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Tag: Anna Maria Island

lester day santa dance

Holiday fun abounds at the Center’s Lester Day

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, Family fun, Holiday.

ANNA MARIA – Despite the Florida heat, The Center of Anna Maria Island was transformed Dec. 1 into a winter wonderland for the 17th Annual Lester Family Fun Day.

The annual event, sponsored by Chuck and Joey Lester, promises family fun at old-fashioned prices, and this year’s event definitely delivered. Families were treated to burgers from Duffy’s Tavern, hotdogs donated by Anna Maria Oyster Bar and ice cream sandwiches from Tyler’s Ice Cream.

lester day lesters
Joey and Chuck Lester enjoy a Duffy’s burger. – Kristin Swain | Sun

While the inside of the Center was a north pole fairyland with Christmas lights, holiday trees, giant teddy bears and colorfully wrapped gifts, the outside actually had snow from two snowmen who blew the white bubbly stuff over an area where children frolicked and played before moving on to the bounce house, petting zoo or participated in a pick-up football game on the field. The two favorite attractions were the pony ride and the bull ride which had a continuous line of eager riders until the field events closed at 1:30 p.m. to make way for the golf ball 50/50 raffle drop from a helicopter.

Center Executive Director Chris Culhane and his family took to the skies, flying on the donated chopper from Sarasota to the Center where they dropped buckets of purchased, numbered golf balls on the field to see which one would land closest to the hole. Center board treasurer Christine Hicks won the raffle with the first ever golf ball that landed in the hole. She donated her winnings back to the Center.

In addition to the 50/50 raffle, raffles also were held for 50 turkeys that were given away during the event and a Christmas tree, donated by Merry Christmas Trees of Bradenton.

Holiday tunes for the event were provided by DJ Freeze though one of the biggest attractions of the day was a performance by the Manatee High School drum line. Everyone was in high spirits when the drum line escorted in Santa and his elves, delivered to the event on his sleigh by the Pyrates of the Gulf Coast. Even Santa couldn’t help dancing to the beat of the drums as he gave a little impromptu performance before taking a seat and hearing the Christmas wishes of all the boys and girls in attendance.

Throughout the day, children were able to participate in activities from fishing for prizes to decorating cookies and ornaments along with face painting. Before the 50/50 raffle wrapped up the day’s festivities, board Chair David Zaccagnino took to the stage to thank the day’s sponsors, staff and volunteers and present a piece of original artwork to Chuck and Joey Lester created by 21-year-old artist Emma Terry, who previously attended the Center’s after-school program. The artwork also was used to create T-shirts for the event, which were available to volunteers and for purchase.

“This is an amazing event,” Zaccagnino said at the end of the day. “It just keeps getting better and better every year.”

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bethlehem walk joseph mary

Bethlehem Walk draws a crowd

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, Holiday.

ANNA MARIA – The cool temperature Sunday evening was perfect for a walk around the block, and that’s what a group of worshippers did as they celebrated Roser Community Church’s Annual Bethlehem Walk.

bethlehem walk holding goats
Two baby goats had the attention of these ladies. – Tom Vaught | Sun

The trek included a few stops to ask innkeepers if they had room for Joseph, played by Mark Morse, and Mary, played by Maggie Carlson. Walkers were joined by barnyard animals brought out to Anna Maria for the occasion, including a llama, lambs, baby goats and the donkey that accompanies Mary and Joseph on the way to find housing for the night. The walk covers approximately one block in Anna Maria, ending back where it began at Roser with the revelation of the baby Jesus, this year played by Arianna Wade. Afterward, participants are invited to come into the fellowship hall to enjoy cookies, coffee, hot chocolate and other treats provided by the church.

The Bethlehem Walk began years ago. Nobody remembers when, but it was an opportunity for young and old alike to experience the night Christ was born. Attendees are encouraged to get into the spirit of the season and the walk by joining the actors in wearing costumes, provided by the church for visitors to borrow for the event, and sing Christmas carols along the way in between stops to visit with innkeepers. This year, patrons of the Waterfront Restaurant, located along the Bethlehem Walk’s path, joined in on the fun, singing along, taking photos and wishing the walking group a Merry Christmas. As the walk progressed, the group was joined by more people who took to the street on foot and by golf cart.

