HOLMES BEACH – City and county officials hoped to use businessman Jake Spooner’s boat slip in the Waterline resort marina as a Gulf Islands Ferry stop, but the current county-owned pontoon boats are too large to safely navigate that limited space.
To be used in conjunction with the Island Bazaar commercial building that Spooner is developing on the former Wells Fargo bank property nearby, Spooner’s boat slip is located in the far southwest corner of the boat basin.
On April 1, Spooner, Holmes Beach Commissioner Dan Diggins and Waterline dockmaster Tom Jones met ferry captains Nick Francis and Jonathan Davis, ferry operators Trisha and Dennis Rodriguez and Manatee County Project Manager Jeff Anthony when they arrived at the resort aboard the pontoon ferry boat that traveled from downtown Bradenton.
Shown here behind the Waterline resort, the current ferry boats are 50 feet long and 15 feet wide. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
With the ferry docked at the rear of the Waterline resort property, the group discussed whether it was safe to bring the ferry boat, which is 50 feet long and 15 feet wide, into Spooner’s slip. Leaving the ferry where it was, the group walked over to Spooner’s slip and quickly determined the navigable space was too narrow for the ferry boat to safely navigate – a space made narrower by the motors projecting from boats docked on either side of the navigation lane.
The navigation lane leading to and from Jake Spooner’s boat slip is too narrow for the current ferry boats to safely navigate.
Diggins and some of the others then walked over to the northwest corner of the boat basin to examine a large corner slip in the Keyes Marina portion of the boat basin. Dockmaster Jim Keyes told the group the slip that was then vacant is occupied long-term by a boat that departed earlier that morning.
They also looked at a slip located next to the Keyes Marina boat ramp and agreed that none of the options examined that day were viable for the ferry boats, but a smaller boat (30 feet long and 10 feet wide) already owned by the ferry operators might work. Although intrigued by that idea, Diggins acknowledged the smaller boat would pose some logistical challenges as to how and where passengers transition from a larger boat to a smaller boat.
Jake Spooners boat slip is located in the bottom left corner of this photo. – Google Maps | Submitted
The Kingfish Boat Ramp on Manatee Avenue has also been discussed as a potential ferry stop. That area would provide ample docking space but would require docking renovations that could cost the county a few million dollars. The boat ramp is located about a half-mile from Manatee Beach and does not provide the walkability and easy access to restaurants, businesses and other destinations as the boat basin in the heart of the Holmes Beach business district.
Last year, Diggins and Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione met with Waterline management about using the spacious docking at the rear of the resort as a ferry stop, but for various reasons the resort management doesn’t want that docking space used as a public ferry landing.
With the ferry stop at the hurricane-damaged Anna Maria City Pier currently out of commission, the Gulf Islands Ferry service runs between downtown Bradenton and the Bradenton Beach Pier in Bradenton Beach. The ferry schedule can be viewed and tickets can be purchased at the Gulf Islands Ferry website.
It’s been six months since Hurricane Milton invaded us and every day we still feel the effects of the storm. Most of us are either continually rebuilding, cleaning up or juggling finances to get our lives back to where they were before the storms.
Last week we talked about buyer and seller remorse, but the deeper emotional issues are losing your home and your possessions. Most people have an emotional attachment to their homes and their community. Seeing disruption or actual loss has a lasting effect. A home is part of a community of friends, family, neighbors and memories.
Adding to the emotional loss is the sudden financial hardship of losing one’s home or experiencing major and costly repairs. Most people invest a huge portion of their net worth into their home and have accrued a great deal of equity, so watching it go literally down the drain leaves many homeowners worrying about their future financial security.
For Island people who have made the decision to move, selling after a major disaster can be challenging at best. These are the sales numbers the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee provided for the two zip codes on Anna Maria as of February:
Zip code 34217, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach single-family homes: The median sale price in February was $1,105,000, down 39% from last February. The average sale price was $1,414,583, down 52.4% from last year, and new listings are up 33.3%.
This is the report from The Realtor Association for condos in Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach. The median sale price was $535,000 this February, down 13.7% from last year and the average sale price was $553,333, down 26.1%. New listings are up 6.7%.
Obviously, the single-family numbers look far worse than the condos, likely because there are so many single-family homes that were not elevated and had severe damage selling for reduced numbers compared to last year. The majority of condos are elevated and experienced less damage, at least from flooding.
Anna Maria, zip code 34216, had a median sale price of $1,750,000, down 12.5% this February compared to last year. The average sale price was $1,808,333, down 27.6% from last February. Finally, new listings in Anna Maria are up 31.6%.
Selling your home in the aftermath of a disaster requires patience and a fair amount of creativity. These properties need to be marketed as the future value, not the present value. There is great investment opportunity on the Island and based on the number of visitors in the past month, people still want to vacation here.
Buyers, especially younger buyers, are very much influenced by climate change and the effects that it will have on a barrier island. So, a balance has to be struck when listing the benefits and financial investment available on Anna Maria Island. You can’t hide that we experienced a serious series of storms, and you have to be honest about damage sustained, but here again, we’re looking at future growth.
The effects of the storm, both physically and monetarily, are deeply unsettling. The physical landscape of the community changes and people move away, leaving a constant feeling of loss. It’s important to stay focused on how Anna Maria Island was before the storm and know it will come back right along with property values.
CORTEZ – While Manatee County commissioners have not set a demolition date for Annie’s Bait and Tackle Shop, they gave Annie’s former owners an April 7 deadline to remove their personal items from the property.
In a March 7 certified letter to Annie’s former co-owner Bruce Shearer, county Project Manager Jeff Anthony wrote: “This letter serves as notification that any personal property you wish to claim from Annie’s Bait and Tackle must be retrieved within thirty (30) days from the date of this notice.
“Memorabilia, sentimental items and fishing supplies are being safely stored in large tote containers in a locked facility. Please contact me to coordinate picking up the totes. Any items remaining on the property on the 30th day will be deemed abandoned.”
Manatee County Information Outreach Manager Bill Logan wrote in a March 27 email to The Sun: “Unfortunately, there is no set date (for demolition) at this time.”
Outside the iconic bait shop, well-wishers have left flowers and messages of support.
