BRADENTON BEACH – On Thursday, May 7, a Coast Guard Station Cortez law enforcement crew terminated the activities of an illegal charter vessel that was acting as a bareboat charter with 11 passengers for hire near the Bradenton Beach Marina.
After investigation, Coast Guard officers deemed the 42-foot vessel, She’s Always Right, operated as an illegal small passenger vessel. The officers terminated the charter boat’s voyage and escorted the boat and passengers back to the Bradenton Beach Marina, according to a press release issued the following day by the United States Coast Guard Public Affairs Detachment Tampa Bay.
In the press release, Brian Knapp, chief of investigations at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, stated, “For a bareboat charter to be legally valid, the renter must have complete control over who is at the helm – whether they pilot the vessel themselves or hire a captain of their own choosing. Once an owner dictates which captain the renter must use, it is no longer a bareboat charter.”
In a May 12 email to The Sun, Knapp stated the incident remained under investigation and no further details were being released at the time.
During the boarding of the chartered vessel, Coast Guard officers determined four violations: Failure to have a valid certificate of inspection, not having a credentialed mariner in control while operating a small passenger vessel, failure to have a drug and alcohol program and failure to have a valid certificate of documentation.
According to the press release, potential civil penalties for illegally operating a passenger vessel include up to $5,996 for the failure to provide a Coast Guard certificate of inspection for vessels carrying more than six passengers for hire, up to $9,624 for the failure of the operators to be enrolled in a drug and alcohol program and up to $20,468 for the failure to produce a valid certificate of documentation for vessels weighing over five gross tons.
According to the press release, “The Coast Guard urges anyone paying for a trip on a vessel to verify the captain has a safety plan and a merchant mariner credential. For larger charter boats, or those with more than six passengers, ask to see a Coast Guard-issued certificate of inspection. If the operator cannot produce appropriate credentials, passengers should not get on the boat.”
In the press release, Capt. Corrie Sergent, commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, said, “Illegal charter boat operations pose a significant threat to public safety and the integrity of the maritime industry. When someone ignores those requirements, they bypass the protections the public depends on when they step aboard a vessel.”
BRADENTON BEACH – Acting Building Official Robert Perry issued a stop work order at the Bradenton Beach Marina property after wooden poles were erected without a city permit.
The Feb. 9 stop work order signed by Perry states “work was commenced without permit, approval.” The stop work order lists the property address as 402 Church Ave.
On Feb. 9, a stop work order was issued for the marina property at 402 Church Ave. – City of Bradenton Beach | Submitted
According to Code Enforcement Officer Evan Harbus, the stop work order was lifted after the poles were subsequently removed from the ground.
Harbus stated that as of Feb. 19, there have been no permit requests submitted for a tiki structure at that property.
According to the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s Office, the marina property at 402 Church Street is owned by the Bazzy Marine Corporation. The 2026 Florida Profit Corporation annual report filed with the Florida Division of Corporations lists Shawn Kaleta as the company president and Louis Najmy and Patrick Bryant as vice-presidents. The Nautilus Bar also operates on the marina property.
PRIOR STOP WORK ORDER
This is not the first time a stop work order was issued at the marina for work that allegedly began prior to permitting.
In March 2024, a cease-and-desist order on the Nautilus Bar was issued by Building Official Darin Cushing, who’s no longer with the city.
Cushing said he saw an announcement of the bar’s opening on Facebook but he said the opening occurred prior to receiving city permits.
“We received an application for the building permit on April 9,” Cushing told The Sun in 2024. “After several reviews by the building department and the fire marshal’s office, the permit was issued on May 1.”
Cushing said an after-the-fact permit is issued when much of the work is already completed.
MARINA EXPANSION PLANS
A plan to replace the marina’s dry storage and boat repair activities with restaurants and retail operations were discussed during the Jan. 16, 2025, Community Redevelopment Agency meeting by then-City Attorney Ricinda Perry.
“There were plans discussed and presented to the building official prior to the hurricane, consisting of interior wall adjustments within the marina building itself, where dry storage is,” Perry said.
Ricinda Perry said boat repairs and the storage of damaged and derelict vessels sometimes result in oil, gasoline and chemical spills. The goal would be to replace those business activities with services that help create a more functional marina that serves day-trippers, overnight visitors, yachts and others to create “a more functioning commercial segment up there.”
During that 2025 discussion, Mayor John Chappie asked if the marina owner was looking to provide overnight stays on the site.
