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Six try for three seats in Seminole

By ANNE LINDBERG
Published March 12, 2006

SEMINOLE - Voters have a wide-ranging choice among the six candidates running for three open seats on the City Council in Tuesday's election.

Two incumbents, John Counts and Bob Matthews, are among the throng as are three first-timers, Tom Barnhorn, Edwin Parker Jr. and Trina Watkins. The sixth candidate, Simon Montag, is making his second try for city office.

Barnhorn, 50, is a financial consultant who served on the Seminole Music in the Park Committee. Barnhorn wants to do "everything in my power" to accomplish the council's goals.

Among his initiatives are championing the cause of affordable housing, making sure taxes are working for the people, and completing the senior center. If elected, he pledged to research and be aware of issues, as well as to be open and available to residents.

Counts, 39, is also a financial consultant. Like Barnhorn, he works for A.G. Edwards but in a different branch. Counts says he wants to continue contributing to the success and good works on the council.

"I really want to do the job and see everyone (from young to old) is represented," Counts said.

Bob Matthews, 61, is a local business owner who, like the others, wants everyone to get out and vote.

"You can't complain about what we're doing if you don't go out and have a part," Matthews said. "That's the big deal."

Montag, 37, is a claims adjuster for Assurant Solutions and a loan officer for Global Mortgage.

"If any of the citizens of Seminole need or want my help, all they have to do is give me a call and ask," Montag said. "I want to be there for the citizens of Seminole."

Montag would like to create an energy-conscious city and pledges to do whatever is necessary to see that the peoples' goals are met.

He plans to run again if he loses. Montag, too, said he is available to residents. "I'm always just a phone call away."

Parker, 39, is an automobile technician at Crown Acura who says the campaign has provided a "great learning experience."

Parker says the city should do more for its youth, who are the future homeowners and business owners.

"I think Seminole is just a great city," Parker said. "It's a little city with a huge heart."

Watkins, 61, is a community relations director at Freedom Square and Lake Seminole Square retirement communities who regularly attends council meetings. Watkins said she will always offer friendly leadership with honesty and integrity.

"The voice of the citizens is what is most important to me," Watkins said.

Council members earn $5,562 a year. They used to serve two-year terms until the last election, when voters approved a change to three-year terms.

The terms will be staggered in, beginning with Tuesday's election, when two terms will be for three years, the other for two years.

The six candidates will run at-large with the top three vote-getters winning the three open seats. The two with the highest number of votes will win the three-year terms; the winner with the least votes gets the two-year term.

[Last modified March 12, 2006, 01:18:21]