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Year: 2023

Commission approves funds to repair hurricane damage to pier

Commission approves funds to repair hurricane damage to pier

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Damage to the Bradenton Beach Pier and floating docks caused by boats during Hurricane Idalia on Aug. 30 was the focus of the Sept. 7 city commission meeting.

Images of the damage reviewed at the meeting showed missing and broken boards and a large boat against the docks.

“I am very disappointed it was the vessels that caused this damage. They did not secure themselves properly or move away from this,” City Attorney Ricinda Perry said. “In talking with Steve Porter (from Duncan Seawall) he said we would not be facing this if not for the boats.”

Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby described the causes of the damage to the pier and floating docks.

“One boat broke loose and rammed into the others and broke them loose,” he said. “They were secured fine and it was a domino effect. It was a sailboat that broke loose and knocked the rest out of the way.”

Commissioner Jan Vosburgh asked if boat owners were responsible for the damage and Chappie said the city will be looking into whether or not the boat owners have insurance.

“There will be accountability to individuals that are not following the rules and not tying their boats down the way they should be or trying to find a safer port instead of just leaving it out there in the open seas at the north end of Sarasota Bay,” Chappie said.

“The city is going to do what it can do to hold people responsible for this kind of damage,” Perry said.

Cosby reminded the commission that the pier itself is uninsurable because it’s over water. The city is self-insured for the structure.

Commissioner Ralph Cole made a motion to issue a work assignment to Duncan Seawall for all repairs to the pier and floating dock in the amount of $42,225 to be paid from the 2022-23 city budget, and to authorize Cosby and Perry to work toward future reimbursement from FEMA or any other agency.

The motion passed unanimously.

The repair work is expected to be completed within a week or two.

Two city commission vacancies pending

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

ANNA MARIA – In the coming months, the Anna Maria City Commission will have two vacant commission seats to fill by commission appointment.

Commissioner Deanie Sebring’s final meeting will be on Sept. 21. After that, she and her husband, Tripp, are moving to France. She will leave office with approximately one year remaining in her two-year term.

Commissioner Robert Kingan is not seeking reelection in the fall election and his current two-year term will expire on Dec. 7. The person appointed to fill Kingan’s vacant seat will have approximately two years to serve.

How the two vacancies will be filled was discussed at the city commission’s Sept. 7 meeting. The commission has not yet determined whether the pending vacancies will be filled one at a time or both at once. That decision will be made at a future meeting.

The commission will use the appointment process employed in recent years which includes soliciting applications from interested candidates and each remaining commissioner then ranking the applicants in order of their preference.

The upcoming appointment process will also use the new pre-selection vetting process and public question and answer forum introduced in January when Charlie Salem and Brian Seymour sought appointment to the seat vacated by Carol Carter. Salem was appointed to fill that seat and he and incumbent Commissioner Jon Crane are running unopposed in the fall election. No candidate qualified to run for the third open seat to be vacated by Kingan.

When the application process begins, Mayor Dan Murphy suggests the applicants specify whether they’re seeking an appointment to the one-year or the two-year term.

Commission Chair Mark Short asked City Attorney Becky Vose about the city’s residency requirement for commission candidates.

Vose referred to a memo she provided to the commissioners. The memo notes the city charter requires commission candidates to be qualified voters in Anna Maria and have at least two years of residency in Anna Maria before qualifying for office. The memo notes candidates cannot be city employees and cannot hold another municipal office that would remain in effect after the candidate is elected or appointed to serve on the city commission.

Short asked Vose how the city defines city residency. Vose said under Florida it’s simply a matter of where the candidate believes in good faith their primary residence to be.

Vose noted residency is not well defined by the city or the state, but those who claim Anna Maria residency but also claim a property tax homestead exemption in another city run the risk of violating the homestead law and/or losing their homestead exemption.

Crane said he’s concerned about the number of remaining Anna Maria residents who would be interested in serving on the city commission.

“I used to have more friends in this city,” Crane said of the city’s shrinking population.

Sebring said she had already spoken with someone interested in serving. Kingan said he also spoke with someone who expressed great interest in serving.

No timetable for the pending appointments has been established yet.

Anna Maria commissioners are paid $4,800 per year.

Oil spill investigation, cleanup continues at SeaPort Manatee

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Environment, Outdoors.

PALMETTO – The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) continues to investigate the source of an Aug. 31 oil spill at SeaPort Manatee.

As of Sept. 8, the Coast Guard reported about 19,000 gallons of an oil/water mixture had been removed and 6.4 tons of oily debris was disposed of from the port’s inner basin.

