Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

New officials ready to tackle growth, tightening finances

Two new faces in St. Pete Beach could change the development landscape.

By CRISTINA SILVA
Published March 18, 2007

Voters concerned about growth and economic issues across the Tampa Bay area ushered in significant changes in their communities during elections last week.

In St. Pete Beach, two political activists who favor limited development were elected to the City Commission.

Linda Chaney and Harry Metz, founders of Citizens for Responsible Growth, a political action committee that has challenged the city on growth issues, won District 2 and District 4 seats.

When Metz and Chaney are sworn in, residents in favor of limited growth will have majority control over the City Commission.

Mayor Ward Friszolowski is the lone member of the commission who has consistently voted in favor of new development.

But Commissioner Michael Finnerty, who has generally supported growth with few exceptions, said he was confident the city would be able to move forward.

"We have to work really hard and concentrate on what is best for everybody and that tourism remains and that the hoteliers are satisfied with what they are allowed to build," he said.

Gulfport

Voters decided to keep two incumbents on the City Council, but substantial change could come to City Hall in coming months.

Mayor Michael Yakes and council member Michele King said they support restructuring the way decision-making authority is divvied up between the City Council and the city manager.

The city manager and his staff traditionally enact decisions made by the council, but are not expected to run every step in the process by the elected officials. After the Spring Festival, Gulfport's annual street fair, was canceled in October without the council's consent, King and Yakes said it became obvious that it might be time for change.

Hiring a full-time city attorney also should be considered, Yakes said. The city could save money by using funds currently allocated for Tim Driscoll, the city's part-time attorney, and reducing the staff of the clerk's office.

The proposed changes come after one of the most competitive election seasons in recent memory. Yakes and King were consistently criticized for mismanagement and unethical activity throughout the campaign.

Both said such mudslinging is uncharacteristic of Gulfport, which is celebrated for its laid-back lifestyle.

Madeira Beach

Voters had to choose between candidates who said they were in favor of streamlining the budget and helping to boost the city's business districts.

Retired New York City firefighter Steve Kochick was elected to the District 4 seat. Nancy Oakley, an accounting technician with the city of Clearwater, was elected to the District 3 seat.

A small cadre of volunteers helped Oakley get elected. City officials said they rarely saw her during the campaign. She missed the city's only candidate forum because her father was ill.

Oakley did not return repeated calls asking for comment.

Kochick, who refused to accept monetary contributions from residents during his campaign, has been a frequent attendee at City Commission meetings.

Indian Rocks Beach

One incumbent not up for election this year is happy with the defeat of his fellow commission members.

In an e-mail blast and on his Web site, Jose Coppen congratulated Bert Valery and Terry Hamilton-Wollin for their victories over incumbent commissioners Jim Palamara and Ed Piniero.

"This is a new day and a new beginning for our friendly and peaceful city," Coppen wrote. "Our city sits once again tall and proud of its residents who turned out to vote in record numbers. The silent majority of you have said the last word. ... I thank you too for looking beyond the political spin."

Coppen has been critical of the commission and the city's mayor, Bill Ockunzzi, in his e-mails to town residents and on his Web blog. He also recently filed a formal ethics complaint against Ockunzzi.

The newly elected commissioners may form a new majority with Coppen.

Valery, an insurance executive, says he hopes commission meetings will become more "reasonable" and filled with less "bickering."

Hamilton-Wollin has proposed televising commission meetings.

Among the issues facing the new commission are hiring a new city manager, completing its financial and legal dispute with former city manager Al Grieshaber, clearly defining the city's borders, and possible rewriting city codes to allow development of small, nonconforming lots.

Belleair Beach

Newly elected mayor Lynn Rives is wasting no time getting down to business.

After he is sworn into office at a special meeting Monday, he plans to call for a series of special meetings to deal with some controversial issues: closing the city's Police Department, finding and hiring a new city manager and building a new City Hall.

Voters approved closing the Police Department and negotiating with an outside agency for law enforcement protection.

Rives says the city has two main options: the county Sheriff's Office or Clearwater police.

The closing of the city's police department will have a significant effect on the city's efforts to reduce the cost of a new City Hall.

"There are other things we can do to economize," says Rives, who says he has managed similar construction projects.

Another immediate issue is finding a replacement for Reid Silverboard, the Belleair's's first city manager since changing to that form of government two years ago. Silverboard recently accepted the city manager post in Treasure Island.

Times correspondent Sheila Mullane Estrada contributed to this report. Cristina Silva can be reached at 727 893-8846 or csilva@sptimes.com.

[Last modified March 17, 2007, 20:31:32]