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Recall election gives two alternatives

One candidate is for and the other against removing a Redington Beach leader.

By SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA
Published August 6, 2006

REDINGTON BEACH - If voters decide to kick Commissioner Sam Maniotes out of office next month, one of two candidates will take his place: James Hoffman or Nick Simons.

The two town residents filed to run for the possibly vacant office as part of a special recall election triggered last month when more than 15 percent of the town's voters signed a petition calling for Maniotes to be removed from office.

One of the candidates, Simons, was involved in organizing the recall process. The other candidate, Hoffman, said he is opposed to the recall but thinks voters should have a choice.

A somewhat confusing set of instructions will face voters when they enter the polling booth for the Sept. 19 recall election.

Because no one will know at the time of the election whether a majority voted to keep or reject Maniotes, all voters will be asked to pick either Hoffman or Simons as a replacement - just in case Maniotes is recalled from office.

And whoever wins will serve only until March 2007, when the term for the seat expires. Voters then will be asked, again, who should represent them.

The recall effort began when Maniotes angered some residents after he called for the firing of Town Clerk Beverly Brown. She later resigned when she came under continued criticism.

The recall petition formally cites Maniotes for malfeasance, neglect of duty, creating a hostile work environment for town employees, and other charges.

In his official defense against the charges, Maniotes said he did nothing wrong and is merely doing his duty as a commissioner.

Hoffman, 54, said he doesn't think Maniotes has done anything wrong either, but wants the town to have a choice if voters opt to recall the commissioner.

"Recall is a drastic step, and I am disappointed the town is doing this," Hoffman said. "I don't believe there are any commissioners, past or present, who deserve recall."

Hoffman, who moved to the town from San Diego three years ago, said standing for election is part of the democratic process. He serves on the town's board of adjustment and works as a real estate broker with Charles Rutenberg Realty of Clearwater.

In sharp contrast, Simons, 58, supports recalling Maniotes and said he is "not happy with how things are going in town."

He said he hopes his long experience as a resident, business owner and a former commissioner will help stabilize town politics.

Simons last served on the commission in 1997 when he was appointed by then-Gov. Lawton Chiles to reconstitute a town government paralyzed by a series of resignations. He previously served on the commission from 1990 through 1996.

Simons is a native of Redington Beach and most recently has lived here for more than 20 years. He is co-owner of Beach Service West, which operates beach chair and umbrella concessions in Madeira Beach, North Redington Beach and Indian Shores.

"I hope I can bring a new tone to the commission. My goal is to see town move on," Simons said.

Maniotes has yet to legally challenge the recall election. Previously, he said he would fight the election from going forward on the basis that the charges against him listed on the recall petitions do not meet requirements set by state law.

[Last modified August 5, 2006, 19:29:34]