Seven compete for honorary title
Candidates for honorary mayor of Wesley Chapel are lining up events to raise funds.
By GAIL DIEDERICH, Times Correspondent
Published January 14, 2008
WESLEY CHAPEL - In this election, the candidate with the most money will win.
Take a few massages, add wine tasting and Bingo. Throw in some raffle drawings and temper it all with Christian rock music. Add seven candidates running for the same cause and you have the campaigns for honorary mayor of the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce.
Money equals votes in this election and the candidate who brings the most through their fundraising efforts will be named honorary mayor of Wesley Chapel for 2008. The second place winner will be honorary deputy mayor. Neither position has any governmental power, but the honorary mayors attend ribbon cuttings and other functions of the chamber.
The seven candidates seeking the title for 2008 are Amanda Benson of Secure Capital Mortgage, Rob Kellog of Thread Art, Debie Kaplan of Under the Palms Ministry, Jeff Miller of Charles Rutenberg Realty, Alison Fitzgerald of Phoenix Massage and Personal Training, Elayne Bassinger of Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary and Lisa Seckely of MarketWesleyChapel.com.
Each candidate has a particular interest in the Wesley Chapel area and has put together fundraising events. In the end, all money raised is turned over to the chamber to support local events and activities.
For community members, the events offer fun, a chance to try some new things, perhaps win a prize or two and to support the chamber.
Alison Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald, a 16-year local resident will offer $5 chair massages from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday and Jan. 29 at her office at 26234 State Road 54, Lutz. The same service will be offered from 4 to 7 p.m. Jan. 23 at Anytime Fitness, 1850 Oak Grove Blvd., Lutz, and 9 to 11 a.m. on Jan. 26 at Barnies Coffee and Tea Co. in Lutz.
Amanda Benson
Benson has lived in the area three years and will host the first of her International Mixer Nights at 7 p.m. on Jan. 25 at 27121 Firebrush Drive at Palmetto Bend in Seven Oaks, Wesley Chapel. The event will focus on the food, drink and dress of Italy, and participants will have the chance to win raffle prizes.
Rob Kellog
Kellog, four-year business owner of Thread Art, has two events planned: A wine tasting with auction will take place 6:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at Cork and Olive, 1269 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Wesley Chapel. At 6:30 p.m. Jan. 25, Bingo Night will get under way at Song and Dance, 27221 Foamflower Blvd., Wesley Chapel. Participants can pay $20 ahead of time, or $25 the night of the event, to play 10 rounds of Bingo and have snacks while competing for more than $500 in Pampered Chef prizes. For advance tickets, call Kellog at 813948-7243 or e-mail rob@threadartfl.com
Elayne Bassinger
Bassinger lived in Wesley Chapel long before the chamber ever began. Her 30 years in the area make her the veteran resident of the candidates and she said she would like to see more programs in the area for senior citizens.
Jeff Miller
Miller, a three-year resident of the area, threw his hat in the mayor's ring and would love to see signs in the area reading "We Love Wesley Chapel." He recently hosted a wine tasting at Cork and Olive, 1269 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
Debie Kaplan
Kaplan has been in the area three years and will kick off her campaign at 6 p.m. Jan. 26 at NY Minute Deli, 1704 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Wesley Chapel. Soul Guard, a Christian rock group, will perform. Admission of $12.95 buys a sandwich, beverage and dessert and a $2 donation buys a concert wristband. To RSVP for this event call the chamber office at (813)994-8534.
Lisa Seckely
Completing the field of seven candidates is Lisa Seckely of MarketWesleyChapel.com.
Fast Facts:
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For more information on any of these events or candidates, call the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce at (813)994-8534, e-mail them at office@wesleychapelchamber.com or visit their office at 29142 Chapel Park Drive, Wesley Chapel.