CORTEZ – It’s been a year filled with successes and a few challenges for the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) as the board laid out plans for enhancements to the FISH Preserve at its annual membership meeting on May 13.
“We’ve been truly blessed from a financial standpoint,” FISH Treasurer Jane von Hahmann reported at the meeting.
Despite being rained out on the second day of the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival in February, the non-profit netted $43,000, which supports the FISH Preserve. Von Hahmann also reported a $50,000 anonymous donation designated to help pay down the mortgage on Fisherman’s Hall and a portion of the preserve.
“We have some big projects coming up,” she said.
With a $165,000 grant from the Barancik Foundation, the preserve will have trails, two bridges and a picnic area installed. The funds must be used within 18 months. FISH is contributing an additional $15,000 to that initiative.
A donation from Kiwanis of $16,000 will possibly be used toward the cost of a third bridge.
“Phase IV of the preserve is finished; that’s the last and final phase of digging dirt. Now we have the job of connecting everything up with walkable trails,” she said. “Father and son Alan and Alex Garner have been doing work on planning improvements for the preserve for about a year, which includes signage at the preserve, an additional entrance sign and a kiosk where visitors can sign in and obtain educational materials. We are discussing the grand plan with a tower and possibly a canopy walk. We have some big ideas.”
Von Hahmann also noted the November 2023 donation of $50,000 for trails and bridges at the preserve from Dr. Terry Bert, the wife of the late John Stevely. Stevely was one of the original FISH board members.
FISH’s goal for the recent Giving Challenge of $15,000 was exceeded; the organization received nearly $20,000.
Board member Karen Bell gave a festival report.
“It was a good festival, as good as it could be considering the rains,” Bell said.
Bell said FISH donated $4,000 to the Organized Fisherman of Florida for their help in setting up the festival.
Bell also gave an update on the progress of the refurbishment of the old volunteer fire station.
“The fire station used to be Cortez’s only fire station,” she said. “I remember they used to have in the fall, maybe two or three or maybe four mullet fries. It was so cool, the ladies used to bring pies or cakes and big pots of coffee.”
The volunteer fire department had been owned by Anna Maria Fire District and in their deed the building had to go to another non-profit, according to Bell.
“It was deeded to the Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage,” Bell said. “By fall we should be ready to use it. It’s nice to see it come back to life.”
ANNA MARIA – The weather is heating up and so is the adult soccer action at The Center of Anna Maria Island. With one game left in the regular season to be played by each team this Thursday night, week eight action left three teams with five wins and team Pool America on top.
Pool America’s 4-2 win over Beach House Waterfront Restaurant earned the team its fifth win. The 5-1-2 record puts them one win over the Progressive Cabinetry.
Losing by two goals, the Beach House team put two points on the scoreboard with eluding strikes by James Rodrigues and Marco Ruiz. Their teammate and keeper Aaron Frech made 11 stops.
Cody Wright put a hat trick to his season statistics. Adding to Wright’s three goals, Brandon Rolland not only saved seven shots but he is also credited with a goal in the third game of the night.
Closing out the soccer action for the night, second-seed Progressive Cabinetry narrowly lost to the Diamond Turf squad. The loss placed the team solidly one win under the league’s leader.
Progressive Cabinetry’s goalie, Tyler Bekkerus, was kept busy by the Diamond Turf offense. Bekkerus had 12 nice saves, but the Progressive defense could not stop McKenna Ainger and Gerardo Urbiola Bolanos.
Bolanos had two goals to help his team earn the win, while Ainger is also credited with an assist.
The third team to end week eight with five wins was Salty Printing after winning against team Ross Built. In his usual place at goal, Charles “Tuna” McCracken is credited with 10 stops against the shooting of the Ross Built Custom Home squad.
Only the foot of Ted Hurst could get by the Salty Printing defense and past McCracken.
The Ross Built team fought and held Salty Printing to just three goals. Goalie Tim Holly made 12 saves and earned himself a yellow card.
Nate Talucci took his place in the goal for a short time while Holly sat out. Talucci earned another veteran stripe with a save, helping to keep his team in the battle.
Scoring for the Salty squad were Kevin Roman with a solo goal and Tyler Brewer hitting two.
With Mark Long in the goal for the Solid Rock team, Sato Real Estate’s Damir Glavan started the scoring in the first half of play. Teammates Zacharieah Anabtawi and Alex Landy added three points to the scoreboard for the win.
Landy shot for two points as the Sato Real Estate offense moved the soccer ball smoothly down the field.
Long’s counterpart, Paul Jennison for the Sato team had nine saves in the game, besting Long by one.
Holding a place in the middle of the pack, team Sato Real Estate should see the playoffs. Their 4-4-0 record is not as strong as the squad would like, but nice wins come at the best times in the season.
With three teams earning only two wins going into the final regular season game, Solid Rock Construction can work itself off the bottom of the rankings before going into the post-season action.
The last regularly scheduled games will be played on Thursday, May 23. The spring adult flag football season playoff bracket with 10 teams, as opposed to the usual eight, makes it so that the old league adage of “everyone makes the playoffs” is not true this season.
The outcome of the five games of this week’s action is crucial to decide which eight teams will move on to the quarter-final round of the playoffs.
The last teams in the four seeds will play two head-to-head games, resulting in the eighth and final playoff position. These games will be played on Wednesday, May 29. The playoffs start next Thursday night.
At the end of the single-elimination playoff games, the championship title will be earned on Thursday, June 13.
Last week the big news was the escalation of mortgage rates and the prediction by the mortgage “experts” that we’re not seeing them being lowered anytime soon. This week we’ll touch on ways to maybe achieve a lower rate and help buyers get their foot in the door. There are a few strategies that could help buyers secure a lower mortgage rate now and revisit the loan down the road, but it may not be for everyone.
The first one is a temporary buydown in which a seller, or more frequently a builder, pays an upfront fee to reduce a buyer’s mortgage rate for a specified period of time. It can give a buyer, especially first-time buyers, time to ease into higher payments if they expect their personal incomes will rise in the future or if traditional mortgage rates decline. There are lenders that offer it, but typically builders use it as an incentive for home buyers instead of reducing their price.
