Even though our area has so far been spared a major hurricane hit this year, the threat is always there, as is the threat of losing your insurance. What happens if you can’t get homeowners insurance is one of those “I don’t even want to think about it” questions, but, if it happens to you, you’re in good company.
Florida and Louisiana are the two states in the country that have the most challenging homeowners insurance markets. Florida has the highest average home insurance premium in the country. They also both have state-run insurance of last resort companies that are called Citizens, and they are both trying to reform their state’s insurance obligations.
In addition, Florida is attempting to bring insurers into the state to help create more competition, driving costs down. The state’s Legislature has worked to reduce the number of lawsuits by limiting what attorneys can charge. High attorney fees were mostly blamed for driving up costs and driving out insurance companies, leaving homeowners no choice except to go to Citizens. It’s too early to know for sure what the Legislature is accomplishing, however, there is some evidence that progress is being made.
Nevertheless, the stress for homeowners is enormous, prompting some residents to consider leaving waterfront properties and properties prone to flooding. If you do find yourself in the unimaginable position of not being able to get homeowners insurance on your home or condo while carrying a mortgage, you could be in for some serious problems. Not having the ability to find insurance on your property violates your mortgage agreement. Your lender may force you into a more expensive policy, which is called lender-placed or force-placed insurance. Worse, your loan can be declared in default, risking a foreclosure if you’re not able to satisfy the mortgage.
I know this sounds dramatic and it is, however, one way is to have an advocate on your side like an insurance broker who has access to any new insurance companies coming into the state as well as an understanding of the system and may be able to offer advice. Also, Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) plans were created in the 1960s to make insurance available in areas that had abnormally high exposure to risk. The Florida contact numbers are 850-513-3700 and 904-296-6105.
Citizens Insurance in Florida asked the state Office of Insurance Regulation to raise its rates for property insurance by an average of 13.1%. This request was denied and replaced with a cap of not more than a 12% increase. Citizens’ higher-ups feel the approved rate increase is artificially low, resulting in potential exposure beyond its assets. This affects the private market by not being able to compete with what was designed to be the company of last resort for insurance.
As a comparison, Louisiana’s Citizens’ Property Insurance is uncapped. This means their rates are based on what’s happening in the marketplace, allowing private insurers to compete and taking some of the financial exposure of the state. In addition, Louisiana has an incentive program that provides grants to encourage insurers to write property policies in areas of the state that are most at risk.
The solution to Florida’s unraveling insurance market is obviously to attract more private companies into the state, a feat that is easier said than done. We can only hope a plan is in place before the next “big one” comes knocking on our coastline.
ANNA MARIA – The city-sponsored weekly farmer’s market has returned to City Pier Park.
Featuring 13 vendors, the market will be held every Tuesday through May 7, 2024 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Anna Maria farmers market takes place every Tuesday at City Pier Park. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The market started on a trial basis in March 2018, then resumed the following fall and has continued since then. Taking over for the now-retired Debbie Haynes, Deputy City Clerk
Fran Berrios now organizes and manages the market under and around the City Pier Park shade sail structure. Berrios said the vendor roster is set for the season and vendor applications are no longer being accepted.
“We’ve had a great turnout, the weather’s beautiful and the people are happy,” she said on opening day, Oct. 10.
Jimmy Hernandez manned the Dynasty Guacamole vendor booth that featured fresh guacamole and salsas.
Jimmy Hernandez worked the Dynasty Guacamole booth. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The Milagros Produce booth offered a wide variety of locally grown vegetables and fruits.
The Milagros Produce booth offers shoppers a plethora of fresh produce choices. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Rosibel Malheiro operates the Bella’s Gourmet Cuisine booth and she’s among the original market vendors that have participated each year since the market started. Her booth offers pasta, various kinds of ravioli, including lobster ravioli, porcini mushroom sauce, marina sauce, empanadas and more.
Bella’s Gourmet Cuisine vendor Rosibel Malheiro is one of the original market vendors. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
When asked how it felt to be back at the market, Malheiro said, “Lovely. It’s a beautiful day and we have a lot of regular local customers.”
The Anna Maria Bake House, part of the Chiles Hospitality group, was among those who made their market debuts on opening day, offering sourdough, ciabatta and Cuban bread.
“We started as a bread program for the Sandbar restaurant in 2015,” head baker Ted Louloudes said. “Recently we became Anna Maria Bake House, making all the breads and desserts for the Chiles Hospitality restaurants. We also make breads and pastries for the Gamble Creek Farm market in Parrish.”
Jessica Ruekberg, Matt Vinski and Ted Louloudes worked the Anna Maria Bake House booth. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
In a neighboring booth, Gamble Creek Farms also made its market debut, offering organic produce that included eggplant, okra, squash, lemongrass, chives, plantains, turmeric, papaya and more.
“We’ll be here every Tuesday through May,” vendor Tricia Snow said.
Joe Ann Feeney and Tricia Snow worked the new Gamble Creek Farms booth. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
At the Spiked Pickles booth, vendor Chip English sold craft beer-infused pickled goods.
“We partner with breweries in the state of Florida. We utilize their beer to make a different kind of pickle through lacto-fermentation. We work with about 24 different breweries in Florida. If it grows in Florida and it’s in season, we will pickle it,” English said.
His offerings include pickled green beans, red onion, jalapenos, peppers, cucumbers and more.
Chip English displayed the Spiked Pickles offerings. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“This is our third year. We have some very loyal customers that come back year after year. We sold a lot today,” English said.
When asked what he likes about the Anna Maria Farmers Market, English pointed across the street to the City Pier and Tampa Bay and said, “Look at the view.”
Now in her third year at the Broccobabe booth, Lelia Tavrides sold broccoli greens (the leaves and greens from broccoli plants), broccoli microgreens and kits to grow broccoli greens and microgreens at home.
The Broccobabe booth featured broccoli microgreens.- Joe Hendricks | Sun
“Most people are familiar with broccoli sprouts and the microgreens have the same benefits. They’re nutrient-rich and contain antioxidants. I use them in smoothies, sandwiches, omelets salads and anywhere you would use greens,” Tavrides said.
She also offered fresh dill, arugula, basil, orange mint, tomatoes and more.
