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Officers Elected Peacefully After Weeks Of Tension

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By KATHY STEELE

ksteele@tampatrib.com

Published: November 5, 2008

SEMINOLE HEIGHTS - After weeks of tension and disputes, the Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association held a civil and polite election of its officers for 2009.

The new officers are: Jeff Harmon, president; Evan St. Ives, vice president; Christie Freeman, secretary; Susan Long, treasurer; and Doreen DiBona, Eric Krause, Tommy McNeeley, Bill Hunter and Shawn Hicks, trustees.

Proposed bylaws that would have given some officers two-year terms and set term limits were voted down.

"I will do all I can to keep the association moving in a positive direction," Harmon said during a question-and-answer exchange before the Oct. 28 vote.

Nearly 200 of the association's more than 500 members voted.

The run up to the election had become contentious, with accusations of unfair tactics and bias lodged by divided camps. Some said a postcard endorsing a slate of candidates was timed to arrive in members' mailboxes on the same day as absentee ballots, and gave the appearance of being an association endorsement.

The association's executive board voted to send a second mailing stating that the group's policy is to make no endorsements. An announcement restating that position was made before last week's vote. With the exception of Long, the elected officers were among those listed on the first mailing.

Candidates had two minutes for opening statements and generally focused on moving the association forward. Some stressed the need for better communication.

Fliers, postcards and town hall meetings were among the ideas suggested by candidates.

One questioner asked for a show of hands on how many candidates support creation of a local historical district in Hampton Terrace, a proposal that has split neighbors. He got no takers as candidates mostly said the decision is up to Hampton Terrace residents not the general membership.

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 259-7652.

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