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Black and Guyette vault to commission

Absentee ballots help hand Seat 1 to Mary Gray Black instead of Gigi Arntzen. Andrew W. Guyette easily takes Seat 2.

By SHANNON TAN
Published March 2, 2005

LARGO - With 219 more votes, Mary Gray Black edged out Gigi Arntzen to win a seat on the Largo City Commission on Tuesday.

With all 39 precincts reporting, Arntzen initially thought she had won. But then the absentee ballots were counted, giving Black a total of 1,277 votes, or 47.7 percent. Arntzen finished with 1,058 votes or 39.5 percent. Political newcomer Joshua A. Lindsey had 344 votes, or 12.8 percent, in the race to replace Commissioner Pat Burke, who did not seek re-election for Seat 1.

Andrew W. Guyette overwhelmingly defeated Rodney Woods in the race for Seat 2. Guyette garnered 1,658 votes, or 64 percent. Woods had 932 votes or nearly 36 percent.

Voters also narrowly rejected a referendum question that would give the City Commission the authority to appoint an internal auditor, but approved other changes to the City Charter that would, among other things, allow newly annexed residents to run for office.

"To God be the glory," said Black, 65, a former commissioner who campaigned as the "family values" candidate. She thanked the people who supported her, especially Bruce McManus, a Largo attorney who asked her to run.

"I feel like I let a lot of people down," said Arntzen, 55, who had earned endorsements from the local firefighter and police unions. "I was so ready for this. I wish Mary the best."

About 2,600 residents, or 6 percent of 44,517 registered voters, showed up at the polls. Assistant City Manager Henry Schubert, who visited all seven polling places, said the light turnout "is unfortunate because it's pretty typical for a Largo election."

The turnout in nonmayoral races has been especially low. In 2001, about 6 percent of Largo voters made it to the polls, compared with more than 19 percent in Clearwater that year.

"For all Largo residents, I'll definitely be there for them and I'll be their voice," said Guyette, a Honeywell technical director, who thanked everyone who supported him, especially his wife.

Woods,47, a political newcomer, said he was disappointed at voter turnout but pleased with the results.

"I hope the best for Mr. Guyette and look forward to working for him and the rest of the City Commission," he said.

Fifty-one percent of voters rejected the ballot question granting the City Commission the authority to appoint an internal auditor, while 73 percent approved charter changes that will:

Allow newly annexed residents to run for City Commission as long as residents have lived continuously in their homes for one year before filing for office.

Require commissioners, not just the mayor, to report any neglect of duty or malfeasance to the commission.

Call the book of city ordinances the Largo City Code and require that copies be kept at the library and City Hall for free public reference.

Allow applicants to appeal planning board decisions to the City Commission and employees to appeal any disciplinary decisions to the personnel advisory board.

Tuesday concludes one of the most unusual election seasons in Largo history.

First, candidates were told that another official instead of the city clerk would run the elections. City officials couldn't say why because of a state statute protecting alleged victims of employment discrimination.

Then the sole incumbent, Charlie Harper, abruptly withdrew from the race, saying he had been diagnosed with leukemia.

Next, two candidates had to refund campaign contributions from three commissioners who had apparently violated a city charter provision prohibiting such contributions. Lindsey filed a criminal complaint last week over the alleged violations.

Commissioners serve three-year terms and make $12,135.22 annually. The new commissioners will be sworn in at tonight's commission meeting.

Shannon Tan can be reached at shtan@sptimes.com or 445-4174.

[Last modified March 2, 2005, 00:47:18]