a.m. traditional worship service will be streamed live online followed by the 5:30 p.m. SoulJourn contemporary worship service.
At St. Bernard Catholic Church, Rev. Chester Domaszewicz is performing the Sacraments and private Masses with no congregation in celebration of Holy Week. Though the church is not broadcasting any of the services, parishioners are asked to continue to pray and honor this time at home. Televised Mass is available to watch at the Diocese of Venice website or on television.
HOLMES BEACH – The first case of COVID-19 has been reported on Anna Maria Island and the patient is from Holmes Beach.
When the 10 a.m. coronavirus data came out April 2 from the Florida Department of Health, it showed 73 cases in Manatee County with 50 of them in Bradenton, four in Lakewood Ranch, two in Palmetto, one in Ellenton and one in Holmes Beach. There also are five cases in Longboat Key with three on the Manatee County side of the island and two on the Sarasota County side.
As of April 5, there were 135 cases of COVID-19 in Manatee County with three deaths and 28 hospitalizations, according to data from FDOH.
In Holmes Beach, Mayor Judy Titsworth has been issuing a state of the city report related to coronavirus daily for the past two weeks. Her update April 2 acknowledged the newly identified coronavirus case and reiterated her April 1 request, addressing Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive order 20-91 ordering all Floridians to limit their movements outside of the house to essential activities, such as grocery shopping or going to the pharmacy, or providing essential services to the community. Titsworth asked that all residents stay at home, if possible, and practice social distancing when it’s necessary for them to leave their homes.
Titsworth extended the city’s state of emergency for an additional seven days, ending on April 6 with the option to extend for another seven-day period to be re-evaluated on a weekly basis. Currently, all city offices are open but the doors of city hall remain closed to the public. The April 14 city commission meeting and work session both are canceled.
She added that the city’s beaches and boat ramps both remain closed, though people are still allowed to go to the beach in groups of 10 or less as long as they practice social distancing, leaving 10-15 feet between groups. At the end of the day on March 31, Titsworth closed all of the city’s parks including the dog park, skate park, basketball court and tennis/pickleball courts to the public to discourage groups of more than 10 people forming and encourage residents to practice social distancing, remaining at least six feet from each other to reduce the community spread of coronavirus. On April 3, she reopened the large dog park with the pavilions remaining closed to discourage socialization by pet parents. Parks and the beaches are all being monitored by Holmes Beach police officers.
She also said that city code compliance officers are monitoring the occupancy levels at Holmes Beach motels, hotels and short-term rentals on a daily basis. On March 25, she sent a letter out asking that all vacation rental owners and agents stop taking new reservations until further notice. On March 27, DeSantis suspended all vacation rental check-ins in the state for a period of 14 days.
In the April 2 report, Titsworth noted that nine out of the 20 properties checked that day by code compliance officers were found to be in violation of the city and governor’s orders and advertising mandates, still allowing for booking and check-in of guests. She said that code and police officers will be monitoring in person and online advertising to make sure that no check-ins take place at vacation rentals. Any property owners or managers found to be in violation will be cited and reported to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
Titsworth’s daily updates can be found on the city’s website.
By now you should be getting to know your house really well, its assets and its defects, and it sounds like you’ll have a lot more time to make those assessments. Point is your home is you and your family’s safety net. Right now, the safety net is physical protection within the shelter of your home, but at some point in the future the safety net will change to financial and there’s a lot of worry out there about property values post coronavirus.
Up until March, the U.S. housing market was headed for a hot selling season, but like many Americans, the housing market may have caught the virus as well. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics Inc., is predicting a 60% chance of the U.S. economy going into a recession this year. This will hit the housing market hard despite record-low mortgage rates of 3.29% for a fixed-rate mortgage as of the middle of March. Zandi goes on to say, “housing is being buffeted by two gale forces moving in opposite directions,” referring to low rates and a virus-fueled economic turmoil. “The question is, what’s the end result of all that? In all likelihood, the recession will trump lower rates.”
The National Association of Realtors had anticipated about 5.5 million sales of previously owned homes in 2020, up from 5.3 million a year in 2019. Now, however, they’re expecting a 10% drop in home sales in the next month to start with. Homeowners will be hesitant to put their homes on the market until the crisis is over, fearful they won’t get a good price. But if a recession does develop, others could be forced to sell, changing the inventory dynamic from a severe shortage to more available properties. Meanwhile, buyers have seen some of their down payment funds evaporating as the stock market declines, creating the potential of keeping them out of the market until they see a financial recovery.
