ANNA MARIA – The rain and windy weather held off just long enough for the Anna Maria Holiday of Treasures Open House to take place as planned on Friday, Dec. 14 from 5:30-8 p.m.
With Pine Avenue closed to vehicular traffic, folks wandered up and down the street visiting the participating businesses that offered free treats including hamburgers, hotdogs, cookies, sangria, craft beer, specialty cocktails, gourmet popcorn, wine and more.
The longest line of the night was for the free burgers served at Beach Bums. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“We’re serving up a storm. We just love Christmas and the holidays, and we’re excited to give back to the community and have a little fun,” Two Scoops owner Dave LaBell said.
The line for free burgers was also long at Beach Bums.
“Every year we’re hopping,” Chris Gaines said while manning the grill outside Beach Bums.
The holiday festivities extended around the corner on Gulf Drive, where Harry’s Grill owner Mark Labriola dished up pasta fazool “Labriola-style.”
Free cookies and cider were served at the AMI Historical Society Museum, and the Roser Memorial Community Church’s Joyful Noise Children’s Choir performed inside the museum.
The rain finally arrived around 8 o’clock; some of the businesses had decided earlier not to participate due to the weather concerns. The Anna Maria General Store & Deli postponed its holiday porch party until Friday, Dec. 21 from 6-10 p.m.
ANNA MARIA – The city hosted a weather-modified Holiday Carols in the Park event on Friday, Dec. 14.
Despite the threat of rain, nearly 100 people showed up at City Pier Park late Friday afternoon for the second annual event.
City Commissioner Doug Copeland and city staff members dispensed ice cream-enhanced eggnog and cookies.
City Commissioner Doug Copeland serves eggnog to Anna Maria residents Carol Conte and Michael Cusato. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Members of the Public Works Department assisted Santa Claus as he appeared through a cloud of multi-colored smoke at the far end of the park. After Mayor Dan Murphy greeted Santa, the children lined up to speak with the jolly one. Santa also got a few kisses from a small dog named Piglet.
Weather concerns led to the cancellation of the vocal and instrumental performances to be given by students from St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, but Bob Carter, Barbara Murphy and Angie Blunt led the crowd assembled underneath the shade sail structure in a Christmas carol sing-along.
“I wish the weather had cooperated a little more, but this is one of those things where you go with what you’ve got. That was what we decided, and I’m glad we did. The children are enjoying it and that’s the important thing,” Murphy said of his 2 p.m. decision to proceed with the event.
The holiday event was part of the city’s continued efforts to utilize City Pier Park as a community gathering place.
“It’s a place to get together, celebrate and have a good time. We’re trying to foster a sense of community and these events bring people together in one place to chat, renew acquaintances and make new acquaintances. This is a perfect fit for the park, I can’t think of a better use. And what’s better than a sing-along?” Murphy said.
When asked if the mayor has Christmas wish for the citizens and business owners of Anna Maria, Murphy said, “Yes. I’d like for you to have a new pier.”
The construction of the new Anna Maria City Pier is slated to begin in late-January.
The last regular season co-ed adult soccer game ended Thursday night with Lancaster Design pulling out the big win over Jiffy Lube.
After Moss Builders took the first victory of the night over Eason Builders, Slim’s Place earned its first win of the season against a winless Ross Built Construction.
Sato Real Estate handed AMI Locals its third loss of the season. Playing with a demanding defensive attack lead by Alta Bujarski, Sato Real Estate’s Andrew Schmidt lead the team out of the gate with a beautiful shot.
Matthew Staggs took the second score statistic, advancing the score to 2-0 two minutes into the game.
Team captain Kevin Roman hit the net next for his team, AMI Locals. Schmidt followed up with his second point of the game with 17 minutes left in the half.
Tyler Robinson, Roman’s teammate of the sponsored AMI Locals, brought the game to a one-point spread with the score 3-2.
The third game of the night ended with a goal by Chris Culhane, taking the score to 4-2.
Danny Anderson, the leader of Jiffy Lube, started the last game with a bang, scoring within the first few minutes of the game.
Anderson’s brother Ricky put the second point on the scoreboard, and teammate Nathan Kragt scored the third goal with 10 minutes left in the half.
Just as it looked like Jiffy Lube was going to run away with the game, Lancaster Design’s team woke up and started its scoring streak at the 17th minute by Zackary Lieb.
