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Tag: Anna Maria Island

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?

Bradenton Anna Maria Island Longboat Key

CVB tracks red tide’s influence on tourism

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Business, Tourism.

Red tide caused Manatee County to lose 17.5 percent in economic activity in August, according to a report by the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB).

The number translates to a reduction of nearly $4.4 million in direct visitor spending and a $6.9 million economic impact deficit, according to the report.

More than 79 percent of vacation rental property owners interviewed reported that their reservations for the next three months have decreased compared to this time last year, and that September business continues to be impacted by red tide.

The report also describes in detail how visitors in major feeder markets perceive red tide in Manatee County, based on media coverage of the bloom in their locations.

U.S. market

From June 1 to Sept. 14, about 1,200 stories were published related to red tide and Manatee County, the report states, with most coverage in the Tampa/St. Petersburg market (289 mentions) and more than 70 national media mentions.

Coverage peaked on Aug. 13 following the publication of an Associated Press article headlined “Devastating toxic algae bloom plagues Florida’s Gulf Coast,” according to the report, which notes other major media reporting on the bloom, including CNN, The New York Times, ABC News, The Chicago Tribune, The Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post.

Another spike in coverage occurred Aug. 22-23 with more than 100 stories, many related to an Associated Press story headlined, “Florida red tide: Wildlife advocate stunned by toll on fish,” the report states.

By Sept. 1, media interest in red tide had waned significantly. Since then, roughly 100 mentions have been tallied, with about 75 percent running in the Tampa/St. Petersburg market, according to the report. Only four national stories ran from Sept. 1-14.

The decrease in stories since Sept. 1 suggests that visitors perceive that red tide has receded, and affected areas are by and large “back to normal,” according to the report.

“Provided conditions remain the same or improve, little red tide coverage is expected, though ‘Coast is Clear’ initiatives and messaging in the upcoming months will aid in efforts to steer this conversation,” the report states.

United Kingdom market

The red tide on the west coast of Florida hit the UK news mostly during August, the report states. The impact on marine life and beach conditions were the main issues covered, and it was widely reported that the algae is a naturally-occurring phenomenon.

During August, a small number of UK tour operators contacted the CVB for an update on red tide conditions, and some said that visitors were cancelling or changing their vacation dates, as the beach was a main factor in their holiday plans, according to the report.

From Sept. 4-14, the CVB noted no UK media coverage of red tide. “Unless the situation worsens, we don’t anticipate further coverage and we don’t anticipate it being a lasting memory in people’s minds,” the report states.

Central Europe market

The CVB’s German office asked Central European tour operators how the red tide on Florida’s Gulf coast influenced their clients’ travel to Florida.

Top tour operators that sell the Bradenton Area said they had a few customer complaints from guests in the destination who wanted to change their booking to a different location, but the majority said there was not a large negative impact on bookings, the report stated. Many said that they have more customers planning to visit the area compared to last year.

Visitors expressed more concerns about hurricane activity since last year’s Hurricane Irma, according to the report.

Renewed marketing

The CVB launched marketing promotions this week aimed at attracting couples to Manatee County.

“Relax & Connect” touts romantic beach accommodations, shopping, a spa visit and a gourmet meal on Anna Maria Island for a few days or a week.

“A great night for a date night” offers a romantic evening for two at Pier 22 in Bradenton, a sunset cruise with Kathleen D. Charters and a stop at The Doctor’s Office on Anna Maria Island for cocktails.

“Popping the question in paradise” suggests five locations as engagement destinations, from restaurants to preserves.

“Six ridiculously romantic places to say ‘I do’ ” sells six locations in the area as wedding destinations, from elegant to offbeat.

Related coverage

Red tide up

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

Red tide assistance available for businesses

Red tide map

Red tide lessening

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 predict medium to high concentrations of red tide in Island waters through at least Oct. 1.