The annual procession takes place typically the first weekend of December and is traditionally begun after sunset. Attendees are always advised to bring a flashlight to help light the way.

center tree donations

Buy a Christmas tree, support The Center

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

Merry Christmas Trees of Bradenton is teaming up with The Center of Anna Maria Island to help make the season brighter for the nonprofit.

Michigan natives Kerry and Chrissy Foley, along with their family, come to the Beachway Plaza at 75th Street and Manatee Avenue every year to sell fresh cut Christmas trees as Merry Christmas Trees of Bradenton. This year, if patrons of the pop-up tree farm mention that they live on Anna Maria Island or support The Center of Anna Maria Island, the Center will receive 10 percent of each tree purchase. Kerry said he and his family feel that it’s a great way to give back to the community that becomes their home over the holidays. He said the family also donated a tree to be raffled off for Lester Family Fun Day at the Center.

The tree farm is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day and has trees of all sizes, decorations and homemade jam for purchase. Tree delivery and set up also are available for an additional fee.

Anna Maria Wash Settlement House

Wash Family Construction reaches settlement with city

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

ANNA MARIA – Wash Family Construction owner Darrin Wash and the city of Anna Maria have agreed to a settlement that exceeds $56,000 for permitting fees and additional expenses owed to the city.

City commissioners authorized the settlement agreement on Thursday, Nov. 29.

“The city recently became aware that the contractor had submitted certain applications for building permits which understated the amount of the cost of the proposed construction in both FEMA-related and non-FEMA related residential properties through the use of ‘double contracts,’ and as a result the city began proceedings against the contractor to be held before the city’s Local Construction Regulation Board (LCRB),” the settlement agreement states.

The settlement negates the need for Wash to appear before the regulation board that consists of three Planning and Zoning Board members, who in that capacity have the authority to prohibit Wash and his company from obtaining city-issued permits.

According to a spreadsheet included in the meeting packet, Wash Family Construction, between 2012 and 2017, requested city-issued permits for 20 projects with a total stated contract value of $2.6 million. The actual value of the contracts was $5.09 million. This produced $2.48 million discrepancy between the stated contract values and the actual contract values, and the company now owes the city $49,696 in additional permitting fees.

Wash is required to pay the city $4,139 per month until that balance is paid off. If a payment is missed, the remaining balance becomes due in full and a regulation board hearing will be scheduled.

The settlement agreement also requires Wash to pay $2,100 for services provided by building official Luke Curtis, $4,500 for services provided by City Attorney Becky Vose and $124 to reimburse Vose for a plane ticket.

Wash also agrees to be shadowed for one year at his expense by a contractor of the city’s choice, who will have full access to financial matters and documents related to his permitting requests in Anna Maria.

The settlement agreement requires Wash to issue a public admission/apology to the city regarding the misuse of double contracts and a promise that the contractor will never again make inaccurate statements regarding construction costs.

The settlement agreement states the contractor admitted wrongdoing regarding the understated contracts and that neither the city or any city officials were aware of or complicit in the “misdeeds and bad actions of the contractor.”

These matters stem from a 2016 lawsuit in which Wash claimed Martin and Threse Hurbi owed his company $94,208 for renovations made to their single-story vacation rental at 759 North Shore Drive. Wash sought a lien on the property and requested it be sold to pay for the work.

The Hurbis’ attorney filed a counterclaim alleging the couple was charged for work not performed, overcharged for work performed, charged for materials not delivered and that some work was defective. An amended counterclaim filed in April 2017 alleged Wash committed FEMA fraud.

The city became aware of the FEMA fraud allegations last August.

Eighteen of the 20 projects listed in the settlement spreadsheet were subject to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) 50 percent substantial improvement rule. The rule states that if the cost of improvements or repairs exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the building, it must be brought up to current floodplain management standards.

After leaving the commission chambers, Wash said, “I’m thankful for Anna Maria letting me do this.”

Holmes Beach swearing in commission

New Holmes Beach elected officials sworn in

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

HOLMES BEACH – Nov. 29 was a day of celebration in the city commission chambers at city hall as the city’s new mayor, commissioners and charter review commission members took the oaths of their offices.

