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Tag: Anna Maria Island

New world order: Renting

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

Like fashion, real estate goes in and out of vogue. What was all the rage in one decade can be out the next. Well, now the real estate reset is homeownership.

My parents grew up in a big city that, not unlike other big cities, had more renters than owners. The suburbs didn’t exist and most people either lived in the “city” or the country. As we all know, after World War II, homes were built creating suburbs adjacent to big cities and for the first time, middle-class people could buy a home near where they worked.

We’re seeing the beginning of a new trend and Americans who would traditionally be homeowners have become long-term renters, many of whom have made this choice as a lifestyle change.

For decades renting was only a steppingstone for the upper and middle class before it was time to buy. Owning a home was always considered by most families their major asset and they depended on building equity in that home. But what we’re starting to see now are high-income families and seniors who aren’t ready for retirement communities but don’t want the responsibility of home ownership opting for renting.

These new American renters are looking for luxury and services including concierge services and amenities. They’re choosing to invest their money or spend it on vacations and their children’s education. Benefiting from tax breaks and capital gains exclusions no longer holds the same appeal. Investment portfolios are being reworked to invest in tax-free products and municipal bonds without a thought of building equity in homes.

About 64% of people in the U.S are homeowners compared with about 89% of people in China and 87% in India. These numbers set me on my heels. Didn’t we invent middle-class home ownership and the American dream?

Like so many other changes in our lives, COVID-19 is the pandemic that keeps on giving. The effect on the real estate market is significant. Interest rates went up, making mortgages unappealing to buyers even if they could afford the higher rates. The lack of inventory discouraged them even more and the mobility of work and living arrangements played into the new world order we’re starting to see. Of course, the big losers here are the lower-income renters who are being hit with increases in rental fees and a lack of available properties to rent.

Entire single-family home rental subdivisions, build-to-rent, are being constructed, marketing to high-earning families and seniors. This is no longer a transition for people, it is a lifestyle choice and likely permanent. In the state of Florida, I found build-to-rent projects in both Charlotte and Lee counties, Jacksonville and Port St. Lucie. In 2022, 14,500 of these communities were constructed around the country. One report said there are now 44,700 under construction and another report by an online firm Yardi says that number is 84,459. Either way, we are seeing a significant trend.

None of this will be affecting Anna Maria Island, which always moves to its own drummer. However, the trend in lifestyle with fewer homeowners and more renters could change how home investors on the Island view their investments. You never know what will change the real estate market. Who could have predicted what has happened in the last three to four years?

I hate to sound like a senior citizen, which I am, who is stuck in a time capsule, but with Americans becoming more and more self-centered, the appeal of community and homeownership is being threatened. Wouldn’t Mom and Dad be shocked?

The re-making of Perico Preserve

Reel Time: The re-making of Perico Preserve

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Outdoors, Reel Time.

Perico Preserve is a Manatee County jewel. But this gem wouldn’t have become a reality without the vision and determination of a few key individuals who captured the attention of and created opportunities for the citizens to make it a reality. In 2007, Manatee County purchased the property and, under the leadership and direction of the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners, the Parks and Natural Resources Department began the process of restoring ecological function and making improvements to the site for passive public recreation. After an intense process involving numerous local partners, the Perico Preserve Restoration Project showcases the high-quality results that can be achieved when local leadership and restoration practitioners commit to implementing a state-of-the-art restoration plan.

The original historic habitats at Perico Preserve were a mixture of wetland and upland habitats including mangrove swamps, pine flatwoods and coastal scrub. It might be hard for a recent resident to appreciate such a habitat since so much of it has been lost to development. In documents that preceded the development of Perico Island, it is revealing how much was lost, including over 100 acres of grass flats. This kind of environmental loss highlights why preserving places like the Perico Preserve is so important.

Manatee County Parks and Recreation staff, led by Director Charlie Hunsicker and then-Division Manager for Ecological and Marine Resources Damon Moore, did extensive research on the historic nature of the site to determine restoration goals.

This coastal property provided all the necessities for early inhabitants of the area and there is evidence of a once-existing Native American mound. As the population of Manatee County grew, natural resources on the site provided timber and the once dense forest of pines was harvested. Farming began almost a century ago, intensified over time, and resulted in the loss of rich native plant and animal diversity.

Before 2007, the site was poised for development and sat fallow for nearly a decade, giving way to invasive exotic plant species. With the county’s acquisition and decision to restore the site for ecological values, water quality and recreational purposes, the landscape of Perico Preserve was put on a course back to its original state. A visit to this restored habitat will give you a taste of the real Florida and demonstrate why projects like this are so important to present and particularly future generations.

