As homeowners in Holmes Beach for 25 years this very month, we write to congratulate and thank those who led our city successfully through the stressful process culminating in the OPPAGA study.
The attacks on “home rule,” including the threat of a parking garage, were led ironically by elected Republican Party representatives with minimal to no appreciation for the special character of our Island. So, we are heartened to read now that current elected officials have come to understand and support BOTH the distinctiveness of our three small cities AND to urge proactive, constructive cooperation and – when appropriate – consolidation to benefit residents. It is important we recognize such efforts were and are underway, as we hope also there will be a review of targeted additional parking spaces near our precious beaches.
Our special thanks to Mayor Judy Titsworth, someone with a long-time investment in our city and Island’s welfare, who was unwavering in her leadership. Also, to Terry Schaefer and his fellow commissioners, for being voices of reason as well as passionate advocates for their fellow citizens. To Barbara Ehren and others who organized grassroots protests and to Sean Murphy, whose community-mindedness, hospitality and humor are always so welcome… and fun. And finally, to the staff of The Sun, for extensive coverage of the news and the back stories throughout this period.
ANNA MARIA – On Jan. 23, Anna Maria City Commissioners adopted on second and final reading an ordinance the amends the city’s seawall regulations referencing the Gulf of Mexico.
The ordinance was adopted three days after President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14172, an order declaring that the Gulf of Mexico would be renamed the Gulf of America.
As recommended by the Anna Maria Planning and Zoning Board, Ordinance 24-938 says, “Prior to issuance of a building permit, proposed seawalls and bulkheads along the Gulf of Mexico or Tampa Bay must furnish a permit issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and/or U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or proof of a permit exemption.”
Ordinance 24-938 references the Gulf of Mexico. – City of Anna Maria | Submitted
The adopted ordinance includes new language that makes a determination by the building official or designee that a seawall is unsafe a violation of the city’s code.
At the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Board, the adopted ordinance includes the following definitions: “Bulkhead means a shoreline stabilization structure separating land and water areas and retaining soil. Seawall means a shoreline stabilization structure separating land and water areas, retaining soil and intercepting wave action.”
The new language replaces previous language included in the Anna Maria code of ordinances that said, “The specifications are not intended to apply to seawalls or other structures on the Gulf of Mexico or Tampa Bay shore, for which, because of occasional heavy storm wave action, special consideration must be given.”
GULF OF AMERICA
“I am directing that it officially be renamed the Gulf of America,” the presidential order says. “As such, within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of the Interior shall take all appropriate actions to rename as the ‘Gulf of America’ the U.S. continental shelf area bounded on the northeast, north, and northwest by the states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida and extending to the seaward.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive order references the Gulf of America. – Gov. Ron DeSantis | Submitted
During public input at the city meeting, City Attorney Becky Vose was asked if the ordinance would have to be amended or revised to reference the Gulf of America. Commissioner Gary McMullen said he wondered about that, too.
Vose said the adopted ordinance could later be revised administratively by city staff if so desired and doing so would not require a city commission-approved ordinance amendment because the revision would not change the intent of the ordinance.
Mayor Mark Short noted that Gov. Ron DeSantis, on Jan. 20, issued Executive Order 25-13, an executive order pertaining to a winter weather system expected to impact north Florida that used the new name.
“Whereas, an area of low pressure moving across the Gulf of America, interacting with arctic air, will bring widespread impactful winter whether to north Florida beginning Tuesday, Jan. 21…” the governor’s order says.
The mayor and commissioners made no additional comments about the presidential order or name to be used by the city.
Anna Maria’s code of ordinances currently references the Gulf of Mexico 23 times. The Holmes Beach code of ordinances currently references the Gulf of Mexico 16 times and the Bradenton Beach code of ordinances currently references the Gulf of Mexico 10 times.
The Anna Maria code of ordinances includes 23 references to the Gulf of Mexico. – Municode | Submitted
Google Maps intends to refer to the body of water as the Gulf of America. On Jan. 27, Google issued a statement on the X social media platform that said, “We will update Google Maps in the U.S. to quickly show Mount McKinley and Gulf of America.”
As of Jan. 31, Google Maps still referenced the Gulf of Mexico and did not yet reference the Gulf of America.
ANNA MARIA – Residents and city officials are displeased with the level of trash and recycling collection services being provided by Waste Management.
When addressing city commissioners about various city-related projects and concerns on Jan. 23, Anna Maria General Manager Dean Jones said, “We’re in talks with Waste Management. We want to bring them in for a meet-and-greet with the new administration and set some expectations for them. We expect high levels of customer service and we want to make sure they get that message.”
These trash and recycling receptacles are a common sight along Willow Avenue. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Mayor Mark Short then said, “We have, over the last several few weeks, received an unusual number of complaints about Waste Management service – stuff not getting picked up for sometimes weeks at a time, or they pick up my trash and not my recycling, or they didn’t get my landscaping. The volume of complaints we have received about Waste Management services has significantly increased over the last several weeks. So, we’re scheduling a meeting with ‘the boss,’ trying to get him out here and have a little conversation about improving the quality of service which has, in our opinion, deteriorated.”
Commissioner Chris Arendt asked if short-term vacation rentals are required to use the side-door trash and recycling service – a service provided at an additional cost which entails Waste Management employees retrieving and returning trash and recycling receptacles to the side of the house.
“That hasn’t been happening,” Arendt said.
After clarifying the side-door service requirement pertains to all non-homesteaded residential properties, and not just vacation rentals, Short said, “You’re right. That’s part of the quality of service. For those, they are to go get it, dump it and take it back. We’ve also seen where they go get them but they’re leaving them out at the street, and in some cases in the street. That’s part of our soon-to-be meeting and conversation. We need to see some improvement in quality of service,” Short said.
Non-homesteaded properties, including short-term vacation rentals, are required to use side-door trash and recycling receptacle retrieval and return service. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Commission Chair Charlie Salem asked when the city’s current exclusive contract with Waste Management expires. Jones said the current contract expires on June 28, 2026: “We have about 18 months.”
Salem noted Waste Management’s quality of service will be considered when it’s time to discuss renewing that contract.
The cities of Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach contract with Waste Pro for their trash and recycling services.
ANNA MARIA – Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan’s hard work and good deeds have earned her two tickets to the Super Bowl.
Featuring the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, Super Bowl LIX will be played at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday, Feb. 9. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. and Duncan, an Anna Maria resident and business owner, will be there.
On Jan. 9, Duncan received a call from a Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ representative who asked her to visit the AdventHealth Training Center at the team’s One Buc Place headquarters in Tampa the following day to receive an unspecified award. Duncan was not told the award included two Super Bowl tickets, which came as a surprise to her and the two other award winners, Tampa Bay Billboards owner Troy Stevenson and Chef Gaston Meredith of Gaston’s Culinary Services. The Bucs treated the award recipients to lunch and Duncan received a football autographed by Bucs’ wide receiver Mike Evans.
