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Tag: Dan Diggins

Mayoral candidates discuss past experience, managerial style

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

 HOLMES BEACH – Holmes Beach mayoral candidates Dan Diggins and David Zaccagnino participated in a candidate forum hosted by The Sun and held at city hall on Sept. 23. Last week’s story focused on the candidates’ opening statements and why they want to be the next Holmes Beach mayor.

This week’s story focuses on the skills and experience the candidates would bring to the mayor’s office, their similarities with and differences from the current mayor, Judy Titsworth, and the management style they’d bring to city hall.

EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE

When asked about his professional experience and expertise, Zaccagnino said, “I’m in finance and I manage tens and tens of millions of dollars every day. I’ve been on boards. I’ve been chairperson for many, many nonprofits.

“There’s three ways to budget. You have a business budget, you have a nonprofit budget and you also have municipal budgets. They’re all totally different. And there’s a lot that needs to be corrected in our budget,” Zaccagnino said.

“You really have to get the most out of staff, and that’s the mayor’s job. You are the CEO,” he added.

“This is all about our quality of life. It’s all about us paying less and getting better services. The only reason you have to incorporate the city is because you think you can do better than the county. That’s why we have our own police department – because we feel like our police department can do a better, safer job than the county.

“It’s the mayor’s job to make that happen. It has not been happening in the last eight years. We’re being left out of the sunshine. We’re being left out of transparency. We’re not working with other municipalities, the state, the federal government and everything up here is being rubber stamped. I would change that,” Zaccagnino said.

Diggins, a current city commissioner and a retired FAA accident scene investigator, spoke about his experience and said, “Managing tens of millions of dollars at the federal level. Municipal government budgets are completely different. They’re completely different than a business budget. 

“And our budget is not so much out of whack if you really look deep down inside. Since 2019, we have raised about $8.8 million in grant money and reimbursement money, and that took a talented staff to apply for and get that money. I’m able to manage that type of staff and that type of activity.

“I’m a listener. I’m not much of a talker. And if you listen to people, they tell you what’s wrong, and how we could possibly fix it. If you spend all your time talking, you don’t learn much – and that’s the skill set that I’ll bring to this job. And I take a little issue with my opponent’s statement of the facts. I think they’re a little too inflammatory and inaccurate,” Diggins said.

SIMILAR AND DIFFERENT

When asked how his mayoral style might be similar to and different from current Mayor Judy Titsworth, Diggins said, “I’d be very similar. I’d be very kind to the staff. I’m very thoughtful. I’m a good leader. I’m a good manager of staff. We’ve got about 50 or 60 people here on staff and it would take a lot to manage all of them and manage the department heads. It’s a very complex city.

“In ways that would be different, I wouldn’t hesitate to use reserves to clean up after a storm. When Helene hit, the debris hung around here quite a long time, and this was very hard on you folks. It took a toll on all of us. It took a toll financially, it took a toll physically, it took a toll emotionally. To see your life’s belongings out there for a couple weeks when we had money in reserves that we could use to clean it up … I would think that’s what the reserves are for. That’s a tough decision that somebody will have to make it after the next storm, but I would not hesitate to use the reserves.”

Zaccagnino said, “Well, that’s the decisions you were supposed to make two years ago. As a mayor you have certain powers, but you’re supposed to go to the commission and ask what the direction is. The commission has the majority of the voters supporting them, and that’s your job, you can’t unilaterally do things, and that’s been happening the past eight years, without any transparency, especially within the budget. There’s a lot of decisions that need to at least to come to this dais so it can be discussed in the sunshine.

“That’s why we’re all here – not for me, not for Dan. We’re here for you guys. We’re supposed to be of service to you – to get your services and your quality of life to the best of our ability.”

MANAGERIAL STYLE

The candidates were asked whether they consider the mayor’s job to be a full-time job or a part-time job. They were also asked about the management style they bring to the mayor’s office. Zaccagnino also discussed his second living space and second workplace in St. Petersburg.

“I’m always accessible. I do that in my job currently,” Zaccagnino said. “I go to St. Pete a couple days a week and work out of St. Pete instead of Lakewood Ranch. It’s easier for me, but I’m always here raising two children out here. So, when they’re here, I’m here full time.”

Zaccagnino, who last served as a city commissioner in 2014, said, “I’ve always been responsive to the voters, the residents, the neighbors, even the visitors that have questions. I think that is very important as a mayor, to be responsive, to be transparent and bring things to the commission. That’s how our charter works.”

“It’s a full-time job,” Diggins said. “This is a very complex operation now because we’re managing tens of millions of dollars, and a good part of that is grant money and reimbursement money for stormwater.”

Diggins said there are a few key issues that affect Holmes Beach residents the most.

“Number one: Traffic. Number two: Stormwater. And number three: Tourism. Managing these things require a full-time job and requires a decent staff, talented staff that have the skill set necessary out here. The people on our staff don’t live here, they have to come to the Island every day. And you know as well as I do, driving to the Island every day is not an easy task. To retain these people, we have to pay them the going salary that they would make over in town.

“We have some people that drive over an hour every day to come here, so we have to be understanding to those people and understand that they deserve decent pay and deserve decent working conditions to get the job done, because these jobs are very complex,” Diggins said.

To be continued…

Related coverage: Diggins, Zaccagnino debate mayoral issues 

View the mayor’s candidate forum video here

Diggins, Zaccagnino debate mayoral issues 

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

HOLMES BEACH – Holmes Beach mayoral candidates Dan Diggins and David Zaccagnino shared their views on a multitude of city issues during The Sun’s candidate forum held at city hall on Wednesday, Sept. 23. 

The winner of the race to succeed departing Mayor Judy Titsworth will be determined during the municipal election that concludes on Tuesday, Nov. 3. 

The two candidates spent about 90 minutes discussing city issues and their desire to serve as Holmes Beach’s next mayor. Diggins and Zaccagnino answered questions posed by The Sun’s editor, and many of the questions were submitted by Sun readers. 

The mayoral candidates’ forum was well-attended. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The discussion topics included the city budget and city expenditures, the size of the current city staff, stormwater and drainage expenditures, paid parking, Second Avenue, the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church property, vacating a city-owned beachfront alley and more. 

The forum was livestreamed on the Anna Maria Island Sun Facebook page, and the archived video can be found there or at The Sun website, amisun.com. 

This week’s story will focus on the candidates’ opening statements and why they want to serve as mayor. Additional coverage of the forum will continue weekly until it has been fully covered. 

OPENING STATEMENTS 

The forum began with opening statements, and Zaccagnino went first and said, “I’ve been here in the city for almost 30 years. I grew up in Tampa and I went to Florida State for an undergraduate in chemistry. I was a chemist for the state of Florida at the Department of Law and Protection, Central Laboratory for five years. 

“I taught at Florida State and I decided that wasn’t my calling. And then I went back to school, business degree, masters of business, and I started working for Morgan Stanley. 

“25 years ago, I’m sitting there watching the television when the plane hit the first tower, it was tower one. I worked in tower two just three months before that. That changed everybody’s world,” Zaccagnino said. 