The Sept. 28 report shows that Manatee County red tide levels are from 5 percent to 25 percent lower than the previous week. High concentrations were found in water samples on Sept. 24 at the Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria. Medium concentrations were found on Sept. 24 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 from Sept. 20 and Sept. 22-26 at Coquina Beach (Bradenton Beach) and Sept. 20-21, Sept. 23 and Sept. 25-26 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.

Weather sets mood for Island Players’ ‘Guest’

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Entertainment, Theater.

ANNA MARIA – It was a dark and stormy night as the Island Players performed “The Unexpected Guest,” a murder mystery from the pen of Agatha Christie, on Thursday, Sept. 20.

Flashes of lightning and the booms and crackles of thunder from a storm outside permeated the performance, adding to the murder mystery ambiance. At one time, the power failed and the lights went out briefly as emergency lights on both sides of the stage replaced them.

And what a show it was as they opened the 70th season of Manatee County’s oldest dramatic troupe. The first show was well paced and well played by the cast.

Director Heiko Knipfelberg also had a lead part in the play as Michael Starkwedder, a traveler who drove off the road during a heavy fog and entered the home of Richard Warwick, played by Jack Abene, who sat in his wheelchair dead from a bullet. His wife, Laura, played by Island Players President Sylvia Marnie, told Starkwedder she had murdered her abusive husband, a hunter who liked to shoot at wild animals and pets that strayed onto his property. Knipfelberg and Marnie worked well together, setting the stage for the rest of the story. Both are talented veterans of the Island Players’ stage and their performances were flawless.

After hearing a dazed Laura Warwick’s story, Starkwedder went to work, planting items in the room and wiping some items of fingerprints so the detectives would be persuaded to shift the blame to one of the other characters living in the house in Britain. He said he did it because he didn’t want to see a pretty woman go to prison.

A note about the play’s British heritage – every one of the characters had believable accents. There’s nothing more distracting than listening to a performer drop his or her accent.

Enter Inspector Thomas, played by Daniel Coppinger. He was great as a veteran investigator who pushed for answers. He was upstaged at times by Kristin Mazzitelli, who played Sergeant Cadwaller. She was hilarious as his aide, taking notes and answering the phone.

Valerie Lipscomb as Miss Bennett, Colin Brady as Henry Angell and Caroline Cox as Mrs. Warwick played their roles well, and Mark Shoemaker, who entered late, was great as a romantic interest.

There was one performance that outshined them all. Jeffrey Steiger played Jan Warwick, the deceased son who had “special” mental needs. His performance was real, and real scary at times. It alone is worth the price of a ticket.

There is a surprise ending, of course, but you’ll have to see it yourself.

On that magical night as the Island Players’ 70th season began, “The Unexpected Guest,” co-produced by Bortells Lounge, is an example of why people keep coming back to the little playhouse on the Island.

For tickets, call the ticket office at 941-778-5755, or go online.

Castles in the Sand

In real estate, cash rules

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

“Never count on making a good sale. Have the purchase price be so attractive that even a mediocre sale gives good results.”

Warren Buffett said this in 1963 in an era when not everyone considered the bottom line the most important thing. Now, however, not only are the sale and the sale price the most important things, cash is also becoming one of the most important elements of a real estate transaction.

It’s true that real estate transactions go more smoothly when homebuyers are paying with all cash. Closing times are shorter, and there is less stress for both buyers and sellers waiting for the inevitable shoe to drop. Loan applications take longer than expected, the one last piece of documentation is not readily available and interest rates are going up, forcing a reevaluation of qualifications. But cash avoids a lot of those issues, making a cash buyer extremely attractive.

According to the National Association of Realtors Economist’s Outlook, the share of cash buyers dropped to just 21 percent in 2017. That compares with a national average of 31 percent between 2011 and 2013 and as high as 57 percent in Florida in 2012.

Well, Florida is still humming with cash buyers, at least in our area. The July sales statistics for single family homes bought with all cash was up 22.7 percent from last July and for condos up 17.5 percent from last July. For the month of August, however, the cash buyers were off for single family homes down 8.1 percent but for condos they were up 20.8 percent.

