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Tag: Anna Maria Island

Castles in the Sand

When the real estate market sneezes, it infects everyone

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

The last thing anyone wants these days is for someone next to you in line at the market, the bank or in our slowly-opening restaurants to sneeze near you. But if the real estate market starts to get seriously infected from the effects of the coronavirus, it may start to sneeze all over related industries.

The American housing market is such a major influence on the country’s economy that even a slight downturn could have a very big effect on goods and services generated from buying, selling and building new homes. Right now, there are large portions of the country where the real estate market is at a total standstill because of lockdowns. Properties cannot be shown to prospective buyers, sellers are taking their homes off the market and construction of new homes and apartments has mostly stopped.

Obviously, there are hundreds of industries related to the real estate market that are losing money and jobs. The construction industry is being particularly impacted per the Commerce Department which reported a 22% decrease in new home construction in March from February. The Northeast region is experiencing the most pronounced decrease in new home construction with a 42.5% decline during this period.

New construction generates a plethora of jobs – carpenters, plumbers and electricians in addition to support and office staff. The materials alone needed to build range from lumber to sheetrock to paint to concrete and roofing not to mention heating and air conditioning systems.

Sales of existing properties are also down across the country as they are right here in Manatee County. If and when this will turn around as we in Florida start to open our economy, we just don’t know. But what we do know is that a slow real estate resale market touches so many other areas of the economy.

When someone purchases a home, they spend money preparing that home for the specifics they need and require for their family. Even the lack of simple renovations like new flooring, appliances, landscaping and paint will have an effect on the economy. This is in addition to major renovations to existing homes that have been sold or aren’t even on the market yet. The fallout from homeowners holding up on renovations can’t be calculated but inevitably will be substantial.

And what about the financial part of all this? Job loss is now measured in the millions, impacting tax revenue at every level of national, state and local governments. Much of this loss will ultimately be traced back to the real estate market, including the hard-working real estate professionals whose income and careers have been upended.

The one bright light for the real estate industry has been its ability to pivot to electronics to market and close properties. Agents all over the country are running virtual open houses and creating video tours for available properties. Video chats are taking the place of conference room meetings and available digital mortgage platforms can remotely verify employment and assets. A decade ago, the housing market would have been completely shut down during a situation like this; now at least everyone can move forward, even if at a slower pace.

So, no sneezing in public – we all have to do our part. As far as the real estate market, we don’t really know what the future is and neither does anyone else. Stay safe and wear a mask.

Reopening weekend gets off to a fast start

Reopening weekend gets off to a fast start  

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

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – A tour of Anna Maria Island on Saturday revealed an Island wasting no time trying to return to normal as the first weekend of the governor’s phase one reopening plan unfolded.

With a two-hour parking limit in place, the parking lot at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach was already full shortly after 10 a.m. Additional cars were not allowed to wait in front of the main gate and were turned away and forced to circle around until other cars exited out another gate.

Manatee County Code Enforcement Officer Pete Chadziewicz said people were being patient, but growing more impatient with each unsuccessful pass by the gate.

“When we’re full, we’re full,” he said.

The beach itself was quite busy and social distancing was practiced with varied degrees of success.

The West Coast Surf Shop was open and the picnic tables at Skinny’s Place across the street were filled with outdoor diners.

After leaving the beach, Valrico residents Dana Kates, Shaun McCloskey and their three children hit the Ugly Grouper restaurant for lunch, where Kates and her 5-year-old son, Andrew, engaged in a joyous dance to the live music performed by Nick Lutz.

“This is the first time we’ve had the kids out in eight weeks. It feels pretty amazing,” Kates said.

“It’s Mother’s Day weekend. We had to get mom to the beach,” McCloskey added.

Down by the Anna Maria City Pier, folks gathered on the narrow beaches on both sides of the pier, joined by several boaters anchored just offshore.

Across the street, ice cream cones were enjoyed on Two Scoops’ waterfront patio.

Ginny’s and Jane E’s, Harry’s Grill, Poppo’s Taqueria, the Sandbar, Slim’s Place and The Waterfront restaurant were among the Anna Maria restaurants welcoming back their weekend patrons.

On Pine Avenue, Shiny Fish owner Rebecca Preston was happy to be back in the retail business, even at limited capacity.

“I’m thrilled to be open. We’ve seen a steady increase in visitors this week,” Preston said.

The beach in front of the Sandbar restaurant was a popular destination and so was nearby Bean Point.

The beach near the Moose Lodge in Bradenton Beach was moderately busy, but the beachgoers were spread out.

Bridge Street was abuzz with activity, including those who enjoyed lunch and/or adult beverages at the Anna Maria Island Oyster Bar, the Bridge Tender Inn, the Daiquiri Deck, Blue Marlin Seafood, Island Time Bar & Grill, Oma’s Pizza and more.

Reopening weekend gets off to a fast start
Bridge Street Bazaar employees are now protected by Plexiglas shields. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

People also visited the reopened retail establishments, including the Bridge Street Bazaar, where the clerks now work behind newly-installed Plexiglas shields.

Similar dining activities took place north of Cortez Road at the Gulf Drive Café, Wicked Cantina and Smoqehouse.

The Island’s stand-alone bars – the Drift In, Sports Lounge, Anchor Inn, D Coy Ducks and The Doctor’s Office – remain closed under the governor’s executive order.

Vacation rental check-ins are still prohibited according to the governor’s executive order, but out-of-town visitors and out-of-state license plates were a common sight.

