HOLMES BEACH – The city will celebrate its 75th anniversary on Friday, Dec. 5 with music, food, shopping and more.
Hosted by the city and co-sponsored by the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and Waste Pro, the anniversary celebration will be held at City Field, 6001 Marina Drive, from 5-9 p.m., next to city hall.
“Holmes Beach Turns 75. Join the celebration. You will not want to miss this event,” according to the city website and Facebook post. “We’re celebrating 75 amazing years of our beautiful Holmes Beach community and you’re invited! Bring your family, friends and Island spirit for a free evening of music, activities, vendors and hometown fun.
Enjoy shopping, treats and displays from your favorite Island businesses and organizations. A variety of delicious food and beverages will be available for purchase from local favorites.”
Jah Movement and Trevor Bystrom will perform the evening’s live music and kids’ activities will include a bounce house and face painting.
Participating businesses and organizations include AMI Health & Fitness, Anna Maria Island Coffee Shack, the Anna Maria Island Historical Society, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch & Shorebird Monitoring, Boho Beach Escape, Distractions on The Island, Edibles N’ More, the Freckled Fin Irish Pub, Jimmy CakeZ, Keep Manatee Beautiful, Kona Ice of N. Sarasota, Marquis Management, Oliviea Salt Scrubs, Pizzano’s Pizza, Pizza Social, Rodney’s Jamaican Grill, SeaBreeze Vacation, Skinny’s, Waste Pro, West Coast Surf Shop, the West Manatee Fire & Rescue District, World Famous Eggrolls, Aloha Party Experts, AMB Photography, Beckers Car Shows and more.
To help support local families facing food shortages, please consider bringing dry and non-perishable food donations to assist the Anna Maria-based Roser Food Pantry’s efforts to support community members in need during the holiday season.
“Come celebrate our city’s history, our neighbors and the Island community we love. Here’s to 75 years of Holmes Beach – and many more ahead,” according to the city’s message.
City history
According to the history provided at the city website, “Sam and Annie Cobb first homesteaded 160 acres on Anna Maria Island in 1896 in the area now called Holmes Beach. John R. Jones and Jose Casanas soon joined the Cobbs. Jones piloted boats running between Tampa and Cuba. Casanas relocated from the Canary Islands in search of mullet fishing grounds.
“The city derives its name from Jack Holmes, a developer who arrived on the Island after World War II and created a 600-acre community. When the city was incorporated in 1950, Halsey T. Tichenor served as its first mayor,” according to the website.
HOLMES BEACH – The city’s ability to prohibit artificial turf in front lawns and require artificial turf permits will soon be eliminated by a new state law.
The law was created by the Florida Legislature’s adoption of Senate Bill 712 and House Bill 683. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the legislation into law in June and the new state law will take full effect when the Florida Department of Environmental (FDEP) adopts the specific rules and regulations that local governments must follow.
According to Florida Statute 125.572, “synthetic turf means a manufactured product that resembles natural grass and is used as a surface for landscaping and recreational areas.”
The new law requires the FDEP to adopt minimum standards for the installation of synthetic turf on single-family residential properties 1 acre or less in size. The standards must take into account material type, color, permeability, stormwater management, potable water conservation, water quality, proximity to trees and other vegetation and other factors impacting environmental conditions of adjacent properties.
Upon FDEP adoption of the state’s new synthetic turf rules, a local government may not:
Adopt or enforce any ordinance, resolution, order, rule or policy that prohibits, or is enforced to prohibit, a property owner from installing synthetic turf that complies with FDEP standards which apply to single-family residential property; or
Adopt or enforce any ordinance, resolution, order, rule, or policy that regulates synthetic turf which is inconsistent with the FDEP standards adopted pursuant to this section which apply to single-family residential property.
Prior to the adoption of city ordinance 22-24 in January 2023, the city of Holmes Beach did not regulate the use of artificial turf. Artificial turf front yards installed before the city ordinance took effect were allowed to remain as legal, non-conforming uses.
This duplex in Seaside Gardens has artificial turf in the front yard. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The city’s current artificial turf regulations apply to all residential zoning districts and also to the C-1, C-2 and C-3 commercial-zoned districts. Artificial turf installations currently require a city-issued permit and a post-installation inspection.
