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Treehouse owners prep for demolition

Treehouse owners prep for demolition

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

HOLMES BEACH – The bells are tolling their last for the beachfront treehouse at Angelinos Sea Lodge as an attorney for the owners has confirmed in court that the structure will be demolished by the end of July.

Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas met with attorneys for both the city and the owners of the structure via a Zoom hearing on June 26 to hear how compliance with his February order mandating the removal of the treehouse was progressing. Attorney Fred Moore, speaking on behalf of owners Lynn Tran and Richard Hazen, said that permits were being filed with the city’s building department for the removal of the structure, a contractor has been hired and a permit from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has been issued for the demolition of the treehouse. With the FDEP permit expiring on July 31, Moore said the couple will move forward with demolition as soon as the city permit is granted.

“The demolition of the treehouse will take place,” Moore said.

Chad Minor, Holmes Beach city planner, said during the hearing that the treehouse owners’ contractor had not supplied all the required permit application documents as of the time of the hearing. Moore said that the contractor and the couple are working to comply with all the permit requirements. No permits for demolition were issued by the city as of press time for The Sun.

Sanctions in the amount of $4,040 also were paid by the couple, the city’s attorney, Randy Mora, confirmed.

Nicholas agreed to a final case status conference to be held by Zoom in mid-August to make sure that the treehouse has been removed in compliance with his Feb. 12 order. Initially, the order set a deadline of July 3 for removal, though he agreed to allow Tran and Hazen 45 more days to obtain the necessary permits and remove the contested structure. As of July 3, city leaders legally have the option to provide written notice to the owners to enter the property and remove the treehouse with the bill for removal going to Tran and Hazen for reimbursement. Mora said that with the owners actively working on getting the permits and planning for demolition he doesn’t believe city leaders are planning to take that route and instead are still hoping for compliance from Tran and Hazen.

The treehouse has been a point of contention for more than a decade since it was first dreamed up by the couple in 2009.

Tran and Hazen state that they contacted the city’s building department at the time to see if they needed a permit for a treehouse and were told they did not. Once the two-story treehouse was built in an Australian pine with additional wooden pillar supports westward of the couple’s home, which also is home to their four-unit vacation rental business, issues with the city began.

Code enforcement notified the couple that they needed a permit for the structure, though they were unable to meet the requirements for an after-the-fact permit, according to city leaders, due to the treehouse’s proximity to the erosion control line.

The treehouse became the subject of code enforcement special magistrate hearings and court cases in 2011, continuing until this past May when an appeal to Nicholas’s February ruling was abandoned by the couple in Florida’s Second District Court of Appeal.

TDC supports Holmes Beach path funding

TDC supports Holmes Beach path funding

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

Superintendent of Public Works Sage Kamiya was back in front of the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) at its June 10 meeting. He was there to answer questions and concerns previously brought up by TDC members after his initial presentation requesting tourist tax funding for a city-long multimodal path at an Aug. 21, 2023 meeting.

Kamiya noted that there is a path for walkers and bicyclists that runs along a portion of Marina Drive, but it needs improvement. The proposed new path would begin around the 2800 block of Gulf Drive and continue almost the entire length of the city to where Gulf Drive and Marina Drive merge in the 8000 block. The proposal calls for the path to be separated from the road by a grassy buffer area to keep people using the path separated from the road, improving safety.

At their last presentation to the TDC, city officials estimated the budget for the entire project was $2,436,727 with half of the money going to the Gulf Drive path improvements ($1,293,238) and the remainder designated for Marina Drive path improvements, engineering design, flashing crosswalks and educational signage. Kamiya told the TDC that the path improvement plan would be implemented in phases, with the first phase focusing on the city center area on both Gulf Drive and Marina Drive. The phase 1 estimate is $1,133,401, with $399,460 coming from the city of Holmes Beach and the remaining $733,948 being requested from the TDC.

Rather than approve or deny the funding at the Aug. 21 meeting, the TDC unanimously chose to have the matter brought to a future meeting in hopes of getting answers to questions multiple board members had, such as whether or not the path would eliminate public parking spots, which side of the street the path would be built on and a more specific timeline, among other concerns and questions. The TDC discussed the request at both the Oct. 16, 2023 and Dec. 4, 2023 meetings, but still had questions.

According to Kamiya, because of the delay, Holmes Beach decided to use funds set aside for phase one of the project for other city projects, so the numbers have changed since it was last discussed. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has recently started the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Barrier Islands Complete Streets Improvements Study. This study includes the evaluation of multimodal alternatives for State Road 789, County Road 789, Marina Drive and Palm Drive in Holmes Beach.

Kamiya told the TDC that his hope is the PD&E study will provide funding that will take some of the financial weight off the amount the city is requesting from the county’s tourist tax dollars.

“We did get an FDOT letter to support the project,” Kamiya said. “This makes sense from their perspective because they do want to improve safety. There’s been several fatalities along the roadway, so that’s been our push for this.”

Kamiya went on to ask the council if they would back a portion of the proposal that would not be funded by the PD&E study. He said that amount would be around $500,000. Kamiya also noted that the study doesn’t initially carry construction money with it. The funds would be for design and planning, and when it is time for construction, funding through the study as well as the county would have to be discussed further.

TDC member and Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown had concerns about this project at each of the previous two meetings in which this was discussed and was the first to speak up with more questions this time around.

