Bradenton Beach citizens didn’t return or check out any books at Tingley Memorial Library Nov. 2. Instead, they went to Tingley to retain Jan Vosburgh on the Bradenton Beach City Commission.
Vosburgh defeated Michael Harrington in the race for the city’s Ward 4 commission seat, which until June was held by Bob Bartelt, now the city’s mayor. Based on unofficial returns, Vosburgh received 273 votes to Harrington’s 182 in the contest for the two-year term.
When election judges unlocked the door to Tingley, the city’s only polling place, about a dozen people waited to vote.
Vosburgh was among the early voters. She then moved to the 100 block of Gulf Drive North and joined supporters waving signs.
She said, with hesitation, that friends assured her that she would be the day’s winner. “You never know,” she added.
Vosburgh, a former member of the city’s charter review commission, was appointed to fill Bartelt’s seat in June. Within weeks she was in the Nov. 2 race for the seat, facing Michael Harrington, a member of the city’s mooring/anchorage committee.
Vosburgh, a 12th Street South resident who owns an accommodations business on the Island, campaigned with the motto, “Taking action, getting results.”
She emphasized her fiscal conservatism and business acumen as she sought citizen support for her candidacy throughout the city.
“I have an extensive business background,” said Vosburgh. “I have excellent people and management skills. I enjoy problem solving — through listening, utilizing my organizational skills and implementing a plan to resolve.”
In her former home state of Utah, Vosburgh ran a successful furniture store and served as vice president of the Utah Chamber of Commerce — work that helped her earn a Utah Citizen of the Year Award.
Harrington, a resident of Church Avenue, is a retired law enforcement officer and facilities manager.
Like Vosburgh, throughout his campaign Harrington stressed business experience. He also showcased his fiscal restraint with a lower-key campaign in which he refused to accept campaign contributions. His most recent finance report shows $700 in contributions — his own — to Vosburgh’s $2,103.
Harrington campaigned with a promise to be a dedicated representative. He told The Islander, in a candidate Q&A, that citizens should vote for him because “I have the experience for just this type of position and feel that experience is very important in dealing with the issues.”
Harrington, on election day, said he ran the campaign he wanted to run.
“It’s been a fun trip,” he said, adding that he planned to wait out the day — and the results — at home.
Bartelt was unopposed in his race for mayor, also a two-year term, and political newcomer Ed Straight was unopposed in his race for Ward 2 commissioner, the seat held now held by Bob Connors. When Connors decided not to seek re-election, he sought out Straight.
A swearing-in for the newly elected officeholders will take place at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.
For more information on election day results, including the decision on a series of proposed charter amendments in Bradenton Beach, check for updates at www.islander.org and read the Nov. 10 issue of The Islander.