Rising tensions between two Holmes Beach neighbors resulted in a pair of formal complaints against one — a Holmes Beach city commissioner.
Resident Anastasios Tricas filed a complaint May 1 with the Holmes Beach Police Department against City Commissioner Kim Rash for leaving loud music playing in his residence while he was out of town.
A pair of officers arrived and met Tricas, the owner of 7214 Holmes Blvd., who said Rash, the owner of the attached unit, 7216 Holmes Blvd., left music playing loudly for three days with only a shared wall between the units to muffle the noise.
“Tricas stated that he had been having a hard time sleeping with the music and it is affecting his well-being. The noise level of the music, as well as the duration of how long it has been playing, has deprived the complainant of the peaceable enjoyment of his private property,” according to the HBPD incident report.
The report states that Tricas welcomed the officers into his home, where they could hear music and feel music vibrations through the wall shared with Rash.
The officers deemed the noise a violation of city code and called Rash to inform him he was being served with a warning and to seek resolution.
Rash told the HBPD he left the music on to convince a potential home invader that his unit was occupied and said he would have someone turn the music off.
The report stated, “Shortly after (notification), a friend of Rash came to turn the music down.”
Witness statement
Tricas’ statement said his family decided to sell their unit and move due to harassment from Rash.
“My neighbor Kim Rash has harassed us and our family and guests since we moved in,” Tricas wrote. “We have been bullied and intimidated by Kim for over a year and a half. … We are moving because we no longer can enjoy our home because of Kim.”
“We are heartbroken to leave the island, but Kim has left us no choice,” he added.
Tricas’ statement lists incidents at the two-unit condominium, such as Rash allegedly allowing his dog to urinate on Tricas’ deck, building a pool on the common-owned property without consulting Tricas, damaging the yard and refusing to repair damages, as well as leering into the windows of Tricas’ home.
“Kim will walk up to our window, cup his hands on the window to block the glare and stare in,” Tricas wrote. “He used to just walk in uninvited until I confronted him and threatened to call the police.”
The witness statement from Tricas also alleged that Rash caused discomfort among his family members.
“Earlier this year, my goddaughter and her mother were here. Kim saw them on the deck and said, ‘Hey ladies, why don’t you go put on a bathing suit and join me in the pool.’ They said they felt dirty and uncomfortable by how he said it,” Tricas wrote.
“One of my daughters was visiting and Kim approached her and stood close to her and made comments about her appearance,” he added.
Tricas also wrote that Rash made statements about using his influence as a commissioner for corrupt purposes.
“We were frighted about the idea of calling the police because Kim Rash has made it clear that he is a city councilman and the police work for him,” Tricas wrote. “He has told me on more than one occasion that all he has to do is call his ‘buddys’ (sic) at the police department and they will respond and do his bidding.”
HBPD chief response
HBPD Chief Bill Tokajer said in a May 6 interview with The Islander that Tricas’ concerns about Rash using his power to influence the local police were unfounded.
“I see what was said to have been said by Commissioner Rash to the complainant,” Tokajer said. “I don’t know if that was truly what was said but, if it was, then it was not accurate.”
“Commissioners have no more power over the police than any other citizen. We do not do the bidding of any of the commissioners, and I have not been asked to do the bidding of any of the commissioners,” he added.
Code complaint
Tricas also filed a code complaint against Rash, according to city code compliance administrative assistant Kim Charron.
Charron said Tricas called city hall May 1 to report that Rash had left waste bins overturned in the driveway and trash and debris were scattered across the yard.
“The gentleman is trying to sell his property and he had a showing, and he was just concerned that there was litter and trash around,” Charron said.
Tricas submitted photos detailing the issues but called back within an hour to report someone had cleaned up the mess.
Charron said the city arranged to send a code compliance officer to the property but listed the incident as resolved.
“At that point, we couldn’t really issue any citations or anything like that,” she said.
Charron said there would be no follow up on the complaint.
Rash did not respond to a May 6 call from The Islander.
Tricas declined to comment beyond the statement given to HBPD during a May 6 call with The Islander.
