Voters in Bradenton Beach were headed to the polls Nov. 3 to elect a mayor and a commissioner.
Current Mayor Jack Clarke and former Mayor Bill Shearon were campaigning for the top post at city hall as The Islander went to press.
Incumbent Janie Robertson was facing a challenge from Ralph Cole in Ward 3 for city commission.
A second commission seat up for election will be filled by Jake Spooner. The seat currently is held by John Shaughnessy, who did not seek re-election.
When the swearing in is held Nov. 16, the newly elected government will oversee a city that has undergone a number of important changes during the past two years.
One iconic city landmark, the Historic Bridge Street Pier, is an example of a project — and monumental change — for which Shaughnessy, Shearon and Clarke all can claim some credit.
Clarke was mayor when the city landed a restaurant tenant for the pier, the Anna Maria Oyster Bar. But Shearon led the city as mayor through the eviction of its struggling Cast-n-Cage restaurant and through the complete renovations and rebuild of the pier.
And Shaughnessy was in the mayor’s office when the renovation funding was secured.
Not done with politics, Shaughnessy was appointed Ward 1 commissioner in June and served five months. But he chose not to run for a two-year term and Spooner won the Ward 1 seat without opposition, just as Clarke did two years ago.
In a conciliatory gesture, Shearon included Shaughnessy in the grand reopening of the pier. Shaughnessy said it was “the culmination of the spirit of those who dedicated their efforts to make this day possible. A group of people brought together one purpose.”
While Shaughnessy spoke about teamwork, whether that spirit will resonate as the city tackles the challenges of 2016 and beyond is in question.
Mayor Jack Clarke refuses to comment to his constituents, the readers of The Islander.
The polling place, the old fire hall, 201 Second St., Bradenton Beach, will be open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, for voters to cast ballots in the municipal election. Already, a number have voted by mail.