Former Bradenton Beach Mayor John Shaughnessy is the city’s new Ward 1 commissioner.
Shaughnessy, who lost his mayoral seat to Bill Shearon by 17 votes in November 2013, was nominated June 4 by Commissioner Jan Vosburgh to be new Mayor Jack Clarke’s successor as Ward 1 commissioner.
“He should need no introduction to anyone in this room,” Clarke said of Shaughnessy, who served Bradenton Beach as commissioner, vice mayor and mayor, in addition to volunteer service to the city. “He brings to the dais a wealth of institutional memory and experience. He is the one person more than any other, who made our pier (renovation) possible.”
Commissioners approved the nomination 3-0 with Commissioner Janie Robertson absent with excuse. Shaughnessy took the oath of office, then took his place on the dais.
Clarke defeated Shearon by 13 votes in a May 19 recall election. While Clarke serves the remaining five months of Shearon’s term, Shaughnessy will serve the final five months of Clarke’s term as commissioner.
“Thank you all very much for your support,” Shaughnessy said. “I appreciate it.”
Clarke’s monthly salary as mayor is $800. The commissioners’ are compensated $400 per month.
Neither Clarke nor Shaughnessy have said if they plan to run for re-election in November. Shearon already has announced his intention to run again for mayor.
It was a night for nominations. Before Shaughnessy had his moment in the spotlight, Commissioner Ed Straight entered the chambers wearing shades, having undergone cataract surgery earlier in the day.
Vosburgh nominated Straight to succeed Clarke as vice mayor. Straight accepted the nomination, which the commission approved unanimously.
“Ed is here above and beyond the call of duty,” Clarke said of his recuperating colleague.
Meanwhile, commissioners unanimously voted to promote acting clerk Terri Sanclemente to city clerk, at an annual salary of $55,000, roughly the midpoint of the $43,805-$66,260 pay range. As acting clerk, she earned deputy clerk pay of $15.75 per hour or $32,760 per year.
Sanclemente served as acting clerk since July 2014. Clarke, who nominated Sanclemente for the promotion, said she “made order out of chaos in the clerk’s office … her recent service was exceptional during a very trying period in our city’s administration.”
Sanclemente worked November 2006-May 2012 in the city administration department. She said she handled accounts payable, payroll, stormwater billing, business tax receipt billing, minutes for commission, budget and audit meetings, plus the Island Transportation Planning Organization meetings.
Sanclemente said in an email she also worked on city records and proclamations, among other tasks. Her boss was former city clerk Nora Idso.
Sanclemente told commissioners she is honored to accept the new position.
“I’ve always loved this city, from the very first time I stepped foot in city hall,” she said, adding that Idso taught her many things “you can’t learn on your own.”
Two items on the consent agenda approved by commissioners authorized Sanclemente and assistant clerk Emily Long to attend the Florida Institute of Government Seminar on Public Records Management June 21-23 in Gainesville. Registration for the two-day course is $179.