Holmes Beach city attorney Patricia Petruff received no objections from commissioners at an April 30 special meeting to address the city’s response to Mainsail’s petition for relief.

The petition was filed with the city April 18 seeking relief from the commission’s 3-2 vote to revoke the site plan for a development project at 5325 Marina Drive.

The petition, filed by Sarasota attorney Robert Lincoln on behalf of Mainsail, accuses the city of violating its own procedures in revoking the site plan and that the commission lacked authority to make the decision, saying the decision belongs to the mayor and building official.

The petition was filed under the Bert J. Harris Act, which allows a property owner to seek relief from a government agency that burdens a property’s existing use.

Petruff said the purpose for the city’s response is to set forth, in reasonable detail, why the governmental action was taken. In this case, it was the vote to revoke the Mainsail site plan.

“The response doesn’t have to go blow by blow,” said Petruff. “Quite frankly, Mr. Lincoln did not format the petition in a manner that lends itself with a complaint-by-answer format.”

Petruff said the response she drafted meets state statute requirements, providing a reasonable argument for the city’s actions and providing the special master mediating the case with the necessary information.

Petruff attached several exhibits to the response, including the minutes of all public hearings associated with the Mainsail project.

“The minutes are very detailed and contain a lot of the evidence you heard that you based your decision on,” said Petruff. “I think it will be satisfactory for the purpose it’s intended to be.”

The response claims Mainsail abandoned the property and its proposed project violates the city’s land development code.

“The site has been abandoned and no construction activity has occurred since 2007 except for minor work related to the boat docks,” Petruff wrote. “Installation of the pilings and footers for the primary uses was completed in December 2006. The site has since been allowed to deteriorate, resulting in an eyesore for adjacent property owners and the city.”

Petruff noted Mainsail only filed two permits with the city. One is for installing six boat docks and the other for a sign.

She also said the certificate of liability insurance required by the lease Mainsail has with the city for a portion of the property expired in June 2012, although it was not listed as a reason to revoke the site plan.

“That wasn’t anything you had under consideration that night, however, I think it’s relevant,” she said.

Petruff closed the city’s response by saying the Mainsail site plan no longer complies with the LDC.

“I just want to be real clear that we are dealing with a really old site plan,” she said. “Nothing has happened in a really long time.”

Commissioner Marvin Grossman said he read through Petruff’s response to the petition three times.

“I feel really comfortable with it,” he said. “I think you hit most of the points.”

The other commissioners agreed.

 

The proceeding

Grossman asked Petruff to explain the procedure once it starts.

Petruff said property owners determined by a property appraiser to have adjoining property to the Mainsail site, as well as citizens who spoke at the public hearings will receive notice of the hearing.

“People who get the notice have a certain amount of time to request to participate in the hearing,” said Petruff.

“They do not have the right to participate with full party status,” she said. “They won’t be at the table. At some time during the proceeding, the special master will set time aside to listen to the views of those people who choose to participate.”

Petruff said the special master will set a convenient time and place for the hearing to accommodate both parties, which is expected to take about 45 days.

Once the hearing is scheduled, the city will have designated representatives at the proceeding.

Commissioner David Zaccagnino suggested since the vote on the Mainsail project was split, one representative from each side of the vote be selected to attend and represent the city.

Mayor Carmel Monti was selected, and Commissioner Judy Titsworth, who voted to revoke the site plan, volunteered to represent the city at the hearing.

Petruff cautioned against Titsworth participating given her participation in the process as an adjoining property owner.

Titsworth said the ethics commission did not find a reason why she should not participate, but Petruff said it could be a rallying cry for the opposing side and cause unnecessary delays to the process.

No commissioner objected to Titsworth representing the city.

Petruff continued to explain the proceeding, saying the first duty of the special master will be to determine if finding common ground is possible for the project to move forward.

“He will spend a lot of time on that,” she said. “There will be breakout rooms available where he can discuss possible solutions with both parties.”

If mediation appears impossible, the proceeding will enter a second phase that is more “trial like,” according to Petruff, who said the special master will take evidence, testimony and listen to witnesses.

“At the end, he makes his recommendation to this commission,” she said. “The recommendation can take several formats. However, the commission can choose not to go along with the recommendation, in which case the decision is ripe for litigation.”

Commission Chair Jean Peelen wanted to know how the city’s representatives would negotiate without input from the rest of the commission.

Petruff suggested a series of work sessions, if necessary, to set some parameters of what the commission would and would not be comfortable with in a possible solution.

Monti agreed, saying, “We still have the same exact voting scenario we did before. I think we need to prepare to see what parameters are acceptable and what are not.”