“I’ve been one that’s said all along that it’s important to do the whole Island if we’re going to do anything,” Brown said. “I do have a question; you’ve asked Rep. Buchanan for $2.24 million dollars for a multimodal path along Gulf Drive and Marina Drive. What is that money to be slated for?”

Kamiya responded saying the actual amount requested was $2.9 million and, because the PD&E study does not include construction money, those funds requested would be used for just the multimodal path along Gulf Drive. He added that the $2.9 million would only pay for part of the project and further funds would have to be found to complete the entire project. Kamiya also made it clear that the study funds would only be for the Gulf Drive portion of the project, not Marina Drive or any remaining portions.

Mayor Brown countered, saying he still did not support the request because too many questions remained and he thought the proposal was confusing and incomplete without solid details. Brown also said he was not pleased that Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth was not in attendance for what he saw as a very important meeting. He believed it was not in the best interest of the city to request such a large sum of money without a mayor or vice-mayor in attendance.

Minutes before the TDC took a vote on the request, the discussion took a turn toward the Gulf Island Ferry having a docking place in Holmes Beach. TDC members discussed whether an existing docking location could be improved to support the ferry or the possibility of a new dock being built somewhere in the city. With the stipulation that the possibility of the ferry landing in Holmes Beach be added to the request, the TDC voted unanimously to send the recommendation for $500,000 to Manatee County commissioners.

Holmes Beach City Hall

Holmes Beach election race begins

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

HOLMES BEACH – Qualifying is over, and the race has officially begun for two city commission seats and the position of mayor. With challengers in each race, no incumbent is safe this year.

Incumbent Mayor Judy Titsworth will face off with newcomer to the Anna Maria Island political scene, Michael John Roth. Current Commissioner Dan Diggins will oppose Steven Oelfke, Bill Romberger and former Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore for one of two open spots on the city commission dais. In the commission race, the top two vote-getters will take the open seats. Commissioner Greg Kerchner opted not to run for re-election in November.

MAYORAL CANDIDATES

MICHAEL ROTH

Roth is a Tampa businessman and newcomer to Anna Maria Island politics. His political website, www. ILikeMikeForMayor.com, states that his attachment to Manatee County began with his family being members of the Bradenton Yacht Club since 1972. According to his website, he has been a property owner in Holmes Beach for over 20 years. Property records show that his property was homesteaded in 2021.

Roth’s residential property in Tampa is listed as the address for his business, Archangel Technologies, a commercial and government contractor dealing with healthcare staffing, oncology, medical physicists and business and financial consulting. His wife, Casey, is listed as his business partner. His political website also states that Roth is a veteran, having served 34 years in the U.S. Army.

According to his website, Roth is running for mayor because he feels the city is in need of strong leadership and experience in light of the state of Florida and Manatee County attacks on home rule in the city. His statements go on to note that he would work to interact with local and state leaders in the way they expect a mayor to respond.

JUDY TITSWORTH

Judy Titsworth
Judy Titsworth

Titsworth is no stranger to Holmes Beach politics, having served as a city commissioner from 2012-18 and as mayor since November 2018. If re-elected, this would be her fourth term as mayor.

Titsworth said she feels being mayor of a city like Holmes Beach is a full-time job and gave up her position with Shoreline Builders to commit herself fully to working at the city. The city she serves was named for her grandfather, Jack Holmes. In addition to her work in the local political arena, Titsworth also volunteers as a wildlife rehabilitator. A lifelong Holmes Beach resident, Titsworth grew up on Anna Maria Island, leaving, she said, only to attend college before returning to raise her children in the Island city.

As mayor, she’s held the line against the encroachment of paid parking in Holmes Beach and actively works on initiatives to improve water quality and reduce overdevelopment.

COMMISSION CANDIDATES

DAN DIGGINS

Diggins was first elected to the city commission in 2022 and is seeking his second term on the dais. A Holmes Beach resident since 2011, Diggins previously worked as a commercial pilot, air traffic controller, airport/airspace designer and a worldwide aircraft accident investigator. Now Diggins says he enjoys working with his fellow commissioners and playing golf at least twice a week.

While on the commission, Diggins has served as the commission liaison for the Island Transportation Planning Organization, Manatee County Council of Governments and as an alternate for the Manatee County Emergency Operations Center.

STEVEN OELFKE

Oelfke is ready to take a leap in local politics and move to the city commission. Currently, he serves Holmes Beach on the city’s planning commission with a term expiring July 1, 2026. He and his wife, Jennifer, have been Holmes Beach residents since 2011.

BILL ROMBERGER

Romberger is a newcomer to the Holmes Beach political scene but has been an active community member as both a Realtor and member of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce. He and his family owned and operated the Tropic Isle Inn in Bradenton Beach for over 12 years. Now he works as a Realtor and is seeking a first term in political office.

CAROL WHITMORE

Whitmore, a longtime political figure and Holmes Beach resident, is stepping back into the spotlight after 18 months in the private sector. Previously, she served as a Holmes Beach commissioner and mayor before being elected as a Manatee County at-large commissioner. Now Whitmore says she’s ready to come back to her community to serve as a commissioner, where she hopes she can use her political knowledge to help the city in its fight against government overreach from county and state officials.

Cameras to ticket school zone speeders

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

HOLMES BEACH – Changes are coming to the school zone in front of Anna Maria Elementary School and drivers need to take note to avoid a ticket.

“This isn’t about making a buck, it’s about safety,” Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said of the planned camera system.