USCG Sector St. Petersburg’s Response Department was notified on Aug. 31 through the National Response Center that there was a visible discoloration of the water at the Manatee County-owned seaport located on Tampa Bay.

“A commercial oil response company has been hired,” USCG Sector Commander Capt. Mike Kahle said on Sept. 1. “They’re applying a boom around the oil. It appears to be contained.” To date, 97% of the oil has been removed from the surface of the water, according to Kahle, who said he expected cleanup efforts to be completed by Sept. 10.

On Sept. 8, Congressman Vern Buchanan toured SeaPort Manatee. He was joined by SeaPort Manatee Executive Director Carlos Buqueras and Kahle.

“Our local waterways, environment and marine life are incredibly important to area residents and Florida’s tourism-based economy,” Buchanan said. “With no evidence pointing to any infrastructure failures or pipeline leaks so far, it looks increasingly likely that someone may have dumped this oil and is failing to come forward. Whether an accident or purposeful, any potential bad actors must be held accountable for putting our waterways at risk.”

According to Kahle, about 19,000 gallons of contaminated water were cleaned up from the port. Of that, approximately 3,500 gallons were heavy, unrefined oil.

“It’s still too early to define where exactly that heavy fuel came from, because we don’t handle a lot of heavy fuel,” Buqueras said.

“Since Aug. 31, SeaPort Manatee’s team has been proactively collaborating with the Coast Guard to assist in response activities,” Buqueras wrote in a Sept. 7 statement. “The Coast Guard has inspected every area of the port, yet to date has been unable to identify the origin of the material.

Oil spill investigation, cleanupcontinues at SeaPort Manatee
A boom is put in place to contain an oil spill at SeaPort Manatee. The U.S. Coast Guard continues to investigate the source of the spill. – Submitted

“Preserving the environment is among our top priorities, which is why we have fully continued partnering with the Coast Guard,” Buqueras wrote. “We have also encouraged tenant businesses at the port to cooperate with the Coast Guard.”

“NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) experts conducted an endangered species analysis of the impacted area and reported no fish or wildlife is affected at this time,” according to a Sept. 6 USCG report.

Due to its location in SeaPort Manatee, the U.S. Coast Guard assumed jurisdiction for the incident, according to Department of Environmental Protection Press Secretary Brian Miller.

According to the Coast Guard’s Facebook page, on Sept. 1, 4,500 gallons of oil/water were removed overnight and an additional 3,000 gallons removed the following day. On Sept. 2, the following was posted: “7,200 gallons of oil/water mixture was removed from the spill Sunday, including a large amount of oil debris. The source and responsible party are under investigation. Clean up operations will continue until we are sure the oil is removed.”

The following day, the Coast Guard reported 4,400 gallons of the oil/water mixture were removed, and stated, “Investigators are sending oil samples to be type-tested to assist in the investigation into the source and responsible party.”

According to that Sept. 3 post, 90-95% of the surface oil had been removed, ship’s hulls were 39-43% cleaned from the oil, and 6.4 tons of oily debris had been removed.

The Coast Guard reported on Sept. 6 that additional samples were taken from three vessels and two pipeline companies for analysis to try to find a match to the spilled oil.

Hurricane floods local gas station tanks

Hurricane floods local gas station tanks

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

HOLMES BEACH – Customers who purchased gas at Jessie’s Island Store immediately following Hurricane Idalia may have received a surprise they weren’t counting on – floodwater in their vehicle’s gas tank.

After several vehicles broke down after getting gas from the station, it was discovered that seals on the station’s underground tanks had failed. When the area was flooded by Hurricane Idalia, representatives from the Sarasota-based ATCO Inc./Merit Petroleum said that floodwater mixed with the gasoline in two of the tanks. The company estimates that more than 200 gallons of the tainted gasoline was sold, resulting in damage to vehicles.

According to the mechanics at CarParts.com, mixing water with gasoline in a vehicle can cause several problems depending on the amount of water in the tank. Some of the most common issues include the vehicle running roughly, the check engine light coming on shortly after putting the fuel in the gas tank and the engine stalling. Water in a vehicle’s fuel system also can cause corrosion to occur, which can lead to more issues down the road. Repairs to the vehicle may include flushing the fuel system and draining the gas tank to remove any water from the vehicle.

The underground gas storage tanks at the Island convenience store were cleaned out over the weekend of Sept. 8-10 and refilled with clean gasoline, according to ATCO representatives. At press time for The Sun, it was unconfirmed whether repairs to the seals on the tanks had been completed to prevent water from re-entering the storage tanks if the area floods in the future.