“There’s also been some talk about whether or not it would make sense financially for them to have a few rooms for overnighting, perhaps on the second floor above the Nautilus Bar, looking over the water,” Perry said. “There’s also been talk about what was described to me as a staging area for food trucks and bands and a kid’s playground. Right now, the only thing that’s been presented to Darin (Cushing) was just taking the internal side of that, partitioning it off and taking out the dry storage and putting in shops and restaurants. The plan, as I understood, is to eliminate all the dry storage inside, all of the boat repairs that are inside, and install retail and restaurants that you can access from the outside as you’re walking down both sides of that marina.”
Perry noted the uninsured marina docks sustained significant damage during Hurricane Helene and it would cost the marina owners millions of dollars to repair them.
An Instagram post shared in March 2024, before the hurricanes struck, included several images of a potential food truck court and outdoor dining area to be created on the marina property. To date, those plans have not materialized.
This March 2024 Instagram post referenced a future food truck court. – Submitted
BRADENTON BEACH – A plan to replace dry storage and boat repairs with restaurants and retail at the Bradenton Beach Marina was discussed at a Jan. 16 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting.
“There were plans discussed and presented to the building official prior to the hurricane consisting of interior wall adjustments within the marina building itself where dry storage is,” City Attorney Ricinda Perry said at the meeting. “The goal of that project was to take a bunch of boat repairs which resulted in oil, gasoline and spilled chemicals of all sorts, lifts and storage of damaged and derelict vessels onsite, eliminate all of that and turn it into a functioning marina that would service people’s boats that come in and park overnight, yachts, day-trippers and create a more functioning commercial segment up there.”
She said the plans are currently being reviewed by the Bradenton Beach building department.
“We had a staff meeting yesterday to make sure that was still on task,” Perry said.
Mayor John Chappie asked if the marina owner is looking to provide overnight stays on the site.
“There’s also been some talk about whether or not it would make sense financially for them to have a few rooms for overnighting, perhaps on the second floor above the Nautilus Bar looking over the water,” Perry said. “There’s also been talk about what was described to me as a staging area for food trucks and bands and a kids playground. Right now, the only thing that’s been presented to Darin (Building Official Darin Cushing) was just taking the internal side of that, partitioning it off and taking out the dry storage and putting in shops and restaurants.”
Perry said she can’t bind the property owner to specific plans, but said, “The plan as I understood is to eliminate all the dry storage inside, all of the boat repairs that are inside and install retail, restaurants that you can access from the outside as you’re walking down both sides of that marina.”
Perry noted the marina’s docks sustained damage during Hurricane Helene.
“The property owner (Shawn Kaleta) has shared with me that they had gotten an original price quote in the millions to repair the docks that were damaged from Hurricane Helene,” Perry said. “You cannot get those docks insured, so all of that is out of pocket loss and damage to that property owner, that’s why it’s been a little bit slow trying to get that turned around. They’ve gotten some additional quotes that are more feasible financially. I think you’re going to see that property turned back around again.”
BRADENTON BEACH – After city officials put a halt to what they said was the unpermitted operation of a new bar at the Bradenton Beach Marina in March, building official Darin Cushing said the proper approval process is now underway.
On March 25, the Marina Facebook page announced the opening of the bar, serving beer and wine.
Cushing said he saw the post and on March 26 issued a cease and desist order, which was posted in the bar area.
“The basis of the cease and desist order was that there was a bar built out in that section of the marina,” Cushing said. “And we said no, don’t work on it, don’t stock it.”
The Bradenton Beach Marina, 402 Church St. is owned by developer Shawn Kaleta.
“I have a fully open door, anytime somebody has an idea for a project and says we’d like to get it going, ask us, ‘What do we need to do? What do we need for permitting? What do we need for drawings?’ Come talk to me ahead of time. Do it that way, then you apply and get approval and then you do the work,” Cushing said.
Since the March 26 order, he said plans and an application to build the bar have been received by his office.
“I met down there with the design professional and one of the fire marshals was there and we discussed what they needed,” Cushing said on April 18. “Yesterday I did my first initial review of the plans and the fire department did their initial review. And we both kicked it back and sent some comments back to the design professional.”
Cushing said he signed off on the marina’s application for a full liquor license.
“They do have a beer and wine license for the marina as a whole and they’re kind of saying that’s all we’re doing right now,” Cushing said. “I did sign the application for the liquor license yesterday or the day before. That’s in the hands of the state. We have to sign it, the health department has to sign it and one other entity before it goes up to the state.”
