Joe Ayoub defeats Janet Hooper for Mayor of Safety Harbor
By 
The last two times Joe Ayoub ran for local office, the former Safety Harbor mayor and city commissioner lost closely contested races that weren’t decided until the final votes were counted.
This year, there was no such drama.
In an election that was as much about the future of Safety Harbor as it was about who serves on the current commission, voters let it be known they want the 40-year-old CPA to lead the city for the next three years, as Ayoub handily defeated current City Commissioner Janet Hooper, earning 65 percent of the more than 4,500 votes cast (3,001-1,578), according to the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections website.
Incumbent Carlos Diaz and longtime civic board member Scott Long secured the other two open commission seats.
“I’m very humbled by the overwhelming outflow of support for our campaign and the positive message it sends for our city,” Ayoub said from his post-election headquarters at the Safety Harbor Grill soon after the votes from all eight precincts had been tallied.
“This was definitely a clear message for the city—people want a positive campaign, real leadership with a vision for a more vibrant and thriving downtown,” he added. “They want to protect our small-town charm and they want to see improvements to the Waterfront Park, and I’m looking forward to working with Carlos and Scott, as well as Andy (Zodrow) and Cliff (Merz), to address our struggling downtown and, most importantly, to change the tone in the city.”
That tone Ayoub was referring to that typically runs through small town elections took an ugly turn in recent weeks, with both candidates accusing the others of underhanded campaign tactics and fanning the flames surrounding simmering issues such as the fate of the Safety Harbor Post Office and the future of Crooked Thumb Brewery as well as the controversial Bayshore Boulevard condo project.
After the final results were announced Hooper, who had to surrender her commission seat in order to run for mayor, expressed disappointment with her opponent’s campaign.
“What the result tells me is running a clean campaign and working hard in the community was not as appreciated as I thought,” she said from the Safety Harbor Museum, adding she felt Ayoub used “Trump techniques” during his campaign.
“I was not happy with the coverage,” she continued. “I thought for a small-town campaign, it exceeded what it should be. To raise $20,000 for a mayoral race in a small city, it turned it into something bigger than a local campaign. I’m just a regular resident whose reputation was tarnished and things came out that misrepresented who I am.”
Hooper, who serves as the director of the Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center and spent an admitted $14,000 on her campaign, wished her opponent well while stating she believes the resounding result meant residents were ready for a change.
“I wish the City and Mr. Ayoub the best, and I hope he means to follow through on all the things he said he’d do during the campaign,” Hooper said.
“I lost by a lot, not by a little, and that says to me the people are interested in big development and they don’t want Safety Harbor to remain the way it is.”
At Nolan’s Pub, Commissioner Diaz took a break from a post-election dinner to talk about getting reelected to a second term.
“I’m very pleased with the results,” Diaz, who defeated Luanne Lambert by more than 1,200 votes, said.
“I’m looking forward to the next three years and keeping the City on track. This (commission) will be a whole different viewpoint from the past, but I will stay true to my convictions and look out for the best interests of Safety Harbor.”
Scott Long, who had to sweat out his victory by less than 50 votes over former Commissioner Nancy Besore, said he’s looking forward to getting started ASAP.
“I knocked on more than 2,400 doors during my campaign, and I’m incredibly appreciative that my message resonated with so many voters,” Long, who serves on several civic boards, including Planning and Zoning and said.
“I’m looking forward to getting to work tomorrow with the Post Office and Penny For Pinellas meetings, as they are both very important to the future of Safety Harbor.”
Long went on to praise his opponent, calling Besore “an incredible woman,” and he also said he hoped to use his win to help create more unity in what has been a fractured community.
“I’m glad I was able to pull out the win,” he said, adding, “it was clearly a mandate on the overall direction residents want the city to go in, and I’m looking forward to working with the rest of the commissioners on that moving forward.”
Up the street from Long’s headquarters at Café Vino Tinto, Ayoub echoed those thoughts.
“There’s been too much divisiveness in this city for too long,” he said.
“It’s time to bring this city together.”
Related content:
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- Mayor Steingold will not run for reelection in 2017
- Commissioner Hooper resigns, three seats open in March
- Eight candidates declare for three open commission seats
- Joe Ayoub to run for mayor of Safety Harbor in 2017
- Campaign season trumps holiday season in Safety Harbor
3/19/17. TRICKLE DOWN POLITICS . I find it interesting that Hooper would use the term “Trump Techniques” in her post election whine. A liberal, angry, feminist has no other analysis or excuse to blame on their incompetency , so they have to blame false narratives of male dominance or misogyny . We normal, logical thinking Homo Sapiens (notice the genderless reference) have had enough of the same falsehoods that have been perpetuated in politics since the sexual revolution of the 60’s. Feminazi type women have been allowed to promote their agenda far to long! In our attempt to be “tolerant” of differences, they have promoted and escalated their insanity to the level of wearing pink vaginas on their head. It’s time to reel it in and attempt to upright the sinking ship. So to all of the Hooper type supporters out there, relax! No one is going to destroy your little paradise! No one will take you back to the barbaric days of women enslavement (unless you support Sharia and the Obama Muslim influx of destruction).
