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Reel Time: Spain – Madrid and Toledo

Reel Time: Spain – Madrid and Toledo

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

Spain was never on my list of places to travel. When looking for a new destination to explore, Chris and I settled on Portugal and somehow those plans morphed into an adventure in this small country that at one time dominated the known world.

As I write this, the bells of the Basilica of Santa Maria Del Coro Catholic Church (circa 1774) in San Sebastian are ringing. Many times a day they announce the time and call the faithful to Mass and prayer.

We began our trip in Madrid, the capital of Spain, where we stayed for four days. While we originally only considered Madrid as a central point to begin our stay, it turned out to be a memorable experience. In four days we explored the central city by bike, enjoyed tapas in the Mercado de San Miguel, made an excursion to the nearby city of Toledo and spent a day viewing some of the world’s finest art in the Prado Museum.

Mercado Reel Time
The Mercado San Miguel in Madrid provides an excellent cast of Spanish Tapas. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

I found out before the trip that my old friend Rallis Papas would be in Madrid on business. Rallis introduced me to some of the city’s highlights, including its world-famous tapas, an appetizer or snack in Spanish cuisine. Spain is famous for its tapas bars, and Madrid has some of the best. That first night I got a terrific introduction to this unique and delicious tradition.

On our first full day in Madrid, we took a guided tour of the city on Ebikes and experienced a side of the city that we would probably have never seen. The excursion started in the Plaza de San Miguel with a ride in the Parque Madrid Rio, a 6-kilometer park along the Manzanares river that was once a busy motorway. That road was relocated underground and resulted in a delightful park with playgrounds, gardens and public walkways. After touring the riverside park, we headed high over the city to the Casa De Campo public park.

“The history of Casa de Campo began with the decision by Philip II to move the Capital (Court) to Madrid. It was declared a Bosque Real (Royal Forest) under Fernando VI. Carlos III gave it a new twist when he introduced livestock and agriculture as one of its purposes, which would be continued by Queen María Cristina. After the proclamation of the Second Republic, the State donated the Casa de Campo to the people of Madrid (May 1, 1931), and it has been open to the public ever since.”

We enjoyed spectacular views of the city from on high and reveled in the cool and dry weather that greeted us in Madrid. The park is accessible by cable car from the city but was closed on the day we visited due to high (and refreshing) winds.

On our second day in Spain, we took a tour from Madrid to Toledo, an ancient hilltop town an hour south of Madrid. Toledo was declared a World Heritage site in 1986 for its extensive monumental and cultural heritage.

Toledo is known as the Imperial City for having been the main venue of the court of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, and as the “City of the Three Cultures” for the cultural influences of Christians, Muslims and Jews that are reflected in its history.

After touring the Old Town and the magnificent Cathedral De Toledo, we headed south to an authentic farmstead and estate where we were treated to lunch and a ride through the farm in an open-top 4WD truck. The farm is owned by a Spanish Count and encompasses over 16,000 hectares.

On our last day in Madrid, we took a tour of the world-famous Prado Museum with Jamie, an art historian, who presented a fascinating look at the paintings, the artists, culture and the history of Spain through its art. The tour included an introduction to the paintings of  Francisco de Goya, Spain’s most famous artist.

The Prado houses the world’s largest collection of Goya’s work as well as of Flemish artists including Hieronymus Bosch and his “Garden of Earthly Delights.”  Next week – Basque country and south to Sevilla.

More Reel Time:

Reel Time: Get ready for fall

Reel Time: Charleston and the Low Country

Reel Time: Scallop Search Aug. 24

All-ladies cast performs ‘Steel Magnolias’

All-female cast performs ‘Steel Magnolias’

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Entertainment, Theater.

The Island Players version of “Steel Magnolias,” by Robert Harling, has an all-female cast, unlike the 1989 movie where Tom Skerrit tried to shoo birds from a tree in his yard with a shotgun. The cast also includes a mother-daughter pair of actresses playing a mother and her daughter.

This comedic drama is set in a beauty salon in a small Louisiana town where the women come to mingle, share gossip and help each other through life’s ups and downs.

Director Mike Lusk, assisted by Priscilla Boyd, directs an accomplished group of actresses: Jennifer Kwiatkowski as Truvy Jones, Tahlia Chinault (first week) and Caitlin Ellis (second week) as Annnelle Dupuy-Desoto, Cathy Hansel-Edgerton as Clairee Belcher, Corinne Woodland as Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie, Kelly Wynn Woodland as M’Lynn Eatenton and Sue Belvo as Ouiser Boudreaux.

“Steel Magnolias” graces the Island Players stage from Sept. 19-29 nightly Tuesday through Sunday with a matinee on Sundays. The stage is dark on Mondays.

Tickets are $23 and the box office is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, see the Island Players’ website or call the box office at 941-778-5755. Island Players Theater is located at 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria.

Related coverage

Honors presented at Island Players banquet

Expect comic mayhem at next Island Players show

Hands Across the Sand oil protest

U.S. House opposes oil drilling

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, Manatee County.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed two bills banning oil drilling off the Gulf Coast of Florida and in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans on Sept. 11.

