Members of the Anna Maria Island Historical Society welcomed the public to celebrate the history of the Island’s early settlers at the annual Heritage Day Festival and Settler’s Market. The festivities took place last Saturday, March 2, at the Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum and Park on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria.
There was fun for all ages including a children’s scavenger hunt and other games, a sale of antiques and collectibles, an authors’ corner where readers could purchase books signed by the authors, and a pirate invasion with the Anna Maria Island Privateers aboard their land-bound ship, the Skullywag. Island craftsmen were also on hand for the event, including a beekeeper selling fresh honey, a wool spinner, candle maker, canners with jams and jellies, a quilt maker, barbecue, refreshments and more. The annual event is held to give residents and visitors a small taste of what it was like for the Island’s earliest residents who began settling the area in the late 1800s.
Ron Prouty and Peggy Donoho sold and autographed their book, “Miguel’s Bay” about early settlers to the area that were related to Donoho. - Tom Vaught | Sun
Bradenton beekeeper Kevin Lausman brought a demonstration hive and sold local honey at Heritage Day. - Tom Vaught | Sun
Joan Pettigrew shows the quilt she designed that is being raffled as part of The Center’s upcoming Tour of Homes. - Tom Vaught | Sun
Island resident Lori Gyson brought her grandson, Spencer, with her to the Heritage Day festivities. The well-known Old City Jail is in the background. - Tom Vaught | Sun
Last week I wrote about the anatomy of potholes and how to approach them. Depending on conditions, you will want to tailor your strategy when fishing them. When the water is clear enough for you to spot fish, they will often be traveling between holes. When possible, make a cast into the fish’s path with at least a 5-foot lead and let the fly settle to the bottom. As the fish approaches, bump the fly to imitate a baitfish or crustacean that has been surprised. Fish lying right over sand in a pothole are the hardest to make a presentation to. The cast must land far enough away not to be noticed and stripped so the fly doesn’t approach them.
Match flies to whatever forage is most prevalent. Generally speaking, use smaller flies and fish them slower in the winter. In the warmer months, switch to a larger pattern and work it a bit faster. Patterns with lead eyes, like Clousers, are very effective in the winter. In the warmer months try flies that mimic baitfish like the Lefty’s Deceiver, a bend back pattern. Whether you’re fishing from a boat or wading, make an effort to use the elements to your advantage. Keep the sun at your back for the best visibility.
On an incoming tide, fish will naturally stage at the edges of a flat and move into the potholes and slues as the tide rises. If the fish are hard to approach, try stationing yourself in an area where you have a good view of a pothole or series of holes. Stay off to the side in the grass where you’re less visible and keep a low profile.
By staying a long cast away, you can easily see the fish when they enter a hole or pass across the white sandy bottom. By just waiting them out, you can target reds, trout and snook as they wander the flat. It’s important to be able to land the fly line and the fly softly and not rip the line off the water for the next cast. Stand still, be observant and make your casts low and slow. It takes patience but can be very productive.
In most cases, there are few obstructions on a flat allowing you to use a light 6- to 8-weight outfit. Lines and leaders can be varied according to the conditions. On a shallow, clear flat, use a floating line and a long leader. A 12-foot leader with a 30-pound fluorocarbon bite tippet is standard. If the fish are particularly wary, drop down to a 20 or even 15-pound bite tippet. When fishing holes with deeper water, 6 to 8 feet, switching to a sink-tip fly line with a 10-foot leader might be more productive.
Potholes on a flat concentrate fish for fly anglers. They provide cover for predators and a way for them to enter and exit a flat. Learn to fish them according to their unique topography, the time of the year, tides and local conditions, and they’ll consistently provide action to the savvy angler.
ANNA MARIA – The Center of Anna Maria Island’s annual Murder Mystery is a favorite night out for many Islanders, but this year’s festivities were particularly interesting with a nostalgic 1980s theme and a real-life onstage proposal ending the night.
The play, written by Brianna Roberts and Beth and Mike Shaughnessy, began with a trip down memory lane for the cast, all 1978 graduates and staff from Ben Dover High School gathering for a 10-year reunion. Things quickly took a turn to the sinister when Principal John Hughes, played by Will Schenerlein, dropped dead after having a drink from the bar.
As various characters tried to find out who the murderer was, more antics ensued including the musical stylings of Marty McGoldblum, played by Clay Spangler, to 80s classic songs and a dance-off between Coach Dick Diggler, played by Don Purvis, and high school football great Ray Rodney King Jr., played by Ray Gardner. A prom court was voted in and a prom king and queen were awarded $50 gift cards to Slim’s Place in the costume contest.
