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Anna Maria bids fond farewell to Debbie Haynes

Anna Maria bids fond farewell to Debbie Haynes

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

ANNA MARIA – Deputy Clerk and Code Enforcement Manager Debbie Haynes was honored with a retirement luncheon on Friday, Dec. 3.

Haynes was joined at the luncheon by several members of city staff including City Clerk/Treasurer LeAnne Addy and Public Works Manager Dean Jones, as well as Mayor Dan Murphy, city commissioners Jon Crane, Robert Kingan, Deanie Sebring, Mark Short, former commissioner Doug Copeland and Haynes’ husband, Bob.

Those in attendance enjoyed tacos from the Wicked Cantina restaurant in Bradenton Beach and the mayor presented Haynes with a ceremonial key to the city.

“Debbie has played an integral role in almost every facet of the city of Anna Maria with code enforcement, the clerk’s office and all of our special events. I’m going to miss her tremendously. She’s done a superior job, she’s a natural in the positions she’s held and she’ll still be doing some consulting for the city going forward,” Murphy said.

Assistant Code Enforcement Manager Sandy Olson will now serve as the code enforcement manager. Haynes’ other wide-ranging duties will be allocated among other staff members.

When expressing her appreciation for Haynes, Addy said, “When I began my career with the city of Anna Maria, I couldn’t have been more fortunate to have had a co-worker like Debbie, who was hard-working and honest. She worked with me through all the changes that were made and helped do so much to make the office run more efficiently. As more job duties were placed on us, Debbie worked so hard to become successful. The city is losing an amazing employee who put her heart into her work. She will definitely be missed by myself and many others. I wish her an amazing, relaxing and rewarding retirement!”

When discussing her time with the city, Haynes said, “I started as a part-time administrative assistant and became a permanent employee in December 2015. I became code enforcement manager in July of 2018. I can’t believe it’s been that long. It’s literally flown by.”

During the past six years, Haynes played a key role in organizing city-hosted parades, holiday events, movies in the park and the seasonal farmers market that takes place at City Pier Park each Tuesday through mid-May.

“We started small with a couple little events in the park with hot dogs on Memorial Day and July Fourth. Then we did Veterans Day and the mayor said he wanted a parade. This year’s parade was our biggest yet and the farmers market is up to 13 vendors. During the first year, vendors didn’t want to come out here because they didn’t think they’d have any business. We’ve still got the original vendors and it’s taken off from there,” Haynes said.

Anna Maria bids fond farewell to Debbie Haynes
Debbie Haynes’ duties included organizing and managing the city’s seasonal farmers market. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Regarding her retirement, Haynes said, “My husband is already retired and we want to start traveling. We have a camper and we’re looking to expand on our experiences. We’ve done a lot of Florida camping and now we want to start visiting the national parks. I think our first trip is going to be to Yosemite next year. We’ll have fun, enjoy life and spend more time with the kids, grandkids and the family in general. I’ll still be doing some consulting, working mostly from home, but this was my last official day in the office.”

As for what she’ll miss most, Haynes said, “The people.”

“I got my wife back again. I’m happy,” Bob Haynes said. “I retired about two years ago and we’re looking forward to traveling, seeing the grandkids and fishing.”

Outpouring of appreciation

Jones was named Public Works Manager around the same time Haynes began working for the city.

“I’m truly going to miss her. I’m so happy for her, but I’m also heartbroken because she’s such an integral part of our team. We really are a family here. I get to come to work and have a work family and then go home to my family. A lot of people don’t get that at their jobs. Debbie and I worked together putting the parades and the special events together and we always joked about starting our own events planning business. I wish her all the luck in the world. I know we’ll still see her, but I’m really going to miss her,” Jones said.

Commissioner Crane said, “She’s done everything anyone’s asked her to do and she’s done it really well. I’m very impressed with everything she’s touched.”

Commissioner Sebring said, “Debbie was an incredible resource and talent. She would spearhead any project Mayor Murphy threw her way. She’s incredibly knowledgeable and has a real can-do attitude. She will be royally missed!”

Commissioner Short said, “We’re certainly going to miss Debbie and everything she’s done for the city. I wish her good luck and success in whatever she decides is next in her life.”

When asked how Haynes helped him as a city commissioner, Short said, “She helped me early on by explaining the rules of engagement, navigating the different aspects of the city and who does what. She helped me get acclimated very quickly.”

When contacted while traveling, Commission Chair Carol Carter said, “Debbie has been my ‘go-to’ person in city hall. She was always ready to help find a solution to any issue. I am so grateful for Debbie’s assistance over the years and will certainly miss her ‘can-do’ attitude. I wish her good times with her husband and much happiness in her retirement.”

Recently hired Senior Administrative Assistant Amy Moriarty will assume some of the duties previously performed by Haynes.

“She’s a great mentor,” Moriarty said.

Bali Hai owners receive code fines

Bali Hai owners receive code fines

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – The fight for compliance with city codes is still ongoing between the owners of the Bali Hai Beach Resort and city leaders. Now, the owners of the resort are going to have to pay fines until the issues are resolved.

Two cases against the hotel ownership were heard during a June 11 code compliance special magistrate hearing. One concerned work being done without a permit and the second was the operation of a bar/lounge without an approved site plan.