Dave Zaccagnino explained why he wants to be the next Holmes Beach mayor. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“For the past 25 years, I’ve been in over a dozen nonprofits and boards on this Island. I’ve been highly involved in the school and the community center. I helped a lot of my neighbors too, especially during the last storms that we had. I stayed through those storms. 

“I grew up Catholic, went to a Jesuit high school, and my calling’s always been ‘a man for others.’ And that’s what you need in this job, you can’t do it for money. You can’t do it for ego and you can’t do it for power. This is truly a service to others. 

“I remember when I started as commissioner for nine years – vice mayor for a couple years. We didn’t get paid, we just got a reimbursement, and I think it was like $300 a month. And now I think the mayor’s job is like $25,000, which is insane to me because we should be doing this for you guys,” he said.

“I’m not asking you to vote for me. I’m asking you to vote for you. Because this is important. I know how to lower taxes. We had the lowest millage in the whole county before.

“I know how to run big organizations. I’ve run big businesses. I’ve bought and sold them. I’ve managed a lot of employees. The mayor’s job is CEO. The commission’s job is board of directors. The commission is supposed to set policy and the mayor’s supposed to follow it as best as possible.

“That has not been happening right now. And that’s causing the problems we’re having right now. I want to change that. I want to change directions of what this current commission has been doing. It’s against our charter,” Zaccagnino said.

During his opening statement, Diggins said, “I first came to the Island in 2010. I was on assignment over in Afghanistan, where I lived for four years, advising the military and the ambassador there from the U.S. because airplanes were flying through an active war zone at the time. I designed the airspace so we wouldn’t shoot down friendly people, and it worked pretty well. Never shot anybody in an airline down.

Dan Diggins explained why he wants to be the Holmes Beach mayor. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“My daughter came here, she was a wedding planner, and she came down here and did a destination wedding. My wife and I lived in the D.C. area at the time and she says, ‘You’ve got to see this place. It’s really amazing.’ So, I came home on leave right after Christmas for a few days and my wife and I drove down here. And we went, ‘Oh, this is a pretty nice place.’ So, we contracted with a contractor and we built a house. We moved here in 2011. I continued living in Afghanistan until 2014.

“I have executive leadership at the federal level. Like I say, I’m out of D.C. I was an aircraft accident investigator for major aircraft accidents around the world. I was in charge of the Go Team out of D.C. I’ve been to 43 countries investigating major accidents. I investigated the Space Shuttle Columbia accident. I was the lead investigator about the cause of that in 2003.

“I spent six months at Ground Zero going through all the wreckage, trying to find airplane parts and body parts. We didn’t find too many airplane parts. We never found the black boxes.

“I testified to the 9/11 Commission about the events of September 11 and I just have a very unique background, technical background, in executive leadership and crisis management. I’m pretty good at crisis management.

“I’m a very good listener, but I’m not much of a talker. I’d like to harness the collective wisdom of all our residents because I’m really shocked at the amount of talent that we have here on the Island. There’s people from all different levels of skill and knowledge, and I would like to see more resident advisory committees to help advise us what to do,” Diggins said.

WHY MAYOR?

When asked why he wants to be mayor, Diggins said, “I want to be mayor because I think I bring the skills, the knowledge, the wisdom and the temperament to this job – and I know how to do this job. I’m familiar with the city. Terry Schaefer probably knows more about the city than I do as a fellow commissioner, but I’m a close second. I know how the city operates.

“The city is not the city it was when my opponent was here. It’s almost double the tourism. We have a very large organization. It’s a very complex operation and I have the skill set to do that; and the temperament to do that, and I think the temperament is very important,” Diggins said.

Zaccagnino said, “We went through two category four hurricanes in 11 days. The city to the northwest did a remarkable job. The city to the southwest did a remarkable job. We did a horrible job. I think Dan was vice mayor at that time. I think Terry was on the board too.

“I can’t tell you how crazy it was, how many people were just in crisis situation. We were out here. We were managing the crisis. The community center was open the next day to provide food, water, supplies, power. That should have been us. We shouldn’t have been waiting around, and we shouldn’t have been waiting around two months for our trash to be picked up and our garbage everywhere.

“I would change that. I would change that immediately, and there’s ways to do that. Transparency is huge. As a mayor, I’d be transparent. There’s commissioners up here that don’t even know that word. The current mayor has not been transparent with the commissioners. That’s the way our charter is set up. The mayor’s supposed to talk to the commissioners. The commissioners are supposed to talk to the mayor so that everyone’s on the same page and so we can solve some issues in the sunshine.

“Some people are getting 20% raises. Some people are getting 5% raises. Some departments are getting more money. Some departments are getting less money.

“There’s even commissioners up here that don’t know what kind of grants we’re getting. There’s not any communication with the local representatives on the Island, or the city, the county, or the state or the federal government.

“I personally got calls from people at the federal government, our representatives and the state, that said, ‘Thank God that you’re running because we can’t talk to the current commission and mayor right now because they just don’t want to work together.’ I would change that,” Zaccagnino said.

To be continued next week…

To video of the Sept. 23 forum can be viewed here.

Titsworth not seeking reelection, Diggins seeks mayor’s seat 

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

HOLMES BEACH – Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth will not seek reelection. 

On Thursday, May 21, Titsworth shared a letter in which she announced she’ll retire from city government when her current term expires soon after the fall election cycle concludes in early November. 

On the same day Titsworth announced her pending retirement, Holmes Beach Commissioner Dan Diggins announced that he will seek the mayor’s seat. Diggins’ expiring two-year commission term will be filled during the upcoming election cycle, as will the commission term currently held by Carol Whitmore, who will seek reelection. 

Commissioner Carol Whitmore will seek reelection. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Whitmore and frequent commission meeting attendee Mark Hebden have already filed their preliminary pre-qualifying campaign paperwork and additional candidates may soon join the commission race and the mayor’s race. Holmes Beach’s one-week candidate qualifying period opens at noon on Monday, June 8, and closes at noon on Friday, June 12. 

MAYOR’S LETTER 

In 2024, Titsworth was elected to her fourth consecutive two-year term as mayor after defeating mayoral candidate Mike Roth by a 41-vote margin. 

In her resignation letter, Titsworth wrote, “After 14 years in city government – six as a city commissioner and eight as mayor – I have made the personal decision to retire from public office after the completion of my term. This decision comes after thoughtful reflection about personal energy, purpose and recognizing the right time to step aside. 

“One of the clearest signs that the time is right is knowing the city is well-positioned for the future. Holmes Beach is supported by an exceptional team of professionals whose dedication, experience and commitment to this community give me great confidence in the city’s continued success for years to come. 

“I can honestly say I have accomplished the primary goals I set out to achieve. From protecting our neighborhoods and preserving our ‘Old Florida’ character, to modernizing city operations, strengthening resiliency, improving infrastructure and guiding our city through unprecedented hurricanes and recovery efforts, I will leave office deeply proud of what we have accomplished together,” Titsworth wrote. 

“At the same time, public service requires passion and energy. After many rewarding years, I recognize that I no longer feel the same excitement for the daily demands of government and that it is time to prioritize my physical well-being, family and personal pursuits. I look forward to embracing new opportunities and experiences beyond public office. 

