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Campaign 2008 Profiles: District 5 County Commission

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THE SUNCOAST NEWS

Published: August 2, 2008

County Commission, District 5

This time we survey the political landscape in Pasco County Commission District 5. Republican Jack Mariano, the incumbent, will face challenger Rich Jenkins in the Aug. 26 primary. In November, Democrat Virginia "Ginny" Miller will take on the winner of that contest. District 5 takes in northwestern Pasco but all County Commission seats are elected on a countywide basis.

•Rich Jenkins is running for District 5 Pasco County Commission seat in the Aug. 26 Republican primary against the incumbent commissioner, Jack Mariano.

Jenkins ranks the biggest challenge for commissioners as budget cuts "while maintaining high standards of public safety." The county and state have set aside money for economic development. Commissioners need to form a closer partnership with Pasco Economic Development Council and other organizations to attract large industries.

JENKINS

"We have land area to build out, we have many of our transportation routes in place, we also have an educated populace. These are all things that an industry leader will be looking for when selecting a site."

The increase in impact fees on new houses last year only made the housing downturn here worse, Jenkins believes. He favors rebates for homes made with ecologically friendly products. "Another idea would be to credit a portion of the impact fees for less densely built neighborhoods."

As for fuel costs, Pasco can promote green technologies while also cultivating public-private partnerships to generate more money. For example, advertising could be sold on county buses and other county vehicles to help offset fuel costs. Concerning a proposal to hire only nonsmokers for county jobs, "the idea of losing those (smoking) candidates is very unfortunate. The county needs to hire the best qualified job applicant. By only hiring non-smokers the county will be able to get better insurance rates and also be encouraging people to stop smoking."

Bio snapshot

A Pasco resident for 9 years, Jenkins, 43, resides in Hudson with his wife, Debby, and their two daughters, Victoria and Olivia.

Education: Pensacola Junior College, AA degree with Honors, 1989; bachelor degree in history (pre-law tract) University of West Florida with honors, 1992.

Experience: Fifteen years of financial and management experience; 7 years as a business owner of A Family Mortgage and Financial Services, based in Port Richey.

Memberships: Loyal Order of Moose, Port Richey; West Pasco Chamber of Commerce; West Pasco Board of Realtors affiliate member; Second Amendment Club; Heritage Pines Republican Club; Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association; Executive Committeeman, Republican Party of Pasco County; Spirit of 76 Club.

Awards: Honored by Secretary of State of Florida for helping to create Florida's fourth underwater archaeological preserve.

•Jack Mariano, a Republican incumbent seeking a second four-year term in the District 5 County Commission seat, will face Rich Jenkins in the GOP primary Aug. 26.

Among biggest challenges, Mariano cites balancing budgets, boosting recycling and dealing with water quality issues. He hopes to find more public-private partnerships for the Pasco Parks and Recreation Department to eliminate costs. He wants weekly pickup of recyclable trash, including newspapers, to reduce the amount of excess garbage the county must export while improving the efficiency of Pasco's waste-to-energy plant. Pasco joined the Government Utility Authority to try to buy out privately owned utilities. Residents should have good water and he "will not rest until it is done."

MARIANO

As for business incentives, Mariano believes newly created employment centers will boost Pasco's economic output. Urban Land Institute recommendations led to a 17-member committee with experts to improve the permitting process. Pasco Economic Development Council is an "excellent group."

Mariano would not change growth management regulations. The county is positioning itself well for when the economy rebounds, he said. Some $172 million worth of road projects the next two years will create jobs while saving the county money from lower bids from contractors competing for work.

As for energy costs, the county has been proactive on green building techniques to conserve energy and water.

The county would hire only nonsmokers under one proposal, but the "most recent data I have seen does not show a reduction in health insurance premiums."

Bio snapshot

A Pasco resident for 13 years, Jack Mariano has been married 17 years to wife Michelle. They have two daughters, ages 11 and 12.

Education: Bachelor degree in economics from Framingham State College; Qualified Storm-Water Management Certification from Florida Department of Environmental Protection; Florida Association of Counties Certified County Commissioner.

Experience: Auto sales for 9 years; Tourist Development Council chairman; secretary-treasurer Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council; and more.

Memberships: Richey Suncoast Theatre board, West Pasco Habitat for Humanity board, honorary member Keystone Sunrise Rotary, Knight of Columbus St. Michaels 4th degree, Leadership Pasco, 2003, Volunteer Way Advisory Council, Take Stock in Children, and more.

Awards: Outstanding Government Service Award from West Pasco Board of Realtors, Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship Award, Kiwanian of the Year, and more.

•Virginia "Ginny" Miller, a former New Port Richey City Council member, is the only Democratic nominee to qualify for County Commission in District 5 in the Aug. 26 primary. Miller will face the winner of the Republican primary in the Tuesday, Nov. 4, general election.

The local economy will form the biggest challenge to the County Commission in the next four years, Miller believes.

MILLER

"The county should lead the way by proceeding as soon as possible with capital projects that have funding in place."

Miller believes the county should create Community Redevelopment Areas for local taxes in areas with problems like obsolete housing and rising crime rates.

The Pasco Economic Development Council is an important ally, she thinks.

She also is interested in recruiting "green" energy production businesses like solar and wind.

Total impact fees are twice as high now as Hillsborough and Pinellas fees.

A pending school impact fee will almost triple them "which has a dampening effect on new development."

The building and related businesses have been the major source of family wealth for more than 30 years in Pasco, and our growth management policy has had an aggravating effect on the current economy.

She favors expanding the county's public transit system.

Miller doesn't favor a proposal to hire only nonsmoker applicants for county jobs. "I'm not in favor of this type of government intrusion in employees' lives."

She would enlist the health department and other agencies to help employees who want to quit smoking.

Bio snapshot

A Pasco resident for 14 years, Virginia "Ginny" Miller, 49, is not married and has one child.

Education: Bachelor's degree in secondary education from Northeastern Illinois University.

Experience: Elected to New Port Richey City Council five times between 1998 and 2006.

Memberships: Leadership Pasco, 2000; West Pasco Historical Society, 1998-present; Keep Pasco Beautiful, 1999 - 2003; Gulf Middle School Student Council sponsor, 2006-present.

Awards: Red Apple School, 2007.

Hobbies: kayak, read, cook and write.

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