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KATHY SAUNDERSIncumbents in Treasure Island are being put on the defensive over their support of the failed 2002 law.
TREASURE ISLAND - It's been two years since voters rejected tall buildings, but they remain Topic A of this election campaign.
Incumbents Irving "Butch" Ellsworth (District 2) and Barbara Blush (District 4) have spent a lot of time defending decisions to support a 2002 ordinance that would have allowed 10-story hotels along the beach. Commissioners rushed the ordinance through before voters had a chance to defeat the proposal during a subsequent general election. A circuit judge later barred the city from enforcing the new law.
Blush's opponent, Alan Bildz, says the incumbent has not represented the voice of her constituents. Sunset Beach residents initiated the effort to stop taller buildings.
"It's time to bring back representative government in District 4," Bildz said during a recent debate. "I will vote the clear voice of the people." Bildz, a 39-year-old plumber, also campaigned for a citizen finance committee to oversee local spending.
Said Blush: "The land development regulations are over, the people have spoken. I listen to everybody. That's how I base my decisions. There never is one voice - that's the most difficult job of a commissioner."
Ellsworth's opponent, political newcomer Edward Gayton, said he also would pursue a charter amendment about the land development regulations.
"We know what we went through with the LDRs and the sharks are still circling," he said. For the past year, Gayton has been a crusader for more public input at city meetings.
Ellsworth, in his third term, has been accused by his opponent's supporters of having conflicts of interest. He is an employee of the city's largest landowner, the Rice family.
Last summer, the state Ethics Commission found probable cause to believe Ellsworth broke the law by voting in favor of the land use changes that could have made the Rice property more valuable. Ellsworth disputes those findings and may go to a hearing to try to prove his innocence.
Blush, for her participation in the commission vote, was the target of an unsuccessful recall effort by Sunset Beach residents. The city later had to pay her attorney fees.
Blush and Ellsworth defended their voting records, saying their top priority now is replacing the deteriorating Causeway Bridge.
During Blush's two terms, the city has secured more than $60-million in grants, constructed the Sunset Vista Trailhead Park, adopted a beach stewardship plan and opened the Sunset Beach Pavilion and playground.
Ellsworth said stability on the commission is crucial to getting the federal money to the city and beginning construction of the bridge. The grant has to come through the state Department of Transportation.
"The contacts that I have made in the state, federal and county governments are the biggest tools that we've got in our tool box today to go forward with the bridge and other issues that we have," Ellsworth said during the Feb. 21 debate sponsored by Treasure Island Voters Watch.