MANATEE COUNTY – The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (BACVB) is engaged in post-hurricane marketing to help bring tourists back to Anna Maria Island.
BACVB Executive Director Elliott Falcione discussed the tourism bureau’s crisis management plan and post-hurricane marketing efforts during the Nov. 14 Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) meeting.
Falcione said every tourism bureau should have crisis management plans for hurricanes and other extreme weather events, red tide, oil spills and more.
After hurricanes Helene and Milton, the tourism bureau worked side by side with the Manatee County Public Information Outreach office that conveys the county’s hurricane-related information and actions to the local and regional media.
Shown here at the recent Lynyrd Skynyrd concert, Elliott Falcione leads the county’s tourism marketing efforts. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“What we’re doing is monitoring what they’re telling the community and then we’re taking that message, sometimes tweaking it, to talk to our target market,” Falcione said.
“Let’s be careful with the types of adjectives we use locally that could confuse or potentially embellish our target market. We always want to be 100% honest, consistent, but one word that was used by an official related to tourism – they used the word ‘clobbered.’ ‘We were clobbered on the west coast of Florida.’ The optics of that is ‘leveled.’ Those are adjectives that are going to cost more (tourist tax) money to correct,” Falcione said.
Regarding the bureau’s post-hurricane actions, Falcione said they quickly assessed the damage, talked to industry members, talked to city officials on Anna Maria Island and responded directly to emails from disgruntled tourists who were not getting refunds or credits for their canceled vacation accommodations. He said the bureau sent goodie bags that included beach towels and Tervis tumblers to some of those disgruntled tourists, which he hoped would produce some positive social media feedback.
Falcione said the bureau doesn’t tell people how to run their businesses, but they did relay those cancellation refund and credit concerns to some of the Island’s vacation rental management companies.
Falcione said the county contracts public relation firms that monitor the local, national and international media coverage of news items that could impact the county’s tourism marketing efforts.
“CNN and the Weather Channel really did a poor job of the messaging, the embellishment. You have journalists that find the destructive area as the backdrop. And then it’s out there, so then we have to go and correct that messaging,” Falcione said.
Falcione said the annual TDC budget always includes $1 million for emergency marketing and $500,000 is being used “to attack our primary and secondary markets, radio influencers.”
Those efforts included bringing radio journalist Larry Richert from KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh down to do a live broadcast from the Bradenton Beach Pier on Nov. 15.
“If he’s saying the beaches are beautiful, Anna Maria Island is open for vacationers, they’re going to believe him,” Falcione said.
“We are seeing curb appeal get better every day, every week. We’re now correcting the mis-messaging. We’re cross-checking that with social media. We’re cross-checking that with our website. Every day a business reopens, it’s shown on a map. Now we are, through digital advertising, blitzing our secondary markets and we’re partnering with Visit Sarasota on our primary markets through digital advertising; and probably in about three weeks to a month, we’re partnering with Visit Florida on a dollar-for-dollar co-op to overlay all of our target markets,” Falcione said.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
The TDC members supported Falcione’s request to recommend county commission approval to temporarily provide the city of Bradenton Beach with $375,000 in tourist tax revenues to repair the unrepaired portion of the hurricane-damaged floating dock next to the Bradenton Beach Pier. When FEMA reimburses the city, the city will return that $375,000 to the county.
Having lost his county commission primary race, County Commissioner Ray Turner will vacate his role as TDC chair, with a new chair to be appointed by the county commission. Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant and vacation rental industry representative Ed Chiles are also vacating their council seats and their replacements will soon be appointed.
The council approved Falcioe’s request to recommend county commission approval of a $100,000 expenditure to serve as seed money for the Realize Bradenton’s new Bradenton Art and Music Festival (BAM) that will replace the annual blues festival that has been moved to Lakewood Ranch. The BAM festival will take place along the Bradenton Riverwalk on Saturday, April 5.
The council supported Falcione’s recommendation to seek county commission approval of a $50,000 expenditure to support a Multi-Cultural Festival to take place at LECOM Park in Bradenton in July.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – At a time when some Anna Maria Island property owners are trying to save their hurricane-damaged homes, developer Shawn Kaleta is seeking investors to help him redevelop Anna Maria Island with a focus on luxury accommodations.
On Nov. 8, The Sun obtained a copy of a prospectus-like document containing the title: “Anna Maria Island Development Fund.” The seven-page PDF document that references Kaleta and his business endeavors includes the following quote: “Our vision is to revitalize and elevate Anna Maria Island, enhancing its appeal as a premier luxury destination. Similar Destinations: Naples, Florida.”
The document also states, “Outdated homes have been impacted in the storms, leaving room for only new, safer luxury construction.”
AMI Development Fund
The second page of the AMI Development Fund document bears the title “Developer Shawn Kaleta and Team” and states: “Leading the Island Development Fund is Shawn Kaleta, a seasoned 20+ year Anna Maria Island real estate developer who owns over 1 Billion in real estate assets and is Anna Maria’s largest real estate holder. Over the past 20 years, Shawn has owned, developed and constructed over 1000 homes on the island and has played an integral role in building Anna Maria into the luxury vacation destination it is today. On top of his personal holdings and developments, Shawn and his companies own and operate many businesses on Anna Maria including 3 property management companies, 3 hotels, 2 restaurants, a real estate brokerage, and a marina as well as many other businesses in Key West, Siesta Key, Lido Key and Casey Key.
“Due to Shawn’s insatiable appetite for the continued improvement and growth of Anna Maria Island, property values will continue to rise as they have under his influence for the past 20 years while he continues to transform the island into one of the top vacation destinations in the country.”