Though no one appeared on behalf of the owner to argue the case, the attorney for the city, Erica Augello, said she received an email from attorney Louis Najmy during the hearing objecting to Special Magistrate Michael Connolly not granting a continuance to the two cases and objecting to not being able to attend the hearing held at Holmes Beach City Hall by Zoom or teleconference. In his email, Najmy also said he had previously requested discovery by the city, which he had not received.

Connolly said he was not inclined to grant a continuance for the case, while code Officer James Thomas said he’d spoken to Najmy several times in previous weeks about the hearing and issues at the property.

In his case submittal, Thomas said he’s viewed construction work being done on the second level of a small accessory building on the property multiple times without permits since 2020. Previously, Connolly ruled against the property for completing demolition work in the same space without permits. Now, Thomas said that space has been rebuilt and is being occupied as an office without permits and without inspections to make sure the area is safe.

In addition, a bar/lounge is being used on the bottom floor of the same building without an approved site plan in violation of city codes. While the resort’s owners have submitted site plans to the city over the past year, Building Official Neal Schwartz said issues still persist with the site plan submittals. Though one was scheduled to go before city commissioners for approval earlier in 2021, the item was pulled from the commission’s agenda by the applicant to make changes. It has not yet been resubmitted to be scheduled for a public hearing.

In addition to the bar/lounge operating without an approved site plan, Thomas said he’s received numerous complaints from neighbors about noise and other issues related to the bar/lounge use on the property.

During public comment, a neighbor to the Bali Hai, Jeanetta Moss, said that since the new owners took over the property she’s had problems with loud parties, drunk people and people trespassing on neighboring residential properties.

“The Bali Hai has not been a good neighbor since the renovations occurred,” Moss said. “I hope they will be compliant and be the good neighbor it once was.”

In both cases, Connolly ruled against the resort’s ownership, requiring them to pay $127.24 in administrative fees and $500-a-day fines until the resort is in compliance with city codes in each case, resulting in a $1,000-a-day fine for the owners. He also ordered the owners to obtain after-the-fact permits for all work done without a permit, cease all operations of the bar/lounge until the property is brought into compliance and for them to schedule a public hearing for the site plan approval by the end of June with city leaders.

Related coverage

Bali Hai site plan negotiations continue

Bali Hai site plan review hits a snag

Gail Garneau honored as retirement nears

Gail Garneau honored as retirement nears

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Longtime Bradenton Beach Code Enforcement Officer Gail Garneau is retiring at the end of the month, with July 31 being her final day.

On behalf of the city and the city commission, Mayor John Chappie and City Clerk Terri Sanclemente honored Garneau with a proclamation and a bouquet of red roses during the Thursday, July 16 commission meeting.

After inviting Garneau to come forward, Chappie read the proclamation aloud.

“Whereas Gail Garneau has submitted her resignation as code enforcement officer; Whereas Gail Garneau has served as a code enforcement officer for 15 years; Whereas Gail Garneau served with such dedication and devotion to her position of code enforcement officer; Whereas Gail Garneau remained unselfishly dedicated to her position and her performance of her duties as a code enforcement officer; Now, therefore, we the municipal council of the city of Bradenton Beach, do hereby commend Gail Garneau for her excellent record of service as the code enforcement officer and extend the thanks of the citizens of the city of Bradenton Beach for a job well done,” Chappie said.

“Thank you, Gail,” Chappie added before giving her a socially distanced air-hug.

“It’s a wonderful farewell and I thank you very much. It’s been a pleasure working for the city and this is a new chapter in my life,” Garneau said.

Gail Garneau honored as retirement nears
Mayor John Chappie and City Clerk Terri Sanclemente presented Gail Garneau with a city proclamation and a bouquet of roses. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

She said her arrival with the city was similar to longtime Building Official Steve Gilbert’s arrival in 2007, when he thought he was starting a temporary two-week assignment.

“Like Steve, I started here 15 years ago, and it was only in a temporary position for a couple weeks. Fifteen years later, I’m still here. I’m looking forward to trying something different, like sleeping in, and I’ll miss everyone that I’ve worked with all these years,” Garneau said.

“You’re part of our family and we greatly appreciate it,” Chappie said.

“It makes me cry to think you’re going to be leaving us,” Commissioner Jan Vosburgh said. “You’re such a big part of the city. You’ve been absolutely wonderful.”

Garneau thanked Vosburgh and said she’s looking forward to following city matters without a code enforcement officer emblem on her shirt.

Participating by phone, Commissioner Ralph Cole said, “Thank you very much for your service.” Cole extended his wife, Beth’s, thanks as well.

Later that day, Garneau provided via email some additional thoughts on her retirement.

“My 15 years working as the code enforcement officer for Bradenton Beach has been a challenging and rewarding period in my career. I have been working in the legal field for 45 years now and it’s time now to retire from this type of work and concentrate on the next chapter in my life. It has gone by fast. I am looking forward to traveling when the opportunities arise,” she wrote. “I offer my thanks to my colleagues for their support. And what’s more, I’ve come to regard those I work with as almost a second family. I also want to thank the community of Bradenton Beach, and I count myself lucky to have served the residents and business owners during my tenure. I have made a lot of friends in Bradenton Beach and look forward to spending more relaxing time in the city.”

Successor sought

Later in the meeting, the commission authorized the advertising for a new code enforcement officer to serve as Garneau’s successor. Chappie said the position pays between $32,704 and $49,000 annually, depending on experience, and requires a 40-hour workweek. Chappie said Gilbert and City Attorney Ricinda Perry would help craft the advertisement and Gilbert would interview the applicants.