Anyone who believes they purchased some of the tainted gas is asked to stop by Jessie’s at 5424 Marina Drive in Holmes Beach and pick up a form to fill out and return to ATCO with any documentation concerning repairs needed to the vehicle after purchasing gas at the convenience store. Anyone who believes they may have purchased some of the ruined gas is advised to have their vehicle checked out by a certified mechanic and should not attempt to continue driving their vehicle without first having the gas tested to determine if any water is in the fuel tank, even if no performance issues with the vehicle have been noted.

The ruined gas is estimated to have been sold between the store’s reopening after Hurricane Idalia passed on Aug. 30 until the issues were noted the week of Sept. 4.

When Hurricane Idalia swept past Anna Maria Island on Aug. 29, storm surge combined with a king tide caused widespread flooding in all three Island cities. Holmes Beach police reported that there were several inches of standing water throughout the city center area where Jessie’s Island Store is located.

Letter to the Editor: Garage would ruin appeal of Manatee Beach

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

This is in response to the Aug. 23 edition of the Anna Maria Island Sun, “Beach parking garage fight continues.”

I just want to add my voice in support of the comments made by Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer. My family has been coming to Holmes Beach since the early 1980s when my in-laws lived across the street from Manatee Beach. Our three children have such great memories of being on the beach and “jumping in the waves.” We celebrated my mother-in-law’s 80th birthday at the Beach Café, where my wife’s parents danced together to the background music that always seemed to be playing at the Beach Café every night. Sunday mornings we’d take the kids over to have breakfast with The Pancake Kings. When we were back in Chicago, and then in Minnesota, I’d often see the AMI sticker on cars while out driving, and it’d make me wish I were there. Thousands upon thousands of people all over the country can probably tell you of the great times they’ve had at Manatee Beach and the Café.

It’s part of what Anna Maria Island is all about. It’s the City Pier, where the people responsible resisted putting up railings along it when it was recently rebuilt because railings weren’t in the original design. It’s going to the restaurants that seem to have been there forever, like Hurricane Hanks, Skinny’s and the Sandbar, and coming back to them year after year. But what attracted me right away to Anna Maria Island, and especially Holmes Beach, was that Holmes Beach has somehow managed to hold on to having the look and feel of being a town. It’s not what most of the other islands along the Sun Coast have become. That’s what draws people to come here and to want to live here. Manatee Beach, the Beach Café, the Pancake Kings, they’ve all been an integral part of the Island for as far back as most people can remember.

Take that away by putting in a three-story concrete structure right where people have been parking for years, well, it’s paving paradise to put up a parking lot. Once you lose paradise, you can’t get it back.

 

Jeff Forsythe

Bradenton

Manatee County Sheriff's Office

Cortez fisherman’s assailant convicted after dragging him with truck

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Community News, Cortez.

BRADENTON – David Lynn Nichols, 60, has been found guilty of battery and leaving the scene of a crash that caused a Cortez man to lose an arm, among other serious injuries.

In Manatee County’s 12th Judicial Circuit Court last week, a jury found Nichols guilty of both felony counts stemming from a Nov. 18, 2019 argument with Cortez resident Freddy Gilliland, 64.

According to police reports, Nichols struck Gilliland with his truck, dragged him about 300 feet, then fled the scene without notifying authorities.

According to a Nov. 19, 2019 Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) report, at approximately 10:22 p.m. on Nov. 18, deputies responded to 46th Avenue West and 102nd Street West in Cortez in reference to a vehicle versus pedestrian traffic crash. Upon MCSO’s arrival, Gilliland was on the north side of 46th Avenue West with multiple traumatic injuries that included a nearly severed right arm, a left hand with exposed bone, compound rib fractures and massive facial injuries. He was transported to HCA Florida Blake Hospital by EMS in critical condition and underwent emergency trauma surgery.

Cortez fisherman’s assailant convictedafter dragging him with truck
Nichols

“As a result of the defendant’s actions, the victim sustained a magnitude of life-threatening injuries which at last update included the removal of his spleen, a lacerated liver, multiple rib fractures, collapsed left lung, right arm amputation and numerous facial sutures,” MCSO Dep. Britton Couch said in his report following the incident.

When medical personnel and MCSO deputies initially arrived on the scene, Nichols and his vehicle were no longer on the scene and were not located in the immediate vicinity. During the preliminary investigation by deputies, Nichols was identified as a person of interest based on the vehicle description and a witness providing the suspect name “Dave” and the area where he lived in the Sunny Shores subdivision. Deputies responded to the defendant’s residence and located a Chevrolet pickup matching the witness’ description with front-end damage and evidence of a collision with a person. A witness also identified Nichols in a photographic line-up.

