Tag: Derek Williams

Drift-In owner denies city attorney’s claim about FDEP complaint

Written by Leslie Lake on September 9, 2025. Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Drift-In bar owner Derek Williams denied filing a complaint with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) about the Anna Maria Oyster Bar’s (AMOB) outdoor tiki structures.

During public comment at the Sept. 4 Bradenton Beach City Commission meeting, Williams criticized City Attorney Ricinda Perry for allegedly telling someone he filed the FDEP complaint.

“I had a local merchant come to me in the last week and tell me Ms. Perry had spoken directly to the owner and the manager of the business and informed them that I had personally reported them for certain legal issues, which I’m 1,000% sure I did not do,” Williams said. “I’m a small business owner trying to do business, trying to rally businesses and be positive in this community. I really don’t appreciate it. I got direct phone calls from those people; they doubled down and verified it was Ricinda. I’m sure she won’t look me in the eye.”

“I’m absolutely happy to look you in the eye,” Perry said.

“It’s unfortunate; and it still feels to me that big business wants to come in and push out small business. These people are all trying to do the right thing, as am I, so feel free to respond to me,” Williams said.

“This is not a back and forth. This is public comment,” Mayor John Chappie said.

“You tell me the appropriate venue for us to have a conversation,” Williams answered. “I’m used to having conversations, not having these ridiculous spats and pointing fingers back and forth. That’s unsettling to me.”

Williams left the meeting prior to the agenda item discussion about the city’s sovereign submerged land lease for the state-owned land under and around the Bradenton Beach Pier, which is adjacent to the city-owned building at 200 Bridge Street AMOB leases from the city. Earlier this year, three small tiki structures were constructed over the outdoor dining tables along the south side of AMOB’s outdoor dining area.

“I was advised that a complaint was filed with the DEP by an individual from Drift-In because of the tiki roof (at AMOB) and they wondered if the city had gone through everything they were forced to go through,” Perry said.

On June 16, FDEP sent a letter to the city which read in part: “FDEP compliance team conducted an inspection on 5/27/2025 for a (sovereign submerged land) lease renewal. It was noted that added over-water structures were seen at that inspection. Tiki hut structures were added on the docking structures and the roof structures appear to hang beyond the docking structure footprint. These structures are non-water dependent and modified without authorization. Over-water dining is demonstrated on the lease survey in a specific location as ‘Covered Eating Area.’ At the time of the inspection, over-water dining appears to be occurring outside of that area.”

FDEP requested the city remove the added structures: “Remove modifications and return to pre-existing authorized conditions and footprint. If you would like to keep modifications, you would need to apply. Please note, the activities may not be permissible due to grandfathered activities,” the letter says.

The FDEP letter also stated, “As this new structure is not within the original survey that was previously authorized, the 2020 State Lands Lease is attached for your convenience. Once it is removed, provide photo documentation of the removal and move forward with the State Lands Lease renewal. If you would like to keep modifications, you would need to apply.”

Regarding the city’s response, Perry said “We had to pay for a submerged land survey, we have to go through the application process and we have to go through a temporary use permit through the FDEP and then go to the board of trustees to resolve the little thatched roofs that Mr. (John) Horne put on the railing. I relayed that information to Mr. Horne and I just wanted you to know I have that nearly resolved. They are planning in December to take our sovereign submerged land lease before the board of trustees to get it approved. “

Perry said she will make sure the county’s Gulf Islands Ferry water taxi operations are included in the submerged land lease too: “I’ve already had these discussions to have the ability to regulate vessels that come up and use the floating dock so we have some teeth behind what we say people can and cannot do in that area. That’s all going into the application.”

Perry said a previous city commission determined that if AMOB wanted to make the improvements and something was found that violated state or local law, AMOB would incur the cost of defending that.

“Mr. Horne has made a number of calls to FDEP in Tallahassee to assist me in trying to get this moving forward, however the city is going to be out the cost of the survey, which is required,” Perry said.

Perry said AMOB should pay for the survey, or reimburse the city for those costs, according to the conditions included in the city commission’s original approval.

Regarding the submerged land lease, Commissioner Ralph Cole asked if the city would have control over commercial boats using the city docks and using that as their business address.

“I don’t think the DEP would have an issue with that because the city of Bradenton Beach would own the submerged land lease,” Perry said. “Without an individual having some kind of lease on that property, they can’t claim that as their business address.”

Vice-Mayor Deborah Scaccianoce asked for clarification on the source of the complaint to FDEP.

“Someone complained to DEP about AMOB’s tikis to see if they had to go through the same hoops that the Drift-In had to go through?” Scaccianoce asked.

Scaccianoce was referring to the Drift-In tiki hut replacement approved by former Building Official Darin Cushing after the 2024 hurricanes. That project was placed on hold on Jan. 16 when Perry told city commissioners the permit approval should not have been issued based on factors that included city-owned easements on the property and the larger size of the new tiki structure.

“That’s what started this whole adventure with the submerged land leases?” Scaccianoce asked.

“John Horne asked me how did the DEP know and where did this come from? So, I asked the question and that’s what I was told,” Perry said.

Cole said the complaint could have come from anyone.

“They specifically referenced somebody from the Drift-In,” Perry said.

“There were a lot of customers and employees of the Drift that were very upset so it could have been anyone,” Scaccianoce said.

Commissioners approve Drift-In major development plan

Commissioners approve Drift-In’s major development plan

Written by Leslie Lake on April 14, 2025. Posted in Business, Restaurants | Bars.

BRADENTON BEACH – Commissioners unanimously approved the Drift-In’s major development application on April 8 subject to conditions recommended by attorney Robert Lincoln and previously supported by the city’s Planning and Zoning Board.

The conditions include filing a “unity of title” document that joins the 120-122 Bridge St. properties into a single property and completing a final easement agreement and legal description to be brought back to the commission for final approval and execution.

Lincoln said the Drift-In will continue to operate under its temporary use permit, issued on March 20, pending final resolution of those conditions.

“We are very excited to have this process completed and proud we were able to do it in the way the city and the government felt like it needed to be done,” Drift-In owner Derek Williams said after the meeting. “We were never intending to cut a corner and in the end it all worked out exactly as we laid it out on Oct. 14.”

The bar’s tiki hut project had been approved by former City Building Official Darin Cushing but was placed on hold when City Attorney Ricinda Perry said at a Jan. 16 city commission meeting that the permit approval should not have been issued based on factors that included the city-owned easements on the property as well as the size of the new tiki structure. She said the project should be classified as a major development and must undergo the hearing process.

The Bradenton Beach Planning and Zoning Board recommended city commission approval the major development application on April 2.

The April 8 hearing was a quasi-judicial hearing on the major development application. The hearing on the modification of the easement was not quasi-judicial, but the discussions were to be held at the same time, with separate commission votes on each, Lincoln said.

Commissioners were canvassed to disclose whether or not they had any communications outside of the meetings about the major development applications and they each confirmed they had not.

Lincoln outlined the rules at the beginning of the meeting: “A quasi-judicial decision has to be based on competent substantial evidence and at the end of the hearing can either vote to approve the applications with conditions or deny it. If you deny, you have to identify the specific reasons for the denial,” he said. “The easement is a separate vote. The proposal is to change two existing easements that are in favor of the city and replace them with a single easement.”

City Planner Luis Serna said based on his review he recommended approval of the major development pending three conditions recommended by the Planning and Zoning Board.

Serna said he reviewed the criteria for a major development plan as it relates to Sect. 410.7 of the city’s Land Development Code.

“Based on our review of the major development, our finding is that the development does comply with the criteria, and we are recommending approval of this,” Serna said. “The Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval of this unanimously subject to three conditions. One in reference to the sidewalk easement, two, is the requirement for unity of title and three, that future development will be consistent with the proposed master plan. So we’re recommending in favor of the major development subject to these three conditions.”

Lincoln explained the unity of title issue.

“The building lot and the tiki share parking and other facilities; likewise, the electrical and plumbing and other services for the functions of the tiki lot are being provided by connections into the building lot,” Lincoln said. “They’re interdependent. A unity of title that would join the two properties together is appropriate, because they’re going to act as one property. You can’t sell them apart and still have them operate in the future.”

