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Tag: Anna Maria Island

Castles in the Sand

Fannie, Freddie and Ginnie

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

Fannie, Freddie and Ginnie may sound like the title of the newest coming of age beach read, but that couldn’t be further from what they actually are. Nevertheless, this trio may also be going through a coming of age moment which will have a heavy impact on home finance.

Most people have heard of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which are government-sponsored but not government guaranteed entities that package mortgage loans into mortgage-backed bonds. Ten years ago, after the financial crisis, the federal government took them over into a conservatorship and bailed them out with taxpayer money.

At that time, they were thinly capitalized because they purchased subprime loans with little down payment from buyers who were also not vetted properly. As we all now know, this created the famous housing bubble that burst with millions of foreclosures around the country. Well, Fannie and Freddie are at it again creating risk by accepting high-risk, low down payment loans. For years even before the housing bubble some members in Congress and the House Financial Service Committee have been attempting to reduce the scope of Fannie and Freddie and protect the American taxpayer.

There has been talk in Congress of developing a private capital program in conjunction with Ginnie Mae. Ginnie Mae is a government-owned corporation that guarantees bonds backed by home mortgages that have been guaranteed by a government agency, mainly the Federal Housing Administration and the Veterans Administration.

FHA loans have been around a long time, designed to help borrowers who couldn’t get conventional home loans because they had low credit scores or limited resources. However, unlike the subprime loans from 10 years ago these borrowers as well as the properties they purchased were better scrutinized. FHA inspected the properties being financed through them and were sometimes a seller’s and realtor’s nightmare because of their thorough procedures. VA loans are also created through Ginnie Mae as a veteran’s benefit. Currently, only about 10 percent of mortgage-backed loans are originated through Ginnie Mae.

The program that is being floated is to work with private mortgage credit guarantors using the Ginnie Mae system creating a private capital buffer for the loan. Presumably, this would protect taxpayers from some of the risk encountered when Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were taken over by the government and bailed out by taxpayers. The objective is to reduce the size of Fannie and Freddie and put some of the risk onto private capital.

Will this work? No one really knows and any threat to Fannie and Freddie will encounter enormous pushback from government officials not to mention Fannie and Freddie employees, who have an obvious financial benefit to keep expanding these agencies.

Not only are our primary mortgage lenders going through a generational change, but our newest generation of adults may also be going through a generational change. Gen Z children, who are now college age or about to graduate, appear to be a lot more serious about finance than their parents and even their hippie grandparents.

Having lived through the financial crisis and experiencing the scars left on their families, they are approaching adulthood with a more conservative bent. According to The Wall Street Journal, they are doing a lot less partying and consider being well-off financially an important part of their lives.

Who knew that kids raised on video games, youtube and texting would turn into a generation we haven’t seen since the Greatest Generation. Works for me and for the future of real estate.

More Castles in the Sand

Attorney or no attorney – that is the question

Honesty is the best policy – especially in real estate

Why aren’t you moving?

Island cities prepare for Hurricane Michael

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News, Weather.

Updated Oct. 9 – ANNA MARIA ISLAND – As Hurricane Michael approaches Florida’s west coast, local officials are making storm preparations.

Lt. John Cosby serves as Bradenton Beach’s emergency operations manager.

“We’re expecting tropical storm-type winds and gusts starting Tuesday evening, with heavy rain on Wednesday and Thursday, so we’ll be watching for standing water and flooding. We’ve got code enforcement going to the beach businesses telling them to batten down and get their stuff off the beach because it will blow around. If we’re looking at a two-to-four-foot storm surge, that shouldn’t hurt us too much because we don’t have any real soft spots,” Cosby said.

“They seem pretty positive about the storm track and don’t anticipate it changing. The only change would be if the storm really intensifies or stalls above us. There’s going to be a lot of rain and wind, but it’s nothing we’re not used to. We’re the first county on the watch list and the worst is expected to happen north of us. Hopefully it just steams on by,” Cosby said this afternoon.

Bradenton Beach Public Works Director Tom Woodard said high water signs were placed in areas that typically flood and catch basins were cleaned so the water can get to where it needs to go.

“I heard some mention of possible ‘king tides’ too,” Woodard cautioned.

Bradenton Beach does not provide sandbags, but sandbags can be obtained at the east end of G.T. Bray Park, at 5502 33rd Ave. Drive W. in Bradenton. ID is required and county residents are allowed 10 bags per household.

Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale said the generator that powers the police department and public works buildings was being tested and he and others would continue to monitor the storm.