There are a variety of temporary buydowns out there with terms that involve number of years and percentage of rate drops. However, all of the temporary buydown arrangements are based on the buyer qualifying for a mortgage based on the current mortgage rate as well as having a high credit score. If you qualify, it’s still worth it, especially in the early years of home ownership, which are always the most expensive.
Another strategy is buying discount points. Essentially what you’re doing is buying the prepaid interest at closing to reduce the size of the mortgage in return for a lower rate. The lower rate is for the life of the mortgage, which can be a substantial savings if you’re planning on living in the home for a long time.
The difficult part of buying discount points and the additional fees that are assessed is that you will require a large down payment. If you have the cash to do this, you need to determine the break-even point, which is the level you save more money than you spend. If this makes financial sense, it could be a good option.
Finally, assumable mortgages can help keep rates down if you can find one. This loan allows a seller to transfer his or her mortgage to a buyer who in turn picks up the remaining loan balance, the repayment period and other terms of the seller’s existing mortgage. All of this sounds great if the seller’s rate is considerably lower than what the buyer can secure at this time. Buyers still need quite a bit of cash to cover the difference between the loan balance and the selling price and they also need to qualify for the loan just like any other mortgage product.
There certainly are a lot of assumable mortgages out there, however, they are generally not conventional mortgages. Most if not all of these loans are government-backed or insured loans by the FHA or VA. It’s also not a simple process for either the buyer or seller and may require some legal advice for the novice.
Getting a lower mortgage interest rate in this financial environment is difficult, but if you have the means, the nerve and a little bit of luck, it could happen. In the meantime, sit tight and see what develops between now and the end of the year. The country is going through many changes and so are the mortgage markets.
The sound wasn’t exactly deafening but it enveloped me as I stepped out of the car at the boat ramp. Located on the South Carolina side of Lake Russell, an impoundment of the Savannah River, the forest that surrounded the border between Georgia and South Carolina was humming with the sound of cicadas. These insects, known as Brood XIX, have a 13-year life cycle and provide a rare opportunity for fly anglers in the Southeast. Their numbers, truly biblical in proportion, have been estimated in the trillions and when some inevitably fall into the water, carp rise to feed on them.
My wife, Chris, and I had just arrived in Sautee on a yearly vacation to northeast Georgia when I got the call from Unicoi Outfitters owner Jimmy Harris to join him and store manager Wes McElroy to fish for carp. While I was aware of fly anglers targeting carp, this was the first time I had ever had the opportunity and I jumped at the chance. Readers of this column will have heard of McElroy and Harris, both of whom have provided me with some unique opportunities over the years, including fishing for stripers in the Chattahoochee and Lake Lanier and shoal bass on several local rivers. This trip was going to be special.
The weather this spring has been particularly wet, and while I was concerned about the forecast 80% chance of rain, I’ve learned never to cancel a trip based on the weather guessers. As it turned out, it never rained a drop while we were on the water, and we experienced one of the most beautiful days of the trip. McElroy is an excellent fly angler and fly tier and he extensively researches every species he pursues. For this trip, he had tied two dozen flies that almost perfectly matched the brood that would litter the water and bring carp to the surface to feed. We began by slowly moving along the edges of the lake looking for cruising carp. During the first hour, the carp seemed concentrated in certain areas, and we only boated a couple of fish. As the day wore on and the forest warmed, the cacophony intensified, and carp began to rise at almost every cove we visited. The next challenge for me was to time the strike after a carp had taken my fly, a task that proved a bit perplexing. I’m familiar with waiting a split second after a snook hits a top water fly but carp take this patience to a new level. The trick turned out to be to strike only after they had inhaled the fly and turned away. It was such a long wait that we joked about getting a hit, having lunch and then setting the hook. For the balance of the afternoon, we took turns throwing at carp and had some incredible action. In the end, we boated close to 20 fish ranging up to 10 pounds. We left the lake late that afternoon satiated with the action and relived the day on our way back to Clarksville.
If you’re ever in the area, make a point of visiting one or both of Unicoi Outfitters’ excellent shops and inquire about the fishing. There is excellent trout fishing nearby on their private water at Nacoochee Bend as well as other local rivers and lakes. Plan a trip by visiting their website at www.unicoioutfitters.com. Check out the action in this YouTube video: https://youtu.be/zHYhls4VXxY?si=dWGT4hSftCup34US
CORTEZ – Marine law enforcement agencies have issued more than 20 citations recently for multiple unregistered and derelict vessels moored in the waters just south of the Cortez Bridge.
“The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Marine Unit is working closely with FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) to get derelict boats removed before hurricane season,” MCSO Public Information Officer Randy Warren said on May 17. “Deputies are also patrolling the area and have been writing citations for unregistered vessels.”
Warren said the MCSO Marine Unit has issued four citations in the past several days for vessels with expired registration.
“The FWC works very closely with our partners, including the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, to ensure state waters are safe for boaters and wildlife alike and derelict vessels continue to be a priority,” FWC spokesperson Bradley Johnson wrote in a May 17 email to The Sun.
Johnson said there are currently four derelict vessels in the area that are being actively investigated, with two that are likely to be removed soon.
“There have also been 18 citations written to vessel owners in this area for various “At Risk” violations over the past two months alone,” Johnson wrote.
Local boat captains have expressed concern about the moored boats crowding the harbor, as well as at least four sunken boats that are hazardous to navigation.
Brittany Bull, who owns and rents six of the boats in the area, spoke to The Sun on May 18.
“The way I’ve gotten these boats is I’ll see a boat that is sunken and get hold of the owner and see if I can obtain ownership, and now we have them floating,” Bull said. “They may not look great on the outside but the inside of the boats have been refurbished.”
Bull’s boyfriend, Brian Grimes, said the six boats are rented with a portable air conditioner, generator, bottled water and portable shower. A dinghy is provided for some of the boats to allow renters to get to shore.
“The boats are stationary, they don’t have motors, and they’re anchored out there,” Grimes said.
