It’s a new year and time for new marketing ideas. You may think you’ve tried everything to sell your home, but you’ll be surprised at what you may have overlooked.
For about 25 years of my working life, I worked in some form of marketing. Selling real estate is, of course, marketing; and many of the years I worked for the Sun newspaper I was involved in advertising. But what really got my creative juices running was the years I worked with relocation companies marketing and selling their properties.
Time is money, and when relocation companies are tasked with selling a property they have taken over from one of their client’s employees, it can’t be wasted. Naturally, they are looking to the realtor to come up with the best ideas, and sometimes we did. One of my favorite marketing ideas was giving away a mink coat to the broker who came up with the buyer. This was a multi-million-dollar property in a high-end area on the north shore of Long Island – a lovely home with just one problem: the commuter train ran through the end of the property.
The relocation company at first was reluctant to spend thousands of dollars to acquire the mink, but when their representatives drove down from Connecticut to the broker open house they were impressed by the wall-to-wall brokers who attended. Needless to say, it worked. Realtors are nothing if not competitive and there was so much exposure to the property that it was inevitable.
Obviously, Anna Maria Island and our coastal communities won’t be giving away a mink coat but there are other creative beach-related prizes that will attract the attention of brokers. How about a weekend in a Gulf front home available for rent? Or a year’s worth of restaurant gift certificates at one of the Island’s jazzy restaurants? And my personal favorite: a new wardrobe of bikinis to give to your favorite toned woman.
However, now with artificial intelligence becoming such a major marketing tool, real estate is getting in on the act – and I don’t mean just staging a home or redesigning rooms. I read about a homeowner who created an AI film with a storyline specific to their property and ran it attached to their advertising and their listing. The ideas when you live on the beach are unlimited – everything from Robinson Crusoe to beach parties.
If you want to provide a service to both brokers and open house attendees, arrange for a mortgage broker and/or an insurance broker to attend the open houses. In these confusing times of mortgage rates and new mortgage products the opinion of an experienced mortgage broker can come in very handy in a short conversation.
Likewise, waterfront and flood zone home insurance is always a tricky thing. Insurance brokers can answer questions and clear up confusion for brokers and buyers. You’ll look like a hero and people won’t forget the house.
There are a lot of theories about empty houses not showing as well as lived in properties. Back in my day, the relocation companies came up with an idea of putting people they called “house managers” in the properties. They paid nominal rent and were expected to keep the property clean and clutter-free in return, as well as providing security. There are a lot of empty houses on Anna Maria Island that could benefit by this idea.
You don’t need to reinvent the marketing wheel. Go ahead, borrow some ideas and make them your own, I won’t care.
HOLMES BEACH –The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island brought its creativity out from beyond the gallery walls and onto the sidewalk during its monthly “Paint the Town” Friday market walk.
Held outside the Artists Guild gallery in The Island Shopping Center on Friday, Jan. 8, the informal art event bought neighbors and community members together, drawn by conversation, shared stories and a shared sense of creativity.
The event also honored the Guild’s January artist month, Wendell Graham. During the gathering, many attendees stopped to embrace Graham, whose presence was felt as much through her personal warmth as it was through the artwork she creates.
Wendell Graham works on her painting. – Lance Roy | Sun
As a longtime member of the Artists’ Guild, Graham has built her artistic journey around connection, community and a deep appreciation for shared experience. She began her career in 1978 as a graphic illustrator in the U.S. Army, later serving as a photojournalist and advancing through leadership roles in public affairs, training, operations, education and professional development.
Graham retired as a command sergeant major from the Rhode Island Army National Guard after 28 ½ of service, followed by an 18-year career at Boston College.
Her professional life reflected discipline, leadership and service – qualities that continue to shape her creative work today. Rather than slowing down after retirement, Graham and her husband, Tom McLaughlin, embraced adventure, spending years parachuting and skydiving with multiple groups in the northeast.
That same sense of motion and exploration carried over naturally into her art. Her work spans oil, acrylic and watercolor, along with photography, dyes, inks, colored pencils and crayons. She often incorporates natural elements such as flora, feathers, wax and wood, creating richly textured paintings and sculptures that feel layered and alive.
Graham describes her work as an expression of her love for western Florida.
“It’s not just the beaches people expect,” she said. “It’s the hidden Florida water and land.”
The four Guild artists added their contributions to each other’s paint-around pieces. – Lance Roy | Sun
The evening included a raffle featuring four collaborative artworks created through a paint-around process in which the four participating artists rotated canvases every few minutes, adding their own creative touch to each painting. The paint-around artists were Graham, LuAnn Widegreen, Leslie Robbins and Sandy Staley. The paint-around raffle proceeds will benefit a creative arts student scholarship program for Manatee County high school students.
Guild artists LuAnn Widegreen, Leslie Robbins and Sandy Staley during the “Paint the Town” event. – Lance Roy | Sun
The Guild’s next “Paint the Town” event is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 13, at 5 p.m. at the Artists’ Guild gallery located at 5414 Marina Drive.
While I was sitting by the bay the other day a mullet jumped right in front of me. That’s not unusual if you spend anytime near the water, and it elicited memories of stories I’ve heard over the years that sparked my curiosity.
The first explanation I remember was from the longtime outdoors editor of the Bradenton Herald, Jerry Hill (from the late 1970s until his passing in 2009). A man with a vibrant sense of humor, Hill explained how mullet were vegetarians and eating all those veggies caused them to be flatulent. Releasing that gas was what propelled them out of the water.
Humor aside, I decided to do a search and came up with probable causes: it helps them supplement their oxygen (the theory being they spend a lot of time in warm, cloudy, oxygen-poor water); jumping helps them shed parasites, avoid predators and maybe even helps them see where they were going!
Since I was seeing them jump in clear, cold water I discounted the supplementing O2 theory. I reached out to some commercial fishermen and anglers that I know and respect to get their takes. A highly respected guide who is by nature very observant (he also commercially cast netted) told me he thought it served the purpose of helping them digest their food, since mullet are one of the only fish with a gizzard. Additionally, he suggested it helped them communicate, as he has observed that males and female jumped at different times, especially when they were in spawning populations.
When I called a Cortezian friend who grew up in the village and asked him, he responded, “You want me to ask a Cortezian why mullet jump?” We had a good laugh over that and hung up. The next day he called to say he had reached out to the oldest and most knowledgeable commercial fisherman in Cortez and got a response. The explanation he offered was that after a lifetime of observing and pursuing them, he believed they jumped to communicate.
