SAM's History
SAM - originally named "SAVE ANNA MARIA"
our members have been "SERVING ANNA MARIA" since 1994
{ The answers - how, when and why we formed & were founded }
{ Topics of our Meetings Past and Present} since 1994 { The
Most of this information comes directly from the Archives of SAM. Cortez Bridge & Anna Maria Bridges were built 2 miles apart to be compatible in 1957 - 1958 1970's The cities of Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach did not have representation on M.P.O. (until the late 1990’s). The Island Transportation Planning Organization (I.T.P.O.) was enacted. F.D.O.T. was planning Twin High Level Fixed Span Bridges for the Manatee Avenue Bridge Replacement (no one knew ). Bradenton Beach City officials found out as plans were switched to replace Cortez Bridge first. Cortez Village residents were notified and asked Bradenton Beach Officials for help to stop the High Level Bridges. It took Three Years of studies and efforts to find out exactly what F.D.O.T. was doing. There were no public hearings. Pleas to Manatee County Commissioners culminated in a Bridge Design Committee being formed. A great deal of debate followed. Manatee County Commissioner Snell made the motion to omit the 65’ Fixed Span bridge from consideration. Save Anna Maria (S.A.M.) was organized because many Islanders were disgusted by the unprofessional methods F.D.O.T. used in their efforts to replace bridges to their Island. 2008 While the AMI Bridge rehab was underway , F.D.O.T. began their first public notices and hearings with plans to replace this bridge.
November 18th - Manatee Commissioners send letter to $80 million from federal Government $20 Million from Florida State Government Joe McClash makes it clear he wants input from the Island Cities. ( all 3 Island Cities still have not officially taken a position as of Feb. 2010 ) * Did DOT make any presentations to I.T.P.O. or Coalition of Elected Officials ? * Cortez Village has created their boundaries as an “ Historic Site” through the F.I.S.H. Program. (they feel DOT will not be able to interrupt their area) 2013-2014 - Cortez Bridge scheduled for another Rehab
1950's
Metropolitan Planning Organization began in 1972. Cities represented were Bradenton, Palmetto, Longboat Key, Sarasota, Venice, & North Port, as well as the counties of Sarasota and Manatee .
1980's
The late Mayor Ray Simches (Anna Maria) & Mayor Katie Pierola (Bradenton Beach) worked very hard to get Island Cities represented. M.P.O. said the 3 cities could only have 1 representative / 1 vote, establishing a system rotating the cities alphabetically every year.
1990's
Finally F.D.O.T. rehabilitated the Cortez Bridge in 1992.
Six Years of S.A.M. ‘s efforts to study all the aspects of the Anna Maria Bridge ( lawsuits, straw votes & a referendum election) proved this 65’ Fixed Span Bridge was not wanted, specifically regarding environmental and safety concerns. In 1995 the Department of Environmental Protection (D.E.P.) , issued a Permit of Denial.
In 1998, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (U.S.A.C.E.), U.S. Coast Guard (U.S.C.G.), and the Southwest Florida Water Management District (S.W.F.W.M.D.) followed suit with their denials.
2000's
In 2002, F.D.O.T. made a final decision to rehab the Anna Maria Bridge. The rehab was completed in 2008.
March 2008, BOCC requested $140 million from Congressman Vern Buchanan, without any public hearings, or any conversations with the I.T.P.O. or Coalition of Island Elected Officials.
March 26th, 2009 - B.O.C.C. voted and approved F.D.O.T’s recommendation of replacing the bridge with a High Level Fixed Span Bridge.
Many articles have been written about some of these events, but there has been no proper notice of funding.
Congressman Buchanan requesting:
Director of the Center for Coastal Ecology at Mote Marine Laboratory topic: sea level rise.
Director of the Conservation and Lands Management Department for Manatee County
topic: Manatee County land management and acquisition issues, healthy beaches, land restoration.
Panelists included: State Rep. Bill Galvano, and Jim Fisher and several island officials
topic: current Turtle Watch issues and activities and plans for the future
Manatee County Commissioner – topic: issues surrounding development in the county,
Perico Development, impact of development on traffic and hurricane evacuation,
“perfect storm” of development on the island, “build out” of Manatee County
Holmes Beach City Commissioner –
Report on Grassy Point plans by Sarasota Bay Estuary Project.
Mark Alderson, Executive Director of Sarasota Bay Estuary Project –
topics: land purchases through diverse monies, Grassy Point Plans (removal of exotics,
boardwalk, trail, golf cart path), Old Perico Harbor use, Kingfish Boat Ramp (parking and
use, additional ramps)
Superintendent of Public Works in Holmes Beach –
topic: city limits, decision makers and who shares what responsibilities for Kingfish,
Grassy Point “stagnant” plans, No Prop signs for Grassy Point (thanks to SAM).
topics: native plants in competition with exotics, a “visual identity of AMI”,
guided tour of Anna Maria City Hall landscape and a private home’s native landscaping
topics: state of the oceans, dead zones, Red Tide Blooms and studies, Fertilizer policies.
and panel of project team members for bridge rehabilitation –
topic: history of the Manatee Avenue (Route 64) Bridge, delineation of necessary repairs,
dates of closures.
topics: history of the group, mission (“Public Health and the Environment”)
Albert Rosenstein, Engineering Manager of FDOT,
Lauren Hatchell, Public Information for FDOT –
topics: Manatee Avenue Bridge
Topics: “Strategies for Dealing with Coastal Erosion”
Assistant Program Manager with the Bethnic Ecology Staff at Mote Marine –
topics: History, mission and activities of SBEP.
