David Vickers has been sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole in the death of 16-month-old Luca Scholey on Aug. 21, 2017.
Vickers was found guilty of second-degree murder and neglect of a child with great bodily harm in the death of the child.
Vickers was babysitting Luca and his sister for their mother, Melissa Scholey, when he called EMS to report the boy was not breathing. The child was flown to All Children’s Hospital where he died.
According to the Holmes Beach police report, Vickers said Luca had run into his sister while playing, but an autopsy showed signs of physical abuse, including broken ribs in stages of healing.
ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria hosted its third annual Memorial Day Patriotic Salute this morning under the shade structure at City Pier Park.
“It’s a very special day for us in the city of Anna Maria. I welcome each and every one of you,” Mayor Dan Murphy said as the ceremony began.
Rev. Neil Crowell from the Roser Memorial Community Church then gave the invocation.
“What a joy it is to be here in a free land. Lord, we know freedom is not free. It comes very costly, at the lives of our service men and women. Thank you, Lord, for their great sacrifice and we honor them today,” Crowell said.
Murphy introduced the Anna Maria City Commission and thanked them for purchasing the property known as City Pier Park.
“It’s a wonderful asset for the city to have,” he said as Commissioner Doug Copeland passed out small American flags.
“What a joy it is to be here in a free land. Lord, we know freedom is not free.” – Rev. Neil Crowell, Roser Memorial Community Church
“We have a special guest with us today: President of the Florida Senate, Senator Bill Galvano. Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore is with us as well,” Murphy said.
He also recognized the other elected officials in attendance.
“Our city had two challenges facing us this year: threats to home rule in the Florida Legislature and funding to build our City Pier. Our two state legislators (Galvano and State Rep. William Robinson Jr.) were successful in helping us address both of these challenges. They supported us with home rule and they provided us with funding for the pier that you can see being built across the street,” Murphy said.
Murphy asked Galvano to come forward and be presented with a key to the city.
“On behalf of the city of Anna Maria we thank you for everything you did,” Murphy said.
Galvano said he grew up in New York and first visited Anna Maria when he was four. He said Anna Maria has always been special to him.
“I’m very proud that we have construction going on behind us and I look forward to continuing to support this area and in particular the city of Anna Maria,” Galvano said.
Murphy then noted the Manatee County Commission, the Tourist Development Council and Whitmore also played a major role in funding the pier construction.
When presenting Whitmore with a key to the city, Murphy said, “The city of Anna Maria thanks you so much for your support, and you can just look across the street to see the fruits of your labor.”
“I think he wants more money,” Whitmore joked before noting she’s lived on Anna Maria Island for 50 years and grew up on Pine Avenue.
Military recognition
Murphy directed everyone’s attention to 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion Color Guard from Tampa. Accompanied by drummer Fai Fai Ho from the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra, the Color Guard marched across the street from the direction of the pier and came to a halt by the City Pier Park flagpole.
Assisted by Public Works Manager and retired Marine Dean Jones, Sen. Galvano and his wife Julie participated in a memorial wreath ceremony commemorating those who lost their lives in service to their country, with orchestra member and trumpeter Alan Evans performing “Taps.”
Murphy recognized the spouses and significant others of those who served in the military and then asked the members of each branch of the military to step forward as the orchestra played their respective theme songs.
With the veterans standing side by side, Murphy said, “Thank you very much. I wish I had a key to the city for each one of you.”
He then recognized Sgt. Charles Sport for leading the Color Guard and presented him with a commemorative plaque.
The ceremony concluded with Maestro Leonard Murphy, a Navy veteran, leading the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra through a performance of patriotic songs that began with the “The Star-Spangled Banner” followed by “Stars and Stripes Forever,” “When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again,” and several others.
While the orchestra performed, Mayor Murphy said, “I’m very pleased with the turnout and the public’s reaction. I hope we continue to put on events like this that continue to bring our community together and make people cognizant of the role the military and veterans play in maintaining our freedom.”
When asked about his own service, Murphy said, “I was Vietnam veteran. I operated a boat in the Mekong Delta in 1968 and 1969.”
In appreciation of the city staff, he said, “City staff came through with another remarkable performance. Our next event will be the Fourth of July and our Veterans Day parade in November.”
Jones estimated 500 people attended the Memorial Day Salute.
Drummer Fai Fai Ho and Color Guard members Corp. Taj Canngieter, Sgt. Charles Sport, Sgt. Joy Christian and Sgt. Emerson Walker proceed to the City Pier Park flagpole for the wreath ceremony. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Color Guard leader Sgt. Charles Short receives thanks from Mayor Dan Murphy. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Ninety-six-year-old retired Navy Captain Dr. Carl Voyles and his wife, Joan, were greeted by County Commissioner Carol Whitmore. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Florida state Sen. Bill Galvano received a key to the city from Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Orchestra member Alan Evans performs “Taps” with retired Marine Dean Jones saluting nearby. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Public Works Manager and retired Marine Dean Jones guided Julie and Sen. Bill Galvano through the wreath ceremony. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
It was a happy day May 24 as five newly-trained guide dog teams received their diplomas and graduated from Southeastern Guide Dogs.
The ceremony took place at the T. Pepin Hospitality Center in Tampa and was the final step before the handlers, who received 20 days of immersive training on the Southeastern Guide Dogs Palmetto campus, and their guide dogs, who received two years of training, could go home to start their new lives together. Class #278 included Lisa Murphy and her guide dog Snoopy, Gloria Miller and her guide dog Dougie, Tommy Gagen and his guide dog Isaac, Ronda Shore and her guide dog Giovanni, and Arnold O’Neal and his guide dog Rizzo.
For Shore, Giovanni is her fourth guide dog and for O’Neal, Rizzo is his second guide dog. For Gagen, Murphy and Miller, this is their first time receiving a guide dog.
Prior to being matched with Snoopy, Murphy said she relied on a cane to get around and didn’t find it to be very effective as she still bumped into things.
