Year: 2025

Greg Ross’s life celebrated

Written by Joe Hendricks on February 24, 2025. Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – Community members filled The Center of Anna Maria Island gymnasium on Feb. 22 to celebrate the life of Ross Built Custom Homes founder Greg Ross.

Greg, 59, passed away unexpectedly at his Holmes Beach home in the overnight/early morning hours of Feb. 15 after celebrating Valentine’s Day with wife, Lee. He’s also survived by their twin sons, Jake and Andrew, and the family’s beloved dogs, Buddy and Daisey.

Greg grew up in Holmes Beach in neighboring homes owned by his father, Jim, and his grandfather, Anthony. Greg and Lee later built their own home on a lot Anthony bought in 1966.

Greg’s lifelong friend, Mike Galati, was the first speaker at the celebration of life. He recalled the many adventures he and Greg shared growing up on the Island – from bicycles and canoes as youngsters to fast cars and fast boats as teenagers and adults.

“Greg was the only child, but he had a brother in me. He’ll be missed, remembered and loved forever.”

Lee’s sister, Merrill Romanik, accompanied Lee and Greg when they looked at the small bungalow in Tampa that would become their first home and renovation project.

“Lee and I were over the top in love with this place and we expressed our admiration way too much. We met Greg the businessman that day. When we got back in the car, we got lectured. He paid more for that house than he probably should have but we knew that was the house they needed.”

Greg’s post-college career in pharmaceutical sales brought them from Tampa to Charlotte, North Carolina and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While living in Portland, Oregon, they decided to move to Holmes Beach.

“Greg wanted his boys to experience this place,” Merrill said. “He started to get out of pharmaceuticals and began buying homes, renovating them and ultimately getting his G.C. (general contractor) license.”

Lakeland resident and Ross Built homeowner Greg Masters said that Greg Ross once braved a vicious storm to search for Masters’ son, who was 20 miles out to sea with his boat engines not working.

“Greg said, ‘I’ll get in my boat and find him.’ That was Greg Ross,” Masters said.

Jake and Andrew

“Greg was a very simple man and only focused his time on a few things: his family, his friends, his business, his health and, most importantly, his dogs,” Jake said.

“I grew up in this gym with Greg as my coach. After college, he was my boss, mentor and teammate on the soccer field. Last season, we ended up winning the championship here and that really meant a lot to him then; and now, a lot to me.

“He was a provider, protector, coach, mentor and friend. I’ll be forever grateful for the man he was. I’m not sure what life will be like without him by my side, but I’m confident he’s prepared me for what’s ahead,” Jake said.

“I’m thankful and grateful for all the time we got to spend together, for everything he taught me,” Andrew said. “He set a great example for the kind of man I want to be. After I graduated college, I had no clue what I wanted to do. So, I came back and started working with him. It was probably the best choice I’ve ever made.”

Andrew noted that Greg grew up playing sports at The Center, coached his sons there and last fall, the three of them competed on the Ross Built adult soccer team.

“He was the second oldest guy out there. We won the championship and you’d have thought he won the World Cup. It meant a lot to him,” Andrew said.

He recalled how Pastor Ed Moss recently told him he and his brother were lucky to have a man like Greg as their father.

“I didn’t think much of it at the time but I’ll remember that forever,” Andrew said.

Lee Ross

Speaking last, Lee said, “The past week has been filled with shock, sadness, fear, heartbreak and more tears than I could have possibly imagined. But because of each of every one of you, I’m turning my sadness and heartbreak into pride and joy and optimism.

“Greg has been making friends and playing sports here for 55 years. He started playing baseball when he was about five and he ended his AMICC sports career just last month winning the ‘World Cup,’ ” she said, noting that Greg came home that night filled with immense pride after winning the soccer championship with his sons.

Lee expressed thanks for the day she, at the last minute, jumped in a car headed for New Orleans and Mardi Gras. Greg was a University of Florida student and Lee was a Santa Fe College student.

“Greg and I bumped into each other at the fountain at Pat O’Brien’s and the rest is history.”

Regarding Greg’s love for dogs, Lee said, “He was an only child, so a dog became more than just a pet to him. Our two dogs, Buddy and Daisey, are about as important to him as me and the boys,” Lee said, noting that Daisey was in attendance.

A few years ago, Greg turned a ski trip to Wyoming to celebrate Lee’s 55th birthday into a road trip so Buddy could see snow.

“I said, ‘No, we are not driving to Wyoming so a dog can see snow.’ After a few minutes, we started shopping for a Sprinter van. This was the start of working our way through ‘Buddy’s list,’ a list that included eating beignets in Louisiana, sleeping in a ghost town in New Mexico, pulling a slot machine arm in Las Vegas and, at the age of 14, jumping into the Pacific Ocean.

“It didn’t occur to me until this week that we weren’t working Buddy’s bucket list at all. It was Greg’s. At the end of the day, Greg and I had a dream life. While there were many moments that felt less dreamy than others, we never held back with our gratitude and immense appreciation for each other.”

Before they left for their Valentine’s Day dinner, Lee and Greg realized neither had done anything special for the romantic holiday, but they shared this realization: “We love each other. We love our life. Everything’s perfect,” Lee said.

After asking the Ross Built employees to stand, Lee said, “Greg loved you all. We’re so proud of everything you do and we look forward to moving forward together.”

After asking the Ross Built subcontractors to join them, Lee said, “I thank you very much for your contributions and we’ll be at work Monday morning. In my commitment to him, I will continue to move forward, as I know that’s exactly what he would want me to do.”

Additional thoughts

Before the ceremony began, Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short said, “Greg was a wonderful man and a great family man. Greg built our house back in 2015-2016 and it was quality work all around. Greg is a true testament to a professional builder and he’ll be missed by all of us.”

Center Executive Director Chris Culhane said, “Greg was on The Center board for many years and he served as board chair. We lost an incredible human and a huge supporter of The Center. It was too soon and he’s going to be missed.”

Bradenton Beach resident Lyn Clarke was the oldest player to compete in The Center soccer matches last season, and he’s done so since the soccer programs began many years ago.

After the ceremony ended, Clarke said, “What a gentleman Greg was, a brilliant man. I ran into him a couple times on the field, bounced off him and he picked me up.”

When contacted later, Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth said, “I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Greg Ross. He was a champion of the Island community and a friend to many. I offer my condolences to his family and friends.”

Holmes Beach Commissioner Carol Whitmore said, “Greg was a kind man and loving husband. He loved our Island. Greg loved being part of our community center. He will be missed.”

Sato Real Estate co-owner Jason Sato said, “Greg lived the Island life to the fullest. He raised a family here, started a business here and was an active member of the community center with philanthropy and playing adult sports. He lived the Island dream and the Island will miss him.”

Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan said, “I have known Greg since we were kids playing sports at The Center. He was always kind and had a smile on his face. To see what he has created in his family and business is truly special. He was a true Islander whose legacy will live on.”

Related coverage:

Ross Built builds generational home on Jewfish Key

Parents reunited with Rod & Reel Pier memorial plaque

Ross Built soccer champs

Holmes Beach eliminates ‘lookback’ for substantial improvements

Written by Joe Hendricks on February 24, 2025. Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Property owners in the city are no longer subject to a one-year lookback requirement regarding the total cumulative cost of repairs, renovations or reconstruction made to their structures.

The lookback period pertains to compliance with FEMA’s 50% substantial improvement/substantial damage rule.

According to the Manatee County website, “The 50% Rule is a regulation of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that prohibits improvements or repairs to a structure exceeding 50% of its market value unless the entire structure is brought into full compliance with current flood regulations. This may include elevating the structure, using flood-resistant materials and proper flood venting.”

In a December 2024 memo to city commissioners, Director of Development Services Chad Minor and Building Official Neal Schwartz stated, “This reason for this change is to allow existing structures that need repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, alteration, addition or other improvements not to have to wait one year from the final inspection date. Due to the hurricanes, several property owners that had made improvements would have to wait to pull a permit due to this one-year lookback.”

The proposed changes to the city’s one-year cumulative calculation requirements were presented to the Holmes Beach City Commission on Dec. 17, reviewed by the planning commission on Jan. 15 and adopted in the form of Ordinance 25-01 by the city commission on second and final reading on Feb. 11.