According to current city code:
Artificial turf is allowed in rear and side yards, but not to exceed 10% of the total pervious surface area of the lot;
Artificial turf shall not be allowed in any front yard areas, unless confined to parking and driveway areas and placed between paver blocks or similar items where the artificial turf does not exceed 4 inches in width;
Artificial turf shall consist of green lifelike individual blades of grass that simulate the appearance of live turf, organic turf, grass, sod or lawn; and
Artificial turf shall be lead free and flame retardant.
FDEP rules
Holmes Beach Director of Development Services Chad Minor discussed the new state law with planning commissioners on Aug. 6 and provided them with copies of the FDEP presentation given during the synthetic turf standards public rule-making workshop FDEP conducted the previous day.
The FDEP presentation says, “Per Florida Statute 125.572(2), the FDEP standards must take into account material type, color, permeability, stormwater management, potable water conservation, water quality, proximity to trees and other vegetation and any other factors impacting the environmental conditions of adjacent properties. Turf materials must be lead-free, must be disposable under normal conditions at any Florida landfill and rubber materials cannot be used infill.
Public input was taken during the FDEP workshop and written comments are being accepted through Aug. 19 by email at DWRA.Rulemaking@FloridaDEP.gov.
Minor said he provided the FDEP with a copy of the Holmes Beach ordinance and the city’s contracted lobbyist also communicated with the state agency. Minor said the lobbyist asked the FDEP to “tread carefully” when developing the state’s new artificial turf rules.
“It impacts more than you think,” Minor said.
Minor said FDEP didn’t provide an estimate as to when the new synthetic turf rules will be implemented.
Local impact
“We spent months developing an artificial turf ordinance,” Minor said of the 2022 and 2023 regulatory efforts that included insights provided by industry experts and University of Florida experts.
“The Legislature has now adopted rules that preempt the city from requiring a permit for installing artificial turf for single-family homes under 1 acre, which is 90% of the property we have in the city,” Minor said. “As soon as those rules are adopted by FDEP, our ordinance is essentially negated.”
Pet owners are asked to keep their pets off this homeowner’s artificial turf lawn. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Minor said a city permit won’t be needed to install artificial turf and he doubts FDEP will require a permit.
“We are not going to be able to ask for anything,” he said, noting the city will still retain some regulatory authority for artificial turf installations at duplexes and other multi-family residential structures.
Planning Commissioner Gale Tedhams wondered why the Department of Environmental Protection would support these measures.
“Let’s put plastic everywhere,” she lamented.
Minor noted the Legislature imposed the new law and rule making process on the state agency.
Tedhams asked whether the city’s pervious/impervious surface drainage regulations could be used to regulate artificial turf. Minor said the city attorney doesn’t feel there’s much the city can do to offset the new state law.
“Well, that’s sad,” Tedhams said. “That’s why I question the title of ‘Department of Environmental Protection.’ They don’t protect anything.”
According to the Municode website, the cities of Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach do not regulate artificial turf.
HOLMES BEACH – The owners of the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church property did not accept the city’s $3 million offer to purchase the church building and property at 6608 Marina Drive.
On June 25, Taylor Rahdert, the real estate agent representing the property owners, sent Holmes Beach Director of Development Services Chad Minor an email that said, “The Florida Bahamas Synod Council has reviewed the letter of intent regarding the purchase of Gloria Dei and property. The council has a fiduciary respon sibility to sell the property based on the appraisal that represents the value at its best usage. The council is open to further negotiation based on the appraised value of $9.9 million. Thank you for your consideration.”
The property owners received a $9.9 million appraisal. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The property owners’ $9.9 million asking price is based on the appraisal they received that assumes the property will be rezoned for retail or commercial development, which would require city commission approval.
On May 27, the commission authorized Titsworth to offer the Synod Council $3 million and engage in further negotiations if needed, with the caveat that a higher negotiated purchase price would require city commission approval.
After receiving a copy of Rahdert’s email, Mayor Judy Titsworth asked City Clerk Stacey Johnston to send it to the city commissioners.
“Unfortunately, I do not see a path forward on an acquisition at this time,” Titsworth stated in her email.
Commissioner Carol Whitmore wrote, “Knew this would happen.”
