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