FORMER MAYOR KICKS OFF CAMPAIGN

BRADENTON - Bill Evers is hoping Bradenton residents are discontented
with Bradenton Mayor Wayne Poston and will "Bring Bill Back" to the
mayor's office.

Evers, who was mayor from 1980 until 2000, announced to 80 followers
Saturday that he will run against Poston. The 2003 election will be
Nov. 4.

Poston ousted Evers in 1999 with almost 54 percent of the
vote.

Evers blasted Poston for the state of the Bradenton Police Department
and for the city raising taxes twice in three years.

Evers said under Poston's leadership that morale at the police
department is "lower than a snake's belly."

"In 20 years, I had four chiefs; he's had three in three years," Evers
said. "Come the first of January, if I'm in there, we're going to
straighten this out for all of you guys."

He also criticized Poston because the department eliminated their drug
unit.

"Our new chief says Bradenton is too small for a drug unit. But I tell
you, in January we'll have a unit," Evers said.

Poston said Evers' criticism is unwarranted.

"The police department is in the best shape it's been in years. Our
turnover is down, we've added seven new policemen, we've added seven
new zones," Poston said.

Evers also criticized Poston because of higher taxes and service costs
over the past three years. He promised to veto any tax increases.

"I'm going to get this under control for you," Evers said. "If you put
him back in there, you'd better tighten your seat belt because it's
going to go up and up and up."

Poston said services are "a lot better."

"There's an awful lot of bang for the bucks," Poston
said.

Poston said the council raised taxes, and he thought it inappropriate
to veto the council's budget.

"The council and the department heads decide what we can afford to do,
what is reasonable and what we need to do," Poston said. "There's no
more fighting between the council and the mayor like there used to
be."

Evers has filed with the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections to run
against Poston. As of Saturday, the two were the only ones to file for
mayor. Incumbent councilmen Gene Gallo, Ward 1, and James T. Golden,
Ward 5, do not have opponents yet.