Lisa Murphy and her new guide dog Snoopy celebrate with Lisa’s family during the May 24 Southeastern Guide Dogs graduation festivities. – Kristin Swain | Sun
“She’s so playful,” Murphy said of Snoopy, who she called her “sidekick for life.”
“She’s a little bit of puppy and I’m a little bit immature so it’s a nice match,” she joked.
“It’s nice to have a sighted guide, like you can go walking with people and holding their elbow and everything like that but to do it on your own, I mean I know you have help from a guide dog but to do it on your own, it’s a lot different. When I was walking down there (with Snoopy) you feel like your head’s picked up, like you can see where you’re going. It’s like a self-esteem boost,” Murphy said of the training program.
For Murphy, the end of the three-week training session at Southeastern Guide Dogs and graduation marked the time for her and Snoopy to go home to Clearwater where Lisa’s family is happy to welcome the new addition.
“I’m excited to have a new member of the family,” Lisa’s daughter Kaylee said of Snoopy coming home. “She’s like my sister.”
Miller said the word “independence” sums up her whole experience with Southeastern Guide Dogs. With Dougie by her side, she said she feels like she’s regained her independence and ability to do daily activities without relying on friends and family. For Miller, she said it took 10 years to work up to getting a guide dog.
“I’m here, I’m at graduation and I’m still pinching myself because I’m actually taking a dog home. Thank you all so much,” she said during the commencement ceremony.
“Southeastern is an extraordinary place,” O’Neal said. “My family and I are just so grateful. It does allow someone to go from a less than ordinary to an extraordinary life when you have a guide dog. It opens up so many opportunities, so I really am just so grateful.”
Southeastern Guide Dogs trains and puts into service more than 150 dogs every year that help with everything from being eyes for people who can’t see to providing emotional support for military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and comforting military families and children who have lost loved ones. All of the services at Southeastern Guide Dogs are provided to clients at no cost. The organization relies solely on private contributions and receives no government funding.
Southeastern Guide Dogs Chief Executive Officer Titus Herman congratulates class #278 on their graduation from training. – Kristin Swain | Sun
Chief Executive Officer Titus Herman said the nonprofit organization has more than 220 dogs in training on their Palmetto campus with around 150 staff members and more than 300 volunteers who help the dogs along from birth through their two years of training. Anna Maria Island residents are probably familiar with some of these volunteers, particularly the puppy raisers who bring guide dogs in training into their homes for a year to socialize the dogs, house train them and teach them everyday skills before the dogs return to the Southeastern Guide Dog campus for the remainder of their training. Each dog undergoes about two years of training before being matched with a handler.
The guide dogs of class #278 were sponsored by puppy naming sponsors IP Capital Partners LLC, Jet Mobile Home Park, LC Industries Foundation, Mastro Brothers Auto Group and Barbara Miller and her sons. Scholarship supporters include Interfaith Social Action Council Inc., Pinellas Optometric Association Inc., and the Raymond George and Ruth Bitner Fisher Foundation. Puppy raisers for this class were Rosemary and Mike Cliburn, Janet Daniels, Tom and Chris Limanni, Haley Smith, Trudy and Kevin Vetter, and Eileen “Annie” Westermann. The commencement ceremony was sponsored by the NLH Family Foundation.
For more information on Southeastern Guide Dogs, call 941-729-5665 or visit their website.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Blue-green algae lingers in local waters, but is non-toxic, unlike some places in Florida, according to a Friday, May 24 report from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
The report shows that blue-green algae was found in Holmes Beach waters on Monday, May 20 in Anna Maria Sound at Key Royale and in the Intracoastal Waterway south of Grassy Point. The same type of algae, filamentous cyanobacteria (Lyngbya-like), also remained in Palma Sola Bay near San Remo Shores. A different type of blue-green algae, Lyngbya majuscule, persists in Sarasota Bay near Whitfield Avenue.
The algae are less prevalent than in the previous May 9 report, according to DEP, which indicated that no toxins have been detected in any of the blue-green algae samples collected in Manatee County through May 20.
Blue-green algae can be blue, green, brown or red and emit a foul, rotten egg odor caused by the production of hydrogen sulfide gas, according to DEP.
Blue-green algae, which can appear brown, was evident near Key Royale on May 9. – Christine Wright | Submitted
The two algae species found in Manatee County waters are not the same species that has plagued Lake Okeechobee, Microcystis aeruginosa, according to DEP. About one-third of Lake Okeechobee may have blue-green algae present, according to the report, which states that the algae can be seen from space.
Of the 22 sites tested statewide from May 17-23 by DEP, seven were positive for toxins. Inland waters in Putnam and St. Johns counties near St. Augustine on Florida’s east coast tested positive for toxic algae, the report shows, citing an unconfirmed report that a dog died after swimming in Lake Broward in Putnam County.
Even non-toxic blooms can harm the environment by depleting oxygen levels in the water column and reducing the amount of light that reaches submerged plants, according to DEP.
The growth of blue-green algae typically increases in the spring and summer months when water temperatures and daylight hours increase.
Red tide report
Background concentrations of red tide were found in water samples off Beer Can Island in Longboat Pass on Sunday, May 19 and 4.6 miles off Coquina Beach in the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday, May 21, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
Background concentrations of the algae that causes Florida red tide, Karenia brevis, have no discernable effects on people or marine life, according to the FWC. However, in very low concentrations and above, red tide cells emit a neurotoxin when they bloom that can cause shellfish closures and respiratory irritation in people, especially those with asthma, COPD or emphysema. In low concentrations and above, red tide can be deadly to marine life.
No fish kills were reported this week.
Very low concentrations of red tide are predicted in Longboat Key waters through at least Monday, May 27, according to the University of South Florida/Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides.
Scientists say that salinity, currents, temperature and light play a part in the formation of red tide blooms, as do nutrients from Florida’s natural phosphate and limestone deposits, Caribbean seawater brought to Florida’s west coast on the Loop Current, the Mississippi River, Saharan dust blown across the Atlantic Ocean to Florida’s waters, and fertilizer and animal waste runoff.