At his Surferdude Cooks tent, vendor Roman Strykowski sold Marek’s Authentic Polish Food, of which he is an independent distributor.
Roman Strykowski sells Marek’s Authentic Polish Food at the Anna Maria market. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“It’s authentic Polish food, all manufactured in Chicago by Poles. Our sausage doesn’t have any gluten, no fillers, no corn starch. They’re made with meat imported from Poland, are made in the old traditional way and contain less sodium than most American sausages,” he said.
His offerings included several varieties of frozen and fully-cooked sausages, pierogi and more.
Strykowski said Marek’s is the only nationwide company that uses Polish flour to make its pierogis.
Red’s Farm made its market debut. – Red’s Farm | Submitted
Making her market debut in the Red’s Farm booth, Julie Richie said, “We’re selling pastured chicken, pork and eggs. It’s regenerative farming. They’re in poultry netting and we move it every day so they get fresh ground. It allows them to fertilize the ground but not over-fertilize it. It really is great for the land but for the birds and pigs as well. We have pigs in a wooded area. It’s our first day and our first year at the market. I heard about it from another vendor at another market. It’s great. It’s been busy.”
At the Hahn’s Handcrafted Lemonade booth, original market vendors Garrison and Chanhsy Hahn enjoyed their market return.
Hahn’s Handcrafted Lemonade owners Chanhsy and Garrison Hahn are original Anna Maria market vendors. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“We’ve been here since the beginning. We love the people here and the atmosphere. This is my favorite market. It’s a beautiful day and the customers are nice,” Garrison said.
“It’s local produce and local products,” Chanhsy added.
As one of the market’s large produce vendors, Fibela Produce offers a wide range of fresh produce.
Fibela Produce is one of the market’s largest fresh produce vendors. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
At the Devs Bevs booth, company owner Devinne Whittaker sold the fresh-pressed juices she also sells daily inside The Center of Anna Maria Island. Whittaker made her debut at the Anna Maria market this month and is a regular vendor at the downtown Bradenton market.
Devinne Whittaker’s Devs Bevs made its Anna Maria market debut. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“This is my first time at this one. I grew up here, I live out here and I’m happy to be part of something in my community. It’s amazing. I’m almost sold out,” she said.
Whittaker shared a sample of her Funky Lemonade wellness shot and said, “It’s for allergies, congestion and gut health. It kind of opens up your sinus cavities,” she said of the slightly spicy concoction that includes pepper, garlic and turmeric.
“All my juices are good for specific ailments. I started my company and helped my mom beat stage 4 cancer by juicing and plant-based eating. She’s two years in remission now,” Whittaker said.
Mr. Fun Guy specializes in dried mushrooms, tinctures and more. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The Mr. Fun Guy booth offered several varieties of dried mushrooms, tinctures and other mushroom-based products.
Original vendor Thomas Tillman manned the Grumpy’s Farm Market booth that’s part of Tillman Farms. His offerings included raw honey, homemade bread, tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, celery, zucchini and peppers. When asked what he likes about the Anna Maria market, Tillman said, “It’s local and we’ve got a lot of variety.
Thomas Tillman is one of the market’s original produce vendors. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“The weather’s nice, sales are good and we’re running out of things,” Tillman said as noon approached.
Kathy Noonan and Barbara Riskay worked the AMI Turtle Watch booth. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch volunteers Kathy Noonan and Barbara Riskay manned the Turtle Watch booth that offered in exchange for a donation several turtle and sea-life-related items such as shirts, books, hats, cooling towels, books, license plates and Christmas ornaments. The proceeds generated at the market booth help fund the organization’s sea turtle monitoring, protection and preservation efforts.
ANNA MARIA – Additional planning is underway for the expanded Reimagining Pine Avenue project which now also includes Spring and Magnolia avenues.
The long-discussed project includes the installation of permeable brick paver sidewalks along both sides of Pine Avenue, new and improved crosswalks and new streetlights along the commercial corridor. The sidewalks will meander in areas where the unpaved paths currently curve inward toward the businesses. The permeable pavers are expected to improve drainage along Pine Avenue.
The project is expected to improve drainage along Pine Avenue. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The expanded project will also include safety improvements along Spring and Magnolia avenues, both of which run parallel to Pine Avenue. Portions of Spring and Magnolia currently lack sidewalks and crosswalks.
The Pine Avenue corridor includes Spring and Magnolia avenues. – City of Anna Maria | Submitted
The purpose of the expanded project is to increase safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and others who use the three streets that comprise the Pine Avenue corridor. Commissioners discussed eliminating the parallel parking spaces along Pine Avenue, but did not vote to do so.
Pine Avenue runs through the middle of Anna Maria’s primary commercial district. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The city’s 2023-24 fiscal year budget includes $3.34 million in projected Reimagining Pine Avenue-related expenditures. The funding sources are $2.69 million in state appropriations, $283,412 in federal American Rescue Plan funds and $367,781 in impact fees, property tax revenues and funds carried over from the previous fiscal year budget.
On Sept. 21, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy provided the city commission with a project status update. He said in the coming weeks he’d be meeting with project engineer Gerry Traverso, of the George F. Young engineering firm, regarding the proposed safety improvements to be made along Spring and Magnolia avenues. The city commission-approved plans that Traverso created for the initial Pine Avenue safety improvements were completed more than a year ago.
Murphy said the engineering firm will provide a comprehensive view of the improvements that could be made along Spring and Magnolia and incorporate those improvements with the existing Pine Avenue plans.
Many forms of transportation travel down Pine Avenue. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
He said he will bring the commission a list of recommendations as to what can be done in the entire Pine Avenue corridor using the state, federal and city funds already earmarked for the project.
The intent is to make Pine Avenue safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and other users. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“By the end of October, you will have a list of plans and ideas of what we can do with Magnolia, Spring and how it ties into Pine,” he told the commission.
“This won’t be as complicated as Pine because you’re looking at two similar residential streets,” Murphy added, noting the Pine Avenue plans were more complex because Pine Avenue serves as Anna Maria’s primary commercial district.
