With the qualifying period now closed for the Melbourne Beach Town Commission, the race is on with six certified candidates vying for three spots.
Four people are in the running for two (three-year term) seats, as Olyne Elizabeth “Libby” Brown-Brock and Joyce Barton challenge incumbents Steve Walters and Sherri Quarrie in the race.
One seat, left open after former vice mayor Tom Davis resigned in August, is for a one-year term, with Corey Runte and Katherine Wilborn each vying for the votes in what the commission originally wanted to deem a “special election.”
Concerns were raised last month over the possibility of violating state law when the commission called for a special election before notifying – and receiving approval – from the Supervisor of Elections as required. Town Attorney Clifford Repperger said the office of the Brevard County Supervisor of Elections was notified the day after the meeting, and that it was “acceptable” to them. Kimberly Dale, spokeswoman for the Brevard County Supervisor of Elections, verified that the candidates the town certified will appear on the general election ballot.
Melbourne Beach Commissioner-at-Large (3-year term, 2 seats available)
Joyce D. Barton
Barton has owned a home in Melbourne Beach since 2004 and has lived in the town full-time since 2011. She is an entrepreneur and business owner of “Food with Joy” as well as a contributing author of the book “Inspire! Women’s Stories of Accomplishment, Encouragement and Influence.” Barton is in her third term as president of the Beach Gardeners of Melbourne Beach.
Olyne Elizabeth “Libby”
Brown-Brock
Olyne Elizabeth “Libby” Brown-Brock originally moved to Brevard County in 1997 and then relocated again to the area in 2008. She graduated from UCF with a Master of Public Administration degree in 2016, a graduate degree in Nonprofit Management in 2015, and a national certification in nonprofit management in 2014. She minored in Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
Sherri Quarrie
Incumbent Melbourne Beach Commissioner Sherri Quarrie was raised in Melbourne Beach and moved back to the town as an adult in 1989. As commissioner, she has worked on stormwater management solutions and started a golf cart/LSV parking plan project. She also served as a member of the Melbourne Beach Planning & Zoning Board for over 10 years, where she worked to protect land development codes.
Steve Walters
Incumbent Melbourne Beach Commissioner Steve Walters has lived in Melbourne Beach for 18 years. As commissioner, his emphasis is every tax dollar well spent. He is a retired chief of police employed by the Town of Melbourne Beach Police Department for 23 years. He has more than 25 years of experience in Melbourne Beach government and has been appointed to several town and county boards over the years. Walters has a dual Master of Arts degree in Management and Human Resources Development from Webster University. He graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from UCF, and is a combat veteran from the 82nd Airborne Division.
Melbourne Beach Commissioner-at-Large (1-year term, 1 seat available)
Corey Runte
Runte grew up in Melbourne and has lived in Melbourne Beach for four years. He is the director of preconstruction at Certified General Contractors, Inc. in downtown Melbourne. His community involvement includes serving as chairman of the Historic & Architectural Review Board for the city of Melbourne, chairman of the Economic Restructuring Committee for Downtown Melbourne Mainstreet, and vice president of the Space Coast Gator Club. He graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management.
Dr. Katherine Wilborn
Dr. Katherine Wilborn has been a resident of Melbourne Beach since 1981. She is a licensed therapist with a private practice in town and also works as a private school guidance counselor. She served as a volunteer mental-health first responder for NASA post-Columbia incident. She is a regular attendee at town commission meetings and was involved in the effort to get a library for Melbourne Beach instead of a 7-Eleven.
Article by: Jennifer Torres, correspondent