Commissioner Scott Bear expressed concern that the tiki could be considered an accessory use to the primary building use.

“Our opinion is it’s not an accessory use, it’s part of the primary use and the unity of title will combine the properties,” Serna said. “It’s a continuation of the use, we’re calling it an expansion of the primary use.”

Mayor John Chappie expressed concern about the width of the proposed sidewalk easements.

“It looks like a good project. When we talk about the easement I have some questions about what’s being proposed,” Chappie said. “I have a little concern with the width of the easement on the west end. Historically there’s been room for a bench and bicycle racks and landscaping. In looking at the proposal I’d like to see a little more. One of the other concerns I have is the easement along the front is pretty narrow and I’m concerned about foot traffic on the sidewalk. It’s 4 feet wide; I think it’s important we keep that kind of a clear area. I just want to make sure people are safe.”

“The city has a sidewalk easement or will with the easement swap. Based on the drawings, the easement right now doesn’t run on the sidewalk in front of the building,” Lincoln said. “It will after the swap. In a congested area, there’s not a lot of room to put signage in the easement area so it might be that as a condition you could suggest signs indicated no loitering or obstructing the sidewalk mounted on the building.”

“The building has never looked better,” Chappie added. “I drove by (the April 3 grand opening based on the temporary use permit) and I smiled and I was thinking, ‘We’re back.’ ”

“April 3 was a special day for the Drift-In,” Williams said following the April 8 meeting. “That was an amazing day. We’ve gotten such great response from everybody that’s come in.”

Applicant’s presentation

Attorney Scott Rudacille, representing Drift-In (1715 Ventures LLC owners Derek and Helena Williams), spoke to the commission. Saying he was satisfied with Serna’s assessment of the major development application, he focused on the easement discussion.

“It’s been talked about already. The existing easement covers about 17 feet into the parking lot and where the existing tiki is as well as a little piece on the corner. It doesn’t cover the frontage on Bridge Street and it doesn’t cover the sidewalk that wraps around Church (Street),” Rudacille said. “So what we had proposed, and recognizing that the Bridge Street commercial district is intended for zero lot line development – if you look at the businesses up and down Bridge that’s what it is – what we had proposed was to replace the two existing easements with a continuous easement which would cover all of the city sidewalk as well as the landscaping that exists there. On the west side, the easement that’s proposed there is wider than the sidewalk area, because in that area, the sidewalk goes up into the property.”

He said an existing area for landscaping between the sidewalk and the road may be an appropriate area for a bench or bike rack.

“We’d like to clear up the easement issue,” Rudacille said. “We’re respectfully requesting your approval of these two items.”

Where the sidewalk abuts the building, the easement would go up to the face of the building and on the west side and on Church Street, the easement would track the sidewalk, he said.

“Part of the reason there’s a condition of site planning is to ensure that the easement gets finalized,” Lincoln said. “Today we’re approving the concept of how we’re going to do this, and the legal description will be drafted. We’ll bring back the formal easement as a consent item.”

The Drift-In reopened on April 4 as allowed by a temporary use permit. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Both public hearings were then closed, and two separate motions were made for the major development plan with conditions, and modifications of the easements.

A motion to approve the major development plan subject to three conditions was unanimously approved.

A second motion to direct staff and the applicant to work together to develop a final easement agreement and legal description to bring back to the commission for final approval and execution was also unanimously approved.

Related coverage:

Drift-In reopening brings joy to many

Planning board supports Drift-In’s major development plan

Drift-In owners granted temporary use permit to reopen

Drift-In reopening brings joy to many

Written by Joe Hendricks on April 7, 2025. Posted in Business, Restaurants | Bars.

BRADENTON BEACH – The Drift-In bar is open again after a prolonged, post-hurricane permitting dispute with the city.

The historic Bridge Street bar once owned by baseball legend Babe Ruth reopened on April 4 at 7 a.m. with a short line of patrons waiting to enjoy their first drinks there since Hurricane Helene’s storm surge badly flooded the bar last September.

Dobie Gray’s hit song “Drift Away” played over loudspeakers in the final minutes before the Drift-In reopened and again after it opened.

Derek and Helena Williams bought the bar from Helena’s parents, Joe and Angie Cuervo, in December 2022.

While standing behind the inside bar as the first drinks were being served, Derek Williams said, “It feels wonderful. It’s awesome to be open again. We love to see all the smiling faces and we’re ready to set this thing off.”

As the first drinks were poured, Toby Keith’s dive bar anthem, “I Love This Bar,” played.

“We were closed for six long months, but it seems like yesterday,” Williams said. “The essence of the bar’s the same. The people are the same but we had to spruce it up a little bit so it’s safer, better, stronger and ready for whatever comes at it.”

Smoking is no longer allowed inside the bar but is allowed in the tiki hut and at the outdoor bar.

When asked about his expectations for the reopening weekend, Williams said, “I hope we set records. We’ve got a lot of interest from the public.”

While pouring her first drinks at the Drift-In in six months, inside bartender Tiara Hooper was on the verge of tears when she said, “It feels so good to be back behind the bar again.”

While serving the first drinks at the new outside bar, bartender Heather Bailey McNeal said she couldn’t yet put into words how she felt.

“I love it,” she said.

Displaced Pines Trailer Park residents Suzy Smith and Kay Smith were among the first to grab seats at the new inside bar. They now live with family members in Punta Gorda and don’t expect to ever live in the Pines again due to various issues with the mobile home park’s ownership group.

“We wouldn’t miss this,” Suzy said, with her mom sitting beside her. “We wanted to get a good seat. We drove up from Punta Gorda and stayed in the Pines last night. We’ll still be coming up.”

Sitting in the new and expanded tiki hut with family members and family friends, 26-year-old Michigan resident Paige Murphy enjoyed a Bloody Mary and a Lemon Drop shot before making her way to the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport to catch her flight home, taking a new Drift-In T-shirt with her.

While enjoying a coffee and liqueur drink inside the bar, longtime patron Mike Cunningham said, “I feel whole again. A piece of me was missing.”

When she arrived around 8 a.m., manager/bartender Doreen Flynn said, “Oh my God. It feels so good to be back. When I got home late last night, after we finished getting everything ready, I cried tears of joy. I missed everybody. I missed my job. I’ve been here 25 years and I’m not going anywhere.”

At 8:30 a.m., the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, the Anna Maria Island Privateers and several staff members and patrons gathered in front of the Drift-In for a ceremonial ribbon cutting, with Derek Williams and Joe Cuervo doing the honors.

After the ribbon cutting, Joe and Angie Cuervo expressed their appreciation for what their daughter and son-in-law accomplished.

“It’s wonderful that they kept the legacy going. My wife and I are so proud of what Derek and Helena have done,” Joe said.

“We’re thrilled about this and Derek has great taste,” Angie said of the renovations.

Derek and Helena’s son, Tyler Williams, and General Manager Dan Zelko also played vital roles in the repair and renovation efforts.

“Tyler’s construction knowledge was invaluable to us,” Zelko said. “I am so happy to finally be back here seeing all my people!”

The renovated interior includes an expanded inside seating area, a large roll-up window that faces Bridge Street, a relocated liquor storage area, renovated bathrooms and a new roll-up bay door that faces the tiki hut seating area.

And Mannie, the Drift-In’s legendary and much-photographed mannequin mascot, is back home and positioned in a new location.

The tiki bar area includes a new concrete block bar, a textured concrete floor, a new walk-in cooler and new ice machines.

Performing as a solo act later that morning, singer/guitarist Tommy Balbo was the first musical act to play in the new tiki hut, followed by Dos-Macs returning to their regular Friday afternoon “Liquid Lunch” gig.

Later that night, Rob Hamm & The Daily Specials christened the relocated and expanded inside music area.

“It was so amazing to be back,” Hamm said Saturday morning. “The place looks beautiful. The crowd was amazing and filled with energy. Seeing so many old friends and meeting new ones made it a perfect night to come back.”