Holmes Beach selected Steven M. “Steve” Seibert at an April 30 special meeting to serve as special master to preside over the city’s dispute with Mainsail.

Attorney Robert Lincoln, on behalf of Mainsail, served the city with a petition for relief April 18 after the commission voted 3-2 March 26 to revoke Mainsail’s site plan for a project on Marina Drive to build a lodge, restaurant and other amenities.

As part of the process, the city was required to send its options for a special master.

Commissioners approved three recommendations of Seibert, Carlos Alvarez and Dennis Stotts, but Mainsail objected to Stotts, a senior attorney at Lewis, Longman & Walker. Stotts has performed mediation work in the city of Anna Maria, and Petruff previously noted that Stotts had little experience in a proceeding like the one before the city.

Mainsail did not object to Seibert or Alvarez, leaving the city the right to choose from two attorneys.

“They are both highly qualified, both are acceptable to Mainsail and myself,” said Petruff. “Both also quoted the same price of $300 an hour.”

Commissioners were initially divided in their recommendation. Commission Chair Jean Peelen and Commissioner Judy Titsworth agreed that Seibert had the most experience.

Commissioners Pat Morton and Marvin Grossman said either recommendation would be a good pick, and relented from recommending Alvarez to give Petruff a unanimous consensus to notify Seibert that he has the job.

“Tomorrow I will send a copy of the petition information and the city’s response to Mr. Seibert, requesting him to be the special master,” said Petruff.

Seibert is the founding member of TriSect LLC, a strategy consulting firm focusing on civic innovation in both the public and private sectors.

He was selected by former Gov. Jeb Bush in 1996 to lead Florida’s Department of Community Affairs. During his service, Bush called Seibert an “Outstanding public servant.”

He went on to serve in various capacities for the state.

He also has been a Florida Supreme Court certified mediator for 20 years. He is a recipient of the Excellence in Mediation award, among his accomplishments.

 

Holmes Beach Police Officer Mike Pilato, left, and Vern McGowan, right, both longtime police officers in Holmes Beach, are congratulated by Chief Bill Tokajer, center, on their promotion effective May 11 to the rank of patrol sergeant. Islander Courtesy Photo

The Holmes Beach Police Department has announced that Michael Carlton, formerly of Coast Line Realtors is under investigation by the U.S. Postal Service and the U.S. Department of Justice.

Carleton lost his realtor’s license in March following a three-count complaint related to a $10,000 escrow deposit paid to Carleton in 2012 for a property at 106 55th St., Holmes Beach.

Carleton failed to register the escrow account into his beach rental company, Coast Line Accommodations.

Coast Line Accommodations has had 60 complaints filed against it and HBPD has been investigating those cases. The primary complaint against Carleton is double booking rental properties and failing to refund all or the majority of the renter’s deposit.

Carleton’s business in Holmes Beach shut down a few months ago and his business address changed to a Sarasota address.

A press release from HBPD Police Chief Bill Tokajer said the investigation has been turned to the federal agencies and, “When criminal charges are filed, Michael Carleton will be charged with federal charges and prosecuted in the federal court system.”

Any member of the public who has contact with Carleton or his rental company and has had similar experience is asked to contact HBPD or the U.S. Postal Service.

Postal Inspector Alexandra Papageorge can be reached at 813-281-5237 or email apapageorge@uspis.gov.

There will be a westbound lane closure 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. through Thursday, May 16, on Cortez Road/State Road 684 from 102nd Street West to 119th Street West.

Maintenance crews will be trimming trees around street lights. Motorists are advised to use caution in work areas, a Florida Department of Transportation press release said.

From 8 p.m.-6 p.m. weeknights, crews will be repairing the sidewalk — from 75th Street West in Bradenton west along Manatee Avenue to the Perico Bayou Bridge. Motorists can expect intermittent westbound lane closures with a flagging operation in place.

The DOT is continuing its maintenance project on the Anna Maria Island Bridge/State Road 64/Manatee Avenue, 9 p.m.-6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.

The majority of work is taking place underneath the bridge and a flagging operation is in place for if any lane must be closed.

May 9, 1980, dawned but barely on Tampa Bay. A heavy fog dropped visibility to only a few yards, and a fast-moving squall was heading toward the mouth of the bay when harbor pilot Capt. John Lerro and Bruce Atkins, co-pilot trainee, boarded the Summit Venture in the Gulf of Mexico to guide the ship to the Port of Tampa.

The freighter was en route to Tampa to on-load 28,000 tons of phosphate, then on to Asia. It was empty as it passed Egmont Key, its 608-foot-long hull riding high in the water.

