Once again, web poll proves accurate

Although unscientific, the poll embedded on this website from Sept 9 through Sept 21, once again accurately projected the outcome of the Seat 4 City Commissioner runoff election within 3% of the actual vote.

On Sept 21 the day before the election, visitors to this website that took part in the poll had Brenda Ash winning the race by a margin of 63% to Valentina Webb’s 37%.

When election officials tallied the final vote, the actual numbers were 66% Ash and 34% Webb, with only a 3% variation from the projected poll numbers.

Voter turnout was at 41%, slightly lower than the 48% that casted ballots during the Sept 8 primary election.

Ash Seals the Deal

RUNOFF ELECTION RESULTS:

In an election that was primarily about nothing, political newcomer Brenda Ash delivered what has to be a disappointing blow to the incumbent and one term city commissioner Valentina Webb.

There were no hot button issues, no outcries over escalating property taxes or any of the things that usually prompt voters to oust elected officials from office.

Although virtually unknown in the political arena, except for taking on the duties of treasurer for the recently organized Franklin County Democratic Executive Committee. City commissioner-elect Ash has emerged as the newest face on the Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners.

In a runoff election to fill the expiring term of the Seat 4 city commissioner, the 40-year-old mortgage loan officer garnered 66% or 471 votes to the incumbent commissioner Webb's 34% or 247 votes.

Ash led in every possible category, she tallied 154 absentee and early ballots, and picked up an astounding 304 more at the precinct along with 13 provisional ballots to give her the 471 votes and the election.

In an earlier conversation, the commissioner-elect stated that she would like for her son who's an ordained minister to administer the oath of office, while her daughter holds the bible.

Both Ash and Frank Cook will be sworn into office at the October 6, city commission meeting at City Hall located at 1 Bay Avenue.

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Photos by Gail D. Johnson

Ash opens up huge lead over Webb

RUNOFF ELECTION RESULTS:

In the runoff race for Apalachicola Seat 4 city commissioner, Brenda Ash takes what appears to be an insurmountable lead after officials from the Supervisor of Election office tallied all absentee and early ballots.

Out of the 249 ballots already counted, Ash received 62% or 154 to Webb's 38% or 95. If the trend continues at the precinct, Ash would definitely emerge victorious and seal the deal as the newest member on the Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners.

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Photos by Gail D. Johnson

Ash, Webb faceoff in runoff election

Today Sept 22, the residents of Apalachicola will head back to the polls in a runoff election to decide which of the two remaining candidates vying for Seat 4 on the Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners will take the oath office at the upcoming October 6 city council meeting.

After the Sept 8 primary election, Brenda Ash led all candidates in a three-way race with 45 percent or 366 votes to Valentina Webb’s 32 percent or 264 votes, and Anderson Williams 23 percent or 187 votes.

In a head-to-head matchup going into the runoff, the unscientific poll embedded on this website from Sept 9 through Sept 21, indicated that the local electorate seemed fairly firm on its choice and projected Ash to win the race by 63 percent to Webb’s 37 percent.

During that period, out of the 348 visitors to this site, 30 participated in the poll and answered the question. “If the runoff election were held today, who do you think would be the next Seat 4, City Commissioner?”

At the close of business yesterday, Sept 21, 11 percent or 186 voters out of the 1,712 registered had already casted either a early or absentee ballot.

On Sept 8, voters decided the Seat 3 commission race, handing the election to Frank Cook over Jerry Hall. Cook tallied 59 percent or 446 votes to Hall’s 41 percent or 311 votes.

Web poll accurately projected race

Polls are not just for national or state elections anymore, they can also be useful tools even in small town elections like Apalachicola’s recent primary held this past Tuesday.

On July 25, the day after the official qualifying period ended for the city election, a web poll was embedded on this site to gauge the pulse of the community concerning the local fall election.

From July 25 to Aug 22, the poll recorded the responses of internet users who visited this site and participated in the poll question. “If the city election were held today who do you think would be the next city commissioner?”

