A Times Editorial

Two Safety Harbor leaders deserve to keep seats

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 28, 2000

Safety Harbor is a city that lives up to its name: A snug residential community with good schools seemingly insulated from the busy highways on three sides. Challenges loom on the horizon, however.

The city has decisions to make on some important issues. It is sitting on a huge pot of money -- $8-million in reserves -- much more than is required for a rainy day. How should the excess be spent?

There are decisions to be made on big projects ahead, including Marina Park expansion, replacement of brick streets downtown and stormwater runoff improvements that have been an issue in the campaign. And after a $3.2-million face lift of Main Street, downtown redevelopment efforts have stalled.

So heading into the March 14 election for two City Commission seats, Safety Harbor residents probably have mixed feelings: They can be pleased with the city's progress and concerned that the city is growing complacent.

The two incumbents -- Don Fletcher and Keith Zayac -- have able challengers. And while Fletcher and Zayac are two of the stronger commissioners, they could be more forceful in sharing their vision for the city's future and addressing critical public issues. Too much goes unsaid at Safety Harbor City Commission meetings.

The difficult decision city voters have to make is this: Have Fletcher and Zayac earned another term?

When all is weighed and balanced, the answer is: They have.

Commission Seat 1

Don Fletcher, 43, has served two terms on the commission in a city he has lived in or near his whole life. He is part owner, with family members, of a dredging company.

What Fletcher may lack in eloquence he makes up for in earnestness. He is the commissioner most likely to speak his mind, and he is fair and professional in his demeanor.

Although Fletcher's philosophy sees a limited role for government on some issues, he balances that with a commitment to "the things that only government can do" (such as the streetscape and other public improvements).

Even when you disagree with Fletcher, his forthrightness is refreshing. He argues against the commission playing too active a role in downtown redevelopment, and was the only commissioner who voted against a city development director. Yet, he wants the downtown to prosper and sees a role, even if limited, for the commission.

While some will view him as a roadblock in the downtown effort, his genuine concern for the city should lead him to make the right decisions when the time comes.

Fletcher realizes the city should spend some of the money it has saved on necessary projects. He wants to fix the brick streets, do more with city parks and support a "fairly aggressive" capital improvement program. Yet he said he wants to keep a healthy reserve fund equal to at least three months of operating expenses. Fair enough.

Fletcher should get credit for being part of the team that brought both financial and political stability to the city. But that process has gone too far, stifling debate.

So when he says, "I don't think I was elected to do what the loudest squeakers say," he is right. But he needs to speak up on important issues, even if other commissioners fear the controversy that comes with participatory democracy.

Does Fletcher need to grow as a commissioner? Yes. Does he deserve the chance to do so? Yes. Residents know what they have in Fletcher, a public servant who doesn't play political games.

Neil Brickfield, 36, is as strong a challenger as an incumbent could have. He is articulate and aggressive. The owner, with his wife, of a janitorial service, Brickfield moved to Safety Harbor nine years ago.

He is active in the community and a close observer of the City Commission. In fact, Brickfield used one meeting to campaign on the issue of drainage creek maintenance.

He lives on one of the creeks himself and undoubtedly is urged on by his neighbors, but Brickfield has politicized the issue too much. While it is the city's responsibility to fix certain drainage problems, Brickfield will find, if he is elected, that political pressure does not aid good judgment on such complex matters.

Brickfield is right when he says, "I think our commission is in a comfort zone." But he is trying to replace an incumbent who has earned a substantial amount of respect in the city.

Even if Brickfield is unsuccessful in his first bid for office, he should be encouraged to stay involved in the community. He has much to offer Safety Harbor, especially if he focuses on the progressive portion of his message.

John C. Brunton Jr., 61, is a retired U.S. Army colonel who earned the Silver Star among other awards. He has lived in Safety Harbor for only 15 months and does not have a full command of the issues yet, but he quickly became involved in community groups.

Brunton said he sees little wrong with the city and proposes no new initiatives. One good suggestion he put forward is that the commissioners should make more of an effort to find out what the residents want from government.

If he stays involved in community organizations, Brunton could grow into a formidable candidate, but he is not the choice against two knowledgeable competitors.

The Times recommends Don Fletcher for Commission Seat 1.

Commission Seat 2

Keith Zayac, 39, a program manager for an engineering firm, faced his first election a year ago when he ran for the remaining year of Pam Corbino's term after she moved up to mayor.

Low key in his first year as an elected official, Zayac is a civil engineer who adds valuable expertise to the commission. Now, Zayac needs to step up his contribution to the group, helping it take positive steps on complex (but controversial) issues.

"Safety Harbor tends to move slowly and cautiously in anything it does," he said. Deliberation is a good thing, as long as it leads to progress.

He has some good ideas. On downtown, Zayac would like to see an inventory of businesses so everyone knows what is there and what could be added to the mix. He would like the commission to create a vision for downtown's future and do some long-term planning to reach the goal.

Zayac has been a strong advocate for improving and enlarging recreational facilities in the city, and he is willing to spend the money for a much-improved Marina Park, which will be an appealing venue for community activities. He said he will focus on traffic safety concerns if he wins a full term to the commission. With the city's enviable financial situation, he believes the commission can reduce taxes and still take care of its needs in the coming year.

He said he has worked hard to learn the job, and that appears to be true. "I'm a representative of the city, not a guy to just show up and vote" at commission meetings, he said.

If he is re-elected, Zayac needs to use his experience to provide more direction to the commission.

Andy Nicholson, 57, is making his first run for elected office, but he is not new to Safety Harbor issues. Now a consulting engineer, he was the city's director of public works from 1989 to 1991.

It was that experience that led him to seek office. "There were a few things I didn't get to complete when I was with the city," Nicholson said. Those include some drainage projects in poorer neighborhoods and a city version of the Pinellas Trail. Like Zayac, he thinks traffic safety needs to be addressed in neighborhoods.

He has run a gentlemanly campaign and has some good ideas, but Nicholson is not as current on the issues as the incumbent. Like all of the candidates in this election, Nicholson is competent and has something to offer his city. If he is unsuccessful this time, residents should encourage Nicholson to stay involved in community issues.

The Times recommends Keith Zayac for Commission Seat 2.

Safety Harbor election

When: March 14

At Stake: Two seats -- Commission Seat 1 and Commission Seat 2 on the Safety Harbor City Commission.

Term, Salary: Commissioners serve 3-year terms and are paid $6,000 a year in salary and expenses.

On the Ballot: For Commission Seat 1: Neil Brickfield, John C. Brunton Jr. and Don Fletcher. For Commission Seat 2: Andy Nicholson and Keith Zayac.

Times Recommends: For Commission Seat 1: Don Fletcher. For Commission Seat 2: Keith Zayac.

Candidates not recommended may submit a response by noon Wednesday for publication. Send to Editorial Page, 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756; or fax to (727) 445-4119. Responses should not exceed 300 words.

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