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Tag: Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce

bayfest Soul R Coaster 2017

Bayfest on track

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Entertainment, Featured, Festivals.

HOLMES BEACH – Vendors are still calling the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce about the upcoming 18th Annual Bayfest celebration, in spite of the serious red tide outbreak that is cutting into the tourist business, according to Chamber President Teri Kinder.

In fact, all of the food vendor spots have been taken.

“We sold out early,” Kinder said. “I have to tell them that they’ll have to try next year.”

Kinder said nobody seems concerned that the red tide might intensify, despite the lack of an “all clear” from the agencies that monitor conditions in the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay.

Bayfest, known as the Island’s first festival of the season, will be held Saturday, Oct. 20, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. along Pine Avenue in Anna Maria. Admission is free, those attending will be greeted with a wide choice of local food, live music, a Kid’s Zone for the youngsters and a classic and antique auto show. The Anna Maria Island Privateers also will bring their ship, the Skullywag.

Kinder said the classic auto show will be as big as ever.

“Car owners are calling daily to enter,” Kinder said. “We expect to have 100 vehicles at the show.”

The Chamber has not forgotten the damage the red tide has done to businesses and their employees.

Some of this year’s Bayfest festival proceeds will go directly to local tourism industry workers for disaster relief assistance.

Local workers affected by the red tide economic crises must sign up before Oct. 19 with the Chamber. A short application form has been posted on its website, info@amichamber.org. The form can also be picked up at the AMI Chamber, 5313 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. as well as at the Roser Food Pantry during its regular hours. Call 941-778-0414 for Roser Food Pantry hours. Applicants may also call the Chamber to have a form emailed to them.

Completed application forms must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 19, along with employment verification in the form of a recent pay stub or letter from one’s employer.

All funds will be distributed to eligible registered applicants on Friday, Oct. 26, from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. at CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach. Recipients must present a valid ID to receive their check.

To raise additional funds for this cause the AMI Chamber will be selling raffle tickets for an Island Experience, a basket full of local fun with gift certificates to stay, eat and play on the Island and the surrounding waters. Tickets are $5 each and will be sold at the Chamber prior to and at the festival all day during Bayfest. The raffle drawing will take place at 9 p.m. on the main stage at Bayfest. Winners need not be present to win. Gift certificates and items to be included in the raffle prize basket, as well as monetary donations for the relief fund itself, are being accepted at the Chamber. All of the raffle proceeds and monetary donations will go directly to eligible affected tourism industry workers.

For more information, contact the Chamber at 941-778-1541 or at info@amichamber.org.

AMI Chamber

Kinder ready to guide Chamber

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, Business.

HOLMES BEACH – When Deb Wing resigned as Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce last year, Vice President Terri Kinder and assistant Cathy Pizzo were promoted to acting president and vice president by the board of directors.

Last week, the board officially named the two to their positions permanently.

Kinder said last week she’s ready to assume the role and the board seemed to agree, as members did not interview anyone else for the position.

Originally from Ohio, Kinder has a varied background in the business world. In Dayton, she was a technical consultant for a large company and an education consultant with another. She and her husband moved to Sarasota where he had a job waiting for him. They moved around some more and ended up in Jacksonville. Finally, they returned to the Gulf Coast where she helped her husband establish his business. In her spare time, she volunteered for the Chamber.

“I enjoyed the people, and when they looked for someone to become vice president, they chose me,” she said. “I was very honored to help Deb Wing serve the businesses community.”

She said she is excited that Pizzo is continuing to serve as vice president.

What are her plans for the Chamber?

“I want to bring a new initiative to serve members,” she said. “I want to expand the ambassador program and to make an educational series for the members.”

She also said she wants to bring speakers in to talk about things important to the business community with an eye on new trends and opportunities for the businesses to succeed.

Deb Wing

Wing facing child abuse charge

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

HOLMES BEACH – Former Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce President Deborah Kay Wing is facing a charge of third degree felony child abuse without great bodily harm.

According to the Holmes Beach Police Department, Wing, 53, 5626 Gulf Drive N., Holmes Beach, was arrested on Wednesday, April 4 and charged with violating Florida Statute 827.03(2)(c).

