The deadline for applications to fill a Bradenton Beach city commission seat closed March 13.
Commissioners are expected to make their nominations to fill the Ward 1 seat during a March 21 meeting at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.
Bradenton Beach businessperson Jake Spooner vacated the seat in December 2023. Spooner had served as commissioner from 2015 and was reelected without opposition in 2023. He cited the state’s newly expanded financial disclosure requirement as the reason for his resignation.
Applicants for the seat include:
- Debbie Scaccianoce, co-owner of Double Deez Chicago Style Hot Dogs, 3009 Gulf Drive N., Holmes Beach, and previously a records manager for Manatee County.
Scaccianoce, who has been a resident of Bradenton Beach for the last 11 years, spoke with The Islander March 16 about her desire to become the next Ward 1 commissioner.
She said her family has a history of public service in Bradenton Beach.
“I kind of consider Bradenton Beach to be a family legacy. My family has had a presence on the island for over 45 years,” Scaccianoce said.
She said her father had been part of the city planning board in the early 1980s and her brother, Sam Speciale, served as police chief for 35 years.
“My family has lived in Ward 1 for over 45 years and I’ve always been interested in politics,” Scaccianoce said. “I’ve worked in government for over 37 years in my career and so that’s why I threw my hat in the ring.”
Scaccianoce said she felt she had a unique perspective to bring to the commission as not only a resident but also a small business owner. She said she enjoys relationship-building with the Bradenton Beach community.
“I love talking to people, the interaction I have with people,” she said. “ It’s a very close-knit community and I like that.”
- Gary Michniewicz, originally from Chicago, bought a residence in Bradenton Beach in 2007 and moved permanently to the city in 2020.
He retired to Anna Maria Island from his position as a division director for Speedway LLC and is a former board member for the Knights of Columbus’ juvenile diabetes initiative in 2022.
“I have no ties to any businesses or anything. I just want to do good for the community,” Michniewicz told The Islander March 15.
He also said, “Leaders for a community have to deliver results for the community, take care of what’s occurring today and figure out what’s it going to look like 10, 20, 30 years down the road.”
The city charter states that if a majority decision on an appointment is not reached by the commission after two meetings, the city clerk will choose a successor by lot from the proposed nominees.
Commissioners receive a stipend of $400 a month.
The term will end in November 2025.
The commission meeting will be at noon Thursday, March 21, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.