A Tampa attorney recently filed a lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis seeking to get the vacation rental ban lifted and DeSantis has not yet announced when vacation rental operations can legally resume.

DeSantis allowed hair and nail salons to reopen Monday with enhanced safety protocols, but he had not yet announced when the second phase of his reopening plan would begin.

Continued testing

When the reopening began on Monday, May 4, there had been a total of 619 reported COVID-19 cases in Manatee County, with 59 deaths and 162 hospitalizations. As increased testing continues, Manatee County had 783 reported COVID-19 cases, 178 hospitalizations and 74 deaths – 46 of which were attributed to nursing homes and assisted living facilities – as of Monday, May 11.

There was still only one reported COVID-19 case in Holmes Beach, one in Bradenton Beach (cruise ship-related) and none in Anna Maria. According to Manatee County Public Safety Director Jake Saur, a positive case is attributed to the zip code shown on the driver’s license or ID of the person who tests positive.

Reel Time: The bike angle

Reel Time: The bike angle

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

I like to bike and I love to fish. It occurred to me a long time ago that I might be able to access some great fishing spots by bike. More often than not though, my fishing adventures involved a boat. That is until I started pedaling to Longboat Pass to fish from the bridge and to the bay to explore local public docks. What I discovered was a way to get in some excellent fishing without having to do the work to get a boat in and out of the water, with all that’s involved.

That didn’t keep me from boating, but it opened up a new avenue for getting my fishing fix and a bike ride too. For anglers who don’t have easy access to a boat, a bike can take you to some excellent angling opportunities. A good example is Robinson Preserve in Manatee County. The park is a treasure for walkers, bikers, kayakers and anyone who enjoys the outdoors. It also provides access to Perico Bayou and Tampa Bay. In addition, it also holds a maze of canals that, based on recent observations, hold some pretty terrific fishing. On a bike ride to the park recently, I encountered a number of anglers who had used their bikes to access the bridges that span the preserve’s canals and outlets to Tampa Bay. When I reached a favorite spot for a water break near the bay, I saw two anglers far out on a shallow flat I’ve fished many times from my boat. Nearby, leaning against a picnic table were their two bikes with rod holders. I took some pictures along the shoreline and eventually the two anglers waded to shore nearby. They had experienced a productive morning of fishing, seen no other angers and landed a number of big redfish and trout.

Although it doesn’t take more than a medium-light spinning rod rigged with an artificial lure to get in the game, I saw other bikers transporting live shrimp and even cast nets for catching bait. My preferred rig is an 8-pound spinning outfit or 8-weight fly rod with a 25- or 30-pound leader. I’m confident in the flies, plugs and jigs I fish, so that’s what I use and what I catch fish on. I double my standing line with a Bimini twist or a spider hitch and then tie my leader to the double line with a blood knot. After tying on a fly, top water plug or jig with a Non-Slip Mono Loop, I stick a spool of leader and a couple of extra flies or lures in my pocket and I’m good to go.

This time of the year is perfect for a world of wade fishing that a bike gives access to. All you’ll need is a pair of wading boots or old tennis shoes and a change of pants for the ride home. Bikes can quickly get you to places you’d find hard to reach even by boat. You can plan your outing by consulting access points (Google Maps) online. Then pack your gear and use your bike to explore some local less-accessible fishing gems. Try using your bike to expand your fishing horizon. Whether it’s a quick ride to a local pass or to one of a number of local parks near Anna Maria Island, you’ll be surprised at the opportunities it will open up for you.

Beach reopenings welcomed by most, questioned by some

Beach reopenings welcomed by most, questioned by some

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

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Coquina Beach, Cortez Beach and Manatee Beach are open again.

By order of the Manatee County Commission, the county beaches and beach parking lots on Anna Maria Island reopened at 10 a.m. this morning.

Public Safety Director Jake Saur closed the county beaches and beach parking lots on March 20 in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. But the beaches were never totally off-limits to Island residents, vacationers and those who found parking spaces.

Beach reopenings welcomed by most, questioned by some
The Bridge Street Bazaar in Bradenton Beach reopened with new plexiglass shields to protect the employees. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Monday also marked the return of outdoor dining, with tables spaced at least 6 feet apart and indoor dining at 25% capacity according to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ phase one reopening plans, which took effect Monday.

These masked friends from Tampa – Caroline, Abby and Lesley – enjoyed lunch at Ginny’s and Jane E’s in Anna Maria on Monday. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Many of the Island’s retail businesses also reopened Monday in accordance with the 25% capacity set forth in DeSantis’ executive order.

Beach reopenings welcomed by most, questioned by some
The Ugly Grouper in Holmes Beach was open for lunch on Monday. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The entryways to Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach and Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach are now staffed by county workers who hand drivers 5 by 7 cards with COVID-19 safety tips on one side and the handwritten date and arrival time on the other.

The dashboard cards provide county code enforcement officers the information they need to issue $25 parking citations to those who linger too long – with no tires chalked.

“If you’re away from people and keeping your distance, you can be out in the open air enjoying the sunshine, water and sand.” – Tina Miller, Bradenton resident

“Our goal today is to be courteous and helpful to the people who want to enjoy the beach,” Manatee County Code Enforcement Officer Zach Stiscak said, noting the goal is to educate beachgoers, not ticket them.

Construction projects at Manatee Beach and Coquina Beach have reduced parking capacity at both beaches. When a parking lot becomes full, entry will be delayed until cars leave and make room for others.