And in an interesting article I recently read, Detroit is finally digging out of their deep depression and starting to sell real estate. The median home price as of this writing in Detroit is $32,428, the medial home price nationwide is $234,000. The percentage of homes bought in Detroit for cash as of this writing was 87 percent and nationwide was 28 percent. Obviously, the historic low prices in Detroit is generating all cash offers many from investors and flippers. Flippers may be just what Detroit needs where many homes have permit issues and condition problems preventing buyers from applying for a conventional mortgage.

But let’s see what’s happening in Manatee County for the month of August: Closings were up for both single family (0.2 percent) and for condos (26.9 percent). The single family median sale price was $296,000, up 3.2 percent from last August, and the condo median was $190,000, up 3.8 percent. The average single family sold for $393,126, up 4 percent, and the average for condos was $222,249, up 2.8 percent. The median time to sell for single family was 94 days and for condos 93 days, and the months’ supply of single-family homes was 3.9 percent and for condos, only 3.6 percent.

Nationally, the number of sales is holding steady, down just 1.5 percent for August, prompting Lawrence Yun from the National Board of Realtors to comment that the housing market is heading to an equilibrium, more good news for the economy. The August median national single-family sales price was $264,800, with a 4.3 monthly supply of properties.

Essentially what we have here is good news for Manatee County and the country generally, with some regions doing better than others, and inventory is still down all over, pushing selling prices up. In Manatee County, not only is cash king but condos are also king, with soaring sales and prices.

Everyone loves cash and always will, but don’t let it scare you away from jumping into the pool. You can avoid the sharks by keeping your credit clean and saving your pennies, so you’ll look as good as king cash.

Red tide fish kill

New red tide funding for ‘weapons’

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

CITY ISLAND – Nearly $2.2 million in newly-allocated state funds will be used to develop weapons to fight red tide, not just study it, Mote Marine Laboratory CEO Dr. Michael Crosby announced today.

It’s the first initiative to do something other than monitor and research the Karenia brevis algae that causes red tide, Crosby said.

Red tide is an algae bloom that produces neurotoxins deadly to marine life and shorebirds. It also poisons shellfish and causes respiratory irritation in people. Florida has been under a state of emergency due to red tide since August, with the bloom affecting tourism and residents along the southwest coast of Florida from Englewood to St. Petersburg, beginning last fall.

The new funds will be used to test and launch new weapons against red tide, including clay and ozone, Crosby said.

Mote will work with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the University of South Florida and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to conduct new field tests of an improved clay technology focused on killing red tide, different from previous, unsuccessful clay experiments, he said.

Laboratory tests on clay will begin within days, and small field experiments will begin in about six weeks, FWC Executive Director Eric Sutton said, explaining that the results of the experiments will dictate when and if it can be used on a large-scale basis.

Mote already is testing ozone in canals in Boca Grande where it is successfully removing the Karenia brevis algae that causes red tide. Red tide water is pumped into an ozone conductor, where the ozone kills the red tide and re-oxygenates the water without releasing ozone into the environment, according to Mote Senior Scientist Dr. Richard Pierce.

“One thing we have to be careful of is to do no harm,” Crosby said, explaining that many things kill red tide, but also kill marine life. When red tide dies, it releases any remaining toxin it holds, he said, adding, “We don’t want to make matters worse.”

One day, Crosby said, “We should be able to forecast red tide events the same way we forecast hurricanes.” While hurricane forecasts focus on physical forces, red tide forecasting also includes chemical and biological factors, making it more complex, he said.

Nutrients worsen red tide

Red tide has been documented along Florida’s Gulf Coast since the 1500s. While its causes are natural, Crosby said that nutrients can affect its duration and intensity.

“As much as we all would like to be able to point our finger at one or two or three particular things, red tide is just not that simple,” he said.

Coastal waters are naturally nutrient-rich whether there are human beings living there or not, Crosby said.