The Protecting and Securing Florida’s Coastline Act (H.R. 205) amends the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 to permanently block offshore oil and gas leasing off Florida’s Gulf Coast. The current moratorium, which protects waters up to 235 miles off the coast in the eastern Gulf, is set to expire in June 2022.

The Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act (H.R. 1941) protects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and the Florida Straits.

“Representatives (Joe) Cunningham (D-S.C.), (Francis) Rooney (R-Fla.) and (Kathy) Castor (D-Fla.) should be applauded for putting politics aside and coming together to protect our coasts from offshore drilling,” said Diane Hoskins, campaign director at Oceana, an international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation.

Oceana representatives visited supporters in Holmes Beach last week, the day before the vote. The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Gulf Coast Business Coalition and Oceana drew dozens of supporters to the Protect Our Coast Happy Hour at Waterline Marina Resort and Beach Club in Holmes Beach on Sept. 10.

“Write letters to your newspaper,” Robin Miller, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce and Chair of the Florida Gulf Coast Business Coalition told the group, urging them to join the coalition at https://www.protectthegulfcoast.org/.

More than 90% of U.S. waters, including Florida waters, are in the federal programs slated for oil and gas drilling and leasing, Hunter Miller, Oceana campaign organizer for the Florida Gulf Coast, told the group, adding that the Florida delegation is united against the practice.

The cities of Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach, as well as the Manatee County Commission, have expressed their opposition to plans to expand offshore drilling by passing resolutions, joining nearly 100 cities and towns across Florida.

Oceana is now calling on the Senate to make the legislation a reality and permanently protect U.S. coasts from the threat of expanded offshore drilling activities.

The “vote to permanently ban offshore drilling underscores the strength of bipartisan opposition to President Trump’s radical drilling plan. Opening nearly all our waters to dirty and dangerous drilling is out of touch with every East and West coast governor,” Hoskins said in a press release.

“Offshore drilling threatens our fishing, tourism and recreation industries and everyone who calls the coast home. But the fight is not over, and we must not give up until permanent protections are established or President Trump’s plan is officially off the table.”

“I have consistently opposed drilling off the coast of Florida and was a co-sponsor of the bill that passed permanently banning all drilling off the Gulf Coast,” Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) said in a press release.

“This bill also included my amendment to restore critical safety regulations adopted in response to Deepwater Horizon. As Floridians know all too well, an oil spill can devastate a regional economy and inflict long-term environmental damage. Southwest Florida is blessed with some of the world’s greatest natural treasures. We cannot allow our beaches, wildlife and way of life to be threatened by another oil spill.”

Related coverage

Oil drilling prohibited in Florida waters

Oil drilling off, then back on ballot

TDC members consider Mote funding request

TDC members consider Mote funding request

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Longboat Key, Manatee County.

MANATEE COUNTY – Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium’s leadership is hoping for some funds from the Manatee County Tourist Development Council but TDC members are unsure that they can meet the $5 million request.

Dan Bebak, vice president of Aquarium, Education and Outreach at Mote, appeared before TDC members during a Sept. 16 meeting to ask for $5 million in funding spread over three years. The request includes $2 million in fiscal year 2020, $1.75 million in fiscal year 2021 and $1.25 million in fiscal year 2022.

If TDC members vote to approve the funding, followed by a vote of approval from Manatee County Commissioners and the potential approval of a budget amendment for the TDC, Bebak said the funds would go toward proposed expenditures at the Mote City Island campus. The City Island campus is expected to become a science and learning center when the new Mote aquarium is built adjacent to Nathan Benderson Park near the University Town Center Mall in Sarasota.

Proposed expenditures include estuary excursions, environmental kayaking experiences, behind-the-scenes science education opportunities, classroom technology, digital learning access, the development of an augmented reality aquarium tour, animal and exhibit care, guest experience enhancement and other upgrades at Mote.

Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore said she doesn’t believe that Manatee County has ever had much of a brand or advertising presence with Mote and it’s something that she’d like to see happen in the future. Before it does though, she said she’d like to see more detail from Mote concerning where the funds would be going. She also said that she’d like to see Manatee County represented in both the City Island science center on Longboat Key and in the new aquarium when it’s built.

TDC funds must be spent on specific endeavors to encourage tourism to Manatee County. One way in which funds can be spent is to buy advertising and another is to create an exhibit or event that drives people to the area. Either way, the TDC needs to see a return on the funds in the form of economic impact to Manatee County.

TDC member and Anna Maria Commissioner Doug Copeland said he questions spending $5 million on advertising to a group of people who are already in the area.

Bebak said that of Mote’s annual memberships, 58% come from Manatee and Sarasota counties with the remainder from other areas. Of the total attendance numbers, 13% come from Manatee County, 18% come from Sarasota County and 69% come from other areas. Of that 69%, 12% come from a drivable range of eight surrounding counties and 88% come from outside of that drivable area.

“In my heart, I support the cause,” Whitmore said, adding that she needs to see how the funds will benefit Manatee County to help her and other county commissioners to justify the expense to residents.

Bradenton Mayor Wayne Poston said he was also not prepared to vote on the funding request at the Sept. 16 meeting.

“I love the concept. We have a lot of asks right now,” he said. “The devil’s in the details and we need the details. Convince me.”

TDC members voted to have representatives from Mote come back at a future meeting to present a budget of how funds would be used and ideas on how those funds would benefit Manatee County tourism.