Lerro and Atkins boarded the ship at 6:25 a.m. The ship’s master, Capt. Hsuing Chu Lui, relinquished control of the Summit Venture to Lerro, who let Atkins take the helm.

As the twin spans of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge drew near, the squall hit. Visibility dropped, and a trio of lookouts went to the bow to watch for the markers that guide ships through the 800-foot-wide opening of the bridge. Lerro took over from Atkins.

But as the Summit Venture neared a tricky turn in the channel, the storm hit with a vengeance. The empty ship skittered across the water under the force of the wind, estimated at 50 mph. A break in the rain provided one of the most horrible sights a ship captain could imagine — a bridge abutment loomed out of the darkness dead ahead, fully 800 feet from where it was expected to have been.

Lerro ordered the anchor dropped and the engines full astern. It was too little too late, and the 19,734-ton ship hit the southbound span’s bridge piling, crumpling the metal roadbed into the water, at 7:38 a.m.

Car after car after truck after bus drove off the edge of the bridge until one car, creeping through the storm, screeched to a halt only 14 inches from the yawning gap. Its four occupants scrambled for safety and began stopping other vehicles.

Of the eight passenger vehicles and one Greyhound bus that went over the edge, only one person survived the plunge and was pulled to safety aboard the Summit Venture. On board the ship, the lone lookout remained at the bow and survived the bridge span’s collapse by ducking between two huge stanchions. He crawled out from beneath the 90 feet of roadbed that came to rest only inches above his head.

Recovery of the 35 bodies claimed by the ship’s crash took almost a week. The twisted debris required explosives to break, and cranes were needed to lift the vehicles to the surface. The force of the crash ripped open the top of the bus along its length.

Divers recovered many bodies that day and transported them to Mullet Key’s Fort Desoto Park. Others washed ashore days later. Clearing the channel of debris so other ships could pass through the bridge channel took weeks.

The Florida Department of Transportation was taken to task for not providing adequate protection around the bridge pilings that could have halted a ship before it struck the bridge itself. Also, the bridge opening was too narrow for modern ships to safely navigate, critics charged.

Even the channel leading to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge took some heat, as its odd dogleg eastbound was less than a mile from the span. The marker where the turn takes place is only seven boat lengths from the bridge, leaving scant time to make any last-minute course corrections.

The $240 million Sunshine Skyway Bridge of today was finished in 1987. It does have a sturdy fender system around its pilings, a wider opening for ships to pass through, and with the new construction, the channel is aligned to be more ship-friendly.

Much of the old Skyway — the long approaches to the twin spans — was retained as fishing piers, and the central span’s debris used as artificial reefs.

Yet there are few who remember that Mayday and now drive under the bright yellow girders supporting the graceful new Skyway who don’t peer anxiously left and right to see if another squall or a freighter is bearing down on the bridge, and reflect on that early morning years ago.

It’s hard not to remember the past — and the early morning cries on the radio “Skyway disaster, Skyway disaster. Mayday. Mayday at the Skyway Bridge” — when now we traverse the long, rising, majestic span across Tampa Bay.

This story by former Islander editor Paul Roat was published in 2007. Roat, a reporter/photographer at the former Islander newspaper in 1980, was on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge shortly after the Summit Venture crashed into the bridge to record the aftermath of the Skyway disaster.

For more photos and the original Mayday recording, go online at www.islander.org.

 

Skyway Bridge disaster: A date to forget

Thirty-two years ago today, in what many old-time area residents consider the worst accident ever in the Tampa Bay area, the southbound center span of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge collapsed into history after the cargo ship Summit Venture struck a support piling during a storm, knocking a section of the bridge into Tampa Bay.

The crash killed 35 people.

The chilling mayday call to the U.S. Coast Guard Station in St. Petersburg came at 7:38 a.m. from Summit Venture pilot John Lerro, who said “The Skyway Bridge is down. This is a mayday. Emergency situation. Stop the traffic on the Skyway Bridge.”

For whatever reason — and there are as many theories and reasons as there are conspiracy theories about who shot John F. Kennedy — the ship was not in the middle of the channel at 7:38 a.m. where it should have been on a heading to the Port of Tampa. It was on the north edge of the channel doing 8 mph when it struck the support.

At the helm was John Lerro, a four-year veteran channel pilot who had taken ships of all sizes through the channel, which is considered one of the longest in the world. At his side was pilot-in-training Bruce Atkins.

What happened in the next 60 seconds has been debated 32 years.

The ship’s radar went out and, although it was raining, Lerro continued despite poor visibility. Could he have stopped in time? Should he have stopped? Should he have slowed down? These questions likely can never be answered.

