Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth said the week ending March 23 that spring break brought a lot of traffic and congestion.
But, she added in a March 21 email, the “city has found that we still provide ample parking.”
Meanwhile, Holmes Beach police Chief Bill Tokajer told The Islander March 20 that he saw as many people on the beach in a day on his ATV patrols as he would see on July 4. He said there are more vacationers in northwest Bradenton this year and islanders rebuilding homes and staying in the interim on the mainland are adding to the traffic to AMI. He also noted that there are a large number of contractors and workers on AMI daily.
In other matters, Titsworth said the city “up’d our funding to Wildlife Inc. for this year to assist in their recovery.” Holmes Beach gave $5,000 to the Bradenton Beach rescue and rehab as the 2024 hurricanes washed out the facility.
The city also participated in the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Bridging the Gap Fishing Tournament for kids March 18 at the Green Bridge between Bradenton and Palmetto.
Sheriff Rick Wells, on his Facebook page, said they had a “fun day of fishing and making memories with local kids.”
Participants took a tour of the Manatee River courtesy of Anna Maria Island Dolphin Tours and spotted some dolphins. They were joined on the water by marine units from MCSO, as well as Holmes Beach and Palmetto police.
Of note: AMI Dolphin Tours is owned by Ben and Sue Webb and is based in Holmes Beach. Way to go!
Titsworth also spoke of a city-sponsored best practices class in landscaping held at city hall with presenter Michelle Atkinson, an environmental horticulture agent with the University of Florida IFAS Extension in Manatee.
Atkinson provided people with information for maintaining Florida-friendly landscapes. The class will be repeated at 9 a.m. Thursday, April 1, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.
In Anna Maria, Mayor Mark Short said in a March 21 email that he’s had no conversation with reps of the Rod & Reel Pier since early January, when they said they planned to rebuild and would start the design and permit process.
“No update from them since,” Short said.
Short proclaimed the March 18 Heritage Day Festival in the city a success with “a lot of people in attendance.” Short, Titsworth and Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie were jailed and held for ransom by the Anna Maria Island Privateers to benefit the Anna Maria Island Historical Society, which held the event.
Short also said, “We are in the height of spring break now. Huge increase in visitors both staying on the island and coming for the day. We anticipate big crowds beyond Easter. Just want to remind everyone to bring their patience and enjoy everything the island has to offer.”