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Letter to the editor

For six, it's down to today

By MIKE DONILA, Times Staff Writer
Published January 29, 2008

By tonight, the campaign will be over for six North Pinellas candidates. Clearwater's ballot features a mayor's race and six proposed changes to the city charter. In Safety Harbor, voters will select two city commissioners. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

CLEARWATER

The mayor's race: Mayor Frank Hibbard, an investment officer and vice president at Morgan Stanley, faces former Mayor Rita Garvey, a longtime library volunteer. Both say the city must learn to do more with less.

Hibbard, 40, running as an incumbent who has promoted redevelopment, communication with residents and school health programs, wants to attract a movie theater to downtown and build a senior center.

Garvey, 62, who as a commissioner and mayor supported community policing, libraries and recycling, says the city should slow down and focus on neighborhoods.

The city charter: Proposed changes address affordable housing, terms of office, the charter review process, canvassing board and revenue bonds.

Turnout: Last year's election drew 17.4 percent. "Because we also have the presidential preference and the property tax amendment, I would hope we would get a lot closer to 50 percent, but that's being very optimistic," said City Clerk Cyndie Goudeau.

SAFETY HARBOR

Commission Seat 3: Commissioner Nadine Nickeson, 57, faces pharmacist Mark Taylor, 42. Taylor wants more green space and contends commissioners don't listen. Nickeson says since she was first elected in 1997, the city has added more than 20 acres of green space and moved closer than ever to having a vibrant downtown.

Commission Seat 4: Nina Bandoni, 48, president of Turnstone Properties, faces Robin Fornino, 49, a financial adviser for UBS Financial Services in Clearwater. Fornino wants to slow the pace of development and to revisit the budget. Bandoni wants to help low-income residents buy homes and to clarify how the city handles the sale of public land.

Turnout: "Last year was 27 percent and I think the contest this year is a little hotter, so I certainly hope to top that," said City Clerk Cathy Benson.

[Last modified January 28, 2008, 21:25:07]