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CLEARWATER - City voters torpedoed a series of proposed charter amendments Tuesday, including a plan to build a marina and amphitheater at Coachman Park and changes that would have eased restrictions on the sale, lease and donation of public land.
But in the race for City Commission, voters picked attorney Carlen Petersen, a supporter of the amendments, over retired school administrator Don Casey, who had opposed several of the changes. The vote was 6,981 to 4,678.
It was a puzzling end to a quiet campaign in which the ballot questions proved more controversial than the candidates.
After the vote, disappointed city officials who had pushed to expand Coachman Park as a way to spark downtown revitalization blamed the proposal's defeat on a critical flier delivered to voters four days before the election.
"I think it had a great effect, unfortunately," said city Commissioner Frank Hibbard. "I think it's just a shame."
Produced by Save the Bayfront, a group that helped scuttle a more sweeping referendum on downtown redevelopment in July 2000, the flier was bankrolled by former Commissioner and Pinch-A-Penny pool supply founder Fred Thomas, who now lives in Largo.
Thomas' contribution was not listed on a financial accounting sheet required to be filed with the city on Friday.
But according to an amended form submitted Monday, Thomas loaned the group $32,000 on March 2. Two days later, Save the Bayfront spent $33,844 on printing and postage for the glossy mailer, which urged voters to defeat eight of the 11 proposed charter amendments.
Final tallies showed voters rejected six proposed changes, including a plan to increase city commissioners' terms from three to four years. Meanwhile, voters approved a request to allow increased dredging of Stevenson's Creek.
Commissioner Hoyt Hamilton, targeted in Save the Bayfront's flier, challenged the group to come forward with ideas of its own on how to improve downtown.
"What can I say?" Casey said of his loss. "I gave my best effort. The people made the choice in it and that's all I can say. It does seem kind of odd that they went against the amendments and they chose her."
Petersen, likewise, said the message was confusing. But she said she is ready to get to work.
"I really look forward to serving the city in this new capacity," she said. "I am very thankful for their vote of confidence."
Other city officials, meanwhile, worried about the effect of another failed referendum on the future of downtown.
Hibbard called the results "a shame."
"Fred Thomas runs this town," he added. "From Largo."
- Jennifer Farrell can be reached at 445-4160 or farrell@sptimes.com