BRADENTON BEACH – The park across the street from city hall, referred to only as City Park, will be renamed after longtime City Commissioner Jan Vosburgh.
The discussion of the naming of the beach access park just south of the Beach House parking lot was introduced at the March 6 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting by Mayor John Chappie.
“I put this item on the agenda, I also have it on the agenda for tomorrow’s city commission meeting,” Chappie said.
The impetus behind naming the park was the need to include it as a named park on a soon-to-be-released bicycle map.
“The Scenic Highway WAVES committee is developing a bike map, a scenic bike map and they are requesting that we officially name the city park, or come up with a name for that area,” Chappie said.
The printing of the bike map is going to be done by the AMI Moose Lodge. Chappie said the map is being produced along with a booklet called, “Your Guide to the Legacy Trail Sarasota and the Gulf Islands” at no cost to the city.
“The other cities have done the same thing, they have theirs ready and they’re about ready to go to print on this one,” Chappie said. “They would just like us to make a decision so that name could be on that actual map.”
City Attorney Ricinda Perry said it was a city commission responsibility to name a park.
“So, again I have it on tomorrow’s commission meeting agenda,” Chappie said. “I would like to see a nice name on the park, it’s the way we honor people once in a while. I’d like to have it called Jan’s Park or Jan Vosburgh Park. That would be my vote.”
“She’s been involved with a number of elected officials and mayors over the years and that alone is worth a Purple Heart,” Chappie added jokingly.
“I think it’s a great thought,” CRA member Ralph Cole said.
The CRA renaming recommendation was brought up at the March 7 commission meeting, and the commission voted unanimously to rename the area Jan Vosburgh Park.
During bird nesting season, March through August, please follow these tips:
Never touch a shorebird chick, even if it’s wandering outside a staked nesting area.
Teach kids not to chase birds – if they’re disturbed, bird parents may abandon nests.
Don’t feed birds – our food is not good for their health, and it encourages them to fly at people aggressively.
If birds are screeching and flying at you, you’re too close.
Avoid posted bird nesting areas and use designated walkways to the beach.
Keep pets away from bird nesting areas; dogs are not allowed on the beach by law.
Keep the beach clean; food scraps attract bird predators such as raccoons and crows to the beach, and litter can entangle birds and other wildlife.
If you see people disturbing nesting birds, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
CORTEZ – Known as the Curt Johns net camp, the historic structure off the coast of the fishing village has fallen into disrepair and the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) board voted at its March 4 meeting to begin restoration.
FISH board member Nathan Meschelle brought up the topic of the net camp at the meeting.
“I’d like people’s opinion of the giant polka-dotted elephant in Cortez that nobody wants to talk about a whole lot. It is the net camp. I feel like it’s very iconic for Cortez,” Meschelle said. “It’s embarrassing looking like that. For me as a fisherman in Cortez, I try to keep my boats well-maintained because I take pride in what I do. This is my home and when people come visit that’s what they see and that’s what they think of us.”
The building had been refurbished by FISH and has been occupied by an unnamed person for several years. Currently, the building has a hole in the roof and there are boats moored next to the building.
“My question is, who owns it?” Meschelle asked. “We need to find out who has ownership.”
“Curt Johns built that around World War II vintage. There are no existing documents from Curt Johns,” Alan Garner said. “It’s clearly FISH’s, because FISH essentially paid for the labor and the materials to have it restored.”
“We refurbished it because we realized we needed to do that before it fell down,” Garner said.
“It’s falling apart now,” Meschelle said. “We need to find out who has ownership.”
“Here’s the one thing that I would say,” FISH President Kim McVey said. “That thing would not be here for him to move into if FISH had not rebuilt it.”
“So, it’s FISH’s?” Meschelle asked.
“That’s how I look at it,” McVey said.
Net camps were wooden structures used by fishermen to hang hemp and cotton fishing nets to dry.
According to historic photographs, there were once dozens of net camps on the bay off Cortez. The Curt Johns net camp is one of only two off the village’s shores and is next to the recently rebuilt Guthrie net camp.
Noting that the net camp is a historical artifact in need of restoration, Meschelle made the motion “to trespass the present occupant of the net camp to begin a restoration project of the historic Curt Johns net camp.”
ANNA MARIA – The winter flag football playoffs started and the youth league award winners were announced last week. With the coaches’ votes in, 10 well-deserved players heard their names announced on The Center’s field.
Playing in last week’s opening game, AMI Coconuts’ Camden Rudacille, the league’s winner of the sportsmanship award, proved he is not only one of the best-spirited players in the league but also a skilled baller.
With one touchdown catch and a two-point conversion on offense, Rudacille also had a strong defensive game against the Moss Builders team, including six flag pulls and an interception.
Teammate Adelaide McGraw and Cheesecake Cutie’s Gunner Maize earned the offensive most valuable player honors for the 8- to 10-year-old league.
Despite the team’s loss against top-ranked Moss Builders, McGraw had a strong game with one reception and a big defensive stop.
In the third game of the night, MVP Maize’s team dominated the Beach House Waterfront Restaurant team, winning 33-0. The Cheesecake Cutie standout once again showed why he is deserving of the title, with 21 points, including a touchdown reception, a rushing score and a pick-six.
On the other side of the football, Beach House’s Aiden Guess, winner of the defensive MVP votes, had three flag pulls against the Cuties offense.
Team Adrian Griffin Interiors advanced to the semifinals with a win against Chick-fil-A. The league’s most improved player, Silas DeWitt, playing for the victors, finished the game with five catches, including one for six points and three big defensive stops.
Sato Real Estate won the second game of the night against Solid Rock Construction by 20 points in the defensive battle.
In the older youth league, Solid Rock Electrical’s Estella Long lit up the gridiron as the MVP against team HSH Design. Long had four catches and scored six points. On the other side of the football, Long stopped the HSH offense with seven flag pulls.
The league’s most improved player, Van Harvell, playing for Solid Rock Air Conditioning, helped his team to their narrow victory against Progressive Cabinetry. In the two-point game, Harvell scored a touchdown and made five big flag pulls in the night’s second match-up.
Team Wings N Things could not advance to the next round of the playoffs, despite having two of the honored players in the league. The Shady Lady Horticultural Services team was just too strong, holding Ryk Kesten, the defensive most valuable player, to one TD and five flag pulls.