BRADENTON BEACH – In what was described as a potential public/private partnership to protect the city’s dinghy docks and control derelict vessels, City Attorney Ricinda Perry presented an offer to city commissioners from a local marina.
“I was approached today by the marina, the former Bazzy marina, who said, ‘Why don’t you throw mooring balls out there?’ ” Perry said at the Feb. 1 city commission meeting.
A harbormaster and a pump-out comes at an extreme cost, which is why the city had dropped the idea in the past, Perry said.
“So today the marina said, ‘Would you be interested in us helping you with the mooring balls? And what we can do is basically act as your harbormaster, provide the pump-out service and deal with the people that are paying?’ “ Perry said, adding, “And something else to think about is the amount you charge people, which they would enforce for us. Which would make it so a particular clientele would be able to afford that mooring ball.”
Perry said the city doesn’t have the resources or staff, but with the help of the marina, the mooring field could be a revenue source for the city and the marina, and would potentially clean up the area.
She told commissioners if they were not opposed to the idea, she would put the item on a work meeting agenda.
Commissioner Ralph Cole said, “There’s a lot of pros and cons to this. When we talked about it before, we talked about the cost and how the city was going to maintain it. That would have been really difficult for the city to maintain it.”
Cole said he would like to know the details and the cost involved.
Derelict boats have been an issue in the harbor, and a priority for Bradenton Beach police.
“The police have done a very good job,” Cole said. “We had 47 derelict boats out there at one time, and it takes time to clean all this stuff up.”
“To remove a derelict vessel is extremely expensive,” Perry said. “We can regulate those people who are living on them. Do we want people there who have slammed into our floating dock so many times? I love the private partnership that targets those who are living out there.”
A discussion of the mooring field offer as well as the potential expansion of the city’s boundary jurisdiction on the water, which is currently at 500 feet from shore, will be considered by the city commission in the future, according to Mayor John Chappie.
BRADENTON BEACH – City officials are pursuing two potential public-private partnerships with the Bradenton Beach Marina’s new principal, developer Shawn Kaleta.
One partnership pertains to proposed improvements to the city-owned parking lot next to the cell tower and the Public Works building, adjacent to the marina. Another pertains to the multi-use trail that passes through the marina property.
During a March 1 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting, City Attorney Ricinda Perry and Mayor John Chappie referred to Kaleta as the marina’s new owner. A mortgage and security agreement dated Jan. 10 lists the Bazzy Marine Corp. as the mortgagor and the Holiday, Florida-based Capital Property Ventures LLC as the mortgagee. The agreement references “a principal amount of $14 million from mortgagor and Aquabiz LLC.” Kaleta signed the agreement as the mortgagor and as president of the Bazzy Marine Corp.
According to the Florida Division of Corporations, John Porreca is listed as the registered agent and authorized person for Capital Property Ventures LLC. Aquabiz LLC lists attorney Louis Najmy as its registered agent and Kaleta and Daniel Courtney Zoller Jr. as managers.
When previously contacted by The Sun on numerous occasions and asked whether Kaleta purchased the marina from the Bazzy family, Najmy declined to comment. Former marina president Mike Bazzy also declined to comment.
CRA discussions
During the CRA meeting, Perry initiated the parking lot discussion and noted that the CRA members previously authorized Colliers Engineering to put together a parking plan. The plan Perry presented shows 23 parking spaces at the cell tower. Perry said the goal is to create a nicer parking lot and one that’s compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
This preliminary parking lot plan was presented to CRA members. – City of Bradenton Beach | Submitted
“You have that plan in place. A property owner in the area is desirous of actually building out that parking plan and doing all the landscaping and markers, but they didn’t want to pay for installing pavers,” Perry said.
She identified the property owner as Kaleta and said Building Official Steve Gilbert wants to see an engineered parking plan before moving forward with the proposed improvements.
“We want to make clear that this is a public parking lot. We want to make sure that whatever’s put in there is low maintenance. It’s our parking lot. We’ll be maintaining it,” Chappie said.
“Do you have any objection with my office moving forward with that private individual to develop that parking area with either shell or some type of rock in that area?” Perry asked CRA members.
The CRA members unanimously approved a motion authorizing Perry, Gilbert, Woodard and Chappie to finalize the parking lot improvement plans and coordinate with Kaleta on the parking lot improvements.
Multi-use trail
During the same meeting, Chappie and Perry initiated two separate discussions about the multi-use trail that passes under the Cortez Bridge and passes through the marina parking lot along the south side of the bridge.