But then again, you probably supported BHO and Hillary in that attempt and your insane myopic viewpoint of misogyny would ironically give you exactly what you profess to hate. Insanity rules!
Enough is enough! These elections were indeed a movement of change. Thank God we have put some leadership into politics, both at the national and here locally in SH that will get things done, even with contrarians who will be the only people attending the meeting. The rest of us have jobs and we elect our officials to do the job with our voting manadate. I would argue that 65% victory is a Mt. Everest type landslide!
Get it done Joe, Carlos & Scott. We have your back!
Troll alert, Don’t give this troll the time of day.
??????
Troll alert? NOT! There was nothing snarky about the Dr’s comment. And please note Shabby I did not reference he or she but Dr! It doesn’t matter about gender. What matters is substance and Joe, Scott & Carlos have it.
Joe, Scott and Carlos got my votes. Dr is clearly trying to stir the pot, and this post only serves to put our new leaders in less than favorable light. Let’s give them the chance to do the hard work in front of them without the unnecessary words and unproductive distractions.
Thank you and happy to hear you voted for Joe, Scott & Carlos. I took from the comment that the Doc got turned off about voting for gender only. I know for a fact the sign Hooper’s supporter Steven Collins had stating “Male Dominance” has to end was a HUGE turn off to voters especially women! Agree they have some hard work ahead of them but know they are up to the task:)
This town has a long way to go to establish any moral code of decency.
It is obvious if you disagree or look at any point of view that may be different from someone else you are causing trouble…a very sad situation. The candidates that won now an opportunity to take the city in a new direction based on the voters wishes. The last I knew you can have a winner and perhaps you may disagree with some things they decide to do…is that not democracy?
Hey, the election is over. Let’s all be positive and work on making this city a place that everyone can be cordial. Stop the meanness already…
🙂
All I know is that soon as Joe was elected, the pollen season ended.
🙂
Post Election Post-it
I’m not gonna carry war in me,
too many battles come down already:
the “he said”
and “she said”
and “I guess I told them!”
You’d think war has to be an everyday
affair with one down
for another to stay puffed and up.
It ain’t worth keeping wars alive in me.
Too many battles come down already.
Yes Barbara. Let peace reign again in the Harbor.
Did Ms. Hooper really refer to her campaign as clean? Wow. Her supporters were awful. They spread lies for two months and she did nothing to correct these lies. She stood behind a group of very negative supporters. Her biggest supporter runs an online bully site and Ms. Hooper seemed to encourage that behavior by keeping this resident in power on a city board. Those are the reasons she lost. Residents found her untrustworthy and negative. And her comment that the election results mean that residents want big development? That is equally as preposterous. No, what residents want is a vibrant downtown, small town charm, and a neighborly air where all residents feel welcomed. Mr. Ayoub laid out a vision for these things. Ms. Hooper did not. All I noticed from Ms. Hooper’s supporters, online, in my mailbox and at my door, was negativity. Residents said no thank you to all of that. Good luck to all the new commissioners. Let’s save our Main Street.
Hoping you all can hold the new mayor to all his campaign promises. Looking forward to a more vibrant downtown, continuing the quaintness, keeping the post office on main, lowering the condo tower, correcting the zoning snafu for the Crooked Thumb and ensuring the waterfront park has benches, umbrellas, shade trees, and maintaining the current charm of Safety Harbor. If he does all of these things I think everyone should be happy, and our town can become unified. Thank you.
PS! Please refer to Saving Safety Harbor Deluxe run by Steven Barnard, avid Joe supporter, for
Some good clean campaigning.
Wow..I did some research. I was very surprised to see a Nazi video. Was this supported by the campaign? I know nationally we have an anti-Semitic trend…very surprised it is in Safety Harbor. This is an insult to any decent intelligent person..SHOCKING.
Then you have missed Saving Safety Harbor for the past 4 years. Beyond vile and hatefulness towards new and current neighbors. But you know that.
Let’s be positive and hope we all can work toward a vibrant downtown that everyone will enjoy.
You realize the condo isn’t going to be lowered right? It is already approved and under construction. You sound like you want Safety Harbor to get sued.