Bring a sense of wonder, but don’t bring your dog. The preserve was planned as a bird sanctuary and pets are not allowed in an effort to protect native birds.

To learn more about this special place consult the following links:

The original proposal for the development of Perico Island: https://books.google.com/books?id=ruE0AQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

Manatee County presentation on the creation of Perico Preserve:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EBe_scptNKeCjYjTTtn-lQ4n7418xQz8/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=105714907940315022296&rtpof=true&sd=true

Boat operator cited for running illegal service

Boat operator cited for running illegal service

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Community News, Cortez.

CORTEZ – A U.S. Coast Guard Station Cortez law enforcement crew cited what they said was an illegal uninspected small passenger vessel-for-hire operating on Anna Maria Sound on Jan. 3.

According to a U.S. Coast Guard press release, the 22-foot boat was operating a ferry service to a short-term lodging sailboat with two people and three dogs as passengers. During the investigation, it was found that the unnamed operator was previously issued a Captain of the Port order in June 2023 for operating without a Coast Guard-issued captain’s license, a regulatory requirement.

“Short-term lodging vessels on the water are not illegal,” Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg Chief of Investigations Brian Knapp said. “If owners of short-term rentals provide transportation by way of a ferry service to and from the rental on the water, that is considered a passenger-for-hire operation, and the owner must be a credentialed mariner and follow the regulations for operating this type of service.”

“The crew was out on patrol and recognized the boat as one that had been stopped before,” Coast Guard spokesperson Nicole Groll said. “They boarded the boat and found that the operator was in violation. Because they were doing something they were told not to do, the boat was escorted back to shore.”

Groll declined to provide an incident report or identify the person who was cited.

“The case has been sent to the U.S. Attorney’s office and they will decide whether to pursue criminal charges,” Groll said. “Because they violated a Captain of the Port order, that is a federal offense.”

The boat was a 2008 22-foot Sea Hunt bow rider. The boat name was not visible in the Coast Guard release photo.

The operator of the boat was cited with the following violations:

• Violation of 46 CFR 15.605 for failing to have an uninspected passenger vessel under the command and control of a credentialed mariner;

• Violation of 46 CFR 16.201 for failure of the operator to be enrolled in a drug testing consortium;

• Violation of 33 CFR 160.105 for failure to comply with a Captain of the Port order.

“Anyone paying for a trip on a vessel should ask to see the merchant mariner credential of the boat operator to verify they are properly licensed by the Coast Guard to operate that vessel as the captain,” Knapp said. “If the captain can’t produce their license, don’t get on the boat.”

Groll said that a Coast Guard civil hearing will be scheduled to determine any potential fines.

Owners and operators of illegal charter vessels can face maximum civil penalties of over $60,000 for illegal passenger-for-hire operations. Charters that violate a Captain of the Port order can face a maximum penalty of $111,031. Some potential fines for illegally operating a charter vessel are:

• Up to $22,324 for failure to operate a passenger vessel without a merchant mariner credential;

• Up to $9,086 for failure of operators to be enrolled in a drug testing program;

• Up to $5,661 for failure to provide a Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection for vessels carrying more than six passengers;

• Up to $19,324 for failure to produce a valid Certificate of Documentation for vessels over 5 net tons.

Anyone suspecting a vessel of violating the law is asked to report the alleged violation to U.S. Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg at 727-502-8720.

The heat is on

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

The U.S. Census Bureau has released its population statistics for the year 2022 to 2023. All I can say is the heat is on in the South.

The takeaway here is that Texas and Florida’s population grew by a much larger number than any other state in the country. By now, it’s commonly accepted that the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way people live and do their jobs. Remote work has allowed many in the home labor force to relocate to more affordable living with better weather and a sense of security and freedom. This defined the state of Florida before incoming COVID escapees pushed up property values, which are only now starting to stabilize.

So, let’s dig into the actual numbers of the top three on the U.S. Census Bureau’s list of states with the highest growth.

The population of Texas on July 1, 2022 was 30,029,848. The population on July 1, 2023, was 30,503,301, an increase of 473,453 or 1.6%.

Florida, coming in second, had a population on July 1, 2022 of 22,245,521, increasing to 22,610,726 on July 1, 2023, an increase of 365,205 or 1.6%, same as Texas.

Third on the list is North Carolina, which on July 1, 2022 had a population of 10,695,965 and on July 1, 2023 had a population of 10,835,491, a growth of 139,526 or 1.3%.

The five states with the highest populations are California, Texas, Florida, New York and Pennsylvania. However, only Texas and Florida are in the top 10 of growth between 2022 and 2023. The other three all lost population during the same timeframe, with California being the biggest loser of 2023. Remember that population growth or decline has everything to do with real estate values.

