Tag: Anna Maria Island

Pines purchase efforts fall short

Written by Joe Hendricks on April 25, 2023. Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News, Featured.

BRADENTON BEACH – The residents of the Pines Trailer Park have fallen short in their efforts to purchase the 86-unit waterfront mobile home park property.

In late January, Pines residents were informed that the Jackson family wanted to sell the park. In accordance with state law, the Pines residents were given the first right of refusal and the first chance to collectively purchase the 2.78-acre property for $16 million. Several residents’ meetings took place in the ensuing months and during that time, the Jacksons’ asking price increased by $250,000 to $16.25 million.

The most recent residents’ meeting took place on April 18. During that meeting, it was disclosed that the residents’ efforts to raise $10 million of the $16.25 million needed to purchase the property had fallen short.

It is not yet known who will purchase the Pines property or what will happen to the seasonal and full-time residents of the 86 mobile homes located in the mobile home park.

The park residents and others involved in the potential purchase of the Pines property had been reluctant to address the media while the efforts to purchase the park remained ongoing.

Later in the week, The Sun obtained the written minutes of the April 18 residents’ meeting.

Meeting minutes

According to the minutes, an attorney informed the park residents that no lenders were interested in loaning the residents’ proposed co-op the money needed to purchase the property.

Also according to the minutes, potential lenders don’t believe the Pines property is worth $16 million, partly due to the property’s coastal location and exposure to potential storm damage. High interest rates were mentioned as another contributing factor.

“We have collected $2 million in cash. $4 million more has been promised, with some full shares and some shares to be financed for a total of $6 million. We are over $4 million short of the needed funding. We are not in a position to sign the contract on April 21 unless a miracle occurs in the next three days. The Jacksons will not (self) finance more than $6 million. We need $10 million in cash and/or a loan from outside. We did not get enough investors. Less than half of the residents committed to purchasing a share. All homeowners who made payments will be reimbursed,” according to the minutes.

“When the park is sold, each resident will get a letter. If the buyer pays less than $16.25 million for the park, we have 10 days to match that offer,” the minutes note.

“The broker selling our park property on the open market has indicated that two groups are interested in the purchase and would plan to keep it as a park. We have no proof of this. At this point, it is our best-case scenario,” according to the minutes, which note that rent increases would be expected.

According to the minutes, “The new purchaser of the park will have to get the property rezoned in order to change the land use from a resident park to something else. It is hard to guess how long that process would take. If the new owner would decide to sell the park after their purchase, we would get the first right of refusal.”

The minutes note that mobile homeowners can still sell their homes if they want. The minutes note residents must continue to pay rent and follow the current park rules.

Additional insight

Ellen Scott is a longtime resident of the Pines. During the resident meetings, her son, Bernie Slicker, provided the Zoom teleconferencing capabilities that allowed residents and mobile homeowners to participate in the meetings from afar.

Slicker said the park residents were not given any timetable as to when a sale might take place or what might happen to the existing residents after that.

An alternative use of the property would result in many of the park’s full-time and seasonal residents moving off Anna Maria Island.

“With a private investor, my mom would likely have to be gone within six months to a year. We’re already looking for a place for her,” Slicker said.

Slicker noted many of the existing mobile homes could not be relocated and would face likely demolition if the Pines property is used for something other than a mobile home park.

“They’re all on wheels, but you can’t move them. In six months, they could just bulldoze everything down,” Slicker said.

Slicker said some mobile homeowners are understandably sad because they stand to potentially lose a lot of the money they invested in their homes.

Slicker said no specific names were mentioned regarding any developers, individuals or investors who may be interested in purchasing the Pines property and redeveloping it.

WMFR planning annual vacation rental inspections

Written by Joe Hendricks on April 25, 2023. Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, West Manatee Fire Rescue.

BRADENTON BEACH –The West Manatee Fire Rescue (WMFR) district has informed city officials about its plan to conduct annual safety inspections of short-term vacation rentals.

WMFR Fire Marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski presented the district’s inspection plans to the Bradenton Beach City Commission on April 20. WMFR Fire Chief Ben Rigney also attended the meeting.

