Tag: Drift In

Bradenton Beach: The Year in Review

Written by Leslie Lake on December 30, 2025. Posted in Featured.

BRADENTON BEACH – Hurricane recovery, city staff changes and Pines Trailer Park’s existence marked 2025 in Bradenton Beach.

Pines

Pines Trailer Park residents received city approval to repair their hurricane-damaged mobile homes but on Jan. 4, park ownership, Pines Park Investors LLC, stated that the park will be closed.

Pines residents asked the city on Feb. 20 to deny any future land use or zoning change requests for the Pines Trailer Park by Pines Park Investors LLC or its manager, Shawn Kaleta. City Attorney Ricinda Perry said at a Jan. 16 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting that the property owner had confirmed the planned redevelopment of the parcel.

The Pines Trailer Park Homeowners Association (HOA) Inc. filed a lawsuit against Pines Park Investors LLC in part to stop evictions and the park’s closure. On Aug. 8 the suit was dismissed pending a confidential settlement agreement allowing residents to remain at the park for an undisclosed length of time.

106 23rd Street N.

With 85% of a building project completed under a 2024 city permit, a stop work order was issued at 106 23rd St. N. by city Building Official Bill Palmer, who said the prior permit for the two-story addition was approved in error by the previous building official. After discussion at five city commission meetings, commissioners reached a compromise solution and approved a special use permit for the property.

Turtles

With the loss of sand dunes from Hurricanes Helene and Milton last year, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella expressed concern about a possible increase in sea turtle disorientations.

“Without dunes as a barrier, hatchlings and adult sea turtles that head towards artificial light may find their way into the road,” Mazzarella said

Hay bales were placed along beaches to mimic dunes.

Turtle release

Hundreds of onlookers gathered at Coquina Beach on June 23 for a scheduled loggerhead sea turtle release. The sea turtle, named Winnie, had laid her nest earlier that day and was outfitted with a satellite tag prior to her release. She participated in the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s Tour de Turtles race and finished in 10th place.

Green turtle record

Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring celebrated green turtles breaking their 2023 record of 12 nests on Anna Maria Island.

“We now have 13 green turtle nests on the Island and hope to get even more before nesting season comes to a close,” Turtle Watch Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella wrote in a July 25 email.

The majority of turtle nests on Anna Maria Island are laid by loggerhead sea turtles.

Building official termination

The city suspended the contractual services of Building Official Darin Cushing on Jan. 22 pending discussion at an upcoming city commission meeting.

Mayor John Chappie did not give a reason for the suspension, but the city had been at odds with Cushing over his approval of a permit for the tiki hut at Drift-In on Bridge Street.

On Jan. 21 Cushing had posted on Facebook, writing in part: “They’re trying to take me out to bend over for developers. I will not compromise my integrity or my license.”

Chappie read aloud a memo at a Feb. 20 city commission meeting addressing the job performance of Cushing, outlining what the city said were deficiencies in his performance.

Bill Palmer, the city’s new building official, began work on March 5 and laid out a timeline as he stepped into his new role.

“My initial focus as building official will be reviewing the permits we have in backlog for storm-related repairs so people can get back into their homes and then work on new construction permits,” Palmer wrote in an email to The Sun.

Drift-In tiki bar

The construction of a tiki hut at the Drift-In bar triggered a major development application.

City Attorney Ricinda Perry said at a Jan. 16 city commission meeting that a permit approved by Cushing for the construction should not have been issued based on 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 a public hearing process.

Commissioners unanimously approved the Drift-In’s major development application on April 8.

The Bridge Street bar reopened, at least temporarily, pending city review, on April 4.

City commissioners unanimously approved an amended easement agreement at a July 17 meeting.

In October, the Drift-In celebrated 100 years in Bradenton Beach

Bungalow Beach

Bungalow Beach Resort owner Gayle Luper filed a lawsuit against the city after commissioners denied her a permit to offer paid parking through the use of a resort pass.

Commissioners questioned paid public parking through the purchase of a resort pass, saying the beachfront bungalows at 2000 Gulf Drive N. had been destroyed during Hurricane Helene.

During a quasi-judicial hearing on the application on April 17, City Planner Luis Serna recommended denial of the application and city commissioners denied the paid public parking lot application. They allowed a temporary use permit allowing only Luper, resort guests and employees to use the lot daily until 9 p.m.