One of the FWC criteria for an “at-risk” vessel being classified as derelict is that it does not have an effective means of propulsion for safe navigation within 72 hours after the vessel owner or operator receives telephone or written notice, which may be provided by fax, email or other electronic means, stating that from an officer, and the vessel owner or operator is unable to provide a receipt, proof of purchase or other documentation of having ordered necessary parts for vessel repair.
“The Coast Guard has rules so they have to be moved every month to a different location and we just move them a little bit so we don’t get in trouble with the Coast Guard,” Grimes said.
Bull said the Coast Guard comes out to conduct boat safety checks.
The Coast Guard did not respond to a request for comment.
Other ‘at risk’ criteria include a vessel taking on water without an effective way to dewater; spaces meant to be enclosed remaining open to the elements; the vessel listing due to water intrusion; the vessel has broken loose or may break loose from its anchor; and the vessel is tied to an unlawful or unpermitted structure or mooring.
“We prefer to have people remove them on their own. If they don’t remove them, the state will do it eventually,” Warren said. “People might not realize there’s a process to get them physically removed.”
A derelict vessel is any vessel that is left in a wrecked, junked or substantially dismantled condition upon waters of the state, according to Florida Statute 823.11.
The derelict vessel adjudication and removal process can include multiple court hearings and court orders to remove a vessel from state waters. Each derelict vessel owner must also be afforded the opportunity for an administrative hearing by the law enforcement agency investigating the case as well as potential criminal proceedings before the vessels may be authorized for removal, according to Johnson.
Johnson wrote, “FWC makes every effort to work with the vessel owners to have them either remove the vessel from state waters themselves or return it to non-derelict status to minimize the cost to taxpayers. There is a difference between a vessel that is derelict and a vessel that is at-risk of becoming derelict. It is much less expensive to remove an at-risk vessel than it is to remove one already rendered derelict.”
Derelict vessel removals typically cost between $400-$800 per foot to remove. A 30-foot boat, barring any extraordinary circumstances, will cost between $12,000 and $24,000.
“Vessel removals can vary greatly in cost and new derelict vessel cases are constantly being added to the state’s inventory,” Johnson wrote. “On average, 600 new derelict vessels are added to the FWC’s DV database annually. Derelict vessels may be removed by owners, local government entities or the state.”
In an attempt to prevent vessels from becoming derelict on Florida’s waters, FWC initiated the Florida Vessel Turn in Program, a program in which vessel owners may apply to have their at-risk vessels removed from the waters of the state at no charge to them. Guidelines and applications are available at www.FloridaVTIP.com Vessel owners who have received a citation or written warning for a vessel in at-risk condition by law enforcement may apply for this program if they meet the eligibility requirements.
BRADENTON BEACH – It’s an all-too-common problem for boaters to have a passenger load that exceeds the number of life vests onboard their craft, according to the Bradenton Beach Police Department (BBPD), which does regular checks of boats in waters around the city
Not only is this a serious safety hazard, it’s not legal. Florida law requires a life vest for every passenger on the craft regardless of age. Insufficient vests can result in a fine and even end the boater’s day on the water.
Thanks to a generous donation from Sea Tow of Cortez, this doesn’t have to be a problem anymore.
“Sea Tow, our corporation, has a nonprofit that’s called the Sea Tow Foundation,” Sea Tow’s Cortez franchise owner, Sam Joseph, said. “Through each franchise, we all pitch in to the foundation. We have life vest stands we set up at boat ramps and marinas, and we also supply those stands with life jackets.”
Joseph said a life vest company that went out of business last year donated about 15,000 life vests to the foundation, and his franchise was able to obtain about 200 of those vests.
“I was talking to Officer Eric Hill from BBPD, and he said instead of giving out tickets to boaters who were lacking in vests, it would be nice to be able to loan them one so they’re in compliance,” Joseph said.
Joseph said they have donated about 70 life vests to BBPD so far, which will keep some onboard their department’s boat to loan to boaters, leaving them to enjoy their day on the water safely and avoid costly fines from the department. There is also a rack of vests on the Bradenton Beach Pier dock for boaters to borrow and return based on the simple honor system, making it easy for boaters to solve a common problem hassle free.
Sea Tow has boats in Cortez, Bradenton Beach and most surrounding areas. They assist stranded boaters by towing them to shore when there are mechanical issues with their personal watercraft. They can be reached at 941-756-3422 or at www.seatow.com. Anyone wishing to donate can use the social media link @seatowfoundation on Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms.
Manatee County commissioners are on a roll when it comes to disappointing their constituents.
Despite overwhelming protests from the community, commissioners have approved $2.9 million for three pre-design criteria packages for three parking garages, one at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach.
Even Commissioner George Kruse, whom Island residents were starting to rally around, voted in favor of the budget amendment.
Commissioners’ intent with these packages is to seek a public-private partnership agreement for a private developer and builder to come in with a bid package to build and run these parking facilities. The reason a private company or investor would do such a thing, as was said on the county commission dais on May 14, is so they can profit from the paid parking facility.
There goes Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge’s supposed reason for going around Holmes Beach officials to build the parking garage at the beach, which was to give more people access to the beach. Instead, by this plan, only those willing to pay for the privilege of parking on Anna Maria Island will have access to the beach.
Van Ostenbridge already stated that he has no intention of seeking a reduced or free rate for Manatee County residents. Now he and the other five members of the county commission are actively spending tax dollars to build a revenue stream for the developers – and possible campaign contributors – they select at the expense of taxpayers and Manatee County residents.
Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth is the only Anna Maria Island mayor who has taken a stand against paid parking and doesn’t allow it in her city. Holmes Beach has the only free and truly accessible beach access left on Anna Maria Island and county commissioners have gone all the way to the state Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis to make sure that it’s closed to only those willing to pay a premium to access the sand.
With the current slate of county commissioners, this is your tax dollars at work, something voters should remember at the ballot box in the Aug. 20 Republican primary, where many of our local elections are decided, and in the Nov. 5 general election.
BRADENTON BEACH – The Bridge Street Merchants Association (BSMA) has big plans for the coming year, including monthly street parties on Bridge Street.
The new monthly event, billed as “Sun Down Get Down,” will be held on the third Thursday of each month beginning on July 18.