When addressing the commission, Kwiatkowski noted the vacation rental industry is booming nationwide.

“It’s estimated that every 44 seconds there’s an accident at a vacation rental property,” he said.

He then referenced recent news stories pertaining to fires that occurred at vacation rentals, including the March 8 fire at the Bird’s Nest apartment building in Bradenton Beach, where three of the units serve as short-term rentals.

Kwiatkowski said one of the Bird’s Nest guests was showering when the fire occurred and

was able to safely escape because he heard the fire alarm.

“This is what we’re trying to accomplish,” Kwiatkowski said.

Kwiatkowski said eight of the 11 structure fires that occurred on Anna Maria Island during the past three years occurred at short-term vacation rentals.

He noted the state defines a short-term vacation rental as a dwelling or dwelling unit rented to guests more than three times in a calendar year for periods of less than 30 days, or advertised as such. Kwiatkowski said the district’s pending inspection program would only pertain to short-term vacation rentals and not to longer term, seasonal or annual rentals.

Kwiatkowski said the state of Florida’s Uniform Fire Safety Standards mandate that local fire jurisdictions protect health, safety and welfare in certain types of structures, including transient public lodging establishments (short-term vacation rentals).

“All such local authorities shall enforce, within their fire safety jurisdiction, the uniform fire safety standards for those buildings,” according to the state statute.

Kwiatkowski said transient public lodging establishment inspections are allowed according to Florida’s Uniform Fire Safety Standards and the Florida Fire Prevention Code. He also noted state law allows the state fire marshal to deny, refuse to renew, suspend or revoke the certificate of a fire safety inspector who fails to properly enforce the state’s applicable fire codes.

Kwiatkowski said there’s a long list of items inspectors will be looking at. The list includes properly functioning smoke alarms and fire extinguishers placed in proper locations, safe electrical components, primary and secondary means of getting in and out of the vacation rental unit, emergency lighting and more. He said WMFR will work with impacted property owners to help them get to where they need to be in terms of fire and life safety measures.

Commissioner Ralph Cole asked if vacation rental inspections are a new state mandate.

Kwiatkowski said the state statute has been in place for several years and was in place when he became the fire marshal in 2019. He said the COVID-19 pandemic and other events delayed the district’s implementation of a vacation rental inspection program. Kwiatkowski said other fire districts statewide are implementing similar programs.

Mayor John Chappie offered the use of the city commission chambers for a stakeholders’ meeting with potentially impacted vacation rental owners and others.

Additional info

Later in the week, Kwiatkowski was asked how many short-term vacation rentals operate on Anna Maria Island.

“We have identified approximately 2,700 legally operating vacation rentals throughout our district. Roughly 2,400 of those are on Anna Maria Island. I suspect there are a great number more operating that aren’t registered through the Department of Business and Professional Regulations as they are required to be. We are committed to identifying every vacation rental in our district and ensuring they are compliant. Safety is not an optional amenity. It is the foundation to a healthy business and community and profitable business and safety are not mutually exclusive,” Kwiatkowski said, noting the inspection program will begin Oct. 1.

“Regarding additional staffing, WMFR will hire two additional fire and life safety inspectors and an administrative assistant to help with the additional workload. After the two additional hires, our Fire and Life Safety Bureau will consist of four fire and life safety inspectors, an administrative assistant and myself,” he added.

Kwiatkowski is scheduled to make a similar presentation to the Anna Maria City Commission on Thursday, April 27. In late January, Kwiatkowski discussed the district’s vacation rental inspection plans during a Code Compliance town hall meeting held in Holmes Beach.

Fire assessment rates set to increase

Written by SUN contributor on April 25, 2023. Posted in Community News, West Manatee Fire Rescue.

MANATEE COUNTY – Fire assessment rates will be increasing for residents and business owners in the West Manatee Fire Rescue district.

Though rates in WMFR’s district could go up as high as 6.7%, the assessment rate for the 2023-24 fiscal year is expected to increase by 4%, or about $13.42 for the average homeowner.