Luper appealed the decision at a July 19 quasi-judicial hearing. Special Master Marisa Powers later ruled that she, as the special master, did not have jurisdiction to override the city’s ruling.

Attorney retires

City Attorney Ricinda Perry’s 21-year tenure as the Bradenton Beach city attorney came to an end on Sept. 18 when she announced her immediate retirement at a city commission meeting.

She made the announcement two days after city commissioners met to evaluate her performance following allegations that she had named Drift-In owner Derek Williams as the source of a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) complaint against a neighboring business, the Anna Maria Oyster Bar.

In response to Williams’ public records request, FDEP confirmed that no complaint had been filed, which triggered a Sept. 16 work meeting. At that meeting, the commission granted Perry’s request to allow her more time to respond to the allegations.

New city attorney

In October, the mayor and commissioners appointed then-Holmes Beach City Attorney Erica Augello to serve as the Bradenton Beach city attorney on an interim basis for up to six months or until a permanent replacement for selected. At year’s end, Augello was no longer serving as the Holmes Beach city attorney and she may be considered as Bradenton Beach’s long-term city attorney in 2026.

Changes in officials

Ward 4 Commissioner Jan Vosburgh decided in August not to run for another term. Her seat remains open pending applications from interested parties.

Fred Bartizal was chosen as the new chairman of the Planning and Zoning Board at the board’s Nov. 5 meeting. Bartizal, owner of the Bridge Tender Inn, succeeded former chair Bill Morrow.

Renegades bring Christmas joy to three families

Written by Joe Hendricks on December 23, 2025. Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bradenton chapter of the Renegades motorcycle club delivered a truckload of Christmas gifts to the Drift In bar on Dec. 19.

The Renegades brought Christmas joy to three local families who will now have many presents to open on Christmas day.

Renegade Jay Dash said, “We’re dropping off presents for six kids and three families. It’s always good to give back to the community.”

This year’s recipient families were Fritzner Dessame and his children, David and Davena Dessame; Trina Carnegie and her child, Tradyn Lopez; and Mackenzie Morgan and her children, Vayda, River and Remington Anasis.

The Renegades have been assisting families at Christmas for nearly 20 years and have partnered with the Drift In for the past six or seven years. The Renegades received $5,300 in monetary donations this year from local bar and businesses patrons that included Drift In patrons.

The Renegades begin their annual holiday fundraising efforts in late October.

The annual gift giving efforts are a tribute to Suzie Miller, the late mother of Renegade member Tim “Chopstixxx” Miller and his brother and fellow Renegade, Dave Lee, who’s currently not living in the Bradenton area.

“Twenty-four years ago today, my mom passed away in a motorcycle accident. We do this for her,” Miller said. “We find a family or families with no affiliation to us, we get a list of what kids want or need and we go to the local bars to get donations to buy the gifts with; and the Drift is one of our biggest supporters. The wives and girlfriends go shopping and we have a big wrapping party and everybody comes over and wraps presents all night.”

Miller said the children of the Renegade members help with the annual gift giving efforts and that instills in them a desire to give back to the community and help the less fortunate.

“This year, two of our families have special needs children and we’re able to help them out with stuff they need for school too,” Miller said. “They’ll open one or two gifts tonight and take the rest home to open on Christmas Day. We’ll provide them with meals during the holidays too.”

Drift In manager Doreen Flynn said, “I’m so excited that they collected enough money to give Christmas presents to three families. I’m so proud of them.”

She said Drift In patrons started filling the donation jar in mid-November and donated quite a bit of money.

“We have always been the family bar and we like to donate and get involved here on the Island,” Flynn said.

Drift In owner Derek Williams said, “We’re glad to be a part of The Renegades long-standing tradition of supporting local families in need. We want to make a difference in our community.”

“Thank you to The Renegades for making this Christmas extra special,” Mackenzie Morgan said.

“Thank you so much, God bless and Merry Christmas,” Trina Carnegie said. “Christmas definitely wasn’t on the list this year but these guys made it possible.”

“Thank you so much. We appreciate it, and Merry Christmas,” Fritzner Dessame said.

Renegade "DP" made friends with River Anasis - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Drift-In General Manager Steve Gulash held Remington Anasis. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Tradyn Lopez, Santa and Trina Carnegie enjoyed a holiday moment. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Fritzner Dessame, Santa, David Dessame and Davena Dessame - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Santa visited with Vyada, Remington, Mackenzie and River. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

These were just some of the gifts delivered by the Renegades. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Drift-In AMI to celebrate 100 years on Saturday

Written by Leslie Lake on October 6, 2025. Posted in Business.

