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In with the old, in with the new

By TAMARA EL-KHOURY and ROBIN STEIN
Published March 15, 2007

In North Pinellas County, the outcomes were complete opposites on election day.

In historic Tarpon Springs, voters stuck with two familiar faces for their city leadership, while Oldsmar voters picked another fresh face to fill out a City Council that was already transformed by the exit of its colorful mayor.

Oldsmar's City Council will have a younger, more professional bent as it tackles the city's rapid growth and development which threatens its small-town vibe.

Four seats were open on Oldsmar's City Council but the lack of opponents filled three seats, leaving Seat 1 to be decided by voters.

Voters chose newcomer Greg Rublee, 42, with 60 percent of the vote over Loretta Wyandt, 76, a long-time resident who has served on the City Council twice.

Seat 1 has two years left in its three-year term. The seat was vacated early by council member Jim Ronecker, 42, who ran unopposed to replace the longtime, legendary Mayor Jerry Beverland, 71, who is term-limited.

Council member Suzanne Vale, 49, ran unopposed for another term in Seat 2; and businessman Eric Seidel, 43, ran unopposed for Seat 4 which he filled when council member Don Bohr died in December at age 70.

Rublee, a science teacher at Northeast High School, credits his win to old-fashioned, door-to-door campaigning.

He said he and his volunteers heard that a fresh face helped too. "I think just on the surface that folks kind of sent a message that they want another generation, a younger generation to take the helm," Rublee said.

Ronecker's leadership style will perhaps be the most drastic change on council. Ronecker, who replaces an emotional, straight-from-the-hip talker, is expected to bring a more efficient, businesslike approach to council meetings.

"The people are I guess looking for a new outlook on council, a younger outlook," Beverland reflected Wednesday. "They would have probably voted me out because I'm too old."

The council needs new blood, said Doug Bevis, president of the Bay Arbor homeowners' association. He said he thinks Ronecker, Rublee and Seidel are business-minded people and will keep the city on the right track financially.

"Its time the council grows and moves forward too," he said.

In Tarpon Springs, Tuesday's election lead to decisive victories for both incumbents on the ballot -Mayor Beverley Billiris, 59 and City Commissioner Peter Dalacos, 52.

Billiris won 61 percent of the vote, easily defeating first-time candidate Harry Andropoulos, 51.

For Seat 3, City Commissioner Peter Dalacos, 52, emerged with 58 percent of votes over 38-year-old political novice David C. Bolton.

Billiris, who frequently clashes with Dalacos, equivocated when offering Dalacos congratulations, praising his opponent for making a good showing.

"I think David Bolton showed a good strong contender," Billiris said. "I'm hoping that Peter Dalacos will bring a positive attitude to the board."

Dalacos, whose supporters waited for the returns at Lime-n-Coconut Grill Tuesday night, said he was very happy about the results and reaching the end of a grueling campaign. He estimated he has lost about 10 pounds from walking the city neighborhoods.

Bolton and his wife stopped by to congratulate Dalacos, and offered a helping hand with city initiatives, a gesture that Dalacos described as "very magnanimous."

Tamara El-Khoury can be reached at 727 445-4181 or tel-khoury@sptimes.com Robin Stein can be reached at (727) 445- 4157 or rstein@sptimes.com

[Last modified March 14, 2007, 23:47:17]