“Our plan is for Bridge Street to be closed to traffic and to allow open containers during the event like most small-town street festivals,” BSMA President Derek Williams, owner of the Drift In, wrote in a press release to The Sun. “Each month will have a theme and there will be incentives to visit the merchants. You will see everything from pirates to classic cars, power boats to Spanish galleons, Privateers to conquistadors. Of course each night at sundown, we are bringing back an old Bradenton Beach favorite, the Green Flash beverage.”
BSMA was founded 20 years ago by Angela Rodocker, owner of Bridge Walk Resort, and other local business owners, to bring awareness to the Bridge Street area. Participation in the organization has diminished over the years and came to a near-stop during COVID in 2020, according to Williams.
“Clearly the biggest challenge was lack of participation and engagement by merchants and willingness to make ongoing investments of time and money while running their own businesses,” Williams wrote.
The group took a new approach by promoting specific businesses each week in radio ads and highlighting their participation in Christmas on Bridge Street and the Christmas Boat Parade events. As a result of that advertising, the 2023 schedule had some of the best-attended events seen in years.
“Heading into 2024 we used that momentum and decided to think bigger and year-round,” Williams wrote. “Attracting customers during “season” was one challenge, but how could we get locals and tourists to enjoy and support the area during the slower months?”
City officials and merchants came together and held roundtable meetings and the result is a reorganized BSMA, according to Williams, with a commitment to monthly event schedules, the outsourcing of event management and the chance for outside sponsorship to help with funding.
“We expect over 25 new members to BSMA and hope to raise over $150,000 in annual sponsorship and support,” Williams wrote. “BSMA membership costs will remain reasonable and economical, allowing for businesses of all sizes to participate thanks to our new model for raising funds and utilizing sponsorships to fund events.”
BSMA has received a $15,000 sponsorship from the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Williams hopes the city of Bradenton Beach will increase its sponsorship beyond the $40,000 the CRA spends annually on Christmas decorations and seasonal events.
“I’m confident the CRA can find an additional $25,000 annually to help the business community bring life to our little beach town,” Williams wrote. “My goodness, if they can find money for palm trees and water trucks at the last minute, I’m confident they can get behind this new initiative,” Williams wrote.
With parking a challenge in the Bridge Street area, BSMA has created a transportation committee that is working with the City of Bradenton Beach and Manatee County to offer newly designated parking areas, trolley stops, ferry stops, bikes and golf carts.
The 2024 BSMA leadership team includes Williams, Vice President Angela Rodocker and Secretary/Treasurer Beth Vidmar of Paradise Boat Tours.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – From May 18-24, National Safe Boating Week is a reminder about the importance of being a safe boater.
Anna Maria resident David Haddox is a past commander of the Anna Maria Island Sail & Power Squadron. At the national level, he serves as rear commander in charge of basic public education for the United States Power Squadrons, America’s Boating Club.
In recognition of National Safe Boating Week, Haddox shared some U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) annual boating statistics from 2022. The 2023 stats come out later this year.
According to the USCG, there were 4,040 boating accidents 636 deaths, 2,222 injuries, and property damage exceeding $63 million in 2022. Approximately 75% of the reported boating fatalities were the result of drowning and 85% of those victims were not wearing life jackets at the time. Three of every four boaters who drowned were using boats less than 21 feet in length. Where the boater’s instruction history was known, 74% of the fatalities occurred in boats where the operator had not received boating safety instruction.
According to the USCG, alcohol use is the leading contributor to boating fatalities and was listed as the leading factor in 16% of boating fatalities. Operator inattention, operator inexperience, improper lookout, excessive speed and mechanical failure are also ranked as top contributing factors.
There were 173 accidents where at least one person was struck by a propeller, accounting for 182 injuries and 41 deaths.
Haddox shared some Florida-specific boating regulations:
Children under age 6 must wear a properly fitted, USCG-approved personal flotation device (PFD) while on a boat under 26 feet when it is underway.
Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 who operates a power vessel of 10 horsepower or greater must have in their possession a Florida Boater Safety Education ID card.
Harassing manatees can lead to a $50,000 fine and up to one year in prison.
“Wearing life jackets saves lives. They are called life jackets for a reason. Take a boating safety course for you, your loved ones and the boating community. The next course starts June 8 and continues June 15,” Haddox said.
The National Safe Boating Council encourages boaters to wear lifejackets. – www.safeboatingcampaign.com | Submitted
The Anna Maria Island Sail & Power Squadron, America’s Boating Club for the Bradenton area, is offering the two-day boating safety course in June. The course is suitable for beginners through intermediate boaters. The cost is $55 per person or $85 for two boaters sharing instructional materials. To pre-register, call 941-447-7845. For more details, visit the squadron’s website.
“Graduates of our course are issued the card by FWC,” Haddox said. “Our club’s goals are to have fun on the water, to teach the public about boating safety, and to provide free vessel safety checks as a community service. We also provide free, voluntary vessel safety checks to ensure operators have the required equipment on board,” Haddox said.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – With less than a week until the busy Memorial Day weekend, the Island is bracing for the good and the frustration that comes with major holidays. This year’s busy spring break season broke records and tourism officials expect nothing less for Memorial Day.
Regardless of how many people flock to the white sand beaches of AMI, with a little planning, it’s not difficult for both locals and visitors to enjoy the holiday with minimal stress.
Many local business owners and employees rely on busy holiday weekends to boost business. For locals, officials in all three Island cities say patience is the best stress reducer.
“My wife and I have a condo here in Holmes Beach, and we know what’s coming on weekends like Memorial Day and July Fourth,” Aaron Blessing said. “You just learn to not go certain places at certain times. Traffic is usually backed up in one direction or the other depending on the time of day; just go the opposite direction. We live in paradise, why stress it? People are going to want to be here, just embrace it. The world has a lot of places going through some horrific things right now, I don’t believe we have any right to complain about a problem most of the planet would kill to have.”
One of the busiest places on the Island every Memorial Day is Coquina Beach. With the most available parking spaces anywhere on AMI, Coquina Beach is popular with day trippers from nearby areas to spend a day in the sun. Even though there are a lot of free parking spaces, it is recommended to get to Coquina Beach very early to avoid being shut out.