Another survey by Bankrate.com analyzes the hottest metro areas in the country. Here they are in order: Gainesville, Georgia; Knoxville, Tennessee; Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida; Northport-Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida and Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Sarasota metro area, which also appears on the Best Places to Live list, ranks second nationally in price appreciation and 12th in population growth, but 206th in active listings.

The Fort Myers metro area ranked fifth in price appreciation and eighth in population growth, also with a lack of available listings. They too appear on one of the best places to live lists. These two South Florida regions are closely linked, sharing the same quality of life appealing to people relocating to the Sunshine State.

Bankrate also analyzed the five hottest large metro areas, placing Tampa at number three and Orlando at number five. This, among other area studies, will explain why the South added 1.4 million residents, accounting for 87% of the nation’s growth this year according to the Census Bureau.

The Census Bureau’s numbers aren’t perfect. They include everyone living within the U.S. except short-term visitors, but the number of immigrants without legal status is difficult to accurately count. The estimates are based on birth and death certificates, IRS and Medicare records and the American Community Survey. In addition, the Census Bureau released projections showing that the population is expected to continue growing slowly to approximately 2080.

You may have a love/hate feeling about our increase in population. You love the influx because they keep the property values moving up, expand the tax base and are responsible for the many new shops and restaurants in the area. But it comes with the price of increased traffic, especially getting to our outstanding beaches.

If you’re still worried about property values, remember housing density increases the price of homes, and we’ve got the density, good or bad. What we don’t have is the snow.

The making of Perico Preserve

Reel Time: The making of Perico Preserve

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Outdoors, Parks, Reel Time.

Nestled just off the edge of Perico Bayou, a slender body of water that connects Tampa Bay and Palma Sola Bay, Perico Preserve would appear to the unversed as an extension of the wetlands that rim Perico Island.

The island, and hence the preserve, were named after one of its earliest residents, Perico Pompon, a Cuban fisherman who operated a rancho on the island in the early 1840s. By the 1880s settlers had established numerous homesteads on the island. Those early settlers established fruit farms and grew oranges, pineapple and guava. The island was also home to a large fish camp.

Eventually, a wooden bridge (recreated at Robinson Preserve) was built to connect the island to the nearby community of Palma Sola. A post office was established on the island in 1891 and a hotel was built that offered boat excursions to take advantage of the area’s bounty of game and fish. In the early 1920s, a bridge was built that connected Perico and the mainland to Anna Maria Island. The new bridge increased traffic and tourism to Perico, which grew into a popular destination for tourists eager to explore the region.

Since the 1960s, Perico Island has been the setting of many legal battles between developers and residents who wish to maintain the natural resources of the island. One of those battles resulted in a compromise between the developers of Perico Island and Manatee County which led to the purchase of the property where the preserve sits.

The transformation of Perico Preserve from farmland to the beautiful mix of habitats that can be seen today is a story of recreating a coastal wetland that resembles historical Manatee County. A review of the 1970s-era environmental assessment of the impacts of future development (now in place) points to the importance of preserving as much land as possible.

Next week, I’ll talk about the transformation of farmlands to Perico Preserve and those responsible for this Manatee County jewel.

Island Players kick off the new year with ‘Mousetrap'

Island Players kick off the new year with ‘Mousetrap’

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Entertainment, Theater.

ANNA MARIA – After a break for the holiday season, the Island Players, the oldest community theater in Manatee County, continues its historic 75th season with their production of Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap,” which will run Thursday, Jan. 11 through Sunday, Jan. 28 at the Island Playhouse, 10009 Gulf Drive.

Directed by veteran director Heiko Knipfelberg and stage-managed by Denise Handley, the murder mystery is the third play of the season and one that Knipfelberg is especially excited to direct.

“This is the longest-running play in the world, debuting in 1952 and it’s been running ever since,” Knipfelberg said. “Agatha Christie is the most prolific writer of all time. Novels, short stories, plays, everything – no one has come close to her.”

The plot involves a police detective who arrives on skis to question the snowbound guests of Monkswell Manor Guest House. The seven strangers grow even more suspicious of each other when it becomes clear one of them is a killer. Anything more would be a spoiler, so get tickets now and catch a performance.

Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are available for $28 at the box office or by calling 941-778-5755, or $30 online at www.theislandplayers.org.

Cortez Kitchen to reopen Jan. 14

Cortez Kitchen to reopen Jan. 14

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Business, Restaurants | Bars.

CORTEZ –The grand reopening of the Cortez Kitchen, 4528 119th St. W., is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 14.

