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Rock ‘N’ Support grant application period opens

Rock ‘N’ Support grant application period opens

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

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The application period for hospitality and tourism industry employees seeking $250-$500 hurricane relief grants opened on Nov. 14.

On Nov. 13, The Center of Anna Maria Island released a three-page information sheet that details the application process and eligibility requirements for the grants available to hurricane-impacted hospitality and tourism industry employees in Cortez, Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach and the Manatee County portion of Longboat Key.

Rock ‘N’ Support hurricane relief grants applications can be submitted online at The Center website.

The hurricane relief funds were generated by the Rock ‘N’ Support concert at the Bradenton Area Conven­tion Center in Palmetto on Nov. 15 with southern rock legend Lynyrd Skynyrd headlining the show and Marcus King as the opening act. All of the Rock ‘N’ Support concert proceeds will benefit hurricane-impacted hospitality and tourism employees.

Rock ‘N’ Support grant application period opens
Rock ‘N’ Support T-shirt sales were part of the fundraising efforts. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The grants are available to hospitality and tourism industry employees who were displaced by Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton and/or experienced lost wages, evacuation expenses, damage to their home or damage to their belongings.

Eligible employees must be employed at a business located in one of the fol­lowing zip codes: 34215 (Cortez), 34216 (Anna Maria), 34217 (Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach), 34218 (Bradenton Beach) or the Manatee County portion of 34228 (Longboat Key). To be eligible, an employee had to be employed at a business located in one of those zip codes for six months prior to Sept. 26 and hired on or before March 26.

Full-time employees who averaged more than 25 hours per week are eligible for a $500 grant. Part-time employees who averaged less than 25 hours per week are eligible for a $250 grant. The full-time/part-time deter­minations will be based on the average number of hours worked during the four weeks prior to Sept. 26.

The application form includes basic questions regarding the employee’s hire date, how their employment was impacted by the hurricanes and what hardships the hurricane-related employ­ment interruptions caused. Applicants will also be asked to upload photos or copies of their driver’s license or valid ID and copies of their pay stubs for the four weeks prior to Sept. 26.

The list of eligible food service employees includes cooks, servers, bartenders, dishwashers, hostesses, hosts and bussers. The list of eligible hotel employees includes front desk, housekeeping, maintenance, concierge and valet parking personnel. The list of eligible event industry personnel includes caterers, salespeople and operations personnel. Tour operators, including charter boat captains, watersports guides and rental support staff, are also eligible for the grants.

Applications will be reviewed in the order received. Incomplete applications will be declined and can be resubmitted. Applicants will be notified by email when their application is approved or denied.

Checks will be mailed to the address listed on the application or they can be picked up in person at the Shuckin’ Good Cause office at 6688 Cortez Road W. in Bradenton.

The grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis for as long as the Rock ‘N’ Support funds are available. The grant program will end when the funds are exhausted. Applying for a grant does not guarantee receiving a grant and applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.

Related coverage: Lynyrd Skynyrd lends its Rock ‘N’ Support

Hurricane damage prompts commissioner’s resignation

Hurricane damage prompts commissioner’s resignation

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

ANNA MARIA – Jon Crane has resigned from the Anna Maria City Commission. He announced his resignation during the city commission’s Nov.14 hurricane recovery-related emergency meeting.

“ ‘I come here today with a heavy heart,’ as Lyndon Johnson used to say,” Crane said. “I’m resigning. I can’t live on the Island anymore, as much as I love it.”

Later that day, he tendered his formal resignation letter to City Clerk LeAnne Addy.

Crane said he and his wife are under contract to sell their hurricane-damaged home on the 800 block of North Shore Drive and the sale is expected to close in early December.

“I’m going to make this my last meeting because I’m busy with other things too,” Crane said. “I’ve been honored to work with the mayor and fellow commissioners that live in this piece of paradise. It’s been a good thing to be part of the com­munity, working on the commission, considering items of importance to the community. I hope I’ve served the community well. I’m going to miss everybody, but life moves on,” Crane said.

Before joining the city commission in 2019, Crane served as a Planning and Zoning Board member and plan­ning board chairman. His wife, Dusty, is currently a Planning and Zoning Board member and her pending resignation will create another plan­ning board vacancy.

Mayor Dan Murphy, Mayor-elect Mark Short and Commissioner Charlie Salem were among those who thanked Crane for his service to the community.

“Thank you, not just for what you’ve done as a commissioner, but with planning and zoning and all the other things you’ve been actively involved in,” Short said. “We very much appreciate all that and thank you for what you’ve done.”

Audience member Barbara Murphy said, “I want to personally thank Jon and Dusty. They have been huge in the community. Dusty’s involved with the garden club and Jon and Dusty were instrumental with the museum. Jon was docent and vice president (of the Anna Maria Island Historical Society) for a long time and we’re going to miss you so much.”

The Cranes were longtime California residents before they bought their Anna Maria home in late 2011. They discovered Anna Maria during a year-long retirement tour that included a swing through southwest Florida and a visit with friends who lived in Anna Maria.

Hurricane damage prompts commissioner’s resignation
The Crane’s home was damaged during the two hurricanes that struck Anna Maria Island this year. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

After Thursday’s meeting, Crane was asked if they’re moving because of the hurricane damage their home sustained.

“Yes. Our home was decimated,” he said.

“And the weather’s not getting any better,” he added, regarding the increased frequency and intensity of the severe weather and tidal events that impact Anna Maria property owners.

Crane said he and Dusty still like the area and they might relocate to Bradenton.

In his resignation letter, Crane wrote: “As I announced at the commission meeting today, I am resigning from my position as commissioner on the Anna Maria City Commission. It is with a great deal of regret but it is unavoidable. I feel like I can no longer safely reside on Anna Maria Island. I haven’t lived in my home since Sept. 26 and my property is under a contract of sale. It has been a great honor and privilege to serve alongside the mayor and other commission­ers and you and your staff have been terrific.”

Replacement process

Crane is in the first year of another two-year term in office and his sudden resignation creates an unexpected vacancy on the city commission. The city is now accepting appli­cations from those interested in serving the remaining year of Crane’s term. Applications can be downloaded at the city website.

Dec. 20 is the deadline to submit an application. On Tuesday, Jan. 7, the city will host a public forum at city hall during which the commission applicants will answer questions submitted in advance by the public and the media. The four sitting commissioners will then appoint Crane’s successor on Jan. 9.

Petition seeks governor review of 50/50 rule

Petition seeks governor review of 50/50 rule

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Community News, Cortez, Featured.

