Oldsmar’s 2016 municipal election candidates set

Four candidates will be vying for two council seats in the 2016 Oldsmar municipal election, which will be held on Tuesday, March 15..

Four candidates will be vying for two council seats in the 2016 Oldsmar municipal election, which will be held on Tuesday, March 15..

The 2016 Oldsmar municipal election is right around the corner, with the polls set to open on Tuesday, March 15.

While one race is already over before the campaign season even began—Mayor Doug Bevis automatically earned a second term when no one qualified to run against him—there are two council seats up for grabs in March.

The race for Seat #2 features incumbent Dan Saracki and his opponent, Oldsmar businessman Daniel C. Belcher, while the Seat #4 opening will see former Oldsmar mayor and council member Jerry Beverland, who recently announced his candidacy to Oldsmar Connect, running against community activist Becky Afonso.

Prior to the election, the Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the League of Women Voters, will host a candidate forum on Tuesday, January 26 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at the Oldsmar Council Chambers across the street from City Hall.

Oldsmar Mayor Doug Bevis was automatically elected to a second term when no one qualified to run against him in the March 2016 election.

Oldsmar Mayor Doug Bevis was automatically elected to a second term when no one qualified to run against him in March.

UTBCC official Jerry Custin said the candidates will answer questions that are pre-prepared as well as submitted by the audience. Each candidate will have one minute to respond, plus two-minute introductory and closing statements.

After being declared mayor again at Tuesday’s council meeting, Bevis, who was first elected in 2013 and whose second term will end in March 2019, spoke about serving the city for a second term.

“I am humbled, and honored at the same time, to be able to continue to be a part of the growth of Oldsmar,” Bevis told Oldsmar Connect.

“I’m excited to see the international potential that our Olympic style BMX track has, and the economic impact it can have on not just Oldsmar, but the entire area,” he added. “I look forward to serving for three more years and hopefully see more great things happen for the City, residents and businesses of Oldsmar.”

Oldsmar City Council member Linda Norris' second term ends in March 2016.

Oldsmar City Council member Linda Norris’ second term ends in March 2016.

Current Seat 4 holder Linda Norris, who was unable to run again due to term limits, also expressed her thoughts to Oldsmar Connect about leaving local government next year.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the citizens of Oldsmar these past six years,” Norris said.

“The City employees and council members are like family to me, and I have every confidence that the new council will continue our tradition of mutual respect.”

Look for complete coverage of Oldsmar’s 2016 municipal election, including individual candidate profiles, in the coming weeks and months on Oldsmar Connect.com.

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