Six candidates vie for two spots in Highland Beach

Highland Beach — Highland Beach voters will select a vice mayor and a commissioner in the March 13 municipal election.

Incumbent William “Bill” Weitz will face newcomer Alysen Africano-Nila for a three-year term as the vice mayor-commissioner.

A forensic psychologist, Weitz is running for a second term. “I believe in things like confidence, experience and a commitment to public service,” he said. “The most important issue is a strong commitment to a town manager form of government.”

Africano-Nio is a teacher and former banking executive. “I’m very involved in my own building, and after watching and going to these meetings for the last two years, I felt someone needed to step up. I have the expertise and background. We have to move Highland Beach forward.”

For a three-year term on the commission, there are four candidates:

George Kelvin, who was appointed to fill an unexpired term, is running to keep his seat. Among his priorities is what to do with Cam D. Milani Park. The moratorium on developing the 5.6 waterfront acres expires in 2019.

Carl Lee Gehman is running again, after a defeat by Commissioner Elyse Riesa in the last election. He’s a member of the town’s new Beaches and Shore Club. “I agree with the club’s stance to remove invasive species from the beaches. These are all private beaches, so it has to be in accordance with the owners,” he said. “There are two factions in our commission battling against each other and that’s not good. I want to be the voice of reason.”

Margaret “Peggy” Gossett-Seidman is running for the first time. A freelance writer and public relations professional, she’s concerned about civility and public safety. “Our little town has to have a better sense of common courtesy, common respect and common sense in its commission,” she said. “We also need more crosswalks on our 3-mile stretch of A1A.”

IT consultant John Hart Ross is a first-time candidate. “I was somewhat aghast at the way the commission deteriorated into an argumentative and squabbling group. I thought I could give them perspective on how to deal with their differences,” he said.

Whoever gets the most votes will be on the commission. Leaders voted last year to draw lots in case there is a tie.

This year, the town’s polling place will be at St. Lucy Catholic Church at 3510 S. Ocean Blvd.