Bradenton Beach Commissioners Ralph Cole and Marilyn Maro are uncontested for their seats in the November election.
“I’ve lived here for 40 years. When I moved here Mayor Connick was the mayor. I started my business up with the Pierolas,” Cole said, referring to the late Dick Connick and Katie Pierola and her family — then owners of the Catalina motel in Bradenton Beach.
Pierola was mayor for three terms and Cole said his relationship with her helped fuel his interest in politics.
“I helped her do her campaigns, do all the signs and stuff like that. I took all the pictures she needed for the beach renourishments and I went to all the meetings with her.”
Cole also drew inspiration from his father, Gail, who served a term as mayor of Bradenton Beach.
Cole moved from Fort Wayne, Indiana, with family and started Coastal Watersports, 1301 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach, to teach people how to sail. He also rents personal watercraft and paddleboards. His business springs from his love of sailing.
He said one issue facing the city is a shrinking population of full-time residents due to the increase in short-term rentals.
“We have a hard time finding good people to run who will spend our tax dollars in good ways. A lot of people won’t do something for nothing. They won’t volunteer their time and in this job that is essentially what you’re doing.”
A commissioner receives $400 a month stipend.
Cole said one job he’d like to see taken care of in his next term is buried utilities.
Cole has served three nonconsecutive terms as a commissioner. He was elected in 2015 for Ward 3, appointed to a one-year term in 2017, elected in 2018 and again in 2020.
He had lost his bid for reelection in 2017 and was appointed by the commission to fill the seat vacated by John Chappie when he was elected mayor.
Commissioner Marilyn Maro has lived on the island for more than 18 years, according to the city website. She’s a former hair stylist who serves as Ward 2 commissioner.
“I used to hear about the problems in my city from people sitting in my chair at the salon. I thought about what I’ve heard and decided I would like to try and help,” Maro told The Islander in 2016.
The commissioner did not respond to requests from The Islander for an interview.
While Maro and Cole are uncontested, Maro’s ability to retain her office will be determined at the polls, as voters will decide a proposed charter amendment to eliminate term limits.
Elected officials in Bradenton Beach serve two-year terms with a limit of three consecutive terms.
Maro has served as Ward 2 commissioner for three consecutive terms. She was appointed to a two-year term in 2016 and elected in 2018 and again in 2020.
On Nov. 8, when voters decide whether to eliminate term limits, they’ll also decide whether they’re reelecting Maro.
If the vote for the elimination of term limits does not go through, Maro will not be able to remain an elected official.
The ballot contains four other charter changes proposed by a review committee and recommended by city commission.
There are 683 registered voters and the polling place on Election Day is the volunteer fire hall, 201 Second St. N.