A fierce wind suddenly came out of the southwest, bringing a tropical-force squall and driving rain across the ship’s bow, which could not be seen by Lerro from the pilot house.

Vision was down to zero, but Lerro continued his course. He did not slow down. By this time, even if he had seen the bridge support, he likely could not have reversed the ship’s engines or changed course in time to avoid the crash.

Suddenly, Lerro could see part of the bridge directly ahead. It was not the overhead span that would indicate he was on course, but the support. And the Summit Venture was headed directly for the bridge. There were no concrete fenders guarding the support to ward off an 87,000-ton, 608-foot-long freighter.

When the ship hit the bridge, more than 1,000 feet of roadway fell into Tampa Bay, including eight passenger vehicles and a bus with 29 people inside.

One man survived when his pickup, still on the roadbed, landed on the deck of the Summit Venture, then bounced into the water. The driver was able to escape.

No one survived the 250-foot fall to the water.

What is known is that work crews and divers spent weeks looking for bodies in the 200-foot depths of Tampa Bay.

The bridge stayed closed for several days until officials reopened the two-lane northbound span for traffic in both directions. It would stay that way until April 20, 1987, when the present Sunshine Skyway Bridge was opened.

At the time it opened, the Sunshine Skyway was the world’s longest single-support span bridge. It was built for $245 million.

The new bridge has concrete fenders — called dolphins — surrounding each of the six support pilings for the center span.

Eventually, the old spans were torn down and both north and south approaches on the old Skyway Bridge were converted to fishing piers.

In November 2005, the Florida Legislature officially named the bridge linking Manatee and Pinellas counties the Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge after the governor of Florida and U.S. senator who presided over its design and construction.

Earlier this year, the remaining concrete pilings from the original disaster were removed and hauled to locations in Tampa Bay and sunk to create several artificial reefs. Two reefs are located in Manatee County waters.

On May 9, 2000, Lerro told the St. Petersburg Times in an interview marking the 20th anniversary of the accident that not a day went by when he didn’t think about what happened, the people who died, and what he should have done, or not done.

A few months after the tragedy, Lerro was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. He was 29 years old. He died in August 2002.

Listen to the recorded mayday call here,

On April 25, The Islander’s partners, restaurateurs, business owners and representatives came together to celebrate the winners of the newspaper’s first-ever reader’s preference poll at the Key Royale Club.

Not everyone was able to be present, but we are pleased to announce to our readers ‘the voters’ the results.

We waited 20 years to conduct an honest poll, distributed only to home-delivery customers on Anna Maria Island, mail subscribers and paid online subscribers, which made it more credible and sincere – all the sweeter for the winners.

We also honored some of our 20-year partners – those people and businesses that put faith in The Islander newspaper from its humble beginning in November 1992, and continue to do so today.

To all the winners, all of us at The Islander take great pride in being able to honor and congratulate you.

You’re the stars. you deserve it.

20 YEAR PARTNER
Anna Maria Realty

20 YEAR PARTNER
Beach Bistro

20 YEAR PARTNER
Christie’s Plumbing

20 YEAR PARTNER
Fat Cat Carpet Cleaning

20 YEAR PARTNER
Mike Norman Realty

20 YEAR PARTNER
Mixon Insurance

20 YEAR PARTNER
Sandy’s Lawn Service

20 YEAR PARTNER
Sun & Surf Resortwear

20 YEAR PARTNER
West Coast Refrigeration

A/C HEATING
Air & Energy

ACCOUNTANT
Julie Krokroskia

ACUPUNCTURIST
Dr. Tricia Graziano, DOM

ALL AROUND RESTAURANT
The Feast

ANTIQUES
Ginny’s & Jane E’s at the Old IGA

ART & CRAFT SHOW
Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, Bayfest

ART BOUTIQUE
Emerson Quillin

ART GALLERY
Island Gallery West

ARTIST
“Cheeta” Chad Ruis

ATTORNEY
Garret T Barnes, Esq

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE
Holmes Beach Service

BANK
Wells Fargo

BANQUET FACILITY
Sandbar

BARBER
Don Madden

BARBERSHOP
Holmes Beach Barber Shop

BEACH CRUISE
Captain Kim’s Charters

BEACH CRUISE
Gnarly Mangrove

BEACHWEAR/RESORT WEAR
Mr Roberts Resort Wear

BOAT RENTAL
Just 4 Fun

BUILDER
Bob Dale Construction

BUILDER
Shoreline Builders

BUSINESS DISTRICT
Pine Avenue, Pine Avenue Merchants

CARPET CLEANING
Fat Cat Carpet Cleaning

CARPET/FLOORING STORE
Coastal Floors

CASUAL DINING
Hurricane Hanks

CASUAL WEAR MEN
Mr. Roberts Resort Wear

CASUAL WEAR WOMEN
Bella By the Sea

CATERING BUSINESS
The Feast

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER
David Zaccagnino, Ameriprise