Sportsmanship award recipient Charlee Maize caught two passes, pulled eight flags to stop forward progress and sacked the Shady Lady QB.
Closing out last week’s youth flag football play, team Moss Builders solidly won against team Freckled Fin. With the final score 52-8, Mason Moss put up numbers that echoed his season accomplishments which earned him the coaches’ votes for MVP.
Scoring two rushing touchdowns and catching for another six, Moss also had two interceptions, including taking one down the field to score.
Moss clearly showed his dominance both on offense and defense, finishing the game with a flag pull and one-point conversion to end last week’s youth play.
This week’s youth flag football action started on Monday with team Sato Real Estate facing the Cheesecake Cutie team, as well as the 8- to 10-year-old Moss Builders team taking on Adrian Griffin Interiors.
On Tuesday, the older Moss Builders team played Solid Rock Electric while Solid Rock Air Conditioning opposed the Shady Lady Horticultural Services squad in semifinal action.
SUN SCOREBOARD
MARCH 4 – YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL
8- TO 10-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE
QUARTER-FINAL PLAYOFFS
#1 Moss Builders 35
#8 AMI Coconuts 8
#3 Sato Real Estate 26
#6 Solid Rock Construction 6
#2 Cheesecake Cuties 33
#7 Beach House Waterfront Restaurant 0
#4 Adrian Griffin Interiors 26
#5 Chick-fil-A 13
MARCH 5 – YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL
11- TO 14-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE
QUARTER-FINAL PLAYOFFS
#4 Solid Rock Electrical 39
#5 HSH Design 18
#3 Solid Rock Air Conditioning 43
#6 Progressive Cabinetry 41
#2 Shady Lady Horticultural Services 26
#7 Wings N Things 6
#1 Moss Builders 52
#8 Freckled Fin 8
MARCH 7 – ADULT CO-ED INDOOR SOCCER, WEEK 5
Mi-Box (1-3-1) 13
Slim’s Place (0-4-1) 12
Pool America (3-1-1) 14
Servis 1st Bank (2-3-0) 5
Bucky Construction (5-0-0) 7
Sato Real Estate (2-2-1) 6
ADULT CO-ED FLAG FOOTBALL
QUARTER-FINAL PLAYOFFS
#5 Solid Rock Construction 29
#4 Salty Printing 13
#3 Sandbar Seafood & Spirits 46
#6 Slim’s Place 39
#2 Moss Builders 27
#7 Gulf Drive Café 6
#1 Floridian Mortgage 42
#8 Edible Cookie Dough Café 27
UPCOMING GAMES
MARCH 17
Floridian Mortgage vs. Solid Rock Construction, 7 p.m.
Sandbar Seafood & Spirits vs. Moss Builders, 8 p.m.
After perusing what I like to consider my very organized database of columns, I realized it’s been some time since I wrote about getting your house ready for sale. Since we are dead in the middle of the busy selling season, it may be time for a tune-up.
According to the National Association of Realtors, more than 40% of buyers look at listings online as their first step. Because of this, you need to have excellent and clear pictures of your home done by a professional photographer experienced in real estate listings.
Before the pictures are taken you need to declutter, depersonalize and clean your home within an inch of its life. Out of the three of these, cleaning is by far the most important and the most obvious to buyers when they walk in the front door. Even if you are a good housekeeper or your regular housekeeper does in your opinion a good job, you should consider hiring a company that specializes in deep cleaning. Dust building up in corners and on baseboards, fans – especially high ones – and bits of mold are frequently overlooked when you’re living in a home day to day.
Next is decluttering and packing away excess furniture and things you don’t need for everyday living, including any items overstuffing your closets. Not only will this make your home appear cleaner and more spacious, it will also give you a head start on packing for your move.
Not everyone views clutter through the same eyes. Kitchen countertops cluttered with toasters, air fryers, two kitchen types of coffeemakers, countertop ovens, panini presses and every other type of small appliance we’ve all been guilty of buying and infrequently using should be put away. All of this also applies to bathrooms – hairdryers, electric razors, 10 different types of shampoo and crème rinse is something buyers don’t need to know about.
We all have collectibles and souvenirs from vacations and gifts from family members displayed around our home. Well now is the time to decide that the plastic hula girl statue your son insisted on bringing back from Maui has to go and pack away everything else that you aren’t attached to.
The part of the decluttering process that is the most painful is the pictures. Family photos are wonderful reminders of weddings, vacations and those big special moments in our lives, however, don’t forget this is your life, not a potential buyer’s. Family photos also can become a distraction for buyers touring your home. Everyone is a little curious by nature and they love to stop and look at your daughter’s wedding and your children’s first day of school down through the years.
All of this declutter advice also is important on the outside of your home. Whatever you can do to perk up the curb appeal with flowers, trimmed lawns, fresh paint and pressure washing will be helpful.
It should go without saying that all appliances and systems be in working order along with any booklets about them and the year they were installed.
After you have done everything above, the final cleaning job is to clean the windows. Again, a professional window cleaner will do wonders at least until it rains again. Plan on having him or her on retainer while your home is on the market, especially if you live on the beach.
I think I’m done, at least for the big stuff. The object is to set a stage that will make the buyers feel they can make your home their home where they aren’t distracted by personal items and want to stay awhile. Hopefully, it will be a busy season and you all have successful transactions; good luck.
Suncoast Waterkeeper (SCWK) has seen phenomenal growth over the last several years. In that time, they have hired an accomplished wetlands scientist as executive director, hired a marketing and communication specialist, acquired a Waterkeeper boat, and launched their Mangrove Rangers and Eyes on The Suncoast initiatives, which encourage and provide resources for citizens to report illegal mangrove trimming, pollution, fish kills and algae blooms. The organization is being funded by various local charities and foundations.
Dr. Abbey Tyrna, an experienced educator and scientist, joined Suncoast Waterkeeper in 2022. She grew up in Cape Coral and focused her education on learning about wetlands and protecting Florida waters. Tyrna has a doctorate in geography from Pennsylvania State University, where her research focused on measuring the effects of development on wetlands. Before joining SCWK, she worked with the Sarasota County government and the University of Florida to help bring scientific knowledge and expertise to the public as the water resources agent for UF/IFAS Extension and Sustainability. Before receiving her doctorate in 2015, Tyrna earned a master’s in environmental science from LSU in 2008, concentrating on wetland science and management, and a bachelor’s in environmental studies from Florida State University in 2001. SCWK has tackled many significant pollution problems, which have curtailed over 1 trillion gallons of polluted water from entering our bays and driven hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure investments. Not resting on her laurels, Tyrna, working with Communications Specialist Samantha Wassmer, is seeking to expand investments in SCWK operations to take on the water quality threats prevalent across our bays and waterways.