Nichols’ sentencing is scheduled on Friday, Oct. 13 at 3 p.m. in front of Judge Frederick Mercurio.

A GoFundMe page called “Friends of Freddy,” which raised $6,400 to help with his expenses, is full of words of support and well-wishes from not only friends and family, but also people in the community wishing to help a neighbor.

Azure Shores ordinance headed to city commission

Azure Shores ordinance headed to city commission

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

BRADENTON BEACH – An ordinance that will fix existing zoning map and future land use map inconsistencies for 23 properties in the Azure Shores subdivision is ready for city commission review and approval.

The city’s zoning map and future land use map designations determine how a property can be developed or developed. The Azure Shores properties are the first of many properties in Bradenton Beach with map inconsistencies the city wants to cure. The map inconsistencies could result in land use disputes or legal challenges that question whether the zoning map or the future land use map prevails when the two are inconsistent.

On Sept. 6, the Bradenton Beach Planning and Zoning Board unanimously recommended city commission approval of Ordinance 23-550. The ordinance contains new text amendments that would make the zoning map and future land use map designations for 23 Azure Shores properties consistent with each other.

The ordinance adds R-3 (multiple-family dwelling) as an implementing zoning district for the retail/office/residential (R/O/R) future land use category in the land development code. It also adds bed and breakfasts and hotels/motels as permitted uses in the R-3 district if the underlying future land use category is high-density residential.

During Wednesday’s meeting, Building Official Steve Gilbert said the text amendments also clarify that commercial uses for a bed and breakfast, a hotel, or a motel would only be allowed where the underlying land use is high-density residential.

“The underlying land use here is ROR, so bed and breakfast, hotels/motels will not be allowed in this section of Azure Shores,” Gilbert said.

Third Street North resident Evelyn Stob was the only potentially impacted property owner to attend Wednesday’s meeting. During public input, she sought clarification on the potential impacts for affected property owners.

In response, Gilbert said, “The zoning map will not change. It will stay R-3 high-density residential. The future land use map will not change. It will stay ROR (retail/office/residential). We’re not changing the maps at all. What we are doing is by text saying that the R-3 high-density residential zone district will partially implement the underlying ROR land use.”

Gilbert said there would be no financial impacts for the affected Azure Shores property owners regarding property taxes, assessed property values and fire district assessments.

Stob asked why a small section of the Azure Shores subdivision, south of Third Street North, is excluded from the area being addressed by the ordinance.

Gilbert said the Azure Shores subdivision extends from First Street North to the Cortez Bridge, and from the Gulf of Mexico to Sarasota Bay. The proposed text amendments would not apply to some properties along Second Street North.

“We had one applicant that wanted the zoning designation to change to remove that 25-foot setback requirement that only applies to the R-3 zone district. That’s a separate issue for the Planning and Zoning Board to address at some point,” Gilbert said. “The R-1 district front yard setbacks are 20 feet. The R-2 front yard setbacks are 20 feet. Commercial can be as low as zero and typically it’s 20 feet and R-3 is 25 for some reason.”

After the meeting ended, Gilbert explained that a property owner on Second Street North wanted to build a small deck above his swimming pool, and the current 25-foot setback requirement would only allow for a very small deck.

“Eventually we’ll do the rest of Azure Shores as well,” Gilbert said. “At that point, it behooves these folks to say we’ll keep it R-3 but we’ll give you a 20-foot front yard setback.”

Several months ago, a representative of the Chiles Hospitality group expressed the group’s desire to create a designated parking lot at the corner of Highland Avenue and Third Street North. That property is located in the Azure Shores subdivision and carries the R-3 zoning designation that prohibits standalone parking lots. Gilbert said Chiles Hospitality can accomplish their goal by initiating a comprehensive plan change and/or rezoning the property.

Anna Maria hosts centennial celebration

Anna Maria hosts centennial celebration

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

ANNA MARIA – On Sunday, the city of Anna Maria celebrated its 100th anniversary for the second time this year.

Taking place again at City Pier Park, Sunday’s celebration served as a follow-up to the initial centennial celebration the city hosted on Memorial Day.

City volunteers and volunteers from the Anna Maria Island Garden Club, the Anna Maria Island Historical Society and Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring sold beer and wine, with the proceeds to be shared by the three organizations that also set up informational tents on the City Pier Park grounds. The Island Players and The Center of Anna Maria Island also had information tents, and the garden club provided shared space for the To Inform Families First (TIFF) organization that encourages motorists to provide additional emergency contact information that can be used to inform family members in the event of a serious traffic accident.

