There will be mostly familiar faces on elected city government boards in East Pasco, following the April 12 municipal elections.
Dade City Commissioner Scott Black held onto his seat by defeating challenger Kelly Smith. Black received 471 votes to Smith’s 259.
Joining Black on that board will be Ann Cosentino, who was elected to fill an opening created by Mayor Camille Hernandez, who retired from her seat on the board.
Cosentino received 432 votes; Keeley Karatinos received 285.
Cosentino was impressed by the turnout.
“There was a rolling amount of people coming in and it felt like record numbers to me,” she said.
The candidate had placed signs up and down Meridian Avenue and pitched a tent with her supporters at 6:30 a.m., in front of Precinct OO1, at the First Baptist Church of Dade City, at 37511 Church Ave.
Karatinos did the same thing.
Both candidates were out waving as drivers passed — with some motorists responding by honking their horns.
Before the votes were tallied, Cosentino was ready for whatever the outcome would be.
“I’ve always been surrounded by people and a team that really support me and believe in me, and that has made running really worth it,” Cosentino said. “I’ve done all the hard work and I’ve worked as hard as I possibly can, so I’ve been at peace no matter what the result will be.”
Incumbent Black also was at Precinct 001, waving to passersby, on Election Day.
Precinct 001 Supervisor Robert McConathy said the enthusiastic voter turnout is a sign of the pivotal time that Dade City is experiencing.
“Lots of things have been taking place in the city and a lot of people want to see change.
“When that happens, you see high voter turnout.”
The Town of St. Leo also had a contested seat, where voters selected William Hamilton to fill Seat 5 on its commission. Hamilton secured 30 votes; opponent Susan Lashlee received 9.
Some municipal leaders were reelected without challenge.
Winning their seats unopposed were Alison R. Cagle, Sarah E. Schrader and John T. Vogel, in the City of San Antonio; Donna H. DeWitt and James E. Hallett, in the Town of St. Leo; and, Lance Smith and Ken Burgess, in the City of Zephyrhills.
Dade City Commission
Group 1 results
Scott Black: 471
Kelly Smith: 259
Group 2 results
Ann Cosentino: 432
Keeley Karatinos: 285
St. Leo Town Commission
Seat 5
William Hamilton: 30
Susan Lashlee: 9
UNOPPOSED CANDIDATES
San Antonio City Commission
Alison R. Cable
Sarah E. Schrader
John T. Vogel
Saint Leo Town Commission
Seat 1: Donna H. DeWitt
Seat 3: James E. Hallett
Zephyrhills City Council
Seat 1: Lance Smith
Seat 4: Ken Burgess
Published April 20, 2022