To do this, SCWK will launch a new campaign, Love Your Bays Consciously, to recruit, manage and train volunteers in Manatee and Sarasota counties with the goal of proactively and reactively tackling the ever-growing threats to clean water. Through the campaign, SCWK will seek partnerships with bayfront communities, marinas, boat storage facilities, Realtors and local businesses. There are three actions necessary for joining Love Your Bays Consciously – protect aquatic habitats, reduce pollution and help your community.
From this effort, they expect:
• Increased adoption of clean water behaviors – success would entail a noticeable increase in the number of waterfront homes, boaters and marinas actively posting information about clean water behaviors and implementing these best practices. This could be documented through surveys, interviews or direct observation of adopted behaviors;
• Growth in engagement – the success of the Love Your Bay Consciously campaign would be evident through an increase in the number of volunteers actively engaging with residents and visitors to promote clean water behaviors. This could be measured by tracking volunteer participation rates, the number of individuals reached through outreach efforts and feedback collected from those engaged;
• Effective pollution monitoring and reporting – the project’s success would also be reflected in the effectiveness of the special team of ambassadors trained to spot, monitor and report pollution incidents. This could be documented through the number of pollution events reported, the timeliness of reporting and the responsiveness of relevant agencies to address reported incidents; and
• Progress towards environmental goals – ultimately, the success of the project would contribute to progress towards the overarching goal of achieving fishable, swimmable and drinkable waters for all. This could be assessed by monitoring water quality indicators over time, tracking improvements in the health of aquatic ecosystems and gathering feedback from community members on their perceptions of water quality.
To be a part of these exciting programs, consider donating during this year’s 2024 Giving Challenge taking place April 9-10. Matched donations will allow SCWK to expand its outreach efforts and increase the number of community members adopting best practices. This increased funding will also enable the organization to tackle complex challenges with greater resources and effectiveness, ultimately leading to a healthier and more sustainable environment for generations to come. Consider joining Suncoast Waterkeeper at www.suncoastwaterkeeper.org/membership.
The March 8 Holmes Beach Night Market featured extended shopping hours in Holmes Beach, and lots of art.
HOMES BEACH – March 8 was the second Friday of the month, and the Holmes Beach Night Market packed the sidewalks with shoppers, diners and art lovers. This monthly event, allows shoppers in Holmes Beach to enjoy extended shopping hours at area businesses, and is a chance for the Artists’ Guild Gallery of Anna Maria Island (AGAMI) to show what the have to offer, including the monthly Featured Artist from the gallery.
Only 20 years since she began painting in 2004, AGAMI’s March Featured Artist, Carolann Garafola, would have even the most astute art critic believing she’s been doing it her whole life. A lifelong photographer, Garafola says it was a revelation by her husband that kicked off her interest in painting.
“I started painting in 2004 because my husband was a professional artist. He made a very good living as an illustrator and portrait artist,” Garafola said. “We traveled all across the United States and all over Europe. I would do all of his photography. I told him I would love to learn how to paint, and he told me that if a person has a good eye for photography, they can learn how to paint.”
Garafola started working with acrylics and some watercolor, but in 2019 she made the switch to oil as her media of choice. Many of her oil paintings are on display at AGAMI and available for purchase. She brings Florida’s many diverse animals, plants and bodies of water to life in stunning color. It was also 2019 when she retired from a busy career which included many years of public service, including being Mayor of Warren Township NJ, and started painting full time. While some artists prefer to paint plein air, which means they paint outside in front of the subject they are painting, Garafola says she is lucky enough to have a large studio at her home, and that’s where she does the bulk of her work, using her own photographs from which to paint. As an avid cyclist, she also finds inspiration from scenes she takes in during her rides.
In addition to Granola’s work, the gallery had artists demonstrations on the sidewalk in front of the gallery, live music from Larry Wilhelm, wine and snacks.
Other Holmes Beach businesses also took part, including: Pizzano’s Pizza and Grinders, DCoy Ducks, Small Town Creamery, howluckyami, Irene’s Clothing Store, Sand Dollar, The Feast, Hurricane Hank’s, Freckled Fin and The Doctor’s Office. It was a great evening for both art lovers and anyone looking for something unique they may only find on Anna Maria Island.
The next Holmes Beach Night Market will take place Friday, April 12 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. or later.
BRADENTON BEACH – Following their approval to draft a contract with Beach to Bay Investments Inc. for a paid parking lot across from the Public Works Department, commissioners postponed a decision on March 7 on a second set of bids for paid parking in multiple city lots.
Request for Proposal (RFP) 2024-04 went out for bid to provide paid parking in areas that included all of Bridge Street, an after-hours parking lot to the east and west side of the police department, the city hall parking lot, the area around the pickleball court on Highland Avenue (with free passes to pickleball players), the shared parking lot with Silver Resorts at First Street North, Gulfside parking spaces near the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge and future options at the Tingley Library, if the building is raised to create parking.
“On Bridge Street, the majority of people parking are employees there and shoppers can’t get a space,” City Attorney Ricinda Perry said. “The parking near the Moose, those are prime beach spots.”
Perry said two bids were received.
“SP Municipal Services offered a 65/35 split to the city,” Perry said. “The city would receive 65% of net revenue. They haven’t told me costs.”
The second bidder, Beach to Bay Investments Inc., offered three choices. Developer Shawn Kaleta, president of Beach to Bay, is a principal in the recently-approved Bridge Street hotel resort project.
“They recognize they will be having the hotel up and operating with valet service, they would utilize their valet system to get people parked,” Perry said, adding they would provide shuttle and trash services.
Beach to Bay offered three options to the city. All of the options included the bidder taking on all improvement costs.
1) A lump sum payment of $100k per year;
2) An annual payment of $50,000 with 25% of profits;
3) A 50/50 split.
Beach to Bay asked for a 15-year lease term.
“That’s a lot to look at,” Commissioner Ralph Cole said. “I’d like to see more public input.”
Cole said he would like to know more of the operational costs.
“The costs of improvement are the responsibility of Beach to Bay, but will that be part of the profit costs?” Cole asked.
