HOLMES BEACH – Rick Hurst is ready for a political comeback. After running for a second term last November and losing to newcomer Terry Schaefer, Hurst took a year off from the local political scene but hopes that voters will give him a second term as city commissioner this November.
Currently residing in Key Royale with his wife of 28 years, Laura, Hurst has been a resident of Holmes Beach since 2013. The two have three children, Tim, Ted and Torianne. Torianne attended Anna Maria Elementary School in Holmes Beach and now attends King Middle School.
Hurst was raised in Philadelphia and left to attend the University of Michigan where he earned a B.S.E. in 1985. After graduation, he moved to the Chicago area and developed a software system that he said is still the premier product in its industry.
In 1995, he switched his focus to a start-up automation company located in Michigan. It quickly grew and was sold in 2000, though Hurst stayed on as president until he retired in 2010. It took three months of full retirement before he was ready to move on to the next adventure, working part-time as a process efficiency/software consultant and more recently working as managing partner of the Freckled Fin Irish Pub, volunteering as a soccer coach and serving as a city commissioner in Holmes Beach from 2017-19. He also works from home as an IT director for a large Midwest food distributor.
“I wholeheartedly agree with my financial advisor when he says, ‘Rick, you suck at retirement,’ ” Hurst wrote in an email to The Sun.
With two seats on the city commission dais up for grabs in the Nov. 3 election, Hurst faces off against incumbent Commissioners Pat Morton and Kim Rash along with fellow Holmes Beach resident Jayne Christenson. To help voters get to know each candidate a little better, The Sun asked each candidate to answer the same four questions. Here are Hurst’s answers.
What do voters need to know about your involvement in the community?
For many years I spent a good portion of my time coaching youths at The Center. During that time, I started and coached the Island travel soccer team that had a great three-year run. In addition, I spent two years as a Holmes Beach Commissioner. I am currently the managing partner of the Freckled Fin Irish Pub where we provide great food, atmosphere and entertainment to our community.
Why are you running for Holmes Beach City Commission?
I along with many Holmes Beach residents feel “all” residents are not being heard. I have been asked by many residents, “What can we do to be heard?” My only answer is “Through the election process.” I want us to be heard through my campaign as well as future campaigns with other candidates. Additionally, based on recent observations I believe that too many members of the commission are too like-minded and are missing my differing point of view which in the past has allowed the commission to see multiple sides of issues. I think for the sake of the city, we need to get that back.
If elected, what would be your priority to work on with your fellow commissioners?
Improve methods of communication to our residents and provide simple ways for all residents to be heard. The truth is that only a handful of people have the time and willingness to attend and speak up at a commission meeting. We need to design better forums for all to be heard along with better checks and balances to ensure certain inner circles are not heard over others.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the city today?
The way the parking ordinance was implemented by the city has created a new challenge, which is to repair a community that has been fractured by residents being pitted against one another and a growing distrust of city officials. With that said, the biggest challenge is keeping up with, paying for and prioritizing the many infrastructure and stormwater projects that are necessary for the present as well as for the future of the city.