The main entrance at Coquina Beach is open. Drivers can also pull through the Coquina South boat ramp parking lot and under the Longboat Pass Bridge to access the south parking lot.

The beach restrooms are open, but the concession stands are not.

With no gated entryways, enforcement of the two-hour parking limit at Cortez Beach in Bradenton Beach was minimal.

The parking lot at Bayfront Park in Anna Maria remains closed.

Back to the beach

Amanda Daughtry and her two sons were among the first to arrive at Manatee Beach Monday morning.

“We are out of the house and so excited,” she said, noting she didn’t think their beach visit would expose them to greater risk.

Bradenton resident Tina Miller sat on the beach with two friends from Michigan.

“Opening the largest playground in Manatee County for large gatherings sends the wrong message.” – Bill Tokajer, Holmes Beach Police Chief

“I am so happy they reopened the beaches. If you’re away from people and keeping your distance, you can be out in the open air enjoying the sunshine, water and sand. Thank you, Manatee County,” Miller said.

Manatee Beach was busy but not packed, and for the most part beachgoers practiced social distancing. The same was true at Cortez Beach and at Coquina Beach, where Bradenton residents Judy and Dennis Schultz enjoyed beach time with seasonal Cortez residents Deb and Bob Bates.

“We missed it a lot,” Judy Schultz said.

“We’re snowbirds and we haven’t been able to come to the beach. I’m thrilled that I get to spend a couple days here before we go back to Michigan,” Deb Bates said.

Police perspective

The Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach police departments are not assisting with the enforcement of the two-hour parking rule. And Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer doesn’t think the beaches should be open yet.

Tokajer said that message was conveyed to county commissioners last week before they made their decision.

“Opening the largest playground in Manatee County for large gatherings sends the wrong message. The commissioners need to listen to the medical professionals who are telling everybody the numbers in Manatee County are still too high. Opening the beach indicates the virus is over and everything’s OK, but there’s still the opportunity for this virus to be spread to our workers at Publix, CVS, Walgreens and at our restaurants. That puts our residents, workers and officers in harm’s way.

“Holmes Beach will continue to have no parking on our streets, right of ways and beach accesses and violators will be ticketed and possibly towed,” Tokajer said.

Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale is concerned about the lack of parking at Coquina Beach.

“You’re going to get people from across the state who decide to go to the beach and they’re going to get here and find out there’s no parking because of the construction,” Speciale said.

Lt. John Cosby said, “People are ready to get out, they’re tired of being locked down. But the more people that come out, the more interaction they’ll have with all the Island’s law enforcement officers, and that puts our people at risk,” Cosby said.

Parking remains closed in Holmes Beach

Parking remains closed in Holmes Beach

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Beach parking may be opening to visitors but in Holmes Beach, beach access, side of street and right of way parking remain closed to drivers.

Drivers who illegally park their vehicles may return to find them towed or ticketed. Holmes Beach police officers are regularly patrolling city streets to enforce the parking regulations.

Once the COVID-19 pandemic passes and parking is reopened in the city, visitors and residents will notice some major changes. During an April 28 virtual commission meeting, Chief Bill Tokajer presented a plan to open only the spaces needed for beach renourishment funding and leave much of the city’s parking closed, reducing parking by about 2,000 spaces.

Tokajer said the city is required to have 364 parking spaces available to the public for beach renourishment. In the city’s beach access points, there are 473 public parking spaces available. When the pandemic threat is over, Tokajer said he plans to only open those 473 beach access spaces, which don’t affect residents, and leave right of way and side of the street parking closed on all roads on the west side of the city.

From 28th to 38th streets in the south of the city, parking on the side of the street and right of way will remain closed from East Bay/Gulf Drive west to the beach. From the public beach at Manatee Avenue to 52nd Street, parking will be closed west of Gulf Drive except at beach accesses. In the rest of the city, side of the street and right of way parking will remain closed on all streets west of Marina/Palm Drive north to the Anna Maria city border. Once the new regulations are put into effect, Tokajer said his officers would monitor the situation to see if adjustments need to be made. He said the new regulations hopefully will ease beach parking and reduce traffic in residential areas.

Jayne Christensen, former chair of the city’s congestion committee, said that she’s “100% behind it,” and that the reduction in street parking in residential neighborhoods was exactly what her committee was working for.

“Thank you for doing this,” she said to commissioners.

“This is just a wonderful, big step to bringing balance back to the Island,” Commissioner Carol Soustek said.

Commissioners Pat Morton, Kim Rash, Jim Kihm and Terry Schaefer all agreed that they are behind enforcing the permanent reduction in parking.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Kihm said, adding that if any visitors to the Island want beach parking, they’d better plan to come out early.

Tokajer said he’s already ordered signs to be put up in anticipation of reopening the street end beach access parking and the removal of the no parking banners currently placed throughout the city. He added that the parking measures would not affect service workers, such as landscapers who are working at a residential property, from parking on the side of the street.

Another parking change that surprised even city leaders came when the Florida Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the county administrator’s office, put up signs on the south side of Manatee Avenue, prohibiting overflow parking from the Kingfish Boat Ramp.

In her May 1 report on the status of the city, Mayor Judy Titsworth said that FDOT gave Tokajer permission to cover the no parking signs across from Kingfish with bags. She added that the city will work with FDOT to come up with a safer, designated parking area for overflow parking for the boat ramp. During that time, however, the historic overflow parking on Manatee Avenue remains open to boaters.

