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3 Qualify To Run For Burgess' Seat

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 20, 2008

ZEPHYRHILLS - Three challengers have stepped forward to fill the vacancy left by former Councilman Danny Burgess, who resigned last month.

The city will hold a special election in November.

Qualifying for the job, which pays $6,000 a year, ended at noon Tuesday.

Three political newcomers - Manny Funes, 63, Mark LaMonte, 49, and Lance Smith, 46 - qualified for the election.

Funes and Smith are registered Democrats. LaMonte reported being a registered Republican on the paperwork he turned in to the city Tuesday, but City Clerk Linda Boan said she couldn't confirm he was registered to vote.

Whoever wins Nov. 4 will have to run in the spring, when the seat is scheduled to come up for election.

Funes, a real estate agent and former Miami police officer, moved to the city about two years ago, though he has lived in unincorporated Pasco County for the past 25 years.

Although he has never been elected to office, Funes said he's no stranger to politics and has been involved in community events as a local Rotary Club volunteer.

"I have a unique background to identify with the needs of the city," Funes said.

LaMonte, an electrical contractor, has lived in the city since 2002, according to records.

He has a criminal record that includes several felony arrests and a misdemeanor count of driving on a suspended license.

In January 2000, LaMonte was arrested by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office on charges of grand larceny and dealing in stolen property. In a deal with prosecutors, LaMonte pleaded guilty to dealing in stolen property and received three years' probation and two years' community service. The larceny charge was dropped.

In 2002, LaMonte was arrested by the Zephyrhills Police Department on a charge of driving on a suspended license. The outcome of that charge is not known.
LaMonte did not return a phone call seeking comment.

Smith also couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday.

Several other potential candidates, including Burgess' father, Daniel Burgess Sr., pulled paperwork to run for the seat but didn't turn it in by Tuesday's deadline.

Burgess resigned July 14, saying he planned to start classes at Barry University School of Law in Orlando this fall.

In 2005, 18-year-old Burgess became the youngest person ever elected to the council.

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (813) 948-4216 or cwade@tampatrib.com.

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