None of us on Anna Maria Island born since the storm of 1921 have ever been through anything like the hurricanes of 2024, Helene and Milton, including building officials.
We had our hurricane plans in place, such as they were, but found ourselves overwhelmed and struggling to meet our most minimal survival needs, with some obligations taking a back seat to simply finding a place to eat and spend the night.
Bradenton Beach was by far the hardest-hit of Anna Maria Island’s three cities, so comparing what they did in Anna Maria and Holmes Beach is not fair to Bradenton Beach Building Official Darin Cushing.
He was faced with inspecting hundreds of buildings, some of which had floated down streets and fallen over sideways and collapsed with only the roof showing, while the worst damage to the north initially observed by reporters after Hurricane Helene was a house fire.
With little help in the early days after both hurricanes hit the Island, he was undoubtedly overwhelmed like the rest of us, but showed up to a hazardous workplace where buildings threatened to collapse and vehicles took on nails in their tires and got stuck in sand dunes that had been transferred from the beach to the neighborhoods.
In short, it was a disaster area.
It remains to be seen if Cushing made a mistake or was negligent in applying the statutory Native American exemption for chickee huts at the Drift-In on Bridge Street, which the city has suspended him for.
Any shortcomings in the application of the statute could potentially be reversed, such as taking out plumbing and electric and clearing the easement.
Cushing has suggested in Facebook posts that there is far more to it than that, and there usually is. The Tuesday, Jan. 28 city commission meeting at 9 a.m. at city hall may shed more light on the issue.
But at minimum, we expect the city to presume Cushing’s innocence and give him an opportunity to clear his name in a fair and impartial hearing before making a rush to judgment and terminating his employment.
And we thank him for his service during this difficult time.
ANNA MARIA – Featuring 28 vendors, the new Anna Maria Community Farmers Market enjoyed a successful opening day at The Center of Anna Maria Island on Jan. 14.
Accompanied by sunshine and cool-to-moderate temperatures, the market offerings included produce, specialty mushrooms, steaks, poultry, sausage, pasta, fish dip, guacamole, baked goods, coffee, smoothies, nutritional juices, coconut water, licorice, clothing, essential oils, candles, apothecary items, massages, art and more.
The Center’s athletic fields provide space for a weekly farmers market. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The Jan. 21 market got rained out but the market is set to resume on Tuesday, Jan. 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and continue every Tuesday, weather permitting, through May 27. The Center is located at 407 Magnolia Ave. in Anna Maria.
The Anna Maria Community Farmers Market being held on The Center’s outdoor athletic fields temporarily replaces the city-hosted seasonal farmers market held at City Pier Park since 2018. The park cannot currently accommodate a farmers market because the hurricane-displaced Anna Maria Post Office is operating a temporary office there.
Ted Louloudes and Dev Whittaker had a successful opening day as market vendors. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Devinne “Dev” Whittaker and Ted Louloudes co-own the DBTB juice bar & bakery that operates inside The Center. Both were vendors at last year’s city-hosted market and Whittaker organized the new market because she didn’t want the season to pass without a farmers market in Anna Maria.
When visited at their DBTB juice bar & bakery booth at 12:30 p.m. on opening day. Whittaker said, “It’s a beautiful sunny day. We already sold out of our baked goods but we still have some juice and coffee left.”
Louloudes, a former Chiles Group baker, said their baked good offerings included sourdough breads, muffins, scones and cookies.
“We pride ourselves on using organic flour, produce and coffee and there’s no preservatives or seed oils in it,” Whittaker noted.
“Come out and support these local businesses. Everyone was impacted by these hurricanes and this is a beautiful way to get some life back out here. Our vendors are doing well today and it’s been busy. It was a group effort,” she added.
The city-hosted market focused primarily on food, beverages and other consumable products. The new market features many vendors displaced from the city market and several additional vendors selling items not previously sold at the city-hosted market.
Whittaker knows many of the additional vendors from other markets she participated in.
“We made it available to everybody,” she said.
Tillman Thomas was the original produce vendor at the currently displaced city-hosted farmers market. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
T.J. Produce owner Tillman Thomas was an original vendor and annual participant at the city-hosted market that began in 2018.
“We’re glad to be back,” he said. “A lot of our old customers came by to visit and sales were good for the first day.”
Milagros Produce is glad to be selling produce in Anna Maria again. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Milagros Produce is another longtime city market vendor who can now be found at The Center on Tuesdays.
“It’s been really good day. She (Whittaker) did a great job,” Milagros’ vendor Yvette Nunez said.
Paulie Slovak sold his Finn’s smoked fish dip. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Set up near the Hippie Comfort clothing and Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch booths, former South Hampton, New York vendor Paulie Slovak made his Anna Maria market debut selling gourmet smoked fish dip at his Finn’s vending booth.
“I think the market was successful for its first day,” he said, noting he was having a great time.
Alexandria Lowe-Mains and James Mains brought their SeaMonkey Apparel to the market. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
At the nearby SeaMonkey Apparel booth, James Mains and Alexandria Lowe-Mains said they were donating 10% of their sales back to The Center as a small token of appreciation for all the nonprofit has done for the community.
“We’re excited to be here and we’re excited the market’s back in Anna Maria,” Lowe-Mains said.
BroccoBabe owner Lelia Tavrides is one of the displaced city-hosted market vendors. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
BroccoBabe owner Lelia Tavrides, another previous city market vendor, was happy to again be selling her nutrient and antioxidant-rich broccoli sprouts and other microgreens.
“It’s wonderful to see the community back,” she said.