The newly-remodeled restaurant and bar is an upgraded version of its former self, featuring a new bar and seating, a state-of-the-art kitchen and TVs throughout, while still keeping the casual atmosphere that it had when John Banyas and Peter Barreda opened it in 1996.

“It was remodeled and beautifully upgraded, but with the same Florida charm that it always had,” said Adam Sears, general manager of Swordfish Grill and Tiki Bar, also owned by Banyas.

Banyas previously leased the Cortez Kitchen to Joe Oelker for 19 years. When Oelker retired last August, Banyas decided to take over the restaurant business.

“We’re all about serving up the freshest catches with that old Florida flavor. Our place is on the water, so you can enjoy your grub with a killer view,” according to the Cortez Kitchen website. “We love being part of the Cortez crew, so come hang with us and enjoy the flavors that everyone around here loves. Swing by the Cortez Kitchen for a laid-back dining experience where good eats are the main event.”

The menu features some new items along with some traditional Cortez Kitchen favorites.

“Two of the favorites are still on the menu,” Sears said. “We’ll have the royal red peel ‘n eat shrimp and the buffalo grouper.”

Other menu items include appetizers like smoked wings, Cortez Kitchen ceviche, fried okra and Atlantic lobster quesadilla. Entrées include a steamer pot with local crab, clams and shrimp, scallop risotto and braised short rib. A variety of sandwiches include softshell crab, lobster roll, Pete’s pressed Cuban and grouper or mahi. Seafood, short rib and chicken baskets round out the menu, along with salads and a kids menu.

Seating along the windows on the west side of the restaurant affords patrons a water view of Sarasota Bay.

“It’s nice that we’re able to reopen after nearly five months,” Sears said. “We’ve been working really hard to get this done.”

Sears said some of the employees of the restaurant when it closed in August will be back.

“There will be some old faces along with some new faces,” he said.

Live musical entertainment will be featured on weekends. Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones will play on Sunday, Jan. 14 from 4-7 p.m.

The music lineup and menu can be seen at www.cortezkitchenfl.com.

Mangrove removal investigated, paused

Mangrove removal investigated, paused

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Environment, Outdoors.

Recent mangrove removal at 111 Gull Drive in Anna Maria, above, appears to comply with a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) permit exemption allowing a 116-foot seawall to be built along the canal behind the property, but the property owner failed to obtain required authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) before removing the protected plants, according to a report dated Jan. 5 at the FDEP’s website.

The mangroves behind the home under construction were removed in early December, according to a complaint received by the City of Anna Maria, which posted a stop work order on Dec. 6 that city officials say was taken down without authorization.

The report also notes that the property owner, Jackie Sharp of Sharp Developments LLC, failed to install erosion control measures before the mangroves were removed in December. Sediment barriers were installed after the fact, according to the report.

About 67 feet of mangroves were removed before a neighbor reported the activity, halting the project temporarily, according to the report. About 49 feet of mangroves remain that may be subject to removal under the FDEP permit exemption. However, the FDEP report notes that further work is prohibited until the property owner obtains USACE authorization and all other required federal, state and local authorizations.

The City of Anna Maria has not yet issued a building permit for the seawall, city officials said on Monday.

Florida State Seal

Florida Legislature convenes 2024 session

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Legislature’s 2024 regular legislative session is underway and the city of Anna Maria already is opposing lawmakers’ latest attempt to preempt vacation rental regulation to the state.

The Legislature’s 60-day regular session began on Jan. 9 and noon of that day was the deadline to file bills for introduction. Feb. 27 will be the final day for regularly scheduled committee meetings and the 60-day legislative session is scheduled to end on March 8.

In addition to proposing and debating new state laws, the Legislature will help craft the annual state budget to be presented to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

VACATION RENTALS

Utilizing the city-owned, city-managed Home Rule Florida website, https://www.homerulefl.com/, the city of Anna Maria has already launched an opposition campaign regarding Senate Bill 280.

SB 280 is the Legislature’s latest attempt to preempt vacation rental regulation to the state and strip Florida cities and counties of those home rule regulatory rights. The Home Rule Florida website provides information concerning legislation and provides already-written opposition letters that can be emailed to several legislators at a time.

Sponsored by Sen. Nick DiCeglie, (R-St. Petersburg), SB 280 passed through the Senate’s Regulated Industries Committee on Dec. 13 by a 4-0 vote. Committee Chair Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota), Committee Vice-Chair Ed Hooper (R-Palm Harbor) and Senators Jason Brodeur (R-Sanford) and Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island) voted in favor of forwarding SB 280 to the Senate’s Fiscal Policy Committee.

As of Friday afternoon, Jan. 5, a House of Representatives companion bill to SB 280 had not yet been filed. For new state legislation to be enacted, matching bills must successfully pass through the Senate and House and be signed into law by the governor.