The celebration featured food sales by The Anna Maria General Store and Deli, Harry’s Grill and Poppo’s Taqueria.

With conductor Leornard Murphy on saxophone, a jazz sextet comprised of musicians from the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra kicked off the afternoon’s musical performances, followed by The Stockton Brothers performing acoustically.

During the sextet’s performance, Mayor Dan Murphy welcomed attendees.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here today and celebrating our 100th anniversary. We only do this every 100 years, so we’ll try to do it right,” Murphy said.

After encouraging the attendees to enjoy the beer, wine and food offerings, Mayor Murphy introduced Leonard Murphy and thanked him and his bandmates for being there, as they were at the first centennial celebration earlier this year.

After leaving the stage, Murphy shared some additional thoughts on the celebration.

“I chose today to do it because it’s after Labor Day. I really wanted to make this an event that focuses on our local citizens and celebrates our locals in this nice venue we have here at City Pier Park,” he said.

“We’ve got a pretty good crowd considering it’s the opening day of football season. It’s important to have events in this park with this beautiful shade sail and I’m glad to see people enjoying it and using it. Events like this help foster a sense of community and we appreciate the participation from the local businesses and the not-for-profit organizations that are here today. They’re doing a great job. Fran Berrios and the rest of the city staff did a great job organizing this event and once again they came through with flying colors. I couldn’t be any happier with the layout and the setup,” Murphy said.

During the celebration, city staff members handed out small replicas of the full-sized centennial flags that hung from the light poles along Pine Avenue in honor of Anna Maria becoming a chartered Florida city in 1923.

Anna Maria Commissioner Jon Crane said, “I love small-town activities like this. They’re heartwarming.”

Standing next to Crane, full-time Holmes Beach resident George Fuller said he appreciates the city-hosted events that take place at City Pier Park.

“I love coming up here for these celebrations and the events they do for the veterans. Dan does a great job with this stuff,” Fuller said.

The Center kicks off fall adult soccer

The Center kicks off fall adult soccer

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

ANNA MARIA – One week after the effects of Hurricane Idalia, the excitement of adult co-ed recreational soccer returned to the Island pitch at The Center.

Starting the season in a close 3-2 game against Gulf Drive Café, team captain Greg Ross brought his Ross Built Custom Homes squad onto the field looking like an American football team. As a local growing up on Anna Maria Island, Ross is no stranger to the fields at the community center, playing youth and adult sports over the years.

Ross’ roster includes his twin sons, Andrew and Jake. The Ross brothers cut their athletic teeth in the youth leagues on the very fields they are now playing on with their father as adults.

A team on the field, the Ross Built team includes several members of Ross’ team in the world of residential construction.

Longtime co-worker and friend Max Gazzo played in the goalkeeper position for Ross last Thursday night. Like the Ross boys and G. Ross himself, Gazzo grew up on the Island and played in the youth leagues at The Center, then the Anna Maria Island Community Center.

Credited with 10 saves in the game against the young Gulf Drive Café squad, Gazzo helped his team to the first win of the season.

Gazzo is joined on the soccer field by co-workers and Islanders John Coleman, Nate Talucci and Andrew Thomas. Ross’ sons also work in the family business.

Winning by a goal, the Ross Built team got three shots past Gulf Drive Café’s Charles “Tuna” McCracken, arguably one of the best goalies in the league. Singles by Daniel Hampton, Nicola Manni and J. Ross earned their team the win. A. Ross had a critical assist allowing for a goal.

McCracken had 11 big stops in the first game of the season, but playing without team captain Kevin Roman and Jana Whitehead could have been the difference in the opening matchup.

The Gulf Drive team includes three lifelong friends, Tyler Brewer, Javier Rivera and McCracken. Learning at Anna Maria Elementary School and playing at the community center together, the three teammates are joined by Helio Gomez, who also played youth sports at The Center.

Gomez scored one of two goals for the Gulf Drive Café team. Juan Vega put the other point on the scoreboard, along with an assist in the statistics.

Flavio Olvera is credited with the assist on Vega’s goal.

Off to a slow start to the season, the Gulf Drive Café squad hopes to win their first game against team Pool America. Pool America is seeking its first win of the season after a volatile loss against Moss Builders 5-1 in the final game of week one action.

The Ross Built team will face Moss Builders at the 9 p.m. game on Thursday night. There can be only one winner, squashing the hopes of the other team’s undefeated season.