The third page, titled Market Outlook and Future Vision, states in part: “Growth of Real Estate Prices on Anna Maria: The vast improvement of housing quality on the island will lead real estate values to appreciate rapidly. Projected FED (federal) interest rate reductions will see an increase in property values of real estate at a 15-20% rate. Vacation Rental market provides high rental rates for end users to capitalize on.”
Page 4, titled “Investment Details,” notes that the goal is to raise $50 million in the next 3 to 3.5 years, with 10% of the funding to come from the general partner (Kaleta) and 90% to come from the limited partner investors with a 50-50 general partner/limited partner profit split. Apparently, in exchange for his 10% investment, Kaleta would receive 50% of the profits and the other investors would share the remaining 50% of the profits.
Page 4 contains the following bullet points:
“Investment and returns to be distributed upon sale of each home;
Each home treated as its own individual deal;
Sale of home for investment and leisure purposes;
Investments will be redistributed at a first in first out basis;
No management fee.”
Page 4 also states: “18-22% expected yearly IRR” regarding the internal rate of return on the investment.
Targets
Page 5 contains a cash flow analysis for two residential properties located on Anna Maria Island.
The cashflow analysis of the first property is for an “Inland Lot – New Build” at 110 Ninth St. N. As of Nov. 4, the 110 9th St LLC was registered as a Florida Limited Liability Company with the Florida Division of Corporations. The LLC lists attorney Louis Najmy as its registered agent and Kaleta as its manager.
This home at 110 Ninth St. N. in Bradenton Beach suffered hurricane damage. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
According to the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s Office, the only property with that address on Anna Maria Island is located in Bradenton Beach, not Anna Maria, as the prospectus claims. The FEMA market value of that home was $787,128 as of Jan. 1. The owner is listed as the Constance C. Novak Trust.
FEMA market value is the improvement value (the structure or structures on the property) plus 15%, according to Bradenton Beach Building Inspector Darin Cushing.
The cost analysis lists a $900,000 land purchase price, an additional $10,000 in closing costs and $910,000 as the capital required. Regarding the construction costs, the cashflow analysis lists $50,000 for design and permitting, $1.325 million for hard costs and $325,000 for soft costs, totaling $1.7 million on construction costs.
The cashflow analysis includes an additional $170,000 in construction loan interest expenses, bringing the total estimated construction cost to $2.78 million, with an estimated sale value of $4.5 million. The cashflow analysis does not provide any additional details on the design and permitting costs or the hard costs and soft costs.
The home at 709 Fern St. in Anna Maria sold for $855,000. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The cashflow analysis for the second property is for an “Inland Lot – Renovation” at 709 Fern St., Anna Maria. As of Nov. 4, the 709 Fern LLC was registered with the Florida Division of Corporations. The LLC lists Najmy as its registered agent and Kaleta as its manager.
According to the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s office, that property contains a ground-level, single-story residential structure with a FEMA market value of $626,678 as of Jan. 1. The owner is listed as the Karen E. Sparks Declaration of Trust.
The cost analysis lists an $800,000 land purchase price, with an additional $10,000 in closing costs totaling $810,000 for the capital required. According to the Stellar MLS listing, the home and property at 709 Fern St. sold on Nov. 8 for $855,000, which is $55,000 more than the purchase price listed on AMI Development Trust document.
The MLS listing includes this note: “Storm damaged selling as is. Options available: remove structure and build new on a beautiful island location or maybe restore this charming beach cottage to its original state adding flood proofing technology.”
The cashflow analysis for the 709 Fern St. property lists $5,000 for design and permitting, $50,000 for hard costs and $95,000 for soft costs, totaling $150,000 for projected construction costs. The analysis lists $960,000 as the total project cost, with an estimated sale value of $1.5 million.
For the 110 Ninth St. property, the “Investor IRR Analysis” lists no anticipated capital return in year one and a $1.202 million capital return in year two. Regarding the 709 Fern St. property, the Investor IRR Analysis lists a $729,000 investment and a $961,500 capital return in year one.
The final page of the seven-page document is a “build gallery” that contains six renderings of interior views and patio and pool views of a non-specified property or properties.
On Friday afternoon, The Sun reached out to Kaleta and Najmy seeking seeking comment on the Anna Maria Island Development Fund. No response was given.
Asset amendments
The AMI Development Fund document states that Kaleta owns three property management companies and a real estate brokerage.
According to the Florida Division of Corporations, the Prime Vacations LLC created for that property management company in 2021 still listed Kaleta as its LLCs authorized person and Najmy as its registered agent as of April 25.
On Oct. 30, an amendment to the articles of organization for the Prime Vacations LLC was filed and now lists the Plantation, Florida-based CT Corporation System as LLC’s current registered agent and the New York City/Park Avenue-based GSP Prime Buyer LLC as the LLC’s manager. Kaleta’s managerial status with Prime Vacations LLC is now listed as “removed.”
On April 25, the AMI Locals LLC associated with the AMI Locals real estate company listed Kaleta as its manager and Najmy as its registered agent. On Oct. 30, those articles of organization were amended in a similar manner which now lists CT Corporation System as the LLCs current registered agent and GSP Prime Buyer LLC as the LLC’s manager, with Kaleta’s managerial status “removed.”
It is not known what, if any, ownership share Kaleta still has in AMI Locals and Prime Vacations.
MANATEE COUNTY – The Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office is taking steps to minimize the impacts back-to-back hurricanes have on the general election that concludes Nov. 5, with vote-by-mail ballots already being cast and in-person early voting beginning Monday.
