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SUN contributor

March 17, 2017
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November 7, 2023
By SUN contributor

State orders immediate AMI consolidation study

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Mayors in the three Island cities received a trick on Halloween in the form of a letter from the Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA)…
October 18, 2023
By SUN contributor
Commissioners discuss eroding wetlands protections

Commissioners discuss eroding wetlands protections

HOLMES BEACH – Despite the recent Manatee County Commission vote to reduce wetland buffers, a city building official says it won’t be as easy as putting a shovel in the ground to build near wetlands…
October 10, 2023
By SUN contributor
Lawmakers go silent on consolidation

Lawmakers go silent on consolidation

BRADENTON – The Manatee County Legislative Delegation did not address their plans for a consolidation study of Anna Maria Island cities as expected at an Oct. 5 meeting, the deadline they set for the…
October 3, 2023
By SUN contributor
Commissioners consider going vertical in Seaside Gardens

Commissioners consider going vertical in Seaside Gardens

HOLMES BEACH – It’s been more than two months since commissioners first began their discussion on whether or not to allow property owners in Seaside Gardens to raise their ground floor homes above th…
October 3, 2023
By SUN contributor
Holmes Beach logo

Holmes Beach mayor responds to consolidation threat

HOLMES BEACH – City leaders are making sure that state leaders know where they stand on the idea of consolidating the three Anna Maria Island cities. Prior to an upcoming Manatee County Legislative…
October 2, 2023
By SUN contributor

Letter to the Editor: Kids want wetlands preserved

Dear Manatee County Commissioners, We are kids who live in Manatee County and the surrounding areas. We love our community and our environment. We are sunset watchers. We are kayakers of mangrove sw…
October 2, 2023
By SUN contributor

Guest Editorial: Wild AMI depends on us

Anna Maria Island provides more than pristine water and white sand beaches for residents and visitors. As one of Florida’s west coast barrier Islands, it is ecologically diverse and an important habi…
September 26, 2023
By SUN contributor
Commissioner Kruse hosts Island talk

Commissioner Kruse hosts Island talk

HOLMES BEACH – Only 18 people came out to the Island Branch Library on a stormy Wednesday night to hear what Manatee County Commissioner-at-large George Kruse had to say, but the conversation continu…
September 24, 2023
By SUN contributor

The importance of socializing your child early

By Pam Bertrand As the director at School For Constructive Play, my 30ish years in early childhood education have produced many parent questions. Some questions are asked in a panic, “She touched…
September 19, 2023
By SUN contributor

Holmes Beach Commissioners approve budget first reading

HOLMES BEACH – The city’s new budget and millage rate has received unanimous support from commissioners during an initial public hearing and vote. Despite Commissioner Terry Schaefer’s absence, city…
September 12, 2023
By SUN contributor
Hurricane floods local gas station tanks

Hurricane floods local gas station tanks

HOLMES BEACH – Customers who purchased gas at Jessie’s Island Store immediately following Hurricane Idalia may have received a surprise they weren’t counting on – floodwater in their vehicle’s gas ta…
September 12, 2023
By SUN contributor

Letter to the Editor: Garage would ruin appeal of Manatee Beach

This is in response to the Aug. 23 edition of the Anna Maria Island Sun, “Beach parking garage fight continues.” I just want to add my voice in support of the comments made by Holmes Beach Police Ch…
September 4, 2023
By SUN contributor
No election, charter commission in Holmes Beach

No election, charter commission in Holmes Beach

HOLMES BEACH – There will be no changes on the city commission dais this year. Commissioners Pat Morton, Terry Schaefer and Carol Soustek are all automatically re-elected for another two-year term…
September 1, 2023
By SUN contributor

Island consolidation back on table

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The threat of consolidation of the three Island cities isn’t over. Members of the Manatee County Legislative Delegation have warned Island mayors that they’re getting ready to sta…
August 29, 2023
By SUN contributor

Tracking Hurricane Idalia

Tuesday, Aug. 29, 5 p.m. UPDATE: MANATEE COUNTY – Hurricane Idalia has been upgraded to a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of 100 miles per hour. The storm is anticipated to continue…