HOLMES BEACH – The commission race has come to an unexpectedly early end with Commissioner Jayne Christen- son announcing her withdrawal ahead of the Nov. 8 election.
Christenson was running for re-election against political newcomers Dan Diggins and Greg Kerchner. She was first elected to the city commission in November 2020. She announced her intent to withdraw her candidacy during commission comments at the end of an Oct. 11 meeting.
Christenson
“With the support of my family and friends, I have made the decision to not seek re-election as a city commissioner in Holmes Beach in the election on Nov. 8, 2022,” she said, reading from a prepared statement.
“This has been a difficult decision based on many factors, most importantly being my work/life balance. I have a demanding job in the bio-pharmaceutical research and manufacturing industry and have recently taken on even more people management and multi-million dollar budget responsibility which requires extensive travel, limiting the time I have to dedicate to the city.”
With Commissioner Kim Rash also not seeking re-election, that leaves two seats open on the city commission and only two remaining candidates qualified by the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office, Diggins and Kerchner.
Kerchner
Despite Christenson’s statement that she would contact the elections office to have her name removed from the ballot, mail-in ballots have already been distributed. The city is home to 2,685 registered voters. Of those, 138 have already cast their ballots as of Oct. 16, according to the Supervisor of Elections Office.
Diggins
Diggins retired to Holmes Beach with his wife in 2011 after a career in aviation. This will be his first time holding an office in the city.
Kerchner is no stranger to the inner workings of the city, having served for several years on the city’s planning commission. He’s currently the planning commission chair, a position he will have to resign before being sworn in as a city commissioner.
Mayor Judy Titsworth ran unopposed for her second and now third terms in office. She will be sworn in for another two-year term in November.
In-person voting will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 8 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive
HOLMES BEACH – Campaigns are heating up ahead of the Nov. 2 election and before voters take a trip to the polls, The Sun is talking with each candidate to find out what they think about some of the issues facing the city. Here, they answer the question “How do you feel about water quality?”
Renee Ferguson
“Our habitat depends on our water quality and this is certainly a hot topic for our island and Manatee County. We need to mitigate and close Piney Point, and work with the other local, county and state groups and organizations to reduce algae and bacteria including red tide. Continuing to establish oyster reefs is part of a positive solution. Sewer line breaches are a huge problem and this definitely needs more attention from both county and state. We need to work with our neighboring cities to control pesticides and fertilizer runoff. Holmes Beach is currently working to establish a committee to review and determine answers.”
John Monetti
“I would preface my response with the recognition that I do not have all the current information available since I currently am not a city commissioner. My feelings on the topics reflect topical knowledge though I do stay abreast of these issues as an interested resident. This is an issue that I don’t see how it is even considered an issue. I haven’t run across many folks here on this Island that don’t care about our surrounding water. It is why we chose to live on an island.”
Pat Morton
“Water quality is one of our biggest concerns.”
Terry Schaefer
“I ran for election two years ago with a focus on the environment and water quality. I have been proactive since then suggesting methods to address those concerns. My sponsorship of creating a Water Quality Committee was unanimously approved by the commission along with strong support from Mayor Titsworth and staff. We are in the final stages of initiating that committee with the intent of startup this fall. The committee will be charged with coordinating efforts with other local environmental groups and hopefully with representation from both Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach with the objective of creating means and methods of improving water quality with recommendations of potential new ordinances, if appropriate. In addition, I recently suggested drafting a resolution concerning the city’s recommendations to Manatee County and the state concerning strengthening the vetting process of phosphate mining and consideration of new mining sites by the county and state. This was unanimously approved by our commission and our city attorney has been asked to proceed with drafting the resolution. The tragedy of Piney Point must never be repeated.”
Carol Soustek
“Water quality is in trouble. The discharges going into our bays is out of control. Your city has for the last seven years focused on flood and stormwater discharge. We have replaced aging pipes, no pipes, valves and so much more to clean the water before it gets to our bays. We have protected our wetlands and purchased property to develop watershed areas. Much more needs to be done and everyone needs to lighten their footprint on this Earth.”
Updated Nov. 8, 2020 – HOLMES BEACH – The city has two commissioners to swear in on Monday, Nov. 16.
With four candidates – Commissioner Pat Morton, Commissioner Kim Rash, candidate Jayne Christenson and former commissioner Rick Hurst – and two seats on the dais available, the top two vote-getters took home the win – Christenson and Rash.
Rash was the top pick of voters, bringing in 991 votes, or 28.73% of the total votes. Christenson came in second with 874 votes at 25.34%, with Hurst coming in third with 856 votes and Morton coming in last with 728 votes, ending Morton’s more than a decade on the city commission dais.
Commission candidate Jayne Christenson and Commissioner Kim Rash wave to voters as they enter and leave the polls Nov. 3 with some of their supporters. – Kristin Swain | Sun
This will be Rash’s second term on the city commission.
Christenson will be serving her first term as a city commissioner, having previously served the city on the planning commission and the parking/congestion committee.
