Break out the red, white and blue. It’s election time!
And two challengers have announced for city commission in Anna Maria.
Anna Maria General Store owner Brian Seymour and planning and zoning board member David Youngs announced in the past week they will seek seats on the city commission.
Commissioners Chuck Webb and Nancy Yetter are up for re-election Nov. 8. Both filed qualifying papers with the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office.
Youngs is an IT professional who’s lived in Anna Maria since 2008.
He said he wants to help bring Anna Maria into the 21st century by focusing on improving the city’s electronic infrastructure.
“I want to improve the city and make it a better place,” Youngs said. “A lot of the newer homes and new residents are going to need things like better cables and stronger wi-fi. People that want to live here are in the upper tier.”
Seymour, who has been a part of the Anna Maria community since 2009, declined to comment. He filed qualifying papers June 13.
Both Webb and Yetter filed qualifying papers with the SOE.
Webb, an island-based attorney, has served as a city commissioner 2002-04, and 2008-present.
Yetter has been a city commissioner since 2010.
The top two vote getters will be elected to two-year terms.
Mayor Dan Murphy also will be seeking another two years in the city’s top spot.
Murphy is a retired Verizon executive. This year’s race will be his first re-election bid.
At Islander press time June 20, no one else had announced a campaign for mayor.
To become a candidate, residents must have lived in the city and be a registered voter for two continuous years before the qualification deadline.
The city’s elected officials are compensated. The mayor receives $1,633 a month and commissioners receive a $400 monthly stipend.
Candidate information packets can be obtained at Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, or at the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections office, 600 301 Blvd. W., Suite 108, Bradenton.
Qualifying forms also can be accessed online at votemanatee.com.