Mayor Dan Murphy checked in with The Islander Nov. 2 to let readers know:
Debris removal continues in the city. The majority of the household debris has already been removed from the city and placed in the landfill.
The focus this week has been landscaping debris. We expect to have the majority of the yard waste removed by Sunday evening, Nov. 3. Any remaining household or landscaping debris after Monday will be addressed individually.
Due to the post office being located in City Pier Park, the farmers’ market has been postponed from opening at that location. However, the city and the Center of Anna Maria Island are exploring the viability of moving the market on a temporary basis to the community center.
The Veterans Day parade and celebration planned for City Pier Park have been canceled.
On sending regrets to the mayor, he commented, “My heart is broken.”
Bradenton Beach
Mayor John Chappie did not respond.
Holmes Beach
Mayor Judy Titsworth responded to our request for info with a public works “recovery” graphic. It can be found online at islander.org.
Around the island…
Anna Maria Elementary kids returned to their campus Monday, Nov. 4, with cheers and enthusiasm.
The Manatee and Coquina public beaches reopened to the public but Kingfish and the Coquina boat ramps remain closed.
The moratorium on vacation rentals in Holmes Beach was lifted.
The Moose Lodge in Bradenton Beach remains closed for storm renovations.
As for who is open and who is not, it’s complicated.
Some restaurants still have no kitchen, but they’re opening the doors by working magic on grills and customers seem happy to get out of the house.
The Doctor’s Office opened its cocktail bar a couple of weeks ago and reopened the Doctor’s Garden to beautiful “sweater” weather with an abbreviated menu that includes the “big beef sammich” and the gut-buster hot dog, among other temptations.
Chateau AMI at the Waterline opened almost after the wind died down from Milton with minimal damage.
Anna Maria Island Beach Café at the Manatee Public Beach opened a week ago on Friday with a sunset party hosted by Mike Sales.
Minnie’s Beach Cafe is hoping now to reopen soon although they were ready to go last week — but then learned the shopping center management would be mitigating damages in the entire building.
And Ugly Grouper announced its reopening for Nov. 2.
Holy Cow has ice cream!
Hurricane Hanks also is open.
In Bradenton Beach, Anna Maria Oyster Bar, Island Time Bar and Grill and Daiquiri Deck are open. Bridge Tender Inn has reopened the tiki bar.
Slim’s Place, Bortell’s and the Porch in Anna Maria are open.
Jason Suzor, owner of the Waterfront Restaurant, said they’re shooting to reopen by Thanksgiving.
Ginny’s and Jane E’s Café at the old IGA store will be a bit longer. Paul Foster said the roof and the upstairs is almost done but they’re waiting for interior drywall and trim. They’re still looking at opening in mid-December, “In time for Christmas.”
Things are looking up in Cortez with Star Fish, Tide Tables and Swordfish open, while the Seafood Shack remains in ruin and Slicker’s is slow to recover.
The city of Anna Maria canceled its Veterans Day celebration and parade — and the city-run farmer’s market is on hold while the U.S. Postal Service operates at City Pier Park.
As for the post office, employees were servicing 34216 customers out of box trucks under the shade sails, however, a trailer arrived that they hope to work out of by the end of the week.
The Anna Maria Island Privateers announced the annual Christmas Parade and visits with Santa Clause have been canceled due to safety concerns.
The Bradenton Beach Post Office, which serves Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach with mail delivery, remains closed. The only update we heard was from a Longboat Key USPS staff member, who said it may be two years before Bradenton Beach reopens.
The BB postal employees are working from Longboat Key, but there’s no word on whether mail box customers will continue to be served at Longboat.