According to many housing experts, the economic distress will slow home sales, and prices nationally will likely flatten or fall slightly after years of gains. There could be opportunities for buyers with more inventory, declining prices and low interest rates, nevertheless the economic prediction is the coronavirus could drive home sales down 10% in the short term.
What does all of this mean for us on Florida’s west coast? I’m still bullish on our local real estate market; we can certainly expect some adjustments after we return to a normal market but buyers still want to come to Florida from the northeast and other major metro areas, maybe even more after this is all over.
Here’s an interesting statistic I recently uncovered: In 1998, Florida’s population was approximately 14.9 million, in 2018 it was 21.3 million. In 20 years, Florida grew by over 6 million people, more than the size of many U.S. cities. Based on that, our weather, taxes and general lifestyle advantages, I see no reason to think that our state won’t be at the forefront of the coronavirus recovery.
For now, the main objective is to stay physically healthy; your financial health can be assessed down the road. So, keep the disinfectant handy, spirits up and learn to love your home and family, flaws and all. Good luck.
HOLMES BEACH – Chef Vincenzo “Vinny” Esposito may not be in Italy but that’s not stopping him from reaching out a helping hand to his hometown of Viterbo during the current coronavirus pandemic.
Chef Vinny, owner of Vinny and Cheryl’s Italian Kitchen in Holmes Beach, is helping to raise funds to help the intensive care unit at Belcolle Hospital, located in his Italian hometown. All of the funds raised are being used to purchase necessary medical equipment and supplies to be donated to the hospital as a thank you to all of the medical personnel working to help community members recover from the COVID-19 outbreak.
As of March 29, Chef Vinny had collected and donated over $3,900 to the cause, with much of the funds being donated by his Anna Maria Island customers. The chef said that he will continue to collect donations at his restaurant through the end of April.
The fund also has a GoFundMe page where anyone can donate online. As of April 3, more than 1,600 donors had donated nearly 105,000 euros, about $113,500, surpassing the stated goal of 100,000 euros.
Locally, donors can drop off their donations and pick up a dish or two of Italian favorite foods at Vinny and Cheryl’s Italian Kitchen, 5337 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The executive order that Gov. Ron DeSantis issued Wednesday pertaining to essential businesses and services is now in effect.
“All persons in Florida shall limit their movements and personal interactions outside of their home to only those necessary to obtain or provide essential services or conduct essential activities,” according to Executive Order (EO) 20-91.
Issued in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the governor’s emergency order took effect at 12:01 a.m. on Friday and will remain in effect until April 30, unless canceled or extended by the governor.
Gov. Ron DeSantis issued his essential services order on Wednesday. – www.myflgov.com
The governor’s order left city and county governments with approximately 36 hours to interpret the order and figure out how to comply with it and enforce it.
Section 2 of the governor’s order includes the header “Safer at Home” and sets forth which businesses are essential and allowed to remain open and which businesses are non-essential and must remain closed while the order remains in effect.
“Essential services means and encompasses the list detailed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in its Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce and any subsequent lists published,” according to EO 20-91.
The Department of Homeland Security guidance can be found at the agency’s website.
“Essential services also include those businesses and activities designated by Executive Order 20-89 and its attachment which consists of a list propounded by Miami-Dade County in multiple orders,” EO 20-91 says.
Miami-Dade County’s list of essential and non-essential businesses can be viewed at the county website.
The directives issued by Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez took effect in Miami-Dade County on Thursday, March 19.
According to Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie and Lt. John Cosby of the Bradenton Beach Police Department, the city of Bradenton Beach will use the Miami-Dade County order as its essential/non-essential guidelines. Cosby is the city’s emergency operations manager.
Section 3 of EO 20-91 includes the header “Essential Activities” and says, “For purposes of this order and the conduct it limits, ‘essential activities’ means and encompasses the following:
Attending religious services conducted in churches, synagogues and houses of worship;
Participating in recreational activities – consistent with social distancing guidelines – such as walking, biking, hiking, fishing, hunting, running or swimming:
Taking care of pets;
Caring for or otherwise assisting a loved one or friend.”
EO 20-91 says, “A social gathering in a public space is not an essential activity. Local jurisdictions shall ensure that groups of people greater than 10 are not permitted to congregate in any public space.”
It also says, “Other essential activities may be added to this list.”
Bradenton Beach compliance
On Thursday afternoon, Chappie and Cosby discussed Bradenton Beach’s plans to comply with EO 20-91.
“Bradenton Beach is showing a united front with Manatee County, with one set of rules for all. Bradenton Beach is using the Miami-Dade County guidelines set forth in the governor’s order,” Chappie said.