The chamber was packed with cheering friends, family members, supporters and city hall staff as each person stepped up to take the oath, administered by City Clerk Stacey Johnston.

Holmes Beach swearing in charter
City Clerk Stacey Johnston swears in members of the city’s new charter review commission, David Zaccagnino, Sean Murphy, Edward Upshaw, Claudia Carlson and Nancy Deal. – Kristin Swain | Sun

Elected to the charter review commission are Claudia Carlson, Nancy Deal, Sean Murphy, Edward Upshaw and David Zaccagnino. The charter review commission is expected to begin meeting in January.

Commissioner Pat Morton stepped up to take the oath for the ninth time, having first been elected to the city commission in 2003.

Holmes Beach swearing in pat
City Clerk Stacey Johnston congratulates Commissioner Pat Morton on his re-election. – Kristin Swain | Sun

The new commissioner on the dais this year is Commissioner Kim Rash, who received the most votes in the November election. This is Rash’s first term as commissioner.

Holmes Beach swearing in kim
Commissioner Kim Rash takes the oath of office. – Kristin Swain | Sun

Commissioner turned Mayor Judy Titsworth also took the oath of office, making her the fifth female mayor of Holmes Beach.

After the formalities were completed and the elected officials had a moment to be congratulated by their family and friends, the commissioners and mayor took to the dais for the city’s annual organizational meeting.

Holmes Beach swearing in judy
Mayor Judy Titsworth is sworn in as the fifth female mayor of Holmes Beach. – Kristin Swain | Sun

Commissioner Jim Kihm was elected as the new chair in a 4-1 vote with Morton dissenting. Morton was elected as vice-chair for the city commission in a 3-2 vote with Kihm and Rash dissenting.

At the end of the meeting, Rash took the opportunity to thank his friends, family and supporters who helped him make his way to a commission seat. “We had a real uphill battle,” he said.

Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer greeted the newly elected officials by saying, “Welcome to all and good luck.” Building Official Jim McGuinness also offered his congratulations.

As the meeting concluded, Titsworth said she’s feeling good about her new position and is “ready to get going.”

Kihm said he was happy to be elected as commission chair and said he’s looking forward to working with the new commission and hopes the coming year will be a good one for the city.

Also attending the meeting was former Mayor Bob Johnson, who said he’s feeling good about sitting on the other side of the dais and is looking forward to political retirement to spend more time with his wife and family.

The newly seated commission is scheduled to have its first regular meeting at 6 p.m. Dec. 11 at city hall.

Related Coverage

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Holmes Beach has a new mayor

Mayoral candidates speak out

Commission candidates speak out on the issues

Anna Maria swearing in Murphy

Mayor and commissioners take oath of office

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

ANNA MARIA – During the Thursday, Nov. 29, organizational meeting. City Clerk LeAnne Addy administered the oath of office to Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and city commissioners Amy Tripp and Brian Seymour.

All three incumbent city officials ran unopposed in the recent city elections and will serve additional two-year terms in office.

Anna Maria swearing in Seymour
Brian Seymour is sworn into his second term as a commissioner. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

After the swearing-in ceremonies, Tripp nominated Seymour to serve as the commission chair, and the commission unanimously supported the nomination. Seymour will serve as commission chair for one year and Commissioner Carol Carter will serve as vice-chair.

Anna Maria swearing in Tripp
Amy Tripp is sworn into her first full term as a commissioner. She served a partial term after being appointed in February. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“I’m very honored that Commissioner Tripp nominated me. I’m happy to learn from the staff and the mayor and continue to grow my knowledge of the operations and execution of the city priorities,” Seymour said after the meeting.

Commissioner Doug Copeland served as commission chair for the past three years. Copeland, Carter and Dale Woodland have one more year remaining in their current commission terms.

Anna Maria pier contract

Anna Maria City Pier contract finalized

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

ANNA MARIA – The $3.33 million contract to build the decking and walkway for the new Anna Maria City Pier is a done deal.

On Thursday, Nov. 29, City Commissioners unanimously authorized Mayor Dan Murphy to execute the construction contract with Tampa-based Infrastructure & Industrial Contractors Southeast Inc. (i+icon).