“I think it’s great that the community is doing that for us,” Shearer said. “I want to thank all those people.”
He said people in Cortez aren’t happy about the pending demolition of the building and business he’s owned since 1996.
“People have a lot of memories there,” Shearer said. “I had a plumber working at my house, he’s probably in his 40s and he told me when he was a little kid, he used to go to Annie’s to get shrimp for fishing.”
Shearer said people have asked him for Annie’s memorabilia.
“I still have stock. I’m doing an inventory,” he said. “What I think I might do is have shirts made that say, ‘January 1, 1996 – March 4, 2025, RIP Annie’s.’”
Manatee County commissioners voted 6-1 on March 4 against entering into a lease agreement with Annie’s and for the demolition of the 70-year-old Cortez landmark, sited on the Seafood Shack parcel that the county recently purchased for $13 million, which is slated to become a public boat launch facility. Commissioner Jason Bearden cast the dissenting vote.
That vote followed a January directive by county commissioners to have staff explore options to bring Annie’s up to code. Following recommendations and a review by a structural engineer, the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) and fire officials, Manatee County Commissioners voted for the demolition.
Shearer said the county declined his offer to make repairs to both the building and the county-owned docks at his expense.
Spray-painted on the side of Annie’s is “45.8% FEMA,” referring to the evaluation of damage to the building.
“It was less than 50% and we should have been able to fix it up,” Shearer said. “They (Manatee County) had a plan. They put us through a dog and pony show to appease people.”
HOLMES BEACH – Sarasota resident James Mikluscak was arrested on multiple charges after allegedly driving another man’s Jeep into the water near the Anna Maria Island Bridge on Manatee Avenue.
According to the offense/incident report filed by Holmes Beach Police Officer Andrew Adkins, Mikluscak was arrested on the suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs, DUI with damage to the property or person of another, reckless driving with damage to a person or property, obstruction without violence, a felony charge of grand theft of an automobile and a felony charge of failure to obey a law enforcement officer’s order to stop.
The incident report states that on March 30 at approximately 1:59 a.m., Adkins was assisting Sgt. Joshua Betts with a bicycle stop in the 700 block of Manatee Avenue and they noticed a vehicle driving up and down, back and forth and doing circles along the embankment on the north side of Manatee Avenue, on the 900 block, near the base of the bridge.
In his report, Adkins stated, “I left Sgt. Betts and drove my marked patrol vehicle to where this vehicle, a 2014 black Jeep Wrangler (with a Florida license plate) was driving. This area is closed to vehicle traffic and only open for pedestrians. The vehicle was driving westbound but up the embankment at an angle towards me. I pulled up on the sidewalk facing the vehicle and activated my emergency lights and a Manatee County Sheriff’s Deputy did the same. I exited my vehicle and shined my flashlight at the driver, identified as James Mikluscak, and told him to stop. I did not see anyone else in the vehicle.
“I was able to get a good look at James and he was gripping the steering wheel and his eyes were fixated straight ahead. James did not stop and kept driving along the embankment and then turned north, right, towards the mangrove. James then drove directly into the mangrove and accelerated through them, propelling himself into the water of Anna Maria Sound. James continued driving until the vehicle was stuck due to it becoming submerged about 10 to 20 feet off the shore,” Adkins stated in the report.
“I ran down the embankment to an opening in the mangrove and saw James, about 10-20 feet away from me, exit the vehicle. I commanded James to stop and come to me but he defied, running further into the water. I noticed James’ vehicle was submerged to about the top of the wheels.
“I requested dispatch contact the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and send additional assets for assistance. As James was running away from me, he turned toward me, while looking at me, and lifted something black and reflective up above the water and was holding it with both hands. The deputy with me and I both perceived this item to be a weapon of some kind. I drew my sidearm and pointed it towards James and began retreating to cover. I then advised dispatch that James may be armed and dangerous.
“Three Bradenton Beach Police Officers and several Manatee County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the scene. I retreated to my vehicle, repositioned it toward the opening in the mangrove, and turned on my scene lighting to illuminate James. I then retrieved my patrol rifle and positioned myself behind the cover of a patrol vehicle engine and pointed the weapon at James as he continued to go further out. It was later believed that the perceived weapon may have been a cell phone but one was never recovered.
“Once Sgt. Betts left to meet with the USCG at Station Cortez, I took over voice commands with a loudspeaker. I told James numerous times that we are the police, he is under arrest and that he needs to surrender himself immediately. James did not comply and continued moving further away in the water, up to shoulder deep, and began clinging to a channel marker. I made sure Sgt. Betts was kept informed with James’ position as he was responding with the USCG on their response boat.
“Upon arrival of the USCG in their marked boat with emergency lights, James defied their commands to surrender and kept swimming away for them. This went on for an extended period of time. Due to this, Sgt. Betts directed me to respond out in the water with the HBPD Marine Unit.
“I, along with two Bradenton Beach Police Officers, took the marked police boat with emergency lights to the scene. Upon arrival James was a couple hundred yards north of the original incident location. We pulled up alongside him and gave commands for him to surrender. James did not initially comply but after a few attempts to approach him, he raised his hands up, didn’t move, and we were able to grab him and pull him into the boat, placing him under arrest. James was in the water for about an hour and ten minutes.
“I then transported James to the Kingfish boat ramp, 752 Manatee Ave., where he was turned over to Manatee County EMS and then they transported him to HCA Florida Blake Hospital for possible hypothermia and medical clearance. Officer Gagliano rode with EMS and I followed behind. I heard EMS make comments about James being on drugs,” Adkins stated in this report.
“Once James was transferred to a hospital bed, I got permission from the staff to talk with him. I advised him of his Miranda Warning and he agreed to speak with me. I noticed James was very obviously experiencing the effects of drug use based on my training and experience.
“While at the hospital I also heard the staff mention several different times that James is high on drugs. I asked James if he was on any drugs and he told me he was on ‘ice.’ I asked what that is and he stated a ‘potent meth.’ When I tried to ask James about the incident, he couldn’t remember what happened. I asked James if what happened tonight was because he was on meth and he nodded yes. I asked James about driving while impaired by the meth and he told me he wasn’t driving.
The report notes Mikluscak declined to give a blood sample for testing purposes.
