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Letter to the editor

A council in flux now faces a 'big shock'

By AARON SHAROCKMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published September 8, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT The death of John Bryan Friday morning in family court, St. Petersburg Council Chairman John Bryan agreed to stay away from his teenage daughters. Early in the afternoon, he resigned from the Council. And at roughly 5:45 p.m., he was found dead at a home he owned in Citrus County, slumped in a golf cart in the garage with a riding mower running. Read the story Bryan's neighbors, co-workers dumbfounded Those who knew him remember him warmly A council in transition faces a "big shock" Download Bryan's resignation letter (PDF)

ST. PETERSBURG -- John Bryan's political ambitions were never a secret.

When City Council members picked Bill Foster over Bryan for a vacant council seat in 1998, he moved to a new district so he could try again.

Three years later, Bryan built a formidable team that included help from Charlie Crist and GOP heavyweight Mel Sembler, as well as two former mayors.

Bryan was elected that year and easily won re-election in 2005.

Many speculated that a run for mayor was next.

Now, Bryan's death throws the shifting makeup of the City Council into further uncertainty.

With four of the eight council seats up for election in the fall, and a primary scheduled Tuesday, council members must also fill Bryan's seat in District 2.

St. Petersburg officials removed Bryan's image and biography from the city's Web site late Friday.

Council members said they will name Bryan's replacement within 45 days. A selection process still must be worked out, but officials said they will likely solicit applications from residents in District 2, which covers the northern parts of the city.

Nominations will be reviewed by the sitting council, which will appoint someone to fill out the remaining two years on Bryan's term.

The process is not new.

Last year, council member Herb Polson was appointed to replace state Rep. Rick Kriseman.

"It's obviously a big shock," Polson said.

Bryan, 56, also had a role as council chairman, a largely ceremonial post that included chairing council meetings.

Jamie Bennett, the current council vice chairman, was named acting chairman.

Rumblings of Bryan's resignation filtered through City Hall starting around 1 p.m. Friday.

Council members and their staff spent much of the afternoon meeting in the offices on the second floor, while keeping the media gathered in a conference room on the first.

Council members at that point seemed confident that city business would not stall.

"We will just continue to move forward and take care of our citizens," said council member Earnest Williams.

As news spread of Bryan's death, city officials huddled late into the night, and Mayor Rick Baker rearranged plans to spend the evening with his wife on the couple's wedding anniversary.

Cristina Silva contributed to this report. Aaron Sharockman can be reached at asharockman@sptimes.com or (727) 892-2273.

[Last modified September 8, 2007, 02:07:04]