Later that day, Duncan posted a Facebook message that said, in part, “Today, I learned the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Glazer family reached out to the Tampa Bay Area looking for three small business owners who assisted in hurricane relief. No idea that I had been nominated by the Manatee Chamber of Commerce. I’m going to Super Bowl 2025. I’m beyond grateful. Thank you so much for this incredible gift.”
Darcie Duncan is going to the Super Bowl courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Bucs’ owner/chairman Darcie Glazer Kassewitz. – Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Submitted
In their Jan. 28 press release, the Bucs and the Glazer family formally announced the Super Bowl ticket recipients: “Earlier this month, the Glazer family, owners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, recognized three deserving community members for their extraordinary efforts following hurricanes Helene and Milton. Local chambers of commerce were asked to nominate small business owners who went above and beyond to support the Tampa Bay region in the aftermath of the hurricanes.”
The press release also says, “Darcie Duncan, of Duncan Real Estate, put her community first through a number of different efforts. Following Hurricane Helene, Darcie mobilized her team and activated a new Facebook group, Anna Maria Island Hurricane Relief, that quickly became the central hub for sharing vital information related to storm recovery needs. This group has attracted more than 8,000 members and has been instrumental in coordinating relief efforts across both in her immediate neighborhood as well as all of Anna Maria Island.”
The press release notes Duncan played a critical role in transforming The Center of Anna Maria Island into a hurricane relief distribution site and she was a driving force behind The Center’s Rock ‘N’ Support hurricane relief concert and grant program and the “Let’s Give Thanks Together” Thanksgiving dinner.
When speaking to The Sun on Feb. 1, Duncan said, “I am so humbled to be chosen among so many deserving individuals.”
When asked which team she’ll be rooting for, Duncan said, “I would have loved to be rooting for the Bucs. Then it was the (Buffalo) Bills, so now it’s ‘Fly Eagles Fly.’ I am taking my sweetie, Alex Harllee. He and I have been a great team and he is just as deserving. I love football . This has been a bucket list item for me and I am so excited.”
At their own expense, Duncan and Harllee will fly to New Orleans on Thursday and spend Super Bowl weekend in New Orleans.
“It’s the same weekend I planned to move back into my house in Anna Maria, ”she said of the hurricane-damaged home she and Harllee share.
On Feb. 27, Duncan will receive the Pat Glass Community Leadership Award from the Manatee Tiger Bay Club.
President Donald Trump’s executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America” is more than historically inaccurate, it is unnecessarily confusing and will no doubt cost taxpayers millions to implement, then reverse in the next administration.
Where to begin?
Well, there’s that bugaboo, history. The Gulf of Mexico has been called by that name since more than 200 years before there was a United States of America, according to “The Gulf, the Making of an American Sea,” by Jack E. Davis, who wrote, “The unknown maker of a 1541 map called it Seno de Mejicano, the ‘Mexican Gulf,’ ” noting that subsequent names were quickly tried and dropped, with mapmakers settling on Golfo de Mexico, or Gulf of Mexico.
Then there’s cultural sensitivity, or its reverse. The United States is not the only America. Remember Latin America, South America, North America?
Trump’s order states, “The area formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico (shades of Prince) has long been an integral asset to our once burgeoning Nation and has remained an indelible part of America,” then goes on to mention its oil and gas value, which gives a clue as to one reason for the name change.
The Associated Press said in a statement that it will continue using the “Gulf of Mexico” in its Stylebook, used by most U.S. newspapers, including The Anna Maria Island Sun.
Amanda Barrett, AP’s vice president of standards and inclusion, wrote, “The Gulf of Mexico has carried that name for more than 400 years. The Associated Press will refer to it by its original name while acknowledging the new name Trump has chosen. As a global news agency that disseminates news around the world, the AP must ensure that place names and geography are easily recognizable to all audiences.”
Barrett notes that other countries are not bound by the executive order.
And there are geographical precedents for calling the same body of water by two names. What Iran calls the Persian Gulf, Arab nations call the Arabian Gulf, according to the publication Al Jazeera, which notes that the sea that is bound by Japan and the Korean peninsula is called the Sea of Japan by Japan, while both North and South Korea call it the East Sea.
But what is the Town of Longboat Key going to call its main road, now known as Gulf of Mexico Drive?
The current AP Stylebook entry for the Gulf of Mexico is “inlet of the Atlantic on the southeast coast of North America bounded by the U.S., Mexico and Cuba.”
So why not the Gulf of Cuba?
The U.S. has ignored Cuba for the better part of the past 65 years, to the extent that for decades after its revolution succeeded in 1959, TV weather maps showed the island, but did not name it.
To this day, the U.S. embargo of Cuba remains in effect, punishing people who never knew their great-grandparents who fought the revolution and may only adhere to its politics publicly, by mandate.
We could take a cue from the brave Cubans who, in every generation, resist their Communist government and politicians.
Granma, the newspaper that calls itself the official voice of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee, would probably not cover such a resistance movement, at least until it was squelched, and has not yet mentioned Trump’s new name for the Gulf in print.
But Mexico says it will not recognize the new nomenclature.
The Sun stands with Mexico, and the AP – not to mention real, verifiable history – and will continue to call it what it is, the Gulf of Mexico.
BRADENTON BEACH – The city commission conducted a work meeting on Jan. 28 to focus on restructuring the building department and the challenges the city faces in finding a permanent replacement for recently-suspended Building Official Darin Cushing.
“I want you to all know the work meeting is for the commission to discuss the current and future staffing of the Building and Planning Services Department,” Mayor John Chappie told attendees in a packed city hall. “Because this is a work meeting, the subject will be what is posted on the agenda, the building and planning department. This is a single subject commission meeting.”
However, during the meeting – particularly during public comment – the conversation evolved into discussions about Cushing and his city-disputed approval of the Drift-In tiki hut.
The commission considered changing the current model of using a contracted building department to hiring an employee.
Chappie began by giving an update on Cushing’s suspension, which he characterized as a “temporary suspension.”
He then read the letter the city sent to Cushing’s employer, M.T. Causley, a subsidiary of SAFEbuilt, which outlined the city’s reasons for the suspension. Chappie said M.T. Causley has place Cushing on administrative leave.
“M.T. Causley is working on a game plan at this time,” Chappie said. “They can provide an inspector on a partial basis. They also can provide online plan review.”
Chappie said the part-time inspector can conduct inspections, including electrical and mechanical, and residential plan reviews, but cannot conduct commercial inspections.
“We are also being backed up Holmes Beach for inspections and commercial inspections when we need them,” Chappie said. “We’re covering our basic current needs at this time.”
Chappie laid out some proposed options for the building department which included putting out a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a company other than M.T. Causley, continuing with M.T. Causley, using the building planning services of Integrated Solutions Consulting (ISC), retaining former retired building official Steve Gilbert for floodplain review, sharing building services with Holmes Beach (Joe Payne Inc. – JPI) or advertising for a new employee.