The reopening celebration continued Saturday and Sunday as the Drift-In’s hurricane recovery process reached its end, with some final permitting issues to be finalized by the city commission on April 8.

Kim Darnell’s “Mama Mia”-themed arrangement featured palm fronds and hydrangea. - Janet Riley | Submitted

Kitty Kole won the homegrown, non-Broadway-themed Horticulture category with this rattlesnake plant. - Janet Riley | Submitted

Darrel Shinn represented the Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The new roll-up bay door faces the tiki bar seating area. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Sharon Rowe and Carolyn Orshak represented the Anna Maria Island Historical Society. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Kristen Mazzarella represented Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Related coverage:
Planning board supports Drift-In’s major development plan

Drift-In owners granted temporary use permit to reopen

Written by Leslie Lake on March 24, 2025. Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Six months after Hurricane Helene and subsequent permitting obstacles shuttered the doors to the Drift-In, the Bridge Street bar will reopen, at least temporarily pending city review, on Friday, April 4.

The city commission voted unanimously on March 20 to grant the Drift-In a temporary use permit allowing the use of the main building and new tiki bar pending the completion and inspection of remaining improvements.

In a narrative submitted to the city, property owner Derek Williams (1715 Ventures LLC) stated that the Drift-In property was damaged during last year’s hurricanes, and he has been diligently working to re-open and put his employees back to work.

“The tiki structure and tent area existing on site prior to the hurricanes were replaced with a single tiki structure and the property owner is in the process of seeking Major Development Plan approval for the permanent use of that structure,” according to the document. “The property owner is requesting that the city consider issuing a Temporary Use Permit so that the tiki area may be utilized in the meantime to allow this business to operate during this critical season.”

The proposed use would have the same number (60) and configuration of outdoor seats as existed on the site prior to the hurricanes.

Attorney, commissioner comments

Williams was represented by Bradenton attorney Mark Barnebey at the March 20 public hearing.

“This is a fairly simple request,” Barnebey said. “We’ve been moving forward with this project after the hurricane damaged the tiki hut and the tent that had been there previously. We requested a building permit that was approved to replace the damaged structures and then somewhere in the process it was determined that additional approvals were needed. This delayed things and we have gone through the process of seeking a major development plan approval for the permanent use of the structure.”

He said Derek and Helena Williams are anxious to get the establishment up and operating.

“This is very difficult for them and their employees and their customers,” Barnebey said. “We understand that this is something that would be temporary. We propose 180 days or until you make a final decision on the major development permit. We believe this will mitigate some of the costs to the client and we are respectfully requesting approval of the temporary use permit.”

“The seating is the same as under the tents. The tiki hut was there before and there were tents. All this does is put a tiki structure under the entire area that was covered before, there’s no increase in seating at all,” Barnebey said.

“If in granting the temporary use, if you want to condition it or limit it, that might be appropriate,” attorney Robert Lincoln, representing the city, told commissioners.

Mayor John Chappie asked if the intent was to open not only the outdoor area, but also the indoor bar area.

“As early as an hour ago, Mr. Palmer (Building Official Bill Palmer) and I spoke, and I spoke to Mr. Serna (Luis Serna), your city planner,” Williams said. “I’m trying to get the final clarification on the permit for my walk-in cooler, to get that installed and am trying to do it the right way. Once that walk-in is in and the ice machines are there, I can open the inside of the building. The way the beer is delivered into the bar, it’s through the other bar. Once I get out of here today if you say yes and Mr. Palmer says yes, I have the people at the ready, I will get the installation completed and I will open the place safely.”

Williams said issues with the fire marshal have been resolved regarding the material used on the tiki hut roof.

“The short answer to that (Chappie’s question) is the intent of this request, while it only talks about outdoor seating, is to include all of the elements that are currently subject to building permitting, including the replacement bar under the tiki, the outdoor seating under the tiki and the ice machines under the tiki and to the extent that it is a zoning issue, a walk-in,” Lincoln said.

Palmer said he has received all of the proper permits from Williams and all that remains is inspections.

“As long as the inspections are approved, he’ll be good to go,” Palmer said.

Prior to the commission vote on the temporary use permit, Lincoln reminded the commissioners that they would be approving it without the zoning report.

“The zoning report is going to be critical to the major development plan,”” Lincoln said. “If when you hear the application for the major development plan it is possible there could be zoning criteria that the tiki doesn’t meet such that it could only be improved by a Planned Development approval and that is one potential scenario.”

The tiki hut project had been approved by former city Building Official Darin Cushing, but was placed on hold when City Attorney Ricinda Perry said at a Jan. 16 commission meeting that the permit approval should not have been issued based on factors which included the city-owned easements on the property as well as the size of the new tiki structure. She said the project should be classified as a major development and must undergo the hearing process.

The Bradenton Beach Planning and Zoning board will consider the major development application on Wednesday, April 2 and the city commission will meet on Tuesday, April 8 to consider the major development application and easement modification.

Commissioner Jan Vosburgh said she is in favor of reopening the Drift-In.

“The rules and the regulations they have to follow seem to be very easily overcome,” she said.

Commissioner Ralph Cole said he would like to see the Drift-In open up as soon as possible.

“I am excited that the Drift-In is going to be back bigger and better,” Commissioner Deborah Scaccianoce said.

Cole made the motion and it was seconded by Vosburgh.

The motion passed unanimously and was followed by applause from the Drift-In employees and supporters who attended the hearing.

Dates set for hearings on Drift-In application

Written by Leslie Lake on March 10, 2025. Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – The permitting process is moving forward for the reopening of the Drift-In with hearings scheduled within the next several weeks.

The city commission will consider a temporary use permit application at a Thursday, March 20 meeting that begins at noon at the Katie Pierola Commission Chambers, 107 Gulf Drive N.

The Planning and Zoning Board hearing originally scheduled for March 6 to consider a major development application for the Drift-In was continued at the applicant’s request. P&Z Chair Bill Morrow announced the date change to the next regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, April 2 at 1 p.m. for a public hearing to consider a major development for improvements at 120 Bridge St. placed over a public easement.

At the March 6 meeting, city hall was packed with Drift-In supporters who were prepared to speak during public comment. Attorney Robert Lincoln, representing the city, explained why comments by the public would not be allowed.

“The application was on the agenda. It has been continued. So, taking comment on that would not be appropriate,” Lincoln said.

He spoke to The Sun following the meeting and explained two reasons for the continuance: “There was an issue that the applicant didn’t put the notice on the property,” he said. “The other aspect was the staff hasn’t had the chance to review the new materials and produce something for either the Planning and Zoning Board or the City Commission to consider. The applicant decided that the better thing to do with this hearing was to continue it.”

The city commission can’t act on the major development application without the planning board recommendation in hand, Lincoln said.

“There will be a (commission) meeting tonight, but the hearing inside the meeting will be canceled,” he said, adding that public comment would be allowed at the city commission meeting on March 20, when an application for a temporary use permit will be considered by commissioners.

Public comment

More than 20 employees and patrons of the Drift-In spoke to commissioners at the March 6 evening meeting and urged the city to expedite the permitting process.

“People from all over the world love our wonderful place,” said Doreen Flynn, Drift-In manager for more than 25 years. “We’re losing a great deal of money every day.”

The Drift-In employees are struggling to pay their bills and put food on the table, Flynn said.

“I’m asking for help to get the Drift-In reopened, I’m asking for a temporary permit, so we can get back to work and make some money while you are figuring this situation and sorting it out,” Flynn said.

“There was an application for a temporary use permit. It was filed yesterday. The city commission needs to consider it, but it needs to be on a regularly agenda’d meeting,” Lincoln said. “It has to be on a published agenda that goes out to the public.

“The other aspect of the temporary use is that the building will still have to go through all their required building and safety permitting,” Lincoln said. “To make sure that the city commission action is legal and cannot be attacked, it has to be noticed, newspaper notice requires 15 days in advance, mailed notice has to go out 30 days before the hearing. If that isn’t done, then the action isn’t valid.”

Scott Rudacille, attorney for Drift-In owners Derek and Helena Williams, said, “I think we do have a path forward now, so we look forward to presenting that temporary use permit on the 20th, and look forward to coming back and presenting the major development plan on the second and the eighth and hopefully we can get the Drift back up and running.”