The multi-use trail passes under the Cortez Bridge. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
In reference to the pending Cortez Bridge replacement project, Chappie said the existing multi-use trail under the bridge will be replaced by a new trail that’s hopefully wide enough to accommodate golf carts and other low speed vehicles too.
Chappie said city staff is researching the exact location of the city easement on the marina property that provides access to the trail area under the bridge.
“Working with Ricinda, we can talk with Kaleta to assure that’s part of our scenic right of way. I don’t think there’s going to be an issue,” Chappie said.
The multi-use trail that passes under the Cortez Bridge also passes through the Bradenton Beach Marina property. – Joe Hendricks Sun
Later in the meeting, Perry initiated discussion about connecting the multi-use trail under the bridge to the multi-use trail along Gulf Drive South that passes by Cortez Beach. She mentioned the CRA members’ long-held desire to create a dedicated tram path along Gulf Drive South with a potential crossing point at Fifth Street South, which provides access to Bay Drive South, Bridge Street and the trail that passes under the bridge.
“I have talked to Shawn Kaleta about his purchase at the marina – actually, it was Mike Bazzy and Shawn Kaleta together – and walked their property, walked all the way down through Bridge Street and up and down Third Street talking about what the city is doing and what Mr. Kaleta is doing in that area. There was interest by him to work together with the city. He’s also talked to Elliott Falcione with the TDC (Tourist Development Council) about doing a major improvement to the multi-use trail that the city has,” Perry said.
She noted Kaleta owns a lot of properties in those areas and said he’s expressed interest in working with the city, and potentially the TDC, in providing some construction assistance to further enhance that corridor that’s heavily used by pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists.
Perry asked the CRA members if they were interested in formulating a workplan and a budget to pursue the trail improvements.
CRA Chair Ralph Cole said, “It’s part of the goal to make this a more walkable community, which gets cars off the road. It’s a nice walk down to Bridge Street from the north end hotels and vacation rentals. I think it’s a good idea any time you can get help with funding. It’s a win-win situation.”
CRA member David Bell expressed concerns about the large number of pedestrians that walk along Bay Drive South between Bridge Street and Third Street South, where there are currently no sidewalks.
The portion of Bay Drive South between Bridge Street and Third Street South is heavily traveled by pedestrians, motorists, bicyclists and others. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“Until we resolve that bottleneck, there’s really no point adding more traffic to that area that’s already dangerously overpopulated with cars, pedestrians, bicycles and trams. Until we resolve that, I don’t want to see us add more traffic to that area,” Bell said.
In response, Cole said, “One of our main objectives in the CRA district is to bring people to the CRA district. What we’re doing is going to make it safer and create a pathway so you don’t have everybody walking down Gulf Drive.”
Perry sought and received authorization to formulate a plan to connect the multi-use trail from Gulf Drive South to the Cortez Bridge using Fifth Street South and Bay Drive South as connecting streets, with Bell casting the lone opposition vote.
BRADENTON BEACH – With millions of dollars worth of boats and equipment onsite, the owners of the Bradenton Beach Marina employ an after-hours security guard to prevent property theft, damage, trespassing and illegal after-hours parking.
Violence isn’t a normal part of the job, but that changed on the evening of Feb. 20.
Bradenton Beach Police Officer Kyle Orms responded to the marina in reference to a possible battery. When Orms arrived, he made contact with the victim, Francisco Martinez, who said he had been punched in the head by a man who was still on the scene. Orms found the man, later identified as Desmin Shaw, walking back and forth around the marina property.
“I observed that Mr. Shaw had the strong odor of alcohol about his person and was stumbling and having a hard time keeping his balance,” Orms said in a police report.
Orms handcuffed Shaw and placed him in the back of his patrol vehicle while he continued to speak with Martinez. Since the officer noticed Shaw had several scrapes and bruises, he called EMS to the scene to check on his physical welfare. The man was determined to not need medical attention.
Martinez told Orms, who by this time had assistance from Holmes Beach police, that he was sitting in his car with his wife when the suspect came up to the car and screamed at him using profanities to get out of the vehicle. Martinez’s wife said Shaw raised his fist and attempted to punch her in the face, but she was able to shut her door before he could make contact. Shaw then went to the rear passenger door and jumped in the car, she said, at which point her husband got out and confronted the man. She told police that Shaw then got out of the car and punched Martinez in the face. Martinez used his pepper spray to end the assault, at which time Shaw ran to one of the boats, which he boarded before jumping in the water.
The police report that Martinez was in full security uniform, which carries the same additional penalties as assaulting a firefighter or EMS responder, a felony.
Shaw asked Orms if Martinez and his wife would be pressing charges.