“This decision feels especially meaningful as Holmes Beach just celebrated its 75th anniversary. As a lifelong resident, and granddaughter of founder John E. Holmes Sr., serving this city has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I have had the privilege of helping preserve the vision our founders created – a small-town coastal community built on thoughtful planning, environmental stewardship and community pride. 

“Holmes Beach today remains one of the most sought-after coastal communities in the world because generations of leaders and residents fought to protect its character and quality of life. As we look toward the future, I hope our city continues to balance tourism, environmental protection and responsible growth while preserving the charm and resilience that make this Island so special. 

In closing, Titsworth wrote, “The future of Holmes Beach is bright. I will be leaving office with confidence in our staff, gratitude for our residents and optimism for the next generation of leadership. Serving this community has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and I will always be thankful for the trust and support this city has shown me.” 

DIGGINS’ CANDIDACY

Diggins became a city commissioner in 2022 when he was one of two candidates who sought the two commission seats filled during that election cycle. He was reelected in 2024. He was appointed to the Manatee County Tourist Development Council in 2025 and continues to serve in that role as well. 

Diggins is a retired FAA aircraft accident investigator. 

“I was in charge of the Go Team out of Washington D.C. I had a team of eight investigators and we had to investigate aircraft accidents around the world – and not just accidents in the U.S. If it’s a U.S.-made aircraft, U.S.-made engines or there are U.S.-made avionics in the airplane, the U.S. gets involved in the investigation,” he said. 

Diggins said he served as the lead investigator on the Space Shuttle investigation in 2003, and before he retired in 2011, he served as a United States aviation attaché in Afghanistan.

“I advised General (David) Petraeus and the Afghan government on how to conduct commercial aircraft activity in a war zone,” he said.

Commissioner Dan Diggins will run for mayor. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Diggins and his wife of more than 20 years, Rhonda, began construction of their Holmes Beach home in 2010 and they relocated from Washington D.C. in 2011. They also own a vacation rental home in Holmes Beach.

When discussing his desire to serve as mayor, Diggins said, “Judy is stepping down. In my opinion, she’s done a wonderful job. I want to continue the good work Judy has done and I’ll do that in my own way. I have executive experience at the federal level and experience with the commission here locally. I think I’m well-qualified to be the mayor and keep the city headed in the right direction. 

“We have a terrific staff and I want this great staff to continue doing the wonderful work they do for the city and the Island. An organization, any organization, cannot run well without proper executive leadership and the executive leadership has to be supportive of the staff and the goals of the city,” Diggins said.

When discussing the difference between serving as a voting city commissioner and a non-voting mayor who essentially runs the city, Diggins said, “The commission sets policy and votes on the budget, but the day-to-day operations are led by the mayor. The day-to-day activities really affect the residents and I think I’m the right guy for that job. 

“I want to be active with the county and the state on initiatives that affect us. I want to be active with things like the water taxi and paid beach parking. The Island is evolving and we need to take care of residents. We need to stop having our residents subsidize tourism,” Diggins said. 

“If elected mayor, I’m going to very active inside the community and outside the community. I’m going to hold town hall meetings often. I want to hear what the public has to say. Just because I think something is a good idea, that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. It’s always best to have people tell you what you need to know and I want to be very 

Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth, Bradenton Beach Commissioner Ralph Cole not seeking reelection

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

On Thursday, May 21, Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth announced in a resignation letter that she will not seek reelection in the upcoming election cycle. After six years as a commissioner and eight years as mayor, Titsworth’s time in office will come to an end after the November elections.

After Titsworth shared her resignation letter, current City Commissioner Dan Diggins announced he will run for the mayor’s seat to be vacated by Titsworth. Diggins was first elected in 2022 and reelected in 2024.

Holmes Beach Commissioner Dan Diggins will run for mayor. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The upcoming Holmes Beach election cycle will determine who fills the seats currently held by Mayor Titsworth, Commissioner Diggins and Commissioner Carol Whitmore, who was also elected in 2024. 

On Thursday, Ward 3 Bradenton Beach Commissioner Ralph Cole announced he will not seek reelection and his time in office will come to an end after the November elections. 

Bradenton Beach Commissioner Ralph Cole will not seek reelection. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The Ward 2 seat currently held by Commissioner Scott Bear will also be filled as a result of the upcoming election cycle. Bear has not yet addressed his reelection plans.

In Anna Maria, the seats currently held by Mayor Mark Short and commissioners Chris Arendt and Gary McMullen will be filled by the upcoming election cycle. Short, Arendt and McMullen have not yet addressed their reelection plans.

In Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach, the one-week candidate qualifying periods open at noon on Monday, June 8, and close at noon on Friday, June 12. 

In Anna Maria, the two-week qualifying period opens at noon on Monday, June 1, and closes at noon on Friday, June 12. 

For more information about becoming a candidate, visit the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections website.

Holmes Beach residents oppose fee hikes

Holmes Beach residents oppose fee hikes

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Opposition to increases in stormwater fees and millage were top of mind for more than 50 city residents who made their feelings known to Commissioner Dan Diggins at a July 15 town hall meeting at the Island Branch Library.

“I want to hear what you folks think,” Diggins said at the beginning of the meeting. “Last year was a tough year with the hurricanes. We’re going to set the maximum millage rate next Tuesday. I don’t know what that’s going to be. I wanted the millage rate to be set to about 1.9 and I fought really hard. All the other commissioners and mayor said no we’re going to do two, and we settled at 1.99.”

The Tuesday commission meeting has been rescheduled to Friday, July 25 at 9 a.m.

Holmes Beach residents oppose fee hikes
Holmes Beach Commissioner Dan Diggins wanted to hear from residents regarding the proposed increases. – Leslie Lake | Sun

“I want to hear what you have to say about the budget, and you also heard about the stormwater assessment fees. It was pro­posed to us by the city engineer to raise the storm assessment fees,” Diggins said. “We were going to do that a few years ago and then the American Rescue Act came in and we received $2 million from the feds for storm­water so we didn’t have to raise the fees. That’s all gone now, and that’s why we’re talking about raising the fees.”

Diggins noted commissioners are considering raising the stormwater fee from $2.95 per hundred square feet of property to $4.95 or $9.

“I think nine from two for the stormwater fees, plus raising the millage rate is going to hurt a lot of us,” Laurel Nevans said. “We have seen a great exodus of people who sold out after the floods. Anna Maria is cutting taxes while we’re raising ours. I think if we want to maintain residents, we can’t raise every­thing to the max.”

Nevans said many people are struggling financially following the 2024 hurricanes.

“I think the commission really needs to think about the impact. If we raise millage and stormwater rates, those an­nual rentals are going to go up because landlords won’t absorb that,” she said. “So many people are hurting financially right now that this could be the last nail in the coffin for the community.”

Holmes Beach residents oppose fee hikes
Residents weighed in on the proposed millage and stormwater fee increases. – Leslie Lake | Sun

One resident asked Diggins what the stormwater money is being used for.

“What is the plan to be done differently to solve the water issue – digging more holes that cave in?” she asked.

