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Politics

Clearwater voters say yes to boat slip project

Elsewhere, low turnout brings little change.

By MIKE DONILA
Published March 14, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Times photo: Dirk Shadd] Volunteers hold up campaign signs Tuesday standing outside the Gulfport Recreation Center. Pinellas election news Penny for Pinellas extended to 2020 Clearwater voters say yes to boat slip project Activists capture two seats in St. Pete Beach Voters okay upgrade for Vinoy Check results The Buzz: The latest political news

In a touch of irony Tuesday night, unofficial election results showed Clearwater voters embraced a big-ticket waterfront revitalization plan, but also chose a political newcomer who had campaigned against the plan.

Throughout the rest of North Pinellas, though, voters were more accepting of the status quo in a low-turnout election that brought less than 16 percent of Pinellas voters to the polls.

Several incumbents - including mayors in Tarpon Springs and Safety Harbor - were re-elected, despite recent voter outrage against local governments for what they've said is frivolous spending.

Back in Clearwater, voters narrowly signed off on the city's plans to spend almost $11-million to build 129 boat slips, a promenade, a boardwalk and a fishing pier near downtown's Coachman Park.

"I'm thrilled - a lot of different people and groups came together to support what I think is a positive step for ... all of Clearwater," said Mayor Frank Hibbard, one of the plan's biggest champions. "I just hope that when the project is complete that even the naysayers will be pleased with the final product."

The project garnered more than 52 percent of the vote.

Residents also narrowly elected Clearwater Beach Realtor Paul Gibson to the council with a margin of just 141 votes out of 11,243 cast.

Gibson, a political newcomer, campaigned for fiscal responsibility and spoke out against the boat slip plan. His opponent was Norma Carlough, 70, a longtime volunteer who campaigned on clean and safe neighborhoods, responsible redevelopment and waterfront accessibility like the boat slips project.

"I think they see me as the candidate who opposed those high taxes and the high spending," said Gibson, 58.

Clearwater voters also approved an amendment for the city's employee pension plan that will let the city shed nearly all of its local investment restrictions.

Oldsmar

Oldsmar residents elected a new face to City Council Seat 1, with 60 percent of voters picking Greg Rublee over longtime resident and former City Council member Loretta Wyandt.

"This is exciting," said Rublee, an Oldsmar resident of 2 1/2 years, who watched the returns from home. "I'm looking forward to good things. I'm really pleased that this has been a friendly race."

Rublee, 42, a science teacher at Northeast High School, described himself as a fiscal conservative with small-town roots. He will fill the remaining two years of the three-year term vacated by Jim Ronecker, who will replace Jerry Beverland as mayor.

Ronecker ran unopposed, as did council member Suzanne Vale, who will serve another term in Seat 2. Businessman Eric Seidel ran unopposed for Seat 4, which he filled in January after council member Don Bohr died.

Wyandt said she was disappointed with the results: "I thought it was going to be better than that."

Safety Harbor

For the first time in eight years, Safety Harbor has a new leader.

Interim Mayor Andy Steingold overwhelmingly defeated newcomer Robert Parker with 81 percent of the vote. Steingold will serve out the remaining year on former Mayor Pam Corbino's term. Corbino resigned last year.

"I want to thank the city of Safety Harbor for allowing me the privilege of continuing to serve as their mayor," Steingold said.

Voters chose Steingold, 46, an advocate of rigid height and density restrictions, over Parker, 55, who was supported by several builders and Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce members.

"Here's who won tonight: The city won," said Parker. "Whoever's going to be mayor will be under scrutiny and change will be demanded."

Tarpon Springs

The times may be changing in Tarpon Springs but the city leadership is not. Voters re-elected two incumbents who spent much of the past three years dueling each other.

Mayor Beverley Billiris won 61 percent of the vote, clinching a second term, and handily defeating first-time candidate Harry Andropoulos, 51.

The race was slightly tighter for Seat 3 with City Commissioner Peter Dalacos, 52, easily winning with 58 percent against 38-year-old political novice David C. Bolton.

"I am very happy," said Billiris, 59, shouting over a raucous crowd of more than 200 gathered at the Tarpon Springs Yacht Club. "I was confident I had the support of the community."

Billiris, who owns small businesses and land at the sponge docks, has sat on the City Commission for eight years. There have been rumblings about Billiris' aspirations for higher office, particularly making a run for county post, but in a recent candidate forum she pledged to serve the full three-year term if re-elected.

Staff writers Tamara El-Khoury, Eileen Schulte, Robin Stein contributed to this story.

[Last modified March 14, 2007, 05:47:50]