To help keep algae growth at bay, Florida law bans the use of phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizers during the rainy season, June 1 through Sept. 30.
Report algae blooms to DEP at 855-305-3903 or online. Report fish kills to FWC at 800-636-0511.
CORTEZ – Ryan Young and Mike Divietro won the inaugural Nancy Franklin Flippin’ Mullet Open golf tournament that raised more than $16,000 for The Blessing Bags Project that assists homeless children and adults.
Swordfish Grill managers Katrina “Kat” Cox and Greg Koeper organized the tournament in honor of former bar manager Nancy Franklin, who passed away last year after battling cancer.
The two-person, best ball scramble was played Saturday, May 18, at the Pinebrook Ironwood Golf Club in Bradenton. After being paired together because their partners canceled, Young and Divietro collectively shot a 54 on the par 61 course.
“We’re very happy to win this tournament. Nancy Franklin was one of my good friends, and everybody that put on this tournament did a phenomenal job. The course was in great shape, and we’re happy we played as well as we did,” Young said during the afterparty and awards ceremony at the Swordfish Grill and Flippin’ Mullet Sports Bar in Cortez.
“The tournament was excellent, it’s a fun course and everybody had a good time. We knew Nancy and I met her mom today,” Divietro said.
Jerry Gore and Jim Keck shot a 57 to finish second. JoAnn Nevin won the women’s longest drive and closest to the pin contests. Jeff Marx won the men’s closest to the pin contest and Bob LeBlanc won the men’s longest drive contest.
As tournament play ended, Koeper said, “Everyone had a blast. It gives me chills.”
While making his way to the after-party, Swordfish Grill General Manager Bob Slicker said,
“It’s no surprise the tournament was a success because Kat and Greg were involved, and their love for Nancy showed through. It was sold out, and he had more sponsors than we could have hoped for. “On the third hole, people got to golf against me and Kat, and they gave extra money to do that. This tournament truly emphasizes Nancy’s heart. Everyone was happy to be here because of Nancy and The Blessing Bags Project, and we’ll do it again next year,” Slicker said.
Cox said she never organized a golf tournament before. “Everything came together, and it ran very smooth. Everybody said how much fun they had, and almost every golfer contributed above and beyond their entry fee. Before any 50-50 or raffle tickets were sold we raised over $12,000 with the sponsorships and entry fees. That’s pretty amazing – and all in Nancy Franklin’s name,” Cox said.
Gratitude expressed
During the after-party, Blessing Bags Project President Betsy Plante expressed her gratitude for the fundraising efforts. The organization serves the Bradenton-Sarasota area by providing homeless adults with bags filled with personal hygiene products and other necessities.
“We have special bags that we use for our children. They’re cloth bags that are hand-sewn by different organizations all over the country. Seabreeze Mobile Estates in Bradenton just did one hundred bags for us for Easter. In every child’s bag, we try to include an activity book, crayons, a toothbrush, toothpaste, hygiene products and a healthy snack. And every children’s bag gets a Beanie Baby tied to the bag so they have something to hug,” Plante said.
Slicker served as master of ceremonies for the after-party fundraising activities and awards ceremony. He thanked U.S. Foods and other unnamed vendors for providing the golfers with an excellent lunch buffet. He thanked the Pinebrook Ironwood Golf Club for allowing $60 of each $80 entry fee to benefit The Blessing Bags Project.
When thanking the tournament volunteers, Slicker noted Alyssa O’Brien and Jessica Williamson raised $265 selling Jell-O shots at the sixth hole. Franklin’s friend, Nora Davis, sold the Basket of Cheer and 50-50 tickets that contributed significantly to the fundraising efforts. And with Slicker serving as auctioneer, the live auction raised more than $1,000. As karma would have it, O’Brien won the cooler filled with liquor and beer. She also won the $550 50-50 drawing and donated $100 of her winnings to The Blessing Bags Project.
Nancy Franklin’s husband, Brian, and her mom, Sharon Boden, attended the after-party.
“Nancy was always charitable, and she loved The Blessing Bags Project. It’s a special day to have this many friends from Cortez, the Island and west Bradenton come out to honor Nancy’s legacy,” Brian Franklin said.
“I think this is beautiful. Nancy was always giving. When she was in kindergarten, she gave away all her books,” Boden said. As the party ended, Slicker addressed the crowd one last time. “Thank you so much for what you did today. On behalf of Nancy Franklin and your big hearts the real winner here today is The Blessing Bags Project.”
The Anna Maria Island Sun was a sponsor of this event.
HOLMES BEACH – Part of the past was unearthed last week, although it was almost lost forever.
A time capsule, buried in 1994, was unearthed near the school’s auditorium after its location was blurred over time. The Manatee County School Board had to send a tractor to expedite finding it, according to AME Principal Jackie Featherston. “Instead of burying it just a little, it was buried four feet or so,” she told the crowd at the celebration Monday morning, May 20.
A view of the future from 1994 by Shawn LaPensee, now Shawn Shield and a mother herself. – Tom Vaught | Sun
Staff opened the plastic capsule and removed stories students wrote in 1994. Some of those students attended the ceremony and some were parents of students today. Former principal James Kronus attended the ceremony and he was mentioned a lot during the festivities.
The students put on skits for the decades, beginning in 1900 when the school was a single room building in Anna Maria. The witty skits mentioned Kronus as they unfurled another decade.
Former principal James Kronus speaks to the students. – Tom Vaught | Sun
After the ceremony, Kronus said it was great to see everybody and he was fervent about the need to keep the school going, despite the loss of Island residents. Presently, the majority of students live off-Island and attend the Island school through the School Choice program.
The Chattahoochee River has an intimate connection with Florida, one that existed long before I first visited it near its headwaters at Jack’s Knob in northeastern Georgia.
