Dear Residents and Visitors,

Meet Your Council Members

Ellen A. Bauer, Vice Mayor

1.  Provide short summary of your background and what circumstance brought you to become a resident of Indian Shores.

I am originally from Buffalo NY and was married to the late Daniel J. Bauer, mother of three, grandmother of five.  Over the course of my career, I served as President and CEO of two successful businesses:   The Petal Pusher (1977-1994) and Bauer’s Eden Valley Furniture (1994-2018).  I purchased a home in Indian Shores Florida in 2003 and chose to move here permanently in 2012.  I chose Indian Shores Florida for its peaceful close-knit community, its beautiful waterfront setting and its location perfectly situated between major tourist destinations while still offering a quieter way of life.

2.  What is your top priority(s) for the town over the next year, and why?

To promote tourism while balancing the needs of local residents, consider efforts to protect local beaches and ecosystems given our coastal location.  Have initiatives to enhance public safety services while maintaining growth and development to maintain the town’s character.

3.  How do you engage with residents to ensure their voices are heard in Council decisions?

I listen to their concerns and then find a solution to that concern by contacting the appropriate people to get the problem resolved by the best means possible.   

4.  Can you share an example of a recent Council decision you supported and why you voted that way?

I voted to delete the 10-year lookback on properties damaged by storms and hurricanes.   I supported that vote so property owners would be able to get an honest estimate to renovate their damaged homes and not be penalized for previous renovations.

5.  What challenges do you believe the town is currently facing, and how should we address them?

We are still recovering from the massive hurricane damages and are steadily taking into consideration how to fix the damage in a way that will mitigate the same problem in future storms.

6.  How do you see the town evolving in the next 5-10 years, and what role should the council play in shaping that future?

With the rising awareness of the historical problems that were faced in the recent hurricanes, I see a focus on sustainability and conservation efforts related to costal protection and marine life.  Enhanced efforts in community participation and local events to strengthen the sense of community among residents and to promote tourism to our town.