BRADENTON BEACH – One year to the day that Anna Maria Island reopened for business after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Drift-In AMI will be celebrating its 100-year anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 11.

“What a year it’s been. Despite the devastation and challenges we came together to make Anna Maria Island and Bradenton Beach a better place. Better, not because we disrespected the past. Better, because we embraced the future, the opportunity to rebuild and create new traditions,” according to the Drift-In Facebook page.

As part of the centennial celebration, Drift-In – which was owned in the late 1930s by legendary professional baseball player George Herman “Babe” Ruth – will display a new statute of Ruth.

Legend has it that Ruth frequented the local watering hole and went from patron to owner.

“On a sultry summer night Babe and friends danced the night away only to leave without paying the “tab.” The following day Ole’ Babe showed back up to clear things up only to be confronted by the owner of the Drift. After a few cheers, an agreement was made and the keys were handed over. Babe owned the bar for a few years as an homage to his father, George Sr., a bar owner himself,” according to the Drift-In AMI website.

At the Thursday, Oct. 16 city commission meeting, Mayor John Chappie and the commissioners will be making a special proclamation for the Drift-In centennial.

The Drift-In is located at 120 Bridge St.

Perry retires as Bradenton Beach city attorney

Written by Leslie Lake on September 19, 2025. Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Ricinda Perry’s 21-year tenure as Bradenton Beach city attorney came to an end on Sept. 18 when she announced her immediate retirement at a city commission meeting.

In response to Williams’ public records request, FDEP confirmed that no complaint had been filed, which triggered the Sept. 16 work meeting. At that meeting, the commission granted Perry’s request to allow her more time to respond to the allegations.

Instead, Perry made the Sept. 18 retirement announcement as she read, sometimes tearfully, from a prepared statement which was titled,” A letter to my Bradenton Beach family.”

Perry stated she had planned to retire at the end of 2024 after selling her home and moving out of state, but when Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck, she put those plans on hold.

“Now in my 21^st year of service and, with our community well on their way to recovery, as we mark the one-year anniversary of Helene next week, it’s time for me to finally retire and say goodbye to my role as your city attorney,” she said. “Writing these words is harder than I imagined, because Bradenton Beach has been more than just a place I’ve worked. It has been my family, my teacher, my calling and the source of friendships and stories that I will carry forever.”

Perry said her decision to retire was based on wanting to spend time with her husband and daughter in South Carolina.

“For the past year, I have spent too many days and months here in Florida rather than with my family,” she said. “My daughter is now one quarter of the way through her second year in her new school with me away yet again because I am serving here.”

Perry said her family has made sacrifices for the city.

“This is lost time – moments of my daughter growing up, moments with my loved ones – that I can never get back. For me this has been the greatest sacrifice of all,” she said. “My family has carried on without me so that I could be present for you and that is lost time that I can never recover.”

“It is now time for me to pour into my home life. To sit at my own table, not a city hall dais,” she said. “To watch my daughter grow up in person, not through a phone screen, to make memories with my husband that cannot be postponed or replaced.”

She thanked city staff, commissioners and city leadership.

“While the fabric of our community is woven by its people, it is our staff within these walls who hold it together day after day,” she said.

“To my commissioners, past and present, your service is the hardest and most thankless role in government,” Perry said. “For little recognition and only a modest stipend, you shoulder the hopes, frustrations and daily realities of this city.”

Transition

“Over the past year, I have worked diligently to prepare for and support a smooth transition,” Perry said. “I am fully aware of discussions that have taken place, and I recognized that some have expressed a desire for new leadership in the role of city attorney.”

“My commitment has always been, and remains, to serve the best interest of this city and its elected officials,” she said. “If my final act of service is to step aside in a manner that allows for peace and continuity, I do so with a sense of fulfillment and contentment in that decision.”

She said for the past six months, the commission has allowed her to transition half of her legal work to attorney Robert Lincoln, whom she characterized as an “outstanding attorney.”

“I am confident as I retire, the city is in his capable hands and he will continue to provide for the needs of this community,” Perry said. “Thank you, Bradenton Beach commissioners, for trusting me, for challenging me and for letting me part of your story.”