“My understanding is they’re eating that cost up front, but that needs to be fleshed out,” Perry said.
Cole said he would have a difficult time making such a big decision without additional thought and information.
“I think we’re all in agreement to postpone this to flesh out some things,” Mayor John Chappie said.
Commissioner Marilyn Maro, who telephoned into the meeting, spoke in favor of holding a work meeting.
“It’s such a big issue it needs its own one-agenda meeting,” Cole said.
“We will hold the selection of the bidder under 2024-04 in advance and to be considered in a work meeting to be scheduled by the city clerk,” Perry read as a motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
“We are under a cone of silence so the bidders may not communicate or lobby in any way shape or form,” Perry reminded commissioners at the conclusion of the meeting.
BRADENTON BEACH – Following the end of a March 6 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting during which board member David Bell criticized many of the agency’s methods and policies, Bell handed City Clerk Terri Sanclemente a pre-written letter of resignation.
He noted in his letter that he is leaving while the board is in a comfortable financial position but had the following comments on methods and projects:
“I never have agreed with the prioritizing of cars over people as the focus of the city,” he wrote. “To believe that day visitors to the city are a greater asset than the people who have chosen to live or rent in Bradenton Beach makes no sense to me.”
Bell is a resident of Bradenton Beach and has been a CRA board member for five years.
He wrote that there has been too much focus on parking versus circulation, accessibility, safety, environmental issues and aesthetics.
Bell went on to comment about Bridge Street development in his letter:
“Likewise, the millions of dollars in commitment to the merchants of Bridge Street to supply more business, add parking, support special events, install landscaping and provide security as well as the city’s latitude on code and contract violations has clearly not been universally rewarded,” Bell wrote. “For years, the return on that investment has been that both ends of Bridge Street and the Third Street South corridor – a huge section of our commercial district – have been an embarrassment to the city. I expected better. The CRA should demand better.”
“I’m sorry to see him leave, I really am,” Mayor John Chappie said, declining further comment on Bell’s letter.
Created on Feb. 5, 1992 by the City of Bradenton Beach, the CRA provides financial assistance to the city to create public projects.
In addition to Chairman Ralph Cole, the CRA board is comprised of Chappie as vice chair, local businessman Ed Chiles and City Commissioners Jan Vosburgh and Marilyn Maro.
BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners approved a bid from Beach to Bay Investments Inc. on March 7 to improve a city parking lot and begin charging for parking.
Request for Proposal 2024-03 pertains to the parking lot between Church and Highland avenues directly across from the city’s Public Works department.
“It is our public works parking lot, it is largely unfinished and was in need of someone to come up with a design,” City Attorney Ricinda Perry said. “We received one bid that came in.”
Developer Shawn Kaleta is president of Beach to Bay Investments Inc.
Perry, Public Works Director Tom Woodard and City Treasurer Shayne Thompson evaluated the bid favorably based on background and experience, references, business plan, financials, bid details and project timeline.
Police Chief John Cosby participated in the evaluation by telephone.
“They came up with 21 standard spots, two ADA and 10 golf cart spots,” Perry said. “My understanding is if the city blesses the plan, they are prepared within a month’s time to get the construction completed on the site for paid parking.”
Three options were presented by the bidder for commission consideration, all with parking lot improvements to be made at the bidder’s cost.
1) A payment to the city of $48,000 per year;
2) A $24,000 lump sum payment annually to the city and 25% of the proceeds from the paid parking;
3) A 50/50 split of parking proceeds.
Perry said she, Woodard, Thompson and Cosby were leaning toward the second option, as it will provide guaranteed income to the city.
“We like that blended model, but this is all in your court to do anything you want,” Perry said.
Beach to Bay Investments asked for a lease term of 15 years and will provide insurance and indemnification, Perry said.
“The city needs flexibility, being committed for 15 years with no out is something that needs to be looked at by the city,” Perry said.
Sam Negrin, who represents Beach to Bay, spoke at the meeting.
“We own the property next door, the Bradenton Beach Marina,” Negrin said. “Part of our proposal was we’d like to offer nighttime security, 24/7 security to this parking lot as well.”
Negrin said the bidder is flexible as to terms.
“That 15 years, we might want to look at more of a trial period, less than 15, that’s for sure,” Mayor John Chappie said. “We’d like to look at a cap on what we charge per hour.”
Pricing would change during the time of the year, Negrin said.
“I think there needs to be a shorter term so we can make adjustments along the way, if need be,” Commissioner Ralph Cole said.
Cole questioned the ability of the city to track revenue and Perry said the city would have the right to audit.
Commissioner Jan Vosburgh asked what the parking rates would be and Negrin said that was open to discussion with the city.
“That’s something we could certainly put a cap on,” Negrin said. “I don’t know what we’re going to charge there yet. The lot across from Beach House charges $5-$10 an hour, so I think it will be somewhere in that range.”
Cole said he would like to know what the hourly charges are in order to make a determination as to which plan to accept.
“I like what I’m hearing so far,” Chappie said. “The security, the nighttime cameras, that’s big.”
Commissioners discussed the three revenue options as well as proposed lease terms and an exit plan for the city.
“I do take into consideration we’re getting the parking lot redone and that’s worth a nice chunk of money,” Chappie said. “I’m sure in the negotiation we’ll have a figure they’d like to recoup if we decide to part ways.”
The commission agreed to a five-year lease with options to renew twice at five years each.
Cole said he was in favor of the 50/50 split option.
“I’m fine with the 50/50 split,” Chappie said.
“If you charge $5 that’s $500 for eight hours – that’s good money,” Cole said.
Vosburgh agreed to the 50/50 split.
A fully negotiated contract will be presented at the next commission meeting, Perry said.
“A motion to accept the recommendation to evaluate Beach to Bay as the number one bidder for RFP 2024-03 public parking and to select Beach to Bay for parking services under RFP 2024-03 and to direct the city attorney to prepare a contract with Beach to Bay,” was read by Perry and was approved unanimously by commissioners.
Commissioner Marilyn Maro telephoned into the meeting.
ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Charter Review Committee has nearly completed its review of the city charter and will soon recommend potential charter amendments to the city commission.
The city charter establishes how the city government is structured and defines the roles of the mayor, city commissioners and charter officials. The charter can only be amended with the majority support of the city’s registered voters.