Right before the end of the first half of the game, D. Anderson struck the soccer ball for the teams fourth and final goal of the night.
At the very start of the last 23 minutes of play, Lancaster Design came out scoring. Lieb scored the next two goals tying the ball game 4-4.
With a tie looking to be the destiny for the match, Lieb put his team head and gave it the win with a little over five minutes left on the clock.
The second round of the playoffs will start at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 13.
ANNA MARIA – As part of the Holiday of Treasures Open House, Anna Maria merchants invite folks to stroll through the city and enjoy light refreshments at participating businesses along Pine Avenue and Gulf Drive on Friday, Dec. 14.
Taking place from 5:30 to 8 p.m., the annual holiday event is sponsored again this year by the Anna Maria Island Historical Society and the Anna Maria Island Sun.
Free cookies and cider will be served at the AMI Historical Museum, 402 Pine Ave., and the Roser Memorial Community Church’s Joyful Noise Children’s Choir will perform a free outdoor concert in the museum’s Historical Park at 6 p.m.
Up and down Pine Avenue and Gulf Drive various participating businesses will be serving free hot dogs, hamburgers, Christmas cookies, eggnog and rum, hot buttered rum, Moscow Mule cocktails, bourbon ball candy, craft beer, coffee, tea and even pasta fagioli. Stroll through the businesses Friday to see for yourself what holiday surprises they have in store. You might even find a porch party along the way.
Holiday Carols in the Park
The Anna Maria Holiday of Treasures Open House will be preceded that day by the city’s second annual Holiday Carols in the Park holiday event. The city event will take place at City Pier Park on Friday, Dec. 14 from 4-6 p.m.
The Saint Stephen’s Upper School Band, the Falcon Voices high school choir and the Major Minors middle school chorus will perform holiday music and sing-alongs. Santa will pay a visit to the park, goodies will be given to youngsters and free eggnog and refreshments will be served.
The temperatures dropped while the competition on the Island pitch heated up Thursday night in the adult soccer league.
With one game left in the regular season, Sato Real Estate sealed the first place seed with the win against Eason Builders Group. Both teams were missing key players in the matchup. Sato Real Estate team captain Josh Sato was absent from the action, as was Eason Builders’ Sean Flynn.
Playing without goalkeeper Cliff Powell, Eason Builders Group scrambled to fill the position with Ray Gardner, Yuri Pereira and Greg DeMeuse and took the field with no substitute players.
Despite their best efforts, Eason Builders Group came up short against the skillful Sato squad.
In the mix for the second seed position, Jiffy Lube handily beat Slim’s Place. The goals by Aaron Parkin and Diego Felipe was no match against Danny Anderson’s Jiffy Lube team. Anderson’s single goal, finisher by Mike Brusso, two goals by Nathan Kragt and Eliza Faillace’s hat trick gave the team a five-goal win.
Lancaster Design picked up its third win of the season against Moss Builders, which also has three wins. In his second season, Zackary Lieb proves to be a consistent force on the field, putting up two goals in the game.
In addition to Lieb’s goals, Lancaster Design’s win was aided by scores by team captain Kris Yavalar, Cemal Duzgan and Sumiko Chipman.
Moss Builders’ Robert Armstrong and Eduardo Vera each scored a single goal, while newcomer Eva Howland found the net twice.
As the night grew colder, Ross Built Construction nearly won its first game of the season against AMI Locals. New to the Ross Built team, Riley Moore’s goal helped his team’s efforts. Vince Circharo, with two goals, and team captain Greg Ross’ point put the team within one point of a tie.
With the win, AMI Locals remains in the middle of the standing pack with Jiffy Lube, Lancaster Design, Moss Builders and Eason Builders.
The last regular season game on Thursday, Dec. 6, is followed by the playoff games on Tuesday, Dec. 11, and Thursday, Dec. 13. A champion will be named on Dec. 20 at 8 p.m.
ANNA MARIA – Despite the Florida heat, The Center of Anna Maria Island was transformed Dec. 1 into a winter wonderland for the 17th Annual Lester Family Fun Day.
The annual event, sponsored by Chuck and Joey Lester, promises family fun at old-fashioned prices, and this year’s event definitely delivered. Families were treated to burgers from Duffy’s Tavern, hotdogs donated by Anna Maria Oyster Bar and ice cream sandwiches from Tyler’s Ice Cream.