“We are seeing Coquina Beach parking filling up by 10 or 11 a.m. on the weekends here in May, which is generally a slower time of year,” Bradenton Beach Police Lt. Lenard Diaz said. “I believe this is going to be a busy Memorial Day weekend, and our department is ready for it.”
Diaz said his advice is to follow the rules and have fun. These rules include no fires, grills, alcohol or pets on the beach. Beachgoers can be fined for all these offenses. Diaz says the biggest problems the department sees on Memorial Day weekend are parking related. In 2023, his department wrote more than 300 parking tickets for illegal parking and will be heavily active in the public beach parking area again this year. Extra officers will be on duty and will not hesitate to cite violators.
“The one thing we want people to know is there is absolutely no saving parking spaces for others,” Diaz said. “This is becoming more of a problem recently, and we want to make it clear that it won’t be tolerated. If you are caught trying to prevent someone from parking in an open space because you are saving it for a friend or family member, you can lose your day at the beach. Parking spaces are first-come, first-served with no exceptions.”
Another popular beach area is Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach, where thousands flock to soak up the sun in an area with concessions, shopping, a tiki bar and public bathrooms. This popular spot is also a source of frustration with visitors who want to get their cars parked and hit the water. According to Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer, there is plenty of free parking and everyone can have a great day at the beach by following a few simple rules.
“We are a family friendly atmosphere, so don’t bring any alcohol, pets or grills. If you want to grill, there are designated grilling areas near the beach you can use,” Tokajer said. “Also, please remember to always park facing the right direction and pay attention to all signage out there. We have a lot of parking throughout the city beyond just the Manatee Beach lot. If you go to the city’s website, there’s a map that shows you all of the auxiliary parking beyond that of the public beach.”
Tokajer says many visitors think there is no parking available on these busy holiday weekends, but he makes daily patrols during these times and has never seen a day when there weren’t spaces available. Tokajer echoes what Diaz had to say about saving parking spaces, saying his department will not tolerate it and will remove problematic offenders from the beach parking areas if necessary.
In Anna Maria, there is not as much public parking and it’s important to look for signs regarding illegal parking. Many streets only allow parking on one side of the street and most private residences will not tolerate parking on their property without prior permission. All rules regarding grills, pets and alcohol on the beach also apply in Anna Maria and are strictly enforced by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
Most officials agree on the basics for a great holiday weekend on AMI – Get here early, follow the rules and enjoy the holiday.
ANNA MARIA – The Planning and Zoning Board is reviewing city regulations pertaining to fences located in street corner intersection visibility triangles and driveway intersection visibility triangles.
City Planner Ashley Austin and Building Department General Manager Dean Jones are assisting with these efforts.
VISIBILITY TRIANGLES
Section 90-2 of the city’s existing code of ordinances establishes street corner visibility triangles with the following language: “On a corner lot there shall be no parking or loading spaces, structure or planting, including trees, but not to include tree trunks where the tree branches are higher than 7 feet above the surrounding grade, which materially obstructs the vision of vehicular traffic within 20 feet of the two intersecting street right-of-way lines measured from the intersecting corner of the rights-of-way involved.”
Anna Maria city code includes this visibility triangle illustration. – City of Anna Maria | Submitted
Section 114-423 of the city code specifically addresses walls and fences, and the planning board recommends adding a text amendment to that section of city code that would allow solid fences up to 3 feet high, or 50% open, or transparent, fences 3-6 feet high, in visibility triangles. Transparent and partially transparent fences included rope and bollards, picket fences and split-rail fences.
This is one example of a partially transparent fence. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Regarding street corner plantings, city code says plant masses or structures below 3 feet in height, and structures or tree foliage, not including tree trunks, 8 feet in height are not considered obstructions.
Board member Dusty Crane said the combination of vehicles parked within 20 feet of the intersection, foliage and fences at the corner of North Bay and Poinsettia make it difficult to pull onto North Bay.
“We’ve had an issue with that before. We’ve had to put up some bollards to try to mitigate that,” Jones said, noting that additional ropes and bollards could be installed where needed.
PASS-THROUGH LOTS
The board discussed fence heights on some of the ‘pass-through lots’ located along North Bay Boulevard. Pass-through lots, also known as through lots, are non-corner lots in which a property’s front and rear lot lines both abut streets.
Several pass-through lots exist between North Bay Boulevard and North Shore Drive. – Google Maps | Submitted
Between Bayfront Park and the Rod & Reel Pier, 10 pass-through lots abut both North Bay Boulevard and North Shore Drive. Some of those homes have front entrances and front yards facing North Bay and others face North Shore. Austin said pass-through lots are not prevalent in Anna Maria, but there are some others elsewhere in the city.
Pass-through lots are allowed four-foot-high fences in their front and back yards. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Crane noted at least one pass-through lot fence along North Bay Boulevard appears to be 6 feet high and she asked if that’s allowed. Board member Doug Copeland noted that 6-foot-high fences are allowed in the back yards, but Austin said the height limit is 4 feet on both the front and back yards for pass-through lots. Austin said she would look into that matter.
DRIVEWAY INTERSECTIONS
The board reviewed the existing code that addresses driveway intersections and says, “At the intersection of a driveway with a street right-of-way line, there shall be no structure or planting, including trees, which materially obstructs the vision of vehicular traffic within 10 feet of the intersecting street right-of-way line and the driveway pavement edge measured from both intersecting corners of the right-of-way and driveway involved.
Similar to corner lot landscaping, the code also says, “For purposes of this section, planting masses or structures below 3 feet in height, and structures or tree foliage, not to include tree trunks, 8 feet in height are not considered obstructions.”
Jones, who recently returned as a city employee, acknowledged he hasn’t studied that section of the city code in a couple of years but he believes street-side parking is prohibited within 10 feet of a driveway, and that would be a code enforcement issue.
Copeland said visitors and residents need to be made aware of the 10-foot parking prohibition because most people who visit Anna Maria don’t know about it. Jones said there are already approximately 798 signs in Anna Maria and the city doesn’t want to significantly increase that number by erecting additional signs that address the 10-foot parking rule. Jones said a sign could be placed at the entrance to the city and Copeland suggested ropes and bollards as a potential alternative to more signs.
