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County administrator seeks favor from mayor

County administrator seeks favor from mayor

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

BRADENTON BEACH – Manatee County Administrator Charlie Bishop put Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie in an awkward position when he sought the mayor’s assistance in shortening his anticipated wait time at the Daiquiri Deck restaurant.

After receiving the call from Bishop on Thursday evening, July 25, Chappie, a former county commissioner, attempted to contact Jake Spooner. Spooner, a former city commissioner, owns the three-story commercial building on Bridge Street that contains his ground-level Bridge Street Bazaar retail store. Spooner leases the two upper levels of his building to the Daiquiri Deck but has no ownership stake in the restaurant.

County administrator seeks favor from mayor
Manatee County Administrator Charlie Bishop sought a small favor from the mayor. – Manatee County | Submitted

Chappie mistakenly called the wrong number and left his Bishop request-related voicemail on another person’s phone. The following morning, an anonymous source provided The Sun with a recording of the voicemail that had already been shared on Facebook.

County administrator seeks favor from mayor
Mayor John Chappie attempted to assist the county administrator with his dining accommodations. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

During the 59-second voicemail, Chappie, sounding a bit hesitant, said, “Hey Jake, John Chappie here. Ugh… I’ve never done this before. I just got a call from the county administrator, Charlie Bishop. He is at the Daiquiri Deck and believe it or not he called me to see … he’s got a 45-minute wait for a reservation to get a seat and it’s under Madison. He wanted to know if I could pull a string for him. I’m just asking if maybe you could call Daiquiri Deck and let them know, maybe. For Madison is the person – there’s three I believe: Charlie Bishop, his girlfriend and his girlfriend’s daughter, I believe it is. It’s under Madison. If you could let me know. I’ll see what I can do. Take care, thank you.”

When contacted by phone Friday afternoon, Chappie acknowledged leaving the voicemail and being aware of the voicemail being shared on Facebook.

“It is what it is,” he said. “I got a call from Charlie. I consider him a friend. I’ve known him for about 15 years. He was out here, and like anybody, I always try to help out friends and constituents if I can. So, I just made a phone call. I’ve never really done that before. I said that on the tape. From what I understand, he was already seated before Jake even got back to him.”

Chappie acknowledged that he intended to leave the voicemail for Spooner but accidentally left it with another person named Jake.

Regarding the optics of a county official seeking favor from a city official, Chappie said, “People will speculate, but I didn’t look at it that way. I’ve known Charlie for a long time – since I was with the county. I would do the same for anybody else I know.”

When contacted Friday afternoon, Spooner said he did not receive the voicemail in question but did receive a call from Chappie that evening.

The Sun also sought comment from Bishop via his office phone number, his county-issued cell phone number and his county email address. As of Saturday morning, he had not responded.

According to the Manatee County website, Bishop joined the county staff as a project manager in 2001. In 2023, the board of county commissioners appointed him county administrator, with a $230,000 annual salary.

It’s not illegal for a county official to ask a city official for assistance getting a table at a busy restaurant, nor does it constitute an ethics violation at the state level, but the county administrator does have influence with county commissioners when it comes to approving or denying funding requests made by the city of Bradenton Beach and the two other Island cities.

Birdie for the Birdies tournament to benefit Wildlife Inc.

Birdie for the Birdies tournament to benefit Wildlife Inc.

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Golf, Sports.

BRADENTON BEACH – 2023 has been a challenging year for Wildlife Education and Reha­bilitation Center Inc. and a local business is stepping up to help.

With a record number of animals rehabilitated so far this year at the non-profit – 2,665 at the latest count – and the loss of a funding source, an upcoming fundraiser is most welcome.

Daiquiri Deck has recently announced sponsorship opportunities for its first Birdie for the Birdies Putt Putt Tournament on Saturday, Nov. 18 at The Fish Hole miniature golf, 115 Bridge St. near Daiquiri Deck’s Bradenton Beach location.