WMFR approves budget, assessment rate

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

BRADENTON – West Manatee Fire Rescue (WMFR) has an approved budget and an approved assessment rate increase for the 2019-20 fiscal year.

Commissioners met at the district’s administrative offices Sept. 10 to host a public hearing for both the budget and the assessment rate. No members of the public chose to speak during the public hearing. Commissioners voted unanimously to certify the district’s tax roll, approve the budget and increase the fire assessment for both residential and commercial properties.

Residential property owners can expect to see a 1.65% increase, a $3.09 increase in the base rate bringing it to $190.57 for the first 1,000 square feet of a home. The rate for square footage over 1,000 square feet is being raised from $0.1106 to $0.1124. The total assessment rate for a 2,000 square foot home is increasing from $298.08 to $303, a difference of $1.92.

Residential homes make up the majority of the properties in WMFR’s district, which stretches from the Gulf of Mexico on the west, Tampa Bay to the north, Longboat Key to the south and city of Bradenton to the east. The district includes unincorporated Manatee County, Palma Sola, Cortez, Bradenton Beach, Anna Maria and Holmes Beach.

Commercial property assessment rates will be increasing 5% to help the district come in line with the rates charged by other surrounding fire districts. The base rate for commercial properties is increasing from $451.07 to $473.62 for the first 1,000 square feet of the building. The remaining square footage will be charged at a rate of $0.2051, totaling a $32.32 increase for a 2,000 square foot commercial building.

The increased assessment rates are estimated to bring in around $144,203 in increased revenue for the district. The funds are planned to be used to assist in launching the district’s non-transport advanced life support service at all three stations, purchase a new fire engine and begin work on the district’s new permanent administration building.

The district’s proposed total revenue for the coming fiscal year, beginning Oct. 1, is $7,660,461 with $74,900 used in impact fees and $1,910,873 used of reserves to total $9,646,234 in expenses with $4,329,953 left in reserves.

An expense carried to the district’s next board meeting is the matter of offering an honorarium to the chaplain. Commissioner David Bishop brought up the idea a month after the district’s new chaplain was sworn in during the August board meeting. After not having a chaplain for 12 years, he said he thinks an honorarium would be appropriate to demonstrate the importance of the position to district staff and firefighters.

“I think it’s a valuable resource,” he said. “I just think it’s the right thing to do.

Commissioner George Harris agreed, saying, “The chaplain’s role is essential,” to the district staff.

Commissioner Al Robinson suggested offering $100 per month. A decision is expected during the October board meeting.

Commissioners are also considering how they want to handle a new cancer bill that was recently passed by the state legislature and went into effect July 1, 2019. Under the new bill, any firefighter who is diagnosed with one of 21 different kinds of cancer within 10 years of leaving the fire service is eligible for a $25,000 cash payout and for their out of pocket treatment expenses to be covered by their fire district.

Commissioners discussed purchasing insurance at a cost of $70 per firefighter, totaling $3,000 annually, to cover any of the $25,000 payouts that the district might be required to pay. They also discussed extending the program to recent retirees, something that is not specified in the legislation. In order to qualify for benefits, firefighters must have served in the fire service for at least five years prior to diagnosis.

The discussion is expected to continue at the Oct. 15 board meeting.

Related coverage

WMFR celebrates life with Phoenix Awards

WMFR 2019-20 assessment rates set

WMFR board considers building construction

2019-20 budget jumps first hurdle

2019-20 budget jumps first hurdle

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

HOLMES BEACH – City leaders are one step closer to having an approved budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year beginning Oct. 1.

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the first reading of the proposed budget and millage rate during a Sept. 11 special meeting. The final budget public hearing will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m.

Though city leaders tried to keep the millage rate at the rollback rate of 2.1226 mills, city Treasurer Lori Hill said that with the city’s additional expenses in saving for Bert Harris cases, adding to the funds for stormwater and flooding prevention and other projects, she recommended commissioners approve a 2.25 millage rate.

Though the millage rate is the same as the previous year, it does result in a 6% increase over the previous year due to increases in property values in Holmes Beach.

With carryover and reserves, Hill said the budget ends up at a total of $16,967,913. Out of that number, $6,188,036 is in carryover and reserves with the remaining $10,779,877 in departmental expenditures.

Expenses for the mayor and commission are expected to top out at $184,106 with general government expenditures of $1,796,851. Expenditures for code compliance are budgeted at $476,464. Expenses for the police department are expected at $3,410,457 with public works budgeting $1,830,381, the building department at $912,279, stormwater utility expenses at $1,281,289, fifth-cent gas tax expenditures of $520,800, and the half-cent discretionary tax expenditures at $367,250. Several categories include a contingency fund which Hill said would be added to the carryover amount at the end of the year if the funds are not used.

Related coverage

Holmes Beach budget questions answered

Holmes Beach budget talks begin

Auction to benefit Turtle Watch

Auction to benefit Turtle Watch

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

HOLMES BEACH – Enjoy live music, live and silent auctions and good food at the Second Annual Turtle Watch Wednesday on Sept. 25 from 4-6 p.m. at Hurricane Hanks, 5346 Gulf Drive.

