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Murder, mayhem and nostalgia on stage at The Center

Murder, mayhem and nostalgia on stage at The Center

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, Theater.

ANNA MARIA – The Center of Anna Maria Island’s annual Murder Mystery is a favorite night out for many Islanders, but this year’s festivities were particularly interesting with a nostalgic 1980s theme and a real-life onstage proposal ending the night.

The play, written by Brianna Roberts and Beth and Mike Shaughnessy, began with a trip down memory lane for the cast, all 1978 graduates and staff from Ben Dover High School gathering for a 10-year reunion. Things quickly took a turn to the sinister when Principal John Hughes, played by Will Schenerlein, dropped dead after having a drink from the bar.

As various characters tried to find out who the murderer was, more antics ensued including the musical stylings of Marty McGoldblum, played by Clay Spangler, to 80s classic songs and a dance-off between Coach Dick Diggler, played by Don Purvis, and high school football great Ray Rodney King Jr., played by Ray Gardner. A prom court was voted in and a prom king and queen were awarded $50 gift cards to Slim’s Place in the costume contest.

Other cast members included Jillian Cacchiotti and Leah Purvis as mean girl cheerleaders Jillian Ryder and Leah Lockler, Chris Scott as nerd Judge Brinehold, Mike Shaughnessy as stoner bus driver Mike, Monica Simpson as exchange student Short Swan Chow, Brianna Roberts as undercover CIA agent Regina Jacobs and Caleb Roberts as George Michael look-alike Caleb Michael.

Center Murder Mystery engagement
As the cast of the Center’s Murder Mystery take their final bows Feb. 23, cast member Ray Gardner proposes marriage to long-time girlfriend and castmate Jillian Cacchiotti onstage. – Kristin Swain | Sun

Sponsors for the event included The Ugly Grouper, Slim’s Place, Progressive Cabinetry, Abrahamson and Uiterwyk Personal Injury Law Firm, Island Photography, Beach House Real Estate, Eason Builders Group, Moss Builders, ALSCO Linen and Uniform Rental Services, Johnson Homes, Key 2 Life Training, Steam Designs, the Freckled Fin and the Traveling Gourmet.

In keeping with the high school theme, food for the event was served on Styrofoam cafeteria trays in a lunch line setting, including a serving of mystery meat. Guests also were treated to a dessert table featuring cupcakes and mini mud pies, and appetizers including shrimp cocktail, spinach artichoke dip and salad.

Friday’s festivities topped out with around 170 attendees while Saturday night’s final performance drew a crowd of about 350.

Ending the final night of the Murder Mystery was a surprise onstage marriage proposal. As the cast took its final bows, Gardner proposed to longtime girlfriend Cacchiotti, ending the evening on a happy and celebratory note.

Heritage Day celebrates Anna Maria’s history

Heritage Day celebrates Anna Maria’s history

Written by Sun staff on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, Family fun, Festivals.

ANNA MARIA – As part of Manatee County’s Heritage Days celebration, the Anna Maria Island Historical Society will hold its annual Heritage Day Festival on Saturday, March 2 at the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum and Park at 402 Pine Ave. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Howie Banfield and the AMI String Band will provide music, and BBQ and refreshments will be available.

Local crafters will demonstrate arts and crafts as practiced by early Island settlers including beekeeping, wool spinning, candle making, woodworking, soap making, jam and jelly making, basket weaving and quilt and rug making. A Settler’s Market will offer local produce, herbs and Early Settler’s Bread baked by local volunteers, and there will be a collectibles tent with items for sale.

Local authors will sign books at the author’s table, the Anna Maria Island Privateers will stage an invasion and children can participate in a scavenger hunt and games with prizes. Raffle tickets will be available for a host of prizes, and there will be a silent auction. Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring and Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Inc. will have educational booths, and Belle Haven Cottage, the museum, and the surrounding native plant garden will be open for tours.

For more information, call 941-778-0492.

Related coverage

History comes to life at Heritage Day

Castles in the Sand

Florida’s new foreign buyers

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

I was born in New York state and up until 20 years ago when I moved to Florida, lived my entire life in the New York City and surrounding suburban area. There have been innumerable times during those years when I missed my old home, but frankly, this place in time is not one of those.

About a month ago, I reported the findings of the U.S. Census Bureau’s recent analysis. According to it, Florida was the second fastest growing state in the country after Texas based on an eight-year period ending 2018. In addition, Florida had the highest level of net domestic migration from July 2017 to July 2018, according to the U.S. Census data released in December. Also, Florida has been creating jobs, gaining 231,000 jobs in 2018, a 2.7 percent increase over the previous year. This brought the Florida unemployment rate down to 3.3 percent in December.