Birdie for the Birdies tournament to benefit Wildlife Inc.
The proceeds from a mini golf tournament at The Fish Hole in Bradenton Beach on Saturday, Nov. 18 will benefit Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center Inc. – Leslie Lake | Sun

All tournament proceeds will benefit Wildlife Inc.

Since 1988, Wildlife Inc. has provided care to injured and orphaned animals. It is the only rehabilitation facility for birds, mammals and reptiles in the area.

“Our dedication knows no bounds, but we can’t do it without your support. With an annual budget nearing $200,000, we rely solely on the generosity of individuals and private grants to continue our vital work,” accord­ing to the Wildlife Inc. website. “We receive no funding from local, state or federal govern­ments.”

“This benefit can help in so many ways,” Wildlife Inc. volun­teer Krista Carpenter said. “The Smile program from Amazon has been discontinued, as they focus on giving to specific non-profits. That’s $8,000-$10,000 we lost. This (tournament) could provide the perfect bridge.”

General admission for the tournament is $50 and includes a round of golf for one, a brunch buffet, beverages and access to the after-party. VIP admission is $75 and includes a round of golf for one, a brunch buffet, VIP beverages and access to the after-party.

Players will be split into two groups, the first checking in at 9 a.m. and starting at 10 a.m. The second will check in at 10:30 a.m. and start at 11:30 a.m.

An after-party will follow the tournament with live music, entertainment, a raffle and silent auction and prizes. An awards ceremony begins at 2 p.m. Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to noon and the bar will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“One of the big items is a fly fishing trip for two valued at over $600,” Carpenter said. “That will be a live auction item. Also, there are items from local artists.”

A limited number of tourna­ment sponsorship opportunities are available:

  • Hall of Famer: $5,000 includes brunch and entry for four, eight mulligans, eight raffle tickets, VIP access, one banner for the registration table, one banner for the afterparty, emcee recogni­tion and four Tervis tumblers;
  • Professional: $1,500 includes brunch and entry for four, six mulligans, six raffle tickets, VIP access, one banner for the course and four stainless steel tumblers;
  • Semi-Pro: $1,000 includes brunch and entry for four, four mulligans, four raffle tickets, VIP access and two hole sponsorships;
  • Caddy: $500 includes brunch and entry for four people, two mulligans and VIP access;
  • Spectator: $250 includes two sponsorships.

Ball sponsor pricing varies. To secure a sponsorship or register for tournament participation, please visit the Daiquiri Deck website.

Daiquiri Deck manager pleads not guilty to grand theft

Daiquiri Deck manager pleads not guilty to grand theft

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

BRADENTON BEACH – Daiquiri Deck manager and Sarasota resident Tabatha Lynne Dondanville, 27, has entered a plea of not guilty to a felony charge of grand theft.

According to Manatee County Court records, Dondanville is accused of stealing $20,000 from a purse left behind by Daiquiri Deck customer Jasmine Bryant on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7.

Daiquiri Deck manager pleads not guilty to grand theft charge
Tabatha Lynne Dondanville, 27, was arrested on Sept. 8 and charged with grand theft. – Manatee County Sheriff’s Office | Submitted

According to the probable cause affidavit that arresting officer, Bradenton Beach Police Sgt. Lenard Diaz, filed with the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court, “The victim, Bryant, and her girlfriend were at the Daiquiri Deck on Bridge Street. While eating, Bryant laid her purse containing $20,000 cash on the chair beside her. Upon finishing their meal, they got up and forgot the purse on the chair.”

The original complaint arrest affidavit – a separate document obtained directly from the Bradenton Beach Police Department – refers to Bryant’s girlfriend as her fiancé, Emmanuella Saintcyr. That document notes the couple was staying nearby when the incident occurred.

According to the probable cause affidavit, “The cameras showed an employee picking up the purse then later giving it to the defendant. It was placed in the manager’s office, where the money was (allegedly) stolen by the defendant.”