Although unscientific, the poll accurately projected without a margin of error the outcome of the Seat 3 city commission race and the frontrunner in the Seat 4 race.

On Aug 22, the poll indicated that Frank Cook would win the Seat 3 race by 59 percent to Jerry Hall 41 percent, which turned out to be the exact outcome of the race.

The poll also had Seat 4 candidate Brenda Ash with a substantial lead over both Valentina Webb and Anderson Williams, which was the case.

The only variation was the projected percentages in the Seat 4 race.

The poll indicated that Ash would receive 65 percent of the vote, but the candidate actually picked up 45 percent, a 20% descending difference.

In the case of Valentina Webb, the poll showed Webb getting 25 percent of the tally; however, the incumbent commissioner garnered 32 percent, a 7% variance.

For Williams the poll projected 11 percent, but he did much better than the poll indicated and gained 23 percent, a 12% difference.

A new poll has been embedded to gauge the pulse of the community concerning the Sept 22, runoff election, only time will tell whether it accurately projects the outcome.

Cook wins, Ash and Webb in runoff

In an election with no issues, Apalachicola voters turned out in droves to returned one incumbent city commissioner and sent the other along with a political newcomer to face off in a runoff election.

Incumbent City Commissioner Frank Cook withstood challenger Jerry Hall to win Seat 3 on the Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners. Cook garnered 446 votes to Hall's 311 to begin his first elected term on the city council. In 2007, Cook received appointment as the Seat 3 commissioner after then city commissioner Van Johnson won election as the city's mayor.

For Hall the loss marks his second failed attempt to win election as a city commissioner. In 1997, Hall came up short in his first bid for the same seat on the Apalachicola city council.

In the Seat 4 race, none of the three candidates received over 50 percent of the votes to avoid a runoff election. However, political newcomer Brenda Ash led the race by tallying 366 votes, while incumbent city commissioner Valentina Webb received 264 and challenger Anderson "Andy" Williams 187.

Both Ash and Webb now has two weeks to get back on the campaign trail before facing each other in the September 22 runoff election.

All together, the voter turnout was at 48% in the Apalachicola municipal election.

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Photos by Gail D. Johnson

Cook and Ash takes early lead

Both Seat 3 candidates Frank Cook and Seat 4 candidate Brenda Ash have taken early leads in the Apalachicola city commission race after election officials tallied early and absentee ballots.

Thus far, 572 early and absentee ballots were casted with Cook receiving 168 to challenger's Jerry Hall 106 to take a commanding lead among early voters in the Seat 3 race.

In the Seat 4 race, Ash, a political newcomer out polled incumbent commissioner Valentina Webb in the early vote tally. Ash received 126 early votes, while Webb received 104 and Anderson "Andy" Williams 68.

For further results, stay connected as the Supervisor of Election is getting ready to tally the precinct votes to determine the outcome of both races.

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Photos by Gail D. Johnson

Today is Election Day

The polls open today Tuesday, Sept 8 from 7:00AM to 7:00PM for the city’s fall election to fill the expiring terms of two seats on the Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners.

There are five candidates in all vying to fill seats currently occupied by Seat 3 Commissioner Frank Cook and Seat 4 Commissioner Valentina Webb.

Cook picked up opposition from local business owner Jerry Hall, while Webb found challenges from both Mortgage Loan Officer Brenda Ash and former Police Chief Anderson “Andy” Williams.

As of Friday, Sept 4, voter turnout had reached 16%. The Supervisor of Election office had received 186 absentee ballots out of the 312 issued with 83 more voting in person during early voting from Monday, Aug 31 to Friday, Sept 4.

All totaled 269 or 16% of the 1,704 registered voters has already casted their ballots in the city’s 2009 fall election.

Election officials are estimating a 40% voter turnout where in additional 413 voters will likely cast their ballots at the precinct today.

