HOLMES BEACH – After organizers called off the Food and Wine on Pine celebration for last Saturday due to impending bad weather, the question was whether the Seventh Annual Wedding Festival scheduled for Sunday would be held.

There were likely some who decided not to come, but the forecast held true and Sunday was bright and sunny with cool breezes.

Those who gave up on the Wedding Festival lost a lot as the event went on as planned, pairing potential brides and grooms and/or their families with wedding providers, enablers and caterers.

After signing in at the big tent in the parking lot of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, participants jumped on trolleys to visit the five locations housing wedding professionals who were showing their wares and services.

At the tent, Chamber Board member and Cedar Cove Resort and Cottages owner Eric Cairns was serving champagne to make mimosas with the fresh orange juice supplied by Mixon Fruit Farm. He was also serving small key lime pies.

“We had a lot of people who signed up this morning and jumped on the trolleys,” he said. “They looked like they were ready to go.”

There were booths set up at the BeachHouse restaurant and some breakfast rolls for the early birds who got there shortly after the festival began at 11 a.m.

“A lot of the people I met were getting married in the fall,” said vendor Angella Cisco-Ferreira, from The Perfect Settings Floral and Event Design. “Not many were from this area, and there were some from other countries.”

Visitors to the Bridge Street Bistro enjoyed the second-store, air-conditioned dining room where several vendors were set up. The Bistro also had some nice snacks.

“I’ve worked here at the Bridge Street Bistro before, and this is a beautiful location,” said Beach Breeze Weddings officiant and planner Alan Zuckerman. “I love what I do, and it’s the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done.”

The Gulf Drive Café and Tiki hosted two fashion shows, sponsored by Something Blue and Serendipity Boutiques and Mary Kay. At the Mary Kay booth following the first show, Leslie Segeal and Lois Fallon were planning for their weddings. Fallon was planning on getting married in April while Fallon was planning for October of 2015. They both thought a beach wedding was the way to go, and they were eyeing the Harrington House. The group was from Bradenton. The snacks at the Gulf Drive Café included shrimp, chicken wings and healthy fruit and veggies.

The Tortuga Inn pergola on the beach housed vendors including Mister Bones, who served ribs, beans, rice and cole slaw, and a live performance by Bil Bowdish, of local favorite band Gulf Drive. In the corner, Island Photographer Dara Caudill was talking to Audra Fulton and her mother, Cindy Pace, from Arlington, Texas, about her wedding on Aug. 8, 2015.

Fulton said her fiancé, Logan, was not there helping make arrangements.

“He told me he’d be there at the wedding,” she said. “He said for me to do what I have to do.”

They chose Anna Maria Island because Audra’s grandparents used to bring them down on vacations. Her mom broke down when she said the grandparents were no longer alive.

“I just though about how they would love to know their granddaughter is getting married here,” she said. “They loved it here.”

At the Harrington House, two tents were set up on the pool deck with the Gulf of Mexico in the background. There was a table with items for sale and some furnishings. The Harrington House, a bed and breakfast, also serves meals for customers and they showcased their cooking inside the kitchen, where there were many treats.

Brad Tater and Jamie Hall were there. Residents of Bradenton, they are scheduled to get married on Oct. 25 on the mainland.

“We’re bringing in a lot of people and we thought some might want to stay on the Island,” Tater said.

Following the day’s activities, the attendees gathered at the Gulf Drive Café and tiki for a mock wedding and drawings for the gift baskets.

Taylor Cole and Donna Meier with young Cade Cole joining the “wedding party” in front of Liz Codola, who performed the ceremony with bare feet. When it was time to kiss the “bride,” the two actors who were married but not to each other, traded a peck, causing the audience to laugh.

After the mock wedding, five baskets were awarded to lucky raffle contestants.

Lynn Hine won the basket valued at $2,600, Diana Crum won the $3,000 basket, Katherine Harrison won the $3,700 basket, Andrea Oxford won the $4,800 basket and Rich Canal won the $9,800 basket.

 

Monti announced that he is not running for office again, Commissioner David Zaccagnino said he plans to give up his seat to run for mayor.

“I will not run for mayor again,” Monti said Friday. “It’s not worth the effort I’ve expended for what comes back in return.”

Monti said he has lost money on his business while attending to the duties of mayor and that he plans to spend time pursuing and expanding his business as well as pursuing other opportunities.

“I have run three businesses and never have been attacked like I have in this job,” he said. “I am saddened by the fact that this country has lost the basic values of respect that I was taught by my father.