“I contacted HBPD’s Drug Recognition Expert, Officer (Alex) Hurt, and advised him of the situation. Officer Hurt remained with James while I returned to HBPD to complete the arrest paperwork. Sgt. Betts informed me that the owner of the Jeep, Gregory Dobkins, did not give permission to James to operate the vehicle and filed it as stolen with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office,” the report states.
“As a result, I charged James with reckless driving with property damage, DUI with property damage, fleeing to elude/failure to obey, leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage, resisting an officer without violence, and grand theft of a motor vehicle.
“I was informed that James was being admitted at the hospital for 24 hours to be monitored so I took the completed paperwork and his property (and) clothing to the Manatee County Jail to get him booked in.
“While James was in our custody, he stated the vehicle belonged to a friend or roommate where he is staying temporarily in Sarasota. Later on in the day, when I came back into work, I spoke with Gregory over the phone. Gregory informed me that he did allow James to drive the Jeep earlier in the day with him but once they got back to the (Sarasota) address he was no longer authorized to drive it.
“I was told that address is a home for recovering addicts. Gregory stated James left the house with a girlfriend after a meeting but returned later in the night very high. Gregory stated while he was now asleep, James took the Jeep keys and then stole the vehicle,” the report states.
As of April 1, Mikluscak remained in custody at the Manatee County Jail in Palmetto.
Remorse is the feeling of regret, second thoughts or disappointment in a decision recently made. When it comes to buying and selling real estate, it’s difficult not to have some level of remorse about the transaction, especially in the situation we’re in now.
Anna Maria Island has always been that special little place different from other coastal areas of Florida. Old Florida was true in Anna Maria, with no high rises, no big box stores and no drive-throughs. Island residents fought to keep it that way and were successful for decades.
The storms that invaded us last fall changed much of that. It took away property owners’ sense that they were living in a very unique place they loved when they had to make some life-changing difficult decisions. Because of damaged properties and insurance issues, many homeowners were put in the position of having to sell their beloved home and move off the Island, frequently accepting offers that were very discounted.
The seller’s remorse for these homeowners is very real; sadness, regret, anxiety and just plain mad that this happened to them. They not only lost their home but their very special lifestyle and for some, will never get it back. Coupled with the loss of their homes, most homeowners on the Island who experienced serious damage have also experienced a major financial loss. Even when the transaction is done, and you know this was the only option for you, it’s easy to still feel like you’ve made a mistake.
Sellers aren’t the only ones feeling remorse these days; buyers who are buying up many of the damaged Island properties are primed to think they, too, may be making a mistake. The high cost of living on a flood- and hurricane-prone Island could be giving even buyers with deep pockets reasons to feel remorse and have them running to higher ground.
Developers who are rushing to buy up properties and turn them into profitable rentals are only looking at their bottom line. They can tolerate the high insurance bills, maintenance issues of living on an Island and threat of storms in return for a big rental payday.
Individual buyers, however, may start to feel remorse buying into a storm zone. Did they make a decision too fast, have they overspent, even though it looked like a good deal, and, in retrospect, are they reconsidering how compatible Island living is for them and their families?
Some buyers wait years until they can afford their special place and then when it presents itself, bam, you’re thinking, “What did I do?” All of these feelings are real and may not actually materialize until the sale is final and there you are living on an Island possibly with homes being rebuilt around you.
It could take buyers years to shake off the feeling of remorse. Eventually, the entire Island will be rebuilt, and small-town life will hopefully be back.
As far as sellers, they’re probably asking themselves, will I ever see those beautiful sunsets again, will I ever be able to walk one block or 10 feet to feel the warmth of the Gulf waters and will I ever live in a place that I think of as special again?
My answer to that is all of what you love about Anna Maria Island is still there, only a short ride over the bridge. Get your Island fix even if you don’t live there anymore; you’ll feel better instantly.
It’s one of the fastest growing segments of the angling industry, a test of the mettle of angler and tackle. Fly fishing dates back to very early times, but its popularity has skyrocketed in recent years.
Fly fishing in the salt dates back to the early 1940s when anglers like Joe Brooks, John Alden Knight, Ted Williams and Jimmie Albright began perfecting techniques to take bonefish, tarpon and permit in the Florida Keys. It’s a short history, but one rich in tradition.
Anglers have discovered that flies can take the gamut of saltwater species. When I first started fly fishing, I remember local guides telling me, “Bring your fly rod along in case the fish are in a feeding frenzy.” Now, many local guides prefer to fish fly anglers and realize that they are happy to get opportunities to present flies to fish and it’s not always about the number of fish caught.
Choosing tackle
Before buying tackle, it’s useful to understand the nomenclature of the sport. While spinning and bait-casting tackle are rated according to the breaking strength of the line, fly fishing outfits are rated according to the weight of the line used.
With conventional tackle, the weight of a lure or live bait propels the line and offering to their target, while in fly fishing, it’s the weight of the line propelled by the flex of the rod that carries the line, leader and fly to the target.
The weight system (rod, line and reel) generally starts with a #2, suitable for panfish and trout in small freshwater streams, to a #14, which is used for giant bluefin tuna and marlin. The most versatile outfit for fly fishing in Florida saltwater is a 7,8 or 9 weight. The line and rod are generally matched although a reel can be rated for multiple weights, for example 7-9. If you’re pursuing larger fish like cobia or king mackerel, a 10 weight would be the best choice. You’ll want to step up to an 11 weight or 12 weight if you’re pursuing the tarpon that frequent our area from May through July and often run over 100 pounds.
A reputable tackle dealer like AMI Outfitters on Anna Maria is a must when purchasing fly tackle. You need the kind of salt resistant tackle that will survive the rigors of the ocean and bays, and while you don’t have to buy the most expensive tackle on the market, good quality gear is a must.
Try different outfits and buy the one that feels “good in hand” and is the best quality you can afford. Next week, we’ll discuss the basic cast and the importance of practice.
CORTEZ – While Manatee County commissioners have not set a demolition date for Annie’s Bait and Tackle Shop, they gave Annie’s former owners an April 7 deadline to remove their personal items from the property.