“In the past, the building official was an employee, and we changed that in 2015,” Chappie said.
He said the pros to hiring an employee as a building official are continuity of care, getting to know the public and being an actual supervisor of the building department. The cons include paying for errors and omissions insurance included in a contractual agreement.
“It is my opinion that it would benefit Bradenton Beach to have an inspector in-house rather than outside,” Commissioner Jan Vosburgh said.
Chappie said the current cost to the city of building official professional services is $215,977 and $70,000 for planning professional services.
“I think we have better options in-house, but I’m concerned about what happens immediately,” Commissioner Scott Bear said. “If we decided to terminate (with M.T. Causley), how do we make sure we don’t have a gap?”
Chappie said M.T. Causley has been advertising for a year or more for a building official.
“It would be a difficult road to hire somebody,” Chappie said. “It could take a lot of time. Right now, M.T. Causley is willing to work with us. They’re working on a game plan to try to get somebody here all the time.”
“We also have the option because we’re still within the FEMA timeframe to get compensation for building services,” City Attorney Ricinda Perry said. “That expires in approximately two months. So, you could under your emergency powers hire the same firm that Holmes Beach is using.”
Perry said she could prepare an RFP within 24 hours if approved by the commission.
“I think M.T. Causley should come up with a solution,” Commissioner Ralph Cole said. “I have constituents who are concerned and standing in limbo waiting for permits.”
Perry said the city has not missed a single inspection.
“This meeting has nothing to do with the Drift-In application, it has nothing to do with Mr. Cushing’s performance,” Perry said. “It was simply one of the steps the city is going through to get stronger and better dealing with storm events.”
“It was read into the record at the beginning of the meeting, about the Drift-In,” Cole said. “That being said, that’s separate. We need to assure the public that the permits are getting processed and it’s our job to make sure that happens. So here we are, we have to make a decision on what to do.”
Commissioner Deborah Scaccianoce said, “I have a concern about going forward with M.T. Causley. The Drift-In, the planner in that process, also failed to catch issues, which is an M.T. Causley employee. So, my concern is the quality and the knowledge of that company in our permit review process. I think we need to consider that because how many other poor decisions were made that we don’t know about? That was a big one.”
Perry said there are 55 days left for the city to get FEMA reimbursement for building services.
“There’s a hybrid option for all of this,” Perry said. “There’s floodplain, there’s inspections, plan review, building official services.”
“Another part of the process could possibly be to talk to Mayor Titsworth (Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth) about shared building services,” Chappie said. “In fact, if we were able to work something out with who they’re using. It would help our elected officials in the state realize we are listening to what you say, and we are using the OPAGGA study, as much as we didn’t like it, we are using it as a tool.”
The OPPAGA study recommended that Island cities work together on certain issues to save money.
“We have Causley in place, then we can make a decision rather than rushing,” Cole said. “We have them under contract until June.”
“The hybrid approach makes a lot of sense, that’s a long term solution,” Bear said. “We also need an immediate solution.”
“M.T. Causley is a stop gap until we have more information with regards to what they come up with in their plan,” Chappie said. “To the extent that Mr. Cushing is available, he is on administrative leave. Do we want to continue with Mr. Cushing or have M.T. Causley provide a different building official?”
“I don’t think we should use Mr. Cushing,” Vosburgh said.
“It sounds like he doesn’t want us to use him either,” Bear said. “I think the motion is they provide someone other than him, because having him here as a disgruntled employee is not going to help us. There are two sides to the argument, so I’m not taking one side over the other, I’m just saying it’s a little difficult to have a disgruntled employee.”
“I think the motion should be to continue with M.T. Causley and have them provide a building official so we can make a permanent decision on some type of hybrid approach,” Bear said.
The meeting was then opened for public comment.
Public comment
Linda Cushing asked who the building official of record for the city is. She was advised by Chappie that questions would not be answered during public comment.
“I’ve been a property owner since 1995 and have done numerous building projects. I just wanted to add my two cents about Darin Cushing,” Keith O’Neill said. “I will tell you I was very supportive of him, he was very supportive of our project and regardless of everything I want to speak on his behalf and say he did a great job for the projects I was engaged in.”
“I live in Sandpiper Resort and I’m here to support what may or may not occur with Drift-In,” Bill Wisotzka said. “We’re all trying to recover from a disastrous scenario. I hope you find some compassion to process what we need to do with Drift-In.”
Pines Park homeowner Elayne Armaniaco spoke in support of Cushing.
“Darin is approachable, he was knowledgeable,” she said. “I think the fact that he was so approachable was really helpful because as you all know we went through a terrible situation and through it all he was fair and kind.”
Michael Silberge, president of West Coast Air Conditioning, spoke in support of Cushing.
“My comments today are to support Darin Cushing,” he said. “I have never had any problems with M.T. Causley. Steve Gilbert is a saint in my opinion, and so is Darin Cushing.”
“I’m concerned. There’s been no discussion up here about Darin,” said Angela Rodocker. “What he did on social media is wrong. If I had an employee that did that I would put them on leave too. But I wouldn’t be up here talking about him being gone. I was shocked. There’s been no discussion about a man that has worked in this community and has an amazing reputation. That’s why you hired him in the first place.”
“What’s going on here today seems like a bit of a witch hunt,” Neil Lind said. “Has counsel or Bradenton Beach staff made mistakes in the past? If so, were you terminated? No.”
“I have a lot of employees who are really hurting right now,” Drift-In owner Derek Williams said.
Drift-In owners Helena and Derek Williams speak to commissioners at a Jan. 28 work meeting. From left are Commissioner Deborah Scaccianoce, City Attorney Ricinda Perry and Helena and Derek Williams. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Motions
Bear made a motion to continue with M.T. Causley and have them provide a building official until the city can make a permanent decision on some type of hybrid approach.
A second motion was read by Perry to authorize staff and Chappie to pursue emergency services for building department and planning services with JPI and ISC as well as to submit any necessary mission requests to the State of Florida or Manatee County.
A third motion was read by Perry to authorize Chappie and staff to coordinate with Holmes Beach for any additional services that cannot be fulfilled by M.T. Causley in the immediate future to provide building and planning services to the constituency.
All three motions passed unanimously.
“I think we should do everything possible to work with the owners of the Drift-In to help them move on with that building,” Vosburgh said.
Drift-In matters
Perry advised the commission that she would not represent the city in Drift-In matters.
“Mayor Chappie, there is a change,” Perry said. “I have declined representation on behalf of the city. The notices have gone out, the hearing will be the first commission meeting in March. The P&Z meeting and the city commission meeting. I am declining any representation, in large part, because Mr. Williams has retained the law firm of my husband and I am uncomfortable with representing the city with that perceived potential for conflict.”
That prompted an exchange between Drift-In owners Derek and Helena Williams and Chappie.
