Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short emailed The Islander July 2 and July 3 with news from the northernmost city on Anna Maria Island.
Short commented on the loss of former City Commissioner Dale Woodland, who died June 28. He served 16 years on the commission — 2004-20.
“I briefly served with Dale on the commission. Dale was a well-known figure in the city and gave years of service to the city as a commissioner and as an involved citizen. On behalf of the city, we were sorry to hear about Dale’s passing and our condolences go out to his family.”
Short also got some good news.
“Though it’s now ‘old news,’ we did receive confirmation late Monday that the state has included in its fiscal 25/26 budget an appropriation of $1.25M to assist with the rebuild of the city pier.”
He thanked people involved in obtaining the funds, including state Rep. Will Robinson Jr., R-Bradenton, who included the appropriation at the start of the budget process and state Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton.
He noted that the pier demolition process continues, with significant progress made. While there is some debris to remove underwater, the process is about 75% complete.
Short also said the city is finalizing a request for proposals for the next phase of work, “the most expensive phase, the build-out of the walkway infrastructure. We expect that RFP to be released in the next couple weeks.”
He said the city is going down a separate path to remediate the T-end: “The RFP for that work is being prepared but I don’t yet have a timeline. That process will dictate what needs to be done regarding the interior of the buildings.”
Both tenants — a restaurant and a marine education center — have assessed their damages but nothing has been removed from the T-end.
Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth texted The Islander July 4 with her comments on that week.
She was looking forward to the first budget work session with commissioners on July 8: “I had been finalizing the budget with department heads all week.”
She noted that she was sorry to see the Anna Maria Island Privateers Fourth of July Parade canceled because the city had planned to take part with the islanders4cleanwater boat and two side-by-sides — “golf carts on steroids” — with our new turtle flag and banners, giving away koozies.
The giveaways will be postponed, maybe until December, when she is planning to celebrate the city’s 75-year anniversary with an event on city field.
Finally, Titsworth said the public works department prepared for a lot of rain over the long holiday weekend.
— Bonner Joy