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Year: 2020

Castles in the Sand

Florida’s in the tax driver’s seat

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand, Real estate | Development.

It’s almost tax time again so why not talk again about Florida’s advantageous tax position and the influx of new residents. I like to tie in our growing population with real estate sales statistics since it’s my opinion there’s a direct correlation between the two. I’ll also report the January sales in this column.

But first, it’s been two years since the new tax law was signed and we’re just starting to see the effects. Local economies and housing markets are motivating residents of high tax states to relocate to more tax-friendly states like Florida with no state income tax. Even though the tax overhaul resulted in many people experiencing lower taxes, homeowners in high tax states are being seriously hurt and when many of these high-end individuals move, it has a ripple effect on the economies of that state.

If you remember, part of the new law capped how much homeowners can subtract from their federal taxes for the payment of local property and income taxes. The cap is set at $10,000 which, in states like New York, New Jersey and Illinois to name a few, is far below what most homeowners pay in property tax and state tax combined.

The average property tax in the United States in 2018 was about $3,500 according to a national data real estate firm. However, this is far below what much of the northeastern states pay in property tax. In Westchester County in New York State, the average property tax was more than $17,000, the highest in the country. In addition, the law also lowered the size of mortgages for which new buyers can deduct the interest to $750,000 from $1 million, just adding to the high tax and high property value states’ misery.

Not everyone is moving because of taxes exclusively, some were considering a move already and many were near retirement and just needed a little push. Whatever the reason, Florida is one of the beneficiaries of the movement with increased sales and rising property values.

These are the January sales statistics for Manatee County from the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee: Single-family homes closed 22.4% more homes in January compared to last January. The median sale price was $329,500, an increase of 6.6%, and the average sale price was $420,775, an increase of 8.7%. Condos closed 47.7% more properties this January compared to last year. The median sale price was $210,000, up 7.7%, and the average sale price was $236,687, down 1.8%.

An ongoing problem continues to be a lack of inventory, with 3.4 month’s supply for single-family properties and 4.7 month’s supply for condos. These numbers are either down double digits from last year or even. As the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee headline reads in its press release “Home Sales Out-Pace Supply.” Not a great place to be.

For those who want to change your address to one in Florida, make sure you establish a legitimate residency. States are known to conduct residency audits to verify you’re really leaving their state. This happens a lot when people own two homes in different states and want to move their residency. Florida wants you to get a driver’s license, obtain Florida license plates and auto insurance, file a declaration of domicile, apply for Florida homestead exemption, register to vote and open a bank account. Floridians should get ready for this influx to continue.

As with most changes, there’s always a good and a bad aspect and we’re sure to experience both.

More Castles in the Sand:

The greying of the mortgage market

Credit scores have new meaning

Let’s all just take a breath

Bunny & Pirates adds to their bounty

Bunny & Pirates adds to their bounty

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Business, Restaurants | Bars, Retail.

CORTEZ – The expanded business operations at Bunny & Pirates Bazaar now include the Skullywags Coffee Bar and Marketplace.

The coffee bar and marketplace recently joined the live music, beer and wine service, and gift and souvenir sales that have been the staples of the eclectic business that life partners and business partners Elizabeth Shore and Jeffrey O’Connell operate at 12404 Cortez Rd. W. in Cortez.

On Jan. 31, Bunny & Pirates Bazaar celebrated the grand opening of the coffee bar and marketplace named after a beloved family member.

“We lost my brother-in-law, Tim ‘Skully’ Quinlan, a couple years ago and this is our way of honoring him,” Shore said.

“Our coffee beans are 100% Arabica from Brazil freshly roasted to order in Ybor City and then delivered to my doorstep. There’s no warehousing, so it’s always fresh, smooth and delicious,” Shore said.

“We soft-opened the coffee bar a while back and we were working out how that would work with the pub. I’m doing keto breakfasts, we have ‘grab and go’ breakfast sandwiches, yogurt, parfaits and fresh bagels, muffins and croissants, depending on what’s available that day,” Shore said.

The marketplace was originally part of the business Shore and O’Connell opened in 2018, but Mother Nature had other plans.

“When the pub was a month and a half old, I was just starting to build up the convenience store and it was doing well. But when the red tide hit, business was dead. The capital I planned to use for growing the business was used instead to pay the lease and the electric bills,” Shore explained.

“The marketplace has Boar’s Head meats and cheeses, vegetables, crackers and snacks, salads and more. We also have eggs, milk, juice, flour, rice, cans of tuna, toilet paper and things like that. It’s just the basics, but the basics done right. It’s a great convenience for the neighborhood and we have great daytime offerings for people headed to and from the Island and the beaches,” Shore said.

And that’s not all…

“About two months ago, we started doing a one-item menu in the evenings called ‘What’s for Dinner?”. It’s like coming to our house for dinner and it’s really starting to get some momentum. We’ll serve one item and an appetizer with it. We’ve done a Hawaiian beef burrito with pineapple coleslaw, a BLT with tomato soup and we’ve done chicken tacos. Now we have people calling and saying ‘what’s for dinner tonight’?” Shore said.

Bunny & Pirates features live music on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and an open mic night with Erin McCarthy on Mondays.

Skullywags opens daily at 8 a.m. and Bunny & Pirates remains open until 10 p.m. on weekdays and until 11 or 11:30 on weekends.

“If we have a crowd, we’ll stay later,” Shore said, noting the entire business is closed on Sundays.

And there’s the gift store.

“Our gift store has some of your traditional souvenirs, but there’s also the one-of-a-kind

finds because that’s where the pirating comes in. We’re always looking for something unique. It’s a great place to find last-minute gifts or something special you want for your house. And we’re really starting to build up the stuff we get from our local artists,” Shore said.

Related coverage

Jason Sato tops county real estate rankings again

Mote request trimmed

Sports action at The Center heating up

Sports action at The Center heating up

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Football, Soccer, Sports, Volleyball.

The recreational sports program at The Center is in full swing for the Anna Maria Island area youth as well as the adults. The field and hard court at the community center are filled with volleyball, indoor soccer or flag football action.

In last Monday night’s adult volleyball matches, Solid Rock Construction retained their undefeated record by beating Sandbar and Ugly Grouper.

Ugly Grouper ended the week with a 0-4 record. Ugly Grouper and Bins Be Clean sit in the middle of the pack.

Youth flag football lit up the fields Tuesday night. Playing their seventh and final week of the regular season, Moss Builders came out on top with one defeat going into the playoffs in the eight-to 10-year old league.