One of the clauses contained in the new ordinance says, “The city commission, at the recommendation of staff, has determined that rescinding the one-year lookback period relative to the accumulation of costs regarding substantial improvements is in the best interest of the health, safety and welfare of the public and is imperative to support the city’s recovery and continued participation in the NFIP.”

The previous city ordinance contained language that referenced repairs, renovations and reconstruction “taking place during a one-year period.” That language does not appear in adopted Ordinance 25-01.

The previous ordinance also contained language that said, “For each building or structure, the one-year period begins on the date of the certificate of completion or the certificate of occupancy of the first improvement or repair of that building or structure subsequent to June 27, 2019.” That language does not appear in Ordinance 25-01.

Ordinance 25-01 now defines substantial improvement as, “Any combination of repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, alteration, addition or other improvement of a building or structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the building or structure before the improvement or repair is started. If the structure has incurred ‘substantial damage’ any repairs are considered substantial improvement regardless of the actual repair work performed.”

Staff insights

During the Dec. 17 meeting, Commissioner Carol Soustek asked staff if the city is allowed to remove the one-year lookback requirement. She was told the city could remove the requirement.

“If we pass this on the second reading (on Feb. 11) it will be effective immediately,” Schwartz said. “In the year period, over the lookback period, we’ve had several homes that have been remodeled up to 49% or under the 50% rule. Based on the damage they have received, they would have to wait one complete year from the completion (of previous repairs and renovations). Some of these weren’t even completed yet, so they’re caught between a rock and hard place so they just have to sit there for a year to start over. I didn’t think that was fair.”

Schwartz said he contacted state floodplain management coordinator Rebecca Quinn about eliminating the one-year lookback and he was told approximately 30 other municipalities were in the process of doing the same thing.

Schwartz said removing the one-year lookback requirement would not affect the city’s Community Rating System rating that currently provides Holmes Beach property owners with a 20% discount on flood insurance policies issued through or in conjunction with FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program; and the CRS discount currently experienced in Holmes Beach is expected to increase to 25% on Oct. 1.

“Neal, you’re a genius. You have really altered some lives with this,” Commissioner Carol Soustek said on Dec. 17.

“Everybody knows my house was affected too. I feel for everybody,” Schwartz responded, noting that Soustek, Mayor Judy Titsworth and Commissioner Carol Whitmore were also among those displaced by the hurricanes.

When presenting the ordinance for final adoption on Feb. 11, Minor said, “Due to the hurricanes, several property owners that had made improvements would have to wait to pull a permit to address this one-year lookback. This is striking that one-year lookback period.”

Schwartz said one of the goals is to prevent “phasing.”

“At the end of a permit, a permit has to be completed. You can’t go into phasing. Once you get that final (inspection), you get to start over. That is called phasing. FEMA looks very bad upon phasing. We could lose our CRS rating for that,” he said.

Pines residents ask commission to deny zoning change requests

Written by Leslie Lake on February 24, 2025. Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Pines residents asked the city on Feb. 20 to deny any future land use or zoning change requests for the Pines Trailer Park by Pines Park Investors LLC or its manager, Shawn Kaleta.

Mayor John Chappie told The Sun that no such requests had yet been submitted, but City Attorney Ricinda Perry said at a Jan. 16 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting that the property owner had confirmed the planned redevelopment of the parcel.

“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,” she said, adding that a rezoning would be 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.

“Why is the city attorney talking to the CRA and media about redevelopment plans for the Pines?” Pines homeowner Elayne Armaniaco asked during public comment. “How is that her role? Why such a personal interest for her? Are you looking into the allegations that the city attorney is seen out socially and driving around with the largest land developer on the Island or the rumors that she lives in one of his properties? Why does it feel like she works for him or at the least they have a strong friendship? The conflict is so blatant.”

Victor Armaniaco asked the commission to deny any zone change requests.

“We elected all of you to protect us from an unfair treatment. You all have the power to maintain the current M-1 zoning and protect the charm and old Florida character of Bradenton Beach as well as our homes and investments,” he said. “What hardships does the LLC have that they should be granted a zone change? Over 96% of the units were allowed to rebuild without elevating and would rebuild if they knew the park would stay for long-term existence with generations to come. The LLC purchased a mobile home park so their desire to build something else on that property is a self-created hardship. Did you get elected in part to protect the character of Bradenton Beach? If you make it easier for a developer to change the zoning in unpopular ways, you are not doing your job.”

“The average home in the Pines Park is worth about $150,000 prior to the hurricane,” Pines homeowner John Shore said. “If I take that average of $150,000 times 86 trailers that’s approximately $13 million in value. They could be worth that amount again if they were allowed to rebuild.”

“There are 21 single women trailer owners, most of whom are on fixed income,” he said. “I have $165,000 in my trailer. As you know Pines Park Investors and Shawn Kaleta evicted us as of July 31. That means collectively the 86 trailer owners have lost $13 million. I’m 83 years old and that $165,000 loss really hurts.”

“In the past commission meetings, you said you wanted to help Pines Trailer Park in any way you could,” he said. “Well, there is a way. I ask that you deny any land use changes or zoning changes requested by Pines Park Investors and Shawn Kaleta and therefore force them to keep the trailer park for 3 1/2 years as a trailer park per Kaleta’s contract with the previous owners. If you approve their land use changes and zoning changes in the future you basically will be taking $13 million from 86 people.”

“I’ve been coming to this Island for 54 years,” Mary Moxx said. “I feel we have been disrespected at Pines. I’m a senior and have limited funds to continue. You want the zoning to change. Why? Ricinda, you remember the old ladies that found you crying on the steps of your gazebo after you told us we were condemned? We consoled you. You have not consoled us.”

“I’m hoping you understand that pain your residents are going through here,” Pines homeowner Sandy Seaver said. “Our eviction notice that we received a few weeks ago started with ‘due to a land use change, you are evicted.’ Was the letter from Mr. Kaleta incorrect? When I saw that my feeling was how can they do that without a public meeting?

“We really just want an honest, caring city government who puts its residents first, no playing games, no bending to money, transparency,” Seaver said. “We are the throwaways on the Island. We have been through hell. We feel that the fox is in the hen house. We ask that you put yourself in our shoes and allow us to move forward and show us some support. We’re fighting many battles in that park and we shouldn’t have to be fighting with you guys, too.”

Mayor responds

Following the close of public comment, Mayor John Chappie said, “Not a thing has been presented to this commission to change the zoning at the Pines. Nothing, whatsoever.”

“If something is presented to us, it would have to go through the whole process,” Chappie said. “There is not a single person up here that has said we want to get rid of the Pines.”

“I did make the comment to you Elayne (Armaniaco) that it does make a difference between a co-op and privately owned by an LLC,” he said. “It does make a difference when you’re looking at the legalities. I did not in any way, shape or form say I wanted to get rid of the Pines. I said just the opposite.”

He called the Pines Trailer Park a key part of the history of Bradenton Beach.

“We’re not the enemy up here, I swear to you,” Chappie said. “I pray on this every night. We want to keep the community quaint and lovely. It’s our home. It’s our neighbors. Is it going to be the same? No, it’s not because we had these two storms – these two major disasters. It breaks my heart.”

On Sept. 26, Hurricane Helene swamped mobile homes at the 86-unit waterfront trailer park. Former City Building Official Darin Cushing said in October that FEMA guidelines characterized the water intrusion as major damage but in December reversed that, following interior inspections, and allowed 83 of the 86 mobile homeowners the ability to repair their mobile homes.

On Jan. 4, mobile homeowners received notification from park owners Pines Park Investors LLC that the park was being closed. Homeowners found eviction notices taped to their doors on Jan. 24, notifying them of a July 31 deadline to vacate the park. Developer Shawn Kaleta is the manager of the LLC.

In a Jan. 27 letter to the Pines Trailer Park Homeowners Association (HOA), Pines Park Investors LLC offered to sell the mobile home park to the residents for $75 million.

Commissioners said they support the continued existence of the Pines, but don’t have the authority to interfere with private ownership of the park.

“My family has been on this Island for 45 years and I thought the Pines Trailer Park was the most adorable little trailer park and had so much character and it does break our heart,” Commission Deborah Scaccianoce said. “If there really was a way to stop an LLC and a private owner, we would.”

