On March 11th, voters will be choosing a replacement for their late, beloved Congressman C. W. Bill Young, choosing either his former aide, attorney and lobbyist, David Jolly, Republican, Alex Sink, Democrat, Florida’s CFO in 2006, a former banker (and foreign girl’s school teacher) who lost her race against Scott for Governor in 2010. Libertarian candidate, Lucas Overby and Write-In Candidate Michael S. Levinson are also in the race.
There are municipal elections at the same time. The City of Treasure Island cancelled their election due to a lack of participation. “No one came forward to challenge the incumbents, so commissioners Alan Bildz and Tim Ramsberger kept their seats unopposed”, noted Mayor Minning. Bildz, a plumber by trade, is starting his sixth term representing Sunset Beach. Ramsberger, who heads up the St. Petersburg Grand Prix, was also not opposed in 2011 when he ran to fill the District 2 seat previously held by the late Butch Ellsworth.
In St. Pete Beach on the other hand, there are three contested races. Last month, St. Pete Beach Mayor Steve McFarlin explained that he hadn’t planned to seek re-election, thinking Vice Mayor Shavlan or Commissioner Parent wanted to run for his seat. When they said “no”, and a “relative newcomer” entered the race, he changed his mind.
We recently sat down with mayoral candidate Maria Lowe to give her an opportunity to introduce herself to us and our Paradise NEWS readers. Lowe explained that she’d been recruited to run when there was no announced candidate for mayor. At the time, she didn’t know she would be challenging the mayor, who had appointed her to the Historic Preservation Board. “He publicly announced he would not seek re-election,” recalled Lowe. “I respected that he no longer wanted the job. I thought I was running for an open seat.” According to Lowe, it was Mayor McFarlin who first suggested she would make a good mayor. “He suggested the idea last spring at the Support Our Troops Pancake Breakfast, but I never considered running until I was asked in November.”
Lowe comes to the race with impressive credentials. She’s a West Point graduate who served in Korea, Egypt, and saw combat in Afghanistan. She led troops as a platoon leader, company commander, and later became Chief of Army Civilian Education.
Major Lowe has managed more people and larger budgets than exist here in St. Pete Beach. “My skills are transferable,” she says. Lowe made it clear she’s not part of the city’s decade-long division. “I’m not SOLV. I’m not CRG,” she exclaimed, “I’m 100% St. Pete Beach.”
On the Comp Plan, she says, “Every city needs a comprehensive plan! If the court approves ours, I’ll lead the charge to implement it. If the court rejects it, my approach to leadership will help us avoid the divisive battles and costly litigation that no one wants to see continue. We don’t need to start over, we need to move ahead.”
Lowe describes her leadership style as listening closely, being fully-informed, and representing all citizens and businesses fairly and with respect. She sums her campaign platform up in three words: Accountability, Transparency and Integrity. “I’ve committed my entire adult life in service to our country. Duty, honor and country are not just words to me. They are my core values.”
McFarlin won the Mayor’s seat three years ago with 2,726 votes, 53.2% of the votes cast in 2011, in a runoff against incumbent Mayor Mike Finnerty. One of his early acts was to derail the movement toward red light cameras. He also oversaw an orderly change from the city’s police department to the Pinellas County Sherriff and helped to ensure a smooth transition.
District 1 Commissioner Lorraine Huhn is being challenged by the former “first lady” of St. Pete Beach, Terri Finnerty. Terri’s husband, Mike Finnerty held the District 1 seat before he was elected Mayor over District 3 Commissioner Ed Ruttencutter in 2008. The Finnerty’s are best known in town for their efforts in “Support Our Troops”, sending gift packages to troops overseas. Before being elected, retiree Lorraine Huhn was well known for her role as the leader of SOLV, the
pro-redevelopment group that led the charge to get a new comprehensive plan adopted in St. Pete Beach. She won the seat in 2012 over incumbent Al Halpern. Both candidates are residents of St. Pete Beach Yacht and Tennis Club.
District 3 Commissioner Marvin Shavlan sold his home after only ten days on the market and moved temporarily up the beach, forcing him to give up his seat in January, prior to the end of his term. Commissioners unanimously chose ex-Mayor and Commissioner Ward Friszolowski over activist Deborah Schectner to complete Marvin’s term. Two candidates are vying for the empty seat, Greg Premer, past president of the BelleVista Community Association and a member of the City’s Recreation Advisory Board vs. James Douglas Anderson, a retired firefighter who lost to Christopher Leonard in 2008 and whose suit against the city over the comprehensive plan has cost residents hundreds of thousands in legal fees.
In his blog, Marvin Shavlan disclosed that The Mayor asked the city attorney to inquire of the Florida Commission on Ethics whether someone who is suing the city could run or serve if elected. Ken Weiss, the maverick attorney involved in virtually all the suits against St. Pete Beach and Treasure Island emailed Shavlan back a copy of an opinion letter he claimed to have gotten from the Commission on behalf of his client, Jim Anderson. The letter advised that no conflict exists as long as the plaintiff does not vote on or otherwise influence anything affecting his own suit. Weiss’ letter also included a warning to Shavlan to be careful what he says as he was no longer under the city’s legal protection. St. Pete Beach will miss Commissioner Marvin Shavlan, who turned out to be a surprisingly good commissioner, and communicator. We hope he continues his blogs, which can be found at: Truth and Politics in St. Pete Beach.
Madeira Beach Mayor Travis Palladeno faces South American Acupuncturist Victor Cucaro. Palladeno, a charter boat captain has been seen as business-friendly and progressive, but faces opposition over a million dollar investment the city made in Archibald Park, and plans for a new, $10 million waterfront city hall complex. Palladeno and City Manager Shane Crawford say the investment is prudent, especially considering the potential future flood insurance costs and todays low capital costs. They say that is what is feuling Madeira’s growth, and the city should get the benefit of it for its residents too. Cucaro feels fiscal conservatism should be the rule under the current economy.
Tierra Verde residents vote for representatives on the Pinellas County Commission, but not until November 4th, 2014. For County Commissioner, District 2Patricia Gerard (DEM) & Ed Hooper (REP), challenge incumbent Norm Roche (REP). For County Commissioner, District 6 John Morroni (REP)is being challenged by Thomas Rask (REP) And Jack Harris (LPF) Susan Latvala (R) is in the most crowded race, defending her seat against at least 5 opponents.
Absentee ballots should have arrived in your mail box by the time you get this issue if you requested one. The actual voting day is March 11th, so see our March issue for last minute information and polling places.