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Voters To Decide 4 St. Pete Council Seats

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By CARLOS MONCADA | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 6, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - Voters in Pinellas' largest city go to the polls today to decide on four of eight city council seats.

Incumbents are running in two of the races. In District 1, Herb Polson, 59, St. Petersburg's former staff lobbyist appointed to the seat in December, faces former council member Bob Kersteen, 70, who last served in 2000.

In District 5, James Bennett is on the ballot against "New Election,'' a quirk that resulted when Bennett's opponent, Chris Kelly, dropped out of the race. Voters will decide whether to re-elect Bennett, 55, who owns a landscaping service, or hold a special election next year to fill the seat.

The other council races involve four newcomers.

In District 3, Bill Dudley, 63, a retired educator, is running against Ed Montanari, 49, an American Airlines pilot.

The District 7 race pits Gershom Faulkner, 36, a former Marine who served in the Persian Gulf War, against Wengay Newton, 44, a photography studio owner and operator.

Council members in St. Petersburg are limited to two four-year terms and are paid $39,330 annually.

In Largo, voters will decide two city commission races.

Incumbent Harriet Crozier, 63, faces John Mandujano, 52, a computer consultant, in Seat 5.

Newcomers Woody Brown, 37, a chiropractor, faces Curtis Holmes, 58, a longtime city hall critic, for Seat 6.

Polls for both elections, which are nonpartisan, are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Reporter Carlos Moncada can be reached at (727) 451-2333 or cmoncada@tampatrib.com.

Reporter Carlos Moncada can be reached at (727) 451-2333 or cmoncada@tampatrib.com.

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