Island Aura owner Carly Burdick is a first-time market vendor. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Making her first-ever market appearance, Island Aura owner Carly Burdick sold handmade body oils, essential oils, bath salts and more. Burdick also practices Reiki healing.
“I’ve never done a market before and this is a great way to get started. I love it,” she said.
WicksNWax owner Patrick Allen enjoyed his Anna Maria market debut. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
At the neighboring WicksNWax booth, Patrick Allen sold custom and decorative candles he and his wife, Gina, made using 100% recycled glass.
“I’ve had a lot of customers today and we’re excited to watch this market grow,” he said.
Surfing Coconut owner Amanda Champ served fresh coconut water from her customized coconuts. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Surfing Coconut owner Amanda Champ served fresh coconut water in a custom-stamped coconut shells she taps open for each order, accompanied by an edible coconut/vanilla straw.
“These are the sweetest coconuts in the world,” she said of the coconuts grown in Thailand.
“We travel all over keeping people hydrated,” she said of her many market and private event appearances.
Jay Horak sold Circle 6 steaks and more. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Jay Horak, from the Circle 6 farm and ranch in Duette, said he’d already sold most of the filet mignon, New York Strip and ribeye steaks but he still had some organic eggs and beef tallow products left, including a beef tallow balm.
Body & Sol owner Amanda Escobio gave this market-goer a massage. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Currently displaced from her hurricane-damaged space above Ginny’s and Jane E’s café, Body & Sol Spa and Wellness owner Amanda Escobio provided massages and other services in the market’s fresh air setting.
“It’s been a nice day and I’ve talked to a lot of people who are still recovering,” Escobio said.
MANATEE COUNTY – Anna Maria Island developer Shawn Kaleta is among the seven applicants seeking appointment to the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC).
Kaleta is one of four applicants seeking to fill the hotelier seat recently vacated by Ed Chiles. The hotelier seat is also open to resort owners and short-term vacation rental owners and property managers. Developer and Palmetto Marriott Resort Managing Director Anthony DeRusso, Bradenton Beach-based Wagner Realty rental property manager Lisa Varano and real estate broker Damien Hernandez also seek the hotelier seat.
Holmes Beach City Commissioner Dan Diggins, Longboat Key Town Commissioner Debra Williams and Palmetto Mayor Daniel West seek to fill the elected official seat recently vacated by former Palmetto mayor Shirley Groover Bryant.
Manatee County commissioners are expected to appoint the two new TDC members during their Tuesday, January 28 meeting that begins at 9 a.m. and public input can be given regarding any of the TDC applicants when the commission reaches that point of the meeting. The TDC appointments are the 50th item listed on the meeting agenda.
The current TDC members are County Commissioner Amanda Ballard, Palmetto Mayor Gene Brown, hotelier Jiten Patel, hotelier Eric Cairns, hotelier Rahul Patel and interested citizens Dave Wick and Norma Kennedy.
Serving as an advisory board to the county commission, TDC members make non-binding recommendations regarding the expenditure of tax revenues generated by Manatee County’s 6% tourist development tax. According to the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office, “This tax applies to anyone who rents, leases, lets or grants a license for the use of living quarters or accommodations for six months or less, regardless of their state or country of residence.”
Last year, the tourist development tax generated approximately $30 million in county commission-controlled tax revenues. In recent years, tourist development tax revenues helped fund the Anna Maria City Pier replacement project completed in 2020 and the installation and repair of the floating dock and finger docks at the Bradenton Beach Pier. Tourist development tax revenues are also being used to subsidize the county-contracted Gulf Islands Ferry service between Bradenton and Anna Maria Island. The city of Anna Maria will soon pursue tourist development tax revenues to help replace the portion of the City Pier destroyed by Hurricane Milton.
Kaleta application
The application form seeks answers to several questions, including: “Why do you want to serve on this advisory board or committee?”
Kaleta’s response says, “To assist in the management of the Manatee County tourism growth.”
On his application, Kaleta lists hotelier as his occupation, Prime Hotels and Prime Vacations as his business names and a Holmes Beach address as his business address. According to the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s Office, the 48th Street business address that Kaleta listed is a homesteaded residential property.
Kaleta’s TDC application states he’s the owner and founder of “the largest property management company in Manatee County – Prime Vacations.” It also states he’s the owner and founder of the Prime Hotel management group.
According to the latest annual report filed with the Florida Division of Corporations on April 25, 2024, Prime Vacations LLC listed Kaleta as the corporation’s manager and attorney Louis Najmy as the corporation’s registered agent. The corporations amended articles of organization
Filed on Oct. 30, the amended articles of organization for Prime Vacations LLC now list the Plantation, Florida-based CT Corporation System as registered agent and the New York City-based GSP Prime Buyer LLC as manager. That document notes Kaleta was removed as the LLC’s manager.
The Sun could not locate any active Florida Division of Corporations documents that reference Prime Hotels, the Prime Hotel Management Group or Kaleta’s involvement in either of those entities listed on his TDC application.
TDC applicants are asked to describe any education and experience they have that would benefit the advisory board. Kaleta’s response states he’s a licensed general contractor and engineer with a Master of Business Administration degree in real estate finance and marketing.
His application also says, “Experienced hotelier owning over 10 hotels in Manatee County including Bali Hai Beach Resort and Spa (in Holmes Beach), Anna Maria Beach Resort (in Holmes Beach) and Seaside beach resort (in Bradenton Beach).”
Kaleta’s application states he’s the “Owner of largest hotel in Manatee County on a barrier island – 106 rooms on Bridge Street.”
The Bridge Street hotel Kaleta referenced on his application is not built yet, nor does he own all the properties to be utilized for the proposed hotel development project.