However, “each and every one of us every day in our life is contributing to nutrients flowing from the terrestrial environmental into the coastal environment,” he said. “Each of us can decrease the amount of nutrients in our own yards, planting more native vegetation. Each and every one of us does have a role to play in this.”

Related coverage

Red tide up

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

sunset

FWC: Red tide up

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

Today’s report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) shows that red tide increased in waters off Anna Maria Island during the week ending Friday, Sept. 21.

Forecasters predict medium concentrations of red tide on the north end of the Island and high concentrations on the rest of the Island through at least Monday, Sept. 24.

Red tide forecast
Anna Maria Island is predicted to have high or medium levels of red tide through at least Monday.

The Sept. 21 report shows that Manatee County red tide levels are from 5 percent to 25 percent higher than the previous week. High concentrations were found in water samples on Sept. 17 at Longboat Pass and Cortez Beach, both in Bradenton Beach. Medium concentrations were found on that date at the Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria and at the Palma Sola Bay bridge.

Manatee red tide death toll climbs

At least 149 manatees have died during the red tide bloom that has plagued Southwest Florida since October 2017, and which reached Anna Maria Island on Aug. 3.

To date, 56 dead manatees tested positive for red tide, and red tide is suspected in 93 manatee deaths, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Nine manatee deaths have been recorded in Manatee County so far this year, six in Anna Maria Sound and Sarasota Bay; none are confirmed from red tide.

So far this year, 638 manatees have died in state waters, compared to 538 in all of 2017.

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, which was reported on Sept. 14.

Respiratory irritation was reported from Sept. 14-19 at Coquina Beach (Bradenton Beach) and from Sept. 13-20 at Manatee Beach (Holmes Beach).

The last officially reported fish kill in Manatee County was on Sept. 14 on the Manatee River at Bishop’s Point.

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.

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Holmes Beach mayoral candidates

Mayoral candidates speak out

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

HOLMES BEACH – Mayoral candidates Joshua Linney and Judy Titsworth are ready for the November election. The two took to the dais at city hall to answer questions from Sun readers during the 2018 candidate forum held Sept. 19.

Abbreviated answers to some questions from the forum are below but, to hear all the questions, answers and rebuttals, visit The Sun’s social media page.

In your opinion, what is the job of the mayor?

Linney: “The job of the mayor is to dutifully execute the will of the commission and represent the city in a legal capacity. I think that I am pretty much trying to mimic that now without even having been elected.”

Titsworth: “The mayor is the chief executive officer of the city and he’s administrator of all the city affairs as it relates to our city charter. He’s a leader and it’s important that he’s a responsive leader and that he speaks with the residents, the businesses, embraces the commission and their legislative duties and administrates the staff effectively.”

How do you think the three Island mayors can work together to better address common issues?

Linney: “Well I think it’s very important that we work together.”

Titsworth: “I’ve seen a lot of improvement and I want to thank them all for that… I think consolidation on the loss of home rule and things that we’re all dealing with together, consolidating ideas, consolidating solutions, sharing things, but I don’t think it’s just our only three Island cities, I think we need to reach out farther.”

What do you think is the biggest issue facing the city today and how would you approach dealing with it?

Linney: “There’s a number of them. First, there’s management. Nothing matters if you don’t do it right and if all we keep doing is changing the problem or shifting the problem or not actually addressing the problem we’re not going to get anything done. I think the management of the city is key and that’s number one.”

Titsworth: “The biggest challenge is water rise and stormwater management because we’re a barrier island… An issue is the loss of home rule. Our hands are tied on so many avenues that we used to be able to use to effectively police our communities.”

How would you help reduce the effects of red tide on the community?

Linney: “Shifting the algae into the ocean isn’t a solution, it’s just a different pileup… why haven’t they found a solution to redistribute the algae onto the land, letting the water run through and then taking the product that is the result which is nutrient rich because it’s blooming and use it to fertilize the cane fields it’s coming off of. It seems like solutions like this would be easier than pumping it all the way over 300 miles to the west just so we can push all the other algae north. It just doesn’t make sense.”