HSH Designs and Diamond Turf are the second and third seed, respectively, with 4-2 records.

Diamond Turf went up against Beach Bums and finished with the win.

In the win, quarterback Carson Clover had three throwing touchdowns. Clover found Maddox Culhane and Mason Moss as the receivers.

Culhane had one rushing touchdown to be matched by a running score by Clover.

Hayden Eurice was at the top of his game for Beach Bums, finishing the game with two catches for points and a running touchdown.

Dennis Gallagher worked behind the snap as the quarterback for the Beach Bums squad. Gallagher put two passing touchdowns in the statistics.

Beach Bums and Cool Today both won three of their six match-ups, while Rays Ramblings earned two victories in the regular season.

In the 11-to 13-year old flag football league, Progressive Cabinetry and Solid Rock Construction sit one and two on the leader board. Slim’s Place is in third place with three wins and four losses. Ugly Grouper look for their first win in the season.

With a late bye week, MuniPlan currently is at the top of the 14-to 17-year old league with a 5-1 record. Hashmark Sports plays this week and could even up the score with MuniPlan.

Killer Bait is in third with Ugly Grouper holding on to fourth with a single win. Gulf Drive Café is still fighting for win number one.

Week two of the adult indoor soccer league finished with Pool America and Duncan Real Estate on top with two wins. Sato Real Estate and Slim’s Place both have 1-1 records.

Going into week three, Ross Built Construction and Gulfview Café take the field playing for their teams’ first victory.

The adult flag football league has veteran wisdom going for them with Moss Builders undefeated at the season’s midpoint.

The youthful team sponsored by Lancaster Design is in second with a single loss. Ugly Grouper has a 0-4 record and Capt. Sky Cruises is in seventh with a win and three losses.

Beach Bums, Firkins Automotive, Rays Ramblings and Slim’s Place all go into week five winning two of the four games played to round out the week of Island sports.

Related coverage

Solid Rock Construction undefeated in volleyball

Volley, goals and sacks in full swing at The Center

Flag football fun at The Center

Sunshine defendant accused of violating mediation confidentiality

Sunshine defendant accused of violating mediation confidentiality

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – On behalf of the city of Bradenton Beach, attorney Robert Watrous has filed a motion seeking to impose sanctions on Sunshine Law lawsuit defendant Reed Mapes.

In July, Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas ruled Mapes, Tjet Martin, John Metz, Patty Shay, Bill Vincent and his wife Rose Vincent violated the Florida Sunshine Law in 2017. The Sunshine violations occurred when the then-city advisory board members repeatedly discussed advisory board business at their non-city-sanctioned Concerned Neighbors of Bradenton Beach meetings.

In November, Nicholas ruled the city was entitled to recover attorneys’ fees and costs from the defendants, but he did not issue a ruling at that time as to what the recovery amount would be. Nicholas later ordered the parties to participate in a mandatory mediation session and the parties agreed on Bonnie Marmor as their mediator.

The motion Watrous filed on Friday, Feb. 14. pertains to the court-ordered, closed-door mediation session that took place at the Manatee County Judicial Center in downtown Bradenton on Jan. 13.

The mediation session provided the defendants and the city an opportunity to broker a settlement as to how much the defendants were willing to reimburse the city for the attorney fees and costs the city and its taxpayers incurred in this case.

As of Tuesday, Feb. 18, the city had incurred $477,062 in attorneys’ fees and costs, according to City Treasurer Shayne Thompson.

Watrous’ written motion notes all parties who attended the Jan. 13 mediation session were advised by the mediator to keep the details of that session to themselves. And that any settlement offer proposed would have to be discussed with and either accepted or rejected by the Bradenton Beach City Commission.

Watrous’ motion cites Florida Statute 44.405, which says, “Except as provided in this section, all mediation communications shall be confidential. A mediation participant shall not disclose a mediation communication to a person other than another mediation participant or a participant’s counsel. A violation of this section may be remedied as provided by s. 44.406. If the mediation is court-ordered, a violation of this section may also subject the mediation participant to sanctions by the court, including, but not limited to, costs, attorney’s fees, and mediator’s fees.”

According to the motion, the mediator contacted Watrous on Jan. 14, the day after the mediation session, to facilitate communication of a new settlement offer. Watrous then communicated with Metz’s attorney, Thomas Shults, who in turn relayed mediation-related information to his client and the co-defendants who no longer retain the services of their own attorneys.

Watrous’ motion notes that on Jan. 28, the Bradenton Beach Commission held a closed-door shade meeting that provided city commissioners an opportunity to consider and respond to a settlement offer tendered by Shults.

“On January 29, a media article appeared in the Islander stating that ‘Reed Mapes, one of the six defendants alongside John Metz, Tjet Martin, Patty Shay, Bill Vincent and Rose Vincent, told the Islander that John Metz offered $200,000 to settle with the city after a Jan. 13 closed-door mediation session failed to result in an agreement,’” Watrous’ motion states.

Watrous’ motion states that on Feb. 10, he sent Shults the city’s written response to the settlement offer Shults tendered on Jan. 14. Watrous’s motion does not indicate what the city’s response was.

“At present, the defendants have not responded to that offer,” the motion states.

Sunshine defendant accused of violating mediation confidentiality
A fee award hearing has been scheduled before Judge Edward Nicholas on Wednesday, April 29. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

If the parties can’t reach a settlement on their own, Nicholas will eventually be asked to determine how much the defendants must reimburse the city and its taxpayers.

Barring a settlement, the parties are scheduled to see each other in court again on Wednesday, April 29, when they appear before Nicholas at 1:35 p.m. for a three-hour hearing pertaining to award/amount of attorney fees.

Related coverage

Sunshine lawsuit judge rules in favor of city recovering attorney fees

City seeks reimbursement for Sunshine lawsuit expenses

Holmes Beach logo OLD

No stormwater fee relief for residents

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – There won’t be reduced stormwater fees on any Holmes Beach property owner’s trim notice in the fall.

Commissioners voted in December to raise the city’s stormwater fee to $2.95 per 100 square feet of lot space from the $1.50 per 100 square feet that property owners paid in 2019. After receiving some feedback from residents and owners with larger properties, including the Key Royale Club’s golf course management, commissioners committed to discussing whether or not to allow exceptions to the higher stormwater fees for certain property owners, such as churches, the golf course on Key Royale and low-income residents. That conversation ended during a Feb. 11 work session when commissioners decided that no exceptions to the stormwater fee will be given.

