HOLMES BEACH – Former city commission candidate and planning commissioner Steve Oelfke has been appointed to fill the remainder of Pat Morton’s two-year term that expires in November.
After 22 years in office, Morton announced his resignation during the city commission’s Feb. 11 work session. During the brief discussion that ensued after Morton’s announcement, the mayor, city attorney and city commissioners discussed appointing Oelfke to serve the remainder of Morton’s term – in part because Oelfke received the third highest number of votes in the 2024 election that resulted in Dan Diggins being elected to serve another term and Carol Whitmore being elected to rejoin the city commission after a long stint as a county commissioner.
The four remaining commissioners expressed their unanimous support for Oelfke but the appointment could not be made during a commission work session.
During the Feb. 25 city commission meeting, Whitmore nominated Oelfke to fill the vacancy. Commissioner Terry Schaefer seconded the motion and Diggins and Commissioner Carol Soustek supported the nomination with no other nominees.
“Welcome Steve,” Diggins said.
Before City Clerk Stacey Johnston swore Oelfke in as a city commissioner, City Attorney Erica Augello said he had to first resign from the planning commission.
“As much as I hate to leave the planning commission, I will have to relinquish my position,” Oelfke said.
After being sworn in, Oelfke took his seat on the commission dais and signed some required documents.
Steve Oelfke is now a Holmes Beach city commissioner. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
After congratulating Oelfke, Schaefer said, “You served the city very well on the planning commission and I can’t think of a better proving ground. After the election, you never lost interest in the city. You were here, I believe, every (city commission) meeting, paying attention and observing. I think that’s a tribute to your sincere effort to serve our city.”
“I think we all concur on that,” Diggins added.
Speaking for the first time as a city commissioner, Oelfke said, “It’s just an honor to be here with you all and I look forward to being able to contribute and help make the city great.”
He then participated in the rest of the meeting.
Planning commission vacancy
Oelfke’s appointment to the city commission creates a vacancy on the planning commission, which meets the first Wednesday of the month at 3:30 p.m. Planning commissioners review land use ordinances and issues and make non-binding recommendations to the city commission.
The city is currently accepting applications for the open position on the planning commission. Applicants must be qualified electors (voters) of Holmes Beach and must have lived in the city for a minimum of two years.
Applications should be submitted to the city clerk’s office no later than Wednesday, March 19. Applications are available at the city’s website and those interested can also contact Johnston at cityclerk@holmesbeachfl.org or by calling 941-708-5800, ext. 226.
HOLMES BEACH – Longtime City Commissioner Pat Morton has resigned and recent city commission candidate and current Planning Commissioner Steve Oelfke is expected to serve in that role until the next city election in November.
Morton joined the commission in 2003 and he announced his resignation during the city commission work session that followed the city commission meeting on Feb. 11.
At the start of the regular meeting, Morton noted he’d been gone for about six weeks. He spent two weeks near Asheville, N.C. assisting hurricane-related flood victims before visiting family members in West Virginia. He briefly mentioned the social media criticism the city of Holmes Beach received for its hurricane cleanup and debris removal efforts and he later returned to that topic when announcing his resignation.
“I’ve been on the city commission for 22 years. I’ve always said when I become not happy with serving on the commission, not enjoying it, I was going to resign. We got chastised. It’s been shameful what people said about us on social media. We tried to keep everything safe for the citizens of Holmes Beach,” he said during the work session.
He also mentioned the vacation rental management companies that publicly opposed the city’s short-lived, hurricane recovery-related vacation rental moratorium.
“I don’t appreciate that,” he said.
“We’ve got some very fine residents that live in Holmes Beach and I’ve met a lot of them. I call them my ‘extra family.’ That being said, I will resign from the city commission as of today. I’ve enjoyed 21 and a half years. It’s done,” he said.
After praising the city commission, Police Chief Bill Tokajer and the Holmes Beach Police Department, Morton said, “We have an awesome group running our city. It’s horrible what they were saying about us. How they wanted to get rid of us.”
During the initial cleanup and debris removal efforts, Morton defended the city on Facebook, which prompted criticism aimed at him too. He also made inaccurate Facebook statements alleging the city of Anna Maria was not following FEMA debris removal requirements and would not qualify for FEMA reimbursement.
Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy publicly disputed and dispelled those allegations and he and the Anna Maria Commission suggested Morton focus on Holmes Beach.
COMMISSION REACTS
After Morton’s announcement, Commission Chair Dan Diggins said, “Pat, we’re really sorry to see you go; sorry it affected you this way.”
He later said, “People’s perspective on things doesn’t mean it’s accurate.”
Commissioner Terry Schaefer said, “Anyone who devotes, on a volunteer basis, 21-and-a-half active years of their life to any municipality is owed a debt of gratitude. I’ve had the pleasure of working with you at the commission level for six years and I’ve always respected your down-to-earth approach to city governance. It’s always a practical, logical approach, not a political approach. You were the voice of many people in our community. You brought that sense of reason to our deliberations.”
The following day, Schaefer told planning commissioners that Morton is moving to West Virginia.
