Kelly Kirschner appointed mayor

The longstanding Sarasota tradition of a vice mayor taking the title of mayor held true again this year.

Kelly Kirschner was named mayor today after serving as vice mayor for the past year. He succeeds Dick Clapp, who actually nominated Kirschner.

When Kirschner called for nominations for vice mayor, there was a brief moment of silence, and then Fredd Atkins said he wanted to nominate himself.

“I do have a real reason,” Atkins said. “I followed your dad into the mayor’s seat, so with me leaving this process, now is a perfect time.”

Kirschner’s father, Kerry, was mayor in the late 1980s. Atkins referring to “leaving this process” may refer to talk that that he will not seek reelection in April 2011.

Kirschner and Clapp’s terms also expire next April.

Contact Robin Roy at [email protected].