The city of Holmes Beach had one polling place for both of the city’s precincts, St. Bernard Catholic Church. The tallies for voters showed that out of the 2,823 registered voters in Holmes Beach, 1,183 voted by mail, 420 took advantage of early voting and 756 came to the polls on election day. The total voter turnout for the city was 2,359, or 83.75% of eligible voters casting their ballots.
Early in the day on Nov. 3, there were lines outside St. Bernard’s to vote. Much of the wait time was attributed to COVID-19 precautions but the lines didn’t dissuade voters from casting their ballots in person.
Outside of the polling location, candidates Christenson, Morton and Rash were camped out with signs, supporters and snacks for voters.
Commissioner Pat Morton greets voters as they enter the parking lot at St. Bernard Catholic Church. – Kristin Swain | Sun
Also up for re-election this year was Mayor Judy Titsworth. Once the candidate qualifying period ended, Titsworth was the only candidate who emerged, earning her another two years on the dais as mayor.
Pending the certification of the election results, the city of Holmes Beach has an organizational meeting and swearing-in ceremony planned for Monday, Nov. 16 at 9 a.m. at city hall. The public is welcome to attend but everyone is required to wear a mask when inside city hall and practice social distancing.
We are the last generation that can save Manatee County’s water and land. Truly, over the next 10 or 20 years, the remaining open spaces – be they farms, fields or forests, one acre or 1,000 acres – will be developed. With that development, we will lose those irreplaceable lands that currently provide the community with clean water, scenic roadways, food and farms, forests and fields. Green will give way to grey. The outcome will be disastrous, unless we achieve balance, unless we make smart decisions today. Thankfully, Manatee County voters will have that option Nov. 3, with a citizen-led referendum on their ballot entitled, “Water Quality Protection, Fish and Wildlife Habitat Preservation, and Park Ad Valorem Tax and Bonds.” A vote “FOR” the referendum will provide funding to save irreplaceable parts of beautiful Manatee County, forever. In my opinion, Manatee County voters may never have a better chance to make a bigger impact on clean water, flood protection, the economy, the environment, and overall community well-being than with this single vote.
What sort of land will be saved? The answer may be as diverse and beautiful as Manatee County itself. Everything from small vacant lots to large ranches are eligible, as long as they accomplish the ballot purpose to “…protect drinking water sources and water quality, preserve fish and wildlife habitat, prevent stormwater runoff pollution, and provide parks…” Imagine a 5-acre beachfront parcel on Anna Maria Island, and a 500-acre cattle ranch on the Manatee River. Both places offer the public something special, and both places would be eligible. Countywide, this means preserving a network of rivers, working farmlands, wildlife management areas, parks, trails, and preserves that all serve the common good. So regardless of what your interest is, this program will benefit you. Whether you love to fish the waters, or just drink them; whether you’re crazy for hiking, or prefer to cruise a scenic road; whether you work the soil with your hands, or just enjoy eating its produce; whether you want to lose yourself on a trail, or find yourself a trophy deer; whether you visit the park every day, or barbeque once a year with family, this ballot measure will preserve special places for you to enjoy.
How will the preservation program work? After passage, funding will finance the acquisition, improvement, and management of essential lands. The program will rely upon objective property evaluation criteria, a citizen oversight committee, preliminary and final Manatee County Commission approval of all transactions, and an annual audit of finances. Manatee County is the only county on Florida’s southwest coast that doesn’t have a dedicated funding source for land preservation.
How does saving land help water? The answer is simple: clean land makes clean water. Manatee County’s drinking water comes from two major sources – a reservoir on the Braden River and a reservoir on the Manatee River – and all that water comes from rainfall, which gathers on fields and forests, and then into creeks and rivers. If those fields and forests become roads, sidewalks, yards, and roofs, we will see significant pollution, and a massive cost to taxpayers to clean the water for drinking. The same will happen to our bays and beaches. The cheapest and most enjoyable way to have clean water is to preserve multiple-use, multiple-benefit green spaces.
What will this cost you? The average homeowner in Manatee County will pay $29 per year, based on an average residential taxable value in Manatee County of $193,378. That’s just $2.40 per month.
Would you pay $2.40 a month to keep the beach clean and swimmable, to keep drinking water safe to drink, to prevent destructive floods, to provide parks and preserves for your everyday use and enjoyment, to save land for fish and game and other wildlife? If yes, then you must vote “FOR” the water and land referendum. Otherwise, you are likely to lose much of what makes Manatee County great. Please, visit www.voteforwaterandland.org to learn more, and please vote on Nov. 3.
– Lee Amos is staff biologist for Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast
HOLMES BEACH – Commissioner Kim Rash is no stranger to city politics. After volunteering in and around his neighborhood and building fences for the city, he took the plunge and was elected for his first term as city commissioner in 2018. Now he’s hoping to earn a second term on the dais in the 2020 election.
Rash has been a Holmes Beach homeowner for 20 years and a full-time resident for 14 years with his wife of 43 years, Theresa, and their dog, Lucy. The two also are longtime members of St. Bernard Catholic Church.
Rash has been the owner/operator of a fencing company for more than 40 years. Community members can see some of his work at the Holmes Beach Dog Park and around the tot lot playground at city field.
