Safety Harbor Residents Sound Off on Election Change

A 3-2 decision to move the 2014 city elections back nine months – from March to November – to coincide with county elections may save the city of Safety Harbor $22,000.

But the vote last week also may come at a cost to a pair of commissioners who are supporting the change, which also will lengthen their terms. 

The second reading – and possibly the final approval – is scheduled for the next commission meeting, which is July 15. Some residents expressed outrage. 

As "Steve" wrote in the Comments section of the Safety Harbor Patch:
"Allowing politicians to extend their own terms in office will set a dangerous precedent for future Safety Harbor elections. If they get away with extending their term in office without letting the people vote, you can be sure that it will be tried again someday."

Mayor Joe Ayoub Vice Mayor Nina Bandoni, who both voted "yes" to the change, have terms that will automatically be lengthened. Commissioner Rick Blake also supported the change.

"STOP MONKEYING WITH OUR VOTE!!!" Robert Saltzmann wrote in all capital letters.

In close to 100 comments readers left on an article about the vote (Commission Approves 2014 Election Move) residents complained most about the two commissioners lengthening their own terms, even if it was to save money.

Dan Webster wrote: 

"The bottom line is that this fiasco may be legal but by it's appearance looks to be unethical because of the conflict of interests involving those who stood to gain another 9-months in office without the voters voices being heard."

But others, like Elena Ricardo, came to the defense of the commissioners: 

"I simply cannot agree that the change in election dates implies unethical behavior on the part of Mayor Ayoub and those commissioners who voted in favor of postponement."

Harborites, what are your thoughts on the issue? Let us know in the comments below.