Category: Community

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Community Environment

Low Speed Vehicles and Golf Carts On Streets

Low speed vehicles, golf cartsGolf carts and LSV on Anna Maria streets or golf cars, are becoming more appealing these days for the short errands and neighborhood trips we often do, going to the beach, the golf course, the school bus stop, and the local stores.

Holmes Beach has allowed limited on road use of LSV and golf carts for the last year over city streets. The limitation is at the intersection of State-controlled Manatee Ave SH64, and Gulf Drive where Department of Highways prohibits their use. Officials are in the process of finding ways to allow passage to the Publix supermarket on East Bay Drive.

Bradenton Beach will discuss the use of LSV in its meeting Thursday, July 17, 2008, for transporting people from Coquina Beach to the Bridge Street historic commercial district. Previously the city rejected extending the trolley bus service to include Bridge Street.

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Community Environment

Water Restrictions To Continue

Even with recent thunderstorms and measurable rainfall, watering restrictions have been extended for the 16 counties monitored by Southwest Florida Water Management District (Swiftmud).

sprinkler

Swiftmud said that the area received 5 inches average of rain in June, which is about two thirds normal. The current rainfall deficit is 17.2″ over the last two years of drought conditions, with below normal ground water levels.

Watering restrictions apply to all sources of public and private water supplies including wells and ponds.

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Community Environment Politics Real Estate

FEMA Rules ReRule

In another episode of the continuing non-reality show of “Let’s see what FEMA rules are today”, letters from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to the local island cities offices announced that buildings “having the lowest floor one foot or more below the base flood elevation will no longer be eligible for the CRS discount.”

The Community Rating System is a method of assessing cities’ overall exposure to flood damage loss. By installing adequate drainage systems and enforcing building codes to mitigate flood damage, communities can be eligible for a 5 – 45% discount for residents’ flood insurance premiums.

FEMA’s new edict beginning May 1st excludes specific properties “at high risk” and “not compliant” in the “Special Flood Hazard Area” from getting the community discount. A homeowner will discover if he is excluded when their flood insurance policy comes up for renewal – the policy will have a small zero in the CRS discount box.

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Community Environment

Purpose and Place

Organizers of last month’s Cortez Fishing Festival announced it netted $113,000 from the 2-day event.

Cortez fish house

Dedicated volunteers and sunshine brought in about 28,000 people. Proceeds far exceeded expectations and almost doubled last year’s $60,000.

The first festival initiated to purchase 95 acres of historic waterfront raised $98,000.

The funds created the Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage (FISH) Preserve, dedicated to retaining the character and heritage of one of Florida’s last traditional waterfront communities within a natural environment. More privately owned land may be added to the preserve as it becomes available. The old wharves, fish houses, 1912 schoolhouse and 1896 Burton’s Store are in the process of restoration.

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Community

Charity and Grace

Anna Maria Island Community Center raised more than $180,000 from its fund raising dinner February 23rd.

AMI Community Center

The “Affair to Remember” has become a highly anticipated formal attire event with auctioned luxury items and services that are donated by local businesses and philanthropists.

The evening began with champagne and open bar provided by Anna Maria Oyster Bar, hors d’oeuvre from Chiles Restaurant Group (Sandbar, Beach House, Mar Vista), followed by dinner from Harry’s Continental Kitchen.

A silent and live auction bid on various items, such as a golf cart, 50″ HDTV, and diamond and gold necklace.

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