LEGAL ANALYSIS

On Dec. 11, City Attorney Becky Vose provided Mayor Dan Murphy and the Anna Maria City Commission with her six-page legal analysis of SB 280.

“To a person not heavily involved in the regulation of vacation rentals, a review of SB 280 could possibly appear to be a reasonable and well-thought-out statutory scheme to standardize the regulation of vacation rentals throughout the state. However, the devil is in the details. As proposed, SB 280 would have devastating results in Anna Maria, and similarly destructive results in other municipalities and counties that have adopted vacation rental regulations similar to those currently in effect in Anna Maria,” Vose stated in her analysis.

“SB 280, in another devastating blow to home rule in Florida, would allow local governments to only impose certain specific regulations on vacation rentals, thereby eliminating the well-thought-out and well-accepted provisions of the currently existing vacation rental ordinance in Anna Maria, as well as similar ordinances in other Florida locations,” Vose stated.

“SB 280 would:

• “Allow virtually unlimited occupancy in vacation rentals due to the provision that allows local governments to cap occupancy only based on the number of ‘sleeping accommodations’ in the vacation rental. This occupancy ‘cap’ is purely illusory since it could allow up to 16 persons to sleep in a 14’ x 14’ bedroom, and who knows how many people in other parts of the vacation rental;

• “Eliminate the ability of the city to conduct annual inspections of vacation rentals for compliance with the Florida Building Code and the Florida Fire and Life Safety Codes. Such inspections would only be allowed upon the initial application for registration, or when a registration is changed;

• “Cap the cost of the initial application for registration of a vacation rental at $150, and cap all subsequent renewal fees at $50, thereby transferring the bulk of the cost of regulation and registrations of vacation rentals to the taxpayers of the city;

• “Eliminate the regulation of the number of vehicles at vacation rentals. Since occupancy would essentially be unlimited, parking would likely be a serious problem;

• “Eliminate the ability to require rental agreements and postings at vacation rentals to inform guests of a variety of local issues such as where to park vehicles, sea turtle regulations, solid waste pick up regulations, noise regulations, location of the nearest hospital and what to do in the event of an evacuation order due to a storm;

• “Make illusory the enforcement power of the State of Florida as to cease and desist orders by the state to enforce state requirements,” Vose stated in her analysis.

Commission discusses redistricting, vacancy

Commissioners discuss redistricting, commission vacancy

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News, Featured.

BRADENTON BEACH – Following the vacancy left by the Dec. 28 resignation of Commissioner Jake Spooner, city commissioners discussed the course of action to fill his position at a Jan. 4 meeting.

The discussion also included the possible redistricting of the city’s four ward boundaries.

Spooner, a commissioner since 2015 from Ward 1, ran unopposed in 2022 and was sworn in for a two-year term in November 2023. He said he resigned because of the state’s expanded financial disclosure requirements that now apply to all Florida mayors and city commissioners holding office as of Jan. 1.

Mayor John Chappie and Commissioners Ralph Cole and Jan Vosburgh attended the Jan. 4 meeting while Commissioner Marilyn Maro and City Attorney Ricinda Perry phoned in.

“There is a process our charter dictates that we go through,” Chappie said. According to Section 8 of the City Charter, Filling of Vacancies: “Whenever there is a vacancy, the commission shall propose by nomination one or more names of willing and qualified successors for the vacancy. The commission will then vote among the nominees to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term. If a majority of the commissioners are unable to fill a vacancy or vacancies after two meetings, then the successor shall be chosen by lot by the city clerk from the nominees proposed. If no appointee can be found residing in the ward of vacancy, the commission may appoint an individual who would otherwise qualify for elective office.”

“There are two things we’re dealing with that are both dealing with this particular issue,” Perry said. “One is the changing or review of the ward boundaries and also changing the numbers of three and four so they’re sequential in our city. Right now it’s one, two, four, three.”

Perry said part of last year’s charter review process was to make sure the four wards are evenly balanced for the number of registered voters.

“This comes directly with recommendations from the Supervisor of Elections,” Perry said. “If you recall it was almost a year ago, maybe a little longer, the city formally requested from the Supervisor of Elections their data and analysis.”

The Supervisor of Elections produces maps and boundary descriptions for the four wards, she said.

“The charter review committee had recommended the city redistribute that once that data was available from the Supervisor of Elections,” Perry said. “It wasn’t until much later in the year, almost right before the deadline for the November election, that the Supervisor of Elections produced that data to the city. And at that time (City Clerk) Terri Sanclemente and I had discussions with the Supervisor of Elections as to when would be the best time for the city to take up this issue and look at redistributing the voters. “

She said Assistant Supervisor of Elections Scott Farrington had asked the city to hold off until after the elections to avoid confusion.