Commissioners and staff met on April 18 for a mid-year budget workshop prior to the board’s regular monthly meeting. During the meeting, Chief Ben Rigney gave commissioners three rate proposals for the new fiscal year set to begin on Oct. 1 – a 0%, 4% or 6.7% increase. Rigney recommended the 4% increase to allow for additional funds to be collected through tax assessment revenue to help fund district needs, primarily the addition of nine new staff members.

The planned new hires include six firefighters – two additional people per shift with one of the new firefighters stationed on Anna Maria Island – two new fire inspectors and a financial clerk who was just hired as support staff for the district’s fire prevention bureau.

The two new fire inspectors would work to help with inspections of vacation rental properties in WMFR’s district, an initiative planned to begin in October. Inspectors will be operating under the Florida Fire Prevention Code and looking for any potential dangers to life or safety on the properties. Fire Marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski said that inspectors will operate independently of any vacation rental inspection or certificate programs already in place on the Island, though he added that they would try to work with all city code compliance/enforcement personnel to not overlap efforts and inconvenience property owners.

The increase in assessment also covers the cost of increases in insurance and planned raises, among other administrative items for the district. The district’s assessment rates are based on the size of a building on a property or a flat rate if the property is vacant, not the property’s value. With a 4% increase, income from assessment rates would increase an estimated $382,482 in the 2023-24 fiscal year from $9,562,071 to $9,944,554.

District property owners will see the increase on their TRIM notices this fall if it is approved by a vote of fire commissioners during the board’s May meeting.

Currently, district property owners with a 2,000-square-foot home pay $336.22 per year for fire and rescue services through the district when they pay their tax bill. With a 4% increase, that amount would rise to $349.63, an increase of $13.42.

The owner of a 2,000-square-foot commercial property paid $753.19 to the district in the 2022-23 fiscal year. That number would increase to $783.32 if the 4% increase is approved, a jump of $20.13.

Commissioners are expected to vote on the proposed assessment rate increase during a May 16 meeting at the district’s administration building.

Reel Time on the Road: The Chestatee

Written by Rusty Chinnis on April 25, 2023. Posted in Outdoors, Reel Time.

Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of fishing many of the finest trout streams in north Georgia, like the Soque and Chattahoochee as well Duke’s and Noontotla Creek. Always looking for a new adventure, I was intrigued when I overheard a conversation a couple of years ago at Unicoi Outfitters in Helen, Georgia. Two of the guides were talking about floating the Chattahoochee River for shoal bass.

Shoal bass are in the sunfish family and a member of the black bass family. It wasn’t until 1999 that they were reclassified as a unique species, having been considered a red eye bass. Shoal bass are similar in body shape to a largemouth bass but, unlike the largemouth, they have scales on the base portion of the second dorsal fin, their first and second dorsal fins are clearly connected, and their upper jaws do not extend past the eye. Shoal bass also lack the dark lateral band that largemouth have with vertical stripes which resemble tiger stripes.

Although historically found as far south as the Apalachicola and Chipola Rivers in Florida, habitat degradation has all but eliminated shoal bass from those rivers proper. Now their range is limited to tributaries including the Chattahoochee, Flint and Chestatee. They primarily eat crayfish but will also eat a variety of fish and insects. Shoal bass are primarily found among river shoals with fast-moving water and can also be found in the deeper pools containing limestone formations above and below the shoals.

In the spring of 2022, I booked McElroy to experience a Chattahoochee float and quickly fell in love with this type of fishing. This led to another trip with McElroy and Unicoi Outfitters owner Jimmy Harris, and I was hooked. On those two trips our primary target were shoal bass, although we also landed a nice striper.

On a recent trip to Georgia, I had the opportunity to float the Chestatee with McElroy and my friend Bob Seeger, a transplant from Longboat Key now living in Blue Ridge, Georgia. We started the day meeting McElroy at the takeout point where we moved all our gear into his truck and drove approximately 15 miles upstream to a launching point. After unloading the raft, McElroy guided the raft down a very steep embankment to the edge of the river. At this point in the river there was a very significant rapid that we decided to watch McElroy shoot and then joined him a short distance downstream. Unfortunately, there had been a fairly significant rain the night before our trip and the river was high and muddy. We had been warned in advance that these conditions all but shut down shoal bass from feeding. Despite the condition of the water, over the course of the next six hours we enjoyed a beautiful float past riverbanks festooned with flame azaleas, dogwoods and mountain laurel under a deep blue sky with puffy, white clouds floating overhead. And despite the odds, Seeger managed to land his first-ever shoal bass. This a trip I highly recommend. To experience it for yourself, contact Unicoi Outfitters at 1-706-878-3083 or visit their website.