The Tuesday, April 8 meeting is for the commission to consider a major development application.

Mike McConnell, a musician who has played at the Drift-In for 13 years, said, “If there’s any way to get this temporary thing expedited quickly, please consider it. Derek is putting everything on the line for this. It’s not fair this keeps happening to him.”

“Many of these people here are my family,” Drift-In employee Kelly Flynn said. “We need to get the Drift open. It’s heartbreaking to watch one of the oldest buildings and bars in this city still not open, when everyone else is open. Do what you can to get it open.”

“We are a community that is tied together,” Sharon Bell said. “The Drift is an institution. It’s iconic. We’re not Bradenton Beach without it. This just feels mean, and the Drift is not mean, the Drift is love.”

Buzz Marconi said Drift-In provides an experience that’s hard to find anywhere else.

“It’s one of the top 10 quote dive bars in America,” Marconi said. “He (Williams) gives you some of the best music on the west coast of Florida. It’s not all about the Drift-In. He doesn’t serve food and they’ve got to eat somewhere. He’s not competing, he’s enhancing the other bars and restaurants. They all do better because of the Drift-In.”

Drift-In co-owner Helena Williams asked the commission if they would be able to make a motion to give them a temporary permit at the commission meeting

“I love our patrons and our employees,” she said. “They are family, and they need to make money to survive.”

Derek Williams questioned why the notice for the temporary use permit hadn’t been brought to their attention earlier.

“I was told by the other city attorney that she was handling the notice, and clearly it wasn’t handled properly,” he said. “It was more miscommunication. We want to do the right thing, and we want to follow the law, but the guidance did come from you all.”

Williams said all permits have been submitted, and he had to start the process from scratch.

“I had to get everything addressed that your employee told me I didn’t need to do,” Williams said. “I had to start the process over. I think we’re all working together now to do this the right way. There’s businesses open that aren’t following the rules that I do, and I’m following the rules but I’m the one being punished. The stress I have is all these people here. I feel responsible for them. I’m trying to help you help yourselves. Instead, I’m looked at like I’m an enemy of the state here and I go home every night and I get sick over it. Please help us.”

City response

“The issues that you’ve had in getting these permits are not unusual,” Lincoln said. “But it’s underway now.”

He responded to questions about issuing a temporary use permit at the March 6 meeting.

“Rules on agenda items are pretty strict, you’ve got to have 10 days’ notice and public posting to get a special use permit, it has to go through those regulatory processes, a special use permit would not get the bar open, building permits are needed to get coolers installed, the electrical finished and that’s got to go through the permitting process.”

He said the temporary use permit would take the place of the major development permit if there were any further delays in getting it.

The tiki hut construction at the Drift-In was approved by former Building Official Darin Cushing. The city said that the permit should not have been issued due to the tiki hut’s size and easement encroachment. The city required a major development hearing and the project has been placed on hold pending city review.

Cushing was suspended by the city on Jan. 22 and was subsequently terminated from his position at city contractor M.T. Causley. Bill Palmer is now serving as the city’s building official.

Click here to view the archived video of the 90-minute Drift-In discussion.

Related coverage:

Public speaks out in favor of Drift-In reopening

Major development hearing required for Drift-In tiki

Bradenton Beach permitting issues prompt home rule discussion

Written by Leslie Lake on March 3, 2025. Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

HOLMES BEACH – The appeals of two Bradenton Beach businessmen frustrated by city permitting issues launched a discussion about home rule, consolidation and steps citizens can take when dissatisfied with local officials at Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse’s Feb. 19 town hall meeting.

Walter Loos, owner of Island Scoops, a Gulf Drive business that was hit hard by 2024 hurricanes, said permitting issues have slowed down the rebuilding of his shop.

“We’re at the point of not being able to rebuild effectively,” Loos said. “We still aren’t able to get to the point of rebuilding before the next storm season.”

Loos brought up the issue of home rule and county intervention in what he said was the absence of effective local leadership.

“I get home rule, but you can’t stand behind that. We need effective leadership, whatever that means. If we can’t do effective leadership for our general community, then maybe something does have to change,” he said.

“Here’s what I’ll say, when everybody didn’t want to be consolidated, everyone talked about wanting home rule, we want our individual cities to be able to control things and don’t let the county come and dictate our development codes, etc., but then when it’s not convenient, it’s, ‘When is my county coming and fixing this?’ ” Kruse said. “I’m a big proponent of home rule, that’s why I pushed back on the parking garage and the consolidation.”

“Right now, home rule is not working for us. I hate to say that, but it’s not. I’m not saying toss it, but there has to be other solutions,” Loos said. “I can’t put dinner on a plate, because I can’t find a way to open my businesses.”

Kruse said the county cannot supersede a city and has to respect the individual municipalities.

“I couldn’t go to Mayor Chappie and say “Open up this bridge.’ I don’t have the authority to do that,” he said.

Drift-In owner Derek Williams spoke about his permitting issues in Bradenton Beach. The Drift-in tiki hut permit was approved by the former city building official, but the city has pulled back that approval and is requiring a major development hearing for the structure.

“In my situation, I just want to share with you, I got a permit, I worked with the city, I worked with the city planner, I worked with code enforcement on a daily basis,” Williams said. “I’m trying to figure out the different rules and regulations and trying to trust government.”

Former Bradenton Beach Building Official Darin Cushing was suspended on Jan. 22 and was recently replaced by former county employee Bill Palmer.

“I’m not picking sides with the building official or anyone,” Williams said. “I’m saying there’s a government and those people have roles, and those roles are building official or floodplain administrator and they’re paid to make decisions. We were following those folks.”

Williams said he has reached out to Rep. Will Robinson, Sen. Jim Boyd, Sen. Vern Buchanan and Gov. Ron DeSantis for help.

“Who do we reach out to? The government is here to serve the people,” Williams said. “We can’t reach out to you? We have real people, real employees hurting and I just want to continue to pound the pavement on that.”

Williams said the Bradenton Beach city attorney threatened him about coercing commissioners.

“I’ve been fearful to talk to any commissioners,” he said. “That’s on record.”

“That’s a different story if she wants to say that,” Kruse said. “We’re in an interesting situation here. I have to respect each of your municipalities, but you’re also a resident of Manatee County. At no point in time are you also not my constituent. At no point in time can anyone ever admonish you for speaking to a county commissioner.”

Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth pointed out that city charters do not allow county overreach, but also said there are steps citizens can take if they’ve lost confidence in their city leaders.

“There’s charters in the cities that the county can’t really overstep certain things, but when you look at the charter of the city, it tells you the steps that the people can make if you lose confidence in your city leadership,” Titsworth said. “What you want to do is elect good people in office that have your back.”

She weighed in on Bradenton Beach’s permitting process.

“I feel horrible for what you all are going through, it’s terrible that they allowed that backlog in permitting,” she said. “It’s terrible who they had in those positions, they didn’t have enough people in the positions. You have to be prepared for those situations. Your staff has to have the support to be there when things go bad and Bradenton Beach didn’t have that, and I feel really bad for the citizens about how long they’re still waiting for permits.”

“It’s situations like this, and I don’t know every single fact, so I’m just going to make a blanket (statement), it’s situations like this that gets the state to come in here and threaten the consolidation,” Kruse said. It’s situations like this that get them to pass pre-emption laws against people of the state of Florida. If they perceive there’s a theoretical bad actor someplace, then it puts a black cloud over everybody. And if they say ‘Hey, wait a minute, businesses are being driven out, residents are being driven out, for reasons that are not on the up and up,’ then you risk them coming back in and saying let’s look at the OPAGGA study again, if there’s one rogue here we might as well just clean house. And they start passing pre-emption laws everywhere. They’ll pull permitting rights from the cities that are doing it right.”

Former building official alleges pressure to condemn properties, threats

Written by Joe Hendricks on February 17, 2025. Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Former city Building Official Darin Cushing alleges that he saw the city attorney and a well-known developer drive around the city together looking for hurricane-damaged structures and properties after Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck Anna Maria Island last year and pressured him to condemn them.