In some areas, the unpaved paths meander toward the Pine Avenue businesses. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
As was the case with the original Pine Avenue planning process that began in 2021, the planning and decision-making process for the proposed Spring and Magnolia improvements will include public input being provided by residents and business owners before any final decisions are made.
“It’s the start of the finalized plan. Similar to how we did Pine Avenue,” Murphy said of the pending planning process.
Commissioner Charlie Salem asked if it’s possible to ask the engineering firm to look at the alleyway that runs parallel to Pine Avenue, behind the businesses on the west side of the street.
Regarding the city-owned alley that already contains stormwater and drainage elements, Murphy said, “That’s one of the things I asked him to look at, that swale behind the stores there. What are the possibilities of using that for some mode of transportation?”
After the expanded project plans are completed, the city will issue a new request for proposals (RFP) seeking bids from construction firms interested in installing the safety improvements.
In the past year or so, the city issued three RFPs for the Reimagining Pine Avenue project. Each of those RFPs generated one bid proposal from the same construction firm. Because only one firm bid on those RFPs, and because the quoted prices were higher than the city hoped for, all three of those bids were rejected. The mayor and commission hope expanding the project to include Spring and Magnolia avenues will make the project more attractive and lucrative to more construction firms, which could generate more bid proposals for the expanded project.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Pickleball players have many places to play the sport on and around the Island.
The cooler weather on the horizon bodes well for those who enjoy playing pickleball on the outdoor courts in Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach. Pickleball can also be played at the open-air, $2.9 million C.V. Walton Racquet Center pickleball courts at Manatee County’s G.T. Bray Recreation Center in west Bradenton. In August, “Pickleball Magazine” included the G.T. Bray pickleball facility in its “25 Great Places to Play Pickleball” cover story.
Often described as America’s fastest-growing sport, pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong in a game played on a court that resembles, but is smaller than, a tennis court. The smaller court and use of paddles and a perforated plastic ball make pickleball an ideal sport for players of all ages. The sport is extremely popular with those 55 and older.
The G.T. Bray pickleball facility has 20 courts, including 14 covered courts. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The USA Pickleball organization is the national governing body for the sport.
“The rules are simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn but can develop into a fast-paced, competitive game,” the USA Pickleball website says.
“A pickleball court is the same size as a doubles badminton court and measures 20×44 feet. The net height is 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches in the middle. The court is striped similar to a tennis court with right and left service courts and a 7-foot non-volley zone in front of the net. Courts can be constructed specifically for pickleball or they can be converted using existing tennis or badminton courts,” according to the website.
CBS News and FOX News recently reported vacant and unused office spaces and shopping malls around the country have been converted into thriving indoor pickleball courts.
A pickleball court is smaller than a tennis court. – Pickleball USA | Submitted
Island courts
The Center of Anna Maria Island offers three outdoor pickleball courts and three more indoor courts inside the gymnasium.
The Center also offers indoor pickleball play. – The Center | Submitted
Folks have been playing pickleball at The Center since 2010. According to Executive Director Chris Culhane, The Center had 3,300 pickleball player check-ins in 2022. That figure includes repeat players, including those who play several days a week.
Pickleball is free to play with a Center membership and The Center offers daily, weekly, monthly and annual membership options.
The Center also offers indoor and outdoor pickleball lessons for those who want to learn the game or improve their play.
“We have multiple instructors. During peak season, the pickleball courts are very busy but our instructors do a great job of fitting in lessons whenever there’s court availability,” Center Recreation Director Tyler Bekkerus said.
Lou Barolo Park in Bradenton Beach features a pickleball court. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
In 2015, the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency paid for a public pickleball court to be installed at Lou Barolo Park on Highland Avenue, near the police station. On the north side of the city, the Herb Dolan Park basketball court is striped in a manner that allows it to also be used as a pickleball court.
The Bradenton Beach City Commission is currently considering spending $38,000 to install two new pickleball courts at Herb Dolan Park.
The city of Holmes Beach has two pickleball courts at City Field and two nearby tennis courts that can also be used as pickleball courts. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The city of Holmes Beach provides two pickleball courts and two tennis courts that can also be used as pickleball courts in the City Field recreational area. There’s no fee to play pickleball at the Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach courts.
County complex
In August, Manatee County issued a press release regarding “Pickleball Magazine” including the G.T. Bray pickleball facility in its July/August cover story.
“Pickleball Magazine” mentioned the G.T. Bray pickleball complex in its July\August issue. – Pickleball Magazine | Submitted
“We’ve compiled a list of just some of the wonderful places to play pickleball in the open air around the country,” the story notes.
The story features a brief overview of the G.T. Bray facility: “Opened in 2022, the new C.V. Walton Racquet Center pickleball courts at the G.T. Bray Recreation Center are a terrific place to play. There are 20 courts, 14 of which are covered and include large ceiling fans to keep the air circulating during the hot summer months. Reservations for the outdoor courts may be made six days in advance. The reservation line opens at noon. Open play is available daily.”
The G.T. Bray pickleball complex is among the finest pickleball facilities in the United States. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
In the press release, Deputy Director of Manatee County Sports and Leisure Services Molly White said, “The G. T. Bray pickleball complex is a state-of-the-art facility. It’s no surprise to our users to be named one of the best. We have a great community and we are happy to be able to meet their pickleball needs while attracting tournaments with players from all over the United States.” County Commission Chairman Kevin Van Ostenbridge said, “It’s great to see recognition like this. It is an acknowledgment of the ongoing commitment to keeping our county amenities world-class.”
The G.T. Bray pickleball complex features a shaded area where players can rest between games. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
When providing additional information about the G.T. Bray pickleball complex, Manatee County Information Outreach Manager Bill Logan said, “During season, we average about 1,000 participants in a membership that includes pickleball and we accommodate over 27,000 participants annually who pay a daily fee to play. We offer a variety of programs throughout the year including leagues for all levels, private lessons, clinics and tournaments that attract players from all over the United States. We also offer open play on a daily basis, with the largest turnout between 9 a.m. and noon. With 10 dedicated open-play courts during this timeframe, divided into three playing levels, there is always a court available for all levels of play.”