The contract gives i+icon 270 days to complete the pier project by Aug. 26, 2019. It allows the city to penalize the firm $975 per day for any delays beyond that date but gives the commission the discretion to extend the construction timeline due to a storm, prolonged loss of power or some other unforeseen occurrence.

Murphy said i+icon indicated the first pier pilings will be driven in January.

The contract states the new pier will be approximately 730 feet long and 12 feet wide, with a 111-foot by 88-foot T-end section to accommodate a restaurant, bait shop and restrooms. The scope of work does not include the restaurant, bait shop and restrooms spaces that will be addressed in a separate request for proposals (RFP).

The commission-approved contract is $332,837 lower than the $3.66 million bid i+icon submitted in October as one of five firms responding to the city’s revised RFP. Those bids ranged from $4.78 million to $3.45 million, and the commission then authorized Murphy to discuss contract terms with i+icon as the highest-ranked bidder.

Anna Maria pier contract handshake
Project engineer Jay Saxena, Mayor Dan Murphy and i+icon representatives Greg Thornton and Paul enjoyed a congratulatory moment after last week’s meeting. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

I+icon Operations Manager Paul Johnson and Project Manager Greg Thornton attended last week’s meeting, as did Jay Saxena from Ayres Associates, the city’s contracted pier engineering firm.

“This document marks a major milestone for the city. A lot of people have worked very hard and long to get to this point,” Murphy said when presenting the revised bid and contract for commission approval.

Cost savings

Murphy said the city could save $180,000 by using wooden support bents for the pier decking instead of the concrete bents originally planned.

Commissioner Brian Seymour asked Saxena if wood bents would reduce the new pier’s anticipated 75-year service life. Saxena said the first 63 bents from shore would be wood. The remaining walkway and T-end bents will be concrete and provide additional support where it’s most needed. The commission supported this change.

The commission also supported Murphy’s suggestion to spend $8,863 to purchase concrete pilings that are 14-inches in diameter and already cast to the correct length, rather than spending an additional $30,000 to splice together some of the 12-inch concrete pilings the city recently purchased directly to avoid paying sales tax and to ensure availability.

Murphy said Saxena and i+icon located the longer, larger pilings in the same storage yard where the previously purchased are being stored, and the city will receive a credit for 12-inch pilings returned. Murphy and Saxena noted the 14-inch pilings would support the T-end that is more vulnerable to high winds and waves.

Murphy told the commission i+icon recommended spending an additional $50,000 for IPE wood product pier decking instead of the Kebony wood product decking the commission majority approved in March. Murphy said the IPE product has a longer history of use than the newer Kebony decking. Commissioner Carol Carter noted that Seymour favored the IPE decking in March.

The revised total bid and cost savings document discussed last week lists an additional $181,700 in savings for pilings. Murphy explained later that this is for the pilings already purchased.

“There’s more savings to be had here,” he told the commission regarding the city’s continued ability to purchase construction materials directly to avoid the sales tax.

The final contracted price is approximately $800,000 lower than the original $4.13 bid i+icon submitted in August as one of two firms responding to the original RFP.

Carter commended Murphy, Saxena and i+icon for also reducing the original projected completion date of December 2019.

Related Coverage

Anna Maria City Pier proposals still awaiting approval

Five names entered into Anna Maria City Pier bidding hat

Castles in the Sand

Tax overhaul saved one thing

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

It’s the holiday season and time to concentrate on family, friends and good cheer for all. There’s also one more thing that starts working its way into the deeper recesses of our brains in December – taxes.

Last year’s substantial tax overhaul resulted in a lot of people being not too happy, especially property owners. Caps on mortgage interest and local and state property taxes have homeowners and investors holding their breath waiting to see what their 2018 tax returns are going to look like. However, one of the favorite tax breaks for investors was not touched and that’s the 1031 Exchanges.

A 1031 Exchange allows you to exchange or reinvest proceeds from your original property and defer the capital gains on the profits from the sale. The exchange only applies to properties held for business or investment, therefore, your personal and primary residence is not eligible for the benefits of the exchange.

Prior to the tax overhaul properties could be exchanged for like-kind properties, which included all real property including artwork and valuable collectibles. Now, however, that part of the law has been amended to allow for only real estate to be recognized as an exchange.