Chaired by Chris Arendt, the committee that also includes Stevie Coppin, Scott Isherwood, Pat Olesen and Chuck Wolfe held its third meeting on March 8, joined this time by Mayor Dan Murphy.
POTENTIAL AMENDMENTS
During Friday’s meeting, the committee members compiled a list of potential charter amendments to be reviewed and voted on during the committee’s final anticipated meeting on Thursday, March 21.
The committee tentatively supports a charter amendment that would limit building heights to no more than three stories. The Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach charters limit building heights to three stories, but Anna Maria’s charter currently contains no such provision.
Anna Maria’s comprehensive plan limits building heights to three stories, but the comp plan can be changed by a fourth-fifths supra-majority vote of the city commission. A charter-imposed height limit could only be eliminated or modified with the support of city voters; or the proposed consolidation of the three Island cities into Manatee County or the city of Bradenton, which would eliminate all three city charters. Murphy supports a building height amendment and he surmised the current omission is a previously-unrealized oversight.
Mayor Dan Murphy joined the charter review committee at their March 8 meeting. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The committee will decide whether to recommend an amendment that would require a supra-majority, four-fifths approval of the city commission and/or a voter referendum to sell, vacate or lease long-term a city-owned property. The charter currently requires the adoption of a city ordinance supported by at least three commissioners.
The committee tentatively supports an amendment that would clarify and better define the two-year residency requirement placed on mayoral and city commission candidates. The committee noted the current residency requirements don’t apply to those actually in office.
The committee also tentatively supports a charter amendment that would better clarify and define who’s considered a city officer, including the city clerk, city treasurer, city attorney and public works superintendent.
The charter currently allows one city commissioner to call for a special meeting. The committee members will decide whether to propose an amendment that would instead allow special meetings to be called by the commission majority, the commission chair or the mayor, but not a single member.
As a grammatical clean-up, the committee will decide whether to propose an amendment that would replace gender-specific pronouns such as “his” and “her” with non-gender-specific terms.
Once voted on by the committee members, the proposed charter amendments will be included in a final report presented to the city commission. The commission will then decide which, if any, proposed amendments are placed on the general election ballot this fall. The commission could also place its own proposed charter amendments on the ballot.
ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION
The committee also sought input from the mayor regarding the length of mayoral and city commission terms and what might be done to attract more city commission candidates and fewer appointed commissioners. Murphy suggested the current two-year terms for mayors and commissioners remain in place.
At the meeting’s end, Murphy thanked the committee for their soon-to-be-concluded efforts and said, “Thank you so much for your diligence, hard work and most of all your creativity. I was impressed with the questions you asked and the avenues you pursued. You cared about what you were doing here.”
BRADENTON BEACH – Longtime Bradenton Beach and Pines Trailer Park resident Ellen Scott passed away at her home on Friday, March 1 at the age of 85.
Ellen was born in Detroit, Michigan on Dec. 8, 1938, and spent many years living in Houghton Lake before moving to Anna Maria Island in 1994.
Ellen Scott was a beloved member of the Bradenton Beach and Cortez communities. – Slicker Family | Submitted
Ellen had three children, Bob Slicker, Bernie Slicker and Cindy Slicker, and a multitude of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces and other family members who loved her dearly. She leaves behind a legacy of love and a lifetime of charitable deeds that included making lotto boards and selling raffle tickets at charity fundraisers and baking homemade pies for bake sales and those she knew and loved.
A celebration of Ellen’s life will be held Saturday, March 16 at the Drift In in Bradenton Beach – a stone’s throw from the mobile home park in which she was believed to be the longest-tenured resident.
Beginning at 1 p.m., the celebration will include a bagpiper, a vocal performance of “Amazing Grace” by Laurie Weremecki, a toast to Ellen at 1:30 p.m. and live music by Dos Macs. Attendees are invited to bring a covered dish to share and some are bringing pies baked in Ellen’s pie pans.
Ellen loved the Tampa Bay Rays, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Tampa Bay Lightning. On Thursday, March 14, folks are invited to gather at Slicker’s Eatery, 12012 Cortez Road W., at 6:30 p.m. for a special toast honoring “The Electric Life of Ellen Scott,” followed by a Lightning watch party at 7 p.m. Family and friends will gather the following day for a private memorial service.
MEMORIES AND LIFE LESSONS
Ellen spent her final days at home being cared for by family members and Hospice. Her son, Bob, was by her side when she died.
“At the end, it was her and I, and I played the song ‘Thank you,’ by Ben Rector as she passed. She made a stance against cancer. She started feeling sick in October and was diagnosed around the first of the year. Once we found out, we decided to make every day like her birthday.
Corbin, Rowan, Brian and Bob Slicker joined Ellen Scott at a recent Lightning game. – Slicker Family | Submitted
“On Feb. 19, we went to a Lightning game and the Lightning let her start the game by pulling the Tesla coil. They put her on the big screen a couple times and gave her a puck signed by her favorite player, Andrei Vasilevskiy. After the game, they took us down to the tunnel where the players come out after they shower. We met the players and took pictures with Steven Stamkos, Brandon Hagel and Austin Watson. On Feb. 25, she played her last hand of bar poker at the Drift In, and she insisted on walking there and back,” Bob said.
Lightning star Steven Stamkos posed for a photo with Ellen Scott. – Slicker Family | Submitted
When asked what he’ll miss most, Bob said, “How she loved. How she took anything bad that happened and just plowed right through it. She never dwelled on the negative.”
As for what he learned from his mom, Bob said, “Fortitude. Being able to forge through anything. My mom’s mom passed away when she was 6 years old. She became a ward of the state and she and her three sisters grew up in separate foster homes. She was a lead sales rep for an insurance company in Michigan and a successful florist too.”
In 1994, Bob encouraged Ellen to move to Florida. She lived in Anna Maria for two years and then spent two years living with an aunt in Bradenton Beach before moving into the Pines Trailer Park 26 years ago.
“My mom had 17 pie pans at her house. We passed them out to people in the park and they’ll be bringing pies Saturday,” Bob said. “When the hearse came and got my mother everybody came out and lined the streets. Two nights later, they did a toast on her porch. It’s such a wonderful neighborhood.”
Regarding Ellen’s charitable efforts at the Drift In and elsewhere, Bob said, “Even if you didn’t know my mom, you probably bought a raffle ticket from her.”
