Top Stories this week: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 Ready for Cortez Replacement of the humpback bridge on 127th Street in Cortez have been completed about one week past the targeted completion date of Sept. 1, according to Bradenton Boat Club owner Norm Burke, who financed the $1 million project. The bridge should open in a few days, pending completion of negotiations with Manatee County over a defect bond, Burke said. Islander Photo: Rick Catlin Take a Detour to Paradise The Islander invites readers to join us on a Detour to Paradise as we ride out the Sept. 29-Nov. 13 closure of the Anna Maria Island Bridge. Full Story... DOT advisories on road, bridge work In addition to notices of the ongoing work on the Anna Maria Island Bridge that connects Holmes Beach to Perico Island and the mainland, this week’s Florida Department of Transportation’s bulletin announcing road work includes construction in several Island and Island-area locations for the next two weeks. Motorists should be aware of the following locations for road work and possible delays: Full Story... DOT to help fund EMS during bridge close The Florida Department of Transportation will help fund the cost of maintaining an additional emergency medical services team on Anna Maria Island during the upcoming 45-day Anna Maria Island Bridge closure that starts Sept. 29. Full Story... DOT motorists advisory This sign on Manatee Avenue near the 75th Street intersection has begun flashing a notice to motorists that “Manatee Avenue Bridge will be closed 9/29/08,” as an advance warning that the Florida Department of Transportation will close the bridge on that date for 45 days or repairs and motorists using Manatee Avenue to reach the Island will have to detour south on 75th Street, then west on Cortez Road, to access the Island. Islander Photo: Rick Catlin Full Story... Anna Maria tax rate down for 2008-09 by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter What if they gave a budget hearing and nobody came? Full Story... Commission votes to lower millage rate, set budget by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Bradenton Beach commissioners voted Sept. 10 to lower the city’s tax rate from 2.2579 mills to 2.1539 mills. Full Story... Holmes Beach gives preliminary OK to budget by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Holmes Beach city commissioners took care of a $7.9 million matter Sept 8. Full Story... Committee considers boardwalk for city pier area by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Anna Maria’s transportation enhancement grant committee at its Sept. 8 meeting gave consensus to an ambitious project for the city pier - constructing a boardwalk along the waterfront to attract visitors and make their city pier experience “pleasurable and memorable,” said City Commissioner Jo Ann Mattick, who chairs the committee. Full Story... Some Anna Maria residents to get fee break by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Anna Maria city commissioners agreed that some people living in the city need a tax break. Er, make that a stormwater utility-fee break. Full Story... Planning board OKs dock by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter The Bradenton Beach Planning and Zoning Board without hesitation gave its approval to a special exception request for a 72-foot dock in Anna Maria Sound. Full Story... Correction Due to a reporter's error, The Islander incorrectly reported Aug. 27 that the Holmes Beach City Commission was expected to take a final vote on changes to the comprehensive plan. The commission voted to transmit a draft of changes to the state Aug. 12. The commission's final vote will take place after a review by the state, probably in December. The Islander regrets the error. Federal grand jury investigates GSR by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter The federal bankruptcy case of GSR Development LLC and former principals Robert Byrne and Steve Noriega has moved from bankruptcy court to criminal court with the announcement that a federal grand jury in Tampa subpoenaed records of the three island cities. Full Story... Ike inundates Island with water by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter The Anna Maria Island Privateers ship nearly floated on water Sept. 10. Full Story... Preparing for high water High tides, heavy rains and strong winds caused minor flooding on Anna Maria Island roads last week. Full Story... Federal grant awarded for county's Neal Preserve by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has awarded a grant to Manatee County to help restore Neal Preserve, the conservation land on the southeast side of the Anna Maria Island Bridge on Perico Island. Full Story... From demolition to restoration An effort in Anna Maria to preserve and restore the old-Florida feel of a main avenue involves the demolition of a structure at 315-317 Pine on Sept. 12. The project by Pine Avenue Restoration Inc. and partners Mike Coleman and Ed Chiles will result in two buildings housing a retail-office-residential operation. Islander Photos: Lisa Neff Flagpole controversy arises again after seven year no itch by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Retired naval aviator Jim Kissick of Bradenton Beach says as long as he is around and has a say, there will never be a veterans memorial flag pole at Leffis Key. Full Story... Original Islander, Bataan survivor Steve Raymond passes away by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Bataan Death March survivor Steve Raymond, an original Islander who grew up in Anna Maria, has made his last formation. He passed away peacefully at his home in Lecanto, Fla., on Sept. 7, according to his wife. He was 92 years-old, and one of the few remaining survivors of that infamous march. Full Story...