Week two of the new Anna Maria Farmer’s Market is underway today until 5 p.m.
This week’s market features a second produce vendor and a larger variety of produce offerings than the limited supply that was available at least week’s weather-shortened market debut.
The weekly market takes place in City Pier Park at the end of Pine Avenue, across the street from the Anna Maria City Pier.
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ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria’s new farmer’s market got off to an excellent, albeit abbreviated start Tuesday morning.
Positioned in a semi-circle around the edge of the shade sail structure in City Pier Park, the four vendors who braved the anticipated stormy weather were greeted at 11 a.m. by a large gathering of eager shoppers.
Selling fresh produce and herbs, Judy Thomas had the longest lines of the day and was nearly sold out shortly after noon.
Thomas’ offerings included cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, radishes, zucchini, fresh herbs and more. Visiting from Truman, Minn., and wearing a “Wanderlust” T-shirt, Kim Krueger bought of bunch of fresh mint. When asked what she was going to do with it, she said, “Make mojitos.”
Krueger said she planned to coat the rims of her mojito glasses with the local honey she bought from the Saucy Guys, who were set up next to Thomas. Also selling a wide variety of spicy but flavorful homemade hot sauces, the Saucy Guys consist of Neil Currie (a retired pastor) and Jim Brannon (a retired carpenter). Curry said they’re both former cardiac patients and because of that, their products contain very little sodium.
Paul Groesbeck, visiting from Traverse City, Mich., rode his bike to the park. After sampling one of the hot sauces, he said of the new market, “It’s a great destination.”
Visiting from Eau Claire, Wisc. with camera in hand, 15-year-old Emily Fletcher tried the local honey and said, “I love it.”
Her dad, Lee, said they were drawn to the market by the large promotional sign they saw. In additional to the banner sign at the south end of the park, banner signs were also placed at the entrance to the city and at the entrance to the Island on Manatee Avenue, in Holmes Beach.
After visiting Thomas’ produce tables, former Denver resident and newly-arrived Holmes Beach resident Cindy Clark sampled some of the hot sauces while shopping with her daughter Chrissy Clark, who preceded her by a few months in moving to the Island.
Next to the Saucy Guys was well-known Island figure Cindy Thompson selling her Inhale Salt Spa Himalayan Pink Salt Sole water and homemade Paradise Spice packets, one of which is called “Anna Maria Island Blend.”
Pronounced “so-lay,” Thompson’s Sole water consists of large chunks of pink Himalayan salt contained in a small sealed glass jar with a wood spoon attached to the side. She explained to a new customer how you pour purified water over the salt chunks, let it soak overnight and then drink a spoonful each morning to reap the health benefits of more than 80 natural minerals.
In between sales, Thompson said she’s been waiting 10 years for a farmer’s market in Anna Maria.
Market Coordinator Debbie Haynes said she was thrilled with the turnout and she noted that four more vendors postponed their debuts due to approaching weather that would later cut the market short around 2 p.m. due to rain, lighting and a tornado watch.
Haynes’ day job is Deputy Clerk/Treasurer for the city of Anna Maria. She and Public Works Manager Dean Jones originally planned for the vendors to set up their own tents at the northwest end of the park, but they instead had them set up around the perimeter of the shade sail structure because of the possibility of rain.
As the market entered its second rain-free hour, Haynes said she really liked the market-in-the-round feel it created and she suggested that might become the configuration of choice. Thompson said she loved the impromptu sail shade configuration and she envisioned it being even nicer with a full roster of vendors completing the circle.
Haynes said the city was able to get the vendors liability insurance for $42 each through the Florida League of Cities. The temporary policies are good until late May, when the market’s trial run could come to its seasonal end.
Haynes’ husband, Bob, was also on hand, serving as a volunteer at the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring organization’s informational table.
Mayor Dan Murphy stopped by and was quite pleased with the turnout. He said he noticed more foot traffic than usual on Pine Avenue on a Tuesday morning, which was a driving factor in creating a weekly market. The hope is that the farmer’s market will attract folks to the Pine Avenue area and help offset in some small way the Anna Maria City Pier being closed until a new one is built.
The market will continue every Tuesday, weather permitting, through May.