Mayor John Chappie also plays a key role in Bradenton Beach’s emergency management operations. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“According to our discussion yesterday, we are using the Miami-Dade County order. It’s a lot clearer than the federal list,” Cosby said.
Cosby was referring to the discussions that took place at Wednesday’s emergency management policy meeting. City and county officials now engage in these policy meetings regularly, sometimes daily, via conference call.
What’s in a name?
Chappie and Cosby were asked if they considered Executive Order 20-91 to be a lockdown order, as some media reports have reported.
“No, not even close,” Cosby said.
“No,” Chappie added.
They also said they didn’t consider EO 20-91 to be a stay-at-home order.
When asked how they refer to the order, Cosby and Chappie both said, “Governor’s Executive Order 20-91.”
Non-essential and essential businesses
According to the Miami-Dade County order, businesses that must close include arts and craft supply stores: barbers, beauty salons and nail studios; bookstores; casinos; clothing boutiques; indoor amusement parks, driving ranges; jewelry stores; malls; music supply stores; pawn shops; social clubs, tennis clubs and golf courses; fishing charters; souvenir stores; spas; sporting goods stores; tutoring centers; music classes; toy stores and children’s stores.
“All medical facilities, doctors’ offices, and airlines will remain open,” the Miami-Dade order says.
Businesses that can remain open according to the Miami-Dade County order include architectural, engineering and landscape services; assisted living facilities, nursing homes, adult day care centers and senior residential facilities; banks; businesses that interact with customers solely through electronic or telephonic means; business operating at any airport, seaport or other government facility; childcare facilities limited to a maximum of 10 children and teachers in any one group; construction sites currently in operation, regardless of building type; convenience stores; factories, manufacturing facilities, bottling plants and other industrial sites; food cultivation, including farming, livestock and fishing; gas stations; grocery stores; hardware stores; home-based care for seniors, adults or children; landscaping and pool services; laundromats; logistics providers; mail and shipping services; natural and propane gas providers; newspapers, TV, radio and media services; pet supply stores; pharmacies; professional services, such as legal and accounting services; restaurant kitchens – for pick-up and delivery only; services providing food, shelter, social services and other necessities for the economically disadvantaged; taxis and private transportation providers; telecommunications providers and waste management service, including collection and disposal.
“Today and tomorrow, I’ll be going around to the businesses that don’t meet the criteria and letting them know that they don’t meet the criteria. In Bradenton Beach, most of those businesses have already closed,” Cosby said.
“The businesses that are not compliant will be given a verbal warning. They’ll be educated that they are not an essential business, and if need be will be provided with a copy of the governor’s order. The second offense will be a summons to appear, which will include a citation. The third offense will be a physical arrest, and so would any violation after three offenses,” Cosby said.
Beach closures?
Chappie and Cosby were asked if EO 20-91 impacts the public beaches in Bradenton Beach that were ‘closed’ by the county’s emergency order on March 20. The county order resulted in the public parking lots at Coquina Beach, Cortez Beach and Manatee Beach being closed, but the Island’s law enforcement officials still allow groups of 10 or less on the beach – and those groups must maintain a six-foot distance from others.
“The county order stands as it is,” Chappie said. “We’re having good compliance with the order. Our police department is continually monitoring the situation out on the beaches. We really have had no problems whatsoever,” Chappie said.
Construction sites
“Our building department has some protocols they’re following too with regards to building permits, inspections and things like that – and that will be posted online at the city website,” Chappie said.
“Anything that has to do with construction is still considered essential. They have to have less than 10 people on-site and they have to maintain the six-foot distance,” Cosby said.
Vacation rentals
Cosby believes DeSantis will extend EO 20-87 – the order he issued on March 27 that prohibits new vacation rental guests from checking in until the order expires after 14 days.
“With the governor enacting this order (20-91) and extended this order to the end of the month, I’m feeling pretty confident he’s going to extend that order (20-87) also. One without the other doesn’t make a lot of sense,” Cosby said.
Cosby said businesses that rent golf carts, scooters, bicycles and other mobility devices are not considered essential.
“There’s nothing there that allows that,” he said.
Regarding incoming flights that bring more people to the Island, Cosby said, “The airlines are not doing flights from certain areas. We heard from the airport today. For March traffic, they were at 5%.”
Cosby said the Bridge Street Pier remains open, but social distancing requirements must be followed.
Anna Maria’s response
On Thursday, Anna Maria City Attorney Becky Vose provided her responses to questions also posed to Chappie and Cosby.
