Florida Today from Cocoa, Florida • Page 8

FLORIDA TODAY, Wednesday, November 4, 1992 ELECTTO '92: BREVAffl CQHIMTTY 12-year COUNTY COMMISSION public servant re-elected to commission Both Scarborough and Wil-liams favor scheduling a ref-erendum on whether the lease should be contin Candidate Votes Scarborough 25,021 69 Williams 11.421 31 1 00 of precincts reporting By Stephanie Reltz FLORIDA TODAY Incumbent District 1 County Commissioner Truman Scarborough coasted to an easy victory over challenger Don Williams. Scarborough took a commanding lead, despite his low-key campaign in which he didn't even erect campaign signs. The former Titusville mayor often has been in the minority on issues or even the lone dissenter on many commission votes a fact he readily admits, attributing it to an ability to see all facets of an issue. Now, he says he wants to continue his efforts to make county government more accessible to residents. That includes answering every question posed, researching each concern and making meeting times more convenient, he said.

"I hope first of all that we (commissioners) take the time to regroup and make sure everyone on the board is comfortable with the direction we're going on the many issues we'refacing," he said. Williams, a 12-year resident of Port St. John, promised during his campaign that he would fight harder than Scarborough for North Brevard's needs if elected. The 47-year-old Democrat is an operations maintenance supervisor at EG at the Kennedy Space Center. He also is past president of the Port St.

John Homeowners Association. The position represents Brevard from Canaveral Groves north to the Volusia County line. It pays $47,705 a year. Scarborough, 48, whose office is in Titusville rather than Viera, has fought to keep services in North Brevard. Among his pet projects: renovation of the Titusville courthouse and expansion of the North Brevard Library.

He is a sixth-generation Floridi-an who graduated from Titusville High School in 1962 and has practiced law in Brevard County for 20 years. He defeated Republican challengers Frank Buckoski and Jack Houts in the primary. Scarborough holds two degrees from the University of Florida: an undergraduate degree in banking ued for the Coun ty Governme Center in Viera Their race was SCARBOROUGH considered one of the more sedate county challenges, with neither candidate publicly attacking the other's credibility or credentials. and finance and a law degree. He also did graduate work at George Washington University in Washing; 2 Scarborough, a father of twoj lives in Titusville with his wife? Barbara, who teaches at Southlake! Elementary School.

Democrat Higgs defeats incumbent Commissioner to focus on accountability Community activist gains voting power Ellis supports vote on building lease Candidate Votes Ellis 19,925 59 Wickham 13,793 41 100 of precincts reporting HI Candidate Votes Higgs 15,142 43 Scianna 5,202 15 Senne 14,766 42 Richardson 49 0 100 of precincts reporting 1 HEED YOUR VO tft COUNTY COMM. WV I By Stephanie Reltz FLORIDA TODAY South Melbourne Beach businesswoman Nancy Higgs narrowly edged incumbent Carol Senne to take the District 3 County Commission seat With all 21 precincts counted, independent candidate John Scian-na trailed the others. A trickle had come in for Melbourne Beach write-in candidate Patricia Richardson. The election of Higgs, a Democrat, means a majority will exist on the County Commission to call a referendum to let residents decide whether to continue the lease on the Government Center in Viera. Scianna, a Palm Bay councilman, also supported a referendum.

Higgs is chief operating officer of The Paxen Group, which conducts training and consulting for youth programs. She has said she will focus on making government more accountable to those it serves. "Initially, I've got to get a staff together to get the office moved back into the district," Higgs said. "It'll be a strong priority of mine to restore citizen confidence." The commission seat represents Palm Bay, West Melbourne and the beachside communities from India-lantic to the BrevardIndian River By Stephanie Reltz FLORIDA TODAY Republican Scott Ellis promises to shake down and shape up county government as District 5 county commissioner. Early today, Ellis overcame his Democratic opponent Melbourne builder Dave Wickham.

Ellis' victory means a majority will exist on the County Commission to hold a referendum on the Government Center lease. "I've been clear throughout my campaign where I stand and what I want to do: open up the com- mission and shrink the size of ELLIS county government" said Ellis, who ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Congress in 1986 and for state representative in 1990. Among his promises to new constituents: aggressively monitoring how tax dollars are spent and flushing out waste in the system. Ellis has lived in Melbourne since 1966 and is a 1976 graduate of Eau Gallie High School.

