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“I, Valentina Webb Commission Seat #4 officially have withdrawn myself from the upcoming Commission Seat #4.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.
I like Commissioner Web and I think that she has done a decent job serving on the Franklin Co. Board of Commissioners, but all of this fickle, spur-of-the-moment, wishy-washy behavior in the pre-campaign season has me concerned. I hope it is not indicative of future instability to come as we near election time.
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