“When he asked if they were pressing charges, I asked him why charges would need to be pressed,” Orms said in his report. “He then backtracked and said he was just assuming the situation.”
Shaw was arrested and charged with burglary for entering the vehicle, as well as battery. He was transferred to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office before being transported to the Manatee County Jail, where he was later released on a $4,000 bond.
BRADENTON BEACH – The annual Christmas on Bridge Street celebration and Bradenton Beach Holiday Lighted Boat Parade are coming to town on Saturday, Dec. 4.
The fun will happen at various locations along Bridge Street. Beginning at 3 p.m., Christmas on Bridge Street will feature a Kid Zone that includes face painting and creating holiday crafts. Featuring food and drink specials, gift certificate sales, “chair-ity massage” and more, nearby retailers and restaurants will host a holiday walkabout that afternoon and evening.
The Anna Maria Island Privateers will provide photo opportunities with Santa and his sleigh in the Bradenton Beach Post Office parking lot, near the 40-foot-tall Christmas tree purchased by the Bridge Street merchants. The acclaimed Dickens Carolers – a professional company of actors and singers in period costumes – will add to the festivities by telling stories and singing seasonal songs.
The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency paid for most of the holiday decorations adorning Bridge Street. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
After sunset, event attendees can admire the Bridge Street holiday decorations paid for by the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency.
There will also be a Holiday Swagger photo contest and a grand prize drawing that benefits Turning Points, a local non-profit organization that assists the homeless in Manatee County.
Holiday boat parade
On Saturday evening, the third annual Bradenton Beach Holiday Lighted Boat Parade will begin at 6 p.m., with participating vessels assembling ahead of time near the south end of Jewfish Key.
The boat parade will travel northwest along the Longboat Pass Bridge and then head north up the Intracoastal Waterway, passing by the Bridge Street Pier and ending at the Bradenton Beach Marina. The boat parade can be viewed from the Longboat Pass Bridge from about 6-6:30 p.m. and from the Bridge Street Pier from 6:30-7 p.m. Island troubadour Mike Sales will also be performing on the pier that evening.
The boat parade will take place Saturday evening and pass by the Bridge Street Pier. – Bradenton Beach Marina | Submitted
The boat parade is open to powerboats and sailboats and entry is free. The best-decorated boat will earn a $200 cash prize. Entry forms and additional information can be found at the boat parade website, or by calling the Bradenton Beach Marina at 941-778-2288.
Bradenton Beach Marina owner and boat parade organizer Mike Bazzy said he anticipates a record number of boats participating in this year’s boat parade. Those who don’t have a boat of their own can ride along as passengers aboard the marina’s “Anna Maria Princess” paddle wheeler. Tickets can be purchased at the boat parade website and the proceeds will be donated to fighting children’s cancer.
For more information on the Holidays in Paradise events, activities, contests, parking and more, please visit www.lovebradentonbeach.com or call 941-896-2222.
The Sun is a media sponsor of the Holidays in Paradise events taking place on and around Bridge Street this holiday season.
BRADENTON BEACH – Bradenton Beach Marina owner and president Mike Bazzy has presented his preliminary plans for the third annual Bradenton Beach Holiday Lighted Boat Parade taking place Saturday, Dec. 4.
The 2020 boat parade was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its return will coincide with the return of the annual Christmas on Bridge Street celebration taking place the same day.
The holiday events are being organized by Bazzy, Paradise Boat Tours General Manager Sherman Baldwin and participating Bridge Street merchants. The Christmas on Bridge Street festivities will include live music and more, with additional details forthcoming. The December holiday events will be preceded by the annual Bridge Street Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 20.
Seeking financial support for the boat parade and Christmas on Bridge Street, Bazzy appeared before the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) on Wednesday, Oct. 6. He then appeared before the city commission on Thursday, Oct. 7. As they did in 2019, the CRA and the city commission each agreed to provide $500 in financial support for the boat parade and Christmas on Bridge Street.
Bazzy said he hopes to have 15-20 boats participate in this year’s boat parade.
Accompanied by Alexis DeLeon, marina owner Mike Bazzy presented the boat parade plans while seeking financial support from the Bradenton Beach CRA. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Later in the week, Bazzy provided some additional boat parade details via email. According to Bazzy, the parade will begin at 6 p.m. and the participating vessels will gather ahead of time near the south end of Jewfish Key. The parade will head northwest along the Longboat Pass Bridge and then north up the Intracoastal Waterway. The parade will pass alongside the Bridge Street Pier and end at the Bradenton Beach Marina. The parade can be viewed from the Longboat Pass Bridge from 6-6:30 p.m. or from the Bridge Street Pier from 6:30-7 p.m.
