HOLMES BEACH – After years of volunteering with the city and local organizations, long-time resident Jayne Christenson is ready to take the plunge and is running for a city commission seat in November.
Christenson and her husband, Joe, have been making Holmes Beach their full-time home for more than a decade, though the couple’s roots in the community go back to 1989. She’s served as a planning commission member and vice-chair, chaired the Island Congestion Committee, been an active participant at Holmes Beach commission meetings, volunteered at Anna Maria Elementary School, The Center of Anna Maria Island, the Salvation Army, Christ Church and Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School.
Along with the three other candidates for the two spots available on the Holmes Beach city commission – Rick Hurst, Pat Morton and Kim Rash – Christenson was asked to respond to four questions. Each candidate’s answers will be published in The Sun, beginning with Christenson.
What do voters need to know about your involvement in the community?
I have served for three years on the Holmes Beach Planning Commission, the last year as the Vice-Chair. I actively participate at Holmes Beach City Commission meetings and chaired the city committee on Parking and Congestion which was organized by the Mayor to study and develop suggestions and identify possible solutions. You can find my family and me at The Center of Anna Maria Island where we attend events and volunteer. I strongly believe in the mission of the Salvation Army of Bradenton where my family and I volunteer as servers during their annual Thanksgiving and Christmas Day dinners.
Why are you running for Holmes Beach City Commission?
When I moved to Holmes Beach with my family in 1989, I knew this was the community where we belonged. In 2007, my husband and I became permanent residents of Holmes Beach. It has been a wonderful community to raise our son, who attended AME and is now a teenager working at the island Publix. My goal is to continue making our island city an enjoyable place to live, work and visit.
If elected, what would be your priority to work on with your fellow commissioners?
As a commissioner, I will encourage Holmes Beach City Hall to be more proactive at positive engagement with residents and businesses. They are the eyes and ears of the city. The number of permanent residents has declined over the years which is detrimental to the viability of the city. We need to find ways to grow our resident base. Aligning our priorities of balance between residential properties and vacation rentals in our neighborhoods is critical. The entire island could benefit from better collaboration and partnership between the three island cities. We need to work as one voice when interacting with state and county officials. This is especially important when it comes to the excessive advertising by the Tourism Development Council (TDC), a limited return of the tax dollars that we generate, and maintaining our right to Home Rule versus the state dictating.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the city today?
Many are concerned that Holmes Beach continues to face pressures from increased tourism and population growth from on and off the island. Other concerns involve financial challenges and key environment issues facing our island city. Holmes Beach requires innovative, forward-thinking commissioners who are prepared to work towards consensus on the challenging issues facing our city today and into the future.
