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In what may be the election's only "debate,'' Kenneth City office seekers take five minutes to sum up their views.
By ANNE LINDBERG
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 18, 2001
KENNETH CITY -- In what might be the only "debate" of the campaign, the three candidates for Town Council each had five minutes Tuesday to publicly state their positions on the issues.
Incumbent Al Carrier used his time to discuss the progress on fixing Kenneth City's storm drainage system.
The other incumbent, Russ Dumont, spoke of his work on helping Willow Lakes build 55 more units.
And challenger Teresa Zemaitis touted ways to improve the quality of life for Kenneth City residents, starting with free access to the county library system.
The 15 minutes that the candidates spent in front of the 30 or so members of the Kenneth City Homeowners Association may be the only public debate before the March 13 election. The Homeowners Association traditionally sponsors candidates night, but instead invited the threesome to appear at the end of Tuesday's supper meeting.
"We felt this year we didn't have time to have a candidates night," said the association's Muriel Whitman.
Carrier, who is running for his second term, said "we're finally getting the storm drains all cleared and photographed. They're doing it now."
Carrier also defended his vote to retain Waste Management as the town's garbage collector. Some residents protested the vote, saying they preferred sending the contract out for bid.
Waste Management is doing a good job, Carrier said, particularly with recycling. One of his personal goals, he said, is to increase the amount of recycling by Kenneth City residents.
"The more we get in, chances are we will be able to refrain from increasing taxes," Carrier said. "This is what it boils down to."
The town gets a rebate for recycled trash.
Dumont, who was appointed last year to the council to replace Chuck Webber, is running for his first full term.
Dumont spoke of his work on the town's Board of Adjustment and, since he has been on the council, on the updating of the land development code.
He also has worked to help Willow Lakes build 55 more condominium units.
"That will be a nice addition to Kenneth City's tax base," Dumont said.
He also voted to renew the Waste Management contract rather than advertise for bids. He said that with recycling, disposal costs have been cut in half.
Zemaitis is making her first run for elected office, but she's well known to people who frequent council meetings.
"I've attended meetings throughout the years and have been known to voice my opinion once in a while," Zemaitis said.
Most recently, she was vocal in her opposition to renewing the Waste Management contract, even helping circulate a petition urging the council to send it out for bids. The council ignored those wishes. Waste Management is a good company, she said, but it only makes sense to compare prices and service.
"If I have a fence put up, I get more than one bid," Zemaitis said. "It was a little disappointing that they ignored what the residents wanted."
She said her goals include: working positively with the mayor and other council members; emphasizing annexation; and working on quality-of-life projects, from beautifying parks to improving residents' access to the county's library system.
Kenneth City residents currently pay $100 to get a card for the Pinellas County library system. Kenneth City then repays the resident $75.
Zemaitis wants to negotiate with the county so town residents, like their neighbors in Pinellas Park and St. Petersburg, can get a free library card.
"It's an American privilege, I believe, to use the public library," Zemaitis said.