Top Stories this week: Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2006 Whitmore takes Republican slot for county commission By Paul Roat. Islander Reporter Holmes Beach Mayor Carol Whitmore has taken the Republican side of the Manatee County Commission District 6 at-large on the November ballot in Tuesday’s primary voting by a wide margin. Full Story... Ernesto a 'no show' While Tropical Storm Ernesto failed to make much of an impact on Anna Maria Island last week, the clouds and rain associated with the storm kept most visitors away from Island beaches for the day, at least in this area of Bradenton Beach around 19th Street North. A few people ventured out to enjoy the fairly balmy conditions. Islander Photo: Rick Catlin Whitmore takes Republican slot for county commission By Paul Roat. Islander Reporter Holmes Beach Mayor Carol Whitmore has taken the Republican side of the Manatee County Commission District 6 at-large on the November ballot in Tuesday’s primary voting by a wide margin. Full Story... Ernesto a 'no show' While Tropical Storm Ernesto failed to make much of an impact on Anna Maria Island last week, the clouds and rain associated with the storm kept most visitors away from Island beaches for the day, at least in this area of Bradenton Beach around 19th Street North. A few people ventured out to enjoy the fairly balmy conditions. Islander Photo: Rick Catlin Island accommodation owners face bleak future without tax relief By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Two years ago, when escalating property taxes threatened to drive a number of "mom-and-pop" motels out of business on Anna Maria Island - and directly into the condominium market - affected residents formed the Citizens Against Runaway Taxation group to literally fight to save the "Old Florida" flavor of the Island. Full Story... Island budget hearings are here The three Island cities will each hold the first of the two required public meetings on their proposed 2006-07 budget beginning this week and next. Full Story... County gets gold mine, Islanders get shaft By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter To paraphrase the old Jerry Reed song that "she got the gold mine, I got the shaft," the mainland may have found a gold mine on Anna Maria Island, while the Island could be getting the shaft — at least when it comes to paying a proportionate share of the budgets for Manatee County and the county school district. Full Story... Holy sharks! Up in smoke By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter "Great White," an offshore fishing boat, was totally destroyed by fire in Cortez Aug. 29. According to West Manatee Fire & Rescue District Deputy Fire Marshal Kurt Lathrop, owner William L. Turner was working on the boat near Annie's Bait and Tackle when he put down a lit butane torch, which in turn caught the boat on fire at about 11 a.m. Full Story... Island woman wins judgment against GSR, principals By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Island resident Cynthia Graeff has been awarded a $29,500 default judgment against GSR Development LLC and principals Robert Byrne and Steve Noriega individually. Full Story... Court gives go-ahead for Villa Rosa sale By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter U.S. Federal Bankruptcy Court Judge K. Robert May last Friday gave financially troubled GSR Development LLC of Anna Maria Island approval to proceed with its proposed sale of its Villa Rosa property and two adjacent parcels in Anna Maria. Full Story... Ball field parking lot full of 'it' Patrons of the Birdie Tebbetts Field in Holmes Beach and the adjacent soccer fields, basketball and tennis courts might want to plan on finding an alternative parking spot rather than the lot on the east side of the ball field by the basketball court - at least for the foreseeable future. Full Story... Expect interruptions in police phone service On Wednesday, Sept. 13, beginning at 8 a.m., Verizon Communications will be upgrading the Holmes Beach Police Department’s phone system. Full Story... Insurance: So you want to know more? By Molly McCartney. Islander Reporter If you want to determine if you're eligible for the wind insurance available through the state-sponsored Citizens Property Insurance Corp. for some residential and commercial properties on Anna Maria Island, you have to know something about what is commonly called the wind zone or the wind pool. Full Story... Top Notch: First weekly winner also 2006 grand prize winner The grand prize winner from among six weekly award-winning photos in the 2006 "Top Notch" Islander photo contest is 'Hermit' by Kim Klement of Bradenton. Her shot was the first winner on June 28 and was taken at Andros Island in the Bahamas in May. She can claim her grand prize, including $100 from The Islander, a dining certificate from Ooh La La! Bistro, a bottle of champagne from Anna Maria Island Liquor and Wine, dinner for two at a Chiles Group Restaurant and framing of the winning photo by Decor and More. Congratulations to all the winners - and be watching next week for our featured runnersup.