“We are already prepared. We were in June and we just double checked today. All equipment is in working order, we have reserve fuel and water, we have 3,000 bags on standby and our filling area is topped off with sand. We rehearsed our evacuation and emergency notification plan. I am confident all is in order,” Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said early this evening.

Anna Maria Public Works Manager Dean Jones said, “We made preparations with our equipment, our personnel and our plan of attack. We’ve got our barricades ready and we’ll have more information on Tuesday. We’re monitoring the high and low tides, and sandbags are available at the north end of Bayfront Park on North Bay Boulevard.”

AMI Hurricane Sandbags
Sandbags are available at Bayfront Park in Anna Maria, shown here, and at city hall in Holmes Beach. – Dean Jones/Anna Maria Public Works | Submitted

Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said, “We’re not doing anything more than our regular sandbag preparations. Sandbags can be found in front of the police station and city hall, on the south end of the property.”

Manatee County issued a press release this afternoon that said, “Hurricane Michael is projected to deliver up to four inches of rainfall and a storm surge of up to four feet,” according to acting Emergency Management Chief Steve Litschauer.

“Beachgoers should be aware of dangerous rip currents and high surf. Swimming and surfing are not advised. We’re advising people to avoid driving through water if there’s standing water on local roads. People can act over the next day to secure lanai furniture and any valuables they have outdoors. We expect Hurricane Michael to deliver strong winds in the area, so the time to prepare is right now,” Litschauer said.

Red tide map

Red tide continues to lessen

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

Today’s report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) shows that red tide decreased in waters off Anna Maria Island during the past week.

Forecasters at the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides predict medium to high concentrations of red tide in Island waters through at least Oct. 8.

The Oct. 5 report shows that Manatee County red tide levels are from 5 percent to 25 percent lower than last week. Low concentrations were found in water samples on Oct. 1 at the Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria. Medium concentrations were found on Oct. 1 at Longboat Pass and Cortez Beach, both in Bradenton Beach, with none at the Palma Sola Bay bridge.

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.

Respiratory irritation was reported on Sept. 26 and from Sept. 30 through Oct. 4 at

Coquina Beach (Bradenton Beach) and on Sept. 26, from Sept. 28-30 and on Oct. 2 at Manatee Beach (Holmes Beach).

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

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.

Related coverage

New red tide funding for ‘weapons’

County approves $500,000 more for red tide beach cleanup

CVB tracks red tide’s influence on tourism

Red tide assistance available for businesses

Red tide resources

Spring Lake

Spring Lake pollution continues to be a problem

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

HOLMES BEACH – After residents voiced their concerns to city hall, Mayor Bob Johnson said the city plans to address the issues at Spring Lake.

The once-clear saltwater lake, located between Clark and Palm drives, is a man-made feature built over a bubbling spring where residents used to be able to swim and fish. But the days of stepping in the water are over, at least for now. The water is murky, full of silt and a Manatee County engineering analysis of the lake showed highly elevated levels of dissolved solids, chloride and salt in the dark waters.

Palm Drive resident Boyd Grayson, in a letter to Holmes Beach commissioners, said that before the water turned brown and murky, fish were abundant in the lake along with blue crabs, families of ducks and many other types of birds, all making Spring Lake a desirable place to live.

Part of the pollution problem now stems from an incident that happened in late 2015 when a county lift station leaked more than 20,000 gallons of sewage into the lake. When the sewage leaked, it created a large fish kill and left debris on the bottom of the lake that killed vegetation.

Though Manatee County had the lake cleaned and deemed the water suitable once again for fishing, few fish came back to Spring Lake. One reason is that piping that connects Spring Lake to the waters of the bay, running underneath homes and streets to the large canal near Gloria Dei Lutheran Church commonly known as Grand Canal, is partially blocked.

The piping is a part of a project by the city to replace aging and failing infrastructure. The pipe is scheduled to be cleaned out and slip-lined with a new pipe before being fitted with a WaStop valve. The valve is designed to prevent debris and tidal waters from entering the pipe from the bay but will allow water out of the pipe.

While this means that silt won’t be able to enter Spring Lake through the pipe anymore, it also means that the waters of the lake won’t be replenished with fish or water from the bay.

Johnson said in an October commission meeting that he’s in the preliminary stages of coming up with a system to agitate the water in the lake, similarly to the way the spring underneath the lake used to bubble up. Because the fresh water lens underneath the Island is depleted, uncapping the spring is unlikely to bring any new water to the lake at this time. He said a benefit of the city’s new stormwater drainage system is that it’s supposed to help replenish that freshwater lens.