During recent commission discussions, Whitmore expressed doubts that the property owners would accept an offer that was significantly lower than the $9.9 million appraised value.
The city’s $3 million offer was based on the two valuation appraisals the city recently received. The city’s $2.1 million and $2.77 million appraisals assumed the church building and property would retain the existing Public/Semi-Public (PSP) zoning and future land use designations that do not allow for residential or commercial development.
According to the city’s land development code, “The PSP zoning district is consistent and compatible with, and is intended to implement, the public/semi-public land use category set forth in the comprehensive plan. This district is intended to implement the public/semi-public land use category by recognizing identifiable areas of the community that support public, municipal and semi-public centers, community services and facilities including churches and schools, both public and private.”
City officials hoped to use the church property for public green space and recreational purposes. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
City officials hoped to use the church building and property for public purposes beneficial to city residents. The potential uses include providing space inside the church building for non-profit groups, charitable organizations, art groups and the School for Constructive Play preschool that was displaced from the church building by the 2024 hurricanes. The potential outdoor uses include a children’s playground, park space, green space, outdoor market space and more.
Built on a 3-acre property in 1960, the triangular-shaped church building was designed by renowned Sarasota architect Victor Lundy. Church operations ceased in January, due in part to a shrinking congregation. During a recent commission meeting, city resident Gale Tedhams noted the iconic and recognizable church building would likely be demolished if purchased by a developer.
Rahdert’s email was received the day after the June 24 commission meeting and the mayor and commissioners have not yet publicly discussed the declined offer. The commission meets on Tuesday, July 8 at 2 p.m. to discuss the 2025-26 city budget.
Rezoning challenges
If the church building and property are purchased with the PSP zoning and future land use designations still in place, the use of the property would remain restricted to what’s currently allowed by city code, unless the property is rezoned. The current owners could also try to rezone the property before selling it.
In 2016, city commissioners denied a comprehensive plan amendment sought by church officials who wanted to change the future land use designation to R-2 (two-family residential) for the two undeveloped parcels and rezone those parcels in the same manner. Church officials hoped to sell the rezoned parcels for development and use the sale proceeds to fund the continued church operations. In 2018, city officials discussed purchasing the undeveloped portions of the church property but not the church building, but that sale never transpired. During recent discussions, neither the mayor nor any of the commissioners have expressed support for rezoning the property.
When contacted by The Sun on June 26, Minor said it would take the support of the commission majority (at least three members) to rezone the church property and/or amend the future land use designation for residential development. When asked if the church property could be rezoned for commercial development, Minor said that would be more difficult because the church property is surrounded by residentially-zoned properties.
The surrounding properties on the same side of Marina Drive as the church are zoned R-1 (single-family residential) and the properties on the other side of Marina Drive are zoned R-2. According to city code, properties zoned R-1 can be used for vacation rentals with a 30-day minimum stay and properties zoned R-2 can be rented on a weekly basis.
HOLMES BEACH – Those who lost memorial benches during Hurricanes Helene and Milton will have to pay the city $1,000 if they want a new bench built and reinstalled.
Most of the city-made memorial benches damaged, destroyed or displaced by the 2024 hurricanes were located at street-end beach access points.
At the request of the city commission, Holmes Beach Public Works Director Sage Kamiya provided a memorial bench program update on May 13. The update and ensuring commission discussion were partially inspired by previous public input given by former city commissioner Jim Kihm, who wants to replace the memorial bench previously placed at the 69th Street beach access in honor of his late wife, Connie. The bench program update was also inspired by similar inquiries received from others.
Kamiya said he had a list of 166 memorial benches and 44 of those benches were located after the hurricanes.
“We currently have 29 folks that have asked to have those beach access benches replaced,” he said.
Kamiya provided a detailed explanation of the replacement process, the estimated replacement timeline and the estimated costs. He said the updated bench program is only intended for benches installed within the past 10 years. The bench sponsor is responsible for the replacement cost and must reapply to have a bench replaced. The city will be responsible for minor maintenance for up to 10 years but bench replacement and major repairs are the responsibility of the bench sponsor; and the sponsor has to provide the city with up-to-date contact information now and in the future.
Kamiya said the city will do its best to accommodate original bench locations but some beach access points had up to four benches before the hurricanes struck and that’s too many benches in one spot.
