Helle, Wilford in run-off election Tuesday
There were many firsts at the City of Alachua’s commission meeting Monday evening.
Commissioner Gib Coerper took his oath of office to become mayor after running unopposed in the first election for the mayoral seat in the city’s history. The change results from a city charter amendment adopted by voters last year, which substitutes a commission seat with that of the mayor instead of allowing the five elected commissioners to select the mayor from amongst themselves.
Commissioner-Elect Ben Boukari took his oath of office to become a commissioner for the first time as a group of family and friends looked on. Boukari won the commission seat in the April 13 election when he garnered 633 votes to defeat opponent Michael Canney with 248 votes.
Several longtime residents claim that Boukari, 26, is the youngest commissioner elected in Alachua’s 105-year history. The next youngest commissioner elected is believed to be Ralph Cellon who was 29 upon his appointment to fill a vacancy on the commission in 1963. Cellon won election for the same seat in a September 1963 special election.
Monday also marked the first time in over a decade that the Alachua City Commission consisted of no women. Long-time Commissioner and former Mayor Jean Calderwood did not seek re-election to her seat which was converted into the Mayoral post. Mayor Bonnie Burgess, who also served for several terms as a commissioner did not seek re-election either, opting instead to toss her hat into the school board race.
Calderwood congratulated both Boukari and Coerper on their wins and said she considered it an honor to serve the citizens of Alachua. Burgess gave a nod to Calderwood saying she felt likewise.
While Burgess has apparently resigned her seat on the commission, her replacement has yet to be selected. Voters will decide between Duane Helle and Robert Wilford in a special run-off election on Tuesday, May 4.
During the April 13 election, Helle, Wilford and Dollean Perkins faced off, but none receive at least 50 percent plus one vote as required. Wilford was the top vote-getter with 349 votes, Helle came in second with 288 votes while Perkins picked up 238 votes. All three municipal election polling locations, the fire station, recreation center and Turkey Creek, will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. for voters to cast their ballots to select the commissioner filling Burgess’ former seat.