Joey and Chuck Lester enjoy a Duffy’s burger. – Kristin Swain | Sun
While the inside of the Center was a north pole fairyland with Christmas lights, holiday trees, giant teddy bears and colorfully wrapped gifts, the outside actually had snow from two snowmen who blew the white bubbly stuff over an area where children frolicked and played before moving on to the bounce house, petting zoo or participated in a pick-up football game on the field. The two favorite attractions were the pony ride and the bull ride which had a continuous line of eager riders until the field events closed at 1:30 p.m. to make way for the golf ball 50/50 raffle drop from a helicopter.
Center Executive Director Chris Culhane and his family took to the skies, flying on the donated chopper from Sarasota to the Center where they dropped buckets of purchased, numbered golf balls on the field to see which one would land closest to the hole. Center board treasurer Christine Hicks won the raffle with the first ever golf ball that landed in the hole. She donated her winnings back to the Center.
In addition to the 50/50 raffle, raffles also were held for 50 turkeys that were given away during the event and a Christmas tree, donated by Merry Christmas Trees of Bradenton.
Holiday tunes for the event were provided by DJ Freeze though one of the biggest attractions of the day was a performance by the Manatee High School drum line. Everyone was in high spirits when the drum line escorted in Santa and his elves, delivered to the event on his sleigh by the Pyrates of the Gulf Coast. Even Santa couldn’t help dancing to the beat of the drums as he gave a little impromptu performance before taking a seat and hearing the Christmas wishes of all the boys and girls in attendance.
Throughout the day, children were able to participate in activities from fishing for prizes to decorating cookies and ornaments along with face painting. Before the 50/50 raffle wrapped up the day’s festivities, board Chair David Zaccagnino took to the stage to thank the day’s sponsors, staff and volunteers and present a piece of original artwork to Chuck and Joey Lester created by 21-year-old artist Emma Terry, who previously attended the Center’s after-school program. The artwork also was used to create T-shirts for the event, which were available to volunteers and for purchase.
“This is an amazing event,” Zaccagnino said at the end of the day. “It just keeps getting better and better every year.”
ANNA MARIA – The cool temperature Sunday evening was perfect for a walk around the block, and that’s what a group of worshippers did as they celebrated Roser Community Church’s Annual Bethlehem Walk.
Two baby goats had the attention of these ladies. – Tom Vaught | Sun
The trek included a few stops to ask innkeepers if they had room for Joseph, played by Mark Morse, and Mary, played by Maggie Carlson. Walkers were joined by barnyard animals brought out to Anna Maria for the occasion, including a llama, lambs, baby goats and the donkey that accompanies Mary and Joseph on the way to find housing for the night. The walk covers approximately one block in Anna Maria, ending back where it began at Roser with the revelation of the baby Jesus, this year played by Arianna Wade. Afterward, participants are invited to come into the fellowship hall to enjoy cookies, coffee, hot chocolate and other treats provided by the church.
The Bethlehem Walk began years ago. Nobody remembers when, but it was an opportunity for young and old alike to experience the night Christ was born. Attendees are encouraged to get into the spirit of the season and the walk by joining the actors in wearing costumes, provided by the church for visitors to borrow for the event, and sing Christmas carols along the way in between stops to visit with innkeepers. This year, patrons of the Waterfront Restaurant, located along the Bethlehem Walk’s path, joined in on the fun, singing along, taking photos and wishing the walking group a Merry Christmas. As the walk progressed, the group was joined by more people who took to the street on foot and by golf cart.
The annual procession takes place typically the first weekend of December and is traditionally begun after sunset. Attendees are always advised to bring a flashlight to help light the way.
ANNA MARIA – Wash Family Construction owner Darrin Wash and the city of Anna Maria have agreed to a settlement that exceeds $56,000 for permitting fees and additional expenses owed to the city.
City commissioners authorized the settlement agreement on Thursday, Nov. 29.
“The city recently became aware that the contractor had submitted certain applications for building permits which understated the amount of the cost of the proposed construction in both FEMA-related and non-FEMA related residential properties through the use of ‘double contracts,’ and as a result the city began proceedings against the contractor to be held before the city’s Local Construction Regulation Board (LCRB),” the settlement agreement states.
The settlement negates the need for Wash to appear before the regulation board that consists of three Planning and Zoning Board members, who in that capacity have the authority to prohibit Wash and his company from obtaining city-issued permits.
