ANNA MARIA — People were invited to take a step back in time March 4 during the Anna Maria Island Historical Society's Heritage Day celebration.

Attendees flocked to the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum to learn how things were done decades ago from local craftsmen specializing in everything from spinning and weaving wool to gathering honey from bees.

During the day of festivities, musicians took to the stage to play folk tunes outside of the museum while volunteers sold settler's bread, baked goods and antiques.

Bonnet maker Dotti Giles stitched while attendees perused her selection of modern ladies hats. After losing several hats off the bow of her family's boat, Giles was inspired to begin creating bonnets after watching "Little House on the Prairie." This is her sixth year putting a modern twist on the traditional bonnet.

Local fisherman Charles Fields spent the day conducting talks on how to make and use a traditional bamboo fishing pole. All of the bamboo used for his poles comes from Anna Maria Island.

After sanding joints and attaching fishing line, Fields takes his creations to the Anna Maria City Pier every weekend to fish. While there, he invites passing children to join him in an old fashioned fishing adventure.

Though the poles are typically used to catch lighter weight fish of up to 1 pound, Fields said he has accidentally caught and released a 20-pound sea turtle without breaking the rod.

This year marks his 12th year making and giving away the fishing poles to young fishermen and women.

"I have fun doing this," he said.

Joining the craftsmen in the fun were volunteers from the University of Florida and The Center of Anna Maria Island. While the volunteers from the university were there to hand out educational information on the school and the environment, the volunteers from the Center were there to bring awareness to the upcoming Tour of Homes and sell tickets for the annual quilt raffle.

The museum, located at 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

A proposal to rein in the state's tourism agency may be heard separately from a plan to eliminate its parent agency as the Florida Legislative session opens this week.

The House of Representatives has announced plans to separate Visit Florida (the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corp.) from HB 7005, which would dismantle the corporation's supervisory agency, Enterprise Florida, the driver of the state's economic development program. Predicting the demise of Enterprise Florida, the new HB 9 would place Visit Florida under the direction of the state's Department of Economic Opportunity.

In response to a secret $1 million Visit Florida contract with music star Pitbull, uncovered in a 2016 lawsuit filed by HB 7005 bill sponsor, Republican House Speaker Richard Corcoran (R-Land O'Lakes), HB 9 would place proposed contracts worth $750,000 or more on a 14-day hold for the Legislature to consider. Contracts with businesses or governmental agencies that receive public funds from the state or from tourist taxes would have to contain performance standards, operating budgets and salaries of employees of the contracting entity to increase transparency, according to a house staff analysis.

The agency's budget would be tightened from the $76 million that Gov. Rick Scott has requested, but not to the extent of Corcoran's original $25 million budget proposal, substituting new public-private fund matching requirements; contributions from governmental entities or entities that receive more than half their revenue from public sources would not count as private contributions. In 2015-16, Visit Florida had $74 million in public funding and $133 million in private funding, according to the agency.

The bill also calls for increased scrutiny with its requirements to remove the state's public records exemption for Visit Florida marketing projects and research, and to make all data used to develop tourism estimates and measures available for inspection.

HB 9 also would affect coveted tourism industry perks, requiring the governor to approve out-of-state and international travel; prohibiting employees and board members from accepting food, beverages, lodging, entertainment or gifts paid for by Visit Florida or local tourism development agencies; and limiting travel expenses of agency employees to those of state employees.

To become law, the bill must pass both the House and Senate; Gov. Scott, who credits visit Florida with a record 112.8 million visitors to the state in 2016, could veto it.

HOLMES BEACH — Commissioners unanimously voted to respond to four Bert Harris claims Feb. 28 with letters refusing to change the city's ordinances.

The response letters follow several others all containing the same message – Holmes Beach isn't backing down from its ordinances, including the vacation rental ordinance and one governing occupancy in rental properties. The city also didn't present a settlement offer.

Each of the four claims cites issues with the city's occupancy rule of two people per bedroom or six per unit, whichever is larger.