On Friday, the elections office issued a press release on behalf of acting Supervisor of Elections James Satcher.
“Despite these challenging times, we know that Manatee County is a resilient community. Our priority is to make sure you can exercise your right to vote in this important upcoming election,” Satcher said in the press release.
“For those committed to voting in person, we encourage you to take advantage of our eight early voting locations that were not impacted and remain the same. You can find these locations at www.VoteManatee.gov. Early voting begins on Monday, Oct. 21, and runs through Saturday, Nov. 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.,” the press release says.
The press release notes five polling locations were directly impacted by the hurricanes and the following changes have been made for in-person voting on Nov. 5.
Precinct 301 voters in Anna Maria and Precinct 305 voters in Holmes Beach will vote at the Island Branch Library in Holmes Beach, 5701 Marina Dr.
Precinct 307 voters in Bradenton Beach will now vote in Longboat Key at the Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive.
Precinct 409 voters in Bradenton will vote at the State College of Florida in Bradenton, 5840 26th St. W.
Precinct 421 voters in Bradenton will now vote at the Trailer Estates Recreation Hall in Bradenton, 6814 Canada Blvd.
Voters can visit the supervisor of elections website to verify their polling location.
Oct. 24 is the final day to request a mail ballot to be mailed to you and Nov. 5 is the final day to request a mail ballot for in-person pickup at the elections office, 600 301 Blvd. W. in Bradenton. If picking up a mail ballot in person, the elections office asks that you call in your ballot request ahead of time, if possible, at 941-741-3823, to expedite the process.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his election-related executive order during a press conference held in Anna Maria in front of the Hurricane Helene-damaged Rod & Reel Pier. – Joe Hendricks | SunWhen the governor appeared in Anna Maria after Hurricane Helene, the hurricane-damaged Rod & Reel Pier remained partially intact. It was later destroyed by Hurricane Milton. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
An executive order issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Oct. 3 allows vote-by-mail ballots to be mailed to an address that is different than the address currently on file with the elections office. These types of vote-by-mail address changes can be done by e-mail or phone. In addition to maintaining a vote-by-mail request on file, you must provide your driver’s license number or social security number to verify the identity of the voter making the address change.
Completed mail ballots can also be dropped off at any early voting location or at the Supervisor of Elections Office.
Additional information
Regarding voters displaced by the hurricanes and voters unable to receive mail at their residence, the supervisor of elections website says the United States Post Office is delivering vote-by-mail ballots where possible and vote-by-mail ballots that cannot be delivered are being held at the voter’s local post office for pick up. Manatee voters affected in this manner can contact the elections office 941-741-3823 for assistance.
Regarding postage requirements, the elections website says, “The postage required to return a vote-by-mail ballot is $1.01. It is the voter’s responsibility to apply accurate postage on all mail, including vote-by-mail ballots. However, vote-by-mail are coded by USPS as special mail and will be delivered to the elections office without delay, no matter the postage applied.”
On Oct. 16, with supervisor-elect Scott Farrington observing as an audience member, the Manatee County Canvassing Board tested and certified the vote-by-mail and in-person ballot scanners to be used during the election and the new Clear Ballot audit system to be used to conduct a post-election audit of every ballot cast.
Elections office staff helped test the ballot scanners. – Joe Hendricks | SunSupervisor-elect Scott Farrington attended the canvassing board meeting. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
For more election-related information, visit www.VoteManatee.gov , the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Facebook Page, call 941-741-3823 or email info@votemanatee.gov.
CORTEZ – In a display of resilience following recent back-to-back hurricanes, both Cortez fish houses are moving forward with the seasonal stone crab harvest.
Stone crab harvesting season runs from Oct. 15 through May 1.
“One boat went out today,” Karen Bell, owner of A.P. Bell Fish Co., responded by text on Oct. 15 to a question by The Sun about the viability of this year’s season. “There definitely will be a season.”
Stone crabs are harvested for their claws and then returned to the water where the claws will regenerate. The claws are a delicacy in seafood shops and restaurants.
The season will also continue this year at John Banyas’ Cortez Bait and Seafood, Inc., according to Swordfish Grill General Manager Adam Sears.
He responded to The Sun by text, saying, “We have gear in the water.”
According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) regulations for commercial harvesting of stone crabs: “Traps may be placed in the water and baited 10 days prior to the opening of the stone crab season. Please be aware that once placed, you may not tend to the traps until the start of the season, at which time you may begin harvesting.”
A Manatee County Historical Society plaque in front of Star Fish Company references a long history of determination in Cortez and reads in part: “Records show that by 1897 Cortez was a thriving fishing community with stores, a school and other refinements. The fish houses and other shoreline structures were virtually destroyed by the high waters and winds of the 1921 hurricane, but the determined residents rebuilt.”
In order to allow residents time to recover and rebuild from the two recent hurricanes, the 12th annual Cortez Stone Crab & Music Festival was canceled this year.
“We look forward to bringing back the festival better and stronger next year,” according to organizers.
CORTEZ – A distribution center of donated food and supplies has been set up in Cortez in front of the Star Fish Co.
According to Star Fish employees Dana and Nicole, supplies will continue to be distributed at least until Friday, and possibly longer. The two women helped distribute supplies to community members on Oct. 15.
For the time being, hours are noon to 4 p.m. at the supply distribution point.
“We’ve had people from all over bringing food and all kinds of supplies,” Dana said. “People have really come together to help.”
Beginning on Wednesday, Oct. 15, another distribution center will be set up at the Sunny Shores Clubhouse for Cortez residents.