According to a spreadsheet included in the meeting packet, Wash Family Construction, between 2012 and 2017, requested city-issued permits for 20 projects with a total stated contract value of $2.6 million. The actual value of the contracts was $5.09 million. This produced $2.48 million discrepancy between the stated contract values and the actual contract values, and the company now owes the city $49,696 in additional permitting fees.
Wash is required to pay the city $4,139 per month until that balance is paid off. If a payment is missed, the remaining balance becomes due in full and a regulation board hearing will be scheduled.
The settlement agreement also requires Wash to pay $2,100 for services provided by building official Luke Curtis, $4,500 for services provided by City Attorney Becky Vose and $124 to reimburse Vose for a plane ticket.
Wash also agrees to be shadowed for one year at his expense by a contractor of the city’s choice, who will have full access to financial matters and documents related to his permitting requests in Anna Maria.
The settlement agreement requires Wash to issue a public admission/apology to the city regarding the misuse of double contracts and a promise that the contractor will never again make inaccurate statements regarding construction costs.
The settlement agreement states the contractor admitted wrongdoing regarding the understated contracts and that neither the city or any city officials were aware of or complicit in the “misdeeds and bad actions of the contractor.”
These matters stem from a 2016 lawsuit in which Wash claimed Martin and Threse Hurbi owed his company $94,208 for renovations made to their single-story vacation rental at 759 North Shore Drive. Wash sought a lien on the property and requested it be sold to pay for the work.
The Hurbis’ attorney filed a counterclaim alleging the couple was charged for work not performed, overcharged for work performed, charged for materials not delivered and that some work was defective. An amended counterclaim filed in April 2017 alleged Wash committed FEMA fraud.
The city became aware of the FEMA fraud allegations last August.
Eighteen of the 20 projects listed in the settlement spreadsheet were subject to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) 50 percent substantial improvement rule. The rule states that if the cost of improvements or repairs exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the building, it must be brought up to current floodplain management standards.
After leaving the commission chambers, Wash said, “I’m thankful for Anna Maria letting me do this.”
ANNA MARIA – During the Thursday, Nov. 29, organizational meeting. City Clerk LeAnne Addy administered the oath of office to Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and city commissioners Amy Tripp and Brian Seymour.
All three incumbent city officials ran unopposed in the recent city elections and will serve additional two-year terms in office.
Brian Seymour is sworn into his second term as a commissioner. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
After the swearing-in ceremonies, Tripp nominated Seymour to serve as the commission chair, and the commission unanimously supported the nomination. Seymour will serve as commission chair for one year and Commissioner Carol Carter will serve as vice-chair.
Amy Tripp is sworn into her first full term as a commissioner. She served a partial term after being appointed in February. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“I’m very honored that Commissioner Tripp nominated me. I’m happy to learn from the staff and the mayor and continue to grow my knowledge of the operations and execution of the city priorities,” Seymour said after the meeting.
Commissioner Doug Copeland served as commission chair for the past three years. Copeland, Carter and Dale Woodland have one more year remaining in their current commission terms.
ANNA MARIA – The $3.33 million contract to build the decking and walkway for the new Anna Maria City Pier is a done deal.
On Thursday, Nov. 29, City Commissioners unanimously authorized Mayor Dan Murphy to execute the construction contract with Tampa-based Infrastructure & Industrial Contractors Southeast Inc. (i+icon).
The contract gives i+icon 270 days to complete the pier project by Aug. 26, 2019. It allows the city to penalize the firm $975 per day for any delays beyond that date but gives the commission the discretion to extend the construction timeline due to a storm, prolonged loss of power or some other unforeseen occurrence.
Murphy said i+icon indicated the first pier pilings will be driven in January.
The contract states the new pier will be approximately 730 feet long and 12 feet wide, with a 111-foot by 88-foot T-end section to accommodate a restaurant, bait shop and restrooms. The scope of work does not include the restaurant, bait shop and restrooms spaces that will be addressed in a separate request for proposals (RFP).
The commission-approved contract is $332,837 lower than the $3.66 million bid i+icon submitted in October as one of five firms responding to the city’s revised RFP. Those bids ranged from $4.78 million to $3.45 million, and the commission then authorized Murphy to discuss contract terms with i+icon as the highest-ranked bidder.
Project engineer Jay Saxena, Mayor Dan Murphy and i+icon representatives Greg Thornton and Paul enjoyed a congratulatory moment after last week’s meeting. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
I+icon Operations Manager Paul Johnson and Project Manager Greg Thornton attended last week’s meeting, as did Jay Saxena from Ayres Associates, the city’s contracted pier engineering firm.