In closing, Bob said, “We were fortunate that we spent a lot of time together at the end. All her grandkids made it down to see her and attend an event with her before she passed. I’m blessed to have had a relationship with my mother that few ever get to have. She left our family a tremendous legacy.”
Ellen’s son, Bernie Slicker, said, “My mom lived the fullest life anybody could wish for. She loved the people in the Pines, the Drift In and the AMI Moose Lodge. She always dressed for the occasion. She wore green on St. Patty’s Day, white and red on Christmas and Easter colors for Easter.”
When asked what he’ll miss most, Bernie jokingly said, “Her pies. She made apple, blueberry, peach, cherry, and my favorite, lemon meringue.”
“There’s no pie like Grandma’s apple pie,” Bernie’s son, Mike, said.
“She taught me to live life every day and to be happy to be alive,” Bernie said.
“And never let the little things keep you down,” Mike added. “She chose her paradise and she lived until she died in her paradise.”
Ellen’s daughter, Cindy Slicker, lives in Tennessee but visits often. Speaking by phone while cleaning out her mom’s mobile home, Cindy said, “She’s still teaching me about life as I’m going through her stuff. She was selfless. She was an exceptional mom, grandmother and great-grandmother. She’s got four beautiful granddaughters from me and she taught me how to be a good mother. She was very encouraging and an exceptionally unique woman. She had good energy, was a go-getter and she’d get it done. Mom had three sisters and she’s the last to go. Her last statement to me was, ‘My sisters are waiting for me, I gotta get up there.’ ”
Ellen Scott and Molly (Slicker) Parry had a close and loving relationship. – Molly Parry | Submitted
Ellen’s granddaughter, Molly Parry (Bob’s daughter), said, “She was small in stature but she unapologetically took up space. She was feisty, honest and fiercely loyal. Her life was never easy but she always persevered. She was not to be underestimated and she was down for anything. She loved sports and never left a game early, no matter how badly her team was losing. She never missed a single one of my many events and her pride was unconditional.”
Ellen’s grandson, Brian Slicker (Bernie’s son), said, “I’m going to miss everything about her. She went to every one of my sons’ baseball games. She’d stay from 4:30 in the afternoon until 9 o’clock and she always brought goodies for all the kids.
Ellen Scott joined several family members at a Lightning game in February. – Slicker Family | Submitted
“We’d watch Lightning games together as a family at Slicker’s Eatery and go to games when we could. We went to the Lightning game before she started her downward spiral. She had the opportunity to do the Tesla coil and she brought our sons, Rowan and Corbin, up there with her. It was one of the coolest things ever. She was all about the grandkids and great-grandkids. She never missed anybody’s anything.” Brian said.
“She was one of the most charitable people I’ve ever known. If there was a fundraiser, she’d jump in to help. She did so much for the (Anna Maria Island) Privateers that they made her an honorary Privateer last year. In the trailer park, she helped organize events and create a sense of community there.
Regarding the pies, Brian said, “I’ve never seen a person with so many pie trays. She probably had 20 glass Pyrex pie dishes in her cabinet. I took two of them and I’m going to make a couple pies for the celebration.
Long ago, Ellen Scott, left, was integral part of the Tip-Up Town winter festival that’s still an annual event in Houghton, Michigan. – Submitted
“She was one of the most fun people ever. When I was a kid, living in Michigan, they used to have the Tip-Up Town festival on the ice in Houghton Lake. She dressed up and they called her ‘Laser Beam Ellen.’ You never knew anything was wrong with my grandma. She always saw the light and the positive side of life and she made other people happy. She was an icon. She had a great life,” Brian said.
ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS
Drift In manager Doreen Flynn said, “Ellen was my go-to lady. She and Dort Davis helped get the champagne ready on New Year’s Eve. Ellen made all the lotto boards for our Privateers’ fundraisers and she helped The Renegades assist local families at Christmas. She was always the first to volunteer. She was such a big part of the Drift In, and my own life, and I’ll miss her dearly.”
Ellen Scott became an honorary Privateer in 2023. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Privateer John ‘Lil’ John Arr’ Rutherford said, “Ellen was tremendously helpful during the Privateers’ fundraisers and in recognition of her support we made her an honorary Privateer in 2023. She will be missed.”
Drift In patron and seasonal Pines Park resident ‘Mark the Park’ said, “Ellen was a lovely lady. She made us apple pies and blueberry pies. Last night, I was walking home and I did what I’ve done for the last 10 years: I said ‘Goodnight Ellen, I love you,’ as I walked by her trailer. I knew she wasn’t there, but I didn’t know her daughter was there. Cindy approached me this morning and thanked me.”
TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Ron DeSantis will decide the fate of proposed vacation rental legislation that seeks to preempt vacation rental regulation to the state.
Supported by the Florida Senate and House of Representatives, the legislation proposed in the matching House and Senate bills and now known collectively as CS/SB 280 would preempt vacation rental regulation, including vacation rental advertising, to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). DeSantis can sign the legislation into state law, allow it to become state law unsigned or veto it.
If DeSantis supports the state preemption, local and county governments, including those on Anna Maria Island, will lose some local vacation rental regulation authority and enforcement powers. If adopted as state law, local governments could still conduct annual health and safety regulation inspections, require an annual vacation rental registry and continue levying “reasonable” registration and inspection fees. The enrolled bill does not define “reasonable.”
Sen. Nick DiCeglie sponsored SB 280. – FlSenate.gov | Submitted
Sponsored by Sen. Nick DiCeglie (R-Indian Rocks Beach), the Senate, on Feb. 1, voted 27-13 in favor of adopting SB 280 as it was written at that time.
State Rep. Philip Griffitts Jr. sponsored HB 1537. – MyFloridaHouse.gov | Submitted
On Wednesday, March 6, the House members voted 60-51 in favor of the amended committee substitute version of SB 280 after adopting a lengthy amendment presented by Rep. Philp Griffitts Jr. (R-Panama City Beach), the sponsor of the original House bill, HB 1537. Rep. Will Robinson Jr. (R-Bradenton) voted in favor of the bill which was then sent to the Senate seeking Senate concurrence with the House-amended committee substitute version of CS/SB 280.
State Rep. Will Robinson Jr. supports the state preemption of vacation rental regulation. – MyFloridaHouse.gov | Submitted
While debating the House-amended bill on March 7, Sen. Bobby Powell (D-West Palm Beach) proposed a Senate amendment to the House amendment that would have grandfathered in any local vacation rental regulations adopted before July 1, 2024. After a spirited debate between supporting and opposing senators, 16 members supported Powell’s amendment and 24 rejected it.