“As far as the Pines, I’ve responded to emails to several of the owners stating, I’d love to help you, but I don’t as a member of this commission have a legal right to interfere between an LLC and a property owner,” Commissioner Scott Bear said. “I wish I did. I don’t want to see a zoning change. I don’t want to see anything happen to the Pines. We’ll deal with that if it ever comes to this board. It has never been brought here.”

Local news matters

Written by SUN contributor on February 24, 2025. Posted in Letter to the Editor, Opinion.

I am a snowbird but come regularly to AMI and we love it. We picked up your paper today and I feel confirmed in the need for independent local news. You have many articles about local government’s concerns., i.e. building official feels pressure, resignation from a commissioner, floodplain issues, homeowners needing time for titles change, etc. The local level is where decisions affect us. We need to be alert and knowledgeable. Thank you to you and your reporters for fine articles, well written and clear.

Judy Otte

Anna Maria

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Center of Anna Maria Island football, soccer standings

Written by SUN contributor on February 18, 2025. Posted in Football, Soccer, Sports.

SUN SCOREBOARD

FEB. 10 YOUTH FLAG FOOTBAL

11- TO 13-YEAR-OLD DIVISION
WEEK 5

Solid Rock Air Conditioning (4-1) 18
Shady Lady Horticultural Services (0-5) 6

Shady Lady Horticultural Services (1-4) 22
Salty Printing (1-4) 20

Sandhoff Construction (1-3) 34
Shady Lady Horticultural Services (0-4) 6

Moss Builders (4-1) 26
Poppos Taqueria (2-3) 6

Sato Real Estate (4-1) 33
Jiffy Lube (3-2) 7

14- TO 17-YEAR-OLD DIVISION
Week 5

HSH Design (4-2) 20
Reel Coastal Properties (0-5) 14

Moss Builders (3-1) 19
Solid Rock Air Conditioning (2-3) 0

Solid Rock Electrical (4-1) 15
Cortez Florida Vacations (2-2) 13

FEB. 11
YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL

8- to 10-YEAR-OLD DIVISION
WEEK 4

Diamond Turf (3-0) 31
Solid Rock Construction (1-3) 13

Moss Builders (2-1) 30
The Fish Guy Aquarium Services (0-3) 14

Adrian Griffin Interiors (2-1) Bye Week

FEB. 13
ADULT INDOOR SOCCER
WEEK 4

Hampton Painting (1-3) 8
Solid Rock Construction (2-2) 5

Moss Builders (1-2-1) 9
Bubble Binz (0-3-1) 9

Pool America (4-0) 9
Sato Real Estate (3-1) 6

ADULT CO-ED FLAG FOOTBALL
WEEK 8

Moss Air (6-1) 33
Coaster Continent (3-4) 31

MI-Box (3-4) 32
Reel Coastal Properties (1-7) 25

Slicker’s Eatery (3-4) 32
Slim’s Place (0-8) 13

MI-Box (2-4) 57
Slim’s Place (0-7) 14

Gulf Drive Café (6-1) 42
Solid Rock Construction (3-5) 28

Moss Builders (8-0) 48
Ross Built Custom Homes (2-5) 29

Floridian Mortgage (6-2) Bye Week

Expenses increasing for homeowners

Written by Louise Bolger on February 18, 2025. Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand, Real estate | Development.

The day you close on your home, whether it’s your first or fifth, is always a happy day – almost as happy as the day your mortgage commitment is approved – but that’s just the beginning of homeownership.

As any homeowner can tell you, the expenses of owning a home in recent years have risen to the point where the mortgage payment, in spite of elevated interest rates, is frequently less than the combination of other monthly expenses.

Last week, we talked about insurance, and that, of course, is probably the biggest expense after the mortgage payment. Buyers should shop around for insurance quotes prior to committing to a property to purchase, especially in areas of the country like ours that are prone to natural disasters. According to the International Exchange, the cost of $1,000 of coverage in areas prone to hurricanes and wildfires is more than three times the national average.

Property taxes are also a large portion of your monthly carrying charges and can increase as the value of your property appreciates. In Florida we have homestead exemptions for full-time Florida residents, which lock in the value of your property, but this is not true in other regions of the country. This is one of the reasons why Florida still imports new residents from other parts of the country with much higher property rates. It’s also why so many Florida homeowners, many of whom have second homes here, convert to full-time residents.

For potential condo owners, association fees in the form of monthly fees and special assessments is a big-ticket item. The monthly fees are disclosed in the real estate listing, however, special assessments for storm damage or large repairs that haven’t been anticipated will likely be funded by special assessments that generally do not appear on the real estate listing.

Special assessments that have been approved by the board but not yet assessed to the owners will appear in the minutes of the board meeting from the date of the vote. However, there could be other discussions about potential assessments that are still in the decision-making stage that are also in the board of directors meeting minutes that will be important to a potential buyer.

Utility bills are frequently underestimated when budgeting; electricity, gas, oil and water bills are increasing yearly. Water bills are a special concern in Florida, especially during our dry season, and nationally, the average water bills are nearly $1,000 a year.

It goes without saying that routine maintenance is an ongoing expense when you purchase a property. You never really know when you might need to replace an appliance or take care of landscaping problems and heaven forbid the air conditioning/heating system decides to blow up during August. Zillow estimates that an average of about $500 a month should be anticipated for home maintenance, a number that smart buyers will allocate in a cash account.

You hear a lot of homeowners say, “We could never afford this house today,” and this is not their imagination. According to Redfin in January 2012 the household income required to afford the typical home in the United States was $39,223. As of November 2024, home buyers need to earn $126,764 annually to purchase the average home, a 223% increase.

Florida’s success as a retirement and relocation destination is threatened by the by-product of increased expenses. It’s not your parents’ Florida anymore; the bar has been raised for the good or bad.

Siddique discusses future of Cortez Marina at town hall meeting

Written by Leslie Lake on February 18, 2025. Posted in Community News, Cortez.

MANATEE COUNTY – Commissioners are floating the idea of charging for ramp access at the yet-to-be constructed Cortez Marina.

Manatee County purchased the Seafood Shack property in December for $13 million with the intent of creating a public boat access facility that will include boat ramps.

Plans for the marina were discussed at a Feb. 13 town hall meeting conducted by District 3 Commissioner Tal Siddique.

Capt. Scott Moore asked about possible fees for use of the boat ramps

“How do you not charge and apply a discount for residents and commercial fishermen?” Moore asked.

“That is the conversation we’re having around the marina property,” Siddique said. “One, we don’t have a plan, and two, I’m very careful when discussing fees. The marina property gives us an opportunity to have an Annie’s-like amenity (Annie’s Bait and Tackle, which is severely hurricane damaged). We’re not ready to propose it, but that’s where the thought is.”

Siddique said he asked staff to prepare a business model to ensure that any funds collected at boat ramps will stay at the boat ramps.

Moore noted that many other counties charge for boat ramp usage.

“Tampa, people pay to use the boat ramps,” Moore said. “We’ve been very fortunate here.”

Traffic and public input

“We had no notification, we had no idea the county was going to buy the Seafood Shack. There was no planning, there was no discussion,” said one Cortez resident, who did not give her name. “To get to Seafood Shack, that’s the access to our homes back there. There will be trucks going back and forth to pick up their boats. I’m here to ask if there is a plan and who is planning this? How do I find out what’s going on?”

“As far as a plan goes, it was bought with the intent to have boat ramps and a marina,” Siddique said. “My plan is this; add sufficient parking so we can relieve traffic on the new bridge, have a ferry service to Bridge Street, we already have the boats to do it, and the ferry to take you from downtown Bradenton to Anna Maria. We’ll take the two that we have and run them north-south just on the Island. For Seafood Shack, my challenge is this, to get cars off the road.”

Attendees asked Siddique what the specific plans for the parcel are.

“Is that normal to buy something for millions of dollars with no plan?” one attendee asked.

“We’re working on it,” Siddique said. “If Manatee County were to buy the property and not tell you what the plan is and not have any public input… I’m working now on having public workshops.”

He said he visualizes a trolley service to help alleviate traffic.

“My vision is we get a trolley just for Cortez that takes you from Seaflower (on 75th and Cortez Road), loops through Cortez and stops at the marina, people get off there and they can take the ferry. I want to make sure we’re giving people options.”

