In the Feb. 8 edition of The Islander, Rick Catlin reported sand piled at the Lake LaVista inlet in Anna Maria was “a gift” from Holmes Beach. However, The Islander has since learned that what Anna Maria public works director George McKay told Catlin about the source of the sand was incorrect.
McKay told Catlin Feb. 3 the sand came from a “Key Royale canal-dredging project,” and then said Feb. 7 the stockpiles were excavated and dumped at the inlet with his permission by swimming pool contractors.
He also said Feb. 10 at a meeting that included Mayor Mike Selby that he may have been referring in the Feb. 3 interview with Catlin to the West Coast Inland Navigational District project to dredge the Bimini Bay-Key Royale channel, which began Feb. 9.
We apologize for the error.