Diggins said federal grants have dried up and the money is now being used for infrastruc­ture improvement and vehicle maintenance.

“Right now, we’re using half the money for maintenance and the other half of the money to try to get some type of matching grant,” he said. “We ended up replacing storm drains, pipes and whenever we put a shovel in the ground, we find things we didn’t know about. We find things that are crumbling. We used the money for constant repairs.”

Diggins said that people who live on a barrier island do have to accept a certain amount of water.

“We talked about tearing up this parking lot here (at the library) and building a storage facility for the water underneath the parking lot. Then we’d have to pump it back out to the bay. That would cost millions and millions of dollars,” Diggins said.

“We’re just paying more for nothing when you guys are col­lecting more taxes,” the resident said.

“We have 4 miles of infiltra­tion trenches, 10.7 miles of storm pipe under the streets, 2.5 miles of ditches and swales, 125 storm pipe outfalls and 25 tide valves in the canals,” Diggins said. “Even if we don’t increase it, that’s where that money goes.”

“When I moved here in 2010, we probably had 5,000 residents in Holmes Beach, now we have less than 2,000,” Renee Ferguson said. “What I’m concerned about is that the burden is on us. We’re going to take the hit with this $9 fee and we all know it’s up to the rest of us that are left to take on responsibility for the problem we have with flooding.”

She questioned the success rate of the companies the city is using for stormwater solu­tions.

“We don’t know what their success rate is and we don’t know what other coastal cities they’ve done,’’ Ferguson said. “I have no problem knowing my fees have to be raised if I knew that the quality of work and the companies that we’re choosing are actually going to do the work that we’re hiring them to do.”

“Can you tell me then, if you’re going to raise the millage and these fees, what you’re really going to do with this money and why we need it?” Ferguson asked. “This is not the time to hit us. Can we just hold back and see what happens when we reassess these mega mansions that are going up and maybe then come to us and say, we still have to talk to you?”

Nancy Deal said that the city of St. Petersburg has put in pump stations and asked why Holmes Beach can’t do the same. That city received an $8 million matching grant from the state, she said.

“There’s money out there,” Deal said. “There are things our city could have been doing.”

“We’re studying that now,” Diggins said.

Some residents questioned the absence of Holmes Beach commissioners at the town hall meeting.

City Attorney Erica Augello sent an email to commission­ers that explains their absence. In part, it reads, “Just a friendly reminder that as these topics are not just likely to come before the commission, but are definitely coming before the commission, be cautious of any sunshine violations. While it is not a sunshine violation to attend such an event, it is a sunshine violation to participate in such an event if another commissioner is pres­ent and participating. As soon as a second commissioner makes a comment a violation exists as the meeting is not a public meeting that has been properly noticed and minutes taken.”

Related coverage:
Holmes Beach considering millage increase
Significant stormwater fee increase proposed

Holmes Beach ferry stops explored

Holmes Beach ferry stops explored

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

HOLMES BEACH – City and county officials hoped to use businessman Jake Spooner’s boat slip in the Wa­terline resort marina as a Gulf Islands Ferry stop, but the current county-owned pontoon boats are too large to safely navigate that limited space.

To be used in conjunction with the Island Bazaar commercial building that Spooner is developing on the former Wells Fargo bank property nearby, Spooner’s boat slip is located in the far southwest corner of the boat basin.

On April 1, Spooner, Holmes Beach Commissioner Dan Diggins and Waterline dockmaster Tom Jones met ferry captains Nick Francis and Jonathan Davis, ferry operators Trisha and Dennis Rodriguez and Manatee County Project Manager Jeff Anthony when they arrived at the resort aboard the pontoon ferry boat that traveled from downtown Bradenton.

Holmes Beach ferry stops explored
Shown here behind the Waterline resort, the current ferry boats are 50 feet long and 15 feet wide. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

With the ferry docked at the rear of the Waterline resort property, the group discussed whether it was safe to bring the ferry boat, which is 50 feet long and 15 feet wide, into Spooner’s slip. Leaving the ferry where it was, the group walked over to Spooner’s slip and quickly determined the navigable space was too narrow for the ferry boat to safely navigate – a space made narrower by the motors projecting from boats docked on either side of the navigation lane.

Holmes Beach ferry stops explored
The navigation lane leading to and from Jake Spooner’s boat slip is too narrow for the current ferry boats to safely navigate.

Diggins and some of the others then walked over to the northwest corner of the boat basin to examine a large corner slip in the Keyes Marina portion of the boat basin. Dockmaster Jim Keyes told the group the slip that was then vacant is occupied long-term by a boat that departed earlier that morning.

They also looked at a slip located next to the Keyes Marina boat ramp and agreed that none of the options examined that day were viable for the ferry boats, but a smaller boat (30 feet long and 10 feet wide) already owned by the ferry operators might work. Although intrigued by that idea, Diggins acknowledged the smaller boat would pose some logisti­cal challenges as to how and where passengers transition from a larger boat to a smaller boat.

Holmes Beach ferry stops explored
Jake Spooners boat slip is located in the bottom left corner of this photo. – Google Maps | Submitted

The Kingfish Boat Ramp on Mana­tee Avenue has also been discussed as a potential ferry stop. That area would provide ample docking space but would require docking renovations that could cost the county a few mil­lion dollars. The boat ramp is located about a half-mile from Manatee Beach and does not provide the walkability and easy access to restaurants, busi­nesses and other destinations as the boat basin in the heart of the Holmes Beach business district.

Last year, Diggins and Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione met with Waterline management about using the spacious docking at the rear of the resort as a ferry stop, but for various reasons the resort management doesn’t want that docking space used as a public ferry landing.

With the ferry stop at the hurricane-damaged Anna Maria City Pier currently out of commission, the Gulf Islands Ferry service runs between downtown Bradenton and the Braden­ton Beach Pier in Bradenton Beach. The ferry schedule can be viewed and tickets can be purchased at the Gulf Islands Ferry website.

Hurricanes hit tourist development tax revenues

Hurricanes hit tourist development tax revenues

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News, Manatee County.

BRADENTON – Featuring two new members and a new chairperson, the reconfigured Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) recently met for the first time this year.

On Feb. 24, the council welcomed Holmes Beach City Commissioner Dan Diggins and Palmetto Marriott Resort Managing Director Tony DeRusso to the council now chaired by County Commis­sioner Amanda Ballard and steered at times by Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (BACVB) Executive Director Elliott Falcione.

Topics of discussion included the post-hurricane decline in tourist development tax revenues, post-hurricane tourism mar­keting efforts and a request to use $570,000 in tourist tax revenues for the Gulf Islands Ferry operations.

Tourist tax revenues

Michele Shulz, Director of Field Services and the Col­lections Department for the Manatee County Tax Collector, provided an update on the tax revenues generated by the 6% tourist development tax levied on hotel, motel, resort and short-term vacation rental stays (including Airbnb and Vrbo rentals) of six months or less in Manatee County. A significant portion of tourist tax revenues is generated on Anna Maria Island.