The city-made benches feature a poured concrete foundation, wooden planks and a memorial plaque. The replacement costs include staff time, labor, materials, equipment use and more. Kamiya said it takes about 15 non-consecutive work hours to build and install one bench. He said the public works staff can complete one bench every three weeks or so while also working on multiple other city-related tasks and it will take about 87 weeks to replace the first 29 benches.
He estimated it would cost the city $1,367 to replace one bench and $39,668 to replace 29 benches; and he noted the current fiscal year budget includes $8,000 for memorial signs and benches.
Commissioner Terry Schaefer suggested, and the other commissioners supported, removing the equipment cost and that helped lower the replacement price.
Commissioner Steve Oelfke asked if using public works personnel to build the benches is the most efficient way to do it. Mayor Judy Titsworth said it was.
“You’re not going to get them any cheaper by outsourcing,” the mayor said.
“This bench program is cumbersome,” she added. “Not only is it dangerous for the sea turtles; there’s too many of them.”
Titsworth said the city stopped installing memorial benches at beach access points and now encourages planting memorial trees instead, which helps enhance the ever-shrinking tree canopy in Holmes Beach and Island-wide. Police Chief Bill Tokajer suggested revisiting the city’s memorial brick program as another alternative.
While expressing sympathy and support for Kihm and others who lost memorial benches and are still recovering from the hurricanes, Commissioner Carol Whitmore suggested using some of the city’s $4 million reserve fund to replace lost benches. Commissioner Carol Soustek suggested, and the commission supported, the city covering the $12,000 in estimated material costs for the first 29 replacement benches. That suggestion also helped reduce the replacement price to $1,000.
Connie’s bench
Kihm didn’t attend the May 13 meeting but on May 10 he sent a bench-related email to the mayor and commissioners. His email noted memorial benches date back to World War I, when families placed benches in public places to help remember loved ones who didn’t return. His email also stated: “Memorial benches provide a physical space to connect with the memory of those no longer with us.”
Former city commissioner Jim Kihm recently encouraged the current commission to lower the bench replacement cost. – Joe Hendricks
Regarding his wife’s bench, he wrote, “For those who knew my wife, Connie Kihm, you understand the happiness and positive energy she brought to our Island and our city. We often walked the beach together. We watched sunsets on the beach. Connie truly loved Holmes Beach and appreciated every day that she was lucky enough to live here. Her original memorial bench was generously donated by her dancing sisters: The Starfire Dancers. They wanted to place a bench on the beach that she loved so much … a place where they could sit and rest and remember their dear friend; a place where strangers could sit and wonder who this lady was who was so loved by her dancing sisters and others in the community.”
Kihm’s email noted Connie’s bench and plaque cost $450 in 2020.
“I find it hard to believe that the city’s cost has increased threefold in five years to $1367,” he wrote when encouraging the mayor and commissioners to lower the proposed replacement cost.
To inquire about replacing a bench installed within the past 10 years, call the Public Works Department at 941-708-5768 or email skamiya@holmesbeachfl.org.
HOLMES BEACH – The city of Holmes Beach donated $5,000 to the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center Inc. to assist that non-profit organization’s ongoing hurricane recovery efforts.
In February, Wildlife Inc. volunteer and Holmes Beach Planning Commissioner Gale Tedhams encouraged the city and the Island community to support the struggling animal rescue and rehabilitation center that Gail and Ed Straight have operated from their Bradenton Beach home for nearly 40 years.
The Straight’s home and property were severely damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton at a time when Ed was already dealing with significant health issues. Tedhams encouraged folks to make an online donation at the “Hurricane Relief Fund for Wildlife Inc” GoFundMe page.
Wildlife Inc. volunteer Gale Tedhams encourages the community to support the Bradenton Beach-based organization. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
During the Feb. 25 city commission meeting, Commissioner Terry Schaefer suggested the city immediately increase its annual $750 donation to $2,500. “They are experiencing terrific financial difficulties and most of here are aware of what they do in our community,” he said.
Mayor Judy Titsworth suggested continuing the $2,500 donation in future years to support the area’s primary animal rescue organization. Commissioner Carol Whitmore suggested making a $5,000 contribution now and donating $2,500 in future years.