“Now that the election is over, this would be the time for the city commission to look at those recommendations that came from Mr. Farrington,” Perry said.

She suggested the city take up the redistricting issue first, which is done by resolution.

“Once that issue is fully addressed, then I believe the city commission can take up appointments for Mr. Spooner’s seat,” Perry said.

If no candidate steps forward from Ward 1, Perry explained the next steps.

“Then it becomes an at-large seat temporarily for the remainder of that term,” Perry said. “Until the next election cycle, then it would become a ward seat again if anyone wants to run.”

Perry said the commission would discuss the issue again on Thursday, Feb. 1 at 6 p.m. in the Katie Pierola Commission Chambers, 107 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach.

Prior to that meeting, Perry said she plans to reach out to Farrington to ensure the data received last year from the Supervisor of Elections has not changed.

Reel Time: New Year’s resolutions

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Outdoors, Reel Time.

New Year’s resolutions are an annual ritual. It’s a time to look back and reflect on what matters most, how we feel about our lives, and what changes might improve our situation. It’s also a time to consider what positive actions and fresh adventures might be planned for the new year. Anglers can glean some valuable insight by reviewing their year in fishing, examining what they learned from their days on the water, what their experiences revealed and assessing how this knowledge might lead to improved success and enjoyment in 2024.

I’m not suggesting that we write down hard and fast resolutions that don’t give any wiggle room. Instead, think back on even the small things that when done differently might have had a bigger impact than you ever imagined. An example might be remembering when you hooked a nice fish only to lose it to a failed knot, that tell-tale squiggle on the end of your line where the hook used to be attached. This resolution might read, “Always remember to carefully tie my knots, inspecting and testing them before I start fishing.” The same applies to sharpening hooks, checking the drag, and inspecting the line for nicks and abrasions. Reflections like this can be the start of a general review of all your rigging, the state of your tackle and lures and the condition of the line you have on your reels.

Tackle and organization are certainly places to start but extend that same thinking to other equipment like your boat and motor, waders, push pole and trolling motor. Experience teaches us that it’s the little things that we overlook that come back to haunt us. On the water, consider thinking out of the proverbial box by altering your routine strategy. Many anglers go fishing with a plan and never deviate from it. They start at one spot and hit all the usual holes during the day. A different option is to try planning to fish in places you’ve never explored before. I’ve done this and been amazed at how many areas there are that have proven to be productive. Looking at the same place with new eyes can be revealing.

New Year's resolutions
A concerned Anna Maria resident reported this illegal, after-hours mangrove destruction at 111 Gull Drive, now under investigation by city, state and federal agencies. – Submitted

Also, consider trying a new destination. There are lots of beautiful and productive fishing adventures within a few hours’ drive of Anna Maria Island, both north and south. Drive two hours north and you can explore the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge and, just north of there, Homosassa, Crystal River and Withlacoochee Bay. Less than two hours south and you can discover Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound. Don’t want to go that far? Anyone with a boat can leave Anna Maria Island and be fishing in fresh water in less than an hour. The Manatee River and Braden River provide anglers with a variety of fish from tarpon to catfish, redfish to bass. Both rivers also have numerous launch sites for boats, kayaks and paddleboards.

It might even prove useful to review how you approach fishing. If you’re a fly caster, look at ways you might improve your casting and consider learning how to cast with your non-dominant hand. Anglers who use conventional tackle might want to try artificial lures instead of always relying on live bait. No matter how long you’ve been fishing or what your level of competency there’s always room for improvement. A general review of tackle, techniques and the opportunities available to you can only improve your enjoyment of fishing moving into 2024.

Lastly and even more important, consider getting involved in protecting the resource that determines our fishing today and in the future. Fishermen have the most to lose by not addressing the degradation of our local waters and habitat. There are so many ways to make a difference no matter your circumstance. Keep an eye out and report illegal mangrove trimming and pick up trash on the water. Employ enlightened self-interest by vetting your local, state and national politicians on how they voted on matters that affect the water we drink and swim in and the fish we pursue. If we vote party line rather than on the issues that affect our fishing, we’re working against our self-interest. Write letters, attend commission meetings and join and donate to organizations like Sarasota Bay Watch, Vote Water and Suncoast Waterkeeper who work to protect our watery world. A resolution to act this year will protect what we value most for today and future generations. Happy New Year!

Happy new real estate year

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

Despite homeownership being a pipe dream for many Americans, there is good news on the horizon. If you’re a first-time buyer and are still stuck on the sidelines, this may be the time to get started.

