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In Zephyrhills, board welcomes newest member
By MOLLY MOORHEAD ZEPHYRHILLS -- With new blood on the City Council, the other members aren't sure what to expect in the coming year. But they seem to agree on one thing: Celia Graham will serve the city well. Graham, 42, beat first-term incumbent Mike Bussell for Seat 5 in last week's election. The fifth-grade teacher also ran in 2002 and finished second to Lance Smith in a three-person race. Smith, the new council president, contributed $200 to Bussell's campaign but said Thursday that he was confident Graham would be a positive addition to the board. "I think she'll do a good job," he said. "It will be the good back-and-forth dialogue." He said Graham's presence would probably prevent any alliances from forming among members. In the past year, Bussell and Cathi Compton seemed to be of like mind on many issues, while Clyde Bracknell and Liz Geiger often sided together, often leaving Smith the swing vote. "With Celia in there, we don't know," Smith said, adding that he anticipated a lot of 3-2 splits on votes. Bracknell and Compton ran unopposed this year and coasted back into office. "I think Celia Graham is going to be energetic, and I think she's going to do the background research to be informed on the issues," Compton said. "That's going to bring discussion, which is a good thing." Bracknell, who began his 12th term on the council, said he expected Graham to take a closer look at the city budget. The municipal airport and its finances were the primary talking points of her campaign. "Every council person has something they want the council to look at," Bracknell said. "Everybody has something that they sort of favor." For Bracknell, that something is a performing arts center. Despite its popularity among residents, the project hasn't gotten very far with the council. It has the solid support of Bracknell and Geiger, but a push to buy property for it failed earlier this year when neither Smith, Bussell nor Compton would get on board. Bracknell couldn't gauge yet where Graham stands on the issue, but he's optimistic. "Hopefully, maybe, she'll favor it," he said. "Hopefully the members that didn't vote for it will still be looking at it. It's just a matter of trying to get everybody on the same page." Smith said he thought Bussell's absence might push the project along. "We certainly knew where Mike stood on it. Celia may be more aggressive and say, 'Let's go ahead and get the land,' " said Smith, who favors a closer look at the financial demands of a center. Smith, who said he was getting ready to play the leadership role, noticed another shift in the makeup of the council. "Not to be sexist, but it's the first time we've ever had three females on there," he said. "It probably will work a lot better." -- Molly Moorhead covers news about Zephyrhills. She can be reached at (352) 521-5757 or toll-free 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6108, then 29. Her e-mail address is moorhead@sptimes.com
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