BRADENTON BEACH – Bradenton Beach City Commission candidate Tjet Martin recently mailed a campaign letter to 246 city voters that does not include a political disclaimer required by state law.
Martin self-reported the potential campaign violation and is now trying to rectify the matter.
According to Florida Statute 106.143: “Any political advertisement that is paid for by a candidate, except a write-in candidate, and that is published, displayed, or circulated before or on the day of any election must prominently state ‘Political advertisement paid for and approved by (name of candidate), (party affiliation), for (office sought)’ or ‘Paid by (name of candidate), (party affiliation), for (office sought).’”
State law also says, “Any person who willfully violates any provision of this section is subject to the civil penalties prescribed in statute 106.265.”
These state laws apply to campaign signs and print advertisements as well.
On Oct. 2, commission candidate Tjet Martin mailed this campaign letter to 246 Bradenton Beach voters, but she failed to include a political disclaimer required by state law. – Submitted
Martin is familiar with state election laws, having previously run for a commission seat in 2014. She also assisted her significant other, former mayor Bill Shearon, with his past campaigns.
In her campaign letter, she wrote: “I have the desire to make sure things are done correctly and promptly.”
When The Sun contacted her about the potential campaign violation on Friday, Martin said, “Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I will be contacting the Supervisor of Elections to see if I can correct this.”
On Saturday, Martin emailed Supervisor of Elections Mike Bennett and Deputy Chief Sharon Stief.
“I was advised October 5th that the campaign letter I sent did not contain the required disclosure ‘paid political advertisement paid by.’ The campaign letter was mailed October 2nd to 246 absentee voters. I request your assistance and direction to correct this unintended oversight,” she wrote.
Martin sent the same email to Florida Division of Elections Director Maria Matthews.
To the best of The Sun’s knowledge, no complaint has been filed with the Florida Elections Commission regarding the omitted political disclaimer.
BRADENTON BEACH – Incumbent commissioners Ralph Cole and Marilyn Maro, former Scenic WAVES Committee chair Tjet Martin and former Planning and Zoning Board member John Metz are competing for the two at-large commission seats to be decided in the upcoming city elections.
In lieu of a candidate’s forum, all four candidates were provided with a list of campaign questions. These are some of the questions and answers, with more to come as part of The Sun’s ongoing campaign coverage.
Why do you want to serve on the Bradenton Beach City Commission?
Cole: “Because I don’t agree with the direction two of my opponents want to take our city in.”
Maro: “I want to serve another term to keep our projects moving forward.”
Martin: “To give the residents a stronger voice and focus on their needs and our environmental and safety issues.”
Metz: “To create a better experience for our residents by focusing on their needs and goals, rather than on the commercialization of our city.”
Metz – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Do you support the candidacy of any other candidate?
Cole: “Yes, I support Marilyn.”
Maro: “Yes, but I’m not going to say who it is.”
Martin: “Yes, John Metz.”
Metz: “Yes, Tjet Martin.”
What have you accomplished during your current term in office?
Cole: “We passed legislation so you can’t put a multi-level, stand-alone parking structure in any part of the city; we’re working on our drainage issues and we made good policies for the CRA.”
Maro: “I kept the building moratorium going for more than a year. I’m the liaison for the cell tower and Scenic WAVES. I listened carefully and made good and fair decisions.”
Martin – Joe Hendricks | Sun
If elected, what would you do differently than the current commissioners?
Martin: “I will stay on top of projects that come before us. I want to make sure they get done correctly.”
Metz: “Focus on our residents’ needs and infrastructure to provide a better living experience to retain our residents and their quality of life.”
What are the most important issues facing the commission in the next two years?
Cole: “Drainage improvements, keeping our employees, maintaining the character of our city and protecting our city charter that’s been under attack from people trying to change it.”
Maro: “Improving the drainage and roads, upgrading our city buildings, staying on point and getting along as a commission.”
Martin: “Our residents’ quality of life. Better oversight of expenses and projects.”
Metz: “Restoring and reinforcing the residential quality of life in the city.”
What are the most important issues facing the CRA in the next two years?
Cole: “The undergrounding of the power lines and finishing the day dock.”
Maro: “The underground wiring, the design vision of Emily Anne Smith and seagrass mitigation near the pier.”
Martin: “Anchorage control, safety on Gulf Drive, better resident representation in the distribution of funds.”
Metz: “Mooring field.”
Cole – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Do you think the city should hire a city manager?
Cole: “Not at this time. I think it would destabilize our city.”
Maro: “Definitely not.”
Martin: “Yes, we need an impartial professional who lays out all options and follows our laws – someone who knows how to write contracts, get grants and avoid lawsuits.”
Metz: “Yes.”
What thoughts do you have on the charter amendments proposed by the Charter Review Committee?
Cole: “When you’re going to change your charter, do it in the Sunshine at city hall and get public input. This group did a good job, and they came out wanting to put the four wards back in. I support that.”
Maro: “I like the ward system. It keeps the power balanced.”
Martin: “I think the CRC was rushed. I don’t think the process was independently thought out.”
Metz: “Maintain at-large elections, not wards, and maintain (create) a city manager form of government.”
Maro – Joe Hendricks | Sun
How would assess the city’s drainage projects and what more should be done to address flooding?
Cole: “We have to make sure whatever we do works, is maintainable without a big tax burden and is appealing. Fixing the outfalls into the bay and installing more WaStop valves would help. When you get torrential downpours you need that overflow so it doesn’t back up into people’s houses and yards. And we have to address standing water so we don’t have mosquito problems.”
Maro: “The stormwater projects are moving along, but it’s going to take time. It’s getting better, and we have a good engineer. We’re going to restore the driveways on Avenue C, and I recommended those property owners not have to pay for those permits.”
Martin: “Poor. Fix the residential areas. Bridge Street is a mess when it rains because of the project that was done and now must be fixed. Again.”
Metz: “The projects have generally failed and have not been maintained.”
Do you feel the Transient Public Lodging Establishment (vacation rental) ordinance has been effective in addressing concerns about vacation rentals in residential neighborhoods?
Cole: “The state made it very difficult for local governments that did not have the wherewithal to prohibit rentals of less than 30 days in residential areas before 2011. All we can do now is regulate for noise, trash and parking, and we haven’t had any Bert Harris claims.”
Maro: “The TPLE is working, but it’s going to take time. It’s given everyone a better understanding of our citizens’ rights.”
Martin: “No, to this day on opposite ends of the city I get people telling me there are large parties.”
Metz: “No.”
What more can be done?
Cole: “We all knew we may have to tweak our ordinance and we probably will.”
Maro: “We’re going to have to get together with the realtors that manage them because I think that’s where the problem lies. We need to have more input from the people that are renting them out.”
Martin: “Task the planner and the Planning and Zoning Board to look into additional regulations. More enforcement of the TPLE.”
Metz: “Reinstate the moratorium and reduce house size or capacity. Enforce the existing noise and trash laws.”
