Karl Nurse joins St. Petersburg council

ST. PETERSBURG-- The City Council appointed businessman and community activist Karl Nurse, 53, to the vacant District 6 seat Thursday.

Nurse, who is white, is the first non African-American person to represent the district in nearly 30 years.

"I feel humbled by the size of the responsibility before me," said Nurse after his victory.

Council Chairman Jamie Bennett said the council made the right decision.

"He has the shortest learning curve," Bennett said.

The controversial vote raised more than a few eyebrows.

Even after Nurse was announced the winner, the only African-American council member, Wengay Newton, voted against approving his appointment and then stormed out of the council chambers.

Black community activist Theresa "Momma Tee" Lassiter said Nurse has no ties to the African-American community.

"He ain't done nothing," she yelled in the council chambers as Nurse embraced his mother in celebration. "Being a part of the Sierra Club ain't it. Where were you when the boys were getting shot on my street?"

Here's how the council voted:

Bennett and Council members James Kennedy, Herb Polson and Jeff Danner picked Nurse.

Newton and Council member Bill Dudley choose Cassandra Jackson, 48, president of the Pinellas Black Republican Club and former Pinellas County Housing Authority board member.

Council member Leslie Curran selected Gwendolyn Reese, 59, chief executive of InFinite Solutions and chairwoman of Close the Gap, an education nonprofit.

The other candidates were former council member David Welch and the Rev. Deborah Green, president of Earth Mission Ministries.

Nurse will be sworn in May 1.

-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer