Jupiter Island commission appoints Maria Baezid to vacant seat; mayoral vote postponed to June 22

The Jupiter Island Town Commission on Monday moved to fill a vacant commission seat and deferred selecting a mayor until its June 22 meeting, after several rounds of balloting produced ties and a candidate withdrew.

Commissioners, operating with four seated members, faced repeated 2-2 deadlocks while voting to fill the open commission seat. The commission confirmed four people had filed interest: Maria Baezid, Truman Hobbs, Walter McCormick and Richard O'Connell. Candidate Richard O'Connell introduced himself during public comment and described his engineering and business background. "I was the fourth candidate in that packet of information," he said, and later, "Thank you for this opportunity, but I would withdraw my nomination," after the ballots remained deadlocked.

Town counsel and staff flagged uncertainty in the charter about the precise sequence for filling a mayoral vacancy and a commission seat. "I think it's Article 3 that covers what to do in the event of a vacancy by way of resignation," a speaker identified as Mr. Teal said, adding that the charter contemplates the commission voting to appoint someone to fill a vacancy. Commissioners discussed whether to appoint the fifth commissioner first so a full five-member body could then select a mayor; one commissioner argued that seating the fifth member first would reduce the risk of controversial deadlocks.

After Truman Hobbs withdrew his nomination, the commission selected Maria Baezid to fill the vacant seat. "My choice is Maria Baazid. I have watched in person or on the recordings, every meeting of the development review board," one commissioner said in support. With Baezid appointed, commissioners turned to choosing a mayor. Balloting for mayor among the four present again produced tied outcomes, with votes recorded alternately for Anne Scott and Marshall Field.

Commissioners discussed tie-breaking options, including a scoring system and the long-standing local practice of a coin toss. A resident suggested a temporary rotating mayor plan until all five commissioners could vote, saying a rotation would allow each member to preside and give the commission a chance to assess who manages meetings most efficiently. Staff relayed a remote comment from Baezid thanking the commission and noting she was listening but could not participate live.

Faced with repeated ties and the upcoming June meeting when all five commissioners are expected to be present, the commission voted to table the mayoral selection until June 22 and agreed the vice mayor will serve as mayor in the interim. The commission also agreed to revisit procedures for tie-breaking and agenda management at a later date.

The commission adjourned after deferring other calendar items; the mayoral selection will resume at the June 22 meeting when Maria Baezid is expected to be present.