In a March 7 certified letter to Annie’s former co-owner Bruce Shearer, county Project Manager Jeff Anthony wrote: “This letter serves as notification that any personal property you wish to claim from Annie’s Bait and Tackle must be retrieved within thirty (30) days from the date of this notice.
“Memorabilia, sentimental items and fishing supplies are being safely stored in large tote containers in a locked facility. Please contact me to coordinate picking up the totes. Any items remaining on the property on the 30th day will be deemed abandoned.”
Manatee County Information Outreach Manager Bill Logan wrote in a March 27 email to The Sun: “Unfortunately, there is no set date (for demolition) at this time.”
Outside the iconic bait shop, well-wishers have left flowers and messages of support.
“I think it’s great that the community is doing that for us,” Shearer said. “I want to thank all those people.”
He said people in Cortez aren’t happy about the pending demolition of the building and business he’s owned since 1996.
“People have a lot of memories there,” Shearer said. “I had a plumber working at my house, he’s probably in his 40s and he told me when he was a little kid, he used to go to Annie’s to get shrimp for fishing.”
Shearer said people have asked him for Annie’s memorabilia.
“I still have stock. I’m doing an inventory,” he said. “What I think I might do is have shirts made that say, ‘January 1, 1996 – March 4, 2025, RIP Annie’s.’”
Manatee County commissioners voted 6-1 on March 4 against entering into a lease agreement with Annie’s and for the demolition of the 70-year-old Cortez landmark, sited on the Seafood Shack parcel that the county recently purchased for $13 million, which is slated to become a public boat launch facility. Commissioner Jason Bearden cast the dissenting vote.
That vote followed a January directive by county commissioners to have staff explore options to bring Annie’s up to code. Following recommendations and a review by a structural engineer, the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) and fire officials, Manatee County Commissioners voted for the demolition.
Shearer said the county declined his offer to make repairs to both the building and the county-owned docks at his expense.
Spray-painted on the side of Annie’s is “45.8% FEMA,” referring to the evaluation of damage to the building.
“It was less than 50% and we should have been able to fix it up,” Shearer said. “They (Manatee County) had a plan. They put us through a dog and pony show to appease people.”
ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria City Pier hurricane damage inspection and report provided by Kisinger Campo & Associates cost the city $25,738.
During the city commission’s March 27 meeting, Mayor Mark Short further addressed the inspection report he previously discussed on March 13.
Short told city commissioners the pilings and the walkway support system were likely weakened by Hurricane Helene’s wave action and storm surge last September and that structural weakening contributed to a 75- to 100-yard portion of the pier walkway disappearing as a result of Hurricane Milton’s hurricane-force winds in early October.
Page 7 of the 35-page report, which lists a Dec. 30 inspection date, says, “Based on our observations, it is assumed that the pier piles failed due to a combination of wind, waves and storm surge during the hurricane. The intense wave action and storm surge may have scoured the seabed, reduced the embedment depth of the piles and compromised their stability. Additionally, the piles may have experienced excessive bending and shear stresses from wind-driven waves, potentially leading to structural buckling or displacement. The combination of these factors likely caused the piles to lose their load-bearing capacity, resulting in the progressive collapse of the remaining portions of the pier.”
The Anna Maria City Pier will remain closed until a new pier walkway is constructed. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
On March 27, Short noted the inspection was conducted by the Kisinger Campo & Associates firm that also provided the detailed inspection report. Short said the inspection was not conducted by the George F. Young engineering firm that is designing and engineering the new pier walkway, which will extend from the shoreline to the T-end of the pier.
Regarding the cost of the inspection, Short said, “For the record, the city of Anna Maria has a contract with George F. Young for $347,000 for the initial work related to the pier. Over 70% of that is for the design and engineering of the new walkway. $25,738 of that total was for the inspection. George F. Young did not do the inspection. It was done by a group called Kisinger Campo & Associates, out of Tallahassee. The $25,000 inspection focused principally and primarily on the condition of what was left of the pier and the T-end, as well as the condition of the pilings that were under water.”
This photo included in the inspection report shows where the walkway was ripped away during Hurricane Milton last October. – Kisinger Campo & Associates | Submitted
Continuing, Short said, “Just over $25,000 of the $347,000 contract was spent for the inspection. That inspection was required by the Army Corps of Engineers. It’s required by DEP (Florida Department of Environmental Protection). It’s required for anybody who’s going to come in to rebuild our pier. I just wanted to set the record straight about what the contract was really for.”
Reasonable expense
Now retired, Commissioner John Lynch spent 35 years working in various supply chain, manufacturing and innovation management roles for Proctor & Gamble. While participating in the March 27 commission meeting by phone, Lynch said he reviewed the inspection report and felt the inspection costs were reasonable.
“Based on my professional experience, first and foremost, the transparency of providing that today is very helpful,” Lynch said. “The overall cost, as well as the specific inspection cost, are not out of line with what my experience has been professionally in managing similar types of projects. I think it’s important that you are setting the record straight in terms of what was spent in each category and that those are ordinary and reasonable costs as we go into this pier rebuild.”
BRADENTON BEACH – The Pines Trailer Park Homeowners Association has filed a lawsuit against park owners Pines Park Investors LLC asking in part for an injunction against the park closure and threatened evictions.
The lawsuit, filed in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court on March 28 by Sarasota-based attorney David J. Fredericks, claims that park owners failed to comply with state law, which rendered the park closure invalid. The suit also alleges that park owners failed to fulfill their obligations in good faith, did not maintain the park’s common areas and did not provide adequate parking in accordance with the city of Bradenton Beach Land Development Code.
Laundry and shower facilities are non-operational at the Pines Trailer Park as of March 29. – Leslie Lake | Sun
“This action arises as a result of defendant’s unlawful actions regarding its failure to maintain and repair the park common area amenities, its defective notice to the Association, and its illegal and unconscionable actions to illegally close the park and evict the mobile home owners,” according to the complaint.
The suit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief related to claims that exceed $50,000.
Pines HOA President Neil Lind said on March 29 that on his attorney’s advice, he could not comment on specifics of the suit, but he spoke on behalf of residents.
“We are pleased to have submitted and filed this lawsuit,” Lind said. “We are encouraged and optimistic about the future.”
Lind said the pending park closure and receipt of eviction notices have been stressful for residents.