One-third of buyers in 2023 were first-time home buyers, below the historical average of 38%, according to the National Association of Realtors. In addition, the median age of first-time buyers was 35 years old. It is now less affordable than at any time in recent history to buy a home, and that isn’t changing any time soon – except for one interesting point.

When the Federal Reserve started raising rates aggressively two years ago to curb inflation, mortgage rates went up right along with all the other rates for borrowing money. Well, a funny thing happened on the way to 2024; rates started going down. The Federal Reserve stopped raising rates during the last several meetings, the stock market started going up and mortgage rates started heading to 7%. As of this writing, according to Forbes, the rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage was 7.26% and the rate for a 15-year fixed rate mortgage was 6.34%. Also, the Federal Reserve signaled it may cut interest rates next year and possibly have multiple rate cuts.

This may not help the housing shortage that has kept asking prices so high, but for those who can finally find a home, the carrying charges are starting to look more affordable, allowing more first-time buyers to qualify for financing. However, Gen Z and Millennials, the primary buyers of first-time homes, will continue to be facing a limited supply of single-family properties. This will put pressure on prices to stay elevated unless or until supply catches up.

Locally, there is more positive news. WalletHub.com, an online company that analyzes market trends, has placed Tampa as the best place to retire. In fact, their analysis places the five top best places to retire as Tampa, Scottsdale, Arizona, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Miami, four out of the top five in the state of Florida.

Just to be fair, U.S. News & World Report placed Tampa as #4 in their analysis as the best place to retire, moving up from #6. Both surveys are based on affordability, quality of life and health care.

And very close to home, imagine my surprise when about a month ago I opened the second page of the Wall Street Journal and found Cortez, Florida as the dateline in a good size news story.

The story was about the Hunters Point new construction on Cortez Road just east of the Cortez Bridge. Hunters Point single-family homes are all energy-efficient homes, explained by the developer as the first “net zero” single-family home development in the country. This means that the homes generate at least as much energy as they consume.

The homes have solar panels and a battery system to keep the power on even if the power grid experiences outages. They are also built with flood vents to accommodate rising water and living space that is about 16 feet above sea level. Hunters Point’s goal is to fight both the cause of climate change and carbon emissions while protecting their properties during major storm events.

It looks like little Cortez made the big time, and you can too if you start the new year with an optimistic outlook. In the words of Mark Twain, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” Happy New Year!

Police chase on and off the Island ends with crash

Police chase on, off Island ends in crash

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) deputies arrested a man after he allegedly battered an Uber driver, stole his vehicle and crashed it into light poles.

At about 12:18 a.m. on Dec. 21, Leo Paul Bradley, 26, allegedly punched the driver in the 3500 block of First Street West in Bradenton after refusing to pay in advance for a ride from Bradenton to Tampa, according to a police report. Bradley allegedly stole the vehicle, which deputies spotted within minutes of a report, fleeing eastbound on Manatee Avenue West.

A pursuit was initiated, and Bradley switched directions, heading west toward Anna Maria Island, later striking a deputy’s patrol vehicle, according to the report. The MCSO helicopter followed the SUV as it left the Island and nearly collided with oncoming traffic. Bradley allegedly continued to drive erratically to the 6700 block of Manatee Avenue West, where he drove the stolen vehicle into a light pole, knocking the pole into the roadway. He continued east, knocking down another light pole, coming to a stop in a ditch. Multiple MCSO units surrounded the vehicle.

Fire and EMS removed Bradley and transported him to HCA Florida Blake Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Bradley was arrested for battery, motor vehicle theft, causing an accident involving a vehicle and aggravated fleeing with damage. The pursuit covered about 20 miles along dry roads with minimal traffic for about 17 minutes.

There were no injuries to any MCSO personnel.

Demolition in progress at proposed hotel site

Demolition in progress at proposed hotel site

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Shortly after the Dec. 7 city commission approval of a 106-room resort hotel/restaurant/retail complex on the corner of Bridge Street and Gulf Drive South, demolition began on the first building on the site.

On Dec. 11, a permitted demolition began on 129 Gulf Drive S., the location of the former Joe’s Eats N Sweets.

The property that the hotel will be built on is co-owned by local developer Shawn Kaleta and Bradenton Beach commissioner and businessman Jacob Spooner. It is sited on 1.61 acres and located at 101, 105 and 117 Bridge St. and 106, 108, 110 and 112 Third St. S.

In a Dec. 27 email to The Sun from Bradenton Beach permit technician Annabre Veal, the permit application for demolition of 101 Bridge St. is complete and demolition permit applications for 105 and 117 Bridge St. have also been submitted.