It flows for over 400 miles, merging with the Flint and finally the Apalachicola River at the Florida Georgia border before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico at Apalachicola Bay. Since my first visit nearly 30 years ago, I have enjoyed fishing its upper reaches for rainbow, brown and the occasional brook trout.
Recently, I was introduced to an entirely new fishery by Jimmy Harris, owner of Unicoi Outfitters, and Jeff Durniak, a Trout Unlimited award-winning trout conservationist and Georgia DNR fishery biologist. Striper bass or stripers as they are commonly known are an anadromous (adapted to fresh and saltwater) fish, so in some regions, their upriver spawning migrations led some individuals to become landlocked during lake dam constructions.
Georgia’s Lake Lanier stripers were introduced to control an invasive forage fish. In recent years, abundant rainfall in the southern Appalachians and the subsequent high water has made it possible for populations to travel upstream as far north as the Nora Mill Dam near Helen. As luck would have it, this dam lies right behind Unicoi Outfitters and just 10 minutes from our cabin in Sautee. When I got a text from Harris that he and Durniak were fishing the river for stripers after closing, I jumped at the chance.
While I had heard of fish up to 20 pounds being hooked, I had no idea what to expect. The opportunity to fish with Harris and Durniak was reason enough to don waders that afternoon, but the experience was an eye-opener. We started fishing at the base of the dam at Nora Mill, which forms a barrier to the stripers that migrate up the Chattahoochee from Lake Lanier. This spot, as well as Unicoi Outfitter’s one and a half-mile stretch of the river leading up to it, concentrate the fish on their mission to spawn, search for food and find cooler waters.
I was fishing a seven-weight outfit and a large, flashy baitfish pattern. It only took two casts before I was hooked up with a small striper, and then in quick succession, Harris was hooked up, and then I missed another bigger fish. At Harris’ suggestion, we moved further downriver fishing the deep runs, pools and pockets along the way.
Harris positioned me on a rock that jutted out into the current and showed me how to swing the fly and work it in the swift current. On my third cast, a big striper crashed the fly on the surface and made a downstream run that threatened to have me sprinting after it. Fortunately, I was able to turn him at the last moment, fighting him back upstream from pool to pool. After another two or three spirited runs, we were able to slide the striper up on a shallow ledge where Harris landed and released him. We estimated the fish weighed about 9 pounds.
Jeff Durniak holds a striper taken on the Chattahoochee River just below the Nora Mill Dam. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun
I began to fish the same water again but soon became aware of Harris photographing Durniak, his rod doubled on a nice fish. Hurrying just downstream from the dam, I was able to get some good shots of the striper before it was released. I went back to fishing, but the action had slowed and the light was fading from the river. Durniak and I met Harris as he was returning from the base of the dam where he had hooked a fish that he thought was a rock. After tugging on the obstruction a couple of times, it took off and broke him off. Looking back up at the deck at Nora Mill heath, several bystanders indicated with outstretched arms that the fish had been a big one.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the river and the unexpected action on the stripers made it even more special. It’s always a treat to experience a new fishery and especially one that’s new to even those anglers living nearby. The run of striper just adds to the special nature of a place already on my top 10 list. This is partly about the quality of the fishing but also the level of expertise and professionalism exhibited by those associated with Unicoi Outfitters. To reach Unicoi Outfitters and experience the excellent fishing visit their website or call 706-878-3083.
Heading into the second half of the regular season of the adult co-ed soccer season, Gulfview Windows and Doors, led by Ryan Moss, remains the only undefeated team in the league. Still looking for a win is the team sponsored by Moss Builders and Beach House Real Estate. The game of the week saw Blalock Walters battle against Ross Built Construction.
Playing with his son Jake Ross, Greg Ross’ team took the win. Playing without Stephen Perry, the Blalock team could not match up against the solid Ross squad. Taking the early lead after two minutes of play, Matt Staggs for Blalock Walters, could not stop a rocket shot by Chris Klotz to tie the game. Less than a minute later, Staggs scored another goal for the team of lawyers to move the score to 2-1.
Big man Chris Chicaro made his way toward the goal and stuck hard and fast for the second Ross Built Construction goal. With two goals each, team captain G. Ross made the first of two goals to give his team the lead for the first time of night. Showing his missile strikes, Vince Chicaro, brother of Chris, made the first of three goals in the 12th minute of the game, advancing the score to 2-4. With plenty of energy and talent on the field, the Blalock Walters team continued to fight back.
Matt Staggs for Blalock Walters travels down the soccer field with Ross Built’s Connor Bystrom hot on his heels. – Monica Simpson | Sun
Two minutes after the Chicaro goal, a fight for possession ensued in front of the Ross Built goal. Blalock’s Greg DeMeuse finally found the ball at his feet to make the third goal for his team. Down by one point, team Blalock Walters successfully fought on defense for the remainder of the first half of the game, leaving the score at 3-4 as the teams left the field for a much-needed water break and halftime strategy session.
After more than 11 minutes of play without a standout play or a goal, J. Ross, a sophomore at Florida State University, scored his first goal of the season with an on the ground shot that whizzed right by Blalock goalkeeper Scott Rudacille. Rudacille finished the game with seven saves, while back up Ross Built goalie Max Gazzo had six documented saves of his own. With cross-field rocket shot that hit the right corner of the net, V. Chicaro made his second goal of the night giving Ross Built Construction a two-goal lead. Two minutes later, V. Chicaro got his hat trick increasing his team’s scoring dominance with the score 3-6. Blalock Walters fought back with a near perfect shot by Matt Plummer that went just inches over the crossbar. Staggs took a shot of his own that went just right of the post.
With three minutes left on the scoreboard, G. Ross got his second point, giving his team a four-point lead. Plummer got his goal with 23 seconds showing on the board, put Gazzo on the ground for the save attempt. Finishing the game on the referee’s clock V. Chicaro struck and hit the net again with an unrecorded goal, and the official score of 4-8 and another win for Ross Built Construction.
Updated Friday, May 17, 2019 – ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Red tide and blue-green algae persist in local waters, according to today’s reports from state and federal environmental agencies.
