While candidates in other island cities are preparing speeches and campaigning, the mayor and commissioners in Holmes Beach are moving on without an election.
Holmes Beach is skipping this year’s municipal election due to a lack of challengers to incumbent Mayor Bob Johnson and Commissioners Judy Titsworth and Marvin Grossman.
Johnson and Titsworth became candidates for their respective offices during qualifying week, which ended June 24. Without challengers, the two were automatically re-elected to serve two-year terms. They will be sworn in after the election is certified by the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office in November.
When Johnson retakes office in November, he’ll get a raise, which was approved in September by commissioners. The mayor’s monthly stipend will go from $1,000 to $2,000 per month.
Grossman failed to qualify in June when he submitted his qualifying papers after deadline. Because he didn’t qualify, he lost his seat at the dais.
Without a challenger, it will be up to the post-election commission to appoint someone qualified to fill the seat until the municipal election in 2017, when the seat will be opened to candidates for a one-year term to get back in the two-year rotation.
Grossman has said he will seek the appointment when commissioners meet to fill the seat following the election.
Holmes Beach polling locations will be open for the Nov. 8 general election, when voters will cast ballots for U.S. president and vice president, Senate and U.S. representative, among other offices on the ballot.
Island voters also will decide between candidates Dave “Watchdog” Miner and Misty Servia in a runoff for the Manatee County School Board District 3 seat.
County commission races also will be on the ballot.
Two polling locations will open 7 a.m.-7p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, for Holmes Beach’s 2,849 voters at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive.
Voters can check their voter ID for the proper polling location.
The deadline to register to vote for the general election was Oct. 11. Early voting begins Oct. 24.