Amazingly, I got this call while I was sitting by the bay – and as if the mullet were privy to this conversation, a number of them started to jump right in front of me.
When I looked up, I saw a boat with two commercial cast netters approaching about two hundred yards in the distance. As the boat came closer the mullet stopped jumping, as if they had alerted the school and were hiding as the boat closed in. A coincidence? Maybe. But I’m guessing that if we want to know for sure we’ll have to ask a mullet!
Do you have a theory? Have you spoken to a mullet recently? Feel free to share a comment at this week’s Reel Time column posted on the Anna Maria Island Sun Facebook page.
HOLMES BEACH – Blue Ribbon Events is bringing its 7th annual Anna Maria Winter Art & Craft Show to City Field in Holmes Beach on Saturday, Jan. 17, and Sunday, Jan. 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The free, two-day show will showcase the work of more than 40 artists and crafters and their paintings, pottery, jewelry, textiles, woodwork, sculptures, yard art and more. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the artists and purchase their original, one-of-a-kind pieces.
The show will also feature vendors selling sunglasses, beach hats, skincare products, bath and body products, furniture, handmade crepes and more.
According to Blue Ribbon Events CEO Danielle Lynch, the event is designed to support local creativity while providing the community with access to unique artwork.
“The event brings together talented makers and art enthusiasts in a welcoming Island setting,” she said in the event press release.
THE ARTISTS
According to the press release:
Painter Kristina Grillo is returning with her soothing boat scenes and “captivating ladies.”
Husband-and-wife duo Michelle Chang and Wayne Gao are bringing their innovative ceramic art and large-scale wall pieces.
Mixed media artist Rachel Wu returns with her dipped glasses, clocks, charcuterie boards and large wall art.
Photographer Jimmy Chadsey is bringing his nature-themed images.
Woodworker Tim Gillespie is bringing his turned bowls, “crazy Christmas trees,” large plates and mushrooms.
The show will feature seven talented jewelry designers, four of whom are returning fan favorites.
Heather, from Jewelry by Nature’s Stones, will offer unique natural gemstones.
Dawn will have her bohemian wraps and beachy beaded bracelets.
Maureen will have her handcrafted wire wrap creations.
Abby May Miller is returning for the for the first time in a couple years and bringing her “bold runway statement pieces.”
In the press release, Lynch said, “Stop by and support these amazing artists and makers.”
City Field is located at 6001 Marina Drive, next to Holmes Beach City Hall.
ANNA MARIA – The Island Players’ theatrical production of Edward Taylor’s “Murder by Misadventure” is chock full of murderous twists and turns.
The three-week production opened on Thursday, Jan. 8 and continues through Sunday, Jan. 25
Starring Eric Johnson as Harold “Harry” Kent, Sylvia Marnie as his wife, Emma Kent, Heiko Knipfelberg as Paul Riggs and Kristin Mazzitelli as Inspector Egan, the story unfolds in Harry and Emma’s new luxury flat located high above the English Channel, at a time when cell phones were not yet prominent parts of daily life.
Knipfelberg directed the play, and due to unforeseen circumstances, he was unexpectedly thrust into the role of Paul Riggs as well – a development that requires him to perform “on script,” which means he’s at times reading from the small script book he holds in his hand but often disguises.
Director Heiko Knipfelberg also stars as Paul Riggs. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Paul and Harry are longtime and prosperous television writing partners and their specialty is murder mysteries. Over the years, Harry’s grown tired of working with Paul and wants to split the team apart so he can pursue his own writing endeavors.
Having been frugal with his earnings, Harry is positioned to make a career move. Paul, on the other hand, is a hard drinking, less than successful gambler whose earnings are quickly squandered on booze and bad bets, leaving him with no nest egg to fall back on.
Unwilling to accommodate Harry’s request to part ways, Paul tells Harry he knows about a deep, dark and criminal secret from Harry’s past and he’s going to turn him in if Harry insists on breaking up the successful writing team.
Paul’s blackmail threat sets in motion of series of diabolical, murderous and entertaining twists that continue until the final seconds of the surprise ending.
Harry and Emma plot their perfect crime. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
As Harry, Johnson aptly portrays his character’s desire to expand his creative and financial boundaries, and he’s willing to kill to do so.
As Emma, Marnie, (a former magician in real life) perfectly plays the accomplice who’s willing to go along with her husband’s murderous intentions
As Paul Riggs, Knipfelberg nails the complacency, desperation and plot-devising acumen of his character.
Harry is befuddled by Inspector Egan’s interrogative ways. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
As the intrusive, clever and Columbo-like Inspector Egan, Mazzitelli helps bring the second act to its dramatic and unexpected conclusion.
The actors’ talents are enhanced by the work done by Stage Manager Denise Handley, Costume Designer Pamela Hopkins, Set Designer Jan Van Wart, Lighting Designer Ethan Vail, Sound Designer Mike Lusk, hair and makeup artist Rita Lamoreux and Backstage Manager Cheryl Jaroseiwicz, whose props and set changes set the scene for the action unfolding on the stage.
“Murder by Misadventure” is co-produced by Ginny’s & Jane E’s Café. Tickets are $28 for adults, $18 for students and available online at the Island Players website.
Tickets can be purchased at the Island Players box office Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Saturday, Jan. 27. Tickets can also be purchased at the box office an hour before showtime. For more ticketing information, call 941-778-5755.
The Island Players Theatre is located at 10009 Gulf Drive in Anna Maria.
“Murder by Misadventure,” Island Players Theater, 10009 Gulf Dr., Anna Maria.
Thursday, Jan. 15:
Friends of the Island Library Lecture and Travel Series: Peggy Donoho and Ron Prouty, authors of “The Pioneer Tale of Miguel and Frederica Guerrero,” Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.
“Transformational Oyster Restoration in Southwest Florida – Manatee River Case Study” presentation by Oyster River Ecology founder Damon Moore, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday, Jan. 17-18:
Anna Maria Winter Art & Craft Show. City Field, 6001 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 20, 27:
Anna Maria Community Farmers Market, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 21:
“Mastering the Art of Sourdough,” Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th Street W., Cortez, 1-3 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 24:
Storytime & Paint, Distractions On The Island, 5306 Holmes Blvd., Suite 800, Holmes Beach, 11 a.m.
