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Tag: Anna Maria Island

Reel Time: Reflections

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

While fishing might seem challenging to the average angler, there are definitely some bright spots in what has been a perplexing season. Seasoned guides like Captains Scott and Justin Moore and Captain Rick Grassett have been catching fish consistently but having to move with the whims of the red tide.

The only areas consistently free of the red tide are regions where low salinity inhibits the formation. Late last week, clear water made an appearance on the beaches of north Longboat Key only to disappear the next morning.  While there are some encouraging signs, everything is still in flux.

This past weekend I participated in the Sarasota Bay Watch Ninth Annual Monofilament Cleanup. I launched at the north end of Longboat with Michael Dolan of Cortez, and Nancy Greenwood and Casey Lamb from the Longbeach Village. We spent the morning removing discarded fishing line, tackle, lures, trash and flotsam from a small rookery at the mouth of Bishop’s Bayou before moving to the Bridge Street Fishing Pier on Bradenton Beach and then Kitchen Key near Cortez.

Reel Time mono team
Nancy Greenhouse, Michael Dolan and Casey Lamb offload the fishing line, tackle and recyclable items they removed from area bird rookeries during Sarasota Bay Watch’s Ninth Annual Monofilament Cleanup this past weekend. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

After cleaning the bridge fenders at Longboat Pass, we decided to head south along the beach to assess the conditions. We finished in the cove bordering the Longboat Key Club in New Pass. At our last stop, we were greeted by three manatees. Considering what these gentle creatures have been through with the red tide they were a welcome sight! We had lunch at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron with other volunteers before heading back north in the bay.

The ride was a mixed bag of excitement and disappointment. While there were areas that looked healthy with bait and jumping mullet we also crossed water that looked bad, smelled bad and even had us coughing for a brief period.

One thing I do know from experience is that this episode will end, and clean water and life will return to the Gulf and bays.

Having said that, I can’t stress enough the importance of learning the lesson this experience is posing. While red tide is natural, the frequency of occurrence and intensity is not. Man-made nutrients are worsening the effects. It’s critical we don’t forget and elect politicians that vote for common sense policies that protect our waters.

Recently you may have noticed full-page ads in local newspapers paid for by Big Sugar. In the ads, they are dodging responsibility for the nutrient loads and releases of water that are spawning green algae blooms and fueling red tide. While it’s true that they may have been getting more of the blame than they deserve they definitely are part of the problem.

They lobby to have water levels kept artificially high during the dry season to assure they have water to accommodate their agricultural lands. This becomes a problem during wet seasons when excess water cannot be stored and must be sent east and west into the Indian River Lagoon and Pine Island Sound.

Expect more of the same and worse if we don’t address the root causes of the problem. They are understood, and a draft plan is already available that would help alleviate much of the problem. The only thing missing is the political will. That’s where we come in.  Like the old saw says, we’re either part of the solution or part of the problem.

More Reel Time

Reel Time: Sarasota Bay Watch active during red tide

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

home renovation front

Homeowners opt for retro renovation

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

HOLMES BEACH – In a time when many homeowners are rebuilding or giving a modern renovation to their homes, one family is turning back the clock on their Island home all the way to 1963.

Sean and Mary Anne Muniz purchased their Island home on 73rd Street in Holmes Beach in January 2018, a place they’ve dubbed Beach Haven. When they purchased the home, it featured a more modern kitchen, tile floors and a few hints as to its mid-century original grandeur.

Rather than tearing down the home and rebuilding or renovating to provide more modern amenities, the Muniz family decided to go another route. They’re remodeling the home and restoring it back to the year it was built, 1963, with the mother/daughter team of Mary Anne and Gillian Muniz leading the charge.

All of the furniture in the home is authentic to the 1960’s, including these reproduction chairs and the vases adorning the wall. – Kristin Swain | Sun

Mary Anne and Gillian are choosing everything for the house from paint colors, to specially made period-specific tiles for the kitchen, furniture and accessories to reflect the original period of the home. Only a few concessions have been made to provide modern conveniences including putting a new roof on the home, internet and cable services, placing a television on a 1960’s reproduction room divider, and replacing the kitchen appliances with modern antique reproductions. One of the more amusing aspects of the renovation, Mary Anne said, is watching her children, Robbie and Gillian, react to some of the antique pieces, such as a rotary phone.

“I wish I would’ve recorded that because it was pretty funny,” she recalled of the incident, explaining to her children how the phone works.