The system, being provided by Blue Line Solutions, is intended to catch drivers who speed through the school zone and who illegally pass school buses during school zone hours. City leaders in Holmes Beach are entering into the agreement through a piggyback agreement from one recently executed in Hollywood, Florida.

Though the speed limit on Gulf Drive is typically 25 mph, it drops to 15 mph when the yellow flashing beacon activates before and after school hours when there is more traffic in the area and kids are crossing the street.

With the new system, it will be easier to enforce the school zone speed limit with the system automatically generating speeding tickets for offending drivers. A representative for Blue Line, Dave Bocchino, said that the system uses artificial intelligence to identify illegal activity in the school zone and generate tickets, allowing for law enforcement services to be reallocated to other areas, if needed.

Bocchino also said that the system is funded by offenders, meaning that no charges will be billed to the city for the camera system, installation or services provided by Blue Line. The company recoups the cost of operation through an administrative fee charged and fines issued to traffic offenders. Rather than making money or “a cash grab,” he said it’s about making school zones safer for students.

A study conducted by Blue Line in the AME school zone showed 327 speeders over a five-day period going 11 mph or more through the school zone while the flashers were on indicating the lowered speed limit. Starting 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after the flasher times in the morning and afternoon, Bocchino said the study showed 1,300 drivers going through the school zone at speeds in excess of 11 mph over the speed limit. With the camera system, he said the company sees an average reduction of 90% in school zone speeding incidents.

Tokajer said the camera system would only be used to enforce speeding in the school zone while the flashers are on in the mornings and afternoons, when students are moving about in the area. He added that he’s spoken with representatives from AME who are in favor of the camera system.

Blue Line collects a $25 per incident fee along with a monthly fee of $2,500 per camera plus a $15-per-incident processing fee. All fees are subtracted from the gross amount of tickets issued through the system.

The camera system is being installed under a law passed by the state Legislature and approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis that allows camera enforcement of speeding and illegal school bus passing in school zones as of July 1, 2023.

Bocchino said in addition to the camera system and operation, Blue Line also offers an included public education component to help spread the word through the community that the camera system is in place and what to expect when driving through the school zone during school zone hours.

After meeting with several potential vendors while at the Florida Chief’s Association annual conference, Tokajer said that he selected Blue Line because the company has a local presence in Sarasota and charges less in administrative fees to offenders than some other companies.

In addition to the new system, Tokajer said that Director of Public Works Sage Kamiya also completed a Florida Department of Transportation study that shows the one-block-long school zone is not large enough to meet the department’s standards. When the cameras go in, he said the school zone will be restriped and extended by 100 yards to the north and 200 yards to the south.

Drivers won’t have to worry about the new system or the larger size of the school zone until classes resume in August.

Commissioners passed the first reading of an ordinance allowing for the regulation of the school zone. City Attorney Erica Augello said that the ordinance is required to enforce regulations in the school zone.

Holmes Beach prepares residents for hurricane season

Holmes Beach prepares residents for hurricane season

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Hurricane Guide, Special Sections.

HOLMES BEACH – City leaders did not hold back in this year’s hurricane preparedness town hall meeting. In addition to offering resources to prepare for the best possible outcome, Police Chief Bill Tokajer also showed a mock video of the worst, Tampa Bay taking a direct hit from a Category 5 storm.

Over a dozen people plus city staff members and elected officials came out to the May 22 presentation hosted by the Holmes Beach police, code compliance and public works departments. The goal of the annual workshop is to help get property owners ready to face the rigors of hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.

This year’s season is predicted to be more active than average with 23 named storms and 11 hurricanes, 5 of which are predicted to be major hurricanes – a Category 3 storm or higher. Tokajer presented the forecast from Colorado State to the group, noting that it only takes one storm to turn our way and wash over the barrier islands.

Holmes Beach prepares residents for hurricane season
Director of Public Works Sage Kamiya explains to the crowd at city hall how meteorologists describe storm surge and how it translates to where they live and own property. – Kristin Swain | Sun

On the Saffir-Simpson Scale, a Category 1 storm has sustained wind speeds of 74-95 mph, a Category 2 storm has sustained wind speeds of 96-110 mph, a Category 3 storm has sustained wind speeds of 111-129 mph, a Category 4 storm has sustained wind speeds of 130-156 mph and a Category 5 storm has sustained wind speeds of 157 mph or more.

During his presentation, Tokajer primarily spoke on safety before, during and after a hurricane.

He noted that first responders are required to leave the Island once sustained wind speeds hit a certain level. The fire department must leave once sustained winds hit 45 mph to safely navigate their equipment over the bridge. EMS and the police leave once sustained wind speeds hit 55 mph.

Once an evacuation has been called and the storm approaches with enough force to send first responders to the mainland, Tokajer said that calling 911 will only put you on a list to be checked on after the storm safely passes. First responders will not be able to come out and provide assistance during the storm.

Once the storm passes, Tokajer said the city has its own “first in” team to check for structural damage, clear roads and look for downed power lines so the city’s residents and property owners don’t have to wait for Manatee County teams to make it to the Island.

Holmes Beach prepares residents for hurricane season
A light pole at the skate park in the City Field complex, 5901 Marina Drive, is painted to show what storm surge at levels up to 9 feet would realistically look like at that location in Holmes Beach. – Kristin Swain | Sun

Re-entry tags are available at the police station for city residents and are valid for five years.