Josh Sato’s team won by three goals against team Slim’s Place, led by team captain Yuri Pereira. Sato Real Estate plays Gulfview Windows & Doors in the 8 p.m. game, while Slim’s battles the Sandbar team.

Sandbar Seafood & Spirits lost 3-1 against Gulfview in the third game of the night.

With six games remaining in the regular season, the top seed going into the first round of playoffs is any team’s for the taking.

 

SUN SCOREBOARD

 

SEPT. 7

 

ADULT CO-ED SOCCER

WEEK 1

 

Ross Built Custom Homes 3

Gulf Drive Café 2

 

 

Sato Real Estate 6

Slim’s Place 3

 

 

Gulfview Windows & Doors 3

Sandbar Seafood & Spirits 1

 

 

Moss Builders 5

Pool America 1

Unknown man rescues 9-year-old from drowning

Unknown man rescues 9-year-old from drowning

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – For one family, the Labor Day holiday weekend ended with gratitude to an unknown rescuer after a 9-year-old girl was saved from drowning at Cortez Beach.

According to Bradenton Beach Police Officer Ryan Gagliano’s report, he was dispatched to lifeguard tower 3 at Cortez Beach on Saturday, Sept. 2 at 5:05 p.m. in reference to a near-drowning. According to his report, when Gagliano arrived on the scene, Beach Patrol was already accessing the victim, whose name is being withheld due to her age.

“Sandra Parizo, the victim’s aunt, was on the scene and stated the victim was in the water with her juvenile brother,” Gagliano said in his report. “Parizo stated the brother came out of the water and when asked where his sister was, he did not know.”

An unknown man had located the girl in the water and pulled her to shore before 911 was called, according to the report. Parizo said she did not know how long the girl had been in the water, but bystanders said they thought it was around two minutes. Gagliano said he observed the girl come and go out of consciousness while Beach Patrol and EMS were assisting her.

EMS called for a Bay Flight helicopter to come to a landing zone that police officers had cleared at the North Coquina Boat Ramp. The victim was transported to All Children’s Hospital, where she was listed in critical condition as of 10:40 p.m. that day.

On Sept. 7, Bradenton Beach Police Lt. Lenard Diaz said he was pleased to have gotten an update on the victim’s condition, and she was doing well and was expected to make a full recovery.

Castles in the Sand

Some homeowners ‘going bare’

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

Florida homeowner’s insurance is one of our favorite cocktail party conversations here on the coast. People who don’t live on the coast think we’re nuts to risk all just for great views and beach access. But we’re not the only homeowners who are being charged more for getting less coverage; it’s the new norm.

If you notice a drone over your roof, don’t be surprised, insurance companies are checking roofs for condition before renewing homeowner’s policies. In an effort to recoup some of their losses in recent years, insurance companies are raising deductibles, requiring new roofs and denying coverage on older homes without strong wind mitigation. With the Gulf waters overheated, we can expect more storms and higher premiums.

The national average for home insurance has gone up 20% from 2022, according to Bankrate.com. As unbelievable as it may seem, 12% of homeowners in the country don’t purchase homeowner’s insurance. About half of them have annual household incomes of less than $40,000, according to a survey by the Insurance Information Institute.

Florida is not alone in experiencing double-digit insurance increases. Companies are raising rates or completely leaving Louisiana and California in addition to Florida. There is, however, a solution for some homeowners who have the funds and nerve.

The insurance industry has a phrase for homeowners who choose not to buy homeowners insurance – it’s called “going bare.” If you own a home with a mortgage, you can stop reading right now, you don’t have the option of going bare since your mortgage lender will require you to carry sufficient coverage to repair or replace your property in the event of a major disaster.

Your lender may also require you to escrow for insurance as part of your monthly payment and then they pay the annual premium. This is, of course, to ensure that the premium is paid and their asset – your home – is insured. If this is an arrangement you have with your lender, it’s possible to ask them to allow you to pay your insurance without having to escrow for it monthly. Usually, you have to have owned your home for several years and have demonstrated a good credit score and your ability to pay your mortgage payment consistently on time.

However, if you’re a gambler, you can “self-insure,” assuming your bottom-line savings will outweigh any repairs you might have to undertake in the event of a storm or fire. Wealthy people say they have enough money saved to rebuild or move even if their house is destroyed, but for the average homeowner, it’s a bit more of a challenge.

A standard insurance policy typically covers the cost of replacement of the home and some of its contents in the event of damage or theft. Some average homeowners who have satisfied their mortgage choose to drop their insurance and bank the annual premium. Sometimes they come out ahead, especially if they have the ability to invest the money not paid for premiums at a good return, but it’s a risk not everyone can or should take. In addition, some homeowners who live in vulnerable waterfront locations are pushed into going bare when their policies are dropped and/or are renewed at a very high rate.

