Treasure Island City Commission District 3

Marie Barba

AGE: 50.

BACKGROUND: A native of California, Barba moved to Treasure Island in 1980, first to Sunset Beach and recently to Paradise Island. A graduate of the University of South Florida and St. Petersburg College, Barba works on military subcontracts as a computer software engineer for Raytheon Data Systems in St. Petersburg. She has worked for military contractors in various engineering positions for the past 15 years. Barba is a member of the Paradise Island Civic Association and previously served on the Sunset Beach Civic Association for 17 years. Barba was among the organizers last year of a successful referendum petition to stop the city from allowing tall buildings along the beachfront. Barba lives on Paradise Island with her fiance, Neal Soldwedel.

ASSETS: condominium on Paradise Island and a home on Sunset Beach.

LIABILITIES: mortgage.

INCOME: Raytheon Data Systems salary and rental property on Sunset Beach.

George Garbutt

AGE: 75.

BACKGROUND: Garbutt served as a city commissioner from 1972 to 1984. A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Garbutt moved to Treasure Island in 1967. He served in the Navy during World War II in Europe and in the Pacific. He also served in the Korean War. Garbutt was a New York City police officer and a New York City firefighter and he served 12 years as a volunteer firefighter for Treasure Island. He also worked for 30 years as a real estate investment broker before retiring. He has been a member of the Paradise Island Civic Association since 1968. He also belongs to the Disabled American Veterans and the Egypt Temple Shrine. Garbutt has four children. He is engaged to Jeannette Williams.

ASSETS: Paradise Island home.

LIABILITIES: mortgage.

INCOME: disability pensions from New York City and the U.S. government and Social Security.

Larry A. Hoffman

AGE: 55.

BACKGROUND: Born and raised in Saginaw, Mich., Hoffman has been a resident of Florida since 1990 and of Treasure Island since 1998. He is a retired, decorated Army colonel who served in military intelligence and special operations. He was a Green Beret captain in Vietnam and received the Bronze Star. He received a bachelor's degree in criminal justice in 1975 from Wayne State University and later was granted a fellowship in public administration at Wayne State. In 1980, he was selected to attend the Command and General Staff College in Leavenworth, Kan. Hoffman also spent time at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., as a congressional liaison officer to the U.S. Senate and House Appropriations and Authorization committees. In 1990, Hoffman transferred to Tampa's MacDill Air Force Base, where he served under Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf during the Persian Gulf War. He retired from the military in 1992 and began his own company, L.A. Hoffman Group Inc., under which he operates a charter boat business in Treasure Island and consulting for defense companies. He also is a fishing columnist for the St. Petersburg Times. In 1992, Hoffman founded Treasure Island Charities, which raises money for youth and conservation programs. He currently serves on the city's Marina Committee and is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Reserve Officers Association and the Rotary Club. Hoffman and his wife, Cathy, have two daughters.

ASSETS: Paradise Island condominium.

LIABILITIES: mortgage.

INCOME: Army pension and charter boat fishing business, stocks and bonds.

Richard Kraus

AGE: 57.

BACKGROUND: A native of New York City, Kraus moved to Treasure Island in 1974. He attended Boca Ciega High School and St. Petersburg Junior College. He spent four years in the Coast Guard and later began his own business. He retired in 1999 after 29 years as president of Florida Brake and Clutch in St. Petersburg. Kraus is a member of the Paradise Island Civic Association and the American Legion. This is his first bid for political office. Kraus and his wife, Chris, have two children.

ASSETS: Paradise Island home, a storage building, a warehouse, half of a building in St. Petersburg, two lots in St. Petersburg and two lots in Inverness.

LIABILITIES: none.

INCOME: investment properties and a profit sharing plan.

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