He encouraged everyone to have a plan in case of evacuation and to go tens of miles away, not hundreds of miles. He also reminded people that while shelters are available in Manatee County they should be used as a refuge of last resort. And while the county does offer a medical needs shelter and transportation to the shelter for those who cannot drive on their own, those services are limited and anyone who thinks they may need the services should visit www.mymanatee.org/needs or call 311 for information.

Tokajer also reminded everyone to digitize records, prepare their homes for the storm including removing any outdoor furniture or tying it down, pack a hurricane kit with food and water for each member of your family and each pet for seven days, a first aid kit, blankets and other bedding if you need to go to a shelter, toys or games for children, comfort items including bedding and potty pads or other necessities for your pets and all of your medication. He also stressed adding cash to your hurricane kit, noting that if electricity isn’t working, debit and credit cards won’t work either.

Director of Public Works Sage Kamiya discussed what the age of their property means for property owners. He said that while a newer structure may be able to withstand higher wind speeds, an older one built to different building codes may have a lower maximum wind speed designation. He encouraged everyone to know the age of their home and to prepare it accordingly using hurricane shutters, sandbags and roof tie downs and other items to prevent damage from winds and flooding. He noted that sandbags, a maximum of 10 per property, are currently available by the pickleball courts at City Field and encouraged people to get them early, before a storm hits to avoid the rush or potentially not being able to get them at all. In the event of massive storm surge, he said that no sandbag will help keep water out of the house.

Holmes Beach prepares residents for hurricane season
Mayor Judy Titsworth does a happy dance at the idea of Anna Maria Island successfully surviving another hurricane season. – Kristin Swain | Sun

Mayor Judy Titsworth encouraged property owners to lift all appliances on the ground floor up by two feet to prevent damage from flooding. Kamiya also noted that all appliances should be unplugged before water begins to enter a structure.

A light pole at the skate park at City Field has recently received a new paint job. Kamiya said that the purpose of the paint is to show realistically what storm surge flooding looks like up to 9 feet or more in Holmes Beach. He said he hopes the pole will help people prepare accordingly for a storm and to reduce confusion from meteorologist predictions.

Local restaurant to close its doors

Local restaurant to close its doors

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Business, Restaurants | Bars.

HOLMES BEACH – A local favorite for more than two decades, Peach’s Restaurant in the Anna Maria Island Shopping Center will close its doors for good on Sunday, June 16.

The Father’s Day closure was announced on social media on May 22 along with the news that a second Peach’s location in Ellenton would also be closing its doors on the same day. The shopping plazas where both restaurants are located are owned by Benderson Development.

Management for the local restaurant chain said that the decision to shutter both locations was made by Benderson, which refused to renew leases for the two locations, citing their plans to move in a different direction with both plazas. Representatives for Peach’s said that the leases both expire on June 30. They added that the closure of both locations affects approximately 40 employees who will be relocated to one of the chain’s six other area restaurants, if possible.

The Holmes Beach Peach’s has been open since 2001 with the Ellenton location opening in 2002.

While the restaurant’s management said they’re actively looking for new locations, nothing has been decided yet.

Representatives for Benderson did not return calls for comment by press time.

Fans of the Holmes Beach restaurant took to social media to express their dismay at the unexpected closure.

“Oh, we are heartbroken to hear this news,” Angie Blunt said, adding that Peach’s is her family’s favorite restaurant on Anna Maria Island and that the staff is like an extended family.

Resident and local activist Laurel Nevans offered to get signatures for a petition or help arrange a protest if the restaurant’s management thought it would help them hold on to the Holmes Beach space. The restaurant’s management replied that while they appreciated the help, they were told a new lease had already been signed for the space by an undisclosed tenant.

“We never imagined it wouldn’t be renewed,” they said of the lease with Benderson.

“This is so sad,” Island visitor Lisa Roberts said. “Visiting Peach’s for breakfast on the first and last morning of our holiday has been a family tradition every time we have visited Anna Maria Island/Holmes Beach from the U.K. over the last 20 years. We would also treat ourselves to lunch at Peach’s Ellenton on our shopping trip. So sad for you all. I do hope you find new locations. We return in April and hope to see you.”

“Have been visiting the Island for over 30 years and Peach’s is always a ‘must do’ on our list,” Debby Reed Howard said. “So very sorry to lose this landmark on AMI.”

“We are sad that we have to close, and we will miss making memories with everyone,” the restaurant’s management said. “AMI is a very special and unique Island, and we are so grateful to have been a part of it!”

The remaining Peach’s locations are at 3201 Manatee Ave. W. in Bradenton, 7315 52nd Place E. in Bradenton, 4292 Bee Ridge Road in Sarasota, 5240 State Road 64 in Bradenton, 6386 N. Lockwood Ridge Road in Sarasota and 1230 Jacaranda Blvd. in Venice.

Editorial: Selling access to the sand

Written by Sun staff on . Posted in Editorial, Opinion.

Manatee County commissioners are on a roll when it comes to disappointing their constituents.

Despite overwhelming protests from the community, commissioners have approved $2.9 million for three pre-design criteria packages for three parking garages, one at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach.

Even Commissioner George Kruse, whom Island residents were starting to rally around, voted in favor of the budget amendment.

Commissioners’ intent with these packages is to seek a public-private partnership agreement for a private developer and builder to come in with a bid package to build and run these parking facilities. The reason a private company or investor would do such a thing, as was said on the county commission dais on May 14, is so they can profit from the paid parking facility.