“In regards to the city attorney’s comment, as a business owner if she’s now stating she has a conflict of interest, from what we’ve been told there’s no replacement,” Helena Williams said. “So, in my opinion it looks from our perspective that we’re at a standstill until somebody else is appointed to represent you, so how that’s going to affect our business and us opening I would like to know the answer to that. There needs to be a replacement. When is that going to happen? Because we would like to move forward and open our business.”
Derek Williams said, “First let me say, I’m not attacking anybody, including Miss Perry. I feel the tensions back and forth since I arrived. The email I received last night said Ricinda got our 30-day public notice out and I have to wait for 30 days. There’s been some questions about when the Planning and Zoning meeting would be. All of these things get addressed in one day? There’s not been a lot of clarification. That means potentially I’m closed for another 30 days.”
“The only comment I’ll make is Ricinda is going to recuse to be clear there’s no conflict and it’s the safest way. Drift-In knew her husband was in the firm,” Chappie said.
Williams said, “I was told they’re divorced.”
“You knew who her husband was, and it is what it is,” Chappie said. “We’ve got to protect the city’s rights.”
CORTEZ – Just one day after the Manatee County Board of Commissioners’ Jan. 28 vote to direct staff to explore ways to bring the hurricane-damaged Annie’s Bait and Tackle up to code, a contingent of county staff met Commissioner Tal Siddique to inspect the building.
Annie’s is part of the Seafood Shack parcel that the county recently purchased to create a public boating facility.
“Commissioner Bearden made a motion, within 30 days to present all options for a feasible rebuild to keep Annie’s here was the directive,” Siddique said. “We’re doing our due diligence.”
The inspections will be repeated six more times. In accordance with Sunshine Law, each commissioner will meet with county staff and tour the building separately.
“We’re here to tour the facility,” Siddique said. “We have our natural resources, our building official, our county administrator, all of our county leadership here, plus me as district commissioner. The fire marshal will be out here.”
Siddique said he met with Annie’s co-owner Bruce Shearer during the inspection.
“I feel for him. Just looking at these reports, looking at what the experts are telling me, the building officials and more, this isn’t just a matter of replacing some two-by-fours,” he said.
Shearer has said he would be able to repair the building at a cost of around $5,000 and is hoping to be allowed to do so.
“We have a responsibility to make sure we’re protecting the neighboring communities and we’re upholding all the progress we made in the Community Rating System and we’re not putting that at risk,” Siddique said. “This has to be FEMA compliant. If we break the law, everybody in Manatee County loses their flood insurance.”
He said Annie’s will not be fenced off, allowing Shearer to access the building.
“I ran on preserving our small town feel here and I’m trying to do what we can to keep Annie’s here, but these old school style of buildings, we know they’re not going to last with the way these hurricanes are going,” Siddique said.
Siddique said the dock repairs would require an emergency Army Corps of Engineers permit.
“I don’t want to pre-suppose the board,” Siddique said. “I think what you’re going to see is county come forward with all the pros and cons the proffers we’re making to Bruce (Shearer).”
HOLMES BEACH – The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce awarded trolley grants to 18 local organizations and announced three business of the year award winners during a ceremony at the Key Royale Golf Club clubhouse on Jan. 23.
Local business owners Adrienne Cardinale, Donna Woodruff, Jason Luper (front row), Frank Galati, Rick Cardinale, Marife Bryan and Gayle Luper accepted the Chamber’s business of the year awards. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
LaPensee Plumbing, Pool and Air owner Karen LaPensee served as the evening’s master of ceremonies, assisted by Chamber President Terri Kinder.
The annual trolley grants are funded by a portion of the advertising revenues generated by the businesses that advertise on the trolley buses that Manatee County Area Transit operates on Anna Maria Island at no charge to trolley passengers.
When applying for the annual trolley grants, local organizations propose a specific use or project and an estimated cost. A panel of Chamber board members interviews each applicant and determines who receives a grant and the grant amount. The differing grant amounts are based on the request and the surplus advertising revenues available, which this year totaled nearly $18,000.
This year’s grant recipients included Anna Maria Elementary School, the Anna Maria Island Art League, the Anna Maria Island Garden Club, the Anna Maria Island Historical Society, the Anna Maria Island Privateers, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, the Annie Silver Community Center, the Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island, the Cortez Village Historical Society, Friends of the Florida Maritime Museum, Friends of the Island Library, The Island Players, the Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island, the Roser Food Pantry, Roser Memorial Community Church, the Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island, The Center of Anna Maria Island and Wildlife Inc.
Businesses of the year
Shore Thing Tiki Cruises is the chamber’s large business of the year, Bungalow Beach Resort is the medium-sized business of the year and Slicker’s Eatery is the small business of the year.
Rick Cardinale, Adrienne Cardinale and Frank Galati accepted the award given to Shore Thing Tiki Cruises. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
When accepting the large business award, Adrienne Cardinale, joined by her husband, Rick, and Capt. Frank Galati, thanked the Chamber and said, “If it wasn’t for the networking events, the support and the ambassadors who really helped us integrate with the Island and the other business owners, we wouldn’t be where we are today. We started from scratch and we’re super-thankful for the award.”
Marife Bryan, Gayle Luper and Jason Luper accepted the award given to the Bungalow Beach Resort. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The Bungalow Beach Resort in Bradenton Beach sustained significant hurricane damage and several ground-level bungalows built in the 1930s were destroyed.
When accepting the award, Jason Luper said, “This is amazing and we’re very honored. We’re able to rebuild and we’re excited to keep the soul of Anna Maria Island with what we have.”
His mother, Gayle Luper, said, “We’re very thankful for this and we’re thankful for the Chamber. Our new project, we call it ‘old Florida with modern durability.’ We’ll keep the reclaimed wood and ambiance and even though it’s going to be a brand-new building, it’s still going to have the ‘old Florida’ look.”
Donna and Bill Woodruff accepted the award given to Slicker’s Eatery. – Joe Hendricks | SunBrandon Rolland, Chris Ferrero, Abby Coller and Brianna Sandstrom received the Slicker’s Eatery award the following day. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Slicker’s Eatery in Cortez sustained significant flood damage during the hurricanes and had not reopened as of last week, but their reopening is expected soon. Owner Bob Slicker couldn’t attend the ceremony because he was recovering from surgery, so Donna Woodruff accepted the award on his behalf. When contacted the following day (his 118th day of closure) Slicker expressed his gratitude for winning the award despite being closed for four months.
“Since we first dreamt of building our own little family eatery, we promised to keep things local and keep kindness at the forefront. It has never been about competition or getting rich. We still haven’t stopped working, serving and growing and we’ve never been known to give up. Simply put, we care about people and people care about us,” Slicker said.
