PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — It’s the first time a new mayor has taken the lead in the Town of North Redington Beach in 20 years.

Mayor Jay Super was sworn in at the town commission meeting in March after running unopposed.

His predecessor, Bill Queen, had served as mayor for 20 years before resigning in February and moving to the city of Seminole.

Mayor Super has had a long career specializing in plumbing and construction services and believes he’s the right leader at the right time, especially as North Redington Beach works to rebuild and recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

“What we’re really working for up here is to find a way to navigate these natural disasters,” said Mayor Jay Super.

“We're really trying to find a way to work through the red tape and get people back in their homes. Not in months, but in weeks moving forward. We hope this doesn't happen again, but we have to plan ahead and be ready for it to happen and cut through the red tape next time,” Super continued.

Hundreds of North Redington Beach residents have significant damage from the storms and lost most of their personal belongings, including the new mayor.

Hurricane Helene destroyed Super’s home, which will be demolished later this month. His family is currently living in temporary housing.

“Everybody’s been affected and some of us more than others,” said Super.

“We lost about, 98% of all our personal belongings, including all of my children’s stuff, but it's all the stuff that we can replace. It is sad, but we're safe and healthy, and I think that's the important part, and all my neighbors are safe and healthy.”

He emphasized the importance of neighbors working together and helping each other.

Super added that it could take five years to get North Redington Beach back to normal.

He has been a North Redington Beach resident for the past two years, but was a regular visitor with his wife and three children for 20 years.