“We will have supplies, snacks, water, etc.,” according to a What’s Happening Cortez Facebook post by Betsy Halliwell Plante. “We will open on Wednesday, Oct. 16 and daily hours will be from 11:30-2 only. Lunch will be provided from 11:30-1.”
Donations of cases of water and Gatorade are needed at both distribution points.
BRADENTON – Stewart Elementary School, 7905 15th Ave. N.W., has opened its doors to Anna Maria Elementary (AME) students temporarily beginning on Monday, Sept. 30.
In a Saturday afternoon email to Stewart parents, Principal Joe Hougland wrote: “First, I hope you and your families are safe and any damage to your homes is minimal. The same can’t be said for our friends on Anna Maria Island,” the email stated.
Hougland said the Manatee County School District is aware of the serious challenges Anna Maria Elementary faces following the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene.
“Due to the conditions on the Island and at the school, they will not be able to have classes on the AME campus until the situation on the Island substantially improves,” he wrote.
He noted the importance of getting children back to school. With that in mind, he has been working on a plan with the school district and AME Principal Dr. Katie Fradley for Stewart to host students and staff from AME until they can resume classes on the Island.
“We have room to accommodate them, and we have come up with a plan to keep all students learning and create minimal disruption to the daily school schedule,” Hougland wrote. Starting Monday, Sept. 30th, AME students and staff will relocate to Stewart Elementary temporarily.”
Stewart students and teachers will share existing classrooms with AME students and teachers in a team teaching model to continue education for both schools.
“We have been working with the school district and the AME team on details to make this temporary educational model work,” he wrote.
At morning drop-off and dismissal, the Anna Maria Elementary parents will use the South Catalina neighborhood loop for their students. Stewart families will use the regular car rider line on 15th Ave N.W. Stewart Elementary parents are asked to not use the South Catalina neighborhood entrance in order to keep school arrivals separate.
AME students will begin their dismissal early to lessen the impact on the Stewart car line. Families arriving by golf cart or low-speed vehicles are asked to exercise additional caution due to the increased congestion in the area. Parents and guardians also are not able to attend breakfast or lunch with their students while Stewart and AME are temporarily combined due to lack of space.
“We appreciate your patience and support as we welcome the AME family to our amazing campus,” Hougland stated in the email. “Please do what you can to make them feel welcome and help, if necessary.”
BRADENTON BEACH – In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the recovery and restoration efforts on Anna Maria Island have begun.
On Friday, return access to the Island was limited to first responders and recovery personnel.
Saturday morning, the Holmes Beach Police Department shared the following return-related information: “The chief and mayor have met and the mayor has asked to let residents and business owners to be allowed to enter the city to start their cleanup efforts. Starting at 10 a.m., property owners and business owners of Holmes Beach and the city of Anna Maria will be allowed to come onto the Island to assess their damages. You must have a reentry tag. There is still no power or water and the roads still have standing water and debris. Drive slowly and safely.
“You can only access the Island by Manatee Avenue. The roads in Bradenton Beach are still impassable. There will be barricades at the city line of Holmes Beach/Bradenton Beach so no one can enter Bradenton Beach through Holmes Beach. Once you enter Holmes Beach, you will be handed a flyer with instructions on where to place your trash and debris,” the statement says.
When contacted by phone at 10:00 Saturday morning, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said he and Mayor Judy Titsworth were at the entrance to the city handing out information sheets to returning motorists.
By noon, there was a 90-minute wait along Manatee Avenue to enter Holmes Beach.
Access to Bradenton Beach via the Cortez Bridge and the Longboat Pass Bridge remains restricted to essential personnel only. Some residents and business owners managed to access the Island by boat before the bridge access restrictions were partially lifted.
Access to the Cortez Bridge remains restricted until further notice.
As of Saturday morning, there was no water and electricity service on the Island and cell service remained hit-and-miss. The loss of water service was a decision made by Manatee County officials to protect the county’s water and sewage system prior to the storm surge inundating the Island. Hurricane Helene inflicted the loss of electricity and cell service. The water damage to homes, businesses, automobiles and personal belongings is expected to be immense, painful and, in some cases, life-altering.
Bradenton Beach
Friday morning Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby allowed The Sun to take a self-guided tour of the damage sustained within walking distance of the Cortez Bridge. Due to the bridge access restrictions, The Sun could not get to Holmes Beach or Anna Maria.
Police Chief and Public Works Director John Cosby leads Bradenton Beach’s recovery efforts. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Cosby also serves as the city’s emergency operations manager and public works director. At 8 a.m., he stood at the sand-covered intersection of Cortez Road and Gulf Drive with limited cell phone service trying to communicate with city, county and state personnel as the locally unprecedented damage assessment, recovery and restoration efforts ensued.
“Gulf Drive is under about three feet of sand for the entire length of the city,” he said. “The road underneath the sand has buckled so there are areas where there is no road. We also have sinkholes. The dunes and the beach are gone. We have structural damage to properties, houses that shifted on their foundations, and a lot of flooding. The pier is fine. There’s a boat stuck under the floating dock and finger docks are messed up.”
A cabin cruiser became wedged under the floating dock next to the Bradenton Beach Pier.
Cosby’s not aware of any hurricane-related fatalities or serious injuries.
As the morning unfolded, heavy equipment operators and other recovery personnel began arriving, staging and taking action at the west end of the Cortez Bridge. At 10:30 a.m., the operator of a front-end loader began digging down into the Gulf Drive/Cortez Road intersection to determine how much sand sat atop Gulf Drive.
A front-loader was used to gauge the depth of the sand atop Gulf Drive.