There goes Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge’s supposed reason for going around Holmes Beach officials to build the parking garage at the beach, which was to give more people access to the beach. Instead, by this plan, only those willing to pay for the privilege of parking on Anna Maria Island will have access to the beach.

Van Ostenbridge already stated that he has no intention of seeking a reduced or free rate for Manatee County residents. Now he and the other five members of the county commission are actively spending tax dollars to build a revenue stream for the developers – and possible campaign contributors – they select at the expense of taxpayers and Manatee County residents.

Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth is the only Anna Maria Island mayor who has taken a stand against paid parking and doesn’t allow it in her city. Holmes Beach has the only free and truly accessible beach access left on Anna Maria Island and county commissioners have gone all the way to the state Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis to make sure that it’s closed to only those willing to pay a premium to access the sand.

With the current slate of county commissioners, this is your tax dollars at work, something voters should remember at the ballot box in the Aug. 20 Republican primary, where many of our local elections are decided, and in the Nov. 5 general election.

Man drowns off Holmes Beach

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

HOLMES BEACH – A day at the beach ended in tragedy on May 18 when an unidentified 75-year-old man drowned in the Gulf of Mexico near the 77th Street beach access.

West Manatee Fire Rescue Fire Marshall Rodney Kwiatkowski said that the man was visiting the beach with his wife when he went for a swim. Red flag warnings were posted at Manatee Beach about 25 blocks away, cautioning the public about unsafe water conditions.

Officials believe that the man fell victim to rip currents and high surf conditions. Kwiatkowski said he believes the victim was visiting Anna Maria Island from England and was not a local resident.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family and friends,” Kwiatkowski said. “West Manatee Fire Rescue cautions even the strongest of swimmers from entering the water during red flag hazard conditions.”

Beach conditions can be viewed daily online at www.safebeachday.com/manatee-public-beach.

The National Weather Service in Tampa Bay/Ruskin issued a rip current statement for coastal Manatee County, including Anna Maria Island, on May 18 at 7:41 a.m. The warning expired at 8 p.m. that evening, but red flags remained at Manatee Beach the next morning.

Swimmers caught in a rip current are advised not to fight the current to get back to shore. Instead, use the current to float out until you can safely swim parallel to shore to get out of the current, then swim back into shore

Candidate qualifying commences soon

Candidate qualifying commences soon

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The candi­date qualifying periods will soon begin for those seeking election or reelection during the 2024 election cycle.

Anna Maria provides a two-week qualifying period. Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach and Manatee County provide one-week qualifying periods. All city commission and may­oral terms on the Island are two-year terms.

Pre-qualifying

State law also provides pre-qualify­ing periods for candidates. According to Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office Chief Deputy Sharon Stief, “The pre-qualifying process is set forth in Florida Statute 99.061(8): A qualifying office may accept and hold qualifying papers submitted not earlier than 14 days prior to the beginning of the qualifying period, to be processed and filed during the qualifying period. This is not new. Municipalities that piggyback onto the general election are able to pre-qualify. When the municipality has elections in off years, that provision is not in their charter.”

Form 6

Because of a new state law that took effect on Jan.1, municipal candidates seeking election or reelection to a mayoral or city commission office must, for the first time, file a Form 6 financial disclosure form that lists the candidate’s net worth, all income sources, all debts (except credit cards) and all tangible assets valued at more than $1,000. County commission candidates were already subjected to the Form 6 filing requirements. Learn more about the Form 6 requirements at the Florida Commission on Ethics website.

Anna Maria

The two-week qualifying period in Anna Maria begins on Monday, June 3 at noon and ends on Friday, June 14 at noon. The mayor’s seat currently held by Dan Murphy and the city com­mission seats currently held by Gary McMullen and Mark Short are up for election in November.

Anna Maria City Clerk LeAnne Addy said during the May 9 city commission meeting that the pre-qualifying period begins on May 27. Qualifying packets will be accepted at that time, but Anna Maria candidates will not be considered qualified until the qualify­ing period opens on June 3.

Bradenton Beach

The one-week qualifying period in Bradenton Beach begins on Monday, June 10 at noon and ends on Friday, June 14 at noon.

The Ward 2 commission seat currently held by Marilyn Maro and the Ward 3 commission seat currently held by Ralph Cole are up for election this fall.

Maro has not attended a commis­sion meeting in person in over a year but has attended several meetings by phone.

Holmes Beach

The one-week qualifying period in Bradenton Beach begins on Monday, June 10 at noon and ends on Friday, June 14 at noon. The mayor’s seat cur­rently held by Judy Titsworth and the city commission seats currently held by Dan Diggins and Greg Kerchner are up for election.

Manatee County

The one-week qualifying period for county candidates begins on Monday, June 10 at noon and ends on Friday, June 14 at noon. County offices up for election this fall include the District 1, 3 and 5 county commission seats, the at-large District 7 county commission seat, the offices of the supervisor of elections, the county clerk, the property appraiser, the tax collector and the sheriff, the District 1 and 3 school board seats and West Manatee Fire Rescue board seats 1 and 5.

Registration, party affiliation

Preceded by early voting and mail voting, the Manatee County primary election will conclude on Tuesday, Aug. 20. The deadline to register to vote in the primary, or to change party affiliation for the party-specific primary elections, is Monday, July 22.

Preceded by early and mail voting, the general election will conclude on Tuesday, Nov. 5. The deadline to register to vote in the general election is Monday, Oct. 7 and party affiliation doesn’t matter in a general election.

