Kelly Hayes
Candidates Coleen Chaney and Thomas Nessler snagged the two open Belleair City Commission seats on the ballot — a contest featuring three candidates.
Chaney led with 45.62% of the vote, and Nessler came in next with 36.37%, all precincts reporting.
Estelle DeMuesy lost with 18% of the vote.
“I am grateful for the support I received during my first election. I can’t wait to get to work and I am honored to be working with newly elected Commissioner Thomas Nessler,” Chaney said in a Facebook post after her election.
The Belleair Commission consists of five members — the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor and three commissioners — who are elected at large for a three year term.
Chaney has 20 years of experience in crisis response work, policy development and community-based collaboration as a law enforcement-based victim advocate. She is also a non-profit consultant.
Chaney considers herself a champion of public safety, and was the recipient of the 2016 Florida Governor’s Medal of Unity for her work in crisis response. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Belleair Community Foundation and Pinellas County Family Enrichment Services, and nabbed an endorsement from Republican Rep. Chris Latvala.
Nessler is a lawyer at Frederick W. Nessler & Associates where he works on cases dealing with personal injury, wrongful death, automobile accidents, premises liability, institutional and clerical abuse. Nessler has made several posts in support of Chaney’s run as well.
DeMuesy had more than two decades of experience working in strategic planning and has financial and team development experience. She served as the chairperson of the Belleair Young Women’s Christian Association and has worked in several student mentorship programs.
DeMuesy ran on a platform of fiscal responsibility, improving roads and stormwater projects and preserving public spaces.
The office of Mayor for Belleair was up for election, but was cancelled when only one candidate filed to run.
The Mayor will be former Commissioner Michael Wilkinson, who ran unopposed in the town’s March 9 elections. Wilkinson has served on the Commission since 2010. He will replace longtime Mayor Gary Katica, who is retiring.
