SEBASTIAN — Six candidates – including three incumbents – qualified Friday to run for three seats for Sebastian City Council in the upcoming general election.
The incumbents are Council Member Albert Iovino, 48, Council Member Bob McPartlan, 53, and Vice-Mayor Linda Kinchen, 71, according to city documents. The other three candidates are Damien Gilliams, 59, Charles Mauti, 73, and Pamela Rapp Parris, 59.
The non-partisan, at-large election will be held November 5, according to city officials.
Iovino has been an officer with Indian River Shores Public Safety Department since 2014, city officials said. McPartlan is the community development administrator for the Florida Department of Children and Families. He also serves on several boards throughout the Treasure Coast, including the Executive Roundtable for Indian River County.
Kinchen worked as an administrative supervisor for city of Sebastian Public Works Department for 30 years before she retired in Jan. 2016, she said. Gilliams is the co-owner of Mid-Florida Real Estate Inc. and president of the Sebastian Property Owners Association, he said.
Mauti’s profession was not immediately available. Parris, a local realtor for Power Net Realty, is the vice-president of the Sebastian Property Owners Association and the past director of business and development for the Vero Beach Chamber of Commerce.
The City Council candidates will focus on a variety of issues, including the proposed annexation of more than 1,000 acres of citrus land, improving the Indian River Lagoon, the toxic spraying of Roundup weed killer at canals, the Virgin Trains USA passenger rail project and more.
Sebastian City Council is made of five members who each serve two-year terms. Two members are elected in even-numbered years and three members are elected in odd-numbered years.
Council members receive a monthly salary of $300 while the mayor receives a monthly salary of $450, city officials said. The mayor and vice-mayor are elected from members of every newly seated council at a special meeting after the election each year.