CORTEZ – Residents of Sunny Shores want help from Gov. Ron DeSantis to keep their homes.

Citing community stability and economic burdens, an online petition drive is ongoing for residents of Sunny Shores asking DeSantis to consider a review and exception to the FEMA 50/50 rule.

Homes in the Sunny Shores community were flooded during Hurricane Helene’s storm surge and many were damaged further by the winds from Hurricane Milton. A number of those homes are now subject to the 50/50 rule which prohibits improvements to a structure exceeding 50% of its market value unless the entire structure is brought into compliance with current floodplain regulations. Those regulations include elevating the structure.

Sunny Shores consists of mobile homes along with single and multi-family properties. The land is owned by individual owners.

The petition was written by Jamie Reed who did not attend a Nov. 20 meeting in the Sunny Shores clubhouse. Betsy Plante explained the petition to residents.

“There is a precedent in Lee County where an exception was made, we were told, where the county made exceptions to the rule,” Plante said. “Jamie decided to put this petition on the Change.org website.”

The petition may only be signed online.

“Go to Change.org and search and type in Sunny Shores,” Plante said. “It says ‘petition to allow and review exceptions to the 50% rule for Sunny Shores.’ It doesn’t have to be just Sunny Shores people to sign this.”

She invited people to post the petition link on social media and share it.

Many residents questioned what they said were low FEMA values for their homes on the Manatee County Property Appraisal site, noting that those values may make compliance with the 50% rule difficult for some.

“The first place to start is this petition and get as many people as you can to sign the petition,” Plante said.

Plante, who is president and co-founder of The Blessing Bags Project, a non-profit dedicated to helping the homeless population, raised concerns about homelessness if residents are unable to stay in their Sunny Shores homes.

“I’m concerned about seniors and homelessness,” she said. “What’s going to happen if you put these people out of their homes?”

One resident suggested the group seek legal representation in addition to the petition.

“Would you like to try to get an attorney to come here just as a consult?” Plante said. “Blessing Bags Project will take care of the fee for a consult.”

The petition

“We, the undersigned residents and interested parties of Sunny Shores, respectfully petition for a review of the current application of FEMA’s 50% rule. While we recognize the importance of safety and resilience in floodplain management, we believe that strict enforcement of this rule places undue financial and emotional burdens on our community, particularly in the wake of the recent hurricanes,” the petition introduction states. “We urge state leaders to consider exceptions or adjustments to repair and restore our homes in a way that is both economically feasible and sustainable.”

The petition sites five reasons for the request.

“1.      Economic Burden on Homeowners:

Requiring substantial modifications to meet current flood standards when repair costs reach 50% of a property’s structure value can create significant financial hardship for homeowners. Many residents in Sunny Shores, particularly those on fixed incomes, simply cannot afford the high costs of full compliance. This can force families to abandon homes they’ve lived in for many years, disrupting the fabric of our community.

  1.      Precedent for Exceptions:

In past hurricane recoveries, Florida communities have been allowed flexibility in enforcing this 50% rule, helping residents rebuild quickly and affordably. We believe similar considerations should be given to Sunny Shores, allowing our community to restore homes without unnecessary financial strain.

  1.      Expedited Recovery:

Exceptions for the 50% rule would enable our community to recover more rapidly from storm-related damage. Allowing repairs without extensive modifications can speed up the rebuilding process, reduce displacement, and help stabilize property values.

  1.      Community Stability and Livelihood:

Our community is strong when its residents are supported in their ability to stay and rebuild. By allowing exceptions to the 50% rule, Sunny Shores can maintain its local identity, support its economy, and ensure that long-time residents are not forced out due to unaffordable mandates.

Our Request:

We respectfully request that state and local officials work with FEMA to review the 50% rule as it applies to Sunny Shores. Specifically, we ask for flexibility or special consideration in cases where strict enforcement of this rule would impose severe economic hardship, especially for properties with significant historic and/or sentimental value. Such exceptions would allow us to protect our community’s character and give residents the opportunity to rebuild affordably.

We, the undersigned, urge you to support a review of the FEMA 50% rule for Sunny Shores and to work toward a fair and compassionate approach to floodplain management in our community.”

To sign the petition, visit Change.org.

Hurricane sand cleaned, returned to beaches

Hurricane sand cleaned, returned to beaches

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

BRADENTON BEACH – In a large-scale beach restoration project to put back sand pushed across Gulf Drive during recent hurricanes, tons of sand are being cleaned and returned to the beaches at the Coquina Beach processing site.

Sand is picked up daily along Gulf Drive and carried to the site by dump trucks. There, it is put through sifters to remove debris before being placed back on local beaches.

“Clean sand is being delivered to both Cortez and Coquina public beaches and shaped to mimic low-level dune formations along the landward side of the beaches there,” Charlie Hunsicker, Manatee County Director of Natural Resources, wrote in a Nov.18 email.

Sand recovered from roadways is sorted, sifted, tested, and returned to the beach under Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and Florida Department of Health requirements.

Sand removal from private property is the owner’s responsibility. Sand deposited on private property cannot be returned to the beach due to concerns about nails, debris, or household contaminants like oil, bleach, fertilizers, etc.

“Any dumping of sand from private properties on the beach is a direct violation of FDEP regulations. It is very important that the sand from private property not be mixed with the sand currently piled up on the roadsides. Residents with any remaining sandbags are encouraged to keep them through the end of storm season (Nov. 30),” according to the Manatee County website.

The sand being processed at the screening site is separated into two grades: beach-quality sand and construction-grade darker sand such as is found in parking lots.

As of Nov. 15, 19,000 cubic yards of beach-quality sand has been sifted and returned to Anna Maria Island beaches. The county website estimates that amount to be enough to fill six Olympic-size swimming pools.

Construction-grade sand is being processed differently.

“Last week’s figures showed 27,000 cubic yards was transported to the Hidden Harbor staging site along Ft. Hamer Road in the eastern part of the county for future use in road building and infrastructure projects,” Manatee County spokesperson Bill Logan wrote in a Nov. 18 email to The Sun.

According to Logan, “With fill dirt costing between $5 to 15 per cubic yard, the county has already realized average savings of over a quarter million dollars. By the time all the debris sand is repurposed, the county will save well over a million dollars. That does not even calculate the cost of taking sand that could be repurposed to a landfill – which would be substantial.”

Piles of sand remain to be processed. Logan said it is difficult to pinpoint exactly how much remains as FDOT and the three Island cities are still bringing sand to the processing site.