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WMFR logo

WMFR commissioners discuss assessment increase

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

BRADENTON – West Manatee Fire Rescue commissioners held their first budget meeting of the year on April 21 and the hot topic was whether to raise the assessment rates for commercial and residential property owners in the district.

WMFR has a non-ad valorem assessment rate, meaning the rate is tied to the size of the building on the property instead of the property value, which is used to determine property taxes. The amount the district can raise assessment rates each year is capped by personal income growth, a five-year rolling number used to estimate increases in taxpayer income.

At the end of the meeting, commissioners were considering three different options – a zero increase, a 2.6% increase and a 4% increase in assessment rates. An option to increase to the allowable limit of 5.46% was deemed too high by commissioners and dismissed. Commissioners will vote at their May meeting to determine the assessment rate for the 2020-21 fiscal year.

At a zero increase, the district would be operating at a loss for the coming year, requiring the use of $189,436 in reserves on top of the estimated $7,285,989 in revenue from property assessments. This would keep the residential base rate at $190.57 plus $0.1124 per square foot over 1,000 square feet and the commercial base rate at $473.62 plus $0.2051 per square foot over 1,000 square feet. At current rates, the full assessment on a 2,000-square-foot residential home is $302.97. The rate for a commercial building of the same size is $678.72.

The second option, a 2.6% increase in the assessment rate, would be the break-even point for the district, requiring no spending from reserves and bringing the total revenue from assessments up to $7,475,424. Under this plan, the assessment rate for a 2,000-square-foot home would be $310.85 and $696.37 for a 2,000-square-foot commercial building.

The third option, a 4% increase, is the one that was recommended by Chief Ben Rigney and the largest assessment rate increase being considered by commissioners. Under the 4% increase, commissioners would have an additional $291,440 in operating funds and would be able to add $102,004 to the district’s reserves to be used in case of an emergency. Reserve funds also are used to save for new equipment, such as a new fire truck, and to float the district’s operating expenses in the early months of the fiscal year before assessment rate funds are received. Under this increase, a residential property owner with a 2,000-square-foot home would pay $315.09 in total assessments to the fire district while a commercial property owner with a 2,000-square-foot building would pay $705.87.

Due to the expected economic downturn as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, commissioners expressed concern that increasing the assessment rate at all could be a burden on property owners but also, that if rates aren’t increased this year and the personal income growth number goes down next year, the district might have more than one fiscal year where it operates at a loss.

Commissioner Al Robinson said he’s concerned about the burden on taxpayers if assessment rates are increased and then the district has a significant rollover from the current fiscal year. He asked staff to look into the past five years of financials to see what the rollover amount typically is for the district. WMFR is currently at the halfway mark at six months in the current fiscal year.

For the 2020-21 fiscal year, beginning Sept. 30, Rigney said that he expects operating expenses to increase $188,653, including required raises for staff and anticipated increases in insurance and other benefits, along with expenses to set up the planned new administration building. He said he expects an increase in operating expenses of $221,009 for the 2021-22 fiscal year, which is also a negotiating year for the firefighter’s union.

After the expenses for a new fire truck expected to arrive in the coming weeks, Rigney said he doesn’t anticipate any additional large expenditures for equipment in the next two to three years or more.

Commissioners are expected to vote on whether to increase the assessment rate for the coming fiscal year during their May 19 meeting.

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Commissioners consider plans for new building

Commissioners consider plans for new building

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

BRADENTON – A lot has been purchased, an architect selected and now the first rendering is in for the design of West Manatee Fire Rescue’s new administration building.

The design, created by architects at the Hall Darling Design Studio, tops out at 3,879 square feet and contains office and storage spaces for the fire district’s staff, a kitchen and restroom facilities and a meeting room with a separate entrance that is hardened to survive a Category 5 storm.

Chief Ben Rigney presented the design to commissioners, saying it meets the district’s goals of having a smaller administration building. He added that the quote of $1,469,708 to build the structure falls within budget for the building and keeps the district out of debt, while the hardened meeting room gives the district a base of operations in case of a hurricane. The previous administration building, which was sold more than a year ago, was 11,200 square feet in size.

Rigney said he feels comfortable the district can pay for the construction of the building without borrowing funds using reserve funds and impact fees. He said an official not-to-exceed amount for the project is expected from the architects by August for commissioners to consider. If they agree to move forward with the project, he said the building could be ready to occupy by the middle of 2021. During the April 21 meeting, Rigney said he was looking for direction from commissioners to move forward with the proposed design and floorplan.

Commissioner Randy Cooper, who serves as the board’s liaison on the administration building project, said that while the floorplan as presented is a compromise, it’s one of the best he’s seen within the district’s budget.

While commissioners agreed they liked the proposed design, where they varied was in how to pay for the project.

Though Rigney said the district has the funds to pay for the construction project outright, Commissioner David Bishop said that with the current economic climate and drop in interest rates it might be more beneficial to borrow the funds and save the reserve funds that would be used to finance the building.

“Amen,” Commissioner Al Robinson said, agreeing with Bishop. “I’m in the amen corner on borrowing the money.”

While Commissioner Larry Jennis said he wouldn’t be opposed to borrowing the funds, Commissioner George Harris said he doesn’t see a reason for it when the district already has the money available. He added that with the effects of statewide shutdowns due to COVID-19 precautions, the economy may experience a downturn which could potentially lower the district’s construction costs.