Players of all skill levels enjoy the G.T. Bray pickleball complex in Bradenton. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
While playing pickleball at the county facility, Jeff Brooke said, “I think the facility’s amazing. There are different levels of play that make it fun for beginners and fun for the more experienced players as well. There’s a lot of shade and the facility is run very well.”
To reserve a G.T. Bray court, call 941-742-5973. The fee to play is $5 per day. The G.T. Bray Recreation Center is located at 5502 33rd Ave. Drive W. in Bradenton.
I consider myself extremely lucky to have spent the last 40-plus years on an island in an area celebrated as the Suncoast. As an ardent angler, I’ve explored the bays, estuaries, islands and Gulf and feel incredibly blessed for the opportunities I’ve had. Like other anglers, I share the desire to “give back,” to work to protect this incredibly rich and diverse habitat after experiencing our effects on its health over time.
When I arrived here in 1981 the waters of the Suncoast were beginning to recover from decades of unregulated dredge and fill projects, stormwater runoff, overfishing and inadequate sewage systems. Over four decades I saw bag and size limits created to protect fish stocks and watched as waters begin to recover as insults were addressed. Seagrass was growing back and there was cause for hope and celebration. Red tides and algae blooms still occurred, and nitrogen levels increased, but we seemed to be on a hopeful track.
Hudson Fisher caught his first redfish in Longboat Pass with his grandfather, Michael Riter, also known as Pickle. Will his children have the same opportunity? – Submitted | Michael Riter
Unfortunately, all that was so laboriously gained over half a century has been lost in just the last six years. Seagrass beds disappeared, lyngbya blooms, late summer occurrences since the 1980s, exploded in early spring and blanketed the already stressed grass beds and left shorelines lined in anoxic milky white water. Populations of some fish species plummeted and businesses suffered.
One of the advantages anglers have living in and fishing an area over time is the ability (given your eyes and mind are open) to gain insight into the seemingly inexorable changes that occur around you over time. As I’ve worked with like-minded individuals to protect mangroves, fish stocks and the waters of our bays and Gulf, I always wondered why harmful algae blooms, a/k/a red tides, were reported by the Spaniards in the 16th and 17th centuries. There wasn’t overpopulation to throw the system off balance. The answer to that question came to me as I read the accounts of those same Spaniards, Cuban fishermen and indigenous Indians in Jack Davis’ Pulitzer Prize-winning book “The Gulf, The Making of an American Sea.” In those pages, I learned about accounts relating to instances of the skies turning dark as thousands of seabirds passed overhead on a cloudless day, of fish schools so thick that it wasn’t much of an overstatement that you could walk their backs across broad stretches of the inland bays.
Suddenly it became clear to me (caveat, I’m no scientist) that the same red tides that polluters discount with “it’s natural” (like cancer’s normal is my retort) may have been nature’s way of attempting to keep the waters balanced. Before man left his scars on the ecosystem, the explosion of life was kept in check by this organism that’s triggered by excess nitrogen. It dawned on me that harmful algae blooms may function like forest fires in a natural system. Now the same marker nitrogen, produced by human activity, triggers longer and more intense outbreaks that track population growth.
Every time I’m at the beach and see young children splashing in the surf with gleeful enthusiasm and fishing the local piers I have to wonder, what kind of world will we leave these kids? My experiences, the lessons I’ve learned, and the camaraderie of friends on the Suncoast have been an incentive to give back for all we’ve been given. To be sure in these strange and uncertain times these efforts can verge on being depressing. That’s why I have to constantly remind myself of the words of the Dalai Lama, “If you work to save the world and the world is lost, no regrets.”
Sometimes it looks like the national real estate market and the high-interest mortgage rates are nothing but lemons. But one startup company has found a way to turn the lemons into lemonade.
Assumable mortgages are something that was not uncommon back in the more civilized real estate era. Many conventional mortgages had an assumable clause built into the mortgage, giving lenders another source of potential borrowers. Those days are long gone except for government mortgages, including VA and FHA loans, which usually still contain an assumable clause.
What is an assumable mortgage? An assumable mortgage allows sellers to transfer their mortgage loan to the buyer purchasing their home. An assumable transaction doesn’t replace an old mortgage with a new one, but instead transfers the old mortgage to the new owner. The seller is relieved of the remaining mortgage liability and the balance of the outstanding loan is subtracted from the purchase price. The buyer, of course, must come up with cash to cover the balance of the purchase price.
Roam is the name of a new real estate startup launched several weeks ago in a handful of states, including Florida, who – for a fee – will search out properties with assumable mortgages. They will handle the paperwork and work through the system and the seller’s mortgage company on behalf of both buyer and seller to facilitate the mortgage transfer and property sale. Roam’s goal is to attract lenders and investors who can place new loans for the balance of the selling price, possibly at higher rates to compensate them for holding the assumable mortgage at lower rates. It’s not for a novice but, if successful, could open more available properties for buyers.
There are always good and bad points to anything new to the marketplace. If something looks too good to be true, it may be. Some of the pros for purchasing an assumable mortgage are lower interest rates, an obvious benefit for the buyer. Having an assumable mortgage gives significantly more exposure to a seller’s property. Closing costs will be lower and no appraisal is necessary, saving more money, and the buyer is assuming less debt.
The negative side of an assumable mortgage is a larger down payment, which is fine if a buyer has a lot of home equity or cash. Buyers still need to meet the lender’s credit and income requirements, and the buyer does not have a choice of lender.
Buyers who are assuming a VA-backed mortgage won’t be entitled to another VA loan until the assumed loan is paid off. Therefore, if you are getting VA benefits you may need to wait a while to qualify for another loan.
You may also be required to carry mortgage insurance depending on the amount of loan assumed and the loan-to-value ratio.
As I pointed out, this is a balancing act and not for everyone. Assumable mortgages could work great if you’re buying from a family member. If you don’t want a federal loan and are more comfortable with a conventional mortgage, it won’t work. Sellers with an assumable mortgage who may be having a problem selling their property could benefit by using it to make their home more desirable and advantageous to buyers.
Lemons or lemonade, the yin and yang of the real estate market. Just one more thing to add to the confusion.
ANNA MARIA – With just one win, team Pool America moved from the bottom of the ranks in the adult co-ed soccer league to fourth place. The team, led by team captain Chris Klotz, took the pitch against the winless Slim’s Place squad.
