FREE VOL 15 No. 11 January 7, 2015 Gail and Ed Straight Sun Persons of the Year 2014 Year in Review BY PAT COPELAND SUN STAFF WRITER | [email protected] joe hendricks | sun Gail and Ed Straight, along with their grandson, Devon Straight, and Pawnee, the rescued bobcat, inside the holding pens at Wildlife Inc. While others spend their retirement enjoying the beaches, boating or golfing, Ed and Gail Straight spend their days rescuing wildlife. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | [email protected] BRADENTON BEACH – For their continued commitment to caring for injured and ailing members of the animal kingdom, through their Wildlife Inc. Education and Rehabilitation organization, Gail and Ed Straight have been named The Sun’s 2014 Persons of the Year. The wildlife sanctuary that began INSIDE NEWS OPINION Sun survey outdoors Art real estate crossword classifieds 4 6 7 22-23 25 28-33 35 36-39 as a hobby in 1987 now serves as the primary rescue and rehab facility in Manatee County, and beyond. Operating from their home on Avenue B, the non-profit organization received nearly 3,000 calls for assistance in 2014, resulting in approximately 2,000 animal intakes. About 80 percent of those taken in are later released. Due to the extensive injuries, illnesses or conditions, some became permanent residents, while others, according to federal regulations, are subject to mandatory euthanization. “It’s been a really busy year,” Gail said, half-heartedly questioning see STRaights, page 32 THE ISLAND – Once again Island news was dominated by issues related to the influx of tourism created by aggressive marketing combined with the irresistible attraction of our beautiful Island. Officials struggled to find solutions ranging from a gondola to banning parking on residential streets to a moratorium to attempts to repeal a state law prohibiting municipalities from creating legislation that would regulate rentals. To aid in finding solutions, the three Island cities have contracted with the Urban Land Institute (ULI) to perform an Island-wide study this year. The ULI provides guidance to communities in addressing problems associated with land use, development and growth. But that’s for tomorrow; today we look back at 2014. Preserving paradise The $16 million beach renourishment project was completed in March. Neal Preserve opened in April. On the menu straight/wildlife inc. | submitted Holmes Beach shut down the mobile kitchen at the Tiki Bar in January and gave the owner a laundry list of requirements to meet. The owner wore a path between the business and city hall attempting to meet the requirements and attend city commission meetings to seek approval. In February the city OK’d the kitchen and in June it OK’d the site plan. The Cast-n-Cage restaurant opened on the Bradenton Beach Pier in February. However, Garfield, the screech owl, is a star attraction at public appearances. see review, page 16 New year’s Eve shamrock Shiver raises on the Island was fun for everyone. And their little dog, too. 19 $22,000 for needy children. 10 Anna Maria Island, Florida the colonel retires at 100. The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper 13 www.amisun.com