He said the cost of the project has not yet been determined, but Manatee County will be reimbursed from FEMA debris funds.

“The FEMA deadline for total reimbursement is Jan. 11 (2025). Every effort is being made to wrap up sand screening operations by this date,” Logan stated.

Logan stated that each day tons of sand is screened and re-applied or shipped to the staging site at Hidden Harbor.

“While the sand screening is only a part of the overall debris effort, you can always follow along on the overall progress at mymanatee.org/debris. As of today, there has been more than 1.5 million cubic yards of debris collected county-wide,” Logan wrote.

A country of renters

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

The United States has been living the American dream of home ownership since roughly the end of World War II. Obviously, there were homeowners before then, but the end of the war brought a surge of homebuilding, prosperity and buyers anxious to get on with their lives.

Many of us were raised with the assumption that we would eventually own a home of our own, and for the most part, that was true. However, many have reset their priorities, and a large portion of the population is remaining renters, a significant shift in our culture.

In my view, this is happening because of a combination of lifestyle and finance. Almost always, two people in a relationship or singles work full time jobs, even if they have children. In addition, so many people are self-indulgent and owning a home with all of the financial and maintenance negatives attached to it may not fit their desired lifestyle.

There are, however, plenty of people who want to buy a home, but the numbers aren’t working for them. We have had a slight dip in interest rates for mortgages, but it’s not enough to justify giving up the freedom and flexibility of renting.

For example, let’s assume the average rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage is 6%. If you are able to find a home in Manatee County for $500,000, which in this market is difficult, and are in a position to put down 20%, you would be looking at a $400,000 mortgage. The monthly payment at 6% is $2,398 not including property tax and insurance, which I would estimate to be at least another $600 a month, totaling about $3,000 a month, not including home maintenance.

The benefits if you own your own home are that you will accrue value by paying off your mortgage and enjoying appreciation and a possible tax advantage. Certainly, if you plan on living in your home long term, typically at least five years, which is considered the break-even point, buying will work to your advantage. Owning your own home has always been the major vehicle to build wealth for the average person.

Zillow tells me the median rental in Bradenton is $2,500.

Every potential buyer has a different scenario. Not everyone has $100,000 available and putting down a smaller amount would increase the mortgage, carrying charges and also adds private mortgage insurance (PMI) on any home purchase putting down less than 20%.

This makes renting even more attractive and encourages people to remain in their rentals. Renters are choosing to stay put; 62% of renters renewed their leases in the second quarter of this year, up from 60.5% a year ago. Even with rents going up and in short supply especially after the hurricane damage this year, some people may still calculate that renting is better for them than owning.

I have always been a pro-homeownership person; that’s what I was taught and what I learned in the many years I was involved in the real estate market. But I’m starting to believe that we are in the middle of a shift in philosophy relative to lifestyle and home ownership. If that’s true, it makes me really sad and puts a huge dent in the American Dream.

Fall and winter wading

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

Many anglers think that wade fishing is a warm water activity, but fall and winter wading can produce some fantastic results and gives you many advantages over anglers fishing from a boat. Getting in the water puts you in the fish’s realm, giving you the advantage of a silent approach. This can be particularly important when area waters cool and clear up, making fish especially wary. Wading allows you to keep a low profile and make a stealthier approach.

On clear “blue bird” days when fish are particularly spooky or hard to see, try standing still and waiting for them! When fish see you just before you see them it’s a good time to try this approach. Anchor well away from the area you intend to fish, get out of the boat and stake out a pothole or sandy area where you have the best visibility. By staying a long cast away, you can often see fish when they enter a hole or pass across a white sand bottom. Position yourself off to the side in the grass where you’re less visible, keep a low profile and be still. Just waiting them out gives you a big advantage when targeting reds, trout, snook and other game fish as they wander the flat. When you make a presentation, don’t make any quick moves, and make your casts low and slow. It takes patience but can be very productive.

Fall and winter wading
Anne and Mike McCarthy, of Pennsylvania, with one of the reds they caught in a fantastic two days of fishing with Capt. Tom Stephens in Sarasota Bay last week. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

When wading, you won’t need heavy tackle unless you’re fishing docks or other structure. Spin and bait casting leaders should have a 30-pound bite tippet. In clear water, you might want to downsize leaders. This will often fool wary trout, but you’ll risk being cut off should you encounter a big snook.

Since the last two hurricanes, local guides are reporting some of the best action they’ve seen in years. Recently Capt. Tom Stephens reported that anglers who fished with him last week in Sarasota Bay had phenomenal success.

“We caught 32 reds, 30 snook, tons of trout all on fly in two days,” he said.

Capt. Justin Moore reports he’s seeing more reds than in many years.

The key to productive and comfortable winter wading as waters cool is to stay warm and dry. A good pair of waders, wading boots, sweatpants (on coldest days) and warm socks will do the trick. Add a pair of polarized glasses, a hat with a dark under-brim, a wade vest or pack, and you’re in business.

When wading in winter or summer, it’s important to make sure you’re not exposing any open cuts or wounds to saltwater. A bacteria called vibrio which is present naturally in area saltwater can cause serious complications and even be fatal. While it’s not often that this happens, it could be exacerbated by water quality issues. According to information from the Florida Department of Health, vibrio vulnificus normally lives in warm seawater and is part of a group of vibrios that are called “halophilic” because they require salt. Vibrio infections are rare, but just recently an angler wading Long Bar in Sarasota Bay contracted the disease, which required an amputation. According to the department web site, “Water and wounds do not mix. Do not enter the water if you have fresh cuts or scrapes.”

Give winter wade fishing a try. It gets you out of the boat and provides some exercise and excellent angling opportunities.

Cortez Fishing Festival details forthcoming

Cortez Fishing Festival details forthcoming

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Entertainment, Festivals.

CORTEZ – Mindful of residents’ concerns following damage from hurricanes, FISH board members asked the Cortez community for input before scheduling the February 2025 Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival.

At a Nov. 11 meeting at Star Fish Co. with Cortez residents, the consensus of residents and Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage members was that the annual festival should be held. The two-day festival features music, arts and crafts, fresh seafood and educational activities.

Discussions centered around the impact on the community versus the uplifting effect a festival would have on a community that’s been rebuilding from damage since Hurricane Helene in September.

“There were concerns that the neighborhood might be too overwhelmed, or that it’s too close and there might not be time,” FISH member Karen Bell said. “The thoughts against so far were there’s too much going on right now.”

Some suggested possibly scaling back the festival or changing its configuration to lessen the impact on neighbors.

