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Election results

Madeira Beach

By JADE JACKSON LLOYD
Published March 9, 2005

Residents here voted to keep Charles Parker as mayor, while adding a new face to the commission in the form of Art Thomas.

Parker, 82, beat challenger and former City Commissioner Doreen Moore to reclaim the post he was appointed to in August. He earned 593 votes to her 405, according to the county's election Web site Tuesday night.

Thomas, 67 and a Planning Commission member, beat former City Manager Jim Madden, 676 to 313.

Parker said Tuesday's results show voters like the job he has done since being appointed mayor in August.

"I'm very pleased the citizens have confidence in me," he said from VFW Post 4256, where he and Thomas were stationed while results came in Tuesday night.

Thomas, a first-time commissioner, said he's enthused by the trust voters placed in him and plans to "be an advocate of the citizens and not any special interest groups," during his two-year term.

Residents also voted to approve seven charter amendments. In most cases, the changes clarify items in the current charter.

Now, the city has all "governmental, corporate, and proprietary powers to enable it to conduct municipal government," the Intracoastal Waterway will be correctly referred to throughout the document and all commission meetings are open to the public.

Commissioners will be elected at large, on a nonpartisan basis and must be electors and residents of the city two years before qualifying for election. Their terms, and that of the mayor, will start at the first meeting following their election.

The mayor will be recognized as the official head of the city for all ceremonial purposes and will represent the city in all agreements. Also, the mayor will have no administrative duties except as required to carry out his responsibilities.

The vice-mayor will hold the office for one year, replace the mayor in his or her absence and be compensated with the mayor's salary if he or she carries on the duties for more than 30 consecutive days.

Finally, commissioners will be reimbursed for their ordinary city-related travel and expenses.

[Last modified March 9, 2005, 00:55:19]