The former city of Chicago attorney and only woman on the commission replaces Whitney Gray.
By MEGAN SCOTT
Published March 19, 2004
CLEARWATER - Carlen Petersen has been on the dais many times.
Her involvement on the community development board put her in the seats typically used by City Manager Bill Horne, Commissioner Bill Jonson and Mayor Brian Aungst.
Thursday night, though, she was on the dais for the first time as a commissioner.
Petersen was sworn in at the commission meeting after defeating retired school administrator Don Casey in the March 9 election. The vote was 6,981 to 4,678.
A former attorney for the city of Chicago, Petersen replaces Whitney Gray, who resigned last year to move with her family to Fort Myers. Former Commissioner J.B. Johnson was appointed to fill the seat until the election.
"I'm following some wonderful leadership," Petersen said. "Whitney Gray and then J.B. Johnson. I have big shoes to fill. I'm going to do my best to live up to the reputation of the seat."
Commission members offered the departing Johnson gifts, parting words, hugs and handshakes. Then with their families looking on, Petersen and Jonson, who was automatically appointed to a second term, took their oaths in unison, swearing to support, protect and defend the Constitution, and the state and federal governments.
The only woman on the commission, Petersen had campaigned hard for her seat, attending nearly every commission meeting since November, poring over the city budget and meeting with city staffers.
Even her sons, Mark, 15, and Andrew, 18, knocked on doors, made phone calls and put up signs for their mom. "I was talking to people I didn't know," Andrew said. "It was hard at first. I knew it was really important though. I knew it was worth it."
Petersen said she is anxious to get started. She was already walking toward the dais when she was instructed to stay at the podium to be sworn in.