He also alleges the city attorney, mayor and police chief threatened his employment status on several occasions for not complying with permitting and inspection requests made by the developer.

Cushing made his public allegations during a town hall meeting that District 3 County Commissioner Tal Siddique held at the Island Branch Library on Feb. 13. During the meeting, Cushing handed Siddique a four-page letter that expands upon the allegations he made during the town hall meeting.

Siddique provided The Sun a copy of Cushing’s letter on Feb. 15. The next day, Cushing confirmed by email that his town hall comments and his letter pertained to Mayor John Chappie, City Attorney Ricinda Perry and Police Chief John Cosby. He did not name the developer.

“Based on this person’s track record of retaliation and lawsuits, I am hesitant to spell out a name. Regardless, no matter who the developer is, I was asked and even threatened with my job, to engage in unethical practice, which I refused to do,” he wrote The Sun in an email on Sunday.

Toward the end of his letter, Cushing wrote, “There is so much more I could tell you about the goings on, where there have been dealings with this developer and the city attorney and the mayor and many people can corroborate them. Including eyewitness accounts of the attorney and the developer driving through town following the storms, picking out houses and the developer asking me to condemn them; stating that he was told by the attorney that if we hurried up, the city was going to get the houses demolished and hauled away using FEMA dollars. I refused and only condemned properties that were either completely destroyed or in damage of collapse. Every time I refused to do his bidding, I was questioned by one of the three city staff about it, always with pressure being put upon me to just do it.”

Contrary to his statement about only condemning properties that were either destroyed or in danger of collapse, Cushing did issue a condemnation order to Tennessee resident and “Love Shack” cottage owner Dan Ibach on Oct. 31.

Unlike the neighboring cottage that was completely destroyed by Hurricane Helene, Ibach’s cottage suffered no structural damage and had already been boarded up and sealed off by the time Cushing issued the condemnation order.

According to Ibach, he then received a call from Perry, who said the city could likely assist with his demolition costs. Ibach told Perry his cottage was not condemnable and would not be demolished. He contacted his attorney and the condemnation order was soon lifted. Ibach’s beachfront property is located next to Shawn Kaleta’s Seabreeze at Anna Maria Inn property.

Gash Caudill also staved off the city’s condemnation of the duplex on Gulf Drive North he shares with his mother.

At the city’s request, Cushing was recently suspended, due in part to a hurricane restoration-related permitting dispute between the city and Drift-In bar owner Derek Williams; and due in part to Facebook comments Cushing made in defense of his administrative decision to issue Williams’ permits without city commission approval. Cushing was later terminated by the SAFEbuilt/M.T. Causley development services firm that has provided Bradenton Beach’s contracted building officials for nearly two decades.

Town hall comments

The town hall discussion about Bradenton Beach began with Williams commenting on the delays he’s encountered trying to repair, renovate and reopen the Drift-In.

“I have a permit. The building official (Cushing) that worked on my project is sitting in this room. I worked with him, the city planner, the code enforcement folks. I went through every step and all I’ve gotten is government overreach, private property issues. I tried to follow every letter of the law.

“It’s definitely a land grab. Somebody needs to step up and say that’s wrong. All the way along, this is a back-to-back disaster. This is third-world stuff and it needs to be addressed as the highest level. It’s absolutely a tragedy. It is a clown car show but it’s hurting real people,” Williams said.

Speaking next, Cushing said, “I’m the person who issued Derek’s permit. It was done properly. It was done correctly and it was done by the book.”

He then referenced the letter he later handed to Siddique and said he would hit the high points rather than read the entire letter aloud. He noted he’s been a licensed building official for 25 years and a certified floodplain manager for longer than that.

“I’ve been there since December of 2023. There has been constant, constant threats to me,” he said. “I know what I’m doing. We were getting things done, we were moving forward, we were doing things the right way. But every time that I didn’t do that for a particular developer – and you all know who I’m talking about – I was threatened. I was threatened by the mayor, the attorney and the police chief: ‘Do we just need to get another building official. Why won’t you do this for him?’ Things that were illegal,” Cushing said.

“I have a code of ethics I have to follow and I don’t want to lose that license. That’s my livelihood. I lost my job now and the company I worked for fired me too because I retaliated about the things that were being said about me – slanderous things they said about me and those things are not true. There’s dirty stuff going on in that city and somebody needs to look into it,” Cushing said.

“Our state statute says that I, the building official for that jurisdiction, will perform the duties under my responsibility without interference from any person. Not the mayor, not the city attorney, not anybody,” Cushing said.

Siddique said he’s been following The Sun’s reporting on the Drift-In permitting issues and other concerns being reported in Bradenton Beach.

“I have not been able to get in contact with anyone from Bradenton Beach. I have not had one phone call back from Bradenton Beach since November. I left a voicemail this morning. I have no idea what the hell’s going on,” Siddique said.

Cushing said he recently interviewed for a position with Manatee County but he fears the “slanderous things” said about him may impact his ability to get a job.

Cushing’s letter

Regarding the start of his tenure in Bradenton Beach, Cushing wrote, “A certain developer, whom I’d known from my time as building official of Longboat Key, began asking me to issue permits that had been placed on hold for various reasons by the previous building official (Steve Gilbert). I reviewed the permits and told the applicant what needed to be done in order for the permits to be released.

“Several times over the next few months, I would get questioned by the city attorney, the mayor and several times by the police chief about what was holding this developer’s permits up. Each time, I would explain what needed to be done, but at the same time felt pressured to just give him his permits.”

Marina

Cushing’s letter addresses the stop-work order he issued to the owner of the Bradenton Beach Marina, developer Shawn Kaleta, when a new bar opened there.

“It had been built and the opening announced with no permits for construction, nor did they have a liquor license. Within hours, the developer called me and said, ‘I talked to the city attorney and the mayor and they’re all good with it.’ ”

According to his letter, Cushing told the developer this was not the attorney or mayor’s decision to make and he would still need to obtain all the needed permits and inspections before the stop-work order was lifted.

Pines

Regarding the hurricane-damaged Pines Trailer Park (owned by Kaleta and investment partners), Cushing wrote, “Following the hurricanes, I was immediately asked for the damage assessment status of the Pines by the developer. He also asked me if I would go ahead and condemn the whole park. I responded that I could not do that and that a proper damage assessment needed to be done.”

His letter notes it was later determined that only a few mobile homes needed to be condemned and the rest could be rehabilitated.

“I was asked no less than 10 times, by either the developer, the attorney, the mayor or the police chief, if I was going to write to the Pines (mobile home) owners and tell them they were done.”

Regarding the Drift-In permitting issues, Cushing acknowledges he erred in not routing the tiki bar permit to the fire marshal for an initial review of the tiki structure and its roof materials.

Cushing’s letter says the city received approximately 10 change of contractor forms from “said developer” a few days before he was suspended. According to Cushing, he told the developer he would not issue the change of contractor permits until all needed documents were correctly completed.

“Two days later, in a senior staff meeting, I was essentially threatened by all of the senior staff – attorney, mayor and police chief – that I needed to release those permits to him; or again, ‘maybe we need to get a different building official,’ ” Cushing states in his letter.

Regarding the city attorney and a developer driving around town looking for properties to condemn, Cushing told The Sun on Sunday, “I personally witnessed them driving around together and other people (residents and city employees) visibly witnessed this happening on multiple occasions following the storms. Several owners told me verbally that this had happened to them.”

No response from city

On Feb. 14, The Sun asked Chappie if he wanted to comment on the town hall allegations Cushing made about being threatened by the mayor, city attorney and police chief. Chappie said he had no comment.

On Feb. 15, The Sun sent Cosby a text message containing a link to the town hall meeting video and seeking his comments on Cushing’s allegations. Cosby did not respond.

On Feb. 16, The Sun sent an email to Chappie, Perry and Cosby seeking their comments on these allegations. The email included a link to the archived town hall meeting video and a copy of Cushing’s letter. As of press time, The Sun had not received a response from the city.