“Whether you agree with someone or not, you let them have their say. Somehow, that’s not important in this city. It’s just not worth it.”

Monti said he is proud of the fact that the current commission worked hard to “correct the mess we inherited that was created by decisions made by the building department” to allow big rental houses to be built.

“We also have worked hard on congestion, parking, etc. Even though not all agree with the suggestions made, they have been made with the best interest of the Island in mind.

“The problems that face us are not easy to solve and not uni-dimensional. They are intertwined with many complicated facets.

“There are no easy answers, but most people want to complain with no suggestions as to how to solve the problems. Give solutions, not complaints.”

Zaccagnino

Zaccagnino announced his bid for mayor last week also.

“I’ve been asked by a lot of long-term citizens to step up and restore common sense to the mayor’s seat,” he said. “I’ve talked to my wife, Mauri, and my office, and they are supportive.

“I think I have the background to do the job. I have relationships with other city and county officials and the citizens. City and county officials have asked me to step up.”

As for giving up his vote to serve in the administrative position of mayor as opposed to the legislative position of city commissioner, Zaccagnino said, “It’s the right thing to do right now.”

Zaccagnino, who is a financial planner with Ameriprise Financial in Sarasota, has been on the city commission for nine years.

“I’m always up for a good election,” he said. “All my campaigns have been self-funded because I think it’s too much of a small town and (taking contributions) can give the wrong impression.”

Zaccagnino is active in the community serving as past board member and current member of the Rotary Club of AMI and a member of the Anna Maria Elementary School PTO, the AMI Chamber of Commerce and St. Bernard Church. He serves on the city’s police pension board and as commission liaison to the elementary school and the AMI Community Center.

Zaccagnino has three children, Sela, 12; Jack, 4; and Jesse, 3.

ANNA MARIA – The much anticipated Food and Wine on Pine event set for Saturday was canceled Friday due to a mass of heavy thunderstorms that moved through the area on Friday and Saturday.

“I am very sorry to say that due to the weather forecast and to ensure the safety of our vendors, guests and volunteers, we have decided to cancel this year's Food and Wine on Pine,” said event coordinator Caryn Hodge. “We regret having to make this decision, but it is unavoidable.

Event sponsor Ed Chiles added, “We were disappointed to have had to cancel the 4th Annual Food and Wine on Pine event. Our primary concern is always the safety and well being of everyone involved.

“We appreciate Caryn Hodge along with her organizing committee chairs for all the countless hour of time they dedicated. We also are very grateful for the support of our sponsors and our many volunteers.

"It would have been logistically impossible for us to reschedule due to permitting issues and the unavailability of many of our vendors.

"We look forward to continuing our efforts to share our area's finest in food, art, music and performances on the greenest little main street in America."

Dorothy Blum, who was in charge of the musicians along with her husband, Scott, said, “The musicians are disappointed because they wanted to show their talent and be part of a wonderful event that also benefits charities.

“I don’t know another event in the area like Food and Wine on Pine because it encompasses everything in the community. It’s the spirit and excitement around this event that makes it so special.”

Positive side

Pastor Ed Moss, of CrossPointe Fellowship, which sponsored the children’s games, said, “Its like everything in life. There’s the negative and the positive.

“I feel bad for everyone who will suffer significant financial loss and for the people who spent so much time organizing the event.”

However, he said he could think of several good things that came out of the experience.

“The volunteers, the teams that planned this event and the relationships that were built through these planning sessions is a huge benefit to our community,” he pointed out.

“The leaders that were developed grow the character of the community. Money matters, but the character side is important. It betters us. We are incredibly blessed.”

Actor/street performer chair Diane Phinney said she had 35 actors planning to portray Island historical figures that would walk the street and tell about their lives.

“It’s really disappointing,” she said. “It’s a risk. It was a hard decision to make – do you go forward or cancel?”

Art coordinator Joyce Karp said, “It’s a shame. Everybody was looking forward to it and excited about a fun event.

“I would love to see it rescheduled, but there are so many moving parts that you could never get the whole thing back together.”

HOLMES BEACH – Congestion committee members agreed to support a plan offered by City Commissioner Marvin Grossman to split traffic at the intersection of Gulf and Palm drives.

“Part of the problem is that all the cars going to Anna Maria have to go and come back through Holmes Beach,” Grossman pointed out. “Rather than making it one way, we split the traffic.”