Sharing the bottom of the ranks just minutes before, Pool America shut out the Slim’s Place team 7-0.
Posting nine saves in the game, Klotz helped move his team up the ladder in the keeper position. Teammate Luca Vecchio had a hat trick during 40 minutes of regulation play.
Scoring three goals against Slim’s Place goalie Steve Oelfke, Vecchio shares scoring honors with Nate Welch and Austin Nutting. Oelfke had eight total saves in the week five game.
Pool America’s Sam Parker sent a shot that bent into the net for her solo goal of the night.
Gulf Drive Café won its third game of the season, 6-1, against the Sato Real Estate team. Putting 14 saves in the statistics, Charles “Tuna” McCracken worked hard at the net for the Gulf Drive team.
Ben Sato made 10 stops in the goal across the field from McCracken. Both teams’ offenses kept the opposing goalkeepers on their toes the entire game.
On offense, the only point for Sato Real Estate came from last-minute team add-on, Lyn Clarke. Clarke’s goal was on an Amy Ivin assist. Ivin is a weekly high scorer and offensive powerhouse.
Shooting for the win, Gulf Drive Café’s team captain, Kevin Roman, scored five goals, with a single by Alejandro Aviles. Aviles provided a nice pass to Roman, resulting in one of his many points in the game.
In a nailbiter, the Ross Built Custom Homes team took the win by one goal over Gulfview Windows & Doors, 7-6. Gulfview’s captain, Keith Mahoney, scored three goals in the match along with teammate Jesus Martinez.
The two hat tricks kept the Gulfview team in the game, but the scoring efforts of the Ross Built squad eked out the victory. With two goals each, Daniel Hampton, Ethan Hampton and Greg Ross put six points on the scoreboard, while Selena Gonzalez-Salinas had a solo goal.
Gulfview’s Raul Loera is credited with six saves. Helping Ross Built capture its fourth W of the season, keeper Max Gazzo made seven huge stops against the Gulfview offense.
Team Moss Builders remains undefeated and at the top of the ranking after a three-point win over the Sandbar Seafood & Spirits squad in the final game last Thursday night.
With the final score of 7-4, Moss’ Dean Hinterstoisser’s hat trick complimented the goals by teammates Rex Kesten, James Lynch and Gerardo Urbiola Bolanos.
Their strong team play is part of the reason the Moss Builders team is dominating the league after five weeks. Hinterstoisser and Urbiola Bolanos each had two assists. Lynch is noted with a single assist.
Captain Ryan Moss continues to be a force in the net as the goalkeeper for his team, with 10 saves Thursday night.
Across the field, seven saves were made by Robb Marshall for the Sandbar team. His efforts, along with two goals by Aaron Frech and Matt Staggs, helped the squad fight hard through the two halves of Island soccer.
With only two games left before adult co-ed soccer playoffs begin, the post-season match-ups are still up in the air. One game behind Moss Builders, Ross Built Custom Homes is within reach of finishing the season on top.
BRADENTON – Manatee County commissioners reduced wetland buffers in a 5-1 vote on Oct. 5, defaulting to the less restrictive state of Florida minimums from more restrictive county standards.
Buffers between sensitive wetlands and new upland development are reduced from 50 feet to 25 feet. Buffers between outflowing wetlands and new upland development are reduced from 30 feet to 15 feet.
Prior to the public comment session of the meeting, Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge gave an indication that he would not be swayed by the upcoming speakers.
“The government is being asked to provide a land buffer – that’s the taking of property rights away from the citizen,” he said. “Is the juice worth the squeeze? That’s the ultimate question here.”
His conversation then took a political turn. He said he felt the board was being targeted by “radical climate activists” because the board is comprised of Republicans, and claimed that environmental groups were using children as “political pawns.”
The remarks drew groans from the audience.
Commissioner Mike Rahn said, “I’d like to get back to stormwater questions and concerns.”
During the public comment portion of the land use meeting, more than 30 people, including representatives from the scientific community and private citizens, spoke during the four-hour public hearing. Additionally, nearly 500 public comments were emailed to commissioners prior to the meeting, most opposed to a reduction in wetland protections.
Brice Claypool, 15, represented environmental advocacy group Kids for Clean Water at the meeting.
“I’m not a political pawn,” he said. “People ask me why are you doing this? And that’s because I love our local environment. I’ve been watching terrible things happen to our environment. I fear everything I love about our community is at risk of being lost. We need to start taking care of our waters. I’ve been dismayed by this board reducing protections for our waters despite the papers and evidence to support this.”
Claypool presented an open letter to the commission signed by 100 local youth.
Colin Curtis outlined what he sees as threats to the local environment.
“I’m a fisherman and I’ve seen the demise of water quality in Manatee County,” Curtis said. “We have three things going against us in Manatee. First, It’s low elevation, which means a slow drainage of our contaminants. Having a narrow buffer zone exacerbates this process. Second we have a low tidal exchange. This is not enough to clean our rivers and estuaries of the contaminants including fertilizers that sink to the bottom. Third and most importantly are the overzealous developers, assisted by you guys. The common people of this county deserve clean water over the profits of developers.”
Glenn Compton spoke on behalf of ManaSota-88, a non-profit organization with a stated goal of protecting the public’s health and the preservation of the environment.
“We own four lots in Manatee County, they would be described as coastal wetlands,” Compton said. “We don’t feel there’s a government taking of our property, because you can’t do things like take down the mangroves or build a seawall. We feel there are rules and regulations in place that need to be followed for the benefit of the community and the environment. So we don’t believe the idea that wetland buffers is a taking of land by the government.”
Compton said that the board is expanding the role of government by encouraging development in a flood-prone area.
“You’re going to have to provide services when the storm comes,” he said. “You’ll probably have to have federal flood insurance programs that will become more numerous in Manatee County. After the storm has passed, you’re going to have to deal with post-storm assistance which will be a cost to the taxpayers. This is an expansion of government into private property rights.”
Ken Piper said the purpose of this proposal is to “continue a policy of easy development for crony capitalists.”