Very low concentrations of red tide documented on May 13 are predicted to remain at least until Monday, May 20, according to today’s report from the University of South Florida/Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Collaboration for the Prediction of Red Tides.
The red tide forecast through May 20 shows low concentrations on the southern half of Anna Maria Island.
No fish kills or respiratory irritation were reported in today’s Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) report.
Report algae blooms to DEP at 855-305-3903 or online.
Report fish kills to FWC at 800-636-0511.
Red tide was found in water samples at the Coquina Beach South boat ramp on May 13 in very low concentrations, according to the FWC.
The report was the first sign of red tide since February, when a bloom disappeared that originated in October 2017 in Southwest Florida, appearing in Island waters in August 2018.
Background concentrations of the algae that causes Florida red tide, Karenia brevis, have no discernable effects on people or marine life. However, in very low concentrations and above, red tide cells emit a neurotoxin when they bloom that can cause shellfish closures and respiratory irritation in people, especially those with asthma, COPD or emphysema. In low concentrations and above, red tide can be deadly to marine life.
The FWC shows Manatee County as the only place in the state with detectable levels of red tide.
Scientists say that salinity, currents, temperature and light play a part in the formation of red tide blooms, as do nutrients from Florida’s natural phosphate and limestone deposits, Caribbean seawater brought to Florida’s west coast on the Loop Current, the Mississippi River, Saharan dust blown across the Atlantic Ocean to Florida’s waters, and fertilizer and animal waste runoff.
Blue-green algae tests negative for toxins
Blue-green algae also remains present in local waters but has tested negative for toxins, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Blue-green algae was detected in water samples in Anna Maria Island canals, Holmes Beach bayside and Palma Sola Bay on May 9. Tests released on Thursday, May 16 show that in all three locations, the “filamentous cyanobacteria (Lyngbya-like)” growths are not toxic.
The algae is not the same blue-green algae species that plagued Lake Okeechobee for several months last year, microcystis aeruginosa, according to DEP.
However, non-toxic blooms can harm the environment by depleting oxygen levels in the water column and reducing the amount of light that reaches submerged plants, according to DEP.
Some blue-green algae can produce toxins that can make people and pets sick if swallowed, and can cause skin and eye irritation if contacted, according to DEP, which advises beachgoers and their pets to stay out of the water if algae is visible as specks or mats, or if the water is discolored pea-green, blue-green or brownish-red.
Toxins also can be inhaled. If people or animals splash or if boats create wakes in water bodies with blue-green algae, the cyanotoxins in the algae can release into the air. The toxins mix with water droplets and spray, making them easily inhaled by people and animals, according to the Florida Department of Health (DOH).
For some people, blue-green algae can cause rashes, stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. People who are very sensitive to smells can experience respiratory irritation. Sometimes, high exposures of toxin can affect the liver and nervous system, according to DOH.
The World Health Organization considers toxin levels under 10 micrograms per liter to represent a low-level risk for adverse health outcomes from short-term recreational exposure; however, they advise that certain sensitive populations, including children, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals may still be at risk even at low concentrations and should avoid any exposure.
Filamentous cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are found worldwide and are a natural part of freshwater, brackish, and marine environments in Florida, according to Mara Gambineri, director of communications at DEP.
The growth of blue-green algae typically increases in the spring and summer months when water temperatures and daylight hours increase, she said.
Filamentous cyanobacteria are photosynthetic organisms, like plants, meaning they can convert sunlight into energy. To do so, they need nutrients like carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus from their environment. Higher levels of these nutrients in the water and sediment can lead to higher levels of filamentous cyanobacteria growth, according to DEP.
For this and other reasons, Florida law bans the use of phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizers during the rainy season, June 1 through Sept. 30.
Other factors that contribute to blooms include warm temperatures, reduced water flow and lack of animals that eat algae, Gambineri said.
Blooms of filamentous cyanobacteria can form brownish floating blobs or mats that begin to decay and emit a foul, rotten egg odor caused by the production of hydrogen sulfide gas and other organic breakdown byproducts, she said.
A different type of growth, Lyngbya majuscule, was detected in water samples from Sarasota Bay at Whitfield Avenue in south Manatee County on May 8; no toxins were found.
ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria has concluded that the Airbnb at 302 North Shore Drive does not have to be registered as a vacation rental because it is owner-occupied and has onsite management.
Airbnb operators responsible for tourist tax collection
MANATEE COUNTY – Are you operating or considering operating an Airbnb on Anna Maria Island or elsewhere in Manatee County?
If so, you may want to research the tourist tax requirements imposed on those who rent their property or a portion of their dwelling through Airbnb, VRBO, HomeAway and other online advertising platforms.
Using red letters highlighted in yellow, the following notice is posted at the Manatee County Tax Collector’s website: “Attention all Airbnb, HomeAway and VRBO customers. Please note that Manatee County is not contracted with Airbnb, HomeAway, VRBO or any other third-party vendor. Therefore, it is your responsibility to collect and remit the 5 percent tourist tax to the Manatee County Tax Collector.”
The county’s tourist tax is applicable even if the rental is owner-occupied or has on-site management.
“It doesn’t matter if the person lives on the property. For a short-term rental six months or less, even if it’s a bed, the 5 percent is still due,” said Jan Hilker, assistant to the Manatee County Tax Collector, when contacted last week.
According to the tax collector’s website, “At this time Airbnb only collects and remits the 6 percent sales tax and the 1 percent Manatee County surtax to the Florida Department of Revenue.”
The website also says, “Florida Statute 125.0104 states that every person who rents, leases or lets for consideration any living quarters or accommodations for a term of six months or less should collect and remit the 5 percent tourist development tax and the 7 percent state sales tax.
“While some property owners may simply be unaware of the law, others know the law but choose to evade it. The revenue from this tax helps your local economy. The tax is used to promote and advertise tourism, operate the Bradenton Area Convention Center and finance beach renourishment,” according to the tax collector’s website.