City Engineer Lynn Burnett presented commissioners with options, including giving low-income property owners and the golf club a break on the increased fee, decreasing it down to the current $1.50 fee. The issue, she said, is that by reducing the fee for some, it would mean the burden would have to be carried by other property owners and it would take longer to fund the repairs and replacements needed on the city’s failing infrastructure. Burnett said that even properties with their own stormwater infiltration systems and retention ponds are still a part of the problem creating flooding situations on the Island.

“Every inch of property on this Island, except Grassy Point, contributes to the problem,” she said. With higher than normal tides and heavier rainfall events, Burnett said the overdevelopment of the Island is creating too much strain on a failing system that’s outlived its useful years.

Commissioner Jim Kihm said that with a huge bill in front of city leaders for repairs and replacement, he felt the $2.95 stormwater rate already voted on should stand.

“We’re all in this together,” he said. “We’re all part of the problem. My feeling is that we all need to be part of the solution.”

While Kihm said he doesn’t like raising fees or taxes, funding has to be secured to fix the infrastructure problems.

“It costs something to live here,” he said.

Commissioner Terry Schaefer said he wasn’t in favor of lowering the $2.95 rate.

“I’m paying my fair share,” he said. “It’s worth the investment for the city to protect the future of what could become an inundated island.”

“You don’t want to walk out of your house into a pond,” Schaefer added.

Commissioner Carol Soustek said that if commissioners agreed to go with the stormwater fee already voted on, she didn’t think there could be exceptions.

“Everybody gets the tax, everyone pays the same,” she said.

If the city is successful with the Bert Harris Act cases facing it, Soustek said she hoped the funds put in reserve for that can be used to help fund infrastructure improvements and lower the burden on property owners.

“It’s a burden on everybody, we all have to pay the price,” Kihm said.

Though there are no exceptions to the fee, property owners still have the option to appeal the fee. Appeals have to be submitted to the city clerk’s office in writing. Appeal forms are available at Holmes Beach City Hall.

Related coverage

Stormwater fees on the rise in Holmes Beach

City leaders consider stormwater fee increases

Skate park opens to cheers from local skaters

Skate park opens to cheers from local skaters

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – After months of anticipation and a lot of help from the community, the city’s new Community Skate Park finally opened Feb. 15.
A cheer went up from community members and local skaters as the ribbon was cut, officially opening the park to the public. Mayor Judy Titsworth said the park was being called the Community Skate Park because, without the community, she said the park couldn’t have been built. For the ribbon-cutting, she called up Island residents David Zaccagnino and Tom Sanger to join the city and Manatee County elected officials and staff. Zaccagnino worked with city leaders to help secure the $100,000 in donations necessary to build the bowl section of the skate park. Sanger not only helped to raise funds, materials and labor, he also stepped up to create the concrete skate path from the bowl to the promenade section of the skate park.
“Tom poured his heart and soul into this skate park,” Titsworth said, thanking him for his contributions.
To thank the many local community members and businesses who contributed to the skate park, a banner was placed on the fencing lining the back of the park identifying the dozens of contributors.
“Take a look at this banner and when you see these people out in the community, tell them ‘thank you,’ ” Tokajer said of the skate park’s donors.
Dozens of skaters of all ages came out and took to the new skate park, trying out the ramps, rails, quarter pipe and other obstacles, though one of the most popular attractions was the skate bowl, which was newly opened for public use. Skaters lined up for their chance to skate through the bowl.
When they needed a break, staff from Poppo’s Taqueria and The Beach Bistro were on hand with tacos and hotdogs. City staff handed out drinks, along with T-shirts and baseball caps commemorating the occasion. The team from West Coast Surf Shop brought along a new skateboard, which was won by Ben Rigney Jr.
“It’s a great day,” Commissioner Kim Rash said, looking out at all of the people gathered to celebrate community in Holmes Beach.

Some skaters attempted tricks, like this one who practically flew on the quarter pipe. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Some skaters attempted tricks, like this one who practically flew on the quarter pipe. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Master mind behind the new Community Skate Park, Tito Porrata of Pivot joins elected officials for a celebratory photo. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Master mind behind the new Community Skate Park, Tito Porrata of Pivot joins elected officials for a celebratory photo. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Skaters raised their boards in salute, joining community members and elected officials as the ribbon was cut, officially opening the Community Skate Park. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Skaters raised their boards in salute, joining community members and elected officials as the ribbon was cut, officially opening the Community Skate Park. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Some skaters attempted tricks on the many obstacles throughout the skate park. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Some skaters attempted tricks on the many obstacles throughout the skate park. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Skaters of all ages took to the new Community Skate Park in Holmes Beach during the grand opening party Feb. 15. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Skaters of all ages took to the new Community Skate Park in Holmes Beach during the grand opening party Feb. 15. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Commissioner Kim Rash, with his puppy Lucy, Director of Development Services Eran Wasserman, HBPD Officer Josh Fleischer, Commissioner Carol Soustek, Code Compliance Officer Nate Brown and City Treasurer Lori Hill hang out at the opening of the city’s new skate park. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Commissioner Kim Rash, with his puppy Lucy, Director of Development Services Eran Wasserman, HBPD Officer Josh Fleischer, Commissioner Carol Soustek, Code Compliance Officer Nate Brown and City Treasurer Lori Hill hang out at the opening of the city’s new skate park. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Vendors including Poppo’s Taqueria, West Coast Surf Shop and The Beach Bistro came out to support the opening of the new skate park. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Vendors including Poppo’s Taqueria, West Coast Surf Shop and The Beach Bistro came out to support the opening of the new skate park. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Skaters glided down rails and jumped obstacles on the promenade skate area. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Skaters glided down rails and jumped obstacles on the promenade skate area. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Some of the people responsible for helping to get the skate park built, including designer Tito Porrata of Pivot, HBPD Chief Bill Tokajer, Mayor Judy Titsworth, City Engineer Lynn Burnett, Director of Development Services Eran Wasserman and Tom Sanger of Sanger Pool and Spa, celebrate in the skate bowl. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Some of the people responsible for helping to get the skate park built, including designer Tito Porrata of Pivot, HBPD Chief Bill Tokajer, Mayor Judy Titsworth, City Engineer Lynn Burnett, Director of Development Services Eran Wasserman and Tom Sanger of Sanger Pool and Spa, celebrate in the skate bowl. - Kristin Swain | Sun

One of the most popular parts of the skate park was the one that almost wasn’t built. Skaters lined up for the chance to skate the park’s bowl. - Kristin Swain | Sun

One of the most popular parts of the skate park was the one that almost wasn’t built. Skaters lined up for the chance to skate the park’s bowl. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Related coverage

Funding received for skate park bowl

Construction moves forward at city field

Skate park design nears completion

City responds to Suncoast Waterkeeper water pollution concerns

City responds to Suncoast Waterkeeper pollution concerns

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – On Monday, Feb. 17, the city of Bradenton Beach issued a press release in response to concerns raised in a Friday, Feb. 14 press release issued by the Suncoast Waterkeeper organization.

