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Editorial - tropical perspective

Editorial | Tropical perspective

Written by Sun staff on . Posted in Editorial, Feature, Opinion.

John Lennon and Paul McCartney once wrote a song that started with the line, “I read the news today, oh boy.”

One might feel the same way when viewing the local headlines here on the Island, which are often dominated by rental regulations, property rights, Bert Harris claims, political disputes, traffic, parking, congestion, noise, red tide and a multitude of other problems and inconveniences that take some off the shine off this tropical jewel. Yet, Anna Maria Island remains a unique and wonderful place to live, work and play for those who still believe the rewards outweigh the challenges that are also part of the deal.

We have 17 residents (some retirees, some still working) who are willing to take on the challenges and headaches (some self-inflicted) of elected office, getting paid a pittance to try to solve complex problems that would constitute a much higher pay grade elsewhere. We also have dozens of volunteer board and committee members who get paid nothing to work on these same issues.

The Island is blessed with a politically engaged citizenry that doesn’t always agree and doesn’t always get it right, but is never shy about voicing an opinion, pushing for change or standing firm on a strong-held belief. Yes, the numbers are shrinking, but the full-time residents who remain form a close-knit, community that cannot be duplicated up the street in Bradenton or across the bay in Sarasota.

Although they undoubtedly contribute to our topical and tropical dilemmas, the hundreds of thousands of visitors who come to the Island each year also provide a significant income stream for our local businesses, and tax revenues for our local governments. They also add color to the ever-changing palette of Island life, sharing insights and experiences with us and hopefully getting the same in return.

There’s public beaches every two miles and public access points in between. There’s public fishing piers at both ends of the Island and recreational opportunities everywhere you look. We have a free trolley system, low-cost shuttle services, and water taxis and a ferry service are looming on the horizon.

This over-saturated Island still offers a cornucopia of locally owned restaurants, bars, businesses, art galleries and shopping destinations that are as far-reaching and fascinating as the folks who run them.

Is the Island perfect? Nope. But we get to chase our personal versions of paradise with good people at our side, the sun on our face and tropical breezes at our back, while our compatriots up north slog through another winter watching the Weather Channel and saying, “Man, I wished I lived somewhere warm.”

Boat drinks anyone?

Robin Mayer, Anna Maria city planner

Anna Maria hires new city planner

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria’s new city planner is Robin Mayer.

The city commission unanimously approved the hiring recommendation made by Mayor Dan Murphy at the Feb. 23 meeting. Murphy told the commission he interviewed five candidates and Mayer emerged as his top choice.

Mayer will replace former planner Bruce McLaughlin, who recently resigned on short notice; and Murphy told the commission Mayer would provide the city with more of his time than McLaughlin did.

Mayer’s contract calls for him to work a minimum of 36 hours a week, which at $50 an hour equates to a weekly salary of $1,800. He will be paid $50 an hour for any additional time worked and he will not be compensated for travel time or travel expenses.

“I love the Island and the way the commissioners want to protect it; and I’m ready to help them do that.”
Robin Mayer, city planner

After the commission authorized the mayor to execute the contract, Mayer said, “Thank you, I look forward to working with you all.”

Standing outside of city hall afterwards, Mayer discussed his path to Anna Maria.

“I have 40 years of experience. My first 28 were with the city of Tacoma, in Washington. I retired from there, came to Florida to work for Collier County, then worked in the private sector for a little over two years. I went over to St. Lucie County as the director of growth management and after the implosion of the economy they reorganized and kept me on as the head of their building and code division. Then I went to Longboat Key and I was there for a little over a year as director of planning and zoning and building. I retired there and then realized I wasn’t ready to retire,” the 66-year-old Mayer said.

Mayer lives in east Manatee County and he’s been coming to the Island for the past four years.

“I love the Island and the way the commissioners want to protect it; and I’m ready to help them do that,” he said.

When discussing his skills and experience, Mayer said, “Every day you come into the office you learn something new, and after 40 years I’ve learned a lot: how to work with people, how to make things run more efficiently and how to make the whole process work better.”