Government Digest

Election results
GULF COAST — Bill Foster won the St. Petersburg mayor's race defeating Kathleen Ford with 53% of the vote. Incumbents Jim Kennedy (56%), Leslie Curran (72%), Karl Nurse (74%) and Jeff Danner (72%) won back their council seats in districts 2, 4, 6 and 8, respectively, and the open district 5 seat was won by Steve Kornell (59%).

In Bradenton, all three incumbents — Marianne Barnebey (70%), Patrick Roff (52%) and Bemis Smith (57%) — retained their ward seats.

In Venice, Emilio Carlesimo won Seat 3 with 61% support, and James Bennett took Seat 4 with 51% of the vote.

Cape Coral Mayor James Burch was beaten by John Sullivan who took 63% of the vote. Winners in the district races were Marty McClain (52%), Chris Chulakis-Leetz (55%) and Kevin McGrail (52%).

Fort Myers ward seats went to Levon Simms (64%) and Forrest Banks (75%) and a proposed charter amendment establishing a police oversight panel lost with 71% in opposition.

Abandoned property ordinance
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY — The county joined a dozen other local governments in the state with a new foreclosed property registry. The county's new property registration ordinance became effective Nov. 2.

The ordinance requires lenders to register all vacant, abandoned and foreclosed properties with county code enforcement, and requires periodic property inspections. Each registration costs $100 per property. The ordinance applies only in the unincorporated areas, and only to abandoned or vacant properties in some stage of foreclosure.

The ordinance's intent is to maintain a listing of properties for periodic inspection. According to a county press release, “Abandoned properties that develop overgrown conditions and have unsecured, accessible structures can lower neighbors' property values, foster an unsafe and unhealthy environment for children, and are an open invitation to thieves and gangs.”

Frank seeks House seat
TAMPA —Democrat Stacy Frank, an attorney and small business owner, announced her candidacy for the Florida's District 57 House seat currently held by Rep. Faye Culp, R-Tampa. Culp is term-limited out. Frank is the daughter of Hillsborough Clerk of Circuit Court Pat Frank, a former Hillsborough County commissioner.

Dockery runs for governor
FLORIDA — State Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, announced her bid for governor and will face fellow Republican, Attorney General Bill McCollum, in the primary. Should Dockery, 48, defeat McCollum her likely general election opponent would be Democrat Alex Sink, the state's chief financial officer, assuring Florida of its first female governor.

MEETINGS

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
The Planning Commission meets at 2 p.m. Nov. 9 followed by a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. on proposed amendments to the capital improvements element for Tampa, Temple Terrace, Plant City and Hillsborough County.

The University Area Enterprise Zone (UAEZ) Board will meet at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10 at the University Area Community Center, 14013 N. 22nd St., Tampa. For more information, contact Lynn Schultz, enterprise one coordinator, (813) 914-4028 ext. 62010.

The Tourist Development Council will meet at 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov.12 for its regular quarterly meeting. The meeting will be held in the boardroom on the 2nd floor of County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. For additional information, contact Marilyn Hett, Tourism Development Manager, (813) 272-6212.

Mark Sharpe, the District 7 countywide commissioner, presents his vision for the county's future at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 at SouthShore Regional Library, 15816 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin.

The “Blueprint” presentation focuses on transportation, economic/workforce development, education and quality of life. Sharpe supports a referendum for a proposed additional 1% sales tax for light rail, bus and road improvements.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY
The Murdock Village Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, in Room B-106 of the Charlotte County Administration Center. For more information, call Kathy Knee, (941) 627-3023.

PASCO COUNTY
The county commission will hear a presentation from Progress Energy and hold an International City County Managers Association session on rightsizing to fiscal realities at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10 at the West Pasco Government Center, first floor boardroom, 7530 Little Road, New Port Richey.

Pasco County and Sportsplex USA will hold two public meetings from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10 and Thursday, Nov. 12. The Nov. 10 meeting is at the Pasco County Historic Courthouse in Dade City and the Nov. 12 meeting is at the West Pasco Government Center board room in New Port Richey. The county and Sportsplex USA entered into a private-public partnership in August to design and construct a facility to become a sports and travel destination for tournament and league play.

The county commission will hold a public workshop from 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 16 to discuss the possible use of a “Transfer of Development Rights” program. TDR is a land use concept used to encourage development in certain areas and preserve other areas. The workshop will be at the Pasco-Hernando Community College west campus conference center, 10230 Ridge Rd., in New Port Richey. For more information, contact Carol Clarke in growth management at (727) 847-8193, ext. 8419.

MANATEE COUNTY
The county commission and planning commission will hold a joint meeting from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 10 in Manatee Room #502 of the county administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W.

LEE COUNTY
The county commission will hear departments' strategic plan presentations at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10 and Thursday Nov. 12 in the commission chambers, 2120 Main St., Fort Myers.
The Tourist Development Council meets at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13 at 12800 University Drive, Suite 325, Fort Myers.

COLLIER COUNTY
The Metropolitan Planning Organization meets Friday, Nov. 14 at 10 a.m.in the Board of County Commissioners Chambers, 3301 East Tamiami Trail, Naples.