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Williams won't seek re-election
By ANNE LINDBERG
© St. Petersburg Times, PINELLAS PARK -- Longtime city politician Chuck Williams will not seek a third term on the City Council. Speaking at the close of Thursday's council meeting, he confirmed rumors that have been floating around Pinellas Park for months. Williams said he was making the announcement now to give potential candidates a chance to get supporters and raise money. Williams prefaced his comments by saying that he had learned from his wife, Cindy, to always retain the right to change his mind. Then, he said, that he had decided "not to seek re-election in March of 2002." On Friday, Williams said he had promised that he would probably serve only two terms when he first ran for office eight years ago. "I'm a firm believer in term limits," he said. Serving too long makes people complacent and sometimes closes their eyes and minds to what's needed, he said. It's time, he said, for someone with new ideas to serve on the council. "It's been fun," Williams said. "I've met a lot of really nice people." Williams said he has gotten to do a lot of things he would not have been able to do had he not been on the council, such as ride with firefighters and the police. "It's been very eye-opening," he said. "The city is run well. We've been fortunate to have good council people all along. The city's in good financial shape." Williams may not be alone in choosing to leave the council. Ed Taylor said Friday that he is undecided about seeking a second term. Rumors have also been swirling about Taylor's intentions. But in Taylor's case, the rumors say that he plans to run for County Commission against John Morroni. Taylor, 52, acknowledged Friday that he had heard the rumors, but declined to comment on them. "I don't know what I'm going to do," Taylor said. "I love what we're doing here. I love our city." Mayor Bill Mischler, also up for re-election, is certain about his plans. He is running again. "I think it's exciting days in the city and I'd still like to be part of it," Mischler said. "It's hard to believe it's that time again." Mischler, 59, said he plans to retire in the next year from his job at Jim Walters Homes and spend more time doing public relations as Pinellas Park mayor. Part of that, he said, will be visiting businesses just to say "thank you" for being in the city. Both Taylor and Mischler said Williams' departure would be a loss for the council because of his experience, particularly with budgets. Williams is an auditor in everyday life. "You just don't replace all that knowledge overnight," Mischler said. Williams, 60, has been on the Pinellas Park council since 1994, when he defeated Linda Matthews. Before that he served on the city's Planning and Zoning Commission. When he first ran for office, Williams said, he had many concerns. One of those was drainage. In the past eight years, he said, the city has made great strides. And the city has made other progress, too, he said. "The hardest one to get through was that ball field," he said. "I think that's one of them because of how hard it was to get everybody happy and on the same page." He referred to the senior Little League baseball field at Helen Howarth Park. The field became controversial after horse enthusiasts in the area protested the construction because it meant the loss of a riding area. Williams said he hoped that the person who replaces him would be a newcomer so that the council could benefit from completely new ideas. But any candidate needs to remember several things, he said. "I think they have to keep their ear tuned to people," Williams said. "I think you have to have an open mind, a very open mind. . . . You give up a lot going in there. You give up your individuality. . . . You have to be a team player. You have to leave it there at the office. If you lose a decision, you can't let it gnaw at you for the rest of your term. . . . You have to be a compromiser and you have to have a thick skin." The Pinellas Park election is March 5. Two council seats and the mayor's seat are up for election. The council members serve for four years. The mayor serves for two. Candidate filing begins on Jan. 2 and closes on Jan. 15.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
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From the Times South Pinellas desks |