Other cast members included Jillian Cacchiotti and Leah Purvis as mean girl cheerleaders Jillian Ryder and Leah Lockler, Chris Scott as nerd Judge Brinehold, Mike Shaughnessy as stoner bus driver Mike, Monica Simpson as exchange student Short Swan Chow, Brianna Roberts as undercover CIA agent Regina Jacobs and Caleb Roberts as George Michael look-alike Caleb Michael.
As the cast of the Center’s Murder Mystery take their final bows Feb. 23, cast member Ray Gardner proposes marriage to long-time girlfriend and castmate Jillian Cacchiotti onstage. – Kristin Swain | Sun
Sponsors for the event included The Ugly Grouper, Slim’s Place, Progressive Cabinetry, Abrahamson and Uiterwyk Personal Injury Law Firm, Island Photography, Beach House Real Estate, Eason Builders Group, Moss Builders, ALSCO Linen and Uniform Rental Services, Johnson Homes, Key 2 Life Training, Steam Designs, the Freckled Fin and the Traveling Gourmet.
In keeping with the high school theme, food for the event was served on Styrofoam cafeteria trays in a lunch line setting, including a serving of mystery meat. Guests also were treated to a dessert table featuring cupcakes and mini mud pies, and appetizers including shrimp cocktail, spinach artichoke dip and salad.
Friday’s festivities topped out with around 170 attendees while Saturday night’s final performance drew a crowd of about 350.
Ending the final night of the Murder Mystery was a surprise onstage marriage proposal. As the cast took its final bows, Gardner proposed to longtime girlfriend Cacchiotti, ending the evening on a happy and celebratory note.
ANNA MARIA – As part of Manatee County’s Heritage Days celebration, the Anna Maria Island Historical Society will hold its annual Heritage Day Festival on Saturday, March 2 at the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum and Park at 402 Pine Ave. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Howie Banfield and the AMI String Band will provide music, and BBQ and refreshments will be available.
Local crafters will demonstrate arts and crafts as practiced by early Island settlers including beekeeping, wool spinning, candle making, woodworking, soap making, jam and jelly making, basket weaving and quilt and rug making. A Settler’s Market will offer local produce, herbs and Early Settler’s Bread baked by local volunteers, and there will be a collectibles tent with items for sale.
Local authors will sign books at the author’s table, the Anna Maria Island Privateers will stage an invasion and children can participate in a scavenger hunt and games with prizes. Raffle tickets will be available for a host of prizes, and there will be a silent auction. Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring and Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Inc. will have educational booths, and Belle Haven Cottage, the museum, and the surrounding native plant garden will be open for tours.
ANNA MARIA – City officials in Anna Maria are already following proposed state legislation that pertains to vacation rentals.
Vacation rentals are among the many matters that will be debated by the Florida Legislature during the 2019 legislative session that convenes on Tuesday, March 5.
“The vacation rental snake is alive and well. There are three bills pending in the Senate at this point. Two of them are from Rep. David Simmons from the Orlando area,” Mayor Dan Murphy said during the Feb. 14 city commission meeting.
Simmons’ Senate Bill 815 proposes the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations (DBPR) Division of Hotels and Restaurants impose a fee schedule on hosting platforms that advertise or list short-term vacation rentals.
Simmons’ Senate Bill 812 proposes persons engaged in certain public lodging-related transactions be required to display a valid certificate of registration number in their rental listings or advertisements. It also calls for DBPR’s vacation rental inspection responsibilities to be revised and the vacation rental classification to be revised.
Murphy said Simmons’ legislation seeks a compromise between local governments and vacation rental advertising platforms like Airbnb, VRBO and others.
Murphy said this legislation would prevent cities like Anna Maria from conducting annual vacation rental inspections as part of its local vacation rental registration process. Murphy said Simmons’ legislation calls for the state to do any needed inspections, with local municipalities relegated to tracking vacation rentals based on voluntary participation from rental owners and managers.
“I see very little value in this compromise. It’s so watered down it would be meaningless to our city to even participate,” Murphy said.
Commissioner Carol Carter said a state-based inspection program would result in little to no inspection of Anna Maria’s vacation rentals.
Commissioner Doug Copeland said the city needs to be cautious of the Simmons legislation.
“Counties like Manatee County who have failed to collect any tax from Airbnb will be supporting it because it’ll require them to register with the state. They’ve not taken the initiative like we have,” Copeland said. “They figure this is the way to at least get some of that money. They could be a thorn in the side, so beware.”
Murphy also referenced the private property rights bill, SB 824, filed by Sen. Manny Diaz Jr. (R-Miami-Dade). He likened it to previously unsuccessful legislation proposed by former Sen. Greg Steube (R-Sarasota), who is now a member of the United States House of Representatives.
Steube’s past legislative efforts attempted to usurp city and county governments’ home rule rights when it comes to regulating vacation rentals by preempting that authority to DBPR.
Diaz’ legislation also seeks to preempt the regulation of vacation rentals to the state, requiring each person applying for a vacation rental license to provide DBPR with specified information.