To register to vote or to change one’s party affiliation before the county primary, visit the “voter information” link at www.votemanatee.com or visit www.RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov.

For additional qualifying infor­mation regarding city and county races, contact the Supervisor of Elections office or the applicable city clerk’s office.

Hundreds rally against consolidation, garage

Hundreds rally against consolidation, garage

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Featured.

HOLMES BEACH – The Florida heat didn’t stop a crowd from gathering at City Field on Saturday to express their opposition to the Manatee County Commission and Florida Legislature consolidating or eliminating the three Anna Maria Island cities and building a parking garage at Manatee Beach.

The rally, held on May 4 by the Save Florida Home Rule grassroots activist group, brought hundreds of people to the pavilion, including residents, visitors, property owners and other interested community members. The rallying cry for the group was “save home rule.” It was a sentiment echoed by all in attendance as Island elected officials, residents, city staff and a county commission candidate took the stage to share facts with the community on both issues and speak out against the ongoing state-mandated Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) study and a planned parking garage at the public beach.

Save Florida Home Rule organizer Barbara Ehren was first to take the stage, telling onlookers about the grassroots effort to stop government overreach at the state and county levels to bypass municipal land development codes and ordinances regarding development on the Island. The rally was the second official event for the group following a Hands Across the Sand event held in April that was attended by more than 300 people.

Stepping in for Mayor Judy Titsworth was Holmes Beach Commissioner Terry Schaefer, who said he believes that the push to dissolve the cities is to get rid of land use regulations to allow for increased development on the Island. He said that city leaders are working to mount a “strong defense” against government overreach and that he’s happy to see so many community members getting involved in the effort with the hopes that the battle to hang on to the cities won’t get that far.

Hundreds rally against consolidation, garage
Commissioner Terry Schaefer stepped in for Mayor Judy Titsworth to speak on behalf of the city of Holmes Beach. – Kristin Swain | Sun

Schaefer discussed the ongoing unfounded rhetoric largely being voiced by county commissioners, primarily that the city does not have enough parking and that city leaders refuse to work with the county. He said the parking garage and OPPAGA study efforts began at a January 2023 Manatee County state legislative delegation meeting. The parking garage effort was moved through the state House and Senate in an effort to allow the county to circumvent Holmes Beach regulations that do not allow for multi-level parking garages as a land use or paid parking in the city. He said that no county staff or commissioners approached the city to seek a potential exemption for a parking garage at Manatee Beach.

City leaders are required to provide just over 500 parking spaces at beach access points, including the county-owned Manatee Beach under an interlocal agreement governing beach renourishment. Schaefer said the city provides 752 parking spaces at the beach and beach access points throughout the city with hundreds more marked spaces available within a quarter mile of the beach. Police Chief Bill Tokajer regularly counts parking spaces during high-traffic events, such as holiday weekends, and noted that even during spring break there were regularly 70-100 or more spaces available to the public.

“The turnout at a recent Hands Across the Sand and today is certainly encouraging and inspirational to all of us,” Schaefer said. He thanked the assembled community members, stating that he believes it will take not only the Island’s elected officials fighting back but also the residents and property owners to maintain their current way of life.

Holmes Beach Commissioner Dan Diggins also spoke, as well as Anna Maria residents stepping in with short statements from their city leaders, all stating they are against the consolidation of the cities.

One name that came up multiple times during the rally was that of County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge.

Speakers stated that Van Ostenbridge was largely the catalyst behind the effort for the parking garage, an effort that he previously told The Sun he was putting forth to make the beach accessible for all. If the parking garage is built, Van Ostenbridge said it would be paid parking. It would also make Manatee Beach and the restroom, food and beverage, and retail facilities there, along with parking, inaccessible during three or more years of construction on the parking garage. The existing facilities would be destroyed and new ones would be built in the three-story garage with additional parking on the roof. Previously, Titsworth said that she’s fighting to keep parking in Holmes Beach free for everyone, but that if a paid parking garage was constructed at Manatee Beach city leaders would have to rethink their stance on that. Holmes Beach is the only Island city that does not allow paid parking. Currently, there is no funding to build the parking garage.

County commission candidate Diana Shoemaker spoke, sending a few shots at Van Ostenbridge, whose seat on the dais she’s seeking to fill. Shoemaker will face off against either Van Ostenbridge or Tal Siddique on the November election ballot, depending on which one wins the August Republican primary.

If elected, Shoemaker vowed to work with Island residents to make sure that their voices are heard at the county level and to work to stop government overreach in the municipalities.

While Van Ostenbridge has not been directly linked to the ongoing OPPAGA study looking at options to consolidate the cities into one, dissolve the municipalities and consolidate them into either unincorporated Manatee County or the city of Bradenton, or leave them as-is, his strained relationship with the elected officials of the cities, particularly Holmes Beach, has been well-vocalized by the commissioner both on and off the dais. After a recent OPPAGA visit, Holmes Beach leaders were left with the distinct impression that the option being most strongly considered is the elimination of the three municipalities, folding them into unincorporated Manatee County and directly under the authority of the county commission.

Ending the rally, Ehren restated the motto of the Save Florida Home Rule group, “Keep your hands off our cities.”

Residents consider initiating consolidation referendum

Residents consider initiating consolidation referendum

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

HOLMES BEACH – Anna Maria Island residents are working to find ways to fight back against a loss of home rule and the potential consolidation or elimination of the three Island cities, and are considering whether or not initiating a voter referendum is the best way to go.