Governors and public officials in New York and other high taxed states like New Jersey, Illinois and Connecticut are looking for an excuse to blame the reason residents are leaving their states as well as their state deficits and high taxes on the federal government’s cap on state and local taxes. There is some truth to this contributing to the states’ shortfalls, but not everyone is leaving because they can’t fully deduct their property taxes. Maybe the real question is “Why are these states’ taxes so high to begin with?” Even though Floridians are benefiting from the North’s problems, rather than gloat we should be paying careful attention not to make the same mistakes.

An analysis by Zillow shows the preliminary data indicates a jump in Florida home purchases by buyers from high-tax states, as well as home values increasing in other low-tax states. According to real estate brokers in the Miami area, the loss of their foreign buyers has been replaced by buyers from New York, Florida’s new foreign buyer. Considering that Manhattan co-op and condo sales last year were down 12 percent from 2017 and that New York state was the largest overall population loser, you have to take the census reports seriously.

Down here in Manatee County, we’re ready for all of those tax-soaked Northerners. Just take a look at the January sales numbers from the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee.

For single-family homes in Manatee County, the median sale price (half above half below) was $309,000, 3 percent more than last January. The average sale price was $386,927, exactly the same as last year. Median time to sell was 97 days, up 4.3 percent, and the month’s supply of properties available for sale was 4.4 months, no change.

The condo market is doing better. The median sale price was $195,000 this January, a 13 percent increase over last January, and the average sale price was $241,191, a 10 percent increase over last January. The median time to sell was 94 days, an increase of 11.9 percent, and the month’s supply of properties was 4.7 months, down from 5 months.

Again, the market looks like it’s leveling off as previously stated. However, we have not hit the busy selling and buying season yet, so the jury’s still out.

I guess after 20 years, I’m a Floridian. After all, if Amazon decided not to move to New York City after the city giving it billions of dollars in credits, who am I to whine? My advice to Island brokers – better check out advertising rates in The New York Times. I think it just might be the right time.

More Castles in the Sand:

A home’s equity is sometimes subjective

Why is the housing market declining?

Selling your home – it should show like a model

Local vacation rental regulations under fire again

Local vacation rental regulations under fire again

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

ANNA MARIA – City officials in Anna Maria are already following proposed state legislation that pertains to vacation rentals.

Vacation rentals are among the many matters that will be debated by the Florida Legislature during the 2019 legislative session that convenes on Tuesday, March 5.

“The vacation rental snake is alive and well. There are three bills pending in the Senate at this point. Two of them are from Rep. David Simmons from the Orlando area,” Mayor Dan Murphy said during the Feb. 14 city commission meeting.

Simmons’ Senate Bill 815 proposes the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations (DBPR) Division of Hotels and Restaurants impose a fee schedule on hosting platforms that advertise or list short-term vacation rentals.

Simmons’ Senate Bill 812 proposes persons engaged in certain public lodging-related transactions be required to display a valid certificate of registration number in their rental listings or advertisements. It also calls for DBPR’s vacation rental inspection responsibilities to be revised and the vacation rental classification to be revised.

Murphy said Simmons’ legislation seeks a compromise between local governments and vacation rental advertising platforms like Airbnb, VRBO and others.

Murphy said this legislation would prevent cities like Anna Maria from conducting annual vacation rental inspections as part of its local vacation rental registration process. Murphy said Simmons’ legislation calls for the state to do any needed inspections, with local municipalities relegated to tracking vacation rentals based on voluntary participation from rental owners and managers.

“I see very little value in this compromise. It’s so watered down it would be meaningless to our city to even participate,” Murphy said.

Commissioner Carol Carter said a state-based inspection program would result in little to no inspection of Anna Maria’s vacation rentals.

Commissioner Doug Copeland said the city needs to be cautious of the Simmons legislation.

“Counties like Manatee County who have failed to collect any tax from Airbnb will be supporting it because it’ll require them to register with the state. They’ve not taken the initiative like we have,” Copeland said. “They figure this is the way to at least get some of that money. They could be a thorn in the side, so beware.”

Murphy also referenced the private property rights bill, SB 824, filed by Sen. Manny Diaz Jr. (R-Miami-Dade). He likened it to previously unsuccessful legislation proposed by former Sen. Greg Steube (R-Sarasota), who is now a member of the United States House of Representatives.

Steube’s past legislative efforts attempted to usurp city and county governments’ home rule rights when it comes to regulating vacation rentals by preempting that authority to DBPR.

Diaz’ legislation also seeks to preempt the regulation of vacation rentals to the state, requiring each person applying for a vacation rental license to provide DBPR with specified information.

“It’s the same old song that Steube introduced. It puts us out of business vacation rental-wise,” Murphy said of the potential impacts.