The Suncoast Waterkeeper press release pertained to higher than usual bacteria levels discovered in the bay waters near the Bridge Street Pier and along Bay Drive South.

“On Friday, February 14, the city was informed by Joe McClash and Andy Mele that Suncoast Waterkeeper performed two water samplings somewhere in the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway Class 3 body of water adjacent to Bay Drive South. The city was told that the test result identified the presence of Enterococcus. Enterococci are normally present, as colonizers, in the intestinal tract of human beings and animals, and can be recovered from feces in large quantities,” the city’s press release said.

“Mayor John Chappie has been in communication with Tom Larkin at the Manatee County Health Department. Mr. Larkin was made aware of the boating community activities in the waters tested, the Manatee County force main construction activities adjacent to that area and recent boring activities for the undergrounding of utility lines on Bridge Street. Mr. Larkin indicated he was also in communication with the Florida Healthy Beaches Program in Tallahassee regarding this matter.

“Mayor Chappie has asked the Bradenton Beach Public Works Department to conduct local inspections at and around the Bridge Street Pier. It was noted a recent CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) meeting that there have been higher counts of pelican fecal matter on the pier and floating dock, which may be the contributing cause for the recent water samplings collected by Suncoast Waterkeeper,” the city press release stated.

The press release also mentioned environmental projects previously pursued and currently being pursued by the city and/or the CRA.

“The city of Bradenton Beach has partnered with the Southwest Florida Water Management District and invested in the development and creation of a customized stormwater management plan to clean the water going into the water table and the water bodies.

“The city, through the Community Redevelopment Agency, has invested substantial funds to develop a living shoreline and use nature to promote an environmentally friendly aquaculture.

“The CRA recently authorized $5,000 to monitor the water quality impacts of the 2019 clam restoration project conducted in the waters near the pier. That authorization also includes the installation of seagrass cages that promote seagrass growth.

“The CRA also authorized $10,000 for the purchase and installation of 14 of the larger-sized Mini Reefs to be placed in the waters off the east end of the Bridge Street Pier through the Center of Anna Maria Island’s Go Green initiative,” according to the press release.

“The city has partnered with Mote Marine, S.T.A.R.T., Oceans Habitats Inc., Sea and Shoreline LLC and local restaurants and local fishermen for these projects. The city also supports the clam mitigation efforts proposed to the Florida Legislature in House Bill 3829,” the press release said.

Mayor’s thoughts

On Monday, Chappie also discussed these matters with The Sun.

He said city officials inspected the pier on Friday and looked for any possible sources for the bacteria.

He said the Public Works Department pressure washes the pier and floating dock every Friday and he noted that during a January CRA meeting Public Works Director Tom Woodard commented on the inordinate amount of pelican feces accumulating on the new floating dock.

Chappie said those weekly cleaning efforts may be a contributing factor to the higher bacteria levels.

City responds to Suncoast Waterkeeper water pollution concerns
The floating dock in Bradenton Beach is a popular destination for pelicans. – John Chappie | Submitted

“This is something we’re going to continue to follow. We want to find out what the source is,” he said.

Chappie also said the city commission recently reached consensus to add twice-yearly E. coli testing to the water monitoring being done as a follow-up to last year’s clam restoration project.

Related coverage

 

Higher enterococcus levels cause for concern

Author delights historical society

Author delights historical society

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Community News, Entertainment, History, Lectures.

ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria Island Historical Society members were treated to a presentation at Roser Church on Friday about Patrick D. Smith’s well-known book, “A Land Remembered,” the story of a fictional Florida pioneer family.

Smith’s son, named for his late father, is perpetuating his dad’s legacy of 10 books, particularly “A Land Remembered,” with a presentation featuring videos that he made of his father telling stories about old Florida. A Mississippi native, the author was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 1999 and was the recipient of the Florida Historical Society’s Greatest Living Floridian award.

Smith wrote about underdogs, his son told society members, including Seminole Indians, migrant farmworkers and poor “Florida Crackers” like the MacIvey family, an amalgamation of people Smith had learned about from interviewing elderly Floridians who remembered their ancestors’ stories.

The term “cracker” is not derogatory, he said, explaining that it refers to the cracking sound of a whip used by Florida cowboys to move cattle and communicate over long distances, as the sound could be heard for long distances.

Florida pioneers in 1863, when the story is set, had to bring their tools and supplies with them to the state, he said, as there were no stores, cut lumber, tools or even roads at the time.

The book follows the fictional MacIvey family through the Civil War, two major hurricanes in the 1920s, the start of the citrus and cattle industries and the arrival of railroads and developers, all historically accurate, he said.

A major theme of the story is the development boom in Florida and its impact on nature.

Smith recalled a trip his father made to Florida in 1933, eating fruit from roadside trees, fishing from bridges for supper and visiting towns all over the state before they were cities.

You could drive for 60 miles in Destin along the beach without seeing any buildings, he said. Naples had about 400 people, and Cocoa Beach, home of Kennedy Space Center, had about 30 people. Florida panthers were a common sight. Flocks of birds in the Everglades were so large they blocked out the sun.

“Progress ain’t reversible,” Smith said.

Solid Rock Construction undefeated in volleyball

Solid Rock Construction undefeated in volleyball

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Sports, Volleyball.

To start the week of sports at The Center, Solid Rock Construction continued to dominate on the volleyball court. Winning both games against Bins Be Clean, the Solid Rock squad ended their night undefeated with a record of 3-0.

While Solid Rock Construction works to defend its last season championship win, the Ugly Grouper team is a close second with a single match loss.

Team Bins Be Clean ended last week’s action with a 1-2 record, while the Sandbar group continues to fight for its first win of the season.

In youth flag football, three teams top the charts in the 8- to 10-year-old league with four wins. Swordfish Grill & Tiki Bar still seeks its first victory.

Also hoping to put a W in the statistic book is Team Ugly Grouper with a 0-6 record in the 11- to 13-year-old football league. Progressive Cabinetry is at the top of the charts with only one loss so far this season.