Hurricanes hit tourist development tax revenues
Michele Shulz provided an update on the hurricane-impacted tourist development tax revenues. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

In November, Manatee County voters approved increasing the 5% tourist tax to 6%. The increase took effect on Jan. 1 and is expected to generate an additional $7.8 million in tourist tax revenues during the current fiscal year. The 6% tax is paid by lodging guests, collected by the lodging providers and remitted to the tax collector’s office monthly.

TDC members review pro­posed tourist tax expenditures and make recommendations to the county commission that controls the use of the tax revenues, which, by state statute, can only be used to promote tourism and fund tourism-related projects and improvements.

Last year, tourist tax revenues exceeded $30 million for the first time.

“Out of 67 counties, we feel like we’re now in that elite group,” Shulz said. “That’s a testament to Elliott and all the work he’s been doing.”

She then addressed the hurricane impact on tourist tax revenues and said the county collected $1.21 million in November and $1.83 million in December.

“For November, we were down 17.71% and for Decem­ber we were down 16.6%. I think January through April’s really going to tell the tale on how those areas are recovering that were really hard hit,” she said.

Shulz said the tax collector’s office had 8,645 active tourist development tax accounts in its system. She said about 100 accounts were deactivated be­tween October and December because account holders were unable to rent their properties but 200 new accounts opened up.

“It’s a very fluid number. In a week, we might have a different number,” she said, noting that short-term rental units continue to come online as repairs are completed.

Comparing January 2024 to January 2025, Shulz said tourist tax collections countywide decreased about 9.3%, from $2.64 million to $2.4 million. She said the 1% tax increase and tourist tax revenues generated elsewhere in unincorporated Manatee County helped lessen the revenue gap.

Post-hurricane marketing

Falcione said he’s often asked why the BACVB con­tinues to market Anna Maria Island and Bradenton when these areas are already so well-known on a national and a global level.

“My consistent response is to prepare for the next adver­sarial occurrence,” he said.

He mentioned the severe red tide outbreak in 2017 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 as past adverse events that have impacted tourism.

Regarding the back-to-back hurricanes, Falcione said, “It could have been a lot worse.”

BACVB Marketing and Communications Director Kolby Gayson then discussed the tourism-related marketing strategies employed as recov­ery efforts continue.

Hurricanes hit tourist development tax revenues
Kolby Gayson discussed Manatee County’s post-hurricane marketing efforts. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“These storms left us with a wake of damage we had not seen before. It left our barrier islands with devastation we have never experienced,” Gayson said.

Gayson said she and her team focused on three main points: Perception, messag­ing and how to recover lost visitation.

Gayson said two particular images symbolize the hur­ricane damage on Anna Maria Island: the fallen yellow multi-story home in Bradenton Beach and the destroyed Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria.

“This yellow house was on its pillars after Helene. Milton came through and knocked it off. Still to this day, people  love to take pictures of it. This one image continues to perpetuate a negative image of destruction,” Gayson said.

She then referenced the Rod & Reel Pier that was badly dam­aged by Hurricane Helene and destroyed by Hurricane Milton.

Hurricanes hit tourist development tax revenues
The iconic Rod & Reel Pier was destroyed by the back-to-back hurricanes. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“You have a landmark that also is no longer in existence. That is something that has an emotional connection to visitors. When they see that it’s gone, they associate that with the state of the entirety of the destination,” Gayson said.

She noted the county used and uses social media influenc­ers and out of state media outlets and publications to help promote the current status of the Island and the Island businesses.

Ferry expenditures

The TDC members unanimously recommended county commission approval of Falcione’s request to spend up to $570,000 in tourist tax revenues for county-contracted Gulf Islands Ferry operations.

Falcione seeks $350,000 for operational costs for the ferry operations that will soon include a larger third ferry boat that’s expected to begin service in July. He also seeks $120,000 to upgrade the Riverwalk Day Dock in downtown Bradenton for the overnight docking of the third ferry boat and up to $100,000 for renovations to the floating dock at the Bradenton Beach Pier that serves as a ferry landing.

Hurricanes hit tourist development tax revenues
Holmes Beach City Commissioner Dan Diggins and Cedar Cove Resort manager Eric Cairns serve as TDC members. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

When welcoming Diggins to the council at the beginning of the meeting, Falcione referenced the ongoing efforts to implement a Gulf Islands Ferry stop in Holmes Beach.

“Dan was an incredible steward working with our team to try to accommodate the water ferry in Holmes Beach. He hasn’t given up yet and we haven’t given up yet. We’re excited that you’re on the TDC,” Falcione said.

Ferry service to Anna Maria is discontinued until the hurricane-damaged City Pier is repaired and reopened or the county installs a standalone ferry landing between the pier and the Lake La Vista jetty.

Related coverage:

Diggins, DeRusso join Tourist Development Council

TDC discusses post-hurricane marketing

 

Diggins, DeRusso join Tourist Development Council

Diggins, DeRusso join Tourist Development Council

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Business, Featured, Tourism.

MANATEE COUNTY – Anna Maria Island once again has an elected city official serving on the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC).

The last elected Island official to sit on the TDC was former Anna Maria Commissioner Doug Copeland, who helped secure TDC-supported funds for the construction of the new City Pier completed in 2020.

On Jan. 28, Manatee County Commissioners appointed Holmes Beach Commission Chair Dan Diggins to fill the elected official’s seat recently vacated by former Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant.

County commissioners appointed Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa Managing Director and minority owner Anthony “Tony” DeRusso to fill the hotelier’s seat recently vacated by Anna Maria Island businessman Ed Chiles.

Diggins, DeRusso join Tourist Development Council
Palmetto Marriott Resort Managing Director Tony DeRusso has a seat on the TDC. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Diggins, Palmetto Mayor Dan West and Longboat Key Town Commissioner Debra Williams sought the vacant elected official’s seat. DeRusso, Anna Maria Island developer and hotel owner Shawn Kaleta, Wagner Realty rental property manager Lisa Varano and Realtor/Short Term Florida Rentals LLC owner Damien Hernandez sought the vacant hotelier’s seat.

Serving as an advisory board to the county commission, TDC members make non-binding recommendations regarding the proposed tourism-related expenditures of the revenues generated by the county’s 6% tourist development tax. The tax applies to all lodging stays of six months or less in Manatee County and last year it generated approximately $30 million in tax revenues. Per state law, tourist development tax revenues can only be spent on projects and initiatives that promote or enhance tourism.

The appointments

Having received the TDC candidates’ applications before Tuesday’s meeting, District 3 County Commissioner Tal Siddique nominated Diggins to fill the elected official’s seat and District 6 at-large Commissioner Jason Bearden nominated West. Before the vote occurred, County Commission Chair George Kruse said he previously reached out to West to explain his support for Diggins.

“The islands (Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key) have not had an elected official representative on the TDC during my time on the board,” Kruse said. “They have not been given fair representation considering the disproportionate amount of capital and funds they contribute. I talked to Dan West and he understood.”

Kruse noted that Eric Cairns also sits on the TDC. Cairns manages the Cedar Cove Resort in Holmes Beach.

Commissioner Amanda Ballard expressed similar support for Diggins.

“For much the same reason, I will be backing Dan Diggins. I don’t want all these north county people represented with no representation from the islands when they provide so much in the way of our tourist economy,” she said.