Commissioner Carol Soustek said she recently visited Spring Lake with code enforcement officers and wants to find a way to clean the sediment from the water.

Commissioner Judy Titsworth agreed.

“I think it’s horrible,” she said of the situation at the lake. “We need to make an effort to get it back into shape.”

She suggested using bags of oysters to help filter the water while city leaders come up with a more permanent solution to the problem.

Johnson said he hopes to have a formal discussion with commissioners at an October meeting to determine how to best clean the lake and repair any ongoing pollution issues.

Red Tide SBA loans

Economic injury loans available

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Business, Tourism.

Greg Dawson, Public Affairs Specialist with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Disaster Assistance Field Operations met with a group of Bradenton Beach business owners last week and provided information about the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans.

The Thursday, Sept. 27 meeting Dawson attended pertained to the potential formation of a new not-for-profit promotional organization called Love Bradenton Beach.

Dawson told those in attendance that Island business owners can fill out applications at the Island Branch Library, next to city hall in Holmes Beach.

SBA personnel are currently on hand Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dawson said these hours of operation will depend on the demand shown by the local business community.

He said the application process takes about 45 minutes, and the loan turnaround time is approximately three weeks. He said business owners can qualify for up $2 million in SBA loans, with terms as long as 30 years. He said the loans are offered at the 3.385 percent interest that was set when the red tide-related state of emergency was declared in August. He also noted that June 4, 2019, is the application deadline, but he doesn’t suggest waiting that long.

Dawson said that credit score is a qualifying factor, but the most important factor is repayment ability. He said SBA is a cash flow lender and wants to know how much a business is taking in, how much it’s spending and whether it can take on any additional debt.

On Oct. 1, Dawson distributed an email that said as of Sept. 27 his team had received applications from 90 local businesses economically impacted by the recent red tide bloom in Anna Maria Island waters. Dawson said 55 of those applications were already being processed and 39 percent (27 applications) had already been processed. Dawson’s email noted that he was not able to obtain any countywide statistics at this time and those numbers would be made available by the county.

For more information, visit the Small Business Administration or call 1-800-859-2955.

Related coverage

Red tide resources

Red tide fishing request denied

CVB tracks red tide’s influence on tourism

Red tide lessening

New red tide funding for ‘weapons’

Red tide assistance available for businesses

Commission candidates discuss city issues

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

BRADENTON BEACH – Incumbent commissioners Ralph Cole and Marilyn Maro, former Scenic WAVES Committee chair Tjet Martin and former Planning and Zoning Board member John Metz are competing for the two at-large commission seats to be decided in the upcoming city elections.

In lieu of a candidate’s forum, all four candidates were provided with a list of campaign questions. These are some of the questions and answers, with more to come as part of The Sun’s ongoing campaign coverage.

Why do you want to serve on the Bradenton Beach City Commission?

Cole: “Because I don’t agree with the direction two of my opponents want to take our city in.”

Maro: “I want to serve another term to keep our projects moving forward.”

Martin: “To give the residents a stronger voice and focus on their needs and our environmental and safety issues.”

Metz: “To create a better experience for our residents by focusing on their needs and goals, rather than on the commercialization of our city.”

Bradenton Beach commission Candidate Q A Metz
Metz – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Do you support the candidacy of any other candidate?

Cole: “Yes, I support Marilyn.”

Maro: “Yes, but I’m not going to say who it is.”

Martin: “Yes, John Metz.”

Metz: “Yes, Tjet Martin.”

What have you accomplished during your current term in office?

Cole: “We passed legislation so you can’t put a multi-level, stand-alone parking structure in any part of the city; we’re working on our drainage issues and we made good policies for the CRA.”

Maro: “I kept the building moratorium going for more than a year. I’m the liaison for the cell tower and Scenic WAVES. I listened carefully and made good and fair decisions.”

Bradenton Beach commission Canidate Q A Martin
Martin – Joe Hendricks | Sun

If elected, what would you do differently than the current commissioners?

Martin: “I will stay on top of projects that come before us. I want to make sure they get done correctly.”

Metz: “Focus on our residents’ needs and infrastructure to provide a better living experience to retain our residents and their quality of life.”

What are the most important issues facing the commission in the next two years?

Cole: “Drainage improvements, keeping our employees, maintaining the character of our city and protecting our city charter that’s been under attack from people trying to change it.”

Maro: “Improving the drainage and roads, upgrading our city buildings, staying on point and getting along as a commission.”

Martin: “Our residents’ quality of life. Better oversight of expenses and projects.”

Metz: “Restoring and reinforcing the residential quality of life in the city.”

What are the most important issues facing the CRA in the next two years?

