In 2022, islanders scrambled to evacuate ahead of a hurricane.
There were squabbles over parking, traffic, development, tourism and construction projects and there were skirmishes over politics.
Also in the year just ended, school kids celebrated the ideal of global peace, waved signs for gun control and launched cleanup campaigns, while their grown-ups monitored the beaches to protect sea turtle habitat, rallied to raise money for community efforts, volunteered to serve at city halls and with nonprofits and stepped up to address pollution and other environmental issues.
Some businesses closed their doors in 2022 but many new businesses marked grand openings, with their owners bringing new energy to AMI.
A look back at the second half of 2022.
July
Political interlopers problematic for Privateers: Anna Maria Island Privateers president Kim “Syren” Boyd wrote in an email to The Islander that political signs carried by some entries in the Independence Day parade threatened the organization’s nonprofit status. Nonprofit guidelines restrict politics and parade entries included campaigning for a GOP county commission seat and in support of Donald Trump.
1st hatchlings emerge in 2022 season: The second part of the sea turtle nesting process began July 7, as two nests hatched. The first loggerhead hatchlings of the season emerged from a nest near the 1600 block of Gulf Drive North in Bradenton Beach and a nest near Holmes Beach’s 49th Street beach.
Political sign spat spurs HB to review ordinance: A spat over political signs led city officials to consider permanent changes in the Holmes Beach code book. City officials said their concern included likely unconstitutional provisions in the code, as well as a discrepancy.
HB parks committee fills plots in community garden: The city’s parks and beautification committee approved applications to fill five of 11 flower beds at Veterans Park adjacent to city hall, 5801 Marina Drive, in a trial run for a community garden.
AME earns an A for 2021-22 school year: Anna Maria Elementary School received its report card for 2021-21, ending the academic year at the top of its class with an A. The Florida Department of Education released school grades for the 2021-22 academic year and announced in a news release that schools statewide exceeded expectations.
Controversial beachfront home plans in AM receive green light: Almost nothing stood in the way of plans to build a controversial beachfront home at 105 Elm Ave., Anna Maria, after city commissioners voted 4-0 to grant final approval for a right-of-way use permit to construct a public drive connecting Elm Avenue to the vacant lot.
Magistrate declares nuisance at 2nd AM short-term rental: Special magistrate Gerald Buhr ruled the property at 205 S. Bay Blvd. was a public nuisance after reviewing three citations in six months against renters for noise violations and testimony from neighbors.
BB eyes revenue from city parking lots: Mayor John Chappie said Bradenton Beach would entertain the idea of paid parking in city-owned lots.
State puts food truck options on the table: Mayor Dan Murphy asked Anna Maria commissioners to brainstorm areas where food trucks could operate within city limits to comply with a state law against blanket bans on the operations.
All Clams on Deck makes plans with seed cash from state: All Clams on Deck, an initiative of the Gulf Shellfish Institute, having secured $2.5 million in funding in the state 2022-23 budget for a clean-water initiative, was planning its next steps.
August
Stormy season still to come: The National Weather Service updated its forecast for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season. With about four months remaining and peak months to come, the federal government predicted an above-normal season.
County cancels market contract: An Aug. 1 letter from Jacob Erickson, county purchasing official, to Ambrose Services Inc. terminated an agreement for concession services between the county and Ambrose Services, which operated the Coquina Beach market for more than nine years. The county said it wanted its own market at the site.
HB planners greenlight parking garage prohibition: A pair of proposed prohibitions got the green light for a final vote in Holmes Beach. Planning commissioners unanimously voted to recommend city approval for ordinances prohibiting multilevel parking facilities within city limits and automobile rentals as an allowable use in the C-3 district.
Water taxi could ferry riders in 2023: Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie shared an email from Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau director Elliott Falcione: A possible vendor for a water taxi service was named. “We are close to an agreement with a Florida-based water-taxi operator and hope to finalize a deal within 30 to 45 days,” Falcione wrote.
U.S. District Court rules against megabridge challengers: It was back to the drawing board for challengers advocating a drawbridge instead of a high, fixed-span bridge linking Anna Maria Island and the mainland at Cortez. Judge Anthony E. Porcelli of the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida went against the challengers to the megabridge and favored the Florida Department of Transportation.
Island Library sets new hours: The Manatee County Public Library System was expanding and standardizing hours, including at the Island Library in Holmes Beach.
Pine Avenue plans hit DOT roadblock: Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said the city would need to issue a third request for proposals on improvements on Pine Avenue due to new interest in the project from the Florida Department of Transportation.
Piney Point discharging stormwater to bay: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection said stormwater from a Piney Point pond was being discharged from the site and then a retention pond that held the water would be closed. The discharge to Tampa Bay was to continue for six days.
BB commissioners OK pension program: Bradenton Beach commissioners unanimously voted to approve a pension plan for civilian employees on par with the retirement plan for the police department.
HB mounts parking garage blockade: City commissioners unanimously voted to adopt an ordinance prohibiting multilevel parking facilities. The adoption blocked the prospect of a parking garage at the Manatee Public Beach, within the city limits but maintained and operated by the county.