He is an Air Force veteran and holds a bachelor's degree in computer science and a master's in business administration, both from the University of T-p' 4 2-' LU TV, Reggie Grant. FLORIDA TODAY NANCY HIGGS campaigns Tuesday morning at the Barefoot Bay voting precinct for the District 3 County Commission seat. PORT AUTHORITY Buchanan outduels Griffin SCHOOL BOARD School Board member chosen for fourth term it ESS JAIL REFERENDUM Jail, police tax fails to capture win By Stephanie Reltz FLORIDA TODAY Brevard voters rejected a sales tax increase Tuesday that would have financed jail improvements and local police projects. Although supported by law enforcement and anti-crime groups, the referendum fell victim to the anti-tax sentiment that has sunk votes this year to finance children's services and a sports complex. Its aim was to raise $45.1 million over 21 months by increasing the sales tax from its current 6 cents to 7 cents per dollar.

Because state and federal laws mandate the County Commission solve the jail's overcrowding, the county must seek alternatives. "It seems to me we have to finance this and a lot of other projects, and frankly I'm not sure how," Commissioner Karen Andreas said. Of the money raised, about $23 million would have been used to expand the Brevard County Detention Center in Sharpes. The remaining $22 million would have financed a crime lab, upgraded communications and helped pay for city police departments' projects. Voters rejected a similar referendum in 1989.

The jail's capacity is 732 prisoners, but it houses about 800 daily. JAIL REFERENDUM Should Brevard increase its sales tax by one penny to finance improvements to the jail and police departments countywide? Yes 60,710 36.87 No 103,933 63.13 89 of precincts reporting A Vs 'ft' i i iri I I i i ,1 line. It pays $47,705 a year. The race became particularly heated last week when Higgs accused Senne of arranging for a county-paid lobbyist to obtain Higgs' federally funded work contracts. Senne said she requested the information from a different person a Tallahassee attorney not connected with the county.

The lobbyist, Guy Spearman, has said he looked up the contracts on his own and never discussed the issue with Senne. Senne said she wanted the contracts because she questioned whether Higgs had time to serve the county and fulfill her work obligations. Higgs who plans to be a full-time commissoner believes her opponent was seeking dirt Higgs and Scianna compared their qualifications against Senne's more than against each other's. "I want to set up a mechanism to help citizens understand what commissioners do," Higgs said. Both candidates wanted the district to keep its accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

The regional accrediting agency's committees have recommended the district be placed on probation because of a power struggle between the board and administrators that is affecting everyday opera tions. Demetriades said the board must work within its responsibilities to set policy and allow the superintendent to admin- DEMETRIADES 1 lHUl Demetriades, an Indialantic resident, has served on Florida School Board Association committees, is a past chairwoman of Leadership Brevard and past president of the against a woman's right to choose an abortion. Yarbrough also was endorsed by the Brevard Federation of Teachers, which represents 3,660 public school teachers. Veibl also was endorsed by the Grassroots Alliance. This is the first time Veibl, 31, president of South Brevard Real Estate, has run for public office.

veiDl lives in the Lake Washington area and has four children. She is a member of the Melbourne Area Association of Realtors finance and budget, grievance and mem-b i VEIBL committees. If By Radonna Florlnl and Jocelyn R. Coleman FLORIDA TODAY Incumbent M.M. "Buck" Buchanan sailed to victory early today in the tight race against Joe Griffin for a seat on the Port Authority at Port Canaveral.

"I have an up beat feeling right now because the port has been so successful," Buchanan said. Buchanan, 68, first was elected to the District 2 seat in 1980. He is serving a second BUCHANAN term as chairman of the five-member authority. The 45-year Brevard resident has traveled extensively promoting the port during his 12 years on the authority, he said. Buchanan is a former Cocoa City Central Florida.

The campaign has been marked by stark differences in the candidates' philosophies. That difference was most evident in their opinions on the County Government Center. Ellis believes a referendunf should be held to let voters decide whether to break the lease on the Viera complex, saying the commission circumvented state law. Wickham opposes holding a referendum, believing it would harm the county's credit rating and lead to higher interest payment and taxes. The District 5 seat represents Melbourne and much of unincorporated South Brevard.

It has been held for the past eight years by Thad Altman, who lost in the Republican primary for supervisor of elections. The position pays $47,705 a year. "I know that with citizens working with their chosen leaders; Brevard's future will be bright," Wickham said. DISTRICT 2 CANAVERAL PORT AUTHORITY Buchanan (R) 42,442 50.19 Griffin (D) 42,129 49.81"; 100 of precincts reporting councilman and president of Mac-Millan-Buchanan Insurance Agency in Cocoa. Joe Griffin, 59, who could not be reached for comment this morning, said he ran because he thought the authority needed a fresh voice; He first became involved in Port activities when it proposed building a high-speed rail corridor which would have gone through his living room.