As to whether she considers EO 20-91 a lockdown order, a stay at home order or a safer at home order, Vose said, “I am not aware of any legal definition of any of those terms. The order does what it says it does – nothing more, nothing less. We are referring to the order as EO 20-91.”
The city of Anna Maria also has a plan to comply with Executive Order 20-91. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Vose said the order’s impact on the city of Anna Maria’s beaches was “to be determined.”
Regarding essential and non-essential businesses and services, Vose said, “Although not crystal clear, E.O. 20-91 provides guidance as to which businesses are non-essential. Enforcement is to be determined.”
Vose said the city of Anna Maria would use the Department of Homeland Security’s guidance and the Miami-Dade County order to determine essential and non-essential businesses and services.
Vose shared Cosby’s belief that DeSantis would likely extend the vacation rental check-in prohibitions contained in EO 20-87 to coincide with the April 30 expiration date of E.O. 20-91.
MANATEE COUNTY – On Friday afternoon, Manatee County commissioners voted to enact a temporary countywide curfew that took effect at 11 p.m. Friday night and remains in effect until further notice.
The countywide curfew prohibits non-essential travel – travel that is not for food, medicine, essential supplies or employment – between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. seven days a week.
The commission majority approved the curfew as an additional measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Commissioners Betsy Benac, Reggie Bellamy, Misty Servia, Priscilla Trace and Carol Whitmore supported the curfew.
Commissioners Vanessa Baugh and Steve Jonsson and opposed the curfew. Baugh and Jonsson said they did not think the curfew was necessary. They felt Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Executive Order 20-91 – which took effect Friday morning and pertained to essential and non-essential businesses and services – provided law enforcement with all the enforcement powers they needed.
Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells and Manatee County Public Safety Director Jake Saur requested the curfew. Mayors and local law enforcement agencies throughout Manatee County also requested the curfew during a previous emergency operations policy group meeting.
What it means
The curfew prohibits non-essential travel – travel that is not for food, medicine, essential supplies and employment – between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. seven days a week.
The curfew was enacted by the commission majority’s adoption of Manatee County Resolution R-20-053.
According to the resolution, “A curfew is hereby established, effective immediately, for all of Manatee County. All pedestrian and vehicular movement, standing and parking, except for:
(a) persons commuting to and from places of employment;
(b) the provision of fire, police, emergency and hospital services;
(c) the transport of medical patients;
(d) utility work;
(e) state and local government employees and officials providing services;
(f) emergency calls by physicians;
(g) food delivery services;
(h) and walking of domestic animals are allowed during curfew hours.”
According to the county resolution, “Social gatherings of 10 or more people that do not constitute essential services or essential activities as those terms are defined in the Governor’s Executive Order 20-91 are prohibited.”
According to the county resolution, “The prohibitions set forth herein shall embrace all publicly owned property, all public spaces and all privately owned property (excepting the interior space of residences) within Manatee County, including all municipalities within the county, excepting the Town of Longboat Key.
According to the resolution, “The restrictions set forth herein shall remain in place until such time as terminated by the Board of County Commissioners or seven days from the effective date of this resolution, whichever is sooner.
“Notwithstanding, the foregoing, the chairperson (or in her absence, any vice-chairperson) of the Board of County Commissioners, after consultation with the Director of Public Safety (or in his absence, the Emergency Management Officer) is empowered to extend the period of the prohibitions declared herein, in seven-day increments, by memorandum,” the resolution says.
County Commission Chairperson Betsy Benac led the discussion and decision making on the proposed curfew. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“Any person violating any provision of this Emergency Resolution is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in Section 252.50, Florida Statutes,” according to the resolution.
Enforcement powers
Late Friday afternoon, Manatee County issued a press release pertaining to curfew.
“Under the supplemental local emergency resolution, Manatee Sheriff’s Office and municipal police department officers now have the ability to issue citations to anyone not in compliance with the Governor’s Executive Order 20-91 & 20-92,” according to the press release.
“Law enforcement will now also have the ability to cite outside group gatherings on private property. Under Florida Statute 252.50, those who violate the State Emergency Management Act are guilty of a second-degree misdemeanor and can be served a notice to appear order,” according to the press release.
During Friday’s meeting, Wells and Saur told the commission the curfew would protect law enforcement officers and first responders who face a critical stretch in April as COVID-19 cases are expected to climb steadily in Manatee County and throughout the state of Florida.
The press release notes the curfew also gives law enforcement agencies the ability to enforce group gathering restrictions on private property, in conjunction with Governor DeSantis’ Executive Order 20-91 & Executive Order 20-92.
