Clearwater Election To Be Held in Januaryby Carl Wagenfohr
CLEARWATER - The Clearwater City Council has taken the first step in moving the 2008 municipal election to January 29th from its traditional date in March. The ordinance was approved on first reading during the January 20th, 2007, Council meeting, and will stand for final approval on October 4th. According to City Attorney Pam Akin, the change was made to coordinate Clearwater's municipal election with the Florida Presidential Preference Primary whose date was advanced to January by the state legislature earlier this year. Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard said, "This should put us in sync so we should have higher [voter] turnout not only this year but in future years." He also noted that the city would save between $60 and $70-thousand in municipal election costs. Three seats are up for election in 2008, including the Mayor's seat currently held by Hibbard, and the Council seats occupied by John Doran and George Cretekos. All three incumbents have signaled their intent to seek reelection by picking up candidate packets. Candidate packets are available now from the City Clerk's office. The candidate qualifying period will begin on November 2nd, and conclude at 5PM on November 16th. In addition to the Council election, any referenda that may result from the recommendations of Clearwater's Charter Review Committee will likely appear on the January ballot. |