Although the 1031 Exchange benefits big investors, it also can be an advantage for small investors and second home and vacation homeowners who take the time to establish their property as a rental income producing property. It’s possible to trade up your vacation home to a larger one by converting your second home from personal to business use by renting it for a specific number of days for at least two consecutive years. This is a nice way to defer the capital gains on your vacation property, which typically does not qualify for a capital gains exemption since it’s not your primary home, while still giving you the ability to purchase a larger home for your family.

There are certain criteria you have to meet to qualify for the exchange. You have 45 days from the date of the sale of the old property to identify potential replacement properties. In addition, you must acquire the new property no later than 180 days after the sale. It sounds a little complicated, but individuals use this tax break successfully multiple times and just keep rolling over the capital gains into another property. This can also be used to preserve wealth invested in real estate, which is a little more complicated.

As with any tax questions and changes, you need a competent CPA and/or tax attorney to review your particular situation before undertaking this process. And remember, your primary home is not eligible for an exchange and is subject to and also benefits from a whole different set of IRS regulations. Certainly, I have no way of knowing if 1031 Exchanges are used for investment properties and second homes on Anna Maria Island, but my guess is that the Island and its ever-increasing property values is prime for one of the IRS’s most popular exemptions.

So, while you’re sipping the eggnog and wrapping gifts, start thinking about April 15.  If you plan ahead, Santa may leave you a very substantial gift in your stocking in a couple of years. Now that’s what I call a stocking stuffer.

More Castles in the Sand:

Anticipating condo special assessments

So, you want to be a real estate investor

Before you sell, become a home historian

Red tide canal

Red tide forecast at high levels

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Uncategorized.

The red tide forecast for Anna Maria Island is high through Monday, Dec. 3, according to the University of South Florida/Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides.

The Nov. 30 FWC report shows low concentrations of red tide in water samples collected on Nov. 26 at the Rod and Reel Pier in Anna Maria and at Longboat Pass boat ramp in Sarasota Bay. Medium levels were found at Cortez Beach in Bradenton Beach and at the Palma Sola Bay bridge.

Red tide beach
Dead fish still wash up on Island beaches, but not in the quantities they did when the outbreak began in early August. – Cindy Lane | Sun

Respiratory irritation was reported Nov. 22-23 and Nov. 25-29 at Coquina Beach (Bradenton Beach) and Nov. 24-28 at Manatee Beach (Holmes Beach).

Fish kills also were reported in Manatee County over the past week.

Background concentrations of red tide cause no anticipated effects. Low levels can cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and possible fish kills. Medium levels can cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and probable fish kills. High levels can cause all of the above, plus water discoloration.

Red tide is a type of algae that emits a neurotoxin when it blooms. Deadly to fish, sea turtles, marine mammals and shorebirds that feed on affected fish, red tide makes shellfish unfit to eat, and can cause respiratory irritation in people, especially those with asthma, COPD or other respiratory diseases.

The toxic algae bloom has been present in the southwest Gulf of Mexico for more than a year, reaching Anna Maria Island in early August.

Bob Johnson, Stacey Johnston

Holmes Beach says goodbye to Mayor Johnson

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

HOLMES BEACH – With Mayor-elect Judy Titsworth ready to take the reins at city hall, commissioners and city hall staff joined together to say goodbye to outgoing Mayor Bob Johnson during his final commission meeting Nov. 13.

The group recognized Johnson’s work at city hall over the past four years with a standing ovation as each commissioner stepped down from the dais to personally congratulate him on his retirement from administrative service to the community. He congratulated Commissioner and Mayor-elect Judy Titsworth with a hug and words of encouragement.

goodbye bob handshake
Mayor Bob Johnson shakes the hand of Commissioner and Mayor-elect Judy Titsworth as she thanks him for his service to the community. – Kristin Swain | Sun

City Clerk Stacey Johnston recounted Johnson’s service to the community, beginning with his tenure on the Island Congestion Committee, and being elected to serve on the Charter Review Commission, where he served as chair, in 2014. He was elected as mayor in the fall of 2014, winning an additional two-year term in 2016. She read off a list of accomplishments including building up financial reserves for the city, implementing Citizen Serve software which consolidated the city’s three databases into one, reconstructing the building department, overseeing improvements at Grassy Point Preserve, enacting staff outreach programs and helping with the two-year-old vacation rental certificate program.