Currently, work is underway to remove the ceramic tile from the home, uncovering and refinishing the original terrazzo flooring. Once the flooring is complete, kitchen renovations will begin.

home reno calendar
A wall calendar from 1963 is just one of the many unique and period-specific touches in the Muniz home. – Mary Anne Muniz | Submitted

All of the lighting, accessories and decorative touches for the home have been carefully tracked down and lovingly selected by Mary Anne and Gillian from vintage shops and authentic reproduction companies.

While most of the furniture in the home is reproduction pieces, great care and a lot of research was done by the two women to make sure that it’s authentic to the time period before it earned its place in the home. Much of the furniture they’ve selected is made by Heywood Wakefield, a company specializing in mid-century modern furniture that has been in business since 1897.

Upon entering the home, the first thing that visitors will notice is the vintage cinderblock wall shading the porch with cutouts to allow a breeze through. The porch is decorated with a vintage reproduction seat grouping. Entering through the front door, there is a dining room with a vintage 1963 wall calendar decorating one wall and the kitchen waiting to be restored on one side. On the other are the living area with three bedrooms and two bathrooms off to the side.

home reno vases
Four square style glass vases from the 1960’s adorn a wall in the home’s living area. – Kristin Swain | Sun

Gillian, however, makes her home in the attached pool house area featuring its own bathroom and separate entrance. From the living area, large windows and sliding glass doors give a lovely view of the outdoor patio area and fully restored pool.

Restoration work isn’t the only retro thing the family is planning to do with the property. While the Muniz’s plan to one day make the Island their full-time home, once renovations are complete they plan to periodically rent the home through Anna Maria Vacations to help make their dream a reality, a practice common prior to the economic hardships suffered in the mid-2000s. The family currently makes their full-time home in Minnesota.

You can follow the home’s journey back to 1963 on their Beach Haven social media page.

Holmes Beach logo OLD

Twenty-nine new Bert Harris claims come to Holmes Beach

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

HOLMES BEACH – In the last week to file Bert Harris claims with Holmes Beach regarding the city’s vacation rental ordinance, 29 new claims found their way to city hall with a total value of $8,031,000 if city leaders choose to accept the proposed settlement amounts.

Twenty-two of the claims, with property owners represented by attorney Aaron Thomas, came in on Sept. 28 with a total value of $5,664,000. All of the claims listed the reason for filing for loss of property value with the city were due to reductions in occupancy in the short-term rentals. Occupancy in Holmes Beach in short-term rentals is limited to two people per bedroom or six people total, whichever is greater, including children and infants.

One claim found its way to city hall Oct. 1 requesting compensation from the city amounting to $250,000, claiming property loss due to a reduction in occupancy. The property owner also is represented by Thomas.

Just under the deadline, six claims were received at city hall on Oct. 2 amounting to $2,117,000 in requests for compensation. All of the property owners are represented by attorney Scott Rudacille.

While all six claims list occupancy as a reason for filing for compensation due to property value loss, one claim also lists loss of future land use as a reason and two list restrictions on the number of bedrooms allowed for new construction for short-term rental properties. The city’s ordinances restrict the number of bedrooms on new construction to four per single family home or two bedrooms per side of a duplex for short-term rental properties.

The 29 claims were in response to a postcard mailing sent out by city hall Oct. 1, 2017, advising property owners of their rights under the Bert Harris Act and the vacation rental ordinances previously passed by commissioners. Property owners were given one year from receipt of the postcard to file Bert Harris claims. Now city leaders have 150 days from receipt of the claims to respond or offer a settlement to property owners.

More thoughts shared by commission candidates

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

BRADENTON BEACH – City Commission candidates Ralph Cole, Marilyn Maro, Tjet Martin and John Metz recently shared their thoughts on their campaigns and the issues the City Commission deals with.

Cole and Maro currently serve on the commission, and Martin and Metz are trying to unseat them.

– Joe Hendricks | Sun

Some of the candidate’s answers to The Sun’s questions ran in last week’s issue and here are some more of the candidates’ views.

What qualifications and experience do you/would you bring to the commission?

Cole: I’ve been a commissioner for three years. I chair the CRA, I’m a property owner, I’m a business owner, I’ve been a resident for 39 years and my father was mayor.

Maro: I’ve been a commissioner and CRA member for two years. I’ve been in business, and I’ve taught intercity vocational education. I listen well, and I think before I act.

Martin: I know our ruling documents. I was Scenic WAVES chair getting projects completed. I have regularly participated in city matters. I am an independent thinker.

Metz: Doctor of Laws degree, three-plus years on the Planning and Zoning Board, 10 years on the city of Oceanside Beach and Harbor Advisory committee with five years as chairperson and managing two successful businesses.

