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Pair seek Indian Rocks Beach seat

Jose Coppen and Victor Wood want to step in when Bill Ockunzzi becomes mayor this month.

By SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA
Published April 3, 2005

INDIAN ROCKS BEACH - Two leading citizen volunteers are seeking appointment to the City Commission.

Jose Coppen, chairman of the Planning and Zoning Board, and Victor Wood, president of Indian Rocks Beach Action 2000, applied this week for the commission seat now held by Vice Mayor Bill Ockunzzi.

Ockunzzi, who was just re-elected to his post, will officially become mayor April 20 when he is sworn in to succeed Bob DiNicola, who was forced to resign because of his move Thursday to Ocala.

Under charter rules, what happens next gets a bit complicated.

As vice mayor, Ockunzzi will serve out the one-year balance of DiNicola's term.

In March 2006, voters will be asked to elect a new mayor, and may be asked to pick a new commissioner for Ockunzzi's seat as well if Ockunzzi opts to run for an elected term as mayor.

But under the charter, Ockunzzi would have to formally resign from his commission seat to run for mayor.

If he does not, he would automatically resume the remaining year of his two-year elected term as a commissioner.

In either case, whoever is selected at the April 26 commission meeting to sit in Ockunzzi's seat will serve only one year, or until the next regularly scheduled election in March 2006.

The commission seats now filled by R.B. Johnson and Jeremiah Carmody will also appear on the 2006 ballot.

The commission has asked residents interested in serving on the commission to submit applications by April 18. So far, Coppen and Wood are the only residents with applications on file in the city clerk's office.

Since Coppen moved to Indian Rocks Beach in 1995, he has served on the city's board of adjustments and appeals, the Beach Management Plan ad hoc committee, and the planning and zoning board twice. He is an engineer and certified financial planner and worked for more than 30 years in the planning, construction and startup of multimillion-dollar projects in the environmental, pharmaceutical and petrochemical industries.

"This vacancy comes at a time when the commission is facing critical issues such as insuring a measured redevelopment according to our own small-town character, comprehensive plan and code changes, strategic planning, budget and environmental issues," he said in a letter to the commission.

Friction between the planning and zoning board and the commission led to a joint meeting in March in which Coppen and other board members urged the city to speed up its review of proposed ordinances that affect planning and growth.

"We have challenges ahead of us because of the pressures of new development," says Coppen, who also was involved in the drafting of the controversial dune management plan. "We have a great city, but the commission has to be sensitive to the wishes of the majority and rely more on the recommendations of its advisory boards."

Wood first purchased property in Indian Rocks Beach in 1985 and moved here in 1994. He operates a commercial real estate business. Previously, he served as director of development for Payless Shoes, president of development of Divirsefoods, president of Burger King Canada, and director of international real estate for McDonald's Corp.

He served on the city's budget review and control committee from 1999 to 2002, and he became president of Action 2000, a nonprofit citizens group that recommends solutions to future city development issues and funds public beautification projects.

"I hope to be a voice of reason and business experience on the commission," said Wood, who gave his top priorities as improving the morale of city employees, planning Gulf Boulevard redevelopment long range, and burying utilities throughout the city.

Wood said the commission should move quickly to replace its community development director.

"I hope to be a catalyst for action," Wood said. "The commission talks and talks some more about projects but never seems to get to a conclusion."

Formal application forms for the commission position are available at City Hall, 1507 Palm Blvd.

[Last modified April 3, 2005, 00:09:18]