Curfew request explained
“We’re at a pivotal point to make a difference and to flatten the curve,” Saur said. “I do believe with a curfew, the public should know they shouldn’t be out on the roadways. The curfew is a time when you should be at home.”
Saur said several EMS staff have already needed to be quarantined because of accidental exposure to COVID-19. He voiced concern that as the virus continues to spread, law enforcement officers and other first responders will become depleted by sickness or quarantine. For that reason, he said additional local restrictions are needed now.
“We are receiving an average of 100 COVID-19 calls a day. Each coronavirus call takes two hours to complete. At night and on weekends, other medical emergencies still occur, like trauma, people having accidents. That still occurs every day and every night,” Saur told the commission.
The county’s press release notes the commissioners were leery of infringing on personal freedoms, but ultimately voted 5-2 to approve the resolution in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and to protect first responders.
“I want to make sure everyone’s civil liberties are protected but we could argue that COVID-19 has already led to some restraints on our civil liberties when you think about the travel ban and the quarantine,” Commissioner Misty Servia said.
“The public should realize we take this very seriously but we’re doing the best we can in extremely bad times,” Commissioner Priscilla Trace said.
“Before today’s action, local COVID-19 restrictions were only enforceable on public property such as public beaches and public boat ramps. County and city officials say the public has largely heeded those restrictions, but group gatherings at private residences – such as vacation rental homes, recreation centers and event halls – continue to pose a public health risk,” the press release said.
State-mandated boat ramp and marina restrictions
During Friday’s meeting, Assistant County Attorney Bill Clague also addressed the impact DeSantis’ essential services order, Executive Order 20-91, now has on Florida’s boat ramps and marinas.
Assistant County Attorney Bill Clague explained the impact Governor Ron DeSantis’ essential businesses and services order has on boat ramps and marinas. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“It’s very difficult to understand how it works because the governor’s order is challenging. There’s Miami-Dade (County) orders attached to it and those orders reference other orders that are not attached to it. Right now, the governor’s order does require privately run boat ramps and marinas to be closed, with the exception for commercially licensed saltwater fishermen. That wasn’t the case until this order was issued, but now they are closed, along with the public boat ramps. It’s very hard to find, you have to dig for it to understand what’s going on,” Clague told the commission.
The governor’s executive order does not prohibit boating or fishing, nor does the county curfew.
City Administrator Cheri Coryea said the two county-owned golf courses would remain open and private golf courses can also remain open. But it was noted that golf course clubhouses and country clubs are not allowed to sell alcohol for consumption on-premises and their restaurants and kitchens are limited to takeout and delivery food service only, as our all Florida restaurants at this time.
Friday’s county commission meeting can be viewed on demand on the county’s YouTube channel.
MANATEE COUNTY – On Thursday, April 2, Manatee County issued a press release that said Manatee County commissioners were considering a countywide curfew.
Thursday’s press release said county commissioners would meet at 2 p.m. on Friday to consider a supplemental local emergency resolution that, if adopted, would create a temporary local curfew.
“That would give law enforcement agencies the ability to enforce group gathering restrictions on private property, in conjunction with Governor DeSantis’ Executive Orders 20-91 & 20-92,” Thursday’s press release said.
The press release notes Friday’s meeting will be streamed live at www.mymanatee.org/mga.
It will also air live on the Manatee Government Access channel that can be seen locally on Spectrum channel 644, Verizon channel 30 and Comcast channel 20.
“The county will enforce social distancing guidelines inside the Patricia M. Glass Chambers for the meeting. Members of the public are strongly encouraged to watch the meeting remotely,” the press release notes.
According to Thursday’s press release, county, law enforcement and municipal leaders from each of the county’s municipalities discussed the curfew and private property restrictions during a virtual Emergency Policy Group meeting Thursday morning.
“The group agreed that the additional measures will send a clear message to Manatee County residents that social distancing orders must be taken seriously and are not to be ignored. The proposed curfew would prohibit non-essential travel – travel that is not for food, medicine, essential supplies, employment – from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., seven days a week. An effective date will be decided during tomorrow’s meeting,” the press release says.
The press release notes the Emergency Policy Group reached a consensus on many parts of the proposed emergency actions, but an official resolution was being drafted by the county attorney’s office to be presented to county commissioners on Friday.
“If commissioners approve the supplemental local emergency resolution, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and municipal police department officers will have the ability to issue citations to anyone in non-compliance with the Governor’s Executive Order 20-91 & 20-92,” the press release says.
“Law enforcement would also have the ability to cite group gatherings on private property. Under Florida Statute 252.50, those who violate the State Emergency Management Act are guilty of a second-degree misdemeanor and can be served a notice to appear order,” the press release says.