“It’s the same old song that Steube introduced. It puts us out of business vacation rental-wise,” Murphy said of the potential impacts.
Murphy said the Diaz bill was written by Airbnb lobbyists and did not yet have a companion bill in the Florida House of Representatives, which is required for any state legislation to be adopted.
Murphy said it’s possible that Rep. Mike La Rosa (R-St. Cloud) could file the companion bill, as he did last year for Steube’s failed legislation.
Sen. Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton) is now serving as the new Senate president, and Murphy hopes that local connection provides some opposition to these latest attacks on the city’s home rule rights.
“He has at least passively, if not somewhat overtly, said that he’s opposed to it,” Murphy said.
Murphy said Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota), who is also the new head of Florida’s Republican Party, might be a potential ally.
“He has told me that he felt our pain about the vacation rentals. Unfortunately, we did not get his vote last year,” Murphy said. “We’ll get our defenses up. I think it’ll be the same old game that we fought before.”
Lobbyist Chip Case is again assisting the city with these legislative matters. Last year, he and City Attorney Becky Vose helped derail Steube’s vacation rental legislation by getting a sexual predator amendment introduced and adopted.
“Chip was instrumental in killing it. He was the rainmaker last year. Hopefully, he can cut through and be the rainmaker again this year,” Murphy said.
Murphy said it’s also important for residents to become engaged and share their views with state legislators.
This can be accomplished with personal visits, phone calls, letters or email. A complete list of Florida Senators can be found online along with a complete list of Florida Representatives. All proposed legislation also can be tracked at these websites.
ANNA MARIA – In the final games of the regular season for the high school boys that play on the gridiron at The Center, Team Cloud Pest Control could not put a win in its season statistics against Team Blue Lagoon.
The first four series of play resulted in no score by either team. For Blue Lagoon, incomplete passes by Chris Snyder and strong defensive play by Roman Langley, including a sack, was on par with dropped passes by Cloud Pest Control and big yardage gains by Julius Petereit.
Snyder found his rhythm hitting Jeremiah Sculco for a first down reception. Despite a sack by Ben Barreda, Team Blue Lagoon was the first to put points on the board with a beautiful one-handed catch by league newbie Jernard Dunbar. The failed extra point conversion gave the team coached by Randy Langley a 6-0 lead.
Three and out was the next possession for Cloud Pest Control, giving the football back to Snyder. Dunbar effectively moved the ball down the field, weaving in and out of defenders, putting his team on the Cloud 10 yard line.
With a huge defensive stop by Cloud, Blue Lagoon had to find the end zone on third down. Snyder scored the second touchdown of the game and Rutger Langley caught the ball for the point after, advancing the score to 13-0.
Cloud Pest Control could not make anything happen in the last minute on the scoreboard, taking the game to the halftime.
Six points finally made its way into the record books for Cloud Pest Control to start the second half of play. Getting away with flag guarding, Silas Banyas made it past the midfield line on the first snap of the football.
Jackson Hayes made the touchdown catch for Cloud, but the failed extra point attempt to Evan Christenson left the score at 13-6.
Blue Lagoon quickly marched down the field for another touchdown and an extra point by Dunbar.
Leading the game by 14 points, Blue Lagoon’s defense did not allow Cloud Pest Control to move down the field. Barreda tried to juke out the defense, but could not get by Roman Langley, who was credited with the flag pull.
The Cloud defense gave the ball back to its offense, leading to the touchdown by Hayes and taking the score to 20-12.
Blue Lagoon sealed the deal by taking the football into the end zone with 12.6 seconds left on the clock, ending the game with the score 26-12.
The playoffs are underway for the eight- to 10-year-olds. The older ballers start this week with semifinal action between #2 Island Charms playing #3 Beach House Real Estate for the 11-to 13-year old league, and #4 Grooms Automotive versus #5 Tyler’s Ice Cream on Wednesday, Feb. 20, at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m.
ANNA MARIA – It’s not an April Fool’s joke. The Marshall Tucker Band is coming to The Center of Anna Maria Island for a one-night-only intimate show Monday, April 1. The Southern rock band will take the stage to play new songs and their hits, including such songs as “Can’t You See,” “Take the Highway,” “Fire on the Mountain” and “Heard it in a Love Song” at 8 p.m. A local band that has not been named yet is planned to open for the award-winning, multi-platinum group.
Tickets range from $50 to $65. All seats are reserved. Tickets can be purchased from the Manatee Performing Arts Center by phone at 941-748-5875 or online at www.manateeperformingarts.com. Space is limited so get your tickets early. Only 750 tickets will be made available for this event. The Marshall Tucker Band appears in conjunction with the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Manatee County Tourist Development Council. The Center is at 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.
