PANAMA CITY — Fifteen offices are up for grabs this year in municipal elections in Bay County.
Several candidates already have filed and opened campaign accounts, including Lynn Haven Mayor Walter Kelley — who is facing a challenger in Margo Anderson — Panama City Mayor Greg Brudnicki, Springfield Mayor Ralph Hammond and Parker Mayor Rich Musgrave.
“I’m definitely going to do one more term,” Hammond said. “The city is headed in the right direction, and I just want to help the city the best I can. If somebody wants to run, come on. If I get beat, I get beat, but I’ll still be there to help out.”
Kelley, who has been Lynn Haven’s mayor since 1998, already is in campaign form.
“I want to promote economic development, fiscal responsibility — like reducing debt almost $10 million — and make sure we can run Lynn Haven in a cost-effective manner,” Kelley said. “It’s been an honor and privilege to be mayor. We have the best commission, staff and employees anyone could ask for. I want to grow Lynn Haven and make it an even better place to live.”
Anderson counters with concerns about street paving conducted without millings, stormwater spending — particularly for bayous that have not been dredged in years — and the 17th Street ditch, which she believes still presents a sizeable danger to residents.
“I feel the city government in Lynn Haven is stagnant,” Anderson said.
Ward 2 in Panama City already has two candidates, with Commissioner Kenneth Brown and Bruce Taylor in the race.
Springfield’s Ward 3 has Commissioner Jack Kennington and Tony Clark. Kennington took over this past summer for Jim Talley.
Parker Councilmen Ron Chaple and Mike Miller have filed. They face challenger and former Mayor Tonya Barrow in the at-large race.
Antonius Barnes has filed to resume his position on the Lynn Haven Commission. Former council member Frances Wittkopf also has filed for a commission position in Lynn Haven. Rodney Friend said he will file for re-election.
Tom Bailey has filed to challenge for Mexico Beach mayor.
The remaining positions are council member Groups 2 and 3 in Mexico Beach — currently held by Mary Blackburn and Jack Mullen respectively — and Springfield Ward 4 occupied by John Gipson.
Qualifying begins at noon Monday and ends at noon Friday. Candidates in all races must pay a qualifying fee of 1 percent of the annual salary of the office out of an established campaign account or start the petition process. Panama City and Springfield also have city-specific qualifying fees, but Lynn Haven and Parker do not have any additional fees.
The election is April 21.