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THE SUN
OPINION
The Anna Maria Island Sun newspaper Island Sun Plaza, 9801 Gulf Drive P.O. Box 1189 Anna Maria, FL 34216-1189 Phone: (941) 778-3986 e-mail:
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MARCH 18, 2015
EDITORIAL More accolades for AMI
T
he news that Coquina Beach has been rated by Conde Nast Traveler as having the fifthbest beach sand in the world (see story on Page 4) came as something of a surprise but likely was good for business on the Island - maybe not tomorrow, but in the near future. As we patiently wait in traffic jams in the usual places and at the usual times, we might grimace at the thought of more travelers. We need to remember, though, it was the beach that drew most of us here in the first place. And while life on the Island has gotten more crowded and more complicated, it’s still, in our view, a great place to call home.
A
nother survey shows the Tampa Bay area is the ninthbest spring break destination in the country, according to Expedia. com. Tampa Bay is, of course, a huge area, of which Anna Maria Island is only a small part. In the past, spring break here meant a few more teens, but generally no “Girls Gone Wild” scenarios. As we know, some collegians like to “party hearty,” but that crowd clearly prefers destinations such as Clearwater Beach over AMI. However, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer did say they almost had a brawl on the beach last week with about 100 young people involved. No arrests were made, though police have been disposing of confiscated alcohol at the beach on a regular basis, reminding partiers that alcohol is prohibited on the beach and that the drinking age is still 21. Overall, however, the chief said the spring break scene on the Island has been quiet, as usual. We say the fifth-best beach recognition was right-on - we do have a wonderful asset surrounding this Island and we’re proud to share it. As for the ninth-best place for spring breakers, that’s just fine. We'll take our small slice of that pie, as well.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Concerts do well for the arts The Gulf Drive Band performs benefit concerts each year for an artistic organization based on Anna Maria Island. Again this year, Gulf Drive teamed up with the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra to raise money for AMICCO. Thanks to all of you who attended one or both of these events, both the 12th Annual Jazz Fest and the 5th Annual Oldies Beach Dance were overwhelming successes. I also thank the members of my group, Judy Lynn and Ted Young, as well as guest artist Koko Ray for providing their musical and entertainment talents. Our shows would not have been a success without them. Thanks as well to Ed Chiles for providing the Sandbar Restaurant Wedding Pavilion at absolutely no cost, Jeannie Pickwick and Nancy Ambrose as well as others from AMICCO and the Anna Maria Island Sun for their support. We have already started to make our plans for these two events in February and March, 2016. We hope that all Island businesses as well as the Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach city halls will commit their full support toward raising money for Anna Maria Island’s artistic organizations. If you are interested in getting in on the early planning, please con-
tact me at (941) 778-0173. Bil Bowdish, Gulf Drive Band Holmes Beach
Relax and enjoy the Island I have read and endured comments from all the fine folks who live and visit our Island, and finally feel it's time to speak up….as a resident, not a visitor, snowbird or day‐tripper. Anna Maria Island is a sanctuary to birds, mammals, turtles, shorebirds and many others. Ms. Carla Butler, from last week’s Letter to the Editor section, (The Sun, March 11) didn’t see why we needed to spend any time or energy to "fluff" up the sand to ensure that the Island remains this sanctuary for nesting turtles and shore‐birds. She believes we should wait, and apparently the turtles should wait, until “after season” because her time on the Island is more important. The turtles should just toughen up and get over it because her ankles are weak and she cannot manage the walk in the sand. After all, they’ve endured all this time. And to mention the beach renourishment that took place last year….she least forgets this is the reason she wants to come here, along with many others. This is the mentality of some of the folks that
visit our Island. It’s all about them, to hell with whatever came before the, and who cares how long they have been coming to the Island. The Island has changed because of these tourists and the continual promotion of our Island across magazines, newspapers, television ads and internet banners. The local government focuses on the tourism, the vacation renters and the “irresponsible” home owners who let this all happen to the Island. Once again, the problem isn’t the owners or the renters. The Island is promoted on a national basis and just as in The Field of Dreams, “if you build it, they will come.” The commissioners of the city councils all across the Island are proud of the best beach moniker and happy to be able to have the tax dollars that these same tourists and rental owners provide to the county through business sales and vacation rentals. Yet they continually talk about and discourage day‐ trippers, vacation renters, and the like. C’mon folks, you can’t have it both ways. People mean revenue, and revenue is the American way and dream. There are a limited amount of chain businesses on the Island, thankfully, but that means the local business person will be SEE LETTERS, PAGE 7