ANNA MARIA – City officials and former Code and Parking Enforcement Officer and administrative assistant Angela Albrecht hold differing views on the events that preceded her recent firing.
Albrecht was fired on Jan. 24 after meeting with Vice Mayor Brian Seymour, City Clerk LeAnne Addy and Deputy Clerk Debbie Haynes. Mayor Dan Murphy was on a cruise when the firing took place and was not consulted on the decision. Seymour, as the City Commission chair, was serving as the acting mayor and based on input received from Addy, Haynes and labor attorney Brian Koji, decided to terminate Albrecht.
According to Addy’s notes from the Jan. 24 meeting, Seymour wanted to address an email Albrecht sent Addy that day. He also wanted to address Albrecht’s allegation that the three of them were overheard discussing a need to talk to City Attorney Becky Vose about firing Albrecht.
According to the meeting notes, Seymour told Albrecht that Vose was not consulted because she’s not the city’s labor attorney. Albrecht told Seymour she would not resign, and he would have to fire her.
“Brian stated to Angela that we have tried working with her for over six months. Due to the tone of her emails, her unprofessionalism and the argumentative nature he will be letting her go today,” according to the meeting notes.
The printout of those notes was later signed by Seymour, Addy and Haynes.
Vice Mayor Brian Seymour and Code Enforcement Manager Debbie Haynes were part of the decision-making process that led to Albrecht’s termination. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
On Feb. 7, Mayor Dan Murphy discussed the firing. He referenced the employee handbook when asked if he felt the firing was justified.
“Continued employment with the city is at the will and pleasure of the city of Anna Maria and as such employment may be terminated or disciplinary action taken without cause. Employees are hired and fired as ‘at-will’ employees and as such the city maintains the right to end your job with or without cause,” he said.
Albrecht on firing
When contacted by The Sun on Feb. 7, Albrecht was asked if she felt she was wrongly terminated.
“Yes,” she said, noting that she doesn’t feel the reasons for her firing were fully explained.
“They didn’t go into any specifics,” she said.
When asked if she plans to file a lawsuit against the city, Albrecht referenced a comment Murphy made to the press about being happy to tell the truth if this matter winds up in court. He also referred to her as a disgruntled employee.
“Right now, I don’t. After he made that comment I am going to look into it,” Albrecht said of a possible lawsuit. “I’m not a disgruntled employee.”
Albrecht alleges parking tickets were issued by non-certified parking enforcement officers.
“Some of the officers did not complete the certification course. Some officers were allowed to issue parking tickets without that certification,” she said.
Pam Gibbs was the Code and Building Department Manager until she retired in early 2018. Haynes is now the Code Enforcement Manager in charge of parking enforcement.
Albrecht said she felt code enforcement officers were no longer allowed to enforce pool fence and other safety issues after Murphy’s mid-2018 directive that parking, signs and trash issues be the primary enforcement concerns.
“If a fence isn’t closed there’s no way of knowing if there’s a pool behind there. I feel I should have been able to do my full job, like I did before,” Albrecht said.
Albrecht said her work environment became “toxic” after Gibbs retired and those supervisory responsibilities were transferred to recently-hired Building Official David Greenbaum.
“Nice guy, but he just didn’t know the job. I think he was in over his head,” Albrecht said.
Greenbaum was replaced by current Building Official Luke Curtis last summer.
On Feb. 5, Albrecht emailed city commissioners regarding the joint meeting of the Charter Review Committee and the City Commission scheduled for the following day. That meeting was to include discussion on whether Anna Maria needs a city manager. Albrecht’s email alleged Addy desired that position.
Addy applied for the city of Rockledge, Florida’s city manager’s position in June 2016 and was hired as Anna Maria’s clerk in August 2016.
Albrecht’s email referenced her Jan. 24 meeting with Seymour and said, “The background of City Clerk LeAnne Addy needs to be investigated. Public records I have received from the state of Wisconsin shows a past of bankruptcy, foreclosures and other issues.”
“There’s no shame in filing bankruptcy. It was fully disclosed to me before I hired her, I took it into account and I have no regrets,” Murphy said of hiring Addy, a former City Clerk in Wisconsin, who acknowledged the bankruptcy and foreclosure resulting from her husband’s job loss.
Additional allegations
On Dec. 3, the city received notification from the Spielberger Law Group that Albrecht was alleging the city violated federal and state employment laws and was in the process of filing discrimination charges with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Florida Commission on Human Relations.
That letter was preceded by a July 16 letter from the same law firm.
“Our investigation indicates the city’s treatment of Ms. Albrecht violates state law. City has subjected Ms. Albrecht to disparate treatment in retaliation to a complaint she had previously filed. Specifically, Ms. Albrecht contacted Mayor Dan Murphy to report unlawful and unethical practices, including a building official who allows those without work permits to work on certain projects,” the July letter said.