“I invite boat owners to decorate their vessels and join the fun. The parade is open to powerboats and sailboats and entry into the parade is free,” Bazzy stated in his email.
The best-decorated boat will earn a $200 cash prize.
For entry forms and more information, call the Bradenton Beach Marina at 941-778-2288, or visit the boat parade website.
Those who don’t have a boat of their own are invited to participate in the boat parade as passengers aboard the marina’s “Anna Maria Princess” paddle wheeler. Those seats can be secured by visiting the boat parade website and the ticket proceeds will be donated to fighting children’s cancer.
The Sun is a sponsor of the Bradenton Beach Holiday Lighted Boat Parade and Christmas on Bridge Street.
BRADENTON BEACH – An exterior panel fell off the cell tower in Bradenton Beach on June 15 and the tower again requires repairs and panel upgrades.
Erected in 2015 and located on property leased from the city of Bradenton Beach, the cell tower is privately owned and operated by SBA Communications.
The latest panel failure again raises concerns for city officials and Bradenton Beach Marina President Mike Bazzy. On Tuesday, June 15, Bazzy addressed his concerns in a letter sent to Mayor John Chappie and others. The letter contained photos of the recent and previous panel failures.
The missing panel will eventually be replaced by another panel that is expected to be more secure. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“I need your help. Today, a panel of the cell phone tower fell off the structure and landed on my property. The panel landed approximately 100 feet northeast of the tower. It landed on a walkway in the boatyard. Fortunately, no person was hit by the panel as it fell,” Bazzy’s letter said.
“The panels are 12 feet long and 4 feet wide. That is 50% larger than a sheet of plywood. And these objects are falling from a great height. If a panel falls from the tower and strikes a person, it will result in severe injury or death. This cell tower is a clear safety hazard to persons and property in the vicinity. We have had several near misses over the years. How long will we continue to accept this hazard?” Bazzy wrote.
Bazzy’s letter noted that in April 2015 a tower panel fell and landed on the Public Works property. Later that month, another panel fell and landed in front of the marina office. In September 2017, four panels fell off of the tower – one landed on a boat in the marina boatyard, another landed on Bazzy’s southern property line and two more landed on Church Avenue. Another past incident resulted in a tower panel landing on the roof of the Public Works building and another resulted in a panel landing on a nearby home.
In 2017, a panel from the cell tower landed on a yacht in the marina boatyard. – Mike Bazzy | Submitted
Bazzy’s letter acknowledged the city doesn’t own the cell tower and is not responsible for its construction or maintenance, and that SBA carries its own liability insurance and SBA’s agreement with the city includes hold harmless language that relieves the city of liability.
“If we keep ignoring the danger the cell tower presents to residents, pedestrians, vehicles and other property, we are going to have a tragic accident on our hands at some point in the future. Please take steps to stop this from happening again, and please take strong measures to force the cell phone tower company to improve public safety,” Bazzy requested in his letter.
Commission discussion
The city commission discussed Bazzy’s concerns on Thursday, June 17.
City Attorney Ricinda Perry said she, Chappie, and Public Works Director Tom Woodard already met with SBA representative Ray Bryant to discuss this ongoing safety hazard. According to Perry, they were told hurricane tape and additional clips would be placed on the tower panels as a temporary measure.
“To which we said, ‘You’ve had over six incidents with this. Is this you spitballing an idea or is this you consulting with an engineer and coming up with an actual solution to the problem?’ ” Perry said.
She noted a similar cell tower was constructed in Anna Maria around the same time and that tower is not experiencing panel failures. She said the Bradenton Beach tower is located in an area with significant pedestrian traffic, parking tram stops, the Public Works building and the marina.
“This is unacceptable. It cannot happen again,” she said.
Perry said SBA plans to use a drone to examine the tower and have an engineer analyze the panels and installation methods.
“An engineer’s going to have to sign off on this. We can’t put up with these little fixes anymore,” Chappie said.
Commissioner Ralph Cole said the tower components need to withstand the salt-air environment.
“There’s really no excuse for those things to fall off,” he said.
Regarding the latest failure, Woodard said, “I can look at that panel and it’s been taped back together. It’s not right.”
Woodard requested the panel that broke loose not be reattached to the tower. Woodard said another SBA representative told him the past two panel failures were the result of “installer error,” and that could have caused the latest failure too.