Perry said she has been working on her retirement plan for a long time and presented three binders containing details of ongoing projects and records.

“The last thing I want to do is put you in the lurch where you don’t have the documents with everything that I’ve been working on,” she said.

Perry said she will be leaving the city but if there is anything else that’s needed, she will be willing to provide it.

“We’re a small group, we work hard and 21 years, it’s hard to make sure everyone has everything,” she said. “I’m sorry and I thank you for everything.”

Perry then asked to be dismissed from the meeting.

“Thank you,” Chappie said as she left. “You will be missed.”

“We’ll be talking with Robert Lincoln as filling in as an interim at this point,” Chappie said. “See what his thoughts are. He’s already under contract and it would just be a matter of seeing if he’s willing to expand his scope of services. We’ve already talked to him a little bit.”

Chappie said a special meeting would likely be called and the city would put out a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a permanent replacement.

“We’ll be doing that as quickly as possible,” he said. “That’s all I have to say on that.”

Commissioners to give Perry more time to respond to allegations

Written by Leslie Lake on September 17, 2025. Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – City Attorney Ricinda Perry maintained at a Sept. 16 work meeting that she was not provided proper notice or adequate time to prepare a response to allegations that she had named Drift-In owner Derek Williams as the source of a violation complaint against a neighboring business.

The meeting was called to discuss “City Attorney Performance” based on reports that Perry named Williams as having made a complaint to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) against the Anna Maria Oyster Bar (AMOB) for three over-water tiki structures. Williams subsequently made a public records request to the agency and the response from FDEP was that there was no complaint filed, instead, the violation was seen during a routine inspection for the city’s submerged land lease renewal.

“At the most recent meeting (Sept. 4) I addressed the commission and more specifically Attorney Perry about the accusation that ‘Derek Williams filed a complaint with the Florida DEP about the city pier,’ Williams wrote in a Sept. 9 email to Mayor John Chappie and Police Chief John Cosby.

Williams included the email response from FDEP Public Information Specialist Brian Humphreys, which stated, “I’m in receipt of your request for public records regarding 200 Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, FL. I checked with our staff who advised we are unaware of any complaints received for that site, so I have no complaint records to share with you.”

That correspondence triggered the Sept. 16 meeting.

“I wanted to bring this before the commission to see what kind of direction, to see what your questions are for Mr. Lincoln,” Chappie said. “We have the backup material that has been provided from the meeting on Sept. 4, we have the email from Mr. Williams on Sept. 9 and we will be bringing into the record the public comment from Mr. (John) Horne.”

Attorney Robert Lincoln spoke on behalf of the city at the Sept. 16 meeting. He referenced an email Perry sent to Chappie on Sept. 15.

That email stated in part: “The notice for this meeting was posted on Friday afternoon, Sept. 12, 2025. There is no stated emergency necessitating an expedited meeting.”

She noted that the Sunshine Law requires that meetings of collegial public bodies be open to the public and preceded by reasonable notice.

“Last minute Friday notice for a meeting for two business days later concerning the performance of a charter officer does not satisfy those standards,” Perry wrote, and requested that the meeting be rescheduled with “reasonable advance notice and an agenda that identifies the specific topics to be discussed.”

“Should the meeting proceed as scheduled, I object to proceeding on the current notice and reserve all rights and remedies available under Florida law,” Perry wrote.

Lincoln said there are cases in which 72 hours of weekend notice of a special meeting are sufficient.

“To the extent that you have a workshop today to discuss her performance, I don’t think there is any question that was adequately noticed,” he said.

Lincoln said the notice issue could be subject to challenge and recommended that if the commission chose to take formal action, it might be better done at a later meeting.

“I think it would address the issues Ms. Perry raised not only on the Sunshine Law, but on the question of fairness,” Lincoln said. “The commission by majority vote can terminate her but can make that decision any time. I think that the agenda that the mayor laid out provides for a workshop discussion.”

Perry speaks

“Mayor and commission, I’m not going to regurgitate the correspondence that’s in your file. I have retained Michael Barfield, who is a pre-eminent expert on Sunshine Law and public records. When I generated that correspondence it was after conferring with Mr. Barfield,” Perry said.

She said she and Barfield agreed that it would be improper to proceed at the Sept. 16 meeting.

“What the city has always done is take the strongest position on transparency possible, has always taken the most cautious approach as possible when it comes to public meetings and public records,” Perry said. “I would expect that this proceeding for someone who is in the 21^st year of service to the public as a charter official to have that same measure.”