Robinson said he’s still not in favor of constructing a new administration building due to the cost and that he would like to continue looking for a pre-existing structure in the district to purchase.

Rigney said the total cost of the building plus fees and the purchase of the property is expected to come in around $1.8-1.9 million dollars.

“This is absurd,” Robinson said. “This is ludicrous.”

Bishop said that while it does seem expensive, for a municipal building that has the amenities the fire district needs, including the hardening, he thinks the pricing is good.

Jennis agreed with Bishop, adding that what the district wants, a building that would survive a strong hurricane and still be usable, is a “specialty thing. It’s not a generic building.”

Cooper said he would work with Rigney to judge the feasibility of borrowing the funds for the project and bring options back to his fellow commissioners at an upcoming meeting.

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Holmes Beach logo OLD

Commissioners give relief to local businesses

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Business, Restaurants | Bars, Retail.

HOLMES BEACH – Commissioners agreed during an April 28 virtual work session to do away with the fees associated with the city’s business tax receipt program, but only for the coming fiscal year.

Commissioner Terry Schaefer brought the issue to his fellow commissioners’ attention as a way to offer some financial relief to businesses that might be struggling due to COVID-19 closures. Schaefer said he’d like to give the business owners a break on the BTR, which was set to increase by 5% when renewals are due in the fall.

“It’s an effort on behalf of the city to work with our businesses,” Schaefer said, adding that if nothing else, it shows that the city’s leaders recognize the financial hardship that business owners are currently operating under.

He did not suggest doing away with the increase, which is now planned to go into effect for fiscal year 2021-22.

The city brings in about $45,000 in revenue from the BTR program. The 5% increase was approved to help cover more of the costs of administering the program. The work is done by the city clerk’s office to record, issue and renew the city’s BTRs.

City Attorney Patricia Petruff said that she would draft an ordinance for discussion at a future work session that requires business owners to file for new BTRs and renewals without having to pay the associated fee.

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The Center receives financial help

The Center receives financial help

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Center of Anna Maria Island, Community News, Holmes Beach.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Center of Anna Maria Island’s finances are turning around thanks to support from dozens of donors over a few days.

In a May 2 letter, Executive Director Chris Culhane said the week ended with more than $91,000 in donations, helping to quickly reopen The Center’s doors when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted without sacrificing programming.

“The Board of Directors, the staff and I are blown away and beyond grateful,” Culhane said in the letter. “I would like to personally thank each and every one of you for The Center’s continued success.”

During the week of April 27, The Center participated in the Giving Partner Challenge, finished the Carter Challenge, had the Melancon Challenge and received a donation from the city of Holmes Beach.

The Giving Challenge offered a dollar-for-dollar match on funds donated between $25 and $100 over a 24-hour period through the challenge website. The challenge took place from noon on April 29 to noon on April 30. At the end of the challenge, The Center came in at 38 out of 678 participating area nonprofits with $76,938 in donations and $14,108 in matching funds to end the day at $91,046. The Melancon Challenge, created by Holmes Beach residents Mary Catherine and Mark Melancon, matched donations received through the Giving Challenge up to $10,000.

The Carter Challenge, created by Anna Maria residents Bob and Carol Carter, ended at the same time as the Giving Challenge but matched donations of $1,000 or more given directly to The Center up to $10,000. The ladies of the Roser Church Women’s Guild stepped up and donated $1,100 to The Center during the Carter Challenge on April 30.

On April 28, Holmes Beach commissioners voted four to one, with Commissioner Jim Kihm dissenting, to donate $22,500 to The Center for the 2019-20 fiscal year. The amount is the city’s budgeted customary annual donation to the nonprofit.

During the virtual meeting, Culhane spoke on The Center’s behalf, stating that the nonprofit typically needs $200,000 to make up revenue shortfalls from July through December. Before the COVID-19 crisis, which forced the nonprofit to shut its doors to the community in March, Culhane said it was estimated that The Center would end its fiscal year June 30 with $190,000 in the bank. With the loss of memberships, fundraisers and other programming, he told city commissioners that the new estimate is to end the year with $40,000-50,000, far short of the needed funds.

Now, with the funds raised through the various challenges, city donation and the anticipated receipt in a few months of a $150,000 donation from the estate of a private donor who passed away, The Center should be on good financial footing entering the 2020-21 fiscal year July 1.

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Reel Time: The cobia

Reel Time: The cobia

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

As local water temperatures fluctuate between seasons in the spring and fall, savvy anglers know to start looking for cobia in area waters.

Often mistaken for sharks whose shapes and coloration they resemble, cobia are long and streamlined with a broad, flattened head. Their upper body is brown with a dark lateral line that extends through the eye to the tail. The brown fades to white on the belly.

Cobia range up to 6 feet in length and can weigh more than 100 pounds. While most anglers target cobia in the Gulf, cobia range widely throughout local bays as well, particularly near local passes. They spawn in the spring and early summer and feed on crabs, small fish and squid.

Several changes to the management of cobia in state waters in the Gulf of Mexico went into effect Feb. 1. These changes were approved at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) meeting last December.

The changes strive to enhance sustainable management of this fishery and were developed in coordination with anglers, charter captains and the Coastal Conservation Association, which had expressed concern about the fishery. The changes will apply to all state waters north of the Monroe-Collier county line. Those changes include:

  • Making the recreational and commercial bag limits for cobia in Gulf state waters the same by reducing the commercial limit from two to one fish per person.
  • Reducing the recreational and commercial vessel limit in Gulf state waters from six to two cobia per vessel, per day. The 33-inch minimum size limit changed to 36-inch fork measurement in March.

