[Nfbf-l] Bradenton Beach, Florida, elects Blind Mayor again!

[Alan Dicey]

November 5, 2015 8:54 am
HeraldTribune.com
It was either that or rock-paper-scissors.
........................................
You probably missed the mayoral election in Bradenton Beach, Florida 
(population 1,482) on Tuesday.
Let me tell you this: it was close. Really, really close.

After a recount, both incumbent Mayor Jack Clarke and challenger Bill 
Shearon were left with exactly 195 votes out of a possible 758-a dead tie.
This left Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Mike Bennett scratching his 
head.

"The state of Florida and the charter for Bradenton Beach specifies that in 
case of an absolute tie, this tie will be settled by drawing for lots," 
Bennett told the Sarasota Herald Tribune yesterday, "but they don't define 
what 'lots' are."

After discussing rolling dice, flipping a coin, drawing stones, and even 
rock-paper-scissors, Bennett and his team decided that splitting cards was 
the fairest way to settle it and he drove to Walgreens to pick up a $4 
playing deck.

In the final showdown, which looked like a pair of senior citizens beginning 
an unusually tense game of cribbage, incumbent, Mayor Clarke drew first and 
pulled the 10 of clubs. Unfortunately for him, Shearon pulled an ace, and in 
turn became the city's mayor by the luck of the draw-literally.

It's actually a job Shearon has had before. He was elected mayor in 2013, 
after three attempts, but was ousted by Clarke, his then deputy, in a recall 
election in May 2015.

If any of this sounds familiar, it's because Shearon made news the first 
time he was elected mayor too. In part it was because he was Florida's first 
legally blind mayor, but it was also because he won that election by only 17 
votes. In retrospect, that was a veritable landslide by Bradenton Beach 
stands. The May recall election was decided by just eight votes and, incase 
you've forgotten already, this week's election was decided by a $4 pack of 
playing cards!

What's interesting is that, despite it being a dead tie, there were actually 
391 votes cast, but one voter, who would have had the deciding vote, sent in 
an absentee ballot without voting for either party. If that was you, please 
get in touch, you beautiful, indecisive jerk.

With Best Regards,
God Bless,
Alan
Plantation, Florida


Heidi

"It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been 
fooled."
Mark Twain
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