Vendors are still wanted and those interested can contact Haynes at 941-708-6130, ext. 121 or email her at depclerk@cityofannamaria.com.
ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria’s new farmer’s market is scheduled to make its debut on Tuesday, March 20.
Taking place in City Pier Park, near the corner of Pine Avenue and South Bay Boulevard, the market is scheduled to run from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.
According to Mayor Dan Murphy, the city has six vendors lined up for the market debut and more vendors have expressed interest in participating in future markets.
Tillman Thomas will be selling produce and organic produce. Mr. Fun Guy will be selling fresh and dried mushrooms. Saucy Guy will be selling barbeque sauce and salsa. AMI Aquaponics will be selling microgreens and edible plants. Hahn’s Kettle Corn will be selling kettle corn and Cindy Thompson will be selling Himalayan salts and other seasonings and rubs.
Interested vendors can contact Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Debbie Haynes at 941-708-6130, ext. 121 or email her at depclerk@cityofannamaria.com.
City officials originally hoped to start the farmer’s market on March 6, but there was a lack of eligible vendors due to the city’s liability insurance requirements. Murphy and the Anna Maria Commission resolved those issues when the commission approved a plan proposed by Murphy that allows the city to acquire liability insurance for its vendors through the Florida League of Cities (FLC).
During the commission’s March 8 meeting, Murphy said 17 vendors were interested in the market, but only two carried their own insurance. Murphy said the insurance policies are needed in case someone gets sick or dies as a result of eating produce or other goods sold in City Pier Park, which is city property.
He told commissioners the city could acquire a policy through the FLC that would provide coverage for 15 market sessions at total cost of $70 per vendor. City Attorney Becky Vose supported the plan, which provides $1 million in liability insurance.
Each vendor will pay the city $70 to participate in the market’s anticipated 10-week trial run. Vendors do not have to pay any additional fees to reserve space in the market. It is hoped the market will bring more visitors to the Pine Avenue business district while the Anna Maria City Pier remains closed.
The market will consist primarily of fresh produce and other natural products not intended for on-site consumption. The goal is to establish a market that does not create direct competition for the Pine Avenue businesses, which are also invited to participate.
“I’ve been an advocate for the market from the beginning and if we can get 10 vendors out there I think it would be an attraction. I would be in favor of the city taking the insurance and then passing the cost along to the vendors. Since there is no other cost, it’s pretty reasonable for them,” Commission Chair Doug Copeland said.
Commissioner Dale Woodland asked about insurance requirements at other local markets.
“What’s the difference between us and Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach?” he said.
“Evidently there’s people selling at the markets there that don’t have insurance, or the city went and purchased insurance to cover themselves or they’ve got an organizer who has the insurance. Those are the three alternatives. I asked the same question myself,” Murphy said.
ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria voters want incumbent City Commissioners Carol Carter, Doug Copeland and Dale Woodland to serve additional two-year terms in office, as first-time candidate Laurie Jo Higgins fell short in her bid to claim one of the three open commission seats.
Carter was the leading vote getter, receiving 331 votes and 29.45 percent of the votes cast in the city election that began with mail voting in early October and ended at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Those who did not vote by mail voted in person Tuesday at the Roser Memorial Community Church.
Woodland finished second with 317 votes and 28.20 percent of the vote. Copeland finished third with 305 votes and 27.14 percent of the vote.
In her first run for elected office, Higgins received 171 votes and 15.21 percent of the votes cast.
Carter said she is “thrilled that the voters realize that I am their champion for the peaceful enjoyment of their homes and will work to ensure Home Rule will dominate.”
Carter and Copeland were elected to their third terms in office. Woodland was elected to his seventh.
The commission is rounded out by Brian Seymour and Nancy Yetter. Their current terms expire in 2018, along with two-term mayor Dan Murphy.
City Clerk LeAnne Addy said on Tuesday she was still in the process of determining a date and time for the swearing-in ceremonies that will be held at Anna Maria City Hall.
Carol Carter will serve a third term on the Anna Maria Commission. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
First challenger Laurie Jo Higgins fell short in her first bid for public office. - Submitted
Dale Woodland was elected to serve a seventh term in office. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Doug Copeland was re-elected in Anna Maria.
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?
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.
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.”