According to the Airbnb website, “In areas that Airbnb has made agreements with governments to collect and remit local taxes on behalf of hosts, Airbnb calculates these taxes and collects them from guests at the time of booking. Airbnb then remits collected taxes to the applicable tax authority on the hosts’ behalf.”
Sarasota County is among the Florida counties that have agreements with Airbnb. Rather than enter into such an agreement, Manatee County Tax Collector Ken Burton Jr. chose to file a yet-to-be-resolved lawsuit against the Delaware-based, San Francisco-headquartered company in April 2018.
The lawsuit seeks from the 12th Judicial Circuit Court a declaratory judgment declaring the tourist tax imposed by Manatee County is due on the amounts received by Airbnb for the rental of private homes, dwelling units or rooms in private homes in Manatee County.
The lawsuit seeks a court order requiring Airbnb to maintain and preserve its records pertinent to the transient accommodations of its clients in Manatee County. The lawsuit also seeks a court order requiring Airbnb to submit an audit of its books and records relating to the short-term rental of transient accommodations in Manatee County.
For more information visit www.taxcollector.com and www.Airbnb.com.
At an April 30 code enforcement hearing, Special Magistrate Karla Owens levied a $250-per-day fine on the rental’s corporate property owner, DLVAMI 302 North Shore LLC. The fine was to accrue until the rental property was registered in accordance with the city’s vacation rental ordinance.
The Manatee County Property Appraiser’s website lists the LLC as the duplex owner with an Anna Maria Post Office box as the LLC’s mailing address. State records list Denise Valley as the LLC manager and 302 North Shore Drive as the address for the LLC, dissolved in September.
The Airbnb website lists Valley’s son, Floyd Calhoun, as the property’s Airbnb host. On Friday, Calhoun met with Mayor Dan Murphy.
“The matter has been resolved and the fines have been eliminated. The city found out this address is Mr. Calhoun’s permanent residence, so, therefore, according to the language in our ordinance, it’s not a vacation rental because he has on-site management,” Murphy said Friday afternoon.
Adopted in 2015, Anna Maria’s vacation rental ordinance says: “It is the intent of this chapter to regulate vacation rentals as defined by Florida Statutes, as well as other transient public lodging establishments that do not have on-site management.”
Calhoun’s thoughts
On Saturday morning, Calhoun met with The Sun to discuss these recent developments.
“The mayor was very gracious. He acknowledged the mistake, apologized and said we’re going to fix this and make it right and retract the entire thing,” Calhoun said.
Calhoun said he, his mom and his three children live in half of the elevated duplex. The other half is used as an Airbnb rental. Calhoun showed his Florida driver license that lists 302 North Shore Drive as his address.
Calhoun said he’s continually maintained an office at that address for the past 10 years and has lived there most of that time. He also uses the ground-level office for his Here Realty business operations. According to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Calhoun is licensed as a real estate broker.
Calhoun said the family property was previously used as a VRBO rental and was first advertised as an Airbnb rental last fall. Calhoun said he was surprised this became an issue because similar concerns were raised and resolved in 2016 when Pam Gibbs served as the city’s code enforcement manager.
On July 19, 2016, Calhoun received an email from Gibbs that said, “Per our conversation this morning, I have closed the case and rescinded the citations for noncompliance with the vacation rental ordinance. Since you are occupying one part of the property you are not required to be registered.”
Debbie Haynes now serves as code enforcement manager. Calhoun’s Airbnb operations were brought to the city’s attention in October by the firm the city contracts to conduct online searches for unregistered vacation rentals and those advertising excessive occupancy.
During the April hearing, City Clerk LeAnne Addy said three warnings and notice of the hearing were sent to the LLC’s post office box and no one responded.
The North Shore Drive property and the LLC are currently the subjects of foreclosure proceedings. Calhoun said those proceedings date back to the previous owner and also stem from his own divorce.
When asked why no one responded to the city’s communications, Calhoun said, “Anything coming in for DLV went straight to the attorneys because of the foreclosure.”
Calhoun said if he had known about the hearing, he would have attended, shared the email he received from Gibbs and shown the special magistrate his driver license.
Calhoun suggested the city do a little more due diligence before assuming any wrongdoing, but he acknowledged there aren’t many owner-occupied duplexes left in Anna Maria.
He then praised Murphy and commissioners Brian Seymour and Dale Woodland for helping bring the city to a point where vacation rentals and vacation rental owners are no longer “villainized.”
“With the exception of this weird little anomaly, I think they’ve done a really good job of getting everything in order and becoming more business-friendly and even more vacation rental-friendly,” Calhoun said.
Thursday night May 9 the defending adult co-ed soccer champions, Sato Real Estate, took to The Center of Anna Maria Island field against a tough Jiffy Lube team looking for their first win of the season. Off to a rough start, Josh Sato’s team lost their number two draft pick Joe Jones to a torn Achilles tendon only to be replaced by Zachary Lieb, a top choice any season.
With Lieb and two strong female teammates, Alta Bujarski and Sumiko Chipman, the purple team looked to be on their way to another tied ballgame, but in the high scoring game, Sato Real Estate earned their first win of the season.
Goalkeeper Jason Sato, older brother to Josh, was kept busy in the net with nine saves in the night. At the opposite end of the field, now veteran goalie Robb Marshall had eight saves of his own.
Jiffy Lube’s Ricky Anderson started the scoring action after four minutes of play giving his brother’s team an early lead.
A quick shot by Chipman missed the target but started the shooting effort by Sato Real Estate. R. Anderson made another strike at the net that was saved by Jason Sato.
Sato Real Estate’s Lyn Clarke showed why he is still a force to be reckoned on the pitch at the age of 79 with three goals in the game. Finding the perfect open position by the opponent’s net in a league with no offsides rule, Clarke scored his first goal of the evening, tying the game 1-1.
In the eighth minute of the game, team captain Josh Sato dribbled the soccer ball all the way down the pitch. Feeling the defenders coming strong, Sato passed to Murat Akay who gave it back to his captain for the shot and goal, giving his team the lead 1-2.