Siddique said a priority for the property now is to try to clear some 15 boats that are sunk at the former Seafood Shack marina.

He said he would like to expand the historic designation that the village has to the boat ramp area across Cortez Road.

“I want to be sure we preserve a significant part of that for charter boat captains and for fishermen,” he said.

Siddique said the final plans for the boat ramp will be a product of public input.

“There will be workshops in the near future,” Siddique told The Sun on Feb. 14. “I’d like to see those happen as soon as possible.”

The town hall meeting video can be viewed on YouTube at “Tal Siddique Town Hall @ Island Branch Library.”

Related coverage: Seafood Shack parcel sale closes

County commissioner addresses building permit delays

Written by Joe Hendricks on February 18, 2025. Posted in Manatee County.

HOLMES BEACH – The Manatee County Development Services department has received more than 11,000 building permit applications in recent months, many of them hurricane-related.

The ongoing delays in obtaining county-issued building permits were discussed during District 3 Manatee County Commissioner Tal Siddique’s town hall meeting held on Feb. 13 at the Island Branch Library in Holmes Beach. During his opening remarks, Siddique briefly addressed the county’s struggle to keep up with the current permitting demands.

“We are very behind. Permits have been a big topic for me,” he said. “We can’t hire enough people. I keep telling the board (of county commissioners) to find some solutions. We need to get people back in their homes, get their roofs fixed, get their houses fixed and get back on track.”

According to the FEMA website, “Every part of a building – from roofs, walls and siding to plumbing, septic systems and heating/air conditioning systems – may require a permit before you start to rebuild. A permit may also be needed for demolition.”

After Siddique’s opening remarks, Flamingo Cay resident Darren Horesh initiated a longer discussion about the county’s permitting challenges.

“Those of us who had our homes affected are being tortured by the insurance companies, by the mortgage companies and then by the county who won’t give us permits. They won’t let us fix our homes,” Horesh said.

The Flamingo Cay community is located along Manatee Avenue in unincorporated Manatee County, near Anna Maria Island. Unincorporated areas are those located outside the city limits of one of the six Manatee County municipalities. Hurricane repairs made to properties located in unincorporated areas are permitted and inspected by county staff. The properties in Cortez, Sunny Shores and along Cortez Road west of 75th Street West are all in unincorporated Manatee County.

“We’re all sitting pretending like we’re all fine and we’re building back and we’re not,” Horesh said.

He said the county only has two employees working on permit applications. He later clarified that he was referring specifically to permits needed for hurricane-related repairs, including flood damage – a claim the county later addressed.

“It just goes on day after day. Nothing’s happening. No permits are being issued, so what are we going to do?” Horesh said.

“It’s getting hot out. All these homes you’re not letting us fix are going to fill with mold in the next few months. Is the county go to pay to remediate that? The citizens of the county are suffering and nothing’s happened,” he said.

Siddique said he doesn’t get involved in the day-to-day operations of the building department but he has been contacted by a dozen county residents regarding their permitting delays. He said he asked the department directors to submit proposed budget amendments seeking funds for additional staffing. He noted Manatee County is currently competing with several other counties, from Sarasota to Naples, in its efforts to hire more staff. Siddique, who was elected in November, said the county lost 1,100 employees during the past four years.

Horesh asked why Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state aren’t providing more assistance.

“This is a national disaster. This is an emergency. We’re not some third-world country. We deserve to get back in our homes. We deserve to not be worried about having our homes red-tagged and us being penalized for fixing our own home. Do something and stop acting like everything’s fine. It’s not,” Horesh said.

After noting that hurricanes are not new to this area, Susanne Arbanas said, “Why weren’t we prepared for something like this? We were not ready. You don’t get ready after it happens, you get ready before it occurs. It wasn’t done appropriately beforehand and now we’re suffering. I’m a renter, but I lost everything I own. Why weren’t people in place to take care of a situation like this? Who was responsible? Who can we talk to about that?”

Siddique said the blame ultimately falls on himself and the other county commissioners.

“I’m putting real public pressure on staff to get after that problem,” Siddique said, noting he’s also reached out to State Sen. Jim Boyd and State Rep. Will Robinson Jr. for assistance.

County response

On Feb. 14, The Sun emailed Information Outreach Manager Bill Logan, County Administrator Charlie Bishop and County Commission Chair George Kruse seeking clarification on some of the statements and assertions made at the town hall meeting.

In his email response, Logan wrote, “We have approximately 11,000 properties that received substantial damage and this is directly contributing to the increased levels in permit applications we receive. In October and November, we saw a 50% increase in permit applications compared to pre-storms – approximately 6,200 compared to 4,000. In January, we saw another increase with over 6,500 applications.”

According to Logan, the county currently has approximately 12 permitting technicians, approximately four floodplain review specialists, 20 additional permitting employees contracted from the Florida Department of Emergency Management, approximately five plan review officers and the contractual services of two private companies assisting the county with plan reviews and floodplain reviews and approximately 29 building inspection officers.

According to state law, only one person per county or city can be designated as the building official. Logan said Matthew Rush is currently serving as the county’s interim building official.

When asked when and why former Manatee County Building Official Bill Palmer recently vacated that position, Logan referred The Sun to the county’s human resource department. Kruse confirmed Palmer’s recent departure, but he didn’t know Palmer’s departure date or the reason for his departure.

On Feb. 14, Bradenton Beach Commissioners approved hiring Palmer to serve as the city’s new city-employed building official and former county employee Sandy Tudor to serve as the city’s floodplain manager.

Palmer will replace former third-party-contracted building official Darin Cushing, who was suspended in late January and later terminated.

The town hall meeting video can be viewed on YouTube at “Tal Siddique Town Hall @ Island Branch Library.” The county permitting discussion began early in the meeting.

Pines homeowners offered more time in exchange for titles

Written by Leslie Lake on February 18, 2025. Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Pines Park homeowners may be able to extend their tenancy under conditions that include relinquishing the titles to their mobile homes to the park ownership.

In a Feb. 4 email to Pines Trailer Park homeowners, Fort Lauderdale-based property acquisition company The Urban Group offered homeowners some options which included turning over the title to their mobile homes in exchange for extended tenancy until January 2026 along with state statute-required compensation for abandoned units.

Those terms are governed by Chapter 723 of the Florida Statutes, also known as the Florida Mobile Home Act. The law states in part: “If a mobile homeowner is required to move due to a change in use of the land comprising the mobile home park as set forth in s. 723.061(1)(d) and complies with the requirements of this section, the mobile home owner is entitled to payment from the Florida Mobile Home Relocation Corporation of: The amount of actual moving expenses of relocating the mobile home to a new location within a 50-mile radius of the vacated park, or the amount of $3,000 for a single-section mobile home or $6,000 for a multisection mobile home, whichever is less.”

The last correspondence that homeowners received from park owner Pines Park Investors LLC was a Jan. 4 notification that the park would be closed. The LLC manager is developer Shawn Kaleta.

On Jan. 22 Bradenton-based attorney Louis Najmy sent the following text to The Sun: “The owner group has no more comment on this. That’s all I’ve been authorized to state.”

The Feb. 4 email states in part:

“As you have been previously informed, and as a direct result of the community-wide damage dealt by hurricanes Helene and Milton, coupled with non-payment of lot rent, Pines Trailer Park is no longer sustainable as a trailer park, and must be closed, with an official park closure date of July 31, 2025.”

The email states that for those who would like to proceed with abandoning their mobile home or extending their tenancy until January 2026, the following is required:

Residents must sign an Agreement to Terminate Chapter 723 Tenancy, Abandon Property and Release Claims. Residents must then execute a bill of sale and transfer the original certificates of title to the park. As per statute, there will be compensation for abandonment and transfer of title. Homeowners will receive a refund of any lot rental payments made between October and December 2024. Residents will receive a credit or refund for lot rental amounts and payment for January through March 2025 or the vacate date, whichever occurs first.

Lot rent payments will commence in April 2025.

The facilities, including laundry and clubhouse, remain in disrepair following the 2024 hurricanes. For nearly half the residents, there is no available parking since the Pines ownership converted the Pines lot into public paid parking in December 2024.

“If you are able to relocate your mobile home outside the park please contact our office to discuss the details related to relocation and removal of mobile home from the park,” the Urban Group email states.