She said it was unreasonable to provide her with just two days to respond to the allegations and work with Barfield to produce an adequate response.

“To parade me in front of the public, in my opinion it’s not just my rights that I’m asking the city to protect, but it’s future department heads and government officials. They’re entitled to more than two business days to have a clear and open discussion that the public is entitled to,” Perry said. “I’m sure everybody wants to hear both sides of what’s going on. In my opinion (the newspapers) saying there is going to be a meeting, that is not sufficient notice.”

Perry said she deserves an opportunity to adequately put together the records that are needed and was not prepared to address the allegations in a substantive fashion.

“I have hired an expert to do that, and I would like an opportunity to make my case,” Perry said. “My notice was the same notice the public received, an agenda packet. How is that reasonable?”

Public comment

A letter in support of Perry from AMOB CEO John Horne was read into the record.

The letter stated in part: “I wish to extend my deepest appreciation for the tireless efforts of our city attorney. Her leadership and commitment during the recovery effort for Bradenton Beach residents and merchants cannot be overstated.”

“I just want to say that it’s very discouraging that we’re to this point,” said Helena Williams, co-owner of the Drift-In. “One thing we noticed early on is the uncanny way local business and property owners are pitted against each other.

“Lawyers are to be held to a higher standard,” Williams continued. “Ethics and morals matter. There is a reason we are being dragged into this. We’ve asked some tough questions. We deserve honest answers. Help us remove our doubt and stop the lies.”

Gayle Luper, owner of Bungalow Beach Resort, said Perry continued to be involved in her dispute with the city despite Lincoln being appointed to conduct the hearing for Luper’s petition to allow resort fee-based parking.

“For the city to move forward, Ms. Perry’s role should end. I’m asking you to terminate her,” Luper said.

“I don’t understand why I’ve been treated the way I’ve been,” Derek Williams said. “This is damaging and defaming to me and my family and the things we’re trying to do.”

Ryan Davis and Jim Hassett spoke in support of Perry and her efforts following the hurricanes.

Commission comments

“What she’s done for the businesses and the city I would give her an A+,” Commissioner Jan Vosburgh said.

“She has the right to defend herself or to clear her name,” Vice-Mayor Deborah Scaccianoce said. “Any decision we make should be an informed decision, not a one-sided decision. I don’t have any documentation to negate or support anything. It’s not fair to Derek and what he’s told us and it’s certainly not fair to Miss Perry.”

Commissioner Scott Bear said Perry has done great work for the city after the hurricanes.

“We have information that was provided that looks pretty damning, but I honestly don’t think providing two days’ notice for Ricinda to properly provide a response is enough, so I don’t think we should be making any decisions today,” Bear said. “What I’d like to understand is who Ricinda talked to at DEP. I’d like to talk to those people to find out what the conversations were. I’d prefer that she be given time to provide a response.”

Commissioner Ralph Cole said more information is needed.

“I have no information for the reason for being here, other than one letter and the minutes of the meeting, which don’t accuse one particular person of anything,” Cole said. “The minutes say somebody or someone, there’s no name mentioned. I think everybody has the right to defend themselves, one side or the other and to see exactly why someone wants me to fire the city attorney. I would agree we need to prolong this.”

Chappie said he agreed with the commissioners and said individual rights need to be protected.

“I agree we need to give her more time,” Chappie said. “It’s tough. I know it’s tearing Ricinda apart and it’s tearing the city apart. We can set a time for the next meeting.”

No meeting date has yet been set.

The meeting video can be viewed in its entirety here.

FDEP: Williams did not file complaint against AMOB

Written by Leslie Lake on September 16, 2025. Posted in Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – After Drift-In bar owner Derek Williams was named by City Attorney Ricinda Perry as the source of a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) violation complaint against the Anna Maria Oyster Bar (AMOB), he made a public records request to the agency to clear his name.

In response to Williams’ request for information, an FDEP spokesperson confirmed there were no complaints on record and that the violation had been discovered during a routine inspection for the renewal of the city’s submerged land lease at the Bradenton Beach Pier, adjacent to the city-owned building at 200 Bridge St. that AMOB leases from the city.

The Sept. 9 email to Williams from FDEP Public Information Specialist Brian Humphreys stated, “I’m in receipt of your request for public records regarding 200 Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, FL. I checked with our staff who advised we are unaware of any complaints received for that site, so I have no complaint records to share with you.