The July letter alleged the city harassed Albrecht rather than responding to her complaint and noted that Albrecht felt she was being positioned for termination.
“Our investigation suggests that city retaliated against Ms. Albrecht in violation of Florida’s Private Whistleblower Act,” the letter said.
“It is my understanding those are closed,” Albrecht said of the issues raised in those letters.
Disciplinary action
Albrecht received a written reprimand from Haynes on Jan. 16 regarding her conduct on Jan. 11.
Haynes serves as the Code Enforcement Manager and oversees parking enforcement.
Her reprimand stated Albrecht willfully and intentionally ignored a known safety issue and failed to report it to her. The issue stemmed partially from Albrecht’s dissatisfaction with Murphy’s 2018 directive that code enforcement officers concentrate primarily on parking, sign and trash issues.
“That directive did prioritize parking, debris and signage and cannot be interpreted by any competent code enforcement officer as requiring you to ignore safety. Your dissatisfaction with your job assignments is contributing to your misconduct and negative attitude. That type of conduct and attitude must cease immediately,” the reprimand said.
“The city has expanded considerable energy working to accommodate you. Please be advised that any continued misconduct or failure to meet the expectations of the city will result in more serious discipline, up to and including the termination of your employment,” the reprimand concluded.
In response to Haynes, Albrecht wrote, “You chose not to follow up on any of the open case items sent to you, including the pool safety fence at 752 North Shore.”
Parking and permits
Murphy addressed Albrecht’s assertion that parking tickets were written by uncertified parking officers.
The city took over parking enforcement in 2015. Before that, parking was enforced by the Anna Maria branch of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
“My directions, since the very beginning of parking enforcement in 2015, were that every code enforcement officer must be certified. But in 2017, for two months, tickets were issued by an uncertified officer. I was not cognizant of that until yesterday and I’m still investigating,” Murphy said.
Murphy said he reviewed 15-20 tickets written by the uncertified officer and he feels the photos that accompany the citations support their validity.
Murphy said he asked Vose if state certification is required for the city’s parking enforcement officers.
“The state has requirements for certification, but Florida Home Rule seems to supersede that requirement. If a city wants to have a different certification program they can do so,” Murphy said.
Murphy addressed Albrecht’s claim that Addy ordered the building department to close fence permits in early 2018 without conducting final inspections.
“I can’t imagine how the city clerk would be involved in closing a permit when permits are the purview of the city planner and the building official,” Murphy said.
ANNA MARIA – The Charter Review Committee met with city commissioners and Mayor Dan Murphy last week to discuss potential changes to the city charter.
Switching to a city manager form of government was discussed but there wasn’t any support for the idea. This led to discussion about the possibility of someday appointing a city administrator to assist the mayor. The Wednesday, Feb. 6 meeting session also included discussion about increasing the length of the terms served by the city’s elected officials.
Reviewed every five years, the 20-page city charter establishes the structural framework for Anna Maria’s strong mayor form of government. It also establishes the powers and duties of the mayor, commission chair, city commissioners, clerk, treasurer and city attorney. Former Mayor Fran Barford chairs the commission-appointed committee that also includes Jack Brennan, John Chambers, Sissy Quinn and Mark Short.
City manager
Switching to a city manager form of government would require a charter amendment adopted by the majority of Anna Maria’s registered voters.
Barford noted city manager discussions are taking place in Holmes Beach. She and Mayor Dan Murphy agree the mayor’s job has become more like a full-time job, but neither feels Anna Maria needs a city manager.
Murphy strongly opposes hiring a city manager that reports to the city commission.
“You’re asking somebody to serve five masters. It’ll work, but things won’t get done fast,” he said, making a comparison to corporations with board members who are heavily involved in the business operations.
Having worked with many boards and non-profit organizations, Commissioner Carol Carter agreed.
City administrator
The charter already authorizes the mayor to appoint a city administrator, with commission approval.
Murphy said a city administrator who reports to the mayor would make the mayor’s job easier. He said project management, like building a pier, was something that could potentially be delegated to a city administrator with the right experience.
He said a future mayor that lacks management expertise might rely heavily on an experienced city administrator. Murphy said the cost of hiring a city administrator is not yet justified, but the day is coming.
Commissioner Amy Tripp questioned whether a mayor’s workload can still be handled by one person.
“One of the things I’ve noticed over the years is city government becomes more and more complex,” Commissioner Doug Copeland said.
Copeland suggested the commission also be given the authority to appoint a city administrator if a situation arises where a mayor isn’t doing the work required and has significant time remaining in their term. This change would require a charter amendment.
“The feeling was the city clerk and our staff are really doing the administrator’s job, so for our sized city it’s working,” Barford said of the committee’s previous discussion.