Tied for first place in the 14- to 17-year-old league are MuniPlan and Hashmark Sports flag football teams. The player/coach lead team sits on top having beaten the Hashmark squad a few weeks ago.

With no wins yet this season, the Gulf Drive Café team had a bye last week.

The adults on the gridiron played their third game of the season last week. Moss Builders is on top with a 3-0 record. Team Ugly Grouper goes into week four with no wins to its name so far in the season.

The remaining six teams have one or two losses. Midweek records should see the mid-range teams shake out, while everyone is chasing the Moss Builders team.

Sun Scoreboard

Monday, Feb. 10
Adult Co-ed Volleyball

Bins Be Clean                           17             13

Solid Rock Construction             25             25

 

Sandbar                                   16             15

Ugly Grouper                            25             25

 

Sandbar                                   21             25        15

Bins Be Clean                           25             22        17

 

Tuesday, Feb. 11
Youth Flag Football
8- to 10-year-old league

Rays Ramblings (2-4) 38

Cool Today (2-3)  32

 

Swordfish Grill & Tiki Bar (0-5)  6

Diamond Turf (4-2) 38

 

HSH Designs (4-1) 12

Beach Bums (3-2)  22

 

11- to 13-year-old league

Solid Rock Construction (4-2) 7

Progressive Cabinetry (5-1) 19

 

Slim’s Place (3-3)  20

Ugly Grouper (0-6) 18

 

14- to 17-year-old league

Ugly Grouper (1-4)  7

Hashmark Sports (4-1)  51

 

MuniPlan (4-1)  26

Killer Bait (3-2) 27

 

Wednesday, Feb. 13
Adult Co-Ed Indoor Soccer

Sato Real Estate  7

Pool America  8

 

Slim’s Place  8

Gulfview Windows  7

 

Ross Built Construction  5

Duncan Real Estate  13

 

Adult Co-ed Flag Football

Slim’s Place  44

Ugly Grouper  40

 

Capt. Sky Cruises  19

Moss Builders   42

 

Lancaster Designs  21

Rays Ramblings  34

 

Firkins Automotive  26

Beach Bums  27

Pier opening delayed by electrical issues

Pier opening delayed by electrical issues

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy and the Anna Maria Commission are planning the opening ceremonies for the new City Pier, but the exact date of the opening remains unknown due to an electrical issue.

The mayor and commission discussed these matters on Thursday, Feb. 13. Murphy said he would appreciate the commissioners’ ideas and input on the pier opening ceremonies, but first he wanted to address a recent report by another newspaper that incorrectly stated an opening date had been determined.

“There was an article in one of the papers that said it was going to be opened March 10th at 1 p.m. In all probability the pier will not be opening March 10,” Murphy said.

March 10 is the deadline for potential pier tenants to submit their pier lease proposals in response to the city’s request for proposals. The proposals received are scheduled to be opened in the commission chambers at 1 p.m. that day.

Electrical delays

“We do have an electrical issue with the pier – partially from Florida Power & Light and partially of our own making. But the Florida Power & Light one is the critical one. That has to be resolved before we can do anything in terms of opening the pier,” Murphy told the commission.

“At this point, it looks like Florida Power & Light will not have their portion of this thing resolved until early March at best. Part of it is impacted by supplies and things of that nature and having to do with design. We can establish a firm date when Florida Power & Light is good to go. Other than that, it’s premature to speculate what the date would be,” Murphy said of the pier opening.

When contacted later, Murphy said the bulk of the electrical concerns pertain to the FPL transformers being readied for connectivity with the city pier.

Pier opening ceremonies

“In lieu of all that, I still need to put together a program as to what we’d like to do,” Murphy told the commission.

Murphy said former Commissioner Doug Copeland suggested a Saturday morning youth fishing tournament as part of the pier opening ceremonies. Murphy said that was an excellent idea and he’s already asked CrossPointe Fellowship Pastor Ed Moss to head up the tournament.

Murphy also wants the opening ceremonies to serve as a thank you to the other government officials and government bodies that helped fund the pier replacement project. These include Florida Sen. Bill Galvano, State Rep. Will Robinson, Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Elliott Falcione, the Manatee County Tourist Development Council, the Manatee County Commission and Anna Maria resident Sissy Quinn for her grassroots fundraising efforts.

“A light program with maybe a champagne toast or something like that. I think it’s appropriate that we say ‘thank you,’ ” Murphy said, noting that hors d’oeuvres would also be served.

Commissioner Carol Carter suggested the ceremony take place on a Friday.

Murphy encouraged the commissioners in their roles as commission liaisons to invite The Center of Anna Maria Island, the Island Players, the AMI Historical Society and the Anna Maria Garden Club to participate in the ceremonies.

“This pier is so important to our city. It’s the heart of our city. That’s why I’d like the entities that are the fiber of our city to participate,” Murphy said.

Carter said a pier exhibit at the AMI Historical Museum could be reinstalled after a current exhibit is removed. She also said the museum sells pier T-shirts and more could be ordered for the opening ceremonies.

Commissioner Joe Muscatello said the Island Players have already offered to perform a historical period piece that pays homage to the original pier built in 1911 and those who first used it.

Commissioner Amy Tripp asked Murphy if he envisioned a two- or three-day ceremony. Murphy said that’s up to the commission. He asked the commissioners to provide him their individual ideas by Wednesday, Feb. 19.

“Just give me some ideas and I think we can put it all together,” he said.

The pier walkway and T-end deck are expected to open to the public before the pier tenant – who has not yet been selected – completes the interior build-outs of the city-owned restaurant and bait shop buildings.

Reel Time Scallopalooza It's Clamtastic

Reel Time: Scallopalooza, It’s Clamtastic

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Outdoors, Reel Time.

Sarasota Bay Watch (SBW) held its 10th Annual “Scallopalooza, It’s Clamtastic” fund-raising event at their new venue, Sarasota’s Hyatt Regency Hotel. on Saturday, Feb. 15. The yearly event sold out and exceeded all expectations as close to 450 people showed up to demonstrate their support for the group’s efforts to protect and enhance the health of Sarasota Bay. Attendees from Sarasota and Manatee counties were represented as well as officials from both counties and environmental groups including the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, Mote Scientific Foundation, START, Suncoast Waterkeeper, Longboat Key Turtle Watch, Save Our Seabirds, Coastal Conservation Association, The Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Mote Marine Laboratory, The Gulf Shellfish Institute, Science and Environmental Council of Southwest Florida, New College and Saint Stephen’s just to name a few.