“A number of people have had a number of negative health outcomes,” he said. “We have been through a lot in relation to what’s been going on. There have been many sleepless nights and I’m hoping a sense of calm might prevail for a while. It’s been a struggle.”
The 86-unit waterfront mobile home park sustained flooding during Hurricane Helene in September 2024. On Dec. 9, 83 of the 86 Pines Trailer Park homeowners were told by the former city building official 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, Pines Park Investors, that the park was being closed.
In December, 2024, the parking lot, which had been used for an annual fee by park residents who did not have available parking, was converted into a paid public parking lot.
Residents of Laverne Street in the Pines Trailer Park have no available parking at their units. The former Pines parking lot was converted to public paid parking in December. – Leslie Lake | Sun
In a Jan. 27 letter to the Pines Trailer Park HOA, park owners offered to sell the mobile home park to the residents for $75 million.
Pines Trailer Park homeowners received an email in February outlining terms for abandonment of their mobile homes and possible extension of their tenancy to Jan. 31, 2026. Those terms include transferring the ownership of mobile homes to Pines Park Investors.
A fallen tree and debris remain at the Pines Trailer Park. – Leslie Lake | Sun
On March 17, Pines Trailer Park residents who withheld lot rental payments due to what they said was the disrepair of the park were served with demand for payment notices taped to their doors and by certified mail. The notices required either immediately paying the full amounts of past due lot rental fees or vacating the premises within five days. Those notices were from Pines Park Investors LLC and the agent for the community, Fort Lauderdale-based The Urban Group.
The lawsuit claims that the defendant has a statutory obligation to act in good faith and fair dealing with the plaintiff when fulfilling its obligations under Chapter 723 of the Florida Statutes, which governs mobile home parks, including with the issuance of a Right to Purchase Notice and its intent to change land use.
“Defendant did not deal fairly with plaintiff or act in good faith when it provided plaintiff with its grossly exaggerated $75,000,000 asking price for the park. Defendant’s failure to deal fairly or act in good faith with plaintiff effectively rendered the Right to Purchase notice null and void,” the lawsuit alleges.
The lawsuit claims that the park was appraised as of March 5 at a value of $16.6 million, approximately 22% of the proposed $75 million asking price.
Pines Park Investors purchased the 2.78-acre waterfront mobile home property on Aug. 5, 2023 from The Jackson Partnership LLLP for $16.25 million.
The mortgage for that purchase contains a covenant and agreement by the defendant not to change, or make any application to change, the existing zoning classification or land use of the park prior to the maturity date as defined by the note, which is five years from the Aug. 25, 2023 date of purchase, or Aug. 23 2028, according to the lawsuit.
According to state statute, a mobile home park owner may evict a mobile home owner, tenant, or occupant if there is a change in land use.
An October 2024 letter to residents from Pines Park Investors LLC signed by manager Shawn Kaleta is attached to the complaint and reads in part that he “is fully committed to restoring Pines Trailer Park as quickly and efficiently as possible… Our priority is that you have a safe, comfortable home once again. We are here for you during this process and want to continuing operating Pines Trailer Park long-term as a home for you and your families.”
In meetings between ownership representatives and homeowners on Oct. 28 and 29, those representatives reportedly said that rents would not be charged while the park was not operational, according to the complaint.
“With the Right to Purchase notice, the defendant offered mobile homeowners, under the threat of eviction including for rents previously asserted not to be due from the mobile homeowners, the option to execute a one-sided agreement allowing them to continue the lease of their lot in exchange for the turnover title to their mobile homes, eliminating the protections of Chapter 723, Florida Statutes,” the lawsuit claims.
The park, excluding the parking lot, was offered for sale in the Right to Purchase notice.
The complaint states that in the city’s Land Development Code, the M-1 Mobile Home Park district zoning provides that each mobile home shall be assigned one parking space, and consequently that offer “was not in good faith and lacked fair dealing as the association would not be able to operate the park in compliance with the minimum parking requirements of the City of Bradenton Beach Land Development Code.”
The lawsuit states that common areas of the park remain in disrepair following the September hurricane.
Shower facilities are non-operational at the Pines Trailer Park as of March 29. – Leslie Lake | Sun
“On Sept. 26, 2024, the two shuffleboard courts, recreational hall, the recreational hall furnishing and fixtures, laundry facilities, office, and the dock running parallel to the seawall and associated boat mooring area and the fence separating the park from the abutting restaurant (common area improvements) were damaged by Hurricane Helene and have remained unrepaired and unusable as of the date of this lawsuit,” according to the complaint.
The lawsuit also alleges that numerous sewer line blockages and failures have occurred in the park and were remedied by mobile homeowners. Since November there has been no park manager as required by the park prospectus.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Six months ago this week, the Island was emerging from Hurricane Helene’s flooding a week earlier, and was a week away from being hit by Hurricane Milton.
Helene’s storm surge on Sept. 26 created 4 feet of flooding in many places in the three Island cities, with many Bradenton Beach homes destroyed and homes and businesses throughout the Island suffering significant flood damage or destruction. On Oct. 9, Milton added wind damage to the flooding. Since then, most Island businesses have reopened, but some remain closed as repairs continue. Some businesses will not reopen.
Hurricane Helene collapsed this Bradenton Beach home. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge in Bradenton Beach suffered severe storm surge damage and has not reopened yet but the repairs are underway and the lodge’s bar area and social quarters are expected to reopen at some point soon.
The AMI Moose Lodge in Bradenton Beach was among the first structures to be hit by Hurricane Helene’s storm surge. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Many mobile home residents in the Pines Trailer Park in Bradenton Beach remain displaced, and on March 28, the Pines Trailer Park Homeowners Association Inc. filed a lawsuit against the Pines Park Investors LLC park ownership group headed by Shawn Kaleta.
Island-wide, hundreds of vacation rental homes and other lodging accommodations were badly damaged but many have been repaired and reopened and are once again providing lodging for the tourists and visitors that drive the Island’s tourism-reliant economy.
The storm surge and flooding also damaged and destroyed many automobiles, golf carts, scooters and other forms of transportation.