Parked vehicles, fences and foliage can impact intersection visibility. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
When the discussion ended, Austin said she would incorporate the board’s fence height and transparency suggestions in a proposed text amendment to be discussed at the board’s June 26 meeting.
HOLMES BEACH – A day at the beach ended in tragedy on May 18 when an unidentified 75-year-old man drowned in the Gulf of Mexico near the 77th Street beach access.
West Manatee Fire Rescue Fire Marshall Rodney Kwiatkowski said that the man was visiting the beach with his wife when he went for a swim. Red flag warnings were posted at Manatee Beach about 25 blocks away, cautioning the public about unsafe water conditions.
Officials believe that the man fell victim to rip currents and high surf conditions. Kwiatkowski said he believes the victim was visiting Anna Maria Island from England and was not a local resident.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family and friends,” Kwiatkowski said. “West Manatee Fire Rescue cautions even the strongest of swimmers from entering the water during red flag hazard conditions.”
The National Weather Service in Tampa Bay/Ruskin issued a rip current statement for coastal Manatee County, including Anna Maria Island, on May 18 at 7:41 a.m. The warning expired at 8 p.m. that evening, but red flags remained at Manatee Beach the next morning.
Swimmers caught in a rip current are advised not to fight the current to get back to shore. Instead, use the current to float out until you can safely swim parallel to shore to get out of the current, then swim back into shore
MANATEE COUNTY – Whether residents want it or not, the wheels are in motion for county taxpayers to foot the bill for a three-story parking garage at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach.
County commissioners voted unanimously on May 14 to approve $1.125 million for a preliminary design criteria package for the parking structure.
The item was listed as a budget amendment under the consent agenda before Commissioner George Kruse pulled it for discussion; consent agenda items are voted on without discussion. The funds for a pre-design criteria package of the parking structure, along with $625,000 for a similar design package for a parking garage at the Bradenton Area Convention Center and $1,175,000 for a garage at the Premiere Sports complex, total $2,925,000. The budget amendment states that those funds are being transferred from the 2023 Revenue Improvement Bonds Capital Projects fund.
Kruse said he pulled the item from the consent agenda because he felt that the commission needed to have more discussion before committing taxpayer funds to come up with a plan for the garages during an RFP process for designing and building the structures. He noted that while other infrastructure projects have been delayed for two years or more due to a lack of funding, commissioners are willing to push the parking garage projects forward. He said he felt the commission should have gotten more information before spending money.
“We say we’re fiscally conservative up here,” Kruse said, noting that he has a lot of questions about why his fellow commissioners are willing to spend taxpayer funds without more information.
Speaking on behalf of county staff, Manatee County Director of Property Management Cary Knight said, “My understanding of the process that was put into place is that we’re bringing on an architecture firm to do a pre-design criteria package. That pre-design criteria package then gets included with RFQ for a three-P partner (public-private partnership) to come and make proposals for how they would build the building, how they would finance it, how they would make money off of it, whether or not it would be a paid parking situation or maybe the county is a lease situation where the three-P becomes basically the bank for the county. That’s kind of the process that’s in place right now.”
“It seems like this is almost a cart before a horse,” Kruse said. He added that he feels the county staff could determine if paid parking is a viable option. He suggested looking at established paid parking in Bradenton Beach to see utilization, hourly rates and what the backlash from visitors and residents is. He said he feels he’d rather spend the money elsewhere.
Despite Kruse’s misgivings on the topic, he voted in favor of allocating the funds to design services for the three parking garages.
County Administrator Charlie Bishop said the county isn’t “an expert on building parking garages” and is relying on Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, to determine that public-private partnerships are viable at the three proposed parking garage locations.
The downtown Bradenton parking garage, which has been deemed structurally poor and needs to be replaced as soon as possible, was not on the list of proposed garages discussed at the May 14 meeting.
The beach parking garage is a pet project for Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge, who represents the residents of Anna Maria Island and west Bradenton, many of whom have spoken out publicly against a parking garage at the county-owned beach in Holmes Beach. Van Ostenbridge has disregarded protests from residents and visitors, along with other county commissioners, stating that the parking garage would allow for more inclusive beach access for county residents, despite the fact that he plans for the garage to have paid parking instead of the free parking currently allowed in Holmes Beach.
While Holmes Beach city leaders have staunchly defended their city against the encroachment of paid parking, which has sprung up to the north and south in Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach, Mayor Judy Titsworth has stated that if county commissioners build the garage with paid parking, the city may have to rethink its stance on paid parking.
SIDESTEPPING HOLMES BEACH
Currently both multi-level parking garages and paid parking are against the city’s land development code and ordinances. County commissioners opted to circumvent the city by going to the Manatee County state legislative delegation. The five-member delegation pushed a bill through the state Legislature in 2023 allowing the county to build the parking garage at Manatee Beach without approval or permits from the city.
During a 2023 county commission work session, Van Ostenbridge presented his ideas to his fellow board members. He said the garage would have three stories with a fourth parking level on the roof and span the entirety of the buildable space at the public beach park. The current historic concession stand, retail space, bar, restroom and shower facilities would be demolished with new facilities built into the parking garage. At the time, he estimated the parking garage could be built for about $45 million.
Van Ostenbridge said the garage would have around 900 parking spaces, about 450 more than what currently exists on the Manatee Beach property, and paid parking of at least $2 per hour would be necessary to pay for the construction of the garage and the estimated $200,000 annual maintenance costs.
During demolition and construction, the current parking spaces and facilities would be unavailable to beachgoers, meaning that the only beach on Anna Maria Island with restroom, shower and changing facilities would be Coquina Beach on the southern tip of the Island.
Island residents, visitors and elected officials alike all protested strongly prior to the bill being filed during the legislative session and continue to do so.
The latest protest action against the parking garage occurred earlier this month at a rally hosted by residents’ group Save Florida Home Rule, where several people spoke out against the building of a parking garage at Manatee Beach. None of the county commissioners attended, though a contender for Van Ostenbridge’s seat on the county commission, Diana Shoemaker, did speak and said she was committed to hearing the voices of the residents in District 3, not dismissing them as she said some others have done and continue to do.