And who cares about the condo? If it were 50 stories tall, then it would attract wealthy residents who spend $$$$$. Economics won’t allow a 50 story tower though. you shouldn’t worry about high rises in Safety Harbor because it won’t ever happen due to economics.
I strongly recommend our new and improved leadership adopt Scott Long’s campaign slogan and make it a city commentment: Safety Harbor — Open For Business. Congratulations Mayor and Commissioners.
Mick,
Hoping our newly elected officials can keep their campaign promises and bring the city back together. I am certainly looking forward to that, as I am sure everyone is.
Its a great day for Safety Harbor. Out with the old fashioned, out-dated way of thinking, and in with a desire for Balanced Progress, including economic development, a desire to see local businesses grow and thrive while still keeping the quaint feeling so many of us and our visitors have come to love and appreciate.
Congratulations, gentlemen, and best wishes for a better, more balanced commission.
And Thank you, voters, for making the smart choice!
And Hooper you are a dolt. It isn’t about keeping Safety Harbor the way it is. The “way it is” is a bedroom community with a struggling downtown. Keeping things the “way they are” leads to stagnation and then a decline.
We need a downtown that thrives. Raking business owners over the coals for things like signs, trees, and code enforcement (especially when that enforcement is abused) is a great way to deter business.
E!
Can’t you please stop the bashing? The election is over, we lost, we get it, we don’t need you to continue to rub it in. As I mentioned in another post, I would say the same thing if the tables were turned. Thank you Desanya Daly for that.
Thanks for your help this campaign!
This landslide partially belongs to Shelly Schellenberg, Stephen Collins and yourself.
The ‘end male dominance’ signs were genius. Also appreciate you clearing up the condo confusion with Matt – caused in part by the lies and half truths repeated by both Janet and her followers.
I have a seriously considered sending you a fruit basket.
Why don’t you give it a rest Steven? Aren’t you tired of being so negative and hateful? What’s it like being filled with so much anger and hatred, especially toward us? Seems like a lot of wasted energy to me.
Get out from behind the computer, and get some sun. Enjoy the city you love so much, and start spreading some positive thoughts about the new mayor and all he is going to do for the city. Let’s see him uphold those campaign promises, unite the city, keep the post office on Main, lower the height of the condos and ensure Crooked Thumb continues to thrive. Focus on that now, not us and Janet, please?
Everyone gets that Janet lost, we don’t need to be reminded. I am not talking bad about Joe, so why don’t you just stop now, and move on to something positive? That is all I am asking. Stop the bashing, the election is over, you won.
Give the fruit basket to someone who will appreciate it.
There’s nothing hateful about a fruit basket.
Again, he can’t lower the height of the condos. Stop being delusional.
It’s not about the fruit basket, but you know that. If possible, please don’t have them put honey dew melon in it, I don’t like it.
Maybe beer?
https://anonimag.es/image/JT9sJBx
Hello Barbara Hollen-Hugg
Yes the election is over, yes you lost, no you don’t get it very doubtful you ever will but guess what I am just starting to rub it in the same way you rubbed it in when I begged 2 years ago over that stupid picture of Zodrow taken in front of my boutique but my begging was different, there was a very important reason, it was a life & death situation, I had just found out my Dad who is Diabetic with heart complications in order to keep him alive his leg had to be amputated which he refused so his Doctor gave him few months of life, yes Barbara I was losing my Dad who I love more than my own life, when that picture appeared he saw it & completely fell apart then blaming me for it, thinking I was the one who took that awful picture, it took a little while for him to know it was not me, as long as I live I will never forget one evening sitting outside by my boutique covering my face with so many tears when you & your friends passed by me in a golf cart loudly talking, “there is the crazy bitch, look at her & smile” that was the last straw I closed the boutique and went to the marina, you know what I wanted to do, I wanted to Die, that evening sitting in my car at the marina I begged God to take my life but instead I got a phone call from a friend who was worried about me, we met and talked, somehow I no longer wanted to die so you see let it be forever in your conscience the bullying you & your friends did to me almost cost a life if that friend didn’t call!
After that evening I completely lost interest in my boutique & Safety Harbor, to me it was a horrible place, imagine that the place I fell in love with got replaced with hatred so all I did was just exist trying to find ways to get away from it, thank God 1 year 5 months later I forever closed my boutique & all of the nightmares you bestowed upon me are gone despite your efforts with deliberate hurtful actions, another great thing is you, Hooper & Shellenberg can’t block me here like you did in Facebook 2 years ago so the best part is I live to tell about it right here, right now just as you are begging for the bashing to stop!
Here’s my final analysis you lost because of how you have been horribly bullying so many good people which I call God’s final Justice, you can no longer do anymore harm, I will not allow any of you to bully me or my friends, just remember I am not afraid of you & will always be nearby to expose your lies!
