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Campaigning gets a bit testy near end

Six candidates for three seats make a last-minute push in Safety Harbor.

By EILEEN SCHULTE
Published March 12, 2006

SAFETY HARBOR - With days to go until Tuesday's city election, some of the campaigning has gotten pointed.

At 6:40 a.m. Friday, City Commission candidate James McCormick Jr. was already standing at Bayshore Boulevard and Main Street.

He had the sidewalk to himself and enthusiastically waved to rush-hour drivers cutting through town to get to jobs in Pinellas County's Carillon or perhaps Tampa's Sabal Park business complex.

In his hand he held a sign for the motorists stuck in gridlock. It said "My opponent voted for this building because she wanted more traffic."

His opponent is incumbent Commissioner Nadine Nickeson and the building was Harbour Pointe, a three-story multiuse building some critics call the "monstrosity."

To Nickeson, who is running against McCormick for re-election to Seat 3, the sign was ridiculous and unfair.

What she meant during a city meeting was that she wanted more foot traffic and supported a plan to draw more people to the shops of Main Street.

McCormick declined to comment on news reports that relatives are questioning the will of an elderly neighbor who changed her estate plan to leave Nickeson and her husband 40 percent of her estate after she died last year. Nickeson said she had received many calls of support since the reports about the will, and she seemed to be taking McCormick's criticism of her support of Harbour Pointe in stride.

"That's politics," she said. "Given the tenor of the commission over the last six months, I was prepared" for a tough campaign. "But I will continue to conduct myself in a respectful, ethical manner and do what's best for Safety Harbor."

Harry Russell, who is up against Kathleen Earle for Seat 2, said he had a wonderful time campaigning.

"I found it very positive," he said, while on his way to the VFW to talk to supporters. "I can't lose. Even if I lose, I've met such nice people. Relationships with friends have strengthened and I've made new friends."

He figures he has knocked on about 1,500 doors, given out 2,000 red door hangers and planted 250 red signs. Almost always, he wears a red shirt.

"Red is my favorite color," Russell said. "People say, "Oh, you're the guy with the red signs.' "

Earle, who also is a proponent of low-density zoning in the downtown area, has said the city can enjoy progress while maintaining its unique character.

During her campaign, Earle has called for a thriving, financially sound, walkable and livable downtown residential and business community. While most of the property downtown is privately owned, she describes downtown as a public area that is the heart of the city.

She supports notifying all Safety Harbor residents of proposed changes in density and land use, not only property owners within 300 feet of a proposed change or those within the Community Redevelopment Area.

Ted Asyn, who is running against incumbent City Commissioner Andy Steingold for Seat 1, wasn't as upbeat as Russell.

When asked if it hurt his campaign that he missed the last forum, Asyn responded, "I really don't care what (people) think about my not going to the second campaign (forum). I have a son and a family to maintain. That shows responsibility."

He said his opponent, Steingold, is a flip-flopper on development issues, a charge Steingold said is absurd. Asyn said Steingold called City Hall on Jan. 21, 2003, and left a message saying he was "in support" of Harbour Pointe.

He then faxed what appeared to be a copy of a 2003 phone log to the Times.

It said Steingold called at 10:40 a.m. to say he was in support of "Harborside Project" (the original name of the development).

"All of a sudden he's not in support of growth?" Asyn said, referring to a City Commission vote to change the zoning in an area fronted by Bayshore Boulevard from commercial/retail/office/service to residential. The move reduced the allowed density, which previously had been unlimited, to four units per acre.

Steingold said he made no such call and was stunned by the accusation.

"I am not going to validate baseless attacks from an opponent who has little knowledge of the issues and no vision for Safety Harbor," he said.

He said he is running on his own record, and is proud of it, saying he has made promises to the residents of Safety Harbor and has kept them.

"I have maintained low density zoning and height restrictions," Steingold said. "At the March 6 City Commission meeting, I voted to approve the CRA plan to preclude further sprawl of condominiums on Bayshore Boulevard."

Safety Harbor had 12,092 registered voters as of Feb. 13.

The Supervisor of Elections Office has received 250 absentee ballots for Tuesday's election.

26 Safety Harbor residents participated in early voting, which ended Saturday.

Typical voter turnout for a city election: 15 to 20 percent.

SEAT 1

Ted Asyn: raised $3,175; spent $2,535.

Andy Steingold: raised $5,400; spent $3,654.

SEAT 2

Kathleen Earle: raised $7,640; spent $7,219.

Harry Russell: raised $4,290; spent $3,269.

SEAT 3

James McCormick Jr.: raised $5,270; spent $4,837.

Nadine Nickeson: raised $4,820; spent $4,685.

[Last modified March 12, 2006, 01:17:10]