Boukari unopposed in election

Alachua residents can skip their trips to the polls April 12.  It was confirmed during a city commission meeting Monday that Commissioner Ben Boukari, Jr. will continue to serve in Seat 3.  Because no opponent filed papers to qualify during the week-long qualifying period, Deputy City Clerk Alan Henderson announced that Boukari will automatically serve the next term.

The city will save some $9,000 that it would have cost to run the election.  Boukari will be re-sworn into office at the expiration of his current one-year term in April.

“I'd like to think I ran unopposed because the citizens of Alachua think I'm doing a great job,” said Boukari.

Originally elected at 26 years of age last spring, Boukari is believed to be the youngest commissioner in Alachua history.

Boukari pointed out town hall meetings and battles with Alachua County over fire service contracts as successes he will try to build on during his next term. He was particularly pleased with being able to “save the citizens of Alachua $200,000” on fire service contracts. Boukari said that having gone through the budget process this past year, he believes that over the next three years he will be able to offer insight into budgetary issues leading to continued improvement in the city’s financial condition.

Boukari, who holds Seat 3 in the city commission, thanked his supporters and the citizens of Alachua. He also serves as Alachua's delegate to the Florida League of Cities and the North Central Florida Planning Council and has previously served on the city’s Planning and Zoning Board.

Boukari was elected last year to fill a one year vacancy when then Commissioner Gib Coerper resigned from Seat 3 to seek the Mayoral position.  Coerper ran unopposed in that race.  Boukari faced off against Michael Canney in the 2010 election.  Boukari won with 71.85 percent of the 881 votes cast.

In addition to his municipal duties, Boukari is an assistant basketball coach at Santa Fe High School where he also teaches part time.