Pines homeowner Steve Jackson said he will likely walk away from the mobile home he purchased in 2024 for $125,000.

“If they had said two years, that would be different,” he said. “I don’t want to put another dollar into it for that short amount of time. I’ll just walk away from it and deal with the money I lost.”

Another Pines homeowner, who asked not to be named, said he will also walk away from his investment there.

“I just don’t want to be involved with it anymore. We are done,” he said. “We are just writing it off as a loss and moving on. We have such a sour taste about Bradenton Beach right now.”

PINES TIMELINE

On Sept. 26, Hurricane Helene swamped mobile homes at the waterfront Pines Trailer Park.

Former city Building Official Darin Cushing said on Oct. 17 that FEMA guidelines characterized the subsequent water intrusion into Pines’ mobile homes as major damage, triggering a city ordinance requiring elevation of the units.

On Dec. 5, the parking lot for Pines Trailer Park residents at 201 First St. N. was converted to a public paid parking lot, effectively removing parking for nearly half of the residents at the Pines who have no parking at their units and had paid $750 per year to park in the lot.

On Dec. 9, 83 of the 86 Pines Trailer Park homeowners received notice from the city that they could repair their hurricane-damaged mobile homes with the proper permits.

A letter from Bradenton Beach Building Official Darin Cushing stated the following in part:

“We previously provided you with a notice that your property may have been affected by flooding due to hurricanes Helene and Milton, and that a second, more thorough inspection would be performed to gather data critical to making a formal determination as to whether the cost of repairs necessary to restore your building to its pre-damage condition might rise to an amount constituting “substantial damage” as defined in the City’s Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance 21-538.”

Following the results of that second inspection, and with a review of the data, as well as a review of the property values, repairs could be made with the applicable permits, according to the letter.

“At this time, the data suggests that costs to perform repairs and restoration will not constitute a substantial damage repair,” Cushing’s letter stated.

Many Pines homeowners said they would not be making repairs until they heard from park ownership about future plans. They got their answer on Jan. 4 when they received notification from Pines Park Investors LLC that the park was being closed.

Pines Trailer Park mobile homeowners found eviction notices taped to their windows and doors on Jan. 24, notifying them of a July 31 deadline to vacate the park, with the possibility of extended tenancy.

Related coverage

Former building official alleges pressure to condemn properties, threats

Pines owners offer to sell to homeowners for $75 million

Former building official alleges pressure to condemn properties, threats

Written by Joe Hendricks on February 17, 2025. Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Former city Building Official Darin Cushing alleges that he saw the city attorney and a well-known developer drive around the city together looking for hurricane-damaged structures and properties after Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck Anna Maria Island last year and pressured him to condemn them.

He also alleges the city attorney, mayor and police chief threatened his employment status on several occasions for not complying with permitting and inspection requests made by the developer.

Cushing made his public allegations during a town hall meeting that District 3 County Commissioner Tal Siddique held at the Island Branch Library on Feb. 13. During the meeting, Cushing handed Siddique a four-page letter that expands upon the allegations he made during the town hall meeting.

Siddique provided The Sun a copy of Cushing’s letter on Feb. 15. The next day, Cushing confirmed by email that his town hall comments and his letter pertained to Mayor John Chappie, City Attorney Ricinda Perry and Police Chief John Cosby. He did not name the developer.

“Based on this person’s track record of retaliation and lawsuits, I am hesitant to spell out a name. Regardless, no matter who the developer is, I was asked and even threatened with my job, to engage in unethical practice, which I refused to do,” he wrote The Sun in an email on Sunday.

Toward the end of his letter, Cushing wrote, “There is so much more I could tell you about the goings on, where there have been dealings with this developer and the city attorney and the mayor and many people can corroborate them. Including eyewitness accounts of the attorney and the developer driving through town following the storms, picking out houses and the developer asking me to condemn them; stating that he was told by the attorney that if we hurried up, the city was going to get the houses demolished and hauled away using FEMA dollars. I refused and only condemned properties that were either completely destroyed or in damage of collapse. Every time I refused to do his bidding, I was questioned by one of the three city staff about it, always with pressure being put upon me to just do it.”

Contrary to his statement about only condemning properties that were either destroyed or in danger of collapse, Cushing did issue a condemnation order to Tennessee resident and “Love Shack” cottage owner Dan Ibach on Oct. 31.

Unlike the neighboring cottage that was completely destroyed by Hurricane Helene, Ibach’s cottage suffered no structural damage and had already been boarded up and sealed off by the time Cushing issued the condemnation order.

According to Ibach, he then received a call from Perry, who said the city could likely assist with his demolition costs. Ibach told Perry his cottage was not condemnable and would not be demolished. He contacted his attorney and the condemnation order was soon lifted. Ibach’s beachfront property is located next to Shawn Kaleta’s Seabreeze at Anna Maria Inn property.

Gash Caudill also staved off the city’s condemnation of the duplex on Gulf Drive North he shares with his mother.

At the city’s request, Cushing was recently suspended, due in part to a hurricane restoration-related permitting dispute between the city and Drift-In bar owner Derek Williams; and due in part to Facebook comments Cushing made in defense of his administrative decision to issue Williams’ permits without city commission approval. Cushing was later terminated by the SAFEbuilt/M.T. Causley development services firm that has provided Bradenton Beach’s contracted building officials for nearly two decades.

Town hall comments

The town hall discussion about Bradenton Beach began with Williams commenting on the delays he’s encountered trying to repair, renovate and reopen the Drift-In.

“I have a permit. The building official (Cushing) that worked on my project is sitting in this room. I worked with him, the city planner, the code enforcement folks. I went through every step and all I’ve gotten is government overreach, private property issues. I tried to follow every letter of the law.

“It’s definitely a land grab. Somebody needs to step up and say that’s wrong. All the way along, this is a back-to-back disaster. This is third-world stuff and it needs to be addressed as the highest level. It’s absolutely a tragedy. It is a clown car show but it’s hurting real people,” Williams said.

Speaking next, Cushing said, “I’m the person who issued Derek’s permit. It was done properly. It was done correctly and it was done by the book.”

He then referenced the letter he later handed to Siddique and said he would hit the high points rather than read the entire letter aloud. He noted he’s been a licensed building official for 25 years and a certified floodplain manager for longer than that.

“I’ve been there since December of 2023. There has been constant, constant threats to me,” he said. “I know what I’m doing. We were getting things done, we were moving forward, we were doing things the right way. But every time that I didn’t do that for a particular developer – and you all know who I’m talking about – I was threatened. I was threatened by the mayor, the attorney and the police chief: ‘Do we just need to get another building official. Why won’t you do this for him?’ Things that were illegal,” Cushing said.

“I have a code of ethics I have to follow and I don’t want to lose that license. That’s my livelihood. I lost my job now and the company I worked for fired me too because I retaliated about the things that were being said about me – slanderous things they said about me and those things are not true. There’s dirty stuff going on in that city and somebody needs to look into it,” Cushing said.

“Our state statute says that I, the building official for that jurisdiction, will perform the duties under my responsibility without interference from any person. Not the mayor, not the city attorney, not anybody,” Cushing said.

Siddique said he’s been following The Sun’s reporting on the Drift-In permitting issues and other concerns being reported in Bradenton Beach.

“I have not been able to get in contact with anyone from Bradenton Beach. I have not had one phone call back from Bradenton Beach since November. I left a voicemail this morning. I have no idea what the hell’s going on,” Siddique said.

Cushing said he recently interviewed for a position with Manatee County but he fears the “slanderous things” said about him may impact his ability to get a job.

Cushing’s letter

Regarding the start of his tenure in Bradenton Beach, Cushing wrote, “A certain developer, whom I’d known from my time as building official of Longboat Key, began asking me to issue permits that had been placed on hold for various reasons by the previous building official (Steve Gilbert). I reviewed the permits and told the applicant what needed to be done in order for the permits to be released.

“Several times over the next few months, I would get questioned by the city attorney, the mayor and several times by the police chief about what was holding this developer’s permits up. Each time, I would explain what needed to be done, but at the same time felt pressured to just give him his permits.”

Marina

Cushing’s letter addresses the stop-work order he issued to the owner of the Bradenton Beach Marina, developer Shawn Kaleta, when a new bar opened there.