According to the statute, “A person who knowingly or willfully abuses a child without causing great bodily harm, permanent disability or permanent disfigurement to the child commits a felony of the third degree.”

If convicted, the charge carries a potential penalty of up to $5,000 fine and/or up to five years imprisonment.

An arraignment hearing has been scheduled for Friday, May 4, at 9 a.m. at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

On Thursday, April 5, a no contact with the victim order was issued as a condition of pretrial release. Wing’s printed name, what appeared to be her signature and the handwritten date, 04-05-18, appear at the bottom of that form, on the Manatee Clerk of Court’s website. Wing was released that day on a $500 bond.

“I’m confident that this incident will be expunged,” Wing’s attorney, Pete Mackey, said on Friday.

Wing expressed a similar sentiment, saying she does not believe the police reports provide a completely accurate portrayal of the events that transpired during the family disagreement. She said she is hopeful the charge will be dismissed.

Wing resigned as Chamber president in November. She was named president in mid-2015 after serving as vice president for six years.

Police reports

According to the police reports, Officer Mike Walker and Sgt. Brian Copeman from the Holmes Beach Police Department responded to a call at 11:10 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4.

In their reports, Wing is referred to as “Person 1” and Mark Davis, of Bradenton, who was present, is referred to as “Person 2.”

Walker’s report states: “I was dispatched to a missing person. Upon arrival I spoke with Person 1 (Wing), who advised juvenile ran away from the residence. Person 1 (Wing) stated juvenile left the residence approximately three hours (ago).

“Person 1 (Wing) started becoming agitated and uncooperative, stating I was only asking questions to send to the newspaper. I advised I was asking juvenile’s name so I had some idea of what missing person we were supposed to be looking for.

“Person 2 (Davis) called stating he located juvenile hiding in a nearby parking lot. Person 2 (Davis) then drove juvenile back to the residence where juvenile stayed seated in the front passenger seat of the vehicle.

“Sgt. Copeman and I then walked over to the vehicle and began speaking with juvenile who was visibly upset and crying. Juvenile stated juvenile and Person 1 (Wing) were in an argument. Juvenile stated juvenile was lying in bed and told Person 1 (Wing) juvenile hated person 1 (Wing). Juvenile stated Person 1 (Wing) became irate and began slapping her on her left arm and leg. Juvenile advised Person 1 (Wing) was slapping juvenile so much that Person 2 (Davis) had to come and restrain Person 1 (Wing).

“Juvenile stated that once Person 1 (Wing) was restrained juvenile ran out of the house in fear. Juvenile stated juvenile did not want to go back to the residence,” Walker’s report says.

Copeman’s report says, “Person 2 (Davis) stated that Person 2 (Davis) had to step in and pull Person 1 (Wing) off the juvenile. Person 2 (Davis) stated that Person 1 (Wing) did hit juvenile on the leg and arm. Juvenile said Person 1 (Wing) is never going to forgive juvenile and that Person 1 (Wing) will hate juvenile forever. Juvenile also stated that Person 1 (Wing) has made several comments in the past about wanting to kill herself.”

The officers’ probable cause affidavit posted Monday at the Manatee County Clerk of Circuit Court website says, “The victim also stated that the defendant (Wing) advised she was going to kill herself in an attempt to make the victim feel guilty.”

According to Walker and Copeman’s reports, Wing was handcuffed, transported to the Holmes Beach Police Department where the arrest paperwork was completed. She was then transported by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office to the county jail.

“Juvenile’s grandmother responded to the scene to take custody of juvenile. I also contacted the abuse hotline and advised of the situation,” Walker’s report noted.

Manatee County court records indicate that Wing has no prior legal issues other than traffic violations and a dissolution of marriage/child support case.

State statutes

Corporal punishment of a child by a parent is not illegal in Florida.

According to Florida Statute 39.01(2), “Abuse means any willful act or threatened act that results in any physical, mental, or sexual abuse, injury or harm that causes or is likely to cause the child’s physical, mental, or emotional health to be significantly impaired. Corporal discipline of a child by a parent or legal custodian for disciplinary purposes does not in itself constitute abuse when it does not result in harm to the child.”

According to Florida Statute 39.01(30)(a), “Harm to a child’s health or welfare can occur when any person inflicts or allows to be inflicted upon the child physical, mental, or emotional injury.”