According to the arrest affidavit, “The victim stated she called the restaurant and was told the victim did not leave a purse there. The victim went to the restaurant the next morning. The victim stated she talked to the opening manager, Samantha Mitchell, and that Samantha told her the purse was not found and she had to contact the closing manager.

“The victim advised that’s when she called the police and suddenly her purse appeared from the manager Samantha, but the purse was empty and the money was gone. The victim advised there was a note in the bag that said, ‘Found in the bathroom,’ ” according to the arrest affidavit.

“The video showed the hostess finding the purse on the chair and placing behind a computer near the hostess station. The purse sat on the counter for approximately 20-30 minutes until the male waiter grabbed the purse and walked into the kitchen where the night manager, Dondanville, was at.”

Money returned

“Later in the day, the girlfriend called the manager, Samantha Mitchell, and spoke with her. Samantha admitted to the victim that they did find the money and that it was on its way back to the restaurant as they spoke. The victim decided not to wait and walked over to the restaurant and recorded their conversation with Samantha. On the recording you can hear Samantha stating the money is coming back from Sarasota. Approximately 15 minutes later, Samantha brought a plastic bag with all of the victim’s money in it,” according to the arrest affidavit.

At approximately 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8, Diaz noticed he had a voice message on his phone.

“It was the victim that had left me a message stating that she got her money back from the manager. The victim stated that approximately 1316 hours (1:16 p.m.) she received a call from the manager, Samantha, that she knew where her money was and that if they did not get the police involved that would get her the money back,” according to the arrest affidavit.

Diaz then returned to the restaurant to speak with Samantha Mitchell.

According to the arrest affidavit, “I asked who took the money and Samantha stated, ‘Do I have to tell you?’ I asked Samantha if she wanted to be a witness or an arrestee, because she was more involved than I thought at first. Samantha responded with hesitance and answered, ‘I guess a witness.’ I asked her if she was sure because I could arrest her because of her accessory to the crime. Samantha stated she would rather be a witness. I advised her that I was going to need her to write an affidavit of involvement and she agreed. I asked Samantha again who took the money. She hesitated and said, ‘Tabatha.’ ”

Arrest made

“I asked Samantha to please go get Dondanville. Samantha and Dondanville entered the office a short time later and at this time I began to read Dondanville her Miranda rights. I asked Dondanville who took the money and Dondanville stated, ‘I did.’ Dondanville stated that she had taken the money right after myself and Lt. Cosby left the office the morning the victim called the police, and the reason she took it was because nobody had claimed the money. At this time, I advised Dondanville that she was under arrest for grand theft of $20,000,” according to the arrest affidavit.

“I took Dondanville to the police department. While at the station, Dondanville stated she didn’t understand why she was being arrested because she brought the money back. I advised Dondanville that the statute for grand theft reads: ‘If you temporarily or permanently deprived the owner of their property (money) you have committed a crime.’ I advised Dondanville that she only did bring the money back when they made a deal with the victim that the police would not be involved,” according to the arrest affidavit.

Dondanville was transported to the county jail and later released on a $7,500 bond.

According to Manatee County court records, attorney Ronald Filipkowski filed a not guilty plea on behalf of Dondanville on Sept. 14. An arraignment before Judge Gilbert Smith Jr. is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 2.

When contacted on Monday, Sept. 28, a manager at the Bradenton Beach Daiquiri Deck declined to comment on the incident and whether Dondanville and Mitchell were still employed there.

According to Sarasota County court records, Dondanville entered a plea of nolo contendere (no contest) in 2011 after being charged with petit theft.

According to the notice to appear dated May 20, 2011, “The defendant (Dondanville) placed a shirt, skirt and necklace in her purse then attempted to leave without paying for the items. Security stopped her and retrieved the items. The defendant admitted post-Miranda to the crime.”