During the work session, Commissioner Carol Soustek said, “Pat was from the old regime. Twelve years ago, the new regime showed up and Pat joined in. We took a city that was facing bankruptcy and turned it around.”
Soustek said Morton’s longtime employment at the Ace Hardware store in Holmes Beach and his interactions with customers there gave him a great feel for the pulse of the city.
“They felt comfortable bringing him their problems. He was a conduit to a lot of things we did up here,” Soustek said. “When you lose a person of his quality in public service, you’re losing a very important part of your city government. It is hard for people to understand what you give up when you come up here. You are a target, but what you do with what you have been given is so important.”
Before returning to the city commission late last year after a long tenure as a county commissioner, Commissioner Carol Whitmore served for many years as a Holmes Beach commissioner and as mayor.
“I’ve been with him since day one. He’s a good guy,” she said, noting Morton did a “wonderful job” as the city commission’s Waste Pro liaison.
Mayor Judy Titsworth praised Pat Morton’s civic service. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Mayor Judy Titsworth said, “If you looked up the definition of ‘civic duty,’ you would see Pat’s picture. I hope the community understands just how important it is to get people up there that are only here for civic duty. They’re not here for a political climb. They’re not here for the power. They’re here for their civic duty because they love this city so much. That’s Pat; that’s all of us here.”
Tokajer said, “You’ve been a champion for the police department since I got here. I appreciate you and all the love you’ve shown to my officers over the last 12 years.”
Diggins then raised the topic of appointing Morton’s successor.
Citing the city charter, City Attorney Erica Augello said, “A vacancy on the commission shall be filled by appointment of the commission. Such appointment shall receive the approval of the majority of the remaining members and shall be for a term expiring at the end of the next city general election. The unexpired term, if any, shall be filled by election.”
Titsworth referenced the 2024 election in which Diggins and Whitmore won the two open commission seats. Oelfke finished third with 20.6% of the votes and Bill Romberger finished fourth with 11%. Titsworth said the city could solicit applications or defer to the recent election results. Soustek said that’s how she originally became a commissioner after losing a close election.
Planning Commissioner Steve Oelfke is expected to serve the rest of Pat Morton’s term. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“We already know who that is. He happens to be here,” Whitmore said of Oelfke’s presence.
She asked if the vacancy could be filled without advertising the open position. Augello said there’s nothing in the charter or state election law that requires a vacant seat to be advertised but the commission can’t take an official action during a work session.
Oelfke is expected to be appointed on Tuesday, Feb. 25 and serve what remains of Morton’s two-year term that expires in November.
An farewell reception for Morton will be held Wednesday, Feb. 26 from4:30–5:30 p.m. in the Doctor’s Garden at The Doctor’s Office in Holmes Beach, 5312 Holmes Blvd. The reception will begin with a plaque presentation, followed by an informal gathering with refreshments served. The city extends an open invitation to all residents.
ANNA MARIA – The city is suspending its hurricane debris removal efforts at midnight on Thursday, Oct. 24.
The debris removal deadline was discussed and approved during the Anna Maria City Commission’s emergency meeting on Oct. 17. After extending two local state of emergency declarations, Mayor Dan Murphy recommended ending the city’s debris removal efforts after one more week, in part because he’s now seeing non-hurricane-related household and landscaping debris being placed out for free removal.
“It’s got to end. Otherwise, we’ll be here forever. We’ll keep picking up debris, but this is the deadline,” he said.
On Friday, the following message was posted on the city of Anna Maria’s Facebook page: “Effective midnight Thursday, Oct. 24, the city will no longer provide removal of hurricane-related debris. In the meantime, all hurricane-related debris must be placed in the city right of way in separate piles; one for household debris and another for landscaping debris. Businesses from other island cities have been coming to Anna Maria and dumping debris. Any individual caught doing this illegal dumping will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Subsequent to Oct. 24, at their own expense, residents and businesses may utilize dumpsters for large debris collection or they may contact a licensed hauling or other agency for assistance.”
At the suggestion of Commissioner Mark Short, the mayor and commission will review the debris removal efforts and impending deadline during the commission’s regular meeting at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24. If needed, the commission can consider extending the collection deadline and/or addressing hardship cases on an individual basis.
Some Hurricane Helene debris became flooding during Hurricane Milton.- Joe Hendricks | Sun
During Thursday’s meeting, Murphy recapped the city’s debris removal efforts and costs incurred. He also addressed Facebook comments made by Holmes Beach Commissioner Pat Morton alleging the city of Anna Maria would not receive FEMA reimbursements for its expedited debris removal efforts.
Debris removal
“Debris removal is paramount to the purpose of government, which is safeguarding the safety, health and welfare of our residents. It’s not safe having mounds of debris sitting around the city. So, we took action,” Murphy said.
Anna Maria’s debris removal strategy includes using the Bayfront Park parking lot along North Bay Boulevard as a centralized debris collection and processing area. The debris initially deposited there is later transported to the county landfill.