Cobia have a way of surprising anglers, so it’s wise to have a rig ready should you encounter one.

Fly anglers who target cobia opt for at least a 10-weight outfit, although it’s possible to land smaller cobia on lighter outfits. A favorite fly is a black bunny tied to resemble a small eel, one of their favorite foods. Anglers fishing conventional tackle most often use live baitfish and live crabs, another of their favorite foods. Cobia will also hit a variety of plugs and lures that imitate baitfish.

This is the beginning of tarpon season and anglers targeting tarpon should be on the alert for cruising cobia. Last week AMI Outfitters owner Steve Traves anchored his boat and jumped on my bow (following social distancing guidelines) on a sand bar bordering Tampa Bay. It wasn’t long before I spotted a cruising stingray with a nice cobia riding his back. Cobia use rays as camouflage darting off them to eat prey that rays spook. After positioning the boat ahead of the ray, Traves made a cast that landed just in front of the ray. He then stripped it to intercept the two fish and the cobia rushed over and ate the fly. Unfortunately, the cobia came straight at the boat and Traves was unable to set the hook.

Later that day I was anchored up along another edge when a manatee came cruising down the bar with a 30-pound plus cobia “glued” to his back. I made a cast to intercept the cobia but hooked the manatee instead. Fortunately, I was able to pull my anchor and get in front of the manatee, freeing my fly. I was able to get several casts to the cobia but this one wasn’t interested in eating.

Captain Justin Moore has been seeing cobia while tarpon fishing and advises anglers to pay attention to any floating objects like flotsam and buoys as well as structure including markers and artificial reefs. Cobia are a worthy adversary for local anglers. They can show unexpectedly and be hard to target but put up a terrific battle and the smaller ones make great table fare.

Vacation rental owner issues plea to mayor

Vacation rental owner issues plea to mayor

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Business, Real estate | Development.

ANNA MARIA – Vacation rental owner Carolyn Hodgson is among those who are upset that vacation rental operations are still prohibited in Florida because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ phase one plans to reopen Florida’s economy took effect Monday according to Executive Order 20-112. Regarding vacation rentals, that order says, “The prohibition on vacation rentals in Executive Order 20-87 remains in effect for the duration of the new order.”

That order, issued on March 27 by DeSantis, states “I hereby order all parties engaged in rental of vacation rental properties to suspend vacation rental operations. Vacation rentals are prohibited from making new reservations or bookings and shall not accept new guests for check-in for the duration of this order.”

“It is devastating me personally and financially not being able to safely rent my home and cover my expenses to do so.” – Carolyn Hodgson, vacation rental owner

DeSantis’ original order excludes hotels, motels, inns, resorts, non-transient public lodging establishments, timeshares and long-term rentals of 30 days or more.

Two days earlier, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy had enacted a local emergency order prohibiting vacation rental companies from accepting new reservations through June 30.

During an emergency city commission meeting on Friday, May 1, the commission took no additional action regarding any existing or additional local vacation rental orders. When asked if his local rental reservations order remained in effect, Murphy said the governor’s reopening plan order overrules it.

Hodgson’s plea

Hodgson is the president and CEO of the Minnesota-based Freight Dynamic shipping company. She emailed Murphy Friday evening and copied DeSantis, Manatee County Commissioner Steve Jonsson and all five Anna Maria commissioners on her “Urgent critical message regarding short-term rental in Florida.”

Hodgson’s email notes she invested in two vacation rental homes in Anna Maria. One is on South Bay Boulevard and the other is on Elm Avenue.

“The only way I can afford them is to rent them out short-term,” she wrote.

Hodgson’s email notes she follows the city’s vacation rental guidelines, pays state and local taxes, pays annual licensing fees and pays “many thousands of dollars” in property taxes.

“My monthly mortgage and escrow is nearly $20,000. I have invested over $3 million in property in Anna Maria. It is devastating me personally and financially not being able to safely rent my home and cover my expenses to do so,” Hodgson wrote

Her email notes short-term rentals generate substantial revenues for local restaurants, retail shops, fishing charters and many other businesses.

“This statewide order from the governor cannot be modified and/or made less stringent by either the Anna Maria Commission or myself for the period of time that it may be in force.” – Dan Murphy, Anna Maria mayor

It also says, “You are putting the owners into grave financial recessions. I am asking you from the bottom of my heart, stop prohibiting short-term rental in Anna Maria. You will end up with foreclosures, abandoned homes, angry renters who will never come back and angry homeowners who invested in your town to be individually vilified.”

“Losing March, April and May will result in devastating losses. Adding June or July is toxic and extremely unfair. People will petition, they will protest and rally against the commissioners and governor and it will not bring you the kind of publicity you want or need. The vacation rental management companies will file a lawsuit against the city and state government. Their businesses are being destroyed by this prejudice and extreme unfairness and unwillingness to hear us out and let us make short-term renting safe and available. At least give us a chance to show you. If not, be prepared to reimburse us for our staggering losses and watch the city fall apart from it,” Hodgson wrote in conclusion.

Mayor’s response

On Saturday, Murphy responded to Hodgson and copied those who received her email.

“The city of Anna Maria is currently under the Governor of Florida’s Order 20-112. This statewide order from the governor cannot be modified and/or made less stringent by either the Anna Maria Commission or myself for the period of time that it may be in force. Nor would the city commission or myself choose to lessen its impact,” Murphy wrote.

