Milton has 8 candidates vying for 4 city councils seat. Get to know them here

The 2022 election in Milton features all Seat 1 City Council spots up for grabs throughout the city's four wards.

Each ward has a Seat 1 and Seat 2 council representative, who appears on the ballot in alternating election cycles. Seat 1 council members and the Milton mayor will appear on the Nov. 8 ballot, while the Seat 2 positions come up for vote in 2024.

In wards 1, 3 and 4, the incumbents were all appointed to their positions following resignations from prior councilors.

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In Ward 2, incumbent Shannon Rice is stepping away from the city's political scene, opening the spot up in a race that features both fresh and experienced faces alike.

Here is the field of candidates:

Ward 1: Downtown and Caroline Street

The Ward 1 race has incumbent Vernon Compton facing off against Mike Cusack. Compton was appointed to the seat in November 2021 and told the News Journal his main drive to serve comes from his personal investment in the community.

"Service to the community has always been important to me. I've been a volunteer for over 25 years with a variety of organizations working to improve Milton," Compton said, adding his time so far in office has been "extremely rewarding."

Cusack said he is coming in to "try to be a voice for the people and do the right thing." He expressed a concern that the current council does not listen to the city residents.

"There are a lot of dismissive attitudes in my opinion," the six-and-a-half-year Milton resident said.

Compton said he has been proud of his and the city's cleanup and tree-planting projects during his time in office. He said seeing people look at Milton as a place to invest money and resources is something that gives him a sense of pride.

Moving forward, Compton said he wants to see the development of the new wastewater treatment plant continue forward while also protecting water quality near the Blackwater River, adding that other priorities include addressing bicycle and pedestrian needs and encouraging local development.

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Cusack said he has a vision of making Willing Street pedestrian only and allowing room for small cafes and other pedestrian-centered options.

He also voiced concerns about the planned location of the new wastewater treatment facility.

"We need to make sure that we're putting it in at the right location, where there's no damage possible or environmental hazard to the river," Cusack said. "That's one of my (priorities)."

The two men took different approaches to the topic of the Florida Department of Transportation's plans to widen U.S. 90 through downtown.

Cusack recognized that FDOT is already in the design phase, saying city stakeholders need to get involved so that the best result is achieved.

"The four-lane is coming through, contrary to what a lot of people think," Cusack said.

Compton has been an adamant critic of FDOT's plans.

He said the project "would be very detrimental to the future of our city. It's something that most many communities across our country and many within our own transportation planning area, across the state of Florida, are working to undo."

Ward 2: West Milton along Berryhill Road

The Ward 2 race features former Milton Mayor Wesley Meiss up against Marilynn Farrow, a retiree who previously worked with infants and toddlers with special needs.

Meiss did not respond to the News Journal's request for interview.

Back in 2018 — before he lost his reelection campaign to now-Mayor Heather Lindsay — the city changed an ordinance allowing freestanding bars and taverns in some downtown locations with Meiss casting the deciding vote.

It was a move, Meiss previously told the News Journal, that was part of a larger effort to draw business development to the city so area residents did not have to drive to Pace or Pensacola for goods and services.

Farrow got involved with local politics over the last several years as she worked to oppose a proposed ordinance that would have given more power to the city's Historic Preservation Board.

She told the News Journal her main focus is to instill a feeling of transparency from the city government to citizens.

"I'm all about limited government and keeping our taxes low. And I feel like we can work together for our city," Farrow said. "I would like to bring a sense of unity to the council and less infighting."

On the U.S. 90 issue, she said she wants to get involved with the process as it relates to coordinating the city's design preferences to FDOT.

"They've made it clear that they are proceeding with their plan. I also support the city (intending) to be involved in the design process," Farrow said.

Ward 3: Northwest Milton along Dogwood Drive

In Ward 3, appointed councilman Robert Leek faces off against commercial fire alarm technician Gavin Hawthorne.

Leek, who came into the role in April 2021, said his main draw in running this cycle comes from the desire to see some of his proposed projects through. He cited the city's energy audit in particular. He also wants to work to continue improving city transparency, adding that he helped push to ensure that city notices are posted in locations more accessible to people.

Hawthorne has focused his campaign effort on youth involvement. At 35, he said he feels there needs to be younger representation on the council.

"If we focus on the youth, that will secure Milton's future. In my opinion, the youth is Milton's future," Hawthorne said. He added that if the council integrates younger voices, it can help ensure that young Milton residents stay in the city long-term.

Both men recognized FDOT's commitment to widening U.S. 90, saying they would likely look to coordinate with the state agency on the design aspect of the project.

"If I get elected, I will do my best to help FDOT create a plan for a four-lane to where we can try to avoid removing any historic buildings," Hawthorne said, adding though that he is still open to hearing alternatives.

Leek said that "FDOT has not wavered from their stance. They are going to four-lane through there. And the design phase is about to begin. So, I want the council and our advisory boards and the public to be involved in this design phase and make it the best that we can," Leek said.

Ward 4: Northeast Milton along Stewart Street

In Ward 4, Shari Sebastiao — another council person appointed in April 2021 — is being challenged by Jason Vance.

Vance did not respond to the News Journal's request for interview.

Sebastiao said she saw how combative people were speaking to each other in city forums, which prompted her to want to jump in as a councilor.

In terms of priorities, Sebastiao said she supports finding ways to ensure affordable housing is available.

"Anytime that we can get people to come here that want to build apartments that can help (provide) housing, that can help," Sebastiao said.

She added that she wants to continue to see the city's downtown and outskirts grow and on the U.S. 90 subject, Sebastiao took a firm stance in opposing FDOT's move.

"My heels are in the sand. I mean, they're in deep, and they're not coming out until the bulldozers say, ‘We're going to run over you,'" Sebastiao said.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Milton city council has 4 open seats for 2022 election