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Chamber role spices uprhetoric in mayoral race

Trina Watkins says Jimmy Johnson has a conflict of interest. Meanwhile, four people seek three seats in the City Council race.

By ANNE LINDBERG
Published March 11, 2007

Voters in this city will have more to worry about on Tuesday than whether to support an extension of the Penny for Pinellas sales tax. They'll also be selecting a mayor and three council members.

The mayoral race between Jimmy Johnson and Trina Watkins began peacefully, but developed spice toward the end when Watkins accused Johnson of having a conflict of interest because of his role with the Seminole Chamber of Commerce.

At a recent candidates forum, Watkins reminded voters that Johnson, who is the chamber's executive director, promised never to vote on issues that concerned the chamber when he first ran in 2003. Yet last year, she said, Johnson voted in favor of a chamber fundraiser.

Watkins also dinged Johnson for abstaining on a chamber-related vote on whether to continue the Business Assistance Program, a program funded by the city, county and the chamber. The program is paid for by the city, county and chamber.

Watkins told voters that she, unlike Johnson, would be able to vote on all issues.

Johnson did not respond to Watkins' comments during the forum. He later said he was sorry to see she had stooped to personal attacks.

"It was my ambition for everyone to run a good, clean campaign, (to) keep the negativism out of it," he said.

The state ethics commission ruled in 2004 that his chamber position did not conflict with his council post. The commission did, however, caution him against voting on any chamber program that receives city funds.

Johnson said he has never voted or abstained on an issue without first consulting the city attorney.

He also argued that Watkins can't make the claim that she can vote on all issues. Her husband is the current chamber president and Watkins, as a council member, abstained on at least one vote because of that, he said. "She didn't bring that up, though," he said.

Johnson has been mayor since November when the council appointed him to fill the remainder of Dottie Reeder's term. Reeder stepped down for an unsuccessful run for the state House of Representatives.

Johnson did not have the full support of the council, however. Watkins nominated vice mayor Dan Hester to fill Reeder's term.

About a month later, Watkins stepped down from her position on the council to run against him.

Council races

A newcomer and three incumbents are running for the three vacant council seats.

Newcomer Patricia Plantamura said courses she has taken in political science and environmental issues as well as her former job as a police officer make her a prime candidate for the council.

Plantamura said she is concerned about children's issues, taxes and development. Council members, she said, need to be "approachable and to approach people."

Bob Matthews is running for re-election because "service is something I enjoy doing with my community." Matthews said his previous experience on the council and as a business owner come in handy. He supports establishing a senior center and a new public works building. He said he believes in doing the best the city can for the least expenditure.

Dan Hester is running for his second term on the council. He touts his willingness to do his homework on issues and his habit of knocking on doors to consult residents about issues facing the council. Hester said he is well known for not always going with the flow. He supports a rollback in Seminole's tax rate for the 2007-08 budget year.

Patricia Hartstein is running on her experience, education and commitment to the City Council. She wants to work on better "cooperation" with Seminole residents, the senior center and a strong, conservative budget. She also favors doing more for the city's youth. That might entail an after-school program, she said.

Seminole voters

to fill 4 key spots

Come Tuesday, there will be more at stake in Seminole than the fate of the Penny for Pinellas sales tax. Voters will pick a mayor and three council members. In the mayor's race, Seminole Chamber of Commerce executive director Jimmy Johnson is squaring off against Trina Watkins, who resigned her council seat to make the bid. In the council race, incumbents Patricia Hartstein, Dan Hester and Bob Matthews are facing challenger Patricia Plantamura. Three seats are up for grabs. The top three vote-getters win. Story, Page 8

Fast Facts:

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Polling places

Precinct 254 Palm Gardens of Largo, 10500 Starkey Road

Precinct 256 Portuguese American Suncoast Association, 7808 46th Ave. N

Precinct 266 The Links - Clubhouse, 8990 Park Blvd.

Precinct 275 Starkey Road Baptist Church, 8800 Starkey Road

Precinct 301 Faith Presbyterian Church, 11501 Walker Ave.

Precinct 303 Bay Pines Condo Recreation Center, 9801 Bay Pines Blvd.

Precinct 305 Seminole United Methodist Church, 5400 Seminole Blvd.

Precinct 307 Bay Ridge Baptist Church, 6155 113th St.

Precinct 310 Lake Seminole Presbyterian Church, 8505 113th St.

Precinct 316 Seminole Community Library at St. Petersburg College, 9200 113th St. N

Precinct 317 Seminole Recreation Center, 9100 113th St. N

Precincts 318/325 Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 10891 102nd Ave. N

Precinct 324 Suncoast Community Church, 12855 110th Ave. N

Precinct 326 131st Street Church of Christ, 11025 131st St.

[Last modified March 10, 2007, 21:06:47]