Top Stories this week: Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2005 TOP NOTCH: 'Close Encounter' seventh weekly winner This dangerously close encounter between alligator and heron was captured on by Tom Gross of West Lafayette, Ind., on a February visit to Myakka State Park. He will receive a "More Than a Mullet Wrapper" Islander T-shirt, a bottle of wine from Anna Maria Island Liquor & Wine and a lunch certificate from Minnie's Beach Cafe. The photo will go into a pool with other weekly winners eligible for the contest grand-prize package, including $100 from The Islander, a $50 gift certificate from Mister Robert's Resortwear, a premium bottle of champagne from Time Saver, dinner for two at either the Sandbar, BeachHouse or MarVista, and framing of their winning entry from Decor Gallery and Framing. Click image to enlarge Latest Anna Maria parking plan under fire By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter To the surprise of absolutely no one who has lived in Anna Maria longer than three months, the latest proposal to solve the city's decades-old parking problems came in for some severe criticism from the public and at least one commissioner at the city commission's Aug. 4 workshop, putting the entire plan in jeopardy. Full Story... Island voters disappearing By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter The Kingston Trio had the right "note" for the Island's electorate with their 1960s anti-war ballad, "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" Full Story... Bradenton Beach pier plans OK'd By Paul Roat. Islander Reporter Plans have been approved for a bigger, better, bolder Bradenton Beach City Pier. Full Story... Renourishment moving south on schedule By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Renourishment of Anna Maria's Gulffront beaches is on schedule, according to Larry Chapman of Goodloe Marine, the Apollo Beach-based company dredging the sand for the project. Full Story... In memory of Bridget Miller By Thomas Aposporos When I last spoke to Bridget, it was a mere three or four days before she was to make a trip across the country from Colorado to Anna Maria. The likely plan was that she and her best friend would rent my family’s duplex for a couple of months. She was excited about returning here to see some of her closest friends and to settle again on Anna Maria Island. Full Story... Bright future for Bridget memorial scholars Bridget Miller of Anna Maria will not have died in vain. Her young life will be immortalized by donations in her memory to a special scholarship fund established by the Anna Maria Island Privateers. Full Story... CART gets push from county commission By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter The long-awaited report by the Coalition Against Runaway Taxation on the effects of rising taxes on Anna Maria Island businesses received a boost from the Manatee County Commission at its Aug. 2 meeting. Full Story... Citizens lament consolidation standstill, standoff, solutions By Bonner Joy First study, then vote? Holmes Beach Commissioner Don Maloney headed a meeting at Beach Bistro with constituents who share the common goal of consolidation of the three Island cities Saturday - an open meeting and luncheon that few folks other than media representatives attended. Full Story... No 'mo 'flo By Rick Catlin Florence, Ky., city council member Melodie Merrell, who made headlines locally when she nearly got the boot from the June 14 Holmes Beach city commission meeting, has resigned from the Florence City Council. Full Story...