With Election Day approaching — Nov. 8 — candidates in Bradenton Beach are asking for a vote.
The city electorate has a choice for its Ward 4 city commissioner — John Chappie or Bill Vincent — in a nonpartisan race.
The winning candidate will serve a two-year term and will receive a $400 monthly stipend.
Another issue facing voters in Bradenton Beach is whether to adopt a proposed six-month building moratorium.
Adoption of the ordinance would provide for a six-month moratorium on the acceptance, review and issuance of building permit applications for all residential units in the R-1 and R-2 districts of the city that contain more than four bedrooms or sleeping areas.
Chappie looks to regain city seat
Instead of running for re-election for a third term for the county commission seat he holds in District 3, John Chappie decided to pursue again the seat representing Bradenton Beach Ward 4 — a seat he held 1997-2001 and again in 2008.
In addition to serving as a city commissioner, Chappie was a member of the planning and zoning board 1986-2001 and mayor 2001-07.
Chappie, 64, born in Dayton, Ohio, has been a resident of Bradenton Beach for more than 42 years.
He has served in a variety of community organizations, including the Bridge Street Festival Committee, Tingley Memorial Library board of directors, Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island, AMI Bike Path Committee and the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program.
The dissolution of residential neighborhoods in the city concerns Chappie.
“We are rapidly losing the character of our residential neighborhoods,” he said.
Chappie said state legislative changes in 2011 diminished or infringed upon local government’s home rule, taking away Bradenton Beach’s authority to regulate vacation rentals.
As city commissioner, Chappie said he would work with the planning and zoning board and residents to “make needed adjustments.”
Chappie said he supports a proposed building moratorium.
“I believe the proposed moratorium will serve as a short time out, giving us the opportunity to have a better understanding of our comprehensive plan and land development regulations,” Chappie said.
Vincent hopes to fill void
Bill Vincent is ready to make changes in Bradenton Beach.
“In my opinion residents and neighborhoods are and have been underrepresented by the commission,” Vincent said.
He supports the proposed building moratorium, seeing it as an opportunity to review and adopt “best practices” to stabilize density in the R-1 and R-2 districts.
“I am a strong proponent of stabilization, management and preservation of the historic “old Florida” fishing village nature of our R-1 and R-2 residential neighborhoods,” Vincent said.
Vincent, 69, a retiree, is president of the Pines Trailer Park Homeowners Association, 103 Church St. N., where he has resided for 10 years with wife Rose.
Prior to moving to Bradenton Beach, Vincent served as board member and president of the Parish Board of Education and the Eastside Commercial Club of Lansing, Michigan. He also was a Vevay Township Zoning Board member in Michigan.
Currently, Vincent is a member of the Bradenton Beach Scenic Waves Committee, the Moratorium Citizens Referendum Committee and he regularly attends planning and zoning board and city commission meetings.
In addition to supporting the proposed moratorium, Vincent said there are several aspects of city commission objectives requiring review and update.
These include the annual budget process, the employee handbook with an emphasis on job descriptions and duties, and annual performance reviews and merit pay increases.
“If elected, I would take a long and hard look at administrative policies and procedures,” Vincent said.
Of 747 registered voters in Bradenton Beach, 282 people voted in the Aug. 30 primary election.
Bradenton Beach voters will cast ballots Tuesday, Nov. 8, at precinct No. 307, Bradenton Beach Fire Hall, 201 Second St. N.