MANATEE COUNTY – The Coquina North Boat Ramp in Bradenton Beach will be renamed the Captain Scott Moore Boat Ramp in honor of longtime Holmes Beach resident and well-known fishing guide and charter captain Scott Moore.
During the May 14 Manatee County Commission meeting, Moore gave a short presentation about the condition of the area’s local fisheries and the importance of preserving mangroves as fish habitats and breeding grounds.
After the presentation, Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge surprised Moore by proposing the county attorney’s office draft a county resolution that, when adopted, will result in the Coquina North Boat Ramp being renamed in Moore’s honor. The nearby Coquina South Boat Ramp will be renamed as Coquina Boat Ramp.
MOORE PRESENTATION
When introducing Moore, Van Ostenbridge said, “He’s 50 years on the water and there’s no better expert.”
“He’s a legend,” Commission Chair Mike Rahm added.
As he began his presentation, Moore said, “Despite recent challenges with red ride, Piney Point issues and freezes, I’m pleased to report that our fish populations are recovering. There are reasons for this recovery and I’d like to highlight the crucial role that the mangroves play in our area.
‘Captain’ Scott Moore is a fishing guide, charter captain, conservationist, educator and more. – Scott Moore | Submitted
“Throughout the years, decisions made by past commissioners and present regarding the preservation of mangrove areas such as Robinson Preserve and Emerson Preserve have significantly enhanced our fisheries. The leaf litter from the mangroves is essential for nurturing fish populations. The leaf litter that comes from them is so important, and it also affects our fishery inshore and offshore, both recreationally and commercially. Protecting these mangrove habitats is paramount to sustaining our fisheries. It’s the most important thing that we have,” Moore said.
“While we still face water quality issues – and those solutions I’ll leave up to the scientists – safeguarding our mangroves is a step in the right direction. One particular area I want to emphasize is Rattlesnake Key, a vital fish-producing region,” Moore said.
Moore noted that in the Tampa Bay area, the waters at Emerson Point have historically been a significant area for snook to spawn and preserving those mangroves has benefitted the area’s snook population and assisted in its recovery.
“Snooks really got hit. We had a freeze (in 2015) and it took out a lot of fish. It takes years. You have recruitment in these fish populations and it takes time for this to happen,” he said, also noting the past impacts of red tide.
He said the fish population would not have recovered as well without the mangroves and fish habitats available at Emerson Point Preserve, Perico Preserve and Robinson Preserve.
“Robinson Preserve is a big producer of redfish because of the inner shore area we have now,” he said, noting that Robinson Preserve serves as an important fish habitat and breeding area in addition to being a great place to bicycle, hike and enjoy other recreational activities.
Rattlesnake Key is located near the Sunshine Skyway. – Google Maps | Submitted
Moore has long been a proponent of the state and/or county buying Rattlesnake Key and designating it as a park and preservation area.
In 2022, the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis earmarked $23 million to purchase the 671-acre island known as Rattlesnake Key and designate the property as a state park, with Manatee County contributing an additional $3 million to purchase the land. To date, that sale has not materialized and the earmarked state funds are scheduled to expire in June. In April, the corporate owners of the Rattlesnake Key property and several surrounding properties collectively listed those properties for sale for $75 million.
Despite the decreasing likelihood that the state will buy Rattlesnake Key, Moore remains hopeful.
“Rattlesnake Point is a huge area that produces fish commercially and recreationally,” he said. “As you drive south across the (Sunshine) Skyway entering Manatee County, what are you going to see? You’re going to see Rattlesnake Key. Consider the legacy we leave for generations to come. We need to preserve that.”
After noting that he’s a “little disappointed” with the state regarding the Rattlesnake Key purchase, Moore said, “Use our money wisely, but we want that done if you can do it.”
RENAMING BOAT RAMP
After Moore’s presentation, Van Ostenbridge noted that in addition to being a legendary fishing guide, Moore serves on fishery committees, has formed partnerships with scientists and other fishermen, has spent many hours educating local students about the importance of conservation and has “enlightened countless individuals on the importance of sustainable fishing practices and the delicate balance of marine life.”
Van Ostenbridge noted Moore founded the Coastal Conservation Association in the 1980s and still sits on that board. He also said he’s earned many awards and honors in recognition of his work – including a $3 million donation that philanthropists Carol and Barney Barnett made to the Sarasota-based Mote Marine Laboratory in Moore’s name.
“We could go on and on and on for all the things that he has done for this county and the local waters around here. If there’s ever a person that was going to be memorialized or remembered for their contributions in their specific field and specific industry, I think Capt. Moore is somebody who deserves that kind of recognition,” Van Ostenbridge said.
The North Coquina Boat Ramp will soon have a new name. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“Out at Coquina, we have two boat ramps; one’s called Coquina North and one’s called Coquina South. I always thought that was kind of silly, so I move that we direct the county attorney’s office to draft a resolution for this board to name the Coquina North Boat Ramp the Captain Scott Moore Boat Ramp and the Coquina South Boat Ramp the Coquina Boat Ramp, Van Ostenbridge said.
In response, the surprised Moore said, “Wow. Thank you so much.”
Rahm seconded Van Ostenbridge’s motion and the commission voted unanimously in favor of having a resolution drafted that sets the renaming efforts in motion.
In closing Rahm said, “Thank you so much for what you do for our community.”
HOLMES BEACH – Longtime Holmes Beach resident and Nautilus condominium complex manager Fritz Dahlquist passed away after a brief and sudden illness on May 8. He was 70.
He’s survived by his wife of nearly 45 years, Dena, and their two adult daughters, Abby Dahlquist and Lenna Dahlquist. Fritz also leaves behind many dear friends on Anna Maria Island and beyond, including some he knew for decades.
A celebration of life will be held at the Nautilus beachfront on Sunday, May 26 at 6:30 p.m. Fritz’s friends are encouraged to join the family for a sunset toast to his memory. Please bring a beach chair and a story to share. The Nautilus is located at 7100 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach.