What are your thoughts on the commission’s 2018-19 fiscal year budget?

Cole: I’ve done three budgets, and we’ve been going in the right direction. We’ve got stability, we’re not going broke and our staff does a really good job with the budget.

Maro: We’ve done an excellent job on the budget, and we’re in real good shape.

Martin: I have concerns that it will be a balanced budget. I don’t think there was enough money allocated for neighborhood improvements.

Metz: No tax increase is needed or should occur.

If you could complete one city and/or CRA project in the next two years what would it be?

Cole: The undergrounding of the power lines on Bridge Street, finishing the day dock, adding finger docks and creating a living shoreline.

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

Martin: Improvements at Katie Pierola Park and the anchorage in the CRA district.

Metz: Mooring field.

Should the City Commission retain the sole authority to hire and fire department heads and the charter officials that include the city clerk, city attorney and police chief?

Cole: If we allowed a city manager to hire and fire our city department heads or anybody else, every two years we could end up with new staff. Right now, we have good stability, and we know what we’re working with.

Maro: Yes. I think it should be a group decision made by the commission.

Martin: Not as a whole, but together with city manager recommendations.

Metz: No.

What thoughts do you have on the still pending Sunshine Law lawsuit the commission filed against six former city advisory board members in 2017?

(Metz and Martin are among the six defendants named in the lawsuit that alleges Sunshine Law violations were committed by Planning and Zoning Board and Scenic WAVES Committee members.)

Cole: I didn’t ask any of our advisory board members to go out and have meetings outside of city hall. I felt that when CNOBB did their charter amendment initiatives I couldn’t participate in those meetings without fear of breaking the Sunshine Law. I believe the transparency of the Sunshine Law is very serious.

Maro: That’s up to the judge and the attorneys.

Martin: The commission should have followed resolution 16-853 that deals with board and committee members, or the state ethics commission could have done the investigation.

Metz: The case should never have been brought and will cause financial loss to the city. The situation was totally mismanaged, misjudged and such drastic measures against volunteers was avoidable.

If elected, how would being a defendant in the lawsuit impact your ability to serve as a commissioner?

Martin: It wouldn’t.

Metz: None. I would recuse myself on any vote about it.

If elected, would you seek a commission vote to dismiss the lawsuit or would you want the case to move forward so a judge can determine if the alleged Sunshine violations occurred?

Martin: I want the case to be settled as quickly as possible.

Metz: I would recuse myself on any vote concerning it.

Related coverage

Commission candidate omits required disclaimer

Commission candidates discuss city issues

Bradenton Beach bike share

Bike share service proposed in Bradenton Beach

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

BRADENTON BEACH – Mobile Muttley’s owners Thomas Pechous and Tracy Thrall presented their proposed bike share service to city commissioners last week.

While no commission action was required, the commission expressed tentative support for docked bike share services, as long as all the required building permits and business licenses are properly obtained.

Mayor John Chappie said he previously spoke with Pechous and wanted the commission to hear his presentation.

Pechous said he and Thrall have been working on a docked bike share system for 10 years, and they hope to eventually make this an Island-wide endeavor that can serve as a model for other communities.

Pechous envisions a bike share and docking service that provides easy and flexible access to bikes that can be rented by the hour or for the entire day. He provided as an example, a visitor who parks his/her car at Cortez Beach – a few blocks south of Bridge Street – rents a bike from that location and rides down to Bridge Street or some other location to eat lunch or go shopping. The client can turn the bike in at that time or grab that bike or another bike after lunch and continue the pedal-powered travels through the city and/or the Island.

Pechous said the docking stations would be solar-powered and the rentals would be conducted via smartphone applications and the company would be insured.

Thrall said the smartphone technology would also help the person hired to run the daily operations to monitor supply and demand and ensure there are spaces to dock the rented bikes when users are done with them.

Pechous said Holmes Beach architect Jeff Conners is providing the designs for the docking stations.

Chappie noted that docking stations located at the county beaches would require county permission and/or permitting too.

“It looks like a great system, I like the whole idea of it,” Commissioner Jake Spooner said, noting the bike share service might lessen congestion and the need to drive around searching for a place to park.

“It would be great if we were able to have it at Cortez Beach. People can hop on a bike and come to our downtown area. It’s a fun, healthy way for people to get around and people wouldn’t have to wait on the trolley or the Monkey Bus,” Spooner said.

At the recommendation of City Attorney Patricia Petruff, the Holmes Beach City Commission, on Sept. 25, imposed a six-month moratorium on bike and scooter sharing services. This was done to allow the city time to develop regulations for a business model not currently addressed by city ordinances or regulations.

