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SUN contributor

SUN contributor

March 17, 2017
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June 26, 2023
By SUN contributor

Letter to the Editor

Dear Island Sun Staff, The Copeland family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for the remembrance edition dedicated to the life and legacy of Pat Copeland, recently pub…
June 21, 2023
By SUN contributor

Letter to the Editor: DeSantis should veto HB 947

There is a smarter, less costly approach to increase parking capacity in Holmes Beach. Anna Maria Island (AMI) is a treasure. We must protect it from the current misguided construction plan of a fou…
June 21, 2023
By SUN contributor

Local developer arrested for DUI

HOLMES BEACH – Anna Maria Island developer and business owner Shawn Thomas Kaleta, 45, of Holmes Beach, was arrested for driving under the influence and resisting arrest on June 15. In a 29-page p…
June 21, 2023
By SUN contributor
Easter Sunrise Service

Parking garage threatens religious service’s future

HOLMES BEACH – A much-loved, historic Easter service may be in jeopardy if a multi-story parking garage is erected at Manatee Beach. Thousands of people gather on the sand every year for the non-d…
June 21, 2023
By SUN contributor
Manatee Beach parking garage

Parking garage bill arrives on governor’s desk

HOLMES BEACH – City leaders and residents are making last-minute attempts to get the attention of Gov. Ron DeSantis before he makes a decision on the future of a bill allowing a multi-level parking g…
June 12, 2023
By SUN contributor

Holmes Beach residents organize to fight garage

HOLMES BEACH – A new effort is rising to fight against a Manatee County and state-led effort to build a parking garage at Manatee Beach. The effort is being led by a group of concerned city and co…
June 12, 2023
By SUN contributor

Letter to the Editor: Parking solutions complex

I am a fan of simple. I think we overanalyze many things. However, there are some things that call for higher-level thinking. The dilemma of transporting more people to AMI beaches is one of them…
June 5, 2023
By SUN contributor
Season’s first named storm bypasses AMI

Season’s first named storm bypasses AMI

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Hurricane season is officially underway. This year’s June 1 start was heralded with the arrival of Tropical Depression Two, which formed into Tropical Storm Arlene the next day…
May 29, 2023
By SUN contributor
New restaurant receives commission approval

New restaurant receives commission approval

HOLMES BEACH – Plans for a new restaurant received unanimous approval from city commissioners despite criticism from a city resident and local business owner. The new, ultra-modern Bohemian restau…
May 29, 2023
By SUN contributor

Parking garage bill remains stalled

TALLAHASSEE – Florida House Bill 947, sponsored by Manatee County Rep. Will Robinson Jr. to build a parking garage at Manatee Beach, still hasn’t hit Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk. The bill would allow…
May 22, 2023
By SUN contributor

Letter to the Editor: Chamber thanks golf tournament participants

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce wishes to thank everyone who participated in our 2023 Golf Tournament for Scholarships at IMG Academy Golf Club. We wish to acknowledge our Presenting Sponso…
May 22, 2023
By SUN contributor

Letter to the Editor: Sign petition opposing parking garage

Manatee County citizens can take action by signing a petition to request that Gov. Ron DeSantis veto CS/HB 947 allowing Manatee County to permit a parking garage without meeting the Land Development…
May 15, 2023
By SUN contributor

City leaders continue garage fight

HOLMES BEACH – The Florida House of Representatives and Senate may have passed House Bill 947 on to Gov. Ron DeSantis’s desk, but that doesn’t mean that city leaders are done fighting against the con…
May 8, 2023
By SUN contributor

Letter to the Editor: Perseverance comes with a price

The treehouse saga has gone on for 10 years. The Trans certainly are deserving of a perseverance award for what many consider their insane struggle against the government. Personally, I thought the t…
May 1, 2023
By SUN contributor

City seeks Seaside Gardens residents’ input

HOLMES BEACH – City leaders are considering a proposal to allow property owners in Seaside Garden to raise their homes above the FEMA base flood elevation height to help save the homes from rising se…