MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Marine Unit Supervisor Russell Schnering is retiring at age 55 and Oct. 31 will be his final day of active duty.
Schnering spent the past eight years with the MCSO Marine Unit. Much of that time was spent working out of the Marine Unit station in Bradenton Beach, near the Coquina boat ramps.
The Marine Unit’s duties include patrolling Manatee County’s coastal shorelines, freshwater lakes and ponds, enforcing boating laws and safety regulations and responding to boaters, vessels and swimmers in distress.
Before being assigned to the Marine Unit, Schnering led the MCSO’s Anna Maria Unit from 2016-18. With several members of the sheriff’s office present during the Oct. 9 city commission meeting, Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short read aloud a city proclamation that honors Schnering’s service to the city, the county and the country.
The proclamation notes that Schnering served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1988-94 and joined the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office in 2009.
In 2016, he was assigned to lead the MCSO Anna Maria Unit that provides the city of Anna Maria’s contracted law enforcement services. During his time in Anna Maria, Schnering “provided outstanding leadership, community engagement and public safety service to residents and visitors,” according to the proclamation.
He was then assigned to the Marine Unit, “where his expertise on the water and commitment to public safety ensured the protection of our waterways, enforcement of maritime laws and the safety of the boating community,” according to the proclamation.
After accepting the framed proclamation from Short, Schnering thanked the mayor, the commission and sheriff’s office members who attended the meeting.
“I’ve been in Manatee County since 1970,” he said. “We’ve seen a lot of changes, but I can tell you that going forward I’m very comfortable with the sheriff’s office. There are so many dedicated people working for our sheriff’s office. It’s a great place to work and 16 years went by so fast.”
When speaking to The Sun before the meeting, Schnering said he’ll miss the sense of camaraderie that exists within the sheriff’s office and working with like-minded people that make a difference in the community. Schnering said his successor has not yet been named.
As for what’s next, Schnering said, “I’ll be splitting time between my property in Tennessee and our house here. I plan on running some fishing charters between spring and early summer.”
He and his son, Jon, operate Bradenton Fishing Charters.
ANNA MARIA – Deputy Clerk and Code Enforcement Manager Debbie Haynes was honored with a retirement luncheon on Friday, Dec. 3.
Haynes was joined at the luncheon by several members of city staff including City Clerk/Treasurer LeAnne Addy and Public Works Manager Dean Jones, as well as Mayor Dan Murphy, city commissioners Jon Crane, Robert Kingan, Deanie Sebring, Mark Short, former commissioner Doug Copeland and Haynes’ husband, Bob.
Those in attendance enjoyed tacos from the Wicked Cantina restaurant in Bradenton Beach and the mayor presented Haynes with a ceremonial key to the city.
“Debbie has played an integral role in almost every facet of the city of Anna Maria with code enforcement, the clerk’s office and all of our special events. I’m going to miss her tremendously. She’s done a superior job, she’s a natural in the positions she’s held and she’ll still be doing some consulting for the city going forward,” Murphy said.
Assistant Code Enforcement Manager Sandy Olson will now serve as the code enforcement manager. Haynes’ other wide-ranging duties will be allocated among other staff members.
When expressing her appreciation for Haynes, Addy said, “When I began my career with the city of Anna Maria, I couldn’t have been more fortunate to have had a co-worker like Debbie, who was hard-working and honest. She worked with me through all the changes that were made and helped do so much to make the office run more efficiently. As more job duties were placed on us, Debbie worked so hard to become successful. The city is losing an amazing employee who put her heart into her work. She will definitely be missed by myself and many others. I wish her an amazing, relaxing and rewarding retirement!”
When discussing her time with the city, Haynes said, “I started as a part-time administrative assistant and became a permanent employee in December 2015. I became code enforcement manager in July of 2018. I can’t believe it’s been that long. It’s literally flown by.”
During the past six years, Haynes played a key role in organizing city-hosted parades, holiday events, movies in the park and the seasonal farmers market that takes place at City Pier Park each Tuesday through mid-May.
“We started small with a couple little events in the park with hot dogs on Memorial Day and July Fourth. Then we did Veterans Day and the mayor said he wanted a parade. This year’s parade was our biggest yet and the farmers market is up to 13 vendors. During the first year, vendors didn’t want to come out here because they didn’t think they’d have any business. We’ve still got the original vendors and it’s taken off from there,” Haynes said.
Debbie Haynes’ duties included organizing and managing the city’s seasonal farmers market. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Regarding her retirement, Haynes said, “My husband is already retired and we want to start traveling. We have a camper and we’re looking to expand on our experiences. We’ve done a lot of Florida camping and now we want to start visiting the national parks. I think our first trip is going to be to Yosemite next year. We’ll have fun, enjoy life and spend more time with the kids, grandkids and the family in general. I’ll still be doing some consulting, working mostly from home, but this was my last official day in the office.”