He suggested urging drivers going north to use Marina and Palm drives and those going south to use Gulf Drive. However, the streets would not be one way except at the traffic island at the intersection of Palm and Gulf drives, where the southbound lane of Marina and the northbound lane of Gulf Drive would be blocked.

Chief Bill Tokajer said there would have to be buffers on each side of the traffic island to stop the traffic traveling southbound on Gulf Drive from Anna Maria from going onto Marina Drive and forcing the traffic traveling northbound on Gulf Drive to Anna Maria to turn right at 81st Street in order to continue north.

Southbound drivers on Gulf Drive would have to go past the intersection to cross over on a side street to get to Marina Drive. Aside from the intersection, drivers could go both ways on both roads and could cross over on side streets.

Grossman asked Tokajer if the idea is feasible, and Tokajer said Grossman would have to bring it to a city commission work session for discussion. Grossman said he would like to do a trial from June 15 to July 15.

“Everything is a trial,” Chair Carol Soustek said. “If it doesn’t work, you try something else. This is what this committee started out to do ¬– find things that are feasible and in our control.”

Grossman asked the committee to spearhead the proposal. Soustek said the committee would meet at 9:30 a.m. on May 13 to finalize a presentation to the city commission at its May 15 work session.

Bike and pedestrian pathway

Grossman also proposed making a bicycle and pedestrian pathway along Marina and Palm drives by moving the street over to one side and having a 12- to 14-foot pathway on the other side. He also said the speed limit should be reduced to 25 mph.

Soustek said it would be safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. Member Jayne Christenson said it would keep bicyclists out of the neighborhoods.

Grossman said rather than having another committee on developing a bike route, this committee could take on that role. He suggested having a special meeting on bike issues. Soustek agreed and said when he has more information, she’ll call a pubic meeting.

City Commissioner Jean Peelen asked the group for a letter of support urging county officials to provide personnel for traffic control at the Island’s four stop signals during tourist season.

Parking agreements

The group finalized a parking agreement with Hancock Bank to allow beachgoers to park in its parking lot on weekends and holidays. Soustek said the city commission must approve the agreement, and she hopes to have it in place for Memorial Day weekend, May 24 through 26.

Grossman suggested looking at the right of way area along Sixth Avenue behind Publix for parking. Soustek said the committee would, however she also noted, “We’re trying to pull people away from the residential streets. It helps visitors to put them in a safe parking lot.”

Christenson said she has contacted school officials about using the elementary school parking lot, but they are not receptive to the idea because of garbage, liability and property damage.

“This school gets so much support from this community,” Peelen said. “Now this community is asking for something. I’m annoyed at the bureaucracy making the decisions.”

Christenson suggested making the request at a School Board meeting. Soustek said they could have a trial period to see if any problems arise.

Soustek said she has had conversations with officials at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, and it could be a possible trolley parking area.

HOLMES BEACH – After hearing a staff report on use of the city field at a recent work session, city commissioners agreed to put limits on its use.

Human Resources Analyst Mary Buonagura gave a summary of the field’s use from 2011 to 2015. Days of use were: 2011, 16; 2012, 26; 2013, 22; and 2014, 16; and so far signed up for 2015, 12.

Commissioner Jean Peelen said some groups, such as Wildlife Inc. and the Butterfly Garden, keep repeating.

“They get almost 100 percent of their funds from the city field,” Buonagura explained. “I talked to the beneficiaries, and they said they couldn’t survive without the shows in the field.”

“I’m not sure it’s our job to 100 percent support any non-profit.” Peelen pointed out. ‘Every charity out there has to raise money to support themselves.”

At a previous meeting, Deborah Barker, of Niki’s Island Treasures, told the board that weekend festivals hurt her business.

“We have noticed a big decline in weekend business,” she said. “When people go to a festival, they don’t want to shop in the stores.

“I ask you to limit the number of festivals we have and to keep outsiders out. We have no problem with local festivals.”

Commissioner Marvin Grossman suggested limiting events to two per month, and Chair Judy Titsworth suggested allowing three in March and April and not allowing music on Sunday.

Peelen suggested limiting a group to once or twice a year because one group could book all the events.

After discussion, they agreed on two events per month of one or two days with any one group allowed a maximum of three events per year, and no music would be allowed on Sundays. Groups must be charitable organizations.

City Attorney Patricia Petruff pointed out that there is a difference between a not for profit corporation and a charity and noted, “Some may not be a 501 (c) 3, so by being strict, you may inadvertently exclude some groups.”

She said she would draft the ordinance to allow some discretion.

