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Seminole goes for familiar faces in council race

 
Edelman
Edelman
Published Nov. 5, 2014

SEMINOLE — Voters here went with two familiar faces, according to unofficial election results.

Incumbent Bob Matthews — who has served on the council since 1990, with the exception of eight months in 2006-07 — was re-elected. First-time candidate Roger Edelman, well-known as president of the Seminole Chamber of Commerce, claimed the other open seat.

Matthews, who received 26.8 percent (2,906 votes) of the vote, and Edelman, with 23.8 percent (2,582), easily defeated the other four candidates in the race. Thomas J. Christy, who was making his fifth run at the council, claimed 15.4 percent (1,672).

The other three were making their first run for office: Vincent J. Trovato, a former chamber president, got 9.3 percent (1,009); Joe Haynes, a pediatric pharmacist, 10.6 percent (1,152); and businessman Michael R. Fisher, 14 percent (1,516).

Matthews, a business owner, campaigned on his experience and his conservative fiscal approach.

Edelman, a former business owner, touted his business experience and knowledge of the city gained as chamber president.

The new council will face major issues.

City Manager Frank Edmunds is retiring next summer and the council will have to choose his successor. They will also be responsible for overseeing the redevelopment of Seminole Mall, which a developer has proposed razing. The developer has also suggested the city — and perhaps the county and state — should provide some sort of financial incentive for developing the 39 acres.

Contact Anne Lindberg at alindberg@tampabay.com or (727) 893-8450. Follow @alindbergtimes.