Baby boomers continue to influence

Written by Louise Bolger on April 25, 2023. Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

Is the baby boomer generation ever going to disappear? Well, they surely will, but it could take another 40 years since the youngest of this influential generation is only 58. This large generation born after World War II has affected every aspect of life in America culturally, financially, morally and, of course, in the real estate market.

The latest study of baby boomer influence on the real estate market is from the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) 2023 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends. This extensive study examines the similarities and differences of recent home buyers and sellers across generations. The study found that the combined share of the real estate market for all baby boomers rose to 39% in 2022, up from 29% the prior year. The combined share of the baby boomer market is defined as the older boomer buyers who are 68-76 years old and the younger boomer buyers who are 58-67 years old.

Millennials ranging from 24-42 years of age have seen their total share of the market fall from 43% in 2021 to 28% last year. Millennials are the target buyer for the baby boomer homes and it’s not advantageous to see this generation’s buying power decreasing, likely because of employment instability and inflation.

Baby boomers have the upper hand in the homebuying market since the majority of them are repeat buyers who have housing equity to purchase dream homes or ease into retirement homes. But if their target buyers are having problems buying, it will eventually affect them. In addition, 26% of all buyers, according to the study, were first-time buyers, which is the lowest since the NAR began tracking the data and a decrease from 34% last year.

A few other interesting points in the study were that all generations agreed that the most common reason to move was to be closer to friends and family and that overall, buyers relocated a median of 50 miles. Also, 86% of all buyers purchased their homes through a real estate agent, proving that regardless of how great the internet is, buyers still want that personal touch.

Time to discuss the March real estate sales statistics for Manatee County reported by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee:

Single-family homes closed 4.4% more properties from last March. The median sale price was down 6.3% to $491,988 and the average sale price was down 9.3% from last March at $638,055. The median time to contract was 46 days compared to five days last year, and new listings are up by 0.7% and new pending properties are up by 7.9%. The month’s availability of properties is three months, still a low number.

Condos closed 7.7% fewer properties from last March. The median sale price was up 10.1% at $353,000 and the average sale price was up 6.5% at $419,574. The median time to contract was 23 days compared to five last year, new listings were up 3.9% and new pending listings were down 5.8%. The month’s availability of properties is 3.7 months, again a low number.

We have kind of a mixed bag this month in Manatee County, almost as if the market is trying to adjust to the end of season and the influence of the economy. However, we in the state of Florida generally continue to buck the national trend, which we’ll talk about further next week.

Finally, NRA’s study also indicated that the youngest generation of home buyers, Gen Z, have a real desire for homeownership and are getting into the market with help from family to make their first real estate purchase. Some things never change; owning a home is more than just a financial investment, it’s a symbol of stability, independence and community.

First turtle nest of season found early on AMI

Written by Leslie Lake on April 24, 2023. Posted in Featured, Outdoors, Sea turtles.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Island sea turtles are getting off to an early start as the first nest of the season on the Gulf Coast of Florida has appeared on Anna Maria Island.

“AMITW got a big surprise early this morning, finding the first loggerhead nest of the season,” Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella wrote in an April 18 statement.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) told Mazzarella that the AMI nest was the first found on the state’s west coast. She said it is likely the earliest nest in the history of Turtle Watch.

Turtle season officially begins on May 1 and runs through Oct. 31. Turtle Watch volunteers started to patrol on April 15 at the directive of the FWC. Days later, volunteers found the crawl.

“We are excited to start the nesting season on Anna Maria Island and look forward to a productive season protecting nests and educating the public,” said Mazzarella, who began her new job at Turtle Watch this month.