In December 2022, architect Shaun Luttrell submitted the hotel-related major development permit application that listed Kaleta and Bradenton Beach business owner Jake Spooner as the hotel project property owners.
According to the Manatee County Property Appraisers office, Kaleta-affiliated LLCs own three of the eight properties to be utilized for the hotel. An LLC associated with Firkins Nissan owns one of the properties and a Spooner-affiliated LLC owns four of the parcels needed to construct the U-shaped resort structure as planned.
In December 2023, the Bradenton Beach Commission unanimously approved the 106-room resort that includes a 60-seat restaurant, 5,396 square feet of retail space and 154 on-site parking spaces.
Last week, on Jan. 16, City Attorney Ricinda Perry told Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) members that Kaleta and Spooner hope to begin the hotel construction project by late summer. The Bradenton Beach CRA includes Mayor John Chappie and all four Bradenton Beach commissioners.
Kaleta’s TDC application notes he owns five restaurants, including Beach Bistro in Holmes Beach. It also notes he owns the Bradenton Beach Marina (also known as The Boat Yard) and a mobile home park – the Pines Trailer Park in Bradenton Beach. On Jan. 24, eviction notices were discovered taped to the doors of those unoccupied, hurricane-damaged mobile homes. The eviction letters were also sent to the mobile home owners by certified mail.
Public input
The TDC applications are included in the agenda for Tuesday’s meetings and are available to the public here. Click on agenda item 50 to view the applications.
Tuesday’s county commission meeting will be livestreamed and can be viewed here.
The TDC appointments are subject to public input and can be given during Tuesday’s meeting in person or by telephone using Zoom teleconferencing. To provide public comment by phone, call 1-888-788-0099 or 1-877-853-5247 and enter the meeting ID 89626986421, followed by the # symbol.
Mayor John Chappie clarified his comments to The Sun on Jan. 24 that Cushing is temporarily suspended, not temporarily terminated as originally reported.
BRADENTON BEACH – The city temporarily terminated the contractual services of Building Official Darin Cushing on Jan. 22 pending discussion at the next city commission meeting.
“Temporarily suspending his services pending talking with the commission and M.T. Causley and that’s all I can say,” Mayor John Chappie said.
The next scheduled regular city commission meeting is Thursday, Feb. 6 at 6 p.m.
Cushing declined to comment on the suspension.
Cushing is a contractual employee who works for SAFEbuilt Inspections. M.T. Causley is a subsidiary of SAFEbuilt. The city has a contractual agreement with M.T. Causley to provide building official services.
Chappie did not give a reason for the suspension, but the city has been at odds with Cushing over his approval of a permit for the tiki hut at the Drift-In on Bridge Street.
At a Jan. 16 city commission meeting, City Attorney Ricinda Perry said that the permit should not have been issued based on factors that included the city-owned easements on the property as well as the size of the new structure.
“This was administratively approved and it should have gone through a public hearing,” Perry said. “Legally, I believe it should have been a major development.”
A major development application must first go through a Planning and Zoning Board hearing and then return to the commission for a public hearing.
Cushing wrote on Facebook on Jan. 21 in part: “It was approved administratively and needed no more than that. But others aren’t getting their way (or that property) so I’m being asked to pull back my approval and force the owner to go through a ridiculous set of processes. My job is actually in question over this and other things.”
In Cushing’s absence, permits and inspections will continue in the city, according to Chappie.
“Hopefully, somebody will be here today from M.T. Causley and we’ll try to run business as normal as possible in the interim,” Chappie said.
A city commission work meeting has been scheduled for Jan. 28 at 9 a.m. to evaluate the current model of contracted building department staff versus city employees.
On Jan. 21, Cushing posted on Facebook, writing in part:
“Come on out to the City of Bradenton Beach ‘work meeting’ on 1/28/25 if you truly believe that I’ve done a good job as building official,” he said, adding, “They’re trying to take me out to bend over for developers. I will not compromise my integrity or my license.”
Drift-In owner Derek Williams, who serves as president of the Bradenton Beach Merchants Association, posted on Facebook in support of Cushing. He asked the business community to attend the Jan. 28 meeting.
“Sticking together as business and property owners has never been more important. You might be aware there is a special ‘WORKSHOP’ scheduled on 1/28 at 9 a.m. regarding the building official and his permitting of the renovations at Drift-In AMI. The city has determined that the work is deemed a major development and not consistent with the approvals given by the city planner and city Building Official Darin Cushing. The city would like to discuss the status of an independent contractor versus an employee in the capacity of the building department. My thought is the business community needs to be present. If you can make it, we would love to see you there.”
The work meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 9 a.m. at the Katie Pierola Commission Chambers, 107 Gulf Drive N.
ANNA MARIA – The winter break is over, school is back in session, and the youth flag football season started last Monday night on the Island.
Winter flag football action ensued on The Center gridiron with the tweens and teens. The younger players played their first games with preseason fun and action jamboree-style.
The eight 11- to 14-year-old league teams played their first games of the season. Poppos Taqueria, Jiffy Lube, Sato Real Estate and Solid Rock Air Conditioning took home the first wins of the season for the age group.
The teens, rostering a full league with six teams, played three games last week to start the season. Cortez Florida Vacation and Moss Builders handily defeated their opponents, Solid Rock Air Conditioning and Reel Coastal Properties, respectively.
In the second 14- to 17-year-old league match-up, Solid Rock Electrical faced team HSH Design. Both teams struggled to find the end zone on offense during two halves of play, but defenses for each squad had their shining moments in the 7-6 nailbiter.
The one-point conversion by Henry Dugan after his touchdown catch from quarterback Victor Albrecht made the ultimate difference in the game for team Solid Rock Electrical.