Short said running a city is significantly more complicated than it was three, five or 40 years ago, and that’s one of the reasons he brought up a city manager. He’s OK with the commission also being given the authority to appoint a city administrator, but the administrator’s roles need to be set forth in that section of the charter, which the committee hasn’t reviewed yet.
Commission terms
Short asked how long it takes for a new commissioner to get up to speed and why terms are two years.
Carter said when she first ran she was asked what city ordinance she’d change if she could. She said she’d consider making commission terms longer because of the steep learning curve faced by those entering city government. She said Manatee County and Bradenton commissioners serve four-year terms, but four years might discourage some Anna Maria candidates.
“Three years might be more appealing in both directions,” Carter said.
Barford said it can be time-consuming and costly to run for office every two years. Copeland and Commissioner Dale Woodland do not spend time or money campaigning, nor do they support longer terms.
Commissioner Brian Seymour said he could see both sides of the issue and would favor three years over four.
Tripp cited the learning curve she experienced and said three-year terms might create a more effective city commission.
The Charter Review Committee will meet again Wednesday morning. Feb. 13.
The Center of Anna Maria Island’s youth sports program has always been known as the place to have fun, play sports and develop athletic skills. Over several decades, a lot has changed at what is now known as the Center, but children playing sports with adult volunteer coaches has not.
As the youth flag football season progresses on the big field with good competition with kids from 8 to 17 years old, the little field is the place where the younger ballers work both sides of the football in the youth flag football clinic.
Once again Ryan Moss of Moss Builders is enthusiastically taking the time out of his busy schedule to work with nearly 20 5- to 7-year-olds on the gridiron, including Moss’s two sons, Mason and Miles. Last Tuesday night, Moss was joined on the field by his father, Pastor Ed Moss of CrossPointe Fellowship.
The coaches separated the players into two teams to warm-up and practice some of their skills. With flags and pennies on, the scrimmage game ensued. On one side of the football was Dylan Sato, with younger sibling Brandon Sato on the other.
Pastor Moss helped get one of his players in the right position on the football field by gently picking him up and placing him in the correct spot.
Miles Moss played the center position most of the scrimmage, snapping the ball to B. Sato stepping into the footsteps of his father, Jason Sato, who played at the community center as a child and as QB in the adult flag football league.
Carrying on the family legacy, Camden Rudacille took the field with big brother Cale and dad Scott watching from the sideline. S. Rudacille, also an Island native, played many games over the years at the community center.
Brother and sister Boman and Tinley Sears saw action on the field with big plays for their teams. The Bomans were joined by Eli Lewis, who showed his defensive prowess during the scrimmage. Duncan Cloutier took the football down the field on a number of plays, gaining yardage for his team.
Over the past two months, the Moss Builders football clinic has seen football action by Guiliana Bankert and Brooklyn Melancon continuing the co-ed sports spirit of the Center. Preston Brighenti, Drew Buky, Hayden Eurice, Wade Kasten, Jack Melancon, Marcus Quinn and Landon Reuter worked to hone their skills in the clinic sessions before hitting the big field in the coming seasons.
The culmination of lessons learned in the clinics is progression onto the large field in the 8- to 10-year-old flag football league. Those playing in this age group are moving into playoff action, with semifinal play on Wednesday, Feb. 20, with #2 seed Progressive Cabinetry playing either #3 Slim’s Place or #6 Bins Be Clean.
In the second semifinal game #1 Beach Bums will go against the winner of the quarterfinal matchup between #4 Planet Stone and #5 Ugly Grouper.
The age group championship game is scheduled to play on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 5:30 p.m.
ANNA MARIA – A record 8,000 people visited the Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum last year, according to Society President Lynn Brennan. She spoke at the group’s Feb. 5 luncheon, her last as president.
Brennan pointed out improvements to the Belle Haven Cottage, such as replacing windows and trim on the historic building in preparation for tourist season, and told members visitors likely will exceed last year’s count.
At the meeting, members installed society co-founder Pat Copeland as their new president, Liz Hager as vice president, Barbara Murphy as recording secretary, Evelyn Hoskins as corresponding secretary and George McKay as treasurer. Board members installed include Brennan, Arlene Clark, Caryn Hodge and Valerie Wilson.
Peggy Donoho holds her book, “Miguel’s Bay,” at the Anna Maria Island Historical Society luncheon. – Tom Vaught | Sun
Guest speaker Peggy Donoho, of Bradenton, spoke about her book, “Miguel’s Bay,” that she co-authored with Tampa Bay Times newspaper reporter Ron Prouty. The book is about Miguel and Frederica Guerrero, two of the earliest settlers on Terra Ceia Island, a barrier island west of Palmetto. Donoho is a descendant of Guerrero and while researching the book, she learned Prouty was a descendant of the settlers, too.
Donoho sold autographed copies of her book after the meeting. The book is also for sale at the museum, 402 Pine Ave.