“This was where so many of our family memories happened and where we watched so many sunsets together,” Lenna said.
A WELL-LIVED LIFE
Fritz passed away in the Nautilus condo he and Dena and their family have long called home. Lenna now lives in the greater Orlando area and Abby lives in Los Angeles. They, their husbands and Lenna’s son returned to Holmes Beach when Fritz got sick.
Lenna Dahlquist, Peter Matthews, Oliver Matthews, Dena Dahlquist, Fritz Dahlquist Alex Coxen and Abby Dahlquist formed a close-knit and loving family, shown from left to right. – Dahlquist family | Submitted
“Fritz’s family vacationed on Anna Maria Island in the 1960s,” said Dena, who works as a nurse practitioner at Dr. Stephen Pelham’s office in Holmes Beach. “Every summer, they stayed at Gulf Drive Apartments in Holmes Beach. In the early 1970s, his father bought an apartment at Martinique and they moved into Martinique North when Fritz was a junior in high school.”
Fritz and Dena met in 1974 while attending Manatee Junior College (now State College of Florida). They married in 1977 and moved to the Nautilus in 1981 when Fritz became the manager.
Fritz Dahlquist managed the beachfront Nautilus condominium complex in Holmes Beach. – Rolf Bertram, David Dahlquist | Submitted
“We lived here and we raised our two daughters here,” Dena said.
“We had a really unique childhood,” Lenna said. “My sister and I grew up at the Nautilus and were fortunate to know the families that came here year after year. They were like our extended family. My dad fostered these beautiful relationships with all these people and our family really benefitted from his kindness and welcoming nature.”
“He was open to people and created this welcoming environment for the people who came here,” Abby said. “He was their friend. He knew the details of their lives and asked about them. As a kid, I only experienced that with the families I knew, but he experienced it with pretty much every person that came through this place. Making them feel special was a gift he had.”
“We’re on our third generation of families. The children who came here are now having children,” Dena added.
“Our family has banded together and we are running the Nautilus now,” Lenna said of the 34-unit complex. “We’re not sure what the future will bring, but right now we’re running it in his honor to continue what he created here. We feel his presence in all the things we do. He loved this place and he took care of every detail here.”
“The response from the community has been overwhelming,” Lenna said. “The kindness and love we’re being shown is incredible. He touched everybody he knew and connected with everyone he met and people are now sharing their beautiful stories about my dad.”
“Our community in Holmes Beach and Anna Maria Island has just been wonderful. We have a strong village here,” Dena said.
Fritz was a man of many interests.
“He loved surfing. He was a cyclist and he loved riding his bike with friends. He was a great carpenter and loved to make things,” Dena said.
“The Nautilus is an in to all of this,” Abby said. “He was here so long and it afforded him such a good life. He could put the sign up in the office and go surfing down at White Avenue. He took me surfing and introduced me to the community of surfers here. He took kids from my high school on surf trips to Central America. He took me on surf trips and sent me to surf camp. I worked at the surf shop because of my dad and now I live in California, where I can surf.”
“He always had something wise to say because he spent so much time quietly studying Buddhism and Taoism,” Abby said. “He looked inward and lived a subtle, quiet life and didn’t feel the need to impress it on anyone else. He just lived it, and that’s what made all this other stuff possible. He loved music too.”
Regarding music, Lenna said, “He always embraced what my sister and I were interested in and accompanied us to shows. He was open-minded, fun-loving, creative, curious and wanted to be a part of our world.”
“He was a wonderful husband who took care of me and nurtured me and encouraged me with anything I ever wanted to do. He was always there for me,” Dena said.
“He was a great father. He loved his family. He was a great friend to a group of friends we met in college and we all stayed close. He was just so special. I will always remember him as being kind, thoughtful and caring. We would have been married 45 years in May,” Dena said.
“He was one of five children and we have a large family in Bradenton that meant a lot to him,” Lenna added.
Abby said, “A long time ago, my dad told me he believed only God can draw a straight line. He knew he didn’t have to be perfect. He just had to be good and kind, and it showed. Hundreds of people held intimate connections with him that were dear to their hearts. I hope I can live a life with a fraction of the divine love he lived his.”
Lenna said, “He supported me no matter which direction I wanted to take. He always listened and gave such thoughtful advice. And then I became a mom and watched him become a grandfather, which has been such a joy. His playful, kind spirit with my son has been beautiful to see. I hope that I can live a life like my dad – to show kindness and grace and not sweat the small stuff. He was a wonderful person and we were all so lucky that we got to be in his world. We miss him dearly.”
A GOOD FRIEND
Fritz and former Holmes Beach Mayor Carol Whitmore met when they were teens.
“I have known Fritz since he was 15 years old and visited the Island with his family,” Whitmore said. “We continued our friendship as pen pals until he moved to Florida and onto the Island. Many a day, when surf was up, I would see Fritz at West Coast Surf Shop. There’s not one bad word that anybody can say about this man. He loved his wife and his kids and always did the right thing. He touched so many islanders. We will all be here for Dena and the kids during this time of sadness,” Whitmore said.
Fritz Dahlquist spent most of his life in Holmes Beach. – Dahlquist family | Submitted
Former Anna Maria Island resident Rick Lewis said, “I met Fritz and Dena in 1975 when I started working at Blake Hospital. Fritz was the orthopedic tech and Dena was a fairly new Licensed Practical Nurse. I realized I had seen him at the public beach when we were surfing. He was the nicest guy, with a non-stop smile. We have been friends since then. I’m really going to miss him, as will the Island.”
Dr. Pelham and Fritz were close friends.
“I’ve known Fritz and Dena for over 30 years. Fritz and I have done all kinds of stuff together. We used to bicycle together on a regular basis. He was a really good surfer and my son was surfer so we used to go to Latin America and we’d take other teenagers with us,” Pelham said.
“Fritz and I used to go skiing every year. He was a really good athlete. He could do most anything. He was always upbeat and positive and he enjoyed anything we did. I never heard him say anything nasty or bad about any other person. I never saw him angry. You could ask him to do anything and he’d help you out. Fritz was a real good friend. I miss him already.”