Sen. Jim Boyd voted in favor of the vacation rental legislation. – FlSenate.gov | Submitted
After further debate, the Senate members voted 23-16 in favor of adopting the House-amended version of CS/SB 280, thus creating identical matching bills to send to DeSantis. Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) and Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota) opposed Powell’s amendment and supported the final adoption of the bill. The 2024 legislative session ended on March 8.
Bill language
On Feb. 23, Griffitts told The Sun his primary goals were to create a statewide vacation rental registry database and to better ensure short-term vacation rentals are properly registered and all applicable taxes and fees are paid. Griffitts said it was unlikely that House members would adopt the Senate bill that then differed significantly from the House bill. However, on March 6, Griffitts presented the House members with a lengthy proposed amendment to the Senate bill, which the House adopted by a slim nine-vote margin.
The proposed state law would establish vacation rental occupancy limits set forth by the state. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
If enacted as state law, CS/SB 280 would require vacation rental owners, managers and operators to comply with a maximum overnight occupancy that doesn’t exceed two persons per bedroom, plus an additional two persons in one common area; or more than two persons per bedroom if there is at least 50 square feet per person, plus an additional two persons in one common area, whichever’s greater.
Adopted in 2015, Anna Maria’s vacation rental ordinance limits total occupancy to eight persons for any vacation rental home or unit built after that city ordinance took effect. In response to more than 100 Bert Harris claims filed within one year of the city vacation rental ordinance adoption, the city commission granted legitimate Bert Harris claimants additional two-plus-two occupancy exemptions that exceed eight occupants.
Florida cities could still enact local vacation rental registration programs if the new law is enacted. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Similar to local vacation rental ordinances, CS/SB 280 would require the vacation rental owner/operator/manager to designate a representative who can respond to complaints or emergencies by phone, or in person, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That designated individual would also receive any violation notices issued by a local municipality or DBPR.
During the March 7 Senate debate, DiCeglie acknowledged only nine DBPR staff members would be assigned to oversee the state’s vacation rental regulation, but local governments would still be expected to assist with those efforts.
The proposed law would require local governments to issue written notices of violations of local laws, ordinances or regulations that don’t apply solely to vacation rentals but occur at a vacation rental property, including noise violations.
The proposed law would allow local governments to suspend a local rental registration for up to 30 days for one or more violations on five separate days during a 60-day period, up to 60 days for one or more violations on five separate days during a 30-day period and up to 90 days for one or more violations after two prior suspensions.
The proposed law would allow local governments to revoke or refuse renewal of a vacation rental registration if a vacation rental registration has been suspended three times.
The legislation states that as of Jan. 1, 2026, local governments must use the state’s vacation rental information system to notify DBPR of any local suspensions. DiCeglie acknowledged the state’s registration database would not be fully operational until 2026.
Mayor’s concerns
On March 8, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said he hopes to travel to Tallahassee to meet with DeSantis in person.
“I want to tell him what the implications of that bill would be for the city of Anna Maria,” Murphy said, noting he doesn’t know if DeSantis supports the legislation.
In 2020, DeSantis told a group of reporters he was not sure the state should be micromanaging vacation rentals, as reported by FloridaPolitics.com and others.
In past years, Murphy’s made several trips to Tallahassee to lobby state legislators and he’s disappointed that due to unforeseen circumstances he wasn’t able to get to Tallahassee while the legislature was still in session.
“I don’t think we did an adequate job of getting to the senators and explaining to them the implications. This bill shouldn’t have happened. Of all the vacation rental bills that have come across in recent years, this is probably the worst. The biggest impact is we’re going to have party houses and go back to the days of 25 people in a house. I’m exceptionally disappointed with the state legislature. I find it hard to believe that they couldn’t be more sensitive to the needs of their constituents,” Murphy said.
Murphy said the proposed square footage-related occupancy provision would be virtually impossible to enforce and enforcement of vacation rental advertising, including occupancy limits, would be preempted by the state.
When asked what the city could still do in terms of enforcement, Murphy said, “I’m still sorting that out.”
While awaiting DeSantis’ decision, the city will utilize its HomeRuleFlorida.com website to engage in an email-based opposition campaign directed at DeSantis.
I just heard my first whippoorwill last night, a harbinger of spring. While we might still be a few cold fronts away from spring, now is a great time to prepare for the upcoming season, getting tackle in order and keeping an eye on the sky for diving birds and breaking fish.
Under those birds, you might find Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, cobia, little tunny, jack crevalle and any number of other predators that come together to feast on schools of baitfish that migrate to nearshore waters this time of the year. Every one of these predators will ambush live bait, lures or flies and can be caught on spinning, bait casting or fly tackle. Except for king mackerel and cobia, most can be landed with light (8- to 10-pound test) tackle, adding to the excitement.
Depending on the species you’re targeting, you’ll want to rig accordingly. Since it’s possible to encounter such a diversity of fish in a single outing, multiple outfits are a good idea. After a long winter, tackle can fall into disrepair and need to be replaced. However you fish, take care to avoid the number one way fish are lost – improperly tied knots. To assure you’ll never lose a good fish to inferior knots, moisten and tighten all knots. Properly sharpened hooks and outfits with the appropriate bite tippet and leader are also key. Options include wire, monofilament, long-shanked hooks or a combination of these. It’s possible to catch a kingfish without wire but your odds aren’t good. The same applies with certain exceptions to Spanish mackerel. Mackerel can sometimes shy from wire. That’s the time to switch to a long shank hook and/or a heavy (60-pound) monofilament leader. Even then, it’s possible to get cut off, but you’ll be guaranteed more action if the fish are feeding.
When using wire or heavier mono for a bite tippet, an 8- to-12-inch trace can be tied to monofilament using an Albright Special knot (best) or a swivel. If you use a swivel, use a black one as opposed to silver to prevent fish from mistaking it for forage. American Fishing Wire makes a product called Surflon Micro Supreme that is extremely flexible and kink-resistant. This wire can be knotted to your lure, hook or fly like monofilament. It also provides greater flexibility and less stretch than monofilament. Umpqua makes a product that’s ideal for fly anglers. Their Re-Twistable Haywire Twist wire is reusable and will allow you to change flies in a snap. This is the quickest and most painless system to rig wire for toothy fish. A wire is less likely to deter a bite under low light conditions like early morning, overcast days and late in the day.