A number of annual attendees commented that they were “blown away” by the outpouring of support for an organization that was formed in 2007 in the aftermath of one of the area’s massive red tide events. SBW’s event coordinator, Ronda Ryan, worked with event planner Laura Detwiler, the SBW board and Scallopalooza Committee Chairs Brian Jung, Al Jeffery, John Ryan and Ernesto Lasso De La Vega to organize an event that had a seasoned activist overheard commenting that SBW was “more than a little found!”

The evening began with live music, an open bar and a huge silent auction including artwork, event tickets and merchandise of every description as participants mingled to share their passion for Sarasota Bay. Event Chair Brian Jung welcomed the crowd and thanked them for their support while keeping everyone apprised of the auction items and encouraging them to visit the tables. John Ryan, a founding member of Sarasota Bay Watch, was next and explained the purpose of the event as well as SBW’s many projects including island cleanups, student educational activities, plans for the future as well as updating participants on the group’s program in progress to introduce 1 million clams into Sarasota Bay in 2020. This effort got a huge boost in 2019 with a $106,000 donation from the Marjory and Charles Barancik Foundation. Jung related the impact of clams on the health of the bay and how funds raised at the event will support those efforts.

In an emotional speech, Sarasota’s Barbara Sucoff, an SBW supporter who learned about the group’s efforts at a “Friend Raiser” event at the VUE condominium with her late husband Jim Ninivaggi, spoke of the legacy he wanted to and did leave supporting SBW’s efforts. WWSB TV’s Channel 7 weatherman Bob Harrigan, one of the area’s most popular and respected broadcasters and the emcee for the live auction gave a rousing speech lauding the group’s efforts and encouraging them to bid on a trip with award-winning local celebrity Captain Scott Moore and a package of premier tickets to the Tampa Bay Bucs football games. Harrigan has been promoting the group’s efforts since the beginning and recounted the segment he did with Sarasota’s Captain Jonnie Walker during SBW’s first-ever Scallop Search in 2008. Moore then took the stage and recounted his life-long love affair with Sarasota Bay and his commitment to protecting it, beginning with the formation of the Manatee County Chapter of the Florida Conservation Association in the 1980s until today. He then proceeded to up his offering from one day to two, offering trips from Sarasota Bay to Charlotte Harbor.

Both auction items were heavily bid on and raised thousands of dollars for the group’s efforts. At press time the totals of the evening’s proceeds that will be put to work in Sarasota Bay were not available but early estimates are that they will far exceed those of previous events.

To get involved with the work SBW is doing to protect Sarasota Bay and support its mission, visit their website. As they say, “A Healthy Bay is Everybody’s Business,” literally and figuratively!

Castles in the Sand

The greying of the mortgage market

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

As we age, there are physical restrictions on what we can achieve. Tennis may be more difficult, so we switch to pickleball; jogging is a knee killer but walking works; sleeping eight hours straight may be for teenagers but napping after lunch is one of life’s pleasures. Same with finance, adjustments may have to be made, but not totally discounted.

Federal law states under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act that discrimination in the mortgage market on the basis of age is forbidden. So, it basically doesn’t matter how old you are, in theory you can obtain a mortgage. However, the stumbling block is that most people when they’re retired have a reduction in their stream of income. This is particularly a problem for one spouse when the other passes away and their income is diminished because of reduced Social Security and/or pension income.

Nevertheless, there are programs available with more on the way where seniors can tap into their financial portfolios and combine that with other income to qualify. Typically, borrowers qualify based on monthly fixed income, pensions, Social Security, and dividend and interest withdrawals. If that isn’t enough, lenders are recommending setting up a monthly distribution from an IRA or 401(k) account. Fannie Mae rules only require lenders to calculate loans based on at least three years of monthly distributions from retirement accounts.

Finally, there is a method called “asset depreciation” that can be used to qualify, which does not require a monthly distribution but is based on a formula that assumes a monthly distribution. The formula varies with the lender but is based on a percentage of the borrower’s total portfolio being divided by the months in the term of the loan and qualifies borrowers on that basis.

The key to obtaining financing for older borrowers who may have assets but a lower income stream is to work with a mortgage broker experienced in loans for retirees. My guess is that should be a pretty easy thing to do in Florida, and these mortgage brokers may find individual lenders with programs more lenient for retirees.

Whatever your age all homeowners and future homeowners will be happy with the year-end real estate statistics from the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee:

Single-family homes were up in all areas from last year. Closed sales were up 6.6%; median sale price was $316,000, up 5.2%; average sale price was $395,044, up 3.7%; month’s supply of available properties was 3.4 months, down 14.6% from last year. The year ended with 3.5% more pending sales than last year.

Condo sales were up in every area except the number of closed sales, which was down 6.1%. However, the year ended with 17.1% more pending sales for condos, so there is a lot in the pipeline that did not close in 2019. The other numbers are median sale price, $200,000, up 5%; average sale price was $241,331, up 3.4%; and the month’s supply of inventory was 3.6 months, down 10%.

Our biggest problem continues to be the lack of inventory, a seller’s market on steroids.

Age may be a state of mind, but a super good real estate market is a fact of life, and the fact is we’re in a real estate state of mind.

Fishing festival fun

Fishing festival fun

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Entertainment, Featured, Festivals.

CORTEZ – The 38th Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival was filled with fun last weekend, from live music to pony rides to seafood any way you like it.

Warm, sunny weather attracted a large crowd that packed dining tables like sardines, enjoying shellfish, shrimp, mullet, oysters and other seafood, as well as Greek gyros, Southern barbecue, Polish sausage and other landlubber fare.

This year’s arts and crafts show suggested a trend toward environmentally-friendly jewelry and wall art, especially pieces made from parts of palm trees, including trunks (sailboat wall art), seeds (bracelets) and fronds (coconut fish tails).

And a new feature debuted – NOAA’s Voices from the Fisheries, an interactive display featuring recorded interviews with Cortez fishermen talking about a way of life that’s fading from the Florida landscape.

Wanda Jones Fulford, the widow of Blue Fulford, one of the fishermen featured in the recordings, was honored with the Pioneer Award. The Cortez native attended grade school in what is now the Florida Maritime Museum on 119th Street West at the east end of the historic fishing village. She worked at Tropicana Products sorting citrus fruit, said Jane von Hahmann, one of the organizers of the festival, which is sponsored by FISH, the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage.

Wanda made smoked mullet spread famous decades ago, von Hahmann said, congratulating her for a “simple life well lived.”

