Commission critics now a part of it

Two win in Belleair Bluffs by faulting a decision on a Walgreens and by citing strained ties to Belleair.

By MICHAEL SANDLER, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 14, 2002

BELLEAIR BLUFFS -- Brett Nelson and David Shimkus shared a dissatisfaction with the Belleair Bluffs City Commission, prompting both of them to run in Tuesday's commission election.

On Tuesday they discovered they were not alone. Nearly 34 percent of the city's voters showed up at the polls Tuesday and ousted Karen Hone and Susan McElveen, and elected Nelson and Shimkus.

Shimkus, 33, who hosts an early-morning show on the Home Shopping Network, got 416 votes, and Nelson, 32, a personal trainer and supermarket department manager, got 347.

Hone had 163; McElveen 156.

Voters cast 561 ballots and could vote for two candidates. In this system, the top two vote-getters are elected.

Commissioners serve a two-year term.

Nelson and Shimkus did not know each other before the election. But both said they started paying attention after the current commission's members approved a new Walgreens on the city's border with Largo that many residents did not want.

"They approved the new Walgreens, even though several hundred citizens signed a petition against it," said Shimkus. "Whether it was a good idea or not, it wasn't what the citizens wanted."

Both also cited failed relations with the town of Belleair over a shared fire department. Belleair Bluffs fired the chief in December. Belleair took the Bluffs to court over his dismissal, and a judged ordered him reinstated pending the results of continuing arbitration.

Shimkus said his first order of business is to salvage ties to Belleair.

Nelson has his eyes set on a more lavish community center than one built recently alongside the new Town Hall. He wants to see a weight room, a used-book library, a basketball court and tennis courts.

Judging from the number of people who voted for him, he is hopeful.

"It was good to know you have that kind of support out there," said Nelson. "I look forward to gaining more support in the next two years."

-- Michael Sandler can be reached at 445-4174 or sandler@sptimes.com.

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