Murphy said the Diaz bill was written by Airbnb lobbyists and did not yet have a companion bill in the Florida House of Representatives, which is required for any state legislation to be adopted.

Murphy said it’s possible that Rep. Mike La Rosa (R-St. Cloud) could file the companion bill, as he did last year for Steube’s failed legislation.

Sen. Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton) is now serving as the new Senate president, and Murphy hopes that local connection provides some opposition to these latest attacks on the city’s home rule rights.

“He has at least passively, if not somewhat overtly, said that he’s opposed to it,” Murphy said.

Murphy said Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota), who is also the new head of Florida’s Republican Party, might be a potential ally.

“He has told me that he felt our pain about the vacation rentals. Unfortunately, we did not get his vote last year,” Murphy said. “We’ll get our defenses up. I think it’ll be the same old game that we fought before.”

Lobbyist Chip Case is again assisting the city with these legislative matters. Last year, he and City Attorney Becky Vose helped derail Steube’s vacation rental legislation by getting a sexual predator amendment introduced and adopted.

“Chip was instrumental in killing it. He was the rainmaker last year. Hopefully, he can cut through and be the rainmaker again this year,” Murphy said.

Murphy said it’s also important for residents to become engaged and share their views with state legislators.

This can be accomplished with personal visits, phone calls, letters or email. A complete list of Florida Senators can be found online along with a complete list of Florida Representatives. All proposed legislation also can be tracked at these websites.

WMFR board members plan for the future

WMFR board members plan for the future

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

BRADENTON – West Manatee Fire Rescue commissioners had a full agenda for their February board meeting.

The group met Feb. 19 at the administration building to discuss the future of the fire district.

Retirement and succession

With Chief Tom Sousa retiring from the district in October, the search is on for a new fire chief. Opening the position up first to internal candidates, only one emerged – Battalion Chief Ben Rigney.

Commissioner Larry Jennis, who’s heading the panel to find qualified candidates, said that he was very impressed with Rigney and his credentials, advising his fellow board members to allow him to move forward in the selection process. The next hurdle is for Rigney to have an interview with each board member.

“He’s exceptionally well qualified to be fire chief,” Jennis said, adding that when he spoke to the district’s firefighters Rigney also received glowing recommendations.

After the individual interviews, commissioners will decide whether or not to open the position up to outside candidates.

Administration merger

In light of Sousa’s retirement and the imminent sale of the district’s administration building to the Oasis Middle School, Commissioner George Harris suggested his fellow commissioners consider a different option – merging administration services with nearby Southern Manatee Fire Rescue. If this happened, the firefighters, stations and board would all remain West Manatee Fire Rescue but the administrative staff would be merged with Southern Manatee’s and that district’s chief would also serve as WMFR’s chief.

Because the two fire districts do not share a border, they could not completely merge into one district without Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue also agreeing to merge.

The idea received mixed reviews from commissioners with Jennis and Commissioner Al Robinson both agreeing that since WMFR has a small administrative staff that works well they don’t see a benefit or a need to the merger. Commissioners voted 3 to 2, with Jennis and Robinson dissenting, to allow Harris to enter into exploratory talks with Southern Manatee.

Cortez Fire Station

Harris said he’d received word from Cortezian Mary Fulford Green that the old Cortez Fire Station is vacant. He added that Green asked if the district would be interested in helping to create a fire services museum at the site. Commissioner David Bishop asked Sousa and Harris to do more research on the project, potentially reaching out to other county fire districts to see if there is any interest in creating a museum, and bring the information back to the March meeting.

Related coverage

WMFR celebrates excellence and career milestones

WMFR merger just talk for now

WMFR commissioners address merger concerns

Red tide forecast clear

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Outdoors, Red tide.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The red tide forecast for Anna Maria Island is clear through Sunday, Feb. 24, according to today’s NOAA report and the Feb. 20 report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

Background concentrations of red tide continue to drift in area waters, causing respiratory irritation that was reported in Manatee County last week. Red tide also can be carried on the wind to areas where the water is free of the microalgae.

Florida red tide, or Karenia brevis, emits a neurotoxin when it blooms that is deadly to marine life, can make shellfish unfit to eat and can cause respiratory irritation in people, especially those with asthma, COPD or emphysema.

Scientists say that salinity, currents, temperature and light play a part in the formation of blooms, as do nutrients from Florida’s natural phosphate 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 Lagoon cleaned up on the field

Blue Lagoon cleaned up on the field

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

ANNA MARIA – In the final games of the regular season for the high school boys that play on the gridiron at The Center, Team Cloud Pest Control could not put a win in its season statistics against Team Blue Lagoon.

The first four series of play resulted in no score by either team. For Blue Lagoon, incomplete passes by Chris Snyder and strong defensive play by Roman Langley, including a sack, was on par with dropped passes by Cloud Pest Control and big yardage gains by Julius Petereit.