Heading into the second half of the youth flag football season, the four teams in the 11- to 14-year-old league took to the field at The Center of Anna Maria Island. In the first game of the night, Coach Jim Collins lead his Island Charms team to a big win last Wednesday night against Groom’s Automotive, coached by Tom Baugher.
The battle on the football field was a good one with the two teams each making key plays and keeping the opponent on their toes.
Team Island Charms started on defense with a strong stand against Team Groom’s Automotive offense. Three snaps and out, along with an impressive flag pull by Jackson Pakbaz, gave the football to Island Charms.
Isaiah Mondon started the play for Island Charms, taking the football just short of the midfield line. Payton Harlan was the team’s QB’s next target. Harlan moved the ball to the Groom’s three-yard line. Despite the march down the field, Island Charms could not cross the goal line, leaving the score 0-0.
On the second possession, Kieran Cloutier gained 15 yards before the flag pull by Evan Talucci. Groom’s continued to gain critical yardage on the second down with a touchdown pass on the third snap of the possession.
Nicholas Yatros caught the extra point pass giving Groom’s a seven-point lead.
On the fourth play of the series, Island Charms scored its first touchdown, shrinking the Groom’s lead with the score at 7-6.
With six seconds left on the scoreboard for the first half of the game, Groom’s began working on offense, but could not make it to midfield. Mondon ended the possession with a near interception.
Mondon, on offense, made a first down play for Island Charms on the first snap. Teammate Julian Lazzara followed up with a nice run taking the game to the one-minute warning.
Island Charms’ late penalty and a short run by Mondon ended the half without putting points on the board.
Looking to increase its lead, Island Charms started the final half of the game with a nice play by Talucci that took the football just short of the first down line. After gaining the first down, Yatros’s flag pull stopped the play before his opponent entered the end zone.
At the quarterback position, Harlan showed great patience, allowing Mondon to break away from the defense with a beautiful reception at the back of the field for the touchdown, pushing the score to 12-7 with Island Charms in the lead.
Brilliantly reading the play, Island Charms’ Harrison Schenerlein nabbed the pass by Yatros for a pick six, scoring the final points of the game.
Despite strong efforts by both teams, neither team could find its way into the end zone, ending the game with the score of 18-7 and a victory for Island Charms.
ANNA MARIA – The 16th Annual JazzFest will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 12 from 3-5 p.m. at the Sandbar restaurant, 100 Spring Ave.
JazzFest features the Gulf Drive Duo, with Bil Bowdish on flute, sax and vocals and Karen Jones on vocals, along with guest artists Mark “Guitar” Miller and Koko Ray Hansen. While the duo performs in various styles at numerous locations in the area, this presentation will focus on pieces with a jazz flavor.
Performers for the jazz fest include the Gulf Drive Duo of Bil Bowdish and Karen Jones. – Submitted
Special guest star Miller is known as a guitar player’s guitar player and one of the best blues artists around. He is scheduled to perform during the first set, followed by local Island favorite Hansen in the second set playing two saxophones at the same time – harmony on one and melody on the other.
Sponsors are The Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & Orchestra (AMICCO), Gulf Drive Duo, Sandbar restaurant and The Anna Maria Island Sun. After expenses, all proceeds from JazzFest go directly to AMICCO to ensure future concerts for the community.
Tickets to JazzFest are on a first-come, first-served basis and are available for purchase at the Anna Maria Island Chamber, 5313 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, or online. Tickets are $10 per person before noon Feb. 12 and $15 at the door, if there are any available. The Sandbar will provide refreshments for an additional charge.
ANNA MARIA – Make sure you park on the proper side of the street in the city limits of Anna Maria, at the north end of Anna Maria Island – the city annually switches which side of the street can be parked on.
There are 14 streets in Anna Maria subject to this annual switch and the parking signs along those streets have now been moved to the proper side for 2019. This means you’ll be issued a $35 citation if a member of the city’s Parking Enforcement Department sees you’ve parked on the wrong side of the street. The parking fine increases to $50 if not paid within seven days.
The impacted streets are Gladiolus Street, Fern Street, Newtown Lane, Fir Avenue, Coconut Avenue, Sycamore Avenue, Elm Avenue, Magnolia Avenue, Palm Avenue, Palmetto Avenue, Jacaranda Road, Maple Avenue, Beach Avenue and Peppertree Lane.
Parking is not allowed on the south side of Palm Avenue in 2019. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The alternating street-side parking took effect on Dec. 1, 2005. Current City Commissioner Dale Woodland was a member of the commission that adopted those parking provisions. Earlier this week, he shared his thoughts on that decision-making process.
Woodland said the intent was to provide at least some relief, on an annual basis, for the property owners who live along those streets that are heavily used by beachgoers and other visitors.