Attorney Aaron Thomas submitted a claim for 205 N. Harbor Drive on behalf of the owner, Manatee AMI, LLC. The claim requests the right for the owner to continue leasing the three bedroom property to groups of eight or receive $195,000 in compensation for lost property value.

Thomas also represents the other three property owners whose claims were designated to receive one of the letters, – 206 N. Harbor Drive, 301 74th St. and 316 63rd St., Unit 6B.

Cove AMI, LLC, the owner of 206 N. Harbor Drive, requested the right to house groups of 10 people in the three- bedroom house or $195,000 in reparations.

On behalf of Stephen and Karen Travill, owners of 301 74th St., Thomas requested to maintain a 10-person occupancy for the four-bedroom property or receive $345,000 in compensation.

The fourth claim addressed Feb. 28 by commissioners, Thomas submitted to the city on behalf of Jeffrey and Annette Gutzwiller, owners of 316 63rd St., Unit 6B, claiming a vested right to maintain an 11-person occupancy for the three-bedroom house or $105,000 in reparations.

Commissioners didn't comment on any of the letters as they were presented by City Attorney Patricia Petruff.

The Bert Harris Jr. Private Property Rights Protection Act allows property owners who are unduly burdened by ordinances passed by a government entity which restricts use of the property.

Holmes Beach had 22 active Bert Harris claims with two cases filed in court as of March 3.

HOLMES BEACH — City commissioners allowed two boat canopies to be installed at a public boat ramp and some residents aren't happy about it.

Property owners at Westbay Point & Moorings condominiums returned to city hall March 2 during a work session to ask commissioners to remove the canopies covering the Holmes Beach Police Department and West Manatee Fire Rescue boats, stored on private lifts at the public boat ramp on 63rd Street. Commissioners agreed to obtain a survey to determine if the canopies were rightfully installed.

One of the condominium complex's buildings overlooks the city property to the waterway, a view that is now partially impacted by the boat lift canopies.

Resident Patricia Reed told commissioners she has no issue with the boat lifts, only with the canopies covering them. She said the canopies "horribly obstruct the gorgeous view that once greeted us."

Other condominium owners joined Reed in voicing concerns that the obstructed water views could negatively impact property values.

Patricia Clinton, who is attempting to sell her water view condominium, said she fears the property won't sell as long as the canopies are installed.

In an e-mail to commissioners, the phase three homeowners association board at Westbay said if the situation was not resolved to the residents' satisfaction, the group would retain legal counsel to explore their options.

City attorney Patricia Petruff addressed the issue, saying the condominium residents look across city property to the waterway. The boat dock property is not located immediately adjacent to the residential property, exempting it from the city's ordinance banning boat lift canopies.

Petruff suggested the city engage a surveyor to determine if the boat lifts and canopies are located in the city's or condominium association's riparian rights.

While riparian rights are not proprietary in nature, they do give certain rights to property owners with property adjacent to navigable waterways including ingress, egress, boating, fishing and view.

Petruff said the riparian rights of the condominium owners would extend in a cone shape across the city property, however she's not sure exactly how those rights should be apportioned. She contacted a surveyor on behalf of the city who quoted $1,500 for the survey.

"I believe the city docks with the city canopies are well within the city's riparian rights," Petruff said.

Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said he felt the city had done its due diligence before installing the canopies. When the canopies were installed, a cluster of city-owned mangroves partially blocked the boat lifts and canvas canopies from view of the condominiums. The condominium association paid to have the mangroves trimmed, fully exposing the canopies to view of the neighboring property.

At the time the mangroves were cut, Tokajer said an HBPD officer attempted to stop the person completing the work. The man refused and continued cutting the trees.

Commissioner Marvin Grossman said he could see how the canopies could block the view from some of the residential units and hopes the city and residents can reach a compromise.

"The view is not cut off by the canopies; it's an obstacle," Commissioner Carol Soustek said. "I hate to lose two valuable boats that have been put there to serve the people."

She suggested finding a way to soften the view of the canopies, possibly changing the color to help the structures blend in with the surroundings.

Tokajer agreed to bring different color options back to commissioners at a future meeting.