Cole: “The undergrounding of the power lines and finishing the day dock.”

Maro: “The underground wiring, the design vision of Emily Anne Smith and seagrass mitigation near the pier.”

Martin: “Anchorage control, safety on Gulf Drive, better resident representation in the distribution of funds.”

Metz: “Mooring field.”

Bradenton Beach commission Candidate Cole
Cole – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Do you think the city should hire a city manager?

Cole: “Not at this time. I think it would destabilize our city.”

Maro: “Definitely not.”

Martin: “Yes, we need an impartial professional who lays out all options and follows our laws – someone who knows how to write contracts, get grants and avoid lawsuits.”

Metz: “Yes.”

What thoughts do you have on the charter amendments proposed by the Charter Review Committee?

Cole: “When you’re going to change your charter, do it in the Sunshine at city hall and get public input. This group did a good job, and they came out wanting to put the four wards back in. I support that.”

Maro: “I like the ward system. It keeps the power balanced.”

Martin: “I think the CRC was rushed. I don’t think the process was independently thought out.”

Metz: “Maintain at-large elections, not wards, and maintain (create) a city manager form of government.”

Bradenton Beach commission Candidate Maro
Maro – Joe Hendricks | Sun

How would assess the city’s drainage projects and what more should be done to address flooding?

Cole: “We have to make sure whatever we do works, is maintainable without a big tax burden and is appealing. Fixing the outfalls into the bay and installing more WaStop valves would help. When you get torrential downpours you need that overflow so it doesn’t back up into people’s houses and yards. And we have to address standing water so we don’t have mosquito problems.”

Maro: “The stormwater projects are moving along, but it’s going to take time. It’s getting better, and we have a good engineer. We’re going to restore the driveways on Avenue C, and I recommended those property owners not have to pay for those permits.”

Martin: “Poor. Fix the residential areas. Bridge Street is a mess when it rains because of the project that was done and now must be fixed. Again.”

Metz: “The projects have generally failed and have not been maintained.”

Do you feel the Transient Public Lodging Establishment (vacation rental) ordinance has been effective in addressing concerns about vacation rentals in residential neighborhoods?

Cole: “The state made it very difficult for local governments that did not have the wherewithal to prohibit rentals of less than 30 days in residential areas before 2011. All we can do now is regulate for noise, trash and parking, and we haven’t had any Bert Harris claims.”

Maro: “The TPLE is working, but it’s going to take time. It’s given everyone a better understanding of our citizens’ rights.”

Martin: “No, to this day on opposite ends of the city I get people telling me there are large parties.”

Metz: “No.”

What more can be done?

Cole: “We all knew we may have to tweak our ordinance and we probably will.”

Maro: “We’re going to have to get together with the realtors that manage them because I think that’s where the problem lies. We need to have more input from the people that are renting them out.”

Martin: “Task the planner and the Planning and Zoning Board to look into additional regulations. More enforcement of the TPLE.”

Metz: “Reinstate the moratorium and reduce house size or capacity. Enforce the existing noise and trash laws.”

bayfest Soul R Coaster 2017

Bayfest on track

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Entertainment, Featured, Festivals.

HOLMES BEACH – Vendors are still calling the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce about the upcoming 18th Annual Bayfest celebration, in spite of the serious red tide outbreak that is cutting into the tourist business, according to Chamber President Teri Kinder.

In fact, all of the food vendor spots have been taken.

“We sold out early,” Kinder said. “I have to tell them that they’ll have to try next year.”

Kinder said nobody seems concerned that the red tide might intensify, despite the lack of an “all clear” from the agencies that monitor conditions in the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay.

Bayfest, known as the Island’s first festival of the season, will be held Saturday, Oct. 20, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. along Pine Avenue in Anna Maria. Admission is free, those attending will be greeted with a wide choice of local food, live music, a Kid’s Zone for the youngsters and a classic and antique auto show. The Anna Maria Island Privateers also will bring their ship, the Skullywag.

Kinder said the classic auto show will be as big as ever.

“Car owners are calling daily to enter,” Kinder said. “We expect to have 100 vehicles at the show.”

The Chamber has not forgotten the damage the red tide has done to businesses and their employees.

Some of this year’s Bayfest festival proceeds will go directly to local tourism industry workers for disaster relief assistance.

Local workers affected by the red tide economic crises must sign up before Oct. 19 with the Chamber. A short application form has been posted on its website, info@amichamber.org. The form can also be picked up at the AMI Chamber, 5313 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. as well as at the Roser Food Pantry during its regular hours. Call 941-778-0414 for Roser Food Pantry hours. Applicants may also call the Chamber to have a form emailed to them.