When contacted by phone later in the day, Cosby noted the entire stretch of Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach is a state road (SR 789) and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has to clear the sand and construct a temporary road before motorists are allowed to return. Cosby stressed the need for residents and business owners to remain patient, as difficult as that is.
“No one is getting out here. The people that are here didn’t evacuate,” he said. “I’ve got about 60 pieces of FDOT equipment moving sand off Gulf Drive. I cannot have people getting in their way. Somebody is going to get hit. I also have businesses and homes that are not secure. I cannot have people wandering around and pillaging because there are no doors and windows. This is not a sightseeing tour and people need to understand that. DOT told me they would be working all weekend but it could take them at a least a week to get all this sand out of here and then they have to lay down a temporary road. Then I’ve got to get my contractor in here to get all the sand off our roads. Nobody’s driving around this city until we have the sand off every road.”
This home along Gulf Drive North sustained damage. – Joe Hendricks – SunHurricane Helene damaged this ground-level home on Gulf Drive North
South of the Cortez Bridge the damage is visible in all directions, with the structures along Gulf Drive appearing to be the hardest hit. Two old ground-level homes and a small two-story duplex near the Gulf Drive/Cortez Road intersection are badly damaged.
The garage at another nearby ground-level home collapsed and the metal roof sits atop a pile of rubble next to the house that’s still standing. A displaced storage shed sat on the sand-covered road near the BeachHouse restaurant.
The garage toppled but the house withstood the storm.A storage shed and patio chairs wound up on Gulf Drive.
The Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge sustained major damage including missing waterfront windows and interior furnishings left in haphazard piles by the incoming and outgoing floodwaters and the sand intrusion.
The AMI Moose Lodge lost several gulf-front windows.Water and sand intrusion damaged the Moose lodge.
The front doors at Oma’s Pizza are open and askew with the glass missing. The restaurant’s side door is gone and uprooted furniture is piled up inside.
The hurricane forced open the front doors at Oma’s Pizza.The hurricane made a mess of Oma’s Pizza.
Similar damage occurred at Wilder’s Pizza, the Island Scoops ice cream shop and the One Stop Shell Shop along the 100 block of Gulf Drive North.
Wilder’s Pizza suffered significant water intrusion.Equipment was strewn about inside Island ScoopsThe One Stop Shell Shop’s exterior was compromised.
Sand was piled up against the front doors of city hall with possible water damage inside. A city-owned work truck sat in a water-filled hole in front of the public works building as Building Official Darin Cushing walked the area conducting door-to-door assessments of the structural damage visible from outside.
A city work truck wound up in a water-filled hole.
Church Avenue was partially flooded with sand piled above the water in some areas. The mobile homes in the Pines Trailer Park appeared to be mostly undamaged on the outside, but the water damage inside is expected to be significant. Pines resident Joe Klingler stayed during the storm and watched the floodwaters inside his mobile home and along Bridge Street rise to approximately four feet.
The Bradenton Beach Pier was littered with toppled benches and debris but appears in good condition. A cabin cruiser that broke free during the hurricane lodged under the floating dock and most of the finger docks are sitting at angles, rather than 90 degrees, to the floating dock they’re connected to.
The finger docks sustained storm damage.
Aside from the unknown flood damage inside, the bars, restaurants and retail shops along Bridge Street appear to be structurally intact; and only one of the city’s recently-planted coconut palm trees toppled over.
A recently-planted coconut palm tree fell during the storm.
North of Gulf Drive, a gulf-front window at the Wicked Cantina is smashed, the interior contents are jostled about and the elevated outdoor deck appears to be at ground level because of all the relocated sand.
The hurricane damaged the Wicked Cantina’s front window.Displaced sand sits as high as the Wicked Cantina’s front dock.This vehicle came to rest atop an air-conditioning unit in the condominium complex next to the Wicked Cantina.
Across the street, the Gulf Drive Café also suffered hurricane damage.
The Gulf-side of the Gulf Drive Café sustained damage.A tiki-table toppled at the Gulf Drive Café.
Anna Maria
When evaluating the city’s recent response to Tropical Storm Debby, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said the city would begin utilizing Facebook to provide real-time information before, during and after the next major storm. He made good on that promise.
Friday afternoon, city staff posted the following Facebook message: “The city of Anna Maria has declared a curfew from sunset to sunrise. All people must remain off street during those hours until further notice. The purpose of this action is to prevent looting during the time when there is no electricity and no cellular service.”
The curfew imposed via Murphy’s emergency powers will remain in place until further notice.
Earlier that day, the city posted this message: “At this time, the Island is without power and water. First-in teams are present doing damage and safety assessments. When it is safe to return, reentry tags will be required to gain access.”
When returning to Anna Maria, motorists will encounter a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office checkpoint at the entrance to the city, near CrossPointe Fellowship Church, and be required to present a reentry tag or some other proof of residence or business interest to enter the city. The checkpoint is meant to discourage unwelcome sightseers.
Murphy and his wife, Barb, evacuated their home before the storm but he returned Friday morning to assess the damage and lead the city’s recovery efforts. Speaking by phone Friday afternoon, Murphy said Hurricane Helene produced very little structural damage but significant flood damage. He was told the storm surge was approximately 6 feet high at high tide late Thursday evening and early Friday morning.
“We’ve still got some stuff that’s underwater. The north end, from the Rod & Reel Pier around North Shore is in some serious trouble. I left that area an hour and half ago and I still couldn’t get back in there. It’s not good,” Murphy said.