“I sure am enjoying this today,” Fulford said to applause, adding that she doesn’t get out much at her age. “I enjoy all you people out here.”

Von Hahmann presented the FISH Community Service award to volunteer John MacDonald, another Cortez native, who said he helps out in the village because it’s important to record history.

Once it’s gone, “We can’t get it back,” von Hahmann said.

The Business Community Service Award went to Karen Bell of Star Fish Co., which provides food for several Cortez events, including the annual Cortez Natives Picnic, which is open to the public, von Hahmann said.

Bayshore High School student Matthew Kurutz and Boy Scout Troop 76 were recognized for their work building foot bridges in the FISH Preserve, which is funded by festival proceeds.

Once it’s gone, “We can’t get it back,” von Hahmann said.

Von Hahmann presented the FISH Community Service award to volunteer John MacDonald, another Cortez native, who said he helps out in the village because it’s important to record history.

The Business Community Service Award went to Karen Bell of Star Fish Co., which provides food for several Cortez events, including the annual Cortez Natives Picnic, which is open to the public, von Hahmann said.

Bayshore High School student Matthew Kurutz and Boy Scout Troop 76 were recognized for their work building footbridges in the FISH Preserve, which is funded by festival proceeds.

 

The Cortez Shanty Singers kick off the festival with harmony and humor. - Cindy Lane | Sun

The Cortez Shanty Singers kick off the festival with harmony and humor. - Cindy Lane | Sun

The food court at the festival features seafood, lamb, Polish sausage and a variety of other meals. - Cindy Lane | Sun

The food court at the festival features seafood, lamb, Polish sausage and a variety of other meals. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Viewers get a close look at marine life at a touch tank at the festival. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Viewers get a close look at marine life at a touch tank at the festival. - Cindy Lane | Sun

White pelicans, true snowbirds from Canada, flock to the festival in Sarasota Bay off Cortez. - Cindy Lane | Sun

White pelicans, true snowbirds from Canada, flock to the festival in Sarasota Bay off Cortez. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Angela Collins of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) in Palmetto identifies stone crabs, blue crabs and other species for festival-goers. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Angela Collins of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) in Palmetto identifies stone crabs, blue crabs and other species for festival-goers. - Cindy Lane | Sun

The festival features shrimp, clams and other fresh seafood prepared in a variety of ways. - Cindy Lane | Sun

The festival features shrimp, clams and other fresh seafood prepared in a variety of ways. - Cindy Lane | Sun

NOAA’s Voices from the Fisheries, part of the federal agency’s Vanishing Culture Project, is an interactive display featuring recorded interviews with Cortez fishermen talking about a way of life fading from the Florida landscape. - Cindy Lane | Sun

NOAA’s Voices from the Fisheries, part of the federal agency’s Vanishing Culture Project, is an interactive display featuring recorded interviews with Cortez fishermen talking about a way of life fading from the Florida landscape. - Cindy Lane | Sun

A screech owl is one of the rescued animals on display at the festival from Wildlife Inc. Education and Rehabilitation in Bradenton Beach. - Cindy Lane | Sun

A screech owl is one of the rescued animals on display at the festival from Wildlife Inc. Education and Rehabilitation in Bradenton Beach. - Cindy Lane | Sun

A kids’ activity zone includes a chance to ‘fly’ into the sky. - Cindy Lane | Sun

A kids’ activity zone includes a chance to ‘fly’ into the sky. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Face painting, pony rides and a bounce house are among the activities for kids at the festival. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Face painting, pony rides and a bounce house are among the activities for kids at the festival. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Karan Newman of Coconut Fish displays one of her fish friends at the festival. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Karan Newman of Coconut Fish displays one of her fish friends at the festival. - Cindy Lane | Sun

A handmade wooden kayak is being raffled off at the festival. The boat was donated in an unfinished condition in 2010 and finished by the volunteers at the FISH Boatworks, particularly Joe Egolf, Bill Curto and Charlie Bailey. - Cindy Lane | Sun

A handmade wooden kayak is being raffled off at the festival. The boat was donated in an unfinished condition in 2010 and finished by the volunteers at the FISH Boatworks, particularly Joe Egolf, Bill Curto and Charlie Bailey. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Festival-goers flock to the Cortez Village Historical Society strawberry shortcake booth for a homemade treat. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Festival-goers flock to the Cortez Village Historical Society strawberry shortcake booth for a homemade treat. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Jessica Ann Hessing of JA Art paints a fish at the festival on Saturday. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Jessica Ann Hessing of JA Art paints a fish at the festival on Saturday. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Bracelets made of dyed palm tree nuts are among the new offerings at the festival’s arts and crafts show. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Bracelets made of dyed palm tree nuts are among the new offerings at the festival’s arts and crafts show. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Mike and Judy Farley of Dry Dock Art feature their sailboats made from parts of palm trees in the festival’s arts and crafts show. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Mike and Judy Farley of Dry Dock Art feature their sailboats made from parts of palm trees in the festival’s arts and crafts show. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Ray Holmes and Kathy Cocciolone of 2 Fish 2 Fun display hand-painted fish at the festival’s arts and crafts show. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Ray Holmes and Kathy Cocciolone of 2 Fish 2 Fun display hand-painted fish at the festival’s arts and crafts show. - Cindy Lane | Sun

FISH volunteer John MacDonald won the Community Service award from the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage, presented by one of the festival organizers, Jane von Hahmann. - Cindy Lane | Sun

FISH volunteer John MacDonald won the Community Service award from the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage, presented by one of the festival organizers, Jane von Hahmann. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Wanda Jones Fulford received the Pioneer of the Year award from the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH). - Cindy Lane | Sun

Wanda Jones Fulford received the Pioneer of the Year award from the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH). - Cindy Lane | Sun

Doug Deming and Jewel Tones are among the bands performing at the festival. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Doug Deming and Jewel Tones are among the bands performing at the festival. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Oysters are on the menu at the 38th Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Oysters are on the menu at the 38th Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. - Cindy Lane | Sun

High enterococcus levels in Bradenton Beach waters cause for concern

High enterococcus levels cause for concern

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – “Extremely high” pollution levels have been discovered at the Bradenton Beach bayfront, according to Suncoast Waterkeeper Executive Director Andy Mele and board Chair Joe McClash.

According to their Friday, Feb. 14 press release, “Over a period of two weeks, enterococcus levels exceeding 24,000 colony-forming units (CFU) per liter have been discovered twice along the waterfront at Bridge Street and Bay Dr. South in Bradenton Beach, an area intensively used by tourists throughout the year. Other samples reached 1,670 cfu/L and 4,884 cfu/L.”