The two-day festival was rained out for one day in 2024 and was canceled altogether in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The festival is a fundraiser for maintenance of the FISH Preserve, as well as for multiple community projects.

Details about the size and configuration of the festival will be announced at the FISH board meeting scheduled on Monday, Dec. 2.

Post-hurricane property damage assessments begin

Post-hurricane property damage assessments begin

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

BRADENTON BEACH – Beginning with the mobile home parks, individual damage assessments are being conducted by the city along with state damage assessment teams.

The city of Bradenton Beach and vendor partners with the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) began conducting post-hurricane assessments of properties on Nov. 14.

“They are starting at the north end with Sandpiper,” according to the City of Bradenton Beach Building Department Facebook page. “The city has been broken into six zones, after Sandpiper is completed, they will begin, in teams of two, the rest of the city. Each team will be assigned a different zone.”

The 20 state inspectors from AC Disaster Consulting may be identified by their vests and lanyards. If you are not home, or do not want them in your home, damage assessments will be conducted on the outside of the home.

According to the City of Bradenton Beach Building Department:

“Damage assessments are conducted to:

• Guide City and County response efforts;

• Determine the severity and magnitude of the event;

• Quantify the damage to homes and businesses impacted by the disaster;

• Assess the need for federal assistance and estimate disaster impact to businesses, individuals and families; and

• Determine whether local resources will be sufficient to effectively respond and recover from the incident.”

Post-hurricane property damage assessments begin
State damage assessment teams will wear identifying lanyards. – Submitted

The assessment determines what was damaged, as well as when, where and how damage occurred. These assessments start the eligibility determination for disaster recovery programs, such as FEMA’s Public Assistance and Individual Assistance Programs, and other potential programs, according to the city Building Department Facebook page.

Substantial improvement and substantial damage determinations will be confirmed at the time of building permit in accordance with City Ordinance No. 21-536, which states:

For applications for building permits to improve buildings and structures, including alterations, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, change of occupancy, additions, rehabilitations, renovations, substantial improvements, repairs of substantial damage and any other improvement of or work on such buildings and structures, the Floodplain Administrator, in coordination with the Building Official, shall:

1) Estimate the market value, or require the applicant to obtain an appraisal of the market value prepared by a qualified independent appraiser, of the building or structure before the start of construction of the proposed work; in the case of repair, the market value of the building or structure shall be the market value before the damage occurred and before any repairs are made;

2) Compare the cost to perform the improvement, the cost to repair a damaged building to its pre-damaged condition, or the combined costs of improvements and repairs, if applicable, to the market value of the building or structure;

3) Determine and document whether the proposed work constitutes substantial improvement or repair of substantial damage; the determination requires an evaluation of previous permits issued for improvements and repairs as specified in the definition of “substantial improvement;” and

4) Notify the applicant if it is determined that the work constitutes substantial improvement or repair of substantial damage and that compliance with the flood resistant construction requirements of the Florida Building Code and this ordinance is required.

“We greatly appreciate your willingness to allow our community inspectors to assess the condition of your property as this is required by the NFIP to protect lives and investment from future flood damages,” the city Building Department Facebook post continues.

“The City of Bradenton Beach must enforce these requirements for federally backed flood insurance to be made available to city residents and property owners at discounted rates based upon the Community Rating System (CRS). Please visit https://www.fema.gov/flood-insurance for more information or if you have any questions about this process or the inspectors, please contact us immediately by calling the Bradenton Beach Building Department at 941-778-1005.”

Lynyrd Skynyrd lends its Rock ‘N’ Support

Lynyrd Skynyrd lends its Rock ‘N’ Support

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Entertainment, Music.

PALMETTO – Lynyrd Skynyrd honored and celebrated their southern rock legacy and their deceased band members while barnstorming the Bradenton Area Convention Center on Friday night as part of the Rock ‘N’ Support hurricane relief benefit concert.

Proceeds from the concert that also featured opening act Marcus King will be used to give $250-$500 grants to hurricane-impacted hospitality and tourism industry employees in Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, Cortez and Longboat Key. The concert was organized by The Center of Anna Maria Island, the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and was sponsored by the Manatee County Tourist Development Council and the board of county commission­ers.

Lynyrd Skynyrd lends its Rock ‘N’ Support
Rickey Medlock and Johnny Van Zant led Lynyrd Skynyrd through a hit-filled set at the Bradenton Area Convention Center. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Led by lead singer Johnny Van Zant and the three-guitar onslaught of Rickey Medlock, Mark Matejka and Damon Johnson, the band joyously ripped through a hit-laden 13-song set after taking the stage to a recording of AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck.”

Lynyrd Skynyrd lends its Rock ‘N’ Support
Mark Matejka carries on the Lynyrd Skynyrd tradition of great guitar players. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Van Zant is the younger brother of original Lynyrd Skynyrd frontman Ronnie Van Zant, who died in a 1977 plane crash, along with guitarist Steve Gaines, backup singer Cassie Gaines and three others. Keyboardist Peter Keys, bassist Keith Christopher, drummer Michael Cartellone and backing vocalists Carol Chase and Stacy Michelle round out the highly-talented, stellar-sounding lineup that admirably carries on the legacy of the original band formed in Jacksonville.

Lynyrd Skynyrd lends its Rock ‘N’ Support
Michael Cartellone lays down the southern rock backbeats. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The band opened with “Working for MCA,” a song written about the original lineup’s working relationship with the MCA record label, followed by “Skynyrd Nation,” a Van Zant/Medlock composition from the band’s 2009 “God & Guns” album.

The band performed the song “Skynyrd Nation.” – Joe Hendricks | Sun

They then launched into “What’s Your Name,” from the Street Survivors album released three days before the fatal plane crash. When the song ended, Van Zant said, “Good evening, Good evening. How you doing Florida?”

He then explained the band’s pres­ence that evening after ending their latest tour in late September.

“Our manager called me up and said ‘Hey Johnny, how about helping out south Florida? He said we can go play a show and help out some people. God bless you guys. I’m a Floridian. I love our state. Let’s all have a good time.”

The band then launched into “That Smell,” a 1977 song about some of the original band members’ struggles with alcohol and drugs.

After “Down South Jukin’” and the cautionary handgun tale, “Saturday Night Special,” the band paused before playing another crowd-favorite, “The Ballad of Curtis Loew.”