“This proposal subjects the county to more state control,” Piper said. “True conservatives wish to retain local control while favoring smaller government. The problem with protecting the fee simple property rights of developers is that ignores the property rights of the rest of us. The problem is you are claiming you are enhancing the property rights of the developer and you’re forgetting about the taxpayers’ investments through their property and their infrastructure.”
Chris Costello of the Sierra Club asked the board not to make this a partisan issue.
“It can’t be political, it can’t be partisan,” she said. “I refuse to believe Republicans care less. Your decision today will decrease protections. Do not make this a partisan issue, please.”
John Mast, representing the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association, spoke in favor of the amendment.
“The primary objective of changing the comprehensive plan is to streamline and smooth the efficiency of the permitting process,” Mast said. “This alteration aims to minimize duplication in government regulations, ultimately reducing the time required for permitting procedures.”
Abbey Tyrna, executive director of Suncoast Waterkeeper, spoke to the board.
“I’m here not only representing Suncoast Waterkeeper, but the 2,331 signatures we received on our Save Our Wetlands petition,” she said. “We’re eliminating protections for all viable wetlands.”
Rusty Chinnis, of Suncoast Waterkeeper and The Sun’s outdoors columnist, said more protections, not less, should be in place to protect the water.
“This is not being anti-development. Development is going to happen, but we need to consider smart development,” said Chinnis, a former builder. “Please carefully consider what you’re doing here. Everybody who comes here, who buys these homes here, come here because of the water quality. These are our waters. We shouldn’t be looking to the state. We should be looking to Manatee County and concerned, wise and informed commissioners.”
At the end of the meeting, Commissioner Jason Bearden made a motion to approve the change to the comprehensive plan. The motion was seconded by Van Ostenbridge, with a 5-1 vote in favor. Commissioner Ray Turner was absent from the Oct. 5 meeting. Commissioner George Kruse cast the lone dissenting vote.
The ordinance reads in part: “Adoption of an ordinance of the Board of County Commissioners of Manatee County… amending policy herein so that the county’s wetland impact mitigation standard and its wetland buffers requirements for isolated wetlands is consistent with state standards; allowing for engineering solutions to be considered adjacent to environmentally sensitive coastal wetlands; deleting text from the above-cited objectives regarding wetlands to achieve consistency with state standards.”
The hearing was the second on the reduction of wetland buffers. The first, on Aug. 17, ended in a 6-1 vote in favor of transmitting a comprehensive plan text amendment to the state of Florida, effectively reducing Manatee County wetland buffers. Kruse was also the lone voice of dissent in that vote.
BRADENTON BEACH – In what City Attorney Ricinda Perry described as a “concerning situation” at an Oct. 5 city commission meeting, a city building official has determined that several properties in the city do not conform to the building code.
“When we were looking at this and looking at zoning, comp plan and future land use designations, we had an ‘oh my’ moment,” Perry said. “What we discovered, Runaway Bay – all the condominiums – Tortuga, Silver Surf, Bridgewalk, Old Bridge Village, all of these appear to be triggered in some way by this provision on first blush.”
Perry displayed the text of the city’s high-density residential code, which says there may be up to nine single-family detached homes per acre with at least 1,000 square feet each or 18 duplex units per acre with at least 700 square feet each. For multi-family residential properties having three or more units, each must be at least 700 square feet, with up to 18 units allowed per acre. For hotel/motel/ transient lodging units with at least six units, each having at least 300 square feet, the allowable density is up to 18 residential units per acre.
Many properties in the city exceed the number of allowable units, making them “non-conforming,” according to Perry. City officials say that has no immediate effect, but that if a natural disaster forces rebuilding, current codes would apply, potentially forcing the elimination of some units.
Perry said Angela Rodocker, owner of Silver Surf and Bridgewalk, expressed concern about her properties.
“She has 1.22 acres on Old Bridge Village, and I think it was 28 units. According to this language, she is not allowed to have that – if something happens – if she wants to expand it,” Perry said.
Currently, these buildings and others are considered to be legally non-conforming, she said.
“That’s important, it’s legal, it can sit there, but it’s non-conforming with the comp plan,” Perry said, explaining that the city code does not allow those owners to expand their developments.
Perry said if there’s a natural disaster, they can rebuild only on their current footprint.
“But you have to look at the next part, which is what concerned (Building Official) Steve Gilbert. You must meet all other comprehensive plan requirements,” she said.
Perry used the example of a property having 56 units per acre, more than the allowable density of 18 per acre. If there is a disaster causing the units to be replaced, the building can be rebuilt in the same footprint, but each unit now has to be a minimum of 700 square feet.
“The concern is if I build a 400-square-foot unit to fit all these in and I’m now required to increase that to 700, which one of the property owners is going to be told you don’t have a unit because you have to meet that standard in order to rebuild from a hurricane?” Perry said. “Who do we tell you don’t have a home anymore to?”
Perry said that it’s important to protect current property owners.
“I don’t want to scare anybody too terribly much, but it is something very important to make sure we protect property owners who have gone through the proper channels and make sure we don’t take away their existing property rights and as it stands I can tell you there is concern that we have created a substantial amount of legal non-conformities,” she said.
Commission to engage expert
“So what staff would like to do with your blessing, is we want to see how big the problem is, if in fact it is a problem,” Perry said. “It jumps out at us as a big red flag and we need to get to the bottom of it. In order to figure out what kind of problem we’re looking at, we need to have our city planner, Luis Serna, go into the land development code, the comprehensive plan, look at this provision and then go out and find all the properties that have been triggered by this.”
She asked for approval to have an analysis done by Serna to determine how many units exist on a property and if he can, with ease, find out when those units were approved, and by what mechanism.
“Then also figure out what the average square foot is per unit, what the lot coverage is and the floor ratio,” Perry said. “Those were the things that were tweaked and touched and you have to comply with in order to rebuild after a natural disaster or fire and see what property rights have become legal non-conformities because from what I understand, this commission wants to protect what’s been approved and given to people.”
“I think it’s only fair that if it (the data from Serna) triggers those areas, we need to let those people know what’s going on,” she said. “Then you can decide on that data. Do we send it over to the land planning agency and let them decide and possibly adjust the language as needed?”