At an April 23 Holmes Beach Commission meeting, resident Debra Hall said that she’s spoken with the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office and is looking at the possibility of putting a referendum on the ballot to get voters’ opinions on whether or not to consolidate, eliminate or leave the three Island cities as they are. While she said she’s received the steps needed to get a referendum on the November general election ballot, she added that she’s not sure it’s the right thing to do.

According to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections and Florida Division of Elections websites, to have a referendum on the ballot, 10% of registered voters – in this case, 10% of voters from each Island city – would need to sign a petition in favor of the referendum. Those petitions would be presented to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office where each signature would need to be verified at a cost of 50 cents each. The wording on the petition would have to match the wording of the referendum as it would appear on the ballot. If the referendum reaches the required number of signatures, it’s placed on the ballot for the next general election. The deadline for the November ballot is Aug. 18.

While Commissioner Terry Schaefer said he appreciates the efforts of the residents, the city cannot be involved in a resident-initiated ballot referendum.

“Politics is such an ugly thing,” Commissioner Greg Kerchner said. “We really have to be on our best behavior and cannot get involved.”

Resident Daria Gramento said that she wants to get the information out to the general public about the threat to the Island cities to alert other coastal cities that the same government overreach could happen to them.

Barbara Ehren, one of the Save Florida Home Rule organizers, said that a goal of the group is to get the results of the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability study currently being conducted by the state released to the public. She said her group is currently debating whether or not initiating a ballot referendum is the best strategic move to make at this point.

“These are the biggest challenges we’ve faced as a community and it’s a significant affront to home rule,” Schaefer said. “Everyone in our city government is very resolute in our mission – to tell the truth. It’s difficult to offset the misinformation being disseminated. We’re trying very hard to not do that with anger but with research and facts. I believe that the facts will ultimately prevail.”

He said he hopes to have good dialogue with state representatives in the future and that the combined efforts of the cities and the residents will turn back the threats against the cities.

“Don’t lose faith, folks. This is far from over,” he said, reassuring the public that if the worst happens and state leaders decide to dissolve the cities, that Holmes Beach leaders are ready to fight back, though city leaders declined to say what their efforts would entail at this time.

Holmes Beach logo

City leaders talk mangrove regulations

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

HOLMES BEACH – City leaders are considering taking on the responsibility for local mangrove regulation from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).

Development Services Director Chad Minor said the process to get that permission may be simpler than previously thought.

Minor gave commissioners and Mayor Judy Titsworth an update on the process during an April 23 work session. He said that while leaders in the three Anna Maria Island cities and Longboat Key want to consolidate efforts to enforce mangrove regulations locally, each city will need to apply separately. Once FDEP approves all four cities, they can consolidate enforcement efforts. However, each city will still need to maintain its own agreement with the department.

Commissioner Dan Diggins noted that if all of the Island cities are approved by FDEP, it would be a first effort toward the consolidation of services desired by members of the Manatee County state legislative delegation.

City Attorney Erica Augello said that the process for application is outlined by state statute. The city has to send a written request to the department. Once received, FDEP representatives have 45 days to act. Augello said that if the department approves or doesn’t respond within 45 days, the city gets to act locally in FDEP’s stead.

If the city receives approval, any existing local mangrove regulations disappear after 180 days and cannot be regained. The city of Holmes Beach currently does not have any regulations related to mangroves.

While city leaders can make stricter procedures for permitting outside of the riparian mangrove fringe and have stricter substantive standards than the state allows, they cannot create stricter processes or regulations for mangrove trimming and removal. Minor said that city leaders would be unable to alter FDEP mangrove exemptions.

Discussion is expected to continue at a future meeting.

Responses filed in negligence suit

Responses filed in negligence suit

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – The two defendants in a civil suit filed by the daughter of Miriam Trotter, 86, of Bradenton, who was killed in a traffic accident on May 12, 2023, have filed responses to the suit in Manatee County’s 12th Judicial Circuit Court.

Deborah Trotter, 66, of Maryland, was crossing the street with her mother, Miriam, shortly after the reopening of the Holmes Beach intersection of Marina Drive and Gulf Drive, according to the suit. The two were crossing the street in the crosswalk when a 2018 GMC truck driven by Michael Ritchie, 43, of Bradenton, made a left turn on a green light and did not see the women crossing, resulting in both being hit by the truck.

According to a Holmes Beach police report, Ritchie was traveling south on Marina Drive turning left on Gulf Drive. The truck was stopped in the turn lane to turn onto Gulf Drive. The light turned green and Ritchie began to make the left turn onto Gulf Drive. The Trotters were crossing in the marked crosswalk, northbound over Gulf Drive, when they were struck by the truck. Both pedestrians were transported to HCA Florida Blake Hospital with injuries. Deborah was released from the hospital the same day, but Miriam suffered critical injuries during the crash and died on May 17.

HBPD Chief Bill Tokajer said Ritchie was cited for failing to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian at an intersection with a traffic control device, but was not charged with a criminal offense since their investigation determined he was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol and did not leave the scene. Ritchie was found guilty on Aug. 9, 2023, and fined $166.