A Paradise Realty and Vacation Rentals are teaming up with Hurricane Hanks again to raise funds for the not-for-profit Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring organization, which documents sea turtle and shorebird nesting and hatching on the Island.

If You Go

Who: Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring

What: Turtle Watch Wednesday

When: Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 4-6 p.m.

Where: Hurricane Hanks, 5346 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach

Why: Bid on cool gifts while helping raise funds for Turtle Watch

The first 75 guests will receive a free drink ticket, and Hurricane Hanks will offer 50 percent discounts on appetizers, donating $1 for every food and drink item sold during the event.

Live auction to benefit Turtle Watch
This Robert Wyland photograph on canvas will be among the items auctioned to benefit Turtle Watch on Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 4-6 p.m. at Hurricane Hanks.

Mike Sales will provide live music during the event, which features a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle and special T-shirts available for a $20 donation.

The silent auction will feature items from more than 50 local businesses and will include jewelry, clothing, dolphin tours, gift cards to restaurants, home furnishings and much more.

The live auction will include a Robert Wyland giclee on canvas of a sea turtle in Hawaii worth more than $1,000. The numbered and signed print is #44 in a series of 750.

The print was donated by a North Carolina resident who has visited Anna Maria Island several times and follows Turtle Watch and Island activities on Facebook.

“I sit in North Carolina and covet AMI!” said Jeannie Sowers, who will be attending the fundraiser as part of a birthday/anniversary trip to the Island.

Last year’s inaugural Turtle Watch Wednesday event drew 300 people and raised about $3,000. This year’s funds will be used for turtle-friendly lighting and community education about the importance of following turtle lighting laws to keep nesting mothers and hatching turtles from becoming disoriented.

Turtle Watch has documented more than 50 disorientations of turtle mothers and hatchlings so far this season, Fox said. More than 90 turtle nests are still on the beach waiting to hatch between now and the end of the season on Oct. 31.

“We have lights that will keep both turtles and people safe,” she said, adding that the funds raised at the event will help purchase more.

One educational aide in the works is a placemat for kids to color while families enjoy local restaurants. Anna Maria Island Sun cartoonist Steven Borggren is working on the design, which will include Mr. and Mrs. Foster Dribbles and their cat, Tobert, from his cartoon, Beach Nutz, published weekly in The Sun.

The Sun and J & J Graphics are co-sponsors of Turtle Watch Wednesday.

To donate silent auction items or for more information, please call Sharon Hoatland at 941-737-3642.

Related coverage

Turtle Watch Wednesday returns

Turtle Watch, resort working to improve lighting

Turtle Watch volunteers ready for season

Castles in the Sand

Luxury ain’t what it used to be

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

Did you ever feel sorry for the really wealthy real estate owners? Well, we’re at a point in time when there might be just cause for feeling sorry for them because like all sellers, when your market is slow everyone deserves some sympathy.

Wealthy buyers are pulling back from some of the most expensive housing markets in the country. Toll Brothers Inc., the nation’s largest publicly traded luxury-home builder said that purchase agreements fell 3% from a year earlier, worse than the expected 1% predicted.

A large slice of this decline is concentrated in California where homes under contract had an average price of $1.74 million in the last quarter. Toll Brothers further indicated their orders in California tumbled 36% from a year earlier.

Some of this decline in the luxury market, in California at least, is the Chinese buyers that are pulling back from the market combined with the federal tax overall limiting deductions for property taxes and mortgage interest. However, what happens in California may stay in California since Palm Beach, Florida recently had a record sale of over $100 million.

In addition, low interest rates, wage growth and record low unemployment rates are moving first time buyers into the market, creating a demographic shift in the lower price ranges. The luxury market is adversely affected by an improving lower end market since all real estate markets are interconnected.

That said, let’s take a look at the three-month analysis of properties selling over $1 million on Anna Maria Island and in Cortez for May, June and July. Closed sales are compiled from the Manatee County Property Appraisers Office and available properties from realtor.com as of this writing.

Cortez did not close any $1 million or over properties during May, June and July. In the prior analysis, there were two sales.

The city of Anna Maria closed 13 properties at $1 million or over, ranging from $3,395,000 to $1,075,000. The last three-month analysis showed 14 properties closed in this price range.

Finally, the combined cities of Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach closed 14 properties $1 million or over during May, June and July, ranging from $3,725,000 to $1,000,000. The last analysis showed 19 closings.

Currently on the market or pending in Cortez, there are six $1 million or over properties. For the last analysis, there were five.

The city of Anna Maria has 48 properties either available or in contract ranging from $5,500,000 to just above $1 million. Besides the highest listing, there are two over $4 million, five over $3 million, 12 over $2 million and the balance below $2 million. The last analysis had 60 properties listed.

Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach currently have 69 properties either available or in contract ranging from $599,000 to $1,149,000. Three are over $5 million, three are over $4 million, two are over $3 million, 15 are over $2 million and the balance are under $2 million. The last analysis had 68 comparable properties.

If the luxury market is falling off generally around the country price-wise, Anna Maria Island is not listening, at least not yet.

These continue to be pretty impressive numbers for a small island and an even smaller fishing village. And as noted in this paper previously, Cortez is the second least affordable place to live in Florida, according to a study by UnitedSatesZipCodes.org. First place goes to Boca Grande. To be fair, the rankings are determined by calculating several factors and Cortez being a small area with many high-priced homes certainly contributes to this calculation.

