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The incumbents are proud of the progress they've made, while the challengers say too much money is being spent.
By KATHY SAUNDERS
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 24, 2002
TREASURE ISLAND -- Residents in two neighborhoods will go to the polls next week to decide if they like the direction the city is moving. If so, they can retain two of the five city commissioners. If not, they have a chance to unseat them.
Commissioners in Districts 2 and 4, the Isle of Palms and Sunset Beach, respectively, will be on the ballot for the March 6 election. The voting, at the newly remodeled Community Center, is restricted to those two districts.
Irving S. "Butch" Ellsworth Jr., 55, is seeking his third term. The general manager of the John's Pass Marina, Ellsworth said the city is moving forward with some major projects that could be stalled if a new commissioner needed training. Specifically, he wants to be part of the decisions surrounding the $55-million Causeway Bridge being planned for 2005.
Barbara Blush, 54, a homemaker from Sunset Beach, also pointed to the progress commissioners have made in beautifying the downtown district and in alleviating some of the city's drainage problems. She enjoys the job and wants to keep it for two more years.
What Ellsworth and Blush tout as achievements, their opponents describe as too costly.
Donald V. Callahan, 73, a 31-year resident of Treasure Island thinks the city should postpone its decisions about the new bridge. Instead of replacing it right now, he suggested the city reroute traffic to reduce some of the stress on the current structure and increase the life span of the 63-year-old bridge.
A retired college professor, Callahan opposed Blush two years ago in her first bid for the District 4 seat. He received 28 percent of the vote.
Candidate John D. "J.D." Hadsall, a 50-year-old lawyer, also ran in 2000, taking 37 percent of the vote from Ellsworth. Hadsall has repeatedly criticized the current commission for spending money and says citizens should have more input in establishing the city budget.