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Newcomers Sheldon, Clark join commission
By SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA SOUTH PASADENA -- Two new players will join incumbent Chris Burgess on the City Commission. Newcomer Diane Sheldon outpolled Burgess by two votes. Each woman received about 28 percent of the ballots cast and will serve three-year terms. Another new face, Carol May Clark, easily outdistanced Joe Catalfamo. Clark will serve the remaining year left in the term of Dick Holmes, who resigned. Referendums to extend commissioners' term limits and increase their annual compensation failed decisively. Term limits became controversial last year when Mayor Fred Held decided to run for an additional term. Held became mayor in 1994 when he was appointed by the commission to fill one year remaining in the resigning mayor's term. Subsequently, Held was elected to two full three-year terms in 1995 and 1998. "I am against term limits, but I wanted the people to tell us what they wanted. I guess I am done now running for office," Held said Tuesday. Burgess ran largely on her first-term record, citing the development of Galatea Park and street paving projects completed during her tenure. She said she will continue to emphasize beautification, as well as business development within the city. Burgess, 75, was elected to her first term as a South Pasadena commissioner in 1999. She moved to Florida about 50 years ago and became a South Pasadena resident 21 years ago. Burgess previously served on the Chateau Towers board of directors and is a past vice president of the South Pasadena Civic Association. Sheldon said she felt it was her civic duty to contribute to the city's improvement by running for the commission. She called for keeping city taxes low and increased personal safety for residents through better lighting, particularly in city parks. Sheldon, 60, moved to Florida 15 years ago and became a South Pasadena resident 12 years ago. She lives at Le Chateaux Des Rois Condominium where she has been property manager and president of the condominium owners association for the past several years. She works at the Brookwood Young Women's Residence, a home for troubled teens in St. Petersburg. Clark will serve one year to fill out the remaining term of Holmes. The seat will be contested again in the 2003 city election. Catalfamo did not actively campaign and said he ran because the commission needed experienced members. "I can hit the ground running," Catalfamo said before the election. "I'm concerned about good government and doing what needs to be done for the city." During her campaign, Clark cited her legal experience and ability to handle any regulations, ordinances or legal matters. "I want South Pasadena to continue to be a safe, beautiful and prosperous place to live," said Clark, adding that she would promote a "good dialogue" between the commission and the community and would ensure the "best use of our tax dollars." Clark, 62, was born in Canada, became a naturalized U.S. citizen, moved to St. Petersburg in 1958 and became a South Pasadena resident 10 years ago. For a number of years she worked as a paralegal for then Pinellas County Circuit Judges Alan Sundberg and Ben Overton, both of whom went on to become Florida Supreme Court Justices. She owned and managed her own property and casualty insurance agency for 10 years. Clark recently retired, but works occasionally as an income tax preparer. Voters were asked to allow commission salaries, currently $475 per month, to increase automatically each year based on the annual Social Security cost-of-living adjustment.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
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From the Times South Pinellas desks |
