By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior Reporter

                Bronson’s Sept. 14 election is starting to gather energy with one of the four candidates qualified to run saying he will donate his time on the board.

            The latest to qualify is Allen Alexander for Group three, the seat currently occupied by Mayor Beatrice Roberts.

            Alexander said he wants to see more economic growth in Bronson and an increase in the number of small businesses.

            He made one campaign promise seldom heard among candidates for public office.

            “I won’t take a dime of compensation,” he said.

            Councilman Robert Partin from Group One has drawn Mark Kyjseth, a Bronson realtor, as an opponent.

            Group Five Councilman Tyler Voorhees, who was appointed to replace Councilman Berlon Weeks after Weeks was removed from office on a 3-1 vote of the board, hasn’t drawn opposition.

            Qualifying ends Friday at 4:30 p.m. when Town Hall closes. The qualifying fee to run for the council is $60. Candidates are also required to sign an affidavit swearing they are residents of Bronson, are registered to vote in Bronson elections, and have lived here for at least six months before the start of qualifying.

            Rumors have persisted that Roberts lives with her husband in Raleigh, a small unincorporated community between Williston and Archer, and rents her home in Bronson to a family member. She is registered to vote in the Bronson elections. She works at the Post Office in Bronson.

            When asked at a council meeting if she lives in Bronson or Raleigh, she responded she has two homes.

            State law requires municipal elected officials to live within the boundaries of the town or city they serve.

            Roberts hasn’t said she is going to run for re-election. She said she is undecided. If she runs, she will have to sign the affidavit of residency like all the other candidates.

            Town Manager Susan Beaudet has set up a Candidates Forum for Thursday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. in the Levy County Commission meeting room of the Levy County Government Center. Candidates will introduce themselves. They will be asked a set of questions.

            Voters will cast ballots on Sept. 14 at the Dogan Cobb Municipal Building, the same building used for town council meetings.

———————–

Town of Bronson Regular Meeting August 2, 2021; Posted August 2, 2021