Dr. Katie Fradley and Jen Serra represented the Anna Maria Elementary school. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Marilyn Margold and Gale Tedhams represented the Anna Maria Island Art League. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Renita Bertoluzzi and Kathy Morgan represented the Anna Maria Island Garden Club. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Kris Martinez represented the Cortez Village Historical Society. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Anna Juarez and Karen Bell represented the Friends of the Florida Maritime Museum. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Rebecca Gill and Judy Rupp represented the Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Jillian Ptak and Chris Culhane represented The Center of Anna Maria Island. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
MANATEE COUNTY – Anna Maria Island once again has an elected city official serving on the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC).
The last elected Island official to sit on the TDC was former Anna Maria Commissioner Doug Copeland, who helped secure TDC-supported funds for the construction of the new City Pier completed in 2020.
On Jan. 28, Manatee County Commissioners appointed Holmes Beach Commission Chair Dan Diggins to fill the elected official’s seat recently vacated by former Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant.
County commissioners appointed Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa Managing Director and minority owner Anthony “Tony” DeRusso to fill the hotelier’s seat recently vacated by Anna Maria Island businessman Ed Chiles.
Palmetto Marriott Resort Managing Director Tony DeRusso has a seat on the TDC. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Diggins, Palmetto Mayor Dan West and Longboat Key Town Commissioner Debra Williams sought the vacant elected official’s seat. DeRusso, Anna Maria Island developer and hotel owner Shawn Kaleta, Wagner Realty rental property manager Lisa Varano and Realtor/Short Term Florida Rentals LLC owner Damien Hernandez sought the vacant hotelier’s seat.
Serving as an advisory board to the county commission, TDC members make non-binding recommendations regarding the proposed tourism-related expenditures of the revenues generated by the county’s 6% tourist development tax. The tax applies to all lodging stays of six months or less in Manatee County and last year it generated approximately $30 million in tax revenues. Per state law, tourist development tax revenues can only be spent on projects and initiatives that promote or enhance tourism.
The appointments
Having received the TDC candidates’ applications before Tuesday’s meeting, District 3 County Commissioner Tal Siddique nominated Diggins to fill the elected official’s seat and District 6 at-large Commissioner Jason Bearden nominated West. Before the vote occurred, County Commission Chair George Kruse said he previously reached out to West to explain his support for Diggins.
“The islands (Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key) have not had an elected official representative on the TDC during my time on the board,” Kruse said. “They have not been given fair representation considering the disproportionate amount of capital and funds they contribute. I talked to Dan West and he understood.”
Kruse noted that Eric Cairns also sits on the TDC. Cairns manages the Cedar Cove Resort in Holmes Beach.
Commissioner Amanda Ballard expressed similar support for Diggins.
“For much the same reason, I will be backing Dan Diggins. I don’t want all these north county people represented with no representation from the islands when they provide so much in the way of our tourist economy,” she said.
The commission voted 5-2 in favor of Diggins, with Bearden and Mike Rahm supporting West.
Diggins’ TDC term will expire in June 2028.
Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione said he would reach out to West and Williams.
“If they have interest in tourism, we want them to be part of our dialogue,” he said.
Falcione said the hotelier appointee would fill the TDC seat that Chiles held for more than 25 years, but would only do so until June, when all four current hotelier terms expire and become open for reappointment or appointment.
Bearden nominated DeRusso and with no further discussion or additional nominees, the commission voted 7-0 in favor of DeRusso’s appointment. Kaleta did not attend the meeting and no meeting attendees offered public input on any of the applicants.
Appointee’s insights
Diggins attended the morning session of the county meeting but left before the TDC appointments were made late that afternoon.
The following day, he said, “I think it’s an asset for an elected official from the Island to be on the council because the Island contributes as much tourist tax revenues as the rest of the county combined. I have a very good relationship with Elliott and I really appreciate the trust the county commission has in me. I’ll do a good job representing the Island and the county. My first meeting will be Feb. 24 at Bradenton city hall.”
Tourist tax revenues were used to launch the county-contracted Gulf Islands Ferry service and the tourist tax revenues subsidize that ongoing public transportation operation. Diggins supports having a ferry stop in Holmes Beach and sitting on the TDC might increase the odds of that happening.
“We live on an Island. It makes sense. The two current boats are starter vessels and they’re getting a third boat built that’s enclosed and designed for the waters, currents, winds and weather we have out here. Elliott and I have talked about a ferry stop at the Kingfish Boat Ramp. The county would have to put some money into it and we should use TDC funds to do it,” he said.
Diggins’ appointment illustrates the improved relations between Holmes Beach and Manatee County officials since the 2024 elections reshaped the county commission.
“The city and the county couldn’t continue down the negative road we were on. Both parties recognized that and this is a step in the right direction,” Diggins said.
Standing outside the commission chambers after his appointment, DeRusso said, “I’m humbled by the appointment and I’m honored to be sitting at the table – especially in the seat of a legend like Ed Chiles. The Island’s ‘old Florida’ experience was the first thing I fell in love with when I came here from northern California nine years ago. Protecting that experience for the residents and future visitors is important and we also need to continue to invest in the Island and enhance it.”
DeRusso noted the Palmetto Marriott Resort is located near the entrance to the county’s urban core and next to the county-owned convention center; and Falcione has frequently expressed his desire for a ferry stop near the convention center and the new hotel.
“We need to make sure we have a diversified ‘tool belt’ to attract visitors and weather the different types of storms, literally and figuratively, we experience here in Manatee County. I look forward to diversifying the investments that help grow tourism in this area.”
BRADENTON – Following a strong showing of public support for the continued existence of Annie’s Bait and Tackle at a Jan. 28 Manatee County Commission meeting, coupled with the insistence of County Commissioner Jason Bearden, the commission voted unanimously to direct county staff to explore ways to bring the hurricane-damaged Annie’s up to code.
“I feel like we keep beating around the bush on this,” Bearden said. “We’ve had people come here in public comment today that have made the decision they want to keep Annie’s. Therefore, let me show you how to get it done. County Administrator (Charlie) Bishop, I need you to figure out how to get that building up to code so that Annie’s can continue, period. No ifs, ands or buts.”
Annie’s Bait and Tackle is part of the Seafood Shack parcel that was recently purchased by the county with the intent of creating a public boating facility.
“Do I have a consensus on the board to get that done right now or do I have to make a motion?” Bearden asked.
Commissioner George Kruse then asked Bishop to work with his staff to bring back a discussion about the feasibility of bringing Annie’s up to code.
“They have to speak with FEMA. They have to talk to general contractors, and they have to figure it out.” Kruse said. “It’ll be as soon as feasibly possible they will bring it back.”
“Let’s make a motion then to confirm it,” Bearden said. “I want to make a motion to have something back with regards to what we need to do to get Annie’s back up to code within 30 days.”
That motion passed unanimously at a vote of 7-0 and brought applause from meeting attendees who spoke in support of Annie’s.
Annie’s co-owner, Bruce Shearer, spoke to The Sun after the meeting.
“They’re giving us 30 days, so I’ll be getting a bid from my contractor and bringing it back to them,” Shearer said. “I’m hoping to put it back together and get back to business.”