CORTEZ – Slicker’s Eatery owner Bob Slicker is winding down his restaurant operations and the leased space he currently occupies will soon be transformed into Izzy’s Place, a family diner operated by new leaseholder Tom Theophilopoulos.
During separate interviews given on Thursday, Jan. 8, Slicker and Theophilopoulos discussed the upcoming transition.
Bob Slicker is passing the torch to Tom Theophilopoulos. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Slicker’s Eatery will continue operating under Slicker’s leadership through the conclusion of a catered event on Sunday, Feb. 1. Theophilopoulos will take over the following day and the gradual transformation from Slicker’s Eatery to Izzy’s Place will begin.
“We’ve been on a month-to-month lease, our rent increased, and with all of the health issues I had last year, and having another grandchild I would like to visit, we have decided it is in our best interest to not continue our lease,” Slicker said.
“I am retiring from the restaurant business. I’m going to take a little time to get closer to my grandchildren, and myself, and I’m going to let my faith lead me which way I should go.
Abby Coller, Jason Harris, Barb Jeffries and Bob Slicker on the day the restaurant transition was announced. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“We’re going to throw a pig roast and our five-year anniversary party on the last Friday of month (Jan. 30) and we’re hoping during the next few weeks everyone will come by for hugs of joy, drinks and food. Thanks for the support during the good times. Thanks for the support during the bad times. Please come out and see us because my team members could all use a little boost right now. Please watch our Facebook page. We’re still going to be doing our normal activities and events for the next couple weeks,” Slicker said.
An eatery and more
Slicker’s Eatery opened at 12012 Cortez Rd. W. in February 2021. In 2024, the leased building and its contents were badly damaged by Hurricane Helene’s storm surge and floodwaters and further damaged by Hurricane Milton’s winds.
Slicker’s Eatery opened in February 2021. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“Everything in the place was ruined. That was disheartening,” Slicker said of Hurricane Helene. “The second storm ripping the brand-new air conditioner off the roof was bad too.”
While closed for regular business, Slicker’s Eatery hosted several outdoor hurricane relief parties that helped Slicker’s employees and other local out-of-work employees earn some much-needed money. Slicker’s Eatery also hosted a free Thanksgiving dinner for the hurricane-impacted community.
“We wanted to help the Cortez village and its residents,” Slicker said.
Slicker’s Eatery remained closed for 128 days and reopened in February 2025. For several years, Slicker also dealt with painful kidney stone issues that were finally resolved in 2025.
“The last year has been difficult. In all my years in business, this was the most difficult time I’ve had with the factors I can’t control. I ran a good race here for five years and it’s time to start another race,” he said. “I’m proud of everything we have done and everything we have accomplished in five years as a team. And even though the team has changed, we all had the same goal: ‘To not look the other way.’ Some of the team I opened with aren’t here anymore, but they were all part of a wonderful journey.”
Slicker expressed special thanks to his daughter, Molly (Slicker) Parry, his life partner, Amy Coller, and Amy’s 26-year-old daughter, Abby Coller, for the help and support they provided before and after Slicker’s Eatery first opened its doors.
“With all the stuff I went through last year, this place wouldn’t have lasted this long if it wasn’t for Amy, Abby and Molly,” he said.
“I’ve made some tremendous friends here that will carry me through the rest of my life. I’m grateful for those. I also lost the best friends of my life: Scott O’Brien, ‘Grego’ (Greg Koeper) and my mom (Ellen Scott).
“We had some great parties here, some great celebrations of life and some great wedding receptions. We’ve been involved with multiple charities throughout these years that we’ve been able to help support with our time and our products. That’s a wonderful feeling,” Slicker said.
The Slicker’s Eatery menu was developed by his nephew, Kurt Clennan, an executive chef in California.
“Our concept was fresh, no fryers, no walk-in freezer. We wanted to provide chef-driven food at a reasonable price, using local products and healthy ingredients. Our Spicy Octopus flies off the shelf and our Smoked Old Fashioned is our best-selling drink because it’s so unique to the area. I’m proud of the quality of our product and we always got great reviews for our food.”
The eatery’s post-hurricane recovery process included patrons and supporters paying $500 to have personal messages painted in white on the back of the black restaurant chairs – some of which now serve as memorials to deceased friends and loved ones. The chair that honors Slicker’s mom says, “Down in Front,” and sits at the corner of the bar where Ellen watched many Tampa Bay Lighting, Buccaneers and Rays’ games.
Many of the message-bearing chairs will remain. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“The chairs are amazing and I’m grateful that the new owner is going to keep them. The chairs helped us put money back into the building and helped us keep our team members through the slow time of the year,” Slicker said.
Patrons and supporters paid $500 to have a message painted on a chair. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
In 2022, Slicker traveled to Poland as part of the Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island’s efforts to assist Ukrainians impacted and displaced by the war with Russia.
“I can’t forget the nine-and-a-half hours of interviews with Ukrainian refugees that I have on my phone. I want to get back to that kind of energy and this is a great move energy-wise,” Slicker said of his unknown future endeavors. “It’s going to be good for my soul and my health, and that is what I’m looking forward to. With my faith, I’ve never worried about the next step. Now I can look for the next step. I want to do what I like doing best: helping people.”
As for what he’ll miss about owning a restaurant, Slicker said, “The love that a family restaurant can provide. I’ll miss that. I’ll miss the comfortability of it. You get used to seeing the same people every day. I will miss my team. I will not miss the long hours.
“Tom will move right in and I will help with the transition. I’m excited about his concept and I’m excited that he wants to move forward with my team. Through these years, I’ve always taken care of my team. It’s a great way to walk away,” Slicker said.
Izzy’s Place
Speaking by phone, Theophilopoulos said, “I’m looking forward to it. I’ll be working with Bob for a week or so and get to know the staff. I’ll wait a month, month-and-a-half, before we switch over to Izzy’s and go from there. I’ll be turning it into a really good family diner. We’re going to change the décor a bit and lighten the place up with some different colors.”
Tom Theophilopoulos will transform Slicker’s Eatery into Izzy’s Place. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Izzy’s Place will serve breakfast, lunch, daily lunch specials and dinner.
“For $15, or less, you’re going to get a sit-down meal that’s fresh-cooked using good ingredients. We’ll have good food, a good family-oriented environment and good prices,” Theophilopoulos said.
The liquor license will transfer to Izzy’s Place and mimosas and bloody marys will be part of the breakfast and brunch offerings.
