Photos for Headline Surfer® / Vernon Burton, shown above, continues public service in his zone 2 commission seat for another two years. Jim Connell and Daisy Raiser vied for the zone 4 seat that incumbent Tura Schnebly opted not to seek re-election for in the 2016 elections. Connell prevailed in the Nov. 8 general elections.LAKE HELEN, Fla. -- Zone 2 Commissioner Vernon Burton got a free pass to-re-election when no one else put in qualifying papers back in June.
And so Burton will serve another two years when his current term expires after November's election.
It's not as if Burton would have likely had any trouble holding onto his seat in this small city of 2,624 residents, judging by how well he did two years ago, easily defeating Ernie Deboliac.
Burton captured 61.39 percent of the votes in the 2014 general election, 639 to Deboliac's 403. An independent insurance agent, the 68-year-old Burton has been on the commission since he first won election in 2008. Burton volunteers at senior centers and a local food pantry. Burton served on the Lake Helen Planning Board and at one point, led the city's parks and recreation board.
Burton captured 61.39 percent of the votes in the 2014 general election, 639 to Deboliac's 403. An independent insurance agent, the 68-year-old Burton has been on the commission since he first won election in 2008. Burton volunteers at senior centers and a local food pantry. Burton served on the Lake Helen Planning Board and at one point, led the city's parks and recreation board.
Jim Connell won the zone 4 seat over fellow newcomer Daisy Raisler with 53.2 percent of the votes in the Nov. 8 general elections.