Welcome to the very first issue of the free weekly email newsletter covering the beautiful beachside communities of St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, and Madeira Beach!

Here, you’ll find what to do on Father’s Day, articles on our local environment and our local heroes, stories on animal rescue and adoption, and city news and editorials. We want this to be your newsletter, so be sure to give us feedback. We’re listening!

Signed, The Tortuga (aka Carlos)

Breaking News: On June 14, Madeira Beach Mayor Jim Rostek resigned. The City of Madeira Beach announced his resignation via a press release emailed at 1 p.m. Vice Mayor Anne-Marie Brooks (District 4) will assume his position. The City has not provided further information on Rostek's retirement or the process for filling Brooks' seat. A special meeting will be held on June 26 to discuss the selection process for a new commissioner.

Make Him an Offer He Can’t Refuse at the Don CeSar, 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach (844-338-1501). The King Charles Ballroom sets the scene for a Father’s Day brunch featuring gourmet dishes, carving stations, fresh seafood and desserts with live music and a view of the Gulf of Mexico ($105). Available 7:30-10:30 a.m. June 16. Elegance in St. Pete Beach, FL | The Don CeSar

Father’s Day at Caddy’s: In Madeira Beach and Treasure Island: What Dad really wants is a good nap after lunch at Caddy’s. Celebrate Father’s Day at Caddy’s on Sunday, June 16! Gift Basket Giveaway for Dads! $14.95 Burger & Brew Special: Caddy’s Daddy Burger, Choice of Brew: Miller, Coors, Yuengling, or Mich Ultra bottle served in a signature Caddy’s Daddy koozie! Caddy's Waterfront Restaurant (caddys.com)

Tacos and Cerveza — What More Could a Dad Want?! At the Mad Beach Cantina, 13205 Gulf Blvd Madeira Beach (727-284-3990). 12 noon to 10 pm. Buy Dad the $12.95 Father’s Day special: Choice of Taco: 3 Gringo or Street Tacos, choice of Cerveza: Corona, Corona Light, Modelo, or Modelo Oro, and a Gift basket giveaway for Dads!!! 50% off retail ALL DAY!! Visit Mad Beach Cantina — Mexican cuisine with a blend of Florida flow.

Get Sloppy at Sloppy Joe’s, 10650 Gulf Boulevard, Treasure Island (727-367-1600). Breakfast is served from 8-12 p.m., lunch is served from 12:30 p.m. daily, and dinner is available until 9 p.m. Sloppy Joe’s becomes the nightlife place to be, with the bar open until 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 p.m. on weekends. Treasure Island FL Restaurants | Sloppy Joe's on the Beach.

Reel in a Great Father’s Day at the RumFish Grill, 6000 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach (727-329-1428). In addition to the regular menu, RumFish is offering two specials from 5-10 p.m. Dad can get a Tomahawk ribeye with drunken jerked prawns ($110) and chocolate fudge cheesecake ($14). Drink specials include $5 drafts, wine, and single mixer cocktails. Buy him a rum flight, and he will get a free RumFish Grill shot glass. RumFish Grill - RumFish Grill.

Feel the Father's Day Vibes at VIBES Restaurant and Bar in the FUSION Resort, 290 107th Ave., Treasure Island (727-300-6866). Enjoy the beautiful, two-tiered terrace with stunning views of Boca Ciega Bay. It will be open for seating from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with live music. AND, in honor of Dad's Day, one free beer with the purchase of a Resort Draft Beer! Treasure Island Restaurant | VIBES Restaurant at FUSION Resort (fusiontreasureisland.com)

By Ginger Goepper

As our beautiful seaside community of Treasure Island continues to grow and welcome more visitors, we must seek ways to protect and rejuvenate our natural environment. Mother Nature offers us incredible solutions for healing and renewal. Beyond the well-known benefits of planting sea oats, we can also look to trimmable mangroves, reef prisms, and oyster domes to safeguard our shores from erosion, purify the water, and revive our local fishing habitats.

Three years ago, we were introduced to the concept of a living shoreline at Treasure Bay, a project designed to achieve all these goals in one strategic location. Stacy Boyles, our Treasure Island Public Works Co-Director and interim City Manager, has recently shared that the long-anticipated installation of this living shoreline may finally take place at the end of 2024. This exciting development promises significant environmental benefits for our community.

