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Politics
Final forum reveals nothing new
The City Council candidates mainly restate their earlier positions on numerous issues.
By AARON SHAROCKMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published October 26, 2007
ST. PETERSBURG - The candidates for City Council stuck to their respective scripts Thursday night in one of their final meetings together ahead of the Nov. 6 election. Speaking at a forum organized by the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, candidates touched on an array of city issues from housing to development to homelessness. The questions - and the answers - mimicked those of the series of forums held across the city during the last six weeks. Only on one issue - whether you would attend the St. Pete Pride parade - were the candidates pressed to provide a specific response. Most had already been asked that question, too. Herb Polson and Bob Kersteen in District 1, Bill Dudley in District 3 and Wengay Newton in District 7 all said they would attend the event, which celebrates gay pride. Ed Montanari in District 3 and Gershom Faulkner in District 7 said they would not. "I don't attend Gasparilla, either," Montanari said. "But I don't want people thinking I don't like pirates." The format largely drained any drama from the evening event, which drew about 75 people to the Museum of History. Each candidate received up to two minutes to answer a specific question. There was no room for debate among opponents. Still, the forum continued to illustrate the differences between the candidates. In District 1, Kersteen and Polson highlighted their government experience while disagreeing over the role of a City Council member. Kersteen on Thursday reiterated his stand that the city drop two of its three deputy mayors. And Polson again countered that the council does not have the authority to mandate how the mayor spends city funds. "The bottom line is the council cannot cut positions," Polson said. In District 3, Dudley said he would be an independent voice on the council while his opponent, Montanari, highlighted his ability to reach consensus. "I'm not endorsed by City Hall, because I will not be their puppet," Dudley said. "I'm an independent voice." And in District 7, Faulkner discussed his connections in Tallahassee and Washington; Newton talked about working with neighborhoods. "I am not a politician," Newton said, starting what has become his introduction to most campaign events. Four of the city's eight council seats are up for grabs. In District 5, Jamie Bennett is running against "New Election" because his original opponent dropped out of the race. If "New Election" wins, the city will hold a special election early next year. Bennett did not attend Thursday's forum. Elected council members serve four years and receive $39,330 a year. District 1
District 3
District 7
[Last modified October 26, 2007, 01:18:14]
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