The archived video of the town hall meeting can be viewed on YouTube by searching for “Tal Siddique Town Hall @ Island Branch Library.” The Bradenton Beach discussion begins at the 22-minute mark and continues to the 40-minute mark. The letter can be viewed in its entirety below.

(Sun reporter Leslie Lake contributed to this story)

Related coverage:

Pines homeowners offered more time in exchange for titles

City approves building official, floodplain manager candidates

Chiles/Perry/Kaleta not-for-profit dissolved

FEMA review may jeopardize flood insurance, buildings

City attorney explains Cushing suspension

Cushing deserves fair hearing

Public speaks out in favor of Drift-In reopening

Letter to the Editor: Drift-In owners appeal to governor for help

Commissioners discuss restructuring building department

Bradenton Beach building official suspended pending hearing

Major development hearing required for Drift-In tiki

Owners may ask for rezoning of Pines

Kaleta solicits post-hurricane development investors

‘Love Shack’ cottage owner staves off condemnation

Condemnation notice rescinded for Gulf Drive home

Commissioners discuss restructuring building department

Written by Leslie Lake on January 31, 2025. Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News, Featured.

BRADENTON BEACH – The city commission conducted a work meeting on Jan. 28 to focus on restructuring the building department and the challenges the city faces in finding a permanent replacement for recently-suspended Building Official Darin Cushing.

“I want you to all know the work meeting is for the commission to discuss the current and future staffing of the Building and Planning Services Department,” Mayor John Chappie told attendees in a packed city hall. “Because this is a work meeting, the subject will be what is posted on the agenda, the building and planning department. This is a single subject commission meeting.”

However, during the meeting – particularly during public comment – the conversation evolved into discussions about Cushing and his city-disputed approval of the Drift-In tiki hut.

The commission considered changing the current model of using a contracted building department to hiring an employee.

Chappie began by giving an update on Cushing’s suspension, which he characterized as a “temporary suspension.”

He then read the letter the city sent to Cushing’s employer, M.T. Causley, a subsidiary of SAFEbuilt, which outlined the city’s reasons for the suspension. Chappie said M.T. Causley has place Cushing on administrative leave.

“M.T. Causley is working on a game plan at this time,” Chappie said. “They can provide an inspector on a partial basis. They also can provide online plan review.”

Chappie said the part-time inspector can conduct inspections, including electrical and mechanical, and residential plan reviews, but cannot conduct commercial inspections.

“We are also being backed up Holmes Beach for inspections and commercial inspections when we need them,” Chappie said. “We’re covering our basic current needs at this time.”

Chappie laid out some proposed options for the building department which included putting out a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a company other than M.T. Causley, continuing with M.T. Causley, using the building planning services of Integrated Solutions Consulting (ISC), retaining former retired building official Steve Gilbert for floodplain review, sharing building services with Holmes Beach (Joe Payne Inc. – JPI) or advertising for a new employee.

“In the past, the building official was an employee, and we changed that in 2015,” Chappie said.

He said the pros to hiring an employee as a building official are continuity of care, getting to know the public and being an actual supervisor of the building department. The cons include paying for errors and omissions insurance included in a contractual agreement.

“It is my opinion that it would benefit Bradenton Beach to have an inspector in-house rather than outside,” Commissioner Jan Vosburgh said.

Chappie said the current cost to the city of building official professional services is $215,977 and $70,000 for planning professional services.

“I think we have better options in-house, but I’m concerned about what happens immediately,” Commissioner Scott Bear said. “If we decided to terminate (with M.T. Causley), how do we make sure we don’t have a gap?”

Chappie said M.T. Causley has been advertising for a year or more for a building official.

“It would be a difficult road to hire somebody,” Chappie said. “It could take a lot of time. Right now, M.T. Causley is willing to work with us. They’re working on a game plan to try to get somebody here all the time.”

“We also have the option because we’re still within the FEMA timeframe to get compensation for building services,” City Attorney Ricinda Perry said. “That expires in approximately two months. So, you could under your emergency powers hire the same firm that Holmes Beach is using.”

Perry said she could prepare an RFP within 24 hours if approved by the commission.

“I think M.T. Causley should come up with a solution,” Commissioner Ralph Cole said. “I have constituents who are concerned and standing in limbo waiting for permits.”

Perry said the city has not missed a single inspection.

“This meeting has nothing to do with the Drift-In application, it has nothing to do with Mr. Cushing’s performance,” Perry said. “It was simply one of the steps the city is going through to get stronger and better dealing with storm events.”

“It was read into the record at the beginning of the meeting, about the Drift-In,” Cole said. “That being said, that’s separate. We need to assure the public that the permits are getting processed and it’s our job to make sure that happens. So here we are, we have to make a decision on what to do.”

Commissioner Deborah Scaccianoce said, “I have a concern about going forward with M.T. Causley. The Drift-In, the planner in that process, also failed to catch issues, which is an M.T. Causley employee. So, my concern is the quality and the knowledge of that company in our permit review process. I think we need to consider that because how many other poor decisions were made that we don’t know about? That was a big one.”

Perry said there are 55 days left for the city to get FEMA reimbursement for building services.

“There’s a hybrid option for all of this,” Perry said. “There’s floodplain, there’s inspections, plan review, building official services.”

“Another part of the process could possibly be to talk to Mayor Titsworth (Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth) about shared building services,” Chappie said. “In fact, if we were able to work something out with who they’re using. It would help our elected officials in the state realize we are listening to what you say, and we are using the OPAGGA study, as much as we didn’t like it, we are using it as a tool.”

The OPPAGA study recommended that Island cities work together on certain issues to save money.

“We have Causley in place, then we can make a decision rather than rushing,” Cole said. “We have them under contract until June.”

“The hybrid approach makes a lot of sense, that’s a long term solution,” Bear said. “We also need an immediate solution.”

“M.T. Causley is a stop gap until we have more information with regards to what they come up with in their plan,” Chappie said. “To the extent that Mr. Cushing is available, he is on administrative leave. Do we want to continue with Mr. Cushing or have M.T. Causley provide a different building official?”

“I don’t think we should use Mr. Cushing,” Vosburgh said.

“It sounds like he doesn’t want us to use him either,” Bear said. “I think the motion is they provide someone other than him, because having him here as a disgruntled employee is not going to help us. There are two sides to the argument, so I’m not taking one side over the other, I’m just saying it’s a little difficult to have a disgruntled employee.”

“I think the motion should be to continue with M.T. Causley and have them provide a building official so we can make a permanent decision on some type of hybrid approach,” Bear said.

The meeting was then opened for public comment.

Public comment

Linda Cushing asked who the building official of record for the city is. She was advised by Chappie that questions would not be answered during public comment.

“I’ve been a property owner since 1995 and have done numerous building projects. I just wanted to add my two cents about Darin Cushing,” Keith O’Neill said. “I will tell you I was very supportive of him, he was very supportive of our project and regardless of everything I want to speak on his behalf and say he did a great job for the projects I was engaged in.”

“I live in Sandpiper Resort and I’m here to support what may or may not occur with Drift-In,” Bill Wisotzka said. “We’re all trying to recover from a disastrous scenario. I hope you find some compassion to process what we need to do with Drift-In.”

Pines Park homeowner Elayne Armaniaco spoke in support of Cushing.

“Darin is approachable, he was knowledgeable,” she said. “I think the fact that he was so approachable was really helpful because as you all know we went through a terrible situation and through it all he was fair and kind.”

Michael Silberge, president of West Coast Air Conditioning, spoke in support of Cushing.

“My comments today are to support Darin Cushing,” he said. “I have never had any problems with M.T. Causley. Steve Gilbert is a saint in my opinion, and so is Darin Cushing.”

“I’m concerned. There’s been no discussion up here about Darin,” said Angela Rodocker. “What he did on social media is wrong. If I had an employee that did that I would put them on leave too. But I wouldn’t be up here talking about him being gone. I was shocked. There’s been no discussion about a man that has worked in this community and has an amazing reputation. That’s why you hired him in the first place.”

“What’s going on here today seems like a bit of a witch hunt,” Neil Lind said. “Has counsel or Bradenton Beach staff made mistakes in the past? If so, were you terminated? No.”