“I have talked with Steve (Gilbert),” Mayor John Chappie said. “We need more data to see if it is major and we need our planner – Luis Serna – to do this data collection and bring it back to the city commission. Then we on the city commission will decide if we need to do something. Or send it to the Planning and Zoning Board to review this. But it’s important it comes back to the commission first.”
Commissioner Jan Vosburgh urged that the data collection process be done quickly.
Perry read a draft motion: “A motion to authorize Luis Serna to work with staff to review the city’s comprehensive plan as it relates to the number of units for the comp plan designations by looking at all existing developments six units or greater, and providing an analysis to the city commission identifying the floor area ratio, lot coverage, number of units and average square footage together with any information with the date of approval and the development approval mechanism to the city commission.”
Cole made the motion and Vosburgh seconded it. Commissioners approved it unanimously. Commissioners Jake Spooner and Marilyn Maro were absent with excuse from the meeting.
BRADENTON – The Manatee County Legislative Delegation did not address their plans for a consolidation study of Anna Maria Island cities as expected at an Oct. 5 meeting, the deadline they set for the three Island mayors to respond to their September request for information on the issue.
All three mayors sent their responses prior to Oct. 5 and the study was expected to be a topic of conversation at the meeting, held at Bradenton City Hall.
However, participants made no mention of the proposed state study on the consolidation of the three Island cities into a single municipal government. A September letter from Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) and Rep. Will Robinson (R-Bradenton) to the mayors said that the state lawmakers expected a response before the Oct. 5 meeting from each of them on how they were working together to consolidate services, or they would go forward with demanding a consolidation study.
Each mayor responded that while they are in favor of the proposed study if its results would help reduce the burden on taxpayers, they were not in favor of consolidation.
The city of Holmes Beach was the only Island city with representation at the meeting. Attending were Mayor Judy Titsworth, Commissioner Terry Schaefer and City Attorney Erica Augello. When it was time to speak, Schaefer took to the podium to discuss the importance of home rule.
“Over the past three years alone, 81 bills have been passed by the Legislature that have critically diluted home rule,” Schaefer said. “We have had our differences with you over two home rule issues recently, however, we are encouraged by the process and sincere discussions occurring with your leadership and the Island’s three mayors. We all hope to produce the best outcome for Island residents, visitors and stakeholders and appreciate the opportunity to work with you in earnest.”
The only member of the delegation to speak to Schaefer’s comments was Boyd. He said that while he agrees with Schaefer’s statements on home rule, the place where the two differ is on the governance of land use.
During a meeting held in January, the delegation brought up the consolidation study and voted in favor of it.
They also presented a local bill to allow Manatee County to build a three-story parking garage at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach against the city’s land development code and local ordinances. That bill passed at the state level during the 2023 legislative session and gained Gov. Ron DeSantis’s signature despite local opposition.
BRADENTON BEACH – Coquina Beach Market vendor Christine Barrett loves her new office.
“Look at this,” she said. “My ‘office’ has the most beautiful view. What could be better than this?”
Barrett, of Five Acre Woods woodworking crafts, was at one of 80 vendor spots at the long-awaited Oct. 5 opening of the market on Coquina Beach.
“It’s been fairly busy today,” said Barrett, adding that she had been a vendor at the “old” Coquina Beach Market, located north of the current Manatee County-run market, but pulled out because of the construction at the beach.
Marketgoers perused offerings of clothing, foods, decorative items and jewelry on opening day. A ribbon-cutting will be held at the market on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 10 a.m.
The market will be open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.
Nancy Ambrose ran the market for 10 years before Manatee County took over operations in August 2022. Originally slated to open in November 2022, the market was delayed by damage from Hurricane Ian and parking lot construction.
Vendors who would like to participate in upcoming markets may visit Coquinabeachmarket.org and text name, company name, product and email address to 941-840-0789 or email the information to info@coquinabeachmarket.org.
HOLMES BEACH – Whether it’s sweet treats on Halloween or a huge Thanksgiving dinner with friends and family, autumn is a time for feasting, so it makes perfect sense that the Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island’s (AGAMI) feature display for October would showcase some mouth-watering art that is not only pleasing to the eye, but may invoke hunger pangs as well.
The display, “Yummy for the Tummy,” features works of art in oil, acrylic, watercolor and other media that leave the observer hungry for more.
“Yummy for the Tummy” is on display in the front window of the gallery through Tuesday, Oct. 31 and all works of art are available for sale.
‘Chocolate Covered’ by Anne Abgott is one of many works of art in the ‘Yummy for the Tummy’ featured display at the Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island in Holmes Beach. – Submitted
In addition to works of art from over 100 member artists, AGAMI also offers classes for beginners and professionals alike. It is not necessary to be an AGAMI member to attend classes.
The next class being offered is a drawing workshop using graphite pencils with Marge Kelly on Thursday, Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. The only supplies needed are pencils, paper, erasers and a desire to enhance drawing skills. Attendees will explore basic techniques for rendering a subject realistically. Time will be split between instructor demonstration and participating in a practicum with sample materials provided by the instructor. The cost is $30. Register at amiartistsguildgallery.com and click on “classes.”
The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island, an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was formed in 1989 to promote and support creative processes by bringing together all artists to share experiences, and expertise and work together to develop and promote the artistic community. The AGAMI Gallery is located at 5414 Marina Drive.
BRADENTON BEACH – Pines Trailer Park mobile home residents will experience significant rent increases that will take effect Jan. 1, in some cases more than doubling their lot rent, according to a letter sent by developers.
The waterfront mobile park was recently purchased by Pines Park Investors LLC, which lists developer Shawn Kaleta as the LLC’s manager and attorney Louis Najmy as its registered agent. On Aug. 24, Pines Park Investors entered into an $8.25 million mortgage and security agreement with The Jackson Partnership LLLP as part of the LLC’s $16.25 million park purchase.
Dated Sept. 29 and sent to all homeowners in the park, the notification letter says, “Pursuant to Florida Statutes and the Florida Administrative Code, this serves as 90-day notice of an increase in the lot rental amount for Pines Trailer Park. This increase in the lot rental amount for base rent will be effective Jan. 1, 2024.”
