HB mayor hands out annual awards

Kendra, left, and Nanci Fox hold a plague Dec. 13 honoring their late sister, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring executive director Suzi Fox, as the city of Holmes Beach’s 2022 Louis Strickland Citizen of the Year for her efforts with the nonprofit conservation group. Fox, who became AMITW’s director after volunteering in the 1990s, died Sept. 30 from health complications following a May car crash. Mayor Judy Titsworth said Fox was a “truly great individual” who made a “great impact” on island wildlife as head of AMITW. Islander Photos: Ryan Paice

Holmes Beach parks and landscape supervisor Theresa “Tray” Thorp, right, tears up Dec. 13 while accepting the city’s 2022 Employee of the Year award from city clerk Stacey Johnston, left, and Mayor Judy Titsworth. City staff selected nominees and voted to name Thorp, who began with the city in October 2021 and puts her “heart and soul into the job,” as the winner, according to Titsworth.

Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth, left, and city clerk Stacey Johnston honor Greg Kerchner, right, for efforts on the planning commission July 2019-November 2022, preceding his election to the city commission. Kerchner was one of several former board members honored but was the only one in attendance.

Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth, right, and city clerk Stacey Johnston present the city’s 2022 Making a Difference Community Partnership award Dec. 13 honoring the Hagan Family Foundation Inc. for its support in funding several park improvements, including the addition of fitness equipment and a new surface for the pickleball court at city field, as well as funding for a mural there. The Hagan Family Foundation was not represented at the meeting.