The commission voted 5-2 in favor of Diggins, with Bearden and Mike Rahm supporting West.

Diggins’ TDC term will expire in June 2028.

Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione said he would reach out to West and Williams.

“If they have interest in tourism, we want them to be part of our dialogue,” he said.

Falcione said the hotelier appointee would fill the TDC seat that Chiles held for more than 25 years, but would only do so until June, when all four current hotelier terms expire and become open for reappointment or appointment.

Bearden nominated DeRusso and with no further discussion or additional nominees, the commission voted 7-0 in favor of DeRusso’s appointment. Kaleta did not attend the meeting and no meeting attendees offered public input on any of the applicants.

Appointee’s insights

Diggins attended the morning session of the county meeting but left before the TDC appointments were made late that afternoon.

The following day, he said, “I think it’s an asset for an elected official from the Island to be on the council because the Island contributes as much tourist tax revenues as the rest of the county combined. I have a very good relationship with Elliott and I really appreciate the trust the county commission has in me. I’ll do a good job representing the Island and the county. My first meeting will be Feb. 24 at Bradenton city hall.”

Tourist tax revenues were used to launch the county-contracted Gulf Islands Ferry service and the tourist tax revenues subsidize that ongoing public transportation operation. Diggins supports having a ferry stop in Holmes Beach and sitting on the TDC might increase the odds of that happening.

“We live on an Island. It makes sense. The two current boats are starter vessels and they’re getting a third boat built that’s enclosed and designed for the waters, currents, winds and weather we have out here. Elliott and I have talked about a ferry stop at the Kingfish Boat Ramp. The county would have to put some money into it and we should use TDC funds to do it,” he said.

Diggins’ appointment illustrates the improved relations between Holmes Beach and Manatee County officials since the 2024 elections reshaped the county commission.

“The city and the county couldn’t continue down the negative road we were on. Both parties recognized that and this is a step in the right direction,” Diggins said.

Standing outside the commission chambers after his appointment, DeRusso said, “I’m humbled by the appointment and I’m honored to be sitting at the table – especially in the seat of a legend like Ed Chiles. The Island’s ‘old Florida’ experience was the first thing I fell in love with when I came here from northern California nine years ago. Protecting that experience for the residents and future visitors is important and we also need to continue to invest in the Island and enhance it.”

DeRusso noted the Palmetto Marriott Resort is located near the entrance to the county’s urban core and next to the county-owned convention center; and Falcione has frequently expressed his desire for a ferry stop near the convention center and the new hotel.

“We need to make sure we have a diversified ‘tool belt’ to attract visitors and weather the different types of storms, literally and figuratively, we experience here in Manatee County. I look forward to diversifying the investments that help grow tourism in this area.”

Related coverage

 

Kaleta seeks appointment to Tourist Development Council

Holmes Beach commissioner seeks re-election

Holmes Beach commissioner seeks re-election

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

HOLMES BEACH – Commissioner Dan Diggins is seeking another term on the dais with the goal of establishing a better relationship with Manatee County and Florida state leaders.

“My number one goal is to have a better relationship with the county and the state because whatever we’ve been doing, it’s not working,” Diggins said. He added that he has talked with Rep. Will Robinson Jr., who suggested the city give a little on some county initiatives. One of those initiatives that Diggins is in favor of pursuing is a water taxi landing area. He said he feels that he might be the only elected official in the city who is willing to say he supports the concept of a water taxi landing.

“If you support the concept, then the plan will come,” Diggins said.

One county project that he’s not willing to bend on is a proposed multi-level parking garage at Manatee Beach. Diggins said the addition of a parking garage wouldn’t alleviate traffic to the beach. He also noted that the project is currently unfunded by the county.

“There’s plenty of parking,” he said. “We don’t really restrict parking like they do in Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria. We don’t charge for parking. We mark our parking spaces. We welcome visitors to come in and enjoy the beaches. We really do welcome the people.”

He also said he doesn’t support consolidating the three Anna Maria Island cities into one. Diggins said he thinks consolidation could have been done several decades ago, but now it wouldn’t be beneficial to the cities or fiscally responsible. He said now it would be more expensive to consolidate the cities than it would be to maintain the three city governments, though he could see some benefits in consolidating some services among the cities. One thing that concerns him about the consolidation talks, he said, is that any cost savings would come at the expense of people’s jobs.

One change he would like to see is a lower millage rate.

Diggins noted that the city has done a lot to build up reserves but he feels those funds are in good shape and the taxpayers deserve a break, along with a lowered city budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year.

If re-elected by voters in November, Diggins said he plans to continue bringing an open mind and willingness to hear both sides of an issue to the city government.

“One thing I can do when I’m up there on the dais is I can argue both sides of most of the issues. I’ve done that several times, I’ve argued both sides and I think that’s the sign of an open mind. I see this at the county level when I attend their meetings. Their minds are already made up, it doesn’t matter what people say,” Diggins said. “I actually listen to what the people say. I listen to all the facts and then I make a decision. My decision’s not made ahead of time and I purposely argue two sides of most issues before I make up my mind.”

Holmes Beach ferry stop discussed

Holmes Beach ferry stop discussed

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

HOLMES BEACH – City elected officials are discussing with Manatee County tourism officials whether to add a Gulf Island Ferry stop in Holmes Beach.

Currently, Manatee County’s contracted ferry service stops in downtown Bradenton, the Anna Maria City Pier and the Bradenton Beach Pier, with an additional stop in Palmetto being planned.

On June 10, the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) recommended county commission approval of the city of Holmes Beach’s $500,000 request to help fund the installation of multi-use paths along portions of Marina Drive and 65th Street. At the recommendation of Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione, the TDC members included in their recommendation a stipulation that to receive those funds, the city must also negotiate in good faith with the county regarding a Holmes Beach ferry stop.

Tying funding for improvements to public safety with adding a ferry stop in Holmes Beach “is disheartening,” Mayor Judy Titsworth said, noting that a pedestrian-vehicular accident on Marina Drive recently took the life of a pedestrian. “That alone warrants approval (of the funding request).”

At the request of Titsworth, Commissioner Dan Diggins at­tended the TDC meeting in place of Commissioner Greg Kerchner, who serves as the city commis­sion’s TDC liaison.

When called upon by TDC member Gene Brown, Diggins expressed his support for a ferry stop in Holmes Beach.

Falcione and Diggins agree that the privately-owned bayside dock­ing area at the Waterline Resort is the ideal spot for a ferry stop, but that would require the property owners’ support.

“We should have a landing in Holmes Beach. I think it’s absurd we don’t,” Diggins told the TDC members. “It’s common sense. We live on an Island. Why should we not have a ferry landing there?”

Holmes Beach ferry stop discussed
The Waterline resort’s bayside seawall might be considered as a Holmes Beach ferry stop location. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

On June 17, Diggins and Falcione were present for a trial ferry dock­ing session along the Waterline Resort’s bayside seawall. Diggins told The Sun the trial docking session went well.

On June 25, the Holmes Beach commission discussed a possible ferry stop and Diggins currently remains the only commission member fully supportive of that endeavor.