Perry noted the cell tower panels are supposed to be all the same color, and they are not. She said SBA is willing to make that happen.
Round bands were used to secure the Anna Maria cell tower in 2018 after that tower’s panel failure. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
When contacted later in the week, Woodard said he was told the tower will be equipped with white panels that will be secured with the same security bands installed on the Anna Maria tower in 2018 after that tower’s panel failure. Woodard expects it will be a couple of months before the repairs are completed.
BRADENTON BEACH – Visitors come from all over the world to the white sand beaches of Anna Maria Island, and enjoy the Island’s many amenities. I was recently invited to visit Bradenton Beach to take a ride on one of the area’s most unique attractions, for an evening of laughs aboard the Anna Maria Princess Sunset Comedy Cruise. This trip proved to be simultaneously hilarious, as well as relaxing.
The Anna Maria Princess is the only authentic paddlewheel boat sailing the waters of AMI and Longboat Key. With no supplemental form of propulsion, the boat’s two large paddlewheels offer guests a true riverboat experience, reminiscent of a trip along the Mississippi.
“This 2002 Skipper Liner was purchased in Pickwick, Tennessee. It took us 22 days to get it down here to Bradenton Beach,” said Lexi Deleon, the Princess’s First Mate, and Sun “Readers’ Choice” award-winning bartender. Deleon serves up cocktails from a bar situated in the rear of the lower level of the boat, with a large glass window looking out to the stern, where guests can watch the dual paddle wheels churn up the water.
“Make sure you check out the view from the window behind the bar,” said Mike Bazzy, owner of Bradenton Beach Marina, who invited me to the cruise, which sets sail from the Marina and travels south along the Intracoastal Waterway through Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key, returning north along the same route.
The evening I attended, the Comedy Cruise featured three comedians as well as Dick Gordon, who serves as the resident emcee. Guests begin boarding at 5 p.m., and are free to enjoy a cocktail and mingle before the Princess leaves the dock at 6 p.m. The boat has two levels, with the lower level being indoors with ample windows to enjoy the spectacular views, as well as air conditioning and plenty of seating. The comedy show takes place on the upper level, which is open-air, but covered to protect guests from the elements.
First Mate Deleon began the evening by welcoming guests, and posing the question: “Where does a boat go when it gets sick? A dock.” Deleon then introduced Dick Gordon who serves as emcee for the shows. As a former stand-up comic, I know how difficult it can be for the emcee to get the crowd warmed up, but he did an excellent job, and was certainly up to the task.
As each comedian took the stage, the crowd was attentive, and really looked to be enjoying themselves. It would seem the beautiful mangroves, dolphins jumping out of the water, and other sights would prove distracting, but the talented comics did a great job of working these things into their acts. Emcee, Gordon would often say “Look everybody, a manatee!” and then point out there was in fact, no manatee. Passing boats blow their horns and wave throughout the performance, at which time passengers and comics on the Princess would wave back. This certainly wasn’t like any other comedy club I had ever been in.
“I love it. It’s unique, and the staff does a great job,” said headlining comedian Michael Murillo. It’s not unusual for a venue to have a comedy show, but not keep the focus on the show. Whether it be a distracting television playing a sporting event at the bar, or another event happening within earshot, it can really take the attention away from the performer, something Murillo and I have both experienced many times. This isn’t the case on the Princess. They do a great job arranging the seating and eliminating distractions, which enhances the comedy experience.
Feature comedian Vien Phommachanh (who goes by Vien, because apparently nobody can pronounce his last name) echoed the sentiment that the Princess is not only unique, but an excellent venue in general. Vien is a local ear, nose and throat doctor who caught the comedy bug a few years ago.
“There really aren’t many circumstances where I can work comedy into my everyday life as a doctor; it’s a profession where you have to be serious. However, I can work my job as a doctor into my comedy quite easily,” said Vien. South Florida has a lot of comedic talent, including Nathan Gelardi, the opening act the evening I attended. Originally from Detroit, Gelardi moved to the area a few years ago, and finds it to be great place to pursue a career in comedy.
“I was booked to do a show on the Princess more than a year ago, but it never happened because everything closed due to COVID,” said Gelardi, who was pleased to get the call that things were getting back to normal, and he would be performing on the Princess. People from all walks of life, including comedians and paddleboat captains, have been affected by this pandemic. Everyone I spoke with was very happy that something like attending a comedy show was now, once again, a possibility.
