3 Vie to Become Riverview's Next Honorary Mayor

As a crowd from the cheered them on, three members literally tossed their hats into a ring in the form of a hula hoop, announcing their commitment to run for 2013 honorary mayor of Riverview.

The event took place Friday night, June 20, at in Riverview, attended by current mayor Lisa Kennedy and past mayors Mike Self and Jeanne Bush.

Announcing their candidacy for the honorary post were Elijah Heath of the Rotary Club of FishHawk-Riverview, Molly Blanton of the Gulf Ridge Council of the Boy Scouts of America and Mary Boyd of in Riverview.

The candidates will spend the next three months hosting events to raise funds for their chosen charities. A portion of the funds raised also will go to support the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce. The candidate who raises the most money for charity is named the new honorary mayor in October.

"It's a fun opportunity to raise money for the charity of your choice," said current mayor Lisa Kennedy of . "Every dollar earned counts as one vote."

Heath, a financial adviser with in Lithia, will be raising funds for the FishHawk-Riverview Rotary Foundation.

"There are 50 charities our club supports and we need help," said Heath.

Blanton, district executive of the Gulf Ridge Council, plans to raise money for the Scouts, noting that there are 3,000 Boy Scouts in East Hillsborough County.

"I'm not sure what we'll do for events, but it will be a lot of fun," she said.

Boyd, the branch manager of C1 Bank in Riverview, said she will raise funds for YMCA Camp Cristina in Riverview and A Kid's Place in Brandon.

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