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Election results

South Pasadena

By KATHY SAUNDERS
Published March 9, 2005

Voters returned commissioners Chris Burgess and Diane Sheldon to office for another two years. The incumbents in the at-large election defeated Alex Haak in his second bid for the commission.

Burgess, 78, campaigned on her record as a commissioner since 1999. Because of term limits, this will be her last term. Burgess said she will work to keep the city's property tax rate one of the lowest in Pinellas County and continue to promote the city's beautification efforts.

Sheldon, 63, won her second term by pledging to help the city become debt free and to try to get a franchise post office established in a local business.

Both commissioners said they want to continue working to promote healthy growth and redevelopment through the city's community improvement department.

Each of the four commissioners oversees a department in the city. Those assignments generally change after each election.

Burgess is a retired government employee who has lived in South Pasadena for 25 years. In her six years on the commission, she worked in the finance, public works and community improvement departments. In her last term, she also wants to look into city-sponsored transportation for the elderly and disadvantaged.

Sheldon grew up in New Jersey and has lived in South Pasadena for the past 15 years. She works for Brookwood Florida Central, a home for teenage girls. As a commissioner the past two years, she has been in charge of the public works department.

Commissioners serve two-year terms and earn $475 a month.

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