On defense, Solid Rock’s Dugan had three sacks on the HSH Design QB and three flag pulls to his credit. Albrecht added an interception to his season statistics, while teammates Kegan McGlade and Kaleb Romagnino had a total of three defensive stops.
Making his mark on the field for HSH Design was Jack Mattick on defense. In addition to two flag pulls, Mattick picked off the pass of the Solid Rock quarterback. His interception resulted in the six points his team put on the scoreboard.
Playing hard to keep HSH in the game on offense, Chase Castagna had three catches. Teammate Jaxon Kagin caught a pass to gain critical yardage.
Additional defensive pressure by Sterling Holiday and Kyle Castagna with big flag pulls helped keep their team in the game. C. Castagna only enhanced his game stats with two defensive stops of his own.
Despite the continued efforts of both teams, at the final second of the game, the missed point after the HSH Design TD gave Solid Rock Electrical their first win of 2025.
We’re living through the time of Murphy’s Laws. Murphy’s Laws encompass a series of life’s lessons, all of them meant to be a warning not to get too comfortable with the way things are.
Florida residents were victims of some of Murphy’s Laws last year. One of them, “Nature always sides with the hidden flaw,” and “If there is a possibility of several things going wrong, the one that will go wrong is the one that will cause the most damage.”
Did we on the central west coast of Florida get too comfortable with our relationship to hurricanes, and did we start believing the old Indian sacred burial ground stories? Maybe, but as Murphy’s Laws state, “If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.”
Now in the aftermath of the storms and the effort to rebuild, we have a new set of issues to deal with. Hiring workers to help rebuild has become a cottage industry for island and coastal residents trading stories, names and phone numbers. The first call I received from a neighbor after the storm passed was did I know a sheetrock contractor, the first of many who would ask that question.
Practically everyone I know is looking for painters, finishers, shutter repair companies and, most of all, hairdressers who are open and running. Even after the electricity was restored, Wi-Fi was slow and intermittent, preventing residents from researching and filing claims. Parents with school age children had additional stress when AMI Elementary was closed.
In the midst of all this uncertainty, most of us still had to deal with the normal everyday issues of life; shortages in the grocery stores, car breakdowns and relatives who want to come down for their winter vacation and don’t or can’t really appreciate the level of damage we were living through.
The first day of the California wildfires, I was sitting in my living room looking at my still not fully repaired loft ceiling feeling sorry for myself and was suddenly jolted into reality about the important things in life. Unfortunately, Los Angeles County has experienced possibly the worst human tragedy imaginable. As terrible as a strong hurricane is, at least you have a home or part of a home to go back to. Californians in most of the fireball areas have literally nothing to go home to.
In my mind, everything is always about real estate, and I’m not far off since homes represent the majority of wealth that Americans accrue. Many of the residents of these burnt-out properties will eventually sell to developers and investors, which will change the complexion of their neighborhoods much like I expect Anna Maria Island will change.
In addition, Los Angeles is victim to another of Murphy’s Laws, the one that says, “In any field of endeavor, anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.” Again, unfortunately for the residents of Los Angeles, their elected and appointed officials appear to have dropped the ball in several areas. We in Manatee County should forever be grateful for the fast action of both the county and the state governments in getting us back to normal quickly. I won’t forget how I felt a couple of days after the storm when I saw our governor standing next to 5 feet of sand in Bradenton Beach.
Finally, Murphy’s Law says, “Left to themselves, things always go from bad to worse.” The lesson here is to take action and control in order to get your lives back. The real estate market will come back with a vengeance because we have something to sell that few areas do.
Thoughts and prayers to the residents of Los Angeles.
I’ve heard anglers say, “It’s just like riding a bike.” That’s true in the sense that it’s a learning experience that has to be practiced to be mastered. When we learned to ride a bike we often forget that we fell off a few times but persisted until we ditched the training wheels and someone to steady the bike. Then we were on that bike every chance we got and in so doing are able to ride to this day without giving it much thought. In neuroscience, it’s referred to as Hebb’s Rule and states that neurons that fire together wire together, and that’s how we build habits, good and bad.
That’s why it’s important to learn and practice proper casting techniques. The basic casting stroke consists of the rod being held in the dominant hand at the base of the fingers with the thumb on top of the cork. The stroke is a combination of moves of the wrist, the forearm and the upper arm. In the “ready” position with the thumb on the cork, the wrist is straight and the butt of the rod is at a 45-degree angle to the forearm. The wrist travels from this “straight” position to a 45-degree down angle then returns to a straight position. The forearm and the upper arm complete the motion.
The late Lefty Kreh, a fly casting legend, was a master at teaching novices the art of fly-casting. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun
There are five basic movements that are considered essential:
1. There must be a pause at the end of each casting stroke, which varies in duration with the amount of line beyond the rod tip. This allows the line to straighten for the next cast. “Watch your back cast until you’ve mastered the timing.”
2. Slack line should be kept to an absolute minimum. Slack line prevents the rod from loading and applying the proper power to the cast. The most common mistake that creates slack line happens when the rod is started too high, forming a belly in the line between the rod tip and the water. To prevent this, start your cast with the rod tip pointing at the water.
3. In order to form the most efficient, least air resistant loops and to direct the energy of the cast toward the target, the rod tip must move in a relatively straight line. Practice tracing a horizontal line like a roof eve.
4. The length of the casting stroke must vary with the amount of line past the rod tip. If you are making a short cast there is only a small amount of line needed (which only weighs a small amount). As the length of line increases, the stroke must be increased to load the rod.
