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Politics

Six get early start on council races

An incumbent, two former candidates and three newcomers are among them. Qualifying begins Tuesday.

By ANNE LINDBERG, Times Staff Writer
Published October 31, 2007

PINELLAS PARK - Even before qualifying has begun, hopefuls are lining up for a chance to serve on the City Council.

Among the six who have appointed campaign treasurers are an incumbent, two former candidates and three political newcomers. Another incumbent, council member Rick Butler, said Tuesday he plans to run for re-election but he has not filed any papers.

The incumbent is Bill Mischler, who is running for his sixth term as mayor. As of Tuesday, no one had signed up to oppose him.

Mischler, 65, served on Pinellas Park's Civil Trial Commission, Cable Television Selection Committee, and the Planning and Zoning Commission before being elected to the council in 1980.

He served until 1998 when state law forced him to resign to run for mayor. Mischler was re-elected without opposition in 2000, 2002 and 2004. He handily beat local business owner Randy Heine in the 2006 race.

Heine, 56, has decided not to oppose Mischler but to run instead for council Seat 4. The seat is held by Patricia Bailey-Snook, who has said she does not intend to seek re-election.

Heine is a familiar face at council meetings, often speaking to agenda items and verbally tangling with council members. Heine owns Rockin Cards & Gifts just outside the city at 7451 Park Blvd.

Also running for Seat 4 are Patricia Johnson, Jerry Mullins and Edward Kosinski, all first-time candidates in Pinellas Park.

Johnson, 62, serves on the city's Equestrian Board. Mullins, 55, is president of the Pinellas Park Historical Society. Kosinski, 60, was recently appointed to the Pinellas Park Board of Adjustment.

Marshall Cook, also a familiar face in city politics, is running for Seat 3, held by Butler.

Cook, 61, ran in 2006 against incumbent Ed Taylor, who won by a 4-1 ratio. Cook attends most council meetings and speaks out on many issues. He also is a familiar face around the city, riding on one of his electric carts. He represents himself as an advocate for the disabled.

The main duties of the mayor and council are to set policy for the city and establish a budget. Most months, they have two meetings and two workshops.

The mayor is paid $17,412, and council members earn $15,090. Pinellas Park has a population of about 48,000 and a budget of about $49.3-million.

Candidate qualifying opens at 8 a.m. Tuesday and ends at 5 p.m. Nov. 21.

The election is March 11, and successful candidates will take office March 13.

[Last modified October 30, 2007, 23:12:26]