During that same meeting, Holmes Beach commission chair Judy Titsworth said efforts would be made to push through regulations for docked bike sharing systems. The commission’s main concern is that the dockless systems present safety concerns and concerns about bikes and scooters being left in roadways and on private properties.

When addressing the Bradenton Beach commission, Pechous said he was confident the Holmes Beach moratorium would soon be resolved. He agrees that dockless bike and scooter sharing services can create the types of nuisances that he and Thrall want to avoid.

After the meeting, Thrall estimated the bike share service would cost approximately $5 an hour and $15-$20 a day. He said they did not yet know when the bike share service would become operational or how many docking stations would be needed.

Related coverage

Locals present bike share option to city commissioners

Anna Maria City Pier RFP

Five names entered into Anna Maria City Pier bidding hat

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

ANNA MARIA –The latest round request for proposals (RFP) to rebuild the city pier closed Oct. 3. Five Florida-based construction companies entered their names as candidates.

Mayor Dan Murphy said during the Sept. 27 Anna Maria City Commission meeting he hoped 11-12 companies would enter proposals.

The companies: Cone & Graham, Inc. from Port Saint Lucie, GLF Construction Corporation from Miami, Speeler & Associates, Inc. from Largo, and i+iconUSA and American Bridge, both from Tampa, submitted RFPs to the city by the 3 p.m. deadline.

Speeler & Associates, which was hired to demolish the city pier, and i+iconUSA had previously sent in construction proposals during the city’s last RFP round in July.

The last round of proposals were over the city’s expected budget. Speeler & Associates proposed a reconstruction price at $3.72 million and i+iconUSA also had previously given the city a $4.13 million offer. They were the only two companies to send in proposals, and both bids were rejected by the mayor with unanimous City Commission support.

The city has budgeted almost $2.5 million for the reconstruction, which includes only the main pier structure and the T-end located at the end of the pier. The city has not opened RFPs for the buildings at the end of the pier, where the bait shop and Anna Maria City Pier restaurant operated from.

City officials declined to comment on the latest proposals or on further details.

The city has purchased concrete pilings for the pier. Murphy said Sept. 27 he’s laid eyes on the pilings, and they’re “sound and accounted for.”

If all goes according to plan, if a proposal is accepted, officials have said they hope reconstruction work will begin in December.

Related Coverage

FEMA proposes $1.37 million for pier damage

Second pier construction RFP being issued

Pier construction permits issued

Freckled Fin purchase

New owners take over The Freckled Fin

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Business.

HOLMES BEACH – If you’ve noticed any changes at The Freckled Fin since Oct. 1 it might be due to the restaurant’s new ownership.

Holmes Beach resident and Commissioner Rick Hurst, along with Island residents and friends Guy Yatros, Rick Cloutier and Sean McCarthy purchased the restaurant, taking over management at the first of the month. Hurst said that eventually, McCarthy will take over day-to-day operations of the restaurant. Right now, the project is something the four friends are excited to work on together.

“We’ve always wanted to do it,” Hurst said of purchasing a restaurant. He said he and his friends enjoy going to The Freckled Fin and “thought that’s a great place with a great atmosphere,” so when the business became available, Hurst said they took advantage of the opportunity.

“It’s pretty much a turnkey operation,” he said.

Going forward, patrons will see some changes or tweaks coming to the restaurant, Hurst said. One of the more notable changes being enacted immediately is that patrons will no longer have to order at the bar. Hurst said one of the biggest complaints he heard from patrons was a lack of table service, so the new management has decided to remedy the situation, along with considering replacement of the restaurant’s credit card system to simplify card processing and allow patrons to tip after the card is run by servers.

Another change Hurst said they hope to make is to simplify the menu over time. While the same chefs and staff are planned to remain at The Freckled Fin, Hurst said some changes may come to the menu in the way of a concentration on fresh food and paring down menu selections. He said the plan is to find out which items patrons prefer and to “get good at select things rather than be average at a lot of things.” During this process, the new owners are hoping to receive feedback from the community about which menu items are favorites and which ones patrons would prefer not change. He said anyone concerned about a favorite menu item changing should let management and restaurant workers know.

Management also is evaluating the sound system to see if there are any improvements needed. Hurst said they want to be very conscious of noise and respectful of residential neighbors.

Right now, Hurst said they’re just trying to get into the swing of things and provide patrons with an experience that just gets better with each visit.

“We like the place; that’s why we bought it,” he said. “We saw some areas for improvement and really hope to make it better.”

The Freckled Fin is at 5337 Gulf Drive, Suite 600 in Holmes Beach.

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.

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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.