Along with the three other candidates for the two spots available on the Holmes Beach City Commission – Jayne Christenson, Rick Hurst and Pat Morton – Rash was asked to respond to four questions. Each candidate’s answers will be published in The Sun.
What do voters need to know about your involvement in the community?
Many residents refer to me as a “boots-on-the-ground” commissioner. I may not have the traditional hobbies like golf or fishing, but I get great satisfaction from helping people. For 19 years, I have helped residents in times of need. I often walk and bike the streets of our city talking to residents and asking how I can help. I am an engaged commissioner – I answer phone calls and respond to emails in order to listen and advocate for residents.
I have served as Holmes Beach commissioner for the past two years, organized an early-morning July 5 beach cleanup that’s continued for nearly a decade and is often held in conjunction with Holmes Beach Code Compliance, WastePro and resident volunteers. I have constructed multiple dog park fences over the years. In June, I installed the tot lot fence with the help of Public Works. I’ve built and installed bike racks and trash can fences at beach accesses and installed irrigation and planted native beach flowers at the 72nd Street access.
Why are you running for Holmes Beach City Commission?
Even prior to my commission seat, I was a voice for the residents. As Holmes Beach commissioner, I furthered that cause. I listen and advocate passionately. I am a team player and dedicated to effectively collaborating and negotiating for practical and efficient solutions. I bring common sense and a successful business background to the commission. If re-elected, I feel I can do even more because there is so much more to do. I have a proven track record that demonstrates I lead with the best interests of our residents and our city in mind.
During my time on the commission I have spoken for the residents and opposed the 300% stormwater tax increase. Through my efforts, the commission compromised on a stormwater increase at half the proposed rate. I have worked to strengthen our noise ordinance to give residents back the peaceful enjoyment of their homes. I’ve challenged interested parties for ways to trim the budget and have fought wasteful spending of taxpayer money by helping to steer the city from single-source contracting bids to sourcing multiple bids for projects and engaged new sources to ensure our city was getting competitive prices.
If elected, what would be your priority to work on with your fellow commissioners?
– and –
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the city today?
I believe that our first priority and biggest challenge is BALANCE. Each year, there are approximately 10,000 new residents coming to Manatee County and more than 750,000 Island visitors. Manatee County has more than 400,000 residents, many of whom take daily trips to the beach regularly. We have a very small and finite amount of space for an ever-increasing number of people. I believe that it will be imperative for our city commissioners to work with county commissioners/state elected officials to find solutions for the unique issues caused by this rapidly increasing population. Holmes Beach residents are my top priority and should not incur the financial burdens, the daily stresses and increasingly negative impact that have been caused by the numbers and the extensive TDC promotional advertising. To date, our city does not receive an adequate amount of funding from the county to accommodate all of the visitors. I will advocate for county/tourist development tax dollars to assist our city in managing this daily impact. We need Manatee County commissioners to be responsive and active in finding solutions for alleviating traffic congestion and parking issues, funding a larger portion of the police and code compliance department officers needed to enforce the increasing number of people that come to our Island and result in exacerbated issues, funding for strained and failing infrastructure and proactively communicating to all of our visitors the ways they can help us protect this beautiful and unique Island for future generations.
HOLMES BEACH – After years of volunteering with the city and local organizations, long-time resident Jayne Christenson is ready to take the plunge and is running for a city commission seat in November.
Christenson and her husband, Joe, have been making Holmes Beach their full-time home for more than a decade, though the couple’s roots in the community go back to 1989. She’s served as a planning commission member and vice-chair, chaired the Island Congestion Committee, been an active participant at Holmes Beach commission meetings, volunteered at Anna Maria Elementary School, The Center of Anna Maria Island, the Salvation Army, Christ Church and Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School.
Along with the three other candidates for the two spots available on the Holmes Beach city commission – Rick Hurst, Pat Morton and Kim Rash – Christenson was asked to respond to four questions. Each candidate’s answers will be published in The Sun, beginning with Christenson.
What do voters need to know about your involvement in the community?
I have served for three years on the Holmes Beach Planning Commission, the last year as the Vice-Chair. I actively participate at Holmes Beach City Commission meetings and chaired the city committee on Parking and Congestion which was organized by the Mayor to study and develop suggestions and identify possible solutions. You can find my family and me at The Center of Anna Maria Island where we attend events and volunteer. I strongly believe in the mission of the Salvation Army of Bradenton where my family and I volunteer as servers during their annual Thanksgiving and Christmas Day dinners.
Why are you running for Holmes Beach City Commission?
When I moved to Holmes Beach with my family in 1989, I knew this was the community where we belonged. In 2007, my husband and I became permanent residents of Holmes Beach. It has been a wonderful community to raise our son, who attended AME and is now a teenager working at the island Publix. My goal is to continue making our island city an enjoyable place to live, work and visit.
If elected, what would be your priority to work on with your fellow commissioners?