In 2022, two records were broken by local loggerhead sea turtles. The number of hatched nests in September reached 453, edging out the 2018 record of 447, and a record 35,850 hatchlings exceeded the prior record of 35,788 set in 2018.

Team Gulf Drive Café still undefeated

Written by Monica Simpson on April 24, 2023. Posted in Soccer, Sports.

ANNA MARIA – Coming into week three of youth recreational soccer play, the Gulf Drive Café team was on top with two wins. Their week three opponents, HSH Designs, earned a win and fought hard for a tie in the past weeks.

Keeping both teams’ goalkeepers busy, the offenses made shots past defenders for two halves of play.

The leadership of Cyrus Ryan in goal helped the Gulf Drive Café squad to their third victory. Listening to the chatter of Ryan, Gulf Drive players shifted and changed field position to keep the HSH team moving and guessing.

Ryan finished the game with six saves. His counterpart, Chase Castagna, fought hard in the net for his team, also closing out the match with six critical stops.

On offense for HSH, Cecelia Kroth made a beautiful goal, scoring her team’s only goal.

Gulf Drive Café selflessly passed the ball, getting the soccer ball to the feet of Theo Aupelle, Luke Dellenger, Josiah MacDonald and Jayden Sparks for goals. Kegan McGalde is credited with an assist in the game.

The scoring power of the 11- to 13-year-old league leader, Gulf Drive Café, was just too much for their week three opponent.

Going into the coming week, the teen league’s Shady Lady Horticultural Services looks for their first win. Last week, the squad came close with a 3-2 loss against the Moss Builders team.

Moss Builders finished the week with a 1-1-1 record.

As the season approaches the playoffs, the oldest youth recreation league championship game is still in reach for all four teams at The Center.

Sun Scoreboard

April 18

8- TO 10-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE

Week 3

Westfall’s Lawn Care & Pest Control (1-2-0) 3

Island Real Estate (1-2-0) 1

Cheesecake Cutie (3-0-0) 3

Sato Real Estate (2-1-0) 1

Solid Rock Construction (2-1-0) 5

AMI Coconuts (0-3-0) 1

11- TO 13-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE

Week 3

Gulf Drive Café (3-0-0) 4

HSH Designs (1-1-1) 1

Moss Builders (1-1-1) 3

Shady Lady Horticultural Services (0-3-0) 2

April 20

Adult Co-Ed Soccer

Week 5

Gulfview Windows & Doors (1-3-1) 6

Vintage Beach (1-3-1) 5

Pool America (2-3-0) 7

Solid Rock Construction (3-2-0) 3

Duncan Real Estate (3-1-1) 6

Sato Real Estate (2-2-1) 2

Sandbar Seafood & Spirits (4-1-0) 4

Moss Builders (2-3-0) 1

Letter to the Editor: Timeline for destruction

Written by SUN contributor on April 24, 2023. Posted in Letter to the Editor, Opinion.

How did we come to the point where some want to further destroy what used to be one of the most beautiful locations in Florida? Here is my view: Officials on Anna Maria Island responding to complaints by residents, taxpayers and voters complaining about not being able to park in front of their homes, dealing with trash, feces, urine, loud voices and general interference with what they thought was their right to peaceful existence where some have lived for 25 or 50 years. Some of these issues are driven by youthful exuberance and the use of alcohol by adults, and, in many cases, minors. When was the last time a beachgoer was cited for having alcohol on the beach? If one wanted evidence of alcohol use on the beach, simply stand outside Publix, Walgreens, and other establishments on the island selling alcoholic beverages. I get it… it is nice to have a drink on the beach, but this is not Fort Lauderdale; this is not Miami Beach. This is Anna Maria Island where one can relax and enjoy the natural surroundings of an island paradise in peace.

So after the town initiated some parking rules, some of the county’s children, sorry commissioners, demanded that parking restrictions be rescinded, and, if not, there would be consequences/repercussions. These commissioners should recognize vacationers do not vote – taxpayers/residents do. There is such a well of disappointment, anger and resolve towards these commissioners with bruised egos that there will be organized efforts to change the composition of the county commission, which I expect will be well-funded. It is also possible that because the $11 million boondoggle at the Kingfish Boat Ramp expansion was defeated, some commissioners did not get their way and they could not spend the $11 million of taxpayer’s money. So, let us spend $42 million to build the three-story monstrosity, close the café for two years, and force beachgoers to pay for parking with the end result of increasing traffic and further degrading the atmosphere of the entire island.

