It's that time of year again. No, not Christmas … city elections are drawing near. In Belleair Beach there are three open council member seats. It will be an interesting election this year. Three present council members are running for re-election including: Marvin D. Behm, Jeff Coulson, and Donna Durante. Opposing them are three new candidates who are: Richard R. Crowl, a four year seasonal and one year full time resident of Belleair Beach; Mary C. Schoonover, a native Floridian and 10 year resident of Belleair Beach; and former mayor of Belleair Beach, Michael Kelly, a 12 year resident of Belleair Beach.
In Belleair Bluffs, all candidates are running unopposed so the elected officials there will remain the same. Mayor Chris Arbutine, Sr., Vice-Mayor Robert Russo, Commissioner David Shimkus, Commissioner Brett Nelson, and Commissioner Troy Krotz will all continue to run the government of the Bluffs.
Largo will also hold elections in March this year. Running for mayor is the present Mayor Robert Jackson. Opposing him will be present Commissioner Patricia Gerard. Running for Commissioner seat 3 will be Rodney Woods and Ernie Bach. For seat 4 in commission will be Jean Halvorsen and Gigi Arntzen.
The town of Belleair has not yet ended their qualifying period. Applications for the Belleair candidates will continue to be taken until January 23rd at 1 p.m.
Indian Rocks Beach has not had their qualifying period either. That period begins January 16th and ends on the 20th. However, five candidates have already declared that they will be running. For mayor, present Mayor Bill Ockunzzi is running for re-election, and Victor Wood is planning to oppose him. For the commission seats: present Commissioner R.B. Johnson will be running for re-election, and Patti Muneio and Jose Coppen will also be running for commission seats.
Clearwater won't be having elections this year. They are scheduled to ring in new members to their government in 2007.