Lauren Bonich, a University of Florida graduate and Natural Resource Conservation educator explains that rewilding barrier islands is a crucial strategy in making Florida’s mainland more resilient to sea-level rise and other climate change impacts. According to Lauren, rewilding involves a combination of land acquisition and meticulous long-term planning. Managed rewilding is a proactive approach, enabling us to restore and protect our barrier islands before natural forces compel us to act.

Implementing these nature-based solutions on Treasure Island enhances the beauty and ecological health of our surroundings and fosters a stronger, more resilient community. Investing in projects like the living shoreline at Treasure Bay ensures that our treasured environment remains a safe haven for wildlife and a cherished destination for residents and visitors alike.

Let's embrace these initiatives and take pride in our role as stewards of Treasure Island’s natural splendor!

Meet Lisa Reich, the dynamic founder and CEO of Coastal Wildlife Advocacy Group (CWAG). As a proud St. Pete Beach resident, homeowner, business owner, local artist, and dedicated wildlife conservationist, Lisa wears many hats. She also serves on the Board of Directors for St. Petersburg Audubon as their Conservation Chair, passionately advocating for preserving our coastal wildlife.

Over the years, while patrolling St Pete Beach, Lisa has witnessed the loss of thousands of hatchlings due to the problematic lighting. In 2023 she had a team of volunteers, trained by the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s Lighting Team, conduct lighting surveys of all beachfront properties on St Pete Beach. Their findings were not surprising. No property complies with the city’s Marine Turtle Protection Ordinance (MTPO). Not one. Nor was there any evidence of any enforcement of the outdated MTPO for years.

Good news! The city of St Pete Beach has agreed to update the Marine Turtle Protection Ordinance and keep it separate from the city’s Beach Ordinance. Lisa and her team are hopeful and confident that this will be accomplished promptly.

CWAG will also work with the city to implement a Volunteer Beach Ambassador (VBA) program. The VBA program will be a multi-pronged approach to furthering CWAG’s mission to protect our city’s biggest asset, wildlife. We all love our beaches and want to share their wonders responsibly and sustainably with everyone for years to come!

Lisa has lived in St. Pete Beach for over 40 years, dedicating the last 13 years to patrolling the beaches. As a bird steward for Black Skimmers and an active participant in wildlife rescues, she has shown her commitment to local wildlife. Lisa has worked with multiple Marine Turtle Permits and regularly attends training and workshops with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and The Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Florida. These sessions cover marine biology, nest surveying, and sea turtle strandings.

She has also completed the "Sea Turtle Lighting Workshop for Code Enforcement and Building Professionals" in both 2023 and 2024. This workshop educates government and private employees on how beachfront lighting affects threatened and endangered sea turtles.

In 2022, Lisa founded the Coastal Wildlife Advocacy Group (CWAG), a non-profit organization focused on addressing the non-compliance and lack of enforcement of St. Pete Beach's Marine Turtle Protection Ordinance in the Land Development Code Division 44 – Marine Turtle Protection.

Several studies highlight that living with cats can significantly enhance our ability to cope with stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Additionally, sharing your home with a cat may reduce the risk of cardiovascular issues, such as strokes and heart attacks.

Adopting a cat from a shelter brings these health benefits and helps reduce the number of homeless cats. This act of kindness, giving a deserving animal a loving home, can enhance your sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.

In upcoming editions of this weekly newsletter, we will offer tips to guide you through the adoption process, help you select a cat that matches your energy or personality, and prepare you to welcome your new feline friend. We will also provide essential information on cat care. While cats are relatively easy to care for, effective care goes beyond providing food, water, and litter boxes.

Today, I had a sad encounter at 71st S and Central Avenue. While driving, I saw a motionless kitten in the middle of the road. Hoping it was still alive, I stopped my car. Unfortunately, the six-month-old kitten had already passed away. I gently moved its body to the side of the road to prevent it from being run over again. Afterward, I contacted the St. Petersburg Public Works Department (727-893-7111) to report the incident and request a pickup.

