Sarasota County Elections: Venice Mayor's Job Up For Grabs

VENICE, FL — Voters in the city of Venice head to the polls Tuesday to elect a new mayor. The current mayor, John Holic, is ineligible to run for another term.

Vying to replace Holic are Frankie Abbruzzino, Council Member Bob Daniels and Ronald Feinsod.

"If I win, I believe this will be the first time a graduate of Venice High has become mayor," Abbruzzino said on social media. "I believe I would be the second veteran to win. Also, I believe I would be the first, first generation immigrant."

Subscribe to Sarasota Patch's free email news alerts and newsletters

Feinsod purchased a failing store and turned it into one of the most successful camera stores in New Jersey, according to his bio.

"I believe that the decisions that affect the local residents and businesses should be made based on the voice of the people, not special interests," Feinsod said in his campaign literature. "Our environment, sustainable responsible growth and fiscal responsibility and transparency will be my priorities."

Daniels claims that he led the effort to reduce the number of city of Venice take-home vehicles and developed a policy for their use. He also claims to have reduced the number of city vehicles that employees use for work that can be taken home from 60 to 3.

"The three are used for public safety," according to his campaign literature. "The city was purchasing, providing maintenance, fuel and insurance on these vehicles. There was no city policy. Now there is a city policy. The city has saved thousands of dollars and major city liability."

In addition to the mayor's race, which is designated as Council Seat 7, two candidates are vying for Council Seat 6 — Joe Neunder and Tim Brady. That seat had been held by Daniels.

Two other candidates will square off for Council Seat 5 — Debbie Sanacore and Nick Pachota. That seat had been held by Jeanette Gates.

The following polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.:

• Precinct #301 Waterford Sports Club, 1460 Gleneagles Drive

• Precinct #305 Church of the Nazarene, 1535 East Venice Avenue

• Precinct #435 Venetian River Club, 502 Veneto Blvd.

• Precinct #511 Venice Community Center, 326 Nokomis Avenue S.

• Precinct #513 Bird Bay Village Clubhouse, 606 Bird Bay Drive S.

• Precinct #515 Hotel Venezia, 425 US 41 Bypass N.

• Precinct #517 Church of the Nazarene, 1535 East Venice Avenue

• Precinct #519 Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 800 Tamiami Trail S.

• Precinct #521 Country Club Estates, 700 Waterway