Rematch in Atlantic Beach mayor race

Atlantic Beach has had only four mayors in its 50-year history, and Mayor Stephen Mahler intends to extend that streak to 52 with his re-election bid this month.

Mahler's challenger, former trustee Edward A. Radburn, says change is in the air in the 1-square-mile seaside village of 1,891 people.

Atlantic Beach voters will make the decision June 19 in a contest that is a rematch of the 2010 election, which Mahler won.

Mahler, 73, an attorney, has served as mayor for 16 years -- one year fewer than he has lived in the village.

He said he should be re-elected because his administration has stabilized taxes, repaved roads, and introduced a stickered parking system that is "more democratic" than the previous daily free-for-all during beach season.

"It's a model village," Mahler said. "If they want to change to Ed Radburn, I want to know what the reason is."

Radburn, 62, is a 20-year resident of Atlantic Beach who ran cargo-handling companies and sold space on cargo planes at Kennedy Airport before retiring. He served as trustee from 1996 to 2000, when he lost a re-election bid.

Radburn, of the Atlantic Beach Good Government Party, said Mahler's approach to infrastructure repairs has been "fix a street here, fix a street there," and that the village needs a new plan for long-term capital improvements.

"I think the value of all the properties in the village will rise if the entire village infrastructure is improved," Radburn said.

Mahler, of the Atlantic Beach Integrity Party, defended his stewardship of village infrastructure and said he is running on his record, which includes his role in campaigning for Atlantic Beach to gain local zoning powers. The village won those powers in 2002 after a referendum.

He added that village taxes this year were held within the state-mandated 2-percent tax levy cap.

"My crowning achievement, other than rebuilding this whole place, is that I won the fight for zoning," Mahler said.

Radburn said Mahler has been mayor for too long, as his administration has displayed arrogance and a lack of accountability.

"He has been in office so long that he just doesn't think he's accountable," Radburn said.

Trustees Linda Baessler and Edward Sullivan, who is also the deputy mayor, are running uncontested for two-year terms.

Voting will take place June 19 at Atlantic Beach Village Hall, 65 The Plaza, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.