“It had been built and the opening announced with no permits for construction, nor did they have a liquor license. Within hours, the developer called me and said, ‘I talked to the city attorney and the mayor and they’re all good with it.’ ”

According to his letter, Cushing told the developer this was not the attorney or mayor’s decision to make and he would still need to obtain all the needed permits and inspections before the stop-work order was lifted.

Pines

Regarding the hurricane-damaged Pines Trailer Park (owned by Kaleta and investment partners), Cushing wrote, “Following the hurricanes, I was immediately asked for the damage assessment status of the Pines by the developer. He also asked me if I would go ahead and condemn the whole park. I responded that I could not do that and that a proper damage assessment needed to be done.”

His letter notes it was later determined that only a few mobile homes needed to be condemned and the rest could be rehabilitated.

“I was asked no less than 10 times, by either the developer, the attorney, the mayor or the police chief, if I was going to write to the Pines (mobile home) owners and tell them they were done.”

Regarding the Drift-In permitting issues, Cushing acknowledges he erred in not routing the tiki bar permit to the fire marshal for an initial review of the tiki structure and its roof materials.

Cushing’s letter says the city received approximately 10 change of contractor forms from “said developer” a few days before he was suspended. According to Cushing, he told the developer he would not issue the change of contractor permits until all needed documents were correctly completed.

“Two days later, in a senior staff meeting, I was essentially threatened by all of the senior staff – attorney, mayor and police chief – that I needed to release those permits to him; or again, ‘maybe we need to get a different building official,’ ” Cushing states in his letter.

Regarding the city attorney and a developer driving around town looking for properties to condemn, Cushing told The Sun on Sunday, “I personally witnessed them driving around together and other people (residents and city employees) visibly witnessed this happening on multiple occasions following the storms. Several owners told me verbally that this had happened to them.”

No response from city

On Feb. 14, The Sun asked Chappie if he wanted to comment on the town hall allegations Cushing made about being threatened by the mayor, city attorney and police chief. Chappie said he had no comment.

On Feb. 15, The Sun sent Cosby a text message containing a link to the town hall meeting video and seeking his comments on Cushing’s allegations. Cosby did not respond.

On Feb. 16, The Sun sent an email to Chappie, Perry and Cosby seeking their comments on these allegations. The email included a link to the archived town hall meeting video and a copy of Cushing’s letter. As of press time, The Sun had not received a response from the city.

The archived video of the town hall meeting can be viewed on YouTube by searching for “Tal Siddique Town Hall @ Island Branch Library.” The Bradenton Beach discussion begins at the 22-minute mark and continues to the 40-minute mark. The letter can be viewed in its entirety below.

(Sun reporter Leslie Lake contributed to this story)

Related coverage:

Pines homeowners offered more time in exchange for titles

City approves building official, floodplain manager candidates

Chiles/Perry/Kaleta not-for-profit dissolved

FEMA review may jeopardize flood insurance, buildings

City attorney explains Cushing suspension

Cushing deserves fair hearing

Public speaks out in favor of Drift-In reopening

Letter to the Editor: Drift-In owners appeal to governor for help

Commissioners discuss restructuring building department

Bradenton Beach building official suspended pending hearing

Major development hearing required for Drift-In tiki

Owners may ask for rezoning of Pines

Kaleta solicits post-hurricane development investors

‘Love Shack’ cottage owner staves off condemnation

Condemnation notice rescinded for Gulf Drive home

Morton resigns from Holmes Beach commission

Written by Joe Hendricks on February 17, 2025. Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Longtime City Commissioner Pat Morton has resigned and recent city commission candidate and current Planning Commissioner Steve Oelfke is expected to serve in that role until the next city election in November.

Morton joined the commission in 2003 and he announced his resignation during the city commission work session that followed the city commission meeting on Feb. 11.

At the start of the regular meeting, Morton noted he’d been gone for about six weeks. He spent two weeks near Asheville, N.C. assisting hurricane-related flood victims before visiting family members in West Virginia. He briefly mentioned the social media criticism the city of Holmes Beach received for its hurricane cleanup and debris removal efforts and he later returned to that topic when announcing his resignation.

“I’ve been on the city commission for 22 years. I’ve always said when I become not happy with serving on the commission, not enjoying it, I was going to resign. We got chastised. It’s been shameful what people said about us on social media. We tried to keep everything safe for the citizens of Holmes Beach,” he said during the work session.

He also mentioned the vacation rental management companies that publicly opposed the city’s short-lived, hurricane recovery-related vacation rental moratorium.

“I don’t appreciate that,” he said.

“We’ve got some very fine residents that live in Holmes Beach and I’ve met a lot of them. I call them my ‘extra family.’ That being said, I will resign from the city commission as of today. I’ve enjoyed 21 and a half years. It’s done,” he said.

After praising the city commission, Police Chief Bill Tokajer and the Holmes Beach Police Department, Morton said, “We have an awesome group running our city. It’s horrible what they were saying about us. How they wanted to get rid of us.”

During the initial cleanup and debris removal efforts, Morton defended the city on Facebook, which prompted criticism aimed at him too. He also made inaccurate Facebook statements alleging the city of Anna Maria was not following FEMA debris removal requirements and would not qualify for FEMA reimbursement.

Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy publicly disputed and dispelled those allegations and he and the Anna Maria Commission suggested Morton focus on Holmes Beach.

COMMISSION REACTS

After Morton’s announcement, Commission Chair Dan Diggins said, “Pat, we’re really sorry to see you go; sorry it affected you this way.”

He later said, “People’s perspective on things doesn’t mean it’s accurate.”

Commissioner Terry Schaefer said, “Anyone who devotes, on a volunteer basis, 21-and-a-half active years of their life to any municipality is owed a debt of gratitude. I’ve had the pleasure of working with you at the commission level for six years and I’ve always respected your down-to-earth approach to city governance. It’s always a practical, logical approach, not a political approach. You were the voice of many people in our community. You brought that sense of reason to our deliberations.”

The following day, Schaefer told planning commissioners that Morton is moving to West Virginia.

During the work session, Commissioner Carol Soustek said, “Pat was from the old regime. Twelve years ago, the new regime showed up and Pat joined in. We took a city that was facing bankruptcy and turned it around.”

Soustek said Morton’s longtime employment at the Ace Hardware store in Holmes Beach and his interactions with customers there gave him a great feel for the pulse of the city.

“They felt comfortable bringing him their problems. He was a conduit to a lot of things we did up here,” Soustek said. “When you lose a person of his quality in public service, you’re losing a very important part of your city government. It is hard for people to understand what you give up when you come up here. You are a target, but what you do with what you have been given is so important.”

Before returning to the city commission late last year after a long tenure as a county commissioner, Commissioner Carol Whitmore served for many years as a Holmes Beach commissioner and as mayor.

“I’ve been with him since day one. He’s a good guy,” she said, noting Morton did a “wonderful job” as the city commission’s Waste Pro liaison.

Mayor Judy Titsworth said, “If you looked up the definition of ‘civic duty,’ you would see Pat’s picture. I hope the community understands just how important it is to get people up there that are only here for civic duty. They’re not here for a political climb. They’re not here for the power. They’re here for their civic duty because they love this city so much. That’s Pat; that’s all of us here.”

Tokajer said, “You’ve been a champion for the police department since I got here. I appreciate you and all the love you’ve shown to my officers over the last 12 years.”

Diggins then raised the topic of appointing Morton’s successor.

Citing the city charter, City Attorney Erica Augello said, “A vacancy on the commission shall be filled by appointment of the commission. Such appointment shall receive the approval of the majority of the remaining members and shall be for a term expiring at the end of the next city general election. The unexpired term, if any, shall be filled by election.”

Titsworth referenced the 2024 election in which Diggins and Whitmore won the two open commission seats. Oelfke finished third with 20.6% of the votes and Bill Romberger finished fourth with 11%. Titsworth said the city could solicit applications or defer to the recent election results. Soustek said that’s how she originally became a commissioner after losing a close election.

“We already know who that is. He happens to be here,” Whitmore said of Oelfke’s presence.

She asked if the vacancy could be filled without advertising the open position. Augello said there’s nothing in the charter or state election law that requires a vacant seat to be advertised but the commission can’t take an official action during a work session.

Oelfke is expected to be appointed on Tuesday, Feb. 25 and serve what remains of Morton’s two-year term that expires in November.