As a commissioner, I will encourage Holmes Beach City Hall to be more proactive at positive engagement with residents and businesses. They are the eyes and ears of the city. The number of permanent residents has declined over the years which is detrimental to the viability of the city. We need to find ways to grow our resident base. Aligning our priorities of balance between residential properties and vacation rentals in our neighborhoods is critical. The entire island could benefit from better collaboration and partnership between the three island cities. We need to work as one voice when interacting with state and county officials. This is especially important when it comes to the excessive advertising by the Tourism Development Council (TDC), a limited return of the tax dollars that we generate, and maintaining our right to Home Rule versus the state dictating.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the city today?
Many are concerned that Holmes Beach continues to face pressures from increased tourism and population growth from on and off the island. Other concerns involve financial challenges and key environment issues facing our island city. Holmes Beach requires innovative, forward-thinking commissioners who are prepared to work towards consensus on the challenging issues facing our city today and into the future.
HOLMES BEACH – The results are in and the voters have spoken. Holmes Beach has three commissioners elect and all eight charter amendments passed.
About 30% of the city’s 2,751 active voters showed up either at St. Bernard Catholic Church to vote in person or by mail to help choose among four commission candidates vying for three seats on the dais and determine what changes to make to the city’s charter.
Commission incumbents Rick Hurst, Jim Kihm and Carol Soustek all petitioned voters for another two years on the dais while newcomer Terry Schaefer hoped for his first term as commissioner. Kihm and Soustek succeeded, each winning another two years on the dais. Schaefer will join them as a commissioner, meaning that Hurst’s time on the dais has come to an end.
Kihm received the top votes at 658, with Schaefer coming in second with 606 votes. The third and final commission seat goes to Soustek who received 546 votes. Shut out of the top three spots was Hurst who received 471 votes.
The three commission-elect candidates will be sworn into office for two-year terms during the city’s organizational meeting on Monday, Nov. 18 at 9 a.m.
There were eight questions posed to the city’s voters, answered with a simple yes or no, to amend the Holmes Beach charter. The questions were devised by the charter review commission whose members were voted into office in November 2018 by the city’s residents. Voters passed all eight charter amendments.
Question 1, a revision of the city’s legal description, bringing the description of the city’s boundaries in line with the description in other city documents, passed with 767 votes in favor of the amendment and 90 votes against it.
Question 2, governing how city leaders can transfer ownership of or long-term lease city-owned property, passed with 704 votes in favor of the amendment and 152 votes against it.
Question 3, changing how budget amendments of less than $100,000 are adopted by commissioners, passed with 638 votes in favor of the amendment and 218 votes against it.
Question 4, amending how department heads are fired, by the concurrence of city commissioners, not just by the mayor, passed with 616 votes in favor of the amendment and 224 votes against its adoption.
Question 5, changing the job description of the city treasurer to allow for the city’s annual financial statements to be audited by an independent accountant, passed with 790 votes for the measure and 119 against its adoption.
Question 6, removing the building and public works department as a charter department, passed with 493 votes for and 345 votes against the measure.
Question 7, removing human resources as a charter department, passed with 557 votes in favor of and 282 votes against the amendment.
Question 8, transferring the filing of written notices of candidacy from the city clerk’s office to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office, passed with 627 votes for and 228 votes against the amendment.
HOLMES BEACH – Commissioner Jim Kihm is running for his second term in office and he’s hoping that the city’s voters stand behind him.
Kihm was first elected to the city commission in November 2017 and was elected by his fellow commissioners to serve as commission chair in November 2018.
Including Kihm, there are four commission candidates in Holmes Beach – incumbents Rick Hurst and Carol Soustek and newcomer Terry Schaefer. To help the voters get to know each one better, The Sun is conducting an interview with each candidate to find out where they stand on the issues. Here are Kihm’s answers.
What should the voters know about you?
“They should know that I am very committed to this city since moving here. This is my home. I feel very passionate about it and I’m willing to work hard for them should they re-elect me to the commission.”
What has been your greatest accomplishment for the city?
“I can’t point to one thing. My approach is using common sense and good judgment in reviewing the issues before the commission and hopefully we’ve come up with some good decisions and ordinances as a result.”
What would you hope to accomplish in a new term as commissioner?
“I think just continuing on some of the themes that I had during the first term. I’m very pleased to have served as legislative liaison for the city and a couple of my key items are to continue lobbying for a fair share of the tourist development tax to come back to the city to offset some of the impact that the number of tourists has on our city. The other thing is that I’m a proponent of home rule. I think that those issues that affect us locally should be decided here and not in Tallahassee.”
Jim Kihm
What is the biggest problem facing Holmes Beach?
“Right now, I think it’s the Bert Harris claims that have been filed against the city. Again it’s a result of some action that the commissioners took in response to an outreach by the residents to see if there isn’t some way we can try to contain some of the outsized development that’s happened, the big party houses if you will, and to try to limit that growth going forward. As a consequence of that action, several of the residents here have decided to file suit, making Bert Harris claims about their development rights being impacted. I think that’s the biggest thing that’s facing the city in the near term.”
How would you fix it?