This heartbreaking scene got me thinking about the risks that cats face when they are allowed to roam outdoors. It's common for many cat owners to give their pets free access to the outside world, but it's important to remember that there are serious dangers out there for our feline friends. Traffic accidents, predators like coyotes, and even other humans or dogs can pose significant threats to cats.

Keeping cats indoors can greatly increase their safety and well-being. Indoor-only cats are protected from the hazards of the outside world and, as a result, tend to live longer and healthier lives. Statistics show that indoor cats can live an average of 12-18 years, while outdoor cats often have a lifespan of just 2-5 years due to the dangers they face.

Keeping Your Indoor Cat Entertained

If you're concerned about keeping your cat happy and stimulated indoors, there are plenty of great toys and activities that can help:

Safety Indoors

While it's natural to want to give our pets the freedom to explore, it's crucial to weigh the risks and make choices that prioritize their safety. Keeping cats indoors protects them from numerous dangers and ensures they live longer, healthier lives. By providing plenty of toys and activities, you can keep your indoor cat happy and entertained while giving them the best chance at a long and fulfilling life.

Let's take this as a gentle reminder to cherish and protect our furry friends. By keeping them safe indoors, we can prevent tragic incidents and ensure they remain a beloved part of our families for many years to come.

Hey there, beach bums! Imagine chilling with Biblical-era people on a family trip. Sounds weird, right? Back in their day, vacations weren't a thing. But guess what? They did have a yearly trip to Jerusalem for a big celebration. Filled with singing, stories, and good vibes – basically their awesome beach escape!

Even though we all live in beach-side communities, we sometimes forget to relax and have fun. We race around, checking things off our lists, or can't tear ourselves away from work. All that stress leads to feeling fried, not free.

Here's the secret to killer beach vibes: playful connection. Think of it as a spiritual adventure, minus the more serious stuff.

The City of Treasure Island is nearing its selection of a City Manager to lead an administrative staff of approximately 100 people and manage a City budget of over $90 million (according to the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report of the City of Treasure Island for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022).

The City of Treasure Island will hold a public meet-and-greet on Wednesday, June 19, at 6 p.m. on the 5th floor of the new City Hall. All TI residents are encouraged to attend and meet the four top candidates.

Why This is Important

This is an extremely important position because Treasure Island operates in the “Strong City Manager” system of government, in which elected officials like the mayor and commissioners focus on creating laws, policies, and budgets. They represent the community and oversee the city manager's performance.

The city manager handles the city departments' daily operations, implements elected officials' policies, and prepares the annual budget. He or she also manages city staff and provides expert advice to elected officials on various matters. This division ensures that elected leaders focus on governance and setting goals, while the city manager ensures efficient administration and service delivery to residents.

One criticism of the Strong City Manager system is that it concentrates significant power in the hands of an unelected official, the city manager. This can reduce direct accountability to voters, as the city manager may make crucial administrative decisions without direct public oversight or approval.

What You Can Do

The local advocacy organization, Citizens Voice of Treasure Island (CVTI), argues that the following qualifications and experiences should be required when selecting the City’s next manager:

A state law requiring local city officials to disclose more of their finances, known as ‘Form 6,’ is now uncertain after a federal judge ruled it unconstitutional. This law led to over 100 public officials resigning statewide, causing significant disruption for local governments.

Although the law aimed to increase transparency at the local level, the federal judge deemed it excessive.

St. Pete Beach is particularly affected. All four city commissioners resigned over Form 6 in December, leaving only the mayor. In Treasure Island, only one city commissioner resigned.

QUESTION: Will those who have resigned run for reelection now?

According to published reports, an attorney specializing in state transparency laws said, "Municipal officials hold significant power, making decisions that greatly impact people's lives, including development, neighborhoods, traffic, parks, and beaches."

In St. Pete Beach, the resignations triggered a lawsuit from a group of citizens regarding how the replacement commissioners were selected. "The Form 6 debacle was the spark that ignited the situation."

The newly appointed commissioners approved two controversial hotel projects, the Sirata and the Trade Winds. Both have since filed lawsuits to overturn these approvals. "Residents wanted decision-makers they elected, not appointed officials. The heart of the issue is that the four commissioners were appointed rather than elected," the lawyer reportedly said.