Titsworth: “As mayor get to Tallahassee. As mayor get to Vern Buchanan. As mayor just get the word out as best as possible about the amount of loss from our restaurants, from our motels, from our resort housing. Yes, we’re all enjoying the no one on the streets right now but we had to pay a really hefty price for that and that’s not right. We have to find a solution.”

How would you describe your city today to a stranger?

Linney: “Paradise. I don’t care what you say or where you go, all the things the city’s been through in the 43 years I’ve been here it’s still paradise.”

Titsworth: “It’s home. Period.”

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Commission candidates speak out on the issues

Holmes Beach commission candidates

Commission candidates speak out on the issues

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

HOLMES BEACH – It’s getting closer to November and the day when residents will go out to the polls to cast their vote for who will take the two available seats on the city commission.

To help voters make their decision, The Sun hosted its 2018 candidate forum Sept. 19 at Holmes Beach City Hall with candidates Pat Morton, Don Purvis and Kim Rash. Candidate answers to some of the top questions asked are below. To hear the entire forum, visit The Sun Facebook page.

What, in your opinion, is the job of a commissioner?

Morton: “My theory of being a commissioner for a few years now is that I talk with the citizens and with the community. If they come to me with something, I work with them to try to get the best for each.”

Purvis: “I believe the responsibility of the job is truly to represent all the residents here and I think that requires somebody who is moving in multiple different circles, knows a lot of different people, is involved in different aspects of our community and whether that’s understanding what’s going on with small business or what’s going on right now in R-2, in R-1, what’s going on, all of those things matter.”

Rash: “To represent the residents of Holmes Beach. To listen to them and see what their needs are as a resident.”

If elected, what are your top three priorities to tackle?

Morton: “My big thing is infrastructure. It was let go for so many years. Now we’re in the process of getting it processed through. The second, my biggest thing is bicycle and pedestrian safety… the life safety of the Island. We need to get beach accesses opened up, so they can go to pick somebody up.”

Purvis: “Well I would say for me that number one is, as we look at the impact tourism has had on our city for all of us, where that is, where it’s been, where it is now, and, most importantly, where that’s headed and how to responsibly move forward in that manner. Number two, right now for me is infrastructure… third for me is pedestrian/cyclist safety.”

Rash: “Again, I think the top three things all have to do with residents. One, I’ve been out walking and talking and what I’ve been hearing the past couple weeks is all about property taxes. How their property taxes just keep going up and if they don’t raise the millage their property value goes up so they’re writing a larger check this year than they did last year…The other thing is a peaceful way of life for the residents… the third thing is I think we need tighter restrictions for the demo of properties and the building of new houses to make sure they’re built right and they’re not inconveniencing the whole neighborhood while they’re building them.”

What do you see as the hardest task the city has to deal with right now?

Morton: “I would say the rental program, getting that up to where it needs to be.”

Purvis: “I would say the biggest challenge… is cooperation.”

Rash: “I think keeping residents is the hardest task the city has to deal with right now.”

Are there issues that you think the city isn’t handling effectively? How do you propose to improve the city’s approach?

Morton: “We’re working things through, but it takes time to get there.”

Purvis: “Well, you know, the issue that probably jumps out biggest to me and this is once again, not a knock against anybody, it’s just that in my business every day I see vacation renters, I see people come in to purchase property, wanting, having the same dream we did of having the opportunity to live here one day and I realize that the best way to get a lot of these people who come to our city to understand what is expected of them is to get ahold of them before they get here.”

Rash: “The biggest things they have to deal with is the traffic.”

How would you describe your city to a stranger?

Morton: “I think we have a very friendly city here. The people here are very into what’s going on and I think we’re in tune to what’s going on.”

Purvis: “It’s paradise. There’s a reason why when we stumbled upon it we made sure to find a way to make this where we would end up.”

Rash: “We have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world right here. It’s just an unbelievable place to relax, unwind and breathe in the salt air. It’s just a great place to call home.”

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