“Currently the county’s COVID-19 restrictions are only enforceable on public property such as public beaches and public boat ramps. County and city officials say the public has largely heeded those restrictions, but group gatherings at private residences – such as vacation rental homes, recreation centers and event halls – continue to pose a public health risk,” the press release says.
According to the press release, County Administrator Cheri Coryea said, “This supplemental emergency resolution would add support to the White House and the Governor’s directive to ‘Slow the Spread’ through April 30, and also helps our local law enforcement, the Department of Health, first responders and the medical community protect our citizens in a more stringent way. If you thought you could save one life by being temporarily inconvenienced during this unprecedented COVID-19 event, wouldn’t you want to?”
MCAT updates
Wednesday’s press release also included updates on other coronavirus-related matters in Manatee County.
The press release said Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) riders are being asked to limit their trips on county transit, trolley and Handy Bus systems to essential travel only.
The press release notes the following changes will take effect Saturday, April 4:
MCAT daily service will continue, but routes will halt at 7 p.m.
The Anna Maria Island Trolley and Route 3 serving the Manatee Avenue/State Road 64 corridor will both be reduced to 60-minute service frequency, Monday through Saturday.
There will be no AMI Trolley service on Sunday until further notice.
The Longboat Key Shuttle will cease operation until further notice.
The Skyway ConneXion service which connects Manatee County and Pinellas County daily will now operate on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday only.
Riders with questions or concerns can contact MCAT at 941-749-7116.
County dog parks remain open but park officials are taking the next step to discourage social gathering by removing the seating areas in the dog pavilions.
Today is Florida’s State Day – Pascua Florida Day! It’s the anniversary of the discovery of Florida in 1513 by Juan Ponce de León, who named the land “Pascua Florida” – feast of flowers – honoring the state’s native flowers and the Easter season in which he made the discovery.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Anna Maria Island lost a true friend and a champion of the people when Brad Lisk passed away on Wednesday, March 25.
Brad had a massive heart attack on Friday, March 20 and never regained consciousness. He was 51 years old and had experienced previous heart failures.
At the time of his death, Brad lived in Bradenton, but he spent much of his life living and working on Anna Maria Island. Most folks on the Island knew Brad as the fun-loving bartender at D Coy Ducks, but he was much more than that.
Sons of Brad
Brad leaves behind two sons, Shane Pelkey Lisk and Tanner Pelkey Lisk, both of whom also have strong ties to the Island. The brothers grew up in Bradenton Beach and Shane still lives there with his wife Annie. Tanner lives in Cortez.
“He was a very hard-working individual. When my mom was pregnant, he had three or four different jobs going on at a time, but he was still able to go to MCC (Manatee Community College) and ace his tests,” Shane said.
“He made sure he got everything done. He made sure there was a roof over our heads and food on our plates. He made sure everyone was happy and he always gave what he could.”
“I’m going to miss him. Anytime I had issues with anything he was always the first person I leaned on.” – Shane Pelkey Lisk, son
“He was more than just a bartender. He was a person that helped out in the community.” – Tanner Pelkey Lisk, son
When asked what his dad taught him, Shane said, “I learned how to be a good human being. I learned the difference between right and wrong, how to treat others and how to be polite. He taught me money wasn’t everything.
“He taught me how to fish and how to play baseball and other sports. He was a coach for many years for the kids out here on the Island. He would put us all in the back of the truck and pick up three or four different kids on the way to practice or games. He always made sure those kids got there and got home.”
Brad Lisk coached baseball at the community center in Anna Maria for many years. – Facebook | Submitted
Shane said his dad started working at D Coy Ducks as a barback and poker dealer about 10 or 12 years ago.
At various times in his life, Brad sold beer at Raymond James Stadium, delivered newspapers for the Tampa Tribune, worked with Donzi Marine and Wellcraft boats and sold 3M products as an industrial supplier before becoming a bartender.
“In the last five years or so, he became an ordained minister. That was huge for him because growing up they always called my grandpa ‘Preacher Dave,’ ” Shane said.
“I’m going to miss him. Anytime I had issues with anything he was always the first person I leaned on,” Shane said.
Tanner Pelkey Lisk, Brad Lisk and Shane Pelkey Lisk shared strong father and son bonds. – Shane Pelkey Lisk | Submitted
Tanner said, “He was more than just a bartender. He was a person that helped out in the community. He was very smart. He taught me to treat others the way you want to be treated and to always listen before you speak. I’ll miss not being able to watch sports together and go to the games and go to the beach.”
