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Man runs but seldom votesBy MAUREEN BYRNE AHERN© St. Petersburg Times published February 19, 2003 SEMINOLE -- When City Council candidate Simon Montag goes to the polls March 4, it may be the first time he has voted in a city election. According to the Supervisor of Elections Office, Montag was put on an inactive status in 1989 because he hadn't voted the previous two years. In 1991, records show Montag was purged from the county system because of no activity. "We didn't hear a thing from him until January of last year," said Susan Phillips, an office manager at the elections office. Montag registered and voted in the September 2002 primary election, the first time he had voted in at least 15 years. When asked about his voting record Tuesday, Montag said he had been purged from the system but that he had voted in city elections. He questioned why his voting record was important. "I've lived in the city for a number of years," he said. On his application to run for office, Montag indicated he has lived in Seminole since 1970. He said he would rather talk about issues facing the city and what he'd like to do if elected. Montag, 34, is one of six candidates vying for three open seats on the City Council. Council members Pete Bengston and Patricia Hartstein would like to keep their seats. John Counts, who lost his bid last year, is running again along with political newcomers Henry Biernack and Jimmy Johnson.
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