Top Stories this week: Wednesday, May 3, 2006 AME officially opens The ties of ribbon guarding the main entrance of the new Anna Maria Elementary School were soon cut, allowing scores of kids, parents and officials to enter the building for guided tours and a reception at the May 1 school dedication. Trimming the ribbon (inset) is Manatee School District Superintendent Roger Dearing, who had help from Principal Kathy Hayes. A welcome program and student entertainment in the newly remodeled auditorium, a flag salute, singing of the "Star-Spangled Banner" and recital of the school pledge preceded the ribbon-cutting. Construction crews worked nearly round-the-clock to put the finishing touches in place in time for the dedication. Islander Photos: Bonner Joy Anna Maria beach renourishment not until late 2006 By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Anna Maria residents expecting a quick beach renourishment this month at the end of the current project in Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach are going to have to wait a little longer. Full Story... Bad day boating? Imagine how bad you'd feel after a great day on the water when your car sinks at the boat ramp. It happened Friday at approximately 5:30 p.m. to Thorsten and Paul Huelquist at the Kingfish Boat Ramp in Holmes Beach when the Dodge Caravan they were using to pull out their boat went under water. No one was injured, unless you account for pride. Islander Photo: Don Meilner Commission turns 'good neighbor' for community center By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Not wishing to saddle the not-for-profit Anna Maria Island Community Center with nearly $60,000 in permit fees for its upcoming expansion, the Anna Maria City Commission followed Teddy Roosevelt’s lead and turned into a "good neighbor" at their April 27 meeting. Full Story... Anna Maria sex offender arrested Manatee County Sheriff's Office deputies at the MCSO's Anna Maria substation last Wednesday arrested a New York man for failing to register with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement as a convicted sex offender. Full Story... Legislature blows ill wind at Island insurance plan By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Thanks to the Florida Legislature, some Island business owners are now scrambling for wind insurance coverage, and some are even considering closing their doors for good. Full Story... Refinement of Bradenton Beach vision continues By Paul Roat. Islander Reporter "Don’t forget about the economic importance and viability in the vision of Bradenton Beach in the future" was a recurring theme of the most recent "visioning" exercise in the city. Full Story... Trial half-hour timed bridge openings OK'd By Paul Roat. Islander Reporter The U.S. Coast Guard has agreed to a trial program of twice-per-hour, on-request drawbridge openings for the Anna Maria Island and Cortez bridges for a four-month period during the winter "season." Full Story... Wall Street Journal discovers Island tax problem By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter National publications are just now discovering what Islanders, particularly business and non-homesteaded property owners, have known for years. There's a problem here with rising taxes and there's a problem with the methods used by the Manatee County Property Appraiser to determine taxable value, particularly on commercial property such as motels and rental accommodations. Full Story... Lutz, planner, mayor spar over comp-plan amendments By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Two proposed small-scale amendments to the Holmes Beach comprehensive plan were questioned by City Commissioner Roger Lutz at the commission's April 27 meeting as he wondered what the "driving" force was behind the amendments. Full Story... Holmes Beach continues consolidation exploration By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter How do you consolidate a city of one? Even though Bradenton Beach has now dropped out of the consolidation study effort and Anna Maria was never in it, the Holmes Beach City Commission wants to continue at least preliminary studies of the measure as mandated by city voters last November. Full Story... Holmes Beach election heats up early It may be six months before you can vote in a Holmes Beach election, but apparently the contest is under way for several seats on the commission and the mayoral chair. Full Story...