The increased cost of homeowner’s policies is hitting the real estate market heavily. Potential buyers can’t afford the double whammy of higher interest rates and higher insurance premiums, freezing the real estate market further. Pay the price or go bare – no good options.

Reel Time: Opposition mounts against wetlands reduction

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

When the Manatee County Board of Commissioners voted 6-1 (Commissioner George Kruse voted no) to reduce wetland buffers in the county, the audience at the meeting reacted with an audible burst of anger. I was at that meeting and, after speaking in opposition to the measure and listening to a stream of three dozen citizens do the same, it was stunning and sad to experience the government overreach and lack of concern the commission displayed for the voters who elected them. It was clear that the passage of the ill-conceived building industry measure was a foregone conclusion as little to no discussion except Commissioner Kruse’s well-reasoned objection was held. It was apparent that the six commissioners were waiting for the public comment to end so they could advance the measure.

Coming in on the heels of the decision, Hurricane Idalia’s inundation of low-lying areas of the county and barrier islands highlights the importance of wetlands and buffers not only for water quality but also for storm protection. The EPA’s document, “Wetlands: Protecting Life and Property from Flooding,” makes it clear that our coastal areas are particularly prone to flooding and storm damage and are in need of buffers.

“Wetlands in many locations play an important role in flood protection. Nowhere is this function more important than along coastal areas. Coastal areas are vulnerable to hurricanes and other powerful storms, and the flat coastal terrain means that land and property can be exposed to the full power of these storms,” the document says. “Preserving and reconstructing coastal marshes can help reduce storm damage. Coastal wetlands serve as storm surge protectors when hurricanes or tropical storms come ashore. In the Gulf Coast area, barrier islands, shoals, marshes, forested wetlands and other features of the coastal landscape can provide a significant and potentially sustainable buffer from wind wave action and storm surge generated by tropical storms and hurricanes.”

As the date for the final decision, Oct. 5, draws closer, a groundswell of resistance is coming from some expected and unexpected groups. In just the last three weeks, Suncoast Waterkeeper Executive Director Abbey Tyrna has reported requests for presentations to address these concerns from homeowners’ associations, civic groups and even religious organizations. The Save Our Wetlands petition has garnered over 2,000 signatures. The children’s group, Kids for Clean Water, has conducted Zoom meetings to find ways to effectively address what they rightly consider a taking of their future and are organizing to get that message out to the public. There are also moves underway to address this egregious overreach at the ballot box, so expect to see challenges to the commissioners, who take their orders from developers who financed their campaigns instead of the citizens they swore to represent.

What makes this move so deceitful is the fact that prominent developers, who were unable to reduce buffers in lawsuits brought against the county, financed commissioners who are now doing their bidding. While they might win this battle, I’m 100% sure they will lose the war. If the citizens of Manatee County don’t wake up to this threat, generations of Manatee County citizens will suffer the consequences.

Make sure you are part of the solution and not part of the problem. Write letters, call your commissioners, attend meetings and make sure you engage in enlightened self-interest at the ballot box.

Reel Time: Exploring FWC’s School Fishing Club Program

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

Now that the new school year is in session, it is time to register for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) 2023-24 School Fishing Club Program! This annual educational program focuses on teaching young anglers about best fishing practices to help ensure the future of fishing in Florida. With the unfortunate disregard for our resources by elected politicians, it’s more important than ever to prepare youth for the challenges they’ll face in the future.

Exploring FWC’s School Fishing Club Program
We have an obligation to protect water quality and provide opportunities for future generations. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

To register, club sponsors will need to apply for a Florida R3 Fishing Grant, which is funded by the Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network, Coastal Conservation Association and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida. This grant will award up to 50 school fishing clubs or teams $500 each to assist with club expenses, such as the purchase of fishing licenses or gear for participants. The grant application period is open now until Sept. 15, but grant funding is not required to participate in the School Fishing Club Program.

Each participating club will be provided with a program curriculum and educational materials to be taught throughout the school year by the club sponsor. The curriculum is comprised of lessons and activities on ethical angling, conservation, Florida’s aquatic habitats, basic fishing gear and general fishing concepts, and is applicable to both fresh and saltwater fishing. Additionally, at least one conservation project activity must be completed each school year and is an opportunity for clubs to earn points for a chance to win prizes.