Snyder found his rhythm hitting Jeremiah Sculco for a first down reception. Despite a sack by Ben Barreda, Team Blue Lagoon was the first to put points on the board with a beautiful one-handed catch by league newbie Jernard Dunbar. The failed extra point conversion gave the team coached by Randy Langley a 6-0 lead.

Three and out was the next possession for Cloud Pest Control, giving the football back to Snyder. Dunbar effectively moved the ball down the field, weaving in and out of defenders, putting his team on the Cloud 10 yard line.

With a huge defensive stop by Cloud, Blue Lagoon had to find the end zone on third down. Snyder scored the second touchdown of the game and Rutger Langley caught the ball for the point after, advancing the score to 13-0.

Cloud Pest Control could not make anything happen in the last minute on the scoreboard, taking the game to the halftime.

Six points finally made its way into the record books for Cloud Pest Control to start the second half of play. Getting away with flag guarding, Silas Banyas made it past the midfield line on the first snap of the football.

Jackson Hayes made the touchdown catch for Cloud, but the failed extra point attempt to Evan Christenson left the score at 13-6.

Blue Lagoon quickly marched down the field for another touchdown and an extra point by Dunbar.

Leading the game by 14 points, Blue Lagoon’s defense did not allow Cloud Pest Control to move down the field. Barreda tried to juke out the defense, but could not get by Roman Langley, who was credited with the flag pull.

The Cloud defense gave the ball back to its offense, leading to the touchdown by Hayes and taking the score to 20-12.

Blue Lagoon sealed the deal by taking the football into the end zone with 12.6 seconds left on the clock, ending the game with the score 26-12.

The playoffs are underway for the eight- to 10-year-olds. The older ballers start this week with semifinal action between #2 Island Charms playing #3 Beach House Real Estate for the 11-to 13-year old league, and #4 Grooms Automotive versus #5 Tyler’s Ice Cream on Wednesday, Feb. 20, at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m.

Related coverage

Football futures constructed by Moss Builders

Island Charms takes the win

Adult gridiron action at the Center

Reel Time: Fly fishing strategy – pothole savvy

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Archives.

Fly fishing is a sport that rewards the angler who carefully considers his prey and pays attention to the conditions and terrain that they inhabit. For anglers who regularly fish the flats, potholes are a prime area where every species of inshore fish can be targeted. Potholes provide an advantage to both the angler and the fish that can be exploited to the angler’s advantage. Potholes are generally defined as clear sandy depressions in grass flats that are devoid of vegetation. Their contours attract both fish and the prey they feed on. In reality, of course, most potholes are a combination of sand and grass. If you carefully examine them, you’ll find sand in the deepest section and grass on the borders.

Fish that take up station in these depressions are often found on the grass perimeter where they are less visible to prey. Quite often fish will wander between holes, staying just inside the edges or seams. At other times they can be seen right over the sand in the middle of the hole.

Not all potholes are created equal. Some will be almost perfectly round and shallow, while others are oblong and deep. Many of these depressions are man-made, but others are created by tidal action or even scouring by boats. Extreme low tides are excellent for scouting areas to fish. When the bottom is exposed the topography can be closely examined. Look for birds feeding on a flat with potholes. The same food they’re feeding on will attract game fish when the flat is covered with water.

Potholes can be fished either from the boat or wading. If the water is clear, fish on a shallow flat can be very spooky. Gin clear water in the winter and spring often necessitates getting into the water for a stealthier approach. When fishing from a boat, a long accurate cast is a real asset. There will be times when the wind is up and the water is off color and a cast of 40 feet or less will be all that’s required.

More often than not, an accurate 60-plus-foot cast will be needed for any measure of success.

When poling a flat, both the angler and the guide must be as quiet as possible. It’s important to make sure the pole doesn’t hit the side of the boat and enters and exits the water without making a splash. Pole extremely slowly in very shallow water as fish are sensitive to the pressure wave a boat pushes.

Many anglers are not aware, but simply moving your feet on the deck or platform can spook fish. Another mistake rooky anglers make is rocking the boat with their casts. When fish are spotted, take time to plan your attack and don’t let a high waving rod alert your prey to your presence. Keep the rod low and behind you so you can launch a quick side arm cast.

As you scan the flats and potholes, pay attention to any movement on the periphery of your vision. Fish that are stationed over grass on a pothole may give their presence away with only a shadow or subtle movement of their mouth or fins.

Reel Time: Fly fishing strategy - pothole savvy
Try using Google Earth to find and explore potholes when you’re not on the water. – Google Earth

Wading gives you an advantage but a stealthy approach is equally as important. Small flats with potholes can be completely blown if you motor too close, slam hatch lids, or toss an anchor. Advance quietly, poling at least the last 100 yards to the area you intend to fish. Stakeout or anchor well away from the action. Slip into the water and approach potholes slowly. Move too fast and your body will create a pressure wave that the fish will sense.