It was pointed out to state representatives and others that there is plenty of parking on the island, there could be accommodation offered by various organizations and the town could offer parking to county residents. It seems some commissioners want to show Anna Maria Island who is the boss.

Remember to vote in 2024.

Paul Reed Steberger

Holmes Beach

Letter to the Editor: Preserve Island character

Written by SUN contributor on April 24, 2023. Posted in Letter to the Editor, Opinion.

We applaud our Holmes Beach mayor and commissioners and their fellow civic leaders in Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach for defending longstanding, reasonable local “home rule,” certainly a tradition one would not expect to have attacked by Republican legislators like Rep. Robinson and Sen. Boyd.

But then who would expect that elected officials across the bridge in Bradenton would have such evident disregard and disrespect for the special “old Florida” vibe of Anna Maria Island? An expensive, intrusive parking garage? Really? On an island that, except for the high-rise condos on 53rd Street, has a unique character compared to Longboat Key and other beachfront communities?

Extensive, appealing, public beach access (with ample parking) is regularly underused at picturesque Coquina Beach. As several residents have wisely observed and our police chief’s recent survey of ample available parking spaces proved, we have “a traffic problem, not a parking problem.”

Yet the facts are unimportant. It’s all about political muscle and optics! As the mayor’s recent reasonable compromise proposal suggests, this is a political battle we are in danger of losing. One hopes that this very workable compromise did not come too late.

Holmes Beach has perhaps appeared to be insufficiently attentive to concerns raised about parking for daytime visitors. And to be fair, the tightening of parking regulations and removal of formerly available spaces pose an inconvenience for long-time homeowners like us – part-time or full-time residents for almost 25 years. Two wide, beach-block streets (67th and 77th streets) now suddenly forbid parking on both sides, though vehicles and pedestrians would still have ample, safe passage. The latter change is especially regrettable for those of us aged and/or requiring shelter from the sun, as 77th has a welcome beachfront shelter but few parking spaces remaining (even though golf carts have additional protected spaces).

Let’s hope that our state’s legislative representatives engage in genuine dialogue with local leaders, so we have a plan that responds appropriately to the need for parking for non-residents. But essential is a plan that recognizes and respects the primary responsibility of the Island’s elected officials to protect the quality of life for homeowners as well as visitors and the special character of Anna Maria Island.

Helen and Tom Flynn

Holmes Beach

Turtle season begins under Mazzarella’s watch

Written by Leslie Lake on April 17, 2023. Posted in Featured, Outdoors, Sea turtles.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – As Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers begin checking the beaches this week for early sea turtle nesting activity, its new executive director, Kristen Mazzarella, takes over the watch from the late Suzi Fox.

“I envision following in Suzi’s legacy and to keep it going how it has been with the great community involvement,” Mazzarella said. “My goal is to keep the community educated, engaged and involved.”

Kristen Mazzarella will take over leadership duties at Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring. – Submitted

Mazzarella has an extensive background with both turtles and shorebirds. She was a senior biologist at Mote Marine Laboratory for 15 years. She was on turtle patrol for 25 years in North and South Carolina and also worked with the Audubon Society for 15 years.

“The group of volunteers (with Turtle Watch) has been very welcoming,” she said. “Manatee County has been amazing; they clearly care a lot about the environment.”

Mazzarella said one of the Turtle Watch board members contacted her during their search for an executive director to see if she was interested in the position.

“I knew Suzi and I had worked with her on various projects,” she said. “I feel that this organization is so important because it’s a conservation program where both the community and the municipalities are very involved.”

There is a core group of 20-25 volunteers who have undergone training with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to conduct nesting beach surveys, but Mazzarella said volunteers are always needed and welcome.

During the nesting beach surveys, which run from mid-April to the end of October, volunteers patrol every day, keeping an eye on each nest until it has hatched, Mazzarella said.

