Vol. 10 No. 35 - June 2, 2010

news

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story A Memorial Day to remember

They came to the beach this Memorial Day just like they have since the first bridge to the Island was built and they came despite the ongoing oil spill on the other side of the Gulf. Memorial Day was a day to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, a day to forget the grim news headlines and a day to enjoy the beautiful weather on Anna Maria Island’s beaches.

“We’ve had strong crowds of people all three days of the weekend,” said Capt. Joe Westerman, lifeguard for the Manatee County Department of Safety stationed at Coquina Beach. “It’s been busy, but we haven’t had any big problems.” More...

County won’t change vote on beach contract

BRADENTON – Pleas by Manatee County Commissioners Carol Whitmore, John Chappie and Joe McClash to reconsider the vote on the Manatee Beach concession contract fell on deaf ears last week.

The three asked any member of the board who had voted in favor of United Park Services to reconsider his/her vote and name Café on the Beach as the concessionaire. Those who voted in favor of the contract were Commissioners Donna Hayes, Ron Getman, Gwen Brown and Larry Bustle. More...

City votes against PAR site plan

ANNA MARIA — By a vote of 3-2, city commissioners voted against a Pine Avenue Restoration site plan designed for 308 Pine Ave.

City Planner Alan Garrett was asked several times by various members of the commission whether the plan was in compliance with the city’s land development regulations and the comprehensive plan.

“Yes, sir, it does meet the LDRs and comp plan,” Garrett said each time he was asked. More...

Stoltzfus recall good to go

ANNA MARIA — A committee working to recall City Commissioner Harry Stoltzfus has gotten the green light to proceed with the second step in the process.

The ruling came from Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas last week in response to a request by Stoltzfus and his attorney for an accelerated hearing to halt the recall.

Nicholas said in his ruling that the plaintiff had failed to show that irreparable harm would result if the recall proceeded. More...

Walkable communities expert here Friday

ANNA MARIA — Dan Burden, a nationally recognized expert on making communities livable and walkable will be in Anna Maria on Friday, June 4, at 4 p.m. at city hall to address the P&Z board and the city commission, and the public is invited.

After numerous meetings of both boards, separately and together, there has been little or no consensus on how to handle parking and traffic flow in the residential/office/retail district on Pine Avenue and a couple of blocks of Gulf Drive south of Pine. More...

Law firms court local fishermen

CORTEZ – Law firms from Palmetto and Miami made competing presentations last week to Cortez commercial fishermen afraid of what the Deepwater Horizon oil spill will do to their livelihoods and lives.

While no oil has hit local shores, it continues to gush into the Gulf, causing ever-widening fishing closures in federal Gulf of Mexico waters where commercial fishermen make their living. More...

Environmental, business groups to meet on oil

Two public meetings are scheduled on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, one for businesses anticipating losses from the spill and one for environmental organizations and volunteers. More...

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story Residents love historic green village concept

ANNA MARIA – Lizzie Thrasher got a round of applause from about 50 residents after her presentation on her green village concept for Pine Avenue.

“The dream that so many of us have had for so long is finally going to come true,” Janet Aubry said.

Thrasher gave a power point presentation at the Island Community Center last week on plans for lots at 425, 501, 503, 505 and 507 Pine Avenue owned by her and her husband, Mike. More...

feature

Anna Maria Island Sun News StoryHurricane Survival Guide

Every year we publish our special section on hurricane preparedness and every year we hope we don’t have to use it.

But just because we haven’t been hit by the big one doesn’t mean we can let down our guard. If that big storm ever hits, we still have to know how to respond.

This year, Foster Dribbles joins us to help illustrate what you should be doing to get ready. We know Foster can get a little headstrong and his head is sometimes in the clouds, but he’s been on the Island long enough to know that preparing for the worst is no laughing matter. Download the Hurricane Survival Guide

Anna Maria Island Sun News StoryChief Romine receives award from PBA

HOLMES BEACH – Police Chief Jay Romine was presented with a special award by the Police Benevolent Association for his service as chairman of the state’s Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.

“I didn’t see it coming,” he said. “I was humbled and surprised. It really meant a lot to me, and I felt like I had accomplished something. It ranks as one of the top awards I’ve ever received.” More...

reel time

Anna Maria Island Sun News StoryChico Fernandez, flyfishing pioneer

Chico Fernandez needs no introduction to dedicated fly anglers, as he is one of the pioneers of saltwater fly fishing in South Florida. Early on, anglers sought him out in south Florida and the Keys to buy his bonefish specials and honey shrimp patterns which he had perfected to catch bonefish or macabi as they were known in his native country of Cuba. He caught his first bonefish on the fly in Cuba in 1956 and the "grey ghost" of the flats have captured his imagination ever since. His infatuation for bonefish didn't keep him from pursuing other species, including a world record 42 pounds, 5 ounces (I.G.F.A. record on 12 pound test tippet)red drum (redfish) which he caught on a fly in North Carolina. More...



real estate

The elephant in the room

It’s June in Florida, and in June all Floridians are waiting for the elephant in the room to show up – the hurricane elephant that is. As much as we try to keep him out, he always manages to find a way into our lives and our consciousness dragging along the threat of the big one. This year, however, we have another elephant or rather a gorilla in the room and the oil spill gorilla is pushing the hurricane elephant into the corner. More...



business

Anna Maria Island Sun News StoryLaPensee’s pool division grows

HOLMES BEACH – Tom Sanger, pool service manager at LaPensee Plumbing, started with one account three years ago and now oversees 200 accounts and three technicians.

Sanger continues to grow with the company and has just earned his commercial contractor’s license for pools and spas, which includes construction, repair and maintenance on commercial and residential pools. More...

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story

Volatility – friend or foe?

Investment Corner

In my column two weeks ago, I discussed the concept of expecting financial markets to be uncertain and to learn how to capitalize on volatility rather than being a victim. Of course, the idea for that article was primarily the very sharp intraday market drop that occurred on May 6, which is now known as the “flash crash." More...



turtles

Comments on loggerhead status sought

The public comment period has been extended on a move to reclassify loggerhead sea turtles from threatened to endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service will accept comments until Sept. 13 on nine different species of loggerheads, seven of which could be uplisted to endangered status. More...

<< Go back to Index archives



AMISUN ~ The Island's Award-Winning Newspaper