If the visibility isn’t great, or you’re fishing early or late, and can’t see fish, target the edges where grass and sand meet. The edge seams are perfect ambush spots for the predators you’re targeting. Start with presentations about 2 feet outside the sandy area.

Make sure you target the deep grassy ends of the potholes. These areas can be very productive and always warrant a couple of casts. After working the edges of the holes and the seams, begin casting into the sandy areas. Fan the hole with casts to cover them completely and vary your retrieve.  If a quick strip doesn’t produce, try slowing down and working the fly close to the bottom.

Next week we’ll look at some additional strategies and see how conditions in the winter can improve your odds as we move into spring.

More Reel Time:

Reel Time: New dimensions in trolling motors

Reel Time: Clams restored to Manatee County waters

Reel Time: Push poles – a must in skinny water

Castles in the Sand

A home’s equity is sometimes subjective

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

Are you familiar with the expression, “The happiest days of a boat owner’s life are the day he buys the boat and the day he sells it”? It’s not unlike homeownership. The happiest day is the day you walk into your new home deed in hand and the worst day is the one when your real estate broker tells you it’s not worth what you thought.

Last week we talked about the national real estate market cooling off in terms of the number of sales and selling price. We also are beginning to see some signs of this on Anna Maria Island with an overall leveling off of our recent outstanding market. It’s not necessarily a bad thing in a go-go market to take a pause and attract new buyers into the circle, but first homeowners need to readjust their expectations.

Freddie Mac’s chief economist coined the phrase mental recession, not a real recession only the perception of a recession. The danger of the mental recession is that it challenges your mental equity.

We all know that the definition of equity is the difference between the value of the asset (your home) and the value of the liability (your mortgage). Even though you won’t find mental equity in Webster’s Dictionary, all real estate professionals know exactly what it means. Essentially, it’s the value of a property in the homeowner’s mind and only in his mind. Whereas, the actual value of the property is based on comparable sales, location and the climate of the real estate market at the time. Frequently, these two values can be light years apart. Get the picture?

The point I’m trying to make is that real estate markets are dynamic. They’re always in flux, and buyers and especially sellers need to understand that last year’s values may not be this year’s values. Don’t get too comfortable with the mental equity because it can change in a heartbeat for both good and bad.

If you’re a buyer, Valentine’s Day was last week. Don’t fall in love based on previous sales until you’re sure the market will hold. If you’re a seller, turn the reality check button on in your brain and don’t turn down any offers no matter what your brain is telling you. Mental equity is not your friend; don’t get too cozy with it.

All of that said, we are just starting the busy selling season, which continues until about April or May when visitors and potential new residents feel comfortable enough to make an offer on available properties. And based on recent census numbers, there should be plenty of them. As previously stated, Florida’s population increased by 322,000 residents last year alone and is the second fastest growing state in the country.

However, some of those wanting to relocate to Florida could be faced with a slowing market where they’re coming from, particularly big city areas in the Northeast and Midwest who will be most affected by 2018’s change in federal tax deduction.

Everyone needs to keep their options open and flexible. Don’t allow your mental equity to make you mental and make sure that your first day of homeownership is indeed one of the happiest days of your life.

More Castles in the Sand:

Why is the housing market declining?

Selling your home – it should show like a model

Sunshine State population growth

Marshall Tucker Band comes to Anna Maria

Marshall Tucker Band comes to Anna Maria

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, Music.

ANNA MARIA – It’s not an April Fool’s joke. The Marshall Tucker Band is coming to The Center of Anna Maria Island for a one-night-only intimate show Monday, April 1. The Southern rock band will take the stage to play new songs and their hits, including such songs as “Can’t You See,” “Take the Highway,” “Fire on the Mountain” and “Heard it in a Love Song” at 8 p.m. A local band that has not been named yet is planned to open for the award-winning, multi-platinum group.

Tickets range from $50 to $65. All seats are reserved. Tickets can be purchased from the Manatee Performing Arts Center by phone at 941-748-5875 or online at www.manateeperformingarts.com. Space is limited so get your tickets early. Only 750 tickets will be made available for this event. The Marshall Tucker Band appears in conjunction with the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Manatee County Tourist Development Council. The Center is at 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

Dog park construction on hold

Dog park construction on hold

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

HOLMES BEACH – A new large dog park is on the way, but construction isn’t scheduled to begin any time soon.

City Engineer Lynn Burnett gave commissioners an update during their Feb. 12 meeting on the status of the city field complex, including the dog park. She said improvements are scheduled for the park, including relocating the large dog park, but that improvements in the area are taking place in stages. The first stage, she said, was to relocate the tot park.