“Our staff conducted a compliance inspection for the state lands lease renewal as it was due to expire. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is required to inspect leased sites as part of the renewal process. During the inspection non-compliance was observed.”

On June 16, FDEP had 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.”

FDEP requested the city remove the three tiki structures located on the south side of the AMOB outdoor dining area.

During public comment at a Sept. 4 Bradenton Beach City Commission meeting, Williams criticized Perry for allegedly telling the owner and manager of AMOB that he filed the FDEP complaint.

“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 at the Sept. 4 meeting.

With the results of the FDEP public records request in hand, Williams sent the following email to Mayor John Chappie and Police Chief John Cosby: “Below is the response I got back from Florida DEP in regards to the accusations made. As you can see from public records, I did not and have not reported anyone despite the accusations from City Attorney Perry. Due to recent events I chose to address her at the most recent City Commission meeting in the public forum. Otherwise, it seems I will continue to find my good name being smeared.”

“At the most recent meeting I addressed the commission and more specifically Attorney Perry about the accusation that ‘Derek Williams filed a complaint with the Florida DEP about the city pier.’ Perry immediately reacted and almost jumped out of her seat to defend her position and supposed ‘proof’ that I made the alleged call to Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Clearly the response below from DEP shows that no complaint ever existed per state/public records,” Williams’ email stated.

Williams stated in his email to the city that he also reached out to the West Bradenton fire marshal as they had previously spoken about the Drift-In AMI Tiki Bar. Williams stated the fire marshal confirmed their conversation was a “nonevent” and he had never reported anything about their conversations to the state.

“That leaves me once again bewildered and frustrated that this small local government contracted representative (Perry) continues to be unable to communicate in a civil manner. All signs point towards a different agenda for the businesses and property owners in Bradenton Beach. We deserve to know why,” Williams’ email stated.

Williams asked Chappie and Cosby to share the email with Bradenton Beach commissioners.

“They deserve a better understanding of the person that they are relying on for legal guidance and city affairs,” Williams stated.

Chappie did not respond to The Sun’s Sept. 10 request for comment.

“City Attorney Performance” will be the topic of a Bradenton Beach City Commission work meeting discussion on Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 10:30 a.m. The meeting packet that references the single agenda item pertains to the FDEP violation letter that Perry alleged was the result of a complaint made by Williams.

Open to the public, the meeting will be held in the Katie Pierola Commission Chambers at 107 Gulf Drive.

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.

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 easement agreement for Drift-In

Written by Leslie Lake on July 22, 2025. Posted in Business, Restaurants | Bars.

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners unanimously approved an amended easement agreement regarding the Drift-In property at a July 17 meeting.

The Drift-In had been operating under its temporary use permit, issued on March 20, pending final resolution of conditions that included completing a final easement agreement and legal description to be brought back to the commission for final approval.

Attorney Robert Lincoln, representing the city, spoke by telephone to the commission.

“When you approved the major development plan, you approved a concept for a change in the easements that have been previously granted by the prior owners to the city for basically sidewalks and landscaping,” he said.

The agreement that had been proposed was an easement swap between the Drift-In and the city.

Lincoln said the Drift-In is providing an additional easement area along the east end of Bridge Street and wrapping the building to go down Church Street. The city is releasing some of the depth of its easement area.

“What we’re now doing is bringing the actual amended easement back, release the original easements, replace them with the new easements and have the legal description that reflects the agreement that was offered at the prior hearing to change that configuration at the west end,” Lincoln said. “Given that we didn’t have the full legal description and therefore the full easement agreement in front of you last time, we felt that to make sure that everyone was happy today and 20 years from now we would bring it back to the commission for an official vote of approval and authorization for the mayor to execute on behalf of the city.”

Vice Mayor Deborah Scaccianoce said she had hoped there would have been a survey showing the location of the easements in addition to the legal description.

“The easement graphic is complicated, and we were concerned about recording it in the actual agreement because the quality degrades,” Lincoln said.

City Attorney Ricinda Perry, who called in to the meeting, said she would have hoped there would be an overlay showing the new easement versus the old easement.

“I want to make sure the landscaping is actually going to fit,” Perry said. “The language as I’m reading it, it says it was south of an existing concrete sidewalk, and I know that the landscaping area is beyond the sidewalk. I’m not understanding the legal description versus what you would normally have a sketch. I think everybody should be extremely clear before deciding on this and give away rights, where your easement actually lies and where the landscaping is.”

