Two Treasure Island incumbents seek re-election, as Madeira Beach, St. Pete Beach and South Pasadena also plan March votes.
By KATHY SAUNDERS and MAUREEN BYRNE AHERN
Published December 31, 2003
TREASURE ISLAND - Saying they have too much work left to quit, embattled city Commissioners Barbara Blush and Irving "Butch" Ellsworth are seeking re-election in March.
Ellsworth is being challenged in District 2 by Ed Gayton, a Philadelphia native who has lived on the Isle of Palms since 1973. Blush, who represents Sunset Beach in District 4, will run against Alan Bildz, a longtime critic who served as treasurer for Don Callahan, the candidate who opposed Blush in 2002.
Three other beach communities - Madeira Beach, St. Pete Beach and South Pasadena - also determined Tuesday that they will hold elections March 9.
Treasure Island
Gayton, 62, is a retired businessman who ran a circuit board manufacturing company in St. Petersburg for 15 years. He is a crusader for open records laws and the rights of citizens to be heard at commission meetings before issues go to a vote.
Bildz, 39, has been a city resident for eight years and is a licensed plumber. He ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2000.
Blush, 56, has served two terms as a commissioner. During her most recent term, she defeated an effort to have her recalled from office because she supported a commission vote to allow taller buildings along the beachfront. A judge ruled that the recall was invalid.
Blush says protecting the beach is one of her primary goals as commissioner. In the past four years, she said, the beach stewardship committee has made great progress in working with county and state beach renourishment officials.
If re-elected, one of her goals is to see that Sunset Beach is renourished as scheduled in 2004.
Ellsworth said his constituents on the Isle of Palms count on his experience as a three-term commissioner. Ellsworth, 58, is the general manager of John's Pass Marina, which is owned by the Rice family, the city's largest landowner. Like Blush, Ellsworth also was criticized for his vote in favor of new land development regulations. In his case, critics filed a complaint with the state Commission on Ethics that is still being investigated.
The most recent ruling found probable cause to believe Ellsworth violated the law by voting in favor of land use changes that could have made his employer's property more valuable. Ellsworth said he declined to pay a fine for the violation and instead is awaiting a hearing to present his case to the state.
"There is nothing I can do about that," Ellsworth said of the pending investigation, adding that he worked for the same employer during both of his previous campaigns.
Treasure Island commissioners serve two-year terms.
Madeira Beach
Two commission seats are up for grabs.
Incumbent Doreen Moore, 51, will face Leonard Piotti, 64, who lost his bid for mayor last year, for the District 1 seat.
District 2 Commissioner Jan Sturgis will not seek re-election. Newcomer Jane Colson, 51, will run against former commissioner John Wolbert, 71.
The terms are for two years. All registered voters in the city can vote in the election.
St. Pete Beach
Commissioner Julie Christman will not seek re-election. Newcomers Deborah Martohue, 38, and Will Jacoby, 53, will vie for the District 1 seat.
Incumbent Peter Blank, 70, will run against Ed Ruttencutter, 54, who tried to unseat Blank two years ago.
The terms are for two years. Only registered voters who live in each district can vote.
South Pasadena
Term limits prevent Mayor Fred Held from seeking re-election. Vying for his seat are his wife, Alma, 74, former commissioner Dick Holmes, 71, and Alex Haak, 71, who ran unsuccessfully for a commission seat last year.