This vehicle came to rest atop an air conditioning unit in Bradenton Beach. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Hurricane Helene’s storm surge left many Island roadways covered with displaced sand that had to be removed before those roadways became usable again. Helene also produced massive amounts of household and landscaping debris that required the large-scale debris removal undertakings that continued in all three Island cities for several weeks after Hurricane Milton created more debris piles.
Holmes Beach
When asked about the recovery process at the six-month mark, Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth said, “The response and recovery of Hurricane Helene was the most challenging catastrophe to have hit the Island cities. Since becoming mayor, one of my main objectives was to improve our emergency operations response and recovery plan and to have required emergency training for all staff so that in the event we were to be hit by a catastrophic hurricane, we would be able to be successful in our response and recovery efforts.”
Sand deposited by Hurricane Helene’s storm surge had to be removed from this Holmes Beach street. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“We were tested this past year and I couldn’t be more proud of our city staff and our citizens in how much has been accomplished in the past six months. The public works department, building department, code compliance department and the police department all faced tremendous challenges and were successful in carrying out their missions.
“The majority of our businesses are back open, many of our residents are back in their homes and our vacationers have returned. I thank the Manatee County Emergency Operations Center team for their assistance as well as our county, state and federal leaders,” Titsworth said.
On March 25, Holmes Beach Director of Development Services Chad Minor said the city has issued more than 2,000 post-hurricane building permits and 44 demolition permits and most of those permits are hurricane-related.
Anna Maria
Hurricanes Helene and Milton damaged homes, businesses and city assets throughout the city of Anna Maria. The combined forces of the two hurricanes destroyed the privately-owned Rod & Reel Pier and washed away a significant portion of the city-owned Anna Maria City Pier walkway.
Hurricane Helene weakened the City Pier support structure and Hurricane Milton then removed a large segment of the pier walkway. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Rod & Reel Pier owner Oliver Lemke hopes to the rebuild the iconic pier and pier restaurant he bought in November, 2023.
Hurricane Helene inflicted heavy damage on the Rod & Reel Pier, above, and Hurricane Milton later wiped out most of what remained. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The engineering process for the construction of a new City Pier walkway is well underway but no timetable has been provided as to when the construction of the new walkway will begin.
The displaced Anna Maria Post Office continues to operate inside a large trailer at City Pier Park while the repairs continue at the nearby building space leased to the U.S. Postal Service.
Six months into the ongoing recovery process, Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short said, “After six months, I am proud to say that almost every business that decided to reopen is open, the significant repair work in the city is complete, except for City Pier, and now we are focused on a number of smaller items.
“Property owners continue to be challenged with getting their repair and renovation work completed, but every day we see progress and I look forward to the day that Helene and Milton are part of a ‘do you remember’ conversation,” Short said.
Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie did not respond to The Sun’s request for comments.
The historic Annie’s Bait and Tackle Shop in Cortez, a victim of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, is slated for demolition within 30 days. - Leslie Lake | Sun
Annie's Bait and Tackle is part of the Seafood Shack property now owned by the county. - Leslie Lake | Sun
HOLMES BEACH – City officials are already paying attention to the possible elimination of property taxes proposed but not yet defined by Gov. Ron DeSantis and state legislators.
Holmes Beach City Commissioner Carol Whitmore initiated a brief property tax discussion during the commission’s March 25 meeting. After noting that DeSantis recently mentioned eliminating property taxes, Whitmore pointed out that property taxes are the primary funding source for city and county governments, whereas sales taxes and other taxes fund the state government.
Commissioner Terry Schaefer said the Florida League of Cities held a March 24 call-in session that addressed several proposed pieces of legislation that the League is monitoring as the 60-day 2025 legislative session in Tallahassee reached its halfway point.
Commissioner Terry Schaefer is concerned about the state trying to eliminate cities. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Regarding the elimination of property taxes, Schafer said, “No one at the meeting felt there was a reasonable alternative to this. We all know property taxes are local and here you have the governor stepping in to eliminate property taxes without any vision, without any determination, as to what would replace that revenue.”
Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth hopes voters are paying attention to the property tax elimination discussions. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Mayor Judy Titsworth said, “When you take funding away from local governments and county governments what does that do? Well, you cease to exist and then the state is in charge of everything. If this does go to a referendum, I hope people are paying attention.”
“We will fight it,” Whitmore added.
“There’s seemingly a direction to minimize the number of cities from our current state administration,” Schaefer said.
“It’s a strange world we live in right now,” Titsworth said.
Schaefer said only 12-13% of the total property taxes paid by the owner of a homesteaded primary residence in Holmes Beach are remitted to the city. The rest goes to the county, the school board, the West Manatee Fire Rescue District, the West Coast Inland Navigation District, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the Mosquito Control District and other taxing districts. Holmes Beach property owners also pay an annual stormwater assessment fee that’s included on their property tax bill.
“We deliver a pretty good return on investment to our taxpayers,” Schaefer said of the city’s ad valorem property tax collections and expenditures.
Using tax bills posted at the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s website, The Sun examined the 2024 property tax bills for six randomly selected residential properties in the R-1 zoning district behind Holmes Beach City Hall. Those property tax bills ranged from $5,925, $7,959 and $9,507 to $15,628, $17,800 and $20,353. The taxes varied according to the property’s assessed taxable value and whether the property was taxed as a homesteaded primary residence or as a non-homesteaded property used as a second home, a vacation home, a rental home of 30 days or more or for some other purpose.
According to the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office, “The homestead exemption is a constitutional guarantee that reduces the assessed value of residential property up to $25,000 for qualified permanent residents. In 2008, Florida voters approved an additional homestead exemption of up to $25,000 for homeowners whose homes have an assessed value of more than $50,000.”
Elimination study
To date, neither DeSantis nor the state Legislature has provided specific details as to how property taxes would be eliminated or how those lost tax revenues would be recouped. But on Feb. 18, Sen. Jonathan Martin, R-Fort Myers, and Sen. Jason Pizzo, D-Hollywood, co-introduced Senate Bill 852. The bill proposes that the Office of Economic and Demographic Research conduct a study to establish a framework to eliminate property taxes and replace property tax revenues through budget reductions, sales-based consumption taxes and locally determined consumption taxes authorized by the state Legislature. The bill sets forth the proposed study requirements and an Oct. 1 deadline for the study to be presented to the Senate president and the Speaker of the House.