“I think we will no longer take things like getting my hair cut, or a sunset comedy cruise for granted. The pandemic has made me really appreciate things now that I’ve gone without any form of live entertainment for so long,” said Walter Sterling, who attended the show. Everyone I spoke to appeared grateful that getting out and enjoying a show was even an option after the events of the past year. The fact the show was enjoyable, and the staff was so accommodating seemed to be the icing on the cake.
“I was worried the water would be choppy,” said Beth Scammon, who was attending with eight of her friends and family, celebrating their friend Mari’s 60th birthday. “I love the fact that it was smooth and the staff and crew are amazing. Knowing how accommodating this boat is, I can bring my parents for a future show. They are older, and I was worried it might be too much for them. Certainly not the case.” The ladies even had custom pink shirts made for the event, which the comedians had a good time with.
With a seating capacity of 80, it is recommended you get your tickets in advance. The Sunset Comedy Cruise often sells out. For more information, or to get tickets, visit the website or call 941-778-2288. There is also plenty of free parking.
It should also be noted that this is not an “R” rated show. The crew of the Princess prefers to keep the subject matter a bit less racy in nature than you may experience at a traditional club. Dick Gordon invited this reporter to return to the Princess and tell a few jokes. It’s been a while, but I fully intend to take him up on his offer, and will take the stage in the coming weeks. I look forward to getting back on this beautiful boat.
BRADENTON BEACH – Liveaboard boater Jerald Joseph Oliver, 60, was found dead and floating in the water at the Bradenton Beach Marina on Wednesday.
Oliver’s body was discovered by marina employee Andy Tolar shortly before 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2, according to the incident report prepared by Det. Sgt. Lenard Diaz of the Bradenton Beach Police Department.
“He (Tolar) was walking along the dock and dropped his keys into the water. While looking into the somewhat shallow water to find his keys, he noticed something floating in the water, to his left, just under the dock. Mr. Tolar realized that what he sees floating in the water is a person face down. Mr. Tolar grabs a pole off a nearby boat and tried to reach the person floating. The pole was not long enough, so Mr. Tolar yells for help and two gentlemen that work at the marina – Cory Stickler and Joshua Wilson – came to help. Cory and Joshua got on a boat and went over to the person floating in the water and were able to get him on to the bow of the boat and start CPR,” according to Diaz’s report.
When Diaz arrived on the scene, Wilson was administering CPR.
“As Joshua was doing CPR, I noticed that the gentleman he was working on was bleeding from his left temple and had abrasions on his lower legs. By this time, Paramedic Millard had arrived on scene and came down to the floating dock to take over. Paramedic Millard and I picked up the gentleman and moved him off the floating dock and to a flat concrete surface on land. Paramedic Millard did his assessment of the gentleman and determined that he could not be saved. Paramedic Millard called the time of death at 3:05 p.m. At that time, I began gathering witness information and detailed accounts of what had happened,” according to Diaz’s incident report.
The report notes Tolar, Stickler and Wilson recognized Oliver because he had lived on his boat at the marina for many years.
“I talked to another gentleman who had shown up after the incident happened – later identified as Richard Anthony Correa. Mr. Correa stated that he was just at the Drift In bar with Mr. Oliver about 45 minutes before. Mr. Correa and Mr. Oliver were friends and both had a few drinks at the bar. Mr. Correa also stated that Mr. Oliver came up to the bar to get a bottle of alcohol and go back to his boat, which he said was normal for Mr. Oliver to do,” according to Diaz’s report.
“Mr. Oliver was taken by the transport to the medical examiner’s office for further investigation. No further action was taken by me at that time,” the report concludes.
A well-liked man
Bradenton Beach Marina President Mike Bazzy said Oliver lived at the marina for the past four years.
“It’s unfortunate. They think it was a drowning and it looked like he had bumped his head. We tried to resuscitate him, and we couldn’t,” Bazzy said.
“He was a really good guy and there were a lot of people around town who knew him. Everyone around town called him Oliver. They all knew him as Oliver, but his first name was Jerald. He spent a lot of time on Bridge Street,” Bazzy said.
Drift In Manager Doreen Flynn spoke fondly of Oliver.
“He was a really nice man. If anybody called him Ollie, he used to say, ‘My name is not Ollie, please call me Oliver.’ He had a heart of gold and he would help anybody. I was very sad when I got the phone call,” Flynn said.
Drift In bartender Sharon Bell said, “Oliver was a character and a half. He did things his own way and never had an unkind word for anybody. He was part of our motley crew and he will be missed. 2020 strikes again.”
Flynn said a celebration of life will be held at the Drift In on Friday afternoon, Dec. 11.
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