BRADENTON BEACH – Emotionally-charged comments made by Mayor Bill Shearon at Thursday’s commission meeting left some wondering if the mayor had resigned after he gaveled the meeting to an abrupt end.

“My hands are tied. If this commission wants to make a decision on everything, so be it. I’m sorry, but I can’t do it anymore without your support,” he said.

Shearon was angry about the lack of support received from Commissioners Jack Clarke, Jan Vosburgh and Ed Straight pertaining to recent requests to implement a new e-mail system and administrator.

Philosophical differences included e-mail security and administration, budget expenditures, honoring an existing contract and department head authority.

As he left the dais, Shearon said, “If you guys want to have a meeting, you have to call the city attorney. I’m done.”

When asked if he had resigned, Shearon said, “I will never resign, but it’s going to be a long year and a half around here. I don’t have any authority to do anything.”

Request denied

In March, commissioners approved a $2,840 payment to former Commissioner Ric Gatehouse for an additional year of website and e-mail hosting and administration.

In April, City Clerk Jamie Anderson purchased a $4,700 cloud-based Microsoft Office 365 software package without the commission’s consent. The software was bought using funds left over from savings produced by the use of a state contract used to purchase hardware upgrades approved by the commission in February. That approval, however, included no discussion about 365 software.

During the April 29 commission workshop, Shearon and City Clerk Jamie Anderson were denied majority consensus to switch from Gatehouse’s locally-hosted e-mail system to a 365 system administered by Friendly Computer Services and hosted in an unknown location.

Clarke expressed concerns about the software purchase, the desire to replace Gatehouse and the security of a cloud-based e-mail system in regard to police department communications and unauthorized access.

Police Chief Sam Speciale shared Clarke’s security concerns, but said he did not know enough about Cloud technology to offer an opinion.

Shearon and Vice Mayor Janie Robertson said security was less of a concern, because commission e-mails are public record.

Anderson and Shearon said important e-mails were not being received or delivered, while junk e-mails were bogging down the system. Clarke and Vosburgh said they had not experienced e-mail issues.

Anderson expressed concerns about commissioners using personal e-mail accounts to conduct city business. She said the 365 system would allow commissioners to access their city e-mail accounts from afar, which they cannot currently do, while providing her with archiving and retrieval capabilities vital to fulfilling public records requests and complying with state laws.

Anderson agreed with Shearon that relieving Gatehouse of his e-mail duties would give him more time to work on the outdated city website.

Shearon surprised Vosburgh when he said the 365 software was already purchased.

“That was a decision Jamie, Sheila (Dalton) and I made; and if I’m wrong, I’ll take the heat,” he said, offering support for the clerk and treasurer.

“I think you did the wrong thing mayor; we should have been consulted,” Vosburgh countered, while expressing support for Gatehouse.

“We’re not supposed to be micromanaging, but we are responsible for the city’s money,” Straight added.

“It was a left-handed way of getting around the commission’s authorization. It’s still money that wasn’t budgeted in the 2014 budget,” Clarke said.

“It would have been nice if somebody came to us and said we saved $4,700 and want to buy another piece of equipment,” he said later in the week.

Shearon took offense to Clarke’s left-handed comment and unsuccessfully sought consensus granting Anderson the authority to resolve the matter as she saw fit.

When that failed, Clarke requested a solution involving the continued use of Gatehouse.

“Make it work with him, at least for now,” Clarke said.

The commission directed Shearon, Anderson and Dalton to work with Gatehouse to resolve e-mail issues.

More debate

On Wednesday morning, Anderson e-mailed Gatehouse, requesting that he assist Friendly Services in getting e-mail moved to a new server for use with the 365 software.

Gatehouse told Anderson she misinterpreted the results of Tuesday’s meeting and her request conflicted with commission consensus.

“I will be happy to make changes the commission wants or decides. As custodian of this domain, however, I will not make changes based solely on the orders of the mayor or you,” he wrote, noting that he would be happy to demonstrate how his system could be reconfigured to meet the city’s needs.

Thursday night, Shearon sought a motion allowing the city attorney to send a letter to Gatehouse requesting that he forfeit e-mail hosting responsibilities.

“This is literally crippling the city,” he said.

Robertson said former City Clerk Nora Idso was allowed to replace vendors that failed to meet expectations. She then made the motion requested by Shearon, but it died without a second from another commissioner, prompting the mayor’s emotional exit.

Friday morning, Anderson asked Gatehouse to submit a proposal for services similar to the 365 system.