The monthly rent for waterfront lots in the Pines Trailer Park will increase $850 per month. – Joe Hendricks | SunThe letter includes a price increase chart that shows the base lot rent for a standard lot, with the exception of lots #37 and #65, will increase by $575 per month, rising from $625 to $1,200 per month. The base lot rent for lots #37 and #65 will increase $580 per month, rising from $620 to $1,200 per month. Base lot rent for water-view lots will increase by $725 per month, rising from $625 to $1,350 per month. Base lot rent for waterfront lots will increase by $850 per month, rising from $625 to $1,475 per month.
Many Pines Trailer Park homeowners and residents are retirees who live on fixed incomes. The pending rent increases may make it difficult for some of them to remain in their homes. None approached by The Sun were willing to discuss the issue.
On Sept. 26, Suncoast Waterkeeper hosted a panel discussion of the “Value of Wetlands” that was attended by over 150 concerned citizens. During the discussion, scientists including Tampa Bay Estuary Program Executive Director Ed Sherwood, A.J. Reisinger and Jim Bays provided attendees with the science behind the value of wetlands and answered questions.
Suncoast Waterkeeper is encouraging citizens to take the facts communicated by the invited scientists to the Manatee County Commission on Thursday, Oct. 5 at 9 a.m. when commissioners are scheduled for a final vote on the proposed reduction of wetland buffers. To watch the science panel event, tune into Manatee Education Television or YouTube.
What is at stake?
The Manatee County Comprehensive Plan is a set of goals and objectives put into policy by the Land Development Code. The proposed changes to the comprehensive plan’s element 3 – conservation – will eliminate all but one objective under Goal 3.3. This begs the question, can the county meet Goal 3.3 when most of the objectives created to meet the goal are removed?
Goal 3.3 states its purpose is “to protect, enhance, and maintain the natural flora and fauna resources of Manatee County to aid in the filtration of contaminants, provide for the preservation of native species for passive recreational and aesthetic enjoyment, and to provide a healthy environment for Manatee County residents and visitors.”
The proposed comprehensive plan changes will:
1. Eliminate protection for all viable wetlands beyond those deemed deserving of protection by the state of Florida. Currently, one of Manatee County’s objectives, which directs policy, is to protect all viable wetlands, even if they are not protected by the state. This additional protection for wetlands will be eliminated. Therefore, by reverting to the state for wetland protection rules, some of Manatee County’s viable wetlands will no longer be protected and will be open for development.
2. Eliminate the greater than or equal to 50-foot buffer requirement along all watercourses flowing into our drinking water sources. The development pressures around Lake Manatee are very high. This language change would eliminate protections for streams/creeks/branches that flow into Lake Manatee and other drinking water sources, such as the Peace River. State law does not require buffers around watercourses. Thus, residential developments will be allowed to infringe on the banks of these watercourses, subjecting them to siltation, bank erosion and contamination from multiple sources, including backyard lawn care practices such as applying pesticides and fertilizers.
3. Reduce buffers from greater than or equal to 50 feet to a minimum of 15 feet and average of 25 feet for outstanding Florida waters and aquatic preserves. Outstanding Florida Waters in Manatee County include all the bays (Sarasota, Palma Sola, Terra Ceia, etc.). Therefore, the requirement for extra mangrove protection around the bays will be lost. Instead of having rows of mangrove trees between homes and the bays, there will just be one row of mangroves. Can a single row of mangroves provide the protections necessary to withstand the next storm surge, abate the next high wind event, or provide the habitat necessary to maintain fish stocks important for commercial, sports and recreational fishing?
The Watershed Overlay Districts indicate where wetlands and watercourses have greater protections than what is required by the state of Florida because they are connected to local drinking water supplies.
Well, here we go with another everything old is new again story. This time it’s about the size of the average American home.
The homes most of us, certainly my generation, grew up in were small relative to the average family home today. We shared bedrooms and bathrooms, and the whole family sat together in the only family living room to watch the only family TV. According to the census data, some of that is coming back.
Census data shows that the median square footage of floor area for new construction single-family homes in the U.S. peaked at 2,519 during the first quarter of 2015. This has since dropped 13% to 2,191 as of the second quarter of 2023. But don’t think that because the amount of square footage has been declining the cost is also declining. According to John Burns Research and Consulting, the cost per square foot has accelerated to 13% in 2021 and 10% in 2022.
So, what are the builders eliminating from their newly-built properties to produce tighter, more efficient living spaces? First, they are axing dining areas, bathtubs and separate living rooms. Secondary bedrooms and loft spaces are shrinking and frequently disappearing. Much of this downsizing is the result of the COVID-19 pandemic and everyone’s focus is on saving energy and conserving our natural resources.
To compensate for the lack of formal dining and living rooms, they are increasing the size of multi-use rooms like kitchens and great rooms. Some families are opting to use the kitchen island as the primary dining area and expand their outdoor space for entertaining. Shared bathrooms are back in style and bathtubs with all the water jets and seating areas are gone along with the extra expense of building them.
Since formal dining is gone, so is the formal dinnerware, glassware, starched linens and the glass-faced cabinets formerly used to store them and show them off. Your grandmother would not be happy. Instead, builders are giving their customers more practical storage for wine racks, appliance drawers and roll-out shelving.
Unfortunately, most of this type of downsizing is not helping the prices. The overall price may be less, but the price per square foot is not, so you’re paying more for less. Nevertheless, first-time homebuyers are likely happy with the compromise just to be able to get into a home.
Home size may be shrinking but you would never know it riding around Anna Maria Island.
The new construction homes look bigger than ever, and they are. However, these multi-bedroom fun palaces are not designed for families to live in, they’re designed for investment owners to rent. Homes on the Island are being repurposed and converted into rental properties at the expense of owners who are either full-time or seasonal.
Rest assured, Anna Maria Island is not alone in the world with this problem. A recent article I read talks about Venice, Italy being out of control with tourists chasing out residents from the island city. Venice’s resident population is in steady decline, dropping below 50,000 last year for the first time in more than three centuries. This is down from 66,000 two decades ago and 175,000 in the early 1950s.
Smaller homes with fewer bedrooms and baths may not be happening on Anna Maria Island, but families who live in less of a tourist area are reconsidering their priorities. You may not like the demographic change for the Island but at least we’re in good company.