On Dec. 27, 2023, Deborah Trotter filed a civil suit for $50,000 as the personal representative of the estate of her mother. Trotter’s lawsuit lists Ritchie individually and C-Squared Certified General Contractor Inc., a Florida corporation, that was the primary contractor overseeing all aspects of the months-long improvement project at the intersection where the accident took place. Trotter’s suit claims the barricade placement, maintenance of traffic modifications, lack of signage, lack of coordination between traffic and pedestrian signals, and many other factors made the intersection dangerous. The suit claims that Miriam Trotter’s death could have been prevented if C-Squared had not been negligent.

The suit claims Ritchie was negligent on 14 counts, which include failing to yield the right-of-way, failure to be aware of traffic conditions and 12 other actions that allegedly led to Trotter’s death. In Ritchie’s Feb. 1 response to the suit, filed by his attorney, W. Scott Hamilton, Ritchie admits that Trotter was struck by the vehicle, but denies all other allegations. The response also claims that all damages in the incident were caused in whole or in part by the negligence of persons or entities other than Ritchie, including, but not limited, to C-Square.

C-Squared’s response to the suit was filed on March 19 by attorney Jeremy Chevres. The response claims Trotter’s death and any damages were caused by negligence on the part of Trotter and Ritchie.

“The plaintiff’s alleged injuries and/or damages resulted from independent, subsequent, unforeseeable, intervening and/or superseding causes beyond the defendant’s control, and consequently, the defendant is not liable,” Chevres said in the response.

A Zoom video hearing is scheduled for Monday, April 22 at 11:30 a.m. in Manatee County’s 12th Judicial Circuit Court before Magistrate David Caskey.

One ARK Foundation raises funds for foster families

One ARK Foundation raises funds for foster families

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

live music, delicious food and spirited fundraising as the One ARK Foundation held its second annual “Kindness Matters Extravaganza” at The Cheesecake Cutie & Cafe on March 21.

“One ARK” stands for “one act of random kindness” and is a newly-established 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by The Cheesecake Cutie and Cafe owners Jennifer and Kane Geils, who have been licensed foster care parents in Bradenton for two years and foster parents for six years.

“This event is to help raise money for foster families, adoptive families and single-parent families; that’s what One Ark is about,” Kane Geils said. “We are building programs and raising money to support the entire family of fostering, adopting or single parents.”

Kane says there are a lot of gaps in the system and needs that haven’t been met, and their goal is to fill those needs. He says they are also working with other organizations in the area that can help fill those needs. Their hope is that their fundraising efforts will help fill those gaps.

Kane says they are in the beginning stages of the project, and families don’t apply for assistance, rather, people refer them to One ARK. He says they chat with the families and find out their needs, then assess their ability to help. If One ARK is unable to help, they are committed to getting them with an organization that may be more equipped to do so.

The 2023 fundraiser raised $7,500, 25% of which went to Safe Children’s Coalition in Bradenton and 25% of which went to All Star Children’s Center in Sarasota. The other 50% went to four foster families in the local community.

“This year, we hope to raise at least what we raised last year, but right now we know the numbers are way above that,” he said.

In addition to the $50 fee to attend the event, an auction hosted by Bob Slicker raised thousands of dollars thanks to donations by area businesses. The total raised is not yet available. For more information, visit www.onearkfoundations.org.

Surf shop celebrates 60

Surf shop celebrates 60

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Business, Retail.

HOLMES BEACH – Jim Brady’s West Coast Surf Shop is in third place at age 60, with two other Anna Maria Island businesses having been here longer – Irene’s Resort Wear (1956) and Duffy’s Tavern, Bar and Grill (1958) – but the heat ain’t over ’til it’s over.

It was 1964, and Ride the Wild Surf was the big surf movie. Brady’s pals from Manatee High were dancing to the sounds of Jan and Dean and the Beach Boys on the roof of the Manatee Beach pavilion, sizing up suntans, swimsuits and steps.

But Brady’s mind was on a rescue surfboard that lifeguards Dave Miller and Phil Sims were letting him mess around on.

It’s the same old story, ever since the first wave rider caught the first wave. First, it nudges you from behind, catching you just right, then it picks you up and hurtles you forward until you’re walking on the water.

And another surfer is born.

At 16, Brady took surfing so seriously he opened the West Coast Surf Shop where the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce is now, selling surfboards, wax and T-shirts.

His grandmother, Aida Brady, and his aunt, Carol Stevens, filled in for him while he went to class. When the surf was up and they weren’t around, he’d hang a sign on the door saying, “Gone surfing.” He remembers guys tracking him down in the water, wanting him to open up the store so they could buy some wax.

He moved to the current shop at 3902 Gulf Drive in 1979, just south of Manatee Beach and across Gulf Drive from Duffy’s original location.

It’s a family business. His wife, Ronee, is usually behind the counter, trademark pencil behind her ear. Their daughter, Brandi, also works there, and has been holding summer surf camp on the beach outside the shop for years. Her kids, Georgio Gomez and Izzi Gomez, are professional surfers based in California.

In 2011, the Bradys put the shop up for sale to spend more time on the surfing circuit with their grandkids. They never sold.

Brady says his surf shop is the oldest in Florida. Ron Jon’s in Cocoa Beach celebrated their 60th anniversary last year, but who can really remember what happened in the ‘60s?

“It’s been 60 years and we’re starting to get a little tired, but I don’t know if we’ll ever retire,” Brady said, adding that his daughter might take over the shop. “There’s nothing I like to do better. It’s what I’ve always done and what Ronee’s always done. We’re happy doing it, and as long as our health permits, hopefully we’ll hang in there.”