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Change in leaders ushers in new ideas in Seminole

By ANNE LINDBERG
Published December 31, 2006

SEMINOLE - One of the biggest changes in the city during the past year was its leadership.

Mayor Dottie Reeder stepped down from the position she held for 11 years to run unsuccessfully against Democrat Janet Long for a seat in the state House. Council members chose Jimmy Johnson to finish Reeder's term, which ends in March.

Johnson lost no time in making changes. He announced that he wanted to get more people involved in city government and reach out more to residents. One way he's going to do that is to hold informal public meetings around the city to give folks a chance to ask questions, air grievances and make suggestions.

Johnson also flipped the order of council meetings. In the past, members of the public were slated to speak at the end of the meeting. Now they talk first, before the council conducts its business.

"Change is good," Johnson said. "Change is something we have to do. It's totally necessary in the process of life."

But Johnson may not be the new face of Seminole for long. Trina Watkins resigned from the council to run for mayor. Also in the race is local business owner Arden Ford, who is making his first run for public office.

Watkins and Tom Barnhorn are still relatively new themselves, having been elected last March.

There's also the possibility that another newcomer will be added next month when the council appoints someone to Watkins' term.

Then this March, in addition to the three-way mayor's race, three incumbents and one newcomer are vying for three open seats. The incumbents are Patricia Hartstein, Dan Hester and Bob Matthews; the newcomer is Patricia Plantamura.

Johnson said he's happy to see the interest.

"I think the new people coming on will have different visions," he said. "That's good."

Johnson also predicted that the changes will provoke some strife. "There will be some debates. There will be some disagreements. There will be some controversy," he said. "When all is said and done, Seminole will soar."

Whoever they are, the council members and mayor will face several issues in the upcoming months, especially regarding development. At least five major projects are in the works, including condominiums at Seminole Isles.

Two other large properties also could be redeveloped in the near future, which would change Seminole's appearance: Seminole Mall and the former Bay Pines Mobile Home Park. The smaller Bay View Mobile Home Park was bought at the same time as Bay Pines and would likely be part of any development there.

[Last modified December 30, 2006, 21:55:33]