Sisterly love
Brad’s sister, Summer Phillips, lives in Millsboro, Delaware.
“He always took care of our family when I was growing up. He was 12 years older than I am and he always made sure I had a good Christmas, because our mom was a single mom and didn’t have a lot of money. He always took care of me and he took care of things when my mom couldn’t,” Summer said.
Brad Lisk loved his job as a bartender at D Coy Ducks in Holmes Beach. – Facebook | Submitted
“He lived his life the way he wanted. He was unapologetic for who he was, he stayed true to himself and he always told it like it was. And he always stuck up for those that needed it the most. He did that even in high school. He was friends with everyone. He wasn’t part of a certain group. He made everyone feel good about themselves and he made everyone feel welcome,” Summer said.
Brad’s other sister, Stacey Lisk, lives in Los Angeles, California.
“The thing I’m most proud of is Brad’s willingness to be of service, his empathy and his ability to rouse the troops,” Stacey said.
Uncle Fred and Aunt Mary Ann
Brad’s uncle and aunt, Fred and Mary Ann Lisk, live in Delphos, Ohio.
According to Fred, Brad was born in Lima, Ohio and spent the first few years of his life in Delphos before Brad’s family spent short periods of time in Kokomo, Indiana, and Rockford, Illinois.
“Brad’s dad worked for Montgomery Ward, in sales.” Fred said.
“You always heard how friendly Brad was, but he was a very intelligent man. When he was in the third grade, he had a teacher who told my wife that Brad was one of the brightest students she ever had. Brad never did his homework, so she’d have to keep him after school or during recess, but she said he knew all the answers and he didn’t have to study,” Fred said.
Brad Lisk loved the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, even in their lean years. – Facebook | Submitted
“He was a very open and friendly person. He was very giving and would do anything for you. We always looked forward to seeing him when we came to Florida. We saw him five days before the heart attack. We spent a week with him,” Mary Ann said.
“On Saturday night, he had a barbeque for us, his two boys and Lucy. That night was the last time we saw him. We left Sunday morning and we got the call from Shane Friday morning saying he’d had a very serious heart attack,” Fred said.
“When we came to Florida, we always stayed with Brad. We always had a nice time, but this last time just seemed to be extra special. It was really a great time,” Mary Ann said.
In love with Lucy
Brad and Holmes Beach resident Lucy Spoon were a couple for the past three and a half years, and they were friends for two years before that.
Lucy works at Siesta Beach in Sarasota as a member of the Sarasota County Beach Patrol.
She was working Monday afternoon when she shared her thoughts on Brad.
“He was so proud of me when I got this job. Right now, he would be making fun of me for getting paid to go play on a Jet-Ski when everyone else is out of a job,” Lucy said.
“He was my guardian angel on Earth. I’ve always been super naïve and innocent, and he was the opposite, so he protected me. I always called him my ‘sweet angel.’ I know nobody thinks of him that way because he was always such a smart-ass and every other word was the F-word. He was the kindest person I’ve ever known, besides my little boy, Michael Dean,” Lucy said.
“Michael Dean and Brad used to play and do boy’s night out and go get McDonald’s, play Nerf Ball, watch funny shows and movies and do all the guy stuff. Brad called Michael ‘Squid’ and he took him to baseball games, helped him with his basketball, taught him how to play Frisbee and helped him with his math and reading homework. He was so good at that and he was very helpful with my son,” Lucy said.
Brad Lisk and Lucy Spoon dressed to the nines when they attended the Elton John concert in Tampa in 2019. – Lucy Spoon | Submitted
“Brad was the kindest, most loving person. He was always about protecting the underdog. He was a big activist, helping with the benefits and giving away Publix gift cards during the holidays. And he never wanted to take credit for it, he always wanted to be anonymous,” Lucy said.
“One day he was walking past the Art Guild gallery next door and he saw a picture of a mermaid in the window. It was me. I used to model as a mermaid. My pictures are all over the gallery as a mermaid and he’s obsessed with mermaids. He would tell his customers he was dating a mermaid. I was his mermaid,” Lucy said.
“I’m going to miss not being able to hold him, hug him, kiss him and talk to him every day. I’m going to miss the trips we were meant to take together to Italy and Spain. Those were the two places he wanted to go to before he died. Unfortunately, he’ll have to go there as a spirit now.
“He was the best friend, the best lover, the best everything. I’m going to miss my soul mate. I’m going to miss going to concerts with him. I’ll miss his beautiful soul,” Lucy said.
“He had his first heart failure six months after we started dating. Heart failure runs in his family.
