BRADENTON BEACH – Two residents have expressed interest in filling the vacancy left by the Dec. 28 resignation of City Commissioner Jake Spooner.
Spooner, a commissioner since 2015 from Ward 1, resigned on Dec. 28 citing the state’s expanded Form 6 financial disclosure requirements that now apply to all Florida mayors and city commissioners holding office as of Jan. 1.
According to City Clerk Terri Sanclemente, applications for the commission seat have been submitted by Bradenton Beach resident Gary Michniewicz and Manatee County’s former record manager, Debbie Scaccianoce.
Prior to a Jan. 18 commission meeting discussion regarding filling the vacant seat, commissioners reviewed 2023 ward redistricting recommendations from the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections.
“What we decided to do at the last meeting was go through the ward boundaries first and get those set per the Supervisor of Election recommendations,” City Attorney Ricinda Perry said. “Wards 1 and 2 needed to be readjusted on boundaries according to those recommendations.”
Perry asked the commission for direction in preparing a resolution to modify the boundaries of Wards 1 and 2 and flip the numbers for 3 and 4, so sequentially the south end of the city begins at Ward 4 with Ward 1 at the north end of the city.
“I’d like to bring that back to the next commission meeting,” Perry said.
Perry had given commissioners boundary maps to review showing the recommended boundaries.
“I’ve gone through the samples; it’s a lot closer with 152, 153, 157 (residents), it’s all very well balanced now,” Mayor John Chappie said. “The way they changed the lines a little bit between one and two I don’t have any problem with that whatsoever.”
Commissioner Ralph Cole said the boundary changes look very balanced.
Commissioners reached a consensus to approve the boundary changes. Commissioner Jan Vosburgh was in attendance at the meeting. Commissioner Marilyn Maro attended the meeting by telephone.
“The last piece is after we have that resolution in place, everyone in the public will know where the wards are, and then we will need to declare the vacancy is open and we’ll take in applications of interest,” Perry said. “We start with people in that ward.”
“It’s my understanding we have two people who have filled out applications for Ward 1 and they live in Ward 1, as the way it’s going to be drawn,” Chappie said, adding, “It’s sad that we lost a good guy.”
Spooner ran unopposed in 2022 and was sworn in for a two-year term.
According to the City Charter, “Whenever there is a vacancy, the commission shall propose by nomination one or more names of willing and qualified successors for the vacancy. The commission will then vote among the nominees to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term. If a majority of the commissioners are unable to fill a vacancy or vacancies after two meetings then the successor shall be chosen by lot by the City Clerk from the nominees proposed.”
The next city commission meeting is scheduled on Thursday, Feb. 1 at 6 p.m. at the Katie Pierola Commission Chambers, 107 Gulf Drive North.