Izzy’s Place is named after Theophilopoulos’ dog, Izzy, a friendly, five-year-old Havapoo that’s a mix of the Havanese and poodle breeds.
“I bring 40 years of restaurant experience,” Theophilopoulos said. “I’ve been director of operations for four chains. I ran the Hard Rock Cafés in the northeast United States. I’ve opened 30-plus restaurants for different concepts. I’ve owned three of my own restaurants and this will be my fourth. Like a good Greek boy, I started at 13-years-old as a busboy working for my dad on weekends, summer vacations and Christmas vacations. I worked as a busboy, dishwasher, line cook and a waiter.
“I’ve been working with a real estate agent for the last couple years and I looked at a lot of places. Charles (Leduc) called me up and said this is perfect for you. We live five minutes away in San Remo, behind the Cortez Clam Factory, and I knew the place because my girlfriend (Marilyn Medo) and I have eaten there.”
Theophilopoulos shares Slicker’s passion for helping the community: “I want to do a lot of local stuff, a lot of family stuff and get involved with the churches too.”
Family, staff, friends
Molly lives in the Orlando area with her husband, Richard, but she played an integral role in the opening and promotion of her dad’s restaurant.
“I am incredibly proud of what my dad and the Slicker’s team has accomplished. Through all the attrition we’ve faced, and the odds that were often stacked against our little family restaurant, their loyal team and loving friends, family and patrons have seen them through five years of success,” she said.
Richard Parry, Bob Slicker, Molly (Slicker) Parry and Ellen Scott enjoyed many good times at Slicker’s Eatery. – Molly Parry | Submitted
“I still remember doodling the logo on an index card while my dad talked about wanting to make this place a reality, and so much has changed since then. What hasn’t changed is why we did it: for goodness’s sake. They’ve made a lot of difference in a lot of lives. Mostly, I’m excited for my dad to have a well-deserved breather and for him to be able to spend less time working and more time as ‘Gramps,’” Molly said.
The Slicker’s Eatery team includes Jason Harris, Barb Jeffries, Bob Slicker and Abby Coller. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Abby was 22 when she started working at Slicker’s four years ago.
“I’ve met a lot of really special people through this place; and I learned a lot about people and life in general,” she said.
The changing of the guard frees her up to pursue another career path.
“I’m moving on. I went to school for environmental science and I stuck around to help my family and ease their stress levels,” Coller said.
She hopes to find work related to wildlife conservation, ecology, land management or something similar that allows her to continue making positive changes in the world she lives in.
“I got into Turtle Watch (Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring) because Bob knew Kristen (Mazzarella) and we held a lot of events for them,” she said.
27-year-old head chef Jason Harris has been working with Slicker on and off for the past 10 years, dating back to his high school years; and he too will eventually be moving on.
“After almost a decade, it’s been a pleasure to be able to help so many charities and do what we’ve done,” Harris said.
When asked what he learned from his many years with Slicker, Harris said it’s more than he can boil down into a few sentences for a newspaper story.
After assisting with the transition, Harris hopes to temporarily relocate to the Fort Myers/Boynton Beach area to begin working as a move supervisor for Armadillo Relocations – a company that travels to different locations in Florida and throughout the United States and helps relocate low-income individuals and families who need to move due to redevelopment, disaster or other housing issues.
Barb Jeffries is Slicker’s Eatery’s newest bartender, in addition to her full-time job as an executive assistant for the city of Anna Maria. She met Slicker in October after they worked the AMI Chamber of Commerce beer tent together during Bayfest.
“I heard about Bob and all the fundraising he does. I wanted to be a part of that; and the vibe here is awesome, with the people that come in and the people that work here,” Jeffries said.
Kathy Shaw, Lynn Sutthoff, Bob Slicker, Liz Bergeron and Nancy Schroder during happy hour on Friday, Jan. 9. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Wood Dock & Seawall is located next to the Slicker’s Eatery; and while sitting at the bar after work that Thursday afternoon, owner Joey Newell said, “I’ve been next to this place as it’s changed management multiple times throughout the years and I can say I’ve never met a better human than Bob. During the storms, he was giving away free food and supplying water to people. I’ve never seen somebody do more for the community than Bob. I wish him the best. I wish all the people that work here the best. They’re good humans at heart.”
His dad (and co-owner), Brian Wood, said, “I’ve known Bobby a long time – for 20 years at least. I’ll reiterate what my son Joey said: Bob Slicker has done a fantastic job with this place. The staff’s always been pleasant, they take care of you and I couldn’t find a better place to sit in the afternoon to have a cocktail and a bite to eat. I wish Bob the best. He’s always been a striver of excellence; and in the long run, things turn out for people who are good-hearted. God bless him and thank you.”
On Friday evening, Bill Woodruff, a Slicker’s Eatery regular and a longtime friend, said, “Bob’s always called me ‘grandpa’ because I’m older than him. He is more positive and more beneficial to the people around him than most people you meet today. He’s real, he’s there all the time and I love him dearly. I hate to see him go, but I feel it will be a new opportunity for Mr. Slicker. The next chapter is what I’m interested in.”
BRADENTON BEACH – A planning and zoning board public hearing to consider a major development plan for the Bungalow Beach Resort property at 2000 and 2104 Gulf Drive will be held Wednesday, Jan. 7, at 1 p.m. at Bradenton Beach City Hall.
The proposed major development plan consists of a 15-guest room hotel with two habitable stories over parking, and an outdoor pool area.
The planning and zoning board is a recommending body to the Bradenton Beach City Commission. The city commission will hold a public hearing on the matter on Thursday, Feb. 5, at 6 p.m.
The meetings will be held in the Katie Pierola Commission Chambers at 107 Gulf Drive N.
Historical timeline
The property, owned by Gayle Luper and known as Bungalow Beach Resort, has been the subject of quasi-judicial hearings and a lawsuit filed against the city.
During Hurricane Helene, the older, original waterfront cottages at Bungalow Beach Resort were destroyed and subsequently condemned.
On March 14, Luper opened a portion of the razed parcel lot where the cottages once stood and began charging a resort fee of $50 per car to park and use the adjacent beach area. Code Enforcement Officer Evan Harbus told Luper all parking in that lot must cease, as it was in violation of city code.
Luper maintained that despite the bungalows being destroyed by the 2024 hurricane, the resort’s other two parcels were continually operational and she was entitled to sell resort passes that include parking, as she had done prior to the hurricanes.