See you again in three months. In the meantime, it’s okay to feel sorry for the very wealthy – the little darlings.

More Castles in the Sand:

The fun and not-so-fun of selling a home

The fun and not-so-fun of buying a home

The challenges of inheriting a house

Bowlers escape the heat as they support The Center

Bowlers escape the heat as they support The Center

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Bowling, Featured, Sports.

This year’s LaPensee Plumbing, Pools & Air bowling tournament at Bowlero was the most successful to date, according to The Center’s Director Chris Culhane.

Culhane estimated they would gross approximately $18,000 with 272 registered bowlers enjoying the tournament on 54 lanes in the air-conditioned comfort of Bowlero.

One team came to compete and compete they did. The Salty Dolphin team took team honors with a team score of 2,030. Homebridge came in second with 1,991.

Salty Dolphin’s Joey Newell won top male series with a score of 596. The top female was was Stephanie Borkowski with a score of 457, and Kieran Cloutier was the top kid with a 293. The lowest scorers were: male, Remy Gonzalez with 218; and female, Denice Johnson with 157.

Beach House Real Estate won the costume contest dressing like the Harlem Globetrotters.

Raffle winners were 50/50 – Lauren Collins, who donated her $570 winnings back to The Center; Beach Bums’ paddleboard – Janae Rudacille; Rice’s grill – Dave Welch; Olive Oil Outpost basket– Mark Short; booze basket – Sam Pakbaz; spa basket – Christine Hicks; fishing basket – Giselle Brock; fitness basket – Elsa Rohow; Sandbar basket – Mark Short; Surf Shop basket – Jana Samuels.

Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore, Karen LaPensee, Center board member David Zaccagnino and Mike LaPensee at the LaPensee Bowling Tournament Saturday night at Bowlero in Bradenton. - Tom Vaught | Sun

Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore, Karen LaPensee, Center board member David Zaccagnino and Mike LaPensee at the LaPensee Bowling Tournament Saturday night at Bowlero in Bradenton. - Tom Vaught | Sun

Sarah Evans, Lacey Lloyd Jones, Susanne Arbanas, Shauna Ruby and Jake Rodgers were very Island-y as they represented Waterline Marina Resort and Beach Club. - Tom Vaught | Sun

Sarah Evans, Lacey Lloyd Jones, Susanne Arbanas, Shauna Ruby and Jake Rodgers were very Island-y as they represented Waterline Marina Resort and Beach Club. - Tom Vaught | Sun

Bowlers from Beach House Real Estate won the costume contest at the bowling tournament dressed like the Harlem Globetrotters. - Submitted

Bowlers from Beach House Real Estate won the costume contest at the bowling tournament dressed like the Harlem Globetrotters. - Submitted

The Darcie Duncan team came out in force and had a lot of fun, they said. - Tom Vaught | Sun

The Darcie Duncan team came out in force and had a lot of fun, they said. - Tom Vaught | Sun

Andrea Powell, Amanda Cornett, Eric Pullen, Chelsa Braun and Sara Evens were very colorful as they bowled for AMI Locals vacation rentals. - Tom Vaught | Sun

Andrea Powell, Amanda Cornett, Eric Pullen, Chelsa Braun and Sara Evens were very colorful as they bowled for AMI Locals vacation rentals. - Tom Vaught | Sun

 

Palma Sola Bay

Palma Sola water quality compromised

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Environment, Outdoors.

BRADENTON – The south side of Palma Sola Bay continues to test positive for moderate levels of enterococcus bacteria from fecal matter, according to the Florida Department of Health.

The moderate level has persisted since Aug. 26. Poor water quality was discovered on Aug. 12 and 13, briefly improving on Aug. 19.

That afternoon, an estimated 180,000 of reclaimed water spilled at 59th Street West and 21st Avenue West near Blake Medical Center when a contractor struck a water line, causing reclaimed water to rush down the street into a storm drain that leads to the bay, according to a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) report.

A health advisory at Bayfront Park in Anna Maria has been lifted since water samples tested good on Sept. 3, the most recent water test available. Poor readings on Aug. 26 and 28 prompted the advisory.

The Florida Healthy Beaches Program uses a three-point scale – poor, moderate and good – in evaluating water safety. Tests detect the presence of enterococci – bacteria that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, which can be an indication of fecal pollution.

The bacteria may originate from sewer pipe breaks, stormwater runoff, wildlife, pets or horses.

The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council asked DEP and the Pinellas County Commission in June to ban recreational horseback riding in Tampa Bay along the Sunshine Skyway Bridge causeway to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus from horse waste. Some of the same horses that are rented at the Skyway also carry tourists up and down beaches on the Palma Sola Bay Causeway and swim in Palma Sola Bay. The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program and Keep Manatee Beautiful also have expressed concerns about horse waste in the bay.

If fecal pollution is ingested while swimming or penetrates the skin through cuts, it can cause infections, rashes and disease, according to the health department.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommended that states adopt the bacterial testing as a saltwater quality indicator. According to EPA studies, enterococci have a greater correlation with swimming-associated gastrointestinal illness in both marine and fresh waters than other bacterial indicator organisms and are less likely to die off in saltwater.