“Almost every home, except the new and higher ones, likely had some water intrusion,” Murphy said. “The homes along South Bay took on two to three feet of water, some maybe more, from Pine Avenue to Galati’s. Downstairs at my home, my wife’s car went underwater and is destroyed.”
Murphy said the Waterfront and Sandbar restaurants appear to have sustained significant water damage and the privately-owned Rod & Reel Pier is missing some planks.
“I guess we’re in better shape than the other two cities,” Murphy said. “Our roads that run along the Gulf, and even the ones a block from the Gulf, took on a lot of sand but our contractors and staff got the debris and sand pretty much cleaned up,” Murphy said.
Regarding the city’s main business district, Murphy said, “Pine Avenue’s in good shape. We got it cleared early this morning. In our city annex, we had six inches of water but not extensive damage. Most of the businesses, residences and the historical museum on Pine Avenue had water intrusion on the ground floor.”
Murphy said the City Pier weathered the storm but there’s some damage to the pier’s Gulf Island Ferry landing area and there was some water intrusion into the city-owned spaces leased to the City Pier Grill and the Mote Marine Science Education & Outreach Center.
Murphy is not aware of any storm-related injuries or fatalities.
Recovery personnel gathered at the west end of the Cortez Bridge Friday morning
Recovery personnel toured the city assessing the damage.
A large, water-filled hole formed in the middle of Gulf Drive.
The hurricane reshaped the Bradenton Beach shoreline. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
The beach eroded in front of the Gulf Drive Café.
The beach in front of the AMI Moose lodge suffered storm erosion.
Displaced sand covered the Bridge Street/Gulf Drive roundabout.
Bridge Street flooded during the hurricane and water intruded many businesses.
The Gulf Drive Café suffered storm damage.
Many mobile homes in the Pines Trailer Park sustained water damage. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Church Avenue was still flooded Friday morning.
Sand and water intruded the One Stop Shell Shop. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
The Moose lodge sustained significant damage.
Island Scoops lost some of their front windows.
Hurricane Helene compromised the door and windows at Wilder’s Pizza
Many air conditioners were damaged during the storm.
MANATEE COUNTY – Staff and commissioners at West Manatee Fire Rescue are celebrating 10 lives saved as they presented Phoenix Awards and a Civilian Service Award.
The district bestows Phoenix Awards on staff members who respond to an emergency where the patient is in cardiac arrest and that patient not only has a pulse and is breathing again when transferred to a medical facility but also is able to recover from the incident. Over a one-year period, WMFR staff had 10 of those incidents allowing for the patients to successfully recover and leave the hospital, including one where a private citizen responded before first responders could get to the scene, helping to save one man’s life after a boat fell on him.
The recipients of the Phoenix Awards were firefighter/medic Jerrod Apple with two awards, firefighter/medic John Balzer, firefighter Nathan Bergbom, firefighter William Bowen, firefighter/medic Casey Fischbach, firefighter Matthew French with two awards, firefighter/medic Gabriel Gonzalez with two awards, firefighter Aston Jasinski, firefighter Gavin Johnston, firefighter Sarah Joseph, firefighter/medic Clayton Lease, Capt. James Leigh, firefighter Dane Miller, firefighter/medic David Miller, firefighter Zackary Misiura, firefighter Chris O’Kelley, firefighter Max Pollock, firefighter/medic Aaron Reese, firefighter Tyler Snyder, Lt. Daniel Tackett, firefighter Jeffrey Taylor with two awards, and firefighter/medic William Thomas.
Private citizen Steve Gulash received the district’s Civilian Service Award after jumping into a canal to rescue Ryan Cahill, who was struck by a falling boat when a cable on a boat lift snapped.
The recipient of WMFR’s Civilian Service Award, Steve Gulash, is thanked by Ryan Cahill for saving his life after Cahill was hit by a falling boat. – Kristin Swain | Sun
“The first week in May, I’m standing on a lift around a boat, up in the air, helping my father-in-law get it ready for hurricane season,” Cahill recalled. “We’re up about 8 feet above the water and the cable snapped. A 10,000-pound boat hit me and broke my arm, broke my knee, broke both my shoulder blades, 50 stitches in my head and four vertebrates. This was just four months ago.”
The Kalamazoo, Michigan resident said the Sept. 10 meeting was the first time that he met the man who saved his life after he fell in the water.
Cahill said that the doctors could not believe that he recovered. He said his family was called to come and say their goodbyes but after several days on a ventilator in the intensive care unit, he began to improve and was able to go home and has made a full recovery from his injuries.
“The impact that you made on my family, my kids, everybody that knows me, I’m forever connected with you going forward and so will they be and thank God for that and thank God for you. Thank you,” Cahill said to Gulash, presenting the award to the man who saw him go in the water and reacted quickly enough to save his life. Firefighters said that when they arrived, Gulash was holding Cahill above the water, and it took six people to pull him out of the canal due to the depth of the water to the height of the seawall.
Cahill said his response was a reaction to all his training as a coach and in law enforcement. He said he felt honored to receive the award among firefighters who stepped up every day to help save lives. “You guys are awesome,” he said.
CORTEZ – Business owners on the Seafood Shack property received eviction letters effective Sept. 30, but a Manatee County spokesperson said new agreements with those businesses are possible after the county buys the property.
“It is the intention of Manatee County to make every effort to establish new contracts that include county contract requirements with legacy and/or new vendors once the county is the owner of the property,” Manatee County Information Outreach Manager Bill Logan wrote in a Sept. 20 email to The Sun.
Manatee County commissioners unanimously approved the $13 million purchase at a Sept. 5 land use meeting with the anticipated use of the property as a public boating access facility consisting of a boat ramp, dry storage facility and marina.