On the next possession, Lieb took a hard shot that went off the right post. Chipman struck again with a scoring attempt that was saved by Marshall.
With less than 10 minutes left in the first half of play, the soccer ball was batted around in front of the Sato Real Estate goal before Jiffy Lube’s Nick Bolli found his foot on the ball for the strike and goal, once again tying the game with the score at 2-2.
Three minutes later, Jiffy Lube moved the ball down the field with precision with passes from team captain Danny Anderson to Omar Polar to be finished by Stetson Mathews for the team’s third goal of the game.
With the score at 3-2, D. Anderson put the ball to the feet of Eliza Falliace. Fighting for possession, Mathews kicked the soccer ball out of bounds giving Sato Real Estate the goal kick.
On an unlucky goal kick by Jason Sato, D. Anderson got the ball right in the middle of the field to just outside of the goalie box. Giving D. Anderson this opportunity is almost always guaranteed goal. Not disappointing their fans, Team Jiffy Lube put another point on the scoreboard to go ahead by two goals with the score at 4-2.
Chipman found a clear field ahead and took the ball to the left corner of the Jiffy Lube box before passing to Akay. Akay’s shot went right into the hands of Marshall for the save.
To start the last 25 minutes of play Akay had two consecutive goals to tie the game to tie the score 4-4.
Unable to handle the strike by Chipman, Team Sato Real Estate once again took the lead on the Marshall mishap, moving the score to 4-5 with 14:35 left on the clock.
The Sato Real Estate squad moved the ball down the field again and finished with another goal by Clarke 90 seconds later.
Team Jiffy Lube came back with a goal of their own with a strong pass by Polar to Falliace in front of the goal. Falliace took advantage of her position with a missile that would have gone in the net but was assisted by Anil Akbulut to take the score to 5-6.
Holding on to the lead, Josh Sato, sporting two different cleats, worked hard to move the ball on the field, getting it to Lieb. Lieb’s strike was stopped by Sean Flynn who was now in goal for Team Jiffy Lube.
Clarke’s next shot was stopped near the close of the game. Team Sato Real Estate took its seventh goal in the game and the win by two points.
Last week we had a conversation about financing second homes and some updated government regulations about renting. We even touched on the pending Florida legislation regarding short-term vacation rentals, but this week we’re going to talk about the practicality and affordability of second homes and falling in love.
Vacation homes are the ultimate discretionary purchase just above recreational boats. The one thing both of these big-ticket items have in common is the emotional aspect that manifests itself by the warm tingle that overwhelms you when you set eyes on the object of your affection. But be careful, it’s dangerous to fall in love so quickly and requires a great deal of vetting.
A vacation home should make you feel like you’re on vacation when you walk in the front door. You don’t want to step in and notice the peeling paint, mold or the ancient appliances. You also don’t want something too big or high maintenance that it infringes on what should be a relaxing time. Technology will make some of this easier to manage as well as making your property more secure when you’re not there. You can control the heating and cooling, unlock the doors should a contractor need to get in and set up cameras to see if something looks not quite right.
That said, if you’re finding your vacation home overwhelming then your future buyer will feel the same way. Vacation homes live by an entirely different set of criteria than your full-time home. The location should be the prime motivator in making a second home decision and worry more about views, beach access and walkability than the quality of schools. According to the National Association of Realtors, the most popular vacation home locations are resort areas and beach locations which account for 66 percent of the market.
If you’re considering purchasing a vacation home with a partner or partners here are a few points to consider. What is each partner’s usage schedule? Unless you are really cozy with your partners, you need to carve out some private time for you and your family. Also, are friends or family of one the partners always welcome even if the owner is not with them? Should the property be rented part of the year to cover expenses and how will the maintenance costs be managed? And who gets the final say on picking upgrades like paint color, furniture or air conditioner and appliance replacement?
And the biggest consideration is what if one of the partners wants out for personal or financial reasons? An escape hatch needs to be developed and agreed on by all partners before purchasing. Some of the things to address are the timeframe, the minimum number of years to own and a buyout arrangement or selling the property.
Finally, many Florida second homeowners decide to convert their second home to their full-time residence for tax purposes. This option is becoming more and more popular as taxes in northern states continue to go up. Keep in mind that the state of Florida has a very advanced way of keeping track of how long Florida residents spend in another home they own, so keep good records since the burden of proof will be on you.
Pretty soon we may all need vacation homes to relax since I recently read that 6,000 new homes will be built on the north side of Manatee County. Our quiet little corner of the world is no more, but at least we all fell in love at the right time.
The Anna Maria Island Dragon Boat Paddlers from Paradise competed in the Southeast Regional Dragon Boat Championships at Sarasota’s Nathan Benderson Park on Saturday, May 11. There were 35 of the best dragon boat teams from the Southeastern states at the festival trying to qualify to go to the U.S. National and International Club Crew Championships.
The AMI Paddlers from Paradise had a women’s team finish second in the Premier Women’s Division and the fifth overall women’s team in the Southeast. It was an incredible achievement for the AMI women’s team which broke all their team records for the 200M, 500M and 2K races.
The AMI Paddlers are Lauri Burton Graham, Evelyn Silverthorn, Lynn Kravontka, Gail Trombley, Mileah Hudgins, Mandy Boyers, Lauri Fern, Courtney Nunemaker, Susan Lee, Marion May, Judy Gidus, Sandy Bouwer, Stacey Jiles Hanik, Jill St. John, Leigh Gardner, Lori Stuckey, Vanessa Burns Peterson, Diane Goolsby, Patty Reed, Gail McCall, Joanne Yacono-Brandt, Rick Granite (steersman), Melinda Bradway (paddler and head coach) and Craig Bradway (assistant coach).
AMI Paddlers from Paradise are sponsored by Beach Bums, Harry’s Bar & Grill, howluckyami, TPM Unlimited, Stuckey Automotive and Pookie’s Dragons.