Lynyrd Skynyrd lends its Rock ‘N’ Support
Johnny Van Zant proudly sings the songs his older brother Ronnie made famous. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Van Zant made a toast and thanked the audience for keeping Lynyrd Skynyrd’s music around for all these years. After asking how many diehard Lynyrd Skynyrd fans were in the house, and encouraging everyone to sing along, Van Zant dedicated “The Ballad of Curtis Loew” to Shorty Medlock (Rickey Medlock’s musical grandfather) and the fictional charac­ter Curtis Loew who represents some of the musicians Ronnie Van Zant grew up around in Jacksonville.

The band then dedicated “Tuesday’s Gone” to Gary Rossington, the lead guitar­ist who died in 2023 as the last member left over from the classic lineup. A collage of Rossington photos played on the video screen as the band played on.

Lynyrd Skynyrd lends its Rock ‘N’ Support
Peter Keys excels as Lynyrd Skynyrd’s keyboard player.

Before “Simple Man,” Van Zant made an apparent reference to the recent presidential election and said, “Do you guys still believe in America now?” which prompted loud applause from many in the audience.

He then dedicated “Simple Man” to the first responders, doctors, nurses and military personnel and asked the audience to light up the room up with their cell phones as the song was played.

Lynyrd Skynyrd lends its Rock ‘N’ Support
The current version of Lynyrd Skynyrd proudly carries on the legendary band’s musical legacy. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“Gimme Three Steps” came next, followed by “Call Me The Breeze,” with Marcus King joining in on electric gui­tar. The main set ended with a rousing version of “Sweet Home Alabama” and after a short pause the band returned for a much-anticipated “Free Bird” encore.

Lynyrd Skynyrd lends its Rock ‘N’ Support
The band performed the end of “Free Bird” with a vocal recording on original Lynyrd Skynyrd singer Ronnie Van Zant. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The song began with a short clip from an old Ronnie Van Zant interview. During the song, a candlelit list of former and deceased band members appeared on the screen. Midway through the song, Van Zant placed a black hat on his flag-draped mic stand and walked off stage as the band continued playing with a recording and video footage of Ronnie Van Zant singing the final portion of the song that ended with its classic, guitar-driven, up-tempo musical outro.

Performing as a solo acoustic act, Marcus King’s well-received opening set included several of his original songs and a number of crowd-pleasing cover songs that included Kris Kristofferson’s “Me and Bobby McGee,” The Marshall Tucker Band’s “Heard It In a Love Song,” a gorgeous rendition of the soul classic, “When a Man Loves a Woman,” and a set closing, sing-along version of The Marshall Tucker Band’s “Can’t You See.”

Lynyrd Skynyrd lends its Rock ‘N’ Support
Marcus King mixed in some well known cover songs with his own poignant originals. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Lynyrd Skynyrd lends its Rock ‘N’ Support
Marcus King performed an excellent opening set for the Rock ‘N’ Support concert. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

After King’s set, Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Execu­tive Director Elliott Falcione addressed the crowd.

Lynyrd Skynyrd lends its Rock ‘N’ Support
BACVB Executive Director Elliott Falcione expressed his appreciation for those who helped organize the benefit concert. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“This concert was literally planned three weeks ago. The band scrambled to be here tonight,” he said before thanking Center Executive Director Chris Culhane, John and Amanda Horne from the Anna Maria Oyster Bar and the Shuckin’ Good Cause hospitality initiative, The Shriners and several others who assisted with the concert. He also noted the concert was being produced by Pittsburgh native, legendary Pittsburgh music promoter and producer Rich Engler.

To apply for a concert-supported hurricane relief grant, visit The Center website.

See the Lynyrd Skynyrd setlist here.

John and Amanda Horne are part of the hurricane relief efforts. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

John and Amanda Horne are part of the hurricane relief efforts. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The crowd enjoyed and appreciated Lynyrd Skynyrd's excellent performance. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The crowd enjoyed and appreciated Lynyrd Skynyrd's excellent performance. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Melanie Massell and Doreen Wymer were all smiles at the show. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Melanie Massell and Doreen Wymer were all smiles at the show. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The Shriners assisted with the fundraising activities. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The Shriners assisted with the fundraising activities. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Mark Pearce, Ruth Stief, Dana Chaves and David Higgins enjoyed the concert together. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Mark Pearce, Ruth Stief, Dana Chaves and David Higgins enjoyed the concert together. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Former county commissioners Betsy Benac and Carol Whitmore were on hand for the show. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Former county commissioners Betsy Benac and Carol Whitmore were on hand for the show. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Chris Patton and Amy Hendricks had a great time at the show. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Chris Patton and Amy Hendricks had a great time at the show. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

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Cosby offers update on sand, debris, road repairs

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

BRADENTON BEACH – Police Chief and Public Works Director John Cosby gave an update on sand removal, debris pickup and road repairs at an emergency city commission meeting on Nov. 13.

The weekly emergency meeting was called to continue the declaration of a tropical event for Hurricane Helene.

“We’re working on mitigating the sand at the end of 25th, 26th and 27th Streets,” Cosby said.

With some homeowners having repairs being done to their properties, construction debris has been piling up after the city completed its hurricane-related debris removal.

Effective Nov. 19, all debris and yard waste become the responsibility of homeowners and businesses. Waste Pro will only collect properly bagged debris and yard waste.

Code enforcement actions will begin on Dec. 20 for leftover debris.

He praised debris removal company Ashbritt and debris-monitoring company Debris Tech.

“I can’t say enough about them,” Cosby said. “We got a lot of equipment for a city our size and we’re very happy with that. Everything is going very smoothly.”

He said concrete chunks remain in piles of sand that were pushed aside. Those will be difficult for Ashbritt to process and will need to be removed in a different way.

Cosby said there are some roads damaged during and after the storms that will need repairs.

“We’re going to be meeting with Woodruff next week and we’re going to utilize them for road repairs,” he said. “We’re going to have to put some road base back down. They’ll also be doing the stormwater (drainage) cleanout. We have a good working relationship with Woodruff so they’re going to step up to the plate and help us out.”

Cosby said he will be meeting with FEMA next week, following the state announcement that the agency will be issuing low-cost loans for governments.

“Hopefully we can secure some money at a better rate to get us through until FEMA starts pushing money down,” he said.

Pines homeowners meet with officials

Pines homeowners meet with officials

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Featured.

BRADENTON BEACH – Pines Trailer Park homeowners attended a Nov. 7 city commission meeting seeking answers about the continued existence of the 86-unit park following hurricane-related flooding.

