Top Stories this week: Wednesday, May. 4, 2005 No more splits The Island Baptist Church at 8605 Gulf Drive straddles the city limits of Holmes Beach and Anna Maria. Islander Photo: Rick Catlin Click image to enlarge Island Baptist wants one city: Holmes Beach By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Faced with citizen complaints about the safety of the crosswalk on Marina Drive between Wachovia Bank and the Island Shopping Center, Holmes Beach city commissioners at their April 26 meeting formed a traffic calming committee to come up with solutions. Full Story... Seawall savior Residents between 755 and 761 N. Shore Drive in Anna Maria have finally thrown their towels into the Gulf of Mexico in their efforts to prevent beach erosion and are constructing a seawall to halt further loss of their beach. Work crews from James Annis Marine Construction in Holmes Beach were at the location last week constructing the seawall. The area suffered severe beach erosion from the four hurricanes that struck Florida last year, but is not included in the upcoming emergency beach renourishment project for Anna Maria Island. Islander Photo: Rick Catlin Anna Maria history made, commission agrees on parking plan - again By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Sandbar restaurant owner Ed Chiles called the April 28, 2005, Anna Maria City Commission meeting an "historic day" in the city. Full Story... Holmes Beach vacation requests need answers, proper notification first By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Holmes Beach city commissioners appeared reluctant to grant either of the two vacation requests presented at the April 26 commission meeting until the applicants could supply more information. Full Story... Sunrise at last in Holmes Beach, maybe By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter After nearly three years of investigation, discussion and preparation, the Holmes Beach City Commission was ready for an ordinance at its April 26 meeting that would lease space in the Sunrise subdivision boat basin to existing dock owners and absolve the city of any liability. Full Story... Holmes Beach traffic calming, streetscaping committee formed By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Faced with citizen complaints about the safety of the crosswalk on Marina Drive between Wachovia Bank and the Island Shopping Center, Holmes Beach city commissioners at their April 26 meeting formed a traffic calming committee to come up with solutions. Full Story... City to Tidemark: 'Make us an offer we can't refuse' By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Representatives of the planned Tidemark hotel/condominium/marina project in Holmes Beach learned from the city commission April 26 that it's ready to make a deal on a new lease for that section of the boat basin at the project that the city owns. But it wants Tidemark to make the first pass. Full Story...