The scheduled closing date for the sale is Oct. 7.
Logan said the business owners’ properties are leased on a month-to-month basis.
“The current landlord (owner Vandyk Properties) would not agree to a sale date extension to allow the buyers (Manatee County) an opportunity to evaluate the current leases prior to closing, so the current tenants must vacate their locations per the current landlord’s requirements,” Logan wrote.
Logan wrote that there will likely be no changes to the configuration of the property for 12-24 months after the sale closes to allow the county time to complete an overview of the property and craft plans for future enhancements.
“No work will commence before neighbors, nearby HOAs, and other stakeholders are informed of the impact(s) anticipated and allowed an ample opportunity to engage in that planning process,” Logan wrote.
The property, which consists of seven upland parcels of approximately 5.9 acres and two submerged land leases of 2.9 acres, was appraised at $12.55 million. That appraisal assumed that two expired submerged land leases would be renewed.
“I assume the board will act as a landlord and essentially create a revenue source by leasing slips and continue to lease space to those businesses that are already there,” Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge said at the Sept. 5 meeting. “We’re not looking to put anybody out of work.”
The eviction notices came from Vandyk Properties and advised business owners to vacate the properties by Sept. 30.
“The eviction notice is a legal letter,” said James Morganroth, who has owned Pirate Adventures of Cortez at the Seafood Shack Marina since 2018. “I’m hearing from other businesses here the county is in talks with the owner so that may not happen. That’s the hope for sure.”
Morganroth said he is excited about the prospect of the county installing a new marina and boat slips.
“This property has a lot of potential,” he said.
Annie’s Bait and Tackle, which has existed since the 1950s, is part of the Seafood Shack parcel. Annie’s co-owner, Bruce Shearer, told The Sun on Sept. 20 that he is reserving comment until Tuesday, Sept. 24. Commissioner George Kruse was scheduled to hold an open meeting for area residents on Sept. 23, after press time for The Sun.
Suncoast Aqua Ventures is hosting the Eighth Annual Suncoast Reef and Beach Cleanup, which offers a unique opportunity to win money and prizes while having a positive effect on the coastal environment.
Mark your calendar for Sept. 28-29 to participate in the event at Terra Ceia Sea Breeze Park.
The Reef and Beach Cleanup is not your typical beach cleanup. This unique event turns trash collection into a competitive sport. Cash prizes will be awarded in several categories, including most recyclables, most tires, most anchors and most shoes. Those with access to a boat can even clean up underwater, ensuring our reefs are as pristine as our beaches. Whether you’re a land lover or a certified SCUBA diver, there’s a way for everyone to participate.
Since its inception in 2016, Suncoast Aqua Ventures has mobilized over 2,200 volunteers who have collectively removed an amazing 182,000 pounds of trash from our coastlines and underwater environments. What began as a small local effort has blossomed into a movement that has brought together community members, environmentalists and outdoor enthusiasts from all walks of life.
Cheryl Huntsinger, president of Suncoast Aqua Ventures, reflected on the origins of the event, saying, “We started this organization after witnessing the sheer amount of human debris littering our coastlines and underwater habitats. We knew something had to be done, and what better way to tackle the problem than by bringing people together in a fun, competitive environment? It’s incredible to see how much we’ve accomplished in just a few short years.”
The Eighth Annual Reef and Beach Cleanup is more than just a day of trash collection – it’s a celebration of community, conservation and the power of collective action. Whether you’re here for the competition or to enjoy a day by the water, your participation helps protect our coastal environment for future generations.
Join the group in making a difference while having a blast. Who can collect the most trash and walk away with not just cash, but the satisfaction of knowing they’ve helped keep our shores and reefs clean?
It may take more than the Federal Reserve throwing us a lower interest rate bone this month to make everyone happy. Nevertheless, when it comes to lower rates, we’ll take what we can get, but will it solve the real market problem?
Even though mortgage rates in the country are at the lowest level in more than a year (6.5% on average for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage), it may not make much of a difference for homebuyers. With record housing prices and limited inventory, a one quarter lower blip in rates for most buyers can’t make up for the higher prices and lack of inventory.
There are homeowners with low-rate mortgages who are still reluctant to sell and move on as much as they may want to. A quarter point or even a half point is just not enough encouragement for them to give up a once-in-a-lifetime 3% mortgage. So, the market continues to be locked up with prices still pushing up for those properties that come on the market, and there aren’t too many of them.
However, there are still benefits to lower rates, especially for a first-time borrower.
For a $500,000 mortgage, the difference between a 6.5% rate and an 8% rate is $509 a month, enough to qualify many buyers at the lower rate to be approved for financing. There is speculation that the movement for a lower rate has already been figured in and another rate cut this month may not have a big impact.
Based on the July sales statistics in Mantee County, there are 10% more single-family properties available than July of last year but only 0.4% more condos on the market. Since condos are more of a seasonal sale, it’s not surprising to have fewer available properties than single-family.
Here on Anna Maria Island and all of the other coastal communities in the area, including our neighbor, Cortez, buyers in these areas are less affected by mortgage rates. Therefore, the market for high-end properties will be less influenced by mortgage rates than by the overall economy.
Many if not most high-end buyers are all cash and even if they decide on a mortgage to free up more cash, they will likely not decide on buying because of a quarter or even a half point reduction. They’re eyeing the health of the general economy and the position of the lawmakers, particularly in Congress, on business and the stock market.
Nevertheless, a healthy real estate market generally is good for all of the market. There is a trickle-up effect of a robust lower-end market positively impacting all price points in the marketplace.