“This document marks a major milestone for the city. A lot of people have worked very hard and long to get to this point,” Murphy said when presenting the revised bid and contract for commission approval.
Cost savings
Murphy said the city could save $180,000 by using wooden support bents for the pier decking instead of the concrete bents originally planned.
Commissioner Brian Seymour asked Saxena if wood bents would reduce the new pier’s anticipated 75-year service life. Saxena said the first 63 bents from shore would be wood. The remaining walkway and T-end bents will be concrete and provide additional support where it’s most needed. The commission supported this change.
The commission also supported Murphy’s suggestion to spend $8,863 to purchase concrete pilings that are 14-inches in diameter and already cast to the correct length, rather than spending an additional $30,000 to splice together some of the 12-inch concrete pilings the city recently purchased directly to avoid paying sales tax and to ensure availability.
Murphy said Saxena and i+icon located the longer, larger pilings in the same storage yard where the previously purchased are being stored, and the city will receive a credit for 12-inch pilings returned. Murphy and Saxena noted the 14-inch pilings would support the T-end that is more vulnerable to high winds and waves.
Murphy told the commission i+icon recommended spending an additional $50,000 for IPE wood product pier decking instead of the Kebony wood product decking the commission majority approved in March. Murphy said the IPE product has a longer history of use than the newer Kebony decking. Commissioner Carol Carter noted that Seymour favored the IPE decking in March.
The revised total bid and cost savings document discussed last week lists an additional $181,700 in savings for pilings. Murphy explained later that this is for the pilings already purchased.
“There’s more savings to be had here,” he told the commission regarding the city’s continued ability to purchase construction materials directly to avoid the sales tax.
The final contracted price is approximately $800,000 lower than the original $4.13 bid i+icon submitted in August as one of two firms responding to the original RFP.
Carter commended Murphy, Saxena and i+icon for also reducing the original projected completion date of December 2019.
Teams Planet Stone and Bins Be Clean win it all in The Center of Anna Maria Island’s fall youth soccer league championship game.
The top seeds in both of the youth soccer leagues finished on top, capturing the championship Wednesday night at the Island’s community center. After a close semi-final game, Ugly Grouper won its spot in the final game against Planet Stone in the 8- to 10-year-old league. Team Planet Stone took the big win and championship medals.
8-10-year-old soccer champs Team Planet Stone. – Monica Simpson | Sun
Wash Family Construction dominated Slim’s Place in the 11- to 13-year-old semi-final match-up, only to struggle against the first place Bins Be Clean team in the final game of the night.
Starting the game off with 12 minutes on the scoreboard, Evan Talucci played solid in the net, protecting his end of the field as the goalkeeper for Bins Be Clean.
Talucci’s teammate Jackson Mattick took the first shot after two minutes of play. Mattick’s shot hit the bottom of the crossbar only to hit straight down to the ground in front of the goal line.
With a second chance, Mattick hit his next shot, putting Bins Be Clean ahead 1-0.
Cash Carter kicked the soccer ball for a strong defensive clearing the full length of the field for Bins Be Clean.
Five minutes into the game, JM Feeney hustled to the sideline to keep the ball in bounds, giving his team, Wash Family Construction, a corner kick. Bins Be Clean made a nice defensive stop keeping Wash Family from scoring.
Minutes later a shot by Jeremiah Sculco was stopped by Talucci. The corner kick found the ball at the feet of Angelina Albrecht, who attempted her first shot of the game.
Just out of the reach of goalie Victor Albrecht, Jackson Pakbaz hit the net with four minutes left in the half, giving Bins Be Clean a two-point lead.
Bins Be Clean’s Sam Leister held strong defensively against Wash Family Construction’s Riley Lawson, preventing a shot before halftime.
Into the second half of the 11-to 13-year old championship game, Carter took a shot for Bins Be Clean, while teammate Nicholas Yatros played tough defense against Wash Family Construction’s veteran player Aiden Templeton.
Kirin Malisoff and Kylie Barkley played strong defense for Bins Be Clean, helping their team to another victory.
Yatros stopped Templeton’s fast break, forcing him to pass the ball. V. Albrecht followed with a great defensive play of his own with a remarkable save on a Bins Be Clean shot.
