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Brooksville City Council: Seat 4

 
Erhard
Erhard
Published Oct. 16, 2014

Brooksville City Council | Seat 4

Three political newcomers are vying for the only contested City Council seat up for election this year. The winner will join Robert "Butch" Battista and Natalie Kahler, both of whom ran unopposed. Council races are nonpartisan. By Logan Neill, Times staff writer

Vivian "Vi" Coogler, 62Betty Erhard, 52William Kemerer, 64
Experience Born into one of Brooksville's pioneering families, Coogler has made several unsuccessful stabs at political office. He lost a bid for County Commission in 2006, and was a School Board candidate briefly in 2008 before dropping out. Medically disabled, he currently works as a volunteer equipment manager with Parrott Middle School's football team. Erhard is a 27-year Brooksville resident and a 1983 graduate of Hernando High School. Her past work experience includes administrative assistant at the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce and employment with Hernando County government. She currently makes her living as an independent sales consultant. She has served on the city's charter review board since 2012. A resident of Southern Hills Plantation Club since 2012, Kemerer has served stints on the board of directors of the Westchase community homeowners association in Tampa, and for a while served as community district supervisor. He currently serves on the board of directors at Southern Hills.
EducationHigh school, some collegeHigh schoolHigh school, bachelor of science in business administration
Why do you want to be a member of the City Council?Coogler says he wants to work toward assuring residents and city business owners that the city will focus on revitalizing the city. Among his goals is to encourage the council to obtain more outside grants to help with funding to pay for infrastructure needs. Erhard, who ran unsuccessfully for the council two years ago, says her main focus is to bring "true representation" to Brooksville residents. If elected, she promises to bring fresh ideas and a desire to become a voice for residents who may feel their voices have been left out of the political process.Kemerer, who worked as a certified public accountant and lives at Southern Hills Plantation Club, says he believes in applying businesslike principles to municipal government and supports establishing budgetary policies that address both the city's present and future needs.
Would you support the continued use of red-light cameras?NoNoNo
Do you support the Penny for Progress sales tax referendum?YesYesYes

About the job: City Council members serve four-year terms and set policy and approve budgets for the city. Though they run for specific seats, council members are elected at large by all city voters. The annual salary for council members is $5,400. The vice mayor receives $6,000, the mayor $7,200.