Finally, last week we talked about the revision of broker compensations. There are any number of ways for real estate professionals to adapt to the National Association of Realtors’ new ruling and if you’re buying or selling a property, you will be exposed to a variety of opinions and operating guidelines. As always, choose a real estate company and individual you trust and are comfortable with and roll with it; eventually it will become clearer.
Will the Federal Reserve move the needle on rates or will it just be more of the same old, same old? Stay tuned.
When my wife, Christine, and I got an invitation to fish a part of Colorado we had never visited, we jumped at the chance. Our good friend, Jimmy Harris, owner of Unicoi Outfitters in Helen, Georgia, invited us and three other couples to join him and his wife, Kathy, at his daughter and son-in-law’s newly-constructed Sanctuary on The Mesa in Placerville, Colorado. Located just a short distance between Ridgeway and Telluride, the home sits on a mesa with stunning views of the Uncompahgre Mountains in the distance.
Since we were making the long trip from Florida, we decided to travel two weeks early and visit Durango, Colorado. Located on the south side of the scenic San Juan Mountain Range and accessible by the famous “Million Dollar Highway,” SR 550, Durango had been recommended by several fishing friends from Florida and we were not disappointed.
Eager to explore the fishing in the Durango area, I started searching YouTube for suggestions when I had the idea to see if there might be another casting instructor in the area. A quick search of the Fly Fishers International website put me in touch with Berris Samples, an instructor in Durango. When I contacted Samples, he graciously invited me to float the San Juan River just over the border in New Mexico. We met in the outskirts of Durango where I parked my car and joined Samples for the drive south.
We started the day wading a section of the river where we caught and released several rainbow trout from 12-16 inches. There was no question that there were bigger fish in the section of river as they would swim almost to our wading boots as we stirred up nymphs from the bottom. Catching them was another story, but I did hook a rainbow that I estimated to be over 20 inches. The big fish took the small nymph pattern I was fishing along the bottom, but the hook pulled on the first run.
In the afternoon, we floated a section of the river, stopping at a couple of spots to wade. Once again, we saw large fish working the riffles and runs but they weren’t in a feeding mode. Of the several drift boats we saw that afternoon, we only saw two fish landed. Still, the float was totally enjoyable with scenic vistas at every turn. The two weeks we spent in Durango were memorable, with side trips to historic Mesa Verde National Park and a train trip on the vintage Durango to Silverton Train. Durango is highly recommended, surrounded by stunning wilderness areas, soaring mountains and spectacular canyons.
I am a lifelong Republican and a 20+ year Manatee County, Florida resident. I have always supported you and your policies – until recently.
It greatly troubled me when you appointed totally unqualified and inexperienced James Satcher to Manatee County Supervisor of Elections (instead of Scott Farrington, who is both highly qualified and experienced and who was whole-heartedly recommended by former SOE Mike Bennett upon his retirement). But now, I am frankly horrified that you have endorsed Kevin Van Ostenbridge for Manatee County BOCC District 7 At Large.
It appears that you have become very badly compromised and are now merely a puppet who is controlled by the “political consultant” Anthony Pedicini and his SIMwins organization of Tampa, Bill Galvano and Real Estate Developers Pat Neal and Carlos Beruff.
I’ve lost all respect for you and will no longer be able to support you for any elected office. I have spoken with many other residents of Manatee County and they all agree with me and feel the same.
I pray that the voters will awaken and see through and understand Pedicini’s lies and deception and your foolish weakness before they vote in the Aug. 20 primary. I also pray that you will repent and redeem yourself before you cause irreparable damage to your political future.
It was a fantastic way to spend a Sunday! On July 28, Sarasota Bay Watch was the lead organization in the new Resilience Incubator’s first community cleanup at Hudson Bayou in Sarasota. With the help of Suncoast Waterkeeper, 35 Incubator volunteers manned 13 kayaks and one jon boat. With the additional efforts of 10 shoreline volunteers, the group collected 604 pounds of trash and 1,200 pounds of invasive trees and bushes for a haul of 1,804 pounds total. Sarasota Bay Watch’s Executive Director Ronda Ryan described the event as “a gift of environmental stewardship to celebrate our shared home.” After the cleanup, volunteers gathered to sort the debris and recyclable items, have lunch provided by South Face and enjoy the camaraderie.
Executive Director Dr. Abbey Tyrna explained the creation of the Incubator at the event’s ribbon cutting.
“Justin (Bloom, Suncoast Waterkeeper founder) often reminisces about the early days when local environmental nonprofits worked hand-in-hand to drive real change. Today, we face a multitude of environmental challenges that demand even stronger collaboration. This is why Justin enthusiastically embraced Amber’s vision of creating a shared space for small non-profits, aptly named the Resilience Incubator.
“But what is resilience? Resilience is the ability of a system to recover from stressors or disturbances. It is built through strategies like diversifying resources, enhancing ecosystem functions, increasing social cohesion, adapting and strengthening built structures, and closing the loop on waste.
“The Resilience Incubator aims to build social-ecological resilience, ensuring our community can sustainably meet its needs while preserving the ecosystems we rely on. Together, we are creating a future where both our community and environment can thrive, facing today’s threats and preparing for tomorrow’s challenges.
Suncoast Waterkeeper is committed to this mission and, with community support, we can make a lasting impact. Join us in building a resilient future for all.”
To get involved, stop by the Resilience Incubator’s offices above the blood bank on Mound Street in Sarasota and consider joining Suncoast Waterkeeper, Sarasota Bay Watch or any of the other nonprofits working to make our home more resilient.