Johnston presented Johnson with a gift on behalf of the city staff and commission.

“I want to thank you for everything you’ve done,” she said.

“We as a city have done a lot in the last four, five, six years,” he said, crediting the city commission with creating initiatives and city staff for working to implement them.

“It has just been a pleasure for me to be associated with this staff that we have in the city, watching their growth over these last few years, their modernization out of the paper world into the beginnings, the very beginnings of the coming, automated world,” Johnson said. “I can’t thank the commission enough for the way they’ve taken care of the city, their output of policy and so forth. The discussions that you have in these meetings is tremendous and that is the key.”

“I thank you for the opportunity to serve you, the citizens of this city, so much,” he said. “I will miss this, I don’t mind telling you that.”

For his part, Johnson said he’s looking forward to retiring for a second time and traveling the world with his wife, Denise.

Titsworth will take over as mayor when she’s sworn in with members of the Charter Review Committee and Commissioners-elect Pat Morton and Kim Rash at 9 a.m., Nov. 29 at city hall.

Holmes Beach mayor Joshua Linney

Former mayoral candidate faces inquiry

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

HOLMES BEACH – Defeated 2018 mayoral candidate Joshua Linney is no stranger to scrutiny when it comes to his past, but now the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is investigating his military service.

Special Agent Doug Williams, with the criminal investigation division of the department, is investigating Linney for fraud and misrepresentation of his time in the service of the U.S. Army. Though Williams did not specify the charges, he said he felt confident in the case he’s building against Linney.

After speaking with Williams, Linney said he has paperwork to fill out but feels disheartened that, in his opinion, the government is attempting to withdraw his veterans’ benefits, particularly those related to his 2012 post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis, rather than attempting to treat the disease.

Rather than be investigated for fraud, Linney said he would appreciate the opportunity to undergo treatment, find the root cause of his PTSD and become more functional and able to hold down a typical job rather than rely on finding one that offers flexible hours to help combat his physical ailments and anxiety. He said he hopes to use the inquiry into his service record and previous diagnosis to bring more attention to effective ways to treat veterans issues, including PTSD, anxiety and other service-related disorders.

Prior to running for mayor, Linney served as a private first class in the Army from September 1993 until August 1996 when he was honorably discharged for medical reasons. During his time in the service, Linney was deployed to Southwest Asia for 43 days as a cook during Operation Vigilant Warrior, a mission to dispel an Iraqi threat on the Kuwait border. Though he was never involved in a direct combat situation, Linney said his experiences overseas left him with Gulf War Syndrome, a catch-all illness applied to military personnel deployed to Southwest Asia and returning with medically unexplained chronic symptoms ranging from headaches to PTSD.

Williams said he’s seeking to disprove Linney’s benefit claims and hopes to pursue a conviction through the U.S. Attorney General’s office.

Linney said he’s complying with the requests of investigators, and feels the inquiry is the result of the scrutiny of his service record during his campaign for mayor of Holmes Beach, and possibly a misunderstanding stemming from a 2007 PTSD episode.

During the election, Linney came under media scrutiny due to inconsistencies in different versions of his self-written biographies. He attributed the inconsistencies to misunderstandings and miscommunications.

Linney said he continues to work to uphold the promises he made while running for political office, including getting a ferry to Holmes Beach and a trolley park-and-ride service from 75th Street in Bradenton to the beach.

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Patchy red tide forecast at high levels

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Archives, Featured.

High levels of patchy red tide are predicted through at least Monday, Nov. 26 around Anna Maria Island, with medium levels to the north and south of the Island, according to the University of South Florida/Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides.

The Nov. 23 FWC report shows high concentrations of red tide in water samples collected on Nov. 19 at Longboat Pass boat ramp in Sarasota Bay. Medium levels were found on Nov. 19 at Cortez Beach in Bradenton Beach and the Rod and Reel Pier in Anna Maria, with medium levels at School Key on Nov. 20, high levels at Mead Point in lower Tampa Bay on Nov. 20 and low levels at the Palma Sola Bay bridge on Nov. 19.