Completed application forms must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 19, along with employment verification in the form of a recent pay stub or letter from one’s employer.

All funds will be distributed to eligible registered applicants on Friday, Oct. 26, from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. at CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach. Recipients must present a valid ID to receive their check.

To raise additional funds for this cause the AMI Chamber will be selling raffle tickets for an Island Experience, a basket full of local fun with gift certificates to stay, eat and play on the Island and the surrounding waters. Tickets are $5 each and will be sold at the Chamber prior to and at the festival all day during Bayfest. The raffle drawing will take place at 9 p.m. on the main stage at Bayfest. Winners need not be present to win. Gift certificates and items to be included in the raffle prize basket, as well as monetary donations for the relief fund itself, are being accepted at the Chamber. All of the raffle proceeds and monetary donations will go directly to eligible affected tourism industry workers.

For more information, contact the Chamber at 941-778-1541 or at info@amichamber.org.

Anna Maria multi-use trail barricade

Multi-use trail to open along Gulf Drive

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

ANNA MARIA – It’s been years in the making. The city’s multi-year project to create a multi-use trail along its city streets and through its quieter neighborhoods is becoming a reality Oct. 3 at 11 a.m.

The idea was first seeded in 2016 and has taken more than two years to germinate.

The opening ceremony will be on the corner of Gulf Drive and Archer Way and will officially open the first segment of the trail to the public. City Commissioner Amy Tripp will cut the ribbon.

This part of the trail runs along the northern side of Gulf Drive from Archer Way to Willow Avenue.

Mayor Dan Murphy said it’s the first of at least seven or eight planned trail segments, which will create a route for cyclists and pedestrians to travel through Anna Maria. The trail will run east down North Bay Boulevard and North Shore Drive before ending at the intersection of North Shore Drive and Pine Avenue.

Anna Maria pier mock up

Anna Maria approves final budget, raises taxes

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

ANNA MARIA – It’s going to be more expensive to live in Anna Maria. The City Commission unanimously approved the city’s 2018-19 annual budget on Sept. 27, setting the final millage to the ad valorem rate of 2.05. The 2018-19 ad valorem is an 8-percent increase over the previous year.

Millage is the rate at which taxes are determined. One mill is equal to one dollar per each $1,000 of a home’s taxable value.

The total approved budget is $13,464,387.

The reconstruction of the Anna Maria City Pier is the largest expenditure planned for this fiscal year Mayor Dan Murphy said the bulk of the city’s planned expenditures is being allocated for the reconstruction.

He added that it is a one-time expenditure and, if all things go according to plan, won’t be on the budget next year.

“It’s an anomaly,” he said.

City officials are hoping construction on the city pier will begin in December or at the beginning of 2019. The city also is accepting another round of pier request-for-proposal applications Oct. 5.

Hayward cup champs

Hayward Cup champions: Sato Real Estate eeks out the final win

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

The adult co-ed soccer season at The Center finished on schedule despite the seasonal rains, doubling up Thursday night with the last semi-final game and championship game played out within two hours.

Last week’s first semi-final game between underdogs Bins Be Clean and Mar/Kis Insurance was cut 10 minutes short because of lightning that took out the field lights and a torrential downpour that followed. Set to play out the final minutes, Mar/Kis, representing Uruguay in this season’s tribute to the World Cup, had to bow out due to lack of players.

The player shortage ended the game with Bins Be Clean up 6-4, awarding it the first slot in the big championship game.

Team Russia, sponsored by Ross Built Construction, took the field at 7 p.m. against Team Belgium to determine who played Bins Be Clean. Sponsored by Sato Real Estate, the undefeated squad easily handled number 4 seed Ross Built with the final score of 7-1.

Despite the size and stature advantage Greg Ross’ team had in the game, Ben Sato’s 16 saves just were not enough to stop big brother, Josh Sato’s, skill and confidence team from moving on to the final game of the season.

After a short break for Sato’s team Sweden, sponsored by Bins Be Clean, it took the field with Sato Real Estate in the Paul “Ace” Hayward Cup game. Coming into the playoffs in last place with not a single win to its name, Bins Be Clean had everything to prove and nothing to lose.

Having expended valuable energy in their first game, Sato Real Estate played determined to show why it finished the regular season in first place.

Both teams having impressive starters, the match-up made for an exciting 46 minutes of soccer.

Without its starting goalie in the box, Bins Be Clean played without Rico Beissert in scoring position. Beissert adorned the keeper gloves for the entire game, logging at least 20 saves, managing shot after shot by Sato Real Estate.