“That training is done for this year, but certainly volunteers are needed to help with outreach and our adopt-a-nest program,” she said.

Fox’s legacy

Fox began as a volunteer for Turtle Watch in the 1990s. In 1996, she became the FWC’s turtle permit holder for the Island, adding nesting shorebird monitoring and protection to her duties.

She eventually took leadership of Turtle Watch as executive director and under her directorship, the organization grew.

May 1 is Suzi Fox Day in Bradenton Beach in honor of Turtle Watch’s late executive director. – Sun File Photo

“In three decades, we monitored 7,339 turtle activities, protected 4,454 nests, 301,694 turtle eggs, and watched 271,680 hatchlings depart to become a future generation of loggerheads that will return to the region as they reach maturity,” according to the Turtle Watch website.

Last season, local loggerhead sea turtles broke two records.

The number of hatched nests reached 453 in September, edging out the 2018 record of 447, and a record 35,850 hatchlings exceeded the prior record of 35,788 set in 2018.

The first official day of turtle nesting season on Anna Maria Island, May 1, will be proclaimed “Suzi Fox Day” in the city of Bradenton Beach.

At the Jan. 5 Bradenton Beach City Commission meeting, the proclamation was issued to honor Fox, who served as the organization’s executive director until her death on Sept. 30, 2022.

The proclamation states in part, “Suzi Fox led the organization and its league of volunteers for sea turtle protection to include protection for critical shorebirds.”

The proclamation credits Fox with reaching out to and educating the public about sea turtle and shorebird habitat.

“Suzi’s actions have led Anna Maria Island to expand on ecotourism opportunities and on further educating the public and future generations about our sea turtle and shorebirds habitat and the crucial role we play in ensuring their existence in the future.”

Opposition to vacation rental legislation continues

Written by Joe Hendricks on April 17, 2023. Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – City officials continue to lead the opposition to proposed state legislation that would curtail local governments’ ability to regulate short-term vacation rentals.

Senate Bill 714 and House Bill 833 seek to preempt the regulation of vacation rentals to the state, specifically to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).

According to the April 15 staff analysis provided to House of Representatives Commerce Committee members, HB 833 would still allow local governments to create local vacation rental registration programs and charge an annual registration fee, but the fees could not exceed $50 to register a single vacation rental home or unit, or $100 to collectively register vacation rental homes or units.

The proposed legislation would make the regulation of online vacation rental advertising platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo exclusively the state’s responsibility and take enforcement abilities away from local governments.

The staff analysis notes the proposed legislation would not supersede the authority of condominiums, cooperatives or homeowners’ associations to restrict the use of their properties and prohibit short-term vacation rentals.

Legislative actions

On April 12, HB 833 successfully passed through the House Ways & Means Committee by a 13-10 vote. State Rep. Will Robinson Jr. (R-Bradenton) was among the 13 members who voted favorably on the bill.

HB 833 previously successfully reported out of the House’s Regulatory Reform & Economic Development Subcommittee on March 29.

The bill was scheduled to be discussed and potentially voted on by the House’s Commerce Committee on Monday, April 17, the third and final committee stop for the bill before it can be brought to the floor for a final vote by all House members.

SB 714 was scheduled to be discussed and potentially voted on by the Senate’s Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment and General Government Committee on Tuesday, April 18. This is the second of three committee stops scheduled for the Senate bill.

On May 13, SB 714 successfully passed through the Senate’s Regulated Industries Committee by a 5-2 vote.

The proposed legislation dies if it does not successfully pass through three preliminary committees. The 60-day legislative session is scheduled to end on May 5.

Local concerns

Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy provided the city commission with an update on the city’s opposition efforts on April 13, noting the issue is the city’s primary legislative focus this year.

Murphy referenced the emails and letters that continue to be sent to state legislators through the city-owned and managed Home Rule Florida website, www.HomeRuleFl.com.

“It’s very impressive the amount of mail that this little city has generated. It didn’t all come out of this city. It comes from across the state because of our website. The lobbyist has assured me our efforts have not gone unnoticed, but we need to keep the pressure on,” Murphy told the commission.