Respiratory irritation was reported Nov. 13-19 at Coquina Beach (Bradenton Beach) and Nov. 15-17 at Manatee Beach (Holmes Beach).

Fish kills also were reported in Manatee County over the past week.

Background concentrations of red tide cause no anticipated effects. Low levels can cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and possible fish kills. Medium levels can cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and probable fish kills. High levels can cause all of the above, plus water discoloration.

Red tide is a type of algae that emits a neurotoxin when it blooms. Deadly to fish, sea turtles, marine mammals and shorebirds that feed on affected fish, red tide makes shellfish unfit to eat, and can cause respiratory irritation in people, especially those with asthma, COPD or other respiratory diseases.

The toxic algae bloom has been present in the southwest Gulf of Mexico for the past year, reaching Anna Maria Island in early August. It was detected in Florida’s Atlantic Ocean waters in October.

Related coverage

Holmes Beach officials responding to fish floating in canals

Bradenton beach swearing in Cole

Cole and Maro sworn in

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – As a result of their successful re-election bids, incumbent City Commissioners Ralph Cole and Marilyn Maro were sworn into their new two-year commissioner terms on Monday, Nov. 19.

Bradenton Beach swearing in Maro
City Commissioner Marilyn Maro recites the oath of office to City Clerk Terri Sanclemente. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Cole and Maro were the top two vote-getters in the recent at-large city election that also included candidates Tjet Martin and John Metz.

For the next year at least, Cole and Maro will serve with Mayor John Chappie and commissioners Jake Spooner and Randy White, whose current terms expire in November 2019.

Led by City Clerk Terri Sanclemente, the swearing-in ceremonies took place at 1 p.m. at city hall.

Cole and Maro were both asked to take the oath of office that said, “I do solemnly swear or affirm that I will support, protect and defend the Constitution and government of the United States and of the state of Florida; that I am duly qualified to hold office under the Constitution of the State and the Charter of the city of Bradenton Beach; and that I will well and faithfully perform the duties of the position which I am about to enter.”

Cole and Maro also took the recipient of public funds oath that said, “I, Ralph Cole/Marilyn Maro, a citizen of the state of Florida and of the United States of America, and being employed as an officer of the city of Bradenton Beach, Florida, and a recipient of public funds as such employee or officer, do hereby solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and of the State of Florida.”

Because of the mandatory statewide election recount process that concluded in Manatee County late Friday afternoon, Supervisor of Elections Mike Bennett and the election canvassing board could not certify the county election results until Sunday morning.

On Sunday morning, City Clerk Terri Sanclemente received via email from the elections office the certificate of county canvassing notice. Sunday’s certification allowed Monday’s swearing-in ceremony to proceed as scheduled.

When contacted Friday evening, Bennett said the only change in the voting results were two additional votes cast in favor of U.S. Senate candidate Bill Nelson. Bennett said the county recount produced no changes to the outcomes of any of the races or ballot initiatives Manatee County voters voted on.

Related coverage

Cole, Maro retain Bradenton Beach commission seats

Cole leads fundraising in Bradenton Beach commission race

Property taxes become campaign talking points

License plate readers coming to Holmes Beach

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

HOLMES BEACH – It’s official, a five-camera license plate recognition system is coming to the city, costing $105,240 for 5 years, not including $40 per month for wireless internet service to each camera.

Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer presented the quote for the system from Vetted Security Solutions LLC out of St. Petersburg for the Vigilant camera system. Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the project but also said that outside of the monthly charge for wireless internet access, any costs over the $105,240 will have to come back before commissioners for approval. The approved agreements include the purchase and installation of the cameras and related system, software to run it and five years of maintenance for the entire system.

Commissioners also voted unanimously to approve a LPR system user agreement with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement that Tokajer will have to bring back before them annually for approval. The user agreement allows FDLE to access the LPR system’s records with cause in the event of a crime taking place on the Island or officers believing a suspect may have been on the Island before or after the crime was committed.