The Florida Legislative session ended Friday night, producing several bills of interest to Anna Maria Island that are awaiting the signature of Gov. Rick Scott.

The vacation rental bill, SB 356, officially known as “Regulation of Public Lodging Establishments and Public Food Service Establishments,” passed on May 1, and becomes effective July 1 with the governor’s signature.

Under the bill, local governments cannot limit the frequency or duraton of rentals unless they had such regulations on the books on or before June 1, 2011.

“We can regulate other aspects of rentals, particularly health and safety aspects,” Holmes Beach Commissioner Jean Peelen wrote constituents in an e-mail.

The bill, which does not apply to condominium and homeowner associations, gives local officials more control than they had under the 2011 state vacation rental law that prohibited nearly all municipal regulation of rentals.

Officials supporting the bill cited as their primary reasons noise, parking and trash problems at vacation rental properties and the state’s intrusion into home rule.

Flood insurance

SB 542 was passed, encouraging private flood insurers to compete with FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program policies in Florida.

The bill, a response to policyholders’ complaints about huge increases in federal flood premiums, is intended to produce lower rates. Policyholders complained that rates were affecting their ability to remain in their homes and businesses. Rate increases also slowed real estate sales.

Congress passed a law in March scaling back the increases.

Environmental victory

The environment won a victory with the failure of an amendment to HB 955 that would have weakened Florida’s restrictions on the release of helium balloons.

Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring was among the environmental groups opposed to the amendment, which would have allowed up to 100 balloons to be released at a time at funerals, memorials or non-profit, faith-based events – 10 times more than the current law allows.

Studies have shown that sea turtles eat plastic refuse, which can kill them.

SB 320 passed, regulating commercial parasailing. The bill requires liability insurance, $1 million per occurrence and $2 million annual aggregate, a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed operator and an onboard VHF marine transceiver and a separate electronic device capable of providing access to National Weather Service forecasts.

It prohibits parasailing in more than 20 mph winds or if gusts are 25 mph or more, if rain or heavy fog results in reduced visibility of less than a half mile, or if a lightning storm comes within 7 miles of the parasailing area. Violations are a second degree misdemeanor.

SB 1150, a bill to require state tourism officials to market Florida internationally as a medical tourism destination, died in the House and was not revived.

HOLMES BEACH – Once again, the fourth and fifth graders at Anna Maria Elementary School held their Manatee County 4H/Tropicana Public Speaking Contest and once again, there were a variety of subjects relevant to kids their age.

Not only were the subjects graded; the kids were also judged on their public speaking ability. Volunteer Charlene Doll and former AME principals James Kronus and Tom Levengood were judges.

The winning speech was an upbeat approach to a not-so-upbeat subject. Kolby Keenan, who made his speech from memory, won with “Lessons Learned from Losing.”

Keenan talked about his love of wrestling, although he hasn’t done well yet.

“Every time I lose, I get better,” he said. “Losing is about opportunity.”

Keenan is hopeful of winning the speech finals next weekend.

“We certainly wish him well,” said AME Principal David Marshall.

Gianna Sparks came in second with her speech about being an only child.

“People think only children are greedy because it’s always about me,” she said. “I never had to share anything.”

Sparks said being an only child sometimes raises everybody’s expectations, and they are often labeled as spoiled.

Mary Grace Cucci came in third with her speech called “Got Wi-Fi?” She talked about the cordless communication devices that have spelled the end to pay phones and pagers. As she notes, according to worldwide statistics, “More people have cell phones than flushing toilets.”

Other contestants and their speeches were: “Are You Still Lovin’ It?” by David Daigle about unhealthy fast foods; “Fashion Mistakes in History,” by Bella Love; Maggie Carter spoke of “The African Bush Elephant,” the largest land mammal in the world, and she warned, “We must do our best to save this animal.”

Thomas Heckler’s “Bat Boy” was about the time he got to serve as a bat boy at a Pittsburgh Pirates spring training game; Cailyn Connor spoke about “Crazy Laws” that are still on the books; Ariana Cooper’s “The Trouble with Puppies” pointed out that they “Chew everything.”

Lila Bowers’ “How to Annoy Your Parents” was a speech everyone’s parents should hear; Randy Carter spoke of “Just Say No to GMOs,” which are genetically modified foods, saying about the ingredients in some food, “If you can’t pronounce it, it’s probably bad for you.”

Finally, Cole Pearson presented “Live, Love, Skate,” about his love of skateboarding and how he thinks the International Olympic Committee might include skateboarding in the summer games some day.