Attorney Scott Rudacille, representing Drift-In owner Derek Williams, showed sketches depicting both the existing and proposed easement areas to commissioners.

“The easement does run along the back of the sidewalk,” Rudacille said. “The landscaping that’s included is the landscaping within the pork chop there on the west side and all the landscaping that runs along the front of the Drift-In.”

“When we had our meeting that was the way I understood it, it was the edge of the sidewalk,” Mayor John Chappie said. “What was being offered was to the back of the sidewalk only. Where the sidewalk is now, and the pork chop area is part of the new easement.”

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

Planning board supports Drift-In’s major development plan

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

BRADENTON BEACH – The Drift-In’s hurricane recovery-related major development plan now has the support of the city’s Planning and Zoning Board members.

On April 2, board members Fred Bartizal, Bill Morrow, Ken McDonough and Dan Morhaus voted 4-0 to recommend city commission approval of the Drift-In’s major development plan. Board member John Burns arrived after the vote occurred.

The Planning and Zoning Board made its recommendation two days before the Drift-In reopened on April 4, as allowed by a temporary use permit the city commission approved on March 20. If approved by the city commission on Tuesday, April 8, the major development plan approval will bring the Drift-In’s permitting challenges to an end.

The issues

Drift-In owner Derek Williams and his attorney, Scott Rudacille, submitted the major development plan application in response to City Attorney Ricinda Perry’s January determination that some of the Drift-In’s post-hurricane improvements, including the construction of a larger tiki bar, required city commission approval rather than the administrative approval given by then-building official Darin Cushing.

Cushing was later terminated and Perry later recused herself from representing the city in these permitting matters because Rudacille works for the Blalock Walters law firm in which Perry’s husband, Stephen, is a principal partner.

The permitting delays were also the result of a stop work order that West Manatee Fire Rescue Fire Marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski issued due to concerns about the flammability of the organic thatched roof materials originally placed atop the new tiki hut structure. The stop work order resulted in Williams replacing the organic tiki hut roof materials with more flame-retardant synthetic thatched roof materials and the stop work order was lifted.

A long-existing sidewalk and landscaping easement that provides space for sidewalks and landscaping placed on a portion of the Drift-In property further complicated the post-hurricane permitting issues.

The solutions

In Perry’s place, attorney and land use expert Robert Lincoln is serving as special counsel to the planning board and the city commission and he has successfully guided the city and the bar owner through the emotionally-charged permitting challenges that appear headed for an amicable and mutually-beneficial solution.

The planning board recommendation includes three stipulated conditions recommended by Lincoln designed to help resolve any remaining concerns with the Drift-In’s major development plan:

City commission approval of an amended sidewalk and landscape easement or partial release of the same for the portion of the easement area covered by the tiki hut;
The applicant (Drift-In) shall record a unity of title joining the lands as 120 and 122 Bridge St. prior to a certificate of occupancy being issued for the tiki bar; and
Development of the property shall be consistent with the major development plan.

The Drift-In property is currently divided into two parcels: the parking lot is one parcel and the primary bar building is located on another. The unity of title will combine both parcels into a single property for permitting purposes.

Rudacille said the amended easement to be granted to the city will wrap around the front of the bar building and around to the back side of the building that faces the Pines Trailer Park and eliminate the existing easement that currently extends into the tiki bar area – as it did with the smaller tiki bar that previously stood next to the Bridge Street sidewalk.

The Drift-In easement was one of many easements sought from Bridge Street property owners several years ago. Although discussed by the board members, Williams and Rudacille, Lincoln said the easement issues are not something to be reviewed by the planning board.

Board member Dan Morhaus asked Lincoln if the board could ask the city commission to consider standardizing the easements along the entirety of Bridge Street to avoid future conflicts. Lincoln said that’s something the city commission would have to initiate on its own.

Rudacille noted the previously exposed trash dumpster is now enclosed in a fenced area that obscures it from the Pines Trailer Park property and Williams noted beverages will not be served through the new roll-up window that faces Bridge Street.

Related coverage

Drift-In reopening brings joy to many

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)

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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

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Kaleta solicits post-hurricane development investors

‘Love Shack’ cottage owner staves off condemnation

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Tingley Memorial Library options discussed

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