“This thing is sailing through the House and the Senate along party lines. The Democrats are voting no and the Republicans are all voting yes. If it sails through along party lines, which it very well might do, it’ll then go to the governor’s desk for signature. If the governor sees that we already have all these letters, he’s going to think twice before he would sign off on it knowing there’s mass opposition amongst the public,” Murphy said.

Murphy said it’s premature to start lobbying Gov. Ron DeSantis before the proposed legislation reaches his desk.

“The governor’s not going to interfere in the legislative process,” Murphy said. “We need to save our thunder for when and if this thing gets to his desk. That’s when we really need to put a full-court press on.”

Commissioner Charlie Salem asked if the city’s lobbyist has at least informed DeSantis that the proposed vacation rental legislation might be headed his way. Murphy said that’s a good idea.

Murphy implored the city commissioners to urge their constituents to continue sending emails and letters to the Senate and House committee members who will determine whether the proposed bills make it to their respective floors for a final vote.

Murphy said the city’s recent labeling of the proposed legislation as a “party house bill” has gained a lot of traction in Tallahassee.

City Clerk LeAnne Addy and her staff manage the Home Rule Florida website that issues email updates and calls to action to those registered to receive them. The website contains pre-formatted email messages users can use to quickly and easily contact multiple state legislators at one time.

During the April 13 meeting, Addy said HomeRuleFl.com users have sent 30,489 emails to state legislators since the legislative session began in March.

“I’m very impressed by the work LeAnne and the mayor are doing,” Commissioner Jon Crane said. “I’m very impressed with the use of party house branding for this issue.”

“It takes away our right to regulate occupancy and they can jam as many people into a house as they want,” Murphy said in response.

Commissioner Deanie Sebring said most people who vacation in Anna Maria don’t want to stay next to a “party house.”

“If I was going on vacation and renting a house, I wouldn’t want all that madness next to me because it would ruin my vacation,” she said. “If you want to party, don’t rent a place in Anna Maria. Rent it someplace else.”

“It’s a family destination,” Commission Chair Mark Short added.

Gulfview rallies to tie Duncan

Written by Monica Simpson on April 17, 2023. Posted in Soccer, Sports.

ANNA MARIA – With the completion of week three of the adult co-ed soccer spring season, team Gulfview Windows & Doors is still in search of their first win. The team fought back on April 13 against Duncan Real Estate with hard-striking goals by Keith Mahoney to tie the ballgame 5-5 in the last minutes of the match-up.

Duncan Real Estate’s team captain, Kevin Roman, started the scoring in the game early in the first half, kicking in his only goal in the game. Despite the single goal, Roman worked the soccer field both on offense and defense, giving his teammates scoring opportunities.

Javier Rivera scored the second goal for Duncan with a shot ricocheting off the left post. The third goal, shot by Nicholas Cavalluzzi, kept the Duncan Real Estate squad in the lead.

Working the field, Mahoney scored a total of four goals in the game for Gulfview Windows & Doors, with a single by Kris Yavalar.

Rounding out the goal-making for Duncan Real Estate, Murat Akay shot the next goal, taking the score to 4-2. Shooting the fifth goal, Akay gave his team a two-point lead, after a Gulfview goal.

Duncan goalie, Charles “Tuna” McCracken, despite his amazing saves, saw his team’s lead diminish as Mahoney scored the tying goal. Finishing the game with 15 saves, McCracken continues to be one of the toughest goalkeepers in the league.

McCracken’s counterpart, Mark Long, made 17 saves in the game, always keeping the Duncan team in the Thursday night battle.

With the tie, team Duncan Real Estate moves into third place along with Sato Real Estate with a 2-1-1 record. The Vintage Beach team tied the Sato squad with four goals each.

Sandbar Seafood & Spirits holds on to the top spot with a win over Pool America by one goal. Solid Rock Construction shares the top spot with the Sandbar team, earning nine points in the season.

Going into the fifth week of play, Moss Builders has a 2-2-0 record after losing to the Solid Rock team.

More than mid-way through the season, the top position is still up for grabs. All eight teams in the league continue to vie for the championship title.