Related coverage

Letters: Horses on the causeway

Horses not allowed on Gulf beaches

Concerns raised over horse waste in bay

Family and friends on the gridiron: Gulfview bests Moss Builders

Family and friends on the gridiron: Gulfview bests Moss Builders

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Football, Sports.

As the years go by and players become more than just teammates, team rosters put close friends and family members in a battle against each other on the flag football field at The Center.

Gulfview Windows and Doors, captained by Ryan Moss, went head-to-head against Moss Builders, Moss’ family-owned and operated custom home construction company.

On the other side of the football last Thursday night, team Moss Builders, led by Ray Gardner, played with Jon Moss and Ed Moss in a hard fought loss.

In most recent seasons, Ryan Moss frequently finds himself on the opposing team of brother Jon. Ed typically finds himself wearing the same jersey as son Ryan, but not this season.

Going into the game, both teams had 3-2 records. Each squad looking to overtake the other in the season ranking and move on into the playoffs.

Taking the early lead, Gulfview’s Brandin Holcomb scored the first of three touchdowns in the game. With the extra point, the scoreboard posted a 7-0 lead for R. Moss’ skillful team.

Moss Builders took the football back down the field for a score of its own by Jordan DeMers. The lightning speed of rusher Tyler Lancaster resulted in a sack, preventing the point after and leaving the score at 7-6.

On offense, R. Moss got the ball to the solid hands of Dina Calvary, gaining short yardage before the flag pull by Moss Builders’ Lexi Sato.

Having his best game of the season, Holcomb made a beautiful reception with long yardage after and a trip past the goal line.

After putting rushing yardage in the stats book, Gardner made a beautiful reception on a long pass by J. Moss. Holcomb’s flag pull prevented the touchdown in the no run zone.

Moss took the next snap, quickly getting the football to Gardner behind the line of scrimmage. Gardner found J. Moss open in the end zone for a touchdown. Once again, Moss Builders could not convert, leaving the score at 13-12.

Moss hit his targets, DeMers and Lancaster for first down yardage after an amazing diving catch by Lancaster.

Sato’s sack of R. Moss took the game to second down.

Under immense pressure by the rusher, R. Moss hit Holcomb in the end zone with Nick Sato around his hips for his third touchdown catch.

The score remained at 19-12 with the incomplete pass to Lancaster for the point after.

Going back on offense, Gardner found N. Sato near midfield with 6.8 seconds left on the game clock for the first half of play. The next pass to N. Sato was not catchable, ending the half with Gulfview ahead by seven points.

Moss Builders started the last 20 minutes of the game on offense, but could not get into the end zone. Gulfview took over on downs and started with another nice catch by Calvary.

Speedy L. Sato once again snagged the flag off of QB R. Moss for another sack. With a short first down toss to Holcomb, it appeared that N. Sato made the stop short of the midfield line, but the referees made the first down call.

The first down gave Gulfview three tries to get across the goal line. DeMer’s touchdown catch advanced the score to 25-12.

Holcomb’s one point conversion catch, with defender Gardner in his face, gave Gulfview a 14-point lead.

With 12 minutes left on the game clock, both teams knew there was plenty of time left in the game with these two teams on the field.

It became a defense battle, as Moss Builders struggled on offense. J. Moss worked behind the center as the quarterback with the long strides of Jake Parsons hot on his heels.

Moss hit L. Sato for a seven-yard gain before the flag pull by R. Moss.

Gardner had a catch and run of his own, but Lancaster’s defensive play prevented the first down.

On the next snap of the football, J. Moss and Gardner played with the Gulfview defense with tosses behind the line of scrimmage before getting the football to Chad Woods. R. Moss stopped Woods’ forward progress, but not before getting the first down.

Moss gained 10 yards of his own with a solid catch. Parsons returned to the rushing position to pester Gardner, causing him to overthrow Woods in the end zone.

Gulfview took over on downs with nine minutes left in the game.

Calvary got the call two plays in a row with solid catches and yards after. R. Moss found one of his favorite receivers and close friend DeMers open right at midfield for the first down.

With L. Sato chasing in the backfield, Gulfview was called for a seven-second violation, as R. Moss could not get the throw off in time.

On second down, the long throw by R. Moss was intended for DeMers. The impeccable defensive timing of Gardner and his vertical leaping ability put him step for step with DeMers, putting him in the position to bat the football down.

Gulfview was given a warning on its first delay of game penalty. Needing to get into the end zone, R. Moss could not find an open man as the Moss Builders’ defense played strong, resulting in another delay of game penalty.

Under the pressure of the clock, Gardner threw a beautiful pass to Woods for the first down. Parsons rushing game against J. Moss resulted in an incomplete pass with R. Moss and Calvary colliding in the middle of the field.

Moss had a nice catch and significant yards after for statistics of his own with very little time left in the matchup.

Gardner could not reach his receiver with his pass to Woods with Parsons on his heels once again, giving the football back to Gulfview.

The Moss-DeMers combination took the football down the field for positive yards before the Gardner flag pull.

A second seven-second violation was called on Gulfview with N. Sato as the Moss rusher, leaving one minute on the game clock.