Scoring the third goal for Bins Be Clean, Yatros put himself in the perfect scoring position with only a couple of minutes left on the game clock.
Despite a strong effort by Wash Family Construction, the team just could not get the soccer ball between the posts, resulting in the big win for Bins Be Clean.
The night also spotlighted 10 players who caught the attention of the coaches this season. In the instructional six-to 7-year-old league, Nixon Conner and Maggie Sue Niedzwick were named the Most Valuable Player and Most Improved Player, respectively.
With their game developing and skills strengthening the battle for awards gets tougher with each season in the 8- to 10-year-old league. Taking the MVP kudos was Ugly Grouper’s Maximus Manapat and Savanna Coba.
Planet Stone’s Jack Whiteside was recognized as the league’s Defensive MVP, while teammate Julia Baugher was named Most Improved. Cale Rudacille, goalkeeper for Ugly Grouper, took home the title of Goalie of the Year.
Bins Be Clean’s goalie Evan Talucci won the top honors for his position as the Goalie of the Year. Cash Carter joined his teammate with the Most Valuable Player honors.
Wash Family Constructions girl powerhouse Angelina Albrecht was recognized for her skills as the Female MVP.
Teammates Kieran Clouter and Caden Quinby both were acknowledged for their strong play during the season as the Defensive MVP and Most Improved recipients.
Ending the season with great games and awards, Slim’s Place sponsored and provided the food for the night in traditional cookout style making for the perfect night of soccer, friends and family.
In the final week of the youth soccer regular season, Planet Stone finished in first place for the youngsters making up the eight- to 10-year-old league. Bins Be Clean found them on top for the 11- to 13-year-old league.
Both teams clinched a spot in the championship match on Wed., Nov. 14. Neither will know who their opponents will be until the semifinal play is completed at the 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. games that same night.
Planet Stone went head-to-head against Ugly Grouper last Tuesday night to start the evening’s action.
Ugly Grouper’s Cale Rudacille scored the only goal of the first game of the night for the eight- to 10-year-old youth soccer league in their victory against number one ranked Planet Stone.
Planet Stone stayed on the field for the week’s second game against Progressive Cabinetry. Despite having just played the previous game, the Planet Stone team still showed fire in its boots, taking the win with a goal at the 23rd minutes of the play by Ava Harlan. Just 36 seconds later the top team put the ball in the net for the second and final goal of the game.
In the older age group, Bins Be Clean finished the season with a loss and a tie, but its strong season play kept the team at the top of the rankings. Wash Family Construction, which finished second in the regular season, completed its night with a victory over Bins Be Clean.
The men and women who make up the co-ed adult soccer league finished their fourth game of the season last Thursday night, leading them into the second half of the regular season.
The three weeks of play prior saw tough competition and close scores among the teams. Week four was four blowout games, with players missing and mismatches.
Sato Real Estate showed its dominance on the pitch against Jiffy Lube with a 7-2 win, putting it neck and neck with Eason Builders.
Eason Builders, in the last game of the night, handed Ross Built Construction its fourth loss of the season finishing six goals ahead. Ross Built goes into the fifth game versus Lancaster Design looking for its first win.
Lancaster Design, a team once on top with Sato Real Estate, fell to third place with a loss against AMI Locals with the score 3-8.
The 8 p.m. game had Moss Builders facing Slim’s Place. At the end of 46 minutes of play, Moss Builders gained its second win of the season. Like Ross Built Construction, Slim’s Place looks forward to its first W next week.
All eight teams push forward toward the final games of the season in December, with the Paul “Ace” Hayward Cup championship game on Dec. 20.
BRADENTON BEACH – Bradenton Beach voters re-elected incumbent Bradenton Beach City Commissioners Ralph Cole and Marilyn Maro, choosing them over challengers Tjet Martin and John Metz.
Bradenton Beach voters supported a return to geographically-based City Commission wards as one of seven proposed charter amendments recommended by the Charter Review Committee and supported by city voters.
Running unopposed, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and commissioners Amy Tripp and Brian Seymour retain their seats and will serve additional two-year terms in office.
Bradenton Beach commission races
In the Bradenton Beach race for the two seats currently held by Cole and Maro, Cole received 282 votes (32.12 percent), Maro received 242 votes (27.56 percent), Metz received 189 votes (21.53 percent) and Martin received 165 votes (18.79 percent).