Bins Be Clean’s shots were limited but effective, setting the pace after five minutes of play with an amazing curving shot by Diego Felipe that went around the goalie to hit the far post and then the inside of the net.

Sato Real Estate’s Jessica Williams nailed a hard shot that went off the post and bounced just outside of the goal.

Team captain Sato soon found the net for himself, along with a nice shot by teammate Zack Lieb. Felipe and his brother Brayan each added a goal to the scoreboard keeping the game close and the spectators thrilled.

Taking advantage of another scoring opportunity, the assist by Amy Ivin gave Williams her solo goal of the game, bringing the game to a tie 3-3 with only minutes left on the clock.

Feeling overtime in the air, with no time on the scoreboard clock, Ivin hit the game-winning goal for Sato Real Estate.

Beissert tried to make something happen in the final seconds of the game kept on the official’s watch. Coming out of the goal, Beissert sailed a line drive over the wall of the field. Bins Be Clean’s players hustled, working for the tying goal until the final whistle blew, losing the championship to the extremely formidable opponent found in Sato Real Estate 4-3.

Starting the playoffs with not a single Bins Be Clean victory, the sure bet would have been an easy victory for Sato Real Estate. Both teams played a fast-paced, skill-filled match making the Hayward Cup championship game an exciting way to end another season of soccer on The Center pitch.

Related coverage:

Brazil and Belgium undefeated: Island soccer’s unbeatable

Moss Builders’ soccer clinics construct confidence

A community of soccer on the Island

center golf carts

Center scores a hole in one with golf tournament

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

The Center of Anna Maria Island hosted its annual golf tournament Sept. 27, and 28 teams of four came out to The Links at Greenfield Plantation to support the nonprofit.

This year’s tournament was made possible by title sponsor The Ugly Grouper. Additional event sponsors include 30 hole sponsors, Lancaster Design and Landscape as beer cart sponsor, Progressive Cabinetry as the hole in one sponsor, M Concept and Design Making It Wild. Anna Maria Island resident Tony Soletti and the owners of the golf course hosted the event.

center golfing girls waterfront team
Waterfront team members Lauren Zoller, Rebecca Rich, Natalia Petrof and Michelle Woodson. – The Center of Anna Maria Island | Submitted

Professional long drive golfers Kevin Shook and Tyler Beasley also were on hand to showcase a long drive demonstration prior to tee time. Though the professional long drive team took home the first-place award, they graciously passed the honor on to the second-place team, Captain Major Fishing Charter, made up of team members Sam Major, Will Osborne, R.C. Martinez and Chad Blacburn. The last-place team was Team Steam Designs with members Melissa Williams, Frank Williams, Jill Pattinson and Reg Pattinson.

Earnings from the event were not available at press time for The Sun.

Reel Time: Sarasota Bay Watch active during red tide

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

Sarasota Bay Watch (SBW) is committed to the health of the bay and has been working tirelessly to help people find ways to feel invested in working on improved habitat and water quality. Their work takes money and volunteers, and the organization has proven effective in raising awareness and funds while being hands-on through cleanups and restoration efforts. The recent Scallopalooza, It’s Clamtastic, was a sell-out and raised awareness and the funds necessary to continue their mission. Want to get involved? Following are upcoming events that depend on concerned citizen scientists, like you.

reel time New Pass Pier Cleanup
Sarasota Bay Watch Program Manager Ronda Ryan prepares to catalogue debris removed from Sarasota Bay during an underwater cleanup. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

The SBW Monofilament Cleanup is this coming Saturday, Oct. 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron on City Island.

SBW has been collecting lost and discarded fishing line and gear from area waters for nine years to protect seabirds and other marine life. Marine debris cleanup is important to the organization’s mission. Volunteers can bring their boat, kayak, paddle board or just cleanup bridges, mangroves and shorelines in an area near them. Volunteers will receive lunch and some great camaraderie for their efforts.

Saprito Pier Underwater Cleanup:  Saturday, Oct. 20, 8:30 to 11 a.m., Sarasota

SBW is calling all certified divers, kayakers, and topside volunteers to clean the Tony Saprito Fishing Pier above and below the water! Removing marine debris and lost fishing gear will reduce bird and marine animal entanglement and ghost fishing while maintaining a healthy habitat and fishing environment for everyone. Sarasota Bay Watch collects data from recovered fishing gear and shares this information with NOAA and Ocean Conservancy to determine marine debris hot spots, fishing impact, and entanglement dangers. It partners with the city of Sarasota, the Sarasota PD Dive Team, and Scuba Quest for this exciting event.

