Commission wary of School Board vote

With the mother of one of the candidates as a colleague, commissioners choose their words carefully.

By MONIQUE FIELDS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published October 18, 2002

CLEARWATER -- Pinellas County commissioners freely offer their views on roads, parks and water. But ask them whom they support in the School Board race and they watch their words.

Why risk it when the mother of one of the candidates is a fellow commissioner?

Commissioner Susan Latvala declined to say whether she will vote in the School Board race for Mary Brown or Tiffany Todd, the daughter of Commissioner Barbara Sheen Todd.

"I just don't think that's appropriate," said Latvala, who supported another candidate who lost in the September primary. "I sit with one of the candidate's mothers, and I don't want to be actively supporting her or the other candidate."

Commission Chairwoman Barbara Sheen Todd said voting is a private matter and was not surprised by those who were tight-lipped.

"I would hope everyone of them would support her, but I'm not twisting any arms," she said.

Barbara Sheen Todd said she approached Latvala and told her she hoped Latvala would support Tiffany Todd or not become involved in the race. Latvala chose to support Mike Pachik, who failed to make the runoff after the September primary.

Commissioner Bob Stewart reveled in the fact he had an excuse to duck the question.

"I have the perfect answer," he said. "I'm not going to answer the question. I have a good explanation. I am serving on the canvassing board." The canvassing board certifies the Pinellas election.

Last week, Commissioner Karen Seel also declined to say whether she backed Tiffany Todd or Brown, who is bidding to become the first African-American elected to the School Board. By Monday, Seel had decided to support Todd.

Seel said Todd impressed friends and people in the community with her knowledge of the issues, among other things.

The three other commissioners had no trouble answering the question.

Commissioners Calvin Harris and Ken Welch said they will support Brown. Both pointed to her qualifications, including a wealth of experience with working with young people, her work with local organizations and a platform that all children can do well in school.

"I think she's the most qualified candidate, and I think it's very important we look at qualifications in this School Board race," Welch said.

Commissioner John Morroni said he will vote for Tiffany Todd.

"First of all, I like Mary Brown a lot, but I love Tiffany," he said. "I've known her and her family for 20 years, and I know her heart is in the right place and she'll do a great job."

As for the candidates, they are entering the final stretch of the campaign.

Shortly after the primary, the Friends of Mary Brown formed to help Brown get her message to voters. Brown also has won the support of the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association, complete with at least a $1,000 donation and volunteers to help her on the campaign trail.

"Her stand on (school) choice was very popular with the committee. She had grave concerns, as we have had," said Rob McMahon, president of PCTA.

Tiffany Todd, meanwhile, is trying to meet as many people as she can.

"My focus is getting out there and letting people get to know me," she said.

Since the primary, Brown has raised $900, while Todd has raised $3,900, according to the most recent information available from campaign finance reports.

Todd said she has "a lot of people out raising money so we can reach more people."

Brown has taken an unusual fundraising avenue: the garage sale. So far, there have been four garage sales that have raised $310.

"I have to get money where I can get it from," Brown said. "I don't have big bucks."

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