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SEBASTIAN — The new Sebastian City Council will still have five familiar faces on the dais. But not all the same faces. While top vote-getters Andrea Coy, with 1,473, and Bob McPartlan, with 1,335, won handily, a nerve-wrecking 19 votes was all that prevented vice-mayor Don Wright, with 1,274, from retaining his seat on Council, as former mayor Richard Gillmor took the race by a nose, with 1,293.
The Supervisor of Elections is expected to hold a machine recount of the votes before Gillmor can be officially deemed the winner.
Challenger Damien Gilliams received 816 votes in his fourth try at a Council seat.
“Thank you, Sebastian, from the bottom of my heart,” said Coy. “I am truly honored to be elected for a fifth consecutive term and look forward to serving. The overwhelming support has me energized and ready to roll!”
Coy also praised Supervisor of Elections Leslie Swan for overseeing a smooth and speedy election.
Gillmor was still wired after the close race.
“Well, it sure wasn’t a slam dunk,” he said. “Now I’m anxious to get back in the saddle and get back to work.”
Gillmor declined to seek re-election in 2012 and, instead, opted to challenge U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, who retained his seat in Congress.
“I’m very happy with results and think of the top four, whoever got in, would work out well,” said McPartlan. “I served with Richard for a year; I’m sorry to see Don’s not there, he brings a lot to the table, but I served with Richard for a year and he can, too, and Andrea bring a lot, bring a lot, as a staunch advocate for the citizens. Collectively the council will do well for the citizens. It will be interesting.”
Coy and McPartlan will rejoin Jerome Adams and Jim Hill as they get back down to the City’s business. The winner after the recount – Gillmor or Wright – will join the council after the three are sworn in Nov. 13. After choosing who will wield the gavel for the next two years, the first order of business will certainly be putting together a plan for replacing City Manager Al Minner, who has been offered and, barring unforeseen circumstance, will accept the City Manager position with the City of Leesburg by mid-month.
The business of the Council will have some added challenge in that some projects already underway or under study with Minner at the helm could experience a time line adjustment as a new City Manager is sought. Even when the new manager is on board, supported by a capable and experienced city staff, there would be a learning curve for the many plans, programs and projects of a city that is the largest in the county.