Both Soustek and Grossman agreed to visit the affected condominium units separately to see how the canopies look to residents.

WMFR Chief Tom Sousa said his department is willing to work with the city and the residents to remedy the situation.

"I think there's options out there we can work with," he said. "We don't want to cause a problem."

BRADENTON BEACH – The increasingly popular sport of pickleball that combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong will soon be played at Lou Barola South Park.

The city already has a pickleball court on the north end of town at the Herb Dolan Bayfront North parks on 26th Street North.

During the Wednesday, March 1, Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting, members voted 6-1 in favor of spending up to $15,000 in CRA funds to build a stand-alone, concrete pickleball court in the small neighborhood park located at the corner of Highland Ave. and Fourth Street North, near the public works and police headquarters.

Public Works Director Tom Woodard and the CRA members previously discussed which court surface would be the best option – concrete, asphalt or a lower-priced plastic composite.

During last week's CRA meeting, Woodard said his research indicated that concrete was the best option. He said some local pickleball players told him the plastic courts were prone to uneven spots that could lead to unpredictable bounces. It was also agreed that a special pickleball paint would be applied atop the concrete surface.

Member Ed Chiles questioned whether a recreational activity of this nature justified an expenditure of CRA funds and he later cast the only opposition vote.

Member John Chappie said he felt it was a justified expenditure because the CRA-funded enhancement would benefit residents, tourists and local businesses in the CRA district that extends from the Cortez Bridge to Fifth Street South. CRA Chair Ralph Cole agreed and noted the park is located within walking distance of nearby resorts and close to the downtown businesses.

No estimated completion date was given, but later that day some members of the Scenic WAVES committee expressed hope that the court would be installed before some already scheduled tree plantings take place in late April. The $25,000 in total funds previously budgeted for the south park makeover has already resulted in the installation of new fencing and the removal of an Australian pine.

ANNA MARIA — Preparations are nearly complete for The Center of Anna Maria Island's annual Tour of Homes, including those for the Tropical Treasures Boutique.

"It really is like setting up a pop-up store," boutique coordinator Joan Pettigrew said of the experience.

A group of 12 local artisans began gathering weekly in January to work on pieces to sell during the tour. Items include jewelry, home décor, original artwork, bakery items and condiments.

Set up for the boutique begins the Friday prior to the tour with volunteers working to transform the garage of one of the homes on the tour into a lively, colorful shop that will only be open for one day.

This year's boutique will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 18, at the Steinbock house, 785 North Shore Drive, Anna Maria.

Pettigrew's preparations for this year's boutique began long before January as she worked with another group, the Eyeland Needlers, to design and sew a quilt to raffle for the Tour. The quilt, titled "The Mermaid's Journey," took seven quilters six months to complete.

Pettigrew, describing this year's quilt as "very whimsical," said it was one of her favorite quilt designs. This is the 17th year the Eyeland Needlers have created a unique quilt for the Tour.

Raffle tickets for the quilt are available at The Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, and are $1 each or six for $5. Tickets will be available for purchase the day of the tour at the boutique until the winner is announced at 3 p.m.

The boutique also will be home to silent auction items which attendees can place their bids during the Tour. Winners also will be announced at 3 p.m. All sales from the pop-up boutique benefit The Center.

The boutique is sponsored by Duncan Real Estate, and the quilt is sponsored by Green Real Estate.

For further information, contact The Center at 941-778-1908.

HOLMES BEACH — Four new vacation rental units may soon be coming to the city, but they won't be located in one of the city's residential districts.

Mike Hynds, owner of AMI Plaza on Holmes Boulevard, is moving forward with his plan to build four one bedroom vacation rental units on top of the plaza. The project will be the first combined residential and commercial use constructed in the city's mixed use overlay district if it receives final approval from commissioners.

During a March 2 work session, commissioners spoke in favor of the project as long as outstanding issues are addressed before the matter comes before them for a vote in April.

"We love the design," Chair Judy Titsworth said. "We're really trying to move this forward."

The primary issue blocking the project is a lack of parking spaces.

