Candidate withdraws from Kenneth City council race; two remaining candidates are elected

KENNETH CITY — Ben Beelman has withdrawn from the race for Town Council.

The remaining two candidates in the race have automatically been elected to the two open seats on the council. One is political newcomer Adam Mayefsky. The other is former council member Phil Redisch.

Beelman blamed his withdrawal on illness in his family and the offer of a job in another state.

"I won't be in Florida past July 2012," Beelman wrote in an email Monday that made his withdrawal official.

The town still will have an election on Jan. 31. Incumbent Teresa Zemaitis is facing council member Joanne DeSimone in the race for mayor.