The last day we spent together was that Thursday afternoon. Michael Dean was there, and they played video games together. I gave him a hug and a kiss when I left. He called me at 7:22 a.m. Friday morning and said, ‘Baby, baby I need help.’ I was on my way to his house and the last thing he said to me was, ‘I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry.’ And that was it. He was never able to breathe on his own after that. They were already doing CPR when I showed up at his house,” Lucy said.
“I couldn’t go to the hospital because of the coronavirus. When I knew he was not going to make it, I talked to his doctor and said please let me see him. I got to see him for an hour on Saturday talking to him, kissing him and that was last time I saw him,” Lucy said.
A friend to all
In his dual roles as an ordained minister and a family friend, Brad presided over the celebration of life for Anna Maria Island Sun Co-Publisher Maggie McGinley-Field after she passed away in 2019.
“Brad was one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. In my time of loss, he comforted me. His presence at Maggie’s service was something I will never forget,” Sun Publisher Mike Field said.
Monkey Bus owner Roque Pastorius said, “Brad loved the Island, the local sports teams, his family, his friends and chilling on the beach. His big, friendly smile and his ability to speak for others will be missed.”
Brad Lisk loved spending time at the beach. – Summer Phillips | Submitted
Bradenton resident Nadia Tryciecky said, “Brad truly made everyone feel special in their own way. He’d slide you your favorite drink as you walked in and give you a huge hug or sarcastic comment. He will be so missed by all of us.”
Holmes Beach resident David Zaccagnino said, “Brad was a friend to everyone and always ready to help anyone that needed it.”
Bradenton Beach resident Gayden Shell recently lost her son, Kyle Shell, who was friends with Brad.
“We have lost another islander – one that had the kindest heart and welcomed you with open arms anytime he saw you. He was so proud of his sons and he was a great father. Brad always made sure I was OK, and he gave Kyle an opportunity to explore his music talents in different ways at D Coy Ducks. I had the utmost respect for Brad. He never wanted anyone to know how ill he was, and he was always all about the other person,” Shell said.
The bench outside of D Coy Ducks now serves as a shrine to Brad Lisk – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Well here we are; it’s April 1st, April Fools’ Day, and most of us are camping out in our homes while some of the best spring weather is outside our doors. Fortunately, this is Florida and you can still ride your bike, take a walk or run your boat even if the beach is closed.
We, of course, have no idea when this is going to end and what effect it will have on the economy as a whole and specifically real estate values. We can assume there will be a serious impact which is really ironic in the face of the February Manatee County sales numbers, which are spectacular. So let’s start with those numbers as reported by the Realtor Association of Sarasota & Manatee.
The number of single-family homes closed 2.8% with the median selling price up 8.9% to $325,000 and the average sale price up 4.8% to $407,940 from February last year. The median time to sale was 90 days, down 7.2% and the month’s supply of properties was only 3.4 months, down 24.4%.
Condos closed 40.1% more properties in February compared to last year. The median sale price was $210,000 up 11.1% and the average sale price was $245,303 up 7.7%. Time to sale was 39 days, down 42.6% from last February, which was 68 days. And the month’s supply of properties was 4.5 months, down 10%. An interesting side note was the number of cash buyers which was up 22.4% for single-family homes and 15.7% for condos.
It almost doesn’t need to be said that March’s numbers won’t be anywhere near February’s; if they were, believe me, no one would be happier. There are some modifications the government and the Florida Realtors’ Association are making to help homeowners and buyers and sellers.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are suspending foreclosures and evictions of homeowners behind on their mortgages and at risk of losing their homes. The 60-day suspension affects about 182,000 homeowners who are in different stages of foreclosure. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is also suspending foreclosure actions for 60 days. In addition, borrowers affected by the coronavirus outbreak could reach out to their mortgage servicer for help in suspending payments for a period of time.
Finally, the Florida Realtors’ Association has released a new contract extension addendum that allows for time periods and dates to be extended as a result of the pandemic in the event the parties to the contract would like to extend the terms of the contract. Delays could be caused by travel restrictions, self-imposed and/or governmental required isolations, closure of offices that fund and close transactions as well as inactions of homeowners’ and condominium associations.
Some of the extension options are closing date, financing period, inspection period, title cure period, feasibility study period, due diligence period, homeowners’/condominium association approval and a provision for a loan-approved buyer should things change on the lenders’ side as a result of the pandemic.
I hope everyone is adhering to the coronavirus guidelines and not gathering in groups, staying home if you’re sick or older with underlying health issues and washing your hands on a regular basis. My personal best wishes to everyone to stay safe and healthy and be patient until our lives get back to normal.