5. Power must be applied in the proper amount at the proper place in the stroke. In general, the power is applied slowly at first, gradually increasing to a peak at the end of the stroke. There should be a crisp stop at the end of the stroke, forcing the rod to come out of its bend. This is commonly referred to as the “speed-up and stop.”
Like riding a bike, playing tennis or golf, the only way to master fly casting is to practice on a regular basis. Create a practice schedule that you can stick to. Start by practicing short sessions on a regular basis. Regular practice is more important than the amount of time you spend and will build a good habit. Commit to five minutes every day. Any additional time will be a bonus, but the importance of a regular practice schedule cannot be over-emphasized.
We never get as much time on the water as we want and can spend months anticipating a special trip to destinations like the Bahamas, Argentina and Montana. Spending time to master fly casting will pay dividends when you see that fish of a lifetime and raise your rod to make a cast.
BRADENTON BEACH – The construction of the tiki hut at the Drift-In is on hold pending further review by the city.
City Attorney Ricinda Perry said at a Jan. 16 city commission meeting that a permit approved by Building Official Darin Cushing for the construction should not have been issued based on factors which included the city-owned easements on the property as well as the size of the new tiki structure. She said the project should be classified as a major development and must undergo the hearing process.
“This was administratively approved, and it should have gone through a public hearing,” Perry said. “Legally I believe it should have been a major development.”
The discussion was a continuation of a discussion at a Dec. 19 city commission meeting, and at that meeting Perry said: “If there’s was a modification to the size of the structure that exceeded 10%, that becomes a major development approval, and a major development approval needs to go through a P&Z review and a city commission approval.”
“There was an increase in the size,” Perry said. “Under the old application it was 13 by 15 feet and the current one is 54 by 24, that’s a 450% increase. That increase triggered a major development.”
She questioned whether that would change the classification of the tiki area from an accessory use to a principal use.
Perry said the property owner was informed recently that the city required a major development application.
“I reminded the property owner two weeks ago before starting to pour concrete floors and doing the work I made the legal statement anything you do going forward from this meeting is at your own risk,” she said.
Perry said if someone voluntarily tears down a structure, it comes with the unintended consequences of setting a precedent.
“I know two property owners on the street are asking to have their easement modified,” Perry said. “My concern is when we start saying OK, we’ll let you modify this easement when you voluntarily rip this out, what does that mean for the other easements?”
The attorney for Drift-In owner Derek Williams may be asking the city for modification of the existing easements, one of which goes through the building.
“Derek’s attorney (Scott Rudacille) is supposed to get us some data that we need coming in to review a month or so,” Perry told the commission. “I have asked Scott Rudacille to provide us with the revised easement they want to consider. As this is coming to you for your review in a month or so, you have a responsibility to protect that easement. You can modify it however you want to modify it.”
Perry said she is not in favor of relinquishing the easements.
“When you have an easement and someone is infringing on it, I don’t care that there’s a mistake that comes out of the building department,” Perry said. “You’re interfering with the public right which trumps your building department permit.”
Another issue with the tiki structure is its material, according to Perry.
“There was a directive (at the Dec. 19 meeting) to make sure that public works, the Police Department and West Manatee Fire District were aware of what this application was and had an ability to comment on this.”
Perry said she was told by the fire marshal during a meeting that the West Manatee Fire District does not allow for a thatched roof and it must be replaced with synthetic materials.
“Derek stated at the meeting, ‘I spent $80,000 now you’re telling me I have to rip it off? Who’s going to pay for it?’ Good question,” Perry said. “In my opinion, this all could have been avoided if WMFD knew what the application was. It does come at a cost after the fact to the property owner.”
Fire Marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski placed a red tag on the tiki hut pending further review, Perry said.
“Once the fire marshal is satisfied, he’ll lift the red tags,” Cushing said.
“I followed it to a ‘t’ and now it’s all come crashing down on me,” Williams said. “I would say go back to that permit that was approved.”
Mayor John Chappie said there should have been two separate permits.
“Is he doing improvements inside?” Commissioner Scott Bear asked. “Can he open inside while we resolve outside?”
“If you let them proceed and operate, you are helping them identify business damages they could lose and we would have exposure,” Perry said.
Chappie said he would be hesitant in allowing the business to open before the major development process is complete.
“I’m working to resolve this. I want to go through this the right way and I did,” Williams said. “I just want to open the business and get back on track.”
Williams asked how the process could be expedited.
“A major development application goes through the P&Z meeting in February and goes to the commission the end of February, beginning of March,” Perry said. “For changes in the land development code, a 30-day public notice is mandated.”
BRADENTON BEACH – While Pines Park Investors LLC has not disclosed plans for its recently-closed Pines Trailer Park, City Attorney Ricinda Perry shed some light on a scenario that could include a rezoning of the property.
Perry spoke about the Pines to Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) members at a Jan. 16 meeting, saying the property owner has confirmed the planned redevelopment of the parcel.
“As we all know, the Pines has been through a back and forth, back and forth situation,” she said. “The FEMA statement that any water resulted in it being substantially damaged and had to be shut down, and then it was whether or not it would meet the 50% rule and there was some reconsideration of that.”
On Dec. 9, 83 of the 86 Pines Trailer Park homeowners had received notice from the city that they could repair their hurricane-damaged mobile homes with the proper permits. On Jan. 4, however, the homeowners received notification from the park’s ownership that the park was being closed. Shawn Kaleta is the manager of Pines Park Investors.