Luper said she was advised by the city that she must file a parking permit to continue to charge a resort fee for parking, but she said City Planner Luis Serna advised her that a permit was not necessary.
On April 17, the city commission voted to require Luper to obtain a temporary use permit for parking, with a series of restrictions attached. The restrictions included no overnight parking and no parking past 9 p.m.
Luper filed a lawsuit against the city on April 25. The city then filed a request for dismissal of the lawsuit. That case remains open, according to the Manatee County Clerk of Court website.
On July 29, the attorneys representing Luper Enterprises and the city presented their opposing arguments regarding the commission’s decision to ban resort fee-based parking at the Bungalow Beach Resort. Special Master Marisa Powers presided over the quai-judicial hearing and later ruled she did not have jurisdiction to override the city’s decision.
HOLMES BEACH – The Holmes Beach-based Clean Water Ad Hoc Committee heads into 2026 riding a wave of positive momentum created in 2025.
Working in unison with the city-funded Islanders 4 Clean Water initiative, the city-funded volunteer committee is chaired by Holmes Beach resident and retired chemist, Dr. Jennifer Miller. The committee includes Holmes Beach residents Marty Hicks, Mike Pritchett and Bill Romberger, Anna Maria residents John Kolojeski and Scott MacGregor and Longboat Key Public Works Director Charlie Mopps.
City Commissioner Terry Schaefer serves as the commission’s committee liaison. He attends the committee’s monthly meetings at city hall and later provides the commission with meeting recaps.
Adopted in September, the city’s 2025-26 fiscal year budget contains $15,000 for Clean Water Committee expenditures.
Each committee member brings different water-related expertise and experience to the committee. Mopps, who was appointed to the committee in mid-2025, along with MacGregor (a retired marine biology teacher), provides the committee with a wealth of knowledge about water-related and environmental issues and the inner workings of municipal governments.
City Clerk Stacey Johnston swore Charlie Mopps in as a Clean Water Ad Hoc Committee member. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Dating back to its 2021 inception, the committee’s primary mission remains: “To research means by which to sustain and improve upon the condition and purity of the natural waters and drinking water around Anna Maria Island.”
The Clean Water Ad Hoc Committee’s monthly meetings sometimes feature guest presenters and the 2025 presenters included Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Executive Director Dave Tomasko in May and a trio of University of Florida researchers in September who spent nearly two hours discussing in great detail the PFAS chemicals present in drinking water and natural waters.
PFAS
The University of Florida researchers provided the committee with a 59-page presentation on the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances).
The trio included Dr. John Bowden, an associate professor at the University of Florida and the founder and namesake of the university’s Gainesville-based Bowden Laboratory. He was joined by fourth-year PhD candidate Tommy Sinkway and second-year PhD Student Isabella Cioffi. Much of their work involves collecting and analyzing drinking water samples and natural water samples. They also collect and analyze flesh samples taken from fish.
University of Florida researchers Isabella Cioffi, Tommy Sinkway and Dr. John Bowden addressed the Clean Water Committee in September. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
According to their presentation, 98% of the U.S. population has PFAS in their bodies. PFAS chemicals are found in tap water and natural waters and the potential health hazards include higher cholesterol, liver damage, kidney cancer, a higher risk of testicular cancer, developmental effects for unborn children, lower birth weight and reduced response to vaccines and more.
Bowden said PFAS chemicals have been around since the 1930s and their early uses include non-stick cookware and the the development of the hydrogen bomb as part of the Manhattan Project.
PFAS chemicals are now used in pesticides, propellants in various sprays, fast food packaging and wrappers, pizza boxes. clothing, cosmetics, popcorn bags, candy wrappers, shampoo, cleaning products, weather resistant clothing, non-stick cookware, nail polish, paints and solvents, eye makeup, dental floss, Band-Aids, toilet paper, plastic watchbands and much more.
“We don’t like products that leak, we don’t like things that stain. Because of this demand, all these chemicals were made. Unfortunately, once we’re done using those products they get disposed, end up in landfills, get reduced to run-off and wind up in our environment,” Bowden said.
He said the chemical bonds in PFAS are among the strongest in chemistry. He said the chemical properties that make PFAS great for the products they’re used in also make them bad for the environment because they take a very long time to break down and essentially stick around forever.
He said the most egregious use of PFAS is probably the fire-fighting foam used at airports and military bases to extinguish intense fires. Through rain and runoff, the PFAS contained in the foam later makes its way into the natural waterways.
Bowden said in the past 20 years or so scientists began researching the negative health effects of PFAS; and in the past decade or so, PFAS has been identified in drinking water sources.
“We’re exposed through our drinking water, we’re exposed through our food,” he said.
Bowden said water treatment plants only remove about 10% of the PFAS chemicals and a lot of PFAS-contaminated affluent materials end up in natural waterways too.
Bowden said he’s also growing increasingly concerned about airborne PFAS, because high levels of PFAS have been found in dust collected in air conditioning filters. He said the higher quality filters remove more of the potentially harmful airborne PFAS.
“There are a lot of concerns for PFAS. This is a problem that’s not going to go away,” he said. “Everybody in this room has PFAS in them. What’s unknown is what that means for your health.”
Bowden said the researchers use crowdsourcing to increase public awareness and garner assistance from volunteers. Bowden’s team developed standard operating procedures that instruct volunteers how to collect drinking water samples using kits provided by the Bowden Lab.
The presentation included several color-coded maps that identify PFAS hot spots, frequent spill areas and more. The maps show the Tampa Bay area as a PFAS hot spot and Bowden and his team plan to study the greater Tampa Bay area, which by proximity also includes Manatee County and Anna Maria Island.
Bowden and Kolojeski noted one of the drinking water taps with the highest concentration of PFAS was found at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach.
Mopps noted Manatee County provides the drinking water to Longboat Key and the three Anna Maria Island cities. He suggested testing the drinking water at the mainland point of origin and testing the water again when it comes out of the residential taps on the barrier Island cities to see if the PFAS levels increase as the water travels through the county’s water pipes.
Mopps said the drinking water transferred to Longboat Key spends time in holding tanks and the town further enhances the water treatment done by the county.
“I have plenty of public drinking spots where you can collect samples of your own at our parks,” Mopps told Bowden.
Kolojeski, a longtime proponent of in-home reverse osmosis water filtering systems, said, ‘I would never allow a child or anyone of child-bearing age, male or female, to drink my tap water until I had reverse osmosis to eliminate the PFAS.”