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER
Tom Breiter, Breiter Capital Management

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT
Walter & Associates

CHARTER BOAT
Miss Anna Maria, Capt. Chris Galati

CHEAP EATS
Tortilla Bay

CLUB
Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island

COLLECTIBLES
Niki’s Island Treasures

COMPUTER REPAIRS
Bill Krokroskia

CONSIGNMENTS/THRIFT STORE
Roser Church Thrift Store

THRIFT SHOP
Runner Up
Really relish

COSMETIC SURGEON
Andre Renard, MD

DAY CARE/CHILD CARE
School for Constructive Play

DENTIST
Dr. John Norman, DDS

DOCK SEAWALL
Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift

ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monotoring

FAMILY PRACTITIONER
Stephen Pelham, MD

FISHING GEAR/TACKLE
Island Discount Tackle

FITNESS CENTER
AmI Health & Fitness

FLIP FLOPS
West Coast Surf Shop

FLORIST
Silvia’s Flower Corner

FUNERAL CREMATION SERVICE
Covell Funeral Home

GAS STATION
Jessie’s Island Store

GIFT SHOP
Sand Dollar Gift Shop

GOLF COURSE
Key Royale Club

GOURMET MARKET
Island Fresh Market

HAIR SALON
Salon Salon

HAIR STYLIST
Nikita Fosmore, Salon Salon

HARDWARE STORE
Home True Value Hardware

HOME BUILDING HARDWARE
Island Lumber & Hardware

HOTEL/MOTEL
Blue Water Beach Club

ICE CREAM SHOP
Tylers Homemade Ice Cream

INSURANCE AGENCY
Mixon Insurance

INSURANCE AGENCY
Advanced Insurance Brokerage

INTERIOR DECORATOR
Bettina Sego Interiors

ISLAND ARCHITECTURE
Laura Gee

ISLAND T-SHIRT
Joe Hutchinson “Hey Now”

JEWELRY CUSTOM DESIGN
Bridge St Jewelers

JEWELRY CUSTOM DESIGN
Tide and Moon Jewelry

JEWELRY STORE
Bridge St Jewelers

JEWELRY STORE
Creations By L

KARAOKE
Anna Maria Moose Lodge

LANDSCAPING
Trees by Breeze

LAWN SERVICE
Sandy’s Lawn Service

LIMO/TRANSPORTATION
Island Limosine

LIVE ENTERTAINER OR EVENT
Mike Sales

LOCAL BAND
Koko Ray and the Soul Providers

MAIL/SHIPPING
Island Mail & More

MARINA
Galati Marine

MARINE STORE
West Marine

MARKETING/GRAPHIC DESIGN
SteamDesigns

MARTIAL ARTS CENTER
AMI Health & Fitness

MASSAGE THERAPIST
Jen Crady Massage and Skincare

MEDICAL WALK -IN CLINIC
Pinnacle Medical Group

MORTGAGE BROKER
Wayne Gunter, BB&T

NAIL TECH MANI-PEDI
Four Seasons Nails & Skincare

NEIGHBORHOOD
Key Royale Resident Owners Assoc.

NIGHTCLUB
Dcoy Ducks

NON PROFIT
Anna Maria Island Privateers

OPTOMETRIST
The Eye Associates

ORTHOPEDIST
Coastal Orthopedic, Arthur Valadie

OUTDOOR DINING
Sandbar

PERSONAL TRAINER
John Monteforte/AMI Health & Fitness

PET GROOMER
The Paw Spa Grooming Salon

PET STORE
Dogs for the Earth

PHOTO SERVICE/CUSTOM PRINTS
Walgreens

PHOTOGRAPHER
Jack Elka

PIER
Rod & Reel Pier

PIZZA
The Feast

PLACE TO WATCH FOOTBALL
Slim’s Place

PLUMBER
LaPensee Plumbing & Pools

POLITICIAN
Marvin Grossman

POOL CONSTRUCTION
American Beauty Pools

POOL SERVICE
Pool America

REAL ESTATE AGENCY
Florida Dreams Realty of AMI

REAL ESTATE AGENT
Joe Praetor, Florida Dreams Realty

REMODELING
FHM Construction

RENTAL AGENCY
Sato Real Estate

RENTAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY
Florida Dreams Realty