“We appreciate the courage our Governor has shown in issuing this order, as it is designed to protect human life, limit the spread of COVID-19 virus and is in the best interests and safety of our residents, your clients, our visitors and the general public,” Murphy wrote.

“In view of hurricanes, red tide and possible economic downturns, vacation rental investments have always been considered high risk/high reward. While I certainly can sympathize with the negative impact this pandemic has had upon your personal business ventures in our city, the governor’s actions are designed to protect human life. I am certain you would agree that human life is more important than your next monthly mortgage and escrow payment on your vacation rental investment properties,” Murphy wrote.

In his response, Murphy said threats of lawsuits, protests, rallies and reimbursement should not prevent any elected official from protecting human life and acting in the best interests of public safety.

“These are indeed difficult times and require courage along with difficult decisions,” Murphy wrote.

What to expect on Monday at the beaches

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

Manatee County officials today announced details to manage crowds amidst several ongoing construction projects on Anna Maria Island ahead of public beaches opening on Monday.

“There are multiple construction projects ongoing at public beaches, but we’re doing our best to open other areas for parking while these parking spots are unavailable,” Beach Patrol Chief Joe Westerman said. “We want people to come and enjoy themselves at our lifeguarded beaches, but they need to remember social distancing guidelines and they should be respectful of other people who want to visit the beach.”

  • Public parking spots at the county’s three public beaches will be open from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., seven days a week beginning Monday, May 4. There will be approximately 400 parking spots at Coquina Beach, 200 at Cortez Beach and space for 250 vehicles at Manatee Beach. Drivers will be allowed an available space on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Beachgoers will have two hours of free parking each day to enjoy the beach with minimal restrictions. The limit will allow visitors to enjoy the sun, sand and water for a reasonable amount of time while allowing others to visit the beach throughout the day.
  • When they arrive, drivers will be given a two-hour parking pass and a reminder to remain a safe distance from others. Vehicles parked beyond the two-hour time limit will be subject to a parking citation and fine.
  • Typical beach activities are allowed.
  • As always, animals, alcohol, fires, glass bottles and vehicles are not allowed on county beaches anytime. Other beach gear is allowed and sunscreen is encouraged, especially for anyone who hasn’t been in the sun for several weeks.

County officials remind beachgoers that sea turtle nesting season begins May 1 and it’s against the law to touch or disturb nesting sea turtles, hatchlings, or their nests.

For the latest on the community-wide response to COVID-19 visit www.mymanatee.org/COVID-19.

An update on the first day of public beach access will be delivered to County Commissioners at their next meeting on Tuesday, May 5.

View the latest on Manatee County’s community-wide effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by visiting www.mymanatee.org/COVID-19.

First turtle nest of season early

First turtle nest of season early

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Outdoors, Sea turtles.

ANNA MARIA – A loggerhead sea turtle jumped the gun and laid the first nest of the 2020 season on Anna Maria Island’s north end sometime the night of Sunday, April 19, nearly two weeks before the official start of turtle season on May 1.

Suzi Fox, director of Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, said the turtle appeared to have made a false crawl first in the same area, meaning she came ashore to nest but did not do so right away.

“It’s the earliest a turtle has ever come in here, I think,” said Fox, who began monitoring local beaches early, on April 1.

A vastly reduced crew of Turtle Watch staff is monitoring the beaches by ATV this season – for their own safety, no beach walkers will be allowed to volunteer to spot nests on foot due to the coronavirus pandemic, much to the dismay of some volunteers, Fox said.

Turtle Tips

During sea turtle season, May 1 – Oct. 31, please follow these tips:

– Turn off lights visible from the beach and close blinds from sundown to sunrise; lights confuse nesting sea turtles and may cause them to go back to sea and drop their eggs in the water, where they won’t hatch. Light can also attract hatchlings away from the water.

– Don’t use flashlights, lanterns or camera flashes on the beach at night.

– Remove all objects from the sand from sundown to sunrise; they can deter sea turtles from nesting and disorient hatchlings.

– Fill in the holes you dig in the sand before leaving the beach; they can trap nesting and hatching sea turtles, which cannot live long out of the water.

– Don’t use wish lanterns or fireworks; they litter the beach and Gulf.

– Do not trim trees and plants that shield the beach from lights.

– Never touch a sea turtle; it’s the law. If you see people disturbing turtles, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

Every volunteer on an ATV has a mask, Fox said adding, “We are using hand sanitizer and wipes. We want as few volunteers as possible on the beach for their safety.”

Due to social distancing concerns, Fox requests that if anyone sees a Turtle Watch ATV, please do not flag down the driver to chat. Instead, call 941-778-5638, email Fox or visit the organization’s new website or its Facebook page.

Fox also asks that people observe turtle lighting regulations to keep turtles and people safe – light sources should not be able to be seen from the beach – and that people don’t leave their beach chairs on the beach after sunset because they can entrap nesting sea turtles – and, in a few months, their hatchlings.

Beach chairs should not be an issue because beaches remain closed in Manatee County due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to Manatee County Information Outreach Manager Nicholas Azzara.

Beach renourishment is still planned for this summer, and Turtle Watch will work around the project, which turtles need as much as people do as beaches erode, leaving less room to nest, Fox said.

Last year, a record number of turtle nests was laid on the Island – 544, beating the 2018 record of 534.

Turtle Trail scavenger hunt is on

Just in time for the beginning of the sea turtle nesting season on Anna Maria Island on May 1, the Turtle Trail scavenger hunt has begun.