Partner Events

North Jetty Cleanup with Suncoast Reef Rovers: Saturday, Oct. 13, 9:45-11:30 a.m., Nokomis

Sarasota Bay Watch has been partnering with the SunCoast Reef Rovers for three years assisting with collection and data. This collaboration has resulted in tons of marine debris being removed from the sensitive habitat and many entangled fish and crustaceans being freed. There is a need for divers, a limited number of kayakers, as well as topside volunteers. For information/registration contact Ken.Lackmann@fl.usda.gov.

Shoreline Shindig: Saturday, Oct. 13, Noon to 3 p.m., Riverwalk, Bradenton

SBW will be participating in this free event on the Riverwalk in Bradenton. There will be live music from the popular Passerine band and leading local food and beverage vendors. Hosted by START and Realize Bradenton, the event also will feature exhibits about our shorelines and coastal water preservation. This is a family event.

South Jetty Cleanup with SunCoast Reef Rovers: Sunday, Oct. 28, 9:45 to 11:30 a.m., Nokomis

The south Venice jetty is a fishing hot spot and attracts lots of locals and tourists and is considered a hotspot for marine debris. SBW works with SCRR providing diving, kayaking, and topside help to collect and categorize the underwater debris. This cleanup utilizes a lot of volunteers who help handle the large amount of debris that is brought to the surface. For information and registration contact Ken.Lackmann@fl.usda.gov.

Youth Ocean Conservation Summit: Saturday, Dec. 1, Mote Marine, Sarasota

At this yearly event, conservationists, both young and old from across the country, get together to empower young leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to launch ocean conservation projects in their local communities. The event allows young conservationists to work alongside their peers networking with marine conservation professionals.

The summit will feature exciting speakers, hands-on workshops, discussions on careers in marine conservation, opportunities to plan new or build on existing ocean conservation projects and the chance to meet other young people from across the country who are passionate about ocean conservation.

To stay in touch with SBW’s events check out its website. Get on the mailing list by contacting info@sarasotabaywatch.org.

More Reel Time:

Reel Time on the road: Fishing the South Georgia coast

Reel Time: On the road to St. Marys and Cumberland Island, Ga.

Reel Time: The good, the bad and the ugly

Red Tide Banyas Request

Red tide fishing request denied

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Fishing, Outdoors.

CORTEZ – Commercial fisherman and Cortez businessman John Banyas came up short in his attempt to get the state-issued special activity license that he sought to harvest mullet and thread fin herring threatened by red tide.

On Wednesday, Sept. 26, Banyas went to Tallahassee to make his appeal to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) during their commission meeting.

“I spoke and they listened to me. They understood exactly where I was coming from and what I saying. The commission thought it was a good idea, and they referred me to their legal counsel after the meeting,” Banyas said after returning home.

“I sat down and talked with them, and we tried to find a way to make it happen. When they reviewed the paperwork and tried to find a legal way to do it, they really couldn’t find one. They said we’d have to change the Florida Constitution and the amendment for the net ban (enacted in the 1990s). The three-mile fishing line is written in the Constitution, so I’d have to try to change the Constitution in order to do it. That isn’t really feasible, so I pretty much ran into a wall, but I feel good about trying,” Banyas said.

“They understood I was trying to help and trying to do the right thing. I got to meet with the FWC commissioners face to face, and they really wanted to help. I showed them the $25,000 check from the recent long table fundraising event we did on the beach that raised money for Mote Marine and START,” he added.

Banyas sought the special activity license to use a 500-square-foot nylon net with a two-to-four-and-a-half-inch mesh size to harvest mullet. He also sought state permission to use one-inch mesh purse seine nets at one mile out instead of three miles out, but only within five miles of a red tide outbreak or an anticipated red tide outbreak, as determined by FWC.

Banyas thinks it makes sense to catch and use the fish before the red tide kills them, and he felt this approached could be used in future years, beyond any red tide outbreaks currently taking place.

Before Banyas attended the FWC meeting, the Bradenton Beach City Commission agreed the city would serve as the license holder for those limited fishing activities. Banyas sought the City Commission’s assistance because a special activity license permit can only be issued to a municipality, a research organization or an educational organization. The village of Cortez is in Manatee County and does not have its own city government.

“My concern is to utilize the fish before they are wasted,” Banyas told Bradenton Beach commissioners in early September. He had already received letters of support from the Manatee County Commission and Congressman Vern Buchanan and had reached out to State Sen. Bill Galvano as well.