“The property owner, when they were told on a number of occasions that the property could not move forward, that it was essentially damaged beyond repair because of flooding from the hurricanes, invested funds to try to create tiny homes,” Perry said. “In the city’s floodplain ordinance, Mr. Gilbert (former City Building Official Steve Gilbert) had told the property owner that you could elevate these to a certain height, which is going to change in May. Turns out that was not the case and they got those engineered and presented to make a tiny home village to kind of keep it looking like the Pines and it had to actually to be much, much higher and look like a stilted community, which aesthetically is not where we want to go with that.”
She said financially it didn’t make sense for the ownership to put in stilted tiny homes.
“So that is actually being reworked and I can tell you preliminarily it’s looking like some type of mixed-development that’s going to salvage as much of the character that’s there,” Perry said. “But obviously with the ones that are fully damaged, it’s going to have to adjust and change based off of our floodplain ordinance, and come into compliance with that.
“So, the property owner had preliminary discussions with staff,” Perry said. “The discussion with them was pretty much anything they’re going to do would likely need to come through a PUD so that we can assess it on a very specific basis and it will go through the land planning agency and then to the commission. So, yes, a rezone to me is absolutely necessary.”
The Pines Trailer Park is currently zoned M-1, and according to the city’s Land Development Code, permitted uses are single-family mobile home units, manufactured homes, park trailers, preservation uses and conservation uses.
“The Pines, we’ll probably be talking about at the commission meeting,” Mayor John Chappie said. “The zoning for that is going to have to change, so there’s going to have to be applications.”
As of Jan. 16, Building Official Darin Cushing said his office has not received applications for rezoning.
The Sun reached out to Kaleta’s representative for comment, but did not receive a response.
BRADENTON BEACH – A plan to replace dry storage and boat repairs with restaurants and retail at the Bradenton Beach Marina was discussed at a Jan. 16 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting.
“There were plans discussed and presented to the building official prior to the hurricane consisting of interior wall adjustments within the marina building itself where dry storage is,” City Attorney Ricinda Perry said at the meeting. “The goal of that project was to take a bunch of boat repairs which resulted in oil, gasoline and spilled chemicals of all sorts, lifts and storage of damaged and derelict vessels onsite, eliminate all of that and turn it into a functioning marina that would service people’s boats that come in and park overnight, yachts, day-trippers and create a more functioning commercial segment up there.”
She said the plans are currently being reviewed by the Bradenton Beach building department.
“We had a staff meeting yesterday to make sure that was still on task,” Perry said.
Mayor John Chappie asked if the marina owner is looking to provide overnight stays on the site.
“There’s also been some talk about whether or not it would make sense financially for them to have a few rooms for overnighting, perhaps on the second floor above the Nautilus Bar looking over the water,” Perry said. “There’s also been talk about what was described to me as a staging area for food trucks and bands and a kids playground. Right now, the only thing that’s been presented to Darin (Building Official Darin Cushing) was just taking the internal side of that, partitioning it off and taking out the dry storage and putting in shops and restaurants.”
Perry said she can’t bind the property owner to specific plans, but said, “The plan as I understood is to eliminate all the dry storage inside, all of the boat repairs that are inside and install retail, restaurants that you can access from the outside as you’re walking down both sides of that marina.”
Perry noted the marina’s docks sustained damage during Hurricane Helene.
“The property owner (Shawn Kaleta) has shared with me that they had gotten an original price quote in the millions to repair the docks that were damaged from Hurricane Helene,” Perry said. “You cannot get those docks insured, so all of that is out of pocket loss and damage to that property owner, that’s why it’s been a little bit slow trying to get that turned around. They’ve gotten some additional quotes that are more feasible financially. I think you’re going to see that property turned back around again.”
HOLMES BEACH – Written by Holmes Beach residents Dick and Margie Motzer, a letter to the editor that recently appeared in The Sun resulted in an impromptu Holmes Beach Planning Commission discussion about the city’s noise ordinance.
The letter pertained to the city commission’s recent approval of the Island Bazaar site plan at Gulf and Marina Drives. The commission approval includes a stipulation that limits the volume of the miniature golf course’s ambient music to 50 decibels.
“That level of protection is now only in this one geographic region, at the old Wells Fargo location,” the Motzers’ letter said. “We think the city needs to take action to apply that same daytime 50-decibel level city-wide.”
Planning Commissioner Lisa Pierce mentioned the letter during the planning commission’s Jan. 15 meeting.
“I would say what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. That sounds like a good idea everywhere,” she said.
Holmes Beach Director of Development Services Chad Minor noted that the city’s standard daytime volume limit is 75 decibels.
City commissioners did not amend the noise ordinance when approving the Island Bazaar site plan, they simply included a volume stipulation specific to that property, he said.
The planning commission’s primary assignment is to review city matters for compliance with the city’s comprehensive plan, the document that sets forth the city’s overall vision for future development and redevelopment.
Minor said the city’s noise regulations are addressed in the Land Development Code (LDC) and the planning commission would need city commission authorization to review regulations contained in the LDC. Minor said the planning commission could send one of its members to a city commission meeting to request that authorization.
“I think 50 (decibels) is really low,” Planning Commissioner Richard Brown opined.
Planning Commissioner Steve Oelfke praised Island Bazaar developer Jake Spooner for being receptive to the city commission’s volume request, but he said other developers may not be as accommodating. Oelfke expressed support for reviewing the noise ordinance as it relates to the comprehensive plan.
The planning commissioners agreed to place Minor’s suggestion on the agenda for formal discussion at their Wednesday, Feb. 5 meeting.
HOLMES BEACH – At the advice of City Attorney Erica Augello, city commissioners plan to deny the planning commission’s request to conduct preliminary reviews of major site plan applications.
Augello also advised that major site plan applications not be preliminarily discussed during non-quasi-judicial city commission work meetings.
A site plan is a diagram that illustrates a proposed development, redevelopment or significant improvements desired by a property owner.
