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District 6 contest is intense, diverse
As ideas - and accusations - fly, the future of an area that includes Midtown is at stake.
By CARRIE JOHNSON
Published September 25, 2005
ST. PETERSBURG - Competitive and occasionally vicious, the race for the District 6 City Council seat offers a diverse slate of candidates.
There's a sitting council member who owns an insurance company. The chairwoman of the county's black Republican club. The president of a militant black organization. A local activist making her third attempt at public office. And a young white woman running in a predominantly black district.
On Tuesday, the people of District 6 will select two candidates to go on to the citywide race Nov. 8. The winner will serve a four-year term and earn a salary of $26,520.
At stake is the future of Midtown, the most economically challenged area of the city. District 6 also includes part of downtown, Uptown and Coquina Key.
Here are the choices:
- Earnest Williams, 58, who has held the District 6 seat since 2000.
- Cassandra Wooten-Jackson, 46, the chairwoman of the Pinellas County Black Republicans.
- Dwight "Chimurenga" Waller, 54, president of the International People's Democratic Uhuru Movement.
- Maria Scruggs-Weston, 47, former community partnership coordinator with St. Anthony's Healthcare.
- Darden Rice, 35, an organizer with the Sierra Club.
Race has been a dominant theme during the campaign, with two candidates questioning whether Rice is fit to represent the district because she is not black. Some members of the Uhurus have been outspoken in their criticism of Rice, shouting at her during a town hall meeting.
Rice called the argument unfair and noted the district is one of the most racially, economically and professionally diverse in the city.
A new grocery store and bank planned for central Midtown has also been one of the more divisive issues. Waller and Scruggs-Weston have been critical of the development, saying it will hasten gentrification of the area.
The other candidates disagree, saying the project will bring much-needed economic development to the area.
"I don't understand the objections, personally," Williams said. "When you can walk down the street and get groceries instead of paying for the bus or a cab, I think that's a good thing."
Carrie Johnson can be reached at 727 892-2273 or cjohnson@sptimes.com
[Last modified September 25, 2005, 02:15:40]
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