AMI Paddlers are always looking for active men and women that want to be a part of a special community of paddlers. If you’re interested in joining this special Anna Maria Island family, contact Melinda Bradway at 941-462-2626.
The Anna Maria Island Paddlers from Paradise took time out of competing in dragon boat races to hold a food bank drive for the week of May 1 to May 8. The food collected went to the Manatee County Food Bank. – Submitted
ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria’s city officials want to fill in the city’s share of the gap that still exists between Anna Maria’s multi-use trail and Holmes Beach’s new multi-use trail.
Both concrete trails run along the eastern edge of Gulf Drive.
Commissioner Amy Tripp requested the discussion that took place at the Thursday, May 9 meeting. After approximately 25 minutes of discussion, the commission unanimously agreed to issue a request for proposals that will provide the commission with a firm cost estimate.
Tripp thinks Anna Maria should lead by example and complete the remaining section of her city’s multi-use trail by extending it south from Archer Way to CrossPointe Fellowship’s southernmost driveway. The remaining gap between the church driveway and 85th Street is in Holmes Beach and would be left for that city to complete when possible.
Anna Maria completed its initial multi-use path last fall. It extends north from Archer Way to Willow Avenue. There it connects to North Shore Drive, which provides bicyclists an alternate route through residential neighborhoods.
Murphy said he contacted someone in Holmes Beach and was told connecting that city’s trail to Anna Maria’s trail is not on the books this year. Murphy said he was told those funds might be available next year.
Murphy said Anna Maria could build a five-foot-wide paved trail that would be narrower than the existing trail that is six or seven feet wide in most places and five in others.
Murphy said a five-foot-wide trail extension would not require any trees to be removed or any rights of way to be acquired. Nor would it require any additional sewer or drainage elements.
“$50,000 should cover it, it could be a little bit less,” Murphy said.
Murphy said the expenditure is not included in the current fiscal year budget and he does have some spending reservations due to the unknown final cost of the new Anna Maria City Pier. He also mentioned the approaching hurricane season as another unknown.
Murphy also said he doesn’t want the trail construction taking place during peak tourist season like it did in Holmes Beach.
As a side note, Murphy said he recently learned Anna Maria’s welcome sign is actually in Holmes Beach and may need to be moved.
A show of faith
“It shows good faith on our part,” Tripp said of the proposed extension.
“I agree, I think the sooner the better. It’s also a safety issue,” Commissioner Dale Woodland said.
Commission Chair Brian Seymour said, “I’m all for doing this, but I think it needs to be in next year’s cycle.”
Commissioner Carol Carter said the new budget year starts soon (Oct. 1). If the trail extension is included in next year’s budget the project could be completed in the fall before the heaviest crowds return.
Tripp said it’s worth spending $50,000 to complete a project that addresses public safety.
“If it inspires Holmes Beach to step up and meet us, all the better. I’m all for the pier, but I think we get a little single-issued. It’s all about the pier all the time,” she added.
Woodland said he wasn’t concerned about spending $50,000 in the current budget cycle because the city’s ad valorem tax revenues continue to increase each year.
Commissioner Doug Copeland said, “I could go either way on this. I could see waiting until the next budget. At the same time, we could once again be the leader and finish this project for $50,000 – $50,000 is not going to keep us from building the pier.”
Copeland then suggested issuing an RFP to provide the commission with the funding details needed to decide when to initiate the project.
“If we have to do an RFP it’s not going to be until September anyway,” Seymour said.
HOLMES BEACH – Dog park users are feeling a bit better about the future of their pooches’ beloved outdoor space after hearing plans for the park from City Engineer Lynn Burnett.
After a misstep the week before, Burnett and Eron Wasserman from LTA Engineers met with more than a dozen interested community members during an emergency Parks and Beautification Committee meeting held at Holmes Beach City Hall. Burnett assured attendees that while some projects in the city field complex, such as the skate park, seem to be moving forward more quickly than others, there is no priority for these other projects over the planned dog park improvements.
City Engineer Lynn Burnett and Eron Wasserman make adjustments to a map of the dog park to help meet the needs of the park’s users. – Kristin Swain | Sun
Currently, she said demolition of the former tot lot and the skate park is in progress, followed by the relocation of the construction area in the parking area on the northeast side of the complex to the site of the former skate park near public works. The next step forward for the city field complex is to begin grading, drainage and resloping work to improve drainage in the area. During this phase, Burnett said the clay will be removed from the current baseball diamond and, once drainage work is complete, the new surfaces for the dog park will be installed. While some of the drainage and resurfacing is done, she added that the new and current dog parks will be closed due to the fencing having to be removed for a period of about 45 days. The dates that the dog park will be closed have yet to be determined though drainage and resurfacing work is expected to take place beginning in June and continue through August.
In the last 30 days of construction, currently planned for late August and September, Burnett said community members will really see the dog park begin to take shape as the ground cover is laid, fencing is put back up, shade structures are constructed, benches placed, trees planted and other elements are placed in the new park. A soft opening for the new and improved dog park is currently planned for some time in October.
Dog park users seemed pleased with the plan, with some offering suggestions including where to place the four access points planned to the park, one on each side of the fencing, how to place pathways for easy access by handicapped visitors and extending the fence between the small and large dog parks by about eight feet into the planned large dog park to give the small dogs a little more play area. The proposed expansion of the small dog park also would give Burnett the opportunity to relocate the shade structure in the small dog park to allow pet parents to view their dogs playing along the common fence line. Burnett said the shade structure in the large dog park will likely be replaced rather than moved to the new park location because she said moving it would cost more money and would damage the structure.
She recommended using both grass and a shell and sand mixture recommended by the parks and beautification committee for ground cover in the large dog park. Attendees agreed to the idea, but some were concerned that grass in some areas would be worn away by frequent use even with irrigation in the park.
In the future, Burnett said that more public meetings would be held for updates on improvements as the project progresses, beginning with the capital improvement plan update planned to be presented during a future city commission budget work session.
