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Dunedin mayor won't seek re-election

John A. Doglione read with pride some of the accomplishments the city has made during his

By TERRI BRYCE REEVES
Published November 12, 2005

15 years of service.

DUNEDIN - After three years as mayor and 12 before that as a city commissioner, John A. Doglione announced at a City Commission meeting Thursday that he will not seek re-election in March.

"This has been an extremely difficult decision to make, but we (Doglione and his wife) feel that the city has established greatness through good government and we are privileged to have been a part of it," he read from a two-page prepared statement, choking up as he read.

"I have the utmost confidence that our city will continue to progress and remain yours and our hometown."

In the statement, the mayor recounted the highlights of his 15 years in public office, including the creation of the wastewater plant, the renovation of the library, Knology Park, the Hale Senior Center and the revitalization of downtown, among other things.

"We have witnessed this progress from a city with a somewhat weak fiscal policy to one with great strength as reflected in our current fiscal position with strong reserves for all contingencies (for) our city's future," Doglione said.

He mentioned the purchase of the 1.9-acre First Baptist Church property, which was approved at Thursday's meeting, as proof of the city's progress, and attributed many of the city's accomplishments to good teamwork between the commission and the city staff.

At the end of his speech, the audience and commissioners gave him a standing ovation.

City Manager John Lawrence credited the mayor with keeping meetings focused and with nurturing relationships on the local, state and federal levels that have benefited the city.

"He secured a $1.4-million grant for the Martin Luther King Center and $575,000 from the county for the St. Andrews Links golf course," Lawrence said.

He characterized Doglione as "very energetic" and someone who always did his homework.

Doglione, 72, served as a city commissioner for 12 years after retiring as a colonel in the Air Force. In 2003, he ran unopposed for mayor. Commissioner Bob Hackworth, who earlier this year announced his intention to run against Doglione in the March election, said he was surprised at the news that he had lost a potential opponent.

"I've heard persistent rumors for some time, but I fully intended to run against him," he said.

Hackworth, 50, said he has already raised almost $30,000 for his campaign. But qualifying for the election runs from Dec. 19 to Jan. 13, meaning that other potential candidates have time to get in the race.

"Someone else may still step forward," he said.

Hackworth and Doglione have had both personality and policy clashes over the years.

Differences aside, Hackworth, a partner in the family's firm, H&H Publishing Co., said he has a "great deal of respect for the mayor."

"He is very dedicated," he said.

Ron Barnette, a retired philosophy professor, has announced he will run for Hackworth's vacant seat. That contest will likely be held as a special election.

Commission seats held by Vice Mayor Julie Scales and Commissioner Dave Eggers will also be open. Both Scales and Eggers have said they will run again.

At the Nov. 3 City Commission meeting, commissioners discussed changing the method of electing commissioners. Currently, candidates run for open seats, and the top vote getters are elected. Commissioner Dave Eggers proposed a charter amendment asking voters whether future candidates should run for specific numbered seats. In response, Commissioner Deborah Kynes proposed sending the proposal to a charter review committee to be established in 2006. Commissioners voted 3-2 to send the proposal to a charter review committee. Hackworth and Eggers voted against sending it. The March 14 election would not be affected.

BORN: March, 8 1933, in New Castle, Delaware

RESIDENCY: Lived in Dunedin since 1985

CITY SERVICE: Twelve years as a Dunedin city commissioner and nearly three more as mayor

PREVIOUS CAREER: 32 years in the U.S. Air Force, retired as a colonel

FAMILY: Married since 1954 to Lianne Doglione. Two adult children, John D. Doglione, 49, and Dea Pepper, 47. One granddaughter, Kayla, 18

[Last modified November 12, 2005, 00:54:17]