An farewell reception for Morton will be held Wednesday, Feb. 26 from 4:30–5:30 p.m. in the Doctor’s Garden at The Doctor’s Office in Holmes Beach, 5312 Holmes Blvd. The reception will begin with a plaque presentation, followed by an informal gathering with refreshments served. The city extends an open invitation to all residents.

City approves building official, floodplain manager candidates

Written by Leslie Lake on February 17, 2025. Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – The city has gotten one step closer to finding a full-time replacement for former Building Official Darin Cushing. Cushing, a contractual employee of M.T. Causley, was suspended by the city on Jan. 22 and subsequently terminated by his employer.

At a Feb. 14 special city commission emergency work meeting, commissioners approved the hiring of former Manatee County employees Bill Palmer as building official and Sandy Tudor as floodplain manager.

Neither Palmer nor Tudor was present at the meeting.

According to Palmer’s LinkedIn account, he served as Manatee County Building Services Division Manager/County Building Official from January 2022 through February 2025. He was the Building Official/Floodplain Administrator for the City of St. Pete Beach from March 2000 through January 2022.

Tudor’s LinkedIn account states she has been Floodplain Section Manager of the Manatee County Building and Development Department since May 2022.

“The last regular meeting I volunteered to talk to some of my contacts at Manatee County for a building official and floodplain manager,” Commissioner Deborah Scaccianoce said. “I reached out to people that I worked with who I know have 20 plus years’ experience in building. She (Tudor) was a floodplain manager for Manatee County before she retired. I know her work ethic and she’s very well regarded. She agreed to talk to the mayor and city attorney, and she agreed to come on board to help us with what we’re going through right now.”

Scaccianoce also reached out to Palmer.

“He was available, and he also has years and years of coastal city experience,” she said. “He is very well-regarded. The mayor and city attorney had a conversation with him, and he also agreed to come on board and help us. He has all the certifications we need and all the experience we need.”

Bradenton Beach is under review by FEMA for the city’s post-hurricane building processes. That review could possibly jeopardize the city’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) discounts on flood insurance, and even the ability for city residents to obtain flood insurance.

“We’ve been in an emergency situation” since being hit by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024, Mayor John Chappie said. “We’ve done amazing in recovery, but we’re faced with a situation that we have to deal with in the recovery process and the FEMA guidelines. We need to be part of the National Flood Insurance Program. Every piece of property in our community benefits from that. There are many guidelines we are required to follow. We need people with experience and understanding of working with FEMA.”

Chappie said that the review process by FEMA may linger for years.

“They (FEMA) are going to come back and they’re going to be asking us for a lot of documentation, and this can go on for years,” he said. “It has gone on in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where they’ve actually forced people to tear down houses. Some of those houses weren’t in the same ownership after six years, but you have to follow the guidelines. “If you don’t, you can be yanked out of that NFIP. It’s scary stuff. Our city is not the only one that is experiencing the struggles and maneuvering through all the guidelines.”

Scaccianoce said Tudor has already begun to look through city ordinances to make sure they’re up to date.

“She’s willing to help us with that rating for the city so we can get a better rating,” she said. “We’ll have people now who are dedicated to the City of Bradenton Beach. They would be working to make our city better and get us where we need to be in the current situation.”

All the commissioners, with the exception of Jan Vosburgh, have spoken to the candidates.

Commissioner Scott Bear asked both Palmer and Tudor how long they expected to be in the positions, and both said about one year.

“The idea of hiring them is the right idea,” Bear said. “They will help us get out of the mess we’re in. A year from now, there’s the potential we may be back here and I think they’re great candidates.”

“In a year, we’ll re-evaluate it, but we’re in an emergency situation,” Scaccianoce said. “This is not permanent. We need to get them in here. We’re at a standstill and we can’t have that. Not for our citizens, not for our businesses. We have to get this moving.”

Palmer will be an employee of the city as opposed to being an appointed official. Removal or termination of an appointed official requires majority city commission approval. An employment contract is at will and can be terminated during a trial period, City Attorney Ricinda Perry said.

“In three months, if you decide to make him an appointed official, this is something we can always revisit at any point,” Perry said. “I have to think about FEMA and where we are with the hurricanes.”

“In talking to Bill, he said he’s going to retire in a year,” Commissioner Ralph Cole said. “It’s more of a temporary situation.”

Scaccianoce asked who would have authority over the building department.

“Ideally we would like a department head in the building department, especially as we are moving forward creating SOPs (standard operating procedures) and establishing standards and getting everything that’s needed from the hurricane recovery fallout, in looking at a delegation of duties, if you’re bringing Mr. Palmer on as an employee and not as an appointed official, you can give him the responsibility in his employment contract to supervise and delegate responsibilities to city staff,” Perry said.

Perry said the current remaining building department budget is $215,977 for fiscal year 2024-25. Palmer’s salary and benefits would be approximately $180,000. The remaining funds could be used for a part-time floodplain manager at a rate of $35 per hour.

Commissioners unanimously voted to approve Palmer as a full-time employee building official, as a non-appointed official, pending the completion of background and administrative requirements for hire. The commission reserved the option to appoint him as an appointed official at a future date.

Tudor was approved unanimously as a part time hire for floodplain manager.

City Clerk Terri Sanclemente will oversee the bookkeeping aspects of the building department and commissioners approved an annual salary increase of $5,000 for the increased duties.

The city remains under contract with M.T. Causley and that company will provide a city planner to Bradenton Beach at least until the contract expires in June.

Fishing Festival proves ‘Swamped, but never sunk’

Written by Leslie Lake on February 17, 2025. Posted in Community News, Cortez.

CORTEZ – For the first time in the five months since a hurricane swamped the area, people were once again smiling and enjoying the camaraderie of their friends and neighbors at the 43rd Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival.

“I’m so proud of Cortez right now,” Cortez Village Historical Society (CVHS) vice-president Paul Dryfoos said on Saturday afternoon. “After all that everybody has been through and to pull off a festival like this and make it successful is so great.”

This year’s theme, “Swamped but Never Sunk,” was an appropriate nod to the resilience of Cortez.

On the same streets where, in September, Hurricane Helene’s storm surge flooded many homes throughout the village, thousands of visitors gathered on the first day of the weekend festival on Feb. 15 to enjoy live music, local seafood, crafts, educational displays and kids’ activities. The festival continued on Sunday.

“There’s been a steady stream of people today,” Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) Treasurer Jane von Hahmann said.

Unsure that there would be a 2025 festival due to the hurricane damage, in November the FISH board held a meeting asking for Cortez residents’ opinions about holding the annual festival. Many residents agreed that a festival would be uplifting.

100% of the proceeds from the volunteer-run festival will benefit FISH and its mission to preserve the village of Cortez and continue the conservation of the 98-acre FISH Preserve.

On Saturday, von Hahmann introduced Manatee County District 3 Commissioner Tal Siddique and Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown.

She thanked Brown for arranging to have the 2025 Bradenton Area River Regatta rescheduled to Feb. 22 to avoid its conflicting with the festival.

Dr. Angela Collins, extension scientist for the Florida Sea Grant program at the University of Florida, presented educational Dock Talks on Saturday. - Leslie Lake | Sun

Reel Time: Harbingers of spring

Written by Rusty Chinnis on February 17, 2025. Posted in Fishing, Outdoors, Reel Time.

The signs of spring are in the air, even though the official start of the season is a month away. I heard the first whippoorwill this past week and bait is starting to school in Sarasota Bay, welcome signs to winter weary anglers.

This doesn’t mean that there won’t be another cold snap, and if the calendar says spring isn’t here yet, we know it’s just around the corner. Experience tells the savvy angler that fish have their own special calendar, one that consists of the angle of the sun, temperature of the water and the length of the days. When water temperatures rise into the 70s, fish come out of their winter haunts, even if it’s winter one day and spring the next.

It’s a time to keep an eye on the Gulf, looking for the first snook in the surf and for wheeling, diving seabirds as they forage on schools of baitfish that will begin to gather off the beaches in a seasonal primal ritual.

Anglers know from experience that schools of little tunny, Spanish mackerel, cobia and kingfish won’t be far behind. It could be just a matter of days before they will be swarming the bait schools, wrecks, reefs and hard bottom just off the beaches.