When asked if plastic water bottles release PFAS into the water they contain, Bowden said, “That’s a good question. I don’t know if it’s from the water or the bottle.”
Kolojeski recommends drinking water bottled by companies that use reverse osmosis. He said those companies include Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola and Nestle.
“Some of those ‘so-called’ very expensive spring waters do not use reverse osmosis. You’re paying a lot of money and you’re still getting PFAS,” Kolojeski said.
Sinkway’s portion of the presentation focused primarily on the increased presence of pharmaceuticals, prescription drugs and “drugs of abuse” found in natural waters. His research also focuses on the greater Tampa Bay region – an area he said includes multiple airports, a military base and has been subjected to multiple sewage spills.
“That heat map is bright red,” he said of the Tampa Bay area.
Fish & PFAS
Cioffi’s research focuses primarily on the presence of PFAS in fish consumed in the United States, and particularly in Florida.
Cioffi noted commercial and recreational fishing and seafood consumption is a large part of the Florida economy and the national economy – providing more than 121,000 full and part-time jobs and an estimated $24 billion economic impact.
“There’s not a lot of information on PFAS and fish,” Cioffi said. “I fish. I grew up fishing. That’s a big part of my life. I don’t want us to stop eating fish. I want us to be able to eat fish in a way that’s healthy. We have healthy fish and Florida should be known for having healthy fish.”
“We just want people to know which fish are safe to eat.” Bowden added.
“We still eat fish with mercury in it, but we have consumption advisories that say only eat this type of fish once a month, every two weeks or whatever it is,” Cioffi said, noting that her goal is to one day see data-supported, risk assessment-based consumption advisories issued for fish species containing high levels of PFAS.
Cioffi’s research includes analyzing 86 species of fish found in Florida waters. She said recreational anglers, charter captains and seafood markets have been contacted and crowdsourcing is being used to gather additional fish samples from anglers.
Cioffi said the lab has already collected 4,000 fish samples and she still seeks more. Her portion of the presentation included a chart of the 86 species to be analyzed. She already has enough samples for 45 of those species but she still seeks additional samples for the remaining species; and she particularly seeks additional samples of four species: Atlantic tripletail, mahi-mahi, Gulf flounder and southern flounder.
Cioffi said the fish samples only need to be 2-3 grams per fish and should be taken from the fatty muscle tissues rather than the organs.
The collected fish samples shipped to the Bowden Lab at the lab’s expense are freeze-dried, pulverized, extracted and concentrated as part of the data processing efforts.
Romberger suggested the Bowden Lab send the city fish sampling kits to be made available to local anglers. A short time later, the Holmes Beach city clerk’s office received a couple dozen sampling kits that are now available to local anglers and fishing captains at no cost. Interested angers can learn more at www.bowdenlaboratory.com/florida-fish.
Fish sample kits are available at the Holmes Beach city clerk’s office. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“We need more knowledge on this,” Cioffi said
Regarding PFAS as a whole, Bowden said, “If we have a better educated community, you can better educate your politicians and maybe get them to understand why this isn’t just a flavor of the month. This is something that’s going to affect your kids, it’s going to affect your pets, it’s going to affect anything exposed to them.”
CORTEZ – Fish house employees and fishermen are calling this mullet season one of the best in recent memory as Cortez fish houses are filling up with mullet brought in by private fishermen.
Two of those fishermen, Seth Miller and Wyatt Walker, were pulling in mullet for two straight days to sell at one of the two the Cortez fish houses: Cortez Bait & Seafood and A.P. Bell Fish Co.
Fishermen Wyatt Walker and Seth Miller sell their haul of mullet to Cortez Bait & Seafood. – Leslie Lake | Sun
“We didn’t sleep for the last two days,” Miller said on Dec. 31. “It’s been pretty good this year. We’ve been catching fish in the bay and offshore. We caught some up north last night.”
Miller said it seemed like the season got off to a late start and could go until February.
Private fishermen such as Miller and Walker can be seen in local waters pulling up nets full of mullet. Once their boats are loaded, they’re driven to either Cortez Bait & Seafood or A.P. Bell Fish Co., where the catches are weighed and the fishermen are paid.
“I’ve been doing this for 17 years and I would say this is the best mullet season I’ve seen in at least 10 years,” said Linda, an employee of Cortez Bait & Seafood, as she oversaw the weighing of the fish brought in by local fishermen. “There’s been no hurricanes and no red tide, so I think that’s why it’s been really good.”
She said on Jan. 1 that Cortez Bait & Seafood was taking a break for several days before accepting any more mullet.
“We’re so full right now,” she said. “We have no place to put any more fish. We’ll probably start up again next Monday (Jan. 5).”
Linda said the prices paid to the fishermen fluctuate, but a premium is paid for mullet with red roe and the rate was currently at $1.30 per pound. The red roe mullet is sent out to European and Asian markets.
The mullet with red roe is the most desirable and is shipped to European and Asian markets. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Karen Bell, owner of AP Bell Fish Co., closed on Jan. 1 to give her employees the day off, but that fish house started accepting fish again on Jan. 2.
“We have fish staged in coolers right now,” Bell said on Jan. 1. “Tomorrow we will be taking fish from fishermen who have been selling to us this year.”
Adult striped mullet typically weigh about three pounds. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has strict guidelines about how they can be caught.
“The use of any gear other than cast nets (no more than 14 feet long, and no more than two per vessel), beach or haul seines (no larger than 500 square feet, and no more than two, may be fished per vessel), hook and line gear; and by spearing is prohibited,” according to FWC.
BRADENTON BEACH – The spirit of altruism won out over the cold Gulf waters as dozens of participants took the plunge in the annual Clancy’s Irish Pub’s Shamrock Shiver charity event on New Years Day.
The participants, many in costumes, gathered donation pledges to jump into the 67-degree water at Coquina Beach to raise funds for local charities.
Into the 67-degree Gulf water the plunger went. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Since 2009, Clancy’s annual charity plunge has raised $470,567 for local non-profit organizations. In recent years, the event has raised more than $30,000 each year.
“We at Clancy’s are committed to keeping the ‘Give Where You Live’ spirit alive by supporting local causes, empowering our community and making a lasting impact right where we call home,” the Clancy’s website stated.
