Clearwater mayor candidate is a no-show at political forums10 January 2012, 7:54 pmBy Drew Harwell, Times Staff Writer
CLEARWATER — The puzzling political newcomer seeking the city's most visible seat proved a no-show this week at a series of election events, continuing her unprecedented vanishing act and drawing into doubt the seriousness of her mayoral campaign.
Christine Marketos-Cuomo's empty seat at a Clearwater Neighborhoods Coalition forum Monday night shocked attendees, alienated organizers and emboldened the mystery that has grown in her public absence.
But her refusals to meet with firefighters, city leaders and business groups have also incited anger among local voters, who question why she would run for the city's top office without a hint of experience or the desire to speak or campaign.
"This is not a joke," said Norma Carlough, a longtime city volunteer and former council candidate who attended the forum, the first of the election season. "These are serious times. I can't imagine what she's thinking."
At the forum Vice Mayor George Cretekos, Marketos-Cuomo's opponent in the mayor's race, was able to speak without opposition on city issues like taxes, Scientology, panhandling and the downtown.
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