“I think again the commission has made its decision that we need to limit the size of houses going forward and, as far as the Bert Harris claims, that’s in litigation and I really can’t comment at this time.”
Do you think the residents have enough of a voice in city government?
“I think they have an opportunity to have a voice. I know I have reached out to many of them on my campaign and going out and trying to meet as many of the residents as I can, encourage them to reach out to me and the other city commissioners if they have something that’s on their mind and certainly to attend our city commission meetings, email us and so on to let us know what they’re thinking and what action we should take on their behalf.”
Some say the city’s budget needs to be cut. Do you agree? How would you address this issue?
“I think we need to be mindful that the taxes that we raise come from the people of the city. So, we need to be mindful of how we’re spending those dollars. At the same time, we’ve got some unique challenges in front of us in the near term, the Bert Harris claims being one, so we’ve increased our reserves, our legal reserves for defending those claims. The other one is the infrastructure problems that we have throughout the city. I’ve asked for an update from the city engineer at the Oct. 22 meeting to really get our hands around the magnitude of how big is the problem, how much is it going to cost, how long it is going to take before I think the commission can vote on a proper… what an appropriate increase to our stormwater fees should be.”
What is the most important part of being a Holmes Beach commissioner?
“The most important part I would say is first of all representing the residents and the businesses here in the city. And secondly, is to thoughtfully consider any changes that we make to our city government, whether it be an ordinance that we’re thinking about or a change to our fee structure. You really need to think long and hard about those and what the impacts are. Is it a good change and is it necessary? Is it in the best interests of our citizens to make a change in the first place?”
Is there anything else you’d like the voters to know?
“I’d like them to know I take the job very seriously. I do my homework. I come prepared to all commission meetings. I’ve read the materials. I’ve tried to reach out to people to get their input to help me form my opinion about the various issues before I go into a commission meeting and we take a vote on a particular topic.”
HOLMES BEACH – City voters will have a lot more decisions to make with their votes in November than choosing which of the four commission candidates to elect to the city commission dais.
There will be eight questions on the ballot in November. Each question was developed by members of the city’s Charter Review Commission and, if approved, will alter the city’s charter, a document outlining how the city should operate and goals for the future. Each question is answered by the choice of a simple “yes” or “no.”
The proposed charter amendments are:
Consolidating the legal description of the city located in Charter Article II into one legal description.
Adding language to Article III to further restrict the use of city-owned or controlled property to require an ordinance approved by both a super-majority vote of the city commission and a referendum placed on a general election ballot to sell, vacate, convey, transfer or abandon city-owned real property and rights of way.
Amend Article III to add language to the charter to allow city commissioners to vote on budget amendments by resolution rather than ordinance provided that funds are already appropriated and the amendment doesn’t exceed $100,000.
Delete the specific reference in Article IV that establishes charter officers in city government and require city commissioners to concur on the termination of a department head.
Clarify the scope and responsibilities of the city treasurer in Article VI to exclude the preparation of audited financial statements. The city’s annual audited financial statements are currently prepared by an independent CPA.
Delete Article IX – Building and Public Works Department from the charter entirely, removing it as a charter-required department and preventing future building officials from being placed in a charter position.
Remove Article X – Human Resources from the charter entirely. This would remove the Human Resources Specialist position from the list of city charter positions.
Transfer some of the city clerk’s election duties to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections, specifically the filing of a notice of candidacy for elected officials and the mayor. If approved, this would require candidates for elected offices to apply directly with the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office rather than with the city clerk at Holmes Beach City Hall.
City commissioners recently passed an ordinance that moved some of the city clerk’s election duties to the Supervisor of Elections Office, however, voters need to agree on the measure in order to change it in the city charter.
HOLMES BEACH – Qualifying week is officially over, and four candidates are posed to fight it out in the polls Nov. 5 to see which of them will take the three commission seats up for grabs.
Incumbents Rick Hurst, Jim Kihm and Carol Soustek have all qualified and are hoping to retake their seats on the dais after the dust settles from the election. Challenging the incumbents is newcomer Terry Shaefer.
Commissioners Jim Kihm, Carol Soustek and Rick Hurst all hope to keep their seats on the dais after the November election. – Kristin Swain | Sun
If Shaefer’s name sounds familiar, it’s because he served in 2018 as one of eight members of a city-formed ad hoc committee studying Holmes Beach’s form of government. Ultimately, the committee determined that a city manager form of government, versus a strong mayor and commission government like the city currently has, would be in the city’s best interests.
After months of meetings and a presentation to city commissioners, the commission ultimately decided to place the decision of whether or not to put the city manager question on the ballot in the hands of the 2019 charter review commission. Charter review commissioners did not have the supermajority vote of members required to put the question on the November ballot.
If re-elected, this will be Kihm’s second term as a commissioner. He currently serves as the commission chair and legislative liaison, keeping his fellow commissioners apprised of what issues in Tallahassee may affect local regulations.
Re-election would also mean a second term for Hurst, who serves as the city’s liaison to The Center of Anna Maria Island, where he also volunteers as a youth sports coach, and Anna Maria Elementary School. Hurst also is a local business owner, having a partial ownership stake in The Freckled Fin restaurant in Holmes Beach. Hurst was first elected in November 2017.