Buchanan said he hoped to be elected to a fifth term to continue' the growth and success of the nation's third most active cruise ship port He said he is proud the port no longer levies a property tax. GROUP 6 COUNTY COURT JUDGE Ford, Jr. 69,440 45.25. Silvernail 84,017 54.75 100 of precincts reporting ment designed to compensate the victim, teach criminals about the1 consequences of their action ant pay a debt to society. An attorney for 12 years, Silvernail said his involvement in the grass-roots organization Stop Turning Out Prisoners was proof he planned to be tough on crime.

Ford, 44, said courts should not allow dangerous criminals to be released, although it's really the state Department of Corrections and Parole Commission that make that decision, not the judge. i On the civil side, Ford advocated alternatives to dispute resolution" such as mediation to unclog the court system and keep taxpayer expenses down. By Ann Mlttman FLORIDA TODAY Voters decided Tuesday they don't need a change on the Brevard County School Board. Republican incumbent Lynn De-metriades, 49, won the race for a fourth-term over challenger Helene Kansas, 65, a Democrat and a former foreign language teacher. Kansas ran on her record as a classroom teacher and pushed for a change on the five-member board.

Demetriades, who has held the seat for 12 years, said she represented experience and stability. "The public is very concerned about our schools," Demetriades said. "Hopefully, they recognize that the decisions I make are in the interests of the kids who are my first priority Because many precincts' ballots had not been counted early today, Kansas said she did not want to comment. DISTRICT 3 SCHOOL BOARD frf Demetriades (R) 98,783 56.07 Kansas (D) 77,397 43.93 1 00 of precincts reporting Community Organization for Prevention Education of Brevard. This was the first time Kansas had run for public office.

She was endorsed by the Brevard Federation of Teachers. Kansas, a Satellite Beach resident, is involved in a number of community activities including environmental and scientific organizations. She's a member of the Brevard County School Board procedures and human sexuality advisory committee, Brevard County Association for the Advancement of the Blind and the League of Women Voters education committee. The District 3 seat includes portions of South Brevard, including Palm Bay and the beachside communities south of Melbourne Beach. DISTRICT 4 SCHOOL BOARD 8f Veibl (R) 92,964 53.14 Yarbrough (D) 81,972 46.86 100 of precincts reporting elected county office.

He never made his race an issue in the campaign. Instead, Yarbrough said he focused his campaign on challenging teachers, administrators and parents to work together. Two years ago, Yarbrough was appointed to the Education Practices Commission, which decides whether teachers and administrators accused of wrongdoing or incompetence should lose their teaching certificates. The Rockledge resident is a pharmacist at Eckerd Drug Company on Merritt Island. The Rockledge High School and University of Florida graduate also is chairman of the CocoaRockledge Civic League's education committee.

The District 4 seat covers Cocoa, Rockledge and unincorporated areas north of Melbourne. COUNTY JUDGE Silvernail snares seat Mother of four to help make education choices By Phillip Florin! FLORIDA TODAY Preston Silvernail defeated Bennett Ford Jr. early today in the lone Brevard County judge race. Silvernail will fill the seat vacated by Judge Harry Stein, who replaced Clarence Johnson on the Circuit Court bench in September. In the primary, Silvernail of Suntree captured 44 percent of the vote, but that wasn't enough to avoid a runoff against Ford of Titusville, who edged out attorney Ken Fried-land.

Ford carried the endorsement of the Brevard fnnntv Fraternal SILVERNAIL Order of Police. Curbing violent crime was the issue at the top of each man's agenda. Silvernail, 45, advocated isolating violent criminals and sexual offenders from society by punish- By Ann Mlttman FLORIDA TODAY A Melbourne businesswoman defeated a Rockledge pharmacist early today for the Brevard County School Board District 4 seat. Both Paula Veibl, a Republican, and Keith Yarbrough, a Democrat campaigned on their experience as community activists and parents. They said they could bring a family perspective to the board, which is composed of five women.

Only one has a child in school. Neither Veibl nor Yarbrough was available for comment late Tuesday. For the past eight years, the seat has been held by Chairwoman Vera Walker, 79, who is retiring. Both candidates were endorsed by the Space Coast Family Forum, a conservative Christian group with more than 1,600 members, because of their pro-life views. However, Yarbrough publicly denounced the endorsement saying he is personally pro-life but would never legislate If he had won, Yarbrough, 32, would have become the first black man in Brevard County to hold an.