During the city’s most recent election (the mayor’s race) officials recorded a 47% turnout or 840 votes casted in the September 4, 2007 primary.

Those wishing to cast their ballots today can do so at the Fort Coombs National Guard Armory located at 66 4th Street.

Election Night Results

Follow me on Twitter or login to the “Mayor's Blog” for up-to-the-minute election night results in both Apalachicola city commissioner races.

After the polls close at 7:00PM Tuesday, Sept 8, I will be using my Blackberry Smartphone to mobile tweet and blog the results immediately as they come in from the Supervisor of Election office.

There’s no need to wait or calling around to find out whom the winners are, just login and stay connected, while I use this fast-paced digital media to keep you the residents of Apalachicola informed.

Early voting starts today in city election

Early voting begins today Aug 31 for two seats on the five-member Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners.

Those wishing to avoid the lines at the polls on Tuesday, Sept 8, can vote early at the Supervisor of Elections office located at 47 Avenue E, from 8:30AM to 4:30PM, starting today through Friday, Sept 4.

Up for grabs are Seat 3 currently occupied by Frank Cook and Seat 4 by Valentina Webb. Jerry Hall is challenging Cook, while both Brenda Ash and Anderson “Andy” Williams are challenging Webb.

It doesn’t matter who you like or support, what matters most is that you exercise your right to vote.

Just like most Florida cities, Apalachicola is facing a drop in tax revenue due to a steady decline in the taxable value of property. While at the same time, there’s an increasing demand to add more streetlights, improved stormwater management, expanded sewer services, adequate fire protection and the list goes on.

However, what’s most troubling is that typically during an off-season election the city usually experiences a low voter turnout. In fact, during the 2007 Mayors race only 47% of almost 1,700 registered voters bothered to cast a ballot. More often than not, low voter turnout doesn’t make for good government and could prove critical, especially during these economic conditions.

As you get ready to cast your ballot, please be reminded that the winners will help set the city’s agenda for the next four years.

That's why it is important for you to learn about the candidates, their positions and choose wisely, whether voting early or on Election Day. In these economic times, Apalachicola needs wise leaders who will make good decisions.

Online poll indicate wins for Cook and Ash

While time is winding down to the Sept 8 fall election, participates in the Mayors online poll are making their preferences known ahead of time.

If the poll is any indication, then both Frank Cook and Brenda Ash will emerge victorious in their respective races, with Ash avoiding a runoff in a three-way race for Seat 4.

However, both races could come down to non-internet users who are not aware of a poll being conducted online.

Jerry Hall is challenging the incumbent Seat 3 city commissioner Cook, while Valentina Webb the Seat 4 incumbent picked up challenges from both Ash and Anderson “Andy” Williams.

In both races the poll question was the same, if the city election were held today who do you think would be the next city commissioner?

Out of the 634 internet users who visited the Mayor’s Blog from July 25 to Aug 22, thirty-seven responded to the question posed in the Seat 3 race, while 64 responded to the question in Seat 4.

In Seat 3, 59% of the respondents decided on Cook as their preference, while 41% chose Hall. In Seat 4, 64% of the respondents selected Ash, while 25% picked Webb and 11% Williams.

The poll was embedded after the official qualifying period ended and set to allow only one vote per IP address for each race. Although unscientific, the poll clearly indicates the choices of internet users who have visited the site and participated.

Williams raises objections over Webb's run

In another unexpected twist in the Apalachicola city election, on August 4 Anderson Williams hand delivered a letter to city hall objecting to Valentina Webb reentering the Seat 4 city commission race.

After duly qualifying on Friday, July 24, Webb submitted a letter to city administrator Betty Taylor-Webb withdrawing her bid to seek a second turn. In her letter, Webb expressed concerns over remaining in the race with Williams. Both Williams and Webb are related and Webb was concerned that a schism would develop should the two remain in pursuit of the same seat on the Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners.