For Soustek, re-election would mean her third full term on the dais. After first being appointed to the commission in November 2014 to fill the unexpired term of former Commissioner David Zaccagnino, she was elected to the commission in 2015 and again in 2017. Soustek currently serves as the commission’s code compliance liaison.
In addition to electing or re-electing commissioners, Holmes Beach voters also will have eight questions on the ballot proposed by the charter review commission. Each question represents a proposed change to the city’s charter.
Voters will go to the polls on Nov. 5. For more information about the election or to register to vote, visit the Manatee County elections office.
BRADENTON BEACH – West Manatee Fire Rescue (WMFR) Fire Chief Tom Sousa wants Bradenton Beach voters to know the fire district does not endorse city commission candidates.
However, the Suncoast Professional Firefighters & Paramedics Local 2546 labor union that represents WMFR firefighters and paramedics does endorse candidates, including Bradenton Beach candidates Marilyn Maro and Ralph Cole. The union support is provided through its Firefighters & Paramedics for Public Safety political action committee (PAC).
Sousa and Fire Marshall Jim Davis recently became aware of campaign materials expressing firefighters’ support for Maro and Cole. Sousa visited Mayor John Chappie on Thursday, Oct. 18, to clarify the district’s position on political endorsements. Later that day, Sousa spoke with The Sun.
Sousa was contacted by another candidate who claimed to have received a flyer saying the West Manatee Fire Rescue District was supporting Bradenton Beach commission candidates. The claim proved untrue, but there are references to West Manatee firefighters and local firefighters.
“It doesn’t say West Manatee Fire Rescue District. We have policies that prohibit our firefighters from using our name, equipment, uniform or any insignia that says West Manatee Fire Rescue District in any kind of political campaign,” Sousa said.
“Our employees may get involved individually, and that’s a personal choice, but the West Manatee Fire Rescue District and the district commissioners do not get actively involved in political campaigns or endorse candidates. We’re neutral,” Sousa said.
When asked about his visit with Chappie, Sousa said, “I wanted to convey to him that there is no relationship between the district and the property formerly known as Bradenton Beach Volunteer Fire Station,” which is owned by Bradenton Beach Fire Lodge Inc.
The old Bradenton Beach fire station. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The 2001 merger of West Side Fire Rescue and Anna Maria Fire Rescue produced the West Manatee Fire Rescue District and the construction of a new fire station on Cortez Road. Increased certification requirements for volunteer firefighters alleviated the need for the building to remain a volunteer fire station.
At the time of the merger, the fire hall had long been owned by West Manatee Fire & Rescue Volunteers Inc. That association still owns the fire hall and the property but in 2017 changed its name to Bradenton Beach Fire Lodge Inc., at the request of Sousa, to avoid confusion with the West Manatee Fire Rescue District. As volunteers, WMFR firefighters continue to care for and use the station for other purposes.
Union support
In August, the Venice-based union PAC that represents a dozen fire districts contributed $1,000 each to Maro and Cole’s campaigns.
In 2017, the PAC donated $1,000 to Chappie’s successful campaign to unseat Mayor Bill Shearon. Shearon’s life partner, Tjet Martin, and his friend, John Metz, now seek the commission seats held by Maro and Cole.
The PAC also recently spent $584 on a mailer that encouraged voters to support Cole and Maro and said, “West Manatee Firefighters know how important it is to have a voice in our community.”
A door hanger/flyer distributed by Maro and her supporters said, “Join your local firefighters who support Marilyn Maro” and included a disclaimer stating Maro paid for it.
Yellow campaign signs paid for by the candidates have appeared that say, “Your Local Fire Fighters support Maro” or “Your Local Fire Fighters support Cole.”
Firefighters have also been walking the neighborhoods in support of Maro and Cole.
When contacted, Local 2546 President Merv Kennell said no taxpayer funds or WMFR resources are used for political campaigns, but firefighters can engage in political activities on their own time.
“All four candidates were invited to interview. It’s my understanding the ones endorsed were the ones who showed up. They were interviewed by the representatives of the membership. They decided to go with those two candidates because they were supportive of the issue that matters to those guys, and that is the property rights,” Kennell said.
For some, the 2001 merger raised questions about the ownership of the hall and Kennell was asked if the endorsements are related to the past desires of Shearon and others to acquire the hall as city property.
“I’d heard there had been prior attempts at getting that property. It’s important that the people getting elected understand and respect those private property rights,” Kennell said.
Local union rep
Buddy Bowen is the local union rep for WMFR firefighters. He said all but four of the district’s 34 or 35 firefighters are Local 2546 members. He also said the fire chief and chief officers cannot be union members.
“We’re employees of the fire department, we’re union members and as association members, we’re also property owners in Bradenton Beach and we feel that we have a stake in the community,” Bowen said.
“Marilyn and Ralph were the only ones that responded to my phone calls. We interviewed them specifically about private property rights in Bradenton Beach. We hope to keep that property and that building for local community events and charity events,” Bowen said.