“They’ve lost everything. I really think they need help,” Whitmore said.
The commission unanimously supported Whitmore’s suggestion. As of March 19, the “Hurricane Relief Fund for Wildlife Inc” GoFundMe page had raised more than $38,000 and donations are still being accepted.
HOLMES BEACH – The Holmes Beach Planning Commission met on Dec. 4 for the first time since August, with all five members and both alternate members present.
The planning commission consists of Chairperson Gale Tedhams, Vice-Chair Jim McIntire, Lisa Pierce, Steven Oelfke and Richard Brown, with Joseph Ireland serving as the first alternate and James Harrison serving as the second alternate. Tedhams welcomed the members back and expressed her hope that everyone successfully weathered hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Gale Tedhams chairs the Holmes Beach Planning Commission. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Development Services Director Chad Minor and City Clerk Stacey Johnston also participated in the meeting. Minor and the commission members continued their previous discussion on amending the dock provisions contained in the city’s municipal code.
DOCK PROVISIONS
Minor proposes adding definitions for the terms “boathouse,” “dock,” “finger dock,” “watercraft,” “mooring area” and “mean high water line,” which he said are mentioned but not defined in the current municipal code.
Minor does not propose changing the existing setback requirements for docks or the distance a dock can extend into the water.
“Everyone seems to be following the mooring rules pretty well,” he said.
Minor referenced the individually-platted mooring areas located on individually-platted submerged lots in various canals throughout the city. The meeting packet included aerial photographs of the 85th Street Canal, the T-end canal between Baronet and Concord lanes on Key Royale, the Marina Court Canal, the 83rd Street Canal, the 77th Street Canal and the 68th Street and 69th Street canals.
Minor said ownership of these individually-platted mooring areas does not necessarily coincide with the nearest residential structure and the existing city code doesn’t address these areas, most of which already contain docks.
He said the individually-platted mooring areas are generally about 10 feet wide and about 25 feet long.
“Under our current code, which doesn’t address these, it would be impossible for a 10-foot-wide slip to accommodate a 10-foot setback,” he noted.
Minor said a building permit would be required to install a new dock or lift in one of the individually-platted mooring areas and he proposed that no part of the installation, including the watercraft, extend more than 25 feet into the waterway, as measured from the seawall, or extend beyond the lot lines of the adjacent parcels or boat slips.
Minor said the city clerk wanted to make some comments about tweaking the existing code as it pertains to the city-owned boat slips administered by city staff. Johnston said the existing code requires too many steps for evicting a lessee from a city-owned dock space. She also feels the 60-day application period for those on the waiting list results in a city-owned slip sitting vacant for too long.
The city of Holmes Beach owns several canal-side boat slips. – Google Maps | SubmittedThe city leases out the city-owned boat slips in the Sunrise Boat Basin. – Google Maps | Submitted
According to the city website, Holmes Beach residents can rent city-owned boat slips in the following locations: Marina Drive T-ends located between 72nd and 77th streets and the Sunrise Boat Basin located at 28th Street and Avenue B. The annual fee is $600 at the Marina Drive T-ends and the fee at the Sunrise Boat Basin is $425.
“Right now, we do not have any open spots for both locations,” the city website notes.
Minor said he would incorporate the changes discussed that evening into the proposed provisions to be reviewed again at the planning commission’s Jan. 15 meeting. Minor also hopes to present the planning commission members with some proposed seawall provisions.
MEETING TIMES
Included in the meeting packet was a memo from Johnston regarding City Commissioner Carol Soustek’s request to start the monthly planning commission meetings at 2 p.m. rather than 5 p.m.
Johnston’s memo noted most city meetings now take place during the day, when city staff is available during normal business hours.
Tedhams noted some planning commission members still hold regular day jobs. Pierce said her work schedule would prevent her from attending 2 p.m. meetings. Oelfke said he leaves work early to attend the 5 p.m. meetings but he could adjust his work schedule to accommodate a 3:30 p.m. start time. The commission agreed to start their Jan. 15 meeting at 3:30 p.m.
HOLMES BEACH – On Friday, Hurricane Hank’s provided free lunches for city employees, members of the Holmes Beach Police Department and other first responders.
Across the street, in the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce parking lot, Operation BBQ Relief volunteers provided free meals to residents, employees and visiting recovery workers.