Diggins letter

The Sun’s reporting of the June 25 meeting mistakenly attributed to Diggins ferry-related safety concerns that were expressed by Commissioner Greg Kerchner, which prompted Diggins to send a letter to the editor that appeared in the July 10 issue.

In his letter, Diggins said, “I have never spoken to Elliott Fal­cione about my ‘concerns regard­ing the safety of the pontoon boats currently used for service.’ I want to make it clear that I support the county’s initiative to establish a robust water taxi service to the Island, including a Holmes Beach landing.

“The county has a long way to go to make that a functioning reality, but we have to start. And the cur­rent fleet of two pontoon boats gives us that start. It’s up to the county to shepherd through a viable plan that will provide another public transportation method for travel to/ from our city. We, as city leaders, have to be willing partners with the county on any water taxi initiative. I am committed to the water taxi initiative because I believe the future for travel to the island has to include a water option,” Diggins’s letter said, in part.

Mayor’s email

On July 11, Titsworth sent a ferry stop-related email to Diggins, Kerchner and Falcione.

Titsworth’s email first addressed Diggins’ letter to The Sun.

“I read your letter to the editor in the newspaper this week and I find it necessary to respond as I feel there could be some confusion as to your liaison role. Greg Kerchner is the acting liaison for the TDC. He had asked someone to cover for him at a meeting as he was going to be out of town and could not attend. This in no way means that you were to assume the liaison role for the TDC.

“Liaisons are merely to attend meetings and to inform the mayor and city commission of any pertinent information gained while attending these meetings. This attendance does not give liaisons the authority to speak on behalf of the mayor or city commission,” Titsworth stated in her email.

Titsworth’s email also included a statement addressed to Falcione. “Please feel free to reach out to our director of development services for assistance and in scheduling your pre-site plan application with the property owner and our city staff once you have established a proposed docking location. If there is anything I can do to help, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Additional comments

When commenting on Titsworth’s email, Diggins said, “My number one goal is to improve relations with the county. We really do need each other and it just seems we are a few agreements away from having a better relationship. A water taxi stop may be the first step. It means a lot to the county.”

On July 14, Titsworth emailed some additional comments to The Sun.

“For years, I have been accused by the city of Bradenton and the county that I am against a ferry stop in the city. This isn’t at all true. I have told Elliott (Falcione) for years to bring us a plan. We do not have a pier in our city; therefore, it won’t be as easy as adding stops in the other cities,” she wrote.

“I told them (the county) that if they find a property then the procedure is to have the owner make a site plan application to the city with the planning department and that I would make certain that it got to the commission for consideration. They have never brought a plan forward. Being that this site plan application may be coming before them, com­missioners are to stay neutral on this application until staff has had a chance to report on the application and a public hearing is had.”

For information on Learn more about Gulf Island Ferry tickets, schedules and more, please visit the ferry service website.

New Holmes Beach commissioners sworn in

New Holmes Beach commissioners sworn in

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

HOLMES BEACH – The election is over and two new city commissioners are taking the dais in Anna Maria Island’s largest city.

Just hours after the polls closed in Manatee County, Holmes Beach staff and elected officials were joined by friends, family and community members at city hall on Nov. 9 to swear in new commissioners Dan Diggins and Greg Kerchner. Both will be serving their first two-year terms as commissioners.

New Holmes Beach commissioners sworn in
City Clerk Stacey Johnston swears in Commissioner Greg Kerchner Nov. 9 at city hall. – Kristin Swain | Sun

Mayor Judy Titsworth was also sworn in for her third term as mayor.

Commissioner Pat Morton welcomed both commissioners to the dais and said he hopes that the city’s elected officials will be able to work together in a positive manner going forward.

Commissioner Terry Schaefer echoed Morton’s congratulations and added that he finds it encouraging that there are still residents in the city who are willing to run for office. “Holmes Beach, unlike our two sister cities, has been blessed with people who have concerted and concerned interest in our city government and welfare,” he said. “I’m happy to have you both.”

New Holmes Beach commissioners sworn in
Commissioner Dan Diggins takes his oath as a Holmes Beach elected official. – Kristin Swain | Sun

Offering her congratulations to Titsworth, Commissioner Carol Soustek also complimented city staff for their work and dedication to the city and its elected officials. “Everyone here wants us to succeed,” she said, adding that she believes Diggins and Kerchner will find the staff to be a good resource for them going forward.

“My appreciation goes to the staff,” Titsworth said. “I couldn’t do this job without you and you all make me look really good. We’re a team and that’s the one thing we weren’t when I came on as a commissioner and then as a mayor. The staff wasn’t working together as a team. Well, we are now. We’ve all got the same goal in mind, it’s making the city the best it could ever be and I thank the commission for giving me that support. We have a team up here now. And I love it. Are we all going to agree, no, but we will always be a team and that’s what I am really looking forward to. Thank you. And thank you two for throwing your hats in the ring.”

New Holmes Beach commissioners sworn in
City Clerk Stacey Johnston congratulates Mayor Judy Titsworth on her new term as mayor. – Kristin Swain | Sun

During an organizational meeting following the swearing-in ceremony, commissioners unanimously selected Soustek to continue serving as chair with Schaefer continuing as vice chair for the next year.

Diggins and Kerchner take the seats recently vacated by former commissioners Kim Rash and Jayne Christenson. Rash made the decision during candidate qualifying over the summer to not run for a third term. Christenson initially qualified to run for re-election but decided to withdraw her candidacy prior to the election.

Bradenton Beach voters eliminate term limits

Bradenton Beach voters eliminate term limits

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

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Bradenton Beach voters have eliminated the term limits that previously applied to the city’s mayor and city commissioners.

Bradenton Beach’s registered voters supported three other amendments to the city charter and rejected one proposed amendment.

Election results

U.S. Senator – Marco Rubio

U.S. House District 16 – Vern Buchanan

Florida Governor – Ron DeSantis

Attorney General – Ashley Moody

Chief Financial Officer – Jimmy Patronis

Commissioner of Agriculture – Wilton Simpson

State House District 70 – Mike Beltran

State House District 72 – Tommy Gregory

Manatee County Commissioner District 2 – Amanda Ballard

Manatee County Commissioner District 4 – Michael Rahn

Manatee County Commissioner At-Large – Jason Bearden

According to the unofficial election results posted at the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office website Tuesday evening, 213 voters (51.08%) supported eliminating term limits and 204 voters (49.92 %) opposed doing so.

The term limits previously set forth in the city charter limited elected officials to serving three consecutive two-year terms in the same elected office.

Eliminating term limits allows incumbent Ward 2 City Commissioner Marilyn Maro, who ran unopposed in the election, to serve a fourth consecutive term in office. Had voters retained term limits, Maro would not have been allowed to serve another consecutive term and would have term-limited out of office.

Bradenton Beach voters eliminate term limits
The election results allow incumbent Commissioner Marilyn Maro (shown here with her husband Ed) to serve another term in office. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Running unopposed, and not impacted by the term limit vote, Ward 4 Commissioner Ralph Cole also earned another two-year term in office.