Costumed participants at the Clancy’s Shamrock Shiver pose before the plunge. – Leslie Lake. | Sun
The proceeds from this year’s event will benefit Healthy Teens Inc., The Blessing Bags Project and Hungers End – three non-profit organizations that help disadvantaged children in Manatee and Sarasota Counties.
Healthy Teens’ stated mission is dedication to empowering youth to make positive, healthy decisions for their success and wellbeing.
“We provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed choices about their physical, mental and emotional health. We do this primarily through the Teen Health Educator Program, training high school students to become peer-educators and mentors serving at-risk youth in their community,” the Healthy Teens website states.
The Blessing Bags Project provides basic, critical needs to the homeless and less fortunate.
Hunger’s End operates a food pantry and blessing closet serving 500-600 families each month. Hunger’s End also partners with other organizations to provide free groceries, clothing and personal hygiene products to those in need.
After-party attendees perused more than 60 silent auction items. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Following the plunge, an after-party at Clancy’s on Cortez Road featured live music, live and silent auctions and raffles. Those proceeds also benefited the three non-profit organizations.
the Shamrock Shiver after-party featured The Dr. Dave Band. – Leslie Lake | Sun
As of Jan. 2, the 2026 fundraising total had not yet been posted at the Clancy’s Shamrock Shiver website.
Participants in Clancy’s Shamrock Shiver charity event run into the chilly Gulf on New Year’s Day. - Leslie Lake | Sun
The folks plunged into 2026. - Leslie
A flock of flamingo-themed ladies made the plunge. - Leslie Lake | Sun
Participants in Clancy’s Shamrock Shiver charity event come out of chilly Gulf waters. - Leslie Lake | Sun
The Shamrock Shiver participants gathered at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. - Leslie Lake | Sun
After making the plunge, Brady joined the after-party at Clancy’s. - Leslie Lake | Sun
A list of auction items was posted at Clancy’s during the after-party. - Leslie Lake | Sun
Winter can have a chilling effect on local anglers and limit their quarry, but those who know how to mine the riches of any season turn their attention to the species that actually thrives in cold water.
The best example locally are known for their bait stealing prowess and the stripes they dress in. Sheepshead, while shunned by some anglers, are hard fighting, challenging to hook and excellent to eat. Savvy anglers’ target sheepshead around structures like bridges, hard bottoms, oyster bars and dock pilings, where they feed on barnacles, crabs and other crustaceans. They know to use small, stout, sharp hooks; and for best success, they (tongue in cheek) advise to set the hook a split-second before they bite!
As a fly angler, I’ve caught a few sheepshead over the years, all accidentally while fishing for other species. The times I’ve seen them and actually made a presentation, they never seemed to respond to my efforts.
When Ryan Gandy, the new executive director of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, recently mentioned he targeted them with a tiny fly I was slightly skeptical and all ears. Last week, Gandy and his son, Kyle, joined me for a day on the water and a chance for him to show me his technique.
Ryan Gandy with proof that his fly fishing concept works. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun
We started the day fishing the edge of Long Bar Point in Sarasota Bay, but a south wind had roiled the water, making it off-color and hard to spot fish. The tide was low and incoming all day, so we moved north where the water along the eastern shoreline was clear. For the next four hours, we were plagued by scudding clouds that made spotting fish hard, but we still managed three redfish and a trout.
The sheepshead we did find were spooky, and most were not seen until we were so close Gandy had to make a roll cast presentation. While we did get a few follows, the sheepshead that seemed interested were spooked by the boat before making a commitment.
After fishing a number of spots, I mentioned that I had seen some sheepshead in shallow water just off a seawall near where I launched the boat, so we decided to try and make that a learning opportunity.
Luckily, the sheepshead were obliging; and after two casts, Gandy got a take and landed a sheepshead just as he had predicted. In the process, I was given a first-hand demonstration of his technique. Key to his strategy was making a cast close enough so the sheepshead could spot the fly, but not too close to avoid spooking them. He mentioned what good eyesight they had and how they could spot a fly at a distance.
He demonstrated this by casting about three feet past the intended target and then slow stripping it until the sheepshead spotted it. When the fly was spotted, it rushed over to inspect the perceived prey and that’s when the next critical move, or lack thereof, was employed. Stopping the fly and letting it sink to the bottom mimicked a crab trying to hide from a predator it knew it couldn’t outrun. When the sheepshead rushed over and tipped up on to the fly, Gandy moved it with a small strip. Doing this allowed him to determine if the fly had been taken; and if not, would mimic a crab that had been discovered and was attempting to flee. This happened twice, and on the third strip the sheepshead was hooked.
This was a perfect opportunity to see his strategy in practice; and it reminded me of how a fly angler teases a permit, which is one of the hardest fish to entice to a fly. It also made me aware that sheepshead are predators; and, like when fishing for permit, patience and persistence are key.
Gandy ties a small version of the Merkin (a time-tested permit fly) on a #4 hook. Other flies, like the Alphlexo crab, are also effective.
A penny gives perspective on the size of Gandy’s sheepshead merkin. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun
It great to get insight on a new angle on sight fishing after so many years of fly fishing. If you haven’t been targeting sheepshead with a fly, I encourage you to give this technique a shot. I saw it in action and can’t wait to give it a try. Use your senses, experiment, be persistent and you can experience a whole new challenge during our cooler winter months.
Last week’s column was a bit of a downer. I’m not saying it wasn’t true, only that real estate sales need a sunnier pathway in order to encourage motion, so let’s see if we can let the sun shine in.
First of all, the fact that homeowners are sitting on more home equity than at any other time in history is not necessarily a bad thing. Not everyone wants to move and many Americans are just as happy to live in their current home atop a mound of equity with a low mortgage rate and wait to retire. Not exactly torture.
Second, the ultra-low interest rates we experienced five years ago gave many homeowners the opportunity of owning a home for the first time. This action could easily come back years from now as the one single thing that turned the United States housing market around.
Finally, between the years 2003 and 2008, mortgage interest rates floated between 6.5% and 5.87%, getting close to where we are now. And guess what? People bought houses every day.
After the third time this year the feds lowered interest rates, the market is finally starting to respond. As of early December, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate was hovering at about 6.2%. On December 24th, Freddie Mac gave everyone a Christmas gift, lowering the fixed rate to an average of 6.18%.
There are, however, buyers out there who think they’re entitled to a 3% rate and will refuse to buy unless they get it. I would direct these buyers to Freddie Mac’s mortgage rate history and they’ll see rates as high as 16%, and we didn’t lose the real estate structure of the country.