Augello dispensed her legal advice on Jan. 14 while Holmes Beach city commissioners and Director of Development Services Chad Minor discussed proposed changes to the city’s site plan application review processes. The proposed changes are set forth in Ordinance 25-02 and the ordinance was presented on first reading that day. Adoption is expected during the second and final reading on Tuesday, Jan. 28.
Currently, the planning commission does not review major site plan applications before the city commission conducts an evidence- and testimony-based quasi-judicial public hearing on the proposed site plan.
When initially reviewing the proposed ordinance last year, the planning commissioners recommended inserting additional language that would allow them conduct public hearings to review major site plan applications for consistency with the city’s comprehensive plan and land development code. This would be done before the city commission conducts its quasi-judicial public hearing on the site plan application.
The planning commission’s recommended language was included in the ordinance presented to city commissioners on Jan. 14.
“The city planning commission shall hold a properly noticed public hearing to review the site plan application and based on the evidence presented provide a recommendation to the board of commissioners as to whether the application is consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan and land development code.
“The city planning commission may also provide advisory comments to the applicant regarding site design recommendations to increase compatibility of the site with adjacent uses and the surrounding area. After review by the planning commission, the planning and zoning administrator or designee shall prepare a staff report, findings and recommendation for submittal to the city commission for review at a public hearing, including any recommendations provided by the planning commission,” the ordinance said at that time.
Regarding the proposed inclusion of the planning commission in the site plan application review process, City Commissioner Carol Whitmore said, “I don’t support this. This is not a planning commission role. This is one of the biggest jobs of the commission and we should be taking the responsibility for it.”
Whitmore said the planning commission’s role is to ensure compliance with the city’s comprehensive plan and allowing them to conduct public hearings to review site plan applications would subject the city to additional attorney fees.
“I respect the planning commission and I love what they do, but this is our job and I don’t feel like giving my job up to another board,” Whitmore said.
City Attorney Erica Augello advised against the planning commission reviewing major site plans. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Augello noted the planning commission is an advisory board, not a decision-making body. When conducting a quasi-judicial public hearing, the city commission could not use any evidence or testimony given at a planning commission hearing.
Augello agreed that a planning commission hearing would provide another layer of public input but it could also create additional legal complications if the city commission denies a site plan application and the applicant appeals the decision. Augello said the applicant could allege the city commission made its decision based on the planning commission review rather than the evidence and testimony presented directly to the city commission.
Augello said planning commission review of a site plan application could also create a “conflict in record evidence.” If something was presented at the planning commission hearing and not at the city commission hearing, that could create a potential deviation of information. Augello advised avoiding a “dual review” process for site plan applications and she suggested a similar approach for rezoning requests.
Commissioner Carol Soustek serves as the city commission’s planning commission liaison. She expressed her respect for the planning commission and their desire to review site plans but she agrees with Whitmore regarding the avoidance of additional attorney fees.
Commissioner Terry Schaefer noted subjecting site plan applications to a single public hearing provides the public with only one opportunity to provide their input.
The commission unanimously agreed to remove the planning commission’s recommended language and move forward toward final adoption of the ordinance as amended that day.
In a related action meant to solicit greater input from the city’s advisory boards, the commission agreed to place monthly advisory board reports on future commission meeting agendas.
After the city commission meeting, Minor sent a revision version of the ordinance to City Clerk Stacey Johnston, with the planning commission’s recommended language deleted.
Planning Commission Response
On Jan. 15, when reviewing the ordinance as amended the previous day, the planning commissioners expressed disappointment with the city commission’s decision, but they acknowledged the city attorney’s legal concerns. After much discussion, the planning commissioners unanimously agreed to reinsert the deleted language as a symbolic reiteration of their desire for greater transparency in the site plan review process – knowing the city commission will delete that language again before the ordinance is adopted on second reading.
Minor said he would never present a site plan application to the city commission that doesn’t comply with the city’s comprehensive plan and land development code. At the request of the planning commission, Minor agreed to post a notice at the city website when a major site plan application is received so the public has as much advance notice as possible.
HOLMES BEACH – The mayor and city commissioners had plenty to say about the recently released OPPAGA consolidation study and former Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge.
The 25-page consolidation study report compiled by the Florida Legislature’s Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability was provided to the Holmes Beach, Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach mayors on Jan. 8.
The report was accompanied by a two-page letter dated Jan. 9 and signed by State Rep. Will Robinson Jr. and State Sen. Jim Boyd – the state legislators who led the Manatee County Legislative Delegation’s pursuit of the consolidation study formally requested in January 2023.
The letter includes a statement that suggests that consolidation of the three Island cities is no longer a viable consideration: “The OPPAGA study confirms what we have discussed over the past year. Merging or eliminating cities could negatively impact the unique and special character of the Island and could have a detrimental impact on issues like building height.”
The OPPAGA study analyzed four potential consolidation options and the pros and cons of each option. The report included no recommendations or findings as to which consolidation option should be pursued. The report also contains detailed information about each city’s finances, public services provided, decreasing permanent resident population and more.
The state legislators’ consolidation study request partially stemmed from a beach parking dispute between Holmes Beach city officials and Van Ostenbridge and his desire to build a three-story parking garage at the county-owned Manatee Beach.
Having lost his at-large District 7 election bid in November 2024, Van Ostenbridge is no longer a county commissioner. Tal Siddique now represents Anna Maria Island as the county’s District 3 commissioner.
Commissioner Terry Schaefer expressed his disappointment with the state legislators who requested the consolidation study. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
City Commissioner Terry Schaefer was the first to mention the OPPAGA study during the commission’s Jan. 14 meeting.