City ordinance requires each vacation rental unit to have two parking spaces. At least one of those spaces has to be located within close proximity to the unit. The eight parking spaces needed for the project reduces the amount of space available to the businesses located in the plaza, including Lobstahs, a restaurant and sports bar.

With both onsite and off-site parking already allocated to existing uses in the plaza, Hynds said he would provide the city with paperwork proving his control over Lobstahs and remove seats to reduce the amount of parking spaces required by the restaurant and bar.

City attorney Patricia Petruff agreed to work with Hynds to determine how many seats would need to be removed and what the final parking requirement would be for the restaurant before the issue comes to commissioners April 11 in resolution form for a vote.

BRADENTON BEACH – John Metz received praise and criticism before the city commission voted 3-2 to reappoint him to a second three-year term on the Planning and Zoning Board (P&Z).

During last Thursday's meeting, Mayor Bill Shearon, Vice Mayor John Chappie and Commissioner Marilyn Maro voted in favor of the reappointment. Chappie supported the reappointment, even though he described a personal action taken by Metz as "despicable."

Commissioners Ralph Cole and Jake Spooner opposed the reappointment because of Metz's past and pending actions.

In June, Metz filed a lawsuit against the city after his request for an administrative appeal of a year-old permitting decision involving a neighbor's vacation rental was denied. In September, a judge referred the case back to the city and a long-delayed special master's hearing will take place Monday, March 13.

In February, Metz filed a complaint with the Bradenton Beach Police Department alleging Cole's Coastal Watersports was violating city codes and state law by using an ATV to transport jet-skis and paddleboards across the state-owned erosion control line. He made a similar complaint in October.

Before Thursday's meeting, Code Enforcement Officer Gail Garneau provided commissioners with a copy of a letter mailed to Metz that day.

"As previously stated, based on review of alleged violations of city code, the city finds the allegations to be unfounded," her letter said.

When addressing the commission, Metz discussed his recent lawsuit, "I had to go to court to get the rights that I was entitled to under the LDC (land development code), and I find that difficult how that would be held against me."

He also said he hoped Cole would not his base his vote on the friction that exists between them.

"I love Bradenton Beach. I wouldn't be doing the things I'm doing if I didn't," Metz added.

P&Z members John Burns, Patty Shay, Bill Vincent and Reed Mapes then praised Metz's contributions to the board and expressed support for his reappointment.

Commission comments

During commission discussion, Cole said, "People who are serving on our board should be protecting our city. I'm not really in favor of having someone on the board who's in litigation with the city."

Maro said, "I spent a lot of time in P&Z meetings before I took office and I've always found Mr. Metz to be helpful and professional. I'd like to see him keep his position."

Spooner said, "I definitely appreciate Mr. Metz's efforts and expertise. The thing I struggle with is that when you're in litigation, I think it might be best for you to step down from the board, and when it's over, you can resume."

Shearon said, "I think there's a difference between his actions as a P&Z member compared with his personal actions. I give credit to somebody that has so much conviction in his beliefs to pursue it in a court of law."

Chappie referenced Metz's complaints about a business Cole has operated for decades, "I think it's kind of despicable that after all the years this is coming up. This division kills communities, and it has been bringing us down the past seven years. I'm basing my vote on listening to the Planning and Zoning Board and the professionalism that has taken place there. I have to do what I think is right, and I struggle with that."

Cole said, "I guarantee you I've done nothing wrong. My business was all approved."

Cole said he finds it difficult to take board recommendations from "someone who's going against the city."

Spooner suggested Metz's complaints were motivated by a resolution Cole requested in August that provides the commission with a new policy for suspending board members whose conduct is deemed detrimental to the city.

"To go after a man's livelihood is, like Vice Mayor Chappie said, despicable. It's not like the commission made a determination and asked him to step down," Spooner said.

"I don't think any of us should take things personally," Shearon said.

"I disagree. It is personal, and people take it personal. This is a small town. I don't want you lessening the negative impact of something like that. That's what made this decision very difficult for me," Chappie said as the discussion concluded.