HELENE DAMAGE ‘MAJOR’

On Sept. 27, storm surge from Hurricane Helene caused water intrusion into the mobile homes at the Pines Trailer Park. On Oct. 17, Building Official Darin Cushing said that FEMA guidelines related to water intrusion from flooding deem the properties as having major damage.

Federal, state and local regulations state if a home is damaged 50% or more of the market value of the structure, or if it is improved 50% or more of the value of the structure, then the entire structure must be brought to current floodplain compliance, which is an elevation to 12 feet.

On Oct. 29, fire code and setback regulations became part of the discussion. West Manatee Fire Rescue District (WMFR) Fire Marshall Rodney Kwiatkowski outlined fire safety and regulatory standards to be followed for all new mobile home installations at the Pines.

Regulations state that no portion of a mobile home, excluding the tongue, shall be located closer than 10 feet side-to-side, 8 feet end-to-side, or 6 feet end-to-end horizontally from any other mobile home or community building.

PUBLIC COMMENT

During a public comment segment of the meeting, several Pines residents and park owner Shawn Kaleta spoke to commissioners.

Kaleta, manager of Pines Park Investors LLC, was the first speaker.

“Obviously, we’ve been hit with a couple hurricanes. We’re all trying to dig out of the sand as a community and try to restore our homes, our businesses, our lives back to normal as quick as possible,” Kaleta said.

He said he has spoken to Pines residents.

“The units obviously took on water. There are fire separation issues, there’s mold, there’s structural stability, there’s elevation of the buildings, there’s all these questions,” he said. “I’ve made a commitment to the residents from our side to keep the park there whatever it can be inside the code. I think that’s a vital part of the community, having residents and having everybody in that community as it exists.”

Following Kaleta, Pines Trailer Park residents stepped up to the podium, seeking answers about the city’s final determination.

Brett Williams owns seven mobile homes at the Pines.

“I know you have legal stuff to go through, but if your intent is to say we don’t want trailers anymore, we want to replace them with new stuff, I get it,” Williams said. “I don’t want to put all the money out if we’re going to do that. I’d like to speed this up so we can move on. Right now everything is in limbo.”

Ryan Pfahler, who has lived there five years and owns two rental mobile homes there asked, “While we are fixing trailers can we be living there? How long to do we have to make improvements? Are we allowed to pull in a travel trailer in the meantime while we’re repairing or rebuilding? What happens if most of the trailers do not meet the 50% rule?”

Jim Entwistle purchased a mobile home at the Pines as an investment in April for $200,000 and has rental reservations there from January through April.

CITY’S INTENT

City Attorney Ricinda Perry addressed questions about the city’s intent.

“The intent is to save you, to save the community,” she said.” I went to Shawn and said what can you do to try to save this? Shawn asked if he could elevate the structures, and I said they’re not structurally sound. He said, ‘What else can I do?’ We could talk about a rezone, but the densities are tough to get there. Is there another product you can make that meets the definition of a mobile home park, install that and get to the densities and the setback? Possibly.”

“Shawn has asked us to explore that option – if the park can’t exist with the existing structures can he put another product in there at that density, that’s elevated as a replacement?”

Perry said those changes would require a hearing with Planning and Zoning, at least two commission meetings and would require a Planned Unit Development.

“It is our intent, our goal and our desire to keep that kind of community there, whatever that looks like,” Perry said.

CITY RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS

“You have FEMA policies, guidance and regulations. On top of that you have the Florida Building Code, the fire code, and they all have different pieces and roles in this entire situation,” Perry said. “One of the things that’s really important for the city is to come up with a consistent, uniform approach in administering the flood plain ordinance.”

The process applies to every structure in Bradenton Beach.

“After we work our way through that, that’s what gives you the decision about moving forward,” she said.

“You’re frustrated and you want quick answers. We understand that. I will tell you this – most communities when they’ve been hit by one disaster, not two, they adopt a moratorium and shut everything down,” Perry said.

Many homeowners have received letters of substantial damage based on initial assessments. Those will be followed by in-person inspections. The state is in the procurement stage of having 10 teams of two people each assist the city with those inspections.

Perry cited the city floodplain ordinance as it pertains to manufactured homes that are substantially damaged as a result of a flood.

“That’s 12 feet,” Perry said. “If we’re all being honest, none of these structures will make it to that height. Your engineering costs alone are probably going to exceed your 50% just to figure out if you can elevate it.”

Perry said that most of the Pines mobile homes are more than 50 years old.

“I have researched the life span of a mobile home and it is said 30-50 years max if they are well maintained and not in a marine environment,” she said.

“Engineering estimates are about $25,000 and I’ve heard everything from $115,000 to $150,000 to raise,” Perry said.

She said there have been meetings with city officials, Kaleta, Sam Negrin, Cushing and former city Building Official Steve Gilbert.

“Unless you do not have substantial damage, we don’t see a way to save it,” she said. “Once you elevate, you also have to come into compliance with the fire codes, meaning they have to have proper setbacks and fire rated walls for their own safety. So, you’ll have to come into compliance with that by repositioning the units somehow or shrinking it down to fit into the setbacks.”

She said units must be habitable for those who want to live in them. A travel trailer cannot be pulled in; they are not allowed.

If 50% of units are damaged does the park go away?

“That’s a private issue with your landowner, not a city issue,” Perry said.

Damage assessments completed in Holmes Beach

Damage assessments completed in Holmes Beach

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

HOLMES BEACH – The hurricane-related substantial damage assessments have been completed in Holmes Beach and the debris removal efforts continue.

On Nov. 15, Superintendent of Public Works and City Engineer Sage Kamiya and Director of De­velopment Services and Planning and Zoning Administrator Chad Minor shared a statistical update of the efforts completed and still taking place in Holmes Beach.

According to Minor, the substantial damage assessments were completed on Nov. 12 by 20 two-person teams provided by a mission request fulfilled by the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM). The damage assessment team was contracted by FDEM using AC Disaster Consulting. The Crisis Track damage assess­ment software application used by Manatee County was used to collect and record the residential and commercial damage in Holmes Beach.

The damage assessment team assessed 3,331 structures. Four structures were deemed destroyed, 243 structures were deemed to have major damage, 217 were deemed to have minor damage and 2,867 structures were deemed affected by Hur­ricane Helene and/or Hurricane Milton.

The assessed damage to residential structures totaled approximately $334 million and assessed damage to commercial structures totaled $17.6 million.

According to Minor, the AC Disaster Consulting firm is now moving to Bradenton Beach to as­sist with the damage assessments to be done there. He noted Holmes Beach’s building department staff has been working with the Bradenton Beach Building Official Darin Cushing to help train and set up the Crisis Track users that will assist with that damage assessment data collection.

