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Pinellas Park's elections draw near

On Tuesday, residents can vote for mayor and a City Council member.

By Times Staff Writer
Published March 5, 2006

PINELLAS PARK - The men running for mayor and City Council disagree about many issues, but they all agree that they want to see residents get out and vote this Tuesday.

And voters have a clear choice in both races.

If Pinellas Park residents like the status quo, they should vote to retain Mayor Bill Mischler and council member Ed Taylor.

If they want a change, mayoral candidate Randy Heine and council candidate Marshall Cook are the ones to support.

"If they like the way things have gone, go for the status quo. If they want serious change, vote for (me)," Cook said Friday. "Regardless, get out and vote. Teach me a lesson or make me a council person."

Cook, 59, is a widely known city activist. He's frequently seen around the city in his wheelchair and has attended council meetings regularly for years. This is his first run for public office.

He's challenging Taylor, who has served on the council since 1998. Taylor, 57, campaigned on his record of the past eight years.

He pointed out the growth in the city with more businesses, more residential developments and better services, such as a new recreation center at Broderick Park, a senior Little League baseball field and an equestrian area at Helen Howarth Park. He also noted that a greater emphasis has been placed on public safety during the past eight years as more police officers and firefighters were hired.

"The city is being very well managed," Taylor said. "It has been a team effort. We have had eight years of spectacular growth. I look forward to being a component of that team."

But more important, Taylor said, is for people to get out and vote. Pinellas Park, he said, has about 29,000 registered voters, but usually fewer than 3,500 vote in the city's election.

"I'd like to see more than that," Taylor said.

Mischler, who as mayor leads the team Taylor touts, also wants to see people vote.

"I just want the people to go out and vote and just don't take things for granted," Mischler said. "Some people become too complacent sometimes. Their vote does count. It's important that people exercise one of the last freedoms we have in this country."

Mischler, 64, who has been in public office for 26 years, is also running on his record and the current condition of Pinellas Park.

"The people have entrusted me to represent them in the past and I plan to continue to do that into the future," Mischler said.

Heine is a longtime political rival of Mischler's. He has appeared frequently at council meetings over the past 21/2 years, using his time during the public participation portion of meetings to get his message across to the television audience.

Heine, 54, promises to bring a change to Pinellas Park if elected.

"If they want a more efficient and honest government, I hope they consider voting for Randy Heine," he said. "I also kept my word, I didn't mess up their city with campaign signs. I also financed the entire campaign with my own funds."

Like the other candidates, Heine wants people to vote.

"Of course, we're encouraging them to vote," he said. "I hope that I'm not the loser."

The polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

PINELLAS PARK WESLEYAN CHURCH

4400 70th Ave. N

Precincts 174, 271

SUNSET PALMS MOBILE HOME PARK

3401 Gandy Blvd.

Precinct 191

MAINLANDS OF TAMARAC BY THE GULF - UNIT 4

9950 Mainlands Blvd. E

Precinct 192

THE LAKES HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION

4591 Lake Blvd., Clearwater

Precincts 193, 656

MAINLANDS OF TAMARAC BY THE GULF - UNIT 2

4320 Mainlands Blvd.

Precinct 194

GERMAN AMERICAN CLUB

8098 66th St. N

Precincts 259, 265, 268, 273, 276

OUR LADY OF GOOD HOPE OLD ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

5501 62nd Ave. N

Precincts 269, 272, 288

PINELLAS PARK CITY AUDITORIUM

7690 59th St. N

Precincts 277, 278

SKYVIEW RECREATION CENTER

9010 54th Way N

Precinct 279

PINE GROVE COMMUNITY CHURCH

9200 49th St. N

Precinct 280

PLANTATION GARDENS APARTMENTS

5501 110th Ave. N

Precinct 281

MINNREG BUILDING

6340 126th Ave. N

Precinct 282

PUBLIC WORKS/TECHNICAL SERVICES BUILDING

6051 78th Ave. N

Precinct 285

FORBES RECREATION CENTER

6401 94th Ave. N

Precincts 286, 290

LIGHTHOUSE OF PINELLAS INC. (formerly Watson Center Inc.)

6925 112th Circle, Suite 113, Largo

Precinct 292

[Last modified March 5, 2006, 00:53:19]