Changing things up, Lancaster threw the long pass to DeMers. Unwilling to quit, Gardner matched up against the taller, bigger receiver. With perfect timing and skill, Gardner prevented the catch, giving his team the football one last time with seconds left in the game.

Emotions were high on the field as Lancaster played solid defense against N. Sato. Unintentional contact escalated, resulting in both players leaving the game.

In the pass only zone, J. Moss was sacked by Parsons, credited with his only official sack of the game.

The clock was running as Gardner found Mike Gillum for the first down catch. On the next play, J. Moss got the call and managed to outrun and outmaneuver Gulfview defenders who could not pull his flag.

Moss Builders called a timeout with 0.8 seconds left in the game and one play left to score and end the game with more points on the scoreboard.

Sato’s snap to Gardner gave her time to run her route and get open. The throw to L. Sato was batted by a Gulfview defender to end the game with the score at 26-12.

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Local first responders offer Hurricane Dorian assistance

Local first responders offer Hurricane Dorian assistance

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

ORLANDO – Anna Maria Island didn’t feel the effects of Hurricane Dorian, but Manatee County’s first responders didn’t take it easy as the storm swept by Florida’s east coast. First responders from around the state gathered supplies and equipment and journeyed to Orlando to gather at a staging area and await deployment to any areas hit hard by the storm.

Manatee County sent 28 first responder volunteers along with fire engines and other equipment to Orlando to await deployment. Participating departments include East Manatee Fire Rescue, North River Fire Rescue, Southern Manatee Fire Rescue, Bradenton Fire Rescue, Longboat Key Fire Rescue, Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue and West Manatee Fire Rescue which sent fire engine 131 along with firefighters Clayton Lease and Paul Hopkins.

Strike teams gathered for staging Sept. 3. With Florida being spared the hurricane’s wrath, the strike teams were not needed for hurricane relief efforts in Florida, and Manatee County’s team returned to the west coast Sept. 5.

In the event of a natural disaster, strike teams are formed with first responder volunteers to go into badly affected areas of the state and provide relief by helping in recovery efforts, assisting local first responders with rescue and fire response efforts and distributing supplies to local residents, among other assistance efforts.

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Commissioners reject salary increase

Commissioners reject salary increase

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

HOLMES BEACH – With Commissioner Pat Morton absent, a motion to give city commissioners a $250 per month stipend raise failed on a tie.

At the suggestion of the 2019 Charter Review Commission, city Commissioner Carol Soustek brought up the idea of giving the city’s commissioners a small raise, bringing their monthly stipend up from $500 to $750. The stipend amount was last raised in 2007. Any change in the stipend amount wouldn’t affect what the sitting commissioners are compensated for the elected position. A current commissioner’s stipend would only be changed after he or she is re-elected. It would also affect any newly elected commissioners.

If the change in stipend amount had been accepted by commissioners, it would have resulted in an annual raise of $3,000 to $9,000 annually or $750 per month. Commissioners currently receive a monthly stipend of $500 for their service to the city.

“I think this is very warranted to those who take their job very seriously,” Soustek said. “It’s not a small job anymore; it’s a big job.” She added that increasing the stipend would show more respect for the hours commissioners spend researching and preparing for city meetings in order to make the best decisions they can for the residents.

“Commissioners are not just a face anymore,” she said. “It’s a job, and you have to do it if you really want to fulfill your promise as a commissioner.”

Commissioner Jim Kihm agreed with Soustek, adding that he felt the city should keep up with what other cities of their size are offering commissioners and that raising the amount of the stipend could encourage more people to run for a seat on the dais.

Commissioner Rick Hurst disagreed with the idea of increasing the stipend to encourage future commission candidates to run for elected office.

“My opinion on this is that I didn’t run for the money,” he said, adding that he doesn’t want to encourage future candidates to run based on the compensation they would receive if elected.

“I’m doing it strictly to serve the residents of Holmes Beach,” Commissioner Kim Rash said, agreeing with Hurst that he didn’t want people to run for office because of a financial incentive. “I just do it because I love Holmes Beach,” he said.

With Soustek and Kihm voting for the raise and Rash and Hurst voting against it, the motion to raise the commissioners’ stipend failed on a tie without Morton there to break it.

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Anna Maria liquor ordinance explained

Anna Maria liquor ordinance explained

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

ANNA MARIA – A memo City Attorney Becky Vose sent Mayor Dan Murphy clarifies the city commission’s recent decision to not amend the city’s liquor ordinance.

The potential amendment drafted by Vose and discussed at a special commission meeting on Thursday, Aug. 29, could have paved the way for Brian Seymour to open a takeout package liquor store next to his Anna Maria General Store.

City ordinance currently prohibits liquor sales within 2,500 feet of a church. The draft ordinance language Vose drafted provided the commission the means to allow liquor sales within 2,500 feet of the Roser Memorial Community Church if it wished to do so.

Located across the street from the church on Pine Avenue, Seymour’s general store already sells takeout beer and wine for off-site consumption.

Anna Maria liquor ordinance
A liquor store will not be allowed at this Pine Avenue property that also houses the newly remodeled Island Charms retail store. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Seymour planned to open his package liquor store next door to his general store in one side of the newly divided two-unit retail space that also houses the Island Charms retail store. Island Charms plans to reopen this week in the other side of the recently reconfigured retail space.

