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Congenial Politician Retires

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By LAURA KINSLER

lkinsler@tampatrib.com

Published: February 12, 2009

ZEPHYRHILLS - Clyde Bracknell has always managed to stay above the fray.

He always let people have their say. He avoided controversy, and he stuck to his convictions. And after nearly 30 years in office, he will retire from the politics with far more friends than enemies.

Earlier this month, the city's longest-serving councilman announced he would not seek re-election for the first time since 1977. In typical understated fashion, Bracknell said he just didn't have the fire for it anymore.

"He's kind of quiet. He's never really had any other political aspirations," City Manager Steve Spina said. "He just wanted to serve his hometown."
Bracknell said he's not much of a speech maker, and he avoided getting in hot debates. He tried to keep an open mind and not hold a grudge. He earned the respect of his fellow council members, who elected him president five times.

"I try to put myself in everybody's position," he said. "If things don't go my way here, I don't take it outside the room. I figure you win some, you lose some. Hopefully I win more than I lose."
Bracknell said he tried to run the city like a business, and not consider politics. That's what made him an effective councilman, Spina said.

"When we proposed the streetscape for downtown, he came out very hard against the roundabout," Spina said, reflecting on the original 1999 proposal. "As you can see, it's not there. He's effective, but he picks his battles."

Longtime Parks Director Rick Moore credited Bracknell with the city's move to take over maintenance of ball fields. He developed a love of sports at young age and excelled at basketball, where he was a member of the Zephyrhills High School basketball team that won the 1962 state title.

He served in the Army. When he returned to Zephyrhills, he managed a local drugstore and later worked for Pasco County Schools. In 1968, Bracknell married Anna Jo Davis, a former Miss Zephyrhills. They have raised two sons and a daughter.

The one blip in his political career came in 1985 after a controversy over the selection of a new city manager. He had already served eight years on the council when he was challenged by Bruce Carrigan. Even though all the candidates ran for the open seats, the first-time candidate targeted Bracknell.

"I think people wanted some new blood," he said.

It was the only time he was beaten. A year and half into Carrigan's term, he resigned and Bracknell easily won a special election to reclaim his old seat.

"I've only missed three meetings in 29 years," he said. "I've always scheduled my vacations around council meetings. I figure, the people who elected me expect me to be there. If I say I'm going to be there, I'm going to be dedicated."

Bracknell, 66, said he looks forward to having his Monday nights free, but don't be surprised if he drops in every now and then.

"Some nights, I might be here in the audience," he said.

Reporter Laura Kinsler can be reached at (813) 779-4617.

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