“I have a lot of employees who are really hurting right now,” Drift-In owner Derek Williams said.

Bradenton Beach Commission discusses building department restructuring — Drift-In owners Helena and Derek Williams speak to commissioners at a Jan. 28 work meeting. From left are Commissioner Deborah Scaccianoce, City Attorney Ricinda Perry and Helena and Derek Williams. – Leslie Lake | Sun

Motions

Bear made a motion to continue with M.T. Causley and have them provide a building official until the city can make a permanent decision on some type of hybrid approach.

A second motion was read by Perry to authorize staff and Chappie to pursue emergency services for building department and planning services with JPI and ISC as well as to submit any necessary mission requests to the State of Florida or Manatee County.

A third motion was read by Perry to authorize Chappie and staff to coordinate with Holmes Beach for any additional services that cannot be fulfilled by M.T. Causley in the immediate future to provide building and planning services to the constituency.

All three motions passed unanimously.

“I think we should do everything possible to work with the owners of the Drift-In to help them move on with that building,” Vosburgh said.

Drift-In matters

Perry advised the commission that she would not represent the city in Drift-In matters.

“Mayor Chappie, there is a change,” Perry said. “I have declined representation on behalf of the city. The notices have gone out, the hearing will be the first commission meeting in March. The P&Z meeting and the city commission meeting. I am declining any representation, in large part, because Mr. Williams has retained the law firm of my husband and I am uncomfortable with representing the city with that perceived potential for conflict.”

That prompted an exchange between Drift-In owners Derek and Helena Williams and Chappie.

“In regards to the city attorney’s comment, as a business owner if she’s now stating she has a conflict of interest, from what we’ve been told there’s no replacement,” Helena Williams said. “So, in my opinion it looks from our perspective that we’re at a standstill until somebody else is appointed to represent you, so how that’s going to affect our business and us opening I would like to know the answer to that. There needs to be a replacement. When is that going to happen? Because we would like to move forward and open our business.”

Derek Williams said, “First let me say, I’m not attacking anybody, including Miss Perry. I feel the tensions back and forth since I arrived. The email I received last night said Ricinda got our 30-day public notice out and I have to wait for 30 days. There’s been some questions about when the Planning and Zoning meeting would be. All of these things get addressed in one day? There’s not been a lot of clarification. That means potentially I’m closed for another 30 days.”

“The only comment I’ll make is Ricinda is going to recuse to be clear there’s no conflict and it’s the safest way. Drift-In knew her husband was in the firm,” Chappie said.

Williams said, “I was told they’re divorced.”

“You knew who her husband was, and it is what it is,” Chappie said. “We’ve got to protect the city’s rights.”

New book highlights Drift In’s past, present, future

Written by Joe Hendricks on May 6, 2024. Posted in Entertainment.

BRADENTON BEACH – Casey Hoffman and Paul “Big Sexy” Weremecki have written a book about the Drift In bar.

Published in March, the 144-page book is aptly titled, “Drift In, Stumble Out” and tells the tale of one of Florida’s great dive bars.

Chapter 1 opens with the following passage: “There’s a host of reasons one would come to the Drift In on Anna Maria Island, such as to enjoy a frosty cold beverage, to try their hand at karaoke, play bingo or bar fun, perhaps listen to some of the best music on the Island or meet up with friends. You may even walk out with a mate.”

Some sections were written solely by one of the authors and others were written collectively. The book also contains numerous photos of the characters, past and present, who’ve contributed to the bar’s legacy, including former owner Babe Ruth, previous owner Joe Cuervo, current owner Derek Williams (Cuervo’s son-in-law) and the staff members, musicians, locals, part-time residents and visitors who helped make the Drift In “one of the most unique watering holes in America,” according to musician Mike “Mac” McConnell.

The book’s front cover features some of the old photos that hang near the front window, including a classic photo of bar manager Doreen Flynn sporting an impressively high and curly Afro-style hairdo.

The back cover notes the book was “Written from the dual perspectives of both patrons and a ‘Dive Bar Worthy’ bartender (Weremecki).”

Hoffman and Weremecki each wrote a chapter about their relationships with the bar. Another chapter is dedicated to the bar’s iconic, sexy and world-renown mannequin, Mannie. Other chapter titles include “As the Barstool Turns,” “Extraordinary Crew Members,” “Timeless Entertainment” and “Drifting and Stumbling Into the Future.”

“Drift In, Stumble Out” book is available at the Drift In for $25 and also at Amazon.com.

Authors’ insights

Hoffman owns the Holmes Beach-based Zegway by the Bay business and serves as a tour guide while giving Segway tours of the Island. She was also the co-founder of the now-defunct AMI Radio station that used to broadcast from the Magnolia Hotel building on Bridge Street that was demolished earlier this year.

In addition to bartending at the Drift In, Weremecki and his wife, Laurie Lancaster, co-founded the Sunrise Hope nonprofit organization that assists foster children (www.SunriseHope.org). He’s also the founder of the AMI drum circle in Holmes Beach.

“The Drift In has been such a big part of my life since I moved here,” Hoffman said. “The book is a way to give back to the community and tell a fun story about our favorite little watering hole and the people that come through there. There’s always a sense of community, family and friends when you come to the Drift.”

“The Drift was the first bar I went to on the Island when I moved here in 2020,” Weremecki said. “I had my eye on working there and it finally happened last July. The book is a quick, easy read and it makes a nice souvenir. We share some memories and some of the things that go on here.”

“We got to sit with Joe Cuervo and he shared some stories with us,” Hoffman said. “We had to verify a couple things, like when Bridge Street became the happening street on the Island, when the original bridge was built, when the Pines Trailer Park used to be a campground and about Babe Ruth owning the bar. It turns out his father owned several saloons back where he was born.”

Once written, the book was assembled in Microsoft Word, saved as a PDF file, uploaded to Kindle Direct Publishing and self-published at Amazon.

“The tricky part was the cover, the spine and the back of the book,” Hoffman said. “We always knew that was the cover we wanted. Thankfully, it worked.”

For those who want to publish their own book, Hoffman said, “I encourage people to give it a try. It’s challenging but very rewarding.”

So far, the pair has sold about 150 copies of their book.

“Some of the proceeds will go to charities supported by the Drift, including Sunrise Hope,” Weremecki noted.

“We’re working on getting the book into some shops on the Island and we’re working on a Kindle E-book version too,” Hoffman said.

On April 14, the authors held a book signing party at the Drift In.

“It was so much fun,” Hoffman said. “A couple people said they already started reading the book and couldn’t put it down. One lady said she read it in one sitting at the beach. We also got some great feedback from the bar owners and Doreen. They were very supportive of our project.”

“We sold about 30 copies in a few hours,” Weremecki added.

Those who want a signed copy of the book can swing by the Drift In during one of Weremecki’s shifts. He’s there Mondays from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m., Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.

“It was lot of fun to write. We enjoyed it and hope whoever buys it enjoys it,” Weremecki said.

“It was a true joy to be able to write the book and help tell the story of a place I love as part of my hometown community,” Hoffman said.

The authors hope to develop a live show at the Drift In that serves as an extension of the book.

“People have emailed saying they have pictures they want to share and stories they want to tell. We’re going to do it live on Facebook and make it a podcast too,” Hoffman said.

Efforts appreciated

Williams and his wife, Helena, bought the Drift In from her parents a few years ago.

“Helena and I both enjoyed the book,” Williams said. “‘Drift In Stumble Out’ is a funny and honest take on an Island original. The team did a great job sharing anecdotes about the Drift: Babe Ruth, the legacy of ownership, the talented musicians and the unique circus of individuals that enjoy our establishment. We’re really proud of Paulie for all he does.”

Flynn said, “I thought it was well-written and I loved the fact that our entertainers were featured.”

General Manager Dan Zelko said, “It’s fantastic. I love the fact that ‘Big Sexy’ helped write the book and that he loves the bar as much as he does – we all do. He did a great job of expressing how the bar really is. He’s here and he understands it. We appreciate that.”

Community rallies to assist local musician

Written by Joe Hendricks on October 25, 2023. Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – The Rock Extravaganza benefit held at the Drift In on Oct. 15 raised nearly $7,000 for local musician Mack Black.

