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Kenneth City election

By ANNE LINDBERG
Published March 8, 2006

THE JOB

Kenneth City has a council-as-manager form of government. Council members are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the town, with each member overseeing a department. The mayor oversees all the town's operations. The council meets at least twice a month, once in a voting meeting and once in a workshop. Members earn $3,600 annually and serve two-year terms. The two top vote-getters will win the open seats. Kenneth City has about 4,500 residents.

THE CANDIDATES

Albert Leonce Carrier, 70, was born in Mexico, Maine, and moved to Kenneth City in 1995. He attended electronic schools with the U.S. Air Force, Northwest University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is retired. He is a former member of the Kenneth City Town Council and serves on the Board of Adjustment. He is a member of the Elks and the Knights of Columbus. He is vice president of the Kenneth City Homeowners Association. He is a widower and has one son and three grandchildren.

SOURCES OF INCOME: Social Security, savings account.

DEBTS: None.

Wanda L. Dudley, 48, was born in Montrose, Penn., and moved to Kenneth City in June 1983. She is a graduate of Eckerd College and teaches first grade at Westgate Elementary School in St. Petersburg. She is a clinical educator. She has been president and secretary of Northwest Youth Baseball. She is married and has four children.

SOURCE OF INCOME: Salary.

DEBTS: Mortgage, car, credit cards, store credit account.

Russ Dumont, 70, was born in Brockton, Mass., and moved to Kenneth City in 1964. He graduated from Admiral Farragut Academy and RETS electronic school in Miami, and attended various schools at Honeywell. He is retired. He is a former member of the Kenneth City Town Council. He is a member of the Kenneth City Homeowners Association and chairman of the Kenneth City Board of Adjustment. He is a member of Minnregs. He was captain of the Fort Lauderdale Auxiliary Police and a member of the Elks. He is married and has four children and two grandchildren.

SOURCES OF INCOME: Pension, Social Security, dividends, interest on CD.

Why are you running for office?

Carrier: I believe this town needs dedicated and serious people to serve on council. People must have time and be willing to do the job. As a retired individual, I am that person.

Dudley: To listen to town residents and help improve the channel of communication between citizens and city officials. To offer my strengths for the betterment of Kenneth City.

Dumont: Because of my experience on City Council (and) Board of Adjustment, my time at Honeywell as a production supervisor and other assignments at Honeywell. I also think that I can bring my experience on various work assignments to bear at City Hall.

Why should Kenneth City residents vote for you rather than your opponents?

Carrier: I have the experience, knowledge and concept on how the town operates, the needs and how to improve and correct the problems. I am confident that I can do the job, having acquired the experience (and) know-how while serving four years on council. I also have the time to be available.

Dudley: An opportunity for the citizens of Kenneth City to explore fresh ideas.

Dumont: See answer to the previous question.

List the three most important character qualities of a leader and give an example of how you demonstrate those qualities.

Carrier: Vision (to) know where our town is and to move forward to where it should be. Dedication to the job and to the people of the town. Be available for them. Communications with the people, meet with them. My vote should be your vote.

Dudley: Organization. (I) manage a classroom effectively. Communication. (I) utilize surveys for feedback. Diplomacy. (I) handle grievances by listening, facilitating and resolving conflicts to a peaceful solution.

Dumont: (The) ability to solve problems, and (I) have demonstrated this in my years at Honeywell. (The) ability to work with people as a production supervisor. (I) had usually 45-50 people working for me. A leader has to be objective and can not play favorites, and that is one reason why I don't take any campaign contributions as I will not even have any semblance of favoritism.

What do you think are the three most important issues facing Kenneth City in the next four years and what would you do about them?

Carrier: Complete the storm drains. Update ordinances and codes. Get the playground for Unit 12. Get the park next to the Town Hall landscaped. Keep a realistic budget and taxes down.

Dudley: Financial restraints (and the need to) take advantage of state/local funding. Hurricane preparedness plan. (We need to) review county/local government plans. Technology. (We should) investigate a management information system that will provide a citizen complaint tracking system.

Dumont: Drainage, the playground at Unit 12 and possibly the accreditation of the Police Department.

(Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

Clearview Oaks - Martha Ward Pavilion, 5700 40th Ave. N

Kenneth City Community Hall, 4600 58th St. N

[Last modified March 8, 2006, 01:42:19]