RESORT
Sunrise Garden Resort

RESORT
Runner Up
Tortuga Inn

RESTAURANT FOR ASIAN CUISINE
Ocean Star Sushi and Japanese Restaurant

RESTAURANT FOR BARBECUE
Mr Bones BBQ

RESTAURANT FOR RIBS
Mr Bones BBQ

RESTAURANT FOR BEER
Hurricane Hanks

RESTAURANT FOR BURGERS
Skinny’s Place

RESTAURANT FOR CHICKEN WINGS
Slim’s Place

RESTAURANT FOR CHILDREN
Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe

COFFEE SHOP
Minnie’s Beach Cafe

RESTAURANT FOR BREAKFAST
Minnie’s Beach Cafe

RESTAURANT FOR COFFEE
Minnie’s Beach Cafe

RESTAURANT FOR CASUAL LUNCH
Minnie’s Beach Cafe

RESTAURANT FOR CUBAN CUISINE
Jose’s Real Cuban Food

RESTAURANT FOR DESSERTS
Sign of The Mermaid

RESTAURANT FOR DINNER
Eat Here

RESTAURANT FOR FRENCH FRIES
Eat Here

ROMANTIC DINING
Beach Bistro

RESTAURANT FOR ELEGANT DINING
Beach Bistro

RESTAURANT FOR FRENCH CUISINE
Island Creperie

RESTAURANT FOR GERMAN CUISINE
Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus

RESTAURANT FOR GROUPER SANDWICH
Rod & Reel Pier

RESTAURANT FOR HOTDOGS
Two Scoops

RESTAURANT FOR ITALIAN CUISINE
Oma’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant

RESTAURANT FOR CHICKEN
Hurricane Hanks

RESTAURANT FOR MARGARITAS
Hurricane Hanks

RESTAURANT FOR STEAK
Hurricane Hanks

CASUAL DINING
The Feast

RESTAURANT FOR PIZZA
The Feast

RESTAURANT FOR SALAD
The Feast

RESTAURANT FOR SEAFOOD
The Feast

RESTAURANT FOR SEAFOOD
Star Fish Company

SEAFOOD MARKET
Star Fish Company

RESTAURANT FOR SOUTHWEST CUISINE
Tortilla Bay

RESTAURANT FOR STEAK
Stonewood Grill & Tavern

RESTAURANT FOR STEAK
The Waterfront Restaurant

RESTAURANT FOR WINE
The Waterfront Restaurant

RESTAURANT FOR POWER LUNCH
The Waterfront Restaurant

RESTAURANT FOR SUBS/SANDWICHES
Rudy’s Subs & More

RESTAURANT FOR SUSHI
Ocean Star Sushi and Japanese Restaurant

SHOPPING DESTINATION
Pine Avenue, Pine Avenue Merchants

SIGNS AND BANNERS
SteamDesigns

SMALL MARKET
Anna Maria General Store & Deli

SPORTS BAR
Slim’s Place

SPOT FOR FIREWORKS
BeachHouse Restaurant

SPOT FOR FISHING
Rod & Reel Pier

STORAGE FACILITY
Holmes Beach Storage

TAX SERVICE
Walter & Associates, LLC/Key Income Tax

THEATER COMPANY
Island Players

VETERINARIAN
William Bystrom, DVM

WATCH, CLOCK REPAIR
Pierro’s Jewelers

WATCH, CLOCK REPAIR
LD’s

WATERFRONT RESTAURANT
The Waterfront Restaurant

WAY TO GET AROUND
Anna Maria Island Trolley-Manatee County Area Transit

ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring

LIMO/TRANSPORTATION
Island Limousine

It was a frantic three-day search for 6-year-old Lomontea Taylor, but it was only hours after the boy went missing at Coquina Beach that authorities knew the search had turned from rescue to recovery.

Lomontea went missing on the evening of April 20 when he and his siblings slipped into the dangerous waters of Longboat Pass.

The strong current almost immediately began sweeping the children away.

According to the final Bradenton Beach Police Department report, four children entered the water near the wood-and-rock jetty. When the first officer responded to the area he saw a large group of people gathered and a female, later identified as Lomontea’s mother, screaming, “My baby is missing, he’s still out there.”

Sea-bound units from the U.S. Coast Guard Station Cortez arrived, followed by air units from the Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

In short time, Manatee County Marine Rescue, Longboat Key Police Department, BBPD, Westside Fire Rescue District and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission personnel had swarmed the area, but the boy was not to be found.

Witnesses, who managed to pull three of the four children from the water, reported that the current was pulling the children to the south into Sarasota Bay.

