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Redington Shores
By SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA REDINGTON SHORES -- Three of five Town Commission seats are up for grabs in Tuesday's elections. In the townwide mayoral race, incumbent J.J. Beyrouti faces Michael Glick. In District 2, voters will choose between Calvin Johnson and Marshall Reynolds. In District 3, Mel Kaplani and Roy Scarpitta are the opponents. The District 4 seat will be filled by Larry Foerster, who ran unopposed. Mayor Beyrouti urged voters to stay the course, pointing to the county's second-lowest property tax rate, a new town hall and almost $3-million in reserves. He said the town has been upgrading its infrastructure and is planning a townwide beautification and undergrounding program. Beyrouti also cited $3-million in grants for projects such as stormwater improvements, new parks and improved communications with residents through cable broadcasts of commission meetings, a regularly updated Web page and a full-color newsletter. "We're very, very solid. I want to continue with the critical work we have planned," Beyrouti said. "My goals are to maintain a conservative fiscal budget, protect the environment and improve the natural beauty of our beaches." Glick said that Beyrouti, who is president of the Pinellas Mayors Council and the Barrier Islands Governmental Council, is focusing too much on the beaches as a whole and not enough on Redington Shores. He wants to reduce garbage and sewer rates. "(Beyrouti) is up in Tallahassee lobbying for this and lobbying for that," Glick said. "And that's nice, but I don't like hobnobbing with politicians." District 2 commissioner Johnson wants the town to be more customer-friendly and wants beautification to emphasize a tropical atmosphere. He says building and zoning codes are a hodgepodge that need to be revised to reflect residents' lifestyles. "I believe in community service and feel commissioners should work for the residents. I will be just a phone call away on any issue," Johnson said. Reynolds says his engineering background will enable him to make informed decisions regarding city projects. He is particularly interested in the town's stormwater and other infrastructure projects. "I feel we should do more than just live in the community," says Reynolds. "That's why I decided to run for the commission." District 3 commissioner Kaplani would like to see speeds reduced on Gulf Boulevard and is calling for lower city service fees and lower salaries for commission members. (Redington Shores pays its mayor $300 a month, plus $200 per diem when out of the area on town business. Commissioners are paid $250 monthly, plus $150 per diem.) "I have realized the American dream and would like to give back to the community," said Kaplani. "There is always room for improvement." Scarpitta, who was appointed to his seat after Clell Miller died, said the town has a good team in its current commission. Scarpitta said he is particularly interested in environmental issues, visioning and ensuring the town continues to apply for and receive grants for community improvements. "This town has done some positive things and I would like to continue to be part of that. Redington Shores is a very progressive, cutting-edge town and I want us to continue moving forward." -- Times staff researcher Kitty Bennett and reporter Amy Wimmer contributed to this report. REDINGTON SHORES MAYOR The job: The mayor in Redington Shores is elected townwide to a three-year term and earns $3,600 annually plus a $200 per diem when out of the area on town business. J.J. Beyrouti AGE: 50 BACKGROUND: He has lived in the town for nearly 20 years and has served as mayor since 1996. Beyrouti previously served as vice mayor and town commissioner. He is president of the Pinellas county Mayors' Council and the Barrier Islands Governmental Council. He is cochairman of the Gulf Boulevard Undergrounding Task Force, a trustee of the Florida Municipal Insurance Trust and a board member of the Gulf Beaches Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the Suncoast League of Cities, the Pinellas County Tourist Development Council and the Economic Development Council. He owns and operates the Redington Shores Motel and Monicarla Investments, which focuses on commercial real estate. He is a retired captain in the U.S. Merchant Marine. He is married and has two daughters. ASSETS: Home, rental properties, stock. LIABILITIES: Mortgages on home, motel. SOURCES OF INCOME: Real estate investments, Redington Shores Motel. Michael Glick AGE: 52 BACKGROUND: Born in Chicago, Glick has been a Redington Shores resident for 15 years and operates a home-repair business. He has been in the construction business for 30 years. He is a high school graduate and served in the U.S. Army. Glick is a member of the Tampa Bay Parrot Heads. He ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 1998 and the Town Commission in 2000. ASSETS: None listed. LIABILITIES: None listed. SOURCES OF INCOME: Home repair business. REDINGTON SHORES TOWN COMMISSION The job: Town commissioners in Redington Shores are elected to two-year terms and earn $3,000 annually plus a $150 per diem. They represent their individual districts and are elected by the residents of their district. DISTRICT TWO Calvin Johnson AGE: 48 BACKGROUND: He is a 20-year resident of Redington Shores and is owner and president of Greater Bay Roofing in Pinellas Park. This is his first attempt to run for political office. Johnson is a native of Illinois, moving to Florida in 1968. He graduated from Boca Ciega High School and attended St. Petersburg Junior College. He moved to the Midwest and returned to the area in 1979. He owns a number of properties in Pinellas County. Johnson is a member of the Shriners and the Masons. His wife, Jacki, owns Jacqueline's Salon and Day Spa in Treasure Island. He has two children and one grandchild. ASSETS: Home, investment properties, stocks. LIABILITIES: Mortgages. SOURCES OF INCOME: Greater Bay Roofing, Inc. Marshall Reynolds AGE: 46 BACKGROUND: He moved to the town five years ago from Indian Rocks Beach. This is his first attempt to run for political office. He is a native of Independence, Mo., and a graduate of Columbia College. Reynolds owns Trimar Industries, providing consulting services in the area of industrial automation and water treatment systems for hotels and industrial sites. He previously worked as a chief engineer in the automotive industry. He also is a real estate agent. He is married and has two children and three grandchildren. ASSETS: Home, stocks. LIABILITIES: Mortgage. SOURCES OF INCOME: Trimar Industries, real estate. DISTRICT THREE COMMISSIONER Mel Kaplani AGE: 60 BACKGROUND: He has lived in Redington Shores for four years and splits his time between his residence here and a residence in Michigan. The Albania native recently became a registered voter and declared Redington Shores as his official residence last year. His wife maintains her legal residence in Michigan. He served as a school board member in Michigan and served on the Wayne County Economic and Development Board. He owns several insurance agencies here and in Michigan. He is married and has five daughters. ASSETS: Homes in Florida and Michigan, investment properties. LIABILITIES: None listed. SOURCES OF INCOME: Kaplani Insurance Agency Inc. (Michigan), Globe Insurance Agency (Redington Shores), and Insurance 2000 (St. Petersburg). Roy Scarpitta AGE: 56 BACKGROUND: He moved to Redington Shores 25 years ago and owns two homes in town. He works as a counselor at AAA Auto Club in St. Petersburg and manages three rental properties in Redington Shores. Scarpitta is a native of Baltimore. He served in the U.S. Navy and is a Vietnam veteran. He retired after working for 26 years in management positions at Publix. Before being appointed to the Redington Shores Commission, he served on the town's Financial Advisory Committee. He is married and has a stepdaughter. ASSETS: Two homes, rental properties. LIABILITIES: Mortgage. SOURCES OF INCOME: Salary (AAA Auto Club), rental properties, pension, commission salary.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
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