False albacore are one of the fastest fish you’ll find harassing bait fish off Anna Maria Island beaches in the spring. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun
One of the most effective ways to find schooling fish in the spring is to look for surface action and diving birds in the inshore Gulf waters. Predators can also be present without revealing themselves around structures, reefs and wrecks, so a few exploratory casts around these areas are advisable. When you find baitfish schools and feeding fish you can approach them by trolling, drifting or with the use of a trolling motor. Whatever method you employ, never let your boat pass through or get too close to the action. With more and more boats and anglers pursuing feeding fish, they are likely to sound and move away. The best bet is to stay outside the action but within casting distance. If trolling, make wide turns so only your lures pass through the action. On species like little tunny that surface, feed and then sound suddenly, only to resurface yards away, learn to watch hovering birds. The birds track the finicky fish as they move from between baitfish schools.
Live bait anglers target schooling fish in several ways. By anchoring up current from a likely area, they may deploy a chum bag and then toss wounded live baits to draw fish into casting range. This can be an extremely effective method. Those who prefer artificial lures find spoons particularly effective as well as jigs like the DOA CAL or the Berkley Gulp. One of the most exciting and effective types of lures are top water models like the MirroLure Top Dog, the Heddon Zara Spook or the Rapala Saltwater Skitter Pop. Not only is the strike visual and often explosive, but the surface action can attract target species.
Fly fishing is also an effective and exciting way to target spring species from cobia to triple tail, Spanish mackerel and even kingfish. The same rigging applies and top water flies like the Crease fly or Garthside Gurgler can produce some memorable strikes. Clouser Deep Minnows are also a great choice for Spanish mackerel and little tunny. This would be a good time of the year to have a 10- or 11-weight rod rigged with a big black fly should a cobia make an appearance.
Whatever your fishing style, take advantage of the great action you’ll find in area waters in the next couple of months. If you’re new to the game, consider hiring a guide. This is a great way to learn the ropes and a great value when shared with a friend. Tight lines!
ANNA MARIA – With no adult indoor soccer play last week, the sports focus on Anna Maria Island was flag football. Ending February with youth gridiron action and starting the month of March with adult flag football play, the Island’s community center moves into round one of the playoffs this week.
In the 8- to 10-year-old league, team Sato Real Estate had a smooth game against AMI Coconuts, winning 34-6. Brandon Sato made his mark with two throwing touchdowns and running himself for two.
Teammate Grayson Cohen scored 14 points, catching for two TDs from Sato and successfully finding the end zone for a one- and a two-point conversion against the AMI Coconuts defense.
Bodhi Silenzi put his mark on the game with a big point after, adding to the Sato Real Estate scoring.
For AMI Coconuts, Paul ten Haaf threw for a touchdown to Camden Rudacille. Ten Haaf finished the game with three flag pulls and an interception. Rudacille added to his game stats with two defensive stops.
In a surprising loss to Adrian Griffin Interiors, the younger Moss Builders team had their first loss of the season by a single touchdown. Jordan Steele hit Silas deWitt for the single team score for six points. Steele and DeWitt had three big interceptions to stop the Moss offense.
Moss’ offense just could not click and did not find the endzone in the regular season closer.
In the third game of the week, the Cheesecake Cuties team defeated the Beach House Waterfront Restaurant squad by a touchdown. QB Jermaine Goode threw two touchdowns for Beach House, with the ball finding Leo Tyler and Asher Patel. Defensively, Aiden Guess and Tyler each read the play of the Cheesecake Cuties QB for interceptions.
Patel put five flag pulls into the record books for Beach House, helping to keep the game close despite the loss.
Team Chick-fil-A eked out the three-point win against Solid Rock Construction. Quarterback Prince Izear threw for two touchdowns, both to Ruby Kesten.
Parker Svoboda and Kesten each added one point to the scoreboard with a point after the team’s TD.
Nolan Anderson scored on the ground for Chick-fil-A finding the endzone.
Rushing the football for 18 points, Matthew Darak and Carson Long ran for three touchdowns, two by Darak. Jedi Smith had a one-point conversion, contributing to the Solid Rock scoring.
Defensively, the Solid Rock crew held their own and kept the team solidly in the game with a total of 20 flag pulls. Stops by Eligh Roadman, Darak, Long and Smith helped make it a three-point win for the Chick-fil-A team.
The middle schoolers in the 11- to 14-year-old league had four high-scoring games with plenty of action to close the regular season. With the final score of 38-37, HSH Design beat Progressive Cabinetry.
Tanner Miller threw for six touchdowns, splitting the catches between Landyn Dowell and Kaleb Romagnino. Dowell and Romagnino each had a point after conversion for a total of two points.
On defense, in addition to the team’s 17 stops, Daniel Lukens sacked Kellan Hunt, Progressive Cabinetry QB. Teammate Sterling Holiday broke up the opponent’s offensive drive with a beautiful interception.
On the other side of the football, the Progressive Cabinetry team played hard and held their own. Hunt finished the game with five touchdown passes, splitting them between Braxton Anderson, Jackson Goodhue and Jack McCarthy.
Scoring one point for his team after a critical touchdown, Theo Aupelle was Hunt’s successful target. McCarthy and Hunt each had two interceptions against the HSH offense, along with one for six points by McCarthy.
Turner Worth was the offensive option for Moss Builders, throwing for one TD, mixing up the plays along with QB Mason Moss. Moss added an interception to his game status. Also working on defense, Solid Rock Electrical’s Estella Long had an amazing game. Long finished with four catches and three defensive stops. In addition, Long had her own pick six of an interception of a Moss Builders’ throw.
The Solid Rock scoring included a touchdown from Charlie Serra to Dominik Zupa, as well as an additional one-point conversion by Elijah Casciani.
With solid flag football action in the three leagues, the semifinal games next week should continue to entertain players, friends and families at The Center.
To do this, SCWK will launch a new campaign, Love Your Bays Consciously, to recruit, manage and train volunteers in Manatee and Sarasota counties with the goal of proactively and reactively tackling the ever-growing threats to clean water. Through the campaign, SCWK will seek partnerships with bayfront communities, marinas, boat storage facilities, Realtors and local businesses. There are three actions necessary for joining Love Your Bays Consciously – protect aquatic habitats, reduce pollution and help your community.