The LPR system reads everyone’s license plates, but it only sends an alert to officers in certain situations, such as a suspended driver’s license, the registration is more than a month or so out of date, the vehicle is stolen, or the owner has an outstanding warrant. Tokajer said police also will be able to pull the recordings from certain time periods to help solve crimes that occur on the Island.

“It’s a beneficial tool for law enforcement,” he said. “This system brings us up to date with current technology.”

Commissioner Jim Kihm said he would like to see reports regularly that show commissioners how the system is being used by police and how it’s helping to reduce crime in Holmes Beach.

Bradenton Beach commissioner deposed

Commissioner deposed regarding Sunshine lawsuit

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in First Place, Special Sections.

BRADENTON BEACH – City Commissioner Randy White has been deposed as part of the discovery process for the city-initiated 2017 lawsuit that alleges six city advisory board members violated the Sunshine Law.

White is not a defendant in the lawsuit and has not been accused of any wrong-doing in connection with the lawsuit filed before he took office in November 2017. White was the first non-defendant to be deposed in this lawsuit.

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Representing the city of Bradenton Beach and co-plaintiff Jack Clarke, attorney Robert Watrous told White the Wednesday, Nov. 14, deposition would pertain only to events that transpired before he became a city commissioner. Paralegal Michael Barfield assisted Watrous with the deposition.

White was represented by attorney Hunter Norton. The deposition took place in the conference room at the Vincent M. Lucente & Associates court reporting services building in Bradenton.

Clarke attended the deposition. So did defendant Reed Mapes and his attorney, Jim Dye; defendant John Metz and his attorney, Thomas Shults; and defendants Tjet Martin, Patty Shay, Bill Vincent and Rose Vincent. All six defendants are former city advisory board members and former members of the now-defunct Concerned Neighbors of Bradenton Beach (CNOBB) political action committee.

Former Bradenton Beach Mayor Bill Shearon and former city commissioner and CNOBB member Janie Robertson also attended the deposition.

The 2017 civil lawsuit alleges four Planning and Zoning Board members and two Scenic WAVES Committee members violated the Sunshine Law by discussing past and potential board business – including a prohibition on parking garages – via private email exchanges and during CNOBB meetings that were not properly-noticed city meetings.

The questions Watrous posed, the answers given and the documents reviewed during the deposition did not indicate any wrong-doing by White.

During the deposition, White confirmed that the handwritten notes he previously turned over to the city clerk’s office in June were written by him. City Attorney Ricinda Perry requested the notes White had on the dais with him during a commission meeting discussion regarding payment of an invoice from Watrous and a same-day discussion about four charter amendments proposed by Mapes, Metz and their Keep Our Residential Neighborhoods (KORN) political action committee.

White has been the only commissioner to oppose payments to Watrous and the only commissioner to support KORN’s unsuccessful request to have its proposed charter amendments placed on the ballot for the recent city elections.

White said the notes he turned over in June were all written by him during his campaign and before he was elected.

Watrous asked White about his handwritten note that said, “Can I talk about CNOBB meetings and state for the record that you guys did not break any Sunshine laws that I witnessed in CNOBB meeting?”

White said that note was written in preparation for a candidate’s debate and as a response to a potential media questions.

“If it comes up, I will state for the record I personally believe they didn’t break any laws,” White said.

Watrous asked White if any concerns about Sunshine Law compliance were voiced at the CNOBB meetings he attended.

“The Sunshine Law was spoke of at the beginning of a meeting. I don’t think there was concern whether it was followed or not. I guess it was assumed it was followed. I didn’t know anything about it, I was just ‘John Q Public’ who showed up at these things,” White said.

Watrous asked White if he recalled any discussion about parking garages during CNOBB meetings.

“Yes, it was brought up,” White said.

White’s two-hour deposition and the emails received from him and others as part of the pre-trial discovery process also shed light on White’s relationships with the defendants, CNOBB and the support he received from them during his 2017 campaign.

“CNOBB was founded by people I know very well, people I’ve known for years,” White said.

He then acknowledged that some of those people were currently sitting in the conference room.

“It kind of started with Mayor Shearon and then I met the Vincents and went from there,” White said.

Related coverage

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Mapes and Martin deposed in Sunshine lawsuit

Press conference sheds light on Sunshine lawsuit