Public works employees began the task of dismantling the playground equipment and removing it from its previous Marina Drive facing location in January. Due to necessary improvements needed, the equipment is still at the public works facility awaiting installation at its new location near the pavilion at city field.

The second stage is already underway, to demolish the existing skate park and relocate the construction staging area from beside the existing dog park to the former skate park site near public works. Burnett said the demo on the old skate park is taking longer than expected because city workers are having to consult with Manatee County Utilities before the concrete pad can be demolished, due to the site having once been a house.

Timing with dog park renovations also is an issue, Burnett said. Though the existing park is planned to remain open during construction, she recommended not beginning construction on the new park until after the Island’s peak tourism season passes.

During public comment, dog park user and Holmes Beach resident Renee Ferguson asked commissioners to remove the two large umbrella shade structures placed in the north end of the large dog park in 2018. She said the umbrellas are not useful, people do not use them, and they’re taking up space that could be used to allow dogs to run freely. She also asked that construction on the new dog park be programmed to begin as quickly as possible.

“It’s booming in that park right now,” Ferguson said. “If we could get it moved quickly, I think it would benefit everyone.”

Burnett said she would come back before commissioners at their first meeting in March with a more detailed update on the dog park.

Related coverage

Dog park users concerned with city field improvements

Plans expand for dog park renovations

Dog park plans ready for commission presentation

Beaches to get new sand

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Beach, Featured, Outdoors.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Island beaches are scheduled to get new sand, beginning with a minor repair to Coquina Beach this year, followed by a major project on Coquina Beach and Holmes Beach next year.

Sand from the dredging of Longboat Pass will be placed on Coquina Beach this year, Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Director Charlie Hunsicker told Manatee County commissioners last week.

For nearly 30 years, the sand from maintenance dredging of the pass has been shared with the Town of Longboat Key. Last time, Longboat Key got all the sand, he said; this time, Anna Maria Island probably will need most of it.

Longboat Key plans to build five groins on its northernmost beach to protect homes threatened by erosion, Hunsicker said.

Early next year, Coquina Beach and Holmes Beach will be renourished in two major projects. The Coquina Beach project is estimated to cost $6.5 million ($3.25 million in state funds and $3.25 million in local funds) and the Holmes Beach project is estimated to cost $16 million ($8 million in federal funds, $4 million in state funds and $4 million in local funds), said Thomas Pierro, principal engineer for APTIM, the county’s beach consultant.

Coquina Beach is not eligible for federal funding because there are no homes there, and the federal government does not assist with renourishment for recreational properties, Hunsicker said, adding that one-fifth of tourist taxes collected in the county are reserved for renourishment. The state helps the county with state funding because Coquina Beach provides ample parking for beachgoers, he added.

Other projects include replacing the jetty, or terminal groin, at the southernmost tip of Anna Maria Island in Longboat Pass, replacing the groins on Coquina Beach and building a 2-acre limestone boulder mitigation reef.

Mitigation efforts

Renourishment impacts the seabed and its marine life, covering hardbottom areas with sand, said Lauren Floyd, senior marine biologist with APTIM.

While Anna Maria Island does not have hard coral reefs like those in the Florida Keys, soft corals live on the exposed hardbottom, a rich habitat for sea life.

The county builds artificial reefs in areas not impacted by renourishment to give marine life a place to go when their habitats are covered with sand, she said.

Project managers also work with Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring to avoid impacting shorebird nests, making buffers around bird nesting areas, Floyd said.

Why renourish?

Beach renourishment protects property, roads and lives, makes nesting grounds for sea turtles and shorebirds and provides a beautiful place for beachgoers to enjoy, Hunsicker said.

In renourishment projects, a freighter sucks up sand from the bottom of the seabed and pumps it through pipes onto a beach, where it is bulldozed out into the shallow water, creating a wider beach. Without renourishment, the beaches would lose an average of 10-12 feet of sand annually, he said.

Manatee County began renourishing beaches in 1992-93, when Island beaches were severely eroded, with seawalls and rocks exposed and water lapping at the foundations of homes. Subsequent major projects in 2002, 2005-06, 2011 and 2013-14 and several smaller projects, including the recent replacement of the three erosion control groins at Twin Piers in Cortez Beach, have continued to keep homes and roads high and dry.

“We can resist up to four feet of sea level rise,” because of renourishment, Hunsicker said.