The deadline for submitting applications is Sept. 15. The application can be found online at the FWC website by scrolling down to Florida’s R3 Fishing Grant Program. Applicants can complete the form online or download the application to submit by email. Please email completed applications to R3Fishing@MyFWC.com. The 2023-24 School Fishing Club Program is supported by partners including Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, Coastal Conservation Association, Mud Hole Custom Tackle, Pure Fishing and the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame.

The grant program is open to new or existing freshwater and/or saltwater fishing clubs or teams at public, private and charter schools throughout Florida. To be considered for the grant, school fishing clubs or teams must have a minimum of five members and be represented by a school faculty member or parent.

ABOUT THE FISH & WILDLIFE FOUNDATION OF FLORIDA

The Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the FWC and other public and private partners to conserve Florida’s native animals and plants and the lands and waters they need to survive. Operating as a statewide community foundation for conservation, the foundation has raised and donated more than $65 million to conserve nature and our outdoor heritage. More information can be found online.

Contact Brandon Stys at Brandon.Stys@MyFWC.com or 850-617-6012 for more information.

Water main repair on bridge postponed

Water main repair on bridge postponed

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

MANATEE COUNTY – Due to delays in receiving materials, work to repair and relocate a water main along the Anna Maria Island Bridge on Manatee Avenue is being postponed until late September or October. The county will notify residents when the work will recommence and what impacts to travel it may cause.

Crews will be completing the last phase of the water main pipe repair, installing additional hangers to support the pipe on the east side of the bridge. Due to safety concerns, the work is not possible at night, so there will likely be lane closures and periods of one-way traffic on the bridge.

It is anticipated that the work to secure the pipe will take two to three weeks, according to a press release.

The main source of water to Anna Maria Island, the 16-inch aging water main pipe broke on June 19, causing intermittent drops in water pressure to Island residents. While repairs were underway, the north end of the Island received water through Bradenton Beach via a pipe from the south. The main was brought back into service the week of July 10.

Pickup soccer, Island style

Pickup soccer, Island style

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

ANNA MARIA – For more than a decade, a band of brothers bonded by the game of soccer have played pickup games on Island fields, while building friendships and an ever-growing soccer family, including many sisters in the sport.

Bringing to each game a white shirt and a dark shirt to create two teams, players knew they were in for a friendly, but competitive game of soccer.

With its roots on the Holmes Beach open fields adjacent to the municipal complex on Marina Drive, the players came together weekly, eventually using homemade goals courtesy of Darrin Wash and Wash Family Construction.

The original gang of Islanders included Rico Beissert, Lyn Clarke, Damir Glavan, Josh Sato, Kris Yavalar Chris Culhane, Greg Ross, Darrin Wash and Paul “Ace” Hayward.

Pickup soccer, Island style
From left, top row: Josh Sato, Chris Culhane and Kris Yavalar; second row: Lyn Clarke, Rico Beissert, Damir Glavan and returning players Leslie and Josh Rio; bottom row: Steve Oelfke. – Monica Simpson | Sun

Growing the love of the game, many of the pickup players helped to develop and manned the teams in The Center of Anna Maria Island’s first adult co-ed soccer league in recent history. The league at its origin more than eight years ago was a mix of the pickup players and the parents of The Center’s youth soccer league players.

Among the many players who helped grow the league, Clarke, the oldest Island player at 83, used the pickup games as his Center team’s official practices. On Clarke’s first season roster were experienced players and individuals who had never laced up a pair of “boots” as he called them.

The Center’s league is now comprised of a solid mix of the OGs, former college soccer players and soccer coaches, with sprinklings of first timers and players seeking a fun, competitive environment.

Hayward was one of the pickup players who participated in the first seasons of the Center’s league. The player and coach, like many, brought his infectious passion for soccer to the Island. The Hayward “smiledeep” corner remains at The Center of Anna Maria Island’s soccer field as a dedication to his lifelong passion for the sport and the deep tie he had with this group of Islanders.

Shortly after his death, The Center was the venue for a soccer tournament in his name, with many of the pickup players helping to make the event a success. The second “smiledeep” soccer tournament, dedicated to Hayward, is scheduled at The Center on Saturday, Nov. 11.

As the pickup group grew, a new generation of OGs expanded the group. While there is a consistent core group of players, others come and go as their lives have taken them on and off Anna Maria Island.

The bond is on and off the pitch, with gatherings at Slim’s Place to watch the soccer match of the day and sharing a meal at the local German restaurant to celebrate Octoberfest with some of the German players on the Island.

The love of the sport and the love of country makes this group an amazing collective of individuals from all walks of life, bonded by “football.” With a large contingency of international players, the world’s most popular sport ties together those who made the Anna Maria Island area home after moving to the United States.