SB 852 states: “The study must include, at a minimum, all of the following: An analysis of the potential impact of eliminating property taxes on public services, including education, infrastructure and emergency services; an assessment of potential housing market fluctuations, including changes in homeownership rates and property values; an evaluation of whether a shift to consumption-based taxes would make Florida more attractive to businesses compared to other states; an analysis of the potential impact of eliminating property taxes on overall economic stability, consumer behavior and long-term economic growth.”
As of March 28, SB 852 had not passed through any of the three Senate committees assigned to discuss the bill and similar legislation had not been introduced in the House of Representatives. The adoption of proposed legislation requires matching bills to be supported respectively by the majority of the Senate and House members.
State Rep. Ryan Chamberlin, R-Ocala, recently filed House Bill 357, which proposes increasing the $25,000 homestead exemption to $100,000. HB/HJR 357 proposes placing the $100,000 homestead exemption on the 2026 general election ballot. If then adopted by Florida voters, the $100,000 exemption would take effect on Jan. 1, 2027.
“Florida’s population has been continuously overburdened by constant increases in property taxes throughout the past several years. The property tax increases are based, unfairly, on unrealized gains for the paper value of our homes,” Chamberlin says in a “Why I filed this bill” statement posted at the House website.
Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, filed SB 1016, a bill that seeks to increase the $25,000 exemption to $75,000.
Foreseeable consequences
The Florida Policy Institute website addresses the foreseeable consequences of eliminating property taxes.
“If policymakers continue to pursue eliminating property taxes outright without a cohesive plan to raise taxes in a progressive manner, some of the consequences are clear:
Households with low to moderate income, including both property owners and renters, will end up paying more in taxes, as a percentage of their earnings, compared to wealthy residents if sales taxes increase to make up the lost revenue.”
“Local governments would lose fiscal autonomy as they would no longer collect property taxes, and they would become dependent on the state for funding – whether it is for schools or other public services like police and fire services.”
“Individuals who currently claim a property tax deduction in their federal income tax returns would lose the deduction; meaning their personal income taxes could potentially increase.”
“The state government would have to weigh local funding needs alongside statewide services, leading to competition and underfunding if the state’s tax base – presumably sales tax base – shrinks.”
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – With the loss of sand dunes from Hurricanes Helene and Milton last year, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella is concerned about a possible increase in sea turtle disorientation in this year’s upcoming season.
“Without dunes as a barrier, hatchling and adult sea turtles that head towards artificial light may find their way into the road,” Mazzarella wrote in a March 25 email to The Sun. “This is definitely a concern and we are in contact with FWC (the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission), FPL (Florida Power and Light) and the municipalities on AMI to let them know about this concern such that lighting issues may be addressed prior to the start of sea turtle nesting season on May 1st.”
In addition to serving as a shield from artificial lights, Mazzarella wrote that the dunes provide a dark background that is a critical cue for sea turtles.
“They go away from dark shadows and towards bright horizons. Sea turtles need the dark background of dunes and vegetation to contrast with the light of the night sky over the water, so they don’t get confused about which direction to go to head to the Gulf,” she wrote. “If the background is as bright as or brighter than the night sky over the water, they will not know which direction to go and will either travel in circles or head towards the brightest light, which is often the artificial light.”
In advance of the official start of nesting season on May 1, Turtle Watch volunteers will begin patrols on Tuesday, April 15 to look for any new nests.
“We have not seen any turtle activity yet,” Mazzarella wrote. “On AMI, we generally get nesting loggerhead and green turtles which do not usually start nesting until late April or May. Leatherbacks have started nesting already in Florida but we have never had a leatherback nest on AMI… yet.”
She also said that there have been no sightings of nesting shorebirds on Anna Maria Island so far this year.
“Not yet, but we are always watching,” she wrote.
Mazzarella offered the following tips for anyone who may see a sea turtle nest or a turtle in distress.
Please call AMITW at 941-301-8434 as soon as possible if you see a nesting turtle or turtle nest prior to April 15. Once patrols begin, volunteer turtle patrols will survey the entire island every morning and will locate all the turtle crawls and mark the ones that are nests with protective stakes and flagging tape.
Remember that sea turtles are protected by the Endangered Species Act. If you see a sick, injured or dead sea turtle on the beach or in the water, please also call AMITW or FWC. AMITW’s stranding team is standing by to help rescue sick and injured sea turtles and collect important information on dead sea turtles.
If the turtle is painted with an X, that means that someone from our team has already attended to the turtle and it will be disposed of by the local authorities.
BRADENTON BEACH – At the March 20 commission meeting, commissioners considered Ordinance 25-563, which would allow hurricane-impacted homeowners to place a temporary shelter – an RV or trailer – on their residential property for up to three years following the governor’s declaration of a state of emergency while repairs to the home are being made.
“The ordinance will accommodate individuals who have suffered a loss of their homes from the hurricanes with an immediate way of continuing to stay on the Island in a temporary shelter,” City Attorney Ricinda Perry said.
Commissioner Ralph Cole asked Perry to define allowable temporary shelter.
“The statute (Florida Statute 125.023) that I referenced says for the purpose of this section the term ‘temporary shelter’ includes but is not limited to a recreational vehicle, a trailer or similar structure placed on a residential property,” Perry said.
According to the ordinance, “All recreational vehicles and park trailers shall be fully licensed and ready for highway use, which means the recreational vehicle or park trailer is on wheels or jacking system (wheel-based unit), is attached to the site only by quick-disconnect type utilities and security devices for water, sewer and electric.”
Permanent attachments, such as stairs, decks and porches are not allowed.
Bradenton Beach resident Betsy Sillars has been displaced from her home since Hurricane Helene on Sept. 26.
“We took a big hit, we cannot live in it and we’ve been in a hotel for five months,” she said.
She said she and her husband are actively looking for a trailer and asked about size restrictions, placement and screening.
“Let’s try to make this as easy as we possibly can,” Cole said.
Commissioner Deborah Scaccianoce said she is working on the permit form.
“Basically what we need is a site plan,” she said. “You apply for the permit. You put the dimensions of the trailer, where you want to put it. If it’s large, they’re going to require you to screen it so that it’s not unsightly for people around you.”