Shearer said there were approximately 75 people who attended the meeting in support of Annie’s.
“That did wonders,” he said. “There’s no doubt about it.”
Prior to the public comment portion of the meeting, Deputy County Administrator Brian Parnell gave commissioners an update on what is now being called the Cortez Marina property.
“Before the acquisition was finalized, the hurricanes, as anyone can see, caused extensive damage destroying the boat slips, the restaurants and the bait and tackle,” Parnell said.
Parnell said that structural inspections revealed that all the repairs would be beyond 50% of the structures’ value, which triggered FEMA regulations ensuring that any build back would be to current code.
“The current status is they are red-tagged, they are condemned,” Parnell said.
“We went under contract to acquire this pre-storm with the intention of resigning the leases,” Kruse said. “Annie’s bait shack structure is condemned and doesn’t exist. I must adhere to higher powers telling us people cannot be in there and we cannot pull permits. We can’t in good conscience issue permits and ignore FEMA and hold other people that cross the 50% threshold to a different standard on their residences.”
Kruse said the property is going to be fenced off to demolish the Seafood Shack, eliminating parking.
“There’s no boat docking there so there’s no use for a bait shack at the moment,” he said. “We had this discussion, we wanted to work in good faith with Bruce and Annie’s Bait Shack to try to put them there to keep some historical heritage associated with Cortez village in place but we cannot sign leases on condemned buildings. That’s not wise to do, and it’s not legal to do.”
“We did have those discussions prior to the hurricanes when the previous board directed us to purchase the property, we discussed how we could keep operations going on the marina for the two and a half years before we can build something new and get something in place,” Parnell said. “Post-hurricanes, it’s not an option for us anymore.”
“I know that’s not what people want to hear,” Kruse said. “The reality is we do not have a physical structure to sign a lease for. Once this is up and running, this is a good conversation to have with us, how do we refill the location which is inclusive hopefully of Annie’s Bait Shack, which I will keep beating that drum for in two and two and a half years, because I want to keep that historical component associated with this property.”
PUBLIC COMMENT
“My dad is Bruce Shearer, he owns Annie’s. I understand what you’re saying about the building,” said Anna Gaffey. “My parents Bruce and Kim bought Annie’s Bait and Tackle Jan. 1, 1996. They worked hard over the years to turn it into a place where families could come and eat, buy bait and tackle and learn about fishing.”
Gaffey said Annie’s means a lot to the community.
“Over the years, they have watched kids coming in to buy bait and have watched them grow up and now we get to see those kids all grown up bringing their kids to eat and get bait,” she said. “It’s one of the pleasures of being in a business like this, generations of love and passion for fishing.”
“Annie’s has always been an older historic building and that’s what’s important out there. We’d like to see if it’s at all possible to protect it,” Karen Bell said.
“Annies is very important to Cortez,” tour boat Capt. Kathe Fannon said. “It’s historical and a lot of people depend on it. I think taking two and a half years is not acceptable. I think we need to give him the opportunity to put the place back together.”
Shearer said he could fix the hurricane damage for about $5,000.
“If we hadn’t been hit by the hurricanes, you’d have let me stay,” Shearer said. “Five grand, that’s all the damage I’ve got.”
Following the meeting Shearer said, “It’s an iconic place, I hope to get longer than two and a half to three years.”
ANNA MARIA – The winter chill kept the 8- to 10-year-old players from taking the field last week, but the older kids and adults battled it out during a slight break in the weather.
On Monday night, the Sato Real Estate team only allowed Sandhoff Construction to score eight points in the 20-8 game. Quarterback Blake Bower threw the touchdown pass to Grady Sandhoff for six points. The additional two points came from a David Evans sack in the Sato Real Estate end zone for the safety.
QB Brandon Sato dominated the game statistics on offense and defense for the Sato Real Estate team. Ashton Bennet was Sato’s target for a touchdown and two single point-after conversions.
Sato ran for a TD and intercepted a Bower pass for a pick-six, helping lead his team to victory. Defensively, the Sato team had 15 recorded flag pulls compared to the six defensive stops by the Sandhoff squad.
Team Shady Lady could not take advantage of the 10 catches made by Stone Mitchell in their loss to Moss Builders. With the final score of 39-6, the arms of Mason Moss and Austin Guess just could not be stopped.
Renan Kesten caught the three scoring passes by Moss and Guess. The receiving statistics for the Moss Builders team speak volumes about the depth of the team. Putting two additional points on the scoreboard were Guess and Bryson Frady, scoring a one-point conversion.
Working as a receiver, Guess had six catches in the game, while Kesten nabbed five of Moss’ throws. Teammates added five additional catches totaling 17 compared to 11 by the Shady Lady Horticultural Services team.
Shady Lady showed their potential with a throw from Charlie Neri to Stone Mitchell for the six points in week two action.
Team Jiffy Lube defeated Solid Rock Air Conditioning 15-6 in a closer matchup. Kyle Mims hit Carson Long for the touchdown and six points for Solid Rock.
Luke VanDuinen, playing for Jiffy Lube, threw to Braelyn Curtis and Callin Westfall for 12 points. Curtis sacked the Solid Rock QB in the end zone resulting in two points for Jiffy Lube.
Adding a point for Jiffy, Tyler Trout caught a VanDuinen throw for a successful point after a touchdown to help with the team win.
Poppos Taqueria and Salty Printing played a tough game, ending with Salty coming out on top 13-7. Tyler Higman found Grayson Cohen for Poppos in the week two loss. Teammate Sawyer Leibfried found the end zone, adding a point to the scoreboard.
Quarterback Jahkari Steele made the difference in the game for Salty Printing, throwing a touchdown pass to Turner Worth and intercepting the Poppos quarterback for a six-point run back after the turnover.
Securing an extra point in the game, Asher Patel was Steele’s go-to to help secure the W.
The teens and adults took to the gridiron last week with victory posted in the statistics for Cortez Florida Vacations, Moss Builders and Solid Rock Air Conditioning.
Playing back-to-back nights last week, the adults go into weeks 5 and 6 this week again with games on Wednesday and Thursday nights.
Everyone likes to speculate on what the real estate trends will be going forward. The problem is we are in uncharted territory, so making predictions could be a fool’s errand.
What is it that we do know? We know we have lived through a devastating hurricane season, leaving homes all over Manatee County damaged. Anna Maria Island and other coastal communities bear the brunt of the damage but homeowners fronting the Manatee River have experienced their fair share of damage.
We also know the mortgage interest rates; the Federal Reserve lowering its rates in December did nothing to improve mortgage interest rates, just the opposite – they went up. On Jan. 17, mortgage rates rose above 7% for the average of a 30-year fixed rate mortgage for the first time since mid-2024 per Freddie Mac.
This uptick in rates was totally missed by housing executives and economists who incorrectly predicted that mortgage rates would come down. Six months ago, the prediction was that interest rates would be reduced slowly through 2025, and mortgage rates would reach the mid- to high-5% range. For our region, the combination of damaged properties and high interest rates that may also make investors take pause leaves us with a double whammy of uncertainty.