The proposed scope of the work at 101 Bridge St. is “Demo and remove entire structure (Mixed use comm/res, 2 living units, 1 comm building),” according to the permit applied for by Kaleta.

Several local residents who are critics of the hotel project have expressed concern about the historical background and environmental concerns surrounding the three remaining buildings on the proposed hotel site, and they have reached out to city officials with their findings.

Demolition in progress at proposed hotel site
The building at 105 Bridge St. is slated for demolition. – Leslie Lake | Sun

A Dec. 15 letter signed by Christine Johnson and Sue Longacre and addressed to Mayor John Chappie, City Attorney Ricinda Perry and City Clerk Terri Sanclemente was hand-delivered to city hall by Johnson.

“Residents of Bradenton Beach have uncovered historical elements located in the Florida Master Site File for situs addresses within the planned development, Bridge Street Resort, in Bradenton Beach, Florida,” the letter states in part.

The letter lists the three addresses from the Master Site File as:

• “Magnolia Apartments, 105 Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, Florida; dated 1935; Florida Master Site File: Condition- ‘Fair;’ appears to meet qualifications for National Listing Individually and as Part of a District;

• Maestro’s Italian Restaurant; 101 Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, Florida; dated 1925; Florida Master Site File; Condition ‘Good;’ appears to meet qualifications for National Listing Individually and as Part of a District;

• Bridge Street Bazaar; 117 Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, Florida; dated 1955; Florida Master Site File; Condition ‘Good;’ appears to meet qualifications for National Listing Individually and as Part of a District.”

“Documents supporting relevant findings will be attached to this letter and residents believe it is necessary to present these findings to the City Commission and the City Attorney to preserve the historical elements of Bradenton Beach.”

Former Building Official Steve Gilbert said that the listing in the Master Site file does not prevent building owners from demolition.

“I’m not aware of any structures in Bradenton Beach that might be listed on the state or federal registry,” Gilbert wrote in a Dec. 13 email to The Sun two days before he retired. “Even so, being listed does not preclude an owner from renovations, or demolition and rebuild. The purpose of the program is to encourage owners to ‘save’ older buildings, but there are no regulations through state or local ordinances to prohibit what is proposed.”

In an April 24, 2013 story in the Anna Maria Island Sun, reporter Cindy Lane described the renovation at Magnolia as follows:

“While preserving the two-story exterior, in keeping with the Island’s low-rise appeal, Bill Herlihy has replaced almost everything inside the Island Time Inn, 105 Bridge St., formerly the Magnolia Inn, which he said dates back to 1935.

Tile floors, beadboard cabinets, granite countertops, flat-screen TVs, textured walls, light fixtures, kitchen appliances, bathroom fixtures and comfortable furniture are all new.

But he saved a few things for history buffs, too – an old stained glass window in one unit, original wood ceilings in another, and even some of the original exterior of the building incorporated as interior walls.”

Mangroves removed before protective barrier installed

Mangroves removed before protective barrier installed

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – More than three weeks after the removal of mangroves at 111 Gull Drive, a required protective water barrier was placed at the site, according to neighbors.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) noted the absence of the barrier in its investigation of the mangrove removal on Dec. 13. FDEP’s Heather McClurg emailed others in the agency saying in part, “After viewing the photos though (of the property at 111 Gull Drive), I did note that they do not have proper BMP’s deployed and wanted to forward this over to compliance for review.”

A BMP (Best Management Practice) is a method used to prevent or control stormwater runoff and the discharge of pollutants, including sediment, into local waterbodies, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

The mangroves at 111 Gull Drive, a canal-front home under construction, were removed in early December, according to a complaint received by the city, which posted a stop work order on Dec. 6. Neighbors complained again on Dec. 13 that more mangroves were removed.

Federal, state and local officials are investigating.

The protective material was installed on Dec. 28, according to Ronnie Leto, a neighbor with a view of the property.

On The Sun Facebook page, Jane Ingalls posted an aerial photo of the property at 111 Gull Drive showing the mangroves prior to their removal. In that photo, lush mangroves were present behind the canal front home. A second photo posted by Ingalls shows what she called a side view of the former mangroves at 111 Gull Drive in August. No mangroves remain at the property.

The FDEP previously issued a seawall permit exemption for a limited amount of mangrove removal to contractor Mason Martin LLC, but FDEP spokesperson Brian Humphreys said on Dec. 22 that the agency was investigating complaints about excessive mangrove removal and planned a site visit.

It was reported on Dec. 23 to The Sun by a neighbor that FDEP investigators conducted a site visit at the property. That visit has been unconfirmed by FDEP.

The Sun has requested a follow-up report from the agency, but it was not received by press time.