Primary voting decides races, sets up November contests: Island Republicans, Democrats and independents Aug. 23 cast primary ballots — none were lengthy ballots but some contained major contests, including a Republican race for Manatee County commissioner in District 6. The primary race saw challenger Jason Bearden defeat four-term incumbent Carol Whitmore of Holmes Beach. Carol Ann Felts also lost to Bearden.
Judge denies injunction to reopen HB access path: The beach access path at the end of 78th Street in Holmes Beach would remain closed after 12th Circuit Judge Charles Sniffen denied plaintiffs’ request for a temporary injunction to reopen the path.
Public clamor delays AM food truck plans: An outcry from neighbors put the brakes on the city of Anna Maria’s plans for a food truck area. City commissioners unanimously voted to delay the final reading of an ordinance and resolution establishing and regulating a proposed food truck area at the northwest end of Bayfront Park, 316 N. Bay Blvd.
September
Bradenton Beach tackles policy allowing food trucks: Bradenton Beach officials were developing a plan to allow food truck operations, following Anna Maria’s lead and their attempt to comply with legislation prohibiting municipalities from requiring registration, permits or associated fees for food trucks.
Holmes Beach pushes forward on force main work: Work replacing Manatee County’s force main 11 in Holmes Beach was running overtime and not expected to finish before the city would begin its own construction project. Work included replacing about 1,100 feet of 8-inch force main from 68th Street to 52nd Street with new 16-inch and 8-inch PVC piping.
Holmes Beach bans beach, park smoking: City commissioners unanimously voted to adopt ordinances prohibiting smoking at public beaches and parks, adjusting sea turtle lighting regulations and establishing a recovery management organization tasked with creating and fulfilling a post-disaster recovery plan.
County sinks Kingfish Boat Ramp expansion: Manatee County’s plans to redevelop Kingfish Boat Ramp in Holmes Beach seemed sunk. County commissioners unanimously voted to authorize Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge to sign a letter terminating a $4,500,000 grant for the project.
Players open 74rd season, seek Socrates in ‘Cliffhanger:’ The Island Player’s 74th season opened with “Cliffhanger,” written by James Yaffe, directed by Mike Lusk and produced by the Ugly Grouper.
AM officials apply brakes to Pine Ave-Bay Blvd roundabout: Plans for a roundabout on Pine Avenue hit a red light. City commissioners voted not to move forward with design plans for a roundabout at the northeast end of the commercial corridor.
Anna Maria shelves cigarette smoking ban: City commissioners reached a consensus to shelve a proposed ordinance that would have prohibited cigarette smoking at public beaches and parks.
HB roadwork off to rocky start: Some merchants saw red when access to their businesses were cut off without notice. Others closed their doors for a day. Construction on the city center project in Holmes Beach in concert with a county infrastructure project on Holmes Boulevard was interfering in business operations and limiting customers’ access.
AME celebrates International Peace Day: Anna Maria Elementary students, parents, guardians and community members gathered Sept. 21 to celebrate International Peace Day at the Holmes Beach school, 4700 Gulf Drive. The 2022-23 international theme was “End racism. Build peace.”
New record hatches: With more than a month to go, the 2022 sea turtle hatchling count broke the record previously set in 2018. Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers counted 35,850 hatched eggs through Sept. 16.
Islanders evacuate ahead of Ian, evade storm’s wrath: Islanders and Cortezians packed up and left their homes and businesses late Sept. 26 and early Sept. 27 under orders from Manatee County to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Ian. By mid-day Sept. 27, there was a buzz from professional storm trackers — as one Weather Channel reporter put it, “There’s incredible uncertainty to that cone of uncertainty.” And on Sept. 28, the worst-case scenario became the reality not for AMI but for Fort Myers, Boca Grande, Port Charlotte and other communities to the south, where Ian caused catastrophic damage and loss of life.
Suzi Fox, icon of AMI Turtle Watch, dies: Suzi Fox, the adventurous, kind-hearted leader behind the effort to protect sea turtles and their habitat on Anna Maria Island for 30 years, died Sept. 30.
October
AM farmers market returns: The city of Anna Maria resumed its weekly farmers market on Tuesdays at the City Pier Park at the corner of North Bay Boulevard and Pine Avenue.
Incumbent opts out of HB race: At an Oct. 11 meeting at Holmes Beach City Hall, Commissioner Jayne Christenson announced she would not seek reelection even though she was on the ballot. Christenson was set to face challengers Daniel Diggins and Greg Kerchner Nov. 8 in a race for her seat and that of Commissioner Kim Rash, who did not seek reelection.
Cortez group pursues preserve bridge project: The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage board unanimously voted to allocate $6,000 for the construction of a “major” bridge in the nonprofit’s 100-acre nature preserve at the east of the fishing village.
HB commissioner subject of perjury complaint: The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation into a “protected address” request from Holmes Beach Commissioner Jayne Christenson to the supervisor of elections.