“I thought it was unfortunate that leadership on the delegation did not mention the conclusion of the report in their cover letter to our three mayors indicating there will be no consolidation. I thought the public deserved to hear their recommendation would not include any consolidation efforts,” he said.
Commissioner Carol Whitmore opposes the consolidation of the cities but she sees some value in the completed study.
“I loved the data, the information. It gave me a good picture of what the other two cities are doing, how much population we’ve lost and the other options,” she said.
Schaefer agreed the study provides some useful information but the conclusion to not consolidate the Island cities was something city officials and Island residents knew and supported all along.
“In this case, facts prevailed and we can now focus on the betterment of our city and our Island in general,” Schaefer said.
Commission Chair Dan Diggins succinctly said, “Hopefully, we can just turn the OPPAGA page.”
Mayor Judy Titsworth said, “I sleep better at night. We all know what was really behind the OPPAGA study. This was wrong, but the commissioner (Van Ostenbridge) was probably the worst district representative we’ve had in the history of our city. He was vengeful and thank God he’s gone. We are so lucky to have someone like Tal. We couldn’t ask for a nicer, more committed representative for our city.”
Titsworth also noted there’s not enough support among current county commissioners to continue the pursuit of the now-defunded parking garage.
“I’m so glad that’s behind us as well,” she said.
When the OPPAGA study came up again later in the meeting, Titsworth said, “Everything’s positive from here on out. I believe they’re going to quit picking on us.”
She then thanked the city officials, residents and community members who opposed consolidation and the parking garage.
Whitmore said she served with one of Van Ostenbridge’s uncles many years ago, during her previous tenure as a city commissioner.
“KVO is not the Van Ostenbridge family that I know,” she said.
She also served on the county commission with Van Ostenbridge.
“I will never forgive that man for what he did to all of us,” she said.
Commissioner Carol Soustek mentioned the concern and uncertainty the study created for city employees. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Commissioner Carol Soustek said, “The people who initiated this OPPAGA study did not take into account the effect it had on so many people’s personal lives. All the city employees were upset. They thought they were going to lose their jobs. It was unnecessary, vindictive and I was very disappointed in the elected leaders.”
Soustek applauded the stand taken by Titsworth and the Holmes Beach commission. She also thanked Hands Across the Sand director and consolidation protest organizer Barbara Ehren and all those who opposed the consolidation of the Island cities.
“I’m very happy to see the results, but it’s exactly what the mayor was saying all along,” Soustek said. “It was a degrading thing to go through for the cities when they had so many other things they needed to do. It put a black mark on the judgment of Tallahassee (state legislators). I was very disappointed,” she said.
ELLENTON – Several Anna Maria Island bands and musicians will participate in the Rock N’ The Sand music festival and hurricane relief fundraiser at Whiskey Joe’s in Ellenton on Saturday, Jan. 25 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The funds raised will be donated to The Center of Anna Maria Island’s Rock N’ Support hurricane relief grant program.
“100% of the proceeds will go to Island employees who lost their income due to hurricanes Helene and/or Milton. Every penny raised will be donated to The Center of Anna Maria for disbursement to Island employees,” according to the Rock N’ The Sand website.
The musical roster includes Jah Movement, 301 Travelers, Concrete Edgar, Rob Hamm, Black Thorn Rose, Luke Andrews, Cabana Dogs, Dos Macs, Steve Paradis, Nauti Girl Band, Tommy B. and Nobody’s Fool.
Tickets can be purchased at the eventbrite website and also on the day of the event. General admission tickets are $25, VIP tickets are $100 and non-attendees can also make a $25 donation to support the cause. Whiskey Joe’s is located at 5313 19th St. E. in Ellenton and discounts will be given to their patrons who also wish to enter the festival.
The event was organized by Beach Dogs Island Essentials owner Patty Nazarre, Island Marketing owner Amy McCloskey-Tobin and Cabana Dogs lead guitarist and singer Jimmy Camastro, who organized the live music. Bowes Imaging Center, Time Saver Wine & Spirits, Beach Dogs Island Essentials, Island Marketing and the Cabana Dogs are sponsoring the event.
“We’re more than three months out from the hurricanes, but there’s still a lot of people hurting,” Nazarre said. “Hopefully, we’ll make some money for them. I have a lot of friends that are musicians. I love frequenting the venues. I know a lot of the bartenders and servers on the Island and some are still living in hotels. Whiskey Joe’s wanted to help. They’re donating the VIP food and drinks and donating a portion of the food sales to the cause.”
Tobin said, “A lot of the musicians playing the event were hurt by the hurricane themselves. This is islanders helping islanders. None of us are getting a penny and Bowes Imaging is helping a lot.”
Camastro wrote a song called “Anna Maria” and a musician friend suggested he release the song for sale to help raise money for local hurricane victims. That suggestion helped inspire the Rock N’ The Sand fundraiser and the wheels were set in motion.
“I love Anna Maria Island and I play out there all the time. We lost a lot of gigs and had to find gigs off the Island. So did a lot of other musicians and bands,” Camastro said.
Grant applications
Primarily funded by the proceeds from the recent Lynyrd Skynyrd concert in Palmetto, the Rock N’ Support program has already provided $250-$500 grants to more than 628 applicants, totaling more than $293,500.
The grants are available to Anna Maria Island and Cortez hospitality and tourism industry employees financially impacted by the hurricanes. Regarding the Rock N’ The Sand fundraiser, Center Executive Director Chris Culhane said the grant program might be expanded to include musicians and retail employees too, but that remains to be determined. To submit a grant application, visit The Center’s Rock ‘N’ Support web page.