Dee,
I can’t even quantify or understand anything you wrote. I’ve never bullied you in my life, but I can tell it is useless for me to even say anything here, because you will believe as you wish. I don’t even know what photo you are taling about with Andy Z. Telling you I am very sorry about your father would be meaningless as you are going to think they are empty words, but I understand that pain as I recently went through the same thing.
Speaking your mind, as you always do, like saying we smirked at you at a commission meeting. I didn’t even realize you were there until I left and there was no smirking, but believe what you must.
Barbara, I have to say I have never known, heard or witnessed you being a bully. You are passonite with your beliefs and have always been cordial. I respect that.
You may not bully but you associate with those who bully! I do wish all of you good luck in hopes you will all get along next time someone like me comes to town!
Goodbye Barbara wishing you all the best!
Can Hooper stop the bashing? She couldn’t even offer a graceful concession speech. She insults people at every turn.
E,
I am only repeating Joe’s campaign promises, and one was to negotiate lowering the height of the condos. So who does that make delusional?
Whether they are lowered or not, if the developer came back and asked the city via an amended revision, they could lower it, if approved.
Thank you.
and the city will get sued or will have to pay $$$ for height. It is stupid.
Congratulations to all! Hard work does pay off. The citizens spoke loud and clear. Looking forward to a smart positive vision for Safety Harbor!
FFS, Safety Harbor is not going to attract big development. Can we please get this out of our minds? The only “big” development is a 7 story condo basically on the waterfront. We should be treated it as the crown jewel not some eyesore.
What “big” development has Safety Harbor attracted over the years? The only thing was the Richman apartments and those weren’t even downtown. Big developments go to big cities. Economics drives development.
The people of Safety Harbor spoke loud and clear. I am so excited that we now have a Mayor for all of the people, or at least the majority of them. I am excited for what this will bring to our beautiful city and our downtown businesses. Scott and Carlos will be a much needed and deserved support for Joe and together I see them being a strong force of positive change for our growing community. As for Janet and the Status Quo….the time for twisted bitterness should end here. This smart people of this town saw through the real rhetoric and voted accordingly. They are no longer happy with nor will settle for a few people trying to control what happens in Safety Harbor any longer.
Now the winners have a chance to lead….I have started to read about all of the post office comments. I am sure the new team will look closely at the income the post office brings to the city. I think we will now have dramatic changes to the city so let’s take a look at what profit we can make now that major changes will come. Maybe we can replace with a large market or condos that will bring in the money we need.
I would imagine most pay their bills on line. Why have it taking up space when we can make a profit?
Miss, if you were familiar with the pending post office issue and where the winning leadership stands – you would know that ayoub prefers to be more active in seeking out a new location for the post office on main street and at minimal downtown if a main street opportunity does not unfold. There’s little any leadership should do (within the code/guidelines) to control, outside of incentives, an individuals property. If the current owner of the PO building wants to do something different, that’s up to them. But finding a new location to keep the PO in the downtown district is core to the vitality and walkability of what SH residents want and deserve and the new leadership will be proactive in making that a reality.
The election was about business, profit and growth. I am expecting major building on Main Street. Are we not looking at a real make over of the town? I am hoping we see some great and updated stores on Main. Let’s get in stores that can afford a high rent and do away with the old. Let’s get in a market and high end stores and slowly move out the small businesses that can’t make it. I am assuming this is what the voters wanted…a new vision. The post office is not about profit. The new trend is paying bills on line. The future trend is not with a post office.
Really!
Miss – Troll alert.
I would actually say no to that description. I have thought all along this election was a turning point for Safety Harbor. There is no one right or wrong on this. This campaign was mean spirited across the board. I saw this election (this is my opinion )…one may have wanted to be on the side of more preservation or more of a small town feel versus the choice of larger homes and more development. I always wanted a successful Main Street. I love great shops and restaurants. It is simply a matter of choice that EVERY ONE is entitled to. The decision is made and now time will tell. Some will move to town and others will move to another destination. I have always loved Safety Harbor and if that changes for me in my time I will determine which way I will go.
Stay classy, Hooper.
Taking a handful of parting shots after such an embarrassing landslide at the polls comes across as being a bitter, sore loser.
Thanks Connect for pointing out Janet Hooper’s spend. Very hypocritical on her part to call out spending when her supporters funded all sorts of crazy mailers this election cycle on top of her $14,000 spend.
Congrats to all the winners!
Congratulations to our new mayor, Scott and Carlos!!! Hopefully we can get our city back on track!
Congratulations to Joe, Scott and Carlos! Your efforts are well deserved. Kudos!!