So, what’s the good news? I guess it depends on how you look at it, however, the Florida Demographic Estimating Conference predicts that Florida’s population growth will slow down. In 2024, the conference reported over 23 million in population, an increase of 1.62%. Their estimated growth rate for 2025 decreases to 1.43% and in 2026 down further to 1.33% and keeps declining. Nowhere in their estimates does it show that growth will be reversed; in fact, in 2033, Florida will likely reach well over 25 million residents.
As far as Manatee County’s position in this growth, in 2024 the population increased to just over 452,000 residents and by 2028 will potentially reach almost 485,000 residents. Looks like the slowdown won’t be an issue in Manatee County – not surprising based on the avalanche of new construction all over the county.
Let’s take a look at the December real estate statistics reported by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee:
Single-family homes in Manatee County closed 6.2% more properties this December compared to last December. The median sale price was $492,045, down 1.6%, and the average sale price was $675,263, down 2.8%. The median time to contract was 56 days compared to 35 days last year and the number of new listings was up 19.3%. The month’s supply of available properties was 4 months compared to 3.3 months last December.
Condos in Manatee County closed 24.9% more properties this December compared to last year. The median sale price was $327,000, down 6.6%, and the average sale price was $361,827, down 4.3%. The median time to contract was 56 days compared to 38 days last year and the number of new listings was up 43.5%. The month’s supply of available properties was 6.9 months compared to 4.6 months last year.
More next week about what these numbers may mean and the overall yearly trends.
Uncharted territory is probably an understatement since it’s almost impossible to get a firm answer about the future other than an overall feeling that everything will come back. As always, everyone needs to make decisions based on their personal needs, uncharted or not.
My first experience fishing with a guide was when I moved to the Suncoast and met Bobby Lee, a neighbor and avid angler. Lee had been chartering for Capt. Scott Moore and would invite me to join him on multiple occasions. It was Moore who showed me a whole new universe of fishing and ignited the flame that burns bright to this day. It was also Moore who sparked my advocacy when our worries about the state of gamefish populations led us to form the Manatee Chapter of The Florida Conservation Association (FCA) with another local guide, Capt. Jim O’Neill.
A writing career was fostered through my work with the FCA. Fishing guides became a trusted source for ideas, techniques and information that I share with my readers to this day. Guides were valued colleagues when my advocacy moved from the fish to the habitat and waters that sustain them. Like his father, Scott, Capt. Justin Moore has a passion for fishing and a conservation ethic he inherited from his dad and G.B. Knowles (the first outdoor editor of The Anna Maria Island Sun). He and other local guides have been “eyes on the water” for Suncoast Waterkeeper and have helped protect acres of mangroves and seagrass habitat.
Now many of these dedicated watermen are suffering from many factors not of their making. If you haven’t fished with a guide, this is an excellent time to experience some of the dedication, expertise and humor that I have found invaluable for four decades.
Recently, I was talking to Anna Maria guide Capt. Dave White about these challenges and asked him to put his feelings down in his own words. He responded, “The charter fishing industry is undeniably a ‘feast or famine’ profession, heavily influenced by unpredictable variables. Challenges such as red tide, shifting weather patterns, economic instability, FWC regulations, major hurricanes and even global events like COVID-19 have all left their mark, often threatening our livelihood. Yet, for many of us who call this coast home, giving up isn’t an option. Commercial fishermen and charter guides remain steadfast, clinging to a way of life that embodies the spirit of resilience and connection to the sea. For the true ‘lifers’ of the area, this work is more than just a profession – it’s a tradition, a passion and a legacy worth preserving. Of course, as in any industry, there are those who come and go, drawn in by the allure but unprepared for the reality. But for those who stay, the connection to our waterways and estuaries runs deep. By choosing local guides, practicing sustainable fishing, and protecting our natural resources, you help ensure this cherished way of life endures for generations. Together, we can safeguard the waterways and traditions that define our coastal heritage.”
These professionals take you to places you might never venture to on your own and have the knowledge to make memories that last a lifetime. A guided fishing trip is a win-win-win experience for the angler, guide and the waters they love and work to protect.
BRADENTON BEACH – The city’s Scenic Waves Partnership Committee held a ribbon-cutting on Jan. 24 to showcase the first installation of “Wildlife of Anna Maria Island” signs on the Bradenton Beach Scenic Highway. The ceremony was held at John Chappie Park at 1400 Gulf Drive N.
The Scenic Waves Partnership Committee was awarded a $5,000 Tampa Bay Estuary Program mini-grant for the design and manufacturing of two of six wildlife educational signs to be installed at public parks along the Bradenton Beach Scenic Highway. The signs teach ways to protect wildlife and their habitats.
According to a press release from Scenic Waves, “The sign design was done by Drawn by Dawn Witherington Illustration & Design. Each sign is 60″ x 24” high-pressure laminate CHPL and was installed atop aluminum posts by the Bradenton Beach Public Works Department staff. The sign design and content were reviewed for scientific accuracy by Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, as well as Wildlife Inc.”
Keep Manatee Beautiful has provided 68 color prints of the “Wildlife of Anna Maria Island” sign and 68 thumb drives with information about the wildlife to Manatee County’s public schools, private schools and community centers.
“Scenic Waves members are obtaining feedback through surveys from the public where the signs have been placed, both before and after the signs were installed,” according to the press release. “The surveys ask the public to identify seven animals in the bays and Gulf of Mexico around Anna Maria Island, two reasons why our shorelines are important for wildlife and two ways to help protect the wildlife. A summary of the results will be provided to the Tampa Bay Estuary Program.”
BRADENTON BEACH – In a Jan. 24 letter, City Attorney Ricinda Perry outlined the city’s reasons for the Jan. 21 suspension of Building Official Darin Cushing and is asking his employer to provide a replacement for the city.
The letter, which was addressed to Matthew Causley, president of M.T. Causley, was shared by email with city officials and The Sun. M.T. Causley is a subsidiary of SAFEbuilt Inc. and provided Cushing’s contractual building official staffing to Bradenton Beach.
The city’s reasons for what Mayor John Chappie characterized as Cushing’s “temporary suspension,” center around the Building Official’s approval of a permit for construction of a tiki hut structure at Drift-In on Bridge Street as well as various social media posts.
According to Perry’s letter, “The project at issue was for the Drift-In located on two parcels at 120 and 122 Bridge St. The project on the 120 Bridge St. parcel consisted of an outdoor structure that Mr. Cushing determined was a Chickee Hut, exempt from the Florida Building Code pursuant to Section 553.73 (10) Fla. Stat. He approved the structure with the following notable issues:
1. 450% larger (24’x54’) than the prior structure (13’x15’+3’ overhang);
2. Decreased parking spaces that were previously part of the site;
3. Allowed the replacement structure to be placed back into an easement granted to the City; and
4. The “Chickee Hut” contained non-wood features such as nails, screws, a concrete floor, outdoor bar, stage area, as well as electrical and plumbing work incorporated into the structure.