Maro and Cole will serve additional two-year terms on the City Commission and be sworn in on Monday, Dec. 19. Their victories will maintain for another year a commission that also includes Mayor John Chappie and commissioners Jake Spooner and Randy White.
Charter amendments
Bradenton Beach voters also decided the fate of seven proposed amendments to the city charter and one park rezoning request.
Voters adopted Amendment 1. This means geographically-based City Commission wards will be reinstated beginning with next year’s elections: 295 voters (58.65 percent) supported the amendment and 208 voters (41.35 percent) opposed it.
Despite this sign of opposition, Bradenton Beach voters adopted several charter amendments proposed by the Charter Review Committee. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Voters adopted Amendment 2. This means City Commission candidates will now have to be registered city voters and will have to provide addition proof of residency when seeking office: 413 voters (79.73 percent) supported the amendment and 105 voters (20.27 percent) opposed it.
Voters adopted Amendment 3. This means the city charter will expressly state Bradenton Beach has a balanced form of city government in which all five members, including the mayor, have the same legislative and executive powers: 308 voters (61.48 percent) supported the amendment and 193 voters (38.52 percent) opposed it.
Voters adopted Amendment 4. This means the City Commission will retain the sole authority to hire and fire charter officials and departments heads, even if a city manager was to be hired in the future: 290 voters (58.23 percent) supported the amendment and 208 voters (41.77 percent) opposed it.
Voters adopted rejected Amendment 5. This means Article II and Article III of the city charter will be renumbered and reorganized (merely an administrative housekeeping matter): 306 voters (62.58 percent) supported the amendment and 183 voters (37.42 percent) opposed it.
Voters adopted Amendment 6. This means the commission will retain the ability to fill vacant City Commission seats by commission appointment: 328 voters (64.57 percent) supported the amendment and 180 voters (35.43 percent) opposed it.
Voters adopted Amendment 7. This means the charter requirements and processes that already apply to citizen-led, petition-initiated city ordinances and resolutions will also apply to citizen-led, petition-initiated efforts to amend the city charter: 320 voters (65.04 percent) supported the amendment and 172 voters (34.96 percent) opposed it.
City voters also supported the city’s request to rezone Katie Pierola Park from its current R-3 Multi-Family Dwelling District zoning designation to a Parks/Recreation/Open Space zoning designation. The vote was 460 votes (89.15 percent) in favor of the rezoning and 56 votes (10.85 percent) opposed to the rezoning request.
The chill in the air last Tuesday night was paired with the sounds of youth soccer at The Center of Anna Maria Island. Several weeks into the fall soccer season, little kids as young as three years old up to 13 years old have been hitting the pitch Tuesday and Wednesday nights for futbal action.
The smallest little cleats learn the essentials with the help of volunteer coaches like Meghan Horner who take time out of their busy weekly schedule to spend an hour with the Island area boys and girls.
Wearing cleats, the little ballers in their long socks hold their shin guards as they excitedly kick the soccer ball down and around the field with Coach Horner and her assistants. During the 60 minute clinic, sponsored by The Freckled Fin, the kids work on shooting drills with the pop-up goals and passing “drills”.
Playing a fun game, Coach Horner helped the players learn how to dribble the soccer ball by keeping it close to them. In the exercise, if the ball hit the coach, the kids chose an animal that the coach pretends to be as the reward.
Cats, elephants, lizards and more delight the clinic goers as they learn the game of soccer while having fun in the sun.
ANNA MARIA – It’s a story about loves lost and one that seems impossible.
The Island Players are selling tickets to “Baggage,” by Sam Bobrick, directed by James Thaggard and co-produced by Bortell’s starting Nov. 8 through Nov. 18.
“Baggage” is a story about a man and a woman who accidentally swap suitcases at the airport, suffer a disagreeable first meeting and then find themselves in a most unlikely friendship. While the two lonely singles may be too difficult for everyone else in the world, they might be perfect for each other. The cast includes veteran Island Players performers Jennifer Kwiatkowski as Phyllis, Jalex Scott as Bradley, Rick Kopp as Dr. Jonathan and Jennifer Caldwell as Mitzi.
Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Island Players Theater, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. Tickets are $20 each. The box office is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays. On performance nights, the box office opens at 7 p.m. and for Sunday matinees, it opens at 1 p.m. Cash, Visa, MasterCard or Discover are accepted.
For reservations or information, call the box office at 941 778-5755 or visit the Island Players online.
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