HOLMES BEACH – The election is over and two new city commissioners are taking the dais in Anna Maria Island’s largest city.
Just hours after the polls closed in Manatee County, Holmes Beach staff and elected officials were joined by friends, family and community members at city hall on Nov. 9 to swear in new commissioners Dan Diggins and Greg Kerchner. Both will be serving their first two-year terms as commissioners.
Mayor Judy Titsworth was also sworn in for her third term as mayor.
Commissioner Pat Morton welcomed both commissioners to the dais and said he hopes that the city’s elected officials will be able to work together in a positive manner going forward.
Commissioner Terry Schaefer echoed Morton’s congratulations and added that he finds it encouraging that there are still residents in the city who are willing to run for office. “Holmes Beach, unlike our two sister cities, has been blessed with people who have concerted and concerned interest in our city government and welfare,” he said. “I’m happy to have you both.”
Offering her congratulations to Titsworth, Commissioner Carol Soustek also complimented city staff for their work and dedication to the city and its elected officials. “Everyone here wants us to succeed,” she said, adding that she believes Diggins and Kerchner will find the staff to be a good resource for them going forward.
“My appreciation goes to the staff,” Titsworth said. “I couldn’t do this job without you and you all make me look really good. We’re a team and that’s the one thing we weren’t when I came on as a commissioner and then as a mayor. The staff wasn’t working together as a team. Well, we are now. We’ve all got the same goal in mind, it’s making the city the best it could ever be and I thank the commission for giving me that support. We have a team up here now. And I love it. Are we all going to agree, no, but we will always be a team and that’s what I am really looking forward to. Thank you. And thank you two for throwing your hats in the ring.”
During an organizational meeting following the swearing-in ceremony, commissioners unanimously selected Soustek to continue serving as chair with Schaefer continuing as vice chair for the next year.
Diggins and Kerchner take the seats recently vacated by former commissioners Kim Rash and Jayne Christenson. Rash made the decision during candidate qualifying over the summer to not run for a third term. Christenson initially qualified to run for re-election but decided to withdraw her candidacy prior to the election.
