Citrus races and issues
November 8, 2004
Delivering the votes for Bush, she'll cast one more
By AMY WIMMER SCHWARB
Jeanne McIntosh, who helped run the Bush-Cheney campaign in Citrus, is one of 27 chosen to cast Florida's votes in the Electoral College.
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November 5, 2004
Supervisor says recount isn't for sale
By RAGHURAM VADAREVU
Susan Gill had told a City Council candidate that he could pay for a recount, but the state Constitution doesn't mention it.
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Two of five provisional ballots ruled valid
By AMY WIMMER SCHWARB
The county's canvassing board rejects three of them, one because a voter registered too late.
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November 4, 2004
In filing of poll results, we're No. 1 in Florida
By AMY WIMMER SCHWARB
The elections office experiences only minor bumps on its speedy road to returns: A few machines jam and voters cast five provisional ballots.
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New school leaders ready for takeover
By BARBARA BEHRENDT
Sandra "Sam" Himmel, Bill Murray and Linda Powers begin their terms Nov. 16. Himmel plans a host of meetings to prepare.
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Victor puts down new roots in district
By JUSTIN GEORGE
New Commissioner Joyce Valentino moves into a new address on election night, as required by law.
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Recount off table in Crystal River
By RAGHURAM VADAREVU
Final results from the Supervisor of Elections Office show that John M. Kostelnick lost by too many votes for a free challenge.
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November 3, 2004
Spivey charges past Takac for seat on bench
By ABBIE VANSICKLE
The race pitted two Ocala lawyers, both in private practice, against each other.
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2 incumbents win, another defeated by former chief
By RAGHURAM VADAREVU
Susan Kirk and John Kendall are voted back into office, but ex-police Chief Jim Farley ousts Kitty Ebert.
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Citrus incumbent Dawsy trounces 2 challengers
By ABBIE VANSICKLE
INVERNESS - Jeff Dawsy breezed through the election, easily winning a third term as Citrus County sheriff.
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Familiar face to lead Citrus schools
By BARBARA BEHRENDT
Former School Board member Sandra Himmel easily tops two challengers.
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Fervor, dignity meet at polls
By JUSTIN GEORGE
After this fierce campaign season, people turned out in exceptional numbers, but with reserve and even reverence.
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Valentino, Damato part of new face for board
By JUSTIN GEORGE
An observer says the commission's makeup is changing from one where the majority sided with development interests.
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Voters elect Murray, Powers to county's School Board
By BARBARA BEHRENDT
INVERNESS - Voters elected two new members - both of them teachers - to the Citrus County School Board.
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November 2, 2004
Last chance to cast that vote
By AMY WIMMER SCHWARB and RAGHURAM VADAREVU
More than 38 percent of Citrus voters cast their ballots early. Today is the final opportunity for all the rest. Polls close at 7 p.m.
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November 1, 2004
County prepares for busy Election Day
By AMY WIMMER SCHWARB
The rush of early voting may be a preview of what's to come Tuesday, when voters, volunteers and poll watchers are expected to be out in force.
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October 31, 2004
PACs rake it in, pack last-minute punch
By AMY WIMMER SCHWARB
In days, Citizens for a Better Citrus raised $120,885; its rival, $19,275. Some candidates didn't raise that much in their entire campaigns.
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October 30, 2004
Donors behind election ads disclosed
By AMY WIMMER SCHWARB
Candidates Josh Wooten and Joyce Valentino ask two groups to cease the ads and mailers.
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Mailer's innuendos spark ire
By JUSTIN GEORGE
County Commission Chairman Josh Wooten faults rival Joyce Valentino, though it is from an independent group supporting her.
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October 29, 2004
Crystal River council hopefuls split on view of city's success
By RAGHURAM VADAREVU
Council's Kitty Ebert says the city has been productive, but Jim Farley says it has alienated both the public and the county.
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Candidates reply
Letters to the Editor
The Citrus Times offers candidates not recommended by its editorial board an opportunity to reply. Here are some of those replies:
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October 28, 2004
Both seek to build, but with care
By JUSTIN GEORGE
Republican Dennis Damato says he's a builder who also is "a proponent of protection and building with the environment."
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Carr
By JUSTIN GEORGE
Democrat Jimmy Carr taps an all-American background as he meets voters and seeks to "balance growth with nature."
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Hopefuls agree on some issues, not so on others
By RAGHURAM VADAREVU
CRYSTAL RIVER - For the past three years, City Council member Susan M. Kirk has often disagreed with the council majority. In one of the council's most controversial decisions earlier this year, Kirk voted against the annexation of 500-plus acres at the southern end of the city limits.
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October 26, 2004
A mostly GOP poll watch
By AMY WIMMER SCHWARB
Many more watchers for Republicans than Democrats will be at precincts. No one signed up to represent Kerry.
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Political group forms opposing Wooten
By JUSTIN GEORGE
Jim Bitter creates Truth in Political Advertising to help counteract two mailers backing the commission chairman.