Related Coverage

Special license sought to lessen red tide fish kills

Restaurateurs combat red tide

Police officers doing their job

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Feature, Guest column, Opinion.

By William L. Tokajer

Holmes Beach Chief of Police

As I watch this election season come upon us, I do so with disbelief as to the way this city’s police and code officers are again the target for attacks.

They work extremely hard to keep this city safe and should be applauded for their actions to protect Holmes Beach residents and visitors.

I believe the Holmes Beach Police Department and its police and code officers should be recognized for its proactive actions: distributing window clings and informative security fliers, as well as personally knocking on doors in the target areas, reminding people they are vacationing in a residential area and that noise should be kept to a respectful level.

I believe facts support our actions, and people are seeing a positive difference in their neighborhoods — a remarkable decrease in calls for service in the targeted area. In one year, the outreach program has shown a decrease in calls for service of 75 percent.

This outreach program is working!

Through proactive, high visibility policing, the HBPD has reduced crime, while increasing traffic enforcement and arrests, including high profile arrests, such as the recent home invasion burglary and attack of a resident.

Some say Holmes Beach is a little sleepy town with no crime. And yes, almost all of Holmes Beach residents are wonderful law-abiding citizens, but we also have unwelcome visitors. This is evident in the increase in arrests from 121 in 2012 to 400 arrests in 2017 — a 230 percent increase in five years.

Holmes Beach is increasingly becoming a very popular place to live and vacation, which results in the city being an ideal target for criminals.

The Holmes Beach Police Department has implemented and improved community outreach with National Night Out, Coffee with a Cop, Rascal program, RADKids – a self-empowerment for kids program – House watch program and joint functions with other agencies. For a small department, I’m proud of our accomplishments.

It’s my hope that this election year, we all look at the positive advancements that have been accomplished in a very short period, and avoid calling out easy targets: the hard-working professionals that proudly serve as members of the Holmes Beach Police Department and code enforcement.

Castles in the Sand

Attorney or no attorney – that is the question

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

Something real estate brokers learn early on if they happen to move from one state to another is that the culture of buying and selling real estate varies. Some states call signing a contract of sale “going to escrow” and some call it “getting into contract.” Whatever it’s called, it all means the same thing – signing legal documents that will have a lasting effect on your life.

Living in the Northeast, in what is generally called the tri-state areas of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, the culture to buy and sell real estate is to immediately hire an attorney. Real estate agents generally do not generate the contract of sale, they don’t talk to the attorney for the other party to the contract and they do nothing more at a closing than collect their checks.

In Florida, it’s entirely different. The state of Florida does not require an attorney for real estate transactions, and this was typically the way properties were closed for many years. Real estate brokers drew up the contract of sale, as they still do, then title companies took over to verify clear title and conduct the closing.

Well as we say, Florida is no longer your parents’ Florida, and although plenty of real estate transactions are still closed without attorney representation, more and more buyers and sellers are asking for legal advice. Much of this has to do with the increased value of the properties being sold, making one of life’s most significant transactions a much bigger risk.

If you decide to use only a title company, it’s the company’s job to make sure the property has a clear title to be conveyed without any easements or liens. And it will certainly review the contract of sale and the mortgage papers to make sure they are correct. However, their employees are not attorneys and are not fully responsible.

Just like in attorney-driven states, a Florida attorney will review the contract of sale, monitor contractual deadlines, including payment of escrow and mortgage commitments. Like title companies, the attorney will review closing documents as well as the title report. An attorney can also give you advice if there is an issue on a property inspection that could delay the process. And, of course, if you purchase a property privately or sell privately without a broker involved, an attorney is important.

If you choose to hire an attorney, he or she will, of course, hire a title company to check the property’s title. Many attorneys in Florida also have title companies as part of their practice and do the work themselves. Nevertheless, there will be an additional fee for their legal services, and that is one of the decisions you must make when evaluating risk.

Since many properties in Florida are purchased as second homes, frequently buyers and sellers never meet each other, and the entire transaction is accomplished online and by mail. In a situation like this, having someone locally who is looking out for your interests could be very beneficial and relaxing.

There is no right or wrong way to close a property, and your decision may also be influenced by the value of the property. Title companies do a fine job and experienced real estate professionals are adept at drawing up the contract of sale, and they should all be considered part of the transaction team.

However, we do live in a time when people sue one another for the smallest discrepancies, real or perceived, so it’s really about being protected. We’re not your father’s Florida anymore, and that’s a good thing.

More Castles in the Sand:

Honesty is the best policy – especially in real estate

Why aren’t you moving?

Why are you moving?