The 2013-14 beach renourishment project on Anna Maria Island had a heavy impact on beachgoers. - Cindy Lane | Sun

The 2013-14 beach renourishment project on Anna Maria Island had a heavy impact on beachgoers. - Cindy Lane | Sun

2013 beach renourishment- Cindy Lane | Sun

2013 beach renourishment- Cindy Lane | Sun

The 2013-14 beach renourishment project on Anna Maria Island. - Cindy Lane | Sun

The 2013-14 beach renourishment project on Anna Maria Island. - Cindy Lane | Sun

The 2013-14 beach renourishment project on Anna Maria Island. - Cindy Lane | Sun

The 2013-14 beach renourishment project on Anna Maria Island. - Cindy Lane | Sun

The 2013-14 beach renourishment project on Anna Maria Island. - Cindy Lane | Sun

The 2013-14 beach renourishment project on Anna Maria Island. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Charlie Hunsicker - Cindy Lane | Sun

Charlie Hunsicker - Cindy Lane | Sun

Hurricanes have historically caused beach erosion on the Island. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Hurricanes have historically caused beach erosion on the Island. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Hurricanes have historically caused beach erosion on the Island. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Hurricanes have historically caused beach erosion on the Island. - Cindy Lane | Sun

The sand on Anna Maria Island’s beaches is a major tourist draw. - Cindy Lane | Sun

The sand on Anna Maria Island’s beaches is a major tourist draw. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Mayor calls out residents for noise complaints

Mayor calls out residents for noise complaints

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

HOLMES BEACH – In a surprise move, Mayor Judy Titsworth not only publicly named two residents who called her to report noise issues but also reprimanded the two from the dais during a Feb. 12 commission meeting.

During mayoral comments at the start of the meeting, Titsworth read a prepared statement to city officials and the gathered public concerning two phone calls she’d received over the weekend, one from resident Richard Motzer and one from resident and Commissioner Kim Rash.

“Last weekend I was called twice about noise complaints. The first call was made by resident Kim Rash. For some reason, he didn’t want to be a commissioner when he called at 11:15 at night. I was called 15 minutes before he decided to call the police. The police did respond after they completed a traffic stop and they addressed the situation. The second call I received was made by Mr. Motzer on Sunday afternoon and when I asked him to call the police he refused and said that they wouldn’t do anything and then he angrily said goodbye. In both instances, they said they were only doing what I told them to do. Because of the nature of both of these calls I have unfortunately blocked them from my phone as I don’t condone bullying or harassment,” Titsworth said.

She concluded her comments by calling on Code Enforcement Officer James Thomas to inform commissioners and the public how to properly report a noise complaint to city officials.

While Rash’s only comment during the meeting from the dais was that in calling the mayor, he was doing what he had been instructed to do, Motzer was not present during the discussion.

According to emails between Rash and Titsworth, the call to the mayor’s phone on Feb. 9 resulted in a voicemail that she responded to the following morning by email, volunteering to follow up on the noise complaint with some additional information from Rash. The email chain shows that Rash responded to the request with more details about the situation, offering to work with Titsworth to bring solutions for noise back to his fellow commissioners. In an interview with the Sun, Rash said that he also went to city hall to try and meet with the mayor before the Feb. 12 meeting but was not accommodated by Titsworth.

Rash forwarded the emails between himself and Titsworth to City Clerk Stacey Johnston on Feb. 13 along with a statement to be shared with commissioners. In the email he said, “I was totally shocked at Mayor Titsworth’s attacks towards me, especially on the dais. I am 100 percent sure Judy asked me to call her direct if I ever had a noise problem. That is what I did. The email she sent Sunday morning was totally different than her attacks at the meeting. I thought my reply was very professional to her. I want to build bridges toward solutions.”

The Feb. 9 incident involving Rash and renters at 202 72nd Street was reported to HBPD officers who were involved in a traffic stop when the call from Rash came in at 11:31 p.m. Rash states that he called Titsworth to witness the noise at 11:16 p.m. He said that when the residents of the property moved back inside before officers arrived that he called HBPD dispatch and said the noise had stopped. According to HBPD records, that call came in at 11:49 p.m. Officers still responded to the call, Chief Bill Tokajer said, and determined that it was unfounded. They spoke to the residents who agreed to turn off a generator powering an incorrectly parked recreational vehicle and agreed to correctly park the vehicle as soon as possible.

Motzer also chose to respond to the mayor’s comments by email.

“Some residents, including myself, have expressed that we were totally blindsided by the mayor at the Feb. 12 commission meeting where I was not even present. All of us have had the understanding that Mayor Titsworth has told them to call her if there were noise issues. She even lamented in a Nov. 22 text ‘the Motzers have never called.’”

Motzer’s wife, Margie, was at the Feb. 12 meeting.

Motzer’s email goes on to say that the call to Titsworth lasted 32-seconds because she was not in town. He said that he did state she suggested he call the police but that he has found reporting noise complaints to officers to be “ineffective and/or counterproductive.” Motzer said he had no knowledge of Rash’s call to the mayor the night before.