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Vote early at three sites
By Times Staff
Early voting for the Nov. 2 general election is available to all qualified registered voters through Monday at three locations in Citrus County. Voting can be conducted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays at the Supervisor of Elections offices, 120 N Apopka Ave., Inverness; or 801 SE U.S. 19, Crystal River. Early voting also is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday at Central Ridge Library, 425 W Roosevelt Blvd., Beverly Hills. Early voting is similar to voting at the polls on Election Day. Bring a picture and signature identification, such as a driver's license. Voters will be given a ballot to vote and place into the Accu-vote machine. Privacy booths will be set up in the offices. Votes cast into the Accu-vote machine will not be tabulated until 7 p.m. Nov. 2. For questions or concerns, call the elections office at 341-6740.
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October 25, 2004
Opponents in Senate race push their goals
By AMY WIMMER SCHWARB
The District 3 candidates both say their main priority is meeting constituents' needs.
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Opponents take aim at sheriff's record
By ABBIE VANSICKLE
Two candidates hoping to replace Sheriff Jeff Dawsy say they're concerned with the office's growing budget.
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State Senate hopefuls vow to listen, act
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET
Incumbent Mike Fasano and challenger Steve Mattingly both promise to be responsive but vary in their stands on the issues.
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October 24, 2004
Sold on politics
By JUSTIN GEORGE
WOOTEN: The incumbent wheels, deals and sells himself as straightforward, knowledgeable. He runs on handshakes and quips.
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Steeped in politics
By JUSTIN GEORGE
VALENTINO: Familiar with door-to-door campaigning, she brings a softer style and crusading spirit to her bid for County Commission.
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October 23, 2004
Wooten says flier's fraud claim untrue
By JUSTIN GEORGE
The ad, mailed by a builder political group, lauds the commission chairman's work. His rival calls it misleading.
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October 22, 2004
Property appraiser race hinges on old rivalry
By AMY WIMMER SCHWARB
John Barnes says opponent Melanie Hensley, who worked under the old appraiser, would act too much like her mentor. She denies the claim.
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Six City Council hopefuls face off
By RAGHURAM VADAREVU
They expressed varying views on Crystal River's April annexation and a substation during the debate but agreed on buying park equipment.
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October 21, 2004
Experience varies in judgeship contest
By ABBIE VANSICKLE
INVERNESS - Two Ocala lawyers, both in private practice, are vying to be a circuit court judge in the 5th Circuit.
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October 20, 2004
5 appeals judges get state Bar's approval
By JIM ROSS
Voters will choose whether to retain for six-year terms the judges, some of whom have ruled on high-profile cases.
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October 19, 2004
Board candidates list goals for schools
By BARBARA BEHRENDT
One is part of the school system; one is not. Each says that position would be an advantage in finishing Sam Himmel's term.
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October 18, 2004
Superintendent hopefuls vie to fill void
By BARBARA BEHRENDT
Having served eight years in public office and having lived in Citrus all her life, Sandra "Sam" Himmel is confident she is ready to lead the public schools as the next superintendent.
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October 17, 2004
School Board hopefuls tout experience
By BARBARA BEHRENDT
Does the board need another educator or someone with a different background? That may be the bottom line. Two weigh in on the FCAT, construction debacle, more.
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October 16, 2004
Builders will try hands at political ads
By AMY WIMMER SCHWARB
The group will use the little time remaining before the upcoming election to influence its outcome.
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Hopefuls put best pitch forward
By AMY WIMMER SCHWARB and JUSTIN GEORGE
Spending, the Suncoast Parkway, water issues and lobbyists' influence loom large in debates among candidates for sheriff, County Commission, Senate and House.
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October 14, 2004
Tourism ad fuels heated exchange
By JUSTIN GEORGE
Two supporters of the GOP challenger to the County Commission chairman accuse him of using as a campaign booster an ad supporting tourism in Citrus.
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October 7, 2004
Candidate gets no help with qualifying signature glitch
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET
A last minute disqualification of many of his petition signatures leaves the state Senate hopeful needing to take out a loan to get his name on the ballot.
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Debates drive election forum
By BARBARA BEHRENDT, JUSTIN GEORGE and RAGHURAM VADAREVU
Citrus County's 2004 candidates square off to grill each other about how the jobs they seek should be done.
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October 3, 2004
Early voting surges in election season
By AMY WIMMER SCHWARB
A surge in absentee voting is making candidates and forums rethink campaign strategies.
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September 30, 2004
Ex-Bush opponent delivers for Kerry, audience
By AMY WIMMER SCHWARB
Former Texas Gov. Ann Richards tells about 400 Democrats gathered in Crystal River, "When we vote, we win."
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September 26, 2004
School race centers on Homosassa
By BARBARA BEHRENDT
While the front runner says she has worked hard on the Homosassa Elementary debacle, her opponents think otherwise.
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September 21, 2004
Elections officials reach out to voters
By AMY WIMMER SCHWARB
As the registration deadline nears, officials try to make it easy for the storm-weary to get signed up and cast ballots.
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September 5, 2004
Educators vs. outsiders for School Board seats
By BARBARA BEHRENDT
The November general election will bring four candidates back to decide the races in Districts 4 and 5.
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