New Mayor, 3 Commissioners To Be Chosen By Tarpon Springs Voters

TARPON SPRINGS, FL — Tarpon Springs voters are heading to the polls Tuesday to choose a new mayor for the city along with three city commission members.

Current Mayor Chris Alahouzos has reached term limits, leaving the seat open.

Running for the post are City Commissioner Costa Vatakiotis and former Commissioner Robin Saenger.

Lisa Malamatos Benitez and Craig Lunt are running for Vatakiotis’ Seat 2 on the commission.

Commissioner Conner Donovan has decided not to seek a second term. Vying for his Seat 3 are Michael Eisner and George Koulianos.

Commissioner Townsend Tarapani has also decided against seeking re-election.

Running for his seat are Panagiotis Stavros Koulias and Jacqueline Turner.

Among the hot-button issues in the race is the ongoing dispute over whether property along the Anclote River should be developed. The commission approved the 74-acre development for 404 town homes in a 3-1 vote following a nine-hour meeting that ended at 3:30 a.m. Nov. 10.

The environmental group, Concerned Citizens of Tarpon Springs, have sued the city to stop the development, arguing that it is home to threatened wildlife and plant species.

Mayoral candidates Vatakiotis and Koulias have been outspoken critics of the commission's approval of the development.

The polls are open until 7 p.m.

For information, voters can contact the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections office.