Voters in Bradenton Beach can expect more of the same in the weeks leading up to the election.
Incumbent Ward 4 commissioner Jan Vosburgh and challenger Tjet Martin plan to keep up their current campaign strategies as the Nov. 4 election draws near.
For Vosburgh, this means more meet and greets at local venues such as the Gulf Drive Cafe and Drift In, both in Bradenton Beach, as well as canvasing neighborhoods, including the Sandpiper Resort mobile home park.
“The first time I ran for commissioner it was nothing like this,” said Vosburgh, who first defeated Michael Harrington in 2010.
“I’ve had such an outpouring of support and met so many wonderful people along the way,” she added. “I’m really grateful. It’s been a wonderful experience.”
Those boosting Vosburgh’s campaign include the Bridge Tender Inn and BridgeWalk Partners, among other Bradenton Beach businesses.
Vosburgh continues to stress her commitment to keep city expenses and taxes down and to to promote a healthy business community.
In a city that recently has been wracked by personnel issues, she also maintains the importance of improving employee morale, “because happy employees make very productive employees.”
Vosburgh expressed confidence in her ability to defeat challenger Tjet Martin, but declined to comment on her opponent.
“I’m going to take the high road to the very end,” she said.
Martin also has hopes of winning the seat.
She has focused on rallying supporters through mailings that outline her plans to improve the city, which include better oversight of the city’s budget and protection of the city’s residential lifestyle over commercialism.
“My opponent continually supports and promotes commercialism over the protection of our residential lifestyle,” Martin stated in a recent email. She pledges to “work to retain the sanctity of our city documents as voted on by our residents.”
In talking with city residents, Martin says she has noted the dissatisfaction of many voters with the status quo of government in Bradenton Beach. She agrees.
“I don’t think that some things that the city is doing are right,” she said. “This is our home. I really want to see everyone happy.”
She applies that same philosophy to her personal abode, which she shares with her life partner, Mayor Bill Shearon.
To those who question whether their relationship poses an issue for the city, Martin said, “We have a rule in our house — no politics. We enjoy dinner and cocktails together and focus on the things that make us happy, like Bill’s grandkids and my two sons.”
Two-term Commissioner Ed Straight is unopposed in his bid for re-election and will automatically retain his seat.
There are 763 eligible voters in Bradenton Beach to cast votes Nov. 4 at the Annie Silver Community Center, 108 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach.