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Election results

Treasure Island incumbents win

By KATHY SAUNDERS
Published March 9, 2005

TREASURE ISLAND - Residents opposed to tall buildings were victorious Tuesday in retaining two allies on the City Commission.

And they successfully campaigned for eight amendments to the city charter that give voters - rather than commissioners - the power to make major city decisions such as abolishing the police and fire departments or leasing public waterfront lands.

Residents on the Isle of Capri voted to keep incumbent Phil Collins, 56, as their commissioner for a second, two-year term. He beat a first-time candidate, bar owner Rick Taylor, for the District 1 seat. Collins received 67 percent of the 633 votes cast.

On Paradise Island, residents supported Commissioner Richard Kraus, 59, for a second term in District 3 over newcomer Carol Coward, the wife of the former city manager. Kraus garnered 60 percent of the 670 votes cast.

"The mandate still remains the same," Kraus said. "The people don't want tall buildings, and they don't want big business dictating policy in the city."

Collins, celebrating at Sloppy Joe's restaurant, said the vote is a reflection of the residents' desire to play an active role in local government.

"They want someone in office who is solely interested in perpetuating what the voters want to see done and not what the commission wants to see done," Collins said.

"It means the commission is not interested in any special agendas but in making sure the people of Treasure Island get things done the way they want."

Collins and Kraus supported the very vocal citizens' coalition against high-rise hotels on the beach and campaigned against what they considered special interest commission candidates who favor taller and denser development.

In total, voters approved eight charter amendments, the most significant of which was the amendment to change the wording of a previous ordinance and fix the super majority issue that caused much of the recent controversy over development.

A majority vote of the electorate now means a simple majority of the voters who show up at the polls, rather than a majority of those registered to vote. Other amendments make it easier for citizens to get referendums on the ballot and increase the allowable height of residential and commercial buildings by five feet.

Collins is a semiretired car dealer whose platform included the anti-tall building campaign and six-year term limits for the city's elected and appointed boards and committees. Collins served four years on the city's planning and zoning board before being elected to the commission in 2003.

Kraus is the retired owner of an automotive rebuilding business and warehouse. He campaigned on his record of helping the city keep a low property tax rate and secure federal grant money for the new $65-million bridge.

Commissioners are elected by the voters in their districts. They earn $5,400 annually.

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