“Holmes Beach staff will continue to support Bradenton Beach as needed,” Minor stated.

BUILDING DEPARTMENT

Since Sept. 27, the day after Hurricane Helene, the building department has issued 544 permits, 433 for hurricane recovery work. The building department has been open for extended hours, including on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., to help residents and businesses apply for and obtain the building permits needed for their recovery work. That work must be permitted and documented to ensure the city remains in compliance with FEMA National Flood Insurance Program requirements and maintains the city’s Community Rating System rating that provides property owners with discounted flood insurance rates.

“The building department, building official and city planner will continue to meet daily with homeowners and businesses to assist them in navigating the FEMA 50% rule, and to ensure they are aware and un­derstand their options as they move forward and begin the recovery/mitigation process,” Minor stated.

DEBRIS REMOVAL

Significant progress has been made and the debris removal efforts continue throughout the city. Ac­cording to Kamiya, the city and its contracted debris haulers removed 19,786 cubic yards (784 truckloads) of vegetative debris, 58,423 cubic yards (2,384 loads) of construction and demolition debris and 27,265 cubic yards (1,152 loads) of sand as of Nov. 14. According to Kamiya, 105,475 cubic yards of debris have been removed from city roadways and rights of ways.

“This is nearly 20 football fields 3 feet deep of debris,” he noted.

Damage assessments completed in Holmes Beach
City Field is being used as the city’s debris management site. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The collected debris is first moved to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection-approved debris management site at City Field, where it’s crushed, loaded on to tractor trailers and hauled to the county landfill.

Sand is being hauled to the county-approved debris management site in the Coquina Beach parking lot, where the county is sifting out the debris before the sand is returned to the Island beaches.

City personnel have been hand-clearing the small debris left behind by the removal trucks. They are also straightening and replacing traffic signs and signals, sweeping streets, picking up city parks, vacuuming stormwater pipes and working with local fishermen to remove canal debris.

“The final day for moving storm-related debris to the roadside is Nov. 25. Anything moved out after that will need to meet the non-emergency, regular waste pickup requirements which can be found on the city’s website or by contacting code compliance,” Kamiya stated. “This entire removal process is expected to be completed by the end of December.”

Bradenton man loses leg to flesh-eating bacteria

Bradenton man loses leg to flesh-eating bacteria

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Featured.

BRADENTON – A 66-year-old Braden­ton resident had his leg amputated on Nov. 11 after coming in contact with flesh-eating bacteria (vibrio vulnificus) at a time when confirmed vibrio vulnificus cases are on the rise statewide.

The man came in contact with the flesh-eating bacteria while wading and fishing in Sarasota Bay, near the IMG Academy Golf Club along El Conquistador Parkway in Bradenton.

According to a family member, the longtime Bradenton resident went fishing in Sarasota Bay on Nov. 3 and his shoe or boot rubbed his skin on the back of his leg raw, creating an open wound near his Achilles tendon. The man fished in that location again on Nov. 5.

On Nov. 9, he began experiencing uncontrollable diarrhea, vomiting, severe leg pain and skin discoloration between his ankle and his knee. After being hospital­ized, his leg was amputated on Nov. 11. As of Friday, Nov. 15, he was recovering but he remained unconscious and faces a long recovery process, the family member said.

CASES INCREASE

According to the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) website that is updated every Friday, vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring bacteria found in warm, brackish saltwater. The flesh-eating bacteria enters the body through the direct ingestion of contaminated water or through open wounds, cuts or scrapes.

Confirmed cases of vibrio vulnificus increased after Hurricane Helene passed through Florida in late September.

According to the FDOH website, “In 2024, Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota Counties experienced unusual increase due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene. In 2022, Collier and Lee Counties experienced unusual increase due to the impacts of Hurricane Ian.”

According to FDOH, 81 cases of vibrio vulnificus have been confirmed in Florida so far in 2024, with 16 reported deaths. In 2023, 46 cases were confirmed statewide, with 11 deaths.

In 2022, there were 74 confirmed cases and 17 deaths.

There’s been one confirmed case of vibrio vulnificus in Manatee County in 2024 and two in Sarasota County, with no vibrio-related deaths in either county. In 2023, there was one confirmed and fatal case in Manatee County and six cases and two fatalities in Sarasota County. This year, Pinellas County leads Florida with 15 confirmed cases and three deaths.

FDOH INSIGHTS

On Friday, FDOH Communications Director Jae Williams provided some additional insights and information about the flesh-eating bacteria.

Williams said the increase in confirmed 2024 cases and deaths is specifically correlated to Hurricane Helene. He noted there was also a spike in reported cases in 2022 after Hurricane Ian.

“Hurricanes bring a ripe environment for vibrio. They bring storm surge and rain and then we have that brackish water that vibrio needs. Hurricanes bring a lot of contamination and it’s not just debris and household materials. We have sewage lines ruptured and garbage cans spilling over. There’s a lot of opportunity for this standing water to become contaminated. When the storm surge recedes and the rain goes away, you still have standing water baking in the Florida sun for several days. That’s where vibrio’s able to develop. Vibrio is not necessarily in floodwater, but it’ sin contaminated water. Regardless of the contamination source, it’s warm, shallow, brackish, stagnant water. That’s where you’re going to find it. You’re not going to find it in the middle of the Gulf ,the middle of Lake Okeechobee or in the middle of a moving river,” Williams said.

“With hurricanes, not only is the environ­ment more conducive to vibrio, but people often find themselves needing to wade through standing floodwater. There are many reasons to stay out of floodwater… but the scariest would be vibrio,” Williams said.

Regarding the Bradenton man, Williams said, “If he was fishing in the (first) week of November, that would not be attributed to either of the hurricanes. Unfortunately, this is just one of those regular cases we see throughout the year.”

Williams said Florida averages about 35 confirmed vibrio vulnificus cases and 10-12 deaths per year. FDOH doesn’t test Florida waters for vibrio vulnificus or issue vibrio vulnificus advisories when a confirmed case is reported because the harmful but short-lived bacteria usually washes away or dissipates before the area can be tested.

“There’s no way for us to go back and find it,” Williams said, noting that each confirmed case is reported to the health department. “Vibrio vulnificus is a reportable disease in Florida. If a health care facility diagnoses someone with vibrio vulnificus, that facility is required by law to report that to the Department of Health.

