Plantamura, Waters win council
seats
Teacher, former Florida House speaker pro-tempore
edge out incumbent
By BOB McCLURE
Article published on Tuesday,
March 17, 2009
 |
SEMINOLE - Two new members will join the Seminole City Council when they are sworn into office for three-year terms March 24 at City Hall.
Patricia Plantamura, a Pinellas County
school teacher, topped the four-candidate field in the March 10
municipal election with 1,189 votes (29.9 percent) and Leslie
Waters, a former Florida House of Representatives speaker
pro-tempore, was next with 1,152 votes (29 percent).
The two
newest councilors edged out incumbent Tom Barnhorn who finished with
1,053 votes (26.5 percent). Longshot James Quinn finished with 579
votes (14.6 percent).
Waters, who said she felt like a freshman legislator again, called her election "exhilarating."
"I think the voters appreciated my background and experience," said Waters, "and I appreciate the trust they're putting in me to serve their interests."
Waters conducted an
intense campaign that included visits to more than 2,000 residences
and 50 businesses in Seminole. She also utilized a phone bank and
distributed 1,000 campaign signs around the city.
She said
she plans to be visible and will make herself available to the
community.
"I'll work hard at it in the community and will be there," Waters said. "I like to be out with the people and will be very available."
Plantamura, who won a council seat after two
previous unsuccessful bids, credited teamwork for her
success.
"Our campaign was Team Plantamura," she said. "There were about 10 or 15 people that stepped up and helped out. It was persistance and a lot of help."
Plantamura said a number of
Seminole residents expressed an interest in helping her campaign
after they found out what she stood for.
"They said 'you're a viable candidate. How can I help?'" she said.
Plantamura
spent most of the late afternoon March 11 at the intersection of
Park Boulevard and 113th Street waving to motorists to say thanks
for their votes.
"I'm delighted the people got out and voted," Plantamura said. "The people that voted deserve a big thank you."
"Now I have my marching orders for 19,000 bosses."
Plantamura will be forced to give up her seat on the city's Charter Review Committee because elected officials cannot serve on the CRC.
Barnhorn said he was happy to serve the
city for three years and plans to run for City Council again in
2010.
"I'm glad for the three years I had on the council," said Barnhorn. "I think the city benefitted and we got some things done. I wish them well and look forward to running again next year."
Interestingly, of the 3,973 votes cast 3,278 (82.5
percent) were mail ballots sent from the Pinellas County Supervisor
of Elections office.
A total of 695 showed up at the polls on
election day.
|
Article published on Tuesday,
March 17, 2009
Copyright © Tampa Bay
Newspapers: All rights reserved. |