Garden club gets go-ahead for wind sculpture: The Anna Maria Garden Club announced plans to plant two wind sculptures in Anna Maria’s City Pier Park. The vote to move forward with the project was 4-1.
Biggest Bayfest big benefit to island, biz communities: Despite Holmes Beach construction slowing northbound traffic to Pine Avenue, by midday Oct. 15, the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s 21st annual Bayfest street festival was on track to be the biggest in history.
Gas leak forces evacuation of city center: Businesses and residences near Holmes Beach’s Marina Drive were evacuated after a worker operating an excavator ruptured a natural gas line.
Holmes Beach adopts nonbiodegradable straw ban: City commissioners unanimously voted to prohibit the distribution and sale of marine-nonbiodegradable beverage straws and stirrers to protect sea life.
AMI’s Kiwanis club marks a milestone: The Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island celebrated its 70th anniversary with a luncheon Oct. 22 at the Lazy Lobster restaurant on Longboat Key.
Tour de Turtles ends: Esther, a loggerhead tagged and released June 20 on Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach as part of the Tour de Turtles, finished in eighth place Oct. 31. Esther had traveled 562 miles.
November
Construction gridlocks downtown Holmes Beach: Traffic had people in a tizzy. And the city center congestion was expected to continue through the holidays with continued work on paving, new roadway markings, bicycle lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, street lighting and landscaping.
Elections office reverses record exemption: Manatee County’s assistant supervisor of elections Scott Farrington said the protection for Jayne Christenson’s address was removed after the supervisor of elections, Michael Bennett, reviewed a sheriff’s office report about her potential perjury.
BB scrutinizes tram service, extends trial operation: A two-year trial for the Easy Park Tram service in Bradenton Beach ended Nov. 1 and the owner/operator, Joshua LaRose, faced scrutiny from city officials and Bridge Street business owners as to whether the agreement should be renewed.
Health dept. issues red tide alerts: The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County issued health alerts for a red tide bloom off Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key.
BB voters end term limits: Bradenton Beach voters cast their ballots Nov. 8 for change. They approved four out of five amendments to the city charter. Most significantly, voters eliminated term limits for elected officials.
AM’s incumbents return, but then there were 4: Anna Maria incumbent Mayor Dan Murphy and Commissioners Deanie Sebring and Mark Short were sworn Nov. 10 to serve two-year terms after being unopposed for reelection. However, post-election, it became clear the city would lose a commissioner — Carol Carter.
HB welcomes 2 new commissioners, reinstalls mayor: The Holmes Beach City Commission began its latest iteration only a day after the Nov. 8 general election. City clerk Stacey Johnston swore Mayor Judy Titsworth and Commissioners Daniel Diggins and Greg Kerchner into office after an anticlimactic election.
Nicole notches another storm in 2022 season: Late-season Nicole disrupted routines and even holiday plans but left only minor damage on AMI.
AME assailant pleads no contest to felony charge: One of two men arrested for an assault on the grounds of Anna Maria Elementary pleaded nolo contendere to a second-degree felony charge for aggravated battery resulting in great bodily harm.
Island workers lose home to fire: The holiday season got off to a tragic start for a family with island ties. A Nov. 21 structure fire at 7103 Ninth Ave. NW, Bradenton, the home of Minnie’s Beach Cafe employees Chuck and Kaylee Smith, resulted in extensive structural damage and the death of their dog.
Derelict Bridge Street buildings await developer’s resort plans: At least one vacant commercial building that may be demolished to make way for a new resort at the Gulf Drive entrance to Bridge Street stood amid rubble, leading the city to erect a screened fence head of holiday celebrations on Bridge Street to hide the derelict building.
December
1st FY 2022-23 tourist tax collections top 2021-22: Hear the jingle-jangle? The first tourist tax collections reported for the 2022-23 fiscal year registered a 24.7% increase over the prior year.
Treehouse owners-DEP in settlement talks: After nine years, it was unclear if there was an end in sight for the dispute over a Holmes Beach treehouse, but there were indications of settlement discussions. Owners Richard Hazen and Lynn Tran Hazen and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection filed a stipulation to pause one of three lawsuits over the treehouse at the Hazen’s beachfront property while they discuss a potential settlement.
Anna Maria receives Mote bond for T-end construction: Mote Marine Laboratory got the green light to begin construction on an educational outreach center for the Anna Maria City Pier and staging for construction began in late December.
HB eyes more roadway improvements: City commissioners unanimously voted to approve a $424,600 contract and work order with Tam- pa-based Cardinal Engineering Collective to design and engineer a Gulf Drive improvement project.
FBI investigates death of woman found off Egmont Key: The FBI’s field office was investigating the discovery of a woman’s body floating off Egmont Key. The woman, found Dec. 10, was identified as Heather Rose Strickland, 34, of Pinellas County.
AME kids go from garden to ‘Garden’: Having harvested their crop at the school, Anna Maria Elementary fourth-graders dined on a menu comprising the “fruits of their labor” that was planned, prepared and served by the chef and staff at the Doctor’s Garden in Holmes Beach.
FYI: Part 1 of the Islander Year-in-Review published Dec. 28.