Questions Raised on Largo Talk of Curtailing Qualifyingby Leo CoughlinLARGO - With the end of qualifying time looming just two weeks away, candidacies - official and speculated - are still being talked about. And arching over it all is a move by some members of the City Commission who want to shorten the qualifying time. Largo's charter specifies a 60-day qualifying period. For the current election, to be held in November, that time began June 15 and ends August 13. Many voters are wondering why some want the change, other than the obvious factor that a shortened time gives incumbents an advantage because of name recognition, if nothing else. Others wonder what difference the qualifying time makes. A classic case of "If it ain't broke why fix it?" To make the change, voters would have to approve a referendum modifying the current charter language and conferring on the City Commission the right to set the qualifying time. Keep in mind, many point out, that the people in adopting the charter language have already spoken on the issue. Not surprisingly Commissioners Harriet Crozier and Gigi Arntzen, already comfortably ensconced in office, are pushing for the shorter qualifying time. "Someone like those two with many years in office and numerous friends would have a tremendous advantage over any new person," one observer, a former office holder, said. There is talk that John Atanasio will oppose Mayor Pat Gerard. He picked up a candidate guide last week. Also reputedly in the running is Bob Jackson whom Gerard ousted in 2006 to take the mayor's job. But Jackson has not yet officially entered the race. Some recall that Jackson was instrumental in promoting the 60-day qualifying time. He likes to travel in the summer time and the two-month span gave him some elbow room in filing, if he should need it. Curtis Holmes is in the race against Commissioner Rodney Woods and his petition cards are currently being examined and verified by the Supervisor of Elections Office. Gerard and Arntzen have completed all requirements as candidates. Arntzen has an announced opponent in Heleen Abramson.
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