Bradenton Beach voters eliminate term limits
Running unopposed, incumbent Commissioner Ralph Cole earned another term in office. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Eliminating term limits would have also resulted in Mayor John Chappie and Ward 1 Commissioner Jake Spooner term-limiting out of office in November 2023 after the completion of their current terms.

Bradenton Beach was the only city on Anna Maria Island that had term limits.

Maro and Cole will be sworn in to their next terms on Monday, Nov. 21 at 10 a.m.

Additional charter questions

Bradenton Beach voters supported charter amendment question 2, which read as follows: “The current city charter requires a ward commissioner to reside in the ward they represent. Should the city amend its charter to establish a procedure to temporarily fill the ward seat for one term with an at-large commissioner if no ward resident is available or willing to run for office?”

According to the unofficial election results, 226 voters ( 54.46%) supported charter amendment 2 and 189 voters (45.54 %) opposed it.

The election results now allow the commission to fill a short-term vacancy with an appointee that lives anywhere in the city.

Voters rejected ballot question 3, which read as follows: “The current city charter requires the city to provide a special election to fill a vacancy that results in more than six months from a resignation required by Section 99.012, Florida Statutes. Should the charter be amended to allow for all vacancies to be appointed by the city commission?”

According to the unofficial election results, 253 voters (61.26%) opposed this proposed charter amendment and 160 voters (38.74%) supported it.

Retaining this charter provision means the city must continue to hold a special election to fill any commission seat being vacated for more than six months.

By a one-vote margin, Bradenton Beach voters supported charter amendment question 1, which read as follows: “Currently the city charter vests authority in three arbitrators to hold forfeiture of office proceedings against an elected official with costs to be borne by the city. Should the city revise its charter to eliminate the three arbitrator-panel procedure and replace it with the former forfeiture provision utilizing the city commission to conduct the proceedings?”

According to the unofficial election results, 206 voters (50.12%) voters supported this charter amendment and 205 voters (49.88 %) opposed it.

The results mean the city commission can now initiate forfeiture of office proceedings against a sitting commission member without using outside arbitrators. Removing an elected official from office still requires the majority support of the city’s registered voters.

Logistical in nature, charter amendment 5 pertained to commission actions that require a city ordinance. The ballot question read as follows: “Currently the city charter sets forth actions requiring an ordinance. Should the city amend the charter to remove employee personnel benefits and procedures from this section and require actions of the city regarding employee personnel benefits and procedures to be adopted in a public meeting through a resolution of the commission?”

According to the unofficial election results, 237 voters (59.10%) voters this charter amendment and 164 voters (40.9%) opposed it. Approval of this amendment streamlines the manner in which city employee benefits and employee procedures are addressed by the commission.

The charter amendments were proposed earlier this summer by the city commission-appointed charter review committee that was guided in its review process by City Attorney Ricinda Perry. The city commission then unanimously supported placing the five committee-recommended charter amendment questions on the ballot.

Anna Maria

Running unopposed, incumbent Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and incumbent city commissioners Deanie Sebring and Mark Short earned additional two-year terms in office. The trio will be sworn in during the commission’s organization meeting on Thursday, Nov. 10 at 1:30 p.m.

Holmes Beach

Running unopposed, first-time candidates Dan Diggins and Greg Kerchner won seats on the Holmes Beach City Commission. Incumbent Commissioner Kim Rash did not seek reelection and incumbent Commissioner Jayne Christenson withdrew from the race after she qualified to seek reelection. Diggins and Kerchner are to be sworn in Wednesday morning, Nov. 9.

Christenson withdraws from commission race

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

HOLMES BEACH – The commission race has come to an unexpectedly early end with Commissioner Jayne Christen- son announcing her withdrawal ahead of the Nov. 8 election.

Christenson was running for re-election against political newcomers Dan Diggins and Greg Kerchner. She was first elected to the city commission in November 2020. She announced her intent to withdraw her candidacy during commission comments at the end of an Oct. 11 meeting.

Jayne Christenson
Christenson

“With the support of my family and friends, I have made the decision to not seek re-election as a city commissioner in Holmes Beach in the election on Nov. 8, 2022,” she said, reading from a prepared statement.

“This has been a difficult decision based on many factors, most importantly being my work/life balance. I have a demanding job in the bio-pharmaceutical research and manufacturing industry and have recently taken on even more people management and multi-million dollar budget responsibility which requires extensive travel, limiting the time I have to dedicate to the city.”

With Commissioner Kim Rash also not seeking re-election, that leaves two seats open on the city commission and only two remaining candidates qualified by the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office, Diggins and Kerchner.

Greg Kerchner
Kerchner

Despite Christenson’s statement that she would contact the elections office to have her name removed from the ballot, mail-in ballots have already been distributed. The city is home to 2,685 registered voters. Of those, 138 have already cast their ballots as of Oct. 16, according to the Supervisor of Elections Office.

Dan Diggins
Diggins

Diggins retired to Holmes Beach with his wife in 2011 after a career in aviation. This will be his first time holding an office in the city.

Kerchner is no stranger to the inner workings of the city, having served for several years on the city’s planning commission. He’s currently the planning commission chair, a position he will have to resign before being sworn in as a city commissioner.

Mayor Judy Titsworth ran unopposed for her second and now third terms in office. She will be sworn in for another two-year term in November.

In-person voting will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 8 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive

Candidate opposes parking garage

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Letter to the Editor, Opinion.

While Holmes Beach commissioners seek to ban multi-level parking structures, apparently County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge seems to believe a three-story parking garage built at Manatee Beach will address beachgoers’ needs.

It will not.

City commissioners stated the reasons for the ban were the negative impact of an increase in beach vehicular traffic as well as implying that Manatee Beach is either currently at capacity, or close to it during peak days. It is. I did a beach ride-along with the chief on July 4. The umbrellas were nearly touching each other.

That’s with only 400 parking spaces.

Building a three-level parking facility at Manatee Beach would nearly triple the number of parking spaces and exceed the number of spaces at Coquina Beach.

In a stretch of beautiful beach, slightly less than a mile in length, Coquina has 15 individual changing stations, three separate restroom facilities and six lifeguard stations. Manatee Beach has one restroom facility, four changing stations and one lifeguard station – all centrally located.

To match the length of Coquina, Manatee Beach would extend from 30th Street to 48th Street, with the facilities in the middle.

If a parking garage is constructed, where do all these folks go? And how do they get there?

And avail themselves of what amenities?

Certainly, matching or exceeding Coquina parking capacity with a third or a quarter of available facilities seems like a bad way to treat visitors.

Also, non-residential Coquina Beach has its parking spaces stretched out – evenly spaced over the entire beach.

We don’t have that option, as our beach is mainly in residential neighborhoods.

Also, if a parking garage is built at Manatee Beach – where will the 400 beachgoer vehicles park during construction?

Where will beach workers park their dozen or so vehicles?

There will have to be some type of accommodation made for all these vehicles during construction.

Certainly, street parking for more than 400 additional vehicles is not a reasonable accommodation during the construction phase.

If the county wants to build a parking garage, the above issues have to be addressed. But by then, most likely our planned ban will prevent construction.

 

Dan Diggins

Holmes Beach Commission candidate