These proposed improvements fall outside of the Section 553.73 (10) exemption.”
On Jan. 21, Mayor John Chappie and Perry met with Cushing. Perry’s letter states that Cushing was asked about the intent and purpose of public comments he made on social media and said that instead, Cushing redirected the conversation to the tiki hut permit.
According to Perry’s letter, Cushing stated at that meeting: “I’m out. I’m requesting to be out of here. I want to tell SAFEbuilt to send another different building official here. They’ve already got a position for me elsewhere. So, it’s because now it feels like a hostile working environment.”
At that point, the letter states that Chappie advised Cushing he was suspending his service and would be contacting M.T. Causley for a replacement building official.
The city commission approved Cushing’s contract as building official on Jan. 23, 2024. He has been a licensed building official since 2005.
Cushing declined to comment on Perry’s letter.
Perry’s letter cited the following reasons for Cushing’s temporary suspension:
ULTRA VIRES ACT (ACTING OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF AUTHORITY)
“The city is of the opinion that the issuance of an administrative development approval to Drift-In, for the installation of a structure that Mr. Cushing deemed to be a Chickee Hut, as exempted by Florida Statutes, was improperly categorized as such, and should not have been approved until a major development hearing was conducted by the Planning and Zoning Board and City Commission.”
Perry wrote that Cushing’s administrative approval of the structure was outside the scope of his authority, and he failed to adhere to the municipal laws in the city’s Land Development Code.
According to an exhibit attached to Perry’s letter, Cushing stated in a social media post, “It was approved administratively and needed no more than that. But others aren’t getting their way (or that property) so I’m being asked to pull back my approval and force the owner to go through a ridiculous set of processes.”
DISREGARDING DIRECTION FROM MAYOR
“Mayor Chappie proactively advised Mr. Cushing to refrain from issuance of any permits immediately following the approval of a demolition permit for the property at 122 Bridge, because of active legal discussions between the city attorney and the attorney for the Drift-In,” the letter states.
The letter states that Cushing issued the administrative development approval without informing anyone in the city.
“Upon seeing redevelopment work and repairs at the Drift-In on Dec. 13, 2024, Mayor Chappie immediately contacted Mr. Cushing by phone and in writing to advise him of a number of concerns that he had in order to protect the city stating, ‘“[t]he Cities [sic] Land Use Right and the Drift-In’s Land Use Rights must be protected, and proper policy and procedures must be followed. The City must operate in accordance with the policy mandates of the Commission. All proper documentation must be in place to protect the city from any FEMA issues and the Cities [sic] easement issues must be addressed by the commission prior to any additional work.”
A copy of the written notice from Chappie was attached to the letter.
“Mr. Cushing disregarded all advice given by Mayor Chappie,” the letter states.
FAILURE TO ADHERE TO PROCEDURES AND NOTICE TO REVIEWING AGENCIES
Perry’s letter stated: “The failure to notify any of the reviewing agencies i.e. WMFD (West Manatee Fire District) violated the procedures of the Building Department and came at a cost to the property owner. Mr. Cushing did not provide any information nor the plans for review to the West Manatee Fire District (“WMFD”), the City of Bradenton Beach Police Department, nor the City of Bradenton Beach Public Works, as required in the approval process.”
“During a 12/19/24 Commission Meeting where an update was provided on the Drift-In matter, a directive by the city commission to notify WMFD was directed to Mr. Cushing, who made the following statement: “I know the Fire Marshal is aware of the situation, but I will bring this new information to him today and see if he needs to put an approval on it. However, during the WMFD meeting a month later on 1/14/25, Chief Rigney and Fire Marshal Kwiatkowski stated that they learned of the Drift-In project through social media and had not been provided any municipal notice, nor a copy of the permit application. The Fire Marshal was obligated to red tag the property and found that the thatched roof was in violation of the standards and regulations promulgated by the District. Accordingly, the new roof would have to be removed and replaced with synthetic thatched materials, which may have been avoided with notice to WMFD.”
According to a social media post attached to Perry’s letter, Cushing had written, “I will take ownership of not routing to WMFR, but the Fire Marshal and I immediately had a conversation about it and agreed on a game plan. Then he came out and red tagged it, at whose direction? The whole thing stinks to me… I may be wrong… but I’m usually not.”
FAILURE TO ADHERE TO AND PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF FEMA/FLOODPLAIN POST-STORM EVENT
“The cessation of securing a permit for property improvements/repairs at 120 Bridge St. violates a number of policies of the City, the Land Development Code, and, in light of the post-hurricane floodplain/FEMA compliance, likely violated the substantial damage and substantial improvement procedures,” Perry stated in the letter.
“As noted by the Fire Marshal on 1/14/25, the second structure located at 122 Bridge St. had undergone extensive renovations including electrical, plumbing, restroom reconfigurations, windows, doors, concrete, painting, flooring, HVAC work. No permit was required by Mr. Cushing for any of the work until a meeting with WMFD, wherein the City Attorney and the WMFD Fire Marshal requested for one to be applied for and reviewed by the Building Department and the appropriate agencies,” Perry’s letter states. “As directed by FEMA Floodplain Management and Insurance Specialist, Braydon Williams from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, every single improvement to any property, including minor repairs such as repainting an interior wall, triggers the need in a post-storm event for a permit in order to properly and legally capture substantial damage and substantial improvement matters. Failure to do so is grounds for non-compliance and audits.”
SOCIAL MEDIA
“The actions of Mr. Cushing to engage in salacious social media postings with slang profanity terms is improper and harmful to the City of Bradenton Beach. The City is aware of no less than half of a dozen comments on social media that contained factual misstatements, made declarations adverse to the best interest of the City, incited the public against the City, and made statements that could be taken as threats against the City ‘[s]o when it all hits the fan, be prepared to get some on your face!’,” Perry’s letter states.
She stated that one additional posting by Cushing pending his temporary suspension casts a negative light on the City of Bradenton Beach.
“I requested the assistance of Paul Featherston to address any written or verbal statements by SAFEbuilt, M.T. Causley or its agents that could be defamatory in nature with the public or press. We would again emphasize the importance of maintaining a level of professionalism that does not negatively impact the reputation of the City or SAFEbuilt/M.T.Causley,” Perry stated in the letter.
Featherston is the West Coast/Central Florida Regional Operations Manager at SAFEbuilt.
THE CITY’S REQUEST FOR REPLACEMENT BUILDING OFFICIAL
“Mayor Chappie has contacted Mr. Featherston each day this week since Mr. Cushing has left the service of the city and has been advised that options are very limited,” Perry’s letter states. “Time is of the essence—especially in the aftermath of the two storm events that greatly impacted our community. If SAFEbuilt is unable to provide the services needed and contracted for by the city, please advise immediately.”