Nonetheless, on Monday July 27 after the qualifying period was over, Webb submitted another letter stating that she was desirous to stay in the race. In the letter, Webb offered no explanation as to the sudden change. However, a local publication quoted Webb as saying that she consulted with Williams and that Williams was okay with her decision.

However, the change in events prompted city attorney Pat Floyd to research the legality of Webb rejoining the Seat 4 race. Floyd researched the city charter and contacted both local and state election officials before concluding that nothing in the statues or charter prohibited Webb from reentering the race for which she had so duly qualified to run.

In his letter, Williams objected to Webb’s, “entering, withdrawing, and re-entering the race”, and stated, “it is my greatest hope that you, the City of Apalachicola’s elected officials, would correct this matter at this level immediately”.

Williams did attend the August 4 regular scheduled city meeting, but failed to bring up his letter or any matter surrounding Webb’s candidacy.

As of this post, city election officials have certified Webb to run and her name will appear on the ballot.

Click this link to read Williams letter in its entirety.

Can I change my mind?

Several turn of events surrounding the Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners Seat 4 race has cast a shadow over Commissioner Valentina Webb’s run for reelection. Webb’s apparent inability to decide whether she’s serious about seeking a second term has left city officials in a state of bewilderment.

A couple of weeks prior to the beginning of the July 20 qualifying period, Commissioner Webb announced that she wasn’t going the seek reelection to the Seat 4 post. However, when the qualifying process opened, Webb tossed her hat in the ring seeking a second turn on the city council, only to submit a letter withdrawing her candidacy moments after the qualifying period closed at noon on July 24.

Webb notified city administrator Betty Taylor-Webb and later hand delivered a letter to city hall withdrawing her bid to run for office.

The letter read in part:

“I, Valentina Webb Commission Seat #4 officially have withdrawn myself from the upcoming Commission Seat #4. Because I am a woman of God and I personally feel as if it would cause a division between Anderson William, who is my uncle and who would have been one of my opponents. Wanting to be obedient to God, His will for my life and having standards that must be upheld.”

City staff filed Webb’s letter and forward a copy to the Franklin County Supervisor of Elections office to ensure that Webb’s name wouldn’t appear on the fall election ballot. However, late Sunday night July 26, Webb again notified Betty Taylor-Webb that she had changed her mind and wanted to reenter the race.

After contacting the Florida Division of Elections and consulting with the city attorney, it was determined that no laws existed that prohibited Webb from gaining reentry into the race.

Webb than submitted another letter which effectively guarantee that her name will appear on the ballot.

The letter in its entirety:

“I, Valentina Webb, who currently holds the Seat of Commissioner Seat Four, I delivered a letter on Friday, July 24th, 2009, at approximately 2:30 pm regarding withdrawing from the upcoming election after the qualifying time was over. When I understood it was after the qualifying time that the city of Apalachicola had received the letter, I reconsidered and informed the city administrator, Betty Taylor Webb, that I was cancelling the letter and it was not to take effect. I want to confirm that I had already qualified in accordance to the Florida Statutes/the City of Apalachicola policies as a candidate on time and I am very much interested in seeking re-election to the Commission Seat Four.

I regret any confusion and I understand that the ballots will be printed with my name on them. I personally feel as if the people should decide who is best qualified for the position and who will best serve our people’s needs.”

As of this post, Webb rejoined both Brenda Ash and Anderson Williams in the Seat 4 city commission race.

Five qualified to run in city election

When the qualifying period for the city’s fall election ended at 12 noon July 24, five candidates had qualified to run for seats on the Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners.

However, before a single ballot could be casted only four candidates remained in the race.

In the Seat 3 race, Jerry Hall is attempting to unseat incumbent City Commissioner Frank Cook, while incumbent Seat 4 Commissioner Valentina Webb picked up opposition from two political newcomers, Brenda Ash and Anderson Williams.