This past week, the Protect St. Pete Beach Advocacy Group filed a legal challenge in Pinellas County Circuit Court against the City Commission’s approval of the TradeWinds project. The group alleges that the City Commission did not provide procedural due process, deviated from essential legal requirements, and failed to support its decision with substantial evidence.

The 55-page petition highlights several issues: the Commission did not grant Intervenor/Affected Party Status, failed to disclose ex parte communications on April 15 and April 23, 2024, and did not allow public participation at the April 23 hearing. Additionally, the petition claims the City did not comply with Section 4.2(e) of the LDC, which requires revised applications with new data to undergo the same review stages as the initial application, and Section 3.16(C)(1), by approving a development where a violation existed. It also states that an unelected City Commission voted on the application, violating Florida's Constitution and Section 4.7 of the LDC. The Commission’s decision is also criticized for lacking evidentiary support, with the developer’s traffic study deemed flawed.

Now that the appeal has been filed, the City must halt all proceedings related to the TradeWinds application, including site plans and building permits.

In other news, SB 774, which requires Mayor and City Council candidates to fill out Form 6, has been temporarily blocked. Judge Melissa Damian of the Southern District Court of Florida ruled that SB 774 violates First Amendment rights by compelling content-based speech and issued a temporary injunction against the law. Read the full article on FloridaPolitics.com.

For more information, visit Protect St. Pete Beach (protectstpetebeach.com)

Paradise vs. Development?

For decades, the beautiful beach towns of St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, and Madeira Beach have formed our vision of “paradise on earth.” With miles of pristine beaches, quaint little motels in pastel hues, and a charming fishing village, these coastal gems have attracted tourists and newcomers alike. The allure of these towns lies in their unique blend of natural beauty and small-town charm, a combination that has captivated hearts for generations.

St. Pete Beach has long been a haven for sun-seekers and water enthusiasts with its powdery white sands and clear blue waters. The iconic Don CeSar Hotel is a pink testament to the town's rich history, while the surrounding area offers a blend of old Florida charm and modern conveniences. Treasure Island, aptly named for its sparkling beaches, offers a tranquil retreat where time seems to slow down. Madeira Beach, known for its vibrant John's Pass Village and Boardwalk, brings a touch of old-world fishing village charm to the modern era.

However, this idyllic existence is increasingly considered by many as being under threat. The rising tide of development casts a shadow over these beloved towns, bringing the potential for towering canyons of overdevelopment and the accompanying issues of increased traffic and crime. The once quiet streets are now buzzing with construction as shiny new buildings rise where quaint motels once stood. While some hail this as progress, pointing to the economic benefits and modernization it brings, others mourn the gradual loss of the small-town beach community character that makes these places special.

The debate is familiar, echoing through beach towns across the country. Development proponents argue that new infrastructure and amenities can attract more visitors and residents, boosting the local economy. On the other hand, long-time residents and lovers of the small-town character lament the loss of the serene, unspoiled landscapes and the close-knit community feel that drew us here in the first place.

The essence of St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, and Madeira Beach lies in their ability to offer a respite from the hustle and bustle of modern life. They are places where you can walk barefoot along the shore, chat with friendly locals at Foxy’s Café in Treasure Island, Cafe Soleil in St. Pete Beach, or the Kava Shack in Meidera Beach, and watch the sunset paint the sky in hues of orange and pink. This essence is at risk of being overshadowed by towering condos and congested streets.

As we look to the future, we must find a way to balance development with preservation. Progress is inevitable, and in many ways, it brings necessary improvements. But it is crucial to remember the importance of maintaining the unique character that makes these beach towns so beloved. Thoughtful, sustainable development that respects the past while embracing the future can help ensure that St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, and Madeira Beach remain the paradises they have always been.

Ultimately, it is up to all of us—residents, visitors, developers, and policymakers—to protect the heart and soul of these beautiful beach towns. By working together, we can ensure that the charm of St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, and Madeira Beach endures for generations to come, preserving the delicate balance between progress and preservation.

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Don’t forget to visit the Citizent Beach YouTube Channel to watch our first video interview with one of the Heroes of the Gulf Beaches!