Hurricane Hank’s
From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Hurricane Hank’s owner Brian Mathae and his staff handed out the free lunches.
“Today we are offering the city of Holmes Beach employees and first responders a thank you lunch from Hurricane Hank’s. We thank them for keeping our community safe and rebuilding it as quickly as possible so we can get more people back on this Island and get back to normal,” Mathae said.
“Today, we’re offering folks our infamous chicken tenders and our grouper tacos,” he said of the free lunch offerings that also included soft drinks.
Hurricane Hank’s free lunch included chicken tenders and grouper tacos. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer and Mayor Judy Titsworth were among those who stopped by to grab free lunches.
“Hurricane Hank’s called me a couple days ago and said they wanted to provide meals for city employees, police and first responders,” Tokajer said. “We’re here getting meals to bring back to city hall and I’ve got my officers on the way over here to grab some food from Hurricane Hank’s. Hank’s is amazing and their positivity and smiling faces are part of the solution as we continue our recovery.”
“Everyone loves Hank’s,” Titsworth said. “This is a local go-to and the fact that he’s opened his arms and is helping our recovery effort is just awesome. It’s so important that these businesses survive these trying times and we are doing everything we can to get our visitors back.”
Titsworth said she plans to soon propose ending the city’s vacation rental moratorium that was recently adopted for 45 days.
Back in business
“Hurricane Liquors, Fifty Three Fifty: The Pourhouse and Hurricane Hank’s are now all open, as well as our two businesses in Longboat Key,” Mathae said. “Hank’s was the last one to open, but we’re glad it’s back now. The curfew’s been lifted and our kitchen hours are 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week; and our bar will remain open after that. “And Fifty Three Fifty is open at 8 a.m., serving coffee, great breakfasts and beer and wine in the afternoon.”
Bev Kilpatrick, Skylar Gummin and José Rivera are happy to be back to work at Fifty Three Fifty: The Pourhouse. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“It feels great to be open again and we’re looking forward to seeing everyone. We opened Hank’s Wednesday night. We had to close on Thursday because of a water main break, but on our opening night we saw people experiencing sheer happiness; and that made all our hard work worth it,” Mathae said.
When asked what’s it’s like to be the owner of multiple businesses impacted by two consecutive hurricanes, Mathae said, “It’s a lot, because there’s so many things that we can tender out and there’s other things that we need to do personally in terms of meeting with the adjusters and ascertaining damage. I also have a house here on the Island that had almost 4 feet of water in it. We got everything ripped out but we haven’t been able to spend any time on our personal living conditions because it’s more important that the businesses are open for the sake of our employees. We have 50 employees that need this income,” he said.
Brian Mathae’s Hurricane Liquors is open again. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The owner of the S&S Plaza that houses Hurricane Hank’s and several other businesses recently installed a new roof, new exterior overhangs and new hurricane impact-resistant windows and doors.
“We’re appreciative of that and it was very helpful. We didn’t have to board up this time,” Mathae said.
In recent years, the plywood placed over Hurricane’ Hank’s windows carried a collage of humorous spray-painted messages for the approaching hurricanes.
Operation BBQ Relief
On Friday afternoon, Operation BBQ Relief volunteers Rafael Rios, his fiancé Arelys Rodriguez and fellow-volunteer Kristin Moore handed out free barbeque lunches to residents, employees and recovery workers who left their homes to help the Island get back on its feet.
Operation BBQ Relief volunteers Arelys Rodriguez, Rafael Rios and Kristin Moore provided free lunches Friday afternoon, shown from left. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“We have The Happy Snapper food truck in St. Petersburg and we’re here in conjunction with Operation Barbeque Relief. They’re the ones that supply us with the meals to come down here and feed everybody. Since Monday, we’ve given out more than 10,000 meals,” Rios said.
Rafael Rios and his fiancé, Arelys Rodriguez, own and operate The Happy Snapper food truck in St. Petersburg. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“We are providing 2,000 meals a day for Holmes Beach. We started a few days after Hurricane Helene. We were in St. Pete Beach and now we’re here. We’re not sure where we’ll be tomorrow, but we’ll be somewhere serving more food. This is what we do to help out the community,” Rodriguez said.