As for what she’ll miss most, Haynes said, “The people.”
“I got my wife back again. I’m happy,” Bob Haynes said. “I retired about two years ago and we’re looking forward to traveling, seeing the grandkids and fishing.”
Outpouring of appreciation
Jones was named Public Works Manager around the same time Haynes began working for the city.
“I’m truly going to miss her. I’m so happy for her, but I’m also heartbroken because she’s such an integral part of our team. We really are a family here. I get to come to work and have a work family and then go home to my family. A lot of people don’t get that at their jobs. Debbie and I worked together putting the parades and the special events together and we always joked about starting our own events planning business. I wish her all the luck in the world. I know we’ll still see her, but I’m really going to miss her,” Jones said.
Commissioner Crane said, “She’s done everything anyone’s asked her to do and she’s done it really well. I’m very impressed with everything she’s touched.”
Commissioner Sebring said, “Debbie was an incredible resource and talent. She would spearhead any project Mayor Murphy threw her way. She’s incredibly knowledgeable and has a real can-do attitude. She will be royally missed!”
Commissioner Short said, “We’re certainly going to miss Debbie and everything she’s done for the city. I wish her good luck and success in whatever she decides is next in her life.”
When asked how Haynes helped him as a city commissioner, Short said, “She helped me early on by explaining the rules of engagement, navigating the different aspects of the city and who does what. She helped me get acclimated very quickly.”
When contacted while traveling, Commission Chair Carol Carter said, “Debbie has been my ‘go-to’ person in city hall. She was always ready to help find a solution to any issue. I am so grateful for Debbie’s assistance over the years and will certainly miss her ‘can-do’ attitude. I wish her good times with her husband and much happiness in her retirement.”
Recently hired Senior Administrative Assistant Amy Moriarty will assume some of the duties previously performed by Haynes.
Not everyone wants to own a home of their own. Those of us who have always owned rather than rented understand the challenges faced in ownership, whether you’re in a single-family home or a condo. I know the feeling; there have been many days when I wished I didn’t have the responsibility of home ownership, and an interesting concept floating around the country may be right up my alley.
There are high-end rental communities being built by top single-home builders catering to individuals who do not feel they need to buy a home. This trend is increasing and appealing to a variety of people ranging from young professionals who have not been able to fight their way into the housing market to empty-nesters who are taking their equity and opting for a turn-key lifestyle.
These “build-to-rent” single-home communities are designed exclusively for rentals with high-end finishes and amenities that are geared to appeal to the luxury market. Rents in the $2,500 to $3,000 range can make sense for people with good incomes who may not be worried about accruing wealth in their homes. It’s kind of the perfect arrangement for seniors who aren’t dependent upon building equity and want a fresh high-end home to live in.
And so far, it appears this is not going away. The build-to-rent segment of the real estate market is growing. In 2020, 60,000 build-to-rent homes were constructed, and in 2021 it is expected that the number will increase to 80,000. Renting is looking better and better to a large segment of the population, allowing for a quick relocation for job or family responsibilities.
Before we go over the June sales statistics, I thought I would share yet another “best place” report recently published by Southern Living Magazine. This one is America’s best beach towns for retirement. Thankfully, Bradenton and Anna Maria Island were not on this list; however, five other Florida cities were, three of them on the west coast – Naples, which came in number one, Sarasota, Venice, Vero Beach and Stuart. And let’s give recognition to our neighbor Lakewood Ranch for being named the best-selling community in the country with 1,535 new home sales through the end of June.
Here are the June Manatee County sales statistics reported by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee.
Closed single-family homes were up 24.3% from last year; cash sales were up 129.9%; the median sale price was $405,305, up 24.7%; the average sale price was $576,522, up 37.5% and the median time to contract was five days.
Condos closed 38.8% more this June compared to last June; cash sales were up 61%; the median sale price was $280,000, up 30.7%; the average sale price was $331,691, up 39% and the median time to contract was six days.
Available inventory continues to be low; about a six-month supply for both single-family homes and condos. Sarasota County is also experiencing higher sales prices every month and low inventory as well. Also impressive is the percentage of cash sales from last year for single-family properties, up just under 130%.
Obviously, it’s still a great seller’s market, but don’t assume the market and personal family issues can’t change on a dime, making renting very attractive to some. The real estate market continues to evolve, offering more and more lifestyle options. In an ever-changing world, it’s always nice to leave your options open.