The housing market has been stuck in low gear for some time now, however, home sales rose in November nationally for the third straight month. These three consecutive months of rising sales is the longest streak since December 2024. In addition, mortgage rates have been falling in recent months, boosting home buying activity. Buyers are taking advantage of the slight improvement in affordability and more would likely jump into the market if mortgage rates fall further.
Florida recorded 17,674 closed sales of existing single-family homes in November, up 3.4% over last year. Condo sales were also up 1.6% in the state, totaling 6,099 sales. Although it’s difficult to transfer the end of year trends into the next year’s spring buying season, the economists are not seeing anything in these sales numbers that give us a reason to be pessimistic as the year turns over.
There’s a lot of demand in Florida waiting to be unlocked as affordability improves – and improvements we do see, if at a snail’s pace. Florida remains a very attractive destination for out-of-staters and the only impediment in the last couple of years has been affordability. All of this offers some hope that the housing market nationally may finally show signs of life in 2026; and I predict Florida will be leading the way.
If you’re a homeowner who is clinging to your 3% mortgage and come hell or high water you won’t give it up, you need a reality check: those rates aren’t coming back. Don’t sacrifice your family’s happiness and security because you’re frozen in place.
I thought I would end my first column of the new year on the light side. My friend who lives in New York City shared with me something she saw in the window of a liquor store while she was out for her afternoon stroll: “We don’t have flu shots, but we do have wine shots.” So, there it is, it doesn’t get any better than that … Happy New Year.
HOLMES BEACH – Fran and Wayne Derr started working on their 111th jigsaw puzzle on Sunday, Dec. 28.
The Holmes Beach residents live in the Key Royale community and they began doing jigsaw puzzles a little more than five years ago.
“In March 2020, the states began to implement shutdowns in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which forced us to stay at home for the most part,” Fran explained. “So, to find an enjoyable way to pass away the time that we were spending in our home, Wayne and I started doing puzzles. We called it our own little Happy Hour! Most days, in the afternoons, we’d start working on a puzzle, with Wayne fixing me a margarita and himself a bourbon.”
The couple shares photos of their completed puzzles on Facebook and Fran said their friends look forward to seeing their finished works.
“Our first puzzle was posted on Facebook on June 10, 2020. It was titled ‘Beach.’ How appropriate! Here we were stuck in our homes at the beach but we could still jump in our car and leave the house and go for a walk on the beach,” Fran said. “In July 2020, we actually did five puzzles that month! Most were 500 pieces, but we managed a couple of 1,000-piece puzzles as well.
“Over the past five years of doing puzzles, we did fall in love with one puzzle, ‘Cat Close Up,’ which we had framed and is on the wall in our foyer,” Fran said.
This framed “Cat Close Up” puzzle hangs in the couple’s foyer. – Fran Derr | Submitted
When asked about the most difficult puzzle they’ve attempted, Fran said an old friend in Atlanta sent them a classic wooden puzzle titled “Barcelona” that was so difficult they had to give up on it.
“However, we did complete some difficult puzzles and the ‘Cat Close Up’ puzzle we had framed is one of them,” Fran said.
Wayne working on the “Barcelona” puzzle that didn’t get finished. – Fran Derr | Submitted
“COVID-19 has long passed us by, but we are still enjoying doing puzzles and posting on Facebook. This hobby and pastime of ours has made it easy for friends and relatives to give us puzzles as gifts! We are now past 110 puzzles and we are still going!” Fran said.
PALMA SOLA BAY – As captain of Anne’s Calmwater Charters, Anne Huber enjoys sharing her knowledge about manatees, dolphins and the local waters, but there is one question she’s often asked that’s difficult to answer.
On a recent boat tour of Palma Sola Bay, Huber pointed out a number of moored boats – some were taking on water, some partially sunken and many with registration numbers removed.
“Sometimes people will ask me about these boats,” Huber said. “I just tell them they’ll be removed eventually and crushed.”
Huber pointed out seagrass in shallow waters and mangroves lining the shoreline that can be destroyed by drifting unmanned vessels.
Residents of nearby Flamingo Cay ask the same question as Huber’s customers: Why do the apparently derelict boats remain?
“The derelict boats have been an increasing concern to our neighborhood, as well as other neighborhoods around the beautiful Palma Sola Bay,” Flamingo Cay resident Keith Burchett wrote in an email to The Sun.
“I would say that the problem appeared to be worse once the county started to make preparations to replace the Cortez bridge,” he wrote. “As of this morning, there is a sunk boat in the bay without lights that is causing a safety hazard and another boat drifted to the beach last week. It has since been removed from the beach, but I do not know when or by whom.”
Burchett said at least one of the boats was listed on a short-term rental website.
“Twice people came to my door asking how to get on the boat,” Burchett wrote. “We have never seen the rented derelict boats move. One has to wonder what is happening to the wastewater after the rental. I shudder to think they might be dumping the waste into the bay.”
This cabin cruisier was recently demolished and removed at the Palma Sola Boat Ramp. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Burchett said government agencies are aware of the problem, but do not claim jurisdiction over the derelict boats.
“Unfortunately, this is a problem for all of Manatee County. Palma Sola Bay has a long history of reported pollution creating unsafe conditions for swimming,” Burchett wrote. “These boats contribute to the problem due to human waste, gas, and oil being leeched every time a derelict boat sinks or comes adrift onto the beach. I am not an expert, but everyone knows if a boat has become too expensive for the owner, and it is legal just to anchor the boat in the water and leave it, the problem becomes the taxpayers’ problem at the end of the day.”
Another Flamingo Cay resident who asked not to be named spoke to The Sun.
“I’ve called FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission), but nobody seems to want to do anything about this because they (the boats) are not blocking the channel,” he said.
Derelict boats come under the jurisdiction of the FWC and local law enforcement agencies.
“Derelict and at-risk vessels are a concern because they can endanger marine life and habitat, pose threats to public safety and cause property damage as they drift on or beneath the water’s surface. Derelict vessels that block navigable waterways can also pose a navigational hazard. Law enforcement officers with the FWC, as well as state, county and local officers, conduct periodic inspections and take appropriate actions to reduce the risk these vessels present,” according to the FWC website.
Derelict boats are tagged by local agencies and reported to FWC.
Intentionally dumping a vessel is a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine, according to FWC. It can also result in restitution to the state for the cost of removal, along with fines.