At approximately 10:09 a.m. on the morning of April 22, four marine units from FWC and a MCSO marine patrol unit were still searching for Lomontea when one of the FWC boats happened upon the boy’s floating body.

He was pulled from the water and taken to the Manatee County Marine Rescue building on the bayfront at Coquina Beach, where the 12th District medical examiner arrived to officially pronounce Lomontea as deceased.

His body was discovered about three-quarters of a mile from the pass in Sarasota Bay.

Lead investigator from the BBPD Detective Sgt. Lenard Diaz said the preliminary cause of death is drowning and there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

Diaz said the incident is a reminder of the importance to heed warning signs and to take personal responsibility.

“The signs at Longboat Pass are there for a reason and marked so everybody knows that there are strong currents,” said Diaz. “When that water comes around the curve at that speed it creates an undertow. It’s really strong out there and even adults have problems with it.”

Diaz said an adult male drowned in the same area a few years ago.

“There’s a good chance you are going to get swept away if you enter that water,” said Diaz. “If adults have a problem with that current, imagine the struggle a child of his age will have. Add the undertow that is there and someone who doesn’t know what to do, he’s absolutely going to struggle. And that’s what happened.”

Diaz said the beach is a place for families to enjoy the sun and water, “but keep an eye on your kids and know where they are at all times. Respect the signs. They are there for a reason.”

Diaz said the drowning of Lomontea is an unfortunate tragedy and an example of what happens when parents aren’t watching their kids.

Lomontea and his siblings were being supervised by two family members ages 15 and 16, according to the report, but the majority of his family was at a picnic area located a short distance away from the water.

“Anyway you see it, it’s a tragedy,” said Diaz.

Diaz said he is grateful to all the law enforcement and  rescue agencies that responded quickly and professionally to the incident.

“The response was professional and an enormous amount of resources were used, but nothing was going to change the outcome,” said Diaz. “After so many hours of not finding the child, it became a recovery search.”

In addition to the agencies responding, a number of volunteers in boats and using personal watercraft assisted in the search on the day Lomontea went missing.

Diaz said if it wasn’t for the resources devoted to the effort, Lomontea may have never been found.

“If it wasn’t for them, there is a good chance we would have never found him,” he said. “Because of the resources dedicated to the search, we were able to at least provide closure for the family.”

By a 3-2 vote, Anna Maria commissioners at their April 25 meeting approved a park and parking plan for the vacant land owned by the city at the east end of Pine Avenue, but they rejected providing public restrooms at the park.

The original plan proposed by Commissioner Gene Aubry called for parking on a portion of land that would be surrounded by live oak trees, including some along North Bay Boulevard and the seawall on the Lake LaVista inlet. The trees and landscaping are being donated by resident Rex Hagen

An open space in the middle would be sufficient for public events such as Bayfest, Aubry said. He also clarified the city would not put in turf, but grass would be allowed to grow naturally in the open areas.

At the April 25 meeting, commissioners revised the plan, allowing angled parking only along North Bay Boulevard, providing between 15 and 19 spaces. No parking would be allowed within the park.

Commission Chair John Quam proposed straight-in parking on Bay Boulevard, but Commissioners Nancy Yetter and Dale Woodland preferred a 60-degree angle for parking spaces. Commissioner Chuck Webb was opposed to any parking.

Webb, Quam and Yetter rejected adding public restrooms, citing objections from the public, as well as maintenance and safety issues.

Quam, Yetter and Woodland voted for the angled parking plan, while Aubry and Webb were opposed.

Quam asked building official Bob Welch to take the parking project through the site-plan process, while noting that the commission already accepted Hagen’s donation.

Commissioners at a previous meeting approved a rendering by Aubry that showed the trees planted around the perimeter, with the park interior vacant except for some parking.

The restroom portion appeared doomed from the start. A number of members of the public spoke against that option, including Ernie Moon, president of the Bayou Condominium Owners Association.

He said the 32 owners at the Bayou, which is adjacent to the lots on the west side, were concerned the park and restrooms would become a haven for vagrants, who could jump the fence and burglarize their condos.

Resident Jim Conoly called for documentation, showing the cost to the city, but Aubry responded that Hagen would donate the trees along with an irrigation system, while Pine Avenue Restoration LLC pledged $100,000 toward improvements, including the parking.

Aubry said he would help Welch lay out the parking.

The added parking will help alleviate the crowding at Bayview Plaza, where residents check their mail at the post office, planning and zoning board chair Tom Turner said.

Quam said the final parking plan will be whatever is safest and not near the humpback bridge. “We may not get 19 spaces but we’ll see,” he said.