In the bay, trout, redfish and snook will also be roaming the flats in search of pilchards, shrimp and glass minnows to replenish themselves from their winter fast. Spring is the time when local anglers have a host of piscatorial choices and some of the best conditions to pursue them. Of course, it can all seem like just an illusion as another front riles the Gulf, sending chill winds and muddy water into the bay, and forcing anglers to put on a sweatshirt. It’s the kind of weather that plays with the emotions of fishers. But hope springs eternal, and we know from experience that it won’t be long before the run is on. That’s why it’s time to be prepared, flies tied and tackle ready for that day when it’s no longer a question of when it will happen, but what species we’ll fish for!

I like this time of year even if it can be exasperating. One day the flats and Gulf can be barren and the next the action red hot. That’s why it is so important to be ready for just about anything. Having rigs on board that can handle a big cobia and wire leaders in case kings make an appearance can make the difference between frustration and success. Anglers who are vigilant, prepared and persistent will be rewarded. Whatever your fishing style or whether you like fishing the Gulf of Mexico or local bays, take advantage of this swing time and you’ll be rewarded.

Roque Pastorius remembered

Written by Joe Hendricks on February 15, 2025. Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Former Monkey Bus owner/operator Roque Pastorius, 61, passed away during the early morning hours on Jan. 30.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 40 years, Kathy, their adult daughters, Cassandra, Michelle and Stephanie, four grandchildren and one step-grandchild. After coming down to comfort their mom, Cassandra, Michelle and Stephanie have returned to their Minnesota homes. Kathy is headed back to her and Roque’s home in North Branch, Minn. on Saturday, Feb. 15.

Roque Pastorius remembered — Kathy and Roque met in 1981 and got married on Sept. 28, 1985. – Submitted

According to Kathy, the cause of death was cardiac arrest and hypertension and he passed in the couple’s fifth-wheel trailer that was parked at Roque’s parents’ home in Bradenton. After selling the Monkey Bus business in 2022, Roque and Kathy divided their time between Bradenton, North Branch and anywhere else their retirement travels brought them. They returned to Bradenton in November to help care for Roque’s dad, Maynard, and his ailing mom, Delores.

Roque is survived by daughter, Stephanie Pastorius, wife, Kathy Pastorius, daughter, Cassandra Johnson and daughter, Michelle Pastorius Lapinski. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Before buying the business that would become the Monkey Bus, Roque was a transport driver, fueler and mechanic for a Grand Prix racing team. His past professions also included hauling heavy machinery and equipment and using mud to raise and repair cement foundations and driveways.

“He got bored easily,” Kathy said of his many professions.

Roque was an Anna Maria Island Privateer, a Mason, a Shriner and he often played Santa Claus and local events and fundraisers. He will be laid to rest in North Branch later this year.

Monkey Bus

Roque and Kathy bought the Island Beach Monkeys business in 2013. According to Kathy and Michelle, Roque was down in Florida with the race team and because it was 15-below in Minnesota he decided to go visit his Mom and Dad in Bradenton. While there, he met Janet, the owner of Island Beach Monkeys shuttle service that then utilized golf cart-like vehicles.

When Roque returned to Minnesota, he told Kathy he wanted to buy Island Beach Monkeys and the rest is history. They rented a house in Holmes Beach and that’s where the first Monkey bus was parked. Locals began referring to the business as “The Monkey Bus” and over time, the Monkey Bus fleet grew to six buses.

The Monkey Buses provided free (and entertaining) rides all over Anna Maria Island, to Cortez and points beyond, with karaoke often sung along the way. The drivers benefitted from passengers’ tips and advertising on and inside the buses helped cover operating costs.

In 2016, Gov. Rick Scott presented Roque with a certificate of appreciation for transporting veterans to an awards ceremony in Sarasota. Roque originally drove the Monkey Bus but as the business grew, he brought on other drivers, including Stephanie, so he could focus on running the business, taking reservations and coordinating rides.

“His phone rang day and night,” Kathy said.

Sunset ceremony

A local sunset celebration of Roque’s life was held Feb. 4 at the south end of Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach that continued at the Swordfish Grill in Cortez.

The Longboat Pass Bridge raised just before tequila shots were shared in Roque’s memory. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

While standing near the Gulf of Mexico, Michelle said, “He was a legend. He wanted to make a name for himself and he did it. He was very well-known down here.”

Longtime Holmes Beach resident Laurel Nevans said, “Roque was the best Santa Claus this Island ever had. With the Monkey Bus, Roque saved hundreds of Islanders from DUIs. He was way too young and this is way too soon, but I am glad I had the opportunity to know him and I’m so glad he became a part of your Island.”

Privateer and local bartender Adam Cross said, “He was an amazing person and a great human being. He brought everyone joy. I went out with him the day before he passed. For three hours, at the Sports Lounge, we talked about everything.”

As sunset arrived, shots of tequila were passed out; and in a fitting stroke of coincidence, the Longboat Pass Bridge raised as Roque’s family and friends toasted to his memory.

Swordfish gathering

Swordfish Grill owner John Banyas said, “Roque was a good guy and a good friend and he brought a lot of customers to the Swordfish. He was an original.”

Roque’s dad, Maynard, simply said, “I just miss him.”

Former Cortez resident and artist Rose Lipke painted some of the Monkey Buses, one of which she and Roque used to deliver hurricane relief supplies after Hurricane Irma struck in 2017.

“Roque called and said, ‘Rosie, we’ve got to do something. I’ve got the bus. Let’s fill it up and go on a road trip.’ We made some phone calls and put together a drive for supplies and loaded the bus up and drove down to Everglades City and stayed there for five days. Roque slept on bags of dog food inside the bus. I slept in the back of my truck. Every morning, he got up and started cooking and we gave stuff away.”

Lipke said she and Roque participated in several other community assistance efforts after that.

“He was always the first one to call me. The things I’m going to miss the most are Roque’s huge heart and his bear hugs,” Lipke said.

“Cheers to Roque,” she and Kathy said in unison and glasses were raised again in Roque’s honor.

Family thoughts

The following day, Kathy, Cassandra, Michelle and Stephanie shared some additional thoughts by phone.

When asked what they’ll miss and how they’ll carry on without Roque, Kathy said, “I don’t like this new normal. I miss him so bad. I’ll miss his hugs and playing with my hair. He was a wonderful guy. I’m overwhelmed by the outpouring of support.”

“He loved his motorcycle, fishing, hunting, traveling and scuba diving,” she added.

“Me and my dad were a lot alike and we butted heads a lot, but we always came back to each other. I’ll be embracing and depending on my mom. He was such a great grandfather too and he was all in, 110%,” Cassandra said.

“I’m going to miss him. I want to hug him and I just want him back. I’ll miss being able to call my dad, tell him things and he would diagnose the problem over the phone,” Michelle said. “He taught me how to be the calm in the storm and how to be positive and make things OK.”

“I learned so much from him,” Stephanie said. “He taught me how to change the oil and raise concrete with mud. He taught me how to drive the Monkey Bus and how to talk to people. Whenever I did anything really cool or really exciting and I called to tell him he’d always say, ‘Way Baby,’ which meant like, ‘hell yeah,’ ” she said.

Michelle’s young son, Levi, said, “He was a great man.”

Her son, Wyatt, said, “I loved him so much. He taught me how to fish.”

Later that day, Kathy, Cassandra, Michelle and Stephanie and six other family members got shark tattoos that resembled the last tattoo Roque designed and had tattooed on him.

Additional thoughts

Drew Chapman said, “He was a really good friend of mine and I worked for him for several years driving the Monkey Bus. He had a very vivid imagination and he was a dreamer. He was always coming up with ideas. He wanted to build a musical highway. That was one of his big dreams. If you drove over the bumps on the side of the road at a certain speed it would play a song. He always wanted to be an artist. He was trying to do air-brushing, painting and he was making things out of coconuts. He was a really good mechanic and very mechanically inclined. He was my go-to guy when I needed something fixed,” Chapman said.

When asked what he’ll miss most, Chapman said, “Probably his laugh.”

Drift-In Manager Doreen Flynn said, “Roque was a wonderful man. He always had a helping hand and his smile made you smile.”

Former Manatee County Building Official Bill Palmer, left, participated in a Nov. 6 meeting with Cortez residents to present FEMA post-hurricane information. - Leslie Lake | Sun

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