A $4,000 donation Black received from a Drift In patron before the benefit began brought the fundraising total to nearly $11,000.

Black plays bass and harmonica and sings lead and backing vocals with Dos-Macs and his long-time musical partner, Mike McConnell. The Sunday afternoon musical performances and all-star jams featured Dos-Macs, Koko Ray, The Cabana Dogs, Rob Hamm & the Daily Specials, Steve Paradis, Mikey Silbaugh, Tommy Balbo, Lance Biddle (who also provided the PA and ran sound), “Buzz,” Ronnie Soul, Mike Cunningham and the percussionist known as “Cajun.”

During the Dos-Macs’ performance, the vice president of The Renegades motorcycle club presented Black with a cash-filled envelope. Throughout the day, Black expressed his thanks and gratitude for the generous donations that will assist him with his living expenses and the medical bills he incurred during a recent hospital stay which caused him to miss several gigs and lose the musician’s income he depends on. He also thanked the Drift In and manager Doreen Flynn for their efforts.

The Drift In donated a lotto board containing a $100 bill surrounded by scratch-off lottery tickets. The raffle winner donated the $100 bill to Black. The winner of the liquor basket donated by Anna Maria Island Privateers re-raffled the basket and donated the additional funds to Black, as did some of the winners of the gift baskets and gift certificates donated by Clancy’s, Il Panificio pizzeria and others. The 50-50 raffle totaled $740, with half the proceeds given to Black.

Pig Out BBQ & Southern Soul Food donated pulled pork sandwiches and more, and several attendees brought dishes to share as part of the fundraising efforts.

“I want to thank everyone who came and donated and gave their time out of the kindness of their hearts,” Flynn said. “Thanks to all the musicians who donated their time for one of their fellow musicians. The music was amazing. Thanks to the Renegades, the Privateers, Pig Out, Clancy’s and everyone else for their generosity. And thanks to the Drift In ownership, employees and volunteers who helped make this very special day possible.”

Racing boat visiting Drift In

Written by Joe Hendricks on June 29, 2023. Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – One of the offshore racing boats participating in the 39th Annual Sarasota Grand Prix powerboat races will make a post-race appearance at the Drift In in Bradenton Beach on Monday, July 3.

The powerboats will race offshore of Lido Key Beach in Sarasota on Sunday, July 2, with qualifying and testing on Saturday, July 1.

The Drift In is one of the sponsors of Joe Olivieri’s OC Offshore Racing team.

Drift In owner Derek Williams said, “My friend Joe Olivieri built the boat and he’s racing in that series. He’s dreamed about doing this for a while. He spent a couple years building the boat and this is his first year. He drives the boat and recently raced it in Key West. Some local businesses sponsor him and we’re going to bring the boat to the Drift In parking lot and do something patriotic in honor of the Fourth of July. Joe’s a local guy. He’s a general contractor and he owns Olivieri Construction. He’s done work at the Bridge Tender Inn before and he’s all over town.

“We’re also doing it for the Denis V. Cooper Foundation and Wishes For Heroes.org – a local veteran’s charity I helped start with a friend of mine, Maverick Johnson. We raise money and give it to local veterans in need,” Williams said.

Denis Cooper (aka ‘Maverick Johnson’), Williams, Gary Kortzendorf, Bob Morrison and Steve Hopkins started the Wishes for Heroes foundation in honor of Cooper’s late father, Denis V. Cooper. Known on-air as Maverick Johnson, Denis Cooper co-hosts a country music morning show on WCTQ 92.1 FM and 103.1 FM. He’ll be attending the Drift In event, which will also feature live music by Dos-Macs.

The event, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., will serve as a fundraiser for the Denis V. Cooper Foundation, with the Drift In donating the hot dogs to be sold to benefit the foundation. Denis V. Cooper Foundation T-shirts will also be available for purchase.

Some or all of the Drift In parking lot will be temporarily closed that day to accommodate the racing boat.

“Come see the boat, get a picture and have a cold one and a hot dog. We’re supporting a local charity and celebrating the Fourth of July,” Williams said, noting the racing boat might also participate in the Anna Maria Island Privateers’ Fourth of July parade on Tuesday.

Renegades motorcycle club delivers Christmas joy

Written by Joe Hendricks on December 28, 2022. Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bradenton chapter of the Renegades motorcycle club made its annual Christmas gift delivery to the Drift In in Bradenton Beach on Dec. 19.

This year’s recipient family was Tasha (no last name provided), her two-year-old son, Colt, and her four-year-old son, Rocket.

The club members arrived aboard their motorcycles Monday evening accompanied by an SUV filled with Christmas gifts for the family. The gifts were displayed on an outdoor table for a group photo before being loaded into Tasha’s vehicle. The boys were allowed to open one gift that night and together they opened their new 78-piece Kid Connection Dinosaur Gate Play Set.

“It’s really nice,” Tasha said of the Renegades’ charitable efforts.

Renegades’ member Tim “Chopstixxx” Miller said the club’s charitable efforts were inspired by his own family.

“My brother, Dave, started this over 15 years ago. Our mother, Suzie Miller, passed away on Dec. 19, 2001. She struggled raising three boys herself, so it’s a way honor her and to give back to the community,” Miller said.

“We go to our regular bars in the community and get cash donations. Through a third party, or one of the churches, we find a family who’s not affiliated with the club and get in touch with the parents to make sure they’re actually in need and comfortable with us doing this. We get a Christmas list of what the kids want and we go out and buy the gifts. We do well enough that we can usually take care of two families. We start collecting money around Halloween and this year we got about $1,500 from people in the community. The wives, girlfriends and kids do the shopping,” Miller explained.

“We’re a family-oriented club. We’re friendly and approachable. We do family days and birthday parties and we get together and cook. We like helping people and we’ve never had any issues,” Miller added.

Drift Manager Doreen Flynn said, “This is our fifth year of doing this with them. The name of their club is the Renegades, but they have a lot of heart and soul, and they care about the community.”

Unrelated to this event, the Drift In also partners with the Anna Maria Island Privateers to assist underprivileged families during the Christmas holidays.

“We do these things because we want to give to people who need it,” Flynn said.

Derek Williams, Doreen Flynn and Joe Cuervo attended Monday’s event. – Joe Hendricks | SunFlynn was present for the Renegades’ Christmas delivery, but she wasn’t working that night because she recently fell at work, injuring her arm, and missed a few weeks of work after returning from a cruise vacation.

The Renegades gave Flynn a Christmas card containing a cash donation to help offset some of her missed earnings.

“They gave me the most beautiful card and took up a collection for me because I’ve been out of work for a few weeks. I so appreciate it. I’m flabbergasted. I never expected a thing like that, but that’s how generous they are. We all help each other,” Flynn said.

Long-time Drift In owner Joe Cuervo said, “They’re a great group of guys and they like to donate to families in need. They’ve been doing it for a long time. We collect money and donate it to them, and they use that and the other money they collect to go out and buy presents for the kids.”

Ownership change

On Dec. 15, Cuervo sold his share of the Drift In business and property to his son-in-law, Dereck Williams and his wife, Helena, who is Joe and Angie Cuervo’s daughter.

Derek is the president and CIO of the Bradenton-based Williams Wealth Management Group. In February 2021, he and Cuervo purchased the previously leased Drift In building and property in Bradenton Beach from Grant Thormier. That purchase occurred after Cuervo sold the Drift In bar in Bradenton that he also operated on leased property.

“We’re a community-oriented family business,” Williams said. “Helena and I are happy to continue Joe and Angie’s legacy. We love what Doreen’s done to make relationships with our patrons and the local community and we want to continue to support the community.

“I’m a Bradenton native. There’s been a lot of changes in our community. We want to keep certain things the same, but we also want to make the Drift In all it can be. We’re excited to be able to help Joe and Angie retire comfortably and we look forward to doing anything we can to make the Drift In even better,” Williams said.

When asked how he plans to enjoy his retirement, Cuervo said, “I’m going to play some golf, do some fishing, do some woodwork and travel a lot.”

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