According to the Florida Department of Health website, “Enterococci are enteric bacteria that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals. The presence of enteric bacteria can be an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife and human sewage. If they are present in high concentrations in recreational waters, and are ingested while swimming or enter the skin through a cut or sore, they may cause human disease, infections or rashes.”

The Suncoast Waterkeeper press release states that the Florida Department of Health’s threshold for beach closure advisories is 70 cfu/L and that Bradenton Beach bayfront samples have ranged from 24 to 340 times higher than the levels the state regards as unsafe for direct human contact.

“Bay Drive is home to a dinghy beach for people coming ashore from boats in the anchorage, a waterfront restaurant and a number of docks and private piers with small beaches. Bridge Street is Bradenton Beach’s main commercial hub, linked to the bayfront at Bay Drive and the historic pier. The area is frequently accessed by boaters and frequented by recreational paddlers,” according to the press release.

The press release does not cite any suspected sources for the higher-than-usual enterococcus levels.

For several years now, Bradenton Beach residents, business owners and city officials have expressed concerns about liveaboard boaters in that area dumping untreated human waste into those waters. It is not known if the liveaboard boating activities in the unmanaged anchorage south of the Bridge Street Pier contributed to the recently higher enterococcus levels.

High enterococcus levels in Bradenton Beach waters cause for concern
Several liveaboard boaters populate the unmanaged waters south of the Bridge Street Pier. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Suncoast Waterkeeper is also monitoring 11 other sites on a weekly basis for enterococcus along Sarasota Bay and its adjacent waters.

“The Florida Department of Health monitors public beaches weekly and biweekly, so Suncoast Waterkeeper makes no attempt to duplicate their efforts, but to monitor other areas used recreationally that are representative of our inshore coastal waters. Other sites exceed the advisory level of 70 cfu by orders of magnitude, but the two Bradenton Beach bayfront sites are by far the worst,” the press release states.

According to the press release, Mayor John Chappie said, “We are aware we had a problem and we are about to start testing ourselves so we can get to the bottom of it. You know we believe in the importance of clean, healthy waters. We have the clam project and living shoreline in progress.”

The Suncoast Waterkeeper samples were analyzed by Benchmark EnviroAnalytical Inc. an accredited and certified laboratory in Palmetto.

“We are not pointing fingers here,” Mele said in the press release. “We are concerned that there could be a public health problem and we will be working with the Manatee County Department of Health and the Bradenton Beach government to help identify the sources and resolve the problem.”

The Feb. 12 sampling data can be viewed in its entirety at the Suncoast Waterkeeper website.

Anchorage enforcement

Officer Eric Hill, Det. Sgt. Lenard Diaz and Lt. John Cosby from the Bradenton Beach Police Department are among those who play active roles in the ongoing and increased enforcement efforts taking place in the unmanaged waters south of the pier.

When contacted Sunday, Cosby said, “As time goes on, I believe some of that will clear up. We’ve reduced the amount of liveaboards there by half. Six months ago, we had 58 boats out there. We’ve got 24 right now. And the ones we have removed were the ones we were having the most issues with.”

Cosby was asked if the city is having issues with liveaboard boaters dumping human waste into those waters.

“We don’t know, because we would have to physically see them dump it, and we have not seen that. Obviously, if we’re out there they’re not going to do it in front of us,” Cosby said, noting it could possibly happen at night.

Regarding vessel inspections, Cosby said, “We have the Coast Guard help us with that, but the boat has to be operational. If the boat is derelict and the boat doesn’t run, the pump system doesn’t work so the Coast Guard can’t test it. So, that’s part of this derelict enforcement that we’re doing.

“They have to get the boat up and running and be able to demonstrate that it has power, steering and is seaworthy. And FWC just came out with a new course that boaters have to navigate in order to show us the boat is maneuverable. Before, it used to be a guess. Now a sailboat or powerboat has to run to demonstrate to us that the boat is able to be steered and has enough power to propel itself,” Cosby said.

“The big thing out there is continued enforcement. That’s the only thing that’s going to keep that under control, and that’s what we plan on doing,” he added.

Cosby noted the city has a newly-amended ordinance, Ordinance 19-509, that addresses vessels moored in the unmanaged anchorage. The amended ordinance now limits the space available for liveaboard boaters to leave their dinghies at and near the city-owned ‘dinghy dock’ next to the Bridge Tender Inn’s Dockside Bar.

High enterococcus levels in Bradenton Beach waters cause for concern
A newly amended city ordinance allows beached dinghies to be removed from the area at the dinghy owner’s expense. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“That’s going to help a lot. We’re having signs made that say you can’t beach your dinghy anymore in that area.  If there’s not enough room to put their dinghy on the dinghy dock, then they’re out of luck. They’ve been beaching them on that little cove where the dinghy dock is. They’re not allowed to do that anymore. Once the signs are up, we’re actually allowed to seize the dinghy, charge a $100-a-day storage fee and also charge them what it costs for Public Works to remove it,” Cosby said.

The amended ordinance prepared by City Attorney Ricinda Perry also addresses the rafting of multiple vessels and/or floating platforms and other prohibited acts and anchorage-related concerns.

High enterococcus levels in Bradenton Beach waters cause for concern
A recently amended ordinance also addresses the rafting of multiple vessels and/or floating platforms. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

All share the burden

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Letter to the Editor, Opinion.

This letter was originally sent to the Holmes Beach Mayor and City Commission.

Mayor & Commissioners,

I read in the paper there is discussion regarding increasing your stormwater fees. I was the mayor when this was implemented. It was a long year-long study, public hearings, etc. that was very painful. I am sure your staff has gotten an updated study per the laws to justify that this increase is necessary.

When we implemented it, we had the same people that want a decrease in the fees as you are hearing now. The school, churches (they don’t pay taxes), etc… All of the groups that are complaining about the increase today are the ones we told that ALL contribute to our stormwater runoff. Golf courses and fertilizer, churches, large businesses all have impervious surfaces that run stormwater or irrigation into our drains and then into the bay.

If you’re going to give discounts to some, then don’t increase your fees, as it appears you may not need it even though I know you do. Stay strong on behalf of our city and the pollution we run into the bay and Gulf and the need of improving our swales and drainage.

ALL should pay, even though it is rough for all of us. The residential property owners should not foot the bill, we all should.

Carol Whitmore

Holmes Beach