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Let the voting begin
Three methods simplify election process
By SUZETTE PORTER
Article published on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007 |
PINELLAS COUNTY – Absentee ballots are in the mail. Early voting begins Monday. Renewal of the Penny for Pinellas, funding for the Pinellas Suncoast Fire and Rescue District and 15 municipal elections are on the March 13 ballot.
Registered voters have three ways available to cast their ballots – by absentee, early voting or the traditional trip to the polls on Election Day. Florida law allows any registered voter to vote early or to vote by absentee ballot.
“Some people are either too busy or have difficulty getting to their polling places on Election Day,” said Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections Deborah Clark. “Early voting and absentee ballots make casting a ballot more convenient for voters.”
The deadline to request an absentee ballot to be mailed is 5 p.m., Wednesday, March 7. Ballots may also be picked up from any Elections Office from now through Election Day.
Early voting starts on Monday, Feb. 26, 15 days prior to the election, and ends March 10.
Early voting hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Citizens should bring photo and signature ID to avoid delays and extra paperwork.
Registered voters can cast an early ballot at the following locations:
Elections Office - Pinellas County Courthouse, 315 Court St., Room 117, Clearwater
Election Service Center - 13001 Starkey Road, Largo
Elections Office - 501 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg
Registered voters who have moved and have not updated their registration should call the Supervisor of Elections Office at 464-3551. Voters are required by law to cast their ballots in the precinct in which they live.
The polls open on Election Day Tuesday, March 13, at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
Election highlights
Voters in the town of Belleair will get a chance to vote for two of the three candidates running for commissioner. The names on the ballot are Stephen R. Fowler, Rae Claire Johnson and Stephanie Oddo.
Belleair Beach will choose a new mayor from two candidates –Donna Durante and Lyn Rives. Voters will also have a ballot question and can choose yes or no to remove the police department as a charter service and to contract police services.
In Belleair Bluffs registered voters will choose two names from a list of three candidates for commissioner. The candidates are: Troy A. Krotz, Robert P. Russo and Wallace F. Whitham.
Registered voters in Clearwater will choose between Norma R. Carlough and Paul F. Gibson for Council Seat 5. Two ballot questions also will be presented in Clearwater. The first question will require a yes or no answer on proposed changes to the charter concerning city-owned public facilities on the downtown waterfront. The second yes or no question is about amendments to the city’s pension plan for employees.
In Gulfport voters will decide between Marlene Shaw, Michael “Mike” Yakes and Clark H. Scherer Jr. for the position of mayor. They also will choose between Courtland Yarborough, Michele P. King and Charlene A. Brown for the job of Council Member Ward 2.
Indian Rocks Beach can pick two of the four names on the ballot for the position of commissioner. The candidates are Terry Hamilton-Wollin, James R. Palamera, Ed Piniero and Bert Valery.
Two commissioner seats are up for grabs in Madeira Beach. Voters will choose between George A. Gonzalez and Nancy T. Oakley for Commissioner District 3. The candidates for Commissioner District 4 are Steve Kochick and Beverly T. Lisella.
In Oldsmar voters will choose between Greg N. Rubles and Loretta Wyandt for Council Seat 1.
The voters in the town of Redington Beach will elect a mayor and get to select two of four names on the ballot for commissioner. The candidates for mayor are: James Hoffman and Nick Simons. The candidates for commissioner are Mark R. Deighton, Sam Andrew Maniotes, Fred Steiermann and Anna Marie Yadevia.
Two candidates are on the ballot in Safety Harbor. Voters will pick either Rob Parker or Andy Steingold for mayor.
The city of Seminole will elect a new mayor and voters will choose three names from a field of four for council member. Candidates for mayor are Jimmy Johnson and Trina Watkins. Candidates for council are Patricia Hartstein, Dan Hester, Bob Matthews and Patricia Plantamura.
Two commissioner seats are on the ballot in St. Pete Beach. Voters will choose between Roger L. Adams and Linda Chaney for Commissioner District 2. Harry Metz and Melinda Pletcher are running for Commissioner District 4. Voters also will be asked to decide yes or no to allow the city to vacate all or part of the right-of-way on Corey Circle.
Tarpon Springs also will choose a mayor and commissioner. Candidates for mayor are Harry James Andropoulos and Beverly Billiris. Candidates for Commissioner Seat 3 are David C. Bolton and Peter S. Dalacos.
Registered voters in Treasure Island will choose between two names for the position of Commissioner District 1. The candidates are Phil Collins and Dominique Marie Reiter.
Six ballot questions await the yes or no answers by registered voters in the city of St. Petersburg.
The first question asks voters to partially release restrictive covenants on portions for former city property now part of Vinoy Resort to allow construction of a health club facility and future hotel.
The second question asks voters to decide yes or not on a charter amendment to comply with state law to change the deadline for the canvassing board to meet following an election.
The third question asks voters to decide if charter amendments required by state or federal law could be made by ordinance instead of referendum.
Question four requests to decide on an amendment to the city charter changing the date for election of the chair and vice chair and adjusting the terms accordingly.
The fifth question asks voters to approve a charter amendment requiring that city council vacancies be filled within 45 days and remove the option to wait until the next election to fill a vacancy.
Question six asks for voter approval to amend the city charter to correct typographical errors, to insert clarifying language and to delete obsolete language.
Pinellas County is asking voters to approve at 10 year extension for the Penny for Pinellas one-cent infrastructure surtax.
Pinellas Suncoast Fire and Rescue District is posing two questions to voters within its service area.
The first question asks voters to allow PSF&RD to amend its non-ad valorem assessment rates established in 2003 from $190 per single family residence to $260; for undeveloped, unplatted commercial and residential property an increase of $70; and each category of other commercial property with fixed assessments an increase of $70 per the first 500 square feet and $0.20 per square foot over 500 square feet.
The second question asks voters to approve an amendment granting the District the authority to, without referendum, annually increase its rate of assessments in an amount not to exceed the average annual growth rate in Florida personal income over the previous five years
For more details on races within Tampa Bay Newspapers’ coverage area and more election information, visit the online election section.
Call the Supervisor of Elections office at 464-3551 or visit www.votepinellas.com.
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Article published on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007
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