However, within an hour after the qualifying period ended, Webb notified City Administrator Betty Taylor-Webb, that she was withdrawing her bid for reelection.

In a hand delivered letter to City Hall, Webb cited that she felt her continued presence in the race would have caused a division between herself and Anderson Williams. Williams, who happens to be Webb’s uncle, signaled earlier in the year his intent to run for a seat on the Apalachicola City Council and Webb had announced prior to qualifying that she was not going to seek a second term.

Webb apparently reconsidered and filed her papers to run early in the process followed by Williams. After the qualifying period ended, Webb withdrew her bid to stay in the race.

While I certainly respect Commissioner Webb’s decision to withdraw from the race, I only question the timing, as I can’t help but wonder what would have happened if only Webb and Williams had qualified to run, especially when considering the contents of her letter.

One could only conclude that Williams would have captured a seat on the Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners, without the benefit of opposition. As it stands now, candidates Ash and Williams will be vying for Seat 4, and the incumbent Cook, and Hall for Seat 3.

At any rate, Ash is a mortgage loan officer and treasurer of the Franklin County Democratic Executive committee and Williams is retired from the Apalachicola Police Department as its Chief of Police. Cook is retired from the U.S. Navy and served on the city’s planning and zoning board, and Hall is a downtown merchant and a longtime Chamber member.

At least with these matchups, the taxpayers will save some money, as there will be no need for a runoff election.

Attachment:
Commissioner Webb’s Letter

Apalachicola Election Update

On Monday, July 20, Frank Cook the incumbent Seat 3 Commissioner on the Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners qualified to run in the city’s fall election scheduled for September 8, 2009. City commissioners appointed Cook to the council after the 2007 Mayors race, prior to his appointment Cook served on the Apalachicola Planning and Zoning Board.

Also on Monday, local business owner Jerry Hall submitted his papers to run for the Seat 3 commission seat. As a longtime businessman and Chamber member, this marks Hall’s second bid for a seat on the council, Hall first ran in the 1997 election.

As of the close of business Tuesday, July 21, the incumbent Seat 4 City Commissioner Valentina Webb had no opponent as she filed her qualifying papers to run for reelection. Elected in 2005, Webb is finishing her first four-year term on the council.

The qualifying period to run in this year’s fall election ends Friday, July 24 at 12 noon.

Qualifying for city election begins today

The qualifying period for the City of Apalachicola September 8, 2009 fall election begins today, July 20, 2009, at 12:00PM, and will run through Friday, July 24, 2009, at 12:00PM to fill the expiring offices of the Seat 3 City Commissioner for a term of four years and the Seat 4 City Commissioner also for a term of four years. If a runoff election becomes necessary, the city will hold such on Tuesday, September 22, 2009.

Currently serving on the Apalachicola City Council as the Seat 3 Commissioner is Frank Cook. Cook is finishing a two-year appointment following the 2007 Mayors race in which he replaced former Seat 3 City Commissioner Van Johnson. City Commissioner Valentina Webb is the current holder of Seat 4; Webb captured the seat during the 2005 election after defeating former Seat 4 City Commissioner Robert Davis.

Those desirous to enter the race may do so by picking up and returning the qualification forms to City Hall at 1 Bay Avenue and by paying the qualifying fee of $226.80, which is 4.5% of the first year’s city commissioner salary. In addition, candidates must reside within the City of Apalachicola and be duly registered to vote in the State, County, and City. Apalachicola city elections are nonpartisan and held at large.

Those wishing to vote that are not registered, may register at the Supervisor of Elections office now up to 4:30PM on August 10, 2009, for the general election and Monday, August 24, 2009, should there be a runoff. Early voting will commence on August 31, 2009 and run through September 4, 2009, from 8:30AM to 4:30PM, Mon – Fri, also at the Supervisor of Elections office at 47 Avenue E.

All residents of the City of Apalachicola not currently registered to vote are encouraged to register and participate in this year’s election.