The statewide Florida Professional Firefighters association also donated $500 each to Maro and Cole’s campaigns.
BRADENTON BEACH – City Commission candidates have distributed campaign materials that prompted The Sun to fact check claims being made regarding property taxes.
Candidate Tjet Martin mailed out a campaign letter that said, “Our taxes were raised unnecessarily. A 12 percent increase.”
When adopting the 2018-19 fiscal year budget in September, the City Commission unanimously voted to maintain the 2.3329 millage rate that’s been in place since 2012. Incumbent Commissioners Marilyn Maro and Ralph Cole are now seeking reelection.
The Anna Maria and Holmes Beach commissions also maintained their previous year millage rates.
The Florida Constitution caps property tax increases on homesteaded properties to 3 percent per year. Now up for voter renewal, there is also a 10 percent cap on non-homesteaded properties that includes vacation rentals and commercial properties.
Martin lives with former mayor Bill Shearon at his Linger Longer beachfront resort. According to Manatee County Property Appraiser records, Shearon claims $50,500 in homestead and disability exemptions.
According to Shearon’s 2017 tax bill, he paid $2,473 in Bradenton Beach property taxes last year. According to his 2018 trim notice, Shearon will now pay $2,636. The additional $162 equates to a 6.5 percent increase – not the 12 percent cited in Martin’s letter.
Martin’s next-door neighbor and fellow candidate John Metz’s recent campaign mailer said, “Why are your taxes being raised?”
Metz claims a $25,000 homestead on the beachfront cottage that he lives in and uses half as a vacation rental. He paid $2,019 in city property taxes in 2017. According to his 2018 trim notice, he will now pay $2,160. The additional $141 is 6.5 percent more than last year.
When giving his State of the City address last week, Mayor John Chappie said 251 of Bradenton Beach’s 1,915 taxable properties are homesteaded and account for only $144,000 (10 percent) of the city’s $1.44 million in projected property tax revenues.
CRA claims
Metz’s campaign mailer also took issue with “non-resident merchants” serving on city boards. The seven-member Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) includes two non-resident business owners: Ed Chiles and John Horne.
“Merchants hold four out of seven seats on the CRA Board which answers why our tax money is primarily being spent in the business district,” Metz’s flyer says.
The two other merchants that serve on the CRA are business owners, city residents and city commissioners Ralph Cole and Jake Spooner.
State law requires CRA-generated property tax revenues to be spent only on projects that enhance and improve the CRA district that extends from the Cortez Bridge to the southernmost side of Fifth Street South.
CRA funds are now used for additional marine patrols of the unmanaged anchorage near the Bridge Street Pier and for additional police patrols on Bridge Street. CRA funds paid for recent improvements to Lou Barolo Park and are being used to fund the delayed replacement of the public day dock. CRA funds will be used to put Bridge Street utility lines underground and have been proposed for a park and ride shuttle service from Cortez Beach to Bridge Street.
Legal fees
Metz is treasurer of the Keep Our Residential Neighborhoods (KORN) political action committee chaired by former Bradenton Beach resident Reed Mapes, who now lives in Parrish. When KORN failed to get four charter amendment questions placed on this year’s ballot, Mapes and KORN filed a lawsuit against the city. A judge’s ruling is expected soon.
According to City Treasurer Shayne Thompson, KORN’s lawsuit cost the city $10,812 as of Oct. 19. The Charter Review Committee appointed in response to KORN’s charter initiatives cost an additional $22,155.
The 2017 Concerned Neighbors of Bradenton Beach charter amendment initiatives Metz and Martin helped initiate cost city taxpayers $9,435.
In 2017, the City Commission jointly initiated a civil lawsuit alleging Metz, Martin and four other city advisory board members violated the Sunshine Law by discussing city business outside of a properly noticed city meeting. To date, that lawsuit has cost city taxpayers $101,491 and a trial date is sought for early 2019.
The 2016 lawsuit Metz filed against the city and Building Official Steve Gilbert has cost city taxpayers $31,309.
In 2015, Metz unsuccessfully challenged the candidacy of recall election candidate Jack Clarke. That legal action taken against Clarke later subjected city taxpayers to more than $11,000 in unbudgeted legal fees.
Anna Maria Island and Cortez voters will help determine the winner of the District 6, at-large County Commission race between incumbent commissioner Carol Whitmore and challenger Candace Luther.
The two candidates recently responded to questions received from The Sun and some of those questions and answers appear below.
Luther
Why do you want to serve on the County Commission?
Luther: I don’t feel the citizens of Manatee County are being properly represented. Too often those making the decisions go against the wishes of the people in favor of the special interests. I want to be the voice for the people of Manatee County.
Too often county staff does not do due diligence in reviewing proposals before coming before the commissioners. I have seen errors in the past and it is time to stop this. I will do the research myself. I will not just rubber stamp whatever comes forward, and staff needs to do better.
Whitmore: There are many issues that will mold the future of the county and the islands and we need someone on the commission who knows Anna Maria Island. Before I became a county commissioner, I served as the Holmes Beach mayor for eight and a half years. I know how to work with other governments and agencies to get Manatee County its fair share of federal and state funds.