Bayfront Park is being used as a makeshift debris collection and processing area. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“We put an average of 68 trucks on the road hauling debris out of the city of Anna Maria. We took over 400 loads to the landfill. We took a total of 1,432 tons of debris, and that’s mostly household debris. There’s still landscaping debris. We’ve started to make a dent on that. Now there’s more household debris coming in, but we’ve made significant progress,” Murphy said on Thursday.
“We get a load ticket when they leave here, we get a load ticket when they go to the dump and we track all that. It’s all very closely monitored so we don’t get short-changed,” he added.
The debris deposited at Bayfront Park is later transported to the county landfill. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Murphy said the city already spent approximately $750,000 on debris removal and he anticipates the final cost to be around $1.5 million. City Clerk LeAnne Addy said the city usually receives 50% reimbursement within three days of requesting it and Murphy said the remaining reimbursement comes later.
Some hurricane debris remained along Anna Maria streets on Oct. 15. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“I don’t think we deserve any gold stars. We still have a long way to go and we’ve only done what’s expected of us. We’re going to get reimbursed for it. We’ve done everything by the numbers,” Murphy said of the city’s efforts.
Regarding the city’s financial position, Murphy said the city currently has $1.5 million in its checking account and an additional $3.5 million in reserves.
Morton’s comments
On or around Oct. 15, Nikki Gibson posted the following message on the Island Ratz Unite Facebook page regarding the city of Holmes Beach’s debris removal efforts: “For heaven’s sake, how much more do we have to put up with on Holmes Beach? The emotional stress of having this constant reminder of what we have all had to endure is taking its toll. Where are the people upon whom we are supposed to rely?”
In response, Morton posted this comment: “The city of Anna Maria is not following the rules to get reimburse (sic). The city of Homes Beach is. That (sic) why it’s taking longer to get it picked up. Not unless you as a taxpayers (sic) wants to pay for it.”
Morton also posted this comment: “There is a process that you have to go through to get reimburse (sic). The city of Anna Maria is not doing that, so the people of Anna Maria will have to pay for it.”
Regarding those comments, Murphy said, “There’s people circulating malicious rumors about reimbursement. We have followed every guideline and every rule and I am sick and tired of hearing it. This is not a new allegation. After Hurricane Irma, I was told the same thing. We had our debris removed and we got reimbursed. We used the same methodology and the same players for Hurrian Irma, Hurricane Ian, Hurricane Idahlia, Hurricane Debby, Helene and now Milton. We know what we’re doing.”
During public comment, former city commissioner and current mayoral candidate Brian Seymour said he’s driven by the Bayfront Park processing area several times and witnessed those workers following FEMA’s debris separation guidelines.
Regarding Morton’s comments, Seymour said, “Worry about your own city. Worry about your problems down there.”
Commissioner Mark Short, also a mayoral candidate, said Morton’s comments were an act of “deflection.”
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.”
HOLMES BEACH – Commissioner Pat Morton has been on the city’s dais for 17 years and he’s hoping that voters give him two more when they cast their ballots in the Nov. 3 election.
Morton, a 26-year resident of Holmes Beach along with his wife, Gailene, was first elected to the city commission in November 2003. He and his wife are members of CrossPointe Fellowship. If you haven’t been to a commission meeting but Morton looks familiar, you might have also seen him working at the local ACE Hardware.
On the commission, Morton serves as the city’s liaison to Waste Pro, the Manatee County Emergency Operations Center and the Holmes Beach Police Pension Board. He’s also a member of the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association and has been certified by FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute.
With two seats on the city commission up for grabs in the Nov. 3 election, Morton faces off against incumbent Commissioner Kim Rash and former commissioner Rick Hurst along with fellow Holmes Beach resident Jayne Christenson. To help voters get to know each candidate a little better, The Sun asked each candidate to answer the same four questions. Here are Morton’s answers.
What do voters need to know about your involvement in the community?
Having served as a commissioner for 17 years and currently as vice chair, I think I am most proud of my commitment in enacting legislation in helping to restore balance in our residential neighborhoods. Retaining our residents is crucial as we try to keep our churches, schools, professional offices and small mom-and-pop stores and our Community Center.
I have participated in the adoption of land area ration, strengthened the definition of what constitutes a duplex and helped create a more effective noise control ordinance. I strongly recommended increasing setbacks for polls, the implementation of the vacation rental ordinance and the regulation of front yard encroachments. I helped in the implementation of the formula business ordinance, low speed vehicle ordinance and electronic scooter ordinance. I supported the regulation in earth moving and fertilizers, including the addition of the international property maintenance code in our city. I am currently working on changes to our landscaping/native tree ordinance and adding a permit parking ordinance to our city.
Staying safe through the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for our residents and business owners. I have fully supported all directives in response to this crisis and fully support the face mask mandates.
Why are you running for Holmes Beach City Commission?
I have a strong regard for the city of Holmes Beach and a commitment to civic duty. Having served in both the military and now in office, it has allowed me the opportunity to make a difference. I would like to continue to give back and be the voice of the citizens, of whom I have the privilege of speaking to every single day.
If elected, what would be your priority to work on with your fellow commissioners?
I would continue to improve our city amenities, which include resiliency in all our continued capital improvements.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the city today?
