Tollette, Woodland, Quam win Anna Maria commission seats
By Rick Catlin
 |
| Christine Tollette, left, looks knowingly away from the vote totals held by Anne Marie Thorpe, Anna Maria administrative assistant. Tollette won a seat on the Anna Maria Commission in Tuesday's election. Islander Photo: Rick Catlin |
Anna Maria voters yesterday elected political newcomer Christine Tollette
to the city commission and returned two incumbent city commissioners
to office.
Tollette finished as the top vote-getter
with 451 votes, while current commissioners Dale Woodland and John Quam
polled 424 and 419 votes respectively. Challenger Jo Ann Mattick had
361 votes.
Turnout among the city's
electorate was moderate in this non-presidential election year as 43
percent of the city's 1,483 registered voters cast a ballot.
Quam won election to his third
term in office, while Woodland will enter his second term.
Tollette said she was extremely
pleased at the results and is looking forward to her first-ever term
as an elected official.
"I'd like to thank
the voters of Anna Maria for electing me to office and I promise that
I will listen to the people and make the best decision possible in the
interest of the city," Tollette said. "We have a number of
issues to deal with and I'm anxious to begin, especially with the
comprehensive plan."
Quam thanked the electorate for
returning him to office and pledged to continue moving forward to solve
the city's long-standing stormwater drainage and road problems.
"I'm looking forward
to this next term in office," he said. "The commission has
really moved forward with a number of projects and I believe the people
wish us to continue in that direction." He cited the upcoming commission
review of the comprehensive plan and land development codes as a major
issue the new commission will face.
Woodland accepted the mandate from
the voters to continue working on revising the comprehensive plan to
keep Anna Maria as a residential community, completing capital improvement
projects, while at the same time keeping taxes at a minimum.
"I'd like to thank
all those who voted and the candidates. It was a good, clean campaign
and this will be good for the city," he said.
Woodland also noted that one of
the major issues facing the commission is the comprehensive plan.
"I'm glad to be a part
of that process. I think the city is on the right track," he concluded.
Mattick was gracious in defeat.
She thanked those voters who had
cast a ballot in her favor and congratulated Tollette on winning a seat
on the commission.
"Chris will do a fine job.
She was the top vote-getter and I think this sends a message that the
people want change."
The swearing-in and organizational
meeting for the new commission will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov.
10 at city hall. |