“It’s rare, but it’s scary and its serious. It’s unfortunate that this man’s leg was amputated, but he’s very lucky they got it before he died,” Williams said. “If you wade in standing water and develop severe flu-like symptoms, get medical attention immediately.”

Williams was asked if vibrio presents a risk to dogs and other animals.

“Certainly,” he replied. “If they ingest it or have open wounds, they are at risk the same way a human would be. Pets shouldn’t be in shallow, standing water either.”

 

‘Let’s Give Thanks Together’ reservations available

‘Let’s Give Thanks Together’ reservations available

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Featured.

ANNA MARIA – The people of Anna Maria Island, Cortez and the surrounding communities will come together on Thanksgiving Day for a celebration of gratitude, hope and community connection.

The Let’s Give Thanks Together community gathering will take place on Thursday, Nov. 28, from noon until 4 p.m. at The Center of Anna Maria Island, at 407 Magnolia Ave.

“This event invites neighbors, friends and families to share a meal, make lasting memories, and embrace the spirit of togetherness,” event organizer and Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan said.

“In light of recent events that have affected our community, this gather­ing offers an opportunity to reconnect with one another and find comfort in the bonds that make our community so special. The Center, long cherished as a hub for the Island, is the perfect setting for an event designed to bring people together in gratitude and celebration,” Duncan said.

The Let’s Give Thanks Together event will feature a complimentary Thanksgiving meal prepared by local businesses, showcasing the generosity and culinary talent of the Island. Guests can also enjoy live music, a kids’ zone with children’s activities and a welcoming atmosphere where everyone can feel at home.

“This event is about more than just a meal; it’s about connection,” Duncan said. “Thanksgiving Together is our chance to gather as a community, share laughter and stories and celebrate the strength and kindness that define Anna Maria Island and beyond.

“The event is a reflection of the resilience and warmth that make our community unique. It’s a time for neighbors to come together, not only to enjoy a meal but also to create new memories and embrace the spirit of the holiday season,” Duncan said.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to support the Food Bank of Manatee. Families are also invited to share their favorite recipes for a Community Gathering Cookbook – a collection of dishes and traditions that will represent the heart of the Anna Maria Island community.

To ensure there’s enough food and seating for every­one, RSVP reservations are required. Guests can reserve a spot by visiting the eventbrite website and searching for Let’s Give Thanks Together.

TDC discusses post-hurricane marketing

TDC discusses post-hurricane marketing

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Featured.

MANATEE COUNTY – The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (BACVB) is engaged in post-hurricane marketing to help bring tourists back to Anna Maria Island.

BACVB Executive Director Elliott Falcione dis­cussed the tourism bureau’s crisis management plan and post-hurricane marketing efforts during the Nov. 14 Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) meeting.

Falcione said every tourism bureau should have crisis management plans for hurricanes and other extreme weather events, red tide, oil spills and more.

After hurricanes Helene and Milton, the tourism bureau worked side by side with the Manatee County Public Information Outreach office that conveys the county’s hurricane-related informa­tion and actions to the local and regional media.

TDC discusses post-hurricane marketing
Shown here at the recent Lynyrd Skynyrd concert, Elliott Falcione leads the county’s tourism marketing efforts. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“What we’re doing is monitoring what they’re telling the community and then we’re taking that message, sometimes tweaking it, to talk to our target market,” Falcione said.

“Let’s be careful with the types of adjectives we use locally that could confuse or potentially embellish our target market. We always want to be 100% honest, consistent, but one word that was used by an official related to tourism – they used the word ‘clobbered.’ ‘We were clobbered on the west coast of Florida.’ The optics of that is ‘leveled.’ Those are adjectives that are going to cost more (tourist tax) money to correct,” Falcione said.

Regarding the bureau’s post-hurricane actions, Falcione said they quickly assessed the damage, talked to industry members, talked to city officials on Anna Maria Island and responded directly to emails from disgruntled tourists who were not getting refunds or credits for their canceled vacation accommodations. He said the bureau sent goodie bags that included beach towels and Tervis tumblers to some of those disgruntled tourists, which he hoped would produce some positive social media feedback.

Falcione said the bureau doesn’t tell people how to run their businesses, but they did relay those cancellation refund and credit concerns to some of the Island’s vacation rental management companies.

Falcione said the county contracts public relation firms that monitor the local, national and international media coverage of news items that could impact the county’s tourism marketing efforts.

“CNN and the Weather Channel really did a poor job of the messaging, the embellishment. You have journalists that find the destructive area as the backdrop. And then it’s out there, so then we have to go and correct that messaging,” Falcione said.

Falcione said the annual TDC budget always includes $1 million for emergency marketing and $500,000 is being used “to attack our primary and secondary markets, radio influencers.”

Those efforts included bringing radio journalist Larry Richert from KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh down to do a live broadcast from the Bradenton Beach Pier on Nov. 15.

“If he’s saying the beaches are beautiful, Anna Maria Island is open for vacationers, they’re going to believe him,” Falcione said.

“We are seeing curb appeal get better every day, every week. We’re now correcting the mis-messaging. We’re cross-checking that with social media. We’re cross-checking that with our web­site. Every day a business reopens, it’s shown on a map. Now we are, through digital advertising, blitzing our secondary markets and we’re partnering with Visit Sarasota on our primary markets through digital advertising; and prob­ably in about three weeks to a month, we’re partnering with Visit Florida on a dollar-for-dollar co-op to overlay all of our target markets,” Falcione said.

ADDITIONAL BUSINESS

  • The TDC members supported Falcione’s request to recommend county commission approval to temporarily provide the city of Bradenton Beach with $375,000 in tourist tax revenues to repair the unrepaired portion of the hurricane-damaged floating dock next to the Bradenton Beach Pier. When FEMA reimburses the city, the city will return that $375,000 to the county.
  • Having lost his county commission primary race, County Commissioner Ray Turner will vacate his role as TDC chair, with a new chair to be appointed by the county commission. Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant and vacation rental industry representative Ed Chiles are also vacating their council seats and their replacements will soon be appointed.
  • The council approved Falcioe’s request to recommend county commis­sion approval of a $100,000 expenditure to serve as seed money for the Realize Bradenton’s new Bradenton Art and Music Festival (BAM) that will replace the annual blues festival that has been moved to Lakewood Ranch. The BAM festival will take place along the Braden­ton Riverwalk on Saturday, April 5.
  • The council supported Falcione’s recommendation to seek county commis­sion approval of a $50,000 expenditure to support a Multi-Cultural Festival to take place at LECOM Park in Bradenton in July.