Top Stories this week: Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2006 Hail to the chief Newly elected Anna Maria Mayor Fran Barford, along with Commissioners Jo Ann Mattick and Duke Miller, were sworn into office Nov. 16 by City Clerk Alice Baird. Islander Photo: Rick Catlin Anna Maria: new commission, old problems By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter New Anna Maria Mayor Fran Barford along with newly elected City Commissioners Duke Miller and Jo Ann Mattick had hardly been sworn into office at the Nov. 16 commission meeting before they ended up spending nearly an hour dealing with one of the old problems that has plagued the city through a number of previous administrations: drainage. Full Story... Anna Maria quadplex must go, duplex status uncertain By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter The new Anna Maria City Commission may have to face a very vexing question in the near future, following the code enforcement board's Nov. 13 ruling in the case of Pine Avenue property owner Frank Almeda. Full Story... No beach renourishment this year By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter A partial renourishment of several portions of Anna Maria Island beaches planned by Manatee County to begin by late December won't be taking place this year, according to Manatee County Ecosystems Manager Charlie Hunsicker. Full Story... Center supporters celebrate 'groundbreaking' By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Gray clouds hung overhead and the night's downpour dampened the morning, but Pierrette Kelly's face brightened as she observed the festivities on the grounds of the Anna Maria Island Community Center Nov. 16. Full Story... PUD is A-OK again in Bradenton Beach By Paul Roat. Islander Reporter A land-use technique for planned development is again a part of the proposed future land-use plans for Bradenton Beach. Full Story... $50,000 Lester-Islander challenge under way in earnest With Thanksgiving just hours away and Christmas looming, the Lesters' $50,000 challenge for matching dollars from the community's givers, big and small, is now under way. Full Story... GSR avoids financial disclosure, reorganization deadline By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Bankrupt GSR Development LLC avoided disclosing its full financial affairs and providing a reorganization plan to the U.S. Federal Bankruptcy Court in Tampa Nov. 13 by filing a motion on Nov. 10 to extend the deadline. Full Story... Holmes Beach calls up chief for annexation push By Molly McCartney. Islander Reporter The Holmes Beach City Commission drafted the police chief to help educate county officials to safety concerns regarding the area around Kingfish Boat Ramp. Full Story... Insurance: What's behind Citizens rate hike proposals? By Molly McCartney. Islander Reporter The news these days is full of scary headlines saying that rates for wind insurance with Citizens Property Insurance Corp. may jump 104 to 1,200 percent for Manatee and Sarasota property owners. But it’s too early to panic. Full Story... Mote releases loggerhead in the Gulf By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Zach went back to the Gulf on Nov. 17, headed south, toward the sun and into warmer waters. Full Story... Taking the oath Sandy Haas-Martens, Pat Geyer, John Monetti and Rich Bohnenberger took their oaths of office on Monday morning at Holmes Beach City Hall. Haas-Martens, an incumbent, and Monetti, a newcomer, won a five-person race for two city commission seats in the Nov. 7 election. Pat Geyer, the third-place finisher in the election, was appointed on Monday to finish Bohnenberger's term. Bohnenberger ran unopposed for mayor, giving up his seat on the commission with a year remaining on his term. During a brief organizational meeting, the new commission elected Hass-Martens as chairperson and Monetti as vice chairperson. Bob Sweat, Manatee County supervisor of elections, swore in the newly elected officeholders. Islander Photo: Lisa Neff Top Notch: First weekly winner also 2006 grand prize winner The grand prize winner from among six weekly award-winning photos in the 2006 "Top Notch" Islander photo contest is 'Hermit' by Kim Klement of Bradenton. Her shot was the first winner on June 28 and was taken at Andros Island in the Bahamas in May. She can claim her grand prize, including $100 from The Islander, a dining certificate from Ooh La La! Bistro, a bottle of champagne from Anna Maria Island Liquor and Wine, dinner for two at a Chiles Group Restaurant and framing of the winning photo by Decor and More. Congratulations to all the winners - and be watching next week for our featured runnersup.