I pushed for the Island Trolley and for free transit for all county citizens over 80 years old. I worked with all three Island mayors to help them acquire beach concession funds that stay on the Island.
Whitmore
What do you see as the most important issues facing the county?
Luther: The single most important issue facing our county right now is the red tide air and water pollution problem. The sources for this problem have still not been addressed, and nothing has been done to correct this problem. I have gone out myself to collect samples of water, sand, sludge and foam to find out what is in the water, so the sources can be properly identified.
We need to stop the sources of the pollution. Our residents’ health is being affected, tourism is being affected, the incomes of our residents are being affected, and the list goes on. Without clean air and water, nothing else really matters. There are many issues I want to address, but this is priority number one.
Whitmore: Searching for a new county administrator; acquiring and pushing the study for a new bridge over Manatee River to relieve traffic congestion; pushing to improve and update our parks; initiating a campaign to build a new animal shelter more centrally located in Manatee County; getting ahead of the infrastructure being built in north county with sidewalks, roads and bridges.
How would you assess the county’s red tide response?
Luther: I think it has been a pathetic attempt at a cover-up with no solutions. Their response to the red tide was to dump the toxic biohazardous waste into the landfill. All this did was spread the toxins to the eastern part of the county too. It seems all anyone cared about was removing the carcasses from the beach to make it look as though everything was fine. I would like to know where are the water tests showing what toxins and bacteria are present? Where are the air quality tests?
Whitmore: As a 49-year resident on Anna Maria Island, I have been through many red tides. I was on the first board of START when they formed after a terrible red tide in the 90s. The county is still assessing the beaches every day, cleaning when needed and reporting the status of the beaches. I recently received a call from someone wanting help in their canals and I referred them to Cortez fisherman Nathan Meschelle.
What are your thoughts on the recent County Commission approvals of the Aqua by the Bay, Lake Flores, Peninsula Bay and Hunters Point development projects?
Luther: Aqua by the Bay is a disaster in the making. I don’t know how it got approval without a complete site plan or even knowing how many buildings are to be built. This monstrosity does not fit the atmosphere of the fishing village around it. All this development is going to create an even bigger traffic problem and create more stormwater runoff due to there being less permeable land. Once again, approvals were given despite the public outcry for denial.
Whitmore: Aqua was a tough one, mainly because most people don’t understand what they wanted and what they got. They wanted to destroy the shoreline and The Kitchen. They got the number of units they have had the right to build since 1989, and they are allowed the same height as IMG. Lake Flores is being built by the Preston family, who have owned the property for over 100 years. This project was supported by many environmental groups. Peninsula Bay, also a Whiting Preston project, allows them to develop land they have had the rights to since 1989, with no cutting of mangroves. Hunters Point is my favorite, with zero carbon footprint and tiny houses.
Holmes Beach mayoral candidate Josh Linney is again coming under fire, this time for offering an hour of free technical support on his election postcard mailing.
Offering anything of monetary value in election mailings, including services, is a violation of Florida law because it implies that candidates are paying for votes.
The catch with Linney’s mailing is that, according to his company site, Digital Verb, he doesn’t charge for an hour of technical support, only labor, which is listed at $50 per hour.
According to Sharon Stief, chief deputy at the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections office, the statement on the postcard is in violation of Florida Statute 104.061 which states: “No person shall directly or indirectly give or promise anything of value to another intending thereby to buy that person’s or another’s vote.”
Linney argues that while he’s aware of the law, the statute doesn’t apply to him because the offered service has no monetary value.
“I think it’s important that it be known, the postcard doesn’t change the price or make it free, it’s always free. There isn’t any cash value, never has been because I don’t charge people,” Linney told The Sun.
Linney said that rather than offering a service to voters for their support of his campaign, he hopes that the offer on his campaign postcards will be taken as an opportunity for him to interact with the public. He said in exchange for answering residents’ questions he wants residents to tell him how, if elected, he could work to make Holmes Beach better.
“I just want to engage with the community,” he said. “I’ll do whatever they need. I’ll clean their house if they want me to.”
In an emailed statement, Linney wrote, “I don’t think it’s fair to ask hardworking residents, citizens and merchants to take time out of their day if I’m not willing to do the same. If someone has a problem and they think I have the solution, I’m willing to take the time to go meet with them personally to see if I can help them. If any in the city of Holmes Beach has anything they want me to hear about anything or wants to ask me any question any time, I’ll go to them personally to hear it. That’s the way it should be.”
The statement on his campaign postcard causes an issue because generally, technical support does come at a cost, particularly in-home assistance. Without a complaint to the state elections board that would have to be investigated, the issue won’t move forward or pose a threat to remove Linney from candidacy in Holmes Beach.
Linney said that right now he has no plans to re-release the postcard mailing without the offer, however, he said he will if necessary.
No complaints have yet been filed with the Florida Elections Commission concerning Linney’s election postcard.
Absentee voting already is underway in Holmes Beach. Early voting begins Oct. 24 in Manatee County. Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 6.