An addition to the ordinance was made requiring the property owner to remove the trailer from the property in the event of a storm event for safety reasons.
The second reading of the ordinance will be at the Thursday, April 3 city commission meeting.
Spring is a great time to enjoy our coastal waters while working to keep them healthy. Two upcoming events in April provide a terrific opportunity to do this vital work and meet others who share the passion.
The first of these events is the 8th Annual Reef and Beach Clean Up scheduled for April 5-6 at Sea Breeze Park in Terra Ceia. This event was previously scheduled last September but postponed due to impacts from Hurricane Helene. The event combines environmental stewardship with friendly competition.
Hosted by Suncoast Aqua Ventures, this year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever, offering participants a chance to win cash prizes while making a tangible impact on our coastal environment. Suncoast Aqua Ventures is a community-driven organization dedicated to preserving and protecting Florida’s coastal and underwater environments through hands-on clean-up events, educational programs and advocacy.
The Reef and Beach Clean Up is not your typical beach clean-up. This unique event turns trash collection into a competitive sport, with cash prizes awarded in several categories, including Most Recyclables, Most Tires, Most Anchors and Most Shoes. Whether you’re a land lover or a certified SCUBA diver, there’s a way for everyone to participate. Those with access to a boat can clean up underwater, ensuring our reefs are as pristine as our beaches and mangrove coastlines.
Since its inception in 2016, Suncoast Aqua Ventures has mobilized over 2,200 volunteers who have collectively removed an astonishing 182,000 pounds of trash from our beautiful coastline and underwater environments. What began as a small local effort has blossomed into a movement that has brought together community members, environmentalists and outdoor enthusiasts from all walks of life.
Cheryl Huntsinger, President of Suncoast Aqua Ventures, reflects on the origins of the event: “We started this organization after witnessing the sheer amount of human debris littering our coastlines and underwater habitats. We knew something had to be done, and what better way to tackle the problem than by bringing people together in a fun, competitive family-friendly environment? It’s incredible to see how much we’ve accomplished in just a few short years.”
The 8th Annual Reef and Beach Clean Up is more than just a day of trash collection—it’s a celebration of community, conservation and the power of collective action. Whether you’re here for the competition or to enjoy a day by the water, your participation helps protect our coastal environment for future generations. To register, visit https://suncoastaquaventures.com/event/8th-annual-reef-beach-cleanup/.
The second event just a week later on Saturday, April 12, is the Annual Sister Keys Cleanup. Since 2009, Sarasota Bay Watch has been dedicated to caring for our “adopted islands” – the stunning Sister Keys.
This event invites you to be a part of this important mission to protect and maintain the natural diversity of this incredible space. Whether you’re passionate about marine life, conservation, or simply love spending time on the water, your help ensures that Sister Keys remains a thriving sanctuary for generations to come. We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers!
Whether you prefer to walk the shoreline collecting debris, captain a boat to ferry volunteers, or capture the action as a photographer, there’s a role for everyone! Boaters will transport volunteers to the cleanup site, as well as haul collected trash. Have a kayak? Bring it along and paddle your way to the cleanup site. Your support makes a huge difference!
Continuing a tradition first started in 2009 by the Chiles Group, previous owners of Mar Vista on Longboat Key and the Beach House and Sandbar restaurants on Anna Maria Island, Beachside Hospitality will provide a complimentary boxed lunch after the cleanup.
If you’ve never been to the Mar Vista, come and see what true coastal dining is all about while enjoying the new look and an unparalleled view of the Sister Keys. Come make a difference, enjoy the great outdoors, and connect with others who share a passion for conservation!
For more information, call Ronda Ryan at 941-232-2363 and register at sarasotabaywatch.org.
Balance of power is something we usually talk about as it relates to international positioning between powerful nations. Now the phrase is lending itself to the real estate market and the buyers are finally getting the upper hand.
Homebuyers are benefiting from the fading disappearance of bidding wars. Sellers are willing to lower prices and offer incentives. Increased home listings are working to the advantage of buyers with less competition and more negotiating room. And most important of all, sellers are becoming more flexible, accepting offers below the asking price especially for properties that need repairs – like on Anna Maria Island – or properties that are in less desirable areas.
However, all real estate markets are not equal. The National Association of Realtors indicates that homeowners with ultra-low mortgage rates have been reluctant to sell, but that is starting to loosen up as more people decide they can’t keep putting off a move and wait for rates to take a nosedive. The rates are starting to trend under 7% but not enough yet to move the needle and change the real estate market.
Housing inventories are also rising in certain states where properties look overvalued, so buyers are backing off. Because of the migration to the Sunbelt states during the pandemic, property prices in some southern states rose faster than in other parts of the country. In Florida, for instance, the value of the median home increased 64% over the past five years according to Redfin, compared with 42% in Illinois and 17% in New York. As we know, many of our out-of-state residents come from Illinois and New York.
The huge increase in value that Florida has enjoyed is slowing down as migration to Florida has slowed. The state is importing fewer new high wage earners to support the home prices and the insurance costs, putting affordability of home ownership out of balance for many buyers. Nevertheless, Florida is still a popular state and very tax friendly compared to northern states, with insurance costs starting to trend downward.
February sales statistics for Manatee County are out, published by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee:
Single-family homes closed 22.1% more properties since February of last year. The median sale price was $480,000, down 8.6%, and the average sale price was $662,504, down 10%. Median time to contract was 49 days compared to 35 days last year, and the month’s supply of available properties was 4.6 months compared to 3.9 months last year.
Condos closed 7% fewer properties this February compared to last. The median price was $335,990, down 6.1% and the average was $408,238 down 7.5%. Median days to contract was 60 days compared to 47 days last year and the month’s supply of available properties was 8 months compared to 5.6 last year.
The wrap-up on these numbers indicate that sellers are no longer in a competitive market and need to adjust their expectations. Median sale prices are down, it’s taking longer to sell and new listings are going up across all categories.
Homebuyers have the most leverage over sellers in years. In our region, last year’s storms have increased that leverage. Eventually the market will catch up to the number of properties available, so pay attention buyers, this is your window.