Vose opinion

Vose sent Murphy her memo to Murphy on Tuesday, Aug. 27, but the legal opinions contained in that memo were not discussed in detail during the special meeting held later that week.

Vose’s legal opinion contrasted the opinion City Planner Robin Meyer provided Seymour via email on Monday, Aug. 26. In that email, Meyer stated his opinion that the sale of alcohol to be consumed off-premises is a normal retail sale and is not covered by the city ordinance. Citing Florida Statute 563.02, Meyer’s email also said state law clearly states that licensing is different for establishments that sell alcohol for off-premise consumption.

“It is my interpretation of this section that the city must treat any business selling alcohol for consumption off-premises as a normal retail use, and we are banned by state law from placing any other restrictions on them,” Meyer’s email said.

Meyer included a copy of the state statute law he referenced but failed to note that it applied to beer and malt beverages only.

In her memo, Vose addressed Meyer’s email to Seymour.

“I have reviewed the following email from the city planner and have researched the applicable city code provisions and Florida Statutes. The opinion rendered in the email is incorrect. The Florida Statute quoted in the city planner’s opinion only and exclusively refers to the sales of beer and malt beverages. Chapter 563 of the Florida Statutes deals exclusively with beer and malt beverages, not liquor as dealt with in other portions of the Florida Statutes,” she wrote.

“The correct answer to Mr. Seymour’s question is that the package sale of liquor is currently not permitted within 2,500 feet of a church in the city of Anna Maria due to the legally enforceable provision of the Anna Maria city code,” Vose’s memo concluded.

During the Aug. 29 special commission meeting, it was noted an exception for onsite liquor consumption was previously granted to the Waterfront restaurant. It was also noted Bortell’s Lounge – which remains closed – was grandfathered in and allowed to continue serving and selling liquor because it predates the ordinance adopted in the late 1980s.

After commissioners Carol Carter, Doug Copeland, Amy Tripp and Dale Woodland rendered their unanimous decision, Seymour was later able to get out of his contractual obligations regarding the purchase of a liquor license and the long-term lease of the additional retail space.

Citing the need to focus more time on his business ventures and his personal life, Seymour also resigned from the city commission after three years of service.

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City leaders consider stormwater fee increases

City leaders consider stormwater fee increases

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

HOLMES BEACH – With costs for stormwater improvements throughout the city ongoing and increasing, City Engineer Lynn Burnett proposed to commissioners that they consider an increase in stormwater utility fees.

Stormwater utility fees are paid by property owners based on the size of their property. Currently, a fee of $1.68 is charged per 100 square feet of property.

Burnett said city leaders had planned a gradual increase over several years of 25% per year. She said that option is still on the table with fees increasing from $1.68 to $2.10 per 100 square feet of property in 2020.

A second option is to raise rates in 2020 to the planned five-year amount of $4.10 per 100 square feet. The third option is to increase to the final planned amount of $4.40 per 100 square feet of property in 2020 and then hold the rate at that amount for as long as possible.

The third option would represent a nearly 262% increase in stormwater utility fees for property owners, but Burnett said that either the second or third option would help the city close the gap between the cost of resiliency and stormwater improvements and the funding currently planned to be received for those projects.

At the planned 25% increase to $2.10, she said the city would be carrying a deficit over the next several years until fees increased to the point where all of the costs would be covered. If city leaders opt for the third option, an increase to $4.40, she said the deficit would end in the coming fiscal year.

If city leaders agree to an increase, the funds would not be collected until the beginning of 2021. Burnett said stormwater fees are collected in arrears so a change taking effect for the new fiscal year wouldn’t appear on property owners’ trim notices until fall 2020 and would not be due until property taxes are paid in late 2020 and distributed to municipalities in early 2021.

With new stormwater infiltration trenches needed, outflow pipes underneath city streets failing and seawalls buckling that are beyond their serviceable years, Burnett said the city needs protection to lessen flooding from storms, rising sea levels and high tide events such as king tides.

She said the city has numerous projects that need completing now, not down the road when future funds become available. Once commissioners agree on a number for the stormwater utility fee increase, she said she could come back with a vulnerability assessment and a plan of attack to begin construction on the highest priority areas.

Commissioner Jim Kihm said he would like to see more information from Burnett with details of what projects need to be completed when before he commits to a fee increase. He said he also wants to determine what effect an increase will have on Holmes Beach property owners before making a decision.

Commissioner Rick Hurst added that he wants to see what the total expenses are that the city is looking at before funds are committed to the projects.

“I just can’t slam the residents with that kind of increase,” Commissioner Carol Soustek said, of taking the maximum increase to $4.40. “I just can’t do it.”

Mayor Judy Titsworth said the fees charged to property owners are based on a need, and she wants to see what need Burnett is planning for. If there is a shortfall, she said she doesn’t see the city going into debt and then having to charge property owners for the finance fees incurred on a loan. She said she’d like to see what projects can be covered by the $4.10 fee and which additional projects could be covered by the increase to a $4.40 fee. Commissioner Kim Rash agreed, saying that he wants to see an expense versus fee amount comparison report.

Burnett agreed to come back before commissioners at a planned Oct. 22 meeting with further details.

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