The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is launching the Turtle Trail to provide residents and their families with a safe and enjoyable activity to take part in while socially distancing.

In partnership with Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, the CVB is encouraging residents and business owners to put stuffed animals, figurines, statues, photos or illustrations of sea turtles in windows, on mailboxes or in other visible places for families to search for while out on walks together. For those in need of a turtle to display, the CVB has created a printable coloring page that can be downloaded here.

Those who take part by putting a sea turtle on display or heading out with family to follow the trail are also encouraged to share images of their turtles or those they find on Instagram using #BradentonAreaTurtleTrail.

Officers enforce new parking measures

Officers enforce new parking measures

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – The Easter weekend was a busy one for Holmes Beach police officers as they worked to enforce the city’s new no parking mandates.

Beginning April 10, no parking orders went into effect in the city, blocking parking at all beach accesses, along city streets and in the right of way. Banners were placed throughout the city warning drivers that violators would be towed and beach accesses were blocked by police barricades. Some private parking areas where businesses were closed also were blocked off to prevent illegal parking on April 12.

Also on Sunday, officers and tow truck drivers created a staging area at the then-closed Kingfish Boat Ramp where 7 vehicles were towed on Sunday. In a conversation with The Sun on April 13, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said that he had nine officers out on April 12 to help educate drivers. He said that his officers warned drivers as they parked that if they left the vehicle it would be towed at their expense. Without that, he said that the number of cars towed would have been much higher, around 40-50. For the drivers whose vehicles were towed, Tokajer said the vehicles were towed to the boat ramp instead of in town and officers gave the drivers a ride to Kingfish to pay to retrieve their vehicles while pointing out all of the banners and signs the drivers had passed warning of the city’s new parking policies.

Tokajer said that officers gave drivers 69 parking tickets over the weekend to help educate them that the new parking regulations would be enforced. He added that he had five tow trucks from different companies on Sunday to tow illegally parked vehicles. With Kingfish reopening on April 13, he said that if needed, officers may set up a towing staging area across the street instead of using the area for overflow boat trailer parking.

Both Tokajer and Titsworth said the new parking regulations are designed to help discourage people from coming to the beach and encourage them to abide by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ stay at home order, which is set to expire at midnight on April 30. Tokajer said he felt the new parking regulations helped with social distancing and keeping large groups from gathering.

The new parking regulations remain in force until at least April 30 or when Mayor Judy Titsworth rescinds her executive directive.

In Bradenton Beach, Lt. John Cosby said that there were no issues with illegally parked vehicles over the weekend. While the city remains under a state of emergency, drivers are advised to not park in the First Street North municipal parking lot, at the Coquina and Cortez county beach parking lots or in barricaded areas. Bradenton Beach police officers are strictly enforcing the new rules and violators may be ticketed or have their vehicles towed at their own expense.

– Sun reporter Joe Hendricks contributed to this story.

Related coverage

Bradenton Beach issues parking enforcement announcement

Holmes Beach parking closed for beachgoers

Coquina Beach south parking lot closing Monday

Local entrepreneurs give to save animals

Local entrepreneurs give to save animals

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Business, Retail.

ANNA MARIA – Mark and Christine McConnell are not your average business owners. The two created a line of t-shirts, hats and other items sold at the Pineapple Marketplace but most, if not all, of their profits go to help local animal rescue nonprofits in the area.

The foray into retail is a new venture for both of them, Mark said in a conversation with The Sun. The couple has two lines of shirts called AMI Guy and AMI Gal and featuring a distinctive turtle logo. The shirts are all long-sleeved and provide 98% protection from the sun.

“It’s just a really good product,” Mark said of the shirts.

When he came up with the idea, Mark said he taught himself how to use Photoshop and Illustrator to design and digitize the drawings for the lines’ surfboard and turtle designs. With some help from other local business owners, including friends at HowLuckyAMI and the Pineapple Marketplace, Mark said AMI Gal is now out-selling AMI Guy, the original line, and they’re looking to add new designs in the future.

The turtle logo is a best seller for the AMI Guy and AMI Gal lines. – Submitted | Mark McConnell

One thing you’ll notice upon seeing the couple’s booth at the front of the Pineapple Marketplace, a Pine Avenue store featuring 30 vendors selling everything from crafts to clothing and jewelry, is the signs on top of the clothing racks advertising that purchases help fund local animal rescues.

Mark said that he’s been donating to local rescue organizations since his arrival in Anna Maria Island seven years ago. After being joined by Christine, the idea to give as much as they could to the animal rescues evolved into the business they now run using local printers and suppliers to create their products. In the past three months, he said they’ve been able to donate $3,000 to local rescues. Some of the rescues they’ve helped include Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, UnderDog Rescue of Florida and Forget-Me-Not, a large dog/pitbull rescue in Bradenton.

“We’re trying to just keep getting as much money as we can to rescues,” Mark said.

Christine said that the rescues they’ve donated to so far are ones that they’ve had experience with. The couple adopted one of their puppies from UnderDog and Christine volunteers with Forget-Me-Not. As for AMITW, Mark said he has a lot of respect for the work the organization does and that “it’s a great cause.”

The couple said they’re open to helping additional organizations in the future.

In the future for their clothing line, Mark is working on websites for the AMI Guy and AMI Gal shirts as well as new designs. The physical retail space is planned to remain at the Pineapple Marketplace where the couple also volunteers.