Turner also favored the restrooms, but the motion to build them failed 2-3.

Commissioners asked Welch to begin the tree-planting process as soon as possible. The oaks will be young trees that will eventually grow to considerable heights, Aubry said.

In other matters, city attorney Jim Dye told commissioners, in response to a request by the Olive Oil Outpost to sell takeout organic wines, that the Florida statute on take-out liquor sales preempts any local statute. In addition, said Dye, if a store can sell beer for takeout, it can also sell wine.

Quam asked if that meant any store could sell wine for takeout. Dye responded that if a store sells beer for takeout, the store could also sell wine, but only on a takeout basis.

Randy Dillingham of the accounting firm of CS&L then gave the city a “clean and unqualified opinion” of city finances following an audit of the city books for the 2011-12 fiscal year.

He said it was the highest rating the city could receive.

Financially, the city is in “good shape,” Dillingham said, with a surplus of $212,000 left at the end of the fiscal year in the city treasury.

Commissioners congratulated city treasurer Diane Percycoe for her efforts, and Mayor SueLynn added that no one realizes how much work Percycoe puts into preparing financial reports, while at the same time performing her other duties.

“We really have to stay on top of this” at all times, the mayor said.

SueLynn said Percycoe also helped significantly to gather the public records requested by St. Augustine attorney Rick Rumrell. The cost includes staff time, prorated based on the salary of the worker, considering the record request was extensive. The cost to Rumrell was $409, but SueLynn said it cost the city considerably more, because staff could have been performing work for the city.

Rumrell’s request came after commissioners discussed a moratorium on new residential construction that includes an ordinance limiting the height of some new construction to 27 feet, once the moratorium is lifted.

Commissioners then unanimously approved a new fee schedule for the building department, and agreed with Welch that his department needs a new software program.

Commissioners agreed the evaluation phase of crushed shell and other permeable materials for sidewalks on Pine Avenue has concluded, although Mike Coleman of Pine Avenue Restoration argued the evaluation should continue to August.

Coleman has used permeable substances — a shell mix — to build sidewalks fronting PAR’s Pine Avenue projects.

Commissioners, however, said it was time to install either concrete or decking.

Welch said no one is going to put in wood decking for a sidewalk because of the cost and maintenance.

Aubry said PAR has done some good things with its sidewalks, but everyone needs to get on the same page.

He motioned for Welch to draft an ordinance and the commission to schedule a special work session solely to examine the ordinance and “fine tune it if necessary.” The motion passed unanimously.

SueLynn appointed a cell tower committee to study the three proposals the city received to build a cell tower. She nominated Jon Kane, former Mayor Mike Selby, former Commissioner Tom Aposporos, Welch, Woodland and Yetter to the committee. All meetings will be noticed and subject to the Sunshine Law, she said.

Commissioners unanimously accepted the committee members as proposed.

At the April 25 Anna Maria Commission meeting, Commissioner Gene Aubry responded to a letter he received in mid-April that was critical of his design — presented April 11 — to add live oak trees, parking and public restrooms to the city’s vacant land at Pine Avenue and North Bay Boulevard.

Aubry also said the letter contained “some not very nice things” about him. He also reported that the writer claimed people have to sleep in Anna Maria with one eye open as the commission takes the action it wants.

The writer of the letter said Aubry was ignoring the wishes of the city with his plan.

Aubry’s rendering was in response to a commission request to see how the lots would look with some parking and restrooms surrounded by live oak trees. The trees are being donated by resident Rex Hagen, who first asked to remain anonymous, then came forward.

Aubry noted the commission took no action April 11.

Commissioners eventually voted 3-2 at the April 25 meeting for a modified plan that eliminates the restrooms and has angled parking for about 15-19 cars along North Bay Boulevard where cars now park parallel opposite the pier parking lot along the road.

Aubry told commissioners before voting that if they didn’t like what he drew, they could “throw it in the trash can” and it “wouldn’t hurt my feelings.”

Aubry and Commissioner Chuck Webb voted against the modified plan, with Commissioners John Quam, Nancy Yetter and Dale Woodland voting for it.

Before voting, Aubry quashed a rumor he said he’d heard around the city that he and some other commissioners wanted people to urinate in public places to draw support for public restrooms at the proposed park.

Aubry said the gossip was ridiculous.

Aubry, a licensed architect, has been asked on several occasions the past five years by the city to draw plans and renderings of buildings, projects and Pine Avenue parking proposals.

Some of the past requests were made when Aubry was not a commissioner, and he continues to volunteer his services when asked. He has not been compensated by the city for his planning or design services.