“The council was pretty much divided. We had one group of people that didn’t want anybody parking on their street and we had another group of people that thought they ought to be able to park on both sides. We compromised to where you can park on one side one year and the other side the other year. It took a lot of debate and it wasn’t a quick fix,” Woodland said, noting that he doesn’t hear much debate about it anymore.
“They’re pretty much used to it. I’ve had a couple of complaints over the years when they get switched and somebody forgets and gets a ticket,” Woodland said.
Sgt. Mike Jones, of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, reminds drivers that when parking in the city of Anna Maria, all four tires must be off the pavement and you must park in the proper direction of the flow of traffic.
This truck was ticketed in Anna Maria Wednesday morning for having two tires parked on Palm Avenue. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach
Street-side parking regulations vary from city to city on Anna Maria Island.
Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer cautions drivers not to park in front of a sign that says “No Parking,” not to park in front of a fire hydrant and to be courteous and not park in front of someone’s mailbox.
“You have to have to park with the flow of traffic and facing the proper direction. If you’ve parked on a road, make sure you’ve left room for other vehicles to drive around you – including ambulances, fire trucks and trash trucks. Nothing in our rules say you have to have all your wheels off the road,” Tokajer said.
But when parking street-side in Bradenton Beach, Police Chief Sam Speciale cautions drivers that all four tires must be off the pavement, like Anna Maria. Vehicles also must be parked in the direction of the flow of traffic.
The second week of adult co-ed flag football action on the Island took place last Thursday now that the adult soccer finally came to a close last week.
Gulfview Windows, a new sponsor in the league represented by a veteran team led by Ryan Moss, took the field by storm against Hashmark Sports. Young new team captain Tim Holly for Hashmark Sports started his team on offense in the second game of the night.
Moss quickly showed the members of the Hashmark Sports team how things are done in the adult league with an interception on the first snap of the ball. The pick-six put Gulfview Windows in the early lead.
Missing the point after, Moss’s team once again took the defensive field position. Hashmark Sports Joey Carder gained short yardage on first down. On third down, Moss grabbed the pass and took it to the end zone.
Going for two points, Tyler Lancaster returned to the league with a nice catch for the two-point conversion and 14-point lead for Gulfview Windows.
Taking the field with possession of the football, Hashmark Sports answered back with a bomb to Chris Smith and touchdown by Carder.
Jordan DeMers became Moss’ favorite go-to guy in the game reception with a long run to score six points. Going for two points, Moss was diligently chased by Carder causing the incomplete pass.
Claudia Perez had her first reception opportunity in the game, but the Hashmark Sports quarterback could not quite get the ball to her hands. Her team gained a critical first down on second down and took advantage of the momentum taking the football downtown for another touchdown.
Both teams had unsuccessful offensive series until the scoreboard showed 55 seconds left in the half. Lancaster made a first down reception that set up another long ball to DeMers and touchdown. With the score 26-12, Holly sacked Moss on the point after attempt.
The quick effort by Holly’s team came up short as Gulfview Windows’ Joe Ball knocked down the ball right in front of the intended receiver to end the half.
The last 25 minutes of the game started with a touchdown catch by Lancaster, followed by an extra point, advancing the score to 33-12.
Three snaps and out for Hashmark Sports gave the football back to Gulfview Windows. The DeMers-Moss combination gave their team another touchdown and two-point conversion with an on the run pass by Moss to Lancaster.
With a 30-point lead, the Gulfview defense could not rush the Hashmark quarterback Matteo Ferris. After an incomplete pass, Ferris hit his receiver with a bomb, putting him into the end zone, shrinking the point spread to 24 points.
Moss’s next target was Eliza Faillace. The pass was long and out of the reach of the soccer powerhouse. A turnover by Gulfview Windows gave Hashmark a scoring opportunity. With the extra point, the score moved to 42-24, keeping the game open for anyone to win.
The first play in the Gulfview series allowed Moss to run the football all the way to the end of the field, putting six more points on the board.
After the Perez reception and Faillace flag pull, DeMers made an interception. Stopping another touchdown, Holly chased the Gulfview Windows game MVP to prevent another score.
Ed Moss made the next catch of the night with the stop by Smith. The rolling game clock sparked a strong defensive effort by Hashmark Sports.
Ferris sacked R. Moss on third down to put the football back into his team’s hands. Trying to close the gap before the end of the game, Ferris hit Smith for yardage and then threw an uncatchable pass to Carder.
In the final end zone toss-up, Gulfview Window’s Ball knocked down the football to end the game.
Thursday night, Gulfview Windows faces Ray Gardner’s Progressive Cabinetry at 6:30 p.m. In the second game of the night, Hashmark Sports goes against Tim Shaughnessy’s Lancaster Design team. The late game puts Team Ugly Grouper, lead by Charles Buky, on the field with Beach House Real Estate in the third week of flag football action at The Center.
