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By SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADAThe commissioner's departure could mean a complete political change in next year's city election on March 14.
REDINGTON SHORES - Marshall Reynolds resigned from the Town Commission this week, increasing the possibility of a complete political change in next year's municipal election.
Four of the commission's five posts will be filled by voters.
Reynolds' resignation follows the recent announcement that Mayor J.J. Beyrouti will not run again for re-election in March.
"Due to several business relationships that require significant amounts of time in other parts of the state, I will not be able to provide the proper service to the great town of Redington Shores," Reynolds said in his resignation letter.
Reynolds' legal residency in town was recently questioned by resident Mary Purvell-Evans, who said he had sold his home and rented a room at a neighbor's home.
Reynolds could not be reached for comment, but town officials confirmed Friday that he has sold his home.
In his resignation letter, Reynolds said he is "truly saddened" by the decision to resign. "My district and the town deserve more time than I am able to provide now and in the immediate future," he wrote.
Reynolds, who was first elected to the Board of Commissioners in 2003, still had a year to serve on his current term.
Under the town's charter, Reynolds' commission seat may be filled by appointment only until the next election, which will be held March 14, 2006.
This means that voters here will be asked to fill four seats on the commission: the mayor's post, Reynolds' District 2 seat, and District 1 and 3 seats, now held by Vice Mayor Launa Lishamer and Jody Armstrong, respectively. Neither has announced whether she will run for re-election.
Candidate qualification filing begins at 9 a.m. Dec. 3 and ends at noon on Dec. 17.