Regarding the mayor’s comments about exhibiting bullying and harassing behavior, he said the accusations are false.

“Citizens were taken aback that this was done in public forum and that two residents were blocked with one call each after being, not only instructed, but encouraged to do so,” he said in the email.

“After the meeting there were more residents discussing the imminence of moving, so we are losing more residents because of incidents such as the above,” he said, concluding the emailed statement. “We need professional leadership.”

Though Motzer’s complaint was not called in to the HBPD, Tokajer followed up on it via the NoiseAware system installed in the rental he said Motzer was complaining about noise coming from, 5501 Holmes Boulevard. At the time the call came in to Titsworth, Tokajer said the print out from the NoiseAware system showed no noise that would violate the city’s 65-decibel noise maximum for daytime noise.

Related coverage

City looks for new ways to fight noise

Commissioners to revisit noise ordinance

Red tide in air; water clear

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Archives.

Updated Feb. 15, 2019 | ANNA MARIA ISLAND – No red tide is predicted for Manatee County waters through Monday, Feb. 18, according to today’s report from the University of South Florida/Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides.

Manatee County waters have remained clear of the toxic algae since Jan. 11, however, respiratory irritation was reported in Manatee County over the past week, according to the FWC and NOAA. Red tide can be carried on the wind to areas where the water is free of the algae.

Statewide over the past week, red tide was observed at background concentrations offshore of Charlotte County in Southwest Florida, where the bloom began in October 2017, reaching Anna Maria Island waters in August 2018.

Florida red tide, or Karenia brevis, is a type of microalgae that emits a neurotoxin when it blooms. Deadly to marine life, red tide also can make shellfish unfit to eat and can cause respiratory irritation in people, especially those with asthma, COPD or emphysema.

According to scientists, salinity, currents, temperature and light play a part in the formation of blooms, as do nutrients from Florida’s natural phosphate deposits, nutrients from Caribbean seawater brought to Florida’s west coast on the Loop Current, nutrients flowing into the Gulf of Mexico from the Mississippi River, iron-rich Saharan dust blown across the Atlantic Ocean to Florida’s waters, and fertilizer and animal waste runoff.

Football futures constructed by Moss Builders

Football futures constructed by Moss Builders

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

The Center of Anna Maria Island’s youth sports program has always been known as the place to have fun, play sports and develop athletic skills. Over several decades, a lot has changed at what is now known as the Center, but children playing sports with adult volunteer coaches has not.

As the youth flag football season progresses on the big field with good competition with kids from 8 to 17 years old, the little field is the place where the younger ballers work both sides of the football in the youth flag football clinic.

Once again Ryan Moss of Moss Builders is enthusiastically taking the time out of his busy schedule to work with nearly 20 5- to 7-year-olds on the gridiron, including Moss’s two sons, Mason and Miles. Last Tuesday night, Moss was joined on the field by his father, Pastor Ed Moss of CrossPointe Fellowship.

The coaches separated the players into two teams to warm-up and practice some of their skills. With flags and pennies on, the scrimmage game ensued. On one side of the football was Dylan Sato, with younger sibling Brandon Sato on the other.

Pastor Moss helped get one of his players in the right position on the football field by gently picking him up and placing him in the correct spot.

Miles Moss played the center position most of the scrimmage, snapping the ball to B. Sato stepping into the footsteps of his father, Jason Sato, who played at the community center as a child and as QB in the adult flag football league.

Carrying on the family legacy, Camden Rudacille took the field with big brother Cale and dad Scott watching from the sideline. S. Rudacille, also an Island native, played many games over the years at the community center.

Brother and sister Boman and Tinley Sears saw action on the field with big plays for their teams. The Bomans were joined by Eli Lewis, who showed his defensive prowess during the scrimmage. Duncan Cloutier took the football down the field on a number of plays, gaining yardage for his team.

Over the past two months, the Moss Builders football clinic has seen football action by Guiliana Bankert and Brooklyn Melancon continuing the co-ed sports spirit of the Center. Preston Brighenti, Drew Buky, Hayden Eurice, Wade Kasten, Jack Melancon, Marcus Quinn and Landon Reuter worked to hone their skills in the clinic sessions before hitting the big field in the coming seasons.

The culmination of lessons learned in the clinics is progression onto the large field in the 8- to 10-year-old flag football league. Those playing in this age group are moving into playoff action, with semifinal play on Wednesday, Feb. 20, with #2 seed Progressive Cabinetry playing either #3 Slim’s Place or #6 Bins Be Clean.

In the second semifinal game #1 Beach Bums will go against the winner of the quarterfinal matchup between #4 Planet Stone and #5 Ugly Grouper.

The age group championship game is scheduled to play on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 5:30 p.m.

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