Candidates forum set for Thursday

The eight candidates in the Zephyrhills mayor and City Council races will discuss their platforms with voters.

By CARY DAVIS

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 21, 2000

ZEPHYRHILLS -- Voters in this city's municipal elections haven't been very active in recent years.

In last year's city election, only 13 percent of Zephyrhills registered voters went to the polls. But at least there was an election. The city didn't even hold elections from 1995 to 1998, as incumbents drew no challengers in those years.

This year could be different, with eight candidates vying for three positions: the mayor's post and two seats on the City Council.

To help voters make up their minds, the Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a "Meet the Candidates" forum from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday. It will be held in the council chambers at City Hall, 5335 Eighth St.

Cliff McDuffie, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, hopes the forum will generate interest in the election.

"People should know what the issues are and where the candidates stand on them," McDuffie said. "This is one of the best ways to do that."

All eight candidates have agreed to participate, McDuffie said.

The forum will be broken into three segments. First, candidates will get five minutes each to describe their platforms. Next, the audience will be able to ask questions of the candidates. The forum will end with candidates mingling with audience members.

Greg First, public relations director of the Citrus Regional Blood Bank and the announcer for Zephyrhills High School football games, will serve as moderator.

At least 100 people attended last year, McDuffie said. He said he expects at least 200 people to attend Thursday night's forum.

"People should be interested in what these candidates stand for," First said. "If you have a particular question you want answered, come on out and see what the candidates have to say."

In the race for Seat 2 on the City Council, incumbent Elizabeth Geiger, 56, a retired teacher, faces challenges from Michael M. Bussell and Ann Hubbard. Bussell, 58, is a disabled veteran and the former owner of a local shipping company. Hubbard, 62, is a bookkeeper at a Dade City visual arts promotion firm.

Mayor Jim Bailey is stepping down to run for Seat 4 on the council, which was left vacant when Alan Brenia announced he would not seek re-election. Bailey, 67, a retired district manager with Florida Power, previously held the post for 18 years before resigning in 1992 to run for mayor.

Bailey faces competition from Tony Goodwin, 34, an athletics facilities foreman with the city of Temple Terrace.

Three newcomers are battling to succeed Bailey as mayor.

Mel Barrows, 64, retired in 1991 from his job as pastor of the Church of the Nazarene in Zephyrhills. Roy Burnside, 75, served as the director of the city's building department for five years before retiring in 1996. August M. "Mickey" McPhee, 62, managed the Zephyrhills Publix store for 10 years before retiring in 1985.

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